Apples ubiquitous white ear buds. No, the headphone jack is not the new floppy disk. Or the new CD or DVD, the new 30-pin Dock connector or the new FireWire port. Excising the headphone jack from its new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus isnt like those other rounds of enforced obsolescence. Apple (AAPL) killed a technology thats worked fine for decades and left you with solutions that are costlier or more complex and work no better at the core function of delivering sound to your ears. The new models are no thinner than last years iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, so its not as if Apple had no choice here. The company would like you to think of this deliberate downgradeto quote marketing vice president Phil Schillers facepalm-inducing remark at Thursdays eventas courage. The correct word is arrogance. The headphone jack has one job Other technologies that Apple has offed over the yearsthe Verges infographic provides a helpful overviewaged poorly as our info-habits advanced. The floppy disk stored too little data; old connectors like SCSI and Apple Desktop Bus were too big or too slow; the CD and DVD became less relevant as we shifted to media downloads and streaming. Our ears, however, have not changed over the last few decades. We continue to be ship with at most two apiece, in most cases with an unchanged listening range. And while music-playback hardware has evolved, the headphone jack isnt holding it back, two audio experts said over e-mail. There is nothing necessarily limiting about the 3.5mm jack itself, wrote Dan Thompson, assistant chair of music production and engineering at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. It certainly isnt any kind of liability for audio quality, and nearly every headphone on earth supports it, said Christopher Montgomery, developer of a variety of open-source media formats. Berklees Thompson added that a phones digital-to-analog conversion chipset and headphone amplifier can make a difference. He judged Apples as providing very decent integrated audio performance. Story continues So the decades-old 3.5mm headphone jack, itself derived from 138-year-old hardware, continues to do its one job. You can take the headphones from a 1980 Sony Walkman and pop them into an iPhone 6s, and they should work just fine although the foam padding on 36-year-old headphones is probably pretty gross by now, and they wont let you control playback the way Apples headphones do. Your alternatives: dongles, wireless or the Lightning tax Now that Apple has ensured you cant grab any random headphone and plug it directly into a new iPhone, youre left with three options of varying unpleasantness. You can keep using old headphones (here at my desk, I can touch three without getting out of my chair) if you remember to bring the dongle Apple will ship with each new iPhone. If you lose that adapter, a replacement costs $9. Or you can buy a set of Bluetooth headphones. They are increasingly popularthe NPD Group found that in June, their sales passed those of wired headphones in the U.S. for the first timeand dont have cords that can get tangled into an unholy mess. But wireless headphones cost extra and need to be recharged. Often. Apples new $159 AirPods only run for five hours, so on a flight from the East Coast to San Francisco, theyll run out somewhere over Nevada. Theres no old school headphone jack in the iPhone 7. The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus will ship with a set of wired headphones ($29 bought separately) that plug into the devices Lightning port. Which is great, except they wont work on any other companys mobile devices, Apples own computers, and every other device in the world with a headphone jack. Lightning headphones from third parties will also carry the hidden Apple tax of the companys MFi licensing and certification program. The Cupertino, Calif., firm doesnt disclose how much it collects from the sale of each Lightning device, but past reports have put it at $4 a pop. And when the only way for audio to go from an iPhone to headphones is via a digital channel that can be controlled by an app, your listening can be restricted by a music publishers digital rights management software, as Boing Boings Cory Doctorow recently warned. This is what people hate about the tech industry Once again, Apple has offloaded the cost of its design choices to its customers. But this time, it delivers too little in returnthe iPhone 7 is waterproof, but so are lots of other smartphones with a headphone jack, and dropping that connector to include stereo speakers only makes much sense if you dont get out much. Look, change happens in technology and often justifies the cost of adapting. Ill tolerate the annoyance of replacing various USB cables and adapters with USB-C equivalents because this breakthrough connector promises an end to proprietary, pricey laptop power adapters. But dumping the headphone jack for a proprietary successor is foolish. It inconveniences you for the sake of Apples design whims, not any improvement that youll notice in daily use. Its yet another round of customers being told to buy the nth new version of a gadget, an app, an album or a movie because technology. We should all hope this move flops in the market, or Apple will be tempted to declare the power outlet also too bulky and in need of replacement with something more elegant. Email Rob at rob@robpegoraro.com; follow him on Twitter at @robpegoraro. Read more from Yahoo Finance on Apples September 2016 keynote: Why Im buying the new Apple Watch Why Ill never ever want an Apple Watch Why the iPhone headphone jack must die 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. OK! Magazine 05 Jul 2022 Despite his scandals, Matt Lauer's girlfriend, Shamin Abas, has been by his side since 2019. Get to know more about his leading.. The roads linking Hanuabada, Gerehu and 9-Mile in the National Capital District are expected to create opportunities for commercial activities on zoned land alongside them, an official says.NCDC deputy city manager regulatory services Kenneth Atasoa told the media that there would be opportunities for businesses when the roads were opened for use.The road works are almost completed. It is opening up about 4000 allotments. The economic value expected to be generated from that is about K4.3 billion.This is the initial assessment of what the road is expected to do for our city.He said the roads would open up the land which developers and individuals could have access to.There will be potential for commercial operations on the land, as was the case with the Napa Napa road development in which land was zoned for that purpose, he said.He said the land could also be developed for residential purposes.The roads have enabled rapid development and there are vast commercial opportunities to be made use of (from which) businesses and residents can benefit, he said. We are creating access to the land.It is great for our country, its economy and especially our city. The road project had been progressively planned from 1991.The construction phase began in 2012, according to the NCDC senior road designer Ravu Frank. The National/ONE PNG WrB Responsible Gambling Innovation Conference Kicks-off in London Today Published September 8, 2016 by Lee R Find out how CSR, CRM, and Responsible Gaming fit into the global iGaming environment. Set against stunning London city panoramas, the premiere iGaming ethics convention arrives in today at OXO2. The Opportunity Responsible Gambling Innovation WrB London will offer attendees an international working group of key operators, regulators and associations who are invited to exchange ideas, benchmark best practices, and generate implementable solutions to drive responsible gambling innovation. Themes The conference tackles the most significant and contemporary issues facing the iGaming industry today straight on. Empowering themes include Responsible Gambling and the bottom line; Self-exclusion, lessons learnt; best practice sharing across Europe; International examples from USA, Canada and Australia; Segmenting data and targeted Responsible Gambling strategy; and CSR in Gaming. 2016 Focus The conference of The World Regulatory Briefing Responsible Gaming Innovations focus is European-facing, and seeks to determine and adapt current RG methods with smarter ways of segmenting and analysing data that integrate Corporate Social Responsibility CSR, Customer Relation Management CRM and Responsible Gaming RG into the discussion of future regulatory requirements across Europe. Networking Atop London The lavish networking will launch with a an interface of elegance that is the Networking Drinks at the OXO Tower, in which WrB London Association Sponsor IAGA invites all registered delegates to the conference to attend a 1hr cocktail drinks reception at Level 8, OXO Tower at 17.15. About WrB The WrB brand is long been the premiere platform for international iGaming industry Government, Regulators, Operators and Suppliers to discuss current and future regulation. Organisational Goals WrBs offers primary business intelligence in areas that include market entry, growth channels, consumer profiling and regulatory sustainability, providing cost effective solutions to a diverse political landscape while continuing to build a knowledge base around the diverse models of regulation in various stages of development and implementation across the globe. WrBs global updates provide members with real-time information briefings that empower them to maintain commercial competitiveness to help grow their international presence. WrB is taking place at Level Two of the OXO Tower Wharf, Bargehouse street, London SE1 9PH. For more information about what is happening or updates on developments as they happen, check into the WrBs cutting edge website (wrbriefing.com) to see how ethics, responsible governance, and technology are dynamically being integrated by innovative professionals and government officials in an agile and fascinating process. Komfie Manalo, Opalesque Asia: Poor performance is pushing family offices away from hedge funds, Bloomberg said, citing a report by UBS Group AG and Campden Wealth, a London-based research firm. This trend, if it continues, could have a major impact on the industry. Philip Higson, vice chairman of Zurich-based UBSs global family office group, told Bloomberg, "The reduction in allocation to hedge funds comes down to two concerns: high fees and disappointing performance." The report said that family offices have reduced their hedge funds positions by 10% in the past 12 months ending in May. Several institutional investors, most recently the New Jersey public pension, have been reducing their hedge funds exposures after their average annual return fell 0.3% in 2015 from 6.5% in 2014. Aside from hedge funds, wealthy family and institutions are also pulling back on bonds and other similar asset class and instead focusing more in illiquid investments, including real estate and private equity. Higson added, "There will be an assessment of whether theyre doing too many things and whether they can get better value by focusing on fewer counterparties. This is about being more considered and more cautious." In the years to come, family offices will be paying close attention to costs, Higson said because of poor performance....................... To view our full article Click here By Bob Fitrakis and Harvey Wasserman Finally, the major for-profit media is approaching consensus that it's easy to hack U.S. political elections. Even candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are raising unprecedented doubts -- from very different directions -- about the reliability of the upcoming vote count. Ultimately, there is just one solution: universal hand-counted paper ballots, with carefully protected voter registration rolls, and a transparent chain of custody. The corporate media and the Democrats are obsessed with the "Russians." Donald Trump rants about a mythological army of voters voting multiple times. But the real threat to our election system comes from private for-profit corporations that register voters, control voter databases, then count and report the vote with secret proprietary software and zero transparency, accountability, or recourse. After ignoring or attacking the reportage since Florida 2000 of Bev Harris, Greg Palast,freepress.org and numerous others, the corporate media seems finally to be getting the message: under the current system, any American election -- even the one for president -- can be stripped and flipped by a tiny handful of electronic hackers working anywhere from the Kremlin to a party HQ to a state governor's office to a teenager's garage. Here is some of what the mainstream media is finally admitting. In an article posted on July 28, 2016, NBC News pointed out that our elections are vulnerable to hacking because they "are not part of the vast 'critical infrastructure protection' safety net set up by the Department of Homeland Security." CBS News wrote August 10, 2016, about "the hackers at Symantec Security Response" who demonstrated how "Election Day results could be manipulated by an affordable device you can find online." Former national coordinator for counter-terrorism Richard Clarke, reporting for ABC News on August 19, 2016, analyzed the particular security problems related to battleground states like Ohio and Florida: "In 2000 and 2004, there were only a handful of battleground states that determined which presidential candidate had enough Electoral College votes to win. A slight alteration of the vote in some swing precincts in swing states might not raise suspicion. Smart malware can be programmed to switch only a small percentage of votes from what the voters intended. That may be all that is needed, and that malware can also be programmed to erase itself after it does its job, so there might be no trace it ever happened." Clarke was on the White House National Security Council during both Bill Clinton's and George W. Bush's administrations. Zeynep Tufekci, an associate professor at the North Carolina School of Information and Library Science, in his August 12, 2016 New York Times op-ed "The Election Won't Be Rigged but It Could Be Hacked," wrote: "The mere existence of this discussion is cause for alarm. The United States needs to return, as soon as possible, to a paper-based, auditable voting system in all jurisdictions that still use electronic-only, unverifiable voting machines." On August 30, 2016, the Washington Post wrote: "Deleting or altering data on voter rolls could cause mayhem on Election Day disenfranchising some voters. Many voting machines themselves also are vulnerable, especially touch-screen systems that do not create a paper record as a guard against fraud or manipulation." The Post also supplied a list of the 15 states with the most vulnerable voting systems. The list of those now admitting the obvious includes the Boston Globe, The Atlantic, USA Today, The Guardian, Mother Jones, and Politico, some of which have previously mocked those of us reporting on this issue. Most important has been the highly influential The Hill, which weighed in on May 2, 2016 with "Election fraud feared as hackers target voter records." The lede was straightforward: "A series of data breaches overseas are spurring concerns that hackers could manipulate elections in the United States." Trump advisor Roger Stone wrote a column in The Hill with the headline: "Can the 2016 Elections Be Rigged? You Bet." He also referred to our latest summary volume, "The Strip & Flip Selection of 2016: Five Jim Crows & Electronic Election Theft," as "a must-read book on the strip and flip techniques used to rig these machines." But in the 2016 primary election, there are other must-reads as well. Perhaps the most important is Election Justice USA's report entitled "Democracy Lost: A Report on the Fatally Flawed 2016 Democratic Primaries." This report cites six major areas of election irregularities in this year's 26 primary elections: Targeting voter suppression Registration tampering Illegal voter purges Exit poll discrepancies Evidence for voting machine tampering The security (or lack thereof) of various voting machines types. In their 96-page report, Election Justice researchers documented how Hillary Clinton's campaign benefited from these "various types of fraud." Their conclusion: "Based on this work, Election Justice USA has established an upper estimate of 184 pledged delegates lost by Senator Bernie Sanders as a consequence of specific irregularities and instances of fraud." Election Justice's well-documented estimate that Sanders lost 184 delegates means that if the election had been conducted fairly, the Senator from Vermont would now be the Democratic nominee. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). I was fortunate enough to view a screening of the new Snowden movie Wednesday evening with some of the whistleblowers who have cameos in it and with its director Oliver Stone. I'm not allowed to review it until Saturday night, but it is a truly great movie and has the potential to be the most widely seen, heard, or read thing of any political decency or truth in the world this year. That's not, however, why I'm glad I saw it. I'm glad I watched Snowden because it gave me an extra several hours of living on earth without having yet seen the NBC special on the Trumpillary war machine, in which first Hillary Clinton and then Donald Trump promised NBC they'd wage plenty of wars. Earlier, on Wednesday I had posted this on my Facebook page: Here are a few of my favorite facts that you will not learn tonight from NBC, Donald Trump, or Hillary Clinton: Nonviolent resistance is more effective than violence and its victories longer lasting. Peaceful spending or even tax cuts for working people is economically superior to military spending. The war on terrorism has increased terrorism, including in the seven nations the United States has bombed this year. Over half of federal discretionary spending, through multiple departments, is dumped into war preparations each year, about as much as the rest of the world's nations combined. The U.S. is the top arms dealer to dictatorships abroad, and today's wars typically have U.S. weapons on both sides. The U.S. Army can't figure out what it did with $6.5 trillion this year, while the United Nations says that $30 billion a year could end starvation on earth. Every recent U.S. war has been illegal under the U.N. Charter and the Kellogg Briand Pact. Over 95% of the victims of every recent U.S. war have been on the other side, and the vast majority of them civilian. The top destroyer of the natural environment is the U.S. military. Routinely bombing Muslim countries, giving war weapons and war training to local police, and expecting non-racist, law-abiding policing cannot work. The U.S. backed a violent coup in Ukraine. Sitting out the National Anthem is not "true patriotism" but a truly courageous challenge to the poison of patriotism. NBC did not disappoint. Matt Lauer did not ask Trumpillary how much money, even within a quarter trillion dollars or so, they would like spent. He did not ask which wars, if any, they would end or start. He did not ask how many people they would murder with drones. He did not ask if they would kidnap or torture or murder in prisons. He did not ask about foreign aid. He did not ask about leading by example. He did not ask about climate change. He did not ask about the arms trade or the bombing of Yemen. He did not ask about the announcement ISIS had just made of having named a U.S.-trained (and, of course, U.S.-armed) sniper as its Minister of War. He did not ask about the racism and violence permeating U.S. culture. I don't think any of the three people (Clinton, Trump, Lauer) or any of the veterans asking questions ever said the word "peace." Lauer opened by claiming that September 11th launched years of war. In fact, the U.S. government launched years of war. NBC then showed clips of 9/11 and of Obama announcing the killing of Osama bin Laden, but not a single image of a single body or bombed out house. After 15 years of immoral, illegal, catastrophic murder sprees, Clinton began by taking credit for her "experience" of having been part of making all those wars happen. So, Lauer asked her, not about any of those wars, but about her emails. Eventually he turned to Iraq, and she claimed to have learned her lesson. Although she still wanted war in Libya and several other countries and still wants it badly in Syria (though Lauer didn't get into that), so she's clearly learned nothing. She did claim accurately that Trump backed war on Iraq and Libya too, while still claiming inaccurately that Gaddafi was planning a massacre. Lauer confirmed and corrected nothing. What if Iran cheats on its nuclear agreement, Lauer wanted to know. Clinton then lied about Iranian hostility, blamed Iran for supporting Syria against U.S.-backed attacks, and "improved" Ronald Reagan's phrase to "distrust but verify." Clinton promised no ground troops in Iraq, but there already are U.S. ground troops in Iraq. Lauer said nothing. Clinton promised to "go after" ISIS leader Baghdadi for the purpose of "focusing our attention." This is war for propaganda, not just propaganda for war. Turning to Trump, he opened by claiming that Russian planes and Iranian ships are taunting the United States. Remind me again which coast of the United States the Baltic Sea and the Persian Gulf are on. Trump then lied that he opposed attacking Iraq. Lauer said . . . (you guessed it) nothing. Trump also, if at odds with that lie, lied that Obama ended the war on Iraq and that so doing was a terrible thing. Trump claimed, with as straight a face as he can manage, that it was a big success for him that the people who brought him to Mexico have now been thrown out of the government as a result. A pre-approved veteran asked Trump how "defeating" a terrorist group won't just produce a new one. Trump talked a while without answering and then said "Take the Oil." Steal Iraq's oil. That was Trump's answer. If you steal their oil, then they can't have any power, he suggested. Trump seemed to believe no hostility or resentment would find any leverage after such a theft, that such a theft could be completed quickly, and that he was providing us with new information as "people don't know this about Iraq" (that it has among the world's largest reserves of oil). Lauer asked Trump if he really has a plan to "defeat ISIS." It was clear he does not. NBC had a veteran ask how Trump would deescalate tensions with Russia. He answered by claiming Russian airplanes are engaged in hostility against the United States. That ought to do it. Then Lauer piled on, falsely and baselessly blaming Putin for aggression in Ukraine and interference in the U.S. election, and blaming Russia for supporting Syria and Iran. 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. Global Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Market 2016 - Industry Trends and Forecast to 2021 Handheld Metal Detectors Sales http://goo.gl/ea1Sx2 http://goo.gl/F3Meht Global Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Industry 2016The report provides a basic overview of Handheld Metal Detectors Sales industry including definitions, applications and industry chain structure. Global market analysis and Chinese domestic market analysis are provided with a focus on history, developments, trends and competitive landscape of the market. A comparison between the international and Chinese situation is also offered.Global Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Industry Research Report 2016 also focuses on development policies and plans for the industry as well as a consideration of a cost structure analysis. Capacity production, market share analysis, import and export consumption and price cost production value gross margins are discussed.Browse Full Report With TOC @A key feature of this report is it focus on major industry players, providing an overview, product specification, product capacity, production price and contact information for Global Top15 companies. This enables end users to gain a comprehensive insight into the structure of the international and Chinese Handheld Metal Detectors Sales industry. Development proposals and the feasibility of new investments are also analyzed. Companies and individuals interested in the structure and value of the Handheld Metal Detectors Sales industry should consult this report for guidance and direction.The report begins with a brief overview of the Global Handheld Metal Detectors Sales market and then moves on to evaluate the key trends of the market. The key trends shaping the dynamics of the Global Handheld Metal Detectors Sales market have been scrutinized along with the related current events, which is impacting the market. Drivers, restraints, opportunities, and threats of the Global Handheld Metal Detectors Sales market have been analyzed in the report. Moreover, the key segments and the sub-segments that constitutes the market is also explained in the report.Get Free Sample @Table of ContentsChapter One Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Industry Overview1.1 Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Definition(Product Picture and Specifications)1.2 Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Classification and Application1.3 Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Industry Chain Structure1.4 Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Industry Overview1.5 Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Industry History1.6 Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Industry Competitive Landscape1.7 Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Industry International and China Development ComparisonChapter Two Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Market Data Analysis2.1 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Price List2.2 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Gross Margin List2.3 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Capacity and Market Share List2.4 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Production and Market Share List2.5 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Production Value and Market Share ListChapter Three Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Technical Data Analysis3.1 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Product Quality List3.2 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Product Line Capacity and Commercial Production Date3.3 2016 Manufacturing Base(Factory) Global Regional Distribution3.4 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Handheld Metal Detectors Sales R&D Status and Technology Sources3.5 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Equipment Investment and Performance3.6 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Raw Materials Sources AnalysisChapter Four Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Government Policy and News4.1 Government Related Policy Analysis4.2 Industry News Analysis4.3 Handheld Metal Detectors Sales Industry Development TrendAbout Us:MarketResearchStore.com is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics released by reputed private publishers and public organizations.Contact US:Joel JohnSuite #8138, 3422 SW 15 Street,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442United StatesToll Free: +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803 Global Dial Gauge Consumption 2016 Market Research Report http://www.reportbazzar.com/request-sample/?pid=514425&ptitle=Global+Dial+Gauge+Consumption+2016+Market+Research+Report&req=Sample http://www.reportbazzar.com/product/global-dial-gauge-consumption-2016-market-research-report/ http://www.reportbazzar.com/ The Global Dial Gauge Consumption 2016 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Dial Gauge market.First, the report provides a basic overview of the Dial Gauge industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. And development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures.Secondly, the report states the global Dial Gauge market size (volume and value), and the segment markets by regions, types, applications and companies are also discussed.Third, the Dial Gauge market analysis is provided for major regions including USA, Europe, China and Japan, and other regions can be added. For each region, market size and end users are analyzed as well as segment markets by types, applications and companies.Then, the report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information. Whats more, the Dial Gauge industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.Finally, the feasibility of new investment projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered.In a word, the report provides major statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.Request Sample Report:Table of Contents1 Industry Overview of Dial Gauge1.1 Definition and Specifications of Dial Gauge1.1.1 Definition of Dial Gauge1.1.2 Specifications of Dial Gauge1.2 Classification of Dial Gauge1.2.1 Dial display type1.2.2 Digital display type1.3 Applications of Dial Gauge1.3.1 Standard type1.3.2 Lever type1.3.3 Caliper type1.4 Industry Chain Structure of Dial Gauge1.5 Industry Overview and Major Regions Status of Dial Gauge1.5.1 Industry Overview of Dial Gauge1.5.2 Global Major Regions Status of Dial Gauge1.6 Industry Policy Analysis of Dial Gauge1.7 Industry News Analysis of Dial Gauge2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Dial Gauge2.1 Raw Material Suppliers and Price Analysis of Dial Gauge2.2 Equipment Suppliers and Price Analysis of Dial Gauge2.3 Labor Cost Analysis of Dial Gauge2.4 Other Costs Analysis of Dial Gauge2.5 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Dial Gauge2.6 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Dial Gauge3 Global Market Size (Volume and Value), Sales and Sale Price Analysis of Dial Gauge3.1 Global Market Size (Volume and Value) and Growth Rate of Dial Gauge 2011-20163.2 Global Market Size (Volume and Value) of Dial Gauge by Regions 2011-20163.3 Global Market Size (Volume and Value) of Dial Gauge by Types 2011-20163.4 Global Market Size (Volume and Value) of Dial Gauge by Applications 2011-20163.5 Global Sales Volume and Sales Revenue of Dial Gauge by Companies 2011-20163.6 Global Sale Price of Dial Gauge by Regions 2011-20163.7 Global Sale Price of Dial Gauge by Types 2011-20163.8 Global Sale Price of Dial Gauge by Applications 2011-20163.9 Global Sale Price of Dial Gauge by Companies 2011-2016Buy Complete Report:Reportbazzar.com is your trusted source for the most inclusive and informative assortment of market research reports designed to empower you with the latest in industry information that translates to time and cost savings for your business. We not only help you give wing to your latent business ideas but also facilitate you in taking the best informed and strategic decisions that guarantee success in your most promising business endeavors.ReportBazzarOffice # 203,Vishal Shopping Complex,DSK Ranwara, Bavdhan,Pune 411021, IndiaIndia: +91 20 66528525Email Id: sales@reportbazzar.comWebsite: Harmonic Filter Pertain To Energy Consumption In Industries, Triggered By Swelling Need For Power On Utilities http://bit.ly/2bWBgZF http://bit.ly/2bSPSI3 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Demand for Harmonic Filters Climbs High on Swelling Need for Power in UtilitiesGrowing concerns over the quality of power and power transmission, triggered by the swelling need for power on utilities, have boosted the demand for harmonic filters across the world, TMRs analysis notes. The sales volume of these filter has also been climbing high on the back on increasing installation of variable frequency drives (VFDS) in the recent past. In 2015, harmonic filters gained an overall market value of US$697.2 mn, globally.Over the next few years, the implementation of strict rules pertaining to energy consumption in industries is projected to upswing the demand for harmonic filters, specifically in IT industry and data centers. However, the dearth of consumer awareness regarding harmonic suppression will limit their application across other industries. Besides, harmonic filters are expensive and their installation and maintenance incur a significant amount as well, which also will hamper their adoption to some extent.Free PDF For Full Details with Technological breakthroughs is @The global harmonic filter market is expected to rise at a CAGR of 6.50% during the period from 2016 to 2024 and reach an opportunity worth US$1.2 bn by the end of 2024.Active Harmonic Filters to Gain ImpetusHarmonic filters are available in two types: Active and passive. Passive harmonic filters enjoy a higher demand in comparison with active harmonic filters, owing to their cost efficiency and robust design. In 2015, the passive harmonic filter segment accounted for more than a share of 75% of the overall demand. The segment is expected to remain dominant in the coming years; however, its share in the total demand is likely to drop to 74% by the end of 2024.Active harmonic filters will gain significant impetus over the next few years, states TMR. The rising awareness regarding the benefits offered by these filters in terms of voltage stability and harmonic mitigation is projected to drive this segment at a CAGR of 8.1% from 2016 to 2024.Asia Pacific to Remain at Center of Global Harmonic Filters MarketThe market for harmonic filters stretches across Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, North America, and the Middle East and Africa. With a share of nearly 38%, Asia Pacific has emerged as the largest contributor to the global market in 2015. The region has suffered massive losses of energy during distribution and transmission due to poor power quality, which has compelled enterprises operating in this region to deploy harmonic filters in order to ensure improved power quality.As the region witnesses a soaring need for electricity, the demand for harmonic filters is likely to increase extensively in the coming years. Rising at a CAGR of 6.80% during the period from 2016 to 2024, the market opportunity is estimated to increase from US$264.3 mn in 2015 to US$471.6 mn by the end of 2024.Europe emerged second in the global harmonic filter market in 2015; however, the region is likely to experience a sluggish demand for these filters in the coming years. Thanks to the availability of high-quality power infrastructure, harmonic concerns do not amount to be a problem in Europe.Market Insight can be Viewed @At the forefront of the global harmonic filter market are companies such as ABB Ltd., Emerson Electric Co., and Schneider Electric SE. Collectively, these three players account for a share of 41% in the overall market.MTE Corp., Eaton Corp. Plc, TDK Corp., Crompton Greaves Ltd., Schaffner Holding AG, Baron Power Ltd., Danfoss A/S, Siemens AG, and Comsys AB are some of the other prominent participants in the highly concentrated market for harmonic filters.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Transparency Market Research90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Digital OOH Market - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Trends, Forecast upto 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=13775 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/digital-ooh-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Digital out-of-home (DOOH) form of advertising is a dynamically-served visual mode of advertising that targets customers when they are outdoors, in-transit, and waiting or at commercial venues. It intercepts customers with extremely targeted messages when they go about their day-to-day activities and effectively increases a brands message, thus creating a deep level of engagement with on-the-go customers. Such advertising campaigns take into account the customer mindset and location. The traditional mode of OOH advertising is the use of billboards. In recent years, there has been substantial growth in digital billboards and place-based networks. Digital OOH is dynamic media distributed across place based networks at locations such as colleges, gas stations, bars, health clubs and restaurants. DOOH networks feature stand-alone screens and kiosks. Recent years have seen these advertising networks transform into real-time marketing platforms because of the increased use of mobile beacons and dynamic data feeds. DOOH encompasses a variety of screen shapes, sizes as well as levels of interactivity. It provides a bridge between context and location and has high level of impact and flexibility. Each DOOH advertising campaign is relevant to the unique environment outdoors.Get Free Sample Report Copy :The growing mobility of customers is increasing the visibility of outdoor media. This is contributing significantly to the growth of digital OOH market. Also, the price erosion of digital screens has further fostered this markets growth. DOOH advertising can also be implemented on public transport. With long travel times and increase in leisure travel, it is continually reaching a large number of target audiences. Innovation in this form of advertising has resulted in real-time campaigns. Advertisers are able to target the right people by being able to change the content of ads based on location, time of the day and weather. The relevance achieved as a result of the flexibility and the ability of DOOH to be able to reach the masses is giving brands the chance to create campaigns that will be remembered by the customers. Also, the use of text, images and real time content is more attractive to customers and has a significant influence on their purchasing decisions. However, the high initial spending incurred in installing digital signage is a barrier in the growth of DOOH market. Also, the return on investment of such campaigns is hard to calculate and can become further complex when the costs incurred on the repair and maintenance of screens is also considered.The digital OOH market can be categorized into billboards, street furniture, and transit. Billboards can be traditional billboards and digital billboards. Street furniture can be further categorized into bus shelters, mall kiosks, telephone booth advertising and news racks. Also, transit advertising can be further categorized into electronic advertising at bus stops, train stations, airports and advertising in buses, taxis, airplanes and subway advertising.Browse Market Research Report with ToC & Free Analysis :Some of the companies offering digital signage software include Broadsign, Scala Digital Signage Software, Ayuda Media Systems, Signagelive Limited, Net Display Systems, ONELAN Limited, YCD Multimedia, Four Winds Interactive, ADFLOW Networks, DISE International AB, Omnivex Corporation and Navori digital signage software.About Us :Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.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.Contact Us :-Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Lucintel identifies and prioritizes opportunities for growth in global steam turbine market for power generation by plant fuel, turbine size, and region Insights that Matter www.lucintel.com According to a new market report published by Lucintel, the future of the global steam turbine market looks good with opportunities in coal-fired, gas-fired, and nuclear energy based power generation. The global steam turbine market for power generation is expected to reach an estimated $18.5 billion by 2021 at a CAGR of 2.3% during the forecast period (from 2016 to 2021). The major drivers for the growth of this market are growing global electricity demand and relatively lower cost of electricity generation by steam turbine.In this market, coal, gas, and nuclear are the major type of plant fuel being used for power generation. On the basis of comprehensive research, Lucintel forecasts that steam turbine demand for nuclear energy based electricity generation is expected to show above-average growth during the forecast period.Within the steam turbine market, coal-fired power generation is expected to remain as the largest market. Abundance in the availability of coal and lower cost of generating electricity through coal-fired power plants is likely to drive this segment over the forecast period.By turbine size, the 600 MW and above turbine is expected to remain the largest segment by both value and volume. High efficiency compared to small turbine is the major driving factors, which would spur growth for this segment over the forecast period.Asia Pacific is expected to remain the largest market and is likely to witness the highest growth over the forecast period due to growing energy requirement at domestic and industrial level and resulting installation of coal, nuclear and combine cycle power generation facilities.For business expansion, this report suggests innovation and new product development for achieving higher efficiency, low maintenance cost, and flexibility.Emerging trends, which have a direct impact on the dynamics of the industry, include development of more efficient turbines and technology transfers to secure footprint in large and high growth markets. Shanghai Electric Group, Dongfang Turbine Co Ltd., Harbin Turbine Co. Ltd., Siemens, BHEL, General Electric, and Toshiba are among the major suppliers of steam turbine.Lucintel, a leading global strategic consulting and market research firm, has analyzed growth opportunities in the global steam turbine market for power generation by plant fuel, turbine size, and region and has come up with a comprehensive research report, Growth Opportunities in the Global Steam Turbine Market for Power Generation 2016-2021: Trends, Forecast, and Opportunity Analysis. The Lucintel report serves as a spring board for growth strategy as it provides a comprehensive data and analysis on trends, key drivers, and directions. The study includes a forecast for the growth opportunities in the global steam turbine market for power generation by plant fuel, turbine size, and region as follows:By plant fuel [Volume (GW) and Value ($ billion) from 2010 to 2021]: Coal Gas NuclearBy turbine size [Volume (GW) and Value ($ billion) from 2010 to 2021]: Less than 300 MW 300 MW to 599 MW 600 MW and aboveBy region [Volume (GW) and Value ($ billion) from 2010 to 2021]: North America Europe Asia Pacific Rest of the WorldThis 112-page research report will enable you to make confident business decisions in this globally competitive marketplace. For a detailed table of contents, contact Lucintel at +1-972-636-5056 or helpdesk@lucintel.com. Lucintel offerings include Energy Market Report, Energy Industry, Capital Investment Analysis, Strategic Growth Consulting and Due Diligence.Lucintel, the premier global management consulting and market research firm, creates winning strategies for growth. It offers market assessments, competitive analysis, opportunity analysis, growth consulting, M&A, and due diligence services to executives and key decision-makers in a variety of industries. For further information, visitLucintel222 Las Colinas Blvd West, Suite 1650, Irving, TX 75039, USAPh: +1-972-636-5056 Fax: +1-877-883-5140marketing@lucintel.com Scales donation helps support military veterans with service-related mental health conditions Marsden Weighing Group donate veterinary scale to Veterans With Dogs www.veteranswithdogs.org.uk http://www.marsden-weighing.co.uk/index.php/veterinary-scales/marsden-v-250-veterinary-scale.html A Sheffield scales manufacturer has donated a large veterinary weighing scale to a charity providing dogs to ex-servicemen suffering from the effects of mental health.South Yorkshire based Marsden gave the V-250 Veterinary Scale to Veterans With Dogs, a UK registered charity who provide dogs to British veterans with invisible injuries.The V-250 is a scale used by veterinary surgeries in the UK and worldwide for administering treatment and ensuring dogs are a healthy weight.Julie Morrish, of Veterans With Dogs, said: The scale will make a big difference to us for being able to fully assess our dogs for their weight and monitor our growing puppies.The scale will be used on an ongoing weekly basis as part of our health checks to monitor each dog placed with veterans.Marsden Managing Director, Richard Black, added: The Marsden V-250 is the ideal weighing scale for large dogs, with its 250kg capacity. Plus it's simple to use and has high accuracy.We recently donated 12 of our scales to Battersea Dogs Home, and are pleased to be offering our support to another great cause. Were delighted to see the scale is proving a success with the charity, the owners - and the dogs!Last month, Marsden published the results of a survey that suggested more than half of UK pets are overweight.The overall aim for Veterans With Dogs is to improve the quality of life for veterans through the companionship of dogs and other pets.Find out more about Veterans With Dogs atFind out more about the V-250 atEndsFurther information:David SmithMarsden Weighing Groupt: 01709 364296e: david@marsdengroup.co.ukFor more than 85 years, both the UK medical profession and British industry has relied on Marsden to ensure accuracy as standard.Marsden are the only UK weighing scale company that offer a one stop solution to our customers; manufacture, sales and service of medical equipment.Unit 1, Genesis Business Park, Sheffield Road, Rotherham, S60 1DX SmsCoin is participating in Wholesale World Congress 2016 Between September 14-15 one of the most important events for telecom professionals Wholesale World Congress (WWC) will take place in Madrid, Spain. The event promises to be great and become the meeting point for majority of the industry specialists from countries around the world. SmsCoin representatives, who will also represent the company's subsidiary project Bulkness, are amongst the conference delegates and are looking forward to its start.For telecommunication community WWC is the place where one can have meeting with colleagues within the industry and efficiently communicate about current topics in relaxed atmosphere. Such event format has beneficial effect on setting new business contacts and development of already-existing connections. Among the conference participants there are mobile carriers, VoIP providers, wireless services providers, SMS services, satellite services suppliers, data services and many more. It is expected that 600 participants from 270 companies of telecom market will arrive to the event. The event topics include discussion of all telecommunication directions to help participants to get more new ideas, inspiring solutions and ambitious plans and apply them practically.The conference goal is to promote business connected with voice and SMS channels, data solutions and wireless networks. The exhibition, where companies will showcase their products, will also take place within the conference in addition to places for networking. WWC hosts have arranged everything in such a way that companies will have enough space for discussing business matters: there are meeting rooms, premium branded rooms, bilateral tables and exhibit booths. Informal setting will be supported by after-work cocktails where participants will relax and continue dialogue. The event concept invites to effective networking as well as to interesting leisure time with the industry colleagues.SmsCoin team is already preparing for participation in WWC and meetings with business partners who will come to Madrid from across the globe. The conference unites the most present-day sections of telecommunication market and is a platform for innovations and business development. Judging by the number of participants and the variety of their focus areas, it may be concluded that participation in the event is useful for companies of various fields of activity. SmsCoin representatives expect from the conference bright emotions, unforgettable meetings with partners and interesting discussions with telecommunication experts.SmsCoin company operates within the SMS payments market for 10 years already. Presently, SmsCoin offers Premium SMS services in almost 100 countries worldwide. Thousands of projects are based on the company services, dozens of unique scripts have been developed and millions of messages have been processed. SmsCoin will continue expanding cooperation and surprising its partners with unique ideas and innovative approach to its implementation.SmsCoin59 Mohamed Sultan Road # 01-08,Sultan-Link, Singapore (238999)(+357) 25281784pr@smscoin.com AFFIRIS AG: Parkinson's Vaccine Clinical Results Boost Prospects www.michaeljfox.org http://www.affiris.com http://www.prd.at Boost Vaccination Data Encourage Continued Development of AFFiRiS Therapeutic Parkinson's Disease Vaccine against Alpha-Synuclein PD01A was Safe and Well Tolerated: Primary Endpoint of Phase I "Boost" Study Met Immune Response was Seen in 86% of Patients, Resulting in an Increase of Responder Rate after Boost Immunization PD01A-induced Antibodies Preferentially Bind to Fibrilic Alpha-Synuclein (aSyn) Data will be Presented at the Poster Tour of Leading Abstracts at the 4th World Parkinson Congress in Portland, Oregon, USA on September 21VIENNA, Austria, September 07, 2016 AFFiRiS AG announced today results of AFF008A, a Phase I clinical trial to assess boost immunizations with AFFITOPE PD01A, an active vaccine against Parkinson's disease (PD). The study was funded by a $1.04 million grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.The "boost" study AFF008A was designed to assess one boost immunization with AFFITOPE PD01A per patient with regard to safety/tolerability and immunological and clinical activity in those patients who had already received the vaccine (four "priming" vaccinations at four-week intervals) within the first-in-man clinical study AFF008. Six PD patients on best medical care, including standard symptomatic medication, served as a comparison group. In the "boost" study, two different doses of AFFITOPE PD01A (15 g and 75 g) were again safe and well tolerated, meeting the primary endpoint of the trial.Patients belonging to the low-dose group of AFF008 were randomized in two equally distributed groups receiving either 15 g or 75 g AFFITOPE PD01A. The same was done with patients of the AFF008 high-dose group, in order to allow for evaluation of four different vaccination schedules.Across all patients, no antibody concentration limiting toxicity was observed. Adverse events were similar across all five groups except injection site reactions, which only occurred in the active treatment groups, and psychiatric disorders, reported at a lower rate in the active groups. All of the 28 patients completed the study and received all planned vaccinations. Only one serious adverse event was reported, which was classified as being not related to AFFITOPE PD01A administration.An immune response against AFFITOPE PD01A was seen in 19 of 22 (86%) of vaccinated patients and 12 of 19 (63%) of these responders generated aSyn-specific serum antibodies. The immune response sustained throughout the entire observation period of 24 weeks. Patients on low dose and then high dose had a clear immunological boost. This data supports that further dose and scheduling may significantly influence antibody titer/concentration and further studies need to be performed. Additionally, vaccine-induced antibodies were detectable in cerebrospinal fluid. This induction of antibodies against aSyn supports the concept of the principle of AFFiRiS' proprietary therapeutic vaccine.Parallel laboratory experiments using recombinant aSyn protein to assess selectivity showed that AFFITOPE PD01A-induced antibodies preferentially bind to aSyn fibrils, which are believed to be the toxic form of the protein, as compared to the monomeric form.Due to the limitations of the Phase I trial design (the study was not double-blind, and assignment to the comparison group was not randomized), it is not known whether effects seen in the active groups are indicative of treatment effects or due to confounding factors. Efficacy variables were evaluated in an explorative manner with regard to the small sample size. Preliminary observations showed that in eight of the 19 (42%) immunological responders, no increase of the concomitant dopaminergic PD medication was needed throughout the observational period (on average three years per subject). Among the same group, five of eight (63%) patients had stable UPDRS III scores at the end of the boost study.Continuous efforts are undertaken to follow this patient cohort and to further characterize their immunological and clinical response to treatment with AFFITOPE PD01A. The next study, AFF008AA, is focusing primarily on the long-term safety and, in addition, on the assessment of the immunological and clinical effects of a second boost vaccination ("reboost"). That study is also funded by The Michael J. Fox Foundation, as was the AFF008 trial. Recruitment of patients for AFF008AA has been completed; results are expected in Q2 2017.About AFFITOPE PD01A:AFFITOPE PD01A targets the protein alpha-Synuclein, which plays a key role in the onset and progression of Parkinson's as well as multiple system atrophy (MSA), an orphan disease. During the first-in-man study AFF008, AFFITOPE PD01A was safe and well tolerated, meeting the primary endpoint of the trial. PD01A is one of two vaccine candidates currently being studied in three ongoing Phase I studies AFF008AA, AFF009 and AFF011 in which currently 92 Parkinson's and Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) patients are receiving either PD01A or PD03A. During these Phase I studies patients are being observed for up to 48 months with regard to long-term safety, immunological and clinical parameters. Results are expected for Q4 2017.About The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research:As the world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson's disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson's patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers. In addition to funding more than $600 million in research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure. Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson's research, the Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and government research funders; increases the flow of participants into Parkinson's disease clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial Finder; promotes Parkinson's awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world. Learn more atContact AFFiRiS AG:Bettina WessaKarl-Farkas-Gasse 221030 Vienna, AustriaT +43 / (0)1 / 798 15 75 300E bettina.wessa@affiris.comDistribution:PR&D Public Relations for Research & EducationMariannengasse 81090 Vienna, AustriaT +43 / (0)1 / 505 70 44E contact@prd.atOn the basis of its proprietary patented AFFITOME-technology, AFFiRiS develops preventative and therapeutic peptide vaccines against chronic diseases. Its clinical pipeline consists of four vaccine candidates against Parkinson's, MSA and Atherosclerosis prevention. Further vaccine candidates against diabetes, allergies as well as Huntington's disease are in preclinical development. AFFiRiS has been able to attract funding of approx. 130m to date, half of which comes from license income and government grants. Furthermore, AFFiRiS is part of collaborative projects receiving funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme under SYMPATH Grant Agreement No. 60299 (sympath-project.eu/) and MULTISYN Grant Agreement No. 602646 (multisyn.eu/). AFFiRiS currently employs 60 highly qualified staff at the Campus Vienna Biocenter in Vienna, Austria..affiris.comPR&D - Public Relations fur Forschung & BildungMariannengasse 81090 Vienna, Austria These full-scale bedrooms have a tiny 24 footprint. Bold Rooms Pocket Bedroom www.bold-rooms.com www.bold-rooms.com www.bold-rooms.com Bold Rooms, specialists in maximizing square footage, is pleased to introduce their Pocket Bedroom, a full-scale bedroom with a tiny 24 deep footprint. The Pocket Bedroom gives homeowners and renters a practical, beautiful and affordable bedroom without the cost and stress of construction.The centerpiece of a Pocket Bedroom is custom sliding doors which are crafted with innovative materials like metal veneer, pearlescent high gloss, vibrant matte solids, specialty finishes like chalkboard or dry erase, and even a high-resolution image. Hidden behind the doors is an updated, simple-to-operate Murphy bed mechanism which supports any type of twin, full or queen mattress the customer prefers for a comfortable nights sleep. The doors also conceal a closet system with the same higher-end accessories sold by professional closet companies at a fraction of the cost, including dresser drawers, shelves, rods, tilted shoe shelves, slide-out hamper and pants rack, and even a desk.Its the ultimate in both functionality and distinctive interior design, says Leslie Hearne, interior space designer and founder of Bold Rooms. If your spare bedroom is rarely used, or your home is simply too small for your lifestyle, a Pocket Bedroom turns a home office or exercise room during the day into a cozy bedroom at night. As a stunning focal point of any room, a Pocket Bedroom is a stylish alternative to clunky outdated melamine or wood boxes which typically hide a Murphy bed.The thought per square foot of a Pocket Bedroom allows customers to live large in a small space without an exorbitant investment. Depending on the number and size of doors, door panel material, and closet configuration, the Pocket Bedroom gives you an additional bedroom starting at $3,500.Tom Catlin, a realtor at Keller Williams Realty, says, When you can add a room at an affordable cost, whether its your own home or a rental, it attracts a premium. The payback comes with enhanced lifestyle in the present and resale value in the future.All Bold Rooms products are simply engineered for DIY design and installation. Phone support is available to help measure, design and install, and in-person assistance is available in Central Texas.Learn more about Bold Rooms products atBold Rooms is a family owned business dedicated to helping customers Live Large in a Small Space with efficient and stylish square footage utilization. They are the exclusive designers and producers of the Pocket Bedroom, a fully-functional bedroom in a space only 24 deep. Their custom sliding door panels are hand-crafted in Central Texas, a labor of love blending the principles of artisan craft with modern design. All Bold Room products are simply yet elegantly engineered for DIY design and installation. Learn about all of the Bold Room products atBold Rooms4500 Williams Drive #212-329Georgetown, TX 78633Leslie Hearneleslie@bold-rooms.com512-966-2182 2024 Vision: Speedly Growth Of IoT Communication Protocol Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=13712 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/iot-communication-protocol-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com In Internet of Things, the interconnected devices are usually of short range, low power, wireless devices with their own predefined set of operations. Moreover, these devices are not compatible to existing internet protocol due to which a new set of protocols are developed to cater the requirements of the IoT. Some of the most widely used protocols in IoT are Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT), Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP) etc. These protocols facilitates in power conservation making devices operate for a longer duration of time.Get Free Sample Report Copy :The IoT communication protocol market has been experiencing massive growth in the recent years due to growing popularity of Internet of Things and the increasing adoption of smart watches and activity trackers in consumer markets. Continuous growth in demand for smartphones and other connectivity devices and increasing demand for cloud computing is expected to drive the market in near term. Additionally, expansion in use of wireless sensors and low-power wide-area network is further expected to fuel the market growth. However, lack of communication standard across platforms and high power consumption by connected devices is hindering the market growth. Significant government funding across globe for Internet of Things and increasing adoption of wearable devices in multiple application areas such as healthcare, industrial, and military is expected to create huge opportunities for the companies operating in global IoT communication protocol market.The global IoT communication protocol market is segmented on the basis of connectivity technology, end-use application and geography. Based on the connectivity technology, the market is broadly classified into Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Near Field Communication (NFC), global navigation satellite system (GNSS), EnOcean, ANT+, cellular and others. Among these EnOcean, is expected to show sustainable market growth during the forecast period. The development of IoT needed for ultra-low power devices and sensors is expected to increase need for EnOcean protocol technology. In terms of end-use application, the market for IoT communication protocol is segmented into wearable devices, healthcare, automotive and transportation, building automation, industrial, consumer electronics, and precision farming. Among these, building automation segment is expected to dominate the market due to high demand for energy efficiency and security & safety required in buildings. Moreover, advancements in the wireless communication technologies and convergence of IoT and building automation is expected to further increase the growth of the building automation system market. On the basis of geography, the global IoT communication protocol market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. Among these, Asia Pacific is expected to lead the IoT communication protocol market during the forecast period due to huge potential for the applications of Internet of Things in developing economies such as China and India. Moreover, Middle East & Africa (MEA) and Latin America is expected to tender growth opportunities owing to the increasing in consumer devices market.Some of the leading companies operating in the global IoT communication protocol market with significant developments include Synopsys, Inc., Stmicroelectronics N.V., Mediatek Inc., Gainspan Corporation, Ceva, Inc., NXP Semiconductors N.V., Texas Instruments Inc., Enocean GmbH, Atmel Corporation and Mindtree Ltd.Browse Market Research Report with ToC & Free Analysis :The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth insights, understanding market evolution by tracking historical developments, and analyzing the present scenario and future projections based on optimistic and likely scenarios. Each research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology developments, types, applications, and the competitive landscape.About Us :Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.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.Contact Us :-Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Beige Market Intelligence Predicts Corporate Training Is Likely To Drive The Demand For Cloud Based Language Learning Cloud-based Language Learning Market Research http://www.beigemarketintelligence.com/reports/market-research-reports-education-industry/cloud-based-language-learning-strategic-assessment-market-research-report/ http://www.beigemarketintelligence.com/contactus/ The corporate-training market has the lowest market share than other education- based sectors and it still represents an excellent investment opportunity for cloud-based language learning market. Among all the markets in the education sector, corporate training remains the most cyclical. This industry experienced a low point during the period 2009-2010. The key data to measure this sector is the amount spent per employee. Since 2010, the total amount spent on training for the employee by the employer is on the decline. It is important to consider that the size of this market is calculated to include corporate spending on salaries, overheads, and facilities. Also, no variation in in-house sourcing and outsourcing of the e-learning resources.Considering the reigning services, organizations have drastically cut most of their assets. The corporate market related to outsourced services has been on the rise. Outsourced services constitute 42% of the total expenditure presently.The e-learning or cloud-based learining sector in the training industry has grown consistently in recent years. All its sub-sectors (packaged content, platform, and authoring tools) show positive annual growth. E-learning platforms are leading the market particularly those using the hosted formula. In second place are content-ready courses available for immediate e-learning delivery. It is vital to understand the difference in buying patterns in various countries wherein all statistics relate to the overall market. It is important to analyze the different buyers like in educational institutions and private companies.Foreign language knowledge is the main focus area for non-mature markets considering that educational component has been dominating in e-learning. The present trend in this market is the shift from the pure consumer market toward a market wherein domestic suppliers are a majority in the market share.Click here to know more about Cloud-based Language Learning Market Research Report, clickIn mature markets, despite long-buying cycles, large companies are making considerable margins. Large companies can be early adopters as their training programs and content covers compliance and IT, management as well as industry related courses. Formal learning hours using technology based models have been increasing on an average but still the learning hours used per employee are not linear. Many award-winning world's top organizations have the most demanding training systems. Also, these organizations are open to embark on e-learning projects.E-learning or Cloud-based Learning has been accepted both in large and small companies. The shift toward cloud-based language learning is due to various reasons, of which budget constraints remain to be the deciding factor. The cloud-based language learning helps to reduce travel costs, the cost of training per employee decreases, and it also tackles time constraints. The cloud-based learning is not just a mere solution during economic turndown but is cost effective, efficient and saves time. When the workforce is from a wide geographically distributed workforce, cloud-based learning helps to bring up the workers to speed quickly on relevant knowledge and skills.In corporations, e-learning tends to be adopted only in a particular subject matter. Compliance training is the area, which is widely adopted in e-learning. More than 50% of training-related compliance is now delivered online.All key vendors such as 50 Languages, Babbel, Bussu, Duolingo, Edusoft, Linguatronics, Memrise, Okpanda, Rosette Stone, Sanako, Sanoma, Sans, Speexx, Voxy, should capture the upcoming segment to gain the market share.To know more about the report and do order a free sample report, please contact usBeige Market Intelligence is a 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 analyzed 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.Beige Market IntelligenceChinnapannahalli, Doddanekundi Main Road, Bangalore-560037email: info@beigemarketintelligence.comUS: +1 347 903 9949UK: +44 20 323 99499APAC: +91 99 012 75473/ 9986433385 Unique Digital Jobs Program in Jamaica Generates High Value Opportunities for Over 120 Deserving Youth Los Angeles, CA: On Saturday September 3, 2016 Avasant Foundation celebrated the fourth and final graduation of its Digital Youth Employment Initiative that has trained a total of 123 youth in Kingston and Montego Bay, Jamaica.Minister of Education, Youth and Information, the Hon. Minister Ruel Reid, endorsed the program as a Keynote Speaker at the ceremony by saying, Such initiatives fill the gap and help to get disadvantaged youths into the workforce.Avasant Foundation launched its pilot Digital Youth Employment Initiative in June 2015 and in May 2016 launched the summer series of 4 Cohorts of students in partnership with the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Ja) and its Division of Community Service and Development through the Fi Wi Jamaica project funded by USAID. Since then more than 120 disadvantaged but high potential youth, and especially girls and young women, have been equipped with the professional skills necessary for a thriving career in ICT-enabled work. More than half of the graduates are already employed between our employer and industry partners including iTEL-BPO Solutions, HGS, XEROX, Scotiabank, Tritel, IBEX, 24-7 In Touch, and BPIAJ. The rest are in the interviewing and onboarding process.The Government of Jamaicas JAMPRO Investment Promotion division led by Claude Duncan has helped to get the industry stakeholders together to support the initiative and to promote the concept of Impact Sourcing in Jamaica.In 2017, the Foundation will scale its impact under the platform of FUTURE JAMAICA by deepening its partnership with UTech, Ja. It envisions increasing the number of trained young people to between 500 and 800 for the BPO sector and expanding its training to new industries.Chitra Rajeshwari, Executive Director of Avasant Foundations, shared, I am extremely proud of all 123 students who have graduated through our skills training program and are already working or soon to be employed in the contact center industry. Now they can look ahead to a brighter future. I am very grateful to the BPO industry who believed in our program and our youth.We would like to thank our partners: UTech, Ja., iTEL-BPO Solutions, XEROX, HGS, Tritel, IBEX, BPIAJ and JAMPRO.Professor Rosalea Hamilton who leads UTechs Community Service and Development Division attests, This Avasant Foundation initiative addresses the needs of our communities, especially our at-risk young women who need help to pursue opportunities to create income now and into the future.Kevin Parikh, Chairman AF and Global CEO Avasant says, Success in an outsourcing engagement is defined by the ability to elevate all communities involved. Avasant Foundation was formed with that objective in mind. I am happy to see how we have been able to utilize technology and strong partnerships with employers and other key stake-holders to create opportunities for youth in Jamaica.About Avasant FoundationAvasant Foundation (AF) is a 501(c)3 non-for-profit organization based in California that works globally to empower high potential, disadvantaged youth through education, employment and entrepreneurship in the new digital economy.Contact information:Alison Ascher WebberAssociate DirectorAvasant Foundationalison.ascherwebber@avasantfoundation.orgNicole DulayDigital Marketing ManagerAvasantnicole.dulay@avasant.com National Preparedness Month in September -- 15 Years Since September 11, 2001 https://community.fema.gov/ http://www.redcross.org/ www.lhbindustries.com September 7, 2016, St. Louis, MissouriSeptember is National Preparedness Month in the U.S. and this year has special meaning because it marks 15 years since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.More than 3,000 people were killed during the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., including more than 400 police officers and firefighters.National Preparedness Month is now sponsored annually by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the Department of Homeland Security.National Preparedness Month is a part of a governmental effort to strengthen U.S preparedness with prevention, protection, response and recovery efforts to prepare for all hazards whether terrorism, criminal action or natural disaster, said Brian Houser of Lighthouse for the Blind-Saint Louis.The not-for-profit Lighthouse owns a not-for-profit company called Quake Kare that is a leading provider of emergency survival kits. Every September during National Preparedness Month as students return to schools and colleges, and business owners evaluate the need to prepare their facilities, sales of Quake Kare emergency survival kits increase.Its a good thing that we are a not-for-profit organization because we do not want to profit from disaster, Houser said. But our sales do increase during National Preparedness Month and, also, whenever there is a hurricane, earthquake, tornado, terrorist act or mass shooting he said.Houser notes that every penny of Quake Kare sales revenue directly supports Lighthouse service programs for people who are blind or visually impaired in Missouri and Southwestern Illinois. The Lighthouse currently employs 47 people who are legally blind in two manufacturing plants in St. Louis County to assemble, pack and ship Quake Kare survival kits and other products.Right now, we are receiving many requests from school officials for our Safety Lockdown Container Survival Kit, said Houser.With necessary emergency supplies for up to 72 hours, Quake Kares Safety Lockdown Container Survival Kit is equipped for use in classrooms and homes. It contains emergency food, water, lighting, first-aid, a portable toilet, and shelter supplies, as well as a solar / hand-crank powered flashlight; weather band radio; and a USB device charger that never needs batteries to charge smartphones and other USB devices.Our research shows that many families, schools and businesses are not prepared for dealing with disaster, or do not have a disaster plan in place. Given the uncertain environment that we live in today, it is crucially important for people and organizations to address the potential for emergencies to help save lives.To learn more about preparing for emergency during National Preparedness Month or at any time -- visit these websites:quakekare.com/For Quake Kare product information, contact John Caine or Brittney Bettonville at 800.542.3697 or 314.423.4333, or see the website quakekare.com. For details about Lighthouse for the Blind-Saint Louis services and programs, call 800.542.3697 or 314.423.4333 or visit the website or***Quake Kare is a company based in St. Louis, Missouri, that produces emergency survival kits for people, families and businesses. Quake Kare is owned by the not-for-profit Lighthouse for the Blind-Saint Louis.Jeff DunlapJeff Dunlap Communications, LLC1307 Jeanne Hills Drive - First FloorSt. Louis, MissouriEMail jeff@Jeff-Dunlap.com Focus Investment Advisors, A Miami-Based Advisory Firm, Is Featured in 'Business in Focus' Magazine Marcelo Castro Alves www.focusinvest.net In Business in Focus August 2016 issue, Marcelo Castro Alves, founder of Focus Investment Advisors, discussed how he grew his company to its current state of managing over $120 million in assets since its inception in 2011. His boutique independent advisory company specializes in serving European and Latin American clients with offshore solutions.The article, which can be read here, details Focus Investment Advisors commitment to providing worldwide solutions and client-focused, unbiased advice by maintaining the flexibility to thrive in a quickly evolving environment. This has allowed Focus to continue to grow following the recent wave of complex changes to regulatory obligations.Alves discussed the ways that technology has connected our world and accelerated the pace of global initiatives like tax transparency, regulations, and market volatility.Nothing will ever be the same again. Transparency and data sharing are unavoidable, and for the offshore private wealth advisors, the only answer is transparency and tax efficient, compliant solutions. To consult an independent wealth and estate planning advisor is no longer a luxury; it has become a necessity! continued Alves.Specifically, the Panama Papers incident is putting more pressure on global regulations and standards to ensure greater transparency and mitigate offshore tax avoidance, AML regulations, and Cybersecurity obligations. Offshore private wealth advisors must have fluent international regulatory knowledge. With rising costs of compliance, many advisors prefer to retire rather than adapt to new regulations.Alves told Business in Focus that his company, a 2016 Five Star Miami Wealth Manager nominee (first nominated in 2012), will be selective with clients to ensure adaptability.To remain flexible, the firm is outsourcing with compliance companies and others who understand regulations, while focusing on offering client solutions and developing other businesses.For instance, Alves informed the magazine that Focus Investment Advisors has collaborated with a company specialized in setting up real estate fund structures to help their clients find yield, diversify their investment portfolios, and steer through volatile markets.We brought this fund into play to help our clients as a way to diversify their portfolios. Its intended to optimize the risk-return trade-off, Alves said of the companys new real estate fund.Focus has also expanded its services to provide asset protection solutions through an affiliated insurance agency.While bankers and broker-dealers have their own incentives and targets to meet, Focus Investment Advisors is an advisory firm that does not sell products and focuses solely on the needs of their clients, Alves explained in the article.To offer flexible solutions for the client, thats the most important thing.Marcelo Castro Alves founded Focus Investment Advisors in 2011. Prior to that, Marcelo was an independent advisor for three years with another Miami group. Before that, Marcelo Castro Alves was at a major private bank in Miami and in the Global Private Client Division in Switzerland, primarily managing investment portfolios for high net worth individuals, private foundations, and small to mid-size corporations. For more information, please visitFocus Investment Advisors40 SW 13th St., Suite 201Miami, FL 33130 World Surgical Robotics Market is estimated to reach $6.4 billion by 2020 World Surgical Robotics Market 2020 http://www.marketintelreports.com/report/allied0163/world-surgical-robotics-market--opportunities-and-forecast-2014--2020 http://www.marketintelreports.com/pdfdownload.php?id=allied0163 www.marketintelreports.com Surgical robotic systems are a combination of equipment, accessories, software, and services that help to perform several minimally invasive surgeries including gynecological, cardiac, neurological, orthopedic, and others. Robotic systems allow surgeons to automate the surgical procedure, thereby improving efficacy and precision during the procedure, and minimizing post-surgical complications. In addition, they provide effective representations of body parts and increase dexterity, which aid surgeons to work on inaccessible body parts. Further, they reduce the risk of blood loss and infection; and offer shorter recovery time and less amount of scars in comparison to the traditional open surgery.The world surgical robotic systems market was evaluated at $3.3 billion in 2014, and is estimated to garner $6.4 billion by 2020, registering a CAGR of 10.2% over the forecast period. The increasing need for automation in the healthcare sector and growing demand for minimally invasive surgeries are the major factors driving the surgical robotic systems and procedures market. In addition, a rise in incidences of colorectal cancer, neurological disorders, gynaecological diseases among others, would boost the adoption of robotic surgical systems.Surgical robotic systems offer less post-surgical complications and reduce labor cost. Due to this, large-scale hospitals based in developed and developing economies are now favoring automate surgical/hospital services, which ultimately drives the market growth. On the other hand, high cost associated with surgical robots procedures and accidental death/injuries due to broken instruments and system errors are likely to hinder the market growth. According to a study conducted at the University of Illinois, around 144 deaths and more than 1,000 injuries have been linked to robotic surgery in the United States, in the past decade.Check Complete Report @The report segments the market across two distinct categories i.e. surgical robotic systems and procedures. The surgical robotic systems market is segmented on the basis of system components, surgical application, and geography. Based on system components, the market is segmented into systems, accessories, and system related services. Among them, accessories held a dominant share in 2014, owing to the frequent re-purchase of surgical accessories.According to surgical application, the market is further segmented into gynecology surgery, urology surgery, orthopedic surgery, neurology surgery, general surgery, and other surgeries. The surgical robotic procedures market is further segmented across similar types of surgeries. The geographical breakdown and detailed analysis of each of the aforesaid segments is included for North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.Intuitive Surgical Inc., is the pioneer of the robotic surgery and currently holds a dominant share in the world surgical robotic systems market. In 1999, Intuitive Surgical launched its first surgical robotic system named Da Vinci Surgical System. Other companies including Think Surgical, Inc., Blue Belt Technologies (acquired by Stryker), Mako Surgical Inc., (acquired by Smith and Nephew) and Renishaw plc., manufactures and supplies surgical robots for orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery. Comprehensive competitive analysis and profiles of major market players such as Intuitive Surgical Inc., Blue Belt Technologies Ltd., Think Surgical Inc., Hansen Medical, Inc., MAKO Surgical Corp., Renishaw plc., Stanmore Implants Worldwide, Ltd., Mazor Robotics Ltd., among others are profiled in the report.KEY BENEFITS FOR STAKEHOLDERS:This report provides an extensive analysis of the current and emerging market trends and dynamics in the world surgical robotic systems and procedures market. Geographically, the world surgical robotic systems and proceduresmarket is analyzed based on various regions such as North America,Europe, Asia-Pacific and LAMEA. This study evaluating competitive landscape and value chain has beentaken into account to help in understanding the competitiveenvironment across the geographies. This report entails the detailed quantitative analysis of the currentmarket and estimations from 2015 to 2020, which assists in identifyingthe prevailing market opportunities. Exhaustive analysis of the world surgical robotic systems andprocedures market by type helps in understanding the types ofsurgeries along with the variants of surgical robotic systems that willgain prominence in the future.Get Sample Brochure of the Report @SURGICAL ROBOTICS MARKET KEY SEGMENTS:By Component Systems Accessories ServicesBy Surgery Type Gynecology surgery Urology surgery Neurosurgery Orthopedic surgery General surgery Other surgeriesBy Geography North America United States Canada Mexico Europe Germany France United Kingdom Others Asia-Pacific India China Japan Australia Others LAMEA Latin America Middle East AfricaAbout us:MarketIntelReports (MIR) aim to empower our clients to successfully manage and outperform in their business decisions, we do this by providing Premium Market Intelligence, Strategic Insights and Databases from a range of Global Publishers.A group of industry veterans who are well experienced in reputed international consulting firms after identifying the sourcing needs of MNCs for market intelligence, have together started this business savior MarketIntelReports.MIR intends to be a one-stop shop with an intuitive design, exhaustive database, expert assistance, secure cart checkout and data privacy integrated. It curates the list of reports, publishers and studies to ensure that the database is constantly updated to dynamically meet the targeted, specific needs of our clients.MarketIntelReports currently has more than 10,000 plus titles and 35+ publishers on our platform and growing consistently to fill the Global Intelligence Demand Supply Gap. We cover more than 15 industry verticals being: Automotive, Electronics, Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare, Chemicals, Building & Construction, Agriculture, Food & Beverages, Banking & Finance, Media and Government, Public Sector Studies.Contact us:Mayur SSales Manager2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400,Wilmington,Delaware,19808United Statessales@marketintelreports.comTelephone: 1-302-261-5343 FocalSpec introduces new Automatic Inline Roughness Measurement System for wire, cable and filament extrusion applications in North America. FocalSpec MicroProfiler MP 900 Cumming, GA (September 7, 2016) FocalSpec, Inc., a supplier of optical high-precision 3D scanning sensors and solutions, is pleased to announce the formal North American launch of their new non-contact wire, cable, and filament surface roughness measurement system, the MicroProfiler MP 900.The MP 900 is based on FocalSpecs patented Line Confocal Imaging (LCI) technology that enables accurate in-production roughness measurement from a fast moving surface of any type and color. The system scans and analyzes a products actual surface profile at the rate of 512,000 points per second. The maximum line speeds is 150 m/min (500 ft/min) and products with diameter of 1 mm (0.04) to flat can be measured. The minimum reported Ra is 0.2 m (8 in) and other standard roughness parameters, such as Rz, can also be calculated. Roughness of the product is displayed in real-time and operators are automatically alerted for abnormal process changes enabling instant corrective actions. All roughness results from the entire length of each produced reel are stored in the systems database for quality certification and production reporting purposes.Continuous surface roughness measurement allows manufacturers to really optimize their processes for each product and material, and to push the envelope for absolutely maximum line speed and production output, said Juha Saily, Sales Manager for FocalSpec, Inc. Other benefits include improved product quality, reduced scrap, faster process startups and changeovers, and reduced labor needed in quality control activities.The launch of the MicroProfiler MP 900 coincides with FocalSpec giving a paper on the subject at the IWCS International Cable & Connectivity Symposium in Providence, RI, October 2 5, 2016.FocalSpec, Inc. is a recently founded subsidiary of FocalSpec, Ltd. FocalSpec, Ltd, headquartered in Oulu, Finland, was founded in 2009 as a corporate spin-off from Technical Research Center of Finland (VTT). The companys sensor products and 3D scanning systems are based on dual-axis Line Confocal Imaging technology that is patented worldwide.Juha Saily, Sales ManagerFocalSpec, Inc.1595 Peachtree Pkwy Ste 204-110Cumming, GA 30041, USA Wearable Fitness Industry: activity monitors expected to witness the highest sales in the US. http://www.marketintelreports.com/report/9dime4122/global-wearable-fitness-industry-2016-market-research-report http://www.marketintelreports.com/pdfdownload.php?id=9dime4122 http://www.marketintelreports.com/purchase.php?id=9dime4122 www.marketintelreports.com Wearable technology products are laced or equipped with various fitness sensors that keep a track of our movements as well as the condition of our body such as heartbeat, pulse and other factors. There is high demand for the wearable technology fitness devices for wrists and neck compared to any other body part. There is high scope for the Wearable Fitness Industry due to upcoming fitness trackers that are made with latest wearable technology for accurate analysis in fitness and health sector in upcoming years.Browse Global Wearable Fitness Industry 2016 Market Research ReportScope and Regional Forecast of the Wearable Fitness Industry:North America is one of the prominent regions in the Wearable Fitness Industry due to the health conscious population of the region with high demand for various wearable technology fitness gears. The US and Canada are the major consumers of this market due to large group of population who can afford smartbands for tracking fitness.Europe is expected to witness high demand for the Wearable Fitness Industry among the adults and teenagers of the region. This market is expected to high attract the attention of players and health conscious population of this region in upcoming term.Asia Pacific is the largest region for the Wearable Fitness Industry due to thehigh population of this region. India and China are the major market regions with high chances for sales of fitness wearables and gadgets in the region in future.Segmentation and Key Players of the Wearable Fitness Industry:The Wearable Fitness Industry is segmented into various categories by application, by country and by region as follows:Get Sample Brochure of the Report @By application: healthcare, personal care, gyms and othersBy country: United States, Germany, Japan and ChinaBy region: North America, Europe and AsiaThe key players in the Wearable Fitness Industry that introduce high quality fitness gadgets for people are as follows: Fitbit Inc. Xiaomi Inc. Qualcomm Inc. Adidas NikeThe Wearable Fitness Industry is a rapidly growing market with high demand for activity monitors and smartband wearable technology for activity tracking applications for better lifestyle of the people across the globe. This market is expected to witness high growth with rise in demand for wearable devices for adults such as wearable bracelet to track fitness and high investment for fitness technology expected to boost the demand in various regions across the globe in upcoming term.Order Global Wearable Fitness Industry 2016 Market Research ReportAbout us:MarketIntelReports (MIR) aim to empower our clients to successfully manage and outperform in their business decisions, we do this by providing Premium Market Intelligence, Strategic Insights and Databases from a range of Global Publishers.A group of industry veterans who are well experienced in reputed international consulting firms after identifying the sourcing needs of MNCs for market intelligence, have together started this business savior MarketIntelReports.Contact us:Sales ManagerMayur S2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400,Wilmington,Delaware,19808United Statessales@marketintelreports.comTelephone: 1-302-261-5343 Brazil Medical Devices Market 2016: Product, Hemodynamic, Respiratory, Multi-Parameter http://www.marketresearchstore.com/report/brazil-medical-devices-market-opportunities-and-forecasts-71096 http://bit.ly/2c6YxEm http://www.marketresearchstore.com/ Latest industry research report on Medical devices are used to carry out operations, treatments and diagnosis, and vary based on complexity and applications. These include primary devices such as, tongue depressors, medical gloves, syringes, and advanced devices such as computers which performs medical testing, implants, and other complicated operations. Technological advancements and innovations that improves the level of quality, safety, and reliability of medical devices present new avenues in the market.The factors that fuel the growth of the Brazilian medical devices market are changing medical technology landscape encouraging the introduction of innovative products, increasing aging population, and rising government investments & trade initiatives. However, high cost of imported medical devices and high sales tariffs, challenging regulatory environment for approval, import, and sales of medical devices, and low penetration of medical devices in Brazil are factors restraining the growth of the market. Developing healthcare infrastructure, development of advanced ultrasound with a wide array of applications, and establishment of manufacturing facilities in the country by global players create opportunities in this market.Access Full Report:The Brazilian medical devices market is segmented into patient monitoring, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, defibrillators, and others (endoscopy, ophthalmology, orthopedic, radiotherapy). The market is further classified into product and end user. Based on product, the market is further divided into hemodynamic, cardiac monitoring, respiratory, multi-parameter, fetal and neonatal, remote patient monitor, neuromonitoring, temperature monitor, and weight management monitor.The ultrasound segment is further segmented into technology, application, and product. Based on technology, the ultrasound market is classified into diagnostic ultrasound and therapeutic ultrasound. Based on product, the ultrasound market is further classified into display and portability. The application segment of ultrasound is further divided into radiology/general imaging, obstetrics and gynecology, cardiology, vascular system, urology, and others.Request a Brochure of This Report, here:The Brazilian medical devices market is segmented based on defibrillators into product and end users. By product, the market is classified into implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and external defibrillators. Based on end users, the market is further divided into hospitals, homecare, public access market, and alternate care market.The MRI segment is classified on the basis of architecture, field strength, and application. Based on architecture, the market is further divided into closed and open MRI systems. The market is further classified based on field strength into high field, very high field, and low to mid field. The application segment is further classified into brain & neurological, spine & musculoskeletal, vascular, pelvic & abdominal, breast, and cardiac.The leading manufacturers profiled in this report are GE Healthcare, Philips Healthcare, Medtronic PLC, Boston Scientific Corporation, St. Jude Medical Inc., Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, Mindray Medical International Limited, Hitachi Medical Corporation, Abbott Laboratories, and Siemens Healthcare. The strategies implemented by the leading manufacturers, to strengthen their position in the market, are mergers & acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, and others.About Market research StoreMarket Research Store 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. Market Research Store is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air. We have market research reports from number of leading publishers and update our collection daily to provide our clients with the instant online access to our database. With access to this database, our clients will be able to benefit from expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends.Contact Us:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442, USAUSA Tel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No.1-855-465-4651Email: sales@marketresearchstore.comWeb: Global Butyl Acetate Market Competitive landscape By 2015 2021 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/6388 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/6388 Butyl acetate, also known as butyl ethanoate is an organic compound which is majorly used as a solvent for manufacturing lacquers and other products. It is a flammable colorless liquid which is found in various types of fruits. Butyl acetate is commonly used as a synthetic fruit flavoring in certain food products such as cheese, ice creams, candies and baked goods. It is primarily manufactured by the Fischer esterifaction of acetic acid and butanol isomer in the presence of catalytic sulfuric acid. Butyl acetate also serves as a raw material in certain coating, cosmetic and adhesive industries. Various isomers of butyl acetate are produced in the industry such as sec-butyl acetate, tert-butyl acetate and isobutyl acetate.The global market for butyl acetate has witnessed a significant growth over the past few years, primarily driven by the growing demand in the Asia Pacific region. Production facilities of the compound are primarily concentrated in North America and Europe, which also serve as the major exporting regions. Developed regions such as the Middle East is anticipated to gain significant share in the butyl acetate industry on account of increasing efforts by their governments to attract various petrochemical and chemical companies.Download Sample @Asia Pacific was the largest consumer for butyl acetate consuming a substantial share of the market over the past few years. The market for butyl acetate in emerging economies such as China has been well-established on account of increasing use of automotive paints and coatings. China also serves as a prominent importer for butyl acetate; hence, the market dynamics in the country are strongly dependent on the exporting regions. European market for butyl acetate is anticipated to witness a slow growth rate as various manufacturers are shifting their focus from Europe to Asia Pacific on account of the wide production-demand gap in the latter region. However, demand for butyl acetate from regions in rest of the world (ROW) is expected to rise significantly, primarily driven by huge investments in Saudi Arabia for establishing butyl acetate manufacturing facilities. The Saudi Arabian government has successfully designed its policies for the purpose of attracting certain large scale chemical companies in the country. In addition, easy availability of raw materials for petrochemicals and strategic location of the country have attracted various companies towards establishing their production units in the country.Increased use of water-based coatings and automotive paints is expected to be the major driving factor for the growth of butyl acetate market over the next few years. Moreover, growing demand for butyl acetate in cosmetic products and adhesives is also expected to contribute towards the growth of the market. However, increasing health concerns regarding the hazardous use of butyl acetate is expected to hamper the growth of the market. Over exposure to butyl acetate causes irritation to human body. Hence, various health organizations have been involved in continuously monitoring the exposure levels. Increasing R&D activities towards developing innovative products such as tert-butyl acetate as a substitute to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are expected to provide new opportunities for the growth of the market.Request TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:Alfa Aesar GMBHh & CO KG, BASF SE, China National Petroleum Corporation, Eastman Chemical Company, Ineos Oxide Ltd, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Sasol Limited, and The Dow Chemical Company are some of the key manufacturers of butyl acetate dominating the market.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 Global Automotive Adhesives Market Segments By 2015 2021 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/6385 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/6385 Adhesives and sealants are the most versatile bonding agents available today and are used by automakers to make cars lighter and tougher. Adhesives are made from precise blends of synthetic rubber elastomers, resins and agents or additives used to enhance certain characteristics, depending on the end use. Automakers today use aluminum and composites that cannot be welded together but have to be glued to hold the body parts together even at top speed and high pressure. Adhesives do not lose strength and hence are used for these applications. Adhesives bonding renders the vehicles quieter, more durable and safer and are replacing conventional joining techniques such as welding, riveting and bolting.Adhesives find numerous applications in the automobile industry and have revolutionized the way automobiles have been designed and built. Adhesives are used to assemble rubber, metal, glass, plastics and numerous other materials during the manufacture of automobiles. Adhesives help prevent the ingress of salt, dirt and water in the car body shell. Adhesives help in improving body stiffness and durability and provide improved crash performance. Every stage of production of an automobile, whether for non-load-bearing body components or structural parts, uses adhesives in one form or other. Adhesives are used in manufacture of engines, body components, gear boxes and mounted parts such as wing mirrors, seats and steering wheels. Interior applications include tray systems, safety systems, seating systems, as well as sub assembly and acoustical material assembly. In addition, adhesives are used for direct glazing, where they contribute to an increased rigidity of the car body.Download Sample @Adhesives can be applied with high speed on the production line, which results in cost reduction and savings. Hence, adhesive consumption per vehicle is expected to increase, as automotive designers continue to exploit the cost saving potential of adhesives. In addition, adhesives help to cut down on noise, vibration and harshness characteristics. Adhesives improve fuel efficiency of automobiles and provide enhanced performance which is a key driving factor behind the advancement of adhesives in the automotive industry.Consistent growth and presence of wide range of suppliers, distributors and manufacturers are the some of the characteristics of the adhesives market. Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, and Latin America hold potential for growth. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region for the adhesives industry due to growing demand for adhesives in South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, Australia and India.North America and Europe are saturated markets and will grow with a low compound annual growth rate in the near future. The adhesive market in the U.S. has lost ground to China due to migration of manufacturing facilities to China but the country continues to play a significant role in the adhesives market.Request TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:The industry remains fragmented, with numerous medium-sized companies with a high level of customization, particularly in the highest-value adhesive segments. The cost of producing adhesives is attributable to the cost of the raw materials along with the requisite service component of training customers and helping them resolve manufacturing issues. Some of the key players in this market are Sika AG (Switzerland), The Dow Chemical Company (U.S.), Bayer (Germany), Henkel (Germany), BASF (Germany), 3M Company (U.S.), Ashland Specialty Chemical Company (U.S.), H.B. Fuller Company(U.S.), Hindustan Adhesives Limited (India), ExxonMobil Chemical Company (U.S) , Dynea International Oy (Finland) , Forbo Adhesives Switzerland (Switzerland), Hexion Specialty Chemicals (U.S) and Covalence Adhesives (U.S.) 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 Global Polyvinyl Acetate Adhesives Market Drivers and challenges By 2015-2021 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/6391 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/6391 Any substance applied to the surfaces of materials that binds them together is known as an adhesive. Polyester adhesives are synthetic adhesives based on saturated or unsaturated polymers. These adhesives are referred to as multi-component adhesives, which mean they harden by mixing two or more components which chemically react. The components of polyester adhesives include solvents (acetone or a mixture of acetone and alcohol), hardening initiators (organic peroxides or hydroperoxides), hardening catalysts (tertiary amines or cobalt salts), and extenders (cement or silica). All the components of polyester adhesives are mixed just before use. Without the use of extenders, the adhesives are slightly colored or are colorless liquid compositions and have a working life ranging from several minutes or several hours. Polyester adhesives ensure high adhesion strength to plastics and other materials like metals, rubber, wood, silica and organic glass. The adhesive bonds are resistant to water, gasoline and mold as well as to weak acids and salt solutions.The application of polyester adhesives widely lie in the manufacture of optical products, furniture and also used widely in the construction business. A polyester product called as polyester hot-melt adhesive films are designed to show excellent adhesion to a variety of fabrics and plastics. They are heat resistant, show high bond strength and exhibit excellent chemical resistance. These films have a stiff hand and are typically not suited for application where elasticity is required. Due to its excellent adhesion, great wash resistance and fast set times they are widely used adhesives. Polyester adhesive tapes find their use in splicing- treated paper to low profile decorative trim.Download Sample @The market demand for polyester products is high due to its application particularly in the construction and furniture line. The construction industry is growing globally especially in developing countries like India and China where the construction market is huge. They make use of polyester adhesives largely. The market for this product is growing and is expected to rise further in the next few years. Every household all over the world requires furniture and hence there is continuous demand for this product in the market and since it does not cause any significant harm to the environment, there are no extreme stringent policies for its use. Other end users for this product include the textile, footwear, autoomobile and product assembly sectors. Owing to the growth of these industries the market for polyester adhesives is not foreseen to go down any time in the next few years. A few companies have registered patents relating to the methods used to manufacture these products.The main market segments for this product include North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and rest of the world (RoW). Asia Pacific has the biggest market demand for polyester adhesives due to the growth in the textile and construction industries. The U.S. is one of the biggest suppliers of raw materials that are required for the production of polyester adhesives. Europe also has high market demand for this product, as it is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world. Polyester coatings do not particularly cause environmental problems and hence the European and American governments do not have extreme stringent policies against its use. The RoW segment, which is still developing in the construction field, also has a big market for polyester adhesives.Request TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:Some of the main companies profiled for this product include Dow Chemical Company, ABP International, EY Technologies (division of Pascale Industries Ltd.), Rayven, Axson Technologies, and Evonik Industries 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 Polyamide-6 Market To Increase at Steady Growth Rate http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1291 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1291 www.futuremarketinsights.com Polyamide -6 (PA6) is a semi-crystalline polyamide commonly known as Nylon-6. Polyamide-6 is generally produced by polymerization of caprolacta. The strength, durability and elasticity which it offers is widely appreciated in industries. Properties such as ability to withstand high pressure, temperature and various chemical makes it a highly valued material. These physical and chemical properties makes Polyamide-6 suitable for various application sectors. Of all the Polyamides types produced, Polyamide-6 accounts for approximately more than 60% of worldwide production in terms of volume. The global capacity of Polyamide-6 in 2013 is anticipated to be approximately 6.6 million metric tons.Polyamide -6 Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe major drivers for the global polyamide-6 market is its usage is its wide application sectors such as automotive, electronics & electrical, engineering plastics, packaging, wires & cables, textiles, and films & coating and others. Therefore, increasing demand for the above application sectors is expected to have a positive impact on the market in the coming years. The numerous niche applications for PA6 such as its usage in healthcare & music instruments is expected to positively affect the demand for polyamide 6 (PA6) in the coming years.Request Free Report Sample@Though the polyamide-6 (PA6) is regarded as one of the ideal materials for its physical and chemical properties yet some properties such as high shrinkage in molded sections, reaction with strong acids and bases may hamper the selection of PA6. Over specification, such as in automotive industry regarding the safety reasons may drift towards alternative products such as reinforced polypropylene, thereby restraining the growth of PA6. The insufficient flame retardance and significant flammable dripping might affect the use of PA6.Polyamide -6 Market: SegmentationOn the basis of type, the global polyamide-6 market is segmented into:Polyamide-6 (PA6) FiberPolyamide-6 (PA6) ResinOn the basis of application, global Polyamide -6 Market is segmented into:TransportationElectrical and ElectronicsTextileIndustrial ApplicationOthers (includes music, healthcare, coating sector)Polyamide -6 Market: Region Wise OutlookThe consumption of Polyamide-6 is expected to grow at a significant CAGR of more than 5% during the forecast period, globally. Asia Pacific especially China, Japan, Taiwan and India are the major consumers of polyamide-6 since this region offers significant opportunities for Polyamide-6 in various application sectors such as transportation, electrical & electronics, textiles and others. It is estimated that by the end of 2015, China and Taiwan would account for approximately half of the worlds polyamide-6 production in terms of volume. Demand for polyamide-6 in regions such as North America and Latin America is forecasted to grow at a stagnant CAGR.Request For TOC@Polyamide -6 Market: Key PlayersSome of the market participants in the global polyamide-6 (PA6) market are BASF SE, Honeywell International Inc., DuPont, Royal DSM N.V., UBE INDUSTRIES, LTD., Invista, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals and others.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:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Market Forecast Report on Hypercalcemia Treatment, 2016-2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1320 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1320 www.futuremarketinsights.com Hypercalcemia is a medical condition which involves elevation of calcium level in the blood. Surplus calcium levels in your blood can create kidney stones, obstruct the way your heart and brain functions and weaken your bones. Hypercalcemia is commonly result of hyperactive parathyroid glands. Hypercalcemia is generally accompanied by several symptoms like feeling sick, tiredness, vomiting, bone pains and kidney stones. Hypercalcemia is the most common metabolic disorder related with neoplastic diseases. It has estimated that hypercalcemia occurs in about 10% to 20% of all patients with cancer. Hypercalcemia is caused due to excessive release of calcium in the skeletal system and due to increased intestinal calcium absorption in the body. Hypercalcemia treatment focuses on lowering the serum calcium concentration in the body. Some of the non - pharmacological therapies used in the treatment of hypercalcemia are as mobilization, saline diuresis and volume expansion, Inhibition of bone resorption, reduction of gastrointestinal calcium absorption and dialysis.Hypercalcemia Treatment Market: Drivers and RestraintsPresently, the global hypercalcemia treatment market is an attractive market, and is primarily driven by the high adoption rate of novel therapies. Moreover, factor such as increased government support for developing effective medications for rare disease such as hypercalcemia is expected to drive the growth of this market. However, factors such as high cost of therapy and stringent drug regulatory policies might impede the growth of the market.Request Free Report Sample@Hypercalcemia Treatment Market: SegmentationHypercalcemia Treatment market is classified on the basis of drug type, indication, end user and geography.Based on the drug therapies type, the global hypercalcemia Treatment market is segmented into the following:BisphosphonatesAntidote or Hypercalcemia AgentsCalcimimetic AgentGlucocorticoidsAntineoplastic drugsMineralsBased on the indications, the global hypercalcemia Treatment market is segmented into the following:Primary HyperparathyroidismSecondary HyperparathyroidismTertiary HyperparathyroidismHumoral Hypercalcemia of MalignancyOther (Thyrotoxicosis, Immobilization etc.)Based on the type end user, the global hypercalcemia Treatment market is segmented into the following:Hospitals ClinicsPrivate ClinicsRetail Pharmacies and Drug Storese-commerceHypercalcemia Treatment Market: OverviewThe primary hyperparathyroidism and humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy type is expected to dominate the global hypercalcemia market over the forecast period as they account for 90% of the hypercalcemia cases. Growing incidence of hypercalcemia, increasing awareness among the people and developments in new advance treatment are some other factors which are expected to support the growth of global hyperparathyroidism market over the forecast period.Request For TOC@Hypercalcemia Treatment Market: Region-wise OutlookDepending on geographic regions, global hypercalcemia market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan, Japan and Middle East & Africa. In terms of geography, North America is the leading market owing to the high incidence rate of hypercalcemia in the U.S. various research studies suggests that the incidence of hypercalcemia in the U.S. is almost 1 to 2 cases per 1000 adults. However, other regions such as Latin America, MEA and APAC are estimated to witness sluggish growth due to the high costs of these therapies and low awareness among population.Hypercalcemia Treatment Market: Key PlayersThe companies involved in the development and commercialization of hypercalcemia treatment products are Cipla Inc., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Amgen Inc., Genta Inc., Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc., Novartis International AG Pfizer Inc. and others.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:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: 3D TSV Packages Market Forecast By End-use Industry 2016-2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1398 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1398 www.futuremarketinsights.com Currently, 3D Packaging using Through Silicon Via technology (3D TSV) is one of the hottest topics in the semiconductor ecosystem. 3D TSV is vertical electrical connection (via) passing completely through a silicon wafer or die. These short vertical interconnects are replacing the long interconnects of 2D packaging technologies including wire-bond and flip chips.Growing demand for high density and multifunctional microelectronics with improved performance, and the reduction of timing delays is currently driving the market for 3D TSV packages. . However, the challenges encountered during assembly and packaging, handling ultrathin semiconductor components in front-end and back-end process owing to its fragility are some of the factors restraining the market growth.Market Overview:Several 3D packages, such as System in Package and Chip Stack MCM, are available in the market providing smaller form factor and greater connectivity. The stacked chips are wired together along their edges in these packages. This wiring increases the length and width of the package, thus requiring an extra interposer layer between the chips. The new 3D TSV package creates vertical connections through the body of the chips, replacing edge wiring and in turn reducing the extra added length and width.3D TSV technology allows stacking of LSIs which facilitates manufacturing of smaller products such as wearable devices. , Semiconductor fabricators globally are adopting 3D TSV technology in order to cater to the increasing requirements of functional integration.Request Free Report Sample@Market Dynamics:Growing demand for innovative chip architectures with improved features such as low power consumption, high aspect ratio, and smaller form factor is driving the market of 3D TSV packages. Additionally, factors such as proliferation in the cloud based applications, robust outlook for the Information & Communication Technologies segment, and persistent developments in the DRAM and smart lighting sectors are further cementing the adoption of 3D TSV packages for fabrication process.The market is expected to witness potential revenue opportunity mainly due to growth in its application areas such as MEMS, CMOS image sensors, optoelectronics and high end LED solutions. Additionally, 3D TSV packages are expected to gain more traction in its adoption in the DRAM memory domain with the advent of innovative technologies such as HMC (Hybrid Memory Cube) and HBM (High Bandwidth Memory).Several challenges are encountered while handling this wafer for packaging process as the TSV wafer is thinned down to the thickness of 40-50um. TSV wafers are thinned in order to meet the diverse needs, including temporary adhesion strength, and chemical and thermal stability in the fabrication process. These challenges are constraining the growth of the market and are expected to continue hampering the market growth during the forecast period. Furthermore, 3D TSV assembly process is more complex, compared to traditional flip-chip process which is also one of the primary constraint for this market.With the up surging demand for improved and advanced electronic products having smaller form factor, superior functionality, reduced power consumption with a lower overall cost the market is expected to witness adoption of advanced packaging technologies such as 3D TSV during the forecast period.Request For TOC@Market Segmentation:3D TSV Packages market is mainly classified on the basis of process realization, applications, verticals and geography.On the basis of process realization, 3D TSV Packages market is segmented as:via firstvia middlevia last segmentsOn the basis of applications, 3D TSV Packages is segmented as:Logic & memory devicesMEMS & sensorsPower & analog componentsThe basis of verticals, 3D TSV Packages is segmented as:Consumer electronicsInformation & Communication TechnologiesAutomotiveMilitary & defenseOther sectors (aerospace and medical)On the basis of geography, global market of 3D TSV Devices is segmented as:North AmericaLatin AmericaWestern EuropeEastern EuropeAsia Pacific Excluding JapanJapanMiddle East & AfricaKey Market PlayersThe leading players of this industry include Amkor Technology Inc., Jiangsu Changjiang Electronics Technology Co. (STATS chipPAC), Toshiba Electronics Co.Ltd., Samsung Electronics Co.Ltd., Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC), United Microelectronics Corporation, Xilinx Inc., Teledyne DALSA Inc., and Tezzaron Semiconductor Corporation.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:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: North America Ophthalmology Cataract Surgery Devices Market 2016:Intraocular Lenses, Ophthalmic Viscoelastic Devices http://www.marketresearchstore.com/report/north-america-ophthalmology-cataract-surgery-devices-market-71103 http://bit.ly/2c71IvF http://www.marketresearchstore.com/ Latest industry research report on Ophthalmology cataract surgery devices are used to remove the natural lens of a human eye. Cataract is a state of an eye in which cornea becomes opaque, and causes loss of lens transparency which results in loss of vision or impairment. Cataract is treated without causing harm to cornea using ophthalmology cataract surgery devices. The instruments used in the ophthalmology cataract surgery are Toric Marker, pre-chopper, contact lenses, speculum, phoropter, tonometers, and others.The key factors driving the growth of the North American ophthalmology cataract surgery devices market are rising aging population, increasing strategic expansion of major manufacturers, and changing geographical trends & demographics. However, the restraining factors of growth of this market are economic slowdown and saturation. Intraocular lenses & phacoemulsification devices and untapped emerging markets provide substantial opportunities for the growth of the market.Access Full Report:The North American ophthalmology cataract surgery devices market is segmented based on submarket, end user, and geography. The market is further segmented based on submarket into intraocular lenses, phacoemulsification devices, and ophthalmic viscoelastic devices. The market is classified based on end user into private eye clinics, hospitals, and other end users. Geographically, the market is segmented into U.S., Canada, and Mexico.The key manufacturers profiled in the report are Abbott Laboratories, Alcon Inc., Allergan Inc., Bausch & Lomb Inc., Carl Zeiss Meditech AG, Essilor International S.A., NIDEK Co. Ltd., Topcon Corporation, and STAAR Surgical Company. The manufacturers have implemented strategies, such as mergers & acquisitions, partnerships, agreements, and others, to gain strong presence in the market.Request a Brochure of This Report, here:About Market research StoreMarket Research Store 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. Market Research Store is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air. We have market research reports from number of leading publishers and update our collection daily to provide our clients with the instant online access to our database. With access to this database, our clients will be able to benefit from expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends.Contact Us:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442, USAUSA Tel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No.1-855-465-4651Email: sales@marketresearchstore.comWeb: Research on Signal Generator Market 2016 and Analysis to 2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1495 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1495 www.futuremarketinsights.com In a broad way, signaling means anything that serves to, indicate, command or to direct somebody with the help of light, an act, and gesture or in some other way, simple examples of signaling are clap & whistle. Signaling is mainly used to control communication process, in telecommunication applications, signaling finds wide applications concerning the establishment and control of a telecommunication circuit and also to manage communication network. Signals are referred as any quantity showing variation in time or space (as in image) is termed as a signal that helps to provide information regarding status of some physical system and the electronic system that generates repeating or non-repeating electronic signal in the range of frequencies between audio and microwave are termed as signal generator.Global Signal Generator Market: DynamicsThe key trend for the growth of global signal generator market is increasing demand from modern communication system. The factors responsible for the growth of global signal generator market are increasing demand for signal generator in the market across various countries in developing regions around the world, also the hike in demand of arbitrary function generator in various application is driving the growth of global signal generator market, one of the important driver contributes in the growth of signal device market is rapid adoption of signal generator in application such as aerospace and defense. On the other hand high import duty and taxes on the raw material used in manufacturing of signal generator and also the presence of large number of players in signal generator industry across the globe creates extensive competition and results in price war among the key players that is also responsible for hindering the growth of global signal generator market.Request Free Report Sample@Global Signal Generator Market: SegmentationSegmentation of global signal generator market is done on the basis of product types, area of application, vertical & geography. On the basis of product type, global signal generator market is segmented into general purpose signal generator and special purpose signal generator. Further these segments is sub segmented into their respective sub-segments as general purpose signal generator is segmented into function generator, arbitrary waveform generator and RF & microwave signal generator and special purpose signal generator is sub-segmented into Pitch generators and audio generators and video signal generators. On the basis of technology it is being used, global signal generator market is segmented into 2G, 3G and 4G technology of communication.By application types, global signal generator market is segmented into higher end design and test application, in manufacturing application, in troubleshooting and repairing applicationsGeographically, global signal generator market is segmented into seven regions as; North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), and Middle East and Africa (MEA). North America and Asia Pacific is projected to be the dominant market for signal generator across the globe and Asia Pacific region is expected to grow with spectacular CAGR during a forecast period.Request For TOC@Global Signal Generator Market: Key PlayersThe key players of global Signal Generator market are National Instruments Corporation, Tektronix Inc. Keysight Technologies Inc., Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co Kg, Leader Electronics Corp & othersABOUT 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:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Cell Counting Market 2016: Spectrophotometers, Cell Counters, Hemocytometers http://www.marketresearchstore.com/report/world-cell-counting-market-opportunities-and-forecasts-71101 http://bit.ly/2bVEcUZ http://www.marketresearchstore.com/ Cell counting is a method of counting cells for medical applications, and plays an important role in research and clinical activities. Cell counts in liquid media is expressed in cells per unit of volume or concentration. Numerous treatment procedures necessitate Cell counting to carry out further procedures. For instance, the concentration of red blood cells or while blood cells provide vital information about the condition of health of a patient. In research activities, cell counting determines the amount of reagents and chemicals to be added in a solution. The improvements in healthcare infrastructure present new avenues in the cell counting market.The key factors that propels the growth of the world cell counting market are rising incidence of cancer and AIDS, corporate & government funding for cell-based research, and development of enhanced informatics solutions & improved image analysis instruments. However, the factors restraining the growth of the market are high prices of advanced cell counting systems and reluctance among researchers to use advanced cell counting techniques. Stem cell research and emerging market open new opportunities in the market.Access Full Report:The world cell counting market is segmented based on products, end users, and geography. The cell counting market is categorized on the basis of products into spectrophotometers, flow cytometers, hematology analyzers, and cell counters. The spectrophotometer is further classified into single-mode readers and multi-mode readers. Whereas, the cell counter is further categorized into automated cell counters, hemocytometers, and manual cell counters. The market is classified based on end users into hospitals & diagnostic laboratories, research institutions, pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies, and other end users.Geographically, the world cell counting market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW). The North American market is further classified into Canada and U.S. The European region is further divided into France, Italy, Spain, Germany, U.K., and Rest of the Europe (RoE). The Asia-Pacific market is further segmented into China, Japan, India, and the Rest of the Asia (RoA). The Rest of the World include Middle East & Africa and Latin America.Request a Brochure of This Report, here:The key manufacturers profiled in this report are Danaher Corporation, PerkinElmer Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Becton, Dickinson, and Company, GE Healthcare, Merck Millipore, Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Biotek Instruments Inc., Agilent Technologies Inc., and Tecan Group Ltd. They have implemented strategies, such as agreements, partnerships, expansion, and others, to gain stronghold in the world cell counting industry.About Market research StoreMarket Research Store 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. Market Research Store is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air. We have market research reports from number of leading publishers and update our collection daily to provide our clients with the instant online access to our database. With access to this database, our clients will be able to benefit from expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends.Contact Us:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442, USAUSA Tel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No.1-855-465-4651Email: sales@marketresearchstore.comWeb: Global CRM Analytics Market 2016:Customer Analytics, Sales Analytics, Marketing Analytics http://www.marketresearchstore.com/report/world-crm-analytics-market-opportunities-and-forecast-71083 http://bit.ly/2cqMvWK http://www.marketresearchstore.com/ Latest industry research report on Customer relationship management analytics (CRM analytics) includes different applications that evaluate data about the customers of a company and present it in a way that smarter decisions can be made. Emergence of CRM analytics has enabled enterprises to communicate with their customers faster and convert data accumulated about the consumers into valuable information. As a result, many software enterprises have built products that can analyse customer data intelligently.There are several drivers, restraints and opportunities influencing the market growth worldwide. In the present scenario, customers preferences have become extremely dynamic. CRM helps understand buyers behaviour, interpret attitudes, identify patterns, and further analyse the data insights & structure personalized campaigns for products.Access Full Report:This works as a major market driver for CRM analytics. However, concerns over data management, quality & integration has hindered the progress of the market to some extent. Nonetheless, the growing need of an enterprises marketing team to design a plan, execute and evaluate campaigns across different platforms and make smarter decision is likely to create greater opportunities for the market.The CRM analytics market is segmented by types, end-customer, industry, deployment model and geography. Based on types, the market segments discussed in the market research report consist of sales analytics, marketing analytics, customer analytics and others. The end-customers covered in the report includes small and medium business enterprises and large enterprises. Industries served by CRM Analytics market are BFSI, retail, manufacturing, IT & telecom among others.Request a Brochure of This Report, here:On the basis of deployment model, the market is bifurcated in terms of on premise deployment and on-cloud deployment. Regions explored in the report include North America, Europe, Asia -Pacific and LAMEA. Key market leaders are also covered in the market research report. List of companies discussed in the report includes IBM, Oracle, Accenture, SAS Institute Inc., Infosys and many others.About Market research StoreMarket Research Store 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. Market Research Store is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air. We have market research reports from number of leading publishers and update our collection daily to provide our clients with the instant online access to our database. With access to this database, our clients will be able to benefit from expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends.Contact Us:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442, USAUSA Tel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No.1-855-465-4651Email: sales@marketresearchstore.comWeb: Vertebroplasty And Kyphoplasty Devices Market Dynamics, Segments and Supply Demand 2015-2025 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-963 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-963 www.futuremarketinsights.com Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty are minimally invasive, image guided surgical procedures performed to treat the Vertebral Compression Fracture (VCF). VCFs can lead to back pain, reduced physical activity, depression, loss of independence, decreased lung capacity, and difficulty sleeping. Bone cement is injected into the back bone (vertebra) to provide support to the broken bone. Due to osteoporosis, vascular malformatins or, less commonly, cancer fractures can be caused in the vertebra. Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty help the patient to regain the functional abilities and avoid further vertebral collapse. Kyphoplasty is an advanced version of Vertebroplasty which can stabilize the fracture, restore heights and reduce deformities.Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty Devices Market: Drivers & RestraintsVertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty devices market is growing due to limitations in the traditional techniques for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures. Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty are advanced procedure which result in pain relief, stabilization of the fracture and avoid Downward spiral of untreated osteoporosis. Due to increase in ageing population, patients suffering from osteoporosis are also increasing.Additional benefits of the surgery which are the key drivers for this market are:Short surgical time. Patient gets discharged in less than one day.General anaesthesia required. No bracing required.Patients can quickly return to the normal activities of daily living.Complications like bleeding, infection post-surgery and chances of occurrence of another fracture are few restraints for the Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty Devices Market.Request Free Report Sample@Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty Devices Market: SegmentationVertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty Devices market is classified on the basis of Surgery type, product type and geography.Based on surgery type, the global Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty market is segmented into the following:VertebroplastyKyphoplastyBased on product type, the global Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty market is segmented into the following:Vertebroplasty devicesNeedleCement mixing and delivery devicesX- ray DeviceKyphoplasty DevicesBalloonNeedleX- ray DeviceVertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty Devices Market: OverviewVertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty devices market is growing due to increased incidence of Vertebral Compression Fractures (VCF) occurring due to increase in the ageing population. VCF is a major issue in the western countries driving the market growth. Overall Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty devices market will grow globally, however the growth rate in Asia Pacific region will be more as compared to European and North American market.Visit For TOC@Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty Devices Market: Region-wise OutlookDepending on geographic regions, global Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. North America is the leading region in Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty Devices market due to the high volumes of surgical procedures being performed. Also, the availability of established healthcare infrastructure, high contribution of healthcare to economy, patient compliance are the reasons for the high demand in North America. Europe has the second largest Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty Devices market due to vast technological advancement in terms of healthcare sector. Asia Pacific market is expected to grow at a good rate as compared to NA and Europe as there is ample market opportunity in countries like India and China.Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty Devices Market: Key PlayersSome of the key market players in global Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty Devices market are Depuy Synthes, Stryker Corporation, CareFusion Corporation, Osseon LLC., Alphatec Spine, Inc., TAEYEON MEDICAL Co., Ltd., G-21 s.r.l., BMK Global Medical Company, Medtronic, Inc., Globus Medical, Inc. and SOMATEX to name a few.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: Good Growth Opportunities in Global Industrial Sodium Chloride Market Till 2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1799 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1799 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/industrial-sodium-chloride-market www.futuremarketinsights.com Sodium chloride, commonly known as salt, occurs in the form of cubic crystals and is used in large quantities across various industrial applications. Most of the sodium chloride globally produced is used in chemical industry, manufacturing and for other industrial applications such as eliminating ice and snow from roads, water softening, stabilizing soils, etc. Only a small fraction of it goes for food industry, which is omitted from the scope of this report. Significant demand for industrial sodium chloride comes from chlor-alkali industry for its consumption as a primary feedstock in these industries. The earliest technique used for the production of sodium chloride was the evaporation of seawater by sun-heat, which is majorly suited for hot and dry regions near salty lakes or the ocean. Sea water is considered as an unlimited source for sodium chloride production, but the differentiation in favorable soil and weather conditions affects its commercial production along the coastline. With a large presence of regional as well as global players, industrial sodium chloride market is estimated to be highly competitive and fragmented.Global Industrial Sodium Chloride Market DynamicsIncreasing demand for chlor-alkali, e.g. consumption of chlorine in ethylene dichloride production, etc., is one of the leading factors driving growth of industrial sodium chloride market globally. Low-cost and simplicity of the solar evaporation production process is also one of the major factors affecting growth of this market from the supply side.Request Free Report Sample@The annual demand for industrial sodium chloride is also impacted by business cycles of its end-use industries as well as climatic conditions. For its bulk use in chemical processing industry, sodium chloride production, in many instances, is vertically integrated with other downstream production such as in case of chlor-alkali industry. Since, sodium chloride is easily available in most regions of the world, large distance trade is expected to be very unlikely due to its lower costs.Global Industrial Sodium Chloride Market SegmentationGlobal industrial sodium chloride market can be segmented on the basis of end-use and production source. On the basis of end-use, global industrial sodium chloride market is segmented into the oil field, pharmaceutical, water treatment, textile, chemical processing, de-icing, agriculture and other industrial. On the basis of production source, global industrial sodium chloride market is segmented into seawater, rock mines and brine solution.Visit For TOC@Global Industrial Sodium Chloride Market: Regional OutlookOn a regional basis, global industrial sodium chloride market is segmented into seven key regions, namely, North America, Latin America, Middle East & Africa (MEA), Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Japan. APEJ, followed by North America, is expected to be the largest market for industrial sodium chloride. Chemical processing industry is expected to hold disproportionately large shares in the APEJ industrial sodium chloride market. APEJ is also expected to be the fastest growing region in the global industrial sodium chloride market due to high demand growth for chemical processing industry. Significant demand in North America is expected to come from its application as a deicing agent, which highly depends upon the climatic conditions of the region.Global Industrial Sodium Chloride Market: Key playersSome of the major players involved in the production of industrial sodium chloride include China National Salt Industry Corporation (CNSIC), Cargill, Incorporated, The Dow Chemical Company, K+S AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, ICL Fertilizers, The Henrique Lage Salineira do Nordeste, Dominion Salt, Tata Chemicals Ltd., Maldon Crystal Salt Co., Akzo Nobel N.V. and others.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: Global Varifocal Camera Objective Market 2016 Industry Trends, Sales, Supply, Demand, Analysis & Forecast to 2021 Varifocal Camera Objective http://goo.gl/nnMRkD http://goo.gl/X6IrRK Global Varifocal Camera Objective IndustryThe Global Varifocal Camera Objective Industry report gives a comprehensive account of the Global Varifocal Camera Objective 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 Varifocal Camera Objective 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 Varifocal Camera Objective market revenue and its forecasts. The business model strategies of the key firms in the Varifocal Camera Objective 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 Varifocal Camera Objective 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 Varifocal Camera Objective 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 Varifocal Camera Objective 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 Varifocal Camera Objective Industry Overview1.1 Varifocal Camera Objective Definition1.1.1 Varifocal Camera Objective Definition1.1.2 Product Specifications1.2 Varifocal Camera Objective Classification1.3 Varifocal Camera Objective Application Field1.4 Varifocal Camera Objective Industry Chain Structure1.5 Varifocal Camera Objective Industry Regional Overview1.6 Varifocal Camera Objective Industry Policy Analysis1.7 Varifocal Camera Objective Industry Related Companies Contact InformationGet Sample Copy of Report @About Us:QYResearch Group is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. QYResearch Group also carries the capability to assist you with your customized market research requirements including in-depth market surveys, primary interviews, competitive landscaping, and company profiles. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics. QYResearch Group is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air.Contact US:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,United StatesTel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651 Global Graphene Market by Supply & Demand, 2016 - 2026 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/11611 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/11611 Graphene is a two dimensional carbon allotrope, arranged in a honeycomb (hexagons or chicken-wire) crystal lattice due to which it is extremely flexible and much stronger than products like steel and diamond. Graphene owns an incomparable combination of properties such as high mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, barrier properties to liquid and gases, lubricating properties, electrical conductivity, and energy storage, which gives a potential to replace existing materials in a wide range of applications. Graphene finds its application in products like sensors, batteries, semi-conductors, displays, electronics, medicine and others.Use For to: Download TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:Graphene provides increasing cycle life, capacity and provides almost double power with faster charging and discharging in Li-ion batteries and electrical super capacitor. It is also an empowering technology for next-generation batteries like lithium-sulfur and lithium-air chemistries.Increasing demand for lightweight, flexible and renewable materials with long life span are few factors fueling the growth of global graphene market. The requirement of nanotechnology in electronic goods industry is also pumping the growth of graphene market. Global energy market is moving towards the clean energy sources which is in turn driving the demand for low cost of products with better efficiency. Products like solar panels, batteries performance can be improved with the use of graphene which is another driving factor for global graphene market. Other forms of graphene such as Graphene oxide (GO) is one of the form of graphene driving the growth of graphene market in regions like North America as it finds application in electronic devices, catalytic oxidation, biotechnology, and others. Graphene requires special handling due to its inflammable nature, regulatory compliance for inflammable goods are few other factors restraining the manufacturing of graphene. Product Innovations as well as New Applications discoveries of graphene by major manufacturers in electronics industries are being practiced due to its varied range of properties. However, lack of mass production and high priced equipment are few factors restraining the growth for global graphene market.Global graphene market can be segmented by product type and on the basis end-use industry. On the basis of product type graphene market can be segmented as Graphene Oxide (GO), Mono-layer & bi-layer graphene, few layer graphene (FLG), Graphene Nano Platelets (GNP) and others (D Graphene Foams, Pristine graphene). Considering the end-use industry, global graphene market can be segmented into energy, aerospace, biomedical & life sciences, electronics, defense and others (sensors, catalyst, coating, filtration and adhesive).Global graphene market can be divided into seven major regions including North America (U.S., Canada), Pacific (ASEAN, Australia, China, India, & New Zealand), Japan, Middle East and Africa (GCC, S. Africa, N. Africa), Western Europe (Italy, France, U.K, Spain, Germany), Eastern Europe (Poland, Russia), Asia- Latin America (Mexico. Brazil) and. Regions such as North America, Asia pacific markets are projected to be the major consumer of graphene due to high demand of energy and electronic goods. Asia has major proven reserves for graphene particularly in region like China. It is also a largest producer of electronic goods as well as has huge market for graphene products. Other regions such as North America also contributing in low cost production of graphene with latest technology fueling the growth of global graphene market.Graphene market is expected to be highly competitive. Most of the players in global graphene market are already in production of Graphene. Most of these players are not only producing graphene but also contributing in research and development of graphene. Key players involved in the production and supply of graphene include Haydale Graphene Industries PLC, Applied Graphene Materials plc., Graphene 3D Lab Inc., Vorbrck Materials, XG Sciences, Inc., NanoXplore Inc., 2D Carbon Graphene Material Co., Ltd, Graphene Nanochem PLC, Cealtech AS, Graphenea Inc., Graphene Laboratories Inc., Graphene Platform Corp., BGT Materials Limited, Angstron Material Inc., ACS Material LLC., Deyang ene carbon Technology Co., Ltd. and others.Request Sample Report@The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to market segments such as geographies, application, and Industry.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 States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Style consciousness of Consumers drives Personal Care Appliances Market, 2016 - 2026 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/11539 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/11539 Personal care appliances usage is becoming a necessity for the consumers, who regularly use personal care products for quick personal grooming. Personal care appliances majorly includes trimmer, hair dryer, shaver, hair straightener, hair curler and epilator. Owing to benefits such as better affectivity than traditional procedure and time saving, demand for personal care appliances is growing gradually.Use For to: Download TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:On the basis of product type personal care appliances market is segmented into hair care appliances, hair removal appliances, oral care appliances and other personal care appliances. Hair care appliances is sub-segment into hair dryers, hair straighteners, curling brushes, hair clippers, curling irons and hair setters. Hair removal appliances is sub-segmented into trimmers, mens shavers, womens shavers and epilators. Further, oral care appliances is sub-segmented into electric toothbrushes and oral irrigators.Other personal care appliances include heating pads and massagers. Currently, hair care appliances holds largest market share in terms of value, which is around two fifth of the global personal care appliances market followed by hair removal appliance and oral care appliances. Hair dryers and hair straighteners are the most popular products from hair care appliances segment. In addition, currently in the hair removal appliances segment trimmer and shavers collectively hold majority of the market share.On the basis of gender personal care appliances market is segmented into male and female. Of which in terms of value, market share contribution of female segment is higher as compared to the male segment.On the basis of distribution channel, personal care appliances market is segmented into hypermarket and supermarket, franchise stores, departmental stores and online retailers. Distribution of personal care appliances is expected to increase exponentially through online retailing. This is attributed to increasing internet penetration primarily in emerging economies coupled with product variant availability.Geographically, personal care appliances market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan and Middle East & Africa. Currently, there is a higher popularity over Japan, Western Europe and North America. There is a significant potential to expand market share of personal care appliances in Asia Pacific excluding Japan.Consumers of personal care appliances are very much brand and quality conscious, moreover urban consumers are becoming more style conscious, which is driving the personal care appliances market growth invariably. Consciousness of the benefits of personal care appliances over emerging economies and increasing urbanization are driving the personal care appliances market. Also, increasing e-commerce sector is expected to contribute significantly to the growth of personal care appliances market. Durability and high cost of few products restraints the personal care appliances market growth. However, there is a huge opportunity in the Asia Pacific market, the market is almost untapped and few players already started capturing the market share of personal care appliance market. This is attributed to new product development in order to capture significant market share in the overall personal care appliances market.Request Sample Report@Some of the key comapnies in the personal care appliances market include Panasonic Corporation, Helen of Troy L.P, Royal Philips Electronics NV, Lion Corp, Colgate-Palmolive Company, HoMedics Inc, Remington Products Company, Conair Corp, Braun GmbH, Norelco Consumer Products Company, Johnson & Johnson, GABA GmbH, Procter & Gamble, and others.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 States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Iodine Market would reach at a value US$ 1,679.4 Mn by 2024. Globally http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3591 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/iodine-market/toc http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/iodine-market.asp http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com According to a new market report published by Persistence Market Research titled, Iodine Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast, 20162024, the global market for iodine is estimated to be valued at US$ 1,679.4 Mn by 2024, Driven by Increasing Use of Iodine as Contrast Imaging Agent across the Globe and as Industrial Catalyst and Sterilizing Agent.Iodine is a halogen element in group seven of the periodic table, with atomic number 53. It is blue-black in color and has shiny lustre. Iodine and its derivatives are widely used as an intermediate in industrial chemicals and for human nutrition. The element is sourced from water bodies such as oceans and water pools as well as from seaweed. Iodine deficiency in humans results in various health-related issues such as goiter, mental retardation, heart diseases, and eyesight problems.In this report, the global iodine market has been segmented on the basis of regions. By 2024, the market in North America is expected to account for 21.6% volume share of the overall global iodine market, followed by APAC and Western Europe. Due to increasing prevalence of thyroid disorders among the aging population, especially in developing regions such as APAC, the iodine market in the region is projected to expand at a higher than average CAGR of 9.0% over 20162024 in terms of revenue. The market in MEA, which is anticipated to account for 7.0% revenue share of the overall global market by 2024 end, is expected to be driven by increasing use of iodine as catalysts in industries in the region. The iodine market in Latin America is estimated to register an average increase in revenue due to lower GDP growth in the region.Download Report Sample @The global iodine market has also been segmented on the basis of various applications. Catalysts segment in the global iodine market is expected to expand at a lower than average CAGR of 2.2% in terms of volume over 20162024, while X-ray contrast media segment is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.4% over the same period. Extraction of iodine from nitrite ores is expected to be the highest in APAC due to abundance of caliche ores in the region. Extraction of iodine from natural brines in North America is expected to increase at a CAGR of 3.6% in terms of value during the forecast period.For More Information Request TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report @Increase in GDP output is one of the major factors driving the iodine market. The market in APAC, which is expected to register exponential increase in GDP among various developing economies in the region, is expected to witness high revenue growth during the forecast period. Meanwhile, the market in developed economies is expected to decline in the near future due to lower GDP growth, thereby implying lower consumption compared to other economies.Browse through the full Global Iodine Market report @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.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Bromine Market may reach 483 kilo metric tons (KMT) by 2016, APAC Dominating Region http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/4274 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/bromine-market.asp http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/bromine-market/toc http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Global demand for bromine market will reach 483 kilo metric tons (KMT) in 2016, up from 470 KMT in 2015. Demand will be impeded by growing regulation and legislation, especially in the European Union (EU), where the use of certain brominated flame retardants is banned or restricted.Flame retardants will continue to remain the largest application segment, accounting for 203 KMT volume in 2016, a y-o-y increase of 2.8% over 2015. Use of bromine in oil and gas drilling will continue its upward momentum in 2016, growing at 4.3% in terms of volume the fastest among all the application segments.Download Sample Report @The chemicals industry will remain the largest consumer of bromine, accounting for 292 KMT volume in 2016, representing market value worth 1,284 Mn. Use of bromine in the oil and gas sector will also continue to witness steady growth, as clear brine fluids gain traction for drilling purposes. Demand will be offset by sluggish adoption in the electronics industry, as use of brominated flame retardants continues to face stricter regulations. Demand for bromine from electronics sector will witness a growth rate of 2.1% in 2016 over 2015.Asia Pacific will remain the largest market for bromine, representing annual revenues worth US$ 1,087 Mn in 2016, up from 895 Mn in 2015. This is primarily due to expansion of end-use industries such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and electronic in APAC. Latin America will continue to offer growth opportunities to manufacturers, with global demand witnessing a 2.0% volume growth in 2016 over 2015. Demand will face constraints in the mature markets of North America and Western Europe in 2016 as well.Browse the full Bromine Market? report atIsrael Chemicals Limited, Chemtura Corporation, Albemarle Corporation, Gulf Resources Inc., Tosoh Corporation, Tetra Technologies Inc., Tata Chemicals Limited and Hindustan Salts Limited are the key players in the market. Top players are continuously focusing on expanding their product offerings, especially in flame retardants segments. Collaborations and joint ventures are key business strategies to develop green brominated flame retardants.Long-term Outlook: PMR projects the global bromine market to witness moderate growth during the forecast period 2016-2024. APAC will continue to remain the largest market for bromine, growing at 4.1% revenue CAGR during the forecast period.For More Information Request TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report @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.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Global Rice Husk Ash Market 2016 Consumption Research Report explores Growth, Development Challenges and Opportunities Forecasts till 2022 Rice Husk Ash http://bit.ly/2c0xfR7 http://www.mrsresearchgroup.com/market-analysis/global-rice-husk-ash-market-2016-industry-research.html http://www.mrsresearchgroup.com/ MRS Research Group added new QY Research Report on Global Rice Husk Ash Market 2016 Market Share,Size,Trends and Forecast to 2022 to its database.The presented report by MRS Research Group on the global and china market is the in depth analysis of various factors surrounding Rice Husk Ash industries globally. The report throws light on different drivers, restraints and opportunities that exists and expected to arise in future. Prepared by the team of experts and available on MRS Research site, the report offers an overview of all the key performance indicators of the industry. The analysis covers the industry on the accounts of revenue, volume, wherever applicable.This MRS Research report has taken considered all the internal and external factors influencing global and china industry. Report has covered the key players of the industry along with current and potential competitors. Report does not only highlight the glimpses of global market, but it goes in details of the industry, current scenario, revenues (net ad gross) of the competitors and their position in the market in terms of geography, monetary value and brand value or goodwill.Access Free Sample Report @This valuable information available in the MRS Research report is coupled with present and future opportunities hiding in the Rice Husk Ash industry. Report considers the importance of R&D in the industry and fathoms upcoming inventions too. It compares the current status of global and china industry with the future goals and growth. In this report, available on MRS Research site, the expert team has successfully delivered a complete and realistic picture of the future actions, that the Rice Husk Ash is expected to take. The report covers all question that a business faces in a bid to sustain its industrial position.Table of Content Of Rice Husk Ash Market (Index) :Chapter One Introduction of Industry1.1 Brief Introduction of Industry1.2 Development of Industry1.3 Status of IndustryChapter Two Manufacturing Technology of Industry2.1 Development of Manufacturing Technology2.2 Analysis of Manufacturing Technology2.3 Trends of Manufacturing Technology.....Read Complete Report @MRS Research group provides a range of marketing and business research solutions designed for our clients specific needs based on our expert resources. The business scopes of Prof Research cover more than 30 industries including energy, new materials, transportation, daily consumer goods, chemicals, etc. We provide our clients with one-stop solution for all the research requirements.Joel John3422 SW 15 Street,Suit #8138Deerfield Beach,Florida 33442United StatesToll Free : +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803Email: sales@mrsresearchgroup.comWebsite: Jerry Miller always knew he wanted to be Santa, but it wasnt until he retired that he figured out he could do it to benefit kids through a Wish with Wings. Because of this selfless act, The Stayton at Museum Way senior living community is recognizing Jerry Miller as the second recipient of the 2011 Stayton Salute to Seniors Award. Judy Youngs, executive director, and Lesley Irwin, office manager studygirl.jpg (The Oregonian) Oregon students' end-of-year performance in reading, writing and math was largely flat this year, except for some mild progress in some elementary grades and a possible uptick by high school juniors. Overall, 55 percent of students fully mastered Common Core standards in English and just 42 percent met them in math, according to the second year of results from Smarter Balanced tests, created to measure whether students are on track to be college-ready when they graduate. Compared with results from 2015, more third-graders mastered mathematics and more fifth-graders mastered English. High school juniors improved on strong performances in reading and writing and a weak showing in math. But those 11th-grade results aren't reliable to any degree of precision because so many juniors - 10 percent in English and 13 percent in math - declined to take the exams. The lack of strong gains across the board was somewhat surprising, as schools generally show improvement during the initial years of new tests, as teachers and students gain familiarity with the style of the exams and the skills and content they cover. Leaders at Portland Public Schools, which had declining or stagnant results in most areas but improvements in elementary reading and writing, attributed the overall lack of progress to their focus on improving elementary reading last school year. The district worked so hard on early reading that it necessarily took its eye off the ball in other areas, Assistant Superintendent Chris Russo said. State schools chief Salam Noor, stressing the positive, pointed out that the mild statewide increases were broadly shared. Low-income, Latino and special-education students and English learners all saw gains in reading and writing. Many results must be taken with a grain of salt, however. In Portland, Eugene, Bend and Roseburg, for example, more than 10 percent of students declined to be tested. The federal government considers test results reliable only when at least 95 percent of students take part. Portland, Eugene, Roseburg and six smaller districts failed to meet that threshold in every grade and subject tested. Russo, Portland's assistant superintendent for teaching and learning, said he is unsure why so many more parents opted out in Portland than in the rest of the metro area. But he noted that the Portland school board directed employees to take a neutral stance on whether students should take the exam -- very different than state officials and most other districts. In Portland, opt-out rates were highest in high schools, particularly Wilson, Cleveland and Grant, and in inner Southeast and Northeast elementary and K-8 schools with above-average shares of middle-income families, including Lewis, Sunnyside, Roseway Heights, Buckman and Abernethy. Among high schools, Lakeridge in Lake Oswego soared to the top in performance this year, with 68 percent of juniors demonstrating full proficiency in math and more than 95 percent in reading and writing. Lake Oswego Superintendent Heather Beck, a strong proponent of the Common Core standards and using Smarter Balanced exams, said Lakeridge's results are no surprise. "We use the standards as a pathway to help kids become career and college ready," she said, "and the assessments tell us if we're on the right pathway." Beck said Lakeridge has shown students that their results reveal where they're well-prepared for college - and also help the school target areas where students are not. "That has created buy-in" and made students willing to take the exams and motivated to try their hardest, Beck said. In some math courses, Beck said, pre-testing to see what students already knew meant teachers could skip about 40 percent of the content they used to teach, helping them accelerate the course to cover fresher, loftier standards. Still, Lake Oswego High had one of the higher opt-out rates in the state: a whopping 63 percent. As at many Portland high schools, Beck said, students at Lake O High see the exams as an unwelcome duplication of SAT, ACT, Advanced Placement tests or similar exams that also measure college readiness. As was true last year, Oregon's lowest rates of mastery of reading and writing standards occurred in the lowest grades, with half or fewer of third- and fourth-graders showing full mastery. Small rural districts and small-town schools had the most trouble getting third-graders fully prepared. Scarcely any third-graders met that standard in Wallowa (7 percent), Annex (11 percent), Prospect (13 percent) Woodburn (14 percent) or Mapleton (15 percent.) Many Portland-area schools in high-poverty neighborhoods also struggled to get their students where they need to be. Very few third-graders were on track in reading and writing at Glenfair, Davis and Alder elementaries (all 8 percent) in the Reynolds School District, at Hillsboro's Reedville Elementary (13 percent) and at Portland's Cesar Chavez (15 percent), King (22 percent), Bridger (23 percent) and Boise-Eliot/Humboldt (28 percent) K-8 schools. In math, the lowest mastery rates tended to be in the highest grades tested. As with reading, small rural and small-town districts struggled most. In Umatilla, Riddle, Pilot Rock and Oakridge, fewer than one in 10 eighth-graders showed full proficiency in math. Among large districts, the worst eighth-grade rates were in Woodburn (16 percent), Parkrose (20 percent) Reynolds (25 percent) and Springfield (32 percent). Hillsboro showed notable progress, with proficiency rising 2 percentage points in English and math. Like Lake Oswego, the district cited teachers' embrace of the standards and attention to test results - in this case, teachers designed mid-year tests to monitor students' progress - for their ability to home in on key standards and get more students to master them. The mid-year tests "allow us to make adjustments to our teaching and provide supports for our students to help them succeed," Assistant Superintendent Dayle Spitzer said. Hillsboro educators rely on that same faith in exams to help teachers improve and students to get better prepared. That can persuade reluctant students and parents that taking the tests is a good thing, Spitzer said. More than 97 percent of Hillsboro students took the exams, including 95 percent of juniors. Unlike Oregon's old state reading and math exams, which focused heavily on basic skills, the Smarter Balanced tests "are rigorous and ask students to apply their math, reading, writing and critical thinking skills to new texts and problems," Spitzer said. "These are the exact skills we want our students to be able to demonstrate." -- Betsy Hammond ITTBloomberg.jpg TT Educational Services, Inc. headquarters stand in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S., on Monday, May 21, 2012. ITT Educational Services, Inc. provides technology-oriented postsecondary degree programs in the United States. Photographer: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg (Victor J. Blue) ITT Tech, the for-profit higher education giant that crumbled under federal regulation and oversight this week, was also under scrutiny from Oregon officials before its demise. The state's Higher Education Coordinating Commission has some oversight powers, including the ability to approve applications allowing schools to continue awarding degrees every two years. ITT's degree approval had just expired Aug. 31. Schools are asked to submit paperwork at least six months before their two-year approval expires. ITT Tech, which had 483 students enrolled in nine different programs as of last month in Portland, filed its paperwork on time, but HECC delayed signing off on the application because of "program quality concerns." "We had concerns about the drafting degree [program]," Endi Hartigan, a HECC spokeswoman said in an email, "Which caused a delay." ITT also had 72 students enrollment in Salem programs. ITT Tech closed all of its locations across 38 states Tuesday after federal education officials said the school could no longer accept new students who receive federal financial aid. The move was viewed as a death blow by education observers nationwide. Oregon higher education officials received four complaints from ITT students in the past 11 months about the school and investigated each one, Hartigan said. Half of those complaints were related to a drafting degree program based in Portland. The drafting program concerns were "considered sufficiently serious," she said, to bring in an outside contractor to look at the situation. Despite the worries about ITT's overall quality, the school was still able to grant degrees. Students who finished their requirements before the school quarter ending Sept. 2 can still receive degrees, Hartigan said. ITT was one of nine for-profit schools operating in Oregon which were under the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools' oversight. That accrediting body is facing significant federal pressures as well. Collectively, those schools have more than 800,000 students nationwide. On Tuesday, state officials sent emails to each of the ITT students remaining in Oregon to inform them of how they can transfer credit to other schools in the state, and explain whether students are eligible for a federal program to discharge student loans. -- Andrew Theen atheen@oregonian.com 503-294-4026 @andrewtheen REMEMBERING_THE_MOON_844111.JPG FILE-- Astronauts Neil Armstrong, left, Michael Collins, center, and Edwin A. Aldrin, are pictured in this 1969 Apollo II crew portrait. July 20, 1999 marks the 30th anniversary of the landing on the moon by the Apollo II crew. ( AP Photo/NASA, ho ) Nobody likes to be misunderstood. Imagine if a misunderstanding goes on to become one of the most famous phrases in recorded history. Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon, long disputed what microphones seem to have captured when he first descended the Apollo 11 Lunar Module's staircase onto the moon's surface: "That's one small step for man," our ears seem to tell us, "One giant leap for mankind." Armstrong, who died in 2012, maintained that our ears deceived us. "That's 'one small step for a man,'" Armstrong said was his intended saying. In official NASA literature, the agency alternates between taking Armstrong at his word or adding "a" in parentheses mid-sentence. A team of researchers, led by a University of Oregon linguistics professor, discovered Armstrong may have a point. "This is some nice evidence that he could've been right, said Melissa Baese-Berk, an assistant professor of linguistics at the University of Oregon. Baese-Berk and researchers at Michigan State University found our ears may not have misled us. It could be our brains. Baese-Berk and MSU have been researching the topic since 2013, and the group previously analyzed audio recordings from the moon landing to determine whether the tape itself could hold a clue to Armstrong's claim. That research was widely publicized in 2013, but it was inconclusive, according to Baese-Berk. "The problem is it was recorded on the moon in the 1960s." So researchers decided instead to have subjects listen to dozens of recordings of people speaking using the "for" and "for a" construct, but at varying rates of speed and in different sentences. The 35 listeners transcribed 22 sentences, such as "I was there just for a half a day," and "I was there just for half a day," to see whether the subjects picked up on the dropped "a." The recordings were of 40 people, half men and half women, and contained spontaneous speech and sentences from recorded phone interviews. Each of the subjects was from Columbus, Ohio, near Armstrong's hometown. The sentences all included the "for a" and "for" construct, and were deliberately ambiguous. Baese-Berk said researchers discovered that people expect to hear fewer words when the speaking rate is slower, whether the speaker said the words or not. Even if the intended word is said, it could disappear to the listener. When the intended phrase was ambiguous, listeners were more inclined to miss the "a" article. Armstrong spoke extremely slowly, and his sentence worked either way. "It's sort of the perfect storm of conditions for him to be misunderstood," Baese-Berk said in an interview. "Little words can appear and disappear as a function of the speaking rate around them," she added. "This is a real life test-case of that." Bause-Berk said we'll never know for certain whether Armstrong did utter the phrase as he originally intended - "a man." But the research just backs up the fact that he may've been right all along. -- Andrew Theen atheen@oregonian.com 503-294-4026 @andrewtheen Deady Hall in Eugene Deady Hall is the oldest building on the campus of the University of Oregon and is named for Matthew Deady, a former federal judge and UO president. (Andrew Theen/The Oregonian) The name of a former Ku Klux Klansman and university professor will be removed from a University of Oregon campus dormitory, a university board decided Thursday. The governing board's decision was unanimous and uncontroversial given a historians' report pointing to Frederic Dunn's close ties to the KKK. But now the board and school will turn its attention to Deady Hall, the school's oldest building, named for Matthew Deady, a campus founding father and advocate of slavery. "It's very dangerous to obscure history," said President Mike Schill before the trustees' vote. "We learn from history. Taking people's names off buildings is something we should do very, very carefully." Renaming should be reserved for "egregious circumstances," Schill said. Dunn Hall, named after Frederic Dunn, was "one of those egregious circumstances." The building will temporarily be renamed Cedar Hall. The university will begin a campus-wide effort to discuss a new name starting this fall. Schill proposed the name change Sept. 1 in response to demands made by the Black Student Task Force last November. Schill commissioned a report from three historians, who analyzed Dunn history. They confirmed Dunn was the exalted cyclops of the Eugene KKK. Dunn died in 1937. But the other historic figure named in the Black Student Task Force and studied by the historians presents a more complicated picture. Deady, a longtime federal judge, was also one of the UO's founding fathers. He was also vocally pro-slavery during a time when that was not the view of a majority of Oregonians. The Black Student Task Force wants Deady Hall to be renamed as well. Schill asked the trustees to push back a decision on that building's future until later this fall when students return to campus. At least one student, and a trustee, seemed to support renaming Deady Hall as well. "I'm hopeful that in the fall our campus committee will choose to rename Deady," said Quinn Haaga, the UO's student government president. Haaga said building names matter. She cited the August murder of black teen Larnell Bruce in Gresham as evidence Oregon's racist history still remains. The Portland Mercury has reported Bruce was run down by a longtime white supremacist, who was indicted last month on murder charges. Haaga, the student government leader, said the UO should now begin "an investigation" into the historical significance of all building names on campus. UO Trustee Andrew Colas (center) listened intently for nearly an hour as University of Oregon students testified about how they would cope with higher tuition in March 2016. Andrew Colas, a Portland construction company CEO and trustee, also said he would "whole-heartedly support" renaming Deady Hall. He said it's clear renaming buildings opens a potentially divisive debate. "It's a conversion that needs to be had," Colas said. "It's a conversation that if we don't have, I don't think we will be able to learn from history." The UO students start the fall term Sept. 26. -- Andrew Theen atheen@oregonian.com 503-294-4026 @andrewtheen Pomeroy collage.jpg Portland chef Naomi Pomeroy, author of the new cookbook "Taste & Technique," 2016, Ten Speed Press. (Chris Court) When chef Naomi Pomeroy opened her restaurant Beast in 2007, Portland diners were already familiar with her cooking talents. She co-founded Family Supper, an early entry into the pop-up supper club zeitgeist, and went on to start up acclaimed restaurants Clarklewis and Gotham Building Tavern. When Pomeroy opened her prix fixe French-inspired fine dining restaurant Beast, a long list of awards was to follow: Food & Wine magazine named her one of the Best New Chefs of 2009; she appeared on competitive cooking shows "Top Chef Masters" and "Knife Fight"; and in 2014 she received the James Beard Best Chef Pacific Northwest award. In 2013, Pomeroy and husband Kyle Linden Webster opened Expatriate, a cocktail bar with a creative Southeast Asian menu across the street from Beast that has been an instant success. Pomeroy put pen to paper, with help from New York-based writer Jamie Feldmar, to share her passion for good food and cooking in her cookbook "Taste & Technique" ($40; Ten Speed Press; 385 pages). The hardcover cookbook is full of glossy photos and 140 technique-driven recipes that aim to build on the home cook's understanding of techniques and flavor pairings. As Pomeroy writes in the introduction, "I hope this book will encourage you to get into the kitchen, take cooking seriously, and feel good about it." We spoke with chef Pomeroy about her new book, the Time-Life cookbook series, the beauty of eggs for dinner, and what's next in her busy life. Q: Your book is titled "Taste & Technique: Recipes to Elevate Your Home Cooking." So, you chose not to write a Beast restaurant cookbook. Why? A: The book is not about the restaurant really at all, other than just because I've been running Beast for almost nine years, so obviously there's bits of the restaurant in it, but it was very intentionally and specifically not a restaurant book. There are so many restaurant books and so many are beautiful, but so many are not reachable to home cooks. I don't know that many home cooks with three days to make a recipe in a sous-vide machine. I just felt like making something that had technique and challenge to it, but wasn't so complicated that it could be doable by anybody that had some determination. Q: In the introduction you write that you're self-taught and that you credit cookbooks as a great influence on your education as a chef. What books were the most influential? Cookbook signings Chef Naomi Pomeroy will sign copies of "Taste & Technique" at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, as part of Feast's Portland Grand Tasting event. She'll also sign books at Powell's City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23. A: I wanted this book to have a feeling of the Time-Life books for cooks, because they were so fascinating to me when I was a kid. I just pored over all the technique and history in them, just because they're so comprehensive and there are pictures of everything. In my book, I insisted that a picture of every dish be included. The visuals are really important to me. I also love "Chez Panisse Vegetables" and "The Joy of Cooking" because it is just so comprehensive. Q: How did you organize the book? A: I knew I wanted to do it in that grouping kind of way, similar to the Time-Life books, kind of going back to the different sections and the layers that create a meal. So, I started with sauces, I guess because I feel like they are so important and people skip that skill a lot ... it's the thing that really ties dishes together and makes them go from just being chicken with asparagus, to chicken with asparagus and black garlic hollandaise. A basic souffle, from Naomi Pomeroy's "Taste & Technique," 2016, Ten Speed Press. Q: And then you have separate chapters on different proteins, including a chapter on eggs. A: Yes, I love eggs. I think of eggs as a protein when I'm cooking, and I think that they get under-showcased sometimes, or we sort of relegate them to being a breakfast item, and I like to eat them all the time. There is so much you can do with an egg; it's amazing. I grew up eating souffles and I still love them. Recipes included with this story: Classic Souffle with Spinach-Gruyere variation. Q: And then for each protein chapter, you offer up ideas for seasonal variations of vegetable side dishes and sauces to complement the protein throughout the year. That's an interesting way to go about it. A: Yes, that was important to me. It kind of is a pet peeve of mine in cookbooks when it feels like you can only make that chicken dish in the spring. So I really wanted to write the book so that you learn a technique like brining a chicken breast, for instance, and then the side dishes and sauces were the part that was seasonal and rotate-able. We have a suggested accompaniment that goes with it per season. So even though the picture is paired with asparagus for the spring, we have other suggestions on the side for the different times of year, and that's why we just have this pretty large vegetables chapter of dishes that I love. Q: Did filming "Top Chef Masters" and "Knife Fight" change how you look at food and cooking at all? A: It sort of cemented my view of cooking personally. Even though at Beast we're really stretching, it's important to stay fresh and exciting and allow my cooks to explore and push boundaries, but I still land on classics. I don't really think of myself as like reinventing the wheel; I think of just polishing a thing that's existed for millennia, and putting my own small spin on it. Q: So you're not a fan of "tweezer food" and wild modernist stuff, then? A: I've had meals that have lasted seven hours, of little tiny things plated in very particular ways. And I think that that's creative, and I'm so glad it exists, and the expression is awesome. But for me, that's not what feeds my soul. My best meal of last year was a roasted chicken that I had in Hong Kong, and it was just because of the chicken itself and the way that it was cooked, and I literally cried when I ate it. And that to me is emblematic of more of the direction that I want to go in. Q: If you had to choose one recipe in the book that best describes the overall idea of "Taste & Technique," what would it be? A: I guess I would say to make one of the souffle recipes early on, because it's really satisfying. It's symbolic of my childhood growing up, we had it all the time, but it's something that's been made into such an intimidating thing. My whole purpose for writing the book was to demystify things, and also to give people an idea of being fearless and not worrying about messing it up. You'll realize that it tastes great even if it doesn't totally pop up; if it does, it's a total confidence builder, but either way it's totally worth it. And souffles are so adaptable; there are so many flavors you can incorporate. Q: Any plans on what is next? What's exciting you? A: I'm starting to think more about education as a component of what I'm interested in. I realized, especially through this book, how much I know that I didn't realize I know. And how all of us, as chefs, have all of these things that are just second nature to us that we never think to explain to people. I've been teaching classes at the restaurant based on the book and I've been loving it so much. I have started to think about how kids are graduating from high school without knowing how to scramble an egg, and it really spins me out and makes me think of how we've lost something so important. I want to think more and more about fostering that element of education and teaching folks to cook with confidence. -- Ivy Manning is a Portland based freelance writer and cookbook author. She's the author of five cookbooks including the recently released "Williams Sonoma Weeknight Vegetarian" and "Crackers & Dips." She writes features for Cooking Light, Sunset, and is a contributor to Food & Wine Magazine. Visit her at www.ivymanning.com, and see what she's cooking on Instagram @Ivy_Manning. Artist Becky Evans finds inspiration in extraordinary, remote bioregions. One of her most recent works reflects Oregon's part of the Great Basin both in image and materials. She took chunks of dried lake bed to her studio near Humboldt Bay, California, and fired it in a kiln. She then carefully arranged the hundreds of pieces on a canvas. The artistic result, titled "Dry Lake - Prayer Rug for Climate Change," is on exhibit through Sept. 24 at the Discovery Museum at the World Forestry Center, 4033 SW Canyon Road in Portland. Evans had the time to explore -- and be inspired by -- remote Summer Lake, thanks to PLAYA, a residency program for artists and scientists. Visual, literary and performing artists and scientists are offered free lodging in cabins and live/work studios. Residents find solitude and a stimulated imagination wandering the 75-acre property's wetlands, grass fields and walking paths, as well as the nearby seasonal desert lake. PLAYA's larger buildings are used for free performances and educational activities for residents of rural Lake County. To raise funds and awareness of the six-year-old program, PLAYA is holding its first Art/Science Gala and Live Auction on Sept. 24 at the Discovery Museum, where art from 36 former residents, including Evans, is on display. Tickets are $50 (www.playasummerlake.org/auction, 541-943-3983). "In 2015 alone we hosted over 170 artists and scientists at PLAYA," says Executive Director Deborah Ford. "We hope to showcase the diversity of our residents during this gala evening." A portion of Evans' large "Prayer Rug" was included in the exhibit "Sediments, Sequences and Solitude," which was seen in Roseburg, Bend and now in its final location at the World Forestry Center. "Summer Lake Waterlines Spring" Some of the art from the exhibit will be auctioned off during the fundraiser, such as Clarissa Stephens' "Summer Lake Waterlines Spring" (oil paint and silver leaf on panel) and Jon Jay Curson's "Wind on Dry Lake Bed #6" (acrylic on wood panel). In addition to artworks, auction items range from signed literary collections to a weekend birding excursion led by ornithologist Pepper Trail and a weekend Great Basin excursion led by archaeologist Dennis Jenkins. Each of the trips include lodging for four in two cabins at PLAYA, and catered dinners with the host. PLAYA has received awards and support from the National Endowment for the Arts, Oregon Cultural Trust, Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Folklife Network and the Ford Family Foundation (Golden Spot Award) for innovative support of artists and scientists. -- Janet Eastman jeastman@oregonian.com 503-799-8739 @janeteastman Stay in the loop. Sign up to receive a free weekly Homes & Gardens of the Northwest newsletter and join the conversation at the Homes & Gardens of the Northwest on Facebook 1georgetown.JPG A Jesuit statue is seen in front of Freedom Hall, formerly named Mulledy Hall, on the Georgetown University campus, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in Washington. After renaming the Mulledy and McSherry buildings at Georgetown University temporarily to Freedom Hall and Remembrance Hall, Georgetown University will give preference in admissions to the descendants of slaves owned by the Maryland Jesuits as part of its effort to atone for profiting from the sale of enslaved people. (The Associated Press) By Courtland Milloy Georgetown University, having sold enslaved black people in the 19th century, has come up with another perverse transaction: offering descendants of those enslaved people an apology and preferential admissions as part of an atonement package. "We provide care and respect for the members of the Georgetown community: faculty, staff, alumni, those with an enduring relationship with Georgetown," University President John DeGioia said last week. "We will provide the same care and respect to the descendants." The same? As if a legacy of slave labor in the making of Georgetown was the same as a legacy of freedom to enroll in the school? Working under the lash without pay and meager rations the same as earning a diploma and getting a good-paying job? Being sold down the river to even more brutal slave camps and families torn apart, the same as having the means to buy a house, support a family and pave the way for the next generation? Underestimating the impact of slavery and glossing over the horrors undermine whatever good intention the university has in mind. "First, let's make short work of the question of whether the slaves and their descendants are 'members of the Georgetown family,' " Maxine Crump, a descendant, and Richard Cellini, founder of the Georgetown Memory Project, wrote in The Washington Post. "The Maryland Jesuits themselves called the slaves and their children 'the family.' " And the slaves and slave owners lived happily ever after. Such distortions are recipes for resentment, not reconciliation. Last year, DeGioia appointed a Working Group on Slavery, Memory and Reconciliation to come up with ways to make amends for the school's role in the 1838 sale of 272 slaves. Of the 16 members on the panel, not one was a slave descendant. "We want a partnership," Joseph Stewart, one of the descendants, told DeGioia last week. "Our attitude is, 'Nothing about us without us.' " DeGioia had just given a speech announcing the working group's recommendations when Stewart confronted him. There would be an apology, memorial and "legacy" admissions. But does the university really understand why the amends are being made? Or anything about the people supposedly being honored? This goes for well-meaning students, too. Some student activists have called for the university to pay reparations by establishing an endowment that would match what the university made from the slave sale. In today's dollars, that would be roughly $3.3 million. The money, they said, should provide scholarships or a professorship. But that pittance hardly makes up for the pain and suffering endured by those families. Nor does it come close to the enormous financial benefits to Georgetown, which enjoys an endowment of more than $1 billion. The school could raise that $3 million with a couple of phone calls to their corporate donors - some of which no doubt also have connections to the slave trade. But that doesn't mean the black students shouldn't have a say. Many of them - about 90 percent of African-Americans - are also descendants of enslaved people. The students' proposal for reparations was rejected - but for the wrong reasons. "Let's also rebut any suggestion that many descendants seek involuntary reparations," Crump and Cellini wrote. "Not a single descendant reached so far has asked for any such thing. They seek reconciliation and reunion, not reparations." But there are thousands of descendants who have not been reached. And it's not inconceivable to think that some of them might be more interested in reparations than some reunion. Other universities also are wrangling with the legacy of slavery - but mostly as it relates to their own institutions. The result so far has been to create a picture of slavery as small, scattered groups of unpaid farmworkers. Such a limited view makes atonement easy. Change the name of a building, put up a plaque, set aside a day to talk about it. Better that these schools pooled their political and economic resources to pressure Congress into passing a bill, sponsored by Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., that establishes a commission to examine the impact of slavery and study proposals for reparations. Get the facts about the scope and breadth of one of the most diabolical institutions ever devised. Otherwise, apologies and amends will be made without knowing to whom or for what. (c) 2016, The Washington Post Shares of the Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) spiked 6% on Wednesday, following the announcement that Bill Ackmans Pershing Share took a 9.9% stake in the beleaguered company. But while the stock, off 39% over the last year, has been beaten down by food safety scandals of the last year, analysts came out in droves overnight to warn against following Ackman into this trade. Stifel Nicolaus & Cos Paul Westra and Maxim Groups Stephen Anderson, who have $300 and $215 price targets on the stock, respectively, cited the pop as an outright opportunity to sell shares, which currently stand at $437. We emphatically reiterate our sell rating on CMG shares following news that Pershing Square has started a 9.9% activist position, wrote Westra. We cannot fathom Pershings operational or mathematical investment thesis. Chipotles monthly comparable store sales have remained in the negative since the end of last year, a trend that will continue, according to the analysts. Ackmans unclear bet Anderson said Ackmans timing is off. Hes wrong about Chipotle at this point, Anderson said. The company isnt what it once was. If he gets anything done, its going to be in the realm of operations and border management makeup. Oppenheimers Brian Bittner said Chipotles multiple, at 35x 2018 P/E, remains steep, with unclear upside. Unlike other activist situations, we dont see any viable paths to financially engineer shareholder value from the boardroom, he said. While Ackman did not reveal his specific intentions for Chipotle, Anderson said there could be several possibilities, but he questioned the ability to push these through. Ackmans Pershing Square has had a history of shareholder activism in the restaurant industryincluding investments in Wendys (WEN), McDonalds (MCD), and Burger King (now called Restaurant Brands (QSR) after its tie-up with Tim Hortons). While he successfully timed those investments, analysts are more skeptical about a comeback at Chipotle. Story continues Of course, Ackmans recent record with companies from Valeant (VRX) to Herbalife (HLF) has been controversial. Potential proposals, including selling emerging brands (like ShopHouse and Pizzeria Locale), pushing for slowing company-owned unit development and improving operations to lessen dependence on high-cost labor, could be difficult for this high-flying stock. Meanwhile, a push to shift to a franchising modelembraced by the likes of McDonalds, Starbucks (SBUX) and Dominos (DPZ)would mark a major strategic shift from Chipotles ownership focus. Many issues could continue to plague the stock. Analysts point to major issues for Chipotle upside 1) Reliance on promotions driving traffic Anderson cited the companys reliance on promotions to drive traffic, including the free burrito offers and buy-one-get-one promotions from the past year that could become a more permanent part of the companys marketing strategy While there is no question the storm of promotions has provided a temporary boost to beleaguered customer trafficwith generally high promotion opt-in rateswe believe the food safety incidents have dislodged Chipotle customers routines and expect demand to remain depressed for the foreseeable future, Westra said. 2) Increased permanent costs from increased food safety compliance Anderson added that the company faces higher permanent costs from increased food safety compliance. Earlier this year, management said increased costs for more intensive food safety protocols could deduct as much as $1.92 per share annually, according to Anderson. We see this as a permanent ongoing cost that likely will prevent CMG from repeating its cycle-high 17.3% operating margin in this economic cycle, he said. 3) Higher exposure to $15 per hour minimum wage mandates The company also has more exposure than peers to $15 per hour minimum wage mandates, Anderson said, explaining that the company will be subject to accelerated wage increase in at least 25% of the companys US restaurants in the next three to five years. We estimate that CMG will need to implement menu price increases of as much as 150bps per year just to cover mandated wage increases, Anderson said. As we contend that CMG still is recovering from food safety scares, we are concerned that the company may not be able to pass along these price increases. 4) Legal risk In January, Chipotle was served a subpoena by the US Attorneys Office for the Central District of California requiring the company to produce documents about the companys practices at all restaurants nationwide. Although we believe that managements more recent and aggressive food safety stance may mitigate any unfavorable verdict, we still caution that a negative verdict may lead to another bout of negative headline risk and, thus, downside for CMG shares, Anderson said. 5) No longer a growth story Management recently acknowledged that it would seek to decelerate unit development, marking the end of CMGs high-growth story from a company-owned perspective, Anderson said. Although CMG reiterated its goal of 220 to 235 net new unit openings in 2016 during its July earnings call, the company added that beginning in 2017, it would target unit development in existing, high-return markets. Westra added that, separate from the food safety concerns, he believes that Chipotle had already hit peak returns. Chipotle has reached 60% US saturation, a typical arrival point of a concepts Peak Returns, he said. He added that there has been an accelerated emergence of new quick-casual concepts that will compete with Chipotle, especially on the low end. In the end, theres no doubt Chipotle has underperformed. But whether it can overcome the food safety obstacles and costs, especially amid rising challenges, remains a big question mark for analystsdespite the Ackman stake. 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. Looking back in history, Jim Cramer says Bill Ackman is right about Chipotle (CMG). When Cramer compared the pattern of the three worst health scares in recent history Jack in the Box in 1993, Taco Bell in 2006 and the KFC Chinese food contamination incident he found that investors should buy the stock before the anniversary of the bad news to catch the bottom. "History is on Ackman's side. Sometimes that is all that matters. I still believe that there will be a chance to get into this stock at a lower price, because the current quarter likely won't be anything to write home about," the " Mad Money " host said. Cramer expects the analysts to upgrade Chipotle after it reports knowing that numbers will improve going forward. That is why Ackman had to move, Cramer said. "I said to buy Chipotle at $400, and I reiterate that statement. If it comes closer to that level, I think you should join Bill Ackman and invest in the stock of this once great and soon to be great again restaurant chain," Cramer said. Many investors will now focus on what Ackman will say to Chipotle's management. In addition to his new 9.9 percent stake in the company, he also will speak to Chipotle management about possible changes. Ten years ago, Ackman tried to get McDonald's (MCD) to re-franchise its stores to improve profit margins. Then five years ago, the managers at Brazil-based investment group 3G invited Ackman to be involved in taking Burger King private while adopting the re-franchising theory. "I think that Ackman can certainly push for Chipotle to go to a franchise model from its wholly-owned structure, but that won't be received well as current management likes to keep tight control over its business," Cramer said. Ultimately, Cramer says that buying Chipotle's stock right now is a bet that health scares are behind it. The next quarter coming up will mark a year since Chipotle's health incidents, which tends to indicate a bottom based on the history seen with the other restaurant chains hit with health problems. Story continues Investors aren't like a hedge fund manager like Ackman, so they have more flexibility. That is why Cramer advised to wait for Chipotle at $400. "American people tend to forgive and forget. Soon Chipotle will be forgiven, the illnesses will be forgotten, and the stock will be ready to run, maybe not to the heights we saw before its 40 percent fall from grace, but certainly to levels that will make it worth betting on," Cramer said. Questions for Cramer? Call Cramer: 1-800-743-CNBC Want to take a deep dive into Cramer's world? Hit him up! Mad Money Twitter - Jim Cramer Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - Vine Questions, comments, suggestions for the "Mad Money" website? madcap@cnbc.com 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. One of Midlands newest restaurants has been open just over a year and is already a favorite among many residents, who showed their approval of the restaurant during the 2016 Readers Choice awards. Maru Sushi & Grill placed second in Asian Restaurant; third for Cook/Chef with head sushi chef Ben Wiley; second for Restaurant for Friendly Service; tied for third for Lunch Spot; third for Restaurant for Steak; third for Waitress/Waiter with waitress Tracy Vella; and first place recognition as the top choice of Restaurant for Seafood/Fish. Statewide candidates for office have filed their post-primary report for the period of July 1 to Aug. 22. The races for 98th and 99th House seats should be fiercely contested as incumbent Gary Glenn, R-Midland, faces Democrat Geoff Malicoat. Glenn is running for his second two-year term. In the 99th, Democrat Bryan Mielke faces Republican Roger Hauck. Glenn raised $10,521 in the reporting period against $1,842.98 in expenses, leaving him an ending balance of $109,714.02. During the cumulative election period of 2015-2016, he has raised a total of $178,749.80. The incumbent received $1,000 each from Sid Jansma of Wolverine Gas and Oil Corp. in Grand Rapids, and business owner Lenore Broughton of Burlington, Vermont. During his first term in office, Glenn was appointed vice chair of the House Energy Policy Committee and has championed legislation aimed at increasing energy choice and competition in Michigan. Up until this reporting period, Malicoat has claimed the reporting waiver. While the waiver is in effect, he is not required to file any campaign statements. The waiver remains in effect as long as the committee does not spend or receive more than $1,000 for an election. It is automatically revoked if the committee exceeds the $1,000 threshold. On July 29, Malicoat received a letter from the state that he had lost the reporting waiver because he exceeded the $1,000 threshhold. He is required to file detailed pre-election, post-election, annual campaign statements and late contribution reports. Malicoat filed the pre-primary report on July 22 that listed $12,566 in contributions and other receipts against $8,249.76 of total expenditures. At that point he had a fund balance of $4,316.24. Mielke is attempting a second run to fill the 99th seat that House Speaker Kevin Cotter, R-Mount Pleasant, holds. Cotter is term-limited and cant run again. During the reporting period, Friends of Bryan Mielke raised $17,045 in total contributions and other receipts against $28,728.22 of expenses, leaving him a fund balance of $70,365.08. The cumulative period saw Mielke raise $106,547.18 versus $52,695.42 in expenses. Mielke received $2,500 each from Singh for Michigan and the Michigan Education Association. One thousand dollars each came from Ted Snowdon, theatrical producer out of New York City; Mario Palumbo, partner-Millenium Partners; and Thomas Schumacher, Disney Theatrical Productions producer, all from New York City. Larry Campbell, David Tuckerman of Lafayette, California, and Gerald Cacciotti, management consultant from San Francisco also sent $1,000. Hauck, who is seeking the 99th for the first time, garnered $27,980 for the period and $52,427.75 for the cumulative period. He had $15,832.18 in expenses during the period and $31,767.51 cumulative, leaving a fund balance of $20,660.24. Michigan Values Leadership Fund gave Hauck $7,500 while $5,000 came from Kevin Cotters Vision for Victory PAC. Hauck received $2,500 from the Verheulen Leadership Fund. The Chatfield Majority Fund, Americpac and Michigan Insurance Coalition PAC each gave him $1,500. The Isabella County Republican Party pitched in $1,000. The primary saw Hauck run against fellow Republican Robin Stressman while Mielke ran unopposed. Sen. Jim Stamas, R-Midland, is not up for reelection this year. Northwood University has established a new endowment fund to honor Alan W. Ott, a longstanding pillar of the Midland community and the mid-Michigan region. The Alan W. Ott Endowed Chair in Finance and Banking will serve as a testimony to Otts commitment and integrity both in the community and banking industry. The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation, Chemical Bank Foundation and The Charles J. Strosacker Foundation have provided lead gifts to establish the new endowment. This gift is a testament to Otts leadership and will have a dramatic impact on the finance and banking program at Northwood University, the university stated. This endowed chair will be a representation of the immense impact Alan Ott has had on the Midland community and provides a permanent legacy for young men and women in his honor, Northwood University President and CEO Keith A. Pretty said. His list of accomplishments is impressive by any standard. Northwood Universitys newly launched Alan W. Ott Endowed Chair in Finance and Banking will assist in providing funds to support the activities of the department. The chair holder will teach, research, lead outreach to the financial institutions in Midland and the surrounding community, and assist in determining curriculum, create electives, internships and senior projects for students pursuing banking and finance degrees. Ott began his banking career, while still in high school, as a part-time bookkeeper at First National Bank of Manistique. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, returning to his banking career after being discharged. He joined Chemical Bank in 1962 and worked his way up to CEO and chairman of the board, before retiring in 1996. He now serves as director emeritus of Chemical Financial Corp. In 2003, the Michigan Bankers Association honored Ott as Banker of the Year. Ott also has made notable contributions to the community, offering hours of service to the Michigan Molecular Institute and the Midland Community Center. He has served as a trustee of the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation and the Elsa U. Pardee Foundation. Ott has acted as a strong advocate for the Midland community and has served as a mentor to financial professionals, as well as tirelessly inspiring countless entrepreneurs throughout the region with his insight and support. Ott and his wife, Jean, this week received Northwood Universitys 2016 Naegele Distinguished Community Service Award, the most important award Northwood University gives for civic stewardship on its campus and in the Midland area. Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12, Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, Combat Logistics Company 36 and other elements of Marine Aircraft Group 12 assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, journeyed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to participate in Exercise Valiant Shield 2016 from Sept. 12 23, 2016. As part of a biennial field training exercise, Valiant Shield brings together service members from across the U.S. Pacific Command to employ a wide range of capabilities and demonstrate the inherent flexibility of American joint forces. The biggest thing is the interoperability, said Marine Corps Col. Daniel Shipley, MAG-12 commanding officer. We train within our own services, but now is the opportunity to train with other branches combined . . . so its really a chance to practice our interoperability, tactics, techniques and procedures to prove our ability to do that together. The MAG-12 Ready Group will work alongside members of the Army, Navy and Air Force in order to develop skills that enhance maritime interdiction, defensive counter-air operations, personnel recovery, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare, and command and control. We will execute missions that represent the span of the aviation combat element and integrate with the joint forces for aviation operations, said Marine Corps Lt. Col. William Millett, MAG-12 operations officer. We will have joint vignettes, executing very large and complex missions. At the squadron level, its an exercise in integration where we will perform standard missions and then apply those to larger aircraft formations, multiple targets, and multiple waves of fighters managing fuel and assets over time. Assets of the Ready Group will execute these missions on Guam and around the Marianas Island Range Complex, allowing maximum projection capabilities in a large venue with all participating services. Its larger scale and that opportunity is very hard to replicate in daily operations at the home field, said Millett. This exercise is an opportunity to show our capacity to project power by taking small islands and pushing that power forward. Operating under the control of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, MAG-12 elements will also conduct combined arms and air-to-ground unit level training to increase pilot and joint terminal attack controller proficiency and training readiness. We will test our readiness and show what we can do, said Shipley. This is a good opportunity to work with the ground side Marines and show, as the aviation element, we are there to support the operations. The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing will serve as the forward command element for III Marine Expeditionary Force and also function as the Commander Task Force 79, which serves as the Marine Expeditionary Brigade for the Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. Seventh Fleet is the largest of the U.S. Navys forward deployed fleets and includes the Western Pacific and parts of the Indian Oceans. III MEF units are a forward presence in the Pacific that enables rapid contingency response, therefore Valiant Shield refines the U.S. militarys ability to present a seamless joint force that can respond to contingency in a timely manner from the highest to lowest command structure. When you think of the U.S. military in the Pacific, you want credible combat power, said Navy Rear Adm. Russell Allen, U.S. 7th Fleet deputy commander and Valiant Shield exercise director. The true test of a force is its ability to detect, track, and engage targets with live sensors and weapons systems. The U.S. military does that more than anyone. Simply stated, the experience our forces gain from working together helps us to provide the best possible support to our allies, partners, and friends in the region for a wide variety of missions, when and where theyre needed most. MAG-12 will establish an aviation combat element capable of conducting the six functions of Marine aviation in order to support III MEF objectives during Valiant Shield. The air power to a Marine Air-Ground Task Force is established from the ACE and includes all aircraft, their pilots and maintenance personnel, and those units necessary for aviation command and control. It is one of the four core elements of a MAGTF, which encompasses the principal organization for all missions across the range of military operations. As the 6th iteration, the Valiant Shield series is aimed at developing a pre-integrated joint force that will engage the MAG-12 squadrons thoroughly. With this real-world training, we are getting back to our roots and focusing on our specialties, said Shipley. Now is a chance to flex our muscles and see what we can really do. Oily Slick-Talking McConaughey is the Best McConaughey By Dustin Rowles | Trailers | September 8, 2016 | For those who may have had some slight concern that Matthew McConaughey would Travolta his second chance at fame after the box-office failures of Free State of Jones and The Sea of Trees a $25 million film which opened last weekend with literally less than $3,000 fear not. Not only does McConaughey have The Dark Tower ahead of him which should keep him on the A-list for another decade but hes returning this December in an awards-contender, Gold. Based on true events, McConaughey plays Kenny Wells who joins Toby Kebbell, Edgar Ramirez, Timothy Simon, Corey Stoll, and Bryce Dallas Howard in Gold, a movie about a guy who travels to Indonesia to search for gold, and he finds it. Boy, does he. The film comes from Stephen Gaghan (Syrianna, Traffic), and the only confusion here is why McConaughey is in a role clearly better suited to his best friend, Woody Harrelson, who wouldnt have to shave his head bald to play a seedy businessman. Dustin is the founder and co-owner of Pajiba. You may email him here, follow him on Twitter, or listen to his weekly TV podcast, Podjiba. Jessica Biel Will Star in USA Network's 'The Sinner' | Review: Sling TV is a Cord Cutter's Best Hope and Worst Nightmare NORMAL Unit 5's bus contractor has "let us down," Superintendent Mark Daniel said Thursday, as hundreds of students again were late for school because of a lack of drivers. In some cases, buses were running 90 minutes to two hours late. First Student notified the district of the problem at 6:45 a.m. and the district alerted principals, schools and parents. The delays angered parents who have criticized First Student and the district after myriad transportation issues surfaced after school started in August, following the implementation of new routes, fewer buses and changes in school start times. There are some students that are consistently not getting to school on time, said Daniel. To me, thats why were here to have students in school on time so they can learn. First Student as a contractor has let us down in regards to that. We have to find a solution. First Student spokesperson Chris Kemper said the companys full focus is on improving the situation. We fully understand our service hasnt been what the community expects of us, Kemper said Thursday. We are working on a number of different fronts to fix that; a new routing system deployed last Monday, actively recruiting and working with current drivers to cover routes as best we can. Kemper said 14 drivers called in sick Thursday morning. What we presume is the driver is sick, just like a teacher who wakes up sick and calls in, said Kemper. Our drivers are working hard right now. Some buses were late this morning because drivers were working multiple routes. Angela DeJaynes of Bloomington has four children attending Fox Creek Elementary and Parkside Junior High schools. Its just disheartening that there is no transparency between First Student and the district, said DeJaynes. There seems to be a lot of finger-pointing and it doesnt seem like a team effort. She said her childrens bus has been perpetually late and overcrowded in the mornings. Kemper said there is a national school bus driver shortage, adding First Student is actively recruiting drivers with a $2,000 sign on-bonus. Three new drivers for Unit 5 are set to graduate from the program this week. Daniel said drivers have been consistently absent over the last few days and, one day last week, 21 First Student drivers didn't go to work. The company was able to pull substitute drivers from around the state and Wisconsin to cover those absences. Daniel said First Student also reported 19 drivers absent on Wednesday; most of the positions also were covered by subs. It was unclear how many substitutes were used to cover the 14-driver shortage on Thursday. When you bring subs to a new route, it impacts their ability to pick up students on time due to confusion, said Daniel. This continued absenteeism is creating unacceptable late buses. Were relying on information from First Student and at times that has been incomplete. On Wednesday, DeJaynes received an early-morning phone call from Unit 5 that the bus would be more than an hour late, so she drove her kids to school. She didnt receive a call when the bus was late Thursday, so she drove her children and some neighborhood children to school again. I have one neighbor who is paid by the minute, said DeJaynes. Every minute shes late to work, shes being docked pay. Parents cant miss work to take their kids to school and driving them every day can cost a lot in gas. She added that shes worried about how late buses will impact the students education. Missing first and second hour cant be good for anyone, she said. Our neighbor is a high schooler who is set to graduate early and is worried being late might affect his GPA. Its not fair to have this stress put on the kids. Daniel said there could be similar delays Friday if drivers continue to not report for work. In the past week, the Normal-based district has been reporting progress toward fixing the problems, especially with overcrowded buses. The district also has launched a new after-hours call center for parents to call with bus concerns or questions. The number is 309-557-4800. BLOOMINGTON Bloomington-based Midwest Food Bank is expanding to the southwest with plans to open a food bank in the Phoenix area. The organization on Thursday purchased a 25,800-square-foot building in Gilbert, Ariz., said David Kieser, food bank president and CEO. The purchase price will be released later, he said. Midwest Food Bank-Arizona Division should begin providing services in December, said Eric Sheldahl of Chandler, Ariz., who is the new division's director. "It will be an exact duplication of what we have in Bloomington," Kieser said. At Midwest Food Bank, food donated by food companies and farmers is given to food pantries and non-profit agencies that serve people in need. The Arizona location is the growing food bank's eighth site. Midwest Food Bank, at 1703 S. Veterans Parkway, also has facilities in Peoria; Morton; Indianapolis; Peachtree City, Ga.; Ft. Myers, Fla.; and Kenya in Africa. Almost one million people receive assistance through the food bank's partner-agencies every month. Last year, 13,563 volunteers helped Midwest Food Bank distribute food valued at $111 million to pantries and not-for-profit agencies. In addition, the food bank provides disaster relief in partnership with The Salvation Army, distributing more than 40,000 cases of food and personal care items so far in 2016, most recently in Louisiana. Midwest Food Bank has considered expansion into Arizona for several years. Meanwhile, Sheldahl became a food bank donor. The food bank is supported by donations from individuals, small business and corporations, Kieser said. "My wife and I like to support ministries where the rubber meets the road," said Sheldahl, a former Iowa real estate developer who relocated to Arizona several years ago to "flip houses" and supports several ministries. "Virtually everything that you contribute to Midwest Food Bank goes into the ministry," Sheldahl said. "This is a pure ministry and I wanted to be a part of it." Kieser and Sheldahl talked and concluded that a location in the Phoenix area could help meet needs of area residents, including members of the Navajo Nation. "There are four million-plus people here and I believe this area is very underserved," Sheldahl said. "The need is there and the volunteers are there," added Kieser. While the location likely will have a couple of employees as with the food bank's other locations much of the work will be done by volunteers, Kieser said. "We know in our hearts that this is what we're supposed to be doing," Sheldahl said. "For me, this has been an amazing journey," Kieser said. "Having started in a two-car garage on the family farm (near Bloomington in 2003), this is humbling and exciting. "The good man upstairs is in charge and we continue to expect great things," Kieser said. The Avengers impressed their fans in their last appearance on the big screen in "Captain America: Civil War." Unfortunately, Hulk and Thor missed it but everyone is expected to reunite in "Avengers: Infinity War." However, some characters are doomed in the upcoming Marvel blockbuster film. Before "Captain America: Civil War" hits the big screens earlier this year, there are reports suggesting that Steve Rogers a.k.a Captain America will die. For those following the comics, yes, the superhero died in the Civil War. However, the movie adaptation diverged from it by choosing to let Cap live. However, many are still concerned with the Star-Spangled superhero's fate. Some Marvel fans believe that Cap's demise is just delayed. The Russo brothers told the Huffington Post that yes they are planning to ax the character. In fact, everything was already laid out, including Cap's death. Meanwhile, aside from Cap, many are wondering Tony Stark a.k.a Iron Man's fate. Robert Downey Jr. is aging and there are rumors that a younger superhero, Ironheart will replace him. Time reported that the new Iron Man is a black woman. The publication notes that things will be tough for Tony Stark. His best friend passed away, his company is on the verge of collapsing and he will learn about his biological parents. All of these stressful and emotional events will push Stark to the edge of stepping out of his Iron Man's suit. Stark is very intelligent but he has dependency issues that's why he will pass the torch to Ironheart. Meanwhile, Loki will still make it hard for the Avengers in "Avengers: Infinity War." Per Movie Pilot, Loki will be working with Thanos to make the Avengers miserable. Thor's brother will offer Thanos the Infinity Gauntlet to spare his life. Loki rules the Asgard and has access to all the valuables there including the Gauntlet. Will Thanos and Loki's partnership succeed against the Earth superheroes in "Avengers: Infinity War?" "Avengers: Infinity War" will hit the big screen on Apr. 25, 2018. Stay tuned for more updates about the upcoming Marvel film. TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sep 7, 2016) - Eloro Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:ELO)(FRANKFURT:P2Q) ("Eloro") and Tartisan Resources Corp. (CSE:TTC) ("Tartisan") are pleased to announce that Eloro has filed a National Instrument ("NI") 43-101 Technical Report ("Technical Report") authored by Mr. Luc Pigeon, M.Sc., P.Geo., on the La Victoria Gold/Silver Property ("La Victoria" or the "Property") in Huandoval District, Pallasca Province, Ancash Department, Peru. The Technical Report was filed as one of the terms precedent to the acquisition of 100% of La Victoria from Tartisan (see News Release dated August 5, 2016). Mr. Pigeon, P.Geo., is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and has managed or participated in all exploration programs on the Property since 2012. The Technical Report incorporates results of Eloro's recent geophysical survey and surface mapping programs (see press release June 7, 2016), managed by Senior Technical Advisor Dr. Bill Pearson, P.Geo. The geophysical survey was overseen by Dr. Chris Hale, P.Geo. of Intelligent Exploration, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, while a property-wide lithological, structural and alteration mapping program was managed by well-known Bolivian economic geologist Dr. Osvaldo Arce, La Paz, Bolivia. "This NI 43-101 Technical Report is a major step forward in the understanding of the La Victoria Gold/Silver Property," said Eloro CEO Mr. Tom Larsen, "Results of the new geophysical and geological mapping and sampling programs combined with results of historical work have allowed us to select a number of very prospective targets to test in the upcoming diamond drill program." Four principal mineralized zones are identified on the Property: San Markito, Rufina, Victoria and Victoria South. The Rufina and San Markito zones are the most advanced targets and are recommended for drilling whereas the Victoria and Victoria South zones are at an early exploration stage. In general, mineralization occurs within breccias and veins that contain significant gold and silver concentrations and trace element characteristics that are compatible with epithermal deposits especially the low sulphidation type. A two-part Phase I exploration program is recommended. The first part is budgeted at US$250,000 and includes permits, road work and drill pad construction for the diamond drill program, with detailed followup mapping, sampling and geophysical surveys. The Part 2 drill program is budgeted at US$850,000 and includes 3,000m of diamond drilling at San Markito and Rufina. Eloro has initiated discussions with several drill contractors in Peru for the Phase I drilling program. Exploration Targets The Property is located within a prolific epithermal gold deposit belt that extends from Cajamarca to Ancash and includes such gold deposits as Yanacocha, Lagunas Norte and La Arena. The La Arena mine is located 50km northwest of the property. At the Rufina mineralized zone, five vein sets of 20m to 70m in width were identified at the Rufina West mineralized zone, with lengths ranging from 10m to possibly 500m, with an average exposure of some 150m. Vein sets are composed of iron oxide-quartz-arsenopyrite-hydroxide-sulphate minerals in veinlet swarms, stockworks, and breccia zones. Veins are dominantly tensional, and are characterized by open space filling fabrics. Mineralization below the oxidation layer contains pyrite, bornite, chalcopyrite, and arsenopyrite, and where a 40-cm chip sample massive arsenopyrite sample carried 68.3 g/t gold, 52.7 g/t silver, and 0.77% copper. Chip channel sampling within the Rufina mountain underground workings identified several gold rich arsenopyrite veins. One sample returned an elevated gold concentration of 15.1 g/t Au over 0.5 m and 136.4 g/t Ag, 1.61% lead and 3.75% zinc. Three alteration samples from the recent sampling returned an averaged 8.8 g/t gold and 23.8 g/t silver. Structural settings include faults and fractures bounded by brittle-ductile fault systems and shear zones. They are well developed in intrusive rocks as well as underlying sediments of the Chicama Fm. The 2D inverse geophysical interpretation from the induced polarization survey shows that the high resistance diorite (the main mineralized lithology present on the Rufina zone) is concentrated near the surface and is underlain by conductive and chargeable sedimentary rocks. There appears to be a chargeability anomaly concentrated along the contact between the diorite and the underlying Chicama Fm sediments; since the anomaly also shows a higher resistivity value than what is usual for the Chicama Fm, it is interpreted to be mineralization along the contact; this is a high-priority drill target. The San Markito mineralized zone is approximately 1,300m long and 400m wide and is open along strike to the northwest. Mineralization occurs within breccias and veins that strike northwest and dip to the northeast at between 55 and 80 degrees. The breccias vary in lengths between 30m and 200m with widths between 5m and 20m; veins are between 20cm and 1.0m in width and have been traced up to 160m, although most identified veins are between 10m and 20m long. The breccia mineralization is composed of quartz, pyrite, arsenopyrite, iron-oxide, malachite and other secondary oxides and sulphates minerals whereas the vein mineralization is composed of quartz, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, iron oxides (limonite), hydroxides (goethite) and sulphate (jarosite). San Markito gold and silver values range from trace values to 2.27 g/t gold in the veins and to 1,814 g/t silver in the breccias. Lead, arsenic, and antimony are also enriched with lead reaching 16.82% and the latter two over the 1% analytical limit. In addition, copper values from two breccia samples returned anomalous values up to 2.31%. The Victoria South zone is located between San Markito and Rufina zones. The host rocks are dominantly the Upper Jurassic Chicama Formation. The zone is comprised of structural vein sets ranging between 5 to 30m in width composed of iron and manganese oxides, quartz, arsenopyrite, pyrite and goethite. Most of the vein sets are bounded by faults and shear zones, with a dominant E-W east-west strike and subvertical to vertical dips. Vein lengths range from from 5m to possibly 50m, and between 1cm and 40cm in width, averaging 20cm. The main vein system is the San Carlos which was exploited for about 50m along strike. It consists of 2-3 quartz veins with abundant gossan, limonite, drusy quartz and arsenopyrite in a shear zone. Gold values mineralization range from 0.027 g/t Au up to 8.4 g/t Au over 1.2m. Silver values vary between negligible to 39.0 g/t over 1.5m. Arsenic concentrations can exceed the 10% detection limit in gold-rich samples. Lead and Zn concentrations are negligible. The Victoria Au-Ag zone is located east of the San Markito zone within the Victoria intrusion QFP and diorite rocks near the contact with the sedimentary rocks of the Chimu Fm. Mineralized structures vary from 10 m to 100 m and widths vary from 0.1 m to 0.9 m. Surface vein material is composed of anhedral quartz and secondary iron oxide and hydroxide minerals producing a distinctive dark brown to rusty yellowish brown color. Gold and Ag values vary from trace to 14.4 g/t Au and 927 g/t Ag respectively. Copper values are elevated in most samples to a maximum of 4.29% Cu. The Technical Report titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the La Victoria Au-Ag Property, Ancash, Peru" has been filed and is available under Eloro's profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). About Eloro Resources Ltd. Eloro is an exploration and mine development company with a portfolio of gold and base-metal properties in northern Peru and western Quebec. Eloro recently announced its proposed acquisition of a 100% undivided interest in the La Victoria property, located in the prolific North-Central Mineral Belt of Peru. The La Victoria Property consists of properties totalling eight mining concessions encompassing approximately 35.9 square kilometres together with 3 mineral claims totalling 15 square kilometers. The Property is within 50 kilometres of several producing gold mines, with three producers visible from the property. Infrastructure in the area is good with access to road, water and electricity and is located at an altitude that ranges from 3,100 m to 4,200 m above sea level. About Tartisan Resources Corp. Tartisan is a mineral exploration and development company based in Toronto, Canada with an emphasis on properties in Peru. The company owns the La Victoria property located in the northern Ancash Department, Peru. La Victoria property is located within 50 km of several producing mines including: La Arena owned by Tahoe Resources, Lagunas Norte (Alto Chicama) owned by Barrick Gold Corporation and Santa Rosa owned by Compania Minera Aurifera Santa Rosa (COMARSA). Information in this news release may contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information express, as at the date of this news release, the Corporation's plans, estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations, or beliefs as to future events or results and are believed to be reasonable based on information currently available to the Corporation. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Neither the TSXV, CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Jim Steel MBA, P.Geo., a Qualified Person in the context of NI 43-101 has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release. In the early stages of pregnancy, soon-to-be parents are often filled with joy and worry in equal measure. Common concerns include paying for childcare and more serious questions about the baby's development. Nine months is a long time to wonder if the baby you're carrying is healthy. Major Advances in Prenatal Testing Fortunately, prenatal medicine has advanced a great deal in just the past few years. As early as nine weeks into gestation, parents can opt for a noninvasive blood test that reveals their baby's risk for common genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome. This form of testing is called noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT), and it requires only a simple blood draw from the mother's arm. Some of the baby's DNA is already circulating in the mother's bloodstream, and this DNA can be used to evaluate the baby's risk for certain chromosome problems. Previously, this type of testing was done using some combination of ultrasound and pregnancy hormone levels from the mother's blood. NIPT is not 100% accurate, but it is a significant improvement over previous types of tests with far fewer false positives. Changing Guidelines, Increasing Insurance Coverage In addition to advances in testing technology, there's more good news for parents seeking reassurance about the health of their pregnancy. Changing medical guidelines suggest more insurance companies will cover NIPT for all women, not just women older than 35 years of age. Historically, insurance companies only covered NIPT for women who were considered "high risk," including those who were over 35 or who had had prior pregnancies with genetic conditions. The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) recently updated their guidelines to support the use of NIPTs as the optimal initial screening test for all pregnant women, regardless of their age or other risk factors. The ACMG recommends informing pregnant women that these tests are "the most sensitive screening option" for some of the most common genetic conditions, including Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Patau syndrome (trisomy 13), and Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18). Currently, a majority of insurers cover NIPT for women over 35 but a growing number have also updated their medical policy to include NIPT for all women. Since insurance companies follow medical guidelines very closely, it's likely that more insurance companies will add coverage in the near future. Genetic Conditions Are More Common than You Think NIPT screens for common genetic conditions while the baby is still in the womb. Many of us know someone who has a child with a genetic condition. Down syndrome is perhaps the most well-known condition. Approximately 1 in 700 babies is born with Down syndrome, and those odds increase as mothers get older. What many people don't know is how Down syndrome is caused. Down syndrome is usually not inherited or passed down from the mother or the father. At about the same time as the baby is conceived, an error in cell division causes an extra copy of chromosome 21 to be present in the baby. Rarely, Down syndrome is caused because one of the parents' genetic information is packaged in a different way, also called a translocation. If you have had a prior child with Down syndrome, have had several miscarriages, or there is a family history of Down syndrome, talk to your healthcare provider about whether it would be helpful to meet with a genetic counselor. Deletion 22q11.2 Syndrome: A common genetic abnormality you may never have heard of Approximately 1 in 2,000 babies is born with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. This condition is more common than two other chromosome abnormalities, Trisomy 18/Edwards syndrome and Trisomy 13/Patau syndrome. Although not well known by the general public (or many healthcare providers), this condition happens, usually by chance, regardless of the age of the mother. A microdeletion is a small missing piece of one of the chromosomes, 22q means that the missing piece is on the long arm of chromosome 22. Children with 22q may have mild-to-life-threatening heart defects and abnormal formation/movement of the roof of the mouth (palate) which can lead to serious challenges with feeding. At least half of them will develop a low calcium level, sometimes soon after birth, which can lead to seizures. About 80% of affected children have learning differences, which may be mild, moderate, or rarely, severe. Other health challenges can include abnormal formation of the renal system, such as a missing kidney, and sometimes the immune system does not fight infection as successfully as other children's immune systems. Autism and schizophrenia are also diagnosed at higher rates than in the general population. Natera's Panorama NIPT screens for 22Q, Down syndrome and several other common chromosome conditions. Prepare for your Baby's Future Most parents who opt for NIPT are relieved to receive a low-risk result. A low-risk result indicates that there is a very small chance that the baby is affected by the chromosome conditions that were tested. A high-risk result indicates a higher chance that the baby has one of the chromosome conditions that were tested. Less than 1 in 100 women (or 1%) will receive a high-risk result. If a pregnancy is found to be an increased risk, the healthcare provider will usually refer the couple to meet with a genetic counselor and/or high-risk pregnancy specialist to discuss the options for further testing, including tests like amniocentesis. These test are more than 99.9% accurate but do have a small chance to cause a miscarriage. There are many advantages to early identification of a chromosome condition. After additional testing to confirm the result, families can begin to learn about the condition. Families may choose to deliver at a hospital that has pediatric specialists that are able to care for a newborn with a genetic condition, or to find a specialist who can improve their child's long-term outcome. Want to Learn More About NIPT? For more information on NIPTs, please go to this website. As "Star Trek" celebrates 50 years this week, fans have been gathering in New York for the Star Trek: Mission New York convention. Showcased were the franchise's previous movies (13) and TV series (6), as well as the latest addition, "Star Trek: Discovery." Bryan Fuller, the showrunner for "Star Trek: Discovery," was present at the panel for the New York "Star Trek" event, along with co-producers and writers Alex Kurtzman, Nicholas Meyer and Kristen Beyer. They revealed more details on what fans can expect from the coming series, which will begin its run in CBS All Access on January 2017. Fuller said that the name for "Star Trek: Discovery" was influenced by many reasons. NASA's actual Discovery vessel and Stanly Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" film are two of those. The executive producer also believe that "Discovery" is a fitting ode to Gene Roddenberry, the creator of the original series in the 60s, per Slash Film. In the newest series, viewers will expect to see new aliens, planets and ships or vessels that have never appeared in other "Star Trek" iterations, per New York Daily News. The show was intentionally set 10 years before the original series to do away with featuring characters that have been in the other stories. "It's about finding a space in the chronology where there's room to maneuver and create stuff," said Meyer in the panel. Fans of the franchise might be thrilled to know that "Star Trek: Discovery" will not be limited as a TV series. The team revealed there are also plans to launch a comic book series to tie in with the show, per Tom's Guide. The writing staff hopes that this will eventually boost the show's strength to build on the stories better. "Star Trek: Discovery" on CBS All Access will be a subscription-based viewing engagement, which means fans will have to shell out $4 to $6 to watch its episodes. Streaming will begin in January 2017, with one episode a week. The show will also be made available on Netflix following the initial release on CBS All Access. Many celebrities have expressed their dislike towards Donald Trump due to how brash his comments are regarding many important issues such as banning the Muslims and building a wall to prevent illegal migrants from crossing the border and the latest Hollywood A-lister to give his thoughts on the GOP nominee is Brad Pitt. The husband of Angelina Jolie said that he could not bring himself to think about Trump ruling the country and winning this year's presidential elections. Pitt was born in Oklahoma and raised in Missouri. These two states are quite supportive of Trump but Pitt does not believe that he could support the GOP nominee. The 52-year-old was interviewed by New York Time's T magazine and in it, he shared that he never thought Brexit would happen. He then related Brexit to Trump adding, "In the simplest terms, what brings us together is good, and what separates us is bad." The father-of-six then went on to compare the problem with the elections now with the film "The Big Short." "The Big Short" is last year's Oscar-winning flick about the global financial crisis of 2008. Pitt produced the movie and said that in the flick, it could be seen that when things are going wrong and there is no reason for it, enemies are created, E! News reported. Despite not being in favor of Trump, he said that he knows why a huge number of citizens are attracted to him and his proposals for the country if he takes office. He said that he feels like people who suffer the most end up betting or the party that would hurt them. He pointed out that most Americans do not have the time to analyze news reports because at the end of the day, they are trying to make the rent, get their kids fed and Trump relates to that, USA Today reported. His propositions, such as saying that he is fed up with how difficult the life is in the U.S. is, has made people attracted to that rather than the conventional candidate, which is Democratic presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton. Trump has not yet commented on this. The full interview of Pitt with T magazine will be in the newsstands this September 11. A mother and a daughter from Oklahoma were arrested and accused of having an incestuous marriage. Authorities have discovered this after a child welfare investigator reported the matter. The mother, identified as 43-year-old Patricia Spann, was married to her daughter, 25-year-old Misty Spann in March of this year. The two got married in Comanche County as per court records, News Channel 4 reported. Accordingly, Misty and her two brothers were raised by one of their grandparents. Patricia lost custody of her children but details about what led to this remain unknown. The Department of Human Services started investigating the home of the Spanns two years ago, which was the time that Patricia and Misty reunited. Patricia reportedly told authorities that she did not think she was breaking laws by marrying her biological daughter since her name is no longer listed on her daughter's birth certificate. As per checking, the original birth certificate has Patricia's signature on it. The most recent, however, has Misty's grandmother's signature. A child welfare investigator visited the home of the Spann's and was the one who reported the incest relationship but it was unknown what led to the visit. Patricia told the social welfare worker that she lost custody of her kids and their father's mother took care of the kids. They lost contact for years, but they recently reunited two years ago. The two are now in Stephens County jail. New York Daily News reported that this is not the first time Patricia married her child. She reportedly married one of her sons but it was annulled in 2008. The son filed for an annulment 15 months after getting married, citing "incest" as a reason. Misty and Patricia are being held at a $10,000 bond. Oklahoma laws prohibit incest relationships such as getting married or having sexual intercourse with each other. The crime carries up to 10 years of imprisonment. A young teenager in Appleton, Wisconsin, has made a decision to commit suicide, after a life-long battle with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2. Child protection authorities have been called upon by disability rights groups to investigate her decision. Jerika Bolen, a 14 year old girl who was born with SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) Type 2, has planned to enter a hospice, and to cease treatment for the incurable disease, including the use of the ventilator that assists her breathing throughout the day. Jerika's mother, Jen Bolen, has not made the effort to prevent her daughter from going through with the decision, which has alerted child protection referrals, citing child neglect on her part. According to Post-Crescent, Disabled Parents Rights based in Colorado along with three other disability rights groups sent a joint letter to the authorities in the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, seeking intervention for Jerika, saying that she is "clearly suicidal," and that she needs an intervention, rather than assistance for her decision to die. Mitchell Hagopian, attorney for Disability Rights, in a report from USA Today, says that a child protection investigation would provide a suitable check for a life and death decision, adding that there is reason that they don't see palliative care as being appropriate. Hagopian has said that his organization supports self-determination for medical care in adults. He believes, though, that children are still not able to make those decisions for themselves. Hence, he questions Jen Bolen's actions on supporting her daughter's decision. Jerika's story has reached all across the US, and an outpouring of support was shown for her, as thousands of people attended her last wish for having a prom, called "J's Last Dance." Jerika intends to spend last summer with her mom, before pushing through with her plans. Jen Bolen has recently asked for privacy from the protests of disability rights groups, and has made no comment on her daughter's care. Robert Pattinson and FKA Twigs have allegedly called their engagement off, as the couple has remained apart from each other because of their own projects. It has been awhile since the couple was seen together in public, which sparked speculations that the couple has already gone off on their separate ways. Robert Pattinson and FKA Twigs breakup rumors are filling up the web, as there has been no recent sightings of the couple together in public. According to a report from OK! Magazine, it is only a matter of time before the 30-year-old actor calls off his engagement with FKA Twigs. The "Twilight" actor and his fiance have been reportedly busy with their respective careers and have not seen each other for quite awhile. An insider claims that friends of Pattinson and FKA Twigs are already worried whether their relationship can survive the distance. Pattinson is reportedly in Utah to film his upcoming project while FKA Twigs is currently busy with her tours. There have been rumors that the couple will get married this year, but many fans believe that the couple will no longer make it to the altar. Pattinson's relationship with FKA Twigs seems to be treading on thin ice, but things are going smoothly for his ex-girlfriend, Kristen Stewart. According to Unreality TV, Stewart recently talked about her relationship with Alicia Cargile and admitted that it was hard to date someone like Pattinson. Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson met on the set of "Twilight" and their relationship was closely followed by fans. Even though the couple has long called it quits after Stewart's scandal with director Rupert Sanders, many "RobSten" fans remain hopeful that the two will reunite in some form, whether in another film or TV series. Do you think Robert Pattinson and FKA Twigs can survive the long distance relationship? Share your thoughts in the comments section below! Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton are taking their relationship into a higher level. Blake Shelton is reportedly building a house for Gwen as his wedding gift. Speculations regarding Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton's wedding has been making rounds on the internet. It was revealed that Blake Shelton is already planning for his union with Gwen Stefani as she prepares their home, which includes three guestrooms for Gwen's sons. During an interview with Daily Mail, Gwen Sefani and Blake Shelton's neighbour in Oklahoma dished out the details in regards to their new home. The insider then revealed that Blake Shelton has been keeping himself busy as she consistently checks on the house that is being built. "We've seen Blake here several times. He wants it finished in time for their wedding as the ideal gift for [Gwen Stefani]," a neighbor stated. "It's going to be a place to have some fun when they're not at his ranch. He's been keeping an eye on how his property is coming along, making sure everything is perfect. It's a Hawaiian-style place with lots of character." With a new home that the couple is yet to own, wedding speculations have been ongoing. An insider then shared major details in regards to the couple's growing relationship. The insider shared that Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani are set to tie the knot by the end of the year. "Gwen and Blake are always discussing what their wedding will be like. Kingston, Zuma and Apollo will all play big roles of course," the insider exclusively told HollywoodLife as reported by Parent Herald. "In addition to writing their own vows, Gwen and Blake have been working on a love song that they plan on singing on their special day." Though the wedding speculations may be believable, Gwen Stefani nor Blake Shelton has yet to comment on the speculations. For more updates on Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton, please follow Parent Herald. This story has been largely invisible on national media. Ive primarily been following it by shared Facebook statuses originally written by activists. The bottom line is thisthe Dakota Access pipeline is being built near tribal lands belong to the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, against the tribes expressed wishes. Last Saturday, the companys security used attack dogs and pepper spray on the protestors. The tribe identified several sacred burial grounds along the route and reported these sites to the appropriate agencies. The pipeline company, taking advantage of the long weekend, bulldozed those sites before state agents had the chance to assess their nature. Yes, that happened. On top of the sacred grounds that would be (and are being) disturbed by the pipeline, the Standing Rock tribe is concerned about their water supply. The pipeline would cross the Missouri River, which is where the tribes water comes from, around a half a mile from the tribal land. The tribe has argued that all pipes leak at least to some extent, and that this particular pipeline would be leaking directly into their water supply. Their efforts to stall the pipeline have been an inspiring example of community activism, and theyve been joined in their battle by individuals from other tribes across the country. Im not as familiar on the issues involved here as I am on the issues I write about regularly. Some of the tribal leaders are arguing that the proper procedures for planning of this sort were not followedthat they should have been consulted but were not. I am not familiar with how these sorts of things generally work. How does eminent domain work with regards to tribal areas, for instance? But I can read maps, and I want to show you a few to illustrate the tribes concerns about water (and remember that this isnt even getting to the sacred sites). This is the Standing Rock Reservation. As you can see, the river forms its eastern border. It also plays a significant role in the tribes daily life and their local economy. The green dotted line is the pipeline. The pink squiggly lines to the left of the map are rivers. The north-south one is the Missouri River. If you compare the two images, you can see that the pipeline would cross the Missouri River immediately north of the Standing Rock Reservation, meaning that the tribes section of the river would be immediately downriver from any leaks or spills from the pipeline. I can see how that would be more than a little concerning, especially given the importance of the river to the tribe! I would like to see us move away from reliance on fossil fuels as a general rule. However, I understand that even a transition away from fossil fuels would take time, and that we cant eliminate fossil fuels overnight. Im not an expert on the pros and cons of pipelines versus other methods of moving crude oil (though I did find this article interesting), but I do recognize that as long as we use crude oil, it has to be shipped somehow. That all said, the U.S. has a long history of not respecting Native Americans rights over their own land. Even once Native Americans were confined to reservations, those reservations were often chipped away at little by little over time. And were all aware that reservations have served as handy spots for dumping nuclear waste, yes? Native American communities need to be given more say over decisions that affect their landand their sacred sitesthan they have historically been granted. Our various regulatory bodies could do this by halting construction on the Dakota Access and allowing more time for discussion and for assessment of the Standing Rock Siouxs concerns about both sacred lands and environmental fallout. And beyond this? Things like hiring a private security firm to set dogs on protestorsor having bulldozers quickly tear up sacred sites before the paperwork protecting them can be completedshould not be happening in a country ostensibly based on freedom and democracy. The government should require those who made these decisions to be fired before allowing construction on any section of the Dakota Access pipeline to continue. And yes, I should have written about this sooner. Patna: Married women in Patna on Wednesday observed Teej to pray for long marital life while paying visits to various temples to offer their obeisance to Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati, a symbol of perfect married couple in the Hindu religion. Dressed in bridal-wear, women, and even unmarried girls, participated in prayers and bhajans at homes and temples while observing a 24-hour, no-water fast in compliance with the rigorous code of the festival. Later in the evening, many women took bath in the Ganges before offering prayers at home and temples. It was Parvati who first observed Teej in the hope of getting Lord Shiva as her husband, priests in Patna said. Patna: Five months after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar imposed total prohibition in Bihar formulating some of the toughest laws against law-breakers, Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday put his stamp of approval to the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Bill-2016 that has been described by many as 'draconian' and 'Talibani' that was patterned after the Islamic Sharia Law. The Bill was passed by both houses of the state Legislature on August 1. Out of 14 bills presented to him by the state government, the Governor gave his assent on 13 while sending one back to the government with some reservations. The Governor's stamp on the bill ratifies Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's crusade-like anti-liquor campaign an issue he sees as a winner after having failed in his previous political campaigns like special status for Bihar or making Bihar into an industrial hub a campaign he took up soon after coming into power in 2005. Kumar has been criticized by a major portion of the Bihar population for instituting laws that are literally tougher than those reserved for murderers, kidnappers, and rapists. For starter, all arrests are bailable only by a court and not by the police. Another law provides for the arrest of the entire family if alcohol was recovered from a house. In some cases, like an alcohol-related tragedy, the law even provides for death penalty to the perpetrator. In contrast, a murderer, kidnapper, or a rapist is allowed to get bail much easily. On Wednesday, the Patna High Court granted bail to notorious criminal and Siwan don Mohammed Shahabuddin in a case involving the murder of an eyewitness in another criminal case. 100 Prominent Iranians Ask UN to Declare 1988 Massacre "Crime Against Humanity" 09/08/16 Source: International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran In a letter to the United Nations Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court, one hundred Iranians living outside Iran, including several prominent civil, academic, and human rights figures, have asked for the recognition of the Islamic Republic of Irans prison massacre of 1988 as a crime against humanity. Many of those executed in 1988 were buried in unmarked mass graves in Khavaran Cemetery According to the authors of this letter, the legal basis for the courts jurisdiction regarding Iran would be a referral by the UN Security Council under Chapter VII of the UN Charter but political interests of the members with veto power prevent the realization of this option. We, the undersigned, consider the 1988 massacre of Iranian political prisoners to be a clear case of Crime against Humanity. We urge international human rights organizations and the United Nations Human Rights Council to condemn the Islamic Republic of Iran for its systematic hostility to the civil and political rights of its citizens, states the letter. The letter emerged a few weeks after an audio recording of a 1988 meeting between Ayatollah Hosseinali Montazeri, then heir apparent to Islamic Republic of Iran founder Ayatollah Khomeini, and a group of high-level state officials and clerics who orchestrated the mass executions and later became known as the Death Committee, was published. In this meeting, the late Ayatollah Montazeri called the groups decision to issue death sentences for prisoners who were already serving prison terms issued by the Iranian Judiciary the biggest crime in the Islamic Republic - a crime that will condemn us all in history. Following publication of this audio file, some officials and even Mostafa Pourmohammadi, one of the individuals present at the meeting who is now Irans Justice Minister in President Hassan Rouhanis cabinet, defended the executions. Some of the signatories of the letter to the Human Rights Council include Shirin Ebadi (Nobel Laureate), Hadi Ghaemi (Human Rights Advocate), Mehrangiz Kar (Human Rights Lawyer and Author), Esfandiar Monfaredzadeh (Composer), Nasser Pakdaman (Writer), Nayereh Tohidi (Professor) and Mohsen Yalfani (Writer). Below is the complete text of the letter and the full list of signatories. Below is the complete text of the letter and a list of signatories. Appeal To the International Criminal Court & The UN Human Rights Council 100 Iranian Professionals call for the recognition of the 1988 Massacre of Iranian Political Prisoners as Crime against Humanity To: International Criminal Court & the Human Rights Council From: 100 signatories of this statement Subject: Regarding the Massacre of 1988 in the Islamic Republic of Iran Date: September 7, 2016 The Islamic Republic of Iran, in its 37-year history, has executed more than 15,000 political prisoners. In 1988, Ayatollah Khomeini, the countrys Supreme Leader at the time, ordered mass execution of political prisoners. According to Amnesty International, at least 4,482 young men and women disappeared during a two-month period in 1988. Many of the executed prisoners had already served their sentences. The bodies of the victims were buried in unmarked graves and their families were never informed of their whereabouts. In 2012, a peoples tribunal, presided over by respected international judges, investigated these crimes and found Irans leaders guilty of crime against humanity. Irans clerical leaders remained silent about the massacre for nearly thirty years. Now, an audiotape of a meeting on August 15, 1988, reveals that Ayatollah Ali Montazeri, then designated successor to Khomeini, addresses the clerics who carried out the executions and says: let me be frank with you. You have committed the biggest crime in the Islamic Republic - a crime that will condemn us all in history. Montazeris words led Ayatollah Khomeini to dismiss him as his heir apparent and pave the way for emergence of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as his successor. Montazeri died in 2009 and his son, Ahmad, posted the thirty-year old audiotape on his website on August 9, 2016. Montazeris description of the massacre compelled Irans clerical authorities, including the chief of Judiciary Sadegh Larijani, to admit and defend the executions. The audiotape also reveals the names of the clerics who carried out the criminal acts. They include Mostafa Pourmohammadi, then deputy intelligence minister and now minister of justice in President Rouhanis cabinet; Hussein Ali Nayeri, then the religious judge at Evin Prison and now a high court judge; and Ebrahim Raeesi, then deputy prosecutor of Tehran and now head of Astan Quds Razavi - one of the largest Shiite shrine-based religious institutions in Iran. As we approach the 30th anniversary of the massacre, the families of the victims are still waiting for justice. Every year while they gather to demand the truth from the government, they are harassed and violently dispersed by security forces. This is an example of the behavior that impels Irans theocratic dictatorship to reject the legitimacy of both the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Other reasons for Irans refusal to join the ICC have to do with penalties provided in Irans criminal law, including whipping, stoning, cutting off of body parts and mistreatment of minorities. While they see no problem in Muslims committing mass murder against other Muslims, Irans theocrats maintain that Non-Muslim judges cannot judge Muslims. In 2009, following the suppression of a popular movement against the rigged presidential election, more than 200 Iranian lawyers and human rights activists appealed to the ICC prosecutor to investigate the violence committed by Irans security forces. Those who took this initiative knew that the ICC is procedurally barred from responding to their request. They simply wanted to inform the international community about the Iranian governments relentless violence against the civil society. Canada is the only country that condemns Irans 1988 massacre of political prisoners as crime against humanity. The legal basis for the court's jurisdiction regarding Iran would be a referral by the UN Security Council under Chapter VII of the UN Charter but political interests of the members with veto power prevent the realization of this option. We, the undersigned, consider the 1988 massacre of Iranian political prisoners to be a clear case of Crime against Humanity. We urge international human rights organizations and the United Nations Human Rights Council to condemn the Islamic Republic of Iran for its systematic hostility to the civil and political rights of its citizens. Signatures Strained History: Iran-Saudi War Of Words Over Hajj 09/08/16 By Frud Bezhan, RFE/RL President Hassan Rohani and other officials pay respect to the Iranians killed during the hajj in Saudi Arabia upon the arrival of the coffins at Tehran's Mehrabad Airport in October 2015. (photo by Islamic Republic News Agency) An escalating war of words is reaching fever pitch between bitter regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia ahead of this year's hajj pilgrimage, from which Iranians have been excluded for the first time in decades. It is the most recent sign of soaring tensions between Riyadh and Tehran, which have historically vied to lead competing branches of Islam and more recently are on opposing sides of bloody conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and Iraq. They have also sparred publicly over Saudi authorities' execution of a Shi'ite sheikh in January and a mob's storming of the Saudi Embassy in Tehran in response. But tensions between predominantly Sunni Saudi Arabia and Iran, which boasts the world's largest population of Shi'ite Muslims, often come to a head during the hajj, which takes place in Islam's holiest sites, Mecca and Medina in the Saudi kingdom. Tehran and Riyadh have clashed sharply over the running of the biggest event in the Islamic calendar since an estimated 2,400 pilgrims were killed in a stampede during last year's event, including more than 400 Iranians. The two sides have failed to agree on safety and logistical issues, ostensibly prompting Iran's exclusion from the pilgrimage on September 10, the first time in nearly three decades that Iranians have been barred from Islam's holiest sites in Saudi Arabia. Unusually Harsh Exchanges In a message published on September 5, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Saudi authorities of having "murdered" some of the pilgrims who died in last year's hajj stampede. "The hesitation and failure to rescue the half-dead and injured people...is also obvious and incontrovertible. They murdered them," Khamenei wrote on his website. Khamenei described the Saudi royal family as "small and puny Satans who tremble for fear of jeopardizing the interests of the Great Satan," in reference to the United States. Saudi Arabia's top religious authority, responding to a question by the Saudi newspaper Makkah, said he was not surprised by Khamenei's comments. "We have to understand that they are not Muslims," Grand Mufti Abdulaziz al-Sheikh was quoted as saying by the Arab News. "They are children of magi and their hostility toward Muslims is an old one." Magi, or magus, refers to followers of Zoroastrianism, a monotheistic religion that was prevalent in Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia before the rise of Islam in the seventh century. It is sometimes used by Arabs as an insult against Iranians. That in turn provoked a harsh response on Twitter from Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, usually known for his smooth diplomacy. Indeed; no resemblance between Islam of Iranians & most Muslims & bigoted extremism that Wahhabi top cleric & Saudi terror masters preach. Javad Zarif (@JZarif) September 6, 2016 Saudi Arabia has been criticized for its failure to go after clerics in the kingdom that spread radical Wahhabism, and Tehran in the past has accused Riyadh of supporting extremist groups like Islamic State (IS). Iranian President Hassan Rohani said on September 7 that Islamic countries should take "punitive" measures against Saudi Arabia. He added that "regional countries and the Islamic world should take coordinated measures to punish the government of Saudi Arabia in order to have a real hajj." Tensions have escalated between Saudi Arabia and Iran in recent months -- particularly in January, when Iranian protesters ransacked the Saudi Embassy and set fires inside after Saudi authorities executed outspoken Shi'ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr. History Of Violence The history of animosity between Saudi Arabia and Iran has on several occasions spilled over to the hajj, leading to bloodshed. At the pilgrimage in 1987, violence between Iranian Shi'ite pilgrims and Saudi security forces led to the deaths of more than 400 people, including 275 Iranians. Beginning in the early 1980s, Iranian pilgrims held annual demonstrations against Israel and the United States at the hajj. But in 1987, Saudi police and national guards sealed part of the planned demonstration route, leading to a confrontation. This escalated into a violent clash, followed by a deadly stampede that killed hundreds and injured thousands more. Following the incident, enraged Iranians attacked the Saudi Embassy in Tehran, while Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini called on ordinary Saudis to overthrow the ruling Saud family in revenge for the pilgrims' deaths. Iran officially boycotted the hajj for the next three years. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, severed its ties with Iran and reduced the number of Iranian pilgrims permitted to take part in the hajj to 45,000, down from 150,000 before the incident. Events in 1989 further dented relations, as Saudi Arabia accused Iran in connection with two bombing incidents during the hajj, purportedly in retaliation for Saudi restrictions against Iranian pilgrims. The twin bombings killed one pilgrim and wounded a further 16. Saudi authorities eventually executed 16 Kuwaiti Shi'a for the bombings after originally blaming Iranian terrorists. In the early 1990s, diplomatic relations were restored and an agreement was reached to allow Iranian pilgrims to perform the hajj. Demonstrations have since been permitted by the Saudi authorities only in a specific compound in Mecca, with few incidents reported thereafter. The hajj, a religious duty for able Muslims and one of the largest pilgrimages in the world, routinely attracts more than 1.5 million Muslims from around the world. Pilgrims converge on Mecca and perform a series of rituals over several days that include walking counterclockwise seven times around the Kaaba, the cube-shaped building that acts as the Muslim direction of prayer; visiting the plains of Arafat to hold vigil and seek divine mercy; and throwing pebbles in a ritual known as the Stoning of the Devil. The rituals end with three days of celebrations around the world marking Eid al-Adha. Frud Bezhan covers Afghanistan and the broader South Asia and Middle East region. Send story tips to bezhanf@rferl.org. Copyright (c) 2016 RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org Darugheh House in Mashhad wins UNESCO conservation award 09/08/16 Source: Mehr News Agency The conservation of Darugheh House in the city of Mashhad in northeastern Iran was among the 13 winning projects of UNESCO 2016 Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. Darugheh House in Mashhad, Iran A total of 13 winning projects from six countries - Australia, China, India, Iran, Japan and Pakistan - have been recognized in this year's Heritage Awards. A panel of international conservation experts met in Bangkok to review the 40 Heritage Awards entries, including 34 in the Conservation category and six for New Design. According to UNESCO, the conservation of Darugheh House has reinstated a significant component of the historical townscape of Mashhad. Based on in-depth historical research, verified through archaeological excavation, the project preserved the original building's scale and footprint with a focus on the retention of original materials and reuse of materials from demolished adjacent buildings. Local artisans specializing in traditional architectural decoration carried out the work, and new features were carefully identified in keeping with established conservation practice. Amidst the rapid pace of development now transforming Mashhad, the restored Darugheh House provides validation for the continuing relevance of traditional spaces in contemporary urban life. Meanwhile, the restoration of the Sanro-Den Hall at Sukunahikona Shrine in Ozu City, Japan, Ehime Prefecture has received the Award of Excellence in this year's UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. Duong Bich Hanh, Chair of the Jury and Chief of UNESCO Bangkok's Culture Unit, said she was pleased to see the Heritage Awards encourage good conservation practices in the region. "Jury members were delighted with the quality of this year's entries to the Heritage Awards," Ms. Hanh said. "This showed increased knowledge and higher standards in conservation work across Asia-Pacific.". This year's Award of Excellence winner, the Sanro-Den Hall, a prayer hall at Sukunahikona Shrine in Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture, is an exceptional example of community stewardship enlisted in the conservation of a heritage site of unique architectural and cultural value. The project epitomizes the efficacy of grass-roots advocacy, coupled with traditional building practices, in extending the life of distinctive 20th-century Kakezukuri structure, successfully returning it to a central place in the cultural life of the local community. Jury members also agreed to revise the regulations regarding how old a site must be to be eligible for the awards, reflecting a growing awareness in the conservation field of the importance of recognizing cultural heritage that is less than 50 years old, which is in growing danger. The revised regulations will be available via the UNESCO Bangkok website at the end of this year, and will be applied to entries submitted for next year's awards. 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 IBM is making headlines with its quantum computing research and brain-like chip called TrueNorth, but it also is bringing interesting technologies to its current Power server lineup. Inside IBMs new S822LC server for high-performance computing is a new interconnect that gives a five-fold speed boost to communication between a CPU and graphics processor. The interconnect is based on Nvidias homegrown NVLink technology, which has been in the works for years. IBMs two-socket server, which is based on Power8 CPUs, is among the first available with the interconnect. NVLink is essentially an upgrade to PCI-Express 3.0, which has been used for communication between a GPU and other components in a system. Nvidia has built GPUs based on its new Pascal architecture that support NVLink, while IBM has added support for the NVLink I/O bus, called NVBus, in its chip. IBM is among the first hardware vendors to ship an NVLink-compatible server. Nvidia has said x86 servers from companies like Dell, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Cray will ship next year. Nvidia is already shipping a homegrown server called DGX-1 which has eight Tesla P100 GPUs with the NVLink interface. It is priced at a whopping US$129,000. Servers are using GPUs as co-processors to speed up applications, and a faster pipe to the CPU speeds up processing. Faster processing helps run databases, as well as fraud detection and engineering-related applications, said Dylan Boday, senior offering manager for Linux on Power infrastructures at IBM. A good example of an application that will benefit is Kinetica, an in-memory database application that harnesses the computing power of GPUs. The application is designed to work with the NVLink interconnect, Boday said. For now, only the Tesla P100 GPU will take advantage of the screaming NVLink data transfer speeds, and up to four GPUs can be plugged in the 2U server. The Linux server also has a PCI-Express 3.0 interconnect for other GPUs. The two-socket Power server supports up to 20 CPU cores and 1TB of memory, and it has storage slots for hard drives and SSDs. It also has three PCI-Express slots. It has another interface called CAPI (coherent accelerator processor interface) for attaching custom chips like FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays) and custom chips. IBM didnt provide a price for the server. The server will ship worldwide this month. The Power8 server has the first version of NVLink. IBM plans to release Power9 chips and servers next year with support for NVLink 2.0, which will be significantly faster. IBM on Thursday also announced the two-socket S822LC for Big Data server, which doesnt have the NVLink interface, but supports up to Nvidia K80 GPUs based on the older Kepler architecture. It supports up to 20 CPU cores, up to 512GB of memory, and 96TB storage in multiple slots. It also has five PCI-Express 3.0 and four CAPI slots. Google plans to acquire API management vendor Apigee in a US$625 million deal that will give the search giant secure and multilanguage API tools used by companies bringing more and more of their services online. The deal, announced Thursday, gives Google access to tools that allow company back-end systems to communicate with mobile and web apps, Diane Greene, senior vice president of Googles cloud business, said in a blog post. APIs are vital for how business gets done today in the fast-growing digital and mobile marketplace, she wrote. Theyre the hubs through which companies, partners, and customers interact, whether its a small business applying online for a loan or a point of sale system sending your warranty information to the manufacturer. Forrester sees a growing market for API management, with annual spending from U.S. companies quadrupling from $140 million in 2014 to $660 million in 2020. The benefits of interacting digitally drives a large market opportunity, Greene wrote. The transition toward cloud, mobile, and digital interaction with customers and partners via APIs is happening, and fast. Apigee bills itself as an API management and predictive analytics vendor. Its products include tools to help secure, develop, test, and publish APIs, and its intelligent API platform is available as a cloud or an on-premises service. Among its customers are BBC Worldwide, Walgreens, Staples, AT&T, and eBay. Google has long had a relatively strong and dynamic API set with more than 20 API sets in Apps for Business, for example but the Apigee deal helps Google manage dynamic toolsets, said Guy Creese, research vice president for collaboration and content at Gartner. A rapid change cadence means developers need a framework for understanding, managing and testing these ever-changing APIs, he added. This is what Apigee brings to Google its a solution for managing API changes, whether they come from Google or other technology companies. Apigee is excited to join Google, CEO Chet Kapoor wrote in a blog post. We have a solid track record of working hand in hand with some of the largest and most demanding brands in the world to solve new problems and create new products, he said. We cant wait to see how much better and faster we can be with Google. The deal, for $17.40 per Apigee share in cash, is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals. The companies expect the acquisition to close by the end of the year. Youve read the hype, salivated over the idea of playing mixed reality Minecraft, and nows your chance to experience the HoloLens augmented reality headset. Microsoft recently announced the HoloLens Roadshow, a tour featuring one-on-one demonstrations of HoloLens hardware at select Microsoft Stores in the U.S. and Canada. While were not sure if therell be a Minecraft demonstration, you will get to experience the magic of HoloLens for yourself. If youve never tried virtual or augmented reality, this seems like a great opportunity. VR and AR are transformative technologies but they dont lend themselves well to video. Its best if you can try it out for yourself to truly wrap your head around the experienceand Microsofts traveling demo tour will let you do so without spending big bucks to actually buy a headset The impact on you at home: The HoloLens roadshow will hit twelve North American cities in total between September 15 and October 23. The roadshow is already running in Bellevue, Washington, which is just down the road from Microsoft HQ in Redmond. Each demonstration will last 15 minutes and intended for people aged 13 years and older. Microsoft is taking reservations for each session on its site. If you want to attend, youd best reserve a spot as soon as you can. Not really for sale The HoloLens is still officially in its development phase, and the high-priced HoloLens development kit is well out of the reach of most consumers at $3,000. Nevertheless, Microsoft does plan to roll this technology out to consumers eventuallythough the plan is to introduce it to enterprises first. Putting the technology in the hands of consumers now will help build additional interest in the technologynot to mention get a few more people into the Microsoft Store. Microsoft has some big plans for Holographic technology in the coming months. Not only is it showing off the power of HoloLens in Microsoft Stores, the company also plans to add new features to Windows 10 in 2017 that will make it easier to run mixed reality programs on PCs. Bernard Barbier, a former head of the French signals intelligence service, shared a few stories with students of CentraleSupelec, the elite engineering school from which he graduated in 1976, at a symposium this summer. There was that time he caught the U.S. National Security Agency delving into computers at the Elysee Palace, residence of the French president, for example. And flew to Washington to tell them theyd been found out. Or when the Canadians said they and the Iranians, the Spaniards, the Algerians and a few others had all been hacked by a Frenchman, and they were totally right, although the French government denied it. These little confessions to the members of a student association at his old school, though, have reached a somewhat larger audience than he may have planned on. The discussion on June 2 was recorded from the front row, so he must surely have been aware and found its way onto YouTube later that month. There it lay, largely unremarked, until last weekend when a reporter for French newspaper Le Monde found it and published transcripts of large parts of it. Almost immediately, the original video was taken down. Another has appeared, although the sound has been doctored, purportedly to improve the audio quality. Barbiers revelations cant really be called a scoop, as the Canadian and Elysee hacks had been widely reported. They have, however, never been officially confirmed. Until he left to join IT consulting firm Sogeti in 2013, Barbier was head of the signals intelligence division of the French Directorate-General of External Security (DGSE), a post he had occupied since 2006. During that time, he was responsible for transforming the DGSEs spying activities into a tool for mass surveillance. Before that, he had alternated between roles at the French Commission for Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies (CEA) and other posts at the DGSE. The students quizzed him about two events in particular. The first concerned the run-up to the 2012 French presidential election, when the DGSE found malware on computers at the presidential residence, the Elysee Palace. Two years previously, that same malware had been used in an attack on the European Commission, he told them. By 2012, the DGSE had the means at its disposal to identify the origin of the new attack, Barbier said. He concluded that it could only have been the U.S., and using a technique that, thanks to Edward Snowden, we now know as Quantum Insert. The following year, he said, the new president sent him to Washington to complain to the director of the NSA, Keith Alexander. We were sure it was them. Alexander wasnt happy. In the end, he said, Bernard, well done. You French are good, meaning he thought wed never catch them, Barbier told the students. Later that year, he heard that Le Monde had obtained an NSA briefing document about him that had been prepared for that meeting and was planning to publish it. Barbier asked an NSA contact in Paris to give him a copy of the briefing document. He said I cant, its top secret, only President Obama can declassify it. I said Dont mess around, six million Frenchmen are going to see it soon, and I cant? I finally saw it one day before Le Monde published it, he told the students. Another 2013 story in Le Monde concerned a cyber-attack on Irans nuclear installations, which also targeted computers in Canada, Spain, Greece, Norway, Algeria and Ivory Coast. In a note leaked by Snowden, Canadian officials said they were fairly certain that the attack had been mounted by a French intelligence agency. The French government denied any involvement. But at his old school, Barbier said that when the Canadians reverse-engineered the malware, they found that its programmer had nicknamed it Babar and signed it Titi, two clues that led them to believe he was French. And he was, said Barbier, without acknowledging which agency, if any, the programmer worked for. Security researchers later were able to link Babar to other families of malware, known as Bunny, Casper, Dino, NBot and Tafacalou. With so many of these affairs hinted at or revealed by Snowdens leaks, it was inevitable that one of the students would ask him what he thought of the former NSA contractor turned whistleblower. Snowden totally betrayed his country, Barbier said, but with his revelations about allies spying on one another and the hacking by the U.S. of networking equipment from the likes of Cisco Systems, Snowden helped us, on the whole. Labor Day began the big campaigns for and against the ballot measure to replace the citys charter essentially a constitution that, if changed, could either free city officials to fix the city and increase voter participation or could throw away the citys heritage and citizen protections, depending on whos arguing. But most people havent heard either argument. Two-thirds of likely voters have not seen, heard or read anything about efforts to replace the city charter, according to a poll of 400 people. A citizen committee began those efforts in earnest months after residents voted down one of their two suggested charter amendments Measure Q, the proposed change to how police and firefighters are paid in November 2014. The committee began earlier that year, formed as one of Mayor Carey Davis first acts after being sworn in. For years before that, though, some city hall officials and watchers have periodically pushed for charter reform with others opposing most of those efforts. Conducted in early August for the Yes on a New San Bernardino Charter political action committee, the poll by Los Angeles-based FM3 via telephone also found support for charter reform surged from 45 percent at the beginning of the call to a 63 percent after all information is provided about the positive and negative aspects of Charter reform. Most voters dont know the charter is 111 years old, written when there were fewer than 10,000 people in San Bernardino, and now as a city of over 200,000, we need a charter that is comparable to all the other cities around us, that brings us into modern, efficient and transparent government, said Betsy Starbuck, chairwoman of the campaign to replace the charter. Yet the author of the ballot statement opposed to the charter reform, attorney Tim Prince, said that the dozens of non-insider residents hes talked to about the charter almost all wind up opposed to change. They dont want to give up their right to vote, Prince said. They dont trust placing the citys business in the hands of appointed officials. WHAT IS THE CHARTER? While many cities in the Inland Empire and the rest of the state operate under general law, following a pattern set by the state, San Bernardino has operated under its own city charter amended several times since 1905. The 48-page document provides the framework of which positions are elected and which are appointed, the responsibilities of those officials and certain other restrictions. The proposed new charter is 14 pages. In general, the committee that wrote the proposed new charter followed the model of other charter cities and aimed to increase clarity, flexibility and efficiency. THE CITY MANAGER One of those changes would increase the power of the city manager a position appointed by the mayor and council to run day-to-day operations and shift that day-to-day responsibility away from the elected officials directly. Known as the council-manager form of government, this is the structure for 58 percent of cities with a population over 100,000, according to the International City/County Management Association. The current mayor, Davis, supports that change and the charter as a whole, even if it means less power for him emphasizing that hes speaking as a resident, not the voice of the city. This is how modern governments work, with the mayor and council setting the policy and professionals implementing it, Davis told a citizen group last month. Former Mayor Judith Valles, though, says the change would weaken San Bernardino. Theres a pecking order among cities, and the cities where the mayor is a strong mayor are able to take leadership, she said, saying influence on regional bodies like the county transportation agency SanBAG is critical. ELECTED POSITIONS Another change would eliminate elections for three positions. The mayor and council would appoint the city attorney (as is done in 16 of 17 peer agencies) and city clerk (as 14 of those cities do), while the treasurer position wouldnt be mentioned, with the Finance Director hiring one if needed (14 of the 17 agencies dont have an elected city treasurer). Voters rejected this change in 2010, when it was a stand-alone proposal called Measure C, despite arguments that it would decrease political showboating and increase professionalism. The current elected attorney, clerk and treasurer have all said they support being appointed. But the former city attorney, James F. Penman, says people will not and should not give up their power to vote. When he was a Congressman in the House of Representatives, on July 27, 1848, Abraham Lincoln gave a speech in which he said, quote, In leaving the peoples business in their hands, we cannot be wrong, Penman said. Its such a fundamental part of American democracy. An attorney is accountable to the person who hires them, Penman says, noting that the majority of cities that have appointed city attorneys include scandal-ridden Moreno Valley, Beaumont and Bell. The mayor and council are free to ignore the city attorneys advice, he said. The difference is an elected city attorney is not afraid to call it to the attention of the public. The mayor and city council cant kick the city attorney out the elected city attorney. EVEN VS. ODD The current charter sets elections for the mayor and council members in November of odd-numbered years, with a run-off in February of the following year if no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote. The new charter would move elections to match Californias November of even-numbered years. Those even-numbered elections when state legislators, the governor and president are up for election tend to have far higher turnout. In 2012, 61 percent of San Bernardino voters came out to vote for president, says charter reform PAC member Susan Lien Longville, while the 2013 mayoral election had turnout below 16 percent. The county Registrar of Voters confirms these numbers. That means only a small fraction of registered voters are making critical, quality-of-life decisions for our neighborhoods, Longville, a former councilwoman, co-wrote with former Councilman Rikke Van Johnson. Combining elections will even save San Bernardino taxpayer dollars money the city can spend on reducing crime, improving parks and libraries, and fixing our roads. The common counter-arguments is that combining local elections with national ones means voters focus less on local issues the vote on the city charter, for instance, will be on Novembers ballot below not just presidential, congressional, Senate and Assembly candidates but eight California propositions. In turn, that crowds out council candidates who cant raise substantial amounts of money to get voter attention, Councilman John Valdivia and others have argued. PERSONNEL RULES More unusually, the current charter also contains personnel rules for instance, requiring that police and firefighter pay be set as the average of 10 like-sized California cities, rather than by collective bargaining like nearly all other cities. Voters in 2014 decided by a 10-percentage-point margin to keep that provision. Under the proposed new charter, employee pay would be set by collective bargaining. COUNCIL PAY City Council pay set by the current charter at $600 per year would be set by the mayor and council after a public hearing, after hearing from an advisory commission. Any raises would go into effect following the next election after the increase. BALANCED BUDGET? The ballot statement in favor of replacing the charter says the new one will require a balanced budget, strict financial controls and an annual independent audit that must be shared publicly. These include the two most popular components, according to the charter reform groups poll: 91 percent favor the balanced budget requirement and 84 percent favor independent audits, according to FM3. Yet those requirements already exist. The Mayor shall have the books and records of all public departments, pertaining to the finances of the City, experted by a competent person at least once in every year, the current charter reads, and state law requires an audit as well as the other demands. Nonetheless, San Bernardino went bankrupt in 2012, citing a $45.8 million deficit, and it fell years behind on audits although its been gaining ground and expects to be caught up within weeks, according to Davis. Starbuck, the campaign manager, said the requirements were included on the ballot statement to set residents at ease. It doesnt hurt to specify it, when residents are concerned about it, she said. (Including the requirement in the charter) strengthens it, I believe. Similarly, the ballot statement says the Water Department and Library Board will remain independent. As the verb remain implies, they are also independent in the current charter. The proposed charter change is on the ballot Nov. 8 as Measure L. A yes vote repeals the current charter and replaces it with the proposed new one. Contact the writer: rhagen@scng.com; @rmhagen on Twitter Two students at Indian Hills Elementary School in Jurupa Valley could face at least a year of antibiotics if theyre confirmed to have leprosy. Doctors can choose between several antibiotics or even prescribe more than one to treat leprosy, which is also known as Hansens disease. Medical treatment is determined by each persons physician, said Riverside County Director of Disease Control Barbara Cole, who could only discuss treatment for the disease in general. A doctor diagnosed leprosy in two children who may live in the same house and be related, and one of their parents reported that to the school Thursday. But the two cases are considered unconfirmed by the Riverside County public health department until testing is complete. The doctor sent specimens likely biopsies of skin lesions to the National Hansens Disease (Leprosy) Program lab in Baton Rouge, where test results could take several weeks. We have to keep in mind we dont know if they have it. Theyre still only suspected of having leprosy, Cole said Wednesday, before visiting the school to talk about leprosy and answer questions from jittery parents and staff. Leprosy is not considered highly infectious, and is not contagious after someone takes the right antibiotics for one or two days, said Cole, who oversees the disease control branch for Riverside University Health System Public Health. Family members and others who have prolonged, close contact would be most at risk for being infected. Cole said the disease is not easily transmitted in a group setting like a classroom or workplace. Individuals who are even confirmed with Hansens disease do not require isolation, Cole added. The medicines used and length of treatment is chosen by one or more physicians based on patient assessments and the status of the persons disease. The disease progresses differently in each person. Symptoms commonly appear three to 10 years after infection. Yet symptoms may show up within a few weeks, or not for 30 years in some cases, Cole said. Leprosy may be mistaken for other illnesses with similar symptoms. Doctors look for skin lesions, fever, joint pain, edema or swelling caused by extra fluid, she said. Cole spoke briefly with the parent, but Cole said is bound by medical privacy laws from disclosing specific information about the two children. Leprosy cases are rare in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cole could not say whether the two children are siblings or if they may have contracted leprosy while living in a country where the disease is widespread. Its very limited information that I can share on individual people, Cole said. They appear to be from the same household. The National Hansens Disease (Leprosy) Program is considered the countrys premiere lab for definitive testing of specimens for the slow-growing bacteria that causes the disease, Mycobacterium leprae. Blood tests arent considered effective for diagnosis. Theyre the expert in ruling out the diagnosis. Ruling out or ruling in, Cole said. Contact the writer: 951-368-9444 or shurt@scng.com UPDATE: Washington has responded to Miller via an emailed statement. My record of creating jobs, keeping people safe, balancing budgets and enacting reforms to stop politicians from misusing tax dollars earned me support from Republicans, Democrats, firefighters, small business owners and a comfortable first place finish in the primary. Im confident we will prevail in November. ORIGINAL POST: Nathan Miller has a new job. The Riverside Community College District trustee, who sent two tweets featuring a noose-holding hangman and the words Im Ready for Hillary, has agreed to become campaign manager for Riverside County supervisor candidate Shellie Milne, who confirmed his hiring Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 7. On his Facebook page, Miller, who serves on the county Republican Party central committee, wrote he was more than excited to work for the Milne campaign and took aim at Supervisor Chuck Washington, Milnes opponent in November. A short while ago we lost great conservative Supervisor Jeff Stone taking the right for freedom to the Senate and Sacramento cauldron, Miller wrote. Immediately Governor Jerry Brown showed a consistent and utter lack of respect for our regions values by appointing Liberal Democrat Chuck Washington to fill a vacancy in the most Conservative Supervisorial District in California. Its (sic) time to end power driven cronyism, and an out of touch liberal progressive ideology attempting to infiltrate our communities, built on the principles of Fiscal Responsibility, Family Values, 2nd Amendment Rights and Private Property protections. Miller resigned from his job with state Board of Equalization member Diane Harkey last month, a day after tweeting the hangman picture from the county GOPs official Twitter account. The tweets drew outrage from Democrats and others who considered the images a threat against Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. He has since apologized for his actions. But students and faculty in the community college district have called on Miller to resign from his elected seat. He is up for re-election in November. In a phone interview, Milne, a Hemet councilwoman, said Miller started working for her after Labor Day. She said shes been friends with Miller for years and is proud to have him by her side. He is a conservative warrior, Milne said. He and I have been through thick and thin together. She said shes not worried about Miller bringing negative publicity to her campaign. He is a fantastic warrior for conservative causes, Milne said. Whats in the past is in the past. Why would I hire somebody that I didnt want on the campaign you people in the press keep trying to make something out of nothing. Asked if Miller will handle social media for her campaign, Milne said: Sure. Milne finished behind Washington but ahead of Murrieta Mayor Randon Lane in the three-candidate race in June for the Third District supervisor seat. Because no one got a majority of the vote, Milne and Washington will compete in a November runoff. The Third District represents Temecula, Murrieta, Hemet, San Jacinto and surrounding areas on the board. Washington, a former Murrieta and Temecula councilman, was appointed by the governor last year to serve the unexpired term of Stone, who was elected to the state Senate. Washington is a Democrat and Milne is a Republican, although the office of supervisor itself is nonpartisan. One of three Hanjin ships moored off Southern Californias shores was seized by U.S. Marshals officers, officials confirmed Wednesday. Two fuel suppliers teamed up to lay a claim last week on the Hanjin Montevideo, said an attorney for one of the companies. The cargo craft has been sitting inside the breakwater while the financially crippled Korean shipping giant tries to hammer out a bankruptcy plan to resume business. Deputy U.S. Marshal Matthew Cordova confirmed the assets had been seized. Maritime law allows such companies to plant a lien on a ship, he said. As far as I am aware, no other vessel within the United States has been arrested, said Neil B. Klein, the lawyer who filed the claim. Claims filed in U.S. District court argued that the company owes suppliers about $775,000 for fuel in the Montevideos tanks. The move came just ahead of a New Jersey bankruptcy judges Tuesday decision to grant the company protection from creditors. The judge also ordered all Hanjin ships to remain in the U.S. On Friday, he is expected to finalize a plan that could pave the way to unloading. Now, terminals wont accept cargo without a payment plan. The arrest order allowed the ship to enter the port, but prevented it from leaving. We will be happy for the boxes to be taken off the vessel, Klein said. But no one wants to remove the cargo because they are not going to get paid. Meanwhile, another ship that sat for days off the Southern California coast to avoid being seized by creditors headed toward Mexican waters Wednesday as its fuel supplies began to run low. The Hanjin Greece drifted to 30 miles off the coast of Mexico, where it avoided U.S. regulations requiring low-sulfur fuel, reported the Marine Exchange of Southern California, a maritime tracking service. Some ships carry a limited supply of the less-polluting fuel. The worlds seventh-largest shipping companys third ship in the region, the Hanjin Boston, remains outside the breakwater. Lawyers involved in the case estimate there are thousands of potential creditors and some may never get paid what they are owed. Assurances from South Koreas top economic policymaker on Wednesday that Hanjin Shipping Co. vessels marooned off Long Beach will be able to unload cargo this week offered little relief to such creditors. There are a lot of unanswered questions about taking cargo, said Jon Gold of the National Retail Federation. The impact isnt just on retailers, this also has an effect on manufactures waiting on production. Days after Hanjins parent company pledged $90 million to stem the financial collapse, South Korean Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho said at a government meeting he expects the cargo crisis to ease this week. But the long-term impacts could be felt for years to come, said lawyers involved. About 8 percent of all goods coming from Asia are shipped via Hanjin. Hanjins collapse stunned the global supply chain, as everyone from warehouse operators to truck drivers to tow-boat operators to international home-electronic manufacturers await a resolution. Robert Krieger, president of Carson-based freight forwarder and customs broker Norman Krieger, said he has customers with clothing stuck on the Hanjin Boston that should be on its way to stores. Even if the ship is soon unloaded, he and his clients face an array of logistical problems, including what to do with Hanjin containers and how to reel in products stranded in foreign seaports. It could be a disaster for our clients, Krieger said. RELIEF FOR SAMSUNG, LG Meanwhile, a solution may be at hand for Samsung Electronics Co. and LG Electronics Inc., both of whom have loads of product on Hanjin ships. Bloomberg News reports that Hyundai Merchant Marine Co., the nations No. 2 liner, will flag off a vessel to Los Angeles from Busan late Friday to help ease the squeeze. Satellite imagery is now being used to track water quality in Lake Elsinore and Canyon Lake and that is one of the reasons a 10-year-old plan for monitoring the two lakes has been updated. The Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board recently released the Final Revised Quality Assurance Project for monitoring the amount of nutrients in the two lakes. The project is available for public review and comment through Sept. 19. It reflects the latest thinking on what is appropriate (in monitoring), said Administrator Mark Norton of the Lake Elsinore and San Jacinto Watersheds Authority. Were also including the use of satellite photography, which is something new. Declining water quality in both lakes resulting from nutrients that nourish algae led to the formation in 2000 of the authority, a coalition of agencies along the lakes and river that feeds them. In December 2004, the state board established mandates requiring the reduction of nutrients in the lakes by 2015 and 2020. The monitoring plan launched in 2006. Both Lake Elsinore and Canyon Lake have a history of elevated nutrient levels and algal blooms resulting in reduced water clarity, as well as occasional fish kills most likely attributable to transient low-dissolved oxygen conditions, states the project report prepared for the board by Amec Foster Wheeler. The problematic nutrients being monitored are phosphorus, nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen and chlorophyll. Goals also were established for increasing the lakes dissolved oxygen levels. Canyon Lake, a manmade drinking-water reservoir two miles upstream from Lake Elsinore, met its 2015 targets. That achievement was largely due to the authoritys strategy of periodically treating the water with the substance alum, which removes phosphorus. The applications have been occurring each spring and fall since 2013. Another one is scheduled the last week of September. Lake Elsinore, however, has proven more difficult, especially because of the drought. The largest natural freshwater body in Southern California, Lake Elsinore is dependent on rainfall causing Canyon Lakes dam to overflow. That hasnt happened for several years, and Lake Elsinore is at its lowest level since 1993. Measures taken to improve the lakes quality include the installation of an aeration system and the daily replenishment of the lake with reclaimed water. However, the lake is too big for alum treatments to be affordable and killing algae with an algacide compounds the problem because it results in more nutrients, Norton said. Its quite a bit more difficult to restore something to a more pristine state than it historically has been, Norton said. We recognize that we may not be able to restore Lake Elsinore to a Lake Tahoe-like water quality because of the natural conditions. Now, Lake Elsinore is grappling with the aftermath of a blue-green algae bloom that forced the city to shut down the lake for a week in late July and early August because of high toxicity levels. Signs are posted along the shore warning visitors against bodily contact. Norton, however, said there is no correlation between the nutrient reduction effort and blue-green algae, which are bacteria that proliferate in warm, shallow, stagnant water. Contact the writer: 951-368-9690 or michaelwilliams@pressenterprise.com Some crimes are easy to see. If an arsonist sets fire to a house, you have smoke, fire, sirens and an insurance claim all before daybreak. If a burglar steals your car while youre asleep, you wake up in the morning and dont see a Ford Fiesta in your garage. And if a building gets tagged everybody knows which street gang is laying claim to that neighborhood. But if somebody gets raped or sexually assaulted, sometimes it takes years, if not decades, for victims to alert authorities. For these people the clock starts ticking the minute the assault ends. Under current California law, the statute of limitations for rape is 10 years, unless subsequent DNA evidence emerges. For minors, charges against their abusers must be filed before the victim turns 40. All of this means that if you rape someone its possible to avoid any jail time as long as you run out the clock. We were reminded of this fact after dozens of women came forward and alleged Bill Cosby sexually assaulted them decades ago. All the claimed assaults which took place in California occurred outside the 10 year statute of limitations window, so Cosby will avoid being prosecuted here. But Americas dad has been charged with several counts of felony sexual assault in the state of Pennsylvania. Cosbys female accuser notified authorities nine years after she was allegedly assaulted, and that falls within the Keystone States 12 year statute of limitations. In response to all of this, California state Sen. Connie Leyva, D-Chino, introduced Senate Bill 813, which would end the statute of limitations for rape and other felony sex crimes. The bill, which would not apply retroactively to crimes in which the statute of limitations will have expired by January 1, 2017, sailed through both houses of the state Legislature and is currently sitting on the desk of Gov. Jerry Brown. While speaking out in favor of the law, Sen. Leyva said, Its called the Justice for Victims Act for one clear and specific reason: Victims should always have the opportunity to seek justice in a court of law after such a violent act. Shes right. Extraordinary crimes require extraordinary measures. Which is why theres no statute of limitations in California for murder. Oddly enough, the only other crime that doesnt have a statute of limitations is the embezzlement of public funds. In the eyes of Sacramento, stealing money from the state is on par with murder and a worse offense than rape. But I digress. Being the victim of sexual assault can sometimes take decades to process. This trauma can also bubble up in really unfortunate ways. According to suicide.org, a suicide prevention, awareness and support group, around 33 percent of rape victims have thought about suicide, 13 percect have attempted suicide and many of those attempts occurred years after the rape. If state law prevents these victims from bringing their abuser to justice when theyre ready to tell their story, we are traumatizing them all over again. Unfortunately, we cant go back in time and prevent rapes from happening, but we can do something about the statute of limitations. Or I guess I should say, Gov. Jerry Brown can do something by signing SB813 into law. If he does, California will join 16 other states that dont have a statute of limitations for prosecuting rape and sexual assault cases. California used to lead the nation in standing up for the victims of crime. We dont do that any more. But we can follow other states when they get it right. John Phillips is a CNN political commentator and can be heard weekdays at 3 p.m. on The Drive Home with Jillian Barberie and John Phillips on KABC/AM 790. Deep into the looong November ballot, many voters will be sorting through a typical mix of school bond measures, sales tax hikes and the like. But this year, in dozens of cities and counties in California, communities will also face pivotal questions about the future of marijuana. A campaign to legalize recreational cannabis statewide has dominated the political debate over weed this year. Less noticed, and in some respects more significant, is a proliferation of local ballot measures that will help determine whether, where and at what cost cannabis products will be available regardless of the outcome of the state vote. Californias cities and counties are the ultimate arbiters of whether pot businesses get to operate in their boundaries and how much to tax them. And that wont change if the statewide recreational pot measure, Proposition 64, is approved in November, as some recent polls suggest is likely. With that possibility looming, and acceptance of pot shops growing, officials and residents are pitching 62 local marijuana measures this November. Thats nearly 1 in 10 of the 687 state and local measures appearing on California ballots. And a third of those involve Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties. Some of the proposed policies diverge sharply, even between neighboring cities, according to county election reports. With no accepted regimen of best practices and few long-range case studies for the rapidly emerging industry to examine, officials are experimenting with proposed regulations and tax rates that can fluctuate by more than 17 percentage points. The outcome of the local measures, experts say, will determine not just whether residents will be able to buy marijuana in their own cities, but also whether legalization hurts or helps the black market. If Prop. 64 passes and every city says were not going to allow recreational marijuana, then its a Pyrrhic victory, said Aaron Herzberg, an attorney with CalCann Holdings in Costa Mesa, a firm that operates dispensaries and offers input to cities as they craft their policies. The local measures are critical. PATCHWORK OF PROPOSALS Should cities welcome marijuana dispensaries but not farms, or vice versa? Should their fees be fixed or increase over time? Should they tax marijuana patients less than those who just want to get high? Would that encourage continued abuse of the medical system? These are some of the questions voters in 25 California counties and 46 cities will face Nov. 8. Roughly a third of the local measures began as voter petition drives, including initiatives in Upland, La Mesa and Catalina Islands Avalon. The remainder were placed on the ballot by city councils or county boards of supervisors some of whom welcome marijuana businesses and others who said they felt forced to propose regulations either because legalization seems inevitable or to compete with citizen measures that had already made the ballot. Thats the case in Costa Mesa. One citizen-backed measure would allow up to eight dispensaries, while another would permit four. City leaders are proposing a third option that would allow testing labs and sites for making marijuana-infused products, but no shops. In Long Beach, a measure placed on the ballot after a voter petition drive would tax marijuana businesses at 6 percent. The city is pushing a plan that would instead tax medical dispensaries at 6 percent to 8 percent, recreational shops at 8 percent to 12 percent and cultivation at $12 to $15 per square foot. Laguna Beach city leaders dont like a ballot initiative that would allow two dispensaries in town without taxing them. But rather than pitch a competing measure, City Council members opted to campaign against the ballot measure. Just one local measure is proposing a ban: Measure B in Sierra County, which would specifically outlaw commercial cultivation. But cities and counties dont have to ask permission to permit or block marijuana businesses. San Bernardino County supervisors in August banned cultivation and sales in unincorporated areas, while Lynwood City Council members on Tuesday passed the first ordinance in Los Angeles County permitting commercial weed grows. Local governments do need voter approval to tax cannabis, and more than half the local measures call for an added community levy on sales. The proposed tax rates range from 2.5 percent for medical users in unincorporated Mendocino County to 20 percent in Santa Barbara. Another 20 measures call for local taxes on growing marijuana. The contrasts arise sharply in the Inland Empire, where San Jacinto city leaders are calling for the highest cultivation tax in the state: up to $50 per square foot. An initiative in nearby San Bernardino would tax marijuana farms at one-tenth that rate. Some local measures would permit only medical businesses. Others would allow for recreational shops if Prop. 64 passes. A similar mishmash of policies exists in Colorado, which legalized marijuana in 2012. There are cities such as Vail that have rejected all cannabis businesses, while Denver and other cities have welcomed the boom. Paul Armentano, deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said such hyper-local regulatory schemes mirror how cities and counties control the location, number and operation of liquor stores, bars and other businesses selling alcohol. That patchwork system, in many ways, is based on cultural and local mores, he said. And I think thats ultimately what the public wants. SEEING GREEN Officials estimate local marijuana taxes on the November ballot would bring in $100,000 to $22 million a year to various city or county budgets. The majority of that revenue would flow to general funds for public safety and other basic services. A few measures would dedicate revenue to specific purposes, such as reducing sewer charges in Colfax or supporting public art in San Leandro an approach some critics say should require 66 percent voter approval. Taxing marijuana businesses helps legitimize an industry thats long operated in the shadows, Herzberg said. And he said business owners who are serious about moving to a regulated system support providing revenue to cities that welcome them. The danger, experts warn, is layering too much cumulative tax on legitimate businesses, and giving street dealers and cartels the upper hand in the competition for customers. Revenue is important, but so is getting people to stop buying on the black market, said Joseph Henchman, an analyst for the Washington, D.C., think tank Tax Foundation. After studying marijuana taxing policies across the country, Henchman said the magic number seems to be about 25 percent. Any higher such as the 37 percent imposed in Washington state or 29 percent in Colorado and the black market still seems to thrive, he said. California medical marijuana businesses now face state sales tax rates that average around 8 percent. Prop. 64 would tax sales an additional 15 percent plus add a tax by weight for cultivation, though it would exempt medical users from state sales tax. That puts California in the sweet spot of a roughly 23 percent cumulative state tax, which Henchman said could make it the first state to significantly curtail the black market. But that assumes local governments dont pile on too many additional taxes. At least 18 cities, including Santa Ana, already have local medical marijuana taxes of 5 percent to 15 percent, according to a report by CalCann Holdings. Cities are free to experiment and maybe ultimately compete with one another, Herzberg said. My only caution is that every level of government is trying to get their piece out of marijuana, and theyre not leaving much for the industry. For some cities, that seems to be the idea. San Jacinto council members made it clear theyre using the hefty tax measures, in part, to keep their city from becoming a mecca for the booming pot industry. You dont want it to be ridiculous, Councilman John Gagnepain said. But, he added, We want to make it high enough to make a point. Staff writer Craig Schultz contributed to this report. Contact the writer: 714-796-7963 or bstaggs@ocregister.comTwitter: @JournoBrooke The Latest on a shooting at a high school in West Texas (all times local): 12:20 p.m. Authorities say a federal law enforcement officers gun accidentally discharged and shot another officer as they responded to a shooting at a Texas high school. Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson says the injured officer was shot in the leg during the incident Thursday. No other details were released. The officers were responding to a shooting at Alpine High School in Alpine, which is about 220 miles southeast of El Paso. Dodson tells radio station KVLF that one female student shot and injured another female student just before 9 a.m. The sheriff says the alleged shooter later died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and that a gun was found nearby. 11:50 a.m. The local sheriff says a student has died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot after shooting and injuring another student at West Texas high school. Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson tells radio station KVLF that a female student shot another female student inside Alpine High School on Thursday. Dodson says the injured student ran outside seeking help and was taken to a hospital with injuries that werent considered life threatening. He says a law enforcement officer also suffered injuries that werent life threatening, but no details have been released. Alpine is 220 miles southeast of El Paso 10:30 a.m. Police in the West Texas town of Alpine say theres an active shooter situation at a high school and schools have been locked down amid the search for a suspect. Elizabeth Carter, a lieutenant at the Texas Department of Public Safety, said someone brought a gun onto the Alpine High School campus Thursday morning. Police dispatcher Scarlet Eldred had no immediate information on whether anyone was hurt in an unspecified incident at the high school shortly before 9 a.m. Eldred says police were seeking an active shooter. Eldred didnt immediately provide additional information, other than the person being sought was a male. The school districts website says the town of about 5,900 residents has three schools. Alpine is 220 miles southeast of El Paso 10:15 a.m. Police in the West Texas town of Alpine say theres an active shooter situation and schools have been locked down amid the search for a suspect. Police dispatcher Scarlet Eldred had no immediate information on whether anyone was hurt in the unspecified incident shortly before 9 a.m. Thursday. Eldred says police were seeking an active shooter. She didnt immediately provide additional information, other than the person was a male. The Alpine Independent School District website says the town of about 5,900 residents has three schools elementary, middle and a high school. Alpine is 220 miles southeast of El Paso. Updates with not-guilty plea A fugitive murder suspect accused of opening fire at a Perris restaurant in January was arrested last weekend as he tried to re-enter the United States, authorities said. Hector Fernando Carvajal, 48, of Riverside, pleaded not guilty Thursday, Sept. 8, to one charge of murder and four of attempted murder for the Jan. 25 shooting at Nayarit Mexican restaurant in downtown Perris. He also faces five enhancements, which could lengthen his prison sentence if hes convicted, that he used a firearm to cause great bodily injury. Court documents identify the dead man as Pedro Murillo-Martinez and the other victims as Juan Becerra, 25, who was shot once in the abdomen; Jose Contreras, 35, shot twice in the abdomen; Ramon Duran, 58, shot once in the face; and Fabian Flores, 18, shot once in his right foot. Carvajal was arrested Saturday by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency at an undisclosed location and transferred to Riverside County, where he was booked into jail Monday, Sept. 5. He remains at the Southwest Detention Center, with bail set at $5 million. His arraignment was originally scheduled for Wednesday, but it was delayed because he wasnt medically cleared to appear in court. The nature of his medical issue was not available. Sheriffs deputies were called to the Nayarit restaurant at 140 S. D St. about 1 a.m. Jan. 25 and found five males who had been shot. Days later, investigators released a screen grab of a man they described as a person of interest. What they didnt say, but is disclosed in court records, is that the homicide was caught on the restaurants surveillance cameras. The restaurants owner recognized the shooter as someone he knew only as Fernando, as did witnesses to the shooting. The shooter frequented the restaurant multiple times a week, according to an arrest warrant issued Feb. 8 and also not previously disclosed by authorities. The witnesses did not hear any argument before the shooting, and did not recognize the victims as regular customers. Investigators located a family member, who said she had not seen Carvajal since a few days after the shooting, and denied knowing about the incident, according to court records. They also tracked down a friend of Carvajal and seized a jacket that belonged to him and was identical to one worn by the shooter in the restaurant video. If investigators have determined what Carvajals motive may have been, they didnt say in court documents. The Sheriffs Department did not release details about the shooting until almost 36 hours after it happened; a spokesman said detectives were concerned about jeopardizing the investigation if information were released. The victims names were not publicly disclosed until the arrest warrant was issued Feb. 8. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 1 killed, 4 others injured in shooting at Perris restaurant Neighbors shocked by Perris restaurant shooting Person of interest sought in Perris restaurant slaying On Sept. 8, 1966, a diverse crew of explorers launched a five-year mission when Star Trek debuted on CBS. The mission turns 50 Thursday, Sept. 8. Team Enterprise grew from a spunky little series with a limited FX budget and a whole lot of creativity into an international, nee intergalactic, phenomenon including a half-dozen more series, three cycles of major motion pictures, books, video games, websites and enough fanfolk to populate a galaxy or two. And the franchise just might live long and prosper for another half-century, with a new streaming series on the way in January, the summer release Beyond headed for Blu-ray and scores of conventions, podcasts, websites and digital tributes on the launch pad. But today we celebrate Star Treks roots right here on our own hemisphere. Here is, thanks to our friends at IMDb and the Star Trek wiki website Memory Alpha, a chance to boldly go to some of Star Treks soaring Southern California moments. TEMECULA AREA All Good Things, a 1994 episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation filmed a sequence at the Callaway Vineyards. Capt. Picard lands in a simulated future where he tends his grapes in a place that looks a whole lot like a vineyard in Temecula Valley Wine Country. Its a pretty place, not one youd ever want to beam up from once youve drained a glass or two. The TV trek began at the old Desilu Studios on Gower Street. And it continued not far away at Paramount Studios, where interior scenes from many of the movies were filmed. AGUA DULCE Remember Arena, the 1967 episode when Capt. Kirk (William Shatner) defied the Vegas oddsmakers and pulled off a last-round knockout of that reptilian hunk The Gorn? You may have recognized those distinctive jutting rocks in the background as The Los Angeles County Parks Departments beloved Vasquez Rocks, near Agua Dulce from that episode (and other Gorn-free moments, too). REDONDO BEACH In the 1967 episode Operation Annihilate! giant melty gummi-slugs invade a planet that looks a whole lot like the TRW campus in Redondo Beach (now owned by Northrop Grumman). Another pop-culture gem: Christopher Boyce was a TRW employee a few years later when caught selling secrets to the Soviets in an incident that would become the best-selling book and movie, The Falcon and the Snowman. Contact the writer: tbray@scng.com or @tbray on Twitter Bringing history to life is the goal of programs being developed at the Beaumont Library District to coincide with the centennial anniversary of Americas entry into World War I in 1917. With the help of a $1,200 World War I and America grant presented by Library of America with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, scholar-moderated discussions will be offered along with specific reading materials written by Americans who experienced the war firsthand. We are always looking for programming ideas that will be of interest to our community and since receiving the grant to establish the Veterans Resource Center, we have been particularly interested in programming aimed at our veterans, Adult Services Librarian Erin Morrow said. The volunteer-staffed resource center, which opened in January, is the result of a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the California State Librarian. People think about libraries as places that house books but, really, we exist to provide access to resources, said Morrow, 32. It was through the centers connections that the latest grant opportunity became known and seemed like a good fit, according to Morrow, who wrote the grant and is serving as its project coordinator. We will have the opportunity to explore how America has dealt with war and our veterans in the past and how differently (or not) we handle similar issues now, Morrow said. We will also have the opportunity to explore how American involvement in this particular war changed us as a nation, Morrow said, especially taking into account the fact that the United States was only actively involved for about 19 months. She said the library already has a collection of nonfiction books for children and adults that offer an overview of the war as well as a variety of novels and films set during WWI. As part of the most recent grant, the library will be adding World War I and America: Told by the Americans Who Lived It, an annotated narrative collection. The anthology, edited by Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer A. Scott Berg in collaboration with an advisory board comprised of distinguished WWI scholars, is being published in March. We also plan to appoint a liaison from within our local veteran community to assist us with the planning and promotion of the programs, Morrow said. I actually had someone volunteer to speak about a relatives experience in the war after hearing about the grant award, which is so cool. Having a scholarly perspective is important, but being able to offer a personal perspective as well will really allow us to bring that human connection to our community. The Beaumont Library District is at 125 E. Eighth St. in Beaumont. Information: 951-845-1357 Contact the writer: dianerhodes.writer@gmail.com Statewide water conservation numbers dropped again in July, the second month of the states new, relaxed plan to save water during a record drought. Californians used 20 percent less water in July as compared to the same month in 2013, state water officials reported Wednesday. That number fell 1.5 percent from the states water conservation rate in June. Not as good as last summer but still good, Jelena Hartman, manager with the State Water Resources Control Board, said. Southern California recorded a large drop in water conservation this summer as compared to last summer. The states most populous region dropped more than many other areas of the state, plunging from 28.2 percent conservation in July 2015 to 16.9 percent in July 2016, according to the numbers. After easing restrictions following a wetter winter in Northern California, the board kept its promise to examine even call out water providers whose numbers fell too far. Among cities, Malibu, Anaheim and Vallejo dropped to less than 10 percent savings in 2016, after peaking at 20 percent the year before. The Yucaipa Valley Water District also fell by that much. The city of Bakersfield and the San Juan Water District in suburban Sacramento also have experienced large conservation decreases so far this year. While Californians have maintained their conservation awareness and practices without top-down mandates, we are watching trends in parts of California that suggest some areas may be easing up more than the improved conditions may warrant, while other areas are continuing to conserve for the long term, said state water board Chairwoman Felicia Marcus. On the flip side, 10 suppliers were singled out as water heroes by the board for continuing to save water at nearly the same rates as in 2015. Most are in Northern California but two Alhambra and the San Gabriel Valley Water Co. are from Southern California. Our customers realize there is still a drought and they did their part, said Dan Arrighi, water resources manager with the San Gabriel Valley Water Co., a private water supplier serving 217,000 people in Los Angeles County. Customers faced surcharges if they went over a pre-set allotment. Also, the agency offered free water audits and sent experts to homes and apartments to look for leaky faucets and hand-out water limiters and rebates for low-flush toilets. As a result, the water company pumped 29,400 acre-feet of water from the underground basin in fiscal year 2015-2016, the lowest amount since 1973, he said. In Alhambra, people can report water wasters on the citys mobile app Gateway Alhambra, said Chris Paulson, a spokesman for the city. The city has also used banners and yard signs to encourage conservation. Efforts like these were extraordinary, Hartman said. But even water providers that didnt hit this mark still deserve some credit, she said, as most reported decreases in water-use. Of the nearly 400 suppliers who reported to the state board, more than half saved more than 20 percent in July, reported Jasmine Oaxaca, manager with the state water boards enforcement division. Cumulative water savings reached 619 billion gallons from June 2015 through July 2016, enough to supply water for one year to 9.5 million people, Hartman said. Statewide conservation stayed fairly steady at 23.8 percent, the lowest cumulative total in 14 months, and slightly lower than the 25 percent ordered by Gov. Jerry Brown. These reductions in water production and savings of water are needed because we are still in drought, Hartman said. About 83 percent of the state remains in some form of a drought, the agency reported. In August 2011, only a small part of the extreme southeastern part of the state was abnormally dry and no part of California was placed into one of the four drought categories: moderate, severe, extreme and exceptional, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. On June 1, state officials ended emergency drought conservation targets. Instead, water suppliers were required to set their own conservation goals based on their assessments of what their three-year water supply will be if the drought continues. Marcus said even without mandatory targets, conservation should continue. We are continuing to monitor conservation levels, Hartman told the board. We are looking at individual suppliers more closely and following up. Staff Writer Christopher Yee contributed to this report. Contact the writer: sscauzillo@scng.com or @stevscaz on Twitter The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. John Alexander Ackon, has asked the youth not to be afraid of setting up their own businesses, to transform their economic situation. He indicated that the nation was blessed with enormous economic opportunities and that it was up to the large unemployed young people to exploit these to create jobs for themselves and others. He said the over reliance on the government for employment could not continue and needed to change. They have to be innovative and resourceful. Mr. Ackon was speaking at the maiden Youth empowerment and entrepreneurship summit held in Kumasi to expose them to the economic potentials available and inspire them to tap into these. He said they should begin to identify the hidden opportunities by being critical, analytical and observant to the current trends in the society. Demonstrating these traits, were what it took to create wealth and jobs to make things better for everybody. Mr. Ackon encouraged them to go into food and vegetable crops production, processing and livestock farming, for dairy and non-dairy products. There was also the rich cultural heritage, which could be attractively packaged and marketed. He underlined the need for them to become more technologically inclined to avoid being left behind by globalization. Mr. Randy Osae Bediako, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kharis Group, told the youth to be passionate about their vision to unleash their potentials, adding that, they should work hard to achieve their goals. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video LAGOSNo fewer than three persons lost their lives in a clash between Hausa and Fulani traders in Abbatoir, Agege area of Lagos, yesterday, while several others were injured. However, Lagos State Police Command said only one person died. Property were also destroyed in the clash that disrupted business activities at the popular cow market. There are different accounts of what cause the clash. A version alleged that the Fulani stormed Oworose Hotel along the railway line, two days earlier and beat up some commercial sex workers and their male customers, majority of who were Hausa. They were also alleged to have dispossessed their victims of their valuables. Invasions Another version attributed the clash to the battering of a Hausa girl by a Fulani man, which was said to have been reported to the Seriki Fulani, one Bello Damopaba, but he was accused of not taking any action. Irked by his alleged silence, some persons suspected to be Hausa, it was gathered, stormed the traditional rulers palace, Tuesday night, and destroyed property, among which were three vehicles belonging to him, his deputy and the secretary. Vanguard gathered that yesterdays fight was a reprisal on the Hausa over the destruction at the Serikis palace. When Vanguard visited the abattoir at about 2p.m. yesterday, the Hausa traders were just settling down for business, with police vans and those of the OP MESA stationed at strategic positions. Eyewitness account One of the traders, who gave his name as Garba, said: We were just settling down for business at 7a.m. when we saw over 500 Fulani with their sticks, marching towards our end and hitting everybody in sight. The Hausa repelled the attack and hacked their leader. They quickly carried their dying leader and took to their heels. But they were surrounded by other Hausa, who were at the other end. When they saw that there was no place for escape, they ran inside the main complex, that is, the slaughter side. From there they started shooting their arrows indiscriminately. One of our men was hit on the neck, while another had his neck slashed with a knife at Kara Junction. These Fulani are robbers, who usually attack people coming to buy cows. They are not traders. They were sleeping in the market until the demolition, which made it impossible for them to find a roof over their heads. They attacked the hotel because there was no hiding place for them to run to after attacking customers. Spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Dolapo Badmus, however, said that the command was able to quell what would have been a serious crisis between Hausa and Fulani in the area. Source: vanguardngr 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 Beleaguered man of God Bishop Daniel Obinim has said God has blessed him with abundant material wealth. I have more than 20 houses given to me by Jesus Christ. I had about eight Range Rover cars which I gifted to my pastors. I had five Infinity SUVs and three Chryslers which I also gifted to my pastors because my car is AUTOBIOGRAPHY, meaning the cars brain power is superior to that of a human being. If you cross that car, it stops automatically, and its door is not slammed, it shuts by itself. It is also bulletproof, the founder of the International Gods Way Church who was recently arrested for allegedly defrauding one Bismark Kusi of GHS11.6million as well as for flogging two teenage lovers in church, said in an interview. Bishop Obinim also said God Himself may soon declare him (Obinim) as God too. According to him, the next spiritual gift for Almighty God to confer on him after having made him an angel, will be to make him God too. I saw Jesus Christ in my dreams, who said: Collect this angelic gift. So, if Im faithful to Jesus Christ, maybe the next spiritual gift He will confer on me will be a replica of what happened in Exodus Chapter 7 in the Bible where God told Moses: Now Ive made you God, so whatever you say is final. But now God has not made me God. Maybe the next time God will say: Obinim, now Ive made you a god, you can even conjure up money, he told Joy News. Meanwhile, Bishop Obinim has said he will teach those accusing him of involvement in an alleged GHS11.6 million fraud case, a big lesson. He pronounced curses on his accuser, Bismark Kusi, indicating that the gentleman and his family shall never know peace on earth. He said he would thoroughly deal with all persons who falsely accused him as their actions had made a mockery of him as well as his father Jesus Christ. The Bible says: Touch not my anointed. To those who contracted my accuser to disgrace me, I leave all of you to Jesus Christ in heaven. That Bismark Kusi who accused me, his family and those who appeared as witnesses, I will deal with them spiritually; my father Jesus Christ who you disgraced will never allow you to have peace. You will see what will happen to you, he threatened. Bishop Obinim disclosed this when he addressed a gathering of church members in his house on Thursday, 25 August to state his side of the story. According to him, he had never seen or interacted with his accuser prior to his invitation to the CID headquarters. Bishop Obinim disclosed that Mr. Kusi narrated to the police that he had handed him the said amount in a Ghana Must Go jute bag at the clergymans office at Tema during a counselling session. But Bishop Obinim emphatically stated that he did not conduct counselling sessions in his office but rather at the church, a fact he said confirmed his position that the story had been fabricated to tarnish his image. He said he met me at Tema in an office but I have never even conducted counselling sessions in office before, he added. He continued: His end is near, he should go and ask all the people who have accused me falsely. Today, they even beg before they are able to get food to eat. Hundreds of jubilant members of the church had trooped to the house of Bishop Obinim to welcome him after he was granted bail. Some of the congregants who were praising God and hailing his release decided to roll on the floor as others sang to signify that the Angel has arrived. His arrival was broadcast live on OBTV, owned by the bishop on Thursday August 25. Bishop Obinim was granted bail after two nights in police cells. Apart from the fraud allegation against him, Bishop Obinim is also facing physical and verbal assault charges for flogging two teen lovers in church. Source: classfmonline.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 Audio Attachment: Listen to Kwesi Pratt Jnr on Peace FM's 'kokrokoo' programme Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has asked political parties to be measured by the promises they make to Ghanaians. Kwesi Pratt believes some promises made by political leaders do not have any basis but are targeted at winning votes for their parties. He recounted some promises of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the petroleum sector that both parties failed to fulfill after coming into power. Mr. Pratt was commenting on the 'One Village, One Dam' campaign promise of the NPP Flagbearer, Nana Addo. He reiterated on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' that Nana Addo's promise is not feasible. He explained that it is impossible to construct a dam in every village in the country because scientifically, some villages cannot be dammed no matter the efforts by Nana Addo. Touring the Upper East Region, Nana Addo pledged to construct a dam in every village in the Northern Region when elected President of the Republic of Ghana. He was hopeful his initiative will boost Ghana's agricultural sector. But Mr. Pratt has called the bluff of the NPP flagbearer, stressing that just the geology; its not possible to get water in every village to dam in every village, its not possible. Im ready to argue out my point with anyone who will challenge me . . . The geology does not support this claim, to have a dam in every village. He added that every promise made must "be backed by something. You dont just give promises without any basis. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana 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 Even though the Central Region is a swing state, the odds favour President John Dramani Mahama, National Organiser of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Kofi Adams, has said. Central Region being a swing region is not based on anything but the reality, development, and performance. Central Region does not go for inexperienced hands. They do not vote for just anyone because they want to swing, but they swing for good [reason], he stressed. He told Prince Minkah on Class FMs Executive Breakfast Show on Wednesday September 7 that President Mahamas signature is seen everywhere in the region. Mr Adams words mirror President Mahamas confidence that he will win the region in the December 7 elections when he appeared on Metro TVs Good Evening Ghana programme on Tuesday September 6. Show host Paul Adom-Otchere had explained that according to the trend in the region, the NDC won in 1992 and 1996 while the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) claimed it in the 2000 and 2004 polls. The NDC again swept the votes in the region in the 2008 and 2012 elections, an indication that the region will switch its support to the NPP if history were anything to go by. But President Mahama said his assessment was that the people of the region voted twice for the same presidential candidate rather than the party on which that candidate ran, for which reason another victory for the NDC from that part of Ghana was likely. In his view, having stood for president only once, after succeeding late President John Atta Mills, he was sure the people of the region would massively vote for him a second time. 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 Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur says the National Democratic Congress will chase the New Patriotic Party, which is represented by an elephant, into the Mole National Park where it belongs. Addressing party supporters on his arrival in the Upper East Region, Mr Amissah-Arthur said We have come to send that elephant back to where it belongs. We will send that elephant into the Mole game park. He, however, admitted that it will require a lot of work from the people to be able to do that for the John Mahama-led NDC to win the countrys upcoming December 7 general elections. There is work to be done. We have a lot of work to do. We have to convince the people of Bolga and the people of the Upper East Region that President John Mahama is the best choice for Ghana, he told a cheering crowd Thursday. The Vice president who described himself to the people as the John the Baptist bearing the good news of President John Mahama, said he was convinced that the NDC will win this years elections. For me Im convinced that John Mahama is the best so I have come as the John the Baptist to bring the news about John Mahama who is coming. As for Upper East, I think weve won already. Each one of us must be a disciple of John Dramani Mahama in the villages, the towns and the communities in the Upper East Region, he charged the party supporters Mr Amissah-Arthur said his optimism of an NDC victory is derived from the fact that the Mahama government has brought electricity to the people, built a lot of schools and roads nothing a lot more will be provided. Some people dont have roads but they will also get. That is the job President Mahama is doing and that he will continue to do from now into the future, he told the supporters He added that President Mahamas youthful energy and experience makes him the best choice for the country. Source: 3news.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 Ghana Police Service has disclosed it is planning effective strategies to neutralise the flashpoints it has identified to ensure peace before, during, and after the December polls. The 2016 election security task force chaired by the Inspector General of Police, John Kudalor, earlier disclosed that it had identified some 5,000 flashpoints in the country. The EC has also come out to say it has identified 81 flashpoints. Speaking to Class News, Police Director of Public Affairs, Superintendent Cephas Arthur said: The intelligence has already been activated and we need to confirm the status of the areas as to whether they are likely to live up to their billing or likely to live up to their tagging as flashpoints this time round or not. Well be picking pieces of intelligence for us to work with so that in any event, we will be able to forestall it. Then, of course, we are also going to ensure that the other strategies such as the deployment of personnel to the flashpoints are varied and other security measures like zoning areas with flashpoints into smaller areas and putting patrol teams in charge, he stated. For her part, chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Charlotte Osei said the electoral body had linked up with security agencies to address the 81 flashpoints it had identified to ensure violence-free elections come December 7. Speaking at a colloquium on peaceful elections in Ghana on Wednesday September 7, Mrs Osei said: So far this year, we have done a lot of work with the security agencies and other state institutions to put in place measures to guarantee the security of the polls. This includes the formation of the election security task force with the Ghana Police Service at the national, regional, and district levels. We will also be providing a list of polling stations to be used for the 2016 general elections to the security services so that they can also plan on how to man the polling stations. We will be giving the police our list of flashpoints. We have worked hard to increase the number of polling stations to 29,000. This is to also reduce the number of voters in a polling station, avoid long queues, and avoid voting in polling centres extending into the night. We have discussed the voting modalities with the security agencies and weve started working on a process to ensure that all security personnel taking part in the elections can vote on December 1 so that they can be made available for election duties on December 7. 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 Vice president Kwesi Amissah-Arthur has appealed to the electorate to keep the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in opposition because Ghana has seen tremendous development under the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC). Mr. Amissah-Arthur during a campaign tour of the Upper West region said renewing the mandate of his boss John Mahama for another four more years means the continuation of the systematic development of Ghana. He called on the people to keep the elephant the symbol of the NPP in the Mole Game Reserve and go all out and spread the good message of the NDC. According to him, Mahama is the right choice to lead Ghana under the Better Ghana Agenda, adding he signifies unity judging from how peaceful Ghana is at the moment. Mr. Amissah-Arthur observed that peace and stability form the foundation for economic and social development and the Mahama government has succeeded in sustaining that feat. He said Mahama needs continuity in his agenda of changing lives and transforming Ghana because the country has seen massive infrastructure developmental projects under his tenure. He said Mahama cannot develop the whole country at a go but assured Ghanaians that government can provide every community with its fair share of development. According to him, Ghanaians must continue to have confidence and hope in Mahama because his policies are geared towards transforming their lives. Mr. Amissah-Arthur admitted there is still more work to be done and it will only take the best choice as Mahama to finish that work. Mr. Amissah-Arthur observed that peace and stability form the foundation for economic and social development and the Mahama government has succeeded in sustaining that feat. He said Mahama needs continuity in his agenda of changing lives and transforming Ghana because the country has seen massive infrastructure developmental projects under his tenure. He said Mahama cannot develop the whole country at a go but assured Ghanaians that government can provide every community with its fair share of development. According to him, Ghanaians must continue to have confidence and hope in Mahama because his policies are geared towards transforming their lives. Mr. Amissah-Arthur said he is convinced beyond all reasonable doubt that though President Mahama is the best choice for 2016, there is still more work to be done. He therefore, charged the supporters to join him to be apostles of John Mahama and convince the floating voters to vote for him. Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur used the occasion to also introduce some of th NDCs Parliamentary candidates for the Upper East Region. On his part the host Regional Minister, Albert Abongo, said the NDC is poised to defeat the NPP again in the December 7 election and chased the elephant further into the deep forest. Source: Maxwell Okamafo Addo/ 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 Teacher Trainees across the country will vote against President John Mahama in the upcoming December 7 election, following his decision not to reinstate their cancelled allowance. According to an Executive member of the Teacher Trainee Association of Ghana, Patrick Antwi Karikari, the students have positioned themselves to vote into power the party which has promised to restore the allowance. President John Mahama has said he prefers losing the December 7, election than reversing his stance on the cancelled teacher trainee allowance. Teacher trainees have pleaded with the Mahama-led administration to restore the allowance claiming the absence of it has worsened their economic situation. Government has maintained that scrapping of the allowance affords the state the opportunity of expanding educational infrastructure and increase the provision of required educational materials for effective teaching and learning. However the opposition New Patriotic Party flagbearer Nana Akufo-Addo has slammed the decision and has pledged to restore the allowance if he wins the 2016 elections. Addressing students at the University of Cape Coast as part of his campaign of the Central Region, President Mahama emphasized that he would not reverse the decision on grounds of principle. For me better to lose the election on principle than win it on falsehood and I will not because of political advantage betray the principles I believe in. I believe that this is equitable, this is a matter of social justice. It opens more opportunities for young Ghanaians who want to train as professional teachers and I stand by that decision. But responding to the Presidents comment on Joy FM, Patrick Antwi Karikari, stated if the president has said he cares less about losing the election on the basis of principle then the students will also do what will bring them relieve and make them happy. The cry of teacher trainees is bring back our allowances. There have been a lot of captions in the media that bring back our allowances or we show you the exit. The promise of the NPP bring back the allowances is a happy news to them but they are yet to see the reality of it. So if the president is saying that if teacher trainees are even ready not to vote for him and hes still not willing to restore the allowance, then alternatively teacher trainees will also try and position themselves at a point to try and bring back the allowances to them. Government has encouraged teacher trainees to access Student loans from the Students Loan Trust, but the teacher trainees are not interested, claiming the process of securing the loan is too cumbersome. 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 If youve still got the Netflix crime doco shakes after Making a Murderer, and youre stinging for something new, your prayers may or may not have been answered because the infamous Amanda Knox case is getting its streaming series treatment, and now weve got trailers. For the uninitiated: Knox is an American who spent four years in an Italian prison for the 2007 murder of her roommate before being acquitted. It was a long and protracted trial which received massive criticism for its handling, and the lurid coverage by the Italian press. The press coverage is key Knox (dubbed Foxy Knoxy by the press) was portrayed as a kind of sex-crazed murderer, and many believe this patently insane coverage prejudiced the trial. The trailers look intense: Looks fun. It launches on September 30. Source: Netflix. Before Apple CEO Tim Cook graced the stage this morning to reveal a swathe of cool new shit including the iPhone 7 he called in a lift to the presentation from a pal. That pal was James Corden, host of The Late Late Show with James Corden and the virally famous segment, Carpool Karaoke where he picks up various music superstars and sings their greatest hits with them. What follows was, of course, some god damn quality karaoke. Thank you so much for helping me get to the keynote, says Cook at the start of the clip. Serial cheeky-bugger Corden fishes for the hot goss on what Cook is going to discuss in the announcement, but he stays tight-lipped. Were gonna talk about some great stuff, replies Cook to an overly disappointed Corden. After asking who Cooks favourite band is, they both bust out a little OneRepublic in some absolute classic CPK stylez. Its very nice. Corden then asks Siri what she thinks of Tim Cook. Hes wonderful, but scheduling his appointments is crazy, she says. The clip is missing a sitcom-esque, Aw Sirriiii, but I suppose we are no longer in the 90s. A wild Pharrell Williams suddenly appears in the back seat, they all don some great shades and sing Sweet Home Alabama. Its all very beautiful. YIEWWWW. You can behold the magic below. Enjoy! Source: CNNMoney. Photo: CNNMoney. PEDESTRIAN.TV has partnered with The University of Queensland to showcase where yall should kick it in Kyoto. UQs world-class facilities, higher than national average employment rates / salaries for grads, as well as its ace exchange program (22 unis in Japan alone + 100s worldwide) make it an A+ place to study. Head over HERE to find out why you should elect UQ as yo #1 when completing your QTAC. Japan, much like Hansel, is so hot right now. While always being popular, the nations recently been copping a lot of love from #wanderlust, wannabe bloggers, and run-of-the-mill travellers alike. Why? Because Japans more epic than doubling down on your McFlurry toppings, not to mention it being a pretty easy place to access for us Aussies. We know your lives are pretty chaotic, so rather than focus on areas of Japan that are more in yo face, we decided to highlight the drop-dead G A W J U S + tranquil city of Kyoto. Before we get stuck into what yall should do / see / eat / stay while visiting this damn-fine locale, we wanna flag that its worthwhile getting yourself a bike. While theyll set you back a few bucks, and they require a bit of effort day-to-day, bicycles are the best way to take in the Kyoto. Additionally, the Japanese Rail Pass doesnt work too well with the system in the area, so itll help you avoid waiting around 24/7. Without further ado, heres a few of Kyotos most kick-ass spots to get amongst. LEscamoteur Bar MORE INFO: HERE. Photo: Curtis Chen / LEscamoteur / Facebook. No matter where in the world you are, if you stumble across a bar owned by a French ex-magician, youre going to have a decent time. LEscamoteurs take on classic cocktails, as well as its in-house / specialty concoctions, are just as ~magical~ as the tricks its staff keep you entertained with. TIP: the bathroom is hidden (and hidden well) in an extremely epic location. Dont be afraid to ask them where it is, because odds are you wont be able to find it. Kyoto University Museum MORE INFO: HERE. Photo: Daderot / Wikimedia. If you really want to familiarise yourself with the rich history of Kyoto, then scurry over to Kyoto University Museum. Its jam-packed with over 2.6 million (yep, million) specimens ranging from science thangs to cultural documents to peruse at your leisure. The museum is just one of Kyoto Universitys ace facilities, so if youre considering an exchange during uni this place has you covered. Interested in bailing O/S? The University of Queensland could hook you up with this campus, or one of the other 22 unis it partners with in Japan (+100s world wide). Head over HERE to learn more. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove MORE INFO: HERE. Photo: Atsushi Nakamoto / Getty. Yes, thats a real photo of a real place. The appeal of Arashiyama Bamboo Grove speaks for itself. Go there. Go there now. Ryokan Hirashin MORE INFO: HERE. Photo: Ryokan Hirashin. A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn. Think: tatami-matted (rice straw) rooms, futons, tea ceremonies and sliding doors. Ryokan Hirashin is one of Kyotos best, mid-priced ryokans and worth considering if youre chasing an authentic experience when resting yo head. As mentioned, however, the inn could make a dint in your wallet depending on how much youre willing to fork out. Fret not young padawans, for theres plenty of top-notch ryokans on the cheaper side in the area too. Gion District MORE INFO: HERE. Photo: Koichi Kamoshida / Getty. Wanna feel like youve stepped back in time? Then scurry over to the Gion District. Youll see plenty of maikos (geishas in training) roaming past the wooden teahouses, restaurants, and traditional town houses called machiya. FYI: if you see a maikos or geisha outside of this area its probs just a tourist dressed up as one, so dont go running after em armed with a selfie stick. Head on over at night to grab a drank at one of the several tiny bars in the district. Key word: tiny. Most only have capacity for five or so patrons. World Peace Love MORE INFO: HERE. Photo: World Peace Love. While Kyoto delivers cultural experiences in spades, sometimes all us young folk want to do is let our goddamn hair down, yknow? Enter, the only in Japan would they call it that club: World Peace Love. Its the citys largest club and boasts a huge d-floor as well as nifty lockers to keep your belongings safe while busting a move. As it caters to the whole area, World Peace Love plays bangers ranging from deep house to salsa depending on the night. Nishiki Markets MORE INFO: HERE. Photo: JTB Photo / Getty. If stall owners keep yelling irasshaimase at you, dont worry, theyre not having a dig at your outfit. It translates to welcome and thats exactly how youre going to feel when getting in / around Nishiki Markets. Grow a pair and get amongst the weirder cuisine on offer, even if the food is giving off serious Who Dares Wins vibes. Fushimi Inari-Taisha MORE INFO: HERE. Photo: Lan Lan Tee / Getty. It doesnt really matter what your religious / spiritual denomination is because youre bound to feel something when entering the grounds of Fushimi Inari-Taisha. Not that we dont think you could handle yourself if fistycuffs broke out between you and some spiritual being, but its best to take a mate on the hike to the upper part of the shrine if its getting later in the day it really is eerie AF. Fushimi Inari-Taisha is a cultural experience and a half, but if thats not your cup of tea, then it at least makes for one hell of a Gram op. As yall can see, Kyotos got it going onnnnnnnn. Itd be a great place to set up shop for a few months, no? Through UQ Abroad, you could work toward landing a spot at Kyoto University, or one of the many other universities they offer exchange programs to in Japan (+ hundreds more world-wide). In addition to UQ Abroad, UQ offers the most comprehensive range of programs in Queensland, higher than national averages for full-time graduate employment rates and salaries, 200+ clubs and societies, and world-class facilities. Head over HERE to find out why you should elect UQ as yo #1 when completing your QTAC. Photo: Adam Hester / Getty. Pet Valu Pet Valu has opened in Derry Twp. (Photo provided.) Pet Valu has opened a store in Derry Township. The retail chain has opened a store in the Hershey Square Shopping Center. Pet Valu carries food, supplies, toys and other products for dogs, cats, reptiles, birds, fish and other animals. Pet Valu stores offer over 7,000 products. The store also has a self-serve dog wash. The store's hours are 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday - Saturday, and 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday. The store which opened several weeks ago is located at 1164 Mae St. and will celebrate its grand opening from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday. The grand opening celebration will include face painting, games, refreshments and more. A variety of animal rescues will be onsite throughout the day facilitating pet adoptions and showcasing pet services. Libre, a Boston Terrier who was rescued earlier this year in Lancaster County will be onsite from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. to raise money for Speranza Animal Rescue. Pet Valu has a number of stores in Dauphin, Cumberland, York, Lancaster, Lebanon and Adams counties. This isn't the chain's only store in the Hummelstown area. There is also a store in the Meadows Market Place in South Hanover Township. There's a reason they call him "The Boss." Bruce Springsteen broke his record for the longest show in the United States while playing in Philadelphia's Citizen's Bank Park. Springsteen's set went on for 4 hours, 3 minutes, according to Philly.com. His previous record was 4 hours -- which he set at the MetLife Stadium on August. The Philadelphia show was 3 minutes shy from the all-time record for the Boss -- that honor still belongs to his Helsinki show, which went on for 4 hours, 6 minutes according to nj.com. That record could still be broken in Pennsylvania, however. Springsteen plays again at the Citizen's Bank Park on Sept. 9 before heading out to Pittsburgh's CONSOL Energy Center on Sept. 11. Tickets are still available for the Sept. 9 show and range from $68 to $150. You can purchase tickets at mlb.mlb.com/phi/ticketing/springsteen.jsp. A girl brought a gun into a western Texas high school Thursday morning and shot another girl before killing herself, according to several media reports. From NewsWest9 in Midland, Texas, quoting Brewster County Sheriff Ronnie Dodson: The shooter - a female student at the school - turned the gun on herself after shooting another student in the lower extremities, Dodson told radio station KVLF. It is not confirmed if the injured student is male or female, but is at Big Bend Medical Center. No names have been released at this time. (He) said they recovered a semi-automatic pistol next to the female student shooter's body. He also said they found plenty of ammunition but didn't say how much. ... Dodson also said the female student shooter had only lived in Alpine for the last six months. He said he knows their grandparents. Talking to them, the grandparents said she was a straight A student and there were no indications of any problems. The shooting put the Alpine High School and other schools in the district on lockdown. Sul Ross State University in Alpine also was placed on lockdown. NBC News reports that an officer was shot in an accidental discharge between federal agents responding to the scene and taken to a hospital. Hillary Clinton In this Aug. 25, 2016 photo, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at a campaign event in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) In her first televised forum of the general election campaign, Democrat Hillary Clinton acknowledged that it was a "mistake" for her to maintain a private email server while she was Secretary of State. But in a televised "Commander in Chief" forum on cable network MSNBC, the Democrat strenuously claimed that she did not handled material that was marked "classified" on the server. "For all the viewers watching tonight, I have a lot of experience dealing with classified material," she told the program's host, NBC anchor Matt Lauer. "Classified material has header that says top secret, classified, confidential. None of the emails sent or received by me had such a header." Clinton has been unable to escape questions about the email server she used while serving as the nation's top diplomat from 2009 to 2013. The FBI declined to press charges in connection with its investigation of her use of the server. Even still FBI Director James Comey has said Clinton was "extremely careless" in her use of the server. Clinton faced tough questions from an audience of veterans, including the factors that she would consider about sending American men and service women into combat. "I view force as a last resort, not a first choice," she said. "I will do everything in my power to make sure our men and women in the military are fully prepared. But I will be as careful as I can about making any decision that a president or commander in chief can make about sending our men and women into harm's way." Clinton told Lauer that her her "higher counter-terrorism" goal was to defeat ISIS. "We have to do it with air power, with more support for the Arabs and the Kurds who will fight on the ground. We've got to support the Iraqi military," she said. "We have to make sure they have the support. "They are not going to get ground troops," she continued. "We are not putting ground trips into Iraq ever again and we're not putting ground troops into Syria. We are going to defeat ISIS without committing ground troops." Asked by Lauer for the key qualification for any president, Clinton answered: "Steadiness -- an absolute rock steadiness ... I've had the experience of being able to work with a few presidents," she continued. "As you're sitting in the situation room as I have on a number of occasions ... what you want in a commander-in-chief is someone who listens, who evaluates what is told to him -- or her -- who is able to sort out the very difficult questions." Clinton displayed some penitence on her vote to authorize the war against Iraq in 2003. "The decision to go to war in Iraq was a mistake," she said. "My decision to give President Bush that authority was, from my perspective, a mistake. It is imperative that we learn from mistakes ... so we must learn what led us down that path so that it never happens again. I think I'm in the best possible position to understand it and prevent it. I'm asking to be judged on the totality of my record." We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Our Mission The Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Global Health Diplomacy leads, manages, and oversees the U.S. Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Through PEPFAR, the U.S. government has invested nearly $100 billion in the global HIV/AIDS response, the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in history, saving 21 million lives, preventing millions of HIV infections, and accelerating progress toward controlling the global HIV/AIDS pandemic in more than 50 countries. German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives for the state funeral of former President Walter Scheel in Berlin, Germany, September 7, 2016. REUTERS/Stefanie Loos BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the European Union should keep negotiating with the United States on a new free trade deal known as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The EU and the US are officially aiming to sign the deal before U.S. President Barack Obama leaves office in January, but there are now major doubts about it. Merkel's deputy, Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel - a member of the Social Democrats, junior coalition partner in Germany's ruling coalition - unleashed a firestorm last month when he said the free trade talks are "de facto dead". France and Belgium have cast doubt on the prospect of the new trade deal and scepticism is growing among Americans. "I advocate negotiations continuing now," Merkel told the Funke Mediengruppe, a German newspaper chain. She said that many EU member states were suffering from high unemployment, adding: "That's why we should support everything that can create jobs and that includes the free trade deal." Merkel said she had told U.S. President Barack Obama that during the G20 summit held in China earlier this week. Asked if the deal still had a chance of coming to pass, Merkel said: "That now depends on the further negotiating process." (Reporting by Michelle Martin; editing by Ralph Boulton) Pete Buttigieg visits Charlevoix to support Democratic candidates In a show of support for the local slate of Democratic candidates, Pete Buttigieg made an appearance at the Charlevoix Public Library on Saturday. Algeria to send 500.00 barrels of oil to Cuba due to Venezuela's falling supplies ALGIERS/LONDON/HOUSTON Petroleumworld.com 09 08 2016 Algeria is sending crude oil to Cuba for the first time to help offset lower supplies from the island's closest ally, Venezuela, where low prices have caused the steepest production decline in more than a decade, sources with direct knowledge said on Wednesday. Algeria's state-owned Sonatrach plans to ship an 80,000-tonne cargo of crude (some 515,000 barrels) to Cuba in October, the sources said, to supplement Venezuelan crude supplies, which declined 40 percent in the first half of 2016, according to Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA's internal data. The cargo would be the OPEC member's first crude delivery to Cuba, sources who monitor its exports said. There may be another cargo for November or December loading, one said. Saharan Blend light sweet crude is Algeria's main export grade. Cuba and Algeria have maintained a close relationship in recent years. The island annually imports some $200 million to$300 million of oil products from the African country, including some purchases of naphtha. But Cuba relies almost exclusively on Venezuela, also an OPEC member, for its crude supplies through a 15-year-old assistance programme that Caracas has been struggling to maintain as power cuts, lack of investment and payment delays slash its oil output. Even though the collapse of global oil prices has undermined Venezuela's economy, PDVSA would be mediating the Algerian crude sale to Cuba's Cienfuegos refinery in which it holds a 49 percent stake, a trade source with knowledge of the deal said. PDVSA has been forced to find creative ways to supplement supplies to Cuba as volumes of its medium grades dwindle and Cuban refineries cannot process a larger volume of Venezuelan heavy and extra-heavy grades. In 2015, PDVSA sent 1.64 million barrels of Angola's Girassol and Russia's Urals crudes to Cuba after the oil was first discharged at its terminal in Curacao. A year earlier, PDVSA arranged a similar deal with Sonatrach to import up to 2 million barrels of Saharan Blend that were finally paid for by refining firm Reliance Industries through a triangulation pact that also included deliveries of Venezuelan heavy oil to India. By Wilda Asmarini JAKARTA, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Indonesia's mining ministry is scrambling to find a way around a deadline on mineral processing that could prevent some miners, including U.S. copper mining giant Freeport-McMoRan Inc, from exporting minerals from the country from 2017. Under a government regulation introduced in 2014, miners of copper, zinc, lead, manganese and iron are restricted to exporting partially processed minerals until January 2017, after which only shipments of refined metals will be allowed. The export curbs - which have cost Indonesia billions of dollars in lost revenue - were intended to shift sales from unprocessed raw materials to higher-value finished metals, but smelters have been slow to materialise as low commodity prices have made them economically unviable. The government is now "comprehensively evaluating (the requirements) for each commodity," coal and minerals director general Bambang Gatot said on Thursday, referring to meetings on the rule with acting mining minister Luhut Pandjaitan. Uncertainty over Indonesia's mining rules have been a flashpoint between miners and the government for years. The sector accounted for almost 6 percent of Indonesia's GDP before the 2014 ban on metal ore exports, and has since slipped to about 4 percent. Also of concern to Jakarta, the government's non-tax revenue from mining missed its target by 43 percent last year. "There will definitely be a solution ... at least by January," Gatot said, noting that the government was discussing whether it needed to change the law or revise a regulation. Earlier this week, acting mining minister Pandjaitan said the government had been too slow in implementing domestic processing requirements mandated in Indonesia's existing 2009 mining law. "The implementing regulation only came in 2014, so there's no way they could build smelters (in time), and what's more commodity prices were down," Pandjaitan said. "Now we are trapped with how to continue applying the mining law properly. We can't change the law just like that," he said. Story continues The 2017 deadline would not apply to nickel ore or bauxite, exports of which have been completely banned since 2014. The rules on those ores were also "still being discussed," Pandjaitan said. The government has been rolling out new measures to re-energise Southeast Asia's largest economy after growth cooled to its slowest in 6 years in 2015, partly as a result of weaker returns from commodities. The government is also seeking new revenue sources, with a fiscal deficit expected to widen to 219 trillion rupiah ($16.8 billion) this year. Freeport, Indonesia's largest copper miner and an important source of government revenue, has said it is confident the government will not push ahead with the 2017 deadline, as the move could harm Southeast Asia's biggest economy. ($1 = 13,067 rupiah) (Reporting by Wilda Asmarini; Writing by Fergus Jensen; Editing by Tom Hogue) * Cbank gov sees 21 trln rupiah of tax revenue from amnesty * Tax office is keeping 2016 revenue target at 165 trln rupiah * Fund manager - Window for joining amnesty is 'too short' * Tax office not planning additional incentives - spokesman (Adds quotes, background) By Gayatri Suroyo and Hidayat Setiaji JAKARTA, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Indonesia's flagship tax amnesty programme will likely yield only a fraction of the revenue targeted, the central bank governor said, in a blow to the government's plan to meet its budget deficit target. Indonesia launched the amnesty programme in July, offering low penalty rates for taxpayers declaring untaxed assets at home and abroad by March 2017. But the programme has started more slowly than expected, raising doubts over whether it will generate enough revenue to meet the deficit target. And the shortfalls could make it harder for President Joko Widodo's government to fund ambitious infrastructure projects. The government had banked on the amnesty to bring in 165 trillion rupiah ($12.6 billion) in 2016, to help keep the budget deficit from breaching a legal limit of 3 percent of GDP. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati estimated last month that the 2016 deficit would be 2.5 percent. But Bank Indonesia Governor Agus Martowardojo told a parliamentary hearing late Wednesday that the central bank's baseline model for the programme points to merely 18 trillion rupiah of revenue in 2016 - only 11 percent of target - and 3 trillion rupiah more in 2017. Assets repatriated home under the amnesty would probably amount to just $13.8 billion, he said. In April, before parliament approved the amnesty, the governor predicted it would attract home about $42 billion. On Wednesday night, Martowardojo told parliament "we're being conservative about our outlook based on the latest development of the tax amnesty." He noted that 1-1/2 months after its launch, the amnesty revenue was less than 4 percent of the government's target. Story continues Indrawati, who attended the parliamentary hearing, declined comment on the central bank's revised forecast. The ministry's tax office, which runs the amnesty programme, said its revenue target was unchanged. "We hope it can be achieved. We will never be satisfied," Ken Dwijugiasteadi, director general for taxes, told Reuters. Hestu Yoga Saksama, a tax office spokesman, said it has no plans yet to extend the deadline or change amnesty tariffs. MANY QUESTIONS REMAIN The tax office hopes that more Indonesians will follow the footsteps of billionaire James Riady, who last week announced participation in the amnesty. Riady, chief executive of Indonesian property-to-media conglomerate Lippo Group, did not disclose the value he declared. Anticipation of large inflows has aided some Indonesian shares this year, and property firms have tailored their marketing to target amnesty participants. Several wealth managers and analysts said potential participants are still seeking to understand the amnesty's terms and options as well as its attractiveness for them. Taxpayers with assets abroad have an option to leave them there, and pay a higher penalty than if the money comes home. "People are seeing this as an opportunity (to declare wealth), but they have a lot of questions and the window for them, time-wise, is too short," said Winston Sual, president director of Jakarta-based Panin Asset Management, which manages 11 trillion rupiah in funds. "They need time to consider everything especially if they have large wealth in various assets," Sual said. He said participation rates could rise later. "The market has realised since the beginning that the government's target is high," Sual said. "We are seeing in the past few weeks a pretty good progress compared to the earlier weeks." ($1 = 13,080.00 rupiah) (Additional reporting by Fransiska Nangoy and Cindy Silviana in Jakarta and Saeed Azhar in Singapore; Writing by Randy Fabi and Eveline Danubrata; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore and Richard Borsuk) Contrary to the mountain bike industry's overwhelming adherence to the belief that a 50-millimeter stem is perfect for every bike and every riding style, it is often advantageous to run a longer stem to eliminate the wiggle from the steering while you are climbing and, as you mentioned, make some room to move your body forward to obtain a more ergonomically correct climbing position over the bike. Also, the evolution of slacker head tube angles has exaggerated that tendency, which is why many bike makers are slipping 60-millimeter stems on trailbikes. As far as descending goes, adding one or two centimeters to your stem will feel odd at first, but if your bike has a sufficiently long top tube and a head tube angle slacker than 68 degrees, then you should be able to adapt to your new position and be dropping the same downhills you were beforehand. Before anyone starts crying foul. Nino Schurter - one of the most decorated XC racers of all time - can rip DH runs and air jumps with an extended seatpost and a 90-millimeter zero-rise stem. If that doesn't help. Steve Peat and Greg Minnaar - a couple of guys who know a little more about DH than Nino - used 70-millimeter stems on their Santa Cruz V10s during the peak of their careers. There are some guidelines to follow. Short stems work best with wider handlebars because a wide-spread hand position forces the rider to stay forward over the bike and weight the front wheel. Longer stems work best with slightly shorter handlebar widths, because that compensates for the stem slowing down steering inputs, and also because a narrower hand position allows the rider move farther back for descending. Finally, if you own a bike with the new rider-forward geometry - a steep seat angle paired with an elongated top tube, you should keep your short stem and deal with it. A longer stem for that configuration would make all phases of riding more difficult. - RC The 2016 edition of the Suzuki Nine Knights MTB in Reschenpass, South Tyrol, Italy is officially on! Sam Pilgrim Sam Reynolds Syzmon Godziek (POL) Nicholi Rogatkin (USA) Blake Samson (GBR) Anton Thelander (SWE) Max Fredriksson (SWE) DAILY EVENT RECAP DAY 1: DAY 2: DAY 3: In the GoPro Course Preview, Britsandfly down the flow trail to joinfor the main feature where they each choose between the quarter pipe, the trick jump or the corner jump into the right hip.Sam Reynolds, Sam Pilgrim, Syzmon GodziekPilgrim does not hesitate to take on big Bertha, the huge big bike jump with its 4m take off and 3m step up and 10m gap to landing. This many features to play on means endless creative possibilities for the world class invited athletes includingand. The week of action culminates at the big showdown on contest day, Saturday September 10th, 2016. Shot 100% on GoPro.Anton ThelanderWith a light dusting covering the mountain tops in Reschenpass, South Tirol, Italy, it was unclear if the riders would be able to check out the course. The afternoon saw the weather clearing and the wind mellowing slightly and with the British duo Sam Reynolds and Sam Pilgrim in the lead, the riders began working the flow trail, as the wind was still too strong for the other features. All shared their awe of the size of the features and the infinite possibilities the course has to offer.Clemens Kaudela, Sam ReynoldsWhen the weather gods dont give you what you asked for, you make the most of it - thats how Day 2 went down. Really strong winds meant that the athletes were not able to hit the course, so instead, they set forth exploring the surrounding Vinschgau region.Ethan NellLukas KnopfTo make the most of the day, the riders split into four groups to work with the photographers and filmers. Some were tearing up a chute with the gorgeous turquoise Resia Lake in the background while others charged through the woods down from Haideralm.With clear skies and no wind, conditions were perfect for a day of shredding the course top to bottom and side to side. Sam Reynolds spent the day hyping up his fellow athletes while boosting higher and higher of the quarter pipe. Meanwhile, young gun Adolf Silva was busting moves left and right, including a double back flip off of the trick booter on the main feature. Sam Pilgrim soared with an absolutely massive 360 all the while Syzmon Godziek nailed his backflip no foot cancan on the trick jump in the center of the main feature.Sam PilgrimEthan NellLukas Knopf: @nineknights TALKING THE TALK and walking the walk MANISTIQUE Students at Manistique Middle and High School are taking action and finding ways to make a positive impact in their community. A few members of the All Inclusive... LMAS Take Back Medication Days NEWBERRY - LMAS District Health Department has partnered with local sheriffs offices, Communities that Care Coalitions, the Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network (MIOPEN), and the Eastern Upper Peninsula Opioid Response... japan For 25 years, Japan has seen falling fertility rates coincide with widespread aging, a worrisome trend that has now reached a critical mass known as a "demographic time bomb." Japanese women are having so few children that the country's population could drop by half in 24 years. The data reveals that roughly 1 million babies were born in Japan in 2015. Meanwhile, 1.3 million people died. That's a net loss of almost 300,000 people. New data released by UBS makes the trend especially concerning. Not only is Japan's population dwindling, but other countries might be only a couple of decades behind if they can't keep their fertility rates in step with aging populations. "There has been scarcely any nominal GDP growth over the past 20 years in the Japanese economy," UBS wrote in its report. "Demographic changes can be blamed for triggering this, and many developed and developing nations could follow the same demographic pattern as Japan's from the 1990s." Economists refer to the trend as the "Japanization" of the global economy. As UBS finds, many of the factors underlying Japan's ongoing fertility problem could crop up in other countries that fall below a critical threshold. Sociologists refer to that threshold as "replacement fertility," or the number of kids a woman needs to have for the population to hold steady. Generally, it's determined to be 2.2 children per woman. Combined with aging populations, countries below replacement fertility could have the same kind of working-age population declines in the coming decade that Japan is dealing with now. chart ubs Those countries include the US, Denmark, China, and Singapore with fertility rates of 1.87, 1.73, 1.6, and 0.81, respectively although Japan's case may be the most severe. Fertility rates often fall because of changing social attitudes. In Japan, for example, a growing number of men are losing interest in sex. Because of their disinterest in physical intimacy, or "flesh," as one Japanese writer noted, these guys are known as "herbivore men." Story continues Changing attitudes around women's roles factor into the trend. Like many women in industrialized societies, Japanese women are delaying marriage or forgoing it altogether. In the event women do want to start a family, a poor work-life policy makes it nearly impossible to raise a family and keep a steady career. Over the past couple of decades, women have started simply choosing work over family. Combine that with the country's enormous elderly population, and a time bomb begins to seem more like an inevitability. But as UBS notes, that doesn't have to be the case. If Japan and other countries want to boost their economic output, and save themselves from irrelevance, they need to make it easier for people to start families while also contributing to the demands of their jobs, the research suggests. That could look like a greater investment in parental-leave policies or flexible labor structures, where new parents can either take big chunks of time or come and go as they please, or some combination of both. If countries want to avoid even a taste of the decline that Japan is experiencing, they'll need to reevaluate how to give people the means to live life the way they see fit. NOW WATCH: Millions watch people assembling these Japanese candy kits on YouTube we got our hands on one More From Business Insider Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print A complaint has been filed with the Department of Justices Civil Rights Division against Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump over allegations that Trump bribed Bondi to get her drop an investigation into Trump University. The complaint filed by the Democratic Coalition Against Trump asks for a DOJ investigation into Trump and Bondi, The complaint read: We believe that Pam Bondi, Florida Attorney General, and Donald Trump have violated federal voting laws including but not limited to bribery across state lines by way of a $25,000 campaign contribution from Trump to Bondi during her 2013 election by way of the Trump Foundation in return for AG Bondi dropping an investigation into Trump University. We ask the DOJ to investigate this matter and appreciate their rapid response. Thank you. Calls for a criminal probe are growing on both the left and the right. Conservative columnist Jennifer Rubin of The Washington Post asked why Trump wasnt already under investigation for bribery. Rubin wrote, One cannot miss the giant red flag. Why is a charity giving money to aid a pol with whom the foundations head has pending legal business? Recall that after the gift was received an official act occurred, the very act Trump had been seeking, namely the decision not to proceed with the case against Trump University. Right there you have a prima facie case of bribery a payment (an illegal one at that) and a quid pro quo. What Trump and Bondi did was about a clear a case of bribing a public official as it gets. Trump should have already been under investigation for bribery, and his status as one of the two people who could be elected as the next US president makes it vital for the FBI or the Department of Justice to put potential concerns about partisan howls aside and investigate the possible criminal activity of the Republican nominee. The future of our republic could depend on it. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Ever since FBI Director James Comey made the fact-based decision not to recommend charges against Hillary Clinton for her email use, Republicans have repeatedly accused Comey, the FBI and the Justice Department of foul play. The fix was in, they say, the system is rigged to protect Clinton. Of course, the partisan anger toward Comey has nothing to do with the evidence in the case it couldnt be since the facts clearly indicated there was no criminal activity on the part of Clinton. The right-wing backlash was instead rooted in anger that they didnt get to see their political opponent locked up. In a new memo sent from Comey to employees of the FBI, Comey calls out these naysayers and says that the decision not to recommend charges against the Democratic nominee wasnt a difficult one at all. The FBI director wrote: At the end of the day, the case itself was not a cliff-hanger; despite all the chest-beating by people no longer in government, there really wasnt a prosecutable case. The hard part was whether to offer unprecedented transparency about our thinking. I explain to our alumni that I struggled with that part, but decided the best way to protect the FBI, the Department of Justice, and the American peoples sense of justice was to announce it in the way we did with extraordinary transparency and without any kind of coordination. As Comey noted in the memo, the easy part was the decision not to bring a criminal case against Hillary Clinton. The difficult part given the fact that the inquiry involved a presidential nominee and many would want her locked up regardless of the evidence was how to explain that decision to the public. The FBI director also responded to right-wing critics who like to claim that his decision was politically motivated or influenced, saying anyone suggesting that is full of baloney. Comey continued: I explain to our alums that Im okay if folks have a different view of the investigation (although I struggle to see how they actually could, especially when they didnt do the investigation), or about the wisdom of announcing it as we did (although even with hindsight I think that was the best course), but I have no patience for suggestions that we conducted ourselves as anything but what we are honest, competent, and independent. Those suggesting that we are political or part of some fix either dont know us, or they are full of baloney (and maybe some of both). There is no chance that Trump supporters and other Republicans will suddenly stop claiming that Clinton is a criminal, whether its the email issue or some decades-old conspiracy theory involving the Clintons. But, as his memo notes, Comey cares more about doing his job the right way than appeasing deranged partisans. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Matt Lauer and NBC tried their best to turn the Commander-in-Chief forum into a hit job on Hillary Clinton, but the Democratic nominee rose above and shined. Hillary Clinton began the forum and when asked what the most important characteristic is she expressed the need for judgment and temperament. Matt Lauers second question was about Clintons emails and why that isnt a disqualifying factor. Clinton said that she has a lot of experience in dealing with classified material, and none of the emails sent or received by her had a top secret or classified header. Matt Lauer brought up the favorite Republican conspiracy that her email system was hacked. Former Sec. of State Clinton said that there was no evidence that her system was hacked. The first question was from a vet who asked how anyone who handled classified info could have confidence in her. Clinton answered that classified material is designated and marked.and what we have here is the use of unclassified system used by hundreds of people in the government to communicate information that was not classified. She added that she used a separate system for classified information. Clinton turned a Matt Lauer question around on her Iraq war vote and made her answer about responsibility and judgment. Sec. Clinton was asked about future wars and said that she views the use of force as a last resort. Clinton pointed out that Trump supported intervention. More than halfway through Clintons appearance, she has not gotten to discuss foreign policy or veterans issues. Lauer asked Clinton if she would use military intervention if Iran cheated on the nuclear deal. Lauer tried to cut off Clintons answer. Clinton stood her ground and actually got to talk about an issue. Nearly twenty minutes in, Clinton got a question about the VA. She said she was outraged by the VA scandal and she wants to move the VA into the 21st Century. Clinton hit Trump for wanting to privatize the VA, and she vowed to hold a weekly White House meeting on veterans issues if she is elected president. Lauer asked about the epidemic of veterans suicide and what Clinton would do to prevent it. She answered that she has an entire plan to deal with veterans mental health. She mentioned the stigma of that prevents vets from coming forward, and the problem of addiction among vets. Clinton was asked by vet how and where she would deploy troops to fight ISIS. Clinton displayed her knowledge of ISIS and vowed not to commit ground troops to Iraq and Syria. She promised that no US forces would be committed to fighting ISIS. Matt Lauer repeatedly tried to cut off and interrupt Clinton, but the Democratic nominee got rolling and blew past the morning hosts constant interruptions. Clinton shined in this forum. She looked, sounded, and acted like a president. Despite NBCs best attempts to make a veterans forum about anything other than veterans issues, Hillary Clinton showed America why she is the most qualified candidate for the White House in history. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Donald Trump gave what was nothing less than the worst performance of a nominee in modern political history. Trump confirmed that he knows nothing, and is proud of his ignorance. Trump began by telling America that he was fit to be commander in chief because he is a business man. Trump once again praised his own judgment and lied about his opposition to the war in Iraq. Lauer asked Trump if the country can afford to take the temperament risk on him. Trump brought up the Mexico trip and claimed that the firestorm his trip caused in Mexico was a victory. Trump was asked about his claim that he knows more about ISIS than the generals, and he avoided the question. Lauer asked Trump if he lost faith in the military commanders. Trump did a song and dance about how trusts the military commanders, but he doesnt trust Hillary Clinton. A vet who is a Democrat asked Trump about his secret plan to defeat ISIS and asked what his plan for the region is. Trump repeated the question about how the US has invaded and never had a plan. Trump lied and claimed that Obama pulled out all of the troops, and that is how ISIS was formed. Trump repeated his babbling that the US should take the oil. Lauer asked how the oil would be taken, and Trump mumbled something about leaving people behind to take the oil. Trump was asked what his plan is, and he rambled on while incoherently not mentioning a plan. Trump was asked if an undocumented person who plans to serve in the armed forces should be allowed to stay in the country. Trump said that it would be a special circumstance, and they would be allowed to stay. Listening to Trump speak, it was clear that the Republican nominee was making it up as he went along. Trump was asked a question about relations with Russia, and he touted Putins approval rating. Lauer asked Trump if he would accept a compliment from Putin, and Trump said that he would take the compliment when Putin called him brilliant. Trump praised Putin for being a leader and claimed that he is a better leader than Obama. Trump was asked what his specific plan was to help veterans, and he claimed that Clinton said she was satisfied with how things are going at the VA. Trump went on to basically admit that his plan for the VA is privatization, while he said that he is opposed to privatization. Trump was asked what his plan was to deal with the vet suicide epidemic, and he called the VA, which not five minutes before, he vowed not to privatize a corrupt enterprise. Donald Trump stood by his 2013 tweet that blamed military rapes on the victims. Lauer asked Trump what he was reading and how he was preparing to be commander in chief. Trump claimed that he is studying a lot, but then he talked about how busy he is and how many hats he is wearing. Trump claimed that he doesnt need knowledge because he has a common sense. If the CIC forum was the first commander in chief test Trump failed miserably. Donald Trump was unprepared, unknowledgeable, and he had no plan to address any of the issues that were posed to him. Donald Trump gave the worst performance of a modern presidential nominee in any forum in the last thirty years. Trump confirmed everything that Democrats have been saying. He was unprepared, winging it, and the last person anyone should trust with the commander in chief responsibilities. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print I wrote last month that Donald Trumps dismal level of support among Latino voters was a disaster in the making, especially in the all-important swing state of Florida. A new poll released Wednesday of Latino voters across the country shows that Trumps problem with this important bloc of voters may just be getting worse. According to the latest New Latino Voice poll, Trump is now hitting an all-time low when it comes to Latinos supporting his campaign. Nationally, more Latino voters chose Other (14.3 percent) than Trump (11.2 percent). Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, earns the support of roughly 75 percent of Latino voters nationwide, the poll found. In the Sunshine State, a battleground Trump must carry to win the general election, the spray-tanned nominees numbers are just as terrible, according to the survey. To put it in proper perspective, former Republican nominee Mitt Romney carried nearly 40 percent of the Latino vote in Florida in 2012 and he still lost the state to President Obama. If Clinton continues to pull in roughly three-quarters of the Latino vote in the Sunshine State, its hard to imagine a scenario where Trump is able to win the state. And if he loses Florida, its almost certain he will lose the election. Whats even more shocking is that the online survey was conducted before Trumps disastrous trip to Mexico and his anti-immigrant speech in Arizona two events likely to turn off Latino voters even more. There are still two months left until voters head to the polls, but these numbers spell trouble for Trump. If he doesnt rebound at least slightly, its hard to imagine a possible path to 270 electoral votes for the Republican nominee. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Matt Lauer was a failure as an interviewer during the NBC News Commander-in-Chief forum for many reasons, the most obvious of which was that he allowed Donald Trump to repeat an often-repeated lie about not supporting the Iraq war and failed to press Trump on issues that were directly relevant to the audience of veterans. But Lauer also failed the women, girls, boys and men watching when he repeatedly interrupted Clinton and talked down to her. Paternalistic condescension has no place on national TV (if you want a heap of this head over to Fox News), especially when dealing with the first female major party nominee. This was the huge failing and it must not be allowed during the debates. Not because it hurt Clinton, which it did in subtle ways but she also held her own and dealt with it, eventually talking right over Lauer in an attempt to answer a question (something Trump never actually managed to do). But because it hurts the viewers it hurts our society, by saying its perfectly OK to treat women like bad little girls who need to be scolded, while treating a man who is lying to you as if he were due your deference, as if he were a King. There is a trickle down effect when viewing a very popular and admired political figure like Hillary Clinton being treated like her word is worth less than a mans, especially a man who is lying. This is male entitlement, underscored for the world to watch. Lauer interrupted Clinton more than he did Trump in a glaringly obvious way. This wasnt because Clinton was talking too long or lying; in fact, Lauer let Trump ramble on, repeatedly and consistently breaking the rules Lauer set in the beginning of not bashing the other candidate but rather speaking about your own policies. This is anther thing Hillary Clinton didnt do; Clinton followed the rules, like any serious candidate should. So Clinton followed the rules and got sneered at, while Trump broke the rules and was not corrected when he lied. This is called a double standard. Trump asserted his privilege to speak over Lauer, and Lauer acknowledged and respected Trumps inherent privilege. Trump nattered on spreading propaganda and Lauer laid down and lit the path instead of calling it out. It matters. It must not be allowed to continue in the debates to this degree. Yes, it exists and it will be an obstacle, but it must not be allowed to exist in the Lauer frame of such glaring contempt for women. This isnt Lauers first brush with misogyny. Networks who are handling the debates need to show moderators this forum, count up the interruptions, the pushback and the tone, and teach their moderators not to behave this way. This is not to suggest that the press shouldnt be tough on Clinton. I have been saying she should do more press conferences for quite a while now, because even when the questions are stupid or pushing yet another Republican-created fake scandal, this is one of the jobs of a candidate and a president to answer the questions of the press. But its possible for the press to be tough and not humiliate themselves in the process. Its possible to be tough and not send women and girls the message that they will be treated like a second-class candidate while you wipe the spit off of a con artists shoes. Conservatives are trying to suggest that Matt Lauer previously being a member of the Clinton Global Initiative means he cant possibly be a sexist. That is ridiculous. Sexism is pervasive in the culture, it has nothing to do with liking a person or even supporting them. This is the I dont hate gay people, I have a gay friend, I just dont think they should have equal rights argument. Bottom line: Sexism has no place dominating a political forum. Yes, we have higher standards in the news business, as we should. And journalists were mostly in agreement that Lauer failed this mission. In addition to allowing Donald Trump to misstate Hilary Clintons position on the VA, which she had just once again detailed by the way, Matt Lauer failed to ask Trump, at a veterans forum no less, about Donald Trumps four deferements from the Vietnam draft, denigrating the Khan family, saying John McCain wasnt a hero because he got captured, saying he would fix the VA in part by giving access to private doctors and hospitals, while not acknowledging that this is already being done and isnt working, and suggesting that his time in prep school was like serving in the military. Some of this could have been general incompetence with a political interview on this level, but Lauer should have expected the Iraq war lie from Trump, since he repeats it consistently. And there is no reason Lauer shouldnt have anticipated Trumps reliance on fiction that feeds the audience in front of him rather than facts. Sure, this is perhaps indicative of Lauer not being prepared or ready for an interview of this level. But that doesnt explain or excuse his interrupting Clinton before she even started answering a question to chide her like a child, telling her to keep it short. Lauer felt comfortable using Clinton to try to establish his authority, but when faced with a puffed up man who was lying to the audience, Lauer no longer asserted his dominance and control and instead reverted to deference. He pushed Trump with a few questions but immediately fell back into subservience when Trump failed to answer the question. This is the way our culture is, and we cant change it in time for this election to resemble anything fair. But that doesnt mean it shouldnt be brought up because if we dont call this out when it happens so obviously as it did last night, it enables it to continue. The media must be better than this, especially when dealing with this woman and this man a woman as serious and prepared as Clinton, with her background, deserves respect. A man who cant even answer a basic question about the job for which hes applying, who lies to you when you ask it, does not deserve to be given deference. Hillary Clinton can hold her own, this isnt her first rodeo. Clinton intimidates Putin, while Putin is playing Donald Trump like Trump is his personal toy. But that doesnt make this right. The way Matt Lauer spoke to Hillary Clinton, the contempt and assumed guilt on matters about which she was actually already cleared this was sexism on display. The women in my twitter stream were not confused, they all recognized it. But many men tried to tell me it wasnt sexism, it was Lauer being super smart or Lauer just not being prepared. But men arent the experts on sexism. I am an expert on sexism in the work place, and this is exactly what it looks like. Its not acceptable, its real, it happened, its happening, and we need to be better than this. And again because patterns matter, this isnt Lauers first go at pushing an inherently sexist narrative. Matt Lauers bias against women destroyed his ability to pass for a journalist last night. He failed to inform the people, and that was his job. Allowing misogyny on this level is a black mark for NBC. Media outlets need to get it together; this attitude toward women is so old school and stale. Not only did he hurt the American public, but he sent signals to young girls that this is how they will be treated even when they are the smartest person in the room. Lauers treatment normalized misogyny for the entire audience who saw it. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print During a press conference in Laos, President Obama had some sharp words for the press and called out the media for grading Donald Trump on a curve. Video: The President said: As far as Mr. Trump, I think Ive already offered my opinion. I dont think the guy is qualified to be President of the United States. And every time he speaks, that opinion is confirmed. And I think the most important thing for the public and the press is to just listen to what he says and follow up and ask questions about what appear to be either contradictory or uninformed or outright wacky ideas. There is this process that seems to take place over the course of the election season where somehow behavior that in normal times we would consider completely unacceptable and outrageous becomes normalized, and people start thinking that we should be grading on a curve. But I can tell you from the interactions that Ive had over the last eight or nine days with foreign leaders, that this is serious business, and you actually have to know what youre talking about, and you actually have to have done your homework. And when you speak, it should actually reflect thought-out policy that you can implement. And I have confidence that if, in fact, people just listen to what he has to say and look at his track record or lack thereof that theyll make a good decision. The idea that Trump should be graded on a curve because he is a first-time candidate is both laughable and dangerous. It is laughable because it is an example of the extreme lengths that the press is willing to go to to keep Trump competitive. It is dangerous for the country, but there is no on the job training to be Commander In Chief. ISIS, the US economy, and the rest of the world arent going to give Trump any time for on the job training. All new presidents get tested early in their terms. Electing Donald Trump would be akin to courting disaster. The free press has a key role in the democratic process. It is the duty of the press to challenge candidates. Members of the media shouldnt be normalizing or be rationalizing the behavior of unqualified candidates. When the current president flatly states that the Republican nominee to be the next occupant of the Oval Office is not qualified, the American people should take notice. If the media dont heed Obamas warning, it will be up to voters to save the nation from a corporate press that is placing profits ahead of their duty as the Fourth Estate. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Matt Lauer did his country a grave disservice due to his shoddy interviewing during NBCs Commander-in-Chief forum, and the Patriotic Millionaires are not impressed. Patriotic Millionaire Chair Morris Pearl slammed Matt Lauers performance in a statement and called on NBC to redeem itself with the first debate, which NBC News Lester Holt will be moderating. As an American and an avid believer in the importance of the fourth estate in our democracy, I am deeply disappointed in Matt Lauers performance last night, Pearl wrote. At a moment when Americans are desperately looking for the right answers, Mr. Lauer failed to even ask the right questions. We hope that NBC will redeem itself at the first national presidential debate to be held on September 26th by both asking the right questions and demanding the candidates actually answer them, the Patriotic Millionaires Chair continued. Pearl called out the specific questions the group would like to have asked, In particular, we hope that Lester Holt will ask the candidates about their plans to repair our American democracy, which is currently under egregious attacks by monied interests and unscrupulous politicians who use disenfranchisement as a political strategy. Pearl called on NBC to do its job, NBC has an opportunity two weeks from now to deliver the kind of robust discussion we need about the health of our democracy. At a time when the gap between the powerful and the powerless is wider than it has been in a century, the press has a grave responsibility to the public. I urge NBC and Lester Holt to fulfill their duty to the citizenry of this great country. The Patriotic Millionaires describes themselves as a group of 200 high-net-worth Americans who are committed to building a more prosperous, stable, and inclusive nation. The group focuses on promoting public policy solutions that encourage political equality; guarantee a sustaining wage for working Americans; and ensure that millionaires, billionaires, and corporations pay a greater percentage of taxes. The group pushes the novel idea that millionaires should pay more taxes than people who make less: On Wednesday, the Patriotic Millionaires launched an aggressive campaign to demand that the first presidential debate center on issues of democracy, including an open letter to Lester Holt, who will be moderating the first presidential debate. In their letter, they wrote, You must help us learn whether or not each of these candidates actually believes in the essential equality of each and every citizen. You must ask exactly how they plan to address the gross imbalance of power that has cracked our foundation and threatens to rip our society apart. How will they match the idea of equality with the realities of American politics? We started off with a forum during which Matt Lauer let Donald Trump lie about his support for the Iraq war and consistently refuse to answer questions. Lauer was so bad that NBC execs admitted it was a disaster. The debates will be moderated by Lester Holt, Martha Raddatz, Anderson Cooper and Chris Wallace. Chris Wallace has already announced that he doesnt think fact-checking is his job as moderator. It remains to be seen whether more seasoned political journalists can handle the many challenges of this election cycle, but it is a fact that it is their job to inform the public. It is not their job to let a candidate fill the airwaves with debunked propaganda, like Lauer did last night. Lauer was a big disappointment. Lets see if NBC can redeem itself. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Republicans are giving up on three battleground states that total 26 Electoral College votes because they appear to unwinnable for Donald Trump. Politico reported: Interviews with more than two dozen Republican operatives, state party officials and elected leaders suggest three of the 11 battleground states identified by POLITICO Colorado, New Hampshire and Virginia are tilting so heavily toward Hillary Clinton that theyre close to unwinnable for the GOP presidential nominee. But Trump remains within striking distance in the remaining eight states, including electoral giants Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The increasing likelihood that Colorado, New Hampshire and Virginia are out of reach heightens the urgency for the Republican nominee to win those still-competitive states and to recapture steam in Pennsylvania, where he once looked formidable but now trails by 10 points, according to POLITICOs Battleground States polling average. The years that Clinton has spent building a ground game in the swing states have allowed her to put Colorado, Virginia, and New Hampshire out of reach for Trump. If Clinton maintains her solid leads in Michigan and Pennsylvania, Republicans wont have a path to winning the White House in November. Poll leads arent the same as votes on Election Day, but unlike the Trump campaign, Clinton has a sophisticated data operation that is targeting key voters and engaging with them in swing states. While Donald Trump has hats, Hillary Clinton has built a mechanism that will convert supporters into voters. A party never wants to be writing off swing states before the first presidential debate. The situation for Republicans is dire. The GOP needed a cutting edge candidate to lead them into the future. Instead, what they got was a dinosaur who is lumbering bluster is built on a return to the past. There may not be enough softball Matt Lauer style interviews available between now and November to prevent the defeat of Donald Trump. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Sean Hannity is vexed. He is vexed by CNNs Brian Stelter because Brian Stelter had the temerity to point out that Hillary Clinton has a clean bill of health, and that therefore Hannity and others who question her health are conspiracy theorists. People like Hannity and Dr. Drew Drew Pinsky who decided to offer an on-air diagnosis of Clinton based on what Pinsky admitted was anonymously sourcedand unsubstantiated report, and had his show canceled by CNN shortly after. Take a listen courtesy of Media Matters for America: SEAN HANNITY (HOST): Its funny because a friend of mine just yesterday and Im not going to make any speculation about Hillarys throat, or whats really causing this, I dont know. I just say that the American people have a right to know. And now that she used the concussion as an excuse not to remember that she was even briefed on security issues, I think its important that we now understand her cognitive abilities. I think we need to know what this neurological event consisted of, and I think making public MRIs would be a helpful first step, so that doctors can examine this. The second thing is CNN needs to hire back poor Dr. Drew, and they probably need to fire that idiot pipsqueak Brian Stelter, who said anybody that raised a question about Hillarys health was a conspiratorial thinker theorist. Yes, by all means, rehire Dr. Drew so he can make some more diagnoses based on who knows what information. It would not be surprising to see Dr. Drew turn up on Fox next. As for Stelter, there is a bit of a backstory: Stelter has refused to let conspiracy freaks run wild with outrageous claims Hillary Clintons health because facts. Back in August, for example, Stelter accused Hannity of spreading conspiracy theories and said, bluntly and factually: Let me be clear. That was reckless speculation by Sean Hannity. All of it Her doctors say she is now physically fit to be president. Conspiracy theories are so much more interesting than the truth. But the last time I checked, Fox still has the word news in its name. At the time, Hannity responded that because he wouldnt go along with Republican conspiracy thinking,Stelter was in the tank for Hillary Clinton (you know, if youre not with us, youre against us) and called the CNN correspondent a little pipsqueak. Obviously, Hannity is becoming increasingly vexed, because he has upgraded Stelter to an idiot pipsqueak, which sounds worse. When the Drudge Report responded to Hillary Clintons recent and well-publicized coughing fit in Cleveland, Ohio, with the headline, GETTING WORSE: CLINTON COUGH VIOLENTLY RETURNS // HEALTH STATUS UP IN THE AIR, Stelter dryly remarked, I would call this wishful thinking on Drudges part He further mocked with a tweet: Yes, but has Clinton coughed yet? Asking for Drudge. Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) September 8, 2016 As well as swatting down Clinton health conspiracy theorists, Stelter recently zinged Hannity with a tweet over the Fox News sex scandal (a real scandal as opposed to Hannitys fake variety), something which no doubt didnt help Hannitys mood: The problem here for Hannity is that Stelter is an actual journalist, and his pesky demand for facts is really harshing Hannitys fake news buzz. Nothing in the world ruins a good fantasy more than the splash of cold water that is reality calling. And if there is anything Hannity hates, it is reality. Portfolio English Edition's premium content is available only for subscribers Learn about the hottest news of the day, along with immediate follow-up analyses and 1000's of exclusive articles with full access to the premium content. Register and apply for a 14 days free trial period. Congressional candidate Jim Moylan will not let truth or distortions stop him from saying anything to get elected. It is up to political analy Read morePolitical ploys at the last part of election? I didnt watch NBCs Commander-in-Chief Forum last night. The less I see of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, the happier I tend to be. I can tell, though, that it must have gone reasonably well for Trump. How? Because the moderator, Matt Lauer, has come under fire from liberal journalists. The attacks on Lauer stem in part, I believe, from a desire to signal to Lester Holt and other debate moderators that they better go Candy Crowley on Trump if they hope to preserve their reputations. But I doubt that the mainstream media would be so worked up if Trump hadnt had a reasonably good evening. Rich Lowry thinks Trump did for two reasons. First, he probably seem[ed] plausible to the average viewer: [Trump] has an executive bearing and if you dont care too much about the details of any of this stuff, a lot of what he says will sound like common sense. And every day when he can seem just a little more plausible as commander-in-chief is a good day for him. Second, Hillary Clinton did poorly: Hillary was on the defensive for much of [the event]. Her email explanations were insipid and unconvincing, as always. But there is no way for her to break out of the box on this issue because she cant just tell the truth i.e., she wanted to keep her records from public view in violation of the rules. She didnt help herself when she tried to stop Matt Lauer from getting her to move on from one question theres a graceful way to do that and she didnt manage it. Her shots at Trump felt forced, and especially at the end, rushed. It was quite a brittle performance for someone who has been doing this for so long. She always has a lot of explaining to do and doesnt do it particularly well. Byron York views the Forum as a sign of things to come in the debates. He thinks the exchanges last night suggest a natural advantage for Trump: [Clinton] has a record in government to defend, while he doesnt. On that score, Trump, at 70 a newcomer to politics, seems new, while Clinton, at 68 a veteran of decades in public life, seems, well, not new. The format of the NBC forum, in which the two candidates were separated by only a commercial break, put that contrast into higher relief than ever before. Byron notes that, naturally enough, the first three areas of questioning for Clinton all involved her record as a a public official: her mishandling of confidential emails, her vote for the Iraq war, and her role in the Iran nuclear negotiations. In each case, Clinton, naturally enough, was on the defensive. Trump has no such record to defend. All he has is various pronouncements, many of them off-the-cuff. With only these to shoot at, we can understand why liberal journalists were so angry that Matt Lauer failed to call Trump on his false denial that he said, pre-Iraq invasion, that he supports the invasion. Byron concludes: Of course, Clinton has significant advantages of her own. But for Democrats hoping Clinton will land a knockout blow in the upcoming debate, Wednesday night was a cautionary moment. It showed that Trump has some serious strengths of his own, and that in what could be the most asymmetrical matchup ever, Clintons experience might not be the advantage her supporters hope it will be. In my view, the advantage in the first debate will probably go to the candidate who learns the most from last nights preview event and puts the lessons to use. If Hillary has an advantage, it may lie in what the moderator, Lester Holt, learned from last night, courtesy of the liberal mainstream media. David Begley is the Omaha attorney who has covered the passing scene of presidential candidates for us this year. Dave reports on the latest: At the end of her talk in front of about 250 people in Omaha tonight, Green Party candidate Dr. Jill Stein strongly hinted that if she and Gary Johnson are not included in the first debate then they will bring 5,000 followers to the debate site and all get arrested. Apparently she had done something similar when she ran for Governor of Massachusetts. You read it here first. And please alert the Secret Service. Stein earned two degrees from Harvard; she cant be stupid. I went to see if she is trying to win or just running to make a statement. In my view, if she was trying to win she would attack Hillary Clinton full bore on all fronts. So I tossed her a softball. I stated that it is obvious that Mrs. Clinton has consistently and repeated lied to the American people. Former US Attorney Rudy Giuliani is of the professional opinion that Madam Hillary should be indicted under RICO for her activities with the Clinton Foundation. In light of that was she going to attack Hillarys character down the stretch? She said that Hillarys character is already an issue but Dr. Stein than launched into a criticism of Secretary Clintons policy failures in Libya, Iraq and Syria. She dodged my question but she then went on to say that while Trump was an unapologetic racist Hillary is cruel to immigrants and bombs Muslims. She then imputed Bill Clintons crime bill to Hillary. Weird. I was surprised to see that by a show of hands from the crowd that nearly 70 percent of the people there were Bernie Sanders supporters. Stein herself referred to Sanders many times and said, We are Bernie Sanders on steroids. My view is that if Stein would vigorously attack Hillarys potential criminal liabilty she would have a better chance to attract Bernies voters and hurt Hillary in key states. Bernie also didnt launch personal attacks on Hillary and he ultimately lost. In the first part of her speech she came out for Medicare for all. In other words, single payer. She claimed drug companies were profiteers. I guess she practiced medicine for free for all those years. Her second item was about the climate. According to the doctor, we are in a crisis right now. She cited a statement by leading climate activist James Hansen that the sea level will rise by 10 to 30 feet by 2060. NOAA, according to Stein, recently released an OMG study that the sea level will rise by 9 feet by 2050. We will lose Manhattan along with many of our coastal cities. This will lead to a migration of 60 million. I can assure Power Line readers on the coasts that you will like Nebraska! If elected Jill Stein will convert 100 percent of our power to wind, water and sun by 2030. This is not too different from what Hillary stated in Iowa last year. And, in case you didnt know, minorities are hardest hit by the current fossil fuel system. Stein had come from North Dakota where she vandalized a bulldozer with the spray-painted words, I approve this message. The Omaha crowd gave her a standing ovation for that criminal activity. North Dakota has issued an arrest warrant for the Green Party leader but the Omaha police werent there to take her into custody. Like Trump, Stein is strongly opposed to NAFTA and TPP. Unlike Trump she is for full open borders. She would provide a pathway to citizenship and tear down the existing wall. She wants to stop the war on drugs and pardon drug criminals. After hearing Jill Stein and Bernie Sanders theres just no way around it: A major faction of the Democrat Party is part of the lunatic fringe. Barack Obama is the weakest president since James Buchanan, when it comes to defending American interests. So our enemies, knowing his time in office is drawing to a close, waste no opportunity to demonstrate their contempt for him, and for us. Today a Russian fighter jet came within 10 feet of an American aircraft over the Black Sea: Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis said the potentially dangerous incident, involving a Russian SU-27 jet and a US Navy P-8A Poseidon plane, lasted 19 minutes. A US official told CNNs Barbara Starr that the Russian plane came within 10 feet of the P-8 at one point. Davis added that the US plane was conducting routine operations in international airspace at the time. *** The US has long protested Russian intercepts of its aircraft; there have been several this year. On two separate occasions in April, Russian SU-27 fighters performed barrel rolls over American KC-135 planes flying above the Baltic Sea. Russia is strong and America is weak. That is the message Vladimir Putin is sending to the Russian people and to international leaders. Dont imagine that anyone fails to understand it. Meanwhile, once-weak Iran, buoyed by tens of billions of dollars in cash as a result of Barack Obamas purported nuclear deal, is also feeling its oats: A U.S. Navy patrol coastal ship was harassed by seven Iranian vessels on Sunday and narrowly avoided colliding with one, in the latest in a string of incidents in the Persian Gulf. Seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) fast in-shore attack craft (FIAC) approached USS Firebolt (PC-10) while it was operating in international waters in the central Persian Gulf on Sept. 4, a defense official told USNI News. Three of the FIACs maneuvered close to Firebolt, mirroring the ships course and speed at a distance of about 500 yards for about eight minutes before leaving. Another FIAC then sped towards Firebolt and stopped directly in front of the ship, causing the Firebolt crew to maneuver to avoid a collision. The U.S. ship and Iranian FIAC came within 100 yards of one another, the defense official said. These incidents happen, time after time. I assume Iranian military officials are trying to figure out whether there is any provocation that will lead to a meaningful response from the Obama administration. During the incident, the Firebolt crew attempted radio communication three times to understand the Iranians intentions, but the FIAC crews never responded. That always happens. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) called the interaction unsafe and unprofessional due to the lack of communication and harassment at close range, which increases the chance of collision, the defense official said. Unfortunately, the terms unsafe and unprofessional dont really apply. The reality is worse. As far as I can see, the Iranian boat crews are highly professional. And their buzzing of American ships is safe as long as our vessels respond as the Iranians want. The incident this weekend follows recent harassments of guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG-94) on Aug. 23, as well as patrol coastal ships USS Tempest (PC-2) and USS Squall (PC-7) and destroyer USS Stout (DDG-55) on Aug. 24. We wrote about those incidents. While we may care about them, it seems blindingly obvious that the Obama administration doesnt. Nor, as best I can tell, do a large majority of Americans. Perhaps the most significant news from the FBIs pre-Labor Day document release was the revelation that Team Clinton began wiping Hillarys server shortly after the New York Times broke the story that she had one. As I noted here, the Times revealed in early March that Clinton used a private email server. The wiping occurred later that month. Theres more to the story, though. Almost immediately after the Times report appeared, Congress issued a document preservation order to Team Clinton. It seems that the Clintonistas had the server wiped clean of documents in defiance of that order. Fox News Catherine Herridge, appearing just now on Brit Humes show (how nice it is that Hume is back), presented the following timeline: March 2 the New York Times reports the existence of Clintons private server March 3-4 Congress issues the document preservation order to the Clinton team March 9 Platte River, the IT firm handling the server, receives the preservation order March 25 Clinton lawyers David Kendall and Cheryl Mills hold a conference call with Platte River March 31 Platte River deletes the back-up of Clintons emails If this timeline is accurate, it strongly suggests that Clintons lawyers obstructed justice by instructing Platte River to delete emails in the face of an order by Congress not to do so. According to Herridge, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform plans to subpoena key personnel from Platte River to testify about the matter. If its key witnesses answer and answer honestly, we should learn whether the key fourth piece of the time line the conference call took place on the date indicated. If the witnesses refuse to appear or answer, that will be revealing too. Apparently, the committee hopes to get this testimony by the end of the month. If anything, the pace of new stories about the Clinton email scandal seems likely to intensify as we approach the election. RT has every right to have a pop with a little slanted propaganda. We leaves ourselves wide open to a charge of wanting everything and having it both ways. We say we always want peace, but we* are making billions from the profits of war. According to the Campaign Against Arms Trade we exported with permission 5.6 billion GBP worth from 2010 to present day. Mostly to MENA countries. It will never end, no one has the will to stop it. Too many backhanders.... The doleful underperformance of public office-holders through the ages, which has left the worlds most populous black nation stuck, like a desperate invalid needing urgent life-support, has been attributed to the long-term deficit in the reading habits of political actors at all levels in Nigeria. The ensuing slide of national discourse into muddling exchanges of insults, intolerant stereotyping and incoherent chatter in the midst of a growing crisis, must be halted if Nigeria must survive the current mass suffering enveloping the land, APC Senator, Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani has warned. He sounded this alarm while inaugurating the Local Organising Committee for the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANAs 35th anniversary international convention to be hosted by the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, between 27-30 October this year. Senator Sani, who has been chosen by ANA to play Chief Host at the forthcoming ANA convention, assured the associations President, Denja Abdullahi and his National Executive Council, that he would give his full support to ensure a successful convention, explaining that this was part of his campaign to help revive the decline in the reading culture in Nigeria: Our young people are no more interested in reading books. They prefer to tweet and to post. But if one only tweets and posts without reading books, you will be tweeting and posting rubbish. Our political leaders dont read books. They are more engrossed in politics of attrition and vendetta. You can see that the decline in reading culture has done a serious damage to our psyche. The decline in the nations reading culture is largely responsible for the deficiencies in the intellectual content of our political discourse. I am going to do everything I can to help the association to host the convention and will also assist to contact individuals and organisations to give back to society. The dearth of books and the decline in the reading culture have corroded the quality of our national discourse. I believe the reading culture can be revived, needs to be revived. The well-known activist and a man of letters in his own right, said apart from playing the role of Chief Host for the upcoming ANA convention, he has also made a legislative intervention on behalf of writers: A bill on the National Endowment Fund for Literature and the Arts that I sponsored in the Senate has passed first reading. And, after realising that a similar bill from the Ministry of Information and Culture will soon be presented to the Senate for consideration after the recess in September, I have stepped it down for more consultations with ANA and the Ministry. Narrating how he was inspired by the example of late radical politician, Aminu Kano, and his qualitative inputs into national discourse, Sani said: I remember when I visited the home of Mallam Aminu Kano, books by Achebe, Soyinka, JP Clark Bekederemo, and other African authors were all over the shelf. He was among the few thinking and ideologically focused politicians of his time. Whenever he spoke, his peers listened and esteemed his contributions to national discourse, even if they disagreed on the finer points of methodology. This is why I oppose the statement by the Emir of Katsina that people should not be critical of President Buharis government. The supporters have no bigger right than the so called detractors. If people are allowed to go hungry enmasse by the system, you should also allow them to speak out. Most times solutions to national problems can come from the so called enemy camp. Just as the APC leader, Asiwaju Tinubu, didnt hold back criticism of NNPC during the fuel crisis and the governor of my state, Nasir el Rufai, didnt spare the Central Bank, even though they are supporters of the Federal Government, nobody should stop anyone. We cannot win the war on corruption by arresting bloggers and journalists. It is a violation of the fundamental human rights of citizens and must in no way be condoned by anybody. Earlier at the meeting hall of the City Plaza, Garki, Abuja, President of ANA, Denja Abdullahi, had read out detailed plans for hosting Nigerian writers at the 35th Convention of the association that also includes the keynote address on the theme: Re-Contextualizing African Literature for the African Renaissance Emergent Trends, Realities and Strategies for the 21st Century, which will be delivered by Professor Isidore Diala. Abdullahi said further that: The present national executive council in its bid to give the association one of the best conventions in recent times has gathered a team to assist. The members of the LOC includes the President of ANA; General Secretary; Chairman, ANA FCT Abuja chapter, Ben Ubiri; and others, namely, Teresa Oyibo Ameh, Chinyere Obi-Obasi and Salamatu Sule. President Muhammadu Buhari has tasked Nigerians to first think about how they could contribute to the nations development as individuals, before asking about the change his administration promised them. Mr. Buhari spoke, Thursday, at the State House, Abuja during the launch of a national re-orientation campaign, tagged Change Begins With Me. Before you ask where is the change they promised us, you must first ask what have I done to be part of the change for the greater good of society, the president said. If you have not seen the change in you, you cannot see it in others or even the larger society. The campaign was conceived by the Federal Ministry of Information, Culture, and National Orientation to raise the standard of ethics among Nigerians. Mr. Buhari, over three decades ago as military Head of State, had introduced a similar campaign the War Against Indiscipline And Corruption. Nigeria today is passing through a challenging moment where hardly anything works in a normal manner, Mr. Buhari said as he flagged off the new campaign. He said the nations value system has been badly eroded over the years, and that virtues like honesty, integrity, hard-work, punctuality, good-neighbourliness, abhorrence of corruption and patriotism, had given way to dishonesty, indolence, unbridled corruption and widespread impunity. The Change Begins With Me campaign, Mr. Buhari said, was a framework to help sustain the achievements his administration has recorded so far in its fight against corruption. The president called on Nigerians to support the campaign, which he said was part of the determination of our party to seek to carry all Nigerians along on the journey to a better and greater society that we all can be proud of. He said the change being envisaged wasnt only about economic and social progress, but also about personal behaviour how Nigerians could conduct themselves, engage their neighbours, friends, and relate with the society in a positive way. Indeed when the campaign succeeds, it will impact heavily on the private sector. A punctual, diligent and hardworking staff can only be of benefit not just to himself or herself or the organization they work for but to various governments whether at local, state or federal level. This years conference of Academics Stand Against Poverty, an association of academics across the globe, tagged Corruption, Transparency and Accountability in Public and Private Sector Organizations is holding today, September 6, at the University of Lagos. Waziri Adio, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) will deliver the keynote address. He is joined by other speakers including Innocent Chukwuma, West African Representative of Ford Foundation; Cat Tully, former Adviser to former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair; and Musikilu Mojeed, Editor-in-Chief at PREMIUM TIMES to discuss the rampaging corruption in Africa and how to curb it. A PREMIUM TIMES reporter is at the Afe Babalola Hall venue of the conference to bring you live updates of the event. Live Updates Professor Iyiola Oni, Dean of Social Sciences, University of Lagos, gives the welcome address. He says corruption is a concern to all Nigerians. This year, revelations of corruption within the public and private sectors in Nigeria assumed a frightening dimension, and we witnessed individuals of refined education, exposure and social taste dip their hands into the public till and steal in manners that reek of poor finesse and abject greed. He says courts and jail may not be able to deter corrupt Nigerians from stealing public funds. Rahman Bello, the Vice Chancellor, says the theme of this years conference is apt, particularly in the light of global and local revelations. The memory of the Panama Papers scandal is still fresh, where we read and heard impossible accounts of leaders the world over, who had spent decades making their citizens poor, said Mr. Bello, represented by Duro Oni, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Management Services. Its time for the first lecture. Waziri Adio delivering the keynote address. He says he would speak on the oil industry in Nigeria. He says the oil sector is important in the lives of Nigerians. He describes the Panama Papers revelations as shocking. If anything, the revelations have further put a line to Jeffrey Archers famous line: indeed, there is no honour among thieves. He says the fall in oil prices is not the sole culprit for our current economic troubles. Believing that it is deludes the managers of the economy, and diminishes the countrys capacity to administer the right therapy. Here is where the political element becomes useful as an explanatory variable for this ailment, and also exposes the fall in prices as only an inevitable trigger. Mr. Adio says Nigeria has continued to push the boundaries as one of the leaders of the 51 countries implementing EITI. Instead of limiting itself to just financial audits, Nigeria conducts three-part audits that include financial, physical and process data. He says the extractive sector is the epicentre of corruption in Nigeria. If you want to solve the problem of corruption today, please focus on the extractive sector. All the major issues of corruption, where does the money come from? Its from this sector. Oil and gas sector account for just 8-9 percent of our exports. He says since inception, Nigeria had conducted six oil and gas audits, four solid minerals audits, and one cycle of Fiscal Allocation and Statutory Disbursement audit. He says NEITIs audit report of the oil and gas sector released a few months ago showed the following: 1. An outstanding of $3.8 billion and N358.3 billion yet to be remitted to the Federation by NNPC and its subsidiaries. 2. Losses to the Federation amounting to $5.966 billion and N2.04 billion. $4.7 billion of this on account of crude oil theft alone. 3. Non-remittance of NLNG dividends to the government by NNPC for eight years amounting to $12.9 billion. 4. Total subsidy on petroleum amounting to N1.3 trillion. 5. Lack of metering infrastructure more than ten years after this was flagged in the first NEITI audit report. Musikilu Mojeed, Editor-in-Chief at PREMIUM TIMES, begins by saying the University of Lagos made it impossible for him to study at the institution. Mr. Mojeed is speaking on The Media and Investigative Journalism. He says investigative journalism in Nigeria has given voice to the voiceless and had made officials to likely be less corrupt. He says the media must commit more resources to training of reporters on investigative and data journalism. The media must also push for action, impact and forge alliances. He says PREMIUM TIMES had forged an alliance with NEITI recently and it had been fruitful. Citizens must be helped to understand what deprives them of good hospitals, good schools and so on. He says the media must pay special attention to anti corruption agencies, government at both state and local levels, and also within its own ranks. For as long as the brown envelope continues to rock our newsroom, investigative journalism would continue to be weak in Nigeria. He says one of the best newspapers in Nigeria, NEXT, closed down because it was very critical of government. When you report on corruption you will not get immediate result or impact. He says when the newspaper began reporting the Panama Papers, the government pretended not to notice, but it kept on and on. Investigative journalism is not a 100 metres dash, its a long distance marathon. Mr. Mojeed says the media must know that corruption reporting cannot be a one-off affair. It has to be a consciously planned, and sustained project. It means there has to be consistent follow-ups. You just have to keep reporting on the matter until authorities act. For instance, the reporting on what is now known as the Diezani scandal started way back in 2011 when I was the editor in charge of investigations at NEXT newspapers. At that time, in a series of articles, we reported on the high-level corruption involving officials of our oil and gas industry. We exposed bribery and the allocation of Nigerias oil assets to cronies who only paid pittance to the national coffers. The regime in power at the time took no action. Diezani was very powerful in the administration and she was an untouchable. Rather than investigate her, the Jonathan government reappointed her to office. In fact there are those who believe that those series of reports led to the demise of NEXT. The administration succeeded in scaring advertisers and investors away. The paper soon ran out of cash and it closed shop. We all lost our jobs. We moved on to start PREMIUM TIMES and we continued our reporting on the matter. Four years later, another government came to power and Diezani and her allies are now being investigated in Nigeria and elsewhere. Cat Tully, former Adviser to Tony Blair, is next. She is speaking on Corruption, Development and Sustainable Development Goals. Ms. Tully says SDG is a global movement to get poverty significantly eradicated by 2030. She says accountability and transparency are critical to the future. To address high mortality rates, we need resources, resources that are being diverted by corrupt people. She says the point of the SDG goals is to generate actions. One way is to use events like this to create partnerships and alliances. Its time for goodwill messages. Professor Browne Onuoha of Department of Political Science says there is no willing leadership to fight corruption. All that we are doing here is living in denial. A governorship candidate will use N50 million to pick up a governorship form. There is a lot to be done. He says it had cost the nation a huge amount to maintain a very large amorphous federation. Professor Omololu Soyombo of Department of Sociology says ASAP had done well since its establishment. We need to strengthen our institutions for more effective performance if we are serious about fighting corruption. Professor Ralph Akinfeleye of the Department of Mass Communication says theres a poverty of ideas in the country. Time for the question and answer session. Mr. Adio says Nigerias problem isnt insufficient laws but the political will for enforcement. He says Nigerians have a problematic relationship with the government. We know corruption when we see it, we know bad behaviour when we see it. We have two sets of values, one for ourselves and one for the public domain. Mr. Mojeed says the issue of media ownership is as old as journalism. Its not just Nigeria. Its all over the world. He says the advent of new media had made it possible for diversity. He says the PREMIUM TIMES Centre for Investigative Journalism is attempting to get the youth to, not just embrace journalism, but indepth journalism. Ms. Tully says youth should not ask to be invited into conversations. If you can, force yourself into the conversation, dont wait to be asked, its your future. Ismail Ibraheem, Co-Chair of the West Africa arm of ASAP, wraps up the programme with a vote of thanks. Family members of late Governor Abubakar Audu of Kogi State were arrested by the police for alleged culpable homicide, robbery and mischief, a spokesperson for the police in that state has told PREMIUM TIMES. Mr. Audus eldest son, Mohammed, and some 15 other family members were arrested on Wednesday. The spokesperson, who merely identified himself as ASP Ovye, confirmed the arrest on Thursday morning. He had earlier told this newspaper that he needed time to contact the relevant police unit for information on the arrest. He said the arrests were effected by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS. Mr. Ovye did not give details. He advised further questions be directed to the state Commissioner of Police, Abdullahi Ibrahim. Contacted, Mr. Ibrahim said the police were still investigating the matter. Its after investigation that we will tell you, he told PREMIUM TIMES. What I know is that they were reported and we acted. Asked when the arrested persons would be charged to court, he said when we complete investigation. He declined further comments. But this newspaper understands that the arrests followed an attack on Mr. Audus younger brother. Yahaya Audu, the late governors brother, represented the family at the Kogi States 25th anniversary ceremony on August 28. He was physically attacked on his return to Ogbonicha, the ancestral home of the Audus in Ofu Local Government Area, by community members aggrieved with Governor Yahaya Bellos government, PREMIUM TIMES understands. A day after the anniversary ceremony, Mohammed, late Audus eldest son, in a statement on behalf of the family, mocked the governor and said he should have used resources meant for the ceremony to pay workers. The Audu family believes Mr. Bello ordered the arrests, Mustapha Audu, Mohammeds younger brother, said. But Mr. Bello denied masterminding the arrests in a statement yesterday. He said the police should be free to work, and that politics should not be linked with criminality. Mohammed Audu is fighting through the courts alongside James Faleke to remove Mr. Bello as Kogi Governor. Mr. Faleke was the running mate to late Mr. Audu on the APC ticket in last years governorship election. After Mr. Audus sudden death the day after the poll, the party drafted Mr. Bello in to continue as its candidate in the supplementary election. Mr. Faleke believes he should have automatically become the partys candidate after Mr. Audus death. He has asked the Supreme Court to declare him governor after lower courts ruled against him. The Independent National Electoral Commission has explained why it is brushing aside security advisory from the police and State Security Service, to continue with Saturdays Edo governorship election. The commission said it would not be teleguided and would not do anything that would mortgage Nigerias democracy. It said the cost of demobilising, after reaching at least 97 per cent readiness level, would be immense. The police and the SSS had released a joint statement on Wednesday seeking postponement of the election for security concerns. The Nigeria Police and Department of State Services wish to inform the general public that credible intelligence availed the agencies indicate plans by insurgent/extremist elements to attack vulnerable communities and soft targets with high population during the forthcoming Sallah celebrations between 12th and 13th September, 2016. Edo State, is amongst the States being earmarked for these planned attacks by the extremist elements, said the Police and the SSS through a statement by their respective spokespersons, Don Awunah and Garba Abdullahi. It is in regard of these that we are appealing to INEC which has the legal duty to regulate elections in the country to consider the need for possible postponement of the date of the election in Edo State in order to enable security agencies deal decisively with the envisaged terrorist threats. But the electoral body said after carefully weighing all the consequences and parameters of postponing the election, it chose to go ahead. Addressing journalists at the Edo State office of the Commission Thursday afternoon, the National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education and Publicity Committee of INEC, Solomon Soyebi, said the Commission had reached not less than 97 per cent level of preparation for the conduct of the election. Mr. Soyebi stressed that the Commission would not be teleguided and that it would not do anything that would mortgage Nigerias democracy. He emphasized that the Commission considered the implications of demobilizing and arrived at the fact that it was more expensive to do so. The Edo election is expected to be strongly fought between the candidate of the incumbent governing All Progressives Congress, Godwin Obaseki, and his PDP challenger, Osagie Ize-Iyamu. The Peoples Democratic Party condemned the request for postponement, saying it was bizzare and shocking. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has finally announced the postponement of Saturdays governorship election in Edo by two weeks. Solomon Soyebi, INEC national Commissioner in-charge of voter education and publicity, made the disclosure at a press conference at the commissions office in Benin on Thursday. Mr. Soyebi said the election would now hold on September 28, the News Agency of Nigeria reports. He attributed the postponement to alleged security threat as reported by security agencies. The electoral commission had earlier on Thursday rejected the call for postponement by the police and the State Security Service, SSS. The commission had said it would not be teleguided, and argued that suspending the polls would be costly after reaching at least 97 per cent readiness level. Hours after making that announcement, the commission backtracked and said it agreed to postpone the elections based on the security concerns cited by the police and the SSS. The main opposition party, PDP, and its leaders have been very vocal in condemning the postponement of an election expected to be closely fought. PDP, Fayose react The PDP condemned the postponement and described it as a coup against the people of Edo State. The opposition party said changing the date was a less than ingenious attempt to buy time for the governing All Progressives Congress, APC. It is shameful and indeed a major constitutional breach for the security agencies to act in concert with the APC to truncate an Election that had been planned for months, the party said in a statement signed by Dayo Adeyeye, its interim spokesperson. Nigerians were not deceived by the obvious concoctions of the security agencies whose performances during elections have been less than average since the advent of the Buhari Administration. The postponement of the Election by INEC is illegal, unconstitutional and a breach of the peoples trust in the Commission and the security agencies. It is a coup against the people of Edo State in particular and Nigerians in general. Since APC assumed power, virtually all elections conducted by INEC have either been inconclusive or truncated. In his reaction, the Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose described the postponement as beginning of the end for democracy in Nigeria. It is obvious that the All Progressives Congress (APC) feared that it cant win the election and is ready to employ whatever crude means to subvert the wish of the people, he said. How can you postpone an election less than 48 hours to the scheduled date? What manner of security concern could prevent an election in just one state when elections were held in Northeast States that are confronted by Boko Haram insurgents? the Ekiti governor said. The ruling APC in Edo, which had accused the PDP of plotting to import armed persons to cause havoc during the elections, did not condemn the postponement as at the time of this report. A trader, Margaret Agwu, on Wednesday told an Igando Customary Court, Lagos, that her husband, Onu, sometimes stripped her and beat her to pulp. Margret, who made this known when she testified in a divorce proceedings against Onu, told the court that her husband had turned her into a punching bag He once punched me in my stomach and I lost my first pregnancy after a fight. I have lived every minute of my life in fear but I cannot go back to my parents because of the bride price, she said. Margaret, 45, had urged the court to annul her 33-year-old marriage citing husbands duplicity. When I was 12 years old, my husband came to my village to ask for my hand in marriage with a promise to my parents that he would send me to school. He also lied to my parents that he is a businessman that he owned a provision store and that he lived in a flat. My parents told him that they cannot release me for marriage because I was too young and besides I was still schooling. Onu told my parents that he will send me to school after the marriage, my parent agreed and he paid the bride price, she said. Margaret said on getting to the city, she discovered that her husband was not what he made her and her parents believe he was. When I got to his house, I discovered that he was staying in one-room apartment, selling popcorn at the roadside. He also refused to fulfil his promise of sending me to school, she said. The petitioner said that she would not have reminded herself of the husbands deceit but because he had turned out to be a brute, who beats her at the slightest provocation. Margret also accused her husband of absconding with all their five children 16 years ago. When I called him after he packed out, he just told me that he was no longer interested in the marriage and since then he refused to pick my calls. His relations told me he relocated with the children to Port Harcourt. It is 16 years now that I have not seen nor heard from them. I heard that my husband gave our first daughters hand in marriage without my knowledge and that she had given birth to a son, she said. Margaret urged the court to help her to return the N600 bride price paid by her husband and dissolve the marriage, saying I am no longer in love and I want to move on with my life. When an official of the court called Onu on telephone, he said that the petitioner was no longer his wife. In his judgment, the President of the court, Adegboyega Omilola, said that it was obvious that the marriage had hit the rocks. Throughout the duration of this case, the respondent refused to honour court summons, therefore, the court has no other choice than to dissolve the union. The marriage between Margaret Agwu and Onu Agwu is hereby dissolved from today, both parties are no longer husband and wife. Both are free to go their separate ways without any hindrances and molestation, he said. (NAN) As Sallah celebration approaches, buyers are not readily available in Abuja ram markets. This is as a result of high cost of rams, said Shehu Usman, a ram trader at Dei-dei. This year, our rams are sold between N60, 000 and N400, 000. A lot of customers cannot afford so much in this economic climate, he said. Mr. Usman told PREMIUM TIMES that the number of customers had dropped significantly compared to last year. Rams are sacrificed by Muslims during eid-el-kabir to mark the conclusion of Hajj rites. In Islam, the practice commemorates Allahs bounty on His messenger, Ibraheem, when He gave him a ram to sacrifice as ransom for his son, Ishmaaeel. This year, the eid-el-kabir will be celebrated on September 12. PREMIUM TIMES met with sellers at ram markets in Dei-dei, Madalla, Karimo and Suleja all on the outskirts of Abuja. They said forex rate, rainfall and economic recession were responsible for the unusually high cost of rams, and the scarcity of customers. Chimezie Nwokeogu, a ram dealer, said this years celebration came during the rainy season. Some buyers do not like to buy the rams to keep now that its constantly raining. Many of these rams are bred where rains are not so constant. So, our buyers decide not to buy and keep the rams in open spaces under the rain, he said. Although the market is very slow right now, we are waiting for two to three days before Sallah to know if sales will improve or not, he said. Hassan Haruna, a dealer, explained that the forex rate is one of the problems dealers encounter. We get our rams from Niger republic and they use Cephas. Last year, we bought at N300 per 200 Cephas. This year, we are buying at N645 per 200 Cephas. Another problem is transportation, we spend so much to bring the rams back. All these contribute to the increase in prices. However, the increase in ram prices between last year and now is not so much. I sold small rams at N40,000 last year but now same ram goes for about N50,000, he said. According to Haruna, his loyal customers are collecting rams on credit. They complain about not having enough money, we give them on credit because of customer loyalty, he said. For Umaru Salisu, the difference in ram prices between 2015 and 2016 lies in the timing. Last year, we had customers purchasing large number of rams 10 days to Sallah. Now this is six days to Sallah, customers are scarce. They say there is no money, he said. Before now, companies and institutions purchase 100 to 200 rams for their workers. This year however, we havent seen anything like that. We are still hoping that in the coming days, buyers will come, he said. According to Mr. Salisu, many people are struggling to feed their families. Due to this struggle, they cannot afford to buy ram for Sallah. However, the traders are hopeful that business will pick up in no time. Even if we do not sell all the rams before Sallah is over, people will still buy them for other occasions like wedding and naming ceremonies, he said. On a contrasting note however, Auwal Zango, a ram dealer, told PREMIUM TIMES that the economic hardship had made rams cheaper. Last year, we sold rams for as much as N60, 000 but now even with N20, 000 you can buy one. The hardship has made many dealers broke. We can only buy cheap rams, he said. A Civil Society Organisation has condemned the attempt by the Police and State Security Service (SSS) to force the postponement of the Edo State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday. In a statement issued to journalists in Abuja, the Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement, YIAGA, warned the two agencies against undermining Nigerias democracy and the sovereignty of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The Police and the SSS had on Wednesday issued a joint statement asking INEC to postpone the election. The security operatives said the call was to prevent alleged attack planned by insurgents on the state during the election. The call has been condemned by various stakeholders including the People Democratic Party, PDP, who described the move as bizarre and shocking. A coalition of Nigerian civil society groups, under the aegis of the Transition Monitoring Group had also stated that the call of the security operatives was poorly timed, wrongly presented and capable of eroding the confidence of Nigerians in the electoral system. In its statement, YIAGA, a youth-based non-governmental organization that promotes democratic governance, human rights and youth political participation, said the call was aimed at undermining the independence of INEC. We believe the purported call is aimed at undermining the independence of the electoral commission. The call reeks of interference on the part of the Nigerian Police and DSS who are members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security. The unilateral decision taken by the Nigerian Police and SSS without due consultation with the INEC suggests a deliberate and well-orchestrated plot to rubbish the image of INEC and portray her as an institution incapable of fulfilling its mandate. We wish to remind the Nigerian Police and SSS, that elections have been conducted in difficult terrains where there was credible and verifiable evidence of likely breach of peace. For instance elections were conducted in the hotbeds of the insurgency in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states in 2015 and these elections were hitch-free, the group said. INEC on Thursday resolved to carry on with the election, explaining that it will not be tele-guided. Addressing journalists at the Edo State office of the Commission Thursday afternoon, the National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education and Publicity Committee of INEC, Solomon Soyebi, said the Commission had reached not less than 97 per cent level of preparation for the conduct of the election. Mr. Soyebi stressed that the Commission would not be teleguided and that it would not do anything that would mortgage Nigerias democracy. He emphasized that the Commission considered the implications of demobilizing and arrived at the fact that it was more expensive to do so. The Edo election is expected to be strongly fought between the candidate of the incumbent governing All Progressives Congress, Godwin Obaseki, and his PDP challenger, Osagie Ize-Iyamu. A robbery suspect was on Thursday set ablaze by a mob in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The suspect was said to have made a failed attempt to snatch a motorcycle from the owner at Ikot Ekpene-Abak Road, close to the State College, before the mob descended on him. The incident occurred at about 11a.m. A witness told PREMIUM TIMES that the suspect was accompanied by a partner who ran away on the motorcycle they used for the operation. They were two of them. They used hammer to hit their victim when he refused to hand over his motorcycle to them. They broke the mans head, before he raised alarm. When people came to find out what was going on, his partner ran away. The mob then descended on this one and burnt him, the witness said. He said that was the third robbery suspect to be set ablaze in the city in the past one month. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Cordelia Nwawe, said the police was investigating the incident. The police frown at such act of jungle justice, Ms. Nwawe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said. No man has the right to take the life of another on suspicion of robbery. The matter will be investigated thoroughly, and everyone responsible for this will be brought to justice, she said. A police officer, dismissed for allegedly killing a motorcyclist, has been charged for murder. Anthony Nwadike was dismissed from the Nigerian Police for allegedly killing one Sunday Joseph, a commercial motorcyclist, along Odigbo-Omifon Road, Ore, Ondo State. Mr. Nwadike, an inspector, was arraigned on Thursday before a Chief Magistrate Court in the state. The case was adjourned to October 12, and the suspect remanded in prison custody. Mr. Nwadike was said to have shot and killed the commercial motorcyclist (okada rider) on September 4. He was tried in the Orderly-room, found guilty and subsequently dismissed from the police, Abayomi Shogunle, an Assistant Commissioner of Police in-charge of the Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU), said in a statement released on Thursday evening. Mr. Shogunle said the police in Ondo was holding talks with the family of the late okada riders to resolve how to cater for the well-being of his dependent relatives. Any police officer involved in any act that is not justifiable under the laws of the land would be held accountable without delay as the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of IGP Ibrahim Idris is being guided by international core values of democratic policing, integrity and respect for the rule of law, Mr. Shogunle said. The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has described the postponement of the Edo State governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a very bad signal and the beginning of the end for democracy in Nigeria. Mr. Fayose said it is obvious that the All Progressives Congress (APC) feared that it cant win the election and is ready to employ whatever crude means to subvert the wish of the people. The governor said President Muhammadu Buhari was responsible for the plot. I warned Nigerians not to elect Buhari because he lacked capacity mentally, morally and intellectually to superintend over any civilised society, now we are all seeing the results. Our economy is in recession and democracy is also in recession! Mr. Fayose said, according to statement by his aide, Lere Olayinka. Apart from the security agencies that they instructed not to provide security for the election, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was under instruction since yesterday (Wednesday) not to release electoral materials to INEC. It was just a game by the APC-led federal government to frustrate the people of Edo State from kick-starting the journey of changing the APC one-chance change in Nigeria, but they should realise that the power of the people will always be greater than the power of those in power. The election was postponed on Thursday by INEC after the police and the State Security Service, SSS, said they could not guarantee security. The electoral body had initially vowed to go ahead with the polls despite the warning, but a source said it was pressured to change course. How can you postpone an election less than 48 hours to the scheduled date? What manner of security concern could prevent an election in just one State when elections were held in Northeast States that are confronted by Boko Haram insurgents? asked Mr. Fayose. Obviously, this is a sign of what to come in 2019 and Nigerians should not be amazed if in 2019, they tell us that elections cannot be conducted. This is sad! It is a sad commentary for democracy in Nigeria and I only hope this Buharis APC government will not collapse democracy in this country, the governor said. The Spanish government brushed aside global concerns to name its former Industry Minister, Jose Manuel Soria, as the countrys proposed representative at the World Bank. Mr. Sorias nomination is coming despite being linked with an offshore company listed in the Panama papers leaks earlier this year. Although he denied any wrongdoing, Mr. Soria was compelled to resign his appointment last April, apparently to forestall any negative backlash on Spains caretaker government, the conservative Popular Party (PP). But, few months after, the Spanish government has sent his name as its nominee to be voted one of the 25 executive directors by the189 governors at the Washington-based Bretton Woods institution, the Economy Ministry said on Wednesday. Mr. Soria was named in the Panama Papers leaks scandal with details about his relationship with U.K. Lines, an offshore firm owned by the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca. The leak involved a massive trove of over 11.5 million internal financial documents from a Panama-based law firm leaked to over 100 media outlets around the world, including PREMIUM TIMES, Nigerias only newspaper involved in the global investigation. But, Mr. Sorias proposed nomination for the global bodys job appears to have contradicted the Spanish governments policy of always evaluating the suitability of candidates and their public service track records before being selected for international positions. Regardless of the criticisms, the Spanish government on Wednesday remained unfazed, insisting there was nothing wrong with Mr. Sorias appointment, describing it as purely administrative and not political If a civil servant cannot be a civil servant, then whats going on? Economy Minister, Luis de Guindos said on the sidelines of the ongoing G20 Summit at the Chinese city of Hangzhou. This is not a political appointment, but administrative. It is not decided by the Cabinet or me. Both the Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, and the Economy Minister Guindos, who are known to be Mr. Sorias personal friends, said they were not ready to back down on his appointment despite it being potentially embarrassing to government. Soria resigned from his political appointments and returned to the Commercial Technicians and State Economists Corps. He requested the appointment, and it would be illegal to deny it to him, because he is not under investigation or been debarred, Mr. Guindos said. On his part, the Prime Minister is quoted to have confirmed Mr. Soria had informed him of his desire to apply for the job in June, two months after he was linked to the Panama Papers. Mr. Sorias proposed appointment further puts enormous pressure on the PP caretaker government, which has been inundated with huge corruption scandals involving scores of high-profile former and current officials standing trial. The opposition Socialist Party (PSOE) has asked Mr. Guindos to appear before the Spanish Congress to explain the rationale behind Mr. Sorias nomination. Mr. Guindos has said the decision was informed by governments determination no let the chance of having a Spaniard on the board of the World Bank slip by, as the former minister was the best man for the job. The Nigeria Police have rescued two kidnapped Chinese nationals, an official said. The Ogun State Police Command, Thursday, said it rescued the two Chinese nationals kidnapped in Odeda area of Abeokuta, the state capital. The Command Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the Chinese were kidnapped on September 1 by gunmen at a quarry. He gave the identities of the two victims as Shen Ximing and Wei Futang. Mr. Oyeyemi, in a statement made available to journalists in Abeokuta, said they were rescued by police operatives acting on report of the incident. He said the two men were rescued unhurt but no arrest was made for their kidnap. The spokesperson stated that the police have also rescued a woman, Olabimpe Tejumola, who was kidnapped on September 2, in Mowe area of the state. He said she too was rescued unhurt and has since reunited with her family. Mr. Oyeyemi appealed to members of the public against paying ransoms to kidnappers. He asked that such kidnap cases be promptly brought to the attention of the police. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has rejected the postponement of the Edo governorship election as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission Thursday. The opposition party said the election should go ahead on Saturday as originally scheduled, as there was no compelling reason to change the date. The election was moved by INEC after the police and the State Security Service, SSS, said they could not guarantee security. The electoral body had initially vowed to go ahead with the polls despite the warning. A source told PREMIUM TIMES the commission was pressured to change its position. The PDP said the election date should remain sacrosanct since there is no tangible reason(s) evident to tamper with the Election. It said changing the date was a less than ingenious attempt to buy time for the governing All Progressives Congress, APC. It is shameful and indeed a major constitutional breach for the security agencies to act in concert with the APC to truncate an Election that had been planned for months, the party said in a statement signed by Dayo Adeyeye, its interim spokesperson. Nigerians were not deceived by the obvious concoctions of the security agencies whose performances during elections have been less than average since the advent of the Buhari Administration. The postponement of the Election by INEC is illegal, unconstitutional and a breach of the peoples trust in the Commission and the security agencies. It is a coup against the people of Edo State in particular and Nigerians in general. Since APC assumed power, virtually all elections conducted by INEC have either been inconclusive or truncated. Saturdays Election in Edo State must be an exemption. We will not accept anything less than free, fair and transparent election conducted and concluded the same day, it said. The party called on INEC to rise to the occasion to restore the confidence of Nigerians in its operations. It said Edo is a test case and that with the way INEC is performing; how are we sure that it would be able to handle the 2019 national elections? The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has said the Nigerian Army Council has approved the establishment of a new brigade headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa. Mr. Buratai said this when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Seriake Dickson in Yenagoa on Thursday. He said the new army formation would be known as the 61 Brigade, Nigerian Army. Mr. Buratai said a commander had been appointed for the brigade while operations at the new formation would take off as soon as possible. The Army Chief said the establishment of the new brigade was in furtherance of governments strategic plan of reinforcing security in the state and by extension, the Niger Delta region. According to Mr. Buratai, the Niger Delta is very important to the security and economy of the nation due to its closeness to the Gulf of Guinea and its status as an oil rich territory. On the ongoing `Exercise Crocodile Smile, Mr. Buratai said troops had been directed to conduct themselves in the most professional manner. He assured residents of the region that the Army was out to protect their interest as well and is committed to their defence against external aggressors at all times. Exercise Crocodile Smile as you are aware is an exercise aimed at training our men on amphibious warfare because of the peculiarity of the terrain that requires special training. This exercise is also important because of the need to build the capacity of our men which has been neglected for a very long time. We have also integrated civil relations activities such as the medical outreach in communities in the region to enable us win their confidence as we carry on with our training. He said that the Army had planned to expand the scope of its civil-military relations to include educational assistance in various communities, especially by supporting teaching in primary and secondary schools. Mr. Buratai said plans were underway to get engineers involved in road maintenance works in the various communities where the army would hold similar exercises. The army chief disclosed that more than 3,000 personnel with the relevant equipment and logistics were involved in the `Exercise Crocodile Smile in the Niger Delta. He said more troops and logistics would be mobilised in the 2017 amphibious field training exercise. We hope to expand this in next years exercise; we will be mobilising more than 10,000 troops comprising officers and soldiers. This is to reassure all Nigerians that the army was committed to securing their lives and property at all times. In his remarks, the Governor Dickson condemned the killing of innocent people, especially service personnel in this state. He commended the efforts and sacrifices of soldiers for keeping this nation secured and strong while calling on citizens to cooperate with them in the interest of development. In the exercise that you are conducting in this region, we believe that it is for the good of our society and want to call on our people to cooperate and show understanding with the military. I want to call on our people not to panic, these officers and soldiers are not from any other country, these people who have the mandate to ensure your safety in your communities and along our waterways. Security cannot be conducted properly without efficient collaboration; this means you understand the role of collaboration as a cornerstone for the provision of security in any area. Mr. Dickson called for more dialogue with stakeholders in the Niger Delta in order to solve the current security challenges and as a road map for the development of the region. He said the government and people of Bayelsa were fully in support of the military and would want improved military presence in the state to guarantee safety of lives and property. According to Mr. Dickson, there is nothing anyone can do to bring development without first fixing security. We are ready to work with you in the establishment of a brigade headquarters here in Yenagoa and two battalions, one in Sagbama and the other in Nembe. The government of Bayelsa, which understands the imperative of security, will work with you to ensure the military improves its presence in the Niger Delta. More than security, the Army has been a partner for development; so, for us the military is an essential partner not just for security, but for development, he said. Mr. Buratai visited sector headquarters and other units in Bayelsa as part of his tour of exercise areas of the `Exercise Crocodile Smile. (NAN) Yobe State needs about N20 billion to fix infrastructure damaged by the Boko Haram terrorist group, Ibrahim Geidam, governor of the state said on Thursday. Mr. Geidam, who spoke to journalists at the presidential villa in Abuja after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, said the reconstruction was necessary to enable internally displaced persons return to their homes. He said though all the territories captured by the Boko Haram sect at the height of the insurgency have been liberated, about 3000 IDPs were still residing in camps across the North-east state. The governor said he was at the presidential villa to brief the president on other measures being taken by the state to resettle the IDPs. Yobe State experienced the negative effects of insurgency for about two or three years, there were times when the Boko Haram terrorists occupied Gulani and Gujiba two of our local government areas, before they were liberated. As I speak, we have about 3,000 IDPs who are still in our camp. By our estimates, actually, if the Federal Government spends anything from N10 to N20billion, the areas destroyed by Boko Haram will be reconstructed and people will go back to their homes and resume their normal lives. All the other people (affected by the insurgency) except these 3000 have returned to their homes; that is part of the reason why I came here to advise Mr. President on how best these people could be resettled, he said. Mr. Geidam said some communities were completely destroyed by the terrorists. Asked about the Presidents response to his request for support, Mr. Geidam said the visit was fruitful. Mr. Presidents response was very positive, he promised that he would look into all those issues I raised, he said. Northern governors, had during the recent visit of United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, set a tentative May 29, 2017 target to close down all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the North East, seeing that relative peace had returned to most of the troubled region. Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, who also doubles as chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, gave an assurance that the governors would see to it that the displaced persons return to their homes by May 2017. He spoke about the negative effects of insurgency, saying IDPs swelled up his state capitals population from two million to three million. On the issue of resettlement, the bulk of IDPs are from Borno State; the population of Maiduguri swelled from two million to three million now. We are going to marshal whatever resources, with or without international support, to see that we restore the dignity of our people. We cannot wait for eternity for manna from the international community, Mr. Shettima said. The Kogi State Government has inaugurated a new 300-man-joint security outfit dedicated to fighting kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes in the state. The special adviser to the governor on security, Jerry Omodara, said in a statement in Lokoja on Thursday that the outfit is code named: Operation Total Freedom. Mr. Omodara, who inaugurated the outfit on behalf of Gov. Yahaya Bello on Sept. 7, said that members of the outfit were drawn from the police, the army, the navy and the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state government recently handed over 114 patrol vehicles to the various security agencies in the state. According to him, the state government will provide the outfit with communication equipment to ease communication flow among its members. He said the state government had also worked out issues relating to stipends and other welfare for the outfits personnel. Mr. Omodara advised traditional and religious leaders in various communities in the state to cooperate with members of the security outfit by given them useful information about the activities of criminals and their hideouts. The special adviser said the Gov. Bello-led determination was determined to ensure security of lives and properties of the residents of the state. (NAN) The people of Kalaba community in Bayelsa have bemoaned the impact of an oil leak from an oil field operated by Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) ravaging the area. The leak, according to residents, was discovered in the area in August and is currently spilling crude fast into the swamps and forest, bringing the ecosystem in the community under threat. The inhabitants of Kalaba community, Yenagoa Local Government Area, lamented that over a month after the spill occurred, it had yet to be contained. They appealed to the government and relevant authorities to prevail on NAOC to halt the spill and carry out remediation on the site. Roman Orukali, paramount ruler of the community, said on Wednesday that though officials of the company visited the area, the spill had yet to be put under control. Agip came to the site on August 5 though they have yet to reach the area because of water but up till now the oil is still bubbling and it is heading into the swamp, he said. That is one of the fishing swamps we have and if not cleaned up in time, it will affect us adversely. They dont attend to spill on time, so I am appealing to the Federal Government to prevail on the company to return to the spill site on time and make the necessary clean up and remediation. He said The youth leader of the community, Samuel Opuro, said aquatic and farming activities were worst hit by the spills. When it got to my notice, it was on the 2nd of August and I am very sure that the spills happened even before then. For the site to remain that way for over a month you know what it means and when it rains, oil particles go deep into the soil and they affect farmlands, crops, even our economic trees are dying. Oburo said Alagoa Morris, an environmentalist, called on the multinational oil firm to take urgent steps to clamp the spill in order to avert imminent danger. This is rainy season, the spill will impact the surrounding swamp. This is when swamp time fishing activities take place and with the spill, that is affected because it is spreading within the surrounding swamps. That is why we are very much concerned, because the more the spill, the more the water takes it far away from the very spill point, Mr. Morris said. He urged the community to promptly report incidents of oil spills in their areas to ensure timely clean up. The management of Eni, Italian energy firm and parent company of NAOC, declined comments on the development when contacted. As sallah holiday makers get ready for the 2016 eid-il-kabir festival, the government of Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has announced free train ride for those wishing to travel home. A statement by the Ministry of Industries, Commerce, Cooperatives and Empowerment, said the free train will convey people coming for the festival from Lagos to Osogbo on Saturday and Sunday September by 10 am each day. The train will return to Lagos on Saturday, September 17. The takeoff time is 11 am. A statement from the government said Aregbesolas administration had been doing this in the last six years to facilitate easy movement during festivities. The ministry admonished the people to make the best use of the opportunities the free train offers them because government wants them to come home and enjoy the celebration with relations. The statement said, This tradition of free train ride introduced by Aregbesolas government is aimed at facilitating very convenient movement of people and goods. This welfare package from Governor Aregbesola has taken care of both Islamic and Christian festivities in the last six years and this is with a view to boosting the economy of the state. It is this ease of movement during festival periods that informed the introduction of the scheme by the people-centred administration of Aregbesola. Therefore, it is the wish of government that our people from Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States trail corridors would seize this opportunity to visit home and celebrate with their relatives. The Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, on Thursday said the current economic crisis has marked the end of prodigal spending in Nigeria. Mr. Aregbesola stated this at a public lecture organised by an online newspaper, Uhuru Times, in Ijebu-Mushin, Ogun State. The era of frivolous spending is gone in this country. No money to throw about anymore. This is not a curse but a fact, Mr. Aregbesola stated. The Governor said Nigeria must return to agriculture to get out of the economic recession. He decried the past attitude of government to the sector. He said Nigeria must drastically cut back on importation and improve local production of goods. He said the taste for foreign goods contribute to the high rate of unemployment and crime in the country. Mr. Aregbesola said his administration in his first term created 20,000 jobs for the youth in Osun and that the state has since had the lowest rate of crime and unemployment in the country. The governor also tasked journalists on need to do adhere to the ethics of their profession and abhor falsehood, innuendoes and half-truths. The media has compromised and it is a fact. Those concerned should address the problem, he admonished. Speaking earlier at the event, Wale Adedayo, publisher of Uhuru Times, said he established the platform to fight for freedom and the less-privileged in the society. ( Read 4734 Times) Source : New Delhi: (NSE & BSE Listed) Delhi based, Ashiana Housing Ltd, the pioneers of active senior living in India, is organizing a Senior Citizen Conclave. After successfully organizing 3 Senior Living Conclaves at Mumbai, Pune and Chennai, now the group is organizing its 4th Senior Living Conclave at Hotel Sheraton, New Delhi on 11th September.The aim of this conclave is to inform the prospective customers about the concept of Senior Living, when you should choose it and what parameters to look for while making your buying decision.Seniors residing at Ashiana Utsav senior living, Bhiwadi has performed for the entire audience. Offering an opportunity to interact with residents of Senior Living communities to understand what changes they see in their life after shifting into a retirement community and how it has enhanced their lifestyle.Apart from giving a chance to the senior citizens to meet and bond with each other, the other motive of the organizers behind such a Conclave is to spread awareness about the concept of an active living of seniors in their golden years. In short, educate the customers on the concept of active senior living.Eminent Speakers:This session will be conducted by Mr. Ankur Gupta, a renowned speaker at Retirement Communities all over the world. He is on advisory board of Ageing Asia, Retirement Living World (India) & Co-founder of ASLI (Association of Senior Living in India). Mr. Gupta has done MSc. in real estate from new york university with specialization in senior living.And Dr. Pallav Bonerjee, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist at VIMHANS Hospital New Delhi.He has been working closely with the departments of psychiatry, neurology, neurosurgery and rehabilitation. He is associated with Ashiana for last 2 years and researching on preventive and promotive (physical & mental) health of elderly. His special area of interest includes working with the elderly evaluting cognitive profiles and detecting signs of early degenerative conditions.https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gifWhat more? Several gala activities will be organized which are going to be performed by some of the Ashianas senior living residents at the Conclave. What will add to the glamour quotient of the Conclave will be the performances of senior citizens followed by games and interactive sessions with the customers as well as the oldies.About Ashiana UtsavIt is a novel concept that promises to make life after retirement a celebration. Utsav Senior Living project is planned, constructed and maintained for the silvers catering to all their aging needs. These projects are designed keeping in mind the requirements of seniors like social, medical, spiritual and recreation and have facilities like club, swimming pool, badminton court, gymnasium, library, cafe, auditorium and many more.After the grand success of Utsav projects at Bhiwadi- NCR (2 projects), Lavasa and Jaipur, Ashiana Housing Ltd has also come up with the same concept in 2 new destinations,i.e. Chennai and Kolkata. Jindal Realty awarded Best Township Award ( Read 5002 Times) 08 Sep 16 Share | Print This Page New Delhi: Jindal Realty Pvt. Ltd., one of the renowned real estate developers in India, has been awarded for its Best Township in Sonepat. Sonepat Global City, mega township spread over 650 acres, awarded the Best Integrated Township in NCR. The award was presented by Hon'able Cabinet Minister Shri Nitin Gadhkari ji at NAREDCO Convention. Sonepat Global City is a mega township spread over 650 acres and barely 2 Kilometers from KMP Expressway ,KGP Expressway & NH1 intersection. It is set to offer a holistic and luxurious lifestyle, bringing you closer to an exalted life. The meticulously planned resort oriented township comprises of plots, villas & urban farmhouses. The large expanse is shared by a Commercial Zone, Educational Institutions, Healthcare Facilities, the Jindal Global Corporate Park, an Elite Club & much more. The selections of winning projects were done on the basis of all-round excellence, value for customers and a commitment to sustainability. About Jindal Realty Pvt. Ltd.: Jindal Realty (P) Limited is backed by a strong foundation of the Jindal Group Company which is an industrial powerhouse with a dominant presence in steel, power, mining and infrastructure sectors. The group was founded by Shri O.P. Jindal, a first-generation entrepreneur and steel visionary who started an indigenous single-unit steel plant in Hissar (Haryana) in 1952. It is now one of India's most dynamic business organizations. Jindal Realty has a team of dedicated architects and engineers for developing large scale projects. Jindal Realty believes in its capacity to achieve great things and works with a passion to provide lasting Impression. The Company is developing new competencies in real estate development in residential and commercial segments. Jindal Realty Signature project Sonepat global city in Sector - 33 & 35, Sonepat a mega township is set to offer a new city with luxurious lifestyle. Growth has been a way of life for Jindal Realty (P) Ltd and its motto all along has been 'Growth with a Social Conscience. The company's strength lies in its commitment to consolidate its core strengths and excel in its chosen field. Source : This Article/News is also avaliable in following categories : Business News Your Comments ! Share Your Openion A bill that would forgive student NJCLASS college loans if the student borrower dies or is permanently disabled was approved by the Assembly Higher Education Committee Thursday. The approved bill combined three similar bills and also allows for the deferment of principal and interest on the NJCLASS loans for students who are temporarily disabled. The issue came up after a Pro Publica/NY Times report on NJCLASS loans which highlighted a mother who was stuck paying her murdered sons student loans because she had co-signed them. Bill sponsors noted that the federal government already forgives federal loans if the student dies, and other states also have similar policies. Asemblyman Vince Mazzeo, D-Atlantic, was one of the first sponsors of the bill. Imagine youre a family who always pays their bills, has good credit and then you lose a child and in the midst of your grief, youre saddled with tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars in their remaining student loan debt, he said in a statement. Sponsor Andrew Zwicker D-Somerset/Mercer/Middlesex/Hunterdon said the bill was common sense, and compassionate. The bill applies only to loans issued under the NJCLASS program - New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students which helps cover college costs not already covered by other sources of grants, scholarships and loans. If the student borrower dies, the executor or administrator of the estate would have to provide written notification to the authority of the student borrowers death. In the event that an eligible student borrower becomes disabled, the student must provide a written statement from a physician certifying that the student borrower is disabled, and if it is temporary, date on which the disability is expected to end. The committee also approved a bill that would provide reimbursement of a portion of medical school tuition expenses to psychiatrists who agree to provide mental health care services in one of these state underserved areas for a period of one to four years. That bill was already approved by the Senate in June. Its amazing what a soundtrack can do for an episode. And a series. So lets talk about the first and last scene of this weeks episode of Mr. Robot. We open with Terry Kolby and E-Corp CEO Phillip Price discussing politics. Price asks Kolby to assist in allowing China to annex the Congo so they can afford bailout money for E-Corp. Price also tells Kolby that he asks himself if hes the most powerful man in the world. For someone trying to rain chaos, like he said last week, Price isnt the most convincing evil villain. The dialogue in this scene is less than exciting. I wish that Prices words meant more to me but they dont. But behind the boring banter is a really pretty piano composition called Gnossienne No. 3 by Olof Hojer. The song carries the scene more than Kolby or Price could and, along with Esmails beautiful cinematography, makes for a satisfying opening scene. But the song that comes next is more like a bull in a china shop no more like a shootout at a New York City diner. Are you alright? Is everyone around you still alright? No casualties? Good. Now lets talk about what we just listened to. The song is titled The Head That Controls Both Right and Left Sides Eats Meats and Slobbers Even Today, by a Japanese thrashcore band called Bleach. Its amazing. It makes me want to jump around at my desk and start punching air and scream towards the sky. For me, this is a very good feeling. Now how do I feel when I hear this song while watching someone apply lipstick? It almost makes me lose my mind. But that is what Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail does. Esmail can let a hardcore song like this provide the same background to Tyrells wife putting on a dress that he does to Angela singing Tears for Fears karaoke at a bar. His content and his soundtrack run synonymously. Last week when we saw Elliot sentenced to prison, we get snippets of the synth- heavy The Order to Death, by Public Image Ltd. When we see a montage of Elliot in jail, we get a slick Depeche Mode song called Walking in my Shoes, as we stroll through the prison yard. In last night's aftershow, "Hacking Robot", Christian Slater said that one of the reasons he was so pumped for season 2 was how Esmail had all the episode scripts ready to roll for day one. He is that prepared down to T, and you can see it in his music. If you can step back and play the role of Detective DiPierro and scan the scene around you, you can see a story being told in Esmails soundtrack thats as informative to the narrative as the scenes you are watching. The episode continues as Joanna Wellick tries to have Elliot contact her husband Tyrell. Though her scenes have been few and far between, even with a larger role this season, Stephanie Corneliussen has done a much better job at scaring me more than E-Corp CEO Phillip Price or the grave-smearing Whiterose. Cisco and Darlene are in trouble when an fsociety member, Vincent, is found gasping at Susan Jacobs house (you know, the one fsociety set up camp in all season.) Cisco and Darlene take Vincent to the hospital and leave to grab a bite to eat. Cisco is identified by Jacobs' neighbors and Detective DiPierro is on the chase (go, Dom, go!) Sadly, they are too late when they get to the hospital. Dom decides to take matters into her own hands and heads on foot down the New York City streets. Theres a scene in between all of this that takes you back to the inception of this show. Its Elliot and Angela. Theyre together for the first time in present day all season. Theyre sitting in a subway train and Angela admits that Dom is following her (with snacks, though!) She tells Elliot she will confess to the femtocell she planted at E-Corp but wont tell of Elliot or the rest of fsociety. This a mild win for the What happen to Angela this season haters (like myself.) But then Elliot is getting off the train the two kissed. Just like that. And Elliot leaves. This was never a romance show but the one couple you were kind of rooting for were Elliot and Angela. You always wanted them to sit down, get high and just watch Back to the Future 2, but that was just never going to happen. It shows us that these characters are both in two different points in their lives but they also share one characteristic: fear. Elliot exits and two people walk into camera with Angela on the train. Could it be the officer who was following Angela around all season? Something tells me yes. But we shall see. The final scene of this episode didnt need any soundtrack and I am sure that was carefully calculated by Esmail as well. Dom finds Cisco and Darlene in a diner, walks into the restaurant and confronts them. And, once again, the scene that unfolds is perfectly mapped out by Esmail and crew. Two dark army agents pull up on the other side of the street, tucked right into the foreground of the camera, as one agent runs over to the window of the diner and opens fire, committing suicide in the process as Dom scurries out of the diner. There are two episodes left of this weird season 2 and we have a lot we still need to know. Are Darlene and/or Cisco dead? Whatever happened to Angela on that train? Where is Elliot heading to? How do E-Corp and the Dark Army play into all this? Well learn more next week, but for now you can sit back, pop in those new Apple AirPods and listen to some Japanese thrashcore. In my opinion theres no better way to prepare for this show. ATLANTIC CITY -- The Miss America contestants took to the stage for a second night Wednesday in the second preliminary of the competition. Gowns were paraded across the stage, instruments belted out their songs and swimsuits were strutted as the contestants again performed based on their placement in one of three groups: Mu, Alpha and Sigma. Miss Maryland Hannah Brewer won the night's fitness and lifestyle portion of the competition. Miss Arkansas Savvy Shields danced her way to a win for the talent portion. Mu presented their swimsuit and evening wear, Alpha answered the onstage question and Sigma performed their talents. White, cobalt, aqua and black swimsuits by official swimwear sponsor Irene West marched across the stage in the swimsuit portion of the competition at Boardwalk Hall. Miss New Jersey Brenna Weick belted out "Someone Like You" from the musical "Jekyll and Hyde" in a purple ball gown. Some standout talents included Miss Indiana Brianna DeCamp who was one of only three tap dancers of the evening. Shields, Miss Arkansas, elicited cheers from the crowd with her jazz dance. Miss Texas Caroline Carothers and Miss Arizona Katelyn Niemiec performed a baton twirling routine. Miss Pennsylvania Samantha Lambert was the only contestant to perform an acrobatic dance which included walking on her hands Wednesday. Onstage questions had a wide range from health issues to assault and bullying. The MU group will be up next with their talents Thursday night. Miss New Jersey will answer her onstage question Thursday night. Tuesday nights winners were Miss Tennessee Grace Burgess who took home the talent award with her rendition of "Desperado" by The Eagles and Miss District of Columbia Cierra Jackson who won the lifestyle and fitness competition. The second preliminary was again hosted by Miss new Jersey 1995 Dena Blizzard, her eighth year as the emcee. Blizzard had the judges tell the crowd fun facts about themselves which ranged from Katherine Bailess' affinity for Christmas Barbies to Nicole Lapin's double-jointed elbows which she demonstrated. Miss America Betty Cantrell sang for one of the last performances under the crown The third night of preliminaries will start at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Boardwalk Hall. Two members of separate motorcycle gangs were arrested last month as part of an ongoing investigation into drug dealing and weapons possession. Samuel Marsh, 27, and Benjamin Dipilla, 28, both of Mays Landing, were charged with multiple weapons offenses after several law enforcement units, including the New Jersey State Police Gangs Unit, the Hamilton Township Police Department, and the Atlantic County SWAT Team, among others, raided a home on the 6000 block of Danenhauer Lane in Mays Landing. Two men arrested after burglaries, hit and run in EHT Two suspects in multiple car burglaries in Egg Harbor Township were arrested after an allege Marsh is a member of the Tough Guys motorcycle gang while Dipilla is allegedly part of the Pagans motorcycle gang, according to a statement from the Hamilton Township Police Department. Both were taken to the Atlantic County jail after failing to post bail. The announcement of the arrests comes just days before Wildwoods annual Roar to the Shore. Last year, a member of the Pagan motorcycle gang was arrested outside of a Wawa in Wildwood the weekend of the rally. There was also a nonviolent incident between the Pagan motorcycle gang and the Wheels of Soul gang. ATLANTIC CITY Flames ripped through a multi-story apartment building Thursday morning above a Chelsea neighborhood grocery store, leaving 10 people homeless and five firefighters injured. You had flames blowing out every single window and door on the second floor, said city Fire Chief Scott Evans. An off-duty resort firefighter is being credited with rescuing a woman and a cat. A dog in one apartment was reported to be still missing Thursday afternoon. The fire was reported just before 9:30 a.m. at 4403 Ventnor Ave. About 60 firefighters battled flames in the 90-degree heat and humidity of the day, rotating in shifts to break for water, shade and sometimes oxygen. The heat hampered firefighter operations severely, Evans said. Firefighters were succumbing to heat exhaustion very quickly. Additional firefighters were called immediately. Five firefighters were taken to the hospital for injuries, four of which were heat-related, and one other had a minor cut to his hand. Evans said as of 4 p.m. Thursday, all of the firefighters had been released from the hospital. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, although he said firefighters suspect it began on the second floor and extended up to the third floor of the building. The three-story building houses A&B Market on the first floor and two residential units above. The neighboring homes, which were within feet of the burning apartments, were evacuated by firefighters moments later. Firefighters broke through windows as flames came out of them and water and ash dropped to the sidewalk. Evans said the three-alarm fire was brought under control at 12:30 p.m. There were several reports of explosions on the second floor, Evans said, adding that they suspect they were bicycle tires exploding. Buddy Mancuso, who lives two blocks away on Delancy Place, was on his porch when he saw the smoke. He said an off-duty Atlantic City firefighter, William Rodgers, ran into the building to evacuate the residents. Mancuso called Rodgers a hero. Rodgers, who remained on the scene wearing only black shorts and sneakers, and riding a bicycle, declined to comment. Evans said that Rodgers assisted with rescues early on in the blaze, which included one woman from the building and a cat from inside. There is still a dog reported missing in the building, Evans said. Diane Concannon, communications director for the North Jersey Regions American Red Cross, said the organization had three representatives on the scene today and they are assisting 10 people who were displaced in the fire. The organization is providing emergency assistance for lodging, food and clothing for the 10 people. In addition to four Atlantic City fire stations, Absecon EMS and Atlantic City police also responded to the scene. Mayor Don Guardian credited firefighters. When you have an older building with lots of construction inside, it makes it more difficult to be able to have free access, Guardian said. Firefighters will be staying on top of it. Guardian said it was too early to tell what would happen to the building. Crowds of neighbors nearby stepped outside their homes or looked out the window to watch the fire, and others came by on bicycles or skateboards to find out what was happening. Some held their children while watching the scene; others videotaped it as the smoke appeared to get thicker throughout the fight. Ray Gajtkowski, 69, who lives down the road, said he began to see smoke from his 20th floor residence and emerged to see what was going on. I just saw the big, black smoke, he said. It just got so engulfed ... I thought there was maybe the second home next door was on fire. It's taking a long time, he added. Dale Finch, director of the city department of licensing and inspections, said Thursday the health department had closed A&B Market as of June 27. The store had several violations including mold on the ceiling, droppings throughout the store and outdated food on the shelves. It was a filthy mess, he said. The two residential units that have certificates of occupancy above the market have had the same tenants for some time and havent been inspected recently, he said. A construction worker will assess the area and damage by tomorrow for cost of repairs or demolition. Tax records indicate the building is owned by Alka and Bhavesh Bob Patel and is assessed at $445,700. Ricky Patel, owner of the A&B Market, said that he was on his way to the store when he received a phone call from a neighbor that the building was on fire. Patel said the store has been in the building for 80 years, and that he has owned it since 2004. Patel said he came to the scene immediately and watched as the flames shot out the windows and black smoke billowed into the air. He said the fire had not yet spread into the first floor where his store was. Whatever happens, its going to happen. You cant control it, Patel said. South Jersey Gas was on scene and had shut off the gas to the building. Workers said they were waiting to remove the meters. Tracy Balazs, 52, lives across the street from the building and said she heard it before seeing it. We heard some kind of explosion ... We heard a boom, she said. I was worried if there were any people in there. I know school's in, so hopefully kids were in school. Laneicesha Revis, 26, was exiting her doctors office from an appointment when she saw the smoke and the fire. There were people trying to figure out what was going on, trying to figure out if there was anybody left in there, she said. The firefighters are doing their job, I hope everyone is out safe, she said. Ali Raheed, 50, said he was walking on the boardwalk not far from his own home when he heard the sirens. I could see the fire from the boardwalk, he said. We were hoping nobody was in there. A bill that would require all police related deaths to be investigated by the New Jersey Attorney General passed committee on Thursday and will now head to The Assemble for a Vote. The bill, written by Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem), Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) and Senator Ronald Rice (D-Essex), provides that the attorney general investigate any deaths that occur during an encounter with a police officer or other law enforcement officials instead of the countys prosecutor. Cumberland County's new emergency guru thrives on worry BRIDGETON Ed Conrow always has had a passion for emergency services. Any legal action taken against the law enforcement officer would also be handled outside the county where the incident occurred, according to a statement from Sweeney. It is important that the deadly encounters resulting from official police actions are investigated thoroughly and fairly and that the public trusts the findings, Weinberg said in a statement.Independent investigations that are not associated with the county in which the death occurred will have more trust and credibility and will help remove any conflict of interest. BRIDGETON Ed Conrow always has had a passion for emergency services. Conrow, of Bridgeton, takes over Cumberland Countys emergency services department at an important time, planning an estimated $20 million overhaul of the way emergency responders communicate with one another. This line of work is not new for Conrow, who spent five years as the fire chief at Atlantic City International Airport and had worked on security changes at the airport after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks. But it will be a challenge nonetheless. Conrow and other county officials are still ironing out the details on how to get the project funded, get municipalities on board and create an implementation plan. (Conrow) came with very high recommendations, Freeholder Director Joe Derella said. Former Director Jim Matlock did a great job laying the groundwork for this project, and Ed is the perfect person to move it forward. The project could include building new infrastructure in the county such as cell towers and will require the county to buy new equipment. Were in the planning stages right now and are figuring out what equipment we need, Conrow said. The biggest thing is going to be developing cost analysis, what its going to cost and how we are going to get funding. Communications projects are not new for Conrow. After 9/11, Conrow was involved in numerous changes at the Atlantic City airport, including new security and planning procedures, new infrastructure and protecting the 177th Fighter Wing. Things changed drastically (after 9/11), he said. We looked at security totally different and needed to solidify our plans a little bit. During the attacks, Conrow was sent to New York City as part of New Jersey Task Force One, where he helped responders go through mountains of debris and try to save as many lives as possible. Conrow said he and the task force spent 10 days in New York and hardly stopped working during that time. Its magnitude didnt truly hit him until they returned to New Jersey, he said. Now, he will bring those experiences and the experiences of being the fire chief and a Vineland city councilman to his new job. Its kind of like Im walking into a new job, but I have the experiences working with the people, he said. During his first month on the job, Conrow said, he has been like a sponge. He has been learning the needs of the county and prioritizing what needs to be done. The biggest jobs will be the communications project. At the end of 2016, Conrow hopes to present the Board of Chosen Freeholders with a rough draft of the project. If its approved and the municipalities are on board, the project will take about two years and $20 million to complete, Conrow said. One of the biggest challenges, Conrow said, is funding. The county is exploring funding options through the state and federal governments. He also said part of it could be taxpayer-funded. After its done, all the emergency services in the county, including fire departments, police departments, EMS services and the Prosecutors and Sheriffs offices, will be on one communications system. It will make it easier to communicate with surrounding counties in case of a natural disaster or extreme emergency, Conrow said. The system we have now is maxed out, Derella said. We know its going to be costly, but were moving cautiously and optimistically forward. A Middle Township man was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly produced phony identification during a traffic stop at the Holland Tunnel. Port Authority police said Arthur C. Gibson, 44, of Middle Township, was driving in Jersey City around 4:30 p.m. when police observed his 2000 Nissan was missing a front New Jersey license plate and had no inspection sticker. Police said Gibson produced an international drivers license and allegedly told the officer that his New York commercial license was in the mail. Police said the identification provided came back to a valid New York license and an expired Pennsylvania license with a photo that did not match Gibson. Police determined Gibsons actual identity through his fingerprints after he was arrested. Gibson was wanted on two outstanding warrants, including a charge of forgery in Praxton Township, Pennsylvania, and a probation violation out of Cape May County. He was charged with forgery and hindering apprehension and detained on $7,500 bail. His vehicle was impounded. A Tuckerton woman has suffered serious injuries after a vehicle crossed over the center lane on Route 9 into her vehicle in Stafford Township Wednesday, police said. Around 7:36 p.m., Paige Spano, 20, of Tuckerton, was traveling southbound on Route 9 near the intersection of Mayetta Landing Road when a 2013 Chrysler 300 crossed the center line and crashed into Spanos 1995 Geo Metro. The driver of the Chrysler, Eileen King, 51, of Cedar Run was charged in connection with reckless driving, failure to maintain lane and failure to secure a child in a child restraint. A cause for the accident has not yet been released but police. Spano suffered extensive injuries and was airlifted by PennStar to Atlantic City Trauma Center, police said. King had a 5-year-old in the car with her at the time of the crash, who was not in a child restraint. The child was airlifted to the Jersey Shore Trauma Center and with a moderate injury. Stafford EMS transported King to Southern Ocean Medical Center for minor injuries. Route 9 was detoured around the crash for about four hours. Stafford Police and Ocean County Prosecutors Office are investigating the crash. Police ask that witnesses contact 609-597-1189 ext.8436. --Erin Serpico PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account. EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP An employee at an environmental engineering company was injured Wednesday when the diesel tank he was working on exploded, throwing him to the ground near the H. Russell Swift School. No students, staff or faculty at the school were injured, Interim Superintendent Fred Nickles said. Police said Joseph Palmieri, 29, of Egg Harbor Township, and Brian Cop, 31, of Beachwood, were working on the tank when it exploded. Palmieri suffered burns to the right side of his body. Police said he was cutting an old diesel tank with a saw when the tank ignited. Palmieri was treated at the scene by the Egg Harbor Township Ambulance Squad and AtlantiCare paramedics. He was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Campus. Cop was treated at the scene for minor injuries. Egg Harbor Township Fire Marshall Donald Stauffer is investigating the accident. There was no reason for alarm. None of the students were at risk at any time, Nickles said. Nickles said the worker suffered first- and second-degree burns to his arms and torso from the fire and explosion at the underground fuel tanks on the site. The explosion sent flames 30 feet into the air, witnesses said. The worker was thrown 5 feet. The scene was cleared by 11 a.m. and construction continued, Nickles said. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating, a spokeswoman said. Contact: 609-272-7239 Someday soon, when you least expect it, a police officer may receive mistaken information from a confused eyewitness or a liar, or circumstantial evidence that helps persuade him that you might be guilty of a very serious crime. When confronted with police officers and other government agents who suddenly arrive with a bunch of questions, most innocent people mistakenly think to themselves, "Why not talk? I haven't done anything. I have nothing to hide. What could possibly go wrong?" Well, among other things, you could end up confessing to a crime you didn't commit. The problem of false confessions is not an urban legend. It is a documented fact. Indeed, research suggests that the innocent may be more susceptible than the culpable to deceptive police interrogation tactics, because they tragically assume that somehow "truth and justice will prevail" later even if they falsely admit their guilt. Nobody knows for sure how often innocent people make false confessions, but as Circuit Judge Alex Kozinski recently observed, "Innocent interrogation subjects confess with surprising frequency." It happens especially in cases when the suspect is young and vulnerable. An analysis of 125 proven false confessions found that 33 percent of the suspects were juveniles at the time of arrest, and at least 43 percent were either mentally disabled or ill. Another study of 340 exonerations found that 13 percent of adults falsely confessed compared to 42 percent of juveniles. And nearly half of the exonerated children were put behind bars because of something they said to police without an attorney present. In Oakland, California, police isolated and interrogated a 16-year-old named Felix in the middle of the night without a lawyer and denied his requests to see his mother. Eventually he gave them a detailed, videotaped confession to a murder, allegedly filled with numerous specifics only the real killer would have known. At that point, it looked like there was little chance this young man would be able to avoid a conviction; when a jury hears that someone has confessed, they are almost certain to convict. But fortunately for young Felix, it was later revealed that he had an airtight alibi: He had been locked up in a juvenile detention facility the day of the killing. The charges were dismissed, and he was released from jail. Eddie Lowery was a 22-year-old soldier stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, when he was interrogated for an entire workday about a rape and murder he never committed. Like a typical innocent man, he persisted for hours in emphatic assertions of innocence. Like typical police officers, the interrogators acted open-minded and unconvinced. Perhaps, he foolishly hoped, he might persuade them of his innocence if he repeated his story over and over again at greater and greater length. After the daylong interrogation, he was worn out and gave them a detailed confession. He served more than 20 years in prison until he was recently released, after evidence proved that he was actually innocent. So why in the world did Lowery confess, when we now know that he was innocent all along? He explained the mindset of someone who has been broken down by hours of relentless interrogation: "I didn't know any way out of that, except to tell them what they wanted to hear, and then get a lawyer to prove my innocence. You've never been in a situation so intense, and you're naive about your rights. You don't know what (someone) will say to get out of that situation." One analysis of 44 proven false-confession cases revealed that more than a third of the interrogations lasted six to 12 hours, many lasted between 12 and 24 hours, and the average length was more than 16 hours. The longer you speak to police officers, the more likely it is that you will confess to some crime that you did not commit - isn't that enough of a reason to avoid speaking to them? Don't talk to the police - except to tell them, respectfully, that you will not answer any questions and that you would like a lawyer. James Duane is a professor at Regent Law School in Virginia Beach, Va., and the author of "You Have the Right to Remain Innocent." Unions, firms should ally to stay open, keep jobs It was encouraging to read that Progresso plant owner General Mills and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 152 are holding talks to try to keep their Vineland plant open. While a local official has said the company needs to "reduce costs on the union side," possibly this can be done while still saving most if not all of the 370 jobs involved. I hope so. I am wondering, is it too late for the Unite Here Local 54 union and Carl Icahn to hold similar negotiations for the 3,000 employees soon out of jobs at the Trump Taj Mahal? Or is there a way that the 2,000 non-striking workers can stay and carry on to keep the casino operation open without losing their employment? Anthony Navarra North Cape May Dog beach in EHT could use trash collection A writer recently commented about the condition of the dog park called Malibu Beach, located on the causeway at the foot of the Ocean City-Longport bridge. I took photos of the trash that accumulates there. The trash can was brought there by a dog owner. The fishing pier across the road has several trash cans. There are none at this park, where a sign indicates the N.J. environmental department is responsible. The land is part of Egg Harbor Township. It appears no one wants to take responsibility. I have emailed N.J. Fish and Wildlife twice and received prompt answers. Wouldn't it seem that whoever put the trash cans on the fishing pier could also provide them for the dog park? It is a shame that people do not clean up after themselves, but that appears to be the situation. Jack Clifford Ocean City A.C. should implement abused-children program Atlantic City has seen its share of child abuse and human trafficking. Most young people involved with human trafficking were molested as adolescents. They grew up feeling unworthy, lonely, lost and unloved. These vulnerabilities are preyed upon by adults who train them as prostitutes for monetary gain. The city Police Department is aware of these activities and has a task force doing a marvelous job. However, we should prevent young adults from being persuaded to get involved with human trafficking. Atlantic City Council passed a child abuse resolution in March that has a clause to better children's lives by possibly implementing Rowan University's CARES Institute in the next three years. CARES developed a program combining art and science to help heal abused children. Will Atlantic City succeed in saving a population of abused children like they are trying to save a dying casino industry? The city's abused children are just as important as its finances. Abused children matter above everything else, because children are the future and we want the children in Atlantic City to grow up healthy. Valeria Marcus Atlantic City EpiPen coupons fall short Regarding the EpiPen controversy, Mylan's spin is ridiculous. So they will provide some people with coupons. Sleeves out of my vest! The pharmacy benefit managers are still on the hook for the increased cost and ultimately will raise the benefit cost. This has got to stop. I do need the medicine, but also take a chemo drug that has been on the market for probably 20-plus years and still costs me $900 out of pocket. Seriously? Washington officials should stop taking money from lobbyists and think about what people have to do if they don't have all their health care provided for them. It's disgusting. Kim Salley Wildwood Crest The end of summer is a tough time for Joanne Renzi and her family. Renzi, who formerly lived in the Atlantic City area, is the sister of Victor Saracini, who was killed in the Sept. 11 attacks at the World Trade Center. Saracini, who grew up in Ducktown and attended Atlantic City High School, was the pilot of United Airlines Flight 175 that was hijacked and crashed into the South Tower. Wildwood Crest Sept. 11 victim remembered as family man When Lisa Fitzpatrick heard about two planes crashing into the World Trade Center, her first This year on the 15th anniversary of the attacks, a tribute will be held in honor of Saracini and John ONeill at the September 11 Memorial at Jackson Avenue and the Boardwalk in Atlantic City. For Renzi, the memorial is a lasting tribute to her brother in their hometown now that she lives in the Pittsburgh area. Its hard, this is a difficult time of year for us, Renzi said, her voice cracking when mentioning that his birthday was also Aug. 29. But its also comforting to be part of a memorial service. Holy Spirit remembers alumnus who was World Trade Center security chief ABSECON Scott Higbee still sees his old classmates face every time he enters Holy Spirit On the day of the attacks, Renzi, who lived in Franklinville at the time, said she had just arrived at a job interview when she heard of the first tower being hit. Later, she got a phone call from United Airlines telling her the news that her brothers plane was hijacked. She said she was in shock because she and her brother had just made plans to see each other the next weekend. Renzi said that her and her family used to travel up to New York for memorials, but that became harder when they moved out of the area. Last year, Renzi and her husband returned to Atlantic City for the service at the memorial on Jackson Avenue next to the boardwalk because a beam from the World Trade Center was added to the site. This year, they will travel back to Atlantic City for the memorial honoring the victims on the fifteenth anniversary of the attacks. The memorial will honor Saracini, ONeill, Andrew Alameno, Patricia Cody and all the people who lost their lives in New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania. It will begin at 10 a.m. on Jackson Avenue and the Boardwalk and will feature Miss America Betty Cantrell singing the national anthem and Miss America 2000 Heather French performing another patriotic song, according to organizer Bob Pantalena. Pantalena, of Atlantic City, said he got a 30-by-50 foot flag donated to him that will hang from two ladders from fire trucks during the memorial. This is really a community event where everybody is willing to help, he said. Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian will also be in attendance. Renzi said the attendance of people such as Guardian, Cantrell, French and hundreds of members from the public means a lot to her and her family. Its very nice of them to take the time to come to the memorial, she said. Its good to know that people havent forgotten. Contact: 609-272-7260 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. MONTEREY, CA--(Marketwired - September 08, 2016) - Sanctuary Beach Resort on the Monterey Bay announced today that Kula Ranch Maui Steak House has closed after eight years of serving the community; the property is currently developing a new dining concept that will complement both the hotel and the surrounding community. Located on the edge of the Pacific Ocean -- nestled in the heart of the Marine Dunes Preserve -- on 19 acres of secluded oceanfront shoreline, this unique resort was purchased earlier this year by Pennsylvania-based REIT Hersha Hospitality Trust, who have plans to enhance and reposition the property. To create this new signature restaurant, Sanctuary Beach Resort has hired some of the industry's top hospitality, branding and design experts, including Bespoke Concepts -- a boutique hospitality advisory agency known for creating renowned food and beverage concepts for some of the world's leading hotel brands such as Buddy V's at The Venetian in Las Vegas and the new Copper Bar at The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii. The owners have also engaged both Farouki Farouki, a full service architecture and design studio with prior experience designing restaurants and bars for Morgans Hotel Group and Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, and The MadeShop, a unique branding agency who has recently opened the acclaimed Nickel restaurant in the Hotel Teatro in Denver. Set to open in early 2017 after an extensive remodel and upgrade, both returning and new staff will look forward to welcoming back hotel guests and members of the community to enjoy the best of Monterey County's incredible regional fare, which will utilize sustainable and local ingredients. From an extensive oyster and raw bar offering, live fire cooking, and house-made charcuterie to an expanded beverage program, including an impressive list of regional wines, craft beers, coffee and cocktails -- this new concept will be appealing to all audiences for all occasions. Story continues "We are a chef-driven company and our perspective starts in the kitchen, taking influence from what is available to us locally," says Bespoke Concepts Principal Jake Linzinmeir. "With the restaurant in such close proximity to the sea, while being surrounded on the inland side by abundant fields, our sources of inspiration and sustainable ingredients are boundless. We look forward to working with the local community-supported agriculture and fisheries as we build our concept and menus." The addition of a remodeled dining room and patio space will allow for year-round use, more seats, accommodations for larger groups and weddings, as well as private dining rooms and upgraded IT and audio visual for corporate and executive retreats. Sanctuary Beach Resort looks forward to this next chapter for their signature restaurant and thanks the ownership and staff of Kula Ranch Maui Steak House after many years of service to locals and guests of the resort. Hersha Hospitality Trust (HT) is a self-advised real estate investment trust in the hospitality sector, which owns and operates high quality upscale hotels in urban gateway markets. The Company's 55 hotels totaling 8,763 rooms are located in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Miami and select markets on the West Coast. The Company's shares are traded on The New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "HT". SINGAPORE and ZWANENBURG, the Netherlands, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Data Center Dynamics SE Asia September 14/15, Singapore Booth 517 - Protect Blue flagship data center UPS customized to fully answer customer requirements - Choice was based on high reliability and AEG PS' expert local support availability AEG Power Solutions, a global provider of power electronic systems and solutions for industrial power supplies and renewable energy applications, announced that their Protect Blue UPS has been installed to secure the power supply to one of Singapore's most recent and largest data centers. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405218 ) The new facility encompasses over 180,000 sq m and features a large power architecture that delivers over 13 MW of critical IT capacity. It offers its customers a wide range of premium data services with a state-of-the-art and secure infrastructure interconnected with other data centers of the same group. "When it comes to this type of sensitive application, reliability is highly at stake, explains Thomas Rindlisbacher, Director of Sales, AEG PS in Singapore. Prior to choosing AEG Power Solutions, the system was originally evaluated and tested by our client in their UK lab. The fact that we could provide local support was essential to them." Protect Blue UPS system is designed specifically for large data centers and offers protection from 250 kW to 4 MW. With one of the highest energy efficiency rates on the market, Protect Blue is a durable, flexible, easy to maintain UPS solution that optimizes total cost of ownership and reduces operator intervention. "We designed Protect Blue for such facilities. The ability to collaborate with a highly demanding customer and to ensure we would answer their needs was a great experience. Through working with such high level professionals, we are demonstrating our ability to leverage our industrial critical power expertise and to now also bring it to secure power for data centers, explains Juha Lantta, VP Commercial UPS and Data &IT at AEG Power Solutions. AEG Power Solutions is showcasing Protect Blue at Data Center Dynamics in Singapore, September 14 &15, booth 517. About AEG Power Solutions AEG Power Solutions (AEG PS) Group is a global provider of power electronics systems and solutions for all industrial and demanding commercial power requirements offering one of the most comprehensive product and service portfolios in the area of uninterruptible power supply and power management. Thanks to its distinctive expertise bridging both AC and DC power technologies and spanning the worlds of both conventional and renewable energy, the company creates innovative solutions for next generation distributed power generation. AEG Power Solutions Group is the sole subsidiary of the holding company 3W Power S.A. (WKN A114Z9) / ISINLU1072910919), based in Luxembourg. The Group is headquartered in Zwanenburg in the Netherlands. The shares of 3W Power are admitted to trading on Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: 3W9K). For more information, visit http://www.aegps.com. This comunication does not constitute an offer or the solicitation of an offer to buy, sell or exchange any securities of 3W Power. This communication contains forward-looking statements which include, inter alia, statements expressing our expectations, intentions, projections, estimates, and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable evaluation and opinion of the management but are subject to risks and uncertainties which are beyond the control of 3W Power and, as a general rule, difficult to predict. The management and the company cannot and do not, under any circumstances, guarantee future results or performance of 3W Power and the actual results of 3W Power may materially differ from the information expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. As a result, investors are cautioned against relying on the forward-looking statements contained herein as a basis for their investment decisions regarding 3W Power. 3W Power undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein. AEG is a registered trademark used under license from AB Electrolux SOURCE AEG Power Solutions WILMINGTON, North Carolina, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Alcami Corporation, a leading provider of custom manufacturing and development services for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, today announces additional laboratory-scale capabilities to support prefilled syringes in Wilmington, NC and the successful completion of previously announced investments in Charleston, SC. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160315/344471LOGO Alcami has invested in state of the art, semi-automated vacuum stopper equipment in Wilmington, NC, to generate prefilled syringe samples that can be used to screen & select components, complete compatibility studies, and conduct developmental stability studies. With this equipment, Alcami can generate bench/pilot scale representative samples, minimizing the amount of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) required to generate this critical data. Additionally, our clinical and commercial manufacturing facility in Charleston, SC has successfully produced clinical supply from its recently qualified second line with commercial manufacturing to follow. Coupled with the existing fill line, the site has doubled its filling capacity in 2016. A new, mid-scale lyophilization unit is being qualified, doubling the site's lyophilization capacity. To complement the additional equipment capacity, a third shift has been created, further adding capacity and scheduling flexibility with operations running 24 hours a day, five days a week. "It is exciting to see the successful completion of recent investments that have enabled the doubling of our filling and lyophilization capacity at our Charleston site, and the extension of our development capabilities into pre-filled syringes. The site has introduced 17 new programs this year and is geared to support increasing demand within the Pharma & Biotech industry for sterile drug product development and manufacturing," stated Ted Dolan, Chief Operating Officer. The Charleston, SC facility recently completed an FDA General Inspection that resulted in zero 483 observations as well as a successful EMA inspection supporting multiple commercial products. These results demonstrate Alcami's ongoing commitment to quality and regulatory compliance. Alcami's sterile manufacturing facility has a long-standing track record of compliance supporting numerous clinical and commercial regulatory filings globally. ABOUT ALCAMI AAIPharma Services Corp. and Cambridge Major Laboratories, Inc. have joined to form Alcami, a world class supplier of comprehensive pharmaceutical development and manufacturing services. With seven sites across the globe, our combined capabilities include API development and manufacturing, solid state chemistry, formulation development, analytical development and testing services, clinical and commercial finished dosage form manufacturing (oral solid dose and parenteral), packaging, and stability services. www.alcaminow.com Related Links http://www.alcaminow.com SOURCE Alcami Corporation MONTREAL, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ALGOLD RESOURCES LTD. (TSXV: ALG) - (the "Corporation") today announced more results from its Phase I 10,000-meter drilling campaign carried out on the Corporation's Tijirit property ("Tijirit") in Mauritania. The new results further validate Algold's interpretation of a continuous 3.1-kilometer strike length over the Eleonore Zone, which remains open along strike and at depth. Recent drilling results also indicate that the Lily Zone is still open along strike to the north. In addition, rock chip sampling indicates that the structure hosting the Eleonore and Lily zones extends over at least 20 kilometers. Highlights Hole T16RC070 - 3 m @ 30.03 g/t Au, is situated in the northern area of the Eleonore Zone between hole T16RC045 and T16RC024 (Figure 1). Hole T16RC045 - 5 m @ 6.64 g/t Au, is situated along strike 260 m south-southwest of hole T16RC024. (Figure 1). Diamond drill hole T16DD04 drilled for metallurgical testing adjacent to hole T16RC035 (7 m @ 3.2 g/t Au - referenced in Algold's press release dated August 18, 2016 ) in the central area of the Eleonore Zone revealed the presence of a gold rich quartz vein (Photo 1), highlighting the high-grade potential of the vein within the zone. This central area of Eleonore has now been tested over 600 meters of strike. ) in the central area of the Eleonore Zone revealed the presence of a gold rich quartz vein (Photo 1), highlighting the high-grade potential of the vein within the zone. This central area of Eleonore has now been tested over 600 meters of strike. In the northern strike extension of the Lily Zone, Hole T16RC052 intersected 14 m @ 1.03 g/t Au and 6 m @ 1.59 g/t Au, thus indicating that the Lily Zone is still open along strike to the north. Within the Eleonore's 3.1-kilometer strike gold zone, new results define three high-grade areas: north, central and south. These areas could potentially be continuous and may be confirmed by additional drilling in the future. The northern area of Eleonore has now been defined over a strike length of more than 300 meters and to a depth of 70 meters. The area to the north remains open along strike and at depth. All intersections on Eleonore are associated with quartz veining within mafic volcanic, or are at sheared contacts between a volcano sedimentary sequence and mafic volcanic. Algold completed eight large diameter core drill holes, with the samples to be used to initiate a number of metallurgical studies and comminution tests. Polished slides will also be generated for mineralogical studies. Results are expected in the latter part of Q4 2016. The Phase I drilling program was completed in early August 2016, on time and on budget, with the remaining assay results expected in the latter part of Q3 2016. Algold expects to complete Phase II of the drilling program, which is currently underway, in early Q4 2016. "The Eleonore gold zone, one of four main gold mineralized zones identified at Tijirit, continues to exceed expectations and deliver high-grade gold results," said Francois Auclair, President and Chief Executive Officer, Algold. "Core drilling for metallurgical testing revealed gold rich veins in the central portion of the Eleonore Zone, while the Lily Zone continues to add quality ounces and has the potential to contribute significantly to the resource base. As at the beginning of September Algold is in receipt of approximately 60% of Phase I assay results." Detailed geological descriptions of all mineralized zones can be found on Algold's website (http://www.algold.com) and on SEDAR (http://www.sedar.com) in the report entitled "Algold 43-101 Technical Report: Tijirit Maiden Mineral Resources Estimates for the Tijirit Gold Project in Mauritania". Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) Analytical work for geochemical samples and rock chips samples is being carried out at the independent ALS Laboratories Ltd. in Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland, and an ISO 17025 (2005) Certified Laboratory. Samples are stored at the Corporation's field camps and put into sealed bags until delivered by a geologist to ALS preparation laboratory in Nouakchott, Mauritania, where samples are sieved and prepared for shipping. To the end of 2015, samples were analysed at ALS facility in Bamako, Mali. Since early 2016, samples are analysed at ALS in Ireland. Samples are logged in the tracking system, weighed, dried and finely crushed to better than 70 % passing a 2 mm (Tyler 9 mesh, US Std. No.10) screen. A split of up to 1000 g is taken and pulverized to better than 85 % passing a 75 micron (Tyler 200 mesh) screen, and a 50 gram split is analysed by fire assay with an AA finish. Blanks, duplicate and certified reference material (standards) are being used to monitor laboratory performance during the analysis. This press release has been reviewed for accuracy and compliance under National Instrument 43-101 by Andre Ciesielski, DSc., PGeo., Algold Resources Ltd Lead Consulting Geologist and Qualified Person, and Alastair Gallaugher, C.Geo. (Chartered Geologist and Fellow of the Geological Society of London), BSc. Geology, Algold's Exploration Manager in Mauritania, Qualified Persons as defined by NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Andre Ciesielski has further approved the scientific and technical disclosure in the news release. Table 1: Assay Result Highlights (Partial) - Phase I Reverse-Circulation Drilling Program Hole ID Prospect East North From To Average Width** Comments UTM UTM (m) (m) Grade* (m) (g/t Au) Duplicate value 122 to 124 m = 35 g/t Au. 110 m west of last modelled mineralized T16RC040 Eleanore 481904 2249546 122 124 1.34 2 wireframe Includes 1.03 g/t Au over 1m, 50 m east of modelled T16RC041 Eleanore 482122 2249097 104 108 0.68 4 wireframes T16RC042 Eleanore 482017 2249065 72 78 1.12 6 New zone west of wireframes 106 110 1.22 4 New zone west of wireframes T16RC044 Eleanore 482403 2250504 69 71 1.39 2 Eleonore north target area 104 106 1.51 2 Believed to be part of the mineralized system 260 m NE T16RC045 Eleanore 482344 2250539 55 60 6.64 5 (as seen in T16RC024) T16RC070 Eleonore 484537 2250673 30 32 1.21 2 83 86 30.03 3 Including 1 m at 86.1 g/t Au T16RC052 Lily 476790 2245584 6 8 1.24 2 25 26 1.79 1 52 66 1.03 14 96 102 1.59 6 T16RC065 Sophie II 475825 2251623 38 46 1.11 8 Folded BIF 90 m north of 76 86 1.29 10 wireframes *Weighted average **Down-hole length (believed to be close to true width) Note: Complete assay results will be posted to Algold's website (http://www.algold.com). ABOUT ALGOLD Algold Resources Ltd is focused on the exploration and development of gold deposits in West Africa. The board of directors and management team are seasoned resource industry professionals with extensive experience in the exploration and development of world-class gold projects in Africa. Algold is the operator of all of its exploration licenses in Mauritania. Algold owns 100% of the Tijirit which represents an area of more than 1,000 km2 situated approximately 25 kilometers southeast of the Tasiast gold mine as well as the Akjout properties, which were acquired from Gryphon Minerals (Australia) through a transaction completed earlier in 2016. Exploration is being carried out on the Eleonore, Sophie I, Sophie II-III and Lily zones. The Kneivissat property is 90% owned by Algold and the Legouessi property is being managed through a 51% earn-in interest agreement with Caracal Gold LLC. Algold can earn up to a 90% interest in the Legouessi exploration permit (see October 10, 2013 press release for more details), however, Caracal has the right to participate in the joint venture at either 51% or 75%, by funding its share of expenditures. CAUTIONARY LANGUAGE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release contains and refers to forward-looking information based on current expectations. All other statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward looking statements (or forward-looking information). The Corporation's plans involve various estimates and assumptions and its business is subject to various risks and uncertainties. For more details on these estimates, assumptions, risks and uncertainties, see the Corporation's most recent Annual Information Form and most recent Management Discussion and Analysis on file with the Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com. These forward looking statements are made as of the date hereof and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, such statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements that are included herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Algold Resources Ltd. 1320, boul. Graham, bureau 132, Mont-Royal, Quebec, H3P 3C8, http://www.algold.com Francois Auclair M.Sc., PGeo, President & CEO, f.auclair@algold.com, +1(514)889-5089; Yves Grou, CPA, CA, Executive Vice Chairman, y.grou@algold.com , +1(514)237-7757 THE HAGUE, Netherlands, September 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Every year, groundbreaking new therapeutics for cancer, motor neuron disease and other life-threatening diseases receive FDA approval. From there it can take an average of 2 years for such medicines to become available in Australian hospitals and pharmacies. For patients who are running out of time and options, that's 2 years too long. Aussies suffer or die needlessly. TheSocialMedwork aims to change that. Implementing a very well regulated system that is hardly being utilised worldwide, the online platform helps patients and doctors to source their much needed innovative medicine and arranges for it to be delivered to a hospital or pharmacy in their home country, where treatment can take place. Patients no longer need to fly to the US every couple of weeks to receive treatment; they can stay at home with their loved ones. A network of doctors, patients, pharmacists and innovators. The platform was founded after e-health innovators Sjaak Vink-founder and former CEO of clinical trial focused MyTomorrows, and Jamie Heywood-founder and former CEO of the largest online patient community in the world-PatientsLikeMe-both lost friends and family members to cancer and motor-neuron-disease, and felt that they could have been treated more effectively. They began to research and found a legal means to import therapeutics that have been approved in a country other than the patients' country. Founded in 2014 in Delaware (US), and registered with the Ministry of Health in The Hague (The Netherlands) as an independent intermediary for medicines, TheSocialMedwork has an international team of doctors and pharmacists constantly scan for innovative medicines that have recently been approved somewhere in the world. Each medicine is then rigorously screened to determine whether or not it can offer an 'added value' to patients. 47 countries, 5 continents. To date, doctors and patients from 47 countries have already reached out to TheSocialMedwork for support. The platform has successfully delivered to patients and doctors in 5 continents. "I witnessed a loved-one fight hard to gain access to an FDA approved medicine that could have saved his life," states CEO Sjaak Vink. "There's a current lack of a globally harmonised approval system, and unfortunately that's not something I can personally change overnight. But I do believe that TheSocialMedwork is making a big step in the right direction." At this moment TheSocialMedwork offers 14 recently approved treatments-9 of which are currently directly unattainable to patients in Australian pharmacies. Amongst them is a Japan-approved treatment for MND, the latest FDA-approved breast cancer treatment and an FDA-approved leukemia treatment that has recently caught the attention of many Australians. "Additional promising treatments are expected to be approved in the US within the next few months. We're going to do our best to ensure that they're accessible to Australians within weeks of their FDA approval," states TheSocialMedwork's Dr Jan de Witt. The healthcare industry is one of the last major old economy bastions that has remained largely untouched by globalisation and more specifically, instantaneous access to goods on on global level. This is the 21st century. With 1 in 2 Australian men and 1 in 3 Australian women diagnosed with cancer, it's time for Australia's geographical location to play a smaller role in Aussies' access to the latest potentially live-saving options. For more information please visit TheSocialMedwork.com and https://thesocialmedwork.com/en/press To arrange an interview please contact Rachel Leung via email rachel.leung@thesocialmedwork.com or call +61(0)435-520-056. SOURCE TheSocialMedwork DUBLIN, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Research Report on China's Cigarette Industry, 2017-2021" report to their offering. China is a world leading cigarette market with about 30% consumers of the total mainly on Chinese style cigarettes. The output volume of cigarettes increased from 2,447.4 billion in 2011 to 2,589.07 billion in 2015. There were 89 cigarette brands, of which the sales volume accounted for 83.7% and the business sales value accounted for 93.9% of 29 major ones with an increase year-on-year in China in 2015. Top brands in business sales value include Zhonghua with that of CNY 167.41 billion increasing by 10.2%, YunYan with that of CNY 114.38 billion increasing by 6.8%, Furongwang with that of CNY 110.53 billion increasing by 8.2%, Liqun with that of CNY 109.82 billion increasing by 12.5%, DHS with that of CNY 94.1 billion, Huanghelou with that of CNY 89 billion, Yuxi with that of CNY 81.9 billion and Nanjing with that of CNY 60.5 billion. Dominant specification of major brands presents a positive development and 30 markets with the largest sales volume account for 47.2% of the total with an increase of 1.65% while 30 markets with the largest sales value account for 55.8% with an increase of 1.3%. In addition, cigars grow with an output volume of 1 billion increasing by 9.5% and a sales volume of 0.97 billion increasing by 43.3% as well as a business sales value of 0.95 billion increasing by 27.4%. Traditional Chinese style cigarette market is expected to remain stable in the near future. Chinese cigarettes occupy domestic market advantages for a long time, leading to huge strategic space of survival and development for Chinese style cigarettes. With the growth of globalization and China's overall influence as well as further opening up, Chinese style cigarettes will pose further influence on international market. Therefore, China cigarette industry possesses a positive prospect. This report analyzes the development status and characteristics of the cigarette industry as well as products and suppliers of major brands. It provides valuable reference to operators and suppliers in the cigarette industry concerning market status, development trends and investment opportunities in China. Key Topics Covered: 1 Analysis on Development Environment of China Cigarette Industry 1.1 Macro Economy Environment 1.1.1 Overall Economic Situation 1.1.2 Resident Income 1.2 Policy Environment 1.2.1 Macro-control of Cigarette Industry 1.2.2 Policies Related to Cigarette Industry 1.2.3 Change Trend of Policies 1.3 Analysis of Industries Related to Cigarette Industry 1.3.1 Tobacco Leaf Production 1.3.2 Cigarette Packaging Products 1.3.3 Cigarette Sales Terminals 2 Market Analysis of China Cigarette Industry 2.1 Analysis on Cigarette Production in China 2.1.1 Analysis on Total Output Volume of Cigarettes 2.1.2 Analysis on Production Structure of Cigarette Industry 2.1.3 Trend of Total Supply Volume of Cigarette Industry 2.2 Analysis on Sales of Cigarettes in China 2.2.1 Analysis on Total Sales Volume of Cigarette Industry 2.2.2 Analysis on Consumption Structure of Cigarettes 2.2.3 Rural Consumption Status of Cigarettes 2.3 Analysis on Cigarette Market Consumption 2.3.1 Analysis on Cigarette Consumption Level 2.3.2 Change Trend of Smoking Rate 2.4 Analysis on Import and Export of Cigarette Industry in China 2.4.1 Analysis on Import Status of Cigarette Industry in China 2.4.2 Analysis on Export Status of Cigarette Industry in China 2.5 Price Analysis of Cigarettes 2.5.1 Factors Influencing Cigarette Prices 2.5.2 Analysis on Price Trend of Cigarettes 3 Analysis on Operation Status of Cigarette Industry in China 3.1 Analysis on Economic Status of Cigarette Industry 3.1.1 Status of the Cigarette Industry in National Economy 3.1.2 Analysis on Asset Growth Status of Cigarette Industry 3.2 Analysis on Benefits of Cigarette Industry 3.2.1 Factors Influencing Benefits of Cigarette Industry 3.2.2 Analysis on Benefits of Cigarette Industry 3.3 Competition Analysis of Cigarette Enterprises 3.3.1 Factors Influencing Competition of Cigarette Enterprises 3.3.2 Analysis on Competition Trend 4 Analysis on Major Production Regions of Cigarette Industry in China 4.1 Analysis on Cigarette Industry in Yunnan 4.1.1 Overview 4.1.2 Analysis on Operation Status 4.1.3 Analysis on Development Prospect 4.2 Analysis on Cigarette Industry in Shanghai 4.2.1 Overview 4.2.2 Analysis on Operation Status 4.2.3 Analysis on Development Prospect 4.3 Analysis on Cigarette Industry in Hunan 4.3.1 Overview 4.3.2 Analysis on Operation Status 4.3.3 Analysis on Development Prospect 4.4 Analysis on Cigarette Industry in Jiangsu 4.4.1 Overview 4.4.2 Analysis on Operation Status 4.4.3 Analysis on Development Prospect 4.5 Analysis on Cigarette Industry in Guangdong 4.5.1 Overview 4.5.2 Analysis on Operation Status 4.5.3 Analysis on Development Prospect 5 Analysis on Major Enterprises of Cigarette Industry in China 5.1 Yunnan Hongta Group 5.1.1 Enterprise Profile 5.1.2 Analysis on Operation Status 5.1.3 Analysis on Development Strategies 5.2 Shanghai Tobacco Group Co., Ltd. 5.2.1 Enterprise Profile 5.2.2 Analysis on Operation Status 5.2.3 Analysis on Development Strategies 5.3 Hongyun Group 5.3.1 Enterprise Profile 5.3.2 Analysis on Operation Status 5.3.3 Analysis on Development Strategies 5.4 Baisha Group 5.4.1 Enterprise Profile 5.4.2 Analysis on Operation Status 5.4.3 Analysis on Development Strategies 6 Trend of Production Costs and Sales of China Cigarette Manufacturing 6.1 Analysis on Costs of Cigarette Manufacturing in China, 2013-2016 6.1.1 Costs of Raw Materials 6.1.2 Labor Costs 6.2 Analysis on Sales Prices of Cigarettes in China, 2013-2016 6.2.1 Price Trend of Cigarettes in China, 2013-2016 6.2.2 Analysis on Factors Influencing Cigarette Prices in China 7 Analysis on Investment of Cigarette Industry in China 7.1 Analysis on Investment Opportunities 7.1.1 Policy Opportunities 7.1.2 Product Opportunities 7.1.3 Regional Opportunities 7.1.4 Other Investment Opportunities 7.2 Investment Risks 7.2.1 Policy Risks 7.2.2 Market Risks 7.2.3 Competition Risks 7.2.4 Other Risks 7.3.5 Risk Aversion Strategies 7.4 Investment Suggestions For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/kcw8s7/research_report Related Topics: Tobacco Also Available Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com SOURCE Research and Markets Level 3 Now Has Access to its CDN Service Analytics to Improve Overall Experience FOSTER CITY, California, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Conviva, the leader in OTT experience management for the world's top media companies, today announced Level 3 Communications as a content delivery network (CDN) collaborator for its QoE (Quality of Experience) Ecosystem Analytics initiative. OTT publishers often rely on CDNs to deliver seamless streaming video experiences, and through this collaboration, Level 3 now has visibility into the end user experience. By sharing video experience service analytics provisioned for CDNs, a publisher can enable Level 3 to act and respond in the shortest period of time to any issues that might arise in the video viewing experience. "For many years, Conviva has maintained a strong relationship with Level 3, and we have many shared top-tier publishers that will see the benefit of us providing the same view of consumer experience," says Dr. Hui Zhang, Co-Founder and CEO of Conviva. "CDNs are a critical element in the delivery of a high quality streaming experience, and now Level 3 will be able to leverage Conviva analytics to deliver the best possible performance while also minimizing issues." Through this collaboration, Level 3 is able to look at important experience statistics by region and platform type, as well as metrics such as video start time and latency. Level 3 will also have visibility into the same dashboard as its customers, which includes alerts, customer filters and the ability to combine with customer network topology data. This provides transparency for Level 3 and its customers, as well as a customized view of its network to quickly understand and solve consumer viewing issues. "Customer experience is a top strategic initiative for us at Level 3, and we are looking at everything through this lens," says Jon Alexander, Senior Director of Product Management at Level 3. "Our QoE collaboration with Conviva allows us to see the experience we provide our customers through their eyes, and provides us additional data that can help us more quickly optimize our services as needed." About Conviva Conviva partners with top-tier media companies and premium OTT video broadcasters and operators like HBO, ESPN, Sky and Sony to deliver optimized viewing experiences that maximize customer engagement. The Conviva Intelligent Control Platform helps providers meet and exceed ever-changing audience expectations for video experience, across a multi-screen viewing environment. Using a unique real-time map of the Internet video delivery ecosystem, the platform provides 360-degree visibility across all users, maximizes picture fidelity, and eliminates playback delays and interruptions. Multi-dimensional reports and analyses of the top-tier OTT market, based on Conviva's tracking of 50 billion streams annually, enable data-driven decisions, supporting successful development of market-leading services. Conviva is based in Silicon Valley with offices in New York and London. Please visit us at www.conviva.com and follow us on Twitter @Conviva. Related Links http://www.conviva.com SOURCE Conviva Crocus's CT51x is a Nano-Power digital switch offering state of the art TMR magnetic technology as a robust alternative to Hall Effect and mechanical reed switches SANTA CLARA, California, Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Crocus Technology, a leading developer of Tunneling Magnetoresistive sensors (TMR) based on proprietary and patented Magnetic Logic Unit (MLU) technology, announces the availability of the CT51x digital switch, the first in a series of fully integrated digital sensors the company has launched. This family of devices accommodates a wide range of applications with larger air gaps, smaller magnetic fields, and significantly lower power consumption. The CT51x enables high-accuracy position detection, control and power switching functions with high sensitivity and reliability that system designers demand for today's IoT, consumer and industrial applications. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405213LOGO "With ever increasing demand for intelligent sensing in smart products, the CT51x family of devices offers design-in flexibility and cost-savings for existing and emerging applications: IoT, wearables, appliances, smart meters, intelligent smart locks and other consumer products," said Zack Deiri, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Crocus Technology. "The market is gravitating towards intelligent solid-state magnetic switches that provide higher reliability, faster frequency response, and extremely low power consumption for battery-powered applications in a smaller form factor, such as the CT51x." When used as a proximity switch, the CT51x can detect window or door movement in intrusion alarm systems and appliances. The digital switch can also activate wake-up and sleep modes in mobile devices such as laptops with lid open/closed detection with extremely low power consumption. The CT51x also measures rotation speed in battery-powered smart flow meters and can act as a safeguard against tampering in smart utility meters where annual losses surpass a billion dollars. The Crocus CT51x TMR family of sensors is fully integrated with the CMOS process to create a completely monolithic solution. In terms of power efficiency, the device can perform switching, positioning and rotation measurement, while consuming less than 350nA on average. The Crocus CT51x family of devices is in production and is offered in different output configurations and in JEDEC standard SOT-23 and TO-92 packages. These products could be ordered worldwide through our authorized distributors: Future Electronics, Mouser, Comtech, and Weikeng International. About Crocus Technology Crocus Technology develops and supplies magnetic sensors and embedded memory solutions based on proprietary and patented Magnetic Logic Unit (MLU) technology. In addition, Crocus provides the following services: TMR sensor licensing TMR sensor design and integration based on customer's requirements TMR bare sensor or integrated sensor wafers/die Crocus is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. For more information, please visit http://www.crocus-technology.com. Crocus Technology, MLU, and combinations thereof are trademarks of Crocus Technology, Inc. and Crocus Technology SA. Related Files CT51x Datasheet v1.2.pdf Related Links Crocus Technology Crocus Sensors at Mouser This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com Related Links http://www.crocus-technology.com SOURCE Crocus Technologies BRADFORD, England, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Eclipse Legal Systems is implementing its Law Society Endorsed Proclaim Case Management Software solution at Network Homes, one of the country's leading housing association developers. Founded in 1974, Network Homes has continually grown to become an established organisation, providing homes of all tenures and operating across the entire housing market. It strives to cultivate a forward-thinking, service driven and financially strong operation, and now manages over 20,500 homes throughout London and the Home Counties. Due to its excellent track record in delivering on time and budget, Network Homes is one of seven 'Trusted Partner' housing association developers for the Government's Homes and Communities Agency. Eclipse will be implementing its Proclaim Case Management Software solution within the newly formed in-house legal team at Network Homes, in order to streamline processes and help to reduce spends on external solicitor fees. Additionally, Proclaim will centralise all the team's key information into one desktop application, ready to view and extract at the click of a button, providing a seamless and efficient service. Furthermore, the comprehensive legal software solution will provide unrivalled automation via the Task Server tool, which will serve to significantly reduce administration time by automating routine tasks, and allowing the legal team to concentrate on providing a quality service. Tabitha Kassem, Head of Legal Services at Network Homes, comments: "As one of the country's leading housing associations, our in-house legal team needs to be as efficient as possible. With Proclaim, manual document production will be eliminated, ensuring fast processing and the removal of human error. Additionally, thanks to Eclipse and Proclaim's inherent scalability we can continue to develop our property portfolio." About Network Homes Network Homes owns and manages over 20,500 homes across London, Hertfordshire and the South East. We are developing over 1,000 new homes a year, one of the largest development programmes relative to size of any housing association in England. We also invest over 1 million a year in economic development, social and environmental projects in the communities where we work. About Eclipse Eclipse Legal Systems, part of Capita Plc, is the UK's leading provider of legal software solutions, employing over 160 staff at its Yorkshire HQ with a turnover of 10million. The firm's Proclaim software system is in use by 23,000 professionals within a vast range of market sectors, territories and work areas. Proclaim is Endorsed by the Law Society (the only solution of its type to hold this accreditation) and integrates all case management, accounting, document management, reporting, time recording, task and diary functions into one desktop solution. TouchPoint is Eclipse's unique self-service system, providing an always-on, platform agnostic portal for law firm clients and business partners. Proclaim clients include: Eversheds DC Law (Move with us) Co-operative Legal Services Network Homes Limited Carillion plc QualitySolicitors ( Howlett Clarke , Lockings, Oliver & Co, and others) Eclipse's market territories include: UK and Ireland Latvia Australia Canada Nigeria Zambia British Virgin Islands For further information, please contact Darren Gower (Marketing Director) at darren.gower@eclipselegal.co.uk or call 01274 704100. Alternatively, visit http://www.eclipselegal.co.uk SOURCE Eclipse Legal Systems Current economic and technological environment fuels demand for UCaaS and managed premise-based services, finds Frost & Sullivan Digital Transformation Research Team MOUNTAIN VIEW, California, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The enterprise communications market is at a cross-road with enterprises moving away from traditional business models and embracing digital transformation. There exists a strong market for trusted managed customer premises equipment (CPE) services partners to run businesses' day-to-day IT infrastructure operations. However, with the gradual shift of IT to the cloud, providers of hosted Internet Protocol (IP) telephony and unified communications as a service (UCaaS) solutions are rapidly stealing the march from managed CPE service providers. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, 2016 Managed Unified Communications Services Buyers' Guide (http://frost.ly/qm), finds that the market will continue to grow from 2017 to 2021, but annual growth rates will decline year-over-year. Growth rates also vary significantly from provider to provider due to differences in strategy and execution. For exclusive information about this research and to schedule your one-on-one strategy dialogue with our analysts, please email Clarissa Castaneda at clarissa.castaneda@frost.com Managed service providers are responsible for managing complex and continuously evolving technology environments, delivering consistent quality of service, more economical scalability and convenient vendor and telecom carrier management. "IT decision makers will be keen to partner with a service provider with a comprehensive product and service portfolio comprising solutions that may be needed in future, and solutions that can help future-proof existing investments," said Frost & Sullivan Digital Transformation Program Director Elka Popova. "Businesses should look for a provider with extensive IP data networking and real-time communications skills as well as familiarity with products from a variety of vendors." The top priority for businesses is to collaborate with a managed service provider with the right technology expertise, but they also lay considerable emphasis on scale, breadth of services, price and service level agreements (SLAs). Service provider attributes such as geographic reach, customer service and support, ability to balance consistency and standardization with flexibility and a customized approach will also greatly influence customers' purchase decisions. "Each competitor brings specific strengths and a differentiated skill set to the market," noted Popova. "While UCC solution vendors can provide the deepest technology expertise, value-added resellers, systems integrators and other managed services partners typically offer greater flexibility and multi-vendor expertise." Enterprises have to conduct due diligence with regard to the managed service provider's implementation history and track record, among a myriad other factors. The providers that are most likely to be chosen will be the ones with broad portfolios covering equipment, network-based services, IT services and solutions and integration skills, as it will help them address diverse customer requirements. 2016 Managed Unified Communications Services Buyers' Guide is part of the Enterprise Communications (http://ww2.frost.com/research/industry/information-communications-technologies/enterprise-communications) Growth Partnership Service program. Frost & Sullivan's related studies include: Addressing Communications Infrastructure Challenges in the Hospitality Industry, Global Enterprise Communications Platforms and Endpoints Markets, Managed Services Market in South Africa and Australia, India, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Asia-Pacific Data Center Services Market 2016. All studies included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Survive and Thrive in an Unpredictable Future! Schedule a Growth Strategy Dialog with the Digital Transformation team to discuss your strategic development and discover growth opportunities impacting your business, here: http://ww2.frost.com/consulting/ 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. 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 Us: Start the discussion 2016 Managed Unified Communications Services Buyers' Guide K052-64 Contact: Clarissa Castaneda Corporate Communications North America P: 210.477.8481 F: 210.348.1003 E: clarissa.castaneda@frost.com http://www.frost.com Related Links http://www.frost.com SOURCE Frost & Sullivan Governments are actively partnering with private providers to develop best-in-class HIE, fin ds Frost & Sullivan's Transformational Health Team KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The next generation of healthcare delivery in Asia-Pacific (APAC) is expected to be an example for innovative government-initiated health information exchange (HIE). Although rudimentary at present, HIE in the region will see exponential growth due to the strong interest from governments that seek to partner with private providers to create comprehensive and relevant platforms. Through HIE solutions, governments in APAC plan to address challenges related to test redundancy and workflow inefficiency, which have hitherto hampered the growth of the region's healthcare delivery system. By optimizing electronic medical data stored in disparate repositories, HIE can reduce costs and improve care efficiency. As such, local and international vendors offering robust HIE platforms leveraging big data technologies for population health management (PHM) will be poised for success. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Analysis of the APAC Health Information Exchange Market, finds that the HIE market in APAC will grow at compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.8% from 2015 to 2020 to reach US$173.0 million. This growth is bolstered by the swift adoption of electronic medical data (EMR) across disparate systems and the pressing need to reduce redundancy by sharing existing data. To request exclusive information about this research and to schedule your one-on-one strategy dialogue with our analysts now, please click here or send an email to Carrie Low, carrie.low@frost.com. "Medical and health data is captured through various modes such as remote patient monitoring, telehealth, bedside monitoring devices as well as through testing at the primary care clinics, hospital and laboratories," explained Transformational Health Industry Analyst Shalani Andria Pandian. "This means that critical data such as allergy and medication history for any patient will be available in at least one of the hospitals they have visited. By allowing the captured data to be shared, the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery can be dramatically improved." However, uncertainty about HIE product benefits among clinicians and patients and lack of clarity on internal and external control of data sharing are proving to be a challenge. High implementation costs and the fact that return on investment (ROI) is not monetary are also proving to be dampeners in the short term. Nevertheless, innovative business models and regulatory oversights on data sharing activities are taking form and healthcare providers will see the benefits of sharing patient data under a regulated environment. "The pertinent question on patient data privacy and security has to be answered and the role of each stakeholders in HIE has to be clearly defined to speed up clinicians' adoption," iterated Pandian. "As governments in APAC are the primary promoters funding and driving HIE, vendors should start investing on public-private partnership and provide a flexible, scalable, secure and regulated data exchange solution. Essentially, analytics that help improve individual- and population-level care using HIE data will be a hot area of investment over the next 5 years." Analysis of the APAC Health Information Exchange Market, a part of the Connected Health Growth Partnership Service program, focuses on the opportunity size of HIE (public and private) in APAC with an in-depth analysis of key challenges faced by leading industry participants. The research highlights innovative business models that are replacing siloes and data islands, and facilitating data sharing between healthcare entities in the region. It presents compelling forecasts of how HIE will impact providers, payers, consumers and government as well as growth opportunities. Other Frost & Sullivan studies under this subscription include Asia-Pacific Telehealth Outlook 20162020 and Asia-Pacific Healthcare Outlook 2016, among others. All studies included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. 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. 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 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 Us: Start the discussion Join Us: Join our community Subscribe: Newsletter on "the next big thing" Register: Gain access to visionary innovation Analysis of the APAC Health Information Exchange Market P8DB-48 Contact: Carrie Low Corporate Communications Asia Pacific P: +603 6204 5910 F: +603 6201 7402 E: carrie.low@frost.com Melissa Tan Corporate Communications Asia Pacific P: +65 6890 0926 F: +65 6890 0999 E: melissa.tan@frost.com http://ww2.frost.com Related Links http://www.frost.com SOURCE Frost & Sullivan AMSTERDAM, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Delivers Industry Leading Automation Features for Operators and Broadcasters Tata Elxsi announced the immediate availability of FalconEye 2.0 suite for test, workflow and monitoring automation with a host of new and industry-first features. This includes a new Artificial Intelligence engine, focusing on improving the test coverage and optimizing stability testing scenarios. Coupled with patent pending SPS technology and an integrated development environment, this enables operators drive further reduction of up to 20% of automation scripting effort. FalconEye CPE is among the first in the market to support R4FCE/Bluetooth, addressing the needs of the point anywhere remote based CPEs, as well as 4K video resolution for UHD content. FalconEye Multiscreen addresses the need for OTT and multiscreen testing in today's trending usage of TV anywhere and everywhere. With FalconEye Multiscreen, Tata Elxsi also offers OTT Test Lab-as-a-Service that combines the option of setting up a remote lab for OTT/IPTV and other mobile applications that need to be tested on a few hundred devices for every release, along with offshore engineering and testing teams to deliver seamless test automation services at significantly lowered costs. FalconEye Diagnostics is the service center workflow integrated with diagnostics, to help MSOs, OEMs and repair centers address the efficiency and cost needs of STB reverse logistics. FalconEye Monitoring is a product that is already trusted for automating 24x7, live monitoring of hundreds of TV channels for quality defects as perceived by the human eye. Using highly intelligent vision algorithms at its core, the tool can provide instant alerts via email/SMS in case of quality issues at customer premises, for millions of OTT nodes or set top boxes that are connected to the cloud. "Automation needs across testing, workflow and monitoring in the broadcast industry is at a peak never seen before. With the advent of a variety of screens, platforms and communication technologies, the complexity of automation has scaled up exponentially. Falcon Eye's AI based powerful automatic test script selection and generation is the future of automation that exactly addresses the intelligence needed for operators and content owners." says Mr. Nagu Gopalakrishnan, Product Manager - Video and OTT solutions, Tata Elxsi. FalconEye suite is being showcased at Tata Elxsi's booth #1. A58 (Hall 1) at the IBC 2016 at Amsterdam, Netherlands from 9-13 September. About Tata Elxsi Tata Elxsi is amongst the world's leading providers of design and technology services for product engineering and solutions across industries including broadcast, communications and automotive. Tata Elxsi brings unparalleled product/ service development and deployment support experience with leading MSOs and Broadcasters across North America, Europe, LATAM, Africa and APAC, backed by over 25 years of engineering experience and a global delivery presence. Media contact: Tata Elxsi Hari Balan Corporate Communications Telephone: +91 80 2297 9123 Email: media@tataelxsi.com SOURCE Tata Elxsi LONDON, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Sandy Jadeja's number of predicted market crashes has now increased to seven. Success Resources is proud to announce the addition of Sandy Jadeja to the line-up of speakers at this year's National Achievers Congress, taking place from 22-23 October at the ExCel in London. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405248LOGO ) Recently interviewed by NBC, CNBC Europe and Business Insider, Sandy Jadeja correctly forecasted major moves in the Financial Markets, Gold, The British Pound and Oil Prices months in advance. As he stated: What I look really for is cyclical information where I expect something to happen and then I wait for the market to actually indicate if that scenario is building up. Why should you listen to this man? It started with four accurately forecasted market crashes and that number has now increased to seven precisely predicted market crashes. Voted the top 50 most influential people for Forex, CFD's and Spread Betting, Sandy is the market analyst who forecasts when the markets are setting up for major moves in Gold, Forex and Global Stock Markets. Here's how Sandy Jadeja explains his process: Trading does not have to be complicated. If you can just learn the simple price patterns and have a clear open mind, then this skill can be used to increase your income from anywhere in the world. How can you use his wisdom? In order to find a profitable trading opportunity, you simply need to be able to listen to the markets. Interestingly, once you know the very specific patterns to look for you can then use this skill to help you forecast major turning points in the global markets. It doesn't not have to be difficult but instead we are simplifying the process by removing all unnecessary noise and simply focusing on what is in front of you. Like anything in life this is a skill and it can be learnt. By focusing on predictable chart patterns and paying close attention to what market experts like Sandy Jadeja have to say, you can learn how to identify and position yourself for upcoming potential trading opportunities. Also, it may be worthwhile to keep in mind Sandy's golden advices: Don't trade with more money than you can afford to lose. Think big, start small. Focus on simple strategies and you can start off with the right foot. Who else will be at the National Achievers Congress in London? Sandy will share the stage with world-renowned speakers like Tony Robbins, Jason Vale and Eddie the Eagle. His purpose is to impart knowledge related to when, where, and why a market is about to take off to the upside or even forecast major declines. Since Sandy's financial intuition is valuable knowledge for dominant mass media, it may be worth your time to spare a weekend and see the most influential market strategist in the UK live. To register your interest for the National Achievers Congress or for more information on the National Achievers Congress, please visit: http://www.naclondon.com/pr Contact: Nicky Chang Smith International Marketing Director of Success Resources +44-(0)7492-420-536 SOURCE Success Resources PORTLAND, Oregon, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Market Research Adds a new Report "Global Agriculture Drone Industry- Size, Share, Trends, Forecast, Growth, Opportunities, Trends" The report Global Agriculture Drone Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report is a thorough analyses on the key industry insights and changing market dynamics, industry estimation of the key segments, market challenges, winning strategies adopted by top companies to gain a stronghold in the market. The study offers an in-depth insight on current market status and future growth trends. The report offers overview of the industry by enumerating market definition, product specification and their major applications along with recent technological innovations made by manufacturers. The analysis offers an in-depth analysis of the major manufacturing processes by detailing parameters such as sources of raw materials, price structure, and price structure. Furthermore, the study offers profile of equipment supplier, raw materials sources analysis and R&D developments pursued by key companies of Global Agriculture Drone industry. Technical information on parameters of manufacturing units are elaborated in the report. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141014/710132 ) The report offers a detailed account of the supply and consumption trends of the various equipment and also presents a comparative analysis of the price structure in major regions. Furthermore, the analysis highlights the growth opportunities of key market segments. Get Complete Report @ http://www.bigmarketresearch.com/global-agriculture-drone-industry-2016-deep-research-report-market The report analyzes in detail trader and distribution trends of the equipment and analyses the status of various marketing channels dominant across segments and geographies. Furthermore, the study covers import-export volume of the products in different countries and tracks the dominant trends. The report extensively covers development trends in terms of suppliers of Agriculture Drone industry and tracks their impact on supply and chain structure of the equipment. The report offers information on new projects and ventures and their accurate investment feasibility analysis, which will help the investors and major stakeholders to evaluate the growth prospects of the segments they would target in major regions. Table of Contents 1 Industry Overview of Agriculture Drone 1.1 Definition and Specifications of Agriculture Drone 1.2 Classification of Agriculture Drone 1.3 Applications of Agriculture Drone 1.4 Industry Chain Structure of Agriculture Drone 1.5 Industry Overview and Major Regions Status of Agriculture Drone 1.6 Industry Policy Analysis of Agriculture Drone 1.7 Industry News Analysis of Agriculture Drone 2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Agriculture Drone 2.1 Raw Material Suppliers and Price Analysis of Agriculture Drone 2.2 Equipment Suppliers and Price Analysis of Agriculture Drone 2.3 Labor Cost Analysis of Agriculture Drone 2.4 Other Costs Analysis of Agriculture Drone 2.5 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Agriculture Drone 2.6 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Agriculture Drone Enquire about this report @ http://www.bigmarketresearch.com/report-enquiry/603712 3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Agriculture Drone 3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Agriculture Drone Major Manufacturers in 2015 3.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Agriculture Drone Major Manufacturers in 2015 3.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Agriculture Drone Major Manufacturers in 2015 3.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Agriculture Drone Major Manufacturers in 2015 4 Capacity, Production and Revenue Analysis of Agriculture Drone by Regions, Types and Manufacturers 4.1 Global Capacity, Production and Revenue of Agriculture Drone by Regions 2011-2016 4.2 Global and Major Regions Capacity, Production, Revenue and Growth Rate of Agriculture Drone 2011-2016 4.3 Global Capacity, Production and Revenue of Agriculture Drone by Types 2011-2016 4.4 Global Capacity, Production and Revenue of Agriculture Drone by Manufacturers 2011-2016 5 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Agriculture Drone by Regions, Types and Manufacturers 5.1 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Agriculture Drone by Regions 2011-2016 5.2 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Agriculture Drone by Types 2011-2016 5.3 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Agriculture Drone by Manufacturers 2011-2016 6 Consumption Volume, Consumption Value and Sale Price Analysis of Agriculture Drone by Regions, Types and Applications 6.1 Global Consumption Volume and Consumption Value of Agriculture Drone by Regions 2011-2016 6.2 Global and Major Regions Consumption Volume, Consumption Value and Growth Rate of Agriculture Drone 2011-2016 6.3 Global Consumption Volume and Consumption Value of Agriculture Drone by Types 2011-2016 6.4 Global Consumption Volume and Consumption Value of Agriculture Drone by Applications 2011-2016 6.5 Sale Price of Agriculture Drone by Regions 2011-2016 6.6 Sale Price of Agriculture Drone by Types 2011-2016 6.7 Sale Price of Agriculture Drone by Applications 2011-2016 6.8 Market Share Analysis of Agriculture Drone by Different Sale Price Levels 7 Supply, Import, Export and Consumption Analysis of Agriculture Drone 7.1 Supply, Consumption and Gap of Agriculture Drone 2011-2016 7.2 Global Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Revenue, Supply, Import, Export and Consumption of Agriculture Drone 2011-2016 7.3 United States Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Revenue, Supply, Import, Export and Consumption of Agriculture Drone 2011-2016 7.4 EU Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Revenue, Supply, Import, Export and Consumption of Agriculture Drone 2011-2016 7.5 China Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Revenue, Supply, Import, Export and Consumption of Agriculture Drone 2011-2016 7.6 Japan Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Revenue, Supply, Import, Export and Consumption of Agriculture Drone 2011-2016 8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Agriculture Drone 8.1 Trimble Navigation Limited 8.2 DJI 8.3 Precisionhawk 8.4 Parrot SA 8.5 3DR 8.6 Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. 8.7 Aerovironment, Inc. 8.8 Ursula Agriculture 8.9 Dronedeploy 8.10 Ageagle LLC 8.11 Agribotix LLC 8.12 Autocopter Corp 8.13 Delair-Tech SAS 8.14 Eagle Uav Services 8.15 Honeycomb Corporation 9 Marketing Trader or Distributor Analysis of Agriculture Drone 9.1 Marketing Channels Status of Agriculture Drone 9.2 Traders or Distributors with Contact Information of Agriculture Drone by Regions 9.3 Ex-work Price, Channel Price and End Buyer Price Analysis of Agriculture Drone 9.4 Regional Import, Export and Trade Analysis of Agriculture Drone 10 Industry Chain Analysis of Agriculture Drone 10.1 Upstream Major Raw Materials Suppliers Analysis of Agriculture Drone 10.2 Upstream Major Equipment Suppliers Analysis of Agriculture Drone 10.3 Downstream Major Consumers Analysis of Agriculture Drone 10.4 Supply Chain Relationship Analysis of Agriculture Drone 11 Development Trend of Analysis of Agriculture Drone 11.1 Capacity, Production and Revenue Forecast of Agriculture Drone by Regions and Types 11.2 Consumption Volume and Consumption Value Forecast of Agriculture Drone by Regions, Types and Applications 11.3 Supply, Import, Export and Consumption Forecast of Agriculture Drone 12 New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis of Agriculture Drone 12.1 New Project SWOT Analysis of Agriculture Drone 12.2 New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis of Agriculture Drone 13 Conclusion of the Global Agriculture Drone Industry 2016 Market Research Report Similar reports: Global Precision Agriculture Systems Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report Global Precision Agriculture Systems Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report is an in-depth study prepared to help enterprises identify their marketing goals, and to address various strategic problems in companies which can help them to build strength to strength. The report offers present market status, growth prospects across major regions along with market estimations of major segments. Get Complete Report @ http://www.bigmarketresearch.com/global-precision-agriculture-systems-industry-deep-research-report-market Global Agriculture Equipment Industry 2015 Deep Market Research Report The report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Agriculture Equipment market analysis is provided for the international markets including development trends, competitive landscape analysis, and key regions development status. Get Complete Details@ http://www.bigmarketresearch.com/global-agriculture-equipment-industry-2015-deep-research-report-market Global Smart Agriculture Solution Market Research Report 2016 2016 Global Smart Agriculture Solution Industry Report is a professional and in-depth research report on the world's major regional market conditions of the Smart Agriculture Solution industry, focusing on the main regions (North America, Europe and Asia) and the main countries (United States, Germany, Japan and China). Get More Details @ http://www.bigmarketresearch.com/global-smart-agriculture-solution-research-report-2016-market About Us: With the arsenal of different search reports, we help you here to look and buy research reports that will be helpful to you and your organization. Our research reports have the capability and authenticity to support your organization for growth and consistency. With the window of opportunity getting open and shut at a speed of light, it has become very important to survive in the market and only the fittest and competent enough can do so. So, we try and provide with latest changes in the market that can suit your needs and help you take decision accordingly. Contact Us: Dhananjay Potle 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive, #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States Direct : +1-971-202-1575 Toll Free :+ 1-800-910-6452 Email: help@bigmarketresearch.com Web: http://www.bigmarketresearch.com Blog: http://www.bigmarketresearch.blogspot.com SOURCE Big Market Research DUBLIN, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Palletizing Machinery - Global Strategic Business Report" report to their offering. The report provides separate comprehensive analytics for the US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. Annual estimates and forecasts are provided for the period 2015 through 2022. Also, a six-year historic analysis is provided for these markets. Market data and analytics are derived from primary and secondary research. This report analyzes the worldwide markets for Palletizing Machinery in US$ Thousand by the following Product Segments: Bulk Palletizers Case Palletizers Other Palletizers Further the report analyzes by the following End-use Industries: Petrochemicals Food & Beverage Others The report profiles 207 companies including many key and niche players such as ABB Ltd. ( Switzerland ) ) A-B-C Packaging Machine Corp. (US) American-Newlong, Inc. (US) Arrowhead Systems Inc. (US) Barry-Wehmiller Companies, Inc. (US) BEUMER Group ( Germany ) ) Columbia/Okura LLC (US) Conveying Industries, Inc. (US) Dematic Group S.a r.l. ( Luxembourg ) ) Emmeti SpA ( Italy ) ) Euroimpianti S.p.A. ( Italy ) ) Fanuc Corp. ( Japan ) ) Intelligrated, Inc. (US) Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. ( Japan ) ) Krones AG ( Germany ) ) KUKA Roboter GmbH ( Germany ) ) Maschinenfabrik Mollers GmbH ( Germany ) ) PaR Systems, Inc. (US) Premier Tech Chronos ( Canada ) ) Pro Mach, Inc. (US) Schneider Packaging Equipment Co., Inc. (US) Sidel ( Italy ) ) Gebo Cermex ( France ) ) TopTier, Inc. (US) Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG. ( Germany ) ) Westfalia Technologies, Inc. (US) YASKAWA Electric Corp. ( Japan ) Key Topics Covered: 1. INDUSTRY OVERVIEW Palletizing Machinery: A Prelude Key Benefits Offered Drive Wider Adoption of Palletizing Machinery Minimal Need for Human Workforce High Precision & High Efficiency Fatigueless Functioning Faster Turnaround Times Support for Any Type of Environment Cost Benefits High Thrust on Industrial Automation Creates Fertile Environment for Market Growth 2. MARKET TRENDS AND GROWTH DRIVERS Technology Progression: Hallmark of Palletizing Machinery Market Sophisticated HMI Controls Augment Appeal & Image of Palletizers End-User Needs Spur Design Improvements Case Palletizers: The Largest Product Segment Bulk Palletizers Aim to Expand Market Share Box Palletizers for Myriad Needs of End-of-Line Palletizing Robotics Witnessing Rapid Growth in Palletizing Health and Safety Laws Drive Growth Mixed-Load Palletizing: An Ongoing Trend Increased Emphasis on Value-Added Packaging Augments Market Prospects Replacement Demand Unfolds New Opportunities Food & Beverage Industry: The Most Important End-use Sector for Palletizing Machinery Soaring Importance of Robotics in the Food & Beverage Sector Barriers to Adoption of Robotic Technology in Food Sector Palletizing Machines Assume Critical Importance in Petrochemicals Facilities Market Gears Up for Industry 4.0 A Brief Glimpse of First, Second, Third, & Fourth Industrial Revolutions 3. PRODUCT OVERVIEW Palletizing Machinery: A Prelude Palletizing Machines: A Historic Perspective Palletizing Process in Brief Types of Palletizers Classification Based on Technology Conventional In-Line Palletizers Row-Stripping Palletizers High-Level Palletizers Low-Level Palletizers Vacuum Head Palletizers Robotic Palletizing Machines Articulated Arm Robots 4. PALLETS Types of Pallets Stringer Pallets Block Pallet Pallet Materials Wood Composite Wood Paper Metal Plastic 5. PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS/INNOVATIONS Schneider Packaging Equipment Unveils M-710iC/50H Robotic Palletizer Gebo Cermex Rolls Out PalAccess Layer-By-Layer Palletizing Machine Haloila Introduces Octopus GP Automatic Stretch Wrapping Machine Pro Mach Unveils Pro Mach Mexico Shared Services Yaskawa Motoman Launches PalletSolver Software for Motoman Robots Currie by Brenton Develops New MasterPal Palletizing/De- palletizing Machine Arrowhead Systems to Unveil PriorityPal LL Palletizers Pro Mach Unveils New Integrated Case Packing/ Palletizing System BEUMER Group Reengineers BEUMER Paletpac Layer Palletiser Haver & Boecker Introduces New Roto-Packer Adams Mini Packing Systems Fanuc Robotics UK Launches New Universal Palletising Robot 6. RECENT INDUSTRY ACTIVITY Honeywell to Acquire Intelligrated Pro Mach Acquires NJM Packaging Bastian Solutions to Install New Distribution System at Indiana Facility Bastian Solutions Establishes Bastian Solutions Europe KION GROUP to Acquire Dematic Premier Tech Chronos to Integrate the Business of Almeida Martins Intelligrated Rebrands Aftermarket Services Group as Lifecycle Support Services Columbia/Okura Collaborates with Fischbein Americas 7. FOCUS ON SELECT GLOBAL PLAYERS 8. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE Total Companies Profiled: 207 (including Divisions/Subsidiaries 229) The United States (49) (49) Canada (11) (11) Japan (5) (5) Europe (159) (159) - France (9) (9) - Germany (52) (52) - The United Kingdom (13) (13) - Italy (31) (31) - Spain (1) (1) - Rest of Europe (53) (53) Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan) (5) For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/6nlsc7/palletizing Related Topics: Material Handling Equipment Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com SOURCE Research and Markets COLUMBIA, Maryland, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Global performance improvement solutions provider GP Strategies Corporation (NYSE: GPX) announced today that it has entered into a multi- year agreement with Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) for training, documentation and competency development services to support KNPC's Clean Fuels Project. The value of this five-year agreement is KWD 10,894,969 (approximately USD $36 million). KNPC's Clean Fuels Project is a large, strategic capital improvement project intended to upgrade KNPC's existing refinery infrastructure, enabling KNPC to supply products meeting the highest levels of quality and emissions reductions standards. The project aims at developing and expanding the Mina Al-Ahmad Refinery to refine 346,000 bpd, and the Mina Abdullah Refinery to refine 454,000 bpd. As a result, the capacity of the two refineries will be 800,000 bpd. GP Strategies' involvement includes developing and delivering documentation and training for the refineries' operations workforce to prepare them to operate the new and upgraded facilities and to support them through commissioning, initial startup, and sustained, long-term operations. "We are excited to be selected as the successful bidder on this contract. We are committed to a successful, 5-year engagement with KNPC to support their workforce from commissioning through startup and in support of sustainable ongoing operations," said Karl Baer, Executive Vice President, Professional & Technical Services, GP Strategies. "We are extremely appreciative of the opportunity that KNPC, a global leading oil refinery company, has entrusted to GP Strategies." About GP Strategies GP Strategies Corporation is a global performance improvement solutions provider of training, eLearning solutions, management consulting and engineering services. GP Strategies' solutions improve the effectiveness of organizations by delivering innovative and superior training, consulting and business improvement services customized to meet the specific needs of its clients. Clients include Fortune 500 companies, manufacturing, process and energy industries, and other commercial and government customers. Additional information may be found at www.gpstrategies.com. Forward-Looking Statement: We make statements in this press release that are considered 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. These statements reflect our current expectations concerning future events and results. We use words such as "expect," "intend," "believe," "may," "should," "could," "anticipates," and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean a statement is not forward-looking. These statements are not guarantees of our future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other important factors that could cause our actual performance or achievements to be materially different from those we project. For a full discussion of these risks, uncertainties, and factors, we encourage you to read our documents on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in our periodic reports under the forward-looking statements and risk factors sections. Except as required by law, we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. 2016 GP Strategies Corporation. All rights reserved. GP Strategies and the GP Strategies logo design are trademarks of GP Strategies Corporation. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130502/PH05881LOGO Related Links https://www.gpstrategies.com SOURCE GP Strategies Corporation LONDON, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- IPC Systems, Inc., is proud to announce that one of the company's thought leaders, Ganesh Iyer, IPC's Global Director of Product Marketing, will be presenting to senior FX traders from leading buy-side institutions at TradeTech FX Europe in London scheduled to be held on September 14 and 15, 2016 at the Victoria Park Plaza. The event will focus on critical concerns faced by FX professionals such as regulatory transformation, rising trading costs and decreasing liquidity. During his presentation titled "Alpha Generation and Risk Mitigation in Global FX Markets," Mr. Iyer will be focusing on the role of connectivity throughout the trade life cycle and having access to a diverse financial ecosystem in protecting and growing the trillions with which institutional investors and asset managers have been entrusted. Mr. Iyer holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation and has been a speaker and panelist at prestigious industry events around the world. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160407/352841LOGO About IPC IPC is a technology and service leader that powers financial markets globally. We help clients anticipate change and solve problems, setting the standard with industry expertise, exceptional service and comprehensive technology. With customers first and always, we collaborate with each to understand their individual needs to help make them secure, productive and compliant within our connected community. Through service excellence, long-developed expertise and a focus on innovation and community, we provide agile and efficient ways for our customers to accelerate their ability to adapt to the everchanging requirements for advanced data networks, compliance and collaboration with all counter-parties across the financial markets. www.ipc.com Certain statements contained in this press release may be forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "should" or "will" or similar terminology. Any forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Media Contacts Khurram Mirza Victoria Perlak IPC Systems, Inc. Finn Partners for IPC +1 201-253-2285 +1 646-202-9782 Khurram.Mirza@ipc.com victoria.perlak@finnpartners.com Related Links http://www.ipc.com SOURCE IPC Systems, Inc. LAUSANNE, Switzerland, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- iWedia, a leading provider of software solutions for TV devices to service operators and consumer electronics manufacturers, today announced the appointment of David Paul (in the photo) as Director of Business Development Latin America to drive the growth of the company in the region. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140226/671778 ) The announcement was made the day before the opening of IBC 2016, which is being held in Amsterdam from Friday, September 9th through to Tuesday, September 13th. iWedia exhibits at the show (hall 5, booth B40) and David will be present on its stand to meet customers and partners. Located in Sao Paulo, Brazil, David has accumulated 10+ years of experience providing hardware and software solutions as well as services to the digital TV market. After starting his career as an application engineer at NXP, a set-top box (STB) chipset maker, then as a connectivity expert at Pace, a STB manufacturer, he significantly participated to the rise of SmarDTV, a Kudelski owned STB manufacturer. He gradually moved from Senior QA Engineer to Product Marketing Manager and spent the last three years in Brazil holding support, marketing, and business development positions serving LATAM customers for SmarDTV and for NAGRA, a content protection and multiscreen television solutions provider. Hans-Jurgen Desor, CEO of iWedia, said, "I warmly welcome David in the team. A genuine multicultural manager, well inserted in the LATAM Pay TV ecosystem, he has the right background to promote our STB software solutions towards service providers in the region." David commented, "LATAM is a strategic market for iWedia, and I am delighted to be tasked with building its success in the region. Even though it is an extremely price sensitive market with respect to STB, its rapid growth requires innovative and advanced functionalities. This is what iWedia brings with its Teatro range of STB software solutions which targets low and mid-end configurations without compromising on features". About iWedia iWedia provides software components and solutions for connected TV devices to service operators and consumer electronics manufacturers. Its mission is to deliver the software products and services needed by its customers to adapt constantly to the ever-changing requirements of the digital TV markets. In addition to stand-alone components (HLS, DASH, VidiPath, DVB>IP, MHEG-5, HbbTV, CI Plus, DTCP-IP, TR-069, etc.), iWedia offers a range of complete solutions for zappers, connected receivers, Smart TVs, as well as for OTT and IPTV boxes. Dubbed Teatro, these solutions are available for RTOS, Linux/HTML, and Android/Java and are pre-integrated with leading service and delivery platforms, CA/DRM systems, and chipsets. Alongside its products, iWedia delivers efficient and scalable software integration services performed by an experienced team used to enable rapid deployments of high volume Consumer Electronics devices. iWedia is headquartered in Switzerland with development labs in Belgrade and Novi Sad, Serbia, and sales and support offices in Brazil, France, Germany, India, and Thailand. Please visit http://www.iwedia.com for more information. Media Contact: Herve Creff VP Marketing, iWedia +33-2-99-27-92-63 herve.creff@iwedia.com SOURCE iWedia PORTO, Portugal and HATFIELD, England, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- FOR EMEA MEDIA ONLY - NOT FOR SWISS/AUSTRIAN/CZECH REPUBLIC JOURNALISTS Further insights into seizure control and safety profile of epilepsy drug in the treatment of newly diagnosed partial onset (focal) seizures in adults BIAL and Eisai announce the methodology of a planned, large, pooled analyses of real-world efficacy and safety data for adjunctive once-daily Zebinix (eslicarbazepine acetate) to be presented for the first time at the 12th European Congress on Epileptology (ECE) 2016, Prague, Czech Republic.[1] Once-daily eslicarbazepine acetate is indicated as adjunctive therapy in adults with partial-onset seizures with or without secondary generalisation.[2] Abstract #P578 - Mc Murray R et al[1] - 12 September 13:00-14:30 The study will comprise pooled analysis in over 1,500 adult patients from databases across Europe to provide further information on dosing patterns, combinations, and response to treatment with once-daily eslicarbazepine acetate. This large pooled analyses of patient-level data will provide additional information on the effectiveness and tolerability of eslicarbazepine acetate in routine clinical practice, thereby complementing evidence from clinical trials. Abstract #0002 - Ben-Menachem et al[3] - 14 September 11.30-13.00 Abstract #P615 - E Trinka E et al[4] - 14 September 13:00-14:30 Further data at this year's ECE includes outcomes from an investigational Phase III study[3],[4] in 785 eligible patients for eslicarbazepine acetate in a monotherapy setting compared with twice-daily controlled-release (CR) carbamazepine. Seizure freedom rates with eslicarbazepine acetate were 71.1% (n=388) and 75.6% (n=397) with carbamazepine CR at 6 months (average risk difference -4.28%, 95%CI -10.3, 1.74%).[3],[4] Patients experiencing at least one treatment emergent adverse event were similar between eslicarbazepine acetate and carbamazepine CR (75.3% vs 77.7% respectively).[3],[4] Abstract #0034 - Villanueva V et al[5] - 13 September 11:30-13:00 Results from a one-year retrospective observational study, EARLY-ESLI, in 253 patients aged 18 with partial-onset seizures receiving eslicarbazepine acetate after first-line monotherapy failure will be presented. During follow-up 31.6% reported adverse events, and 3.6% discontinued treatment due to AEs.[5] At 12 months, the retention rate was 92.9%, 62.3% of patients were seizure free, 37.3% were seizure free for one year, 82.5% were responders, and 5.6% did worse. The main side-effects were somnolence (8.7%), dizziness (5.1%), and hyponatremia (3.5%; n=9).[5] A total 127 patients (50.2%) converted (withdrew) to monotherapy for at least six months. "These new data confirm our commitment to continue to develop treatments that help people with epilepsy to get on with their lives through seizure control, tolerability, and convenience. The planned real-world study will help improve the knowledge and understanding around the use of eslicarbazepine acetate in routine clinical practice," states Patricio Soares-da-Silva, Head of Research & Development, BIAL Eslicarbazepine acetate is available in Albania*, Austria, Czech Republic, Cyprus*, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany (co-promotion with BIAL, the developer of eslicarbazepine acetate), Greece, Iceland, Italy, Malta*, Norway, Portugal*, Republic of Ireland, Russia***, Scotland, Slovakia, Sweden, Spain (co-promotion with BIAL), UK (co-promotion with BIAL) and the U.S and Canada**. *Exclusively by BIAL **Eslicarbazepine acetate is sold in the U.S. and Canada under the trade name Aptiom ***Exalief is the trade name for eslicarbazepine acetate in Russia Abstract Number Timing of presentation Abstract details Eslicarbazepine acetate Effectiveness of eslicarbazepine acetate as Abstract number: #P578 adjunctive therapy for partial epilepsy in clinical Poster Session practice: design of a European pooled analysis of Pharmacology / AEDs 3 real-world data Monday 12 September Rob McMurray, Camilla Karlsson, Rui Sousa, Vicente 13.00 - 14.30 Villanueva Poster Area (Forum Hall Foyer) Abstract number: #0034 EARLY-ESLI study: Efficacy, tolerability and Platform Session 6 conversion to monotherapy with eslicarbazepine Antiepileptic Drugs 2 acetate after first monotherapy failure Tuesday 13 September V Villanueva, A Gomez, M Garces, P Bermejo, J 11:30-13:00 Montoya, M Toledo, FJ Lopez-Gonzalez, X Rodriguez, D Forum Hall Campos, P Martinez, P Giner, J Zurita, J Rodriguez-Uranga, J Ojeda, JA Mauri, J Ruiz-Gimenez, JJ Poza, A Massot, M Bonet Abstract number: #0002 Efficacy of eslicarbazepine acetate versus Platform Session 13 controlled-release carbamazepine as monotherapy in Antiepileptic Drugs 3 patients with newly diagnosed partial-onset seizures Wednesday 14 September E Ben-Menachem, E. Trinka, P Kowacs, C Elger, J 11:30-13:00 Moreira, R Pinto, F Ikedo, A Pereira, JF Rocha, Forum Hall P Soares-da-Silva Abstract number: #P615 Safety and tolerability of eslicarbazepine acetate as Poster Session monotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed Pharmacology / AEDs 8 partial-onset seizures Wednesday 14 September E Trinka, E Ben-Menachem, P Kowacs, C Elger, J 13:00-14:30 Moreira, R Pinto, F Ikedo, A Pereira, JF Rocha, Location P Soares-da-Silva Poster Area (Forum Hall Foyer) Notes to Editors About Zebinix (eslicarbazepine acetate) Eslicarbazepine acetate is currently marketed in Europe and Russia by BIAL-Portela & C, S.A and by BIALs licensee, Eisai Europe Limited, a European subsidiary of Eisai Co., Ltd. under the trade name Zebinix or Exalief. In the United States and Canada eslicarbazepine acetate (tradename Aptiom) is marketed by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc., under an exclusive license from BIAL. Eslicarbazepine acetate is a voltage-gated sodium channel blocker. It selectively targets the slow inactivated state of the sodium ion channel (which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of epilepsy), preventing its return to the active state, and thereby reduces repetitive neuronal firing.[6] Further, eslicarbazepine acetate does not inhibit potassium efflux, which may reduce the potential for repetitive neuronal firings.[7] The efficacy of eslicarbazepine acetate was demonstrated in an initial proof-of-concept phase II study[8] and three subsequent phase III randomised, placebo controlled studies in 1,049 people with refractory partial onset seizures.[9],[10],[11] About BIAL Founded in 1924, BIAL is an international pharmaceutical company with the mission to discover, develop and provide therapeutic solutions within the area of health. In recent decades, BIAL has focused on quality, innovation and internationalisation. Being the partner of choice for many companies, BIAL is strongly committed to therapeutic innovation, investing more than 20% of its turnover in Research and Development (R&D) every year. BIAL has established an ambitious R&D program centred on the central nervous, cardiovascular system and allergy immunotherapy. BIAL's innovative programmes focus on continuing the clinical development of its anti-epileptic Zebinix/Aptiom (on the market in Europe and the USA), as well as opicapone for Parkinson's disease. The company expects to introduce more new medicines and vaccines to the market in the next years, strengthening its position worldwide and accomplishing the company's purpose of "Caring for your Health". For more information about BIAL, please visit http://www.bial.com . About Eisai Co., Ltd. Eisai Co., Ltd. is a leading global research and development-based pharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan. We define our corporate mission as "giving first thought to patients and their families and to increasing the benefits health care provides," which we call our human health care (hhc) philosophy. With over 10,000 employees working across our global network of R&D facilities, manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, we strive to realise our hhc philosophy by delivering innovative products in multiple therapeutic areas with high-unmet medical needs, including Oncology and Neurology. As a global pharmaceutical company, our mission extends to patients around the world through our investment and participation in partnership-based initiatives to improve access to medicines in developing and emerging countries. For more information about Eisai Co., Ltd., please visit http://www.eisai.com References 1. McMurray R, et al. Effectiveness of eslicarbazepine acetate as adjunctive therapy for partial epilepsy in clinical practice: design of a European pooled analysis of real-world data; European Congress on Epileptology 2016: Abstract #P578 2. Zebinix (eslicarbazepine acetate) SPC - Available at: http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/EPAR_-_Product_Information/human/000988/WC500047225.pdf [updated 19th May 2016]. Accessed September 2016 3. Ben-Menachem E, et al. Efficacy of eslicarbazepine acetate versus controlled-release carbamazepine as monotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed partial-onset seizures; European Congress on Epileptology 2016: Abstract #0002 4. Trinka E, et al. Safety and tolerability of eslicarbazepine acetate as monotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed partial-onset seizures; European Congress on Epileptology 2016: Abstract #P615 5. Villanueva V, et al. EARLY-ESLI study: Efficacy, tolerability and conversion to monotherapy with eslicarbazepine acetate after first monotherapy failure: Abstract #0034 6. Hebeisen S, et al. Eslicarbazepine and the enhancement of slow inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels: a comparison with carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine and lacosamide. Neuropharmacology 2015; 89:122-35 7. Soares-da-Silva P, et al. Eslicarbazepine acetate for the treatment of focal epilepsy: an update on its proposed mechanisms of action. Pharmacol Res Perspect. 2015; 3:e00124 8. Elger C, et al. Eslicarbazepine acetate: A double-blind, add-on, placebo-controlled exploratory trial in adult patients with partial-onset seizures. Epilepsia 2007; 48:497-504 9. Elger C, et al. Efficacy and safety of eslicarbazepine acetate as adjunctive treatment in adults with refractory partial-onset seizures: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group phase III study. Epilepsia. 2009;50:454-63 10. Ben-Menachem E, et al. Eslicarbazepine acetate as adjunctive therapy in adult patients with partial epilepsy. Epilepsy Res. 2010;89(2-3):278-85 11. Gil-Nagel A, et al. Efficacy and safety of 800 and 1200 mg eslicarbazepine acetate as adjunctive treatment in adults with refractory partial-onset seizures. Acta Neurol Scand. 2009; 120:281-87 SOURCE Eisai This huge undertaking is not something Zyxel will deliver alone. Market research firm Gartner says by 2020 there'll be nearly 21 billion connected devices in the hands of users. Connected devices create more efficient workplaces, new ways of living, and fresh business models. Yet, in spite of these developments, much of the world's potential and many of today's opportunities remain trapped behind slow, insecure, and even non-existent network access. This is what Zyxel is trying to change. By identifying as "Your Networking Ally," Zyxel highlights its core competence and the close relationship it shares with customers. People and organizations need a partner who understands their struggles and provides solutions that help them meet these challenges. Zyxel is that ally. The new tagline is supported by a number of stories that illustrate how Zyxel is making change happen. Examples include delivering banking services to remote villages in China, securing an irrigation system for growing flowers in a drought-prone region of the U.S., or connecting school kids in Europe to the world of knowledge. Zyxel is the networking ally standing alongside customers with integrated end-to-end networking solutions in hand. Zyxel president Gordon Yang describes the transition to becoming a solution provider as "solid and exciting." "It's solid because we are holding most of the technologies in our hands already," Yang said. "And it's exciting because we are standing side-by-side with our customers, helping them achieve their goals -- unlocking their potential." A refreshed vision calls for changes inside and out, starting with a new look. The graphical twist to the letter x at the center of the new Zyxel logo shows how Zyxel connects customers to their potential with both wired and wireless connections. The new "Ally" characters exemplify Zyxel's approachable and supportive nature. Finally, our refreshed visual identity applies five bright and distinct colors that reflect the diversity of the Zyxel team and its rich set of end-to-end solutions for various applications and vertical markets. The story of "Your Networking Ally": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwCGWqoA7Mw For more information please visit: www.zyxel.com About Zyxel Communications Focused on innovation and customer-centricity, Zyxel Communications has been connecting people to the Internet for nearly 30 years. Our ability to adapt and innovate with networking technology places us at the forefront of creating connectivity for telcos and service providers, business and home users. Zyxel is building the networks of tomorrow, unlocking potential, and meeting the needs of the modern workplace -- powering people at work, life, and play. Zyxel, Your Networking Ally. 1,500 passionate associates worldwide 100 million devices creating global connections 700,000 businesses working smarter with Zyxel solutions 150 global markets served Related Links http://www.zyxel.com SOURCE Zyxel Communications LAS VEGAS, Nevada, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- MiX Telematics (NYSE: MIXT), a leading global provider of fleet and mobile asset management solutions, is introducing a unique, industry-first asset tracking solution for moveable assets. MiX Tabs will provide customers with a highly effective solution to keep track of valuable assets including generators, light towers, storage tanks and pumps. This will allow for increased visibility of assets, resulting in improved asset utilization and reduced loss. MiX Tabs leverages a unique and secure company network that is formed by connecting tagged assets to vehicles equipped with MiX's on-board computers. A customer's fleet reports the last-known location along with a date and time stamp of the tagged assets as they pass by. Catherine Lewis, Executive Vice President of Technology at MiX Telematics explains: "These details are captured by our MiX Fleet Manager solution, which allows customers to view the whereabouts of assets as well as when the asset was last spotted. In addition, MiX's reporting suite adds even further value, allowing reports to be generated from historic data to show when assets were moved from one location to another. This also helps ensure assets never go 'missing' and are always allocated to the correct cost center." Customers using MiX Tabs will have increased visibility of their assets and the necessary intelligence to ensure optimal utilization. "MiX Tabs is an extremely innovative and cost-effective asset tracking solution. The self-powered beacons are wireless, easy to install and last for three years or more. As global leaders in the telematics industry, we have listened to our customers' needs and provided an industry first solution that gives them more control and oversight. This is an exciting new addition to MiX's broad product range, and we are looking forward to harnessing the power thereof to helping our customers become more efficient," says Lewis. About MiX Telematics MiX Telematics is a leading global provider of fleet and mobile asset management solutions delivered as SaaS to more than 578,000 subscribers in over 120 countries. The company's products and services provide enterprise fleets, small fleets and consumers with solutions for efficiency, safety, compliance and security. MiX Telematics was founded in 1996 and has offices in South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uganda, Brazil, Australia and the United Arab Emirates as well as a network of more than 130 fleet partners worldwide. MiX Telematics shares are publicly traded on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE: MIX) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MIXT). For more information, visit http://www.mixtelematics.com/. About CTIA Super Mobility 2016 CTIA Super Mobility 2016 (CTIASuperMobility2016.com) is the largest mobile event in America and the only B2B marketplace dedicated to demonstrating products and strategies for smart cities, mobile-first enterprises and connected consumers around the globe. For three days, more than 30,000 technology and business professionals, 1,000 exhibiting companies and dozens of collocated partner organizations gather to discover next-generation technologies, people and ideas transforming everything wireless. Powered by CTIA for 30+ years, this award-winning trade show advances the association's commitment to foster wireless innovation and enable connected life. CTIA Super Mobility 2016 takes place September 7-9, 2016 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, USA. Twitter: @ctiashows #SuperMobility Facebook: ctiashows.com/facebook Contact information Yudhvir Ranchod Brand and Communications Specialist MiX Telematics (International E-mail: yudhvir.ranchod@mixtelematics.com Tel: +27 21 880 5601 SOURCE MiX Telematics HATFIELD, England, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- FOR EMEA MEDIA ONLY - NOT FOR SWISS/AUSTRIAN JOURNALISTS Eisai present several abstracts on new data at 12th European Congress on Epileptology (ECE) for epilepsy treatments Data from several abstracts for Eisai's epilepsy treatments Fycompa (perampanel) and Inovelon (rufinamide) will be presented at the 12th European Congress on Epileptology (ECE), 11-15 September 2016, Prague, Czech Republic. These new data augment previous evidence on the efficacy and safety for these agents in different epilepsy seizure types, including generalised tonic clonic seizures (primary and secondary), and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. Perampanel is indicated in the European Union for the adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures, with or without secondary generalised seizures, and for primary generalised tonic clonic seizures, in patients with idiopathic generalised epilepsy (IGE) aged 12 years and older.[1] Rufinamide is indicated in the European Union as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome in patients 4 years of age and older.[2] "The data presented at ECE reinforce Eisai's continued focus on epilepsy treatment options that have the potential to improve outcomes in different patient populations. Epilepsy is a challenging condition to manage - those affected by it just want to get on with life through better seizure control and acceptable tolerability. Building the evidence for perampanel and rufinamide is therefore vital to enable clinicians to better understand and optimise treatment outcomes in clinical practice," comments Neil West, Vice President, Global Neurology Business Group, Eisai EMEA. Data from several analyses will be presented for the 332 randomised, placebo-controlled, clinical trial[3] of adjunctive perampanel including an interventional open label extension study,[4] and post-hoc analyses of study 332[5] in myoclonic and absence seizures. Abstract #0074 - Perucca E et al[6] - 12 September 11:30-13:00 Adjunctive perampanel was associated with improved seizure control in patients with partial-onset seizures treated for up to four years (n=78) and particularly in subjects with secondary generalised seizures at baseline. No new safety signals were seen during long-term perampanel exposure. Abstract #0073 - O'Brien T et al[5] - 14 September 11:30-13:00 Epilepsy drugs can paradoxically increase seizure activity, and most notably absence or myoclonic seizures.[7] Outcomes in a post-hoc analysis of the 17-week core phase of study 332 showed that compared with placebo, adjunctive perampanel did not show clear evidence for worsening of myoclonic or absence seizures. However, the study was not powered to detect differences in these seizure types. Abstract #P555 - Weschler R et al[4] - 14 September 13:00-14:30 In an interventional open label extension study,[4] 138 IGE patients with drug-resistant primary generalised tonic clonic seizures who received long-term adjunctive perampanel for up to 142 weeks (2.7 years), had a favourable risk-benefit ratio. Outcomes were consistent with the known safety profile for perampanel. A total 120 patients (87%) experienced treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) including 20 (14.5%) with severe AEs, 18 (13%) with serious AEs, and 13 (9.4%) with AEs that lead to withdrawal. Abstract #P590 - Auvin S et al[8]- 13 September 13:00-14:30 Results from a recent European patient registry study[8] for safety in 111 patients of all ages (4 years) with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome suggest the potential for rufinamide and 'other' antiepileptic drugs in the long-term treatment of LGS. After 12 months, the proportion of patients rated as 'minimally', 'much', or 'very much' improved in control of all seizures was 47.6% (n=20/42) for rufinamide and 39.4% (n=13/33) for 'other' antiepileptic drugs. Treatment related adverse events were 40.6% for rufinamide and 27.7% for 'other' drugs.[8] The most frequently reported rufinamide-related adverse events (5% patients) were somnolence (7.8%) and decreased appetite (6.3%). Abstract #P622 - Brandt C et al[9]- 14 September 13:00-14:30 There are limited published data on the treatment of adults with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. In analyses of a registry study,[8] data on adults (18 years; n=24) were extracted and analysed. At month 24, the proportion of patients rated as 'minimally', 'much', or 'very much' improved in control of all seizures was 71.4% (n=5/7) for rufinamide 50% (n=2/4) with 'other' antiepileptic drugs. Adverse events were seen in 50% of patients on rufinamide compared with 37.5% for 'other' drugs.[9] Abstract Number Timing of presentation Abstract details Perampanel Marked Reduction in Secondarily Generalised Seizures Abstract number: #0074 in Patients Treated With Perampanel for 3 and 4 Years Platform Session 1 Emilio Perucca, Gregory L Krauss, Patrick Kwan, Antiepileptic Drugs 1 Elinor Ben-Menachem, Xue-feng Wang, Jerry Shih, Monday 12 September Betsy Williams, Antonio Laurenza, Haichen Yang 11.30 - 13.00 Congress Hall Abstract number: #0073 Myoclonic and Absence Seizures in Patients With Platform Session 13 Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy (IGE): Exploratory Antiepileptic Drugs 3 Outcomes in a Phase III PGTC Study With Adjunctive Wednesday 14 September Perampanel 11.30 - 13.00 Terence J O'Brien, Bernhard J Steinhoff, Antonio Forum Hall Laurenza, Anna Patten, Francesco Bibbiani, Haichen Yang Abstract number: #P555 Long-term safety and efficacy of adjunctive Poster Session perampanel in patients with drug-resistant primary Pharmacology / AEDs 10 generalised tonic clonic seizures in idiopathic Wednesday 14 September generalised epilepsy: results of an open-label extension 13.00 - 14.30 Robert T Wechsler, Jacqueline French, Eugen Trinka, Poster Area (Forum Hall Christian Brandt, Terence O'Brien, Francesco Foyer) Bibbiani, Anna Patten, Antonio Laurenza Rufinamide Abstract number: #P590 European non-interventional registry study of Poster Session antiepileptic drug use in patients with Pharmacology / AEDs 5 Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome Tuesday 13th September Stephane Auvin, Rob McMurray, Christian Brandt, 13.00 - 14.30 Marina Nikanorova Poster Area (Forum Hall Foyer) Abstract number: #P622 Use of rufinamide and other antiepileptic drugs in Poster Session the management of adult patients (greater than or Pharmacology / AEDs 9 equal to18 years) with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome Wednesday 14 September Christian Brandt, Rob McMurray, Stephane Auvin, 13.00 - 14.30 Marina Nikanorova Poster Area (Forum Hall Foyer) The continued development of its epilepsy portfolio underscores Eisai's human health care (hhc) mission, the company's commitment to innovative solutions in disease prevention, cure and care for the health and wellbeing of people worldwide. Eisai is committed to the therapeutic area of neurology and to address the unmet medical needs of people with epilepsy and their families. Notes to Editors About Fycompa (perampanel) Perampanel is a highly selective, non-competitive AMPA (alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid)-type glutamate receptor antagonist. AMPA receptors, widely present in almost all excitatory neurons, transmit signals stimulated by the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate within the brain, and are believed to play a role in central nervous system diseases characterised by excess neuroexcitatory signalling, including epilepsy. Since launch, approximately 52,000 people living with epilepsy across the EMEA region* have been treated with perampanel.[10] * EMEA countries are Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Portugal, Greece, Australia, Russia, Slovakia, Israel. Fycompa (perampanel) - Study 332[3] Study 332 is a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, multicentre, parallel-group Phase III trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adjunctive perampanel for refractory PGTC seizures in idiopathic generalised epilepsy. 164 people (12 years old) with PGTC seizures and IGE (diagnoses confirmed by independent reviewers), despite treatment with one to three concomitant AEDs, were randomised to receive perampanel (8 mg/d or highest tolerated dose) or placebo in a 1:1 ratio. About Inovelon (rufinamide) Rufinamide was approved for adjunctive therapy for Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome in Europe (under the brand name Inovelon) in 2007. Inovelon is available in 19 European countries as film-coated tablets containing 100mg, 200mg, and 400mg rufinamide. It is available in some countries as an oral suspension in orange flavour 40mg/ml concentration. The oral suspension formulation is bioequivalent to the tablet formulation on a milligram per milligram basis and in is available in the Denmark, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom. About Epilepsy Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions in the world, affecting approximately 6 million people in Europe, and an estimated 50 million people worldwide.[11] Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the brain that affects people of all ages. It is characterised by abnormal discharges of neuronal activity which causes seizures. Seizures can vary in nature and severity, from brief lapses of attention or jerking of muscles, to severe and prolonged convulsions. Depending on the seizure type, seizures may be limited to one part of the body, or may involve the whole body. Seizures can also vary in frequency from less than one per year, to several per day. Epilepsy has many possible causes but often the cause is unknown. For the majority of idiopathic generalised epilepsy patients, a primary generalised tonic clonic (PGTC) seizure begins with or without an aura (sensory or psychic phenomena), which is followed by loss of consciousness and muscle rigidity (tonic phase). This is followed by violent muscle contraction (clonic phase). As this is a serious event, it is seen as a major hindrance on daily life. While the seizure generally only lasts a few minutes, the patient will often feel confused or drowsy for a short period of time before returning to normal.[12],[13] PGTC seizures can also result in injury and sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP).[14] About Eisai EMEA in Epilepsy Eisai is committed to developing and delivering highly beneficial new treatments to help improve the lives of people with epilepsy. The development of AEDs is a major strategic area for Eisai in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Russia and Oceania (EMEA). In the EMEA region, Eisai currently has four marketed treatments including: Fycompa (perampanel) is indicated for use as a once-daily, adjunctive therapy for both primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures in idiopathic generalised epilepsy and for partial onset seizures, with or without secondary generalisation, in patients aged 12 years or older (perampanel) is indicated for use as a once-daily, adjunctive therapy for both primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures in idiopathic generalised epilepsy and for partial onset seizures, with or without secondary generalisation, in patients aged 12 years or older Inovelon (rufinamide) for the adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome in patients 4 years. (Rufinamide was originally developed by Novartis) (rufinamide) for the adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome in patients 4 years. (Rufinamide was originally developed by Novartis) Zonegran (zonisamide) as monotherapy in the treatment of partial seizures, with or without secondary generalisation, in adults with newly diagnosed epilepsy and as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures, with or without secondary generalisation, in adults, adolescents and children aged six years and above. (Zonegran is under license from the originator Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma) (zonisamide) as monotherapy in the treatment of partial seizures, with or without secondary generalisation, in adults with newly diagnosed epilepsy and as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures, with or without secondary generalisation, in adults, adolescents and children aged six years and above. (Zonegran is under license from the originator Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma) Zebinix (eslicarbazepine acetate) as adjunctive therapy in adult patients with partial onset seizures, with or without secondary generalisation (Zebinix is under license from BIAL) About Eisai Co., Ltd. Eisai Co., Ltd. is a leading global research and development-based pharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan. We define our corporate mission as "giving first thought to patients and their families and to increasing the benefits health care provides," which we call our human health care (hhc) philosophy. With over 10,000 employees working across our global network of R&D facilities, manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, we strive to realise our hhc philosophy by delivering innovative products in multiple therapeutic areas with high unmet medical needs, including Oncology and Neurology. As a global pharmaceutical company, our mission extends to patients around the world through our investment and participation in partnership-based initiatives to improve access to medicines in developing countries. For more information about Eisai Co., Ltd., please visit http://www.eisai.com References 1. Fycompa (perampanel) SPC - Fycompa 2mg,4mg,6mg,8mg,10mg,12mg film-coated tablets. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/26951 [updated 1 March 2016]. Accessed August 2016 2. Inovelon (rufinamide) SPC - Inovelon Tablets and Oral Suspension. Available at: http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/20165/SPC/ [updated 6 August 2013]. Accessed August 2016 3. French A, et al. Perampanel for tonic-clonic seizures in idiopathic generalised epilepsy. Neurology 2015;85:950-57 4. Wechsler R, et al. Long-term safety and efficacy of adjunctive perampanel in patients with drug-resistant primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures in idiopathic generalised epilepsy: results of an open-label extension; European Congress on Epileptology 2016: Abstract #P555 5. O'Brien T, et al. Myoclonic and Absence Seizures in Patients With Idiopathic Generalised Epilepsy (IGE): Exploratory Outcomes in a Phase III PGTC Study With Adjunctive Perampanel; European Congress on Epileptology 2016: Abstract #0073 6. Perucca E, et al. Marked Reduction in Secondarily Generalised Seizures in Patients Treated With Perampanel for 3 and 4 Years; European Congress on Epileptology 2016: Abstract #0074 7. Perucca E, et al. Antiepileptic drugs as a cause of worsening seizures. Epilepsia 1998;39(1):5-17 8. Auvin S, et al. European non-interventional registry study of antiepileptic drug use in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome; European Congress on Epileptology 2016: Abstract #P590 9. Brandt C, et al. Use of rufinamide and other antiepileptic drugs in the management of adult patients (18 years) with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome; European Congress on Epileptology 2016: Abstract #P622 10. Eisai. Data on File 2016. DOF PER112 11. Epilepsy in the WHO European Region: Fostering Epilepsy Care in Europe. http://www.ibe-epilepsy.org/downloads/EURO%20Report%20160510.pdf (Accessed June 2016) 12. Epilepsy Foundation. Types of seizures. Available at: http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-seizures . (Accessed June 2016) 13. Epilepsy Foundation. IGE Summary. Available at: http://www.epilepsy.com/information/professionals/about-epilepsy-seizures/idiopathic-generalized-epilepsies/idiopathic . (Accessed June 2016) 14. Smithson WH, et al. Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy: Addressing the Challenges. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2014; 14(12):502 SOURCE Eisai BALTIMORE, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- International Connections Academy, an accredited online private school for students in grades K-12, is making it easier for families moving or currently living abroad to transition their children to school anywhere in the world through its new online education resource for expat families. Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/7654354-international-connections-academy-education-abroad International Connections Academy currently serves students in more than 40 countries across the globe with the number of expat families it serves growing each semester. The school's 2016 Parent Satisfaction Survey recently revealed that 80 percent of currently enrolled families living abroad moved for business purposes, with two-thirds planning on living in their new country for at least four years. With many factors to consider when moving abroad, finding a new school can be an arduous process. "Many expat families find International Connections Academy to be a great school option for grades K-12 when they relocate overseas, especially since students earn U.S. diplomas," said Hannah Rinehart, principal of International Connections Academy. "Our goal with this online education resource for families is to provide information that can help make the process of researching school options and transitioning easier." The new section of our site for expatriates includes: Helpful articles from the school's educators explaining the best way to navigate online education for families living overseas First-hand accounts from expat families Video footage of a teacher who brings unique perspectives to teaching students internationally In addition to revealing why families move abroad, this year's Parent Satisfaction Survey offered insights into currently enrolled parents' views on education and International Connections Academy, including: Nearly 25 percent of International Connections Academy's international parents envision their child/children attending a prominent university and earning a graduate degree 95 percent of international parents are satisfied with the curriculum their child/children receives at International Connections Academy "Virtual schools give parents and children the freedom to control their learning," said Kathryn Pitts, the mother of three 2016 graduates of International Connections Academy currently residing in the United Arab Emirates. Students enrolled in International Connections Academy learn from home, or anywhere there is an internet connection, and work with teachers who are licensed and specially trained in online instruction. Experienced school counselors guide students through the college application process, leading to acceptances at exceptional U.S.-based colleges and universities such as Brown University and Yale University, among many others. For more details, visit http://www.internationalconnectionsacademy.com/about-us/diverse-students/expatriates. You can also read an extended version of this press release for additional details. Related Links https://www.multivu.com/players/English/7654354-international-connections-academy-education-abroad SOURCE International Connections Academy - EY report calls for G20 policy action to help young entrepreneurs manage digital disruption - Urges G20 governments to promote better access to finance, cross-border research clusters and international business development opportunities - Recommends establishment of new G20 mobility visa for young entrepreneurs BEIJING, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A new EY report warns that G20 leaders must better support young entrepreneurs through policies that ensure digital disruption enables rather than hinders their business development plans. The report, Disrupting the disruptors: Disrupting youth entrepreneurship with digital and data, was released to mark the start of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs' Alliance (G20 YEA) summit in China. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160620/381362LOGO Using a digital barometer to compare digital entrepreneurship performance of G20 nations and to identify leading practices and policies that allow young entrepreneurs to thrive on digital disruption, the report identifies key policy recommendations, including clear governance on data access and privacy; support for cross-border research clusters, and the establishment of a new G20 youth entrepreneurship mobility visa. Countries that rank first in at least one key indicator for supporting digital entrepreneurship include Canada (access to finance); the US (entrepreneurial culture, digital skills and entrepreneurial education, digital knowledge base, and ICT market); and the UK (digital business environment). Rohan Malik, EY Strategic Growth Leader Global Industry and Emerging Markets Leader Global Government & Public Sector, says: "Entrepreneurs disrupt business practices and reshape behavior. And today, the world in which they work is itself being disrupted by digital technologies. As G20 governments think about how to set up their economies to succeed in this digital environment, they must help equip young entrepreneurs for the age of digital disruption. "Policy can play a critical role in turning digital disruption into a powerful opportunity for young entrepreneurs. Supporting an entrepreneurial environment that encourages young people to establish, grow and scale their businesses is a significant opportunity even a responsibility for G20 governments. It also creates opportunities to advance inclusiveness through entrepreneurship, particularly for young women." The report's top policy recommendations are: Access to finance: Support the development of early-stage financing and support schemes for young entrepreneurs, including incubators and accelerators Reduce investment barriers to promote access to foreign capital for entrepreneurs Entrepreneurial culture: Introduce entrepreneurship as a specialized stream in higher education and schools Engage industry in the development and delivery of tech, digital and management-focused training Protect young entrepreneurs' intellectual property with targeted provisions to encourage innovation and collaboration with larger organizations and investors Digital business environment: Champion a G20 entrepreneur visa and promote the development of support networks for newly arrived entrepreneurs in G20 host countries Establish clear guidelines on data privacy and security, including usage, data rights and quality Digital skills and entrepreneurial education: Teach entrepreneurship in schools from elementary through to final years of high school and prioritize STEM education, particularly for female students Promote youth entrepreneurship mentoring and coaching programs within industry and entrepreneurship networks Digital knowledge base and ICT market: Foster multi-stakeholder digital clusters and networks, including those with a sectoral or city-level focus, along with coaching and mentoring schemes Support university-entrepreneur collaboration, including through funding incentives for universities Notes to Editors About EY EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com. This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients. Kirsty McDonald EY Global Media Relations +852 28469088 kirsty-k.mcdonald@hk.ey.com Related Links http://www.ey.com SOURCE EY LONDON, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A study by Quidco reveals 89 per cent of Brits consider themselves to be 'honest' however 38 per cent would consider pocketing extra change from a cashier Of those that had been unwittingly given extra change by a cashier, 52 per cent confessed to keeping it - making Brits more dishonest than their French and German neighbours Millennials are most likely to "game the system" by feeling they're entitled to something extra - 42 per cent wouldn't flag a mistake to a cashier meaning they pay less Vast majority of Brits more likely to keep extra change from Starbucks (71 per cent) than Costa (29 per cent) - signalling the British public's loyalty towards home-grown companies A new study reveals that whilst 89 per cent of Brits consider themselves to be "honest," we're more than happy to let small indiscretions fall by the wayside if it means we get something for nothing - calling the nation's integrity into question. The 2016 Integrity Study, commissioned by the UK's largest cashback and reward platform Quidco, showed that despite Brits wanting to believe they're a nation of honest shoppers, 38 per cent would consider keeping extra change if they were given it by an unwitting cashier. This sentiment is most pronounced when dealing with international businesses, with the vast majority of Brits (71 per cent) happy to keep extra change from American coffee chain Starbucks than British company Costa (29 per cent). Brits are the worst offenders in Europe when it comes to pocketing small change with 57 per cent of French and German respondents saying they have never kept extra change from a cashier if they were given it by mistake. This contrasts with 52% of Brits who said they have kept extra change when given it by an unsuspecting cashier. The French came out top in the honesty rankings with 92 per cent of those polled saying they consider themselves honest. The Quidco Integrity Study, which will be benchmarked each year, put a spotlight on everyday indiscretions to test just how far Brits were willing to push their moral compass to get more for their money without feeling pangs of guilt. One of the starkest findings occurred in the 18-34 age bracket. A generation of savvy shoppers, this group exuded the most confidence in their desire to "game the system" by seeing themselves as a generation of entitled shoppers. Victoria Leyton, spokesperson for Quidco, who commissioned and contributed to The Quidco Integrity Study, said: "Never mind Gen Y, it's Gen E(ntitled) that retailers need to be focusing on. This new breed of savvy shopper is gutsy, a genuine deal-hunter who knows the value of their customer and is not willing to short-change themselves when shopping online or in-store. They know a good deal when they see one and if they feel undervalued, won't hesitate to play the system to get what they want, even if that means telling a white lie or keeping a few extra pennies in their purse." She added: "This group of 'Generation Entitled' shoppers are disrupting the status quo and realigning the moral compass, indexing high on nearly every metric we tested against. From getting away with a free 5p carrier bag, fibbing on an insurance form or deliberating mis-scanning items at the till, Gen E are willing to put their integrity on the line to get something for nothing." Key findings supporting this trend include:* 33 per cent have not paid for a 5p carrier bag at checkout (19 per cent UK average) 24 per cent have returned damaged merchandise for a full refund (14% UK average) 23 per cent have returned worn clothes for a full refund (11 per cent UK average) 21 per cent have fibbed on an insurance claim or form (11 per cent UK average) This new mind-set of entitled shoppers means that retailers are having to be more innovative in their strategies to grab these savvy consumers. Being time and cash poor, the nation is fast turning into a group of life hacks, willing to do what's necessary to make every pound spent count. The fact that nearly 50 per cent of Brits unapologetically sneak their own food or alcohol into a theatre or cinema is emblematic of this emerging trend. "We all know how tempting it is to keep quiet when we've been undercharged for dinner or to keep a bit of extra change we've been given by accident but this doesn't class as honest behaviour, however you wrap it up! Quidco recognises that people expect more when they shop or eat out which is why our users can earn guilt-free money straight into the bank account. We think this counts as good, honest, extra-value savings." added Victoria Leyton. * Statistics reflect findings in the 18-34 year old age bracket. Notes to editor About the study Quidco commissioned a survey in 2016 looking into perceptions of Integrity in the UK, France and Germany. In total, 6009 people were polled across these three countries, with 2001 respondents per market in the UK and Germany and 2007 in France. Key findings from the Study will be benchmarked each year as part of the Quidco Integrity Index to show how the nation's views differ year on year. About Quidco Founded in 2005, Quidco has expanded rapidly from its Yorkshire roots to become the UK's leading cashback rewards platform. Last year we helped over 6 million members earn cashback worth over 50 million on their shopping, while simultaneously generating 800 million in sales for our 4,300 retail partners; representative of 1% of all UK online spend. We've transformed the way people shop online, in-store and on mobile and recognise that our retail partners can only fully fulfil their marketing aims when they engage their audience effectively. For media enquiries please contact: Ben Jones (Ketchum PR) T: +44(0)203-755-6577 E: ben.jones@ketchum.com Lara Tuboku-Metzger (Ketchum PR) T: +44(0)203-755-6495 E: lara.tuboku-metzger@ketchum.com SOURCE Quidco BROOMFIELD, Colorado, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- n.io Innovation, a recent Gold Award winner of Dell & Intel's IoT Connect What Matters contest, announced today that it will host a webcast to publicly reveal how the n.io software platform is enabling disruptive agricultural transformation by providing real-time insight, control, and automation. Topic: n.io Precision Agriculture Demonstration Webinar Description: n.io enables the future of agriculture, featuring Deep Sky Vineyard Date/Time: Sept. 22, 2016 @ 11am MST Event Registration: n.io/ag Standing in the way of much-needed modernization in the agricultural industry are several limitations in technologyin particular, excessive networking and data collection costs, lack of interoperability amongst disparate technologies, and the exclusion of the farmer's expertise and artistry from the application of technology. The n.io software platform enables a robust and interoperable precision agriculture solution, capable of adapting to a vast array of requirements. This software "central nervous system" of intelligence, control, and automation can process an unlimited array of asynchronous sensors and data to create a fully interoperable agricultural ecosystem. n.io Innovation CEO, Doug Standley, declares, "The societal demand to produce significantly more food while conserving precious water resources is universally acknowledged. Our investment towards applying n.io to precision ag is a call of duty and central to our company's purpose." The intent of this webcast is to raise awareness about the patented n.io software technology and encourage partnership amongst agriculture investors, technology providers, and the farming community. "n.io's ability to seamlessly process data at the edge is the breakout that I've been searching for my entire career. I am pleased to be involved in this innovation and excited to play a part in its advancement to the global farming community." - Deverl Maserang: Senior Agriculture Executive and n.io Innovation Advisor About n.io Innovation Based in Broomfield, CO, n.io Innovation is a privately held software company. The company is taking on the toughest challenges of interoperability, latency, database dependency and user complexity, enabling adaptable real-time intelligence and automation to empower users and developers to exploit the vast potential of technology and the Internet. n.io Innovation's patented platform jumps ahead of all the current noise and clutter about the Internet of Things (IoT) by providing a truly extensible software platform. To learn more visit n.io, contact Blake Duhame at 877-231-0353 ext.152, or email info@n.io About Deep Sky Vineyard Deep Sky is a 20-acre boutique vineyard owned by Kim and Philip Asmundson located just south of Willcox, Arizona. As vineyard owners they believe that "80% of the wine is made in the field." This means that great wine begins with great fruit and great fruit requires a lot of attention. It's this relentless attention to detail and perseverance that drives them every day to meet their goal of producing the highest quality grapes in Arizona. To learn more, visit deepskyvineyard.com. Related Links http://www.n.io SOURCE n.io Innovation CALGARY, Alberta, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Pembina Pipeline Corporation ("Pembina" or the "Company") (TSX: PPL; NYSE: PBA) announced today that its Board of Directors declared a common share cash dividend for September 2016 of $0.16 per share to be paid, subject to applicable law, on October 15, 2016 to shareholders of record on September 25, 2016. This dividend is designated an "eligible dividend" for Canadian income tax purposes. For non-resident shareholders, Pembina's common share dividends should be considered "qualified dividends" and may be subject to Canadian withholding tax. For shareholders receiving their common share dividends in U.S. funds, the September 2016 cash dividend is expected to be approximately U.S. $0.1240 per share (before deduction of any applicable Canadian withholding tax) based on a currency exchange rate of 0.7752. The actual U.S. dollar dividend will depend on the Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rate on the payment date and will be subject to applicable withholding taxes. Confirmation of Record and Payment Date Policy Pembina pays cash dividends on its common shares in Canadian dollars on a monthly basis to shareholders of record on the 25th calendar day of each month (except for the December record date, which is December 31st), if, as and when determined by the Board of Directors. Should the record date fall on a weekend or a statutory holiday, the effective record date will be the previous business day. The dividend payment date is the 15th of the month following the record date. Should the payment date fall on a weekend or on a holiday the business day prior to the weekend or holiday becomes the payment date. About Pembina Calgary-based Pembina Pipeline Corporation is a leading transportation and midstream service provider that has been serving North America's energy industry for over 60 years. Pembina owns and operates an integrated system of pipelines that transport various products derived from natural gas and hydrocarbon liquids produced primarily in western Canada. The Company also owns and operates gas gathering and processing facilities and an oil and natural gas liquids infrastructure and logistics business. Pembina's integrated assets and commercial operations along the entire hydrocarbon value chain allow it to offer a full spectrum of midstream and marketing services to the energy sector. Pembina is committed to working with its community and aboriginal neighbours, while providing value for investors in a safe, environmentally responsible manner. This balanced approach to operating ensures the trust Pembina builds among all of its stakeholders is sustainable over the long-term. Pembina's common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under PPL and PBA, respectively. For more information, visit www.pembina.com. Forward-Looking Information and Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking information and statements that are based on Pembina's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends. In this news release, such forward-looking information and statements can be identified by terminology such as "to be", "expects", and similar expressions. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information relating to: future dividends which may be declared on Pembina's common shares, the dividend payment and the tax treatment thereof. These forward-looking statements are being made by Pembina based on certain assumptions that Pembina has made in respect thereof as at the date of this news release, regarding, among other things: oil and gas industry exploration and development activity levels; the success of Pembina's operations and growth projects; prevailing commodity prices, margins, volumes and exchange rates; that Pembina's future results of operations will be consistent with past performance and management expectations in relation thereto; the continued availability of capital at attractive prices to fund future capital requirements relating to existing assets and projects, including but not limited to future capital expenditures relating to expansion, upgrades and maintenance shutdowns; the success of growth projects; future operating costs; that any third party projects relating to Pembina's growth projects will be sanctioned and completed as expected; that any required commercial agreements can be reached; that all required regulatory and environmental approvals can be obtained on the necessary terms in a timely manner; that counterparties to material agreements will continue to perform in a timely manner; that there are no unforeseen events preventing the performance of contracts; and that there are no unforeseen material construction, integrity or other costs related to current growth projects or current operations. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: the regulatory environment and decisions; non-performance of agreements in accordance with their terms; the impact of competitive entities and pricing; reliance on key industry partners, alliances and agreements; the strength and operations of the oil and natural gas production industry and related commodity prices; the continuation or completion of third-party projects; actions by governmental or regulatory authorities including changes in tax laws and treatment, changes in royalty rates or increased environmental regulation; adverse general economic and market conditions in Canada, North America and elsewhere; fluctuations in operating results; construction delays; labour and material shortages; and certain other risks detailed from time to time in Pembina's public disclosure documents including, among other things, those detailed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Pembina's management's discussion and analysis and annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2015, which can be found at www.sedar.com. Accordingly, readers are cautioned that events or circumstances could cause results to differ materially from those predicted, forecasted or projected. Such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by the above statements. Pembina does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward looking statements or information contained herein, except as required by applicable laws. For further information: Investor Relations, Hayley McKenzie / Ian McAvity, (403) 231-3156, 1-855-880-7404, e-mail: investor-relations@pembina.com, www.pembina.com Related Links http://www.pembina.com SOURCE Pembina Pipeline Corporation Shares of the premium basic materials company, Syngenta AG SYT hit a fresh 52-week high of $88.83 per share on Sep 7, before closing the trading session slightly lower at $88.56. It has gained roughly 28.8% over the last one year. The company is currently trading at a forward P/E (price/earnings) of 26.07 and has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 6.75%. However, regardless of such strong price appreciation, Syngenta currently holds a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) owing to certain industry-specific headwinds. Has the Stock Lost Momentum? Since Syngenta closed negative on the very day it hit a 52-week high, we wonder why it topped out. It's because investors have locked in gains, resulting in trend reversals or pullbacks. Moreover, Syngenta is already overpriced in the market given its P/E of 26.07, which is higher than the industry average of 21.10. As the stock is overvalued, its current price does not justify the earnings outlook. Hence, it is anticipated that its price will drop in the near term. Deal Uncertain Apart from putting a strategic accelerating operational leverage (AOL) program into action, Syngenta views the $43 billion takeover bid extended by China National Chemical Corp. (ChemChina) to be extremely beneficial on commercial grounds. However, the deal has not been approved by the European Union yet, among other jurisdictions. Also, even if the deal successfully passes closes by the end of this year, there is still some time left for Syngenta to eye its payback. Bleak Broader Trends Syngenta conducts its trade within the agricultural products industry, broadly grouped under the Basic Materials sector as per the Zacks Industry classification. Our latest Earnings Trends article (dated Aug 19, 2016) confirms that the sector has largely underperformed the Q2 earnings season. Notably, the sector has witnessed a decline of 11.6% and 8.9% in earnings and revenues, respectively, in the second quarter. Syngenta faces several industry specific headwinds such as economic slowdown in booming nations like China, a cyclical downturn of agricultural industry, unfavorable climatic conditions, low prices of agro products and extensive industry rivalry. These bearish aspects were responsible for the companys weak half-year 2016 results. Moreover, Syngentas business is subjected to tight credit conditions in several niche marketplaces such as Argentina and Brazil. Hence, we believe that investors will do well by currently avoiding Syngentas stock. The company is relying largely on the ChemChina deal, which is far from generating benefits. Over the last 60 days, Zacks Consensus Estimate for the stock has been revised downwards for both 2016 and 2017. Story continues SYNGENTA AG-ADR Price and Consensus SYNGENTA AG-ADR Price and Consensus | SYNGENTA AG-ADR Quote Zacks Counsel Some better-ranked stocks within the industry include Cosan Limited CZZ, Coeur Mining, Inc. CDE and AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. AU. All the companies currently carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Confidential from Zacks Beyond this Analyst Blog, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them 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 ANGLOGOLD LTD (AU): Free Stock Analysis Report COEUR MINING (CDE): Free Stock Analysis Report COSAN LTD-A (CZZ): Free Stock Analysis Report SYNGENTA AG-ADR (SYT): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research PORTLAND, Oregon, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A report titled, "Global Biochar Market 2015-2019" was recently added by Research Beam, which is an extensive study and appraisal of the global biochar market for the period 2015-2019. It provides a detailed analysis of the key market drivers, challenges, restraints, and opportunities for the biochar market during these five years. The study gives an overview of the growing market by explores the different product offerings in each segment and the research methodologies involved in it. It also forecasts the key trends in this sector, along with an examination of key biochar vendors and their business strategies. Biochar production employs the technique of pyrolysis or carbon sequestration of biomass, to form a high-carbon, fine-grain residue. This residue is instrumental to many environmental, agricultural, and waste management practices. The market for biochar and biomass addresses the increasing ecological concerns of climate change and green-house gas emissions. Biochar is contributive to the overall soil health, by enhancing its fertility and combating problems of agricultural waste management, without competing with crop production. It retains harmful gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen within the soil, and reduces the hazards of climate change. The biochar market has a prominent market size because it answers the need for a clean-renewable source of energy. To know more about the report, visit the website At : http://www.researchbeam.com/global-biochar-2015-2019-market The Global Biochar Market 2015-2019 report forecasts a CAGR of 15.46% over the period 2014-2019. The industry is set to grow to a substantial size in the next few years. The study covers the size of different market segments based on application type, technology involved, feedstock, and geography. It also analyzes the key vendors engaged in the biochar industry, and views their competitive presence in the market. The different market strategies followed by these vendors have contributed to the growth of the biochar market. Some of the vendors listed in this report are Agri-Tech Producers, BioChar Products, Pacific Biochar, Phoenix Energy, and Diacarbon Energy. The report gives an in-depth insight to various interested companies, vendors, and individuals about the growth and dynamics of the biochar market. The Global Biochar Market 2015-2019 report helps the stakeholders understand the on-going market trends and provides information about the latest mergers and acquisitions. It explains the different market trends along with forecasts for the next five years. The market for 2013 has been analyzed, and the opportunities for the years 2015-2019 have been examined. The report finally concludes with a mention of other reports in this series. Table Of Contents: 01. Executive Summary 02. List of Abbreviations 03. Scope of the Report 03.1 Market Overview 03.2 Product Offerings 04. Market Research Methodology 04.1 Market Research Process 04.2 Research Methodology 05. Introduction 06. Market Landscape 06.1 Market Overview 06.2 Market Size and Forecast by Revenue 06.3 Market Size and Forecast by Production 06.4 Five Forces Analysis 07. Market Segmentation by Technology 08. Market Segmentation by Feedstock 09. Market Segmentation by Application 10. Geographical Segmentation Enquire About Report At: http://www.researchbeam.com/global-biochar-2015-2019-market/enquire-about-report Related Reports Here: Europe Biochar Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report The Europe Biochar Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Biochar industry. Global Biochar Market 2016 Industry Trend and Forecast 2021 Biochar is the solid product of pyrolysis, designed to be used for environmental management. IBI defines biochar as: A solid material obtained from thermochemical conversion of biomass in an oxygen-limited environment. United States Biochar Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report The United States Biochar Industry 2016 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Biochar industry. Global Biochar Consumption Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report The Global Biochar Consumption Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Biochar market. North America Biochar Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report The North America Biochar Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Biochar industry. Global and China Biochar Sales Market Report 2020 This report studies Biochar in Global and China market, focuses on top manufacturers in global and China market, involving Biochar price of each type, production, revenue and market share for each manufacturer. Global Biochar Industry 2016 Market Research Report 2016 Global Biochar Industry Report is a professional and in-depth research report on the world's major regional market conditions of the Biochar industry, focusing on the main regions (North America, Europe and Asia) and the main countries (United States, Germany, Japan and China). 2015 Biochar Industry Report-Global and Chinese Market 2015 Biochar Industry Report - Global and Chinese Market Scenario is a professional and in-depth market survey on Global and Chinese Biochar industry. About Us : We have a large database of quality and precise market research reports that will be very beneficial for your organization. Reports that we sell our authentic in nature and from reputed publishers, hence it can definitely help you with your growth opportunities. In order to survive the fierce competition and locate different avenues, one must be privy to high end and quality market information. So, we try and provide you with latest market information by getting high market research reports from our clients. Research Beam will always make sure to bring most ethical and high quality reports. We value your relationship with us and look forward for a long term relation. Contact Us: James Jordan 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive, #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States U.S. & Canada Toll Free: + 1-800-910-6452 International: + 1-503-894-6022 UK: + 44-845-528-1300 India: +91 20 66346070 Fax : +1 (855) 550-5975 Email: help@researchbeam.com Web: http://www.researchbeam.com SOURCE Prof Research Reports PUNE, India, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Global tactical communications market growth is forecast to by driven by demand for more advanced tactical equipment, while North America to account for a dominant share whereas Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing regional market for tactical communications. Complete report on tactical communications market spread across 162 pages, profiling 12 companies and supported with 54 tables and 27 figures is now available at http://www.marketreportshub.com/tactical-communications-industry-research-marketsandmarkets.html . Combat segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR in the tactical communications market. The combat segment of the tactical communications market, by application, is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to the increasing usage of tactical communication systems by troops in the battlefield for extensive exchange of digital data garnered from sensors, weapons, computers, and command centers. The use of such systems in the battlefield has also increased as they have become more agile and are easier to set up compared to the legacy equipment, which restricted mobility. North America dominates the tactical communications market. The market in the region is mainly driven by the U.S. which has been focusing toward developing faster, stealthier, and more ruggedized communications systems for use in various terrains. The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is expected to exhibit the highest growth rate in the tactical communication market during the forecast period of 2016 to 2021. This growth in tactical communications market in the APAC region can be attributed to the increase in the procurement of tactical communication systems by emerging economies and focus on strengthening their communications infrastructure in the defense sector. Command & control is expected to be the second-fastest growing segment in the tactical communications market, by application. The demand for more advanced tactical equipment has increased as older equipment requires a large number of vehicles to transport, which limits their deployment flexibility. Furthermore, the bandwidth within which this equipment operates is unable to adequately meet the demand for modern network enabled applications. This is expected to drive the tactical communications market. Key players profiled in the tactical communications market report include Northrop Grumman Corporation (U.S.), Raytheon Company (U.S.), General Dynamics Corporation (U.S.), Thales Group (France),and Harris Corporation (U.S.), among others. Order a copy of "Tactical Communications Market by Platform (Airborne, Shipborne, Land, Underwater), Type (Soldier Radio, Manpack, VIC, HCDR), Technology (TDM, NGN), Application (ISR, Communications, Combat, Command & Control) - Global Forecast to 2021" research report at http://www.marketreportshub.com/purchase?rpid=4209 . This research study is obliging for the audience includes Military and Defense Organizations, Government Agencies, Software Providers, Defense System Manufacturers, Subcomponent Manufacturers, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Technology Support Providers, System Integrators and Communication Equipment Manufacturers. The objective of the report is to provide in-depth market intelligence regarding market dynamics and factors that influence the growth of the tactical communications market (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and industry-specific challenges). On a related note, another research on C4ISR Market Forecast to 2021 says, the command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance & reconnaissance (C4ISR) market is estimated to be valued at USD 93.80 billion in 2016 and is projected to reach USD 110.78 billion by 2021, at a CAGR of 3.38% from 2016 to 2021. Intelligence segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR in the C4ISR market. North American region holds a dominant market share in the C4ISR market. Companies like Lockheed Martin Corporation (U.S.), Raytheon Company (U.S.), Rockwell Collins, Inc. (U.S.), BAE Systems (U.K.), and Northrop Grumman Corporation (U.S.) have been profile in this 203 pages research report available at http://www.marketreportshub.com/c4isr-industry-research-2019-marketsandmarkets.html . Explore more reports on the Public Sector market at http://www.marketreportshub.com/categories/public-sector . About Us: Market Reports Hub is your one-stop online shop for syndicated industry research reports on 25+ categories and their sub-sectors. We bring to you to the latest in market research across multiple industries and geographies from leading research publishers across the globe. Contact: Ritesh Tiwari UNIT no 802, Tower no. 7, SEZ Magarpatta city, Hadapsar Pune - 411013 Maharashtra, India. Tel: +1-888-391-5441 sales@marketreportshub.com Connect with Us: G+ / Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/110654518968238222746/about Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarketReportHub Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marketreportshub/679736978808693 RSS / Feeds:http://www.marketreportshub.com/rss.xml SOURCE Market Reports Hub MCKINNEY, Texas, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Torchmark Corporation (NYSE: TMK) announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $.14 per share on all of the outstanding common stock of the Company held of record as of the close of business of the Company's transfer agent on October 7, 2016. The dividend will be paid on November 1, 2016. Torchmark Corporation is a holding company specializing in life and supplemental health insurance for "middle income" Americans marketed through multiple distribution channels including direct response, and exclusive and independent agencies. Torchmark has several nationally recognized insurance subsidiaries. Globe Life And Accident is a direct-response provider of life insurance known for its administrative efficiencies. American Income Life provides individual life insurance to working families. Liberty National Life is one of the oldest traditional life insurers in the Southeast. United American is a consumer-oriented provider of supplemental life and health insurance. Family Heritage Life provides individual supplemental health insurance. Related Links http://www.torchmarkcorp.com SOURCE Torchmark Corporation The line-up of the exhibiting companies on Tissue World Istanbul show floor is impressive. Leading local manufacturers and suppliers such as Hayat Kimya (Gold sponsor), lpek Kagit (Silver sponsor), Aktul Kagit, Lila Kagit, Organik Kimya, Yontem Kagit, Amaco, Medtissue Mill, ICM Makina, Jetmaksan, Point Makina, STAX Technologies, and Yusufoglu Makine have all secured exhibit space at this first fully-fledged Istanbul trade show in September. UBM Istanbul, Fairs Group Director, Orhan Caglayan, commented: "Tissue World Istanbul's exhibitors represent approximately 350,000 tons of the industry production, which is equivalent to 46% of the MENA tissue industry. In addition to the strong support by the local players, Tissue World Istanbul also features exhibiting companies from Serbia, India, Lebanon, Italy, China, Egypt, Germany and Switzerland. Taking place for the first time as a fully-fledged trade show, tissue industry players have the opportunity to raise their brand profile in this part of the world for the first time." To underline that Tissue World Istanbul is the unique and ideal meeting point for anyone involved in the industry, Orhan Caglayan added: "In our fair, our visitors will have the opportunity meet with senior decision makers and key account representatives and buyers. There will be plenty of room to network with a conducive environment featuring lounges, conference areas, press booth and relaxing cafeteria areas." Held alongside the 3-day trade show is a 2-day conference with the theme entitled "Turkey: How can it Maintain the Pace of Success?". The conference will consist of 2 main sessions: Senior Management Seminar and Applied Technology Seminar. Led by authoritative industry experts, the Senior Management Seminar will provide a complete insight of this strategic and unique market, supply and demand outlook, fast-changing demographics and retailing landscape. Meanwhile, the technical sessions will cover topics on the latest technical and operational innovations, highlighted by various mill case studies. Since 1993, Tissue World has been a leading and global series of events, servicing the worldwide tissue industry. With events held in Istanbul, Milan, Miami, Sao Paulo and Bangkok, it is an integrated and intertwined platform including trade shows, conferences and a trade magazine, and is providing a unique platform, online and offline, with the aim of creating business opportunities, sharing ideas and learn during the entire year. About UBM UBM is one of the biggest event organizers of the world, organizing annually 400 events in average with its more than 5,000 employees in more than 20 countries. UBM EMEA Istanbul, being involved within the body of UBM, organizes the international fairs of the Eurasia and Turkey with its fund of knowledge of more than 30 years and UBM's global experience. UBM EMEA Istanbul's market leading events are as follows: Alleather Istanbul Leather Exhibition, CBME Babies and ChildrenClothing and Accessories Fair, CPhI Istanbul Pharmaceutical Exhibition, Expomaritt Marine Industry Technology and Trade Exhibition, Fi Istanbul Food Ingredients Trade Fair, Growtech Eurasia Greenhouse, Agricultural Equipment and Technologies Fair, ISSA Interclean Istanbul Industrial HygieneFair, Intertraffic Istanbul Traffic Technologies and Equipment Fair, lstanbul Kids Fashion Babies and Children Fashion Fair, IstanbulLight LightingTechnologies Exhibition, Tissue World Istanbul Tissue Industry Fair. For Detailed Information and Communication: ADA PR Communication Services Elif Sezginer Verun | elif@adapr.com.tr | GSM: +90-532-604-8582 Azize Aysu Durmaz | aysu@adapr.com.tr | GSM: +90-533-578-7449 Related Links http://www.tissueworld.com/ SOURCE Tissue World - UBM LONDON, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Roskill has released its new vanadium market report with forecasts out to 2026. It is essential reading for anyone needing a comprehensive overview of the vanadium market. Vanadium: Market Outlook to 2026, 15th Edition is now available from Roskill Information Services Ltd, 54 Russell Road, London SW19 1QL UK. Click here for further information or to download the report brochure. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150909/264974LOGO ) Production of vanadium feedstock peaked in 2013 and has since declined year-on-year. The drop in supply is mainly a reflection of lower demand in 2014 and 2015, although more structural changes to supply-side market dynamics have also had an impact. China remains the largest producer in the world although output dropped between 2014 and 2015. Nonetheless, the country accounted for an estimated 44% of world production last year. The biggest producers were Pangang and Chengde. Russia, the world's second-largest feedstock producer, has seen production increase and then stabilise in recent years, with nearly all production accounted for by slag production at Evraz Group's Nizhny Tagil steelworks. As of 2015, Russia represented 20% of feedstock production. It is not decreases in China, nor increases in Russia, but developments in South Africa which represent the most important structural changes to the market in recent years. South Africa was the second-largest producer of vanadium feedstock until 2014. That year, the country accounted for 14% of global feedstock but this figure is expected to fall sharply by end-2016. Following the closure of Evraz Highveld's Mapochs mine, together with the suspension of operations at Vanchem, there are now only two major producers of vanadium in South Africa: Glencore and Vametco. The wind-down of Evraz Highveld Steel & Vanadium is expected to take up to three years to complete, according to the company's business rescue practitioners. Importantly, there are implications for the wider vanadium supply chain. Highveld slag was supplied to Hochvanadium in Austria, which in turn provided slag to Treibacher, also in Austria, for further processing into vanadium products. Treibacher produced ferrovanadium from these slags and vanadium extracted from spent catalysts, boiler slag, fly ash and oil gasification residues. Austrian production is, therefore, expected to fall back in 2016 resulting in lower ferrovanadium production in Europe. Globally, ferrovanadium production has declined in recent years, after peaking in 2013 at 97.5kt. World apparent consumption of ferrovanadium increased at 8.6%py between 2009 and 2015. The biggest consumers of ferrovanadium are China, the USA, Russia, and Japan. As of 2015, steel applications are estimated to account for just over 90% of total use of vanadium. Vanadium use in steel can be further subdivided into HSLA steel, full alloy steel and carbon steel, with HSLA and fully alloy steels together accounting for over three-quarters of all vanadium consumption in steels. Non-ferrous alloys - mostly in the form of titanium alloys, super alloys, and magnetic alloys, are believed to account for a smaller percentage of consumption (4.5%). Chemical applications represented around 3.5% of consumption in 2015 while other applications, including batteries, accounted for the remaining 1%. Stable demand growth is expected for vanadium in most applications. Growth in vanadium consumption in steel will be dependent on intensity of use, as well as growth in steel demand. Vanadium content in steel varies according to type and grade, and differs by producer and region. This is particularly the case with reinforcing bars (rebar), used primarily in the construction industry. Higher-strength rebar contains more vanadium and, therefore, the more high-grade rebar used globally, the more vanadium is consumed. This means that construction regulations, such as those introduced recently in China, which mandate the use of certain rebar for key applications can considerably impact vanadium demand. There has been a great deal of interest in the potential of vanadium redox batteries (VRBs) in recent years. In Roskill's new report, a focused chapter dedicated to the use cases, competing technologies, advantages, disadvantages and economics of VRBs has been included. As of 2016, Roskill estimates that demand from VRBs accounted for less than 500t of vanadium pentoxide consumption. VRBs will likely achieve commercial success in specific energy storage applications such as load levelling, which will support an increase in market share and in vanadium demand. The forecast increase in vanadium demand across several end-use applications will drive higher levels of vanadium supply over the coming decade. Future trends in iron ore consumption will have a significant bearing on vanadium co-production levels, just as historic increases in vanadium co-production have as much to do with higher demand for iron ore as increased demand for vanadium. Demand for both has been driven by the growth of steel industries, particularly in China, where rapid expansion of steel capacity has led to the development of large, vertically-integrated state enterprises that undertake mining, smelting, processing, and sales and distribution. In 2015, steel output dropped by roughly 3%. Roskill expects further drops in 2016 before a recovery in 2017. Declines in Chinese steel output could have implications for vanadium supply, compounding recent reductions from South Africa. New supply could be brought on stream to meet rising demand. Few new operations have been commissioned in recent years, with the exception of the Maracas Menchen mine owned by Largo Resources. Instead there have been some notable closures, although the assets of three former producers: Evraz Highveld, Vanchem and Atlantic, could potentially be brought back into production on higher demand and price incentives and thus generate additional vanadium feedstock. Alternatively, there are several companies developing projects that are at advanced feasibility stages, but will have to overcome the critical hurdle of securing sufficient financing to commence construction. For further information, contact us on: +44-20-8417-0087, Fax +44-20-8417-1308, Email: info@roskill.com, Web: http://www.roskill.com SOURCE Roskill Information Services PALO ALTO, California, Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Varian Medical Systems (NYSE:VAR) is announcing the acquisition of the radiotherapy business of Candela, a leading distributor of radiotherapy equipment in Poland. Warsaw-based Candela, which employs more than 40 people, has represented Varian in Poland for the past 20 years. The acquisition closed yesterday following approval from the Polish Competition Authority. "By bringing Candela's radiotherapy business into the Varian family we hope to serve our Polish customers even more effectively and continue to improve access to advanced care for cancer patients in the country," said Jean-Luc Devleeschauwer, president of Varian's Oncology Systems business in EMEIA. "Candela's radiotherapy business has an experienced team with strong customer relationships and we were keen to bring this local expertise into Varian." "This acquisition strengthens Varian's position in Poland at a time when both the public and private sectors are investing in modern radiotherapy and radiosurgery equipment to equip the country's hospitals," added Aleksander Naumann, CEO of Candela, who will become managing director of Varian Medical Systems Poland. "Varian's global network and experience will allow us to better serve Polish patients and contribute to Poland's ability to tackle the scourge of cancer with cost effective, state-of-the-art solutions." There are more than 80 Varian medical linear accelerators installed in Polish radiotherapy departments. About Varian Medical Systems Varian Medical Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California, focuses energy on saving lives by equipping the world with advanced technology for fighting cancer and for X-ray imaging. The company is the world's leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiation. The company provides comprehensive solutions for radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy and brachytherapy. The company supplies informatics software for managing comprehensive cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers and medical oncology practices. Varian is also a premier supplier of X-ray imaging components, including tubes, digital detectors, cables and connectors as well as image processing software and workstations for use in medical and industrial settings, as well as for security and non-destructive testing. Varian Medical Systems employs approximately 7,700 people who are located at manufacturing sites in North America, Europe, and China and sales and support offices around the world. For more information, visit http://www.varian.com or follow us on Twitter. Forward-Looking Statements Except for historical information, this news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements concerning industry and market outlook, including customer demand and acceptance of products or technology; growth drivers; Varian's future orders, revenues or other financial performance; the ability of Varian's technology and products to treat cancer; and any statements using the terms "will," "can," "future," "plan," "expect," "hope" or similar statements are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the Varian's actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include the ability to effectively integrate the operations of Candela's radiotherapy business into Varian's product offerings and sales, marketing and other operations; the ability to retain the services of key Candela personnel; demand for Varian's products and demand for the services of Candela's radiotherapy business; Varian's ability to develop, commercialize, and deploy new products; the impact of competitive products and pricing; the effect of global economic conditions; Varian's ability to meet legal and regulatory requirements; changes in the legal or regulatory environment; and the other risks listed from time to time in Varian's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which by this reference are incorporated herein. Varian assumes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements in this release because of new information, future events, or otherwise. Press Contact Neil Madle Varian Medical Systems +44 7786 526068 neil.madle@varian.com Related Links http://www.varian.com SOURCE Varian Medical Systems ALBANY, New York, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2015, SAP SE and Oracle Corporation jointly accounted for a share of just under 40% in the global warehouse management systems (WMS) market, signaling the high degree of consolidation in this market. Transparency Market Research finds that most companies have been engaged in geographical expansions into emerging markets, especially across Latin America and Asia Pacific, in order to strengthen their foothold in the WMS market. "WMS players from the developed markets of North America are expanding their operations in emerging markets such as India, Brazil, China, Indonesia, and several European countries, which have been experiencing high growth in the retail applications of warehouse management systems," the author of the study states. For instance, in September 2015, Canada-based Tecsys, Inc. expanded its presence in the European market by starting operations in the U.K., Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and Portugal. The opportunity in the global warehouse management systems market was worth US$1.2 bn in 2015 and is expected to be worth US$4.1 bn by 2024, expanding at a strong 14.1% CAGR from therein. Browse Research Report with ToC & Free Analysis: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/warehouse-management-systems.html Warehouse Management Systems Used Extensively in Third-party Logistics Accounting for a share of just over 58% in 2015, services formed the leading component segment in the overall warehouse management systems market. At a 15.1% CAGR from 2016 to 2024, this segment is also projected to witness a growth rate higher than the software segment. Between on-premise and cloud-based warehouse management systems, the former accounted for a share of around 77% in 2015. However, cloud-based WMS are likely to witness immense growth during the course of the forecast period. Based on application, third-party logistics held the leading share in the WMS market in 2015, while the pharmaceutical segment is projected to register a high CAGR from 2016 to 2024. Geographically, Europe held a 43% share in the total revenue generated by the global warehouse management systems market in 2015, generating US$560.7 mn that year. On the other hand, Asia Pacific will register a 17.2% CAGR during the course of the forecast period, emerging as an immensely lucrative regional segment in the warehouse management systems market. Changing Retail Scenario in APAC a Key Demand Driver Globalization and the rising demand for advanced warehouse management solutions in the emerging markets of Asia Pacific is one of the key factors fueling the demand for warehouse management systems. "Rising urbanization and the consequent increase in per capita income have brought about a remarkable transformation in the retail sector in the region," the lead analyst states. Get Latest Industry Research PDF for more Professional and Technical Industry Insights: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=3004 Consumers have been increasingly inclined toward online shopping owing to the vast benefits the platform presents, owing to which, the very structure of the retail sector has evolved. Trying to meet the growing consumer demand and the resultant tackling challenges of capacity and capability has significantly boosted the demand for warehouse management systems worldwide. "However, even with the time and cost saving features of WMS, factors such as high initial investment cost and the lack of ICT infrastructure in many countries are likely to curtail the growth of the warehouse management systems market," the author of the study predicts. This review is based on the findings of a TMR report titled "Warehouse Management Systems Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024." Browse Research PR: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/warehouse-management-systems.htm Warehouse Management Systems Market Analysis, by Component Software On-premise Labor Management Systems Analytics and Optimization Other (3PL Billing, and Yard Management) Cloud Labor Management Systems Analytics and Optimization Other (3PL Billing, and Yard Management) Services Consulting System Integration Operations and Maintenance Warehouse Management Systems Market Analysis, by Application Retail (Apparel, Department & General Merchandise) Electronics Grocery/Food & Beverage Pharmaceutical 3PL Others (Books & Publishing, Home Improvement) Warehouse Management Systems Market Analysis, by Geography North America The U.S. Canada Rest of North America Europe The U.K. Germany France Spain Italy Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific Japan China Australia Indonesia India Rest of Asia Pacific Middle East and Africa (MEA) The UAE Saudi Arabia South Africa Rest of the Middle East & Africa South America Brazil Rest of South America Browse Other Research Reports: Mobile Money Market:http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/mobile-money-market.html Wireless Mesh Network Market: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/wireless-mesh-network-market.html About TMR Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The company's exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information. TMR's data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports. 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: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Blog: http://www.tmrblog.com/ SOURCE Transparency Market Research HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, or GACLA, today announced a multi-agency celebration commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 20, from noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Forum Auditorium at 500 Walnut Street in Harrisburg. The pre-show begins at 11:30 a.m. Admission is free of charge. This year's theme, "Hispanic Americans: Embracing, Enriching and Enabling America." "During Hispanic Heritage Month, we encourage all Pennsylvanians, and the nation as a whole, to recognize, respect and reflect on the contributions of Hispanic-Americans to the rich and diverse culture landscape America enjoys," said Luz Colon, executive director, GACLA. "The commonwealth is excited to present an event that is culturally educational and informative." Featured speakers for the event are Pennsylvania State Representative Leslie Acosta who will present a resolution honoring Spanish broadcast radio pioneer, Diego Castellanos and Pennsylvania State Representative Angel Cruz who will present a resolution honoring Latino recording artist, Luis Figueroa. Highlighting the event will be cultural performances including Casa Villasenor, a mariachi and Mexican folklore group led by Pedro Villasenor; Los Bomberos De la Calle, a Puerto Rican Bomba and Plena music group; and the Fuego Dance Company, a salsa dance group led by Hector Serrano. Following the event, a sampling of Hispanic cuisine will be available to those attending the celebration. This event is free and open to the public. For special accommodations, contact 717-787-1286. The 2016 Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration is coordinated by the GACLA with the state departments of Agriculture, Community and Economic Development, Conservation & Natural Resources, Corrections, Education, Environmental Protection, General Services, Health, Human Services, Insurance, Labor & Industry and State; Office of Administration; Board of Probation & Parole; and the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum, Pennsylvania Public Utilities, State Civil Service and Pennsylvania Turnpike commissions. MEDIA CONTACT: Troy Thompson, 717-787-3197 SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of General Services Related Links http://www.state.pa.us CITY OF COMMERCE, Calif., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Second Quarter Fiscal 2017 Overview: Net sales increased 1.6% to $496.4 million compared to the prior year compared to the prior year Same-store sales increased by 1.1% Net loss was $35.1 million compared to net loss of $78.1 million in prior year compared to net loss of in prior year Adjusted EBITDA1 was $5.2 million compared to $6.9 million in prior year 99 Cents Only Stores LLC (the "Company") announced its financial results for second quarter of fiscal 2017 ended July 29, 2016. Geoffrey Covert, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "I remain encouraged by our progress in executing our turnaround plan. With measurable improvement this past quarter, we have solid momentum as we enter the second half of fiscal 2017. Progress is evident across many aspects of the enterprise and our improved sales performance provides an indication that our plan is taking hold. During the second quarter, same-store sales were positive 1.1%, and on a year to date basis, same store sales improved to positive 0.5%. In addition, total inventory as of the end of the second quarter was $176 million, down nearly $100 million from $275 million as of the end of the second quarter last year. Finally, our improved sales performance and lower inventory levels have collectively strengthened our liquidity position. Cash borrowings under our ABL facility are now the lowest they have been in the past two years. As of the end of the second quarter cash borrowings under our ABL facility were $21 million, down $19 million compared to the prior quarter end and down $86 million from a year ago." Mr. Covert concluded, "Since beginning our turn-around plan in the third quarter last year, we have maintained that it will take time to operationally address our key issuesand even longer for the changes we are making to be fully reflected in our financial results. However, based on the results of the first half of fiscal 2017, I am optimistic that we remain on-track to return 99 Cents Only Stores to sustained growth in the long-run." Second Quarter Financial Results For the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company's net sales increased 1.6%, to $496.4 million, compared to $488.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2016. Same-store sales increased 1.1% compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2016, with higher customer traffic of 1.5% offset by lower average ticket of 0.4%. Positives in same-store sales included higher sales in produce, consumables and grocery, as a result of improved product availability and higher in-stock levels due to improvements in the allocation and replenishment system, and the expansion of the Company's partnership with a third party produce distributor. Challenges in same-store sales included lower seasonal sales due to the overlapping of significant inventory purchases in fiscal 2016, which increased sales but led to excess inventory levels in stores, and prompted ongoing initiatives to clear excess on-hand seasonal inventory through promotions and mark-downs. In addition, persistent price deflation in dairy negatively impacted sales of milk and eggs. Gross margin, as a percentage of net sales, was 28.4% in the second quarter of fiscal 2017, an increase of 60 basis points from the second quarter of fiscal 2016. Gross margin was higher due to lower inventory shrinkage that was primarily driven by a favorable comparison against the second quarter of last year, when the shrink provision rate was increased to better reflect the unfavorable physical inventory counts completed during the quarter. This was partially offset by higher distribution and transportation expenses during the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Product margin was flat compared to second quarter of fiscal 2016. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $159.5 million, or 32.1% as a percentage of net sales, representing an increase of 50 basis points from the second quarter of fiscal 2016. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales was primarily driven by an increase in the California minimum wage. Net loss was $35.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to net loss of $78.1 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2016. Net loss as a percentage of net sales was (7.1)% for the second quarter of fiscal 2017, compared to net loss of (16.0)% for the second quarter of fiscal 2016. Adjusted EBITDA was $5.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2017, compared to $6.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2016. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 1.1% compared to 1.4% over the same period. Year-to-Date Financial Results For the first half of fiscal 2017, the Company's net sales increased 1.5% to $1,009.4 million, compared to $994.7 million in the first half of fiscal 2016. Same-store sales increased 0.5% driven by higher average ticket. Net loss was $60.3 million in the first half of fiscal 2017, compared to net loss of $76.9 million for the first half of fiscal 2016. Net loss as a percentage of total sales was (6.0)% for the first half of fiscal 2017, compared to net loss as a percentage of total sales of (7.7)% for the first half of fiscal 2016. Adjusted EBITDA was $18.5 million in the first half of fiscal 2017, compared to $31.9 million for the first half of fiscal 2016. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 1.8% for the first half of fiscal 2017, compared to 3.2% for the first half of fiscal 2016. Store Openings During the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company opened three new stores and closed one store upon the expiration of a lease. As of the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company operated 394 stores, an increase of 1.2% in store count over the same period of last year. Sale of Warehouse Facility During the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company sold and concurrently licensed through January 31, 2017 a warehouse facility in the City of Commerce, California with a carrying value of $12.1 million and received net proceeds from this transaction of $28.5 million. Due in part to the significant inventory reductions the Company has achieved in recent quarters, the Company is rationalizing its warehouse footprint and this facility was not considered a strategic asset. The Company expects to completely exit the facility by the end of fiscal 2017. Fiscal 2017 Outlook The Company is reiterating the following previously issued outlook for fiscal 2017: Positive same-store sales growth Substantial year-over-year increase in Adjusted EBITDA, particularly in the second half of fiscal 2017, and a substantial decrease in net loss over the same period Capital expenditures of approximately $35-$40 million . The Company is currently evaluating the expansion of its store refresh initiative which may require the Company to update its full year capital expenditure outlook. The Company is revising the following previously issued outlook for fiscal 2017 to reflect changes in timing of select new store openings previously scheduled for the second half of fiscal 2017: 5 new store openings CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS The Company's conference call to discuss its second quarter of fiscal 2017 and the other matters described in this release is scheduled for Thursday, September 8, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time (1:00 p.m. Eastern Time). The live Second Quarter Fiscal 2017 Earnings Conference Call can be accessed by dialing 1-877-407-3982 (domestic) or 1-201-493-6780 (international). Please phone in approximately 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and hold for an operator to assist you. Please inform the operator that you are calling in for 99 Cents Only Stores' Fiscal 2017 Second Quarter Earnings Conference Call, and be prepared to provide the operator with your name, company name, position and the conference ID: 13644107. The call will also be broadcast live over the Internet, accessible through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.99only.com/investor-relations. A telephonic replay of the call will be available beginning Thursday, September 8, 2016, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, through Thursday, September 22, 2016, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. To access the replay, dial 1-877-870-5176 (domestic) or 1-858-384-5517 (international) and enter the replay pin number: 13644107. A replay of the webcast will also be available for 60 days upon completion of the conference call, accessible through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.99only.com/investor-relations. A copy of this earnings release and supplemental slides will be available prior to the call, accessible through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.99only.com/investor-relations. Non-GAAP Financial Measures The Company defines EBITDA as net income before interest expense (income) and other financial costs, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA for the relevant period as adjusted by the following amounts: non-cash adjustments to reserve balances, stock-based compensation, fees and expenses related to the Merger (as defined below), legal settlements, non-ordinary course store closures, and other non-cash or one-time items. Adjusted EBITDA margin is Adjusted EBITDA divided by total sales. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin as presented herein, are supplemental measures of the Company's performance that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The Company's management uses EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin to assess its performance and that of its competitors. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is used to determine the Company's compliance and ability to take certain actions under the covenants contained in the Company's debt instruments. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are not measures of the Company's financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to net income, operating income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP, as measures of operating performance or operating cash flows or as measures of liquidity. Merger and Conversion to LLC On January 13, 2012, 99 Only Stores was acquired by affiliates of Ares Management LLC, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and the Gold-Schiffer family. The acquisition is referred to as the "Merger." Effective October 18, 2013, 99 Only Stores converted from a California corporation to a California limited liability company, 99 Cents Only Stores LLC. The term the "Company" refers to 99 Only Stores and its consolidated subsidiaries prior to the conversion date and to 99 Cents Only Stores LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries on or after the conversion date. About 99 Cents Only Stores Founded in 1982, the Company operates 394 extreme value retail stores with 287 in California, 48 in Texas, 38 in Arizona and 21 in Nevada as of September 8, 2016. The Company is an extreme value retailer of consumable and general merchandise and seasonal products. For more information, visit www.99only.com. Investor Contact: Addo Investor Relations Lasse Glassen (424) 238-6249 [email protected] 1 EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are financial measures that are considered "non-GAAP financial measures" under the Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. The definitions of, an explanation of how and why the Company uses, and a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure of, these non-GAAP measures are included in this press release. ### Tables to Follow ### The following tables reconcile EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income for the periods indicated: For the Second Quarter Ended July 29, 2016 July 31, 2015 (In thousands) (Unaudited) Net loss $ (35,085) $ (78,101) Interest expense, net 16,748 16,481 Provision for income taxes 52 42,951 Depreciation and amortization 17,656 17,308 EBITDA $ (629) $ (1,361) Stock-based compensation (a) 224 773 Purchase accounting effect on leases (b) 719 616 Impairment of long-lived assets (c) 478 Inventory adjustments (d) 623 Employee related expenses (e) 1,764 2,763 Real estate projects termination charges (f) 11 2,833 Professional and consultant fees (g) 1,424 69 Loss (gain) on sales of assets (h) 220 (40) Other (i) 873 809 Adjusted EBITDA $ 5,229 $ 6,940 (a) Represents stock-based compensation expense incurred in connection with various stock-based compensation plans in which certain Company employees have participated. (b) Represents purchase accounting effect on rent revenue and rent expense. (c) Represents non-cash impairment charges related to an underperforming store in Texas. (d) Represents charges related to excess and obsolescence reserve and damage to inventory due to fire. (e) Represents expenses related to severance for former employees, signing and retention bonuses and other employee related expenses. (f) Represents charges related to previously capitalized store and distribution center real-estate development costs expensed upon termination of related projects. (g) Represents professional and consultant fees. (h) Represents amortization of gain related to sale-leaseback arrangements and net gain/loss on the sale of non-core assets. (i) Represents non-cash or other charges and income, including professional fees, legal reserve adjustments, prior year property tax assessments and other. The following tables reconcile EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income for the periods indicated: For the First Half Ended July 29, 2016 July 31, 2015 (In thousands) (Unaudited) Net loss $ (60,279) $ (76,930) Interest expense, net 33,272 32,750 Provision for income taxes 125 31,962 Depreciation and amortization 34,395 33,555 EBITDA $ 7,513 $ 21,337 Stock-based compensation (a) 388 1,407 Purchase accounting effect on leases (b) 1,426 1,267 Impairment of long-lived assets (c) 478 Inventory adjustments (d) 1,586 Employee related expenses (e) 3,196 3,608 Real estate projects termination charges (f) 11 2,833 Professional and consultant fees (g) 1,745 141 Loss (gain) on sales of assets (h) 77 (96) Loss on extinguishment (i) 335 Other (j) 2,260 971 Adjusted EBITDA $ 18,537 $ 31,946 (a) Represents stock-based compensation expense incurred in connection with various stock-based compensation plans in which certain Company employees have participated. (b) Represents purchase accounting effect on rent revenue and rent expense. (c) Represents non-cash impairment charges related to an underperforming store in Texas. (d) Represents charges related to excess and obsolescence reserve and damage to inventory due to fire. (e) Represents expenses related to severance for former employees, signing and retention bonuses and other employee related expenses. (f) Represents charges related to previously capitalized store and distribution center real-estate development costs expensed upon termination of related projects. (g) Represents professional and consultant fees. (h) Represents amortization of gain related to sale-leaseback arrangements and net gain/loss on the sale of non-core assets. (i) Represents loss on extinguishment of debt from amendment of the asset based lending facility in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. (j) Represents non-cash or other charges and income, including professional fees, legal reserve adjustments, prior year property tax assessments and other. 99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except share data) July 29, 2016 January 29, 2016(1) (Unaudited) ASSETS Current Assets: Cash $ 2,309 $ 2,312 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $48 and $140 at July 29, 2016 and January 29, 2016, respectively 1,481 1,674 Income taxes receivable 2,279 3,665 Inventories, net 175,575 196,651 Assets held for sale 2,308 2,308 Other 18,550 18,603 Total current assets 202,502 225,213 Property and equipment, net 530,858 542,570 Deferred financing costs, net 4,496 916 Intangible assets, net 450,293 453,242 Goodwill 387,772 387,772 Deposits and other assets 8,470 7,319 Total assets $ 1,584,391 $ 1,617,032 LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 104,839 $ 79,197 Payroll and payroll-related 21,124 18,421 Sales tax 9,995 13,314 Other accrued expenses 43,652 41,464 Workers' compensation 74,632 76,389 Current portion of long-term debt 6,138 6,138 Current portion of capital and financing lease obligations 29,693 989 Total current liabilities 290,073 235,912 Long-term debt, net of current portion 848,005 875,843 Unfavorable lease commitments, net 4,850 5,746 Deferred rent 27,756 27,389 Deferred compensation liability 773 709 Capital and financing lease obligation, net of current portions 36,547 34,817 Deferred income taxes 163,045 163,045 Other liabilities 4,618 5,118 Total liabilities 1,375,667 1,348,579 Commitments and contingencies Member's Equity: Member units 100 units issued and outstanding at July 29, 2016 and January 29, 2016 550,614 550,226 Investment in Number Holdings, Inc. preferred stock (19,200) (19,200) Accumulated deficit (322,690) (262,411) Other comprehensive loss (162) Total equity 208,724 268,453 Total liabilities and equity $ 1,584,391 $ 1,617,032 (1) The Consolidated Balance Sheet as of January 29, 2016 was retrospectively adjusted to reflect the adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2015-03, "Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs" and ASU No. 2015-17, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes" in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. 99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands) (Unaudited) For the Second Quarter Ended For the First Half Ended July 29, 2016 July 31, 2015 July 29, 2016 July 31, 2015 Net Sales: 99 Only Stores $ 487,460 $ 477,327 $ 989,226 $ 972,135 Bargain Wholesale 8,998 11,195 20,161 22,556 Total sales 496,458 488,522 1,009,387 994,691 Cost of sales 355,258 352,647 719,220 702,193 Gross profit 141,200 135,875 290,167 292,498 Selling, general and administrative expenses 159,485 154,544 316,714 304,716 Operating loss (18,285) (18,669) (26,547) (12,218) Other (income) expense: Interest income (36) (38) (3) Interest expense 16,784 16,481 33,310 32,753 Loss on extinguishment 335 Total other expense, net 16,748 16,481 33,607 32,750 Loss before provision for income taxes (35,033) (35,150) (60,154) (44,968) Provision for income taxes 52 42,951 125 31,962 Net loss $ (35,085) $ (78,101) $ (60,279) $ (76,930) 99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (Unaudited) For the First Half Ended July 29, 2016 July 31, 2015 Cash flows from operating activities: Net loss $ (60,279) $ (76,930) Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation 33,520 32,667 Amortization of deferred financing costs and accretion of OID 2,941 2,305 Amortization of intangible assets 875 887 Amortization of favorable/unfavorable leases, net 1,193 880 Loss (gain) on disposal of fixed assets 293 (48) Loss on interest rate hedge 514 743 Loss on extinguishment of debt 335 Long-lived assets impairment 478 Deferred income taxes 31,785 Stock-based compensation 388 1,408 Changes in assets and liabilities associated with operating activities: Accounts receivable 193 293 Inventories 21,076 20,890 Deposits and other assets (1,548) 6,471 Accounts payable 26,591 (38,902) Accrued expenses 1,328 (7,623) Accrued workers' compensation (1,757) (1,125) Income taxes 1,278 (27) Deferred rent 367 2,195 Other long-term liabilities (272) 1,046 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 27,036 (22,607) Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of property and equipment (23,960) (43,685) Proceeds from sale of property and fixed assets 612 1,439 Net cash used in investing activities (23,348) (42,246) Cash flows from financing activities: Payments of long-term debt (3,069) (3,069) Proceeds under revolving credit facility 92,200 275,450 Payments under revolving credit facility (119,100) (225,850) Payments of debt issuance costs (4,725) Proceeds from financing lease obligations 31,503 8,666 Payments of capital and financing lease obligations (500) (55) Payments to repurchase stock options of Number Holdings, Inc (390) Net settlement of stock options of Number Holdings, Inc. for tax withholdings (57) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (3,691) 54,695 Net decrease in cash (3) (10,158) Cash - beginning of period 2,312 12,463 Cash - end of period $ 2,309 $ 2,305 Safe Harbor Statement The Company has included statements in this release that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. As a general matter, forward-looking statements are those focused on future or anticipated events or trends, expectations and beliefs including, among other things, (a) trends affecting the financial condition or results of operations of the Company and (b) the business and growth strategies of the Company (including the Company's store opening growth rate) that are not historical in nature. Such statements are intended to be identified by using words such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "will," "project," "plan" and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Any forward-looking statements are and will be based upon the Company's then-current expectations, estimates and assumptions regarding future events and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those projected in this release for the reasons, among others, discussed in the reports and other documents the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors" sections contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2016. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140211/LA62673LOGO SOURCE 99 Cents Only Stores Related Links http://www.99only.com BOULDER, Colo., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Accera, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on product development for Alzheimer's disease, today announced the appointment of Jeffrey L. Cummings, M.D., Sc.D. and Bruno Vellas, M.D., Ph.D. to the company's Scientific Advisory Board. "As we progress toward Phase 3 data from the NOURISH AD study later this year and the initiation of our second Phase 3 study next year, we continue to build upon our existing network and team of leading Alzheimer's experts," said Accera's president and CEO, Dr. Charles Stacey. "Dr. Cummings and Dr. Vellas are both distinguished and experienced Alzheimer's disease researchers, and we are pleased to have them join Dr. Martin Farlow and Dr. Michael Weiner on our scientific advisory board. We look forward to the board's guidance and input as we advance the development of AC-1204 for the treatment Alzheimer's disease." Dr. Cummings is the director of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas, Nevada and Cleveland, Ohio. He is the Camille and Larry Ruvo Chair of the Neurological Institute of Cleveland Clinic and Professor of Medicine (Neurology), Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. Additionally, Dr. Cummings serves as the principal investigator and director of the Center for Neurodegeneration and Translational Neuroscience. Previously, Dr. Cummings was a professor of neurology and psychiatry at UCLA where he was also the director of the Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Disease Research and the director of the Deane F. Johnson Center for Neurotherapeutics. Dr. Cummings has authored or edited 39 books and published over 700 peer-reviewed papers. Dr. Vellas is the chairman of the Toulouse Gerontopole and the chief of the department of internal medicine and geriatrics at the Toulouse University Hospital. Additionally, he is the chief of the Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Research Centre at the University of Toulouse and a member of the INSERM (National Institute of Medical Research) 1027 Unit on Aging. Previously, Dr. Vellas served as president of the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics. Professor Vellas obtained his medical degree and Ph.D. from the University Paul Sabatier, Toulouse. He has over 20 years of experience conduction large clinical trials on Alzheimer's disease and has published over 637 articles in the field of Alzheimer's and disease modifying treatments. He is the founder of the European Alzheimer's Disease Consortium and is the associate editor of the Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease and the Journal of Nutrition Health and Aging. About the NOURISH AD Phase 3 Clinical Study NOURISH AD is a 26-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study investigating the effects of daily administration of AC-1204 in subjects with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, with an optional 26-week open-label extension. The primary and key secondary endpoints will examine the effects of AC-1204 on memory and cognition as measured by the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) and global function as measured by the Alzheimer's Disease Study Cooperative Study Clinical Global Impression of Change (ADCS-CGIC) after 26 weeks among non-carriers of the epsilon 4 variant of the gene apolipoprotein E (APOE4). The study will also evaluate activities of daily living, resource utilization and quality of life among subjects with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. About Accera Accera, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Boulder, Colo., that is developing therapies for central nervous system disorders. The company's proprietary scientific platform addresses unmet medical needs in brain health, including Alzheimer's disease. Accera is focused on the clinical development of drugs with innovative mechanisms of actions. The company's management team includes globally recognized specialists in central nervous system diseases and drug development, who together leverage the latest scientific knowledge and understanding of neurological disorders. Accera's lead product candidate is AC-1204, a ketosis-inducing compound in a Phase 3 clinical study in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. For more information, visit www.accerapharma.com. Follow Accera on Twitter at twitter.com/accerainc. Accera Media Contacts: Russo Partners LLC Todd Davenport, Ph.D. (212) 845-4235 [email protected] David Schull (212) 845-4271 (858) 717-2310 Mobile [email protected] SOURCE Accera, Inc. Related Links http://www.accerapharma.com JERUSALEM, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC, the global Jewish advocacy organization, and Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the World Council of Religions, are hosting a delegation of influential Eastern religious leaders. For most of the 25 participants the visit will be their first to Israel. The five-day program, "Ancient Traditions Contemporary Realities A Meeting of Israel-Asia Faith Leaders," will take place in Jerusalem September 11-15, and will include visits to other parts of the country. The influential Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Shinto, Jain, Taoism and Zoroastrian leaders from China, India, Japan, Myanmar, South Korea and Taiwan will engage with leading Israeli rabbis and scholars as well as meet with Israel's top leadership. "Expanding our interactions with other faiths is critical to nurturing a more cooperative, productive and peaceful world," said Rabbi David Rosen, AJC International Director of Interreligious Affairs, who is based in Jerusalem. "We are delighted to continue our partnership with Israel's Foreign Ministry in bringing world religious leaders to Israel with this groundbreaking initiative," said Rosen. "It is a unique opportunity to engage leaders in Eastern religions so they may gain a deeper understanding of Judaism and Israel and to promote global interreligious awareness." Asia is increasingly important to Israel, and AJC has long been active with government and religious leaders in that region. AJC co-sponsored a historic series of Hindu-Jewish summits, one of which took place in Israel in 2008. A groundbreaking visit to Israel of Indian Muslims in 2007 was organized by AJC. In March this year AJC and the Israeli Foreign Ministry co-hosted major Muslim leaders from sub-Saharan Africa. SOURCE American Jewish Committee Related Links http://www.ajc.org MONTREAL, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - ALGOLD RESOURCES LTD. (TSXV: ALG) (the "Corporation") today announced more results from its Phase I 10,000-meter drilling campaign carried out on the Corporation's Tijirit property ("Tijirit") in Mauritania. The new results further validate Algold's interpretation of a continuous 3.1-kilometer strike length over the Eleonore Zone, which remains open along strike and at depth. Recent drilling results also indicate that the Lily Zone is still open along strike to the north. In addition, rock chip sampling indicates that the structure hosting the Eleonore and Lily zones extends over at least 20 kilometers. Highlights Hole T16RC070 - 3 m @ 30.03 g/t Au, is situated in the northern area of the Eleonore Zone between hole T16RC045 and T16RC024 (Figure 1). Hole T16RC045 - 5 m @ 6.64 g/t Au, is situated along strike 260 m south-southwest of hole T16RC024. (Figure 1). Diamond drill hole T16DD04 drilled for metallurgical testing adjacent to hole T16RC035 (7 m @ 3.2 g/t Au referenced in Algold's press release dated August 18, 2016 ) in the central area of the Eleonore Zone revealed the presence of a gold rich quartz vein (Photo 1), highlighting the high-grade potential of the vein within the zone. This central area of Eleonore has now been tested over 600 meters of strike. ) in the central area of the Eleonore Zone revealed the presence of a gold rich quartz vein (Photo 1), highlighting the high-grade potential of the vein within the zone. This central area of Eleonore has now been tested over 600 meters of strike. In the northern strike extension of the Lily Zone, Hole T16RC052 intersected 14 m @ 1.03 g/t Au and 6 m @ 1.59 g/t Au, thus indicating that the Lily Zone is still open along strike to the north. Within the Eleonore's 3.1-kilometer strike gold zone, new results define three high-grade areas: north, central and south. These areas could potentially be continuous and may be confirmed by additional drilling in the future. The northern area of Eleonore has now been defined over a strike length of more than 300 meters and to a depth of 70 meters. The area to the north remains open along strike and at depth. All intersections on Eleonore are associated with quartz veining within mafic volcanic, or are at sheared contacts between a volcano sedimentary sequence and mafic volcanic. Algold completed eight large diameter core drill holes, with the samples to be used to initiate a number of metallurgical studies and comminution tests. Polished slides will also be generated for mineralogical studies. Results are expected in the latter part of Q4 2016. The Phase I drilling program was completed in early August 2016, on time and on budget, with the remaining assay results expected in the latter part of Q3 2016. Algold expects to complete Phase II of the drilling program, which is currently underway, in early Q4 2016. "The Eleonore gold zone, one of four main gold mineralized zones identified at Tijirit, continues to exceed expectations and deliver high-grade gold results," said Francois Auclair, President and Chief Executive Officer, Algold. "Core drilling for metallurgical testing revealed gold rich veins in the central portion of the Eleonore Zone, while the Lily Zone continues to add quality ounces and has the potential to contribute significantly to the resource base. As at the beginning of September Algold is in receipt of approximately 60% of Phase I assay results." Detailed geological descriptions of all mineralized zones can be found on Algold's website (www.algold.com) and on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) in the report entitled "Algold 43-101 Technical Report: Tijirit Maiden Mineral Resources Estimates for the Tijirit Gold Project in Mauritania". Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) Analytical work for geochemical samples and rock chips samples is being carried out at the independent ALS Laboratories Ltd. in Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland, and an ISO 17025 (2005) Certified Laboratory. Samples are stored at the Corporation's field camps and put into sealed bags until delivered by a geologist to ALS preparation laboratory in Nouakchott, Mauritania, where samples are sieved and prepared for shipping. To the end of 2015, samples were analysed at ALS facility in Bamako, Mali. Since early 2016, samples are analysed at ALS in Ireland. Samples are logged in the tracking system, weighed, dried and finely crushed to better than 70 % passing a 2 mm (Tyler 9 mesh, US Std. No.10) screen. A split of up to 1000 g is taken and pulverized to better than 85 % passing a 75 micron (Tyler 200 mesh) screen, and a 50 gram split is analysed by fire assay with an AA finish. Blanks, duplicate and certified reference material (standards) are being used to monitor laboratory performance during the analysis. This press release has been reviewed for accuracy and compliance under National Instrument 43-101 by Andre Ciesielski, DSc., PGeo., Algold Resources Ltd Lead Consulting Geologist and Qualified Person, and Alastair Gallaugher, C.Geo. (Chartered Geologist and Fellow of the Geological Society of London), BSc. Geology, Algold's Exploration Manager in Mauritania, Qualified Persons as defined by NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Andre Ciesielski has further approved the scientific and technical disclosure in the news release. Table 1: Assay Result Highlights (Partial) - Phase I Reverse-Circulation Drilling Program Hole ID Prospect East North From To Average Width** Comments UTM UTM (m) (m) Grade* (g/t Au) (m) T16RC040 Eleanore 481904 2249546 122 124 1.34 2 Duplicate value 122 to 124 m = 35 g/t Au. 110 m west of last modelled mineralized wireframe T16RC041 Eleanore 482122 2249097 104 108 0.68 4 Includes 1.03 g/t Au over 1 m, 50 m east of modelled wireframes T16RC042 Eleanore 482017 2249065 72 78 1.12 6 New zone west of wireframes 106 110 1.22 4 New zone west of wireframes T16RC044 Eleanore 482403 2250504 69 71 1.39 2 Eleonore north target area 104 106 1.51 2 T16RC045 Eleanore 482344 2250539 55 60 6.64 5 Believed to be part of the mineralized system 260 m NE (as seen in T16RC024) T16RC070 Eleonore 484537 2250673 30 32 1.21 2 83 86 30.03 3 Including 1 m at 86.1 g/t Au T16RC052 Lily 476790 2245584 6 8 1.24 2 25 26 1.79 1 52 66 1.03 14 96 102 1.59 6 T16RC065 Sophie II 475825 2251623 38 46 1.11 8 76 86 1.29 10 Folded BIF 90 m north of wireframes *Weighted average **Down-hole length (believed to be close to true width) Note: Complete assay results will be posted to Algold's website (www.algold.com). ABOUT ALGOLD Algold Resources Ltd is focused on the exploration and development of gold deposits in West Africa. The board of directors and management team are seasoned resource industry professionals with extensive experience in the exploration and development of world-class gold projects in Africa. Algold is the operator of all of its exploration licenses in Mauritania. Algold owns 100% of the Tijirit which represents an area of more than 1,000 km2 situated approximately 25 kilometers southeast of the Tasiast gold mine as well as the Akjout properties, which were acquired from Gryphon Minerals (Australia) through a transaction completed earlier in 2016. Exploration is being carried out on the Eleonore, Sophie I, Sophie II-III and Lily zones. The Kneivissat property is 90% owned by Algold and the Legouessi property is being managed through a 51% earn-in interest agreement with Caracal Gold LLC. Algold can earn up to a 90% interest in the Legouessi exploration permit (see October 10, 2013 press release for more details), however, Caracal has the right to participate in the joint venture at either 51% or 75%, by funding its share of expenditures. CAUTIONARY LANGUAGE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release contains and refers to forward-looking information based on current expectations. All other statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward looking statements (or forward-looking information). The Corporation's plans involve various estimates and assumptions and its business is subject to various risks and uncertainties. For more details on these estimates, assumptions, risks and uncertainties, see the Corporation's most recent Annual Information Form and most recent Management Discussion and Analysis on file with the Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. These forward looking statements are made as of the date hereof and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, such statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements that are included herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Algold Resources Ltd. 1320, boul. Graham, bureau 132, Mont-Royal, Quebec, H3P 3C8, www.algold.com SOURCE Algold Resources Ltd. Related Links www.algold.com SAN CARLOS, Calif., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Allakos, Inc., today announced it has initiated a Phase 2 clinical trial of AK001, its lead therapeutic antibody, in patients with nasal polyposis with and without asthma. This multicenter trial with sites in the U.S. and Europe will evaluate the activity of two dose levels of AK001 compared with placebo. Study results are anticipated in the second half of 2017. AK001 is a therapeutic antibody currently in development for the treatment of severe inflammatory and allergic diseases characterized by excess activity of mast cells and eosinophils. "Advancing AK001 into a Phase 2 clinical trial in patients is an important milestone for Allakos as we continue clinical development of our therapeutic antibody pipeline," said Chris Bebbington Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Allakos. "The rapid and efficient initiation of this international trial is a great reflection on the abilities of the Allakos development team. The novel mechanism by which AK001 works is ideally suited for the treatment of nasal polyps, which are highly enriched for eosinophils and mast cells. Currently, there are limited therapeutic options for patients with nasal polyposis and, if successful, AK001 may offer a safe and effective non-surgical approach to the disease." The multicenter, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study will enroll 70 patients with moderate to severe nasal polyposis with and without asthma at sites in both the U.S. and Europe. For more information, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02734849). About Nasal Polyposis Nasal polyposis is a disease characterized by the growth of polyps in the nasal cavities. In the majority of patients, these polyps are highly enriched for mast cells and eosinophils. Patients with nasal polyposis have blocked nasal passages and sinuses with obstructed breathing and impaired sense of taste and smell that can result in a significant impact on quality of life. These patients are also prone to recurrent nasal infections and asthma, which can be severe in nature. Nasal polyposis is difficult to control with current treatment options, which include topical steroids and surgery. About AK001 AK001 is a therapeutic antibody that selectively targets mast cells and eosinophils. Binding of AK001 to specific receptors present on mast cells and eosinophils results in the inhibition of mast-cell inflammatory signaling and the removal of tissue-based eosinophils. The direct effect of AK001 on mast cells and eosinophils bypasses the redundancy of cytokine signaling pathways without directly affecting other cells of the immune system. AK001 has the potential to be of benefit in a wide spectrum of severe inflammatory and allergic diseases. Allakos has demonstrated activity of AK001 in multiple pre-clinical models and completed a Phase I clinical trial with AK001 in healthy volunteers in which it was well tolerated and demonstrated pharmacodynamic activity. About Allakos Allakos is a privately held clinical-stage company developing a pipeline of novel therapeutics that selectively target mast cells and eosinophils; important immune effector cells that are involved in a broad spectrum of inflammatory and allergic conditions as well as several rare proliferative diseases with high unmet need. The company's lead drug candidates AK001 and AK002 use novel approaches to target mast cells and eosinophils and are in clinical development for the treatment of severe inflammatory diseases and other diseases characterized by excess activity of mast cells and eosinophils. Allakos is located in San Carlos, California. For further information, visit www.Allakos.com. Allakos Contact Simon Greenwood Chief Business Officer T: 650 597 5002 [email protected] Media Contact Matt Middleman, M.D. Russo Partners T: 212-845-4272 [email protected] SOURCE Allakos, Inc. Related Links http://www.allakos.com Jeff Keith, Chair of the Alliant Board of Trustees, stated "Andy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of higher education to Alliant International University. We are pleased to have a mission driven leader who demonstrates vision, collaboration, transparency and caring for the students, faculty and staff of the university." As President and CEO of the Alliant University system, Vaughn will oversee the execution of the institutional strategic plan, a collaborative process involving faculty, staff and the university community. Prior to joining Alliant in 2015 as Interim President, and originally as Senior Vice President, Vaughn was President and CEO of Trident University in Orange County, California where he also served as Chief Operations Officer for the 8,000 student university. He started his career in higher education twenty years ago at National University in San Diego and has served in various roles at institutions including Regional Dean, President and CEO, Chief Operations Officer, Vice President of Marketing and Admissions and Associate Director of Student Services, among others. He currently serves with two separate boards including as a member of the Board of Directors for St. Luke Medical School and Central Valley Education Consortium. He brings to Alliant a wealth of knowledge in university operations, student services, finance, strategic planning and the management of educational organizations plus a commitment to academic excellence and high level student outcomes. Originally from Bellevue, Nebraska, Vaughn is based in San Diego, California. He completed his undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a graduate degree from National University in San Diego, and is pursuing a doctoral degree at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. About Alliant International University Alliant is a private university accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), offering graduate study in psychology, education, business management, law and forensic studies, and bachelor's degree programs in several fields. Alliant's California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) for the PhD and PsyD clinical psychology programs. Alliant specializes in preparing students to enter professional careers that require both advanced knowledge and highly specialized skills. Degree programs emphasize practical applications of theory and research. Alliant operates programs in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, Fresno, Irvine, Japan, Hong Kong, and Mexico City. Alliant faculty, staff, and students provide more than 1 million hours of community service hours each year. More information is available at www.alliant.edu. Contact: Cielo Villasenor, 858-635-4050 [email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160908/405669 SOURCE Alliant International University Related Links http://www.alliant.edu In its lawsuit, Allstate alleged chiropractor Byum Suk Kim violated the state's Insurance Frauds Prevention Act when he submitted to Allstate more than 90 claims for treatment of patients at the two clinics that were illegally owned in violation of California's Moscone Knox Professional Corporation Act. In its complaint, Allstate alleged the two clinics, Wilshire Spinal Disc Clinic, Inc. and Allied Medical, Inc. were held out to the public as legitimate medical clinics incorporated in the State of California, but were actually owned and operated by Byum Suk Kim, D.C. in violation of the Moscone Knox Professional Corporation Act and Business & Professions Code sections 2052, and 2400, commonly referred to as the "corporate practice of medicine bar." Both clinics are no longer operating. Judge Terry A. Green agreed with Allstate and ordered Kim to pay $1.8 million in penalties, plus over $582,000 in assessments and fees a $2.3 million judgment. "Submitting even one false insurance claim is more than just a bad idea; it's fraud, and insurance fraud is a crime," said Allstate's California Field Senior Vice President Phil Telgenhoff. "Fraud drives up the cost we all pay for insurance by stealing millions of dollars from insurers. This cannot and will not be tolerated in California or anywhere. Allstate will fight fraud to help protect our customers and keep insurance costs down." Allstate's suit identified Kim as a chiropractor owning and operating the two medical clinics. The judgment was based on evidence submitted by Allstate showing Kim engaged in clinical and billing fraud in connection with claims that were submitted to Allstate, which included hundreds of individual violations of California Penal Code section 550. Specifically, the evidence showed Kim was responsible for the preparation of 91 separate reports for patients allegedly treated by him at Wilshire and Allied, each of which contained misrepresentations in violation of section 550 regarding the level and type of treatment purportedly provided. Additionally, the billing records for the treatment allegedly provided were likewise fraudulent, as the evidence presented by Allstate showed there was illegal "up-coding" for services. The judgment was based on Allstate proving the medical records, narrative reports, and bills of patients purportedly treated by Kim amounted to billing and clinical frauds perpetrated and carried out by Kim on a systematic basis at both Wilshire Spinal Disc Clinic, Inc. and Allied Medical, Inc. This is the second multimillion-dollar ruling against insurance fraud that Allstate has successfully argued in Los Angeles County Superior Court in 2016. The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, protecting approximately 16 million households from life's uncertainties through auto, home, life and other insurance offered through its Allstate, Esurance, Encompass and Answer Financial brand names. Now celebrating its 85th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is widely known through the slogan "You're In Good Hands With Allstate." Allstate agencies are in virtually every local community in America. In 2015, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate, its employees and agency owners gave $36 million to support local communities. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130404/MM88193-b SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company KAPOLEI, Hawaii, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- AlohaNAP, the only purpose-built, carrier-neutral datacenter facility with satellite backup capabilities in the state, is pleased to announce that a new expansion has been completed that adds more than 50% total capacity to the facility. The expansion was necessary because all previous capacity has been sold in the last 90 days. This new expansion space is available for immediate occupancy. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405068LOGO AlohaNAP's recent expansion meets the growing demand for datacenter space from financial and enterprise customers in Hawaii. The recent tenants were looking to deploy their data on the island and AlohaNAP offers the most secure location to accomplish this. AlohaNAP's expansion also serves the growing needs for the world's largest media and content providers who are starting to peer locally on the island. "Demand on the island remains strong, as enterprise customers look for more suitable locations to store their mission critical infrastructure," states Robert DeVita, Chief Sales Officer at AlohaNAP. "Local businesses need a partner in the datacenter space as they grow, and AlohaNAP has proven to be that partner. We are committed to supporting the local business community as well as global providers looking to bring content to the island." AlohaNAP is located 2 miles inland and over 160 feet above sea level, outside of any floodplain and tsunami zones. AlohaNAP is designed to be the premier, multi-tenant, carrier-neutral datacenter complex in the Pacific. Leveraging its geographic location in Kapolei, HI and access to Hawaii Pacific Teleport, an international satellite communications provider, AlohaNAP is creating a high bandwidth capacity "meet-me" point. For more information on AlohaNAP, please visit www.alohanap.com. About AlohaNAP AlohaNAP is 1547 Critical System Realty's datacenter located in Kapolei, Hawaii. The facility offers carrier-neutral connections to both global and local fiber providers, and satellite connectivity to over 40 different satellites, full redundancy, and 24/7 onsite security. AlohaNAP is the premier datacenter in Hawaii. For Media Inquiries, please contact: Lauren Lemoi 214-960-5116 Email SOURCE AlohaNAP Related Links http://www.alohanap.com The course is taught at two levels by Dr. Melissa Orme, Morf3D, Dr. Robert Yancey, Altair and Mr. Michael Gschweiti, RUAG Space; experts who have successfully designed, built, and certified Aerospace parts made by AM. Combined, this team has over 50 years of experience in Aerospace applications, with additive manufacturing and 3D printing. The Intermediate and Advanced Courses are 4.5 days and cover a lecture and hands on exercises from Design to Build using Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) process. The Intermediate Course is intended for people with a basic design and analysis background and the Advanced Course is for experienced engineers in design and analysis methods. "We have seen a great interest from companies to learn how to best utilize additive manufacturing," says Dr. Yancey. "This course will provide participants a very practical view of 3D printing technology and how it can best be utilized." "At Morf3D our mission is to provide a sustainable eco-system that enables client proficiency in fully exploiting the benefits of additive manufacturing, and delivers innovative solutions that solve complex design and manufacturing challenges," adds Ivan Madera, CEO of Morf3D. "Our facility is set up to produce parts but also to educate people and this course will help us accomplish that goal." To sign-up for Intermediate Course click here, for Advanced Course click here. About MORF3D Morf3D is a fully-integrated provider of additive manufacturing services, focused on delivering innovative solutions that solve complex additive design and manufacturing challenges. Privately held with a team of interdisciplinary experts from Academia, Industry and Engineering, Morf3D's Innovation Center is headquartered in El Segundo, CA, USA. To learn more, please visit www.morf3d.com. Ivan J. Madera +1.310.607.0188 [email protected] About RUAG RUAG Space is the leading supplier of products for the space industry in Europe. Experience, outstanding reliability, customer focus and a comprehensive, clearly structured product portfolio all make RUAG Space the partner of choice for manufacturers of satellites and launchers across the globe. To learn more, please visit http://www.ruag.com/space. Franck Mouriaux +41 44 306 21 37 [email protected] About ALTAIR Founded in 1985, Altair is focused on the development and application of simulation technology to synthesize and optimize designs, processes and decisions for improved business performance. Privately held with more than 2,600 employees, Altair is headquartered in Troy, Michigan, USA with more than 45 offices throughout 20 countries, and serves more than 5,000 corporate clients across broad industry segments. To learn more, please visit www.altair.com. Corporate / Americas Biba A. Bedi +1.757.224.0548 x 406 [email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405380 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405381 SOURCE Altair Related Links http://www.altair.com PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Altamont Capital Partners (Altamont) is pleased to announce that on September 2nd, Modern Healthcare, Inc. (Modern), a specialty pharmacy focused on patients with chronic illnesses, was sold to The Kroger Company, one of the largest retailers in the United States. Altamont acquired the initial platform in July 2012, through a carve-out of the specialty pharmacy operations of Modern and the simultaneous acquisition and carve-out of the specialty pharmacy operations of A-Med Healthcare. Altamont then led subsequent acquisitions of Total Life Care Pharmacy and LegacyRx, and invested heavily in operational infrastructure. Led by CEO Dom Meffe, Modern recruited an experienced senior management team, developed a very successful national expansion program, and became the second largest independent specialty pharmacy in the U.S. In total, Modern's revenue grew by over 5x during the investment period. Commenting on the transaction, Altamont Managing Director, Casey Lynch, said, "It was a privilege to help build Modern alongside Dom and this outstanding management team. We think Kroger is going to be a winner in the health and wellness market, and we are excited to see what they build from this point forward." Modern CEO, Dom Meffe, added, "Altamont was the ideal partner for Modern over the last four years. Their resources and commitment to investing in our business were integral to our success building a leading platform in the specialty pharmacy space." Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Jefferies, LLC served as financial advisor to Altamont and Modern along with Houlihan Lokey and William Blair. Ropes & Gray, LLP served as legal counsel to Altamont and Bass Berry & Sims served as legal counsel to the Company. About Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare is a leading national, specialty pharmacy platform, with a unique physician preferred approach, breadth of therapy expertise and differentiated service offerings to customers. The platform focuses on drug treatments for complex disease states that require a high-touch service model, such as rheumatoid arthritis/dermatology, HIV, cystic fibrosis, transplant, hepatitis C, and infusion-based IVIG therapy. About Altamont Capital Partners Altamont Capital Partners is a private investment firm based in the San Francisco Bay Area with approximately $1.3 billion of capital under management. Altamont is focused on investing in middle market businesses where it can partner with leading management teams to help its portfolio companies reach their full potential. The firm's principals have significant experience building business success stories across a range of industries, including government services, financial services, consumer/retail, industrials and healthcare. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130701/SF40796LOGO SOURCE Altamont Capital Partners Related Links www.altamontcapital.com DFW Airport, Texas, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Airlines announced today that it will launch new daily service from Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport to Rome, Italy as well as to Amsterdam, The Netherlands, beginning in May of 2017. Both new flights will be operated daily on a seasonal basis, from May to September for the summer travel season. "The new American Airlines flights to Rome and Amsterdam represent great news for our customers and the entire Dallas Fort Worth region," said Sean Donohue, chief executive officer at DFW Airport. "One of our top goals at DFW Airport is to grow international passenger and cargo air service in order to spur new business and travel opportunities in our home region, and the addition of these new flights will certainly help connect the Dallas Fort Worth area to more of Europe." "We are excited to offer these new seasonal routes from our largest hub, connecting North Texas to popular leisure destinations in Europe," said Vasu Raja, American's vice president Network and Schedule Planning. "This announcement is further confirmation of American's long-term plan to enhance its global network." When the flight begins in May, DFW customers will enjoy nonstop service to Rome for the first time ever, and that flight connects DFW to its largest unserved international market. American will fly from DFW to Rome's Leonardo da VinciFiumicino Airport with Boeing 777-200 aircraft American will serve the route from DFW to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol with Boeing 767-300 aircraft. "We are also looking forward to welcoming customers arriving from Rome and Amsterdam with our renowned Texas hospitality, whether they are visiting the Dallas Fort Worth area or connecting to another destination," said Mr. Donohue. "Our new additions to International Terminal D including the new duty free retail complex will let visitors know they are in for a world-class customer experience at our Airport." About Dallas Fort Worth International Airport: Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport warmly welcomes more than 65 million customers along their journey every year, elevating DFW to a status as one of the most frequently visited superhub airports in the world. DFW Airport customers can choose among 158 domestic and 54 international nonstop destinations worldwide. DFW is elevating the customer experience with modernized facilities and updated amenities, as well as through a $2.7 billion Terminal Renewal and Improvement Program to renovate its four original terminal buildings. Centered between its owner cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW Airport also serves as a major economic generator for the North Texas region, producing over $37 billion in economic impact each year by connecting people through business and leisure travel. For more information, visit the DFW website, download the new DFW App for iOS and Android devices, or follow DFW on social media. Follow Dallas Fort Worth International Airport On: Twitter.com | YouTube.com | Facebook.com Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151013/276597LOGO SOURCE DFW International Airport Related Links https://www.dfwairport.com/ When 63 percent of Americans believe the country is on the wrong track, and the favorability ratings of the two dominant presidential candidates are historically low, its no wonder voters are looking for a third-party alternative. But the two candidates who might have answered the question -- Is this the best America can do? have just proved that theyre not going to save the republic after all. First came the report that Jill Stein, the Green Partys presidential nominee, is facing misdemeanor charges of vandalism and trespassing at a North Dakota construction site. The Morton County Sheriffs Department on Wednesday issued arrest warrants for Stein and her running mate, Ajamu Baraka after the pair was caught on camera spray-painting construction equipment during a protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Related: Could Libertarian Gary Johnson Play the Spoiler in November Green, a physician and outspoken liberal activist who contends that Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clintons blatant mishandling of State Department email and classified documents raises real questions about her competency, spray-painted "I approve this message" and "We need decolonization" on construction equipment. Hardly the act of a serious presidential candidate. Far more of a setback was Libertarian Party presidential nominee Gary Johnsons disastrous performance Thursday morning on MSNBCs Morning Joe when the former New Mexico governor couldnt answer a simple question. Asked what he would do as president to address the refugee crisis in the major war-torn Syrian city, Johnson replied: What is Aleppo? Johnson, who is fighting to be included with Trump and Clinton in the three nationally televised presidential debates this fall, displayed an alarming ignorance of foreign policy and couldnt identify Aleppo, the embattled Syrian city, and center of the humanitarian crisis in Syria. Related: Your Vote for a Third Party Candidate Wont Be a Waste in 2016 Story continues After an incredulous Mike Barnicle, an MSNBC commentator responded that Johnson must be kidding and that Aleppo was at the center of Syrias civil war refugee crisis, Johnson struggled to recover from the humiliating gaffe one that he later blamed on his brain freezing up. O.K., got it, he said, explaining that he thinks that the United States must join forces with Russia to diplomatically improve the situation there something the Obama administration has been trying to do for months with little success. With regard to Syria, I do think that its a mess, he said. However, before Johnson could extricate himself from the interview, co-host Joe Scarborough harshly lectured him: "You asked, 'What is Aleppo?' Do you really think that foreign policy is so insignificant that somebody running for president of the United States shouldn't even know what Aleppo is, where Aleppo is, why Aleppo is so important?" Johnsons comments immediately went viral on social media, with many of his critics saying he had disqualified himself from being president. Some even questioned whether the libertarian leader who had championed the legalization of marijuana and once marketed recreational marijuana products might have been smoking weed before he went on the show. Related: The Libertarian Johnson-Weld Ticket Is Bad News for Donald Trump The timing of the debacle couldnt have been worse for Johnson, whose libertarian views on limited government, reducing the national debt and minimizing U.S. military intervention overseas have begun to catch on and helped him move up in the polls. Johnson and his running mate, former Massachusetts governor William Weld, are both fiscal conservatives and social liberals whose views on defense and foreign policy sometimes border on isolationism. Still, many disenchanted Republicans, Democrats and independents see Johnson as a refreshing alternative to either Trump or Clinton. A handful of prominent Republicans who oppose Trump has talked up the Johnson-Weld ticket. On Wednesday night, former governor Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, called for Johnson and Weld to be included in the presidential and vice presidential debates. A new 50-state Washington Post-SurveyMonkey poll released this week shows that both Johnson and Stein are positioned to garner significant support across the country. Johnson had an average of 13 percent support across all states, ranging from a low of four percent in Mississippi to a high of 25 percent in New Mexico, where he served two terms as governor. By contrast, Stein is receiving far less support than Johnson, with an average of five percent across all 50 states. Related: Cant Vote for Trump or Clinton? Here Are Some Third Party Options To be included in the presidential debates, that begin on Sept. 26 at Hofstra University in New York, a candidate must be polling 15 percent or better in five mainstream news polls. Currently, Johnson averages 10 percent in the five most recent national polls by NBC, CNN, CBS, ABC and Fox News. Its not likely that Johnsons embarrassing gaffe will alienate many of the anti-Trump, anti-Clinton voters who have already rallied to his side. Many of them probably would have been stumped by the same question about Aleppo if they had been put on the spot. Moreover, it might have been interesting to hear what Trump who is extraordinarily vague on foreign policy issues -- would have had to say if NBCs Matt Lauer had asked him the same question during Wednesdays nights commander in chief forum. The bigger problem for Johnson will be how the news media more generally will treat him going forward. In his drive to push up his polling numbers to get included in the nationally televised presidential debates this fall, the former two-term governor needs to get far more exposure on television in short order. Until recently, he and Weld have been able to gain entre to high-profile Sunday talk shows, and many of the more popular cable TV news shows. But his blatant ignorance over the outcome of the civil war in Syria makes it much harder to be considered a serious contender, booked on top news broadcasts, and someone deserving of standing next to Clinton and Trump on the debate stage. Related: Green Partys Jill Stein Makes Her Move to Snag Sanders Voters When I heard about it, I just saw him disappearing from the debate stage, said Ross Baker, a political science professor at Rutgers University. You have to be taken seriously, and no candidate for president who scratches his head when you mention Aleppo and the humanitarian crisis that is occurring there should be taken seriously. If your main concern is getting marijuana legalized, Im not surprised he didnt know what Aleppo is, he added. I think his kind of libertarian impulse just pulls him in very quixotic directions. Not everyone agrees with Baker, and some of Johnsons boosters think the Morning Joe episode will quickly fade. Mitch Daniels, the former Republican Indiana governor and member of the Commission on Presidential Debates, wants Johnson to be included in the debates to give turned-off voters more of a choice. Asked during an interview today on MSNBC on whether Johnson should be disqualified from being president because of his response to the question about Aleppo, Daniels replied: If we were going to disqualify candidates for one comment theyd like to have back, there would be no one left. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: SAN JOSE, Calif. and SINGAPORE, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- APX, the global leader in environmental technology solutions and services, today officially announced the launch in Singapore for the global registry for TIGRsSM Tradable Instruments for Global Renewables. First of its kind in Asia, the registry was pilot tested by Apple and Sunseap in Singapore, in close collaboration with the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS). The registry was built with the goal of allowing all corporates and suppliers in the renewable energy marketplace to utilize a proven standard and registry accounting system to manage their participation in the region's renewable energy sector. Participants are able to register for online accounts, register renewable assets and only after undergoing rigorous validation can begin to issue renewable energy credits, TIGRs. TIGRs can be issued only through a third-party local reporting entity who verifies all of the metered production data. Once TIGRs are issued, they can be transacted and ultimately retired for use in making corporate claims. TIGRS establish the highest quality renewable instrument required by companies that are keen to adopt renewable energy, but are operating in areas of the world that do not currently have policies for the voluntary market or robust tracking systems. APX's core expertise lies in the development and implementation of renewable energy and carbon offset instruments and standards worldwide. This experience, coupled with the strong cooperation of market participants, has led to the launch of the registry as a best-in-class solution for issuing, tracking and retiring the environmental attributes associated with renewable energy production. "Apple and other corporates committed to 100 percent renewable energy are spurring development worldwide," said Lars Kvale, Director of Business Development for APX. "TIGRs are being named in power purchase agreements to represent each MWh of renewable energy production and are reliably issued in the Registry to support corporate claims." Countries around the world and in Southeast Asia specifically, are aware that future emissions are on the rise due to increased manufacturing and electricity consumption from fossil fuels. With the successful conclusion of COP 21 Paris Climate Conference and global initiatives such as RE100, where influential businesses publicly pledge to power 100% of their operations by renewable energy, more governments and companies are stepping up with sustainable energy solutions to address climate change. In Singapore, the government has developed a strong national Climate Action Plan, which has a focus to encourage renewable energy adoption to achieve the national target of 350 MW of installed capacity by 2020. "Singapore is experiencing a surge in demand for renewable energy from many major multinational companies operating in Singapore. We are therefore pleased to partner with APX to introduce its Asian registry for tradable instruments in renewable energy. This partnership is aligned with Singapore's interest to be a clean energy hub in Asia that facilitates cross-border trade in renewable energy," said Goh Chee Kiong, Executive Director of Cleantech at the Singapore Economic Development Board. Visit http://tigrs.apx.com to see a list of participating companies. Also, sign up for a webinar that is convenient for your time zone. About APX For nearly 20 years, APX, Inc., based in the heart of California's Silicon Valley, has been the trusted infrastructure and services provider to the power and environmental markets. More than 2,000 companies globally rely on APX products and services for integrity in environmental markets, with more than 1 billion credits transacted to date across 13 renewable energy and carbon registry tracking platforms. SOURCE APX Related Links http://www.apx.com PUNE, India, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The global autopilot systems market 2016-2020 report says technological advancements will be a key trend for market growth. The incident of aircraft MH 370 missing has created ample chaos in the commercial aviation industry as the reasons for its disappearance still remain undetected. Keeping such events in view, the aerospace companies are developing their R&D technologies to prevent future aircraft accidents. Complete report on autopilot systems market spread across 58 pages, analyzing 4 major companies and providing 35 data exhibits now available at http://www.reportsnreports.com/reports/671433-global-autopilot-systems-market-2016-2020.html. The analysts forecast global autopilot systems market to grow at a CAGR of 4.7% during the period 2016-2020. According to the autopilot systems market report, one of the key drivers for market growth will be increasing demand for automation. Automation enhances flight operational safety and efficiency through providing low operating costs and greater profits. This is especially critical for commercial airlines, which support millions of air travelers. In 2014, the airlines carried passenger traffic of 838.4 million passengers on more than 8.5 million flights, globally. In the same year, a survey of airline pilots was carried out, which reported that the pilots operating Boeing 777s spent just seven minutes manually piloting their aircraft during a flight, whereas, those operating Airbus planes, spent half that time. Thus, the growing demand for automation in aircraft is driving the autopilot systems market. The growth of the market is fueled by the increasing emphasis on aircraft modernization. Several available next-generation products and systems have raised the demand for aircraft modernization. For example, Airbus and Boeing are currently focusing on the automation of cockpit technology, which will assist the pilot during autopilot mode using sophisticated design solutions. During 2015, the global autopilot systems market was led by the Americas with a market share of more than 37%. The growth of the market in this region is spurred by the need to comply with strict regulations to enhance the safety standards by leveraging modern technology for passengers and airlines. The autopilot systems market analysts predict that the narrow-body aircraft sector will dominate the market and grow at a CAGR of approximately 6% during the forecast period. The increasing number of fleets of LCCs (low-cost carriers) will bolster the demand for sophisticated and technologically upgraded autopilot systems. This rising demand will also lead to the development of systems offering a wide variety of advanced functionalities like automatic control of payloads, compatibility with hybrid structures, curve-based navigation, and sense and avoid RTK precision, and obstacles and safe flight zones definition. The following companies are the key players in the global autopilot systems market: Genesys Aerosystems, Honeywell International, Lockheed Martin, and Rockwell Collins. Other prominent vendors in the market are: Garmin, Airware, Cloud Cap Technology, MicroPilot and Trimble Navigation. Order a copy of Global Autopilot Systems Market 2016-2020 report @ http://www.reportsnreports.com/Purchase.aspx?name=671433. Global Autopilot Systems Market 2016-2020, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. To calculate the autopilot systems market size, the report considers the application and the average price of aircraft type (narrow body, wide body, turboprop, and regional jet). Another related report is Global Flight Management Systems (FMS) Market 2016-2020, one trend that is expected to propel market growth is the emergence of the auto-ground collision avoidance system (GCAS). Automated piloting system monitors the aircraft position and distance from the ground in real time, and drives the plane out of danger when the aircraft is about to crash, and there is no positive response from the pilot. Browse complete report @ http://www.reportsnreports.com/reports/586285-global-flight-management-systems-market-2016-2020.html. Explore other new reports on Automotive Market @ http://www.reportsnreports.com/market-research/automotive/. 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 2nd Floor, Metropole, Next to Inox Theatre, Bund Garden Road, Pune - 411001. Maharashtra, India. +1 888 391 5441 [email protected] 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 SOURCE ReportsnReports SAN DIEGO, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Avelas Biosciences, Inc., a clinical stage oncology-focused company dedicated to improving cancer patient care from diagnosis through treatment, today announced the completion of patient enrollment in its Phase 1b clinical trial for AVB-620, a surgical marker, in women with primary, non-recurrent breast cancer undergoing surgery. Avelas will announce data from the trial at a future medical meeting. "I'm pleased to announce that we have completed enrollment in our Phase 1b trial of AVB-620 in women with primary, non-recurrent breast cancer undergoing surgery," said Carmine N. Stengone, president and chief executive officer of Avelas Biosciences. "I believe that AVB-620 could contribute materially and positively to the diagnosis and treatment of this highly prevalent disease and look forward to sharing the results from this program in the coming months." AVB-620 Phase 1b Clinical Program Fifteen patients were enrolled in the initial dose-escalation portion of the Phase 1b trial, the purpose of which was to evaluate safety and pharmacokinetics and to determine the dose for additional imaging analysis in the second stage of the study. Interim analysis showed no toxicity issues and identified a preferred dose to take forward into the expansion phase of the trial. A total of 12 additional patients have been enrolled in the dose-expansion stage of the trial, where the focus remains on safety, pharmacokinetics, and the timing of imaging after AVB-620 administration. The company expects to announce data from its completed Phase 1b trial later this year. AVB-620 is an intravenously administered in vivo fluorescent protease-activatable peptide that detects, labels, and visualizes cancer. The initial potential use for AVB-620 is the intraoperative identification of primary tumor extent and metastatic lymph nodes in breast cancer patients. AVB-620 displayed outstanding preclinical data with sensitivity of greater than 95% in preclinical breast cancer models and ex vivo analysis of human breast cancer tissue. About Avelas Biosciences Avelas Biosciences is a San Diego-based biotechnology company focused on developing technologies that advance a new standard-of-care for cancer surgery and therapeutic intervention. The company's lead candidate, AVB-620, is in a Phase 1b trial that has enrolled 27 breast cancer patients, assessing safety, pharmacokinetics and fluorescence properties using tissue image analysis. Avelas was founded by Avalon Ventures on technology from Nobel laureate Roger Y. Tsien, Ph.D. For additional information, please visit www.avelasbio.com. SOURCE Avelas Bioscienes, Inc. Related Links www.avelasbio.com SAN FRANCISCO and SINGAPORE, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- BandLab, the Singapore-based social music-making platform for musicians who create, collaborate and share music togethertoday announced that it has acquired MONO Creators Inc., the San Francisco-based design studio that creates high-end instrument cases, straps and accessories for gigging musicians. Together, BandLab's social, digital tools for musicians and MONO's creator-focused accessories will deliver tools designed to meet the needs of the fast-growing mobile musician market. BandLab and MONO will execute an integrated marketing and product development strategy including participation in a combined space at the upcoming 2017 NAMM Show in Anaheim, Calif. BandLab Acquires MONO Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405035 MONO is a San Francisco-based musical instruments accessories brand founded by designer Daniel Kushner. Designed for musicians on the move, MONO is an IDSA Award-winning company that makes innovative instrument cases and accessories. Players in bands ranging from The Roots, Faith No More, Death Cab for Cutie, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, Rolling Stones, Mastodon, Phantogram, Black Sabbath and more trust and use MONO products. "MONO is a brand that I've admired since they arrived on the music scene," said Meng Ru Kuok, BandLab's CEO / Co-Founder. "We know the MONO business well as we've already been working with MONO for four years, through Swee Lee Music, our Asian Retail / Distribution business. I am very excited to be able to take MONO to the next level around the world as part of BandLab. MONO's mantra of #GOPLAY is entirely in sync with BandLab's vision of serving the needs of a fast-growing community of creatorsfrom fans to artistsin a mobile-centric world. We're excited to welcome the MONO family into the BandLab community, to support them online and offline and continue to take a design-driven approach to the way we develop our products." "BandLab is the perfect fit for us," said Daniel Kushner (Founder/Design Director MONO), "Being a successful musician today requires a completely different tool kit, and we share a vision for what those tools need to be, and now BandLab and MONO have the ability to create them together; This deal further solidifies MONO's ability to remain an innovation leader and category disruptor in the music industry long-term. As a global company, we are now actively expanding the team to further develop our existing product lines, as well as accelerating our roadmap for new product lines." ABOUT BANDLAB BandLab is a Singapore-based social music-making platform for musicians who create, collaborate and share music together. BandLab is a free, cloud-based social platform (iOS, Android and web), that simplifies the process of making music. BandLab is where musicians and music fans from all over the world come together to make, collaborate on and share Music. BandLab is part of BandLab Technologies, a connected ecosystem of brands covering musical instruments and accessories, web/mobile/social applications and commerce. The company's collective expertise in software and hardware developmentcombined with an ability to connect directly with consumers through both digital and physical touchpointsputs it in a unique position to shape the future of music. For more information, please visit www.bandlab.com ABOUT MONO MONO is a San Francisco-based Musical Instruments Accessories brand founded by designer Daniel Kushner. Designed for Musicians on the move, MONO is an IDSA Award-winning company that makes the most innovative and inspiring instrument cases and accessories in the world. MONO's focus on product innovation has been the driving force behind its growth, establishing the brand worldwide as the one that serious musicians trust to help them travel, create, collaborate, and perform (#GOPLAY). Players in bands ranging from The Roots, Faith No More, Death Cab for Cutie, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, Rolling Stones, Mastodon, Phantogram, Black Sabbath and more trust and use MONO products. For more information, please visit www.monocreators.com Media Contacts In the US: Scott Robertson, APR RobertsonComm for BandLab [email protected] +1 949-766-6789 In Singapore: Catherine Ong Catherine Ong Associates [email protected] +65 6327-6088 BandLab/MONO Artwork: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B2pUo-br9bO7c0Q5blhJVzFQcGs&usp=sharing This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com SOURCE BandLab ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Samuel Zell & Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business is teaming up with entrepreneurship programs from across the University to host this year's Entrepalooza symposium on Friday, September 23 at the Michigan League. Participants at this year's event, "Creativity Through Entrepreneurship," will explore the power of creative thinking solving issues and challenges that entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial members of larger companies face. Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, will take the stage for Entrepalooza 2016, sharing his passion for creative and responsible business practices with Stewart Thornhill, executive director of the Zell Lurie Institute, and the audience. Jerry will bring his business acumen and passion for creative and responsible business practices to life at the podium. His presentation will deliver an inspiring tribute to America's entrepreneurial spirit, full of anecdotes and radical business philosophy. Amid politically charged puns and campaigns promoting social responsibility in business, Jerry has effectively used his thriving business platform to raise awareness about important issues including fair trade, social justice, environment and sustainability. Jerry's talk will truly embody the great sense of fun that is the company's hallmark. Following Jerry Greenfield's 9:00 a.m. keynoteand free Ben & Jerry's ice cream for all attendeesthe symposium will channel attendees' creative energies into a series of workshops designed to help them explore new ways of thinking outside of the box. The workshops will be led by members of the U-M entrepreneurial community: Jeremy Peters , Music Publishing Director at Ghostly International, co-founder of Quite Scientific Records, and lecturer at U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance, will lead a discussion of how to work the arts into your startup idea , Music Publishing Director at Ghostly International, co-founder of Quite Scientific Records, and lecturer at U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance, will lead a discussion of how to work the arts into your startup idea Eric Fretz , U-M lecturer in Psychology, Education, and Entrepreneurship, will discuss the psychology of creativity as individual inspiration and as group innovation , U-M lecturer in Psychology, Education, and Entrepreneurship, will discuss the psychology of creativity as individual inspiration and as group innovation Tom Frank , executive director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and adjunct professor at the College of Engineering, will cover strategies for fostering a collaborative team while establishing yourself as a leader , executive director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and adjunct professor at the College of Engineering, will cover strategies for fostering a collaborative team while establishing yourself as a leader Debra Mexicotte , associate director of U-M's ArtsEngine, will show how creativity is a process that can be learned and employed, not a character trait or event. , associate director of U-M's ArtsEngine, will show how creativity is a process that can be learned and employed, not a character trait or event. Co-founders of CHISL Design Michelle Belbroad, BBA '18, and Lakin Vitton, BBA '18, will discuss why branding is important but what is more deserving of your attention than your logo Co-hosted by the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, the Center for Entrepreneurship at the College of Engineering, the School of Public Health's Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship program, the School of Information's Entrepreneurship Program, the School of Music Theatre and Dance's EXCEL Program, and Innovate Blue, the University's campus-wide entrepreneurship initiative, Entrepalooza is an annual event that brings entrepreneurial leaders together to share their insights and experiences with students, alumni, faculty and members of the broader business community. For more information, including a full schedule, or to register to attend the event, please visit http://entrepalooza.umich.edu/. To receive event updates or share your thoughts from the symposium, use hashtag #epalooza on Twitter. About the Samuel Zell & Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies The Institute and its Center for Venture Capital and Private Equity Finance bring together an impactful combination of deep-seated knowledge, enriching experiences and strategic opportunities from the front lines of entrepreneurship and alternative investment. Students' learning experiences are further enhanced through internships, entrepreneurial clubs, business competitions and campus-wide events that foster valuable networking and engage the business community. The School's five student-led investment funds, with over $8.5M under management, immerse students in the entrepreneurial business sourcing, assessment and investment process. Founding Zell Lurie advisory board members include Samuel Zell, chairman of Equity Group Investments, and Eugene Applebaum, founder of Arbor Drugs Inc. For more information, visit the Institute's website at www.zli.bus.umich.edu. About Michigan Ross The Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan is a vibrant and distinctive learning community grounded in the principle that business can be an extraordinary vehicle for positive change in today's dynamic global economy. The Ross mission is to develop leaders who make a positive difference in the world. Through thought and action, members of the Ross community drive change and innovation that improves business and society. Ross is consistently ranked among the world's leading business schools. Academic degree programs include the BBA, MBA, Part-time MBA (Evening and Weekend formats), Executive MBA, Global MBA, Master of Accounting, Master of Supply Chain Management, Master of Management, and PhD. In addition, the school delivers open-enrollment and custom executive education programs targeting general management, leadership development, and strategic human resource management. SOURCE The Zell Lurie Institute Related Links http://www.zli.bus.umich.edu Throughout the year while the program has featured Hollywood's A list actors and musicians, and its own infectious and insanely talented band in Jon Batiste and Stay Human, it has certainly hit its stride around the hottest topic du jour: politics especially skewering the presidential campaign and all its players. Critically acclaimed, heady, funny, with candid interviews of top politicos like Hilary Clinton, Donald Trump, Tim Kaine and who could forget the riveting exchange with Joe Biden, a spoof of the Hunger Games picking off presidential candidates as they fell one-by-one, and of course holding the top party candidates squarely in the comedy crosshairs on a nightly basis have demonstrated what The Late Show does best. Live shows following the Republican National Convention and Democratic National Convention captured Colbert and his penchant to poke fun at our political process and the leaders clamoring for those positions. And what does the man himself think of his first year? "I scream, you scream, we all scream for the one-year birthday of the Late Show," said Colbert from his office in the Ed Sullivan Theater. "And I'm glad we get to celebrate this momentous occasion with Ben and/or Jerry." Celebrating the September 8 anniversary, Ben & Jerry's unveils a brand new look for Colbert's Americone Dream ice cream flavor. The fan favorite flavor introduced in 2007 continues to gain ground ranked among the best-selling flavors. Both the entertainer and his sugary charlatan have staying power. With its new look inspired by artwork from The Late Show artist Tim Luecke, featuring a friendlier Colbert, a marquee, and the New York city skyline the new look gets up to date and personal acknowledging Colbert's ascension. As one of the best selling flavors in New York City, Americone Dream will be featured on billboards from Brooklyn to the Bronx showing off the new look. On the September 8 anniversary, Ben & Jerry's is taking pints of Americone Dream to The Late Show fans on the streets of New York City to with the @ColbertLateShow team. Watch CBS's The Late Show at 11:35 pm. Check your local listing. About Ben & Jerry's As an aspiring social justice company, Ben & Jerry's believes in a greater calling than simply making a profit for selling its goods. The company produces a wide variety of super-premium ice cream, yogurt and sorbet using high-quality ingredients. Ben & Jerry's incorporates its vision of Linked Prosperity into its business practices in a number of ways including a focus on values-led sourcing. In 2015 the company completed its transition to using entirely non-GMO (genetically modified organisms) ingredients by source as well as to fully source Fairtrade-certified ingredients wherever possible, which benefits farmers in developing countries. Ben and Jerry's products are distributed in 35 countries in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, franchise Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops, restaurants and other venues. Ben & Jerry's, a Vermont corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Unilever, operates its business on a three-part Mission Statement emphasizing product quality, economic reward and a commitment to the community. Ben & Jerry's became a certified B Corp (Benefit Corporation) in 2012. The Ben & Jerry's Foundation's employee-led grant programs totaled $2.5MM in 2015 to support economic and social justice, environmental restoration, and peace through understanding. For the inside scoop on Ben & Jerry's visit www.benjerry.com. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405236 SOURCE Ben & Jerry's Related Links http://www.benjerry.com FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ben E. Keith Foods proudly announces its intent to purchase Kelley Foods of Alabama. The acquisition includes all assets of Kelley Foods including the Elba, AL, distribution center and the manufacturing division, which produces quality sausages and hams, as well as other custom products under the Kelley Foods name. Closing is expected to occur September 30, 2016. "The acquisition of Kelley Foods of Alabama allows Ben E. Keith Foods to continue its expansion into the Southeast, serving new and existing customers, and providing additional opportunity for our employees and partners," said Mike Sweet, President of Ben E. Keith Foods. "Our organizations share many core values including similar visions and missions, a deep commitment to our employees and an unwavering focus on serving our customers. We are excited to welcome all Kelley Foods employees into our organization and know we will achieve great success together." Founded in 1957, Kelley Foods is headquartered in Elba, AL, and services customers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi. The company is owned and operated by the Kelley family, with Eddie Kelley serving as President and CEO. "As family owned businesses, both Kelley Foods and Ben E. Keith Foods strive to be trusted advisors and provide unmatched service to our customers, to treat our team members with dignity and respect and to partner with vendors who support us and our customers. The Kelley Family is honored to be a part of the strategic expansion of the Ben E. Keith Foods service area," said Eddie Kelley, President and CEO of Kelley Foods of Alabama. Ben E. Keith Foods will retain all current Kelley Foods employees. Current President and CEO, Eddie Kelley, and Vice President of Distribution, Jerry Kelley, will serve as advisors to Ben E. Keith Foods during the transition and integration process. Current Vice President of Manufacturing, Scott Kelley, will continue to manage the manufacturing division. Scott Davison of Ben E. Keith Foods has been named General Manager of the distribution division. The distribution division will be renamed Ben E. Keith Foods Southeast Division in the coming months, while manufacturing operations will remain Kelley Foods, a division of Ben E. Keith Foods. About Ben E. Keith Foods Established in Fort Worth, Texas in 1906, Ben E. Keith Foods is the nation's eighth largest broad line foodservice distributor and operates today with eight divisions shipping to twelve states throughout the country. For more information: David Werner, Vice President, Marketing 817-759-6826 [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160906/404642LOGO SOURCE Ben E. Keith Foods Related Links http://www.benekeith.com NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Betterment for Business, the only turnkey 401(k) service that includes personalized investment advice for all 401(k) plan participants, commissioned a new study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Betterment. The study found that employees are neither confident about when they can retire, nor about how their 401(k) plans operate. Forrester's research exposes a broken 401(k) system and widespread confusion concerning retirement readiness, employers' fiduciary responsibility, fees, and education for employees. Key findings include: Confusion Across the Board: More than half of employees are uncertain that they will retire comfortably when they want to and employers are likewise unsure about how prepared their staff is for retirement. More than half of employees are uncertain that they will retire comfortably when they want to and employers are likewise unsure about how prepared their staff is for retirement. Fiduciary Responsibility: 62% of employees believe their employers aren't legally responsible for ensuring that participants receive advice that reflects their best interests. The truth is that employers do bear fiduciary responsibility. 62% of employees believe their employers aren't legally responsible for ensuring that participants receive advice that reflects their best interests. The truth is that employers do bear fiduciary responsibility. Fees: Employees don't understand 401(k) fee structures, with almost 60% expecting to pay less than 1% in 401(k) plan fees, when fees are often much higher. A surprising 16% of employees are unaware as to how much their 401(k) plans actually cost. Employees don't understand 401(k) fee structures, with almost 60% expecting to pay less than 1% in 401(k) plan fees, when fees are often much higher. A surprising 16% of employees are unaware as to how much their 401(k) plans actually cost. Plan and Investment Education: Traditional approaches to employee education also fall short, according to the research. Annual information sessions typically offered by 401(k) plan managers were effective for only about 20% of the employees surveyed. The report, "Digital Tools Help Address Current Issues For 401(k) Plans," identified digital tools as a solution that employers can implement to help their employees better prepare for retirement. According to the study, nearly 70% of employees agreed that digital tools would increase their likelihood of engaging with their 401(k) plans and that these tools would make it easier for them to invest for retirement. "We believe this study clearly outlines the challenges that both plan sponsors and participants are facing," said Cynthia Loh, General Manager of Betterment for Business. "It's a real problem in the industry when both employers and employees agree that 401(k) plans are a critical retirement savings tool, yet currently lack proper management. It's more important than ever that employers take a closer look at their plan and ensure that fees are appropriate, and employees have tools to help them feel confident about their retirement savings." Online platforms, such as Betterment for Businesswhich can sync with outside financial institutions, provide advice that employees can trust, are easy to use, and are transparent in pricingcan help participants better invest for retirement. Participants enrolled on the Betterment for Business platform are invested in a globally diversified portfolio of index-tracking exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and benefit from personalized advice in a goal-based investing framework. Consistent with Betterment's retail service, Betterment for Business aims to lower costs and offers a simple, easy-to-understand fee structure for plan sponsors with an assets under management-based fee ranging from 0.10% to 0.60%. To download the full study please click here. Contact Info: Joe Ziemer, [email protected], 212-228-1328 Arielle Sobel, [email protected], 646-836-9246 Betterment is the largest independent robo-advisor, helping people to intelligently manage and grow their wealth through smarter technology. With more than 180,000 customers and over $5 billion in assets under management, the service offers a globally diversified portfolio of ETFs, designed to help provide you with the higher expected returns for retirement planning, building wealth, and other savings goals. Betterment also helps customers get on track for a comfortable retirement with RetireGuide, a retirement planning tool that lets people know how much they should save and if they are investing correctly. Betterment was a CNBC Disruptor 50, FT 300 and Webby award winner, and it has been featured in the New York Times, Forbes, and the Wall Street Journal. Betterment helps people work to achieve a smarter financial future with minimal effort and for a fraction of the cost of traditional financial services. Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and Betterment's charges and expenses. 401(k) plan administration services provided by Betterment for Business LLC. Determination of largest independent robo-advisor reflects Betterment LLC's distinction of having highest number of assets under management, based on Betterment's review of assets self-reported in the SEC's Form ADV, across Betterment's survey of independent robo-advisor investing services as of July 11, 2016. As used here, "independent" means that the robo-advisor has no affiliation with the financial products it recommends to its clients. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160908/405549LOGO SOURCE Betterment for Business KIRKLAND, Wash., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Cloud services enablement and managed services automation pioneer, BitTitan, today announced its go-to-market alliance with Dropbox, a leading provider of file sharing and collaboration services, is now globally available to IT and managed service providers. While most cloud migrations are complex and time consuming, BitTitan and Dropbox have formed a strategic alliance to simplify and accelerate the process of data migration into Dropbox Business. Available now, current BitTitan partners can enhance their cloud profile by creating new services revenue around another leading cloud product, Dropbox. In turn, Dropbox resellers have free access to all tools and resources in BitTitan MSPComplete, a comprehensive cloud services enablement platform, including its sales automation capabilities. "More and more businesses are choosing Dropbox as their collaboration platform of record, and integrating with BitTitan, a globally respected cloud services delivery company, allows us to offer service providers the tools to securely and quickly migrate critical documents through an automated process," said Hank Humphreys, Channel Chief at Dropbox. "We selected BitTitan because they are uniquely suited to assist us in empowering MSPs to deliver best-of-breed collaboration solutions and services." Powered by BitTitan MigrationWiz technology, a component of MSPComplete, service providers are now able to rapidly migrate files, folder hierarchies, permissions and metadata from legacy file collaboration platforms into Dropbox Business. All data migrations to Dropbox Business are performed directly from a web browser through a single, convenient user interface, enabling customers to easily add more workloads to their project portfolio and increase project revenue. With a LightSpeed feature integrated into BitTitan document migrations, this process occurs at a rate 70 percent faster than other industry methods. Migration sources include Box, Google Drive, Google Sites, Microsoft OneDrive and SharePoint Online, and thousands of on-premise File Servers to Dropbox Business. Co-existence between multiple data sets will be available early next year. "For the first time, partners will have the opportunity to customize and implement, beyond email, cloud projects and workloads according to customer demands," said Rocco Seyboth, Vice President, Product and Marketing, at BitTitan. "In this competitive cloud environment, it is essential that IT service providers be able to provide differentiated services and products. By forming a strategic alliance with Dropbox, we are making it easier than ever for MSPs to intelligently bundle together best-of-breed solutions like Microsoft Office 365, for example, with complementary products and services and create additional services revenue." The integration is available worldwide now at BitTitan.com. For US and Canadian managed service providers, it is also available from Ingram Micro and SYNNEX; Australian and New Zealand managed service providers can also find it from Ingram Micro. To learn more about becoming a partner and the BitTitan and Dropbox integration, check out BitTitan's partner program. For the latest news and information on BitTitan, like and follow these social media channels: Twitter: @BitTitan Facebook: www.facebook.com/BitTitan LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/BitTitan About BitTitan BitTitan revolutionizes cloud services enablement and managed services automation, empowering IT service providers to sell more cloud services, onboard more cloud workloads, and maximize customer lifetime value. Bolstered by MSPComplete, a comprehensive MSP cloud services enablement platform featuring BitTitan's globally renowned MigrationWiz technology, the company modernizes cloud services delivery, pioneering a new category of MSPs the modern MSP. Founded in 2007, BitTitan has helped over 4 million users from more than 100,000 companies spanning 125 countries adopt the cloud. BitTitan supports many leading cloud ecosystems including Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Dropbox. To learn how BitTitan gets it done and has fun doing it, visit www.BitTitan.com. Microsoft, SharePoint, Office 365, and OneDrive are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries Media Contact Aerin Meyers [email protected] 206.428.6030 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160622/382268LOGO SOURCE BitTitan Related Links http://www.bittitan.com PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Terracon, a leading provider of environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services, is pleased to name Blair Loftis as the national director of power generation and transmission. Loftis brings to the position more than 25 years of industry leadership in consulting engineering, construction management, and electric utility management. His work in the areas of operations, strategy, project management, and finance bring a unique understanding to project development and meeting client objectives. Recognized as an expert on renewable energy, Loftis leads Terracon's marketing of innovative services such as solar pile load testing and the patent-pending Pile Driving Performance Monitoring. He also published an article on the recent North Star Solar Project and supports a Terracon success story presentation at the upcoming Solar Power International conference. Looking ahead, Loftis sees even greater opportunities. "We have grown our service line by more than 59% in the past two years," he said. "That's a significant increase and a credit to the leadership and experience of our nationwide team. I look forward to capitalizing upon this momentum and continuing to find ways to provide value for our clients." Since joining the firm in 2015, Loftis has served as national program manager of renewable energy from his office in Portland, where he was responsible for leading the direction of Terracon's services to support renewable energy clients, primarily within the wind and solar energy sectors. He has worked closely to develop Terracon's professional staff to efficiently position the company for targeted opportunities and to coordinate with Terracon's scientific and engineering staff to effectively execute projects. He holds a bachelor's degree in environmental toxicology from the University of California at Davis. Loftis has authored several industry articles on energy and renewable power. He is president of a local non-profit agency, husband, father, and an avid outdoorsman. Terracon is an employee-owned engineering consulting firm with more than 3,500 employees in more than 130 offices with services available in all 50 states. Headquartered in the Kansas City metropolitan area, Terracon currently ranks 32nd on Engineering News-Record's list of Top 500 Design Firms. Terracon also recently announced the acquisition of Mayes Testing Engineers Inc. with offices in Portland, Ore., and Lynnwood (Seattle) and Tacoma, Wash. For additional information about Terracon, visit www.terracon.com. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160908/405849LOGO SOURCE Terracon Related Links http://terracon.com Donald Trump brushed off his lack of a specific policy to defeat the Islamic State terror group on Wednesday night, claiming he had a plan but did not want to broadcast it to the United States' enemies. "I have a substantial chance of winning. If I win, I don't want to broadcast to the enemy exactly what my plan is," the Republican nominee said at an NBC-hosted commander-in-chief forum in New York. The gathering was the first time both Trump and his rival Hillary Clinton have shared the same stage in this election, albeit at separate times. In a military speech this week, Trump said he would ask generals to give him a plan within 30 days to defeat ISIS. Trump said Wednesday he would consider using a combination of his own plan and proposals from the generals to fight the terror group. Trump has taken a decidedly hawkish tone on terror, once pledging to "bomb the hell" out of ISIS and repeatedly pledging to keep American safe from terror attacks at home. But he has so far given few details about he would do that and seems reluctant to do so. Trump has never held elected office, and questions about his preparation and temperament have trailed him so far in the election. Trump, when asked about his claim that he knows more than U.S. generals about ISIS, said they had been "reduced to rubble" under President Barack Obama. Trump also had few specifics to offer when asked by a veteran about what he would do in the Middle East once ISIS was defeated. After a rambling answer about what he deemed the Obama administration's failures in the Middle East, he pledged to "take the oil" to prevent groups like ISIS gaining control of the resource. "You would leave a certain group behind and you would take various sections where they have the oil ," he said, not specifying if that group would consist of American troops. During her time, Clinton also addressed ISIS during the event on Wednesday night, calling it her "highest counter-terrorism goal." Clinton said she wanted to maintain air strikes and support local troops on the ground in their fight. Story continues "We are not putting ground troops into Iraq ever again. And we are not putting ground troops into Syria," she said. Clinton declined to say outright that the country would be safer under her administration than when she took office. After the conclusion of the event on Wednesday, Clinton's campaign put out this statement: "The difference tonight could not have been more clear. Hillary Clinton showed a firm command of the issues and the qualifications, experience and judgment to be commander in chief. "In contrast, the nominee of the party of Ronald Reagan just attacked America's generals and showered praise on Russia's president. Trump sputtered his way through the forum, making clear his secret ISIS plan is no plan at all, doubling down on the idea that the military should have known better than to have men and women serve together and lying yet again about his early support for the war in Iraq." Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said: "Hillary Clinton is the wrong choice to lead America as commander-in-chief, repeatedly showing poor judgment and failed leadership on critical issues like foreign affairs and the growth of radical Islamic terrorism, and an utter tone deafness on the catastrophe at the VA. "Americans need a strong leader who will keep our country safe and secure, not a politician who can't even say she will make the country safer from terrorist threats. And her shocking claim that not a single American has died in Libya ignores the four brave Americans who fell victim to a terrorist attack on her watch." Trump and Clinton will square off directly at the first presidential debate on Sept. 26 at Hofstra University. UPDATED: This story was updated to include comments from the Clinton campaign and from RNC Chair Reince Priebus. More From CNBC SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Desert Software, is thrilled to announce today the first generation launch of AgendaTrac, a new and better way to organize, manage and document business meetings. Organizations and individuals now have the ideal solution to allow them to spend more time on what matters most, and less on administrative work related to meetings. AgendaTrac is designed to streamline and simplify the process of creating and managing a multitude of meetings, making it easy for hosts and participants to share information, track activity, and provide feedback while working as a cohesive team. Key features include: Appointments and Agenda Creation Meeting hosts can create and maintain appointments within AgendaTrac, and the ability to create custom agendas, include file attachments, and automatic distribution of invitations and agendas to all meeting participants. Parking Lot - To make sure that agenda items that don't get addressed in a meeting as planned stay on the radar, the item can be moved to the parking lot area so they can be reassigned to a future agenda when required. Meeting Minutes and Action Items - AgendaTrac isn't just for use before and after meetings, hosts can use it during the meeting to take detailed notes under each agenda item and to create tasks for actionable outcomes. Minutes from the meetings are automatically emailed to all participants as a formatted PDF document. Dashboard - The dashboard provides a quick overview of meetings scheduled for today, top 10 upcoming meetings, open action items and meetings that are past due and need to be documented, allowing the user to manage their time effectively. AgendaTrac was initially developed out of necessity for internal use by Blue Desert Software's parent organization, DMH Technologies, a professional services firm. "Our consultants were extremely busy keeping up with their normal responsibilities, let alone conduct and document back-to-back meetings every day. We needed a solution with a broad range of features, but not too complex, AgendaTrac was the perfect solution.", said Michael Huston, CEO of DMH Technologies. A no obligation, 30-day free trial is available, no credit card required. Subscription plans are available for AgendaTrac at www.agendatrac.com; plans start at $9 per month, and include free access for a limited number of meeting hosts and attendees. About Blue Desert Software LLC Blue Desert Software develops and markets cloud-based software products dedicated to optimizing performance, and improving results for both businesses and individuals. Based in Scottsdale Arizona, Blue Desert Software is a division of DMH Technologies, Inc. Related Links https://www.agendatrac.com This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com SOURCE Blue Desert Software Related Links http://www.agendatrac.com NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Global consulting agency and Salesforce Global Strategic Partner Bluewolf (www.bluewolf.com), an IBM Company, announced its plans for a significantly enhanced presence at Dreamforce 2016, the world's largest software event. A partner of Salesforce for more than 15 years, Bluewolf is recognized as the exclusive 'Experience' sponsor at this year's show, reflecting the company's continued global leadership in customer experience and cognitive strategy, and an expanded commitment to helping companies of all sizes drive end-to-end solutions with Salesforce. This year, IBM and Bluewolf will bring a unique brand presence through its "Experience Playground." Located in the Dreampark, attendees can participate in exciting sensory experiences directly on-site, including intelligent and virtual reality experiences with which attendees can engage. Recognized as a global leader in the Salesforce implementation ecosystem, Bluewolf has delivered more than 10,000 successful Salesforce projects for companies including T-Mobile, Stanley Black & Decker, Australia Post, and Wendy's. "We are going bigger on Salesforce in every capacity, and showcasing powerful multi-cloud customer transformations at Dreamforce," said Eric Berridge, CEO of Bluewolf. "We know the platform inside and out, and together with IBM, we have the global scale, agility, end-to-end strategy, and proprietary technology-driven methodology to get companies to the future now." Engage with Bluewolf at Dreamforce here: Keep up-to-date on Bluewolf at Dreamforce 2016: http://dreamforce.bluewolf.com Meet Bluewolf and IBM experts at several Dreamforce locations: Booth #1205 and The State of Salesforce Booth #316 in Moscone South The "Experience Playground" in the Dreampark, on Howard Street between 3rd and 4th Street In the Sales, Marketing, Lightning, Service and Industry Dreamforce Lodges, as well as the Dev Zone At the Apttus Sales lounge in the Marriott Marquis, co-hosted by Bluewolf Join Bluewolf CEO Eric Berridge's super session on "AI and the Future of Customer Experience," at the Yerba Buena Forum, Wednesday, October 5 , 10 a.m. PDT . Register now. super session on "AI and the Future of Customer Experience," at the Yerba Buena Forum, , . Register now. Attend Bluewolf's annual Women Innovators Network event at the Neiman Marcus Rotunda, Wednesday, October 5 , 4-7 p.m. PDT . Request an invite: http://dreamforce.bluewolf.com For every five WIN attendees, Bluewolf will donate $25 and consulting hours to ChickTech, as part of its Pledge 1% commitment. , . Request an invite: http://dreamforce.bluewolf.com Celebrate the releases of CEO Eric Berridge's book "Customer Obsessed," with foreword by Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff , and Bluewolf's The State of Salesforce Report at Novela Bar, Thursday, October 6 , 6-10 p.m. PDT . Request an invite: http://dreamforce.bluewolf.com. book "Customer Obsessed," with foreword by Salesforce CEO , and Bluewolf's Report at Novela Bar, , . Request an invite: http://dreamforce.bluewolf.com. Pick up your copy of The State of Salesforce Report. This is Bluewolf's fifth-annual report on how the best companies use Salesforce, based on data from more than 1,700 Salesforce customers and in-depth interviews with executives around the world leading Salesforce innovation at their companies. About Bluewolf Bluewolf, an IBM Company, is a global consulting agency that builds digital solutions designed to create results. Now. We're the proven Salesforce strategic partner for a reason -- our technology-driven method combines our team's years of experience with cloud solutions that continually connect our clients with their customers. We specialize in leading cloud technologies like Salesforce, but our clients come to Bluewolf for so much more than our technical expertise. We serve a community of future-focused industry leaders dedicated to building the next generation of digital experiences. The way we see it, when business is done in real time on the cutting edge, it's always now. For more information, visit www.bluewolf.com. Salesforce and others are trademarks of salesforce.com, Inc. Media Contact: Tammy Chan Bluewolf, an IBM Company +1 415-692-4400 [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160725/392792LOGO SOURCE Bluewolf, an IBM Company Related Links http://www.bluewolf.com WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being released by the Irish National Caucus: Recently released British/Northern Ireland Office (NIO) State Papers have caused considerable interest, and have given further insight into how the British Embassy spied on Irish-Americans. The Papers were released the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI), and cover the period 1980 to 1989. The Papers were released under the "30/20 rule" the phased release of official documents that were previously secret for 30 years, but are to be released after 20 years. (Google PRONI CAIN for the released Papers). As always, such released Papers are of intense interest to historians, the media and all those concerned about the history of The Troubles in Northern Ireland. Not, of course, that the full truth is ever revealed by the British Government. Fr. Sean Mc ManusPresident of the Capitol Hill-based Irish National Caucus whose life-long work always features in such Papers, said: "This time the Papers are of particular interest for a two-fold reason: (1) they reveal how deeply worried the British Government was about our Mac Bride Principles campaign (which they accurately state is 'largely instigated by the Irish National Caucus'; and (2) the Papers reveal how the British Embassy penetrated and spied on Irish-American organizations. One of the released papers, titled "Irish American Unity Conference [IAUC]," consists of a report dated October 10, 1985, by the British Embassy to the Head of the Civil Service in Northern Ireland, Ken Bloomfield. (Yes, the same Mr. Bloomfield, whom another released State Paper exposed as outrageously stating that the Catholics in West Belfast are "alienated from normal civilized behavior"). The Paper gives a Report on the IAUC meeting in Philadelphia, August 23-25, 1985, and explains how one of the IAUC Members, Steve Ryan, monitoring the meeting was spying for the British Embassy. The Report lists a number of those present at the meeting, several members of Irish Northern Aid, and others, including Bob Linnon who would become the president of the IAUC (1987-1995), and a Ms. Patricia O'Hagan, Chairperson of the New York IAUC. The Report exposes, "the IAUC's intense rivalry with Fr. Sean Mc Manus and the Irish National Caucus," and that "... the meeting revealed a deep hatred of Father Sean Mc Manus among the IAUC elite." The Report states Ms, O'Hagan, "declared she 'hated' McManus.' When asked to comment, Fr. Mc Manus said: "I have a life-long policy of not responding to personal attacks. But I have to make an exception in this case as it is not really a personal attack but one gloried in, and recorded by the British Embassy. It is sad and pathetic that at the height of the Mac Bride Principles campaignwhich I initiated with Sean Mc Bride's personal consent and which I launched on November 5, 1984 that the Brits could report that another Irish organization was spending its time in attacking me. How absurd and traitorous is that! Fr. Mc Manus explained: "However, I do not take all that stuff personally. My "feelings" are not hurt because on the Irish issue I don't do feelings. I do analysis and discernment: because of my life-long experience and background, I can figure out from whence come the constant, systematic attempts to sabotage my work. And it has ALWAYS come, one way or another, from the British Embassy, and, at least in the early years, from the Irish Embassy. Thus it has always been. For example, I follow a rule of thumb, which is also a good religious principle: if one never had a personal confrontation or had personally offended a person, then an attack from such a person can never be "personal." Something else is always behind it. In all my 44 years in America, and in all my Irish activity, I've never had a personal fight or a nasty confrontation with any person on the Irish issue. And even though I have received hundreds of thousands of letters, phone-calls and emails, not one person has ever outlined to me what they disagreed with in my work. And that is because no genuine Irish person could reasonably oppose the main pillars of my life's work on Irish justice. However, any time anyone contacted me to make individual suggestions as to how I could do my work better, I always listened with great respect and attention. And I will always be eternally grateful for the huge and splendid individual and collective support I've received over all these years." Fr. Mc Manus continued: "Regarding Ms. O'Hagan: I had never heard of her and I've no idea who she is. Therefore, I know her attack was not personal. She was willingly or unknowingly used by one of the aforementioned Embassies. It also must not be forgotten that Denis Donaldson, a British Agent was later in the late 90's placed in charge of the Irish Northern Aid Office in New York City. So for a crucial period, a British Agent was telling members of Irish Northern Aid and other Irish organizations what to believe and what to do. In fairness, it could be said Michael Flannery was probably too old to be held responsible, but the younger New York City Irish Northern Aid leaders and spoke persons, and those in charge of the Irish People newspaper, must surely accept some responsibility and blame. I know if I had placed a British Agent in charge of the office of the Irish National Caucus, I would never hear the end of it, nor should I." Fr. Mc Manus concluded: "However, in all of this pathetic stuff, the central issue is: By what right and under what law is the British Embassy or, indeed, the Irish Embassy entitled to spy on Americans who are exercising their Constitutional rights? What has the State Department to say about this? What if the Soviet/Russian or China embassies were spying and recruiting spies in the United States, would the State Department be silent?" Fr. Sean Mc Manus President Irish National Caucus P.O. BOX 15128 Capitol Hill Washington, DC 20003-0849 Tel. 202-544-0568 Fax. 202-488-7537 [email protected] SOURCE Irish National Caucus "The 'scene and experience based' marketing model of Brookstone is dedicated to creating the most fulfilling shopping space for consumers" said Xin Kexia, Chairman of Brookstone China and President of HiSap. "This is a brand new retail concept for airport travellers in China, who tend to be higher-educated people with senior positions and appreciable incomes. They also have plenty of time during the airport experience to discover and shop new brands." In China, Brookstone is quickly becoming known for providing "Easy Surprises," or items that are amazingly useful, yet simple in design. The stores are built around creating interactive and entertaining shopping experiences, where guests are encouraged to try each item for themselves. Brookstone associates are trained not to act as traditional salespeople or shopping guides. They act more as friendly experts who explore the fun of novelty products together with customers. Situated at Gates C 13/C 14, the Beijing Capital Airport store is seventh Brookstone store location to open in China in 2016, and features a wide assortment of innovative, useful and novelty items designed to appeal to airport travelers. The products include checkpoint-friendly luggage, u-shaped travel pillows, massage devices, automatic wine openers, power banks, Nap blankets and two of Brookstone's most popular items in China this year: multi-colored kinetic Sand and Cat Ear Headphones. The assortment strategy, as in the U.S. Brookstone stores, is to provide the perfect combination of travel gear and take-home gifts. Airport retail--now taking off in China In recent years, airport passenger throughput in China is averaging an annual growth of 10%. This growth in foot traffic is making many large airports the shopping centers of cities. "This makes airports a good place to introduce and promote brands," said Kexia. "With its highly interactive, hands-on environment, Brookstone will fill the gap for customers increasingly looking for novelty experiences and products." An American Brand Takes Root in China Since the beginning of 2016, when the first Brookstone store was launched in Nanjing, this 50-year-old retail brand from the U.S. has quickly taken root in the Chinese market. In the wake of the successful Nanjing store launch, Brookstone flagship stores have made grand openings in Shanghai and Suzhou. A History of Brookstone Innovation The U.S.-based Brookstone is a retailer that is committed to creating a fun and interactive shopping experience for customers, providing them with multi-functional, uniquely designed, and hard-to-find quality products. Brookstone's early products-mini pliers, ring-shaped hacksaws, precision drilling tools, chisels and engraving kit - were sold via mail orders. It was not until 1973 that Brookstone opened its first brick-and-mortar retail store in Peterborough, NH. Today Brookstone offers a diverse collection of exclusive, uniquely designed, high-quality products through a multi-channel strategy including 218 shopping mall and airport stores across the US, Puerto Rico, and China. After 50 years of development, Brookstone has become synonymous with innovative products. It not only has in-house R&D teams, but also discovers the latest and most intelligent products from all over the world, and helps launch exciting products from today's most innovative makers. About Sanpower Group In 2014, Sanpower Group joined hands with Sailing Capital and GE Capital to purchase and operate Brookstone, and introduce its advanced product innovation ideas, supply chain, and unique operating model to China. By virtue of its marketing channel, Sanpower Group is committed to helping Brookstone expand the Chinese market and build a chain brand for novelty goods in China. For more information, visit Brookstone.com and follow them at Twitter.com/Brookstone and Facebook.com/Brookstone. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160908/405540 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160908/405539 SOURCE Sanpower Group VANCOUVER, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Capstone Mining Corp. ("Capstone") (TSX: CS) today announced that management will attend the following investor conference: Credit Suisse 2016 Global Steel & Mining Conference in London, UK . Darren Pylot , President and CEO will be attending on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 . Capstone's most recent corporate presentation is available at: http://capstonemining.com/investors/events-and-presentations/default.aspx. About Capstone Mining Corp. Capstone Mining Corp. is a Canadian base metals mining company, focused on copper. We are committed to the responsible development of our assets and the environments in which we operate. Our three producing mines are the Pinto Valley copper mine located in Arizona, US, the Cozamin copper-silver mine in Zacatecas State, Mexico and the Minto copper mine in Yukon, Canada. In addition, Capstone has two development projects; the large scale 70% owned copper-iron Santo Domingo project in Region III, Chile, in partnership with Korea Resources Corporation, and the 100% owned Kutcho copper-zinc project in British Columbia, Canada, as well as exploration properties in Chile and US. Capstone's strategy is to focus on the optimization of operations and assets in politically stable, mining-friendly regions, centred in the Americas. Our headquarters are in Vancouver, Canada and we are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). Further information is available at www.capstonemining.com. SOURCE Capstone Mining Corp. Related Links www.capstonemining.com CAMPBELL, Calif., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ChargePoint, the world's largest and most open electric vehicle (EV) charging network, today announced the addition of Colleen Jansen to its leadership team. As the company's Chief Marketing Officer, Jansen will oversee the company's marketing efforts to EV charging station owners, drivers and industry partners across a number of verticals, including workplace, commercial real estate, utilities and residences. "Colleen's deep expertise in business-to-business and business-to-consumer marketing is a perfect fit for our dual audiences of EV charging station owners and drivers," said Pasquale Romano, CEO of ChargePoint. "Communicating the benefits of EV charging to multiple stakeholders is key to our success, and we're excited to have Colleen on board to generate awareness and education among key stakeholders as transportation continues to evolve." "I've been driving an EV for five years, so I understand the rewards of driving electric firsthand and am excited to show others the value of driving a better way," said Jansen. "The EV charging market will continue to grow rapidly as EV adoption accelerates and I look forward to working with the ChargePoint team to shape this market and deepen our leadership position." Jansen is a marketing strategist with 20 years of experience in business-to-consumer and business-to-business marketing in early stage privately held companies, as well as publicly traded firms, including Intuit, LinkedIn, Yahoo and Microsoft. Prior to joining ChargePoint, she was Vice President, Marketing at Jive Software, where she established Jive's position in the collaboration market, recast the mobile strategy and won leadership positions in all category reports. Previously, Jansen led global marketing at LinkedIn, driving awareness and member growth alongside a rapidly growing member base of 330 million. In addition, her team successfully entered new markets around the world. She holds a B.S. from California State University, Fresno. About ChargePoint ChargePoint is the largest and most open electric vehicle (EV) charging network in the world, with more than 30,000 independently owned charging spots that are easy for EV drivers to find and use at home, at work, around town and out of town. Leading EV hardware makers and other partners rely on the ChargePoint network to make charging station details available in mobile apps, online and in navigation systems for popular EVs. ChargePoint drivers have completed more than 17.9 million charging sessions, saving upwards of 17.2 million gallons of gasoline and driving over 411 million gas-free miles. For more information, visit www.chargepoint.com. Logo- http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160722/392419LOGO SOURCE ChargePoint Related Links http://www.chargepoint.com MINDEN, Nevada, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 6, 2016 Dr. Sjon Westre has been named Vice President of Technology for CHEMEON Surface Technology. He is a proven innovator and recognized subject matter expert in light metal finishing, with emphasis on anodizing and conversion coating solutions for the semiconductor and aerospace industries. Dr. Westre will lead CHEMEON's development of environmentally responsible coating and seal alternatives to hexavalent chrome, for use on light metals. His focus will include the creation and optimization of new conversion coating and anodizing chemistries and processes, development of analytical procedures, and management of the CHEMEON Laboratory, Training Center and Technical Support Group. Dr. Westre will also oversee the expansion of the CHEMEON laboratory team to accommodate the growing demand for CHEMEON Research and Development of advanced corrosion protection surface technology. Madylon Meiling, Ph.D., CEO of CHEMEON Surface Technology, shares: "We look forward to Dr. Westre leveraging his knowledge of environmentally responsible surface technology and his passion for innovation to focus on solutions for our global client base of prime contractors, OEM, military, captive and job shops, as they look to meet the EU sunset date September 2017. Sjon's experience in the light metal finishing industry is unparalleled, and Sjon's leadership style is collaborative, process-focused, and analytical. We are excited about Sjon's expansion of the CHEMEON R&D team, taking projects from innovation to commercialization, and exceeding expectations." Dr. Westre received his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from The University of California at Davis and a BS degree in Chemistry with a Physics minor from Cal State, Sacramento. Prior to joining the CHEMEON team, Dr. Westre spent the last decade as Senior Scientist for Modern Industries in Phoenix, where CHEMEON chemistry and technology has been in use for a number for years. Prior to that, Dr. Westre was Technical Director of METALAST International LLC, where his innovations included anodizing process development and QPL certification for the patented Trivalent Chrome Pretreatment that is now known industry-wide as CHEMEON TCP-HF. Prior to that, Dr. Westre was a Research Scientist at Mosaic Industries in Silicon Valley, where he developed custom hardware and software for trace gas detection instruments. Sjon began his career as an analytical chemist at Analytical Associates, Inc. in Sacramento. Dr. Westre shares, "I am excited for the opportunity to be part of the vision that the Meilings and CHEMEON have set forth in the replacement of hexavalent chrome and other toxic chemical compounds. My past career work, involving the original development of the Trivalent Chrome Pretreatment CHEMEON TCP-HF, and creating CHEMEON's training program, 'Anodizing Best Practices and Troubleshooting,' all provide a fast track to further innovation and optimization." Dr. Westre has published numerous technical papers in the fields of Molecular Physics and Analytical Chemistry. He also lectured at technical conferences as well as acted as an instructor for undergraduates at UCD. ABOUT CHEMEON Surface Technology CHEMEON Surface Technology is the only Woman Owned Small Business in the world that is licensed by the US Navy to manufacture and provide MIL-SPEC QPD/QPL Hex Free/Trivalent Chromate Conversion Technology. CHEMEON's patented and proprietary chemistries are internationally recognized for providing environmentally responsible hard material, surface engineering treatments and solutions. Learn more at: www.chemeon.com For more information about CHEMEON, visit www.chemeon.com or call +1 775.782.8324. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160418/356536LOGO SOURCE CHEMEON Surface Technology Related Links http://www.chemeon.com CHICAGO, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Superintendent Eddie Johnson, the head of the Chicago Police Department, told AM560 'The Morning Answer' hosts, for Upstream Ideas, Dan Proft and Amy Jacobson, that stricter sentencing laws will help bring down the city's spiraling murder and gun violence rate, to levels seen in Los Angeles and New York. Johnson, speaking after a Labor Day weekend that saw the murder rate break the 500 mark, and with shootings approaching 3,000, blamed "about 1,400 individuals who are repeat gun offenders" for driving the violence. Five districts out of 25 are "driving the violence," and "out of those five, three of them are seeing the majority of the gun violence in the city", the superintendent told Proft and Jacobson. "The biggest difference between Chicago and LA and New York is this: LA and New York have real strict sentencing laws as opposed to Chicago," he said. "So in New York if you get caught with a gun the first time around, you do three and a half years in prison no matter what." In LA, Johnson said, authorities have a "Use a Gun and You're Done" rule, which means 10 years are tacked on to a sentence for the use of a gun in the commission of a crime. "Those two cities have stricter gun sentencing laws so if we can get that, that would help us hold these repeat offenders more accountable," Johnson said. The police chief said Mayor Rahm Emanuel, whose office has indicated more officers will be hired, will talk about increased manpower in the coming weeks. "He and I have discussed that frequently," Johnson said. "More than manpower, we have to ensure that we use the manpower that we have efficiently." Johnson was asked about remarks he made on NBC Nightly News Tuesday, when he said gun violence was not a police issue. "Yeah, the police don't cause the crime," he said. "Crime is caused by a lot of different variables. You have a lot of social ills that contribute to crime." Johnson added, "The three police districts that I was speaking of that drive most of our violence are impoverished neighborhoods. They need economic support, jobs, better education, housing, but more importantly in a lot of these neighborhoods we need parents to step up and be parents because all this stuff starts at home." Law enforcement is facing deep scrutiny across the country, but especially in Chicago, Johnson said. "The level of disrespect that you see out there toward police officers from the community it's just I've never seen it like this," he said. Johnson dismissed the idea that the National Guard might be brought in, arguing their members are not trained to deal with "domestic issues." About Upstream Ideas Upstream Ideas, under the leadership of Dan Proft one of Illinois' sharpest political minds, provides expository content with new information and fresh perspectives meant to inform policy discussions, debunk faulty premises and challenge accepted orthodoxies. Proft is one of Chicago's most-respected talk radio personalities and a senior fellow at the Illinois Policy Institute, a free-market think tank. He is also a frequent editorial contributor to the Chicago Tribune. SOURCE Upstream Ideas Related Links http://www.upstream-ideas.com "The Peery Hotel is a truly special property that takes you back to the rich history of the region, while offering the modern luxuries expected of today's discerning traveler. That is at the core of the Ascend Hotel Collection," said Janis Cannon, senior vice president of upscale brands for Choice Hotels. "This historic hotel's architecture is rooted in the early prairie and classical revival style, strengthening the Ascend Hotel Collection's diverse portfolio of distinctive independent hotels and resorts that guests seek out for a truly immersive experience." The Peery Hotel, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, went through extensive restoration and renovations to provide guests with a fresh way to feel a part of local history with its unique design and art throughout its walls that nod to the railroad and mining industry, an integral part of Salt Lake City's past. The hotel features two new independent specialty restaurants, The Oak Wood Fire Kitchen and Aristo's, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2016. The hotel is located close to many popular attractions in downtown Salt Lake City, including the Salt Palace Convention Center, Vivint Smart Home Arena, Temple Square, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, The Gateway Mall, among many others. "We're excited to play homage to the railroad and mining industries of Salt Lake City's past through this beautifully renovated historic property, and we are thankful for the partnership with the Ascend Hotel Collection," said Sid Patel, Regional Manager, Marin Management, Inc. "Through Ascend, Choice Hotels has given us the ability to expand and be seen globally while still empowering us with the freedom to realize our vision for The Peery Hotel. We are grateful to be backed by Choice's indisputable reputation and all of the resources they provide. It has equipped us to continue to deliver on our promise to deliver a superior experience to our guests, as well as the benefits of the Choice Privileges rewards program." The 73-room hotel features an architecturally unique aesthetic, great views of downtown Salt Lake City, and Tempur-Pedic beds that include premium triple sheeting and down comforters to ensure guests have a comfortable stay. Rooms range from a Classic Queen to a King Suite, which sleeps up to 4 people. All rooms include: Complimentary Wireless Internet Cable TV Iron/Ironing Board Non-smoking Air Conditioning Hair Dryer Sofa Bed Gilchrist & Soames Bath Amenities The Ascend Hotel Collection offers unique, historic and boutique best-in-class options for guests pursuing authentic, local experiences in exciting urban and worldwide locations. For a complete listing of properties, visit www.choicehotels.com/ascend. Ascend Hotel Collection: let the destination reach you. The best travel experiences can't be found in a guidebook. That's why the one-of-a-kind, upscale properties in the Ascend Hotel Collection membership program let you focus on your destination in a whole new way. Each Ascend hotel is a unique reflection of its local community, with staff committed to sharing their insider knowledge of the places, moments and experiences that makes each destination special. You'll discover hidden treasures off the beaten path, and find the true local flavor you crave. About Choice Hotels Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the world's largest lodging companies. With more than 6,400 hotels franchised in more than 40 countries and territories, Choice Hotels International represents more than 500,000 rooms around the globe. As of June 30, 2016, 673 hotels were in our development pipeline. Our company's Ascend Hotel Collection, Cambria hotels & suites, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Sleep Inn, Quality, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, and Vacation Rentals by Choice Hotels brands provide a spectrum of lodging choices to meet guests' needs. With more than 28 million members and counting, our Choice Privileges rewards program enhances every trip a guest takes, with benefits ranging from instant, every day rewards to exceptional experiences, starting right when they join. All hotels and vacation rentals are independently owned and operated. Visit us at www.choicehotels.com for more information. About Marin Management, Inc., Headquartered in Sausalito, California, is celebrating its 26th year as a full-service hotel and restaurant management company. The company provides a variety of management, consulting, sales-support, acquisition and development services in the U.S. and internationally for the lodging, restaurant, spa, resort and mixed-use hotel industries. Marin Management currently operates 25 hotels throughout California, Arizona, Washington, Texas, Wyoming and Utah and is expanding into other states. Marin Management operates full-service and limited-service hotels affiliated with 14 brands of major international franchisers, such as Hilton Hotels Corporation, Wyndham International, Choice Hotels International, Carlson Hotels Worldwide, Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG) and other franchisors. The company also operates unique independent hotels, such as Bay Landing Hotel, San Francisco International Airport, The Vineyard Country Inn and Wine Country in St. Helena, California, Carlin Cottages, Calistoga, CA, The Napa Winery Inn in Napa CA. and The Peery Hotel in Salt Lake City and the Ben Lomond in Ogden, Utah. 2016. Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160908/405497 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160908/405498 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131015/NE98133LOGO-a SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc. Related Links http://www.choicehotels.com HAYWARD, Calif., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Chrono Therapeutics, a pioneer in digital drug therapy and recent recipient of the World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer Award, today announced that it has closed a $47.6 million Series B financing. The round was led by Kaiser Permanente Ventures and included investments by Endeavour Vision, Xeraya Capital Labuan Ltd, Asahi Kasei, Emergent Medical Partners, Hikma Ventures, Cota Capital, and Mission Bay Capital. Chrono will use the funding to advance the clinical development of its smoking cessation platform and investigate other applications that can leverage its personalized drug therapy platform. In association with the financing, Liz Rockett, Director of Kaiser Permanente Ventures, was named to Chrono Therapeutics' board of directors. Existing investors, including Canaan Partners, 5AM Ventures, Fountain Healthcare Partners, GE Ventures, and Mayo Clinic, participated in the round. "Chrono Therapeutics' platform has the potential to more effectively address nicotine addiction, a leading cause of death and illness around the world and a significant public health challenge," said Rockett. "According to the CDC, over forty percent of smokers try to quit each year, only a fraction of them succeed. We expect our investment to help Chrono achieve its mission to dramatically improve the tools that help people quit smoking." Chrono's platform combines biologically-timed drug delivery, embedded sensor technology to monitor compliance, and connected and personalized behavior change support. The platform's first application tackles smoking cessation. Timed delivery of medication may offer benefits for other indications, including opioid addiction, Parkinson's disease, and pain management. "We have made tremendous progress in developing our technology to help people quit smoking, one of the lowest cost ways to improve health and reduce healthcare costs," said Alan Levy, Ph.D., chairman and CEO of Chrono. "This financing will bring us closer to commercializing our system for smoking cessation and also enable us to dive more deeply into other applications where we can make a major impact and save lives." Chrono's wearable transdermal drug delivery device times nicotine delivery to when smokers have their strongest cravings. Studies show that 75% of all smokers reach for their first cigarette within 30 minutes of waking up. The Chrono solution is designed to deliver the first dose of nicotine replacement therapy shortly before the smoker wakes up and to create a pattern of "peaks and troughs" of nicotine delivery throughout the rest of the day to ensure the smoker has more nicotine support when cravings are predicted to be strongest. In a recent clinical trial of adult male smokers, Chrono's smoking cessation technology demonstrated a clinically meaningful and statistically significant reduction in nicotine cravings. "Chrono's technology is the first of its kind and holds the potential to significantly improve the way we provide an end-to-end patient-centered solution for those people struggling with addiction and chronic neurological diseases," said Wende Hutton of Canaan Partners. "We welcome our new investors and look forward to the additional experience and perspective they will bring to Chrono. Kaiser Permanente Ventures' insights into delivering value-based pharmaceutical offerings to managed care environments and Endeavour Vision's experience in international markets will add significant value to this exciting company." About Chrono Therapeutics Effective care of the most hard-to-treat conditions requires approaches beyond simply taking medicine. Chrono's team is developing a next generation transdermal drug delivery wearable that integrates biologically-timed drug delivery with personalized digital support to help people achieve optimal clinical outcomes and lifestyle improvements. Chrono's first application is in smoking cessation, enabling smokers to overcome the world's deadliest addiction. For more information, visit www.chronothera.com. SOURCE Chrono Therapeutics Related Links http://www.chronothera.com EUGENE, Ore., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- College Choice, a leading authority in college and university rankings and resources, has published its 2016 rankings for the Most Affordable Online Bachelors in Human Resource Management Degrees and the Most Affordable Online Masters in Human Resources Degrees. http://www.collegechoice.net/rankings/most-affordable-online-bachelors-in-human-resource-management-degrees/ http://www.collegechoice.net/rankings/most-affordable-online-masters-in-human-resources-degrees/ An online education for human resources managers and professionals continues to be the best and most affordable way to pay for an education that will see students move into leadership and administrative roles. Still, it can be difficult to know which school would be best for students. That's why College Choice made two separate rankings to look at the affordability of programs across the country that deal with human resources majors. Christian Amondson, Managing Editor of College Choice, responded to a question about the necessity of human resource managers by saying: "As companies grow, HR managers are needed to protect and encourage that growth. And nearly every industryhealthcare, start-ups, IT and tech, education, the sciences, criminal justice, and moreneeds HR representation." The Most Affordable Online Bachelors in Human Resource Management Degrees and the Most Affordable Online Masters in Human Resources Degrees were created using much of the same data. Factors like a school's academic reputation and special accreditations, overall tuition costs, financial aid offerings and more were used to create the list. The information was collected using individual schools' websites and reputable statistics websites. The College Choice 2016 ranking for Most Affordable Online Bachelors in Human Resource Management Degrees is led by Western International University. The University of Arkansas and Florida International University round out the top three spots in the ranking. National University took top honors on the College Choice 2016 ranking for Most Affordable Online Masters in Human Resources Degrees. It was followed closely by Johnson and Wales University and Concordia University in St. Paul. The complete rankings are as follows: Bellevue University, Bellevue, NE Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO Concordia University St. Paul, Saint Paul, MN Fisher College, Boston, MA Florida International University, Miami, FL Granite State College, Concord, NH Johnson and Wales University, Providence, RI Lasell College, Newton, MA Limestone College, Gaffney, SC McKendree University, Lebanon, IL National University, La Jolla, CA St. Mary's University of Minnesota, Winona, MN Tarleton State University, Stephenville, TX University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR Western International University, Tempe, AZ Wilmington University, New Castle, DE College Choice is the leading authority in college and university rankings, searches and resources dedicated to helping students and their families find the right college. The site publishes rankings and reviews that make finding the best colleges for different interests easier and more fun, as well as resources to help students get into, pay for, and thrive at the college of their choice. Contact: Christian Amondson Managing Editor, College Choice Web: http://collegechoice.net Email Phone: (541) 255-3801 SOURCE CollegeChoice.net Related Links http://collegechoice.net BOSTON, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Predictive AI SaaS company for the networking industry, Connected2Fiber, has raised $1.12 million in venture funding for market expansion. The Seed investment round was led by Nauta Capital. Connected2Fiber, is a Boston based SaaS Marketplace Enablement Platform specifically built for the telecom network industry. Connected2Fiber uses data science, artificial intelligence and predictive analytics in a cloud-based system that helps B2B telecom network suppliers identify their best customer prospects, and B2B network buyers identify their best suppliers. The platform enables users to visualize critical information internally, and to ensure network intelligence is exchanged securely to conform to the customers' buying process. The system intelligently correlates new events that drive incremental demand to the industry, as well as continuously profiling locations and companies with proximity to the fiber networks. Connected2Fiber's customers are primarily fiber based network operators. There are over 2,500 suppliers, 50,000 intermediaries and 10M B2B buyers in the US alone. Connected2Fiber solves the fragmentation and complexity that today limits adoption. Speaking on the investment Ben Edmond, CEO of Connected2Fiber said the purpose of this raise is to allow the company to accelerate the build out of its patent pending and recently launched, Connected World Prediction Engine, and to drive growth through an application ecosystem, channel partners and internal sales and marketing resources. "Nauta has been a great partner to date. We are excited about their funding of Connected2Fiber. Our goal is to simplify the $300 billion global networking industry, with a platform that allows buyers and sellers of connectivity to understand who has what where, and how, and when to best engage the market with that intelligence." Speaking on their investment, Dominic Endicott, Boston based General Partner with Nauta Capital said, "Connected2Fiber has built a platform that helps network operators see their assets with market context and engage. Their cloud-based model today eliminates manual processes such as Excel, Google Earth, Outlook and shared file systems, accelerating speed to market. However, we are really excited to fund roll-out of the Connected World Prediction Engine and its associated machine learning algorithms. We believe Connected2Fiber will change how companies buy and sell connectivity, first in the US, then globally." About Connected2Fiber, Inc. Connected2Fiber helps the network industry transact and improve its return on marketing investment with the industry's only SaaS marketplace enablement platform that combines Account Based Marketing, Location Intelligence with predictive algorithms that learns how to improve results. The platform helps network owners and network buyers improve transparency, speed and effectiveness with information, automation and predictive algorithms. Connected2Fiber is based in Hopkinton, MA, and was founded in 2015 by Ben Edmond. The Connected World was built to provide a better way to view, share, manage, learn and engage at a location level for networks. See http://www.connected2fiber.com/ for more. About Nauta Capital Nauta Capital is a Venture Capital firm investing in early stage technology companies. Main areas of interest include B2B Software propositions, disruptive Digital Media companies, and enabling technologies for Mobile and the Internet. Nauta has $260 million under management and invests in Western Europe and the USA. Nauta has presence in London (UK), Boston, MA (USA), and Barcelona (Spain). Nauta has led investments in 30+ companies including GreatCall, Campussims, Eyeview Digital, Airsense Wireless, Rifiniti, ContentRaven,, InCrowd, Brandwatch, Scytl, Fizzback, , Basekit, ForceManager, Marfeel, Aba English, Getapp, Privalia and Social Point. See http://nautacapital.com for more SOURCE Connected2Fiber, Inc. Related Links http://www.connected2fiber.com With well over 50 software training sessions on the latest product updates, future roadmaps, networking events, user groups, and live demos of new software, builders will learn to maximize each area of their software, and to further streamline the flow of information between them. From analysts to CEOs, superintendents and managers, attendees can expect to come away with actionable insights and spend time with 200 of their peers with similar experiences and solutions to share. "Every day, we work with builders looking for new efficiencies in technologies and operations," says Chris Graham, Vice President of Constellation HomeBuilder Systems. "We discuss new products and features, user training and adoption, and best practices, benchmarking and industry trends. Spending two days at the Constellation conference brings all of this together with builders like you." The conference features Amazon.com #1 bestselling author Garrison Wynn, revealing the secret to how influence beats logic, and helping builders improve communication across departments. An expert in operational excellence and customer satisfaction, Charlie Scott will present best practices on how builders can impact buyer satisfaction throughout the build cycle and down the road. Charlie is well-known to the industry: as judge of the National Housing Quality Awards, an author and a contributing editor for Professional Builder Magazine, and Director of Woodland, O'Brien & Scott, recently acquired by Constellation HomeBuilder Systems. Attendees will also see innovative products and services from Constellation's partners and sponsors: DocuSign, G.1440, informXL and Progress will help builders keep ahead of the competition. The Constellation HomeBuilder Systems annual customer conference has grown to become a primary industry event for builders. Seats are limited, and the conference is expected to sell out before the deadline of October 14. Register today! About the event: 2016 Customer Conference: Building Cities, Creating Connections Constellation HomeBuilder Systems November 14-16 | Chicago, IL JW Marriot Chicago About Constellation HomeBuilder Systems: Constellation HomeBuilder Systems builds software solutions for private and public production home builders, and efficient custom builders. Their innovative solutions empower builders with information, driving business objectives from website to warranty. Constellation HomeBuilder Systems is the home building software division of Constellation Software Inc., an international provider of market-leading software and services for specialized industries, and is traded publicly on the Toronto Stock Exchange. For more information, please contact: Elmira Abushayeva Director of Marketing, Constellation HomeBuilder Systems 888-723-2222 [email protected] SOURCE Constellation HomeBuilder Systems Related Links http://www.constellationhb.com LONDON, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Synopsis In real terms, Morocco's construction industry is set to perform relatively well over the forecast-period (20162020), compared to the review period (20112015). The industry's growth over the forecast period will be driven by investment in infrastructure, energy and residential construction projects. The industry's output value in real terms is expected to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.07% over the forecast period, up from 1.26% during the review period. Government efforts to improve transport infrastructure will support industry growth over the forecast period. Plans to increase energy production in the country are also expected to support funding in energy infrastructure projects. In the first quarter of 2016, a consortium consisting of the Moroccan energy company Nareva, Germany's Siemens Wind Power and Italy's Enel Green Power announced plans to develop five wind power projects in the country, with 850MW in combined generation capacity. Due to urbanization and population growth, demand for construction services is set to rise. Investment in social housing projects will also support industry growth. The government is seeking help from private investors to improve the country's infrastructure. The government plans to launch the country's first construction project as a public-private partnership (PPP) in 2016. Summary Timetric's Construction in Morocco Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020 report provides detailed market analysis, information and insights into the Moroccan construction industry including: - Moroccan construction industry's growth prospects by market, project type and construction activity - Analysis of equipment, material and service costs for each project type in Morocco - Critical insight into the impact of industry trends and issues, and the risks and opportunities they present to participants in the Moroccan construction industry - Profiles of the leading operators in the Moroccan construction industry - Data highlights of the largest construction projects in Morocco Scope - This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the construction industry in Morocco It provides: - Historical (2011-2015) and forecast (2016-2020) valuations of the construction industry in Morocco using construction output and value-add methods - Segmentation by sector (commercial, industrial, infrastructure, energy and utilities, institutional and residential) and by project type - Breakdown of values within each project type, by type of activity (new construction, repair and maintenance, refurbishment and demolition) and by type of cost (materials, equipment and services) - Analysis of key construction industry issues, including regulation, cost management, funding and pricing - Detailed profiles of the leading construction companies in Morocco Reasons To Buy - Identify and evaluate market opportunities using Timetric's standardized valuation and forecasting methodologies. - Assess market growth potential at a micro-level with over 600 time-series data forecasts. - Understand the latest industry and market trends. - Formulate and validate strategy using Timetric's critical and actionable insight. - Assess business risks, including cost, regulatory and competitive pressures. - Evaluate competitive risk and success factors. Key Highlights - Despite economic growth and constitutional reforms, real estate transactions in the country decreased in 2015. According to Bank Al-Maghrib, real estate transactions in the country registered a decline of 2.7% in 2015, after an expansion of 15.9% in 2014. Consequently, the total number of real estate transactions declined from 129,732 in 2014 to 126,217 in 2015. - In January 2016, the government launched various transport infrastructure projects in Casablanca, the country's biggest city and economic capital, under the 20152020 Casablanca Strategic Development Plan. The projects outlined by the government under this strategy include the expansion of the first line and construction of the second line of Casablanca tramway, a tunnel on the national road RN1 and the development of the city road network. Through the plan, the government aims to support economic and urban development, improve living standards and ensure social and economic inclusion. - The Moroccan construction industry's growth will be driven by a government plan to increase the share of renewable energy in terms of total energy consumption, encouraging investment in renewable energy infrastructure. To reduce the country's reliance on imported energy and the heavy burden of fuel subsidies on treasury resources, the government is developing renewable energy infrastructure. The government aims to generate 42% of the country's total electricity needs through renewable sources by 2020, and 52% by 2030. - Morocco faces a housing shortage in line with its growing population and urbanization. Despite the construction of a large number of housing units, supply remains relatively low compared to demand. According to the Ministere de l'Habitat et de la Politique de la Ville, (MHU), the ministry of housing and urban policy, despite the construction of a large number of housing units, the country recorded a housing deficit of 642,000 units in 2014, indicating that rising demand is still oustripping supply. To maintain a balance between supply and demand, 170,000 new units are required to be constructed every year to reduce the housing shortage. - A number of large transport projects to improve and expand the country's road and rail networks are in progress. To improve the country's transport infrastructure, the government is seeking help from foreign investors. To help the government meet its targets, in January 2016, the African Development Bank (AfDB) approved a loan of MAD1.1 billion (US$112.3 million) for the development of rail infrastructure project. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4126849/ 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 CALGARY, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Canadian Pacific (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) today announced that Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer Mark Erceg is stepping down from the position of CFO effective Sep. 9, 2016. Erceg will be returning to the U.S. to assume the role of CFO at a U.S.-based NYSE-listed company where his responsibilities will include not only Finance but Information Systems. Nadeem Velani has been appointed interim Vice-President and CFO. Velani joined CP in March 2013 and most recently served as Vice-President Investor Relations. Prior to CP, Velani spent 15 years at Canadian National Railway Co. where he worked in a variety of positions in Financial Planning, Sales and Marketing and Investor Relations. "While this was a difficult decision for me to make, I am truly proud of the work we have done in my tenure at CP," said Erceg. "Leaving at this time to pursue this exciting new opportunity is the right decision and I know CP, under the leadership of Hunter Harrison and Keith Creel, is well positioned for continued success." "Mark was a big part of CP's senior leadership team and will be missed," said E. Hunter Harrison, CP's Chief Executive Officer. "We wish him and his family well in their future endeavours and look forward to working closely with Nadeem as he assumes the role of CFO on an interim basis." About Canadian Pacific Canadian Pacific (TSX:CP)(NYSE:CP) is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to eight major ports, including Vancouver and Montreal, providing North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of CP. SOURCE Canadian Pacific Related Links http://www.cpr.ca ALLENTOWN, Pa., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Creditsafe, the world's most-used supplier of online company credit reports, today announced it has expanded its operations into Asia. Headquartered in Tokyo with operations based in Fukuoka, this marks the Company's first office in Asia and its 18th globally. "As we continue to expand our operations globally, it was absolutely essential we establish a strong foothold in Asia," said Matthew Debbage, CEO of Creditsafe USA and Asia. "After researching the market in detail and coming to understand the many differences, we decided strategically it made the most sense to launch our operations initially in Japan which is the second largest market for business credit reports in the world after the USA. It is in many ways an old fashioned market that is ready to benefit from the high data quality easy to use great value Creditsafe offering. We expect to have over 300 employees in our Fukuoka office by the end of 2017. And in the future, we hope to build on our success and are looking to expand further in the region." As well as establishing its own operation in Japan itself, Creditsafe has also expanded the reach of its global database to include information on over 12 million publicly traded and privately-held Japanese companies. This announcement comes on the heels of Creditsafe's announcement earlier this week on the expansion of its global database by 21%. With the addition of Japan, as well as the previously announced 18 additional countries across Europe and Asia to its worldwide platform, Creditsafe's database now contains vital business intelligence metrics on more than 230 million companies worldwide. "We are looking to disrupt and ultimately control the business credit information arena in Japan. We've done it across Europe and are already doing it here in the US," said Debbage. "The industry in Japan has been a staid duopoly marketplace for way too long which ultimately restricts opportunity and choice for Japanese businesses. It's about time someone came in and changed that." Creditsafe's global database is one of the most rapidly expanding in the industry and also one of the most comprehensive. Each day over 200,000 users around the world leverage the company's database to gather vital business intelligence. The Creditsafe database is updated over one million times a day with information gathered from thousands of sources. In 99.9% of the time, international reports requested by customers are delivered instantly to them on-line. About Creditsafe: Creditsafe is changing the way business information is used by providing high quality data in an easy to use format that everyone in an organization can benefit from. As the most used supplier of online company credit reports globally, Creditsafe has over 200,000 customers accessing world class business intelligence on more than 230 million companies worldwide. Privately owned and independently minded, Creditsafe was launched in Norway in 1997 and is today the fastest growing company in the credit information sector. Globally, Creditsafe employs over 1,500 people and has 17 offices across 13 countries including the UK, Germany, France, Sweden, Ireland, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and the USA. In 2013, the Creditsafe Group opened offices in the U.S. under the name Creditsafe USA. Its U.S. operations are headquartered in Allentown, Pa. with another facility in Phoenix, AZ. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160902/403891LOGO SOURCE Creditsafe Related Links http://www.creditsafe.com BOSTON and LONDON, Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CSA Medical held a mini-symposium at the ERS Conference on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 in London, England. The symposium highlighted early data from its feasibility study utilizing the RejuvenAir Metered Cryospray System, which is under development for the treatment of chronic bronchitis. The symposium raised awareness of the ongoing efforts to develop a liquid nitrogen spray cryotherapy treatment for patients with chronic bronchitis. The discussions detailed the histology of goblet cell production and inflammation in chronic bronchitis patients, and demonstrated how spraying liquid nitrogen on the surface of the airway lumen may result in regeneration of healthy tissue. To date, eleven chronic bronchitis patients have been enrolled in the European safety and feasibility trial (NCT02483637), and have had treatment limited to their right lower lobe. The treatment was conducted without any intro-operative adverse events. The sixty day follow-up results of these eleven patients have shown a positive impact on these patients, with an average Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score improvement of 7.9 points. An improvement of 4 points is considered clinically meaningful according to peer reviewed literature. These patients will continue to be followed, and will receive the remainder of their treatment as we embark on phase B of the trial. "These early results are promising, as they demonstrate the safety of the procedure and the potential for a positive impact to the lives of chronic bronchitis patients. We will continue to monitor the patients for further SGRQ score improvements after all treatable portions of their lungs have been treated," said Ellen Sheets, MD, CEO CSA Medical. Chronic bronchitis is a subset of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). A chronic bronchitis diagnosis is defined by cough with productive sputum of three months duration for two consecutive years. In addition to a chronic inflammation, cough and increased production of mucus, chronic bronchitis may or may not present with obstruction/partially blocked airways due to swelling and excess mucus in the bronchi, or shortness of breath (dyspnea). About CSA Medical CSA Medical, Inc. develops and manufactures a proprietary interventional spray cryotherapy technology platform utilizing unique properties of liquid nitrogen spray delivered by a software driven device with specialty catheters that enable delivery of spray cryogen inside the body to flash freeze and destroy unwanted tissue allowing for a rejuvenative pattern of healing. CSA manufactures and distributes this technology in the USA as the truFreeze system which uses Liquid Nitrogen spray that has a boiling point of -196oC to ablate unwanted benign and malignant tissue. The RejuvenAir System is currently under clinical investigation and is not commercially available. To learn more about our technology, please visit www.csamedical.com. Media Contact: Amy Sarli +1-781-538-4779 PRLog ID: www.prlog.org/12585273 SOURCE CSA Medical Related Links http://www.csamedical.com LAKE WORTH, Fla., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In a giant step forward for cultural tourism, the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County took home three Flagler Awards, including the top honor, at the 2016 VISIT FLORIDA Governor's Conference last night at the Hilton Orlando. The Cultural Council nabbed the coveted "Best of Show" Henry Award for tourism marketing in its budget category. In addition, the Council won a Silver Award in tourism advocacy for its groundbreaking Cultural Concierge program, and a Bronze Award in niche marketing for its 2014-2015 fall/winter marketing campaign created with Palm Beach County agency Levatas to attract cultural tourists to The Palm Beaches. The Cultural Council has achieved landmark success in marketing The Palm Beaches as a destination for art and culture through creative and original advertising, social media, public relations and promotions. This year's Flagler Awards reflect the Council's leadership in promoting culture as an essential lynchpin of tourism, the state's number one industry. "I am extremely proud of the Cultural Council marketing team for achieving success in promoting art and culture in The Palm Beaches, and grateful to the Palm Beach County Tourist Development Council for its vision in supporting cultural tourism and recognizing the critical role that the cultural sector plays in the economy," said Rena Blades, CEO of the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. "These Flagler Awards demonstrate that tourism marketing has evolved to meet the changing values of today's traveler," said Marilyn Bauer, director of marketing and government relations at the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. "Tourists are seeking to collect experiences and enrichment, and The Palm Beaches is a destination with a wealth of art and culture unmatched by most U.S. luxury destinations." The Flagler Awards is an annual statewide competition created by VISIT FLORIDA to recognize outstanding Florida tourism marketing. About the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County is the official support agency for arts and culture in The Palm Beaches, serving non-profit organizations, artists and arts districts. The Cultural Council administers $4.5 million in grants annually, supports arts and cultural education, provides capacity-building training, and advocates for arts funding and arts-friendly policies. The Council promotes Palm Beach County's cultural experiences to visitors and residents through multi-platform marketing and public information programs, including its one-of-a-kind Cultural Concierge service. The Cultural Council presents exhibitions featuring Palm Beach County artists and provides additional programming at its headquarters in the historic Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. Building, an iconic Streamline Moderne former movie theater in Downtown Lake Worth. Also at the Cultural Council headquarters are the Roe Green Uniquely Palm Beach Store featuring products by Palm Beach County artists and the Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf Visitor Information Center, a VISIT FLORIDA designated Florida Certified Tourism Information Center. The Cultural Council galleries, visitor information center and store are open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. For a complete calendar of cultural activities in The Palm Beaches, connect with the Council at palmbeachculture.com or (561) 471-2901. To plan a personalized cultural itinerary, connect with the Cultural Concierge at palmbeachculture.com/concierge. CONTACT Judith Czelusniak [email protected] (561) 471-1602 SOURCE The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County Related Links https://www.palmbeachculture.com NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Cybera, the leading provider of secure software-defined wide-area networks (SD-WAN), has advanced the company's leadership position in building security into the fabric of SD-WAN with the appointment of Greg Garten to the post of chief technology officer and executive vice president of engineering. "Companies know that in order to compete in today's complex, fast-paced markets they must deploy new applications at an unprecedented pace," said Andrew Lev, chief executive officer, Cybera. "Greg's experience working with large, global companies on user experience, technical design, architecture, governance, managed security services, and proven ability to co-create with R+D, significantly expands our bench and our ability to aid customers in the frictionless and secure roll-out of applications." Traditional networks and applications require point solutions to address modern cyber security threats and risks. This model can significantly impact a company's ability to easily adopt and leverage the full benefits of an application or device. By automating application policy for performance and security, Cybera's SD-WAN is the essential ingredient for companies who know that there should never be a trade-off between security and the user experience. The company's SD-WAN technologies and services allow distributed enterprises to embed security in the very foundation of practically any application or device, significantly reducing the friction associated with legacy security point solutions. "By virtualizing security functions in the very fabric of a network, we can introduce advanced enterprise security that would otherwise be impractical and cost prohibitive for companies to adopt," said Greg Garten, chief technology officer and executive vice president of engineering. "At Cybera we support companies who are seeing the application performance benefits of moving from 'bolt-on' security to security built into the fabric of SD-WAN, with absolute zero touch provisioning that allows our customers to have true business agility." Greg Garten is a senior business and technical leader with extensive security expertise and experience with large multinational companies. He joins Cybera from NTT Communications, one of the leading global providers of information and communications technology, where he was chief technology officer and vice president of engineering. While at NTT, Garten developed their next generation managed security services platform focused on protecting complex enterprise customers from malware and advanced persistent threats, while ensuring compliance with industry and regional standards. Prior to NTT, Garten held several key technical leadership positions with companies such as Intuit, Cable & Wireless, and Exodus Communications. He has experience designing and implementing large-scale distributed systems and technical processes and controls relating to ISO27001, PCI, SOX and HIPAA regulatory requirements. Garten is an active member of IEEE, ISC2 and ISSA. About Cybera Cybera is a leading provider of secure, software-defined WAN to many of the world's top enterprises. The company provides a simple solution to the growing complexity that distributed enterprises face at remote locations in managing payment networks and other sensitive, complex applications. Released in 2011, the Cybera ONE platform reduces customer cost, complexity and time-to-market by integrating cloud and premise-based security technology into a single, easy-to-use offering. Cybera is a privately held company headquartered in the Nashville, Tennessee area with technology installed in over 60,000 business locations in 23 countries. For more information about Cybera, visit www.cybera.com. Media Contact: Amy Dalkoff Hill+Knowlton Strategies 1 312 255 3078 [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160722/392280LOGO SOURCE Cybera Related Links http://www.cybera.com NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- For a lot of observers of the IVD industry, it was not a question of if, but when, someone would buy Sunnyvale, CA-based Cepheid, according to Kalorama Information. The market research firm with an IVD specialty said that the company's notable molecular diagnostic innovations and its "Keurig-like" point-of-care testing machines attracted attention and the company achieved growth. Molecular point-of-care testing is covered by Kalorama Information in its report Kalorama Information's The Market and Potential for Molecular Point of Care Diagnostics "No surprise as Cepheid reaches three pain points - infectious diseases which require fast results, near-patient systems that can realistically be part of a care scenario, and easy-to-operate systems," said Bruce Carlson, Publisher of Kalorama Information. "Their growth was as noticeable as their Royal Blue signature brand." Kalorama said that Cepheid grew in the past few years at 8-9%, which the firm says is more than double the world IVD market's growth. Thus the news yesterday that Danaher, a Washington, D.C.-company that also owns Beckman Coulter and AB Sciex, grabbed the molecular testing upstart made a lot of sense to us, especially with Danaher's history of growth by acquisition. Danaher has been in IVD for 12 years, starting with the acquisition of Radiometer and has expanded the business via numerous subsequent acquisitions, including the acquisitions of Leica Microsystems in 2005, Beckman Coulter in 2011 - that really, made them big in IVD and HemoCue in 2013. The diagnostics business serves the clinical laboratory, acute care and pathology diagnostics markets. Danaher is the 4th largest company in IVD, according to Kalorama. The purchase is for 4 billion dollars, which is seven times earnings, as revenues were expected at $618 million this year. But Kalorama said the company's strength in infectious disease, particularly HAIs - hospital infections, and the growth rate likely justified a higher compensation. "It's a testament to the interest in molecular point of care systems and in this the concern about HAIs and infectious disease generally," said Carlson. The company's signature product, GeneXpert System, is a closed, self-contained, fully-integrated and automated platform that combines on-board sample preparation with real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplification and detection functions for fully integrated and automated nucleic acid analysis. The system is designed to purify, concentrate, detect, and identify targeted nucleic acid sequences thereby delivering answers directly from unprocessed samples. It's adjustable for different tests, which is helpful for labs that meet a lot of new challenges. Cepheid received FDA clearance to market its Xpert MRSA/SA Blood Culture (BC) test, which runs on the GeneXpert System, This updated Xpert MRSA/SA BC test processes positive blood culture specimens to determine if a patient's blood is infected with MRSA or SA within in an hour. June 2014, Cepheid announced the release of its CE Marked Xpert Carba-R, an on-demand molecular test for the detection of carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacteria (CRE). Carbapenemase-producing organisms are bad stuff. They were named for their ability to fight off carbapenem antibiotics Carbapenems are often referred to as the antibiotics of last-resort and are usually reserved for severe life-threatening infections caused by multidrug resistant organisms. All of these organisms are capable of harboring and spreading these carbapenem resistance genes. The company's technology is well-suited to adjust to changing jumped into the news during the Ebola epidemic last year. In March 2015, the FDA granted Emergency Use Authorization to Cepheid's Xpert Ebola, a PCR-based assay for Ebola virus that runs on the GeneXpert system. Danaher has grown through acquisitions and thus was a likely suitor. To keep up with developments and to be knowledgeable about other Molecular Point of Care companies, Kalorama Information's The Market and Potential for Molecular Point of Care Diagnostics provides the current market, projected future sales and total available markets in 2020 for molecular POC diagnostics for flu, strep A, RSV, CT/NG, group B strep (GBS), HPV, HSV, vaginitis, HIV, TB, hepatitis, malaria and many other disease areas. Please link any media or news references to our reports or data to http://www.kaloramainformation.com/. 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] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150831/262422LOGO SOURCE Kalorama Information Related Links http://www.kaloramainformation.com/ The exhibition includes the work of four journalist grantees of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, which is also partnering with SECCA to extend the exhibit's reach through public talks, school engagements and live, interactive performances during the exhibit run, Nov. 1, 2016 to Feb. 19, 2017. Visit http://www.secca.org for full details. The Pulitzer Center, based in Washington D.C., is an award-winning non-profit journalism organization promoting in-depth engagement with global affairs through the support of international journalism and an innovative program of outreach and education. Dispatches was imagined and curated by Cora Fisher, SECCA's curator since 2013. Fisher's inspiration came from exploring how "the space of journalism has changed. Much of modern day reporting is quick response and in the moment. Telling live news stories through art makes us slow down and reflect of the frenetic pace around us." "We are excited about this partnership with SECCA," said Jon Sawyer, executive director of the Pulitzer Center and a Winston-Salem native. "In our journalism projects we have used art wherever possible as a means of creating greater engagement with the global issues that affect us all. We welcome the opportunity to work with SECCA, local schools and other institutions in a community that is known as a national leader in the arts." Fisher explains "my hope for the exhibit is that attendees will leave with the idea that the time and reflection we give to art can carry over into digesting the news to look past the headlines and into the stories." Artists + Collectives Doug Ashford, Rossella Biscotti, Sayler/Morris (The Canary Project), Mel Chin, Damon Davis, James Whitlow Delano, Ricardo Dominguez (Electronic Disturbance Theater), Hasan Elahi, For Freedoms, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Stacey L. Kirby, Eva and Franco Mattes (0100101110101101.ORG), !Mediengruppe Bitnik, Sheryl Oring, Trevor Paglen, Larry C. Price, Chloe Bass + George Scheer, and iO Tillett Wright. VII Photo Agency: Ashley Gilbertson, Ron Haviv, Tomas van Houtryve, Ed Kashi, Sarker Protick, Maciek Nabrdalik, Sim Chi Yin and Danny Wilcox Frazier. About SECCA The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art in Winston-Salem, N.C. seeks to enhance perspectives, inspire community and ignite new ideas at the intersection of art and its visitors. SECCA is an affiliate of the North Carolina Museum of Art, a division of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. SECCA receives operational funding from The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Additional funding is provided by the James G. Hanes Memorial Fund. About the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting The Pulitzer Center supports over 150 reporting projects each year, working in partnership with leading news-media outlets across the globe on a wide range of global issues. Its educational programming includes classroom visits by journalists, on-line curricular resources, and partnerships with over two dozen colleges and universities. About the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources (NCDCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state's cultural resources to build the social, cultural and economic future of North Carolina. Led by Secretary Susan Kluttz, NCDCR's mission is to enrich lives and communities by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history and libraries in North Carolina that will spark creativity, stimulate learning, preserve the state's history and promote the creative economy. NCDCR was the first state organization in the nation to include all agencies for arts and culture under one umbrella. Media contact: Debbie Fuchs Director of Marketing and Public Relations, SECCA [email protected] 336.725.1904 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160908/405565 SOURCE Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art Related Links http://www.secca.org PORTLAND, Oregon, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Market Research provides a new report on "United States Off-highway Dump Truck Industry- Size, Share, Trends, Opportunities, Growth, Demand" PR NEWSWIRE INDIA- Big Market research (PRNewsFoto/Big Market Research) The United States Off-highway Dump Truck Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report offers an incisive insight into market landscape, key market dynamics, profile of key market players along with detailed segmentation & and a comprehensive overview of market environment in terms of sales and production trends and business policies of major manufacturers and vendors. The study provides an in-depth analysis of the key market drivers and market challenges to be overcome by the prominent market players to gain a foothold in the market. The study offers key market status in terms of market definition, product classification and specification, recent technological developments, R&D activities which the top companies hope to capitalize on in future. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141014/710132) Get Complete Report @ http://www.bigmarketresearch.com/united-states-off-highway-dump-truck-industry-2016-deep-research-report-market The market level strategies in major countries and the business decision made by top industry players for successful brand positioning are analyzed in detail. The study with the help of tools such as SWOT analysis discusses the potentiality of buyers and sellers along with the imminent investment pockets of the market in terms of the current and future market opportunities. Moreover, the report on United States Off-highway Dump Truck industry. offers market share & revenue analysis of different key manufacturers in terms of their price levels The study is a treasure trove to major investors to gain a useful guide to business strategies of leading market players and the recent developments. Furthermore, the report highlights factors responsible for paradigm shift in the industry and the market preparedness for the same. Based on the inputs of eminent industry leaders, the research offers key manufacturing processes, pricing trends of product offering of various companies across different countries. Stakeholders, sales managers, marketing executive and other key industry leaders wanting an exhaustive information on the growth rate, emerging market trends and strength of the major vendors would find the study helpful. See United States On-highway Dump Trucks Industry Report @ http://www.bigmarketresearch.com/united-states-on-highway-dump-trucks-industry-2016-deep-research-report-market The report offers the changing competitive landscape in regions by covering the strategies adopted by key market players to gain a stronghold along with the high-end technologies that will carve out a niche market in the United States Off-highway Dump Truck industry. The report offers useful information on the new projects development along with offering their investment feasibility analysis Table of Contents 1 Industry Overview 1.1 Definition and Specifications of Off-highway Dump Truck 1.2 Classification of Off-highway Dump Truck 1.3 Applications of Off-highway Dump Truck 1.4 Industry Chain Structure of Off-highway Dump Truck 1.5 Industry Overview of Off-highway Dump Truck 1.6 Industry Policy Analysis of Off-highway Dump Truck 1.7 Industry News Analysis of Off-highway Dump Truck 2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Off-highway Dump Truck 2.1 Bill of Materials (BOM) of Off-highway Dump Truck 2.2 BOM Price Analysis of Off-highway Dump Truck 2.3 Labor Cost Analysis of Off-highway Dump Truck 2.4 Depreciation Cost Analysis of Off-highway Dump Truck 2.5 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Off-highway Dump Truck 2.6 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Off-highway Dump Truck 2.7 United States Price, Cost and Gross of Off-highway Dump Truck 2011-2016 3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis 3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of United States Key Manufacturers in 2015 3.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of United States Key Off-highway Dump Truck Manufacturers in 2015 3.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of United States Off-highway Dump Truck Key Manufacturers in 2015 3.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of United States Off-highway Dump Truck Key Manufacturers in 2015 4 Production Analysis of Off-highway Dump Truck by Regions, Type, and Applications 4.1 United States Production of Off-highway Dump Truck by Regions 2011-2016 4.2 United States Production of Off-highway Dump Truck by Type 2011-2016 4.3 United States Sales of Off-highway Dump Truck by Applications 2011-2016 4.4 Price Analysis of United States Off-highway Dump Truck Key Manufacturers in 2015 4.5 United States Capacity, Production, Import, Export, Sales, Price, Cost and Revenue of Off-highway Dump Truck 2011-2016 5 Consumption Volume and Consumption Value Analysis of Off-highway Dump Truck by Regions 5.1 United States Consumption Volume of Off-highway Dump Truck by Regions 2011-2016 5.2 United States Consumption Value of Off-highway Dump Truck by Regions 2011-2016 5.3 United States Consumption Price Analysis of Off-highway Dump Truck by Regions 2011-2016 6 Analysis of Off-highway Dump Truck Production, Supply, Sales and Market Status 2011-2016 6.1 Capacity, Production, Sales, and Revenue of Off-highway Dump Truck 2011-2016 6.2 Production Market Share and Sales Market Share Analysis of Off-highway Dump Truck 2014-2015 6.3 Sales Overview of Off-highway Dump Truck 2011-2016 6.4 Supply, Consumption and Gap of Off-highway Dump Truck 2011-2016 6.5 Import, Export and Consumption of Off-highway Dump Truck 2011-2016 6.6 Cost, Price, Revenue and Gross Margin of Off-highway Dump Truck 2011-2016 Enquire about this report @ http://www.bigmarketresearch.com/report-enquiry/609572 7 Analysis of Off-highway Dump Truck Industry Key Manufacturers 7.1 Caterpillar 7.2 Terex 7.3 Komatsu 7.4 Hitachi Construction Machinery 7.5 John Deere 7.6 Doosan 7.7 Belaz 7.8 Volvo 7.9 Hydrema 7.10 Bell 7.11 Liebherr 7.12 Freightliner 7.13 NHL 7.14 BZK 7.15 Shougang Heavy Truck 7.16 XEMC 8 Price and Gross Margin Analysis 8.1 Analysis of Price 8.2 Gross Margin Analysis 8.3 Price Comparison by Regions 8.4 Price Analysis of Different Off-highway Dump Truck Product Types 8.5 Market Share Analysis of Different Off-highway Dump Truck Price Levels 8.6 Gross Margin Analysis of Different Off-highway Dump Truck Applications 9 Marketing Trader or Distributor Analysis of Off-highway Dump Truck 9.1 Marketing Channels Status of Off-highway Dump Truck 9.2 Traders or Distributors of Off-highway Dump Truck with Contact Information 9.3 Ex-work Price, Channel Price and End Buyer Price Analysis of Off-highway Dump Truck 9.4 United States Import, Export and Trade Analysis of Off-highway Dump Truck 10 Development Trend of Off-highway Dump Truck Industry 2016-2021 10.1 Capacity and Production Overview of Off-highway Dump Truck 2016-2021 10.2 Production Market Share by Product Types of Off-highway Dump Truck 2016-2021 10.3 Sales and Sales Revenue Overview of Off-highway Dump Truck 2016-2021 10.4 United States Sales of Off-highway Dump Truck by Applications 2016-2021 10.5 Import, Export and Consumption of Off-highway Dump Truck 2016-2021 10.6 Cost, Price, Revenue and Gross Margin of Off-highway Dump Truck 2016-2021 11 Industry Chain Suppliers of Off-highway Dump Truck with Contact Information 11.1 Major Raw Materials Suppliers of Off-highway Dump Truck with Contact Information 11.2 Manufacturing Equipment Suppliers of Off-highway Dump Truck with Contact Information 11.3 Major Players of Off-highway Dump Truck with Contact Information 11.4 Key Consumers of Off-highway Dump Truck with Contact Information 11.5 Supply Chain Relationship Analysis of Off-highway Dump Truck 12 New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis of Off-highway Dump Truck 12.1 New Project SWOT Analysis of Off-highway Dump Truck 12.2 New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis of Off-highway Dump Truck 13 Conclusion of the United States Off-highway Dump Truck Industry 2016 Market Research Report Get Global Off-highway Dump Truck Industry Report @ http://www.bigmarketresearch.com/global-off-highway-dump-truck-industry-2016-deep-research-report-market About Us: With the arsenal of different search reports, we help you here to look and buy research reports that will be helpful to you and your organization. Our research reports have the capability and authenticity to support your organization for growth and consistency. With the window of opportunity getting open and shut at a speed of light, it has become very important to survive in the market and only the fittest and competent enough can do so. So, we try and provide with latest changes in the market that can suit your needs and help you take decision accordingly. Contact Us: Dhananjay Potle 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive, #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States Direct : +1-971-202-1575 Toll Free :+ 1-800-910-6452 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.bigmarketresearch.com Blog: http://www.bigmarketresearch.blogspot.com SOURCE Big Market Research MUMBAI, India, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Editage launched a new website to offer English editorial services to researchers from Yuan Ze University (YZU), Taiwan's top private university. With Editage expanding their reach in Asia and researchers from YZU looking to compete globally, this partnership comes at a crucial time for both organizations. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/404960 Editage launches a new co-branded website with Yuan Ze University "It is fantastic to see such a young university conduct ground-breaking research and invest heavily 'Green Technology' and 'e-Life' projects. I am certain that our editorial services can enable these researchers in drafting manuscripts of excellent quality," said Mr. Shriram Poonja, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing at Editage, at the launch of the online author support center. Dr. Kuen-Song Lin, Dean of Research and Development, Yuan Ze University, was enthusiastic about this new collaboration: "We are very pleased that a globally reputed editing company is going to assist our researchers. This will hasten the publishing process for our PhD candidates and professors. This association brings us a step closer to our eventual goal of competing with academics from all over the world." Editage and YZU have developed a cobranded author support center, through which researchers from YZU can submit their manuscripts to receive editorial and translation services at discounted rates. The author support center will also help researchers with educational resources about good publication practices. About Yuan Ze University Founded by the owners of the Far Eastern Group in 1989, YZU is among the fastest growing universities in Asia. Located in the Zhongli district of Taoyuan City, YZU has almost 9000 students and over 400 professors. YZU harbors five colleges in the following disciplines: Humanities and Social Sciences, Informatics, Management, Engineering, and Electrical and Communication Engineering. YZU has strong ties with the Engineering industry in Taiwan and invests heavily in research and development. About Editage Editage, the flagship brand of Cactus Communications (CACTUS), is well-recognized in the publication and academic communities, globally. Apart from working with individual researchers, Editage partners with publishers, journals, academic societies, and pharmaceutical companies worldwide to assist them in creating compelling, high-quality scientific publications. Editage offers many services such as English language editing, translation, transcription, and is dedicated to author education through its comprehensive author resources website Editage Insights. Please visit http://www.editage.com Media contact: Hridey Manghwani Manager, Public Relations, Editage Phone: +1(877)334-8243 Email http://yzu.editage.com.tw SOURCE Cactus Communications CAIRO, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- European Outsourcing Association, EOA, unveils its 2016 shortlist. Egypt On The Rise (PRNewsFoto/ITIDA) Abundant multilingual talent supply, competitive operational cost, attractive business environment, entrepreneurship and innovation, together with government support, qualified Egypt to compete for the prestigious European award. Egypt has been shortlisted as the Outsourcing Destination of the Year 2016 for the European Outsourcing Association (EOA) Awards, one of the most prestigious outsourcing industry awards. The EOA is the center of excellence for outsourcing in Europe. It is committed to advancing the outsourcing profession and the outsourcing industry by driving awareness, education, standards and thought leadership. Winners will be announced next October, following the EOA Leadership Summit in Bulgaria, which gathers the global sourcing leaders and influencers. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160908/405477LOGO ) (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160908/405476 ) Recent years witnessed a shift in the outsourcing landscape in Egypt from low-value to high-value services. BPO, IT and R&D outsourcing services have mushroomed over the last four years, with employees doubling to reach around 50,000 FTE. The contribution of Egypt's ICT industry to GDP grew by 13% in the last two years, reaching 4.1% of total GDP. In 2015, the Egyptian Information Technology Industry Development Agency, ITIDA, created 6,000 new jobs through expansion agreements with MNCs. This year, ITIDA features the innovative and collaborative environment in Egypt through its investment in the newly established company, Silicon Waha, for establishing science and technology parks across second-tier cities. This countrywide initiative encompasses a collaborative ecosystem of government, ICT companies, academia and entrepreneurs and creates 500,000 jobs. By the end of 2016, two parks will be operational under the name We Parks, one within Alexandria city, covering the coastal area, and the other within Assiut city, covering Upper Egypt. We Parks complement the portfolio of the successful Smart Village and Maadi Technology Park in the capital. Moreover, ITIDA's affiliate, the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, has launched the Innovation Clusters Initiative to develop an Innovator-friendly environment in Egyptian cities based on a Public Private Partnership. The country has an abundant talent pool, with 500,000 annual graduates from more than 35 universities and 100 institutes, 50,000 of which are IT-related, while 220,000 are BPO-related. Its peerless multi-lingual labor is able to serve more than 20 languages across 100 countries. Compared to other outsourcing destinations in Europe and Asia, Egypt enjoys an exceptionally low attrition rate. Against this background, the country is heavily investing in skills development and talent management. The Next Technology Leaders, NTL, is an initiative to qualify 16,000 Egyptian youths in the ICT field through online and interactive training in collaboration with MNCs, Egyptian universities, and learning institutions. Egypt's enhanced position is reflected in recent influencers' reports, including Gartner, where Egypt was identified as a primary destination for sourcing and IT services in EMEA. Everest Group's "Putting Egypt Back on Your Location Radar" evaluated the current global services delivery landscape in Egypt. Oxford Business Group cited Egypt's outsourcing industry as going from strength to strength while Forbes ranked Egypt among top 10 countries to launch start-ups. Raconteur ranked it among top 10 emerging countries for outsourcing, and the IMF revealed Egypt as the second largest economy in Africa, ahead of South Africa. Egypt received the EOA Offshoring Destination of the Year Award in 2010, surpassing Philippines, Colombia, and Sri Lanka. The award recognized Egypt's growing position in the global market and highlighted its competitive advantages. This year, Egypt is competing with Belarus, Fiji, and Sri Lanka; solid strategies, flagship projects, and positive indicators make it a strong candidate for the 2016 award. SOURCE Information Technology Industry Development Agency, ITIDA TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative treatments and therapies for rare and orphan diseases, today announced it has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting U.S. marketing approval for its orally administered pharmaceutical grade L-glutamine (PGLG) treatment for sickle cell disease. The NDA represents the first potential treatment for pediatric patients with sickle cell disease, and the first potential new treatment in nearly 20 years for adult patients. Emmaus is requesting Priority Review of the application. "We would like to thank the NIH, FDA and Ajinomoto Corporation for the funding of our early work at LA BioMed," said Yutaka Niihara, M.D., MPH, Chairman and CEO of Emmaus. "We are also thankful to our clinicians, employees, and partners for their efforts and to our investors for funding the work." "We are pleased to submit our NDA during National Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month, and following the formation of the Sickle Cell Disease Coalition spearheaded by the American Society of Hematology," Dr. Niihara added. "We hope our NDA submission will result in a change of the status quo of Sickle Cell Disease treatment." Data from the Company's Phase 3 sickle cell disease trial demonstrated a reduction in the frequency of sickle cell crises and hospitalizations, as well as a reduction in cumulative days hospitalized, and a lower incidence of the life-threatening acute chest syndrome. The clinical trial enrolled 230 adult and pediatric patients as young as five years old, across 31 experienced sickle cell disease treatment centers in the United States. No major adverse events were attributable to the treatment. Emmaus' sickle cell disease therapy has Orphan Drug designation in the U.S. and Europe and Fast Track designation from the FDA. Emmaus also plans to submit a marketing authorization application to the European Medicines Agency. About Sickle Cell Disease Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited blood disorder characterized by the production of an altered form of hemoglobin which polymerizes and becomes fbrous, causing red blood cells to become rigid and change form so that they appear sickle shaped instead of soft and rounded. Patients with Sickle Cell Disease suffer from debilitating episodes of sickle cell crisis, which occur when the rigid, adhesive and inflexible red blood cells occlude blood vessels. Sickle cell crisis causes excruciating pain as a result of insufficient oxygen being delivered to tissue, referred to as tissue ischemia, and inflammation. These events may lead to organ damage, stroke, pulmonary complications, skin ulceration, infection and a variety of other adverse outcomes. Sickle Cell Disease is an orphan disease in the U.S affecting approximately 100,000 patients in the U.S and millions worldwide with significant unmet medical needs. About Emmaus Life Sciences Emmaus Life Sciences is engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative treatments and therapies for rare diseases. The Company's research on sickle cell disease was initiated by Dr. Niihara at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. For more information, please visit www.emmauslifesciences.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, regarding the research, development and potential commercialization of pharmaceutical products. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current expectations. Additional risks and uncertainties are described in reports filed by Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc. with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Emmaus is providing this information as of the date of this press release and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For more information, contact: Matt Sheldon PondelWilkinson Inc. 310-279-5975 [email protected] Media: Lori Teranishi 510-290-6160 [email protected] Investors: Willis Lee 310-214-0065 [email protected] SOURCE Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc. Related Links http://www.emmauslifesciences.com "Hida-gyu" (Hida Beef) is the specific name given to beef from a black-haired Japanese cattle breed, that has been raised in Gifu Prefecture, Japan . The rich natural environment allows cattle to drink from clean springs within beautiful mountains. Hida-gyu is raised for at least 14 months , while other Wagyu beef raising is only 7-10 months. This gives Hida-gyu the highest quality in marbling , luster , color , texture and aroma . The amount of marbling, the determining factor in the quality of the meat, depends on genetic factors and farming techniques. The unique quality of Hida-gyu is its beautiful marbling, with an intense patterned appearance. Marbling appears not only on the steaks, but also on the flank, shoulder, and round. Marbled fat coats the meat when stewed, this coating prevents the juices from escaping the meat, maintaining its natural tenderness. Selected fine Japanese restaurants in New York will participate in "Hida Beef Week". During that time, guests can enjoy special Hida Beef menu items. The participating restaurants are: brushstroke (30 Hudson Street, New York, 212-791-3771) EN Japanese Brasserie (435 Hudson Street, New York, 212-647-9196) Hakubai (Kitano Hotel New York, 66 Park Avenue, New York, 212-885-7111) Hasaki (210 East 9th Street, New York, 212-473-3327) Sakagura (211 East 43rd Street, New York, 212-953-7253) Shabu-Tatsu (216 East 10th Street, New York, 212-477-2972) For more information on Hida Beef, go to http://hidagyujapan.jp/ Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405048 SOURCE Gifu Prefectural Government, Japan Related Links http://hidagyujapan.jp/ SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. and BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Insurance Business America (IBA) has named Principal Wilson Long (Birmingham, AL) and Team Leader Zohreh Talebzadeh (San Francisco, CA) among their "Young Guns" of 2016. IBA's Young Guns recognizes young professionals who are energizing and revitalizing the insurance industry. According to IBA, "The average American insurance professional is 59 years old, and these impressive young men and women aged 35 years and younger have proven to be emerging leaders who are quickly rising into influential roles and making a significant impact in the insurance industry." "We are pleased and proud that Wilson and Zohreh have been included in this list of exceptional young professionals who are changing the face of our industry," said John Hahn, CEO of EPIC. "They are bright, capable, hard-working and extremely committed individuals who 'lead by example' both inside and outside of EPIC." Long's responsibilities have grown steadily over the last five years. He has progressed from a national account producer to a vice president, senior vice president and now a Principal at EPIC. During this time he was twice recognized as a top producer/consultant, after posting significant new business revenue growth. Talebzadeh manages EPIC's Bay Area Intern Program, allowing her to not only build on the company's success, but also mentor recent college graduates regarding the benefits of a career in insurance. She currently serves as vice president of Emerging Insurance Professionals, providing networking and community service opportunities for young insurance professionals. See the full list of Young Guns 2016 here: http://www.ibamag.com/special-reports/iba-young-guns-2016-37131.aspx About EPIC: EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally. EPIC now has more than 850 team members operating from offices across the U.S., providing Property Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 13,000 clients. With more than $200 million in revenues, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Backed by the Carlyle Group, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country. For additional information, please visit www.epicbrokers.com. *PHOTO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/16-0908-wlong-300dpi.jpg *PHOTO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/16-0908-zoreh-300dpi.jpg MEDIA CONTACTS: David Hock 650-295-4608 [email protected] Nicole Conley 650-422-3156 [email protected] This release was issued through Send2Press, a unit of Neotrope. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.Send2Press.com SOURCE EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants Related Links http://www.epicbrokers.com WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ethical Electric, a renewable energy company providing 100 percent clean electricity to retail power customers across the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and Midwest, today announced it has been honored as "Best for Workers" and "Best for the Environment" for creating the most positive overall community impact among Certified B Corporations after an independent assessment by nonprofit B Lab for the first-annual "Best for the World" B Impact Assessment. The 2016 Best for the World Honorees represent the top ten percent scores of more than 1,800 Certified B Corps in the B Lab Impact Assessment, spanning over 120 industries and 42 countries, and displaying a wide range of excellence throughout the community. Ethical Electric has also been awarded the highest level of B Corp certification with a company score 50 percent higher than the required score for B Corp certified companies. "Ethical Electric's mission since day one has been to make clean energy available for everybody striving toward this goal has educated consumers about climate change, funded environmental projects, and expanded renewable energy," said Tom Matzzie, Founder and CEO of Ethical Electric. "The Best of the World recognition is proof companies can help create a world with less pollution, while driving positive impacts on social impacts through charitable giving." The company recently passed $1 million in total donations to environmental and social impact organizations after steadily increasing donations to charitable groups and partner organizations since inception in 2013, and nearly doubled total donations since early 2015 The Best for Environment portion of the B Impact Assessment evaluated Ethical Electric's environmental performance through its facilities materials, emissions, and resource and energy use. B Lab considered how the company's products and services are designed to solve an environmental issue including aiding in the provision of renewable energy, conserving resources, reducing waste, preventing toxic/hazardous substance or pollution, and educating to solve environmental problems. The Best for Workers portion of the B Impact Assessment assessed Ethical Electric's relationship with its workforce. It measured how the company treats its workers through compensation, benefits, training, and ownership opportunities provided to workers. The category focuses on overall work environment within the company through management-worker communication, job flexibility, corporate culture, and worker health and safety practices. "The companies we are honoring as the best for the world represent the cutting edge of a global movement using business as a force for good. We are inspired by them, and feel deeply honored to join them in this historic and ground-breaking celebration," said Bryan Welch, CEO of B the Change Media, the multiplatform media company publishing the quarterly B Magazine and host of the Best for the World event at the University of California, Berkeley. Selection criteria for Best for the World honorees are available at http://bit.ly/29ZYRSp . Ethical Electric has grown quickly since it launched in 2012 through several rounds of private investment and is now the fourth-largest direct-to-consumer renewable retail energy provider in the United States, expanding to eight states and the District of Columbia through campaign-based micro-targeting. About Ethical Electric Ethical Electric's mission since day one has been to make clean energy accessible for everybody. Ethical Electric supplies only 100% clean renewable energy and sources from wind and solar farms as close to the customer as possible, bringing cleaner air closer to home. Ethical Electric currently sources energy from 50+ wind and solar farms and is working to expand on that every day. The company is a founding Leadership member of the Coalition for Community Solar Access, recently passed $1 million in total corporate donations to environmental and social impact organizations, and has been awarded the highest level of B Corp certification with a company score 50 percent higher than the required score for B Corp certified companies. Ethical Electric is a member of the American Sustainable Business Council, the U.S. Green Building Council, and is certified with the highest available rating by Green America's Green Business Network. For more information or to become a customer, visit www.ethicalelectric.com. For press inquiries: Silvio Marcacci 202-643-8210 [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405039LOGO SOURCE Ethical Electric LONDON, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Self-monitoring of blood glucose is a very lucrative business with enormous market opportunity. Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is an important component of modern therapy for diabetes mellitus. SMBG has been recommended for people with diabetes and their health care professionals in order to achieve a specific level of glycemic control and to prevent hypoglycemia. The primary growth factors for the SMBG market is the increasing global diabetic population; increasing awareness among the diabetes population, increasing spending on healthcare, active reimbursement policies and the technological advancement aimed at minimal and non-invasive testing methods. Key Highlights - In 2015, European SMBG market was valued at over US$ 7 Billion. - Russia, United Kingdom and Italy are the top three dominating countries in the European SMBG market. - Blood glucose test strips dominates the self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) market. - Russia dominates the self-monitoring of blood glucose users, with over XX percent users share in 2015. - Germany, Spain, Netherlands and Norway are the other major countries contributing to the European SMBG Market. iGATE RESEARCH report titled "Europe - Self Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) (Test Strips, Lancet, Meter) Market and Forecast" is a 174 Page report with 155 Figures and 13 Tables. This report analyses the 9 European countries Diabetes Population, SMBG Users, SMBG Market and the driving factors and challenges for the SMBG market. All the 9 Countries in the report have been studied from 3 viewpoints. 1. Country Wise Diabetes Population and Forecast (2007 - 2021) I. Type 1 Diabetes Population II. Type 2 Diabetes Population 2. Country Wise SMBG Users and Forecast (2007 - 2021) 3. Country Wise SMBG Market and Forecast (2007 - 2021) I. Blood Glucose Test Strips Market II. Blood Glucose Lancet Market III. Blood Glucose Meter Market The 9 Countries analyzed in the reports are as follows: 1. United Kingdom 2. Germany 3. Spain 4. Italy 5. Netherlands 6. Norway 7. Sweden 8. Switzerland 9. Russia Research Methodologies Primary Research Methodologies: Questionnaires, Surveys, Interviews with Individuals, Small Groups, Telephonic Interview, etc. Secondary Research Methodologies: Printable and Non-printable sources, Newspaper, Magazine and Journal Content, Government and NGO Statistics, white Papers, Information on the Web, Information from Agencies Such as Industry Bodies, Companies Annual Report, Government Agencies, Libraries and Local Councils and a large number of Paid Databases. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4128996/ 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 COSTA MESA, Calif., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Experian has been named one of the top 100 most innovative companies for the third year in a row by Forbes magazine. In the publication's sixth annual list of the "World's Most Innovative Companies," Experian climbed to the rank of 71st, alongside a host of other reputable companies including Tesla, Unilever and Under Armour. Experian was previously ranked as the 97th most innovative company in 2014 and the 88th most innovative company in 2015. The climbing rank confirms investors' growing belief in Experian's innovative efforts in harnessing data in new and forward-looking ways. The ranked companies are identified by "investors' ability to identify firms they expect to be innovative now and in the future." This core identification, or "innovation premium," among other factors, is the expectation that a company will create and apply new solutions to new and differing situations to generate growth. Based on past performance, Forbes also looks at the company's potential return on investment. "We're proud to be recognized in such a prestigious context, and also to see that our efforts in using data in transformative ways are being well-received," said Gerry Tschopp, Senior Vice President, Group Communications, Experian. "This honor is a reflection of our more than 17,000 employees who apply their creative thinking to innovate and create solutions that will bring about even brighter futures for our clients, consumers, communities and society overall." About Experian We are the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to our clients around the world. We help businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. We also help people to check their credit report and credit score and protect against identity theft. In 2016, for the third year running, we were named one of the "World's Most Innovative Companies" by Forbes magazine. We employ approximately 17,000 people in 37 countries and our corporate headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; California, US; and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended March 31, 2016, was US$4.6 billion. To find out more about our company, please visit http://www.experianplc.com or watch our documentary, "Inside Experian." Experian and the Experian marks used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners. Contact: Michael Troncale Experian Public Relations 1 714 830 5462 [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130131/LA51658LOGO SOURCE Experian Related Links http://www.experian.com CEO, Gerry Lopez said, "Over the past four and half years, Tom has played a critical role in the success of our major initiatives consolidating and repositioning the brand, renovating our hotels, adding revenue management, building a loyalty platform and transforming our sales team. This has powered our RevPAR and EBITDA performance and set a strong foundation for our future growth, as we laid out at our recent Investor Day. One of my management mantras is 'leave things better than you found them' and Tom has certainly done that and more. This is a bold move for Tom to make, but those who know him will appreciate what a perfect decision it is." Mr. Seddon said, "I've really enjoyed being part of the revival of the company over the last four and a half years, being a member of a great management team, and I'm convinced that the future of the business is even brighter." The company also announced that Tom Buoy, EVP revenue of management, will join the executive team, reporting directly to Gerry and taking on additional responsibilities for e-commerce and marketing communications. Tom Bardenett, chief operating officer, will be taking on additional responsibility for the sales team. Forward Looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements related to, among other things, future performance, as such, may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or performance to differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements, possibly materially. For a description of factors that may cause actual results or performance to differ from any implied by forward-looking statements, please review the information under the headings "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" included in the combined annual report on Form 10-K of Extended Stay America, Inc. and ESH Hospitality, Inc. (collectively, the "Company") filed with the SEC on February 23, 2016 and other documents of the Company on file with or furnished to the SEC. Any forward-looking statements made in this release are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by the Company will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company, its business or operations. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. We caution you that actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted by the Company's forward-looking statements. About Extended Stay America Extended Stay America, Inc., the largest owner/operator of company-branded hotels in North America, owns and operates 629 hotels in the U.S. and Canada comprising approximately 69,400 rooms and employs over 8,500 employees at its hotel properties and headquarters. The Company's brand, Extended Stay America, serves the mid-priced extended stay segment. Visit www.extendedstay.com for more information about the Company and its services. Contacts Investors: Rob Ballew (980) 345-1546 [email protected] Media: Terry Atkins (980) 345-1648 [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140512/86799 SOURCE Extended Stay America Related Links http://www.extendedstay.com PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Fair World Project (FWP), a campaign of the Organic Consumers Association, the nation's largest network of green and ethical consumers, welcomes the United States and China's ratification of the Paris Climate Agreement. Meeting the Agreement's emissions reduction targets and adaption goals require political will and significant institutional commitment, as the United States and China jointly are responsible for approximately 40% of global emissions. As both countries are top producers of the world's food, a key element to mitigate the consequences of, and adapt to severe climate change will be addressing the conventional global food system. Global industrial agriculture is a key driver in the generation of greenhouse gases (GHG), accounting for 30-50% of total emissions worldwide. Chemical fertilizers, pesticides, heavy machinery, monocultures, land change, deforestation, refrigeration, waste and transportation all contribute to a food system that generates significant emissions which escalate global climate change and further perpetuate an inequitable and unhealthy food system. Yet despite the important role conventional agriculture plays in causing the climate crisis, and the potential of alternative food systems to abate it, no mention of agriculture or the food system was made during the ratification announcement. "There are over 500 million smallholder family farms in the world," said Ryan Zinn, Political Director of Fair World Project. "Small farmers, practicing organic and agro-ecological farming practices not only feed the majority of the world with less than one quarter of global farmland, but are actively sequestering carbon with ecological farming practices." Despite the scalable ability of small-scale farmers and pastoralists to feed the world's growing population through "cool farming" practices, they are vulnerable to unfair trade agreements, collapsing financial markets, the global expansion of "bio" or agricultural fuels, land grabs, and destabilizing speculation in the food market, among other threats. Current prevailing policies and practices in trade, land use, energy consumption, and seed patent laws favor large-scale agribusinesses that catalyze climate change, while making it more difficult for small-scale sustainable farmers to stay on endemic land. Without safeguards and support for a "cool farming" food system, the global food supply is put at risk and efforts to combat the climate crisis are severely compromised. "The Obama Administration's ratification of the Paris Agreement, while it simultaneously advanced the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)a massive trade deal involving 12 countries along the Pacific Rimpresents a troubling contradiction," said Fair World Project Campaign Director, Kerstin Lindgren. "The TPP represents a clear obstacle to climate progress and if President Obama is serious about his commitment to addressing climate chaos, he needs to drop his support of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and advocate for a fair and ecological system of global trade." The United States government can play a powerful role in combating climate change by supporting regenerative agriculture, and work toward a just economy by prioritizing small-scale farmers. However, to be truly successful and equitable, climate programs at home and abroad must ensure fair prices for farmers, equitable access to land, credit and seeds, as well as institutional safeguards, including reforming unfair trade agreements. Fair World Project congratulates the Obama administration on the milestone of ratification of the Paris Agreement and hopes that this is merely the first step in a serious commitment to tackling the reform that will also include supporting small-scale farmers and denouncing unfair trade agreements. Fair World Project (FWP) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect the use of the term "fair trade" in the marketplace, expand markets for authentic fair trade, educate consumers about key issues in trade and agriculture, advocate for policies leading to a just economy, and facilitate collaborative relationships to create true system change. FWP publishes a bi-annual publication entitled For a Better World. For more information, visit: http://www.fairworldproject.org. SOURCE Fair World Project Related Links http://www.fairworldproject.org WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The family of Marcus Garvey is seeking support from the public for their petition to secure a posthumous presidential pardon of the civil rights pioneer. At least 100,000 signatures of support are needed by September 28 via the White House's We the People platform to trigger the Obama administration's response to a request for the pardon of Garvey, who was indicted for mail fraud by a U.S. court in 1923. Recognized as a forefather of the Civil Rights Movement by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and numerous scholars, Garvey advocated for the development of economic opportunity as a source of black empowerment, launched the Black Star Line fleet, and founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association & African Communities League (UNIA-ACL), which at its height had 6 million members in 40 countries. "He was the first man on a mass scale and level to give millions of Negroes a sense of dignity and destiny. And make the Negro feel that he was somebody," said Dr. King. The subject of a politically motivated investigation by the FBI, Garvey was indicted for mail fraud in 1923 and sentenced to five years in federal prison. While President Calvin Coolidge commuted the sentence in November 1927, Garvey was deported back to his home country of Jamaica, effectively ending his movement for racial justice, social progress and economic independence for African Americans and reducing its effectiveness for African descendants worldwide. For 30 years, Garvey's descendants, led by his son Julius W. Garvey, M.D., along with members of Congress, civil society organizations, cities and states and international groups, have sought to finally and entirely clear Garvey's name and restore his legacy. A presidential pardon petition urging reconsideration of Garvey's unjust arrest, trial and incarceration was filed with the Justice Department on June 24 and was announced at the National Press Club on August 17, which would have been Garvey's 129th birthday. Speaking at the event, Dr. Garvey said, "I had to grow up with the fact that my father was a convicted criminal, convicted in the United States of America which is the biggest and the strongest country in the world. It was very difficult for me as a young man to reconcile what I knew about my father, personally, and what I knew about my father from my mother, to reconcile that with a criminal conviction when it was clear he gave his whole life and sacrificed his family for African people worldwide." Howard University African Diaspora History professor Quito Swan and St. Louis University School of Law professor Justin Hansford were among the speakers who joined Garvey at the National Press Club. "Garvey's genius was his ability to build the world's most expansive Black mass movement, the likes of which have not been seen since. It's now a time to right the wrongs," said Swan. Hansford, who represents the Garvey family along with Harvard Law School Professor Charles Ogletree and the law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, concurs, "The reality is there's never been a better time to do so. I believe we're at a turning point in our racial justice history." Supporters of the pardon request are invited to add their signature before September 28 at https://wh.gov/iLvaQ and share using #justice4garvey. Learn more at www.justice4garvey.org. SOURCE The family of Marcus Garvey Related Links http://www.justice4garvey.org DENVER, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Fastaff, LLC, pioneer and industry leader of Rapid Response travel nurse staffing, and U.S. Nursing Corporation, a trusted and experienced labor dispute partner, have appointed several new executive leaders in response to industry-leading growth that the organizations continue to experience year-over-year. Recently named to the 2015 Staffing Industry Analysts lists of the Largest and Fastest Growing U.S. Staffing Firms, Fastaff and U.S. Nursing welcomed Jason Godley as Chief Financial Officer and Avi Khilnani as Executive Vice President this summer. Godley brings nearly two decades of financial leadership spanning public accounting, investment banking and as a CFO working with high-growth, private equity backed companies. In his new post, he will focus on fortifying the current financial foundation and implementing sustainable growth strategies for the future. Khilnani, drawing on 20 years of staffing industry leadership experience, and most recently as the Senior Vice President of Randstad Professionals, will provide leadership to the Fastaff and U.S. Nursing business development teams with a goal of adding and expanding partnerships with hospitals with contingent nurse staffing needs. Other executives hired in the last year to expand and optimize the organizations' business divisions include Vice President of Business Development Lori Krogel, whose previous leadership of four Randstad Professional offices generated almost $30M in sales annually for the publically traded company, Vice President of Marketing Lauren Pasquale, a digital media and marketing leader who grew audience reach by 360% for the U.S. Olympic Committee using innovative marketing technology, and Vice President of Administration Dr. Kimberly Windsor, who brings 20 years of nursing administration and 12 years of staffing leadership driving best practice implementations for maximizing efficiency and operating with the highest standards of excellence for compliance. "The depth of experience, curiosity, and passion our new executives bring to the team will help us maintain and build upon the extraordinary growth we've experienced in the past few years, and support our mission to provide innovative staffing solutions and excellent quality patient care for the healthcare community," explained Allison Beer, CEO and President of Fastaff and U.S. Nursing. She continued, "Their collective years of success and expertise, coupled with their individual pursuit of cultivating employee engagement, will enhance our strong performance and maintain our award-winning culture." Fastaff and U.S. Nursing have experienced unprecedented growth in the last two years, with record-breaking increases in revenue and the number of clients and working nurses. In order to support this growth, the two brands are making additional investments in talent acquisition at all levels of the organization as well as investing in best-in-class technology to enhance efficiency and maintain excellent service for nurses and clients. Company culture remains a top focus for Beer and the executive team, and the company was honored in 2016 as Colorado's eighth Top Workplace by the Denver Post. About Fastaff Travel Nursing: More than two decades ago, Fastaff pioneered the practice of Rapid Response travel nurse staffing. Since then, the company has grown to become the leading provider of urgent and crucial temporary nurses to help hospitals provide continuous, high-quality patient care, while offering premium pay to nurses. In partnering with many of the nation's largest and most prestigious healthcare facilities as well as small community hospitals, Fastaff provides enriching employment opportunities to nurses while also providing the highest pay in the industry to meet acute staffing needs and provide unparalleled patient care. In 2016, Fastaff was voted the top 8th workplace in Colorado by the Denver Post. Visit www.fastaff.com for more information and connect with Fastaff on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn. About US Nursing Corporation: Since 1989, U.S. Nursing Corporation has been working with healthcare facilities and nursing professionals to provide staffing solutions during labor disputes. U.S. Nursing Corporation has staffed or helped avert more than 95 percent of all healthcare labor disputes nationwide and is the only resource for comprehensive services throughout strike preparation and implementation. Visit www.usnursing.com for more information. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160908/405679LOGO SOURCE Fastaff Travel Nursing BOCA RATON, Fla., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hispanics in the United States are increasingly optimistic about the nation's economy and their own personal financial situation, according to a new national survey by the Florida Atlantic University Business and Economics Polling Initiative (FAU BEPI). The Hispanic Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI) gained six points from 100.8 in July to 106.2 in August, the highest month on record in the two years FAU has been conducting the survey. The gain was fueled by an increase in three of the five components of the index, including respondents' perception about their personal financial situation a year from now, their reading on U.S. economic conditions in the next five years, and their opinion as to whether now is a good time to buy big-ticket items. Overall, 82 percent of Hispanics think that a year from now they will be better off financially, which is a 5 percent increase from July. The percentage of Hispanics who expect good times economically over the next five years increased from 53 percent to 68 percent. Overall, 74 percent of Hispanics said this is a good time to buy big-ticket items such as furniture, refrigerators or televisions, which is a 5 percent increase from July. Consumers 35 to 54 years of age and those with incomes of $75,000 were most favorable to buying big-ticket items. This month's poll also surveyed Hispanics' use of social media for political news. Overall, 77 percent of Hispanics use social media to read political news stories, including 87 percent of those 18 to 34 years old, and 86 percent of those earning $75,000 or more a year. The survey also highlighted which groups tend to go toward selective exposure when it comes to the political news they read. Males are more likely (44 percent) than females (33 percent) to seek out opinions that are in line with their own views, while those age 55 and above are more likely to seek out contrary opinions than younger people. While television is still the top source for political news for Hispanics overall, younger Hispanics 18 to 34 years of age get most of their political news from the Internet (60 percent, compared to 34 percent for television). For more information, visit www.business.fau.edu/bepi. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150508/214770LOGO SOURCE Florida Atlantic University Business and Economic Polling Initiative Related Links http://www.business.fau.edu/bepi NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Mary Reilly, The DateMeister, will hold her first "Cougars and Cubs" party on Sept. 30 at the iconic Madame X Lounge in midtown New York. The ticket-based event designed to allow 40-plus women to enjoy flirtations with men between the ages of 21 and 39, will run from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the dimly lit, sensuous Greenwich Village bar, located at 94 West Houston St. (between LaGuardia and Thompson). Tickets, which can be purchased at https://thedatemeistercougarsandcubsevent.eventbrite.com or at the door, if not sold out, are $20 for women and $25 for men. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405338 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405337LOGO Reilly, who goes by the name The DateMeister, is a 53-year-old Cougar, as well as an event planner, writer, and dating expert, who likes to debunk myths that fuel dating frustration and loneliness. Reilly says jokes about Cougars looking for Cubs for all-night sex surfaced after Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher became a couple. But sex is typically not the attraction. Reilly says, "I have interviewed folks who have met organically, and the relationship worked because there was a real connection. Many of the women, now in their 60s and 70s, said that their best relationships were with men 10 to 20 years younger. These partnerships blossomed because neither party was outcome-drivenlooking for financial stability, marriage or children." She adds, "Older women are tired of men who have little energy, too much baggage or are bitteror too cheap post-divorce. Younger men not yet ready to marry usually dislike young women pressuring them for a commitment too soon. Also, with an older woman the fear of an unwanted pregnancy is greatly diminished." Reilly, who has dated younger men, says going out with younger men who are respectful and appreciative can be liberating and fun. Magic happens because both are living in the present and developing real intimacy because they are not focused solely on the future. About The DateMeister The DateMeister hosts educational dating and singles events and her next panel, "The Image Power of Dating," will be on October 4. Reilly regularly works with leading dating experts and is a sought-after radio and podcast guest for many topics, including: "Cougars and Cubs": http://taoofindifference.podomatic.com/entry/2016-06-25T09_38_10-07_00. CONTACT: Mary Reilly Cell: 917-363-9860 Email www.thedatemeister.com @DateMeister SOURCE Mary Reilly Related Links http://www.thedatemeister.com The new office, located in the One Northwestern Plaza at 28411 Northwestern Highway, Suite 500, spans 20,000 square feet and features state-of-the-art conference rooms, client-centered technologies, 24-hour security and easy accessibility to highway interchanges. Additionally, the building is ENERGY STAR certified and was previously honored as Building of the Year by the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA). The Southfield location is among five other Foster Swift offices, including Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Holland and St. Joseph. Foster Swift has more than 100 attorneys and over 100 support staff statewide. "Our new space was designed for our staff to provide the highest quality services to our clients across the state," says Michael Sanders, president and chair of the executive committee at Foster Swift. "Similar to our other locations, the Southfield office reflects a collegial and vibrant environment for our employees and clients that encourages collaboration and innovation." Foster Swift was founded in 1902, serving a variety of public and private clients. Michigan's leading corporations, individuals and families, have relied on Foster Swift for across-the-board legal excellence. Each practice group is comprised of lawyers rated as the best by local clients and peers. As the 13th largest firm in the state capital, Foster Swift continues to grow by successfully addressing client needs and delivering exceptional results. Multimedia content, including photos and video, can be downloaded for media use here: http://bit.ly/2cp5bWN About Foster Swift Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC is a full-service law firm founded in 1902. The firm employs 95 attorneys and over 100 support staff in five locations; Lansing, Detroit, Farmington Hills, Grand Rapids and Holland. For more information about the firm, its attorneys and to access recent publications, visit www.fosterswift.com. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160908/405594 SOURCE Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC Related Links http://www.fosterswift.com ATLANTA, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Fulcrum Equity Partners ("Fulcrum"), Level Capital Partners ("Level") and the management team of CarePlus Medical Corporation ("CarePlus") announced today the recapitalization of CarePlus. Founded in 2010 and based in Athens, Georgia, CarePlus is a leading provider of outsourced anesthesia management and healthcare provider recruitment services to ambulatory surgery centers ("ASCs"). CarePlus Co-founders Paul Weir and Dr. John Morgan, M.D., along with the rest of the company's management team, will remain significant owners in CarePlus and will continue to service and manage the network of ASCs partnered with the company. Dan Kohl, a longtime healthcare services executive, has joined the company as CEO. Kohl will partner with management to further advance CarePlus' market-leading service offerings and reputation for client satisfaction. "We're excited to partner with Fulcrum and Level," said CarePlus Co-founder Paul Weir. "Their collective history and expertise in building multi-site healthcare services organizations will be invaluable to us as we continue to focus on providing exceptional service to our clients and further expanding our business." CarePlus Co-founder John Morgan added, "After a thorough vetting of our options for accelerating growth, we're confident that we've partnered with a great team of executives and sponsors. We're eager to continue to build on the strong capabilities of the company." "Fulcrum has had prior success in outsourced healthcare services and was seeking another opportunity in the space. CarePlus really stood out due to its deep client relationships, highly scalable platform and growth opportunities," said Fulcrum Partner Tom Greer. "The caliber and breadth of the management team further validated the investment opportunity for Fulcrum." "CarePlus provides a strong value proposition to its clients and patients within a market experiencing impressive growth trends," said Level Partner Steve McGrath. "We're thrilled to partner with CarePlus management as well as Fulcrum in building on the success of the company to date." About CarePlus CarePlus Management, founded in 2010, provides market-leading anesthesia management and recruitment to ambulatory surgery centers. The team's combined experience in practice management and healthcare recruiting makes it uniquely qualified to understand the complexities of its clients' business, anticipate their needs, and efficiently manage each aspect of ambulatory anesthesia. More information can be found at www.careplusmp.com. About Fulcrum Equity Partners Fulcrum Equity Partners is a growth equity fund based in Atlanta, Georgia, that is focused primarily on healthcare services, information technology and technology enabled business service companies. Fulcrum provides equity financing to meet a wide range of needs, including internal growth initiatives, acquisitions, management buy-outs, shareholder liquidity and recapitalizations. Additionally, the partners have over 125 years of relevant experience, including operations, venture capital, mezzanine finance, accounting, law, investment banking and strategy consulting. To learn more, please visit www.fulcrumep.com. About Level Capital Partners Level is a private investment firm focusing on the recapitalization of lower-middle market companies at an inflection point for growth. Core characteristics of its portfolio companies include scalable infrastructure, asset-light operations, and defensible competitive advantages leading Level's concentration into the business services, healthcare services, niche manufacturing, and technology sectors. Inquiries can be made at [email protected]. SOURCE Fulcrum Equity Partners Related Links http://www.fulcrumep.com LONDON, Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Summary The Future of the Brazilian Defense Industry - Market Attractiveness, Competitive Landscape and Forecasts to 2021, published by Strategic Defence Intelligence, provides readers with detailed analysis of both historic and forecast defense industry values, factors influencing demand, the challenges faced by industry participants, analysis of industry leading companies, and key developments. Key Findings - Over the historic period, Brazil's defense expenditure registered CAGR of -13.31%,decreasingfrom US$34.2billion in 2012 to US$19.3 billion in 2016 - The Brazilian military expenditure, estimated to value US$17.5billion in 2017, is expected to increase marginally, to reachUS$20.5 billion by 2021, registering a CAGR of 4.08% over the forecast period - The country's military expenditure will be driven by the large defense procurement projects, development of indigenous defense capabilities, and modernization of its defense systems - The Defense Ministry is expected to spend more onmulti-role combat aircraft, diesel electric submarines, and military IT- networking Synopsis This report offers detailed analysis of the Brazilian defense industry with market size forecasts covering the next five years. This report will also analyze factors that influence demand for the industry, key market trends, and challenges faced by industry participants. In particular, it provides an in-depth analysis of the following: - The Brazilian defense industry market size and drivers: detailed analysis of the Brazilian defense industry during 2017-2021, including highlights of the demand drivers and growth stimulators for the industry. It also provides a snapshot of the country's expenditure and modernization programs - Budget allocation and key challenges: insights into procurement schedules formulated within the country. It also details the key challenges faced by defense market participants within the country - Porter's Five Force analysis of the Brazilian defense industry: analysis of market characteristics by determining the bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of buyers, threat of substitution, intensity of rivalry, and barriers to entry - Import and Export Dynamics: analysis of prevalent trends in the country's imports and exports over the last five years - Market opportunities: Details of the top five defense investment opportunities over the coming 10 years - Competitive landscape and strategic insights: Competitive landscape analysis of the Brazilian defense industry. It provides an overview of key players, together with insights such as key alliances, strategic initiatives, and a brief financial analysis Reasons To Buy - This report will give the user confidence to make the correct business decisions based on a detailed analysis of the Brazilian defense industry market trends for the coming five years - The market opportunity section will inform the user about the various military requirements that are expected to generate revenues during the forecast period. The description includes technical specifications, recent orders, and the expected investment pattern by the country during the forecast period - Detailed profiles of the top domestic and foreign defense manufacturers with information about their products, alliances, recent contract wins and financial analysis wherever available. This will provide the user with a total competitive landscape of the sector - A deep qualitative analysis of the Brazilian defense industry covering sections including demand drivers, Porter's Five Forces Analysis, Key Trends and Growth Stimulators, and latest industry contracts Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/1171972/ 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.reportlinker.com CHICAGO, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- GCE Lab School has expanded into a new facility that redefines the high school's physical environment. Located at 1535 North Dayton, GCE has created a profoundly unique "home base" that's reflective of their project-based, student-centered curriculum, and a compliment to the school's City2Classroom learning model and partnerships. A ribbon-cutting event on September 22 at 6:00pm will formally introduce the new space to key donors, supporters of the school, and community members. To attend this event and tour this truly unique high school space, RSVP here . GCE's approach was to take an older building with large open spaces and unique architectural elements, and build a living ecosystem for student engagement and ownership. Students were involved in the design and building process, where they identified materials that otherwise would have been disregarded and "upcycled" them. They influenced the design and utility of each space based on their learning styles, social interests, and material needs. The result is a one-of-a-kind space that facilitates active learning and collaboration, including: Maker Lab Design with 3D/2D printing Workshop studios for 3D building, design, and visual arts Conservatory for eco-activities, social gatherings, presentations, and music Classrooms for workshops, conversation, mind-mapping, and test-taking Micro theatres for audio/visual productions Student-designed lounge Student-organized library that permeates the walls throughout the school Biomimicry inspired "greenhouse" features throughout Kitchen for cooking classes, "kitchen table" discussions, food prep, and eating Outdoor space: The City of Chicago About GCE Lab School GCE is an independent private high school where at least 50% of the students earn scholarship funding, resulting in a student body that's truly reflective of Chicago's rich diversity. GCE Lab School's inquiry and project-based curriculum extends beyond the special walls of GCE as students indulge in City2Classroom field experiences every week. The relationship between intimate community and infinite learning networks inspire students to expand and pursue their aspirations. For further information, please contact Kate Klein, Head of School, at [email protected] , and visit our website at https://gcelabschool.com/ . SOURCE GCE Lab School Related Links http://gcelabschool.com NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- This report, from Stratview Research, studies the global aerospace overhead stowage bin market over the period 2010 to 2021. The report provides detailed insights on the market dynamics to enable informed business decision making and growth strategy formulation based on the opportunities present in the market. The Global Aerospace Overhead Stowage Bin Market: Highlights Overhead bins are originally more than a shelf with a door. They have grown in size over the years and yet have not reached the optimum level. Recent passenger surveys revealed that the lack of overhead space is one of the biggest gripes about airline industry today. Airlines keep on conveying to OEMs about their passengers' complaints regarding the lack of space in the overhead bins. They are seeking bins that are large, easier and safer to use, aesthetically good, and easy to maintain. Both Boeing and Airbus are developing new stowage bins by carving out every single centimeter of space in such a way that will accommodate more number of rollaboard bags in the aircraft. Boeing is well ahead than the nearest rival Airbus in understanding the passenger complaints regarding the lack of space in the overhead bins. The company developed large pivot bins for its Sky Interior design in 2010 which is used in the smaller B737 fuselage. Boeing celebrated the delivery of thousand Sky interior designed B737 well before Airbus launched new space bin in the year 2014. Most of the major overhead stowage bin manufacturers are working with OEMs for developing the bins that are lightweight, aesthetically good, and large in size to accommodate more number of rollaboard bags in the cabin. Recently, FACC AG jointly worked with Airbus and developed a new modular pivot overhead stowage bin (pOHSB) for A320 family which increases the overhead stowage volume by 10% and allows increased capacity for up to 60 percent more luggage. The global aerospace stowage bin market offers a healthy growth opportunity and is likely to grow at a 5.1% CGAR during the forecast period of 2016 to 2021. Increasing commercial aircraft deliveries and growing aircraft fleet size are the key drivers in the global aerospace overhead stowage bin market. Pivot bin is a standard in all new aircraft, such as B787, A350XWB, and C Series. North America is expected to remain the dominant region in the aerospace stowage bin market since it's the manufacturing hub of the major commercial aircraft manufacturer, Boeing. Wide body aircraft segment is expected to drive the global aerospace overhead stowage bin market during the forecast period. The supply chain of this market comprises raw material manufacturers, bin component manufacturers, overhead stowage bin manufacturers, Aircraft OEMs, and Airlines. The key aerospace OEMs are Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier, Embraer, ATR, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and key airliners are Lufthansa, Delta Air, Air China, and Singapore Airlines. The key overhead stowage bin manufacturers are Zodiac Aerospace, FACC AG, Boeing Interior Responsibility Center, Jamco Corporation, and Aim Altitude. New product development, collaboration with OEMs, and long term contacts are the key strategies adopted by the key players to gain competitive edge in the market. All the players are developing larger and lightweight bins that can accommodate more number of carry on rollaboard bags. Research Methodology This report offers high quality insights and is the outcome of detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders and validation and triangulation with Stratview Research's internal database and statistical tools. More than 500 authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact book, press release, journals, investor presentation, white papers, patents, and articles have been leveraged to gather the data. More than 10 detailed primary interviews with the market players across the value chain in the all four regions and industry experts have been executed to obtain both the qualitative and quantitative insights. Report Features This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights on the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report: - Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis - Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter's five forces analysis, SWOT analysis - Market trend and forecast analysis - Market segment trend and forecast - Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, product portfolio, product launches, etc. - Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities - Emerging trends - Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players - Key success factors The global aerospace overhead stowage bin market is segmented into the following categories: Global Aerospace Overhead Stowage Bin Market by Aircraft Type: - Narrow Body Aircraft - Wide Body Aircraft - Very Large Aircraft - Regional Aircraft Global Aerospace Overhead Stowage Bin by Platform Type: - B737 - B747 - B777 - B787 - A320 Family - A330 / A340 - A350 XWB - A380 - B737 Max - B777X - A320 neo - A330 neo - E 175 - C Series - Others Global Aerospace Overhead Stowage Bin Market by Bin Type - Shelf Bin - Pivot Bin - Translating Bin Global Aerospace Overhead Stowage Bin Market by BoardType - Inboard Overhead Stowage Bin - Outboard Overhead Stowage Bin Global Aerospace Overhead Stowage Bin Market by Fit Type - Line Fit - Retro Fit Global Aerospace Overhead Stowage Bin Market by Region - North America o US o Canada o Mexico - Europe o Germany o France o UK o Italy o Spain o Rest of Europe - Asia Pacific o China o Japan o India o Rest of Asia-Pacific - Rest of the World o Middle East o Latin America Report Customization Options With this detailed report, Stratview Research offers one of the following free customization options to our respectable clients: - Regional Segmentation o Current market segmentation of any one of the regions by bin type - Benchmarking of Key Competitors o Benchmarking of the key players on the following parameters: Product portfolio, geographical reach, regional presence, and strategic alliances - Company Profiling o Detailed profiling of additional market players (upto 3) o SWOT analysis of key players (upto 3) Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p04086950-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 LONDON, Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Summary The Global Savory Snacks market in 2015 was valued at US$94.5 billion and is expected to post a value CAGR of 7.9% and per capita value CAGR of 7.1% during 2015-2020. Growth in the global market is expected to come mainly from the developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region followed by the East European regions, while countries in the Latin American region are expected to register marginal growth. Booming population in Asia-Pacific regions coupled with healthy economic outlook presents a significant opportunity for growth of Savory Snacks market. In developed markets (such as the US, the UK and France), novelty is crucial and consumers look for exotic and different flavors in Savory Snacks while in developing markets (such as Brazil, China and India) novel products as well as value deals remain high in demand. The Global Savory Snacks market is highly fragmented with the top 5 brands holding less than 16% of the combined market share. Lay's, Doritos, Pringles, Cheats and Ruffles are the leading brands with the highest market share in 2015. Hypermarkets and Supermarkets is the leading retail channel for Savory Snacks across all regions followed by Convenience Stores. Flexible Packaging is the most commonly used packaging material in the Global Savory Snacks market accounting for majority of the market share. Key Findings - Global Savory Snacks market is set to grow, driven by increasing urbanization levels and growing demand from developing countries. - Drivers for shift in consumption patterns: Increasing urbanization and emerging middle income group in the developing countries is driving the Savory Snacks industry growth. - In East Europe region, Russia is the largest market for Savory Snacks products in value terms, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10% during 2015-2020. - Global Savory Snacks market is highly fragmented with the top five brands holding less than 16% of the combined market share. - Ethnic/Traditional Snacks -Bourbon Petit is one of the leading brands of Ethnic/Traditional Snacks in the Asia-Pacific region, with over 20% value share in Japan. - Compared to other regions, private label brands have a strong presence in Western Europe and North America. - Hypermarkets and Supermarkets is the leading distribution channel in the global Savory Snacks market. - Flexible Packaging is the most commonly used containers in the Savory Snacks market. Synopsis Canadean's Global report on the Savory Snacks market provides insights on high growth categories to target, trends in the usage of packaging materials, types and closures category level distribution data and brands market shares. What else is contained? - Market data: Overall market value and volume data with growth analysis for 2010-2020 - Category coverage: Value and growth analysis for Ethnic/Traditional Snacks, Meat Snacks, Nuts and Seeds, Popcorn, Potato Chips, Pretzels and Processed Snacks with inputs on individual segment share within each category and the change in their market share forecast for 2015-2020 - More extensive brand coverage: The report provides more extensive brand share coverage. Brand share data is also validated by inputs from industry experts. - The Distribution data included in the report covers 11 distribution channels including Hypermarkets and Supermarkets, Health and Beauty Stores, Department Stores, Cash and Carries and Warehouse Clubs, Dollar Stores and Variety Stores and General Merchandise Retailers. - Packaging data: consumption breakdown for packaging materials and containers in each category, in terms of percentage share of number of units sold. Packaging material data for Flexible Packaging, Paper and Board, Rigid Plastics, and others; container data for: Bag/Sachet, Can- Composite, Tub and others - Country Analysis: Trend analysis for leading high potential countries - Recommendations: Recommendations for manufacturers on key Dairy and Soy Food categories - Milk, Cheese, Yoghurt, and Butter and Spreadable Fats on parameters including Formulation, Positioning, Packaging, Occasion, Consumer Targets, and Key Segments. Reasons To Buy - Identify high potential categories and explore further market opportunities based on detailed value and volume analysis - Existing and new players can analyze key distribution channels to identify and evaluate trends and opportunities - Gain an understanding of the total competitive landscape based on detailed brand share analysis to plan effective market positioning - Access the key and most influential consumer trends driving Dairy and Soy Food products consumption, and how they influence consumer behavior in the market which will help determine the best audiences to target - Access to analysis on products launched in the market with Case Examples/Success Stories - Our team of analysts have placed a significant emphasis on changes expected in the market that will provide a clear picture of the opportunities that can be tapped over the next five years, resulting in revenue expansion Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4109276/ 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 LONDON, Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Water pump refers to the most dynamic mechanical devices with applications in various industries and households. The rapid growth of the urban population is creating pressure on the existing water infrastructure, which includes delivery of utility water and removal and treatment of wastewater. To overcome this situation, various governments in Asia and Africa are expected to increase their spending on irrigation and drinking water schemes. In 2011, in its Twelfth Five Year Plan, the Chinese government allocated $112 billion for upgrading water treatment and piping systems. Moreover, over the past few years, the use of water pumps has increased in urban households. The lifestyle of the urban population is fast-paced and modern, as compared to that of the rural population. Majority of manufacturers are offering varieties of water pumps to meet the growing demand from households. On the basis of technology, the global water pump market has been segmented into centrifugal and positive displacement pumps. The various positive displacement pumps include rotary pump, reciprocating pump, and others. A centrifugal pump refers to a rotodynamic pump that uses a rotating impeller to increase the pressure and flow rate of a fluid. Centrifugal pumps are most commonly used to move a fluid through a piping system. These pumps consist of two basic components rotary element or impeller and stationary element or casing. Centrifugal pumps are widely used in wells, buildings, hot water circulation systems, and fire protection systems in industries. Positive displacement pumps function by forcing a fixed volume of liquid from the inlet pressure section of the pump into the discharge zone. In positive displacement pumps, efficiency increases with increase in viscosity. Positive displacement pumps can be used in industries, such as pulp and paper, pharmaceutical, chemical, wastewater treatment, and food and beverage. The global water pump market was valued at $42,435.1 million in 2015, and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% during 2016-2022. The growing construction industry, increasing disposable income, growing water scarcity, rapid industrialization in developing economies, and increasing level of urbanization are driving the growth of the water pump market. Among the various applications, the municipal water and wastewater segment accounted for the largest share in the global market in 2015, and it is anticipated to retain its dominance during the forecast period. Among the two technologies, the centrifugal water pump segment accounted for the larger share in the global water pump market in 2015. Asia-Pacific accounted for the largest share (42.9%) in the global water pump market, and it is also anticipated to witness the highest growth (CAGR 6.6%) during 2016 - 2022. The increasing level of urbanization, rapid industrialization and rising disposable income are some of the major growth driving forces for the Asia-Pacific water pumps market, particularly in countries, such as India and China. Some of the major players operating in the global water pump market include Flowserve Corporation, Ebara Corporation, Sulzer Ltd., Grundfos Holding A/S, Kirloskar Brothers Limited, KSB Aktiengesellschaft, Gardner Denver, Inc., ITT Corporation, Torishima Pump Mfg. Co., and The Weir Group PLC. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4087600/ 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 NEWBURY, Ohio, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Kinetico Incorporated, a global leader in the water treatment industry, announced its acquisition of Selecto Inc., an Atlanta-based manufacturer of high-quality commercial and residential water filtration products. The strategic purchase combines Kinetico's best-in-class water softeners and water purification systems with Selecto's innovative water filtration and media technologies. Selecto will be a wholly-owned subsidiary strengthening Kinetico's position as the provider of choice for total water care. Kinetico is a manufacturer of premium water treatment products for residential and commercial applications with more than one million systems in use worldwide. For more than 45 years, Kinetico has taken a progressive approach to solving water problems and leads the water treatment industry in the development of groundbreaking, sustainable solutions. Expanding into new channels and markets, Kinetico is growing at double digits. Kinetico has products in more than 100 countries and six offices in North America and Europe. "It's wonderful to find a company and team that complement Kinetico so perfectly," said Toby Thomas, Kinetico President and CEO. "Selecto's highly differentiated water filtration products, corporate culture and values and its dedication to innovation are in complete alignment with Kinetico's principles. We are delighted to be coming together so that we can change more lives through better water solutions." For more than 20 years, Selecto has been a leader in high-flow modular water filtration and binder-free carbon technology for food service, industrial and consumer products. The company has developed strong, lasting relationships as well as unique filtration products for some of the world's most recognized multinational, Fortune 500 companies. "Integration of our companies will provide customers with access to expanded resources and a broader portfolio of solutions that can be leveraged to further improve operations," said Terry Libin, Selecto Co-founder and President. "It is incredibly satisfying to know that our company, employees and customers will be in great hands, and I look forward to being part of the next chapter." Libin and Ehud Levy, Co-founder and CEO, will remain with the organization providing leadership and guidance. About Kinetico Founded in 1970, Kinetico is one of the world's leading manufacturers and marketers of water treatment systems for the residential, commercial and OEM markets. Recognized for its reliable, economical and sustainable approach to water treatment, Kinetico products are used and recommended by millions of people all over the world. Further information is available at www.kinetico.com. SOURCE Kinetico Incorporated Related Links http://www.kinetico.com TORONTO, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Golden Star Resources Ltd. (NYSE MKT: GSS; TSX: GSC; GSE: GSR) ("Golden Star" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has appointed Manroc Developments Inc. ("Manroc") as the underground mining contractor for its Prestea Underground Gold Mine in Ghana ("Prestea Underground"). Manroc was selected following a competitive bid process, involving a number of large mining contractors. Manroc specializes in Alimak stoping, a mechanized shrinkage mining method, and has a reputation for safety and efficiency. The contractor has worked on major projects on a variety of continents and its clients have included Barrick Gold Corporation, Goldcorp Inc. and Nyrstar. Manroc has previously operated in Ghana and Tanzania. Alimak stoping was selected as the mining method for Prestea Underground due to its safety and efficiency benefits over conventional shrinkage mining. Prestea Underground is a narrow, high grade deposit, with Mineral Reserves of 1.0Mt at 14.02g/t for 469,000 ounces and substantial exploration upside potential. Members of Golden Star's technical team at Prestea Underground have experience of using Alimak mining techniques at the Myra Falls mine in British Columbia, Canada and the Musselwhite mine in Ontario, Canada. Golden Star is expected to commence development of the Prestea Underground ore body during Q4 2016 and Manroc is expected to mobilize its fleet to site during the same quarter. The Company's development timeline for Prestea Underground remains intact and Golden Star expects to achieve commercial production at the mine in mid-2017, as planned. Sam Coetzer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Golden Star, commented: "The development of Prestea Underground is progressing well and the appointment of a mining contractor is the next important step. We remain on track to bring Prestea Underground into production in mid-2017, which will be a significant milestone for Golden Star as it is expected to increase our production rate and further reduce our cash operating costs. The mine is one of the highest grade development projects in West Africa and it has a strong history, with approximately 9 million ounces of gold production during the past century. The work to upgrade Prestea's infrastructure is continuing well and we are excited about the potential upside of the deposit's Mineral Reserves. I look forward to updating the market further on Prestea Underground's progress over the coming months as Golden Star continues on its path to become a high grade, low cost, non-refractory producer." Company Profile Golden Star is an established gold mining company that owns and operates the Wassa and Prestea mines situated on the prolific Ashanti Gold Belt in western Ghana, Africa. Listed on the NYSE MKT, the TSX, and the GSE, Golden Star is strategically focused on increasing operating margins and cash flow through the development of two high grade, low cost underground mines both in conjunction with existing open pit operations. The Wassa Underground commenced pre-commercial production in mid-2016 and the Prestea Underground is expected to commence production in mid-2017. Both projects are fully funded and on track to begin production as expected. Production in 2016 is expected to be between 180,000205,000 ounces of gold with costs of US$815-US$925 per ounce. Cautionary note regarding forward-looking information This press release contains "forward looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Golden Star. Generally, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words and phrases (including negative or grammatical variations) or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. Forward-looking information and statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, information or statements with respect to: the timeline for bringing Prestea Underground into production; the timing for Manroc to mobilize its fleet to Prestea Underground; the expected cost and time savings incurred as a result of using raise mining; the potential upside of Mineral Reserves at Prestea Underground; the safety and efficiency of Alimak stoping; the impact of Prestea Underground mining on production and costs; and the Company's ability to transform, into a high grade, low cost producer. Forward-looking information and statements are made based upon certain assumptions and other important factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performances or achievements of Golden Star to be materially different from future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which Golden Star will operate in the future, including the price of gold, anticipated costs and ability to achieve goals. Forward-looking information and statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Golden Star to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information and statements, including but not limited to: risks related to international operations, including economic and political instability in foreign jurisdictions in which Golden Star operates; risks related to current global financial conditions; actual results of current exploration activities; environmental risks; future prices of gold; possible variations in mineral reserves, grade or recovery rates; mine development and operating risks; accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities and risks related to indebtedness and the service of such indebtedness. Although Golden Star has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information and statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Technical Information The technical contents of this press release have been reviewed and approved by Dr. Martin Raffield, P. Eng., a Qualified Person pursuant to National Instrument 43-101. Dr. Raffield is Senior Vice President, Project Development and Technical Services for Golden Star. Additional scientific and technical information relating to the Prestea Underground mine is contained in the current technical report, available at www.sedar.com, entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on a Feasibility Study of the Prestea Underground Gold Project in Ghana" effective date November 3, 2015. SOURCE Golden Star Resources Ltd. Related Links www.gsr.com GREENWICH, Conn., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Greenwich Auction & Connecticut Antique Center will be hosting a large estate jewelry and furniture auction on Sunday, September 11th at 11am. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160908/405623 Greenwich Auction & Connecticut Antique Center Hosts Live Jewelry and Furniture Auction The auction features a collection of fine diamond, gemstone, gold and platinum items that have been in the same family since their creation in the 1920s to 1950s, including items by Tiffany & Co. Also included are over two hundred additional pieces of vintage estate and new fine jewelry and costume jewelry. This includes items with emeralds, rubies, sapphires, citrine, garnet, topaz, aquamarine, jade and natural stone beaded necklaces. Natural and cultured pearl items include necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings. A section of gold, silver and platinum settings as well as solid link bracelets and necklaces will be offered. Many pieces of sterling silver flatware, serving items, decorative pieces of silver are to be included in the auction as well. David Johnson, owner of Greenwich Auction and Connecticut Antique Center, said: "Fall is here and with that renewed interest in the auction market. We have a lot of terrific jewelry pieces in this auction that represent some incredible designers from iconic years of jewelry making." In addition to the jewelry Greenwich Auction will be offering over four hundred items from estates and consigned merchandise from local Fairfield, Westchester, Manhattan and Hamptons homes. This includes fine art, period antiques, contemporary furniture, custom made items, oriental / persian carpets, drapery, fabric, decorative objects, etc. The auction catalog may be viewed on GreenwichAuction.net and interested individuals may preview the items in person Friday September 9th from 11am to 5pm, Saturday September 10th from 12pm to 5pm or Sunday September 11th from 9am to 10:30am. Auction to start at 11am at 83 Harvard Avenue in Stamford, Connecticut as well as online. Internet bidding is available on LiveAuctioneers.com, Invaluable.com and AuctionZip.com Greenwich Auction is a premier auction house, strategically located in Fairfield County, Connecticut. They continually offer unique items of value and historical interest from collections throughout Fairfield County, Westchester, New York City and beyond. For more information on Greenwich Auction please visit their website: www.GreenwichAuction.net. Related Images image1.jpg image2.jpg This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com SOURCE Greenwich Auction & Connecticut Antique Center Related Links http://GreenwichAuction.net HOUSTON, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Harvest Natural Resources, Inc. (Harvest or the Company) (NYSE: HNR) today announced that today's annual meeting of stockholders was convened and adjourned, without any business being conducted (other than the adjournment of the meeting). The annual meeting will reconvene on September 15, 2016 at 3:30 p.m. central time at the Company's headquarters located at 1177 Enclave Parkway, Suite 300, Houston, Texas 77077. The record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting remains August 1, 2016. The adjournment is intended to provide the Company's stockholders with time to read and consider a supplement to the definitive proxy statement that the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on August 2, 2016. The supplement, which the Company plans to file with the SEC shortly, will provide important updates concerning the proposed sale of the Company's Venezuelan interests and the other proposals included in the proxy statement. About Harvest Natural Resources Harvest Natural Resources, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is an independent energy company with principal operations in Venezuela and exploration and exploitation assets in Gabon. For more information visit Harvest's website at www.harvestnr.com. CONTACT: Stephen C. Haynes Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (281) 899-5716 Forward Looking Statements Any forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), contained in this press release involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various important factors. All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact may constitute forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words "intends," "expects," "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "would," "could," "should" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements contained in this press release. These factors include, among other factors: (i) the possibility that the Company will be forced to adjourn the meeting a second time; (ii) any delays in closing the proposed sale of the Company's Venezuelan interests or the possibility of non-consummation of the transaction; (iii) the possibility that the closing conditions to the proposed sale of the Company's Venezuelan interests will not be satisfied or waived, including that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay, refuse to grant or withdraw a necessary regulatory approval, or that the Company will fail to obtain the requisite stockholder approvals of the proposed transaction; (iv) the possibility that the closing of the transaction could be prevented or delayed by litigation, or that that litigation could otherwise have negative effects on the transaction or the Company; (v) the occurrence of any event that could give rise to termination of the share purchase agreement; (vi) risks related to the disruption of the transaction to the Company and its management; (vii) the effect of announcement of the transaction on the Company's ability to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with its partners, suppliers and other third parties; (viii) the possibility that the Company may be unable to continue as a going concern; and (ix) and other risks, including those discussed in the Company's definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on August 2, 2016, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other public filings. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake, and hereby disclaims, any duty to update these forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release. Additional Information In connection with the proposed sale of the Company's Venezuelan interests to CT Energy Holding SRL and certain other proposals, the Company filed a definitive proxy statement with the SEC on August 2, 2016. On or about August 8, 2016, the Company mailed the definitive proxy statement to each stockholder entitled to vote at the annual meeting. Investors and stockholders of the Company should read the definitive proxy statement and other proxy materials carefully before making any voting decision because it contains important information about the proposed sale of the Company's Venezuelan interests and the other proposals included in the proxy statement. The definitive proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC in the future, including any proxy supplements, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and stockholders may obtain free copies of documents filed with the SEC by the Company by requesting them in writing or by telephone from the Company at Harvest Natural Resources, Inc., 1177 Enclave Parkway, Suite 300, Houston, TX 77077, Attention: Corporate Secretary, (281) 899-5700. The Company and its directors and officers and CT Energy Holding SRL and its principals and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company's stockholders in connection with the sale of the Company's Venezuelan interests and other proposals included in the proxy statement. Information about the Company's directors and executive officers and their ownership of Company stock is set forth in the definitive proxy statement, as well as the Company's 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed with the SEC on March 29, 2016, and Amendment No. 1 to its 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed with the SEC on April 29, 2016. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation may be contained in additional materials to be filed with the SEC in the future. SOURCE Harvest Natural Resources Related Links http://www.harvestnr.com WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On behalf of the 220,000 federal employees throughout the Department of Veterans Affairs who are represented by the American Federation of Government Employees, AFGE National President J. David Cox Sr. issued the following statement in response to tonight's presidential forum hosted by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America: "Since frontline employees exposed the waitlist scandal two years ago, the VA has made great strides to hire more doctors and nurses, reduce wait times for appointments, and ensure more veterans get the care they deserve when and where they need it. "As president, Secretary Clinton will work to continue that progress. She understands that we have a sacred obligation to care for those who have worn the military uniform. "Donald Trump, on the other hand, has insulted Gold Star families, ridiculed Sen. John McCain for being captured in Vietnam, and diminished the honor and sacrifice of every service member. His dangerous rhetoric mirrors his dangerous policies like his plan to dismantle the VA's health care system and send veterans to private-sector providers, who don't have the skills or experience to address veterans' unique health care requirements. "If you believe that we as a nation must keep the promise to our veterans, then the choice of whom to elect to our nation's highest office could not be more clear." Read more: 10 Things to Know About the VA The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 670,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia. For the latest AFGE news and information, visit the AFGE Media Center. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131120/MM21150LOGO SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees Related Links http://www.afge.org FRANKLIN, Tenn., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce and Mars Petcare US celebrated a $21M investment today. Mars Petcare, one of the world's leading pet care providers, is expanding support for its existing facility in Henderson, which currently produces IAMS and EUKANUBA brand pet foods. Improvements planned for the facility will give the company increased flexibility to respond to consumer demand by producing more dog and cat food, as well as to ensure the site has the highest food safety standards for products made at the site. "The State of North Carolina welcomes this global company's significant investment in Vance County," said Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III. "North Carolina's convenience to major consumer markets makes it a natural fit for companies like Mars." The Mars Petcare investment in Henderson includes a significant renovation to the facility, which is underway and expected to be complete in mid-November. A number of upgrades are planned to increase productivity and quality, including an upgrade on the mill, new coating systems and two new baggers for the pet food manufactured here. The site, originally operated by Proctor & Gamble, was acquired by Mars Petcare as part of its acquisition of Proctor & Gamble's pet food portfolio in August 2014. "This investment from Mars Petcare sends a very strong message that the company values our community," said Paco Tello, plant manager for the Henderson site. "This contribution will help accelerate our product distribution while better positioning us as a leader in the pet care industry." The Henderson investment is the latest in a series of significant economic investments Mars Petcare has made in local communities. In the last five years alone, the company has invested $1B in U.S. factories and operations and created more than 1,000 U.S. jobs. Investments like Henderson continue to fuel growth it is part of an estimated $900M in capital investments between 2016 and 2017 that the company is making in North America. "The investment Mars has made to the Henderson facility sends a strong message that they are a vibrant corporate partner that values our community," said Vance County Commissioner Tommy Hester. "When companies like Mars invest in their facilities and community, it is an economic driver for the entire region and we look forward to seeing the impact this facility brings." Mars Petcare continues be a global leader in food and quality safety by giving back to the communities where it operates. Locally, Mars Petcare has donated food and dog beds to area animal shelters and other organizations. Broadly, Mars Petcare's charitable work includes: Donating more than $5M in cash and product to organizations across the U.S. to find homes for pets and ensure that pets and their families have nutritious food on hand, in cash and product to organizations across the U.S. to find homes for pets and ensure that pets and their families have nutritious food on hand, The Pedigree Foundation was created to change perceptions about dogs in shelters and to help dogs find loving homes. Since its inception, The Pedigree Foundation has awarded more than $5M while the brand has donated more than 20 million pounds of food to shelter dogs. For more information on Mars Petcare, please visit www.mars.com. About Mars Petcare US Mars Petcare is the world's leading pet nutrition and health care business that strives to make A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS every day. We believe that pets make our lives better and that pet ownership brings joy and benefits which should be accessible to everyone. In the United States, Mars Petcare food brands include PEDIGREE, IAMS, ROYAL CANIN, GREENIES, CESAR, NUTRO and SHEBA. Veterinary practices include BANFIELD and BLUE PEARL. Specialty brands include WISDOM PANEL Canine DNA Tests and WHISTLE GPS Pet Tracker. The company's WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition is a leading scientific authority on pet nutrition and wellbeing. Mars Petcare has more than 37,000 Associates worldwide. For more information about how we're creating A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS, visit https://www.facebook.com/ABetterWorldforPets. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405264LOGO SOURCE Mars Petcare Related Links http://www.mars.com SAN DIEGO, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Hope On Wheels (HHOW) and San Diego-area Hyundai dealers will present the Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego with a $150,000 Young Investigator Grant to be used to expand the knowledge base of pediatric cancer and improve the standards of care. Rady Children's was one of 10 recipients across the country selected from nonprofit Children's Oncology Group (COG) member institutions after a rigorous grading process. The $150,000 Young Investigator Grant will be presented during a Handprint Ceremony tomorrow, September 9, during which the handprints of local San Diego-area brave young cancer patients will be captured on a white 2016 Hyundai Tucson the Hyundai Hope On Wheels hero vehicle to commemorate their fight against the disease. The ceremony will also feature: Dr. Sun Choo , Young Investigator Grant Recipient ; Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist Young Investigator ; Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist Dr. William Roberts , Director, The Peckham Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders, Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego The Peckham Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders, Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego Scott Hall , Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego, Patient parent Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego, Patient parent Hyundai Motor America and local dealers Handprint Ceremony: San Diego -area children affected by cancer will capture their handprints on a white 2016 Hyundai Tucson "Our mission at Hyundai Hope On Wheels is clear: End Childhood Cancer," said Dave Zuchowski, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "These individual awards to hospitals and organizations across the country are pivotal to ending childhood cancer. Although there remains a lot more work to be done, the innovation that comes from this research will ultimately help us find a cure. To all the kids, families and cancer researchers fighting this terrible disease you are not alone and we remain committed to this important cause." About the Hyundai Hope on Wheels Young Investigator Grants and Handprint Ceremonies The Hyundai Young Investigator Awards are awarded to institutions in pediatric cancer research. This is a $150,000 award and qualified individuals are selected from nonprofit COG member institutions after a grading process. This year alone, HHOW will award more than $13 million in new pediatric cancer grants. Since 1998, the program has funded $115 million in research to COG member institutions nationwide. The program also creates awareness about the importance of the disease, which is the leading cause of death by disease in children in the United States (source). Attendees at the various ceremonies will include HHOW's two national youth ambassadors and pediatric cancer survivors, Hannah Adams and Ryan Darby, who will deliver a message of hope to children's cancer hospitals. Hannah, now 13 years old, was only five years old when she was diagnosed with a Stage 3 Wilms tumor that enveloped her kidney. Since her recovery, she has pursued her love of dancing and singing to help uplift and encourage other children and families through their fight. Thirteen-year-old Ryan was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia six years ago, and since his recovery, he has shared his story and words of encouragement with children and families across the country. Watch Hannah and Ryan's story at www.HyundaiHopeOnWheels.org 2016 National Call To Action: Give Hope A Hand In addition to funding a multitude of research projects this September, HHOW is encouraging the public to contribute to the fight against childhood cancer in a personal way. The journey begins with one simple request: Give Hope A Hand. We invite visitors to the newly refreshed website at hyundaihopeonwheels.org, to tell how they will use their hands in the fight against pediatric cancer. Once there visitors can Learn + Care + Do + Give = Hope. There are a number of additional engaging, interactive ways the public can get involved and use their hands for good. HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS Hyundai Hope On Wheels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is committed to finding a cure for childhood cancer. Launched in 1998, Hyundai Hope On Wheels provides grants to eligible institutions nationwide that are pursuing life-saving research and innovative treatments for the disease. HHOW is one of the largest nonprofit funders of pediatric cancer research in the country, and primary funding for Hyundai Hope On Wheels comes from Hyundai Motor America and its more than 830 U.S. dealers. Since its inception, Hyundai Hope On Wheels has awarded more than $115 million towards childhood cancer research in pursuit of a cure. To learn more about Hyundai Hope On Wheels, please visit www.HyundaiHopeOnWheels.org or follow us on social media at www.facebook.com/HyundaiHopeOnWheels, www.twitter.com/hopeonwheels, and www.youtube.com/hopeonwheels. HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 830 dealerships nationwide. Please visit our media website at www.hyundainews.com and our blog at www.hyundailikesunday.com Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140319/LA86658LOGO SOURCE Hyundai Hope On Wheels Related Links http://hyundaihopeonwheels.org SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- IDbyDNA, a precision medicine company focused on metagenomic approaches for infectious disease identification, announced today that it has closed $9 million in Series A financing. ARTIS Ventures led the round, with additional investments from ARUP Laboratories and other private investors. The funds will be used to further develop its Taxonomer-based DNA search technologies and to launch metagenomics-based clinical tests for infectious diseases. IDbyDNA is building technologies that dramatically improve the accuracy and speed of universal microorganism detection by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). The company seeks to help scientists and doctors detect any organism, in any sample. This will help to remove barriers for the adoption of metagenomics in clinical settings, and lead to faster public health responses during infectious disease outbreaks. Since the launch of Taxonomer.com for metagenomics analysis in May 2016, the company already has registered users from more than 150 academic or government institutions and corporations. "Infectious diseases are a leading cause of death. In the U.S., healthcare-associated infections alone affect some 20 percent of hospitalized patients. This results in about $30 billion in excess medical costs annually. The key to successful, cost-effective treatment of these infections is rapid and accurate detection, especially in cases where traditional tests have proven uninformative," said Guochun Liao, PhD, co-founder and CEO of IDbyDNA. "At IDbyDNA we are creating new means for infectious disease detection. Our approach combines the latest genome science with cutting-edge computer search technologies." IDbyDNA was founded in November 2014 by four industry veterans with track records that include pioneering genome analysis methods first used by the Human Genome Project. Guochun Liao, PhD, CEO, was a consulting professor at Stanford University, former VP Bioinformatics at Centrillion, and former head of Computational Genomics at Roche Palo Alto. Robert Schlaberg, MD, Dr Med, MPH is a medical director at ARUP Laboratories and assistant professor of Pathology at the University of Utah. Mark Yandell, PhD, is professor of Human Genetics and Edna Benning Presidential Endowed Chair at University of Utah and co-director of the USTAR Center for Genetic Discovery. Martin Reese, PhD, is the founder, president and CSO of Omicia, and former founder and president of Neomorphic, one of the first Bioinformatics companies, which was sold to Affymetrix. "We are in the midst of another revolution within Genomics, centered around the microorganisms living on, and in us, collectively known as our microbiome," said Stuart Peterson, co-founder and senior partner at ARTIS Ventures, who led this funding round for IDbyDNA. "Although the human microbiome has long been known to influence human health and disease, with the advent of high-throughput sequencing we have only recently begun to understand and appreciate the depth of its involvement. Insights are coming together through the work of companies like IDbyDNA and analytic tools like their ultra-fast metagenomics search algorithm Taxonomer. We couldn't be more optimistic about the opportunity to back this superb team. They are pioneers within this exciting, important and emerging field." About IDbyDNA Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, IDbyDNA is developing technologies to enable universal microorganism detection. IDbyDNA's mission is to help doctors and scientists to detect any pathogen in any sample, thereby removing barriers for the adoption of metagenomics in clinical settings, ultimately leading to faster public health responses during infectious disease outbreaks. For more information about IDbyDNA, please visit http://www.idbydna.com. For Taxonomer, please visit Taxonomer.com. About ARTIS Ventures San Francisco-based ARTIS Ventures supports and partners with entrepreneurs who are driven to positively impact their world through disruptive technological innovation. ARTIS Ventures has led early-stage investments in a number of life sciences and health companies, including Stemcentrx, Modern Meadow, Practice Fusion and Omicia. Other notable companies the firm has backed include YouTube within new media, Palantir and Quid within big data, and Bracket Computing, Nimble Storage, Cohesity and Versa Networks within storage, compute and networking. Founded in 2002 by Stuart Peterson and Mike Harden, ARTIS Ventures is a long-term venture partner that looks for dynamic companies to support throughout the company's entire life-cycle: initial venture investment, initial public offering and beyond. For more information, visit www.artisventures.com, follow on Facebook and Twitter @artisventures. CONTACT: Qing Li, [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405244LOGO SOURCE IDbyDNA Related Links http://www.idbydna.com LONDON, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- International Game Technology PLC (NYSE:IGT) announced that its subsidiary, IGT Global Solutions Corporation (with International Game Technology PLC, hereinafter "IGT"), has signed a contract with the Florida Lottery to provide a wide array of lottery solutions and services, following a competitive procurement. The contract is for an initial 10-year period, and upon the execution of the contract, the Florida Lottery simultaneously exercised the first of its three available three-year renewal options. As a result, IGT will be providing production operations to the Florida Lottery for an initial 13-year period. "Since 2005, the Florida Lottery and IGT have worked together to implement solutions and initiatives that have been key to the Lottery's growth," said Jay Gendron, IGT Senior Vice President, North America Lottery. "The Lottery's close attention to the needs of players and retailers has been instrumental in making it among the world's most successful and respected lotteries and serves as a model for driving lottery growth through effective branding and innovation. Working together, our aligned organizations can build on this success even further for the benefit of Florida's education program." Under the terms of the contract, IGT will provide the Florida Lottery with a set of solutions that has been developed, in large part, based on lottery-customer and retailer insights. IGT's Aurora solution is highly-secure, robust, and flexible to meet the Florida Lottery's evolving requirements. The Florida Lottery's existing retailer terminal base will be replaced with IGT's new Altura Flex retailer terminal, providing a state-of-the-art platform for retailers to efficiently interact with and service players, leveraging a modular, open architecture and retailer friendly design. IGT's Aurora MultiMedia in-store signage allows for the transmission and management of Florida Lottery information, advertisements, and promotions directly to players at the point-of-sale. The Florida Lottery will also receive IGT's Gemini self-service lottery vending machine, which offers instant and draw-based games with an integrated Aurora MultiMedia display. Additionally, Ticket-Scan Plus self-service ticket checkers will be provided to Florida Lottery retailers, allowing players to easily and securely check the win status of their own instant and draw-based tickets. The Florida Lottery's existing communications network will be upgraded utilizing a combination of next generation VSAT technology combined with the IGT-patented Dual Comm Inside solution, which offers the highest network availability in the lottery industry. IGT will continue to provide ongoing services to the Florida Lottery, including system design, delivery, and ongoing support operations; terminal installation and maintenance; retailer training; hotline management; and telecommunications network management and maintenance. The Florida Lottery generated record sales of approximately $6.06 billion in its fiscal year 2015-16, representing its fifth consecutive record-breaking sales year. The Lottery's total contribution to education since its startup is more than $30 billion. About IGT IGT (NYSE:IGT) is the global leader in gaming. We enable players to experience their favorite games across all channels and regulated segments, from Gaming Machines and Lotteries to Interactive and Social Gaming. Leveraging a wealth of premium content, substantial investment in innovation, in-depth customer intelligence, operational expertise and leading-edge technology, our gaming solutions anticipate the demands of consumers wherever they decide to play. We have a well-established local presence and relationships with governments and regulators in more than 100 countries around the world, and create value by adhering to the highest standards of service, integrity, and responsibility. IGT has over 12,000 employees. For more information, please visit www.IGT.com. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements (including within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning International Game Technology PLC and other matters. These statements may discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to future plans, trends, events, dividends, results of operations or financial condition, or otherwise, based on current beliefs of the management of International Game Technology PLC as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, such management. Forward-looking statements may be accompanied by words such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "could," "would," "should," "shall," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "future," "guidance," "intend," "may," "will," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project" or the negative or other variations of them. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside International Game Technology PLC's control. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those predicted in the forward-looking statements and from past results, performance or achievements. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include (but are not limited to) the possibility that the businesses of International Game Technology (Nevada) and GTECH S.p.A. will not be integrated successfully, or that the combined companies will not realize estimated cost savings, synergies, growth or other anticipated benefits or that such benefits may take longer to realize than expected; unanticipated costs of integration of International Game Technology (Nevada) and GTECH S.p.A.; the possibility that International Game Technology PLC will be unable to pay future dividends to shareholders or that the amount of such dividends may be less than anticipated; the possibility that International Game Technology PLC may not obtain its anticipated financial results in one or more future periods; reductions in customer spending; a slowdown in customer payments and changes in customer demand for products and services as a result of changing economic conditions or otherwise; unanticipated changes relating to competitive factors in the industries in which International Game Technology PLC operates; International Game Technology PLC's ability to hire and retain key personnel; the impact of the consummation of the business combination on relationships with third parties, including customers, employees and competitors; International Game Technology PLC's ability to attract new customers and retain existing customers in the manner anticipated; reliance on and integration of information technology systems; changes in legislation or governmental regulations affecting International Game Technology PLC, including as a consequence of the announced withdrawal of the U.K. from the EU; international, national or local economic, social or political conditions that could adversely affect International Game Technology PLC or its customers; conditions in the credit markets; changes in the top management team; risks associated with assumptions International Game Technology PLC makes in connection with its critical accounting estimates; the resolution of pending and potential future legal, regulatory or tax proceedings and investigations; and International Game Technology PLC's international operations, which are subject to the risks of currency fluctuations and foreign exchange controls. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that affect International Game Technology PLC's business, including those described in International Game Technology PLC's annual report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended December 31, 2015 and other documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), which are available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov and on the investor relations section of International Game Technology PLC's website at www.IGT.com. Except as required under applicable law, International Game Technology PLC does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements. Nothing in this presentation is intended, or is to be construed, as a profit forecast or to be interpreted to mean that earnings per International Game Technology PLC share for the current or any future financial years will necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings per International Game Technology PLC share, as applicable. All forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to International Game Technology PLC, or persons acting on its behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Contact: Robert K. Vincent, Corporate Communications, toll free in U.S./Canada (844) IGT-7452; outside U.S./Canada (401) 392-7452 James Hurley, Investor Relations, (401) 392-7190 Simone Cantagallo, (+39) 06 51899030; for Italian media inquiries Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150406/196736LOGO SOURCE International Game Technology PLC Related Links http://www.IGT.com DALLAS, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- IntelliCentrics has acquired XrayTrax, the leader in radiation monitoring for a large and important group of individuals whose occupation requires them to visit multiple healthcare locations thereby extending IntelliCentrics' SECURE community. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405271LOGO "By leveraging the IntelliCentrics community, our customers have made tremendous progress in making their location of care a point of differentiation for their community," explains Mike Sheehan, CEO for IntelliCentrics, "Our belief is that we all play an equally important role in creating a safe and SECURE healthcare experience and with the addition of XrayTrax, we bring an important solution to a previously underserved and very important segment of the market." Through SECURE, it's now possible to monitor the cumulative radiation exposure of individual visitors as they travel from location to location, closing a critical gap in safety. Compliance with radiation regulations require monitoring and enforcement across a myriad of constituents, and now facilities will have a singular service to address their system-wide needs of safety and best practice enforcement. A recent study showed healthcare workers in environments with radiation exposure are almost three times more likely to have skin lesions, over six times more likely to develop cataracts, and three times more likely to get cancer than their counterparts in other areas of the hospital. (Source: ScienceDaily) Federal and state regulatory authorities are becoming more rigorous in their requirements for monitoring commercial visitors with exposure to radiation. Facilities are now being required to monitor and verify dosimeter linkage to these visitors. IntelliCentrics' SECURE enables the healthcare facility to be compliant mitigating their risk of citations, fines, and litigation while also serving the individual by providing exposure information so they can optimize their health and wellbeing. With SECURE, everyone who currently possesses a dosimeter will now have an easier method of reporting NVLAP exposure data to their hospitals. Anyone without a dosimeter can contact IntelliCentrics. In further support of current SECURE University subscribers, comprehensive radiation safety training with immediate compliance credit is available at no additional charge. We all play a role in a safe and SECURE healthcare experience. About IntelliCentrics IntelliCentrics is driven by a single purpose, which is to bring broad public awareness to the principle that we all play a role in obtaining quality patient care by creating a safe and SECURE healthcare experience. IntelliCentrics is a leading provider of managed services that help healthcare leaders execute and maintain compliance programs, including radiation exposure management, resulting in safer and more SECURE facilities. IntelliCentrics is part of a 20-year-old, multinational company operating in the technology sector and within the security services industry for healthcare. Contact Information: Beth Mahler Vice President of Marketing IntelliCentrics, Inc. (P) 972-316-6523 [email protected] This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com SOURCE IntelliCentrics Pre-Feasibility Study Completed for Optimized Project Configuration VANCOUVER, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. ("ITH" or the "Company") (TSX: ITH; NYSE-MKT: THM) today announced the results of a Pre-Feasibility Study (the "PFS") on an optimized configuration for its Livengood Gold Project (the "Project") located near Fairbanks, Alaska. The engineering optimization studies incorporated in the PFS evaluated several scenarios, ultimately selecting a project that will process 52,600 tons per day and produce 6.8 million ounces of gold over 23 years. This improved configuration has reduced the capital costs ("CAPEX") by 34% or $950 million to $1.84 billion, the process operating cost ("process OPEX") by 28% or $2.97 per ton to $7.48 per ton, and the all-in sustaining costs by 16% or $242 to $1,263 per ounce, all as compared to the 100,000 tons per day project evaluated in the September 2013 Feasibility Study (the "FS"). All dollar figures in this news release are stated in US Dollars. "We are pleased that our Optimization Study has resulted in lower CAPEX and OPEX costs projected over a 23 year mine life. Livengood's fundamentals are compelling, with a substantial gold resource, favorable jurisdiction, proximity to infrastructure and great leverage to the gold price. We are committed to advancing our basic engineering and metallurgical work to further de-risk the project and prepare for future permitting" said Tom Irwin, CEO. Pre-Feasibility Study Overview The Project configuration evaluated in the PFS remains a conventional, owner-operated surface mine that will utilize large-scale mining equipment in a blast/load/haul operation. Mill feed would be processed in a 52,600 tons per day comminution circuit consisting of primary and secondary crushing, wet grinding in a single semi-autogenous (SAG) mill and single ball mill followed by a gravity gold circuit and a conventional carbon in leach (CIL) circuit. Lower CAPEX was achieved by a reduction in tonnage from 100,000 to 52,600 tons per day, elimination of two previously planned fresh water supply reservoirs due to the inclusion of a fresh water supply from a local aquifer, elimination of a permanent accommodations camp as a result of the planned daily transport of workers to the mine site during operations, changes in project execution strategy for the placement of large development earthworks using mine pre-production material by owner instead of contractor and design changes to focus on bulk fills instead of cut/fills during construction. Lower OPEX was achieved through mining, process, and G&A optimization as described below. Mine design changes that lowered costs include a more direct haul route to the primary crusher and steeper pit slopes in the early phases. Changes that increased costs were higher drill and blast costs for enhanced blast fragmentation to optimize mill throughput. Mill configuration changes that contributed to overall reduction in CAPEX and OPEX include the addition of secondary crushing ahead of the SAG mill for more efficient use of power, inclusion of a single line SAG/ball mill configuration, and simplification of the mill foundation and pebble re-grind circuit. Metallurgical studies completed since 2013 support process OPEX reduction through a combination of increasing grind size from p80 90 micron to p80 180 micron, reducing leach circuit retention time from 32 to 24 hours, and reducing reagent consumption per ton. Lower power and reagent costs, based on updated data, also contributed to a reduction in OPEX. Total G&A costs went down due to reduced corporate overhead estimates based on current data, but went up on a unit basis due to lower throughput. Next Steps and Opportunities Results to date indicate that further work is warranted in order to continue to optimize the Project, such as improved resource modeling that could potentially enhance head grades and improvement to the mine plan to reduce CAPEX and OPEX. The metallurgical tests completed to date indicate that there are further opportunities to improve overall gold recovery. Subject to available financing, work will continue to optimize flowsheet and reagent consumption to maximize recovery, confirm the grind/recovery relationships, refine the process OPEX, and thereby further de-risk the Project. The Company will also continue to advance environmental baseline work in support of future permitting in order to better position the Project for a construction decision when warranted by market conditions. Pre-Feasibility Study Summary The PFS was prepared by independent third party consultants and provides information on the optimized Project with lower throughput, updated resource estimate, and capital and operating cost estimates as compared to the project evaluated in the FS. The final version of the NI 43-101 technical report containing the PFS will be filed on SEDAR within the next 45 days and investors are urged to review this report in its entirety. As a result of the changes to the Project as evaluated in the PFS, including differences in the economic parameters applied to the geologic block model that resulted in a change in resources (gold price, recovery, CAPEX, and OPEX), the original project as evaluated in the FS is no longer considered current and the FS should therefore no longer be relied upon by investors. The Company cautions that the PFS is preliminary in nature, and is based on technical and economic assumptions which would be further refined and evaluated in a full feasibility study. The PFS is based on an updated Project resource estimate effective as of August 26, 2016 using the same resource model as used in the FS. The following is a summary of the material aspects and assumptions of the PFS. Investors are urged to review the complete NI 43-101 report following its filing on SEDAR for all details of the PFS. The engineering design to estimate capital costs used in the PFS are within a -20%/+25% accuracy. Project Location The Project is connected by an existing paved highway to the city of Fairbanks, 70 miles to the southwest in central Alaska. The Project is located in an active mining district that has been mined for gold since 1914. The State of Alaska land use plan designates mining as the primary surface land use for the area in which the Project is located. Infrastructure The Project would include a lined tailings management facility, an administration office/shop/warehouse complex, and would also include construction of a 50-mile 230kV electrical transmission line to the mine site from the existing grid power near Fairbanks, Alaska. The total power demand is estimated to be 55MW. Environmental and Community Relations Eight continuous years of baseline environmental work continues to indicate that all aspects of the Project can be successfully and safely managed. The design of the tailings facility incorporates best practices including a lined rock fill structure with a lined tailings basin. The Project development team has had considerable experience working with Alaska's large mine permitting process and has a proven and respected track record of developing mining projects safely and in an environmentally sound manner. The Project has already and will continue to provide local economic opportunities with local access to a highly skilled and available work force. The Company is also working within Fairbanks and the nearby community of Minto to seek early input on the Project and to explore ways to maximize economic benefits to the local communities. Summary of Results of the 52,600 Tons Per Day PFS and Comparison to 2013 FS OPERATING METRICS 2016 PFS 2013 FS Mill Throughput 52,600 100,000 tons/day Head Grade LOM 0.71 0.69 g/tonne Head Grade Year 1-5 0.88 0.83 g/tonne Gold Recovery LOM 75.3 78.4 % Mine Life 23 14 years Total Ounces Produced 6,763,900 7,893,800 Troy ounces Average Annual Production LOM 294,100 563,800 Troy ounces Average Annual Production Year 1-5 378,300 681,700 Troy ounces Total Ore Processed 432 501 Million tons Total Waste 468 720 Million tons Annual Mining Rate 54 95 Million tons Waste Rock to Mill Ore (tonnes) Ratio LOM 1.3:1 1.4:1 Waste to Ore Low Grade Stockpile Maximum Size 145 93 Million tons FINANCIAL METRICS 2016 PFS 2013 FS CAPEX Initial 1.84 2.79 $Billion CAPEX Sustaining 665 667 $Million Reclamation & Closure 342 353 $Million OPEX Mining 1.73 1.67 $/ton material OPEX Processing 7.48 10.45 $/ton ore OPEX General &Administrative (G&A) 1.28 0.89 $/ton ore OPEX - Operating Cost LOM 877 1,054 $/Ounce OPEX - Operating Cost Year 1-5 782 906 $/Ounce All-In Sustaining Cost of Production Pre-Tax (CAPEX+OPEX) LOM 1,247 1,481 $/Ounce All-In Sustaining Cost of Production After-Tax (CAPEX+OPEX) LOM 1,263 1,505 $/Ounce Gold Price Sensitivity Analysis The following table shows the after-tax economics at various gold prices. Gold Price ($/Oz) NPV 5% ($M) IRR (%) Payback (Years) $1000 (1,429) -13.1 N/A $1100 (1,064) -5.1 N/A $1200 (708) -0.9 N/A $1250 (552) 0.5 22.07 $1300 (404) 1.8 14.91 $1400 (116) 4.1 12.10 $1500 165 6.2 10.70 Capital Costs Key capital expenditures for initial and sustaining capital requirements are identified in the following table. $Million Initial Sustaining Process Facilities $ 732 $ 24 Infrastructure Facilities 168 442 Power Supply 79 - Mine Equipment 173 123 Mine Development 146 - Owners Costs 307 - Contingency 213 76 Subtotal Before Reclamation 1,818 665 Funding of Reclamation Trust Fund (1) 18 201 Total $ 1,836 $ 866 Rounding of some figures may lead to minor discrepancies in totals. (1) Includes initial funding, total $342 Million estimated costs. All-in Sustaining Costs of Production The table below highlights the all-in operating cost of production over the life of the Project: All-in Sustaining Cost of Production $/Ounce LOM ($Million) On-Site Mine Operating Costs $ 782 $ 5,286 Royalties 37 252 Third-Party Smelting, Refining and Transport Costs 8 54 Sub-Total 827 5,592 Reclamation & Remediation 50 342 Sub-Total Production Cost Before Capital 877 5,934 Capital Expenditures (initial and sustaining) (1) 370 2,501 All-In Sustaining Costs of Production Pre-Tax 1,247 8,435 Mining and Income Taxes 16 104 All-In Sustaining Costs of Production After-Tax $ 1,263 $ 8,539 Rounding of some figures may lead to minor discrepancies in totals. (1) Excludes $18M upfront funding included in reclamation and remediation above and $37M of recoverable initial stores inventory. Annual Gold Production The chart below highlights the anticipated production schedule. Total life-of-mine production is anticipated to be 6,763,900 ounces. Mill feed will consist of reclaimed ore from the stockpile for Years 17 through 23. Year Mill Feed Grade (g/tonne) Ounces Produced (000) 1 0.99 368.5 2 0.96 404.2 3 0.92 407.9 4 0.60 288.8 5 0.97 422.2 6 0.81 340.9 7 0.92 372.0 8 0.78 364.5 9 0.88 374.6 10 0.80 317.0 11 0.65 284.6 12 0.81 335.9 13 0.82 337.3 14 0.79 311.7 15 0.89 335.7 16 0.55 249.0 17 0.46 201.4 18 0.46 190.5 19 0.44 195.8 20 0.41 206.8 21 0.48 166.5 22 0.50 171.7 23 0.50 116.4 LOM 0.71 6,763.9 Rounding of some figures may lead to minor discrepancies in totals. Project Mineral Reserves The table below provides a new Mineral Reserve estimate for the Project (effective as of August 26, 2016) utilizing a gold price of $1,250 per ounce. These Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves formed the basis of the economic evaluation of the Project. The economic assumptions and parameters used for the calculation of reserves are the same as those used for the PFS financial model. Livengood Gold Project Mineral Reserve Estimate Classification Tonnes (Mt) Au (g/t) Contained Au (000's) Proven 377.65 0.71 8,620.43 Probable 14.01 0.72 352.86 Total P & P 391.66 0.71 8,973.29 (1) Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum standards were followed in the estimation of the Mineral Reserves. (2) Mineral Reserves are estimated using a gold price of $1,250 per ounce, 3% royalty and average metallurgical recoveries of 81.8% for Rocktype 4, 84.7% for Rocktype 5, 75.6% for Rocktype 6, and weighted average of 62.4% for Rocktype 7 and 69.6% for Rocktypes 8 and 9 (when applied to the 15 x 15 x 10m block model). (3) Mineral Reserves are based on a cut-off grade of 0.306 g/t for Rocktype 4, 0.303 g/t for Rocktype 5, 0.345 g/t for Rocktype 6, 0.431 g/t for Rocktype 7 and 0.393 g/t for Rocktypes 8 and 9. (4) Totals may not add due to rounding (5) The foregoing mineral reserves based upon and are included within the current mineral resource estimate for the Project. Project Mineral Resources The current resource estimate for the Project (effective as of August 26, 2016) is based on the statistical analysis of data from 783 drill holes totaling 717,435 feet (218,674 m) and 14 trenches totaling 1,678 feet (516 m) within a model area covering 3.1 square miles (7.9 sq. km). The three dimensional geology was modelled and the structural/stratigraphic units have been used to constrain the resource model. Multiple Indicator Kriging (MIK) was used to calculate the gold grades for the blocks (15 x 15 x 10 meters) in the model using the assay data composited to 10 meter lengths. Statistical analysis indicated a significant relationship between the tenor of mineralization and the individual structural/stratigraphic units, consequently the resource interpolation for each individual geologic unit was restricted to: 1) the composite data within that unit, 2) contained within a 0.10 g/t gold grade shell, and 3) where data were available from a minimum of two octants and from two separate drill holes. Spatial statistics indicate that the mineralization shows very reasonable continuity within the range of anticipated operational cutoff grades. Bulk density for blocks within each of the structural stratigraphic units was assigned the mean value for density measurements of core and RC samples from that unit (total of 98 measurements for all the units). The resource model (15 x 15 x 10 meter blocks) was estimated using nine indicator thresholds, then a change-of-support correction was imposed on the model based on the assumption of 7.5 x 7.5 x 10 meter selectable mining units. Resource classification into measured, indicated, and inferred categories was based on estimation variance. To determine the quantities of materials with "reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction" by open pit methods, pit constraining limits were developed using the Lerchs-Grossman economic algorithm which constructs lists of related blocks that could or could not be mined. The final list defines a surface pit shell that has the highest possible total value, while honoring the required surface mine slope and economic parameters. The following table indicates the input parameters at a $1,230 per ounce gold price the three year trailing average gold price at August 26, 2016. Pit Constraining Parameters Used For the Livengood Gold Project Resource Estimation Parameter Unit Rocktype 4 Rocktype 5 Rocktype 6 Rocktype 7 Rocktype 8 Rocktype 9 Mining Costs $/total tonne 1.77 1.77 1.77 1.77 1.77 1.77 Au Cut-Off g/tonne 0.33 0.32 0.35 0.40-0.851 0.38 0.38 Processing Cost $/process tonne 9.03 9.55 9.42 9.25 9.87 9.87 Au Recovery % 80.4 86.5 78.3 64.01 75.4 75.4 Administrative Cost $/process tonne 1.07 1.07 1.07 1.07 1.07 1.07 Royalty % 3 3 3 3 3 3 Au Selling Price $/oz 1,230 1,230 1,230 1,230 1,230 1,230 Overall Slope Angle Degrees 40 40 40 40 40 40 1- Variable cutoff grade related to geological characteristics unique to Rocktype 7 quartz stibnite+jamesonite ratios. The parameters listed in the table above define a realistic basis to estimate the Mineral Resources for the Project and are representative of similar mining operations throughout North America. The Mineral Resource has been limited to mineralized material that occurs within the pit shells and which could be scheduled to be processed based on the defined cut-off grade. All other material within the defined pit shells was reported as non-mineralized material. Mineral Resource Statement Livengood Gold Project The table below lists the current mineral resource estimate for the Project. Livengood Gold Project Mineral Resource Estimate Classification Tonnes (Mt) Au (g/t) Contained Au (000's) Measured 497.34 0.68 10,840.84 Indicated 28.04 0.69 620.33 Total M & I 525.38 0.68 11,461.17 Inferred 52.80 0.66 1,127.21 *Effective Date: August 26, 2016 **The Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources are inclusive of those Mineral Resources modified to produce the Mineral Reserves for the project. Sensitivity of Mineralization to Gold Price The sensitivity of mineralization defined by the evaluation of the mineralization inventory at different gold prices was performed for gold prices of $984 per ounce (-20%), $1,230 per ounce (resource base case) and $1,476 per ounce (+20%). The input parameters defined above were used in the analysis. The table below lists the amount of the mineralization contained within the pit shells that could be scheduled to process. Sensitivity of Mineralization Inventory Contained In Pit Shells Defined By Whittle Analyses at Different Gold Prices within Pit Shells WhittleTM Pit Gold Price Classification Tonnes (Mt) Au (g/t) Contained Au (000's) $984 Measured 322.75 0.79 8,166.23 Indicated 15.06 0.83 399.36 Total M & I 337.81 0.79 8,565.59 Inferred 19.77 0.79 504.68 $1,230 Measured 497.34 0.68 10,840.84 Indicated 28.04 0.69 620.33 Total M & I 525.38 0.68 11,461.17 Inferred 52.80 0.66 1,127.21 $1,476 Measured 663.11 0.61 13,004.65 Indicated 46.76 0.60 899.03 Total M & I 709.88 0.61 13,903.68 Inferred 115.01 0.56 2,070.62 Rounding of some figures may lead to minor discrepancies in totals. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral resource estimates do not account for mineability, selectivity, mining loss and dilution. These mineral resource estimates include inferred mineral resources that are normally considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is also no certainty that these inferred mineral resources will be converted to measured and indicated categories through further drilling, or into mineral reserves, once economic considerations are applied. Exploration Target Exploration work at the Project since 2006 has identified an exploration target of between 490 and 965 million tonnes at a gold grade between 0.36 and 0.48 g/t (between 7.5 million and 11.0 million ounces of gold), which lies outside of (and therefore does not include) the estimated Project resource stated above. Identification of this exploration target is based upon 455 drill holes with aggregate footage outside the shell exceeding 182,000 feet (55,470 m), which was drilled on a similar grid spacing as the drill holes defining the current estimated Project resource. Investors should be aware that the potential quantity and grade of the exploration target noted above is conceptual in nature, that there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource and that it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the noted exploration target ever being delineated as a mineral resource. Metallurgy Recovery by Rock Type The Company has completed extensive metallurgical test work on the five rock types that comprise 98% of the current estimated mineral resource. Recovery rates by rock type using gravity and carbon-in-leach recovery of gravity tail are shown in the table below: Rock Type Gold Recovery % RT4 Cambrian 81.8 RT5 Sunshine Upper Sediments 84.7 RT6 Upper Sediments 75.6 RT7 Lower Sediments 62.41 RT9 Volcanics 69.62 1- Weighted average based on Au grade/recovery and quartz stibnite+jamesonite mineralization. 2- Weighted average based on Au grade/recovery when applied to the 15 x 15 x 10m block model. Derivative Liability Risk During 2011, the Company acquired certain mining claims and related rights in the vicinity of the Project (the "Purchased Claims") located near Fairbanks, Alaska. The aggregate consideration for the Purchased Claims was $13,500,000 in cash plus an additional contingent payment based on the five-year average daily gold price ("Average Gold Price") from the date of the acquisition. The contingent payment will equal $23,148 for every dollar that the Average Gold Price exceeds $720 per troy ounce. If the Average Gold Price is less than $720, there will be no additional contingent payment. As at June 30, 2016, the Company's estimate of the amount of the contingent payment is $14,700,000. This contingent payment, which is due in January 2017, significantly exceeds the Company's available cash resources, and therefore the Company will be required to secure significant additional financing on or before January 2017 in order to be able to make this payment. The obligation to make the contingent payment is secured by a Deed of Trust over the rights of the Company in the Purchased Claims in favor of the vendors. If the Company is unsuccessful in raising the required capital to make the contingent payment, the vendors of the Purchased Claims will have the right to enforce their rights under the Deed of Trust, including the power of sale thereunder, thereby resulting in the Company losing any rights to the Purchased Claims. The vendors of the Purchased Claims may also seek to obtain a judgment against the Company for the amount of the contingent payment, including any portion of the contingent payment remaining following a sale of the Purchased Claims. Any such loss or judgment could materially and adversely affect the ability of the Company to proceed with any development of, or mining at, the Project and the loss of the rights to the Purchased Claims could materially and adversely affect the results of the PFS and any subsequent feasibility study. Detailed Report An NI 43-101 Technical Report that summarizes the results of the PFS will be filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com within 45 days of this news release and will be available on the Company's website www.ithmines.com at that time. Qualified Persons The PFS was prepared by the following Qualified Persons under NI 43-101, each of whom is independent of the Company under NI 43-101, who have reviewed, verified, and approved the scientific and technical data for which they have responsibility contained in this news release pertaining to the PFS. Qualified Person Company Scope of Responsibility Colin Hardie, P. Eng (Ontario APEO No. 90512500) BBA Inc. Financial model, Process Plant and Infrastructure CAPEX, Process Engineering, G&A and Process OPEX, Environmental Studies and Permitting, Overall NI 43-101 Integration Ryan T. Baker. (Nevada No. 11172) NewFields Companies, LLC Geotechnical Engineering, Waste Rock and Water Management, TMF CAPEX Mike Levy, P.E. (Colorado No. 40268) SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc. Mine Slope Stability Tim Carew, P. Geo. Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (Professional Geoscientist 19706) SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. Geology, Drilling and MIK Model Scott Wilson, CPG #10965 Metal Mining Consultants Inc. Resource Estimation Tim George, P.E. (Colorado No. 47109) Wildcat and Badger, LLC Mine Engineering, Mine CAPEX and OPEX, Reserve Estimation Mr. Colin Hardie is a Senior Process Engineer and the Director of Non-Ferrous Metal Markets at BBA. He joined the BBA team in 2008 and has over 15 years of experience as an operations metallurgist, engineering consultant and in process research and development. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Geological and Mineral Engineering (1996). Mr. Hardie also has a Master of Engineering degree in Metallurgy from McGill University (1999) as well as a Master Degree in Business Administration from HEC Montreal (2008). He is a registered Professional Engineer in the province of Ontario, Canada. He has acted as a Qualified Person and lead study integrator for numerous North American gold projects. Mr. Ryan T. Baker is a Principal Engineer with NewFields Mining Design & Technical Services, LLC, located in Lone Tree, CO. He is a graduate of Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering (1993) and a registered Professional Engineer in Nevada (#13947), Alaska (#11172), Idaho (#10226), Colorado (#36988), Missouri (PE2008000049), and New Mexico (#22110). He is also a Registered Member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME, #4204584) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE, #307827) with relevant experience pertaining to heap leach, tailings and mine overburden storage facilities, and mine surface infrastructure design and inspection since 1994. Mr. Michael Levy is a Senior Geotechnical Engineer with SRK Consulting, Inc. in Lakewood, CO. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and a Master of Science degree in Civil-Geotechnical Engineering. He is a registered Professional Engineer with the states of Colorado (#40268) and California (#70578) and a registered Professional Geologist with the state of Wyoming (#3550). He has practiced for 18 years and, during that period, has been involved in a variety of geotechnical projects specializing in advanced analysis and design of soil and rock slopes. Mr. Tim Carew is a geologist with SRK Consulting. He is a graduate of the University of Rhodesia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology, a Professional Geoscientist (#19706), and a Professional Member of the Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Materials (#46233). He has practiced continuously for 38 years and, during that period, has been involved in geologic work in similar lithotechtonic terranes (Cassiar, northern British Columbia) and resource estimation of vein and disseminated type gold deposits in the U.S. (Florida Canyon, Nevada), South America (Nassau, Suriname) and Asia (Boroo, Mongolia). Mr. Scott Wilson is currently President of Metal Mining Consultants Inc. and has been employed as a geologist or an engineer continuously for 28 years. His experience includes resource estimation, mine planning, geological modeling, geostatistical evaluations, project development, and authorship of numerous technical reports and preliminary economic assessments of various projects throughout North America, South America, and Europe. Mr. Tim George is a mining engineer with 13 continuous years of experience in the mining industry. He graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Colorado (#47109). His experience includes mine design, scheduling and costing in North America, South America, Africa, and Australasia. On behalf of International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (signed) Thomas E. Irwin Chief Executive Officer Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and US securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including statements with respect to the mine plan, economic analysis (including CAPEX and OPEX) and production and design details described in the Pre-Feasibility Study; the potential to convert mineral resources to mineral reserves; additional optimization and exploration efforts and the results thereof; the ability of the Company to satisfy the derivative liability and the consequences of any failure to do so; the ability of the Company to potentially include refined and updated results in a subsequent full feasibility study; the ability of the Company to advance environmental baseline work in support of future permitting; the ability of the Company to advance the Livengood Project either as projected or at all; the potential for the Company to make a construction decision, whether when warranted by market conditions or at all; the potential for market conditions to be such that they warrant the making of a production decision; the potential development of any mine at the Livengood Project; business and financing plans and business trends are forward-looking statements. Information concerning mineral reserve/resource estimates and the economic analysis thereof contained in the Pre-Feasibility Study also may be deemed to be forward-looking statements in that it reflects a prediction of the mineralization that would be encountered, and the results of mining it, if a mineral deposit were developed and mined. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate, proposed, planned, potential and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, variations in the market price of any mineral products the Company may produce or plan to produce, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities, the inability of the Company to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital (including, as required, to satisfy the derivative liability) or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's Annual Information Form filed with certain securities commissions in Canada and the Company's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), and other information released by the Company and filed with the appropriate regulatory agencies. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and its United States public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sec.gov, and readers are urged to review these materials, including the latest technical report filed with respect to the Company's Livengood property. Cautionary Note Regarding References to Resources and Reserves National Instrument 43 101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Unless otherwise indicated, all resource and reserve estimates contained in or incorporated by reference in this news release have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the guidelines set out in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the "CIM") Standards on Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council on May 10, 2014 (the "CIM Standards") as they may be amended from time to time by the CIM. United States shareholders are cautioned that the requirements and terminology of NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards differ significantly from the requirements and terminology of the SEC set forth in the SEC's Industry Guide 7 ("SEC Industry Guide 7"). Accordingly, the Company's disclosures regarding mineralization may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by companies subject to SEC Industry Guide 7. Without limiting the foregoing, while the terms "mineral resources", "inferred mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "measured mineral resources" are recognized and required by NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards, they are not recognized by the SEC and are not permitted to be used in documents filed with the SEC by companies subject to SEC Industry Guide 7. Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability, and investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of a mineral resource will ever be converted into reserves. The preliminary assessments on the Livengood Project are preliminary in nature and include "inferred mineral resources" that have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that such inferred mineral resources at the Livengood Project will ever be realized. Further, it cannot be assumed that all or any part of the inferred resources will ever be upgraded to a higher resource category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of a feasibility study or prefeasibility study, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable. The SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant "reserves" as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit amounts. The term "contained ounces" is not permitted under the rules of SEC Industry Guide 7. In addition, the NI 43-101 and CIM Standards definition of a "reserve" differs from the definition in SEC Industry Guide 7. In SEC Industry Guide 7, a mineral reserve is defined as a part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time the mineral reserve determination is made, and a "final" or "bankable" feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three-year historical price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis of designated reserves and the primary environmental analysis or report must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority. This news release is not, and is not to be construed in any way as, an offer to buy or sell securities in the United States. SOURCE International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. Related Links http://www.ithmines.com WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- When large scale disasters hit an area, the infrastructure failure is particularly damaging to small businesses. Recent flooding in Louisiana points to a hard rule: when your business is cut off from clients, vendors and critical staff, the economic losses continue long after the cleanup is done. The key to protecting your assets and becoming resilient in the face of a natural disaster, cyberattack, or random power outage is having a solid business continuity plan. The cost of developing a plan is low, compared to the long-term financial losses that could occur when you're caught off guard by a crisis. Learn how to build your own disaster preparedness plan during three free National Preparedness Month (NPM) webinars this month hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration and Agility Recovery. The series is presented in collaboration with FEMA's Ready Campaign, and the 2016 NPM theme is "Don't Wait. Communicate. Make your Emergency Plan Today." The hour-long webinars will be presented from 2 to 3 p.m. EDT each Wednesday. These are the topics: September 14 : "12 Steps to Preparedness for Any Organization" September 21 : "The Top 10 Most Common Mistakes During a Crisis" September 28 : "If You Do Nothing Else this Year" Simple tips to build your organization's resilience. Go to this link to sign up for the webinars: https://www.agilityrecovery.com/buildingblocks/ The SBA has partnered with Agility Recovery to offer business continuity strategies through the "PrepareMyBusiness" website. Visit www.preparemybusiness.org to check out past webinars and for additional disaster preparedness tools. The SBA provides disaster recovery assistance in the form of low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, private nonprofits and businesses of all sizes. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov/disaster. Advisory Number: MA16-48 Contact: Carol Chastang (202) 205-6987 Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110909/DC65875LOGO SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration Related Links http://www.sba.gov LONDON, Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Summary The Future of Foodservice in Italy to 2020 Report published by Canadean Intelligence provides readers with a detailed analysis of consumer, operator and technology level trends in the Italian Foodservice sector, analysis of market size, outlets and transactions in Italy and key players in the Italian Foodservice market. Key Findings - The Italian Foodservice market is expected to experience a growth of 1.4% during 2015-2020 - The gradual rise in the economy is expected to drive the demand for eating in restaurants - Busy lifestyles of individuals are leading to the demand for quick service restaurants and other outlets such as coffee and tea shops - Health remains a major decision factor for parents seeking healthy food as a measure to tackle obesity - Retail will be the fastest growing Profit channel in terms of sales during 2015-2020, driven by on-the-go consumers at outlets such as Service Station Forecourt, Supermarket and Hypermarket, and Baker Synopsis This report offers detailed analysis of the Italian Foodservice market with market size forecasts covering the next five years. This report will also analyse macro-economic factors that influence the foodservice market, key consumer, operator and technology trends and key players in the market. In particular, it provides an in-depth analysis of the following: - Macro-economic analyses and trends: detailed analysis of the macro-economic factors, GDP per capita, consumer price index, unemployment rate and age profile, that impact the foodservice market. It also provides insights into consumer, operator and technology trends in the Italian Foodservice market - Foodservice market attractiveness: details and insights into the development of the foodservice sector within Italy for 2010-2020 - Sector analysis: provides in-depth data on the valuation and development of both the profit and the cost sectors, details on the number of outlets, transactions, foodservice sales, sales per outlet, and transactions per outlet across nearly 50 sub-channels - Competitive landscape: provides an overview of key players, together with insights such as number of outlets, business description and product profile - Regulatory scenario: insights into regulatory environment for foodservice operators in the Italian market - To request sample pages or to purchase The Future of Foodservice in Italy to 2020 Reasons To Buy - This report will give the user confidence to make the correct business decisions based on a detailed analysis of the Italian Foodservice market and to identify emerging/declining markets over the next 5 years. - This report will give the user a thorough fact based analysis with information about value of the foodservice market across the channels in both the sectors and the underlying factors that are driving the channel sales. For example, foodservice sales through the Welfare and Services channel are expected to grow due to the rising number of homeless population in the country. - The analysts have placed a significant emphasis on the major trends that will shape the foodservice market and will provide the user with a clear picture about the future opportunities that can be tapped, resulting in revenue expansion. E.g. demand for sales through the Leisure channel due to growing number of visitors attending theme parks will result in an increase in the number of outlets in the times to come. - Brief profiles of the key foodservice companies in Italy with information about their business description, product profile and number of outlets wherever available. This will provide the user with a total competitive landscape of the sector. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4109295/ 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 WOODBURY, N.Y., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Janam Technologies LLC, a leading provider of rugged mobile computers that scan barcodes and communicate wirelessly, today announced that Microsoft's Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise operating system is now available on its XT2 rugged touch computers. Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise provides maximum security, reliability and computing power and enables interoperability between the XT2 and IoT devices, independent of operating system protocols and platforms. The recently launched XT2 is the lightest and most rugged device in its class enabling mobile employees to work smarter and more efficiently. With both Android 5 Lollipop and Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise versions, XT2 customers now have access to two of the industry's most powerful operating systems in the same sleek, rugged and lightweight form factor. KEY FACTS Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise provides an intuitive user experience, as well as native support for barcode scanning and other peripherals. With support for Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise, the XT2 enables organizations to efficiently collect and manage data, monitor security and increase productivity for on-the-go employees. Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise supports enterprise data protection policies, including device management for multiple users, VPN configuration, advanced lockdown and full device wipe capabilities. Enterprise customers deploying Windows 10-powered XT2 touch computers gain access to a rich set of functionalities, including enterprise-grade security and comprehensive infrastructure, device and application management features. Janam's XT2 runs powerful line of business applications across a broad range of industries, including field service, direct store delivery, retail, hospitality, venue access, automotive inspections, and transportation and logistics, among others. SUPPORTING QUOTES Harry B Lerner, CEO, Janam Technologies "Janam embraces both the transformational impact of ever-accelerating technology developments and the disruptive impact of delivering products that are 'smaller, lighter, faster, better, and more affordable'. We're thrilled to be among the first companies in our industry to bring Microsoft's latest mobile operating system to customers who require it, and to do so with a product offering as innovative as our XT2 rugged touch computer." SUPPORTING RESOURCES Learn more about Janam: www.janam.com Learn more about the XT2: http://www.janam.com/products/details/xt2 Follow Janam on Facebook: www.facebook.com/janamtechnologies Follow Janam on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/janam-technologies Follow Janam on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JanamTech About Janam Janam Technologies LLC is a provider of rugged, handheld computing devices for mobile workers. Janam combines deep industry knowledge with advanced technologies to deliver products and accessories that increase productivity, reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction. Specializing in purpose-built mobile computers that scan barcodes and communicate wirelessly, Janam offers products that are designed to run mission-critical applications in retail, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing and logistics. For more information, visit www.janam.com. Products or services mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20070115/NYM008LOGO SOURCE Janam Technologies LLC Related Links http://www.janam.com LOS ANGELES, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Jeffrey Gundlach, CEO of DoubleLine Capital LP, adviser to the DoubleLine Funds, today will hold a webcast, titled "Turning Points," on the investment strategies and positioning of DoubleLine Total Return Bond Fund and his market outlook. The DoubleLine Total Return Bond Fund (I shares: DBLTX; N shares DLTNX) is an open-end intermediate-term bond mutual fund which invests primarily in mortgage-backed securities (MBS). The webcast will start at 4:15 pm Eastern/1:15 pm Pacific today (Thursday September 8). To register for the webcast, please click here: https://event.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1085768 For a 2-page fact sheet on the DoubleLine Total Return Bond Fund, please click here: http://www.doublelinefunds.com/wp-content/uploads/total-return-bond-fund-fact-sheet.pdf About DoubleLine Capital LP DoubleLine Capital LP, a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and its related companies ("DoubleLine") managed $102 billion in assets across all vehicles, including open-end mutual fund, closed-end fund, exchange-traded fund, hedge fund, variable annuity, UCITS and separate account as of the June 30, 2016 end of the second quarter. DoubleLine's offices in Los Angeles can be reached by telephone at (213) 633-8200 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Media can reach DoubleLine by e-mail at [email protected]. DoubleLine is a registered trademark of DoubleLine Capital LP. Disclosures: The fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. The statutory and summary prospectus contains this and other important information about the fund and may be obtained by calling 1 (877) 354-6311 / 1 (877) DLINE11 or visiting www.doublelinefunds.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. Mutual fund investing involves risk; Principal loss is possible. The DoubleLine Funds are distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC. SOURCE DoubleLine Related Links http://www.doubleline.com RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaleo, a privately-held pharmaceutical company, today announced findings from two studies comparing intramuscular injection and intranasal administration of naloxone, a drug used for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose. The studies, which represent kaleo's commitment to advancing the understanding of naloxone use in opioid emergencies, will be presented at PAINWeek 2016 today. In one study (poster #35), non-medically trained participants were asked to administer naloxone using EVZIO (naloxone HCl injection) Auto-injector and an improvised naloxone intranasal kit during a simulated opioid emergency, with and without prior training on how to use the devices. The study found that 100% and 97.6% of participants were able to administer EVZIO with and without training, respectively, compared to 43.9% and 0% with the improvised naloxone intranasal delivery system, respectively (p<0.0001). "The results of this study illustrate the importance of incorporating human factors engineering into the design of naloxone products intended for use in the community setting where family, friends and caregivers of those taking an opioid may be in the best position to quickly intervene during a life-threatening opioid emergency," said Evan Edwards, Vice President, Product Development & Industrialization at kaleo. "This study demonstrates that EVZIO, which was the first naloxone product specifically designed, FDA approved and labeled for use in the community setting based on human factors engineering studies, can play an important role in successful administration of naloxone by a non-medically trained person during a life-threatening opioid emergency." The second study (poster #65) compared the pharmacokinetics of 2.0 mg naloxone administered to volunteers with chronic rhinitis by intramuscular injection, intranasal administration, and intranasal administration after treatment with Afrin, a common over-the-counter nasal decongestant/vasoconstrictor. The pharmacokinetics showed that intranasal naloxone absorption was slower and resulted in overall lower exposure in patients who received Afrin prior to their naloxone dose. Additionally, the study showed that naloxone administered by intramuscular injection demonstrated greater bioavailability compared to naloxone administered intranasally using an improvised intranasal naloxone kit. "This study was specifically designed to examine the impact of a common over-the-counter nasal medication on the absorption of naloxone," said Eric Edwards, Vice President, Product Strategy at kaleo. "We've found that an over-the-counter nasal decongestant used for a common medical condition that affects the nasal passage, may impact the absorption of naloxone into the body when naloxone is administered intranasally using an improvised intranasal naloxone kit. These are important factors for a healthcare professional to consider when prescribing naloxone for take-home use as part of a patient's opioid emergency plan." About the Studies Poster #35: Comparative Simulated Use Study of a Novel Auto-Injector and Nasal Delivery Device for Naloxone Administration (poster viewing available September 7-9 with reception on September 8 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.; Level 3/Gracia 7) The objective of this single-site, randomized, open-label study was to compare the usability of EVZIO and an improvised intranasal administration kit including the LMA MAD Nasal atomizer during a simulated opioid emergency. Participants 18-64 years of age (n=41) completed three study stages: use of both naloxone delivery devices (NDD) without training (review of instructions found on the devices was allowed), a 30-minute training with a registered nurse, including demonstration of correct use of each NDD, and use of the NDDs at least seven days post-training relying solely on memory from the training previously received. The primary endpoint was successful administration of a clinically meaningful naloxone dose into a mannequin without committing a critical task error that would prevent a clinically meaningful dose of naloxone from being delivered. Secondary endpoints from the study included the use of EVZIO or intranasal naloxone according to the instructions-for-use, use errors, time to completion of naloxone administration and participant preferences. Poster #65: Pharmacokinetics of 2.0 mg Intranasal and Intramuscular Naloxone HCl Administration and the Impact of Vasoconstrictor Use on the Bioavailability of Intranasal Naloxone HCl (poster viewing available September 7-9 with reception on September 8 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.; Level 3/Gracia 7) This randomized, open-label, single-dose, 3-period crossover pharmacokinetic study included men and women 18-55 years of age (n=36) diagnosed with chronic rhinitis, but with no clinically significant nasal abnormalities, surgery, polyps, trauma or other clinically significant abnormal nasal findings. The three study treatments included intramuscular administration of 2.0 mg naloxone (1 mg/mL in each thigh) using a standard syringe and needle (IM group), intranasal administration of 2.0 mg naloxone (1 mg/mL in each nostril) using the LMA MAD Nasal atomizer (IN group) and intranasal administration of 2.0 mg naloxone 30 minutes after intranasal administration of Afrin, a commonly used over-the-counter nasal vasoconstrictor that contains oxymetazoline, (V+IN group). Blood samples for naloxone concentrations were collected pre-dose through 8-hours post-dose. Pharmacokinetic analyses found that Cmax and total naloxone exposure was greatest in the IM group compared to the IN and V+IN groups. Median Tmax was 15 minutes for IM and IN groups and 20 minutes for V+IN group. During the early critical period of absorption, mean AUCpartial was greater for IN than V+IN. About Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression (OIRD) and Overdose Opioid emergencies, such as an accidental overdose, are a growing public health epidemic. On average, 79 people die from opioids, including prescription opioid analgesics and heroin, every day in the United States.1 Approximately 136,000 opioid emergency department visits occur each year.2 Many communities throughout the United States are facing a devastating heroin epidemic. Additionally, there are nearly two times the number of prescription opioid-related deaths as compared to heroin-related deaths.1 On average, 3,300 children five years old and younger suffer from unintentional opioid exposures and poisonings each year.3 Life-threatening opioid emergencies result in respiratory and/or central nervous system depression. Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression (OIRD) is the most important serious adverse effect of opioids as it can be immediately life-threatening.4 In addition to the risk of an opioid overdose associated with an opioid use disorder, there may be an increased risk of life-threatening OIRD even when patients take a prescribed dose of an opioid as directed. For example, taking high doses of opioids, taking an opioid in combination with other drugs (e.g., benzodiazepines) or alcohol, or if there is a history of certain medical conditions (e.g., COPD, severe asthma) places individuals at higher risk for life-threatening OIRD.5,6,7 Seconds count when a life-threatening OIRD event occurs. Without rapid intervention, brain injury or death can occur in as little as 4 minutes.8 Most life-threatening OIRD emergencies occur in the home and are witnessed by family and friends who may be in the best position to intervene quickly.9 Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that displaces opioids from the receptors in the brain, temporarily reversing the life-threatening breathing problems that can occur during an opioid emergency.10 About EVZIO (EVV-zee-oh) EVZIO (naloxone HCl injection) Auto-injector is an opioid antagonist indicated for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose, as manifested by respiratory and/or central nervous system depression. EVZIO is intended for immediate administration as emergency therapy in settings where opioids may be present. EVZIO is not a substitute for emergency medical care. EVZIO is an intelligent auto-injection system that provides simple, on-the-spot voice and visual guidance. EVZIO is small, easy-to-carry and easy-to-use to help patients and caregivers keep it on hand so they can take fast, confident action administering EVZIO during an opioid emergency.11 Each EVZIO pre-filled, single-use, hand-held Auto-injector delivers a single 0.4 mg dose of naloxone. Each EVZIO prescription comes with two Auto-injectors and a Trainer. For more information on EVZIO, including full Prescribing Information, visit www.EVZIO.com. EVZIO IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION EVZIO is contraindicated in patients known to be hypersensitive to naloxone hydrochloride or to any of the ingredients in EVZIO. The following warnings and precautions should be taken when administering EVZIO: Due to the duration of action, keep the patient under continued surveillance and repeated doses of naloxone should be administered, as necessary, while awaiting emergency medical assistance. Additional supportive and/or resuscitative measures may be helpful while awaiting emergency medical assistance. Reversal of respiratory depression by partial agonists or mixed agonists/antagonists, such as buprenorphine and pentazocine, may be incomplete. Use in patients who are opioid dependent may precipitate acute abstinence syndrome. Patients with pre-existing cardiac disease or patients who have received medications with potential adverse cardiovascular effects should be monitored in an appropriate healthcare setting. In neonates, opioid withdrawal may be life-threatening if not recognized and properly treated. The following adverse reactions have been identified during use of naloxone hydrochloride in the postoperative setting: hypotension, hypertension, ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation, dyspnea, pulmonary edema, and cardiac arrest. Death, coma, and encephalopathy have been reported as sequelae of these events. Excessive doses of naloxone hydrochloride in postoperative patients have resulted in significant reversal of analgesia and have caused agitation. Abrupt reversal of opioid effects in persons who were physically dependent on opioids has precipitated signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal including: body aches, fever, sweating, runny nose, sneezing, piloerection, yawning, weakness, shivering or trembling, nervousness, restlessness or irritability, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, abdominal cramps, increased blood pressure, and tachycardia. In the neonate, opioid withdrawal signs and symptoms also included: convulsions, excessive crying, and hyperactive reflexes. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. For full Prescribing Information visit http://evzio.com/pdfs/Evzio PI.PDF. About kaleo (kuh-LAY-oh) Kaleo is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to building innovative solutions for serious and life-threatening medical conditions. Our mission is to provide innovative solutions that empower patients to confidently take control of their medical conditions. We believe patients and caregivers are the experts on how their medical condition impacts their lives, and are an integral part of our product development process. Each kaleo product combines an established drug with an innovative delivery platform with the goal of achieving superiority and cost effectiveness. Kaleo is a privately-held company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. For more information, visit www.kaleopharma.com. About PAINWeek PAINWeek is the largest US pain conference for frontline practitioners with an interest in pain management. Convening at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for its 10th year on September 6-10, 2016, PAINWeek expects to welcome over 2,100 physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals for a comprehensive program of course offerings, satellite events and exhibits. Over 120 hours of continuing medical education activities will be presented. To learn more and register for PAINWeek 2016, visit www.painweek.org. 1 Rudd RA, Aleshire N, Zibbell JE, Gladden M. Increase in Drug and Opioid Overdose Deaths United States, 2000-2014. MMWR 2015;64(50-51):1378-82 2 Yokell et al. Presentation of Prescription and Nonprescription Opioid Overdoses to US Emergency Departments. JAMA Int. Med. 2014; 174(12):2034-7. 3 Burghardt L, et al. Adult Prescription Drug Use and Pediatric Medication Exposures and Poisonings. Pediatrics. 2013; 132:18-27. 4 Food and Drug Administration. FDA Blueprint for Prescriber Education for Extended-Release and Long-Acting Opioid Analgesics, 2014. 5 Zedler B, Xie L, Wang L, et al. Risk factors for serious prescription opioid-related toxicity or overdose among Veterans Health Administration patients. Pain Med. 2014; 15:1911-1929. 6 Bohnert A, Valenstein M, Bair MJ, et al. Association between Opioid Prescribing Patterns and Opioid Overdose-Related Deaths. 2011; 305(13):1315-1321. 7 Gudin JA, Mogali S, Jones JD, Comer SD. Risks, Management, and Monitoring of Combination Opioid, Benzodiazepines, and/or Alcohol Use. Postgrad Med J. 2013; 125(4):115-130. 8 Caplan LR, Hurst JW, Chimowitz MI. Cardiac arrest and other hypoxic-ischemic insults. In: Clinical Neurocardiology. New York, NY: CRC Press; 1999. 9 World Health Organization. Community Management of Opioid Overdose. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO, 2014. 10 Straus M, Ghitza U, Tai B. Preventing deaths from rising opioid overdose in the US the promise of naloxone antidote in community-based naloxone take-home programs. Subst Abuse Rehabil. 2013:65-72. 11 Evans, E et al. Comparative Usability Study of a Novel Auto-Injector and an Intranasal System for Naloxone Delivery. Pain Ther. 2015 Jun; 4(1): 89105. Contact: Mark Herzog kaleo [email protected] 804-545-6360 (office) SOURCE kaleo Related Links http://www.kaleopharma.com TORONTO, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Lannick, Canada's largest regional finance and accounting professional recruitment and staffing firm, is pleased to announce the launch of its newest division, Lannick Project Recruitment (LPR). LPR will provide project-based recruitment solutions to hiring managers and business owners across Canada with large-scale or recurring hiring requirements. "Entering the augmented recruitment market was a natural evolution of the Lannick brand," said Peter Jeewan, President & CEO of Lannick. "Recruitment process outsourcing options have been very limited in Canada; our new division, Lannick Project Recruitment, will expand our service offerings and enable hiring managers to take full control of their strategic talent acquisition needs for ongoing or project hiring requirements." Lannick's Project Recruitment division is an alternative service delivery model for talent acquisition needs outside of Lannick's traditional service model. LPR uses project management methodology and senior recruitment resources to deliver an organization's hiring requirements in a swift, transparent and cost-efficient manner. This new division will service companies across Canada with various hiring requirements, including sales/business development, customer service, human resources, health care, engineering, consulting, public sector leadership and marketing. "When business changes present themselves, talent acquisition challenges are soon to follow, and one-size-fits-all recruitment solutions aren't always the answer," said Joe McIninch, Vice President, Operations of Lannick Project Recruitment. "By working with a project recruitment partner like LPR, employers can have more control of their recruitment process and spend, ensuring that their talent acquisition infrastructure can support their organization's hiring challenges both now and in the future." Lannick is a privately-held firm with 75 employees and is based in the heart of Toronto's financial district. Lannick has seen its total number of placements increase by 49% over the past two years. Company revenues increased by 24% year-over-year for the same period. About Lannick Lannick is the premier professional recruitment and staffing firm in the Greater Toronto Area. Founded in 1985, Lannick provides best-in-class finance, accounting and technology professionals at all roles and levels through its three divisions: Lannick Finance & Accounting, Pro Count Staffing and Lannick Technology. Lannick places more than 1,000 candidates annually and is a preferred vendor for Canada's most successful organizations. Learn more at www.lannick.com. SOURCE Lannick Group of Companies Related Links www.lannickgroup.com For Immediate Release Chicago, IL September 08, 2016 Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses Telecom, part 2, including T-Mobile US Inc. (TMUS), America Movil S.A.B. (AMX), Sprint Corp. ( S) and Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ). Industry: Telecom, part 2 Link: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/89970/telecom-carriers-on-expansion-spree-don39t-miss-out Telecommunications is one of the few industries to have undergone rapid technological improvement even during the recession. An era of digitization and technology has essentially been built on the very human need to remain connected. It is in this context that telecommunications comes to the fore as a necessary utility. The rising demand for technologically superior products has given a silver lining to the telecom industry in an otherwise tough environment. Geographical Expansion Cutting across barriers has become common among telecom players. The objective is to offer better service and customer convenience. In Feb 2015, AT&T Inc. ( T) launched a service which allows its prepaid GoPhone customers, on $60 data plans, the benefit of unlimited calling from the U.S. to Mexico without any additional charge. The companys postpaid customers on World Connect Value plans can also avail unlimited calls to Mexico with a $5 add-on. Meanwhile, T-Mobile US Inc. (TMUS) introduced an innovative Mobile Without Borders plan through which its subscribers will be able to make calls to Canada and Mexico without paying any roaming charges. America Movil S.A.B. (AMX) has also unveiled a pan-North American roaming charge free calling facility covering Mexico and the U.S. which will be extended further to Canada. In Apr 2015, Sprint Corp.s (S) prepaid service division Boost Mobile launched an unlimited voice call and text message service plan to enhance connectivity between U.S. citizens and their friends and family in Cuba. In Mar 2016, Verizon Partner Solutions, a division of U.S. telecom behemoth Verizon Communications Inc. ( VZ) entered into an agreement with Cubas state-run telecommunications company Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba (ETECSA) to offer direct roaming mobile interconnection services between the two countries. Notably, in Sep 2015, Verizon became the first U.S. telecom operator to offer roaming wireless services in Cuba. Story continues AT&T recently entered into an agreement with Cubas ETECSA to offer direct roaming mobile interconnection services between the two countries. With this agreement, AT&T customers will soon be able to connect through talk, text and data while in Cuba. The date of commencement and pricing of these services will be declared later on. Strong Dividend Growth Telecom companies offer one of the highest dividend yields in the U.S. economy. The dividend yield, measured as dividends paid by a company in the last 12 months relative to its share price, is currently around 5% for the telecom sector compared with a mere 2% (approximately) for the benchmark S&P 500 index. Unlike other industries, U.S. telecom operators generate their revenues predominantly in the country. This makes these stocks less susceptible to volatility in the foreign exchange rate as well as macro-economic fluctuations plaguing the rest of the world. We believe the strong dividend yield momentum will continue as the U.S. economy slowly stabilizes. Opportunities The telecommunications industry as a whole offers a number of positives that are difficult to disregard from the standpoint of investors. Immune to External Disturbances: A major characteristic of the telecommunications industry is that it is immune to any international geo-political disturbance even when it leads to economic fluctuations. Thus, the ongoing sovereign debt crisis in Europe, the slowdown in China or other non-U.S. economic volatility is not expected to have any immediate impact on the industry. Barriers to Entry: The lack of public airwaves (spectrum) in the telecommunications industry creates a high barrier to entry. The U.S. telecom market is controlled by just four national players, as regional low-cost operators are not eligible to compete with large carriers. Furthermore, it is not easy for a new telecom carrier to establish itself in the market as it requires government approval to transmit voice, data, and video on public airwaves. Spectrum licenses are limited and are therefore quite expensive. Moreover, the deployment of network infrastructure requires significant capital expenditure, which very few entities can afford. Thus, this barrier protects the profits of incumbents in the telecom space. Strong Demand: A recovering economy speeds up the demand for real-time voice, data, and video manifold. The escalation in demand has encouraged telecom service providers to undertake large network extensions while upgrading plans. Moreover, the FCC projects mobile data demand to grow 25-50 folds over the next five years. 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 >> 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 T-MOBILE US INC (TMUS): Free Stock Analysis Report SPRINT CORP (S): Free Stock Analysis Report AMER MOVIL-ADR (AMX): Free Stock Analysis Report VERIZON COMM (VZ): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- "LED driver market for lighting expected to grow at a high CAGR of 26.3% between 2016 and 2022" The LED driver market for lighting is expected to reach USD 24.98 billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 26.3% between 2016 and 2022. High penetration of LED in lighting applications such as office complexes, retail outlets, street lights, and rapidly growing usage within the residential lighting applications for households due to increased focus on energy-efficient lighting are the major drivers for growth of the market. "Outdoor & traffic lighting expected to lead the end-user application of the LED driver for lighting during the forecast period" Outdoor & traffic lighting applications such as roadway lighting, street lighting, highway & tunnel lighting are the major adopters of the LED lighting. As local authorities all over the world are trying to reduce the energy consumption for economic and environmental purposes, LED lighting is slowly becoming their real choice. "Asia-Pacific expected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period" Asia-Pacific is also estimated to grow at the highest rate in the overall market till 2022. Combination of multiple factors make Asia-Pacific the most dynamic region in LED driver market for lighting. Asia-Pacific has some of the fastest-growing emerging economies in the form of India and China; it also has technologically and economically advanced economies of Japan and South Korea. Furthermore, there are many countries within Asia-Pacific which are still seeing rapid urbanization; hence, the overall growth and demand for infrastructure is higher compared to Europe and North America. Since the global initiatives for carbon reductions depend largely on the regions, countries in the Asia-Pacific region have started bringing in regulations to increase the usage of LED lighting which is giving a major flip to growth of the market for LED lighting and consequently of the LED driver market for lighting. In the process of determining and verifying the market size for several segments and subsegments of the LED driver market for lighting gathered through the secondary research, extensive primary interviews have been conducted with key people. Breakup of the profiles of primary participants is shown below: - By Company Type: Tier 1 20%, Tier 2 45%, and Tier 3 35% - By Designation: C-Level 35%, Director Level 25%, and Others 40% - By Region: North America 45%, Europe 20%, APAC 30%, and RoW 5% The geographic segmentation in the report covers four major regions of the world, namely, North America, Europe, APAC, and RoW. The report also profiles major players in the LED driver market for lighting. Some of the major players in this market are Osram GmbH (Germany), Harvard Engineering (U.K.), Texas Instruments (U.S.), Maxim Integrated (U.S.), Macroblock, Inc. (Taiwan), Atmel Corporation (U.S.), General Electric (U.S.), Cree, Inc. (U.S.), Rohm Semiconductors (Japan). Reasons to Buy the Report: This report caters to the needs of leading companies, industries, component manufacturers, and other related stakeholders in this market. Other parties that could benefit from the report include government bodies, environmental agencies, consulting firms, business development executives, C-level employees, and VPs. Our report would help analyze new opportunities and potential revenue sources and enhance the decision-making process for new business strategies. The quantitative and qualitative information in the report, along with our comprehensive analysis, would help a player to gain an edge in the market. Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p03816730-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 DALLAS, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- North Dallas Moving and Storage (NDMS), a local, long-distance and interstate moving company based in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, is celebrating 50 years in business this year as its hometown area marks record population growth. According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau findings, the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area ranked second in the country for net population gain last year, adding about 145,000 new residents from July 1, 2014, to July 1, 2015 (1); over 86,701 were net residential migration gains in 2015 (2). In addition, Dallas attracted more millennials in 2015 than any other U.S. city according to the recent Mayflower Mover Insights study, which ranked Dallas first based on the number of people aged 1835 who moved into the area last year (3). Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405268LOGO "This year marks our 50th anniversary, and it has led me to reflect on how very fortunate we are to live and work in a thriving metropolitan area filled with so many amazing people," said Brandon Morris, President of North Dallas Moving and Storage. "There are only a handful of full-service moving companies in the Dallas area that are equipped to handle long-distance moves, and our team at NDMS takes great pride in being one of the best." North Dallas Moving and Storage has helped thousands of families move during the past five decades, and the company's multiple Consumers' Choice Awards and Best of Carrollton Awards, together with their A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, demonstrate the community's continued satisfaction and support. Morris notes that many of the new arrivals to the Dallas-Fort Worth area are either relocating for job opportunities, or to live near their loved ones. According to recent data provided by ZipRecruiter, the metroplex has strong job growth, low unemployment, diverse growth industries and a higher ratio of available jobs to population than New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta and Miami. Dallas remains on pace for hiring growth this year, with 2016 job posting activity up 38 percent over the end of last year (4). "It is important to understand that there are a number of federal and state regulations interstate moving companies must follow to protect consumers' property while in transit," explained Morris. "As a second-generation family-owned business and leading agent of United Van Lines, North Dallas Moving and Storage is a qualified interstate mover, and we are equipped to handle all aspects of residential or corporate relocation." To help homeowners and businesses prepare for a long-distance move, North Dallas Moving and Storage has compiled a comprehensive collection of moving and packing guides, articles and checklists on the NDMS.com website: To learn more about North Dallas Moving and Storage and its full range of moving services and secure storage solutions, visit http://www.ndms.com. About North Dallas Moving and Storage: Founded in 1966, North Dallas Moving and Storage (NDMS) is a family-owned and operated business serving residential and commercial customers throughout Texas. NDMS was appointed as agent for United Van Lines in 1975 and has since established itself as one of United's largest booking agents. The company is based in Carrollton, Texas, and offers local moving and storage solutions for residential and commercial clients throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, while its interstate movers provide long-distance moving and relocation services nationwide. NDMS has consistently maintained an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and has earned many accolades, including the Consumer's Choice Award, United Van Lines Masters Club Award and Best of Carrollton Award. NDMS is affiliated with the American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA) as well as its ProMover and Registered International Mover (RIM) programs, and the company is a proud supporter of MoveRescue, Move for Hunger, and the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) and its Food 4 Kids program. (1). U.S. Census Bureau. "Four Texas Metro Areas Collectively Add More Than 400,000 People in the Last Year, Census Bureau Reports"; press release issued March 24, 2016. http://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2016/cb16-43.html (2). Maciag, Mike. "More Americans Flocking to Sun Belt Metro Areas"; Governing; March 24, 2016; Metro Area Migration Data per U.S. Census Bureau. http://www.governing.com/topics/urban/gov-census-population-data-sun-belt.html (3). Mayflower. "Experiences, Not Family Ties, Lead Millennials to New Cities"; press release issued April 5, 2016. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/experiences-not-family-ties-lead-millennials-to-new-cities-300245707.html (4). Hethcock, Bill. "Here Is Why the DFW Job Market Continues to Sizzle"; Dallas Business Journal; February 25, 2016. http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2016/02/25/here-is-why-the-dfw-job-market-continues-to-sizzle.html Media Inquiries: Brandon Morris President North Dallas Moving and Storage http://www.ndms.com (972) 241-1562 SOURCE North Dallas Moving and Storage Related Links http://www.ndms.com DULUTH, Georgia, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- TeleLife Owns And Operates A Multi-Disciplinary Specialty Care Practice Formed For The Purpose Of Providing Telemedicine Services To Patients In Rural Underserved Areas; Company Subsidiary To Act As Its Management Service Organization (MSO) To Manage All Healthcare Operations. Medina Innovation Holdings, Inc., which is changing its name to Medical Innovation Holdings, Inc. (OTC: MIHI) ("MIHI" or the "Company"), today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, 3PointCare, Inc. has entered into a Management Services Agreement to exclusively provide management services to TeleLife MD, Inc. The Company will be the exclusive provider to TeleLife. The agreement has an initial term of ten years together with certain renewal rights. Previously, the Company announced that it had created a wholly owned subsidiary, 3PointCare to act as its management services organization (MSO) to manage all healthcare service operations of the Company. Now with this agreement, the Company has acquired the services of TeleLife MD, a multi-disciplinary specialty care practice formed for the purpose of providing telemedicine services to patients in rural underserved areas in various States. The Company also licensed its cloud-based tele-health technology platform to TeleLife. Under the agreement the Company will provide all technology, network services, implementation, support and training to TeleLife and its physicians to enable the use of the technology to its full capacity and engage in HIPAA compliant virtual patient encounters. The Company will maintain responsibility for all updates necessary to keep the technology efficient, secure and reliable. In addition to virtual connectivity, software will include centralized scheduling, electronic medical record (EMR) management, and practice management software (PMS) in addition to video network infrastructure support. Additionally, the Company will provide core MSO services such as claims processing, billing and collection, physician services that include support and recruiting. 3PointCare offers unparalleled access to quality healthcare in real time, with centralized scheduling, credentialing support, 24/7 IT support, telemedicine video conferencing and much more. Arturo "Jake" Sanchez, CEO and Director, stated: "This agreement with TeleLife provides us with a network of physician specialists that we can make available to rural practitioners and their patients. This enables rural patients and practitioners access to 16 types of physician specialists directly from inside the confines of the rural physicians' offices. At no cost to the practitioners (both rural and inside TeleLife) we also handle all administrative duties usually associated with the scheduling and billing for these services while creating additional revenues for these physicians without the traditional accompanying administrative or capital costs. Patients are real winners as well. They get access to high quality specialty care with the convenience of receiving services in their backyard with their doctor whom they know and trust. They no longer need to travel several miles to seek out these services." Dr. Christopher JWB Leggett, the Company's Chief Medical Officer and CEO of TeleLife added: "The doctors at TeleLife immediately understood the value proposition the Company is offering. It allows TeleLife to immediately expand the size of our client base andour geographic footprint. The Company also assumes all the administrative support, staffing requirements, associated office functions, equipment & technical requirement and costs, including insurance for our doctors. It's a win-win for all parties." About Medical Innovation Holdings, Inc. MIHI, a Colorado-based publicly traded company, owns and operates strategically aligned health care service companies focused on the delivery of clinical virtual medicine (health) as a way of bringing quality medical care to all areas of need including rural and underdeveloped areas across the country. Through our wholly owned subsidiary, 3Point Care, we provide personalized high-tech high-touch telemedicine encounters pairing our virtual health specialty doctors with traditional primary doctors utilizing nextgen virtual health technologies in order to connect a patient with a multi-disciplinary specialty clinical healthcare practice. Through our other companies and relationships, we offer Affordable Care Organization (ACO) support, wellness and prevention, lab analysis and lab services, and remote diagnostic monitoring. We serve a number of constituents and stakeholders interested in reducing the cost of care, enhancing the quality of care, promoting access to care, and maintaining the continuum of care. For more information on MIHI, please visit the Company's website at http://www.medicalinnovationholdings.com To be added to the Company investor email list, please email [email protected] with MIHI in the subject line. To leave a message please call +1-866-883-3793 for Investor Relations FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements relate to future events, including our ability to raise capital, or to our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. For a discussion of these risks and uncertainties, please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our public filings with the SEC are available from commercial document retrieval services and at the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. News Release Investor Contacts: [email protected] +1-866-883-3793 SOURCE Medina Innovation Holdings, Inc. NYON, Switzerland, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Hublot takes it to another level by presenting the first ever animated movie for the MP-05 LaFerrari Sapphire Movie MP-05 LaFerrari Sapphire - A tribute to the FXX K-Screen1 (PRNewsFoto/Hublot SA) Movie MP-05 LaFerrari Sapphire - A tribute to the FXX K-Screen2 (PRNewsFoto/Hublot SA) Movie MP-05 LaFerrari Sapphire - A tribute to the FXX K-Screen3 (PRNewsFoto/Hublot SA) Movie MP-05 LaFerrari Sapphire - A tribute to the FXX K-Screen4 (PRNewsFoto/Hublot SA) Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari Sapphire animated movie in Los Angeles (PRNewsFoto/Hublot SA) Fave Night - Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari Sapphire animated movie in Los Angeles (PRNewsFoto/Hublot SA) Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot, and Pierre Michel, Director of the Film (PRNewsFoto/Hublot SA) A record-breaking power reserve, a truly outstanding watch and a unique supercar - these are the stars of Digital Domain's new blockbuster In the City of Angels, on the roof of the Ace Museum - a world premiere - the first animated film from Hublot, a joint production created by Digital Domain, world leaders in action movies and visual effects. On the bill is a 1200 HP hybrid supercar, the FXX K, and a superwatch with a 50-day power reserve. A world record for Hublot. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/404842 ) (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/404843 ) (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/404844 ) (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/404845 ) (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/404852 ) (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/404853 ) (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/404854 ) "A first among firsts. 'LaFerrari' Sapphire brings together the best and most cutting-edge technology - in the construction of the watch and its movement, the FXX K supercar that provided its inspiration, and now in the digital revolution provided by the best and most famous animated film studio, Digital Domain. So I know this watch by heart, every feature, every detail, the film literally plunged me into sensations that I have never felt before. I feel as if I am this watch, this car; I am speed, technology, invention, the record!" -Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot Watched over by the Hollywood sign, the mythical symbol that embodies the magic of the world's movie capital, the roof of the Ace Museum with its unique, futuristic decor has been turned into a drive-in cinema where the Hublot magic can once again unfold. A real digital revolution. Hublot is presenting its first animated film. A world premiere that presents Hublot as world leaders, with special effects that are worthy of Hollywood's top blockbusters, and starring a supercar, the Ferrari FXX K, and a superwatch, the MP-05 "LaFerrari" Sapphire. Thanks to the virtuosity of Digital Domain, its historic record (power reserve of 50 days) has now been immortalised on film. All the images have been animated by a real-life driver at the steering wheel, and the technical features of the car have been configured to provide the most realistic driving experience possible. In a world of computer-generated images, the idea is to offer a real experience and realistic sensations. It is an audio-visual experience, as Digital Domain have created a soundtrack in Hollywood action-movie style, based on the FXX K's engine. This animated film tells the story of the HUB9005.H1.PN.1 movement, and the unique design of its sapphire case. A futuristic, 3D design machined from 7 blocks of sapphire, involving more than 600 hours' work and precise 3D workmanship to produce an ultra-light 53.5 grams on the wrist. Its unique movement comprises ultra-lightweight carbon components. It has a record-breaking power reserve of 50 days, and 11 series-coupled barrels set in a spine formation that dominate the centre of the watch and keep the movement turning with its 637 components, a record number. A hypnotic movement, a truly outstanding watch. On the big screen, the MP-05 "LaFerrari" Sapphire is almost overwhelming in its visual impact. Link to the movie: https://youtu.be/sXXeLbWiTE0 Link to the making of: https://youtu.be/YxFPYjOzNwY Link to download the press release: http://j.mp/2c3mz2G International Press Relations: Annabelle Galley, [email protected], T: +41(0)22-990-9000 SOURCE Hublot SA LONDON, Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Nano-technology field has a potential to make significant impact on healthcare by delivering disease diagnosis, monitoring, implants, regenerative medicines and drug delivery, drug discovery for biomedicine. Since last few years, significant progress has been made in the field of nano-medicine (i.e. nano-technology), resulting in a number of products, including therapeutics and imaging agents, enabling more effective and less toxic therapeutic and diagnostic interventions. This progress have resulted in development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic personalized nano-medicine treatment. Rapidly expanding areas of research and development to develop novel nano-medicine is expected to drive the market growth in future. Moreover, one of the major factor assisting market growth is the rising prevalence of infectious diseases and cancer, developing nanotechnology research, and rising demand for novel drug delivery systems. However, high cost coupled with stringent regulatory scenario hampers the market growth to some extent. A detailed qualitative analysis of the factors responsible for driving and restraining the growth of the global nanotechnology drug delivery market and future opportunities has been provided in the market overview section. This section of the report also provides market attractiveness analysis, technology trend, industry challenges, sale data for some non-marketed nano-pharmaceuticals, patent landscape, and market share analysis by key players (%) operating in the nanotechnology drug delivery market. Based on technology, the global nanotechnology drug delivery market has been segmented into nanocrystals, nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, nanotubes and others. The market for these technology types has been extensively analyzed based on sales revenue of the various leading marketed products developed by the manufacturers. The market size and forecast in terms of USD million for each technology has been provided for the period from 2013 to 2023. The report on the nanotechnology drug delivery market also provides compound annual growth rate (CAGR %) for each of the market segments mentioned above for the forecast period from 2015 to 2023, considering 2014 as the base year. Additionally, the report also categorized based on different application area of nanotechnology such as neurology, oncology, cardiovascular/physiology, anti-inflammatory/immunology, anti-infective and other applications. The market size and forecast in terms of USD million for each application has been provided for the period from 2013 to 2023. The report also provides compound annual growth rate (CAGR %) for each application segments mentioned above for the forecast period from 2015 to 2023, considering 2014 as the base year. Geographically, the global nanotechnology drug delivery market has been categorized into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Rest of the World (RoW). The market size and forecast for each of these regions have been provided for the period from 2013 to 2023 along with CAGR (%) for the forecast period from 2013 to 2023. The research study also incorporates the competitive scenario of major players in these regions. The report concludes with the profiles of major players in the global nanotechnology drug delivery market based on various attributes such as company overview, financial overview, business strategies, product portfolio, and recent developments. Major players profiled in this report include AbbVie, Inc., Amgen Inc., Celgene Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co., Inc., Novartis International AG, Perrigo Company plc and others. The global nanotechnology drug delivery market is segmented as follows: Global Nanotechnology Drug Delivery Market, by Technology Nanocrystals Nanoparticles Dendrimers Gold Nanopartilces Dendrimers Fullerens Others Liposomes Micelles Nanotubes Others Global Nanotechnology Drug Delivery Market, by Applications Neurology Oncology Cardiovascular/Physiology Anti-inflammatory/Immunology Anti-infective Other Applications Global Nanotechnology Drug Delivery Market, by Geography North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America (LATAM) Rest of the World (RoW) Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/3999837/ 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 Samurai, a term that roughly translates as "those who serve," refers to the elite warriors who played an important role in Japanese politics and society from the late twelfth century until the mid-nineteenth century. Shoguns, or supreme military leaders, governed Japan as de facto rulers until 1867 when the military government was abolished and the emperor returned to power. The values emphasized by the samurai included loyalty, courage, honor, and personal cultivation. During prolonged periods of peacetime and stability, the samurai increased their attention to aristocratic pastimes such as poetry, music, and tea ceremonies. This exhibition includes luxurious objects such as lacquered calligraphy and smoking boxes, an incense tray, a mother-of-pearl inlayed processional riding saddle and stirrups, and a gilded folding chair that was part of a bridal trousseau for a member of the Tokugawa shogunate clan. In conjunction with the exhibition, the film series "Samurai and Cinema" will offer an eclectic selection of full-length influential Japanese samurai films. This program, representing a collaboration between the Frist Center, Belcourt Theatre, International Lens at Vanderbilt University, and Light + Sound Machine at Third Man Records, will offer screenings at four locations around Nashville. Visit fristcenter.org/film for more information. As part of the Frist Center's presentation of the exhibition, an education gallery will allow visitors to test their knowledge of samurai history at interactive electronic game stations. Exhibition Credit This exhibition was organized by Contemporanea Progetti SRL with the Museo Stibbert, Florence, Italy. Sponsor Acknowledgment Platinum Sponsor: The HCA Foundation on behalf of HCA/TriStar Health Supporting Sponsor: The Nissan Foundation This exhibition is supported in part by the Friends of Asian Art, Metro Nashville Arts Commission, the Tennessee Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Public Programs Friday, November 4 Opening Lecture: "The Arms and Armor of the Samurai" presented by Thomas D. Conlan, professor of East Asian studies and history, Princeton University 6:30 p.m. Frist Center Auditorium Free First come, first seated Join us for the opening lecture of Samurai: The Way of the Warrior, delivered by Thomas D. Conlan, professor of East Asian studies and history at Princeton University. In discussing the remarkable objects on display, Dr. Conlan will explain what the arms and armor of the samurai reveal about Japan's wars between 1200 and 1700. He also will speak of the way these functional yet beautiful objects illuminate much about Japanese culture and society, reflecting the wealth, status, aesthetics, and beliefs of their owners. Dr. Conlan has focused his research on the samurai, exploring how processes such as warfare determined the politics, ideals, and social matrix of Japan from the tenth through the sixteenth centuries. His publications include State of War: The Violent Order of Fourteenth-Century Japan and Weapons and Fighting Techniques of the Samurai Warrior, 12001877 AD. About the Frist Center Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit art exhibition center dedicated to presenting and originating high-quality exhibitions with related educational programs and community outreach activities. Located at 919 Broadway in downtown Nashville, Tenn., the Frist Center offers the finest visual art from local, regional, national, and international sources in a program of changing exhibitions that inspire people through art to look at their world in new ways. The Frist Center's Martin ArtQuest Gallery features interactive stations relating to Frist Center exhibitions. Information on accessibility may be found at fristcenter.org/accessibility. Gallery admission is free for visitors 18 and younger and to members; $12 for adults; $9 for seniors and college students with ID; and $7 for active military. College students are admitted free Thursday and Friday evenings (with the exception of Frist Fridays), 5:009:00 p.m. Discounts are offered for groups of 10 or more with advance reservations by calling 615.744.3247. The galleries, cafe, and gift shop are open seven days a week: Mondays through Wednesdays, and Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.5:30 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays, 10:00 a.m.9:00 p.m.; and Sundays, 1:005:30 p.m., with the cafe opening at noon. For additional information, call 615.244.3340 or visit fristcenter.org. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405188 SOURCE Frist Center for the Visual Arts NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Tennessee Department of Education, in conjunction with the Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents (TOSS) and several Tennessee school districts, presented its school safety plan template. Tennessee schools are encouraged to adopt the comprehensive safety plan to help keep students and staff safe and well-prepared for emergency situations. To facilitate these efforts, NaviGate Prepared is offering its customized Safety Plan Wizard, free of charge, to all K-12 Tennessee schools. Request your free Safety Plan Wizard! Designed to assist school administrators with safety plan development and enhancement, the Safety Plan Wizard breaks down a safety plan into a series of questions, thus reducing complexities and streamlining creation of a school safety plan. NaviGate Prepared created a custom Safety Plan Wizard based on the new Tennessee school safety plan template and is providing it to all Tennessee schools at no cost. The Wizard is powered by the NaviGate Prepared emergency preparedness safety system, which is currently used by hundreds of school districts throughout the nation to help improve school safety. "We are very excited at TOSS to be partnering with NaviGate Prepared and their team to provide a much more robust emergency response tool for our member districts," said Wayne Miller, Executive Director of TOSS. "By providing the tools and services to link both school district staff and important first responders with school system safety resources, everyone in the community benefits and becomes better protected in the case of an emergency." Michele Gay, mother of 7-year-old Sandy Hook victim, Josephine, past teacher, and co-founder of Safe and Sound Schools, A Sandy Hook Initiative was instrumental in bringing NaviGate Prepared and the state of Tennessee together. Gay travels the nation speaking to groups and organizations, offering resources and recommendations on processes, protocols, technologies and more to help schools better prepare and respond in the event of an emergency. The complete NaviGate Prepared system stores important school safety plans and associated information, such as call lists, personnel photos, building maps, detailed floor plans, 360-degree photographs of key building areas, including life-safety and shut-off valve locations and more, in a secure cloud environment. It offers authorized users and first responders, including 911 dispatchers, immediate, real-time access to this information from any web-authorized device. No matter the severity of the situation, NaviGate Prepared ensures necessary safety information is accessible, even if a building is not. About NaviGate Prepared NaviGate Prepared is a proven school safety emergency response system designed to assist and prepare school officials and first responders for emergency situations. The secure, cloud-based platform offers 911 dispatch centers and emergency personnel real-time Internet access of a school's facility and safety information. It is SAFETY Act Designated as an anti-terrorism-level technology by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and is a two-time Campus Safety BEST Award winner. For more information, visit www.NaviGatePrepared.com or call 866-861-7400. SOURCE NaviGate Prepared Related Links http://www.navigateprepared.com LULEA, Sweden, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Netrounds, a leading provider of innovative, software-based active testing tools for Communications Service Providers (CSPs), today announced that its active test and service assurance platform has achieved VMware Ready status. This designation indicates that after a detailed validation process Netrounds Virtual Test Agents 2.17 have achieved VMware's highest level of endorsement and are supported on VMware vCloud NFV 1.5 for production environments. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160520/370197LOGO ) "We are pleased that Netrounds' Virtual Test Agents qualify for the VMware Ready logo, signifying to customers that they have met specific VMware interoperability standards and work effectively with the VMware vCloud NFV solution. This signifies to customers that Netrounds Virtual Test Agents can be deployed in production environments with confidence and can speed time to value within customer environments." said Kristen Edwards, director, Technology Alliance Partner Program, VMware. "By using Netrounds Virtual Test Agents 2.17 with VMware vCloud NFV 1.5 organizations can automate service activation tests, quality monitoring and troubleshooting as part of their NFV service orchestration processes to achieve assured and agile deliveries of their network services. The programmable Netrounds solution allows network operators to gain insights into real-time, actual end user experience instead of using passive, device-layer counters only loosely correlated to their end users' services to ensure customer satisfaction." "By combining the robust virtualization capabilities of VMware with the programmable, active testing and monitoring functionality of the Netrounds platform, we are providing our customers with a trusted, automatable solution to assure customer quality of experience in their virtualized environments," says Kaela Loffler, Director of Marketing and Industry Alliances at Netrounds. "Deploying Virtual Test Agents on the VMware vCloud NFV platform also allows operators to manage and troubleshoot their network remotely, eliminating expensive field efforts and truck rolls often needed with traditional test and assurance solutions used today." The VMware Ready program is a co-branding benefit of the Technology Alliance Partner (TAP) program that makes it easy for customers to identify partner products certified to work with VMware cloud infrastructure. Customers can use these products and solutions to lower project risks and realize cost savings over custom built solutions. With thousands of members worldwide, the VMware TAP program includes best-of-breed technology partners with the shared commitment to bring the best expertise and business solution for each unique customer need. Netrounds' Virtual Test Agents can be found within the online VMware Solution Exchange (VSX) at https://solutionexchange.vmware.com/store/products/netrounds-control-center-and-active-test-agents. The VMware Solution Exchange is an online marketplace where VMware partners and developers can publish rich marketing content and downloadable software for our customers. About Netrounds Netrounds provides programmable, software-based network performance and service assurance solutions that help to enhance the end user experience of IP-based services, such as Internet, TV, voice and other quality-demanding business services. Netrounds reduces the need for proprietary test instruments, lowering network test and assurance costs while also enabling remote support to rapidly identify the root cause of network issues with minimal onsite visits and field engineering. Its solutions are used by more than 270 network operators, service providers and enterprises worldwide. Netrounds is headquartered in Lulea, Sweden, with offices in Stockholm, Sweden and Boston, Massachusetts. For further information, visit http://www.netrounds.com. Netrounds is a registered trademark of Netrounds AB. VMware, VMware vCloud NFV and VMware Ready are registered trademarks or trademarks of VMware, Inc. in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies. Contact: Kaela Loffler, +46-70-634-00-69, [email protected] SOURCE Netrounds SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- An academic research paper by the Lithium Technologies data science team, "Mining Half a Billion Topical Experts Across Multiple Social Networks," has been published in the Social Network Analysis and Mining Journal. Analyzing and ranking topic experts across Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+, the study analyzes more than 12 billion messages and ranks 500 million experts on more than 9,000 topics. This expert ranking system flows directly into Lithium's products, allowing brands to better understand their Total Community of customers. It also offers brands a way to identify what social networks specific topic experts are engaging on. "We're drawing the line between social media popularity and credibility as our team of data scientists map out the social web, tapping into the wealth of data at their disposal," said Sunil Rajasekar, CTO, Lithium Technologies. "We're happy to make the methodology and results available to further the discipline. There's still lots to be done as new social channels rise in prominence and more and more people come online, but we're up to the task." "Brands need to evolve past simply trying to reach the people with the most followers, or taking a scattershot approach of engaging with anyone and everyone on digital channels," said Rob Tarkoff, President and CEO of Lithium Technologies. "We're making it easier for brands to identify the right experts for their product or service but that's just the first step they then need to work on cultivating authentic relationships with them." Since acquiring Klout in 2014, Lithium has been working to integrate its wealth of data across its entire portfolio of products to help businesses connect, engage and understand their Total Community. Specific examples pertaining to the topic experts data include: Profile Plus in Lithium Communities leveraging topic experts data science, brands can personalize the community experience based on member interests and expertise, and identify top influencers by topic Lithium Response brands can intelligently route and prioritize customers' questions and complaints based on their topic expertise, giving consumers more relevant and personalized service in a timely manner. Lithium Reach Reach's data-driven recommendations empower brands to publish content their customers want. Early results show that this leads to a 25% increase in engagement. The "Mining Half a Billion Topical Experts Across Multiple Social Networks" academic paper is publicly available at: http://arxiv.org/abs/1608.09002 About Lithium: Lithium builds trusted relationships between the world's best brands and their customers, helping people get answers and share their experiences. Customers in more than 34 countries rely on Lithium to help them connect, engage, and understand their total community. With more than 100 million monthly visits over all Lithium communities and 750 million online profiles scored by Klout, Lithium has one of the largest digital footprints in the world. Using that data and the company's software, Lithium customers boost sales, reduce service costs, spark innovation, and build long-term brand loyalty and advocacy. To find out how Lithium can transform your business, and to share the experience enjoyed by 300 other leading brands around the world, visit www.lithium.com, join our community at community.lithium.com, or follow us on Twitter @LithiumTech. Lithium is a privately held company headquartered in San Francisco. The Lithium logo is a registered Service Mark of Lithium Technologies. All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective owners. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/340403LOGO SOURCE Lithium Technologies Related Links http://www.lithium.com Ebolaviruses cause a highly fatal disease for which no approved vaccines or treatments are available. About two dozen Ebola outbreaks have been documented since 1976, when infections first occurred in villages along the Ebola River in Africa. The largest outbreak in historythe 2014-2015 Western Africa epidemiccaused more than 11,000 deaths and infected approximately 29,000 people. Monoclonal antibodies, which bind to and neutralize specific pathogens and toxins, have emerged as the most promising treatments for Ebola patients. A critical problem, however, is that most antibody therapies target only one specific ebolavirus. For example, the most promising experimental therapyZMapp, a cocktail of three monoclonal antibodiesis specific for Ebola virus Zaire, and doesn't work against the other two viruses (Sudan and Bundibugyo), which have both caused major outbreaks. The broad-spectrum antibodies developed by the research team represent an important advance against one of the world's most dangerous pathogens. Exploiting Ebola's Achilles' Heel In 2011, a team that included co-senior authors Kartik Chandran, Ph.D., professor of microbiology & immunology at Einstein, and John M. Dye, Ph.D., chief of viral immunology at USAMRIID, discovered that all filoviruses (the family to which ebolaviruses and the more distantly related Marburg virus belong) have an Achilles' heel: To infect and multiply in human cells, they must all bind to a host-cell protein called Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1). But capitalizing on that knowledge required a completely new approach to targeting viruses: exploiting the fact that Ebola and many other viruses must enter host cell compartments called lysosomes. Once safely inside the lysosomes, the viruses transform and expose key portions of their exterior that the research team successfully targeted using monoclonal antibodies. To gain entry to cells, filoviruses bind to the host cell's outer membrane via glycoproteins (proteins to which carbohydrate chains are attached) that bristle from the virus's surface. (See illustration.) A portion of the cell membrane then surrounds the virus and pinches off, eventually developing into a lysosomea membrane-bound, intracellular compartment filled with enzymes to digest foreign and cellular components. Filoviruses then use the host cells' resources to break out of their lysosomal "prisons" so they can enter the host cell's cytoplasm to multiply. Enzymes in the lysosome slice a "cap" from the virus's glycoproteins, unveiling a site that binds to the NPC1 embedded in the lysosome membrane. NPC1, which normally helps transport cholesterol within the cell, offers Ebola virus its only means of escaping the lysosome and multiplying. By fitting its protein "key" into the NPC1 "lock," the virus fuses itself to the lysosome membrane. (See illustration close-up.) Now the virus can propel its RNA from the lysosome and into the cell's cytoplasm, where it can finally replicate itself. Penetrating an Invisibility Cloak The research team realized that monoclonal antibodies could potentially thwart all filovirus infections by neutralizing the viral protein that binds to NPC1, or by neutralizing NPC1 itself. There was just one problem: Reflecting Ebola's ingenuity, both targets reside only in lysosomes deep within cellsmaking them invisible to the immune system and shielded from attack by conventional antibodies. Dr. Chandran, Dr. Dye and co-senior author Jonathan R. Lai, Ph.D., associate professor of biochemistry at Einstein and an expert in engineering antibodies, devised a clever "Trojan Horse" strategy for overcoming the virus's invisibility cloak: Just as the citizens of Troy unwittingly pulled a wooden horse filled with Greek soldiers into their walled city, they tricked the viruses into carrying the means of their own destruction along with them into host cells. To do so, the research team synthesized two types of "bispecific" antibodies, each consisting of two monoclonal antibodies combined into one molecule. One bispecific antibody was devised to neutralize the viral protein that binds to NPC1, the other to target NPC1. Both had one monoclonal antibody in common: antibody FVM09, which binds to the surface glycoproteins of all ebolaviruses while the virus is outside cells, allowing the bispecific antibodies to hitch a ride with the virus into the lysosome. FVM09 was developed by co-senior author M. Javad Aman, Ph.D. at Integrated Biotherapeutics. Once in the lysosome, the bispecific antibodies are released from the viral surface when enzymes in the lysosome slice off the glycoprotein capsallowing the business ends of the bispecific antibodies to swing into action. One bispecific antibody combined FVM09 with antibody MR72, which was isolated from a human survivor of Marburg virus infection by co-senior author James E. Crowe Jr., M.D., at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. MR72 targets the NPC1-binding viral protein that is unveiled by all filoviruses in lysosomes. The second bispecific antibody links FVM09 to antibody mAb-548, developed at Einstein, which zeroes in on NPC1. With one bispecific antibody targeting the "lock" (NPC1) and the other targeting the "key" (the virus's NPC1-binding protein), both had the potential for preventing Ebola virus from interacting with NPC1 and escaping from the lysosome into the cytoplasm. Putting Antibodies to the Test The researchers then tested their bispecific antibodies against ebolaviruses in the lab. They initially used a harmless virus (vesicular stomatitis virus) that had been genetically engineered to display glycoproteins from all five ebolaviruses on its surface. The researchers incubated the bispecific antibodies with the Ebola-like viruses and then added the mixtures to human cells in tissue culture. Both bispecific antibodies successfully neutralized all five viruses. Work in the high-containment facilities at USAMRIID confirmed that these antibodies also blocked infection by the actual Zaire, Sudan, and Bundibugyo ebolaviruses. Next came studies at USAMRIID to test whether the two bispecific antibodies could protect mice infected with the two most dangerous ebolaviruses, Zaire and Sudan. Researchers, led by Dr. Dye, administered the bispecific antibodies two days after mice were exposed to a lethal dose of virus. The bispecific antibody that targeted the viral binding protein provided good protection to mice exposed to both viruses. As expected, the bispecific antibody that targeted NPC1 did not protect mice. It was designed to bind specifically to human NPC1, which differs slightly in structure from the NPC1 protein found in mice. As a next step, both bispecific antibodies will need to be tested in nonhuman primates, the current gold standard for anti-Ebola therapeutics. The paper is titled "A 'Trojan Horse' Bispecific Antibody Strategy for Broad Protection Against Ebolaviruses." In addition to Drs. Chandran, Lai, Dye, Aman and Crowe, contributors include co-first author Anna Wec, M.S., co-first author Elisabeth Nyakatura, Ph.D., Eva Mittler, Ph.D., John Christin, Rohit Jangra, Ph.D., M.V.Sc., and Sushma Bharrhan, Ph.D., all at Einstein; co-first author Andrew Herbert, Ph.D., Ana Kuehne, and Russell Bakken at USAMRIID; Katie Howell, Ph.D., Frederick Holtsberg, Ph.D., and Sergey Shulenin, Ph.D., at Integrated Biotherapeutics, Inc; Andrew Flyak, Ph.D., at Vanderbilt University Medical Center; and Zachary Bornholdt, Ph.D., and Erica Ollmann Saphire, Ph.D., at The Scripps Research Institute. This work was supported by three grants from the National Institutes of Health, U19 AI109762, R01 AI088027, and 1R41 AI122403; by Joint Science and Technology Office-Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) award CB04088, and DTRA award HDTRA1-13-C-0015. Jonathan R. Lai, Ph.D., co-senior author: "It's impossible to predict where the next ebolavirus outbreak will occur or which virus will cause it. So the best therapy would be a monoclonal antibody that is active against the glycoproteins of all five ebolavirusesand until our study, no such antibody had demonstrated the ability to do that. We hope that further testing in nonhuman primates will establish our antibodies as safe and effective for treating those exposed to any ebolavirus." Kartik Chandran, Ph.D., co-senior author: "We would love to extend this approach to Ebola's distant cousin, Marburg virus, to create a true pan-filovirus therapeutic antibody. Furthermore, we hope that our Trojan Horse antibody strategy of targeting viruses in lysosomes might work against other disease-causing viruses like flu, dengue, or Lassa, which, like Ebola, also enter host-cell lysosomes as part of their life cycles." John M. Dye, Ph.D., co-senior author: "Our team of scientists took the 'Trojan Horse' concept from the chalkboard to a product that has the capacity to provide a viable treatment for all filoviruses, both known and emerging. This work highlights the power of governmental, academic and industrial researchers collaborating together to solve a complex and important public health problem." M. Javad Aman, Ph.D., co-senior author: "The success in co-opting the virus itself to dispatch a lethal weapon against ebolaviruses in the lysosomes marks a turning point in development of smart therapeutics against infectious diseases. Similar strategies could be devised against several other viral and bacterial pathogens or toxins that are unleashed inside the lysosomal compartments." About Albert Einstein College of Medicine Albert Einstein College of Medicine is one of the nation's premier centers for research, medical education and clinical investigation. During the 2015-2016 academic year, Einstein is home to 731 M.D. students, 193 Ph.D. students, 106 students in the combined M.D./Ph.D. program, and 278 postdoctoral research fellows. The College of Medicine has more than 1,900 full-time faculty members located on the main campus and at its clinical affiliates. In 2015, Einstein received $148 million in awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This includes the funding of major research centers at Einstein in aging, intellectual development disorders, diabetes, cancer, clinical and translational research, liver disease, and AIDS. Other areas where the College of Medicine is concentrating its efforts include developmental brain research, neuroscience, cardiac disease, and initiatives to reduce and eliminate ethnic and racial health disparities. Its partnership with Montefiore Medical Center, the University Hospital and academic medical center for Einstein, advances clinical and translational research to accelerate the pace at which new discoveries become the treatments and therapies that benefit patients. Through its extensive affiliation network involving Montefiore, Jacobi Medical CenterEinstein's founding hospital, and three other hospital systems in the Bronx, Brooklyn and on Long Island, Einstein runs one of the largest residency and fellowship training programs in the medical and dental professions in the United States. For more information, please visit www.einstein.yu.edu, read our blog, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook , and view us on YouTube . About United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases USAMRIID's mission is to provide leading edge medical capabilities to deter and defend against current and emerging biological threat agents. Research conducted at USAMRIID leads to medical solutionsvaccines, drugs, diagnostics, and informationthat benefit both military personnel and civilians. The Institute plays a key role as the lead military medical research laboratory for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Joint Science and Technology Office for Chemical and Biological Defense. USAMRIID is a subordinate laboratory of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. For more information, visit www.usamriid.army.mil. About Integrated Biotherapeutics (IBT) IBT is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery of novel vaccines and therapeutics for emerging infectious diseases with a pipeline that includes promising product candidates for bacterial and viral infections including unique pan-filovirus candidates, vaccines and a variety of other product candidates for emerging viruses. Located in Rockville, Maryland, IBT has a close working relationship with United States Government agencies including the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID/NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Department of Defense (DOD), United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) as well as many biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and academic laboratories. For more information, visit integratedbiotherapeutics.com. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160908/405579 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120531/DC16559LOGO SOURCE Albert Einstein College of Medicine Related Links http://www.einstein.yu.edu 2000 - 2022 24 .- . focus-news.net, () . 24 . 24 . . 24 . INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- NextRadio continues international expansion adding Peru and Mexico as the latest countries to offer NextRadio, joining the United States and Canada. This expansion is a natural next step due to the heavy usage of FM radio in Latin America and the rapid growth in smartphone sales. Partnering with the Ambassadors Office in Peru, NextRadio hosted a promotional event on August 10, officially announcing the launch of NextRadio in Peru. The event included 75 guests from all major broadcasters, large advertising agencies and dignitaries from Peru. "The Peruvian Radio Committee is pleased to support the NextRadio expansion. Radio is an important part of the culture and is a respected institution in Peru. The more opportunities we can provide our listeners to hear their favorite stations or be able to get an emergency alert if needed is a value to all listeners, advertisers and broadcasters," said Abraham Zavala Chocano, Radio Committee President Peru. The NextRadio app went live in Mexico's Google Play store on August 31. Grupo Radio Centro (GRC), the largest broadcaster in Mexico, and many other broadcasters have already signed up, which immediately provides new listeners with a rich in-app experience. "We are pleased to continue our expansion into Latin America. Starting in Peru and Mexico was an easy decision since radio consumption is so high and we had overwhelming support from the Peruvian Radio Committee and GRC in Mexico. Our long term vision is to expand into Colombia and Brazil and continue to round out covering all of Latin America," said Paul Brenner, President TagStation LLC, the power behind NextRadio. The NextRadio app lets you experience FM radio on your smartphone in a brand new way. Listeners get a real-time view of what's playing on-air and interact live with favorite local radio stations while using 75% less battery and 92% less data compared to streaming radio apps. Real FM radio is now in your smartphone so you can listen wherever you go. About NextRadio powered by TagStation, LLC TagStation, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Emmis Communications Corporation. TagStation, LLC has developed the TagStation service to provide radio stations with artist and title information and unique interactivity with listeners. With partial funding from NAB Labs, TagStation also developed the NextRadio hybrid radio smartphone app which uses TagStation cloud services to provide a rich FM radio listening experience on smartphones and tablets by combining the devices' built-in FM tuner and the internet. NextRadio, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TagStation, LLC and serves as the principle distributor of the NextRadio App. Founded in 2013, TagStation, LLC and NextRadio, LLC are headquartered in Indianapolis, IN with offices in Indianapolis and Chicago, IL. For more information, about TagStation, visit TagStation.com. For more information about NextRadio, visit NextRadioApp.com. SOURCE NextRadio Related Links http://www.nextradioapp.com MILWAUKEE, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Access to a quality education lays the groundwork for a strong community. As part of its commitment to its hometown of Milwaukee, Northwestern Mutual, through its Foundation, today is announcing $1.6 million in grants to educational programs across the city. "The future of our city is dependent on the quality of education we provide our youth," said John Schlifske, chairman and CEO of Northwestern Mutual. "A well-educated community builds the foundation for a skilled and responsible workforce." These grants support programs that display measurable impact and create positive change within the community, with an emphasis on third-grade reading proficiency as well as college and career readiness. Additionally, Northwestern Mutual fosters the pursuit of higher education by supporting post-secondary education scholarships, specifically for students in the Amani, Metcalfe Park and Muskego Way neighborhoods, which the company supports. "Quality education is one of the best tools we can provide our children to help prepare them for success," said Eric Christophersen, president, Northwestern Mutual Foundation. "We support a strategy that works alongside community members, educators and leaders to ensure this success transcends the classroom into our community." SPOTLIGHT: SaintA's Teacher Capacity: Assessing the Impact Program This year, one of the Foundation's new initiatives is SaintA's Teacher Capacity: Assessing the Impact program. Education leaders recognize that one significant barrier to providing optimal education is exposure to traumatic events that physically or emotionally cause harm and adversity, which can ultimately have a detrimental effect on students' developing brains. Students who struggle with these experiences require more time and attention from teachers. The Teacher Capacity: Assessing the Impact program, trains education staff on the core concepts of brain science, teacher capacity, secondary trauma and trauma sensitive education in order to not only better address the learning needs of children affected by trauma but also the needs of teachers and other school staff who work with these students. The Northwestern Mutual Foundation's education strategy is backed by national and local data that urges community collaboration in schools. Milwaukee consistently ranks as one of the lowest performing cities in third-grade literacy, with only 16 percent of third-graders reading at a proficient level*, a statistic that is driving the foundation's commitment to Milwaukee education. 2016 Education Grant Recipients Organization Program Reading Foundations and Applications Arts @ Large Building Professional Learning Communities to Advance Literacy Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee SPARK Early Literacy COA Youth & Family Centers Burke Early Education Center Literacy Programming in Amani First Stage Milwaukee Literacy Plus Marquette University Milwaukee Summer Reading Project 2016 Milwaukee College Preparatory School Literacy Coaching Milwaukee Public Library Super Reader Summer Reading Program Next Door Foundation Multi-Sensory Language and Literacy Penfield Children's Center Early Education and Care St. Marcus Lutheran School Literacy Support SHARP Literacy Inc. Building Elementary School Literacy Skills United Community Center Leyendo Juntos (Reading Together) Culture & Climate City Year Milwaukee City Year Milwaukee's Whole School, Whole Child Schools That Can Milwaukee, Inc. Improving third-grade reading scores through whole-school transformation Teach For America-Milwaukee Teach For America-Milwaukee Community Collaboration Milwaukee Succeeds Cradle to Career Collective Impact Model Milwaukee Public Schools 5-in-1 Collaborative at Carver Academy The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System on behalf of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 5-in-1 Collaborative at Carver Academy Innovation / Replication MPS Reimagining High Schools Web-based instructional writing program Carmen Pulaski Partnership Project Co-Director and Evaluator Partners Advancing Values in Education PAVE Community Schools Initiative SaintA Teacher Capacity: Assessing the Impact In addition to strengthening Milwaukee education, Northwestern Mutual is committed to improving the lives of local children and families in need through its neighborhoods portfolio, making Milwaukee a great place to live, work and play through its destinations portfolio and curing childhood cancer. *Milwaukee Succeeds 2015 Annual Milestone Report About Northwestern Mutual Foundation The mission of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is to improve the lives of children and families in need. The Foundation has given more than $300 million since its inception in 1992 and is designed to create lasting impact in the communities where the company's employees and financial representatives live and work. We accomplish this by combining financial support, volunteerism, thought leadership and convening community partners to deliver the best outcomes. Our efforts are focused nationally on curing childhood cancer, and locally on education, neighborhoods and making our hometown of Milwaukee a great destination. About Northwestern Mutual Northwestern Mutual has been helping families and businesses achieve financial security for nearly 160 years. Our financial representatives build relationships with clients through a distinctive planning approach that integrates risk management with wealth accumulation, preservation and distribution. With $238.5 billion in assets, $27.9 billion in revenues and more than $1.6 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than 4.4 million people who rely on us for insurance and investment solutions, including life, disability income and long-term care insurance; annuities; trust services; mutual funds; and investment advisory products and services. Northwestern Mutual ranks 100 on the 2016 FORTUNE 500, and is recognized by FORTUNE as one of the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2016. Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI, and its subsidiaries. Northwestern Mutual and its subsidiaries offer a comprehensive approach to financial security solutions including: life insurance, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, annuities, life insurance with long-term care benefits, investment products, and advisory products and services. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company (NMWMC), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC). SOURCE Northwestern Mutual Related Links http://www.northwesternmutual.com The four-building project, which is available immediately for sale, totals approximately 141,000 square feet, and can accommodate companies looking for space ranging between 30,000 to 42,000 square feet. The buildings, with majestic views of Simi Valley, feature modern design aesthetic with mature landscaping, 26-28' clear heights, 120' minimum truck courts and ESFR sprinkler systems. Construction is scheduled for completion in April 2017. "Initial interest has been strong, and we believe the project will be well received by the brokerage and user community," said Timur Tecimer, OMP's Chief Executive Officer. The Point is located two blocks south of the Simi Valley Freeway I-118 and approximately 10 minutes from the San Fernando Valley. The development sits on one of the last remaining parcels within the 87-acre master-planned project. Simi Valley is a business-friendly community and generally provides a lower-cost environment than the neighboring San Fernando Valley, according to Bennett Robinson, Executive Vice President at CBRE. "Entrepreneurs are looking to locate their enterprises in state-of-the-art buildings in pro-business environments," said Bennett Robinson, the listing broker on the assignment who will be handling the sale and leasing of the project. "Demand for high-quality industrial space in the Greater Los Angeles area has been on the rise." OMP acquired the Simi Valley property from Coca Cola Company in October 2015. Both parties were represented by Bennett Robinson of CBRE. The architect for the project is HPA and General Contractor Millie & Severson. Ranked among the largest real estate developers in Los Angeles, Overton Moore Properties (OMP) is a privately held company specializing in real estate development, acquisition, master planning, marketing, asset management, property management, construction management, and financial reporting of industrial, office and mixed-use projects. OMP's long-term franchise value, local market knowledge, deep relationships with tenants and the brokerage community and strong institutional relationships have contributed to its success throughout the past 41 years. OMP has constructed and acquired more than 36 million square feet of office, industrial, and mixed-use space, developing more than 1,598 acres of raw land throughout Southern California. The firm also owns and manages over 6 million square feet of space in the region. CONTACT: Janine Walker Overton Moore Properties 310-354-2465 [email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405073 SOURCE Overton Moore Properties Related Links http://www.omprop.com HOUSTON, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- International intellectual property law firm Osha Liang LLP is pleased to announce that two attorneys at the firm have been selected as 2016 Thomson Reuters Texas Super Lawyers. The firm's honorees are partners Jonathan P. Osha and Jeffrey S. Bergman. Both were recognized in the Intellectual Property and Intellectual Property Litigation categories. This is the tenth consecutive year that Mr. Osha has earned selection to the list of the state's top attorneys. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. About Osha Liang Founded in 1997, Osha Liang is an intellectual property law firm with a global presence. The firm has expertise in worldwide patent and trademark procurement, portfolio management, licensing, acquisition, due diligence, opinions of counsel, litigation, and strategic IP counseling, among other areas. With offices in Houston, Silicon Valley, Austin, Alexandria, Paris, Hangzhou, and Tokyo, the firm prides itself in being one of the most technically and legally proficient intellectual property law firms in the world. Osha Liang is recognized as a top U.S. IP firm based on the number of patents issued. For more information, please visit oshaliang.com. About Super Lawyers Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys. The Super Lawyers lists are published nationwide in Super Lawyers Magazines and in leading city and regional magazines and newspapers across the country. Super Lawyers Magazines also feature editorial profiles of attorneys who embody excellence in the practice of law. For more information about Super Lawyers, visit SuperLawyers.com. For more information, visit SuperLawyers.com. Contact: Angela Lee, Osha Liang LLP, 713.228.8600. SOURCE Osha Liang LLP Related Links http://www.oshaliang.com CINCINNATI, Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- OutKazt Media has started on-boarding auto dealers to LeaseConquest. This new solution solves one of the greatest challenges dealers have today, to identify lease termination customers if they did not originally purchase from their dealership. Automobile leasing has seen a resurgence in the last 5 years, after the industry was impacted greatly by the financial downturn that the U.S. faced in 2007-08. Those events impacted auto dealers' ability to source low mileage cars from auto auctions. The auctions had a steady stream of off-lease vehicles to sell to dealers. As the leasing industry has regained speed, dealers are once again faced with large numbers of customers who are coming to the end of their 36 and 48-month leases. OutKazt Media Launches LeaseConquest for Auto Dealers LeaseConquest allows dealerships to identify who those customers are and engage them with their own lease offers. Additionally, dealers are able to suppress out their own lease customers to insure that they are only contacting customers who originally leased from another dealership. The solution is powerful enough to be used for OEM brand migration and brand loyalty campaigns by identifying the make and model of the current lease. "Because we are using the dealership's own stable of lenders to power the campaign, they have the ability to make custom offers to consumers with a great insight into what their current status is," explains Russell Gentry of OutKazt Media. "Until recently, the ability to make a lease only offer was not available," Gentry explains further. The first dealerships to take advantage of this new offering have begun their campaigns this week. If you would like more information about this new and unique program. Please call 855.444.5101 or go to www.LeaseConquest.com Related Images image1.png image2.png Related Links LeaseConquest Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP0B2OtkVCM Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405256LOGO This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com. SOURCE OutKazt Media CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP, a full-service business law firm, announced today that attorney Susan L. Elliott has joined the Raleigh, North Carolina office, one of the firm's seven locations. Elliott joins the firm's Real Estate and Commercial Development (RECD) practice group with more than 20 years of real estate experience. The firm's RECD group includes more than 20 attorneys across the Raleigh, Charlotte, Atlanta, and South Carolina offices in Columbia and Charleston. Parker Poe's RECD group handles all phases of the development process from acquisition through entitlement, construction and operation. Parker Poe's attorneys assist clients with matters such as investments and development projects, commercial leasing, affordable housing and tax credit issues, financing, and property disputes. The firm is regularly involved with top clients and projects including Dorothea Dix Park, Centennial Campus, Project Phoenix, Holiday Inn Crabtree, and Glenwood Place Apartments in Raleigh. Additional projects in the Charlotte area include the Childress Klein Museum Tower and Crescent Stonewall Station. Elliott joins the practice group at Parker Poe with broad experience in multi-site real estate portfolio management and commercial expansion. A former counsel at HD Supply, Inc., Elliott managed the legal aspects of real estate transactions for the entire HD Supply enterprise including owned, leased, subleased, and licensed property in 48 states and Canada. She assisted in real estate aspects in mergers, acquisitions, dispositions and financing transactions including the HD Supply spinoff from Home Depot in 2007 and the IPO in 2013. In her previous roles at private firms, Elliott represented top clients such as SunTrust Bank, MARTA, the City of Atlanta, and General Electric Capital Corporation. At Parker Poe, Elliott will assist clients in the structuring, negotiating, and closing of commercial real estate transactions. "Parker Poe's Real Estate and Commercial Development group has been supporting residential and commercial development growth projects in the Triangle for more than 20 years," said Parker Poe Partner and Board member Russell Killen. "We are proud to add Susan to this group with her unique perspectives and impressive dedication to prominent real estate projects." Elliott received her law degree, cum laude, from Villanova University School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. About Parker Poe Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP has approximately 200 lawyers in seven offices located in major markets across North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. The firm provides legal counsel to large commercial and public organizations on litigation, corporate and regulatory matters. Parker Poe is a member of TerraLex, one of the world's leading international legal networks. With more than 155 top independent law firms and more than 19,000 attorneys in 100 countries, TerraLex members provide the legal resources and expertise needed to conduct seamless business worldwide. For more information, please visit www.parkerpoe.com. CONTACT Susan Ramsey [email protected] 704.335.2730 SOURCE Parker Poe Related Links http://www.parkerpoe.com LONDON, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- "Increased sophistication level in attacking techniques is driving the growth of the penetration testing market" MarketsandMarkets estimates the global penetration testing market to grow from USD 594.7 million in 2016 to USD 1,724.3 million by 2021, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 23.7%. The penetration testing market is growing rapidly due to the increased sophistication level of attacking techniques. "Web application penetration testing to have the largest market size in 2016" Web application penetration testing is estimated to have the largest market size in 2016 as the increased deployment of web applications and the protection of these application is the prime objective of the organizations. The growth in the web application penetration testing is associated with the rise in security breaches targeting enterprise web applications, where hackers try to gain access to sensitive data. Furthermore, wireless penetration testing will grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, due to the rise in Internet of Things (IoT) and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trends. "BFSI vertical to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period" Penetration testing services have been deployed across various industry verticals, including government & defense, Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI), IT & telecom, healthcare, retail, and others. The BFSI vertical is expected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period because of the increasing adoption of web and mobile applications, which are prone to advanced cyber-attacks. "Asia-Pacific (APAC) is expected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period" APAC includes emerging economies, such as India and China, which are rapidly deploying penetration testing services. This is mainly due to the digitization of businesses and adoption of cloud services by small, medium, and large enterprises in the region. In-depth interviews were conducted with CEOs, marketing directors, other innovation and technology directors, and executives from various key organizations operating in the penetration testing market place. - By Company Type: Tier 1: 27%, Tier 2: 48%, Tier 3: 25% - By Designation: C-Level: 16%, Director Level: 72%, Others: 12% - By Region: North America: 57%, Europe: 16%, Asia-Pacific: 15%, ROW: 12% The report includes the study of key players offering penetration testing services; Hewlett Packard Enterprise (U.S.), IBM Corporation (U.S.), Rapid7, Inc. (U.S.), Qualys, Inc.(U.S.), Veracode (U.S.), Trustwave Holdings, Inc. (U.S.), Acunetix (Malta), Cigital, Inc. (U.S.), WhiteHat Security (U.S.), and Checkmarx (Israel) are some of the companies profiled in the report. The report includes in-depth competitive analysis of these key players in the penetration testing market, with their company profiles, SWOT analysis, recent developments, and key market strategies. Objective of the Study - To define, describe, and forecast the global penetration testing market on the basis of testing services, organization sizes, deployment modes, verticals, and regions - To provide a detailed information regarding the major factors influencing the growth of the market (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges) - To analyze the opportunities in the market for the stakeholders and detail the competitive landscape for the market leaders - To forecast the market size of the various market segments with respect to the regions of North America, Europe, APAC, MEA, and Latin America - To track and analyze competitive developments such as partnerships and collaborations, mergers and acquisitions, and new product launches in the penetration testing market The target audiences of the penetration testing market report are given below: - Penetration testing tool providers - Penetration testing service providers - Network solution providers - Network administrators - Application developers - System integrators - Resellers - Managed service providers - Cyber security consulting firms Scope of the Report The research report categorizes the penetration testing market to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following subsegments: By Testing Service - Network penetration testing - Web application penetration testing - Mobile application penetration testing - Social engineering - Wireless penetration testing - Others By Deployment Mode - Cloud - On-premises By Organization Size - Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) - Large enterprises By Industry Vertical - Government and defense - Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) - IT and telecom - Healthcare - Retail - Others By Region - North America - Europe - MEA - APAC - Latin America Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4128999/ 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 NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Photonic Capital, a leading LED lighting solution provider, has secured a $100 million debt facility from Bright Light Capital I, LLC a SPV funded and administered by Capstone Capital Group. This debt facility will be used to support the expansion of Photonic Capital's innovative shared savings program for commercial and industrial clients who seek to replace conventional lights with LED lights. The Photonic Capital shared savings program reduces its clients' lighting electricity usage by 50% to 80% from current levels. "What we have discovered is that many established commercial real estate owners would love to benefit from the savings associated with LED lights, but they hesitate to make the capital investment in LED lighting technology because it is expensive," said Udi Laska, CEO of Photonic Capital. "Our answer is a shared savings program that enables our clients to get LED lights with zero upfront capital investment." Photonic Capital is offering commercial real estate owners, manufacturing facilities, universities, hospitals, religious institutions, and government entities access to Photonic Capital's Energy Reduction Services Agreements (ERSAsTM) that enable them to replace conventional lights with LED solutions through a turn-key program which includes the lights, the fixtures and controls, the installation, and ongoing maintenanceall for a single fixed monthly charge. Notwithstanding energy costs tend to go up over time, Photonic Capital is able to offer a fixed monthly price for its services which serves to insulate its clients from some of the increase in lighting costs that they would experience without Photonic Capital's shared savings program. "We listened to our customers," added Photonic Capital President Al Heyer. "We have built a program that allows our clients to upgrade their lighting systems to modern, energy-efficient lighting with a plan that has no upfront cost. Our debt facility enables Photonic Capital to cover the costs of the expensive initial investment, and our ERSATM program creates an opportunity for companies to transition to modern infrastructure that is significantly less expensive to operate and offers material operational advantages over conventional lighting." Capstone Capital Group, LLC has committed up to $100 million dollars, through Bright Light Capital I, LLC to support Photonic Capital's ERSATM program. "We evaluated the potential of shared savings programs with real estate owners and believe there is great potential for this innovative form of financing," said Joseph Ingrassia, CEO of Capstone Capital Group, LLC. "We have high confidence that Photonic Capital can fully utilize our debt facility as it expands nationally and develops its reputation as the leading shared savings program for LED lighting solutions." Photonic Capital designs and manufacturers its own proprietary lighting solutions through its technology, R&D and manufacturing division, Photonic Laboratories, which has completed since 2007 over 300 LED lighting projects for entities such as the Lincoln Tunnel, the Jacob Javitz Center, New York University, Winthrop Properties, and North Shore-LIJ Health System. ERSAsTM can be created for both small and large-scale real estate projects. While preference for ERSATM leases will be given to properties located in the United States and its surrounding territories, Photonic Capital will consider applications from companies and organizations based outside the United States. About Photonic Capital Photonic Capital, together with its technology and specialized manufacturing division Photonic Laboratories, provides unique lighting solutions to commercial and industrial clients. Since 2007, it has focused on developing customized LED lighting systems for its clients. It offers these state-of-the art LED solutions on both a purchase and lease basis. The company is based in New York City with R&D and manufacturing facilities in New Jersey. The Company's current investors include Middlemarch Capital Partners and Emerging Market Partners. For more information about Photonic Capital please visit www.photonic-capital.com. Media Contact: Udi Laska Phone: 212-492-7028 URL: www.photonic-capital.com SOURCE Photonic Capital Related Links http://www.photonic-capital.com NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Precision Discovery, a leader in eDiscovery, celebrated its eighth anniversary. Kinny Chan, Precision's Vice President of Consulting Services, noted, "In some industries, eight years would be just the blink of an eye. But in eDiscovery, it's more like a lifetime. In the last decade, the amount of electronically stored information has exploded. And it's not just the volume of data; the diversity of the sources and formats has mushroomed, too, including cloud, mobile, and social media. We have been at the forefront in helping our clients use cutting edge technologies to tackle the growing volume and complexity." Precision President, CEO and General Counsel Jerry F. Barbanel said, "When we started Precision Discovery eight years ago, we made a commitment to ourselves and to our clients: we were not going to just follow best practices for eDiscovery; we were going to define them. We have been committed to providing the highest level of service by combining technology innovations with the most qualified and best trained people in the industry." Barbanel explained that traditionally, discovery had typically been managed as a series of discrete events, leaving clients with a disjointed and inefficient experience. This often made discovery a frustrating and expensive process. "Our mission was to change this," continued Barbanel. "So we developed a better and more proactive response to eDiscovery to get companies out of these costly, reactive cycles and allow them to be more strategic in their discovery efforts. Eight years later, we can see the results, which are substantial efficiencies and cost savings for both our clients and their counsel." Barbanel said, "In the coming years we will be offering even more exciting products and services for our clients. As employee-owners of our company, we are proud to a lead the market and bring impactful solutions to our clients." About Precision Discovery Since its inception in 2008, Precision Discovery, Inc. has become an industry leader in eDiscovery, offering a full suite of discovery services including managed review, computer forensics, data processing and hosting, and cutting edge software solutions. With over 20 years of expertise, Precision Discovery's employees have a long and successful track record of performing high-quality work while meeting the demands of litigation. The company is 100% employee owned. Precision is headquartered in New York, with offices around the country including Chicago, Philadelphia, Bethesda, Denver, Anaheim, Orange, and Santa Clara. Precision Discovery can be found online at www.precisiondiscovery.com. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160722/392308LOGO SOURCE Precision Discovery HOBOKEN, N.J., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Promise Financial, the marketplace lending platform focused on life event financing, announced today that it has launched a digital cosigner loan product. In addition to the company's individual loans, which primarily serve prime-credit consumers, cosigner loans allow Promise Financial to serve a wide range of non-prime consumers. "Our mission is to be the industry leader in credit accessibility," said Josh Jersey, CEO of Promise Financial. "Cosigner loans are a terrific option for consumers who have limited credit experience or have had credit difficulties in the past, but need and deserve access to borrower-friendly financing." Promise Financial provides access to financing that allows people to pay over time for life events and other major expenses, with low rates and transparent pricing. The company's digital lending process provides instant loan offers which applicants can accept online and receive their funds within two business days. The company's focus on user experience has led to industry-leading reviews and, with the addition of its new cosigner product, Promise Financial is bringing the convenience of digital lending to more borrowers than ever before. "Non-prime consumers need better options than payday lenders, which put borrowers in debt and profit by keeping them there," said Brad Vanderstarren, President of Promise Financial. "By digitizing product features that actually reduce credit risk, we're uniquely able provide attractive loans to a wider range of borrowers." Promise Financial's flexible and modular technology provides multiple personal loan products and utilizes next-generation credit models that go beyond FICO scores to address consumers who are underserved by traditional lenders. Since launching in 2015, Promise Financial has experienced rapid growth and created a wide network of point-of-sale financing partnerships, with over 250 retail partners onboarded to date. About Promise Financial Promise Financial is a marketplace lending platform focused on life event financing. The company's mission is to build the industry leader in credit accessibility by offering a range of financing products that allow people to pay over time. Promise Financial was founded in 2014 and is based in Hoboken, NJ. All loans on the Promise Financial platform are originated by Cross River Bank, a New Jersey State Chartered Commercial Bank, Member FDIC. Additional information about Promise Financial is available at www.promisefinancial.com. SOURCE Promise Financial Related Links http://www.promisefinancial.com LONDON, Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Overview: A Real-time Operating Systems (RTOS) is an OS that manages hardware resources, hosts applications, and processes data on real-time basis. RTOS defines the real time task processing time, interrupt latency, and longer period reliability of both hardware and applications, especially for low powered and memory constrained devices and networks. The key difference between RTOS and a general purpose OS lies within its high degree of reliability and consistency on timing between application's task acceptance and completion. RTOS is a critical component to build comprehensive embedded systems for Internet of Things (IoT) solutions for both consumer and industrial IoT (IIoT). Embedded RTOS is a key consideration to build mission critical, reliable IIoT applications across various industry verticals including industrial equipment, automotive, healthcare, telecommunications, government solutions, and more. Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS) for The Internet of Things (IoT) provides analysis of RTOS for IoT including hard vs. soft RTOS, embedded RTOS programs for rugged hardware, low power network and connectivity for RTOS, peripherals and tools to support processing of embedded systems in IoT, and leading RTOS platforms including both open source and proprietary. The report also provides forecasts for the 2016 - 2021 period for embedded RTOS revenue including rugged hardware, software, and microcontrollers. The forecasting includes a regional view for embedded RTOS revenue and the installed base of devices for the same period. All purchases of Mind Commerce reports includes time with an expert analyst who will help you link key findings in the report to the business issues you're addressing. This needs to be used within three months of purchasing the report. Target Audience: Internet of Things companies Wireless device manufacturers Wearable technology suppliers Digital signal processor providers Telephony infrastructure providers Computer and semiconductor companies Embedded hardware, software and OS providers Mobile/wireless network operators and service providers Next generation application developers and content providers Consumer electronics merchandisers and application providers Report Benefits: Understand RTOS in IoT Embedded RTOS Revenue Forecasts 2016 - 2021 Embedded RTOS Installed Device Forecast 2016 - 2021 Understand the future of embedded RTOS in Internet of Things Identify leading embedded RTOS companies to leverage and support IoT Understand the impact of embedded RTOS on real-time IoT and sensor networks Companies in Report: AMD ARM Atari Atmel Contiki FreeRTOS Fujitsu Google Green Hill Huawei IBM Intel Linux Mentor Graphics Micrium Microsoft NEC NXP OpenWSN Renesas RIOT Samsung Sharp Texas Instruments TinyOS Wind River Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/3851728/ 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 CHICAGO, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Brilliant, an award-winning search, staffing and management resources firm specializing in accounting, finance and information technology, released its Q4 2016 Hiring Forecast today. The data indicates businesses plan to increase their hiring of accounting, finance and IT professionals more in the coming 12 months than they have reported in the past two years. The Brilliant Q4 2016 Accounting, Finance and IT Hiring Forecast, produced with Dr. Richard Curtin, Director, Surveys of Consumers at the University of Michigan, studies the hiring trends among proprietary entities in the greater Chicago and south Florida markets. The study found one third of businesses reported unfilled positions in accounting, finance and IT, and the overall strength in their hiring plans indicates continued growth within their businesses. "Among all respondents, 25 percent planned to increase hiring of accounting and finance professionals, up from 17 percent last quarter and 20 percent this same time last year. This was the highest level we've seen since 28 percent was reported back in the Q4 2014 Hiring Forecast," says Dr. Richard Curtin, Director, Surveys of Consumers at the University of Michigan. "Further, one third reported unfilled positions among their accounting, finance and IT teams." Brilliant CEO Jim Wong, CPA (Inactive) adds, "Our study brings important insight into the future of accounting, finance and IT, and the overall health of the labor market. We haven't seen a spike in hiring plans like this in quite some time. This is a remarkable degree of optimism given the unpredictability of the economy and the tightened talent pool." The study surveyed hiring managers and human resources professionals between July 18, 2016 and August 5, 2016. Download the Brilliant Q4 2016 Accounting, Finance and IT Hiring Forecast here. About Brilliant Connecting People and Opportunities Founded in 2009, Brilliant is an award-winning search, staffing and management resources firm specializing in accounting, finance and information technology. The firm represents high-quality professionals and connects them with opportunities within a variety of industries throughout the greater Chicago and south Florida markets. Brilliant was named on Crain's Chicago Business Fast 50, Staffing Industry Analysts Fastest-Growing Staffing Firms, Chicago's and Nation's Best and Brightest Companies to Work For, Inc. 5000, Staffing 100 List for North America, and Inavero's 2016 Best of Staffing. Visit http://www.brilliantfs.com. Contact: Laurie Canning, Brilliant, [email protected] or 312.582.1812 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141223/165981LOGO SOURCE Brilliant Related Links http://www.brilliantfs.com VANCOUVER, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated (NYSE and TSX: RBA), the world's largest industrial auctioneer, has published its August 2016 auction metrics on the company's website. This information can be accessed at the following link: https://investor.ritchiebros.com/historical-auction-metrics Monthly auction metrics should not be considered indicative of quarterly, annual or future performance. Auction metrics and corporate performance vary considerably month-to-month, due to the number of auctions held each month and seasonal factors. Ritchie Bros.' actual results could differ materially from those implied by this monthly auction disclosure. Investors are encouraged to review Ritchie Bros.' performance on a 12-month rolling or annual basis before making investing decisions. About Ritchie Bros. Established in 1958, Ritchie Bros. (NYSE and TSX: RBA) is the world's largest industrial auctioneer, and one of the world's largest sellers of used equipment for the construction, transportation, agriculture, energy, mining, forestry and other industries. Ritchie Bros.TM asset management and disposition solutions include live unreserved public auctions with on-site and online bidding; EquipmentOneTM, an online auction marketplace; Mascus, a global online equipment listing service; private negotiated sales through Ritchie Bros. Private Treaty; and a range of ancillary services, including financing and leasing through Ritchie Bros. Financial Services. Ritchie Bros. has operations in 19 countries, including 45 auction sites worldwide. Learn more at rbauction.com, EquipmentOne.com, mascus.com, rbauction.com/privatetreaty and rbauction.com/financing. SOURCE Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Related Links http://www.rbauction.com BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SANS Institute, the most trusted name in information security training and leading provider of cybersecurity awareness trainings solutions, today announced the launch of the Advanced Cybersecurity Learning Platform (ACLP). The ACLP provides a comprehensive and easy to use training platform for security awareness professionals. The ACLP enables security awareness professionals to deliver the right training to the right people at the right time. The ACLP includes expert cybersecurity content focused on key learning areas needed to change behavior such as passwords, mobile device security, phishing, and social engineering. Lance Spitzner, Director of SANS Security Awareness Training noted that, "The job of a security awareness officer is very challenging. In addition to getting thousands of people to do something many would rather not do, they must make sure the training system works perfectly and doesn't waste the employees' time. Ultimately, the ACLP makes maintaining a security awareness program easier and far more effective. The ACLP greatly simplifies these tasks by providing a single place to deploy training, generate reports and manage compliance activities." ACLP offers prebuilt templates that were designed to allow any organization to quickly and easily get the right role based training into the hands of learners. The platform can be easily customized as needed by an awareness professional. Because the training content is written by highly seasoned InfoSec professionals, content can be trusted. The ACLP delivers a powerful, yet simple and effective awareness program for organizations of any size. For additional platform details, please visit: http://securingthehuman.sans.org/u/kQx About SANS Institute The SANS Institute was established in 1989 as a cooperative research and education organization. SANS is the most trusted and, by far, the largest provider of cyber security training and certification to professionals at governments and commercial institutions world-wide. Renowned SANS instructors teach over 50 different courses at more than 200 live cyber security training events as well as online. GIAC, an affiliate of the SANS Institute, validates employee qualifications via 30 hands-on, technical certifications in information security. SANS Securing the Human business provides security awareness training to more than six million employees worldwide. The SANS Technology Institute, a regionally accredited independent subsidiary, offers master's degrees in cyber security. At the heart of SANS are the many security practitioners, representing varied global organizations from corporations to universities, working together to help the entire information security community. (www.SANS.org) SOURCE SANS Institute Related Links http://www.sans.org TROY, Mich., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Nissan North America, Inc. recently honored Schaeffler a leading global manufacturer of high-precision automotive products and systems for engines, transmissions and chassis applications with the top quality award for engine systems. Schaeffler, which has supplied Nissan for three years, manufactures valve lifters and hydraulic lash adjusters for various Nissan engines and vehicles at its 200,000 square foot Cheraw, S.C. Plant 2. The company delivered more than 24 million products with zero parts per million (PPM) defective. "We are honored to be recognized by Nissan for our efforts and dedication to quality," said Jeff Harris, president, engine systems, Schaeffler Americas. "This award is a result of the hard work of our employees, especially those located at our Cheraw plant, as well as outstanding quality efforts led by Barry Vukoder, vice president, quality, Schaeffler Americas and Kyuha Lee, director, regional key account management, Asian OEMs, Schaeffler." Harris and Lee accepted the award on behalf of Schaeffler during an award ceremony held August 29 in Nashville, Tenn. About Schaeffler The Schaeffler Group is a leading global integrated automotive and industrial supplier. The company stands for the highest quality, outstanding technology, and strong innovative ability. The Schaeffler Group makes a key contribution to "Mobility for tomorrow" with high-precision components and systems in engine, transmission, and chassis applications as well as rolling and plain bearing solutions for a large number of industrial applications. The technology company generated sales of approximately EUR 13.2 billion in 2015. With around 85,000 employees, Schaeffler is one of the world's largest family companies and, with approximately 170 locations in over 50 countries, has a worldwide network of manufacturing locations, research and development facilities, and sales companies. Schaeffler is a recognized development partner for global automakers and suppliers. To serve the North American automotive market, Schaeffler operates development centers in: Troy, Mich.; Fort Mill, S.C.; Wooster, Ohio; and Puebla, Mexico. The company's 600 North American engineers and technicians, who are supported by a team of more than 6,700 global R&D engineers, drive development in the region by utilizing state-of-the-art test and measurement equipment, computational tools and CAD systems. Schaeffler Automotive has headquarters in Fort Mill and manufacturing facilities in: South Carolina; Missouri; Ohio; Ontario, Canada; Puebla and Irapuato, Mexico. For more information, please visit www.schaeffler.us. Follow us on Twitter @schaefflergroup to get all of our latest press releases and news. SOURCE Schaeffler Related Links http://www.schaeffler.us LAS VEGAS and MONTREAL, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Payment gateway provider Shift4 Corporation and Multidev Technologies, an industry leader in developing omnichannel software for retailers, today announced the successful installation of EMV at Opening Ceremony retail locations in New York and Los Angeles. The installation uses EMV-ready, smart terminals from Ingenico Group, the global leader in seamless payment. Using Shift4's payment gateway, Multidev's omnichannel solution and Ingenico Group's smart terminals, Opening Ceremony now offers its customers a more secure and engaging point-of-purchase experience. This integrated solution provides Opening Ceremony and other retailers that implement it with: Increased defense against counterfeit card fraud: EMV chip cards improve card fraud prevention at physical points of sale as compared to magnetic stripe cards. EMV chip cards improve card fraud prevention at physical points of sale as compared to magnetic stripe cards. Layered payment security: Shift4's TrueTokenization and True P2PE (point-to-point encryption) solutions combine with EMV to ensure that retailers never store, process or transmit sensitive card data from the time it first interacts with a payment device. This brings retailers in line with the new EMV chip card standard for processing credit and debit cards while also safeguarding them against card data breaches and reducing their PCI scope. Additionally, Ingenico Group's iSC Touch 250 smart terminals meet the latest hardware and software security requirements, are PCI PTS 3.x certified, and comply with SRED and Open Protocol modules. Shift4's TrueTokenization and P2PE (point-to-point encryption) solutions combine with EMV to ensure that retailers never store, process or transmit sensitive card data from the time it first interacts with a payment device. This brings retailers in line with the new EMV chip card standard for processing credit and debit cards while also safeguarding them against card data breaches and reducing their PCI scope. Additionally, Ingenico Group's iSC Touch 250 smart terminals meet the latest hardware and software security requirements, are PCI PTS 3.x certified, and comply with SRED and Open Protocol modules. Advanced technologies: Retailers can have greater control over their retail, e-commerce and wholesale business processes thanks to Multidev's ChainDrive Omni-Channel Commerce Platform and capitalize on the fast, secure, reliable payments technologies made available using Shift4's DOLLARS ON THE NET payment gateway. Retailers can have greater control over their retail, e-commerce and wholesale business processes thanks to Multidev's ChainDrive Omni-Channel Commerce Platform and capitalize on the fast, secure, reliable payments technologies made available using Shift4's DOLLARS ON THE NET payment gateway. Enhanced customer experience: With Ingenico Group's smart terminals, Opening Ceremony is able to accept all forms of electronic payment, including EMV chip card, magnetic stripe and NFC/contactless. Customers also experience a fast, multimedia-rich checkout on the iSC Touch 250's color, touchscreen display. All Ingenico Group smart terminals are designed for heavy-use environments, making them ideal for the high volumes of consumers seen by retailers. With Ingenico Group's smart terminals, Opening Ceremony is able to accept all forms of electronic payment, including EMV chip card, magnetic stripe and NFC/contactless. Customers also experience a fast, multimedia-rich checkout on the iSC Touch 250's color, touchscreen display. All Ingenico Group smart terminals are designed for heavy-use environments, making them ideal for the high volumes of consumers seen by retailers. A fully integrated payment solution: Retailers get the convenience and time- and money-saving benefits of an integrated payment solution, including pre-settlement auditing and simplified PCI compliance, while also advancing the level of payment security offered to their guests. Eric Song, information technology manager at Opening Ceremony, said: "We wanted to get EMV as quickly as possible. We opted to change processors at the same time in order to get EMV faster, and Shift4 and Multidev made the transition very straightforward. Once we had EMV set up on our account, all we had to do was plug in some settings, and then things started working. The process was much quicker than I thought it would be, and we are looking forward to experiencing fewer chargebacks." Howard Finch, vice president of sales, Ingenico Group, said: "Ingenico Group has been very dedicated to helping retailers migrate their payments systems to accept EMV chip cards, and Opening Ceremony is just the latest example. Our payment solutions allow retail businesses to accept new forms of payments, including NFC/contactless, that allow guests to pay their way, enhancing their shopping experience." Joseph Amzallag, president, Multidev Technologies, said: "Multidev is committed to offering retail solutions that continually evolve and transform to meet the needs of businesses today. We are excited to partner with Shift4 to offer retailers a truly secure EMV solution that protects against card fraud, reduces PCI scope, and prevents breaches." Dave Oder, CEO, Shift4, said: "Shift4 works with the industry's technology leaders to provide merchants the most capable solutions available. We're proud to partner with Multidev and Ingenico to offer our friends at Opening Ceremony stores, as well as thousands of other retailers, a comprehensive EMV solution that keeps payment data out of their environment entirely leaving hackers nothing to steal." About Shift4 Corporation Shift4 stands alone as the last major player in the payments space to remain independent, self funded, and merchant focused. Our DOLLARS ON THE NET payment gateway comes with all the bells and whistles: pre- and post-settlement auditing, fraud controls, support for new technologies like EMV and mobile, secure connections to nearly every major bank and processor in North America, and 350+ certified integrations to leading POS, PMS, and e-commerce platforms. Shift4 invests heavily in payment security we invented tokenization and own eight payment-security patents. We empower our 33,000+ merchant customers with the flexibility to customize our secure payment processing solutions to fit their business. Learn more at shift4.com. About Multidev Technologies Multidev Technologies Inc. is an industry leader in the development of fully-integrated ERP and Omni-channel software for retail, e-tail and wholesale. Dedicated to providing advanced innovation and technology, Multidev's revolutionary software allows retailers to manage all channels of their business with one complete unified real-time system. Our software powers the success of some of the most impressive retailers throughout North America in industry specific segments including, but not limited to, Apparel, Footwear, Jewelry, Sporting Goods Specialty, Home Goods and Department Store. About Ingenico Group Ingenico Group (Euronext: FR0000125346 - ING) is the global leader in seamless payment, providing smart, trusted and secure solutions to empower commerce across all channels, in-store, online and mobile. With the world's largest payment acceptance network, we deliver secure payment solutions with a local, national and international scope. We are the trusted world-class partner for financial institutions and retailers, from small merchants to several of the world's best-known global brands. Our solutions enable merchants to simplify payment and deliver their brand promise. Learn more at www.ingenico.com or twitter.com/Ingenico. Media Contacts Nathan Casper Shift4 Corporation 702.597.2480 [email protected] Jessica M. Pasko Nadel Phelan, Inc. 831.440.2412 [email protected] Melanie Frank Multidev Technologies Inc. 1.800.820.1412 [email protected] Mike Nourie Ingenico Group 678-456-1383 [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150203/173042LOGO SOURCE Shift4 Corporation Related Links http://www.shift4.com DULUTH, Ga., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Discovery Point Child Development Centers, a leader in educational childcare, announced today that franchise sales veteran Spencer Reid has joined the leadership team as the new Vice-President of Franchise Development. Reid brings more than a decade of experience in franchise sales to the position, as well as an expertise in business development. His background includes positions as Vice-President of Franchise Development for Great Wraps and Vice-President of Sales and Development for Raving Brands Holding Company in Atlanta, multi-concept franchisor of brands such as Moe's Southwest Grill, Planet Smoothie, and Monkey Joe's. Most recently he was co-founder of Atlanta Franchise Group, a full-service franchise consulting company. One of the many things that attracted him to Discovery Point Child Development Centers, he says, is the company's unique, turnkey franchise model that sets Discovery Point apart in the childcare industry. Once a franchise agreement is signed, the Discovery Point real estate team carefully selects optimum sites for its franchises, purchases the property and builds the childcare center from the ground up, handling all aspects of construction. All equipment is provided and installed by the franchise company, creating a turnkey opportunity for the franchisee to open the doors to a new state-of-the-art facility. "Discovery Point has a truly unique franchise model," Reid said. "There is a growing demand for the services we offer and I'm excited about the opportunity to take Discovery Point into new markets." Discovery Point Founder and CEO Cliff Clark says that Reid brings the right mix of experience and expertise to the franchise chain to lead an aggressive expansion plan. "We are consistently seeking innovative ways to set Discovery Point apart from other franchise opportunities and Spencer has the experience needed to help us properly position the franchise opportunity and take our business to the next level," Clark said. "We are excited to have him as a part of our team." About Discovery Point Child Development Centers With almost 50 locations throughout the Southeast, Discovery Point Child Development Centers provides safe, educational and nurturing environments for growing children. Discovery Point partners with Teaching Strategies in using the nationally recognized early childhood education program, Creative Curriculum System for Preschool. Since opening its first location in an Atlanta suburb in 1988, Discovery Point has been a leader in childhood enrichment and care, expanding beyond its Georgia roots into Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee with plans under way to reach new markets nationwide. Discovery Point Child Development Centers was recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine in its "Franchise 500" and ranked #22 on its "Red-Hot Franchise" list for 2013. More information about Discovery Point and Discovery Point franchise opportunities is available by calling (888) 997-2182 or visiting discoverypointfranchise.com or discoverypoint.com. SOURCE Discovery Point Child Development Centers Related Links http://www.discoverypoint.com LONDON, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- This research service offers a strategic analysis of the nascent market for the off-highway vehicles (OHV) and OHV telematics market in China. It provides an overview of market trends, growth prospects, and key sectors for growth. It also contains case studies of key market participants. It includes a market structure and outlook, market potential and opportunity analysis for the OHV market, and case studies of OHV telematics solutions. The base year is 2015, with forecasts for the 20162020 period. Key Questions This Study Will Answer Is the OHV market growing, and will it grow in the next 5 years? What are the segments in the Chinese OHV market, and which segment is most favorable? Do policies and regulations influence the OHV market, and which segment would be most benefited? Which are the key OHV market participants, and what are their strategies? How large is the addressable market for OHV telematics, and how will the installed base grow in the next 5 years? Which OHV market segment is most favorable in terms of OHV telematics development? Research Aims and Objectives This study aims to analyze the development of China's OHV and OHV telematics markets and to identify opportunities for growth by examining the factors that influence and affect market growth. Objectives - To determine the market size and forecast its potential growth until 2020 - To identify the market segment with the most favorable growing potential - To analyze the market drivers and restraints, which could be tapped into or overcome, respectively - To provide insight into policies and regulations that would influence the market development - To highlight technology trends evolving in the market Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4062663/ 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 LONDON, Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Summary Morgan Stanley is a US-based financial services provider that operates three main business segments. The company's wealth management segment, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management (MSWM), is comprised of 15,000 financial advisors in four regions around the world, offering various financial and advisory services, wealth planning, insurance products, and retirement services. Led by Colm Kelleher, MSWM continues to display strong performance both in revenues and contribution to Morgan Stanley group revenues. Morgan Stanley targets HNW clients and UHNW individuals with more than $20m in liquid assets through its Private Wealth Management brand. The division also pursues niche audience segments such as athletes and celebrities. MSWM has not been involved in MandA activity since May 2014, when the company sold its Swiss private banking operations to Safra Group. However, the company continues to grow its client base through new products as well as digital platforms. Key Findings - Morgan Stanley remains present in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa but has significantly reduced its global footprint. In June 2016 Morgan Stanley opened a third office in Miami to serve clients residing in Latin America, allowing the company to meet the needs of clients with offshore wealth. - As part of the company's strategic update, CEO James Gorman has presented the next phase of Project Streamline 2016-2017, an initiative that focuses on reducing expenditures across Morgan Stanley. The project aims to achieve this through five main pillars, including structurally simplifying the organization and outsourcing. - In 2015 MSWM improved its cost/revenue ratio, reflective of the company's goal of cutting costs and shifting focus towards its more stable wealth management division. - The company focuses on products that resonate with a range of client interests and lifestyles, such as its Catholic Values investing tool kit and discounts through its Reserved Living and Giving program. - Morgan Stanley has a strong presence on social media platforms. Since mid-2014 Morgan Stanley advisors who have undergone an online training course and have at least 15 followers are allowed to generate tweets for the company's official account. Synopsis Verdict Financials "Super League In-Depth Analysis: Morgan Stanley 2016" is a comprehensive analysis of Morgan Stanley's wealth management operations. It offers insight into the company's strategy, financial results, and marketing activities. It also covers recent MandA activity, customer targeting, and product innovation. - Insight into Morgan Stanley's growth strategy. - Overview of the firm's organizational structure. - Clear presentation of its geographical coverage and expansion strategy, including MandA activity. - Analysis of the firm's financial performance, including comparison with other global wealth managers. - Examination of key target client groups. - Analysis of Morgan Stanley's product and service proposition and how it is unique compared to those of its competitors. - Review of Morgan Stanley's marketing and social media activity. Reasons To Buy - Examine the financial performance and key ratios for Morgan Stanley and benchmark this competitor against other global wealth managers. - Explore Morgan Stanley's MandA and growth strategies and their impacts on its AUM growth and financial performance. - Understand Morgan Stanley's client targeting strategies and examine whether these have been successful. - Learn more about Morgan Stanley's marketing strategy, social media presence, and digital innovations. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4109370/ 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 NEW YORK, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- SuperCom (SPCB), a global provider of secure solutions for the e-Government, Public Safety, Healthcare, and Finance sectors announced today that Leaders in Community Alternatives (LCA), a subsidiary of SuperCom, has been selected to implement and deploy community based services and electronic monitoring programs in Marin County, California, further expanding its presence in the county and the state. These programs are aimed to increase public safety, reduce prison overcrowding and lower recidivism. LCA has provided services to Marin County since 1991 and has been under contract to manage and operate its current electronic monitoring program since 2010. Earlier this month, LCA was selected to continue and expand its efforts in the county through a competitive tender process. The new program, which will commence in October 2016, is expected to monitor a higher number of offenders and provide new services for juveniles. Under the contract, LCA will provide its full suite of electronic monitoring services, which includes electronic monitoring for house arrest, alcohol monitoring, and full GPS offender tracking. The programs will utilize SuperCom's proprietary PureSecurity Electronic Surveillance platform for tracking and monitoring offenders. "We are excited to expand our long-time partnership with the Marin County Probation Department and integrate SuperCom's electronic monitoring and tracking platform in to our offering," commented Ms. Linda Connelly, Founder and President of LCA. "Our long-term relationships, service quality and track record of success is the backbone of our business. We look forward to actively competing for new programs in the state of California and across the country." About SuperCom Since 1988, SuperCom has been a leading global provider of traditional and digital identity solutions, providing advanced safety, identification and security solutions to governments and organizations, both private and public, throughout the world. Through its proprietary e-Government platforms and innovative solutions for traditional and biometrics enrollment, personalization, issuance and border control services, SuperCom has inspired governments and national agencies to design and issue secured Multi-ID documents and robust digital identity solutions to its citizens and visitors. SuperCom offers advanced, secure mobile payments ranging from mobile wallet to mobile POS, using a set of components and platforms to enable secure mobile payments and financial services. SuperCom is a global provider of a unique all-in-one field-proven RFID & mobile PureSecurity advanced solutions suite, accompanied by advanced complementary services for various industries, including healthcare and homecare, security and safety, community public safety, law enforcement, electronic monitoring, livestock monitoring, and building and access automation. SuperCom's website: http://www.supercom.com About Leaders in Community Alternatives, Inc. (LCA) LCA is one of California's leading private criminal justice organizations, providing community-based services and electronic monitoring programs to government agencies for more than 24 years. LCA's treatment services are evidence-based and built on best practices designed to break the cycle of recidivism. LCA offers a holistic approach with programs addressing cognitive and behavioral issues and alcohol and substance abuse. Geared towards individuals involved in cases with criminal and family courts, LCA offers proven solutions for governmental institutions across California in addressing realignment strategies and plans. Linda Connelly is its founder, President and CEO. LCA's website: http://www.lcaservices.com This press release 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. Statements preceded or followed by or that otherwise include the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "projects", "estimates", "plans", and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as "will", "should", "would", "may" and "could" are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. Forward-looking statements in this release also include statements about business and economic trends. Investors should also consider the areas of risk described under the heading "Forward Looking Statements" and those factors captioned as "Risk Factors" in the Company's periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or in connection with any forward-looking statements that may be made by the Company. These statements are subject to 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 such forward-looking statements arising from the annual audit by management and the Company's independent auditors. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release. Investor Relations Contacts: Brett Maas / Rob Fink Hayden IR +1-(646)536-7331 / +1-(646)415-8972 Company Contact: Ordan Trabelsi, President, Americas Tel: +1-212-675-4606 SOURCE SuperCom BASEL, Switzerland, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- After more than 13 years with Syngenta, Jonathan Seabrook has decided to leave the Company. Jonathan served as Head Investor Relations between 2003 and 2007 and since then as Head Corporate Affairs. He was responsible for advancing Syngenta's reputation and for the creation of The Good Growth Plan. He will be succeeded by Mark Titterington, currently Head Corporate Affairs EAME. Mark has significant experience across all Corporate Affairs disciplines and has held a variety of roles in his 10 years with the Company. In addition, Laure Roberts, currently Head HR Business Partnering, is appointed Head Human Resources, succeeding Caroline Luscombe who left Syngenta at the end of June. Laure has considerable global experience and has held a number of roles across all HR disciplines in her 30 year career both at Syngenta and other companies. Erik Fyrwald, CEO, said: "I would like to thank Jonathan for his many contributions to the company, notably around the development of Syngenta's excellent reputation and the creation of The Good Growth Plan, an industry-leading approach to sustainability which will continue to differentiate the company in the years to come. His insights and guidance also played a significant role in the ChemChina transaction. I wish him every success for the future. "I also congratulate Mark and Laure, two strong leaders who bring terrific experience, knowledge of Syngenta and our people and high energy to their new positions." The appointments are effective October 1 and both roles will report to the CEO. About Syngenta Syngenta is a leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources. Through world class science and innovative crop solutions, our 28,000 people in over 90 countries are working to transform how crops are grown. We are committed to rescuing land from degradation, enhancing biodiversity and revitalizing rural communities. To learn more visit www.syngenta.com and www.goodgrowthplan.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Syngenta. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as 'expect', 'would', 'will', 'potential', 'plans', 'prospects', 'estimated', 'aiming', 'on track' and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. We refer you to Syngenta's publicly available filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks and uncertainties. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This document does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any ordinary shares in Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract therefor. Syngenta International AG Media Office CH-4002 Basel Switzerland Tel: +41 61 323 2323 Fax: +41 61 323 2424 www.syngenta.com Media contacts: Leandro Conti Switzerland +41 61 323 2323 Paul Minehart USA +1 202 737 8913 Analyst/Investor contacts: Jennifer Gough Switzerland +41 61 323 5059 USA +1 202 737 6521 Bastien Musy Switzerland +41 61 323 1910 USA +1 202 737 6520 SOURCE Syngenta International AG Related Links http://www.syngenta.com Within weeks of deployment, Sawyer bolstered Tag Team's production figures by 25 percent. Sawyer operates a Tag Team computer numerical control (CNC) mill, constantly executing replicable tasks. Through the use of the robot, Tag Team is able to improve safety, minimize human error and execute tasks requiring 0.1mm of tolerance. By deploying Sawyer on the CNC mill, Tag Team has been able to reallocate staff resources to higher level cognitive tasks. Tag Team is renowned for employing cutting edge technology to deliver quality products and services that address its clients' needs. "As a result of manufacturing our own product line, we have developed a powerful understanding of what our clients require," said Terry A. Taggart, CEO at Tag Team. "Continuous innovation is a way of life at our company, and Sawyer is helping us forward that initiative, while meeting large scale production needs within a rapid delivery window." Tag Team is a family owned precision manufacturing company, operating out of its current headquarters for nearly 30 years. It specializes in precision production runs and prototype work for OEMs, addressing the needs of customers in industries such as aerospace and medical device equipment, producing products made from a variety of materials. Tag Team also manufactures components for OEMs in the computer storage, drone, robotics, photonics, bicycle, musical instrument and billiard industries. "Consistent, repeatable world-class quality is an objective that manufacturers like Tag Team are always striving to achieve," said Jim Lawton, chief product and marketing officer at Rethink Robotics. "Using smart, collaborative robots like Sawyer helps companies maintain unparalleled quality by meeting increasingly challenging demands of customers from a speed of delivery perspective. With a robot performing precision tasks, manufacturers like Tag Team are able to meet rapid delivery windows without sacrificing quality or safety." For more information, please visit www.rethinkrobotics.com. About Rethink Robotics Rethink Robotics is transforming the way manufacturing gets done, with smart, collaborative robots able to automate the 90 percent of tasks that until now, have been beyond the reach of traditional automation. Its Baxter and Sawyer robots, powered by the Intera software platform, adapt to real-world variability, can change applications quickly and perform tasks like people do. The result: manufacturers of all shapes, sizes and industries get the fast-to-deploy, easy-to-use and versatile automation solution they need to increase flexibility, lower cost and accelerate innovation. Based in Boston, the Rethink product suite is available in Asia, Europe and North America. The company is funded by Bezos Expeditions, CRV, Highland Capital Partners, Sigma Partners, DFJ, Two Sigma Ventures, GE Ventures and Goldman Sachs. For more information about Rethink Robotics, please visit www.rethinkrobotics.com and follow us on Twitter at @RethinkRobotics. Media Contact: Gil Haylon [email protected] 617-969-9192 Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jM8hPF7Uv0&feature=youtu.be Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140423/77847 SOURCE Rethink Robotics, Inc. Related Links http://www.rethinkrobotics.com/ "We are very excited to have Thad as part of the Inroads Realty team," said Mike Cagle, managing partner at Inroads Realty. "In the course of his career, Thad has worked on retail projects across the country and has created many positive and long lasting industry relationships in the process." Before joining Inroads Realty, Thad was a senior associate at UCR and subsequently CBRE. Prior to that, he was an assistant vice president in Henry S. Miller's retail division. Thad is a graduate from the College of Charleston and is also on the advisory board for the East Dallas Boys & Girls Club. "I am thrilled to be part of Inroads Realty," said Thad. "Their culture offers me a great opportunity to grow as a real estate professional, while also offering my clients the best service possible." About Inroads Realty Inroads Realty is a retail real estate company based in Dallas, Texas. Inroads provides retail property owners and tenants with a portfolio of services designed to drive their business forward. Inroads specializes in landlord representation, tenant representation, property and asset management, and investment sales. For more information, visit https://inroadsrealty.com. Contact: Trent Goldston 1-972-764-5403 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405194 SOURCE Inroads Realty Related Links https://inroadsrealty.com CHICAGO, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- From October 19th-30th, the Midwest will be celebrating the French table with the a la carte French Food Festival. This exciting 11-day event will feature exclusively crafted prix-fixe menus and special offers in 30 (and counting!) French and French-inspired restaurants and businesses in Chicagoland and cities all over the Midwest including in Kansas, Indiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Food lovers and French enthusiasts are also invited to attend many events taking place throughout the Midwest including cooking workshops and demos, wine tastings, food-themed film screenings, gastronomy and nutrition lectures by professionals. Additionally, a la carte will be holding a raffle with amazing prizes including a trip for two to Lyon, the capital of French gastronomy and winner of Europe's Leading City Break Destination 2016 by World Travel Awards. The Lyon trip consists of round trip tickets to Paris on Air France, round-trip 1st class high speed train (TGV) tickets from Paris to Lyon, 2-day guided visit of Lyon, with a private tour of l'Institut Bocuse, 2 nights at the luxurious Royal Hotel, and a dinner for 2 at Le Sud Restaurant (a Restaurants & Brasseries de Lyon Bocuse.) Follow a la carte on social media to discover every delicious thing that France has to offer! When: October 19th-30th 2016 Where: Throughout the Midwest (full list of participating businesses and events on a la carte website) Save the Date: a la carte Launch Party - Tuesday, October 4th, 2016 4-6 PM at 360Chicago a la carte 2016 Sponsors: 360Chicago, Air France, Bel Brands USA, Boisset Collection, Bridor, Kronenbourg/Lakeshore Beverage, Le Royal Hotel, Les Amis de la Place Antonin Poncet, Restaurants & Brasseries de Lyon Bocuse, Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, Rail Europe, Sasa Demarle Organized by: Alliance Francaise de Chicago, Bistronomic, Business France, Chez Moi, Consulate General of France in Chicago, French-American Chamber of Commerce, Shaw's Crab House, Sofitel, Watel / Davis https://www.alacartechicago.com/2016 Twitter: @alacartechicago Facebook: @alacartechicago Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151014/277067LOGO SOURCE a la carte Chicago MEQUON, Wis., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In keeping with its commitment to helping dentists work more efficiently and improve their practices, the American Dental Association (ADA) today announced the national launch of the ADA Credentialing Service. Using software developed by Wonderbox Technologies, an agile, innovative software firm that is part of the SKYGEN USA family of distinguished benefit solutions companies, the ADA Credentialing Service represents a significant improvement for both providers and payers over other credentialing options. The national launch enables dentists throughout the U.S. to enter their credential information into the ADA Credentialing Service one time where it can then be accessed on-demand by multiple health payers. The ADA Credentialing Service replaces the time-consuming, labor-intensive process of filling out an application for each payer network the provider wishes to join. Payers, hospitals, employers and third-party administrators will use a separate ADA URL to access the ADA Credentialing Service and download the provider information. Using the ADA Credentialing Service eliminates the need to contact and follow-up with each provider individually when credentialing dentists, delivering information in minutes that formerly took weeks to obtain. The ADA Credentialing Service and supporting components were built using the Wonderbox Technologies Enterprise System. Data is held in dedicated servers managed by Wonderbox Technologies, the ADA's webhost. The ADA and Wonderbox Technologies are committed to implementing reasonable and appropriate security tools and protocols. "As we worked with both dental providers and payers, the frustration with the credential application process was a recurring theme," said Craig Kasten, board chairman and founder of SKYGEN USA. "The launch of the new ADA Credentialing Service gives dental providers and payers a technology-driven, 'one and done' alternative to the tedious, repetitive approach that has been used previously. It is a perfect example of how moving from manual processes to cyber benefits saves time, reduces costs, and improves workflows. We are gratified to have had the opportunity to work with the ADA on this initiative and look forward to delivering additional innovations in the future." The ADA is currently providing use of the ADA Credentialing Service as a free service to all members and non-member dentists. For more information or to register, dental providers can go to ada.org/credentialing. Tweet this: [email protected] and @WonderboxTech launch #dental provider #credentialing database. #dentalpayers http://bit.ly/2bYaPQu About the American Dental Association The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 159,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The monthly The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) is the ADA's flagship publication and the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit ADA.org. For more information on oral health, including prevention, care and treatment of dental disease, visit the ADA's consumer website MouthHealthy.org . About Wonderbox Technologies Wonderbox Technologies, part of the SKYGEN USA family of companies specializing in benefit management solutions, is a distinguished, agile software company focused on building next-generation technology for the payer market. This technology enables healthcare payers to remain at the forefront of benefit management by using one of the world's most innovative and flexible technology platforms to dramatically improve automation, achieve compliance and reduce the cost of delivering healthcare benefits. To learn more, visit www.wonderboxtech.com. About SKYGEN USA SKYGEN USA is a collection of benefit solutions companies that brings a distinguished mix of next-generation claims management and technology tools together for healthcare payers, delivery systems, managed care organizations and employer groups that enable them to drive process improvements and dramatically reduce the cost of delivering benefits. Business units under the SKYGEN USA brand include Wonderbox Technologies, Scion Dental, Vestica Healthcare, American Therapy Administrators, Ocular Benefits and Hylis Pharmacy Solutions. Payers may select the comprehensive solution or individual offerings to fit their needs. For more information, visit www.skygenusa.com. For media inquiries, please contact: Natalie Cammarata Manager, Media Relations American Dental Association 312-440-2641 [email protected] Christine Rudella Director of Marketing SKYGEN USA Family of Companies 262-834-4145 [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141017/152919LOGO SOURCE Wonderbox Related Links http://www.wonderboxtech.com LAKE OSWEGO, Ore., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (NYSE:GBX) announced today that its subsidiary, Greenbrier Management Services LLC ("GMS") has expanded its industry-leading railcar asset management business with the launch of a new Regulatory Services Group led by James H. Rader as Vice President of Regulatory Services. Rader's four decades of railroad industry experience includes service at two Class I railroads, the Federal Railroad Administration and the Association of American Railroads. Rader worked most recently for Watco Companies, a leading shortline and terminal operator, and 50/50 partner with Greenbrier in the GBW Railcar Services railcar repair joint venture. Currently, Rader serves on the board of the Mechanical Association Railcar Technical Services (MARTS) and recently represented shortline railroads on the AAR Tank Car Committee, where he chaired major subcommittees. He is also a regular contributor at the FRA Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC). Joining Rader at Greenbrier is the most respected rail regulatory compliance team in North America. As a part of GMS, the new group offers regulatory, engineering, process consulting and advocacy support to the tank car and petrochemical rail shipper community, among other services. Petrochemical shippers and other tank car users are a customer base that Greenbrier has successfully served in recent years and are a rail user group that offers substantial growth in demand for discrete, unique and value-added asset management services. The new group complements GMS' existing service portfolio and customer base, and offers immediate financial contributions to Greenbrier. The Regulatory Services Group also fits seamlessly within Greenbrier's integrated business model. It allows Greenbrier to deliver the most complete offering to customers in the railcar market. Tank car customers shipping chemicals, petrochemicals and other commodities will particularly benefit from Greenbrier's added regulatory compliance capability. For example, a railcar built utilizing Greenbrier's safer tank design can be financed through Greenbrier Leasing Company; managed by Greenbrier Management Services; operate in compliance with relevant regulations after consultation with the Regulatory Service Group; receive replacement wheels and parts from Greenbrier; and be professionally maintained and recertified through our GBW Railcar Services joint venture. This portfolio of products and services is available exclusively from Greenbrier to customers using all railcar types. It is scalable and adaptable to meet the host of requirements encountered by railcar owners. Members of the new Regulatory Services Group formed Watco Compliance Services in 2011. At Watco, they successfully grew a division focused on assisting rail asset owners and railroad users of various types to develop standard operating procedures to comply with a broad range of technical specifications, legal requirements, agency regulations and safety rules. Watco is exiting the compliance services business for strategic reasons as it emphasizes its shortline and terminal operations. "Watco thanks our Compliance Service team for a job well done and wish them well in their new role with our good partner, Greenbrier," said Eric Wolfe, head of Watco Supply Chain Services. "Most importantly, we believe this is a good outcome for our team and our mutual Customers and Customers at GBW." Dan Weiler, Senior Vice President, Asset Management, Greenbrier Leasing Company and head of GMS said, "Expert people paired with proprietary technology are at the core of what we do at GMS. Our new Regulatory Services Group, with decades of expertise in railroad-related compliance, offers great synergies with the industry-leading fleet management group along with the advanced software systems we have built at GMS. It will produce further opportunities to collaborate across Greenbrier's integrated businesses," Weiler continued, "Jim Rader is one of the most respected people in his field. With the addition of Jim's team, Greenbrier now offers the industry's most comprehensive railcar asset management platform with a broad range of service capabilities to all constituencies in the rail freight business." "My team and I are thrilled to join GMS, an established and trusted rail asset manager," Rader said. "Greenbrier has a successful history of advancing enhanced safety, maintenance and compliance practices for rail assets. We look forward to offering best-in-class compliance services and domain support to rolling stock owners who require comprehensive and advanced asset management solutions, working with other colleagues across Greenbrier on exciting new opportunities." About Greenbrier Greenbrier (www.gbrx.com), headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, is a leading supplier of transportation equipment and services to the railroad industry. Greenbrier builds new railroad freight cars in manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Mexico and Poland and marine barges at our U.S. manufacturing facility. Greenbrier sells reconditioned wheel sets and provides wheel services at locations throughout the U.S. We recondition, manufacture and sell railcar parts at various U.S. sites. Through GBW Railcar Services, LLC, a 50/50 joint venture with Watco Companies, LLC, freight cars are repaired and refurbished at over 30 locations across North America, including more than 10 tank car repair and maintenance facilities certified by the Association of American Railroads. Greenbrier owns a lease fleet of over 8,900 railcars. About Greenbrier Management Services Greenbrier Management Services (GMS) is North America's most comprehensive railcar management solutions provider. GMS manages over 264,000 railcars and has invested over 20 years in developing technology, processes, and people to provide the best railcar management products and services in the industry. GMS is powered by proprietary software and the best subject matter experts in the railcar business. Combined, these two vitally important capabilities are able to deliver world class solutions to every type of customer, from Class I railroads, lessors, and industrial shippers to financial investors. GMS railcar management services include: maintenance expense management and billing administration, repair expense forecasting, tank car engineering and regulatory compliance, scheduled maintenance program design, ad valorem tax filings, railcar tracking and visibility systems, railcar logistics services, storage management, lease administration and car hire processing and back office. Originally built with Greenbrier's own diverse car owner and lessor responsibilities in mind, GMS brings broad expertise to cover nearly any railcar management need that customers may have and its integrated solutions and reporting can be customized for any customer function or management need. "SAFE HARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995: This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding expected new railcar production volumes and schedules, expected customer demand for the Company's products and services, plans to adjust manufacturing capacity, restructuring plans, new railcar delivery volumes and schedules, changes in demand for the Company's railcar services and parts business, and the Company's future financial performance. Greenbrier uses words such as "anticipates," "believes," "forecast," "potential," "goal," "contemplates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "hopes," "seeks," "estimates," "strategy," "could," "would," "should," "likely," "will," "may," "can," "designed to," "future," "foreseeable future" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, reported backlog and awards are not indicative of our financial results; inability to convert backlog of railcar orders and obtain and execute lease syndication commitments; uncertainty or changes in the credit markets and financial services industry; high levels of indebtedness and compliance with the terms of our indebtedness; write-downs of goodwill, intangibles and other assets in future periods; sufficient availability of borrowing capacity; fluctuations in demand for newly manufactured railcars or failure to obtain orders as anticipated in developing forecasts; loss of one or more significant customers; customer payment defaults or related issues; sovereign risk to contracts, exchange rates or property rights; actual future costs and the availability of materials and a trained workforce; failure to design or manufacture new products or technologies or to achieve certification or market acceptance of new products or technologies; steel or specialty component price fluctuations and availability and scrap surcharges; changes in product mix and the mix between segments; labor disputes, energy shortages or operating difficulties that might disrupt manufacturing operations or the flow of cargo; production difficulties and product delivery delays as a result of, among other matters, costs or inefficiencies associated with expansion, start-up or changing of production lines or changes in production rates, changing technologies, transfer of production between facilities or non-performance of alliance partners, subcontractors or suppliers; ability to obtain suitable contracts for the sale of leased equipment and risks related to car hire and residual values; integration of current or future acquisitions and establishment of joint ventures; succession planning; discovery of defects in railcars or services resulting in increased warranty costs or litigation; physical damage or product or service liability claims that exceed our insurance coverage; train derailments or other accidents or claims that could subject us to legal claims; actions or inactions by various regulatory agencies including potential environmental remediation obligations or changing tank car or other rail car or railroad regulation; and issues arising from investigations of whistleblower complaints; all as may be discussed in more detail under the headings "Risk Factors" and "Forward Looking Statements" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, and our other reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's opinions only as of the date hereof. Except as otherwise required by law, we do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. SOURCE The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (GBX) Related Links http://www.gbrx.com ATLANTA, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Strategic Financial Alliance ("SFA"), a leading, privately owned independent broker-dealer and Registered Investment Adviser (RIA), today announced that Carnegie Wealth Management ("Carnegie") of Exton, Pennsylvania, and Carlyle Wealth Management ("Carlyle") of Atlanta, Georgia, have transitioned to SFA's broker-dealer and RIA platforms. Together, the two independent financial advisory firms bring a total of $350 million in client brokerage and fee-based advisory assets to SFA. Clive Slovin, CEO of The Strategic Financial Alliance, said, "We are delighted to welcome both Carnegie Wealth Management and Carlyle Wealth Management to the SFA community, and look forward to providing them with the personalized services and innovative, open-architecture investments that will help them grow their businesses and fulfill their clients' long-term financial goals." Located outside Philadelphia, Carnegie Wealth Management provides professional investment consulting services to retirement plan administrators, foundations, corporations and high net worth individuals and families nationwide. Founded in 1985 by its Chairman, Roy A. Johnston, Carnegie today is run by Mr. Johnston and his business partner, Matthew D. Kelly, CEO, who are assisted by three additional support staff members. Mr. Johnston said, "We're enthusiastic about our transition to SFA, with its boutique culture, careful due diligence of investment products, and unique, advisor-owned community. Many of our clients have already expressed to us their keen interest in some of the carefully targeted solutions that we will now be able to bring to their diversified investment portfolios." Carlyle Wealth Management, with offices in both Atlanta and Albany, Georgia, is an independent, full-service financial planning and advisory firm with a client base extending throughout the United States. Carlyle's holistic, highly customized services include retirement planning, investment planning and insurance solutions for high net worth investors, retirees, and their families. Founded in 1988 by co-chief executive Sharon Budnik, who now manages the firm with co-chief executive Alan Anderson, Carlyle has a total of four financial advisors and two professional support staff. Ms. Budnik said, "I have known Clive Slovin for over 20 years and he has proven to be a man of the highest integrity, knowledge and vision for our industry. With an 'open door' philosophy, Clive and his group of top executives maintain a strong commitment to serving advisors and their clients with outstanding compliance and research, while remaining flexible and innovative in providing solutions for reaching clients' goals. SFA's team approach with its advisors, and its willingness to discuss complex situations in an effort to find well-conceived opportunities for their clients, has been instrumental in motivating us to transition to SFA." About The Strategic Financial Alliance The Strategic Financial Alliance is a privately owned independent broker-dealer and Registered Investment Adviser focused on delivering support that goes above and beyond the norm within the independent financial advice industry. Based in Atlanta, GA, the firm is an empowering partner to independent fee- and commission-based financial advisors across the country, acting as a powerful and expert platform in helping them grow their practices and build more efficient, better run businesses. For more information, please visit www.thesfa.net. Media Contacts: Jessica Caris Haven Tower Group 424 652 6520 ext. 104 [email protected] SOURCE SFA Holdings, Inc. Related Links http://www.thesfa.net According to ProColombia's President, Felipe Jaramillo, Colombia's skilled human capital, bilingual workforce, affordable operating costs, service capability, and government incentives have been the main drivers that have spurred the sector to launch internationally. Today, more investors and companies are looking towards Colombia as a technological hub for Latin America and a strategic partner for IT development. From 2009 to 2016, ProColombia has supported the entrance of 58 investment projects in the Colombian IT sector and digital content, mostly from the United States and Spain. This represented US$ 680 million generating more than 20,000 direct and indirect jobs. The Colombian IT Business Forum will be featuring the following academic sessions: Humanization of Services: Tony Lama , Director of Innovation and Strategy at Aspect Software , Director of Innovation and Strategy at Aspect Software Status of South Florida as Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub and the Role of Venture Hive as a leading force for this Hub: Susan Amat , Founder/CEO of Venture Hive as Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub and the Role of Venture Hive as a leading force for this Hub: , Founder/CEO of Venture Hive Digital Trends in the Region: Juan Manuel Gonzalez , Research Director at Frost & Sullivan , Research Director at Frost & Sullivan Miami's transformation as a TechHub in the region: Giraldo Gutierrez , Chief revenue Officer at eMerge Americas In addition, over 84 buyers from Mexico, Canada and the US will hold one-on-one meetings with 100 Colombian IT and digital content companies looking to expand and grow their international presence. The event is expected to reach sales for more than US$20 million. Companies that will attend the Colombian IT Business Forum include: Bankity, an application that manages expenses in real time without needing access to bank passwords; Heinsohn, Colombian company that develops software for Silicon Valley; 12Hit Combo!, first Latin American company to launch a game in physical format for PC and PlayStation 4; and DATAIFX SAS, the leader in production and development of trading platforms of internet values; among many others. Colombia is the third largest country in exports of IT and software in Latin America, according to the International Consulting Market Research - IDC (International Data Corporation). The software sector in Colombia has reported sustainable growth in recent years in terms of exports, market share and quality of services. With the support of Colombia's promotion campaign Colombia Bring IT On, the IT and digital content sectors grew 52 percent in 2015 compared to the previous year. The main export products and services of the IT sector are specialized software for the financial sector, telecommunications, public services, trade and health, as well as development of ERP software. The digital content sector exports are mainly in mobile application development, digital marketing and audiovisual projects. Exports of Colombian digital content companies have reach more than 19 countries, highlighting USA, Argentina and Canada. Regarding IT and software Colombian companies, the main countries reached were USA, Mexico, Ecuador and Peru, reaching more than 31 countries in the world. About ProColombia: ProColombia is the Colombian government trade bureau in charge of promoting foreign investment, international tourism, exports, and the country brand. The country's business forums are a promotional initiative created to increase awareness and knowledge about the Colombian industry and services and aims to facilitate business transactions between North America and Colombian businesses. CONTACT: Delfina Guemes [email protected] +1.305.961.7613 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160908/405578 SOURCE ProColombia, The Colombian Government Trade Bureau LOS ANGELES, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- EagleRider, the world's largest motorcycle rental and tour company, today announced the appointment of Chris Soder and Thomas Gartland to the company's Board of Directors. "We're thrilled to have these two seasoned leaders on board, sharing their knowledge of customer experience, eCommerce and tourism to elevate our global business," said Chris McIntyre, CEO and Co-Founder of EagleRider. "We think Chris and Tom are a natural fit and will ensure EagleRider remains the innovative experience brand built on a passion for motorcycle travel." Soder recently retired as CEO of priceline.com, an operating business of The Priceline Group, having spent more than 15 years with the leading online travel agency. After joining Priceline as President of hotel service, he led various business units within the company, including the development and launch of priceline.com's cruise and package offerings. "I'm excited to be part of a company where, first and foremost, the focus is on delivering an incredible customer experience," Soder said. "EagleRider brings a unique element of liberation and adventure to traditional motorcycle tourism. I'm excited to contribute to this groundbreaking company." Gartland previously served as president of North America for the Avis Budget Group, which includes the company's U.S. and Canadian operations of the Avis, Budget Trucks, Payless and Zipcar brands. Prior to that, he led the sales, marketing and customer care division of the group as Executive Vice President, overseeing revenue-generating activities and senior-level customer interactions. He currently serves on the board of directors for ABM Industries and Xenia Hotels. Gartland brings revenue generation and profit enhancement expertise to EagleRider. "I'm glad to be lending my industry perspectives to a great vehicle experience company like EagleRider," said Gartland. Soder and Gartland each bring extensive leadership portfolios and an in-depth understanding of the travel industry to the EagleRider brand. Having been instrumental to the success of major travel brands, both have unique insights of the online travel business and how to succeed in an increasingly competitive landscape with growing global consumer demand. "Priceline changed the way Americans book online travel. Avis Budget Group is one of the world's leading car rental companies that built its brand on delivering exceptional customer experiences. Soder and Gartland bring to EagleRider that same pioneering spirit and entrepreneurial vision to the world of two-wheels," said Chris McIntyre, CEO and Co-Founder of EagleRider. About EagleRider Pioneering the motorcycle rental concept in 1992, EagleRider has since grown to become a motorcycle experience industry leader, fulfilling dreams of thousands of motorcyclists worldwide. EagleRider's vast network of locations allows the company to offer a variety of motorcycle travel options and a Club EagleRider membership program - the first of its kind in the motorcycle industry. With EagleRider, motorcyclists have the option to select from a fleet of Harley-Davidson, Indian Motorcycle, Honda, Triumph, BMW motorcycles and Polaris Slingshot. EagleRider has grown from four bikes in a home garage to a global company with thousands of motorcycles for rent, hundreds of tour options (guided, self-drive or custom), motorcycle sales and servicing and exclusive apparel lines. www.eaglerider.com Follow EagleRider on social media: www.facebook.com/EagleRider, www.instagram.com/EagleRiderMotorcycles, www.twitter.com/EagleRider Media Contact: Megan Rupp / Alexandra Lundy JMPR Public Relations (818) 992-4353 [email protected] [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160222/336198LOGO SOURCE EagleRider Related Links http://www.eaglerider.com BISMARCK, N.D., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- First Peoples Worldwide joins the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (SRST) for a historic gathering of Native American governments to demand accountability from Energy Transfer Partners, the company behind the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline. The pipeline is slated to cross the tribe's treaty territory and drinking water without Free, Prior, and Informed Consent. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160908/405524-INFO Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160908/405525 Thousands of people from across the United States have joined the SRST to protest Energy Transfer Partners' building of the proposed 1,200-mile Dakota Access Pipeline. The SRST has filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to stop construction. They say they were not properly consulted before the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers fast-tracked construction approval. A decision in that case is expected by Sep 9. Energy Transfer Partners also has pending lawsuits related to water contamination in four states. A Shareholder Advocacy Leadership Training (SALT) workshop will be held today, Thursday, Sep 8th, 9am4pm at the Bismarck Civic Center, 315 S 5th St, Bismarck, ND, 58504. The training will empower the SRST and other tribes to connect with investors in companies on their land, and demand that the market capture all environmental and social costs of the pipeline. The training is held in partnership with the Tribal Leaders Summit hosted by United Tribes Technical College. It is also open to non-Native landowners along the Dakota Access Pipeline's proposed route. This training is particularly necessary as protesters were attacked with dogs, and ancient burial sites and places of prayer were destroyed by Energy Transfer Partners last weekend. On Sep 1, the SRST filed court documents identifying the area as home to significant cultural artifacts and sacred sites. According to Tribal Chairman David Archambault II, "this demolition is devastating. These grounds are the resting places of our ancestors. The ancient cairns and stone prayer rings there cannot be replaced. In one day, our sacred land has been turned into hollow ground." First Peoples Worldwide is an Indigenous-led organization using market-based strategies to advocate for the rights of Indigenous Peoples. Contact: Nick Pelosi, First Peoples Worldwide Email 917-324-3160 SOURCE First Peoples Worldwide MELVILLE, N.Y., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to announce that the Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) Board of Directors has elected Tsuneo "Neo" Imai to its board during its July 14 meeting. Effective immediately, Mr. Imai, who serves as vice president and general manager of Business Imaging Healthcare Solutions Group of Canon U.S.A., Inc., as well as president of Virtual Imaging, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., will help to bring the board to full strength. "Neo has demonstrated great leadership, both within Canon and as a member of MITA, and we are thrilled to have him join the board," said Patrick Hope, executive director, MITA. "We are thrilled and honored that Mr. Imai has been appointed to the MITA Board of Directors," said Joe Adachi, chairman and CEO of both Canon U.S.A., Inc. and Virtual Imaging, Inc. "I trust that Mr. Imai will bring his extensive knowledge of digital radiography as well as a spirit of innovation to his new newly elected position." "Canon is committed to being a leader and innovator within the imaging industry, and as such we deeply value the Company's membership in MITA," said Mr. Imai. "As a member of the board, I'm looking forward to becoming more involved." Mr. Imai joined Canon in 1982 before being promoted to manager of Sales Support at Canon U.S.A. in 1993. Over the past 20 years, he has held a variety of management and executive positions, assuming his current positions in 2014. As vice president of the Business Imaging Healthcare Solutions Group, Mr. Imai's responsibilities span from development and growth of the Healthcare Solutions division, including the establishment of U.S., Canadian and Latin American markets for radiology and ophthalmology imaging products, to sales, marketing, administrative, service, regulatory and quality facets of the Healthcare Solutions Group. About MITA MITA is the collective voice of medical imaging equipment and radiopharmaceutical manufacturers, innovators and product developers. It represents companies whose sales comprise more than 90 percent of the global market for medical imaging technology. These technologies include: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), medical x-ray equipment, computed tomography (CT) scanners, ultrasound, nuclear imaging, radiopharmaceuticals and imaging information systems. Advancements in medical imaging are transforming healthcare through earlier disease detection, less invasive procedures and more effective treatments. The industry is extremely important to American healthcare and noted for its continual dive for innovation, fast-as-possible production introduction cycles, complex technologies and multifaceted supply chains. Individually and collectively, these attributes result in unique concerns as the industry strives toward the goal of providing patients with the safest, most advanced medical imaging currently available. About Canon U.S.A., Inc. Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions to the United States and to Latin America and the Caribbean (excluding Mexico) markets. With approximately $31 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S. patents granted in 2015 and is one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in 2016. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest level of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. In 2014, the Canon Americas Headquarters secured LEED Gold certification, a recognition for the design, construction, operations and maintenance of high-performance green buildings. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss and follow us on Twitter @CanonUSA. For media inquiries, please contact [email protected]. Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office. Canon U.S.A. website: http://www.usa.canon.com For sales information/customer support: 1-800-OK-CANON Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160119/323578LOGO SOURCE Canon U.S.A., Inc. Related Links http://www.usa.canon.com ATLANTA, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses of Georgia (UAPRN of GA) will host its inaugural State-wide Conference at the Georgia Coastal Center located at 305 Fahm Street in Savannah, GA September 22-24th. Leaders from the Georgia Nurses Association, Georgia's Coalition of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, and the Georgia Nursing Leadership Coalition will be in attendance to the benefit of APRNs of all backgrounds and specialties in attendance. A dynamic and exciting conference agenda has been planned that also caters to those interested in seeking information regarding APRN practice and obtaining full practice authority in GA. To register to attend or view more event details please visit https://uaprn.enpnetwork.com/nurse-practitioner-events/59941-uaprn-2016-annual-state-conference#agenda. A wealth of engaging topics comprises the conference offerings inclusive of: Telemedicine Anticoagulation Professional Development PTSD Pharmacogenetics Child Abuse Indicators Legal Considerations for APRN Healthcare Policy Hematology Common Gynecology Complaints Cardiac Effects of Cancer Treatment Legislative Issues and Updates Basic Suturing and I & D Men & Testosterone Replacement Additionally, a Visual Explorer pre-conference leadership seminar will be open to all attendees. The seminar will highlight how to utilize the tool to facilitate discussion surrounding access to healthcare. Attendees can register by visiting https://uaprn.enpnetwork.com/nurse-practitioner-events/59941-uaprn-2016-annual-state-conference. Scholarships are also available for UAPRN student members and will be awarded at the conference. Participating exhibitors will have the opportunity to meet with APRNs, APRN students, and potential graduate and post-graduate students across clinical specialties and educational backgrounds. About UAPRN of GA UAPRN of GA exists to represent APRN legislative and practice issues and to support the advancement of the APRN role. One of the organization's purposes is to promote collaboration and unification of all APRNs in Georgia. "Energized by 1 voice" is the new UAPRN of GA organizational slogan that speaks to the unification and inter-collaboration among the nursing organizations in Georgia. To learn more about UAPRN of GA please visit https://uaprn.enpnetwork.com. SOURCE United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses of Georgia (UAPRN of GA) Related Links https://uaprn.enpnetwork.com LONDON, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Roskill has released its new vanadium market report with forecasts out to 2026. It is essential reading for anyone needing a comprehensive overview of the vanadium market. Vanadium: Market Outlook to 2026, 15th Edition is now available from Roskill Information Services Ltd, 54 Russell Road, London SW19 1QL UK. Click here for further information or to download the report brochure. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150909/264974LOGO ) Production of vanadium feedstock peaked in 2013 and has since declined year-on-year. The drop in supply is mainly a reflection of lower demand in 2014 and 2015, although more structural changes to supply-side market dynamics have also had an impact. China remains the largest producer in the world although output dropped between 2014 and 2015. Nonetheless, the country accounted for an estimated 44% of world production last year. The biggest producers were Pangang and Chengde. Russia, the world's second-largest feedstock producer, has seen production increase and then stabilise in recent years, with nearly all production accounted for by slag production at Evraz Group's Nizhny Tagil steelworks. As of 2015, Russia represented 20% of feedstock production. It is not decreases in China, nor increases in Russia, but developments in South Africa which represent the most important structural changes to the market in recent years. South Africa was the second-largest producer of vanadium feedstock until 2014. That year, the country accounted for 14% of global feedstock but this figure is expected to fall sharply by end-2016. Following the closure of Evraz Highveld's Mapochs mine, together with the suspension of operations at Vanchem, there are now only two major producers of vanadium in South Africa: Glencore and Vametco. The wind-down of Evraz Highveld Steel & Vanadium is expected to take up to three years to complete, according to the company's business rescue practitioners. Importantly, there are implications for the wider vanadium supply chain. Highveld slag was supplied to Hochvanadium in Austria, which in turn provided slag to Treibacher, also in Austria, for further processing into vanadium products. Treibacher produced ferrovanadium from these slags and vanadium extracted from spent catalysts, boiler slag, fly ash and oil gasification residues. Austrian production is, therefore, expected to fall back in 2016 resulting in lower ferrovanadium production in Europe. Globally, ferrovanadium production has declined in recent years, after peaking in 2013 at 97.5kt. World apparent consumption of ferrovanadium increased at 8.6%py between 2009 and 2015. The biggest consumers of ferrovanadium are China, the USA, Russia, and Japan. As of 2015, steel applications are estimated to account for just over 90% of total use of vanadium. Vanadium use in steel can be further subdivided into HSLA steel, full alloy steel and carbon steel, with HSLA and fully alloy steels together accounting for over three-quarters of all vanadium consumption in steels. Non-ferrous alloys - mostly in the form of titanium alloys, super alloys, and magnetic alloys, are believed to account for a smaller percentage of consumption (4.5%). Chemical applications represented around 3.5% of consumption in 2015 while other applications, including batteries, accounted for the remaining 1%. Stable demand growth is expected for vanadium in most applications. Growth in vanadium consumption in steel will be dependent on intensity of use, as well as growth in steel demand. Vanadium content in steel varies according to type and grade, and differs by producer and region. This is particularly the case with reinforcing bars (rebar), used primarily in the construction industry. Higher-strength rebar contains more vanadium and, therefore, the more high-grade rebar used globally, the more vanadium is consumed. This means that construction regulations, such as those introduced recently in China, which mandate the use of certain rebar for key applications can considerably impact vanadium demand. There has been a great deal of interest in the potential of vanadium redox batteries (VRBs) in recent years. In Roskill's new report, a focused chapter dedicated to the use cases, competing technologies, advantages, disadvantages and economics of VRBs has been included. As of 2016, Roskill estimates that demand from VRBs accounted for less than 500t of vanadium pentoxide consumption. VRBs will likely achieve commercial success in specific energy storage applications such as load levelling, which will support an increase in market share and in vanadium demand. The forecast increase in vanadium demand across several end-use applications will drive higher levels of vanadium supply over the coming decade. Future trends in iron ore consumption will have a significant bearing on vanadium co-production levels, just as historic increases in vanadium co-production have as much to do with higher demand for iron ore as increased demand for vanadium. Demand for both has been driven by the growth of steel industries, particularly in China, where rapid expansion of steel capacity has led to the development of large, vertically-integrated state enterprises that undertake mining, smelting, processing, and sales and distribution. In 2015, steel output dropped by roughly 3%. Roskill expects further drops in 2016 before a recovery in 2017. Declines in Chinese steel output could have implications for vanadium supply, compounding recent reductions from South Africa. New supply could be brought on stream to meet rising demand. Few new operations have been commissioned in recent years, with the exception of the Maracas Menchen mine owned by Largo Resources. Instead there have been some notable closures, although the assets of three former producers: Evraz Highveld, Vanchem and Atlantic, could potentially be brought back into production on higher demand and price incentives and thus generate additional vanadium feedstock. Alternatively, there are several companies developing projects that are at advanced feasibility stages, but will have to overcome the critical hurdle of securing sufficient financing to commence construction. For further information, contact us on: +44-20-8417-0087, Fax +44-20-8417-1308, Email: [email protected], Web: http://www.roskill.com SOURCE Roskill Information Services COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Vectrus, Inc., (NYSE: VEC) CEO Ken Hunzeker will address the 7th Annual Credit Suisse Small & Mid Cap Conference in New York City on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at 4:10 p.m. Eastern time. The briefing presentation will be available at investors.vectrus.com. About Vectrus Vectrus is a leading, global government services company with a history in the services market that dates back more than 70 years. The company provides infrastructure asset management, information technology and network communication services, and logistics and supply chain management services to U.S. government customers around the world. Vectrus is differentiated by operational excellence, superior program performance, a history of long-term customer relationships, and a strong commitment to their mission success. Vectrus is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., and includes about 6,000 employees spanning 132 locations in 18 countries. In 2015, Vectrus generated sales of $1.2 billion. For more information, visit our website at www.vectrus.com or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Investors Mike Smith 719-637-5773 [email protected] Media George Rhynedance 719-637-4182 [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160621/382112LOGO SOURCE Vectrus, Inc. Related Links http://www.vectrus.com LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Bob Ridgeway, group leader for PECVD and FCVD Applications at Versum Materials, will deliver a presentation at the IC Forum of SEMICON Taiwan on September 9, 2016, entitled, "Development of a Porous low-k Precursor to Provide Enhanced Mechanical Properties without Sacrificing Carbon Content." Scheduled for 3:10 p.m., in Room 401 of Hall 1, Ridgeway's presentation will be based on a recent detailed investigation which he co-authored with Versum colleagues William R. Entley, Jennifer L. Achtyl, Raymond N. Vrtis and Jianheng Li. His talk will focus on a novel silicon-containing precursor that balances the higher mechanical strength associated with low-carbon films with the improved resistance to plasma induced damage (PID) typically associated with high-carbon films. By leveraging our long-standing expertise, a unique offering has been developed that continues to strengthen our marketing leading position in the low-k space. Through plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition and UV curing, the deposited films have improved mechanical properties by incorporation of carbon bridging in the porous low-k network with reduced PID compared to films deposited only for mechanical strength enhancement. The presentation will also provide empirical modeling results allowing the selection of operating conditions using the novel precursor to achieve specific films property targets related to dielectric constant, elastic modulus, hardness and PID. All work described in the paper was performed on an industry-relevant platform using 300mm wafers. The presentation will be part of Versum's presence at SEMICON Taiwan show, where the company will publicly introduce its new identity ahead of the spin-off of Versum Materials from Air Products planned for October 2016. Versum will showcase, in Booth #138 - 4th Floor, the innovative products and services that make the company one of the semiconductor industry's largest and most respected suppliers. Information on the products and services displayed at the show will be available at www.airproducts.com/semicon. About Air Products Air Products (NYSE: APD) is a world-leading Industrial Gases company celebrating 75 years of operation. The company's core Industrial Gases business provides atmospheric and process gases and related equipment to manufacturing markets, including refining and petrochemical, metals, electronics, and food and beverage. Air Products is also the world's leading supplier of liquefied natural gas process technology and equipment. The company's Materials Technologies business serves the semiconductor, polyurethanes, cleaning and coatings, and adhesives industries. The company had fiscal 2015 sales of $9.9 billion and has a current market capitalization of more than $30 billion. Approximately 19,000 employees in 50 countries strive to make Air Products the world's safest and best performing Industrial Gases company, providing sustainable offerings and excellent service to all customers. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com. About Versum Materials Versum Materials, Inc. (versummaterials.com) is a best-in-class electronic materials company providing high-purity chemicals and gases, delivery systems, services and materials expertise to meet the evolving needs of the global semiconductor, display and LED markets. Derived from the Latin word for "toward," the name "Versum" communicates the company's deep commitment to helping customers move toward the future by collaborating, innovating and creating cutting-edge solutions. A global leader in technology, quality, safety and reliability, Versum is one of the world's largest suppliers of next generation CMP slurries, ultra-thin dielectric and metal film precursors, formulated cleans and etching products, and delivery equipment that has revolutionized the semiconductor industry. Versum Materials is expected to spin off from Air Products in October 2016, and will have annual sales of about US$1 billion. With more than 1,900 employees operating in over 10 production facilities and six R&D and technical centers, Versum Materials has the scale and breadth to support customers globally. NOTE: This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including statements about the Company's plans for completion of the spin-off, the expected benefits of the spin-off, the tax free nature of the spin-off, the prospects for the independent companies following the spin-off and the timing of the transaction. These forward-looking statements are based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors not anticipated by management, including, without limitation, our ability to obtain regulatory approvals, Air Products' decision not to consummate the spin-off due to market, economic or other events; our ability to fully realize the anticipated benefits of the spin-off; negative effects of the announcement or the consummation of the proposed spin-off on the market price of the company's common stock; significant transaction costs and or unknown liabilities; general economic and business conditions that affect the companies in connection with the proposed spin-off; changes in capital market conditions; future opportunities that the Company's board may determine present greater potential to increase shareholder value, the ability of our companies to operate independently following the spin-off; and other risk factors described in the Company's Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. The Company disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this document to reflect any change in assumptions, beliefs or expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances upon which any such forward-looking statements are based. SOURCE Air Products Related Links http://www.airproducts.com The 2016 class of five National Student Poets was selected from a national pool of more than 20,000 poetry submissions and represents the most promising student poets in our nation. Throughout the next year, each poet will serve as a literary ambassador and will share their passion for poetry and the literary arts with their communities through service projects, workshops, and public readings. In addition, each poet will receive an academic award of $5,000 funded by the Bernstein Family Foundation and will serve as a resource to the U.S. Department of Education and the Library of Congress. "Together, these talented students are living, breathing proof of the power of poetry to transform young people's lives," shared Mrs. Obama, Honorary Chairman of the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities as she congratulated the 2016 class of National Student Poets. She added, "I have just one request to our student poets when you all leave here today: I want you to go out there and share your gifts with others. Show other young people the power of taking risks and opening yourself up to the world...make sure the folks in your communities understand why it is so vitally important to have the arts in our schools." The White House Ceremony marked the fifth anniversary of the program with many returning alumni in attendance, and also featured Q-Tip, the Kennedy Center's first artistic director of hip-hop culture. Representing five different regions of the nation, the 2016 National Student Poets are: Stella Binion , age 17 of Chicago, IL (Midwest Region) , age 17 of (Midwest Region) Maya Eashwaran , age 17 of Alpharetta, GA (Southeast Region) , age 17 of (Southeast Region) Gopal Raman , age 17 of Dallas, TX (Southwest Region) , age 17 of (Southwest Region) Joey Reisberg , age 17 of Towson, MD (Northeast Region) , age 17 of (Northeast Region) Maya Salameh , age 16 of San Diego, CA (West Region) Since its inception in 2011, the National Student Poets Program has showcased the essential role of writing and the arts in academic and personal success for audiences across the country. All twenty NSPP students have participated in community service projects, visiting more than one hundred cities, performing at over eighty national poetry events, and mentoring hundreds of future poets. They have performed their work numerous times at Lincoln Center, have been honored five years running at Carnegie Hall, have joined First Lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe Biden in addressing veterans, and have attended private poetry workshops and master classes with the Ford Foundation's Director of Creativity and Free Expression Elizabeth Alexander, best-selling author Colum McCann, poetry editor of the New Yorker Paul Muldoon, Macarthur Genius Grant recipient Terrance Hayes, Tony-winning actor Daveed Diggs, and former United States Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey. Their years of service have seen them returning to the Aspen Ideas Festival, where they have recited their work for notable guests of the festival and experienced an intensive, multi-day youth poetry workshop, and have served as mentors at Between the Lines in Iowa, a summer writing workshop intensive with Silk Road students. United States Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera and acclaimed actor and activist Alfre Woodard have praised the power and importance of their work and their voices as youth poetry ambassadors, and President Obama himself has mentioned turning to the Class of 2015's Chapbook during difficult times to enjoy the poetry within. Past NSPP community service projects have included hosting writing workshops for military children at the U.S. Army War College and for Native American youth in North Dakota. National Student Poets have also taught poetry as a form of self-expression to LGBT youth at Out Boulder and Rainbow Alley in Colorado, as well as nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease. These workshops have reached diverse communities, presenting subject matter such as poetry and hip-hop, New Orleans and lost homes, and poetry as a means to process tragedy in Sandy Hook, CT. To view a video discussing the history and impact of NSPP, visit https://vimeo.com/141582461. All student works in consideration for the National Student Poets Program are judged based on exceptional creativity, dedication to craft, and promise by a jury of luminaries and leaders in education and the arts. This year's panel of judges included Kwame Alexander (Newbery Medal-winning poet), Jennifer Benka (author and executive director of the Academy of American poets), Michael Earl Craig (Montana State Poet Laureate), Toi Derricotte (professor of writing at the University of Pittsburgh), Edward Hirsch (President of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation), Naomi Shihab Nye (acclaimed poet and Academy of American Poets Chancellor) and Alice Quinn (executive director of the Poetry Society of America). "These five talented and diverse young poets bring together a passion for justice with a quest for beauty. Their gifts are prodigious, their hopes enliven the future." Edward Hirsch, best-selling author and President of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. "Hearing the Class of 2015 National Student Poets perform their collaborative poem at the Chancellor Conversations was one of the highlights of the 2015 Academy of American Poets' Poets Forum. It was amazing to read all these great voices during the selection process. The young poets' works are stunning, smart, sophisticated, deeply woven and wondrous... They are haunting, thoughtful, surprising; their verve and vitality convey important subject matter. Truly I love them all!" Naomi Shihab Nye, award-winning poet and recipient of the 2013 NSK Neustadt Prize for Children's Literature The National Student Poets Program is a signature initiative which reflects the national imprimatur of the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities in advancing arts education, links the National Student Poets with audiences and resources in their neighborhoods through the Institute of Museum and Library Services' community-based network of libraries and museums, and builds upon the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers' long-standing work with educators and creative teens through the prestigious Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. The program works in coordination with the Library of Congress and the U.S. Department of Education and the academic awards are generously provided by the Bernstein Family Foundation. More information on the NSPP can be found at www.artandwriting.org/NSPP. The President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH) is an advisory committee to the White House on cultural issues. Its core areas of focus are arts and humanities education, cultural diplomacy, and community revitalization. First Lady Michelle Obama, like other First Ladies before her, serves as honorary chairman of the committee. To learn more, visit www.pcah.gov. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Its mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Its grants, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov. The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, identifies teenagers with exceptional creative talent and brings their remarkable work to a national audience through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Founded in 1923, the Awards program is the longest-running, most prestigious initiative of its kind, having fostered the creativity and talent of millions of students through recognition, exhibitions, scholarships, and publications. Over the past six years alone, students have submitted more than a million works of art and writing and more than $30 million have been made available in scholarships and awards to top winning participants. To learn more, visit www.artandwriting.org. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160908/405819 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160908/405795LOGO Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100907/SCHOLASTICLOGO SOURCE Alliance for Young Artists & Writers The television spot, which is narrated by McConaughey over music he personally selected from New Orleans' The Hot 8 Brass Band , seamlessly follows the intriguing journey of a woman and her glass of Wild Turkey Bourbon through different locations and times. The scene opens with a pour atop a player piano in a dimly lit speakeasy. From there, the audience is taken through a vibrant jazz club, and ultimately to an intimate campfire high atop a hill. It ends with the glass of Wild Turkey Bourbon finding its way to another piano this one played by McConaughey. Throughout the spot, McConaughey addresses the audience with the simple words: "We're not in a rush to be most popular, not in a rush not to be. Real bourbon, no apologies. If it's for you, you'll know. Wild Turkey. It'll find you." "So many times people choose their drinks to fit in and join the crowd," said McConaughey. "Wild Turkey is about something different. The tagline 'It'll Find You' is at the heart of what Wild Turkey is all about. If you are being yourself, unapologetically doing things your own way, then you are at home wherever you are, and Wild Turkey, well, it'll find you." The television spot will begin running in the U.S. in September, and is part of a global broadcast, print, and digital campaign to support Wild Turkey. "Matthew McConaughey's unflinching creative style and voice are the perfect fit for a brand like Wild Turkey, which has been doing things its own way for decades," added Bob Kunze-Concewitz, CEO at Gruppo Campari, owner of Wild Turkey. "With this new television campaign, he has tapped into what so many Wild Turkey fans understand about the brand and themselves take pride in the choices you make, even if they are different, because they make you who you are." "Matthew perfectly embodied, both on screen and behind the camera, the uncompromising spirit of the brand," said Brent Choi, Chief Creative Officer, J. Walter Thompson New York. "His unique background brought us refreshing insight and direction that led to a wonderful creative collaboration." The TV spot was directed by and stars McConaughey, who also worked closely with J. Walter Thompson New York and RSA Films in Los Angeles to deliver the campaign. It was shot on location in Southern California. A short film documenting Matthew's creative journey with Wild Turkey's distilling family, the Russells, can be viewed at http://bit.ly/2aB717L. About Matthew McConaughey Texas native Matthew McConaughey is one of Hollywood's most sought-after leading men. A chance meeting in Austin with casting director and producer Don Phillips led him to director Richard Linklater, who launched the actor's career in the cult classic "Dazed and Confused." Since then, he has appeared in over 40 feature films that have grossed over $1 billion; and has become a producer, director, and philanthropist all the while sticking to his Texas roots and "jk livin" philosophy. 2014 was a game-changing year for McConaughey. For his riveting portrayal of Ron Woodruff in "Dallas Buyers Club," McConaughey received an Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award and Gotham Award for Best Actor, the Best Actor Award at the Rome Film Festival as well as the Desert Palm Achievement Actor Award at the Palm Springs Film Festival. He also made the move to TV starring alongside Woody Harrelson in the HBO dramatic series "True Detective." The show was met by rave reviews from critics and fans alike and earned Matthew a Critics Choice and TCA Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series as well as an Emmy Nomination. Later that year he starred in "Interstellar," directed by Christopher Nolan, and also starring Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain. Next he will be seen in the upcoming Stephen Gangham directed, "Gold" as well as opposite Idris Alba in "The Dark Tower" based on the popular Stephen King novels. In 2008, Mr. McConaughey started The just keep livin Foundation (www.jklivinfoundation.org), which is dedicated to helping boys and girls transform into men and women through programs that teach the importance of decision-making, health, education, and active living. The Foundation has partnered with Communities in Schools (CIS) the nation's largest, non-profit, dropout-prevention organization in West Los Angeles to implement fitness and wellness programs in two large urban high schools. Through an afterschool program, they are able to give kids a healthy start in life and the promise of a healthy future. About Wild Turkey The Distillery for Wild Turkey Bourbon is located in Kentucky, situated on a deep limestone shelf on the Kentucky River. The shelf acts as a natural filter and provides the distillery with crystal clear water, vital to making such a high quality product. The whiskey is fermented for 72 hours. Wild Turkey features the legendary father and son Master Distilling team of Jimmy and Eddie Russell, who have 97 years of combined experience making bourbon. The famous Wild Turkey brand name first came about back in 1940 when distillery executive Thomas McCarthey took a few warehouse samples on a Wild Turkey hunting trip with a group of friends. The following year, his friends asked him for "some of that Wild Turkey whiskey" and the brand was born. Wild Turkey is distilled and put into new oak barrels at a much lower ABV than most bourbons. This results in a much richer flavor, as less is cooked out during the production process. Ageing in the highest quality new American oak barrels with the heaviest char available (the Number 4 "alligator" char), imparts a smooth flavor and deep amber color to the whiskey. Wild Turkey is one of only a few bourbons to use this expensive, deep char. The barrels are filled at the distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Website: wildturkey.com For Additional Information, Contact: Jared Ricardo Gruppo Campari (415) 923-8732 [email protected] Shira Mahler Sunshine Sachs (212) 691-2800 [email protected] About Gruppo Campari Gruppo Campari is a major player in the global spirits industry, with a portfolio of over 50 premium and super premium brands, spreading across Global, Regional and Local priorities. Global Priorities, the Group's key focus, include Aperol, Appleton Estate, Campari, SKYY, Wild Turkey and Grand Marnier. The Group was founded in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry. It has a global distribution reach, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. The Group's growth strategy aims to combine organic growth through strong brand building and external growth via selective acquisitions of brands and businesses. Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Campari owns 18 plants and 4 wineries worldwide and has its own distribution network in 19 countries. The Group employs approximately 4,000 people. The shares of the parent company Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM) have been listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001. For more information: www.camparigroup.com/en Please enjoy our brands responsibly. Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf7JUaYAHE8 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405200 SOURCE Wild Turkey Related Links http://www.wildturkey.com HOUSTON, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- W&T Offshore, Inc. (NYSE: WTI) (the "Company") today announced the closing of its previously announced exchange offer and consent solicitation to eligible holders of its outstanding 8.500% Senior Notes due 2019 (the "Existing Notes") pursuant to the terms of the offering memorandum and consent solicitation statement, as amended, and the related letter of transmittal. The Company exchanged approximately $710.2 million, or approximately 78.9%, of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of Existing Notes pursuant to the terms of the exchange offer for approximately (i) 60.4 million shares of common stock, par value $0.00001 per share, of the Company (the "Shares"), (ii) $159.8 million aggregate principal amount of its new Senior Second Lien PIK Toggle Notes due 2020 (the "New Second Lien Notes") and (iii) $142.0 million aggregate principal amount of its new Senior Third Lien PIK Toggle Notes due 2021 (the "New Third Lien Notes" and, together with the New Second Lien Notes and the Shares, the "New Securities"). The Company also announced the closing of its new 1.5 lien secured term loan facility in the principal amount of $75.0 million (the "New Capital Financing"), the proceeds of which were used to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the Company's first lien revolving bank credit facility and to pay expenses related to the exchange offer and the New Capital Financing. Tracy W. Krohn, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are pleased to announce the closing of the exchange transaction, which reduced overall outstanding indebtedness by $408 million before the New Capital Financing. In addition to improving liquidity and reducing interest expense, the Company is now in a better position to take advantage of upside opportunities in our quality asset base and benefit from the eventual upcycle in the market, as well as other opportunities." The New Securities offered by the Company have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or any state securities laws and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The exchange offer and consent solicitation was not made to holders of Existing Notes in 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. This press release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to purchase, a solicitation of an offer to purchase or a solicitation of consents with respect to, any securities. About W&T Offshore W&T Offshore, Inc. is an independent oil and natural gas producer with operations offshore in the Gulf of Mexico and has grown through acquisitions, exploration and development. The Company currently has working interests in approximately 54 fields in federal and state waters (50 producing and four fields capable of producing) and 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 the Company's daily production is derived from wells it operates. For more information on W&T Offshore, please visit the Company's website at www.wtoffshore.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events, based on what it believes are reasonable assumptions. No assurance can be given, however, that these events will occur. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially including, among other things, market conditions, oil and gas price volatility, uncertainties inherent in oil and gas production operations and estimating reserves, unexpected future capital expenditures, competition, the success of the Company's risk management activities, governmental regulations, uncertainties and other factors discussed in W&T Offshore's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and subsequent Form 10-Q reports found at www.sec.gov or at the Company's website at www.wtoffshore.com under the Investor Relations section. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosures and risk factors in these reports. 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 NEW YORK, Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- To the 72 young men and women representing 41 countries at the 13th annual International Human Rights Summit, held this year at the United Nations in New York, it is time to end human rights abuse. From human trafficking to police brutality, extreme poverty, bullying, gang revenge and war, the delegates to the summit state that as brutal and violent as these are, they are resolved with education. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405385 "Gangs in Timor were responsible for over 200 deaths each year," said a youth delegate from Timor-Leste who has been part of the Youth for Human Rights volunteer force educating young people in their country on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights since 2011. "Now many of the over 300,000 young people who have received human rights education are young people who used to be part of these school gangs. These days, those school gangs have changed from being a problem to becoming human rights defenders because of the help of the human rights education program and the volunteers of our team." "Our humanity is in peril," said Rahaf, the youth delegate from Saudi Arabia. "We are being separatedlabeled by our religion, race, gender, nationality. Our unity relies on our humanity. It is our duty to teach and carry the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and practice it." The Armenian delegate, Mariam, spoke of the "internally displaced persons in Armenia" and the more than 17,000 Syrian refugees the country is integrating into the population. "We must stand up to such hate and ignorance and speak up for those whose voices have been silenced," she said, "those who are afraid to speak for fear of persecution. We must learn to accept our differences instead of trying to make sure we all fit the same mold." Mr. Augustine Brian, provincial project coordinator of World Vision and director of Youth for Human Rights for his nation, shared with the youth and the 400 guests attending the summit how human rights education can undercut and reverse abuse even in the primitive and often violent Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. Brian was a victim of police brutality, but rather than seek revenge he searched for a solution online and found Youth for Human Rights. He adopted the program and has taken it throughout his province. He has now educated and partnered with the very police force that perpetrated his assault, who are now working with him to ensure fair treatment of the people of their district. As the emcee of the Summit made clear, this is not just a problem in developing countries. Award-winning filmmaker Ronald Lang spoke of his new film on human trafficking that aims to raise awareness and spark a movement to end this barbaric activity. "Human trafficking happens all over the world, even in my own backyard here in New York and we need to put an end to it," said Lang. Youth delegates presented their work to their peers and the 400 guests attending and heard from human rights luminaries including ambassadors and representatives of permanent missions to the United Nations. In his presentation to the Summit, Ambassador Irenee Omositson Namboka, former United Nations Human Rights Protection Adviser and Associate Fellow, told the youth delegates that the right to education, including human rights education, is second only to the right to life. "Education is the primary vehicle by which economically and socially marginalized adults and children can lift themselves out of poverty and obtain the means to participate fully in their communities." Mr. Vineet Kapoor, Police Adviser and Aide de Camp to the Governor of Madhya Pradesh, India, spoke of the importance of human rights education for "youth who are in vulnerable positions and who must learn to know and claim their rights, that is those in compulsory and bonded labor, in hazardous industries, vulnerable to human trafficking, deprived of school or college education, vulnerable to drug trafficking and substance abuse, living in extreme poverty and deprivation and those who lack family and community support for their well-being." He stressed the importance of Youth for Human Rights International educational materials in the training of police officers, civil servants, government health staff and others in social services, so they come to understand that "it is not the authority of the state that they are exercising to dole out benefits to the public. Rather it is the duty of the state to deliver the claims of the rights-holding citizens whom they are duty bound to serve." Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) is the youth component of United for Human Rights, a global nonprofit organization. Founded in 2001 in Los Angeles, there are now more than 100 Youth for Human Rights International chapters around the world. Their award-winning educational materials are available in 27 languages, bringing the message of human rights to 195 nations. The 13th annual International Human Rights Summit was co-sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Guatemala to the UN, the Permanent Mission of Panama to the UN, Human Rights Africa, Diaspora Foundation, Artists for Human Rights, Ferguson Humanitarian Foundation International, Friends of the United Nations, United for Human Rights and the Human Rights Office of the Church of Scientology International. Related Images image1.jpg image2.jpg image3.jpg image4.jpg Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTHyeNwo-Fo This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com. SOURCE Youth for Human Rights International 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 Rudrapur (Deoria), Sep 6 : Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched his month-long Kisan Yatra from Rudrapur in the state's Deoria district. "Door-to-door campaign begins from village Pachladi. Met farmers and collected Kisan Maang Patras outlining their demands," Gandhi's official twitter handle said. The Yatra will cover 2,500 km by road covering 39 districts and 55 Lok Sabha constituencies of Uttar Pradesh. "Arrived in Rudrapur to a warm welcome and great enthusiasm. Join @INCIndia on this Kisan Yatra as we fight for rights of farmers, labourers and the poor," Gandhi said in an earlier tweet. Rahul is expected to meet farmers and unorganised sector workers during the campaign. There will also be roadshows in small and big towns but no large public meeting. Mumbai, Sep 6 : More than three years after a Delhi nurse, Preeti Rathi, died following an acid attack, a Special Women's Court on Tuesday convicted her obsessed neighbour Ankur Narayanlal Panwar for murder. Additional Sessions Judge A.S. Shende found Panwar, 27, guilty of murder and causing grievous hurt by throwing acid under the Indian Penal Code. "The convict had a one-sided love for the victim. He even asked her not to travel to Mumbai and the girl had rejected his marriage proposal," Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told the media after the verdict. "Out of jealousy, the convict attacked her with acid, which he purchased from New Delhi," Nikam said. The arguments on the quantum of the sentence will be taken up on Wednesday. A resident of Narela in New Delhi, Rathi, 23, was attacked by acid thrown at her by Panwar shortly after she alighted from the Garib Rath Express train at Bandra terminus on the morning of May 2, 2013. She succumbed to multiple organ failure on June 1 that year on account of the severe acid burns. Panwar had covered his face with a handkerchief and it became practically impossible for the investigators to identity him though Rathi had named him as one of the possible suspects. Both the victim and the accused - who was nabbed eight months after the crime was committed - were neighbours and family friends in Bhakra Beas Management Board Colony. He was nabbed on January 17, 2014 by the Mumbai Crime Branch from his New Delhi home after discarding all other suspects. The needle of suspicion pointed at Panwar only very late as his family and the victim's family were close friends. He later confessed to jealousy as the motive behind his attack since she had got a good, well-paying job but he remained unemployed. Rathi had secured a job as a lieutenant with the Indian Navy's INS Ashvini Hospital in Colaba and had come to Mumbai to join duty. Panwar claimed he was taunted and insulted by his own family members and neighbours for his inability to get work while Rathi managed to secure a prestigious assignment with the Indian Navy. Though he eluded investigators for eight months, Nikam said that call data records of Panwar, when tallied with the railway time tables, showed that he had travelled on the same train as the victim. It proved he was present at the spot at the time of the crime in Mumbai though his (Panwar's) family had earlier claimed he had gone to Haridwar and the Rathi family said they had not seen him on the train. During the hearings, Nikam brought forth how just days before the brutal acid attack, Rathi had confided to a friend about the death threats she got from Panwar. New Delhi, Sep 6 : The Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration to not take any action, till September 19, including the penalty against JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kanhaiya and seven others. Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva also asked the University to submit its response before the court on students' petition against the finding of the appellate authority. Kanhaiya Kumar has moved the high court challenging the findings of the university's appellate authority holding him guilty of indiscipline in connection with the controversial February 9 event on campus in which "anti-India" slogans were allegedly raised. The JNU appellate authority had imposed a fine on Kanhaiya Kumar and had asked him to file an undertaking stating that he will not participate in or be present at any illegal activity taking place on the JNU campus. Appearing for him, senior counsel Rebecca John told the high court that to asking him not to be present where illegal activity is going on is "excessive". On Monday, the high court had given similar relief to Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya, who were amongst the 21 students found guilty on indiscipline by the appellate authority, headed by the Vice Chancellor, which had upheld the decision of university's High-Level Enquiry Committee (HLEC). The university had slapped the students with varied punishments ranging from rustication, hostel debarment to financial penalty on the basis of probe by the HLEC. While the appellate authority reduced the fine of some students, for Khalid and Bhattacharya, the punishment remained the same. New Delhi, Sep 6 : Former Home Secretary G.K. Pillai on Tuesday urged the government to ignore the Hurriyat leaders for two years after they refused to talk to some MPs who visited the Kashmir Valley. "The Hurriyat leadership can be ignored for two years if they are not interested in talks," Pillai told reporters on the sidelines of a seminar on border security here. He went on: "These issues are peripheral and minor. We should work to empower the local people as they are more concerned about jobs and their children's education." He said the common people in Jammu and Kashmir were more interested about day-to-day affairs and economic issues. Later, talking to IANS, Pillai stressed the importance of empowering the locals and Panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir and said this would prove more vital to secure border areas and bring major improvement in the state. "At present in Jammu and Kashmir, local Panchayats do not have any power and steps should be taken to empower them. This will help bringing in new set of local leaders." Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who led an all-party delegation to Jammu and Kashmir, on Monday flayed Kashmiri separatist leaders after they refused to talk to some MPs from the team, saying their conduct defied the spirit of "Kashmiriyat". The delegation visited the state nearly two months after a bloody unrest erupted following the July 8 killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. At least 75 persons have been killed and over 12,000 injured in the weeks of the turmoil, the deadliest Kashmir has seen in six years. New Delhi, Sep 6 : Ahead of his visit to Laos to attend the 14th India-Asean Summit and the 11th East Asia Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that southeast Asia is the key to the development of India's northeastern region. "Asean is a key partner for our Act East Policy, which is vital for the economic development of our Northeastern region," Modi said in a pre-departure statement posted on his Facebook page. Modi will be attending the annual India-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) annual summit on September 7 and the East Asia summit on September 8. The India-Asean summit will be attended by the leaders of 10 southeast Asian nations - Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand. The East Asia summit will be attended by the leaders of the 10 Asean nations and those of India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Russia. "Our strategic partnership with Asean is also important for safeguarding and promoting our security interests and countering traditional and non-traditional security challenges in the region," Modi said in his Facebook post. "East Asia Summit is the premier forum for discussions on the challenges and opportunities before the Asia Pacific region." His statement assumes significance in the wake of his visit to Vietnam, India's country coordinator for the Asean, on Friday and Saturday. New Delhi elevated its relationship with Hanoi from Strategic Partnership to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership while announcing a $500-million defence credit line to the southeast Asian nation. "Our ties with the countries of South East Asia are truly historic," Modi stated. "Our engagement and approach can be best encapsulated in just one word - connectivity," he said. After the NDA government turned the UPA government's Look East Policy into Act East Policy, New Delhi has been working on a number of projects to improve connectivity with southeast Asia, the key projects being the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway and the Kaladan multi-modal transport project connecting the Sittwe port in Myanmar with Mizoram in northeast India. "We wish to enhance our physical and digital connectivity; to see greater people to people links; to strengthen our institutional linkages; and, to leverage the modern interconnected world for the mutual benefit of all our people," Modi said. "During the visit, I will also have the opportunity to interact with the leaders of participating countries to discuss bilateral issues of mutual concern," he added. Mexico City, Sep 7 : Three police officers and a helicopter pilot were killed when criminals downed an aircraft in Mexico's Michoacan state, officials said. The helicopter was carrying out an operation in the Apatzingan region that has difficult land access, tweeted Silvano Aureoles, the governor of Michoacan. The operation was focused on apprehending leaders of criminal cells, CNN quoted the governor as saying. It was not immediately clear how the helicopter was downed. Michoacan has long been a flash point in Mexico's drug war, and battles between criminals and security forces occur. In May 2015, a shootout left 42 gunmen and one federal police officer dead, CNN added. Canberra, Sep 7 : Australia and Britain have established a bilateral Trade Working Group to act as a stepping stone towards signing a free trade deal (FTA) once UK exits the European Union (EU). Following a series of meetings with his British counterpart, Australia's Trade Minister Steve Ciobo said on Wednesday both nations have a desire to secure a free trade deal once the Brexit formally occurs, Xinhua news agency reported. "We want the Working Group to advance an agenda that will ensure the expeditious transition to FTA negotiations when the UK (Britain) has formally completed its negotiations to exit the EU," Ciobo said in a statement. "Both of us want a future free trade agreement (FTA) to generate new trade and investment opportunities. We will prioritize consultation and outreach to our respective stakeholders to seek their input to the work of the Working Group. " Ciobo said the Working Group would not only act as a stepping stone towards a free trade deal between the historically-linked partners, but would also serve to involve Australia in further, plurilateral trade negotiations. He had agreed to meet with Britain's Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox, twice a year until Brexit occurs, Ciobo said. The first such meeting will take place in early 2017 in Australia, which will be preceded by discussions in Australia later this year. Manila, Sep 7 : The Philippine government is hoping for an "informal" meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and his US counterpart Barack Obama, after the latter cancelled an official meeting between the two leaders that was scheduled for Tuesday. Obama cancelled Tuesday's meeting after Duterte called him a "son of a whore" (in Tagalog) on Monday, shortly before leaving for Laos, Efe news reported. Philippine Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said there was still a possibility there could be some sort of a meeting between the two leaders, who are attending the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in Laos. Duterte and Obama may have a chance meeting at the gala dinner on Wednesday night, Jose said in an interview. Jose expressed confidence US-Philippines bilateral ties will remain unaffected by the diplomatic row. "There are more things that bind us together, so we are confident that we can continue with our friendship, partnership and cooperation with the US," he added. The Philippines on Tuesday tried to downplay the tension over Duterte's remarks, directed at the US President for criticising Duterte's aggressive anti-drugs campaign that has already left 2,500 people dead in the country. In a statement, released on Tuesday, Duterte expressed regret that the comments "came across as a personal attack on the US President". He said his government's primary intention is to chalk out an "independent foreign policy" while promoting closer ties with all nations, especially the US, a long-standing ally. The Philippines is one of the main allies of the US in the Pacific, where Obama has re-oriented the US foreign policy to counter China's growing influence in the region. Chennai, Sep 7 : Vijay Jayapal directed Tamil-English drama "Revelations" will have its world premiere at Busan International Film Festival next month. The director says such an honour is very special and the journey of his film has just begun. The festival is scheduled to take place between October 6-15. "It's a very special moment. Out of the 11 Indian films, ours is the sole Tamil film to have been selected. I had sent 'Revelations' to several film festivals across the globe and I believe its journey has just begun with Busan honour," Jayapal told IANS. To be screened under the category of A Window on Asian Cinema, "Revelations" stars popular television actor Chetan and Lakshmi Priyaa Chandramouli, apart from two newcomers. "It's an indie film; a drama about four people set in Kolkata. The film features 70 per cent dialogues in Tamil and the rest in English. When I set out to make the film, the intention was to only send it to film festivals." "However, the Busan honour has changed my perception and if it goes to other fests too, I might think of releasing it commercially," he said. Over the past few years, Tamil films such as "Kaaka Muttai" and "Kutrame Thandanai" made some noise at several film festivals across the globe. Admitting it as a growing trend, Jayapal said the sole purpose of sending films to film festival shouldn't be to create buzz. "The general perception is that film festivals are only for art-house films. What many filmmakers don't realise is that it's a big market to find potential buyers. I'm travelling to Busan next month and I hope to find a buyer for my film," he said. "Revelations" marks the directorial debut of Jayapal who, leaving behind a plush corporate career, chose to be filmmaker and so far has four short films to his credit. New Delhi, Sep 7 : A court here on Wednesday dismissed a plea seeking order to lodge an FIR against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party leaders for failure to deliver on their election promises, terming it as a "publicity stunt". Metropolitan Magistrate Harvinder Singh dismissed the plea of a social worker and a monthly magazine Kasan Yatra's editor, Pandit Narender Sharma, observing that he has filed the petition to gain publicity. The court said the plea cannot be allowed as there is no provision under law to proceed against any leader for his failure to deliver on promises made during election campaign. Sharma sought the court's direction for registering an FIR against Kejriwal and three other party leaders as they failed to deliver on their promises. Sharma alleged that projects were being delayed under the rule of Kejriwal and the aim of the leaders was to remain in the media headlines. Guwahati, Sep 7 : The Assam government will hold a cabinet meeting in river Island Majuli on Thursday. The Island, a sub-division now, will also be declared a full-fledged district. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and most ministers in his cabinet have already reached the Island. This is the first time a cabinet meeting will be held in the Island, which was the top seat of neo-Vaishnavite culture propagated by the 15th century saint, Srimanta Sankardev. "Majuli will become the nerve centre of governance in the state and people will have to help in realizing the true potential of Majuli," the Chief Minister told the media. New Delhi, Sep 7 : The BJP on Wednesday alleged that its Kerala unit Chief Kummanam Rajasekharan was the target of a bomb attack at a party office in Thiruvananthapuram and demanded an impartial probe into the matter. "We suspect that this attack was an attack on the party unit president itself," Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told a press conference here at BJP headquarters. A bomb was thrown on Tuesday night at the Kerala state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office around 45 minutes after Rajasekharan left the office. The Communist Party of India-Marxist-led Left government refuted the allegations, saying it had nothing to do with the attack and its workers were involved. "There should be an impartial probe into the matter and also on the attacks on BJP and RSS workers and sympathizers," she said, adding that attacks on saffron activists has risen since the Left government came to power. The Union Commerce Minister said: "The CPI-M has completed 100 days in office but there is no development and no governance in the state. Only one thing has happened during the period and that is political violence has increased in the state." She also alleged that no case is registered in police stations where BJP or a RSS person or anybody else goes. "CPI-M workers in the state are running the police stations. No case is registered or action taken on complaints of BJP and RSS workers who are being booked in false cases," she said. Vientiane (Laos) : Vientiane (Laos) Sep 8 (IANS) It was brief and it was only pleasantries, but President Obama and President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines spoke to each other on Wednesday, just two days after Dutertes insulting remark prompted Obama to cancel their first meeting. The two men spoke while they were waiting with other world leaders to enter a gala dinner at a summit meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations here, according to a White House official. The official did not say what the two men discussed, except to suggest that it was not substantive, the New York Times reported. Obama cancelled a formal meeting with Duterte after the Philippine leader called him a "son of a whore" and threatened to repeat it in person, if he raised the issue of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. Duterte later said he regretted the comments, which he described as an overreaction to news media reports he had read about Obama's plans to press him on his tactics for combating drug trafficking. Vientiane (Laos), Sep 8 : Ahead of the 14th India-Asean Summit and the 11th East Asia Summit here on Thursday, Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith said that his country supports a permanent seat for India in the UN Security Council (UNSC). "Laos PM said his country supported India as a permanent member of a reformed and expanded UNSC," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup informed the media after a bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sisoulith on Thursday morning. Stating that the two leaders discussed regional developments, Swarup said that "both countries shared the same perspective" on the South China Sea issue. An international arbitration tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in July ruled in favour of the Philippines in its dispute with China over the South China Sea. While the Philippines welcomed the ruling, China reacted angrily calling it "null and void". Several southeast Asian littoral nations have disputes with Beijing over the South China Sea. India has called for all parties concerned to respect the UN Convention for the Law of the Sea (Unclos). According to Swarup, during the meeting, Sisoulith appreciated India's consistent support for Laos since the country's independence "particularly in areas of human resources development, agriculture, irrigation and power". Modi said that he was especially happy to be in Vientiane at a time when India and Laos were celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. "Both Prime Ministers agreed to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in a befitting manner," Swarup stated. Modi is also scheduled to have meetings with South Korean President Park Geun-hye, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is the State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar, and US President Barack Obama later in the day. Soon after his arrival here on Wednesday, Modi held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The India-Asean Summit on Thursday will be attended by leaders of 10 southeast Asian nations - Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand. The East Asia Summit later in the day will be attended by leaders of the 10 Asean nations and those of India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Russia. Vientiane (Laos), Sep 8 : India and South Korea reviewed the progress made in the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the two sides here on Thursday. "The two leaders reviewed progress in the negotiations to improve the India-South Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) as also the $10 billion financial package announced by South Korea for India's infrastructure development," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said here following a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi South Korean President Park Geun-hye on the sidelines of the 14th India-Asean Summit and the 11th East Asia Summit. "The EXIM banks of the two countries are discussing modalities for the utilisation of the package," Swarup said. While Modi described his visit to South Korea in May last year as memorable, President Park said the profile of India was rising due to the Prime Minister's proactive leadership. "She complimented him on the success of India's economic development strategy, which had led to 7 percent plus growth rate despite the global slowdown," Swarup said. "The two leaders reviewed the Strategic Partnership which had been upgraded to a Special Strategic Partnership during the Prime Minister's visit to South Korea." Both leaders agreed that their shared commitment to democracy and free market economy and complementary strengths made both countries ideal partners. "President Park appreciated the Korea Plus programme initiated by the Prime Minister and said it would lead to further investments in India by Korean firms," the spokesperson said. The two leaders discussed further cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism and maritime security as also developments in the region. Modi also invited Park to visit, according to Swarup. Earlier in the day, Modi met host and Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith. He is also scheduled to meet US President Barack Obama later in the day. The India-Asean Summit on Thursday is being attended by leaders of 10 southeast Asian nations -- Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand. The East Asia Summit later in the day will be attended by leaders of the 10 Asean nations and those of India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Russia. Mexico City, Sep 8 : Five police officers were killed when the helicopter they were in was shot down by criminals in Mexico's Michoacan state earlier this week, the authorities announced here. The attorney-general's office of Michoacan (PGJE) tweeted on Wednesday that the only surviving police officer in the crash was receiving treatment for severe burns at a hospital in Morelia but he, too, has unfortunately passed away. "The PGJE honours the memory of the four public agents and the pilot who gave their lives in the line of duty," the attorney-general's office said on its official Twitter account, Xinhua news agency reported. It is suspected that some criminal elements shot down the helicopter with a .50 caliber rifle on Tuesday, causing it to crash in fields belonging to the municipality of La Huacana. The helicopter was carrying out an operation in the Apatzingan region that has difficult land access, Michoacan state Governor Silvano Aureoles tweeted on Wednesday. The operation was focused on apprehending leaders of criminal cells, he said. He also tweeted that the attack would not go unpunished and action was being taken to limit organised crime operations. According to the state government, an operation was underway to nab the leaders of a gang accused of kidnapping a local farmer. Michoacan has long been a flash point in Mexico's drug war, and battles between criminals and security forces occur frequently. In May 2015, a shootout left 42 gunmen and one federal police officer dead. New Delhi, Sep 8 : Popular for songs like "Akkad bakkad" and "Laung gawacha", DJ Nucleya, who mixes street style tunes with electronic music, says it's not always necessary to have international acts to headline a music festival. Nucleya, whose real name is Udyan Sagar, has performed at various music festivals, including NH7 Weekender, Sunburn and Vh1 Supersonic. Do international artistes overshadow home-grown talent? "Yes, definitely. I just did a gig in NSCI (Mumbai). It was my gig...and it was my album launch. Around 15,000 people were there. So, I don't think we need an international act to headline a festival all the time," Nucleya told IANS on the phone from Mumbai. The "Heer" hitmaker says musicians are making "incredible music right now". "Independent music is top notch at the moment. It's only going to get better from now," says the DJ, who has also performed at various international music events, including the Glastonbury Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Talking about mishaps which sometimes happen at music fests and gigs, he says: "It should be organised well. These things can be avoided very easily." The electronica artiste, who began his journey in the music industry towards the end of the 1990s when he co-founded the Bandish Projekt band, says the perception of people playing Bollywood music at festivals and gigs have changed. "At music festivals, I hardly see anybody playing Bollywood music. It definitely has changed quite a lot," says Nucleya, who has contributed to Bollywood films including the Rishi Kapoor-starrer "Kapoor & Sons", and doesn't mind listening to Hindi film songs. "If I talk about my personal taste, I listen to everything. I listen to electronic and Bollywood music," says the DJ, who opened the show for Skrillex at the Vh1 Supersonic Arcade last year. The song "Let's nacho", picturised on actors Sidharth Malhotra, Alia Bhatt and Fawad Khan, became an instant hit. So, does Nucleya wish to work on more Bollywood projects? "I am looking at projects which are interesting enough for me. It doesn't need to be a Bollywood project. If there is a Bollywood project interesting enough for me, then I will definitlely do it," says Nucleya. Talking about the song from "Kapoor & Sons", he informed: "If you see 'Let's nacho', it was based on a song I did earlier with Benny Dayal called 'Tamil fever'. It's a very different type of music. Thankfully and surprisingly, it worked." The musician feels that "this style of songs has appreciation and people do like it". "There is no harm in experimenting and trying new things," he adds. Nucleya recently created a new jingle for the radio station Red FM. He says the entire process of creating the jingle was "beautiful". "I was approached and was told that a new signature tune has to be designed. I was specifically told to bring the Nucleya flavour to it. That was the starting point. So, I designed a couple of tunes and sent them to the team. It was a very easy process." (Durga Chakravarty can be contacted at durga.c@ians.in) New Delhi, Sep 8 : Aam Aadmi Party leader Ashutosh on Thursday appeared before the National Commission for Women (NCW) in compliance with the women panel's summon dated September 5. "I appeared before them (NCW) because I have faith in the Constitution of this country and the institutions established by it," Ashutosh told reporters after coming out of the NCW office. "I told them that your letter is violation of my fundamental right. The Constitution gives me freedom of expression," he said. The NCW had summoned Ashutosh for writing an article in defence of sacked Delhi Minister Sandeep Kumar, which the women's panel found "insulting and demeaning" towards women. Sandeep Kumar was suspended after a sex tape featuring him surfaced last month. Kandhla (Uttar Pradesh), Sep 8 : "I never saw such communal tension in my life," Abdul Waheed, 65, recalls as his smile gives way to disarrayed wrinkles on his countenance. Only moments earlier, Waheed -- formerly of Hasanpur village in Shamli district -- came across as a contented, cheerful, elderly man, cracking jokes with fellow villagers gathered around him. But a question about what happened on the night of September 8, 2013, in his village unsettled him. "We were holed up in Sanjeev's compound. A frenzied mob waited outside to butcher us. They could have stormed in had Sanjeev not been an influential person," Waheed recalled, seated on a cot outside his new house in a rehabilitation colony some four kilometres from their original village. The Sanjeev Waheed was referring to is Sanjeev Singh, a Jat landlord who is now head of the panchayat under which Hasanpur falls. Waheed's is one of the 100-odd families which escaped from their village during the Muzaffarnagar riots which claimed over 60 lives and left thousands homeless. Their escape was largely due to some of their Hindu neighbours who kept the mobs at bay. In Lisadh village, barely a kilometre away from Hasanpur, several Muslims were killed that night. The frightened Muslims fled to Jaula village and lived in a refugee camp for almost a year. Waheed shudders as he speaks. A silence has descended on the small gathering that was minutes ago laughing and pulling each other's legs. All of them stared at death only three years ago. "A few in the village tried to foment trouble but some of the prominent villagers drove them away," said Mehr Deen, a teacher, breaking the silence. The affected families got Rs 5 lakh each as compensation from the Uttar Pradesh government which they used to buy plots on the outskirts of Kandhla and built houses with the help of NGOs. The area has come to be known as Nai Basti. "After the riots, people from our village met us and asked us to return. But we refused," Deen said. The first person to make the appeal was Sanjeev Singh, now the village head of Hasanpur and Lisadh. "A few of us have been asking them to return. We want them back in their homes," Sanjeev Singh told IANS over telephone. He recalled how he withstood pressure from his own community -- he is a Jat -- while protecting the Muslims. "A few were baying for their blood but I put my foot down and told the rioters that they will have to kill me as well. Then a few others (Hindus) supported me," Sanjeev said. Chaudhary Narender Singh, an elderly Jat from Hasanpur, said he was happy for the Muslim families now that their lives are back on track. The Jats have even offered to repair the houses of the Muslims damaged during the riots. And a few Muslim families have returned. Narender Singh had come to see Hanif Siddiqui and other villagers in their new settlement on his old Bajaj scooter. "They have built pucca houses. I am happy for them though I would like them to return. But there is no point in asking them now," Narender Singh said. The new settlement is surrounded by Muslim-dominated villages. However, the affected Muslim families miss the traditional support system they once had in their original village. There, the Muslims -- petty traders or labourers -- often borrowed money from well-off people on easy conditions. Now, the borrowing doesn't come easy. The local Muslims here usually keep a distance from the new settlers. "We don't interact with the locals except for Zeeshan pradhan (headman)," said Shamshad, a labourer. There is also an undercurrent of resentment over the Rs 5 lakh compensation the settlers got from the government. "They would have returned, like a few others, but the money spoilt their brains," a Jat villager of Hasanpur who did not wish to be named told IANS. Muslims who have lived here traditionally were also critical of the newly-arrived Muslims for not offering regular prayers at mosques. Amidst all the societal pulls and pressures, the affected Muslims are trying to build their lives anew. They await electricity and a two-kilometre pucca road till Kandhla town. (Mohd Asim Khan can be contacted on mohd.a@ians.in) Dubai, Sep 8 : A ride based on the superhero film "Krrish" is set to take off at Bollywood Parks Dubai. And actor Hrithik Roshan took the superhero avatar once again to shoot for the 4D flying theatre ride named Krrish: Heros Flight. The park has collaborated with Hrithik to recreate the magic of the hit film. Bollywood Parks Dubai, the world's first Bollywood-inspired theme park and a part of Dubai Parks and Resorts, will open on October 31, read a statement. Hrithik will appear as the lead from his movie "Krrish" and visitors will be able to join the masked hero on the region's first panoramic flying ride that takes in some of India's most famous landscapes. The ride follows the life of Krrish, the superhero, who faces an elaborate conspiracy orchestrated by an evil genius. The film was directed and produced by Rakesh Roshan, under the banner of Filmkraft Productions Pvt. Ltd. Keeping in line with the movie's cinematic brilliance, the theme park has collaborated with Prana Studios, who have been a part of various Hollywood projects in the past, including "Transformers", Disney's "Planes", "Tron" as well as "Skull Island: Reign of Kong at Florida". Ace cinematographer Sudeep Chatterjee has shot a behind the scenes video of the ride. The video will take Bollywood fans through the journey of the making of Krrish: Hero's Flight ride. Also seen working hard with the team at the shoot was action director Shyam Kaushal. And he said "Hrithik is nothing short of a perfectionist and he has put his heart and soul into every shot". The ride - located within Bollywood Film Studios featuring Hall of Heroes zone - will be a panoramic flying attraction based on simulation technology taking riders on a virtual tour over famous Indian landmarks while witnessing an epic battle with superhero Krrish. This zone will also be home to a Bollywood movie production and a live stage show, based on the blockbuster Bollywood Movie "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara". Located half an hour away from downtown Dubai, just before the Dubai-Abu Dhabi border in the United Arab Emirates, Bollywood Parks is an attempt to add to the tourism portfolio of the city. London, Sep 8 : European Council President Donald Tusk on Thursday urged British Prime Minister Theresa May to begin Brexit negotiations as soon as possible. Tusk, who met May ahead of the upcoming European Union Summit on September 16, stressed on the need for an immediate start to official Brexit discussions, EFE news reported. "I'm aware that it is not easy but I still hope you will be ready to start the process as soon as possible," Tusk said, adding that the decision to move the process forward was now in "the UK's court". Tusk tweeted that a quick initiation of negotiations was in "everyone's interest", and maintained that the EU's goal was to establish the closest possible relations with Britain. Since the June 23 referendum result that saw British voters opt to leave the 28-member bloc, European officials have called on May to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which would trigger the two-year negotiation process. May, in turn, said she wanted a "smooth" exit from the EU, but warned that Britain would not trigger the article this year. In the upcoming EU Summit in the Slovakian capital Bratislava, European leaders are expected to discuss the EU's post-Brexit future. Britain is not scheduled to attend the summit. Tusk told May that the summit members would not discuss future relations with the seceding island-nation and reiterated that Britain would need to submit its official request to exit. This was the first bilateral meeting between May and Tusk since the British PM took office after the Brexit triumph led to David Cameron's resignation. Tusk arrived in the UK from Ireland as part of a series of conversations with European leaders before the Summit. Mumbai, Sep 8 : Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker's latest Bollywood film "Mohenjo Daro", starring Hrithik Roshan in the lead, will be screened at the 45th Annual Conference on South Asia in Wisconsin, US. The annual conference that invites scholars, students, professionals and anyone interested in research on the region to Madison, Wisconsin, is a four-day event starting on October 20. The film will be screened on October 23. The conference is the leading annual meeting in the US for scholars of South Asian studies, attracting over 700 participants from around the world, to participate in various panels on archaeology. "When the conference chair Mitra Sharafi connected with me requesting permission to screen 'Mohenjo Daro' at their Annual Conference, I felt honoured and humbled," Gowariker said in a statement. He added: "I thank Jonathan Mark Kenoyer, a leading archaeologist who has spent over 30 years studying the Mohenjo Daro and Harappa sites for supporting the film and sharing his knowledge." Released in India on August 12, the film marks the debut of Pooja Hegde. It brings an epic adventure-romance story on the silver screen, and is set in the city of Mohenjo Daro in the era of the Indus Valley civilisation which dates back to 2,600 BC. Kenoyer and his team had visited Mumbai to provide Gowariker with all the archaeological findings in the early stages of pre-production of the film. They even visited the set in Bhuj to see its construction and look at all the props that would be used in the film. Mumbai, Sep 8 : Actress Kriti Kharbanda, who is making her Bollywood debut with "Raaz Reboot", says she was apprehensive about the kissing scenes in the film. Kriti said that as she has never kissed onscreen before, shooting the intimate scenes in front of the entire unit was "weird" for her. "'Raaz Reboot' doesn't have extreme boldness, but I was apprehensive about the kissing scenes. I have never kissed on screen before, so I was like I am not sure about this. The makers assumed that I have been working for a while so I must have done that on screen. "I was extremely apprehensive because doing it in front of the entire unit is weird," Kriti told IANS. Kriti has already made her mark in the film industry down south with projects like "Teen Maar", "Om 3D" and "Googly". Directed by Vikram Bhatt, "Raaz Reboot" features Emraan Hashmi, Kriti Kharbanda and Gaurav Arora. It will release on September 16. The 28-year-old actress shared her excitement as "Raaz Reboot" is her "biggest launch" in Bollywood that she "could ever have". "'It's a successful franchise and Vikram Bhatt is known for his horror films and no one can beat him on this genre," Kriti said. Majuli, Sep 8 : The world's largest river Island Majuli became India's first and only island district after the Assam government on Thursday gave approval for its upgradation. The 352 square km island was till now a subdivision of Jorhat district. With the upgrade, it has become the 35th district of Assam. A state Cabinet meeting was held on the island on Thursday, which was attended by all Cabinet colleagues of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The meeting unanimously made several key decisions to develop the island district into a developed one in the days to come. Sonowal also inaugurated the Deputy Commissioner's office of the Majuli district and addressed a public meeting. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in Assam had decided to upgrade the Majuli subdivision to a district in its first ever Cabinet meeting on May 24, immediately after assuming office in the north-eastern state. Sonowal contested from Majuli constituency in the Assam assembly elections in April and defeated Congress candidate Rajib Lochan Pegu, who had represented the constituency for the last three terms since 2001. "When I proposed in the Cabinet that Majuli be upgraded to a district, everyone agreed. So the credit goes to everyone in the Cabinet. However, as I represent Majuli in the assembly, my responsibility is more. People of the island will not forgive me if I fail to translate their dreams into reality," the Chief Minister said at the public rally on the island on Thursday. "Majuli has a lot of problems. A lot needs to be done. The government will leave no stone unturned to make it one of the best and developed districts of the state," Sonowal said. The Chief Minister said that his government was also preparing a dossier to be presented to Unesco authorities for getting the World Heritage Site status for the island. Speaking on the occasion, Assam Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said the island will be connected with Guwahati through bus service. Other steps will also be taken to develop communications network for the benefit of Majuli residents, he added. The Chief Minister has announced a cultural university as well as an ayurvedic hospital in Majuli. Housing a population of over 1.5 lakh, Majuli faces flood and erosion every year. The island has already lost 60 per cent of its landmass to erosion since 1950. The island is mostly accessible through boats and remains cut off from the rest of the state during floods, causing great miseries to its residents. Majuli residents hitherto had to visit Jorhat by crossing the mighty Brahmaputra river for every single administrative work. The government has assured that offices of all state departments will be opened in Majuli within two to three months. Dubai, Sep 8 : United Arab Emirates authorities on Thursday ordered release of a number of prisoners from punitive and reformative institutions ahead of the Eid-ul-Adha which falls on September 12 in the gulf region. On the occasion of the festival, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan pardoned 442 prisoners. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai who also serves as Vice President and Prime Minister, ordered the release of 488 inmates in the city. The ruler of Ajman, Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al-Nuaimi, also ordered the release of 110 prisoners. Another 122 inmates to be released on orders issued by Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, Emir of the Ras Al-Khaima sheikhdom. The inmates will be released after they meet the terms of amnesty. Sheikh Saud bin Rashid al-Mualla expressed hope that the pardoned prisoners would turn good citizens and join their families for Eid. Vientiane, Sep 8 : US President Barack Obama on Thursday called Donald Trump "wacky" and "uninformed" after the Republican candidate said Russia's President Putin was a better leader. Speaking in Laos, according to BBC, Obama said that every time Trump spoke it became clearer that the Republican contender was not qualified to be president. In a televised forum on Wednesday, Trump had praised Putin's "great control" and 82 per cent approval rating. Trump and rival Hillary Clinton had taken questions from military veterans. Obama said: "I don't think the guy's qualified to be president of the US and every time he speaks, that opinion is confirmed." The president pointed to the diplomatic work he had faced at both the Asean summit in Laos and the earlier G20 meeting in China. He said: "I can tell you from the interactions I have had over the last eight or nine days with foreign leaders that this is serious business. "You actually have to know what you are talking about and you actually have to have done your homework. When you speak, it should actually reflect thought-out-policy you can implement." Trump had told the forum in New York that the Russian president had "been a leader far more than our president has been". New Delhi, Sep 8 : Delhi Police on Thursday told the court that it is searching for the dustbin where sacked AAP Minister Sandeep Kumar has thrown a recording device used for making a sex video featuring him. The police submission came while seeking extension of police custody remand of Kumar. During in-camera proceedings, Special Judge Poonam Chaudhary remanded Kumar to one day police custody after he presented before her the expiry of his three-day police custody. According to court sources, Delhi Police has sought custody of Kumar on the ground that during investigation it was revealed that Kumar has dumped the mobile phone and other device used for making the "objectionable video" in a dustbin, and it has to be recovered. Public Prosecutor Balbir Singh said that Kumar was not cooperating in the probe and the probe agency has to recover the original electronic device used for making the sex video. However, the police plea was opposed by Kumar's defence counsel Pradeep Rana who submitted that the police had not done any substantial investigation in the past four days and has not been able to find out the source of the alleged video yet. He also said that seeking extension of custody for recovery of an old video does not hold strong ground. Kumar is being quizzed 19 hours every day but police has failed to recover the alleged recording source, he said. The former Social Welfare and Women and Child Development Minister in the Delhi government was arrested last week after a woman approached Sultanpuri police station in north Delhi with a complaint of sexual harassment against him, following which a case was filed. Kumar was booked under Sections 376 (punishment for rape) and 328 (causing hurt by means of poison, with intent to commit an offence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He was also charged under the Information Technology Act's Section 67A (punishment for publishing or transmitting of material containing sexually explicit act in electronic form). The woman had alleged in her complaint that she was sexually harassed by Kumar at his office-cum-residence in Sultanpuri area where she had gone to get her ration card made. She had also alleged that Kumar had offered her a spiked cold drink following which she could not recall what exactly happened with her and how she had acted. A Delhi Police team on Sunday visited the same house where the woman had alleged she was raped. Kumar was sacked after the alleged "sex video" involving him became viral. He later defended himself, saying he had resigned on his own and claimed that he had been targeted because he was a Dalit. Mumbai, Sep 8 : In a historic verdict, a Mumbai Special Court on Thursday awarded death penalty to a Delhi man, Ankur Narayanlal Panwar, for hurling acid at Preeti A. Rathi, leading to her death in 2013. "This is the first case of death penalty in an acid attack case in the country after the amendment to the relevant laws in 2013. It will serve as a major deterrent to potential offenders," Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told IANS, hailing the judgement. Special Women's Court Special Judge A.S. Shende, who on Tuesday found the accused guilty, pronounced the death sentence after hearing the defence and prosecution on the quantum of punishment. "As per the mitigating and aggravating circumstances of the case, the accused ... will be hanged by his neck till death, subject to confirmation by the Bombay High Court," the judge said in her ruling. During the arguments, Nikam sought death for the convict on grounds that this case fell in "the rarest of rare" category. It is the 38th case in his legal career in which Nikam has secured death sentence. Defence lawyer Apeksha Vora argued for life sentence citing the hotel management graduate Panwar's young age, his poor family background and lack of any past criminal record. The Special Women's Court found him guilty under Indian Penal Code Section 324B and Section 302 for causing grievous hurt by acid attack and murder. The 23-year old victim, Rathi was a nurse and had arrived in Mumbai to join the Indian Navy's INS Asvini Hospital as a nurse when the incident cut short her life and career. "The fatal attack on Rathi has a larger impact on society. She was looking forward to her job in Indian Navy but was killed mercilessly. The offence is a glaring case of such acid attacks on women," Nikam argued. "The convict had a one-sided love for the victim. He asked her not to travel to Mumbai and wanted to marry her, but the girl had rejected his marriage proposal," Nikam told the media after the verdict. Out of sheer jealousy he planned her murder, followed her all the way to Mumbai and then threw acid on her at Bandra Terminus station, he added. The incident occurred on the morning of May 2, 2013 when Preeti, accompanied by her father Amar Singh Rathi, an aunt and an uncle alighted from the Garib Rath Express at Bandra. Minutes later, an unknown person with his face covered hurled nearly two litres of sulphuric acid at Rathi and disappeared in seconds. The severely injured and profusely bleeding girl was rushed to a hospital for treatment but succumbed to multiple organ failure arising out of the acid burns on June 1. "I am fully satisfied by the verdict. Justice has been done to our daughter," said the victim's father Rathi. Rathi said if the convict challenged it in the Supreme Court, he would fight the case there too. The Special Court relied on eyewitness accounts of other passengers at the railway station, the accounts of witnesses who saw him buying the acid from a New Delhi shop and his (Panwar's) own injuries while hurling the acid. Without solid leads, the Mumbai Police had arrested an engineering student from Rohtak, Haryana, but he was let off due to lack of evidence. Since Panwar had covered his face, it became practically impossible for the investigators to identify him though Rathi had named him as one of the possible suspects. It was only some 45 days after the Mumbai Crime Branch took over the case that Panwar was finally nabbed from his Delhi home on January 17 - around eight months after the incident. Panwar claimed he was taunted and insulted by his own family members and neighbours for his inability to get employment while Rathi had secured a prestigious assignment with the Indian Navy. Both the victim and the accused were neighbours and family friends in Bhakra Beas Management Board Colony. During the trial, call data records of Panwar when tallied with the railway time tables showed that he had travelled on the same train as the victim. It proved Panwar was present at the spot at the time of the crime in Mumbai though his family had earlier claimed he had gone to Haridwar and the Rathi family said they had not seen him on the train. Earlier, a Rs 200,000 compensation was given to the victim's parents by the District Legal Services Authority's Victim Compensation Committee. Kozhikode, Sepetmber 08 : BJP Kerala unit general secretary K Surendran has accused the CPI(M) of falling back on violence to counter the rise of the saffron party in the State. Speaking to reporters in Kozhikode on Thursday, Surendran said that having become convinced they could tie the UDF down in corruption cases, the CPI(M) was now embracing violence as a weapon to counter the BJP. The CPI(M) was unleashing violence against the BJP to stop the latter from expanding its footprint in the State, he added. Surendran also charged that the move against the RSS by the government was also aimed at countering the growth of the BJP. The RSS shakhas were functioning in the State legally, and did not require the States charity, he asserted, challenging the CPI(M) leadership to show an instance of any case registered against RSS shakhas in any police station in the State. By going after the RSS, the CPI(M) was trying to appease the anti-national forces that extended supported to them during assembly and local body polls, Surendran charged. If the CPI(M) refused to shun the use of violence against the BJP, the saffron party would take to the streets, mobilising the support of all pre-democratic forces, he stated. The war of words between the CPI(M) and the BJP were rekindled after an unidentified person threw a crude bomb at the State committee office of the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram the other day. Bengaluru, Sep 8 : Karnataka will shut down on Friday to protest against the state government releasing Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu on a Supreme Court directive amid deficit rains. With political parties also supporting the day-long shutdown called by a federation of over 500 pro-Kannada organisations, including farmers, traders and businesses, security has been stepped up and additional forces deployed across the state to maintain law and order. In Bengaluru, which solely depends on the river for drinking water to its 10-million denizens, the IT industry, comprising software majors Infosys and Wipro and about 400 multinationals, declared a holiday for its techies in support of the shutdown. In the absence of buses, taxis, autos and other vehicles, there will be no public transport from dawn-to-dusk in cities and towns across the state. The Karnataka government has declared a holiday for all schools and colleges to prevent inconvenience to students and teachers. Though government offices will remain open, attendance is likely to be thin in the absence of public transport, including metro services in Bengaluru. Banks, shops, markets, malls, hotels, bars, pubs, eateries, restaurant, theatres and petrol bunks will also remain closed during the day. "As releasing water has stirred the sentiments of the people, we do not oppose the bandh (shutdown), but it should be peaceful," Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters here and appealed to the people not to damage public property. Essential supplies, including milk and medicines, have been exempted from the shutdown. Ambulances will be allowed to ferry patients to hospitals. Train and air passengers departing or arriving in the city will have to depend on private vehicles for commuting from railway stations and airport or be stranded till evening in the absence of buses, cabs and autos. Bowing to the apex court's Monday order, the state began releasing daily 15,000 cusecs from early Wednesday from Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) and Kabini reservoirs across the river basin for 10 days amid protests and demonstrations by farmers, traders and youth in the Mysuru region. Admitting that frequent shutdowns cause inconvenience to the public, Kannada Okkuta (federation) president Vatal Nagaraj said there was no alternative to protest against injustice and failure of the government in protecting the interests of the people, especially farmers. Churu (Rajasthan), Sep 8 : There was great enthusiasm among students of this small town, some 200 kms from Rajasthan capital Jaipur, as they got an opportunity on Thursday to directly interact with Union Minister for Human Resource Development Prakash Javdekar and pepper him with questions on a variety of issues. The interaction, under an initiative called "Sarthi", was officially launched on International Literacy Day at three centers -- Churu, Chaksu and Udaipur. In Churu, about 500 students directly communicated with the minister as well as counsellors present at the three locations. One student wanted the minister's views on the "controversy related to high scoring by some state boards... like Tamil Nadu", referring to students from the state getting admissions to prestigious Delhi University colleges because of their high grades. "Don't you think CBSE and state boards need a uniform syllabus," asked the student. The minister said the government is looking at instances such as these and was hoping to bring about some form of uniformity. There was a question that since education is generally regarded as a slow-moving sphere of social policy, why has the ministry not been more pro-active? "We are working towards bringing both qualitative and quantitative changes in education system," the minister said. This Sarthi initiative is expected to enable the youth gain the latest information on career opportunities and courses across the country to enable them exercise their options. In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Javadekar was also joined by eminent educational and career counsellors who tried to answer the queries of young students both on higher education and career opportunities. This one-to-one engagement was a rare opportunity for many young people of Churu, a town known for its extreme temperatures in both summer and winter. It was especially a boon for those who cannot afford to travel on their own to cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Jaipur. They could not have dreamt of such an exposure to eminent educationists and counsellors as was provided to them on this year's International Literacy Day through the joint efforts made by the Future Society, an NGO active in Churu since the last 8 years and the Vipra Foundation. "This initiative will help rural youth to join universities and will provide them a platform and a proper path to build carrier," Future Society vice president Sushil Sharma told IANS. The initiative will help and guide students from Churu and other remote parts of Rajasthan to make informed choices about their future -- be it higher studies or job opportunities, he said, adding: "Our effort will be to replicate this experiment on a larger scale both at the state and the national level." "Employment is a big problem for both rural and urban youth in the country. The reason for this is not only lack of opportunities but also lack of proper information. Sarthi hopes to bridge that gap," a statement said. Rajasthan Labour and Employment Minister Surender Pal Singh said this project will certainly help in promoting the Make in India and Skill India initiatives. (Anil Sharma can be contacted at anil.s@ians.in) Bhopal, Sep 8 : The centrally-funded Regional Institute of Opthalmology in Bhopal, which treats numerous patients and has top research facilities, has come under a cloud after the Madhya Pradesh government recently opened a new Eye Disease Department at the Gandhi Medical College, claims an RTI activist. In 1984, the Central Health Department in its Blindness Prevention Programme had chosen six places for developing the Regional Opthalmology Institutes, including Gandhi Medical College as one of them. These institutes were aimed to improve the eye health of the people. There are currently one Opthalmology Institute in each state. RTI activist, Ashwaria Pandey, has filed a complaint against the state Medical Education Department alleging that changes were made in rules and regulations for giving benefit to a particular group of people for starting of a new state Eye Department. The documents unveiled that in 1995 the state government had decided to change the Eye Department, under the Gandhi Medical College, into a regional Eye Science Institute. The employees of the Eye Department were then sent to the Eye Institute, which is funded by the Central government. It has all the facilities of research from modern equipment to other innovative resources. Despite the centrally-funded Regional Opthalmology Institute, the state government has setup another Eye Department. Pandey told IANS that some central leaders using their influence want to "shift" the Regional Opthalmology Institute to another state. State Health Minister Sharad Jain questioned on the issue said "We will look into the matter and inquire why the Eye Department is being started after we already have one." Talking with IANS, Ulka Shrivastav, Dean of Gandhi Medical College confirmed that the college has started an Eye Department on directions of the state Government. Lalit Shrivastav, head of Madhya Pradesh Medical officers Council, said the institute running with financial support of the Central Government has a very good reputation in Bhopal and people are proud of it. "Students find good options for research and it gives better treatment and facilities to patients. We have already an operational Opthalmology Institute but it is a question, why there was a need for starting one more as the Central Government had made this institute," Shrivastav said. Mumbai, Sep 8 : Choreographer-director Farah Khan has lauded film director and actor Prabhu Deva, saying he is the most humble person in Bollywood. "I am Prabhu's biggest fan. I think he knows that I started my career watching him dancing. He is multi-talented. First, he was a dancer and then became a choreographer, hero, and director. I think he is the sweetest and humble person in the entire film industry." she expressed at the trailer launch of film "Tutak Tutak Tutiya". As actor Sonu Sood prepares for the release of his maiden production venture, Tutak Tutak Tutiya, Farah was present to release the trailer of the film. "I have choreographed him (Prabhu Deva) in Sapne. It was so satisfying to me that I could have taken a retirement after that," she added. Farah has done a special appearance in the film .She would be seen sharing screen space with Action Jackson. The "Happy New Year" helmer also heaped praise on actor turned producer Sonu Sood. "Sonu is the nicest, most handsome and fittest actor in the film industry. I wish him all the best for his new venture." New Delhi, Sep 8 : The Delhi High Court on Thursday quashed the appointment of 21 parliamentary secretaries even as the counsel for AAP government said the verdict "may help get relief" for the party MLAs in the office of profit case before the Election Commission. Following the submission of the government counsel and in light of its recent judgement giving primacy to the LG in administrative control of the capital, a bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal quashed the appointments. In his reaction to the court order, Sudhir Nandrajog, who appeared during Thursday's hearing, told IANS: "The court order may help to get relief for the 21 MLAs in the office of profit issue now pending before the Election Commission" "The court quashed the appointments in the absence of Lt. Governor's nod, and in view of this the very appointment itself of the parliamentary secretaries was void since day one. Hence if the appointment order is a void order then the question of office of profit issue does not arise," he said. During the court hearing, the AAP government counsel conceded in the court that the Lt Governor's approval was not taken in the matter. The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by NGO 'Mukti Morcha' challenging the AAP government's decision to appoint party legislators as parliamentary secretaries. Nagendar Sharma, media advisor to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, said: "After today's (Thursday) High Court order there is no Parliamentary Secretary in Delhi." Sharma said they will not move the Supreme Court over the issue. "Why should we go to Supreme Court?," he asked. The BJP and Congress welcomed the court order saying it was an vindication of the charges against the AAP. "Today's judgement will be seen as a confirmation of the charges of anarchic behaviour by Kejriwal," Delhi unit chief of BJP Satish Upadhyay told reporters. "Whatever Kejriwal government has done in the case of parliamentary secretaries is a criminal conspiracy and we had apprised the Election Commission about it," he said. Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi assembly Vijender Gupta also said that the party leaders will meet the Election Commission and hand over a copy of the High Court judgment and request the panel to announce its decision in the case seeking disqualification of 21 AAP MLAs. Congress spokesman Ajoy Kumar said, "All the 21 MLAs of the AAP should be disqualified". "What AAP has done by appointing 21 MLAs as parliamentary secretaries is completely illegal and unconstitutional," Kumar told IANS. AAP spokesman Dilip Pandey also said following the court order there is no parliamentary secretary in Delhi now. But with regard to the verdict and whether it can help get relief to the legislators, Pandey said: "This will technically depend on the Election Commissison's conscience." After coming to power in February 2015, the Arvind Kejriwal government appointed the parliamentary secretaries, saying this would facilitate smooth functioning but would not be any burden on the exchequer. In June this year, a major row was sparked off on the issue of Office of Profit after President Pranab Mukherjee rejected the Delhi government's bill to exclude the post of Parliamentary Secretary from the office of profit. The Delhi Government had sought an amendment to the Delhi Members of Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualification) Act, 1997. Earlier, the city government had taken the line that appointment of the party MLAs as parliamentary secretaries does not amount to creation of a "public office". On Thursday, AAP maintained that none of the parliamentary secretaries was given pecuniary benefits. Surat, Sep 8 : Hundreds of Patidars on Thursday kicked up a ruckus here at a public meeting meant to showcase the BJP's support of the Patel community, compelling BJP President Amit Shah to cut short his speech. Police used lathis and tear gas to quell violence. Despite large deployment of police and paramilitary forces, Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) supporters sported saffron caps and barged into the venue where legislators of the Patel community were to be felicitated by Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Belying the organizers' claim that lakhs of Patels would attend the function, hardly about 10,000 turned up amid heavy police deployment while over 500 supporters of PAAS, led by BJP dissident MLA Nalin Kotadia, laid virtual siege of the place and prevented people from reaching it. Police used lathis and burst tear gas shells to disperse the PAAS supporters. The PAAS supporters started raising slogans like "Jai Sardar, Jai Patidar" and hurled chairs as soon as Amit Shah and Rupani stood on the stage. Both the BJP leaders cut short their speeches to a couple of minutes as a result of the bedlam. Amit Shah, ironically, said: "The Patidars were the backbone of the growth of Gujarat and the BJP." Earlier, a life-size cutout of Amit Shah, put up outside the venue, was damaged by the PAAS supporters. Police took into custody over 100 people, including PAAS district convenors. The felicitation of Patel community legislators was organised by some local businessmen to express confidence in the BJP government. PAAS supporters, who roamed around the venue preventing people from attending the function, pelted stones at the policemen deployed to provide security to Shah and other leaders of the BJP. The PAAS protesters also damaged a couple of state transport buses in the Patel-dominated Varachha Road area. State transport buses were withdrawn and diverted to other routes. The Surat Collector ordered the closure of mobile Internet service in and around the city as a precaution to prevent the spread of rumours through social media. Kolkata, Sep 8 : Raising fresh hopes of industry returning to Singur, from where Tata Motors had to shift its proposed Nano factory eight years back, a West Bengal minister on Thursday said industry would be set up in the rural pocket if the people there so desire. Days after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the power transmission and distribution tower set up in the area by the erstwhile Left Front government over 40 acres will be dismantled, Power Minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay said the transmission centre will be rebuilt in a nearby area. "I have asked officers to carefully remove the machinery of the transmission towers. We have discussed with the Hooghly district administration about availability of land near the project area," the minister said. "The stations are reusable. We have to build power stations in the area... only the destination may change," he said. The minister said around Rs 80 to 85 crore was spent for building the power infrastructure. The LF government had set up the infrastructure to cater to the need of the then proposed factory and its ancillary units. The plant and the towers had remained unused after Tata Motors shifted the factory to Sanand in Gujarat. "If the people of Singur want industry and they tell the Chief Minister, industry will be set up here. It was for the people that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee fought such a long battle," Chatterjee said. Now work is all at full steam to carry out a land survey after the Supreme Court on August 31 set aside the land acquisition by the Left Front regime and ordered to return the 997.11 acres of acquired land to the owners within 12 weeks. Banerjee had undertaken a 26-day hunger strike in Kolkata in December 2006, against the "forcible land acquisition" in Singur, and demanding 400 acres taken from farmers unwilling to part with their land be returned to them. She later travelled to the rural pocket and laid siege on the factory for 14 days in 2008. On October 3, 2008, then Tata Sons' chairman Ratan Tata announced the factory will be shifted out of Singur. Jaipur, Sep 8 : To give a boost to tourism, Rajasthan's civil aviation department signed an air services operation agreement to various cities in the state with Supreme Air Lines here on Thursday, an official statement said. Rajasthan's Director of Civil Aviation Kesari Singh and Supreme Transport Organisation Pvt Ltd President and CEO Ammeet K Agarwal signed agreement in the presence of Principal Secretary, General Administration Department and Civil Aviation, Pawan Kumar Goyal, said a state government statement. It said that in the first phase, flights would be launched from Jaipur to Jodhpur and Udaipur from as early as next week. For both these flights, minimum airfare has been fixed at Rs 3,499 per passenger. "Afterwards flights would be operated from other cities as well," a Civil Aviation Department official told IANS. As per the pact, Supreme Air Lines would operate intra-state flights for six days in a week with a 9-seater Sesana Caravan-C 208B plane. Several locations of world-class tourism, religious, historical and heritage importance would be benefitted out of these air services. Every year, 12 to 14 lakh foreign tourists and over 2 crore domestic tourists visit Rajasthan, which is famous for its heritage, culture, forts and palaces. The travel industry hopes that this air services would help in giving a fillip to tourist arrivals. "Poor air connectivity was hampering between cities was affecting tourism arrivals. Now with these services being launched, tourists would certainly come in more numbers and stay more in the state," said travel agent Karan Singh. The Penn Libraries Selects Ex Libris Alma for Unified Resource Management Ex Libris, a ProQuest company, is pleased to announce Ex Libris Alma library management solution has been selected to serve the Penn Libraries unified resource management needs. PHILADELPHIA, PA and CHICAGO, IL, September 8, 2016 The Penn Libraries and Ex Libris, a ProQuest company, are pleased to announce that the Ex Libris Alma library management solution has been selected to serve the Penn Libraries unified resource management needs. The Penn Libraries is the 31st member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) to opt for the Alma service, establishing it as a leader among library systems being adopted within ARL. With its comprehensive functionality, maturity, and openness, Alma will enable the Penn Libraries to continue to work with open-source discovery and adopt more optimal workflows. The Penn Libraries serve the world-class faculty and students of the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League institution. A founding member of the BorrowDirect resource-sharing partnership, the Penn Libraries is also active in the Blacklight Hydra and VIVO open source communities.Alma is a robust, proven alternative for managing research library workflowsarguably the most mature system on the market today, said H. Carton Rogers III, vice provost and director of the Penn Libraries. Its technology will facilitate system-to-system integrations, helping us customize the user experience and enabling our IT practices to conform to our business processes rather than the other way around. With our transition to Alma, we will still be able to use the Summon index for federated article search as well as retain our own discovery innovations achieved with Franklin, our locally designed discovery solution. As a cloud-based service, Alma will free us from maintaining a costly and staff-intensive computing infrastructure. Rogers continued, Ex Libris will bear the responsibility of managing servers, software updates, and disaster recovery, thus enabling us to focus on service provision, feature improvements, and other IT priorities. We have been using Voyager for nearly twenty years, and the fact that Voyager and Alma share a common lineage through Ex Libris and earlier developers assures us of an easy migration. We look forward to continuing our fruitful, long-standing relationship with our partners at Ex Libris. Jane Burke, Ex Libris vice president of customer success, noted, All of us are thrilled that the Penn Libraries have opted for Alma. We shall be collaborating closely with them on integrating Alma with open-source discovery as well as on enhancing library workflows. The adoption of Alma by the Penn Libraries is proof once again of Almas standing as the library management system of choice for academic libraries. About the Penn Libraries The Penn Libraries serve the world-class faculty and students of the University of Pennsylvanias 12 schools. The Libraries collections comprise more than seven million volumes, nearly 200,000 journals, some three million digitized images, and extraordinary rare and unique materials that document the intellectual and cultural experience of ancient and modern civilizations. Through collaborative relationships, the Libraries supplement Penns great local collections with access to the Center for Research Libraries (approximately five million items), the combined holdings of all the Ivy League schools (more than 70 million volumes), and exclusive electronic access to some two million public domain titles in the HathiTrust collections. Today, the Libraries play a role in developing new technologies for information discovery and dissemination and are noted for contributions to digital library design. To learn more about the Penn Libraries, visit http://www.library.upenn.edu. About Ex Libris Ex Libris, a ProQuest company, is a leading global provider of cloud-based solutions for higher education. Offering SaaS solutions for the management and discovery of the full spectrum of library and scholarly materials, as well as mobile campus solutions driving student engagement and success, Ex Libris serves thousands of customers in 90 countries. For more information about Ex Libris, see our website, and join us on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter. About ProQuest (http://www.proquest.com) ProQuest connects people with vetted, reliable information. Key to serious research, the companys products are a gateway to the worlds knowledge including dissertations, governmental and cultural archives, news, historical collections and ebooks. ProQuest technologies serve users across the critical points in research, helping them discover, access, share, create and manage information. The companys cloud-based technologies offer flexible solutions for librarians, students and researchers through the ProQuest, Bowker, Coutts information services, Dialog, ebrary, EBL, and SIPX businesses and notable research tools such as the Summon discovery service, the RefWorks citation and reference management platform, MyiLibrary ebook platform, the Pivot research development tool and Intota. The company is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with offices around the world. Royal Avenue, in Belfast has been the heart of a fintech renaissance in the City We are thrilled to be basing our central offices in Belfast, theres a lot of talent here and as a local born and reared, I have a particular interest in developing the city and putting Northern Ireland on the blockchain map. Global computing firm Razormind has chosen to locate their European Headquarters in Belfast creating 12 jobs, 20 paid internships, a new blockchain lab, and installing 10 BitCoin ATMs over the next 12 months. The offices will be located in The Scottish Provident Building, next to City Hall. Razormind currently has European sites in London, Paris, and Munich for which the Belfast HQ will take a leading role. Blockchain Lab The new offices coincide with the opening of the first blockchain research lab in Belfast in collaboration and partnership with Universities in the Belfast area. The lab - codenamed "Razor's Edge" - will be situated in South Belfast near the Queens University - an institution known for public research. Razor's Edge will focus on applications for banking, payments, enterprise and industry with the priority on immediate benefits to the Northern Irish economy. Blockchain and Belfast To help Belfast industry recognize the potential returns of incorporating blockchain into their operations, Razormind will provide workshops and training in blockchain technology to local businesses. A paid internship program is also now available offering commercial experience, client exposure, references, and recommendations for future work for graduates, students, and industry professionals interested in working on corporate projects. The internships salary starts at 1000 per month. We are investing in Belfast as it is our home and the best place in Europe to do business with an international scope. In order to catalyse this we will welcome 20 paid interns. We've also agreed to set up a blockchain lab in South Belfast to encourage new local startups and research use-cases. Jawad Yaqub, CEO, Razormind To encourage local engagement Razormind are partnering with the local bitcoin association in Northern Ireland (BANI), a non-profit voice of bitcoin, blockchain and cryptocurrencies in Northern Ireland. The new partnership will focus on providing everyday services into the community to benefit users of blockchain technology. 10 new BitCoin ATMs for Belfast Bitcoin and Blockchain currencies are untaxed under UK and EU Law and it is anticipated this expansion will help accelerate the local economy. Several new tax free bitcoin ATM's are destined for key locations around the city (such as the airports, universities, the city centre) which align with known bitcoin hotspots. The investment will see Belfast having the largest number of bitcoin ATMs per head than any other city in the UK, and the USA and Canada. DeOS Razormind are announcing the new European Headquarters in the final stages before the release of their decentralised operating system (DeOS) on October 10th. DeOS is powered by a modified blockchain which can safely store data and creates a sustained, worldwide, public supercomputer accessible a familiar desktop interface, or through a mobile phone. Two years in development DeOS aims to be the first global public record of ownership, identity and trade with strong guarantees on security and privacy. An overview of DeOS is available at http://razormind.co.uk/crowdsale. "We are thrilled to be in Belfast, theres a lot of talent here and as a local myself, born and bred, I have a particular interest in developing the city. Razormind team is grounded in the principle that blockchain is for everyday use and should be easy and open. Our blockchain lab will give the city access to the business intelligence we've built up across the world. Phil Sturgeon, Director, Razormind The Team Razormind is led by Enterprise Architect Jawad Yaqub. Yaqub previously worked with enterprise and finance institutions before branching out into blockchain development. Phil Sturgeon directs UK operations and is also a native of Northern Ireland. === About Razormind Razormind is an enterprise architecture firm which specialises in security and performance. Services including Big Data, Deep Learning, and AI technology are supported end-to-end. For more info: http://razormind.co.uk Fajita Pete's Memorial location has a new look, Mora said. Our menu, however, is the same fresh food that has made us so popular from the very start. Fajita Petes has a week of activities planned to celebrate its recently remodeled Memorial location in advance of the restaurant's expansion throughout Texas. We are excited to show our customers Fajita Pete's fresh new look, Founder Pedro Pete Mora said. Fajita Pete's is known for its made-from-scratch Mexican food, including hand-rolled tortillas, fresh-off-the-grill beef and chicken fajitas, and sides like guacamole, chile con queso, rice, and beans. The kickoff for the remodeled Memorial location, at 8800 Katy Freeway, includes the following events: Sunday, Sept. 11: In honor of 9/11, Fajita Pete's will feed local servicemen and -women from the Houston Fire Department, Hedwig Fire Department, Hedwig Police Department, and other local fire and police stations. Thursday, Sept. 15: The official ribbon cutting will be celebrated from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with the Houston West Chamber of Commerce. Lite Bite will be provided. Saturday, Sept. 17: Fajita Pete's will host a grand reopening family-fun celebration that is open to the public. The restaurant will have free fajitas, multiple bounce houses for kids and young adults, popcorn, cotton candy, and snow cones. Music will be provided by KRBE 104.1, which also will have station giveaways and prizes. The festivities go from 11am to 2pm. All locations of Fajita Pete's offer delivery, takeout, a wide catering radius, and limited dine-in seating. Its high-quality freshness has proven it to be a popular alternative to pizza and Chinese-food delivery. Fajita Pete's earlier this year announced plans to expand to 40 locations in Texas in the next four years. The restaurant currently has locations in Houston, Richmond, and Dallas, with several franchise agreements already signed in the Houston market. Fajita Pete's Spring Cypress location, at 11022 Spring Cypress Road in Tomball, is expected to open in October. Fajita Pete's Memorial location has a new look, Mora said. Our menu, however, is the same fresh food that has made us so popular from the very start. About Fajita Pete's Fajita Pete's is a Houston-based Mexican restaurant that offers fresh, made-from-scratch beef and chicken fajitas and sides for delivery, pick-up, catering, and dine-in. Founder Pete Mora opened his first restaurant in 2002 and soon received catering requests from local companies. Envisioning a better way to fill a growing niche, he closed his profitable restaurant after five years to focus on the catering and delivery model that became Fajita Pete's. For more information, visit http://fajitapetes.com. The financial sector over the next 20+ years promises to be a very productive and lucrative career for people to be in -- especially for the next college graduates. Independent Capital Management, Inc. is excited to announce the launch of a generous employee compensation model. Additionally, this offer is paired with a competitive salary component for candidates on the advisor career path in San Diego as well as the advisor career path in Newport Beach. Since 1988, ICM has provided the community with insightful financial guidance and expert advice. The firm is a leading recruiter for promising individuals in the financial industry. Potential candidates must visit JoinICM.com to apply for this valuable opportunity, as our salary pilot program is only available to qualified individuals on the advisor career path in San Diego or the advisor career path in Newport Beach. Whether those on the advisor career path in San Diego or Newport Beach are new to the industry or interested in enhancing their professional opportunities, ICM offers premier training and innovative marketing support to take your business to the next level. William Farraj, CMO/Senior Managing Partner at ICM knows that Financial Advisors are in high demand these days. The financial sector over the next 20+ years promises to be a very productive and lucrative career for people to be in -- especially for the next college graduates. Farraj goes onto explain that the Baby Boomer generation, a population of about 66 million Americans, are entering retirement and need help. This is why ICM has started offering a salary to our new advisors. We are committed to hiring and acquiring the best possible talent. Candidates on the advisor career path in Newport Beach or San Diego will provide clients with important information and consult them on wealth accumulation, wealth management, distribution, and wealth transfer. A motivated candidate will be sure to find a high level of career satisfaction as well as flexibility and independence within the financial industry. The advisor career path in San Diego and Newport Beach has never been more promising. Farraj says, The financial services industry is an aging one. Older advisors are retiring and there are not enough new people entering the industry. ICM is committed to finding the right, qualified candidates for their new employee compensation model and is excited to offer a competitive salary through their pilot program. Join ICM is dedicated to preparing hard working individuals on the advisor career path in Newport Beach or San Diego for rewarding, life-long careers in the financial industry. If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with William Farraj, please email Mr. Farraj at wfarraj(at)icmfinancial(dot)com or visit http://www.joinicm.com Catholic Archdiocese of Washington Improved access to data will benefit our staff with accurate and real-time data and enable better communication between our school administrators and the parent community. This fall, with the start of a new school year, a new student management system will be used in schools in the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington. Last fall, nine schools in the Archdiocese piloted Rediker Softwares Administrators Plus a cloud-based student information system that helps educators better track student data and communicate with parents and families. The success of the software pilot has led to the archdiocese making a decision to roll Administrators Plus out to its remaining 44 archdiocesan schools. In 2015, the Archdiocese of Washington conducted a comprehensive request for proposal (RFP) process to evaluate vendors who could provide a data management solution with advanced reporting capabilities such as built-in statistical reporting tools to produce archdiocesan-wide reports, pie charts and graphs using live or historical data, as well as an integrated, full service system with the best long-term value. After evaluating demonstrations from multiple vendors, it was clear Rediker Software was the leader in all areas. The archdiocese needed a standardized system for collecting and tracking student demographic and enrollment information, said William Ryan, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Washington. Ryan, who was part of the final selection committee also noted, We required something that would address not only the needs of the students and their parents, but the teachers and administrators as well. What set Rediker Software apart from the competition, Ryan continued, was their ability to provide the central school administration office of the archdiocese with a reliable system that can streamline school processes. For instance, Redikers Diocesan Manager for Administrators Plus provides the central diocesan schools administration office with instant access to real-time, archdiocesan level snapshots, including the number of absences per school each day, discipline incidents by school or current enrollment per school. Improved access to data will benefit our staff with accurate and real-time data and enable better communication between our school administrators and the parent community, Ryan said. Administrator's Plus is seamlessly integrated with the TeacherPlus web gradebook and the ParentPlus portal, creating a complete, secure online solution for school management. The comprehensive integration of these systems will not only meet all of their needs, but will continue to provide the best long-term value. We see our investment in Rediker Software as a critical way to communicate with our schools, added Shannon Norris, archdiocesan Director for Educational Technology. Prior to Administrators Plus, we utilized other student management systems that proved to be challenging because they did not have all of the elements that we desired. Redikers platform offers everything we are looking for in one product. The feedback from the pilot phase has been that Administrators Plus is user friendly its easy to learn and easy for IT administrators to manage, she said. Rediker President Andrew Anderlonis is very pleased to be partnering with the Archdiocese of Washington. By selecting Rediker Software, the archdiocese will benefit from our integrated products and solutions backed by the best support team in the industry, he stated. We are able to offer a total solution that will help with everything from streamlining administrative tasks to maximizing school-to-home communication, from apps to websites, with our complete product offerings. We are very excited to be working with this great archdiocese, Anderlonis added. About the Archdiocese of Washington The Archdiocese of Washington is home to over 620,000 Catholics, 139 parishes and 94 archdiocesan and independent schools located in the District of Columbia and the five Maryland counties of Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince Georges, and Saint Marys. Twenty Catholic high schools, and 74 early childhood and elementary schools educate nearly 27,000 children while its service agencies, including Catholic Charities and Victory Housing, have made the archdiocese one of the largest private social service providers in the region. About Rediker Software For over 35 years, Rediker Software has been a leader in school administrative software for private, public, international, religious and independent schools. Through its innovative solutions, Rediker Software helps schools in over 120 countries manage administrative tasks, maximize school-to-home communication and inspire student performance and success. The companys products include AdminPlus, a cloud-based SIS solution, TeacherPlus Gradebook, Plus Portals for parents and students, Admissions Plus Pro, and Teacher Evaluator. Rediker Software offers experience, reliability, unsurpassed technical support, ease of use, and leading-edge features not found in any other system. For more information, visit http://www.rediker.com. In an effort to further help pharmaceutical manufacturers combat the issue of patient non-adherence to medication, pharmaceutical services provider TrialCard announced this week that it is re-launching its adherence solution after adding additional capabilities based on feedback gathered from its customers. TrialCards holistic adherence support offering combines multiple intelligent patient engagement options, to include targeted outreach that is data-driven, behavior-based, and able to be customized to an individual patients communication preferences. Adherence, or rather the lack thereof, is a multi-billion dollar issue for the U.S. healthcare industry, said TrialCard President and CEO Mark Bouck. What weve found from speaking with manufacturers is that there is a need for adherence support offerings that go beyond broad mass messaging and align with each individual patients behaviors to address their barriers to remaining committed to a prescribed course of therapy. TrialCard recently added both interactive text messages as well as targeted outbound patient phone calls to its adherence suite that already included email and direct mail messaging. The additional capabilities have been largely built around using data collected from patient affordability support programs to develop specific risk profiles and customize a messaging sequence that resonates with the patient based on their individual behaviors. Delivering a message is only one part of the equation, continued Bouck. Using data to understand precisely what that message should say, via what medium it should be delivered, and at what point in the patients treatment journey it needs to be presented is the other half thats so critical. TrialCards adherence solution can be built around not only standard patient demographic data points but also complex conditions that serve as indicators of non-adherence, such as registering for a savings offer but not redeeming within a specified time period or lapsing in their offer use activity. About TrialCard TrialCard Incorporated provides product access, medication adherence, and patient support services on behalf of pharmaceutical manufacturers. Founded in 2000, TrialCard has become the largest provider of patient access programs in the industry, processing over $1 billion in reimbursement benefits per year. TrialCard holds nine US patents related to the processing and marketing of patient access programs. The company is headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina. For more information about TrialCard, please visit http://www.trialcard.com. The app and delivery assistance helps me offer the fastest service possible to my customers Tech Startup Sudzy, a leading online service, allows users to find local cleaners and place orders for free laundry pickup and delivery. It offers the consumer the convenience of ordering laundry online and it supports the local businesses of laundromats and dry cleaners. Consumers can maintain the relationship with their neighborhood cleaner and get laundry cleaned and delivered at a competitive price without even having to make a phone call. Sudzy partnered with nearly 200 laundromats and dry-cleaners in New York City including Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Prices for wash and fold with a Sudzy participating laundromat can be as low as $.85 per pound depending on the cleaner. The ability of providing a competitive price lies in the connection to local businesses, instead of aggregating to operational cost onto themselves. Cleaners without their own delivery service have access to Sudzy's instant delivery feature called Sudzy Express, helping cleaners optimize their delivery capabilities and decrease the delivery time to under 30 minutes. Local laundromats and dry cleaners have suffered a double whammy recently. Rent hikes plus increasing competition from laundry delivery startups that bypass the local cleaner and process laundry outside of the city are driving neighborhood cleaners out of business. NYC tech startup Sudzy is changing that by partnering with local cleaners instead of competing with them. "Customers want an app. I lost a lot of customers to on-demand services that would take orders from customers near my store and send the clothing out of town," explains Michelle Juo of Michelle Cleaners in the East Village. "I have gotten a lot of new and repeat customers from Sudzy. The app and delivery assistance helps me offer the fastest service possible to my customers," adds Abraham Perl, owner of I Load Laundry in Brooklyn. Sudzy enables laundromats and dry cleaners to accept and process customer orders online, communicate directly with customers without even a phone call, thus defending themselves against the encroaching wave of on-demand laundry startups. We created Sudzy because we wanted to free people's time from laundry day, our social goal is to help local businesses strive. Cleaners are in a similar state to where restaurants were five years ago before online food ordering apps entered the market, explains Roy Ganor, CEO of Sudzy. We built technology where laundromats can offer their customers the convenience of online ordering for the first time. Our partnership with local laundries keeps the quality high and prices low. Next Generation Ground Mount Were really excited about the potential of the RBI Solar next generation ground mount solution for our customers, the advancements to this system are going to provide even better return on investment for solar systems. RBI Solar recently unveiled its latest solar racking system, the RBI Solar next generation ground mount solution, after it achieved ETL Classification from Intertek to UL Standard 2703. This new model underwent a rigorous testing regimen for bonding and grounding to pass the UL 2703 Standard, which became effective on July 28, 2016. The RBI Solar next generation ground mount solution was specifically designed to make solar installation more affordable for commercial and utility-scale PV projects. New innovations to the solar racking system include a wider selection of component parts, including an economical upright post and top chord engineered to bear the load while using less steel. Without sacrificing strength where strength is needed, this new system also reduces costs by incorporating a more streamlined production process. This new ground mount solution has multiple foundation designs to be compatible with a variety of site-specific soil and ground conditions. Structural components are also available to match wind and snow loads. All of these innovations are focused on reducing the overall cost of the racking system. The RBI Solar next generation ground mount solution is manufactured at one of the companys five locations and will begin shipping at the start of the second quarter of 2016. As more building officials, jurisdictions, and inspectors become aware of UL 2703, solar racking system compliance is become essential for developers and EPC contractors. RBI Solar continuously tests for UL bonding and grounding compliance with different PV module manufacturers. This commitment to testing enables RBI Solars customers to have confidence that the racking solutions they provide meet the codes and standard requirements even in the jurisdictions with highly stringent plan review processes. Were really excited about the potential of the RBI Solar next generation ground mount solution for our customers, said Bill Vietas, General Manager at RBI Solar. The advancements to this system are going to provide even better return on investment for solar systems. About RBI Solar: RBI Solar, Inc. is the leading turn-key supplier of solar mounting systems. As a specialist in ground mount, roof mount, carport, and landfill solar structures, RBI Solar focuses on providing the most robust solar racking systems, installation services, and project management capabilities to serve owners and integrators. RBI Solar has engineers and staff licensed in all 50 states and offers complete design, high-tech manufacturing, nationwide installation, and technical support to help solve the toughest challenges in the industry. Leveraging over 80 years of experience in the commercial design-build specialty structures market, RBI Solar works with its clients to identify the most economic and durable solar mounting solutions. Getting the right diagnosis is a key aspect of health care: It provides an explanation of a patients health problem and informs subsequent health care decisions. The Dartmouth-Hitchcock health system is investing in technology to improve diagnostic accuracy. The Lebanon, NH-based academic health system signed an agreement to deploy VisualDx to its clinicians for use at the point of care. VisualDx is a web-based clinical decision support system that assists clinicians to quickly build a differential diagnosis. With its extensive medical image library, clinicians can easily see variations of disease to arrive at a fast, more accurate diagnosis. VisualDx is accessed through the electronic health record and via mobile devices. Dartmouth-Hitchcock clinicians will also access VisualDx through the Dartmouth College BioMedical Libraries Resources site that offers a suite of evidence-based medical tools for clinicians and students at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College. The tool has been proven to enhance diagnostic accuracy and improve patient care. Dartmouth-Hitchcock has recognized that reducing diagnostic error is an important focus for its efforts to improve population health. The Institute of Medicines 2015 report, Improving Diagnosis in Health Care is a major driving force for this initiative. In the report, one of its goals highlights the need to ensure that health information technologies support patients and health care professionals in the diagnostic process. In an increasingly complex health care environment, it is important that patients receive the care they want and need, when well informed, noted Dr. Robert A. Greene, Executive Vice President and Chief Population Health Management Office at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Partnering with VisualDx will enable our clinicians to provide more accurate and timely information to their patients, with the goal of producing better outcomes and better patient experience across the populations we serve. Dartmouth-Hitchcock is national leader in population health and accountable care, and we are excited to bring our technology to the system and its clinicians said Art Papier MD, CEO of VisualDx. We recognize that to drive accuracy and patient satisfaction, we have to do better at the point of care. VisualDx allows primary care physicians and clinicians to have access to specialty-level knowledge, and a fast second opinion in seconds. Referrals and consultations become more appropriate and primary care physicians and patients benefit. The VisualDx is available both on desktop and mobile devices. The application contains more than 2,700 diagnoses and 40,000 curated medical images, spanning medicine. ### About VisualDx: VisualDx is an award-winning diagnostic clinical decision support system that has become the standard electronic resource at more than half of U.S. medical schools and more than 1,600 hospitals and institutions nationwide. VisualDx combines clinical search with a database of more than 40,000 of the best medical images in the world, plus medical knowledge from experts to help with diagnosis, treatment, self-education, and patient communication. Expanding to provide diagnostic decision support across general medicine, the new VisualDx brings increased speed and accuracy to the art of diagnosis. Learn more at http://www.visualdx.com. About Dartmouth-Hitchcock: Dartmouth-Hitchcock (D-H) is a nonprofit academic health system serving communities in northern New England. D-H provides access to more than 1,000 primary care doctors and specialists in almost every area of medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center; the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, the Childrens Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, four affiliate hospitals, 24 ambulatory clinics and through the Visiting Nurse and Hospice for VT and NH. The D-H system trains nearly 400 residents and fellows annually, and performs world-class research, in partnership with the Audrey and Theodor Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and the White River Junction VA Medical Center. A laboratory expert for Mediware Consulting & Analytics (https://www.mediware.com/blood/consulting), a leading provider of clinical change management consulting, education, and analytics solutions, will deliver a poster presentation at the 2016 Annual Meeting for the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). The event will be held September 14-16 in Las Vegas. Sarah Daccarett, M.D., F.C.A.P., a physician advisor for Mediware, will present A Lesson in Laboratory Test Utilization Management: Reduction of Factor V Leiden Orders on Wednesday, September 14 from 11:00 a.m.-noon and Thursday, September 15 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. PDT. The poster highlights the successful implementation of a system-wide lab test optimization program at Advocate Health Care, headquartered in Chicago, IL. Daccaretts poster emphasizes Mediwares strategic approach to clinical change that guided this important patient safety initiative. The abstract/poster has also been selected for a potential award. Mediware advises its clients on effective laboratory test utilization so that physicians can provide healthcare that is high quality, reliable, and less costly. Dr. Daccarett is board certified in clinical pathology. She was raised in the mountain west and completed both her engineering and medical doctorate degrees at the University of Utah. Daccarett then completed training in pathology at the University of Utah and ARUP National Laboratories in Salt Lake City. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to analyzing and standardizing physician ordering patterns as well as to the development and implementation of evidence-based decision support tools that deliver value. The ASCP annual meeting is designed to provide continuing education for its professional members and the public on the dramatic changes taking place in healthcare and the practices of pathology and laboratory medicine. For more information or to register for the event, visit https://www.ascp.org/content/2016. About Mediware Consulting & Analytics Mediware Consulting & Analytics is leading clinical change through evidence-based education, consulting, and analytics solutions for U.S. hospitals and health systems. Mediware clients have achieved significant reductions in blood and lab test utilization by reducing unnecessary orders, which has resulted in more than $1 billion in overall savings while improving patient safety and the quality of care. The individuals and technologies we honor in the HIVE 100 share a commitment to direct, locally guided, creative action that the industry has been waiting for, said Peter Goldstone, CEO of Hanley Wood. As part of its groundbreaking HIVE community launch and the imminent, sold-out HIVE 2016 conference, Hanley Wood announced today the winners of the HIVE 100 Innovators Award, a list of housings most innovative 100 people. The HIVE 100 spotlights market catalysts and honors individuals who are the vanguard of landscape-changing contributions. The awards recognize housings most influential innovators in five distinct categories: Design, Demographics, Finance, Business Management, and Products. The top innovator in each of the five categories will be honored on September 29 during the HIVE 2016 conference in Los Angeles. They include: Business Management Howard Perlman, principal, Perlman Architects Innovator for designing a multi-generational hub that flexes as needs change Demographics Jonathan Tate, president, Office of Jonathan Tate Innovator for overcoming many of the challenges associated with entry-level housing Design Platt Boyd and Chris Weller, co-founders, Branch Technology Innovators for developing a method to change the future of building construction with 3D printing Finance Barry Sternlicht, founder, chairman, and CEO of Starwood Capital Group Innovator for predicting the recovery, betting big on it, and winning Products Elon Musk, CEO, Tesla Innovator for developing the Tesla Powerwall Additional honorees include urban planners, architects, visionaries, and product manufacturers who are offering new ideas and solutions. These ideas and solutions range from partnering public spaces with the people who use it, creating affordable net-zero-energy kit homes, and building shipping container homes and micro units, to developing a sustainable city video game to help users think about the resources and services needed to create sustainable cities. For a list of all honorees, please visit the HIVE 2016 site at http://www.hiveforhousing.com. The individuals and technologies we honor in the HIVE 100 share a commitment to direct, locally guided, creative action that the industry has been waiting for, said Peter Goldstone, CEO of Hanley Wood. With the HIVE 100 Innovators Awards, we salute a unique group of individuals and organizations who represent bold ideas, products, and solutions that will help renew the places we all call home and reinvent the cities we live in. HIVE 100 innovators were carefully researched and validated by a team of Hanley Wood editors and trusted advisors. Our team used a rigorous process to vet what we believe represents the most compelling figures in innovation and technology in housing today, said John McManus, editorial director-residential group of Hanley Wood. These innovators will help guide and spark the next generation of the housing communitys C-suite, thought-leaders, game-changers, and policy-makers to help transform our industry. Hanley Woods HIVE 2016 is a two-day event that will bring together the brightest minds and talents to address the ever-challenging housing business community. Through keynote addresses and educational content presented by innovative thought leaders, HIVE 2016 will act as an incubator of forward-looking ideas, inspirations, and inventions that will change the future of the construction and design industries. It will enhance the way builders, architects, land developers, and place-makers think and work. Content and discussions at this first-ever event will be driven by five transformative forces: Demographics, Finance, Design, Products, and Business Management. HIVE 2016 is supported by title and underwriting sponsor, Ply Gem, and founding sponsors, Louisiana Pacific (LP), Kohler, and Electrolux. The conference will take place at the JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE, 900 W Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, on September 28 and 29, 2016. To register, or for more information about the conference, please visit http://www.hwhive.com. ABOUT HANLEY WOOD Hanley Wood is the premier company serving the information, media, and marketing needs of the residential, commercial design, and construction industry. Utilizing the largest analytics- and editorial-driven construction industry database available, the company provides business intelligence and data-driven services. The company produces award-winning media, high-profile executive events, and strategic marketing solutions. Room 214, a social media and digital marketing agency headquartered in Boulder, Colo., has announced recent hires to its team: Laurie Amodeo, Account Director. With more than seven years of experience in the digital marketing space, Amodeo has developed and managed digital campaigns for a range of brands including General Motors, Chevron, JP Morgan Chase, H&M and Campbells Soup Co. Amodeo is passionate about human behavior, stories and inspired action. Keith Bergeron, Digital Marketing Specialist. Bergeron is an experienced digital marketer with a wide range of knowledge in the fields of search marketing, social media, e-commerce advertising and more. An Arizona native who graduated from Arizona State University, Bergeron is metrics-driven and loves extracting actionable insight through research and data analysis. Erika Stutzman, Editorial Director. Stutzman was an award-winning reporter and editor for 20 years at newspapers in Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York, Washington, D.C. and Boulder, Colorado. She enjoys helping Room 214s team and its clients tell their own unique stories in compelling ways. Kate Broussard, Digital Producer. With extensive experience in professional photography, content creation, online marketing and storytelling, Broussard supports Room 214 and its clients through helping brands tell their visual stories, and creating engaging content. Max Morganfield, Account Supervisor. Morganfield kicked off his career in marketing with an internship at Elias Arts, an audio branding agency in New York City. He followed his passion for music, production and the digital space through work at EMI International and the Lights All Night music festival, before joining Room 214 in 2016. Connor Holmes, Account Manager. After graduating from the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver, Holmes joined Room 214 as an account manager. He has worked in positions such as marketing manager for BurgerFi, Denver and as a freelance marketing consultant and photographer. Audrey Myre, Account Manager. A Boulder native and recent graduate from CU, Myre began her career at Room 214 as a social media intern before joining the staff as an account manager. With a degree in marketing and digital media, she has a passion for building connections through online communications. About Room 214 l Room 214 is a digital marketing and social media agency dedicated to helping brands connect with the people who matter most. Recognized as one of the fastest growing companies by Inc., Room 214 succeeds by molding thoughtful insights into intriguing content -- and developing strategic marketing initiatives that integrate all facets of digital and social marketing for B2B and B2C companies. With headquarters in Boulder, Colo. services include: brand and messaging strategy; digital and social media campaign execution; consumer research and analytics; online advertising and search engine optimization; content creation with in-house copy, photography and video production capabilities. A sample of Room 214s clients include: Sanrio (Hello Kitty), Panasonic, Boulder Brands, Crock-Pot, Mr. Coffee, Adobe, Verizon, Twitter, Western Union, Haribo and Whitewave Foods. Make the connection and join Room 214 in conversation at: room214.com, @Room_214, and info(at)room214(dot)com. C4 Recovery Solutions is gearing up for the 29th Annual Cape Cod Symposium on Addictive Disorders, a conference with long-standing roots in Hyannis, Massachusetts. CCSAD, held Sept. 8-11, is the longest-running multidisciplinary addiction conference in the United States. CCSAD is dedicated to continuing education and networking in the field of addiction, and the conference draws over 1,200 attendees annually. Organizers expect hundreds of regional, national and international participants, lecturers and faculty. Destination Hope will be supporting C4 Recovery Solutions as a repeat exhibitor, alongside some of the top treatment centers from around the country. Destination Hope is one of Florida's premier drug and alcohol treatment centers that is nationally accredited by The Joint Commission. Destination Hope treats alcoholism, opioid use disorder and other substance use disorders for adult men and women in gender-specific and age-specific programs. Destination Hope has helped thousands of families achieve sobriety and live rewarding lives in recovery. Destination Hopes CEO, Ben Brafman, has been featured on Fox & Friends, NBC6 South Florida, WPBF 25 News, A&Es Intervention, Addiction Professional Magazine and The Sober World Magazine. Ben's expertise in the field contributes to his role as a leading authority in behavioral health and addiction treatment. C4 Recovery Solutions is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting the design, provision and monitoring of outcomes-based addiction services and providing platforms to integrate varied academic disciplines and professional activities within the fields of addiction and behavioral health. For more information about the Cape Cod Symposium on Addictive Disorders, please visit http://www.ccsad.com. About Destination Hope: Founded in 2006, Destination Hope is one of the nations leading Joint Commission Accredited dual diagnosis treatment centers. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Destination Hope provides substance abuse and mental health treatment for adult men and women. Destination Hope is one of the first non-Medicare partial hospitalization programs made available in the state of Florida. The center offers age-specific and gender-specific programs where clients receive the best care, tailored to their individual needs. Destination Hopes affiliate program, the Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center, provides outstanding family programs and lifelong case management services covering a wide range of mood disorders, thought disorders, dual diagnosis and trauma. For more information, visit http://www.destinationhope.net or call 877-379-7575, a 24-hour crisis intervention hotline. About C4 Recovery Solutions: C4 Recovery Solutions, Inc. is a non-profit corporation promoting the design, provision and monitoring of outcomes-based services. This approach initiates and sustains recovery from substance use disorders as well as improves prevention and harm reduction strategies that mitigate addictions worst effects. C4 facilitates conferences and workshops related to outcomes-oriented models and works with interested organizations and individuals worldwide to establish, manage and measure demonstration projects. C4 is dedicated to improving access and accountability for the treatment of substance use disorders. C4 seeks to advance these goals by initiating constructive dialogue among all interested groups, educating and motivating policy makers so they can embrace new strategies and aiding in the design and implementation of programs demonstrating the efficacy of outcomes-based funding for treatment services through consulting, conferencing, collaborating and convening. Daniel Raycroft - Vice President of Business Development Mr. Raycroft brings extensive knowledge in Service/Claims processing having completed 16 years with ServiceBench where he was a Senior Account Manager for major international OEM accounts, said Mark Nagelvoort, President & CEO of PCMI Corporation. Mr. Raycroft will be responsible for expanding PCMIs presence in the Consumer Warranty sector. This includes developing new business and strategic partnerships across the industry. PCMIs software platform is currently being used to manage extended warranties for consumer electronics, appliances, mobile devices, and home warranty. He will collaborate with the PCMI executive team, colleagues, clients, and partners to develop and enhance products and services, as well as, contribute to the strategic planning and execution of all sales and marketing activities. Mr. Raycroft brings extensive knowledge in Service/Claims processing having completed 16 years with ServiceBench where he was a Senior Account Manager for major international OEM accounts, said Mark Nagelvoort, President & CEO of PCMI Corporation. PCMI is very excited to be able to build out its team and add this expertise to our company. Daniel will lead PCMIs solution Policy Claim and Reporting Solutions (PCRS), combining marketing, operations, accounting and compliance modules to support the lifecycle of the service contract. Mr. Raycroft has over 20 years of operational and consultative sales experience and he will apply this expertise to the PCRS toolset to help maximize profits for PCMIs customers. Mr. Raycroft began his product service career in operations running a service center for Montgomery Wards, which was one of the largest consumer service organizations in the country. In 2001, he joined ServiceBench, where he focused on new customers and was directly responsible for expanding the feature and functional offerings to meet the unique needs of dozens of customers while implementing the software in a global environment. Mr. Raycroft has over 20 years of experience in applying technology to the service organizations of leading OEMs, Retailers, Distributors and TPAs in support of their warranty programs, and in driving success for his clients. Daniel has a Liberal Arts degree from Wabash College. He also holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame focusing on International Business and Marketing. About PCMI Corporation - PCMI Corporation (Policy Claim Management International) is the leading provider of integrated software solutions for Extended Warranty management and F&I administration. At PCMI, we are passionate about supporting our clients growth by offering innovative technology and software solutions to help our clients expand into new markets or add additional products. Our mission is simple to be Your Technology Partner and help you get to where you want to be by offering administration, risk management, reinsurance, and CRM tools. Currently, we have 3 office locations: Chicago (USA), Krakow (Poland), and Chiang Mai (Thailand) with dedicated teams working around the clock to service our clients. For more information: contact Mark Nagelvoort at mark.nagelvoort(at)pcmicorp(dot)com or call (847) 653-6916 ex. 100. Filigree in Shadow by The Mysterious Package Company It chilled me to my core. Absolutely stellar in every way. - Neil Patrick Harris, actor The Mysterious Package Company launched its second Kickstarter campaign yesterday,Filigree in Shadow, surpassing both the overall goal in forty minutes, and reaching the first stretch goal in under two hours. Following a wildly successful year that saw the culmination of the ambitious 2015 campaign for The Century Beast (which raised over $420,000, making it the 6th most funded Art project in Kickstarter history), Filigree in Shadow continues to push the boundaries of storytelling experiences by post. http://kck.st/2cpI39s Filigree in Shadow is a haunting tale about the bizarre experiences of the tenants of an old Victorian home, told in the unique Mysterious Package Company style. The narrative is recounted through several physical mailings consisting of letters, documents, photographs, newspaper clippings, and objects. All details, from the appearance of the paper, to the ageing of an object, or the stamp on an envelope, are designed to give the utmost impression of realism to immerse a recipient into the story. Filigree goes one step further by including technology that draws the recipient even further into the mysterious events in the house. The Mysterious Package Company sent thousands of packages from their curated catalogue in the last year. Some have been as gifts for the person who has everything, or to those who need a little mystery and excitement. More information can be discovered at http://www.mysteriouspackage.com or through their notoriously playful Facebook page. It chilled me to my core. Absolutely stellar in every way. - Neil Patrick Harris, actor Getting stuff from The Mysterious Package Company is like starring in your own HP Lovecraft story Best gift ever. - Chris Burnham, best-selling artist of Batman Incorporated The Mysterious Package Company offers delightful, affirmative surprise, surprise that remains surprising even when you know that its coming. - Ian Bogost, author and game designer. ABOUT THE MYSTERIOUS PACKAGE COMPANY The Mysterious Package Company was founded in 2012 and has been producing and sending strange mail to unsuspecting recipients ever since. Current experiences include titles such as the Eldritch horror The King In Yellow, a time-travelling science fiction Tempus Fugit, the Lovecraftian monster story The Century Beast and latest offering, a family friendly Mayan adventure Under the Ceiba Tree. The company consists of artists, writers, designers, craftspeople, and other creative minds who work together under the watchful eye of its elusive founder, the Curator, who sends weekly missives to members, but is never seen in public. For more information, contact: Roo Raymond at roo(at)mysteriouspackage.com. Chinese investment is one of the hot topics in town! Chinese Real Estate Private Equity & EB-5 Investment Forum presented by Artisan Business Group will be hosted in New York City on October 26, 2016. The Chinese Real Estate Private Equity & EB-5 Investment will focus on attracting Chinese private equity into US Real Estate Investments and discuss how to utilize the EB-5 Regional Center Program. China will increasingly play a major role in the US capital markets and present new opportunities to private equity firms and EB-5 Regional Centers. Chinese investors have been pouring money into US real estate as a way to diversify and hedge against Chinas rapidly growing real estate market. The next 10 years will present tremendous opportunity for Chinese investments into the United States. The much-anticipated investment and finance conference will bring together the most senior-level executives and professionals from the industry's most active market participants for a day of high level discussion, peer to peer exchanges and networking sessions. The event will feature honest and in-depth dialogues with the leading experts on how to effectively attract private equity and EB-5 investments from China. Topics to be discussed during the Chinese Investment Forum include outbound Chinese capital, Chinese overseas investment trends in 2016, Chinese investors perspective on private equity, venture investments between US and Chinese firms, cross border regulations and compliance, alternative financing, optimal fund structures with Chinese partners, real estate investment expectations and challenges, visa options for private equity investors from foreign countries, Chinese cultural differences, predictions from China, EB-5 regional center program, attracting EB-5 capital, EB-5 econometrics and EB-5 immigration law. Expert speakers for the Chinese Real Estate Private Equity & EB-5 Investment Forum include Bernard Wolfsdorf and Joseph Barnett of Wolfsdorf Rosenthal, Jeff Carr of Economic & Policy Resources, Michael Gibson of US Advisors, Bruce Rosetto of Greenberg Traurig, and Brian Su of Artisan Business Group. Artisan Business Group is a US-China Market Entry Consultant focusing on connecting professionals from both countries in accomplishing their business goals. Come learn the keys to success in the international capital markets and gain invaluable knowledge on using private equity and EB-5 capital for real estate developments. The event will be hosted at a hotel nearby Newark International Airport and provided to guests upon registration. To learn more about Artisan Business Group, please log on http://www.ArtisanBusinessGroup.com. Press Contact: Mr. Tyler McKay 1.217.899.6661 Artisan Business Group, Inc. http://www.ArtisanBusinessGroup.com In Her Hands is a book that profiles 14 inspirational women who have dedicated their lives to improving their communities. Often the efforts of many women go unrecognized, despite the fact that so many people have benefited from their achievements. It is our hope that this inspires others to take action. Fourteen women from Syria to Afghanistan and Nigeria to El Salvador who have made profound contributions to promote positive change in their communities are profiled in a new book called In Her Hands: Stories of Women Shaping Their Worlds, Creative Associates International announced today. The release of the book and an awards ceremony will be held on Sept. 13 at the Ronald Regan Building in Washington, D.C. An online version of the Creative-published book and short videos are available now on a special website. Launched by Creatives Co-Founder and CEO Charito Kruvant, the initiative seeks to identify and honor women around the world for their vision, energy and results related to the organizations mission. Six of the 14 honorees will be in Washington for the book release and awards ceremony. "Today, more girls have gained access to education, vulnerable groups have found a voice and neighbors have joined together to build peace," says Kruvant, herself a pioneer in the field of locally driven development. "Often the efforts of many women go unrecognized, despite the fact that so many people have benefited from their achievements. It is our hope that this inspires others to take action." Hailing from Afghanistan, Cambodia, Egypt, El Salvador, Honduras, India, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria, Tanzania, Yemen and Zambia, many of the honorees have worked through conflict, overcome significant obstacles and broken gender barriers in pursuit of their visions to improve their communities. But, in their own words, these women are undeterred. "I am not going to give up because I know at least in my little way, in my little corner...I could make an impact somewhere, somehow," says Nigerian honoree Rabia Eshak, whose leadership in education has helped thousands of children gain access to quality instruction and return to school, in a country that has highest number of out-of-school children in Africa. In addition to Eshak, the list of honorees includes: an Afghan woman preparing other women with workforce skills; a Salvadoran mayor fighting to end violence and bring opportunity to her city's vulnerable youth; and a Syrian student-turned-activist using radio to bring critical news to communities in conflict, among others. Each honoree has been engaged in a Creative-implemented project, whether as a local staff member, grantee, implementing partner or beneficiary. Collectively, the 14 honorees have changed tens of thousands of lives as they have transformed education systems, helped to stem crime and violence, expand opportunities for women and youth, and amplified calls for peace in conflict-plagued areas. To learn more about this initiative and the 14 honorees, please visit: http://inspirational.creativeassociatesinternational.com/ About Creative Associates International Creative Associates International works with underserved communities by sharing expertise and experience in education, elections, economic growth, governance and transitions from conflict to peace. (http://www.CreativeAssociatesInternational.com) Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has active projects in more than 25 countries. Since 1977, it has worked in nearly 90 countries and on almost every continent. Recognized for its ability to work rapidly, flexibly and effectively in conflict-affected environments, Creative is committed to generating long-term sustainable solutions to complex development problems. Started by four enterprising women with diverse backgrounds, Creative has grown to become one of the leaders among the U.S. private sector implementers of global development projects. Creative is minority owned and operated. NorthCoast 99 Best Place to Work Equity Trust is a special place, and we continuously strive to be better... Our associates are highly valued not only for their hard work but also for their input and feedback. Equity Trust Company was honored by ERC as one of Northeast Ohios best places to work with its inclusion in the NorthCoast 99 program. This is the fourth time that Equity Trust has received the award. Equity Trust is a special place, and we continuously strive to be better, said Matt Wilson, CEO of Equity Trust. Our associates are highly valued not only for their hard work but also for their input and feedback. Programs related to community engagement, recognition, overall wellbeing, and more have been implemented or improved in response to ideas submitted by the employees. We are thrilled to be counted among the NorthCoast 99 this year! NorthCoast 99 recognizes great places to work for top performing people that drive results, provide competitive advantages, and allow businesses to innovate and grow. Applicants are evaluated based on policies and practices related to the attraction and retention of top performers, as well as data collected from employee surveys. Were extremely honored to recognize the 2016 NorthCoast 99 winners. These organizations have earned the right to call themselves a great workplace by their dedication to attracting, supporting, retaining, and motivating their Top Performers. ERC developed the NorthCoast 99 program with the hopes of inspiring local leaders to promote the great workplace movement, comments Pat Perry, President of ERC. NorthCoast 99 is an annual recognition program that honors 99 great workplaces for top talent in Northeast Ohio. The program focuses on organizational practices and performance. The program is presented by ERC (http://www.yourerc.com), the areas leading professional services organization dedicated to HR. Sponsors of the NorthCoast 99 program include: Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield, CareerCurve, Cleveland Magazine, ERC Health, Frantz Ward LLP, Ginos Awards, Oswald Companies, Staffing Solutions Enterprises, and Ultimate Software. About Equity Trust Company Equity Trust Company is a financial services company that provides a platform for individual investors, financial professionals and institutions to invest in alternative asset classes, including real estate, tax liens, private equity and precious metals. The Equity Trust family of companies offers custodial services for alternative investments, investment in alternative assets with individual retirement accounts, back-office solutions for Registered Investment Advisors, brokerage services, directed trustee services and more. Equity Trust Company evolved from a predecessor brokerage firm which started in 1974, to a financial services company today serving more than 300,000 accounts, representing over $30 billion in assets under custody and administration. Disclaimer: Equity Trust is a passive custodian and does not provide tax, legal or investment advice. Any information communicated by Equity Trust is for educational purposes only, and should not be construed as tax, legal or investment advice. Whenever making an investment decision, please consult with your tax attorney or financial professional. CSUN psychology professor and filmmaker Luciana Lagana and Dr. Daniel E. Walker at award ceremony of LBI 2016 Film Festival As the years went on and trans people kept dying I began to feel guilty about passing. The death of Leelah Alcorn hit home for me and I could no longer hide. (Cayes Jarda, female-to-male transgender African-American star of LGBT UNITED) Past News Releases RSS CSUN Professor Luciana Lagana and... CSUN Professor Luciana Lagana and... CSUN Psychology Professor Luciana... California State University Northridge (CSUN) psychology professor and social impact filmmaker Luciana Lagana received the California Endowment Special Sons and Brothers Award for positive and balanced depictions of young men of color at the 2016 Long Beach Indie (LBI) Film Festival from its founder and Perfect Works President Dr. Daniel E. Walker. Dr. Luciana is an active researcher and psychology professor at CSUN and is also passionately dedicated to her roles as host/writer/director/producer of social impact documentary feature films and shows. LGBT UNITED is a moving film that covers the lives of primarily low-income young LGBT individuals from a variety of ethnic minority backgrounds who have faced challenges including homelessness, sexual abuse, and violence all tied to their LGBT status. This film was listed in The Edge Magazine as one of the 10 must-see films screened at the festival. Dr. Luciana was both surprised and honored as she heard her name called at the podium and in fact, she hadnt prepared a speech so she spoke from the heart about the need for hate crime to be eradicated in our society, something that holds special meaning for her after having witnessed hate crimes prior to moving to the United States. As an immigrant in America she has also experienced firsthand the way someone perceived to be an outsider can be treated when trying to become a part of life here in the United States. Her passionate plea for acceptance and understanding of minority issues evoked a strong reaction from the crowd, and after her speech, some members of the audience approached her for future collaborations, so shes excited to see what comes from these amazing connections. Dr. Lucianas filmmaking goal is to showcase the resilience of discriminated minorities, which is a good fit for the mission of this diversity-focused festival. Within the past few years, she has been making web series, TV pilots and feature documentaries in an attempt to decrease negative perceptions of discriminated minorities both in society and among college students. At the festival, Dr. Luciana was invited to present her preliminary findings regarding using her films in experimental anti-bias studies at the LBI Film, Media, and Music Conference. These pilot results have been very encouraging, and have motivated her to continue researching this topic. In a previous article, Cayes Jarda, the female-to-male transgender African-American star of the movie, shared that I am very fortunate to have been passable even before I began HRT. I was able to blend in very easily with my heterosexual counterparts and was told that this was a good thing by many people who loved me. It made sense to pass. As the years went on and trans people kept dying I began to feel guilty about passing. The death of Leelah Alcorn hit home for me and I could no longer hide. People need to know that we are human and deserve to be treated as such. Being a part of this documentary is important because in 2015 people still believe that you can catch gay. It is a great honor to have received this diversity award and to see such supportive reactions to my speech by amazing filmmakers at the gala event. The experience of being able to showcase the lives of Cayes and other strong LGBTQ members has been incredible. This win is dedicated to all of them. I hope that many people will be inspired by their stories, concluded Dr. Luciana. Luciana Lagana is a caring clinical and experimental psychologist. She is also a professor of psychology, gerontology, womens health and sexuality at CSUN, where she teaches classes and mentors many undergraduate and graduate students. Additionally, since 2002, she has been conducting government-funded research at CSUN on the physical, psychological, sexual and social health of ethnically diverse, primarily low-income older women. Since 2006, she has also been pursuing her creative endeavors by studying acting, TV and radio hosting, screenwriting, directing and producing in Los Angeles. She has over 50 IMDb credits for hosting and acting in many independent feature films, TV pilots and web series as well as several credits for her award-winning screenwriting, directing and producing. She is the writer/lead actor/director/producer of the 2014 award-winning satirical web series INTIMATE TEMP AGENCY on helping young people with special needs find employment, which won Best Trailer at the 2015 Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival among other awards. Her 2014 DR. LUCIANA SHOW AGING AND FALLING web series won numerous awards, including Best Educational Show at the 2015 WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival. Within the past two years, she co-wrote, hosted and co-produced the TV pilot DR. LUCIANA ON AGING AND FALLING and also wrote, hosted, directed and produced three award-winning social impact feature documentaries, UNDERSTANDING PAIN IN OLDER AGE, LGBT UNITED and AGING AND FALLING, which are currently on the film festival circuit. The runway will take on new meaning when dozens of dazzling dogs show off the latest canine fashions on Tuesday, September 13. Open to the public from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., the runway show is taking place in front of Dog & Co. (Space #32) at TurnStyle, New Yorks newest and most unique underground shopping corridor, at Eighth Avenue between 57th and 58th Streets. The event will showcase the haute pet supply retailers latest collections on models that include adoptable, celebrity and customer canines in a setting that pays homage to New York Fashion Week, complete with lights, cameras and pizzazz! Adding more fun to the festivities, Ellary's Greens at TurnStyle will be serving limited edition "Pup-sicles" (organic frozen treats) for the dogs participating in the fashion show. This is a really great event for anyone who loves dogs and fashion, points out Susan Fine, TurnStyles CEO and developer. We have the most creative retail down here and a canine couture event is a prime example of how to showcase products in ways that are entertaining and inventive. Open to the public for free, visitors are encouraged to stop into TurnStyles many coffee bars and eateries before and after the show, such as By Suzette, MeltKraft, Casa Toscana, Georgias Bakery, Fika Espresso, Gastronomie, Bosie Patisserie and Yong Kang Street, among others. In addition, all of the shops in the corridor will stay open throughout the event, including Spectre & Co., Lush, Marc Tetro, Papyrus, Studio Manhattan, Vu Framework and Specs. Limited seating is being provided for Dog & Co.s invited guests, only. TurnStyle is New York City's leading lifestyle hub; an underground marketplace proving that there is an upside to down. Located within a completely renovated 325-foot-long passageway leading from 57th Street and Eighth Avenue to the subway platforms, TurnStyle has reimagined the subway experience by creating a Main Street-esque destination under Columbus Circle. With 39 local small businesses, nationally recognized brands and rotating pop-ups from designers, artisans and artists, TurnStyle brings choice, convenience and a modern, clean design to the 90,000+ daily commuters who frequent this Midtown Manhattan destination. From hats to flowers, dumplings to doughnuts, cell phone cases to sunglasses, and much more in between, TurnStyle brings a unique and accessible selection to change the commuting experience. This new capital will provide us with enhanced flexibility as we pursue our strategic initiatives and continue to positively impact patient care. Specialists On Call, Inc. (SOC), the nations leading provider of clinical telemedicine services to acute care hospitals, today announced that it has raised $50 million in new capital through a combination of equity and a credit facility from CRG, a healthcare-focused investment firm delivering pioneering growth capital solutions to the global healthcare market. SOC intends to use the funds to accelerate its robust organic growth and actively pursue strategic acquisition opportunities. "We are pleased to have the support of our investors and CRG to reinforce our companys strong financial foundation and its continued path of significant growth," said Mr. Hammad Shah, CEO of Specialists On Call. "This new capital will provide us with enhanced flexibility as we pursue our strategic initiatives and continue to positively impact patient care through increased investments that expand our capabilities, while increasing value to our clients." To improve patient care through increased access to qualified specialists, the company recently launched a turnkey, technology-enabled operational platform for hospitals, clinics and health systems seeking to build their own telemedicine program. This Managed Services solution offers SOCs clients the only holistic telemedicine solution that can leverage SOCs world-class network of physicians, the clients own in-house staff, or a hybrid of the two. About Specialists On Call Specialists On Call, Inc. (SOC) is the nations most experienced and trusted provider of physician consultations via telemedicine, offering 24x7 coverage and serving over 350 hospitals nationwide. Through its Neurology, Psychiatry, Critical Care, and Managed Services solutions, SOC virtually delivers physicians directly to the patients bedside. The company's Consult Coordination Center (CCC) is the hub of its clinical and operational support teams, and dedicated to accelerating patient care through a fully-redundant and state-of-the-art infrastructure. SOC was the first private provider of acute clinical telemedicine services to earn The Joint Commissions Gold Seal of Approval and has maintained that accreditation every year since inception. About CRG Founded in 2003, CRG (previously known as Capital Royalty L.P.) is a healthcare-focused investment firm that delivers pioneering growth capital financing solutions to the global healthcare industry. With over $2.5 billion of assets under management across 40 healthcare investments, CRG provides growth capital to healthcare companies primarily through structured debt and senior secured loans. CRG works across the spectrum of healthcare products, technologies and services and targets investment sizes ranging between $20 million and $300 million. The firm partners with innovative, commercial-stage healthcare companies that address large, unmet medical needs who are seeking flexible financing solutions with a committed, value-add partner to achieve their growth objectives. CRG is headquartered in Houston, Texas with offices in Boulder, Colorado and New York, New York. Back to School. CREDIT: Avolore. https://www.flickr.com/photos/52636849@N00/204934333/ Students and educators, we wish you all a great year! Carnegie Council is one of the world's top creators of nonpartisan educational resources on ethics and international affairs. We hope you enjoy these resources and activities, and find them useful. Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs is one of the world's top creators of nonpartisan educational resources on ethics and international affairs. Its extensive online resources are updated and expanded every summer, just in time for the fall semester. ONLINE EDUCATION RESOURCES Created for teachers by a teacher, Carnegie Council's Education Section features text and multimedia materials for high school and college classrooms. They are designed to help students gain a deeper understanding of history, social studies, and philosophical issues through interpretation and analysis of events and phenomena. Go to https://www.carnegiecouncil.org/education/index.html. This free online section includes: Lesson Plan Ideas Nine sections, including a new Worksheets and Excerpts Section for high school students, and new college reading lists added to the Syllabi Section. Short Videos All videos have accompanying transcripts. Perfect for both high school and college students. Content Resources Seven sections, including a new Environment Section. Primary Sources Includes a Martin Luther King speech and materials on the Iraq War and the financial crisis. Book Notes Includes a companion guide of glossary terms and additional video resources to the popular textbook World Politics: Trend and Transformation. ACTIVITIES Global Ethics Day, October 19, 2016 It's the third annual Global Ethics Day! Why not use this day to hold an event exploring the role of ethics in international affairs? In the tradition of a "teach-in" model, these events will be run by each institution as it sees fit while being part of a worldwide Global Ethics Day. We hope you'll join us. International Student/Teacher Essay Contest, 2016: Nationalism Is nationalism an asset or hindrance in today's globalized world? Teachers at all levels and high school, undergrad, and graduate students are eligible. DEADLINE: December 31, 2016 International Student Photo Contest, 2016: Cities/Urbanization Across the world, there is an ongoing mass migration from the countryside to the cities. Please submit photos that depict urbanization and city life, showing either the advantages or the drawbacks. The minimum age is 13. DEADLINE: December 31, 2016 http://www.globalethicsnetwork.org Especially popular with students, the Council's social networking site, globalethicsnetwork.org, is open to all. Post a blog or video, and read and comment on projects and postings from around the world. THE COUNCIL'S JOURNAL, "ETHICS & INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS" Carnegie Council's quarterly academic journal publishes essays that evaluate global institutions and policies according to principles of justice. Its aim is to close the gap between theory and practice, integrating ethical reasoning into analysis of real-world problems, such as the reform of international institutions, rules for the preventive use of force, and the regulation of global climate change. Go to https://www.ethicsandinternationalaffairs.org/ ABOUT CARNEGIE COUNCIL Founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1914, Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs is an educational, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that produces lectures, publications, and multimedia materials on the ethical challenges of living in a globalized world. Go to http://www.carnegiecouncil.org. Big Time RV gives viewers an all-access pass inside Lazydays RV, Americas largest, and one of the most prestigious, RV dealerships, located in Tampa, Fla. and Tucson, Ariz. Big Time RV gives viewers an all-access pass inside Lazydays RV, Americas largest, and one of the most prestigious, RV dealerships, located in Tampa, Fla. and Tucson, Ariz. While touring and testing every make and model of RV available, the expert sales force and first-rate customization center work together to satisfy the demands of RV lovers looking to buy or rent the biggest, most over-the-top RVs in the business. [Half-hour episodes] SEASON PREMIERE: King of the Road - Premieres Sunday, September 11 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT An auctioneer family is sold on buying a new RV, artists are looking for a camper thats a real beauty and an Elvis impersonator needs an RV fit for the King. Triple Trade-In - Premieres Sunday, September 11 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT RV bloggers need to upgrade for business and adventure, demolition derby promoters want a brand new upgrade and a family of five wants a dream RV to bring them together. About Lazydays Lazydays, founded in 1976, is the worlds largest RV dealership. Based on 126 acres outside Tampa, FL since 1996, Lazydays also has dealerships located in Tucson, AZ as well as three dealerships located in Loveland, Aurora and Longmont, CO. Lazydays has the largest selection of RV brands in the nation featuring more than 2,500 new and pre-owned RVs, over 300 service bays and two on-site campgrounds with over 700 RV campsites. Lazydays RV Accessories & More offers more than 40,000 accessories online for your shopping convenience. Shop us online or visit one of our store locations in Florida, Arizona and Colorado. Lazydays has built its reputation on providing an outstanding customer experience with exceptional service and product expertise, and as a place to rest and recharge with other RVers. More than half a million RVers visit Lazydays every year, making it their home away from home. Lazydays has been recognized as a Top 50 RV Dealer by RV Business and as one of Tampa Bays Top Work Places. The Lazydays Employee Foundation, supported by payroll contributions from more than 65% of Lazydays employees, has contributed more than $1.5 million dollars to make many historic changes for at-risk children in the Tampa Bay and Tucson communities. For most people, Lazydays isnt just the beginning of their journey; it's very much a part of their ride. To learn more, visit http://www.lazydays.com. ### . "Marketing, qualifying and securing quality tenants is essential for making each rental unit a good investment," says Todd Sachs, president of the Sachs Group of Berkshire Hathaway HSHS Realty. Baltimore County based investor real estate team the Sachs Group of Berkshire Hathaway HSHS Realty announces the addition of Luke Bond as Realtor, expanding to its team of real estate investment specialists in Maryland. Bond will focus on helping investors who purchase rental units, both multi-family and single family dwellings, find suitable tenants. "Marketing, qualifying and securing quality tenants is essential for making each rental unit a good investment," says Todd Sachs, president of the Sachs Group of Berkshire Hathaway HSHS Realty. "Luke brings a dynamic and energetic approach to each client's rental investment needs." To meet with the increased number of HUD owned property sales, Bond will also specialize in HUD properties. HUD homes, which are residential dwellings acquired by the Department of Housing and Urban Development as a result of a foreclosure on an FHA insured mortgage, are becoming a lucrative buy for today's investors according to Sachs. "Specializing in HUD purchases requires an agent to become very familiar with the specific forms and formats required by the Federal Government. Luke's detail oriented and time sensitive approach to completing these types of contracts has met with great success," says Sachs. "I am excited to join the Sachs Group of Berkshire Hathaway," says Bond. "I look forward to helping investors find the most profitable and rewarding properties to add to their portfolios." About the Sachs Group of Berkshire Hathaway HSHS Realty The Sachs Group of Berkshire Hathaway HSHS Realty is a team of real estate investment specialists based in Baltimore, Maryland that provides investors with a full array of comprehensive investment services. Contact Information: Sachs Group of Berkshire Hathaway HSHS Realty http://www.sachsgroup.com Bob Evans Restaurants is launching candied bacon across all locations for a limited time. "Our new menu and product introductions combine the traditional with the contemporary and allow us to build a better Bob Evans," said John Fisher, President, Bob Evans Farms, LLC. Just in time for the cool weather of fall, Bob Evans Restaurants is launching candied bacon across all locations for a limited time. The sweet, smoky and shareable candied bacon makes a great starter for any meal. Over the last decade, bacon consumption has risen steadily and today, according to the National Pork Board, American per capita bacon consumption is 10 pounds annually, reflecting the enduring popularity of the product. To celebrate this launch and introduce the yummy treat to Bob Evans Restaurants loyal customer base, Bob Evans Restaurants will serve a complimentary slice of candied bacon to each customer who visits a restaurant and purchases a regular priced entree on September 14, 2016, after 11:00 a.m. In addition to candied bacon, Bob Evans is also reintroducing a guest favorite, the Farm Boy. The Farm Boy is a refresh of a classic Bob Evans recipe and lets guests experience the same unique flavor of the original sausage sandwich from the first Bob Evans Restaurant in Rio Grande, Ohio. The Farm Boy consists of a Bob Evans sausage patty topped with cheddar cheese, sauteed onions and pickles, served on a Kaiser roll. Today, there is a lot of nostalgia for the way things used to be and we are taking our cues from our loyal customers who appreciate the Bob Evans values of authenticity, hospitality and farm-fresh goodness, said John Fisher, President, Bob Evans Farms, LLC. Our new menu and product introductions combine the traditional with the contemporary and allow us to build a better Bob Evans. Other new menu items include: Bob Evans Burger 100 percent Angus beef burger on a brioche bun topped with bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, Sriracha-avocado mayo and crowned with a fried egg Steakhouse Burger stacked with hardwood-smoked bacon, grilled mushrooms and onions, cheese and steak sauce Veggie Omelet loaded with fresh vegetables and shredded cheddar cheese To make the menu easier for guests to understand and navigate, Bob Evans is combining the item introductions with a redesigned, streamlined menu. The new menu focuses on what Bob Evans does best, providing home style, farm-fresh meals to guests, and includes a redesigned ordering structure for dinner so guests can customize their meals with a wide variety of choices, prices and portion sizes. The look, the tone, and the feel of the new menu design is a dramatic departure from the standard menu that has been used for years in Bob Evans restaurants. The menu proudly embraces Bob Evans farm roots, better communicates core values and introduces new ordering options, including not only long-standing favorites, but also a new Build-Your-Own option at every meal. The most dramatic change is the dinner portion of the menu, where the 3-Course dinner submenu has been expanded. Now, every regular-sized dinner entree is available as a 3-Course meal for an additional $2. Guests can create their own 3-Course meal with a choice of soup or salad and a dessert selection. The new menu is a welcome addition to the tools we are using to evolve Bob Evans Restaurants, said Saed Mohseni, Chief Executive Officer of Bob Evans Farms, Inc. Throughout the year, we have been concentrating on the critical role hospitality and food quality plays as we improve our restaurant business. The new menu design is an important guest touch point for communicating those changes. For more information and restaurant locations, visit http://www.BobEvans.com. About Bob Evans Farms, Inc. Bob Evans Farms, Inc. owns and operates full-service restaurants under the Bob Evans Restaurants brand name. At the end of the first fiscal quarter (July 29, 2016), Bob Evans Restaurants owned and operated 522 family restaurants in 18 states, primarily in the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions of the United States. Bob Evans Farms, Inc., through its BEF Foods segment, is also a leading producer and distributor of refrigerated side dishes, pork sausage and a variety of refrigerated and frozen convenience food items under the Bob Evans and Owens brand names. For more information about Bob Evans Farms, Inc., visit http://www.bobevans.com. # # # Advocacy groups and self-proclaimed social entrepreneurs are working aggressively to deregulate the preparation of teachers and to expand independent, alternative routes into teaching. The policy push is so powerful that it raises a real possibility that the nation may dismantle its university system of teacher education and replace much of it with independent, private programs not connected to colleges or universities. These new routes sometimes emphasize technical skills over deep, professional understanding. Accordingly, some of the new programs are very different from most teacher education programs provided by U.S. colleges and universities, which are usually grounded in core research knowledgeabout the subject matter being taught as well as child and adolescent development and learning theory, all taught in the context of practice and of the students environment. In a brief released today, Independent Teacher Education Programs: Apocryphal Claims, Illusory Evidence, Ken Zeichner of the University of Washington reviews what is known about the quality of five of the most prominent independent teacher education programs in the U.S., including their impact on teacher quality and student learning. Zeichner is the Boeing Professor of Teacher Education at UW and is a member of the prestigious National Academy of Education. The five independent programs examined in Zeichners brief are: The Relay Graduate School of Education (Relay), Match Teacher Residency (MTR), High Tech Highs Internship, iTeach, and TEACH-NOW. His analysis demonstrates that claims regarding the success of such programs are not substantiated by peer-reviewed research and program evaluations. The promotion and expansion of independent teacher preparation programs rests not on evidence, but largely on ideology, says Professor Zeichner. The lack of credible evidence supporting claims of success is particularly problematic given the current emphasis on evidence-based policy and practice in federal policy and professional standards. Zeichners analysis also concludes that two of the programs, MTR and Relay, prepare teachers to use highly controlling pedagogical and classroom management techniques that are primarily used in schools serving students of color whose communities are severely impacted by poverty. In doing so, they contribute to the inequitable distribution of professionally prepared teachers and to the stratification of schools according to the social class and racial composition of the student body. The teaching and management practices learned by the teachers in these two independent programs are based on a restricted definition of teaching and learning and would not be acceptable in more economically advantaged communities, explains Zeichner. Students in more economically advantaged areas have greater access to professionally trained teachers, less punitive and controlling management practices and broader and richer curricula and teaching practices. At a time when we are working to educate an increasingly diverse student body, this shift away from preparing teachers with deep professional knowledge may negatively impact teacher quality and student learning. Professor Zeichner offers four specific recommendations based on these findings: State and federal policymakers should not implement policies and provide funding streams that promote the development and expansion of independent teacher education programs unless and until substantive credible evidence accrues to support them. There currently is minimal evidence. State policymakers should be very cautious in authorizing teacher preparation academies under a provision in the new federal education law (Every Student Succeeds Act, or ESSA). Such authorization would exempt those programs from the higher standards for teacher preparation that states typically seek to enforce for other teacher education programs. Policies should hold all teacher preparation programs to clear, consistent, and high standards. Teacher education program quality should be determined by an analysis of the costs and benefits of multiple outcomes associated with the programs. Policymakers should thus reject the argument made by two of these five programs (MTR and Relay) that the sole or overriding indicator of teacher and program quality should be students standardized test scores. State and federal policies that are designed to support the development of independent teacher education programs should include monitoring provisions to ensure that they do not contribute to a stratified system, where teachers serving more economically advantaged communities complete programs in colleges and universities to become professional educators, while teachers serving low-income communities receive only more technical, narrow training on how to implement a defined set of curricular, instructional and managerial guidelines. Find Independent Teacher Education Programs: Apocryphal Claims, Illusory Evidence, by Ken Zeichner, on the web at: http://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/teacher-education This policy brief was made possible in part by the support of the Great Lakes Center for Education Research and Practice (greatlakescenter.org). The National Education Policy Center (NEPC), housed at the University of Colorado Boulder School of Education, produces and disseminates high-quality, peer-reviewed research to inform education policy discussions. Visit us at: http://nepc.colorado.edu Find Documents: Press Release: http://nepc.info/node/8193 NEPC Publication: http://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/teacher-education Raffaele Puppio, one of the largest full-service law firms in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, has launched a new website at http://www.RaffaelePuppio.com. The site, created and maintained by legal marketing agency Furia Rubel Communications, Inc., is designed to provide a modern and user-friendly experience on all electronic devices. The new, fully responsive website better serves the growing needs of the law firms clients and referring attorneys with improved functionality, easy-to-use navigation, and a more engaging user experience. Users of RaffaelePuppio.com can easily maneuver through categories, instantaneously find information, and quickly access contact information in the header, in the Delaware County Lawyers bios, and on the contact page. Attorneys are highlighted with detailed biographies cross-referencing relevant practice areas, and case types are clearly described. Website visitors also can access the Delaware County law firms blog, FAQs, and media center via the main navigation, the homepage, or by using the search tool. The site also captures the essence of the law firm in the prominent tagline: Experience. Connections. Results. The tagline embodies Raffaele Puppios well-established mission, deep relationships in Delaware County, decades of experience representing school districts, municipalities, businesses and individual clients, and the firms commitment to getting the best results for its clients. As part of the firms marketing efforts, the website URL was changed from RandPLaw.com to RaffaelePuppio.com. Email addresses for attorneys and staff members also have changed to (at)raffaelepuppio(dot)com, but email messages sent to the former addresses will continue to be received by the firm. Raffaele Puppios law blog shares thought leadership pertaining to the firms various areas of practice such as school and government law, family law, criminal law, general litigation, personal injury, commercial real estate and business transactions, elder law and estate planning and administration. The blog is designed to answer general questions that visitors to the website may have about specific areas of law and to highlight legal developments and trends. Visitors also can sign up for the firms quarterly eNewsletter or connect with the firm on LinkedIn. About Raffaele Puppio Raffaele Puppio is one of the largest and most established full-service law firms in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Attorneys within the firm are known for their legal prowess among the bench and bar in Delaware County, having decades of experience representing school districts, municipalities, businesses and individual clients, helping to solve legal problems while avoiding future legal issues. The attorneys provide sound legal counsel in the areas of education law, government and municipal services, family law, general litigation, personal injury, commercial real estate and business transactions, elder law, estate administration and planning, and criminal law. # # # Radek Sikorski "Radek Sikorskis tenure as a European Union foreign minister has given him a deep understanding of the challenges facing the continent." Ian Bremmer, Eurasia Group President Eurasia Group is proud to welcome the Honorable Radosaw (Radek) Sikorski, former foreign minister and minister of defense of Poland, as a senior advisor to the firm. An expert on European affairs, Sikorski will partner with Eurasia Group to offer strategic insights on the geopolitics of the region. Radek Sikorskis tenure as a European Union foreign minister has given him a deep understanding of the challenges facing the continent, said Ian Bremmer, Eurasia Groups president. His expertise will be a valuable addition for clients looking to seize opportunities across the region. As minister of foreign affairs, Sikorski negotiated and signed the Poland-Russia regional visa-free regime, the Poland-US missile defense agreement and, along with Carl Bildt, he launched the EUs Eastern Partnership, forging cooperation between the EU and its eastern neighbors. As recent events have shown, Europes crises will continue to have economic effects that ricochet around the world, said Sikorski. Im thrilled to join Eurasia Group, the leader in political risk analysis, to help its clients anticipate and respond to these challenging dynamics. In addition to his work with Eurasia Group, Sikorski is Senior Fellow at the Center for European Studies, Harvard University. Foreign Policy magazine included Sikorski in their list of 100 global thinkers for 'speaking the truth even when it's undiplomatic. (Full bio) *** Eurasia Group is the worlds leading global political risk research and consulting firm. By providing information and insight on how political developments move markets, we help clients anticipate and respond to instability and opportunities everywhere they invest or do business. Founded in 1998, the firms name reveals its early focus on the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, but today our research platform is global. Our analysts monitor political, economic, social, and security developments in Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. Headquartered in New York, we have offices in Washington, DC, and London, as well as on-the-ground experts and resources in more than a hundred countries. Our analysts are highly trained political scientists with extensive experience in the public and private sectors. http://www.eurasiagroup.net http://www.facebook.com/eurasiagroup Twitter: @eurasiagroup PC Bennett Solutions PC Bennett Solutions, a premium, personalized service for Acumaticas end-to-end enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM) and accounting services, announced its acquisition of Dallas area-based ERP consulting and implementation firm ROC Solutions. Terms of the deal are not being disclosed at this time. However, the merger positions PC Bennett Solutions as one of the largest Acumatica exclusive reseller partners. Effective immediately, PC Bennett Solutions acquires all of ROC Solutions intellectual property and customer base while expanding its physical presence with locations now in the Seattle and Dallas areas, as well as virtual offices in California and Colorado. This is a truly exciting time for PC Bennett Solutions, said Patricia Bennett, chief executive officer of PC Bennett Solutions. Both of our companies share similar values and because of that were going to be focused on forming long-term relationships with our clients for many years to come. As the largest exclusive Acumatica reselling partner, our goal is to achieve even higher levels of customer satisfaction while searching for growth opportunities in untapped markets. PC Bennett Solutions brings a wealth of knowledge and talent around Acumatica in Sales, Implementation, Support, and the Development platformit made perfect sense to make this leap to create a world-class organization built around the Acumatica platform, said Tim OSullivan, newly appointed chief operating officer of PC Bennett Solutions and former managing partner of ROC Solutions. Our customers, as well as PC Bennetts, will immediately receive a much larger expert support team that can help move their business to the next level. Broadening Resources for Serving Clients, Expanding Markets As part of the acquisition, which was just finalized, PC Bennett Solutions will broaden its resources for serving customers, with OSullivan shifting roles to chief operating officer. In his new role, OSullivan is responsible for managing the companys day-to-day operations while overseeing PC Bennett Solutions consulting division. Additionally, former managing partners Angie Crockett and Jose Antonio Romero will now serve as senior vice president of customer care, and senior vice president of global services, respectively. Merging with PC Bennett Solutions offers us the opportunity to take ROC Solutions to the next level by bringing together teams with a variety of skills and many years of experience in the ERP space, said Crockett. We look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead. As part of the acquisition, PC Bennett Solutions is in the process of planning its continued growth and expansion across U.S. markets as well as into Latin American markets, including Peru and Colombia, where Romero and Bennett hail from. Joining forces with another enterprise can create innovation in manufacturing, distribution, design, and research and development, said Romero. This partnership allows us to align our synergies while enhancing our ability to reach new markets. Award-Winning Team For the second time in two years, the Puget Sound Business Journal named PC Bennett Solutions as one of the top 50 fastest-growing private companies on the Eastside area. PC Bennett Solutions was also recognized on Inc. 5000s List of Americas Fastest-Growing Companies. ### About PC Bennett Solutions PC Bennett Solutions offers a personalized, full-service experience for customers by implementing business management technology. Through a hands-on approach, PC Bennett Solutions helps companies get the most out of their software system. The team provides training, implementation and customization of Acumatica. Headquartered in the Seattle area, PC Bennett Solutions is one of the largest exclusive Acumatica resellers. For more information, visit http://www.pcbennett.com. About Acumatica Acumatica provides cloud-based business management software that empowers small and mid-size businesses to unlock their potential and drive growth. Built on cloud and mobile technology and a unique customer-centric licensing model, Acumatica delivers a suite of fully integrated business management applications, such as Financials, Distribution, CRM and Project Accounting, on a robust and flexible platform. In an interconnected world, Acumatica enables customers to take full control of their businesses, play to their organizations unique strengths and support their clients by following them anywhere on any device. For more information, visit http://www.acumatica.com. Genetec Mission Control Mission Control allows personnel to take control of undesirable situations by correlating incoming data to detect more complex situations, prioritize larger incidents and threats, and remove emotion from the response by steering operators along the way Genetec Inc. (Genetec), a leading provider of open-architecture, IP security solutions today announced Mission Control, a Decision Support System (DSS) that will provide security professionals with new levels of situational intelligence, system visualization, and incident management. Designed to work seamlessly with Security Center, the companys unified security platform that combines video surveillance, access control, automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) and communications management, Mission Control aims to simplify the operator's tasks and decision-making process when handling routine activities and undesirable situations. Genetec Mission Control is expected to be available in Q4 2016, and will be demonstrated at the ASIS 62nd Annual International Seminar and Exhibits, on booth #2327 in Orlando, FL, September 12-15th. Ideally suited to meet the operational needs of larger, multi-site deployments in markets such as higher education and transportation, Mission Control will give operators a holistic, unified, and map-centric view of their entire security infrastructure. Mission Control will also move beyond the capabilities of traditional security platforms, enabling organizations to manage the entire lifecycle of incidents and situations, from monitoring incoming sensor data and detecting incidents, all the way through to resolution and auditing. With Mission Control, organizations will be able to define their response strategy and contingency plans in advance. Based on their unique needs and environment, security and operations departments will be able to create incident categories, the multi-layered rules that trigger each, and automate system actions to address them. They can further assign automated workflows and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to incident categories, which are triggered when an incident is detected to guide the response of the operator to ensure compliance with internal and external policies. "Security systems have been traditionally designed to report events and alarms, leaving it up to the operator to interpret the information and react to situations. However, with the increased complexity of security installations, and the sheer volume of data gathered by the multitude of sensors, it can be difficult for operators to confidently assess complex situations or respond to threats," explains Jimmy Palatsoukas, Senior Manager of Product Marketing, Genetec, Inc. "Mission Control will allow personnel to take control of undesirable situations by correlating incoming data to detect more complex situations, prioritize larger incidents and threats, and remove emotion from the response by steering operators along the way." Mission Control gives security personnel a more intelligent view of an incident so they can make informed decisions. This is achieved by ingesting data from thousands of sensors and associated real-time information and qualifying them more intelligently based on the end-users operational environment. Once triggered, incidents launch workflows that drive system behavior and guide operator responses through the entire lifecycle of the incident using SOPs. In addition to comprehensive incident management, Mission Control will offer operators the ability to manage both active and historical incidents, run reports for analysis purposes and continuous improvement, as well as for auditing purposes. To enhance and streamline the operator experience, Mission Control introduces new levels of interaction within dynamic maps, including monitoring live incidents and response management, to go beyond traditional maps that are generally limited to monitoring security devices and singular events. By utilizing a map-centric approach to monitoring and command and control, operators will be able to more intuitively visualize the security environment and take appropriate action as warranted. For more information about Mission Control, visit the product feature page at: http://www.genetec.com/mission-control. About Genetec Genetec develops open-architecture software, hardware and cloud-based services for the physical security and public safety industry. Its flagship product, Security Center, unifies IP-based access control, video surveillance and automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) into one platform. A global innovator since 1997, Genetec is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, and serves enterprise and government organizations via an integrated network of resellers, certified channel partners, integrators and consultants in over 80 countries. Genetec was founded on the principle of innovation and remains at the forefront of emerging technologies that unify IP physical security systems. For more information about Genetec, visit: http://www.genetec.com NORTH AMERICA Veronique Froment Highrez PR veronique(at)highrezpr(dot)com Tel: +1 603.537.9248 MEXICO / CARIBBEAN Patricia Tawil IDESA Ideas Estrategicas Aplicadas ptawil(at)idesa(dot)com Tel: 52 555 109 05 94 BRAZIL Carla Caroline, VP Group Brasil carla.caroline(at)vpgroup.com(dot)br Tel: +55 11 2424-7765 / 99686.4654 Skype: Carla.CarolineGS UK / SCANDINAVIA Robert Hickling SAY Communications (UK) genetec@saycommunications.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 20 8971 6400 France/Italy/Portugal/Spain Meda Casunean mcasunean(at)genetec(dot)com Tel: +33 (0) 6 16 43 24 89 GERMANY Jutta Lorberg BSK Becker+Schreiner Kommunikation GmbH lorberg(at)kommunikation-bsk(dot)de Tel: +49 2154 8122 22 Mob: +49 170 4702145 ASIA PACIFIC Sharon Chong (Genetec Singapore) schong(at)genetec(dot)com Tel: +65 9763 9136 If you are passionate about your work, you take an active interest in solving problems and learning new things. At the same, its important for me to contribute to the development of others and share my knowledge and experience. A responsibility to give back to the legal community and advocate for families and children has driven Dallas/Plano/Texas family law attorney Kathryn J. Murphy to the top of the list. Best Lawyers, in a peer-driven selection process, has named her as 2017 "Lawyer of the Year" for Family Law in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. At the same time, she moves into a leadership position as Chair of the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section. Kathryn possesses the hallmark qualities of successful leaders integrity, compassion, conviction and perseverance, said Curtis W. Harrison II, managing partner of Texas family law firm GoransonBain. Her commitment to her clients and her colleagues in the legal profession has earned her the distinction and recognition from both Best Lawyers and the State Bar of Texas, he added. This is the second time Murphy has been named Best Lawyers Family Law Lawyer of the Year in Dallas. Only a single lawyer in each practice area within a community is honored with this distinction. She has been listed in Best Lawyers in America every year since 2003. The Best Lawyers recognition is one of many accomplishments of the GoransonBain family law firm partner, but it is her devotion to the professional development in herself and others that motivates her. Advocacy in Action If you are passionate about your work, you take an active interest in solving problems and learning new things, said Murphy. At the same, its important for me to contribute to the development of others and share my knowledge and experience. As Chair of the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section, Murphy will lead the approximate 6,000 members of the Section in their mission to promote the highest degree of professionalism, education, fellowship and excellence in the practice of family law. Through her involvement with the State Bar of Texas and other industry related organizations, Murphy has developed strong relations with fellow attorneys and expanded her network of connections. She has helped advance family law legislation that works for the best interests of families and children. She is a frequent speaker on family law matters and has authored several publications including most recently, Family Law at Your Fingertips, a guidebook that provides quick access to the substantive law. Murphy is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She is a Fellow of the prestigious International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the Texas Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, where she is a Past-President. She is a member of the American Bar Association, Dallas Bar Association and Collin County Bar Association. A graduate of the University of Texas at Tyler with honors, she was the recipient of the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award. She earned her Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. Murphy is a resident of Plano, where she lives with her husband. About GoransonBain, PLCC GoransonBain is a Texas family law firm founded in 1987. Since its inception, GoransonBain has fostered a constructive atmosphere and strategic approach to help clients controls costs, minimize the disruption to their daily lives and achieve the best possible outcome. The firms team of attorneys, including three former family court judges, offers clients comprehensive experience and perspectives to work towards an efficient resolution in complex situations. Services encompass virtually every facet of family law, including divorce, asset identification and valuation, complex property matters, collaborative law, mediation, premarital and postmarital agreements, child custody and visitation, property division, child support, adoption, paternity, and same-sex legal issues. In 2013, 2014 and 2015, U.S. News & World Report named GoransonBain a Best Law Firm in its U.S. News - Best Lawyers for family law and family law mediation, an achievement that involved a rigorous independent evaluation process. The firm maintains three Texas offices in Dallas, Plano and Austin. Today, the University of Hawaii system (UH) is being recognized by the WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies (WCET) for its advanced application of data and digital advising tools to help improve student retention in the state. We are honored to be recognized by WCET, and believe this is a testament to our campuses and technology partners who have helped us make a significant impact on the academic outcomes and lives of UH students, said Hae Okimoto, Ph.D., Director of Academic Technologies at the University of Hawaii System. Over the past four years, UH has transformed its institutional decision-making process by using data to surface timely insights to improve policies and direct student services. The systems sophisticated use of data has informed system-wide initiatives that have already demonstrated a significant effect on student success. As a founding institutional partner of the PAR Framework, a division of Hobsons, the system has leveraged its PAR membership to benchmark existing efforts, identify factors that have the biggest impact on student retention, and surface new effective practices to drive student success. For example, in 2011, UH launched a 15 to Finish campaign as part of the Hawaii Graduation Initiative to improve four-year graduation rates across UH campuses. Students were encouraged to take 15 credits per semester to graduate on time. Today, the percentage of first-time freshmen at the systems four-year campuses taking 15 credits or more has increased from 36.1 to 59.2 percent, and the 15 to Finish campaign has been adopted by 20 other states. We are thrilled that an innovative organization like WCET is recognizing one of the PAR founding members for significant accomplishments in improving student success. The team at the University of Hawaii has repeatedly demonstrated its leadership through the practical application of analytics and effective use of technology to help students achieve their goals," said Beth Davis, General Manager of PAR Framework at Hobsons. "We're learning alongside the University of Hawaii system, as they have pushed our own thinking in the ways that thoughtful data analysis and proactive advising can make a real difference for students." Most recently, UH system member Honolulu Community College is piloting a program that integrates disparate data sources into Hobsons Starfish Early Alert in order to better retain under-represented students in STEM fields. The WCET Outstanding Work (WOW) awards program is designed to recognize colleges, universities, and organizations that are implementing exceptionally creative, technology-based solutions to address challenges in higher education. The UH system will be recognized as one of the three winners of the 2016 WOW awards during the annual WCET meeting in Minneapolis next month. For more information on the 2016 WCET WOW awards program and this years winners, visit http://wcet.wiche.edu/initiatives/wcet-awards/wow/media-release-2016. About the PAR Framework The PAR Framework, a division of Hobsons, offers higher education stakeholders a unique perspective on using data to help at-risk students stay in school and reach their educational goals. PAR improves student success with predictive models, collaborative benchmarks, and frameworks that identify critical points of student risk. PAR is known for its development of common, openly published data definitions and student success frameworks, which allow institutions to collaborate with each other to improve student outcomes. About Hobsons Hobsons helps students identify their strengths, explore careers, create academic plans, match to best-fit educational opportunities, and reach their education and life goals. Through our solutions, we enable thousands of educational institutions to improve college and career planning, admissions and enrollment management, and student success and advising for millions of students around the globe. Hobsons works with more than 12,000 schools, colleges, and universities and serves more than 13 million students. "Supporting startups with insight into investments and trends for hundreds of thousands of companies globally is central to CrunchBases mission," said CrunchBase Head of Operations Matt Kaufman. CrunchBase, the worlds most relied upon business information platform, and Startup Genome (formerly Compass research), creator of the largest body of research on startup ecosystems based on the Voice of Entrepreneurs, announce the kickoff of the 2016 project. Even more ambitious than in 2015, 20,000 startups founders from more than 100 cities are expected to participate in Startup Genomes global report, along with more than 200 local organizations in 50 member cities. Beginning today, startups around the world are completing the Startup Ecosystem 2016 survey to assess resource gaps in their ecosystem. They will also benchmark their individual startup results with their relevant peers to identify real issues and improve decision-making. Our mission is to increase the success rate of startups by fueling the growth of startup ecosystems all over the world, said JF Gauthier, President of Startup Genome. This announcement comes at a critical time for the economy of many cities and countries because some startup ecosystems are accelerating while others are at risk of being left behind. It is especially important given the groundbreaking study by Kauffman Foundation showing that startups are the #1 source of job creation. Startup Genome now works directly with its local member organizations, using its knowledge to drive local actions that are proven to accelerate the growth of startup ecosystems. It also provides needed exposure to all member ecosystems through the Global Startup Ecosystem Ranking and related reports, the most widely read report series of its kind. They have reached more than 250,000 global investors, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders directly, and millions more through hundreds of articles in major and local media (e.g. WSJ, Bloomberg, The Economist, etc.) and references by the Obama administration, German Chancellor Merkel and others. The startup revolution is truly globalamazingly so. The number of startups is growing rapidly everywhere, but the problem is in many ecosystems, the attrition rate is abnormally high. Many startups fail due to external factorsout of the control of entrepreneurssuch as a lack of funding, technical talent, and scaling expertise, continued JF Gauthier. Resource gaps in each city can be impacted by the leaders of supporting organizations if we work together. It is our responsibility to do so, and together with our members we have decided to start acting now to do our part. Join us!" added Marc Penzel, COO of Startup Genome. "Supporting startups with insight into investments and trends for hundreds of thousands of companies globally is central to CrunchBases mission," said CrunchBase Head of Operations Matt Kaufman. "Partnering with the Startup Ecosystem Report will further the analysis of the growth and strengths of these ecosystems." The Global Startup Ecosystem Ranking 2015 included information on Silicon Valley, New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Tel Aviv, London, Chicago, Seattle, Berlin, Singapore, Paris, Sao Paulo, Moscow, Austin, Bangalore, Sydney, Toronto, Vancouver, Amsterdam and Montreal. The 2016 report will explore 50 cities. In addition to the data collection, interviews with local leaders are conducted with the help of both government and private enterprise partners. Many of these efforts are already underway. The report is expected to be published in January 2017. PS: Participate in the survey in the survey here: http://bit.ly/2cpPmPJ # # # About Startup Genome (http://www.startupgenome.com) Startup Genome (formerly Compass research), based in San Francisco, CA, is the author of the reports The Global Startup Ecosystem Ranking, The Startup Genome Report, The Startup Ecosystem Report, which have been viewed more than 250,000 times, added to the curriculum of more than 100 universities, referenced by the Obama Administration and German Chancellor Merkel and used by dozens of consulting firms and startup accelerators. About CrunchBase (http://www.crunchbase.com) CrunchBase is the destination for learning about companies, discovering investments and industry trends, and finding news about hundreds of thousands of public and private companies globally. From startups to Fortune 500s, CrunchBase provides a depth and breadth of knowledge that ensures its data is recognized as the primary source of business information by millions of users globally. Preora President & CEO John W. Hart Preora is one of only three PROPEL grant recipients that AdvaMed invited to participate in the Innovation Showcase. Preora Diagnostics Inc., a privately held medical technology company developing low-cost and highly accurate cancer screening tests, will present at the AdvaMed 2016 MedTech Conference on Tuesday, October 18th at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Preora President and CEO John W. Hart and Chief Technology Officer Hariharan Subramanian, PhD, will participate in the Consumer Healthcare section of the Innovation Showcase Stage in the Exhibit Hall at 9:55 a.m. AdvaMed 2016 is the leading gathering in North America of global MedTech executives. The Innovation Showcase features the most promising, innovative and emerging growth MedTech companies in the world. The PROPEL Center of the Illinois Biotechnology Organization (iBIO) Institute selected Preora as one of only six companies to receive grants to support attendance at the conference, and Preora is one of only three grant recipients that AdvaMed invited to participate in the Innovation Showcase. Potential investors will have two additional opportunities to meet with Preora Diagnostics at fall conferences: To schedule a meeting with Preora Diagnostics, email john.hart(at)preoradx(dot)com. About Preora Diagnostics Preora Diagnostics Inc. is dedicated to helping people survive cancer through a proven, two-tiered approach to early detection. The company develops proprietary, low-cost, minimally invasive, highly sensitive and highly specific cancer screening tests using technology that detects and measures cellular changes at the nanoscale level. The screening tests are based on the proprietary Partial Wave Spectroscopy (PWS) Nanocytology platform, licensed exclusively by Preora through NanoCytomics, LLC and Northwestern University. For more information, visit http://www.PreoraDx.com. Dr. Frank Gomez, Professor Emeritus 'Dr. Gomez has been accessible and helpful, providing some of the best feedback Ive received during my time at Trident. He got me to think on a deeper level, helping me become a better researcher.' - Christopher Janik, current Trident student Trident University International (Trident) is proud to announce that Dr. Frank Gomez has been named Professor Emeritus. One of the Universitys longest tenured faculty members, Dr. Gomez has made significant contributions to the instruction and mentoring of students and colleagues, the public health field, and the growth of the University. He continues to serve the Trident community in a variety of capacities. Dr. Gomez joined Trident in 2000 as a Professor in the College of Health and Human Services. In addition to his current role as a Professor, he is actively involved in the Universitys Ph.D. in Health Sciences program where he works closely with doctoral candidates during the dissertation process, helping to guide countless students to the completion of their degrees. He previously served as the Program Director of the Ph.D. in Health Sciences program. From day one, Dr. Gomez was accessible and helpful, providing some of the best feedback Ive received during my time at Trident. He got me to think on a deeper level, helping me become a better researcher, Christopher Janik, Trident Master of Science in Health Sciences alumnus and current Ph.D. in Health Sciences student. Prior to joining Trident, Dr. Gomez held lecturer positions at University of California - Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles, and California State University Dominguez Hills. He was also employed by the County of Los Angeles as an Environmental Health Training Coordinator and by the State of California, serving as Chairperson of the Educational Subcommittee. A nationally recognized expert in public health disciplines, Dr. Gomez has published research in several journals. Some of this work includes Evidence-Based Environmental Health and Housing in Bulletin of the California Environmental Health Association, a chapter on food protection and safety in the third edition of Environmental Health, chapters on wastewater, air quality, and environmental noise in the first and second editions of REHS/RS Study Guide, and Community Noise Program in Environmental Health Education Project. He has lent his experience to numerous Trident webinars, most recently presenting Dissertation Pitfalls and APA Formatting for Your Research and serving as a panelist on Homelessness and Public Health, part of the Public Health Talks webinar series. Earlier this year, he was interviewed on Tridents blog about the Flint Water Crisis. Dr. Gomez has been honored by numerous organizations for his work, including the United States Public Health Service and the UCLA chapter of Delta Omega, which is the honorary chapter for graduate studies in public health. Additionally, he was the recipient of the Stuart E. Richardson, Sr. Award from the California Environmental Health Association, and the Past Presidents Award from the National Environmental Health Association. Dr. Gomez earned both a Doctorate in Public Health and a Master of Public Health from University of California - Los Angeles. He is a veteran of the United States Army, retiring at the rank of Captain. Trident, a 100% online university that has been in operation since 1998, is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Active duty military, veterans, National Guard, and military dependents make up 79% of the Universitys student population, and Trident is proud to employ many veterans at its faculty, staff, and management levels. Of Tridents 30,000 alumni, more than 22,000 have a military affiliation. For any media inquiries, please contact Daniel Sloan at daniel(dot)sloan(at)trident(dot)edu. About Trident University Founded in 1998, Trident University International (Trident) is a leading online postsecondary university serving adult learners. Trident developed the Trident Learning Model, which employs case-based learning in an online setting to teach real-world relevant critical thinking skills to enhance the lives and careers of students. Trident offers high-quality bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree programs, led by a qualified faculty team, over 80% of whom have doctoral degrees. Visit http://www.trident.edu, Tridents Facebook page, or call at (855) 290-0290 to learn more about Trident's wide range of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs. Cathy Murillo Pacifica Graduate Institute Alumni Relations announces Santa Barbara City Councilmember Cathy Murillo as the 2016 recipient of the Wendy Davee Peace Builder Award. Pacifica Graduate Institute Alumni Relations is delighted to announce that Santa Barbara City Councilmember Cathy Murillo is the 2016 recipient of the Wendy Davee Peace Builder Award. This award, named after one of Pacifica Graduate Institutes most beloved faculty members, recognizes individuals for their exceptional efforts in supporting opportunities for healthy lifestyle choices and education for youth, promoting communication among diverse populations, and community development. About Wendy Davee A graduate of UCSB, Wendy Davee earned an MA in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute (then known as the Human Relations Institute) and worked extensively in non-profit, educational, and governmental settings, providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and families. Davee supervised numerous trainees and interns and emphasized the healing power of therapeutic play in the treatment of children. As Chair of Pacificas Masters in Counseling Psychology program for seven years, her love of promoting the therapeutic needs of children and families endeared her to her fellow faculty and students. With this award, we aspire to remember her unique efforts and encourage those whose actions carry forward her philosophies of recognizing the value of our communitys children and families. About Cathy Murillo Cathy Murillo grew up in Boyle Heights (east of Los Angeles), the granddaughter of Maria Hurtado Delgadillo, who came from Mexico in 1915, became a U.S. Citizen, and voted in every election as long as she lived. Murillo came to the Santa Barbara area to attend UCSB and graduated with a degree in Dramatic Art, after which she taught theater arts to elementary school children. Later Murillo pursued her interest in writing, which led to news-writing jobs at a number of newspapers: Ventura Independent, Los Angeles Times, Ventura County Star, and Santa Barbara Independent, where she took on the responsibilities of news editor. She then became News and Public Affairs Director at KCSB. Murillo has worked with many non-profits, including the Santa Barbara Childrens Theater, the Community Recovery Network, Shape of Voice youth newspaper, and Santa Barbara Channels public access television station. As a volunteer for the Community Recovery Network, Murillo helped establish a public detox facility at Casa Esperanza homeless shelter. Her social activism includes organizing Take Back the Beach, which raised awareness about sexual assault survivor rights, participating in CAUSE (Community Alliance Urging Sensitivity and Equality) a campaign to stop discrimination against gay individuals, and organizing actions to support news employees rights. She and her husband David Pritchett, an ecologist and community activist, keep a family of pets, all rescued or adopted from shelters, and rent a home the Westside neighborhood. In 2011 Murillo became the first Latina elected to the Santa Barbara City Council and re-elected under the new district election system in 2015, representing the Westside District. She served as Mayor Pro-Tem in 2014, and has served on both the Finance and Ordinance Committees. As part of an S.B. Questionnaire column compiled by Roger Durling of the Santa Barbara Independent newspaper (27 April 2015) Councilmember Cathy Murillo stated, Now my life is about public service, improving peoples lives through political decision-making, and community work where I can share my political power. Her work on the city council includes the following accomplishments: Maintaining funding for the Westside Boys and Girls Club and the Coronel Head Start pre-school program in the Lower Westside neighborhood. Providing and supervising youth internships in her office at City Hall. Securing funding for and participating in the annual Family Health Fair, a partnership of the City and County, that offers free health screenings and resources, alternating between Westside and Eastside. Directing the establishment and/or refurbishment of Bohnett Park, a pocket-park at Bath and Ortega Streets, and Parque de los Ninos. Promoting and participating in THRIVE, a 2012 project of Just Communities, with a goal of helping Latino students succeed in school. Promoting sustainable water use practices in the Westside neighborhood and working with the Sweetwater Program on long-term strategies for water conservation. Promoting Voter Registration in the Westside neighborhood. Voting to maintain funding for the Citys Rental Housing Mediation Program, which settles disputes between tenants and landlords and prevents evictions, and serving as Council liaison to the program. Engaging with and encouraging the Harding University Partnership School, one of the oldest schools in the Santa Barbara Unified School District, serving over 400 pre-school through sixth-grade students. Murillo participated in Reads programs, fundraisers, and participated in the planning of a refurbished school playground with Harding school staff and parents. Helping to revitalize the Westside Community Group, a neighborhood association engaging residents, businesses, and schools in civic activities and neighborhood improvement projects. Connecting code enforcement officials and Westside beat officers to Westside residents, resulting in the formation of a neighborhood watch. As Council liaison to the Metropolitan Transit District (MTD), Murillo ensured frequent bus service on Line 1 and 17, restoring bus trips on the Crosstown Shuttle. She participated in a community workshop on bus service to Westside, sponsored by the Coalition for Sustainable Transportation (COAST) and MTD. Under her leadership, Santa Barbara opened a new Childrens Library, updated the Bicycle Master Plan, constructed pedestrian and traffic safety improvements on the Eastside, and passed a ban on single-use plastic bags. Outside of City Hall, Murillo co-founded the Pro-Youth Movement, a community forum empowering youth and families, with a focus on gang prevention. In addition to her active involvement here in the Santa Barbara area, Murillos County-wide and regional assignments include the South Coast Task Force on Youth Safety, the Community Action Commission, and the Central Coast Collaborative on Homelessness, the Cities/County Affordable Housing Task Force, and the MTD board. Murillo states: I consider all the residents of Santa Barbara my neighbors. I care about your family, your neighborhood, your prosperity, and your safety. She encourages teens to read the news, become involved in politics, and join her in acting to create a more peaceful, safe, and nurturing Santa Barbara. We congratulate Cathy Murillo on her lifetime of achievement, and are honored to present her with the 2016 Wendy Davee Peace Builder Award. The public is invited to a special Awards Ceremony, Saturday Evening, September 10th, 7:45 p.m., Pacifica Graduate Institute Ladera Lane Campus, 801 Ladera Lane, Santa Barbara, California. *************** Pacifica Graduate Institute, with two campuses in Santa Barbara, California, is a WASC-accredited graduate school offering masters and doctoral degree programs in depth psychology, mythological studies, and the humanities. The Institute has established an educational environment that nourishes respect for cultural diversity and individual differences, and a rigorous academic community with a spirit of free and open inquiry. Students have access to an impressive array of resources including the OPUS Archives and Research Center The mission of Pacifica Graduate Institute is to foster creative learning and research in the fields of psychology, the humanities, and mythological studies, framed in the traditions of depth psychology. Consistent with and supporting this vision, Pacifica Graduate Institute is employee-owned, and practices shared stewardship. Pacifica Graduate Institute Pacifica Graduate Institute Alumni Association Opus Archives and Research Center Pacifica Bookstore Taya Kyle, wife of the late U.S. Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle, and the author of the New York Times bestselling book, "American Wife." Tayas message of positivity and hope will be a poignant backdrop to a night in which we celebrate the children of our fallen. Taya Kyle, the well-known philanthropist, wife of the late U.S. Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle, and the author of the New York Times bestselling book, "American Wife," will be bringing a distinctive and compelling message of courage and hope to the Angels of America's Fallen Angel Gala & Fundraiser on the evening of January 14th, 2017. The Angel Gala hosted by the rising non-profit, Angels of Americas Fallen (AOAF) will be held at the legendary Broadmoor Hotel & Resort in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The event is a preeminent opportunity for citizens, military leaders, public servants, businesses, and Gold Star Families to come together to honor Americas fallen heroes and celebrate their children. Funds raised at the event will aid Angels of Americas Fallen in helping children of fallen military and first responders write their own stories of success. AOAF directly funds healthy developmental activities for these children, such as music or sports, from the time of loss through age 18. We are beyond excited to have Taya Kyle coming to deliver the keynote address at the Angel Gala in January, said Joe Lewis, Founder & CEO of Angels of Americas Fallen. Her message of positivity and hope that is born out of loss will be a poignant backdrop to a night in which we come together to remember our heroes and celebrate the lives of their children. Complementing Tayas address will be a one-of-a-kind talent show with live performances by children that AOAF supports. Among other exciting highlights, the evening will feature a live and silent auction, music and dancing, and the opportunity to purchase signed copies of Tayas bestselling book, "American Wife." Tickets for the event are now on sale for $175/person via http://www.aoafallen.org/AngelGala. Twenty VIP tickets, which include Gala admission and admittance to a private reception with Taya before the event, are also on sale for an early bird price of $1,000/person. These tickets are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Companies wishing to sponsor the event should contact Adri Loughmiller at Adri(at)aoafallen(dot)org, or visit http://www.aoafallen.org/SponsorAngelGala. #AngelGala About Angels of Americas Fallen Founded in 2012, Angels of Americas Fallen (AOAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help the children of Americas fallen military and first responders develop into strong and successful adults by granting funds and/or supplies for positive mentoring and developmental activities such as sports, art, or music during their most crucial developmental years (from the time of loss through age 18). Rather than applying a blanket program, and regardless of the cause of the parents death, AOAF is organized around providing opportunities and support that is based on the unique needs and interests of each child. For more information on AOAF or to donate, please visit http://www.aoafallen.org. The new hotel will not only increase Movenpick Hotels & Resorts profile in Germany, but also expand our European portfolio, which represents an important part of our corporate expansion strategy Building on the success of the Movenpick Hotel Stuttgart Airport & Messe, Swiss company Movenpick Hotels & Resorts has signed a contract for another hotel located just 150 metres from the existing building. The new hotel will be situated right by the S-Bahn and the planned ICE airport station and tram terminal stop. Our existing hotel opened nine years ago and, overseen by Jurgen Kohler, General Manager and Director of Operations Germany, is highly regarded as an excellent hotel choice in this important economic centre", comments Ola Ivarsson, Chief Operating Officer Europe. With this new project, we are proud to support all the stakeholders, not least Stinag, Stuttgart Invest AG and Flughafen Stuttgart GmbH, in their efforts to transform this first-class location into one of the most important hubs in Germany. The enhanced cooperation with a partner of Stinags calibre is an important step in the development of Movenpick Hotels & Resorts in Europe. The atrium-style hotel lobby will be a green oasis with an invitingly relaxing ambience. Ulm architects Muhlich, Fink & Partner will design the exceptional 262-room on the site of a former airport administration building. On the culinary front, the hotel will have a 150 seat restaurant and a bar with seating for 100 guests. For events and conferences, the design incorporates a 740-square metre ballroom in addition to several meeting rooms. When combined with the conference space at the Movenpick Hotel Stuttgart Airport & Messe, just a short walk away, this will create the biggest meeting and event space in southern Germany, at almost 3,000 square metres. The new hotel will not only increase Movenpick Hotels & Resorts profile in Germany, but also expand our European portfolio, which represents an important part of our corporate expansion strategy, says Olivier Chavy, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts new CEO. There are currently eight Movenpick hotels in Germany, three in the Netherlands, one in France, four in Turkey and five in Switzerland. Another hotel will also open in a premium location in Basel city centre in 2019. Windsor Brokers recently announced the opening of their new branch in the centre of London. The Windsor team in the UK is now also ready to cater to clients from the UK as well as the European region. Setting up a branch in the UK was in the pipeline for some time now. Last year was dedicated to strengthening our corporate governance; once we made sure that this was successfully accomplished, we decided to move forward with our expansion plans said Johny Abuaitah, CEO of Windsor Brokers. Together with the opening of the UK branch, Windsor has introduced a brand new MT4 trading account that aims to meet the profile of traders from the region. The account offers competitive trading conditions with spreads as low as: 0.2 pips for Forex Currency Pairs, 0.14 cents for Gold and 0.02 cents for Silver. CFD traders will also be happy to know that this account offers commission free trading of major CFD Indices, Energies, Commodities and Treasuries. Traders can register to the Windsor Brokers Customer Portal to open a Demo and/or Live account as well as to access several educational/investment tools. The Company has been successfully active in the financial markets for over 27 years, catering to the trading needs of retail and corporate investors from all around the world. The Company is also considering additional countries in the EU and the Far East for the development of its business operations. Windsor Brokers is licensed and regulated by CySec (Cyprus), EEA authorized by the FCA (UK), registered with BaFin (Germany) and the ACPR (France) and complies with EU regulations such as the MiFID and EMIR. About Windsor Brokers Ltd. Windsor Brokers is a leading Investment Firm that offers its products and services to retail and corporate clients from over 80 countries worldwide. Over the years, the company has received numerous local and international awards for its products, services, partnership programs, innovations and customer support excellence. ### Mexico has always been an important market for us and the doctors there are on the cutting edge of medicine. Now that we have the backing of the University of Guanajuato, it is a major first step of many things to come for the Mexican market. With an emphasis on serving markets throughout Latin America as well as the U.S. with the latest treatments and research involving adult stem cells, the educational division of Regenestem (http://www.regenestem.com) has just received an accreditation from a major university in Mexico for one of its popular training programs. Regenestem Training (http://www.regenestemtraining.com) got the accreditation from the University of Guanajuato, a public university with schools in 14 cities in the Mexican state of Guanajuato. Specifically, the credential was given for the two-day interactive course, Adipose Derived and Bone Marrow Stem Cell Harvesting and Isolation, which the company has been offering for five years. This is the first time in Mexican history that a major public university has granted an accreditation to a U.S.-based company focusing on regenerative medicine. "We have received accreditations for our training programs from universities in the past, but to be able to get the recognition from an institution of this magnitude is quite an honor, said Ricardo De Cubas, founder and CEO of Regenestem. Mexico has always been an important market for us and the doctors there are on the cutting edge of medicine. Now that we have the backing of the University of Guanajuato, it is a major first step of many things to come for the Mexican market. This two-day course has reached a major milestone." The two-day program focuses on the harvesting of stem cells from peripheral blood, bone marrow, and adipose tissue. Participants gain hands-on experience for collecting up to 60 ccs. of fat tissue and the safe use of Lidocaine as a numbing medication, with observation and training from board certified cosmetic surgeons. This interactive training course will be led by Dr. Jose Miguel Zepeda, a surgeon and hemopathic doctor, and a longtime faculty member at the University of Guanajuato. Physicians that participate in the course will receive a certificate of completion signed by the rector of the university. About Regenestem and Regenestem Training Regenestem (http://www.regenestem.com) is an international medical practice company focused on providing comprehensive solutions involving adult stem cell treatments and research. The firm has assembled a talented staff of medical specialists - professionals trained in the latest cutting-edge procedures and protocols in cellular medicine. Regenestem is certified for the medical tourism market - and staff physicians are board-certified or board-eligible, providing services in more than 10 specialties. Regenestem investigates, shares, utilizes and integrates the latest protocols in the adult stem cell arena to deliver the best medical solutions to its patients. Regenestem Training (http://www.regenestemtraining.com) is a biotechnology training company that specializes in sharing the latest hands-on techniques and technologies with physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals through its instructional courses, workshops, and conferences. The Regenestem brand also includes a membership association of regenerative medicine clinics and an online store. About the University of Guanajuato The Universidad de Guanajuato (in English, the University of Guanajuato) is a public university that is based in the Mexican state of Guanajuato, made up of 33,828 students in programs ranging from high school to the doctorate level. More than 17,000 of those are pursuing undergraduate, masters, and doctoral degrees. The university offers 153 academic programs, including 13 doctorates, 39 masters programs, and 65 bachelor's degrees. The university has schools in 14 cities throughout the state of Guanajuato. "We are looking to fuel the growth of small businesses nationwide and are positioned to become the small business lender of choice in Canada., IOU Financial Inc. (TSX Venture Exchange: IOU) (IOU or the "Company") a leading online lender (IOUFinancial.com) to small businesses in the United States is pleased to announce its entrance into Canada. We are very excited to have the opportunity to serve Canada and provide access to capital not otherwise offered by traditional banks, stated CEO Phil Marleau. "IOU's unique approach will revolutionize small business lending in Canada. Our focus, in combination with our proprietary credit score technology, will provide Canadian businesses immediate access to capital they need to grow. "Since 2009, we originated over US$365 Million loans in the USA . We are looking to fuel the growth of small businesses nationwide and are positioned to become the small business lender of choice in Canada., added Marleau. Nearly 1 in 3 small businesses with less than 20 employees seek capital each year in Canada, reports Statistics Canada. These merchants are consistent with our target, mentions Robert Gloer, President and COO. Our typical customers include medical and dental practices, grocery and retail stores, restaurant and hotel franchisees, and e-commerce companies. The types of business that form the back-bone of the economy across both Canada and the United States. They want quick access to capital to be able to begin their growth curves sooner and maximize their ability to seize opportunities. IOU Financial will enter the Canadian market making loans of up to $100,000 to qualified applicants as fast as 24-48 hours. IOU Financial's speed and transparency make it a trusted alternative to banks. To learn more or apply for a loan, visit: IOUFinancial.ca or call 1-844-760-5468. About IOU Financial Inc. In addition to the details above, IOU Financial provides small business loans throughout the U.S. and Canada with affordable charges favourable to cash-flow management. It makes loans of up to $150,000 in the United States. It is headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, with its operations based in Atlanta, GA. To learn more visit: IOUFinancial.com. Forward Looking Statements Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of IOU including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, dependence upon regulatory and shareholder approvals, the execution of definitive documentation and the uncertainty of obtaining additional financing. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. IOU does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. The TSX-V has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For more information, please contact: Philippe Marleau Chief Executive Officer (514) 789-0694 ext. 225 David Kennedy Chief Financial Officer (514) 789-0694 ext. 278 Larry brings a wealth of leadership, experience, and knowledge from a diverse array of missions and operations and is recognized as one of the nations leading experts in all areas of preparedness training Worldwide Counter Threat Solutions, a leading, global provider of training and consulting solutions in capacity building, explosives safety and ammunition management, exploitation, forensics and biometrics, EOD/C-IED missions support and intelligence services, announced today that Larry Miyamoto has joined Worldwide Counter Threat Solutions as their Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Subject Matter Expert. After a distinguished career in the United States Marine Corps, Larry analyzed the training and counter terrorism market sector and decided to apply his 31 years of experience with a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business that understands the importance of combatting terrorist and extremist threats. Ive made the right choice, said Larry. This company facilitates advancing the capabilities of organizations that know they must be sharper than the threat. Larry will direct operations and develop advanced solutions for Worldwide Counter Threat Solutions customers to achieve the overall success in defeating terrorist and extremist threats around the world. We are thrilled to welcome Larry to the Worldwide Counter Threat Solutions team and are excited to have him as the operations lead for our training mission support line of business, said Joe Szymczak, CEO and President of Worldwide Counter Threat Solutions. Larry brings a wealth of leadership, experience, and knowledge from a diverse array of missions and operations and is recognized as one of the nations leading experts in all areas of preparedness training. The 1991 graduate of the Naval EOD School contributed to the Joint EOD mission as a technician and Limited Duty Officer for 25 years. His assignments around the world cultivated his expertise in emergency response, consequence management, Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Operations, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Operations and is a recognized expert in Combatting Weapons of Mass Destruction. In 2016, Larry completed his Project Management Professional certification before joining the team. About Worldwide Counter Threat Solutions Worldwide Counter Threat Solutions is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) with front-line expertise in delivering training solutions in more than 50 countries. Our capabilities help military organizations, government agencies, law enforcement and commercial organizations understand, prepare for and prevent terrorist attacks. We achieve our mission with an unwavering commitment to supporting our customers objectives with results-driven solutions delivered by a team of highly skilled subject matter experts. In todays volatile and socio-political world, this suite of services is playing an ever-important role. For more information, visit our website at http://www.ww-cts.com. I am both delighted and very excited to join the great team at San Diego Fertility Center. San Diego Fertility Center (SDFC) is proud to welcome Dr. Said Daneshmand to its team of world-class fertility specialists. Dr. Daneshmand is internationally-recognized for his achievements in complex in-vitro fertilization cases. His experience in the research and analysis of laboratory protocols will be a valuable contribution to the already high success rates at SDFC. "I am both delighted and very excited to join the great team at San Diego Fertility Center, Daneshmand said. Hand-in-hand with their highly-experienced and dedicated team, we will continue to provide the very best fertility care to our international patients, as well as our patients in the U.S." Dr. Daneshmand adds to the global reputation for excellence at San Diego Fertility Center, particularly in the areas of gestational surrogacy, egg donation and international IVF cycle coordination. His vast network of physicians in the international fertility community and close relationships with surrogacy and egg donation agencies will help to further establish the practice as a destination for exceptional reproductive care. Dr. Daneshmand is specialty board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and subspecialty board-certified in Reproductive Endocrinology. He received the PCRS Fellowship and Practicing Physician Research Award and is a member of the Decherney Society, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), and the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). Dr. Daneshmand attended New York Medical College and completed his residency at the University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center. By joining San Diego Fertility Center, Dr. Daneshmands patients will gain access to a unique blend of high-tech and "high-touch" care, with the support of a robust team of qualified physicians and care providers expertly versed in the coordination of IVF and third-party reproductive cycles. Dr. Daneshmand will be a wonderful addition to our practice. We look forward with open arms to his arrival and contribution to our commitment to creating families around the world, Dr. Michael Kettel comments. Dr. Daneshmand has built his career on providing patients with the very best fertility care available, regardless of financial circumstances, nationality or sexual orientation. He shares the San Diego Fertility Center view that that everyone who wants to build a family should be able to do so, and that every child deserves the chance to be born into a loving home. About San Diego Fertility Center San Diego Fertility Center is a world-class fertility center located in Southern California. Its extraordinary team of specialists are named among the top fertility doctors in the United States by a variety of publications, and provide leadership in IVF (In-vitro fertilization), egg donation, surrogacy, egg freezing, ICSI, male infertility and PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis). The SDFC team is dedicated to encouraging fertility clinic patients to hold on to their dreams by creating miracles every day. San Diego Fertility Center is easily accessible whether traveling internationally or from local communities including San Diego, La Jolla, Carlsbad, or Encinitas or points slightly further including the Oceanside, Murrieta, Temecula, Riverside, Inland Empire and Orange County. Sunset Magazine has moved into 20,000 square feet of office space in Jack London Square. Following in the footsteps of Uber and other companies, Sunset Magazine is relocating to a revitalized Oakland. After over 60 years in Menlo Park, Sunsets parent company, Time Inc., sold their campus (for a reported $78 million) to Embarcadero Capital Partners, a San Francisco real-estate investment and management company. The magazines new headquarters will be at 55 Harrison St., the same building that houses the Water Street Market, developed by the team behind San Franciscos Ferry Building Marketplace and Napas Oxbow Public Market. The Newest Idea House To celebrate and help publicize the move, Sunset assembled a Bay Area dream team to design, build and market their latest Idea House, a yearly feature of the magazine. Every year Sunset partners with a builder, interior designer, architect, and landscape architect to create a show home that displays the industrys best state-of-the-art designs and decorating ideas. The team for the collaboration includes Geremia Design, Robert Nebolon Architects, landscape designer Michelle Derviss, builder Landmark Development Corp., and The Grubb Co. to market the property. We are thrilled that Sunset recognized the Grubb Co.s 49 years of deep roots in the Oakland marketplace and chose us as their local luxury specialists, said DJ Grubb, President of The Grubb Co. The Show Home Reflecting the Arts and Crafts movement (the American Craftsman style) prominent in Berkeley and Oakland during the early 20th century, the show homes interior includes fine details and artisan materials to add warmth to its contemporary architecture. The art-filled hillside home includes four bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a game room, wine cellar, an artist studio, and a total of five decks overlooking the entire San Francisco Bay. Irene Edwards, Sunsets new editor-in-chief, said, The Bay Area is filled with creativity and diversity and has been the true inspiration behind this years Idea House. We chose this years East Bay location to pay homage to our new headquarters. Community Impact Menlo Park is located at the eastern edge of San Mateo County, and although the travel to the new headquarters in Jack London Square is under an hour, the move has made an impact on many of Sunsets employees. For Margo True, who came to Sunset from the Manhattan offices of Saveur, the big draw is Oaklands rich culinary vibe. Im so excited to be immersed in the Oakland food scene, said True. Peggy Northrop, Sunsets former editor-in-chief, added, Cities like Oakland are at the heart of some of the most exciting trends and innovations coming out of the West. Were thrilled to be where the action is. The magazines move impacted more than just its employees, however. Sunset Magazine is making a splash in the Oakland area, and local officials have also commented about the move. Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said, Its another chapter in the Oakland story. We are emerging as a hub of innovation and creativity, but with an Oakland flavor. Visit the Idea House Sunsets latest Idea House is located at 540 Gravatt Road, Berkeley. For more information, visit Sunsets website at http://sunset.com and search for Gravatt. About the company: The Grubb Company is a full-service real estate firm, offering their clients a smooth and professional real estate experience. With more than 49 years in the business, The Grubb Company knows that a high level of service ensures the satisfaction of their clients. They have a foundation of discipline, accountability and teamwork that sets them apart from other real estate firms in the area. The Grubb Company is committed to providing their clients with the best agents, the best service and the best houses around. To learn more, visit their website at http://www.grubbco.com/. National nonprofit Operation Homefront today announced a new partnership with CVS Health to further its mission of building strong, stable, and secure military families. The partnership with the nations largest pharmacy innovation company includes support for Operation Homefronts Emergency Assitance Program, which provides grants for mortgage or rent payments, critical baby items and groceries for military families. In addition, CVS Health will support military parents through Operation Homefronts Star Spangled Babies and Homes on the Homefront programs. CVS Health is proud to support military families by helping to provide valuable resources for them during active duty and as they transition to civilian life, said Eileen Howard Boone, Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility & Philanthropy for CVS Health. We are grateful for their service and are honored to work with Operation Homefront to help these men and women and their families who have given so much to all of us. CVS Health is the National Sponsor of the Star-Spangled Babies program, which provides baby showers to service members and their growing families. Due to deployments and frequent relocation, military parents-to-be often live far from their extended families. Like many new parents, they have questions, concerns, and fears. The Star-Spangled Babies program provides these new and expecting parents with early childhood education tips and a support system when loved ones are far away. CVS Health will be participating in baby showers in San Antonio, TX and Jacksonville, FL and distributing 800 baby bundles around the country. The company will also provide welcome home packages to families entering the Homes on the Homefront program. This program provides mortgage-free homes and financial training to military families, putting them on the path to achieving the American Dream that they served to protect. Operation Homefront is extremely grateful for CVS Healths unwavering commitment to our military families, said Brig Gen (ret) John I. Pray, Jr., president and CEO of Operation Homefront. Our shared focus on the health and well-being of those who do so much to serve all of us will help them truly thrive, not simply struggle to get by, in the communities theyve worked so hard to protect. # # # About Operation Homefront: A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront builds strong, stable, and secure military families so that they can thrive in the communities they have worked so hard to protect. With more than 3,200 volunteers nationwide, Operation Homefront has provided assistance to tens of thousands of military families its inception shortly after 9/11. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity watchdog groups, 92 percent of Operation Homefronts expenditures go directly to programs that provide support to our military families. For more information, go to http://www.OperationHomefront.net. About CVS Health: CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its more than 9,600 retail pharmacies, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 80 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, and expanding specialty pharmacy services, the Company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com. Dr. Mia Fronteras We are very excited to have Dr. Fronteras join Florida Hospital Physician Group. Florida Hospital Physician Group (FHPG) is pleased to announce the addition of Mia L. Fronteras, MD to Florida Hospital Physician Group. Dr. Fronteras is a fellowship-trained physician in the field of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism who is fluent in English, Cebuano and Tagalog. She joins fellow endocrinologist Saji Koshy, MD, CDE, FACP, FACE, as part of the Diabetes & Endocrinology Institute of Tampa at Florida Hospital Tampa. Dr. Fronteras earned her medical degree from the Cebu Institute of Medicine in Cebu City in the Philippines before completing her residency in Internal Medicine at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, New Jersey. She then completed her fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. Dr. Fronteras provides a comprehensive range of care, including but not limited to general endocrinology, diabetes mellitus and insulin pumps, diabetes education, thyroid disease, lipid disorders, osteoporosis, calcium metabolism and parathyroid disorders, pituitary disease, reproductive disorders, obesity and adrenal gland disease. Florida Hospital Physician Group physicians and staff focus on compassionate, whole-person care with extensive knowledge and expertise to diagnose and treat medical conditions with a patient-focused approach. We are very excited to have Dr. Fronteras join Florida Hospital Physician Group, shared Chris Jenkins, President of Florida Hospital Physician Group. There is a need in our communities for experts in the field of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism and we are delighted to have Dr. Fronteras join Dr. Koshy at the Diabetes & Endocrinology Institute of Tampa to provide quality and compassionate care for patients throughout Tampa Bay. Dr. Fronteras is located at 13901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Tampa, Florida 33613, and is currently accepting new patients. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call (813) 615-7620 or visit http://www.FHDiabetesProgram.com. About Florida Hospital Physician Group Florida Hospital Physician Group (FHPG) is a multi-specialty physician group, dedicated to improving the health and wellness of communities throughout the greater Tampa Bay region with more than 130 providers operating in over 40 locations representing over 25 medical specialties. FHPG offers patients the highest level of compassionate and multidisciplinary care through a broad range of medical and surgical services, as well as direct access to five local Florida Hospitals, a Long Term Acute Care facility, imaging centers, specialty and urgent care centers, rehabilitation facilities and home care agencies located throughout Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. Part of the Adventist Health System, Florida Hospital is a leading health network comprised of 26 hospitals throughout the state. For more information, visit http://www.FHPhysicianGroup.com. About Florida Hospital Tampa Florida Hospital Tampa is a not-for-profit 513-bed tertiary hospital specializing in cardiovascular medicine, neuroscience, orthopaedics, womens services, pediatrics, oncology, endocrinology, bariatrics, wound healing, sleep medicine and general surgery including minimally invasive and robotic-assisted procedures. Also located at Florida Hospital Tampa is the renowned Florida Hospital Pepin Heart Institute, a recognized leader in cardiovascular disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment and leading-edge research. The recent addition of the Doc1stER shows that Florida Hospital Tampa is committed to providing compassionate and quality healthcare. Part of the Adventist Health System, Florida Hospital is a leading health network comprised of 26 hospitals throughout the state. For more information, visit http://www.FHTampa.org. To showcase one of the nations fastest-growing communities for startups and technology to job seekers nationally, Twin Cities Startup Week is teaming up with globally recognized companies and GREATER MSP (Minneapolis Saint Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership) to sponsor free flights to the startup capital of the North for its third annual event from September 19-25. Job seekers interested in joining thousands of participants at more than 50 unique events have the opportunity to apply today to the Twin Cities Startup Week fly-in program supported by companies such as Target, partnering with Techstars during Startup Week on its very first Demo Day at the new Minneapolis Retail Accelerator. Anchored by 16 Fortune 500 companies with a history of global innovation and 41 tech firms on the Inc. 5000 list, the region is the hub of what Forbes named the countrys fastest growing state for tech jobs. The unique collaboration across those companies is on full display during the Startup Week. At Minnesota Cup, the nations largest statewide startup competition, Fortune 500 companies like General Mills and UnitedHealth Group work along with the University of Minnesota to build the next generation of companies. At Minne*, a catalyst for the areas tech startup ecosystem, Inc. 5000 firms such as Leadpages and Code 42 fuel a community-led effort to showcase the areas leading tech talent and projects. Along with a booming technology job market and community that features nearly 200 user groups at anchors like COCO, one of nine American members in the Google for Entrepreneurs network, MSP is widely recognized for its world-class quality of life. With more than 50,000 available jobs at MakeItMSP.org and housing costs 171% lower than San Francisco, Bloomberg recently named MSP as one of the few places where you can get a job and afford a house. A nation-leading region in both volunteerism and civic engagement, Twin Cities Startup Week will feature many of the regions leading civic technologists. With the #1 and #2 ranked parks systems in the country and recent accolades as a top region for everything from biking to the arts, the week will show why MSP is tops among the nations top metros at retaining professional workers. Largely open-sourced and driven by volunteers, the Startup Week will feature over 50 events consisting of collaborative discussions, startup demos, happy hours, workshops and a documentary screening on Minnesotas technology history and future sponsored by major area employers. To learn more, please visit http://www.twincitiesstartupweek.com or click here to apply for a free flight. --- Twin Cities Startup Week Twin Cities Startup Week is a volunteer-lead event to showcase the best of the Twin Cities startup community. Led by the area's top startup organizations and supported by the region's globally recognized companies, Startup Week is taking place September 19-25 with thousands of participants convening for over 50 events in seven days across the region. Learn more at http://www.twincitiesstartupweek.com Beta.MN a gathering of friends & founders in support of Minnesotas startup community. By throwing meaningful events, in casual settings, for the areas brightest innovators we ensure that the next big thing happens in our own backyard. Learn more at http://www.beta.mn The Minnesota Cup to encourage and support Minnesotas most innovative business ideas through the largest annual statewide new venture competition and related programming to assist Minnesota entrepreneurs. Learn more at http://www.mncup.org minne* a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting the Minnesota technology community and promoting high tech entrepreneurship. Learn more at http://www.minnestar.org TECHdotMN Minnesotas tech news creator and curator with an emphasis on the startup culture; Startup Weekend 8 is a 54 hour hackathon held Friday-Sunday during Startup Week. Learn more at http://www.tech.mn COCO a community of entrepreneurs and independents, who come together to work, share ideas and encourage each others success. Learn more at http://www.explorecoco.com The Minneapolis Saint Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership GREATER MSP is a private-public partnership with the mission to accelerate job growth and capital investment in the Greater MSP Region. It partners with economic development organizations throughout the region to develop strategy, brand and market the region, and serve as a one-stop shop for business retention, expansion, and recruitment projects. Learn more at http://www.greatermsp.org Startup Week Contact: Nels Pederson 612-532-4019 nels.pederson(at)gmail.com GREATER MSP Contact: Gita Sitaramiah Director of Communications 651-287-1348 gita.sitaramiah(at)greatermsp.org ICALEO is held this year from October 16-20 in San Diego, CA. ICALEO brings the academics and industrials together to improve and inspire laser technology, Pflueger added. Its a pretty special event, unlike any other Ive attended. The worlds premier platform for breakthrough laser solutions is right around the corner: Laser Institute of Americas 2016 International Congress on Applications of Lasers & Electro-Optics (ICALEO), will be held this year from Oct. 16-20 at the Sheraton San Diego in San Diego, CA. ICALEO, which bears a 34-year history as the most comprehensive spotlight on laser research and state-of-the-art laser materials processing, will provide both veteran and newcomer industry attendees with unbeaten opportunities to explore and connect at several networking events. Attendees will also have a chance to review the latest technology and research leading to advanced manufacturing applications in medicine, transportation, energy, communications and defense. From the popular Welcome Reception, to the Presidents Reception, Laser Industry Vendor Reception, and the esteemed LIA Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon, ICALEO 2016 continues its tradition of connecting the laser industry and showcasing speakers who are afforded the opportunity to have their paper peers reviewed, thus lending even more authority to their work. Three students will have the opportunity to be acknowledged with the 18th annual Student Paper Award. The award winners will be announced during the Closing Plenary Session on Thursday. ICALEOs Poster Presentation Gallery will be featured throughout the conference, with poster presenters available on Wednesday morning to answer questions and present their research. Awards will also be presented to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. This years conference is again chaired by Silke Pflueger of DirectPhotonics, ICALEOs first female congress general chair, who heads back this year to the town where she attended her first ICALEO. From my beginnings as session chair and chair of short courses at that first ICALEO in San Diego, to my arrival back in 2016 as congress general chair of the event, its clear that my time at ICALEO has been worthwhile! she recounted. Just as I was pushed further, and was helped to better understand what I am doing from the veteran attendees, I witness every year how ICALEO grows laser leaders like me. I hope my story encourage lots of new people and young people to come and join us. Accompanying Pflueger in assembling the ICALEO program are the following chair members: Laser Materials Processing Conference: Christoph Leyens, Fraunhofer IWS Laser Microprocessing Conference: Michelle Stock, mlstock consulting Nanomanufacturing Conference: Yongfeng Lu, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Business Forum and Panel Discussion: Klaus Loffler, TRUMPF Laser and Systems GmbH ICALEO attendees have the opportunity to learn about the latest products and services from top-tier industry exhibitors and sponsors, including: Platinum sponsor: IPG Photonics Corporation Gold sponsors: Edgewave GmbH Innovative Laser Solutions, SPI Lasers, TeraDiode, Inc., TRUMPF Inc. Silver sponsors: Laserline Inc., Light Conversion Ltd., Lumentum Bronze sponsor: Spectra-Physics, A Newport Company, JENOPTIK Laser GmbH From men and women who are interested in the fundamentals of the interaction between a laser beam and a material, to those interested in how a process can be integrated and optimized for an application, ICALEO brings the academics and industrials together to improve and inspire laser technology, Pflueger added. Its a pretty special event, unlike any other Ive attended. Combining the latest thought leadership in laser materials processing, laser microprocessing and nanomanufacturing with informed predictions on where the future of lasers will lead, LIAs ICALEO 2016 is the premier source of technical information in the field. To register for ICALEO 2016, visit http://www.icaleo.org. To qualify for exclusive member discounts, read about the benefits of joining Laser Institute of America at http://www.lia.org/membership. About LIA The Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the professional society for laser applications and safety serving the industrial, educational, medical, research and government communities throughout the world since 1968. http://www.lia.org, 13501 Ingenuity Drive, Ste 128, Orlando, FL 32826, +1.407.380.1553. Mike Stevens, MCPO (Ret) Before hanging up my Navy uniform and transitioning to civilian life, it was important to me to join an organization where I can continue to make a difference in the lives of the young men and women who served and their families, said Mike Stevens Past News Releases RSS Suzie Schwartz Promoted to... 2017 Military Friendly... NaVOBA Names Top 2016 Military... Victory Media announced today that recently retired Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Mike Stevens has joined the company as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). As COO, Stevens will be charged with scaling company operations as it grows its mission to create civilian success for our nations military community. Mike Stevens is a deeply principled leader who has used his world-class team-building and change management skills to shepherd a proud Navy into the 21st century, said Chris Hale, Victory Media Chairman and CEO. Mike will use those skills every day to enable Victory Medias operations for its next phase of growth, in a mission perfectly aligned with his personal beliefs. Before hanging up my Navy uniform and transitioning to civilian life, it was important to me to join an organization where I can continue to make a difference in the lives of the young men and women who served and their families, said Stevens. Victory Medias mission, vision and core beliefs are a perfect match for me. I look forward to extending our positive impact in creating even greater employment, education and entrepreneurial opportunities for veterans and military spouses. Stevens retired from the Navy last Friday after 33 years of military service, including the last four years as MCPON. Stevens was only the 13th sailor in the history of the Navy to serve as MCPON since its inception in 1967. As MCPON, Stevens was the most senior enlisted person in the Navy, acting as an advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations and to the Chief of Naval Personnel in matters concerning more than 400,000 sailors and their families. Stevens conceived, developed and led several successful change initiatives for the Navy, including the Chief Petty Officer 365 Leadership Training Program, a year-long professional leadership initiative that the Navy is implementing as the primary training method for the total force; the restructuring of the Navys Senior Enlisted Academy to modernize the curriculum and increase the student population from 350 to 1,600 participants each year; and the creation of a comprehensive program to provide worldwide mobile capability to all Sailors by 2025. Stevens academic achievements include a Bachelor of Science from Excelsior College; completion of Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Governments Leadership in Crisis program; Senior Enlisted Professional Military Education; Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education; and successful completion of the National Defense University Keystone course. He is an honor graduate and the recipient of the prestigious Peter Tomich Award for exceptional military excellence from the Senior Enlisted Academy. Stevens personal military awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (six awards), the Coast Guard Achievement Medal with operational "O", Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Insignia, and Enlisted Naval Aircrew Wings. Stevens will take over COO duties from Rich McCormack, who now focuses exclusively as President of the company, and will report directly to Chairman and CEO Chris Hale. Stevens recently relocated with his wife Theresa from Washington, D.C. to the Pittsburgh area where he will work out of Victory Medias headquarters. Stevens will take a month of leave and start his new duties with Victory Media in October. # # # About Victory Media Founded in 2001, Victory Media is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs, Military Spouse, Vetrepreneur, STEM JobsSM and Military Friendly brands. Learn more about Victory Media at http://www.victorymedia.com. For information or to arrange interviews, contact: BP Media Relations, Barbara Pflughaupt at 212-707-8181 Sun Bandit's PV-powered solar water heating systems overcome problems that have plagued the industry for decades. This installation is by Sun Bandit Preferred Partner NC Solar Now. The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new. Past News Releases RSS With an impressive trajectory of industry firsts in its wake, solar hybrid water heating solution Sun Bandit is celebrating its third anniversary. And from Hawaii to Canada to St. Croix, its revolutionary, utility-independent approach to solar water heating is turning heads, changing minds and delivering new revenue opportunities for builders, contractors and property owners. The seeds for Sun Bandit were sown on July 4, 2013, when the team at Next Generation Energy (NGE) launched an all-hands-on-deck effort to identify and clear many of the hurdles inhibiting widespread solar water heating adoption. In response, a PV-powered solar water heating solution was forged that eliminates fluids, leaks, pump stations, overheating, stagnation, freezing and the complicated installation and maintenance issues that can plague traditional mechanical solar water heating systems. It presents a paradigm shift in the way solar energy is captured, stored and used to heat water. Its no accident that American Independence Day marks Sun Bandits official introduction to the solar marketplace, said Next Generation Energys Bill Beedon. Sun Bandits patented, micro-grid technology is designed to provide a new energy independence that delivers simple, economical, on-site energy storage regardless of net metering incentives. Read on to discover ten trailblazing achievements that demonstrate why Sun Bandit is giving businesses, policymakers and consumers something of their own to celebrate: a vetted, versatile solar solution that empowers more people than ever to achieve their economic and sustainable living objectives. 1) OG-100 Certification: Sun Bandits earned ICC-SRCC(1) OG-100 certification as the worlds first solar PV water heating collector; its created an entirely new category of solar water heating. 2) OG-300 Certification: OG-100 Certification validated the performance of Sun Bandits collector. And it paved the way for the whole-system, tank-collector solution validation that ICC-SRCC OG-300 certification addresses. 3) Worlds First UL Listing for Multi-Fuel Water Heating: The Sun Bandit teams collaboration with UL experts has forged an entirely new UL classification for solar hybrid water heaters. Sun Bandits patented solution is the worlds first UL-rated, PV-powered multi-fuel water heater using PV in Canada and the US. 4) Energy Star Certification: Over 80% of Americans recognize Energy Star, which identifies products that save money and protect the environment through superior energy efficiency and can reward builders, contractors and property owners with savings, incentives and marketing differentiators -- all of which bolster the Sun Bandit value proposition. 5) Nations First PV Water Heating Solar Rebate Program: Sun Bandits making a splash in the Aloha State, where electricity rates are consistently among the nations highest. Hawaii Energy customers installing Sun Bandit systems can earn cash rebates and finance systems with low interest loans. This is the nations first solar PV water heating incentive program and it was wholly inspired by Sun Bandit technology. 6) Coast-to-Coast Incentive Eligibility: OG-100 and OG 300 certifications triggered not just potential eligibility for healthy federal ITC (Investment Tax Credit) rewards(2), they gave state and/or utility officials from a complement of solar savvy states -- California, Arizona, Texas, Hawaii, New Jersey and New York (to name a few) -- the confidence they needed to include Sun Bandit as a recommended, incentive-eligible solar solution in their respective markets. Visit http://www.dsireusa.org/ to discover additional state and utility incentives that may apply. 7) A New Menu Option for Builders Offering Net-Zero Homes: Word of Sun Bandits capabilities in heating water is spreading like wildfire! Its been integrated into home energy upgrade menus across the continent, from North Carolina-based Deltecs modular homes to the line-up at RevoluSuns Honolulu-based Smart Home Innovation Center. Its been installed in residential homes from Canada to Costa Rica, development projects from Los Angeles to St. Croix and on government facilities in the Southeastern US. 8) California Compliant: Sun Bandits natural gas and propane water heaters have been accepted onto the California Energy Commissions appliance list (theyre Title 20 and Title 24 compliant). Pairing them with Sun Bandit OG-100 collectors can enhance delivered efficiencies and energy savings. 9) Utility-Free Versatility: Because Sun Bandits patented solar PV water heating system requires no net-meter, grid interconnection or long-term contracts, homeowners (and installers) enjoy solar water heating thats easily installed and independent of energy cooperative/utility involvement. Sun Bandit can be used off the grid or seamlessly integrated into grid-tied systems. 10) A Perfect 10 with the TVA: Earlier this year, Sun Bandits Energy Star-listed systems were accepted into the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA's) EnergyRight eScore program, where its performance and deftness in delivering on and off-grid results earned it a perfect 10, while heat pump water heaters scored only 7. It was an astounding 2,500 years ago that Socrates observed the universal truth that The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. Next Generation Energy CEO David Kreutzman concurs: Whether its in St. Croix or Honolulu, Albany or Anaheim, we have collaborated with progressive business and policy minds around the world to vet -- and now deliver -- a series of industry firsts that are eliminating barriers to solar water heating adoption, creating jobs, slashing energy costs and improving the comfort and efficiencies of commercial and residential building stock. Its been a busy three years, added Kreutzman. And the best is yet to come. At a time when the future of net metering is far from certain and far too reliant on which way the political winds are bloviating this head-turner known as Sun Bandit is ready for prime time. Visit http://www.sunbandit.us or call NGE-4-SUN to learn about Sun Bandit or Dealer and Distributor opportunities or to schedule a meeting at SPI2016 in Las Vegas September 11-14. Find Sun Bandit at Booth 211. (1) ICC-SRCC is the International Code Council's Solar Rating & Certification Corporation. It's the only national certification program established solely for solar heating and cooling products. (2) The entire cost of a SunBandit system (including installation), may qualify for current 30% federal investment tax credits as stated on IRS Form 5695. Visit http://www.dsireusa.org to discover complementary financial incentives available via other state and utility sponsored programs; consult with a tax professional to determine eligibility. About Next Generation Energy's Sun Bandit: Sun Bandit is a trademark-registered, patented* product innovation of Colorado-based Next Generation Energy (NGE), whose expertise in PV, solar thermal and off-grid system design and engineering have been delivering high-performing, money-saving renewable energy solutions to commercial, utility-scale, governmental, individual and multi-family housing interests for over 30 years. Learn more by calling 877-NGE-4SUN or visit ngeus.com. Find Sun Bandit at http://www.sunbandit.us. *U.S. Patents 8,909,033; 8,977,117 and 9,002,185. Other patents pending. CCLS Houston CCLS Houston offers new Spanish classes that are now enrolling for the fall. CCLS is a Brazilian language school that offers Houston area residents the opportunity to learn Spanish, English, and Portuguese. Spanish classes can be taught online or in person and also provide the luxury of being in a group setting or one-on-one. If anyone wants to learn Spanish in Houston, CCLS offers native speaking instructors and provides flexibility for busy schedules. The instructors offer over 50 years of experience and provide many techniques that most other Spanish classes do not. CCLS uses situational dialogues, phonological exercises, teacher & student and peer interaction, role play, writing, and reading to achieve fast results. After taking these Spanish Lessons, the student will be able to talk on the phone, take part in meetings, write reports, speak publicly, and participate in social and business conversations; all with confidence and fluency. If someone wants to learn Spanish in Houston come to CCLS. CCLS is the only language school using specific state of the art technologies to help present the situations in each lesson. These tools allow the students to learn at a faster pace. When someone enrolls in one of the CCLS Spanish classes in Houston, their course will consist of vocabulary, pronunciation, oral comprehension and grammar. These Spanish lessons all include an emphasis on conversation. CCLS Houston also offers Medical Spanish Classes, which are designed to meet the needs of different business professionals such as: doctors, nurses and hospital employees. The students in these programs will practice natural conversations in situations based on real life hospital circumstances. At the end of this intensive, the student will have learned enough language functions to allow them to conduct interviews for admissions, carry on basic practice procedures, and allow them to successfully read and write medical charts and prescriptions. The goal of CCLS Houston is to provide the best Spanish classes that Houston has to offer in developing Spanish fluency. Cinthya Trueba, CEO of the Culture Center for Language Studies of Houston, has been repeatedly recognized for her accomplished business skill, language instruction expertise, her vast knowledge of Latin American business and Social culture. Cinthya has helped come up with a unique language training that is similar to the way all children learn to speak their native language. When a child is learning to speak and understand, they learn through the process of listening, speaking, and developing an ear for the language. The Spanish classes offered at CCLS Houston consist of these three steps. They provide the student the opportunity to listen, speak and develop fluency to the language all with the help of a professional instructor. What is special about the curriculum of these Spanish lessons is that they are designed specifically for business professionals and executives. They are geared to incorporate the areas of banking, financial services, human resources, hospitality resources, the oil industry, and marketing and sales. CCLS is now enrolling in all Spanish classes for the fall. They offer seven levels of instruction in English Classes, Spanish Classes, and Portuguese Classes. Every student receives a free assessment test to help determine the level that will best serve their learning process. All intermediate and advance students enjoy a customized program based on specific industry terminology and their business objectives. CCLS Houston 701 N Post Oak Rd Ste B5 Houston, TX 77024 (832)562-0133 The New Dorco Pace Power Can you offer a true high quality alternative and still make it affordable? The answer again is a resounding yes! Dorco USA announced today the release of its latest shaving razor system for men, the battery operated Pace Power. The Pace Power features 6 precision aligned blades, a built-in trimmer, Venetian Flow which allows for easy rinsing and longer blade life. It also offers a moisturizing strip formulated with Aloe, Vitamin E and Lavender to calm and protect even the most sensitive skin. In addition, a wide guard bar preps hair allowing for a single stroke solution. Shaving with this new Dorco razor is made even more effortless because of the light vibration delivered via the power handle. And because of Dorco's trademark and patented common docking feature, any Dorco 3, 4, 6 or 7 blade cartridge will fit on the Pace Power allowing consumers to mix and match in pursuit of the perfect shave. Introduced widely to U.S. consumers in 2012 via its ecommerce web site, Dorco is recognized around the world for its cutting-edge shaving technology and superior quality razors, systems and cartridges. Currently, Dorco's shaving products for men and women are available in over 100 nations around the world. As one of the highest rated shaving products on trusted consumer web sites like Amazon, the company's products have been praised as being high in quality while offering huge savings when compared to the mega brands. In some cases, Dorco's products can be up to 75% less expensive when compared to the shaving products offered by industry giants. "The Pace Power is just the latest example of Dorco's ability to offer a true alternative to name brand razors. By offering a powered handle, Dorco joins an elite group of manufacturers in the industry committed to life-enhancing innovations on behalf of consumers. With Pace Power, Dorco answers the call again. Can you offer a true high quality alternative and still make it affordable? The answer again is a resounding yes! With Dorco, the consumer always wins." stated Ken Hill, President of Dorco USA. The new Dorco Pace Power is available for purchase at http://www.DorcoUSA.com and at http://www.Amazon.com. About Dorco USA Headquartered in San Diego, CA, Dorco USA is a leading provider of technologically advanced and superior quality disposable razors, shaving systems and shaving cartridges for men and women. Its product origins date back to 1955 when a small company named Dorco was founded in South Korea. Today, Dorco is Asias market leader for disposable shaving products and is a household recognized brand in numerous countries around the world. By strategically aligning with Dorco, Dorco USA has been able to introduce the pinnacle of shaving innovation to the U.S. and Canadian marketplace, including the worlds first 7 blade shaving system, as well as the innovative and patented common docking feature. For a comprehensive look at the premier line of Dorco's razors, systems and cartridges, consumers are invited to visit http://www.DorcoUSA.com. #### Attorneys John Lentz and Dave Lepant There are income limitations to filing bankruptcy, but just because you make more than an average person does it does not mean you cannot file for protection under the bankruptcy code. Past News Releases RSS Attorney John Lentz Educates Fellow... Lepant & Lentz PC, LLO, is celebrating its fifth anniversary specializing in bankruptcy law. Its been a privilege for the past five years to help our clients navigate the often murky waters of bankruptcy, said attorney John Lentz, co-founder of Lepant & Lentz with attorney Dave Lepant. Lentz, who regularly works with the Volunteer Lawyers Project through the Nebraska Bar Association throughout the year, also does pro bono work. He is currently offering his services pro bono to a local church involved in a property dispute, and also takes cases with reduced fees for underserved clients and clients who are in poverty. Furthermore, in an effort to dispel some misconceptions about bankruptcy, Lentz recently recorded a segment for the NALAs North American Speaker Series (NASS). The first misconception I often hear is that people believe they make too much money to be allowed to file bankruptcy, said Lentz in his NASS segment. There are income limitations to filing bankruptcy, but just because you make more than an average person does it does not mean you cannot file for protection under the bankruptcy code. To hear more about the misconceptions of bankruptcy, please visit http://thenala.com/north-american-speaker-series/john-lentz. About Lepant & Lentz PC, LLO The attorneys at Lepant & Lentz, Dave Lepant and John Lentz, focus on bankruptcy law and are licensed to practice law in Nebraska for both federal and state courts. The law office serves both the Lincoln and Omaha areas and many areas in the eastern portion of Nebraska. For more information, please call (402) 421-9676, or visit http://www.lincolnbankruptcyattorney.net. About the NALA The NALA offers small and medium-sized businesses effective ways to reach customers through new media. As a single-agency source, the NALA helps businesses flourish in their local community. The NALAs mission is to promote a business relevant and newsworthy events and achievements, both online and through traditional media. For media inquiries, please call 805.650.6121, ext. 361. We are extremely glad to welcome Dr. Fisher and his remarkable team to Gold Skin Care Center. With our cutting edge technologies, we are now in a wonderful position to help so many men and women who have hair loss. - Dr. Michael H. Gold Gold Skin Care Center is proud to welcome Dr. Jack Fisher and the Fisher Hair Center to our Green Hills office. Gold Skin Care Center has always been known to have the most cutting edge medical and cosmetic treatments and Dr. Fisher is known in Nashville and the world as one of the premier hair transplant surgeons. In his new state of the art facilities at Gold Skin Care Center, Dr. Fisher will be able to continue to offer the finest and most professional hair care services to clients from all over the world. Dr. Fisher is a board-certified plastic surgeon who is well regarded by his peers as being one of the most innovative plastic surgeons in the country. He is a former president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and has guided his fellow surgeons into the 21st century with some of the safest and most current procedures. Dr. Fisher has performed thousands of hair transplants on both men and women, and he will customize each patients treatment to give him or her the hair (and hairline) that is the most natural appearing. He also utilizes the NeoGraftTM hair transplant system when appropriate, which is one of the latest advances in what we call follicular unit extraction, or the transplantation of one to two hairs into where it is most needed. Dr. Fisher is the National Medical Director for NeoGraftTM, and in addition to using the device in the Gold Skin Care Center facility, he will also be hosting training seminars with physicians and their hair transplant teams from all over the USA. We are extremely glad to welcome Dr. Fisher and his remarkable team to Gold Skin Care Center. With our cutting edge technologies, we are now in a wonderful position to help so many men and women who have hair loss, said Dr. Michael H. Gold, founder of Gold Skin Care Center. Now with Dr. Fisher, the surgical opportunities are here, and our patients and patients from all over will be the beneficiary of the services of Dr. Fisher and his team. I am very excited about becoming a part of the Gold Skin Care Center team, which will allow us to offer all forms of hair restoration, said Dr. Gold. This gives us the ability to perform all treatment options, including both surgical and medical. Dr. Fisher is now accepting appointments at Gold Skin Care Center. Please call 615-329-4227 and schedule your complimentary consultation. Learn more about hair loss treatment at https://goldskincare.com/hair-loss/. ABOUT GOLD SKIN CARE Gold Skin Care Center is one of the leading dermatology centers in the country, devoted to caring for all patients with skin care needs and concerns. The divisions of Gold Skin Care Center include The Laser & Rejuvenation Center and Advanced Aesthetics Medical Spa, a spa combining the most advanced techniques and products to guide you to the highest level of relaxation and rejuvenation. Tennessee Clinical Research Center interfaces with personnel of domestic and international pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical instrument/device companies, as well as clinical research organizations. Tennessee Clinical Research Centers clinical studies have provided data that assisted client companies to obtain FDA product and device approvals or to assist their marketing efforts. Dr. Gold is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, at Vanderbilt University Nursing School. For more information about us, please visit https://goldskincare.com/. Gold Skin Care Center 2000 Richard Jones Rd Suite 220 Nashville, TN 37215 (615) 645-2314 drgoldinquiry(at)gmail.com SF2Reality PRIZE Contest & Sweepstakes The SF2Reality PRIZE Sweepstakes and Contest is designed to encourage innovation and propel science and humanity forward with over $12,500 total in prizes. As millions go back to school around the world, TEDx Speakers, Authors and Publishers Yasser Bahjatt and Ibraheem Abbas announce their publishing company Yatakhayaloon (UAE-based) will sponsor a 1-year (September 7, 2016 July 31, 2017) SF2Reality PRIZE Sweepstakes and Contest to encourage innovation and propel science and humanity forward. The SF2Reality PRIZE will include 5 Phases, a referral sweepstakes, photo contest, video contest, fan voting, judges, prizes, top award of $10,000, and a grand total of over $12,500 in prizes. As a Singularity University graduate (co-founded by Peter Diamandis, XPRIZE Founder), TED translator and TEDx Speaker, Yasser Bahjatt believes "If you want to advance science, you have to advance Sci-Fi culture." In his TED@Doha Talk, Yasser explains most technology has been foreseen at least 20 years in advance in science fiction such as the Star Trek Communicators that are now our smartphones. This innovative SF2Reality PRIZE is based upon a XPRIZE Challenge model where teams compete to invent new technology that can propel humanity forward. To advance science and build a sci-fi culture, Yatakhayaloon (They are Imagining) is dedicated to publishing sci-fi content (books, movies, TV). After being rejected by many publishers, Yasser and Ibraheem started Yatakhayaloon. As a result, the company has now sold over 250,000 books for 4 books written in English, Spanish and Arabic since 2013. The SF2Reality PRIZE goal is to inspire innovative minds to bring two technologies to reality that are described in Yatakhayaloons third book, Yaqteenya: The Old World by Yasser Bahjatt. This book is a fictional novel about an alternate history where a young man from Yaqteenya tries to stop his nation's first war in 300 years. SCF2Reality PRIZE Contest Invention 1: Liquid Chemical Camera Invent a camera that operates on liquid chemicals and uses different methods to capture the images (works like Polaroids). You spray liquid on paper, leather or cloth. It must have no shutter. Invention 2: FM Audio Recorder Invent an Audio Recorder that uses FM modulation to physically record audio data rather than AM modulation that is used currently to record our data in all its forms. Anyone can enter the Phase 1 SF2Reality PRIZE Sweepstakes, and earn extra points by referring friends. The SF2Reality PRIZE Sweepstakes and Contest prizes will include a Polaroid PIC-300 Instant Film Camera, gift certificates and cash. There are 5 SF2Reality PRIZE phases with rewards for each. BIG PICTURE of SF2Reality PRIZE: Phase 1 SF2Reality - Referral Sweepstakes (1-2 months, Sept-Oct 2016) - Random Drawing Sweepstakes based on Registering and Referring people Phase 2 SF2Reality - Photo and Voting Sweepstakes (3-7 months, Nov 2016 March 2017) - Random Drawing Sweepstakes Phase 3 SF2Reality - Photo and Voting for Works in Progress (8-9 months, April - May 2017) Phase 4 SF2Reality - Video and Voting for Works in Progress (Month 10, June 2017) Phase 5 SF2Reality - Final Contest Judging and Money for PRIZE winner for top invention (Month 11, July 2017 - see Rules for details) Born and raised in East Lansing, Michigan, Yasser Bahjatt points out in his TED Talk that "Aladdin", "Arabian Nights", "Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves" and Douglas Fairbanks "The Thiefs of Bagdad" have been adding to the world's imagination for decades. For more information and Official Rules, visit the SciFi2Reality Facebook and follow #SF2R #SF2Reality @SF2Reality on social media. About the SF2Reality PRIZE Sponsors Yatakhayaloon (translated: They are imagining) - UAE-based publisher was founded by Yasser Bahjatt and Ibraheem Abbas in an effort to help establish an Arabian Sci-Fi culture that would help the younger generation of Arabs to expand their horizons and imagination in hopes that it leads to growth in scientific development. Yatakhayaloon Sci-Fi Books have sold over 250,000 copies for 4 books globally, and are available on Amazon. Yasser is a computer engineer and the Ambassador of Singularity University to Saudi Arabia. Ibraheem Abbas is a Creative Director, who previously worked with Yasser at Procter and Gamble. Yasser and Ibraheem have done several TEDx Talks, including in Santa Monica, California. SF2Reality PRIZE Facebook http://bit.ly/sf2realityprize UNCF/Koch Scholars While we have different backgrounds, UNCF and Koch have a shared vision of the power of education to transform lives, and were seeing that transformation take place in the lives of our scholars. - UNCF CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax UNCF, the nations largest and most effective minority education organization, this week highlights a three-year partnership with Koch Industries, Inc., and the Charles Koch Foundation, through the UNCF/Koch Scholars Program. This $25 million initiative demonstrates how principled entrepreneurship, economics and innovation contribute to well-being for individuals, communities and society. The goal of the UNCF/Koch Scholars Program is to support students in their understanding of entrepreneurial principles and encourage their exploration of a marketplace of ideas rooted in the values of respect, humility and integrity. UNCF is excited to be here in Wichita, home base of Koch Industries. This week we will join together with our partners, Koch Industries and the Charles Koch Foundation, in celebrating the success of our students, who are current and future entrepreneurs participating in the UNCF/Koch Scholars Program, said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, UNCFs president and CEO. While we have different backgrounds, UNCF and Koch have a shared vision of the power of education to transform lives, and were seeing that transformation take place in the lives of our scholars. Both Koch and UNCF share the belief that students will best be able to meaningfully contribute to society and find fulfillment when they discover and develop their innate talents and abilities, said Charles G. Koch, Koch Industries chairman and CEO. This growing partnership, rooted in the values of integrity, respect, tolerance and courage, provides students with the opportunity to engage in a diverse marketplace of ideas and prepares them for the next steps in their academic and professional journey. The week features several activities in Wichita that highlight the UNCF/Koch partnership and the UNCF/Koch Scholars Program (Note: the breakfast is not open to the public): Thursday, Sept. 8 Schedule of Events, Hyatt Regency Wichita 7:30 8 a.m.: UNCF/Koch Scholars Program Breakfast with Charles G. Koch, CEO and board chairman of Koch Industries, Inc., Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO of UNCF and Students 8 9 a.m.: UNCF/Koch Scholars Program Scholar Q&A with Mr. Koch, Dr. Lomax and Students 9:30 11 a.m.: UNCF/Koch Scholars Program experiential learning activity with Dr. John Hardin, director, university relations at the Charles Koch Foundation and Kezia Williams, senior relationship manager, UNCF/Koch Scholars program 12:00 p.m. 1 p.m.: Inaugural UNCF Wichita Mayors Luncheon, hosted by the Honorable Jeff Longwell Speakers at the luncheon include: Mayor Jeff Longwell Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO of UNCF Meredith Olson, vice president of public affairs, Koch Industries John Hardin, director of university relations, Charles Koch Foundation Two UNCF/Koch Scholars (Hunter Haymore, freshman, Spelman College, and Julian Jones, Western Carolina University graduate) Over the span of the UNCF/Koch Scholars Program, more than 3,000 students have applied for the highly competitive program, which awards up to $20,000 in scholarships over four years to African American high school seniors interested in entrepreneurship, innovation and economics. More than a third of the current scholars are the first in their families to attend college. The program expects to welcome more than 160 UNCF/Koch Scholars as of this year, who are enrolled in 71 different colleges and universities across the United States, including 26 historically black college and universities (HBCUs) supported by UNCF. The program provides a year-round online community for academic and professional mentorship, as well as an annual summit for students to explore the values and skills needed for success as a principled entrepreneur. The demand for the program has led UNCF and Koch to significantly increase the number of scholarship awards offered to deserving students admitted this year and beyond. Kochs support of UNCF predates the UNCF/Koch Scholars Program collaboration. For many years, Georgia-Pacific, a Koch company, supported UNCFs scholarship programs. Building on that commitment, Charles G. Koch and Dr. Lomax worked together to create the new program which now makes a larger impact and a greater investment in improving the outcomes of African American students by helping them pursue an education while developing the values and skills that can lead to fulfilling lives. The partnership program helps students focus their skills and values on developing meaningful endeavors. For example, UNCF/Koch Scholar Hunter Haymore is a rising sophomore at UNCF-member institution Spelman College, and has already started her own business making wigs and styling hair of young women on campus with a long-term goal of opening a business to create wigs for youth experiencing hair loss. When I was in middle school, I lost my hair while undergoing chemotherapy treatment and had an insecurity about my hair, Haymore said. I taught myself how to style hair and create wigs, boosting not only my confidence, but that of my clients. With the tools Im learning by being a UNCF/Koch Scholar, Ill be able to empower other children who experience hair loss at a young age as I did. Tickets for the UNCF Wichita Mayors Luncheon are still available for $100. For more information, please contact the local UNCF office in St. Louis at 314.241.5958. ### About UNCF UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nations largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community, and the nation, UNCF supports students education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees UNCF annually awards $100 million in scholarships and administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized trademark, A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF. About Charles Koch Foundation Charles G. Koch has supported research and educational programs focused on improving human well-being, especially for the least fortunate, for more than 50 years. The Charles Koch Foundation has continued this mission since its founding in 1980 by supporting the study of free societies, and the ideas, institutions, and values that maximize well-being. The Foundation supports more than 300 universities and colleges across the country, supporting scholars and universities interested in advancing an understanding of the link between free societies and well-being. We also provide students resources to further their educational opportunities and career development. Learn more at charleskochfoundation.org. About Koch Industries, Inc. Based in Wichita, Kan., Koch Industries, Inc., is one of the largest private companies in America with estimated annual revenues as high as $100 billion, according to Forbes. It owns a diverse group of companies involved in refining, chemicals, biofuels and ingredients; forest and consumer products; fertilizers; polymers and fibers; process and pollution control equipment and technologies; electronic components; commodity trading; minerals; energy; ranching; glass; and investments. Since 2003, Koch companies have invested about $80 billion in acquisitions and other capital expenditures. With a presence in more than 60 countries, Koch companies employ more than 100,000 people worldwide, with about 60,000 of those in the United States. From January 2009 to present, Koch companies have earned more than 1,000 awards for safety, environmental excellence, community stewardship, innovation and customer service. For more news and stories, visit kochnews.com. Valerie Ann Wilson (center) celebrates the 35th anniversary of her company along with her daughters and Co-Presidents and Co-Owners Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg and Kimberly Wilson Wetty. Our future is rooted in the past and our 35th anniversary is the perfect time to reflect upon that. On September 8, Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc. (VWT), one of the largest, family-managed, full service travel consulting agencies specializing in high-touch services, will commemorate its 35th anniversary - a milestone that will bring together luxury hoteliers, resort and cruise line operators, airlines and their team from around the world during two exclusive celebrations. Our future is rooted in the past and our 35th anniversary is the perfect time to reflect upon that, said VWT Founder, Chairman & CEO, Valerie Ann Wilson. So much has changed over the years, and we truly believe that what we do makes a difference. We care about our people and our supplier partners. That is why it was important to invite them to New York City and personally thank them in a momentous way. Wilson, who continues to run the company along with her two daughters, Co-Presidents and Co-Owners Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg and Kimberly Wilson Wetty, founded VWT in 1981. Headquartered in New York City with a diverse client base, there are 16 offices nationwide with a network of 315 Travel Advisors and Associate Agents. For 35 years, VWT has been dedicated to creating value-added amenities and delivering unparalleled service. It has been the companys forward-thinking that has enabled them to live up to that promise by implementing their own advances in the industry. Suite Access by Valerie Wilson Travel launched in 2015 and today has 222 member properties in 46 countries and 109 destinations. It offers travelers elite access to the finest suites in the most extraordinary hotels and resorts hand-picked by VWTs expert advisors. Suite Access is an extension of VWTs Power of Access, which provides clients with valued unique amenities and exclusive benefits, VIP treatment, and exceptional service with preferred partners. We have had resounding success with the Suite Access program, which was like creating a start-up within a well-known brand, said Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg. Our sales program-to-date are over $2.6 million and we are well within reach of $3-plus million in sales for 2016. The desire of properties to sell suites at full rate is on the top of each of their radars and this program perfectly aligns with that. Two Celebrations VWT will host an exclusive evening gala celebration on December 14 at Cipriani 42nd Street with over 500 travel-industry guests from around the world. In true VWT fashion, it will afford a global experience creating a path to Paint the World Peach (the VWT iconic brand color) where attendees will walk the Peach Carpet. The heart of the event will center on gratitude and giving. The Peach Awards will be launched to recognize the exemplary efforts of those within the company and industry, plus building upon the companys continued commitment to giving back, there will be a large charity announcement. On December 14 and 15, VWT will host a two-day travel Academy that will kick off with keynote speaker, Nathan Lump, Editor-in-Chief of Travel + Leisure magazine, as well as a moderated CEO panel on travel trends. Over 150 advisors from the companys 16 offices will come together for a unique training experience featuring 32 customized training classes with top industry talent at The St. Regis New York. The Academy will include an 80-minute tradeshow with suppliers and a pre-gala event hosted by Delta Air Lines. We are marking this milestone by focusing our efforts on education and professional development, said Kimberly Wilson Wetty. During the Academy, we will be able to showcase our most preferred partners who will have access to advisors, as well as senior executives. Through this collaborative training approach, we hope that our supplier partners and our advisors collectively reach their GOALS (Grow, Optimize, Achieve, Learn, Succeed) in order to strengthen their working relationship. Added Valerie Ann Wilson, We have always been a consulting firm, but now more than ever, we are consultants with a greater purpose as firsthand information is still the best. This is especially true as it relates to the fear factor - the fear of terrorism at anytime, anywhere; the fear of a mosquito; and the fear of the current state of the U.S. Experienced travel advisors are saying that they feel this is the perfect time to consider a new destination instead of returning to somewhere the client may feel is no longer safe. It is a matter of being a true consultant and talking to the client about their fears. That is why we pride ourselves on our continued efforts to create unforgettable, luxury travel experiences. Knowledge, gratitude and giving back will be the watchwords for Valerie Wilson Travels upcoming birthday as they invite their employees, partners and clients to share in and expand their expert knowledge - making their network even stronger over the next decade. For more information on Valerie Wilson Travel, visit http://www.ValerieWilsonTravel.com. # # # About Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc. Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc. headquartered in New York, NY, was founded by Valerie Ann Wilson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, in 1981, and managed along with her two daughters, Co-Presidents and Co-Owners Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg and Kimberly Wilson Wetty, is an award-winning travel management company that has grown as an industry leader with 16 offices in the United States servicing business, leisure and meeting/incentive travelers. All VWT locations are proud members of Virtuoso - the travel industrys leading luxury network. The agency has been consistently been named on the annual Travel Weekly Power List as well as Travel + Leisures A-List, and most recently as the 33rd largest in the United States. 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. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Home Regional News East 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. News From Bulgaria Bulgarian Gas Hub Received Support from Brussels (Bulgarian VP) The Russian side has been invited for a trialetarl meeting with Bulgaria and the EU AUTHOR: publics.bg government.bg The project for a gas hub in Bulgaria has received the support of Brussels, but not of Moscow, Bulgarian VP Tomislav Donchev said during a parliamentary session on Wednesday, as reported by Mediapool. In his words the fact that the European Commission has affirmed that it will be a key European project was a guarantee for the sustainability of the project. The Russian side has been invited for a trialatertal meeting with Bulgaria and the EU in order to clear the details and so that they (Russia) could take part [in the gas hub project], if they see a benefit, Donchev said. He, however, deferred that the gas hub was not a plan B to the abandoned South Stream gas pipeline project. The Balkan gas hub project was the subject of an investing round table held in Varna on Monday. The gas hub would be realized by a new project company, a subsidiary of the state-owned gas grid operator Bulgartransgaz. Up to 50 per cent of this project company would be up for sale to a strategic investor, Bulgarian PM Boiko Borisov said during a press conference following the investment round table. The expected cost of the gas hub is EUR 1.5 billion, while construction could start in 2020. Las Vegas-based Central Recovery Press and Bostons Beacon Press are the latest independent publishers to jump into the booming audio segment. CRP specializes in titles focused on chronic pain treatment and recovery, addiction, and behavioral healthcare books. According to a company statement, developing the audio imprint provides CPR an opportunity to deliver vital information to readers via all available publishing formats, which is key to the publishers future growth. CRP Audio will be producing its digital audio titles via Amazon subsidiary Audibles Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX), a marketplace that allows individuals or publishers who are audio rights holders to connect directly with producers, voice talent, recording studios, and other production specialists. ACX-created titles are then distributed via Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. CRP Audios inaugural audiobook list will include a mix of front and backlist titles among them Connecting in the Land of Dementia by Deborah Shouse and The Jaguar Man by Lara Naughton. Beacon Press Audio launched this week, under the leadership of Cliff Manko, who has been named audio publisher and will also continue in his role as Beacons CFO, and audio director Melissa Nasson, who is also Beacons contracts director. Beacon's move into audio was spearheaded by Beacon Press director Helene Atwan, who is an avid audiobook listener. In a statement, she emphasized that an audio imprint will allow Beacon the flexibility to keep pace with changing technologies and reinforce its efforts to provide accessibility. Adding audio format versions of our titles allows us to ensure that more readers of varying needs and abilities will be served by the important work being done at Beacon, she said. The Beacon Press Audio list will blend new and key backlist titles. First out of the gate is The World in Flames: A Black Boyhood in a White Supremacist Doomsday Cult by Jerald Walker, which was released September 6 simultaneously with the print and e-book editions. Additional simultaneous releases are due this fall as well, including Michael Berubes Life as Jamie Knows It: An Exceptional Child Grows Up (10/4), and Adrienne Berards Water Tossing Boulders: How a Family of Chinese Immigrants Led the First Fight to Desegregate Schools (10/18). Previously published Beacon titles debuting in audiobook format include actor Martin Morans memoir All the Rage: A Quest (May), which he recently recorded. Beacon Press Audio titles will be distributed through Penguin Random House, which also handles Beacons print and e-book distribution. A lonely statute depicting the warrior Black Hawk standing guard over an empty lot is a fitting metaphor for the death of a retail dream in Rock Island. Tuesdays deeply disappointing announcement that Wal-Mart will not build a promised new store on 11th Street stands in sharp contrast to the scene in city hall last October. Thats when smiling city leaders brandished a deal which said the retail giant had agreed to pay $4.5 million for 22.5 acres in the city. The ifs were set aside for the moment, and the signing convinced us that our $15 million investment in the old Watch Tower Plaza property would one day pay big dividends. We also ignored the fact that the retailer not only holds all the cards in just about every deal it ever negotiates, but that Wal-Marts development arm always plays them close to the chest. Indeed, city leaders say the retailer never even hinted at withdrawal as the deadline for the latest extension neared. No, Im not happy, Mayor Dennis Pauley said. We put a lot of work, a lot of time into this. We never heard a negative comment from Wal-Mart from Day 1. Neither did Wal-Mart offer any in the announcement Tuesday from its director of communications. In fact, it commended the mayor and council for the work they have done to create a business friendly climate in Rock Island that encourages continued growth and investment in the city. But the generic language which followed appears similar to what Wal-Mart routinely uses when it quits a deal: after much deliberation and consideration of various business factors, we have decided not to pursue development of a new store in Rock Island. City officials and staff who put so much into the project have every right to be disappointed and angry. So especially do Rock Island taxpayers who will have to pay for the work that has been done to clear the site and get it ready for development. But we simply cannot afford to wallow in misery and disappointment for very long. The mayor says taxpayers shouldnt blame city leaders for Wal-Marts choices. Voters will make their own assessment about the deal after what is likely to be a robust debate in the spring municipal elections. Good. Indeed, we hope that the impending debate will add extra impetus to the search for a new plan for the site. If there isnt one already, that should be priority No. 1, not only for city leaders and staff, but for the economic development arm of the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce. The organization has long suggested that our region requires a thriving Illinois Quad-Cities and has pledged its resources to help it do so. The bottom line is that our community still desperately needs the jobs and the sales tax revenues the Wal-Mart project would have provided. That need took on even greater urgency after the Rock Island Kmart closed its doors in July. At least this time, as the city attempts to peddle the site, it wont be starting at square one. Regarding the 11th Street property, Ald. Stephen Tollenaer, 4th Ward, told reporter Stephen Elliott, Staff will be directed to march forward and try to locate another major retailer. At that location, weve turned it into a blank slate, a clean location. Its a great location. Yes, and it IS rock-solid ready for development. We cannot afford to wait another moment to find it. (Editor's note: The online version of this editorial was edited to remove references to a SuperCenter.) -- What: "Million Dollar Quartet." -- When: Through Nov. 5; Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:45 p.m., Sundays at 5:45 p.m., and Wednesday matinees at 1:30 p.m. -- Where: Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse, 1828 3rd Ave., Rock Island. -- Tickets: $50.16 for the evening dinner-and-show productions and $44.41 for the plated-lunch matinees, available at 309-786-7733, ext. 2, or Circa21.com. Seeing legendary performers (or reasonable facsimiles thereof) at the start of their fame is usually a thrilling experience. Circa '21's long-awaited area debut of the hit musical, "Million Dollar Quartet" -- recreating the fresh-faced recording artists Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins -- does not disappoint. The Tony Award-winning musical (which opened in 2010) is set on Dec. 4, 1956, when an auspicious twist of fate brought the four rising stars together (Perkins and Cash were then 24, and Presley and Lewis just 21). Sam Phillips, who was responsible for launching the careers of each icon, gathered the legendary musicians at his Sun Records storefront studio in Memphis for the first time and only time. "Quartet" is an exhilarating dream of a show -- made all the more remarkable since it puts you right in the midst of musical history. Right from the start, "Blue Suede Shoes" kicks off the full-throated, impressive sound, and tremendous energy that permeates the entire production. Having a top-notch live band definitely helps -- Christopher Wren is Perkins (and also serves as the show's musical director); Stephen Edwards Horst is Cash, Brandon Fillette is Lewis, Morgan McDowell is Presley, and the expert bass and drums are provided by Perry Orfanella and Tristan Tapscott, respectively. The bountiful, 23-song score includes such timeless rock, soul, and blues hits as That's All Right, Sixteen Tons, Great Balls of Fire, Walk the Line, Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On, Folsom Prison Blues, Hound Dog, and many more -- highlighting what makes each sonic pioneer so powerful. Mr. Wren is a meticulously dazzling performer, both on guitar and his stylish movement, and reveals Perkins' anger and frustration, both at the more flamboyant Jerry Lee Lewis and mania that greeted Elvis (especially since Perkins was peeved the public thought Presley wrote his hit "Blue Suede Shoes"). Mr. Fillette colorfully captures the brash ego and fiery, boogie-woogie piano style of Lewis; he threatens to dominate every song he's on. His "Great Balls" and the finale "Whole Lotta Shakin'" (which gets everyone on their feet) blow the roof off the dinner theater. Mr. McDowell and Mr. Horst inhabit Presley and Cash as the more respectful, reverent and humble personalities they were. Their deep, commanding voices are mesmerizing -- particularly Mr. Horst -- and the quartet really shines together in the exuberant, tight harmonies of "Down by the Riverside." The testosterone-fueled cast is tempered with an Elvis girlfriend ("Dyanne"), played by Paige Salter, who is amazing in her main numbers, a sultry and strong "Fever," and rip-roaring belter "I Hear You Knocking." The literally unsung hero of "MDQ" (who doesn't sing) is Circa stalwart Tom Walljasper as Sam Phillips, who's the passionate, sympathetic narrator of this life- and industry-changing tale. Phillips gave each of the stars their start, and we see how he painfully loses three of them. Mr. Walljasper poignantly portrays the highs and lows of his cutthroat business, and we rejoice and lament with him. This is another can't-miss cornucopia of tasty talents, prepared to perfection a master stage chef, director Curt Wollan -- whose other productions for the theater include "Church Basement Ladies" and "Southern Crossroads." CAMPBELL'S ISLAND -- Efforts to free one of two barges that ran aground Saturday night near Campbell's Island continued Wednesday afternoon, according to U. S. Coast Guard official. The Coast Guard was notified of the grounding incident at 7 p.m. Saturday. The barges were stuck on an uninhabited island, near the northern end of Campbell's Island, said Ensign Dana Schmitt, of the Coast Guard's Upper Mississippi River sector, based in St. Louis. "It was an all-hands-on-deck-like response," he said. Members of the Quad-Cities detachment responded immediately. The southbound barges contained 4,800 tons of anhydrous ammonia, he said. Mr. Schmitt described it as a 'liquefied compressed ammonia colorless gas." No spill occurred, and no risk to the public exists, he said. One barge worked its way loose, but the other remains where it ran aground, Mr. Schmitt said. It contains 2,400 tons of the anhydrous ammonia, he said. The stuck 278-foot barge is being monitored "24/7," Mr. Schmitt said. Barge owners Kirby Corp., based in Houston, Texas, has a smaller towing vessel on site to safeguard the barge. It's also being constantly monitored by Coast Guard, federal, state and local officials, he said. The incident remains under investigation, and no cause has been determined, he said. Coast Guard officials are hoping for water levels to rise enough that a larger towing vessel en route to the site will be able to loosen the stuck barge, Mr. Schmitt said. "If we don't get a big shot of water, we plan to unload some of the chemicals," he said. "We are moving as quickly as possible, while keeping safety as our No. 1 priority -- the safety of residents, our personnel and the environment." COAL VALLEY -- Police Chief Jack Chick wants the village to install bulletproof glass, steel doors and security cameras at village hall to provide better security for employees. Trustees on Wednesday discussed prices and options for more than 45 minutes with Chief Chick, who agreed to solicit more bids for the Sept. 21 board meeting. Initial bids for Level III glass and a steel door in the reception area amount to $4,572, with another $5,720 to replace the police department exterior door. Adding a security system, cameras, new locks and reinforced walls brings the estimate to about $24,000. "The idea was to secure the front reception area. I could take my .40-caliber (gun), shoot it two times and break through that glass. (Level III) glass will stop everything, including an assault rifle," Chief Chick said. Trustee Michael Bartels asked if any incidents have ever happened in the front lobby. "Yes, we've had to physically remove people from the lobby. Can it happen? Sure, it happens every day. I'm every safety oriented. And since I've been here, I've asked every mayor and village administrator why the lobby wasn't secure," Chief Chick replied. He said he also would like to install a steel door separating the police department from the main reception area so that suspects in custody can be contained. But his main goal is to install security cameras, bulletproof glass and a steel door in the reception area of village hall. "I'm all for security, but it seems like it's going to be Alcatraz here. I'm not for spending $24,000," Mr. Bartels said. "We've got the library here that's in the same building and that's not protected. They have kids coming and going. We have a school next door that has nothing. There's no bulletproof glass over there." "You have to ask the question, what is going to be a target? Municipal buildings have been the main target," Chief Chick said. Trustee Bruce Crowe, who is employed as a housing inspector for the city of Rock Island, said his office has minimal security, three windows, and he has never encountered a problem. "I work in a municipal building. They can come right in there. I'm one of the people who pisses them off, and I am totally naked there. And I'm not allowed to carry a gun," Mr. Crowe said. "We just happen to be living in a time where it doesn't take much to tick someone off. When I know someone's water was shut off and they're up front, I stick around to protect the girls," Chief Chick said, referring to village clerk Amber Dennis, village administrator Annette Ernst and assistant village administrator Penny Woods. Chief Chick noted every door inside village hall is made of wood. Mr. Bartels agreed it makes sense to replace them with steel doors and that installing security cameras would be a good investment. "I just want time to review this. We've had 14 years of getting by without something happening. I don't want to rush into a decision tonight," Mr. Bartels added. In other news, Trustee Dale Keppy asked Chief Chick for an update on efforts to collect $6,000 from Don Dyer, who owes the village for the removal of asbestos from the former Nazarene Church and its parsonage. The village bought the two buildings for $213,000 in April 2013. Mr. Dyer bought the parsonage with the agreement that he would reimburse the village for the cost of abatement. After the purchase, Mr. Dyer moved the parsonage to an empty lot across town so his son could live in the home. Mr. Dyer has since moved away, leaving no forwarding address or phone number. Chief Chick said he has located six different men named Don Dyer and he believes he may have found the correct man living in California. Also on Wednesday, resident Kevin Stickell, 504 W. 15th Ave., told trustees that a gate and fence surrounding a neighbor's swimming pool was not up to code and in violation of the village ordinance. He said the resident living at 1420 W. 5th St. has been warned by village police, but the homeowner still has not fixed the latch on the gate. "The village administrator agreed the gate is not up to code. This was in July, and it's been about 55 days. Why has it not been taken care of? My complaint is the pool should never have water or ever been built until this was brought into compliance," Mr. Stickell said. ORION Village trustees on Wednesday decided to recoup costs from a resident who was charged this year with having 90 cats in two homes and to bring her in line with the villages three-cat limit. Pat Hardi, 62, was charged April 26 with Class A misdemeanor cruelty to animals and three misdemeanor counts of violation of animal owner duties. In May, she agreed to forfeit all but four of the cats and three rabbits. In August, she pleaded guilty to the Class A misdemeanor, but as part of the plea agreement she was allowed to find homes for the four cats and three rabbits that she already had turned over to the Orion Veterinary Clinic. She also agreed to random inspections by Henry County Animal Control. Village president Jim Cooper told trustees Wednesday that Henry County States Attorney Matt Schutte sent the village a document stating there was nothing to preclude Orion from enforcing its ordinance limiting the number of animals. He said when village officials talked to Ms. Hardi years ago, they had allowed her five dogs based on the fact they were quite aged. They also discussed the number of cats, and she said she would adopt cats out and bring them in line with the ordinance. We had no idea she had in excess of 80, he said. Trustees decided Wednesday to send Ms. Hardi a bill for reimbursement of more than $1,000 in veterinary costs. They will also seek attorneys fees. They will use the countys random inspections to enforce the animal ordinance on numbers of pets; Mr. Cooper said anything more than three cats could be removed. The mayor noted residents may consider running for a village office in the April 2017 election. Seats up are village president, village clerk as well as trustee seats of Robert Mitton, Robert O'Leary, Jamie Lawson and appointee Ryan Hancock. Almost 50 Illinois counties have filed lawsuits against Democratic Governor, JB Pritzker, and the ill crafted SAFE-T Act. Introduced in the General Assembly by the Illinois Black Caucus, the Act passed the Democratic-led General Assembly in the wee hours of Jan. 13, 2021. Amongst many of its weaknesses and deficiencies, the Act eliminates cash bail, emboldens criminals, and makes it even more difficult for law enforcement to keep offenders off our streets. Public Safety personnel and States Attorneys across our great State have decried the legislation, noting that it was drafted and written with very little constructive input from Public Safety leadership, from either party; potentially impacting every Illinois community with dangerous consequences. Allowing perpetrators to bail out of jail, based on their good word that they will be glad to return to court is laughable, at best, and both ludicrous and dangerous, at worst. Soon after the SAFE-T Act was passed at the State level, the Republican-led Henry County Board drafted a resolution, requesting that the General Assembly repeal and replace the SAFE-T Act with a new criminal justice bill, this time with input from professional law enforcement, States Attorneys from across the State, and other Public Safety officials. We unanimously passed our resolution on May 19, 2022, and encourage all County Boards in Illinois to follow our lead. Our Republican-led Board in Henry County believes we all, Democrats, Independents, and Republicans, deserve effective and fair law enforcement in our communities. Rated 4.6 out of 5 by 62 reviewers. Rated 5 out of 5 by Ddattoria Beautiful Cardigan This is an exceptional cardigan! The wool is soft, fits true to size, and exhibits outstanding workmanship. I now own three Aran Craft sweaters, and wear them all winter long. Hope to purchase more! 01-18-17 Rated 5 out of 5 by Irishgrn Another Great Irish Sweater Over the past 10 years I have ordered about 12 Irish swearters. Various styles and colors. I LOVE ALL OF THEM................................ Yes, I make time to use them all. I purchased this style in the green which will be great for spring!!! Thank you to our Irish Friends who make this possible. Can't wait for St Patricks Day. 01-10-17 Rated 5 out of 5 by nance61 Beautiful Sweater This is a beautiful sweater. I ordered it in the Ivory and I just love it. It is very well made, warm and comfortable. I am seriously considering ordering another color. You can't beat the price. 12-30-16 Rated 5 out of 5 by Smainva BEAUTIFUL cardigan! Rec'd today as Christmas present to me in the Light Rose. . .gorgeous detailing and workmanship. . .love, love, love it. . .was on waitlist but well worth the wait! 12-03-16 Rated 5 out of 5 by clamity judy Pleased with purchase I own seven Irish sweaters which I have purchased through QVC. This sweater is one of my favorites. I was put on a "wait list" for the natural in extra small. It was well worth the wait. While trying it on shortly after its arrival, my daughter mentioned that it fit like a glove. She also noticed the smile I had on my face. This is a definite "keeper". I would recommend anyone looking for a three-season sweater to check this one out. With Aran Craft, I needed to size down. I'm very happy with my purchase. 10-18-16 Rated 5 out of 5 by IRISHWIL TWO WORDS...........ABSOLUTELY PERFECT! LOVED THIS GORGEOUS SWEATER. I WENT NUTS FOR THEM. I HAVE ORDERED FOUR OF THE ARAN CRAFT SWEATERS, AND I ALREADY HAD A FEW. SO I AM A BIG FAN! 09-23-16 Rated 2 out of 5 by Smartbuyer Sizing off I always wear a S in Aran Craft cardigan sweaters. This one was 1-2 sizes too small for me. I'm not crazy about the buttons on the lapel either... 09-14-16 Rated 5 out of 5 by Quincy Woman fits perfect just received in the mail. only took three days. i ordered xxlarge, as i am a 2x in tops was a little bit scared it would not fit, to my surprise it fits just fine can even fit a nice blouse under it. have always wanted merino sweater and now i do. will most likely go back for a different style. LOVE IT!!!! 09-13-16 Aran Craft Merino Wool One Button Drop Shoulder Vest is rated 4.6 out of 5 by 40 . Rated 3 out of 5 by Mistic from SIZING IS BEYOND WAY OFF ~ Three Stars Because The Quality In Aran Craft Workmanship Is There ~ BUT THE SIZING IS SO BEYOND OFF. I read reviews before ordering. I wear a M~L. I ordered the XS/S. You could fit 2 people in this smaller size. So dissapointed. I now have 2 more that came back in stock, and ordered, sure the XS/S would fit. Now I have to wait for them to arrive, and go to the PO to return. No More...No More. Rated 4 out of 5 by kittysquilts from Great vest for travel I always get cold on planes, so I was hoping this vest would work as a layer of warmth but not be in my way. I think it's going to be perfect! It was a little long because of the back yoke, but I was able to turn the facing over, and stitch it down at the center of the back. It shortened it just enough that I got the fit I wanted. I expect to get a lot of use out of this piece this fall and winter......and any time I have to fly. So happy to get it on sale. I usually wear an XL and I got the M/L. It was plenty roomy. Rated 5 out of 5 by sharksfinatic from So pretty, But... I love this sweater! I purchased the black color in the M/L. My normal size is a L in the Aran Craft brand. Too bad for me, it is way too big! I should have bought the S but that is sold out. I will have to return this unfortunately. I really wanted to keep this but due to the arm area being too long, I cant maneuver my arms well. It comes down to my elbows. Shoulders and length too oversized. Rated 5 out of 5 by nantu from Just so beautiful! This sweater exceeded my expectations, will get another one, maybe three more Rated 5 out of 5 by Felix2018 from Love this purchase I bought this during the St. Patrick's Day show. I got the Parsnip but wanted the grey. The parsnip color is very nice and I am so glad I bought it. It fits nice and it's very soft. I am definitely going to pick up the grey one in the fall when it becomes available. This will be great for cooler evenings and in the fall during day outings. Rated 5 out of 5 by JadenP from Beautiful Craftsmanship This vest is gorgeous! I ordered the green XS and it fits perfectly (Size 6, 111 lbs). Next year I would like to order this vest in the same color if it is available. Rated 3 out of 5 by ladybugpat from SIZING IS OFF! This vest is huge! I went down a size to the M/L and I normally wear a size XL or 1X in tops. The color, material and price were good, hence the 3 stars. The M/L would probably fit a 3X!! Had to return and am tired as so many others with the costs to return an item that is sized wrong! HANDS Traditional Crafts of Ireland 2 DVD Set is rated 4.4 out of 5 by 5 . Rated 5 out of 5 by mimi2007 from INFORMATIVE & ENLIGHTENING! Although I enjoyed this entire DVD set, I especially loved the history of the Belleek Company and how the porcelain is crafted. It was reassuring and enlightening to learn that 16 hands have touched all Belleek products at the time of completion and that each piece is unique and of excellent quality. I am grateful and proud to own 4 Belleek items and I purchased a fifth as a gift. Rated 3 out of 5 by bonmax from educational I'll be using this and Stephen's Ireland dvd for our homeschooling. The 'traditional dvd' seems from 20 yrs ago, but very good. Rated 5 out of 5 by KOON from SURPRISINGLY ENTERTAINING Great video and amazing talent. Don't judge it by the first two minutes ...you will love it and want to watch it over and over Rated 4 out of 5 by Keem from Wonderful Artisians You folks could go a long way with this in showing how the famous Peterson Pipes are crafted from rare roots in their "Factory" in Sallynoggin, Ire, and show how the wonderful Aaran sweaters are made with the start of sheering the sheep to the fine made finished product of sweaters and scarves, How about throwing in how peat logs are cut, stacked, dried, sold, & shipped around the world. Show the picturesque villages with hand thatched roofs, and how the thatching is accomplished and wears over time. Let's see how Earthen ware is cast and fired with ancient Celtic symbols, and the best yet, how Waterford & Killarney & Gallway Crystal are created, and how Guinness and Jameson are made and aged and perfected before going on the market. What about Irish lace and linen? You folks at "Hands" should RUN with this product, Ireland has a wealth of history in every Irish product! Sold Out This item is no longer available, but theres still much more to discoverkeep shopping to find something new to love! 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! Flytoget was seeking a Wi-Fi provider to upgrade its existing internet infrastructure, and Icomeras solution was selected through a competitive tendering process. Flytoget will also receive full use of Icomeras cloud-based system of management tools, used to maintain and control the onboard Wi-fi solution. Installation of the Wi-Fi equipment will begin later this month, and be completed by early 2017. The B-class trams were delivered to Melbourne in the late 1980s, and after a public tendering process, Strukton was selected to deliver an initial batch of three units for a trial on the network. Power electronics typically show their age after 10-15 years, so Strukton is to supply a new pin-compatible cubical with IGBT electronics, which will extend the life of the traction system by 15-20 years. The economy remains tepid and surface transportation companies remain focused on controlling costs, limiting capex and searching hard for growth opportunities, according to Cowen and Company Managing Director and Railway Age Wall Street Contributing Editor Jason Seidl, reporting on the firms 9th Annual Global Transport Conference in Boston. There were some bright spots specifically surrounding recent sequential upticks in agricultural products and coal carloads. Commentary remains cautious Following are some of Seidls key takeaways from the surface transportation companies that presented: Genesee & Wyoming: Australia has been a difficult region for GWR as the commodity complex has struggled the past two years, but management noted on a few occasions that new business opportunities are presenting themselves, specifically in the mining and agricultural markets. Thats something the company has not seen in a while. GWR was one of the several companies that noted the sizable level of U.S. agricultural inventory that will likely need to move in the coming months. Management expects the company to benefit. Canadian Pacific: The company maintained its guidance for double-digit EPS growth in 2016, which we think would be a commendable achievement as second-half 2016 EPS would need to grow by 27% year over year. We would not have been surprised to see management lower expectations, but it did not. President and Chief Operating Officer Keith Creel indicated that a mid-50s operating ration would become the norm over time and suggested he was pleased with a 57% to 58% OR today, considering the soft freight market. CSX: Management now expects third-quarter 2016 EPS to be down from second-quarter 2016. We were already looking for $0.46 in 3Q vs. $0.47 in 2Q so we werent terribly surprised. Consensus was also looking for a sequential contraction in EPS. Updated guidance also suggests volumes will likely be down in the high-single-digit range. Thats down from the prior -6% to -8% as carloads are currently tracking -9.6% through September 3. Coal volumes likely wont be as bad as feared, and the company also raised its guidance for 2016 efficiency savings from approaching $350 million to now exceed $350 million. It also appears that CSX management believes Norfolk Southern has taken some intermodal market share in recent weeks at the expense of price. Union Pacific: The Hanjin bankruptcy will likely result in a $0.01 hit to EPS in 3Q16. UP was the only company that quantified the impact of what one industry participant called a black swan event for shippers. Management expressed optimism about the outlook for U.S. grain, something we heard from a few companies. CFO Rob Knight also opined on the STBs reciprocal switching proposal, which is now in the comment period. He discussed a few of the reasons for the companys opposition, which includes a disincentive to invest. The Greenbrier Companies: We expect the company to guide for fiscal year 2017 when it reports earnings in mid to late October. We remain confident in our FY17 EPS estimate of $3.50, which is slightly below the Streets $3.60 estimate. We dont see a material change in market demand, but Greenbriers long-term strategic initiatives remain intact. J.B. Hunt Transport: Management seems cautious on intermodal pricing heading into next year as the market remains softer than it would like. The ICS (intermodal cargo services) business saw some gross margin compression in June and July, which is not surprising given the pickup in the spot market during that time period due to temporary capacity constraints (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance International Roadcheck, holidays). However, management noted that the spot market has not picked up much. The dedicated and last-miles businesses remain growth engines for JBHT. Norfolk Southern: Management maintained its guidance for a sub-70% OR this year and also acknowledged that more coal is moving than it expected. The company also reminded investors of its commitment to structural OR improvement and noted that a good deal of the cost actions were already being taken prior to CPs acquisition bid. American Railcar Industries: Management remains committed to growing its lease fleet. Thats a good thing, as we think that is part of the reason why the company receives a premium valuation relative to the group, given that segments less volatile nature. President and CEO Jeff Hollister thinks consolidation in the manufacturing industry could make sense. Kansas City Southern: Management maintained sequential 3Q16 revenue growth guidance of mid-single-digits. On a y/y basis, revenue and carloads are both down 4% quarter to date. The company feels it has plenty of ample resources to handle more freight. For example, more than 100 locomotives are currently parked. Radiant Global Logistics: The company said that sellers valuation expectations may be normalizing a bit from where they were a few months ago. RLGT continues to look for small non-asset based targets as the company continues to focus on cross-selling its core freight forwarding capabilities with its Wheels intermodal/brokerage acquisition from 2015. Brightlines first Siemens Charger diesel-electric locomotive has successfully completed initial testing and operated for the first time, powered by its Cummins QSK95 diesel engine, on the quarter-mile test track at the Siemens manufacturing facility in Sacramento, Calif. This signifies another major milestone for the production of Brightlines trains as the company has now approved production for all locomotives currently being built by Siemens, said Brightline Senior Vice President of Railroad Operations Gene Skoropowski. In addition to firing up its diesel engine for the first time, approximately 45 systems were tested on the locomotive. Among them: functional tests of the air and dynamic braking systems; software installation for all systems; locomotive doors; fire detection systems; audible warning devices; communication systems; interior and exterior lighting; and zero-fuel and fully fueled weight verification. Static and dynamic testing occurred over a three-week period. Operation of the locomotive and its passing of initial track testing has demonstrated Siemens engineering expertise and given us a high degree of confidence that Brightline service will be exceptionally reliable, said Skoropowski. Brightline will be the only passenger rail service in the country to have such dynamic and modern trains that will offer Americans a new and modern experience in train travel. Testing these advanced-technology locomotives for Brightline is an extremely important milestone in our production process and helps ensure these trainsets are ready to provide safe and reliable service for future riders, said Siemens Rolling Stock President Michael Cahill. The successful on-site testing in Sacramento is truly a testament to the highly skilled work being done by our engineers and plant employees that have worked tirelessly to design and manufacture these trainsets. Brightlines trains are built as integrated trainsets, comprised of two locomotives and four stainless steel passenger cars. The locomotives feature an ergonomic cab design for the trains engineers. Brightline trainsets are being built by nearly 1,000 employees at Siemens 60-acre rail manufacturing hub. Siemens has also developed a base of U.S. rail suppliers to support the next-generation of rail manufacturing for Brightline, including components from more than 40 suppliers across 20-plus states. The company will also be providing maintenance for the trainsets when they are in operation in Florida, supporting full-time employment for approximately 70 Siemens and 40 Brightline employees. The first completed trainset is expected to leave Sacramento and be delivered to Brightline at its West Palm Beach maintenance facility later this year. Brightline is scheduled to begin express higher-speed intercity service linking Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach on the Florida East Coast Railway main line in mid-2017. Brightline says it is the only privately owned, operated and maintained passenger rail system in the United States. It is operated by All Aboard Florida, a subsidiary of Florida East Coast Industries. To see a video of the locomotive moving for the first time, click here. 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 HBO has announced a revamped over-the-top (OTT) platform for Argentina and Uruguay, but is keeping HBO GO bundled with pay-TV subscriptions. Unlike in other Latin American countries, such as Colombia and Mexico , HBO is not making HBO GO a standalone streaming service for the moment. The company is releasing a renewed platform which will still be complementary to the HBO/MAX pay-TV package.Argentinean users were expecting a different announcement, as HBO stated in March that HBO GO would launch as an independent OTT service in Argentina before the end of the year. However, HBO said that this launch was a necessary move prior to launching an online subscription platform.The revamped version of the platform, which gives access to HBOs entire video-on-demand (VOD) catalogue, will be available for free for HBO/MAX subscribers in both countries.Argentinean and Uruguayan audiences are looking for flexible ways to consume content. In Argentina, 53% of people watch audiovisual content through digital and streaming platforms, said Francisco Smith, EVP, distribution and media development, HBO Latin America The platform, available for iOS and Android devices and through a browser platform, will also enable live streaming of HBOs main Latin American channel. Netflix has reached an agreement with TeleCentro to integrate its platform into the companys IPTV set-top boxes (STBs). Through this deal, TeleCentro becomes Argentinas first pay-TV operator to pre-install Netflix in its own hybrid STBs, enabling over-the-top (OTT) access to the subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service.Telecentro is the most innovative telecom provider in Argentina. By adding Netflix to our platform, using the service will be as easy as changing channel, said Martin Kahale, marketing manager, TeleCentro. The feature is only available for IPTV, which is part of TeleCentros triple-play offering This is the second agreement Netflix has reached in Argentina this summer. The SVOD service is also partnering with Telecom Argentina , the countrys largest telco, by offering a three-month subscription to subscribers to Personal and Arnet.Besides, Netflix has a similar deal with Tigo for Costa Rica, Paraguay, Guatemala, Colombia, Bolivia, Honduras and El Salvador.Our partnership with TeleCentro enables our subscribers to watch their favourite shows on TV, added Paul Perryman, director, business development, Netflix. Combining our huge catalogue with TeleCentros linear TV content gives users access to a great variety of programming. The Rio 2016 Olympics continues to add milestones to Brazils broadcasting industry, with Globos media services agency now claiming to have assisted 27 international broadcasters. NewSource Globo said the outcome of the Olympic Games surpassed by 34% its service goal established for the event. The delivered services included live spots offered to foreign channels, particularly the structure assembled in front of the Olympic Park, which offered optic fibre and satellite broadcasting.In a 24/7 operation, NewSource Globo assisted 27 international television networks from countries such as the US, China, France, England, Mexico, Australia and Puerto Rico. Broadcasters which used the Globo services included the BBC, NBC, France TV Sport, CCTV and ABC Australia.Over 100 hours of live broadcast were produced using NewSource structure, in partnership with AP. The television networks were also able to count on spots for live broadcast overlooking all the arenas in the Olympic Park, Copacabana, Maracana, as well as working spaces and glass studios in other areas of Rio de Janeiro including Jardim Botanico and Botafogo. Sentence passed on Russian killer of Armenian family appealed in part - lawyer MOSCOW, September 8 (RAPSI) Sentence handed down to Russian soldier Valery Permyakov, who had killed seven members of a family in the Armenian city of Gyumri, was appealed in part, lawyer Eduard Agadzhanyan said in an interview with the News of Armenia on Thursday. According to the attorney, the appeal lodged on September 7, is connected with charges of attempted border crossing. On August 23, a court in Armenia sentenced Permyakov to life in prison. He was found guilty on all accounts including murder, assault related to robbery and attempt to cross the border illegally. As Permyakov earlier pleaded guilty to the murder, the lawyer could not appeal these charges, according to legal ethics. Thats why Agadzhanyan has lodged an appeal against the sentence regarding attempted border crossing. The family, including a six-month-old baby, was killed as a result of an armed assault on January 12, 2015. Valery Permyakov, a soldier at a Russian base in the Armenian town of Gyumri, was arrested and later charged with the murder of two or more persons under the Armenian Criminal Code. On August 12, 2015, Permyakov was found guilty of desertion, theft of weapons and sentenced to 10 years in prison. The murder case was singled out for considering it in a separate procedure and passed to the Armenian authorities. On October 13, Permyakov was found sane despite certain deviations. According to experts, he was not in the heat of passion while committing the crime. He also could recognize the consequences of his actions. On October 16, Permyakov was additionally charged with armed assault, home-invasion robbery and attempted border crossing. Russia opens two more criminal cases over conflict in Ukraine MOSCOW, September 8 (RAPSI, Lyudmila Klenko) The Russian Investigative Committee had opened two more criminal cases over the conflict in the southeast of Ukraine, Vladimir Markin, the Investigative Committees official spokesperson, told RAPSI on Thursday. According to investigators, in April 2016, Alexander Zhakun, the senior officer of the 14th Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, organized the shelling of a self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic crossing point for civilians. As a result, four persons were killed and seven injured. Investigators find these actions to constitute the elements of a war crime, Markin said. The Investigative Committees spokesman also noted that the second criminal case was initiated over genocide of the Russian-speaking peoples national group, including minors, residing in the territory of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic. Among the defendants in the second case are some former and current officials from the Ukrainian Defense Ministry and National Guard, for instance Stepan Poltorak, the Ukraines Defense Minister and Viktor Muzhenko, Chief of General Staff. Investigators believe that in January through August 2016 the defendants gave illegal orders to their subordinated servicepersons of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and National Guard to destroy civilian infrastructure objects, residential areas and Russian-speaking population, including minors. The probe covering 53 separate criminal cases is currently underway, according to Markin. 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. As the idiom you cant have your cake and eat it too suggests, were properly conditioned to detect stories that are too good to be true. But Texas has proven its possible to have both much lower crime and a lower rate of imprisonment. Indeed, Texas FBI index crime rate, which accounts for both violent crime and property crime, has fallen more sharply than it has nationally, posting a 29 percent drop from 2005 to 2014, the latest full year for which official data is available. So how did Texas close three prisons while making its streets safer? By making alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders more available and effective. The two of us had front row seats to the action in 2007, when the chairman of the House Corrections Committee was tasked by Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick (R-Midland) to find a way to protect public safety without building new prisons. We collaborated with then Governor Rick Perry, Senate Criminal Justice Chairman John Whitmire, and other leaders to push through this transformation. To understand how it worked, we must first examine the arc of the prison boom. One major reason the prison population in Texas and across the nation grew six-fold from the mid-1970s to the mid-2000s is that proven alternatives were scarce with prison construction and operation costs consuming ever greater portions of state criminal-justice budgets. As more money went into prisons, less and less money was left for probation and other alternatives to incarceration. Texas showed the nation how to escape this cycle while improving public safety. There are three main reasons prosecutors and judges might send someone to prison: 1) They believe imprisonment is the most just and effective sentence; 2) Theyre required to do so by a statute that specifies a mandatory minimum prison term; or, 3) There are no proven and effective alternatives to prison available. The third reason is key to appreciating what Texas and, subsequently, many other conservative states such as Georgia and South Carolina achieved in both crime reduction and incarceration. In January 2007, Texas projected that the state would need to allocate billions for the construction and operation of prisons, including more than 17,000 additional prison beds by 2012. Legislators also heard testimony from prosecutors and judges stating that low-risk, nonviolent offenders were often sent to prison for lack of effective alternatives. These criminal-justice professionals cited unwieldy probation caseloads along with lengthy waiting lists for drug courts or mental health treatment options, which make it difficult to supervise and treat offenders effectively. Given Texas long tradition of prosecutorial and judicial discretion with little in the way of mandatory minimums, the path forward became clear. Texas policymakers worked with experts and across party lines to assemble a budget package that provided a historic expansion of diversion and treatment programs. The front end items included 800 new residential substance abuse treatment beds and 3,000 more outpatient substance abuse treatment slots all to be used as initial options after sentencing and for those whose addiction problems undermine their compliance with community supervision. The other piece of the package involved the back-end of the criminal-justice system. Lawmakers found that the Board of Pardons and Paroles had been paroling fewer inmates because they werent confident parole candidates were getting the necessary treatment in prison. The Board was also revoking an increasing number of parolees because they had few other options. In fact, thousands of inmates approved for parole had to be wait-listed for either halfway houses or in-prison treatment programs, conditions of parole. The result? Overflowing prisons. So lawmakers filled the gap, adding 2,700 substance abuse treatment beds behind bars, 1,400 new intermediate sanction beds (a 90-day program for probationers and parolees with technical violations such as missing appointments), and 300 halfway-house beds. They also capped parole caseloads at 75 to ensure closer supervision. This was a major shift from the last three decades. Previously, Texas lawmakers responded to projected increases in the need for prisons simply by building more lockups. As a result, the states prison population rose from 19,000 in 1975 to more than 155,000 in 2007. The new approach has exceeded expectations both for public safety and cost control. Rather than build more prisons, Texas has since closed three and is looking at additional closures as the population continues to shrink. Most importantly, crime has declined more in Texas than it has nationally or in states without significant criminal-justice reform programs. An even a better measure of the efficacy of these reforms is the performance of those placed on supervision. In 2007, 15.9 percent of probationers failed and were revoked to prison, a figure that fell to 14.7 percent by 2015. Thus, as more nonviolent offenders were diverted to probation instead of prison, probation success rates climbed. This likely stemmed from a combination of improved supervision for instance, the use of graduated sanctions such as curfews to promote compliance and court officials assessment that many of these individuals could succeed given the right resources in the community. The gains in parole are even more impressive: Even with 11,000 more people on parole today than in 2007, more than 17 percent fewer crimes are being alleged against parolees now than then. Its true that the national index crime rate fell 20 percent from 2007 to 2014. But Texas did even better. And its 26 percent drop was effected without spending money on new prisons and while shuttering some old ones. Texas pioneering success has not gone unnoticed. But its not the only example of reducing crime and incarceration simultaneously. In fact, from 2008 to 2013, states that reduced incarceration rates achieved a 13 percent drop in crime, whereas those that increased rates saw an 11 percent drop. Texas diversion efforts target nonviolent, low-risk offenders who are typically given short prison sentences. The reason is that recidivism in this group can often be lowered by interventions such as drug court in lieu of prison. Indeed, many of these offenders become more threatening to the public when incarcerated because they become disconnected from employment and family and exposed to a tough prison crowd. In this way, incarceration can be criminogenic for certain offenders prison itself can create more criminals. With advancements in technologies and techniques ranging from electronic monitoring to non-narcotic treatments for opioid addiction, states have choices beyond mere imprisonment or a toothless response to lawbreaking. Texas is proof positive that by filling the spectrum in between these two extremes with effective monitoring and treatment programs, we can both enhance taxpayer responsibility and increase the safety of our communities. The Hon. Jerry Madden (R-Plano) served as Texas House Corrections Chairman at a time when Texas passed major criminal-justice reforms into law; he served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1993 to 2013, and is a senior fellow for the Texas Public Policy Foundations Right on Crime initiative. Marc Levin is the director of the Center for Effective Justice at the Texas Public Policy Foundation where he leads the foundations Right on Crime initiative. Central Asia was once the prize in the so-called Great Game, a center of competition for the Russians, British, Persians, Mongols and Turks at various times and in various combinations. Sitting at the intersection of the Russian steppes, the western Chinese wastes, the mountain passes into the Indian subcontinent, and the modern Middle East, the region is at once a barrier and a bridge between the powers in its periphery. It is a path for trade and a highway for invasion, a vast strategic buffer and a cauldron of ethnic and national competition and instability. It is a space that its neighbors can afford neither to hold nor to ignore. But for all its strategic importance, the region is beset by problems. Many of these are holdovers from the Soviet era, when borders were drawn to create pockets of competing ethnic identities in single countries and political dynasties that would brook little opposition or challenge. On top of these challenges, the region's population has nearly doubled since the fall of the Soviet Union, particularly in the Fergana Valley, where swirling borders complicate ethnic and national identities. Declining agricultural output, languishing oil prices, falling remittances from workers in Russia and weak international investment in Central Asia have only added to the stresses on the region's leaders. In recent months, several events have drawn the world's attention back to Central Asia. A series of small flare-ups have occurred along the contested Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan border, and, though not all that unusual for the two countries, the dispute has grown more contentious as the competition increases for dwindling water resources. In Kyrgyzstan, too, an apparent Uighur terrorist attack rocked the Chinese Embassy, raising concerns that Central Asian militants who have trained in Syria may bring their newfound skills home. The Kazakh government, meanwhile, has redoubled its crackdown on militancy sweeping up its political opponents in the process following attacks by Islamist militants. And on Sept. 2, longtime Uzbek President Islam Karimov died, leaving his country to undertake its first power transition as an independent state. Despite the fact that the country appears to have a succession plan in place (and that nearby Turkmenistan's first transition a decade ago proceeded relatively smoothly), the new leader will face simmering social problems and clan competition. None of these events will necessarily be the proverbial straw that breaks the camel's back, nor is their coincidence anomalous in a region rife with small, localized crises. Nonetheless, they recall Central Asia's tenuous grasp on stability and raise the question of what the many powers with interest in the region might do if that hold were to falter. The Usual Suspects So how would significant instability in Central Asia be managed? History, geography and military realities all point to Russia as a first line of defense. As the traditional security guarantor for Central Asia, Russia has military bases in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, two of the three regional members (Kazakhstan being the third) of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Moreover, Moscow's concerns over the spread of ethnic unrest and terrorism and its strategic considerations along its periphery compel Russian involvement in Central Asia. But Russia is preoccupied with other problems in other places. Still mired in economic recession, the country has had to re-examine even its sacrosanct defense budget. In fact, it has recently drawn down and reorganized some of its troops in Central Asia. Should the region start to unravel, Moscow will face a strategic dilemma. Given Russia's involvement in Syria and Ukraine, the Kremlin may have to consider allowing China to expand its presence in Central Asia. China has steadily increased its ties to Central Asia, focusing first on energy and resources, then on trade and infrastructure projects and, more recently, on defense and security cooperation. After all, Central Asia offers a route to Europe far from the U.S.-patrolled seas and a vast buffer from the instability and Islamist militancy of the Middle East and Southwest Asia. But as China's involvement in Central Asia has grown, so too has its dependency on the region, and, in turn, the need to secure its interests there. The attack against the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan was a reminder that Beijing's activity in Central Asia could make China a higher-profile target, not only for members of the Uighur diaspora but also for aggrieved locals. Though China has met similar resistance to its endeavors around the globe, the ethnic and linguistic connections between China's Uighurs and the region present a unique concern for Beijing. If stability in Central Asia breaks down, China could find itself in the nightmarish scenario of having a potential haven for separatist militants just across its border. That prospect could compel Beijing, which has yet to participate in military action in a third country beyond U.N. operations, to action. Then, of course, there is the United States. The country also has expanded military relations in Central Asia as a means to assist with the war in Afghanistan and to operate in Russia's periphery, much as Russia operates in Europe's. But in many ways, Central Asia is the last place the United States, primarily a maritime power, is prepared to intervene in the event of a major security breakdown. Although the U.S. military is an intervention force, it relies on the seas for transporting troops and supplies, as well as for projecting power. The political complications of running supply lines through third countries and the logistical headache of moving heavy supplies by air or over ground compound the difficulties of distance, as the war in Afghanistan has demonstrated. Notwithstanding the potential for instability in Central Asia and the possibility that another "terrorist haven" could emerge in a chaotic region, the implications of a Central Asian intervention of any significant scale make it unlikely. Furthermore, after years of sustained military engagement in Afghanistan and Iraq, and with budgetary and social considerations at home, the United States is naturally (and historically) inclined to back off from overseas interventions. To that end, Washington will pair a call for greater active responsibility from its allies with a strategy focused on preventing the rise of a single regional hegemon, rather than on imposing stability. An Interesting Position And so, Washington will find itself in an interesting position. Embroiled in an interminable war against terrorism (an inherently un-winnable conflict, since it purports to combat a tactic, not an enemy), the United States has an interest in sealing any vacuum that Islamist militancy might otherwise fill in a destabilized Central Asia. At the same time, direct, large-scale intervention is infeasible and perhaps unnecessary. If the United States' strategic objective is to prevent the rise of a single regional hegemon, having Russia and China engaged in Central Asia could prove useful. Given their proximity to the region, both countries have a compelling reason to take action in Central Asia. Of course, their shared security concern could provide Moscow and Beijing impetus for greater joint military cooperation, and a Sino-Russian alliance would not be a positive development for U.S. international strategy. Nonetheless, it could just as easily expose the differences between the countries' strategies and goals in the region while tying up Russia and China's resources and attention. A protracted pacification and stabilization operation would stress the countries' budgets, military and domestic political capital. For the United States, this could solve a couple of problems at once. Heavily engaged in Central Asia, Russia may be more willing to make compromises in other areas. China, meanwhile, may divert resources from its maritime budget and developments to its land warfare capacity, easing tensions in the South and East China seas. The threat of a floundering Central Asia would not be enough to overcome the domestic political and military obstacles to a direct, large-scale U.S. military intervention in the region, regardless of what moral, political or security justifications Washington may offer. During the Cold War, instability anywhere in the world could jeopardize the balance between the Soviet and U.S. spheres. Consequently, both powers adopted the habit of intervening by overt or clandestine means even in minor countries. After the Cold War, the United States continued in this vein, first under the guise of a moral imperative to promote stability for stability's sake, and later to counter terrorism. Now that the global balance of power is shifting, however, the United States is losing its ability and desire to be the policeman of the world. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said something interesting yesterday. She said that the voters should not be blamed for her partys defeat on Sunday in her home district. In the chancellors words, scolding the voters achieves nothing. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) came in third in local legislative elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, behind the anti-immigration nationalist party Alternative for Germany. The elections decided nothing major, but were a measure of how unpopular the CDU and Merkel have become. In normal election years, the idea of blaming the voters for the outcome of a vote would have been absurd. Under the doctrine of Vox Populi, Vox Dei (the voice of the people is the voice of God), which is the foundation of democracy, the people are the judge of politicians, not the other way around. The assertion that the people are the voice of God was a challenge to the idea of the divine right of kings. It was not kings that spoke for God, but the people. Merkels statement makes no sense until you realize that we are now in the age of the stupid voter. Mainstream parties have dominated the European and the American political systems for a very long time, and within these parties, certain ideologies, factions and personalities have prevailed, while others have been marginalized. Parties, ideas and people have been governing for so long that it is assumed that all reasonable people will see their continued governance, with some minor variations, as the will of God. Certain values are taken for granted, as are certain modes of behavior. There is more commonality between the establishment parties than challengers from inside or outside the parties. These are times of systemic failure. In Europe, the European Union has failed to solve the problems that arose from the 2008 crisis for eight years, and there is no indication that a solution is forthcoming. Nevertheless, the idea that a radical change is needed in how the problem is viewed and how the governing system operates is normally seen as preposterous. The mainstream parties see the problems as manageable. When further problems, such as the immigration issue, are piled on top of existing ones and are handled as maladroitly as that was, it becomes apparent that something is wrong with the governing principles, the dominant parties, the leading individuals and so on. But while this is becoming visible outside of the establishment parties, the establishment is oblivious that they are failing. In their minds, there have been minor difficulties that need to be worked out over time, and the increasing noise from outside their framework is first a nuisance and then a hindrance to their prudent management of the situation. As the public becomes more alarmed and frustrated at the inability of the establishment parties to grasp that there is something terribly wrong, two things happen. First, the voters are blamed for their immaturity and there is increasing alarm that the irresponsibility of the public will disrupt the management of the system. Second, leaders arise who share or (in the case of politicians) exploit the increasing fear. The mainstream parties invent the idea that it is these new politicians, inappropriate by tenor and character of governing, who are creating a crisis. This is important: the perception is that the new politicians are creating the crisis, not the other way around. The response of the mainstream politicians and their supporters to the Brexit vote was a classic example. There has been an increasing social crisis in Britain that neither of the major parties seemed aware of. They assumed that most people would not want major banks to leave London and therefore would vote to remain in the EU. They could not grasp that the majority of Britain had far greater problems, which the City was neglecting and possibly compounding. The leading parties held the leaders that supported Brexit in contempt. They thought former head of the U.K. Independence Party Nigel Farage, who led the movement to exit the EU, clearly was not suited to govern, nor was former London Mayor Boris Johnson, who also supported the leave campaign. They were seen as outsiders to a well-running system. The leading politicians of the mainstream parties did not know or suspect that over half of British voters were appalled at their handling of the European Union question and much else. The immediate response of these parties was to wonder who these voters were. They knew no one who supported Brexit. The next response was to focus on the lack of sophistication, education and even intelligence of the voters. They never blamed the referendum result on the failure of the EU or themselves. It was the fault of the stupid voters and the dangerous demagogic politicians who led them. Vox Populi, Vox Dei, turned into I didnt know there were so many idiots in Britain. The same can be said for the reaction of mainstream parties to Donald Trump. The United States is having a significant social crisis, where the middle and, most important, the lower-middle classes are incapable of living the kinds of lives that had become standard for these classes since World War II. The major parties had presided over this crisis. Mitt Romney spoke of 47 percent of Americans as moochers. President Barack Obama spoke of the problem but proposed only the same solutions that created this situation. Neither party could grasp that a massive political explosion was coming. As with Brexit, the leading politicians did not realize that the situation was out of hand. The one thing a politician should understand is the mood of the people. But the politicians in Europe and the United States had not only lost touch with them, but regarded them, as Romney and former British Prime Minister David Cameron did, as the problem. In a democracy, when politicians are oblivious to what is happening around them and a massive social crisis is well under way, the consequences are utterly predictable. First, the public knows full well there is a serious problem. Second, they know the establishment doesnt care. Third, they know the political system is the only recourse. And finally, personalities arise to lead them against the establishment. The establishment looks at these new leaders as bizarre and doomed to fail. These leaders, unlike the establishment, are aware of the social crisis and the contempt the establishment is held in. They do everything they can to appear utterly different than establishment politicians. The establishment believes this will lead to the downfall of the new politicians. They are totally unaware of how offensive their mode of government and even mode of speech has become. This does not mean that the new politicians will win. It does mean that a schism has opened up in society and that spending money on television ads wont heal it. Regardless of who wins the election, a vast percentage of voters see the establishment parties and even the state as their enemies. And the underlying reason is that the establishment parties have no intention to address, or plan for addressing, the core problem, which is that the system is in crisis. In Europe, the economic condition is tolerable for the upper half of society but not the lower half. The same is increasingly true in the United States. On top of this stress is the perception that the countries leaders are more concerned with fairness to immigrants than fairness to citizens. If this is true, the politicians must do something about it. If it is not true, then politicians must reshape public thinking. But the stupid voter syndrome is now evident in Europe and the U.S. There is deep contempt for the Trump voter, the Brexit voter and now the anti-CDU voter. The common sense of citizenship has been torn on both sides. The anti-establishment voters hurl contempt at the establishment. The establishment hurls it back. This is why Merkels statement that we shouldnt blame the voters is so extraordinary. First, she isnt blaming them. Second, and most fascinating, she is acknowledging that the voters might be blamed. This is a systemic crisis. It is how major social problems are managed politically. Half still support the mainstream. Half support the upstart. The establishment cant conceive of the upstart winning. The upstart doesnt always win. But as the Brexit vote showed, sometimes it does. And then members of the establishment are shocked, realizing they dont know anyone with views that oppose their own. And that is the core of the problem. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte speaks his mind. He does not back down. Some believe he took his plain speaking too far this week before leaving the Philippines for a summit in Laos. Reporters asked how Duterte intended to answer President Obamas concerns over the more than 1,300 drug suspects killed over the past two months in Dutertes anti-drug campaign. Using a well-known Tagalog obscenity, the Phillipine president called Obama a son of a bitch. The U.S. responded by canceling a previously arranged official meeting between the two heads of state, although the two men did share an amiable exchange at the summit following Dutertes comment. While many are amused by these theatrics, they raise an important question: Why would the Philippine president risk alienating an important and generous ally? This is particularly curious due to the Philippines recent public spat with China over activities in the South China Sea a fight the U.S. could help Duterte maneuver. Born and raised in the Philippines, I have spent my career in the U.S. studying and writing about the Southeast Asian country. While President Dutertes comments may be a surprise to many, his words are not particularly shocking for Philippine watchers who understand the colonial history of this island nation. Pope, president and ambassador Within the past year, President Duterte has spoken ill of Pope Francis, and labeled the U.S. ambassador Philip Goldberg a gay son of a whore. Several weeks ago he threatened to take the Philippines out of the United Nations. In a seeming change of mood, he also praised the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea when it recently sided with the Philippines in its loud public claim against Chinas activities in the South China Sea. Duterte may not be popular around the world, but he is a superstar at home, enjoying an unprecedented 91 percent approval rate among Filipinos. It seems he has the pulse of his nation. Unfortunately, the global press has focused on Duterte cursing at Obama rather than what he said just before. He spoke rather eloquently about leading a sovereign nation and answering only to that nations citizens. He noted that he was not a slave and had no master. President Dutertes ribald comments are rooted in Philippine history. In insulting the pope, he, in essence, struck at 350 years of Spanish colonial rule. As the famous Phillipine writer Leon Maria Guerrero noted, The history of Spain in the Philippines begins and ends with the friar. After attacking Obama, Duterte claimed he meant nothing personal against the U.S. president or his mother. But the reality is that Obama, like the pope, represents a colonial master. The Philippines was an American colony from 1898 to 1946, and Id argue that America was not as benevolent toward Filipinos as some history books claim. Remembering history While serving as Americas first Philippine Governor General between 1901-1904, William Howard Taft, referred to the Filipinos as our little brown brothers. While most people would be little compared to Taft, it was a patronizing nickname one of the nicer ones American officials and civilians used when referring to Filipinos. Dean Worcester, arguably the most influential American in the Philippines between 1900-1914 commented that honesty among Filpinos is a theme for a humorist. Still, compared with other twentieth-century global colonial experiences, there was unprecedented courtesy between most Americans and Filipinos. That bond was sealed in blood during World War II as they fought and died side-by-side. After gaining post-war independence without the wars that plagued the other Southeast Asian colonies like Indonesia and Vietnam, the Philippines allowed the U.S. to maintain major naval and air-force bases on the island of Luzon. Money flowed into the Philippine economy as the U.S. paid a great deal to maintain these strategic stations. The economies of Olongapo City and Angeles also profited, though many of the businesses that emerged exploited women in the sex industry. President Duterte is not a historian. But like most Filipinos, he is aware that the U.S. continued to support President Ferdinand Marcos even after he had lost the mandate of his citizens. Marcoss administration was rumored to be occupied by individuals interested in filling their bank accounts through nefarious means. It took the 1983 assassination of popular opposition leader Benigno Aquino to finally convince President Reagan that a time had come to step back from supporting Marcos. While the current problems Filipinos face abject poverty, unemployment and underemployment and challenges to the health care system are largely home grown, there are legacies of colonialism that contribute to a nation seeking its way out of graft and corruption. Apart from the People Powers ousting of President Marcos, two former presidents, Joseph Estrada (1998-2001) and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2001-2010) were arrested for corruption following their time in office. Both colonial powers, the Spanish and the Americans, supported an economically and educated elite class that cemented a system where advancement was tied to relationships. The Philippines finally has a president who does not care what the world thinks. He, like many Filipinos, will no longer dance to an outsiders tune. According to Duterte and his advisors, the drug epidemic is destroying the Philippines and they are determined to rid their country of this plague on the land. Erik De Castro/Reuters So, can Dutertes comments against a pope, president, ambassador and the worlds largest international organization just be attributed to a grouchy 71-year-old man and a country with a colonial hangover? In my opinion, it is much more than that. This is a man and a country tired of the judgments of the United Nations that China ignores and weary of promises that foreign nations have the best intentions in the Philippines. It is a nation that last year wildly celebrated on the big screen the man it sees as real hero of the Philippine-American War which ended in 1902. The Filipinos' hero was not a colonial collaborator, but General Antonio Luna a man who fought and died against the Americans. Shelton Woods, Professor of East/Southeast Asian History, Boise State University This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Property details: Devils Elbow Placer Item Description Please Scroll To The Right Margin & Click On The Pictures To View Larger Pics. Thanks!! Awesome Spanish Creek Seen Below!! Please Take Note All Maintenance Fees Till 2017 Have Been Paid! We do accept visa, mastercard, american express & discover cards for all purchases in house and over the phone. 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Now is the perfect excuse to break out that cookbook that has been collecting dust and try all of those recipes youve always wanted to try such as chili, homemade apple cider and butternut squash soup. Your mother would be so proud. The Educational Affairs Committee met Oct. 19 to discuss major potential changes for upcoming semesters. Perhaps the most radical idea was proposed by Dr. Steven Lewis, who suggested amending the period schedule to shorten the number of class days while leaving the overall time untouched. In this Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016 photo, the Bob's Big Boy statue sports a cowboy hat in Norco, Calif. The city of Norco has rejected plans for a proposed Hindu cultural center partly because officials say the large, domed building doesnt fit in with its Old West-style motif. The decision last month by the city of Norco has riled some Indian-Americans who say the move was discriminatory. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) SHARE By AMY TAXIN, Associated Press NORCO, Calif. (AP) The Southern California city of Norco markets itself as "Horsetown USA," and it's not unusual for cowboy hat-wearing residents to head out for lunch or run errands on horseback in its Old West-styled downtown. Local leaders celebrate that rural, equestrian lifestyle and are protective of it. Those who build must ensure their property includes Western architectural features such as a metal roof or overhang. But some Indian-Americans are questioning the sincerity of that standard after the City Council rejected a proposal for a Hindu cultural center on a hilltop partly on grounds that the large, domed building wouldn't fit in. They think the decision which came after residents urged the city to keep its culture and questioned why proponents chose the site is discriminatory. Dr. Krupali Tejura, a radiation oncologist who grew up in nearby Corona and works at an area hospital, got involved in the debate because she was offended by those who argued the center didn't fit. "How does a community or a city decide it doesn't fit in with their lifestyle? How far does this go?" she asked. Mayor Kevin Bash rejected that assertion. "We turn down a lot of businesses. If they don't want to have a Western theme, guess what? They don't get built," he said, adding the center also was too big for such a steep lot and there were drainage concerns. Norco's 26,000 residents are tucked among the vast suburbs south and east of Los Angeles. Once overwhelmingly white, the area has seen a surge in Hispanics and, more recently, Asians. Southern California's Indian population is relatively small accounting for only 1 percent of the population in a four county-area spanning Los Angeles and its southern and eastern suburbs and is spread out across different cities. But census data show the community has grown in recent years, especially in Riverside County, where Norco is located. There is a Sikh temple in Norco inside a grange hall-turned-church and a Hindu temple in the neighboring county, and Indian movies are shown at a Corona theater. The controversy over the proposed cultural center has focused attention on how Norco can keep its Western theme and rural lifestyle while incorporating newcomers, and how those who arrive in the city can adapt to their surroundings while retaining their culture. Manu Patolia, who proposed the project, said he is willing to ditch the domes and revamp the design of the 25,000-square-foot Swaminarayan Gurukul center, which would host Indian language classes for children and yoga for the community at large. "I went around and took some pictures in Norco, and I showed them: Please tell us which one is the Western one that we can follow," Patolia said. Patolia started laying out the changes for councilmembers but was told a revised project would need to go back to city planners for review. He said he is now weighing his options for the property, which he bought in the hopes of building the center. City officials said the project not only lacks Western-styled architecture but could cause drainage and parking problems. They note they've pressured businesses ranging from veterinarians to Bob's Big Boy whose mascot dons a city-funded cowboy hat to get Western or get out. Maintaining that look and feel is critical to drawing visitors and investments in horse-related businesses, Bash said. Its rural vibe is what drew many residents to the Riverside County city in the first place. As the suburbs grew more crowded and urban, people sought a quieter place where they could ride horses and keep chickens in their backyards. Bonnie Slager, president of the Norco Horsemen's Association, has nine horses and a rooster on the lot where she lives. The retired accounting professor said the Hindu community is welcome but a big domed building with potential drainage problems is not. "Not that things have to look like a Western fort," Slager said. "We just really don't want things that are all glass and metal and look kind of like something from Disneyland's Tomorrowland." What makes Norco a prime spot for any community center or hub is its proximity to freeways that cut across the region. The Indian-American community's diverse cultures and religious traditions add to the demand for centralized locations where people can congregate, said Karthick Ramakrishnan, associate dean of University of California, Riverside's School of Public Policy. Since the vote, Tejura said she has been dismayed by residents' comments bashing Hindus in online community chat groups. She remembers as a child being shuttled by her father more than 20 miles each way to Indian dance classes and taking Gujarati language classes in the back of an area bowling alley. Virtually the only local restaurant options were burgers and Mexican food. Dave Vadodaria, who lives in nearby Orange County, said the center would help keep alive Hindu teachings and culture as the children of Indian immigrants grow up American. Born in Uganda, he said, he had to work to reconnect with his Hindu culture after attending school in England. "People are mingling with different parts of the world. People are seeing different cultures. You can't just close your doors," said Vadodaria, who owns an electronics business. "We are eating fusion food these days, Indian-Chinese, Indian with American. Everything is becoming fusion," he said. "Why can't it become a fusion community?" FILE- In this July 26, 1997, file photo, former President Bill Clinton reacts as then Vice President Al Gore applauds standing at his side after signing an executive order on the preservation of Lake Tahoe in Incline Village, Nev. President Barack Obama spoke Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016, at the 20th annual environmental summit in Stateline, Nev. Clinton hosted the first summit in 1997 at the request of Sen. Harry Reid in an effort to bring attention to reductions in the alpine lake's famed clarity since the 1960s. (AP Photo/Ruth Fremson, file) SHARE By SCOTT SONNER, Associated Press STATELINE, Nev. (AP) The extraordinary efforts put into healing Lake Tahoe in recent decades show it's possible to preserve the country's greatest natural treasures for future generations, President Barack Obama said last week. Obama spoke at an annual summit dedicated to the alpine lake that Mark Twain called the world's "fairest picture" and renowned naturalist John Muir tried to designate a national park. Democratic Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada launched the summit 20 years ago to draw attention to reductions in Lake Tahoe's famed clarity. President Bill Clinton spoke at the first one in 1997. Here's a closer look at the popular water body that straddles the California-Nevada border: FATHOM THIS If emptied, Lake Tahoe would cover the entire state of California in 14 inches of water. The lake's 191-square-mile surface is three times larger than the District of Columbia. At 1,640 feet, Lake Tahoe is the world's 10th-deepest lake. The top of the Empire State Building would remain submerged if placed upright in it. The 330 million gallons of water that evaporate from the lake every day would fill 5,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. ___ THE PROBLEM Lake Tahoe's loss of clarity has been fueled by housing construction, soil erosion, storm-water runoff, air pollution, automobiles and invasive aquatic species. Its pristine conditions first were disturbed by 19th century cattle grazing, then logging to build Comstock-era mines and rebuild San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake. In the decade surrounding the 1960 Winter Olympics at Squaw Valley, yearly visitation grew from 30,000 to 150,000. Today, the 3 million annual visitors to Tahoe's casinos, ski resorts, campgrounds and marinas drive a $5 billion local economy that would be jeopardized if further loss of clarity turns the lake a murky green. ___ THE GOALS "Keep Tahoe Blue." The phrase coined by the League to Save Lake Tahoe in 1965 has been printed on more than 1 million bumper stickers. Underwater visibility stretched to a depth of 105 feet in 1968 when scientists first measured it by lowering a white, dinner-plate-sized disk into the water until it disappeared. Clarity worsened by 30 percent over the next three decades about a foot a year falling to a record-poor 64 feet in 1997. The rate of the loss of clarity has since slowed, registering 73 feet last year. The long-term goal is to get back to 100 feet, with a short-term goal of 78 feet by 2026, sustained for five years. ___ THE MONEY Nearly $2 billion has been spent on 400-plus restoration projects since the 1997 summit. Congress approved a measure in 2003 allowing the sale of federal lands in Nevada to finance an initial $300 million investment at the lake over 10 years to be matched by private entities and state and local governments. So far, the U.S. has spent $635 million, California $759 million, Nevada $124 million, local governments $99 million, and private groups $339 million. About $650 million of that was devoted to managing storm-water runoff that carries sediment into the lake. Reid, who is retiring this year, hopes to generate support for future spending at the lake. ___ SUCCESS STORIES More than 700 miles of roads have been improved. A new public transit center opened in Tahoe City, California, in 2012, with additional bus routes, bike paths and walking trails to encourage reductions in traffic. Certain types of jet skis that discharged fuel into the lake were banned, and mandatory boat inspections were imposed to curb invasive species. More than 3,000 land parcels have been made off-limits to development. And emphasis has been placed on restoring wetlands that filter out pollutants and improving conditions of streams that empty into the lake. ___ THE FUTURE Since 2009, Congress has been considering spending another $400 million at the lake over 10 years. Meanwhile, scientists have identified a new threat: climate change. The lake's temperature has risen faster over the past four years than any time on record. That appears to be contributing to changes in Lake Tahoe's internal physics, experts say. The lake's "mixing depth" last year an important measurement of the intermingling of varying water depths was the shallowest ever recorded. SHARE By Amber Sandhu of the Redding Record Searchlight The number of people who take their own life per year in Shasta County is twice the California average. Talking about suicide is not a conversation a lot of people are prepared for, and it can be hard on friends and family who want to help and comfort their loved one. In order to shed a light on the issue and ease that conversation, county agencies and organizations are spending this week National Suicide Prevention week increasing dialogue and raising awareness about suicide prevention. "People need to know this is OK to talk about," said Amy Sturgeon, community education specialist for suicide prevention for Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency. "The more we talk about it, the less stigma gets attached to it." According to this year's County Health Status Profile report from the California Department of Public Health, suicide rates in Shasta County are at 21.2 deaths per 100,000 people. The California average is 10.2 deaths per 100,000 people. Services for mental health are also making strides in the county. In February, county workers were placed at Shasta Regional Medical Center and Mercy Medical Center's emergency departments to clear patients undergoing mental health crises. The website ManTherapy.org, which uses humor to address mental illness, is under review by Shasta County officials to make the site specific to Shasta County services. Through Shasta County Public Health, Sturgeon provides free training on suicide prevention every month to the community. She teaches the QPR technique, which teaches the individual to question, persuade and refer. "In a nutshell, it's all about listening, persuading them to stay safe, and referring them to the right resources," she said. "These are strategies people can use to save a life." For Susan L. Power, president of the Shasta County chapter for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, it's a technique she's used for the past 11 years. Power's son, now 18, began expressing suicidal thoughts around the time he was 7. Even as he's gotten older, the ideations are still there. "We have to take it seriously every single time," she said. Power said that 95 percent of NAMI families who have a loved one with a mental illness have expressed suicide ideation at least once in their life. And each time, clinicians and caretakers must know how to intervene. It makes Sturgeon's suicide prevention class even more important. "He knows that if he talks about it, there's going to be a response," Power said. SHARE By Damon Arthur The Winnemem Wintu believe when they were created from a spring on Mt. Shasta they did not have a voice. But the salmon helped the Winnemem and gave them their voice. In return, the Winnemem promised to look after the salmon and speak for them. With the salmon suffering during the drought, Winnemem are planning a 300-mile trek from the Bay Area to Lake Shasta to pray for the fish and raise public awareness of their plight, said Caleen Sisk, the tribes chief and spiritual leader. Were doing everything we can to speak for them, she said. Except for a press conference at the state Capitol in Sacramento, the route follows part of the salmons migration from the ocean to the lake. The winter-run chinook salmon, ancestors of the fish that once spawned on the McCloud River upstream of Shasta Dam, have suffered during the drought, with about 95 percent of them dying in 2014 and 2015 before they could leave their spawning ground and migrate to the ocean. Its at a point of criticality for the salmon, said Gary Mulcahy, a spokesman for the tribe. About 200 people are expected to participate in traversing the 300-mile route and to take part in other activities associated with the event, Mulcahy said. Walkers are expected to depart from Glen Cove Park in Vallejo on Sept. 17. The group plans to walk 24 miles to Pittsburg. From there they plan to travel by boat to Sacramento for several events, including a ceremony, concert and press conference. From Sacramento, the group plans to travel by boat again up the Sacramento River to Colusa. From there, bicyclists will ride to the Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area near Corning. Runners take the next stage from Woodson Bridge to where Cow Creek flows into the Sacramento River south of Redding. A concert is planned at Riverfront Park at the Redding Civic Auditorium on Sept. 29. Horseback riders and youth runners plan to complete the journey from the Sacramento River up Cow Creek and Dry Creek and around Lake Shasta to the McCloud River Bridge on Oct. 1. For more information on the event, go to www.run4salmon.org. At several points along the journey the group will stop to say prayers for the salmon, Sisk said. Both the Winnemem and the winter-run salmon once lived along the McCloud River. But after Shasta Dam was built and Lake Shasta filled, the Winnemem had to move away and the dam blocked the fish from swimming upstream to their former spawning grounds. Because warm water in the Sacramento River the past couple years killed some 95 percent of the winter-run salmon eggs and recent hatches, the tribe is worried about the survival of the fish. Nearly all winter-run salmon spawn in the Sacramento River in the Redding area. The number of the fish in the river has recovered some this year, though. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the number of number of young winter-run chinook counted at the Red Bluff Diversion Dam is nearly three times higher this year than last year. By the end of August this year, the agency had counted 33,282 young winter run in the Sacramento River. During the same time last year, the agency counted 11,708 salmon. The tribe, though, believes a strain of salmon in New Zealand is more closely related to the winter-run than those living in the Sacramento River. Because salmon from the McCloud River were taken to New Zealand more than 100 years ago, Winnemen officials want to re-introduce those fish to the McCloud River to help ensure the salmons survival. The Winnemem want to build a fishway that would allow the salmon to swim from the Sacramento River, up Cow Creek to Dry Creek and then through piping system into Lake Shasta. After arriving in the lake, the fish would swim to the McCloud and spawn again, according to the Winnemem. Federal agencies also want to re-introduce the winter-run to the McCloud, but their plan involves trapping them at Keswick Dam and then trucking them up to the McCloud. After spawning in the McCloud, the young salmon that are hatched would be trapped before they swim into Lake Shasta and then trucked back to the Sacramento River to be released. They would then swim downstream to the ocean. SHARE Mary Sanchez What a strange place our nation has come to when a candidate for president representing a major party, in a major policy speech, calls for ideological certification of immigrants. If ever a candidate deserved extreme vetting, its Donald Trump. There are few policy proposals I can think of that are more un-American a term that any defender of civil liberties must use advisedly than the ones he made this week in a speech in Phoenix on immigration. The image of America he conjured in Phoenix is as terrifying as it is untrue. Its a country where sanctuary cities shelter undocumented immigrant killers who prey on defenseless citizens. Where the government invites dubious refugees from terrorist hotbeds without vetting them. Where the president has attempted to foist an illegal amnesty for undocumented immigrants and refuses to execute immigration law. To Trump these are not mere executive failings; they are acts of betrayal. The rage with which he delivered his message on immigration is informed by the old stab-in-the-back fantasy so beloved by fascists of yore. President Obama and Hillary Clinton are subverting America, and they are using immigrants to do it. This narrative works hand in glove with Trumps racial scapegoating. Places where blacks and Latinos live, to him, are lawless hellscapes where predatory criminals breed, prey and hide. Its not enough to point to crime rates, which are rising in some places while remaining well below historical peaks, or to point out that minority communities are disproportionately the victims of violent crime. No, Trump must present immigrant criminals as direct threats to white America. So in Phoenix he paraded parents who lost their children to God-awful acts of violence (or mere car wrecks) in which the culprit was an illegal immigrant. He twisted the natural sympathy any decent person would feel for these grieving people into an indictment of every immigrant legal, illegal or yet to come to our shores. All wound up complicit before Trump paused to catch a breath. The speech was grotesque. Though his handlers gave Trump new terms to sprinkle in detainers, removal, biometrics to add a veneer of gravitas, the point was not to explain policy. It was to inflame hatred. There is a policy story to be told, and when Trump tries to tell it he is compelled to lie. He has to pretend that immigrants are not being deported in record numbers and that much of immigration law and policy is already focused on deporting those with records of violent crime. He has to ignore the vetting process already in place for those seeking refuge in the United States, which is thorough and rigorous, taking up to two years to complete. Much of the 10-point immigration plan Trump presented is simple white nativism. For example, he signaled a break with recent Republican Party tradition by calling for even legal immigration to be severely curtailed as well. As a Los Angeles Times report put it, the shift he advocates would greatly reduce immigration overall and move the U.S. from an immigration philosophy of allowing strivers from around the world to take advantage of American opportunities to one focused on bringing in people who already have money and job skills. Left unsaid was who will get to decide on an immigrants suitability, and according to what criteria, but its hardly a mystery. Its our right as a sovereign nation to choose immigrants that we think are the likeliest to thrive and flourish and love us, Trump said. Perfect. A man driven by an insatiable desire to be worshipped and feared will also set the standard for ideological correctness. How a major party of this great nation nominated a person so unfit for the presidency, so pernicious, needs to be thoroughly understood before its too late. That a broad swath of Americans has embraced his unapologetic racism is not surprising. And that others might be dragged along by Trumps fear mongering in a time of stagnant wages, gutted pensions, terrorism and chaos spreading around the world makes a certain sense. What should deeply trouble us is that a major political party was powerless to stop him, and that the free press, a cornerstone of American democracy, shrank for so long from calling his racism and dangerous authoritarian tendencies what they are. Trump has maligned the spirit in which our republic was founded: that it should be a safe haven for all the world, where men and women could find freedom and opportunity. There will be a reckoning for this. Whether that extends beyond the Republican Party remains to be seen. Email Mary Sanchez at msanchez@kcstar.com. SHARE While the credibly accused should be handed over to civil authorities, the allegations against the Rev. Uriel Ojeda should become an opportunity for prayer, healing and reconciliation not an invitation for anti-Catholics to publicly bash the 2,000 year old church of Jesus Christ. Professor Philip Jenkins (who is not a Catholic) has written the most objective book on the subject. In "Pedophiles and Priests: Anatomy of a Contemporary Crisis," Dr. Jenkins discusses the following basic facts and principles which are often neglected or ignored by the media: 1) Priestly celibacy is not the issue married men are more likely to abuse children than unmarried. 2) Most child abuse takes place within the home. 3) All religious groups have pedophile scandals, and the Catholics (while the largest religious group) are at the bottom of the list statistically. 4) Child abuse is prevalent in all areas of society: schools, youth organizations, sports, etc. 5) Statistically, of all the professions, Christian clergy are least likely to offend. Doctors, farmers and teachers are the professions most likely to abuse children not clergy. The U.S. Department of Education found that public school teachers are more than 100 times more likely to offend than priests. 6) Among clergy offenders, Catholic priests are least likely to offend. 7) Catholic cases of pedophilia make more headlines because of anti-Catholic prejudice and because the Catholic Church is bigger and more lucrative to sue. 8) Pedophilia and euphebophilia are different problems. The former is sexual attraction to prepubescent children. The latter is attraction to teenagers. Most cases branded "pedophilia" are actually "euphebophilia." 9) Most of the cases of euphebophilia are homosexual in nature, however the politically correct do not want this problem to be associated with homosexuality. 10) The number of Catholic priests guilty of pedophilia is very small. 11) What we now call "cover-up" was often done in a different cultural context, when the problem was not fully understood and when all establishment organizations hushed scandals. They did so for what seemed good reasons at the time: protection of the victims and their families, opportunity for rehabilitation of the offender, the avoidance of scandal to others. It is unfair to judge events 30 years ago by today's standards. 12) When lawsuits are looming, people smell money. We must be wary of false accusations. 13) The accused must be entitled to a fair hearing. The church should insist on hard proof of the abuse, and for the sake of justice, ensure that the innocent are not prosecuted. 14) When guilt is established the offender must be punished, not sheltered. 15) Distinctions must be made between types of abuse. Some offenses are worse than others. Verbal abuse or corporal punishment during a time when that was acceptable, while lamentable, is not the same as sexual abuse or extreme physical abuse. 16) Sexual abuse of an adult or a sexually experienced older teenager is wrong and damaging and should be punished, but it is not the same as the sexual abuse of a younger, innocent child. 17) Number of offenses must be considered. One lapse is not of the same seriousness as repeated, persistent and premeditated offenses. For faithful Catholic answers, visit catholic.com. Vince Perry is a volunteer with Catholic Answers and a parishioner at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Redding. No country has achieved a faster, deeper modern transformation than China, says former ambassador Kishan S Rana. That China is in the news is not novel. What is new is that rosy narratives of its remarkable success are leavened with stories of potential disaster, pointing to possible huge setbacks in a hitherto inexorable forward march. Let us step back from the days headlines, to consider some basics. First, no country has achieved a faster, deeper modern transformation than China. When Deng Xiaoping initiated economic liberalisation in 1978, the macro-economic numbers of China and India were actually comparable. The difference was that China was much ahead in key indicators - education, health and social infrastructure. Its earlier investments in near-universal literacy, rural medical services and vocational training became a platform for that growth. It achieved rapid take-off and after 1990, grew annually at a blistering 10 per cent. Today, China at over $10 trillion, Chinas economy is five times larger than Indias. But now growth has slumped to six per cent. Second, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), with 88 million members, permeates all entities, including private enterprises. Party status is key to getting ahead. This is a vast meritocracy, drawing inspiration from Confucius and the imperial dynasties (Daniel Bell, The China Model, 2015). In actual operation a tough merit principle is blended with favoritism, guanxi connections, even nepotism. The very notion of princelings - of whom President Xi Jinping is one, though not Premier Li Keqiang - is proof enough. Yet, even for the well connected, competence is crucial. Example: Promotions go into effect only after an individual has graduated from a party school (over 800 exist, at central and provincial levels). The current anti-corruption campaign, and stronger authoritarianism, aims at consolidating Party supremacy, but might it produce a backlash? Image: An ethnic Uighur woman pushes her fruit stall while her child lies in it along a street. ' Photograph: Reuters. Third, demography transition is a universal, relentless phenomenon, as countries move up the development ladder. Chinas years of demography dividend years were 1990-2014 (i.e. when imbalance between the death rate and the birth rate lowers the dependency ratio, i.e. growth in the working population). That coincided with its surge in economic growth. A boom in exports, facilitated by special economic zones, produced jobs for new labour force entrants. By 2014, this surge ended, pushing up wage rates. That could be fortuitous, as China now has the industrial and R&D capacity to push innovation, improve automation, and raise productivity. But a falling labor force, and rising numbers of old age dependents will be a long-term economic drag. Fourth, Chinas economic indicators show a mixed picture. Its foreign exchange reserves, the largest in the world, fell by a record $513 billion in 2015, after it slightly devalued its currency in August, sparking fears of further decline in the Yuans value. In July 2016, the reserves stood at $3.2 trillion, significantly less than nearly $4 trillion it held two years back. Tighter capital controls have been applied, but some flight overseas continues. A Reuters poll of economists suggest a further three per cent reduction in the currencys value. China thus faces potential currency pressure and a continuing drain in reserves. But it is building up important overseas assets and technology access. Overseas direct investments (ODI) has surged dramatically, $77 billion in 2012, well over $100 billion in 2015, and $100 billion in the first half of 2016. Example: The 2016 purchase of a major share in high-tech German robotics firm Kuka for over $5 billion. Chinas calculation: It is better to deploy reserves in such acquisitions, and in the ambitious One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative - variously guesstimated at $15-40 trillion over the next 40 years - rather than earn peanuts in US treasuries. Fifth, public and private debt has risen from 155 per cent of the GDP in 2008, to 260 per cent at the end of 2015. (Few countries have gone on borrowing binges of that magnitude without hitting a crisis, The Economist, 7 May 2016.) The Chinese banking system is too large, with assets that represent 40 per cent of world GDP, for any crisis not to have global repercussions. China is addressing this problem, but too slowly in the judgment of some observers. Sixth, McKinsey estimates 225 million middle-class households have incomes of 75,000 yen to 280,000 yen ($11,500 to $43,000), compared with just 5 million in 2000. Spread across the country, they mainly live in urban areas, and include many of the 88 million CCP members. Always very patriotic, China is now becoming highly nationalist, strongly endorsing the official narrative of the countrys century of humiliation. Yet, 10 million Chinese have migrated abroad since 2000 (mainly obtaining foreign residence in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US, some retaining home connections). In 2015, 120 million travelled abroad (including visits to Hong Kong and Taiwan), a four-fold rise over 2000. This prosperity sits uneasily with a perceived cultural threat; Chinese scholars often ask Indian counterparts at conferences why India does not feel a threat of foreign cultural domination. A Pew survey noted a felt need to protect the country from foreign influence. Officially, only 40 films are allowed entry into the country (circumvented by joint productions, and massive sales of illegal DVDs that seemingly does not bother the authorities). Tight censorship applies to publications; satellite dishes are banned. But many Chinese access banned Facebook and Twitter via VPN links. Chinese social media flourishes, though ubiquitous censors take down comment deemed offensive, and it pops up again, in a cat-and-mouse game. Seventh, consider education and research. Innovation, investments in R&D and in higher education are beginning to pay dividend, with many institutions high in global rankings. A 2014 MIT report noted that much innovation is under the radar. At the school level, China has implemented major reform, via its Zhong-Kao exam that bifurcates middle-school leavers into those that go to high schools and those to the vocational stream, much like the German system. So what kind of a panorama emerges from these snapshots? Weigh the elements and make your own prognosis. My take: the current growth rate of six per cent will decline further, even fall to four per cent. That should be impressive enough for the worlds second biggest economy. But it may produce consequences for property prices, business and the public, belying popular expectations in a country accustomed to sizzling growth. Over the longer period, rigid authoritarian controls may exacerbate economic difficulties, and sharpen political challenges. Photographs: Reuters IMAGE: An elderly man walks on a deserted street in Srinagar. Photograph: Umar Ganie 'We have made no effort in recent years to build a national opinion on Kashmir amongst political parties.' 'At least we should speak as one country.' 'It has been a failure of our foreign policy that we have not been able to convince world opinion that something needs to be done about Pakistan.' "It is good we are trying to create an image for India on the world stage but it hasn't taken us far enough -- whether in Pathankot or J&K, world opinion hasn't come out strongly in favour of India," former Union home secretary Dr Madhav Godbole tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih. What does the government need to do urgently in Kashmir? In Kashmir for the first time we are in a tunnel and there is no light at the end of it. And we don't even know we are in a tunnel. At one stage, it was believed that a PDP-BJP coalition will bring the extreme thinking parties together and give a new beginning, but it hasn't happened. The Kashmir problem cannot be addressed unless you address Pakistan. It has to be accepted that the Pakistan military establishment's one point objective is to disintegrate India. It has been a failure of our foreign policy that we have not been able to convince world opinion that something needs to be done about Pakistan. This is not something that can only be addressed bilaterally unless there is pressure of world opinion brought on Pakistan. Irrespective of all the strategic dialogues, successive US governments have continued to help Pakistan including the latest batch of F-16s. It is good we are trying to create an image for India on the world stage, but it hasn't taken us far enough -- whether in Pathankot or J&K, world opinion hasn't come out strongly in favour of India. That is the biggest failure of foreign policy and we don't seem to be concerned. How do you assess the Kashmir situation? Pakistan and the Kashmir issue cannot be segregated. Our refusing to talk to Pakistan is something that is problematic. Even in India, we have made no effort in recent years to build a national opinion on this subject amongst political parties. At least we should speak as one country. There is a unanimous resolution of Parliament to say that Kashmir is an integral part of this country and under no circumstances will it be ceded. Therefore, there is need to arrive at a consensus -- even that effort is not being made. IMAGE: Security personnel on a deserted Srinagar street. Photograph: Umar Ganie There also needs to be talks with the people of Kashmir? Yes, you cannot afford to take an antagonistic position. A three-member panel selected by the Centre comprising Dilip Padgaonkar, Radha Kumar and M M Ansari submitted a report on Kashmir (in 2011) but no one has bothered to read it. I am surprised that report hasn't been placed in Parliament. Let the issues come out in the open. We are a democracy. Major national issues cannot be decided behind closed doors in North Block and South Block but in Parliament. In fact, the government should have said we would like a day or two to be set aside to discuss this subject in both Houses of Parliament. Therefore, people outside the country feel that India doesn't want to deal with this issue at all. It wants to deal with it only as a law and order problem. Keeping such a large contingent of armed forces in J&K after 60, 65 years of Independence is untenable. Whether it is the Northeast or J&K, the country can't be governed in this manner. My problem with the Armed Forces Special Powers Act is not the Act, the problem is keeping the army there which is a political decision. The army does not need to be in the whole state, it can be deployed in troublesome districts and withdrawn from other districts as we go along, but now it will be even be more difficult. Public opinion must be created and people told that it is up to you now, if you want to give up violence we are prepared to go one step ahead and withdraw the army from these areas. Let there be some experimentation on these issues. After all, there are no simple solutions. 'This country is the most communal country apart from a country like Pakistan which is a theocratic State.' Apart from secularism and federalism, your recently launched book Secularism -- India At A Crossroads proposes some other concepts of the Constitution that need a relook. Another issue to be looked at as a Constitutional amendment is the propagation of religion. It was agreed upon at the time the Constitution was framed as a compromise with minorities. The time has come to take a serious look about should the right to propagation be given to Muslims and Christians because it is their religious precept. If you are a real secular country, religion is your own personal family matter and has nothing to do with the public. Therefore, propagation right should be done away with. Let's take the instance of gau rakshaks. The concept of abolishing cow slaughter does not go with secularism. This is the programme of one particular religion. If a religious programme has to be accepted, then it should be accepted of all religions which cannot be in a secular State. Therefore, there is an inherent contradiction having this kind of directive principle in the Constitution and proclaiming that you are a secular State. Nowhere in the Hindu religion does it say that you should not eat cow's meat. I have quoted from various people who have written over a period of time, including strong adherents of Rightist ideology like (Vinayak Damodar 'Veer') Savarkar had said there is no sense in this, leave aside Nehru who was, of course, totally opposed to it. IMAGE: Jawaharlal Nehru University during the noisy agitation in February 2016. India is a noisy democracy. The rightists and secularists are out there in the open public space -- how do you see this duel panning out? Today it has become a curse word if you say you belong to the secular lobby. That must go. The true meaning of secularism has not been defined by the people. Let there be an agreement on what is meant by secularism. For example, treat all religions equally. This also has a problem in the manner in the way we have dealt with religion in last 60, 70 years. Rightly, a point is made that all attention of Parliament has concentrated on reforming the Hindu religion, what about other religions? We have no answer. The other suggestion is let the State be equidistant from all religions. We need to work on these definitions. Secularism and communalism are topics that are debated vigorously in the country. You cannot have a secular State and communalism going together. This country is the most communal country apart from a country like Pakistan which is a theocratic State. We have addressed communalism administratively, never politically. Every political party takes recourse to it one time or the other when it suits them. Therefore, there are provisions in law which need to be amended. According to Article 153A and 153B -- if you say anything that goes against anyone's religious sentiments or inflames religious sentiments you can be hauled up before the courts. If you take stock of how many people have been punished under these sections you will be able to count on the finger tips of a single hand. Why? Because cases are not put up in the court because these are politically powerful people. If a case is registered, it is withdrawn at a later stage as a compromise as it happened during the Bombay riots. Therefore, there's a proposal to say that these powers that are with the state government and district magistrate should be taken away and given entirely to the police at the senior level. Then the police will be responsible to the courts and not be responsible to a political executive. 'Voting must be made compulsory. Compulsory voting will empower the minorities. Secondly, for anybody to be elected, a candidate should get 50%+1vote. Then the candidate will appeal to all sections. This is the only way the concerns of the minorities can be brought forward.' How can the law be more powerful in this matter? (We need to think) Whether there should be a separate law for genocide. Unless you make people aware that this is a severe kind of a crime which will call for even life imprisonment. There should be provisions to file lawsuits together by a group of people like it happens in the US and elsewhere because individuals cannot really pursue cases particularly in communal riots. In the 1984 anti-Sikh riots hardly any individuals were prepared to come forward because of worries that they will be targeted. I've also argued that the European system of prosecution should be adopted for communal cases in which the investigation is supervised by a magistrate. Only after s/he is satisfied should the case be put up before the court. There is resistance to this idea because we are wedded to the old British principle that everybody is innocent till it is proved otherwise. This is contrary to the British principle of punishing a person by proper investigation under independent supervision of a magistrate which has been resisted here all these years. We should at least make a beginning in communal riot cases so that the minorities will get a feeling that their cases will be pursued. In the Gujarat riots, there was a demand that the Supreme Court should supervise the cases. It cannot because of its work load, neither can the high courts. There has to be an institutionalised system for supervising the investigation. IMAGE: Women at a polling booth during the 2016 assembly election at Bandhlodanga in Birbhum, Bengal. Photograph: PTI Your book has proposed some other changes in the way we function as a country, what are they? I have proposed two changes in the electoral laws -- voting must be made compulsory. This is the only country perhaps which gives a public holiday (on election day). Compulsory voting will empower the minorities. Minorities are taken for granted because they do not always exercise their vote. There is NOTA, so no one is forcing you to vote, but you should exercise your vote as a voter. There is such fossilised political thinking on this subject. Gujarat passed a law to make voting compulsory at the panchayat level. The governor sent it for approval, it was not approved because the government at the Centre was different from that in the state. Legislation can't be looked at with such a partisan angle. That legislation was only cleared after the Modi government came to power at the Centre. These issues must be looked at apolitically. Secondly, for anybody to be elected, a candidate should get 50%+1vote. Then the candidate will appeal to all sections. This is the only way the concerns of the minorities can be brought forward. MLAs/MPs get elected with 10 to 15% of the vote and hence are not really representatives of the constituencies. So what happens to the big issues that political parties do not want to tackle? Every year or every alternate year some election comes up. All attention is on winning that election. Now it is UP, Gujarat. Last year there were elections in 3, 4 states, therefore the suggestion that the new government has been toying with is to hold simultaneous elections for Parliament and states. Then at least for 5 years everyone can go back to the business of governing. Otherwise governing becomes secondary to electioneering. If you see the historical record, in the first 3, 4 general elections all elections were held simultaneously. When Indira Gandhi realised that her hold over the country was weakening, she came up with the idea of separating parliamentary elections from state elections and we are stuck with it. The sedition law is another law that has come under criticism. According to me, a sedition law in a democracy doesn't make sense. Hardik Patel had every right to carry on an agitation. If he had broken any law, he can be hauled up for breaking that law. Somebody writes a poem against prohibition or against Amma, you prosecute under this law, somebody supports Naxalites in Maharashtra and gets prosecuted under this law and on one side we say more governance and less government, but here government seems all pervading. The seats identified are from Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the Northeast, reports Archis Mohan. The Bharatiya Janata Partys 2014 Lok Sabha success was primarily the result of maximising its strike rate in a handful of states, mostly in north and west regions. Its plan for 2019 polls has factored in the law of diminishing returns catching up with the party in some of these states. It has identified 100 to 115 Lok Sabha seats across six coastal states and North-eastern states, traditionally its weak areas, that it believes it can win in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The survey, which included demographic analysis, has identified seats in Odisha, Telangana, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Northeastern states. The BJP is enthused by its performance in recent assembly polls in Assam, Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. At the BJP core committee meeting in end-August, Shah held a separate two-hour meeting with state unit leaders of central in-charges of these states. These leaders have been asked to submit a plan of action by October 15 for winning these seats. They have also been asked to hold fortnightly state-level meetings and prepare minutes of these meetings for the party headquarters in New Delhi. Apart from state leaders, central in-charges were also present at the meeting. These included Odisha in-charge Arun Singh, Keralas P Muralidhar Rao, Andhra Pradesh and Bengal in-charge Sidhartha Nath Singh and National Democratic Alliance convenor for Northeastern states Himanta Biswa Sarma. Sarma, considered the architect of BJPs assembly poll victory in Assam, has been entrusted with improving NDAs strike rate in 24 Lok Sabha seats. These states send 188 MPs to the Lok Sabha. In 2014, BJP had won a meagre 14 seats in these six coastal and seven Northeastern states. The BJP won 282 of the 543 Lok Sabha seats in 2014, the first full majority government since the 1984 elections. Its allies won 54 seats for the total National Democratic Alliance tally at 336 seats. Then, the BJP had secured major victories in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Haryana. It had swept all the seats on offer in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Goa and Himachal Pradesh. It had won most of the seats on offer, along with its allies, in Bihar and Maharashtra. Image: Supporters of BJP ride a bike with the party's flag during a Narendra Modi road show. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters Observing that acid attack is worse than rape, a special women's court in Mumbai on Thursday awarded capital punishment to lone convict Ankur Lal Panwar for throwing acid on nurse Preeti Rathi in 2013 which caused her death, for spurning his advances and out of envy over her career growth. Preeti (24), a Delhi native, who had come to Mumbai to join as nurse in a defence hospital, died after battling for life for a month due to multiple organ failure owing to deep internal injuries. "Considering all mitigating and aggravating circumstances, facts of this case, Supreme Court judgements and recent (Madras) High Court judgement on acid attack cases, the court has awarded death sentence," Special Judge AS Shende said. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 5000 on Panwar (26) and directed that it be given to parents of the victim. "A rape victim, if kept in a peaceful atmosphere, can stay but for this (acid attack cases) how would one move around with their bodies, one cannot live without bodies. Girls are scared of moving around, because anybody will come and throw acid destroying career, beauty and family," the judge observed in his order. On Tuesday, Panwar was convicted under sections 302 (murder) and 326 B (voluntarily throwing acid) of the IPC. He was Preeti's neighbour in Bhakra Beas Management Board Colony in Delhi. The incident occurred at Bandra Railway Station on May 2, 2013. Preeti succumbed to injuries at a private hospital in Mumbai on June 1, 2013 due to multiple organ failure as she developed severe health issues due to swallowing acid. As per the charge sheet, Panwar threw concentrated sulfuric acid at Preeti as he envied her career growth. The court also considered the circumstances of the crime and accepted the statements of five witnesses. The judge held that Panwar could not explain the scars which he had suffered as few drops of acid fell on his hands. Before pronouncing the sentence, the judge asked Panwar to stand in the witness box and asked him his age to which he said he is 26. The judge also confirmed his residential address. Terming the judgement as historic, special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said this is the first acid attack case where death sentence has been awarded post the Indian Penal Code amendments in 2013. "Preeti has finally got justice and this case will send a strong message," Nikam said. Expressing satisfaction over the sentence, Preeti's father Amar Singh said Panwar should not be allowed to live in society. "If he goes to the high court appealing today's verdict, I will also go seeking justice for my daughter," he said. Panwar's sister Anju, however, claimed her brother was innocent. "We as a family want justice for Preeti, but putting an innocent person behind bars will never give her justice," Anju said, adding Panwar used to call Preeti 'didi' and that the family cooperated with the police. In his arguments before the court on Wednesday, Nikam had said it was a fit case for death sentence as it fell in the "rarest of the rare" category, while Panwar's lawyer Apeksha Vora pleaded for leniency citing his young age and because he was the sole breadwinner for his family. "If he is given a lesser punishment, and if he is released after completing the sentence, other girls would not be safe," Nikam had submitted. Mumbai police had filed a 1332-page charge sheet against Panwar, a hotel management graduate, in April 2014, and also submitted a list of 98 witnesses after he was arrested from the national capital in January. According to police, Preeti had secured a nursing job with the Ministry of Defence at the INHS Ashvini Hospital in Mumbai. Also, Panwar's parents often told him about his failure to get a job despite completing his education and would praise Preeti. Panwar wanted to disfigure Preeti's face so as to destroy her career. He procured the acid on April 2 and boarded the same train taken by Preeti and her family to Mumbai. After his conviction two days ago, Panwar's mother Kailash had demanded a CBI inquiry, claiming her son had been falsely implicated while Preeti's father had sought death penalty. Panwar allegedly flung acid on Preeti when she got down from Garib Rath Express at the Bandra Terminus and took the same train back home. The gruesome incident had set the local police on a wild goose chase as Panwar had covered his face at the time of the attack. The Railway Police, which initially probed the case, had arrested another neighbour of Preeti, Pawan kumar Gahalon, but set him free for lack of evidence. Later, based on a Bombay High Court direction, the case was handed over to Mumbai Crime Branch, whose investigation led to Panwar. IMAGE: 26-year-old Ankur Lal Panwar being taken away to court where he was awarded a sentence of death for the murder of Preeti Rathi. Photograph: Arun Patil Following complaints that beef was being added to biryani, police and cow vigilantes in Mundaka village in Mewat, Haryana are keeping close vigil to avoid any such incident in view of Eid al-Adha to be celebrated next week. Police had received a complaint on August 24 on beef being added to biryani in Mundaka village following which seven samples were collected and sent to laboratory in Hisar for testing, Mewat SP Kuldeep Singh said in Mewat. Deputy Director of Mewat Animal Husbandry Department Narender Kumar said more samples will be collected if such complaints were received. "We collected the samples and handed them over to the police. More samples will be collected in the coming days only if complaint pours in," said Kumar. The police's Cow Protection Task Force has spruced up its network of informers in areas where beef consumption is suspected to be high, official sources said. Bharti Arora, CPTFs nodal officer and the deputy inspector general of police, said they are yet to receive the report on the seven samples taken from Mundaka. Arora, who was appointed the nodal officer on July 5, added that checking biryanis is a part of other measures taken by the task force to curb beef consumption. Arora held a meeting with Mewat superintendent of police Kuldeep Singh and chairperson of Haryana Gau Seva Aayog Bhani Ram Mangla at Nuh on Tuesday and directed officials to be on their toes in the wake of complaints about the usage of beef in biryani. "There have been complaints of beef consumption and it cannot not be detected easily. Religious leaders in the area will urged to stop usage of beef," said Mangla. Why just biryani and not any other preparation like mutton curry and kebabs? Mangla believes he has got the logic right. "Selling beef openly is difficult," he told the Times of India. "According to the complaints we received, the vendors are mixing a little rice with the meat to camouflage it." Meanwhile, Haryana Congress vice-president Aftab Ahmed said the measures were a "humiliation to the minority community and the particular area". Earlier in March, the Haryana government enforced Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gau Samvardhan Act 2015 making cow slaughter punishable with rigorous imprisonment up to 10 years and a fine of Rs 1 lakh. Representative Image I was born in Hindustan. Why do we have to prove our Indianness every time? Would you ask this of a Bihari? Six Kashmiri Muslim students belonging to Sarhad, an organisation which brings semi-orphans from strife-torn regions to live and study at their school and college in Pune, share their hopes for their state and their experiences outside it. Jyoti Punwani reports. IMAGE: A boy stands next to a wall painted with graffiti during a protest in Srinagar. Photograph: Danish Ismail/Reuters They are young Kashmiri Muslims who have lost fathers or close relatives in the unending conflict in the Valley. Some were killed by the army, some by militants. Yet, it is only when goaded into spelling out their stand on the current azaadi movement in Kashmir, as they were in a press conference in Mumbai's Press Club on Thursday, that they mention their own tragedy. Their obsession is not azaadi, or the Army's long presence in their state, though the latter is never far from their mind. Their mission is different -- how to get as many youth as they can out of Kashmir so that they can also avail of the opportunities they themselves have. Six students belonging to Sarhad, an organisation which has been bringing semi-orphans from strife-torn regions such as Punjab and the north-east to live and study at their school and college in Pune, were in Mumbai to share their hopes for Kashmir. They admitted their aims were limited. But, quoting Rabindranath Tagore, they said that a lamp may not dispel the darkness completely, but it can at least light up its surroundings. These six have spent their childhood far away from the war zone. Unlike most Kashmiris, they can read and write not just Hindi, but even Marathi. They help in Ganpati and Dahi Handi celebrations, despite knowing that's forbidden in Islam. "But we do so from a humanitarian point of view, not from religious," said Zahid Bhatt, a law graduate doing his Masters in Political Science from Pune University. The message these boys and girls want to convey is simple: Kashmir is not just terrorism or natural beauty. There are ordinary Kashmiris who have normal aspirations which have never been fulfilled, who neither throw stones nor join the azaadi protesters. And the message they carry when they go home every year is that India is not just the Army and the para-military forces. There are ordinary Indians who are ready to treat them with affection. These six students were part of the first batch of 114 students from Kashmir who came to Sarhad in 2003 as children. Their families sent them with Sarhad's founder Sanjay Nahar because they wanted them to get away from their violent surroundings. Two of Zahid Bhatt's uncles were shot by the Army; the 12-year-old had started talking of taking to the gun. Mushtaq Khoja's father was killed by the security forces; his family committed him to Sanjay Nahar's care when he was just 7. He hails from Dardpura, a village separated from Pakistan by just one mountain and one river. The journey to Pune from their villages was traumatic, recalls Rubina Mir from Kupwara, who was just 5 then. "I had only been told that I was being taken to Srinagar. I cried all the way to Pune and for months after that,'' she recalls. She and Nasreen Bano, who's from Kargil and a year older, were kept together in the train, yet they could not communicate with each other because their languages were different. Language became the biggest barrier in Pune. Those from village schools spoke only Kashmiri. To add to their bewilderment was Pune's climate, its buildings, its traffic. Perhaps the biggest adjustment was the food, which was not only vegetarian but completely different. Most of the children came down with chicken pox and other skin diseases. It took them six months to settle down. "Sanjay sir and his wife treated us like their own children. And our teachers were very nice, teaching us Hindi with so much patience," recalls Rubina. Dilbar Khwaja, a student of their batch, this year scored 89% in Marathi, they say. "A Kashmiri scoring so much in Marathi, imagine!" They can barely hide their pride. Not everything about Pune was unpleasant, though. Javed Wani recalls the amazement he felt at not seeing a single gun on the streets. "Even the policemen didn't carry guns,'' he remembers telling his family on the phone. "And no one stopped us and asked for ID cards when we stepped out!" "We couldn't believe that six months could pass without a single bandh,'' says Zahid. "Back home, every week there used to be a call for a strike. It took us time to get used to living in an open society.'' If Pune was another world to them, they found that Kashmir was also alien to the average Punekar. At first, parents in Pune didn't want to send their children to a school where 114 Kashmir children had been admitted. Zahid Bhatt recalls being told off when he accidentally collided with someone on a public bus: "You outsiders come to our city and bully us." "I am not an outsider, I am from Kashmir," Zahid replied in Marathi. "Of course you're an outsider; Kashmir is in Afghanistan." While villagers were even more ignorant about Kashmir, Rubina found even her classmates in college (she's in Standard XI) vague about Kashmir's location, her language and her head scarf. With Sarhad, they toured Maharashtra, living with locals, specially those notoriously averse to Muslims and to Kashmiri Muslims. "After living with them for a few days, these people would tell us how mistaken they had been. Our mindsets also began changing," they recounted. "For most Kashmiris, Jammu is all they know outside the Valley. Beyond that is India, and India for them is the army and para military forces. We discovered a different India.'' IMAGE The six Kashmiri students at the Press Club, Mumbai, on Thursday. Back row (left to right) Nasreen, Javed, Manzoor; Front row (left to right) Rubina, Mushtaq and Zahid. Photograph: Jyoti Punwani. The first few times they went home, they were looked upon with suspicion by their neighbours. "Have they converted you," was the commonest question. Ironically, as Zahid said, "I barely knew how to do namaaz when I left my village. It was a maulana in Pune who was called by Sarhad to teach me everything about Islam.'' However, after some years, the suspicion changed to envy. "My classmates dropped out of school; some work as drivers despite being educated,'' revealed Javed. "My village has three PhDs; seeing them jobless, 40 other youth decided to drop out of college,'' said Mushtaq. Javed, who is pursuing his Bachelors degree, ascribes much of Kashmir's unrest to joblessness. "Given our climate, pharmaceutical industries could have been set up. Apples are plentiful; we could've had fruit processing factories. The government keeps claiming it's invested huge amounts in Kashmir. Where have the crores gone?'' According to them, the hopeless employment situation in Kashmir makes most youngsters long for jobs in India -- not Pakistan, they point out. "From the security guards at Srinagar airport to the youngsters in villages -- all beseech us with 'tell us if you know of any openings in India'. They come to study in Bengaluru, Bhopal, Pune, no one goes to Karachi. Whoever's got the chance, has proved himself in India. Unfortunately, Kashmiri students are not welcome everywhere. If you reject them, where will they go, and what do you think they will do?" As you talk to them, it becomes clear that it's not just the lack of jobs that agitates them. The lack of "dignity" angers them as much. The constant checking of ID cards by the security forces when they go home; and when they are outside Kashmir, the frequent questions about whether they want to be with India, are things they find intolerable. Rubina left her village this time after Ramzan Eid, amid the ongoing unrest. There were no buses to Srinagar; she had to take an ambulance at night. They were stopped by security forces frequently, and once even made to get off since there was no patient among them. "I showed them my ID card, told them I had to go back to college; but they refused to believe me. The journey took the entire night." Zahid recalls a similar brush with the police in interior Maharashtra. "My university ID card was not enough for them. Finally, I was taken to the police station. It's such things that can make teenagers hate India.'' Even at the press conference in Mumbai, a journalist asked Javed in private whether he wanted to remain with Hindustan. "What does he mean? I was born in Hindustan. Would you ask this of a Bihari? Why do we have to prove our Indianness every time?" But their years in Sarhad have given them a grounding so solid that none of this moves them from their goal: to bring as many youth as they can to Sarhad so that they can experience the India like they have. "If Burhan Wani had just stepped out beyond Jammu and lived anywhere in India, he wouldn't have become a militant,'' says Javed. Their long term goal is to go back and work in Kashmir, where Sarhad has centres. Javed wants to become a lecturer; Manzoor Bashir, who's doing his Masters in English Literature, is a choreographer and dancer; he has also made a short film and acted in it. "There is no dearth of talent in Kashmir; it just needs to be brought forward,'' says Manzoor, whose father, a policeman, was killed by militants. These youngsters, who are on a Jago Bharat yatra across Maharashtra, have no solution to the current unrest, for according to them, none of those who have the power to resolve the crisis want to do so. "How come that despite the presence of the army everywhere, a Kashmiri can get a gun in 24 hours? Who is supplying these weapons and why are they not being stopped," asks Javed. "Everyone knows what's going on in Kashmir; we sometimes feel they want it to go on." Hence, their conviction that it's apolitical people like themselves who can make a difference to the youth. Five workers of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena were arrested on Thursday for allegedly assaulting a north-Indian fruit seller in suburban Ghatkopar after a video of the incident went viral on social media. "We arrested five people in connection with beating up of a fruit seller yesterday," a senior police official said. In the video circulated on social media, a group of six to seven activists were purportedly seen slapping and abusing the vendor in Amrut Nagar area of the suburb. They also upturned his cart. However, the Raj Thackeray-led party said that it was just a "coincidence" that the vendor turned out to be a north Indian. "We have arrested the accused and the preliminary investigation is going on," the official said. The party workers had warned the vendor not to sell fruits at the spot a day before the incident. The incident drew sharp reactions from BJP and Congress, with both parties demanding a stern action against the MNS workers for trying to "vitiate" the atmosphere through their anti-north Indian agenda. Former minister and state Congress vice-president Naseem Khan slammed the Raj Thackeray-led party over the incident. "This party has lost relevance in state and in city. Now seeing that the BMC elections are round the corner, MNS is trying to create a venomous environment in name of language and the place of origin, which is neither accepted and nor would be tolerated," he said. Khan said he had spoken to DCP of the area, who has assured him to deal sternly against the attackers. The ruling BJP also condemned the incident, with a delegation of north Indian leaders meeting DCP Rajesh Pradhan. Mumbai BJP general secretary Amarjeet Mishra, who led the delegation, said, "We have demanded that senior police officers take most possible strict action to send a strong signal against such hate-mongers so that no one would dare to repeat such an act". MNS, however, debunked the accusation that the vendor was attacked because he is north Indian. "The fact is that our party has launched a campaign to promote local farmers to sell their fruits because they have the first and foremost right to sell their products," MNS vice-president and spokesperson Vageesh Saraswat, a north Indian himself, said. "It was merely a coincident that the vendor was an north Indian. Despite the fact, our party workers are ready to face cases for the sake of promoting local farmers," he said. MNS was formed in 2006 by Raj Thackeray, the estranged cousin of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, on the sons-of-the-soil agenda which was originally nurtured by Sena supremo late Bal Thackeray. In October 2008, MNS activists beat up North Indian candidates appearing for the all-India Railway Recruitment Board entrance exam for the Western region in Mumbai, drawing sharp reactions from across the country. IMAGE: A screengrab from the video showing MNS workers assaulting a north-Indian fruit seller Italy on Thursday made a fresh plea in the Supreme Court for modification of bail conditions of marine Massimiliano Latorre to enable him remain in Italy till an international tribunal decides on which country has the right to try the case of killing of Indian fishermen. The apex court agreed to hear on September 20 the plea in which Latorre has sought imposition of same bail conditions that were made applicable to marine Salvatore Girone, his co-accused in killing of two fishermen off Kerala coast in 2012. A bench comprising Justices A R Dave and L Nageswara Rao decided to hear the plea filed by Italy on behalf of Latorre after a batch of senior lawyers, including K T S Tulsi, mentioned the matter and sought an urgent hearing on the ground that an earlier apex court order in the matter was valid till September 30 this year. "Modify the bail conditions of chief master sergeant Massimiliano Latorre in the same terms as those prescribed for sergeant major Salvator Girone by this court's order dated May 26 this year... to enable Latorre to remain in Italy until a final decision by the Annex VIII Arbitral Tribunal on the merits of the case that finds India may exercise jurisdiction over him in respect of the Enrica Lexie incident," the plea said. While relaxing Girone's bail conditions on May 26, the apex court had allowed him to go to his country till the jurisdictional issue between India and Italy was decided in an international arbitral tribunal. The apex court had imposed four conditions on Girone including that he has to report to police station in Italy on first Wednesday of every month and the Italian authorities have to inform the Indian Embassy in Rome about it. The second condition was that he will not tamper with any evidence, nor influence any witness in the case. The third condition was that Girone will give an undertaking that he will remain under the jurisdiction of Supreme Court and lastly, if found violating any of the conditions, his bail will be cancelled, the court had said. The marines, who were on board ship 'Enrica Lexie', are accused of killing two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast on February 15, 2012. The complaint against the marines was lodged by Freddy, the owner of fishing boat 'St Antony', in which the two Indian fishermen were killed when the marines opened fire on them allegedly under the misconception that they were pirates. On April 26, the apex court had extended till September 30 the stay of Latorre in Italy after it was informed that the international arbitral proceedings would be completed by December 2018 before International Tribunal for Law of the Sea in Germany. The court had also asked the Italian Embassy in New Delhi to give an undertaking to abide by the conditions under which Latorre was allowed to leave India. The court had earlier stayed all criminal proceedings, including the trial of the two marines. While allowing the joint request of India and Italy, the apex court had said the proceedings would remain stalled till the jurisdictional issue about which country has the right to conduct trial was decided through international arbitration. The apex court had on August 26, 2015 suspended all court proceedings in pursuance of an interim order of the ITLOS asking India to maintain "status quo" in the case. The Indian government had then said a five-member tribunal (ITLOS Annex VII arbitral tribunal) would be set up, probably to decide the issue of jurisdiction. The court, in August last year, had extended the stay of Latorre, who had undergone a heart surgery in Italy, by six months while asking him to file an undertaking that he would abide by its conditions. Latorre, who had also suffered a brain stroke on August 31, 2014, was allowed by the apex court on September 12, 2014 to go to Italy for four months and after that, extensions have been granted to him. In a blunt message, the United States on Thursday told Pakistan it cannot pick and choose the terrorist groups it goes after and has to target militants who seek to harm its neighbours, taking refuge on its territory. The US also rejected 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeeds remarks that America and India have joined hands against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which runs through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The remarks by Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner in his daily press briefing were in response to a question seeking his reaction on Saeeds remarks in the wake of India asking Pakistan to hand him over or do something about these attacks. I would dismiss it (Saeeds comments) outright. We have a strong bilateral relationship with Pakistan, but one that is premised on counterterrorism cooperation and as -- as part of that conversation, or that dialogue and that cooperation that we have on counterterrorism issues, we made it very clear that Pakistan cant pick and choose which terrorist groups it goes after and it has to go after those groups that seek to do harm to its neighbours and may seek refuge on Pakistani soil, he said. The US earlier said it is in constant conversation with the Pakistani leadership on the threats posed by terror organisations like the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Tayiba operating in the region. The dreaded Haqqani network, which is blamed for several deadly attacks against Indian interests in Afghanistan including the 2008 bombing of the Indian mission in Kabul that killed 58 people, has also carried out a number of kidnappings and attacks against US interests in Afghanistan, the Afghan government and other civilian targets. US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter had refused to give the necessary Congressional certification to Pakistan and had blocked military aid worth $300 million to Islamabad for not taking sufficient action against the Haqqani network. The Burning Man isn't your usual festival; it's a bustling makeshift metropolis dedicated to art and community wherein almost everything that happens is created entirely by its citizens, who are active participants in the experience. Some call it a social experiment, some see it as an interactive arts festival and some see it as a damn good rave party. The annual spectacle, organised in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, has over the years grown from a small group of people gathering spontaneously to a community of over thousands of people. Approximately 70,000 people attended the event this year. Burning Man's 2016 art theme -- Da Vinci's Workshop -- is inspired by the Italian Renaissance of the middle 15th and early 16th centuries, when an historic convergence of inspired artistry, technical innovation and enlightened patronage launched Europe out of medievalism and into modernity. First held in 1986 on Baker Beach in San Francisco as a small function organised by Larry Harvey and a group of friends, it has since been held annually, spanning from the last Monday in August to the first Monday in September (Labor Day). Burning Man plays host to various forms of artistic expression created for the event by its attendees and others, including experimental and interactive pieces, performance, and art cars among other mediums, often adhering to a yearly theme -- this year it was Carnival of Mirrors. The event takes its name from its culmination, the ritual burning of a large wooden effigy ("the Man") that traditionally occurs on the Saturday evening of the event. Let's take a look at some glimpses: Mad Max style: Celebrities like Paris Hilton (above), Katy Perry, Karlie Kloss and Scott Eastwood all got down and dirty in the dust alongside major DJs like Diplo and Skrillex. Photograph Courtesy: parishilton/Instagram Having a whale of a time. Photograph Courtesy: mowynneing/Instagram He took the bike experience to the next level....literally! Photograph Courtesy: 4ever.wanderlust/Instagram Sailing the desert sands. Photograph Courtesy: thelifeofdeco/Instagram The El Pulpo Mecanico in full fury. It's a 25-ft mechanical octopus that shoots 30-foot gouts of flame from its tentacles. The sculpture uses 200 gallons of propane per night. Photograph Courtesy: thelifeofdeco/Instagram Sitting in a heart sculpture in the middle of Black Rock City. Photograph Courtesy: parisrouz/Instagram The Man burns. The Burning Man encourages an individual to discover, exercise and rely on his or her inner resources. Photograph: Jim Urquhart/Reuters A mutant vehicle on the Playa. Photograph: Jim Urquhart/Reuters Participants watch the Temple Project burn. Photograph: Jim Urquhart/Reuters Harrod Blank's art car. Blank is an American documentary filmmaker and art car artist living in Berkeley, California. Photograph: Jim Urquhart/Reuters Jody Friedman and Jeff Montgomery infront of the Playa TV. Photograph: Jim Urquhart/Reuters Members of the Trash Kan Marchink Band perform at the Black Rock desert. Photograph: Jim Urquhart/Reuters Katapult Sandra (left) and Divine Mustache, their Playa names, dance on stilts. Photograph: Jim Urquhart/Reuters Setting the desert on fire. Photograph: Jim Urquhart/Reuters Man biking by an art installation in Black Rock Desert, Nevada. Photograph Courtesy: lensculture/Instagram An aerial view of the campsite of the 30th annual Burning Man arts and music festival in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, US. Photograph: Jim Urquhart/Reuters Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was on Thursday heckled by activists from Bharatiya Janata Party, its ally Akali Dal and Congress, who staged protests at railway stations over allegations of misconduct against Aam Aadmi Party leaders, as he started his four-day visit to Punjab to give a push to the partys poll campaign in the state. IMAGE: BJP women's wing protesters waved bangles at Arvind Kejriwal at New Delhi railway station. Photograph: PTI Activists led by Delhi BJP womens wing president Kamaljeet Sehrawat and party spokesman Praveen Kapoor raised slogans and waved bangles towards Kejriwal, who arrived at platform number 1 at New Delhi railway station to board a train for Punjab around 7 am. Some protesters jostled with the policemen and Kejriwal was caught in the melee. They demanded that Kejriwal speak on the alleged misconduct of his MLAs and expel Ashutosh for his controversial blog defending Sandeep Kumar, who was sacked as a minister over an alleged sex scandal. Blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Delhi Police for the alleged manhandling of the chief minister at the hands of women protesters of the BJP, the Aam Aadmi Party said the law enforcement agency was a mute spectator during the pre-planned episode. BJP, however, denied any manhandling and said party activists resorted to political protest. It is sad and shameful that the those who once talked of daily dialogue with people today term political protest as an attack, Kapoor said. IMAGE: The women protesters slammed Kejriwal, claiming his government had failed on all fronts. Photograph: PTI As Kejriwal got down from the Delhi-Ludhiana-Amritsar Shatabdi express at Ludhiana railway station, he was again greeted by protesters from the ruling SADs youth wing and opposition Congress womens wing. Youth Akali Dal leader Gurpreet Singh Gosha led by other party activists tried to give bangles to Kejriwal, claiming his government had failed on all fronts. Congress women wings Ludhiana district president Leena Tapria, who also led a group of party activists, raised slogans like Kejriwal Go Back. As Kejriwal stepped out of the railway station, he faced another group of protesters, who claimed to be from a Hindu outfit. However, the Punjab police did not allow any protester to come near the Delhi chief minister. Police in Punjab said that they had deputed two additional deputy commissioners of police rank officers at the railway station besides deputing police personnel in strength to ensure there was no untoward incident. IMAGE: Protesters at Punjab railway station chanted 'Kejriwal go back' slogans. Photograph: ANI/Twitter Kejriwals visit on Thursday also coincides with the launch of a fourth front in the state by cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu ahead of 2017 assembly polls. Sidhu is set to launch Awaaz-e-Punjab front along with MLA Pargat Singh and two Ludhiana MLA brothers Simarjit Singh Bains and Balwinder Bains. The AAP has been taken aback by the development as there was speculation that Sidhu could join the party after he parted ways with BJP and resigned from his Rajya Sabha membership. The AAP, which has been projecting itself as a viable alternative to Congress and SAD-BJP in the state, has faced setbacks in the state including sacking of Sucha Singh Chhotepur as Punjab Convenor and Kejriwals visit is aimed at hearing the grievances of partymen and bringing the campaign back on track. During his tour, Kejriwal, who is AAPs national convener, will meet party volunteers, workers, including those who are angry over not getting party tickets. The AAP has seen growing voices of dissent and allegations of exploitation of women. The Delhi chief minister will stay at the house of partys volunteer at Jhande village in Ludhiana from September 8 to 10 and meet party workers. On September 11, Kejriwal will interact with doctors and teachers in Patiala and launch the partys farmers manifesto at Baghapurana in Moga. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met United States President Barack Obama in Laos and discussed the immediate priorities in the strategic bilateral partnership, including strengthening the civil nuclear cooperation and combating climate change. Had a great discussion with President of the US (POTUS) on India-USA relations, Modi tweeted after his meeting with Obama on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit here, their eighth in the last two years. President Obama praised Prime Minister Modis initiatives to reform the Indian economy. In particular, the US president expressed confidence that the passage of GST will unleash significant economic activity, sources said. During the meeting, Obama also praised Modis vision of entrepreneurship and innovation, which he said would be very important for a country like India. Obama said that he had always been a friend of India and would continue to be a strong partner of India and help in any way I can, according to sources. Both leaders reviewed the immediate priorities in the strategic partnership. They discussed climate change issues and energy cooperation. The two leaders also reviewed progress on Indo-US collaboration in nuclear energy, solar energy and innovation, the sources said. The meeting was very warm and friendly, they said. Modi praised US President Obama for his contribution to the relationship and the growing trust between the two countries. He also invited the US President to visit India after demitting office to which Obama said he would welcome any opportunity to visit India. On a lighter note, Obama said he and his wife Michelle were yet to see the Taj Mahal. Last year, Obama had cancelled a planned trip to the Taj Mahal, cutting short his visit to India to travel to Saudi Arabia following King Abdullahs death. This could be the last meeting between Modi and Obama as leaders of the two countries with Obamas second term as US president coming to an end in January next year. They met for the first time at the White House in September 2014 when Modi travelled to WashingtonDC at the invitation of Obama. Modi had also exchanged views with Obama on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Chinas Hangzhou on Sunday, with the US President praising the bold policy move on GST reform in a difficult global economic scenario. A recap of events that occurred in India in the past 24 hours. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares a toast with US President Barack Obama at the ASEAN Summit gala dinner in Vientiane, Laos September 7, 2016. The two leaders are expected to hold a bilateral meeting on Thursday on the sidelines of the ASEAN meet. This would be the eighth meeting between Modi and Obama in two years. They met for the first time at the White House in September 2014 when Modi travelled to Washington DC at the invitation of Obama. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters BJP President Amit Shah visits Lalbaugcha Raja during Ganesh festival celebrations in Mumbai on Wednesday. On a day-long visit to Mumbai, Shah first visited a Ganpati mandal in Bandra, headed by BJP MLA and party's city chief Ashish Shelar, to have 'darshan' of Lord Ganesh. He then proceeded to 'Lalbaugcha Raja' in central Mumbai and then the 'Girgaoncha Raja' mandal, located in Girgaon area of South Mumbai. Photograph: PTI Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi having lunch during his Kisan Yatra in Gorakhpur on Wednesday. Photograph: PTI Kannada activists stop the Tamil Nadu bound train during a protest against the Supreme Court verdict on release of Cauvery water for Tamil Nadu, in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Photograph: PTI Police tries to rescue a man who attempted for self-immolation in front of Raj Bhawan in Bhopal. Photograph: PTI West Bengal Women (Mahila) Congress activists hold posters & shout slogans during a protest against the fuel price hike in Kolkata on Wednesday. Photograph: PTI Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh with CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi after an all-party meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss and assess the situation in Kashmir with the delegation that visited the Valley earlier this week. Photograph: Kamal Singh/PTI Women shout slogans during a protest against alleged atrocities of security forces during night raids at Padshahi Bagh in Srinagar on Wednesday. Photograph: S Irfan/PTI A member of the Jammu Citizens Forum kisses the Tricolour during the Tiranga Yatra in support of the Indian Army and security forces, in Jammu on Wednesday in the view of the clashes in the Kashmir valley. Carrying tri-colour in their hands, an over 3,000 youth and school children on motorcycles and foot began their rally from M A Stadium towards Balidan to highlight the role and sacrifices of army, paramilitary and police personnel in safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. Photograph: PTI Former Union Minister and Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia addressing a press conference during his visit to Bhopal on Wednesday. Photograph: PTI Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Myanmar's democracy icon and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi met on Thursday in on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits and "positively assessed" bilateral security cooperation. An icon of democracy, a partner for development. State Counsellor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi, external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted along with photos of the two leaders shaking hands and holding talks. Looking elegant in a peace sarong, blouse with a green stole with her trademark orchid flower pinned in her hair, 71-year-old Su Kyi briefed Modi on the progress in the peace and reconciliation process in Myanmar. Both sides "positively assessed" India-Myanmar security cooperation, Swarup said, in the backdrop of certain insurgent groups from northeastern states using the country for launching attacks. Last month, Myanmar had assured India that it will not allow any insurgent group to use its territory against New Delhi during the first high-level visit from India after the civilian government assumed office in Myanmar when External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had called on President U Htin Kyaw and held extensive talks with Suu Kyi. Within a week, Myanmarese President Kyaw and Modi had also held wide-ranging talks in New Delhi during which the prime minister said India will stand by with Myanmar at "every step" of its new journey and that it wants to take the ties to "new heights". The two leaders on Thursday also discussed ways to boost cooperation in several areas including dairy farming, animal husbandry and agriculture besides discussing cooperation in the area of their shared Buddhist heritage. Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy brought down curtains on five decades of military rule, is the country's State Counsellor and Foreign Minister. During their talks, Modi also spoke about a possible agreement on pulses which had been discussed during Swaraj's visit to Myanmar, Swarup said. Modi complimented Suu Kyi on the victory of the NLD in the elections and welcomed her as an icon of democracy, he said. The prime minister assured the alumni of Delhi's Shri Ram College that India would always stand with the Government and people of Myanmar as the new government strived to fulfill the aspirations of the people. Modi said he was looking forward to receiving Suu Kyi in Goa for the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit. Cooperation in disaster manangement would be one of the important element of the Summit given that several countries in South Asia continued to face natural disasters, Modi said. Suu Kyi thanked the prime minister and said she was looking forward to visit India, where she had always felt at home. IMAGE: Prime Minister Modi meets Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of Myanmar, in Vientiane on the sidelines of the 14th ASEAN-India Summit. Photograph: MEA/Flickr Terrorists attacked a police station in south Kashmirs Pulwama district on Thursday morning resulting in firing exchanges between the security forces and the militants. The militants attacked the Pulwama police station with grenades and automatic gunfire in the early hours of Thursday morning, a senior police officer said. Reports state that at least six terrorists targeted the police station and opened fire. The officer also said that the militants snatched a weapon from the residential guard of a regional National Conference block president in DH Pora village of Kulgam district. The attack by the terrorists came soon after militants attacked an army convoy in Kupwara district of Kashmir on Wednesday morning. Two soldiers were injured in the attack. According to an official, militants opened fire at an army convoy at Handwara in Kupwara, which resulted in injuries to two of the soldiers. The militants reportedly fled after firing at the convoy. The official added that an operation was launched to hunt for the militants. Praising Vladimir Putin, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has said the Russian President was "far more" of a leader than US President Barack Obama and asserted that he would have a "very good relationship" with the Kremlin strongman if he comes to power. "I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Putin. And I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Russia," Trump said at a 'commander in chief' forum on the decommissioned USS Intrepid, now a floating museum, in New York on Wednesday. The forum hosted by NBC brought Trump and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton together just weeks before they square off at the first presidential debate on September 26. However Clinton and Trump did not come face to face at the forum as they were grilled back-to-back by the anchor. Trump asserted that he would have a very good relationship with many foreign leaders, unlike President Obama, who he said was not accorded a red carpet welcome when he went to China recently. "I think it's very sad, when you look at Barack Obama, as an example, lands Air Force One in China, and they don't want to put out stairs to get off the plane. And he has to use the stairs that mechanics use to get up and down to fix the plane. They wouldn't give him stairs," the 70-year-old real estate tycoon said. "I think it's very sad, when he lands in Saudi Arabia, and he lands in Cuba, and there aren't high officials to even greet him. This is the first time in the history the storied history of Air Force One," Trump said. Trump said while Obama and Putin do not get along, he will have very good relations with the Russian leader. "And I saw, just two or three days ago, they looked like they were not exactly getting along, but I looked at President Obama and Putin staring at each other. These were not two people that were getting along," he said. "And, you know, the beautiful part of getting along, Russia wants to defeat ISIS as badly as we do. If we had a relationship with Russia, wouldnt it be wonderful if we could work on it together and knock the hell out of ISIS? Wouldn't that be a wonderful thing," Trump asserted. Asked if he would like to be complimented by a leader who "annexed Crimea, invaded Ukraine, supports (President Bashar) Assad in Syria, Trump said if Putin "says great things about me, I'm going to say great things about him." "I've already said, he is really very much of a leader. I mean, you can say, oh, isn't that a terrible thing -- the man has very strong control over a country," he said. Trump has made no secret of his admiration for Putin, who last year praised the US businessman as "very outstanding." Putin "has very strong control over a country," Trump said. "It's a very different system, and I don't happen to like the system. But certainly in that system he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader." "We have a divided country. We have a country where you have Hillary Clinton with her e-mails that nobody's ever seen where she deletes 33,000 e-mails, and that's after getting a subpoena from Congress. If you do that in private business, you get thrown in jail," Trump said. On his plans to defeat ISIS, Trump said the generals under Obama and Clinton have not been successful. "I think under the leadership of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, the generals have been reduced to rubble. They have been reduced to a point where it's embarrassing for our country," he said. When asked what his plan is to defeat ISIS, Trump said he will not disclose his plan just like Obama does. "I have a plan. I don't want to broadcast to the enemy exactly what my plan is. If I like maybe a combination of my plan and the generals' plan, or the generals' plan, if I like their plan, I'm not going to call you up and say, 'Matt, we have a great plan'. This is what Obama does. We're going to leave Iraq on a certain day," Trump said. Part of the problem plaguing the US is that it goes to war and "then we don't know what we're doing after that, he said. "We lose it, like as an example, you look at Iraq, what happened, how badly that was handled. And then when President Obama took over, likewise, it was a disaster. It was actually somewhat stable. I don't think could ever be very stable to where we should have never gone into in the first place. "But he came in. He said when we go out, and he took everybody out. And really, ISIS was formed. This was a terrible decision. And frankly, we never even got a shot. And if you really look at the aftermath of Iraq, Iran is going to be taking over Iraq. They've been doing it. And it's not a pretty picture," Trump said. He suggested that if the US was going to get out of Iraq, it should take the oil with it. "If we would have taken the oil, you wouldn't have ISIS, because ISIS formed with the power and the wealth of that oil," Trump said. When asked how the US could take the oil, he said, "just we would leave a certain group behind and you would take various sections where they have the oil. They have, people don't know this about Iraq, but they have among the largest oil reserves in the world, in the entire world". Trump was also asked about the two intelligence briefings he received and whether there was anything in the briefing that shocked or alarmed him. "Yes. Very much so. I have great respect for the people that gave us the briefings. They were experts on Iraq and Iran and different parts of and Russia. But, yes, there was one thing that shocked me. And it just seems to me that what they said President Obama and Hillary Clinton and John Kerry, who is another total disaster, did exactly the opposite. "What I did learn (from the briefing) is that our leadership, Barack Obama, did not follow what our experts and our truly when they call it intelligence, it's there for a reason what our experts said to do," Trump added. IMAGE: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said that President Obama was not respected in Cuba, China or Saudi Arabia and that Russian president Putin was a more competent leader than the American President. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters Meridian, ID -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/08/2016 --The chiropractors at Alpine Cottage Chiropractic in Meridian, ID are helping patients find lasting pain relief by determining and correcting the connection within the body between the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. They understand the desire and necessity for a life that is comfortable and pain-free, and passionately strive to help their patients achieve this. The doctors at Alpine Chiropractic know that if appropriate corrective care is not utilized then patients will regress. By implementing chiropractic medicine completely, Dr. Whalen and Dr. Stroh are able to minimize problems in the nervous system and provide patients with longer lasting pain relief. Traditional medicine tends to rely on harmful prescription drugs and invasive surgeries. However, through chiropractic manipulation, patients can achieve a pain free life without all of the possible side effects associated with the alternative care methods. Often times, symptom relief treatment causes more problems that were not present in the body before and which may be irreversible. A holistic approach is invaluable in identifying the deepest causes of patients' ailments so that the symptoms don't continue to recur. With the use of complete corrective care, the chiropractors at Alpine Cottage Chiropractic work with all of their patients to provide them with long lasting pain relief. A thorough 7-step pain-free diagnosis is standard at Alpine Cottage Chiropractic. Through this process, the chiropractors are able to determine whether a patient should continue with a treatment plan. Part of the 7-step system includes testing a person's range of motion and neurological, orthopedic and joint tests, as well as a health history questionnaire. If a treatment plan is considered by both the chiropractor and the patient, then x-rays are taken to determine exactly what is going on in the spine. Just as a physician completes a thorough examination before recommending treatment, Dr. Whalen and Dr. Stroh complete an examination before recommending a treatment plan. Alpine Cottage provides free consultations for new patients and a selection of x-rays and allows their patients to decide whether it is something they would like to continue with. There is no obligation for treatment, but more often than not patients choose to continue with corrective care because they know that it will give them results of the pain-free life they desire. About Alpine Cottage Chiropractic Dr. Whalen graduated magna cum laude from Western States Chiropractic College in 1981 and has practiced as a chiropractic physician for 30 years. He is also a diplomate of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners and has a wide range of expertise which includes pediatric and geriatric care. Dr. Stroh was Valedictorian of his graduating class at Palmer College of Chiropractic West (2003) and was also the recipient of the Palmer West Student Fellowship Award. After practicing chiropractic for 8 years, Dr. Stroh joined Dr. Whalen's office in 2013, having helped over 1500 patients to date. For more information about corrective care versus symptom relief, please visit alpinecottage.org. Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/08/2016 --When GE announced it was moving its headquarters to Boston, Massachusetts, for many, it was no surprise. Massachusetts has long been known for being an innovation economy. And, for technology companies, in particular, Massachusetts has always been attractive to build and grow for the future. In 2015, in a report by CompTIA, the leading tech industry association, the state claimed highest per-capita ranking nationwide in tech-related patenting, licensing, and venture capital. And, according to The Boston Globe, the state claimed the No. 1 spot nationally in high-tech notably in research and development, testing and life science industries. Simon Taylor, President, Comtrade Software, shares inspiring insight about the corporate reasons behind the decision to locate in Boston. "So it's in keeping with the states' history in innovation that we chose Massachusetts, and Boston, as the venue to host the international headquarters for Comtrade Software. With our long-term growth strategy in mind, Boston was a natural choice. What may have surprised me most was answering the question, "Why not Silicon Valley?" In spite of Silicon Valley's attractiveness, giving rise to many cutting-edge companies like Apple, Facebook, Google and Intel to name a few, for us, Boston fosters an environment ripe for technology innovation. The city also provides access to talent and brings us closer to our hundreds of New England customers. It's also a great location to help us accelerate our growth plans for all of North America. The choice was also personal for me. As a Bostonian with European roots, I am always impressed by the city's history, pride and cultural strength. And these are the same qualities Comtrade Software shares with Boston and why it truly feels like a perfect match. On the operational side - relatively short flights to a number of important destinations and proximity to Europe are also advantageous as we truly are a global business. Therefore we can see our new US location as central to reaching and connecting with our US and Global partners and clients. I'm also looking forward to continuing to give back to the Boston community, both personally and for Comtrade Software. College Bound Dorchester, a local organization that focuses on helping hard-to-reach students achieve their greatest potential through education and enrollment in college, has been one of many organizations I am personally proud to help in any way I can. As a business, we have aggressive plans for growth and I know that being headquartered in Boston will make sure we meet our objectives. We're excited to be here and I'm looking forward to keeping you all posted on how things progress. And please make sure to check back as I share photos from our Boston office opening reception!" Location: 109 State Street, Suite 304 Boston MA 02109, USA http://www.comtradesoftware.com/ For Comtrade Software Enquiries Contact: Biljana Bartulac, Comtrade Software Biljana.Bartulac@comtrade.com For Media Enquiries Contact: Ann Westwood, Britannia Communications awestwood@britanniacommunications.com New York, NY -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/08/2016 --Nile Magazine (http://www.nilemagazine.com.au) is a refreshingly new magazine on ancient Egypt. The publication provides the reader with a chance to be taken into the magical world of Egypt and all its history without leaving their home. The new magazine, which is available to purchase online (nilemagazine.com.au/buy-subscribe/), or through WHSmith in the UK provides great articles on a wide array of topics from Pyramideering, what is it like to climb the Great Pyramid to Mummy Masks, the masks that transformed the mortal into the divine. It has been described as the most colourful and interesting magazine of 2016, and as such has helped people to live their dream and visit Egypt to see the wonders it has to offer. Egypt has become one of the most visited countries for people who love history, but not everyone can afford to travel to Egypt to see the pyramids, the temples, and experience the past and present Egypt. With the colourful images, and great articles looking at Egyptian life, gods and goddesses, rulers and so much more, it allows the reader to feel they are there experiencing the same as tourists who are lucky to visit the magical world. Nile Magazine editor Jeff Burzacott said: "We are proud of Nile Magazine, it has received amazing reviews, and it has allowed people to enjoy the history of Egypt." As well as providing in-depth articles on the history of Egypt, it also provides great information for people planning a trip, giving them great ideas on what to see and do, including a must visit Luxor Temple. Nile Magazine is available to order online, and consumers who have missed out their copy of the magazine can order a back copy. Subscription to the magazine can be ordered on a six or 12-issue basis. To learn more about one of the most exciting magazines on Egypt, please visit http://www.nilemagazine.com.au About Nile Magazine Nile Magazine is a stunning magazine that looks at ancient Egypt and the powerful sites it provides. Nile Magazine A Premium Ancient Egypt Magazine Is Now Available On Subscription. Boise, ID -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/08/2016 --PCS Edventures! Inc., (PCSV) a leading provider of K-12 Science and Engineering (STEM) programs and leader in the design and manufacturing of precision technology for drone racing and robotics today announced new product packaging and configurations for its popular BrickLAB product line that will expand its market potential. The PCS BrickLAB product line is based around a high-quality plastic building block compatible with other major building systems including LEGO, K'NEX, Megablox and others. PCS educators and product designers have worked together for a number of years to evolve the product into the perfect manipulative for hands-on STEM education. The new packaging configurations and expansion of colors streamline fulfillment operations for schools and also opens up new potential retail markets. Heidi Grover, Director of Marketing and Development, said "We have been in pursuit of the 'perfect brick' it seems for years and we love this new product. We designed it with slightly rounded corners so there is less risk of sharp edges cutting students and teachers. We selected resins that are slightly softer and have less 'clatter' to them which makes for a quieter classroom experience. We selected a broad range of primary and vibrant colors that provide a colorful, engaging experience and appeal to all students. We engineered the clutch strength to be slightly higher than competitive products to enable more sophisticated building challenges. And we designed a very specific inventory of sizes to provide a rich platform for classroom projects. Finally, the new packaging for the BrickLAB BrickPACK is beautiful for retail display and configures the product into smaller modules for educators looking to expand their building inventory in smaller purchases." Jim Schmidt, Ed.D. who leads professional development initiatives at PCS Edventures said, "I have had the pleasure of working with educators and educational researchers now for a number of years, and the BrickLAB is one of the most versatile and useful STEM products on the market. In addition to the many volumes of curriculum that embed STEM education into the classroom and after-school settings, we have documented university research that shows how this product helps elementary teachers to become more comfortable with introducing STEM topics into the classroom." Learn more about the BrickLAB BrickPACK and associated accessories and curriculum at the PCS Edventures website. Click here for a direct link to the BrickPACK product. About PCS Edventures! PCS Edventures!.com, Inc. (OTCPink:PCSV) is a Boise, Idaho company that designs and delivers technology-rich products and services for the K-12 market that develop 21st century skills. PCS programs emphasize experiential learning in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and have been deployed at over 7,000 sites in all 50 United States and 17 foreign countries. Additional information on our STEM products is available at http://www.edventures.com. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934, actual results could differ materially from such statements. Contact: Investor Contact: Robert Grover 800-429-3110 robert@edventures.com Investor Relations Web Site: pcsv.global Source: UPTICK Newswire Martinsville handles Bedford North Lawrence to reach sectional final Martinsville defeated Bedford North Lawrence on the back of strong defensive play and a huge game from the Artesians' offense. Working as a team, Abilene weathered challenges better than most cities Texas fared well but Abilene actually worked toward its future rather than just trying to stay afloat New releases 'THE DISAPPOINTMENTS ROOM' (Century 12) A woman finds a malevolent spirit locked in her new home. Horror with Kate Beckinsale, Lucas Till and Michaela Conlin. R. 92 minutes. Not reviewed. 'SULLY' (Premiere 10, PC-6) Capt. Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger defends his reputation after the forced landing of his plane in the Hudson River. Biographical drama with Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart and Laura Linney. PG-13. 95 minutes. *** 'WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS' (Premiere 10) A couple find that the woman serving as the surrogate mother of their child has become fixated on the father. Horror with Morris Chestnut, Regina Hall and Jaz Sinclair. R. 107 minutes. Not reviewed. 'THE WILD LIFE' (Century 12) A castaway befriends a group of animals on a tropical island. Animated comedy with Matthias Schweighofer, Kaya Yanar and Ilka Bessin. PG. 90 minutes. Not reviewed. Continuing 'BAD MOMS' (Premiere 10, PC-6, Century 12) Three overworked mothers go on a binge of self-indulgence. Comedy with Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn and Kristen Bell. R. 101 minutes. Not reviewed. 'BEN-HUR' (Century 12) A Jewish prince returns to Rome seeking vengeance after being betrayed by a close friend. Adventure with Jack Huston, Toby Kebbell and Rodrigo Santoro. PG-13. 124 minutes. Not reviewed. 'DON'T BREATHE' (Century 12) Three teens try to rob a blind man but find that he has a dark secret. Horror with Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette and Stephen Lang. R. 88 minutes. *** 'HELL OR HIGH WATER' (Century 12) Two brothers in West Texas rob branches of the bank that is about to foreclose on their family's ranch. Drama with Ben Foster, Chris Pine and Jeff Bridges. R. 102 minutes. Not reviewed. 'JASON BOURNE' (PC-6, Century 12) A rogue superagent faces off against the CIA. Thriller with Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Jones and Alicia Vikander. PG-13. 123 minutes. *** 'KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS' (Century 12) A young boy of great artistic talent sets out to discover both his origin and his destiny. Animated adventure with Art Parkinson, Charlize Theron and Matthew McConaughey. PG. 101 minutes. **** 'THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS' (Premiere 10) A couple living in a lighthouse rescue an infant at sea, raising the child as their own. Romantic drama with Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Rachel Weisz. PG-13. 132 minutes. Not reviewed. 'LIGHTS OUT' (Premiere 10, PC-6) A young woman and her brother try to save their mother from a spirit that comes out in the darkness. Horror with Teresa Palmer, Gabriel Bateman and Maria Bello. PG-13. 81 minutes. *** 'MECHANIC: RESURRECTION' (Premiere 10) A former hit man is forced back into action. Action with Jason Statham, Jessica Alba and Tommy Lee Jones. R. 99 minutes. Not reviewed. 'MORGAN' (Century 12) A corporate fixer tries to stop an experimental life form from running amok. Horror with Kate Mara and Anya Taylor-Joy. R. 92 minutes. *** 'NERVE' (Premiere 10) A young woman becomes a contestant in an increasingly dangerous online game, taking dares for anonymous viewers. Thriller with Emma Roberts, Dave Franco and Emily Meade. PG-13. 96 minutes. ** 'NINE LIVES' (PC-6) A distant and overworked father is magically transformed into a cat. Family comedy with Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Garner and Christopher Walken. PG. 87 minutes. Not reviewed. 'PETE'S DRAGON' (Century 12) A young orphan boy lives alone in the woods, protected by a dragon. Fantasy adventure with Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford and Oakes Fegley. PG. 102 minutes. *** 'SAUSAGE PARTY' (Premiere 10) Sentient hot dogs find out what really happens to the food that is bought from the store. Animated comedy with Seth Rogen, Kristen Wiig and Jonah Hill. R. 89 minutes. *** 'THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS' (Premiere 10, Century 12) Pets in a New York apartment building get into an adventure while their owners are away. Animated comedy with Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet and Kevin Hart. PG. 90 minutes. ** 'STAR TREK BEYOND' (Century 12) The crew of the Enterprise faces off against an alien who seeks a weapon of incredible power. Action sci-fi with Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Karl Urban. PG-13. 120 minutes. *** 'SUICIDE SQUAD' (Century 12) Supervillains team up to fight against a greater evil in exchange for their freedom. Action adventure with Will Smith, Margot Robbie and Jared Leto. PG-13. 123 minutes. ** 'WAR DOGS' (Premiere 10, PC-6) Two slackers land a massive contract to supply weapons to the government. Comedy with Jonah Hill and Miles Teller. R. 114 minutes. * Donna Kleman initially protested when she was informed that she would receive the 10th Melvin Martin First Responder Award from the Abilene Kiwanis Club. I said, Melvin, Im not a first responder, said Kleman, the former chaplain of the Abilene Police Department and the current chaplain for both the Taylor County Sheriffs Office and the Abilene district of the Department of Public Safety. Martin, the former police chief and the man for whom the award is named, was quick to disagree, telling her that she was as much a first responder as anyone else. At the award ceremony Wednesday at the Abilene Country Club, Martin provided a poignant example of Klemans work. He told of a traffic accident one morning when a small girl was struck and killed as she crossed Ambler Avenue on her way to school. The childs mother watched as not one but two cars hit her child. Martins assignment to Kleman was to send her to comfort the mother. She did an awesome job, armed with a prayer, Martin said. Taylor County Sheriff Ricky Bishop related how a first responder with Views volunteer fire department, fresh back from a deployment, was having trouble dealing with a crash because it was triggering memories. Kleman counseled him. He feels like hes much better now because of that, said Bishop said. I know, because we talk about it. Bishop also marveled at how Kleman was able to do her job last year after the death of her daughter, Jennifer, from brain cancer. She never skipped a beat, he said. She was always there for everybody. Doug Farber, commander of the DPS in Abilene, saw the same service from Kleman that Martin and Bishop had. There is no one who is more selfless than Chaplain Donna, he said. Kleman said she didnt so much choose to be a chaplain for law enforcement as the job chose her. All of us are on the path God chose for us, she said. This one just happens to be mine. I believe God has had me on on-the-job training most of my life. Kleman said she became a chaplain for law enforcement because her husband, Craig, was in military police. Through the years, Kleman said she has learned that the pressure felt by the families of law enforcement officers is an unavoidable part of the job. Law enforcement officers need to decompress, she said. The problems arent relational, theyre caused by incidents. Kleman knows firsthand about how traumatic those incidents can be. She said the smell of diesel transports her to a fatal traffic accident on State Highway 36. There are so many things in my head I wish I could unsee or unsmell or unhear, she said. She also said her job was to provide first responders with a judgment-free zone in which they could convey their feelings. Values are negotiable, she said. Feelings never are. They just come out. Martin broke with tradition by asking Kleman to speak again after accepting her award. Kleman closed her second set of remarks by reading a letter she had written to law enforcement officers July 8, the morning after the shooting of police officers during a protest rally in Dallas. In the letter, she wrote that law enforcement officers stand in the gap to protect the public. In addition to the award, Kleman also received a $1,000 gift from the Kiwanis to the charity of her choice. She chose Special Olympics as the beneficiary. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below This just in... CNRP lawmakers Mu Sochua (L) and Long Butta hand over the petition at the Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh, Sept., 5, 2016. Authorities in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh have agreed to allow the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party to stage a rally outside of its party headquarters on Friday, but witnesses say the government is preventing supporters from entering the capital city. On Wednesday the Phnom Penh city government agreed to allow the rally that is set to coincide with the start of CNRP acting president Kem Sokhas trial for failing to appear in a pair of cases connected with his alleged affair with a young hair dresser. The CNRP and many human rights organizations see the trial as part of an attempt by Prime Minister Hun Sens government to use Cambodias legal system to sideline the opposition before local elections in 2017 and national elections scheduled for 2018. Party officials and activists have tried to get the trial postponed or the charges dropped, and are hoping that a public show of support for Kem Sokha and other CNRP lawmakers will sway the court. We would like to call on the court to postpone the trial of [CNRP] lawmakers, CNRP spokesman Eng Chhay Eang told supporters. Otherwise, we will continue our political advocacy. Phnom Penh Municipal court spokesperson Ly Sophanna told RFAs Khmer Service that the court does not accept requests from opposition party lawmakers, and CNRP officials said they have yet to receive a notice from the court. CNRP defense attorney Sam Sokong also told RFA that the court has yet to respond to their request to postpone the trial and that the defense team will not attend. Kem Sokha is also expected to stay away from the court. Kem Sokha is not the only opposition lawmaker standing trial on Friday as CNRP lawmaker Um Sam Ans trial on incitement charges is also set to begin. In April Um Sam An was jailed after Hun Sen ordered police to arrest anyone accusing the government of using fake maps to cede national territory to neighboring Vietnam. Stops outside the city Phnom Penh authorities' agreement to allow the opposition rally apparently ends at the city limits as witnesses say authorities are preventing passenger vehicles carrying supporters from various localities in Svay Reing, Takeo, Tboung Khmum, and other provinces from coming to the rally. In Takeo province, CNRP executive chair Mao Sophal told RFA that police sent four party activists to the Koh Andet district police secretariat after their motorbikes were stopped as they to attempted to get to CNRP headquarters. In the Angkor Borey district, 10 CNRP activists were also detained, he said. In Takeo province, military police and police forces were deployed everywhere, he said. CNRP executive chair in Svay Rieng province Mao Vibol told RFA that law enforcement officers were deployed in villages, communes, and districts to intercept motorbikes and vans transporting CNRP activists. Two activists were sent by the authorities to the Chantrea district police secretariat, but were released after being questioned and threatened, he said. There were similar cases in other districts such as Romeas Hek, Rumduol, and Kampong Ro. After being blocked from traveling to Phnom Penh, some activists decided to return home, while others were still trying to find a way to get to CNRP headquarters. Mao Vibol told RFA that the authorities actions are biased and violate citizens rights. By doing this, they are not the authorities of the people, not in a democratic society, he said. I would like to send a message to the Svay Rieng authorities that this act is unlawful. Destroying democracy While the CNRP attempts to mount its protest, Interior Minister Sar Kheng lashed out at the opposition on Wednesday, saying the CNRP is responsible for destroying democracy in Cambodia. He added that a letter CNRP officials delivered to foreign embassies this week, calling for them to hold the government of Cambodia to the terms of the 1991 peace agreement that ended the Cambodia-Vietnam War was "an affront." In an open letter, Kheng accused the opposition party of damaging the nations interest. While they accuse the government, in fact it is the parliamentarians from the opposition party that are destroying democracy and the political institutions of the country, he wrote. CNRP lawmaker Mu Sochua, who led the partys petition dive, told RFA that Cambodians can clearly see who is right and who is wrong. When there is a victim, corruption, and arrest, and they use the court for cover, then that is a violation of human rights, she said. Besides, with the international [community] and independent analysts in agreement, it is clear to see that human rights in Cambodia are declining to a critical point, she added. Reported for RFAs Khmer Service by Moniroth Morm, Sothearin Yeang and Thai Tha. Translated by Yanny Hin. Written in English by Brooks Boliek. Authorities in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong have jailed the head of a grassroots democracy movement on "bribery" charges after he planned to relaunch a campaign of petitioning over his village's lost farmland. Lin Zuluan, former ruling Chinese Communist Party secretary for Guangdong's rebel village of Wukan, was handed a 37-month jail term and a U.S.$60,000 fine after a court in Foshan city found him guilty of taking bribes and of other charges. Wukan residents, who were largely prevented from attending the trial by draconian security measures, rejected the sentence, however, saying the charges against Lin were trumped up. "This was clearly a forced confession, I'm sure of it," a resident who gave only a nickname Bing Shu, told RFA. "I want secretary Lin to come home, and then things will get better in this village." "When other people were party secretary here, we had nothing," Bing Shu said. "That changed when Lin became party secretary." He said some 2,000 people had come out in protest in Wukan, only to face a heavy police presence on the streets. "There were police at every intersection, and they were checking every vehicle that was going in or out of the village," Bing Shu said. "Also, the phone signal was very poor during that time, and it was hard to make any phone calls." Lin admitted taking bribes in a televised "confession," but few in Wukan believed it to be genuine, as the authorities had also prevented him from meeting with lawyers hired by his family to defend him. Supporters turned away Canada-based rights activist Yeung Hung, who has followed events in Wukan closely in recent years, said security outside the Foshan Intermediate People's Court was tight on Thursday, with many of Lin's supporters turned away after evading security to reach the city. "The villagers who had applied to attend the trial weren't even able to get close to the court buildings," Yeung said. "There were more than 60 police vehicles parked there, and some cars with no license plate at all." "There were also three water cannons within a 500 meter radius, and the police sealed off the street so that ordinary passersby couldn't get through," he said. "The police told people it was because of road maintenance work." A second Wukan resident who declined to be named said foreign journalists were also kept away from the court buildings in Foshan during Lin's trial. "There were some foreign journalists who tried to get in there, but they couldn't get in," he said. He said the government had been handing out letters to specific protesters, warning them not to protest ahead of the trial. "If they did, they would be arrested," he said. "But the more they do these things, the more angry people get." Named leader after protests Lin, 72, was made the new head of the village in 2012 as former protest leaders were elected to positions on the village committee following weeks of protests, and after a standoff at the barricades made world headlines after the death of a protester in police custody in 2011. The provincial government, unusually, took the side of the villagers, overruling officials in nearby Lufeng city, which administers Wukan, and firing former party secretary Xue Chang from his post on corruption charges. The elections that followed were widely reported in China's tightly controlled media as a model of grassroots democracy. But a committee charged with getting the villagers' farmland back made scant progress, and two of its members were themselves jailed on "bribery" charges last year, in a move their relatives said was a form of political retaliation. Lin's detention in June came as villagers persuaded him to relaunch the land protest campaign, and sparked 80 days of continual street protests. Huang Shunxing, an official of Foshan's People's Court, told Reuters he was not aware of Lin's case, while Lin's relatives and associates were inaccessible for comment, the agency said. Reported by Wong Lok-to for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Yang Fan for the Mandarin Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. A Paris-based press freedom group has called on the ruling Chinese Communist Party to release five citizen journalists detained during the G20 summit, which saw world leaders converge on the eastern city of Hangzhou amid draconian security controls. The five journalists were there to cover the event for the Sichuan-based rights website Tianwang when they were taken away by police and held at an unknown location, Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) said in a statement on its website. Yang Xiuqiong, a Tianwang contributor who covered the arrest of petitioners on the Z9 train to Hangzhou on the evening of Sept. 2, has lost contact with family and friends after speaking to RFA about the detentions, it said. Fellow journalists Lin Xiurong, who reported that Hangzhous stadium had been turned into a detention centre for petitioners, and Yuan Ying, who reported on a demonstration by some 2,000 petitioners outside the Communist Partys Central Commission for Discipline Inspection in Beijing, are also missing and believed detained. Tianwang writers Jiang Chenfen, who wrote about restrictions on her freedom of movement, and He Yazhen were also incommunicado, the group said. "The authorities carried out several waves of arrests of dissidents and human rights activists as the G20 leaders were meeting in Hangzhou," RSF said. "They also abducted citizen journalists who were providing direct or indirect coverage of the summit." "We demand that the authorities release these five citizen journalists, who did nothing more than cover situations they observed at first hand, and we demand that they refrain from bringing any charges against them," RSF's Asia-Pacific head Benjamin Ismail said. "Whenever an international event is held in Chinawhether the Olympic Games, the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen or the G20 summitthe authorities violate the rights of thousands of people and arrest dozens of citizen journalists, bloggers, and online information activists," he said. "Beijing must stop organizing these systemic information blackouts." Risk of violence Tianwang founder and veteran rights activist Huang Qi told RSF he feared for his detained reporters, as they are less likely than other detainees to sign "confessions," thus putting them at more risk of violence. "Citizen journalists play a crucial role in mainland China, because they report on the hardships suffered by ordinary people, and on the reality of social problems, to the public," Huang said in a later interview with RFA. "So, naturally, they are targeted by the authorities for serious persecution." Huang said there are currently around 10 former Tianwang contributors behind bars, including Wang Jing, who reported on the self-immolation of a woman on Beijing's Tiananmen Square on March 5, 2014, the opening day of China's annual parliament. "We hope to hear more support both in and outside China, to prevent the government's suppression of freedom of information through the persecution of citizen journalists," Huang said. He said that officials in Sichuan, faced with fiery protests and potential threats to their physical well-being, had opted for lower-profile ways of dealing with rights campaigners. "Mostly now, they take them somewhere on an enforced vacation," Huang said. Huang's colleague at Tianwang, activist Pu Fei, said that the G20 summi, as an international event, shouldn't be treated by the host nation as a state secret. "It's inappropriate for them to be using it as an excuse to detain people," Pu told RFA on Thursday. He said the government had failed to produce any evidence to prove that the five Tianwang reporters had done anything illegal. "They just detained them because they said what they were doing was inappropriate, so of course we at Tianwang want to see them released as soon as possible," Pu said. 'Picking quarrels' Wang Jing was jailed in April for four years and 10 months after the Chuanying District People's Court in the northeastern province of Jilin found her guilty of "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble." Wang was accused of filing reports to the Sichuan-based rights website Tianwang and of posting photos on Tencent Weibo and overseas websites after she witnessed a self-immolation protest on Beijing's Tiananmen Square on March 5, 2014. Wang was also accused of giving phone interviews to a number of overseas media, including Boxun and Radio France International, which were picked up by "more than 70" news organizations, the prosecution said. She later went on hunger strike to protest ill-treatment in detention. Ranked 176th out of 180 countries in RSFs 2016 World Press Freedom Index, China is one of the worlds biggest prisons for journalists and bloggers, with more than 100 detained, RSF said. Reported by Yang Fan for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Goh Fung. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. Authorities in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong have refused a request for medical parole made by the husband of a prominent women's rights activist who voiced public support for the 2014 pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, amid growing fears for her health. Su Changlan, 45, is being held on suspicion of "incitement to subvert state power" after she showed public support for the Occupy Central campaign for universal suffrage in the former British colony, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997. The Foshan People's Court turned down the application for bail on medical grounds, the second to be lodged by Su's lawyer since the authorities have repeatedly extended her pretrial detention. "We don't know the reason," her husband Chen Dequan told RFA. "They just said bail wasn't appropriate in her case." "I don't know how she is; I don't know much," he said. "[The lawyer] told us to write her a letter to support her, and to tell her my feelings haven't changed." Chen said he remains under close surveillance, with two police officers stationed outside the couple's home, watching him round the clock. Calls to the Foshan Intermediate People's Court rang unanswered during office hours on Wednesday. 'Case dragged out' Su's detention has already been extended several times, but police have denied requests for information about her medical condition. Her defense lawyer Liu Xiaoyuan said he disagrees with the court's refusal of bail for medical reasons. "I think she qualifies, because her health has always been poor, and this case keeps being dragged out [by the authorities]," Liu said in an interview on Monday. "I think the court should consider changing her status to 'coercive measures,'" he said, referring to a form of house arrest used by Chinese police. "This could have a beneficial effect on her health." "They have promised that she would get a health check in the detention center, but when I asked her about it during my last visit, it turned out that there were conditions and limitations attached to it," Liu said. He said it was hard to challenge the court's decision without more information. "There are a lot of situations under which bail may be granted, but they didn't say which one they were refusing the request under." Nationwide crackdown Another member of Su's defense team, Wu Kuiming, said his client has now been in police detention for nearly two years, causing her considerable anxiety. "This has gone on for so long now, of course she is anxious," Wu said. "We are doing our best to reassure her, but these worries are unavoidable ... she was physically unwell when she went in, and she certainly hasn't gotten any better in there." "They are giving her some medication, but it doesn't seem to be working very well. Such is the standard of medical care in there." Su's detention came as Beijing launched a nationwide crackdown on civil society groups campaigning for the rights of women, migrant workers, consumers, students in education, sex workers, and those with disabilities and diseases. State media outlets run by the ruling Chinese Communist Party described Hong Kong's Occupy Central pro-democracy movement as an illegal protest backed by "hostile foreign forces." Reported by Hai Nan for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Yang Fan for the Mandarin Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. While the U.S. appears to have taken no overt steps to prod the Lao government over the disappearance of U.S.-educated rural development expert Sombath Somphone during President Barack Obamas visit to the country, his wife received assurances that his abduction still has Washingtons attention. Sombaths wife Ng Shui Meng met with Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes on Thursday to discuss his 2012 disappearance, she told RFAs Lao Service. He reassured me that the U.S. continues to be concerned and will find an opportunity to get the Lao government to resolve the case, she said. But he admitted they have gotten nothing new. Sombaths Jeep was stopped at a police checkpoint on Dec 15, 2012, and videos of the abduction show Sombath being forced into a white truck and taken away. Lao authorities have arrested no one in the case, and there is little indication a serious investigation ever took place. Shui Meng said Rhodes told her that the attention placed on Laos by the Obama visit, the first by a sitting U.S. president, could help dislodge more information about the case. Ben Rhodes said Obama's visit went very well, and he thinks the U.S.-Laos relations as a result were taken up a notch, she He hopes the warming of relations will build better trust and will be help to resolve Sombath's case. She added: I really get the sense that there is genuine sincerity from the U.S. side. Shui Meng also pressed her case with U.N. Assistant General Miroslav Jenca, writing in a Facebook post that he sympathizes over what happened to Sombath Somphone. According to the post, Jenca told Shui Meng that the U.N. will continue to remind the Lao government of its accountabilities under international law. He also said the U.N. will continue to urge for opening of Civil Society space. Obama was in Laos for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations annual summit. Laos is this years chair and the annual meeting was held in the capital Vientiane. As president, Obama has pushed to reframe American foreign policy toward Asia as part of a pivot intended to focus more on emerging trading partners in that region. The presidents trip, which also included stops in China, Hawaii, and Midway marked Obamas last big effort to make that policy a reality. The bottom line is this, Obama said on Sept 3. Today, the United States is more deeply engaged across the Asia Pacific than we have been in decades. Our position is stronger. Weve sent a clear message that, as a Pacific nation, we are here to stay. Reported and translated by RFA's Lao Service. Written in English by Brooks Boliek. Former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan, head of the nine-member advisory commission on Myanmar's Rakhine state, delivers an address at a press conference in Yangon, Sept. 8, 2016. Myanmars commander-in-chief of the armed services said Thursday that the newly appointed advisory commission on Rakhine state must take into account the history and desire of the ethnic Buddhist Rakhine majority in the restive region while it carries out its work. During a meeting in the capital Naypyidaw, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing told former United Nations chief Kofi Annan, who chairs the nine-member commission, that the consent of the Rakhine people is very crucial in the bodys work because of the sensitivity of issues in the troubled state. State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, who is also Myanmars de facto leader, created the independent commission in late August to review conflict resolution, humanitarian assistance, development issues, and strengthening local institutions in the western state. The commission must submit a report on its findings within 12 months. Rakhine is home to more than 1.1 million stateless Rohingya Muslims whom many Burmese call Bengalis because they consider them illegal immigrants from neighboring Bangladesh. The Buddhist majority has long subjected the Rohingya to persecution and attacks and denied them basic rights, including citizenship. The minority group which bore the brunt of anti-Muslim communal violence in 2012 that left more than 200 dead and displaced tens of thousands were later forced to live in camps where they remain today. Regarding the citizenship issue, we also have to think about national solidarity and democracy, Min Aung Hlaing wrote on his Facebook page. The commission should look at the background of Rakhine state while doing its work. Annan told him that the commission will not make any decisions on issues in Rakhine state. We will give our advice after meetings with the two communities, he said, in a reference to ethnic Rakhine people and the Rohingya. Following his meeting with the military chief, Annan met with President Htin Kyaw who said he believed that the diplomats skillful leadership could solve problems in Rakhine state, according to a statement issued by the Presidents Office. Sittwe visit Annan met with Htin Kyaw just after wrapping up an initial two-day trip to the Rakhine capital Sittwe where Buddhist protesters greeted him and the other members of the advisory commission. The advisory commission members held meetings with senior monks, members of the Rakhine state parliament, representatives of political parties, and local cabinet members, and visited the Rohingya living in displaced persons camps. Protesters and the states dominant Arakan National Party (ANP) have objected to the inclusion of three foreign members on the commission, arguing that they will side with the Rohingya and will turn the issue into an international one. The commissions six other members are Myanmar citizens. But Annan said during his meeting with Htin Kyaw that he understands why the Buddhists are objecting to the commission and stressed that the body wants to know what the peoples desires are. At a press conference in the commercial capital Yangon on Thursday, a reporter asked the members of the advisory commission if they had seen anything in the camps that indicated oppression. Annan said he had not, but commission member Aye Lwin, a Muslim leader and founder of the interfaith group Religions for Peace Myanmar, said: It was a two-day visit and everything was stage-managed, so we need more time to find out whether there is oppression or not. Another reporter asked about the use of the divisive terms Rohingya and Bengali to refer to the Muslim minority group in Rakhine. The government and many Buddhists object to Rohingya, saying that the people do not constitute an ethnic group in Myanmar. Rohingya and Bengali are both emotive, Annan said. We will hope that the work of the commission and the results that we will hopefully produce will help reduce tensions and make this issue less prominent. Muslim Rohingya gather during a meeting with former U.N. secretary-general Kofi Annan at the Thet Kal Pyin displacement camp in Sittwe, western Myanmar's Rakhine state, Sept. 7, 2016. AFP Rigorously impartial Annan also assured those who attended the conference that the bodys mandate was to provide recommendations to the government on measures for finding solutions to the states complex problems in accordance with international standards, and that it would remain rigorously impartial. [W]e are not here to do a human rights investigation and write a human rights report, he said. The mandate is for us to make recommendations that will reduce tensions [and] support development in Rakhine state, he said. We are not here as inspectors, as policemen, he said. We are here to help at the request of the government, and we see this as a commission that we are participating in, bringing some international dimension, and you will get an honest report from us. When another reporter asked the commission what it will do differently from a previous one that failed to implement long-term solutions to Rakhines problems, Annan responded that the main difference is that the new body has both Myanmar and foreign members. It is a Myanmar commission but with international involvement [and] participation, he said. And we were appointed by the [state] counselor, and we are here to advise, not to impose. And we will not only look at what can be done locally, we will also try and reach out and talk to some of the neighbors of Myanmar to see how they can help, particularly when it comes to dealing with their own border situations and cooperating on the movements of people, and how that can be better handled, he said. We are going to do our best, and we think we can offer a report and recommendations that as I said will be helpful to all communitiesand I mean all communities, Annan said. You dont reconcile people, you dont prevent conflict by focusing on one side of the issue. A previous investigative committee had been formed just after the outbreak of communal violence between Buddhists and the Rohingya in 2012, but the suggestions it provided in a subsequent report were not implemented at the township and state levels. Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Kyaw Kyaw Aung. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. A Tibetan monk described as uninvolved in political activities has vanished in police custody after being detained last month at his monastery in southwestern Chinas Sichuan province, a Tibetan source living in the area says. Gendun Drakpa, 39, was working as treasurer of the Thangkor Socktsang monastery in Ngaba (in Chinese, Aba) prefectures Dzoege (Ruoergai) county when he was taken from his quarters in the presence of his roommate on Aug. 24, the source told RFAs Tibetan Service, speaking on condition of anonymity. He was focused solely on the work of the monastery and was not involved in any illegal [political] activities, RFAs source said. Shortly after Drakpa was taken into custody, an unnamed official called the monastery to say that Drakpa was under detention and had answered questions about Socktsangs finances and operating fund, the source said. Nothing more has been heard about him since then, he added. Friends and acquaintances believe that Drakpas viewing of news programs broadcast from outside Tibetan areas may have led to his detention, RFAs source said. These can be watched and listened to on WeChat, a popular social media platform, the source said. Otherwise, he was not engaged in any kind of illegal activity to the best of our knowledge. Relatives are currently seeking information about Drakpas place of detention and current condition, but have not been able to learn anything so far, he said. Reported by Kunsang Tenzin for RFAs Tibetan Service. Translated by Karma Dorjee. Written in English by Richard Finney. Afghans are commemorating the 15th anniversary of the death of Ahmad Shah Masud, the revered Northern Alliance leader and anti-Taliban commander who was assassinated ahead of the 9/11 attacks on the United States, and other late defenders of Afghanistan. Hundreds of supporters took to the streets of Kabul on September 8 to mark the start of Martyrs Week, a government-sponsored remembrance of Masud and others who died during three decades of conflict, including the Soviet occupation of the 1980s and Taliban rule in the 1990s, before the U.S.-led invasion in 2001 installed a UN-backed government. Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and other government dignitaries assembled in the Afghan capital to pay their respects to fallen fighters, laying a wreath at the Resistance Monument in Kabul. Abdullah forged a close bond with Masud, who hailed from the country's ethnic Tajik community, and Abdullah became Masud's right-hand man during the devastating civil war and under the Taliban regime. Abdullah was flanked by senior government officials, including Ahmad Zia Masud, a presidential envoy and brother of Masud. WATCH: Afghanistan honored anti-Taliban hero Ahmad Shah Masud on September 8 as the country marked the start of Martyrs Week. (RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan) In a statement on September 8, the Afghan senate said: "The martyrs of the last three decades of war in Afghanistan whose number reach millions sacrificed themselves in defending their religion, honor, and the freedom of Afghanistan." A convoy of vehicles -- many of them displaying images of Masud and carrying men with assault rifles -- snaked through Kabul. The government has warned citizens against celebratory gunfire, which killed and injured several people during celebrations last year. "I wish that the days that we commemorate the martyrdom of Afghans should be changed into the days of solidarity and harmony and this week should be named the unity and harmony week," said Ahmad Wali Masud, Masud's son and the chairman of the Masud Foundation. 'The Lion Of Panjshir' Masud was conferred the title of "national hero of Afghanistan" following his death at the hands of Al-Qaeda suicide bombers posing as a television crew in the northern Afghan province of Takhar. His assassination came days before Al-Qaeda hijackers attacked multiple U.S. targets -- including both towers of the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon -- with four passenger airplanes on September 11, 2001, killing nearly 3,000 people, apparently as part of Al-Qaeda's effort to complicate any military response to the 9/11 attacks. Weeks later, on October 7, NATO and other international forces invaded Afghanistan, where Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden and many of the terrorist group's fighters were based. Masud enjoyed a reputation as a warrior, earning him the moniker "The Lion of Panjshir." He was as polarizing as he was charismatic, having earned friends and enemies while establishing himself as a successful mujahedin commander during the Soviet occupation and later as a leader of the Northern Alliance, which was fighting the fledgling Taliban. By 2001, Masud was considered the last bulwark against the Taliban. From Afghanistan's northeastern provinces, including his stronghold in the Panjshir Valley, Masud commanded an estimated 12,000 troops and controlled between five and 10 percent of the country. Fears Of Violence Security was tightened around Kabul ahead of this year's celebrations, which came amid escalating tensions among the country's long-warring ethnic and factional groups. The funeral ceremony for a controversial former Afghan monarch turned violent in Kabul on September 1, with at least three people killed when militiamen affiliated with First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum, a former ethnic Uzbek militia leader, fired on mourners, many of them ethnic Tajiks. Despite the precautions ahead of Martyrs Week, one person was killed and three injured in an explosion in Kabul. No group claimed responsibility for the blast. Kabul has witnessed a string of deadly attacks in recent weeks. On September 5, 41 people were killed and over 100 others wounded in a series of explosions that rocked the city. An escalating war of words is reaching fever pitch between bitter regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia ahead of this year's hajj pilgrimage, from which Iranians have been excluded for the first time in decades. It is the most recent sign of soaring tensions between Riyadh and Tehran, which have historically vied to lead competing branches of Islam and more recently are on opposing sides of bloody conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and Iraq. They have also sparred publicly over Saudi authorities' execution of a Shi'ite sheikh in January and a mob's storming of the Saudi Embassy in Tehran in response. But tensions between predominantly Sunni Saudi Arabia and Iran, which boasts the world's largest population of Shi'ite Muslims, often come to a head during the hajj, which takes place in Islam's holiest sites, Mecca and Medina in the Saudi kingdom. Tehran and Riyadh have clashed sharply over the running of the biggest event in the Islamic calendar since an estimated 2,400 pilgrims were killed in a stampede during last year's event, including more than 400 Iranians. The two sides have failed to agree on safety and logistical issues, ostensibly prompting Iran's exclusion from the pilgrimage on September 10, the first time in nearly three decades that Iranians have been barred from Islam's holiest sites in Saudi Arabia. Unusually Harsh Exchanges In a message published on September 5, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Saudi authorities of having "murdered" some of the pilgrims who died in last year's hajj stampede. "The hesitation and failure to rescue the half-dead and injured people...is also obvious and incontrovertible. They murdered them," Khamenei wrote on his website. Khamenei described the Saudi royal family as "small and puny Satans who tremble for fear of jeopardizing the interests of the Great Satan," in reference to the United States. Saudi Arabia's top religious authority, responding to a question by the Saudi newspaper Makkah, said he was not surprised by Khamenei's comments. "We have to understand that they are not Muslims," Grand Mufti Abdulaziz al-Sheikh was quoted as saying by the Arab News. "They are children of magi and their hostility toward Muslims is an old one." Magi, or magus, refers to followers of Zoroastrianism, a monotheistic religion that was prevalent in Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia before the rise of Islam in the seventh century. It is sometimes used by Arabs as an insult against Iranians. That in turn provoked a harsh response on Twitter from Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, usually known for his smooth diplomacy. Saudi Arabia has been criticized for its failure to go after clerics in the kingdom that spread radical Wahhabism, and Tehran in the past has accused Riyadh of supporting extremist groups like Islamic State (IS). Iranian President Hassan Rohani said on September 7 that Islamic countries should take "punitive" measures against Saudi Arabia. He added that "regional countries and the Islamic world should take coordinated measures to punish the government of Saudi Arabia in order to have a real hajj." Tensions have escalated between Saudi Arabia and Iran in recent months -- particularly in January, when Iranian protesters ransacked the Saudi Embassy and set fires inside after Saudi authorities executed outspoken Shi'ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr. History Of Violence The history of animosity between Saudi Arabia and Iran has on several occasions spilled over to the hajj, leading to bloodshed. At the pilgrimage in 1987, violence between Iranian Shi'ite pilgrims and Saudi security forces led to the deaths of more than 400 people, including 275 Iranians. Beginning in the early 1980s, Iranian pilgrims held annual demonstrations against Israel and the United States at the hajj. But in 1987, Saudi police and national guards sealed part of the planned demonstration route, leading to a confrontation. This escalated into a violent clash, followed by a deadly stampede that killed hundreds and injured thousands more. Following the incident, enraged Iranians attacked the Saudi Embassy in Tehran, while Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini called on ordinary Saudis to overthrow the ruling Saud family in revenge for the pilgrims' deaths. Iran officially boycotted the hajj for the next three years. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, severed its ties with Iran and reduced the number of Iranian pilgrims permitted to take part in the hajj to 45,000, down from 150,000 before the incident. Events in 1989 further dented relations, as Saudi Arabia accused Iran in connection with two bombing incidents during the hajj, purportedly in retaliation for Saudi restrictions against Iranian pilgrims. The twin bombings killed one pilgrim and wounded a further 16. Saudi authorities eventually executed 16 Kuwaiti Shi'a for the bombings after originally blaming Iranian terrorists. In the early 1990s, diplomatic relations were restored and an agreement was reached to allow Iranian pilgrims to perform the hajj. Demonstrations have since been permitted by the Saudi authorities only in a specific compound in Mecca, with few incidents reported thereafter. The hajj, a religious duty for able Muslims and one of the largest pilgrimages in the world, routinely attracts more than 1.5 million Muslims from around the world. Pilgrims converge on Mecca and perform a series of rituals over several days that include walking counterclockwise seven times around the Kaaba, the cube-shaped building that acts as the Muslim direction of prayer; visiting the plains of Arafat to hold vigil and seek divine mercy; and throwing pebbles in a ritual known as the Stoning of the Devil. The rituals end with three days of celebrations around the world marking Eid al-Adha. A Russian Orthodox priest charged with sexually abusing minors has been extradited from Israel to Russia at the Russian prosecutor-general's request. Spokesmen for the prosecutor said on September 7 that the criminal case against Gleb Grozovsky is being handled by a special investigative unit in St. Petersburg. Grozovsky is accused of molesting several children under the age of 14 at an Orthodox children's camp on Konevets Island in the Priozersky district of the Leningrad region in the summer of 2011, when he was a clergyman at the Assumption Cathedral in Tsarskoye Selo outside St. Petersburg. Investigators said Grozovsky committed similar acts at an Orthodox children's camp in Greece in June 2013. Russia issued an arrest warrant for him and declared him internationally wanted in October 2013. Grozovsky had told Israeli authorities that he was posted to Israel, but the Gatchino diocese said his mission was terminated pending investigation In November 2013. Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax Uzbekistan's parliament has appointed Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyaev as interim president following the death of strongman leader Islam Karimov, setting the long-serving government chief up as the clear favorite to win a five-year term in an election due to held by December. A statement on the government website said the decision was made at a joint session of the upper and lower parliament houses on September 8, six days after the announcement of Karimov's death following a stroke left Uzbekistan with no formal head of state. Mirziyaev's appointment veered away from the system laid out in the Central Asian state's constitution, which says that the chairman of the upper parliament chamber, the Senate, assumes presidential authority for three months if the president dies or is unable to perform his or her duties. But Senate Chairman Nigmatulla Yuldashev asked lawmakers to appoint Mirziyaev instead, citing "his many years of experience," and lawmakers supported the proposal, the government statement said. Mirziyaev, 58, is a close Karimov ally who had served as prime minister since 2003, holding the post longer than anyone else in the 25 years since Uzbekistan gained independence in the Soviet Union's breakup in 1991. Lawmakers supported Mirziyaev because of "the need for the preservation of stability, the provision of public security and law and order, and the effective resolution of highly important issues in the...political and socioeconomic development of the country," the statement said. It said parliament "recommended" that the Central Election Commission organize a presidential vote "in full accordance" with electoral legislation. The constitution says an election must be held within three months after an interim president is appointed. Critics of Karimov, who opponents and rights groups say ruthlessly suppressed dissent and preserved his power through rigged votes, said the appointment suggested Uzbekistan's leadership will thwart democratic principles and the rule of law. "Whatever hopes observers had 4 'constitutional process' or relevance of Uzbek parliament as co-equal branch those hopes dashed w 2day's move," Steve Swerdlow, a researcher and attorney at Human Rights Watch, wrote on Twitter. In a separate tweet, Swerdlow called on Mirziyaev to "release political prisoners," end the practice of "torture and forced labor," and allow journalists and NGOs to "function" in Uzbekistan. Many media outlets have been barred from Uzbekistan and NGOs sharply restricted. Seen As Likely Successor An irrigation engineer by profession, Mirziyaev has also served as provincial governor of Samarkand and his native Jizzakh, where he displayed a short temper and reports say he physically assaulted at least one farmer who complained about conditions in the province. Observers quickly pointed to Mirziyaev as a likely successor when the government abruptly announced on August 28 that Karimov had been hospitalized with an undisclosed ailment, setting off speculation that he was already dead or dying and that a power struggle was raging behind the scenes in the secretive country of 29 million. The government later said Karimov had suffered a stroke and was in critical condition, and then said late on September 2 that he had died earlier in the day. He was buried in his native city of Samarkand on September 3, amid closely orchestrated mourning ceremonies. Hints that Mirziyaev would take over included the fact that he led the organization of the funeral, state TV footage depicting him meeting foreign dignitaries, and talks as well as a visit to Karimov's grave with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who came to Uzbekistan on September 6. During his visit, Putin said that Uzbekistan could depend on Russia as a reliable partner. According to Russian news agencies, Mirziyaev told Putin that Uzbekistan's ties with Russia were "completely strategic" and that Tashkent would look to "continue to develop" them. Many observers have voiced concern that his death brings little hope for substantial change. Uzbekistan, which produces natural gas and grows cotton in abundance, is the most populous of the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia, and Karimov had been less receptive to Russia's efforts to restore Soviet-era ties than most of the others. Uzbekistan has long faced criticism from the West for Karimov's intolerance of dissent and the country's poor human rights record, but the United States and Europe have also vied for influence with Russia and China in the country bordering Afghanistan. With reporting by RFE/RL's Uzbek Service, Interfax, RIA Novosti, Gazeta.uz, Reuters, dpa, and AFP Afghan officials say Taliban militants have pushed into the capital of the southern province of Uruzgan. All checkpoints around Tarin Kowt were overrun or destroyed early on September 8, provincial spokesman Doost Mohammad Nayab said, adding that security forces were in control only of the citys police headquarters. Top provincial leaders have retreated to the citys airport, which houses an Afghan military base, according to an unidentified police official. However, provincial police chief Mohamad Wais Samimi later said the Taliban had been repelled from Tarin Kowt. All parts of the city and all districts are in our hands, he said. The offensive in Uruzgan Province come as overstretched Afghan security forces and a U.S.-led military mission has been focused on confronting Taliban attacks in the nearby province of Helmand and the northern city of Kunduz. Government forces also are battling Islamic State militants in the eastern province of Nangarhar. Based on reporting by Reuters and AP Armenia has sent 129 Chinese and Taiwanese telecoms fraud suspects to China for investigation and likely prosecution. Media reports on September 8 said they were arrested in raids on six locations in August and that China had sent a team to aid in the investigation later that month. The decision to send some 78 Taiwanese to China prompted a protest from Taiwan's government to both Armenia and China. Taipei says Beijing has no right to hold them and demands suspects in such cases be handed over to Taiwanese authorities. Taiwan, which Beijing claims is a renegade province of China, has been angered by several incidents this year in which countries around the world, including Kenya, Cambodia and Malaysia, have deported Taiwanese wanted on fraud charges back to China, rather than to Taiwan. China's Xinhua news agency said the group from Armenia was suspected of posing as Chinese law-enforcement officers to extort Chinese out of about $1.2 million spread across 50 different cases. China says it has the right to prosecute since the victims of the crimes were its citizens. Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, and Xinhua Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamian has announced his widely anticipated resignation, citing his governments failure to address the many economic and political challenges facing the country. Chairing his last cabinet meeting on September 8, Abrahamian denounced the lingering polarization of the society and said Armenia needs a new beginning. The move comes just weeks after President Serzh Sarksian proposed a government of national accord. Abrahamian was appointed prime minister two years ago, but the tiny South Caucasus country's economy slowed sharply last year. That increased its dependency on aid amid investment from Russia, including remittances from Armenians working in Russia, which are a badly needed source of income. The government has also faced a flare-up of violence in Azerbaijan's breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region and the seizure in July of a Yerevan police station by armed men demanding the release of a jailed opposition politician. Abrahamian is widely expected to be replaced by Karen Karapetian, a technocrat former head of the national gas distributing company and former mayor of the capital city. With reporting by Reuters, Interfax So, according to deputy Kremlin chief of staff Vyacheslav Volodin, there's absolutely nothing political in the Kremlin's decision to brand the Levada Center as a foreign agent. Nope. Nothing to see here, folks, so just move along, please. After all, how could politics have anything to do with Russia's only independent pollster being effectively muzzled less than two weeks before elections? It is completely absurd to suggest that there could be any political motive in blacklisting a pollster that consistently undermines the Kremlin narrative by -- you know -- doing honest sociological research. What could possibly be political about effectively muzzling an organization that just published a poll showing support for the ruling United Russia party tanking? Or one showing that a majority of Russians think their government is ineffective? Or one showing that a majority of Russians agree that United Russia is a party of swindlers and thieves? No, there's absolutely nothing political here. Apparently, the Russian Justice Ministry is just deeply concerned that the Levada Center's research contracts with the University of Wisconsin somehow constitute a grave threat to national security. And, if the Levada Center disagrees, Volodin added, they can always appeal the decision to the courts. And as we all know, Russia's courts are totally not political. Keep telling me what you think on The Power Vertical's Twitter feed and on our Facebook page. The International Monetary Fund's executive board on September 7 approved $620 million in loans for Bosnia over the next three years to support the country's economic reform agenda. The IMF said $88.7 million will be disbursed immediately, with the rest coming in installments that are tied to progress on reforms. The program replaces a $720 million program that expired in June 2015 after the IMF froze it because of delays in pledged reforms by the government. Bosnia's two autonomous regions -- the Bosniak-Croat Federation and the Serb Republic -- have budget deficits totaling $573 million and need IMF cash to secure their financing needs. The regions are linked through a weak central government. IMF is seeking structural economic reforms, including improvement of the business environment, restructuring and privatization of state-owned enterprises, and tax cuts to encourage employment. Bosnia has also agreed to a gradual fiscal consolidation to reduce public debt and shrink the government. The measures sought by the IMF are part of a wider program the European Union wants Bosnia to carry out to further its bid to join the bloc. With reporting by Reuters Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, once in line to become Iran's supreme leader, has come back from the grave to haunt the Islamic establishment that punished him for openly criticizing the regime's mass killing of political opponents in the late 1980s. The release of an audio recording made in 1988 of Montazeri lashing out against the authorities for carrying out a fatwa issued by the father of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, against enemies of God and state has opened the lid on one of the Islamic republic's darkest and most secretive chapters. Montazeri paid dearly for his vocal criticism of the killing of an estimated 5,000 regime opponents in the late 1980s, including members of the banned Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO), leftist groups, and others. Aside from Montazeri's memoirs published in 2000, the true extent of his resistance to the culling was unproven, and officially questioned. But his voice of opposition comes through clearly in the grainy audio released in August on his official website, maintained from Iran by his family. "In my view the biggest crime in the history of the Islamic republic, for which history will condemn us, has been committed at your hands," Montazeri tells a group of judiciary officials involved in the executions, including current Justice Minister Mostafa Purmohammadi. "Your names will be written in history as criminals." The prominent theologian paid for his stance. Montazeri fell out of favor with the clerical establishment, lost his status as Khomeini's hand-picked successor and deputy, spent five years under house arrest, and was scorned for his support for the opposition Green Movement before his death in 2009. But the emergence of the audio -- released, his son Ahmad Montazeri says, to counter attempts to distort history and to confirm the claims made in his father's memoirs -- has the establishment on the defensive again and has recreated an environment of retribution. Caught in the crossfire of accusations is a conservative lawmaker who has called for the regime to come clean about the mass killings, leading parliament to form a commission to consider whether he should be removed as deputy speaker. The authorities in Tehran have also gone after Ahmad Montazeri, who has been interrogated extensively and now faces charges for posting the audio. 'War Against God' The executions were carried out in the last days of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War, after Ayatollah Khomeini declared that apostates and those who had taken up arms against the Islamic republic were "waging war against God" and should be sentenced to death. The secret fatwa was issued shortly after members of the banned Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) who were based in Iraq at the time and supported by Saddam Hussein -- made a last-ditch incursion into Iran known as Operation Mersad. The incursion, which came less than a week after both Iran and Iraq had agreed to a UN-backed cease-fire to end the war, was swiftly and definitively repulsed by the Iranian military, resulting in the deaths of thousands of MKO members on the battlefield and thousands more in the ensuing mass killings of imprisoned members of the organization. But it was not only members of the MKO whose fates were determined by the death committees. Over a five-month period in late 1988, tens of thousands of Iranians would be grilled about their religious beliefs and political affiliations, pressed on their willingness to sacrifice their lives for the Islamic republic -- by walking through minefields, for example -- and strong-armed to denounce their comrades on state media. A wrong answer would almost certainly end in death by hanging or firing squad. Mehdi Aslani, a former member of the leftist Fedayeen Khalq organization who served time in Gohardasht prison near Karaj, survived two appearances before the death committee in August 1988. Luck saved him the first time, when his questioning was interrupted by a telephone call. When he was called before his interrogators a second time a few days later, he was better prepared for the key question: "Are you a Muslim or a Marxist?" "By then I and some others had realized that those who defended their beliefs and reiterated that they were Marxists would be without any doubt executed," Aslani told RFE/RL by telephone this month. "Therefore, during my second session with the death committee, I said that I'm a Muslim who doesn't pray." Aslani was sent back to his cell but would learn that many of his fellow prisoners did not survive. The Iranian establishment has rarely acknowledged the executions, which critics and survivors say had been planned months in advance in an attempt to purge the prisons of regime opponents. The authorities have long enforced a news blackout on the issue, and harassed victims' families seeking answers. Damage Control Justice Minister Purmohammadi defended the mass killings following the release of Montazeri's audio, saying, "We're proud to have carried out God's order regarding the hypocrites [eds. a term used by Iranian officials to refer to MKO members] and stood up strongly against the enemies of God and the [Iranian] nation." But the position taken by Purmohammadi and other officials led deputy parliament speaker Ali Motahari, an outspoken conservative lawmaker, to make a surprising call for an investigation into the mass killings. He suggested in August that officials were pointlessly repeating slogans about the crimes of the MKO, which he said had killed his own father, without addressing the public's questions surrounding the executions and revealing possible mistakes or negligence. In response, some 35 lawmakers signed a complaint letter against Motahari calling for his dismissal as deputy speaker, and a committee has been established to consider the matter. Others, too, have struck out in the face of criticism. Assembly of Experts member Ayatollah Mohammad Reyshahri, who as intelligence minister was believed to have appointed the ministry's representatives to the death committees, has called on those running Montazeri's website to explain whether "the release of the audio after so many years hadn't been with the aim of harming the Islamic establishment, whitewashing the [crimes of the] MKO, and taking revenge on the late imam [eds. a term used in Iran to refer to Ayatollah Khomeini]." The Assembly of Experts, meanwhile, has called the release of the audio an attempt to "sanctify those who betrayed the Iranian nation." And Mohammad Reza Naghdi, commander of the Basij militia, has said the executions of MKO members were carried out based on "Islamic, international, and domestic legal and religious principles." The Secrets Are Out Speaking to RFE/RL in August, Ahmad Montazeri explained simply that it had been said that the documents revealed in his father's memoirs, which included the wording of Khomeini's fatwa, "are not real or that they're not correct. This audio file confirms those documents." On September 5, he announced on social media that he had been charged with "acting against national security" for releasing the audio, which he removed from the website following a request by the Intelligence Ministry. But death-committee survivor Aslani suggests that the Iranian authorities can no longer ignore the issue, comparing the release of the Montazeri audio to the discovery of the black box of a crashed airplane. "We're hearing the account of one the pilots," he says, adding that "the only thing the Islamic establishment has not managed to do is to silence this voice of protest." Germany-based lawyer Sahar Mohammadi, who lost her mother and several other relatives in separate executions in the 1980s, says the tone of Montazeri's voice and his apparent outrage hint at the magnitude of the mass killings. She expressed outrage that those involved "are still ruling, they're still killing, and they're saying they did the right thing." Paris-based Mojatab Taleghani, whose nephew was among those executed, says the official reaction does not come as a surprise. "They're all accomplices in this crime, not defending themselves would be a confirmation that they're criminals, as Montazeri called them on tape," he said. Taleghani, the son of one of the key figures of the 1979 revolution, Ayatollah Mahmud Taleghani, says those involved in the executions "exterminated a generation of Iran's youth, they exterminated a generation of political activists who could have potentially opposed them." RFE/RL's Radio Farda broadcaster Mohammad Reza Yazdanpanah contributed to this report Iran's president has called on the Muslim world to "punish" Saudi Arabia for a stampede during the hajj last year that killed more than 2,400 people, while Iran's supreme leader called for an international investigation of the incident. The comments from President Hassan Rohani and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on September 7 were the latest salvos in an escalating war of words between Shi'ite-dominated Iran and Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia. The harsh verbal exchanges erupted this week as hundreds of thousands of Muslims arrived in the kingdom to participate in the annual hajj pilgrimage, which starts on September 10. The hajj is a ritual all able-bodied Muslims are required to carry out at least once in their life. Iranian pilgrims are not allowed to take part in this year's hajj, however, following the failure in May of negotiations over safety measures and other arrangements for Iranian pilgrims, aimed at preventing a recurrence of the fatal 2015 stampede, which killed more than 400 Iranians. Rohani at a cabinet meeting on September 7 accused Saudi authorities of acting as "bystanders rather than rescuing" those caught in the disaster. He said countries should "punish the government of Saudi Arabia in order to have a real hajj." "The government of Saudi Arabia must be held accountable for this incident," he said. "Unfortunately, this government has even refrained from a verbal apology to Muslims and Muslim countries." Meanwhile, Khamenei blasted the "incompetence" of the Saudi royal family as he met with families of victims and survivors of the Mina stampede. He repeated his demands that Saudi Arabia's ruling Al Saud family properly investigate the disaster or allow an international commission to do so, and that someone other than the Saudis be put in charge of administering the hajj. "This incident proves once again that this cursed, evil family does not deserve to be in charge and manage the holy sites," Khamenei said. "If they are claiming that they are not guilty in the incident, they should let an Islamic international fact-finding delegation review and probe the case closely," Khamenei said, adding that Saudi Arabia "should not shut people's mouth with money." The September 24, 2015, stampede and crush of pilgrims killed at least 2,426 people, according to an Associated Press count based on state media reports and officials' comments from 36 of the over 180 countries that sent citizens to the hajj. The official Saudi toll of 769 people killed and 934 injured has not changed in nearly a year. The kingdom has never addressed the discrepancy, nor has it released any results of an investigation they promised to conduct over the disaster. Iran had the highest death toll of any country, with 464 Iranian pilgrims killed. On September 5, Khamenei accused Saudi officials of "murdering" hajj pilgrims who were killed in the stampede. Saudi's grand mufti countered the next day by asserting that Iranians are "not Muslims." A coalition of Gulf nations on September 7 backed the Saudis in the dispute. The Saudi-led Gulf Cooperation Council issued a statement saying that Khamenei's remarks and any such "false and outrageous accusations...should not be issued from the heart or the tongue of any Muslim." The council called the Iranian accusations "a desperate attempt to politicize" the hajj. It is not the first time Iran and Saudi Arabia have come to blows over the pilgrimage. Iran boycotted the hajj for three years between 1988 and 1990 after clashes between Iranian pilgrims and Saudi police in 1987 left around 400 people dead. With reporting by AP, IRNA, and AFP Kazakhstan's president has abruptly dismissed Karim Masimov as prime minister, a move that appeared linked to Masimov's eyebrow-raising self-promotion on social media in recent months. Nursultan Nazarbaev made the announcement on September 8, saying Masimov was being made chairman of the Committee for National Security, an appointment that is widely considered a demotion. He will be replaced by Deputy Prime Minister Baqytzhan Saghyntaev. Masimov's dismissal comes after several months of sudden activity on the Internet that many observers considered to be an blatant attempt to promote himself across the Central Asian country. Photographs of Masimov doing physical exercise appeared on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. One photograph that showed him bicycling through the capital, Astana, with his cabinet members attracted wide derision after people poked fun of his mismatched socks. Another showed Masimov wearing hockey skates and pads, standing on a rink alongside his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev. That echoes images of other leaders of former Soviet states who have posed in hockey equipment or been shown playing ice hockey, including Belarus's Alyaksandr Lukashenka and Russia's Vladimir Putin. Masimov also announced via the Internet that he asked Medvedev to return the skulls of Kazakh national liberation movement leaders of the 19th and 20th centuries from a St. Petersburg museum, something that Kazakh nationalists have called for for years. Masimov also started an initiative on Twitter for Kazakhs to share ideas about the upcoming 25th anniversary of the country's independence from the Soviet Union. The effort, however, ended after many used it to criticize the government for the worsening economic situation caused by the abrupt fall in the oil price the last two years. The 51-year-old had served as prime minister since April 2014 and held the same post from January 2007 to September 2012. The dismissal also underscored the political preeminence of Nazarbaev, who has lead Kazakhstan since the Soviet collapse. The 76-year-old is revered by many Kazakhs, but his allies have also marginalized or eliminated any real political opposition. Just over a week has elapsed since Human Rights Watch (HRW) unveiled its new report chronicling the Chechen authorities' relentless suppression of any criticism of acting Chechen Republic head Ramzan Kadyrov, and already two more victims have been added to the dozens of earlier cases on which that report is based. They are Zhalaudi Geriyev, a freelance journalist for the news portal Caucasian Knot, who was sentenced on September 6 to three years in a labor camp on a dubious charge of illegal possession of a large quantity of drugs; and political commentator Ruslan Martagov. Geriyev was apprehended in mid-April while traveling by minibus taxi from his home village to Grozny, from where he planned to fly to Moscow to participate in a conference on the media and the Constitutional Court. He was roughed up, searched, and subsequently charged with possession of 160 grams of marijuana that he had allegedly harvested the previous summer. As in similar cases HRW has chronicled, Geriyev's parents initially refrained from reporting his abduction for fear of endangering his life. Individuals suspected of harboring a negative perception of Kadyrov are sometimes found dead days after being apprehended by police or security personnel. One recent victim was Khizir Yezhiyev, an economics lecturer at a Grozny college and contributor to an Internet chat room whose members criticized the Chechen leadership. Yezhiyev's body was found on January 2 in Roshni-Chu, some 40 kilometers southwest of Grozny, two weeks after he was snatched by unidentified armed men. Geriyev went on trial in June and immediately withdrew incriminating testimony that he said was extracted from him under duress at the time of his arrest. His lawyer points to major inaccuracies in the indictment. For example, Geriyev was said to have been apprehended at a cemetery in the village of Kurchaloi, having gone there with the express intention of smoking marijuana; but the list of items in his possession at the time of his arrest does not include tobacco, cigarette papers, or matches or a cigarette lighter. Chechen public figure Ruslan Kutayev, who defied Kadyrov in February 2014 by organizing a conference to mark the 70th anniversary of the deportation on Soviet leader Josef Stalin's orders of the entire Chechen and Ingush nations, was similarly arrested, charged, and jailed for four years for possession of a small amount of heroin that police reported finding on him during a search. 'Visiting A Friend' Ruslan Martagov, 66, is a writer and journalist who in the early 1990s opposed the separatist Chechen leadership headed by Dzhokhar Dudayev, for which he was accused of seeking to overthrow the regime and sentenced in absentia to execution. He served as press secretary in 1995 to Doku Zavgayev, the pro-Moscow leader appointed after the fall of Grozny at the start of the 1994-96 war, and in 1999-2000 in the same capacity under Nikolai Koshman, whom Russian President Vladimir Putin installed as his viceroy in Grozny. Since Kadyrov's advent to power in 2007, Martagov has repeatedly criticized the Chechen authorities and Kadyrov personally in comments to Russian media, defying all warnings to desist. On September 1, he disappeared after being summoned to the Chechen Ministry for Nationality Policy, Foreign Affairs, and Information, purportedly to give an interview. Two days later, Martagov phoned his son and daughter, who had publicly expressed their concern that the Chechen security forces had abducted him, and assured them he was with unnamed friends, without disclosing a location. On September 4, Martagov returned home; the same evening, Chechen state TV aired footage in which he apologized for the concern generated by his disappearance and again said he had visited an old friend on the occasion of the latter's birthday. Martagov specifically expressed regret that websites that support the North Caucasus insurgency had sought to use his apparent disappearance to denigrate the Chechen leadership. Chechen human rights activists believe that Martagov was coerced into making that public statement in order to allay fears that he had been detained and subjected to psychological, and possibly also physical pressure. The show trial of Geriyev and the apparently stage-managed apology by Martagov are both aspects of what HRW describes as a vicious and comprehensive crackdown that got under way in 2014 not just on those courageous enough to criticize Kadyrov publicly but on anyone whose absolute loyalty to Kadyrov is open to question. That chain of reprisals, HRW writes, has intensified in the run-up to the September 18 elections in which Kadyrov is seeking a third consecutive term as republic head, the objective presumably being to suppress any negative information about the situation in Chechnya that could either influence voters or raise doubts in Moscow concerning the advisability of condoning his reelection. One could argue that in that context the reprisals against Geriyev and Martagov are counterintuitive and counterproductive, given the negative publicity they will inevitably generate. The priority of Kadyrov and his henchmen, however, is more likely to be preserving for Moscow's benefit the illusion that Kadyrov's heavy-handed methods are not only effective in maintaining "stability" across Chechnya but have the unequivocal support of the entire population. A Russian video-blogger who is under criminal investigation for posting a video of himself playing Pokemon Go in a Russian Orthodox church has been transferred to house arrest. The Sverdlovsk regional court issued the decision on Ruslan Sokolovsky on September 8. Sokolovsky played the wildly popular game in a church last month and posted a video of it to his YouTube channel, which has around 300,000 subscribers. It followed a warning made on Russian state television not to hunt "pokemons" at religious sites or near the state border. Violators could face criminal charges. Investigators charged Sokolovsky with inciting religious hatred, the same offense that sent two women from the Pussy Riot punk collective to prison for two years in 2012. Amnesty International has blasted Sokolovsky's arrest as a "farcical attack on freedom of expression." Based on reporting by AP and Slon.ru WASHINGTON -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva to discuss a political agreement that could help bring an end to the conflict in Syria, Washington and Moscow have said. State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement on September 8 that Kerry would meet with his Russian counterpart on September 9 for discussions focusing "on reducing violence, expanding humanitarian assistance for the Syrian people, and moving towards a political solution needed to end the civil war." The statement came after Russian state media reported the planned talks and just hours after another State Department spokesman, Mark Toner, told reporters that Washington did not believe it is "worth [Kerry's] while to go have a meeting" with Lavrov. Washington and Moscow are backing different sides in Syria's five-year-old civil war that has killed up to 400,000 people. The Kremlin supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while the United States is backing rebel groups seeking his ouster. Kerry and Lavrov in recent weeks have been in talks over a deal to boost U.S. and Russian military cooperation to fight the Islamic State group and other extremists in Syria. Lavrov on September 8 held a meeting in Geneva with UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP 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." ON MY MIND The most remarkable thing about the prosecution of Yekaterinburg-based blogger Ruslan Sokolovsky for playing Pokemon Go in church is how unremarkable it is. The most striking thing about the fact that Sokolovsky faces five years in prison on charges of "preventing the realization of the right to freedom of conscience and religion and incitement of hatred" is that it is completely unsurprising. As journalist and political commentator Oleg Kashin shows in a highly recommended piece featured below, the Sokolovsky case should be a stark reminder of how much Russia has changed in the four years since Vladimir Putin returned to the Kremlin. Kashin notes that when four members of the female punk rock collective Pussy Riot were prosecuted for offending religious believers in the summer of 2012, it was a shock and a sensation. But Sokolovsky's prosecution today is seen as routine. IN THE NEWS The United States has declined to confirm Russias announcement that Secretary of State John Kerry will join Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva on September 8 to pin down a cease-fire in Syria. In a speech at Oxford University, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter accused Russia of having "clear ambition to erode the principled international order." Officials say Russian jets repeatedly intercepted U.S. naval reconnaissance planes over the Black Sea, and U.S. defense officials have complained a Russian pilot at one point flew within 3 meters of one of the planes. A Russian Orthodox priest charged with sexually abusing minors has been extradited from Israel to Russia at the Russian prosecutor-general's request. Colleagues and human rights activists have condemned the jailing of journalist Zhalaudi Geriyev on drug charges in Chechnya as political persecution. Geriyev, a contributor to the website Caucasus Knot who is known for his reporting on human rights in the region, was sentenced to three years in prison for alleged marijuana possession. Environmental regulators say they have ordered an investigation into why a river in far northern Russia turned an alarming hue of red in recent days. A Russian court has sentenced a man to eight years in prison after ruling he was a member of a group in Syria that was once linked to Al-Qaeda. LATEST POWER VERTICAL BLOG On the latest Power Vertical blog: One of the most significant things about the G20 summit was something that didn't happen. Hangzhou didn't become Yalta. Vladimir Putin didn't get what he wanted in Ukraine. So what does he do next? WHAT I'M READING From Pussy Riot To Pokemon Go Prominent journalist and political commentator Oleg Kashin has a piece in Slon that looks at how the 2012 convictions of four members of the female punk rock collective Pussy Riot made the prosecution of Yekaterinburg-based blogger Ruslan Sokolovsky -- on trial for playing Pokemon Go in church -- possible. "The Pussy Riot case, in which the authorities turned victims of political persecution into common criminals, was a sensation. The Sokolovsky case is routine," Kashin writes. Perils Of A Nationalist Eastern Europe In his column for Bloomberg, political analyst Leonid Bershidsky looks at what rising nationalism among the European Union's eastern members means for the bloc. "Post-communist nations have taken two decades to decide what they are, and the decision is almost unanimous: They are countries based on strong national traditions and interests," Bershidsky writes. "The nationalisms may have different vectors -- Poland is fiercely anti-Russian, Hungary and Slovakia are relatively pro-Russian -- but they have more uniting features than differences. They are all about a decentralized Europe that is not particularly welcoming to outsiders." The Putin Generation Bloomberg Businessweek has a reported piece on how Putin is cultivating a new generation of leaders to prolong his rule. "The new generation is steeped in the state-controlled system that Putin has built," the authors, Ilya Arkhipov, Henry Meyer, and Gregory White, write. "While some of his contemporaries might have had the stature to challenge the president in private, the younger officials owe their entire careers to him. That bodes ill for the overhauls that could jump-start the economy -- loosening state control, stimulating private business, and cutting wasteful government spending. Putin has long resisted such steps in practice, despite embracing them in public statements." The Plight Of Kaliningrad Reuters has a reported piece on how sanctions and the recession are hitting Russia's exclave of Kaliningrad particularly hard. "Kaliningrad is hardly the only part of Russia that is hurting. Throughout the past two years, a collapse in global prices for energy exports have created a grinding economic crisis. The ruble has fallen, raising the price of imports," the author, Lidia Kelly, writes. "But while some parts of Russia have been partly shielded from the pain by the fall in imports, which has boosted consumption of homemade goods, Kaliningrad's close ties to its EU neighbors means it has suffered more than other areas." Ilmi Umerov's Release Halya Coynash of the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection group has a piece looking at the release of Crimean Tatar activist Ilmi Umerov from a psychiatric hospital, where he was forcefully admitted. Reactions To The Paralympic Ban A post on Mikhail Khodorkovsky's Open Wall web portal looks at how Russians widely view the banning of its Paralympic team as unjust, even those "who do not doubt the existence of a state doping program." U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has once again praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and declared that he had been a better leader that U.S. President Barack Obama. Putin is "very much of a leader," Trump said in a televised presidential forum moderated by the U.S. network NBC on September 7, where he and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton were separately grilled over their national security credentials. Putin "has very strong control over a country," Trump said. "It's a very different system, and I don't happen to like the system. But certainly in that system he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader." Asked how he would deescalate tensions between the United States and Russia if he's elected to the White House, Trump said, "I would have a very, very good relationship with Putin, and I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Russia." Trump said Moscow wants to destroy Islamic State as much as Washington does, and repeated his intent to work with Russia to defeat the militant group in Iraq and Syria. "If we had a relationship with Russia, wouldn't it be wonderful if we could work on it together and knock the hell out of ISIS? Wouldn't it be wonderful?" he asked. Trump has been criticized frequently for seeming to heap praise on Putin and other strongmen. But he was unapologetic and said he was happy to take a compliment from Putin, who during a news conference in December called Trump "talented" and "yarkiy" -- a Russian word that is used to describe a person who is colorful and stands out but, at the time, was translated by some news organizations as "brilliant." Trump said if Putin "says great things about me, I'm going to say great things about him." Trump added, however, that Putin's compliments would not influence his decision-making as president. Trump, who earlier in the day proposed a massive increase in U.S. military spending, said the military's leadership "has been reduced to rubble" under the Obama administration. Clinton, appearing before an audience of military officials and veterans who were provided an opportunity to ask questions, was grilled about her use of a personal e-mail server while she was secretary of state and her handling of classified information. She defended her behavior, saying she did "exactly what I should have done," but stressing that she had not improperly handled classified information. But she also said, "It was a mistake to have a personal account. I would certainly not do it again. I make no excuses for it." Clinton vowed, if elected, not to send American ground troops back into Iraq or Syria. "We are going to defeat ISIS without committing American ground troops," she said. With reporting by AP, AFP, Reuters, and dpa Pakistan has called off an aerial search for two missing U.S. mountaineers amid signs they may have died in an avalanche on a remote peak in northeast Pakistan. Pakistani officials said an initial flight over the 7,300-meter Ogre II peak in the Karakoram mountain range showed no sign of the men but found evidence of an avalanche in the area where they were climbing. The climbers, Kyle Dempster and Scott Adamson, both from the U.S. state of Utah, set out on August 21. They had reputations for being two of the world's most accomplished climbers. It was their second attempt on the Ogre II peak, one of the world's most difficult to scale. They nearly died last year on the first try, miraculously surviving a 120-meter fall down the mountain. "Kyle and Scott are not coming home, but their spirit, stoke, and smiles will live on," the Black Diamond Equipment company, which sponsored Dempster, said on its Facebook page on September 7. Dempster twice won the coveted Piolets d'Or climbing award, most recently in 2013 for a climb in the same part of Pakistan. Based on reporting by AP and Reuters 2 U.S. artist Miya Ando poses in London next to her work, After 9/11, made from steel recovered from the World Trade Center. The sculpture was moved from its temporary location in Battersea Park to London's Olympic Park after a long delay in designating a permanent home. It was a gift from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to the United Kingdom. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. 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. A bond benefits both. The Bridge has a new partnership with the Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska (BIA-NE), said Caris Kenny. Kenny, of Omaha, is the director of community partnerships for Community Health Charities of Nebraska (CHC-NE). The Alliance is also a new partner with CHC-NE, Kenny added. Brain injury is a silent epidemic, said Peggy Reisher of Lincoln, executive director of BIA-NE. Strangulation occurs more than anyone wants to believe, said Suzanne Smith, executive director of The Bridge in Fremont. We are really just starting the partnership, Smith said. We did training in June. From April through June, The Bridge saw 18 cases of head injuries or strangulations, Smith noted. Strangulation cuts off air supply the first place being the back of the head, Smith explained. If someone has a brain injury, its difficult, Reisher said. It affects vision, sleep, memory, concentration and balance. Victims may use words like I think I blacked out, Smith said. There may not be great recall. Smith has 19 years of experience with The Bridge, previously known as the Crisis Center. She has worked in the field for 30 years. The goal of our work is to stop violence and if someone is already experiencing violence help find a better quality of life, Smith said. We did training (with The Bridge) through August, and they are doing screenings, Reisher said. So far, there are a high number of positive screenings, Smith noted. The training has been beneficial. The Bridge is asking clients key questions. Sometimes you just have to ask the right questions, Reisher said. Great for us, it helped us understand, Smith said. What can we do different or better or enhance? Ruth Register of Cedar Bluffs, a retired physical education instructor, believes education is important. On the prevention side, there is a lot of awareness raising, Smith said. With kids, doing more than awareness risk reduction, Smith added. Currently, The Bridge serves 15 schools in five counties. Register was recently recognized by CHC-NE for her volunteer work and contributions. She has coordinated campaigns for Fremont Public Schools and the Fremont Area Association of Retired School Personnel. Register and Kenny recently visited with Smith about their mutual connection with BIA-NE. Local charities work together even if they are members of different federations for employee giving campaigns, Kenny noted. These charities help each other. The Bridge, a private non-profit agency, receives funds from local support, The United Way, grants and foundations. With CHC-NE employee payroll deductions, donors can contribute to BIA-NE and 18 other premier charities. There is progress where paths cross. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. From the time he joined the Richmond Professional Institute faculty in 1949, there were signs that L. Wayne Batty would become a force in what became the Virginia Commonwealth University Music Department and in the regions music community. In 1950, he founded the schools opera program, Opera Sings now VCU Opera whose praises he ever extolled. The school staged its first opera in 1952. The Metropolitan Opera would have touring companies back in the day that came to Richmond, recalled Michelle Harman Gulick, who was a former student and colleague of his in the music department. Wayne pretty much brought opera to Richmond on a regular basis. Mr. Batty, who directed and staged more than 1,000 opera and musical theater productions in Virginia, died at 94 Sunday in a Richmond rehabilitation center where he had been doing therapy after a slight fall the previous week. He directed musicals at the Virginia Museum Theatre for three years, and at Swift Creek Mill Playhouse for 17 years. He and his wife directed the music at endless performances at Richmonds Dogwood Dell, and they were directors for 23 years of the Christmas classic Amahl and the Night Visitors at what now is the Altria Theater. They were very much a conducting team, said one of sons, Coby Batty of Richmond. They would tag-team it one would do it one night, and the other would do it the next. Mr. Batty also directed city of Richmond and Richmond Opera Company productions for many years, starting in 1965. For 18 years, he coordinated the singers and conducted the Richmond Christmas Pageant Chorus at its annual performances. He affected thousands of students while he served as chairman of the VCU Music Department from 1959 to 1970 and for the 12 years he was area coordinator of the schools voice department. When he retired in 2007 at 85 joking that he was taking early retirement he was the longest-serving faculty member at VCU, with 58 years of teaching voice and conducting choral groups. He also held the distinction of being Virginias longest-serving employee, according to state records. He returned to VCU after he retired to coach a few students and teach for several years in a private studio. At a ceremony at the state Capitol in 1988, Mr. Batty was named a Virginia cultural laureate. VCU honored him with its Presidential Medallion in 1999. He was funny, opinionated and could be very sarcastic, Gulick recalled, but he was absolutely dedicated to music. He lived and breathed it. It was the other member of his family. Born in Bondville, Ill., Leo Wayne Batty and his two brothers grew up in a very musical and athletic family that moved from town to town with the assignments of his father, a Methodist minister. They formed their own parlor band for entertainment. They played what my dad called hillbilly music, and they actually went and sang on radio shows, Coby Batty said. Wayne Batty made his first performance in public when he was 5 . He had a great response and realized that this was something he would do the rest of his life, his son said, and went on to perform semiprofessionally. He also played the clarinet and cello, as well as a little piano. He earned a bachelors degree in music education from Illinois Wesleyan University, where he was an outstanding basketball guard and met his wife, who also was studying music. He earned a bachelors degree in voice performance at the Kansas City Conservatory and a masters degree in voice from Chicago Musical College. They both planned to teach and came to Richmond, where Mr. Batty felt there was room to grow professionally, his son said. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps Stage Band and was the vocalist under the direction of fellow corpsman Henry Mancini. He and his wife, who were longtime members of the NAACP and former members of the Richmond Human Relations Council, had a special interest in improving race relations in Richmond. Beginning in the 1950s, Mr. Batty helped integrate all of his schools choral groups, as well as the Richmond Christmas Pageant Chorus and city opera productions. In 1959, Mr. Batty, who started his performing career as a dramatic tenor and also acted, contracted a virus in his vocal folds, leaving him unable to sing anything that required much vocal stamina, though the power of his voice remained. Unable to sing much past an art song and unable to demonstrate to students more than snatches of musical lines, he taught thousands of voice students by talking them through their music. He mentored generations of students, many of whom have succeeded in the fields of opera, theater, symphony and church music worldwide and continued to stay in touch notably Richmond-born tenor Thomas Moser, a regular guest in the great opera houses of Europe and the United States who returned to Richmond in 1987 and gave a concert in honor of the Battys. He had great expectations for his students, Gulick said. He expected them to live up to that. He was a great teacher. He expected your best. Students respected him for that. He had wonderful ears and knew what you needed. He was a big proponent of 20th-century music. He would make you study the classics but made sure you studied something by contemporary composers. He felt you needed to be prepared for that as well. As a teacher, he was not overly complimentary, but you knew that if he told you you had done something, you had done something, Gulick said. He would tell you the truth. He would be kind as well. He also was a teacher who would put his hand on your shoulder or pat you on the back when you needed encouragement, former students noted. Antonia Fisher-Duke Vassar came to VCU to study voice with Mr. Batty at the recommendation of her voice teacher, Lisa Edwards Burr, another of Mr. Battys students. He was really intimidating and gruff, Vassar remembered. Then I realized that he was a total softie inside. He was incredibly exacting and ... could push you, push you, push you, and then hed say, Lets go get a cup of coffee. He had the gift to tell how much to push you and when you needed to talk. Vassar was part of an a capella group called the Madrigalists that Mr. Batty started and directed for decades. Led by students, it was a laboratory in learning trust as well as music. He wanted you to sing with your own voice and not sound like each other. ... The blend was what made the group sound so good, Vassar said. Mr. Batty appeared onstage during performances only to announce the next song, and surprised his singers by what he would ad lib and for how long. One thing he taught that she never forgot was: to have a musical gift and not use it is a sin. He wanted everyone to be the best musician they could be, she said. Colleagues said that, to the end, he always was pushing the envelope himself to be better. Former students recalled Battyisms: his straight face while stating that the initial L in his name stood for Luscious; the distinctive way he drew his shoulders and arms high before signaling the first note; his call of HUP! to start a piece and hup, hup, hup to move it along faster; his great legs leaping the steps two at a time to his office atop the Franklin Street music building; and his very mobile, expressive face. Students also noticed how his eyes would just light up when he spoke about his wife. Marriage, to him, was about the person you choose to be with every single day, Vassar said. It wasnt a choice you made once, he said, but every day. Making that choice ... was like choosing to sing every day. Their relationship was such a model for us. Active in the community, Mr. Batty had served on the boards of the Richmond Symphony, the National Association of Teachers of Singing and the Richmond Opera Association, and he was a founder of the Arts Guild. He taught so long, and he and Jane were able to live in their house for so long, Vassar said. We thought he was going to live forever. He seemed timeless. Embattled state Sen. Bill Kintner is accusing Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers of targeting his wife in a memo circulated around the Capitol this week. Chambers has authored a dozen such Kintner-grams in the weeks since Kintner admitted using his state-owned laptop to have cybersex with a stranger during a trip to Boston last year. But the latest memo, dated Tuesday, is a new low, Kintner said in a news release. The three-page rhyme includes a blurred-out photo of Kintners wife, Lauren, and questions whether the Papillion senator engaged with the stranger because he was dissatisfied with his wifey. It also appears to allude to Lauren Kintners struggle with ovarian cancer. Bill Kintner accused Chambers of attacking and making fun of his wife and her medical condition. This is beyond two politicians arguing over policy or personal differences, Kintner told the Journal Star on Thursday. This is a politician going after another politicians wife. I expect Chambers to be a man and apologize to my wife, he said in the news release. Chambers could not immediately be reached for comment, although he has said his goal with the memo was to portray Lauren Kintner as a victim of her husbands behavior and his refusal to resign from office. What sane, self-respecting Woman would not, white-hot fury feel if humiliated, publicly shamed, and ground beneath some SCUMBAGs heel? Chambers wrote at one point in the memo. Lauren Kintner is chief policy adviser to Gov. Pete Ricketts, who joined leaders in the Legislature calling for Bill Kintner to step down after the cybersex scandal was made public. Kintner has refused, saying he apologized to God and his wife, and later to his fellow senators and constituents. His decision to remain in office has vexed many fellow lawmakers. The Legislatures Executive Board has held two public hearings to weigh responses ranging from punishment to impeachment, and last week issued a letter telling Kintner to resign by Sept. 2 or face consequences. He again refused to step down before the deadline, but the Executive Board hasnt responded, and canceled a meeting set for this week to discuss the issue. Chambers, a member of the Executive Board, has said he would be unsatisfied with any action short of removing Kintner from the Legislature. Kintner and Chambers, outspoken personalities from opposite ends of the political spectrum, have sparred for years. And even before the cybersex scandal, Kintner was a regular target of Chambers writings. I dont particularly read these things, Kintner said Thursday. Now, he said, Im being a man and standing up for my wife, and thats the right thing to do. The risk of foreign policy crises emerging during presidential election campaigns is well-known, and 2016 isnt likely to be an exception. Incidents in the South China Sea, the Persian Gulf, Northern Syria, and Eastern Europe could escalate quickly, testing the presidents leadership in defending U.S. interests abroad. Three crises in presidential campaigns over the past 60 years demonstrated the risks in 1960, 1980 and 2000. In each case, a presidents reputation was damaged and Americas influence abroad suffered. In 1960, Dwight Eisenhower hoped to cap his successful eight years in office with a state visit to Moscow. Instead, the visit was cancelled when President Nikita Khrushchev chose to embarrass Eisenhower by dramatizing the failure of a U-2 spy mission over the USSR. The incident contributed to John Kennedys election that year. Twenty years later, in 1980, Jimmy Carter failed to win re-election in part because of his failure to force Iran to release 52 American diplomats taken as prisoners in a state-sanctioned attack on the U.S. Embassy. And in October 2000, Bill Clinton failed to act when terrorists in Yemen attacked the USS Cole, a guided missile destroyer, inflicting 17 deaths and nearly 40 casualties on U.S. sailors. Clintons inaction in this case helped George W. Bush win the presidential election a few weeks later. In each of these cases, Americas reputation abroad was damaged. U.S.-Soviet relations turned cool, despite Eisenhowers successful efforts at detente, and U.S. influence in the Middle East and Europe suffered as a result of Carters failure to respond forcefully to Irans hostile action. Clintons inaction after the Cole attack was also viewed as a sign of U.S. weakness. What dangers does President Obama face before he leaves office on Jan. 20, 2017? Here are four, any of which could lead to an armed conflict: Russias Vladimir Putin is orchestrating a propaganda offensive against Ukraine and the Baltic States designed to stir up opposition to their governments. Hes also building up Russian forces on Ukraines border and consolidating his hold on two breakaway eastern provinces. Russian aircraft use intimidating tactics over the Baltic Sea. NATO has warned about potential armed clashes there, and it has dispatched troops to the three Baltic States and Poland to reassure them. Meanwhile, China continues to press toward its goal to be the dominant power in Southeast Asia, specifically in the strategic South China Sea. Chinese ships and aircraft employ dangerous tactics against U.S. and allied ships transiting that waterway. Any of these could trigger a clash that leads to the risk of war. A similar crisis could erupt in Northeast Asia if China does not restrain North Koreas nuclear blandishments against South Korea and Japan. Irans harassment of U.S. ships in the Persian Gulf is another test for Obama, even though Iran doesnt pose a military challenge of the same magnitude as China does. But its dangerous naval tactics in the Gulf could result in armed clashes and heightened tensions in the Middle East. Turkey has emerged as a new and serious challenge to U.S. hopes to destroy ISIS in Syria and Iraq and end Syrias civil war. President Recep Erdogan, who urged the U.S. four years ago to intervene in Syria, has sent his own troops across the border to counter Syrian Kurds, who Turkey views as a threat to its internal security. President Obama lost influence with this NATO ally following an abortive coup against Erdogan last month. The danger now is that Erdogan could trigger a clash with Russia if his troops move toward the Syrian city of Aleppo. *** How would Barack Obama respond to any of these incipient crises? Would he temporize the way Jimmy Carter did in 1980, or leave it to his successor as Bill Clinton did in 2000? In his last months in the White House, Obama and his family surely are concerned about his legacy as president. He entered office in 2009 determined to end two costly and controversial wars, and to avoid new ones. Vladimir Putin no doubt has concluded that Obama wants to avoid armed conflicts and rely instead on diplomacy to manage U.S. foreign policy. The leaders of China, Iran, North Korea and even Turkey have calculated that Obama will not act. And therein lies the danger of miscalculation. If confronted with a serious threat to U.S. interests abroad, Obama may decide that his legacy will be enhanced if he shows strength instead of weakness in the face of danger. The next four months will be testing time for this president. 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. Rep. Morgan Griffith's office shares his e-newsletter for the week of Sept. 5: Honoring American workers Every year on Labor Day, we pause to celebrate and honor Americas hardworking men and women, the backbone of our great country. Data shows us that American workers determination and work ethic are unparalleled in the world. Whether they educate our youth, care for those in their communities, provide necessary services, or produce goods, they all are significantly contributing to Americas strength and spirit. For all hardworking Americans, you have our nations sincere appreciation. (Additionally, Labor Day is always a special day for me as one of my sons was born that day.) Ongoing economic development efforts in the Ninth In addition to the work I do in Washington to create an environment conducive for our job creators to keep and create new jobs, I hold many private meetings with businesses, economic developers and community leaders. Along those lines, on September 1, I invited officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to hold a roundtable event at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon at which the primary topic of discussion was their Rural Development programs and grants. Attending this event were various elected local officials, county administrators, and other representatives of local governments. We were very pleased that more than 20 localities in the Ninth and more than 15 representatives from non-profits and businesses attended this event and were interested in learning more about the numerous assistance programs offered by USDA. I enjoyed being able to deliver some brief remarks and then speaking with many of the attendees in one-on-one discussions. Further, members of my congressional staff spent the morning learning more about ongoing USDA Rural Development efforts in our area, efforts which center around agriculture, community facilities, broadband and cell service, water and sewer, small business, etc. I appreciate all those who attended and/or participated, and am very grateful to USDA officials for their time. If you are interested in learning more about grants and financing to individuals, businesses, and/or state and local governments, I encourage you to contact us. There is no one magic silver bullet that will solve all of our economic challenges. However, I remain committed to exploring any and all avenues for job creation and regional economic growth. Serving you Serving you is one of my top priorities, and there are many ways my team and I can help. One of the important roles of a U.S. representative is to serve as a liaison between constituents and the federal government. Constituent services, also known as casework, are typically handled by members of my local staff at our offices and traveling across the district. If there is a major problem, dont worry, they keep me informed. We can often intervene on a constituents behalf to answer questions, find solutions, or cut through red tape with agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Internal Revenue Service, Medicare, the Social Security Administration, the Department of Labor (Black Lung issues), etc. We also can help constituents who are requesting or renewing passports, are requesting the expedited processing of these documents, or who are dealing with issues involving travel visas. While we can offer much assistance, I would note that we are generally prohibited from becoming involved in legal matters or overriding decisions made by a federal agency. Regardless of which federal agency you may need help with, we will need your written authorization in order to comply with the provisions of the Privacy Act. Our privacy consent form can be found on my website, www.morgangriffith.house.gov, or you may contact us to obtain the form. When returning this form to my team, you will want to include any pertinent information and claim numbers that might be needed. The form also asks that you summarize your issue with the federal agency to help ensure we understand exactly what assistance you are seeking. My team regularly travels throughout the Ninth and holds office hours, allowing constituents to meet with my staff closer to home. You can request help with casework or share your opinions regarding legislative matters. The monthly schedule of our visits to your area can be found on my website. Additionally, we assist constituents interested in applying for a Service Academy nomination, pursuing federal grants, ordering a United States flag (and can even have it flown over the Capitol building), or scheduling a tour of the Capitol, the White House, or certain other attractions in Washington. If you have questions, concerns, or comments, contact my office. You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 381-5671. To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov. Also on my website is the latest material from my office, including information on votes recently taken on the floor of the House of Representatives. Submitted by Kelly McCollum As members of the United Mine Workers of America rallied Thursday at the U.S. Capitol, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton called on Congress to continue funding coal miners health and pension funds. Clinton, who has campaigned on increased investment in renewable energies, urged Congress to act before benefits for coal miners and their families expire. I firmly believe that if you spent your life keeping the lights on for our country, we cant leave you in the dark, Clinton said in a statement. For more than a century, Americas coal miners have put their own health and safety at risk to provide affordable and reliable energy for the nation. They are entitled to the benefits they have earned and the respect they deserve. Thousands of unionized coal miners from 13 states and their families converged on the Capitol for a Keep the Promise rally. In 1946, President Harry Truman promised coal miners lifetime retirement benefits to avert a lengthy post-World War II strike. As the coal industry has struggled, coal companies are avoiding providing health care and benefits to workers, according to the unions website. Coal has faced increasingly stringent environmental regulations from the administration of President Barack Obama, as well as stepped-up competition from natural gas producers. Were here today to demand that the right thing be done! Cecil Roberts, president of the United Mine Workers of America said at the rally. Keep the promise and pass the bill. Clinton urged Republicans to stop stalling and vote on the Miners Protection Act introduced by U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. The bill introduced last year transfers funds to pay mine workers pensions and ensure coal miners who lose health care after their companies file for bankruptcy are still eligible for other health benefits. The bill would affect more than 30,000 retired miners in West Virginia, and tens of thousands more in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Virginia and Alabama, The Associated Press reported. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky blocked the bill last year and has said hes not going to fast-track a plan that some Republicans warn amounts to a pension bailout, the AP reported. Last month, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump made a campaign stop in Abingdon to court favor with Virginia coal miners. Many of the miners on stage behind Trump wore hard hats and carried Trump Digs Coal signs. The candidate bragged about his landslide victory in the West Virginia primary a win he attributed to the heavy coal mining presence in the state. The U.S. has lost about 200,000 mining jobs in the past two years because of Obamas administration, Trump said in his speech. Its time to bring those jobs back, he said. I know youre discouraged, Trump said. Give it one more chance. Trumps campaign, which has made no public statements on the bill, did not respond Thursday to a request for comment, the AP reported. During a CNN Town Hall in May, Clinton said if elected, her shift toward renewable energies would inevitably put some coal companies out of business, but she would work to find new job opportunities for coal workers. Many coal miners were alarmed when they heard the part of Clintons remarks where she said, were going to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business, right? But she continued on to say America will not forget coal miners who worked in mines for generations, according to Politifact. Now weve got to move away from coal and all the other fossil fuels, but I dont want to move away from the people who did the best they could to produce the energy that we relied on, she said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Following the General Assemblys Joint Commission on Health Cares review of legal exemptions to otherwise mandatory childhood vaccines, several organizations such as the Virginia Department of Health and the American Academy of Pediatrics and hundreds of people added their voices to the fray. The commission heard from its staff Wednesday about hundreds of comments it received during a public comment period that ended Sept. 3. No action was taken, as the commission is only seeking to make recommendations to the General Assembly. The comment period was part of the commissions inquiry into vaccinations because of a bill proposed and then killed during the latest General Assembly session that would have removed nonmedical exemptions, including religious reasons, for childhood vaccines from the state law. The commission received more than 800 emails during the public comment period. Only five of the emails advocated that the General Assembly change the law to remove nonmedical exemptions. Another 674 emails requested no action be taken regarding vaccine exemptions, which would mean leaving religious exemptions in the law as a legal reason to not vaccinate children. The additional emails were duplicates. The Virginia Department of Health informed the commission that it is in favor of taking no action, and justified that position in commission documents because of the low exemption rates and relatively high vaccine coverage rates, and low morbidity from vaccine preventable diseases. But the department also indicated that removing religious exemptions may be a reasonable option, stating in commission documents that religious exemption rates, especially for private schools, are continuing a long term upward trend ... it may be reasonable to take action now to address the issue before it becomes a problem. Virginia has a 1.1 percent vaccine exemption rate. The department was joined in its position not to make any changes to the law by the Childrens Medical Safety Research Institute, the Family Foundation, the Home School Legal Defense Association, the National Vaccine Information Center, the Center for Medical Freedom, and Virginians for Medical Freedom. Meanwhile, the American Academy of Pediatrics which late last month called on states to remove nonmedical exemptions from laws and advised pediatricians that they may turn away patients whose parents refused to have them vaccinated informed the commission that it is in favor of removing religious exemptions. n n n The commission also heard a report from its staff regarding another issue Wednesday life-sustaining treatments. The report was conducted at the request of Del. Chris Stolle, R-Virginia Beach, who asked that the commission study the current regulatory requirements regarding life-prolonging care and make recommendations for legislative changes. The topic revolves around what to do should the wishes of a patient or those of the patients guardian or family clash with the physicians when the patient is near the end of his or her life. Virginia is one of 15 states that allows physicians to refuse providing treatment. The law states that if a physician does not deem the patients requested care to be medically appropriate, he or she should make a reasonable effort to transfer the patient to another facility that can provide them with the requested care. But the law does not indicate what should happen if a transfer to another facility is unsuccessful. The report listed several policy options that the General Assembly could take, ranging from requiring hospitals to have steps in place should conflicts between physicians and patients arise or allowing physicians to stop the care they deem to be inappropriate at the end of the 14-day period. Andrew Mitchell, the senior health policy analyst with the commission that gave the report, brought up the case of Mirranda Grace Lawson, a 2-year-old who choked on a piece of popcorn earlier this year and has been on life support at VCU Medical Center since May. Mirrandas parents are battling in court, requesting that VCU Healths request to perform a test to see if their daughter is brain dead be denied. The Virginia Supreme Court has denied the hospitals request to perform the test, following a Richmond Circuit Court decision that said the hospital could perform the test. According to the joint commissions report, over the past year in Virginia there have been at least 274 instances of a hospital ethics committee which steps in when physicians and patients disagree becoming involved after physicians decline to provide treatment to patients. In 66 percent of those cases, the patient had expressed treatment preferences for end-of-life care in advanced directives, but conflicts still arose. De Beers has denied any involvement in the purchase or sale of diamonds illegally mined in South Africa. Corporate communication manager Tom Tweedy said doing so would be in violation of the Kimberley Process (KP). The illicit trade of diamonds is a major problem and we would like to know who is making these transactions, he was quoted as saying by IOL. This mining is not taking place on De Beers property and any company that abides by the KP would want nothing to do with this kind of illegal activity. Nobody may mine without the required permits and the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) is very supportive of this. An unnamed illegal miner had claimed that he preferred to sell his diamonds to De Beers, which pays better. If I find something, I have a number that I can call and a man with the paperwork will come and to see me, but I still prefer to sell to De Beers because they pay better, the illegal miner was quoted as saying IOL. The police do come and speak to us from time to time but as long as they do not find you in possession of stolen copper they tend to leave us alone. De Beers also do not mind what we do as long as we do not mine on their property. Hundreds of miners started setting up their own diamond mining operations outside Kimberley in September 2014 after they were kicked out of a neighbouring De Beers mining site. Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished The Kimberley Process Chair, Ahmed Bin Sulayem has announced the second series of three, one-day Special Forums, on rough diamond valuation, to be held on 30 September 2016 at the Hylitt Hotel, Antwerp, Belgium. In association with the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), the Special Forum will focus on valuation practices employed by the global diamond industry. The format will take the shape of an Expert Workshop, an open dialogue that will examine other methods being used that will eventually develop a more formalised approach to rough diamond valuation. KP Chair, Ahmed Bin Sulayem said: In the second of these Special Forums, we will continue the dialogue to a better understanding of how a more formalised approach to rough diamond valuation would be beneficial to the entire industry. The collaboration with Antwerp World Diamond Centre will reinforce the debate as will the continued participation of the OECD. We aim to reach a consensus for universal conformity at our third and final meeting. Enhanced awareness and conformity will allow producing countries to get more value from their mineral resources. The aim of these SpecialForums is a commitment by all industry players that incorporates a set of best practices for all KP participants. Valuation is and remains a crucial expertise, especially for developing countries relying on the benefit of diamond revenues. This sequence of valuation seminars, organised by the KP Chair, is an excellent opportunity to enhance their knowledge and capacity. As a leading diamond trading centre, recognised for its long standing expertise, Antwerp is looking forward to contributing to the KP Chairs initiative, added AWDC President, Stephane Fischler. Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief if the Asian Bureau Next years LUXURY and JCK Las Vegas jewelry shows will take place on different days of the week from previous years to accommodate those observing a Jewish holiday, the organizers announced. LUXURY, an exhibition for invited retailers, will run from Friday, June 2, to Sunday, June 4, JCK said. JCK Las Vegas, the broader jewelry fair, is scheduled from Monday, June 5, to Thursday, June 8. This years main show was held on a Friday to Monday. The pattern has been shifted because of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which is on Wednesday, May 31. Retailers also showed support for moving the shows off the U.S. Memorial Day weekend, said Yancy Weinrich, senior vice-president at Reed Jewelry Group, which owns JCK. Shares of Pier 1 Imports (PIR) declined around 9 percent in the extended trading on Wednesday after the home furnishings retailer said it now expects loss in its second quarter, compared to previous view between loss and breakeven. The company also announced the planned departure of its Chief Executive Officer Alex Smith. In its second quarter, net sales decreased approximately 6.7% compared to the same period a year ago. E-Commerce sales represented approximately 20% of net sales. Company comparable sales, which include e-Commerce, decreased approximately 4.3%. For the quarter, the company now expects loss per share to be in the range of $0.06 to $0.05, excluding one-time items, if any, related to the departure of CEO. The company previously expected to report loss of $0.06 per share to breakeven. On average, 18 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect loss of $0.03 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. Smith said, "Although ongoing store traffic challenges impacted our top line results, we were able to drive year-over-year improvement in our merchandise margin rate through a more balanced promotional strategy and improved operational execution in our distribution centers. We continue to focus on closely managing inventories and ended the quarter with inventory levels down approximately 10% from a year ago." Separately, the company announced that the Board has mutually agreed with Smith that he will step down as President, CEO and a member of the Board of Directors, effective December 31, 2016. The Board is executing its existing succession planning process and is working with Korn Ferry to conduct a search for a new CEO. Chairman Terry London said that the CEO led a remarkable turnaround of the from 2009 to 2013, creating one of the most profitable specialty stores in the sector. Pier 1 shares gained 3.23 percent on Wednesday to settle at $4.80. Following the news, stock fell 9.38 percent in the after hours trading to $4.35. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The European Central Bank is widely expected to keep its monetary policy unchanged at its meeting on Thursday. At 2.30 am ET, the Bank of France is slated to release sentiment survey results for August. Economists forecast the index to rise to 98 from 96 in July. At 3.00 am ET, consumer prices and foreign trade figures are due from Hungary. Prices are forecast to rise 0.1 percent annually in August reversing a 0.3 percent fall in July. In the meantime, Turkey's industrial production data is due. Economists forecast production to fall 1 percent on a monthly basis in July after easing 1.4 percent in June. At 5.00 am ET, Greece unemployment figures are due for June. The jobless rate stood at 23.5 percent in May. At 6.00 am ET, Ireland's consumer prices data for September is due. Prices had increased 0.5 percent year-on-year in August. At 7.45 am ET, the ECB is scheduled to announce the outcome of its governing council meeting. The central bank is forecast to hold its rates for the fourth straight policy session. The refi rate is expected to remain at a record low zero percent and the deposit rate at -0.40 percent. ECB Chief Mario Draghi holds customary press conference at 8.30 am ET. Economists forecast the bank to keep its current quantitative easing programme unchanged today. 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. Dixons Carphone Plc. (DC.L), a specialist electrical and telecommunications retailer, reported Thursday that its first-quarter Group revenue increased 9% year-on-year on a reported basis, with like-for-like revenue growth of 4%. In local currencies, revenues grew 4 percent. UK & Ireland's reported revenues grew 3 percent and like-for-like revenue went up 4%. The company recorded continued growth in Nordics, with reported revenues up 17 percent and like-for-like revenue up 2%. Southern Europe's reported revenues climbed 24 percent and like-for-like revenue went up 13%, driven by strong growth in Greece. CWS revenues climbed 45 percent in the quarter. Seb James, Group Chief Executive, stated that the company is delivering pleasing growth in all and continued high levels of customer satisfaction. Thus far, it continues to see no detectable impact of the Brexit vote on consumer behaviour in the UK. James added, "Looking forward, we are optimistic about the future and about our ability to continue to outperform, without in any way being complacent." For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Micro Focus International plc (MCFUF.PK,MCRO.L) and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) announced a definitive agreement pursuant to which Micro Focus has agreed to acquire HPE's software segment. The transaction has been structured as a Reverse Morris Trust transaction. HPE Software will, prior to completion, make a payment of approximately $2.5 billion to HPE, financed by newly incurred indebtedness of HPE Software. HPE shareholders will own 50.1% of the enlarged Group's fully diluted share capital upon completion. Approximately 238 million Micro Focus shares would be issued to HPE's shareholders, with a market value of approximately $6.3 billion. The $6.3 billion equity consideration and $2.5 billion debt funding implies an enterprise value for HPE Software of $8.8 billion. Prior to completion, Micro Focus intends to undertake a return of value to its existing shareholders of approximately $400 million equivalent to $1.68 per Micro Focus share. Micro Focus has entered into commitments for a total of $5.5 billion of debt financing related to the transaction with J.P. Morgan including a revolving credit facility of $500 million. HPE Software is a global infrastructure software provider offering a broad range of software across five product portfolio groupings: IT Operations Management, Application Delivery Management, Enterprise Security, Information Management & Governance and Big Data Analytics. Revenues in the twelve months to 30 April 2016 were $3.2 billion. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Slovakia's exports and imports declined for the first time in four months during July, data from the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic showed Thursday. Exports dropped 14.1 percent year-on-year following 3 percent growth in June. Imports declined 1.6 percent annually after a 1.4 percent gain in the previous month. Both declines were the first since March. Consequently, the trade surplus decreased to EUR 59.6 million from EUR 233.7 million a year ago. In June, the surplus was EUR 522.8 million. 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. Fyffes Plc. (FFY.L) announced Thursday the purchase of a Canadian mushroom , All Seasons Mushrooms Inc. for C$59.1 million or 41 million euros. This transaction is expected to be immediately accretive for Fyffes. Given the timing of this deal, the impact on Fyffes 2016 earnings is expected to be limited to a c.1% increase in Adjusted earnings per share, based on the Group's current target earnings ranges. On an annualised basis, the All Seasons transaction would increase Fyffes current 2016 target Adjusted EPS range by c.5%. Fyffes is funding this acquisition through existing bank debt. The company entered the Canadian mushroom industry in April 2016 through the acquisition of Highline Produce Limited. British Columbia-based All Seasons is one of the largest mushroom producers in Western Canada. It is a fully integrated producer operating from four facilities, of which three are owned and one is leased. The current CEO of All Seasons, Frank Moscone, will remain in the business post acquisition. Fyffes Chairman David McCann said, "Together, Highline and All Seasons will be well placed to provide Canadian customers with a consistent supply of the highest quality mushrooms from coast to coast, while continuing to strategically supply US customers with premium and organic mushrooms." In London, Fyffes shares are currently trading at 136 pence, up 1.12 percent. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Apigee (APIC), the API company, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement under which Google will acquire Apigee for $17.40 per share in cash, for a total value of approximately $625 million. Apigee provides a leading API platform. Many of the world's largest organizations select Apigee to enable their digital . Apigee customers include Walgreens, Burberry, Morningstar, and First Data. Diane Greene, SVP of Google's cloud businesses, said: "Companies are moving beyond the traditional ways of communicating like phone calls and visits and instead are communicating programmatically through APIs. APIs allow the company's backend services to talk to the mobile and web-based apps used by their customers and partners." For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The Swiss stock market fluctuated between gains and losses over the course of Thursday's session, but ultimately finished with a slight loss. Investors were focused on today's announcement from the European Central Bank. The ECB left its rates unchanged and reaffirmed that the monthly asset purchases of EUR 80 billion will run until the end of March 2017, or beyond, if necessary. Traders were disappointed that the ECB did not even discuss an extension of asset purchases beyond March 2017. However, further comments from ECB President Mario Draghi offered assurance that the QE program will continue, which seemed to calm the . The Swiss Market Index decreased 0.07 percent Thursday and finished at 8,315.20. The Swiss Leader Index climbed 0.12 percent, but the Swiss Performance Index lost 0.10 percent. Cyclical stocks were under pressure Thursday. Lonza weakened by 1.1 percent, while Galenica and LafargeHolcim both dropped by 1.0 percent. Sika declined 0.9 percent, while Schindler and Clariant both surrendered 0.7 percent each. Givaudan also finished with a loss of 0.4 percent. The weak performance of the index heavyweights also weighed on the overall market. Novartis and Roche both forfeited 0.1 percent each, while shares of Nestle dropped 0.8 percent. Meanwhile, financial stocks were in demand Thursday. Swiss Re and Credit Suisse both climbed 2.0 percent each. Swiss Life increased 1.0 percent UBS rose 0.6 percent and Julius Baer added 0.4 percent. The luxury goods companies bounced back thanks to some positive economic data from China. Watchmakers Richemont and Swatch both gained 0.3 percent each. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis PRAGUE, Author and academic Barnett Rubin, a former senior adviser to the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, is still hopeful that Afghan elite consensus, international support, and regional cooperation will prevent the ship from sinking in Afghanistan amid escalating Taliban violence. RFE/RL: Do you think that the ongoing spike in violence across Afghanistan is in any way related to the international conference on the country in Brussels in October? Barnett Rubin: I dont think so. I think its more related first of all to, of course, the withdrawal of the troops, and its only to be expected that when 100,000 of the worlds best troops leave, it will change the balance of military force in the country, in a way that Im surprised the Taliban have not managed to take advantage of more so. But more important -- and I think this doesnt get as much attention -- a lot of the intelligence apparatus that was used for detecting attacks in advance was also taken out. For example, the three attacks that took place in Kabul on September 5, it could very well be that if the U.S. was still there, with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and so on, there used to be blimps above Kabul city and other monitoring, they might have found the trucks with those bombs before they got to the center of the city. That might be one of the reasons there have been more attacks, particularly in Kabul. RFE/RL: What is your prognosis of the peace process with the Taliban? Do you see it reviving after the quadrilateral process involving China, United States, Pakistan, and Afghanistan collapsed a few months back? Rubin: I am confident talks with resume sooner or later, because there is no alternative to that. And I wouldnt say the quadrilateral process collapsed; it reached an impasse, and now Afghanistan has lost confidence in Pakistans good faith to such an extent that they dont see the use of such talks. And Pakistan has not shown that it has either the capability or the will to bring the Taliban to negotiate in that format. So they will probably need some other format. My personal view is that that format is a good one for negotiating the policies among the United States, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China, but its not a good format for negotiating with the Taliban. I think the Taliban still have their office in Qatar, which they say is the address for negotiation, and there are various reports that they are going to change the status of that office and remove any questions about whether it really represents the movement or not. I dont know if that will happen, but thats the report. The Taliban have always wanted to start their talks with the United States, and not with the Afghan government; of course, the United States did talk to them for about a year. But I think everyone will be waiting to see what the new president of the United States is going to be doing. I doubt therell be much movement until then. The basic problem is that outside of Afghanistan, everyone says the Afghan government needs to negotiate with the Taliban; however, the Afghan government doesnt believe that. It believes it needs to negotiate with Pakistan, who it believes controls the Taliban, and the Taliban dont believe that, because they think they need to negotiate with the United States, which they think runs the Afghan government. So until all these Afghan groups are able to recognize each other as Afghan actors, both of which have a great deal of dependence on their foreign supporters, it will be difficult to have a meaningful dialogue. RFE/RL: This year, Pakistan formally acknowledged its backing of the Taliban when its foreign affairs adviser acknowledged that Taliban leadership is present in their country and they can influence them. Do you think Kabul has a point in claiming Islamabads control over the Taliban? Rubin: In my view, the role of Pakistan should not be -- as in that quadrilateral grouping -- to bring the Taliban to negotiations. The role of Pakistan should be to close their offices and their training camps and say, no more so-called jihad from Pakistan, and they should go back to Afghanistan. After all, their leader [Mullah Akhtar Mohammad] Mansur was killed by a drone [while] riding down a major highway in [the southwestern Pakistani province of] Balochistan in [May], and he wasnt even being followed by the ISI; they didnt even know where he was. That means theyre given a great deal of freedom, more than a lot of other foreigners and even Pakistanis. So they need to start treating them in the same way they treat the TTP (Eds: Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan), except that the Afghan Taliban should be offered the option of going back to Afghanistan, without their arms and dealing with the Afghan government. RFE/RL: What recent motives do you see in Pakistans exerting its influence over the Taliban? Rubin: Of course, what gives Pakistan leverage over the Afghan government and the United States is the belief that Pakistan can control the Taliban. Because if Pakistan has no influence over them, why are we even talking to Pakistan? So they were in this position for many years where they have to deny theyre supporting the Taliban while secretly hoping we believe they control them, kind of like Saddam Husseins weapons of mass destruction. And now theyre in a position where whats started to happen is they had to deliver, and it turned out they were unable. They face a choice: If they dont really have enough control to deliver them, even though theyd agreed to, what will they do? Is Pakistan a country? Is it going to control its own territory or not? RFE/RL: In your experience as an adviser to the State Department, what will Pakistanis tell you when you press them about their support for the Taliban? Rubin: Well, it depends on the type of meeting. They will never agree that they support the Taliban; theyll get very angry if you say that. But theyve stopped denying the Taliban are in Pakistan; theyve stopped denying they might have some influence over the Taliban. But what I understood -- I spent a long, long time talking to them, to the ISI and diplomats -- is they dont want to start a war between the Pakistani government and the Afghan Taliban. They already have a war with the TTP, they have a war in Balochistan, there is some kind of insurgency in Karachi, theyre not very much in control of southern Punjab, and if they attack the Afghan Taliban, they say they will then ally with the TTP and fight the Pakistani Army, and then theyre worried they would get support from Pashtuns in both countries, and thats a nightmare situation for them. So, therefore, their view is the Afghan government should offer them much more to get them back into Afghanistan. But then the Afghan government says -- quite reasonably -- we cant offer them something if we havent spoken to them and we dont know what they want. So they want to talk to them first. But lately Ive been hearing that the Pakistan military has told the Afghan government that its not able to control the ISI offices in Quetta and Peshawar, which, I dont know if thats true, [but] if I were the chief of army staff of Pakistan and that were true, that would be a much bigger threat to the integrity of the state than anything the terrorists could do. RFE/RL: And how do you read into this new Pakistani border management plan to build more border crossings and regulate all the cross-border movements through 18 gates? Do you think this will stop the Taliban from crossing over? Rubin: It doesnt have the purpose of stopping the Taliban in Pakistan from going into Afghanistan. It has the purpose of stopping the Pakistani Taliban and other groups that fight against the Pakistani military [from] then going into Afghanistan and claiming some of safe haven. And the Pakistani government also believes the TTP and related groups are receiving help from India, and from the Afghan government. So maybe they think that by controlling the border in this way they can put a stop to that. And certainly by doing so they can put pressure on the Afghan government, as they recently did by closing the gates at both Torkham and Chaman [border crossings]. And in fact they told me, when I was working in the government and talking to the ISI, that they wanted to fence the border, and of course I pointed out that the people who live in those areas will never accept that because of their relations across the border, but now we see theyre trying to do that. RFE/RL: You are one of the few Western scholars who are actively involved in trying to understand the evolving Chinese approach to this region. China is facing something similar to the Taliban threat to Afghanistan, with the Uighur movement in China, which is influenced by Islam and over the years its links with militant groups such as the Islamist Movement of Uzbekistan, have strengthened. So can China prevail over Pakistan to rein in the Taliban? Rubin: I have found that within the Chinese establishment, there are some different approaches to this problem. Its a problem for China because one, they are concerned with the separatist movements. But its also a problem because now that they are investing so much in Central Asia, and South Asia and around the India Ocean they feel their national and economic interests requires peace and security in that region, and they cant build tens of millions of dollars worth of infrastructure in Pakistan if their engineers are going to be kidnapped by terrorists. They would like Afghanistan to join that project and have signed a protocol with Kabul. So some people in the Chinese government take the line similar to the Pakistan government, which is that the United States and the Afghan government should offer more to the Taliban. Many in the Chinese government, in private, express some frustration with Pakistan. But China is not impatient like the United States, it has a long-term perspective. It thinks that by building this infrastructure, it will enable the Pakistani economy to grow, and provide better livelihoods for the people in Pakistan and provide better incentives to the Pakistani government. There are others in the Chinese establishment who are more concerned and want to coordinate policy on Afghanistan with the United States. They dont speak about that with Pakistan, but they like to at least communicate and try not to get in each others way. What they cannot do is issue an order to Pakistan to stop supporting the Taliban. Because Pakistan is very important to China; its outlet to the Indian Ocean. So sometimes we are a bit frustrated when dealing with China, but compared to eight years ago they have changed their policy and they are much more forward-leaning. RFE/RL: With hundreds of billions of dollars of investments, will China ultimately have enough economic interest that will generate security interest for Beijing to take a leading role in helping Pakistan and Afghanistan resolve their problems? Rubin: Thats certainly what China hopes will happen. Chinese relations with India are increasing very rapidly. China has much more trade with India than it does with Pakistan, just because its a bigger economy. They have stabilized their border issue in northeast India -- Arunachal Pardesh -- with some new understandings and are trying to promote economic understanding. And the Chinese have said at least in private that they would like India to be connected to their Belt and Road initiative. But the only way that could happen is if the India-Pakistan border opens, which is something Pakistan has not been willing to do. But if economic pressure from China and India increases to open this border, which is also important to Afghanistan, it might put Pakistan in an increasingly difficult position. This would at best take many years. RFE/RL: You have known the leadership of the current Afghan national unity government for years. Do you see it surviving the current infighting and delivering in the next few years? Rubin: The national unity government is based on a political agreement and not on the constitution. Its legal, but its an agreement that can be changed. So even if Dr. Abdullah Abdullah says hes not participating in it anymore, Ashraf Ghani is still the president of Afghanistan, and Dr. Abdullah would be the leader of the opposition. If they really split with each other, they both have a great deal to lose, because the international community would not support Afghanistan then, and in a way neither of them can govern all of Afghanistan without the other. But right now the main force keeping them together is that the existence of the Afghan state is dependent on international support. Its true they have different visions. Dr. Abdullah supports a parliamentary system for Afghanistan, but he has for many years been willing to compromise in favor of a semi-presidential system that has both a president and a prime minister. And Ghani believes strongly, of course, in a centralized system in order to implement the reforms that he believes are necessary and eliminate certain kinds of corruption. But he at least did agree to this national unity government, to Abdullah taking the position of CEO, and to the Loya Jirga. Now it looks to some people that he didnt really try what was necessary in carrying out the Loya Jirga. But it does show flexibility on both sides, and they are going to have to be willing to continue doing that because theres too much at stake. RFE/RL: Afghanistan clearly sees its future in regional cooperation with big-ticket projects such the Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan India (TAPI) gas pipeline and the Central Asia South Asia 1000 electricity line. Do you see a future for regional cooperation with Afghanistan at the center? Rubin: Its impossible to deny the future of Afghanistan depends on it having cooperative relations with its neighbors and its neighbors having relatively cooperative or at least non-hostile relations with each other, because Afghanistan is landlocked. Now, cooperation is very difficult if you try to generate it from a multitude of small actors, because whos going to implement it? You have cooperation in Europe -- NATO, the EU, other organizations, largely because the United States provides a security umbrella for originally just Western Europe but now much more of Europe, so theres much more incentive to cooperate. There hasnt been any such force in this region. But now with the growth of the Chinese economy, and to a lesser extent the Indian economy, and the increased interest of the United States, and also possibly if it succeeds the decrease of tensions between the U.S. and Iran, its possible that those really big countries will be able to agree among themselves on some framework for cooperation. Now the danger is -- and this is a real danger -- they will instead each develop their own frameworks for cooperation. Because now NATO is alone in Europe -- there used to be NATO and the Warsaw Pact. Its possible that the Chabahar project, the TAPI project, will become part of India-Iran cooperation, and the Chinese One Belt, One Road initiative will [create] competition between Chinese-led, India-led and the United States in that case would probably go with India. But I think that nobody in the United States nor China or India wants that. So in my view the future of the region involves finding ways to avoid that, and enabling these three powers to work together despite what would necessarily be their ongoing conflict. RFE/RL: Can you imagine the Afghan government generating enough sources to fight the current war? Do you see enough consensus among the current Afghan elite, and internationally, to help Afghanistan become a peaceful, democratic country? Rubin: Well, I dont know if theres enough consensus among the Afghans. And its not only a psychological question, or about ideology, but if you dont have enough resources to make a state function or enable everybody to participate, no ones going to have a consensus about supporting it. Theyre going to want to fight to have something that works for them. Weve seen that happen in the past. So the best way to encourage that consensus is to keep funding the Afghan state so that its able to support itself. But it will never be able to support security services the size that it has now, which are not succeeding against the Taliban. So peace is a must for Afghanistan, economically and for the sake of the stability of the state. As far as international consensus is concerned, the original consensus around Afghanistan in 2001/2002, was a counterterrorist consensus. Every country supported -- except for maybe Pakistan, although they also assisted it -- the U.S. intervention in Afghanistan to uproot Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, on the basis of counterterrorism. And then, of course, the countries in the region are not only threatened by the Taliban, or Al-Qaeda; some of them also feel threatened by the United States. So the balance began to shift as the United States kept its forces there for a longer period of time. And countries like Iran and Russia became more concerned about the United States than about the Taliban, and now you have the added factor of ISIS coming into the region. But during these past 15 years, weve created a number of platforms for all of these countries to discuss these issues together, and come up with some common projects, and are working actively to sustain the Afghan state, although in very different ways. The main threat now is that countries in the region that see Afghanistan as a threat to them or see threats coming to them from Afghanistan. Of course, Pakistan has always perceived that. Russia is concerned about the American presence in Afghanistan, and Russia is now very actively trying to expand its presence in the Middle East and Im sure in Asia, as well. China used to consider the American presence there as aiming to contain China, but now theyve concluded that America is not a threat to China, instability is a threat to China and therefore they prefer for the United States to stay involved. Iran -- and Russia also -- are very concerned about ISIS (Islamic State militants) in Afghanistan. The Americans withdrew all their troops along the Iranian border, so they are not as concerned as before. And I think that people have learned that if they really dont cooperate and if they destabilize Afghanistan, theres a very high price to pay. But nonetheless, I cant rule out that Congress at some point will reduce funding to Afghanistan, that will intensify conflicts in Kabul, the coalition that supports the government will break up, and different parts of it will be supported by different foreign powers -- it could happen. But its not inevitable or even likely. fg/ Airbnb plans to fight racism and discrimination after months of criticism and instances of racism. The company said it is going to implement a new anti-discrimination policy. Airbnb is an online marketplace that enables people to list, find, then rent vacation homes for a processing fee. For past few months, African-American users have been complaining about discrimination against them on the platform. "Bias and discrimination have no place on Airbnb, and we have zero tolerance for them," Chief Executive Officer Brian Chesky wrote in an email to users. "Unfortunately, we have been slow to address these problems, and for this I am sorry." Airbnb will now lower the prominence of user photos and will give more importance to trip details, reviews and verified Ids. The company will also require anti-bias training for its employees and create a team focused on promoting diversity. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Afghan officials say Taliban militants have pushed into the capital of the southern province of Uruzgan. All checkpoints around Tarin Kowt were overrun or destroyed early on September 8, provincial spokesman Doost Mohammad Nayab said, adding that security forces were in control only of the citys police headquarters. Top provincial leaders have retreated to the citys airport, which houses an Afghan military base, according to an unidentified police official. However, provincial police chief Mohamad Wais Samimi later said the Taliban had been repelled from Tarin Kowt. All parts of the city and all districts are in our hands, he said. The offensive in Uruzgan Province come as overstretched Afghan security forces and a U.S.-led military mission has been focused on confronting Taliban attacks in the nearby province of Helmand and the northern city of Kunduz. Government forces also are battling Islamic State militants in the eastern province of Nangarhar. Based on reporting by Reuters and AP PRAGUE, For more than two decades, Pakistan has been accused of creating and sustaining the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan as one of the biggest and most ruthless surrogate forces in modern times. A leading Western expert of the region, however, says the reality of this opaque relationship is much more complex. Barnett Rubin, a New York University academic, says Islamabads control is akin to Saddam Husseins weapons of mass destruction. While the former Iraqi dictator wanted friends and foes to believe he had destructive chemical, biological, and possibly nuclear arms, Western militaries found little concrete evidence of such weapons after deposing him in 2003. They [the Pakistanis] were in this position for many years where they have to deny that theyre supporting the Taliban while secretly hoping we believe they control them, said Rubin, who advised the U.S. State Department on Afghanistan and Pakistan for four years. What gives Pakistan leverage over the Afghan government and the United States is the belief that Pakistan can control the Taliban, he said. Because if Pakistan has no influence over them, why are we even talking to Pakistan? After the 2014 departure of most international troops from Afghanistan, Kabul and Washington leaned on Islamabad to deliver the Taliban for peace talks. But the Taliban only participated in one round of peace talks in July 2015. They even publically complained of Pakistani arm-twisting afterward. Now theyre in a position where whats started to happen is they had to deliver, and it turned out they were unable, Rubin said of Islamabads efforts to coerce the Taliban into negotiations with Kabul. They face a choice: If they dont really have enough control to deliver them, even though theyd agreed to, what will they do? Is Pakistan a country? Is it going to control its own territory or not? (Read the complete transcript of his interview here) In March, Sartaj Aziz, Pakistan's adviser for foreign affairs, admitted that Islamabad has considerable influence over the Taliban because its leaders live in the country. "We have some influence over them because their leadership is in Pakistan, and they get some medical facilities, Aziz said at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank in Washington. "We can use those levers to pressurize them to say, 'Come to the table. In subsequent months, however, a quadrilateral forum of officials from China, Pakistan, the United States, and Afghanistan was unable to entice the Taliban into talks despite Islamabads promises to exert its influence. Rubin says Kabul has lost confidence in Islamabads leverage to the extent that it sees no use for such talks. Pakistan has not shown it has either the capability or the will to bring the Taliban to negotiate in that [quadrilateral] format, he said. The Afghan government] believes it needs to negotiate with Pakistan, who it believes controls the Taliban, and the Taliban dont believe that, because they think they need to negotiate with the United States, which they think runs the Afghan government. In his role as a senior adviser to U.S. special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan from 2009 to 2013, Rubin had opportunities to discuss the issue with Pakistani officials including members of its Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) spy agency. He says that in the initial years, Pakistani even strongly denied the Taliban presence in their country but later acknowledged they were present in Pakistan and were influenced by Islamabad. He says Pakistani officials are fearful of provoking another armed conflict as they deal with domestic security challenges such as a war with the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the northwestern tribal areas and a simmering separatist insurgency by Baluch nationalists in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan. If they [Pakistanis] attack the Afghan Taliban, they say, they will then ally with the TTP and fight the Pakistan army, he said. Then theyre worried they would get support from Pashtuns in both countries, and thats a nightmare situation for them. Such a prognosis, Rubin says, has prompted Pakistan to demand the Afghan government offer more concessions to get the Taliban back into Afghanistan. But then the Afghan government says -- quite reasonably -- we cant offer them something if we havent spoken to them and we dont know what they want. So they want to talk to them first, he said, referring to years of diplomatic efforts that saw the Taliban establish a political office in the Qatari capital Doha and Kabul create a peace council to oversee reconciliation among Afghans. Rubin says that to break the current impasse, Islamabad should deny the Taliban the freedom of maneuvering they currently enjoy. Their leader [Mullah Akhtar Mohammad] Mansur was killed by a [U.S] drone while riding down a major highway in Balochistan, and he wasnt even being followed by the ISI; they didnt even know where he was, he said. That means theyre given a great deal of freedom, more than a lot of other foreigners and even Pakistanis. Rubin says Pakistan should treat the Afghan insurgents the same way it deals with its own rebels. [Pakistanis] need to start treating them in the same way they treat the TTP, he said. The role of Pakistan should be to close their offices and their training camps and say, no more so-called jihad from Pakistan. Rubin says he has heard that Pakistans military has told the Afghan government that it is not able to control ISIs offices in the western cities of Quetta and Peshawar near the Afghan border. Kabul believes most Afghan Taliban leaders operate from these two cities. I dont know if thats true, [but] if I were the chief of army staff of Pakistan, that would be a much bigger threat to the integrity of the state than anything the terrorists could do, he noted. fg/ SIOUX CITY A mothers Facebook post thanking a Woodbury County deputy for his kindness during a traffic stop went viral Thursday. Mindy Mathewson, of Sioux City, posted on the Woodbury County Sheriffs Office Facebook page describing her experience after being pulled over by Deputy Kyle Cleveringa around 3 a.m. Wednesday. Mathewson said she was driving her 1-year-old son to the hospital because he was having a hard time breathing. While traveling, she was pulled over by Cleveringa at 19th and Nebraska streets, who told her a taillight and license plate light were out. Mathewson told him of her situation, and the three-year Woodbury County officer and father of two looked at the child in the backseat. Cleveringa said he could tell the child was having trouble breathing so he got back into his car and followed her to the hospital. Once we got there, I saw she had a bunch of stuff in the vehicle, and I offered to help her out, Cleveringa said Thursday. He then carried the items with her into the emergency room. And while Mathewson was filling out paperwork, Cleveringa held the child, gave him a stuffed toy truck and was helping to comfort him by talking to him and giving him hi-fives, the mothers post read. The post ended, P.S. My son is fine and I will fix those lights asap! As of 4:45 p.m. Thursday, Mathewsons post had over 6,400 likes, 139 comments and 770 shares on Facebook. I didnt realize I was going to be Facebook famous this morning. My wife called me last night right away and said, My phone is blowing up about you, and Im like, I hope that is a good thing, Cleveringa laughed. To make his act of kindness even sweeter, at the time of the traffic stop, he was filling in for a fellow deputy who had just had a child. Ive got two boys at home, and obviously I hope somebody would do the same thing for them, Cleveringa, a native of the Orange City area, said. There are more situations that are more important than traffic stops. Humble Cleveringa has worked for the sheriffs department for three years. I work with a lot of good guys too, whether its the (Sioux City Police Department) or (the Iowa State Patrol) I really wouldnt be surprised to hear of them doing the same thing, he said. The only difference was, Mindy took the time to write that heartfelt response and thank you and I appreciate that 100 percent. Being a dad, its a difficult situation, and I understand you are kind of panicked and I offered to give a little help. My family and I are very thankful for deputy Cleveringa and everything he did for my son and I this morning, the post stated. He went above and beyond, and I cannot thank him enough. Sheriff Dave Drew also shared his thoughts after reading the post. I was very proud of Deputy Cleveringa, as Ive always been proud of the strides hes made and obstacles hes overcome, Drew, who is on vacation this week, said in a statement. He is like many law enforcement officers who serve this great nation. We are fortunate to have the very best here in Siouxland. Alex Boisjolie is a reporter for the Sioux City Journal, another Lee Enterprises newspaper. NEW YORK (AP) A photographer who put thousands of pictures in the public domain gave up her right to complain when others sell them, photo agencies and affiliated companies say in court papers. Getty Images and other companies argued in papers filed in Manhattan federal court Tuesday and Wednesday that Carol Highsmith's $1.1 billion lawsuit against them must be thrown out. Seattle-based Getty Images said Highsmith "cannot complain when members of the public, including businesses, make use of the photos for commercial purposes." Highsmith, a renowned photographer whose pictures have been featured in books, newspapers and magazines and on two postage stamps, shares thousands of her photographs for free with the public through the Library of Congress in an arrangement that is over a quarter century old. In its court papers, Getty Images noted that publishers charge money for their copies of novels by Charles Dickens or for Shakespeare plays even though those are in the public domain. The company's lawyers said the lawsuit was "an attempt to regain some measure of legal protection for the Highsmith photos that plaintiff Highsmith relinquished years ago." "It is thus impossible to infringe a copyright in those works, as no copyright exists," they said. In a separate filing, Alamy Inc. attacked the lawsuit as meritless "with an absurd $1.1 billion price tag." The United Kingdom-based company said it joined in the arguments of Getty and License Compliance Services Inc., a company that sent a letter to Highsmith's website last December demanding a $120 payment for use of a photograph Highsmith took of a badminton shuttlecock outside the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri. In its court papers, LCS acknowledged that its letters are sternly worded as it explained that it provides a security-guard-type service for companies such as Getty and Alamy by challenging those who appear to use their products to ensure they have paid for them. LCS, a Delaware corporation with offices in Seattle and London, said it dropped the matter when Highsmith said she took the picture herself. LCS lawyers said the amount of money sought by the lawsuit was "outlandish" and Highsmith's lawyers "irresponsibly seek to twist a provision of the Copyright Act meant to safeguard copyrighted works into the vehicle for their own windfall." Joseph C. Gioconda, an attorney for Highsmith, said in an email that his client and her not-for-profit organization, This is America Inc., disagree with the defendants' arguments and look forward to addressing the issues in court. -AP While the new look of the village at Leauvaa has been compared by some to a runway at the airport, the matai and faipule of the village are happy with their work. Despite remarks being made that a plane may soon land there, the leaders are pleased to have invested in a permanent improvement to their village. The lights on the side of the road start from the beginning of the village and continue along the sides of the road to the end. In an interview with the Leauvaa mayor, Sagote Laki Mulitalo, he said the idea came from the matais and faipule of the village. In the past years, the village has spent a lot of money on temporary things to make the village look beautiful in the eyes of tourists. But this time we thought, why not spend money on a permanent project that will ensure we dont have to spend any money on it again? said Sagote. So the mayors and our matais came up with idea of having permanent lights on the side of the road especially with the Teuila Festival coming up. So we have worked on this for about three weeks and now its done Sagote went on to say that some people might have the idea that the village is trying to get praise from the government and other people but he said that is not the case. This is all about beautifying our village and especially with the Teuila Festival celebrations happening. Also a lot of government meetings are being held here so we thought this is a good chance to let the tourists know that we as Samoans are all about beauty. We care about our lands and we care about our village hence why we have come up with this project. For now, he said that cash power is being used for the lights. Every family is responsible for ensuring that these lights are on, he said. However it wont be for long and when the project is completely finished, then we will help out. On Saturday night the village held a ceremony to officially light up their new project in the village. New Zealand media couple, Mary Lambie and Jim Mora are heading our way for the Ford Tour of Samoa. Their three tween children are coming too, and all are riding in the Tour starting next Monday. The Mora / Lambie family have done some riding together, tackling the Otago Rail Trail earlier this year. And when Mary heard of the Tour of Samoa from her Spin Class instructor at Les Mills in Auckland, she was all in for the fun, and challenge. Mary will ride in the main tour while Jim and the children daughter 13yrs, and 12 year old twin boys - will ride their own race at their own pace and following the Tour. The couple are well known Kiwi media personalities. Mary fronted the Good Morning show on TV One for a number of years. When the show moved to Wellington, the prospect of moving the family away from Auckland did not appeal. Mary left morning television to concentrate on their young family. She now also has her own business, a Subway outlet in the C.B.D. of Auckland. Jim is a radio journalist frontman who has worked tirelessly for Radio New Zealand for a number of years. He used to front the popular Afternoons show. He now hosts the The Panel from 4-5pm and then co-hosts Checkpoint after that with Mary Wilson. Jim is also in the process of publishing his first novel, a comedy about how the world works. Mary will join four other women on the Tour. That is two up from last year when there were only three women riders. She makes no bones on how tough the rides will be for her. It has been a tough year for her, losing her mother suddenly only a few months ago. She has not done a lot of training, apart from the regular spin classes at Les Mills. But those are only 1-hour long sessions. For this type of race, riders will need a lot of endurance to sit on their bike for up to six hours at a time. A prospect that is not lost on Mary. This will be a tough ride for me, particularly with very little training. Im not sure Ill have company on the ride. Its a long way and some of those hills will slow me down to stationary. One consolation is that she has done a couple of long one day races. She has completed the Taupo 160 Challenge. That is longer than any of the stages on the Tour. The family at least is looking forward to riding together. The family will be apart only one night during the week. The rest of the time Jim and the children will bed in with the main Tour at the various stops along the way. And on the last day of the Tour, the whole family will ride together in the Victory Ride to Apia from Mulifanua to the centre of Town. NZ Womens Weekly magazine is very interested in Marys journey in Samoa. She is looking to give a good account of herself on the tour as the basis of that story. The Ford Tour of Samoa runs from Monday, 12th September to Saturday 17th September. It involves four Stage Days of 100km per day. There is a Teams Relay around Savaii on the fifth day. On the last day of the ride is the Victory Ride to Apia from Amoa Resort on Savaii. An invitation has been put out for all cyclists to join the Victory ride, when the Tour reaches Mulifanua at 11am. There are three stops along the way for riders to join in, at Mulifanua wharf, the Afega Village market and at the ANZ at Vaitele. NEW YORK (AP) Donald Trump's campaign is ending its practice of barring selected news outlets from covering the Republican presidential nominee's events. Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks said the practice would end Thursday. The campaign had barred The Washington Post, Politico, Buzzfeed, The Daily Beast, The Huffington Post, Univision and others from covering his rallies, news conferences and other formal campaign events. "Revoking press credentials was imprudent, pointless, and offensive from the start," said Martin Baron, the executive editor of the Post. "We're pleased to see the ban come to a long-overdue end." Trump frequently uses the media as a foil and often complains about the press coverage he receives. He did so again Wednesday when explaining why he was ending the practice. "I figure they can't treat me any worse!" Trump said in a statement to CNN, which first reported the ban's end. The ban began in the early days of Trump's campaign last summer, when the celebrity businessman barred a reporter from The Des Moines Register from an event after the newspaper published an editorial calling for him to drop out of the race. Last month, he threatened to expand it to The New York Times. "Maybe we'll start thinking about taking their press credentials away from them," Trump said of the Times at a rally in Connecticut. "When they write dishonest stories, we should be a little bit tough." Trump did not follow through on that threat. Journalists from the barred organizations were at times able to enter events as members of the general public, but they were sometimes escorted out after security recognized them as members of the media. In July, a Post reporter was patted down at a Mike Pence event and forced to leave. But Pence, Trump's running mate, said he would advocate reconsidering the ban. Reporters from the barred outlets recently started taking part in what's known as the print pool, in which a single reporter from a group of newspapers and other outlets covers events that can't accommodate large numbers of reporters for all members of the group. The end of the ban comes as Hillary Clinton, criticized repeatedly by Trump and Republican for not holding a formal news conference in months, has also increased her level of access to journalists. Starting this week, she has begun flying on the same plane the reporters who travel with campaign and held informal news conferences, known as gaggles, onboard her plane on Monday and Tuesday. Trump also allowed reporters onto his plane for one flight this week, but has not committed to traveling with reporters full-time. That is a standard practice for the major party nominees for president, as well as the sitting president. Ten applicants have expressed interest in the vacant Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour (M.C.I.L) Chief Executive Officer position. Minister of Public Enterprises, Lautafi Selafi Purcell said the applicants are well qualified people with degrees and masters. Lautafi told the Samoa Observer that the applicants include people from overseas. He declined to give names of the applicant. However, he said the position has been vacant for a while and needs someone to occupy it. We need someone soon to run the place, said the Minister who is also responsible for M.C.I.L. We have Assistant Chief Executive Officer rotating (as Acting C.E.O) but they too have their own work to do and its not fair on them. According to the Minister after the process of short-listing and doing interviews a new C.E.O. should be appointed before the end of September. The C.E.O. position remains vacant following the passing away of the former C.E.O. Peseta Margaret Malua in June. Heavy machineries used at the abandoned desiccated coconut factory in Vaitele in which the Samoa National Provident Fund (S.N.P.F) invested $3.7million have been removed. The machines include storage tanks and processing machines have been taken to Papalii Panoa Moalas shed at Nuu. A few other machines remain on the premises to be taken to Nuu. Several men were at the Vaitele factory this week working on dismantling the machines and clearing the warehouse. One of the men who is not authorised to speak to the media said the machines might be dusty but they are still functional. He added they were only instructed to dismantle the machines. Contacted for a comment yesterday, Papalii who is also the former Chief Executive Officer of S.N.P.F. said his shed at Nuu is only being used for storage. He told the Samoa Observer that Tupuola Afa Lesa had contacted him if the machines could be taken to his shed. It has nothing to do with me, said Papalii. Afa rang me and asked if he could use the shed to store the machines. I have only been told that there is a new tenant and the machines need to be removed but speak to Afa about it. Tupuola Afa Lesa was the owner of the Paradise Coconut Oil Ltd and was the last company to use the facility at Vaitele. It was not possible to get a comment from Tupuola yesterday. His office was contacted and the secretary said Tupuola was not at the office. In response to an email from the Samoa Observer, S.N.P.F. Acting C.E.O, Sine Lafaialii Koria said all the machineries and equipments for the factory are owned by Mr. Lesa hence, he has the right to remove them and store them in any place he deems safe. Some of the machineries, specifically the small ones have been moved to Papaliis property to ensure that they are safe, she said. The rest of the machineries namely the big ones are stored at the back of the factory. We cannot give you an estimated cost of the machineries as there is no valuation on hand for them. The Fund will discuss with Mr. Lesa what will happen to the machineries. One of the options is to obtain a valuation and sell them. Mrs. Koria explained that there was a successful bidder at the close of our tender for the coconut factory but the deal fell through. She explained the Fund received about 3 bids at the close of its tender for the property. However, only one of the bidders wanted to use the factory as is (with machineries). The lease was approved to this organisation but the deal fell through as afore mentioned and the lease was not signed. The rest of the bidders indicated their need to lease the property for a general warehouse hence the decision to remove the machineries from the factory so that the property can be leased as a warehouse. The Acting C.E.O. pointed out since the deal with the winning bidder fell through, the Fund decided to remove all the machineries from the factory and lease out the property as a warehouse as it appears from the response to the tender that people are more interested in the leasing the property as a warehouse. The Vaitele coconut factory has been abandoned for some years after the Paradise Coconut Oil Ltd expired its lease. The company did not renew the lease and it resulted in the multi-million tala property being publicly advertised for lease. In 2005 the government opened the $3.7million facility at Vaitele. At the time the then Minister of Finance, Misa Telefoni said the production plant leased by Desico Samoa from the S.N.P.F. was an investment for contributors and in the coconut industry. Last year, Papalii Panoa was asked about the wasted millions gone to the deserted production plant. In response he said the project was done out of good intention and he did not eat a cent from it. Papalii said the Desico project was based on a feasibility study done by a local consultant group and the World Bank. He added the S.N.P.F. can always sell the 3acres of land and building at Vaitele to recover the money. In June this year S.N.P.F. had to readvertise the Vaitele factory when the bids it attracted were too low. S.N.P.F. Chief Investment Officer, Petra Suhren Chang Tung said none of the bidders recived have any interest in using the machines at the Desico factory so the Fund had decided to allow time to remove the machineries and then re-advertise the factory again. Mrs. Chang Tung explained that the prices offered by interested bidders were too low, relative to the value of the property and thus the required return. After a very promising start in April, Samoa Helicopters Company has ended its services in Samoa. The door to the companys office at Sails Restaurant in Sogi has been closed for some time now and the helicopter is no longer seen next to the seawall where it used to land. In response to an email from the Samoa Observer, Samoa Helicopter Founder, Rodger Mc Cutcheon said it was very disappointing to have to stop the helicopter operation. The main reason for stopping flying was due to the Australia company, who part owns the helicopter going into receivership and withdrawing support for the service, said Mr. McCutcheon. The fact we were operating under the Australian Companies licenses for a six month period, I had no choice but to stop flying as the receivership immediately revokes the licenses. The Founder said he has worked hard at trying to get the helicopter sold to local investors. I have a very experienced Kiwi pilot/engineer wanting to come and fly in Samoa and I have also organised additional engineering support from New Zealand, he said. The helicopter was close to being shipped out but I am working hard with local support to save it. Samoa Helicopters has not gone broke as some may have thought but we do need to pay out the Australians and work with the local aviation authorities to register and license the service in Samoa. It would be a great loss after all the good work and support to not be able to complete the buy out and retain the life saving service for Samoa. Mr. Mc Cutcheon thanked all Samoa for the support. I will not give up until all hope is lost. In a recent email from the Founder when he was questioned about the companys operation, he said Samoa Helicopters is going through a change of new ownership. He said; In the first two months of operation, it became clear we need to focus on a funded emergency services helicopter so this is what I'm working hard on at present. The helicopter is going through a change of ownership, it will be owned and registered in Samoa and will be flown by New Zealand pilots and Samoan paramedics. When the company started its operation this year the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, threw his support behind it. At that time Tuilaepa endorsed the new investors operation to provide medical evacuation and search and rescue operations. When it comes to private investments where lives will be saved then government must take decisive action, said Tuilaepa. It is utter nonsense and ridiculous for any government to discard a service of this nature. You have the governments blessing and support. The future of the joint venture between Virgin Australia and the government remains undecided. And with the deadline for a decision looming in October, the pressure is on the government to decide whether to continue or not. Cabinet has already appointed a Special Committee to explore the options. But the Minister of Public Enterprises, who is also responsible for Polynesian Airlines, Lautafi Selafi Purcell said whatever the decision is, at the end of the day; it has to be what is best for Samoa in the long term. The Minister said a key factor in the decision is the knowledge that Air New Zealand continues to dominate flights to and from Samoa to New Zealand and Australia. The Airline recently posted a pre-tax profit of NZ$663 million. We want to try and break that monopoly, said Lautafi. But in doing that, Lautafi admits that Polynesian Airlines has an aging aircraft fleet. We want to give our people and tourists other options when they come to Samoa. A new airplane is another option but the government has to consider if that is the best option. We cant just say lets go with this plan for the next three yearswe have to formulate a realistic long term approach. Part of Polynesian improving their service and standards is replacing the current aircraft with newer models. According to the Minister the two aircraft serving the route to American Samoa are old. He added it was part of the reason why the airline encountered delays three weeks ago and had to bring in a Fijian aircraft to continue the service. The Minister reminded that the problem with a monopoly is that it would end up costing the public more to travel. Even if Air N.Z. says that the return fare from N.Z. to Samoa is $2,600 for the three hour flight, people will still pay for it, said Lautafi. Its got to be the most expensive route per kilometer in the world and our people are affected by it. The problem is when there is a funeral or a church meeting happening it doesnt matter how expensive the fare is, our people will still pay and that is the reality of business in these things. The government is looking at a long term solution to this. Lautafi said the Air NZ airline continues to dominate the air service business and despite the expensive airfares from the airline - Samoans abroad and tourists still pay up. An example used by the Minister to compare to the situation in the route between New Zealand and Australia is the route between American Samoa and Samoa. Lautafi said Polynesian which had serviced the route between the Samoan islands did not have competition. But now with the introduction of the Talofa Airways Limited offering service in the territory, Lautafi said it will keep Polynesian on their toes. The government is very happy that we have local people to run an airline to compete with Polynesian, he said. Governments priority is to supply the service to the people and weve had some sad stories of people sitting at Tafuna airport for a whole day. Now, Polynesian has to up their standards and game to compete with Talofa. The government looks at what is best for the people and while we like to make money, we dont want to sacrifice the needs of traveling people so we can dominate. CEDAR RAPIDS The presidential campaigns of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump trotted out surrogates Thursday in a series of tit-for-tat appearances and conference calls to question the fitness of their respective opponents. In Cedar Rapids, former Iowan, University of Iowa graduate and Reagan administration staffer Doug Elmets asked, How can any self-respecting human being look at Donald Trump and say he should be the leader of this country? Although he has made contributions to Democratic candidates, Elmets said he has never voted for a Democrat since casting his first vote in a presidential election in 1980 for Ronald Reagan. In contrast to Trump, who will campaign in Clive Sept. 13, he said, Clinton is more prepared to be president than anyone in modern history. However, Col. LaVerne Anderson, retired from the Army after nearly 43 years of service and chairman of Iowa Veterans for Trump, said revelations about Clintons mishandling of sensitive intelligence material should disqualify her as being president. I think Hillary Clinton and the current administration have endangered our nations security, Anderson said on a conference call. Not only did Hillary expose classified information to actors on her unsecured, I would say home brew, email server and that has weakened the decision making in Iraq, Syria, Libya, and its turned those countries into a breeding ground for radical Islamic terror. While Elmets argued there is no comparison between his former boss and Trump, who he called a an empty suit, phony and someone lacking grace and humility who offers crazy notions, Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Jeff Kaufmann said comments the GOP nominee made during a national security forum Wednesday reminded him of Reagans peace through strength approach. I believe thats what Donald Trump represents, I believe thats what Donald Trump can deliver, he said. Rod Boshart of the Globe Gazette Des Moines Bureau contributed to this story. WATERLOO A retired North Carolina homicide detective is in Waterloo this week to help rebuild bridges between the community and law enforcement. Garry McFadden, whose community relations initiatives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department have won national awards and an invitation to the White House, is scheduled to be in town through Saturday. The public will be invited to a community round table discussion jointly sponsored by the Waterloo Police Department, local NAACP chapter and Mayor Quentin Hart from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Waterloo Center for the Arts. Im passionate about this, McFadden said. My concept and my approach is going to be totally different. Hart and Safety Services Director Dan Trelka visited McFadden in Charlotte last month and got approval from City Council members to spend up to $2,500 for his trip to Waterloo. The 35-year veteran police officer now works on community initiatives in Charlotte and as a consultant. He said hes versed on troubles facing Waterloo, including neighborhood violence and several lawsuits brought by African-American residents claiming police abuse. Both sides want to be treated equally law enforcement wants to be treated fairly and the community wants to be treated fairly, McFadden said. Im going to make sure everybody understands its going to take more than what you believe to make it work. McFadden plans to meet with neighborhood organization leaders, two police department shifts, council members, the NAACP, Human Rights Commission, Eastside Ministerial Alliance and others during his stay. On Friday, he plans trips around the community to meet people who are not at the table. LaTanya Graves, president of the local NAACP chapter, hopes McFaddens trip can help resolve a growing chasm of trust between police and the black community. Ive been getting calls and a lot of people are upset about what theyve seen, she said. A lot of people are saying they dont hold officers accountable for going overboard. Graves said shes urging people not to be discouraged. She was encouraged the police and NAACP to work together to host the round table discussion. Mayor Hart said hes been working on a community policing initiative since taking office in January but didnt have funding for training and McFaddens visit until the new budget year in July. But he said McFaddens visit is very relevant given the lawsuits and concerns raised both about shootings and the police lawsuits. Weve had some bumps along the way and may have some more, he said. In times like now we need to work as hard as we can to build up trust and make a change for the future. Community policing is more than just an officer walking up and waving at someone in a store. Its a philosophy, an approach, Hart added. It has to start with the community; it has to start with our police department. Some television viewers may recognize McFadden, who has been featured on Americas Most Wanted, The First 48 and The Justice Files. The Investigative Discovery channel presented a series I Am Homicide this year, which focused on several of his cases. A cops and barbers program McFadden started with three local barbers focused on community relations was cited as a top 10 initiative by President Obamas Task Force on 21st Century Policing in 2015. Since I was small, Ive been a reader. And when I find a book that I loveIll read it again and again. Yearly, if not more. As a kid, those books were the Little House on the Prarie series, Heidi (I read it every single time I was sick)and later books like Jane Eyre and Rebecca. My idea of THE ULTIMATE is laying in a hammock on a breezy balcony reading a great book. Or travelling to experience some place new. Love of travel or wanderlust or itchy feet or vagabondage (thats a real word!) is tough to shake. Soif you cant get out there and travel at this very moment, here are some books that make you feel like youve visited a new place. You can plan the actual trip later. Here are some of my favorite books that really make me want to travel. The Great Railway Bazaar , Paul Theroux: Paul Theroux is an amazing writer, my travel hero. In this book, published in 1975, he takes a 4 month train journey from London to Asia (India, Japan and more) and back. He recounts his travels through the characters he meets and his dry dry humor. It makes you want to take an epic train journey. The Old Patagonian Express (his train journey from Boston to Argentina is also a great read.) PLUS, his nephew is married to Jennifer Aniston. OMG. An Embarrassment of Mangoes: A Caribbean Interlude by Anne Vanderhoof The story of a couple in their 40s who rent out their home, buy a sail boat and head down from the Great Lakes to Grenada and back for two years. Island hopping. The description of the other boaters and the people they meet in the Caribbean is SO vivid. Its made even more so through the constant talk of fruit and food and all of the recipes she scatters throughout the book. The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough (my adult sick book) is an over-the-top generational romance set in the bleak nowhere-land of the Australian outback. Epic droughts, plagues of locusts, unrequited lovethis book is GOOD and makes me want to travel. Bill Bryson does it to me every time. A good natured American travelling solo, making incredibly astute observations and always finding something funny. Ive read a bunch but these are my favorites. In a Sunburned Country : Ive always been a history buff and the idea of Australia didnt do much for me. But this book tells of Bills travels from one side of the giant country to the other and its hilarious. As he says, there are more things that can kill you in a horrible way in Australia than anywhere else. A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail . Middle aged Bryson hikes this trail, trudging, huffing and puffing and makes it super funny and informative. If anyone is up for the 2000 mile hike through 14 states, Im totally game. I might last about 15 miles but we could give it a go. Eat, Pray, Love: One Womans Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia Oh good grief I love this book. Gilbert finds herself after a tough divorce by eating her way through Italy (sigh), going to an ashram in India (made me TOTALLY want to do that one day) and finding love in Bali (double sigh). If youve seen the movie and are thinking you dont need to read the book? You are wrong. Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster , John Krakauer: After months of preparation and climbing, a deadly storm kills 8 climbers as they near the top of Everest. You in? No. Me neither. But you cant put this book down and it makes me want to do something physical that I didnt think I could do. Maybe Kilimanjaro? Or Victoria Peak? One day. The 2nd is on my Belize Bucket List. Papillon (P.S.) by Henri A crazy jail break from an isolated impenetrable island prison off the coast of French Guiana in the 1930s. The main character, called Papillon for the butterfly tattoo on his chest, is on the run across the southern Caribbean for years before he finally lands in Venezuala. Its hard to put downand strangely makes me want to visit the North Coast of South America. Shantaram: A Novel by Gregory David Roberts: Another prison break! This time a convicted armed robber escapes from a prison in Australia to India on his way to Europe. But he finds that Mumbai is the perfect place to disappear. India! The Sex Lives of Cannibals: Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific by J. Marteen Troost, The American author and his wife move to the tiny island of Kiribati in the South Pacific expecting paradise and find that they are completely out of their element. Power shortages, trash and a government that is completely inept. He calls it coconut Stalinism but as he says at least Stalin got some things done. Super funny book. American Terroir: Savoring the Flavors of Our Woods, Waters, and Fields by Rowan Jacobsen This is a book about food. It explains why the best American maple syrup is made in the craggy hills of New England, the smoothest avocados are from Mexico and why location matters. It makes you want to visit each and every spot. Maybe go fishing in the Yukon River. River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze (P.S.) , The memoir of a man who joins the Peace Corp when China first opens up to foreigners and his experience in a city in China as one of the first visitors. A great read and it really makes me want to go to China. The Poisonwood Bible: A Novel Missionaries pack up their young family and move from Georgia to Belgian Congo, Africa (now the democratic Republic of the Congo). They are ill preparedto say the least. EXTREME culture shock and a great book. Travels (Vintage Departures) , Michael Crichton I loved many of Michael Crichtons fiction bestsellersand there were LOTS. His books, from Jurassic Park to the Andromeda Strain, sold over 200 million worldwide. You can tell hes well researched from his book but he was actually a Harvard trained doctor and had a column in the NY Times at age 14. This book of short stories on travel account both trips around the worldand his journey into things like astral project and ESP. Super interesting. If you want to stick a PIN in it, please do. PLEASElet me know if you have any suggestions! 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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe MASON CITY A Mason City man who apparently went for a swim after leaving Beje Clark without permission surrendered to officers on the shoreline Wednesday, police say. Officers had been looking for Jason Robison, 43, since he left the community correctional facility without permission around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Around 1 p.m., staff at NIVC Services spotted Robison swimming in one of the two ponds near the nonprofits facility at 1225 South Harrison Ave., said Mason City Police Lt. Rich Jensen. He said Robison ran from officers who responded to the scene and, at some point, went back into the water. In the end, Robinson voluntarily got out of the pond. They asked him to come out and he did, Jensen said. Robinson was arrested for felony escape. He remained jailed without bond Thursday on a hold for Beje Clark. Robison was sentenced to live at Beje Clark as part of his conviction for burglary. The facility has restrictions on when residents are allowed to leave, how long they may be gone and when they must return. Those who leave without authorization or dont return when they are supposed to can be charged with escape. In 1919, Americans blamed the Boston police force and its new union for the turmoil that followed a two-day police strike. Post reporter George Pattullo revealed that most patrolmen felt backed into the strike by a vocal minority and an unresponsive city government. Weekly Newsletter The best of The Saturday Evening Post in your inbox! Join Controversies surrounding recent police shootings have angered the public, and both citizens and officials have demanded internal investigations, disciplinary actions, dismissal, or criminal charges for accused officers. In many cases, such actions have been blocked or rescinded by police unions, despite evidence of unethical to downright criminal behavior. This has prompted attacks on the unions from liberals, progressives, libertarians, and conservatives alike. Critics claim police unions cover up criminal behavior, remove officers accountability, and prevent oversight by civilian authority in effect supporting abuse by officers. A 2014 article in The Atlantic presents a damning list of incidents in which policemen, with the help of their unions, remained on the force despite actions that would have caused suspension or dismissal in any other profession. Condemnation of police unions isnt universal, though. Last month in The Week, Jeff Spross made a case for the unions. Police, he writes, are being watched with heightened vigilance even as theyre expected to fix social problems like drug addiction, gang violence, and poverty. Also, they have inherited the ill will of minorities from generations of racist policies by past government and police administrations. Subscribe and get unlimited access to our online magazine archive. Subscribe Today Police unions were a touchy subject in 1919, too. After a disastrous police strike in Boston that year, Americans were largely against police unionization. But like today, there were two sides to the argument. Police in Boston then made miserable wages: $1,100 a year the equivalent of $15,760 today less than a streetcar conductor. For this salary, they were expected to work up to 98 hours a week with no overtime pay and to buy their own uniforms. They lived in run-down, vermin-infested police stations, sleeping in beds shared with other officers. Fifteen years of appeals to improve conditions went nowhere. When the police unionized in 1919, the police commissioner arrested 19 officers and charged them with disobeying orders. Despite urgings from a civilian advisory board and the governor to negotiate instead of punishing the officers, the commissioner fired all the men. In retaliation, 1,117 patrolmen of Bostons police department walked off the job at 5:45 p.m. on September 9. They left Boston streets protected by the remaining police officers, park police, and civilian volunteers. Despite the commissioners assurances that the city had sufficient forces to maintain peace, chaos and looting quickly followed. When news spread across America, the nation was outraged, and public opinion turned squarely against the police. The strike was abandoned two days later, after Governor Coolidge ordered the National Guard into the city. The commissioner fired all 1,117 patrolmen who walked out, to be replaced by American servicemen then returning from the war in Europe. The new policemen received the benefits the old officers had petitioned for, and the Boston police didnt unionize again until 1965. Post correspondent George Pattullo reported on the situation from the streets of Boston. Like many Americans, he had begun with a hostile attitude toward the unionized police. But, as youll read, he learned that the situation was more than a choice between right and wrong, and some officers were left with no option other than walking out. The National Crisis in Boston By George Pattullo Excerpted from an article originally published on November 15, 1919 To the United States, the policemens strike came like a bolt from a clear sky, but in reality there was nothing sudden about it. It had been looming as a possibility for a month, and the causes leading to the impasse are of long standing. Until I investigated the situation, my voice was joined to the chorus of unqualified denunciation which was directed against the police from coast to coast; they were damned from every quarter of America, branded as deserters, traitors, and fit bedfellows for Trotsky. The condemnation was justified, but some of the denunciation was grossly unfair. Nothing can excuse or palliate the offense of walking out and leaving a city unprotected, but intention counts both in law and morals and the police stoutly contend they hadnt an inkling of what the consequences would be. They had real grievances, which experience had taught them were impossible of redress through the usual channels, and they thought only of those. They point to assurances given to the public by the commissioner that ample protection would be provided for the city in event of a strike and declare that they accepted these assurances at their face value. If so, the cops pulled a bone. Two hundred and five members of the policemens union served in the Army during the world war; 89 were veterans of the trouble with Spain to stigmatize men like those as traitors and cowardly deserters seems going it a bit strong. A statement from one of their number, who received the Croix de Guerre, gives their viewpoint. His name is Edward M. Kelleher, Division 15: I have never been accused of disloyalty or lack of gameness before. Gameness is part of the policemans job. Passing the Buck of Responsibility You say our grievances could have been redressed. I know that. But they were not redressed in 15 years. Now the policemans pay has been raised and the stations are to be fixed; the hours even may be made better. But it took a strike to do it. I want to say that I joined the union because we could not get our grievances redressed or even listened to any other way. I didnt want to strike and I dont know any other man who did want to. I went out when 19 men were discharged by the commissioner because I and the others had elected them officers of the union. They were no more guilty than I was, and I wouldnt be yellow enough to leave them to be the goats for all of us. I wouldnt have gone on a strike if I had thought the city was undefended and there was going to be a riot. The papers said there were plenty of men to keep order and handle the crowd. The commissioner himself said so. However, the measure of their guilt is a matter of purely local concern. Nor has the country at large any special interest in the effort to fix the blame for failure to protect Boston adequately after the police went out. Debate over that point has frequently been of the knock-down-and-drag-out variety in The Hub. The mayor blames the police commissioner and Governor Coolidge; the commissioner has passed the buck to some of the metropolitan park police, who failed to obey orders; the governor and Samuel Gompers had a telegraphic tilt from which Gompers emerged a bad second; the union men assert that the strike could have been entirely averted and the policemen withdrawn from affiliation with the federation if Commissioner Curtis had indicated willingness to meet the men anywhere near halfway; the police feel they were deliberately jockeyed into an impossible position; and charges have been hurled that the whole affair was a frame-up by the capitalistic interests, which desired a showdown at a moment highly favorable to them. Indeed I heard numerous claims that influences were at work to make a test of strength at an opportune time on the general labor situation, entirely apart from the policemens union, with an eye to the impending steel strike. Such reports are characteristic of every trouble. On every side theyve been denouncing and calling names, and feeling has grown intensely bitter. The inevitable injection of politics into the trouble did not ease the rancor, and the issue livened the gubernatorial contest. Politics has a way of horning into every dispute and capitalizing it, and this is especially true of Boston, whose large population of Irish descent has furnished more politicians to the square yard than any other community in the United States. Wherever blame may lie, two facts stand out baldly: The police abandoned their posts, and from 6:00 Tuesday night until 8:00 Wednesday morning, Boston remained without protection, a prey to marauding bands of hoodlums. Those occurrences speak for themselves a grievous blunder was committed somewhere. A very unusual situation exists there in regard to control of the police. For many years, the police commissioner has been appointed by the governor, an arrangement made during an earlier city administration which did not enjoy public confidence. Boston finds the money to pay the force, but the department is under state control. However, the consensus of opinion appears to be that the scheme worked very well. The unionizing of policemen had been threatening for two years. Organizers of the I.W.W. stripe and the element in the American Federation of Labor belonging to the same school of thought discerned tremendous possibilities in the affiliation of police unions throughout the country with organized labor. It would give them control of a weapon frequently employed against labor in strikes; in an emergency, they could practically dominate the communities where the police were affiliated; they would have the country by the throat. The Old Leaders Outvoted Conservative leaders like Gompers saw all this, but saw also the dangers. They were not blind to the impossibility of winning anything against an aroused and united public, and they perceived clearly that if a police force should strike and leave a city defenseless, the entire American people would clamor for action. In such event, what chance would the federation stand with a sympathetic strike? And yet they would be bound to stick by their brothers. So the conservatives headed off the movement as long as they could. But the wild-eyed factions were persuaded they could throttle the public into granting labors demands or at any rate they were not afraid to try, and they pressed for membership of police unions in the federation. Last June at the convention in Atlantic City, they triumphed. Against the better judgment of the old leaders, it was decided to grant charters to the police. And right there the radicals played hob. By the time the Boston police had organized, the police forces of 20 cities already belonged to the federation not without protests and some strenuous opposition from civic officials. But in the main, affiliation took place quietly, and the general public either did not know of it or remained in ignorance of its significance and the menace hanging over them. The Boston union cannot complain they did not receive fair warning. They did it with their eyes open. As far back as June, 1918, the then police commissioner, Stephen OMeara, issued a general order setting forth his objections to the organization of a union to be affiliated with the American Federation of Labor, of which there was talk. Commissioner Curtis repeated the warning on July 29 last, and on August 11 promulgated a rule. In this he pointed out it should be apparent to any thinking person that the police department of this or any other city cannot fulfill its duty to the entire public if its members are subject to the direction of an organization existing outside the department, and he forbade any member of the force joining any body which was affiliated with any organization outside the department except the Grand Army of the Republic, the United Spanish War Veterans, and the American Legion of Worlds War Veterans It has always been the popular belief that a policemans job is a sinecure that he has it pretty soft and easy, with fine pay, little to do and plenty of perquisites. Indeed the notion that policemen could possibly have grievances calling for drastic action roused derision everywhere; sympathy for the Boston cops was nonexistent except among their personal friends. Had anyone suggested to the average citizen that possibly they had a strong case and were not receiving fair treatment, he would have been hooted. The very mention of a cop suggested easy pickings. Long Hours and Low Pay But as Boston learned with a shock and to its deep humiliation, the police scale of pay was pitifully low and their hours longer than almost any class of labor. The minimum pay was round $21 a week, and the maximum reached the sixth year $31. Out of this, a policeman had to buy a complete uniform and equipment, which cost $207. The wagon men worked 98 hours a week, the night men did a total of 83 hours a week, and the day men averaged round 73 hours. Pay ran from 21 to 28 cents an hour and, of course, any sort of labor can command higher rates than those nowadays. Also, conditions in several of the station houses were deplorable. In the dormitories, beds were used by two and three men in succession during a day and night without being remade. At Division Two, declared John F. McInnes, president of the policemens union, there is but one bathtub for 135 men and only four toilets. Bedbugs, rats, and other forms of vermin roam at will in Stations 9, 13, and 18. The police received no extra pay for overtime work. They had to attend every unusual event, like a parade, band concert, or large gathering, and they wanted that considered in their pay. They also objected to delivering unpaid tax bills when it was obviously the duty of a civilian employee, and complained of being forced to do the listing. They condemned the conditions under which civil-service examinations were held and objected to the commissioner reserving to himself the right to promote a man regardless of the showing made in competitive examination. Those are a few of the grievances which the men assert they could not get redressed. They were news to Boston and gained lots of sympathy for the strikers without, however, weakening one iota the conviction that the policemen had no right to affiliate with the American Federation of Labor and no right either in law or morals to go on strike. The Hub stands like Gibraltar on that issue. Not an officer or sergeant of the force joined the union, being ineligible, and many a policeman who followed the crowd did so against his judgment and inclination. They were coerced. As always happens, the leather-lunged aggressive minority practically compelled the others to fall in line. I talked with a striking policeman who had been nine years on the force. He did not want to join the union in the first place, but he could not stand the ostracism which scab entails for a nonunion man and his wife and children; and though he was opposed to a strike, he could not leave the others in the lurch after they had decided to walk out. How many wanted to go on strike? Less than 50 percent, but a lot were led to vote that way because they didnt want to desert the boys, he said. Another member of the force, who had been with it so many years that he could have retired on half pay in another seven months, joined the union virtually under compulsion, and once in it had to walk out when ordered. And now in his old age he is out of a job and without means of support. Whats more, it is doubtful if he could perform any work but that of a policeman, for when a man has put in many years on a police force, he is unfit for most other jobs. I didnt join the union at first, he said. But one day I went into the station house and opposite my name on the bulletin board somebody had written in red ink, Scab. The kids at school yelled it at my children too. What is a man going to do? The Trouble-Making Minority Well, the police formed their union and persuaded practically all the men of the force to join it. Charges were soon filed against 19 of them. At the request of counsel for the men, says a statement from Commissioner Curtis, I heard the cases myself instead of referring them to a trial board. The facts were undisputed. I found the men guilty and delayed imposing the finding, merely suspending them from duty. Threats of a strike if the members of the union under charges should be suspended were freely made before their cases came up for hearing. In view of the gravity of the prospect, Mayor Peters appointed a committee to investigate the trouble and act as mediators, and endless negotiation and argument and conferences followed. This committee did their utmost, but to no avail. Their executive committee succeeded in drawing up a plan to which the tacit consent of the policemen was given, but the commissioner could not see his way to accept it. The plan received Mayor Peters endorsement, and the committee which presented it was composed of well known Bostonians. Briefly, it provided that the policemen should give up affiliation with the American Federation of Labor but maintain a union within the department to deal with questions relating to hours and wages and physical conditions of work; called for an investigation of the police demands and grievances by a committee of three citizens, which should continue to act as a sort of court of arbitration; and stipulated that no member of the force should be discriminated against because of any previous affiliation with the American Federation of Labor neither should there be any discrimination on the part of the policemens union against any member of the force because of refusal to join. The main objection to the plan, of course, was that it gave immunity to the ringleaders in the unionization of the police. Anyhow, the commissioner would not agree to it; the 19 policemen were suspended; and after taking a vote, about 1,400 policemen made good their threat to strike. Everybody knows what happened after that. The spectacle of Boston given over to lawless mobs shook the whole country. President Wilson denounced the strike as a crime against civilization, and Elihu Root told the National Security League: What does the police strike in Boston mean? It means that the men who have been employed and taken their oaths to maintain order and suppress crime as the servants of all the people are refusing to perform that solemn duty unless they are permitted to become members of a great organization which contains perhaps 3 percent of the people. Now, if that is done that is the end except for a revolution. Government cannot be maintained unless it has the power to use force. If the power to use force passes from the 97 percent of the whole people of the United States to this organization of 3 percent, the 97 percent are no longer a self-governing people. The whole country blazed into resentment. If policemen could join the American Federation of Labor and go on strike, leaving their communities helpless, where would unionization end? The police in a score of cities were watching the outcome. Already many fire departments were affiliated with the American Federation of Labor; what if they should strike too? What of sympathetic strikes? And if the police could owe allegiance to a union, why not the Army? Where would it all end? In soviet government? A night of rioting in Boston woke the United States to the real nature of the menace. The Governors Reply The bulk of organized labor disapproved of the cops action. Only the newer membership of the unions supported them and favored a sympathetic strike. And what about the federation? Gompers realized immediately that the policemens case was hopeless and sought to exert pressure to the end that the men might be taken back and all action against them suspended until after the labor conference in Washington in October. To this request Governor Coolidge of Massachusetts made a reply which struck a responsive chord in every corner of America and lifted him into national prominence overnight: The right of the police of Boston to affiliate has always been questioned, never granted, is now prohibited. The suggestion of President Wilson to Washington does not apply to Boston. There the police have remained on duty. Here the Policemens Union left their duty, an action which President Wilson characterized as a crime against civilization. Your assertion that the commissioner was wrong cannot justify the wrong of leaving the city unguarded. That furnished the opportunity, the criminal element furnished the action. There is no right to strike against the public safety by anybody, anywhere, any time. You ask that the public safety again be placed in the hands of these same policemen while they continue in disobedience to the laws of Massachusetts and in their refusal to obey the orders of the police department. Nineteen men have been tried and removed. Others having abandoned their duty, their places have under the law been declared vacant on the opinion of the attorney general. I can suggest no authority outside the courts to take further action. I wish to join and assist in taking a broad view of every situation. A grave responsibility rests on all of us. You can depend on me to support you in every legal action and sound policy. I am equally determined to defend the sovereignty of Massachusetts and to maintain the authority and jurisdiction over her public officers, where it has been placed by the constitution and laws of her people. I asked Governor Coolidge whether he thought the American Federation of Labor had advised or sanctioned the strike. The federation has never advised a strike there was no hope of winning, he replied cautiously. I asked one of their counsel whether he had done so. No, I advised against it, Mr. Vahey declared earnestly. They had already affiliated with the federation before I was called in, but both Feeney and I urged them to give up their membership in it. We told them we could get more for them than they could through the federation. But they stuck. When their leaders were suspended the men had to stand by them. Mayor Peters had received assurances that ample protection for the city would be available in the event of a police strike. Consequently the tangle was left to the police commissioner, and statements from the department persuaded the public that the situation was well in hand. He had at his disposal all the sergeants and officers of the force; also a hundred men of the Metropolitan Park Police, an organization distinct from the Boston department. Such was the official force the commissioner could count on, and it seemed adequate to him. For the protection of the banking houses and large business establishments of the city, bodies of guards had been organized privately, and these were supplemented by hundreds of volunteers who offered their services as patrolmen. In fact, big business and the larger mercantile concerns had prepared fairly well for eventualities. But Boston hadnt guessed a tenth of what those eventualities would be. The police went out before 6:00 on a Tuesday night. Several hours later the scum of South Boston and the West and North End were on a rampage. Scollay Square, the district between Boylston and School streets, all along Washington and Tremont streets, echoed to the crash of glass as the mobs of rowdies and thieves looted where they willed. The Shop-Window Raiders A crowd of more than 5,000 persons gathered in the vicinity of Broadway in South Boston, and when charged by about 50 of the park police met them with a barrage of stones and sticks and bottles and eggs. The rioters rocked the streetcars and stoned some loyal patrolmen of D Street station who had declined to go on strike. Long before midnight, the mobs held undisputed possession of the streets. With nobody to hinder, huge bands of hoodlums went prowling through the heart of the city, holding up any unlucky pedestrians who came their way and pillaging stores which caught their fancy. A swift kick on a plate-glass window, then a scramble for the spoils. A night of unbridled hoodlumism was followed by a day of rioting, of fights and thievery, accompanied by considerable property loss, assaults on women, and several casualties. The losses were much exaggerated in the press reports and probably did not exceed $50,000, for there was no organized looting. One of the youths charged in court with larceny of six shoes had the stolen property on him and not a pair in the lot. After grabbing some shoes or shirts, a boy would sell them to another member of the mob for 25 or 50 cents. And the novel sight was witnessed of rowdies gravely fitting stolen shoes to one anothers feet while they sat on the sidewalk. Business concerns took steps to fortify their places against possible raids. Some shops became veritable arsenals. I saw one with barbed-wire entanglements across the entrances at night; wire and all metal trimmings round the door were charged with electricity. Windows were stoutly boarded. Inside a force of guards stood ready, with a system of alarms designed to meet any emergency, powerful arc lights to blind any intruders, and rifles, revolvers and riot guns available for instant use. To supplement these defenses they had a fire hose all set. It would have taken trained troops to storm the place. For several days no goods were displayed in the windows or showcases of the principal stores. Retail trade was paralyzed. Owners of valuables stored them away in vaults or other safe places. It seems remarkable that no really high-priced stuff was looted the first night. Rich furs and dress goods, silks all manner of articles which would tempt a professional thief with a knowledge of values escaped. And they grabbed shoes and cheap jewelry and shirts and umbrellas! Equally remarkable is it that there was no incendiarism plenty of false alarms, but no fires. Boston began to speculate about a week later on what might have happened had booze been on sale in the city. It would take too long to tell all that happened before order was restored, but as Bill Hamilton once remarked in an account of proceedings after a bum decision at a prize fight, pantomime reigned. Besides old families and men and women of culture and breeding, besides safe and sane business men, a conservative professional class, and a labor population which is substantial and self-respecting, Boston possesses in considerable numbers a red-necked type which is always eager for a fight and packs a wallop in either hand. And these gentry had free run of the city. Things became so bad that troops were called out and the Massachusetts State Guard took over the policing under Brigadier General Samuel D. Parker. The mayor is empowered in case of tumult or riot to take over the police department, which Mr. Peters did on Wednesday morning. He called out that part of the State Guard living within the city limits, but their number being totally inadequate, it became necessary to call all the State Guard throughout the commonwealth. Authority for this action rested in the governor, and accordingly Mr. Coolidge took charge of the situation, reinvesting police authority in Commissioner Curtis and instructing him to obey only such orders as the governor might issue. The State Guard is equivalent to the Home Guards and is composed of men who volunteered for duty to replace the National Guard when it was called into service during the war. Most of them are either above or below draft age or had disabilities which prevented their going into the Army, and they come from all walks of life. You can find wealthy men in the State Guard, and college professors, and boys just beginning to use a safety razor. These troops were distributed about the city, with a strong force held in reserve for emergency. They patrolled the streets and did guard duty, kept everybody moving, permitted no sidewalk conversations and made scores of arrests. Also they killed a few who resisted the enforcement of law. In spite of their three-speed rifles you have to cock them three times, but luckily there is no reverse the State Guard proved themselves efficient troops and handled the troubles firmly. Commissioner Curtis told me that crime dropped 50 percent below normal as soon as they brought in the soldiers to restore order. And I was able to see for myself the salutary effect the presence of the guard had on soapbox agitators and Bolshevik windjammers. They had been fond of street meetings, but evidently something told them that the time was not propitious for incendiary talk. You couldnt have found a soapbox orator with a search warrant after the troops got on the job. No Jobs and No Union Some sentiment has been created in Boston recently in regard to taking back the striking police. The argument is advanced that the city needs these trained men, and since the union is beaten and out of business and the police have learned their lesson and now have their hands up, punishment of the ringleaders ought to suffice. On the other hand, one can hear in Boston and all over the country that there should be no compromise that by walking out the police vacated their jobs in a manner which prevents their reinstatement under the law, and if they were restored to duty what would be their attitude toward those who had remained faithful to their posts? What would be their attitude in case of trouble toward those unions which had voted them financial help in the crisis? Whatever may happen to the ex-police, they surely started something. Losing all else, they now take cold comfort in the claim that their strike brought higher pay and better conditions for other police forces a belated thought, which did not occur to them until they needed its solace. Discerning observers class the complete defeat of the Boston union as a lusty blow against the radical elements of labor. Round One went to the public to law and order. Read George Pattullos full, unedited article, The National Crisis in Boston. New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/08/2016 -- Adhesives and sealants are the most versatile bonding agents available today and are used by automakers to make cars lighter and tougher. Adhesives are made from precise blends of synthetic rubber elastomers, resins and agents or additives used to enhance certain characteristics, depending on the end use. Automakers today use aluminum and composites that cannot be welded together but have to be glued to hold the body parts together even at top speed and high pressure. Adhesives do not lose strength and hence are used for these applications. Adhesives bonding renders the vehicles quieter, more durable and safer and are replacing conventional joining techniques such as welding, riveting and bolting. Adhesives find numerous applications in the automobile industry and have revolutionized the way automobiles have been designed and built. Adhesives are used to assemble rubber, metal, glass, plastics and numerous other materials during the manufacture of automobiles. Adhesives help prevent the ingress of salt, dirt and water in the car body shell. Adhesives help in improving body stiffness and durability and provide improved crash performance. Every stage of production of an automobile, whether for non-load-bearing body components or structural parts, uses adhesives in one form or other. Adhesives are used in manufacture of engines, body components, gear boxes and mounted parts such as wing mirrors, seats and steering wheels. Interior applications include tray systems, safety systems, seating systems, as well as sub assembly and acoustical material assembly. In addition, adhesives are used for direct glazing, where they contribute to an increased rigidity of the car body. Download Sample @ http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/6385 Adhesives can be applied with high speed on the production line, which results in cost reduction and savings. Hence, adhesive consumption per vehicle is expected to increase, as automotive designers continue to exploit the cost saving potential of adhesives. In addition, adhesives help to cut down on noise, vibration and harshness characteristics. Adhesives improve fuel efficiency of automobiles and provide enhanced performance which is a key driving factor behind the advancement of adhesives in the automotive industry. Consistent growth and presence of wide range of suppliers, distributors and manufacturers are the some of the characteristics of the adhesives market. Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, and Latin America hold potential for growth. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region for the adhesives industry due to growing demand for adhesives in South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, Australia and India. North America and Europe are saturated markets and will grow with a low compound annual growth rate in the near future. The adhesive market in the U.S. has lost ground to China due to migration of manufacturing facilities to China but the country continues to play a significant role in the adhesives market. Request TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/6385 The industry remains fragmented, with numerous medium-sized companies with a high level of customization, particularly in the highest-value adhesive segments. The cost of producing adhesives is attributable to the cost of the raw materials along with the requisite service component of training customers and helping them resolve manufacturing issues. Some of the key players in this market are Sika AG (Switzerland), The Dow Chemical Company (U.S.), Bayer (Germany), Henkel (Germany), BASF (Germany), 3M Company (U.S.), Ashland Specialty Chemical Company (U.S.), H.B. Fuller Company(U.S.), Hindustan Adhesives Limited (India), ExxonMobil Chemical Company (U.S) , Dynea International Oy (Finland) , Forbo Adhesives Switzerland (Switzerland), Hexion Specialty Chemicals (U.S) and Covalence Adhesives (U.S.) among others. Miami, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/08/2016 -- Immersa Global, an organization that provides language and cultural immersion programs, has revamped the traditional college study abroad experience. The 48-hour parties and iconic hostel adventures, familiar to college students, have now been replaced with luxury hotels, exclusive small group language classes, sophisticated networking events and high-end food, wine and coffee tours. The details: - 10-day, fully chaperoned, immersion experiences in Costa Rica and Portugal - Open to working or recently retired professionals of all ages and industries - 15-25 hours of foreign language instruction offered by local language academies with the choice to focus on: - Industry specific courses (i.e. Spanish for Medicine and Portuguese for Educators) - Courses focused on language for travel and everyday use Photo provided by Immersa Global Leon Panetta, Former Director of the CIA reminds us that, "Americans are not, in general, proficient in foreign languages. That situation is not good for the nation, not good for humanity, and not good for the individual monolinguist. For the United States to get to where it needs to be will require a national commitment to strengthening America's foreign language proficiency." Immersa Global is working towards reversing this trend in the U.S. by shaking up the study abroad adventure with a fun yet sophisticated twist. "I absolutely loved the language immersion program in Costa Rica. Not only did my Spanish improve exponentially in a short time I also had the chance to see stunning national parks and volcanoes. I could not have had a better experience," states Jaquen Castellanos, Costa Rica 2006. Photo provided by Immersa Global Immersa Global President and Founder Sheree M. Mitchell, who learned Spanish via language immersion in Costa Rica and Spain, states that, "Seeing, tasting, feeling and living a new culture as a local is the first step to truly becoming a global citizen. The immersion programs are like a rare bottle of red wine: alluring, demanding and sensual, and before they're even over you already want more." Registration starts at $2,395 and is currently open for two upcoming programs: - The Heart of Portugal Oct. 28th - Nov. 6th - The Spirit of Costa Rica Dec. 2nd - Dec. 11th For more information, visit www.immersaglobal.com. Contact: Sheree Mitchell E: sheree@immersaglobal.com W: www.immersaglobal.com M: 305-776-5202 CLEAR LAKE Officials in Clear Lake are considering measures to regulate single-family homes used as vacation rentals. City Administrator Scott Flory on Tuesday got the nod from the City Council to create a work group of city staff and local residents to draft a proposed ordinance. Topics the group might consider would be occupancy thresholds, a permitting system, parking availability and ways to hold property owners accountable for continually loud or rowdy renters, excessive garbage or other nuisances, Flory said. What I think were lacking is in terms of these short-term vacation rentals is a system to hold property owners, homeowners, more accountable for their guests, he said. The work group will likely discuss ramifications, such as fines or permit revocation that could be imposed against owners of properties found in violation of any ordinance that is proposed. I dont think over the years its been a huge issue in Clear Lake, but I think its becoming more and more of an issue and I think its going to become a bigger business in Clear Lake as time goes on, Flory said. I think youll see a proliferation of these opportunities. The popular vacation rental website VBRO.com listed 23 rentals in Clear Lake. All but one was listed as being managed by the owners. Another site, Airbnb.com, had another 23 listings for Clear Lake and surrounding towns. Some also are listed on Craigslist.com. Offerings included condos, houses and cabins. Clear Lake property owners Jim and Rebecca Raatz, of Waverly, say they wouldnt be against reasonable regulations. They began renting out a two-bedroom home this year they bought from a family member. Jim Raatz said the tidy house on 14th Street North is often rented by people visiting family members. The couple drives from Waverly to clean the home between rentals. We keep it even better for our renters than ourselves, and so we feel like were improving the neighborhood by doing that, Jim Raatz said. Clear Lake property manager Sonja Muhm said landlords can help police themselves by stringently vetting potential renters. Muhm has a list of rules for potential renters at the two homes she manages for Lake-Iowa Realty and three of her own she uses for vacation rentals. I have limits and I have turned people away because of those limits, said Muhm, a real estate agent. I have had people offer to put tents in my yard. The answer is no. City Council members Tony Nelson and Mike Callanan, as well as Mayor Nelson Crabb, told Flory they supported exploring an ordinance. Id say lets look into it because Ive had a personal experience with this, actually this last weekend, Nelson said of short-term rentals. Councilman Gary Hugi, however, questioned how big of a problem nuisance rentals are and who would police a new ordinance. Ultimately, it is the property owners responsibility no matter what happens on that property, he said. Although Flory said it isnt the motivation for implementing regulations, he said permitting and tracking vacation rentals might find some owners who arent paying the required hotel-motel tax. Like hotels, property owners who rent their homes for less than a month are required to pay a 7 percent tax to the city. Proceeds from the voter-approved tax are used to fund tourism promotion, lake-improvement efforts and economic development. The tax generated approximately $225,000 in the 2015-16 fiscal year Homeowner Kelly Fricker, of Kansas City, pays the tax on rentals at her vacation home on North Shore Drive. Because shes already paying the tax, she hopes any fee the city comes up with for a rental permit, if any, is reasonable and takes that into consideration. If thats the case, Fricker said, she doesnt have an issue with Clear Lake trying to set ground rules for vacation rentals. Its a small town thats trying to maintain its integrity, a certain ambiance, she said. No vote was taken Tuesday. There was no timetable on when the work group could deliver a proposal to the council. Stellenbosch, Western Cape -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/08/2016 -- Recognized among the top 20 restaurants in South Africa, Majeka House's Makaron Restaurant offers great food to their guests in an elegant and comfortable environment. This fine dine restaurant is firmly rooted in local, seasonal flavors with their award winning a la carte menu. The ambience of the restaurant has been made charming and welcoming through the clever placing of tables and with matching modern and antique interior designs. This restaurant serves food in vintage cutlery that makes the food taste good. Those looking for an incredibly stylish restaurant in Wengen to taste mouthwatering food dishes, Majeka House's Makaron Restaurant is the best place for them. Makaron Restaurant provides excellent food at reasonable prices. Each menu comes with the suggested wine pairing that makes guests experience more enjoyable. This restaurant is designed by South Africa's top interior designer, Etienne Hanekom. Makaron focuses at providing their guests food and drinks in welcoming environment. They also arrange tables for private dining. Makaron Restaurant is a part of Majeka House, which is one of the most popular hotels in Stellenbosch and has earned great market accolades for providing luxury accommodation in Stellenbosch. One of the representatives of the Makaron talked more about their restaurant, "Our kitchen team's culinary efforts are sure to delight your palate with our award winning a la carte menu. Our focus at Makaron is to provide for our guests mouth-watering food in an elegant and comfortable environment. Selected by the Eat Out DSTV awards as a top 20 restaurant in South Africa, our dedicated service team will welcome you for a memorable experience." About Majeka House Owner-managed and blissfully private, Majeka House is an ideal base from which to explore the historical town of Stellenbosch with its interesting shops, galleries, museums, and alfresco cafe culture. Numerous famous vineyards and award-winning restaurants, dotted along the Stellenbosch wine route, are within striking distance. This prime location combined with luxurious accommodation, thoughtful service, a sophisticated bar and restaurant, a professionally run spa and spacious grounds create what is undoubtedly one of the most stylish bolt holes in the Cape Winelands. For more information, please visit http://www.majekahouse.co.za/ [HONOLULU] Tropical island nations should team up to ban coral-killing sunscreen products, following the example of Hawaii, a conference has heard. Chemical compounds in sunscreen lotions cause irreparable damage to reefs, which are crucial to the livelihoods of 500 million people in the tropics, scientist and policymakers said at the IUCN World Conservation Congress on 3 September. Hawaii is leading a legistlative effort to ban the use of sunscreen that contains oxybenzone or similar harmful agents at its beaches. It is a no-brainer a compound is hurting our reefs, so the simple thing is to ban it, says Will Espero, the Hawaiian senator leading the legal challenge. We are working on some draft legislation, it is almost done. Once we are there, lets go international with it. The chemical agents in many sunscreen brands have long-term harmful effects on corals, damaging their fertility and ability to absorb sunlight. They also cause baby corals to become grossly deformed, so they cannot colonise new spaces. If you do not see young corals, three to five-year-old ones, then your reef is essentially dead, explains Bob Richmond, a marine conservation researcher at the University of Hawaii Manoa. Furthermore, sunscreen pollution can travel from a single beach to a very far distance. Hawaii experienced its first major coral bleaching case in 2014, and has seen coral reef die-off every year since then. Severe bleaching cases have also been observed in the Easter islands, Fiji, Tonga and several Caribbean nations all of which have economies highly dependent on tourism. Richmond adds that corals are assailed by a variety of stresses, including global warming and ocean acidification. But sunscreen pollution is an issue that can easily be resolved, he told SciDev.Net, adding that sunscreen lotions containing physical agents, such as zinc or titanium oxide, are safe. Research presented at the summit showed that most tourists buy their sunscreen once they get to their holiday destination. The scientists present agreed that a sales ban on harmful sunscreen products on tropical islands would be the best way forward, as raising awareness among holiday makers is proving difficult. Jeff Bagshaw, a conservationist at Mauis Ahihi Kinau reserve, leads local efforts to hand out information material to tourists snorkeling in the area. He admits that it is an uphill struggle, and supports a ban of harmful lotions. We try to partner with dermatologists and retailers, but its difficult since no agency regulates what sunscreen bottles say on the front, he says. People might think they have bought reef-safe products, but its not true. According to Bagshaws estimates, nearly 600 litres of harmful sunscreen used by tourists is washed out into Mauis reefs every day. Over the years, numerous studies and experiments have been conducted to save Ethiopian wolves from extinction. They are currently in danger due to high levels of rabies. This was discovered by Claudio Sillero-Zubiri during his field season in 1991 in the highlands of Ethiopia's Bale Mountains for his PhD research. Fast forward to present time, he and his colleagues suggest that immunizing these wolves against rabies could help boost their population. Sillero-Zubiri was searching for the Ethiopian wolves, which during that time were already known as the world's rarest canid. Instead of finding them alive, he found their corpses. Years after, he and his team identified four major rabies outbreaks among these wolves in the Bale Mountains. Every virus hit has led to a huge population decline. The four outbreaks occurred in 1991, 2003, 2008, and 2014. As of writing, there are only less than 500 Ethiopian wolves remaining in the wild. According to National Geographic, this is due to repeated outbreaks,;not to mention habitat loss. Meanwhile, as earlier mentioned, Sillero-Zubiri and his colleagues suggest that vaccination programs may be an effective solution to the wolves' crisis. In Europe and North America, such programs have helped control rabies in domestic and wild animals. According to Sillero-Zubiri, "The big rabies outbreaks are catastrophic, but this vaccine could make a big difference." In their series of experiments, Sillero-Zubiri first tried injectable vaccines; however, capturing was too time-consuming, costly, and stressful for the animals. Consequently, researchers opted for oral rabies vaccine. They needed to have the vaccine packet laced with bait for the wolves to find. After trying different types of baits, they ended up with goat meat and intestines. The oral vaccine was a success. 21 wolves were captured after administrating the vaccines and 14 tested positive for the chemical that showed they had ingested the vaccine. The chemical was harmless. 86 percent of these wolves were immunized against rabies. "Even immunizing just half of the wolf population would make a huge difference for conservation purposes." This was according to William Karesh, executive vice president for health and policy at EcoHealth Alliance. Karesh was not involved in the research. As of writing, the fight to save Ethiopian wolves from extinction continues. According to EWCP, these animals serve as the guardians of Africa's roof and protecting them means protecting Afroalpine endemics from extinction as well. The crew of three -Russian Flight engineers: Aleksey Ovchinin and Oleg Skripochka, along with Jeffrey Williams Station commander with U.S. agency - on Tuesday left the International Space Station (ISS) as the Soyuz TMA-20M spacecraft undocked from the ISS at 21:51 GMT, said NASA mission commentator Rob Navias. 2 RUS cosmonauts & USA astronaut safely landed in Kazakhstan steppes, recieve gifts & calls https://t.co/dDvQeLAgVs pic.twitter.com/KSEkAiVmGg RT (@RT_com) September 7, 2016 According to Reuters, the capsule made a parachute descent 92 miles southeast of the town Zhezkazgan in Kazakhstan, according to Russia's Mission Control Center (MCC), disappearing into a layer of haze as it neared the ground. It was several minutes until NASA could confirm the landing at 7:13 a.m. local time on Wednesday (9:13 p.m. EDT on Tuesday/0113 GMT on Wednesday). Their estimated time flying back to Earth was around three hours. "The crewmembers' state of health is normal. The space travelers who have returned to Earth will undergo a medical check-up, after which Aleksey Ovchinin and Oleg Skripochka will be brought to Star City by plane, while Jeffrey Williams will take a flight to the US," Russia's Mission Control Center (MCC) told RIA Novosti. Back on Earth: Expedition 48 returned from #ISS after 172 days in orbit. WATCH LIVE:https://t.co/7CEVKjIUs0 pic.twitter.com/eUvX4i9Z79 RT (@RT_com) September 7, 2016 Williams, 58, returned to Earth with a career total of 534 days in orbit, more time than any other astronaut in U.S. history and 14th in the world, reports RT. "I will certainly miss this view!" Williams tweeted earlier on Tuesday, posting a picture of sunlight glinting off the planet. Meanwhile, three other space adventurers, Russia's Anatoly Ivanishin--who will now command the the $100 billion outpost, American Kathleen Rubins and Japan's Takuya Onishi will stay on the ISS, until the next expedition arrives. A total of 200 military personnel, 12 specially equipped Mi-8 helicopters, four Antonov An-12 and An-26 aircrafts, along with a number of other special machinery took part in the search and rescue operation. A replacement crew is due to launch on Sept. 23 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The U.S. National Hurricane Center stated that the tropical storm Newton is expected to hit the U.S. near Tucson, Arizona on Wednesday morning or early afternoon after striking the Mexican resort city of Cabo San Lucas and leaving four people dead. The storm could bring heavy rains, flooding and mudslides. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said that the main concern with this system will be heavy rainfall that will be scattering from northwestern Mexico into Arizona and New Mexico over the next day or so. "These rains could cause flooding and mudslides." According to NBC News, by afternoon, the southeastern Arizona was experiencing heavy rains and as of 2 P.M. ET, the storm was about 25 miles southwest of Nogales, Arizona, and about 65 miles south-southwest of Tucson. It has a maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour, according to center. Arizona, western Texas and New Mexico have been warned of the flash flood. Max Golembo, ABC News meteorologist said that there might be a chance of 3 to 4 inches of rain within the next 24 to 36 hours. He further said that moisture from Newton has spread into the southwest U.S. and more to come. He added that some of this moisture will be carried all the way into the Plains and Midwest. There are also flood warnings in northern Iowa and southern Minnesota. The areas are also experiencing gusty winds over 70 miles per hour, according to ABC News. Storm Newton ravaged Mexico's Baja California peninsula last Tuesday morning. It was classified as Category 1 hurricane with 90 miles per hour. It knocked out the power in the area, broke windows and took down trees. It is reported that there were 14,000 tourists in Los Cabos during the storm. "We pray for the city of Cabo San Lucas. It was the rough one as you can see," said Mark Hernandez, a visitor from California. This past week scientists from all over the world gathered in Hawaii for an International Conservation Congress. They have discussed issues about the environment including global warming. One of the topics that they have encountered is the possibility of creating a genetic editing called "gene drive." Gene drive is a process in which a stretch of DNA gets through the offspring more constant than regular genes. It increases the odds for most sexually produce offspring to inherit 50 percent of their parent's trait. It is a natural circumstance which can be found in all kinds of species. Scientists recently analyzed if the genetic editing technology can help conserve species. During their meeting in Hawaii, they have recommended that it could save endangered species such as birds known as honeycreepers. Avian malaria is the cause of the lowering of the bird's number. Experts suggested that using the technology they could deceive the mosquito to attack the parasite that causes malaria. In which, with the help of a genetic editing tool such as CRISPR, scientists detected that they can make a definite cut and braid on the DNA of the organisms. Therefore they can physically modify the genes and shift the traits that they were code for. In line with this, gene drives could cause irreversible forms throughout the species. Though the intention of the technology is for the greater good, some expert's questions the possible effect on the natural world. It is not yet absolute if the environment is ready for the changes, according to Washington Post. Reported by Rappler, one of the first scientists to propose the gene editing technology, Kevin Esvelt said, "As a scientist who worked on it, I am particularly concerned because we scientists are ultimately morally responsible for all the consequences of our work." International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) members filed a motion to prohibit the organization from supporting and endorsing any gene drive field trials or experiments until a complete assessment of the technology's effect has been initiated. Scientists worry about the potential power of the technology to alter the ecosystem. A study indicates that umbilical cord blood transplant may be as good or better than the bone marrow or stem cell plants to treat people with leukemia, especially if the donors are not available. Umbilical cord blood may work as alternatives in some cases. The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine on September 8. 2016. It was led by Dr. Filippo Milano from Clinical Research Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle and other colleagues, according to US News Health Care. "Often, cord-blood transplant is thought to be only as the last resource for patients without donors. But cord blood does not have to be considered only an alternative donor source," said Dr. Filippo Milano. He further said that in centers with experience, it can yield to great outcomes. The study involved 582 patients with leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome. The patients had either a cord-blood transplant or incompatible bone marrow or stem cell transplant from an unrelated donor if there was no unrelated donor available. The results showed that patients who got cord-blood transplants appeared to live longer compared to those who got non-matching bone marrow or stem cell plants from unrelated donors, according to Dr.Milano. He further explained that their study suggested that overall survival after cord-transplantation was comparable to the one observed after matched unrelated transplants. The cord blood transplant could be good for a subset of patients, known as "minimal residual disease," which means small amounts of cancer cells remained after the chemotherapy that is needed before transplant. Dr. Milano said that the risk of relapse is very high for them. On the other hand, he said that the risk of relapse was significantly lower in patients receiving cord blood transplants. Umbilical cord blood is a rich source of stem cells for transplantation. It is accumulated from the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby is delivered. The donated cord blood is then frozen and stored at a cord blood bank for future use. It is discovered that there are advantages for particular patients to have cord blood stem cell transplants as an alternative to transplants with marrow or peripheral blood stem cells. While, tech enthusiasts were expecting Samsung to release the much anticipated Galaxy Tab S3 at the IFA 2016 Berlin event, the same did not happen. In fact, the tech giant did not announce anything about the next gen tablet. This has left people wondering about possible Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 release date, specs and price details. Talking about Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 specs and features, the upcoming tablet is expected to get rolled out in two variants, one with a 9.7-inch screen and the other with an 8-inch display. The Galaxy Tab S3 is expected to feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor with 3GB of RAM, a 32GB to 64GB internal storage capacity, and a 4,000 mAh battery, reported Christian Daily. It is speculated to feature an 8-megapixel (MP) rear camera and a 2MP front-facing snapper. The next gen tablet is expected to come preloaded with the new Android Nougat operating system and apps like Android Play, Google Browser, Now on Tap, and the new improved Doze. It is rumored to be thinner and lighter as compared to its predecessors. Back in June, popular leakster Evan Blass posted a supposed leaked photo of the Galaxy Tab S3. The picture, which was obtained from an anonymous source, showed the device with the familiar home button at the bottom of the front of the screen. The device looked exactly as the Galaxy Tab S2. However, Samsung fans ruled out the picture to be a fake one as the gadget's back button was apparently too close to the home button. In fact, Blass himself clarified in a later tweet that the picture was not of Galaxy Tab S3 but Tab A 10.1. Mystery solved: Tab A 10.1 https://t.co/c1rx6XkFTm Evan Blass (@evleaks) June 6, 2016 As far as price of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 is concerned, the 32 GB version is expected to cost around $399, with prices going higher for other storage options, reported VineReport. We would advise our readers to take the information with a grain of salt as nothing yet about Galaxy Tab S3 release date, specs and price have been announced by the makers. Stay tuned to SWR for more updates and latest news on Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 release date, specs and price details. In years past, Labor Day marked the start of the general election campaign. But studies show voters tend to make up their minds earlier, prompting political analysts to consider whether underlying factors mean the 2016 race is already as good as over. Veteran analyst Stu Rothenberg says it is. "Given the current numbers, the major question is the size of Hillary Clinton's electoral vote victory," Rothenberg wrote last week in The Washington Post. Longtime Democratic pollster Peter Hart is more cautious. Discussing a recent bipartisan focus group in the Milwaukee suburbs that showed substantial disdain for both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, Hart cautioned against "premature" forecasts of a substantial Clinton victory. He said the 2016 election reminded him of 1980, when voters knew they didn't like President Jimmy Carter but needed to be reassured that Ronald Reagan would be a safe choice, something that occurred in their only debate. "This year," Hart wrote in a commentary for The Wall Street Journal, "a lot of voters know they do not want Donald Trump as president, but they need to know that they can 'live with' Hillary Clinton for the next four years." Recent polls support Hart's caution. They show Clinton's lead has eroded considerably from her post-Democratic convention highs. But she still leads Trump nationally by more than 3 points in the Real Clear Politics average and in almost every highly contested swing state. These surveys also show that, for the most part, Trump still faces the same problems as earlier: his failure to consolidate many normally Republican voters, especially better educated white suburbanites, and his minimal support among minorities. On the other hand, voter disapproval of Clinton is now nearly as high as for Trump, and a larger-than-usual proportion of voters are undecided or supporting Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson and the Green Party's Jill Stein. Support for the latter two has only increased marginally, suggesting voters understand either Clinton or Trump will be the next president. "Taken together," National Journal analyst Charlie Cook wrote, "these data suggest that while the election is not over, it would take a pretty major event or turn of events for Clinton to lose, which can obviously happen but probably will not. " History suggests the most likely place is their first nationally televised debate, scheduled for Sept. 26 at Long Island's Hofstra University. Meanwhile, since their conventions, the two candidates have done more to underscore their weaknesses than to stress their strengths. After a difficult two weeks exemplified by his verbal joust with a military Gold Star couple, Trump again reorganized his campaign, bringing in several hard line conservatives including an experienced GOP pollster. But he also continued making contradictory statements on curbing illegal immigration. Campaign officials were reportedly pleased with his meeting with Mexico's president and ensuing reiteration of his immigration policy. But the latter's harsh rhetoric drove away some of his high-level Hispanic advisers and did little to clarify how he would handle millions of undocumented aliens. Clinton, meanwhile, suffered from spending the better part of two weeks doing minimal campaigning while bolstering her already massive financial war chest. Her campaign hopes its ability to outspend Trump on the ground and in the air will be a crucial advantage, something not yet evident. But her speeches presenting proposals to treat mental health and further defining her foreign policy were overshadowed by continuing disclosures stemming from her private email system, including some questionable testimony to the FBI and the revelation that, deliberately or not, she failed to provide probes with all her work-related emails. Both Clinton and Trump are pursuing busier schedules this week, but their principal focus increasingly will be the debates. For Clinton, they offer an opportunity to press her advantage as the candidate voters consider the most qualified and most experienced to be president. They loom even larger for Trump, since that's where underdog candidates have often achieved rough equality with favorites. In most recent elections, the less experienced candidate gained a tactical advantage by beating pre-debate expectations in their first encounter. George W. Bush and Barack Obama sustained their breakthroughs. But challengers John Kerry and Mitt Romney failed to overcome their rivals' initial advantage. As to whether the race is essentially over, the noted political analyst Yogi Berra said it best: "It ain't over till it's over." There are about 60 days until Election Day and, for Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, that will seem like a lifetime. FLORENCE, S.C. Florence County and city officials met Wednesday morning to discuss parking in downtown Florence, where construction booms have tied up hundreds of spaces. The meeting was focused on a parking study of the area that took months to complete and factored in the 320-space city parking deck as well as parking that will be freed up when construction ends. The study, commissioned by the city and done by CDM Smith Inc., indicates parking will be adequate for the coming two years but will not be sustainable in the next three to five years. Conversations surrounding parking woes among other issues have been contentious at times between the two entities, though both councils agreed that another parking deck is needed in the near future. The problems, however, lie in where a new parking deck should go, when action should be taken and how it will be funded. Florence County Councilman James Schofield was skeptical of the studys assessment and said waiting to take action will only prolong the problem. We need the city to tell us whether or not in the near-term future theyre doing anything about a deck in this area, because weve got a problem in this building, he said of the Florence County Complex. The fuse has been lit, and time is of the essence. There isnt time to wait. Florence City Manager Drew Griffin said its too soon to decide where a second parking deck should go, because growth patterns can change the landscape of where the biggest need will be. For the next three years well continually have to assess parking to determine where is that next parking deck decision going to land, he said. It could be in proximity to the complex, further out or it could even be at the complex, depending on what types of development we have in this central area. Florence Mayor Pro Tempore Buddy Brand said too much public money is involved to make any decisions without fully knowing where the highest need lies. In all honesty, we dont know where we need to do this, and thats the whole point of us waiting, Brand said. We really dont want to make that huge investment until we have a clear direction. Not saying the county doesnt need it here, but where is that infrastructure needed most? The county is considering several plans for parking, but one in the forefront includes a three-story deck with some 450 spaces directly behind the city-county complex. County officials say that plan would cost between $10 million and $12 million. Despite the differences, Wednesdays meeting was a step in the direction of extended cooperation between city and county councils after whispers of underlying tensions surfaced within Florences business community. Schofield suggested monthly meetings between city and county officials to establish better communication about a problem that will likely be costly to fix. Everyone agreed that monthly meetings were necessary to maintain a proper dialogue. Obviously we have a need for a second deck moving forward, and the reality is we may need a third or fourth and hopefully growth beyond that, Florence Mayor Stephen J. Wukela said. We dont want to deter economic progress, and thats something we all agree on. The question is how can we do that together? Florence County Council Chairman Roger Poston said this type of communication is good for all parties involved in this process. I think one of the answers to this problem is to continue to do what were doing here today, Poston said. We have to be on the same page moving forward. Id like this city-county thing to go away and lets talk, and talk often so we can work things out. Were all in it together for the citizens of this county. DILLON, S.C. -- A man found dead Wednesday in a South 4th Avenue residence died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to a release issued by the Dillon Police Department. The Dillon Police Department Thursday identified the victim as Brandon A. Hargrove of Dillon, according to a release issued by Dillon Police Chief David C. Lane. Officers were called to the residence shortly after 1 p.m. Wednesday. Investigators have several leads and have conducted "numerous interviews," according to Thursday's release. Officers and agents from the Dillon County Sheriff's Office, South Carolina Probation and Parole and the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division are assisting with the investigation, according to Thursday's release. Lane asks anyone with information about the incident to contact the Dillon Police Department at 843-774-0051. HARTSVILLE St. Luke United Methodist Church held its annual Teddy Bear Sunday on Aug. 28. The teddy bears and other stuffed toys were blessed as children brought them to the altar. On Monday, the toys were presented to Harriet Park, director of marketing and public relations at Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center, to distribute to children who are patients at the hospital in the Pediatric Department and those entering the hospital through the emergency room. Parker said the toys are greatly appreciated and mean a lot to the children, easing anxiety during this stressful time in their lives. This is such a nice project, Parker said. She said the toys really help children cope during illnesses and surgery. Carolina Pines is honored and thrilled to receive this generous donation of teddy bears and other stuffed animals from the wonderful people at St. Luke Methodist Church, Parker said. Knowing that these were handpicked specifically for our pediatric patients by children and others at the church makes the donation even that more special. No doubt they will lift the spirits and calm the fears of our youngest patients who might be facing some sort of surgery or just arent feeling well. The Teddy Bear project has become a tradition at the church, and its always a blessing to receive these wonderful gifts of love and mercy. The Rev. Gene Feagin, pastor of St. Luke, said the churchs children hold the teddy bear drive once a year. Judy Brown, a longtime teddy bear donator, said the children bring all new teddy bears and other stuffed toys to share with sick children. Fifty-seven toys were collected, said Brittany Douglas, the churchs director of childrens activities. She said Jane Jones made a banner to be displayed in the church sanctuary for the event. KINGSTREE, S.C. Barbara Parrott graduated from college on a Sunday nearly 40 years ago. She started her first job the following day, and has worked ever since. Thirty-two of those years were spent with the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS). But, last Friday, Parrott officially closed that chapter of her life as she retired after many years of dedicated service. Over the last 32 years, Parrott worked with DSS in many capacities including serving as an administrative specialist, team leader, economic service specialist and foster care worker, among other positions. She has worked in Orangeburg, Charleston and Berkeley Counties. Parrotts most recent title was Williamsburg County DSS director. That role came with several responsibilities. Im responsible for a budget over a million dollars. Im responsible for ensuring that services are rendered to the constituents of the county, both economic and human services, child protective services, adult protective services, Parrott said. She was also responsible for supervising a job workforce consultant, working with the community to help provide services for clients and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the agency in Williamsburg County. Since being in Williamsburg County, Parrott said she has seen the agency change locations and more services become available for clients. Staff morale is high, and turnover rates are low at the Williamsburg agency, she said. Working in social services for so many years has had its benefits, Parrott said. She recalled a time when she worked with a young woman in Orangeburg County whose children were in foster care. Parrott worked with her to get off of drugs, get a job and find a better way of living. And she was able to do that. She became drug-free. She got a job. She bought a house, Parrott said. And she was able to get her children back. And, I had forgotten, actually, about the young lady until one day my phone rang. The person on the other line was the young woman Parrott helped to get back on track. She said, Mrs. Parrott, I have been trying to find your telephone number to thank you for all that you did for me because when other people were giving up on me, you never did. You kept encouraging me. You kept working with me. You were patient with me, Parrott said. The client told Parrott that she went to college, got a degree, had a good job and was providing for her children. And, she just wanted to thank me for all that I did for her, Parrott said. That success story was just one of many Parrott has heard over the years through working with DSS. Elizabeth Copeland, administrative assistant for DSS in Williamsburg County, said Parrott has been a blessing to each person at the agency. She works well with the community as a whole, and she has been a big asset to our community, Copeland said. If a people are doing right, Parrott with fight for them and stand up for them the entire way, Copeland said. Over the years, Parrott has fought to make sure Williamsburg County was on top, she said. Shes going to be very much missed, Copeland said. The thought of retiring causes Parrott to have mixed emotions because she loved her job. I love the work. I love working with families. I love working with children and families. I love the community, the Williamsburg County community, the Kingstree area, Parrott said. I feel like Ive worked to the point that its time for me to just do something else. Parrott said during retirement, she is considering volunteering at schools and reading to children, volunteering at a womens shelter in Charleston and sitting at home not doing anything. But I know thats going to be hard because Im so used to going and doing, she said. Parrott has four grandchildren that she said were waiting for her to retire so she could pick them up form school. In addition to volunteering, Parrott said she will continue to be active with the Womens Missionary Society and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Im just excited for this chapter of my life, Parrott said. There have been recent references that some residents in the great state of Texas want to secede from the United States. Could Texas evolve into a country called Texaluna? Being a strict state and individual rights country would require every person to wear an unconcealed firearm. Each person would be free to remain ignorant, because obtaining an education would be optional. This country with no rules or regulations has no need for police, courts or jails. Lawyers and lawsuits would become extinct, because you have the right to kill anyone with whom you disagree. Since this countrys interests are only self-interests, they are excluded from doing business with the United States of America. Not believing in free trade, they build borders around the entire state. They no longer need seaports, because foreign exporters and importers can no longer afford to do business with this country. Since there are no longer any customers for their products, their only source of income is to smuggle Mexicans into the U.S. The only full-time jobs available are nonpaying wall maintenance jobs. Since this country provides no unemployment, hospitalization, retirement or welfare benefits, government jobs are nonexistent. This allows the country to function without a legislature. Texaluna does have a Luna President, potentially re-elected by votes cast at the local bars on the yearly free liquor day. This country is proud to be a designated discriminatory country. There are no temporary residents, because all have been required to pass an oral lunatic test. Are you ready to relocate to Texaluna? DENNIS TAYLOR Florence Novembers election in Iowa will be a milestone for women regardless of who wins. For the first time in history, Iowa voters will have an opportunity to vote for women on every level of the state ballot. That information has been vigorously touted recently by the group 50-50 in 2020, an organization devoted to helping elect more Iowa women to office. Officials from the group have been heartened, first by the number of viable female candidates on both sides of the political aisle in 2014 and now by the number of female candidates this year. They should be. We look forward to the day when all candidates can stand on their own merits as individuals and not on their anatomical makeup. Theres no question a glass ceiling has existed in Iowa politics. Until 2014, when Republican Joni Ernst won a U.S. Senate seat, no woman in Iowa had won a federal race. Jean Lloyd-Jones, a former state senator from Iowa City and a co-founder of the group, called the number of 2016 female candidates another step on the path to equity for women in Iowa government. For nearly 100 years, since women in America got the right to vote, female candidates have been the exception, she said. But in November, not only will there be a woman running for president, Iowans will see a woman running for U.S. Senate, women running for U.S. House in two of the states four congressional districts and 58 women running for office in the Iowa House and Senate. The group said 65 women are on the ballot. Twenty-seven of the candidates are incumbents. The figures were compiled by 50-50 in 2020 and based on filings with the Iowa Secretary of States office. It includes 50 women running in Iowa House races, 11 for the Iowa Senate and four races for the U.S. Senate and House. The group was founded in 2010 and has a number of programs to further its goal such as holding training academies for women running for office. It says its the only bipartisan, issue-neutral group in the country working to elect women. Its an obvious assumption that to have more female office-holders you have to convince more women to get involved and get them on the ballot. Thats why we support this groups efforts. The group says more progress is needed, and we agree. Fewer than a quarter of the states legislative seats are held by women. Then, as always, its up to voters, who we would hope would vote based on the merits of competency in leadership, character, integrity and transparency. By the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, another Lee Enterprises newspaper. So whos winning the commander-in-chief election? In their first proximate but not joint appearance of the fall campaign, Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump each made the case for their foreign policy chops this week. Their backdrop: The retired aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Intrepid, in New York City. One of them Clinton was decidedly more effective than the other. Yes, Clinton spent much of her allotted 30 minutes during a televised Commander in Chief forum on MSNBC on Wednesday re-explaining her mystifying and damaging decision to use a private email server while she was secretary of state (a mistake, she allowed, even as she defended it). But Clinton also offered a more sharply defined vision for the wielding of American power than Trump who, pardon the pun, often seemed lost at sea during his allotted screen-time. I view force as a last resort, not a first choice, she said under questioning from Today show anchor Matt Lauer and an audience of veterans. I will do everything in my power to make sure our men and women in the military are fully prepared. But I will be as careful as I can about making any decision that a president or commander in chief can make about sending our men and women into harms way. Trump, who advocated a peace through strength policy during a speech at the Union League in Philadelphia earlier in the day Wednesday, took a Nixonian turn at one point, avoiding Lauers questions about how he planned to defeat the Islamic State. Trump has claimed he has a secret plan to defeat the terrorist organization. He now says hell give the nations generals and military experts 30 days after he takes office to come up with their own recommendations. If those jibe with his, fine. If not, not. He still didnt say what he was going to do. I have a very substantial chance of winning, if I win, I dont want to broadcast to the enemy what my plan is, Trump said, adding that he might incorporate some of the military establishments own recommendations into his plan. Trump also flubbed a few basic facts. He proposed a court system for the military to handle sexual assault cases (it already has one) and he turned out to be wrong when he corrected a former service member on the number of monthly suicides by veterans (its 20, not 22, as Trump mansplained to the female vet). Dispiritingly, Trumps man-crush on Russian strongman Vladimir Putin still burns brightly. Putin has been a leader far more than our president has been leader, even with his controversial annexation of Crimea and his dabbling in the internal affairs of Ukraine, Trump said. Its key for Trump to prove he has what it takes to be commander-in-chief, perhaps moreso than Clinton, who has her State Department experience to fall back on. The billionaire ducked service in Vietnam multiple times. Hes called the military a wreck, insulted a war hero and demeaned a Gold Star family. And he didnt do much better explaining to Lauer the specific skill-set he brought to the table. I built a great company. Ive been all over the world, he said, adding later, The main thing is I have good judgment I know whats going on. Ive called so many of the shots. Clinton has her own obstacles to overcome notably trust issues and historically high unpopularity ratings. In an NBC News/Survey Monkey poll released Wednesday, Clinton trailed Trump by 19 points (55-36 percent) among current and retired service people. Kyle Kopko, a political science professor at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania, said party identification and affiliation is the chief driver for Trumps popularity among current and retired military. If Clinton had been a generic Democrat, it might be different, he said. But she has this uphill battle (among veterans). In New York City on Wednesday, Clinton made what she likely hopes will be the one argument for her qualifications that results in her becoming the countrys next commander-in-chief: Steadiness. An absolute rock steadiness, mixed with the strength to be able to make the hard decisions, she said. Itll be up to voters come Nov. 8 to decide who has more of that quality. So far, its advantage Clinton. CHICAGO, Sept. 07, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfields Helping Hungry Homes tour made the 25th stop on its 2016 nationwide hunger-relief tour this morning to donate more than 30,000 pounds of protein to both the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Northern Illinois Food Bank. Smithfield partnered with Jewel-Osco to make the donation, which will provide more than 120,000 servings to families throughout Northern Illinois, where one in seven people suffer from hunger. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/90c70e09-4bb4-487b-ba0b-f315b300fee1 Representatives from Smithfield and Jewel-Osco presented the donation during an event on Wednesday, September 7th at Jewel-Osco located at 1340 Canal St., Chicago, Ill. Speakers discussed the importance of donations like this to food banks in Northern Illinois, where 62 percent of food bank clients must choose between paying for food or medical care. Helping Hungry Homes, now in its eighth year, is Smithfields coast-to-coast campaign to help Americans become more food secure. This year, the program will help fight hunger through more than 35 large-scale protein donations to food banks across the United States totaling more than 3.5 million servings. To date, Helping Hungry Homes has provided more than 40 million servings of protein to food banks across America. We are grateful to Smithfield and Jewel-Osco for their ongoing partnership in the fight against hunger, said Sheila Creghin, vice president of operations for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. At a time of continued high need across our community, donations of nutritious protein make a tremendous impact for the people we serve. The Food Depository thanks Smithfield and Jewel-Osco for their generosity and commitment to ensuring our neighbors have the food they need to live healthy lives. Northern Illinois Food Bank is thrilled to accept this generous donation from Smithfield and Jewel-Osco, which comes just in time, as we kicked off Hunger Action Month last week, said Julie Yurko, president & CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank. This donation will help provide 50,000 meals for neighbors across our 13-county service area. We are truly grateful to have the ongoing support of such wonderful corporate partners like Smithfield and Jewel. At Jewel-Osco, our commitment to help eradicate hunger by working within the community continues to be a priority, said Mike Withers, president of Jewel-Osco. Our longstanding partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Northern Illinois Food Bank, and Smithfield Foods will ensure more people have food on the table rather than having to make tough choices. Smithfields Helping Hungry Homes program is proud to partner with Jewel-Osco to provide these two food banks with this donation during Hunger Action Month, said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. During this time, Smithfield encourages others to take action at their local food banks to help their neighbors in need. Through this donation, we are proud to provide wholesome protein to families and individuals throughout Northern Illinois. About Smithfield A leading provider of high-quality pork products, Smithfield was founded in 1936 in Smithfield, Virginia, establishing the town as the Ham Capital of the World. From hand-trimmed bacon and slow-smoked holiday hams to marinated tenderloins, Smithfield brings artistry, authenticity and a commitment to heritage, flavor, and handcrafted excellence to everything it produces. With a vast product portfolio including smoked meats, hams, bacon, sausage, ribs, and a wide variety of fresh pork cuts, the company services retail, foodservice, and deli channels across the United States and 30 countries abroad. All of Smithfields products meet the highest quality and safety standards in the industry. To learn more about how Flavor Hails from Smithfield, please visit www.Smithfield.com, www.Twitter.com/SmithfieldBrand, and www.Facebook.com/CookingWithSmithfield. Smithfield is a brand of Smithfield Foods. About Smithfield Foods Smithfield Foods is a $14 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan's Famous, Farmland, Armour, John Morrell, Cook's, Kretschmar, Gwaltney, Curly's, Margherita, Carando, Healthy Ones, Krakus, Morliny, and Berlinki. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com. About Jewel-Osco Jewel-Osco was founded in 1899 and is owned by New Albertsons, Inc. The grocery and drug retailer has 185 locations encompassing Illinois, Northwest Indiana and Iowa, and employs 31,000 associates. For more information log onto www.JewelOsco.com and follow on social media at Facebook.com/JewelOsco, Twitter.com/JewelOsco, Instagram.com/JewelOsco, Pinterest.com/JewelOscopr and YouTube.com/JewelOsco. About the Greater Chicago Food Depository The Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicagos food bank, is a nonprofit food distribution and training center providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in our community. The Food Depository, founded in 1979, makes a daily impact across Cook County with a network of 650 pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, mobile programs, childrens programs, older adult programs and innovative responses that address the root causes of hunger. Last year, the Food Depository distributed 70 million pounds of shelf-stable food, fresh produce, dairy products and meat, the equivalent of 160,000 meals every day. For more information, visit chicagosfoodbank.org or call 773-247-FOOD. About Northern Illinois Food Bank Northern Illinois Food Bank leads the Northern Illinois community in solving hunger by providing nutritious meals to those in need through innovative programs and partnerships. Since 1983, food manufacturers, local grocers, corporations, foundations, and individuals have come together to donate food and funds, and evaluate and repack food for distribution to 800 community food pantries and feeding programs serving more than 71,500 hungry neighbors each week across 13 counties. That commitment provided 57 million meals to those in need in FY15. Northern Illinois Food Bank has received a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator for 13 consecutive years. Find out how you can Volunteer, Donate and Get Involved at www.SolveHungerToday.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. Northern Illinois Food Bank is a member of Feeding America. EL PASO, Texas, Sept. 07, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Western Refining Logistics, LP (NYSE:WNRL) today announced the pricing of a registered underwritten public offering of 7,500,000 common units representing limited partner interests, at a public offering price of $22.32 per common unit. The total gross proceeds (before the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses) will be approximately $167.4 million. In connection with the offering, WNRL granted the underwriter a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,125,000 common units. The offering is expected to close on September 13, 2016, subject to certain closing conditions. WNRL intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay all of the borrowings under its revolving credit facility and to fund a portion of the cash consideration payable for WNRLs previously announced acquisition (the SPPR Dropdown) of certain terminalling, storage and other logistics assets from St. Paul Park Refining Co. LLC (SPPR), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northern Tier Energy LLC and indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Western Refining, Inc. The logistics assets to be acquired by WNRL include approximately four million barrels of refined product and crude oil storage tanks, a light products terminal, a heavy products loading rack, certain rail and barge facilities, certain other related logistics assets, and two crude oil pipeline segments and one pipeline segment not currently in service, each of which is approximately 2.5 miles and extends from SPPRs refinery in St. Paul Park, Minnesota to SPPRs tank farm in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. Pending the use of proceeds for such purpose, or if the acquisition of the SPPR logistics assets is not consummated for any reason, WNRL intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay all of the borrowings under its revolving credit facility and for general partnership purposes. The common units are being offered and will be sold pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement that was previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such states. The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus and related prospectus supplement meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Barclays is acting as the lead book-running manager for the offering. A copy of the prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov or by sending a request to: Barclays Capital Inc. c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions 1155 Long Island Avenue Edgewood, NY 11717 Telephone: (888) 603-5847 Barclaysprospectus@broadridge.com About Western Refining Logistics, LP Western Refining Logistics, LP is principally a fee-based, growth-oriented master limited partnership formed by Western Refining, Inc. (NYSE:WNR) to own, operate, develop and acquire terminals, storage tanks, pipelines and other logistics assets related to the terminalling, transportation and storage of crude oil and refined products. Headquartered in El Paso, Texas, Western Refining Logistics, LPs assets include approximately 685 miles of pipelines, approximately 8.4 million barrels of active storage capacity, distribution of wholesale petroleum products and crude oil and asphalt trucking. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes statements regarding this offering and the use of proceeds therefrom that may constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to the general risks inherent in WNRLs business and are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond management's control. WNRLs expectations may or may not be realized or may be based upon assumptions or judgments that prove to be incorrect. Additional information relating to the uncertainties and other factors that can affect WNRLs business and future results are discussed in WNRLs most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other reports filed by WNRL from time to time with the SEC. The forward-looking statements are only as of the date made, and WNRL undertakes no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any obligation to) update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect new information or events. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 08, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cypress Development Corp. (TSX-V:CYP) (OTCBB:CYDVF) (Frankfurt:C1Z1) (Cypress or the Company) is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into an Option Agreement to acquire a 100% interest in a second Lithium Brine/Clay Project situated in the heart of Clayton Valley, Esmeralda County, Nevada. Dean Claims and Cypress' Clayton Valley Claims, Nevada map: http://www.cypressdevelopmentcorp.com/i/maps/CYP-Dean-Claims-2016.jpg Cypress new 2,700 acre Dean property (35 association placer claims) is located immediately adjacent to Albemarles Silver Peak lithium mine on the west boundary, Pure Energy Minerals project on its southwest boundary and Cypress existing Clayton Valley project on its southern boundary. Cypress highly prospective Dean property is located within 400 metres east of current and past producing lithium brine wells belonging to the Silver Peak Mine operated by Albemarle. The Dean property also abuts the Northern Resource Area of Pure Energy Minerals (see Pure Energys NI 43-101 Technical Report of July, 2015). The Pure Energy Minerals potential production wells SPD 9, CV1, CV3 are located only 500 metres from the southwest area of the Dean claims. The Dean claims are also tied onto the immediate north of Cypress existing Clayton Valley Lithium Clay/Brine Project where a detailed aggressive work program is starting immediately. Cypress recently announced an Option Agreement (see news release August 24, 2016) with Pure Energy Minerals for its existing Clayton Valley Project whereby Cypress will remain the operator of the Project until Pure Energy earns a 51% interest. The Agreement allows Cypress to advance its existing Clayton Valley Project while working with and utilizing the geological expertise of the Pure Energy team. Pure Energys South Project & Cypress Existing Clayton Valley Project map: http://www.cypressdevelopmentcorp.com/i/maps/CYP_Clayton_Valley_South_Cypress_Addition.jpg Cypress Clayton Valley Dean claims are situated in a very active area of Nevada for ongoing lithium brine production and lithium exploration. Infrastructure such as power, roads, accessibility and exploration resources are all readily available. The Albemarle Silver Peak Lithium Mine is the only operating brine-based lithium mine in North America. The Silver Peak Mine began operations in 1967 to mine lithium from abundant lithium bearing Main Ash brine aquifers known in the Clayton Valley. The company has drilled hundreds of bore holes across the Clayton Valley desert floor to mine the lithium by low cost evaporation ponds for several decades. Cypress has compiled and reviewed available geological data relating to the Dean claims. The data appears to indicate very favorable lithium brine exploration targets on the property. Several first order targets exist on the property which include extensive outcroppings of altered green claystones and the presence of paleo hot spring vents leading Cypress to believe that additional lithium bearing brine aquifers could be localized at the water table below the claystones and potentially also localized along structures cutting across these units. The Esmeralda geological formation is the known host rock unit for both lithium brine production and for lithium mineralized evaporate rocks currently being explored by Cypress in Clayton Valley. Known structures on the Dean claims include the dominant Angel Island Fault, a district-scale strike slip fault which trends through strongly fractured surrounding rock units. This zone of pervasive fracturing is being targeted as a pathway for brines to invade the underlying ash layers and also as a zone of high porosity which itself could host lithium brine zones along strike. Deformation along the Angel Island Fault is a complicated, but highly prospective zone for the existence of structural traps for lithium brines. Don Huston, President, commented, "Cypress has been working diligently in the central Clayton Valley since late 2015 with the Companys main objective being the assembling of prospective land packages with lithium-rich exploration potential concentrated on ground immediately adjacent to current lithium brine production as well as tied on to the best advanced stage exploration projects undergoing active development of new lithium brine resources in the basin. The acquisition of the Dean claims is the latest result in this effort and continues Cypress strategy of acquiring key acreage in the central Clayton Valley with a high potential for near-term lithium resource development." Terms of the Option Agreement for Cypress Development to purchase a 100% interest in the Clayton Valley Dean claims are; Year 1. $30,000 USD cash and 250,000 shares of Cypress Year 2. $30,000 USD cash and 250,000 shares of Cypress Year 3. $30,000 USD cash and 250,000 shares of Cypress Year 4. $50,000 USD cash and 300,000 shares of Cypress The Optionor will retain an NSR (net smelter return) of 3% with Cypress having the right to purchase 2/3 (66.6%) of the NSR for $1,000,000. There is no work commitment attached to this Option Agreement. Cypress has already initiated a detailed surface and sub-surface sampling program on the Dean claims. Initial assay results for lithium from the abundant, green evaporite rich volcanoclastic claystone exposure on the property will help direct the Company on expanding its work program in the near future. Robert Marvin, P.Geo, Exploration Manager for Cypress Development Corp. is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has approved of the technical information in this release. About Cypress Development Corp.: Cypress development Corp is a publicly traded lithium and zinc exploration company that continues to acquire and develop potentially viable mineral projects in the State of Nevada, U.S.A. Cypress is very active in Clayton Valley, Nevada with its team committed to systematically exploring its properties for both a lithium-brine resource, and expanding exploration relating to the potential for lithium that exists within the recently discovered claystones, that has seen recent high grade lithium assays recovered from these same claystones. Cypress Development Corp. has approx. 25.6 million shares issued and outstanding. To find out more about Cypress Development Corp. (TSX-V:CYP), visit our website at www.cypressdevelopmentcorp.com. CYPRESS DEVELOPMENT CORP. Don Huston DONALD C. HUSTON President For further information contact myself or: Don Myers Director Cypress Development Corp. Telephone: 604-687-3376 Toll Free: 800-567-8181 Facsimile: 604-687-3119 Email: info@cypressdevelopmentcorp.com NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that management of the Company expects, are forward-looking statements. Although management believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, include market prices, exploration and development successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see the public filings of the Company at www.sedar.com for further information. CHICAGO, Sept. 8, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The John Marshall Law School will honor fair housing law pioneer F. Willis "Bill" Caruso tonight at a dinner in his honor. Caruso, who retired from John Marshall in January, has been a force in fair housing for nearly 50 years. He was a clinical professor of law and co-executive director of The John Marshall Law School Fair Housing Legal Clinic from 1994 to 2015. Prior to joining John Marshall, Caruso was the general counsel of the Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities and the general counsel for the Chicago Housing Authority. He has litigated over a thousand fair housing cases including the US Supreme Court cases The Village of Arlington Heights v Metropolitan Housing Development Corp. and Gladstone Realtors v Village of Bellwood. He also has written numerous articles and a textbook on fair housing and lending. In addition to his work in fair housing, Caruso has provided pro bono services in thousands of cases. In 2013, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association honored him with its Excellence in Public Interest Service award. Earlier this year the National Fair Housing Alliance at its annual national conference honored Caruso for his work. The tribute dinner for Caruso will take place during the law school's annual fair housing conference. The conference will also review the 150th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's Crusade for Open Housing in Chicago and the passage of the Chicago Fair Housing Ordinance. Caruso's untiring advocacy has steered the city and the country toward more innovative enforcement of fair housing laws. CLEARWATER, Fla., Sept. 08, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Wednesday September 28th, the Scientology Information Center in Downtown Clearwater will be hosting a special reception in honor of National Good Neighbor Day for members of the community. Guests are asked to bring hygiene supplies for the homeless. The reception will include music and light refreshments in the Historic Bank of Clearwater Building from 6-8pm. All are welcome. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ba2f3440-daa4-40dd-870c-1e9099ac3bfe As a community, I feel it is important we look out for our neighbors all the time. This also aligns with the precept Try to treat others as you would like to be treated, from the Way to Happiness, a non-religious, non-political moral code based on common sense written by Scientology Founder, L. Ron Hubbard. We want to bring our neighbors together to network, enjoy music and also support each other, said Amber Skjelset, the Center Manager. According to NationalDays.com, National Good Neighbor Day is observed annually on September 28. This day was created to acknowledge and celebrate the importance of a good neighbor. It is a blessing to have a good neighbor but it is even a greater thing to BE a good neighbor. Good neighbors often become friends, they watch out for each other, lend a helping hand and are there for advice when asked. Neighbors are there when we need to borrow something, to get our mail for us when we are on vacation, to watch our homes and sometimes to watch our children and our pets as well as the many other things we do with our neighbors. The Scientology Information center is located at 500 Cleveland Street. To learn more about this facility or to find out about upcoming events please contact Amber at 727-467-6966 or amber@cos.flag.org The Church of Scientology: The Scientology religion was founded by humanitarian and philosopher, L. Ron Hubbard. The first Church of Scientology was formed in the United States in 1954 and has expanded to more than 11,000 churches, missions and affiliated groups in 167 nations. The Church of Scientology regularly engages in humanitarian programs and community events. Clearwater is the home of the spiritual headquarters for the Church of Scientology. Its Information Center is open to all and provides answers to questions about Scientology through its audio visual displays, exhibits and publications. The Church of Scientology has owned the Clearwater Bank Building since 1976, restoring it and transforming its lobby into an Information Center in July 2015. For more information please visit www.scientology-fso.org. It is believed that Finland, representing 0.14% or world tonnage, will ratify as early as tomorrow, ICS technical director Jonathan Spremulli said. With the tonnage of states already having ratified BWM standing just 0.13% short of the required 35% total, Finlands ratification would automatically trigger adoption of the Convention, it is understood. Adoption will bring to a close a saga lasting almost a year where the 35% threshold remained tantalisingly close. A false alarm occurred last November when Moroccos ratification was thought to have reached the threshold, only for recalculation of different flag states tonnage totals by IMOs data provider to eventually show this this was not so. Other countries like St Lucia and Peru have since followed, but still without breaching the 35% mark. IMO has since moved to monthly re-calculation of flag states totals, leading to its confidence that this time the count will be accurate. In any event Panama, representing 20% of world tonnage, is expected to ratify in one to two months, Spremulli informed, meaning the entry into force of the BWM Convention in late 2017 seems assured. CLEARWATER, Fla., Sept. 08, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Wednesday the 7th of September, members of Pinellas Countys Hospitality Industry were hosted at an open house in the historic Fort Harrison, part of the Church of Scientologys international religious retreat in downtown Clearwater. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ed05ed44-6295-46be-acb7-46a1aba5ea5f The Fort Harrison has a unique role in the international scope of Scientology, Pinellas County tourism and the greater Clearwater community, said Lisa Mansell, the Public Affairs Director for the Church. Through these doors, we welcome guests from more than 60 countries every year. Every Scientologist in the world wants to come to Clearwater at some point to partake in advanced Scientology services, she continued, and they take advantage of all that Clearwater and the Tampa Bay region have to offer while they are here. The Executive Chef for the Church and the executive in charge of all of the retreat facilities also spoke, encouraging collaboration to solve common problems. Fifty guests attended Wednesdays event, including executives from the Clearwater Beach Hyatt Resort, Hampton Inn and Suites, Crabby Bills Restaurants, the Clearwater Ferry, the Early Bird Dinner Theater and more. After enjoying hors doeuvres created by the Fort Harrisons gold-medal winning chefs, guests were treated to a set of jazz standards performed by the Churchs Flag Band. To increase understanding about the Churchs role in the community and throughout the world, guests were also invited to tour the Fort Harrison and the ground floor of the Churchs 380,000 square-foot, Scientology religious services Flag Building. In 2014, Florida State Universitys Center for Economic Forecasting reported that up to 700 visitors can be found in the Fort Harrison and several other Church-owned retreats in downtown Clearwater at any one time and as a result, the Churchs visiting parishioners contribute over $1,000,000 in tourist tax to Pinellas Countys burgeoning tourism economy. Scientologist visitors also spend some $19.6 million throughout the area annually. While there is still a 12-month period before the enforcement of the BWM regulation, the time gap would not reduce the sense of urgency among owners to start planning for the procurement and installation of BWTS, according to Don Stephen, vice president product management at De Nora Water Technologies, US-based manufacturer of BWTS. The ratification is very good news. Certainly the demand for the systems is going to increase and shipyard capacity need to increase, Stephen told Seatrade Maritime News at SMM 2016 in Hamburg, Germany on Thursday. Owners who have not done anything so far would need to start making investments within the next six months, he believed. South Koreas BWTS manufacturer Techcross is anticipating a more significant pick up in sales from 2018, after the enforcement date if IMO does decide to proceed. We see no sudden rise in orders for installation after ratification but rather demand will increase from 2018. This is because we have to consider the current financial situation of the owners as BWTS installations are big investments for them, and shipowners association would be calling for exemptions or delays, said Lee JW, sales division, team 3/director at Techcross. However, we expect the future five year period between 2018 to 2022 to be extremely busy and hectic for everyone [BWTS manufacturers], Lee said. De Noras Stephen said his companys sales are expected to ramp up considerably in line with drydocking dates, scheduled to peak around 2020. De Nora is looking to target the larger end of the market such as oil tankers, LNG carriers, large bulkers and containerships. Both De Nora and Techcross are also chasing the elusive USCG type-approval, where until today no BWTS manufacturers have gotten the approval. We are halfway through our landbased testing all are successful and looking for an approval in spring next year, Stephen said. Lee is hoping for Techcross to achieve the USCG type-approval by mid-2017. The BWM convention met its ratification criteria on 8 September 2016, having finally pushed the scales past the 35% of the worlds fleet by gross tonnage after Finlands ratification. Having been very close to ratification for several years Finland has finally pushed the scales past the 35% of the world fleet by gross tonnage one of two key metrics for the convention to come into force 12 months later. Finland ratified the convention today meaning it will come into force on 8 September 2017, which is now set to be a key date for shipowners, managers and equipment manufacturers around the world. This is a truly significant milestone for the health of our planet, said IMO secretary-general Kitack Lim. The spread of invasive species has been recognized as one of the greatest threats to the ecological and the economic well-being of the planet. These species are causing enormous damage to biodiversity and the valuable natural riches of the earth upon which we depend. Invasive species also cause direct and indirect health effects and the damage to the environment is often irreversible, he said. The accession by Finland brings the total tonnage of contracting states to 35.14% passing the 35% threshold which had seemed so hard to reach, including in November last year when Indonesia ratified but it later turned out its fleet was smaller than documented. It brings to and 12 years of uncertainty as to when the regulation would come into forrce but deep concern will remain from shipowners over the approval of systems. It will, however, be a major boost for equipment manufacturers who have developing systems for many years. The entry into force of the Ballast Water Management Convention will not only minimize the risk of invasions by alien species via ballast water, it will also provide a global level playing field for international shipping, providing clear and robust standards for the management of ballast water on ships," Lim added. Chia Yoong Hui, founder, chairman and ceo of Ascenz, said the company has engaged global professional services firm PwC to do the verification for its Ascenz Shipulse, a tool that enables fleet operations and procurement professionals to monitor thousands of ships for performance or disruptive events. We have conducted trainings for our staff on the MRV regulations and we are in the process of getting our system assured by PwC for MRV compliant, Chia told Seatrade Maritime News at SMM 2016 in Hamburg, Germany on Thursday. The MRV regulations set out a procedure for measuring carbon dioxide emissions by monitoring bunker consumption. All ships needing to comply with the regulations will require emissions to be monitored, verified by an independently certificated body and with a document of compliance issued by August 2019. But ship-specific MRV plans approved by accredited verifiers will first have to be in place by end-August 2017, ready to be implemented from January 2018. However, there are no accredited verifiers yet for MRV in the maritime sphere, though PwC is working towards being an accredited verifier, according to Jan Ludolf Heeres, sustainability and responsible governance senior manager at PwC. Meanwhile, Ascenz is planning to open an office in Hamburg as part of its global market expansion plan, following the establishment of a new office in Rotterdam last month. The company already has a presence in Jakarta, Kobe, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Yangon and Taipei. Philippines media quoted ICTSI vp and head of Asia-Pacific region Christian Gonzalez as saying that the company is currently negotiating for a longer term concession in Brunei and is set expand its business in Indonesia. We have proposed to enter into a long term concession agreement in Brunei. What we have at present is a short term renewal. We have proposed already a 20-year proposal, Gonzalez said. In Indonesia, were proposing changes, expansion of scope, expansion of areas, these kinds of things. The way it works in Indonesia is they have a national port operator. The national port operator gets the concession from the port authorities and then the national port operator subcontracts some of the services out to private local and foreign companies, he added. Gonzalez emphasized ICTSI wants to operate a terminal in Indonesia. You cannot drive change and create benefit if you dont have control. Thats why we divested in India, why we divested from Japan. We want to be able to control the terminal, he said. Gonzalez noted that Indonesia is one of the most attractive destinations for the company if structured the right way. Aside from its plan to bolster its presence in Brunei and Indonesia, Gonzalez said ICTSI is also eyeing opportunities in Cambodia and Myanmar. Our strategy is to look everywhere but it all depends on if the opportunity fits. At the end of the day you have to make money, he said. ICTSI is involved in 30 terminal concessions and port development projects in the Asia Pacific, Americas, as well as Europe, Middle East and Africa. The company has allocated $420m in capital expenditure for 2016 to be used for the completion of the initial stage of new container terminals in Congo and Iraq, and the continuing development of a project in Australia. Congo is already operational, doing very well. In fact we want to fast-track development further. Australia is going to open soon. Iraq is going to open soon also, October I think. Thats the new portion of our Iraq facility. And Colombia will open in two months, finally in many years, Gonzalez said. Developed from its well-established aviation business model, TotalCare, based on life-time service arrangements for airlines in which thousands of jet engines are permanently monitored in real time, the companys marine equivalent is aimed at maximising revenue and uptime for its customers. With uptime guarantees, power-by-the-hour is designed to minimise the risk of unexpected maintenance or component breakdown. Marco Cristoforo Camporeale, general manager of the marine divisions Health Management Solutions, explains that four key elements reduce ship operators risk vessel monitoring, remote assistance, dynamic equipment maintenance planning, and intelligent field services around the world. A key benefit for customers, he says, is that efficient vessel operation becomes a partnership between Rolls-Royce and its customer. This means that the vessel operator only pays when the asset is operating and there is no need to maintain an in-house service capability. We share risk and focus on what we each do best, Camporeale explains, revealing that the model also includes uptime guarantees from Rolls-Royce to keep an asset operating. Two successful remote interventions which saved downtime both involved offshore vessels. In one, the subsea construction vessel Far Sleipner had suffered a dynamic positioning (dp) system breakdown off the west African coast. Using an encrypted link, a dp engineer in Norway was able to identify the problem on board the vessel and fix it. In another case, the multi-purpose offshore vessel Viking Poseidon was heading back from the US to Norway when remote monitoring by Rolls-Royce revealed significant changes to vibrations in a thruster which had previously been identified as having a fault. Although the crew had not picked up any change in the thrusters condition, Rolls-Royce was able to intervene remotely and recommend remedial action to prevent a major failure. The company has several negotiations in progress with customers which have expressed interest in the companys new approach to efficient maintenance management. BOSTON, Sept. 08, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Executives from Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN) today told investors at the Barclays Global Consumer Staples Conference that the company is producing higher, more stable earnings and sales volume growth. As stated on our last earnings call, our adjusted earnings guidance for fiscal 2016 of $4.40-4.50 per share is 40 percent more than last year and represents a four-year compound annual growth rate of approximately 22 percent, and were confident we can achieve high single digit growth in fiscal 2017, said Donnie Smith, Tyson Foods chief executive officer. Tyson Foods is returning cash to shareholders through increasing dividends and share repurchases totaling 31 million shares in the previous 12 months through Aug. 8, Smith said. Beyond dividends and share buybacks, well use our substantial cash flows to invest in our business or make strategic acquisitions, he said. Tysons Core 9 product lines, which feature the Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Wright, Aidells and State Fair brands, are growing and gaining momentum, according to Tom Hayes, Tyson Foods president. The investments we made in the Core 9 to spur volume growth are generating returns, he said. We continue to outpace retail food and beverage. Tyson Core 9 is leading in volume performance among the top 10 consumer packaged goods retail food manufacturers, and Tyson Foods is one of only two companies to show growth in the latest quarter. Were growing sales volume, sales dollar sales and market share, Hayes said. About Tyson Foods Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world's largest food companies with leading brands such as Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Sara Lee, Ball Park, Wright, Aidells and State Fair. Its a recognized market leader in chicken, beef and pork as well as prepared foods, including bacon, breakfast sausage, turkey, lunchmeat, hot dogs, pizza crusts and toppings, tortillas and desserts. The company supplies retail and foodservice customers throughout the United States and approximately 130 countries. Tyson Foods was founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson, whose family has continued to lead the business with his son, Don Tyson, guiding the company for many years and grandson, John H. Tyson, serving as the current chairman of the board of directors. The company currently has approximately 113,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. To download Tyson Foods free investor relations app, which offers access to SEC filings, news releases, transcripts, webcasts and presentations, please visit the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android mobile devices. Forward Looking Statements This release includes forward-looking statements as well as historical information. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of the release and include statements relating to projected earnings, projected compound annual growth rate, capital strategy, brand performance, and anticipated sales and market share growth. Actual results may vary. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: certain categories in which our products are sold do not grow or the sales of our products fall below our expectations. Additional information regarding these and other risks is included in Item 1.A. Risk Factors on our Form 10-K for the period ended October 3, 2015. Tyson Foods does not assume any obligation to update the information contained in this communication (whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise), except as required by applicable law. MEMPHIS, Tenn., Sept. 08, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- D. Bryan Jordan, CEO of First Horizon National Corp. (NYSE:FHN), will present at the 2016 Barclays Global Financial Services Conference in New York City on Tuesday, September 13, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The conference will be available to the public via live webcast with audio replays available until September 27. A link to the webcast, both live and archived, will be available in the events and presentations section of http://ir.fhnc.com/. Any materials may contain forward-looking statements, including guidance, involving significant risks and uncertainties, which will be identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "should," "is likely," "will," "going forward" and other expressions that indicate future events and trends and may include cautionary statements. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking information. These factors are outlined in our most recent earnings press release and in more detail in our most current 10-Q and 10-K reports. First Horizon disclaims any obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements that are made from time to time to reflect future events or developments or changes in expectations. About First Horizon The 4,300 employees of First Horizon National Corp. (NYSE:FHN) provide financial services through more than 160 bank locations across Tennessee and the southern U.S. and 29 FTN Financial offices across the U.S. The company was founded during the Civil War in 1864 and has the 14th oldest national bank charter in the country. First Tennessee has the largest deposit market share in Tennessee and one of the highest customer retention rates of any bank in the country. FTN Financial is a capital markets industry leader in fixed income sales, trading and strategies for institutional customers in the U.S. and abroad. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by Working Mother and American Banker. More information is available at www.FirstHorizon.com. FHN-G Gallery visitors take in the exhibit at Pontiac Creative Arts Center. Photo by Nick Hagen. Gallery visitor takes in the exhibit at Pontiac Creative Arts Center. Photo by Nick Hagen. When Melissa Parks took a family summer road trip from Detroit to Rhode Island last year, it changed her perspective on the world While in Rhode Island, Parks visited a science museum and was attracted to a collection of photographs on the wall. I dont normally gravitate to portraits, Parks admits. I wondered what these kids had done for the museum. Parks learned from a booklet this was a We took the booklet into the car and started our drive home, she recalls. Wed stop for gas or to eat, and when we got back in the car, wed read a story. Wed talk. Wed cry. By the time we got home we knew all the stories of these 17 children. That booklet stayed on the green desk by my back door. In the back of her mind, Parks, an artist and art teacher at Detroit Country Day School, knew she had to apply her skills to a similar, more local project. It wasnt until September 2015 when she joined Troy-based professional development nonprofit Soon after, Parks crafted New take on a concept On the surface, Parks idea wasnt new. In fact, the Ann Arbor-based According to Parks, How do you get the word out but through the power of art? she asks. I wanted to gather photographers who could capture the essence of who these kids are. Photographers who know how to get to the soul, because thats what they do. She shared her idea with fellow Leadership Oakland participant Treger Strasberg, CEO of Pontiac nonprofit Melissa is singular and singular-minded, says Strasberg. Shes creative, and knew in her mind this was a calling for her. Partnership with Orchards Childrens Services Parks gained the commitment of award-winning art photographers Linda Solomon, Heather Saunders, Rashaun Rucker and others. Hoping to partner with The staff at Orchards carefully considered the project and worked closely with their We recognized that nationally known, award-winning photographers would be able to showcase the children to a different audience, people who perhaps werent directly seeking it, explains says Orchards chief development officer Katora Cole. Any uneasy feelings about being the poster child are assuaged by the knowledge that careful decisions begin with the best interest of the children, Cole says. We have long-term relationships with these children through foster care, and they have been in the system for a long time," says Cole. "We approached the children directly and had long conversations. We asked is this something you want to do? Your image would be out there, in print; are you comfortable with this? And they were wholeheartedly interested. In addition to the canvas photographs, Art&Soul produces a Art&Souls mission works in tandem with the Orchards, says Jane Cullen, LMSW, program manager at Orchards Childrens Services in Southfield. As of June, 172 children in Oakland County were available for adoption, including those matched with a family and in the process of completing an adoption, according to Cullen. For us, this is very personal, Cullen says. Our staff have their contact information in the brochure. Melissa was the heart behind the project, and we loved the idea. Anything we can do to bring about awareness is our role. We are all working toward a common goal of permanency for our kids. Intimate venue, intimate conversations The intimacy of a small exhibit helps Cullen better communicate with potential forever families, she says. Conversations are more in-depth, and I reach more people that way, and Art&Soul will be at different types of venues, which allows me to reach people differently than I would at Winter Blast or the Ann Arbor Art Fair, Cullen says. Adoption is, of course, the best, but not the only desired result of the project. Raising awareness about foster parenting, cultivating offers to host fundraisers, or gaining commitments to create significant, supportive, lifelong connections to these children are all considered successful results. Parks reports that the project is generating interest, and she is booked up for showings in coming months. People are calling and asking how they can learn more about adoption, based on the exhibit and news coverage, she says. But as an educator, parent, teacher and artist, Parks has an even larger objective for Art&Soul of Oakland County. My hope is that by seeing children as art, people will start seeing children as our greatest resource, as our future," she says. I know what art does for people, and I know the power of children. Merging these two will have a huge impact on our community. If people cant adopt, they can at least become aware. You cant un-see these stories. Following a debut at Orchards Signature Event at Soundboard on May 6, Art&Soul was exhibited at The exhibit will be shown at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center from September 9 until October 14. The exhibit is available for future bookings. and sparked within her a mission to connect adoptive families with children who need loving homes. Heart Gallery , and that all of the children needed to be adopted. Leadership Oakland and was encouraged to champion a worthy local cause that her desire began to take shape. Art & Soul of Oakland County , a fine art photographic collection of children most in need of forever homes. Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange , or MARE, supports a Heart Gallery effort that travels the state, and there are more than 80 Heart Galleries across the U.S. and Canada. Generally, Heart Galleries increase adoption by about 25 percent, according to Heart Gallery of America, Inc. co-founder Matthew Straeb. Art&Soul of Oakland County's defining difference is its emphasis on art. Humble Design . She was hoping to mine some startup wisdom for her project, which she received at Strasbergs kitchen table. Orchards Childrens Services , Parks met with CEO Michael Williams and described her vision: a professionally-shot small exhibit to be displayed in intimate settings. Adoption Resource Consultants to identify children who tend to be difficult to place in adoptive homes, mostly due to their age. The final Art&Soul exhibit includes nine children between the ages of 11 and 17. glossy color brochure with information about each child, the project, and the process of adopting a child. salon r.collective in Clawson, and at Rochester Hills Public Library , and the Pontiac Creative Arts Center NASA's Osiris-Rex spacecraft, which is due to launch at 7:05 p.m. EDT Thursday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, will be latest in a series of increasingly ambitious missions to visit asteroids. Here's a look at our previous robot explorers: RELATED: Probe to Fetch Rocks From Ancient Asteroid Meet Gaspra, our very first encounter with one of the hundreds of thousands of rocky bodies swirling around the sun, mostly in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, but thousands more in orbits that come closer to Earth. Gaspra, a 12.5-mile long rock in the main belt, was visited by NASA's Jupiter-bound Galileo spacecraft in 1991. NASA's Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous, or NEAR, spacecraft was the first to orbit an asteroid and the first to land on one. The goal of the mission was to answer fundamental questions about the nature and origin of the many asteroids and comets in orbits that come close to Earth. The probe was launched in 1996 and put itself into orbit around Eros four years later. As it neared the end of its mission, NASA decided to attempt something not previously planned: land the probe on the asteroid, which was successfully accomplished on Feb. 12, 2001. NEAR continued sending back science data for another two weeks. NASA took advantage of the Cassini spacecraft's trek to Saturn and the Stardust probe's journey to a comet to capture images and gather science information about asteroids. During its passage through the main belt, Cassini flew by the asteroid Masursky. Stardust passed about 3,300 miles from asteroid Annefrank, located in the inner part of the main belt, as a practice run for its encounter with Comet Wild 2 (pronounced "vilt 2".) Japan's Hayabusa spacecraft arrived at the near-Earth asteroid Itokawa in 2005. It stayed for two years during which time it made several attempts to collect samples during touch-and-go maneuvers. During one try, the spacecraft lost communications with Earth and crash-landed on the asteroid. Despite this, JAXA managed to return the damaged Hayabusa probe to Earth on June 13, 2010. Though its sampling mechanism had failed, thousands of tiny particles were found in one of the sample containers, most likely as a result of the spacecraft's crash. Many particles turned out to be grains from the asteroid, but they were mixed with contaminant particles from the spacecraft. Instead of returning several grams of pristine asteroid material, Hayabusa ended up collecting less a milligram. Nevertheless, these first direct samples of an asteroid proved to have great scientific value, says NASA. An innovative NASA spacecraft called Dawn, launched in 2007, is in the process of a detailed investigation of the dwarf planet Ceres, the largest object in the main asteroid belt. Before arriving at Ceres though, Dawn spent 14 months circling the second largest object in the belt, the asteroid Vesta. It collected evidence confirming that three classes of meteorites -- howardites, eucrites and diogenites, or HED meteorites are related to Vesta. The Japanese space agency launched a follow-on Hayabusa mission in December 2014, this time aiming for asteroid Ryugu. The probe is scheduled to arrive in July 2018 and spend about 18 months studying the asteroid before returning to Earth in December 2020 with samples. Hayabusa 2 also includes a European lander called MASCOT and an experiment to send a small impactor into the asteroid's surface to study the resulting crater and how the excavated debris resettles. Archaeologists have found the remains of footless children around the ruins of an ancient temple on Peru's northern coast -- likely evidence of child sacrifices at the ceremonial complex. A team led by archaeologist Carlos Wester La Torre, of the Culture Ministry's Unidad Ejecutora 005 Naylamp, discovered more than 13 burials dating to the 15th and 16th centuries at the Chotuna-Chornancap site in the region of Lambayeque. The temple and pyramid complex covering over 1500 years of history, the site has yielded the tomb of a 13th century "Chornancap priestess," one of the most powerful people in the Lambayeque culture. Accompanied by eight other people, the priestess was buried with a copper mask, elaborate jewelry, ceramic offerings and a gold scepter with the image of a Lambayeque god. RELATED: Did the Greeks Make Human Sacrifices to Zeus? According to a statement by the culture ministry unit, the newly discovered graves belong to the later Chimu culture, which had been conquered by the Inca. Six children were buried in pairs in shallow graves on the east, west and north of the temple's ruins. Most importantly, the two children interred on the west were footless. "It appears the feet had been removed intentionally, suggesting they had been sacrificed as an offering and used as 'guardians' of the graves," the Unidad Ejecutora 005 Naylamp said. Evidence of ritualistic activities and possibly human sacrifices could be also found in the remains of the other adult individuals, men and women, who were buried face-up in narrow and long pits. RELATED: Human Sacrifice May Have Been Key to Social Hierarchies At the center of the grave site, the archaeologists found the most prominent person, a male individual who was buried with two clay pots on one side and a sculpted vessel on the other. The vessel appeared to depict the head of a "coquero," a coca leaf-chewer. Another sculpted vessel represented a man standing up and smiling. "Such offerings appear to be related to some of the characters in a polychrome painting that was discovered earlier in the temple," the archaeologists said. The painting shows some individuals carrying staffs and some others holding the heads of decapitated people. "The archaeological excavations in this season have begun to yield results that allow us to reconstruct the function of places such as Chornancap," Wester La Torre said. "Since the discovery of the priestess' s grave, the site has continued to reveal the complexity of ceremonies and rituals that took place at the temple," he added. PHOTOS: Top Archaeological Discoveries Expected in 2016 style="text-align: left;">Egypt will likely offer promising finds in 2016. King Tutankhamun's tomb will be under the spotlight as a recent investigation suggests the western and northern walls of the 3,300-year-old burial may hide two secret chambers. According to Egypt's Minister of Antiquity Mamdouh al-Damaty there is a 90 percent chance the tomb of King Tut contains such chambers. Damaty made the announcement last November at the end of a radar-based investigation. The non-invasive search followed a claim by Nicholas Reeves, a British Egyptologist at the University of Arizona, who first speculated the existence of the chambers, arguing that one contains the remains, and possibly the intact grave goods, from queen Nefertiti. She was the wife of the "heretic" monotheistic pharaoh Akhenaten, Tutankhamun's father. Will archaeologists try to access the hidden chambers? Their attempt may lead to what Damaty called "one of the most important finds of the century." RELATED: Radar Finds Secret Chamber in King Tut's Tomb style="text-align: left;">The noninvasive technologies applied to King Tut's tomb will be widely used this year in another ambitious project. Called Scan Pyramid, the investigation is carried out by a team from Cairo University's Faculty of Engineering and the Paris-based organization Heritage, Innovation and Preservation under the authority of the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities. The project aims to scan the largest pyramids of Egypt in order to detect the presence of any unknown internal structures and cavities. The technique could lead to a better understanding of the pyramids' structure and how they were built. The project uses a mix of technologies such as infrared thermography, muon radiography, and 3D reconstruction to look at the inside of four pyramids, which are more than 4,500 years old. They include Khufu, or Cheops, Khafre or Chephren at Giza, the Bent pyramid and the Red pyramid at Dahshur. One particularly remarkable anomaly has been already detected on the eastern side of the Great Pyramid, also known as Khufu or Cheops, at the ground level. Much more is to come -- the first results are expected in the first months of the year. RELATED: Striking Anomaly Found in Great Pyramid style="text-align: left;">Last year a study made an extraordinary and controversial claim: Stonehenge was basically a second-hand monument from Wales. It would have stood there hundreds of years before it was dismantled and transported to Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. The research indicates that two quarries in the Preseli Hills of Pembrokeshire, in southwest Wales, are the source of Stonehenge's bluestones. style="text-align: left;">Carbon dating revealed such stones were dug out at least 500 years before Stonehenge was built -- suggesting they were first used in a local monument that was later dismantled and dragged off to England. style="text-align: left;"> "Stonehenge was a Welsh monument from its very beginning. If we can find the original monument in Wales from which it was built, we will finally be able to solve the mystery," Mike Parker Pearson, director of the project and professor of British later prehistory at University College London said. Researchers have been using geophysical surveys, trial excavations and aerial photographic analysis to identify the ruins of a lost, dismantled monument. The results of such research promise to make the headlines this year. style="text-align: left;"> "We think we have the most likely spot. We may find something big in 2016," Kate Welham, of Bournemouth University, said. style="text-align: left;">RELATED: Stonehenge First Built in Wales, Study Claims style="text-align: left;">In early December, the Colombian government announced they had found the holy grail of treasure shipwrecks -- an 18th-century Spanish galleon that went down off the country's coast with a treasure of gold, coins and precious stones now valued between $4 billion and $17 billion. The multibillion-dollar ship, called the San Jose, was found off the island of Baru, near Cartagena. The vessel was part of Spain's only royal convoy to bring colonial coins and bullion home to King Philip V during the War of Spanish Succession from 1701 to 1714. style="text-align: left;"> The San Jose was trying to outrun a fleet of British warships off the island of Baru on June 8, 1708, when an explosion sent it to the bottom of the Caribbean Sea. She was reportedly carrying 600 people, chests of emeralds and tons of silver, gold and platinum. style="text-align: left;"> The shipwreck has been at a center of a decades-long search that also involved a legal battle with the Seattle-based Sea Search Armada, or SSA, a commercial salvage company that claims it first discovered the wreck's location in 1981. Moreover, Peru has argued that any treasure recovered from the San Jose should be considered a Peruvian national patrimony. As more legal fights will likely occur, new expeditions to the wreck in 2016 are expected to recover the much disputed treasure of gold and emeralds. style="text-align: left;">RELATED: Multibillion Dollar Shipwreck Found Off Colombia A woman searching for seashells last weekend on a popular Australian beach found something of greater scientific interest: 130-million-year-old footprints belonging to a tyrannosaur-type carnivorous dinosaur. Tracks for plant-eating sauropod dinosaurs have been spotted at other parts of the beach -- Cable Beach near Broome, Western Australia -- but dino footprints representing a meat-eating species have never been found before at the main tourist area of the site. The unusual and unexpected find was reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). "I went to put my foot down, and the best way that I could describe it is that I felt a very strong energy," beachgoer Bindi Lee Porth, who found the Cretaceous Era footprints, told ABC Local Radio. "When I'd taken my foot slightly off, I could see a bit of a hole, and I thought, 'This is a bit weird.' So I just sort of brushed all the sand away and it's revealed this beautiful, like a bird, foot." RELATED: Foot of Flesh-Eating Dinosaur Found on U.K. Beach She also nearly brushed off her speculations about the prints, because the spot is associated with so much human activity such as sunbathing, fishing and kids playing in the sand. Porth, however, was with her daughter, Summerlee Smith, and her daughter's friend. When the three examined the depressions more closely, they agreed that they must have belonged to a dinosaur. ABC's Matt Bamford later recreated the walk with Porth, showing the footprints at sunset: Here at Seeker World Headquarters -- actually an experimental arcology ecosystem in Antarctica -- we like to keep a steady stream of music going in the newsroom. It's the usual workplace mix: nerdcore hip-hop, Tuvan throat singing, Hank Williams, this sort of thing. Evidently, we are once again on the cutting edge: New research published in the Journal of Organizational Behavior suggests that upbeat music in the workplace promotes better cooperation and efficiency. Trace Dominguez has the details in today's DNews report. For the experiment, researchers at Cornell University divided 78 college students into two groups -- one exposed to happy music, and the other exposed to unhappy music. These are subjective terms, of course, but the research team did its best. The happy group got songs like "Walking on Sunshine" and "Yellow Submarine." The unhappy group got album tracks from obscure heavy metal bands. RELATED: Music and Tech Collide at Moogfest 2016 The students in each group were asked to decide how much money they wanted to put into a group pool, and how much they wanted to keep for themselves. To incentivize cooperation, money in the pool was multiplied 1.5 times before being split evenly. The results? Contributions to the pool were about one-third higher with the happy music group. The study is the latest of several research initiatives over the years trying to suss out the effects of music on workplace cooperation and productivity. A previous University of Miami study showed that computer developers worked faster and better when allowed to play their own music selections at work. On the other hand, a study at Florida Atlantic University observed 45 students to see how fast they wrote essays with or without music. Those who listened to music wrote slower by an average of 60 words per hour, suggesting that music may actually be distracting when doing something as cognitively intense as essay writing. For more on music -- happy or unhappy -- check out our recent report on the enduring question: Is There A Formula Behind Good Music? -- Glenn McDonald Learn More: Wiley Online Library: The Sound Of Cooperation: Musical Influences On Cooperative Behavior Huffington Post: Listening To Heavy Metal May Actually Make You Calmer, Study Finds Medical Daily: This Is Your Brain On Music: How Our Brains Process Melodies That Pull On Our Heartstriings Part of the appeal of Detroit's But these beautiful old buildings, specifically the ones Eastern Market utilizes for food processing, need to be modernized to conform to new legal standards. And if not for the proactive efforts of Eastern Market Corp., this issue could have seriously undermined one of our region's most unique and cherished institutions. Last year, Eastern Market Corp. engaged hundreds of stakeholders and urban planning firms from Detroit and London to produce a plan for guiding the expansion and redevelopment of the district through 2025. Instead of being threatened by the new law, it's using it as an opportunity to modernize. Eastern Market, which "You have a lot of companies with a great family recipe, we get them licensed, they start to feel confident, and work their business. Then they're ready for the next stage of growth," says Mike DiBernardo, Eastern Market's director of Food Innovation Programs. But Eastern Market wants to still be able to accommodate businesses looking to grow and those that would consider relocating to a food processing district. One of those growing companies is Patrick Schwager and Carlos Parisi making salsa in Eastern Market's community kitchen But, says Schwager, it might be time to move on. "I really want to stay in Eastern Market. But when you get to the point when you start to see scale with your items, an hourly rate at the kitchen makes it hard to grow," he says. "You're locked in the price point of your items. I'm looking for an option." Growth isn't the only pressure point causing Eastern Market to expand its footprint. A new federal law, Hence the creation of a new, ambitious district. Eastern Market hopes to develop buildings and vacant land north and east of the existing market district for both sale and lease. While new buildings will be favored over old given the technological and structural concerns of modern processing, there will also be adaptive reuse of some older ones. DiBernardo says several existing companies in the market, as well 30 in the region, are already considering moving into the area. There's many more facets to the plan, including adding pedestrian circuits, increasing connectivity to the rest of Detroit by opening Russell Street at both ends and advocating for better bus service, improving the amount and ease of parking, and methods to decrease the market's carbon footprint. A feasibility study will also be conducted for creating a new wholesale produce terminal in the northeastern area to replace the Detroit Produce Terminal on West Fort Street and accommodate both large semitrucks and smaller trucks that deliver to restaurants. Inspecting brussels sprouts The plan also recognizes that the food system is changing, with consumers demanding more locally grown food. But getting fresh food from local and regional small farms to restaurants and other businesses is complicated. Grow Eastern Market (GEM), which was launched this year, links farmers, some who don't currently sell at the market, with commercial consumers. GEM not only makes the connections, but transports produce in a refrigerated truckliterally from farm to kitchen. With over 100 farms for buyers to select from within 150 miles of the market, there's many options to choose from. GEM offers customers 12 different varieties of eggs and 25 varieties of peppers. Their farmers have different growing practices: conventional, sustainable, organic, and so forth. Not only that, but farms and restaurants are geographically spread outeven on market days, it's difficult for chefs to connect with growers. Lynn Browne, general manager of GEM, makes a compelling case for everyone in the food chain to participate. "If you look at it from both ends of the spectrum, chefs work long days," she says. "We can bring these products to you. We've been on the farms." Vicki Zilke at her farm Vicki Zilke Though it's a small percentage, Zilke says GEM has the potential of impacting her sales "enormously." It eliminates much of the work she would have to do to distribute the produce, while introducing her to new consumers. "My goal is to sell what I grow and have a viable family business by growing good food," Zilke says. "I really don't want to drive food around. That's where Eastern Market is essential to farms like mine. I want to be a farmer I cannot tell you how important this new process is. In the world of agriculture, often it's the farmer who earns the least amount of money." Eastern Market's crisis has created an enormous growth opportunity, for both its interests and the those of regional growers and food processors. Its managers could have gone with the flow and created a retail/residential zone that retains a food market theme but erodes the transactional purpose that has defined the market for 125 years as a working food district. Instead, it has chosen to adapt to the economic forces shaping it, listen to the people who use it most, and foster social entrepreneurship. As its plan notes, "Economic democracy defines Eastern Market's authenticity." NORCROSS, Ga., Sept. 08, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WestRock Company (NYSE:WRK) today announced it will settle $2.5 billion in pension obligations of the WestRock Company Consolidated Pension Plan (Plan). This transaction, which is expected to close in late September and is subject to closing conditions, will occur through the purchase of a group annuity contract using Plan assets that will transfer payment responsibility for retirement benefits owed to approximately 35,000 U.S. retirees and their beneficiaries to The Prudential Insurance Company of America, a subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU). This settlement will reduce WestRocks overall U.S. pension obligations by approximately 40%. The monthly retirement benefit payment amounts currently received by retirees and their beneficiaries are not changing. Those Plan participants not included in the transaction are staying in the Plan. WestRock is committed to the long-term financial health of the Plan and has taken steps to protect all participants of the Plan, said Ward Dickson, WestRocks chief financial officer. This transaction represents a further step towards managing future pension cost and risk, benefiting participants remaining in the Plan while entrusting certain retirees and their beneficiaries pensions to a financially strong and secure institution with expertise in the long-term management of retirement benefits. After the annuity purchase, the Plan is expected to remain in a strong, overfunded financial position. WestRock will not make any cash contributions into the Plan to affect this transaction and, at this time, does not expect to make any future cash contributions. Additionally, WestRock does not expect any unfavorable impact to its fiscal 2017 pension income as a result of this transaction. As part of the transaction, State Street Global Advisors (SSGA), a leading independent fiduciary services firm, was appointed as the independent fiduciary to represent the interests of all Plan participants and beneficiaries and objectively select the safest available annuity pursuant to procedures established by the U.S. Department of Labor. SSGA selected a Prudential contract that provides an additional safeguard by segregating assets in a separate account dedicated to the payment of benefits to Plan retirees and their beneficiaries transferred to Prudential. Key advisors to SSGA included AonHewitt Investment Consulting and K&L Gates LLP. Key advisors to WestRock included: Mercer as lead strategic advisor, Goldman Sachs Asset Management as Outsourced Chief Investment Officer of the Plan and each of Covington & Burling LLP and Mazursky Constantine LLC as legal counsel. No action is required on the part of retirees and beneficiaries. Affected retirees and beneficiaries will soon receive detailed information packages. About WestRock WestRock (NYSE:WRK) aspires to be the premier partner and unrivaled provider of paper and packaging solutions in consumer and corrugated markets. WestRock's 39,000 team members support customers around the world from more than 250 operating and business locations spanning North America, South America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.westrock.com. About Prudential Prudential Retirement delivers retirement plan solutions for public, private and non-profit organizations. Prudential Retirement is a business unit of The Prudential Insurance Company of America (PICA), Newark, NJ, and Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company (PRIAC), Hartford, CT, both of which are Prudential Financial companies. Services include defined contribution, defined benefit and non-qualified deferred compensation record keeping, administrative services, investment management, comprehensive employee education and communications, and trustee services, as well as a variety of products and strategies, including institutional investment and income products, pension risk transfer solutions and structured settlement services. With over 85 years of retirement experience, Prudential Retirement helps meet the needs of 4.1 million participants and annuitants. Prudential Retirement has $374.9 billion in retirement account values as of Jun. 30, 2016. Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU), a financial services leader with over $1 trillion of assets under management as of June 30, 2016, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudentials diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and investment management. In the U.S., Prudentials iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit www.news.prudential.com. Insurance products are issued by PICA and PRIAC, both of which also provide retirement products and services. Each company is solely responsible for its financial condition and contractual obligations. Forward-looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, beliefs, plans or forecasts and are typically identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "could," "should," "would," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "target," "prospects," "potential" and "forecast," and other words, terms and phrases of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, expectations, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions, risks and uncertainties. WestRock cautions readers that a forward-looking statement is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statement. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding, among other things, the parties ability to complete the transaction on the anticipated terms and schedule, that the Plan is expected to remain in a strong, overfunded financial position after the annuity purchase, that WestRock does not expect to make any cash contributions into the Plan to affect this transaction and, at this time, does not expect to make any future cash contributions to the Plan, and that the transaction is not expected to unfavorably impact WestRocks fiscal 2017 pension income. With respect to these statements, WestRock has made assumptions regarding, among other things, the results and impacts of the merger of MeadWestvaco and RockTenn; economic, competitive and market conditions generally; competitive conditions in WestRock's businesses and possible adverse actions of their customers, competitors and suppliers. Further, WestRock's businesses are subject to a number of general risks that would affect any such forward-looking statements. These risks, and other factors that may impact management's assumptions, are more particularly described in WestRocks filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Item 1A Risk Factors in WestRocks Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2015. The information contained herein speaks as of the date hereof and WestRock does not have or undertake any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. WestRock Investors: Matt Tractenberg, 470-328-6327 Vice President, Head of Investor Relations matt.tractenberg@westrock.com John Stakel, 678-291-7901 Senior Vice President - Treasurer john.stakel@westrock.com Media Contact: Chris Augustine, 470-328-6305 Director, Corporate Communications mediainquiries@westrock.com Prudential Financial Media Contact: Josh Stoffregen, 973-802-3996 Vice President, Global Communications josh.stoffregen@prudential.com A new statewide guide to entrepreneurial resources shows that Ann Arbor easily tops other Michigan cities when it comes to funding opportunities and other support for startups. The Ann Arbor is particularly rich in resources, with more than half of the state's 44 venture capital firms based here, as well as two angel groups and 17 entrepreneurial support organizations. "Washtenaw County by far leads the charge in resources that are available for entrepreneurs," says Maureen Miller Brosnan, executive director of the MVCA. The area is one of the fastest-growing entrepreneurial communities in the state, Brosnan says, thanks in part to work coming out of the University of Michigan in high-tech and life science industries. Launched last year, the annual guide and companion "The guide was designed to fill that hole we were seeing," she says. "This is the quickest way for startups to find partners." Another key market for the guide is out-of-state investors, to whom Brosnan says Michigan presents a "vitality" of entrepreneurial activity not seen in other parts of the country. "For every $1 invested in Michigan startups, $4.31 comes in from out-of-state investors," she says. "We are really good at leading the charge with deals and able to acquire partners from outside the state of Michigan." The full guide can be downloaded as a PDF from the MVCA website. Printed versions of the guide will be available at MVCA events, including the organization's upcoming Travis O. Johnson runs the Iron Man, bikes to work on Detroit's riverfront along the Dequindre Cut, and pushes himself and his team to become the largest online food-ordering site in the country--Detroit-based foodjunky "Our name is going to become a noun," says the 37-year-old wunderkind who alternates between Chicago and Detroit to grow his firm at the rate of 1,000 restaurants a month and hopes to have a presence in all 50 states by the end of the year."Our business model is the only one that has the ability to accommodate 100 percent of the country's restaurants," Johnson says, declining to reveal revenue numbers for the privately held company. According to a previous story, he acquired $750,000 in seed capital and hoped to acquire more.Yelp, the online resource for user reviews and recommendations on restaurants to other services, is the key to his dreams, Johnson says. In June, he inked a deal with the San Francisco-based company to power meal requests directly from Yelp business pages to foodjunky's online roster of restaurants. The deal gives more visibility to restaurants and makes online food ordering easier."Partnering with foodjunky.com allows Yelp to expand food order and delivery options for restaurants, one of our most popular categories for transactions on Yelp," Chad Richard, senior vice president of Yelps business and corporate development, says in a release . About 21 million unique devices accessed the Yelp app, drawing 69 million visitors to its mobile website.Yelp is the plum Johnson has eagerly awaited. He has three business partners, Jeremy Jongsma, Andrew Waldman, and Phil Boardman, and sees Yelp as a way to attract investor funding in Detroit and Chicago. With more investors in Detroit he will maintain his presence here, but otherwise hell go back to his hometown and keep in contact through Skype."Raising capital in the Detroit area for a pure tech startup is extremely challenging, which draws our attention out of Detroit and out of the state to raise capital with outsider investors," Johnson says.Much tinkering, failing, and handwringing went into the business model Johnson hosts today. Most food ordering companies, like the nation's leading GrubHub, charge restaurants a fee for every order it channels. Johnson had been unsuccessful trying to duplicate the model and disappointed early investors."How a company fails is as arguably more important than how one succeeds. If nine out of 10 companies fail, it is extremely important it fails quickly and everyone involved learn from that failure," Johnson says, who plays math Olympics games to keep his mind sharp.He stays active in the entrepreneurial community, first as a student in Bizdom University, a now-defunct Dan Gilbert project, to launching the Bootstrappers Breakfast for founders of early stage technology startups, in Bizdom, then foodjunky's offices in the Elevator Building.Bootstrappers is a monthly breakfast for entrepreneurs where Johnson and others share the best ideas and practices for helping someone launch/grow their dream project and network with other young business people. The $5 breakfast, which takes place on the third Thursday of every month, draws up to 30 guests and often has a waiting list."Travis has been incredibly helpful in suggesting ways to grow my yarn and crochet business," says Ashley Cirilli, a team leader for Quicken who will take over the Bootstrappers' host role when Johnson heads to Chicago. He suggested she get brand labels for her blankets and shawls and invest in a display station. "Honest advice can go a long way to helping a person steer clear of expensive mistakes, Cirilli says.At a recent breakfast, Johnson advised a few entrepreneurs against paying $30,000 or more for a software application without testing the market sensibility of the idea on prospective customers."A startup doesn't have to be profitable, but it has to have clear, delineated goals, Johnson says. Keep communicating with your customers, find out what they want, and how you can fulfill that need." Johnson found his own business jumped measurably when he changed his business model from charging restaurants with a small profit margin for food orders and putting the cost onto consumers.Wherever Johnson lives, he expects to sustain foodjunky to greater profitability and challenge himself to better outcomes in Ironman competitions. "Our bodies have so much more abilities than most realize," Johnson says. "I say 'can't' is the most overused swear word. I removed 'can't' from my vocabulary so things like the Ironman become possible. The most difficult thing is finding the next goal."Cirilli and other monthly patrons of Bootstrappers Breakfast hope the goal can be realized in Detroit. A full year into its small business programming and Motor City Match is starting to see some brick-and-mortar results. Vintage clothing boutique Mama Coo's has opened up shop in Corktown and coffee shop Detroit Sip and Comb-N-Weave manufacturer Black Pride Beauty are reportedly nearing the opening of their own stores in the University District and Jefferson East areas, respectively.Those three businesses were winners of Motor City Match grants ranging from $18,000 to $60,000 each. Entrepreneurs and small business owners looking for their own shot at small business assistance from Motor City Match, which can include anything from grant money to free architectural services, business planning to tenant-landlord introductions, are in luck.Round six of applications closes Saturday, Oct. 1. Applications are available online "Now that we're a full year into the program, Motor City Match is really starting to show some positive results," says Rodrick Miller, CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corp. "Businesses are moving through the steps of the program and beginning to open their doors to serve our neighborhoods."Lana Rodriguez, winner of an $18,000 Motor City Match grant, recently opened Mama Coo's in Corktown. In an earlier interview with Model D , Rodriguez spoke about the importance of the grant and how it allowed her to open Mama Coo's with less debt and more resources."I know that now I have a better chance of longevity and success and to keep this puppy going," she says.For those seeking guidance through the application process, Motor City Match has partnered with Wayne County Community College to host the Small Business Summit and Resource Fair, to be held Friday, Sept. 16 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the college's downtown Detroit campus.The Resource Fair is not Motor City Match-exclusive and will feature a number of Detroit small business support services including the Build Institute, CEED Lending, the Detroit Development Fund, the Detroit Public Library, Detroit SCORE, Grand Circus, Ioby, and Lifeline Business Consulting.Got a development news story to share? Email MJ Galbraith here or send him a tweet @mikegalbraith From deployments in Nairobi to clinical trials in Detroit to a new home in Ann Arbor, startup Warmilu's IncuBlanket is a non-electric, reusable heating wrap that acts instantly. First developed by University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University students as a way to keep newborns warm, the idea grew to include uses for the elderly and people dealing with pain or soreness. In March, Warmilu team members traveled to Kenya, where they spent two and a half weeks working alongside Ann Arbor's The Warmilu team brought 35 IncuBlankets with them to distribute and test at six different hospitals in Kenya. Grace Hsia, Warmilu's CEO and co-founder, calls the trip an "eye-opening" discovery mission. "It really validated and helped us realize there was a challenge greater than we had anticipated and potential for acceptance larger than we had anticipated," Hsia says. With letters of support from four hospitals on the way, Warmilu is finalizing a distribution deal that would allow the company to start processing purchase orders for about 20,000 blankets. Closer to home in Detroit, the Warmilu team is working with Dr. Nitin Chouthai at the Children's Hospital of Michigan on planning and deploying clinical trials that could help make the IncuBlanket's case as a warming option for transferring critical-care and neonatal patients in emergencies. Pending approval, the tests will last three to five months and rate the IncuBlanket for efficiency, effectiveness, and safety compared with current methods of transporting low-birthweight and premature infants. With high hopes for new market opportunities, Warmilu also has another first on the way: its first home. The company, which Hsia says was previously "nomadic," is moving into a new, 2,000-square-foot headquarters and production space on the west side of Ann Arbor. Hsia says the move will help the five-year-old business scale up while bringing all operations in-house, from administration to production to storing raw materials. "It will allow us to produce the blanket volumes we're projecting for at least the next two to three years," she says. Warmilu's team of six will expand soon too, as the company looks to bring on a quality and production manager and several sewers. Press Release September 8, 2016 ANGARA CALLS FOR TIGHTER CAMPUS SECURITY AS BOMB SCARES HIT SCHOOLS Senator Sonny Angara has urged school and police authorities to beef up security measures in campuses after several colleges in Manila got a series of bomb threats in the wake of the deadly explosion in Davao City. "While such bomb scares turned out to be a hoax, we should not take these threats lightly, and authorities must remain on full alert and take extra precautions to ensure the safety of the students. Mapapanatag lang po ang kalooban ng mga estudyante at ng mga magulang nila kung may kaukulang seguridad ang paaralan na sisigurong walang anumang panganib dito," Angara said. Among the schools at the university belt near Malacanang that received bomb threats include the College of the Holy Spirit Manila, Centro Escolar University, San Beda College, Eulogio "Amang" Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology, Emilio Aguinaldo College, as well as the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. Earlier today, the Philippine College of Criminology has suspended its classes after receiving a bomb threat which turned out to be negative. For his part, Angara has filed Senate Bill 946 or the Campus Safety and Security Act that seeks to establish a Crime Prevention Committee (CPC) in all colleges and universities tasked to formulate policies and strategies that will help protect students from threats to their safety and security. Under the proposed measure, the CPC shall formulate and implement crime prevention strategies and programs concerning campus safety and campus law enforcement to prevent the incidence of theft, robbery, rape and other forms of violence within and outside the school. The lawmaker explained that his proposed measure aims to arm the students the know-how on courses of action in case of emergency to guarantee security and ensure expedient response and assistance from the authorities. "Nakakabahala na isa sa mga pinupuntirya ng terorismo ay mga paaralan na kinaroroonan ng mga kabataan. Schools must be conducive to learning and intellectual discourse, not venues for violence and crime. Students should be able to go to school without fear for their physical well-being," Angara said. Press Release September 8, 2016 Cayetano on Duterte-Obama row: All is Well "All's well that ends well." This is how Senator Alan Peter Cayetano described the brief meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and United States President Barack Obama on Wednesday night, following the cancellation of a scheduled formal talk between the two leaders last Tuesday. The two presidents met informally in a holding room before attending a gala dinner at the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) summit in Laos. During an interview with the Philippine media delegation, Cayetano, who accompanied President Duterte in his trip, said that the brief meetup ended well for both parties. He said the two leaders shared "a warm handshake [and] a good conversation." "You could see that there is an effort from both sides to patch things up," added the chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, as he expressed the importance of maintaining strong diplomatic ties between the Philippines and the US. "In diplomacy, you do not usually go to the past and say, 'bakit nangyari 'yun.' You can't blame anyone. It won't be productive. The Philippines and the US have a longstanding partnership [and] relationship. There will be bumps along the way... But it won't hurt to have a popular President on our side," he stressed. The senator earlier wrote an open letter to President Obama, which went viral in social media. In his letter, Cayetano appealed to the US leader to "give the Philippines and President Duterte a chance" to achieve genuine change, as the administration wages a three-pronged war to address poverty, defeat crime and drugs, and achieve a just, inclusive, and lasting peace. Cayetano said that like President Obama, who persevered to overcome challenges and accomplish so much for the American people, the Philippines now has a leader who is willing to sacrifice his life and honor to protect the welfare of all Filipinos. He further lamented how President Duterte has been misjudged by some sectors based on the way he speaks, which was aggravated by a misinformation campaign about the human rights situation in the country. "Does he (Pres. Duterte) not deserve to be judged on his record and his actions? On facts and not manipulated statistics? On where he wants to bring the country rather than his sometimes politically incorrect words?" Cayetano asked. "Can't we give the Philippines and President Duterte a Chance?" Press Release September 8, 2016 Transcript of Interview of Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin M. Drilon Q: Are you aware na he (Sen. Gordon) will be filing a bill to suspend the writ (of habeas corpus) Drilon: I am not aware. If what is filed, I don't think there is any basis for that. Under the Constitution, only in cases of rebellion or invasion and when public safety requires it can the privilege of writ of habeas corpus be suspended. In other words, it's the same grounds that should be relied upon in case of declaration of martial law. Pareho lang po iyon, martial law or suspension of write of habeas corpus must be anchored on the same grounds. Q: It means sa komite n'yo pa lang, it will die a natural death? Drilon: Depending on he crafts his resolution. Q: Not necessarily sa inyo? Drilon: Not necessarily. Q: Hindi nyo i-hear Sir? Drilon: I don't even know if it will go in my committee. How can I answer that? Q: According to Sen. Gordon, sa inyo raw po ma-refer? Q: Basta yung grounds na yun ay not present, Sir? Drilon: Yes, that's correct. Q: Procedural, tama ba na dapat mauna muna yung declaration of martial law bago yung sa Kongreso? Drilon: I have to double check. I cannot answer that because sa martial law ay mayroong confirmation. Q: Is there room to correct? Drilon: The Senate works as an institution. There are the committees and floor deliberations... Q: Ano yung effect non? Drilon: Huhulihin kita ngayon, warrantless arrest. Q: Ang sabi ni Sen. Gordon, mas mabuti raw unahan ng Kongreso si Pang. Duterte so the Congress can set the limits. Drilon: There is no ground to suspend the privilege of the writ habeas corpus. The grounds are very limited under the Constitution. Press Release September 8, 2016 SPEECH OF SENATOR FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN DURING THE EUROPEAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE PHILIPPINES SMART AGRICULTURE FORUM Thank you for inviting me to speak in this conference. It is always an honor for me to speak on the state of our agriculture, particularly of the agents of this sector that put the bounties on our table: our farmers and fishers. Agriculture is a compelling subject that has sent me on a journey to meet thousands of Filipinos in our countryside, and it has shared with me their simple and yet rich outlook on life. To the point that I myself ventured into farming: A small 5,000 square meter planted area in Alfonso, Cavite where I plant organic lettuce and herbs and I have my own native pigs and chickens. Farming has become so much more part of my life that my wife, who some of you may know, has become very jealous. She has protested that I have more pictures in my smartphone of the farm lettuce and our produce than her. So to solve that, the screensaver is a picture of her. Levity aside, one way of viewing the state of our agriculture or I think a primary way of looking at our state of agriculture should be to look at the state of our farmers. The number one resource of any organization would be its people. And our farmers' average income annually on agriculture is P23,000. That's not even P2,000 a month. That is not a good state. It is not sustainable. It is not right and it is not just. The people who produce our food should not be losing sleep, worrying how they are to feed their own families. And if farmers lack income for food, how then can our farmers afford other needs such as education or health care? Moreover, the cultural shackles that bind our views on farmers as a society on agriculture only exacerbate these injustice. We call the lowest in our society, and this is in Filipino: 'hampas lupa' It's actually pejorative. It is actually insulting when you call someone 'hampaslupa' or refer to something as 'hampaslupa,' it is actually insulting. But why is it insulting when 'hampaslupa's direct translation is to hit the soil, which is really to till the soil, which is really to farm. We also call those who do not succeed in life or at least in school in Filipino as 'nangangamote.' 'Kamote' is the sweet potato. So if you're nangangamote, you're planting sweet potato. Again, what is wrong in planting sweet potato? And why do you tell me that you are unsuccessful because you are 'nangangamote.' These are cultural aspects as to why agriculture in farming has not really developed in this country relative to how it has developed in ASEAN. Thailand is a net exporter of agricultural products the tune of something like almost 20 billion dollars. Vietnam would be anywhere to four to six billion dollars, net exporter. And the Philippines is a net importer of agricultural products to the tune of 2 billion dollares. Many of us look down on agricultural work in our society. Hence, our farmers, now with an average age of 56 years, ageing while their children, the next generation of Filipinos refuse to take up farming precisely because it means taking a vow of poverty, which is not right. If we are not able to secure a new generation of farmers and fisherfolk, how do we expect to secure our food. Despite generating the 11.3% of our country's GDP and 32 percent directly employed by agriculture, you put another 20 percent indirectly employed. Meaning, the pesticide industry, the fertilizer industry, the transport industry. It becomes nearly half of the country's labor force is directly or indirectly employed by agriculture and agri-industry. If you want to move this nation forward and have sustainable economic growth, you must address the agriculture and agri-industry economy. There's no going around them. Competitiveness is slipping, and our irrigation networks and farm-to-market roads, for example, need rehabilitation. Clearly, we must respond to these challenges with a legislative agenda that does not only promote agriculture, but brings about sweeping changes that would make agriculture more profitable for our farmers, and more productive and empowering for our nation. One of the first ten bills we filed in the 17th Congress is called 'Sagip Saka Bill.' 'Sagip Saka' is Tagalog for 'Save Farming,' I mean, the translation in English is 'to save farming.' This bill, among other things, intends to mandate that national and local government agencies should directly purchase agriculture and fishery products from accredited farm organizations and fisherfolk cooperatives, amending the procurement law. The procurement processes in the Philippines, some of you may be familiar, can take three to four to five months before it's actually completed. What happens to your agricultural produce after three to five months? Obviously, it won't work. The bill will also grant tax incentives to companies and private entities that purchase directly from our farmer and fisherfolk accredited organizations or will donate equipment, machinery, facility to these accredited farm organizations and such donations will be deductible in corporate income taxes By doing so, we prioritize support for our farmers. This will effectively increase the incomes of Filipinos in agriculture, and provide investment toward a more robust agriculture sector. We have already tested the concept in a program we implemented in 2013, on the last year of my term as the chairman of the agriculture committee and as senator. One of the companies that partnered with us is actually a European company, Nestle. In that particular partnership, we were able to double in over a year the average annual income of a number of coffee farmers in Surigao del Sur. Under the program, our private partner provided three communities in Bukidnon, Davao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur with a total of 83,000 high yielding coffee seedlings, put up a nursery with a capacity of 20,000 seedlings in Bukidnon, provided an all-weather drier and post-harvest facility, distributed fertilizers, and conducted farmer education and technical and basic entrepreneurship training with local government partners. To help boost the farmers' productivity, each participating community received P1 million from the Sagip Saka program from government. Nestle Philippines' baseline data from Surigao del Sur show that some farmers posted an average annual income from coffee of P7,350 in 2014. In 2015, after initial implementation, these farmers started earning P14,224. This 2016, based on field forecast by technicians these farmers are expected to earn an income of P 28,500 with higher production compared to previous years. So in two years time, that's 7,350 to 28,500. The program and its namesake bill seek to achieve sustainable modern agriculture and food security by transforming agricultural communities to reach their full potential, improving farmers' quality of life and bridging gaps through public-private partnerships. The new coffee trees planted with the guidance and support of our private sector partner were said to yield 110% more than the old trees for some farmers, and we have drastically increased these farmers' income by more than 100% in 2015. Sagip Saka is meant to give agriculture and fisheries the primacy that it deserves by focusing on improving the quality of life of our farmers and fisherfolk and, in doing so, building sustainable farming communities nationwide as a means to achieve food security. And only through strong partnerships can we achieve this. Another partnership apart from Nestle is with a local conglomerate: The Jollibee Foundation. We had this partnership in 2011. Jollibee Foundation had a partnership with an onion and rice and corn farm cooperative in Nueva Ecija, in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija. The Kalasag Farmers Cooperative. The arrangement was that Jollibee would buy 60 percent of the onions produced by these farmers organization. In 2008, when they started the partnership, the farmers' organization produced 60 tons of onions. By 2011 when we came in, with Sagip Saka as a program, they were producing 240 tons of onions. Today, in 2015, we provided them with support in terms of cash allocation. We provided them support in terms of equipment. They had requested for a refrigerated van because one van trip, as they were renting, would cost them P17,000. And so they would rent this van to bring it to the cold storage facility. And they requested us for support, we were able to provide them in 2011. Today, they are hitting 500 metric tons only in a span of 7 years. So from 60 tons in 2008 to 500 tons in 2015, in partnership with the Jollibee Foundation. It is interesting to know that many of these farmers were able to, the term is 'tubos' in Filipino, the jewelry of their wives. They were able to redeem. There is this joke in Filipino, they now have hepatitis. Hepatitis is when you turn yellow and so all their jewelry are gold. These farmers either have a motorcycle or a tricycle so the farmers have increased their land-planted area because other farmers decided to sell to them or to lease to them additional property. So you can imagine the net effect on the local economy when farmers' income double or triple. Aside from Sagip Saka, we also have a bill seeking to create the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources- in fact, we should have heard that this week but we had to postpone it to next week because many of those who would be speaking as resource persons are still in the ASEAN meeting. We have to separate the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources from the Department of Agriculture. This will allow us to better protect and manage the country's marine resources. Twenty percent of our national territory is land, and 80 percent is water. Yet the budget of the Department of Agriculture is the opposite- 80 percent goes to land, and not even 20 percent is dedicated to aquamarine resources. Obviously, this is not appropriate. This is not correct, and has to be corrected. The Philippines is one of the largest fish producers in the world, contributing 17.65 percent to the country's total agricultural output. Around 1.4 million Filipinos rely of fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihood. The fisher folk are the poorest in the agriculture sector. They are even poorer than the coconut farmers. The poorest farmer is the coconut farmer earning P50 a day on copra, and you can imagine the fisher folk even poorer. Coastal villages are among the poorest areas. The poverty incidence in coastal areas is 14 percent compared to the national average of 25 percent. This is a glaring discrepancy that needs to be addressed. Creating a Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources aims to strategically develop and use the country's marine resources and, at the same time, address poverty in the rural coastal areas. Elevating the current Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and beefing up its mandate and structure will ensure that the Department of Agriculture will be able to focus on production so that government's resources will be fairly distributed and prioritized. We also have the Food Bank Bill in the pipeline, and business sector should be able to contribute largely here in terms of crafting the measure. Inspired by the France, the bill seeks to shoot two birds with one stone. Number 1, to stop impoverished Filipinos from eating 'garbage food,' and number 2, to reduce food wastage. They call it 'pagpag.' Pagpag is 'to dust off' in Filipino, or 'to shake off,' but it has come to mean food taken from garbage, dusted off by the poorest of the poor as a means to survive. According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology, every Filipino on the average wastes over 3 kilos of rice per year. Food waste are those left on one's plate and become spoiled. Food is also wasted due to post-harvest losses due to absence of storage and transport facilities. In 2008, the Philippines' rice wastage was estimated at nearly 300,000 metric tons, or about 12 percent of our year's imports. That is P7.3 billion worth of wastage. With this, more than 2 million Filipinos could have better nutrition. There's something terribly wrong when on the one hand, food is so plenty that the excess is trashed or allowed to rot, while on the other hand, we have countrymen continue to be hungry. Under the proposed Food Bank Law, grocery stores, fast-food outlets, canteens, bakeries, restaurants, and other food companies will be mandated to donate good quality food instead of throwing them away. The proposed measure is meant to encourage donations to charities. For their part, charities will be required to collect and stock these food properly and distribute them with 'dignity', and not given as handouts on the streets. And also, we have, as part of our legislative agenda to address the plight of our poorest farmers, the coconut farmers, and that is the Coco Levy Trust Fund measure which seeks to correct past injustices against coconut farmers. Forty-three years ago, a year into Martial Law, the late Marcos dictator and his cronies started collecting coco levies from our coconut farmers. However, instead of investing these funds to improve the industry and the lives of the farmers, they spent part of it as they wished and invested the rest on San Miguel shares and established companies to firm up their hold on the industry and dictate on the lives of our farmers: purchased bank, purchased biggest oil mills, oleochemical plant, and insurance company. Today, the value of these companies and shares have grown to as much as P200 billion. And yet the farm, the coconut farm, is the poorest. Today, the number one agriculture export in the country is dessicated coconut oil. It is the largest dollar earner in terms of agri exports in the country. Yet the Filipino coconut farmer is the poorest farmer. That is not just. On September 1, we had our first hearing on the Coco Levy Trust Fund measure that will put the money to what it was legally meant for: the benefit of the farmers and the development of the coconut industry. Right now, the coconut industry consists of more than 300 million coconut trees- more trees than Filipinos and it produces about 15 billion nuts a year. That does not include nuts from the government like me. Just kidding. The 15 billion nuts is equivalent to 3 billion liters of coco water annually. 98 percent of that coco water is thrown away because the number one is copra. Which is to say, therefore, that once the copra is finished, the coco water is thrown away. There is a need to address, likewise, the value-adding- the modernization of the coconut industry so that we create additional value-added products such as coco vinegar, coco oil, coco coir, and the like. A copra farmer earns P50 a day. But a coco coir farmer can earn as much as P400 a day. Simply because there is this equipment that is necessary to turn coco husks into coco coir. Coco coir is then used for embankments in terms of soil erosion. In 2015, the Department of Public Works and Highways purchased P4 billion worth of coco coir and it saved P2 billion more because it is one third the cost of cement in terms of materials for embankments. Today, we hold more than hope and resolve to do right by our coconut farmers. We have P75 billion held in trust by the government which we will need to use to, at the very least, raise the income of the coco farmers. Through the law we are crafting, we will create the mechanisms by which coconut farmers can actively shape and uplift their lives. The bills that I have mentioned are just some of the measures that we hope to be able to push for in the Senate so that we can address squarely the bottom line, which is: if we want to secure our food, if we want to be able to prepare our farmers in terms of climate change resiliency, if we want to modernize our farming and our agriculture, we must first secure our farmers and our fisher folk. Thank you very much for this opportunity. Maraming salamat po! Press Release September 8, 2016 Excerpts of Sen. Grace Poe's questions re public Wi-Fi Poe: Aside from having it as my campaign promise, I think that this is probably one of the most relevant concerns not only of the young but of everybody. Interconnectivity. And we are confident since you're (Sen. Bam Aquino) the one chairing it. Poe: With the Department of Education, how many public high schools do we have in the country? DepEd's Alain Pascua: We have about 38, 666 elementary schools and about 8,086 high schools. Poe: So about 8,000 high schools. Am I correct? Pascua: Yes ma'am. That's the total number of high schools ma'am. Poe: And how many of those high schools will you be able to connect? Half of them? Pascua: About 4, 359 are already connected to the internet ma'am. Poe: Already connected? Meaning do you have a program for the remaining balance? Pascua: Yes we have ma'am. But the difficulty here is not the program of the Department of Education but of the availability of the internet connection in those areas. Poe: For our state universities and colleges, who can speak for how many we have? So will all the state universities and colleges be connected? I can imagine there are areas that have Wi-Fi service. Pascua: Your honor, regarding the universities and state colleges my recollection is there are around 117 SUCs not counting the individual campuses because each SUC will have multiple campuses. But in our free Wi-Fi project we will cover 347 of them. So campuses, at the campus level po kasi. Poe: Meaning, most of them will have it? Most of these state universities will have it if it's worth 117 and you've covered 347 which includes other campuses. What regulation do you have for the state universities? Will all students have accessibility at all times or is there a condition on how they can access the free Wi-Fi service? Pascua: It will be the same service level so 3 tiers of service. If you.... get 50mb per day, if... you get either 100mb or 200mb per day. In terms of capacity, for state universities and colleges we are providing minimum of 14mbps, maximum of 38mbps and that is dependent on the population of each campus. Poe: For Secretary Salalima, I appreciate that you've mentioned that you're drafting an Executive Order that will harmonize our efforts with the local government units to be able to process permits immediately with the very vital term if it's for public services. So this is the committee that I'm leading, Public Services Committee, and as you know in the news lately we've been talking about Emergency Powers for the president when it comes to traffic and short of having an emergency power for connectivity, you know it's always been in the pipeline to have a National Broadband Service for the country which will make it easy for most of us to get connected. So my question is for you, as we are drafting this proposed law, do you see any reason, I mean I might as well just ask since we're here, do you see any reason that we need emergency powers to be able to roll out our programs for digitization and internet service and also strengthening our cell signals all over the country? DICT's Rodolfo Salalima: The factual appreciation as to whether or not we need emergency powers in transportation I think would be better left to Sec. Tugade but let me add that I was informed by General R... because of the traffic congestion in Metro Manila on a daily basis we are losing some... Poe: No sir, my question was about telcos and internet. Do we need emergency powers to fast track our programs for the National Broadband Service or interconnectivity without the hindrance of an LGU regulation? Sec. Salalima: Hindi po naman. I think we can manage with an executive order and hopefully we can get a legislation from Congress. Poe: And the reason why I bring this up also so that it will awaken our partners in the LGU. Instead of actually losing total control over this, it's better that we cooperate and we intend to draft a bill that will not only fast track getting permits from all of these different LGUs from 25 different permits to maybe just a few and to make sure that the duration of the permit is more than just a year unless certain violations are made then you can easily recall it because I think it's unreasonable. How many cell sites do we have? Like 22,000 or something like that? 25,000 all over the Philippines? AcidXXX wrote: Hello, I am a 28 year old Indian male, married (also a 2 month old father - not sure if that's relevant but who can contain such a joy!) Please consider my profile below: Under Graduate: 4.0 GPA (CGPA 9.24/10) B. Tech. Civil Engineering from Vellore Institute of Technology (India) Post Graduate: 4.0 GPA (72% Distinction) M. Sc. in Structural Engineering from The University of Manchester (UK) Work Experience: 6 years as an Offshore Structural Engineer (no not IT !) in Major multinational players in Oil and Gas (Saipem, DNV-GL, etc.) in which 5 years (as of present) have been international (Dubai, UAE) GMAT: 680 (Q47, V37) - 1st attempt (My computer shutdown twice accidentally as my knee hit the power button on the CPU - not my alibi but a fact imploring the evaluator to look into my previous academic track record to gauge my acumen) GMAT retake: Not possible because of increasing work pressure and family responsibilities Post MBA Goals (in descending order of priority): 1) Strategy Consulting 2) General Consulting 3) Management positions (Business Development, Acquisition and Merger, etc) Essays: Coming along fine Target Deadline: Round 1 Kindly advise me how I should plan my shortlist of say 6 - 10 Schools (if its even sane to consider 10 schools in the first place?). Considering I have a dependent family, my priority is obviously securing a Job that helps me knock off the debts at the earliest and settle down with my family. Having said that, since this would probably be the last degree in this lifetime (Triple Masters is very unlikely unless my daughter wants me to join her in school), I would want to sign off from academics by joining the very best possible B - School in line with my profile. Appreciate all your help in advance. Hey dude!Good to hear from you!So first things first - the GMAT: YES!!! You MUST retake! It is crazy to apply to B-school with anything less than the BEST possible GMAT score you can get, and this definitely wasn't it. I mean if you get 60 points more on the GMAT your possible school list jumps a lot, which means your job will be better which means your salary will be better. AND you will have more scholarship options.So do yourself a favor and take the time necessary to get the GMAT score you need. And don't be satisfied with anything less than the max you can get.Here's a fantastic article, written by one of our consultants, Yaron which should give you some insight on retaking the GMAT: http://admissionado.com/mba/the-tuesday ... n=mba_blog Obviously though this means you will not be applying R1 this year. If you can get that GMAT score by the end of the month or even mid October then you will be ready for R2, but otherwise, take a deep breath, prepare your GMAT, and think about applying next year. You will only do B-school ONCE and it will define the rest of your career and life, so do it right!Best,Jon Press Release September 8, 2016 Gov't plans to slash number of rural doctors by half, nurses by one-third The Department of Health (DOH) is slashing by one-half the number of doctors and by one-third the number of nurses it plans to deploy to the grassroots next year, Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto revealed today. The DOH also intends to send out fewer dentists to public health facilities, Recto said, comparing the DOH's health manpower deployment plan for 2017 with the current year. Recto said that under the agency's Doctor to the Barrios program, the number of physicians assigned to low-income towns will go down from 946 this year to 435 next year, or 511 fewer. But it is in the deployment of nurses where the biggest cut is observed - from 15,727 this year to 9,349 in 2017, which means 6,368 nurses contracted under the Nurse Deployment Program will be axed. "In military terms, we're pulling out a battalion of doctors and a division of nurses from the war against diseases and from the campaign for wellness," Recto said. The senator said the number of DOH-paid dentists who will be assigned to rural clinics will also be reduced from the 2016 level of 324 to 243 next year. To augment the number of health professionals in impoverished towns, the DOH pays for the salaries of those it has hired under the Rural Health Practice Program (RHPP). However, RHPP slots will be slashed from the current 21,118 to 18,825 next year. Recto said he will ask Health officials to explain the personnel cuts when they appear before the Senate this month to justify their proposed P141.6 billion budget for 2017. "Are local governments assuming the pay of doctors and nurses currently assigned to them? Is there a hiring binge in local government units using local funds? Or could it be due to an across-the-board decline in the number of sick people, that diseases are down?" Recto asked. "Are there few applicants that they want to bring it down to a more realistic level?" Recto said. "Or is it simply a case of not having enough funds to bankroll the assignment of these people?" Recto believes the DOH "has been forced to cut the number of 'untenured' personnel due to the need to provide budget space for the second round of salary increases under the Salary Standardization Law IV." Recto said if it is due to funding lack, "then the Senate should transfuse funds to this program, to be sourced from non-essential items in the proposed 2017 national budget." While fewer doctors, nurses and dentists will be dispatched, the number of medical technologists and midwives hired would stay at 308 and 3,100 respectively. And from 713 public health associates (PHAs) deployed this year, DOH is asking for funds to hire "2,587 UHC (Universal Health Coverage) implementers and 2,803 PHAs," whose job descriptions are not, however, stated in the DOH proposal. "Ito ba ang mga papalit sa mga doktor at nurses? Kung sila, handa naman tayo makinig sa paliwanag ng DOH kung bakit ganoon. Umaasa ako na sana mayroong magandang batayan," Recto said. "I am keeping an open mind and hope to be convinced why such personnel changes are needed for public health to be served better, "Recto said. In all, 21,118 DOH-paid health professionals are being sent to public hospitals, rural health units, and clinics run by local governments under the RHPP with a budget of P7.1 billion. Although this funding level will be retained next year, the number of personnel hired will go down to 18,825. Under the existing government "division of labor," health services are devolved to local governments, which run provincial and district hospitals, and municipal and city health offices. The DOH, however, retains control of regional hospitals and major medical centers. "So that national government will have local presence, the RHPP was designed as its contribution to the local health manpower pool," Recto explained. Press Release September 8, 2016 Villar commends DSWD for adding a livelihood component in CCT model Sen. Cynthia Villar today commended the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for relenting to her earlier plea to come up with a better version of the government's conditional cash transfer program. During the organizational meeting of the Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development presided over by Villar, Usec. Florita Villar of the DSWD Operation and Program Group, informed the senators that the agency already had an initial talk with the National Food Authority, Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Anti-Poverty Commission, on a plan that will provide rice subsidy to CCT family-beneficiaries. The monthly rice subsidy of 20 kilos of rice per household-beneficiary will be given on top of the cash grant. Under the plan, corporate farming will be developed wherein local government units will be capacitated and assisted by the DA for them to organize their farmers. These farmerswill be the ones who will produce the requirement for the rice subsidy. "Ipa-pilot muna sa four areas-- QC, Mindoro. Next meeting we will map kung ano iyong distribution ng Pantawid, at alin ang rice-producing. Hindi tayo bibili sa traders kundi sa produce ng farmers so that the income of the farmers will increase," Usec. Villar said. Senator Villar first raised questions on the usefulness of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) during the Development Budget Coordinating Committee briefing on the P3.35 trillion proposed 2017 budget last month after figures showed that the program failed to bring down poverty incidence in the country. From the present P62 billion, next year's CCT program has a proposed budget of P78 billion. "It is unfortunate that after spending billions of pesos and doing this for years, poverty level has not moved at 27 percent. It was 27 percent in 2010, it's still 27 percent in 2016. That's why I would like to exercise my oversight functions. I want to know if you have studied your model because I am thinking that there must be something wrong with the model that after six years of spending so much money, we did not make a dent on the poverty of the Philippines," Villar said. Villar also asked for the detailed list of 4.4 million 4Ps beneficiary-households. "For six years walang nakakakita ng listahan na iyon. I want that list. I want them all accounted for," she added. The biggest number of CCT beneficiaries come from the Autonomous Rerion of Muslim Mindanao with 417, 703; next is Region 5 with 375, 787 followed by Region 9 with 322,579; Region 4A with 317, 608; Region 3 with 290,076; and the National Capital Region with 232,258. Asec. Ma Lourdes Turalde- Jarabe of DSWD OPG Promotive Program, also said that while there have been strides in terms of education and health outcomes," it remains to be seen whether the 4Ps as a social protection strategy has indeed contributed to the reduction of poverty." "We are not against CCT, we're really supportive that you spend P78 billion for CCT but maybe we should review the model so that it will reduce poverty. Iyong sinasabi ninyong better health, I think Philhealth and the Department of Health should take care of that. Maybe you can do education and help these people to become better off and not living below poverty line by giving them livelihood para may kita sila," Villar said. During the meeting, Villar was also surprised to know that DSWD was limited to design the 4Ps program with health and education goals as a condition of the P20-billion World Bank loan in 2009. "Ibig sabihin kahit sa tingin natin mali ang model, dahil pinautang nila tayo susundin natin sila? Bakit tayo susunod sa World Bank?... Okay na sa akin ang P60 billion where we have the independence to decide what's best for us kaysa P78 billion na magdidikta sila sa atin," Villar said. Villar said the budget on healthcare is already big considering that a law was recently passed giving the P150 billion sin tax collection every year to the universal health care and the maintenance of government hospitals. Villar, also vice chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Food, noted that in the Brazil CCT program, which is the biggest in the world with 8.8 million beneficiaries, farmers are required to grow crops. The government buys their produce and feeds the school children. She also added that in Thailand, they require 6 million school children to drink 200 ml of milk everyday, which brought up their dairy industry. The Nacionalista Party senator also reiterated that the 4Ps program should be tied up with agricultural programs, given that 40 percent of 11.8 million farmers and fisherfolks are living below the poverty line. Sixty percent of the 3.5 million coconut farmers are earning P50 a day or P1,500 a month. "If you want to reduce poverty, you should tie the CCT program with agriculture because if you can reduce the number of the poor people in agriculture, then you reduce poverty in the Philippines," she said. parassagi wrote: Hi, Greetings! My name is Paras Arora, and I am looking to apply in the first round of applications to schools in USA and Canada. I am in the process of writing my essays and finalizing my resume. In the second aspect I have a doubt and could really use your view on this. Currently I am working as the country head, Operations for a tech startup in New Delhi. I have been in this position for little over a year. I have always been interested in startups and tech space. But at the same time I wanted start something of my own as well, which I did and thankfully it clicked and I got good business traction. Now both of my endeavors overlap although the industries that both cater to are completely different. At one point I feel like I have succeeded to build something of my own and should be on my resume but at the same time i doubt that it may reflect me in a negative frame by highlighting that I might not have been fully committed to one cause. What I want to know is that is it okay to show two overlapping experiences on an MBA Resume, and what positive or negative impacts it can have? Thank you very much for your time. Cheers! 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 Hi!Great question. Yes it is totally okay to show overlapping experiences and I've seen other applicants with something similar. In fact, I think it's a strength to show you can manage multiple priorities and have entrepreneurial interests too. If you think the work section on your resume is getting too "messy" you can always include a separate section titled Entrepreneurial Experience and then list the additional position there, that often works quite well.Good luck!Kate_________________ Emily Michot/TNS Spraying crews are fanning out for the second time in a San Diego neighborhood, dousing mosquitoes capable of carrying the Zika virus. Across a southern stretch of the country, its much the same as the bug-borne threat widens. Congress response? After a record seven-week break, members returned this week and promptly failed to pass a $1.1 billion bill to pay for more eradication and health efforts. While the mosquitoes swarm in, the funds to meet the threat have dwindled. When horrific and ugly crimes make headlines, politicians like to seize the opportunity to make their own headlines. So when Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky sentenced former Stanford student Brock Turner, now 21, to six months in jail he served only three months for sexually assaulting a woman who was too inebriated to consent to sex in 2015, California lawmakers did not hesitate. The same California Legislature that just passed the Restorative Justice Act, which touted alternatives to incarceration, shamelessly passed two tough-on-crime laws. Both are now on the governors desk. As Gov. Jerry Brown considers whether to sign the bills, he should look to Minnesota. In 1989, a masked stranger with a gun accosted three young boys riding their bikes on a fall night. The man ordered two of the boys to run away, then handcuffed Jacob Wetterling, 11, who was never seen again. This week, Danny Heinrich, 53, admitted that he sexually assaulted, then killed Wetterling, as he pleaded guilty to a federal child pornography charge for which he will serve at least 20 years. Debate all you want on whether the Saints should have given 37-year-old Drew Brees another $44.25 million in guaranteed money Wednesday. But there is no arguing that Brees is headed to the Hall of Fame and that he and the New Orleans offense will provide quite a test for the Raiders revamped secondary Sunday. Any game would have been a good test, cornerback Sean Smith said, but going into New Orleans, into that stadium, with that offense, that quarterback that put up 4,800 yards last season Hes going to try to light that thing up, and this secondary has a big task ahead of us. Brees led the NFL with 4,870 passing yards last year and was tied for seventh with 32 touchdowns despite the Saints finishing 7-9. The nine-time Pro Bowl selection ranks fourth in career passing yards (60,903) and is tied with Tom Brady for third in passing touchdowns (428) The Raiders, meanwhile ranked 26th in pass defense in Jack Del Rios first year as head coach, but added Smith, former Cincinnati safety Reggie Nelson and ex-Seattle pass rusher Bruce Irvin in the offseason. Smith, who played with Kansas City, and Nelson join cornerback David Amerson and safety Nate Allen in the defensive backfield. (First-round pick Karl Joseph will play a lot at safety as well.) The Raiders know the New Orleans crowd will be waiting for receivers Brandin Cooks and Michael Thomas to make a big play. You gotta watch out for the deep ball, Smith said. Drew loves putting points on the board, loves taking shots and pushing the ball downfield, getting his guys vertical. Hes one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and very accurate with his throws You cant give up big chunks. Cooks led the Saints in 2015 with 84 catches for 1,138 yards and nine touchdowns. Thomas, a 6-foot-3 rookie from Ohio State, has compared his run-after-catch ability to former 49ers receiver Terrell Owens. Ohio State asked him to go in and make a lot of big catches in big situations, Brees said, so hes used to that type of atmosphere, which is good because then you get on the stage of the NFL, and its like he kind of knows what this feels like. To get those players the ball, Brees has to avoid the clutches of Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack. New Orleans head coach Sean Payton and Brees both said the quarterback has to be careful to not rush anything with Smith and Nelson waiting to jump a route. Smith is long. Hes physical, Payton said in a conference call. Both of those corners, watching the tape now, are guys that really fit what theyre trying to do by scheme. Theyve got length. Theres a confidence that they have. The ball skills, all those traits that youre looking for at that corner position. They do a good job up in press coverage and challenge the receivers right off the line of scrimmage. Nelson, in his 10th season, had a career- and co-NFL-high eight interceptions last season. Hes played at a high level for a long time, Brees said on the conference call. Hes kind of a ball hawk. Nelson was coming off ankle surgery when the Raiders signed him. Del Rio held him out of the last two exhibition games and some practices just to play safe. Nelson did make an impression, as he was one of four players voted a team captain this week, along with Mack, quarterback Derek Carr and center Rodney Hudson. It was a little bit of a shocker, to be honest with you, Nelson said, being a first-year guy. But its a great group of guys. I am not a guy of too many words, so I just lead by example. Its a great feeling, to be voted on by your peers and hear thats what they think of you. Vic Tafur is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vtafur@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VicTafur Current and former kitchen workers at Burma Superstar filed a lawsuit Thursday, alleging the popular Bay Area restaurant chain hasnt been fairly paying its employees. Attorneys for the plaintiffs filed the lawsuit which is seeking class-action status in Alameda County Superior Court, alleging the restaurant chain stiffed workers on wages, overtime pay, breaks and sick leave. Burma Superstar kitchen workers work very hard to make the restaurants so successful, said William Navarrete, a former dishwasher and cook at three Burma Superstar restaurants. We believe they did not pay us what we were owed. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of three employees and around 100 similarly situated workers with the Legal Aid Society Employment Law Center, Asian Law Caucus and Centro Legal de la Raza, is seeking unspecified back wages, attorneys fees, and other penalties. These workers have overcome cultural and language barriers to join together in bringing this case, not just for themselves, but also for workers who are too scared to step forward, said Palyn Hung Mitchell, an Asian Law Caucus attorney. Burma Superstar, which operates restaurants in Alameda, Oakland and San Francisco, and is looking to open another location in the citys South of Market neighborhood, is a favorite Bay Area mini-chain. The tea leaf and rainbow salads are among the restaurants many offerings that keep the locations nearly always packed with customers. The restaurants are among those credited with a recent Bay Area boom in the once little known Burmese cuisine. Managers at Burma Superstar did not immediately return phone calls Thursday. Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky An investigation into sexual misconduct at the Oakland Police Department that began with an officers suicide a year ago ended Wednesday with the firings of four police officers and suspensions of seven others. At a late-afternoon news conference with Mayor Libby Schaaf, City Administrator Sabrina Landreth said the officers are being disciplined in connection with the scandal involving a 19-year-old sex worker from Richmond who calls herself Celeste Guap. Officials have said some officers had sex with Guap, the daughter of an Oakland police dispatcher, in some cases when she was a minor. Schaaf would not reveal the officers names, saying state confidentiality laws barred it. In addition to the officers who face dismissal and suspension without pay is an officer who was referred to counseling, Landreth said. She said some of the officers have already left the department, but the findings will be placed in their personnel files. The officers can appeal the disciplinary measures through grievance procedures, the mayor said. The announcement ended an investigation that roiled City Hall and coincided with the abrupt departures in June of three police chiefs, including Sean Whent, a veteran credited with improving the department. In addition, at least two officers who were being investigated resigned. The probe began last September with the suicide of officer Brendan OBrien, who left a note referring to Guap. Guap told The Chronicle that she had sex with OBrien while she was 17 and that he was the second Oakland officer she had dated when she was underage. She said she had sex with 29 officers from multiple police agencies over the past two years. Officials said the officers who face dismissal committed at least one of several offenses that included attempted sexual assault, lewd conduct in public, assisting in prostitution, helping prostitutes evade arrest and accessing law enforcement databases for personal gain. Alameda County District Attorney Nancy OMalley is expected to decide soon whether to file criminal charges against the officers, the mayor added. Today we are affirming our commitment to continue to rebuild trust ... and we send a loud and clear message that we hold our officers to nothing but the highest standards, Schaaf said. At the hastily called news conference on the second floor of City Hall, Schaaf was joined by Deputy Police Chief John Lois, who described what he called the extremely exhaustive and complete investigation that included 11 interviews with Guap over 20 hours. Investigators also interviewed 50 witnesses and examined 80,000 social media pages and 28,000 text messages, he said. The mayor said she was deeply sorry for the harm this incident has caused. Guap told The Chronicle a few of the officers paid her, while some of the others tipped her to antiprostitution stings or ran names of people she was curious about through confidential databases. One Oakland officer, she said, had sex with her at a hotel near the Oakland airport in February, then texted her later in the morning to warn of an undercover sting. Their perks become your perks, Guap said. They have resources. They can run things for you. They can find out s about anybody. If they can find out s about anybody, I can find out s about anybody. Schaaf said Wednesday that she did not believe Guap, who was participating in a rehabilitation program in Florida, was aware of the disciplinary actions against the police. Oakland City Council President Lynette Gibson McElhaney, after hearing the mayors announcement, called the action a strong message and a promising first step. Every officer who has to serve has been bruised by this, McElhaney added. The council president said she had reached out to Guap but that the young woman did not welcome our support and help. Whatever the hustle was that she thought she had under control was upended by this, McElhaney said. If theres a silver lining, its that she will be a stronger woman and find redemption. Also attending the mayors announcement was civil rights attorney John Burris, who said he was obviously pleased. Its very important to restore integrity to the department, and this goes a long way, said Burris, who has been involved in the federally mandated oversight of the Oakland Police Department. Kevin Fagan, Rachel Swan and Steve Rubenstein are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: kfagan@sfchronicle.com, rswan@sfchronicle.com, srubenstein@sfchronicle.com A 15-year-old student was discovered with a loaded gun in his backpack during the first day of classes at the Brooklyn School for Career Development in Clinton Hill, the Daily News reports. He put his backpack through the metal detector at his school's entrance, which is probably the most efficient way to get caught with weapons in your bag. School safety agents found a loaded .22 caliber pistol in the bag, the NYPD said. The student was taken to the 88th precinct station house for questioning, but charges against him are still pending. Elsewhere in Brooklyn, a 16-year-old student was allegedly found with a knife at the Transit Tech Career and Technical Education High School in East New York. His weapon was also detected by scanners at the school's entrance. School officials declined to comment on the situation, and the NYPD was unable to confirm whether the student has received any charges. Earlier this year, de Blasio announced new initiatives to make city schools "safer, fairer, and more transparent," including an updated policy that establishes a protocol for the removal of metal detectors from certain schools. The DOE and NYPD will review individual school safety data and work with school officials to determine whether metal detectors should be removed, added, or used part-time at each school. Gregory Floyd, president of Local 237, a union which represents school safety officers, said these incidents prove the city needs to increase safety standards in public schools. "First day, first gun," Floyd told the News. "Why would de Blasio want to remove scanners from schools? It's crazy." "This incident is deeply troubling and we are working in close partnership with the NYPD as they conduct an investigation," Department of Education spokesperson Toya Holness told Gothamist. "The NYPD immediately responded and safely confiscated the weapon. Safety always comes first and there is zero tolerance for weapons of any kind in schools." Holness also pointed out that the city is not removing scanners from all schools, and is in fact adding scanners to others. Some proponents of removing metal detectors, including the New York Civil Liberties Union, argue that the over-policing of schools, including requiring students to pass through scanners, intensifies the school-to-prison pipeline, the funneling of students out of public schools and into the criminal justice system. When UC Berkeley law Professor Sujit Choudhry returned to campus this semester, he did not come quietly. Instead, Choudhry, who resigned last spring as the law schools dean following a sexual-harassment lawsuit from his former executive assistant, marked his return with an open letter in Berkeleys student newspaper, the Daily Californian. The letter, in which he justified his return to the campus and described emotional difficulties the case has caused him and his family, ignited a student protest overnight. Around 100 students protested and marched in front of Sproul Hall; about 50 stayed to protest the law school, Boalt Hall, floor to floor. There was no face-to-face confrontation between Choudhry and the protesters. We are protesting the fact that we live in a world where inequity exists, where survivors of violence are not welcome. We live on a campus that values its reputation over its students and their well-being, said Axenya Kachen, a student organizer of the event. Some students lambasted the Daily Californian, the student newspaper, for giving Choudhry a platform for his views. This is next level glorification of a perpetrator who is given a platform and vehicle that many survivors simply do not have, one student, Alyssa Liu, wrote on Facebook. Student activists have clashed with campus newspapers elsewhere over choices to include controversial perspectives in opinion pieces one high-profile case, at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, led the student government to slash the papers budget in response to a guest commentary critical of the Black Lives Matter movement. After many unhappy reader emails, the Daily Cals editors published a response defending the decision to publish Choudhrys letter. In a March editorial, the Daily Cals Senior Editorial Board condemned Choudhrys actions and his resulting light punishment. The publication of others beliefs, however even those that are unpopular and contentious is fundamental to a multifaceted dialogue on pressing matters related to the campus and city, they wrote. On Berkeleys campus, some felt criticism of the newspaper was misguided. Im totally fine with protesting the dean. But I think protesting the Daily Cal demonstrates a lack of respect for speech. Its disappointing to me that Berkeley, as the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement, has become so anti-speech, said David Derrick, a third year Boalt Hall law student. Steve Montiel, press secretary for UC President Janet Napolitano, said in an email statement that Choudhry will not teach this academic year. Professor Choudhry did not return to the UC Berkeley School of Law for the remainder of the spring semester, consistent with President Napolitanos instruction. Nor did he return during the summer, Montiel wrote. Interim Dean Melissa Murray will identify and supervise his non-teaching duties while he is on campus. Choudhrys sexual misconduct case is only one of several that Berkeley has faced in recent years. Choudhrys lawyer, Bill Taylor, said he had sincerely apologized and suggested that it made little sense to continue focusing on Choudhry unless, of course, the university wants to use him as a scapegoat for not having handled some of these other incidents more effectively. There is a big difference between being a sexual predator and being someone who touches a colleague or even hugs a colleague out of affection. This is in the latter category and has never been said to anybody to be otherwise, he said. Unsurprisingly, demonstrators did not agree, and some clarified the target of their protests. We were not protesting the op-ed, said Kachen. We are protesting the institution that allowed a known sexual predator back on this campus. Filipa A. Ioannou is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email fioannou@sfchronicle.com Airbnb, which has come under fire over incidents in which its hosts allegedly discriminated against guests over their race, ethnicity or sexuality, adopted new antibigotry rules on Thursday, including de-emphasizing photos of users. Bias and discrimination have no place on Airbnb, and we have zero tolerance for them, CEO Brian Chesky wrote in a blog post that was emailed to the vacation rental companys millions of hosts and guests worldwide. Unfortunately, we have been slow to address these problems, and for this I am sorry. The #AirbnbWhileBlack hashtag has been used this year by black Airbnb guests to tweet about instances such as having their lodging requests rejected while white friends were able to easily book the same listings for the same dates. A working paper released in December by Harvard researchers found widespread discrimination against guests with African American sounding names. The San Francisco company, valued at some $25.5 billion, has turned to an array of high-profile experts, including former Attorney General Eric Holder, to address the issue. Laura Murphy, a former director of the American Civil Liberties Union legislative office in Washington, released a 32-page report on Thursday outlining steps designed to stamp out bias. The company is going all-in on this, Murphy said in an interview. While she was initially skeptical of corporations proclaiming they want to change, she said the fact that Airbnb had senior and middle managers meeting every day for three months to address discrimination showed how seriously it takes the issue. I have not seen that kind of buy-in when Ive worked with corporations in the past. Airbnbs announcement follows a similar move last month by Nextdoor, the social network for neighborhoods, to add features that combat racial profiling. Freada Kapor Klein, a partner at Oaklands Kapor Capital and a leader in promoting diversity, said that Airbnbs reforms appear well thought out, albeit legalistic. She wondered how much the actual experiences of guests and prospective guests helped drive the ideas. There is certainly well-meaning intent in the companys culture, she said. However, as we know well in technology, there is a chasm between intent and impact. Airbnb alone cannot solve the problem of the human brain being wired to be biased, but it can advance the understanding and the solution greatly, she added. Among the changes Airbnb is making: Community commitment. Beginning Nov. 1, all its users must agree to treat all fellow members of this community, regardless of race, religion, national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or age, with respect, and without judgment or bias. Open doors. Airbnb will find a similar vacation listing or non-Airbnb accommodations for any guests who feel they have been discriminated against, providing personalized, hands-on support. This policy starts Oct. 1. Instant Book. Airbnb wants to expand its feature that allows homes to be booked instantly without hosts specifically approving guests and viewing photos of them. It aims to have 1 million listings subject to Instant Book by January. That takes the discretion and back and forth out of the booking process, Murphy said. Antibias training. The company said it will make training on combatting discrimination available to its users. Hosts who complete the training will see their listings elevated in search results, which Murphy called an effective incentive. Antidiscrimination team. Airbnb said a full-time team of engineers, data scientists, researchers and designers will have the sole purpose ... to advance belonging and inclusion and to root out bias. Airbnb is also committing to increase its hiring of minorities. Only 2.9 percent of its employees are black, according to a report it released last year, while 63 percent are white. Kapor Klein said she was struck by Cheskys admission that neither he nor fellow co-founders Joe Gebbia and Nathan Blecharczyk considered discrimination issues when launching the company eight years ago. Theres a big lesson for startups here, she said. This is incredibly difficult work and made infinitely harder by trying to retrofit a culture of inclusion. The watchword for young tech companies and entrepreneurs should be: Its never too early to pay attention to diversity inside your business or with your customers. Carolyn Said is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: csaid@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @csaid Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle Chevron Corp. must pay $1.5 million to 750 field workers for the time they spent at mandatory meetings where employees brief co-workers who take over their duties on the next shift, the U.S. Department of Labor announced Thursday. The department said Chevron Products Co. in San Ramon and two other subsidiaries, Chevron Pipeline Co. in Bellaire, Texas, and Chevron North America Exploration and Production Company in Houston, had failed to pay wages or overtime to refinery workers during the meetings between November 2012 and December 2015. Chevron also failed to record the amount of time employees spent at the meetings accurately, the department said. Fitbit won a new round in its tit-for-tat legal fight with Jawbone Thursday after a U.S. trade agency revived patent-infringement claims regarding the wearable fitness devices, increasing the headaches for long-beleaguered Jawbone. A trade judge was wrong to say two Fitbit patents covered ideas that werent eligible for legal protection, the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington said in an opinion posted on its electronic docket. It upheld the judges findings that a third Fitbit patent is invalid. The decision means that Fitbit can pursue an effort to block Jawbones Asia-made products from the U.S. market. The revived case doesnt guarantee a victory, though the commission said the judge was premature in making his decision and ordered the case remanded for further investigation. A final decision is unlikely before next year. San Franciscos Jawbone said it expects the judge will again find the patents invalid. We also believe the judge will find Fitbits patents are not infringed by any Jawbone products and that Jawbones own patents predate the patents Fitbit is trying to assert, Jawbone said. Fitbit predicted it would be victorious. We are confident in the strong legal bases underlying our patent infringement claims and the company will continue to protect the innovations central to our product offerings, the San Francisco company said. The fight started in May 2015, when Jawbone filed a civil suit claiming Fitbit pilfered employees and critical inside information. It followed up by filing an ITC case claiming Fitbit infringed its patents and stole trade secrets. Fitbit retaliated with this case. Jawbone, whose parent company is Aliphcom, is appealing a decision that some of its patents are invalid, and is seeking to overturn a different trade judges Aug. 23 findings that no secrets were stolen. Each has accused the other of nefarious actions. Jawbone says Fitbit is fighting unfairly to knock out a competitor, while Fitbit says Jawbone turned to the courts and ITC only because it was losing in the marketplace. The tide has turned in favor of Fitbit, said Matt Larson, a legal analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence in Washington. He said it gives Fitbit more leverage in any settlement talks. Susan Decker and Selina Wang are Bloomberg writers. Email: sdecker1@bloomberg.net, swang533@bloomberg.net Ron Chapple/Getty Images San Mateo police Wednesday identified two men arrested the night before in a fatal shooting that led to a multi-city vehicle pursuit and ended on the streets of San Francisco. Investigators are looking at whether the slaying of Daniel Carona, 31 of San Mateo, was gang-related and think there may have been an argument that preceded the shooting near the Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo, said Sgt. Richard Decker, a police spokesman. A Livermore police officer has resigned in the continuing fallout from a sexual misconduct investigation that began in Oakland but grew to ensnare law enforcement agencies across and beyond the Bay Area over contact officers had with a teenage sex worker, officials said Thursday. The resignation of the Livermore officer, who wasnt identified, was announced the day after Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said the city was moving to fire four officers and suspend seven others at the conclusion of an internal affairs investigation. The Oakland officers had attempted sexual assault, committed lewd conduct in public, assisted in prostitution and improperly accessed law enforcement databases, the internal review found. Meanwhile, Livermore supervisors became aware June 14 of their officers sexual relationship with the 19-year-old woman, the daughter of an Oakland police dispatcher who goes by Celeste Guap, officials said. The officer was placed on administrative leave and handed in his resignation Sept. 2 at the conclusion of an internal affairs investigation. He will stay on duty until Sept. 16, said Livermore Capt. Jeramy Young. More for you Decision on charges in Oakland police sex scandal to be announced This incident does not accurately reflect the professionalism of the men and women of the Livermore Police Department who protect our community every day, Livermore Police Chief Michael Harris said in a statement. Now that this matter has reached a conclusion, we will move forward and continue to serve with honor and protect with purpose. Officials for other Bay Area law enforcement agencies said Thursday their investigations are ongoing and declined to comment. A spokesman for the federal Defense Logistics Agency, however, said an employee, William Johnson, had been placed on administrative leave. Guap has said Johnson tried to pimp her out and showed text messages they exchanged to the East Bay Express. Prosecutors in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco and San Joaquin counties have yet to file criminal charges against the implicated officers and sheriffs deputies, though Alameda County District Attorney Nancy OMalley is expected to announce a decision soon, now that the Oakland investigation has concluded. The Oakland probe began last September with the suicide of Officer Brendan OBrien, who left a note referring to Guap. Guap told The Chronicle that she had sex with OBrien when she was 17 and that she had sex with 29 officers from multiple police agencies over the past two years. Pamela Price, an Oakland civil rights attorney representing Guap, expressed frustration that no officer has faced criminal repercussions. Its been 11 months since Officer OBrien left a note exposing all of this, she said in an interview last week. Do criminals get charged 11 months after the fact? No, not normally. Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate An Oregon gangster found guilty of using a sandblaster on a man to remove his tattoos and inflicting other torture will be older than 100 years before he is eligible for release from prison. According to The Oregonian, David Ray Bartol, 45, was sentenced to 55 years for torturing his enemies in Oregon. Bartol and an accomplice injected heroin into Nicholas Remington's neck in December 2012, the newspaper reports. Prosecutors said Bartol put a motorcycle helmet on Remington's head and shot at it with a gun. Prosecutors also said Bartol used an industrial belt sander to remove one of Remington's tattoos. READ MORE: 79-year-old widow accused in death, dismemberment of husband Police found Remington almost dead in the street, wearing only boxer shorts in December 2012, according to the newspaper. Remington survived Bartol's torture. During his two-week trial over the summer, Bartol, with the help of accomplices, was also accused of kidnapping another man in February 2013 and torturing him in a spray-paint booth of an auto body shop, The Oregonian reports. Police found Bartol's second victim, Ronald Murphy, with two gunshot wounds in his abdomen. Although Murphy was able to recover from the shooting, authorities told the newspaper he was found dead two years later in his car from a heroin overdose, in February 2015. READ MORE: Police: man who shot 2 teens, killing 1, says he talked to the devil According to prosecutors, Bartol attempted to kill the men because he thought they would 'snitch' on him. Bartol was found guilty on 24 counts, including attempted aggravated murder, according to The Oregonian. Before the 55-year sentence, Bartol was already serving 18 years in prison on a conviction for home invasion committed in January 2013. As The Oregonian noted, the existing sentence would make Bartol about 110 years old before he became eligible for release. READ MORE: Woman who drowned infant in toilet has her sentence commuted Bartol may not spend decades in prison however, as he may face the death penalty after being accused of stabbing another inmate to death in June 2013. According to The Statesman Journal, Bartol is facing murder charges after allegedly stabbing Gavin Siscel to death in the Marion County jail with a homemade knife. Marion County, Ore., includes the state capital, Salem. The newspaper reports Siscel had been in jail for a week on a contempt charge after mouthing off in court. Authorities do not have a motive as to why Bartol stabbed Siscel. Bartol is expected to go to trial later this month for Siscel's death, according to The Oregonian, but it is not yet certain whether the state will request the death penalty. A suspect wanted in a San Francisco assault caused havoc on the Bay Bridge early Thursday when he walked into eastbound traffic of the span, dodged an attempt by a California Highway Patrol officer to subdue him with a Taser and scaled a railing before he was talked into surrendering, officials said. The incident started just after 11 p.m. Wednesday and didnt end until about 5:30 a.m. Thursday. Three of the five lanes on the eastbound lower deck of the bridge were shut down while officers attempted to take the man into custody, said Officer Victor Ruiz, a CHP spokesman. Ruiz said CHP officers responded to the bridge after getting calls of a pedestrian walking in the eastbound lanes. Drivers reported the man was approaching cars zooming by, and threw several traffic cones that he came across into the roadway, Ruiz said. When CHP officers caught up to him just west of the Yerba Buena Island, he was jogging in the No. 1 lane, Ruiz said. Paul Chinn/The Chronicle We stopped traffic and officers got out of their cars and responded to the pedestrian. He wasnt listening, Ruiz said. Officers on the bridge then received reports from the San Francisco Police Department that the man, described as being in his 20s, was a suspect in an assault that occurred at the Transbay Terminal, Ruiz said. He said a CHP officer deployed a Taser at the man, but it didnt connect. The suspect then ran by the officers, jumped over the bridge railing and sat on a beam. CHP officers notified the Coast Guard of the situation in case the man went into the water. San Francisco Police Department hostage negotiators were called to the scene and eventually talked the man into surrendering just before the height of the morning commute. He was taken into custody and transported to San Francisco General Hospital to be checked out, Ruiz said. Bill Hutchinson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: bhutchinson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @bill_hutchinson Are commercials that bad? Just listen: Thanks to Luther Jackson in Fort Bragg for my favorite letter of the month: "Hi, Ben: I swear radio is under satanic attack. The devil knows radio is good and he's out to destroy it. His latest scheme? That all the commercials that are endlessly repeated are now backed by clanging gongs, chanting children or the totally annoying bonk-bonk-bonk-bonk of one note being played on a piano or such. Who the hell has decided this will actually make an ad productive? Am I abnormally sensitive or do others complain? I can just picture some smart-ass young guy saying, 'People say they don't like these ads but they really work.' Really? I doubt it. "Sure detracts from the pleasure of listening and hurts the effectiveness of neighboring advertisements also, methinks. Please straighten everybody out. Thank you." I promised Jackson that I'd do my best to make them stop. But, I confessed, I wasn't sure which commercials he was talking about. Could he be more specific? "Currently," he wrote back, "Home Depot is endlessly repeating an ad with a tone-repeating backdrop. Kars4Kids.org has an annoying kids singsong ad. Tylenol has a headache-inducing high-pitched electronic gong sounding. Comcast has an ad that sends me diving for the 'off' button with a staccato rhyme with a buzzing tone backup." I haven't heard the Tylenol and Home Depot spots, but the Comcast commercials are the audio versions of those animated videos, of a person singing, a la that monotonish song from "Juno," the praises of high-speed broadband, or whatever. The one for "Kars4Kids" centers on the phone number for the controversial car-donation program, sung by a child and an adult. It's the musical equivalent of a smiley face. To me, they're not as irritating as the ones with announcers shouting a phone number about four or six times at the end. Why do they do that? One radio programmer, who requested anonymity in the interest of keeping his job, told me: "You need to stand out. And what some people find to be an obnoxious jingle others find to be a cute jingle. If it's memorable and you remember the message, then it's an effective spot." In other words, your "smart-ass young guy" may be right. Take the Comcast commercials. Online, one poster wrote: "I love these commercials kuz they remind me of some of the songs from juno!!" But another writer complained: "This commercial is ... so obnoxious and annoying it made me want to crash my car the other day, thank God I drive a Volvo!" As for the Kars4Kids spot, a New Yorker wrote, on YouTube, "When ... that commercial comes on I turn my damn radio off because it is so annoying." Said another listener: "Not the biggest problem in the universe, but as irritating as a hemorrhoid! Memorably obnoxious, this jingle permeates one's psyche to the point that I find myself singing it! Damn you, Kars4Kids!" And that, Luther Jackson, is why they make those commercials. Even as you deride them, they seep into your pores, and, one evening, when you're wondering, "Now, what should I do with that old Volvo of mine?" it'll come to you: "1-877-KARS-4-KIDS." And ... you ... will ... call ... Morse code: For those who've missed having "Sex With Emily" on the radio, good news: Emily Morse's talk show is back. Morse, who's also a filmmaker, is on KLLC (Alice@97.3) Sunday nights, 9 to midnight, talking with guests and callers on subjects that, on her first night back, ranged from "whether geeks are actually best in bed (as per a new study)" to "why so many women are dating younger men." Morse, who says she thought up the provocative name for her show all by herself, began it as a podcast in 2005, and got onto the short-lived talk station, "Free FM" (KIFR at 106.9) early the next year. When CBS Radio switched formats, to bring back KFRC in mid-2007, "Sex" reverted to podcasts, on iTunes and on Morse's Web site, sexwithemily.com. (Some 90 shows, including those from "Free FM," are archived online.) Morse also appeared on Sirius, but, she said, "It's exciting to be back on the air in San Francisco talking sex and relationships. There's no better place for it." Morse, who produced a documentary on the 1999 S.F. mayoral race, "See How They Run," says she just shot a television pilot - "a reality show based on my life and the show." Random notes: In the ratings that really matter to stations and ad buyers - that is, for listeners ages 25 to 54 - here are the Arbitron rankings of the top five, for April: KQED-FM led with 5.2 percent share of the total audience; KFOG had 5.1; KCBS, 4.6; KOIT, 4.5, and KSAN ("The Bone"), 4.1. KGO, which leads in the overall numbers, for all listeners aged 6 and over, was in 15th place ... In the overall ratings, KGO and KCBS tied for first at 5.4, followed by KQED (5.0), KOIT (4.6), KSFO (3.9), KMEL (3.8), KYLD ("Wild 94.9"), KNBR and KFOG, all at 3.6, and KSOL, 3.4 ... KFOG has named a replacement for the departed Dave Morey as host of its popular daily feature "10@10." It's midday DJ Annalisa. The program will also get a new announcer, as the fabled Don Pardo has retired, at age 91 ... John Evans, one of the best and most familiar voices on local airwaves, as both a newscaster and DJ, has been let go from KDFC, where he'd been spinning classical wax since 2001. Yep: economics. Evans came to S.F. almost 30 years ago, doing the news on KYA with Russ "the Moose" Syracuse; then working on KMEL, 1982-1984, with Stephen Capen. He was on KFRC in the mid-'80s, teaming with Chuck Geiger, "Big Tom" Parker and Bobby Ocean, and then KRQR (The Rocker) with Peter B. Collins. In 1988, he became news director, then PD at KIOI until 1994. After a stint at all-news KPIX-FM, alongside Susan Leigh Taylor and Bill Lueth, he did some fill-in work for Peter Finch on KFOG, which earned him an offer to be a DJ. Evans played music on hard-rocking KSAN, smooth jazz KKSF (where his newscaster was Dave McQueen), and, finally, KDFC. That is versatility. HD radio: With the news that Microsoft is introducing a new model of its Zune, including an HD radio tuner, I should revisit my comment, a few columns ago, about its sluggishness in gaining traction with listeners. Fred Krock, a 50-year veteran radio engineer, reminded that the "HD" here does not stand for high-definition but, rather, for "hybrid-digital." He wrote: "An old engineering saying is that a new technology must be one order of magnitude better than an old technology in order for the public to replace the older technology. One order of magnitude is 10 times better. Witness color television replacing black and white TV. "The problem is that HD radio does NOT produce any large improvement over existing analog FM broadcasting. Critical listening tests reveal that analog FM can be indistinguishable from HD radio. HD may give slightly better reception in an auto in motion in a strong signal area. However, it has building penetration problems. It does nothing to convince the listener that it is 10 times better than existing FM. The listener has no reason to spend big money to replace an existing FM receiver except to listen to a format that is not available on an FM station's main channel. HD only began broadcasting multiple channels when its promoters discovered that people could not hear any sound improvement over analog FM. "In the past, the sound quality of FM signals was degraded by the loudness wars. Sound from an FM broadcast was nowhere near the quality of the same CD being played directly. ... Today we have gotten away from the loudness wars and most FM stations transmit pretty good audio quality. HD FM is a solution looking for a problem." {sbox} We rely on your support to make local news available to all Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2022. Donate today CHARLOTTE, N.C. Hillary Clinton blasted Donald Trump Thursday for his condemnation of American military generals and his praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying her Republican opponent had failed at proving he can be commander in chief. Every Republican holding or seeking office in this country should be asked if they agree with Donald Trump about these statements, Clinton said in a news conference the morning after both candidates appeared at a national security forum. Trump did not directly respond to Clintons critique Thursday. At a speech in Cleveland, he tagged his Democratic opponent with a new nickname trigger-happy Hillary and repeated his incorrect claim that he opposed the war in Iraq from the beginning. Still, the governments most senior Republican stressed Thursday that he does not share Trumps complimentary view of Putin. Speaking to reporters, House Speaker Paul Ryan called Putin an aggressor that does not share our interests. The discussion followed a Wednesday night national security forum. Clinton was repeatedly challenged on her controversial email use at the State Department and her vote as a senator for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. She also fleshed out several national security priorities if she is elected, including trying to take out the leader of the Islamic State and vowing to defeat the extremist group without putting U.S. troops on the ground in Iraq or Syria. Trump did little to counter criticism that he lacks detailed policy proposals, particularly regarding the Islamic State. He both insisted he has a private blueprint for defeating the extremist group and that he would demand a plan from military leaders within 30 days of taking office. But he was also harshly critical of the military, saying Americas generals have been reduced to rubble under Obama. Asked to square his request for military options with that criticism, Trump said simply: Theyll probably be different generals. The Republican also renewed his praise for Putin and his disdain for President Obama, saying that the Russian enjoyed an 82 percent approval rating and arguing that its a very different system, and I dont happen to like the system, but certainly, in that system, hes been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader. 1 Jill Stein warrant: A North Dakota judge issued a warrant Wednesday for the arrest of Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, who is accused of spray-painting construction equipment during a protest against the Dakota Access pipeline. Court records show Stein was charged Wednesday in Morton County with misdemeanor counts of criminal trespass and criminal mischief. The same charges have been filed against her running mate, Ajamu Baraka. Activists invited Stein to leave a message at the protest site near the Standing Rock Sioux Tribes reservation on Tuesday, Figueroa said, and Stein sprayed I approve this message in red paint on the blade of a bulldozer. A court document shows Baraka painted the word decolonization on a piece of construction equipment. 2 911 lawsuit: An Ohio man who was the victim of a fake 911 call is suing the city of Toledo and its police over damage done when they responded to the call by raiding his home and arresting him. Donald McGranahan II, a 33-year-old Army veteran, is seeking more than $25,000 in damages. His lawsuit filed this week also alleges police caused him emotional distress and destroyed property they took in the September 2015 raid. No one has been charged for the prank call. 1 Early voting: North Carolinas Republican-controlled Board of Elections approved several early voting plans Thursday that wont expand voting on Sundays this fall, when Democrats have traditionally been more likely than Republicans to cast ballots. After a federal appeals court this summer found Republican legislators acted with discriminatory intent against black voters in an effort to depress Democratic turnout with a 2013 law, board members had to approve new proposals for early voting dates, hours and locations in a third of the states counties. Predominantly black churches have traditionally driven their members to vote in souls to the polls efforts on Sundays, and the 4th U.S Circuit Court of Appeals found that the states Republican leaders used provisions in the law with almost surgical precision to gain an edge by limiting these and other ways of voting. 2 Gun stings: The U.S. Department of Justice has found that federal agents lacked proper guidance and experience when they conducted undercover sting operations in several cities since 2010 that were aimed at disrupting illegal gun sales. The Justice Departments inspector generals office released a report Thursday examining shortcomings with U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives storefront sting operations in Milwaukee; Pensacola, Fla.; St. Louis; Wichita, Kan.; and Boston. The report found that agents who worked the operations lacked policies, experience and supervision. It also noted the operations have to do a better job defining the problem theyre trying to solve. A rabbi and another member of the ultra-Orthodox Satmar community in Orange County were charged yesterday for allegedly conspiring to kidnap, torture and then kill a woman's husband after he refused to grant her a religious divorce. U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara called the plot "chilling" and said, "Over a period of months, the Complaint alleges, they met repeatedly to plan the kidnapping and to pay more than $55,000 to an individual they believed would carry it out." On Tuesday, investigators arrested Rabbi Aharon Goldberg, 55, and Shimen Liebowitz, 25, in Central Valley, New York, where they were allegedly meeting to plan the kidnapping and murder. Goldberg is based in Israel but is prominent in the ultra-Orthodox community of Kiryas Joel, NY, which in 2011 was reported to be the most impoverished town in Americaand, earlier this year, became the focus of an FBI investigation into child abuse. Liebowitz resides in Kiryas Joel. Prosecutors say the pair recruited a third man, also an ultra-Orthodox Jew, to help them force a husband to give his wife a divorce. The U.S. Attorney's office explains, "According to Jewish religious law as observed in certain communities, in order to effect a divorce, a husband must provide his wife with a document known as a 'get.' A woman whose husband will not consent to a divorce is known as an 'agunah.' In the absence of the husbands issuing a get, an agunah may be released from her marriage only through the husbands death." However, the man (identified only as "the CS" by prosecutors) contacted the FBI about his early July meeting with the pair, and over the summer, the plan allegedly escalated from kidnapping to murder. From a press release: During the meeting, which was recorded, the CS feigned interest in participating in the kidnapping. He, Goldberg, and Liebowitz discussed how such a kidnapping might be carried out, including the possibility of luring the Intended Victim to Pennsylvania in order to kidnap him, torture him, and force him to give the get. The CS, Goldberg, and Liebowitz also discussed the possibility of kidnapping the Intended Victim in Ukraine, where the Intended Victim planned to travel in late September to celebrate the Jewish New Year. Goldberg and Liebowitz agreed to advance the CS $25,000 to assist in efforts to plan the kidnapping. According to the CS, within days of this initial meeting, an envelope containing approximately $25,000 cash was delivered to the CS. On or about August 9, 2016, the CS met with Liebowitz and Goldberg in Kiryas Joel, New York. During this meeting, the CS, Goldberg, and Liebowitz discussed additional details of the kidnapping plan, including logistics and the cost associated with a plan to kidnap the Intended Victim overseas. This conversation was also recorded. On August 12, 2016, the CS again met with Liebowitz and Goldberg, at which time they provided the CS with an additional payment of over $20,000 for use in making arrangements for the kidnapping. In this meeting, which was also recorded, the CS, Goldberg and Liebowitz further discussed their plan to kidnap the Intended Victim in the United States and to obtain the get from him in this country. Subsequent to the August 12, 2016, meeting, the CS had additional conversations with Goldberg, in which Goldberg discussed his desire not merely to kidnap the Intended Victim, but also to kill him. On August 25, 2016, the CS met Liebowitz in Central Valley, New York. During the meeting, Liebowitz paid the CS an additional sum of about $12,000 to carry out the kidnapping. Also during the meeting, the CS spoke by phone with Goldberg, who was still in Israel, about the kidnapping plan, which the CS and Goldberg referred to in code as a wedding, as well as Goldbergs desire that the CS kill the Intended Victim. This conversation was also recorded. Last week, the CS had another conversation with Liebowitz in which Liebowitz "indicated his understanding that the Intended Victim would be murdered as part of the plan. Resorting to violence is nothing new for ultra-Orthodox rabbis who are enlisted to help women get divorces: Three years ago, the head of a Monsey yeshiva and many others were accused of beating and using cattle prods on their victims. One victim said, "he forced it (the get) on me. They busted my fingers, busted my ribs. They kept me handcuffed. These gets arent kosher. They force it. It destroyed me." A rabbi in NJ admitted he kidnapped and tortured an ultra-Orthodox man who wouldn't give his wife a divorcehe apparently handcuffed, beat and threatened to bury the man alive if he didn't agree to the get. Newsweek looked at how divorce in the ultra-Orthodox community is "brutal, degrading and endless," with the founder of a non-profit that helps women escape arranged or forced marriages explaining, "Being an agunah is such a painful and shameful existence. You remain trapped as a single person in a community where there is nothing more shameful than being single." Goldberg and Liebowitz were charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and one count each of conspiracy to commit murder for hire. A serial arson suspect charged with torching some 300 structures when he allegedly ignited the devastating Clayton Fire in Lake County last month one of a dozen blazes hes accused of setting over the past year was hit with four additional arson counts on Wednesday. Damin Pashilk, 40, pleaded not guilty to the four charges Wednesday in a Lake County Superior Court in Lakeport. Prosecutors on Thursday charged former 49ers tight end Bruce Miller with seven felonies including assault with a deadly weapon stemming from Mondays alleged drunken rampage in which he is accused of attacking a 70-year-old man and his son at a Fishermans Wharf hotel. The deadly weapon used in the attack, prosecutors alleged, was a cane Miller used to beat one of the two victims at a Marriott Hotel on the 1200 block of Columbus Avenue around 2:45 a.m. Miller, 29, also was charged with assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, inflicting injury on an elder likely to cause great bodily injury, battery with serious bodily injury, assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, and two counts of criminal threats. The San Francisco District Attorneys office added several elder-abuse enhancements to the charges, along with one misdemeanor count of battery. Police were called to the hotel on the report of an intoxicated person and later discovered Miller had tried to get into a hotel room that was not his, said Officer Grace Gatpandan, a San Francisco Police spokeswoman. The room was occupied by the 70-year-old man and his 66-year-old wife, who did not know Miller, police said. The couples son, who was staying in a room next door, came out to tell Miller he was at the wrong room, at which point Miller charged him and started a physical confrontation, Gatpandan said. The father came to his sons defense and police said Miller punched him and beat him with the cane. Authorities did not say to whom the cane belonged. The father and son were taken to a hospital while police tracked down Miller in a hotel across the street and arrested him. That afternoon, the 49ers released Miller. Before the alleged attack, Miller was booted from Tommys Joynt, a longtime San Francisco restaurant, after he got in a dispute with a patron over a sandwich, the restaurant manager told The Chronicle. The violent night was not Millers first encounter with the criminal-justice system during his time with the 49ers. In March 2015, he was arrested after he allegedly shoved his ex-fiancee and smashed her cell phone behind a Santa Clara bagel shop. Miller is due for arraignment at 1:30 p.m. Friday in San Francisco Superior Court. Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky A "loathsome" luxury real estate broker-turned-developer turned himself in to face tax evasion charges this morning. Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance said, "As alleged in the indictment, Michael Shvo went to great lengths to defraud New Yorkers out of more than a million dollars in tax revenue." Shvo is behind some ambitious NYC buildings and his glitzy lifestyle was recently profiled in a Wall Street Journal feature about his Time Warner Center apartment and Hamptons home. A sample: "Warhol pieces dominate the walls, including one of his iconic Flowers paintings" ... "In the [Hamptons] backyard is a swimming pool as well as sculptures, the most prominent of which is a large Francois-Xavier Lalanne gorilla." He surrendered this morning to authorities, who claim that he dodged local, state and corporate taxes on his businesses or purchases and sales of fine art, jewelry an cars. According to a press release from Vance's office, Shvo would allegedly tell auction houses and art galleries that his purchases would be going to the Cayman Islands, but "purchases were shipped to his office or homes in New York, including an apartment on Columbus Circle and a house in New Yorks Hamptons." Also: "In at least one instance, SHVO also evaded payment of New York State and local use tax on a new Ferrari 458 Spider that he purchased from an out-of-state dealer by establishing a limited liability company in Montana called SEREN LLCnamed after the defendants wifeand registering the luxury vehicle to the company. In fact, no business was ever conducted in Montana and the vehicle was used in New York. In total, the defendant evaded payment of more than $1,000,000 in New York State and local sales and use tax." He's also accused of evading $275,000 in corporate tax by saying his company was operated offshorewhen he was really doing business in NYC and the Hamptons. Shvo's love of art extended to an old gas station in Chelsea that he purchased. Before turning it into a luxury condo (of course), he installed a "sheep meadow" with sheep sculptures. A spokesman for Shvo, Ronn Torossian, said that his client "looks forward to his day in court, where he will mount a defense to all charges related to his art business and is confident he will be acquitted.... While Mr. Shvo is prominent in the art world, he has not committed any crime nor did he act with any criminal intent whatsoever." In the Wall Street Journal feature, lauded chef and friend Daniel Boulud called Shvo a "'disrupter' who sometimes ruffles the feathers of those who cling to tradition: "When hes passionate about something he goes all the way." An amateur gold prospector from Modesto claims to have discovered an 18 oz. gold nugget last week in Tuolumne county. The man, going only by the first name Oscar, has handed the nugget over to Charlie Morgan, a friend and hotelier in Jamestown for safekeeping. The October opening of a controversial shelter for adult families in Maspeth, Queens will likely be delayed by a few weeks, according to a Queens assemblywoman and City Hall sources. While Assemblywoman Margaret Markey said that the delay was granted following a phone call between herself, Mayor de Blasio, and Department of Homeless Services Commissioner Steven Banks, City Hall has countered that the delay is standard procedure, and that the shelter will still likely open next month, if later than the October 1st deadline DHS had put forward. "This postponement gives us the opportunity to continue to bring pressure on the city to change its plan for Maspeth," said Markey in a statement to the Daily News. A senior City Hall official told Gothamist that such a delay is "not uncommon in government," adding, "We expect an October opening, and we still feel that we're on track." The official confirmed that Markey spoke with Commissioner Banks, but said that "to my knowledge the delay is not related to any conversation." The shelter, which the city says would take over a Holiday Inn Express at 59-40 55th Road, was presented to the community in August, prompting near-nightly protests, one lawsuit threatened by locals, and another filed by elected officials, including Markey. Last week, hundreds of Maspeth residents turned their backs on DHS Commissioner Banks at the second of two raucous public hearings on the shelter, which they argue would impact their safety and quality of life. Robert Holden, president of the Juniper Park Civic Association in Maspeth, told us on Thursday that he thinks the delay is standard procedure, and that Markey's statement was strategically timed, one week before the primary election on September 13th. "This is so political it's almost laughable," he said, adding, "She's trying to do damage control." Markey, who took office in 1998, is facing the second primary election of her tenure next week. She was booed from the microphone at last week's public hearing on the Maspeth shelterin large part because, in Holden's opinion, she seldom comes to community meetings and has done little to earn the community's trust. "She's a party hack," he said. "In 18 years she attended two Juniper meetings, and we've had hundreds." He, like many Maspeth residents, is opposed to the shelter. "As we announced at two community forums, we are continuing to review the [shelter] proposal, and the start date will be determined as a result of the review," said DHS spokeswoman Lauren Gray in a statement Thursday. Also this week, Queens Senator Tony Avella sent a letter to U.S. Southern District Attorney Preet Bharara urging him to investigate the owner of the Holiday Inn Express slotted for shelter conversion, one Harshad Patel. In 2011 the Daily News reported that Patel admitted to bribing former Brooklyn Senator Carl Kruger to change a zoning restriction. Patel apparently wanted to convert one of his hotels into apartments. "I find it shocking that Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York City Department of Homeless Services would seek to enter into an agreement with an individual who has openly admitted to what appears to be a lengthy bribery scheme," Avella wrote. Bharara's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but Gray, the DHS spokeswoman, said that DHS does not interact with building owners during the shelter site selection process. The Department of Homeless Services contracts with nonprofit service providers," she said. "The nonprofit service provider either owns the building or leases it from a building owner. The Department of Homeless Services does not have a relationship with building owners or select them. Before the shelter contract can be approved, DHS must submit it to the city comptroller. The comptroller then has 30 days to approve the contract, or send it back for amendments. We have reached out to Comptroller Scott Stringer's office to confirm whether a contract for the Maspeth shelter has been submitted, and will update with any additional information. [UPDATE 9/8]: Stringers' office confirmed that the city has yet to submit a contract for the Maspeth shelter, or even indicate when it might. It's okay if you didn't get tickets to TEDxNewYork. You can still watch the sold-out event! TEDxNewYork is coming! Saturday, September 10, visionaries from all over the city will give talks and take you down a rabbit hole of ideas at SVA Theatre in Chelsea. Did you forget to apply to attend? Missed the deadline? Can't be there the whole day? Never even heard of it? The all-day event is sold out, but we've got good news: There are two ways to tune in remotely to see talks from some of the brightest minds in the city. If you want to stay in this Saturday, watch the livestream from home. Simply visit the TEDxNewYork site and watch live from your bedroom or living room. Grab some delicious snacks, and get the gang together to watch this stellar event. For details on how to watch, sign up for TEDxNewYork news. If you want to get out of the house but didn't get a chance to apply for the event, we've got a special treat. Thanks to our partners at Microsoft Stores, you'll have a space to watch TEDxNewYork live! There are few cinematic experiences quite like it. On Saturday, September 10 between 10:00am and 5:30pm, head to the Microsoft Flagship Store in Manhattan at 677 5th Avenue. There will be giveaways and competitions all day, so you may take home some of Microsoft's exciting prizes. You'll also be entered in a raffle to win tickets for the official TEDxNewYork after-party, where you'll mingle with other event attendees and this year's fascinating lineup of speakers. It's really going to be an amazing day. Look forward to 14 eclectic talks and three thrilling performances, featuring ideas from Rebecca Brachman, a neuroscientist who is working on a drug that could prevent depression and PTSD; Adam Galinsky, a social psychologist who contemplates how we work with and against one another to achieve our goals, and Chris Jackson, a book editor who breathes life into the works of visionary black writers. Be sure to watch, at home or at the Microsoft Flagship Store! For more information on this special TEDxNewYork satellite event and more, sign up to receive TEDxNewYork news. This post is brought to you by TEDxNewYork. Earlier this year, NY Times food critic Pete Wells dropped the bong water review heard round the world of chef Thomas Keller's stately Columbus Circle restaurant Per Se. Wells slammed the restaurant's "mangled" food and "sleepwalking" service, ultimately calling the restaurant "among the worst food deals in New York," stripping it down two stars and comparing a mushroom broth to "bong water." At the time, Keller penned an apology to his guests, but hasn't spoken out publicly until an interview with Town & Country in which he admits the review was "devastating." Unlike David Changwho hasn't held back his ire following Wells' tepid review of his latest Momofuku entryKeller has adopted (on paper, anyway) a more amicable viewpoint on the situation. Six months after Wells's review, Keller tells me he has a strong sense that the critic wasn't out for blood. "Maybe we were complacent," he says. "I learned that, maybe, as a team we were a little bit too arrogant, our egos too exposed." Despite his winking cuisine and insistence on pleasing every guest, Keller has sometimesas have other chefs of his caliberbeen accused of pedantry. Wells, for one, claimed that "servers sometimes give you the feeling that you work for them, and your job is to feel lucky to receive whatever you get." Immediately following the review, Keller visited each of his restaurants, reassuring his staff of 1,029 that the world wasn't ending. "We make mistakes all the time," he told the magazine. "And a mistake is a missed opportunity. We don't have to totally rethink what we are doing, because we believe in what we do." As Per Se chef de cuisine Eli Kaimeh put it: "You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you." Coincidentally, the New Yorker published a lengthy profile of Wells this week, in which we learn how the food critic sausage gets made, one borrowed Gandalf robe and Senor Frogs conga line at at time. Upskilling is a wise investment for employers, employees alike Next month, the State of Michigan will open applications for the Going PRO Talent Fund. Since 2014, this fund has... Kautman-Jones endorses Davis Please support Meredith Davis in her re-election to the Genesee County Board of Commissioners - 8th District. I have had... Writer recommend Delor, Jones for GB school board I have met heard April Delor and Patricia Jones for the Grand Blanc School Board. They both have many years... Chairman Matt Smith reminds you to vote It is important that the voters of Genesee County show up and cast their ballot on Tuesday, November 8th, 2022.... This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A 14-year-old female student shot another girl at Alpine High School in West Texas before turning the gun on herself, Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson said Thursday. The Brewster County Sheriff's Office were called to the scene for reports of an active shooter around 9 a.m. and evacuated students and put the campus, surrounding schools and administration on a "critical lockdown." RELATED: Inside the West Texas ranch where Antonin Scalia was found dead Dodson said the suspect died from a self-inflicted wound after shooting another female student, who ran into the street in front of the school and was picked up by bystanders and taken to Big Bend Medical Regional Center for treatment. When police arrived on the scene, they found a girl with a gunshot wound and a weapon. Initially, authorities believed the girl was a victim, but later determined she was the shooter. During a news conference Thursday afternoon, Dodson said the shooter was a 14-year-old freshman whose family moved to Alpine about six months ago. At this time, a motive remains unclear. The victim was hospitalized in stable condition with non-threatening injuries. RELATED: Accident at West Texas oil rig leaves two workers dead Families have been notified on the incident and neither the shooter or the victim have been publicly named. Additionally, a police officer was accidentally shot by another officer at the high school. Female mass shooters are an anomaly, according to a detailed investigation by the Washington Post. The Post looked at each shooting where four or more people died in the U.S. since Aug. 1, 1966. Since then, there have been 127 mass shootings and 130 shooters. Of the shooters, only three were female and 73 of died at the scene, often due to self-inflicted wounds. As the scene cleared, Dodson said law enforcement officials investigated a bomb threat made to Sul Ross State University. He said the threat came from the jail and that it was "ridiculous for someone to call in something like this." The university was placed on lockdown and Dodson said he called the FBI to help with the ongoing investigation. Officials believe the call was a hoax. RELATED: Apache may have struck big in West Texas Elizabeth Carter, a lieutenant at the Texas Department of Public Safety, said someone brought a gun onto the Alpine High School campus Thursday morning. The sheriff's office initially said two possible shooters were on the loose. The high school is about 30 miles east of Marfa. Alpine ISD has just under 1,000 students, according to the school's website. Former U.S. Rep Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, tweeted early Thursday morning asking for prayers. "As we all wait for more information, please keep Alpine - Alpine's kids - in your prayers this morning," he said. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. Text "NEWS" to 72727 to sign up for breaking news from mySA The Associated Press contributed to this report. kbradshaw@express-news.net Twitter: @kbrad5 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Donald Trump is at it again with another controversial statement about issues he would face as the president of the United States. On Wednesday night during an NBC national security forum, the New York businessman took a question from a veteran in the audience about how he would handle the sexual assault problem in the military. TWITTER MISTAKES: Donald Trump tweets that he was 'right' about terrorism after Orlando mass shooting Trump, who followed Democrat Hillary Clinton at the New York forum, began by saying that it is a "massive problem" and that "we're going to have to come down very, very hard on that." "The best thing we can do is set up a court system within the military," he said according to Time. "Right now the court system practically doesn't exist." OTHER TRUMP MISTAKES: Donald Trump forgets that Belgium is actually a country The host of the forum, Matt Lauer, quickly interjected to read a tweet from Trump three years ago. In May 2013, Trump said that sexual assault was to be "expected" when you put women in the military: After Lauer called Trump out on his 3-year-old tweet, Trump stood by it, saying, "It is a correct tweet. There are many people that think that's absolutely correct." Lauer then asked if that means Trump would take women out of the military and the Republican nominee said, "No, not take them out, but something has to be happened [sic]. When you have somebody that does something so evil, so bad as that, there has to be consequences for that person. You should have to go after that person. Right now, nobody is doing anything." NOT A BAD THING: Latino Donald Trump supporter warns of 'taco trucks on every corner' HONOLULU Hawaiis high-quality seafood is sold with the promise that its caught by local, hardworking fishermen. But the people who haul in the prized catch are almost all undocumented foreign workers, confined to American boats for years at a time without basic rights or protections. About 700 men from impoverished Southeast Asian and Pacific Island nations make up the bulk of the workforce in this unique U.S. fishing fleet. A federal loophole allows them to take the dangerous jobs without proper work permits, just as long as they dont set foot on shore. Americans buying Hawaiian seafood are almost certainly eating fish caught by one of these workers. A six-month Associated Press investigation found fishing crews living in squalor on some boats, forced to use buckets instead of toilets and suffering running sores from bed bugs. There have been instances of human trafficking, active tuberculosis and low food supplies. We want the same standards as the other workers in America, but we are just small people working there, said fisherman Syamsul Maarif, who didnt get paid for four months. He was sent back to his Indonesian village after nearly dying at sea when his Hawaiian boat sank earlier this year. Because they have no visas, the men cant fly into Hawaii, so theyre brought by boat. And since theyre not technically in the country, theyre at the mercy of their American captains on American-flagged, American-owned vessels, catching choice swordfish and ahi tuna that can fetch more than $1,000 apiece. The entire system contradicts other state and federal laws, yet operates with the blessing of U.S. officials and law enforcement. People say these fishermen cant leave their boats, theyre like captives, said U.S. Attorney Florence Nakakuni in Hawaii. But they dont have visas, so they cant leave their boat, really. Each of the roughly 140 boats in the fleet docks about once every three weeks, occasionally at ports along the West Coast, including Fishermans Wharf in San Francisco, but mainly at Piers 17 and 38 in Honolulu. Their catch ends up at fancy restaurants and in supermarkets premium fish counters across the country, including Whole Foods, Costco and Sam's Club. All companies that responded condemned the mistreatment of workers. Costco said it was investigating. Wal-Mart, which owns Sam's Club, declined to comment. Whole Foods spokeswoman McKinzey Crossland said only 1 percent of the chain stores seafood comes from Hawaii, and she has been assured that boat crews are well paid with bonuses and health insurance. She added that the company is looking into the issue. KHARABRUD, Iraq An Iranian Kurdish rebel group received military training in weapons and explosives from U.S. and European advisers as part of the international program backing Kurds in the war against the Islamic State group in Iraq, the groups commander said. The group, called the Kurdistan Freedom Party, is one of several Iranian Kurdish factions that have carried out attacks this year inside Iran, sparking a crackdown by security forces. At the same time, the group has been fighting alongside Iraqi Kurds against Islamic State militants in northern Iraq. The training is a further twist in the complex web of alliances and enmities swirling around the wars in Iraq and Syria. Iran is a powerful backer of the Iraqi government and Iraqi Shiite militias against the Islamic State. It appeared that the Iranian faction made its way into the training because it is officially under the umbrella of the Iraqi Kurdish forces. But any training of Iranian insurgents, even indirectly through the anti-Islamic State campaign, could alarm Tehran, which remains a top rival of Washington and U.S. allies in the region despite their common cause in fighting the militants in Iraq and despite last years nuclear deal. Speaking this week, the Kurdistan Freedom Partys commander Hussein Yazdanpana said he recognized that the training was for the fight against Islamic State. They helped and trained us within the framework of the fight against Daesh, or the Islamic State, he said. But he said his group, known by the Kurdish acronym PAK, would continue attacks in Iran, adding that the fight against Islamic State was never an alternative to their struggle against the Iranian government. Iranian Kurdish fighters have waged an on-again, off-again insurgency in mainly Kurdish areas of northwestern Iran, complaining of discrimination by Tehran and demanding independence for Kurds. VIENTIANE, Laos President Obama ended his final trip to Asia on Thursday with a brisk defense of his Asia pivot policy and an impatient dismissal of those who suggested his bumpy reception in the region this week augured doubts about Americas long-term role. The concern that Ive heard is not that what weve done hasnt been important and successful, Obama said at a wrap-up news conference. The concern Ive heard is, Will it continue?' The presidents weeklong tour yielded some accomplishments, from further progress on climate change with China to the presidents candid recognition of the lingering cost of Americas secret bombing campaign in Laos during the Vietnam War. But the substance and symbolism had to compete with off-key incidents: verbal clashes between Chinese security officials and White House staff members after Obamas arrival in Hangzhou; a dispute in China over the stairs that were to be rolled out to Air Force One, which forced the president to exit the plane through a smaller doorway; and a profane outburst against Obama by the new president of the Philippines. It all fed a narrative that the president was being pushed around in a region under the sway of a resurgent China. Obama suggested that these incidents were largely a fixation of the news media and did not reflect on his conversations with Asian leaders at two summit meetings here, nor the enthusiastic welcome he got from ordinary people. If this theory about my reception and my rebalance policy is based on me going down the short stairs in China, yes, I think that is overblown, the president said, a sarcastic edge in his voice. There were, however, more genuine signs of the challenges the United States will face in coming years with China, starting with the diplomatic maneuvering at these meetings. Beijing lobbied to temper references to its territorial clashes with neighbors in the South China Sea. A draft statement from the 10 countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations mentioned the disputes but was vague about how to resolve them. The Obama administration hopes to use a recent ruling against China by a tribunal in The Hague as a lever to discredit Chinas reclamation of land on reefs and shoals in the South China Sea. Obama also has struggled because another pillar of his Asia strategy, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which remains entangled in election-year politics in the U.S. 1 Uprooted children: Some 28 million children around the globe have been driven from their homes by violent conflict, with nearly as many abandoning their homes in search of a better life, UNICEF said in a report from Geneva. The report found that while children make up about a third of the worlds population as of 2015, they accounted for nearly half of all refugees, with the number of child refugees having doubled in the last decade. The report said 45 percent of the children came from just two countries: Syria and Afghanistan. 2 Marcos burial: The Philippine Supreme Court on Wednesday extended its temporary ban on the burial of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at a heroes cemetery in Metro Manila after a hearing at which some justices questioned whether President Rodrigo Duterte abused his executive power and violated laws by allowing the entombment, which is opposed by the Marcos regimes human rights victims. The court gave both sides 20 days to submit statements before making a ruling. Burying a dictator accused of massive rights violations and corruption at the Heroes Cemetery has long been an emotional and divisive issue in the Philippines, where Marcos was ousted by a people power revolt in 1986. He flew to Hawaii, where he lived with his wife and children in exile until he died in 1989. A Great Falls woman who told police by cellphone she had been abducted and put in the trunk of a car north of Helena was found dead Wednesday in Spokane, Washington. Rita Maze, 47, told an officer a man had kidnapped her at a rest stop on Interstate 15 near Wolf Creek around 11 a.m. Tuesday after striking her on the head and forcing her into the trunk, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton said. Maze spoke with her husband and Helena police by cellphone before she died later that night, Dutton said. Her body was found in the trunk of her car around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. The cause of her death has not yet been released, but Dutton called it an "apparent homicide." Nobody has been taken into custody in connection with the case. Authorities were looking at surveillance video from a convenience store, and they plan to release a photograph of a person of interest, Dutton said. Information about that person had not been released as of Wednesday evening. Maze's husband reported her as missing Tuesday night. Authorities believe she was driving back to Great Falls after visiting relatives in Helena. Her black Pontiac Grand Prix was found by a license-plate reader in Post Falls, Idaho. Helena police told Spokane authorities she might be in the area, and investigators traced her cellphone to the vehicle near Spokane International Airport. Dutton said he was unsure whether this was a random attack. "It's too early to tell," he said. "We would suspect now it's thought to be random." Dutton said Spokane officials would complete a search warrant on the woman's car. Local investigators on Wednesday morning closed off the rest area where Maze was apparently abducted, along with another rest stop just north of there. The FBI is leading the investigation alongside officials from the Helena area and Spokane County. An FBI spokesperson confirmed the agency's role in the case but did not release any further information Wednesday afternoon. Maze was a longtime cook at Morningside Elementary School in Great Falls. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the Maze family at www.gofundme.com/wu3fw5rg. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 1 Aleppo battle: Syrian government forces and their allies captured new ground on the edge of the contested northern city of Aleppo on Thursday, tightening the siege on rebel-held parts of the city, state media and an activist group said. The latest push came after pro-government troops recaptured several military academies over the weekend that they had lost in attacks by insurgents a month ago. Britains Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said government forces backed by allied groups, including the Lebanese Hezbollah militant group, captured the Ramouseh neighborhood on the southern edge of Aleppo. 2 Acid attack: An Indian court sentenced a man to death Thursday for killing his neighbor by throwing sulfuric acid at her for refusing to marry him three years ago. It is the first death sentence given for an acid attack under stringent laws introduced by the government to curb crimes against women after the fatal gang rape of a young woman on a moving bus in New Delhi in 2012. Prosecutors said a Mumbai court sentenced Ankur Panwar after finding him guilty of killing Preeti Rathi, 23. She died of serious burn injuries 30 days after the attack, which severely damaged her lungs, vocal cords and eyes. MARINKA, Ukraine The gray-bearded officers summary of the war in eastern Ukraine is terse with weariness. We stand in place. We shoot over there, they shoot back from over there, Mykhailo Gaiduk said. Its just burning up time. The area that Gaiduk calls over there is territory controlled by Russia-backed separatists, where a rebel using the nom de guerre of Chester agrees: Everybody is tired of this pointless war. A cease-fire signed two years ago was supposed to have ended the fighting. So was a cease-fire last year. A temporary truce called for the beginning of the new school year on Sept. 1 briefly tamped down the fighting the Ukrainian side reported only one soldier and one rebel were killed Tuesday. But that relative calm is clearly fragile; Ukraine also claimed rebels fired some 90 mortar rounds at troops outside the city of Mariupol, one of the wars tensest areas. According to United Nations figures, more than 9,500 people have been killed in the fighting in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions that began in April 2014, after Ukraines Russia-friendly president Viktor Yanukovych was ousted by street protests and Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula. The region, which is also known as Donbass, forms Ukraines Russian-speaking industrial heartland and many local residents on both sides of the front line are deeply distrustful of the new Ukrainian governments Western-leaning policies. However, an all-out war didnt break out there until after the arrival of a large number of troops and heavy weaponry, chiefly believed to be Russian supplies. Despite the carnage and the weariness of those inflicting it, theres little expectation it will actually stop anytime soon. Ukraine says it will propose making the start-of-school cease-fire permanent at a meeting of conflict negotiators on Wednesday in Minsk, Belarus. KABUL Hundreds of Taliban militants stormed a provincial capital in southern Afghanistan on Thursday and were fighting on multiple fronts with government forces, officials said. Afghan officials deployed reinforcements to Tarin Kot, a city of 72.000 in Uruzgan province, and Afghan and U.S.-led NATO warplanes were carrying out air strikes in an attempt to deter the latest Taliban advance against a strategic city. One security official in Uruzgan said provincial officials had sought shelter at the local airport, home to an Afghan army brigade, in a sign that the battle was not going the governments way. Afghan forces have lost overall control of the whole city, said the official, requesting anonymity because he wasnt authorized to speak to the media. A Twitter account affiliated with the Taliban boasted that the city was about to fall and that its fighters were combing the streets of Tarin Kot. In a statement, the militant group called on Afghan security forces to stand down, saying it would forgive and guarantee the life, property and honor of those who give up fighting. The police chief in Uruzgan, Mohammad Wais Samimi, said by phone from Tarin Kot: Our forces have been trying to push back the Taliban as fighting is going on in three parts of the city. Afghan officials said the powerful police chief of neighboring Kandahar province, Gen. Abdul Razaq, had arrived in Uruzgan with his forces and would help lead a clearing operation. Samimi said the Taliban launched an assault on the outskirts of Tarin Kot five days ago and Afghan forces responded with airstrikes and ground operations. In three days of fighting, 250 Taliban fighters had been killed or wounded, said Dost Mohammad Nayab, a spokesman for the provincial governor. Eleven Afghan soldiers and police were killed and 17 injured, he said. It was not possible to confirm the figures. No civilians had been killed, but several families had fled Tarin Kot for neighboring provinces, Nayab said. Tarin Kot resident Ahmad Shah, a journalist who was stuck in his office, said, The city is abandoned. Uruzgan sits on the border of the southern province of Helmand, the hub of Afghanistans poppy production. Taliban fighters control several districts in Helmand. Excise Taxes Proposed Matt Reichbach reports, There isnt a date for the special session yet, but one non-profit that says ... an alcohol excise tax increase can help solve the budget deficit is to get it on the sessions agenda. Gov. Susana Martinez is opposed to raising taxes, however, so the measure is a longshot. Budget Woes Worsen Democratic lawmakers say theyre worried that inaction now to curb the budget shortage will later. Joe Monahan reports the session could get . 'Nature at Play'? Extra marital for Albuquerque police officers. Dennis Domrzalski reports, Since 2007, four people have died two APD police officers, one APD civilian employee and the wife of a former officer in connection with APD extramarital affairs. Two officers and the civilian employee committed suicide after being confronted about their affairs. The fourth, Tera Chavez, wife of former APD officer Levi Chavez, either killed herself or was murdered. Balderas Wants Students Protected New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas is asking the federal government to in the wake of an announcement by the for-profit college chain ITT Technical Institute that it was shutting down its U.S. campuses, the Associated Press Reports. Sticker Shock ABQ Free Press reports that individual health insurance policies from four companies will in 2017. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, which withdrew from the health exchange this year, will offer new policies next year, but rates are up a whopping 93.2 percent since 2015. Big Show The New Mexico State Fair opens today and KRQE has of whats new and cool this year. Santa Fe Reporter The New Zealand dollar retreated from a 16-month high as some traders deemed it had risen too far, too fast, and after the European Central Bank disappointed the market by not flagging any additional easing measures. The kiwi dropped to 73.91 US cents as at 8am in Wellington, from 74.57 cents late yesterday. The currency fell to 65.67 euro cents from 66.30 cents. The kiwi had gained almost 2 percent in the past week on a trade-weighted basis as relatively robust economic data and gains in prices of dairy products and other commodities lifted sentiment for the currency in the face of weak data in the US and elsewhere. It fell against the euro after ECB president President Draghi was more upbeat that expected in the bank's review of monetary policy and failed to make mention of any extra stimulus plans. "The kiwi has just run out of puff - it's had a few days of phenomenal strength," said Philip Borkin, senior economist at ANZ Bank New Zealand. "We don't think really much has changed in the reasons the New Zealand dollar was strong to begin with - the data is great, growth looks good and there's a lack of desire to push the US dollar much higher." Borkin said the ECB "arguably disappointed by not doing anything". The trade-weighted index fell to 78.33 from 78.84 late yesterday, to remain above the average 76 level the Reserve Bank has projected for the third quarter. The kiwi slid to 96.68 Australian cents from 97.12 cents and declined to 55.58 British pence from 55.88 pence. It traded at 75.74 yen from 75.73 yen and fell to 4.9260 yuan from 4.9721 yuan. 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: Now is the time to reassess your investments Now is the time to reassess your investments Fonterra looking to lift China's importance in new strategy A2, Synlait shares climb as takeover bid revives optimism about Chinese appetite for milk Service sector activity eases in August but still expanding Lumpy imports drive bigger July trade deficit than expected Nimbys, carparks and the status quo under threat as govt tells big cities: grow up and out Dairy manufacturers got better prices in June quarter Orr defends RBNZ rate cut, says monetary policy looks ahead, not behind RBNZ's Orr says investors need to put their money to work Moa Group is to raise $4 million via a placement and rights offer at a 14 percent discount to the stock's last traded price, and will use the funds to expand its sales team and for working capital and expenses. The listed boutique brewer will issue 3.77 million new shares at 73 cents apiece to two New Zealand funds raising $2.75 million. Pie Funds Management will end up with 6.4 percent of Moa and another fund, which isn't being made public, will take up the balance of the placement, which amounts to 7.3 percent of the company's enlarged capital. Moa shares last traded at 85 cents, having listed at $1.25 in late 2012. Moa will also raise $1.26 million through a one-for-30 non-renounceable rights issue on the same terms, with institutional investors, Business Bakery and its associates and Allan Scott Wines and Estates committing to take up their pro rata entitlement and to underwrite the issue, the Auckland-based company said in a statement. Moa said funds raised will help drive the company's new distribution initiatives, starting with Wellington-based ParrotDog Brewing. The two companies today signed a heads of agreement that will see Moa distribute the craft brewer's products alongside its own starting on Oct. 1. "We believe ParrotDog will be complementary to the Moa brand and will provide our sales team with a stronger craft beer offering, contributing positively to our revenues and gross margins," it said. Last month ParrotDog raised $2 million in less than two days in an equity crowdfunding campaign on PledgeMe and will use the funds to set up a new brewery in Lyall Bay in the next few months, tripling production. 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 Former Green Party co-leader and now Greenpeace New Zealand director Russel Norman has appealed to ACC investment manager Nicholas Bagnall not to commit the state-owned accident insurer's funds to the Ruataniwha Dam project. ACC has declined to comment on rumours it is the institutional investor who has conducted due diligence on the $275 million project, which would create a 93 million cubic metre reservoir to store water in the upper Makaroro river to improve river flows for agricultural use in the Tukituki River catchment. Infratil-controlled Trustpower pulled the plug on its involvement in early 2014, followed by its other private backer, South Island iwi Ngai Tahu's investment arm. Hawke's Bay Regional Investment Co, the Hawke's Bay Regional Council-owned developer and sponsor of Ruataniwha, has said the project will be funded with a mix of equity and debt, and is likely to result in a secondary market for water contracts. The council is putting up $80 million for an equity stake in a yet-to-be-formed irrigation company and expects a contribution from the government's Crown Irrigation Investments. Greenpeace has been running an ongoing campaign against the irrigation scheme and Norman also fought against it while in the parliament with the Greens. Today he called the scheme "a lemon" that didn't stack up economically and linked the outbreak of a gastro illness outbreak that sickened more than 2,000 people in Havelock North to the increase in intensive farming in Hawke's Bay and the deterioration of waterways. "It makes no sense for an organisation dedicated to returning New Zealanders to good health to invest in something that puts public health at risk," Norman said in a letter to Bagnall that was released publicly. "Nor is it consistent with the fiduciary duty of the ACC board". "The Ruataniwha dam decision has ramifications for the future security of clean water across New Zealand" and the progress of several more irrigation schemes were waiting behind it, he said. "The proponents of those schemes are looking to the Ruataniwha dam to get the green light. Institutions involved in giving that green light risk leaving a national legacy of freshwater pollution that will impact generations to come." In April, ACC declined an Official Information Act request from Radio New Zealand on information about a possible investment in the scheme, saying its position would be prejudiced if it disclosed whether the information asked for even existed. As at June 2016, ACCs investment fund had about $35 billion of funds under management, with the income streams used to meet the costs on injury claims on the scheme. As a result, it is one of the biggest investors on the NZX and its brief is wide enough that it is currently considering buying a stake in Kiwibank in a deal that would provide capital for its cash-strapped owner, New Zealand Post. Its investment objectives include having to consider the ethical implications of its investments. In June, the NZ Law Societys ACC committee convenor Don Rennie wrote that potential ACC investments in Kiwibank and Ruataniwha raised "interesting legal questions about the nature and purpose of ACC, how the scheme is being administered and whether the investment of surplus levies is justified". The scheme has divided opinion because it would allow farmers in the often parched central Hawke's Bay to ramp up production but also poses risks to the region's waterways that are already under pressure from agricultural and industrial runoff. Last month, the Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society won a Court of Appeal challenge to a proposed land swap by the Department of Conservation which would have allowed 22 hectares of Ruahine Forest Park be flooded as part of the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme, in exchange for 170 ha of private land. 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 ProTen, Australias largest independent contract grower of broiler chickens for meat, plans to develop more chicken sheds in Tamworth, New South Wales, increasing its total production to as much as 87 million chickens a year. The Sydney-based company, whose shares trade on New Zealand's Unlisted market, plans to develop between 56 and 64 new chicken sheds in two stages, it said in a statement. It expects an initial 20 sheds will be built in late 2017 or early 2018 with the remaining 44 sheds constructed to coincide with the planned expansion of Baiada Poultry, Australia's biggest chicken processor, which ProTen supplies. The project requires the consent of the NSW state government, which will ultimately determine the final number of sheds to be developed, ProTen said. The chicken farmer has secured 1,200 hectares for the project and anticipates the farm could produce as much as 19 million chickens a year. It will fund the project through its balance sheet. ProTen shares last traded at $1.40 on Sept. 2, valuing the company at $160 million. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: 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 Montana drivers can't be pulled over for not wearing a seat belt. But if they could, that would save a dozen lives a year, reduce serious injuries by nearly 100 people and save the state millions, according to projections. An interim legislative committee on Wednesday voted 7-5 to move forward a draft bill to create a primary seat belt law, meaning that a person could be pulled over just for not being buckled up. In Montana a person can be cited for not using a seat belt only when they are pulled over for other reasons. Montana has tried many times to pass a primary seat belt law, coming close a few times. In 2011, a bill creating a primary seat belt law passed the senate but died in the House. In 2013, a similar bill failed to make it out of committee. Even the vote Wednesday for a committee bill was close and mostly along party lines. Only 77 percent of Montanans buckle up when driving or riding in a vehicle, well below the national average of 88 percent. That number hasnt changed much in the last five years, according to data collected by the state. Of the 145 vehicle deaths in Montana in 2014, 71 percent were not wearing seat belts. The rate nationwide is 49 percent. So far 138 have died on Montanas highways this year, compared to 151 at the same point in 2015. Col. Tom Butler, chief of the Montana Highway Patrol, told the committee that the economic loss from motor vehicle crashes in Montana is $898 million in health care costs, insurance claims, lost work productivity and more. This is a very expensive proposition, traffic crashes, in terms of cost to society, Butler said When you lose an employee to a car crash, that leaves a big hole in a persons business. He estimates the state could save 12 lives, 98 serious injuries and $26 million in costs if seat belt use went up by 9.2 percent. Sixteen states do not have primary seat belt laws. Most states that do have primary laws have a fees between $15-$50 for being unbuckled, in the range of Montanas $20 add-on to a ticket. But some states have much higher fines: $200 in Texas, $124 in Washington and $110 in Oregon. Those three states also have among the highest rate of seat belt use -- about 94 percent. Montanas fines would remain at $20 in the proposed bill, except for up to $100 for improperly restrained children under the age of 6 or weighing less than 60 pounds. Ray Kuntz, who recently sold his trucking company to Watkins & Shepard, estimates of the 224 deaths on Montanas highways last year, 178 were not wearing seat belts. He believes half of those deaths could have been prevented with a primary seat belt law. If there were 90 people dying for any other reason in Montana wed have a special session going on," he said. Kuntz has served on the boards of several trucking and insurance associations and told the committee hes uniquely qualified to talk about the need for a primary seat belt law. "The real issue is the costs of those injuries and fatalities and what it does to Montana businesses, he said. I see the costs of those injuries." Sen. Jeff Essmann, who voted against the motion for the committee bill, asked the director of the highway department, Mike Tooley, earlier in the day if riding in the back of a pickup was against the law. The proposed bill does not address passengers in cargo areas. Tooley said that if all the seat belts in the vehicle are in use and there are more occupants than belts available, it wouldnt be against the law to ride in the back of the truck. Montana is not alone in this; 30 states have created laws against riding in cargo areas, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Thats a weakness in the law and frankly it led to a tragedy in this case, Tooley said. Voting yes were Sens. Dick Barrett, D-Missoula; Christine Kaufmann, D-Helena; Brian Hoven, R-Great Falls; and Sue Malek, D-Missoula; and Reps. Tom Jacobson, D-Great Falls; Rae Peppers, D-Lame Deer; and Bridget Smith, D-Wolf Point. Voting no were Sens. Mark Blasdel, R-Kalispell; and Fred Thomas, R-Stevensville; and Reps. Jeff Essmann, R-Billings; Greg Hertz, R-Polson; and Alan Redfield, R-Livingston. Children who look longingly skyward when an airplane passes will have an opportunity to make their dreams of flight a reality. On Saturday, the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association will offer free plane rides to children ages 8 to 17, said Albert Hathy, president of the organizations Helena chapter. But the event that will be held at the Montana Aeronautics building at 2630 Airport Road isnt an all-day affair and will only be from 9-11 a.m., hours when the air is cool and those free plane rides are more likely to be smooth. The roughly 15-minute flights will be over the Helena Valley, Hathy said, explaining that the rides are part of the EAAs Young Eagles Program, which seeks to give children and young adults their first free ride in an airplane. There will also be a free pancake breakfast at the event. The EAA was founded in 1953 by a group of individuals in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who were interested in building their own airplanes, according to the organizations website. EAA expanded its mission of growing participation in aviation to include antiques, classics, warbirds, aerobatic aircraft, ultralights, helicopters, and contemporary manufactured aircraft. Some of the airplanes that will be on display this Saturday will have been built by those who fly them, while others will be older aircraft that have been restored. Homebuilding, as we call it, of aircraft is becoming increasingly popular. The Wright Brothers were the original homebuilders, but few know that today any average person can actually build and fly their own airplane, Hathy, who is also a pilot and teaches in the Helena College aviation maintenance and technology program, wrote in an email. We want to expand the awareness of the vast, amazing world of general aviation and how rewarding an activity it can be. Today, private individuals build and register between 600 and 1,000 new, single-engine, pistol-powered aircraft in the U.S. every year, more than all the commercial aircraft manufacturers combined, he noted in his email. While attending the EAA chapters event will be a chance to experience flight in a small aircraft, it will also be an opportunity to consider careers in aviation as pilots and mechanics. Astronaut Neil Armstrong, who became the first person to step on the lunar landscape on July 20, 1969, according to online sources, started out as a child building model aircraft, Hathy said. Hathys first ride in an airplane came between his junior and senior years of high school when he and a friend saved money and went to their small towns airport in Ohio to ask for a ride. It never left me. We were hooked, he said of the thrill from that first flight in a Cessna 172. His 1946 Globe Swift, a two-seat prop airplane that sits in a hangar at Helena Regional Airport, is being worked on before he will return it to the air. The upcoming event will offer an opportunity for children and parents to talk to those who build and restore airplanes, Hathy said. While airshows featuring jet demonstration teams are popular, and flying in airplanes has become ho-hum -- not much different than a bus ride -- general aviation is where average people can personally touch, feel and experience the thrill of aviation, he wrote. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service violated the Endangered Species Act when it failed to fully analyze potential habitat for the threatened Canada lynx in Montana, Idaho and Colorado, a federal judge ruled in Missoula on Wednesday. U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen sided with a coalition of environmental groups in agreeing that in 2014 the agency did not meet its burden under a previous court ruling to analyze potential lynx habitat for several Montana and Idaho national forests as well as range in Colorado. Christensen ruled against the groups claim that USFWS erred in excluding the Kettle Range of Washington and the state of Oregon. Wildlife advocates argued that the Beaverhead-Deerlodge, Bitterroot, Nez Perce, Clearwater and Idaho Panhandle national forests, as well as portions of the Helena and Lolo national forests, were wrongly excluded from agency analysis in its 2014 lynx critical habitat decision. They contend that the 2014 decision violated a 2009 court order to consider whether the national forests contained the physical and biological features for inclusion as critical habitat. USFWS identifies criteria important to lynx such as boreal forests with varying tree ages, presence of snowshoe hares, deep fluffy snow available for extended periods and downed trees and woody debris for denning habitat. Christensen ruled that USFWS failed to satisfy the 2009 ruling except in the Clearwater. The agency relied on occupancy rather than looking at factors such as forest and habitat type, and it must do the latter to comply with the ESA, according to the decision. In Montana lynx have been declining more than any other state and its mainly because of logging, said Michael Garrity, executive director of Alliance for the Wild Rockies and one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. It is really important to get this critical habitat designated so that we can start working on recovery. They do not have a good track record of following the law. This is the second time the court has ordered them to look at these areas where we know lynx are. Garrity pointed to the national forest south of MacDonald Pass west of Helena where lynx have been documented but the agency did not include as critical habitat. He noted frustration with USFWS and 16 years of litigation to see lynx listed as threatened, designating critical habitat with an eventual goal of developing a lynx recovery plan. He believes the latest court ruling will push the agency to begin recovering the species. For Colorado, Christensen ruled USFWSs conclusion that habitat is marginal and will not support lynx populations over time is undercut by data showing the cat naturally reproducing. While many lynx did die following transplants beginning in the late '90s, approximately 100 persist and are reproducing, said Mathew Bishop, attorney for several of the groups. Were concerned that the agencys position is that this sub population could go away without any impacts to lynx in the lower 48, he said. Im sure theyre not happy about having to go back and look at critical habitat again, but its important to give lynx a fighting chance. In ruling against the environmental groups in Washington and Oregon, Christensen deferred to the agencys conclusion that lynx did not occupy the region in 2000 when they were listed. USFWS was disappointed with the remand of the 2014 lynx critical habitat designation, said spokeswoman Serena Baker. The service is reviewing the court's ruling and considering next steps, she said. In 2014 the agency defended its decision, saying that it used the best available science in defining critical habitat and that occupied habitat at the time of listing was sufficient to recover the population. USFWS identified nearly 39,000 square miles of critical habitat in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, Maine and Minnesota. "The Endangered Species Act gives the threatened Canada lynx a real shot at recovery in its high-elevation habitat in the northern United States, Noreen Walsh, the services regional director for the Mountain Prairie Region, said in 2014. Our final rule provides the lynx one of only seven wild cat species in the nation with what it needs to persist and thrive for future generations of Americans." Christensens ruling remands the Montana, Idaho and Colorado portions of the lawsuit back to USFWS for additional analysis and a future decision. For the first time in my life, I've put a political bumper sticker on my vehicle -- a ranch-tested diesel Jeep. Certainly, Ive chosen sides in most elections, voted, done my civic duty. I'm a retired professor, writer and think-tank president, who earlier was a logger and rancher. I've not been a bumper-sticker man. Until now. I want Gary Johnson, the Libertarian candidate for president, in the debates that begin Sept. 26. I want American voters to hear his voice, evaluate his arguments supporting liberty, ecology and prosperity, and witness his character. Naturally, both the Democrat and Republican parties are convulsed by the prospect of a Libertarian standing shoulder to shoulder with their candidates on a national debate stage. Johnson threatens their use of government as an engine of favoritism and redistribution, actions that erode the foundations of American success. Johnson is a two-term Republican governor of New Mexico, a Democrat stronghold. His running mate, Bill Weld, is a two-term Republican governor of Massachusetts. These men threaten conventional politicians of both parties. They challenge the conventional regulatory and redistributive operation of contemporary politics. Both parties want Johnson isolated and the public insulated from his message. They are threatened by where a public discussion of his message could lead, ultimately to responsible fiscal policies and a sustainable environment. Both parties are fighting to exclude him -- even when poll after poll shows 60-75 percent of Americans want to hear from third-party candidates. I find it surprising and encouraging that despite the major parties' efforts, at least 10 percent of American voters have found and support Johnson. I find it even more surprising and encouraging that this vanguard of voters has done so despite Johnson's minuscule campaign spending. I am not surprised that pockets of voters support Johnson far beyond the averages -- roughly 30 percent of active and reserve military and millennials. The Ds and Rs realize that Johnson favors responsible liberty and secure property rights to protect both our economy and ecology. Trump, in contrast, explicitly supports the taking of private property to benefit business. In opposition to both Clinton and Trump, Johnson rejects subsidies to the wealthy and well connected. He sees entrepreneurs not politicians, as sources of progress and prosperity. There is good reason for leaders of the two parties to be worried about sound arguments by a successful man of good character. A recent Fox News poll found an amazing 74 percent of respondents believe Clinton would do anything to be president and 68 percent thought likewise of Trump. Consider the context of this embarrassing duo. America is the world's most successful large-scale social experiment. This is a remarkable achievement for a culturally complex nation. Apart from those entrapped by various government programs, the great majority of citizens have remarkable liberty, prosperity, and environmental quality. This is only partially due to America's blessings of bountiful natural resources. Basic and applied science were supported and flourished from the Civil War onward. Meanwhile, our political economy rewarded the creation of wealth far more than its transfers by government. Hence, America enjoyed an explosion of well-being and prosperity. This fostered increased liberty and higher environmental quality. Alas, this virtuous circle of ever increasing liberty, prosperity, and ecology has been interrupted. Both the Ds and Rs deploy lawmaking and regulation in a skirmish for power, transferring wealth and opportunity to favored constituencies. They bestow favors and buy votes. Johnson challenges these conventional operations. That's why the major parties oppose including him in the debates. And that's exactly why he should be there. We -- me, you, all of us -- are duty bound to support not a political party, but an experiment in liberty that with only a few interruptions operated so well and so long. I hope you will answer Gary Johnson if a pollster calls, even if only to add to the 15 percent polling threshold that gets him in the debates. I hope you will research his policies, examine the options, and be sufficiently sure and proud enough to put that candidates name on whatever you drive. The bumper sticker on my Jeep proclaims my support for the principles Governor Gary Johnson has long maintained in his personal, business, and political life. John Baden is a PhD economist, president of the think tank Foundation for Research on Economics and the Environment, and former professor. He and his wife Professor Ramona Marotz-Baden live on a family ranch near Bozeman, where they actively support many organizations devoted to conservation, liberty, and community wellbeing. MISSOULA -- From the two-lane county road that cuts a ribbon through the smooth, dark green hills of southern North Dakota, the Standing Rock Sioux encampment sprawls into a massive community. Nestled between the asphalt on the west, the Missouri River on the east and the Cannonball River on the south sit hundreds of campsites, cars parked next to tents, canvas shelters and tepees. The main entrance to the controversial site is a stretch of packed earth, lined on both sides by dozens of tribal nation flags that produce a steady, muted rumble in the prairie wind. The camp, where hundreds of people, representing more than 250 tribes from across the world, have gathered to oppose the construction of a nearly 1,200-mile oil pipeline, is now considered home for many of the people. This is not a powwow, said Angela Bibens, a Denver-based attorney, who is volunteering with a legal team based on the camp. The law tent sits next to the school, a large canvas tent housing stacks of children's books where Bibens is working to ensure the curriculum meets educational standards so students get full credit. This is a powerful and profound expression of tribal sovereignty, the likes of which we have never seen before. Still, over Labor Day weekend, the camps population swelled with new, temporary visitors, supporters, most of whom brought donated supplies to keep the camp fed, hydrated and clean. We want the Standing Rock Sioux to know that we are serious about our support, said Mark Azure, president of the Fort Belknap Indian Community in central Montana. Azure arrived at the camp Friday evening with about 30 members of the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine tribes who call Fort Belknap home, bringing with them truckloads of food and supplies collected in community donation drives. It was powerful, Azure said, recalling his group arriving into the campground as supporters lined up on both sides of the entrance singing, drumming and cheering as the Fort Belknap vehicles drove between the corridor of flags in the evening light. It was a feeling I dont think will ever be duplicated. The camp has been building for a month, as the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe stands against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, which would pump nearly a half million barrels of crude oil daily from the Bakken region in northwestern North Dakota to southern Illinois. Although it would not enter reservation boundaries, the pipeline would run under the Missouri River, just upstream of Standing Sioux reservation and near where the Missouri meets the Cannonball River a confluence that once formed whirlpools that over time created spherical boulders, sacred to the Standing Rock and namesake to the first of the tribes opposition camps, Sacred Stone. The tribe opposed the pipeline immediately, fearing any kind of leak would not only further destroy the sacred site, but contaminate the Standing Rock water source. Standing Rock chairman Dave Archimbault II, demanding to be heard, protested at the site in August and was arrested for trespassing, prompting national attention. Many of the people at the camp say they intend to stay until the end, with only a smile and a nod to answer how long that could be. Bibens, the attorney, said plans are moving forward to start building winter housing at the site, despite the land being owned by the Army Corps of Engineers. So far, the camp has seen no pushback from local law enforcement or the Army Corps. In fact, along Morton County Highway 1806, just to the north and south of the camps are new, gleaming road signs, announcing speed limit decreases, traffic entering and exiting the highway and the presence of pedestrians. The Standing Rock camp is deliberately peaceful. Security volunteers man the entrances to ensure no alcohol, drugs or intoxicated people enter the site. It is difficult, if not impossible, to find any camp inhabitant who would call the Standing Rock site a protest. Protest. Its a negative word, it brings negative thoughts, defiance. This is a peaceful gathering, Azure said. It should be called a movement to educate, because thats what were trying to do. I dont see anything wrong with everybody being here and wanting someone to listen. But later that Saturday afternoon, the Standing Rock camp found itself mired in headlines after an altercation with security agents representing Energy Transfer Partners, the Dallas-based firm behind the pipeline project. Workers had begun digging trenches on the pipeline that afternoon, prompting Standing Rock supporters to stop the machines from digging. The incident led to security guards intervening with dogs and Mace before being driven away. The story broke headlines worldwide, citing key words violence and protest, and media swarmed the camp the rest of the weekend. The following day, security at the entrance asked visitors a few more questions, including what tribe visitors represented. New signs were posted, requiring all media to check in and clearly wear credentials. And Desiree Cole, a media representative at the camp, kept a close eye ensuring media representatives followed the guidelines. Still, the people at the site were as welcoming as ever, if fatigued. The new attention was twofold. It brought new eyes to the issue, but it also associated it with violence. Its almost as if Azure saw it coming. What does it take to get attention? he asked, only hours before Saturdays altercation. He questioned the lack of mainstream media coverage of the camp and the oil pipeline. Does something bad need to happen to get them here? LONDON: India was today included among priority countries by the Uk for striking post-Brexit trade deals by Prime Minister Theresa May, who also stressed on developing an "ambitious and bold" model of non-membership association with the EU. May told the House of Commons during Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) that India was among the countries that had expressed an interest in trade deals with the UK. "As we leave the EU, we will forge our own trade deals. The leaders from India, Mexico, South Korea and Singapore said they would welcome talks to remove trade barriers. President Xi also made clear that China would welcome discussions about trade with the UK," she said. May, who recently returned to the Uk from the G20 Summit in China, had Met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines. In reference to her government's plans on leaving the European Union (EU) in the wake of the June 23 referendum in favour of Brexit, the Prime Minister refused to provide a "running commentary" on her plans. She said in her statement to Parliament: "On 23rdJune, the British people were asked to vote on whether we should stay in the EU or leave. The majority decided to leave. Our task now is to deliver the will of the British people and negotiate the best possible deal for our country. "And I know many people are keen to see rapid progress and to understand what post-Brexit Britain will look like. We are getting on with that vital work... We will not take decisions until we are ready. We will not reveal our hand prematurely and we will not provide a running commentary on every twist and turn of the negotiation." "And I say that because that is not the best way to conduct a strong and mature negotiation that will deliver the best deal for the people of this country," she said. While giving no more details, she promised a specific British variant on non-membership association with the EU, one that would be "ambitious and bold". "It is not about the Norway model or the Swiss model or any other country's model - it is about developing our own British model," she said. The British premier also used her first parliamentary appearance after a summer break to embarrass Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn over the impending Labour party leadership election. "Mr Speaker, what we do know is whoever wins the Labour leadership, we are not going to let them anywhere near power again," she said. Read Also: Modi, Abe Review Progress In Civil Nuclear Cooperation India, South Korea Review Progress In Economic Partnership Agreement NEW DELHI: To expand the Indo-U.S. cooperation in clean energy, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced on Wednesday four new partnerships with the Indian government. First among these new partnerships, is USAID's commitment to work with the Bangalore power utility and US based company -- Innovari, to launch the first grid integration pilot under the "Greening the Grid" (GTG) initiative that that will strengthen India's power grid and manage large-scale integration of renewable energy. "USAID welcomes and appreciates this historic opportunity to play a useful role in India's path forward," the USAID Assistant Administrator for Asia, Jonathan Stivers said after announcing the partnerships in a series of events, here recently. "As part of the expansion of Indo-US bilateral cooperation, USAID will continue to support the Ministry of Power, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to help India transition to a high-performing, low-emission, energy-secure economy," Stivers said. Under the next partnership, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and USAID agreed to expand their solar rooftop programme to an additional eight states and 15 utilities. "In the expanded programme, USAID will also partner with MNRE to train 5,000 utility engineers, 1,000 bankers and entrepreneurs on installation and operation of best practices for solar rooftop systems," Stivers said. In support of efficient energy usage, USAID also announced a partnership with the Ministry's public sector energy efficiency company -- Energy Efficiency Services Limited, to transform India's markets for super-efficient air conditioners. To improve urban air quality through energy efficiency, USAID is partnering with the University of Chicago to support the efforts of the Government of India and Gujarat State Pollution Control Board to pilot a market instrument designed to reduce costs for industrial plants to comply with regulatory limits on emissions, and to provide incentives encouraging emission reductions. During the two countries' "Joint Working Group on Combating Climate Change", USAID announced its collaboration with the Forest Survey of India (FSI) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, to strengthen the latter's capacity to predict forest fires and use high-resolution satellite imagery for forest resource assessment, and develop protocols for strengthening forest inventory. This initiative will mobilise the scientific expertise of the US Forest Service. During the first phase of this programme, USAID and MNRE supported the states of Rajasthan, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh to introduce appropriate net-metering policies and regulations, and provided technical assistance to the state distribution utilities implementing solar rooftop programmes. Read Also: Modi, Obama To Meet In Laos - Their 8th Meeting In Two Years PM Modi Holds Bilateral Talks With Suu Kyi, Geun-Hye BENGALURU: Over years of issues surrounding the sharing of Cauvery water between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, the Supreme Court of Karnataka has finally directed the government to release water for the neighboring state. The directive states that Karnataka will be releasing 15,000 cusecs of water per day to Tamil Nadu for ten days. But the statement from Supreme Court was followed by noticeable friction among the farmers. "As we cannot defy a constitutional body like the Supreme court, with a heavy heart we have decided to release the water as directed by the apex court," states Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister, Karnataka. However, the protests are only growing fierce, with Mandya and some other regions of the state taking the center stage. This has led to roads being blocked and schools getting shut down. The shortage in water levels has bothered the denizens settled in the area, and consequently the state government wants to file a petition with the Cauvery Supervisory Committee, seeking alterations in the directive. Commenting upon the situation Siddaramaiah further said that, In 2012-13, the state had released water up to 10,000 cusecs as a good will gesture. This time also, we had sought to release 10,000 cusecs of water but the court did not approve. We will try to impress upon the court to modify its order and reduce the water to be released to TN, considering the distress and severity of water shortage in the state." The need for modification surfaced as an advice from Veerappa Moily, the former CM and Chikkaballapur MP. The final hearing regarding the decision has been scheduled on the 18th of October. The directive to ensure water supply for Tamil Nadu was taken based on the plight of the farmers, and the fact that without water all the samba crops would be destroyed. However, at the moment, the directive only paints a painful picture about the water supply scenario in some of the districts including Chamrajnagar, Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan, Ramangaram, and Bangalore. Read Also: Modi, Xi Agree To Put Sino-India Ties On Right Direction:China India Planning To Ink Co-Production Pact With Russia, S Africa VIENTIANE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Myanmars State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday met in Vientiane on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit. An icon of democracy, a partner for development. State Counsellor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted along with photos of the two leaders shaking hands and holding talks. Earlier, Modi also held bilateral talks with South Korean President Park Geun-hye. 71-year-old leader Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy brought down curtains on five decades of military rule, is also the countrys Foreign Minister. Last month, Myanmar assured India that it will not allow any insurgent group to use its territory against New Delhi, in the backdrop of certain insurgent groups from northeastern states using the country for launching attacks. The assurance was given during the first high-level visit from India after the civilian government assumed office when External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on President U Htin Kyaw and held extensive talks with Suu Kyi. Within a week, Myanmarese President Kyaw and Modi held wide-ranging talks in New Delhi during which the Prime Minister said India will stand by with Myanmar at every step of its new journey and that it wants to take the ties to new heights. Read Also: Karnataka Releases Water for Tamil Nadu Following Strong Backlash Modi, Xi Agree To Put Sino-India Ties On Right Direction:China BENGALURU: With almost 800 new technology based enterprises putting a halt on their operations or merely surviving from the past 3 to 4 years, the government claims the depressing situation to be only a temporary phase rather than disaster. According to a statement given by Shailendra Singh from the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion Joint Secretary to the IANS, startups from areas such as healthcare and dotcom are going through a considerably declining period. Recently, Tracxn Technologies, a data analytics firm had enlisted around 800 startups founded after the year 2011 that have either stopped functioning or have failed completely. F**ked Company, a popular website, also created a similar list. The website gathered information and enlisted the major dotcom failures named as the Dotcom Deadpool, while the Tracxns list was known as the Startup Deadpool. To make any detailed statement on the reasons for failure of these startups, we need to study the report. We will be talking to Tracxn this month to find out about the basis of the report, the reasons for failure, and analyze, says Shailendra Singh. Singh also states that the startups inability to perform well during a global crisis is the main reason behind their collapse. Considering the dull market scenario, a boost in enterprise performance and overall scales is also difficult. Nikhil Donde, Managing Director of Protiviti India pinpoints innovativeness and experimentation to be the prime factors that can lead startups to success. According to him, fault in the business model, lack of funding, or the inability to satisfy market demands are the main causes behind the failure. When asked about the lack of funding, Shailendra Singh remarks that the required funds are provided by the venture and angel funding regularly. Every year, the government is also offering around Rs 2,500 crore funds for the development of startups. Replicating the foreign model without indigenization, focusing on customer acquisition without becoming self-sustainable and me-too syndrome of copying a popular format has led to many failures of startups, says Amit Jindal, Partner, Felix Advisory. Read Also: Karnataka To Sponsor 25 Stalls For Start-Ups At Bengaluru Expo RJio Parks 5,000 Cr Fund For Startups WASHINGTON: US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump leads his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton by 19 points -- 55 pct to 36 pct -- among military and veteran voters, according to a poll issued on Wednesday. The two candidates will each spend a half-hour on Wednesday night talking about their military readiness at an event for veterans and active service members, Xinhua news agency reported. A sizeable number of these voters say they would not be confident in Clinton or Trump's ability to be an effective commander-in-chief of the nation's military, though a slight majority would be confident in Trump (53 pct ), the NBC News Survey Monkey Weekly Election Tracking Poll finds. Overall, 47 pct of voters who are currently serving or have previously served in the US military said they would not be confident in Trump's ability to serve as an effective commander-in-chief of the US military. Among all registered voters, 59 pct would not be confident in his ability to serve as commander-in-chief of the military and just 39 pct would feel confident, the poll shows. In contrast, just 35 pct of military and veteran voters would feel confident in former Secretary of State Clinton's ability to serve as commander-in-chief. A large majority (64 pct ) would not be confident in her ability. Among voters overall, a smaller majority (52 pct ) said they would not be confident in her ability to serve. Just 46 pct said they would be confident. Among voters overall, Trump does slightly better than Clinton (40 pct to 39 pct ) on the handling of veterans issues. Among military and veteran voters, he does even better (53 pct to 28 pct ). Though Trump comfortably earns the support of military-affiliated voters overall, Clinton is perceived more favorably on the use of nuclear weapons (44 pct ) while a quarter of them said they would not trust either her or Trump to handle these issues, the poll shows. Also on Wednesday, Clinton's campaign announced that 95 retired generals and admirals have endorsed her presidential bid, one day after a group of 88 retired generals and admirals signed an open letter backing Trump to reverse the "hollowing out" of the US military. The Obama administration has been criticized for overseeing a shrinking of the Pentagon's budget -- a cumulative 15 pct since 2011, according to a Politifact report. The report attributes the reduced military budget partly to the removal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, and partly to sequestration: across-the-board cuts that automatically came into place when both parties failed to strike a spending deal in Congress in 2011. However, Trump's advantage among military voters is nothing new, local analysts say, noting the military's political leanings have swayed to the right in recent decades, Xinhua news agency added. In an informal survey by the Military Times earlier in 2016, 54 pct of active duty troops, reservists, and National Guardsmen chose Trump over the former Secretary of State. The latest NBC News Survey Monkey Weekly Election Tracking Poll was conducted online from August 29 through September 4 among 32,226 registered voters, including 3,358 who have previously served or are currently serving in the US military. Read Also: Barack Obama Praises PM Modi For 'Bold Policy' On Tax Reform Two Indian-Americans Selected For Prestigious Poet Program Source: IANS 21036140-mmmain.jpg Back-to-school for students at PS/I.S. 48 in Concord which opens with a new principal in charge. (Staten Island Advance) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Some 70,000 students across Staten Island head back to school Thursday to start the 2016-2017 academic year. For the fourth year in a row, the borough's public and Catholic schools start the year on the same day, adding yellow school buses and parents in a rush to drop off their children to the morning traffic mix. The new year gets underway with the state's Common Core curriculum standards in place in the classroom although that might change before June. State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia says a shakeup of Common Core curriculum standards is in the works. Among some of the other changes this year, three public schools and one Catholic elementary school open their doors with new principals in charge. Three of the elementary school principals replace those who retired over the summer, while another will head a new early-childhood school in Port Richmond. At PS/I.S. 48 in Concord, new principal Alison O'Donnell will be greeting students. She replaces Jacqueline Mammolito, who retired. Similarly, Lynette Cartegena will greet her students at PS 19 in West Brighton. She replaces Mary Petrone, who retired in July. And Lorrie Brown is the first principal of the new PS 68 in Port Richmond. The school, an early-childhood school, seating students from pre-K through second grade, was created by renovating a former Verizon office building on Forest Avenue. At St. John Villa Academy in Arrochar, James P. Smith takes over as principal of the elementary school from Sister Lucita Bacat, who is moving on to a new ministry for the Sisters of St. John the Baptist. The new principals for public schools will be introduced by Superintendent Anthony Lodico during the public meeting of the Community Education Council on Sept. 17 in the Petrides School, Sunnyside. And 4-year-olds in more than 3,500 Staten Island families will start their school years in all-day pre-K classes, as Mayor DeBlasio's signature education initiative heads into its third year. To help mark the new school year, the Advance is asking parents and teachers to send us your back-to-school photos by using the hashtag #SILive with your pictures on Instagram and Twitter. You may also post photos in the comments section below. Schools tests exams Each year students anticipate the New York State standardized exams, which they prepare for all year. (jan somma-hammel) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- The New York State standardized tests -- scheduled this year for March (ELA) and May (math) -- weigh heavy on the minds of students and teachers alike as soon as the new school year begins. Since the implementation of Common Core testing, many parents, educators and community leaders have questioned these rigorous exams with some parents choosing to opt out. Despite the opposition to the tests and Common Core curriculum, Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina stand behind them, announcing this summer that students made significant strides on state English and math tests this year. Recent changes to the tests include giving students unlimited time to complete the exam and shortening tests. However, is extra time and shorter tests enough to take the pressure off students who worry all year long about their academic performance on these exams? You be the judge. As students begin their first night of homework, here are some of the sample fifth-grade math questions released by the state Education Department from last year's test. See if you can answer them correctly. (If you are looking from a mobile device, please be sure to scroll over to read the entire question). &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="//advanceinternet.polldaddy.com/s/are-you-smarter-than-a-fifth-grader-1" data-mce-href="//advanceinternet.polldaddy.com/s/are-you-smarter-than-a-fifth-grader-1"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;View Survey&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; For more exam questions, and explanations of the correct answers go to engageny.org. nws Castorina Assemblyman Ron Castorina Jr., who took his seat after an April 19 special election, faces Janine Materna in September 13's primary. (Staten Island Advance/Rachel Shapiro) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- With the Republican primary just days away, incumbent Assemblyman Ron Castorina Jr. has earned various endorsements in the heated South Shore Assembly race. Castorina is running for re-election to a full two-year term in the Assembly after being tapped in an April uncontested special election to fill the remainder of now-Councilman Joe Borelli's term. He is facing a challenge from civic leader Janine Materna. Castorina's most recent endorsements are from the New York Police Department's Detectives Endowment Association, the Lieutenants Benevolent Association and the Captain's Endowment Association. The New York State Court Officers Association also recently announced its endorsement of Castorina in his re-election bid. Castorina was also endorsed by the Uniformed Firefighters Association and The Uniformed Fire Officers Association, as well as The Patrolmen's Benevolent Association. High-profile New Yorkers such as former Mayor Rudy Giuliani have backed Castorina, along with Staten Island's popular elected officials, including: Rep. Daniel Donovan; Borough President James Oddo; State Sen. Andrew Lanza; Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis; Councilman Steven Matteo; Councilman Joe Borelli; State Sen. Martin Golden; former Councilman Vincent Ignizio. "I am proud and honored to have the endorsement of all of our Republican elected officials on Staten Island and every major law enforcement union in New York City, as well as the strong endorsement of America's mayor -- Rudy Giuliani," Castorina told the Advance. nws mckee First day of school at McKee High School students mill about outside. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The NYPD responded to a bomb threat that proved to be unfounded at McKee High School in St. George on the first day of school, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation. The threat was phoned into the school at 290 St. Marks Place on Thursday morning. Police radio transmissions indicated that officers were alerted shortly after 8 a.m. Police vehicles and members of "The Finest" were seen at the school on Thursday morning. Students and teachers were seen standing around the outside of the school and then going inside shortly after 8:30 a.m. A spokesman for the NYPD's Deputy Commissioner of Public Information was unable to provide any details about the incident. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Victory Boulevard in Sunnyside remained closed Thursday afternoon, causing cars and buses to be rerouted for the second evening commute in a row. The stretch of road between Ontario Avenue and Cypress Avenue was closed after a tree and utility poles fell, and a car overturned, early Wednesday morning. "This is insane that we are going on 36 hours and a major Staten Island road such as Victory Blvd. is still closed!" said an email from Tom, an area resident who declined to have his last name used. "What is going on? Does Con Ed have enough people working on this? We live on Little Clove Rd. and can't believe the traffic including huge trucks and buses." The poles had been replaced as early as Wednesday afternoon, but wires were still strewn across the ground on Thursday at about the same time. A Department of Transportation spokesman referred a reporter seeking an estimate on when the street would be reopened to the NYPD, but they, too, were unable to provide information. A spokesman for Con Edison said the utility was completing minor work Thursday and Friday, but that they were not the cause of the closed street. The only remaining crews on scene Thursday evening were from the FDNY. An FDNY source on the scene said the crews were rehanging wires, and that the street was closed for worker safety purposes. Councilmember Deborah Rose said she is working with the NYPD to get the stretch of Victory Boulevard reopened as soon as possible. "It's ridiculous that Victory Boulevard, a major thoroughfare, is closed to through traffic during weekday rush hours, and on the first day of school," Rose said in a statement. MTA buses continued to be detoured off of Victory between Little Clove Road and Seneca Avenue in front of Clove Lakes Park early on Thursday afternoon. Caution cones are set up at Little Clove Road and vehicles are going through, only to be detoured a few blocks down at Cypress Avenue. A sign man is directing traffic onto Cypress, which has been milled, but not yet paved. Traffic is completely diverted in both directions along Victory for a few blocks to account for the damage near Renwick and Labau Avenues at the epicenter of the crash that happened shortly after 2 a.m. on Wednesday. Sources told the Advance that a tree fell, creating a ripple effect that brought down utility poles along Victory. A driver of a white sedan was injured when his car flipped while the driver tried to avoid the fallen debris. A worker taking a break outside Clove Lake Medical-Surgical Building near where the crash occurred said that patients were getting to their appointments. The DOT has roads and portions of street blocked off between Victory Boulevard and the Staten Island Expressway for milling and paving. 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 DECATUR The event is documented in Rock and Roll history. Dec. 4, 1956, the day Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash met in the studios of Sun Record Company in Memphis, Tenn. and performed some of their favorite music together. The time in history is often referred to as the Million Dollar Quartet. A tribute to the four men and their music, Presley, Perkins, Lewis & Cash: A Night to Remember, will be on stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Kirkland Fine Arts Center. The concert is a group of musicians recalling that special day at Sun Records. According to piano player, Lance Lipinsky, the show is a biography of the day and era. Each musician tells stories behind the songs, the artist they portray, their lives and the society at the moment. It's half concert, half history lesson, Lipinsky said. Lipinsky performs the music of Jerry Lee Lewis dressed in full costume and greased back hair. He said the group does not consider themselves impersonators or tribute artists. We prefer to be called entertainers, telling the story of these guys, he said. We are ourselves, but we look and sound like the person. Each musician performs approximately six songs as their favorite recording artist. Afterwards they come together to play a small set honoring that special day at Sun Records. The history of Presley, Cash, Perkins and Lewis and their influence on music is part of the histories of other musicians, such as the Beatles, Justin Timberlake and Metallica. Songs such as Blue Suede Shoes, Matchbox and Folsom Prison Blues continue to impact many musicians long after they were first recorded over 60 years ago. Even at 31 years old, Lipinsky has had a long love of rockabilly music. I've dedicated my whole life to this music, he said. As a child he considered himself an Elvis fan. After he became a musician, he found a new love. As a piano player, naturally you play Jerry Lee Lewis, Lipinsky said. The young performer has portrayed Lewis for many production companies and tribute shows. For the current show, the four musicians create a tribute to the legendary artists. We still have the persona, but now we are telling the story of them at Sun Records, Lipinsky said. It is a portrayal or narrative. The four legends were all Sun Record Company recording artists, although Presley had already moved on to another record label. According to Sun Record Company history webpage, the recording was an impromptu jam session. Perkins was there to record; Lewis was at the studio to play for the recording. Presley stopped by after seeing some cars in the parking lot; and Cash was called to join them. And Sam Phillips, owner of Sun Records hit the record button. The night Cash, Perkins, Presley and Lewis came together may have been a historical event, but the recording relayed an evening full of casual discussions and vocal testings. The quartet played a collection of gospel music that night as that was their common bond. Through the years of folklore, its been romanticized, Lipinsky said. MOUNT ZION-- The path has nearly been cleared for the Mount Zion village board to accept bids for the construction of a new 1 million-gallon water tower. The board unanimously approved an agreement with MSA Professional Services for the construction-related engineering services required for the building of the water tower and other related projects, such as the pump house and water main extension. The agreement covers five phases of the project, including bidding and negotiations, loan administration, construction administration, resident project representative and working with Michigan-based Dixon Engineering and Coordination to supervise the work. All together, the cost is $378,000, or about one-tenth of the total cost for the water tower project. The last item was one that gave the village board pause during its Tuesday evening meeting, as Village Administrator Julie Miller and MSAs representative, Mike Buzicky, both said it was an optional, albeit preferred, expenditure. Under the agreement, the village would pay Dixon $46,000 supervise and coordinate the work on the main water tower tank of the project. I think with these, we can keep the work honest, Miller said. Trustees stated their surprise with the agreement with Dixon, as they were not included in prior cost breakdowns that were provided to the board. Miller acknowledged this but said the costs would not put them above what was already estimated for the total project bill. As they discussed it aloud, board members came to an agreement that hiring Dixon could provide necessary insurance that the work is done well and reduce potential long-term costs if work were to be subpar. Im not sure I want to be the guy who says not to get it and then something happens down the road that could have been prevented, Trustee Kevin Fritzsche said. With the approval, Buzicky said MSA will begin to work with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to put the final touches on the plan before putting it out to bid no later than early January. The hope is that the board will approve a bid shortly afterward and construction could begin by March, Miller said. Once that begins, it is expected total construction will last 12 months. The water tower will be built on two acres near 430 S. Illinois 121 in the southernmost part of Mount Zion and replace the current 100,000-gallon tower, which has been around since the 1950s. 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The discovery was made on Thursday, between 12.30pm and 3.30pm, along the stretch of Drakeford Drive through Isabella Drive. A sign for Labor candidate Karl Maftoum, which was defaced near Drakeford Drive. A stencil appears to have been used to spray the phrase on about 10 of Mr Maftoum's corflutes. Mr Maftoum said the signs would need to be replaced but was unsure of the likely cost. Inspiration hit Hollie Bell when she was indoor rock-climbing with her children and stepped on a prickly upside-down carpet protector mat. "It hurt and the first thing I thought was that you could put the same thing on a balcony and it would stop kids from grabbing on," she said. Lennon Markwart, 4, tries out the Anti Grabbity a Canberra-designed device intended to prevent children from climbing and falling off balconies. Credit:Karleen Minney The Canberra mum was determined to turn the idea into reality and six years later has created the Anti Grabbity device designed to save lives. Anti Grabbity is a plastic removable gadget applied to the top of a railing in minutes using cable ties or glue dots. It consists of a strip of small prickles that are slightly painful to lean on. A Marist Brothers principal who failed to report now-notorious paedophile Francis "Romuald" Cable to police has been labelled a "coward" and a "liar" after claiming he could not remember visiting the home of a student who had hung himself. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is currently examining the response of the Marist Brothers to abuse reports against three brothers, including Brother Romuald, working in the Hunter. Francis Cable, known as Brother Romuald, abused at least 19 children before he came to the ACT to work at St Edmund's College. Credit:Jonathan Carroll Brother Romuald's case is closely linked to Canberra. He arrived in the ACT to teach at St Edmund's College from 1979 to 1989, after committing heinous and cruel acts of abuse against at least 19 victims in Marist Brothers schools in Sydney and Newcastle. Prosecutors have argued Marcus Rappel should spend the rest of his life behind bars for killing Tara Costigan as she held their week-old daughter in her arms in "one of the most brutal murders imaginable". The ACT Supreme Court heard Rappel's axe murder of Ms Costigan had been a "heinous, callous, pitiless slaughter of a loving, caring mother" inside her home, in front of her three children, and all because she had tried to keep herself and her family safe. Marcus Rappel pleaded guilty to killing Tara Costigan. Ms Costigan, 28, had taken out an interim domestic violence order against her ex-partner the previous day after she had grown concerned by his increasingly abusive behaviour towards her and her family. Rappel pleaded guilty to the killing, breaching a protection order and two assaults on Ms Costigan's family members stemming from the domestic violence attack in Calwell last February. ANZ Banking Group chief operating officer Alistair Currie will leave the bank later this year after a shake-up of its management of technology and operations, including making the chief information officer report directly to the chief executive. The changes announced to the ASX on Thursday reflect ANZ chief executive Shayne Elliott's desire for the main customer facing divisions of the bank retail, commercial, institutional and wealth to have responsibility for technology and the management of costs, while the group manages shared services. The ANZ management shake-up will see deputy CEO Graham Hodges assume responsibility for "group hubs, enterprise services and group property". Credit:Ryan Stuart ANZ told the ASX it had been a "planned move" for Mr Currie to step down later this year, "reflecting Mr Currie's ambition to continue his international banking career". Mr Currie, a 49-year-old British national, joined ANZ in 2008 from HSBC and was appointed by former CEO Mike Smith, also an alumni of HSBC, to the role of chief operating officer in October 2011. He was one of the most highly paid executives after Mr Smith during some of his years in the role. That means getting in line with numerous people who have fewer things can be a poor choice. Think of it this way: One person with 100 items to be rung up will take an average of almost 6 minutes to process. If you get in a line with four people who each have 20 items, it will take an average of nearly 7 minutes. Those minutes add up. Richard Larson, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor who is considered the foremost international.expert on queues, estimated that Americans spend 37 billion hours a year waiting in lines. Go left for faster service Robert Samuel, founder of Same Ole Line Dudes, a New York-based service that will stand in line for you, said in an email that most people are right-handed and tend to veer to the right. Look for female checkout operators "This may seem sexist, but I prefer female cashiers," Samuel wrote. "In my experience they seem to be the most expedient at register transactions and processing." Try to lose the idea that you are cursed Douglas Norton, Professor of Mathematics and Statistics A.J. Marsden, an assistant professor of human services and psychology at Beacon College in Leesburg, Florida, suggested checking to see if a checkout person was talkative and commenting on every item being scanned. If so, avoid this line "unless there is no one in that line, in which case, just deal with the chatty cashier," she said in an email. Study the customers ahead and what they are buying It is not just the number of people ahead of you, but their age and what they are buying that can make a difference, Marsden said. Older people will take a bit longer because they can have difficulties that delay the checkout process, such as not understanding how a debit card works, she said. Also consider the number of different items they are buying, Larson said. Six bottles of the same soft drink will go faster than six totally different items, some of which cannot be scanned, such as vegetables, he said. If you have no irregular items, such as produce, use a self-service checkout, Meyer said. "You'll lose the human contact but gain time," he said. Choose a single line that leads to several checkouts Not all lines are structured this way, but research has largely shown that this approach, known as a serpentine line, is the fastest. The person at the head of the line goes to the first available window in a system often seen at airports or banks. Getting into a single line also provides a sense of psychological relief because it eliminates the choice of where to go and second-guessing about the best line to choose, said Julie Niederhoff, an assistant professor of supply chain management at Syracuse University. Still, most people prefer to take their chances with parallel lines - individual lines dedicated to a single cashier - even though most of the time they end up picking a slower line, Marsden said. Douglas Norton, a professor of mathematics and statistics at Villanova University, said studies had typically shown that with three tellers, each serving his or her own line of customers, the wait time was three times longer on average than a single line leading to an array of tellers. So why is the less efficient parallel line model used at grocery stores? "Essentially, nobody wants a huge line of folks with full grocery carts winding (like a serpent) around their store," he said in an email. Beware of lines with obstructions If you find yourself in a line that snakes around a corner or where the checkout chick's view of the number of customers is obstructed by a wall or a shelf, be prepared for a longer wait, one study found. The study, released in June, noted that obstructions hinder the feedback cashiers get from seeing how their work thins the line. What can you do to speed up service? Samuel recommended: Always face bar codes toward the checkout person. When buying clothes, remove the hangers and pull the tags out for easy scanning. Use the buddy system at the express lanes. Split the items so you each stay within the maximum number allowed and then get out the door quicker. Remember: A lot of the waiting game is mental To some degree, waiting is all in your head. Research has found that, on average, people overestimated how long they waited in a line by 36 per cent. Customers are more concerned with how long a line is than how fast it moves, according to research by Ziv Carmon of the business school INSEAD and Daniel Kahneman of Princeton University. Given a choice between a slow-moving short line and a fast-moving long one, people will often opt for the short line, even if the waits are identical. The psychology of queuing has also found that waits seem shorter when you are distracted. Norton recommended talking to the person next to you or reading the magazines in the store's racks. The global economy is full of risks right now. Growth is sluggish, and central banks seem powerless to fix it. Europe faces persistent challenges and division. In the United States, the election looms. But some say the biggest danger of all may be on the other side of the world, in China. China has long defied predictions that it is heading for a crash, and perhaps it will prove the doomsayers wrong yet again. Credit:Bloomberg China is in the midst of one of the biggest borrowing binges in recent history. Its debt load reached $US26.6 trillion ($35 trillion) in 2015 - about five times what it was a decade ago, and more than 2 times the size of the country's entire economy. That huge increase has prompted some economists and even prominent investor George Soros to compare China to the United States before the 2008 financial crisis. How big a danger does China's fast-growing debt load present to the country, or the world? Australia's corporate watchdog has a solution to addressing gender imbalance at senior levels: when qualified women get hired and promoted the people who contributed to that process get financially rewarded. At the Australian Securities and Investment Commission, during performance reviews senior commissioners now ask their staff to answer a simple question: what have you done to ensure more qualified women are being hired in senior leadership roles? Of course, it's not the only Key Performance Indicator (KPI) that people get judged on. But it's a key one. One of ASIC's senior commissioners Cathie Armour, said the decision to make gender targets part of individual KPIs had done wonders. "The pipeline of women is very clearly there," she said. "More than half of our workforce is female." But, as with most other public and private sector organisations, that hasn't translated to the top. ASIC wants to get to 50 per cent women in senior leadership roles. All states and territories currently struggle to meet the growing costs of health care which have increased at a rate which is about double the rate of budget growth. The relative share of health costs has steadily increased for more than a decade, requiring difficult budgetary choices. Light rail costs will need to be funded within that context. This leads to the second question: what will we not do? If the priority for the budget is to be to fund light rail, what expenditures and investments will the government relegate or abandon? It is important to understand the full scale of the budgetary challenge. The Light Rail Network Plan, notably published after the first stage commitment, spans some 90 kilometres. Detailed or even preliminary costings of LRNP are not available, although these should have been developed before the first stage commitment. Based on the first stage costs, it can be reasonably concluded that if the government committed to the plan today, it will be committing to a whole-of-life expenditure of approximately $14 billion (in nominal terms, which represent the actual cost to be borne by the future generation, rather than present value which is relevant for comparison of costs and benefits on a consistent basis today). In reality, the costs will be higher due to timing and cost escalations. These costs will need to be funded from a combination of debt and operating revenues. It is useful to put the scale of the future costs in perspective. The cost of National Broadband Network relative to the national economy depending on whether the high or low ends estimate is used is between 3 and 6 per cent. The cost of LRNP will be about 38 per cent of the Territory's annual output. In proportionate terms, relative to the size of the respective economies of the Commonwealth and the AT, LRNP is six to 12 times larger than NBN. Governments can, and do, commit to projects and costs that go into the longer term. On some occasions, they can also lead with the infrastructure investments, rather than the "just in time" infrastructure provision. What should be the time horizon for investments of the magnitude of LRNP and changes in urban form that are required to make those investments feasible? And what of the potential changes in technology over that time horizon? These need careful consideration because public funds are always limited and must be put to best use. Such considerations, and importantly, discussions with the community on these questions are yet to have been had. The question is not whether light rail is better than buses, but what serves the community's needs, and at what cost. Viewed in those terms, and based on the information available, light rail is a luxury. There is, of course, no bar on luxuries, except that they require sacrifices, or in worst case, they lead to bankruptcy. The photo of a burkini-clad Nigella Lawson on an Australian beach was news precisely because it's a curiosity, the exception that proves the rule about the garment's religiosity. I fully accept that unlike her sisters living under tyrannical Islamist regimes in Saudi Arabia, Iran et al, the Western Muslim who wears a burkini may have made a free choice. But this debate is not about individuals and their idiosyncratic reasons for doing something. The burkini simply cannot be stripped of its political context any more than a Ku Klux Klan outfit can be seen as just another hoodie. At a time when violent Islamism with all its misogyny and contempt for secular norms gathers adherents in the west, the burkini carries an implicit threat. On the weekend The New York Times published a story based on interviews with French Muslim women whose voices have been "all but drowned out" in the row over the ban. While some women described genuine instances of anti-Muslim racism, overall the tone was problematic. One talked of being "afraid of having to wear a yellow crescent on my clothes one day, like the Star of David for Jews not so long ago", which a historian might take issue with. The Nazis needed the yellow star to mark out a people who were so well-integrated into German society they were almost invisible; the headscarf ban seeks to force the integration of Muslims into French society by protecting secular public space from religious pressure. Some women ran the insidious argument that the burkini does not signify religious oppression but feminist liberation. "I used to settle for watching others enjoy the pleasures of swimming at most I would go into the water in my street clothes," explained one woman. "This piece of clothing has broken my chains." Such sentiments echo those of the burkini's Australian inventor, Aheda Zanetti, who says the swim suit represents "freedom" and is "not symbolising Islam". Yet in a piece she wrote in the Guardian about designing the outfit, Zanetti recalled: "I looked at the veil and took away a lot of the excess fabric, which made me nervous would my Islamic community accept this? The veil is supposed to cover your hair and your shape, you just don't shape anything around your body. But this was shaped around the neck. I thought, it's only the shape of a neck, it doesn't really matter." One criticism comes up again and again in complaints about the poor quality of much of our political class: a lack of "real world" experience. In hyper-factionalised major parties it is all too likely that candidates backed into parliament are not outsiders attracted to a career in public service, but apparatchiks whose entire working life has been spent inside the bubble of organised politics. There is perhaps no better example of why this is a problem than the troubles of Labor Senator Sam Dastyari. During his notorious media conference on Tuesday, Dastyari said he had "reflected" on his decision to have a private company, Top Education, pay a $1670 travel debt he owed to the federal finance department. As a psychiatrist I have cared for a large number of asylum seekers and former detainees. All are refugees and a substantial proportion were survivors of war, persecution and torture. They are resilient people and under the right conditions most will recover and prosper. Under the wrong conditions they cannot, and may not even survive. A recent open letter from Robert Manne, Frank Brennan, Tim Costello and John Menadue proposed a pragmatic way forward, drawing heavily on the track record of the Howard government resettling refugees in Australia from offshore detention without any surge of new boats. Earlier this month, Paris Aristotle, CEO of refugee organisation Foundation House, issued a public statement. He appealed for urgent action to change the current policy settings, which he confirmed are inflicting escalating levels of harm. This is highly significant. He always chooses his words carefully when dealing with these complex issues. We should listen. Recently it has been expressed freely in Australia in the public and governmental responses to a range of social evils, notably child abuse, domestic violence, mental illness and suicide. Governments have acted in a decisive and bipartisan way to tackle these scourges. The opposite has been the case in relation to the plight of asylum seekers who have arrived by boat and the unremitting suffering of refugees, currently trapped in PNG and Nauru. Our natural instincts have been blocked with disastrous effects on the mental health of thousands of human beings and on our national psyche and reputation. The impulse to relieve suffering is a basic human instinct. As Australians, when we encounter a lost child, or one battling painful and life-threatening illness, or a young man lying in pain at the scene of an accident, our natural response is compassionate and we offer help. This instinct inspires the values of many religions and society itself. Extensive research and clinical experience shows that incarceration for long periods, and without a sense of any hope of a safe future, is a recipe for despair, serious mental illness and suicide. Suicide is always the end result of a complex cocktail of social entrapment, unbearable emotional pain, anger and despair. So often it is triggered by the "after-dinner mint" of a further setback, which intensifies the emotional pain or removes the last vestige of hope. The asylum seekers on Manus and Nauru are drinking this cocktail every day. The mental state and behavioural responses that we read about are inevitable and beyond their control, or indeed that of any system that can be put in place to care for them. I can share the recent example of a young schoolgirl I have treated at headspace, who spent two years in detention and is now struggling to engage at high school on a bridging visa in Melbourne. Her father was severely tortured in a war-torn Middle Eastern country and they arrived by boat in early 2013. In detention she became seriously ill with depression and psychosis, and became suicidal. Treatment of these conditions in detention was completely ineffective, but now she is beginning to respond. But she has been severely harmed by a long period of unremitting illness and full recovery will be elusive. Psychological counselling during indefinite detention or where hope is extinguished, such as in Nauru and PNG, is like tackling a bushfire with a water pistol. This means that routine treatment in detention centres comprises widespread use of powerful psychotropic drugs, notably antidepressant, sedative and antipsychotic medications. They are often used well beyond usual therapeutic boundaries to ease mental pain, and would be unnecessary if the patients were not in indefinite detention. This is hugely conflicting ethically for doctors and health professionals, whose first rule is "to do no harm", and helps to explain why doctors and their national organisations are so firmly opposed to indefinite detention. I have not commented publicly on these matters for some time, discouraged by the fact that neither appeals from more eloquent commentators, nor hard facts, nor even the huge expense and collateral damage to Australia has failed to break the deadlock. Now that the "turn back" strategy has prevented any successful arrivals, the equation has clearly changed. There is simply no need to employ further deterrents. Causing suffering to complement and reinforce the turn back strategy was always morally questionable, but it is now unnecessary. Based on the ends justifying the means, some tried to argue that such harm is preferable to drownings. But the indefinite detention policy is currently contributing to more deaths than drownings, as well as manufacturing new mental illness. The time has come, before it is too late, to resettle those fellow human beings, and not just the children, but all of those who qualify as genuine refugees and who deserve a second chance for life. I am in full agreement with the statement from Foundation House which urges the government and Opposition to facilitate "resettlement in countries including Australia which offer the opportunity for refugees to become integral members of society, to live in security and participate in the economic, social and cultural life of their new homes". Australian universities have been warned against becoming "propaganda vehicles" for foreign interests by accepting money from donors with close connections to China. There is rising concern about the University of Technology, Sydney's Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI), which was founded in 2014 with a $1.8 million donation from businessman and prolific political donor Xiangmo Huang. Xiangmo Huang is a prolific political donor and his $1.8 donation founded the Australia-China Relations Institute. Credit:Ryan Stuart Mr Huang's Yuhu Group, a China-based property company, paid a $5000 legal bill for Labor senator Sam Dastyari who stood down from the opposition frontbench on Wednesday. The ACRI website says the institute, whose director is former NSW premier Bob Carr, publishes work "based on a positive and optimistic view of Australia-China relations". Just over a quarter of the 12,000 Syrian and Iraqi refugees promised asylum under one of Tony Abbott's last acts as prime minister are now calling Australia home, prompting claims lives are on the line because of slow progress. New figures released to coincide with the first anniversary of the decision reveal 3532 Syrians and Iraqis have arrived in Australia as part of the one-off commitment. In a joint statement released by a coalition of leading humanitarian groups, World Vision chief executive Tim Costello said it was "incomprehensible" that Australia had settled a limited number of refugees. The alliance called on the government to finish the job by March 2017. The committee Malcolm Turnbull insists is the best way to reform Australia's political donations system has not been formed, has not been asked to examine the issue and routinely had its past recommendations ignored. A day after Labor senator Sam Dastyari fell on his sword after revelations he asked Chinese donors to pick up bills and that he contradicted Labor's South China Sea policy, Mr Turnbull and his ministers have dodged questions about donations reform, insisting it is a matter for a little-known committee of Parliament. Speaking in Laos, Mr Turnbull said he had long argued for donations to "ideally" be restricted to people on the electoral roll - a move which would ban unions, corporations and foreigners from tipping in money to politicians and political parties. But the Prime Minister added that donations reform was "a very complex issue and it is something the JSCEM [Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters] should look at carefully", a line he has repeated all week. Former prime ministers Tony Abbott and John Howard have warned against a treaty with Indigenous Australians, arguing the moves could derail a push for constitutional recognition and would fail to win public support. Last month, Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion said Parliament should consider a treaty with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities if it is recommended by the Indigenous recognition referendum council, in comments that broke ranks with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Coalition MPs. Senator Scullion said a treaty option would be considered carefully if Indigenous leaders recommended it instead of changes to the Constitution as part of national consultation for the planned referendum. Mr Abbott, who was Indigenous affairs minister during his two years as prime minister, used his annual visit to remote Indigenous communities to say he had "never" been in favour of a treaty. The emergence of new online Chinese language media outlets have the potential to "undermine social cohesion and polarise the Australian Chinese community against mainstream Australian society", a new research report has found. The report, commissioned by the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology, Sydney, also found "clear evidence" Chinese propaganda has moved offshore from the mainland and become integrated with Chinese-language media in Australia, but questioned the effectiveness of that propaganda. Wanning Sun, the report's author and a professor at UTS, said Chinese-language migrant community media in Australia had undergone a "profound transformation" due to demographic shifts brought on by recent mainland migrants. Efforts to cater to that demographic had resulted in a "clear shift from media representations of China that are mostly critical to representations that are sympathetic or even supportive". The managing director of TAFE NSW has said the state's only public vocational education provider should operate more like a "large supermarket chain". Jon Black, TAFE's managing director and a former commanding officer at Duntroon, made the analogy in a memo to staff last week. In his "Friday five" message Mr Black answered his own "hot question". "Will the [TAFE] institutes be merging, and how will this happen?" he wrote to staff. An Aboriginal man who died in a Sydney correctional centre last year reportedly told prison guards he couldn't breathe and was then injected with a powerful sedative shortly before his death. David Dungay Jnr, 26, who was from Kempsey, died at the Long Bay Correctional Complex in Matraville on December 29 last year. David Dungay died in custody at Sydney's Long Bay gaol in December 2015. The ABC's PM radio program reported on Thursday that Mr Dungay was eating a packet of biscuits in the gaol's hospital complex and was told by prison guards to stop doing so. Citing a leaked report from the NSW Health Department, the program said Mr Dungay, who had diabetes and schizophrenia, became "combative" and refused. The NSW Parliament should consider replacing the head of the state corruption watchdog with three commissioners to stop any one "personality" determining the direction of the agency, according to the Sydney silk who headed a review of its powers. Bruce McClintock, SC, who reviewed the Independent Commission Against Corruption's powers in 2005 and again last year with former High Court chief justice Murray Gleeson, told a parliamentary inquiry on Thursday a governance shake-up was "potentially reasonable and very worth thinking about". ICAC Commissioner Megan Latham gives evidence at a parliamentary inquiry last year. Credit:Daniel Munoz "One of the issues with any body like ICAC, which is so dependent on having one commissioner, is that necessarily its nature is determined by the personality of that commissioner," Mr McClintock said. "Undoubtedly if you bring a greater breadth of experience and a greater number of different minds to the task I think it's highly likely that the functioning will be improved." A teacher has been charged after he allegedly groomed and then indecently assaulted three boys at a primary school in Sydney's south-west. The 29-year-old was arrested at his home at Bradbury, near Campbelltown, on Thursday morning by detectives from the child abuse squad. The investigation began last week after police received a report that an 11-year-old boy had been indecently assaulted by a teacher. The teacher has been charged with ten counts of indecently assaulting a person under 16, three counts of child grooming and an aggravated act of indecency. Police will allege that the teacher groomed and then indecently assaulted the boys at the school, which cannot be named for legal reasons, between 2012 and 2015. Australian banks will invest more heavily in solar energy projects within the next 12 months, Clean Energy Council chief executive Kane Thornton said after Thursday's announcement that 12 new solar farms Australia-wide had been backed by $100 million from the federal government. The federal government's Australian Renewable Energy Agency on Thursday announced 12 large-scale solar projects six in Queensland had received federal support. Large-scale solar energy production costs have dropped dramatically since 2014. Credit:Andrew Meares ARENA chief executive Ivor Frischknecht said improved efficiencies had meant solar energy producers were getting much more bang for their funding buck than they were even two years ago. "In 2014, the grant funding needed for large-scale solar projects was $1.60 a watt," Mr Frischknecht said. The man who was shot by police outside a petrol station in Townsville has been released from hospital, more than two months after the incident. Paramedics had rushed the man, aged in his 30s, to Townsville Hospital in a critical condition after he was shot in the leg and stomach by police outside United Petroleum at Hermit Park about 4.20am on June 27. The man was at a Townsville service station in the early hours of June 27. Credit:Seven News Police had been called to a disturbance at the service station but would not provide further details. Police officers at the scene used Tasers twice before they fired at the man a "number of times". The fingerprints of a man accused of murdering a Brisbane socialite were "nowhere" on a knife found fully embedded in her stomach, a court has heard. Thomas Chris Lang has been charged with the murder of his former partner, Maureen Boyce, after she was found dead in her Kangaroo Point penthouse in the early hours of October 22 last year. Defence lawyer Terry O'Gorman summarised the prosecution case against his client at the start of a committal hearing in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday. The court heard Lang told police Ms Boyce had asked him to sleep in another room because of "snoring issues" and went to check on her when he rose about 5.30am. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Michael Cardamone claims he is not the man who killed mother-of-two Karen Chetcuti. The 49-year-old man was charged with the murder of his neighbour in January when Ms Chetcuti's body was found near Lake Buffalo in Victoria's north, days after she went missing from her home in nearby Whorouly, the Border Mail reports. Lawyer Brendan Wilkinson told Wangaratta Magistrates' Court he would be calling witnesses to support Cardamone's case. "The identity of the offender is the issue in this case," he said. Police forensics officers at Hoppers Crossing home where Prasad Somawansa's body was found in February Credit:Nine News, via Twitter But Wishhasad a medical student and SES volunteer had a very bad feeling about Baea when they caught up. "Steve seemed nice but he seemed violent," he told police in a statement tendered to court. Wishhasad Somawansa outside his family's Hoppers Crossing home. Credit:Courtesy of Seven News "Anything that he talked about he resorted through violence, by beating people up. He smiled and he laughed but the words that were coming out of his mouth did not match his appearance." But Baea was clearly enamoured of Wishhasad, texting him again to catch up. When he did not reply, Baea invited himself over anyway. After hanging out at the Somawansa family house, Wishhasad received a page from the SES that night asking him to come in. He agreed to drop off Baea at the Pacific Werribee shopping centre, where Baea was planning to call his mother to pick him up. But outside the car Baea realised that he did not have his phone or his myki card. He thought he might have left it at Wishhasad's, so he started walking back to get it. When he arrived at the house, he knocked on the door and Prasad the only one home at the time answered. "She told me to piss off or whatever," Baea told police "Then well I got angry and I stabbed her, then I went up to get my myki card but it wasn't there. "I did not know what to think. Just went upstairs trying to get my myki card to get back home, but it wasn't there so I went out." Baea later went home to his step-father's, telling him he had been drinking wine in a nearby park with two men of African appearance. He said they had drugged his wine, and he had passed out and could not remember much of the night. Priyantha Hewage is an interstate truck driver, and his wife often accompanied him on long trips to keep him company. When they were apart he would call her about four times a day, just to check in. That night he called his wife from a truck depot in Brisbane. "The call was answered, but my wife did not speak to me at all," he said in a statement to police. "I could hear my wife speaking, but not to me. I heard her saying 'you go out, you go out, you go out'. She sounded scared as she said this. I heard her yelling 'dos, dos, dos', and then making loud deep breathing noises before the phone was cut off." Frantically he tried to call her back about 10 times, but the phone kept ringing out. He couldn't get hold of his son either, so he called friends who lived nearby to ask them to check up on her. When they did, they told him they were calling the police, but would not give any details about what had happened. Eventually local police came to meet him to deliver the news. At the end of his statement to police, Priyantha says he does "not know of any reason why anyone would want to bring harm to my wife". "She is a clean-living person who stays at home and looks after me and my son. I love my wife very much and have had a long and happy marriage to her. I am so sad and just wish that I had been home to look after her". The WA government concedes it is partly to blame for dismal urban planning in virtually all Perth councils, revealed in a landmark Property Council report released on Thursday. The report, based on voluntary participation from councils providing data for three areas of measurement strategic, statutory and process showed just two, Melville and Belmont, had a high level of planning performance across the three elements. Many of the rest had patchy performance, good in some areas, bad in others. Of the 32 metropolitan councils (including Mandurah and Murray) approached, 29 took part. Only Bayswater, Victoria Park and Claremont did not. The worst performing had no planning strategy, a very old planning scheme and either low efficiency measures or could not provide sufficient data on efficiency. A 44-year-old Como man has been charged with a string offences over an attack that's left a truck driver fighting for his life at Royal Perth Hospital. Police said the man tried to drive off from a Meekatharra service station without paying on Wednesday when he was confronted by a staff member. After driving off for a short time he returned armed with a hammer and started smashing the bathroom area of the station. A truck driver in his 40s - who was not involved in the confrontation - was using the bathroom at the time of the hammer frenzy and suffered serious injury. 'Evil 8' convicted paedophile Ryan Clegg will not be released back into the community before he is due to be sentenced after he abandoned plans to have his bail conditions altered on Thursday morning. Clegg, 43, was taken into custody on August 15 amid community outrage he was living at his father's house "a few doors down" from a child care centre in North Fremantle. Ryan Trevor Clegg running from the media outside court on August 4 after pleading guilty to sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl. Credit:ABC News Clegg had pleaded guilty in Perth Magistrates Court two weeks earlier to 61 charges relating to the sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl who was raped and pimped out to multiple men for two years by her father. The 43-year-old admitted sexually penetrating the girl four times, indecently dealing with her five times and indecently recording her 48 times. A Perth woman was left disgusted and distraught after finding a dead rabbit tied to a street sign, only 100 metres from a school in Byford. Lana Stevenson was driving to get some milk on Wednesday morning when she spotted the bunny strapped to a 20km/h sign at the corner of Larsen and Alexander roads. A rabbit was found tied to a street sign in Byford. "I did a lap and came back and I was hoping it was a kids' bunny tied to the pole," she told WAtoday. "It is disgusting and disturbing. It is pretty creepy because there is a school just down the road. MRIs, doctors' latest weapon against prostate cancer, are saving lives but at up to $800, they can be a financial bridge too far for someone on the pension or the poverty line, without private insurance. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer killer of men. Traditional Medicare-covered diagnostics are the dreaded digital exam and blood tests, with biopsies needed for the final say. Neither is accurate enough to distinguish potentially fatal cancers from benign tumours and both tests also miss harmful cancers, the Cancer Council website says. MRIs are becoming central to the management of prostate cancer and greatly increase effectiveness of such diagnostics, but despite MRI checks for most common cancers being subsidised by Medicare, prostate examinations are not yet on the list. Brussels: James Carver is a fourth-generation umbrella maker from the heart of Britain's Brexit north. He makes bookmakers umbrellas for the racecourses. He's also a UKIP member in the European parliament or, as he puts it, "one of the turkeys who voted for Christmas". Australian Trade Minister Steve Ciobo and UKIP MEP James Carver. Credit:Nick Miller UKIPpers have never been popular in Brussels, and since the Brexit referendum, he really gets up the nose of his fellow parliamentarians. But he takes it calmly. After all, his side won. Philadelphia: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has vowed to boost defence spending and deploy more active troops, fighter planes, ships and submarines as he works to convince sceptics in both parties that he's ready to lead the world's most powerful military. The New York businessman, who has struggled at times to demonstrate a command of foreign policy, also seemed to acknowledge he does not currently have a plan to address cyber security or the Islamic State group. If elected, Trump said he would give military leaders 30 days to formulate a plan to defeat the group, commonly known as ISIS. He also said he would ask the joint chiefs of staff to conduct a review of the nation's cyber defences to determine all vulnerabilities. Trump's address came hours before his national security acumen is tested at a "commander in chief'' forum on NBC. US President Barack Obama said Donald Trump isn't fit to serve as president after a security forum at which the Republican candidate compared the current president unfavourably to Vladimir Putin and said US generals had been "reduced to rubble" during his administration. "I don't think the guy's qualified to be president," Mr Obama said Thursday at a briefing after a summit with Southeast Asian leaders in Vientiane, Laos. "Every time he speaks, that opinion is confirmed." Mr Obama blasted Mr Trump's "contradictory or ill-informed or outright wacky ideas" and called his behaviour "outrageous." He said he was confident that if people "just listen to what he says" and "look at his track record - or lack thereof - they'll make the right decision" in November's election. Mr Obama also laughed at Mr Trump's suggestion he had been humiliated by the Chinese with a flap over the arrival ceremony when he landed in Hangzhou over the weekend for the G-20 summit. Saying that Armenia is a country in transition replete with unresolved issues, today, Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan declared that he would be resigning to allow President Serzh Sargsyan to form a new government that would propose new approaches to tackle these problems. In his announcement, made at a government cabinet session, Abrahamyan said that in order to make inroads to resolve these issues what us needed are united efforts by society and the government. We must think of the success of all of us, and give the government a chance to build on the work already achieved and to unify society based on new approaches. Abrahamyan, a former president of Armenias parliament, was appointed prime minister in April 2014. Saying its not his style to tout his own horn regarding the accomplishments of his government, Abrahamyan nevertheless reviewed what he believed to be his successes while prime minister. He pointed to Armenias entry in the Eurasian Economic Union and how it has allowed Armenian businessmen to decrease their foreign trade operating costs and to soften the impact of the 2015 regional economic shocks. Abrahamyan pointed to the infrastructural programs designed to deepen regional integration with Iran and Georgia and to boost exports. He mentioned how his government has aided residents left homeless by unscrupulous builders who never delivered on their promises to provide new housing. The prime minister then declared that the much heralded Hin Yerevan (Old Yerevan) urban project had been launched after years of discussion. Abrahamyan said that despite the drastic fall in world precious metal prices, the Amulsar gold mine has started to operate, employing scores of Armenians. He claimed that despite the fall in domestic consumption, over the past sixteen months Armenia has witnessed economic growth due to foreign commerce. Abrahamyan said that Armenias Economic Activity Index rose 4.8% in the first half of 2016 when compared to the same period last year. Regarding the persistent problem of corruption, Abrahamyan, who launched a much ballyhooed anti-corruption drive, merely said that progress has been made but that concerted efforts for long-term results must continue. Hetq has extensively written about Abrahamyans business interests registered in the names of friends and family. Abrahamyan said that other legislative measures to facilitate the fight against corruption are being drafted. In conclusion, Abrahamyan said that after stepping down as prime minister he would continue his mission to overcome the divides that exist within society. Pond Island:--- TelEm Group says, but for a very few connections, the companys major move of residential and business subscribers from an outdated network switch to a brand new Metaswitch is now complete - with work ready to begin Thursday night transferring TelCell pre-paid mobile subscribers. Technicians and engineers are pleased with their work on the landline migration, which has been executed over a two week period with little disruption to business and residential customers. The technicians not, however, that the first order of the day is the lifting of a general freeze which has stalled repair works, new installations, and other technical services until all customers were moved to the new switch. According to Chief Technical Officer (CTO) Mr. Eldert Louisa, technical staff has been working diligently for the past two weeks to very tight deadlines to ensure the bulk of their work is expedited during the night and early morning hours to have the least impact possible on residential and business customers. We have a substantial backlog of work to catch up on because of the freeze that was in place so we appeal to our customers who have been waiting for connections and repairs, to be a little more patient with us while we work through this backlog, said Mr. Louisa. He said all attention from Thursday night will be on another major migration this time the transfer of mobile pre-paid customers from the now outdated Comverse mobile platform to a new platform from the vendor Streamwide. The migration will begin at 10:00 pm Thursday night and is expected to be completed by 5:00 am Friday morning. Provisions are also being made in the event additional work is required during the coming weekend. The CTO advised that because of the migration, pre-paid customers can expect to have their voice and data services interrupted at various times between 10:00 pm Thursday night and 5:00 am Friday morning. Mr. Louisa apologized to customers for the interruption in service, which he says is unavoidable under the circumstances. Meantime the CTO has thanked his team in the technical department for their diligence and perseverance in working through numerous problems and for many long man hours to ensure customers are reconnected as soon as possible in each affected area. GREAT BAY (DCOMM):---The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau recently hosted a group from Puerto Rico, consisting of six travel agents, one of whom was also a blogger and one press writer. The agencies represented were: Mundo Excursiones, De Diego Travel, Zayas Travel, Pina Travel and Bruni Travel. The newspaper represented was the Periodico La Regata. The group only had one full day on island and as such they were only able to visit the following hotels; Westin Dawn Beach Resort, Oyster Bay Beach Resort, Divi Little Bay Beach Resort and the three Sonesta Properties, and had some time to visit Philipsburg. This was a collaborative effort between the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau and Winair/Air Antilles, who recently started service between St. Maarten and San Juan, Puerto Rico, in the wake of Jet Blue discontinuing service on this route. Puerto Rico over the years was a very important market for St. Maarten, especially during the off season. This has changed somewhat in recent times, due to the current economic situation the island of Puerto Rico is faced with. The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau and the management of Winair/Air Antilles remain optimistic that things will turnaround hence the need for us to maintain ties with this market. His film, "The Settlers," is reportedly negative view of Israelis living in the West Bank Indirect pressure on a faculty member at Syracuse University forced her to disinvite an Israeli filmmaker from a planned 2017 conference on religion in film, as reported by Legal Insurrection. The Israeli filmmaker, Shimon Dotan, is a professor at New York University. His film, "The Settlers," is reportedly negative view of Israelis living in the West Bank. The Boycott-Divest-Sanction movement against Israel claims that it is Israeli occupation of the West Bank that is their concern and the reason for the actions they demand against Israel. It is therefore the mere fact that Dotan is from Israel that apparently prompted one of the conference's organizers to rescind his invitation to the film festival. The subject of the film, critical of Israeli settlement in this territory, should have been welcome by anti-Israel faculty. However, Syracuse professor Gail Hamner wrote in her email to Dotan declining his invitation, "I now am embarrassed to share that my SU colleagues, on hearing about my attempt to secure your presentation, have warned me that the BDS faction on campus will make matters very unpleasant for you and for me if you come. In particular my film colleague in English who granted me affiliated faculty in the film and screen studies program and who supported my proposal to the Humanities Council for this conference told me point blank that if I have not myself seen your film and cannot myself vouch for it to the Council, I will lose credibility with a number of film and Women/Gender studies colleagues. Sadly, I have not had the chance to see your film and can only vouch for it through my friend and through published reviews." The colleagues referenced by Hamner in the email who are BDS and who intended to make matters very unpleasant have not been identified. Nor is it clear why Women/Gender studies faculty should oppose Israel or Israelis, particularly when Israel is only country in the Middle East with equality and full legal rights for women. BDS Mistakenly Disinvites Anti-Israel Filmmaker Once Dotan went public with the reason for his film getting pulled from SU's conference, the university responded that this was an error in judgment and promised to show his film on campus through some mechanism other than the "Place of Religion in Film" conference. Perhaps they got the memo that his film is actually anti-Israel. As Legal Insurrection notes in their article (at http://legalinsurrection.com/2016/09/demand-a-full-and-transparent-investigation-of-syracuse-u-disinvite-of-israeli-filmmaker/), while few formal academic groups have voted for an academic boycott of Israel, the informal, underlying pressure to discriminate against Israelis - meaning Israeli Jews- can be intimidating and distort the academic atmosphere. The relationship between anti-Zionist BDS and simple anti-Semitism is so close as to be indistinguishable. Clinton and Trump Both spoke at the NBC Commander-In-Chief Forum held at the Intrepid; some saw a mysterious device in her ear Two Hillary Clinton aides denied it to Fox News, but as the Drudge Report first pointed out, Hillary clinton appears to have had the benefit of an earpiece last night during the presidential forum on the Aircraft Carrier Intrepid in New York Harbor. It was not immediately clear if the device was so she could be assisted with her responses, or if hearing can be added the the list of the former Secretary of State's health problems. Hearing loss is a known side effect of a stroke or seizure. Clinton, 68, has mocked any concern about her health, admits to having suffered a blood clot to her rain in 2012. Stroke is when poor blood flow to the brain results in cell death. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and hemorrhagic, due to bleeding. They result in part of the brain not functioning properly. Signs and symptoms of a stroke may include an inability to move or feel on one side of the body, problems understanding or speaking, feeling like the world is spinning, or loss of vision to one side among others. Signs and symptoms often appear soon after the stroke has occurred. If symptoms last less than one or two hours it is known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Hemorrhagic strokes may also be associated with a severe headache. The symptoms of a stroke can be permanent.[1] Long term complications may include pneumonia or loss of bladder control.https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stroke The story was also a trending topic on Twitter, as social media users buzzed about they mysterious device in her ear. "Clinton spokesman Nick Merrill says Hillary Clinton was not wearing an earpiece last night," ABC reporter Liz Kreutz informed her followers on Twitter after Clinton held a press conference on the airport tarmac in New York. Clinton spox @NickMerrill says HRC was not wearing an earpiece last night. - Liz Kreutz (@ABCLiz) September 8, 2016 The report was confirmed by CNN's Dan Merica who cited a "Clinton campaign spokesman." Earlier on Thursday, Donald Trump's son Donald Trump Jr. tweeted out a link to a story that cited NYPD sources confirming that Clinton was in fact wearing an earpiece. Was Hillary Wearing an Earpiece During Last Night's Presidential Forum? https://t.co/wAvCFY5ANP via @realalexjones - Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 8, 2016 Conservative Actor James Woods, posted a Wikileaks e mail in which, months ago, Clinton Aide Huma Abedin asked the candidate if she remembered to remove her earpiece last night. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, accompanied by "Today" show co-anchor Matt Lauer, left, speaks at the NBC Commander-In-Chief Forum held at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space museum aboard the decommissioned aircraft carrier Intrepid, New York, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016. Sen. Elizabeth Warren sends out a fundraising e mail crowing about the story. The New York Times analysis of national and regional polls believes the Democrats are now "slight favorites" to take the US Senate back from the Republicans on November 8th. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/upshot/senate-election-forecast.html?_r=0 This is the first time in 2016, that the Democrats have been favored to take control of the Senate. One third of Senators are up for election each 2 year election cycle, and this year the Republicans have 22 seats potentially up for grabs. This makes them vulnerable to the Democrats. The current Congress includes 54 Democrats, 44 Republicans, and 2 independents. Sen. Bernie Sanders is an independent who caucuses with the Democrats. Angus King of Maine is an independent who caucuses with the Democrats. The Republicans won the Senate majority in the 2014 midterm elections when they gained nine seats and lost none. There are 24Republican seats and 10 Democratic seats up for re-election. Senator Elizabeth Warren has sent out a fundraising e mail asking Movon.org Supporters to chip in $2.70 a month. She cites an article entitled "2016 Senate Election Forecast," The New York Times, accessed September 4, 2016 http://act.moveon.org/go/5411?t=57&akid=169102.19659920.Tm_3BC No fan of Donald Trump, Assange really hates Hillary Clinton. Release may come on eve of 3d debate Julian Assange Claims to have the goods on Hillary, and is planning an election surprise. He lives in exile in an embassy in London and considers himself a journalist, while the Obama administration and many Americans consider him to be a traitor. Appearing on Megyn Kelly's Fox News program, WikiLeaks founder and editor-in-chief Julian Assange said on Wednesday that he planned to release "significant" information linked to the campaign of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. Asked if the data could be a game-changer in the election, he said "I think it's significant. You know, it depends on how it catches fire in the public and in the media." WikiLeaks released files in July of audio recordings taken from the emails of the Democratic National Committee. These were obtained by hacking its servers. That release, during the Democratic National Convention where Clinton was officially named the party's presidential nominee, was the second batch in a series that deeply rattled the Democratic party, and ultimately forced DNC chairwoman, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, to step down--which Assange seemed to brag about tonight. Kelly speculated that the timing of the dump would be just before Clinton's third debate with Donald Trump. Everyone would be tuned in then and it would do the most damage to Clinton, she said, referring to the Obama administration's hunt for Assange. It was led by then Secretary of State Clinton. On 4 July 2016, WikiLeaks tweeted a link to a trove of emails sent or received by then-US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton published on their website. The leak contained 1258 emails sent from Clinton's personal mail server which were selected in terms of their relevance to the Iraq War and were apparently timed to precede the release of the UK government's Iraq Inquiry report. On 22 July 2016, WikiLeaks released approximately 20,000 emails and 8,000 files sent from or received by Democratic National Committee (DNC) personnel. Some of the emails contained personal information of donors, including home addresses and Social Security numbers. Other emails appeared to present ways to undercut Bernie Sanders and showed apparent favoritism towards Clinton. WikiLeaks is an international non-profit group of journalists that publishes secret information, news leaks, and steals or appropriates classified media from anonymous sources. Julian Assange Claims to have the goods on Hillary, and is planning an election surprise. Its website, initiated in 2006 in Iceland by the organization Sunshine Press, claimed a database of more than 1.2 million documents within a year of its launch. Julian Assange, an Australian Internet activist, is generally described as its founder, editor-in-chief, and director. Kristinn Hrafnsson, Joseph Farrell, and Sarah Harrison are the only other publicly known and acknowledged associates of Julian Assange. Hrafnsson is also a member of Sunshine Press Productions along with Assange, Ingi Ragnar Ingason, and Gavin MacFadyen. The group has released a number of significant documents that have become front-page news items. Early releases included documentation of equipment expenditures and holdings in the Afghanistan war and a report informing a corruption investigation China Keli Electric Company Ltd. Announces Delay in Filing Annual Financial Statements VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA (Marketwired) 09/07/16 China Keli Electric Company Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: ZKL) (ZKL or the Company), announced that the filing of its annual financial statements, managements discussion and analysis, and the related officer certifications for the financial year ended April 30, 2016 (collectively, the Annual Filings) had been delayed. A general cease trade order has been issued as a result of the Companys default status. The Companys auditors are working diligently and the Company is fully co-operating with the auditors to resolve any outstanding issues and hopes to file the Annual Filings as soon as possible. The Company intends to follow the provisions of the Alternative Information Guidelines as set out in National Policy 12-203-Cease Trade Orders for Continuous Disclosure Defaults, for as long as ZKL remains in default, including the issuance of further by-weekly default status reports, each of which will be issued in the form of a press release. About China Keli Electric Company Ltd. China Keli Electric Company Ltd. specializes in the manufacturing of electrical components and equipment, including pre-assembled mini substations, electrical controllers, pressurized and vacuumed switchgears and circuit breakers. For further company information please access our website: 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 press release. This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations. These forward-looking statements entail various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties about Kelis business are more fully discussed in the Companys disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada. All amounts are stated in Canadian dollars unless noted otherwise Contacts: China Keli Electric Company Ltd. Philip Lo Chief Financial Officer (86) 13632 173732 ProPhotonix Limited Announces Interim Results for the Half Year Ended June 30, 2016 SALEM, NH (Marketwired) 09/07/16 ProPhotonix Limited (OTC PINK: STKR) (LSE: PPIX), a high technology designer and manufacturer of LED illumination systems and laser diode modules, today announces its unaudited interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2016. Revenue increased 20% to $8.1 million (2015: $6.7 million) Gross profit increased 29.8% to $3.6 million (2015: $2.8 million) Gross profit margin increased to 44.4% (2015: 41.2%) Operating income increased significantly to $0.7 million (2015: $0.1 million) Net income of $0.4 million (2015: loss $0.2 million) EBITDA increased significantly to $0.9 million (2015: $0.3 million) Order bookings of $8.8 million (2015: $7.7 million) 1.09 Book-to-Bill ratio (2015: 1.15) Percentage revenue by market sectors: 84% industrial, 11% medical and 5% security & defense (2015: 81% industrial, 15% medical and 4% security & defense) Percentage revenue by geography: 48% Europe, 42% North America and 10% Rest of World (2015: 48% Europe, 39% North America and 13% Rest of World) Available credit lines of $2.0 million Introduced 3 new products in the first half Renegotiated the terms of credit facility with Barclays Booked a $1.1 million order for the delivery of laser modules during H2 2016 and early 2017 with one of the Companys largest customers The first half results mark the sixth consecutive half-yearly positive EBITDA, fourth consecutive half-yearly positive operating income and the second consecutive half-yearly positive net income reported by the Company; clearly demonstrating the Companys continued financial progress. Sales in the first half of 2016 were up 20% to $8.1 million from $6.7 million in 2015; both businesses (Lasers/Diodes and LED) contributed to the revenue growth. Operating profit dramatically improved to $0.7 million compared to $0.1 million in 2015, a 600% increase. Net income for the first half improved to $0.4 million compared to a loss of $0.2 million in the first half of 2015. Of note, both operating income and net income include increased Development/Engineering costs ($150,000) associated with investment and expenditure in the UV printing and curing market and customer expansion. Also, net income was negatively impacted by the dramatic decline in the British Pound versus U.S. Dollar foreign currency translation rate during the last week of June 2016 (approximately $180,000 non-cash impact) following the result of the EU referendum. The Companys balance sheet continues to strengthen. Principal on term debt of $553,000 was repaid and the net available credit from the Companys loan facilities was $2.0 million as of June 30, 2016. Also, on February 10, 2016, the Company entered into an amendment to its revolving credit facility with Barclays Sales Finance to (i) increase the line from 1,400,000 to 1,500,000; (ii) to reduce certain fees and service charges; and (iii) increase the borrowing rate from 80% to 85% while extending the minimum period of this amendment to 12 months to February 10, 2017 with a rolling evergreen provision. The Directors are comfortable with the cash flow of the business considering its plans and available credit facilities. Since June 2013, our short-term strategy has been to eliminate costs, win new customers, and improve margins. Our results for the first half of 2016, building on our full year 2015 results demonstrate that these short term strategies, put into place at the time of the recapitalization of the Company, have succeeded in creating a sustainable business model. The Companys longer term strategy, as noted in the 2015 Statement to Shareholders in the annual report, continues to be one of strategic repositioning to include a market(s) directed product portfolio. As a result of this longer term strategy, some of our engineering talents continue to be concentrated in defined market areas that we believe are poised for fast market expansion. ProPhotonix is investing in additional engineering resources and will continue to make such investments in fulfillment of our strategy. In addition, ProPhotonix is in the process of expanding its sales team to increase our world-wide sales coverage. Click on, or paste the following link into your web browser, to view the associated PDF document. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange ProPhotonix Limited Tim Losik President & CEO Tel: +1 603 893 8778 Stockdale Securities Limited Tom Griffiths / David Coaten Nominated Adviser and Broker Tel: +44 (0) 20 7601 6100 VeloCloud Earns 2016 IoT Evolution Product of the Year Award Posted by Publisher Internet MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA (Marketwired) 09/08/16 VeloCloud Networks, Inc., the , today announced that its Cloud-Delivered SD-WAN solution has received a 2016 IoT Evolution Product of the Year Award from and , the leading magazine and Web site covering IoT technologies. VeloCloud Cloud-Delivered SD-WAN enables enterprises to securely support application growth, network agility, and simplified branch and end point implementations while delivering optimized access to cloud services, private datacenters and enterprise applications. Global service providers are able to increase revenue, deliver advanced services and increase flexibility by delivering elastic transport, performance for cloud applications, and integrated advanced services all via a zero-touch deployment and operations model. Both enterprises and service providers benefit from the multi-tenant cloud gateway architecture and the ability to support real-time applications over private, broadband, and wireless links. The solutions selected for the IoT Evolution Product of Year Award reflect the diverse range of innovation driving the machine-to-machine market today, said Carl Ford, CEO of , a co-publisher of IoT Evolution. It is my honor to congratulate VeloCloud for its innovative work and superior contribution to the rapidly evolving IoT industry. It is my pleasure to recognize VeloClouds Cloud-Delivered SD-WAN as an innovative solution that earned VeloCloud the 2016 IoT Evolution Product of the Year Award, said Rich Tehrani, CEO, . I look forward to seeing more innovation from VeloCloud in the future. The winners of the 2016 IoT Evolution Product of the Year Award will be published in the next issue of . We are honored to be recognized for our Cloud-Delivered SD-WAN solution which addresses the challenges enterprises face today, with an architecture that extends and scales to the billions of end points that will be prevalent in the IoT, said Sanjay Uppal, Co-founder and CEO of VeloCloud. VeloClouds Cloud-Delivered SD-WAN is the perfect platform to support the next generation of industrial IoT applications and stacks as it provides the secure, real-time and high performance communications needed between sensors and actuators at the one end, to the applications and analytics in the cloud at the other end. This award is recognition of the fact that VeloClouds solution is equally applicable to branch users, mobile devices and the internet of things. is an integrated marketing company with a core focus on future trends in technology. It services communities of interest with conferences, tradeshows, webinars and newsletters. Crossfire Media has a partnership with Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC) to produce events and websites related to disruptive technologies. Crossfire Media is a division of Crossfire Consulting, a full service Information Technology company based in New York. TMC is a global, integrated media company that supports clients goals by building communities in print, online, and face to face. TMC publishes multiple magazines including , , , and . TMCnet is the leading source of news and articles for the communications and technology industries. TMC produces a variety of trade events, including , the worlds leading business technology event, as well as industry events: Asterisk World; AstriCon; ChannelVision (CVx) Expo; DevCon5 HTML5 & Mobile App Developer Conference; IoT Evolution Conference & Expo; Real Time on the Web Conference and more. Visit for additional information. For more information about TMC, visit . VeloCloud Networks, Inc. is the Cloud-Delivered SD-WAN company, a Gartner Cool Vendor 2016, the Frost & Sullivan Product Leader in the SD-WAN Solution Market 2016, and a Best of Interop and Best of VMworld winner. The company simplifies branch WAN networking by automating deployment and improving performance over private, broadband Internet and LTE links for todays increasingly distributed enterprises. VeloCloud SD-WAN includes: a choice of public, private or hybrid cloud network for enterprise-grade connection to cloud and enterprise applications; branch office enterprise appliances and optional data center appliances; software-defined control and automation; and virtual services delivery. VeloCloud has received financing from investors including NEA, Venrock, March Capital Partners, Cisco Investments and The Fabric, and is headquartered in Mountain View, Calif. For more information, visit and follow the company on Twitter . VeloCloud is a registered trademark of VeloCloud Networks, Inc., in the United States and other countries. All other brands, products, or service names are or may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. Image Available: Dan Spalding (408) 960-9297 UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education Is Named Platinum Sponsor of Fourteenth Annual International System-on-Chip (SoC) Conference IRVINE, CA (Marketwired) 09/08/16 announces their platinum sponsorship of the 14th annual (SoC) which will be held at University of California, Irvine at the Calit2 Building on Oct. 19-20. Hosted by , this conference is one of the premier events for the engineering community devoted to chip design and development. The theme for this years conference is Smart SoCs for a Smart World. Each year, the annual International System-on-Chip (SoC) Conference continues to impress attendees due to the vast amount of intellectual knowledge and business ingenuity present, said Dr. Dave Dimas, director of UC Irvine Division of Continuing Educations engineering, sciences and information technology programs. With highly-credited industry leaders and academia gathered from around the world, who provide their vital and informative insights on the embedded systems field, these two days are exceptionally content packed and serves to be very beneficial for professionals in the field. The International SoC Conference provides an outstanding platform for sharing and disseminating ground-breaking research, innovative product announcements, and informative technical tutorials, and it has established itself as the forum for debating emerging challenges and possibilities in the System-on-Chip field. Each targeted conference fosters collaboration among industry experts and academia in an effort to present the most up-to-date and advanced topics in chip design (Analog, Mixed-Signal, SoC, ASIC, ASSP, FPGA, EDA, IP, Memory Technology, Security, Foundry Services, 3D-ICs, SOI, CMOS, Embedded Systems, NoC, IOs, IPs, CPU/DSP/GPU Cores, Signal Integrity, Design for Testability, Design Verification, Design for Manufacturability, Variation-Aware Methodologies, etc.) to the highly technical audience. We are pleased to have the UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education continue their participation as a platinum sponsor again this year, said Farhad Mafie, International SoC Conference Chairman. With a strong emphasis on meeting the needs of busy professionals, the industry-leading Embedded Systems Engineering Certificate Program at UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education provides the much needed educational background along with relevant technical information for professionals to succeed in this industry. The conference tabletop exhibit, which is free to visit, is held on Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. It provides an outstanding forum for engineering communities to meet face-to-face with experts presenting at this event, as well as with experts from the exhibiting companies, and discuss their complex SoC-related questions. UC Irvine Division of Continuing Educations online certificate program in examines the synergistic function between hardware and software device design and development. Participants learn the essential concepts of embedded systems development through a practical hands-on approach utilizing industry design automation (EDA) tools and design kits. To learn more, visit the . For more information about sponsorship opportunities, exhibiting, speaking engagements, and the most up-to-date conference-related news and updates, please visit . For questions, please contact or call 949-851-1714. The International SoC Conference is recognized as the premier event for the design of Integrated Circuits (ICs) and IPs, Semiconductor Technologies advances, Testing and Verifications methodologies, and for Electronic Design Automation (EDA). A diverse worldwide community representing leading-edge technology companies and universities each year, represented by system architects, chip designers, logic and circuit designers, validation and test engineers, IP designers, semiconductor experts, CAD managers, senior managers and executives to researchers and academicians from leading universities. More details are available at: . Savant Company Inc. provides engineering, sales and marketing consulting services for the high-tech electronic industry with specializations in embedded systems and semiconductor IC and IP products and technologies on a worldwide basis. Savant Company Inc. also provides leading-edge conferences, customized on-site business and technology seminars, and customized marketing and technology intelligence reports for business professionals globally. Savant Company Inc. is independently owned and independently operated and is incorporated in the State of California. For additional information on the company or its products and services, please visit or . University of California, Irvine Division of Continuing Education is the academic outreach arm of UC Irvine, serving adult students online, at the UC Irvine campus, and at employer sites nationally and worldwide. Since 1962, the UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education has offered open enrollment learning opportunities to the Orange County community, providing open access to the resources of the university, through Certificate and Specialized Studies programs () and free, open educational resources (). Connect with the UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education on the institutions . Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 28,000 students and offers 192 degree programs. Located in one of the worlds safest and most economically vibrant communities, its Orange Countys second-largest employer, contributing $4.8 billion annually to the local economy. Vivian Chan-Slater 714-573-0899 ext. 235 Angela Plunkett Marcom Director Savant Company Inc. Phone: (949) 981-1837 Vanik Keshishyan, an Iranian-Armenian farmer in the Armavir village of Voskehat, doesnt believe in chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Hes organic all the way. When he purchased the farm three years ago, Vanik wanted to show his neighbors that they could obtain a good harvest without the traditional use of chemicals. Vanik has worked hard to turn his 9,000 square meter plot into a little oasis that stands out from the others in the area. Hes has an extensive seed depository. Some are thirty years old, taken from his pristine plot of land in Iran. My objective is to show that we are at fault, not the land. We have created the biological and human diseases, by our incorrect lifestyle and behavior, says Mr. Keshishyan. He believes that mans desire for immediate gain has resulted in the use of chemical additives. Armen Sargsyan, Vaniks friend, says he has inexhaustible energy and works like lightning. This year, the farm will produce sunflower oil. The fields are full of sunflowers. The farm has two types of refuse dumps. One is for the refuse produced by the land, to be tilled back into the soil, and the other is for externally produced trash. Cigarette butts fall in the latter category and smokers must leave the fields before lighting up. Its all soil, sun and water. Its like nectar to the land and it all gets plowed back. This is nature, nothing else, says Vaniks friend Hayrik Abram. Vanik had the same philosophy towards life in Iran. Everything grown on his chemical additive free five hectares is consumed by family and friends. Nothing is sold. This isnt a business for Vanik. It all serves his vision. He doesnt sell any of this produce, even when he needs the money and has to borrow from the bank, says Hayrik Abram. Mr. Keshishyan makes his money by producing pastries and boxes in Iran. Hetq readers were first introduced to Vanik Keshishyan in May 2016. As soon as fighting broke out along the Artsakh Line of Contact in early April, Mr. Keshishyan decided to go to Iran and collect whatever items he could to bring back and distribute personally to Armenian soldiers on the frontline. Mr. Keshishyan left for Iran on April 4. On April 28, loaded up with homemade jams, fruits and vegetables, clothes, tents, sleeping bags, umbrellas, undergarments and other items, he started the trip back to Armenia. Unfortunately, when he entered customs he was told that he couldnt bring the Iranian-registered car into Armenia because he has an Armenian passport. After Hetq published Vaniks story, the issue was resolved. It turns out that the car restriction was illegal. Afterwards, Vanik brought special equipment from Iran to Voskehat to pulverize all sorts of vegetable and other natural matter for fertilizer. Everything natural is recycled and put back into the soil. There are two reasons for the outbreak of diseases. Our organisms are polluted by incorrect nourishment. The second is that our organisms are deprived of natural nourishment. Thats to say our stomachs our full, but our cells are starving, says Vanik, who wants to spread his message of healthy living throughout the village and beyond. Mr. Keshishyan also wants to open a vegetarian restaurant/wellness center in Armenia. Vaniks kitchen is a beehive of activity. The dolma (stuffed vegetables) are being prepared for guests. His recipe is a bit different. A filling of milled wheat, walnuts, spices and oil goes into the tomato and pepper shells. Its to be consumed raw. The roof of Vaniks summer house is decorated with devices designed to transform the suns energy into electricity and hot water. Turn the faucet and hot water flows. The building has recently been renovated, but Vanik Keshishyan still has many projects in mind for his plot of land in Voskehat. Seismic Relocating Headquarters SAN DIEGO, CA (Marketwired) 09/08/16 To accommodate growth in headcount, Seismic, the leading end-to-end sales enablement solution, announced today they have signed a lease at The Heights office campus in Del Mar Heights. Totaling 25,000 square feet, the new headquarters will continue to house much of the companys engineering, administrative, and customer success departments. Looking at our aggressive hiring forecast for the next 12 months, it became apparent that ensuring we remain one of the best places to work in the San Diego area would require additional office space, said Doug Winter, CEO and co-founder at Seismic. With this in mind, we are excited to take occupancy at The Heights. The relocation follows a recent for Seismic led by General Atlantic and three consecutive years of triple digit growth, a number they are forecasting to attain once again in 2016. Seismic was also recently named a . Cushman & Wakefields San Diego offices handled both sides of the transaction, with Todd Murphy representing Seismic and Brett Ward and Michael Cassolato representing the landlord, Kilroy Realty Corporation. Seismics enterprise-grade sales enablement solution is currently serving more than 200 customers worldwide, more than half of which have annual revenues exceeding $1 billion. Net retention for the company remains near 100 percent, in large part due to an industry-standard product producing quantifiable results: After interviews with four Seismic customers, The Total Economic Impact Of The Seismic Sales Enablement Platform, a May 2016 commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Seismic, found for organizations deploying the companys sales enablement solution. Seismic is hiring for a host of positions in San Diego, including: Business Intelligence Developer .NET Software Engineer DevOps Engineer For a full list of the open position at Seismic, visit the companys Careers page at . Seismics leading end-to-end sales enablement solution for enterprises increases sales efficiency and marketing effectiveness by delivering the right content at the right time. Seismic is the only sales enablement platform anchored by the award-winning LiveDoc technology, which automates the creation of personalized sales materials within seconds, achieving personalization at scale and dramatically improving time spent selling and win rates. Seismic customers are customizing more than a million pieces of sales collateral per year, and real-time analytics provide unprecedented insight for marketing teams looking to gauge which content helps closes deals. Headquartered in San Diego and with 210 employees across the globe, Seismic is privately held by its executive team and investment firms General Atlantic, JMI Equity, and Jackson Square Ventures. For more information about Seismics end-to-end sales enablement solution, please visit . Jason Fidler Senior PR Specialist Seismic 978-505-9148 Img source - Joel Magid (Facebook) Sam is an aspiring novelist with a passion for fantasy and crime thrillers. Currently working as Editor of Social Songbird, he hopes to one day drop that 'aspiring' prefix. Follow him @Songbird_Sam Contact us on Twitter , on Facebook , or leave your comments below. To find out about social media training or management why not take a look at our website for more info: TheSMFGroup.com On the evening of the 3rd of September, or the morning of the 4th to our readers here in the UK, a musician from Portland, Oregon, made a startling admission., one that was only prevented by the actions of a good friend.Taking to Facebook to make the public confession, Magid's post read as follows:There's no denying that, and a simple Facebook post will do nothing to help his victim, who likely still carries the emotional scars inflicted upon her on the night in question. The reason I bring attention to his post, however, is because of the conversation generated in the comments.The response to the post was a mixed bag of support and outrage., stating that 'transparency is an important first step'. Others, regardless of his words after the fact, instead took the opportunity toMagid clearly didn't make this confession immediately, as the comments reveal that a friend, likely the same friend who stopped the assault from progressing further, encouraged him to own up to what he did. We do not know the date on which the actual assault took place.Magid's confession and the comments that followed do raise some interesting points, however.Taking responsibility for your actions is a positive, true, but does the perpetrator of a sexual assault really deserve a metaphorical pat on the back? In light of his confession, I'd say he's more deserving of a swift kick and some psychiatric help.Secondly, I would like to comment on his medium of choice. Posting to Facebook was likely the quickest and furthest-reaching way of letting people know about his actions; butBefore posting, I sincerely hope that Joel thought about the impact his post would have on those around him, and the victim herself. This sordid ordeal is now out in the public forum, and. She now has to sit and watch as people she likely knows heap praise on her attacker, all while forcing her to relive the situation as details are plastered across the internet. Perhaps he would have been better making this confession privately, to a law enforcement professional, so as to avoid inflicting any more mental anguish upon his victim.Portland Police have stated that they are aware of the post, but areI want to know your opinions in the comments section below, but for now I'll leave you with a comment from Amanda Flowers, which I think sums up the situation best. Armenia has deported 78 Taiwanese citizens, accused of a US$ 1.1 million scam, to mainland China where they are likely to face prosecution, Chinese authorities said Wednesday. The move has drawn criticism from Taiwan. The 78 Taiwanese suspects, along with 51 citizens of mainland China, reportedly falsely identified themselves as law enforcement officers in telephone calls made from Armenia in order to extort 7 million yuan (US$ 1.1 million) from Chinese citizens. Armenian police detained the 129 suspects in late August in a series of coordinated raids on six dens used by the suspects, seizing computers, tablets, and smart phones. Chinas Ministry of Public Security said all 129 suspects had been sent to China for investigation because that is where the offences took place. Taiwans foreign ministry criticized the deportation of its citizens to China, and requested an explanation from Armenia. Beijing rejects Taiwanese claims to national sovereignty and regards the island country as a rogue province of China. Taiwan has repeatedly raised objections to Beijing extraditing its citizens accused of committing crimes in third countries abroad. photo: by shanghaidaily.com occr.org By Francis Ngige and Phares Mutembei Thursday, September 08, 2016 Meru Governor Peter Munya: FILE PHOTO Meru Governor Peter Munya has expressed fears for his life following the ban on miraa to Somalia. The Council of Governors chairman Wednesday said he was aware of plans to "silence" him for being vocal on the miraa issue. Mr Munya said he was aware of miraa business cartels "that include murderers who are not afraid of carrying out their heinous acts," who were now targeting him. "The cartels have started targeting me with lots of propaganda concerning the market. It is a really worrying situation," he said, adding, "I am being accused of being a hindrance in the marketing of miraa. advertisements The governor claimed that former prominent Meru politician Ntai wa Nkuraru was killed over the miraa issue, and he would not want the same to happen to him. Calculated move He claimed there was a calculated move by his opponents to malign his name by claiming he was a hindrance in the marketing of the stimulant in the export market. Claims have been rife that the miraa ban came as a result of Munya's visit to Somaliland early in the year. Noie: Of course Notre Dame was going to go away from home and do this Notre Dame has played its best football far from South Bend this season. The Irish did it again Saturday in Central New York. 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 This artist's concept depicts one possible appearance of the planet Kepler-452b, a near-Earth-size world found in the habitable zone of a star similar to the sun. A new paper proposes a plan to help life get started on planets that are hospitable to life. A theoretical project could help to turn marginally habitable planets into rich environments capable of hosting microbes, a new paper argues. The project is reminiscent of a fictional machine called "the Genesis Device," which appeared in two 1980s "Star Trek" films, but the author told Space.com that the resemblance is mostly coincidental. In the film "The Wrath of Khan" (1982), the Genesis Device was accidentally deployed and created a whole new planet in a time span of just days or weeks. The real-world device would be used to plant terrestrial lifeforms on an existing planet that has some of the ingredients of habitability, but not all of them. An idea for a sort-of real-world version of that fictional device, called the Genesis project, is described in a new paper by Claudius Gros, a professor who studies complex system theory and simulated robotics at Goethe University Frankfurt in Germany. [10 Exoplanets That Could Host Alien Life] In the new paper, Gros argues that it would be possible to terraform planets (effectively make them more like Earth), using robotic probes that would carry terrestrial organisms and deposit them on the surface of the alien planet. However, the technology for such probes is not even in the design phase, making it uncertain when such a project could come to light. "The Genesis project is about giving life [the chance] to evolve all by itself on other planets," said Gros in an e-mail to Space.com. "This process is robotic only in the sense that the initial seeds will be transported by robotic interstellar probes." Gradual evolution Upon deployment, a probe would send down "nano-size re-entry capsules" that would carry an array of terrestrial organisms. Ahead of deploying it, scientists would decide which terrestrial organisms might be best suited to the chosen planet's particular environment. Over time, the scientists would watch how the planet reacts to the arrival of the new organisms. If scientists find a planet that is generally hospitable to life and seed it with the right kind of organisms, Gros says there could very likely be "global-scale ecological disasters" in the first while, such as "uncontrolled blossoming of unicellular algae." But, he said, the planet would be expected to stabilize in a few thousand years. Whether or not the newly deposited life-forms survive, or even thrive, will depend on several factors, such as how much carbon dioxide is in the planet's atmosphere, the average temperature of the planet, and how much sunlight reaches the surface (or if the life-forms must rely on another energy source, like hydrothermal activity). Of course, once a real-world planet is "seeded" with life, things won't play out the way they do in the movie "The Search for Spock" (1984): evolution will proceed at a normal pace. And unlike the film, the planet wouldn't age rapidly, either. Scientists have strong evidence that life appeared on Earth about 1.2 billion years after the planet's formation, but there are also hints that organisms may have appeared only half a billion years after the planet's birth. Multicellular animals and planets only appeared with the Cambrian explosion, close to 550 million years ago. While something like the Genesis project could jump-start this process on another planet, Gros said, it would depend on the specifics of the planet; for example, it would still take at least 10 million to 100 million years for the terrestrialorganisms to produce oxygen and have it accumulate in the planet's atmosphere, making way for more advanced life-forms. "Enough time to watch more than a few 'Star Trek' movies," he joked. Gros added that he thinks the technology needed to send these terraforming probes to other planets should be available in 50 to 100 years. But he said his outlook will be influenced by the success of a project called Breakthrough Starshot, which aims to send postage-stamp-size probes to the star system nearest to Earth, using a massive laser to kick-start the probe on its journey. The Starshot project was just announced in April; its leadership includes famed physicist Stephen Hawking and billionaire investor Yuri Milner. "The Genesis project is quite unique in the sense that there will be no tangible benefit for humanity," he added. "There is, however, no doubt that the project will be realizable both scientifically as well as economically in the not too far future. Personally I find the thought of life flowering elsewhere in the universe very appealing." As described in the paper, two of the reasons that Gros feels the device could be feasible at some point are the success of exoplanet searches in finding small, rocky planets that could have some characteristics that make them potentially hospitable to life, and early-stage studies on robotic interstellar travel (including the Breakthrough Starshot proposal). However, it is unclear exactly when a device like the one described by Gros could be ready, as much of the work in these fields is in the early stages. Ethical questions Should Genesis be deployed, Gros acknowledges an ethical dilemma with the situation. If some form of life already exists on the planet (something the scientists who launched Genesis didn't notice), it's possible the newly introduced life-forms would wipe out the native life-forms. Gros writes that there are two general points of view for planetary protection, which contrast the scientific benefit for humanity with the idea that independently evolved life has "value per se." Gros advocates balancing these options in each individual situation to figure out what the best solution is. Gros' research has been accepted in the journal Astrophysics and Space Science, and is available now on the pre-publishing site Arxiv. Follow Elizabeth Howell @howellspace, or Space.com @Spacedotcom. We're also on Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. The OSIRIS-REx space probe is sitting atop a ULA Atlas V rocket, awaiting its scheduled launch on Sept. 8, 2016. (Image credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky) CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission is ready to start its seven-year space journey. If the good weather holds, the spacecraft will launch into space today (Sept. 8) at about 7:05 p.m. EDT (2305 GMT), and begin its round-trip journey to study an asteroid and snatch a sample to bring back home. "We are prepared to launch this fantastic asteroid-retrieval mission," Tim Dunn, the NASA launch manager at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), said at a media briefing at KSC Tuesday (Sept. 6). You can watch a webcast of OSIRIS-REx launch here beginning at 4:30 p.m. EDT (2030 GMT), courtesy of NASA TV. The OSIRIS-REx mission (which stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer) will travel about 4.5 billion miles (7.2 billion kilometers) to the asteroid Bennu, NASA representatives said at a science briefing on the mission. After studying and mapping the asteroid in depth, the spacecraft will move close enough to scoop material off the space rock's surface before returning home. The sample should provide insights into the early life of the solar system. [NASA's OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Mission Launch: Complete Coverage] Favorable conditions Created at roughly the same time as the solar system's eight planets, asteroids are thought to contain within them the seeds of the early solar system. The sample that OSIRIS-REx will take from Bennu in 2020 will provide clues about how planets like Earth formed, a mystery that continues to puzzle researchers, NASA representatives said at the science briefing. Scientists think the asteroid is covered with organic material. If its fellow asteroids rained down on Earth billions of years ago, the space rocks could have brought water and the ingredients for life to the young world. On Wednesday (Sept. 7), the mission's Atlas V rocket with the attached payload moved nearly a quarter mile, leaving the safety of its storage building for the pad where, hopefully, it will blast into space. The final preparation begins at midday today, as the launch crew begins the final power preparation at noon EDT, followed by fueling at around 5 p.m. EDT. At 7:05 p.m. EDT today, the clock begins counting down the 115-minute launch window. If everything runs smoothly and the weather cooperates the Atlas V carrying OSIRIS-REx will lift off tonight. If, however, there are complications, the rocket may have to wait. Large problems will require investigation, but if the issue is minor, or weather-related, the crew is prepared to retry every 5 minutes, Scott Messer, a NASA program manager at United Launch Alliance in Colorado, said during the media briefing Tuesday. The skies look pretty good so far. Forecasters are predicting 80 percent chance of good weather when it's time to launch. Clay Flinn, the launch weather officiator at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, said the principle concern will be the presence of cumulus clouds that are expected to blow in off the Atlantic Ocean, heading west. If technical issues delay the launch, conditions on Friday and Saturday are anticipated to be only slightly worse, with a 70 percent chance of launch. "It looks pretty favorable for the first attempt on Thursday evening," Flinn said. If the rocket does not launch on Thursday, there is a 34-day window for the probe to launch and still reach its target. Artist's illustration of NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft collecting a sample from the asteroid Bennu. (Image credit: NASA) Managing risks Space can be a dangerous path to travel. Last week's explosion of the Space X Falcon 9 rocket seems to have brought a sharp dose of reality. "Nobody likes to see your colleagues go through a day like that," Dunn said during the briefing. "It was a stark reminder to me and the whole team about the risks that we face in the business." Messer said the team performed an extensive walk-down of the platform to ensure no debris would cause problems. The engineering team also reviewed the equipment and determined there were no concerns. The Atlas V is well-tested, having flown more than 60 launches since its 2002 debut. "There is no elevated risk to OSIRIS-REx to launch on the Atlas V," Dunn said. OSIRIS-REx principal investigator Dante Lauretta said that he isn't nervous, because he trusts the engineering team that assembled the rocket that will carry the mission into space. That doesn't mean he's totally calm, however, he said. "I'm anxious because I've been working on this for 12 years," he said before emphasizing his strong faith in the OSIRIS-REx team and its analysis of potential risks. The team has worked to actively identify, manage and mitigate the worst of the challenges that will face the probe throughout its lifetime, he said. "A hallmark of OSIRIS-REx is effective risk management," Lauretta said. "But we understand those risks." Follow Nola Taylor Redd on Twitter @NolaTRedd or Google+. Follow us at @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory witnesses the moon and the Earth passing across the face of the sun simultaneously on Sept. 1, 2016. Because Earth's atmosphere absorbs some of the sun's light, our planet's shadow is fuzzy, while the moon's is sharp and distinct. A NASA satellite captured a far-out view last week when the moon and the Earth passed in front of the sun simultaneously. The double eclipse was captured by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), a satellite designed to monitor the sun and its atmosphere. The spacecraft holds a variety of instruments to image the sun in 13 wavelengths, enabling researchers to better understand solar cycles. The SDO is in geosynchronous orbit above a ground station in New Mexico, to which the satellite transmits its data. Its orbit is designed to have as clear a view of the sun as possible. Twice a year, however, the satellite experiences periods of daily eclipses as the Earth passes between the craft and the sun. These "eclipse seasons" last for a few weeks, according to NASA, and can obstruct the satellite's view for up to 72 minutes a day. [Solar Eclipses: An Observer's Guide (Infographic)] On Sept. 1, one of these daily Earth eclipses happened to coincide with the moon's transit across the sun. The satellite captured imagery of the Earth blocking the sun's light, and as the planet clears the sun, the moon can be seen lagging slightly behind. Earth's edge is blurry in the images because the planet's atmosphere absorbs light, according to NASA. The moon has no atmosphere, so its edge appears sharp against the surface of the sun. Some Earthlings got a cosmic view out of this transit, too. In Africa particularly South Africa the moon passing in front of the sun created an annular eclipse. An annular eclipse happens when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, but at the outer reaches of the natural satellite's orbit. Thus, the moon appears too small to entirely cover the surface of the sun. The result is a "ring of fire" effect, in which the sun is partially covered but light shines from the star's edges. This bright ring is called an annulus. On social media, people across central and southern Africa shared photos of the annular eclipse on Sept. 1, many of which were rounded up by the Mail & Guardian newspaper. Original article on Live Science. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. NASA is about to launch its first-ever asteroid-sampling spacecraft, but the mission won't be the first to bring pieces of another world back to Earth. The agency's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station here at 7:05 p.m. EDT (2305 GMT) Thursday (Sept. 8). If all goes according to plan, the probe will collect dirt and gravel from a carbon-rich asteroid named Bennu in 2020, then send the material to Earth in September 2023. You can watch a webcast of OSIRIS-REx launch here , courtesy of NASA TV, beginning at 4:30 p.m. EDT (2030 GMT). The $800 million mission's main goal is to determine the role Bennu-like asteroids may have played in the rise of life on Earth (by perhaps delivering organic molecules and water to the planet). But OSIRIS-REx may enable many more questions to be answered, because researchers in laboratories around the world will study portions of the returned sample for decades, mission team members said. [OSIRIS-REx: NASA's Asteroid Mission in Pictures] "People not yet born, with ideas that we didn't have now, can test them in ways that we couldn't even conceive of," OSIRIS-REx project scientist Jason Dworkin, of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, said during a news conference Tuesday (Sept. 6). Indeed, scientists are still gleaning new insights about the moon from the more than 800 lbs. (360 kilograms) of lunar rock brought back to Earth by the Apollo astronauts in the late 1960s and early 1970s. For example, recent research has shown that these rocks contain a surprising amount of water, forcing scientists to rethink their ideas about the moon's early days. An Apollo moon rock in the Lunar Sample Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. (Image credit: Science/AAAS) Apollo marked the first successful return of samples from a world beyond Earth. Shortly thereafter, the Soviet Union's Luna program brought home moon material as well, though in much smaller amounts about 12 ounces (340 grams) over the course of three robotic missions from 1970 through 1976. Space-based sample-return then took a 20-year hiatus, coming back in the mid-1990s with an experiment on Russia's Mir space station that collected particles in low-Earth orbit using aerogel. In 1999, NASA launched the robotic Stardust spacecraft, which grabbed tiny pieces of Comet Wild 2 in January 2004 and delivered this sample to Earth in 2006. (OSIRIS-REx is using the same type of return capsule that Stardust employed.) NASA's Stardust mission sent comet samples back to Earth in January 2006. This image shows members of the Stardust team recovering the capsule in Utah. (Image credit: NASA Ames/Sandford) And the space agency was operating another robotic sample-return mission at around the same time Genesis, which lifted off in 2001 and came home to Earth in 2004 with pieces of the solar wind, the stream of charged particles that flow from the sun. Japan has been a major player in the sample-return sphere as well. The nation launched its Hayabusa probe in 2003 to collect material from a space rock called Itokawa. Things didn't go entirely as planned, but Hayabusa did succeed in getting some tiny Itokawa grains to Earth in 2010. In December 2014, Japan launched Hayabusa 2, which is scheduled to arrive at the space rock Ryugu in 2018 and return samples in 2020. (Ryugu, incidentally, was one of five asteroids on the OSIRIS-REx team's target short list.) Japan's asteroid-sampling Hayabusa spacecraft took this photo of the space rock Itokawa in 2005. (Image credit: JAXA) The next focus for sample return appears to be Mars. In 2020, both NASA and the European Space Agency will launch life-hunting, sample-caching rovers toward the Red Planet. There are currently no firm plans to get this Mars material back to Earth, but NASA has said it intends to do so. Searching for definitive signs of alien life is such a tricky proposition that it should not be left to robots operating solo on a distant planet, agency officials have said. One sample-return spacecraft has already launched toward Mars: In November 2011, Russia's Fobos-Grunt probe lifted off on a mission to grab material from the Martian moon Phobos. However, Fobos-Grunt suffered an anomaly during launch and never made it out of Earth orbit. It should be noted that scientists have been able to study pieces of asteroids, Mars and other celestial bodies for decades, in the form of meteorites that have fallen to Earth. However, such manna from heaven is far from pure, said OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer) principal investigator Dante Lauretta, of the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. "A lot of our analyses are confused by the fact that meteorites, once they're on the surface of the Earth, are very quickly contaminated, organically especially, because microbes love these materials," he said during Tuesday's news conference. "We're really interested in, what [was that] original inventory of material the seeds of life that these carbon-rich asteroids and comets may have brought to the surface," Lauretta added, explaining why it's so important to grab a pristine sample from Bennu. Follow Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com. "The Innocents" is set at a Polish convent in the immediate aftermath of World War II. 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Her family is from a family of musicians in Bamako, the capital of Mali, and one of her brothers lives and works in Belgium. She is also the face of a UNHCR promotional film about World Refugee Day. She is well aware of the opportunity she has been granted. And the others? Abdallah, the former child soldier is crouched on the floor of a mud house in the Mbera refugee camp. He gazes cautiously over his crossed arms, which are resting on his thin knees. His one-word answers are difficult to hear, because he whispers them into the crook of his arm. "Fifteen," is his age. "Business," is his father's profession. Did he attend school? "Madrassa." A Koran school. When did he leave the regular school? "Fourth." He means the fourth grade. He left the school because "friends" were attending the religious school. He also returned to Mali to fight with "friends." He can only withstand the gaze of the man who is recording his story for the UNHCR for a few moments. Abdallah is unable to say what he did in the war, or what the war did to him. Carrying an assault rifle didn't make him more self-confident. It is known that both Islamists in Mali as well as the pro-government Tuareg militias have trained and deployed child soldiers. Officials with the NGO that attends to child soldiers in Mbera know that at least five other adolescents from the camp fought in the war in nearby Mali. The aid workers fear that the number could even be as high as a few dozen. Fabric, a club located in London, has been shut down after two teenagers died of overdoses. The surprising announcement was made on Wednesday by the Islington Council, who took the opportunity to explain they revoked the license of the Fabric nightclub because it was not able to control the culture of drug use on the premises. The closure comes after Fabric was temporarily closed due to the deaths of two teenagers one died in June and the other in August. It has been confirmed that two clubgoers overdosed on MDMA that they purchased at Fabric. After the tragedies, Fabric presented their sympathies to the families and stated that it had a zero tolerance approach to drugs. An investigation by the Islington Council came up with some damning evidence against the club. According to the authorities, undercover police learned that the patrons in the club were on drugs. They found out that there was little effort put into searching clubgoers for drugs before they enter the hot spot. Furthermore, staff failed to intervene when they saw people in plain sight using illegal substances. The news of the closure of the nightclub was not well received. A petition was rapidly started and has gathered more than 150,000 signatures from music lovers and artists including Louisahhh, Ciara Haidar, Fatboy Slim, and Pete Tong hoping to stop the closure. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has also stepped out to slam the decision. He said the authorities and club owners must find a solution to save Londons nightlife. He said: Londons iconic clubs are an essential part of our cultural landscape. Clubbing needs to be safe but Im disappointed that Fabric, Islington Council and the Metropolitan Police were unable to reach agreement on how to address concerns about public safety. As a result of this decision, thousands of people who enjoyed going to Fabric as an essential part of Londons nightlife will lose out. Khan explained that London had lost half of its nightclubs during the last eight years. A spokesman for Fabric expressed disappointment in a statement: This decline must stop if London is to retain its status as a 24-hour city with a world-class nightlife. Fabric is extremely disappointed with Islington Councils decision to revoke our license. This is an especially sad day for those who have supported us, particularly the 250 staff who will now lose their jobs. Closing Fabric is not the answer to the drug-related problems clubs like ours are working to prevent, and sets a troubling precedent for the future of Londons night-time economy. Since its opening in 1999 near Londons Smithfield meat market, Fabric has welcomed over 6 million party people and hosted over 5,000 DJs and artists. NewYork, September 08, 2016 (SPS) - United Nations expressed concerns about the situation prevailing in the region of Guerguerat, in the south of occupied Western Sahara, where Morocco's occupation army units face, from a distance of 120 metres, Polisario Front positions, at the risk of confrontation, the UN said Wednesday. The two camps "have maintained their positions at about 120 metres from each other," despite the mediation efforts of MINURSO (UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara), said the UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric. The United Nations fears a "resumption of hostilities, which may have regional implications," he warned. MINURSO has deployed non-armed military observers and UN officials "have embarked on dialogue with the parties and the directly concerned countries to recommend self-restraint and identify ways and methods to resolve the crisis." The showdown is taking place in Saharawi territories, beyond the separation wall built by Morocco along 2,500 km, and which is called by the Saharawis "the wall of shame." In addition, Morocco has launched construction works for a road project on the Saharawi territories, Dujarric added. UN confidential document submitted, late August, to the Security Council confirms that Morocco has violated the ceasefire agreement of 1991 in Western Sahara by mobilizing armed troops in this area adjoining Mauritania SPS 125/090/700 New York, September 08, 2016 (SPS) - The Polisario Front representative to the UN, Ahmed Boukhari was received Wednesday in New York by the President of the Security Council of the UN, Mr. Gerard Van Boheman with whom he discussed the situation in the area of El Guergarat. During the meeting, Mr. Bukhari informed the President of the Security Council on the situation in the El Guergarat after the violation by Morocco to the ceasefire agreement agreed by the Polisario Front and Morocco, under the auspices of Nations Nation. Mr. Bukhari transmitted to Mr Van Boheman the position taken by the Polisario Front to confront the Moroccan provocation that "endangers the possibility of a peaceful solution and poses a direct threat to stability and security in the region." Bukhari reiterated the call for urgent need for the Security Council to assume its responsibility to prevent the situation created unilaterally by Morocco which would lead to a scenario of open conflict with unpredictable consequences." Sahrawi Diplomat also informed the President of the Security Council "on the state of the peace process led by the United Nations to achieve a just and lasting solution that guarantees the right to self-determination of the Saharawi people according to the relevant resolutions of the United Nations". Bukhari said "this process is paralyzed today due to obstruction and intransigence of the occupying power, Morocco." SPS 125/090/TRA This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate STAMFORD Connecticut has a growing and promising economy, but the state will not fulfill its potential without major transportation improvements, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy told local business leaders Thursday. It has to be part of the solution, Malloy said to a crowd of about 200 at the Stamford Chamber of Commerces annual meeting at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. You cannot distribute economic opportunity throughout the state if you cant distribute your population and your goods throughout that state. And you know and I know that that roadway system (Interstate 95) is not meeting the needs of our state. Upgrading the states heavily used rail lines and roads represents a top objective for the Malloy administration, an agenda that he promotes frequently in his speeches around the state. The governors long-term plans include widening I-95, shortening commute times and enlarging the ridership of Metro-North rail and expanding the states bus networks. What that will allow us to eventually do as we rebuild the track bed is to have two tracks devoted to local and two tracks that are devoted to express service, Malloy said. That will allow for additional trains, additional moving of people in and out of New York or in and out of New Haven and further away and will be good for our economic environment. Malloy, who served as Stamford mayor from 1995 to 2009, reiterated his optimism in the states economic outlook. Connecticut added some 20,000 jobs in the past year, according to the governor. He cited Stamford the states third-largest city with close to 130,000 residents as critical to Connecticuts economic vitality. More Information At its annual meeting Thursday, the Stamford Chamber of Commerce recognized several individuals and organizations with awards. The awardees include: President's Award: Bernie Weiss, Bernie Weiss Photos Chairman's Award: Chet Valiante, retired publisher of The Hour Publishing Co. Company of the Year: VGR Radio Agency LLC ; Point72 Asset Management Member of the Year: Lisa Finberg, Carmody Torrance Sandak Hennessey LLP; Stephanie McLaughlin, Stamford Hospital Foundation See More Collapse For all the gnashing of teeth that we have about when somebody (GE) moves 200 jobs to another state, in essence for a payment of $160 million, we fail to realize whats actually happening in some of the locations in and around Stamford and elsewhere, Malloy said. We will continue to be a good partner with Stamford because we understand in state government that Stamfords success is vitally important to the states success. Malloy encouraged Stamfords current mayor, David Martin, to keep doing the job youre doing, although he did make a minor dig at his successor by suggesting maybe (moving) a little quicker when it comes to building approvals and that sort of stuff. The governor also touted recent investments in the states education system, which has shown significant progress in a number of key areas in the past few years. The states high school graduation rate last year hit a record rate of 87 percent, compared with a national average of 82 percent. In a brief Q&A round after his speech, Malloy fielded a question about the decision Wednesday by Superior Court Judge Thomas Moukawsher, who ruled that the state must change its school funding formula within the next six months. Quite frankly, I think the judge did a lot of things right, Malloy said. In essence, what hes saying is if youre going to have a formula to distribute money to communities to support education understanding that the state has the ultimate obligation to educate people in the state then that distribution formula has to make sense. Jack Condlin, president and CEO of the Stamford Chamber of Commerce, said that he was pleased that Malloy focused on transportation upgrades in his speech. I can see he is firmly committed to that, Condlin said. With all the other stuff that is going on, he hasnt deviated from that. He has not changed his position about I-95. pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; twitter: @paulschott You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close An ultra-rare supercar worth more than $1 million was demolished, annihilated and flattened beyond repair in Mexico when the driver lost control, hit a curb and continued to somersault in the air multiple times before the weekend, according to media reports. The car, a Koenigsegg CCX, is priced at $1.4 million and only a few dozen exist in the world. I f you hoped Micro Focuss deal marked a rapid rebound for Britains tech industry following the loss of ARM to the Japanese, think again. Sexy, Silicon Valley-chic, this aint. The stuff Micro is buying isnt going to turn up in the new iPhone. Its not going to create the next driverless car. It allows old-tech legacy software in companies to communicate with the new. In fairness, though, while it sounds boring, if youre a giant bank or insurance company with systems dating back to the eighties, it can save you millions of pounds a year and serious IT glitches. Under Micros command, it should make serious money. HP, which spectacularly overpaid for the fifth of it that came from Autonomy, has been running on a profit margin of around 21%. Micro Focus, which doesnt share HPs love of corporate jets, runs at 45%. Dont let all my talk of the dullness of this IT make you think its not cutting-edge technology. It takes high-end programming to make this stuff work, and, in the IT world, the old Autonomy team (still in Cambridge), remains extremely highly rated. Amid all the legal battles over the HP acquisition, its notable that none cast doubt on the technology itself. However, while corporate IT infrastructure is important, it is not the kind of work that will change the world. A bigger, stronger Micro Focus is great for the UK when Brexit is causing us to worry about losing global influence. But its never going to be as cool as ARM. End this Oxford circus Remember that old boy with the billboard who paced Oxford Street in the Eighties, declaiming the health hazards of protein and lust? Poor Stanley Green always seemed more likely to die of that dismal thoroughfares diesel fumes than eggs, fish and the pleasures of the flesh. Today the ghastly old street is no different. Choked by logjammed traffic spewing exhaust at its unlucky visitors, its more of a bus and taxi park than Europes premier shopping street. Retailers want it pedestrianised, but the council fears that would only push traffic into already-snarled Soho and Fitzrovia. So it was that, at our Progress 1000 party last night, New West End Companys Jace Tyrrell the shopkeepers friend confidently predicted full pedestrianisation was a done deal, while Westminster leader Baroness Couttie said it could only be half-paved at best. Better, she says, simply to cut the number of buses. While my hearts with the retailers, my heads with the council. The traffic chaos of pedestrianising such a key route would be unbearable. Whatever the decision, something must be done. But then, weve been saying that since Stanleys day. T he City cheered a stunning $8.8 billion (6.6 billion) transatlantic swoop by Micro Focus International today as it scooped up the software business of US rival Hewlett Packard Enterprise and promised more deals to come. The deal sees former Cambridge-based software star Autonomy bought disastrously by HPEs parent Hewlett-Packard in 2011 return to UK ownership. Shares in Micro jumped a mammoth 22%, or 410p, to 2365p, adding more than 900 million to the value of the business, as traders toasted the biggest overseas move by a UK company since the vote to leave the EU. Micros executive chairman Kevin Loosemore, whose latest coup is the biggest in a series of deals for the firm since the financial crisis, said more were likely in an increasingly mature sector. Micro provides the vital software support or plumbing to companies, allowing them to keep their existing IT systems going as well as enabling them to introduce new software if necessary. He said: We believe that the infrastructure software space is mature and mature markets tend to consolidate over time. We want to place ourselves as one of the leaders in that consolidation. Micro has replaced ARM Holdings, bought by Japans SoftBank for 24 billion last month, in the FTSE 100. Loosemore (pictured) has also identified some $600 million in savings by bringing the margins of HPE up to Micros level. HP struggled with the Autonomy deal and later wrote off around three quarters of the $11 billion purchase and launched legal action. Loosemore first made contact with HPE in February and the Brexit vote had no bearing on the deal, he added. The pair will generate combined revenues of $4.5 billion and $1.35 billion in underlying profit. Micro, based in Newbury, Berkshire has around 4500 staff, with HPE having around 14,000 staff and contractors. Loosemore said some job losses were likely but were not going to walk in and start slashing when the deal completes in around 10 months time. Despite being a much smaller business in revenue terms, Micro shareholders will own 49.9% of the combined business. Micros advisers, JPMorgan and Numis, will land the bulk of the fees, along with HPEs Goldman Sachs. ETX analyst Neil Wilson said: After Arm Holdings was sold to SoftBank, its also a sign that the UK tech sector is still capable of making deals in the other direction. Its a confident move, he said. Q uartos Marcus Leaver talks about being the one with the nonboring job among friends, being knackered from juggling work with family life with two sets of twins and having mixed feelings when activist investors ousted his mentor and Quartos founder, Laurence Orbach, to give him the top job. What do you do? Quarto makes hundreds of books each year, and my job is all about the 400 people who do that, championing them and giving them the arena to generate ideas and turn them into books that we can sell. Today is a gentle first day back to school after a family holiday: Im seeing a few investors in the morning, meeting the finance department at lunch, meeting a couple of publishers this afternoon, and having dinner with a customer tonight. Whats the best thing about your job? Living in London, my childrens friends parents are all bankers and lawyers and they say: Ugh, we just dont really love what we do... lets talk about your job. Its made me realise how lucky I am to genuinely love making and selling books. Its just a pleasure. We sell to 40 countries around the world, I travel a lot and meet fascinating people. You dont want to be the bore who talks about their job nonstop but, lets be honest - it's far more fun than flogging stocks and shares. And the worst? When someone leaves the business, either because weve asked them to or because they want to, you feel like a little bit of you has died. I feel as though Ive failed because I havent managed to get the best out of that person, either on the creative side or in sales. What was your biggest break? I was at Chrysalis, the music and radio business, when they asked me to take over their books publishing business. Our biggest customer was Barnes & Noble, and after two years they asked me to run their publishing business, which I did for eight years. To be able to go to America, and work in the middle of such a big company, was a great break. And biggest setback? I came back to the UK to work for Laurence Orbach, whod been my mentor for years. When he was ousted by shareholders [led by Christopher Mills at Harwood Capital] five months after my return and I was made chief executive officer, it was a setback at the time. I felt very sad that he had been pushed out of the business he founded. But as it turned out, its been a big break for me, and Ive been able to take the company to a new level. Youve two sets of twins. How do you juggle your work-life balance? I try to balance being a good father, husband, publisher, son, brother. But someone will always think I dont give them enough attention, whether its my son, one of my daughters, my wife, my mother or some of my publishers. You balance it the best you can but something is always out of sync. On holiday this August, I spent the first four days in a tired stupor... Any tips? Get something good out of every situation that you find yourself in, however boring it may seem. Someone has always got something fascinating to say. Theres always something that makes it worthwhile. T he Brexit vote has not stopped Londons gym bunnies splashing out on upmarket workout clothes, retailer Sweaty Betty said as it revealed a post-referendum sales surge. Simon Hill-Norton, co-founder of the chain told the Evening Standard: Since the vote Sweaty Betty has had tremendous sales in the UK. July and August have been great months for us with same store sales growth of 12% in both months. He added that in London nine of its 10 best-selling products over the summer were printed leggings. The update follows a buoyant period of growth for the retailer which was founded in Notting Hill in 1998 and is famed for brightly-coloured yoga pants. Accounts just filed for Sweaty Betty show turnover reached 36.9 million in the year to December 27 2015, up from 31.4 million a year earlier. It made a pre-tax profit of 240,535 down from 954,987, largely owing to investment in new stores and digital marketing. Following the opening of a branch at One New Change in St Pauls last week, Sweaty Betty now has 53 stores and concessions worldwide, of which 20 are in London including in Muswell Hill, Shoreditch and Kings Road. New goods this year include items from a collection launched to celebrate British athletes at the Rio Olympic Games. Meanhwhile today it will start selling its most versatile leggings ever -the Power leggings which cost between 65 and 75. Sweaty Betty specialises in theAthleisure fashion concept a mix of sportswear and casual wear. A senior figure at the European Commission has issued a stark warning for the future of the City of London if Britain leaves the European internal market, ramping up the rhetoric ahead of Brexit negotiations. Vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis warned that leaving the market as well as the European Union would have serious effects for the capitals financial centre. In an interview with German newspaper Handelsblatt, Dombrovskis said the EU would not allow Britain to cherry-pick in Brexit talks by abandoning the free movement of labour while keeping free access to EU financial and capital markets. At the moment, British banks only need a licence for one EU state to be able to be active in all member countries. The banks would lose this EU passport if Britain no longer wants to completely respect the rights and duties of the European internal market after it has left the EU, he said. Britain is yet to trigger Article 50 of the EU constitution, which would effectively rubber-stamp its intention to leave the 28-country union. However, a big concern for lenders is making sure the UK retains access to the European banking passport system which would allow business to be conducted across the union. Dombrovskis comments came after Anthony Browne, chief executive of the British Bankers Association, this week said that unless a transition framework is put in place banks would soon have to decide whether to move operations to Europe, as such shifts could take several years to implement. He added that Britain should negotiate transitional arrangements to avoid cliff edge disruption to financial markets. T he shrill equal pay brigade. Thats how the Tory MP Karl McCartney described gender equality campaigners this week. Ah yes, we harpies droning on about a triviality: women getting 82p to the man pound. McCartney has form. In 2014, he was copied into a tweet by a Tory councillor who likened a photo of models in their scanties to a husting to choose the local Labour candidate under an all-women shortlist. That councillor apologised, yet McCartney defended it. Guess those with a sense of humour will appreciate it, he wrote, and anyone offended need[ed] to get over themselves. How hilaire! Belittle women by suggesting theyre just there to up the totty quotient and if anyone complains, proclaim theyre the one with the problem. Its the odious just banter defence. Thinking about McCartney yesterday a spirit-sapping exercise if ever there were one I had a gut feeling: this man couldnt possibly have any daughters. I was right. Two sons. It was a recent conversation with a father of two girls that sparked this thought. This friend had always been down with de Beauvoir but he told me it was watching his daughters struggles that had ignited his feminism. His theory was this is many mens awakening. Research supports that. A 2009 study found that fathers with daughters are keener on policies intended to level the playing field. With men much more involved in parenting now, it can open their eyes to inequality. At first this struck me as depressing. It shouldnt take having a daughter to make men want to fight sexism (dont they have female friends, partners, mothers, sisters?). In Dad feminism, the quest for womens equality rests on a relationship with a man. That said, its often true that we need to see the personal to get political. We cant begin to understand a type of prejudice that doesnt affect us be it sexism or anti-Semitism until we listen to those it does. Before that, were like the blind dungeoneer in Knightmare: we need someone who can see to guide us. Daughters arent universal feminist-converters, of course. They wont get Mr MRA wearing a This Is What A Feminist Looks Like T-shirt, nor do they render any man an expert on all things XX. But they can be an extra motivator for the most modern men to create change. In an interview in this months Red magazine, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said having two daughters was like feminism on steroids, acknowledging: The bad news is that, had I had sons, theyd probably have better life choices than my daughters. He has repeatedly shown up Jeremy Corbyn (three sons) when it comes to gender equality. On arriving at City Hall, Khan published a gender pay audit; Corbyn has called on small businesses to reveal their pay gap but refused to do it for his own team. Khan has hired a string of brilliant women; Corbyns inner circle is more bromantic. Knowing teenage girls especially can feel at war with their bodies, Khan banned the insidious body-shaming ads from the Tube; female MPs have accused Corbyn of failing to tackle misogynistic abuse from his supporters and he offered platitudes in response. Deeds, not words, indeed. Perhaps McCartney should have a chat with Sadiq for inspiration. Better still, we should send in Sadiqs daughters. Cutting remarks about childbirth are ridiculous OH goodie, something else I can possibly blame my mother for! According to new research babies born by caesarean section (of which I am one) are more likely to grow up obese. Now, given that this Harvard study found we C-section babies were only 15 per cent more likely to become people of scale (Lionel Shrivers excellent term), and I wouldnt be here without them, Ill take those odds. I fear, though, that this will only add to the vilification of women who have a caesarean, when we shouldnt judge them at all. As Tulip Siddiq, the MP for Hampstead and Kilburn who had an emergency C-section after 40 hours of labour, puts it: Theres a sense that youve somehow failed in the birth game if you take the easy way out through a caesarean. Major abdominal surgery is not the easy way out. London needs more of these prickly subjects Hooray for Mr Tiggy-Winkle! A sighting of a male hedgehog in east London has raised hopes that the number of stickly-pricklies in the capital may not have dwindled quite as much as was feared. He was spotted in Lee Valley in an area due to reopen next year as Walthamstow Wetlands. Life is even tougher for his last central London cousins, though, whose only refuge is Regents Park. London Zoo warned yesterday that they face being squished under the HS2 lorries using the car park, in scenes reminiscent of that horror show masquerading as a childrens series, Animals of Farthing Wood. Ive never seen a hedgehog in the wild. That seems mad when I managed to spot a tenrec in Madagascar (it looks like a raver hedgehog, though theyre actually not closely related the similarities are due to convergent evolution). We need more scintillas of the wild amid the man-made in London. I dont want future generations facing a Tiggy-Winkles-free world. Swift exit for a golden couple Hiddleswift is no more. In fact, Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddlestons relationship proved so ephemeral that the Twitter account celebrating their love/brand promotion exercise (delete according to level of cynicism) attracted only 1,000 followers and there were still folk who hadnt given up on Swiddleston or Tomlor triumphing in the battle of the portmanteau names. Nonetheless, someone managed yesterday to create a slideshow of their best moments. That was an easy hours work, since the Tom-o-Tay fandango played out so publicly. They cuddled on a windswept beach with only paparazzi for company! They met his mother with just that kindly cameraman there! They snogged during a private tour of the Colosseum, where photographers just happened to get a pic! Are we absolutely sure this wasnt a three-month shoot of every video for Swifts next album, with a single story arc charting the demise of a relationship? A Kurdish fighter who found fame due to her striking resemblance to Angelina Jolie has reportedly been killed in Syria. Asia Ramazan Antar, 22, was part of the all-female Womens Protection Units (YPJ) based near the border with Turkey. She is believed to have been killed while fighting in northern Syria, according to the We want Freedom for Kurdistan Facebook page. It said that she was martyred in a battle against Daesh. Dubbed the Kurdish Angelina Jolie, she is believed to have joined the Kurdish forces in 2014. Tributes have poured in for her in a multitude of langauges on Facebook, prasing her as a "warrior" and a "martyr". Her force was part of the Kurdish People Protection Units (YPG) which have around 50,000 fighters, 20% of whom are women. They have played a major role in battling ISIS extremists in the Kurdish areas of Iraq and Syria. C laridges wants to create one of the largest basements in Britain complete with a swimming pool, wine cellar and in-house chocolatier. The Mayfair hotel has applied for planning permission to dig down more than five-storeys to incorporate a spa and on-site laundry. The Maybourne Hotel Group, which owns Claridges as well as the Berkeley and Connaught, claims the 1,800 sq m extension is necessary because the new facilities are a must have for a modern five star hotel. It also claims the extension would reduce the number of delivery vans and therefore reduce noise and congestion. Westminster council will decide whether to approve the plans, but the application has been lodged just after the local authority introduced a maximum 30,000 levy on excavations and also banned multi-storey basements under houses. A consultation period closes next week with the council due to decide on the application after that. Robert Davis, Westminsters deputy leader and cabinet member for the built environment, said: Westminster city council supports the right kind of growth and is not against all basement development, but they must be carried out in a way that is considerate to local residents and the environment. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and artist Damien Hirst were both granted planning permission for vast iceberg basements earlier this year. However, high-profile opponents of such extensions include actress Joan Collins and Queen guitarist Brian May. May, who lives in Kensington, said: Developments literally destroy the quality of life for neighbours for years on end. Decency and common sense demands a change in the law. J ust four days remain for candidates to apply for Sadiq Khans new Night Czar position following the closure of Londons most iconic nightclub. Fabric, in Farringdon, had its licence revoked indefinitely after a lengthy review into a culture of drug use following the death of two teens earlier this year. The Mayor of London expressed his disappointment that Islington Council and the Met Police could not reach an agreement with the club to keep it open. But he has now renewed his search for a Night Czar who will be responsible for shaping Londons future as a 24-hour city. I am in the process of appointing a Night Czar who will bring together key stakeholders including club and venue owners, local authorities, the Metropolitan Police and members of the public," he said. No single organisation or public body can solve these problems alone we all need to work together to ensure London thrives as a 24-hour city, in a way that is safe and enjoyable for everyone. The mayor is offering a 35,000 per annum salary for a time commitment of 2.5 days per week. The post has been advertised as a fixed-term position, which is initially for one year. It states: Working with the Mayor, the Night Time Commission, local authorities, businesses, the Metropolitan Police Service, Transport For London and other agencies, the Night Czar will create a vision for London as 24-hour city and a roadmap showing how the vision will be realised. The role requires someone who has proven leadership ability, public profile and convening power, plus a thorough understanding of the night time economy and the ability to work in a political environment. The advert specifies that all candidates are invited regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. Anyone interested must apply with a CV and cover letter (totalling no more than four pages) by Monday September 12, with interviews to take place at City Hall on September 21. T ate director Sir Nicholas Serota today confirmed he is leaving the institution after almost three decades after a sea-change in public appreciation of art. Sir Nicholas, who will leave next year to take the top job at Arts Council England (ACE), said he was leaving an institution that has the potential to reach broad audiences across the UK and abroad. The recent multi-million pound expansion of Tate Modern has cemented the gallerys position at the top of the art world, with crowds flocking to the Southbank venue in ever-greater numbers. He said: It has been an exciting challenge to work with successive chairmen, trustees and groups of extremely talented colleagues to develop the role of Tate in the study, presentation and promotion of British, modern and international art. Over the past 30 years there has been a sea-change in public appreciation of the visual arts in this country. Tate is proud to have played a part in this transformation alongside other national and regional museums and the new galleries that have opened across the country in places like Walsall, Margate, Wakefield, Gateshead and Nottingham. Tate has always been fortunate to have enjoyed the support of artists and to have benefitted from the international acclaim for the work of British artist in recent years. I leave an institution that has the potential to reach broad audiences across the UK and abroad, through its own programmes, partnerships and online. The search for his successor has already begun with potential candidates including Tate Modern director Frances Morris and Maria Balshaw who has overseen the transformation of the Whitworht Gallery in Manchester. Sir Nicholas, who started his career at the arts council in 1970, starts his four year term as ACE chairman on February 1 replacing television executive Sir Peter Bazalgette in the role. Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Karen Bradley said Sir Nicholas had transformed the Tate and would bring unparallelled experience, creativity and wisdom to his new role. Tates Chairman Lord Browne said the gallery had been privileged to have Sir Nicholas in charge. He said: Under his leadership Tate has become a preeminent cultural organisation nationally and internationally and one of the most visited in the world. He has championed British art and artists throughout the world while at the same time ensuring that Tate has become a much loved, open and accessible institution for the public. Follow Going Out on Facebook and on Twitter @ESgoingout C arnaby Street shoppers will be having flashbacks to the Swinging Sixties as a V&A pop-up shop opens its doors ahead of a major exhibition dedicated to the era. The shop, recreated in Sixties style, will sell merchandise from the exhibition, called You Say You Want A Revolution? Records And Rebels 196670, including a scarf designed by Beatles illustrator Alan Aldridge and a pair of limited edition Levi jeans made to commemorate the show. The V&A show includes a guitar that belonged to Jimi Hendrix, an outfit designed by Ossie Clark for Mick Jagger and the suits worn by John Lennon and George Harrison on the cover of Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. The entire exhibition is soundtracked by music taken from DJ John Peels record collection. The streets Sixties heritage will also be reflected in this years Christmas lights, switched on on November 10. Simon Quayle, director of real estate firm Shaftesbury which owns much of the area, said: This major exhibition celebrates Carnabys rich heritage and stamp as a London icon. The V&A exhibition runs from Saturday until February 26. Follow Going Out on Facebook and on Twitter @ESgoingout T he head of a new pop-up restaurant that teaches nervous amateur cooks how to host the perfect dinner party says he wants to inspire Londoners to get back in the kitchen. Ikea has launched a Dining Club in Shoreditch where Londoners can cook for themselves and up to 19 friends with expert help on standby. Under the supervision of a head chef, hosts who book a free three-hour slot will prepare Scandinavian-inspired dishes including salmon and prawn ceviche, pan-fried pollock and rulltarta (Swedish roly-poly). The meal will be created in a private Ikea kitchen and served in a dining room with a maitre d and waiting staff. All of the washing up and cleaning is done by staff at the pop-up, which opens on Saturday and is taking bookings until September 25. Jordi Esquinas, head of cooking and eating for Ikea, told the Standard: We want to inspire people to get back in the kitchen and show them that there is a huge amount of joy to be had from cooking for others. He added: I am from Spain, and in the 18 months I have been here I have realised how much of a difference there is between the UK and Spain in terms of hosting and cooking together as a family. In Spain it is much more of an occasion to cook at home. With a chef to help, I soon feel like Nigella As soon as I am told I will be preparing mackerel, I am nervous. Deboning a delicate fish and listening to the expert instruction of Fred the chef, all while trying not to cut my fingers off, seems like quite the task especially when you are a calamity in the kitchen like me. But after a little encouragement, I feel as though I am practically Nigella, chopping and dicing away like a professional. Soon I have learned how best to prepare the fish and what to serve it with while keeping one eye on the all-important presentation. The final result is, even if I say so myself, quite impressive. If the Ikea kitchen can teach me a thing or two about cooking then I am sure most Londoners will take something away from it. As long as it encourages more people to cook together, it can only be a good thing. Sweden-born chef Fred Bolin, who will run most of the sessions, said: I am looking forward to teaching people new things. I think it will be a lot of fun. We will be taking traditional foods and tarting them up a bit to make them look dinner party ready. Ikea came up with the idea for the DIY restaurant after a survey of 2,000 Britons showed more than a third felt they did not have the time or space to host a dinner party. For those who do not fancy the challenge of cooking for up to 20, the pop-up is also holding workshops covering topics including Swedish baking and clean eating. Instagram foodie Pixie Turner and former Great British Bake Off winner Edd Kimber are some of the guests due to host sessions. For more information on The Dining Club and to book your own brunch, lunch or dinner party, visit ikeathediningclub.com London's most bizarre pop-ups 1 /13 London's most bizarre pop-ups All Men Must Dine In the land of Kings and Queen's their feasts are mouth-watering and exquisitely presented. The London pop-up 'All Men Must Dine' saw HBO and The Wandering Chef team up to create an intimate experience of a Game of Thrones style feast. The two-day takeover gave the opportunity to dine like Kings, which doesn't happen often. Read our article HBO Death Cafe Not many people like to talk about death, or at least you'd think not. According to the success of the global Death Cafe pop-up a lot of people want to talk about mortality. Having travelled across 30 countries, the Death Cafe is certainly thriving with activity. Read our article Stevie The Fox The fascination over animals being in restaurants seemed to have become a craze when a London pop-up restaurant wanted to get foxes into their eating establishment. Fortunately, the not-so-tame animals were saved by animal rights activists, and Stevie The Fox didn't get round to popping up. Check out our article Tincan This pop-up did exactly what it said on the tin. There was no need for a kitchen when all they sold was tinned fish. The Soho pop-up restaurant stocked all different brands of fish, some costing up to 22. Check out our article Paul Winch-Furness MicroChippy Who says you need to leave your animal at home anymore? MicroChippy was a pop-up dog diner that arrived for Valentine's Day 2016, and provided an opportunity for dateless people to venture out with their four-legged friends instead. Sponsored by Dog's Trust, the 1950's style diner treated canines to a dog-friendly hot dog, whilst treating people to a hot dog and champagne. Check out our article Annie the Owl Cafe Another trend that arrived in London from Japan was the Owl Cafe. The wide-eyed birds of prey were put in a secret location in East London, and soon became flooded with applicants wanting to experience this Japanese trend. Over 60,000 people applied, and only 500 were given a ticket. What a hoot! Read our article Trendy Creme Egg Cafe The weird and wonderful surprise of the Creme Egg Cafe opening in London caused a joyous outburst from the British public. The bizarre menu saw an appearance of the 'Creme Egg Toastie'. It's uncertain whether it was delicious or gross, but a Creme Egg should only ever be eaten as a chocolate egg. No eggsplanation needed. Check out our article Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium The animal fascination continues, but Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium had more of a feline feel. Following Japan's cat craze, London became home to the London's first cat cafe, began by Lady Dinah and her love for cats. ladydinahs.com John Stillwell/ PA Wire London In The Sky This bizarre pop-up restaurant took customers to new heights, quite literally. While suspended 25 metres above London, customers were treated to a once in a lifetime opportunity to receive great food with a great view. Read our article ABQ TV Series inspired pop-ups can work really well. ABQ is all about chemistry, and arrived in London in May 2015 for fans of Breaking Bad to put their chemistry skills to the test. Instead of cooking, well, illegal drugs, customers were instead lured in to cook up their own cocktails. Read our article Follow Going Out on Facebook and on Twitter @ESgoingout It has taken nearly a decade, but Wisconsins job picture has finally returned to levels it had reached before the Great Recession began in late 2007, a report says. Wisconsin has 2.94 million jobs more than ever before and unemployment has fallen to 4.2 percent statewide as of July, down from a peak of more than 9 percent in 2009, the report by the UW-Madison Center on Wisconsin Strategy (COWS) said. The long shadow of the Great Recession is finally lifting in Wisconsin, said COWS. But long-term inequalities continue, the report said. Among them: Black people in Wisconsin are three times as likely to be unemployed 12 percent as white people, at 4 percent, which makes the racial disparity for unemployment the third-highest in the U.S. One in four Wisconsin workers receives poverty-level wages, under $11.56 an hour, COWS said. Forty percent of black workers and nearly 50 percent of Hispanic workers hold poverty-wage jobs. Of those in poverty-wage jobs, 90 percent have finished high school and 97 percent speak English. The median wage for women is $15.46 an hour, 19 percent less than that of men, whose median wage is $18.98 an hour. The median Hispanic workers wage is $13.16 an hour while the median wage for black workers is $12.96 an hour. Only about one-fourth of workers in poverty-wage jobs receive health insurance from their employers while nearly two-thirds of employees in higher-paying jobs receive health insurance benefits. Jon Peacock, project director for the Wisconsin Budget Project, said he was not surprised. In light of the states policy choices, such as freezing the minimum wage, suppressing unions and sharply reducing parents eligibility for BadgerCare, its not surprising that Wisconsins slow economic recovery hasnt led to stronger and broader gains for low-wage workers, Peacock said in an email exchange. Peacock said Wisconsin should raise the minimum wage to $12 an hour or more by 2020 a move that would help 650,000 workers. The report said while the state has a record number of jobs, the increase has not kept pace with Wisconsins population growth or the national pace of job growth. The level of opportunity still lags, the report said. In spite of overall declines in unemployment, specific populations are still struggling to find jobs and our most vulnerable populations are faring the worst. According to the organizations analysis, workers in the lowest 10 percent on the wage scale received a pay boost comparable to 0.6 percent from 1979 to 2015, in 2015 dollars, while the highest 10 percent of wage earners saw their pay jump a cumulative 23.7 percent during that same period. Workers who had a college degree earned, on average, $10 an hour more than those with a high school diploma. Peacock said the state should improve access to sick leave and family leave and provide more tuition assistance for the UW System and technical colleges.As for how much money it takes for a typical family to make ends meet, it varies across Wisconsin. Madison requires an income of at least $24.89 an hour in full-time wages for a family of one adult and one child, the COWS report said the states highest. T he 70th birthday celebrations for American novelist Paul Auster just got pretty epic; the first novel from his acclaimed City of Glass trilogy will be adapted for the stage next year. A formidable creative team will bring City of Glass to the stage, with People Places and Things playwright Duncan Macmillan writing the script, and Leo Warner, who worked on the Olympic opening ceremony, directing the production. It will be created by 59 Productions, who have previously worked on War Horse, the David Bowie Is exhibition, and the Tony-award winning musical production of An American in Paris. They are renowned for their innovative storytelling, with the use of technology combined with art. City of Glass was first published in the UK in 1987, and has been described as one of the great masterpieces of American fiction. The novel tells the story of a reclusive crime writer who receives a mysterious phone call, exploring the noir detective genre before becoming something altogether more complex. London's local theatres 1 /15 London's local theatres Bush Theatre The Bush Theatre in Shepherds Bush began life in 1972; it first lived above a pub that held only 80 people, but in 2010 moved to an old public library building. Under the artistic directorship of Madani Younis, the theatre was transformed into one of the city's most influential artistic spaces. Now that Lynette Linton has taken over the reins, the stages continue to host groundbreaking works by new talent and the legends of years gone by. Philip Vile Camden People's Theatre Camden Peoples Theatre is a small theatre a few minutes away from Warren Street that has shown huge dedication to developing and supporting new artists. Since 2013, their Calm Down Dear Festival has presented a packed programme of feminist performance. It's just one of the many festivals CPT holds, including Handle With Care, which sees the so-called "generation snowflake" strike out beyond their safe spaces. Finborough Theatre The Finborough, a 50-seater above a pub in Earls Court, is a great champion for new writing, but it also puts on a number of rarely seen plays, like RC Sherriffs The White Carnation and JB Priestleys Cornelius. A number of playwrights associated with the building have won the Pearson Award including Laura Wade, Anders Lustgarten and James Graham, so its a great place for spotting upcoming new talent. The Finborough, a 50-seater above a pub in Earls Court, is a great champion for new writing, but it also puts on a number of rarely seen plays, winning numerous fringe awards. A number of playwrights associated with the building have won the Pearson Award including Laura Wade, Anders Lustgarten and James Graham, so its a great place for spotting upcoming new talent. Matt Freestone Orange Tree Theatre Under Artistic Director Paul Miller, who was appointed in 2014, Richmonds Orange Tree has had something of a shake-up. They had a huge hit with Alistair MacDowells Pomona, which brought in new audiences and transferred to the National Theatre and the Royal Exchange. Alongside new writing they have presented revivals from writers as DH Lawrence, Doris Lessing, and Terence Rattigan. Under Artistic Director Paul Miller, who was appointed in 2014, Richmonds Orange Tree has had something of a shake-up. They had a huge hit with Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' An Octoroon, which ran at the National Theatre, and stage evenings with some of the most influential voices in theatre from Dame Judi Dench to Sharon D Clarke. Alongside new writing they have presented revivals from writers as DH Lawrence, Doris Lessing, and Terence Rattigan. The Yard Artistic Director Jay Miller converted a disused warehouse in Queens Yard, Hackney Wick, into a 110-seater fully raked amphitheatre, and filled it with vibrant new writing. The small venue, created with recycled materials, has punched above its weight ever since; Alexander Zeldins extraordinary play on zero-hour workers, Beyond Caring, began life there before going to the National Theatre. It also regularly holds readings of drafts in developments and scratch nights for artists to test out new work. Arcola Theatre The Arcola in Dalston has two theatre spaces and plays host to a number of emerging theatre companies. On top of this, it is heavily invested in the local community and contains a number of theatre groups within it, including the Queer Collection, Women's Company and Ala-Turka for the Turkish and Kurdish groups of east London. As well as hosting new writing, they hold an opera festival every year; Grimeborn runs for several weeks over the summer. Lyric Hammersmith Theatre The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre is over 125 years old but it definitely isnt showing its age. Theyve had a number of hits transfer to the West End, including Ghost Stories, which returned to the UK this year after a successful trip around the word. There is now a new boss behind the wheel, as Rachel O'Riordan has taken over and kicked things off with artistic associate Tinuke Craig's urgent adaptation of A Doll's House. Gate Theatre The Gate Theatre lives above the Prince Albert pub in Notting Hill, where it has been presenting theatre in its 75-seat venue since 1979. It counts Stephen Daldry, Erica Whyman and Carrie Cracknell amongst its previous artistic directors, with Ellen McDougall in charge now, and pretty much anyone who is anyone has worked there at some stage of their career. Southwark Playhouse Southwark Playhouse began life in 1993, with a disused workshop being turned into a flexible theatre space. With two performance spaces, they put on a vast spread of work, from musicals to new plays, always focusing on breathing new life into the classics. Ambitious as ever, the Playhouse is moving into two new venues, a flagship site at Elephant and Castle and another in the arches of London Bridge Station. Ovalhouse Ovalhouse provides a space for new artists to develop work and offers an eclectic programme of experimental performance, as well as having a commitment to participation work and getting young people involved with the theatre. Its roots go back to the 1930s and numerous important cultural figures have started their careers there, from David Hare to Stella Duffy. They are about to move from their home in Kennington to a new site in Brixton, a mile and a half down the road, and asked performers in the final season to help them demolish the building. Shoreditch Town Hall This Grade II building became an independent arts venue in 2004, and has a number of different spaces including the huge Assembly Hall and basement space The Ditch. As well as hosting productions they curate their own artistic programme and present ground-breaking works from the likes of Jamie Lloyd and Alice Birch. Fun fact: it was involved in the filming of Florence Foster Jenkins and The Lady in the Van. Kiln Theatre Kiln Theatre in Kilburn (formerly known as the Tricycle) is the starting place for a number of plays that have gone on to have a massive life in recent years: Red Velvet starring Adrian Lester, Moira Buffinis Handbagged and Florian Zeller's The Son. Indhu Rubasingham joined as artistic director in 2012 and spearheaded a renovation before the rebrand. Theres a cinema too if your prefer your entertainment beneath a veil of celluloid. Philip Vile Theatre503 The Theatre503 is above The Latchmere pub in Battersea, and offers more new writing opportunities than anywhere else in the country. They have a year-round open submission policy and believe its a crucial way to keep the industry open to new writers. Their writing prize offers an unproduced writer a chance to be a part of their main season, and ensure they programme productions from writers from previous decades who have been overlooked. Their track record is excellent, with a lot of their shows transferring to bigger venues. Rose Theatre Kingston Its worth making the journey to the Rose. It opened in 2008 and was modelled on the original Elizabethan theatre that lived on Londons bankside. It hosts work from theatre companies such as the RSC as well as producing its own, and can attract the best. The world premiere of Elena Ferrante's My Brilliant Friend took place here in 2017, and runs this year at the National Theatre, reuniting the original cast. Park Theatre The Park Theatre in Finsbury Park only opened in 2013, converted from a vacant office block next to the station. Artistic director Jez Bond wanted to create a neighbourhood theatre that presented world class theatre, and its first season featured Maureen Lipman and Charity Wakefield. It continues to present new writing and revivals, featuring Ian McKellen and Celia Imrie among its cheerleaders. parktheatre.co.uk The production will premiere in Manchesters HOME venue from March 4-18, before coming to the Lyric Hammersmith in London from April 20 - May 13. City of Glass is one of three major new productions announced today for the Lyric Hammersmith. They will mark Roald Dahls centenary year with a musical production of Fantastic Mr Fox, alongside a new production of Matthew Whittets Seventeen, which premiered in Sydney and has a cast of septuagenarians performing as teenagers. Follow Jessie Thompson on Twitter @jessiecath Follow Going Out on Facebook and on Twitter @ESgoingout O mmmm. I try to live in the moment but its hard, and never more so than in September, that golden month of hazy sun, yellowing leaves and meticulous forward planning. Its been 25 years since Douglas Coupland wrote Generation X: Tales For An Accelerated Culture. It boggles my brain that people were fretting about the pace of life a quarter of a century ago. Oh for those plodding horse-and-cart days, when life was unencumbered by the swoosh of Dont Miss Out! emails, accompanied by the cruel staccato beep of a Google Calendar alert. No sooner had the kids broken up for the summer holidays than the back-to-school emails hit up my inbox, as if I had nothing else to do but shop for easy-care bib-fronted tunics all summer long. Now that they finally are back at school, the Halloween emails have started, alongside a reminder to book my slot at the Harrods Grotto. While I would sell a kidney to get a coveted weekend-in-December slot at Harrods Grotto, I balk at having to think about it in September. But thats London for you: a city where 8.674 million people are trying to bagsy a far scanter number of spoils, and 8.673 million of them are way more organised than you. There are many brilliant things about living in a city of highly motivated individuals, but watching an Underworld gig isnt one of them. Is it normal to spend four years trying to book a ticket to see a dance act? I try to stay optimistic, but then I remember Prince, who selfishly died on me before I could see him live again, thus robbing me for the second time of the transcendental experience of watching him perform Purple Rain, so cruelly missed in 2007 because I picked the wrong time to go to the toilet. As for going to the theatre, forget it. Luvvie moments missed so far: Benedict Cumberbatchs Hamlet, Sheridan Smith in Funny Girl and the chance to see Mark Rylance in Nice Fish any time soon. I dont even know what Nice Fish is. Probably, its like Sexy Fish, another restaurant I can never get a table for. No wonder Sky Q and Netflix are so popular. See you on the sofa no booking required. PERFECT SCENTS Ive always been unmoved by those blank-eyed, uber-airbrushed, teenage/forty-something celebs who stare out passively from expensive glossy perfume ads. It seems Im not alone, judging by the enthusiasm with which the new Kenzo ad has been received. When it comes to flogging scent to women, God knows a radical new approach was long overdue, so props to director Spike Jonze for ripping up the rule book. His three-and-a-half minute short film shows actress Margaret Qualley pulling faces, licking a statue, dancing like a maniac and basically acting in the opposite manner to the dated passive model trope. Dunno if the perfume smells good, but its message is delicious. More ads like this, please. LIP-SMACKINGLY GOOD Week 3 in the GBBO kitchen and the world waits with baited breath to see which eye-catching, creative flourish Candice will unveil... not from the oven but from her make-up bag. While the 31-year-old PE teachers baking skills are undeniable, its her lippy that has really caught the attention of Bake Offs record-breaking 11.2 million viewers: social media is awash with conjecture on whether Week 1s claret, Week 2s fuchsia or Week 3s scarlet (red for bread, as she so marketably said) suit her best. Shes so pretty, swooned my six-year-old, weirdly. I prefer the casual charms of Benjamina and Val, but congrats to Candice for these clever attempts to tee up a lipstick contract if the baking prize eludes her. Follow Laura on Twitter @LauraCraik L ast night, the Evening Standard threw its Progress 1000 party at the Science Museum, celebrating the most influential people in London. Guests were treated to a speech from Prince Charles, an intimate gig from Benjamin Clementine and some very fancy Laurent-Perrier champagne cocktails. Theres no cocktail more decadent than the champagne cocktail, so why not try recreating the raspberry cocktail at home. Follow the recipe below and serve it in a coupe glass for the full effect. Ingredients (makes 1 cocktail) 10ml frambroise liqueur 10 ml raspberry puree/coulis 15ml camomile tea syrup 100ml of LP champagne Method Shake all of the above ingredients, strain into a coupe glass and top up with Laurent-Perrier champagne. Garnish your cocktail with two raspberries on a red bamboo skewer, laying it on the side of the glass. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook A s anyone familiar with the somewhat superficial world of online dating knows, your profile picture is key. Future happiness rests on selecting a single image that is accurate, yet exceptionally flattering, and reflects your interests and personality as long as that personality is of someone far wittier than you and its interests a touch more erudite than autumn evenings in with Netflix. Its a constantly evolving minefield in which every adorable small animal encountered, evening out with the lads and experimentation with designer stubble has to be captured for potential use as a tool in your romantic arsenal. Sometimes, though, you just need to make an impression, and in those situations its time to embrace the fantasy. For the fantasy to have the desired effect (a scorchingly hot yet endearingly amusing picture which invites endless right swipes, scores of potential lovers and a future of smug coupledom) you need to choose your target carefully. Timing is key, and with half the country salivating over Aidan Turners glistening torso once again, it was clear Id found the perfect opportunity for a PPP the Poldark Profile Picture. Helpfully, Ive already seen the man himself, albeit fully clothed, in action. Last month, before the arrival of series 2, I was invited to a preview screening of the first episode at the BFI. Before it had even began, and before its devastatingly handsome star was brought on stage, the audience was already in a state of muted awe, transfixed by a larger-than-life image of Ross Poldark projected onto the 13-foot screen. Windswept and brooding, both sexy and scary, it took one shot of the character atop his Cornish cliff to render the crowd silent with lust. One woman had flown in from Indiana. A man in the front row was literally quivering with anticipation at the promised arrival of the man with the scythe. There were, of course, obstacles in my quest. I lack the actors sculpted abs and erotic snarl, his buttery accent and the sartorial style that a star salary affords. But a PPP requires commitment, and for a few years more at least, I do have the hair. It just needed the Turner touch. To get it, I booked an appointment at Nevilles, the Knightsbridge sets go-to salon for a comprehensive makeover. I meet stylist Jack, who kindly doesnt acknowledge the greys while he surveys my hair. For those committed to a long-term look, a perm can provide a windswept, voluminous style for months on end, but a more experimental attempt calls for the tongs. / Daniel Hambury/Stella Pictures Curling my hair in chunks from the bottom up, its half an hour before I have a mass of neat, black curls, which he waxes and mousses to maintain shape and add a matt texture. Turner, a quintessential Irishman when it comes to his Celtic locks, doesnt need such attention, and the process might be a bit high-maintenance for those who would rather have an extra hour in bed, but the change proved a strong first step on the quest. Jack gives me a final primp and sends me off, ringlets and all, down to the next checkpoint. Down on Kennington Road, just south of Oval Tube station, is a treasure trove for those longing for a metamorphosis. In a warehouse tucked within an industrial park is the National Theatres costume-hire department, an expansive cathedral stuffed with outfits from past productions. On arrival I meet Anthony, one of the experts on the staff, who walks me through the aisles of masks, coats, gowns and accessories that have at some point adorned armies of actors at the South Bank theatre. I had sent Anthony sample images, with my sizes, a few days in advance, and they had clearly been meticulously studied: a rack of items that could very well have been stolen from the Poldark set was rolled into my changing room. Ross Poldark, a gentleman with questionable luck and fortunes, is not as grand as many of the characters in the programme that bears his name. He wears muted colours and subtle tones, layers well and chooses function over fashion. Guy tries a different look / Daniel Hambury/Stella Pictures Many of the pieces that Im shown waistcoats, knee-boots, thick coats dont seem particularly remarkable. But trying them on, combined with the curls and a tricorn hat, is transformative. The 18th-century military uniform, meanwhile, could be prescribed as a cure to low self-esteem. A teaser for the series shows that Turner will, at least once, don his old fatigues, and its no wonder: I had to be convinced to change back into my everyday outfit to allow for the items to be checked out for a days loan. From there I just needed a space that could pass for the Cornish coast. I headed up to Hampstead lacking cliffs but providing the necessary green undulation where I changed from Pewsey to Poldark, regrettably under the gaze of the many members of the public who had made a beeline for the area when the fleeting sun had made a guest appearance. Turner has already shot down suggestions from Vogue magazine that he was well aware that steamy publicity images would be used to tempt amorous viewers. No! he insisted. When youre playing the character, you dont think, I look really hot in this scene I respectfully disagree. Draped in red and causing one passer-by to blush bashfully as he passed, I thought exactly that. The power of the costume and the tousled hair blowing in the wind made an expression of haughty annoyance mixed with self-satisfaction completely simple. But it only goes so far. Twitter went mad when, during the first episode, Turner headed underground, sans shirt, wielding a pick. In the absence of a tin mine, and having had a Dominos for lunch, I resisted the temptation of such a recreation. Poldark - Series 2 1 /10 Poldark - Series 2 He's back Aidan Turner straps up for Series 2 of BBC period drama hit Poldark BBC/Mammoth Screen Aidan Turner as Ross Poldark BBC/Ellis Parrinder Eleanor Tomlinson as Demelza BBC/Ellis Parrinder Heidi Reed as Elizabeth BBC/Ellis Parrinder Kyle Soller as Francis Poldark BBC/Ellis Parrinder Jack Farthing as George Warleggan BBC/Ellis Parrinder Ruby Bentall as Verity BBC/Ellis Parrinder Luke Norris as Dwight Enys BBC/Ellis Parrinder Of course, its not all about the look. Poldark may not be a hero but he is nevertheless noble, persistent and diligent. We all need to believe that the impossibly sexy yet flawed man in our lives is, when it comes down to it, also a goodie, even if some behaviour in the novels has been polished through the magic of television writing. Heading back across the heath, with the sunbathers watching and clearly excited to recognise who I had been emulating, its nevertheless clear that the look doesnt hurt, and the Poldark Effect is sure to be felt across the country even if Rufus Sewell is trying his best to outbrood him on ITVs Victoria. My curls didnt last the week, but Tinder doesnt have to know that. Follow Guy Pewsey: @guypewsey www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/costume-and-props-hire 020 7452 3970 Email: costume_hire@nationaltheatre.org.uk S cotland Yard today smashed a suspected plot to launch an Islamic State terror attack in Britain after arresting two men in London. Counter terror detectives swooped on the pair in west London and held both on suspicion of being involved in the preparation of terrorist acts. The men, aged 19 and 20, were held at the same address in an early morning raid involving officers from the Mets Counter Terrorism Command and the South East Counter Terrorism Unit. A number of addresses in west and south west London and the Thames Valley were also being searched by specialist officers today. Police would not comment on any seizures. The operation is understood to be significant and is linked to Islamic extremism but police refused to reveal further details of the plot or any intended target. Both men are from London. The 19-year-old was arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts in connection with an investigation by the Mets counter terror unit. The other, aged 20, was arrested on suspicion of funding terrorism and failure to disclose information regarding a terrorist act. He was also arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts under a separate investigation by the South East Counter Terrorism Unit. The current terrorist threat level in Britain is considered severe, meaning that an attack is highly likely. Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said recently that it is a matter of when, not if an IS outrage is carried out in Britain. Met police force to arm more officers There have been a spate of terror attacks in France and Germany and last month Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, who is in charge of the UKs counter terror operations, said his officers were currently carrying out hundreds of investigations into terror suspects and facing a steady flow of plots by stay-at-home jihadis inspired online. Loading.... More armed officers have been deployed across London and the Met recently revealed details of the forces new specialist counter terror firearms officers who are trained to reach incidents and confront gunmen wihtin minutes using high powered motorcycles. The latest arrests came just days after hate preacher Anjem Choudary, 49, was jailed after pledging allegiance to Islamic State. He headed an extremist network that inspired plots both in the UK and overseas. A third man, aged 19, was arrested in south-east London by counter terror officers on suspicion of a religiously aggravated offence in relation to a separate matter. A man has been locked up for almost a decade after he violently attacked a woman during an attempted robbery. Antek Pryce, 39, of no fixed address, was jailed for nine years on Thursday, September 1 when he appeared at Inner London Crown Court. He had previously pleading guilty to attempted robbery and receiving stolen goods at the same court. Pryce carried out his attack in the early hours of March 16, as his victim - a woman aged in her 20s - walked from West Norwood train station. The victim got off the train at about twnety past midnight, and walked along Knights Hill, and into Wolfington Road. Pryce had been lying in wait in a stolen red BMW that was parked near to the station. Snared: Antek Pryce was captured on CCTV immediately before he launched the violent attack / Metropolitan Police Once he saw the victim he got out of the car and followed her on foot, pouncing on her from behind as she turned into Wolfington Road. The thug punched her several times in the face before trying to snatch her bag, leaving her with a broken nose. However, the victim fought back and Pryce fled empty handed, while woman was taken to hospital and treated for injuries. Officers from Lambeth trawled CCTV to pinpoint the suspect and Pryce was identified. He was arrested on March 23 as he was getting into the stolen vehicle. He was subsequently charged with attempted robbery and receiving stolen goods, namely the red BMW, and pleaded guilty to both offences on August 1. Detective Constable Alex Fisher of Lambeth CID led the investigation. Speaking after the sentencing, he said: "Antek Pryce is a cowardly and vicious man who attacked and attempted to rob a lone woman as she walked home. "It is only due to the brave actions of the victim that she fought him off and Pryce fled empty handed. However, this was a terrifying ordeal for her and one which will undoubtedly stay with her for a long time. "Pryce is a dangerous individual and London's residents can be reassured that it will be a long time before he is released." A man has been arrested for allegedly stashing the dead body of his 103-year-old mother in a freezer so he could claim her pension. Pierangelo Bussolera, 63, was detained by police after neighbours became concerned at the disappearance of his mother Irma Borgoglio, They had often seen the pensioner waving from the balcony of the house where she lived with her son in northern Italy. Shes not well, she needs to stay in bed for now, he is said to have told neighbours living near to their home in the village of Bellavista di Trivero. But villagers grew suspicious and called police after Mr Bussolera bought a large freezer and his explanations became increasingly evasive. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Mrs Borgoglio propped up in the kitchen and suspect that he had dragged her body from the freezer hoping to claim she had died just minutes earlier. Police believe he hid her body in the freezer to claim her pension and at the time she is thought to have died, he gave up his job. Neighbours told police they would often hear the pair arguing over money but that suddenly stopped in March. Officers arrest Mr Bussolera on suspicion of hiding a corpse and are awaiting a post-mortem examination to find out how his mother died. Police were said to be investigating whether Mr Bussolera may have killed his mother after the pair were heard arguing. P olice are hunting a man after a woman was followed and sexually assaulted as she left the Tube at a busy underground station. The victim was sat on a bench on a Bakerloo line platform when a man sat beside her and made her feel uncomfortable as she waited for the train. The woman boarded a carriage and left the train at Oxford Circus when she was inappropriately touched as she made her way towards the station escalators. British Transport Police detectives launched an investigation following the sexual assault. CCTV images have been released of a man they would like to question over the incident. Detective Constable Andrew Parkinson, said: No one should ever be subjected to this sort of behaviour and it is important the person responsible is identified. Id been keen to hear from anyone who has information on this man in the CCTV image. I am certain he has essential information that will assist with my enquiries. Anyone with any information is asked to contact BTP by sending a text to 61016 or by calling 0800 50 40 50 quoting referencing 209 of 08/09/2016. Alternatively, you can pass information anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 F amilies today told of their dramatic escape from a fire which tore through a tower block after a barbecue lit on a balcony caused a motorbike to explode. People were trapped in their homes in the upmarket seven storey tower block in Brixton as the blaze took hold at about 6.45pm yesterday. Neighbours ran back in to help them get to safety as smoke and flames engulfed the building in Hicken Road. Residents said the fire had started after a man took his motorbike up to his second floor flat because he feared it could be stolen. Police today said they had arrested a man on suspicion of arson. Blaze: The fire broke out at a block of flats in Brixton (@TomMcArthur ) / @TomMcArthur A 52 year-old neighbour said: I saw a bit of the smoke, I looked out and the front door opened the gentleman came out with his two children who couldnt be more than two or three years old. He asked me to phone for help and said he left his bike upstairs. My son went to ring the intercom to get other friends to evacuate the building because it was getting worse He said the motorbike was in the flat and it caught fire. His bike caught fire and thats it - everything went up in minutes. Blaze: Police, fire and ambulance crews have been called to Hicken Road in Brixton There were babies and children soon all rushing out- Im so glad everyone is safe. Suillbhain Martin, 18, managed to get his mother, who suffers from MS and is confined to a wheelchair, out of the burning building when he heard the first explosion two storeys above him. He told the Standard: I was just watching Mission Impossible in my bed and heard this banging and crashing upstairs I remember thinking I dont remember this bit of the film and it was definitely too loud. There were people screaming get out, get out from both sides of the building, we had no idea what was going on. I got my mum ready and ordered her out. There were screaming people sprinting down the stairs. Fire hydrant: Traffic was stopped on Brixton Hill as firefighters tackled the blaze / Himaya Quasem The flames were just getting higher and higher. His mother Pamela told the Standard: My son was brilliant I didnt hear anything at all. He was screaming Mama get in your wheelchair now this is serious he is an unsung hero. When he got me out I looked back up it looked like everything was going to burn up. There are people here who have lost everything. Some evacuated families were forced to sleep in the St Matthews Estate tenants community hall floor overnight while others were allowed back to their homes as firefighters made the building secure. London Fire Brigade said ten engines and 72 firefighters and officers were sent to tackle the blaze, which was under control just over an hour after it started. Huge blaze: smoke from the fire could be seen for miles around / Alex Dean Station Manager Jason Jones said: When firefighters arrived the fire was fully developed and very visible. The initial fire crews worked incredibly hard to fight the fire quickly and limit the damage internally. Thankfully there are no reports of any injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: Police were called at 6.38hpm on Wednesday to reports of a fire at a block of flats in Hickin Road. Officers and the London Fire Brigade attended the scene. At this stage there are no reported injuries. A male was arrested close to the scene on suspicion of arson. He currently remains in custody at a south London police station pending further enquires. A university student has told how she felt humiliated after she was denied entry to a Dalston nightclub because of her disability. Katouche Goll, 19, said she was left in tears after she was turned away by bouncers at Video Visions Bar in Kingsland Road on Friday night. The teenager, a student at SOAS, was born with cerebral palsy and uses walking sticks to aid her movement. Nightclub bosses admitted Miss Goll was too great a safety risk to be allowed inside the venue, adding she arrived without informing staff of her condition. But Miss Goll told the Standard she had phoned the club hours before her visit and that she received no response. Scene: Katouche Goll was denied entry to Video Visions Bar, a basement club on Kingsland Road, Dalston / Google Maps She said: I did call ahead but I got no reply. Ive had this disability my whole life so I know what to do when going to places. I often phone ahead and funnily enough was in another club in Dalston the night before where the bouncers were wonderful in assisting me. When it happened I was very upset. It is very strange to be turned away from a nightclub on those grounds. I felt humiliated. Miss Goll reported the incident on Twitter which sparked a mixed reaction from users and led some to call for a boycott of the venue. She added: I wanted to draw attention to it because I dont think people should feel comfortable going to places that not everyone can go to. I live an active life, I like going out and meeting my friends and although I obviously wont go back to Visions it wont affect me in the future. We have the Paralympics on now which is great and people should be inspired yet we still get instances where I am turned away from a nightclub. In terms of our daily society we have a long way to go. Gianno Parris, manager of Visions Video Bar, said a number of considerations were made before the decision was taken to refuse Miss Goll entry. He said: Safety is the magic word that rests on the mind of every well ran licensed venue. Especially in times like these where Londons's nightlife is under attack. If someone has a disability which inhibits their movement or the movement of those in close proximity, it's important that we are notified in advance so that we can make adequate preparations and where possible nullify any hazards. Unfortunately in the early hours of Saturday, Katouche Goll turned up at the venue without notifying us. Our security considered wether we could make an exception for her, but after observing her navigate the pavement and taking into consideration the capacity of the venue at time, potential alcohol consumption and the steep staircase leading down into the basement, it was considered too great a safety risk for all in attendance including her. StartingBlock, the proposed entrepreneurial hub planned for the Near East Side, has raised the $3 million it needs to move forward, supporters said Wednesday. Its time to get this building built, said Scott Resnick, StartingBlock executive director. Envisioned by a group of entrepreneurs and community leaders in 2012, StartingBlock has gone through numerous development concepts, site possibilities, and occupant prospects over the past few years. The final plan will make it part of The Spark, an eight-story building that American Family Insurance Group will build in the 800 block of East Washington Avenue. American Family is investing in the project by providing StartingBlock with 50,000 square feet of space on the lower floors of the building. We have embraced StartingBlock as part of a spirit of innovation for our customers, Jack Salzwedel, American Family chairman, CEO and president said in a news release. The city of Madison has allocated $1.5 million for the project. Other contributors include Madison Gas & Electric; a grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.; and about 80 foundations and organizations from around the state, Resnick said. StartingBlock will provide office and co-working space, educational programs and community events. The Madison and Milwaukee business accelerator, gener8tor, will be housed there as well as Capitol Entrepreneurs, a business mentoring group, he said. Original plans called for Sector67 to be a key anchor for StartingBlock, but the East Side maker space pulled out of the arrangement earlier this year, saying the contract was too expensive. Instead of a prototyping lab, the project will likely have a light production space that would let young companies get their first shipments out to customers but not meant for long-term manufacturing, Resnick said. He said more than two dozen startups have shown an interest in moving into StartingBlock, including some now housed in the Network 222 building, 222 W. Washington Ave., and the AT&T building, 316 W. Washington. Some of these companies may consider moving, Resnick said. I would expect a certain amount of excitement around the StartingBlock project. StartingBlocks exact space within The Spark has not been determined yet but will probably encompass the first few floors, American Family spokeswoman Linda Wagener said. American Family has said it also will occupy part of the building, but Wagener said its not clear yet if that will happen right away or if the space will be leased. It will cost-effectively create work space for future growth, Wagener said. Groundbreaking could be held by the years end, and construction will take 13 months to complete, Resnick said. Cost of the entire building project was not immediately available. Plans are for Gebhardt Development to build an adjacent office building with commercial space and a performing arts venue. A 600-stall parking ramp will be built on Main Street, nearby, said Resnick. Mayor Paul Soglin praised the joint effort. When the public and private sectors work together, we can accomplish amazing things, and this effort on StartingBlock is an example, Soglin said in a news release. T he growing number of rough sleepers in the capital is an absolute disgrace, a London MP has said as he urged politicians to back major homelessness reforms. Recent figures show 8,096 people slept rough in the capital in 2015/16 seven per cent up on the year before and double the number in 2010/11. Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East, is putting forward a Private Members Bill in the Commons next month that would force councils to provide temporary accommodation within 56 days for anyone eligible for assistance. The Tory MP said: Its an absolute disgrace that at a time we have virtually full employment in the UK we still have people sleeping rough on the streets. If you cant fix it now, what would we do if we get another recession? Currently only single mothers and fathers, those with mental health issues, victims of domestic violence and those who have recently left the armed forces can go to the front of the queue for housing assistance as they are classed as having priority needs. Under the proposals council officers will have to help everyone find suitable accommodation within 56 days if they are at risk of becoming homeless. If they fail to do so, the council will be required to house people in temporary accommodation for a further 56 days. Jon Sparkes, chief executive of homeless charity Crisis, said Mr Blackmans Bill would be the most important piece of legislation to support homeless people in Britain since 1977. He said: The number of people rough sleeping in London is the highest in the country and for the first time in many years numbers are increasing in all parts of England. The biggest reason someone finds themselves homeless is the end of a private rented tenancy. Mr Blackman needs 100 MPs to attend the Bills second reading on October 28 to stop it being killed off by filibustering rivals concerned the plan would make it easier for people to fast-track into social housing. It is understood the Government is looking favourably on the Bill. A Department for Communities and Local Government spokesman said: We strongly welcome Bob Blackmans Homelessness Reduction Bill as a valuable contribution to this debate. However, the Local Government Association has concerns about the increased burden placed on London boroughs. Councillor Martin Tett of the LGA said local authority finances are already stretched and many councils do not have enough accommodation even to house those in priority need. L ondons iconic Fabric nightclub is launching an appeal against permanent closure following a decision to revoke its licence. Calls to close the club came following the deaths of two teenagers after taking drugs at the club earlier this year. Now the Farringdon nightclub is planning to appeal to Islington council in order to have the decision overturned. Its appeal will be backed by the Night Time Industries Association which is hoping to raise 500,000 to help with legal costs. Fabric nightclub: The club is appealing its closure / Sarah Ginn NTIA deputy chair and owner of Proud Gallery in Camden, Alexander Proud, told Mixmag that this was a "critical moment" for UK clubbing. He added that he would be donating 10,000 himself to the Fund For Fabric. The decision to close the club came after a six-hour long council meeting reviewing the clubs culture of drugs. Now the NTIAs Chairman Allen Miller called on local authorities to have a grown up attitude towards drugs rather than blaming clubs and bars. He said in a BBC Radio Two interview: Much consideration and investigation needs to go into decisions like these, especially where there has been a tragic incident. But I think we need a grown up mature and honest approach about what is happening in Britain. Tributes: flowers and hand-written messages have been left at the world-famous club's doors (Jeremy Abbott ) / Jeremy Abbott Drugs are everywhere and yet it seems to be the case that premises and licenced premises venues are held accountable for personal behaviour in a way other premises are not. Cameron Lesley, founder and co-director of Fabric, described the decision as a real blow and Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said he was disappointed. He added that concerns faced by Fabric part of a wider problem and the decline of Londons nightlife must stop. Londons iconic clubs are an essential part of our cultural landscape, he said. Clubbing needs to be safe but Im disappointed that Fabric, Islington Council and the Metropolitan Police were unable to reach agreement on how to address concerns about public safety. The issues faced by Fabric point to a wider problem of how we protect Londons night-time economy, while ensuring it is safe and enjoyable for everyone. Tragic deaths: Ryan Browne and Jack Crossley died after taking drugs in the club An Islington Council spokesman said its decision was based on "evidence, submissions, and representations put before the committee". A spokeswoman for the Met added: "Police felt the need to act due to concerns about the safety of those attending the club due to the supply of class A drugs in the venue and the recent deaths of two young men linked to the club. "We support this decision made by Islington Council's licensing committee." A petition to save the club has been signed by almost 45,000 people and has been backed by chart-topping DJs such as Skrillex and Chase and Status. There are plans to launch a Fund for Fabric campaign to help raise some of the money required for the appeal. T his is the moment a man bravely stood up to a homophobic bully who compared homosexuality to terrorism and began hurling insults in an east London street. Hanif Leylabi told the Standard he was subjected to abuse from the man as he walked home in the early hours of this morning. He said he had left Canning Town Tube station and was heading home just before 1am after enjoying a meal with friends, when he encountered a man swigging from a can of lager. Mr Leylabi said that as he was just yards from his front door when the man, who seemed drunk, shouted "batty boy" in his direction. The 29-year-old charity communications worker told the Standard he had been the victim of homophobic abuse about fives time in his life, but decided to challenge the man on this occasion because "nobody should give themselves the right" to abuse others because of their sexuality. He told the Standard there was nobody else around when the man started hurling insults - so he knew the abuse was aimed in his direction. Brave: Hanif Leylabi stood up to a man who began shouting homophobic abuse / Hanif Leylabi "He called me a 'batty boy'" Mr Leylabi said, "I turned around and challenged him and he started using more homophobic language, but cruder. "He was speaking a lot of rubbish - about gay priests, all the major religions say it is wrong, saying it was a wrong as theft is." Mr Leylabi then began recording his conversation with the bigot - who went on to say that homosexuality was akin to terrorism. He challenged the man, saying "I believe it's a free country, and people can live how they want," but the man retorted with: "Some people believe in terrorism and they believe they can do that all they want." Mr Leylabi said that even though he had potentially put himself in danger, he felt he had done the right thing in challenging the homophobe. "It made me feel angry mostly, I'd had a really nice evening with friends.In the past when it's happened the whole day or evening has been ruined. "I was angry that people give themselves the right to say that to someone in the street. "I challenged him because things are different now - it's not like 15 years ago when I was a teenager. Pride 2016 - in pictures 1 /12 Pride 2016 - in pictures Record numbers are expected to attend Pride this weekend held in the wake of the homophobic killings in Orlando James Gourley/REX Extra significance has been placed on the LGBT festival since the attack James Gourley/REX London Mayor Sadiq Khan said it was 'more important than ever' to embrace the LGBT community in the run-up to Pride James Gourley/REX A sea of colour transformed the West End for the parade James Gourley/REX Absolutely Fabulous pair Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley were among those having fun in the celebrations James Gourley/REX Marchers were due to hold a minute's silence in Trafalgar Square to honour the victims in Orlando James Gourley/REX One Muslim man holds aloft a sign as he joins in the march James Gourley/REX Peter Tatchell, one of the original founders of Pride, marches in the parade James Gourley/REX The festival is aimed to promote solidarity and acceptance of LGBT people across the world James Gourley/REX "Public opinion has changed now - he's in the minority, and people like him need to know. "For the first few minutes I didn't know if he was going to hit me. Initially he came to square up to me, but when I didn't walk off or cower away he fell back a bit." Mr Leylabi said the man at first tried to defend his views "as though we were having a rational conversation", and then denied he had been directing the abuse at anyone, claiming he was "just having a thought." He said he felt it was important to challenge the man as "like women being catcalled", homophobic abuse is something that some people who are trans or more easily identifiable as gay experience on a daily basis. "It's the responsibility or everyone to do that," he said. "I've been in situations before where no-one has challenged it - racist things said and homophobic things - it's demoralising because it makes you think 'do they all agree?' "If people challenge it it gives you that confidence that nobody should have to accept or take it anymore." A n MP's tweet claiming a disability protest was "disrupting millions of Londoners" has sparked a backlash online. Conservative Newbury MP Richard Benyon posted a picture of activists blocking Westminster Bridge on Wednesday afternoon. He said the campaign group were causing disruption by "sitting down" on the bridge next to Parliament. Dozens of demonstrators blocked off traffic on the bridge from about 1pm. Two people were arrest by police for obstruction a public highway. The demo was organised by Disabled People Against Cuts to campaign against deaths apparently related to benefits cuts. Some of the protesters were wheelchair users. Westminster Bridge protest: Activists shut Thames crossing with demonstration After spotting the protest, Mr Benyon posted a picture of police surrounding the group on Twitter with the caption: Some bunch of charmers have decided to disrupt millions of Londoners by sitting down on Westminster Bridge. The tweet, which has since been deleted / Twitter Linda Burnip, founder of the group Disabled People Against Cuts which was behind the protest, told the BBC: "I think he needs to ask himself why we need to protest and block roads rather than be rude to us." Mr Benyon told the Standard: "From my office I could not see who was blocking Westminster Bridge. All I could see was some people and a Unite Union flag. "To say I was criticising disabled people is ridiculous and untrue." Backlash: Richard Benyon sparked anger with a tweet claiming a disability protest was affecting 'millions of Londoners' The tweet, which has since been deleted, also sparked responses from social media users. One user, tweeting under the name Samuellification, hit back: Maybe that's 'cause some bunch of charmers destroyed millions of Brits' lives with huge, degrading cuts." Caroline Taleb wrote: ".@RichardBenyonMP imagine the disruption in yr life if u are disabled and have to lie in your own urine all nite because of social care cuts." P olice are desperately trying to trace a missing woman who is believed to have recently given birth. Angela Roberts, 36, from Ealing, visited the Vale Surgery in Acton on Tuesday, July 19, and has not been seen since. Police have said they are concerned for her welfare as she was due to give birth on or around the August 21. Ms Roberts is not thought to have sought any medical assisstance either for herself or her newborn baby. Police described missing Angela Roberts as a black woman and of a large build, and said she is known to frequent areas across south and west London, including Acton, Notting Hill, New Cross, Sydenham, Penge, Bromley, and Blackheath. She also has links to the West Midlands, police said. Anyone with any information as to the whereabouts of Angela Roberts or that of her newborn child is asked to contact police on 101. A busy Tube station was evacuated at rush hour this morning after a woman was hit by a train. Passengers were forced to leave Tottenham Court Road station after the person was hit by a Central line service. Emergency services were called to the scene at 8.40am. The station reopened more than an hour later. Medics treated the woman before she was rushed to hospital, police said. Pictures and video posted on social media show police, fire engines and ambulances surrounding the station. Emergency services vehicles outside the station / @Carrion_Billy London's Air Ambulance was also scrambled to the scene. Nick Colantonio, 33, who works in the travel industry, told the Standard: "I was walking from Holborn to Oxford Street and I saw several ambulances, police and firefighters. "The junction between Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street was jammed but the situation was under control." British Transport Police and firefighters at the scene / @Mavenick / Twitter Roberto Pereira posted on twitter: "Person under my train at #tottenhamcourtroad this morning. My heart is heavy for them. In my thoughts London and fire brigade prompt response." One Twitter user, named Sian, tweeted: "Full evacuation of Tottenham Court Road station this morning. "No trains stopping and no central line due to a person on the track." Commuters spilled onto the street outside the station / Joao Filipe Pereira Ashlee Sutherland tweeted: "Firetrucks, ambulances and police surrounding Tottenham Court Road and the station closed." Oxford Street was blocked off to traffic by the emergency vehicles. Closed: The station was shut while emergency services dealt with the incident / Joao Filipe Pereira Transport for London said the incident was being treated as non-suspicious. The Central line was suspended but reopened with severe delays at about 10am. A British Transport Police spokesman said: "British Transport Police were called to Tottenham Court Road London Underground station following reports of a person struck by a train. "The call came into police at 8.35am. Officers attended alongside paramedics. "A woman has been taken to hospital with injuries." T he sex industry could be decriminalised under proposals to be discussed by the Liberal Democrats. A 33-page policy consultation paper, which will go before the partys autumn conference in Brighton this month, argues that the criminalisation of sex workers is drawing vulnerable people into the justice system and encouraging some to take greater risks by working alone. The document also says there is little evidence the current approach discourages soliciting. While it is not illegal to buy or sell sex, there are offences of loitering, soliciting, keeping a brothel, kerb crawling, controlling prostitution, placing sex adverts in phone boxes and paying for the sexual services of a prostitute subjected to force. The document, which is the early stage of policy-making and not a formal party proposal, says: The evidence that we have received presents us with only one option to advocate the decriminalisation of sex work. The paper also argues that many of the laws are now out of date due to the shift of the industry online. It asks whether management in the sex industry, which includes pimps and those who run brothels, should be decriminalised as well as other areas linked to the buying and selling of sex. However, it stresses that coercion of sex workers should still be subject to the law through legislation to prevent human trafficking and stop people being forced to perform sex acts. Almost 32,000 out of more than 72,000 sex workers in the UK are in the capital, according to official figures. The paper highlighted that there was a wide range of incomes. Estimates suggest that while a street worker outside London earns an average of 11,000 a year, a high-income female off-street worker based in London earns up to 264,000 a year, it stated. Sex work generates between 3.8 billion and 5 billion a year for the UK economy, it added, but a significant proportion of this is likely to be untaxed. Eight out of 10 sex workers in London are believed to be migrants higher than other regions, but a similar level to countries such as Italy and Spain. About half of sex workers in Britain are women working off-street and earning a middle income, with the street-based proportion between five and eight per cent. More than 150 sex workers have been murdered since 1990, according to the police. A section on free speech in the document raises the question whether no limits should be placed on the sexual behaviour of consenting pornography actors when this does not result in permanent harm. E uropean Council president Donald Tusk has told Theresa May that Britain must leave the EU as soon as possible. In a meeting today in Downing Street, he said to Mrs May that the ball is now in your court and urged the British Government to trigger Article 50. It is expected that Britain will want to hold off from kick-starting the formal process of leaving the EU until next year but Mr Tusks message is a strong indicator that EU countries would like to hasten the split. The leaders of the 27 EU nations will hold talks in Bratislava in Slovakia next week and Mr Tusk said they would discuss the political consequences of Brexit for Europe. He told Mrs May: Im aware that it is not easy but I still hope you will be ready to start the process as soon as possible. I have no doubt that our common strategic goal is to establish the closest possible relations. T he Prince of Wales is a serious, deep-thinking man. A tireless campaigner who throughout his life of public service has devoted himself to promoting and protecting what is good about our capital, Britain and its people. A trailblazing charitable entrepreneur, he established The Princes Trust 40 years ago using his Royal Navy severance pay to help disadvantaged and vulnerable young people. It has proved a lifeline to generations. In London, the trust supports young people through a range of programmes delivered in the community and at Princes Trust centres in Poplar and Kennington. Last year Charles opened a new Princes Trust Morgan Stanley centre in Tower Hamlets to tackle youth unemployment in east London. It has welcomed almost 1,000 jobless young people through its doors. Since 1976, the Princes portfolio of charities has grown to represent a broad range of areas including the built environment, the arts, responsible business and enterprise, young people, global sustainability and rural affairs. He is now patron or president of more than 400 organisations. Incredibly, in the last decade alone the Princes charities have raised more than 1 billion. For more than 30 years, he has been at the vanguard of a growing ecological movement. After originally being treated with scepticism, many of his pioneering ideas are now widely accepted and are gaining increasing impact. Charless passion for a more balanced, sustainable world a human race in harmony with our planet is central to his work. It is a responsibility he feels deeply about and all the more acutely now he is a grandfather. Progress 1000 1 /40 Progress 1000 The Prince of Wales (right) meets Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (left) and his wife Saadiya at the Evening Standard Progress 1000 Dominic Lipinski/PA Camilla Kerslake and Hofit Golan strike a pose at the bash Dave Benett Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna Lumley joined guests Lucy Young Sadiq Khan with wife Saadiya attend the celebrations at Science Museum Lucy Young John Malkovich at the Progress 1000 Lucy Young Made In Chelsea star Amber Atherton rubbed shoulders with dignitries Baroness Karren Brady Dave Benett The Prince of Wales is presented with a newspaper front page by Evening Standard owner Evgeny Lebedev after being named 'Londoner of the Decade' at the Evening Standard Progress 1000 Dominic Lipinski/PA Child Prodigy Aum Amin was among those at the celebrations Lucy Young Prince Charles was named "Londoner of the Decade" tonight at The Progress 1000 celebrations Dave Benett Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage strikes a pose on the red carpet Lucy Young MP Jo Johnson was among the politicians at the event Lucy Young Sir Matthew Bourne and Arthur Pita Dave Benett London MP Justine Greening was among guests Dave Benett Tamara Rojo and Isaac Hernandez Dave Benett Melissa Hemsley and Jasmine Hemsley Dave Benett Artist Benjamin Clementine was among a group of performers to attend Dave Benett Labour's Chuka Umunna joined in to celebrate progress and innovators Lucy Young Dame Natalie Massenet arrives at the Evening Standard Progress 1000 event Lucy Young Cherie Booth, wife of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, was also in attendance Lucy Young Sir Nicholas Hytner and Tamara Rojo Dave Benett Mervyn Davies and Lady Nicola Mendelsohn Nigel Howard Baroness Tessa Jowell and Dame Gail Rebuck. Nigel Howard Sir Peter Hendy and Nick Ferrari. Nigel Howard Benjamin Clementine Nigel Howard Rachel Johnson, Robert Peston & Kay Burley Alan Davidson/SilverHub Media Fawn James Alan Davidson/SilverHub Media Caroline Rush Dave Benett Rosemarie Mallett Chris Jackson/Getty Images Nimco Ali and Rt Hon Justine Greening MP Nigel Howard Before the births of Prince George and Princess Charlotte, Charles said publicly that he did not want to hand on an increasingly dysfunctional world to his grandchildren. He went on: I dont want to be confronted by my future grandchild and them saying, Why didnt you do something? The invitation by French President Francois Hollande for Charles to deliver the keynote speech at the opening of the COP21 conference in November 2015 reflects the international recognition for his work on the environment. He attended alongside some 150 heads of state and also gave a keynote address on tropical forests and forest restoration on the Forests Day of the conference. ALREADY the longest-serving heir to the British throne, the Prince has a ferocious appetite for work, carrying out hundreds of engagements in Britain and around the world every year. That workload has sought to meet a wide-range of challenges, from urbanisation to deforestation. He has also been the driving force in a number of ground-breaking initiatives. In 2007 he launched the London-based Princes Rainforests Project to try to help slow down the loss of the tropical rainforests. His work has also embraced the subject of fish stocks and how best to safeguard their future and the fishing industries they sustain. The work of the Princes International Sustainability Unit (ISU) has resulted in more consensus between industry interests, non-governmental groups, scientists and governments on the need for new ways to invest in the future of fish stocks. He has been active in drawing attention to the benefits of action on climate change, including for public health. A meeting convened by the ISU in 2015 made a clear link between cutting carbon emissions and improving the air we breathe. This made a front-page story in the Evening Standard. The London-based charity Business in the Community has continued to press forward the Princes vision for the organisation that encourages companies to see wider responsibilities than simply the bottom line to collectively do more to protect and build what are now commonly referred to as natural and social capital. The Prince has continued to draw attention to the importance of new buildings being in harmony with their natural surroundings. He has highlighted what he sees as the vital relationship between cities and the countryside, particularly when it comes to a sustainable food supply. Charles set up the Princes Foundation for Building Community (PFBC) in the belief that sustainably-planned, built and maintained communities improve the quality of life of everyone whos part of them. He argues that neighbourhoods thrive when developers, architects and craftsmen work in partnership with those who live and work there. All these initiatives will ensure the Prince as heir to the throne has left his mark. Charles is fully aware that he will have to make adjustments if fate calls upon him to become king, according to those close to him. Should that moment come he will of course fully accept and embrace his duty. Equally, he understands too the limitations that being Sovereign brings. Those close to him say Charles III will be inspired by the examples of his mother, our longest reigning monarch, and his grandfather George VI, who died at 56. But whether short or long, it is clear he will define his reign himself. It will be his reign, his way. He will draw on a lifetime of public service in shaping that reign, which does not have to be in any way a carbon copy of his mothers. Charles has always encouraged issues that, without his support, might otherwise receive little exposure and promoted tolerance and greater understanding between different faiths and communities. A loving husband, father and grandfather, Charles is undoubtedly a visionary. He is a man whose sensitive, responsive nature too means he will always have the good of his future subjects sincerely at heart. Never afraid to step into a controversial debate, he took centre-stage over Londons housing crisis in 2014, warning that soaring prices would drive a generation of young people away. He launched a major report on the capitals future housing needs calling for fewer high-rise apartment blocks for the wealthy and more human-scaled streets, squares and parks, available to a greater mix of people. His publication of Housing London: A Mid-Rise Solution said the relentless price rises had made property ownership all but impossible for thousands of young key workers. Progress 1000 Top 25 in ascending order 1 /33 Progress 1000 Top 25 in ascending order Number 25 Jeremy Corbyn Labour leader Jane Barlow/PA Number 24 Joanna Lumley Actress Dave Benett Number 23 The City of London Pictured: Carolyn Fairbairn, Director-general, Confederation of British Industry) Ben Watkins/CBI/PA Number 22 Richard Chartres Bishop of London Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Number 21 Alexandra Shulman Editor, British Vogue Dave Benett Number 20 Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe Commissioner, Metropolitan Police Lucy Young Number 19 Laura Kuenssberg Political Editor, BBC BBC Number 18 Mike Brown Commissioner, Transport for London Glenn Copus Number 17 Philip Hammond Chancellor Dominic Lipinski/PA Number 16 Lord Hall Director-general, BBC Alex Lentati Number 15 Zadie Smith Author Rex Number 14 Sir David Attenborough Environmentalist Ian West/PA Number 13 Mark Carney Governor, Bank of England Justin Tallis/PA Number 12 Major Tim Peake Astronaut Sascha Steinbach/Bongarts/Getty Images Number 11 Amber Rudd Home Secretary Gareth Fuller/PA Number 10 Sonia Friedman Producer Matt Writtle Number 9 Boris Johnson Foreign Secretary Andrew Matthews/PA Number 8 Nicola Mendelsohn Vice president, EMEA, Facebook Rex Number 7 Sir Nicholas Serota Director, Tate Daniel Hambury Number 6 Demis Hassabis Founder, Google DeepMind Matt Writtle Number 5 Adele Musician Rex Number 4 Mo Farah Athlete Jeremy Selwyn Number 3 The Royal Family Andrew Matthews/PA Number 2 Theresa May Prime Minister Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Number 1 Sadiq Khan Mayor of London Alex Lentati He added: In London we find ourselves in a situation where the average house price is 10 times the annual salary of a primary school teacher a huge rise in comparison to just 20 years ago when the average house price was 2.9 times a primary teachers annual salary. "Home ownership for this generation is simply becoming further and further out of reach, he said. In August 2011, the Prince and the Duchess of Cornwall visited Tottenham and Hackney in the aftermath of the riots. The Princes Trust released extra funding for the areas most affected. He has been outspoken on a wide range of subjects from architecture and the environment and appears determined that that work will continue when he becomes king. When asked what would happen to his charities, Prince Charles has been clear: Well, if we would have any chance of anything continuing, then you have to endow the main ones, somehow. But whatever happens going forward, the Prince has left his mark on Britain and the wider Commonwealth. Privately, modestly, he gives the impression he feels vindicated in his years of campaigning over issues such as agriculture, the environment and architecture that matter so much to him. He certainly shows no signs of slowing down after a lifetime of pioneering, quite the opposite, If you stick to your guns, sometimes years later, he said, you suddenly find that some of these things are starting to appeal to people. And without doubt the prince has certainly stuck to his guns. V isitors on board Brightons i360 tower were left stranded for more than two hours tonight after it broke down following a fault. A private party including a heavily pregnant woman were stuck in a pod as it was brought to a halt at around 7pm due to a "technical hitch". British Airways tweeted: A slight technical hitch has caused the pod to halt. Our engineers are resolving the problem & expect it to be working normally soon. The group booked a reception at the nearby Alfresco restaurant but were forced to alter their plans as engineers were dispatched to the tower. Tim Jones, one of the party organisers, said it was an "ironic" turn for the evening, which had been planned to celebrate the i360's opening. The financial advisor, 45, said: "We weren't very high up when we juddered to a halt and we were told by staff to move to one side of the pod to 'recalibrate the weight' - which made some people a bit nervous. "It was an interesting experience, and quite ironic as the party was organised by four local businesses who wanted to come together to celebrate the tower's opening." Ordinarily the ride from top to bottom takes between 20-30 minutes and Mr Jones said a "massive" queue had built up on the ground by the time the pod was brought down. He said that, while there were no injuries and all passengers were eventually brought down safely, he hoped the problem would be a learning curve for BA. "BA have learnt a hard lesson about interacting with customers this evening," he said. A restaurant owner said: "They were stuck up there for more than two hours before they were brought back down. It was an hour and 50 minutes before the fire crew turned up, and they left about 10 minutes later. Members of the party told us that they were given no information from BA and were only offered water while they were stuck - but nobody wanted to drink it as there are no toilets on board the pod. The British Airways tourist attraction opened in August to offer guests panoramic views of Brightons coastline. Designed by the team behind the London Eye, the attraction is said to be the world's first "vertical cable car". The 46 million structure lifts up 200 passengers at a time in a circular pod that rises 138 metres up a steel pole at 0.4 metres-a-second, giving views of up to 26 miles. In July, dozens of people were rescued after they were trapped 65ft in the air when a ride broke down on the South Bank. Children were among those stuck on the Starflyer attraction, which malfunctioned outside the Southbank Centre. Additional reporting by Press Association The Arby's on Gammon Road is now a deli with a wide-ranging menu that includes bratwurst and gyros. Longtime Arby's franchisee Kevin Breitfelder closed his Arby's at 601 S. Gammon Road last week and opened Sliced Deli Tuesday. He painted the outside of the building so it has a new color scheme, and he decided to open before completing interior renovations. "I wanted to get it going and get any kinks worked out of the system," he said. Breitfelder, 50, had spent 27 years working for Arby's, taking over ownership from the original franchisee in 2003. "It was time to move on to something that was more me, I guess. More independence, more decision-making," he said. Breitfelder said he had more control over the business in the earlier days, back in the early 2000s. In recent years the chain became more corporate and there were fewer decisions he could make on his own, he said. The Sliced signature item is a build-your-own sandwich. Customers choose their favorite meat: roast turkey, roast ham, roast chicken, corned beef, shaved steak, pastrami or salami. They decide if they want their sandwich hot or cold. There is a choice of sliced bread or tortilla, never frozen: white, wheat or rye, kaiser, split-top hoagie, pita bread, spinach wrap or tomato-basil wrap. Then there's a choice of in-house sliced Wisconsin cheese: Swiss, cheddar, sharp cheddar, provolone, Gouda and pepper jack. Vegetables include leaf lettuce, red tomato and red onion. There are a variety of sauces. "You basically create the exact sandwich you want as you order it," Breitfelder said. The menu includes Wisconsin bratwurst, hot dogs, pulled pork (which Breitfelder said is an early favorite), a tenderloin sandwich, and a traditional gyro with lamb meat. Other sandwiches include a Reuben, Philly cheesesteak, French dip, Italian sub, meatball sub, brisket sandwich, BLT, chicken salad sandwich, fish fillet, chicken fillet and chicken cordon bleu. The menu also has chicken strips, baked potatoes, regular fries, curly fries, mozzarella sticks, jalapeno bites and onion rings. There are salads, shakes and kids meals. "A lot of options, a lot of good products," Breitfelder said. "A lot of local favorites on there as well." The millennial crowd likes more control over what they eat, he said, and some chains determine what's on a sandwich. "Here's your Big Mac or here's your turkey ranch and bacon sandwich and this is what comes on it," Breitfelder said, noting that Sliced is at the opposite end of the spectrum with the customer determining exactly what goes on their sandwich. Prices are 5 to 10 percent lower than Arby's, he said. He's in a neighborhood that he said has seen brighter days, and he wants to keep prices reasonable for people who live in the area. The Arby's did a strong business during its 31-year run in that location, said Breitfelder, a hands-on owner who could almost always been found at the restaurant. He said he's only taken three days off all year. Breitfelder has kept his same employees, and is looking for more. He likes to say that Sliced is a prototype restaurant, and he intends to open smaller versions possibly called Sliced Express. At Arby's, Breitfelder had a lot of loyal customers whose orders he knew by heart. Some of those orders can stay the same because there are some carryover items. "But hey, you can get a bratwurst now. Where were you going to get that? Not many places," he said. A ir China has withdrawn its in-flight magazine after a passage told tourists to take precautions when visiting ethnic-minority areas in London. The airline denounced the current edition of the Wings of China magazine after it sparked a racism storm and added it did not represent the firms views. The original article in English read: "London is generally a safe place to travel, however precautions are needed when entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people." It also advised tourists not to go out alone at night, and for women not to travel alone. MPs and London politicians described the article as outrageous as one Chinese journalist said her Londoner fiancee felt insulted. In a statement the airline said: After discovering this problem, Air China immediately removed this magazine from all flights and demanded that the publishers of `Wings of China' seriously learn from this lesson, strengthen their content review and avoid making similar mistakes. The airline also revealed an apology issued by the publishers which said an editing mistake led to the offending passage. China Aviation Media Co. Ltd. said the article ran "counter to our original intention to promote the beautiful scenes of London." It said in a statement: It has brought about misunderstanding from some media outlets and readers and also a huge negative impact on your company's business operations and image. We deeply apologise for that. Earlier this year, a Chinese laundry detergent maker apologised over a TV advert that showed a black man being stuffed into a washing machine and coming out a fair-skinned Asian man. N orth Korea has banned its citizens from making sarcastic remarks about the regime of Dictator Kim Jong Un. A warning against indirect criticism of the state in their everyday conversations has been issued, according to Asian media. A series of mass meetings were held by officials across the isolated communist country. One state security official personally organised a meeting to alert local residents to potential hostile actions by internal rebellious elements, a source in Jagang Province told Radio Free Asias Korean Service. The main point of the lecture was Keep your mouths shut. People were reportedly warned that sarcastic expressions, including this is all Americas fault, would constitute intolerable criticism of the regime. Expressions of public discontent have apparently grown louder in the secretive state this year, with graffiti mocking Kim Jong Un appearing in areas near China. Less than two weeks ago, two senior North Korean officials were executed with an anti-aircraft gun in early August on the orders of Kim Jong-un. South Koreas JoongAng Ilbo newspaper has reported that Ri Yong Jin, a senior official in the education ministry, was arrested for dozing off during a meeting with Kim and charged with corruption before being killed. Former Agriculture Minister Hwang Min was purged over a proposed project seen as a direct challenge to Kims leadership, the paper said. R AF jets are to join the growing targeting of the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa in Syria, as the US-led military campaign seeks to paralyse the terror group before Barack Obama leaves office. US Defence Secretary Ash Carter today said the envelopment of the IS-held city had already started and would be stepped up in coming months. British airstrikes have been focusing on liberating Mosul in Iraq and attacks were also launched to drive IS out of Manbij in Syria last month. While the RAF will carry on striking around Mosul, more aircraft are now expected to be deployed to destroy IS positions close to Raqqa, military sources said. With the US elections looming in November, Mr Carter made clear the urgency in Washington to destroy Islamic State. We are for certain going to defeat Isil, he told BBC radio. Our plan calls for the envelopment, that is the surrounding and the collapsing of Isils control over Mosul and Raqqa. That envelopment is under way now. He insisted the military campaign was going exactly as planned, but did little to paper over divisions with Russia on how to end the civil war which has raged in Syria for more than five years. While praising US Secretary of State John Kerry for his indefatigable efforts to get Moscow to agree on a political solution, he voiced scepticism that this would happen. Condemning Russian intervention in Syria, he argued: It has fuelled the civil war and the violence there and has not helped us progress towards a political solution that would have Bashar Assad step aside and a new government including the moderate opposition take over. Our patience is not unlimited. Mr Carter was in London for a peacekeeping summit, and ahead of it Defence Secretary Michael Fallon stressed the importance of ending the civil war in Syria so IS could be defeated. He also announced up to 400 UK troops will deploy to South Sudan as part of a UN peacekeeping mission.Hundreds more soldiers could be sent to other parts of Africa, to help stabilise countries, discourage migration and prevent terrorism. M ore than 100 people were trapped in cable cars suspended more than 3,000 metres above the French Alps after high winds reportedly resulted in a mechanical failure. Dozens of tourists were at the centre of a dramatic rescue operation in Mont Blanc on Wednesday as a rescue helicopter was scrambled to the scene. Police said 110 people became trapped in the panoramic Vallee Blanche Cable Car that rises to an altitude of 3,778 metres (12,395ft) just before 5.30pm. The cable car connects the famed Aiguille du Midi peak to the Pointe Helbronner and takes 30-35 minutes. Rescue: Dozens have been rescued by helicopters after cable cars broke down over the French Alps / EPA The cause behind the fault is unknown at this stage but initial reports suggested high winds may have caused the cable cars to become stuck. Le Dauphine reported 65 people have been rescued mid-air after French, Italian and Swiss emergency teams launched an operation. The website said the operation had been suspended for the night but food, water and survival blankets had been distributed. Large numbers of tourists visit the attraction for spectacular close-up views of the Mont Blanc range, western Europes tallest mountains. Mathieu Dechavanne, chief executive of the company which manages the cable cars, told La Vanguardia: 'This will take some time but the weather is good. We are in contact with customers. They have water and means to communicate. Chamonix mayor Eric Fournier added: "There's nothing fundamentally to fear". E ight Chinese tourists were reportedly charged over 3,000 for dinner at a restaurant in an Israeli village near Jerusalem. Abu Ghosh restaurant, where diners would typically expect to spend just a few pounds a head on local dishes including hummus and bread, has faced a barrage of criticism. It came to light after an Israeli tour operators association posted a copy of the 16,500-shekel (3,280) bill on social media and suggested the tourists may have been suckered. The Israel Incoming Tour Operators Association said: There may be a billion Chinese, but they may not all be suckers. These Chinese said they would not be back and would not recommend their friends to visit Israel. Naive customers are a very shaky basis for a business plan, and by behaving this way we are destroying with our own hands the budding potential of the Chinese market for Israel. The restaurant, located in the village of Abu Ghosh, is popular with tourists and listed as one of the best places to eat hummus when visiting Jerusalem on TripAdvisor. Owner Jawdat Ibrahim said half the restaurant had been hired by the Chinese group and that they stayed for hours and ordered a lot of grilled meat and alcohol. However, the tourism association denies this claim, having spoken to the groups tour operator. Mr Ibrahim told the Guardian: Abu Ghosh restaurant is very famous. For 25 years it is has been known not just domestically but internationally. There are people who are envious of the fact that tourists make a pilgrimage to Abu Ghosh and not to some other establishments, including in Tel Aviv. He claimed the group had had their own bar and ordered an entire stuffed lamb, and that they had been happy enough with the evening to leave a tip. A Russian fighter jet flew within 10 ft of a US aircraft in a dangerous and unprofessional manoeuvre over the Black Sea. Pentagon officials have slammed the intercept by the SU-27 jet, which is taking part in Russias military exercises in the area. However, Russian officials defended the action, stating the US plane had been approaching Russian territory so they had simply adhered to rules. Pentagon spokesman Capt Jeff Davis said the US Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft had been conducting routine operations in international airspace when the Russian fighter approached. "These actions have the potential to unnecessarily escalate tensions, and could result in a miscalculation or accident," he said. It is believed the Russian jet had flown within 30 ft of the US plane before closing to just 10 ft (3 metres). Relations between the two nations have been strained since Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. In April this year, the US claimed Russian jets had confronted its planes over the Baltic Sea, again in as unsafe and unprofessional manner. The two leaders, Barrack Obama and Vladimir Putin, were photographed in a tense confrontation at the recent G20 Summit in China. A fter studying DNA evidence, scientists have discovered that the giraffe is not one species, but four. They have said the four distinct species are genetically at least as different as brown and polar bears. Until now, only a single species of giraffe made up of several sub-species had been recognised. The unexpected discovery, published in the journal Current Biology, highlights the urgent need to protect the world's tallest mammal, researchers have said. Geneticist Professor Axel Janke, from Goethe University in Germany, said: "We were extremely surprised, because the morphological and coat pattern differences between giraffe are limited." Prof Janke and his team looked at DNA taken from skin samples from 190 giraffes from across Africa. Analysis showed there were four highly distinct groups of giraffe, which apparently do not mate with each other in the wild. The scientists categorised four species of the animal: the southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa), the Masai giraffe (Giraffa tippelskirchi), the reticulated giraffe (Giraffa reticulata), and the northern giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis). Giraffes are in dramatic decline across their range in Africa. with numbers have dropping from more than 150,000 individuals to fewer than 100,000 in the past three decades. Yet relatively little research has been done on giraffes, compared with other large animals such as elephants, rhinoceroses, gorillas and lions, say the researchers. The northern giraffe includes the elusive sub-species, the Nubian giraffe, which lives in Ethiopia and South Sudan. B rad Pitt has compared Britains decision to part ways with the European Union with the possibility of Donald Trump becoming US president. Man, I never thought Brexit would happen, said the 52-year-old actor. Same way I cant bring myself to think that Trump will be in charge. In an interview with the New York Times, Mr Pitt left little doubt where he stood on this years key votes on either side of the Atlantic. In the simplest terms, what brings us together is good, and what separates us is bad, he said. What Im most hopeful about is that were a global neighbourhood now, and we start to understand each other more and more and yet, you see this reactionary push for isolation and separation again. A Trump supporter is fighting against just about everything, the star continued. What does he even mean, take our country back? Would someone please explain that to me? Whered it go? But Mr Pitt claimed that he has tried his best to understand why outspoken Republican White House hopeful Donald Trump has such strong support in America. Coming from Oklahoma, southern Missouri, which leans more toward a Trump voice, I try to understand it, he said. Brad Pitt sings You gotta understand that its also in our DNA. Most Americans dont have time to watch CNN and Fox and Al Jazeera. Theyre trying to make the rent, get the kids fed, theyre tired when they get home and they want to forget about everything. And so suddenly when this voice comes in and it doesnt have to be a voice of substance saying hes fed up with all of this, thats the part that hooks into the DNA. Donald Trump praises Vladimir Putin's 'leadership' In May, Mr Pitts actress wife Angelina Jolie urged British voters to remain in the EU. She also criticised Mr Trump for his stance on immigration and his campaign pledge to ban Muslims from entering the US. To me, America is built on people from around the world coming together for freedoms, especially freedom of religion. So its hard to hear this is coming from someone who is pressing to be an American president, she told the BBC. T om Hiddleston reportedly broke off his relationship with Taylor Swift, despite claims that the pop star was the one to call it quits. According to new reports, it was The Night Manager actor who put the brakes on the three-month romance, which came to an end earlier this month. A theatre producer friend of the actor told Heat Street: The reports are wide of the mark and come as news to all Toms friends. He grew tired of Taylor, it wasnt the other way round. Tom drifted from her and it had nothing to do with her being put off by the publicity. Its more to do with the fact hes a commitment-phobe who gets bored very easily. The insider, who worked with Hiddleston on Coriolanus went on to say that the actor was known for having a three month rule. They had a short break together in Rhode Island last month but it didnt go that well because Tom was fixated with his fitness regime for Thor: Ragnorak, much to her displeasure. They agreed to end the relationship over the phone a few weeks later. As news of the split broke on Tuesday, sources close to Swift claimed that the pair split over a row about the Emmy Awards. It was fun while it lasted, but Taylor has now had enough, a source told The Sun. "She doesnt want a serious relationship and thats where it was heading. It was all far too public, in the end. Tom freaked her out with his love of the limelight. A source told Us Weekly magazine: She was the one to put the brakes on the relationship. "Tom wanted the relationship to be more public than she was comfortable with. Swift began dating the Night Manager star in June, two weeks after she broke up with DJ Calvin Harris. Loading.... N etflix has released the first trailer for their forthcoming true crime drama about Amanda Knox. The new documentary film delves back into the 2007 murder of Meredith Kercher and the subsequent trial of Knox and her former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito. Giving a first glimpse of the film, which will air exclusively on the streaming service, the trailer shows brand new interviews with Knox, who was twice convicted and twice acquitted of the crime. Im either I'm a psychopath in sheep's clothing, or Im you, she tells the camera. The whole world knew who I had ever had sex with. I was a kid. Knox, who spent four years in prison in Italy for the murder, also talks about her time behind bars. Suddenly, I found myself tossed into this dark place. I was so scared. Before Italy I had a happy life, she says. Directed by Rod Blackhurst and Brian McGinn, the film attempts to explore the notorious case in depth and give a different side to the story. Filmmakers have gained access to Knox and Sollecito for the project, as well as Italian prosecutor Giuliano Mignini and Daily Mail reporter Nick Pisa. Amanda Knox will premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on September 9 and then be made available globally on Netflix on September 30. Three financial associations covering rural and agricultural interests in some of the most prime farming counties in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois are recommending a merger to their respective members and stockholders with a proposed headquarters in Sun Prairie. Directors from Badgerland Financial, of Prairie du Sac, as well as AgStar Financial Services, of Mankato, Minnesota, and 1st Farm Credit Services, of Normal, Illinois, unanimously voted to recommend the merger Thursday, according to a statement released by Badgerland Financial. The proposed merged association would cover 144 counties in the three-state region. Badgerland Financial provides credit, crop insurance, and tax and accounting services to farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in 33 southern Wisconsin counties. AgStar serves 69 counties in southern and eastern Minnesota as well as northwest Wisconsin, while 1st Farm Credit serves 42 counties in the northern half of Illinois, the statement said. Thats a big merger, said Bruce Jones, an ag economics professor at UW-Madison. Look at the area it includes: A super agricultural area of Illinois and most of the prime farm income areas of Wisconsin and Minnesota. This is really good in terms of putting together regions that are very successful in agriculture, and it should make the merged association very strong. The three organizations combine to employ about 1,200 people, and layoffs are expected to be low if the merger goes forward, said Rod Hebrink, the president and chief executive officer for AgStar, who is expected to head the proposed merged association. We foresee very similar resource needs to support the merged organization, he said. Jones said he believes most of the layoffs will be at the senior management level. Sun Prairies Badgerland office was picked as the headquarters site because its geographically fairly central for the new organization, according to Hebrink. The merged organization is committed to a decentralized operating structure, he said. There will be no office closures with the proposed merger, nor will all of our corporate functions reside in this office. After a review and approval by AgriBank, the funding bank for the three associations, and the Farm Credit Administration, the merger will be put to a vote of the stockholders of the three associations, most likely in the first quarter of next year, the statement said. The board of directors for the proposed merged association will be comprised of 14 member-elected directors and three outside appointed directors. If stockholders vote in favor of the merger, the new board will have equitable representation of board members in proportion to the number of stockholders from each of the three areas, the statement said. This past spring we agreed our associations have very similar commitments to serving agriculture and rural communities, Hebrink said. As we discussed possibilities, we found were more alike than we are different. Our similarities, including our positive working relationships and financial strength, offer a strong foundation of synergies that allowed us to move forward with a due diligence process to carefully evaluate if a merger would be in the best interest of our members, clients and stockholders, Hebrink said. Badgerland president and CEO Diane Cole said the three associations understand that we werent looking for one organization to carry their current strategy into the proposed merger, but rather, evaluate how we take the strengths of the three associations and build on them to offer value to our members and stockholders. A workers compensation regulator is in the process of trying to sue a horse racing participant for seven figures, it has been reported. The regulator is claiming that the participant in question was the cause of significant injuries to another racing participant during an on-track accident that occurred six years ago. According to an article by the Herald Sun, a Down Under workers compensation regulator by the name of WorkCover has launched its lawsuit against jockey Mark Zahra. WorkCover has alleged that Zahras 'negligent' actions during an August 21, 2010 race at Mooney Valley Racecourse led to fellow rider Daniel Brereton being dismounted from his charge and suffering a litany of serious injuries. The Herald Sun piece states that WorkCover has filed suit against Zahra, who is a leading jock Down Under, in order to recoup the $1.4 million it has paid out to Brereton thus far and all costs for Brereton in the future. Zahra had pleaded guilty to careless riding charges after the incident those charges were brought forth by race stewards. WorkCover has taken the position that Zahra was the initial cause of interference that caused a chain reaction that resulted in Brereton being dismounted and injured. The article lists Breretons injuries as being a torn aorta, a fractured neck, six broken vertebrae, fractured teeth, facial injuries, a fractured clavicle (collar bone), serious internal head injuries, and partial paraplegia, which affected his bowels, bladder and sexual function. Brereton has also suffered serious impaired mobility from the accident, a hearing disturbance in one ear and psychological issues. Incidents like this make it just so clear how important it is to have, for all members in this profession, to have (Racing Australias public liability insurance) policy in place, Victorian Jockeys Association CEO Des OKeeffe has been quoted as saying. (With files from the Herald Sun) Chris Rickert | Wisconsin State Journal Urban affairs, investigations, consumer help ("SOS") Follow Chris Rickert | Wisconsin State Journal 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 The liberal Dane County Board of Supervisors has been known in years past to take official positions on national issues over which it has little control. On Thursday, it could decide to spend county tax dollars on a study of one of the most politically charged issues of our time: photo ID requirements passed by Republicans in an attempt to stamp out (mostly imaginary) voter fraud. In the first part of the approximately $44,000 study led by UW-Madison political science professor Ken Mayer, researchers will survey registered voters in Dane and Milwaukee counties who opt not to cast ballots in the upcoming Nov. 8 presidential election. The second part will be a survey of UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee students about their Nov. 8 voting experiences. Researchers hope to shed light on what effect Wisconsins photo ID requirement and other voting-related changes are having on turnout, while providing guidance to election officials about how to educate voters about the requirements, according to the study description. The study results could have nationwide impact, as Wisconsin has been part of a wave of Republican-controlled states to pass photo ID in recent years. In a way, its admirable that a single Wisconsin municipality would put up the money to study a topic that goes to the very heart of democracy in every municipality in all 50 states: access to the ballot box. On the other hand, why should Dane County taxpayers be the only ones on the hook for research that focuses on way more than Dane County? Sup. Jeff Pertl, Dane County Clerk Scott McDonell and Mayer emphasized that the driving force behind the study is to help Dane County officials better administer voter outreach and make sure eligible county voters can vote. The focus is on what can the Dane County clerk learn that is useful in deploying the resources he has, Mayer said. Pertl, one of the lead sponsors of the study funding, said whatever larger benefits you can accrue to it are kind of value-added. ... Id like us to speculate less and know more. McDonell said he was expecting Milwaukee County to eventually chip in to cover some of the cost of the study. It also might be naive to expect state Republicans to direct a state agency say, the Legislative Audit Bureau or Elections Commission to study the practical effects of a set of laws whose genesis seems anything but practical. Election officials, after all, have long known that voter fraud is rare, and the type of voter fraud stymied by voter ID rarer still. And research on other states photo ID requirements suggests photo ID laws suppress turnout, mostly among Democratic constituencies. Its not a huge effect, but may be enough to change the outcome of a close race. God bless Dane County officials if Mayers study results in some effective strategies for boosting voter turnout here, in Milwaukee County and across the country. Because if they hope to expose Republicans to the myth of voter fraud and the anti-democratic effects of voter ID, something tells me Republicans arent in any hurry to be exposed (so to speak). A Middleton man who allegedly broke into a Cottage Grove house on Wednesday was arrested a short time later, with items taken in the burglary allegedly found in his car. Ellis Slaughter, 30, was taken to the Dane County Jail, tentatively charged with burglary, the Cottage Grove Police Department said. The burglary was reported at about 11 a.m. Wednesday in the 200 block of Michelle Lane. A witness saw Slaughter leave his car at a nearby business and walk to a house, where he allegedly was crouching down and trying to open doors. "The witness stated Slaughter left the area of the residence with a box containing unknown items," said Police Chief Daniel Layber. Arriving officers found a sliding glass patio door at the back of the house had been smashed with a large rock. Nobody was in the house. "The witness provided a description of the suspect and his vehicle, and the direction of travel," Layber said. "A short time later, a trooper from the State Patrol located the vehicle at a local gas station." Cottage Grove officers went to the gas station, found Slaughter in the store area and arrested him without incident. "A search of the car was conducted at a later time and the property taken from the victim's residence was recovered," Layber said. Its the beginning of another school year, which also means another year of following dozens of stories where children are forced to stand for and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. During the six years I worked in Gering Public Schools, I didnt stand for or recite the pledge. When asked why, I say the courts ruled I dont have to, but its more nuanced than that. The first story this school year is of Dwight D. Eisenhower High School student Shemar Cooper in Blue Island, Illinois. He remained seated twice. After the first incident, his mother informed the school he didnt have to stand. After the second incident, his teacher allegedly tried to force him to stand. School administrators accused Cooper of being disrespectful to the military. I once witnessed a teacher trying to force a student to stand and recite the pledge. A school administrator said students didnt have to recite the pledge, but they had, damn well stand and respect the military. The administrator was wrong. The pledge has been controversial since it began. It has changed four times since its inception, muddying the reason why it is even there. The original pledge wasnt an oath of loyalty. Francis Bellamy created the pledge in 1892 as part of a campaign to sell more flags. The pledge wasnt formally adopted by the U.S., until 1942. In 1940, the Supreme Court ruled in Minersville School District v. Gobitis that it was permissible to force students to recite the pledge. In 1943, the Supreme Court reversed that ruling, forbidding a school from mandatory pledge recitations. In West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette, the Supreme Court concluded the first amendment provides protection to students who do not wish to participate in certain types of speech. This extends to adults as well. The Court also said the U.S. government cannot force a person to recite any type of speech. Justice Robert Jackson wrote, If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein. The pledges biggest objections have been on the grounds of religion. Those who oppose it cite the pledges violation of the Establishment Clause of the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In 1954, under God was added to distinguish the United States from a perceived communist threat. The U.S. wanted it known it was a religious nation, separate and different from the Soviet Union, which was Communist and, supposedly, atheist. In doing so, the United States unconstitutionally endorsed religion as a part of the government. There have since been repeated attempts to remove under God from the pledge. In 1978, the 3rd US Court of Appeals ruled in Lipp v. Morris, that a New Jersey statute requiring standing for the pledge was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court and the 3rd US Court of Appeals emphasized no one could be forced to stand and recite the pledge. To do otherwise would be forcing a citizen to conform to a particular type of conduct or expression of a government official. In 2003, U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Babcock ruled neither teachers nor any member of staff can be forced to recite or participate in the pledge. Babcock said it does not matter who you are because, It is beyond the power of the authority of the government to compel the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. In 2005, U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton ruled California violated the Establishment Clause by requiring students to recite the pledge. In his ruling, Karlton said he was bound by a 2002 precedent by the 9th U.S. District Court of Appeals. In his brief, Karlton affirmed that being forced to say, One nation under God, was coercing a person to state that a god exists. In 2006, the 11th Circuit Court ruled in Frazier v. Alexandre that students couldnt be forced to stand at attention because it violated the First Amendment. It also ruled students are allowed to be excused from the pledge only at the written request of a parent. Even then, they would still be required to stand for the pledge. The Supreme Court and the 11th Circuit court has since refused to hear any further appeals in the case. In the West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette case, the Supreme Court concluded, The action of a State in making it compulsory for children in the public schools to salute the flag and pledge allegianceviolates the First and Fourteenth Amendments. The Court further said the decision was not made in regard to the religion of the person who refused to comply. It clarified that forced standing and recitation of a pledge is not a permissible means of achieving national unity. The phrase, under God continues to be controversial. The Supreme Court has opted to not hear appeals from lower courts. While many say under God doesnt specify any particular religion, its disingenuous because it is specifically referencing the Christian god. Jews use the word Hashem when referencing god while Muslims use Allah. Others, such as Jehovahs Witnesses, are forbidden from reciting oaths of any kind. Atheists do not recognize the existence of any god and feel that the pledge is a defacto affirmation of one. In, What I expect My Child to Learn From Not Saying the Pledge of Allegiance, James Perry said if an allegiance is obligatory, there is no choice. It is, pledging the fidelity of a subject owed to his sovereign or government. Perhaps if American citizens spent more time learning that the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are what define America, and not a flag, they would even see how our freedoms are continually absorbed by the central government with each passing crisis, Perry wrote. If Americans studied these documents they might come to the conclusion that the pledge is antithetical to the spirit of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. The spirit of those documents is not one of subservient vassals of the state, but of sovereign citizens. We arent one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. And Im not going to recite an oath that was created to make a man more money that says we are. UW-Madison police are reporting a sexual assault took place at a fraternity house around midnight Friday night. The house is on Langdon Street, which is considered fraternity row for the UW-Madison campus. The fraternity was not identified. The victim may have been drugged, the incident report said. "Because the incident was reported to a Campus Security Authority, and not law enforcement, there is no active police investigation at this time," said spokesman Marc Lovicott. The department issued the incident report on Thursday. 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To help you find what you are looking for: Enter Search Term(s): Still cant find what youre looking for? Send us a message using our contact us form. To report a broken link or other problems with the website, please include the URL. Thank you for visiting state.gov. Opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a proposed free-trade agreement between the U.S. and 11 other Pacific nations, is one of the few key policies Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton agree on. And the candidates have considerable congressional backing, as members of both parties increasingly rail against trade pacts. Yet despite the bleak prospects for passage, President Obama has recently let Congress know that before he leaves office he will push for approval. Obamas determination isnt about his legacy, as some critics contend, but about Americas future prosperity in a globalized economy and a geopolitical landscape tested by a rising China. Americas Asian allies are looking to the United States for a tangible result of the administrations pivot to Asia, and generally regard the TPP as not just an economic but security link at a time of provocative territorial claims by Beijing. Backing away from the TPP and by extension regional allies could send just the wrong signal as maritime disputes indeed threaten global stability. Nearly 95 percent of the worlds customers lie beyond U.S. shores, and U.S. businesses should be able to sell to them in a lower-tariff environment. U.S. consumers benefit from lower-priced global goods, too. There have been and will be economic disruptions from free-trade agreements, but related legislation is designed to help mitigate these effects. Economic globalization will happen regardless of the fate of the TPP. Obama is right that its likely that China which is not party to the TPP will fill the void if America balks. If so, its highly unlikely that a Chinese-led effort would have anywhere near the environmental, labor, intellectual property and other protections the TPP seeks to address. And spiking it doesnt necessarily mean that United States-based multinational firms would maintain manufacturing in the U.S. In fact, many might seek to expand or locate in nations such as Mexico that are party to several free-trade agreements in order to lower tariffs. The stakes are high ... . (Congress) should carefully consider the economic, diplomatic and security consequences of America abdicating its global leadership role. An untrue rumor that litter boxes are being placed in schools for students who dress up in furry costumes and identify as cats has made its way to two North Carolina school districts despite the claim being easily debunked. After hearing chatter about litter boxes inside schools, an employee at North Lincoln High School in Lincolnton decided to put the rumor to rest. There is nobody ... Thursday, 08 September 2016 00:00:20 (GMT+3) | Sao Paulo The Chilean institute of normalization, INN, has opened a public hearing for its NCh 428 norm, which regulates the use of steel in civil construction projects, the countrys steel institute, Icha, announced this week. According to Icha, the public hearing will be opened until the end of October. The norm provides requirements for the detailing, production and quality control of steel structures. Icha said the existing regulation dates back from 1958, indicating the urgency for updating it. Icha explained the process of opening the norm for public consultation was a result of meetings at a committee at the Chilean steel institute, and was based in the Code of Standard Practice of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). Icha said the updating of the norm will be an important milestone, allowing the country to strengthen the control in the inspection of structures. The European non-integrated wire rod processors association EUNIRPA has stated that the picture of the current market as depicted by steel producers is not correct at all. Several EU steel producers claim that there is an excess of wire rod in the market, but in each and every country that we visit we hear the same complaint: we cannot find the tonnages that we need in Europe , said Kris Van Ginderdeuren, the president and spokesperson of the association. Thursday, 08 September 2016 14:34:31 (GMT+3) | Kolkata Responding to the steel industry plea to increase the domestic availability of coking coal India s Ministry of Coal has maintained that coking coal supplies could not be ramped up in the short term and would at best hit the 71 million mt target by 2020, a ministry official said on Thursday, September 8. The official said that, with current coking coal production pegged at 54 million mt per year, geological challenges and the limitations of metallurgical grade coal reserves in the country, it will be extremely challenging to meet higher demands from domestic sources as sought by Indian steel producers. Supporting the domestic steel producers, the Ministry of Steel has been in communication with the Ministry of Coal seeking higher domestic production of coking coal , thereby reducing the import dependency of domestic steel mills, the coal ministry official said. Supporting higher domestic availability, the steel ministry pointed out that in the current year coking coal imports are forecast to touch 50 million mt, against 43 million mt shipped during 2015-16, while they are projected to reach 180 million mt by 2025 if India is to achieve total steel production of 300 million mt, the official said. Thursday, 08 September 2016 09:06:32 (GMT+3) | Brescia In July this year, Italian producers' overall crude steel output increased by 7.1 percent year on year to 2,069,000 metric tons, as announced by the Italian steel association Federacciai. In the first seven months of the year, Italian crude steel output rose by 4.1 percent year on year to 14.204 million metric tons. July was the fourth consecutive month in which a year-on-year increase was recorded in Italian crude steel output, following the year-on-year declines seen in the first quarter this year. The July 2016 output figure was lower than the outputs of 2.115 million metric tons in July 2014, 2.094 million metric tons in July 2013, 2.405 million metric tons in July 2012 and 2.636 million metric tons in July 2011. JISCO Hongxing Steel receives subsidy from local government Thursday, 08 September 2016 10:43:56 (GMT+3) | Shanghai On September 8, Gansu Province-based Chinese steel producer Hongxing Steel, a listed subsidiary of Gansu-based steelmaker Jiuquan Iron and Steel Group (JISCO), announced that Gansu Provincial Finance Department has granted it a subsidy of RMB 136 million ($20.36 million) for a capacity reduction project. The subsidy in question will be used to relocate company workers affected by the capacity reduction. Similar articles Thursday, 08 September 2016 16:23:14 (GMT+3) | Istanbul Turkish steelmaker and service center Tat Metal has started the construction of a second galvanizing line at its Eregli plant in northern Turkey , SteelOrbis has been informed. The new galvanizing line with an annual capacity of 450,000 mt is expected to go into operation by December 2017. Tat Metal currently operates a galvanizing line with an annual capacity of 300,000 mt which can produce galvanized sheets with thicknesses of 0.2-20 mm and widths of 800-1,200 mm. Thursday, 08 September 2016 23:54:14 (GMT+3) | San Diego The US Department of Commerce (DOC) announced today the final results of the expedited sunset review of AD orders against Russian HRC As a result of this sunset review, the DOC found that revocation of the antidumping duty order on certain hot-rolled flat-rolled carbon-quality steel products Russia would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of the following dumping rates: JSC Severstal: 73.59 percent All other Russian producers: 184.56 percent The covered merchandise is classified in the HTSUS at subheadings: 7208.10.15.00, 7208.10.30.00, 7208.10.60.00, 7208.25.30.00, 7208.25.60.00, 7208.26.00.30, 7208.26.00.60, 7208.27.00.30, 7208.27.00.60, 7208.36.00.30, 7208.36.00.60, 7208.37.00.30, 7208.37.00.60, 7208.38.00.15, 7208.38.00.30, 7208.38.00.90, 7208.39.00.15, 7208.39.00.30, 7208.39.00.90, 7208.40.60.30, 7208.40.60.60, 7208.53.00.00, 7208.54.00.00, 7208.90.00.00, 7210.70.30.00, 7210.90.90.00, 7211.14.00.30, 7211.14.00.90, 7211.19.15.00, 7211.19.20.00, 7211.19.30.00, 7211.19.45.00, 7211.19.60.00, 7211.19.75.30, 7211.19.75.60, 7211.19.75.90, 7212.40.10.00, 7212.40.50.00, 7212.50.00.00. Thursday, 08 September 2016 16:34:00 (GMT+3) | Istanbul The US Department of Commerce (DOC) has announced its preliminary determinations in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of imports of certain carbon and alloy steel cut-to-length plate (CTL plate ) from China and South Korea. In the China investigation, the DOC has calculated a preliminary subsidy rate of 210.50 percent for Jiangyin Xingcheng Special Steel Works Co. Ltd., Hunan Valin Xiangtan Iron & Steel, and Viewer Development Co., Ltd. All other producers/exporters in China have also been assigned a preliminary subsidy rate of 210.50 percent. Meanwhile, in the investigation regarding imports from South Korea, the DOC has calculated a de minimis preliminary subsidy rate of 0.62 percent for POSCO and all other producers/exporters in South Korea. The DOC is scheduled to announce its final determinations on or about January 19, 2017. The products in question currently fall under Customs Tariff Statistics Position Numbers 7208.40.3030, 7208.40.3060, 7208.51.0030, 7208.51.0045, 7208.51.0060, 7208.52.0000, 7211.13.0000, 7211.14.0030, 7211.14.0045, 7225.40.1110, 7225.40.1180, 7225.40.3005, 7225.40.3050, 7226.20.0000, and 7226.91.5000. Thursday, 08 September 2016 10:03:36 (GMT+3) | Istanbul Demand for domestic production merchant bar in Turkey is still at low levels as buyers in the local Turkish merchant bar market are continue to conclude deals only in line with their needs. Besides the weakness of demand, due to the slight declines in raw material and finished steel prices, domestic merchant bar prices in the Turkish market have declined by an average of TRY10/mt compared to the price levels recorded on August 25. Domestic merchant bar prices in the Turkish market depending on size, thickness and region are at the following levels: Equal Angle Prices: Region Prices (TRY/mt) Price change (TRY/mt) 25.08.2016 Denizli Region (30-100 mm) 1,310-1,320 ($447-451/mt) 10 Karabuk Region (30-100mm) 1,270-1,290 ($434-441/mt) 10 Iskenderun Region (30-100 mm) 1,235-1,265 ($422-432/mt) 10 Izmir Region (30-100 mm) 1,280-1,290 ($437-441/mt) 10 Flat Bar Prices: Region Prices (TRY/mt) Price change (TRY/mt) 25.08.2016 Denizli Region (30-100 mm) 1,340-1,350 ($458-461/mt) 10 Karabuk Region (30-100mm) 1,300-1,320 ($444-451/mt) 10 Iskenderun Region (30-100 mm) 1,265-1,295 ($432-442/mt) 10 Izmir Region (30-100 mm) 1,310-1,320 ($447-451/mt) 10 NPI-NPU Prices: Region Prices (TRY/mt) Price change (TRY/mt) 25.08.2016 Denizli Region (30-100 mm) 1,310-1,320 ($447-451/mt) 10 Karabuk Region (30-100 mm) 1,270-1,290 ($434-441/mt) 10 Iskenderun Region (30-100 mm) 1,235-1,265 ($422-432/mt) 10 Izmir Region (30-50 mm) 1,280-1,290 ($437-441/mt) 10 All prices are ex-works, on actual weight basis, for September delivery and excluding VAT. It should be considered that offers below the prices ranges in question may be available, depending on the buyer and on the method of payment. $1 = TRY 2.93 Heavy rains Wednesday prompted several evacuations, flooded roads and set off sandbagging efforts across southern Wisconsin. The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for southwestern Wisconsin and a flood watch for Madison and south central Wisconsin until early Thursday. Flooding closed Highway 28 in Mayville in Dodge County from 10:50 a.m. to 10:41 p.m. and the left northbound lane of Interstate 39/90 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:48 p.m. on Wednesday, state officials reported. Sheriffs officials said parts of Highway 56 near Viola and Highway C near Yuba, a small village in Richland County, had flooded and sandbags were placed along the Pine River. Several roads throughout Richland County were closed. More than 7 inches of rain fell in the area by Wednesday morning. The weather service issued separate flood warnings for the villages of Readstown and Viola as the water level of the Kickapoo River isnt expected to fall below flood stage until Friday morning. More than 5 inches of rain was expected to fall in areas surrounding Madison, particularly to the north, the weather service said. From Tuesday through Wednesday evening, Madison received a little more than 3 inches of rain, according to the weather service. Jim Huffman, Yuba village president, said he alerted Yuba Fire Department volunteers at about 4:30 a.m. to muster for sandbag duty along the Pine River, which runs through the village 5 miles south of Hillsboro. The sandbagging saved our mill down here, he said. The basements of the villages two bars had flooded, Huffman said. The flooding had abated later in the morning, he said. The Richland School District canceled classes Wednesday because of the heavy rain. The Richland County Emergency Management office warned residents along the Pine and Kickapoo rivers to be aware of potential flooding, while all county residents were cautioned about trying to drive through flooded streets. When water covers a roadway, there is no way to know the condition of the road to ensure it has not washed out, the emergency management office said. St. Johns Lutheran School and Parkview Primary in Mayville were evacuated because of rising waters, while campers were evacuated at Sidie Hollow County Park near Viroqua because of flooding. According to market sources, European rebar offers to the export markets are currently at 370/mt ($419/mt) FOB. By MARK EVANS mevans@stegenherald.com Bloomsdale will probably host a major fireworks display. The pyrotechnics will not take place until 2024, however. During the Oct. 12 board of aldermen meeting, Kevin Wehner and city officials again discussed the possibility of a July 4 fireworks display at the youth soccer fields on land leased by the city Blog Archive Apr 2010 (22) May 2010 (25) Jun 2010 (8) Jul 2010 (12) Aug 2010 (18) Sep 2010 (19) Oct 2010 (29) Nov 2010 (30) Dec 2010 (18) Jan 2011 (13) Feb 2011 (21) Mar 2011 (23) Apr 2011 (19) May 2011 (31) Jun 2011 (36) Jul 2011 (46) Aug 2011 (26) Sep 2011 (12) Oct 2011 (15) Nov 2011 (17) Dec 2011 (7) Jan 2012 (18) Feb 2012 (4) Mar 2012 (12) Apr 2012 (18) May 2012 (10) Jun 2012 (21) Jul 2012 (8) Aug 2012 (15) Sep 2012 (7) Oct 2012 (17) Nov 2012 (20) Dec 2012 (10) Jan 2013 (58) Feb 2013 (59) Mar 2013 (60) Apr 2013 (98) May 2013 (134) Jun 2013 (204) Jul 2013 (293) Aug 2013 (351) Sep 2013 (363) Oct 2013 (347) Nov 2013 (374) Dec 2013 (440) Jan 2014 (544) Feb 2014 (475) Mar 2014 (525) Apr 2014 (527) May 2014 (470) Jun 2014 (408) Jul 2014 (472) Aug 2014 (522) Sep 2014 (441) Oct 2014 (471) Nov 2014 (496) Dec 2014 (535) Jan 2015 (535) Feb 2015 (520) Mar 2015 (579) Apr 2015 (657) May 2015 (679) Jun 2015 (673) Jul 2015 (728) Aug 2015 (803) Sep 2015 (923) Oct 2015 (921) Nov 2015 (801) Dec 2015 (791) Jan 2016 (782) Feb 2016 (835) Mar 2016 (929) Apr 2016 (864) May 2016 (946) Jun 2016 (1044) Jul 2016 (882) Aug 2016 (1035) Sep 2016 (966) Oct 2016 (918) Nov 2016 (854) Dec 2016 (885) Jan 2017 (879) Feb 2017 (777) Mar 2017 (896) Apr 2017 (872) May 2017 (850) Jun 2017 (851) Jul 2017 (971) Aug 2017 (1040) Sep 2017 (998) Oct 2017 (1144) Nov 2017 (1046) Dec 2017 (838) Jan 2018 (873) Feb 2018 (769) Mar 2018 (885) Apr 2018 (808) May 2018 (827) Jun 2018 (820) Jul 2018 (840) Aug 2018 (854) Sep 2018 (844) Oct 2018 (851) Nov 2018 (870) Dec 2018 (912) Jan 2019 (919) Feb 2019 (827) Mar 2019 (957) Apr 2019 (913) May 2019 (1007) Jun 2019 (934) Jul 2019 (949) Aug 2019 (936) Sep 2019 (910) Oct 2019 (920) Nov 2019 (874) Dec 2019 (908) Jan 2020 (941) Feb 2020 (848) Mar 2020 (898) Apr 2020 (848) May 2020 (822) Jun 2020 (787) Jul 2020 (819) Aug 2020 (858) Sep 2020 (841) Oct 2020 (873) Nov 2020 (811) Dec 2020 (780) Jan 2021 (765) Feb 2021 (716) Mar 2021 (819) Apr 2021 (805) May 2021 (815) Jun 2021 (824) Jul 2021 (830) Aug 2021 (832) Sep 2021 (791) Oct 2021 (754) Nov 2021 (683) Dec 2021 (693) Jan 2022 (694) Feb 2022 (654) Mar 2022 (740) Apr 2022 (745) May 2022 (748) Jun 2022 (701) Jul 2022 (704) Aug 2022 (702) Sep 2022 (699) Oct 2022 (689) KMG International renews its support for the International Competition George Enescu, taking place September 3 25 in Bucharest. The partnership signed in 2010 with the organizers of the Festival and of the Competition is a commitment to helping Romania grow through culture, as well as to promoting its correct image, through highly virtuous Romanian and international musicians. Culture is an indicator of a nations growth and evolution, and it is for this reason that we support various forms of art and we facilitate the publics access to quality musical events. Both Rompetrol and the George Enescu Festival and Competition have grown as Romanian brands, winning over international markets and promoting values such as creativity, national pride, will and determination. We invite the public to join the artistic act, to support it, by acquiring a ticket, and to let themselves be taken with the magic and joy of discovering classical music. Bogdan Oslobeanu project director KMG International. The activities supported by Rompetrol within this years edition include the Competitions inaugural gala, that took place on September 3 at the Romanian Athenaeum. The gala concert was held by laureates from some of the competitions previous editions Anna Tifu (violin), Valentin Radutiu (cello), and Mihai Ritivoiu (piano), along with the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by HoriaAndreescu. The International Competition George Enescu is organized every two years, alternate to the Festival, and within this years edition, 196 young artists are competing in 4 sections (violin, cello, piano and composition). In addition, there will be recitals held by established musicians, such as Spanish pianist Josu de Solaun (laureate of the 2014 edition of the competition) or Lithuanian cellist David Geringas (also a jury member in this years edition). This year, KMG International is also partner of the event-concerts on October 7 and 8, to be held at the Romanian Athenaeum, when Maestro Christian Badea will be conducting the George Enescu PhilharmonicOrchestra that will be opening the stage with Act I of the Parsifal Opera, by Richard Wagner. The invited soloists are Stefan Vinke (Parsifal), Eric Halfvarson (Gurnenmanz), Petra Lang (Kundry), and BelaPerencez (Amfortas), acknowledged to be among the greatest Wagner interpreters in the world at the moment. KMG International is involved since 2010 in cultural programmes and projects with the purpose of catalyzing important social values and representing Romania with impact and consistency, both nationally and internationally (G. Enescu Festival and Competition), as well as by financially supporting the young talents in their artistic development (the Orchestra of the Princess Margareta of Romania Foundation, in 2015), by donating a harp to the Youth Orchestra (2013), as well as through supporting cultural exchanges between Romania and Kazakhstan, by promoting young musicians ZhibekMussurgaliyeva, Arman Mourzagaliyev. Bayer seems to think it can win over Monsanto with a slow-motion approach. The German drug and chemicals giant, which has been pursuing the Creve Coeur agriculture company for three and a half months, has raised its initial offer twice by a grand total of 4.5 percent. Thats too little to convince analysts that the deal is going to happen. Were still skeptical, says Matt Arnold, an analyst at Edward Jones in Des Peres. Every time theres a small increase, its followed by headlines that large Bayer shareholders are uncomfortable with the price, and we dont believe the price is enough to sway Monsantos board. Nobody believes it is going to happen, echoes Juli Niemann, an analyst with Smith Moore in Clayton. The market doesnt believe it, and Bayer shareholders dont want to pay for it. Ive never seen something drag out like this. Monsanto shares traded Thursday at $108.05, 15 percent below Bayers latest offer of $127.50 a share. The discount hasnt narrowed since Monsanto rejected an initial offer of $122 a share in late May, even though Monsanto describes the companies talks as constructive. The tone sounded open, Arnold said of Monsantos most recent statement, but whenever they offer their assessment of the price, I think they will again deem it inadequate. Antitrust worries also may stand in the way of a merger. Bayer has offered to pay Monsanto a $1.5 billion breakup fee if the deal is rejected, but Arnold said that seems light for a very large transaction that has quite a bit of risk of being blocked. Arnold has calculated that Monsanto might hold out for $140 a share or more in a takeover, and the companys investor presentation in August did nothing to lower his estimate. Among other initiatives, Monsanto executives laid out a vision for turning their ag-data unit, Climate Corp., into an Amazon of agriculture. Arnolds calculation assumes that Monsanto will value its own future earning power the same way it valued Syngenta, the Swiss company it pursued last year. Syngenta rejected Monsantos offer and sold itself instead to ChemChina, a state-owned Chinese company. As the merger talks have progressed, Monsanto has given Bayer some access to its books. Since that has motivated the German company to raise its offer only slightly, one question is why Monsanto doesnt declare the negotiations to be a waste of time. That, however, might rankle Monsantos shareholders. Most of them apparently believe in the companys long-term prospects, but they also know the agriculture business is depressed right now. If Bayer ceases to be a potential buyer, Monsantos shares might fall to $90, about where they stood before the takeover drama began in May, or even lower. You would see the price go into the 80s, Niemann said. The initial instinct on something like that is to sell heavily. Monsanto also may not mind the slow pace of the talks with Bayer. It has said cryptically that it also is considering proposals from other parties and other strategic alternatives. Maybe the presence of an active suitor is helping bring those alternatives into focus. If Monsanto still considers Bayers offer inadequate, it is likely to issue a rejection in the next few days. Bayer then can continue the friendly discussions or it can go hostile. The German company reportedly has a board meeting next Wednesday, so we may know soon whether the players in this slow-drip drama are about to pick up the pace. Updated at 9:19 a.m. Thursday CHICAGO Smithfield Foods Inc., a subsidiary of WH Group Ltd., on Thursday said its hog processing plant in Illinois that had been closed since Monday due to a fire will resume limited operations on Thursday. Smithfield's Monmouth, Ill. facility plans to run a full schedule on Friday and Saturday after the fire in the rendering portion of the plant earlier this week, company spokeswomen Kathleen Kirkham said in a statement. ________ Our earlier story, by Reuters, posted Tuesday. CHICAGO Smithfield Foods Inc., a subsidiary of WH Group Ltd., on Tuesday said a hog slaughterhouse in Illinois will be operational as soon as possible after a fire halted pork production on Monday. "(The) cause of the fire is being investigated," Smithfield spokeswoman Kathleen Kirkham said, adding that there were no injuries in the fire that occurred in a rendering section of the facility in Monmouth, about 200 miles north of St. Louis. Smithfield says it is the world's largest hog producer and pork processor. The company's Farmland Foods plant in Monmouth can process more than 10,000 hogs per day, accounting for only a small percentage of total U.S. hog slaughter capacity of more than 440,000 hogs per day, according to industry data. With the U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasting record-large U.S. hog supplies this year, any prolonged outage would likely back up supplies and weigh on prices. Chicago Mercantile Exchange October lean hogs fell 2.3 percent to 59.325 cents per pound, with losses partially tied to the Smithfield outage, traders said. One hog dealer said the fire damaged refrigeration lines for coolers at the plant. Another dealer said the facility likely will not be accepting hogs for at least two days. The parent company of Laclede Gas fired back at a critical report from state regulators this week, accusing them of inaccurately summarizing their findings. St. Louis-based Spire Inc., formerly known as the Laclede Group, filed its rebuttal Tuesday to a Missouri Public Service Commission staff report released last week that indicated Spires $1.6 billion purchase of utility Alagasco two years ago has increased rates for Laclede Gas customers. Spire argues some of the reports summary language conflicts with PSC staffs findings buried within the body of the 77-page investigation. That misled customers of its two Missouri utilities, Laclede and Missouri Gas Energy, Spire says. This incorrect summary has, in turn, been relied upon by the media to misinform the customers of Laclede Gas and (Missouri Gas Energy) into believing something that is simply not true a result that unfairly tarnishes the reputation of Spire and Laclede Gas and does a real disservice to customers, employees and shareholders, Spires rebuttal says. The report from the PSC staff last week was part of an investigation focused on determining whether Missouri regulators have jurisdiction over Spires pending purchase of small utilities in Mississippi and Alabama. It also looked at whether the PSC had authority to review Spires purchase of Alagasco two years ago. At the time, the PSC didnt argue it had jurisdiction and the deal closed in late 2014. The report indicated that increased debt from Spires purchases could raise borrowing costs that would affect ratepayers at Laclede. The report also said that Spire told Alabama regulators Laclede Gas would help operate Alagasco as part of the deal, which regulators never approved. Spire quoted portions of the staffs own report that say the PSC was not asserting the companys customer service has declined yet. And Spire noted that it has not filed for higher rates since 2013, before the Alagasco purchase. Rate increases have been confined to smaller infrastructure surcharges several times a year, and the cost of capital regulators use to calculate them has not changed due to its purchases, the utility says. It hinted that borrowing costs could indeed increase, but not because of its expansion. It should be noted that Staffs one-sided Report is certain to call into question the Missouri regulatory environment by credit analysts, Spires 20-page response says. Spire argued its recent purchases are a refreshing departure from the serial takeover of companies that used to be headquartered in this state, and that when it files a rate case, acquisitions will help keep costs down. The Office of Public Counsel has advocated for a rate case so that Laclede Gas is forced to open its books to regulators. The PSC staff report also said any issues uncovered in its investigation would be best addressed in a general rate case. Public Counsel has a separate overearnings complaint pending against Laclede. The company sought legislation earlier this year that would have given it two more years before it has to file a rate case under the statute. It must file a rate case in April under state law. The effect of the report is unclear. PSC Chairman Daniel Hall emphasized Wednesday that the report was investigatory and that staff has indicated it will file complaints over Spires failure to seek approval for its purchases. The commission has not made any decisions whatsoever on the merits of the alleged violations by Laclede, and it notes that staff has indicated it intends to file a complaint and that will be the appropriate case to take up those issues, Hall said. St. Louis band iLLPHONiCS is busy promoting its new Gone With the Trends album on its biggest stage yet, this weekend at LouFest. Gone With the Trends is the bands first album with the Kansas City-based label Record Machine. Band members revealed the acts they want to see most at LouFest. By Kevin C. Johnson Simon Spank Chervitz (bass) Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires They bring the funk on a level that I appreciate and are probably the closest thing to seeing James Brown you can get in 2016, but hes an incredible showman in his own right. Preservation Hall Jazz Band As a moderate jazz head, Im totally pumped to see some New Orleans brass. Tubas always make for a good time, and I know theyll put it down. Kevin Koehler (guitarist) The Sleepy Rubies One of the amazingly talented local groups playing LouFest, and just good people. Support the homegrown talent, folks! Ms. Lauryn Hill With one of the most classic albums of my adolescence, Im totally curious to hear what shell play and expect to be vibing pretty hard to whatever it is. Larry Fallout Morris (frontman) Anderson .Paak Right now he is one of my favorite mainstream hip-hop artists. He embodies so much of what iLLPHONiCS has represented over the years with his ability to merge genres into a style all his own. His Jimmy Fallon appearance was the icing on the cake for me. Changing out commissioners on the Board of Elections has been a St. Louis tradition since at least 1936. That was the year that an in-depth Post-Dispatch investigation discovered that the 1935 election that cleared the way for the Jefferson Memorial to be built was fraught with fraud. There were ghost voters, people who listed addresses at abandoned buildings, questionable absentee ballots, and actual voters who showed up on the records as having voted but later told reporters they hadnt. Exactly 80 years ago Friday, this newspaper printed the names and addresses of some of those voters, people whose votes helped lead to the Gateway Arch but who never actually made it to the polls that day. One name stood out to me: Will Wainwright. On Tuesday, Gov. Jay Nixon stood in the first floor conference room of the historic downtown St. Louis building that maintains the Wainwright name and announced that he was removing two Election Board commissioners and installing new ones so that St. Louis voters would have faith and confidence in the election process. Good luck with that. The governor made the move as a result of the accusations that state Rep. Penny Hubbard and her family conspired to stuff the absentee ballot box in her House District 78 primary win over fellow Democrat Bruce Franks. Last week Circuit Court Judge Rex Burlison overturned the election and declared a new one as a result of the Election Board failing to follow state law related to absentee voters. The incident also has spurred a grand jury investigation by Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce. Its a St. Louis problem, but its one that must be solved by the governor, because of a quirky state law that gives him control over the election boards in Missouris two biggest cities. Nixon is following the Election Board script first executed by Gov. Guy Brasfield Park in 1936. In response to the widespread voter fraud exposed by the newspaper, Park removed the Election Board commissioners. In the end, the Post-Dispatch won a Pulitzer Prize in public service for its reporting, but the results of the election stood. Eighty years later, some things havent changed. When it comes to the citys Election Board, problems happen, investigations ensue, commissioners are replaced, and the whole process begins again. Rinse. Repeat. In 1985, for instance, former 7th Ward Alderman Sorkis J. Webbe Jr. was convicted of vote fraud for allegedly conspiring with his father and others to alter absentee votes to steal the 1980 Democratic primary. There were inquiries and trials. Election Board commissioners were replaced to restore faith in the process. Then there was 1994 and questions were raised about Election Board connections to riverboat gambling before a vote. There was another purge. In 1997, the governor moved again to restore order. By 2000, the Justice Department was back, suing the citys Election Board for widespread problems in St. Louis during the presidential election. Nixon was the state attorney general at the time, and his top aide was Burlison, who found himself on the opposite side of where he is today, defending the state against such outside intrusion. In 2001, after FBI subpoenas, Gov. Bob Holden made changes. One of his top aides was Jane Dueker, the lawyer now representing the Hubbards in the latest Election Board tiff. Three years later, state Auditor Claire McCaskill (now a U.S. senator) called for the Election Board law to be changed, suggesting local control would be better than the long-standing tradition of the governor making political appointments to the troubled board. That was the basis of my question to Nixon on Tuesday. I asked if the problem wasnt the commissioners, nor the current political family gone awry, but a broken system. I dont think so, Nixon said. Heres what he didnt mention in his news conference: In naming two new commissioners to clean up the current mess, hes ousting the last two people he named to the post in 2011 to do the same thing, restore faith and confidence in the election process. Apparently, former Circuit Court Judge Joan Burger was just the person for the job when the Election Board last needed a fix. Now? Heres what Nixon said when I asked him if Burger had been doing a good job: Well, I mean, its not like I get up every day thinking about the I will say this the two lawsuits I mean these are Im not here in any way shape or form saying the two people we are replacing One (Burger) is a retired circuit court judge with a distinguished career Its just time for change here. Its time for a change, but not too big of one. In St. Louis, the Election Board, like the Gateway Arch, casts a shadow over the city, because repeating past sins is a lot easier than learning from them. UPDATED at 7:30 a.m. with ID of shooting victim. RIVERVIEW One man was shot dead in Riverview on Wednesday night, and police soon found a second gunshot victim nearby who survived. Police say they are working to determine if the two shootings are connected. The dead man was identified as Marvell Kindle, 26, of the 10200 block of Diamond Drive. Kindle was shot in the 10000 block of Diamond Drive at about 9:15 p.m. Wednesday. He died at a hospital. Almost simultaneously, and near to where Kindle was found, police say they discovered a second gunshot victim, a 20-year-old man, who survived. Police haven't released his name. That second victim ran to a nearby home for help and was taken to a hospital, said Officer Benjamin Granda of the St. Louis County Police Department. Police say he was stable Thursday morning. Kindle apparently had been walking in the Riverview area when he was approached and shot on Diamond, near Chambers Road, police say. Police don't have any suspects. The Riverview Police Department and the St. Louis County Police Department are investigating. The scene is less than a mile north of another homicide scene the day before. Activist Daren Seals, 29, was found fatally shot inside a burned out car on Tuesday in the 9600 block of Diamond Drive. Riverview police called the St. Louis County Police Department at about 1:50 a.m. Tuesday to take over that homicide investigation. Seals' body had been found inside a vehicle after firefighters extinguished a car fire. The county police Bomb and Arson Unit also is helping in the investigation. Authorities haven't disclosed a possible motive in the Seals case. Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-8477. Tipsters also can also call county police at 314-615-5400. Nassim Benchaabane and Kim Bell of the Post-Dispatch staff contributed to this report. ST. LOUIS An absentee voting process revised amid allegations of fraud began Thursday in the special election for the 78th District state representative race The process begins a day after the Missouri Secretary of States office released a report that strongly encourages the St. Louis prosecutor to review each absentee ballot cast in the race during the Aug. 2 Democratic primary to determine if any election laws were broken. Irregularities in absentee ballots in that primary spawned a lawsuit by Bruce Franks, a political newcomer who was looking to unseat state Rep. Penny Hubbard. Although Franks, 31, got the majority of votes cast on Election Day, the large number of absentee ballots cast put Hubbard, 62, over the top. The total difference: 90 votes out of 4,316 cast. A judge on Friday threw out the results and ordered a new election Sept. 16. On Wednesday afternoon, the St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners met for the first time since Circuit Judge Rex Burlisons ruling. The meeting was held a day after Gov. Jay Nixon replaced two of four commissioners, saying the board was not doing its job. New chairman Erwin Switzer peppered election directors with questions about the process they will use in the special election. The most notable difference this time around is that those who walk in to the Election Board office downtown to vote absentee will have to do so with paper ballots. When a voter is finished with the ballot, he or she will be instructed to seal it in an envelope and then drop it into a locked box. The lack of envelopes with 142 walk-in absentee ballots was the crux of the election challenge by Franks. Burlison agreed that without an envelope, which contains voter information such as a signature and reason for voting absentee, there is no way to challenge the ballot. As a result, no touchscreen voting will be allowed at the Election Board office. To accommodate as many voters as possible, the Election Board is adding Saturday hours from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for absentee voting. On Election Day, polls will be open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voting will take place at 20 polling places representing the 25 precincts that comprise the 78th District, a long narrow strip of the city hugging the Mississippi River. Switzer said Secretary of State Jason Kander called him on Tuesday evening to offer whatever assistance was needed to run a successful special election. I told him we need a very quick turnaround on certification, Switzer said, and he said he was aware of that. Election results must first be certified by the city Election Board, then the secretary of state. The quick turnaround is important because absentee voting for the citywide Nov. 8 general election begins Sept. 27, just 11 days after the special election. Details on the special election can be found on the Election Board website, at www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/board-election-commissioners. Earlier Wednesday, Kanders office released the findings of its formal review of the Hubbard and Franks race. The secretary of states office strongly encourages Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce to review each absentee ballot cast in the state rep race to determine if there were any violations of election law, the report states. Additionally, the secretary of states office said it will remain in contact with the Election Board as it conducts a special election to ensure that every eligible voter has a right to vote and only eligible voters have that opportunity. The review by the states top election official was prompted by an ongoing Post-Dispatch investigation, showing repeated irregularities in the absentee balloting process. And it comes as Joyces office launches a grand jury investigation into possible criminal wrongdoing associated with the election. As part of the review, Kanders office contacted those who were quoted in an Aug. 31 Post-Dispatch article, including voter Thelma Williams, who told the newspaper she had no idea why multiple absentee ballot applications were filled out in her name. Kanders office also talked with Patricia Bingham, a former Election Board employee who told the Post-Dispatch that Hubbards husband, Rodney Sr., or someone from the Hubbard campaign, would often bring in stacks of absentee ballots to the Election Board office. Under the boards procedures, only one walk-in ballot is to be accepted at a time, and it must be brought into the office by a relative. On Friday, Burlison ordered a new election, saying that the court is firmly convinced that absentee ballot irregularities affected the outcome of the election. He said the flawed handling of absentee ballots was solely the responsibility of the City of St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners. Attorneys for Hubbard filed an appeal. The Missouri Court of Appeals will begin hearing oral arguments at 2 p.m. Monday. Switzer, a Democrat who replaced former Circuit Judge Joan Burger as Election Board commissioner, deflected questions about assurances that past problems would be remedied for the special election. He said he was focusing on moving forward and not on what was done in the past. Asked what the plan would be if an appeals court granted a stay on holding the special election, Switzer said the board was focusing all its efforts on preparing for Sept. 16. EDWARDSVILLE A judge on Friday ordered a competency evaluation for a man accused of making a terrorist threat because of her own bona fide doubt of (his) fitness for trial. Associate Judge Jennifer Hightower appointed Daniel Cuneo, a forensic psychologist in Belleville, to examine Keaun Cook, 18, of Godfrey. Cook is held in the Madison County Jail on charges of making a terrorist threat and providing material support for terrorism. Hightower was to hold a hearing Friday on a motion by States Attorney Tom Gibbons to deny bail for Cook. But she chose to order an evaluation after observing Cook in court on Wednesday. During that hearing, Cook rambled about a situation and said the wrong picture has been painted. Hightower stopped the proceeding once Cook agreed to representation by Madison County Public Defender John Rekowski, already in the courtroom at her request. Relatives say Cook suffers from mental illness. My grandson is not a terrorist, said Debra Thomas of Godfrey, his grandmother. He just has mental issues. Rekowski said, I think the sheriff and states attorney were absolutely justified in moving forward when they did. With these allegations, you have to err on the side of caution, He added, Now, lets do the next right thing about whether this man is a terrorist or sick. Knowing what I know of him so far, about his background and extensive mental health issues, I think hes sick. And in this country, we dont lock up sick people. Gibbons has said the sheriffs office developed the case after getting a tip that Cook was linked to threats of a terrorist attack in the area. He was charged Sept. 1. Hightower said she will set a new hearing after receiving Cuneos report. When Cook was charged, Gibbons alleged that the teen had been in contact through social media with individuals (Cook) believed would be capable of committing a mass casualty terrorist attack somewhere in the local area. Gibbons said investigators went to the Thomas residence in the 1300 block of Sir Galahad Lane on a welfare check and developed evidence linking Cook to terrorist threats. Gibbons said deputies obtained a recording that supports the charges; he declined to cite its source. PTSD is cited In an interview this week, Thomas said Cook has suffered from mental illnesses since he saw his mother die from complications of lupus in 2011, when he was 13. She said he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, started getting in frequent trouble for minor violations and was in and out of mental health centers over the next few years. Eventually, she said, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Cook became aggressive and paranoid and was unable to drive or hold a job, Thomas said. He would talk to himself and refused to use phones or other electronic devices because he thought he was being watched, she said. Thomas said she tried to get help for Cook, but no one responded. She said she called officials to her home on Aug. 24, hoping they would take him to a mental health institution. When sheriffs deputies decided to leave Cook at the home, Thomas said, she played a recording she made that day of Cook talking to himself and showed them messages she found on his phone, also that day. He was talking out of his head, she said. Officials then took Cook to a mental facility where he spent five days, Thomas said. Two days after he returned home, officers arrested him. He has mental issues thats the only reason I called that night, she said. I wanted to get him help. Not get him in trouble. Cook does not present a danger, Thomas said. While he was paranoid and acted out, his behavior was made worse by the treatment he experienced in the juvenile justice system, she said. I did my part, she said. The system failed him. Missourians are about to be sorely inconvenienced because state lawmakers adamantly refuse to abide by security standards mandated by the federal REAL ID Act. Beginning Thursday, Scott Air Force Base wont let Missouri visitors enter with only a state drivers license, and they already are being denied entry at Fort Leonard Wood. Whiteman Air Force Base in western Missouri is set to begin enforcing the stricter standards, and its only going to get more restrictive the longer legislators wait. In coming years, Missourians will need more than state-issued IDs to get on planes and into federal facilities. When construction begins next year on a new western headquarters for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in north St. Louis, Missouri workers may need to show passports or be escorted while on the secured site. Missouri, Minnesota, Washington are the only states, along with American Samoa, that have not adopted federal secure ID measures or received extensions to meet the requirements. Bringing Missouri ID holders into compliance could take years. The longer lawmakers wait, the more likely new security measures wont be finished by 2018, when the Department of Homeland Security says it will no longer allow Missourians to board planes with state-issued identification. The department says 90 percent of U.S. drivers already hold compliant IDs or are transitioning to them. The REAL ID Act of 2005 requires all state-issued ID cards to contain holograms, threads and other security measures to prevent them from being counterfeited or altered. The goal is to prevent terrorists from using false IDs to gain access to airliners and secure facilities. Without compliant IDs, Missourians will have to provide passports or other federally approved identification. Missouri lawmakers in 2009 passed a law prohibiting the state from complying, citing concerns about privacy and too much federal intrusion. Some worried REAL ID was a ploy to establish a national identity card. Gov. Jay Nixon signed the law, acknowledging the need to protect Missourians privacy. In January, he reversed himself and urged legislators to change the law, warning that Missourians risked major inconveniences at airports and federal facilities. Proposed legislation to fix the problem failed to win approval despite reassurances from John Mollenkamp, deputy director of the Department of Revenue, that ID information would not be entered into a federal or national database. He said at most it would be shared state-to-state, which has been standard procedure for years. Legislators must stop kowtowing to the fear mongers and conspiracy theorists. Cellphones already have data chips that make our movements traceable. Far too much energy has gone into fighting an ID measure designed in the post-9/11 era to make us all safer. Lets not lose sight of the main goal here: keeping terrorists at bay. Successful divorces are not an oxymoron. Studies show they are a likely outcome when the best interests of children are the main priority for all concerned. Missouri legislators should take a bow for passing a new law that helps ensure more successful divorces by giving fathers more consideration in divorce custody decisions. More doesnt mean more than the mother; it simply means equal to her when it comes time for a judge to decide physical custody. Fathers have not had equal consideration in the past. Theyve been forced by the courts into a lower-priority position as judges typically assumed the childs best interests were with the mother. Missouri, like most states, enacted divorce laws before much research had been conducted on the value of a fathers involvement in parenting. It was presumed that a mother was the significant custodial parent and a father was the breadwinner, at best, and therefore did not need shared physical custody of the children. Recent research has put the lie to that damaging theory. It shows that a flexible shared parenting arrangement, with children spending approximately equal time with each parent after divorce or separation, is the ideal. When physical custody is shared between psychologically healthy adults, children thrive. And thats what success is all about in this context. Shared parenting encourages healthy child development, fosters better communication, discourages parents from giving the child conflicting information and reduces stress on the child by reducing parental confrontation. The new Missouri law, designed to combat an anti-father bias, is the fourth of its kind in the nation. The Massachusetts-based National Parents Organization has led the battle for equal parental treatment in divorce court for two decades. Dr. Ned Holstein, founder of the group, said the new law will help families avoid damaging custody battles and allow them to heal from the pain of a failed marriage from a position of equality and co-parenting. Neither gender has a lock on good parenting. Or bad. For a variety of sociological reasons, divorcing fathers frequently have been stereotyped as the less worthy parent when divorce courts weighed questions of shared physical custody. As the Post-Dispatchs Nancy Cambria recently wrote, Linda Reutzel of Cape Girardeau led the effort to change the law in Missouri. Reutzel said she was motivated after seeing firsthand the damage done to the relationship between her divorced son and his daughter when he was awarded joint custody but not as much time as the childs mother received. Grandparents and other family members also suffer when they are separated from children in a divorce. Surrounding children with loving and competent adults from father to grandparents, aunts and uncles is the best way to help them recover a sense of balance amid the trauma. Since Alexander Flemings discovery of penicillin in 1928, antibiotics have protected hundreds of millions of people from infectious diseases and are now taken for granted as part of modern life. But overuse of antibiotics is leading to new bacteria strains immune even to antibiotics of last resort. On 21 September world leaders will meet at the United Nations headquarters in New York to adopt a new declaration on antimicrobial resistance. In advance of this meeting Peter Sgaard Jrgensen an affiliate of Stockholm Resilience Centre and researcher at the Global Economic Dynamics and the Biosphere, and colleagues, have published a commentary in Nature arguing that the susceptibility of microbes to antibiotics is a global commons that has been depleted by the massive use of antimicrobial compounds. Solutions require creativity The authors, which also include centre researcher Maja Schluter and Simon Levin of the Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, argue that the aim of such a declaration must be to build resilience of our global society and the microbiome to maintain low levels of resistance and they set out a series of recommendations to protect this global commons. Police are appealing for witnesses after a teenage motorbike rider suffered multiple injuries after being involved in collision with a Land Rover near Henley-in-Arden. It happened at about 3.15pm yesterday, Wednesday, 7th September, at a junction on the A4189 near to the junction of Morton Bagot. The 18-year-old sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to University Hospital in Coventry. His bike was said to be an motorcross off-roader. An ambulance, a paramedic area support officer and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance were sent to the scene. Road closures were in place whilst emergency services attended at the scene and the road was reopened at approximately 7pm. A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: When crews arrived at the junction, there was a Land Rover that had significant damage to its rear and a motorcycle with considerable damage. The rider, an 18-year-old man, had suffered multiple injuries. "The doctor from the air ambulance anaesthetised him at the scene before he was airlifted to the major trauma centre at University Hospital Coventry. The man driving the Land Rover was shaken but otherwise unhurt. Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision or either of the vehicles prior to the collision. Call Warwickshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 246 of 7 September 2016 with any information. Piper Jaffray analyst Brooks West notes that during yesterday's KOL call, cybersecurity expert Mark Lanterman refuted security claims by MedSec and Muddy Waters against St. Jude Medical's (NYSE: STJ) pacemakers, defibrillators and Merlin monitoring system. West noted that Lanterman began the discussion with the statement that the notion of hacking implantable medical devices was not new (referencing security around then Vice President Cheneys pacemaker) and that through his work with several large device manufacturers he had firsthand experience with security protocols for these device. He also said a 'crash attack' could not be replicated. " First, Lanterman refuted the notion that a hack could be carried out from 50 ft (or that a mass attack could be carried out with an enhanced antenna). Lanterman acquired a [email protected] device and recreated the exact radiowave emitted by the STJ devices. Lanterman estimated a potential attacker would need to be within 5.5 ft of a patient (vs. MedSecs claim of 50 ft.), and stated that if an attacker was that close to a patient other avenues of attack would be of more concern than interfering with a pacemaker. Lanterman stated that his test was more accurate than MedSecs as he measured the exact radio frequency passing through a body where MedSec measured through the air.: Lanterman said a 'battery drain attack' is also unlikely. Lanterman agreed with STJs assessment that a battery drain would take hundreds of hours of sustained pings again within close proximity to the patient, the analyst noted. This type of attack would also most certainly be noticed by the patient. The KOL also stated that if the problems suggested did exist, they could be easily corrected by a security patch and that this fix would not require the two years (and product recall) suggested by MedSec but rather could be downloaded in a similar manner to a software update to an iPhone," Overall, Lanterman stated that there is not much meat on the bone to the MedSec claims and the quality of the analysis. Paired with comments from Abbott at a competitor conference earlier in the day that the STJ acquisition was progressing toward a close before year-end, they see little reason to believe the transaction will not close in the planned timeframe. The firm maintained a Neutral rating and $82 PT on St. Jude Medical. For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on St. Jude Medical click here. For more ratings news on St. Jude Medical click here. Shares of St. Jude Medical closed at $79.18 yesterday. Accenture (NYSE: ACN) announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire New Energy Group, an Italy-based company specializing in Salesforce solutions. The move solidifies Accenture as a leading provider of Salesforce capabilities in Italy and Spain and strengthens the companys overall global footprint, market-leading technology capabilities and deep industry experience. Through its Cloud First agenda, Accenture is the leading provider of end-to-end, high-standard cloud strategy and technology consulting, as well as cloud application implementation, integration and management services for enterprise clients. Once the acquisition is completed, New Energy Groups professionals will join the Accenture Cloud First Applications team, which delivers cloud services for Salesforce, Workday, ServiceNow, Google, Pegasystems and other pure play cloud technologies. As part of the deal, Accenture will acquire all New Energy branded organizations including the New Energy Salesforce services team in Italy, the New Energy Salesforce services Aborda team in Spain and the digital services team Mind in Italy. In addition, Accenture will also acquire Bit2win, New Energys suite of products and solutions based on Salesforce. Bit2win enables companies to transform their front office with simple, agile and digitally-enabled sales solutions. We continue to invest in our Cloud First agenda and expand our capabilities in Europe, as evidenced by our agreement to acquire New Energy Group, which will reinforce Accentures position as a leading provider of Salesforce capabilities in Italy and Spain, said Saideep Raj, Managing Director, Cloud First Applications, Accenture. By integrating New Energy Groups people and assets with ours, we will grow the best cloud talent in Europe and around the world to provide clients with unmatched cloud services and digital capabilities. As a result of this acquisition, Accenture will continue to lead in the new era of service delivery and flexibility, where applications, infrastructure and business processes are brought together and delivered As-a-Service. Accenture continues to grow and strengthen its position as a leading enterprise cloud services provider. Accenture was one of the first global companies to establish a strategic alliance partnership with Salesforce and today has leading capabilities in Salesforce with more than 3,700 unique certified professionals. Upon close and after combining with New Energy Group, Accenture will add to its global team another 200 certified professionals from Italy and Spain, with more than 300 Salesforce certifications. We are proud to be joining Accenture and combining our skills and innovative approach with the global scale of Accenture. Our focus on cloud and digital transformation will be empowered and will offer our clients unmatched opportunities to realize the full potential of the As-a-Service economy. Our Bit2win software suite will be enhanced by Accentures industry expertise and its global investment and network of businesses, said Giuseppe Mammola, chief executive officer, New Energy Group. We have always been excited by change and now we are joining forces with Accenture for a new challenge to provide leading and innovative solutions in a cloud world. In October 2015, Accenture acquired Cloud Sherpas, a leader in cloud advisory and technology services specializing in Google, Salesforce and ServiceNow, in the US and CRMWaypoint in the Netherlands in January 2016, which followed previously acquired Salesforce solution providers, Tquila UK and ClientHouse the previous year. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Completion of the acquisition is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Calgon Carbon Corporation (NYSE: CCC) and Hyde Marine congratulate the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on ratification of the 2004 International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (the Convention). According to the IMO, todays accession to the Convention by Finland brings the total number of countries signing the convention to 52, representing 35.14% of the worlds tonnage. By surpassing both 30 signatory countries and 35% of the world's represented tonnage, the Convention will now come into force on September 8, 2017, twelve months from todays ratification. We are excited that after many years of preparation, we can finally start tackling the problem of invasive species, said Steve Schott, Calgon Carbons Executive Vice President, Advanced Materials, Manufacturing, and Equipment Division. In anticipation of this day, our Hyde Marine team has been assembling a strong network of partners and suppliers to meet customer demand for our Hyde GUARDIAN Gold ballast water treatment system (BWTS). Hyde Marine has evolved its design to create one of the most compact, robust, easy-to-operate, and environmentally safe treatment systems to serve the global market. "Were proud to be a part of this moment," said Randy Dearth, Calgon Carbons Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "It has been a long road, but in the end it is the environment that benefits most from implementing this needed Convention. By having sold over 450 systems, we are well positioned to service this very exciting market." The Hyde GUARDIAN Gold BWTS has received IMO Type Approval and uses space-efficient filtration and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection to treat ships' ballast water to prevent the spread of invasive species from port to port. Due to the uniqueness of its system design and ease of use, Hyde Marine has become a leader in the provision of in-service vessel retrofit systems. Hyde Marine recently completed land-based testing at DHI in Denmark, under the auspices of the DNV-GL Independent Laboratory. This updated IMO testing provides confidence to ship owners throughout the world that the Hyde GUARDIAN Gold treatment system is capable of operation in the most challenging water conditions. Hyde Marine now intends to repeat the testing commencing in the first quarter of 2017, using currently required U.S. Coast Guard test methods in its pursuit of achieving U.S. Coast Guard Type Approval. About Hyde Marine With more than 100 years in the maritime industry and pioneering development of ballast water treatment technologies, Hyde Marine, the trade name of Calgon Carbon Corporation's (NYSE: CCC) Calgon Carbon UV Technologies LLC subsidiary, has become the leading U.S. manufacturer and educator regarding regulations, technologies, installation experiences, and challenges facing this sector. Since its initial launch in 1998, the Hyde GUARDIAN BWTS has rapidly emerged as an industry leader featuring mechanical separation followed by UV disinfection with more than 450 Hyde GUARDIAN units sold to date for installation in various ship types and sizes around the world. For more information, visit www.hydemarine.com. Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC), one of the ation's largest banks, has agreed to pay fines of $185 million and announced settlements with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney for the widespread illegal practice of secretly opening unauthorized deposit and credit card accounts. The company fired 5,300 employees related to the scheme. The CFPB said spurred by sales targets and compensation incentives, employees boosted sales figures by covertly opening accounts and funding them by transferring funds from consumers authorized accounts without their knowledge or consent, often racking up fees or other charges. According to the banks own analysis, employees opened more than two million deposit and credit card accounts that may not have been authorized by consumers. Wells Fargo will pay full restitution to all victims and a $100 million fine to the CFPBs Civil Penalty Fund. The bank will also pay an additional $35 million penalty to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and another $50 million to the City and County of Los Angeles. According to the banks own analysis, employees opened roughly 1.5 million deposit accounts that may not have been authorized by consumers. Employees then transferred funds from consumers authorized accounts to temporarily fund the new, unauthorized accounts. This widespread practice gave the employees credit for opening the new accounts, allowing them to earn additional compensation and to meet the banks sales goals. Consumers, in turn, were sometimes harmed because the bank charged them for insufficient funds or overdraft fees because the money was not in their original accounts. According to the banks own analysis, Wells Fargo employees applied for roughly 565,000 credit card accounts that may not have been authorized by consumers. On those unauthorized credit cards, many consumers incurred annual fees, as well as associated finance or interest charges and other fees. Wells Fargo employees requested and issued debit cards without consumers knowledge or consent, going so far as to create PINs without telling consumers. Wells Fargo employees created phony email addresses not belonging to consumers to enroll them in online-banking services without their knowledge or consent. Gardena, Calif. (PRWEB) September 08, 2016 Bark Potty, a Los Angeles startup company, has donated a case of its product to help Louisiana pets displaced by the flooding. Bark Potty is a shelf-stable, dog potty solution. The company sent a case of Bark Pottys to Louisiana to be used by BellaDoggie Resort & Spa. BellaDoggie transformed their facility into a rescue shelter for the dogs of the Dedham Springs area. The Bark Pottys are being used by the dogs in and around the kennels. Natalie Youn, president of Bark Potty says, "We hope our contribution will help to relieve some of the demand for volunteer dog walkers." Due to the flooding, thousands of pets are displaced in Louisiana, and many animal rescue shelters have been destroyed. The current flooding is the worst natural disaster to strike the United States since Superstorm Sandy in 2012, according to the Red Cross. About Bark Potty Bark Potty is a convenient, clean, natural, and disposable dog potty. It is made of real bark, and like real grass contains the natural smells that compel dogs to "go." Bark Potty is a first-of-its-kind product as it requires zero to no effort, unlike potty pads and plastic turf. Potty pads need to be changed out multiple times a day and plastic turf accumulates a strong urine odor and needs to be pressure washed regularly. Bark Potty needs none of that. Pet parents use it for a few weeks and then replace it with a new Bark Potty. Bark Potty was created by husband & wife team, Zack Norman & Natalie Youn. A few years ago, the entrepreneurial couple founded the company DoggieLawn, a dog potty made of real grass. However, they came to realize that the real grass business left something to be desired! Zack & Natalie wanted to find a solution that had all the benefits of real grass and none of the perishability issues-- and thus Bark Potty officially debuted in July of 2016. Bark Potty is a shelf-stable, organic potty solution that dogs love. Urine is absorbed by the bark matting, and the natural safe bacteria breaks down the odors. Bark Potty is the perfect solution for house-training a puppy, apartment dwellers, senior dogs, or busy professionals who can't always make it home in time to take their dogs out. Bark Potty is currently available online at http://www.barkpotty.com, on Amazon, and at select pet retailers nationwide. Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2016/9/prweb13664746.htm NEW YORK, Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- To the 72 young men and women representing 41 countries at the 13th annual International Human Rights Summit, held this year at the United Nations in New York, it is time to end human rights abuse. From human trafficking to police brutality, extreme poverty, bullying, gang revenge and war, the delegates to the summit state that as brutal and violent as these are, they are resolved with education. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405385 "Gangs in Timor were responsible for over 200 deaths each year," said a youth delegate from Timor-Leste who has been part of the Youth for Human Rights volunteer force educating young people in their country on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights since 2011. "Now many of the over 300,000 young people who have received human rights education are young people who used to be part of these school gangs. These days, those school gangs have changed from being a problem to becoming human rights defenders because of the help of the human rights education program and the volunteers of our team." "Our humanity is in peril," said Rahaf, the youth delegate from Saudi Arabia. "We are being separatedlabeled by our religion, race, gender, nationality. Our unity relies on our humanity. It is our duty to teach and carry the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and practice it." The Armenian delegate, Mariam, spoke of the "internally displaced persons in Armenia" and the more than 17,000 Syrian refugees the country is integrating into the population. "We must stand up to such hate and ignorance and speak up for those whose voices have been silenced," she said, "those who are afraid to speak for fear of persecution. We must learn to accept our differences instead of trying to make sure we all fit the same mold." Mr. Augustine Brian, provincial project coordinator of World Vision and director of Youth for Human Rights for his nation, shared with the youth and the 400 guests attending the summit how human rights education can undercut and reverse abuse even in the primitive and often violent Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. Brian was a victim of police brutality, but rather than seek revenge he searched for a solution online and found Youth for Human Rights. He adopted the program and has taken it throughout his province. He has now educated and partnered with the very police force that perpetrated his assault, who are now working with him to ensure fair treatment of the people of their district. As the emcee of the Summit made clear, this is not just a problem in developing countries. Award-winning filmmaker Ronald Lang spoke of his new film on human trafficking that aims to raise awareness and spark a movement to end this barbaric activity. "Human trafficking happens all over the world, even in my own backyard here in New York and we need to put an end to it," said Lang. Youth delegates presented their work to their peers and the 400 guests attending and heard from human rights luminaries including ambassadors and representatives of permanent missions to the United Nations. In his presentation to the Summit, Ambassador Irenee Omositson Namboka, former United Nations Human Rights Protection Adviser and Associate Fellow, told the youth delegates that the right to education, including human rights education, is second only to the right to life. "Education is the primary vehicle by which economically and socially marginalized adults and children can lift themselves out of poverty and obtain the means to participate fully in their communities." Mr. Vineet Kapoor, Police Adviser and Aide de Camp to the Governor of Madhya Pradesh, India, spoke of the importance of human rights education for "youth who are in vulnerable positions and who must learn to know and claim their rights, that is those in compulsory and bonded labor, in hazardous industries, vulnerable to human trafficking, deprived of school or college education, vulnerable to drug trafficking and substance abuse, living in extreme poverty and deprivation and those who lack family and community support for their well-being." He stressed the importance of Youth for Human Rights International educational materials in the training of police officers, civil servants, government health staff and others in social services, so they come to understand that "it is not the authority of the state that they are exercising to dole out benefits to the public. Rather it is the duty of the state to deliver the claims of the rights-holding citizens whom they are duty bound to serve." Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) is the youth component of United for Human Rights, a global nonprofit organization. Founded in 2001 in Los Angeles, there are now more than 100 Youth for Human Rights International chapters around the world. Their award-winning educational materials are available in 27 languages, bringing the message of human rights to 195 nations. The 13th annual International Human Rights Summit was co-sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Guatemala to the UN, the Permanent Mission of Panama to the UN, Human Rights Africa, Diaspora Foundation, Artists for Human Rights, Ferguson Humanitarian Foundation International, Friends of the United Nations, United for Human Rights and the Human Rights Office of the Church of Scientology International. Related Images image1.jpg image2.jpg image3.jpg image4.jpg Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTHyeNwo-Fo 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/youth-fight-human-rights-abuse-with-education-300324447.html SOURCE Youth for Human Rights International PARIS (Reuters) - Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras warned euro zone leaders on Thursday his country would struggle to return to sustainable growth without a debt-relief deal. Athens, facing a second bailout review entailing an unpopular loosening of labor laws in the autumn, is keen to show that painful tax rises and pension cuts as part of its 86 billion-euro bailout deal last year will bear fruit. In an interview with French newspaper Le Monde, Tsipras said he expected the recession-stricken Greek economy to return to growth in 2016 and expand by 2.7 percent next year but that the lack of debt relief acted as a brake on the recovery. "The recovery is slow, in particular because we don't see the necessary generosity from our partners on the issue of debt relief," he told Le Monde in an interview published on its website. "If they refuse to move forward on this issue, then it will be difficult for my country to return to growth," he said. Tsipras said it was time for Europe to give a signal on the issue and that it could not wait until after Germany's federal elections due in September 2017. "We have 27 democratically elected governments in Europe. Germany is not the only country with elections," he said. Germany, the European Union's biggest economy and longtime critic of Greece's economic performance, is very reluctant to discuss granting debt relief for Athens before its elections. Tsipras also said it was unacceptable that only 3,000 migrants had been resettled so far this year out of a planned 33,000 for the full year. Hundreds of thousands of migrants, many fleeing wars in the Middle East, have arrived in Greece over the past year from Turkey hoping to move on to wealthier western Europe, but many are now trapped in detention centers. Athens wants other EU member states to share the burden of caring for them. (Reporting by Michel Rose; Editing by Gareth Jones) By Andrew Cullen and Ruthy Munoz CANNON BALL, N.D./WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Native American tribe's efforts to halt construction of a crude oil pipeline in North Dakota have swelled into a movement, drawing international attention and the support of movie stars and social media, and making a major oil company blink. While the tribe's lawyers work to persuade a federal judge to withdraw permits for the pipeline in a ruling expected on Friday, thousands of protesters gathered at campgrounds near Standing Rock Sioux Tribe lands. "This is a new beginning, not just for our tribe, but for all tribes in this country," said Standing Rock Sioux spokesman Ron His Horse is Thunder, one of the leaders hoping for a rebirth of Native American activism beyond the pipeline battle. Representatives of 200 tribes and environmentalists have set up camp in the rolling hills near the confluence of the Missouri and Cannon Ball rivers in sight of the proposed pipeline route. They say the planned pipeline, near but not on tribal land, runs through a sacred burial ground and could leak, polluting nearby rivers and poisoning the tribe's water source. The 1,100 mile (1,770 km), $3.7 billion Dakota Access pipeline would carry oil from just north of the tribe's land in North Dakota to Illinois, where it would hook up to an existing pipeline and route crude directly to refineries in the U.S. Gulf Coast. Protesters have included actress Shailene Woodley and Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, who authorities say is part of a group under investigation for illegally spray-painting construction equipment at the site. "Our indigenous people have been warning for 500 years that the destruction of Mother Earth is going to come back and it's going to harm us," said David Archambault, tribal chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux. "Now our voices are getting louder." On Tuesday, U.S. Judge James Boasberg granted in part the tribe's request for a temporary restraining order to stop the project, and said he would decide by Friday whether to grant the larger challenge to the pipeline, which would require the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw permits. Protesters were disappointed that the judge did not shut down construction altogether, but savored a small win when the group of companies building the pipeline, led by Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners through its Dakota Access subsidiary, agreed to stop some work until the final ruling. The pipeline was fast-tracked by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers earlier this year, but the project has been dogged by protests since April. It was envisioned as a safer way to transport highly flammable oil extracted from the Bakken Shale formation in North Dakota, Montana and parts of Canada than on trains. In June, a Union Pacific train carrying crude oil derailed and burst into flames in Oregon, forcing the evacuation of a school and the closure of a highway. In 2013, a runaway train in Canada crashed, killing 47 people and destroying buildings in the Quebec town of Lac-Megantic. DIGGING IN FOR THE LONG HAUL The Standing Rock Sioux Reservation is one of six reservations in the Dakotas that are all that remain of what was once the Great Sioux Reservation, which comprised all of South Dakota west of the Missouri River, including the Black Hills, which are considered sacred, according to the tribe's website. The tribe has 15,000 members in the United States including as many as 8,000 in North and South Dakota. The reservation covers about 9,300 square miles (24,087 square km). At campsites dotted with white tepees and colorful tents, many people prepared for the long haul. "People are ready to stay through winter," said Allyson Two Bears, who sits on the tribe's emergency response team. Members of an Ojibwe tribe are helping to erect lodges capable of withstanding North Dakota cold, and people from as far away as London and South Korea have joined the protest, signing their names to a map at the campsite. The tribe has also enlisted the help of online petition website Change.org, which helped it gather more than 250,000 signatures on a petition to stop the pipeline. Youth members of the tribe aged 6 to 25 ran a relay race from North Dakota to Washington, D.C., to deliver the petitions. The protest and lawsuit by the Standing Rock Sioux are not the first efforts by Native American and environmental groups to stop or reroute planned pipelines through culturally or environmentally sensitive areas. Aboriginal Canadian and Native American groups have opposed the Keystone XL Pipeline from Canada to Nebraska, along with other pipeline projects. Republican presidential contender Donald Trump has said he would approve TransCanada Corp's Keystone XL pipeline proposal if elected, reversing a decision by the administration of President Barack Obama to block it over environmental concerns. TransCanada has sued the U.S government to reverse Obama's rejection of the pipeline. The Standing Rock Sioux have hired a political campaign director to publicize their actions to stop the North Dakota pipeline. "Theyve been making really good use of social media as part of this and that has actually changed the way Native American activism takes place," said Katherine Hayes, chair of American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis/St. Paul. The Standing Rock Sioux sued in July. Last month, celebrity activists joined about 100 members of the tribe outside a Washington, D.C., courthouse where hearings were being held, while others demonstrated in North Dakota. Over the weekend of Sept. 3, protesters broke through a wire fence in an attempt to chase bulldozers grading the land, confronting pipeline security staff and guard dogs in clashes that at times became violent. Actress Susan Sarandon, who joined the Washington protest, said she was there to help publicize the tribe's cause. "These kinds of things happen when people don't have a voice," Sarandon said, referring to the government's decision to fast-track the project. "We have to give them a voice." (Additional reporting by George Tamerlani in Fort Yates, N.D., Catherine Ngai in New York and Sharon Bernstein in Sacramento, Calif.; Writing by Sharon Bernstein; Editing by Ben Klayman and Matthew Lewis) U.S. President Barack Obama visited a street market in Luang Prabang on Wednesday (September 7), where he greeted residents and tasted fresh coconut. He walked near the river of Mekong where women sell coconut drinks and tasted the local refreshment, posing for photographs and conversing with locals. Obama arrived in Laos Tuesday morning (September 6), becoming the first sitting U.S. president to visit landlocked Laos, where the United States waged a "secret war" while fighting in Vietnam, dropping an estimated two million tonnes of bombs on the country. Obama's visit follows his attendance at the G20 summit in the Chinese city of Hangzhou. He is also due to attend an annual international gathering in the Southeast Asian region. By Kizito Makoye DAR ES SALAAM (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Tanzania has threatened to ban non-governmental groups that "promote" the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in the first public statement the government has made against the minority group. Gay sex is illegal in Tanzania and punishable by up to 30 years in prison. The East African country has a reputation for being more tolerant toward LGBTI people than its neighbor Uganda but recent comments attacking the group have sparked fears and condemnation from activists. In a statement late on Wednesday, the deputy minister for health, community, development and gender, Hamisi Kigwangala, said the Tanzanian government took traditional values seriously and would "always protect them". "I cannot deny the presence of LGBTI people in our country and the risk they pose in fuelling the spread of HIV/AIDS but we don't subscribe to the assertion that there's a 'gender continuum'," Kigwangala said. "We still recognize two traditional sexes and there's nothing in between or beyond ... Any effort to claim otherwise is not allowed. "Tanzania does not allow activist groups carrying out campaigns that promote homosexuality ... Any attempt to commit unnatural offences is illegal and severely punished by law," he added. Kigwangala's comments came a month after Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda announced a crackdown against gay people in Tanzania's commercial capital. He said he would use social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to identify and arrest people suspected of being gay in the port city. In July, the government announced it would ban imports and sales of lubricants to "curb" the spread of HIV. Kigwangala said the government, in conjunction with the Tanzania Commission for AIDS, had started to vet gay rights NGOs. Nurdeen Supa, a gay rights activist with LGBT Voice of Tanzania, an officially registered NGO, expressed concern the government move would further fuel discrimination against LGBTI people. "They are simply instilling fear in vulnerable people who live their lives without harming anybody," Supa told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. (Editing by Katie Nguyen. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org to see more stories) ALMATY (Reuters) - Uzbekistan's parliament named Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev as interim president on Thursday in succession to the late President Islam Karimov, saying stability and law and order had to be maintained in the populous Central Asian state. Mirziyoyev, 59, secured the top job when the man who should have become transitional leader under the constitution bowed out in his favor, saying he had long experience in office and enjoyed the respect of people. The authoritarian Karimov died of a stroke last week aged 78 after ruling the resource-rich country for 27 years. Under the Uzbek constitution, a presidential election must now be held within three months, and Mirziyoyev, who was the official mourner-in-chief at Karimov's funeral and met Russian President Vladimir Putin this week, is widely expected to be elected. Russia, the United States and China vie for influence in Uzbekistan, a country of 32 million bordering Afghanistan. Central Asia pundits say they do not expect any drastic policy changes under Mirziyoyev, a former regional governor valued by Karimov as a competent manager. With his appointment as acting head of state, Mirziyoyev leapfrogged the little-known Senate chairman Nigmatilla Yuldashev, who under the constitution should have led the country during the transition period. Yuldashev turned down the role and instead asked to for Mirziyoyev to be instated as acting president, taking into account "his long experience of work in executive positions and respect among the people", the parliament said in a statement. Parliament supported Yuldashev's motion, stressing the "need to preserve stability, public security, law and order and effectively resolve political and economic issues". Karimov cast his country as a bulwark against militant Islam but drew Western criticism for suppressing political dissent. Human rights groups say there are hundreds of political and religious prisoners in local jails and say torture is practiced. In contrast to the West, Putin said during his visit to Tashkent this week he hoped the new Uzbek leader would continue Karimov's work, putting a stamp on Moscow's claim to be the former Soviet republic's closest ally. (Reporting by Dmitry Solovyov; Editing by Richard Balmforth) By Sarah Young LONDON (Reuters) - An increasingly competitive European airline market could soon bring consolidation and possibly European low-cost carriers providing local connecting services or "feeder" flights for full-service long-haul airlines, the CEOs of easyJet (NYSE: EZJ) and IAG said on Thursday. Low fuel prices have led to a big growth in capacity on European routes, putting market expansion at a 10-year high on forecasts that airlines will add new capacity of 8 percent over the next six months. But inevitably increased competition is causing fares to drop, good news for consumers but bad news for the profit margins of airlines. Carolyn McCall, the chief executive of low-cost airline easyJet (NYSE: EZJ) said she expected more consolidation over the next 12 to 18 months, with weaker airlines suffering in the tougher trading conditions, as the previous boost to margins from lower fuel prices is competed away. Willie Walsh, the chief executive of British Airways-owner IAG, said IAG was not currently actively considering any acquisition deals. "I think there are airlines out there that would like to be consolidated into a larger group, I get calls from a lot of them," said Walsh, who has been Europe's most active acquirer of airlines in the past five years, combining BA with Iberia to form IAG, which has since taken over Spanish budget airline Vueling and Irish airline Aer Lingus. Deutsche Bank on Wednesday downgraded its investment recommendations for Ryanair , Lufthansa , Air France-KLM and IAG, with the analysts saying there was too much capacity in the industry and prices would fall further this winter. [nL8N1BJ1EL] Price drops could stimulate further change in the industry in the longer term, McCall said. Some higher-cost full-service airlines could retrench, cutting back their own short-haul operations and giving low-cost airlines like easyJet the opportunity to step in instead to provide the feeder flights needed for their long-haul operations, as well as expand route networks. With legacy carriers such as Air France-KLM and Lufthansa struggling to bring costs down on their namesake brands to compete with low cost carriers on short haul routes, using low-cost carriers instead for feeder flights could be a more cost effective way of bringing passengers to hubs for long-haul connections. There have been suggestions for well over a year by both Ryanair and easyJet, Europe's two biggest low cost carriers, that they could provide feeder flights for long-haul carriers, but so far no deal has been struck. However, both Air France-KLM and Lufthansa have been building up their own low-cost carriers, Transavia and Eurowings. In addition, one key sticking point has been deciding which carrier would bear the costs of rebooking and accommodation in the event of missed connections. "It would make a lot of sense for us to offer feed. The thing for us we have to think very carefully about is that it doesn't contaminate our model," McCall said. "I think it's inevitable that over the next five to 10 years there will be much more of that happening, there will be many more alliances and partnerships where low-cost feeds the legacy carriers." IAG would be open to the concept, Walsh said, noting that already its customers fly into easyJet bases like London Gatwick and connect onto a British Airways flight without there being a deal between the two carriers. "If we can facilitate that for the customers in a way that makes sense that doesn't increase our costs or complexity ... then we want to do it," he said. However, Lufthansa said it already has a low-cost carrier within its group, Eurowings, and therefore does not need to use third parties. "We don't need any additional support here," a spokesman said on Thursday. (Additional reporting by Victoria Bryan in Frankfurt; Editing by Greg Mahlich) Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved a grant of seven hundred and sixty million rupees for two-month salary of employees of Pakistan Steel Mills. The meeting of the Committee was held in Islamabad on Wednesday with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in the chair. Federal ministers Pervez Rashid, Ahsan Iqbal, Shahid Khaqan Abbassi, Sikander Hayat Bosan and Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi attended meeting. The Economic Coordination Committee also approved purchase of jet fuel and furnace oil from Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. To improve security of foreign dignitaries in the country, the meeting decided to purchase thirty-five armoured vehicles. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif claimed on Thursday that the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) is among the top 10 markets in the world. He was addressing an award ceremony at PSX in Karachi, where he also stated that the world community is recognising the performance of PSX. I want to see PSX grow further, the premier said. The government is trying its best to bring improvement in every sector, he added. Boosting exports is govts top priority During his day trip to Karachi, the premier held a meeting with a group of leading industrial exporters of the country, where he stated that boosting exports of the country is the top priority of the government. Economic growth and exports are interlinked, he claimed, adding that the government will give short, medium and long term relief to exporters in order to achieve growth targets. He also went to add that the improved infrastructure of railways will provide relief to the exporters in terms of reduction in freight charges. The prime minister arrived at Karachis Jinnah International Airport on a day-long visit today (Thursday), where he was received by Sindh Governor Dr Ishtarul Ibad and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. The prime minister was accompanied by Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar. The government is using house consent numbers in Auckland to deliberately deceive the public over the true extent of the citys housing crisis, says New Zealand First Leader and Northland Member of Parliament Rt Hon Winston Peters. Auckland Council statistics show the percentage of houses being ticked off as completed in the city has dropped alarmingly since 2008. In 2008 a total of 4308 consents were approved and 4438 houses received the final Code Compliance Certificate. By 2015 a total of 9251 consents were approved but only 5073 houses had been completed and given a code of compliance. Consents, as the government knows full well, are not finished houses ready for occupation. But Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith quotes these consent figures to hoodwink the public into believing he has a grip on the housing crisis, when he hasnt. Longer and longer delays are being made between the times a house is given consent to the time it is given its final Code Compliance Certificate. And the delays will only worsen as thousands more immigrants flood into Auckland squeezing the housing market even more. The National government has created a SuperCity mess in Auckland and Dr Smith is using smoke and mirror tactics to cover up just how big the mess is, Mr Peters says. SOURCE: Office of Winston Peters Winton Police are investigating the theft of a rare firearm from a Southland address on July 27, 2016. The stolen firearm is a rare SKB model 22ACTN 32 trap shooting gun, serial number P16215U. There are only a few of this type of firearm in New Zealand. There is also a distinctive adjustable screw pad on the butt of the firearm, which is unique to the latest SKB competition firearms. It is believed that the firearm was stolen between 2pm and 8.30pm on Wednesday 27 July 2016. Police would like to hear from anyone who has information that may be relevant to their investigation for example, gun dealers who have been offered this type of gun for sale in recent weeks. Please call Winton Police Station on 03 236 6060 if you think you can help. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Source: New Zealand Police. Literacy is something Im passionate about, and always keen to support! says Tauranga humanitarian Chloe Wright. The declaration is timely. Today is International Literacy Day, and to celebrate, the Kids Lit Quiz is announcing that it has a new patron: none other than Chloe. The Australian-first Aerostructures Innovation Research Hub (AIR Hub) will bring together the best of Victorias aerospace research, design and manufacturing leaders to work with industry on the next generation of air mobility. Father Sean O'Brien, pastor of three Catholic churches -- St. Matthew's Church, in East Syracuse, St. Mary's of the Assumption, Minoa, and St. Francis of Assisi, in Bridgeport -- is a guy who knows where he's going and how he's going to get there. Sometimes he gets there in an old Ford Model T, one of three he owns, or maybe his old Chrysler sedan. His Model T Fords include a 1924 Tudor sedan, a 1925 Coupe and a 1926 Touring car. His Chrysler is a 1941 Highlander sedan, a large car but a ride typical of the time for those who were well-heeled. In those days the Chrysler would set a buyer back $1,300 while the average car cost was $850. Because Father Sean is a straight talker he doesn't go into a lot of abstract reasoning about why he has three Fords, but he easily explains: "They're affordable and I can work on them myself." On that score, good for him because lots of people involved in the hobby don't know how to work on their cars. Father Sean is among the group who know their way around a set of tools and understand the concept and workings of an internal combustion engine. What's more, he enjoys the work. But, you might wonder, how did a man as busy as he is with many people vying for his attention find the time to learn about Model T Fords? "I was ordained at 27 and assigned to Utica. When I was 28 I met a man who got me into the hobby. I learned how to work on the motors watching him," he said. Watching the expert may have been the ideal situation, sort of a YouTube demonstration without the video. Father Sean explained that the man had two old Ford motors on a work bench. "He would remove a part and I would watch him and then remove the same part on the motor I was working on." On and on it went, Father Sean shadowing the expert until he was confident and capable of doing his own work. Father said he bought his first Ford, a 1924 Model T Tudor, in 1994 and he's been a devotee since then. As time went on he acquired two more Fords, the '25 Coupe and the '26 Touring car. Because all Model Ts are close to identical with few exceptions here and there, if you can work on one of them you can work on all of them. In addition to his duties with three congregations and his interest in old cars, Father has time to serve his country as a member of the Naval Reserve Chaplain Corps., where he's known as Captain O'Brien, thank you. In fact, he works at CNIC (Commander, Navy Installations Command), a command that encompasses Navy policy and installation management. Most recently he was deployed to East Africa. When he goes to meetings they're at the Washington Navy Yard, the oldest Naval installation in the country. So here's a man who does the serious work of saving souls wherever he's called, right now in East Syracuse and occasionally abroad, but he also does the fun work of saving old cars. "I'm in the resurrection business," Father said with a straight face. Looking at it that way bringing back the soul of an old Ford is most likely a worthwhile endeavor. Father sees to it that the Fords and Chrysler get regular and often lengthy workouts. He and his best four-legged friend, Abby, drive one of the cars to the Adirondacks as often as possible. Sometimes their stay is short but nevertheless the old machinery gets needed exercise. Because owning a Model T automatically makes a person a member of a close-knit group it isn't surprising that he's come onto old cars here and there, or he's been tipped off to a good deal on a nice car waiting to go to the right owner. In all cases he was in the right place at the right time for the Fords. And such was the case with the Chrysler, a car that originally was owned by a funeral home in Boonville. Someone knew about the car and knew about Father Sean, and also knew that if he owned the car it would be taken care of. When Father Sean got the big sedan it had been repainted from a more funereal black to what appears to be a correct shade of Chrysler's 1941 color Tropical Tan. While the Fords are difficult to operate, not to mention the fact that top speed is about 40 miles an hour and that's pushing it, the Chrysler is made to cruise. At only 3,170 pounds it's lighter than it looks but that's typical of cars from that era. The Chrysler has a 108-horsepower, six-cylinder motor backed up with Chrysler's Fluid Drive transmission. Fluid Drive was an automatic transmission with a clutch. The driver could shift it like a three speed on the column or put it in third gear (high) and never have to touch it again except to put it into reverse. The interesting thing about the Chrysler is that it still has its original red leather/red Tartan Plaid interior. In America tartan is plaid but in Scotland tartan is a cloth. Of course the Chrysler has what was an upscale Highlander trim line so tartan makes perfect sense. The car collection Owner : Father Sean O'Brien, pastor, St. Matthew's Catholic Church, East Syracuse, St. Mary's, Minoa, and St. Francis of Assisi, Bridgeport 1924 Ford Model T Tudor sedan 1925 Ford Model T Coupe 1926 Ford Model T Touring car Model T : For all purposes unchanged during its 19-year production run, 1908-1927, during which 15.4 million were made. Cost new : About $850, but as the years passed the cost decreased to as low as $260. Colors : Several colors except black were available until 1914 when Henry Ford decided black (Japan Black) would be the only color because it was fast drying. Motor : 177 cubic inch, 2.9-liter, four cylinder, 20 hp Transmission : Two forward speeds 1941 Chrysler Highlander Cost new : About $1,300 Motor : 6 cylinder, 241.5 cubic inch, 108 hp Transmission : Fluid Drive Weight : 3,170 pounds Color : Tropical Tan Total Chrysler production 1941 : 141,522 Average car price 1941 : $850 Average income 1941 : $1,750 Average home cost 1941 : $4,075 Know about a car you'd like to see featured? Contact Kenn Peters: kpeters@twcny.rr.com. Previously from Kenn: Joe Bulla's 1965 Ford Mustang. More great cars and news about cars. IMG_5758.JPG The Mackenzie Hughes law firm will relocate from the M&T Bank building, where it has been since about 1913, to the Galleries office tower, above, at 440 S. Warren St. in Syracuse in December. (Rick Moriarty | rmoriarty@syracuse.com) Syracuse, N.Y. After more than a century in offices near Clinton Square, the Mackenzie Hughes law firm is moving to the Galleries office tower three blocks away. The law firm said Wednesday it will move its business office and 75 employees, including 36 attorneys, from the M&T Bank building at 101 S. Salina St. to the Galleries at 440 S. Warren St. in December. The firm that became Mackenzie Hughes began in Syracuse in 1884. Its offices have been at the M&T Bank building (formerly the Onondaga County Savings Bank building) since about 1913, said Stephen T. Helmer, the firm's managing partner. The Mackenzie Hughes law firm has been at the M&T Bank building, above, at 101 S. Salina St., Syracuse, since about 1913. The firm and its 75 employees, including 36 attorneys, will relocate to the Galleries office tower at 440 S. Warren St. in December 2016. Mackenzie Hughes occupies the entire sixth floor and part of the fifth floor at the M&T Bank building. It will occupy the entire fourth floor of the Galleries office tower, a total of 27,000 square feet of office space and 5,000 square feet of storage space, he said. Helmer said the firm will be able to create a more collaborative work environment with all of its employees on the same floor. He said the firm also wants to be part of the resurgence that Warren Street is undergoing a resurgence that includes the recent reopening of the Hotel Syracuse as a 261-room, full-service Marriott. "It's an up-and-coming part of the city and we want to be there," he said. Mackenzie Hughes will lease space formerly occupied by Travelers Insurance, which pulled out of the Galleries a little more than a year ago and laid off 160 employees. The new space will include a training room for approximately 40 people, new communication and document management systems. Naming rights come with the lease. The Galleries Office Tower will be renamed Mackenzie Hughes Tower. The Galleries opened in 1987. Rochester businessman David Flaum, of Flaum Management Co., bought the building in 1992. In addition to the office tower, the complex houses the Central Library of the Onondaga County Public Library. Contact Rick Moriarty anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148 Patrick "Problem" Lloyd was sentenced today to 25 years in federal prison after becoming, temporarily, one of the most violent and troublesome drug traffickers to land in Massena, N.Y. Lloyd's sentencing marks the end of a massive investigation into two rival groups who trafficked drugs in Massena in 2012 and 2013. In total, 17 defendants, some from New York City and some from Massena, were prosecuted in the case. Today's sentencing also caps a HBO-like saga: A guy from New York City goes to Massena to set up a cocaine and heroin ring, according to court documents. His new partner soon becomes his rival - after one robs the other - and the two factions begin a drug and turf battle in a rural North Country city of 10,000. Violence, drug sales, crack cocaine making, attempted kidnapping and wire taps ensued, according to court papers. When prosecutors and law enforcement finally made the big bust of both groups, back in September 2013, some people in Massena were so happy they brought their appreciation to city hall. "Honk if you're proud about the bust" two women wrote on sign. Motorists responded gleefully. "Lloyd's nickname is 'Problem,' but thanks to this investigation he will not be a problem for the North Country anymore," U.S. Attorney Richard Hartunian said today. "The defendant led a large scale, violent drug trafficking organization that wreaked havoc in the small town of Massena," Katherine Kopita, an assistant U.S. attorney argued this summer in a sentencing document. "For over a year, the defendant and his underlings distributed dangerous drugs and committed numerous acts of violence." Senior U.S. District Judge Gary L. Sharpe today called Lloyd's actions "drug terrorism" during the sentencing in Albany, according to a news release from federal prosecutors. Lloyd pleaded guilty in August 2015 to federal charges involving conspiracy, drug distribution and possession of firearms. His lawyer last month argued Lloyd was "deeply remorseful" for his actions. The lawyer, Roy Nestler, also said Lloyd's decisions, in part, stemmed from early and constant drug use. Lloyd first drank alcohol at 7 and began smoking daily at 12, his lawyer argued. Lloyd settled in Massena in 2012. He and another drug dealer, Matthew Malu, also from New York City, soon began warring in the small city, according to court papers. At one point, Lloyd was finally arrested on assault and attempted kidnapping charges at the state level, according to court papers. Then, after one last misstep, Lloyd was remanded to jail to await trial, court papers say. But from behind bars, Lloyd continued to direct his organization while turning over the day-to-day operations to an ally, according to court papers. Prosecutors know because they gained court permission to wiretap phones. That's how they learned that Lloyd, unsuccessfully, tried to pay a key witness in the assault case to recant a statement. In the end, Lloyd pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted kidnapping, court papers show, in that state case. Malu was sentenced previously to 63 months. The investigation includes multiple agencies, including the St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Department, the New York State Police, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department, United States Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the New York Attorney General's Office, the Oneida Indian Nation Police, United States Border Patrol and the district attorneys of Clinton, Franklin and St. Lawrence counties. UPDATE: The fire Wednesday night at North Syracuse Junior High School was caused by roof work that had been done, said Superintendent Annette Speach. Classes will be in session Thursday, she said. NORTH SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Firefighters responded Wednesday night to a report of a fire above the auditorium of the North Syracuse Junior High School. Multiple fire companies responded just after 9 p.m. to the school, which is located at 5353 W. Taft Road in the village of North Syracuse. Initially no flames were seen. But firefighters from North Syracuse and elsewhere eventually ended up working on a roof fire at the school. Crews remained at the scene Wednesday night after the fire was out, Onondaga County 911 said. Wednesday was the first day of the new school year for students. More than 1,400 students attend North Syracuse Junior High School. It was not clear if classes Thursday would be affected. A district spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment. IMG_1046.JPG At 3:51 p.m. Wednesday Syracuse firefighters responded to a house at 1411 Bellevue Ave., between Duane and Hoefler streets. Crews arrived and found heavy smoke coming from the back of the house. Two people, who were home at the time, got out safely. (Ken Sturtz | ksturtz@syracuse.com) SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Two people escaped a fire Wednesday that damaged a house on the West Side. At 3:51 p.m. Syracuse firefighters responded to a house at 1411 Bellevue Ave., between Duane and Hoefler streets, said 1st Deputy Chief Kent Young. Crews arrived and found heavy smoke coming from the back of the house. Two people, who were home at the time, got out safely, Young said. The Red Cross of Central New York was at the scene providing assistance to them. Nearly 30 firefighters battled the blaze, climbing ladders and cutting holes in the roof of the house, and well as running hoses and spraying the structure with water. Puffs of smoke still floated away from the house after the fire had been knocked down. The fire was put out quickly, Young said, though the heat made the work difficult. The temperature Wednesday reached into the high 80s. "We've been rotating crews through, making sure everybody gets cooled down, making sure everybody's taking care of themselves," Young said. The cause of the fire is under investigation. 2016-3-4-ss-GeneseeBrew_2.JPG Beer sign at the Genesee Brew House, Rochester, N.Y. Genesee Brewery is planning a $49.1 million expansion. (SCOTT SCHILD) ROCHESTER, NY -- The huge Genesee Brewery overlooking Rochester's High Falls is about to get even bigger, with a boost from the state. Rendering of the proposed expansion of the Genesee Brewery complex off St. Paul Street overloking the High Falls of the Genesee River in Rochester. Genesee, New York state's oldest brewery, plans a $49.1 million project that will include an 18,000-square-foot expansion of the brewery complex on St. Paul Street. The company will install what it calls "one of the most advanced brewing systems in the world," expand the Genesee Brew House restaurant and tasting room and make improvements to its pilot brewery, where it makes smaller batch craft beers. It is also adding a new event space. There will also be demolition: The huge tanks that are now painted to resemble beer cans will come down, but will be replaced. Street-level rendering of the proposed expansion of the Genesee Brewery complex off St. Paul Street in Rochester. When complete, the expansion will create what the company calls an "Eco Brewery District." A Genesee news release said that will "provide a sustainable destination for brewing, tasting and learning about beer in Rochester. The designation of 'Eco-Brewery' aligns with the company's philosophy of helping to sustain its neighborhood and beer and brewing community while reducing its environmental footprint." Genesee, through its parent company North American Breweries, is spending $39 million of its own money on the project. The state will kick in $9.5 million -- $5 million from its Upstate Revitalization Initiative and another $4.5 million in other aid, including tax breaks. The project is expected to create 128 new jobs -- 64 of them targeted to people living in low income areas. The brewery currently employs 592 workers. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the aid package during a visit to the brewery Wednesday. "The Genesee Brewery Company is a part of New York. It's a part of the New York experience, it's a part of the New York family," Cuomo said, according to a report in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. "I remember, like it was yesterday, when they talked about closing the Genesee Brewing Company, you felt like you were losing a part of yourself." Genesee now seems on solid financial ground, after experiencing a decade-and-a-half of ownership changes and marketplace struggles. It is New York's oldest brewery, founded by the Whele family in 1878. In 1999, it was purchased by a group of management employees. After some struggles, in 2009 it was purchased by a New York City investment firm called KPS. KPS created a new company called North American Breweries, headquartered in Rochester. In addition to Genesee beers and sister brands like Dundee, Honey Brown and the Genesee Pilot Brewery beers, NAB includes breweries like Magic Hat in Vermont, Pyramid in Washington state, and McTarnahan in Oregon. In late 2012, NAB was purchased by the Florida Ice and Farm Co. of Costa Rica, makers of Imperial brand beer. NAB, which kept its U.S. headquarters in Rochester, also has the exclusive rights to import and market Labatt's beers in the United States. Even before the latest expansion, NAB had spent about $70 million on renovations and improvements to the Rochester brewery complex. Notably, that included the Genesee Brew House, the visitor's center, restaurant and small-batch brewery in a separate building overlooking the falls. "As the oldest brewery in New York State, Genesee has a great opportunity to help Rochester become a premier destination for beer and brewing," North American Breweries CEO Kris Sirchio said in a news release. "With all the great breweries in Western New York, there is no better time than now to create an Eco-Brewery District that will attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year while generating new jobs and investment in the Northeast district of Rochester." Don Cazentre writes about food, beverages, restaurants and bars for syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Contact him by email, on Twitter, at Google+ or via Facebook. Final scores: Week 10's high school football games on the Treasure Coast Football teams hit field Thursday and Friday for Week 10 with SSAC playoffs beginning and District 12-4S title game between Treasure Coast and Vero. Unless you happen to work in the ad industry, you're probably not a fan of targeted advertising. But Google is working to use the technique as a way of combating the spread of online terrorist recruitment and propaganda. Several online firms, including Google, Facebook, and Twitter, have been accused of not doing enough to prevent terror organizations, especially ISIS, from utilizing their services. The issue has led to several lawsuits being filed against the companies by the relatives of those killed in terrorist atrocities. But according to a report by Wired, Google-owned tech incubator and think tank - Jigsaw - has spent the last year developing the Redirect Method, which combines Google's search advertising algorithms and YouTube's video platform to hopefully dissuade potential recruits from joining ISIS and undo the group's brainwashing. "The Redirect Method is at its heart a targeted advertising campaign: Let's take these individuals who are vulnerable to ISIS' recruitment messaging and instead show them information that refutes it," said Jigsaw's head of research and development Yasmin Green. "This came out of an observation that there's a lot of online demand for ISIS material, but there are also a lot of credible organic voices online debunking their narratives." The method is activated whenever someone Googles one of 1700 keywords or phrases that Jigsaw believes people with ISIS sympathies often search for. In among the results will be ads containing links to English- and Arabic-language YouTube videos that contain testimonials from former extremists, imams denouncing the group, and even long food lines in the ISIS's Syrian stronghold Raqqa. "The Redirect Method is at its heart a targeted advertising campaign: Let's take these individuals who are vulnerable to ISIS' recruitment messaging and instead show them information that refutes it," Green added. The method has already proved successful; in a two-month trial earlier this year, more than 300,000 people were drawn into Jigsaw's chosen YouTube channels. Later this month, there will be a second-phase relaunch of the project targeting both potential ISIS recruits and white supremacists in North America. Green pointed out that the Redirect method isn't used to track or trace those who it sends to the YouTube channels. "These are people making decisions based on partial, bad information," she said. "We can affect the problem of foreign fighters joining the Islamic State by arming individuals with more and better information." A decade has passed since Facebook launched News Feed. Today, we see it as one of the social network's most defining features. The Facebook experience just isn't complete without it. However, that wasn't always the case. Prior to News Feed, all users saw when they logged in is their own profile display pictures, the personal information panel, messages and a bunch of settings. "We literally showed you nothing of any value," commented Andrew Bosworth, the vice president of Facebook's ads and business platform who was part of the team that worked on the feature. "The homepage was like a giant finger with how many pokes you had ... a giant envelope with the number of messages you had. You would literally go from profile to profile and you'd try to remember what had changed since you were last there." Bosworth noted that it was the problem they had to solve. The idea was to build a newspaper that pulled together the best bits of what changed within each user's social network. "We wanted to make a personal newspaper for everyone," explained Ruchi Sanghvi, a Facebook engineer that was also part of the News Feed team. "We wanted to deliver 10 million personalized newspapers every single day." On September 2006, the team released the first live version of News Feed. However, the users' responses were not what the team expected. "Internally we loved it ... We launched it and we were expecting people to be excited ... We sat around waiting for the first feedback to come in," recalled Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg about his experience when News Feed was first launched. "It was not good news." Many of Facebook's 10-million user base then were enraged with the new feature. Most took issue with how the new feature intruded into their privacy. "A couple might feel comfortable having an intimate conversation at a crowded restaurant, for example, on the assumption that even though strangers could potentially tune in, none would care to. The new Facebook feature, though, was the equivalent of broadcasting that conversation over the public address system," wrote Warren St. John for the New York Times in a 2006 article following the News Feed launch. "I've heard complaints before about sites (eg. Stardoll) that display the latest visitors to your profile page - in many ways, Facebook's new tools are more invasive," wrote Mashable's Pete Cashmore. Users also formed several groups, with some having more than a million members, and petitioned against News Feed. "We woke up to these groups with hundreds of thousands of people talking about how they hated News Feed," Sanghvi said about what happened the morning after the News Feed launch. "There were newspaper reporters and students camped outside the office. We had to sneak out of the back door if we ever needed to leave." Another Facebook News Feed team member, Chris Cox, described it as the "most inglorious launch moment in history." To quell the fiery hearts of its users, the team worked for another two days and released privacy options that allow users to opt out of the new feature or filter what activities get fed to the social network. "Amidst all the chaos, all the outrage, we noticed something unusual," wrote Sanghvi in her Facebook post dedicated to News Feed's 10th anniversary. "Even though everyone claimed they hated it, engagement had doubled." Off the back of News Feed, as well as its other interactive features, Facebook has amassed almost 1.6 billion active monthly users as of Q2 2016. Below is a video of the News Feed team's stroll down memory lane. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. After months of speculation, Apple just unveiled the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Here's the latest information on preorders, pricing, release date and carrier details. Details regarding the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus have been making headlines for months, and today, Apple put all the rumors to rest. The company formally announced the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus at a press event, which Apple proudly proclaimed are its best iPhones ever made. The pair is also the first iPhone duo to drop support for the standard 3.5 mm headphone port and instead ship with Lightning EarPods and Lightning to 3.5 mm headphone adapter so you'll still be able to use your favorite headphones. "iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus dramatically improve every aspect of the iPhone experience, reaching a new level of innovation and precision to make this the best iPhone we have ever made," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "The completely redesigned cameras shoot incredible photos and videos day or night, the A10 Fusion chip is the most powerful chip on any smartphone while delivering the best battery life ever in an iPhone, and an entirely new stereo speaker system provides twice the sound, all within the first water and dust resistant iPhone." Apple will kick off preorders for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus on Friday, Sept. 9, and the smartphones will be delivered and released in retail stores on Sept. 16. In terms of carrier support, all four major U.S. carriers, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile, have announced plans to release the new iPhones. Apple has provided pricing details based on carrier, storage capacity, monthly payments and full price. AT&T, Verizon and Sprint 32 GB iPhone 7 is $32.41 per month or $649 full price. 128 GB iPhone 7 is $36.58 per month or $749 full price. 256 GB iPhone 7 is $40.75 per month or $849 full price. Moving on to the larger iPhone 7 Plus, AT&T, Verizon and Sprint iPhone 7 Plus 32 GB is $37.31 per month or $769 full price. 128 GB iPhone 7 Plus is $41.58 per month or $869 full price. 256 GB iPhone 7 Plus is $45.75 per month or $969 full price. T-Mobile customers only have the option of paying full price when placing an order through Apple's online store. The iPhone 7 features a 4.7-inch Retina HD display, while the iPhone 7 Plus rocks a 5.5-inch Retina HD display. The pair is powered by Apple's powerful new quad-core A10 Fusion chip and M10 motion coprocessor. The iPhone 7 includes a single 12-megapixel rear camera with digital zoom up to 5x, while the iPhone 7 Plus uses dual 12 megapixel wide-angle and telephoto cameras with optical zoom at 2x and digital zoom up to 10x. Both models support 4K video recording at 30 fps, OIS (optical image stabilization) and 7-megapixel FaceTime HD camera. Apple never reveals actual battery capacity, but claims the iPhone 7 gets up to two hours longer battery life than iPhone 6s, up to 14 hours of talk time and up to 10 days of standby time. The company claims the iPhone 7 Plus gets up to one hour longer battery life than iPhone 6s Plus, 21 hours of talk time and up to 16 days of standby time. iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are also the first iPhones to ship with built-in stereo speakers, which Apple claims are two times louder than iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. The new iPhones are rated IP67 splash-, water-, and dust-resistant and are offered in choices of Rose Gold, Gold, Silver, Black and Jet Black (Apple exclusively offers Jet Black in 128 GB and 256 GB models). Apple ships the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus with its new EarPods with Lightning connector, Lightning to USB cable, 5W USB adapter and Lightning to 3.5 mm headphone jack adapter. Are you planning on preordering/purchasing an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus? What color and capacity? Please let us and our readers know in the comments below. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. NASA's Mars mission may be four years away, but deciding the rover's landing site for 2020 is in full swing. A teenage schoolboy may be the one decide on this, it seems. Feeding the suggestions on landing site is an American teenager who is still in school. Alex Longo, now 16 years old, has been an avid space enthusiast right from his childhood. "I was just five years old, and mom and dad had me watch a space shuttle launch," Longo recalled how he watched the space shuttle launch with extreme wonder. Since then, Longo, a resident of Raleigh, North Carolina, has been dreaming of a space journey and landing as the first human on Mars. This teen space enthusiast's dream came true in 2014 when NASA invited abstracts to decide on the Rover's landing venues. Longo, who sent his suggestions to NASA, also shared his plan with his mom. Being unsure how it will be accepted, Longo wanted his mother's go-ahead on the matter. She was too encouraging and, after reading the abstract Longo prepared, remarked that his note was "really cool." In his proposal, Longo pitched that the ideal place for the rover to land will be the Gusev Crater, where the NASA's rover Spirit touched down 12 years ago. The Spirit rover reports had claimed that the place had given out mysterious signals that life forms existed on Mars. NASA responded to Longo's pitch for Gusev with an email inviting him to attend their first landing site meeting. For the schoolboy, NASA's invitation was something unbelievable and made him feel as if he landed right on his dream. The meeting on landing spots was held at a Washington hotel in 2014, where Longo was accompanied by his parents. The young boy described the trepidation he faced when he saw the meeting's audience, which included hundreds of PhDs and others. "I probably am by far the least experienced or knowledgeable person there," he recalled. His fears evaporated once he finished the speech and the audience gave him a big hand. That was the beginning, and he had many opportunities to interact with veteran scientists specializing in Mars missions. Finally, his choice of rover landing site was selected as one of the eight probable venues that NASA is considering. Now, NASA has offered Longo one more opportunity. He was asked to submit suggestions on landing areas for the first human mission to Mars. With that, the teenager became extra passionate as a Mars aspirant and is excited to decide on the landing spot. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Amazon will now deliver food from a few of consumers' favorite restaurants in the UK. The online retailer announced on Wednesday the addition of a free food delivery service from some popular London restaurants for Prime members. Starting today, members using the Prime Now app can order food menu items from various London establishments, like Planet Hollywood, Strada, Tossed, Baltic Restaurant and Archipelago, and have Amazon deliver the food right to their door. Prime members should first check to make sure that they live in a participating postcode to use the free delivery service, which includes: the City, West End, Westminster, Pimlico and Victoria in central London; Whitechapel, Bethnal Green, Bow, Clapton and Homerton in the east; Islington, Stoke Newington and Stamford Hill in the north; Kensington and Chelsea in the west; and Southwark, Lambeth, Vauxhall and Kennington in south London. Upon launching the Prime Now app, members who live in postcodes where the service is available will be able to see Amazon Restaurants on the home page to be able to select the restaurant of their choice, look through the menu, place their order and then track the status of the delivery in real-time. Orders are expected to be delivered for free in an hour or less. There are no menu markups or hidden fees for placing orders via the Prime Now app, with the service being free after the customer spends a minimum of 15.00 from the establishment. There are 148 restaurants participating in the service, including: 2K steakhouse, Bar Shu Restaurant, Cafe Pacifico, Hummus Bros, La Baraca Pizzeria, Mamuska!, Ned's Noodle Bar, Porky's BBQ, Royal Thai and We Grill, just to name a few. "Based on our own research into what is important to consumers in food delivery, our team have hand-picked a selection of the best quality local restaurants in London," said Amazon UK's head of restaurant delivery Al Wilkinson in a statement. "We're excited to be helping many of these small businesses start offering home delivery for the very first time." To celebrate this new service, Amazon is offering Prime members 10 off their first order. To make use of it, customers should use the code "Amazon10" before checking out. This isn't the first time Amazon has offered Prime members restaurant deliveries. It previously launched Amazon Restaurants for Prime Now in Seattle back in Sept. 2015, and the service is currently also available in Manhattan, Dallas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Diego, Austin, Atlanta, Miami, Baltimore and Portland. Now, in London, the restaurant delivery service will compete against other popular services like Deliveroo and UberEats. Amazon customers in the UK will need a Prime membership that costs 79 a year, or 7.99 a month to use the service. Source: Amazon 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Google is hatching a creative plan to fight against terrorism, and it will be leveraging its advanced search capabilities in the process. Jigsaw, the Google-owned think tank formerly known as Google Ideas, is said to have been working for the past year on the development of a new program that will use a combination of the search advertising algorithms of Google and the video platform of YouTube. The program will target some of the most dangerous and least understood people online aspiring Islamic State recruits. The program, which Jigsaw has named the Redirect Method, will look to dissuade the people from joining IS and partaking in the hate and violence propagated by the group. The program can be considered a unique form of targeted advertising that will look to discredit an ideology instead of selling a product or service. Under the Redirect Method, advertisements will be placed alongside the search results for certain keywords and phrases that have been determined by Jigsaw to be among the most common search queries for potential IS recruits. The ads will link to channels on YouTube with Arabic and English videos that Jigsaw thinks would be able to convince these people to drop their intentions of joining IS. Such videos could include testimonials by former members of extremist groups, the denouncing of imams of the corruption of Islam done by IS and secret footage of the dysfunctional IS caliphate in Iraq and Northern Syria. According to Jigsaw head of research and development Yasmin Green, the idea for the Redirect Method came from the observation that while there is a lot of demand for IS-related material online, there is also a good amount of credible sources that are looking to counter the group's propaganda. The pilot run of the program showed that it was effective. In around two months, over 300,000 users were directed to the anti-IS channels on YouTube, with Jigsaw's ads clicked on three or four times more compared with other ads. In addition, the users who watched the linked anti-IS videos watch them for over twice as long compared to the average viewing time of videos on YouTube among all users. Jigsaw is planning to soon launch a second phase of the Redirect Method that will focus on extremists in North America, targeting both potential recruits to IS and white supremacists. There is no way to determine just how many potential IS recruits have been and will be dissuaded by the Redirect Method, there is no doubt that the program is capable of reaching millions of people. Lawmakers in the United Kingdom have previously said that Google, along with other online platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, has served as a recruiting platform for terrorists. This program will serve as an important step in the fight against the rising numbers of terrorist groups. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Use of antibiotics in children within the first two years of life increases the risk of eczema and hay fever later in life, reports a recent study. Though previous studies had linked the early use of antibiotics in children to allergy risks, the results were inconsistent. To resolve the issue, Fariba Ahmadizar and a team from Utrecht University in the Netherlands searched through Web of Science and PubMed databases for studies published from January 1966 to mid-November 2015. They specifically looked for research that focused on the association between use of antibiotics in children during the first two years of life and hay fever or eczema risk in later life. The researchers selected 22 studies involving 394,517 patients to study eczema risk and 22 studies involving 256,609 participants to study hay fever risk. Twelve of those studies (64,638 patients) had observational data on both conditions. On analysis, it was found that when children are exposed to antibiotics in early life, the risk of eczema heightened, with a 15 to 41 percent increase. Early life antibiotic consumption also resulted in an increased risk of hay fever by 14 percent to 56 percent. The risk of eczema and hay fever were found to be higher when the children were given two or more courses of antibiotics for the conditions. Though the reason behind the findings is unclear, the researchers suggest that the antibiotics could be altering the immune system of young children by disrupting the microorganisms in the gut. "Early life exposure to antibiotics is related to an increased risk of both eczema and hay fever later in life," concluded Ahmadizar about the study findings. The study was presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress in London, UK, on Sept. 6. Hay fever or allergic rhinitis, though exhibiting cold-like symptoms, is not caused by a virus or any microbe. It is an allergic reaction to allergens such as dust mites, pollen, saliva of cats and dogs, tiny flecks of skin and animal fur. Itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, congestion and sinus pressure are the symptoms of hay fever. People suffering from hay fever may experience a reduced quality of life. Symptoms like itchy eyes and congestion may affect a person's performance at school or work. Prolonged congestion may result in sinusitis and symptoms like wheezing and coughing may intensify asthma. Patients may experience disturbed or poor sleep and children may develop ear infections. Eczema or atopic dermatitis is caused by inflammation and the symptoms include itchy, red and dry skin. Steroid creams and oral medications are used to treat the condition. Photo: Niels Olson | Flickr 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Google's Doodle Contest For Kids Is Back Again | TechTree.com Google has today, Sept 8, announced the 8th edition of its Doodle 4 Google contest, that invites creative and curious students across India between class 1 to 10 to compete and take over the Google homepage for a day with their artwork. Inspired by the theme If I could teach anyone anything, the kids design the doodle showcasing what they believe has the potential to bring a positive change to a persons life, or what they think might help make the world a better place. Commenting on the occasion, Sapna Chadha, Head of Marketing, Google India said, Young minds with their imagination and creativity bring ideas that holds the power to build our future. From classroom subjects to valuable life lessons and everything in between, our aim is to encourage kids to learn and inspire others with their creative thoughts and talent. Twelve finalists will be selected by Googles esteemed jury members and will get a chance to spend a day at one of Googles office, allowing them to experience the companys culture. In addition, the winning doodle will be featured on the Google India homepage on Childrens Day on November 14, 2016. The contest receives more than 1 million entries every year. Last year, nine year old P Karthik from Visakhapatnam won the contest with his imaginative, thoughtful and inspiring doodle entitled Plastic to Earth Machine. The creative doodle illustrated his vision for India, where plastic waste is recycled into material that helps mother nature flourish. TAGS: Google Doodle Contest, Doodle 4 Google 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. On the debate, two pollsters who conducted studies, agreed on Saturday that former president Lula defeated Bolsonaro. | Read More Southeast Asian leaders meeting at the 28th ASEAN Summit in Laos this week are urged to push businesses across the region to commit to lifting minimum wages to living wage standards, Oxfam said in a release Wednesday. According to the international non-profit organization, living wage standards are estimated to cost four times the average minimum wage now. Oxfam urges the ASEAN to rally behind a regional minimum wage that is set to living wage levels, and give poor workers a tool they can use to defeat poverty, said Riza Bernabe, policy and research coordinator of the Asia program of Oxfam. Minimum wages in the ASEAN do not take into the account the real cost of living, which has driven millions of workers below the poverty line. ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is a major global hub of trade and production comprising 10 member states at various levels of economic development. According to Oxfam, one in every four people is poor in Southeast Asia, despite high levels of trade and foreign investment in the region. This is a symptom of staggering inequality, where the fortunes of a handful are increasing while the fates of millions are locked in poverty, it said. The region's global trade rose from US$1.61 trillion in 2007 to $2.53 trillion in 2014. Foreign direct investment flows to the region increased from $117.7 billion in 2013 to $136.2 billion in 2014, going against the overall trend of decline across the world. Yet around 60 million people in the ASEAN remain hungry as countries race to the bottom, offering the lowest minimum wages possible for labourers, to attract capital, according to Oxfam. The rate of daily minimum wage in ASEAN countries ranges from $2.74 to $10.11. Vietnam aims to privatise its $3 billion Dung Quat oil refinery by June 2017, with energy firms from Russia, Thailand and Kuwait expressing interest in taking a strategic stake, the head of the refinery's operator said on Wednesday. Vietnam is trying to accelerate the sale of stakes in state firms, including an initial public offering (IPO) of the firm that runs the country's sole refinery, which has been meeting about 30 percent of local oil product demand since it began operating in 2011. "We have not decided how much will be sold at the IPO because it will depend on the market situation," Tran Ngoc Nguyen, Chief Executive Officer of state-owned Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Co, told Reuters. However, a strategic investor could buy up to 49 percent in Binh Son, he said. Nguyen said the government has set a timetable for the domestic IPO to be completed by June 30 next year. Binh Son, an affiliate of state oil group PetroVietnam, has registered capital of 35 trillion dong ($1.57 billion). Nguyen said Rosneft, Russia's biggest oil producer, Gazprom Neft (GPN), Thailand's top energy company PTT and the Kuwait Petroleum Corp have expressed interest in buying stakes in Dung Quat. "We have not picked any strategic partner yet. We need a partner who can guarantee a crude oil supply for 50 to 100 years," said Nguyen, who took up his post last October. Gazprom Neft had earlier halted negotations to buy a 49 percent of stake in Binh Son. The refinery, located in the central province of Quang Ngai, far from Vietnam's offshore oil production hub, has a processing capacitgy of 6.5 million tonnes of crude oil a year, equal to 130,500 barrels per day. ALSO IN ENERGY Father of former Nigeria militant dies following military incursion Ecuador begins drilling for oil in pristine corner of Amazon Tesla gets $300 million lease credit line from Deutsche Bank FEATURE-N. Dakota pipeline fight gives spark to Native American activism EQUAL FOOTING Nguyen said the government had cut the tariff on Dung Quat's petrol from Sept. 3 to 10 percent from 13 percent earlier, which would be maintained to year-end, putting it on an equal footing with fuel imported from South Korea. "The new rate will help us compete better," he said, noting that Vietnamese oil product distributors could avoid foreign currency risk by using Dung Quat petrol and cut the size of stockpiles. Dung Quat was targetting 2016 output of at least 6.8 million tonnes of oil products, matching last year. However, it would maximise its processing to 110 percent of design capacity in the remaining months of 2016, Nguyen said, potentially reducing Vietnam's oil product imports. Vietnam imported around 10 million tonnes of oil products in 2015, up 18.7 percent from a year earlier, according to government data. "The ratio of domestically produced products per imports could be changed to 40/60 from 30/70 now," Nguyen said. Vietnam's start-up sector has caught the eye of foreign companies including the French tech firm Linkbynet which has an office in Ho Chi Minh City Recent Vietnamese graduate looking for an English-language teacher? There's an app for that. Or hunting the best bowl of pho in your Hanoi neighbourhood? There's now an app for that, too. A decade ago such technology would likely have been developed in California's Silicon Valley. But today those apps are being churned out by Vietnam's startup sector -- an industry driven by local techies trained overseas but returning home to prowl for opportunities. The sector's growth in a young tech-hungry nation has caught the eye of foreign firms -- President Francois Hollande on Wednesday visited French tech firm Linkbynet in Ho Chi Minh City, the country's startup hub. Much of the technology, which also includes popular mobile games and e-commerce software, is being produced for local consumers in Vietnam, where the median age is 30 and internet connectivity is rapidly expanding. Much of the digital technology which also includes popular mobile games and e-commerce software, is being produced for local consumers in Vietnam. "The local market is large, young, fast-growing, and not fully tapped," said Eddie Thai of 500 Startups, a venture with a $10 million pot -- mostly of foreign cash -- to splurge on tech enterprises for Vietnamese users or made by local developers. US-born Thai, 31, whose parents left during the Vietnam War, belongs to a vanguard of entrepreneurs who have arrived to offer expertise in the country, where Intel and Samsung already have a foothold in the hardware industry. Homegrown talent "I kept getting tugged by Vietnam, I saw that the opportunity to make an impact and make money doing it were bigger the sooner I came back," he told AFP. For Thai, the mathematics made the move a no-brainer: 90 million people, 45 million internet users, 30 million smartphone users and internet usage 10 times what it was a decade ago. He arrived in 2012 to work for a corporate firm, and eventually joined 500 Startups, which has funded ventures including the language learning app Elsa and online ticketing platform Ticketbox. Other apps developed in Vietnam include Lozi for food lovers and mobile bespoke tailor UKYS, which are not connected to Thai's firm. French President Francois Hollande applauded Vietnam's IT sector during his visit to Linkbynet, which was founded in a garage in France. But much of the talent is also homegrown: Vietnamese teens rank ahead of peers in the United States, Britain and Sweden in maths and science, according to the latest survey from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development in 2012. That educated labour force, which comes cheap compared with China or Singapore, is helping to pique interest from tech heavyweights like Google CEO Sundar Pichai, who took time away from his holiday in December to speak to tech entrepreneurs in Hanoi. Comprehensive official figures are not available. But state media reported turnover in the software and IT services industry was $3 billion last year, from $2 billion in 2010, citing the Vietnam software and IT services association. The government has also outlined its own strategy for the sector, and founded Vietnam Silicon Valley in 2013 to create an "ecosystem of innovations and technology commercialisation". Hollande applauded the industry during his visit to IT service provider Linkbynet, which was founded in a garage in France. "What strikes me is the global character... it's Vietnam but it's a global environment, with global clients," he said. Growing pains But some observers say investors should be wary of the hype, warning of red tape and murky local laws. "Vietnam has hidden tech potential, but it could take another five years maybe really to create these huge massive companies that have global influence," said Anh-Minh Do of Singapore-based Vertex Venture Holdings. While Vietnam's startup sector is smaller than early entrants such as Indonesia and Malaysia, there is hope the country is fast evolving from export industries such as garments or commodities like coffee. "The law needs to be better, the government needs to be more supportive, there needs to be more interaction from Vietnamese-Americans, specifically Vietnamese-Californians because of the 'Valley' connection." While Vietnam's startup sector is smaller than early entrants such as Indonesia and Malaysia, there is hope the country is fast evolving from export industries such as garments or commodities like coffee. "Vietnam has been present in the tech sector for several years but now it is moving up the value chain," said Romain Caillaud, Southeast Asia director for US company FTI Consulting. "The sector is growing because Vietnam is making strategic moves in terms of competitive advantages to attract foreign investment." Thai conceded the road is sometimes rocky, but he is optimistic Vietnam's startup culture will overcome growing pains to see substantial progress, even if it is a few years off. "Generally speaking, Vietnam is moving one step back occasionally, but two steps forward. Hopefully in the next five or 10 years it will get better." Doctors at a Ho Chi Minh City hospital have successfully reattached the nearly-severed penis of a man whose wife had sliced it off out of jealousy. According to the 115 Peoples Hospital, L.Q.P., 42, was brought to the emergency room at 11 p.m. Saturday with his penis cut two-thirds of the way. Doctors successfully performed surgery to reattach it, but said it would take three months to see if the penis can function normally. P.s wife, who was not named, had been jealous for several months since he had a relationship with another woman. P. was frequently absent from home and his mistress sometimes called his wife to say unpleasant things, according to a source. On Saturday evening his wife called him home, promising to buy him a car. He went home and his wife plied him with a lot of beer. When P. fell asleep, she reportedly cut off his penis with a razor blade. When he began to bleed severely, she bandaged the part and rushed him to hospital. Like us on Facebook and scroll down to share your comment Two suspects arrested at their house in My Tho Town on September 7. Photo: Phuong Ha Tien Giang police have arrested nine alleged members of a gang accused of stealing dogs and motorbikes across the Mekong Delta. The suspects, aged from 22 to 38, were arrested Wednesday at two rented houses in My Tho Town. Police said they are investigating the gang on multiple charges, including robbery, buying stolen property, illegal use of weapons and illegal trading of drugs. They also seized seven stolen motorbikes, several stun guns and self-made guns and some drugs. A driver is tested for alcohol on a street in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Doc Lap Traffic accidents kill thousands of people every year in Vietnam and more than 40 percent of road fatalities involve drinking and driving, official data have shown. "Last year, more than 8,700 people were killed in traffic accidents nationwide and nearly 4,000 of them died in alcohol-related accidents," said Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee. Binh was speaking at a conference in Hanoi on Wednesday to discuss measures to improve traffic safety, after a sudden surge in accidents last month. In August, there were 1,760 traffic accidents nationwide, killing 705 people and injuring 1,495. The number of fatalities increased 7.8 percent from the same month last year. Traffic accidents have become more complicated with many serious cases, causing great human and property damage, Binh said. Major General Tran Son Ha, director of Traffic Police Department, said police have stepped up surveillance against drinking and driving nationwide. In Vietnam, drunk driving can be fined for up to VND18 million (US$807) for car drivers and VND4 million for motorbike drivers. Police in the northern province of Bac Giang on Tuesday arrested a 29-year-old man accused of cutting off the penis of his wife's lover. Nguyen Van Huan is now investigated on charges of deliberately inflicting injuries, local media reported. Police said Huan, a stone sculptor, had secretly followed his wife on suspicion that she was having an affair. On September 5, he caught her with another man in a hotel room. Huan allegedly cut off the lover's penis. AirPods are displayed as Apple Inc CEO Tim Cook makes his closing remarks during an Apple media event in San Francisco, California, U.S. September 7, 2016. The new Apple iPhone has something missing: the small socket millions of us have used for years to plug in headphones. While some fans opposed the widely anticipated move - one online petition urging Apple to keep the headphone jack drew more than 300,000 signatures - equipment suppliers and experts heralded a change in how users will interact with their devices. Axing the jack, they say, paves the way for discreet, bean-sized earbuds that can simultaneously translate, filter out unwanted noise or let us control other devices by voice - and drive up the value of the so-called 'hearables' market to $16 billion within five years. It's the vision of the futuristic 2013 movie "Her", where a human has a love affair with a disembodied voice in his ear. But some who follow the industry say it's closer than many think, noting improvements in wireless technologies, materials, artificial intelligence and battery life. "It's surprisingly close," says Nick Hunn, a UK-based consultant who works with manufacturers and a group defining the short-range wireless Bluetooth standard. Phil Schiller, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Apple Inc, discusses the Apple AirPods during a media event in San Francisco, California, U.S. September 7, 2016. Un-wired Apple justified the removal of the jack as a courageous move to ditch a 100-year-old technology and make more space inside the iPhone. It offered as alternatives a lightning cable earphone and an adapter for the old type, but touted new wireless earphones. "It makes no sense to tether ourselves with cables to our mobile devices," said Phil Schiller, senior VP of worldwide marketing, announcing the launch of AirPods, Apple's own wireless earbuds using the firm's new wireless W1 chip, and costing $159. "We're just at the beginning of a truly wireless future we've been working towards for many years," added chief design officer Jonathan Ive. And that great uncabling has already begun. Speakers were first: more than 100 million wireless speakers will be sold this year, most of them using Bluetooth, according to SAR Insight and Consulting. Now it's headsets: spending on wireless headsets overtook wired ones last year, says Steven LeBoeuf, founder of Valencell, a developer of biometric sensor technology for wearable devices. The next step is to make those earphones smarter. German wireless earbud start-up Bragi, for example, last week announced a partnership to hook up its earbuds with IBM's artificial intelligence engine, Watson. IBM said users would be able to communicate, monitor vital signs, receive and give instructions and translate from one language to another using Bragi's smart earphones. Firefighters would be better able to hear and locate victims and colleagues, and co-workers could collaborate using both hands, said Bragi CEO Nikolaj Hviid. "This is not about making headphones," he said. "It's about taking the user interface from your eyes and hand and having a much more discreet one when needed. It's part of a bigger puzzle." Phil Schiller, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Apple Inc, discusses the pricing for the AirPods during an Apple media event in San Francisco, California, U.S. September 7, 2016. Intelligent assistance That bigger puzzle includes improving how computers understand human commands. Apple pointed to improvements in its Siri voice control software, which can be activated by double tapping the AirPod. Other major technology companies are also making strides, with Amazon.com Inc's Alexa software letting you control an Internet-connected speaker with your voice. Alphabet's Google has its own version. Among China's technology leaders, Baidu is working on improving transcribing speech, and says its Deep Speech 2 system can transcribe English and Chinese about three times faster than a human. It says the number of voice interactions with its products has tripled since the start of last year. Start-ups, too, are forging a path. New York-based Scarlet, funded by Samsung Electronics, this year launched an intelligent assistant app that briefs the user on relevant information based on weather, outside events and your calendar. Valencell has focused on putting biometrics in the earbud, such as measuring the user's heart rate. Its technology can be found in over a dozen products so far, says LeBoeuf. Bragi has worked on solving some of the problems connecting two wireless buds with a device and with each other, and wants to "bring intelligence to wearables," says Hviid. But there are still teething problems. Hviid says Bragi's latest earbuds, launched this week, resolve many of the issues that drew criticism in the first generation product. Others say artificial intelligence is still not there, though it's much better than even a few years ago. "Apple's AI is not ready now," says Gonzalo Tudela, CEO of Vandrico Solutions, an enterprise wearables software company. No voice needed But many, including some major hardware players, sense the time is near. Phil Schiller, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Apple Inc, discusses the audio features of the iPhone7 during a media event in San Francisco, California, U.S. September 7, 2016. Samsung last month launched its IconX wireless earbuds, which include biometrics, while Sony's Xperia Ear promises to deliver weather and message notifications via voice, and to recognize input either by voice or head movements. LG Electronics said last week it was including Alexa in its SmartThinQ Hub, a device used to connect home appliances over the Internet. And some are already pioneering the next step - where voice commands are unnecessary. U.S. start-up Emotiv Systems is selling a $300 headset that allows the user to control software with the mind and face. This, says David Vivancos, an adviser to the company, is part of a shift "to custom apps that learn from your usage. Your app and my app will soon not be the same." In the "Her" movie, the operating system becomes more and more personal. "There's a case to be made for a hearable OS," says Mari Joller, Scarlet's founder and CEO, "which capitalizes on the combination of sensors, mobility, context and privacy to enable experiences that are in many ways even more intimate and powerful than the smartphone." (L to R) Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chano-cha, Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, U.S President Barack Obama, Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, Philippines Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay, Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, Indonesia's President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak pose for photo during ASEAN-U.S. Summit in Vientia Asian leaders played down tensions over the South China Sea in a carefully worded summit statement on Thursday, but even before it was issued Beijing voiced frustration with countries outside the region "interfering" in tussles over the strategic waterway. The heads of 10 Southeast Asian nations, as well as U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang among six other leaders, "reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation in and over-flight in the South China Sea". But the draft of a statement to be issued in Vientiane, Laos, tiptoed around the regional strains caused by competing claims to areas of the strategically important sea. "Several leaders remained seriously concerned over recent developments in the South China Sea," said the draft. The statement, seen by Reuters, made no reference to a July ruling by a court in The Hague that declared illegal some of China's artificial islands in the sea and invalidated its claims to almost the entire waterway. Obama said on Thursday the ruling had helped clarify maritime rights. "I recognize this raises tensions but I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions," he said at a summit meeting. Officials said that talks on Wednesday between leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China's Li had gone smoothly. But in a statement later from China's Foreign Ministry, Li was paraphrased as saying China was willing to work with Southeast Asian countries in "dispelling interference ... and properly handling the South China Sea issue". He did not elaborate, but such wording is typically used by Chinese leaders to refer to not allowing countries from outside the region with no direct involvement in the dispute, like the United States, from getting involved. China claims much of the South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion of trade moves annually. Taiwan and four ASEAN members - Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei - also have claims, making it a hot spot of regional tension. The other ASEAN nations are Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand. Leaders from Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea and the United States also attended the summit. China has over the past year alarmed other claimants, and outside powers such as the United States and Japan, by re-claiming land on several disputed reefs through dredging, and building air fields and port facilities. Shattering an illusion of cordiality at the summit in Laos on Wednesday, U.S. ally the Philippines released photographs and a map showing what it said was an increased number of Chinese vessels near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, which China seized after a standoff in 2012. Its defense ministry expressed "grave concern" that Chinese boats were preparing to build structures at the shoal. ( L to R) Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chano-cha, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, Indonesia's President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak pose for photo during ASEAN-China Summit in Vientiane, Laos September 7, 2016. Cleared the air The Philippines' move came after a dispute with the United States, its former colonial power. Ties turned frosty when new President Rodrigo Duterte insulted U.S. counterpart Barack Obama on Monday, prompting the cancellation of a meeting between them. The two leaders made some steps toward clearing the air late on Wednesday, however, chatting briefly, and exchanging pleasantries as they prepared to take their seats at a leaders' dinner. The United States has been a staunch ally of the Philippines and China has repeatedly blamed Washington for stirring up trouble in the South China Sea. Washington says it has no position on the territorial disputes but wants to ensure freedom of navigation. To press that point, it has conducted patrols near Chinese-held islands. Although the Scarborough Shoal is merely a few rocks poking above the sea, it is important to the Philippines because of the fish stocks in the area. Manila says China's blockade of the shoal is a violation of international law. The dispute has become more significant since the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in July that no country had sovereign rights over activity at Scarborough Shoal. China has refused to recognize the ruling by the court in The Hague. Li made no direct mention of Scarborough Shoal in the comments provided by the foreign ministry, but Beijing said on Wednesday there had been no new activity there and "some people" were spreading information that was "hyping the situation". China's embassy in Manila said there has been no dredging or building at the shoal and China has maintained a coastguard presence there for law enforcement patrols. A statement by ASEAN on Wednesday listed eight points related to the South China Sea, but made no mention of the arbitration ruling. The bloc traditionally shies away from taking a position on thorny diplomatic issues, especially where China is concerned, because of its influence in the region and the need to balance ties with the United States. "Both China and the United States are among the most important partners of ASEAN, and ASEAN does not want to have to choose between those partners," the secretary general of the bloc, Le Luong Minh, told Reuters in an interview on Thursday. A general view shows the damage at a military complex, after forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad recaptured areas in southwestern Aleppo on Sunday that rebels had seized last month, Syria, in this handout picture provided by SANA on September 5, 2016. An Iraqi Shi'ite militia said on Wednesday it had dispatched more than 1,000 fighters to the frontline in neighboring Syria, escalating foreign involvement in the battle for Aleppo, the biggest prize in five years of relentless civil war. New footage emerged of civilians choking in the aftermath of an apparent attack with poison chlorine gas on an opposition-held district as the battle for Syria's biggest city approaches what could be a decisive phase. Aleppo has been divided for years into government and rebel sectors, but President Bashar al-Assad's army has put the opposition areas under siege and now hopes to capture the whole city in what would be a devastating blow to his enemies. Government forces are backed by Russian air power and battle-hardened Lebanese and Iraqi Shi'ite militia fighters under the apparent oversight of an Iranian general. The arrival of reinforcements from Iraq, where Shi'ite militia are fighting their own war against the Islamic State group, shows how the Syrian and Iraqi conflicts have leapt borders, to become a broad sectarian war across the Middle East. Hashim al-Moussawi, a spokesman for the Iraqi Shi'ite militia Harakat al-Nujab, said its fighters would reinforce areas captured from the rebels in southern Aleppo. The militia's Twitter account showed pictures of its fighters at the Syrian front with Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of foreign operations for the elite Revolutionary Guards, who has led operations by Tehran's allies in both Syria and Iraq. A still image taken on September 7, 2016 from a video posted on social media said to be shot in Aleppo's Al Sukari on September 6, 2016, shows a civil defense member making his way through debris, after a suspected chlorine gas attack, Syria. Social Media via Reuters TV. Rebel commanders said they are preparing to launch their own counter-offensive aimed at breaking the siege of the city, which was reimposed in recent days following weeks of intense fighting around a military complex. Rebels lost the complex of military colleges to pro-government forces on Sunday near the Ramousah area of southwestern Aleppo, where they had opened a way into the city. Five years after the multi-sided war began, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and 11 million - half of Syria's pre-war population - displaced. But there is little sign that any party is poised for victory or can restore stability, and foreign powers are becoming more involved. In recent weeks, Turkey has sent its troops across the border to combat Islamic State and Kurdish fighters. The United States, which is trying to negotiate a ceasefire with Russia, has backed Kurdish forces advancing against Islamic State. Meanwhile, the plight of some 250,000 civilians trapped in rebel-held districts of Aleppo has spurred international efforts to agree a new humanitarian truce. But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry have not reached agreement over the details of a ceasefire. Poison gas Western countries, Turkey and most Arab states oppose both Assad's government and Islamic State, while supporting other anti-Assad factions. Russia and Iran support Assad. The latest apparent poison gas attack adds to a litany of what Assad's opponents say is deliberate targeting of civilians, often with banned weapons, to force rebels to surrender. Footage of the apparent chlorine gas attack on the Sukari district, near Aleppo's main battlefield in the city's southwest, showed crying children being doused with water and then lying on hospital beds and breathing through respirators. A still image taken on September 7, 2016 from a video posted on social media said to be shot in Aleppo's Al Sukari on September 6, 2016, shows a boy breathing with an oxygen mask inside a hospital, after a suspected chlorine gas attack, Syria. Social Media via Reuters TV. Rescue workers in the rebel-held area said army helicopters had dropped the chlorine in incendiary barrel bombs, an accusation the government has rejected. "We have not and will not use at any point this type of weapon," a Syrian military source said, accusing rebels of making false accusations to distract attention from their defeats. However, the government has a history of being accused of similar attacks. An inquiry by the United Nations and Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) seen by Reuters last month said the Syrian army had been responsible for two chlorine gas attacks in 2014 and 2015. In 2013 Western countries accused Assad's government of attacking a Damascus suburb with nerve gas. At the time, Assad fended off a threatened U.S. bombing campaign only by agreeing to give up his arsenal of chemical weapons, later destroyed by the OPCW. But Syria still possesses chlorine, which is used for water purification and other legitimate industrial processes. Ramousah, its surroundings, and the countryside between it and the village of Khan Touman seven km (four miles) to its southwest were the site of intense bombardment by Russian jets and attacks by Shi'ite militias in recent weeks, rebels say. On Tuesday night, jets bombed Khan Touman and neighboring areas, and intense clashes took place in Ramousah and its surroundings, with rebels targeting an army tank, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based war monitor reported. Rebels also shelled government-held residential districts in western Aleppo, the Observatory reported. "All the (rebel) factions are trying to prepare themselves to launch a new attack on the regime positions in Ramousah. It's not over," a senior source in the insurgency said. A Russian fighter jet carried out an "unsafe and unprofessional" intercept of a U.S. spy plane over the Black Sea and came within 10 feet (3.05 meters) of the American aircraft, two U.S. defense officials said on Wednesday. The incident is likely to cause more tension between the United States and Russia, who are at odds over the Syrian civil war and Ukraine. It lasted about 19 minutes and involved a Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter and a U.S. Navy P-8 surveillance plane flying a regular patrol, said one official, speaking on condition of anonymity. "They're up there for 12 hours and there are lots of interactions. But only one of the incidents was what the pilot determined was unsafe," said another official, who was not authorized to speak publicly. Officials were talking with the pilot and reviewing the incident to determine whether it would be included in an annual meeting of U.S. and Russian officials about more serious intercepts, the official added. The Russian defense ministry said it had sent Su-27s on Wednesday to intercept a U.S. aircraft approaching its border over the Black Sea because the American planes had turned off their transponders, which are needed for identification. There have been a number of similar incidents involving Russia and the United States this year. In April, two Russian warplanes flew simulated attack passes near a U.S. guided missile destroyer in the Baltic Sea. The events are reminiscent of the Cold War, when a series of close calls led to a bilateral agreement aimed at avoiding dangerous interactions at sea that was signed in 1972. In July, NATO leaders agreed to deploy military forces to the Baltic states and eastern Poland for the first time and increase air and sea patrols to reassure allies who were once part of the Soviet bloc, following Russia's seizure of Crimea from Ukraine. The 28-nation Western defense alliance decided to move four battalions totaling 3,000 to 4,000 troops into northeastern Europe on a rotating basis to display its readiness to defend eastern members against Russia. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte pose for photo during the ASEAN Plus Three Summit in Vientiane, Laos September 7, 2016. The Philippines said on Wednesday it was "gravely concerned" that Chinese boats were preparing to build structures at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, shattering an appearance of cordiality at an Asian summit in Laos. Officials said talks between Southeast Asian leaders and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang went smoothly. There was no reference to a July ruling by an court in The Hague that declared illegal some of China's artificial islands and invalidated its claims to almost the entire waterway. But, hours before the meeting, the Philippines' defense ministry released photographs and a map showing what it said was an increased number of Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal, which China seized after a standoff in 2012. "We believe that this is a precursor to possible building of structures on the shoal," spokesman Arsenio Andolong said in Manila, adding that a denial by China's ambassador was "even more disturbing." "We are gravely concerned," he said. China said there had been no change in the situation around the shoal and it had not taken any new action there. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily briefing in Beijing that "some people" were spreading information that was "hyping the situation". China's embassy in Manila said in a statement on Wednesday that there had been no dredging or building at the shoal and China had maintained a coastguard presence there for law enforcement patrols. China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei claim parts or all of the South China Sea, making it a hot spot of regional tension. China has over the past year alarmed other claimants, and outside powers such as the United States and Japan, by re-claiming land on several disputed reefs through dredging, and building air fields and port facilities. A Philippines official said the release of the pictures and a map showing the ships' positions was ordered by the defense minister, who was at the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Vientiane. But there was no row over the issue at the summit. "It seems that every country played down the level of conflict, therefore the tone of the meeting was quite friendly and emphasized peace and security within the region," said Weerachon Sukhondhapatipak, a Thai government spokesman. Row with Washington The Philippines' expression of concern comes after a dispute with the United States, its former colonial power. Ties turned frosty when Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte insulted U.S. counterpart Barack Obama on Monday, prompting the cancellation of a meeting between them. They made some steps towards clearing the air late on Wednesday, however, chatting briefly, and exchanging pleasantries as they prepared to take their seats at a leaders' dinner. "It all springs from the fact that the relationship between the Philippines and the United States is firm, very strong," Philippines' foreign minister, Perfecto Yasay, said of their meeting. The United States has been a staunch ally of the Philippines and China has repeatedly blamed Washington for stirring up trouble in the South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion of trade moves annually. The United States says it has no position on the territorial disputes but wants to ensure freedom of navigation. With that in mind, it has conducted patrols close to Chinese-held islands, to Beijing's anger, while China has been bolstering its military presence in the sea. Although the Scarborough Shoal is merely a few rocks poking above the sea, it is important to the Philippines because of the fish stocks in the area. Manila says China's blockade of the shoal is a violation of international law. The dispute has become more significant since the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in July that no country had sovereign rights over activity at Scarborough Shoal. China has refused to recognize the ruling by the court in The Hague. Duterte wants China to abide by the ruling and stuck to his promise not to raise the issue during the meeting in Laos. An ASEAN communique on Wednesday listed eight points related to the South China Sea, but made no mention of the arbitration ruling. The bloc traditionally shies away from taking a position on thorny diplomatic issues, especially where China is concerned, because of its influence in the region. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks at the Union League of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. September 7, 2016. Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that Russia's Vladimir Putin had been a better leader than U.S. President Barack Obama, as the Republican presidential nominee used a televised forum to argue he was best equipped to reassert America's global leadership. Trump suggested at the event in which he and Democratic rival Hillary Clinton made back-to-back appearances that U.S. generals had been stymied by the policies of Obama and Clinton, who served as the Democratic president's first secretary of state. "I think under the leadership of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton the generals have been reduced to rubble. They have been reduced to a point thats embarrassing for our country," Trump said at NBC's "Commander-in-Chief" forum in New York attended by military veterans. It was the first time Trump and Clinton had squared off on the same stage since accepting their parties' presidential nominations in July for the Nov. 8 election. Clinton was grilled over her handling of classified information while using a private email server during her tenure at the State Department. FBI Director James Comey had declared her "extremely careless" in her handling of sensitive material but did not recommend charges against her. "I did exactly what I should have done and I take it very seriously, always have, always will," she said. Trump's praise of Putin and his suggestion that the United States and Russia form an alliance to defeat Islamic State militants could raise eyebrows among foreign policy experts who feel Moscow is interfering with efforts to stem the Syrian civil war. "If he says great things about me, Im going to say great things about him," Trump said of the Russian president. "Certainly in that system, hes been a leader, far more than our president has been." Trump had called Obama "the founder of ISIS," an acronym for Islamic State, in stump speeches several weeks ago. The statement drew broad criticism, prompting him to take a more disciplined approach to campaigning. He has since picked up ground on Clinton in national opinion polls. Trump also flirted with revealing what he had been learning in classified intelligence briefings given to him by U.S. officials because he is the Republican nominee. "There was one thing that shocked me," Trump said. "What I did learn is that our leadership, Barack Obama, did not follow what our experts ... said to do, and I was very, very surprised. ...Our leaders were not following what they recommended." Earlier on Wednesday, Trump pledged to launch a new U.S. military buildup, saying America was under threat like never before from foes like Islamist extremists, North Korea and China. Debate preview? The event offered a prelude to how Clinton and Trump will deal with questions on national security issues in their three upcoming presidential debates later in September and in October. Clinton began the forum saying her long experience in government as a U.S. senator and secretary of state made her uniquely qualified to serve as president. She said she had "an absolute rock steadiness" to be able to make tough decisions, a not so subtle dig at Trump, who Democrats say is temperamentally unfit for the White House. Moderator Matt Lauer doggedly pressed her about her handling of emails from a private server while secretary of state from 2009 to 2013. The issue has raised questions about whether she can be trusted to serve as president. Clinton said none of the emails she sent or received were marked top secret, secret or classified, the usual way such material is identified. Appearing in the second half of the hour-long show, Trump faced questions about his fitness for office. Asked if he would be prepared on Day One to be commander in chief, Trump said: "One hundred percent." Trump quickly abandoned Lauer's entreaties to avoid attacking his opponent and focus on what he would do if elected president in November. "She's been there for 30 years," Trump said. "We need change, and we need it fast." The event brought together the meticulously prepared Clinton, 68, the wife of former President Bill Clinton, and Trump, 70, a New York businessman whose brash, freewheeling style has allowed him to dominate the headlines during his campaign. Clinton said she regretted her decision as a U.S. senator from New York to vote in favor of the much-criticized 2003 Iraq war and that Trump had been in favor of it as well. Trump has condemned the war during his campaign and said he would avoid lengthy conflicts in the Middle East. On the U.S. intervention in Libya in 2011, Clinton rejected Trump's criticism of her support for the effort as secretary of state. "Permitting there to be an ongoing civil war in Libya would be as threatening and as dangerous as what we are seeing in Syria," she said. Trump said Clinton's handling of Libya proved disastrous. Republicans have made much of the fact that the U.S. ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, was killed in an Islamist attack in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012. "She made a terrible mistake in Libya," said Trump. Clinton said U.S. policies under her leadership at the State Department had helped promote security. "We made the world safer," she said. Obama and Carter sit down to a meeting of the National Security Council at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Wednesday warned Russia against interfering with Western "democratic processes" and accused Moscow of aggressive behaviour aimed at eroding the international order. Carter's remarks follow hacking attacks on Democratic Party organisations in the run-up to the U.S. election on Nov. 8, some of which U.S. officials and cyber security experts have blamed on hackers working for the Russian government. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has blamed Russia and expressed concern about possible Russian interference in the election. The Kremlin has denied involvement in the hacks. "We don't seek an enemy in Russia. But make no mistake we will defend our allies, the principled international order, and the positive future it affords all of us," Carter said in an address to students at Oxford University. "We will counter attempts to undermine our collective security. And we will not ignore attempts to interfere with our democratic processes." Pressed by reporters, Carter said his concerns were not about "the United States only" but did not offer specifics, nor did he indicate whether he was referring to the hacking attacks, but he said that the NATO alliance has long worried about Russian meddling in other nations' domestic affairs. U.S. Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and has called on Moscow to dig up tens of thousands of "missing" emails from Clinton's time as head of the U.S. State Department. He later said his comments were meant to be sarcastic. Relations between Russia and United States hit a post-Cold War low in 2014 over the Ukraine crisis, and Washington and Moscow have since clashed over diverging policies in Syria. Carter sounded a pessimistic tone on diplomatic efforts between the two to try to agree a ceasefire and nudge the Syrian government towards a political transition to end the conflict. "Today's news out of Syria is not encouraging. The choice is Russia's to make ... and the consequences will be its responsibility," he said. On another front, U.S. officials said a Russian fighter jet carried out an "unsafe and unprofessional" intercept of a U.S. spy plane over the Black Sea on Wednesday. Citing Russia's "unprofessional behaviour" in the air, space and cyberspace, Carter said: "Russia appears driven by misguided ambitions and misplaced fears." "It lashes out, alleging that it fears for its own viability and future, even though no nation - not the United States, not the United Kingdom - seeks to defeat it or constrain its potential," he said. Heads up to prevent injury from falls Morning walks in my neighborhood are one of the most enjoyable parts of my day. I love the coolness of daybreak and the special sightings of the stag and two does that frequent our open space. I also enjoy my walk because each day at... Signs that point to the best time for retirement Ive been thinking a lot about retirement lately. 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There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission A Baton Rouge man who told family members and authorities he strangled his wife in their Castle Hill Drive home on June 6 was indicted Wednesday on a second-degree murder charge. Donald Wayne Germany II, 42, faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison if found guilty as charged in the death of 41-year-old Nichole Jones. Germany called 911 and told an operator he had just killed his wife, according to an East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office report. Before that, he confessed to family members on the phone that he had killed his wife and asked them to pick up his 11-year-old daughter from the house, sheriff's officials have said. The child, who was in the house at the time of the killing but did not witness it, is in the care of other family members. Germany told deputies he and Jones had argued the day before, and the argument continued the next day when he strangled her in bed. The case has been assigned to state District Judge Beau Higginbotham. The state has gotten input from more than 200 groups on how public school policies should be changed to comply with a new federal law, officials announced Thursday. The year-long review stems from passage of a federal law called the Every Student Succeeds Act, which won congressional approval in December. In July, the state Department of Education held public hearings in nine cities to get input on public school rules than need changes, and other individual meetings before and after. Louisiana kicks off review of public school policies LAFAYETTE -- The state should take a new look at its public school testing policies, the val The agency said more than 200 school systems, advocacy groups, community organizations, colleges and universities and others took part. More than 1,000 people joined in the process. Suggestions include better aligning public schools to colleges and universities and the workplace; more help for struggling students and schools and improving the teaching profession. Specifically, state education leaders were told public school changes are needed to improve the success of college freshmen; better measures on how alternative schools are performing and ensuring more practical experience before new teachers enter the classroom. State education officials are about to begin more talks on public school changes with a wide range of groups, including the Accountability Commission at noon on Monday. Other gatherings are scheduled with the Superintendents' Advisory Council, Sept. 21; the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Oct. 11-12 and another meeting with the Accountability Commission, Oct. 17. An initial plan for school changes is set for public review in late September. Early next year the proposal will be submitted to BESE, and then to the U.S. Department of Education by July, 2017. Changes could take effect for the 2017-18 school year. However, an advisory panel named by Gov. John Bel Edwards also plans to do its own review of the federal law, and its suggestions may conflict with any department recommendations. Some members favor changes in how public school letter grades are decided and fewer annual tests, which would spark controversy. Rival school review panel named by Gov. John Bel Edwards Gov. John Bel Edwards named nine members to a panel Wednesday to recommend changes in public Edwards, who often disagrees with White on key public school issues, is supposed to have input on any state plan submitted to the federal government. Bid to trim student testing may spark political tug-of-war A push is underway to cut testing in public schools, and the issue is shaping up as a possi The advisory panel could also recommend legislation for the 2017 session, which could direct BESE to add specific provisions to the state's plan. Comments on how public schools should be changed with the new federal law can be sent to essalouisiana@la.gov. Only eight percent of Louisiana cities and 25 percent of its participate in a federal program that allows authorities a chance to give residents a break on flood insurance premiums, Those percentages still put Louisiana in the top 10 of states involved in the program in 2015, according to the first of a series of reports outlining recommendations for how the region moves forward. The release of the report by the Center for Planning Excellence, a non-profit group based in Baton Rouge which led the "Louisiana Speaks" planning effort after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, comes as many in south Louisiana continue to struggle with recovery efforts following devastating August floods. The report focuses on how the National Flood Insurance Programs Community Rating System can help communities handle floods while reducing the amount residents pay for flood insurance. As a region, we should use every tool available to develop in a manner that supports the insurability, financial sustainability and safety of our communities, said Camille Manning-Broome, senior vice president at CPEX, in a press release. The rating system allows parishes and cities to voluntarily take actions that go beyond what is required by the National Flood Insurance Program. The rating is based on the number and type of actions the community takes. The better the rating, the larger the discount in flood insurance premiums. The extra actions generally involve providing public information, mapping and regulations, reducing flood damage and flood preparation. Its similar to the fire ratings that give homeowners a break on insurance premiums, explained Cindy ONeal, state coordinator of the National Flood Insurance Program with the state Department of Transportation and Development, which administers the program in Louisiana. DOTD provides training and assistance to parishes and cities that want to get involved in the program and has a staff person assigned to the task, she said. In East Baton Rouge Parish, the rating is six, one of the best in the state, which saved rate payers about $3 million in 2014. Jefferson and Terrebonne are also rated as a six and resulted in insurance premium savings of more than $17 million a year and $1.1 million a year, respectively. But, pulling together the documents and information needed to qualify for the program and then earning points is a bigger job than many local governments, already stretched financially, can manage, said Jeannette Dubinin, Climate Resilience Project Manager with the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX). Theres a lot of documents spread out everywhere, she said. Getting a better rating can also call on setting aside land where no development can occur or adopting structure elevations that are above what is required by the flood program. There is typically no direct benefit to government. ONeal said a city might just have a handful of residents with flood insurance through the federal program, so it doesnt make economic sense to put time, effort and money into getting into the rating program. There are other places where the parish can't meet FEMA's basic requirements -- such as a coastal community with a base flood elevation of eight feet for structures. Nothing under the structure can be enclosed to qualify for the rating program and many elevated homes along the coast have enclosures. The report recommends improving local government's ability to handle the additional work it takes to participate, including providing more education or supporting the regional groups now working on the program. There are organizations out there who have taken it upon themselves to help communities with this and have been very successful, Dubinin said. These include the regional groups that work in Jefferson, St. Tammany and Terrebonne parishes, the Baton Rouge area, New Orleans, and southwestern Louisiana parishes. Groups working to support these efforts include the University of New Orleans Center Hazards Assessment, Response and Technology, SeaGrant, Louisiana DOTD and the Insurance Service Office, she said. These recommendations recognize that this is a time of significant fiscal limitations for the State of Louisiana, according to the report, but the Community Rating System should be seen as an investment that will pay large returns. Subsequent reports will focus on building to better handle disasters, whether they are floods, storms or hurricanes. Governor John Bel Edwards attempt to hire his top political supporters to represent the state in litigation that could generate billions in legal fees is unconscionable. Like all elected officials, Governor Edwards has a sworn duty to protect and serve the people of Louisiana. The individuals, businesses and law firms he hires to help carry out that duty should be selected based on their experience and expertise not their political connections. And when private lawyers are brought into public litigation, they should be paid reasonable rates based on their hours of public service not absurd legal fees that some attorneys charge their clients in private practice. The facts uncovered by The Advocate/ WWL-TV investigation make clear that the legal contracts recently initiated by the Governors Office do not meet these basic standards. It is not unreasonable for the people to expect more from their governor, who promised to live and serve by the honor code. But this is not just a perception problem for Gov. Edwards. The unprecedented breadth of the proposed contracts leads to a slew of legal and ethical questions that need to be addressed. Under the contracts, Gov. Edwards authorized his hand-picked team of private lawyers to represent nearly half of all state departments including: the Governors Office, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Division of Administration, Division of Revenue, and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. Is it really in the publics best interest for Gov. Edwards to outsource the legal authority of so many state departments to private lawyers whose financial interests may be at odds with those of the state? Another major issue with the contracts is the inclusion of fee shifting provisions, which seems to violate state law regarding payments to private lawyers. In addition to being paid hourly rates, the controversial fee shifting provision could allow private lawyers to reap billions in legal fees off of the states case. How is that in the publics best interest? Unfortunately, this is not the first time we have witnessed the outsourcing of state litigation to well-connected private lawyers thru lucrative and legally questionable contracts. This scheme is oddly reminiscent of the Buddy System of cronyism and back room deal making that flourished under former Attorney General James Buddy Caldwell. The only difference is that this scheme is more blatant, and it flies in the face of major reforms passed by the Louisiana Legislature in 2014. That legislation was enacted to bring an end to the Buddy System, but clearly theres more work to be done. MELISSA LANDRY Executive Director, Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch Baton Rouge Members of the Louisiana Army National Guard load 3-month-old baby Ember Blount onto a truck as they rescue people from rising floodwater near Walker, La., after heavy rains inundated the region, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Max Becherer) If the sight of a Louisiana governor heading to Washington, DC to seek billions in aid for residents hit by a catastrophic flood is painfully familiar, well, we all know the reason for that. But Gov. John Bel Edwards' lobbying trip, the first of what may well be many, shouldn't just ring a bell because he's following in the footsteps of Kathleen Blanco, who estimates she made nine such visits after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita just over a decade ago. In making the trip with Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, Edwards is also giving the nation's capital a glimpse of something that used to be a given in Louisiana: Bipartisanship in the face of adversity. +2 Gov. Edwards heads to Washington to pitch $2B flood recovery aid package Gov. John Bel Edwards will spend the next two days making the case for a $2 billion federal Edwards, of course, is a Democrat, and Nungesser and Strain are Republicans. But in their two-day visit, they'll present a united front to the nation's leaders. The cooperation they'll project used to be pretty routine in Baton Rouge, where party labels were just one of many factors in how politicians formed alliances and chose sides on particular fights. That old dynamic was already starting to fade by Blanco's term, and by the time Edwards got sworn in at the start of this spectacularly eventful year, it seemed that Baton Rouge was becoming more like highly-divided Washington by the hour. The rains didn't wash all that away. Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry and Edwards continue to spar over ideologically-loaded matters. And party divisions will surely reassert themselves once the Legislature finally tackles structural budget reform once a long-awaited task force report is issued. But for now, Edwards, Nungesser and Strain working as a team is a welcome reminder of old Louisiana, and it will hopefully make a strong impression on both the Democratic Obama administration and the Republican leaders in Congress who are expected to be more resistant to writing a big check. Who knows, they might even like what they see so much that they give it a try themselves. Nah. Washington's long since succumbed to all-but-permanent partisan standoff. Which is one more reason that Louisianans should be pleased that, in Baton Rouge at least, it may not be too late. If the sight of a Louisiana governor traveling to Washington, DC to seek billions in aid for residents hit by a catastrophic flood is painfully familiar, well, we all know the reason for that. But Gov. John Bel Edwards' two-day lobbying trip this week, the first of what will likely be several, shouldn't just ring a bell because he's following in the footsteps of Kathleen Blanco, who estimates she made nine such visits after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita just over a decade ago. In making the trip along with Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, Edwards is also giving the nation's capital a glimpse of something that used to be a given in Louisiana: Bipartisanship in the face of adversity, and really, as a matter of course. Edwards, of course, is a Democrat, and Nungesser and Strain are Republicans. But in their two-day visit, they'll present a united front to the nation's leaders. The cooperation they'll project used to be pretty routine in Baton Rouge, where party labels were just one of many factors in how politicians formed alliances and chose sides on particular fights. That old dynamic was already starting to fade by Blanco's term, and by the time Edwards got sworn in at the start of this spectacularly eventful year, it seemed that Baton Rouge was becoming more like highly-divided Washington by the hour. The rain didn't wash all that away. Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry and Edwards continue to spar over ideologically loaded matters. And party divisions will surely reassert themselves when the Legislature finally tackles structural budget reform once a long-awaited task force report is issued. But for now, Edwards, Nungesser and Strain working as a team is a welcome reminder of a Louisiana of old. Edwards is seeking a $2 billion aid package for things like infrastructure improvements and long-term housing, on top of the federal help that the disaster triggered automatically for short-term individual assistance, disposal of the mountains of debris and other needs. That's a lot less than the $29 billion that Blanco eventually finagled, and it's a relatively small percentage of the disaster's estimated nearly $9 billion impact. In a letter to President Barack Obama, the governor pitched it as a "very reasonable request." That doesn't mean it's an easy sell. Administration officials have expressed support and appear to have forged good relations with the governor's team a welcome development after Edwards, acutely aware of the state's dominant political leanings, made a point of keeping his distance during last year's campaign. More importantly, providing resources for communities struck by disaster is right in line with Democratic politics. +2 Gov. Edwards heads to Washington to pitch $2B flood recovery aid package Gov. John Bel Edwards will spend the next two days making the case for a $2 billion federal But the money will have to be approved by the Republican-controlled Congress, and here's where things get trickier. In general, GOP politicians also say they support providing aid in these situations, but during past debates, some have raised questions over cost and whether some of the items included to attract votes are too unrelated to the disaster at hand. That's what happened after Superstorm Sandy, when three Louisiana Republicans who will now be pushing for the aid package, then-U.S. Rep. and now-U.S Sen. Bill Cassidy, now-House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and U.S. Rep. and Senate candidate John Fleming, voted against the final package. And here's where the two statewide Republicans can play a big role. Nungesser, who has deep family roots in Republican politics, knows the challenges residents and local governments face firsthand from his time as Plaquemines Parish president. Strain, who strongly endorsed the "team" approach to seeking aid, can speak to the particular hit taken by the state's farmers. They'll have powerful cases to make on the merits, but their political affiliation could help some members overcome reservations, or at least lend them a more sympathetic ear. Who knows, those DC pols might even like what they see so much that they decide to give it a try themselves. Nah. Washington's long since succumbed to all-but-permanent partisan standoff. Which is one more reason that Louisianans should be pleased that, in Baton Rouge at least, it might not be too late. They could almost be taken for a class of undergraduates, sitting in the dark hush of a university amphitheater, sipping from water bottles an The state Supreme Court this month refused to consider the case of a Marrero small claims court judge who has been trying to block the release Ender Darling resorted to earthly powers Friday to remove a troubling spell the one the self-described witch was doing in jail. Blue Lives Matter hate crime law 'incorrectly applied' after homeless man arrested for tirade, NOPD says Blue Lives Matter hate crime law 'incorrectly applied' after homeless man arrested for tirade, NOPD says As workers in the city centre pay ever increasing parking fees for all-day parking, one cohort of workers doesn't have to pay anything 30 staff of government ministers. With seven ministers, that is an average of 4.4 free staff parks per office. The carparks are in the London Circuit Legislative Assembly precinct. Parking ticket machines aren't a big problem for staff of ministers in the city centre. Credit:Ryan Osland A spokesman for Chief Minister Andrew Barr said 15 vouchers were provided for the all-day parking area, eight parks were in front of the ACT parliament building and seven under the Nara building across London Circuit. Not all staff get parks, with about 50 ministerial staff employed at the moment. Asked about the cost, the spokesman said the parks at the Nara building cost $4231 each. There was no budget impact from the other carparks in the assembly precinct other than fringe benefits tax, he said. The Australian National University will be working on some of its own Big Bang theories after being named as an Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in astrophysics. Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham announced nine new research centres on Thursday, delivering a $283.5 million investment. Professor Lisa Kewley will head the ANU's new CAASTRO 3D centre. Credit:Jamie Kidston The ANU will receive $30 million to set up the ARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3 Dimensions, using 3D technology to help unlock the secrets of the early universe and the development of elements that make up the periodic table. Led by Professor Lisa Kewley from the ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, the centre, known as CAASTRO 3D, will be led from the ANU Mount Stromlo facilities and will ensure Australian astronomers, astrophysicists and engineers will play a central role in the exploration of the universe over the next decade. There are not many places which can boast its political leader has a part in a sci-fi movie as a mind-controlled, post-apocalyptic commoner - but Canberra can. Andrew Barr has a part in sci-fi movie Blue World Order as a mind-controlled, post-apocalyptic commoner. The Canberra International Film Festival launched its 20th anniversary program on Thursday with a program heavy on locally produced and filmed features, documentaries and short films including the stunning sci-fi movie Blue World Order which looks like Mad Max in the national capital and in which Mr Barr has his cameo. The film will have an exclusive preview as part of the festival on November 5. They're young, hip and fashionable and they all love horse racing. Thoroughbred Park has unveiled its 2016 Racing Ambassadors who will fly the flag for Canberra Racing in the lead-up to the spring racing events and then the Black Opal Stakes in autumn. Thoroughbred Park's 2016 ambassadors Marissa Briedenhann, Kate Speldewinde, Phil Bywaters and Kristen Henry. Credit:Elesa Kurtz The four ambassadors are public servant and model Marissa Briedenhann, navy officer and horse owner Phil Bywaters, Mix 106.3 breakfast presenter Kristen Henry and last year's Face of Canberra Racing Kate Speldewinde, a local model, dancer and physiotherapist. They were chosen not only for their obvious photogenic qualities and fashionable tastes but also for their genuine love of racing in the national capital. King of the thriller Frederick Forsyth has pulled out of SPYfest in Goulburn SPYfest will still go ahead with Australia's only Bond, George Lazenby, the special guest at the event from September 16 to 18 in Goulburn. Australia's James Bond, George Lazenby, at last year's SPYfest in Goulburn. He'll be back for more at this year's festival September 16 to 18. Credit:Peter Oliver "Due to an unforeseen event that has prohibited him from travelling, Frederick Forsyth is unable to attend SPYfest this year," said Wendy Antony, part of the SPYfest organising committee. "The festival organisers are disappointed that Frederick won't be here in Goulburn to be part of the spy-filled weekend, however we understand his position completely. The Liberals have promised land for a Catholic school in Molonglo if they win government. The Catholic Education Office has been trying for six years to get land for a school in the area. There are no Catholic schools in Molonglo despite population figures that predict more than 3500 primary students and more than 2000 secondary students living there by 2021. Steve Doszpot, Liberal education spokesman: Promising land for a Catholic school in Molonglo. Credit:Jay Cronan Liberal education spokesman Steve Doszpot said a quarter of ACT students were in the Catholic education system. There are 32 Catholic schools in Canberra. The Catholic Education Office pays for the infrastructure and building the schools but relies on land grants from the government. The only thing Caitlin Gare doesn't like about her school uniform is the number of stockings she goes through during the winter terms. The year-10 student at Gold Creek School is otherwise proud to wear her school colours, saying having a uniform has brought the students closer together since it was introduced in 2013. Gold Creek Senior School students Daniel Davis 13, Jasmin Gruicic 13, Shams Mehry 15, Caitlin Gare 15, Jodie Chang 14, Riley Snell 14 and Natarsha Radoll 14 have been wearing school uniforms for the past 4 years. Photo Elesa Kurtz Credit:Elesa Kurtz "I think it makes us look pretty smart, and makes us feel like more of a community," the 15-year-old said. From 2019, all ACT public high schools will introduce a formal uniform and public colleges will implement a dress standard, after the ACT Education Directorate released its revised uniform policy Dress Standards and Uniforms in Canberra Public Schools on Thursday. What are the "right signals" that I as a consumer need to understand? If the dams are full, surely it makes sense to allow additional environmental flow to maintain the health of the waterways. The ICRC should not become a rubber stamp for a gold-plated water supply infrastructure. It should should remain the "scrupulous and rigorous" agency responsible for setting tariffs. Heather Stewart, Weston Fix planning maze Before Andrew Barr embarks on his new and untested method of public consultation ("Divide and rules: Barr's strategy on public projects", September 5, p15), he needs to get back to making the ACT's planning regime easier to use and understand. The complexity is mind-boggling. There is the Planning and Development Act, a document of 648pages, the Territory Plan, which takes up nearly 200 megabytes, and the Planning and Development Regulation, of over 320 pages. Furthermore, all these documents are continually being updated. There have been more than 340 variations to the Territory Plan since 2007. Here is an example of a typical problem. In the Territory Plan there are defined rules and subjective criteria. In the high-density residential zone (RZ5), the rule on building heights specifies a maximum of six storeys but there is no mention of the height in metres. However, in the criteria, provided there is "consistency with the desired character and reasonable solar access to dwellings on adjoining residential blocks", there is no height limit. Surprisingly, the subjective criteria have precedence over the rules and there is no definition of high, medium and low density in the legislation. Even if a developer breaks some of the rules, the minister can approve the development using the call-in powers. Why can't all the rules and conditions relating to every block be made available in a single codified document? Andwhy can't the rules be written so there is no need for subjective criteria? It shouldn't be too difficult. David Denham, Griffith Gas bottles the go It is surprising that John Hutchison and his neighbours are connected to the gas network just for cooktops (Letters, September 5). In 2014, the Alternative Technology Association produced a report titled Are We Still Cooking with Gas? One of the findings of this report was that, Australia-wide, "Itis not cost-effective to connect a new home to mains gas when efficient electric appliances are an option". John's household is likely to pay less than $20 a year for gas and more than $250 a year in supply charges. A gasfitter can convert a gas cooktop to LPG and connect a bottle of LPG outside. Gas account gone and with it, gas-use "estimates". Ben Elliston, Hawker Number of issues I was surprised at the jocular attitude taken on the radio on Wednesday morning by the Actew AGL CEO Michael Costello. He observed that the flood of erroneous bills sent to customers had led to long delays for callers to ActewAGL's 1300 number. In my view he should have offered a public apology and a 1800 number for affected customers, most of whom do not enjoy even a 20th of Mr Costello's rumoured $1million package. Chris Smith, Kingston Candidates online Congratulations to Bob Douglas and the Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy for setting up a website to compare our candidates in the forthcoming election ("Get to know our MLA candidates before voting", Comment, September 8, p16). Any candidate not participating will be at the bottom of my preferences. James Walcott, Mawson Chinese checkers must eye game of possible pawns and a Bishop The righteous indignation expressed by the Prime Minister from overseas ("Turnbull leads assault on Dastyari, Shorten", September 7, p6) does nothing to demonstrate his success as a leader, but appears to be more an exercise in point-scoring in hopes that it takes our minds off his foundering government. I am disappointed that Senator Sam "caved" under the intense pressure applied by both the government and the media and resigned his post. There was more noise and aggression directed at the senator over his indiscretion in allowing a Chinese businessman to pay for his "overspend" than there was when Darwin Harbour was leased to the Chinese by the Northern Territory government or when the current government agreed to station American forces in the Territory. I hope the media will continue its investigations into political donations to parties and individuals with the same degree of enthusiasm and aggression towards those next in the spotlight. Perhaps they could begin by checking the donations received by the government frontbench, looking in particular at Julie Bishop, the Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce and Scott Morrison. One suspects that donors would contribute more to the government members and expect more in return. Let's open the books of the righteous. W. Book, Hackett Say what you like about Sam Dastyari, and many have done so lately on radio, TV and the daily newspapers ("The ghost of Dastyari's past", Comment, September 8, p16). Nevertheless, were Dastyari a "professional politician", like most of today's politicians, then not only would he have ignored giving public admissions of his error of judgment, but also he would have declined to resign. By dominating the headlines Dastyari has done his colleagues, who had no convincing answers to the nation's important problems, a great favour. Sam Nona, Burradoo, NSW Food for thought It is disturbing to discover that the largest foreign owners of Australian farmland are from a country with a hereditary head of state, a long history of conflict with its neighbours, an unstable economy and a habit of changing its mind on trade deals. Perhaps we would be more secure if a greater portion of farmland was owned by people from a stable, prosperous country with a growing economy. I wonder if Chinese investors are still interested? Tony Judge, Woolgoolga, NSW Mission incomplete Nicholas Stuart's piece "Reviewing Afghanistan" (Comment, September 6, p18) was a welcome commentary on our former military presence there, but with only a passing reference to the "witches' brew of ... poverty" for Afghans. The ongoing impact of war on civilians was exemplified in the article "Our efforts in landmine removal are declining" (Comment, August 31, p19). In 2012-13, Australia helped clear 4.14square kilometres of Afghanistan's contaminated land. However, new mines are constantly added as territorial control shifts between Afghan government forces and militia groups, and there are more than 4300 minefields remaining. The presences of mines and explosives reduce the economic potential of affected areas, as land and resources remain unusable for growing food or generating income, and restricting access to market routes and infrastructure. Despite Afghanistan's unpromising future, Australia's help for its civilians was reduced by 40per cent in 2015-16: from $131million in 2014-15 to $78million. With our help, the Afghan people can walk their land in safety. It's not mission accomplished, however. More aid is needed. Peter Graves, Curtin Heartfelt custom Fergus Thomson (Letters, September 6) stated he was astounded and dismayed to see Malcolm Turnbull with his hand over his heart while laying a wreath, claiming this is an American custom "never Australian". He is wrong. The hand on the heart gesture started in Britain on Armistice (now Remembrance) Day in 1920 during the ceremony of the dedication of the Cenotaph at Whitehall. The RSL maintains this tradition, with members placing a hand over the medals (not the heart) at a march past, ceremonial occasion and wreath-laying ceremony. John Perkins, Cooma, NSW Indigenous power One hopes that Bruce Haigh's article, "Prado brigade blocks Indigenous empowerment" (Comment, September 5, p15) is heeded by all government authorities, employees and non-Indigenous people providing essential services in Aboriginal communities. While most of these service-providers might not wish to remain in remote Aboriginal communities after a given project is complete, every effort must be made to involve them in Indigenous life while they provide key services such as health, education, housing and management. As Haigh pinpoints, could not a dedicated aim of empowering Aboriginal people to manage their affairs and combat examples of white paternalism, or even racism, be accomplished by government-assisted mentoring on a well-resourced scale? Keith McEwan, Bonython Weapons-grade error Your article "Drop by the AWM shed for a big day out" (September 7, pp2-3), and the family excursion that it is promoting, might be appropriate for an exhibition of farming equipment, but for an exhibition of killing machines they are highly inappropriate. The portrayal by the Australian War Memorial of weapons as fun objects for a family outing ignores the reality of what these devices do to families in war zones. Our children are taught in schools and in the home that conflicts should be resolved without physical violence, and yet the message of weapons exhibitions is that physical violence is pretty fun and exciting all the same, maybe something the kiddies might like to aspire to when they grow up. There are strong moves to prevent alcohol advertising reaching children and young adults, and yet the AWM actively promotes the exposure of children and young adults to equipment made specifically to kill or maim, as if it is all a game. Sue Wareham, vice-president, Medical Association for Prevention of War (Australia) TO THE POINT SUMS OF SAM We must thank Sam Dastyari for providing sophisticates like Barnaby Joyce, Eric Abetz and others, the opportunity to explain to us all the subtle difference between motes andbeams. Adrian Gibbs, Yarralumla While the Liberal Party looks down on Sam Dastyari with mock disgust, it's OK for Julie Bishop, Warren Truss and George Brandis to travel to China in 2012 all expenses paid, courtesy of the Chinese Communist Party. What hypocrites. Richard Ryan, Summerland Point, NSW Well, the financial gods are still with Senator Dastyari. He's resigned from the shadow ministry, but won't lose any of his parliamentary salary. Why? Because he and Andrew Leigh MP were the only shadow ministers not to get a pay increase when appointed to their positions after the election. Tony Falla, Ngunnawal NAPPY TIME Ronald Reagan once said: "Both politicians and diapers need to be changed often and for the same reason!" Canberra voters might like to bear his observation in mind at next month's election. C.J. Mountifield, Greenway, NSW OUI POINT To Barrie Smillie (Letters, September6), there is only one thing to say: "C'est si bon." Eric Hunter, Cook BUS STOPS HERE Last Friday, I took bus No.27 from the Waramanga shops at 7.59am. Changed at Woden, express service to Civic. Got a seat, too. Ordered coffee in Civic before 8.30. Easy as. Peak hour, too! John Mungoven, Stirling PENALTY PAY Actual liquidated (dollars and cents) and ascertained (proven and openly accessible) damages caused by a subsequent government's cancellation of the ACT light rail project, are all that should be payable to the contractor, and not the massive scary "penalties" bandied about by the current government. Jack Kershaw, Kambah HEADS WE WIN Penleigh Boyd (Letters, September8) asserts that no Australian can become head of state. Wrong. The Governor-General is our head of state, and the High Court of Australia said so in 1907. David Smith, Mawson 'BREXIT' JULIAN Viva Ecuador. Shame on you Sweden. Britain, let Julian Assange free. John Rodriguez, Florey Email: letters.editor@canberratimes.com.au. Send from the message eld, not as an attached le. Fax: 6280 2282. Mail: Letters to the Editor, The Canberra Times, PO Box 7155, Canberra Mail Centre, ACT 2610. Certainly the treatment at Barwon Prison of Raad and his co-accused in the so-called Melbourne terrorism trial was so dire that the trial judge, Justice Bernard Bongiorno, took the unusual step of threatening to adjourn the trial unless conditions improved. A report noted that intelligence sources have indicated Raad, along with his brothers who also served jail time for terrorism offences, was "further radicalised" in prison. Imprisoned since being arrested in late 2005, Raad was released in 2013 and instead of opting for a low-profile life with his family he went to Syria, where he was believed killed recently, and is now a propaganda weapon for Islamic State. Back in 2008, after a lengthy trial in the Supreme Court of Victoria involving himself and 11 co-accused, a young electrician, Ezzit Raad, was convicted of offences under anti-terror laws. Constant strip searching, long travel to and from court in cramped transport, limited time out of cells, and excessive handcuffing had led to the point where Justice Bongiorno concluded that the accused were "currently being subjected to an unfair trial because of the whole of the circumstances in which they are being incarcerated at HM Prison Barwon and the circumstances in which they are being transported to and from court". The conditions that Raad and his co-accused endured for over two years before Justice Bongiorno intervened were described as posing "a risk to the psychiatric health of even the most psychologically robust individual". When Raad was arrested and detained in late 2005 he and his co-accused were classified as high-risk prisoners. This led to their being subjected to the oppressive treatment that led to judicial intervention in March 2008. Such a classification seems to be the norm among those suspected of, or convicted of, terrorism offences. Only last month a group of prisoners convicted of terrorism offences and being detained in the notorious Goulburn jail SuperMax complained of inhumane treatment. The Raad trajectory from prisoner to IS recruiter and fighter should have our prison authorities and their political masters reflecting on whether the mindset that treats terrorism offenders or suspects harshly as a matter of course is in fact counterproductive. As a landmark 2010 report on prisons and terrorism offenders published by the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence put it: "Often ignored by the public and policymakers, [prisons] are important vectors in the process of radicalisation, and they can be leveraged in the fight against it." For someone who has been so targeted for years by what the Herald has called the "anti-Clover cabal", the Lord Mayor of Sydney is in a surprisingly strong position to be returned for a fourth term on Saturday. But Clover Moore is desperate to get 30,000 non-voters from 2012 to make the effort this time. She needs residents from the city's burgeoning apartments and dwindling townhouses to vote in big numbers to counter the double-business-vote gerrymander engineered by a Liberal, introduced by the Shooters and Fishers party and backed by the Baird government. No one even knows for sure whether the electoral roll has been stacked with sham businesses, as the Herald warned when the new rules were being considered two years ago. Clover Moore, often portrayed as anti-business and anti-development, has helped Sydney hum. Credit:Daniel Munoz Almost 23,000 non-residential voters will be able to cast a ballot in this election, whereas the voluntary system in 2012 led to just 1709 business votes being cast. More than 117,000 residents will get one vote each this time if they all turn out to cast ballots for the Lord Mayoralty and to elect nine councillors. Councillor Moore is likely to lose her majority in council and have to rely on Greens, Labor and even the Liberals to help get controversial measures through. But she has a habit of surviving, despite myriad efforts that have forced her to quit state parliament, reduced her council's powers over developments and undermined her electoral base. We have often argued that when circumstances evolve, sensible people change their view. Indeed, we exhort lawmakers and others in public debate to have the courage and integrity to take this approach, rather than clinging to ideological or impractical positions. So, The Age is changing its stance on the Racial Discrimination Act. As staunch defenders of freedom of speech, we have previously proposed that Section 18C of the act which makes it illegal to "offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate on the basis of race, colour or national or ethnic origin" should be abolished because it sets the bar too low, in effect allowing people to take legal action for hurt feelings. Our commitment to freedom of expression remains as robust as ever. It has emerged over the years that 18C really does not limit free speech. Very few cases have been triggered by it, so changing it would have little or no practical effect. It would merely cause a divisive distraction from far more important issues before the Parliament. Of pivotal importance in our thinking is Section 18D, which provides a detailed and powerful protection of freedom of expression. That section contains the overarching statement that "Section 18C does not render unlawful anything said or done reasonably and in good faith". When he became prime minister in 2013, Toby Abbott sought to keep a promise to repeal 18C. He was blocked by the Parliament, and abandoned the notion. It is back on the agenda primarily because an Abbott acolyte, South Australian Liberal senator Cory Bernardi, is agitating for an amendment to remove the words "offend" and "insult". While Senator Bernardi, an uncompromising libertarian, might well believe in the change, it is fair to suspect that he is being disingenuous and mischievous. He, and those supporting him, must know that their push can but destabilise the man who replaced Mr Abbott when he was dumped by his own party a year ago. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has made it clear that while he understands the argument of those who want 18C amended, he does not support the change. Australia will burn through its "fair share" of carbon within six years if the more-ambitious end of the global warming goals agreed to at the Paris climate summit is to be achieved, a respected European think-tank says. Restricting warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial times implies a global carbon budget of less than 250 billion tonnes of carbon-dioxide equivalent from 2015, the Stockholm Environment Institute said in a new study. The planet has warmed about 1 degree in the past century alone. Taking Australia's share of this budget to be 1 per cent arguably a generous measure as the nation makes up just 0.3 per cent of the world's population the country will emit that 2.5 billion-tonne portion within six years at present polluting rates. "[Australia's] transformation to a post-carbon era must be rapid and comprehensive, and include diversification away from fossil extraction for energy and export," Sivan Kartha, the author of the report, said. Let's start with a statement of the bleeding obvious. The word "democracy" comes from the Greek meaning "rule of the commoners". It has become fashionable in liberal, first-world countries to mount the case that democracy is broken, that leaders have no vision, that political parties are chockablock with no one but apparatchiks and the commoner is locked out of the process. Discontent may well be the feeling of the times but to throw up our hands in despair and take the default position that nothing can be done is a cop-out. Australian soldiers did not die in vain in Afghanistan despite Taliban forces advancing on Tarin Kot, the capital of the province in which most Australian combat deaths happened, the Chief of Army says. Fifteen years after the Afghanistan war began and nearly three years since Australians withdrew from the Southern province of Oruzgan, insurgent fighters are reportedly within kilometres of the provincial capital amid heavy fighting. Abdul Karim, a senior government official in the city, was quoted by international news agencies as saying that Tarin Kot "will collapse" unless the Afghan Army provides significant air support and ground reinforcements. Dozens of Taliban fighters and a reported six Afghan soldiers or police have been killed in heavy clashes but security forces have halted the insurgents' advance about two kilometres from Tarin Kot, according to Afghan media reports. Brussels. European parliamentarians have urged Australia to put planned free trade talks with Britain on ice, concerned that Australia will play off Britain and European Union against each other. They gave Australia a ticking off on Thursday for starting talks on a free trade deal with Britain, complaining that it might hurt negotiations on a planned free trade deal with the EU of which Britain is still a member. Trade Minister Steve Ciobo and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop addressed the European Parliament's foreign affairs and trade committees on Thursday, with the aim of bolstering Australia's bid for an FTA with the EU, which they hope to start negotiating in earnest early next year. Mr Ciobo had announced on Tuesday that Australia and Britain would set up a "bilateral trade working group" to start planning their own trade negotiations, even though Britain is not supposed to have such negotiations while it is still an EU member state. Senior government figures are maintaining pressure on Bill Shorten following Labor senator Sam Dastyari's resignation from the shadow ministry, questioning the Opposition Leader's judgment for standing by the MP as damaging revelations kept coming. Weathering the eight-day donations scandal triggered by his personal travel debt being paid by a Chinese-Australian donor and exacerbated by a pro-China stance he reportedly took on the South China Sea, contrary to Labor policy, Senator Dastyari stood down on Wednesday afternoon. Treasurer Scott Morrison, a prominent critic in recent days, targeted Mr Shorten for continuing to defend the senator and said he "should have had this sorted days ago because the facts of this matter were uncontested". "Who would have thought that Sam Dastyari had higher standards than Bill Shorten. I mean it is Sam Dastyari who has taken the decision," Mr Morrison told ABC's 7.30 program. Senator Cory Bernardi, the conservative warrior who led the charge against Senator Sam Dastyari, is himself involved with a fundraising entity that inhabits a grey area in the political donations system and permits gifts from foreign donors. Liberal senator Cory Bernardi has confirmed he will quit the party. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Founded by the hard-right senator in 2009, the Conservative Leadership Foundation, based in Adelaide, solicits public donations, runs networking events and trains "future political and business leaders". But unlike other fundraising entities linked to senior Liberals, it has never made a disclosure to the Australian Electoral Commission as an associated entity, nor disclosed any political expenditure. The foundation is not named as a donor in Liberal Party returns. Former prime minister Tony Abbott has outlined a sweeping plan for reform of Australia's political donations system that would ban payments from unions, companies and overseas donors. In comments that will ratchet up pressure on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to act on reform of Australia's donations laws - rather than punt the problem off to a parliamentary committee - Mr Abbott spoke exclusively to Fairfax Media about the need for a major re-think of the current system. While opposition leader in May 2013, Mr Abbott backed out on a donation reform deal struck with then-prime minister Julia Gillard after an internal party and public backlash. That deal would have handed political parties and elected MPs more public funding but also, crucially, reduced the disclosure thresholds for anonymous donations from $12,000 to $5000. Amal Clooney has cancelled her headline appearances at two major Australian business conferences next month, citing commitments at The Hague. Clooney was due to speak at the Women World Changers Summits in Sydney and Melbourne in five weeks time, with tickets ranging from $825 for general attendance to a $2200 VIP "Meet Amal" package. Lawyer Amal Clooney, with husband George, was to headline the Women World Changers summit in Australia in October. Credit:Barry King The event organisers, The Growth Faculty, sent an upbeat email to ticket holders on Thursday afternoon admitting their star attraction will no longer be attending. In an email titled "Women World Changers Program Update - 5 Weeks to Go!" the company revealed Mrs Clooney, a renowned human rights lawyer, now faced a clash of dates because of legal commitments. Kanye West has designed the ugliest shoe since the Croc. His muse and wife, Kim Kardashian West, debuted the creation that is great for vegans and bad for the environmentally conscious on a New York street this week. The shoe in question is a high-heeled, thigh-high boot made of clear plastic. Kim Kardashian wearing summer's ugliest shoe. Credit:Raymond Hall On first glance it appears as if Kardashian's legs are the lounge chair in the good room. The acetate boot has a matching 10 to 12-centimetre lucite heel and two perforations at the arch to save if from looking like a sweaty shower curtain when worn during the warmer months. "A few months ago my teenage son thought racism towards Muslims was dropping," says one woman at a meeting for Muslim mothers in western Sydney. "Yesterday he was asking me how Pauline Hanson secured four seats in the Senate. How do I respond to that?" Her comment sparked an avalanche of examples of external influences plaguing Muslims parents, from radicalisation, racism, hate, cult groups and terrorism to loss of identity. The woman, who has not been identified, was wearing a headscarf when a stranger lit her clothes on fire. Credit:Jessica Islam Lia The future of Muslim boys in Australia was one of the many fears mothers highlighted at a recent Mothers Inspire Mothers (MIM) meeting held at the Muslim Women's Association's half way house, in Bass Hill, last month. Raising boys is becoming an increasingly tough and daunting task for Muslim mothers. Many said they were finding it difficult to keep their sons motivated and positive in an era where racism was on the rise and angry youths were rebelling against authority. Know more? Contact us securely via JournoTips or SecureDrop More than 70 former patients now allege they were molested by prominent neurologist Andrew Churchyard in what has become one of the most serious medical abuse scandals in Australian history. Fairfax Media can reveal one alleged victim has filed a civil law suit against Dr Churchyard's multimillion-dollar estate in the Victorian Supreme Court this week, a move that is likely to be followed by dozens more. Dr Churchyard took his own life in late July after being committed to stand trial in connection to allegations he sexually abused 19 year old Tom Monagle, and was under police investigation over three other complaints. Government departments and the main public service union blamed each other on Thursday ahead of a planned strike by tens of thousands of public servants on Friday. Centrelink urged clients to stay away from its offices and phone lines on Friday as thousands of its officials planned to walk off the job, with the welfare agency claiming the actions of the Community and Public Sector Union were "frustrating". Senior DHS executive Hank Jongen said contingency arrangements are in place to make sure staff are available to help people who are in financial hardship. The Immigration Department has warned of possible disruption at international airports around the country and warned travellers to show up early for their flights. A man has been taken to hospital in a critical condition after he was burned in a house fire in Sydney's west on Thursday. The fire broke out at around 12.15pm on Yarram Street in Lidcombe, burning through the top floor of the two-storey duplex. Paramedics at the scene where the man was seriously injured in a fire. Credit:Nine News Firefighters from Silverwater, Lidcombe and Concord were able to quickly extinguish the blaze. However, a 39-year-old man who was inside the house suffered "extensive burns" in the fire and was taken to Concord Hospital under police escort with serious injuries. After a night enjoying music with friends at a camping festival, Tiemuzhen "Tim" Chalaer rose early on Sunday morning to go to the toilet. Some time between 6.30am and 9am on August 7, he wandered a short distance from his tent into dense bushland in Sydney's Hawkesbury region. Tiemuzhen Chalaer went missing in bushland after a camping music festival in the Hawkesbury area on August 7. He hasn't been seen since. On Thursday, more than a month after their son vanished, Mr Chalaer's family made a desperate plea for help. Is buying into a franchise worth the investment? Recent disputes between franchisors and franchisees of popular brands such as Nandos, Eagle Boys and 7-Eleven would suggest franchises are risky business. However, enterprising Australians do love a franchise: we have about 1200 different franchise systems operating, licensing almost 80,000 franchisees. This is one of the highest rates of penetration in the world. Franchising seems like a safe bet but that's not always true. Credit:Marina Oliphant And why not? Most franchises are a sure bet, it would seem at first glance. You're buying into a proven system with an established product, customer base and business operating system. Add to that a parent company or franchisor that is also invested in your eventual success, and it seems obvious that franchisees are destined to have a pretty good survival rate. That's a much better bet than starting off your own independent business, where less than half of all firms survive for more than five years. The reality, however, can often be different. Franchising is no easy ride for the unwary. 2. Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems, Queensland University ARC funding: $31.9m; participating organisations: $61.4m Total: $93.3m The University of Queensland's Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQuS) also had its funding renewed, meaning a total of $230 million in funding over seven years for quantum computing research, $65.6 million coming from the ARC. The University of Sydney launched Australia's first hub for nanoscience and quantum technology this year where EQuS investigators are building quantum devices and running quantum simulations. Sydney University's Professor David Reilly is a chief investigator at both quantum centres. He said: "Harnessing the unique physics of the quantum world will lead to nothing short of a technological revolution that impacts all areas of modern society. "Its incredibly exciting to be living in a time when this is really happening and in Australia, where we are at the forefront." Professor David Reilly is a chief investigator at two ARC centres of excellence for quantum computing. Credit:Nick Moir The environment and heritage 3. Centre for Research into Climate Extremes, UNSW ARC funding: $30.05m; participating organisations: $62.1, Total: $92.1m The establishment of a centre of excellence for research into climate extremes was another big win for UNSW. The centre director, Professor Andy Pitman, said: "We see average temperatures rising but why do they translate into heatwaves? This, for instance, will be a focus of our research." The ARC funds, $30.05 million over seven years, will allow the centre to attract additional money and talent. Professor Andy Pitman in Coogee last year. Credit:Michele Mossop 4. Centre for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Wollongong University ARC funding: $33.75m; participating organisations: $28.4 Total: $62.1m Wollongong University is receiving funding to establish a centre for Australian biodiversity and heritage. The centre will investigate the beginning of Australia's unique biodiversity and Indigenous heritage, while inspiring Australian children to engage with science. Big physics 5. Centre for Gravitational Wave Discovery, Swinburne University ARC funding: $31.3m; participating organisations: $210.1m Total: $241.4m Big physics asking big questions won big in this round. Swinburne University of Technology was successful in gaining support to investigate the recently detected gravitational waves, predicted a century ago by Albert Einstein. The Centre, to be called OzGRav, will capitalise on the first detections of gravitational waves to understand the extreme physics of black holes and warped space-time. Illustration of gravitational waves produced by two orbiting black holes. Credit: NASA/LIGO 6. Centre for All-Sky Astrophysics, ANU ARC funding: $30.3m; participating organisations: $153.9m Total: $184.2m CAASTRO, the Centre for All-Sky Astrophysics, whose oversight shifts from Sydney University to the Australian National University, has also had its funding renewed. "We will be investigating how the universe formed its first matter in the moments after the Big Bang and how the stars created the chemical elements in the universe," said Professor Lisa Kewley, an ARC Laureate Fellow. Light, energy, solar 7. Centre for Exciton Science, Melbourne University ARC funding: $31.85m; participating organisations: $65.1m Total: $97.0m This centre will manipulate the way light energy is absorbed, transported and transformed in advanced molecular materials. It will apply this to solar energy conversion, energy efficient lighting, security labelling and optical sensor platforms for the defence industry. 8. Centre for Future Low-Energy Electronics, Monash University ARC funding: $33.4m; participating organisations: $38.1m Total: $71.6m This centre will explore materials that will allow electronic conduction without resistance in solid-state systems at room temperature. Its research could reduce considerably the energy needed to run electronic systems. Ageing research 9. Centre for Population Ageing Research, UNSW ARC funding: $27.25m; participating organisations: $39.6m Total: $66.9m An ageing world is a pressing social and economic reality in the 21st century. At this centre, leading researchers from a range of disciplines will undertake research to help governments, businesses, and consumers prepare for and make better decisions for an ageing world The losers With 20 final-round applications and only nine winners, 11 had to miss out. The ARC does not release this information but Fairfax Media believes these are the 11 who failed to make the final cut. 1. Centre for Particle Physics Beyond the Higgs, Melbourne University 2. Centre for Advanced Framework Materials, Monash University 3. Centre for the Developing Mind, Macquarie University 4. Centre for Advanced Organic Semiconductors, University of Queensland 5. Electronic, Photonic and Phononic Integration Centre, University of Sydney 6. Centre for Indigenous Thriving Futures, Australian Catholic University 7. Centre for Translational Data Science, University of Sydney 8. Centre for Human Resilience, Macquarie University 9. Centre for Market Design, University of Technology, Sydney 10. Centre for Transformational Biomimetic Interfaces, UNSW 11. Centre for Transformational Technologies for Mineral Processing, Newcastle University The Centre of Excellence for Particle Physics beyond Higgs based at the University of Melbourne failed to have its funding renewed. The CoEPP was involved in the science at the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland that led to the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012. Illustration of the interior of Saturn's moon Enceladus showing a global liquid ocean between its rocky core and icy crust. Thickness of layers shown here is not to scale. Credit:NASA/JPL-Caltech The 24-year-old University of Sydney PhD student is using his biomedical engineering skills on a project to look for life on Enceladus, one of Saturn's moons. He is also looking at how best to sterilise equipment in NASA's IceBreaker mission that proposes to drill into the Martian crust, searching for evidence of life. So how can biomedics help look for alien life? "All biomedical implants must undergo a process of sterilisation in order to prevent taking an unwanted organism into the human body," Mr Thomson said. "Similarly, transporting objects from Earth presents a concern that biological material of an Earthly origin will infect the system it is placed in." Mr Thomson said that any search for life must avoid what he calls "false positives". "There is a real danger that instead of detecting life on Enceladus unique to Enceladus, you detect life on Enceladus that was brought to it from Earth," he said. Mr Thomson is working on sterilisation but also on the inflight biosensors that will be needed to detect life on Enceladus, 1.3 billion kilometres away. But why travel so far to a tiny frozen moon to search for life? "The four main criteria for life to exist on any celestial body are liquid water, nitrogen, an energy source and organics," he said. "NASA has determined that the clearest evidence of a body that has all four of these factors is Enceladus." It takes light from the sun more than an hour to reach Saturn's tiny moon, Enceladus. The average surface temperature is a rather chilly -198 degrees. However, under its icy surface, NASA has found evidence of a liquid ocean up to 10 kilometres thick. Scientists believe a hot magma core keeps this global ocean in liquid form. In 2005, NASA's Cassini spacecraft detected plumes of liquid spewing from the southern pole of the moon, which is just 500 kilometres in diameter. Cassini has since flown by Enceladus 22 times. However, Cassini doesn't have equipment to detect life. Another mission is needed. Chris McKay is a planetary scientist at NASA Ames. He is the lead in the Brine mission proposal to look for life on Enceladus. "Brine's main objective is to fly through the plume of ice and organics jetting out from Enceladus, collect material (not easy when the spacecraft is moving more than 1 km/sec), and then analyse this material for evidence of life," Dr McKay told Fairfax Media. "While he was with us at Ames, Seamus looked at advanced methods for detecting biomolecules as part of the Brine mission proposal. "Seamus brought considerable energy and technical skill to these projects. We invited him to extend his stay," Dr McKay said. Mr Thomson's doctorate supervisor is Hala Zreiqat. "I'm very supportive of him continuing to work at NASA while pursuing his PhD," she said. "As a supervisor, you get to know who is a good student. Seamus is a critical thinker. He clearly has a vision," Professor Zreiqat said. His other supervisor is world-renowned surgeon Dr Munjed al Muderis also at Sydney University. Dr Al Muderis is one of only three surgeons worldwide who conducts "osseointegration" - advanced prosthesis surgery. "I'm sure Seamus can continue with NASA, I can't see any conflict between the two projects," Dr Al Muderis said. "Unfortunately a lot of talent is taken by the US - one thing Australia lacks is the money power to keep our best brains," he said. "There are a lot of biomedical engineers around at the moment, but few who can cut the cake and become like Seamus." An elderly man has been rescued from a blaze in a Carlton commission flat that was fuelled by mountains of clutter. Six trucks and one aircraft were deployed to the fourth level of the apartment block at the corner of Elgin and Nicholson streets, about 2.40pm on Thursday. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the unit, but were faced with rubbish and household items piled up to the ceiling. "There was extensive hoarding in that apartment, virtually no room to move in anywhere of the rooms," MFB's Rick Gili told the Nine Network. The minister for local councils in the Andrews government has signalled that council amalgamation could become an election issue when Victorians go to the polls in two years. Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins on Thursday told radio station 3AW that she was open to considering amalgamating councils if it was supported by the community. Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins. Ms Hutchins said arguments about merging some of Victoria's 79 councils and amending some boundaries had come up as part of the state government's current review of the Local Government Act. Asked if the Andrews government wanted fewer councils, Ms Hutchins said: "Now, that wasn't in the scope of this review but something that we'd be willing to talk about down the track, particularly going into the next election," she said. Police are probing bikie links to a shooting at a house in Melbourne's north which left bullets lodged metres from where a child was sleeping. Several shots from a high-powered gun were fired at the front door of a house on Coral Court in Lalor about 4.20am on August 28, police say. CCTV footage of a car police believe is linked to a shooting in Lalor. Credit:Victoria Police A 23-year-old woman and a one-year-old child were in the house at the time. One of the shots hit a kitchen wall, narrowly missing the child as they slept in an adjoining room. Both were uninjured. The shots also damaged two cars parked in a driveway. For 155 years, the London Hotel has occupied a prime corner location on Port Melbourne's waterfront but its days welcoming the city's boat arrivals appear numbered. This week the Victoria's planning tribunal sided with Port Phillip Council, refusing a permit application from TAB Developments to replace the landmark pub with an eight-storey apartment block. A hotel, near where cruise boats dock in Port Melbourne, has been on the site since 1861. Credit:Vince Caligiuri But its opposition to the project was far from overwhelming. The old Victorian-era pub may be a sentimental favourite in Port Melbourne but the tribunal has no problem with knocking it down. A permit for demolition has already been issued for the London Hotel a process that required only the approval of a private building surveyor, as the site had no heritage controls. It took only one encounter with five-year-old Sufian "Sufi" Ahmad to realise just how bubbly and full of energy he was. That's what Albury-Wodonga's Islamic Society president Yakub Mohammed remembered of the young boy, who died on Tuesday afternoon. Mr Mohammed had met the family on several occasions at the mosque in Lavington, a suburb of Albury. "I'm not sure what to say, it is really tragic," Mr Mohammed said. For the first time, Melbourne's CBD will open its doors to a fleet of food trucks. But the food truck operators face an uphill battle to win a permit, with only the cream of the crop set to survive a brutal culling process. Only the best food trucks will make the cut. Credit:Simon Schluter In what surely sets the scene for Australia's latest foodie reality television show, more than 500 food truck operators have already applied for one of just 17 permits. So how will the lucky operators be chosen? Will there be a taste off? Can the public vote? A spike in gastroenteritis cases in the state's childcare centres and nursing homes has led to the Health Department issuing a warning. Twenty-five cases have been reported across the two types of facilities in the past six weeks. Counting the cost: Childcare workers say their contribution to society is under-valued. Credit:Peter Braig The department has issued a warning to facilities across Perth reminding them to take extra precautions. "There is often an increase in the number of outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis experienced in residential aged care facilities and child-care facilities during winter and spring," a spokeswoman said. President Barack Obama nominated Abid Riaz Qureshi to the US District Court for the District of Columbia, potentially making the Washington lawyer the first Muslim federal judge. Qureshi is a partner at Latham & Watkins LLP in Washington, where he is the global chairman of its pro bono committee and specialises in the False Claims Act, health care fraud and securities violations. He received his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1997 and a bachelor's degree from Cornell University in 1993. President Barack Obama smiles as he walks across the South Lawn of the White House. Credit:AP "I am confident he will serve the American people with integrity and a steadfast commitment to justice," Obama said in a statement. The issue of diversity in the judicial landscape received renewed attention this year after Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, said in May that Gonzalo P. Curiel, the presiding judge in a lawsuit filed by former Trump University students, would be biased against him because of the judge's Mexican-American background. Trump later said that he did not think that a Muslim judge would be fair to him, either. A police officer and a suspect were injured in the raid on an apartment in Boussy-Saint-Antoine, south-east of Paris, on Thursday evening. The arrests came on the same day as French police arrested three women for plotting what Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said were imminent terrorist attacks. British police arrest two brothers in a raid and a third person said to be connected with the pair on Thursday. Credit:Bloomberg/File The pair, who are understood to be brothers, were arrested in a dawn raid at a property in west London on Thursday morning London time. London: Two men have been arrested on suspicion of plotting a Paris-style terror attack on the streets of Britain. The arrests resulted from an investigation of a car containing gas cylinders found near Paris' Notre Dame cathedral earlier this week. The owner of the car was the father of one of the suspects, France Info radio reported. The car's owner had gone to police on Sunday to report that his daughter had disappeared with his car. She is known to police for wanting to leave for Syria, officials said. Security sources said the London raid had interrupted a "significant" terrorist plot said to have been inspired by Islamic State and which was believed to involve guns and possibly bombs. Security sources suggested that rather than a "lone wolf" attack, the plot was more widespread and serious in nature. However, the suspects are not believed to have been in possession of weapons at the time of their arrests and the raids are thought to have taken place at what was an early stage in the alleged plot. The arrests come just days after Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary was jailed for pledging allegiance to IS. There had been concern Choudary supporters might try to mount some sort of attack in revenge, but it was not clear if the plot was connected. Paris: British authorities have confirmed construction will begin this month on a concrete wall in Calais intended to keep migrants and refugees from the city's port, where they frequently attempt to stow away on UK-bound trucks and ferries. "This measure is intended to further protect the Rocade from migrant attempts to disrupt, delay and even attack vehicles approaching the port," the British Home Office said in an emailed statement. The Rocade is an access road leading into Calais' port. On Monday, French truck drivers and local residents protested against the large migrant camp outside the city, blocking traffic on local roads and insisting that migrants and refugees have increasingly resorted to violence to gain passage to Britain, across the English Channel. The proposed 4-metre high wall will be made of smooth concrete, a material that is difficult to scale, and will run for 1 kilometre along both sides of the road that approaches the port of Calais, as an extension of the existing fence and barbed-wire barrier. It is a crucial part of a 17 million ($29 million) Franco-British security package agreed to in early March. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, with 'Today' show co-anchor Matt Lauer, left, at the NBC Commander-In-Chief Forum held at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space museum. Credit:AP Claiming his foreign policy would be "tempered by realism" and that was not a laugh line Trump was scathing of Clinton. "Unlike my opponent, my foreign policy will emphasise diplomacy, not destruction. Hillary Clinton's legacy in Iraq, Libya, Syria, has produced only turmoil and suffering and death. "Sometimes it seemed like there wasn't a country in the Middle East that Hillary Clinton didn't want to invade, intervene in, or topple she's trigger happy and very unstable." Donald Trump with Matt Lauer at the forum. Credit:AP Blaming Clinton for serial foreign policy stumbles and for deleting her emails to hide her participation in a "pay for play" scandal of access to her as secretary of state for donors to the Clinton Foundation, Trump must have missed The New York Times on Wednesday with its remarkable story of Trump donating $US25,000 to support Florida attorney-general Pam Bondi at a time when her office was considering, and subsequently decided not to, investigate fraud allegations against Trump University. The forum on the aircraft carrier had memorable moments, like Trump's claim that he could tell from "the body language" of the intelligence officials who gave him his first national security briefing that they did not approve of Obama's conduct of national security. "I'm pretty good with the body language, I could tell they were not happy. Our leaders did not follow what they were recommending," Trump claimed. Those who make a study of what the Trump mangle does to the English language will appreciate his response to a question from the audience on his plan to defeat Islamic State and what the generals might suggest: "When I do come up with a plan that I like - and that perhaps agrees with mine, or maybe doesn't - I may love what the generals come back with," Trump said. "I have a plan, but I don't want to - look, I have a very substantial chance of winning. Make America great again. We're going to make America great again. I have a substantial chance of winning. If I win, I don't want to broadcast to the enemy exactly what my plan is. Let me tell you, if I like, maybe, a combination of my plan and the generals' plan, or the generals' plan - if I like their plan, Matt, I'm not going to call you up and say, 'Matt, we have a great plan.' This is what Obama does." Even though he's on the record supporting the Iraq War in the lead-up to the 2003 invasion, Trump again insisted he had been "totally against" it; and even though Russian President Vladimir Putin insists that his most effusive praise of Trump was to describe him as "bright", Trump told the audience: "I think when he calls me 'brilliant' I'm gonna take the compliment". Clinton too got stuck in the weeds. Asked if her foreign policy hawkishness would continue, she took the question as a reference to the US intervention in Libya for which she, as secretary of state, had been a strong advocate. "Taking that action was the right decision," she argued. "Not taking it and permitting there to be an ongoing civil war in Libya would have been as dangerous and threatening as what we're seeing in Syria." Must have been another of those memory blanks there has been an ongoing civil war in Libya since the intervention. Attacks on Clinton are a stock element of the Trump stump speech as are attacks on him when Clinton is on the hustings. In a speech in Greenville, North Carolina, on Tuesday evening, Trump dug a hole for himself when he wandered from a carefully written script that had its own subtlety the idea was to blast Clinton's inability to recall details of her email practice, and to imply, but not to state, that her seeming memory lapses ought to disqualify her from the presidency. But Trump, impetuous as ever, ad-libbed "by the way, if she really can't remember, she can't be president! She doesn't remember anything. She doesn't even remember whether or not she was instructed on how to use emails. 'Were you instructed on how to use?' 'I can't remember'." That jogged memories at The Washington Post, and by mid-morning Wednesday they had a story up on a stunning legal deposition of Trump in September 2012 in the legal fight over the Florida iteration of Trump University, in which Trump claimed not to know the answer to hundreds of questions; and in dozens of instances, claimed he was unable to recall detail. Trump didn't remember when discussions about setting up the university had begun; the format the initial courses took; the names of any of the courses; if he had seen the resumes of any of the instructors; and if attendees got a degree. The Post paraphrases: "Asked if he had attended one of the program's seminars in Florida, Trump says he did. When? Years ago. What year? Doesn't remember. Who were the instructors? He didn't remember. What did they talk about? 'I can't remember specifically'. Ford Surpasses 1 Million Sales in Asia Pacific this Year after Record-Setting August SHANGHAI - September 7, 2016: Ford Motor Company today sold its 1 millionth vehicle in Asia Pacific in 2016, reaching the milestone a month ahead of last year's pace. Ford sales in Asia Pacific continue to strengthen this year, culminating with record demand in August. Ford sold 126,834 vehicles in the Asia Pacific region in August, up 22 percent versus a year ago, for a total market share in the region of 4.1 percent, Fords highest share ever for any single month. Reaching 1 million sales so quickly is a testament to the growing strength of our brand and products in Asia, said Dave Schoch, president, Ford Asia Pacific. Even with intense competition and challenging business conditions, Ford continues to grow and reach new customers in Asia Pacific. A key driver of Fords growth has been its growing SUV lineup with year-to-date sales up 17 percent compared with same time period last year. In fact, SUVs have accounted for 30 percent of Fords vehicle sales this year. The new Ford Edge, for instance, has become a hot seller in China, with year-to-date sales up three-fold since its introduction last year. The introduction of the Ford Mustang has created a sensation in markets such as China, Australia, India and South Korea. The Ranger pickup also continues to thrive, with strong sales across the region, particularly in Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Ford saw best-ever August sales for a number of markets in Asia Pacific, including China where sales for Ford and its joint venture partners rose 22 percent compared to August 2015. Thanks to the strong performance of Ranger and Transit, sales of Ford vehicles in Vietnam increased 57 percent in August, while strong performance of EcoSport, Ranger and Everest helped increase sales of Ford vehicles in the Philippines by more than 90 percent. In Thailand, Rangers market share was up to 10 percent in the pick-up segment in August for the first time ever. We are connecting with new customers with the most modern and expressive Ford lineup we have ever offered across Asia Pacific, said Peter Fleet, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford Asia Pacific. We will continue to grow our sales across the region through the rest of this year and into 2017 as we introduce more new vehicles and technologies, such as new Kuga with SYNC 3 launching now in China. Summit Midstream Partners, LP focuses on owning, developing, and operating midstream energy infrastructure assets primarily shale formations in the continental United States. The company provides natural gas gathering, compression, treating, and processing services, as well as crude oil and produced water gathering services. Its unconventional resource basins include the Utica and Point Pleasant shale formations in southeastern Ohio; the Williston Basin that consists of the Bakken and Three Forks shale formations in northwestern North Dakota; the Denver-Julesburg Basin, which include the Niobrara and Codell shale formations in Colorado; the Permian Basin that comprise the Bone Spring and Wolfcamp shale formations in New Mexico; the Piceance Basin, which include the Mesaverde formation, and the Mancos and Niobrara shale formations in western Colorado; the Barnett Shale formation in north-central Texas; and the Marcellus Shale formation in northern West Virginia. The company also owns an ownership interest in Ohio Gathering, which owns and operates natural gas gathering and condensate stabilization facility in the Utica Shale in southeastern Ohio. It serves natural gas and crude oil producers. Summit Midstream GP, LLC operates as a general partner of the company. The company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For Dogs, its Trick and Treat Its almost Halloween, a great time to teach your dog a trick and give him a treat. Most trainers are fans of trick training. Its not as silly as it... Muzzle is not a bad word If you see a dog in a muzzle, you immediately think the dog is aggressive. Right? Well, this is not always true. Unfortunately, seeing a dog in a muzzle carries... Heres the survey results from our survey about proxy mailing practices: 1. For our proxy materials, we file them: On same day we commence mailing of full sets 76% At least one day prior to commencing mailing of full sets 18% We do something different 7% Not sure 0% 2. We use notice & access (aka e-proxy): Yes 79% No 21% Not sure 0% 3. We print this number of proxy materials to mail: Less that 25,000 66% 25,001 to 75,000 18% 75,001 to 150,000 10% More than 150,000 3% Not sure 3% Escheatment: Follow-On Case to Temple Inland As a follow-up to Brocs blog on the recent Temple Inland decision, heres the intro from this Morris Nichols alert about another decision on Delawares escheatment process: On August 16, 2016, the US District Court for the District of Delaware issued an opinion in the case of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. v. Cook granting defendants motions to dismiss federal Constitutional challenges to Delawares unclaimed property law for lack of subject matter jurisdiction where plaintiff failed to demonstrate that it had standing to assert such claims and that the claims were ripe for decision. This decision is a significant follow-on to the Delaware District Courts recent opinion in Temple Inland, Inc. v. Cook, to the extent that it clarifies and reinforces the States ability to estimate holder liability and rejects the use of the declaratory judgment action to challenge the audit process in advance of a demand for payment. Among the noteworthy rulings made by the Court are findings concerning a holders standing to sue third party contract auditors, the ripeness of challenges to unclaimed property audit methodologies (including estimation), and the constitutionality of the States selection of holders for audit. Delawares aggressive approach toward unclaimed property shows no signs of abating. In fact as this Reed Smith memo notes its now moving against other states: On May 26, 2016, Delaware filed a motion with the United States Supreme Court requesting leave to file a bill of complaint against other states regarding escheatment of uncashed official checks. Specifically, Delaware asserts in its motion that uncashed official checks should be escheated to the state where the check issuer is incorporated, not the state where the checks were purchased. If Delaware is successful in getting the Supreme Courts attention, this will be the first time the high court has addressed unclaimed property issues in almost 25 years, and the decision could have a major impact. Our Executive Pay Conferences: 10% Reduced Rate Act By Tomorrow! Heres the registration information for our popular conferences Tackling Your 2017 Compensation Disclosures: Proxy Disclosure Conference & Say-on-Pay Workshop: 13th Annual Executive Compensation Conference to be held October 24-25th in Houston and via Live Nationwide Video Webcast. Here are the agendas 20 panels over two days. Discounted Rates Act by September 9th Only One Day Left! : Huge changes are afoot for executive compensation practices with pay ratio disclosures on the horizon. We are doing our part to help you address all these changes and avoid costly pitfalls by offering a reduced rate to help you attend these critical conferences (both of the Conferences are bundled together with a single price). So register by the end of tomorrow, Friday September 9th to take advantage of the 10% discount. John Jenkins Cinq a Sept by Lizzie Crocker New York City is always fashionable and frenetic, but it becomes a parody of itself when Fashion Week descends twice a year. Manhattan turns into a runway for fancy, eccentrically dressed editors, stylists, bloggers and interlopers, all of them jostling to be snapped by street style photographers. Hailing taxis is a survival-of-the-sharpest-elbows ordeal. And security at Kanye Wests Yeezy show is stricter than the White House. Its all fantastically absurdso it was nice that designer Jane Siskin eased us into the madness with a breakfast presentation for Cinq a Sept Wednesday morning, serving up pain au chocolat with her Spring/Summer 2017 collection at Dirty French, a hip bistro inside the Ludlow Hotel on the Lower East Side. The restaurants tables were outfitted with tiered trays of pastries and an elegant menu of looks from Cinq a Septs new collection. The food was less for consumption than for aesthetic flourish: attendants Instagrammed photos of the table display in between exchanging air kisses, but most pastries were left untouched. As ever, it seemed the fashion crowd was on a coffee and green juice regime. Cinq a Sept shares its name with the French term for the liminal moment linking late afternoon and early evening, according to the brands website, and is dedicated to contemporary dressing that highlights an intriguing tension between day and night. Indeed, the brands name also evokes the time of day sexually liberated French couples reserve for affairsthe 5-7 pm liaison with a paramour. Fittingly, the latest collection featured boudoir-inspired, cool-girl separates that nodded to the 70s and 90s. There were leopard print slip dresses and kimonos cinched with corset belts; bell-sleeved silk and cotton blouses paired with denim flares and swingy silk skirts, including one ruffly fuchsia knockout. Choker shirt collars and neckties were embroidered with scripted messages like ce soir and dont think. Every season we try to evoke that feeling of a new experience, Siskin told The Daily Beast. We took our heritage, which is the boudoir, and layered pieces on top of each other in a really fluid way. Siskin, an industry veteran who has worked brands like Elizabeth & James and Seven for All Mankind, managed to reinterpret this seasons ubiquitous off-the-shoulder look in a way that made it novel again (an off-the-shoulder leather moto jacket lent edge to the flirty, feminine style). Each outfit was finished off with a pair of chunky, lace-up black booties. We want to take what every cool girl wants in her closet and make it fresh and new, Siskin said, noting that while Cinq a Sept is not a French brand, we like the sexiness of the French vibe. Misha Nonoo by Allison McNearney In a season of shake-ups, designer Misha Nonoo has staked out her place on the trendy, tech-savvy front lines. Her renegade spirit first revealed itself last September, when Nonoo announced that she would show her Spring/Summer 2016 collection on Instagram (topped off with an industry-pleasing party) in lieu of a formal fashion week presentation. A few months later, she became one of the first designers to realign her collection debuts with their actual seasons, rather than the traditional five-to-six-month advance schedule that the fashion system favored. Now, Nonoo is at it again, but this time with bigger and bolder changes. To present her Fall 2016 collection on Wednesday, she ditched fashion week altogether in favor of a format that cozies up directly to her customers: Snapchat. Over the course of the day, Nonoo took over Refinery 29s Snapchat feed and rolled out her new season in what she called the social media platforms first ever Live Lookbook. The length of the rollout could get a bit tedious, with new posts popping up every 30 to 60 minutes, awarding the fashion patient rather than those who prefer the instant gratification of seeing the collection at once, in full. But once acclimated to this delayed pace, the Live Lookbook was a fashionably fun romp through some pretty spectacular Fall designs. Embracing her favorite day-to-play mantra, Nonoo presented new looks that ranged from the fun and flirtybillowing red, white, and black striped pants, a flowing pleated skirt in red, maroon, and blue that appeared just before a matching shirt with expansive sleevesto the more sophisticated and preppy. There were long-sleeved knit dresses with a touch of 70s, bell-sleeved fun and long black and white blazers with deep Vs that could be worn over shirts or buttoned up solo for that sexy secretary vibe. A slew of mini dresses gave the collection a bit of an edge, some embracing generous peeps of sexy skin while others channeled short, tight, and leather. All looks could be dressed up for a more demure day at the office, or stripped down to be the hit of happy hour. The playful vibe got a big boost from the medium itself. Throughout the show, Nonoos posts jumped from static photos of models posing in front of colorful backdrops to videos of ladies dancing across the screen or subtly bopping in their new ensembles. All of the posts got an extra dose of pizzazz courtesy of artist Ana Stroumpf, who was on set adding decorative doodles to the images before they made their Snapchat debut. The effect was that of the artsy girls coolly jazzed-up yearbook. The official collection reveal was paired with Nonoos own Snapchat feed, which gave glimpses of the behind the scenes funthe flurry of hair and make-up, the designer dancing around backstage, and an appearance from the sets biggest staran adorable white puppy. In an industry that has struggled to integrate the explosive power of the digital world with the traditional world of fashion, Nonoo has proven she is a risk-taker, ready and willing to shake it all up to try a new business model (this season also introduces her shift to direct-to-consumer sales) or a new format, all in the service of reaching her most important audienceher customers. Frances Valentine by Sarah Shears In Kate Valentines temporary living room for her new brand, Frances Valentine, an air of country club class swept through, with lemonade cocktails and Upper East Side ladies chatting around the room. Waiters, clean-cut young white men, were dressed in khakis, white button up shirts and collegiate striped ties, making you feel like you were closer to a Highland Park country club than in a studio space across the street from Bryant Park. Entering it was like invading a private party of longtime friends, instead of a fashion showcase, and indeed in some ways you had. Kate, her husband and business partner Andy Spade and Elyce Arons, the co-founder of Kate Spade and partner at Valentine, have all been working together and friends for a very long time. Both Spade and Arons spoke of how Frances Valentine really defined itself from the Kate Spade brand by the partners newfound grown-up-ness. In some ways that is true: the partners looked to architecture and design in wider material culture for inspiration of some of their new designs. A sculptural shoe heel was inspired by Buckminster Fullers Geodesic Dome, and another heel shaped after a favored martini glass. The shoes and handbags definitely felt as they had been designed by looking beyond the Kate Spade brand that the partners had created. The same cheerfulness and pops of color emblematic of the Kate Spade brand still pervades the Frances Valentine collection, though the whimsy of the latter seemed to be rooted in design history. A circular table displayed ballet flats in varying colors with an extremely 1960s vibe that was complemented by the voices of Lou Reed and Nico coming into the room at a very soft volume. Nearby on a coffee table sat a grouping of marabou-adorned handbags and slip-on flats that conjured up images of Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha, the witch from Bewitched, and Lucille Ball more than anything from this century. A seemingly simple tote style handbag had been ergonomically designed with a slight tilt on the upper lip to make reaching inside easier for its wearer. Even the Fashion Week celebrities seemed more grown up here: Brooke Shields was in attendance, looking radiant in a black eyelet mid-thigh dress, schmoozing and posing for photographers. The brands approachable and casually sophisticated but slightly quirky chic was embodied best by Elyce Arons. Her eclectic look included a vintage sweater, a Gucci skirt, and a pair of Dorothy-from-The-Wizard-of-Oz-esque silver shoes by Frances Valentine called The Kate. Weve all grown up, and the brand is more grown up. Evolved is the word Kate likes to use, said Arons. Heron Preston by Lizzie Crocker Rarely do New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) workers interact with the fashion world, unless they run into after party stragglers while cleaning the streets at dawn. It was amusing, then, to see uniform-clad workers and their suited supervisors rubbing shoulders with hipsters in ironic T-shirts and birdlike women aloft on designer heels. Theyd gathered at the DSNY Salt Shed in Lower Manhattan for the launch of designer Heron Prestons ready-to-wear collection made of repurposed DSNY uniforms and up-cycled clothing. Prices start at $60 for a T-shirt and run up to $1200 for oversized bags fashioned from reflective neon worker vests. Some 25 tickets to the presentation were available to the public for $2,030 each--proceeds of which will go toward the foundation honoring New York's garbage workers and a museum of sanitation equipment. Preston, who has worked with Nike and Kanye West in the past (he helped West launch Yeezy Season 1) and co-founded the DJ and art collective Been Trill, pitched a partnership to DSNY roughly a year ago in an effort to reduce landfill waste. The simply and appropriately titled Uniform collection is the first in a series of collaborations between Preston and DSNY that will be unveiled in the coming year. The idea that under-appreciated sanitation workers would be spotlighted by his collection was as much an inspiration for Preston as raising awareness for New Yorks 0x30 initiative, which aims to send zero waste to landfills by 2030. A friend once asked me if I was interested in applying art and fashion to art and fashion, or to something bigger like healthcare, and that really got the wheels turning, Preston told The Daily Beast on Wednesday night, standing in front of a moonscape of salt5,000 tons of it, to be precise, used to gum up slick city streets during snowstormsand several racks of see-now-by-now Uniform pieces. I started challenging myself to collaborate with people outside of my circle, to bring two worlds together. Both the collection and the melange of people who turned out on Wednesday night were proof that hed pulled it offsort of. There wasnt that much actual shoulder-rubbing between DSNY workers and peacocking fashion types, the bagpipers drinking Budweiser and the Guest of a Guest fixtures (from actor and model Waris Ahluwahlia to tie designer-turned-cinema-founder Alexander Olch). This was no Radical Chic party at Leonard Bernsteins house. Instead, the two cultures admired each other at a distance. This is not the crowd we normally mingle with, if you know what I mean, said Brian, one of the bagpipe players (the DSNY has a band) who retired seven years ago after working with the department for more than 20 years. He went on in a heavy New York accent rarely heard anymore: Its definitely different but very enjoyable, and its nice that the 8,000 men and women working very, very hard out there on the front lines get some recognition. In military terms, the first national security battle between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump took the form of mutually assured destruction. Two candidates took the stage, separately, to talk about why they were qualified to be commander in chief. Instead, both showed themselves to be terribly flawed candidates. Clinton came off as a defensive and lawyerlytechnical where unnecessary, vague where details were necessary, or simply utterly wrong. Trump, meanwhile, assumed the role of a huckstera man who praised Vladimir Putin while insulting female combat troops, correcting a veteran with an incorrect figure about suicide, and suggesting the military needed to be purged of its generals and admirals. Neither would-be president offered a cogent strategy for defeating the self-proclaimed Islamic State or a coherent vision of the U.S.s national security strategy, particularly in the rapidly changing Middle East. The forum, moderated by Matt Lauer and broadcast on NBC and MSNBC, was an unfortunate lost opportunity for a campaign that has rarely delved into the future of national securityand the kind of military needed to defend the United States. How will the U.S. defeat ISIS? How will it better serve its veterans? What are the top threats to our national security? The night offered no answers. Part of the problem was the format: Each candidate was pressed to answer a whirlwind of questions in a 30-minute lightning session. Clinton, pressed on her mistakes in a long political career, was forced to defend herself repeatedly, and her answers felt rushed. Trumps responses, largely a series of word salad jumbles, felt empty. Clinton was hammered by questionersboth Lauer and individuals from the audienceon her choice to use a personal email server while secretary of state, her vote for the war in Iraq, and and her support for the intervention in Libya. She sounded defensive about her record, telling a veteran who questioned her handling of sensitive information: I did exactly what I should have done and I take it very seriously, always have, always will. She also repeatedly referred to Trumps missteps on national security affairs, which, while generally fair game, broke the pledge both candidates made at the onset not to talk about their opponent. At times her responses were mired in technicalities. For example, she described how she spoke in the tent while overseas to prevent Americas enemies from seeing classified information she was reviewing. At other times she was vague, as when she promised to defeat ISIS without explaining how. We have to defeat ISIS. That is my highest counterterrorism goal. And weve got to do it with air power, Clinton said. Weve got to do it with much more support for the Arabs and the Kurds who will fight on the ground against ISIS. Trump, meanwhile, struggled to explain his view on the Iraq warwhich he did not oppose at the onset, despite his insistence to the contrary. Meanwhile, his explanations of complex phenomena like ISIS sounded like an elementary school assignment: But [Obama] came in. He said when we go outand he took everybody out. And really, ISIS was formed. This was a terrible decision. And frankly, we never even got a shot, Trump said. Ive always said, shouldnt be there, but if were going to get out, take the oil. If we would have taken the oil, you wouldnt have ISIS. Both made major factual errorsalthough Trump made far more of them. Clinton said there would never be ground troops in Iraq and Syria again. But there currently are nearly 6,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, some less than 50 miles from the ISIS-controlled city of Mosul, its capital in Iraq. And the Department of Defense has acknowledged sending at least 500 Special Forces into Syria, some of whom have moved with local forces within 20 miles of the ISIS capital city of Raqqa. Trump, though, was the king of falsehoods during the forum: He suggested there was no military judiciary system in place to prosecute those accused of crimes like rape. But of course, the military has its own court system, and Article 120 of the militarys Uniformed Code of Military Justice explicitly calls rape a crime. Trump also tried to correct a female war veteran who noted that, on average, 20 veterans commit suicide each day. Trump claimed it was 22, which is an old figure. And he said ISIS was allowed to rise because it stole oil that the U.S. should have taken as its war bounty in Iraq. But in fact, at its peak, ISIS revenue streams were diverse, with most of its revenue coming from stealing from banks in towns it controlled and taxing residents in those communities. Trump also threw out a bunch of puzzling ideas. The most galling was that sexual assault in the military was, at least in part, due to the integration of men and womenas opposed to the fault of rapists themselves. It was a comment that could be easily interpreted as a direct affront to women who have volunteered for combat positions in the U.S. military. There are many people that think that thats absolutely correct, Trump said Wednesday evening, defending his prior assertion that gender integration has led to high rates of sexual assault. Later, the GOP nominee welcomed Putins compliment of calling him brilliant, though its not clear Putin ever said it. Trump also claimed the top American military brass had been reduced to rubble and that President Obamas wrongdoings could be compared to Putins. When he calls me brilliant, Ill take the compliment, OK? Trump said of the Russian strongman. He also suggested he may purge generals and admirals who disagree with his foreign policy approach, a notion that is likely to rattle the Pentagon, even as commanders know they serve at the pleasure of the president. Commanders are expected to give their best objective military advice and not to be persuaded by the political ramifications of such recommendations. Trumps decision to praise Putin minutes before criticizing U.S. generals and admirals is likely to draw the ire of the military, which is currently confronting a Russian air campaign on behalf of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The Republican nominee added that he thought Clinton had a happy trigger on foreign policy and said he had a great relationship with Mexicoeven though his visit to that country was wildly unpopular there and led to the resignation of its finance minister. And he suggested he would be open to granting amnesty to undocumented immigrants who wished to serve in the militaryan idea that directly contradicts his campaigns repeated insistence that he would not consider any amnesty. It was a dumpster fire of an evening, for a dumpster fire of a campaignthe first time this election cycle where voters could see in stark contrast the two major choices for president, and both came up lacking. A Hasidic rabbi and his young accomplice plotted to liberate a so-called chained woman in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, by kidnapping and murdering her husband, according to a criminal complaint filed Wednesday. The men allegedly paid a confidential informant $55,000 to kill the man, who wouldnt grant his wife a religious divorce. Sects of ultra-Orthodox Jews, who live by their own set of religious laws, dot the tristate area. In these Hasidic communities, women can only divorce if their husbands grant them a get, or religious divorce. Those whose spouses refuse are known as agunot, or chained women, and their only recourse is to ask a rabbinic court known as a beth din to pressure the husbands into letting them go. But while rabbinic courts might resort to creative strategies to try to pressure a man to give a get, the plan allegedly hatched by Rabbi Aharon Goldberg, 55, and Shimen Liebowitz, 25, is nothing if not unorthodox. The two men contacted their hired gun in early July to ask about arranging a kidnapping to coerce a Williamsburg man into giving his wife such a get, according to the criminal complaint. They discussed a payment of $25,000 and the possibilities of kidnapping the man in Pennsylvania or Ukraine, where many Haredi Jews make pilgrimages to the graves of their rebbes. Unbeknownst to the two men, the intended kidnapper recorded their conversations with his own intentions: going to the police. He got both the payment for the job and an FBI escort to his next meeting, on Aug. 9. This second, FBI-sanctioned recording allegedly caught the men discussing a kidnapping plot in Ukraine not Pennsylvania. Liebowitz lives in the insular new world Satmar shtetl of Kiryas Joel in Orange County, New York, where the meeting took place. Goldberg lives in the largely haredi Israeli city of Bnei Brak, but also has close ties to Kiryas Joel. Another large community of Satmars lives alongside hipsters in Williamsburg, including the alleged intended victim. Three days later, they met again. In this meeting, which the informant recorded on his own, the plan supposedly changed to kidnapping in the United States, and the men allegedly gave him an additional $20,000 for planning. But when Goldberg and the confidential informant were in Israel together, the plan took a darker turn, according to the criminal complaint. The kidnapping was upgraded to murder. On Aug. 24, the confidential source demanded more money up front from Liebowitz. The men arranged to meet at the Woodbury Commons Mall the next day, where Liebowitz handed over $12,000 in cash, according to the complaint. The confidential informant also called Goldberg, then in Israel, from his cellphone. The men spoke in Hebrewwhich Liebowitz does not speakabout the wedding in America, understood by the FBI as confirming that the kidnapping with the intent of coercing a get would take place in the U.S. Yes, the wedding is in America, but weve also spoken aboutchesed shel emet, the confidential source allegedly said, using a Hebrew term that refers to caring for the dead. He was allegedly met with a brief silence. Yes, yes, yes, this is between you and me Goldberg responded, according to the complaint. Oh, but Shimen doesnt know anything? the source asked. This is my order, Goldberg allegedly said. Dont involve anyone elsenothing has happened, but this is my agreement, no other rabbi will agree to what Ive agreed on. But when the confidential source and Liebowitz reunited at Woodbury Commons a week later, the younger man appeared to know exactly what the rabbi allegedly had planned. I can tell you in the back of my mind, it looks like his parents will be happy when this happens, Liebowitz allegedly said. If hes fucking dead? OK, the source replied, according to the complaint. The confidential source then asked what would happen when the Satmar community figured out one of their own was missing and dead. Liebowitz said he would carry on as if he knew nothing, according to the complaint. If anything, the blame would fall to Goldberg, and then to the chained wifes family, he allegedly said. But their plans were cut short by the Department of Justice. Goldberg and Liebowitz were arrested in Central Valley on Tuesday. They were meeting to plot the kidnapping and murder, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York said in a press release. But residents of the insular Satmar community in Williamsburg told this reporter that they knew nothing about the alleged plot in their midst on Thursday morning, two days after the men were arrested. No... No... No... replied one man in response to a series of questions about the case, refusing to stop to talk to this reporter. A woman outside the Satmar Meats shop on Middleton Street said the accusations this reporter repeated to her doesnt make sense, and that shed never heard of the two men accused. Maybe someone made up a story, she said. Nobody kills nobody, another man told this reporter. Another resident offered some light about why her neighbors might have not heard about the alleged crime. I dont watch the news and I dont read newspapers, one woman told The Daily Beast. I hope its not true, what should I tell you? This story has been updated. Weve got good news and bad news about your favorite cuddly mammal. The good news is pandas are no longer considered an endangered species. The bad news is that change might not mean much at all. On Sunday, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources announced that it had changed the extinction risk of giant pandas from endangered to vulnerable. This news came in a larger update of its Red List, which determines the extinction risk of thousands of animals. While this announcement sounds like good news, with the IUCN noting in their announcement that the change shows conservation action is delivering positive results, a downgrade in extinction risk status doesnt mean a species is safe. In the case of the giant panda, for instance, vulnerable is simply the lowest-risk subcategory of the IUCNs threatened umbrella category. The IUCNs official explanation of their criteria notes that species listed as vulnerable face a high risk of extinction in the wild, whereas taxon listed as endangered face a very high risk of extinction in the wild. When taking into account population size, habitat size, and population decline, animals listed as vulnerable still stand around a 10% chance of extinction in the wild within 100 years, according to the IUCN. In addition, specialized organizations often contest the IUCNs ratings. Zhang Hemin, a representative of Chinas Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, reportedly told Chinas state-run Xinhua news agency that the downgrade was a hasty move. "A severely fragmented natural habitat still threatens the lives of pandas, he said in a report. Genetic transfer between different populations will improve, but is still not satisfactory. Essentially, a change in Red List status or other endangered species list often doesnt mean an animal is safe. In fact, the IUCN still recommended aggressive action by the Chinese government to protect pandas in their report. Humpback whales provide a similar case study. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced yesterday that humpback whale populations had recovered enough that they no longer need to be listed under the Endangered Species Act. But Angela Somma, chief of NOAA Fisheries endangered species division, told reporters that very little will actually change in their whale-protection efforts. A Portland, Oregon, musician has taken to Facebook to confess to sexual assault. Indie musician Joel Magid says hes taking accountability for his actions. But someincluding a different woman who accuses Magid of raping heraccuse him of seeking sympathy in order to cover up other assaults. On Saturday, Magid addressed his followers in a public Facebook post. I recently sexually assaulted someone, Magid wrote. In this encounter, I pulled out my penis, and forcibly lifted the womans skirt. A friend intervened and stopped my behavior. I was blacked out drunk when this happened and dont remember any of the situation. That doesnt excuse what I did. At least one commenter lauded his apology as brave. Others say its anything but. For the past 2 days I have been living in hell, a woman calling herself Wanda Bones on Facebook alleged in her own open letter Wednesday. I have recently discovered that the man who sexually assaulted (i.e.raped) me almost 6 years ago has publicly announced his apology to his most current victim. What I have seen on his page from his post is a discussion about his situation involving words of praise for him being so brave as to come forward and acknowledge what he has done. Magid has publicly denied having sexually assaulted anyone prior to the assault that he wrote about on Facebook. Portland Police told The Daily Beast that they havent received any official reports that match up with the assault Magid described, and that the department couldnt consider charges until victims step forwardeven as Bones, whose real name is Erica Ordway according to the Portland Mercurysays that she has done just that. Joel, this is reprehensible and inexcusable, Portland DJ and radio director Theo Craig commented Sunday on Magids post. You need to admit that this wasnt the first time. You need to admit that youve dragged at least one past victims name and reputation through the mud, that you pitted a lot of people against a friend who was doing her best to stand up for a friend and protect others in our community from you. Magid replied in his own comment denying Craigs accusation. I cannot and will not accept responsibility for things I havent done, he wrote. It wouldnt be the truth. You dont have to believe me but if youre curious as to how I respond when I do something bad, even terrible, youre witnessing it, I call it out. Magid did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday from The Daily Beast. We are aware of (Magids) post and Sex Crimes Unit detectives are investigating the veracity of the information, Sgt. Peter Simpson told The Daily Beast. At this point, no victim has been identified or has come forward to file a report with the Portland Police Bureau. But Ordway told the Portland Mercury that she had filed a report against Magid Wednesday morning for the alleged six-year-old assault. Maybe its time for you to admit there are others, maybe even countless others, you have done this too, she wrote in her Facebook post. Portlands vibrant music scene is one of the citys claims to fame. But that close-knit scene has its own, under-examined history of sexual assault, many insiders say. Speaking to journalist Luke ONeil last year, Portland musician Sam Pape said many of his friends had been raped by local musicians. The internet has made the problem more upfront and urgent than ever, but its always been there, Pape said. Ive personally had plenty of firsthand experiences witnessing sexual assault in Portlands tiny, isolated music community alone. Several women have used Magids confession to start a conversation about their own experience with sexual assault, particularly at the hands of male musicians in Portland. Its someone in our music community and I never said anything because I was drunk, one woman wrote, describing an attack by another Portland musician. The men in this town need to step up for their sisters. This is a good first step but a lot more needs to be done to repair the damage. Bones said its time to end the culture of silence around assault, in the Portland music scene and elsewhere. Why do we give men a pass for coming forward and admitting something horrible they have done, she wrote. Our local scene is indicative of a greater problem, the boys club of music where when someone has done something shitty FEW men come forward to speak against the abuser and the cycle goes on and on. Why do we leave it up to women/female identified persons for the most part to call out shitty behavior and abuse? WHERE ARE THE MEN WHEN WE NEED THEM THE MOST? Watch: The Moments When Presidential Campaigns Lost Their Sh*t *FACEPALM* Gary Johnsons now-infamous deer-in-headlights moment is only the latest in a long American tradition of campaign-ending mistakes. If you love war, Donald Trump made clear on Wednesday, you want him in the White House. That was not the purpose of his Philadelphia speech on national security, but if you listened to his words, both specifics and theme, that was the message. Embedded in the message was that he would be a very big spender of tax dollars. And Trump revealed, unintentionally for sure, that his secret plan to destroy ISIS is a con job, a flip-flop which well come back to. An ominous sign that Trump envisions a dictatorial presidency arose a few hours later, at an NBC commander in chief event in Manhattan where veterans asked Trump and Hillary Clinton questions. Speaking of ISIS, Trump denigrated Americas top military officers. The generals have been reduced to rubble under President Obama, adding that they have been reduced to a point where its embarrassing to our country. He said nothing about the continual degrading of ISIS, whose territory has shrunk in Syria and Iraq, under attack plans drawn by these generals. The most disturbing part came when host Matt Lauer followed up about Trumps statement earlier that he would give my generals 30 days to come up with a plan to destroy ISIS even though he claims to already have a plan. Lauer asked Trump to square his statements about his supposed secret plan with what his new promise to solicit a plan from the generals he had just denounced. Trump replied, Theyd probably be different generals, to be honest with you. Those are chilling words, especially from a man who has written at length about how he prizes absolute loyalty above all else. In his book Think Big, Trump told how he revels in making miserable those who simply decline to do him a favor because they consider his request unethical, a policy I explain at length in my book The Making of Donald Trump. History is full of dictators who seized power by replacing the military commanders whose allegiance was to country with those who pledged allegiance to one man. Trump, who has exactly zero experience in public service, continually says that he alone can solve Americas problems. Like his responses at the evening forum in New York, parts of his Philadelphia speech hours earlier were non sequiturs. Early on he declared, Unlike my opponent, my foreign policy will emphasize diplomacy, not destruction. Yet just a few lines before he had said, Immediately after taking office, I will ask my generals to present to me a plan within 30 days to defeat and destroy ISIS. This will require military warfare, but also cyber warfare, financial warfare, and ideological warfare. So which is it, diplomacy or war? In a speech read off a Teleprompter, and spoken mostly in modulated tones with only brief bouts of bombast, Trump called for massive increases in military spending for both personnel and weapons. Much of the speech seemed drawn from the Heritage Foundation, a marketing and advertising house for those American oligarchs who want to spend more on war and as little as possible on a social safety net, and to cut taxes on capital. Trump called for more Navy ships, about 90 more jet fighters (which cost up to $337 million each) and a 20 percent increase in the size of the Army. The costliest part of Trumps plan for more war involves the Army. Trump wants to increase the Army by 90,000 soldiers to 540,000 GIs. He did not give many details, including how he would get deficit hawks in Congress to authorize the money. Based on the current Army budget we can reasonably assume the annual costs would be in the neighborhood of $50 billion a year. That equals about $600 a year more in federal spending for each family of four. But that is only the initial cost and it assumes that none of these soldiers would see combat. If the additional soldiers are sent into combat the figures would shoot upward. The Pentagon has acknowledged that it costs between $800,000 and $1 million to maintain soldiers in Middle East combat zones while one 2013 estimate put the cost at $2.1 million per soldier in Afghanistan. Soldiers wounded in battle will add to future costsmedical care, physical rehabilitation, pensions and other costs, some of which will continue into the 22nd century. (The last Civil War pension was paid in 2013to the disabled child of a Union soldier born late in his life.) We know that if Trump wins and gets his way there will be more war because Trump loves war. I love war, he declared at Iowa Central Community College last November. Im good at war, he added then. Ive had a lot of wars of my own. Im really good at war. I love war in a certain way, but only when we win. Trump has never been close to combat, but he does have a Purple Heart. He got it from an admiring old soldier at a campaign rally. During the Vietnam War, Trump did not volunteer like, say, Al Gore or John Kerry, two other rich boys who could easily have escaped military service. He didnt even serve at home like, say, George W. Bush, who was in the Air National Guard. Trump got education deferments. After graduating, his doctor wrote a note about a bone spur on a foot, making him safe from the bullets and bombs in Vietnam. Trump said last year he cannot recall which foot. Trump has been urging war for decades. In 1987, on a Today show clip rebroadcast on the Aug. 10, 2015, Morning Joe" show, he said that if a single shot is fired by Iran at a U.S. ship the American military should invade Iran, "take over" its oil and let them have the rest of their country. Last year Trump said he stood by those long-ago comments, including stealing oil from Middle East countries. I am the most militaristic person there is, Trump declared proudly on Morning Joe. I am the most militaristic person there is, Trump proudly declared Aug. 10 on Morning Joe. In his Philadelphia speech Trump also declared that he would order the military to come up with a plan to swiftly destroy ISIS, a plan he would give them 30 days to design. How curious that Trump would say that given his earlier statements. He said he has his own plan to defeat ISIS and didnt need the advice of any of those military officers that taxpayers have poured money into educating in the art of war. Trump, after all, told us in his nomination acceptance speech that he alone can save us. I know more about ISIS than the generals do, Trump said in Iowa last November. Back in 1984 Trump declared that it would take an hour-and-a-half to learn everything there is to learn about missiles before adding I think I know most of it anyway. This from a man who, in the December Republican primary debate, was unable to even grasp a question about the nuclear triad, offering up gibberish rather than knowledge. Sen. Marco Rubio had to explain to Trump that America can deliver nuclear weapons three waysby submarine or land-based missiles or by bombers. Read his Philadelphia speech, including its line about one God, and then ask yourself if you want Donald Trump to have the nuclear launch codes. And as you ponder that touch your wallet because if Trump has his way your wallet is going to be a lot thinner. Donald Trumps newest campaign boss has some strong feelings about the 9/11 attacks. Namely, that Bill Clinton let them happen because he hated the military and loved gays. David Bossie, who became Trumps deputy campaign manager last week, wrote a book in 2004 arguing that the Sept. 11 terror attacks are the legacy of Bill Clinton, not George W. Bush. The book, called Intelligence Failure: How Clintons National Security Policy Set the Stage for 9/11which is no longer in print and isnt available at major bookstoresgives insight into how a top new Trump hand views national security questions and George W. Bushs presidency. Bossie spent much of his political career working to damage the Clintons. He investigated them as a Hill staffer for the Oversight and Government Reform committee until he was forced out after an ethical breach of his own. Since then, hes headed Citizens Uniteda group dedicated to investigating the Clintons and other liberals and best known for its role in the Supreme Courts 2010 Citizens United campaign finance ruling. Bossies bookpublished by WorldNetDaily Books, the imprint of a conspiracy theory site that is the one-stop-shop for all things birtherargues that Bill Clintons hatred for the military and affinity for the homosexual agenda led to 9/11. His basic thesis was that Clinton weakened the FBI, weakened the CIA, thought terrorism wasnt a problem, and coddled Americas enemies, leaving the American intelligence community in such a mess that there was nothing at all whatsoever that Bush possibly could have done to stop the attacks. The book begins by ripping John Deutch, Clintons second CIA director, for trying to make the agency more politically correct. Deutch worked to push the CIA into a politically correct mold, Bossie wrote. Everyone near the top of the bureaucracy had to submit to AIDS awareness and sensitivity training. Quotas were imposed to ensure a diversity that allegedly looked like the American people. CIA agents didnt like getting trained about AIDS, Bossie asserted, so lots of the good ones quit. Even worse than that, though? George Tenet, another Clinton CIA director, actually recruited CIA agents from the homosexual communityproof that he wasted valuable time making politically correct innovations instead of doing his job and preventing 9/11. Historically, there had been serious security-clearance issues and concerns about homosexuals in the intelligence community, concerns based on legitimate rationales, Bossie continued. Unfortunately, in the Clinton administration, we didnt see any serious study of the issue. Rather, Clintons ideology, and his need to pay back the homosexual community, forced the CIA to change, regardless of the effect on national security. Where will this end? It is hard to say. Besides that, Bossie argued, Clinton didnt push Congress to provide adequate funding for the FBI and the CIA. Why didnt Clinton do this? Bossie has an answer: President Clinton never paid attention to or cared about the trivial matter of national security. Clinton hated our servicemen so much, Bossie added, that he wanted to make them work with gays. That Clinton continued to loathe the military was revealed as soon as he took office and attempted to overhaul military policies, such as allowing homosexuals to serve with the new dont ask, dont tell policy and forcing our soldiers to wear the UN insignia instead of a U.S. flag on their uniforms, he wrote. Clintons openness to having talks with Yasser Arafat at the Oslo Accords? Just another contributing factor to 9/11. In the hope of reaching peace and gaining a legacy, Clinton sent out a message to Islamic terrorists everywhere that terrorism pays, Bossie wrote. Instead of letting gay people serve in the military (though only secretly) and working to facilitate an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement, Bossie argues that Bill Clinton should have kick-started the War on Terror as retaliation for the 1993 World Trade Center bombing Those six deaths and the over one thousand wounded should have served as a warning to the inexperienced Clinton administration to wage a war against terrorism, Bossie wrote of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Terrorists see inaction as weakness, he added, so Clintons inaction sent a message that terrorists could attack the U.S. on its soil without fear of retribution. It wasnt just Bill Clinton, though. Bossie saves a little blame for Al Gore. If Gore hadnt contested the Florida recount efforts, he wrote, then Bush would have gotten a faster start on putting together his cabinet and vetting his national security team. George W. Bush was delayed for six weeks from beginning this process because Vice President Gore contested the election, Bossie writes. These delays clearly hurt our chances to stop 9/11. Thanks for 9/11, Al! Bush, on the other hand, gets showered with credit for his brilliant response to the attacks. Bossie praised him for strengthening Americas ties to Russia, and for putting together a coalition to invade Iraq and take out Saddam Hussein. That war, Bossie writes, was one of many bold initiatives that Bush took to keep the U.S. safe. To recap, in Bossies world, letting gay people serve in the military was evidence that you must hate it. But sending American soldiers to fight in Iraq was just another example of extremely good judgment and patriotism. Bossies Bush apologia puts him at odds with Trump. The Republican nominee tepidly supported the Iraq invasion when it happened, but later reversed his stance. He then used the war to bludgeon Jeb Bush during the Republican primary, arguing that the Sept. 11 attacks were his brothers fault. And he repeatedly said he had opposed the war from the start, which is a lie. Trump and Hillary Clinton are both focusing on national security this week, with the imminent 15-year anniversary of 9/11. And thanks to his top aides research, Trump should be all set to politicize the attacks. On Thursday morning, libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson repeatedly admitted he had no idea what AleppoSyrias biggest city, which has been pulverized by several years of waris. When asked by Morning Joe (and Daily Beast) contributor Mike Barnicle what he would do, if elected president, about the siege of the ancient city that has seen hospitals destroyed and left thousands starving, he stared back blankly and asked, And what is Aleppo? In a statement to The Daily Beast, Johnson said, I immediately was thinking about an acronym, not the Syrian conflict. A stunned Barnicle replied, Youre kidding? before having to explain to the presidential candidate on-air that Aleppo is in Syria. Its the epicenter of the refugee crisis. Got it, got it, Johnson said, before outlining his policy on the Syrian civil war, which includes joining hands with Russia to diplomatically bring the civil war to an end. The last rebel-held hospital in Aleppo was destroyed by a Russian airstrike last month. Hillary Clinton couldnt resist piling on during a press conference Thursday morning. Well, you can look on a map and find Aleppo, she said. When approached by Bloomberg Politics Editor Mark Halperin following the MSNBC interview, Johnson admitted that he was guilty of not remembering or identifying that its Aleppo. Then he kept fumbling. Johnson claimed Aleppo is between the two forces in Syria, except there are several sides in the five-year-old civil war, including troops loyal to Bashar al-Assad, ISIS, an al Qaeda splinter group, Iranian sectarian militias (including those built in Syria and Iraq), Iranian foot soldiers, U.S.-backed Arab rebels, U.S.-backed Kurdish guerrillas, Turkish-backed Arab and Turkmen rebels, independent Islamist and Salafist rebels, U.S. Special Forces personnel, Turkish army soldiers, and Russian warplanes. Johnson then compared not knowing what Aleppo was to a time when he was asked what Colonias was while running for governor of New Mexico. Johnson said he was unaware of what Colonias wasand area he now describes as a destitute part of the statebut that his ignorance didnt disqualify him from the statehouse. Johnson made his previously scheduled appearance on The View, during which most of the conversation concerned his Aleppo gaffe. He said there was "no excuse" for his confusion and called the question "fair game." He also acknowledged that for some people, including co-host Joy Behar, the moment would be "disqualifying." If that is the case, he added, "So be it." Johnson tried to clarify his answers on Syria in a statement Thursday morning. This morning, I began my day by setting aside any doubt that Im human, it reads. Yes, I understand the dynamics of the Syrian conflictI talk about them every day. But hit with What about Aleppo?, I immediately was thinking about an acronym, not the Syrian conflict. I blanked. It happens, and it will happen again during the course of this campaign. Can I name every city in Syria? No. Should I have identified Aleppo? Yes. Do I understand its significance? Yes. As governor, there were many things I didnt know off the top of my head. But I succeeded by surrounding myself with the right people, getting to the bottom of important issues, and making principled decisions. It worked. That is what a president must do. That would begin, clearly, with daily security briefings that, to me, will be fundamental to the job of being president. This isnt the first time the libertarian gave a bizarre or uninformed foreign-policy answer. When The Daily Beast asked Johnson in June about ISIS, Syria, and U.S. foreign policy, he said, ISIS is really, regionally, its very contained The fact that we bomb them, the fact that we have this rhetoric, and the fact that we do have boots on the ground, we fly drones and kill thousands of innocent peoplethese are recruiting tools for ISIS. Then Johnson claimed China is in some ways freer than the United States. China has a much lower incarceration rate than the United States, they dont spy on their citizens like we do with the NSA, he said. China, of course, does spy on its own citizens and regularly prosecutes them for political crimes. Maybe you saw it. Maybe it caught your eye and caused you to stop for a moment, to think about the image and the damage that was so evident. But it was taken in August, the heart of summer and there were picnics and pennant races, a week of vacation, family demands for fun, the beach, for a day without a bill in the mail, for back-to-school shopping or the dread of taking your oldest child off to college for the very first time and the loneliness that might fill your soul. So you might not remember it. Its OK if the picture stopped you in your tracks for only a moment. It was taken a world away from the flood of news we get each second of every day about Clinton and Trump and school shootings and why we should fear terrorist attacks and the lingering anxiety of the shrinking dollar of working people being crushed by an incompetent core of life-long politicians in Washington who have never had any other job than the one they get off a ballot. Political people who choose to fight among themselves rather than fight for fairness for those they claim to represent. The picture displayed the stunned and bloody body of a 5-year-old boy, Omran Daqneesh, seated in the back of an ambulance, face filthy, smeared with blood, eyes vacant from shock, still alive, a survivor of an aerial bombing campaign in his neighborhood, on a street where war never ends. In a city called Aleppo. In a fractured country called Syria. On MSNBCs Morning Joe program this morning, Gary Johnson, former governor of New Mexico and current presidential nominee of the Libertarian Party, had the following exchange with me. What would you do if you were elected about Aleppo? About? he asked. Aleppo, I said. And what is Aleppo? he wondered. Youre kidding, I said, surprised. No, he replied. Aleppo is in Syria, I pointed out. Its the epicenter of the refugee crisis OK. Got it. Got it. Gov. Johnson said. It wasnt a trick question. It was the kind of simple question you might hear asked while standing in the checkout line of a supermarket. The kind of question that we might want answered when we are momentarily curious, thrown off our game by the image of Omran Daqneesh, his life fractured. The kind of picture that people tweet, ship around on every form of social media for a second, sometimes a day, never for very long because our attention span is too short and the street where Omran lives too far away. Dont blame Gary Johnson for his ignorance or his inability to speak to what is happening in a piece of the world that is a cauldron of terror, combat, and refugees. Hes not alone. Neither of the two major candidatesTrump and Clintonhave been asked the same simple question recently: What would you do about Aleppo? Maybe its because one is a bit paranoid about the press and the other simply does not care. Hillary Clinton appears tortured, robotic, unable to speak in a straight line and in a permanent defensive crouch when she does find the time to answer a few questions. Trump just lies or makes it up while we shrug our shoulders and treat him like he is still the host of The Apprentice rather than a candidate for president of the United States. We laugh at him, apparently unaware the joke is on us. Much of the world wept for Omran Daqneesh but the tears and the heartfelt sorrow soon disappeared. Just the way ribbons of remembrance for those who serve and die in Iraq and Afghanistan come untied in the winds of the changing seasons. Just the way the commitment of so many public people to remember the veterans and their families diminishes and then disappears once the election is over. Just the way they forget their duty to do their jobs, to make government work instead of trying to make it ungovernable. Gary Johnson could not answer a simple question. Heres another one for the rest of the field: What difference would it make to our lives and our childrens lives if you become president? Ask it. And keep asking it. PHILADEPHIA If it were possible to put a dollar value on human life, few would argue that $37.50 is too high. But thats all it cost to purchase the drug that saved Michael C. Meeneys life when he overdosed on heroin earlier this year on a crowded bus in suburban Philadelphia. Meeney gained fleeting notoriety in February when video of his near-death experience went viralmaking headlines as far away as Britain. Footage shows Meeney falling out of his seat onto the floor, then rising Lazarus-like within seconds of receiving a single nasal blast of the anti-overdose drug naloxone from an Upper Darby police officer. Overnight, Meeney became the unwitting poster child for a miracle drug that public health officials say has the potential to prevent tens of thousands of fatalities a year by reversing the effects of opioid-related respiratory distress. But Meeney may not be so lucky next time. Since the Upper Darby Police Department began outfitting its cops with naloxone, at the end of 2014, the cost of the drug has skyrocketed. Sources of funding remain tenuous; and some cities are beginning to find their stores of the drug running low before theyve found a way to pay to replace it. That has public safety officials worried that their efforts to stem the rising tide of opioid deaths could be undermined by the age-old law of supply and demand. Since it was first introduced, in 1971 under the brand name Narcan, the price of naloxone has grown 4,000 percent even as more manufacturers have entered the market. Since 2013 the average wholesale cost of a dose of injectable naloxone has more than doubled, according to data provided to The Daily Beast by Truven Health Analytics. This is putting pressure on state and local government to find new sources of money to fund the purchase of naloxone kits, which only has a shelf life of 18-24 months. Last week, Baltimores Health Commissioner Leana Wen called it unconscionable that the increasingly prohibitive cost of naloxone is limiting the citys efforts to combat drug overdoses. According to one report, Baltimore spent $118,236 on naloxone in fiscal year 2016, more than triple the $33,540 the city spent in 2014. Wen has been sounding the alarm over naloxone price gouging since accepting her post in January 2015. During testimony in March before the House Oversight Committee she called on Congress to enact price controls on the drug in the name of public safety. The cost of naloxone skyrocketing means that we can only save a fraction of the lives we were able to before, she said. Manufacturers have claimed that this price increase is related to increased demand. However, it is unclear why the cost of a generic medication that is available for much lower costs in other countries will be suddenly so expensive. Lawmakers are paying attention. In June, following a number of critical media reports on naloxone pricing, top members of the Senate Special Committee on Aging issued a letter to the five leading manufacturers of naloxone asking them to explain the rationale for increasing the cost of the drug. Letters were sent to the chief executives of Amphaster Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Adapt Pharmaceuticals, Kaleo Pharma, and Mylan Inc.the manufacturer of the EpiPen that has jacked up prices for years, resulting in numerous complaints to the Federal Trade Commission. For the most part, naloxone makers chalk up the price increases to the additional burdens they face in meeting skyrocketing demand for the drugs. But some health care advocates say that doesnt pass the smell test. Were not talking about a limited commodity. Naloxone is a medicine that is almost as cheap as sterile sodium chloridesalt water, Dan Bigg, the executive director of the Chicago Recovery Alliance, told Business Insider. In a rush to head of a growing epidemic of fatal opioid overdoses, many state and local government tapped into emergency funds to get naloxone to their first responders. Or else they took advantage of limited-run programs like the federal governments Rural Opioid Overdose Reversal Grant Program, which distributed just $1.5 million to 15 communities. With grant dollars running out, public health officials across the country are now scrambling to secure the funding theyll need to continue saving lives in 2017. And they are calling on the federal government to step in and assume more of the cost. If we dont get some federal funding to help us put this in the street then we are not going to be able to get those people the help they need, said said Rick Fontana, New Haven, Connecticuts deputy director of emergency operations, in a July interview. States are authorized to draw on federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Block Grants to subsidize naloxone purchases. But that often means shifting funds from other addiction prevention and treatment programs. Thats not new money, thats money thats already there, youre just diverting it from one program to another, Peter Luongo, executive director of the Pittsburgh-based Institute for Research, Education & Training in the Addictions, told The Daily Beast. There is no reliable stable source of funding other than those channels that are here right now. The bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) signed this summer by President Obama calls for expanding first-responder access to Naloxone, but lawmakers in Congress have yet to provide any funding for the effort. The Department of Health and Human Services announced at the end of August that it will provide up to $11 million to fund the purchase and distribution of naloxone, but only a dozen states will see any of that money. In states like Pennsylvania, where drug overdoses tied to opioids rose nearly a quarter last year, communities will remain largely dependent on the goodwill of charitable organizations and health insurance companies to step in to fill the void. In many cases this involves small, one-time grants that can only do so much. For instance, the Pittsburgh-based Highmark Foundation donated $50,000 in the first quarter of last year to the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Institute to distribute to local law enforcement agencies for naloxone purchases. But it didnt renew the grant this year. Health insurers contributed a total of $500,000 in Pennsylvania alone to fund naloxone distribution. Cigna Foundation donated $50,000 this year to fund naloxone purchases in the state. Independence Blue Cross joined the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association in a providing $50,000 to help equip more Philadelphia police officers with naloxone kits in April. But most patrol officers still dont carry the drug. As of this year, naloxone kits had only been distributed to about 15 percent of Philadelphia police officers, mostly in high-risk districts. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross said the money came just in time, as his department had nearly exhausted its existing naloxone funds. However, city officials say pricing remains a concern. We want to make sure that this important drug is available to help people to need it, said Cameron Kline, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office, which facilitated the newest round of naloxone funding for the PPD. If there are ways we can make that easier for police to get their hands on naloxone we will do that, but if the market is bearing higher prices that means that means the funds we pass on will buy less of this medication, and thats something we are concerned about. Thomas Nestel, Chief of the SEPTA Transit Police, said despite his departments strong presence at two of Philadelphias most drug-ridden Elevated transit stationsHuntingdon and Somersethis agency has so far been shut out of the citys naloxone funding. SEPTA Transit cops on duty in suburban Delaware County, Pennsylvania, however, are fully outfitted with naloxone courtesy of the Delaware County prosecutor. Delaware County has used a mixture of federal grant dollars, and money seized during drug investigations under asset forfeiture laws to support its program. Last year it forged a discount agreement with Pennsylvania-based Adapt Pharma to debut the companys recently approved nasal-delivered naloxone kits. That version of the drug has an average wholesale price of $150 for two 4-milligram doses; the Upper Darby Police Department secured its kits for $75. But naloxone doesnt last long. In May, the county had to destroy half of its remaining naloxone storesabout 200 of the 900 kits it originally purchased in 2014 from Amphastarbecause they had expired. District Attorney Jack Whelan said the naloxone cost $22 per dose when he acquired it, but today would cost more than double that price. In the absence of more traditional funding channels, officials are forced to get creative to secure the money to save lives. Rhode Island tapped $40 million out of a nearly $230 million settlement it reached with Google in 2012 for facilitating the illegal online exchange of prescription drugs from Canada. A number of other police departments rely on money seized during drug investigations to fund their naloxone programs. And in July, a judge in Pittsburgh took the unusual step of requiring two convicted drug dealers to shell over nearly $4,000 to pay for naloxone. Luongo applauds the creativity of these municipalities, but says they are little more than half measures. These are hardly stable streams of funding, he said. Unless somebody starts someone pumping money in there I dont see this being sustainable. Old-timey bartender wisdom would tell you never to speak ill of the dead. No doubt St. Louis beer drinkers are struggling to abide by that advice. This week, archconservative Phyllis Schlafly, who founded the Eagle Forum, helped defeat the Equal Rights Amendment, and was an ardent Trump supporter, passed away at 92. So what does she have to do with beer? A couple of years ago, she contested her nephews attempt to trademark their family name for his popular Missouri brewery. Tom Schlafly first cofounded the brewery back in 1991 and now, according to trademark filings, sells nearly 20 million bottles of beer a year. The company also says its Tap Room was also the first brewpub in Missouri since Prohibition. In addition to being a self-made political pundit, Phyllis was an avowed teetotaler. In December 1975, her husband, Fred Schlafly, told The New York Times the secret to their marriage was: We avoid many of the things that often hurt a marriage, such as alcohol and cigarettes. And we stick to foods that are not over refined. According to the opposition papers she filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), her problem with the proposed trademark was because the family name has the connotation of conservative values, which to millions of Americans (such as Baptists and Mormons) means abstinence from alcohol. And more important to her and her reputation, An average consumer in Saint Louis and elsewhere would think that Schlafly is a surname associated with me, and thus the registration of this name as a trademark by Applicant should be denied. Even worse, Trademark registration of my surname for the sale or advertisement of alcoholic beverages, as Applicant seeks, could be harmful to my conservative activities. Furthermore, she insisted that Consumers nationwide associate the word Schlafly more with me than with Applicant. Her years of grassroots campaigning and political stunts were no doubt a solid warm-up for the beer war, which got considerable press with stories in several national publications. Tom proceeded with caution. She has fans and critics, he told USA Today. I want to sell to both of them. The last thing I want to do is antagonize her followers because I hope they drink Schlafly beer, too. It took several years for the USPTO to sort out the family feud and finally rule in his favor. She pleaded that she has used the name Schlafly in the issuance of newsletters, radio commentaries, and books; that the consumption of alcohol is considered immoral by many of her subscribers; and that Applicants registration of the mark could be harmful to her conservative activities, said the Trademark Trial and Appeal Boards decision last month. None of this was proven. Phyllis Schlaflys son, Andy, who was also her attorney, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch they were contemplating appealing the ruling. But arguably the most interesting twist? Just a few weeks after the Boards decision, Phyllis decided to trademark her own name. It looks as though she might have learned a thing or two from her beer-making nephew. The investigations into Planned Parenthoods practice of fetal tissue donation are running up quite a tab. Meanwhile, the man who prompted them has not received a single fine. After anti-abortion activist and Center for Medical Progress founder David Daleiden alleged in a series of undercover videos last year that Planned Parenthood was selling donated fetal tissue for a profit, Republican-led investigations quickly followed and they have not been cheap. The House Energy and Commerce Committee panel investigating Planned Parenthood is on track to spend at least $790,000, according to a recent report from Rewire. In addition to the previous congressional investigations into Planned Parenthood, a dozen states have also found room in their budgets for taxpayer-funded inquiries of their own. Texas alone has spent at least $47,000 on what the Austin Chronicle has labeled a witch hunt. Legal fees aside, Daleiden himself has only had to post a single $3,000 bond in Texas. Overall, Planned Parenthood and their business partners and allies have thrown everything they had at me and CMP, going as far to collude with corrupt prosecutors in Texas to issue bogus indictmentsand they failed, Daleiden told The Daily Beast, repeating allegations that his January indictment in Texason charges of tampering with a government record and soliciting human organswas politically motivated. Nothing is sticking, Daleiden added. To be fair, the same could be said of the many investigations he has sparked. Twelve state investigations into Planned Parenthood have found no proof that the womens health organization sold fetal tissue for a profit, as Daleiden has repeatedly alleged. As Vox reported, eight additional states have refused to open investigations, citing a lack of evidence, and previous congressional investigations into Planned Parenthood have not turned up proof of criminal wrongdoing. Whether Daleiden and his CMP colleagues violated the law over the course of their undercover investigation remains an open question. So far, they have been hit with four civil lawsuits, a criminal indictment from a Houston grand jury, and an inquiry from the California Attorney Generals office. But to date, neither Daleiden nor the CMP has received any substantial penalties for their secret recordings. The criminal charges in Texas against Daleiden and his colleague Sandra Merritt were dropped in July and the California AGs office is still in the investigative mode at this point, as Daleidens attorney Steve Cooley told The Daily Beast. If they study it carefully theyll realize that the conduct engaged in by Mr. Daleiden was not criminal under California law, Cooley added. (The AGs office did not respond to a request for comment.) The various civil cases against Daleiden and the CMP are not likely to come to a conclusion until 2018 or later. In February, the National Abortion Federation (NAF) secured a preliminary injunction against the release of some of Daleidens footage as part but the CMP appealed in April and there have been no major developments in the NAF lawsuit since then. Daleiden told The Daily Beast that he is confident that it will ultimately be overturned as the uncivilized attack on the First Amendment that it is and the NAF did not immediately respond to request for comment. Lawsuits from Planned Parenthood itself and the tissue company StemExpress are both nowhere near resolution. Planned Parenthood confirmed to The Daily Beast that their case against the CMP will go to trial in December 2017. Daleiden claims that the StemExpress case against the CMP is basically on hold now because several early motions are on appeal, which could take a year or longer. A StemExpress spokesperson told The Daily Beast that the lawsuit is still on and we are proceeding forward. Both anti-SLAPP motions brought forth by Daleiden and his accomplices have been struck down by the courts, signaling a favorable outcome for our litigation, the spokesperson added. But Daleiden would have to fare exceedingly poorly in his legal battles to incur financial penalties anywhere near the amount that Congress has spent investigating the CMPs claims. As Buzzfeed reported last September, Californias invasion of privacy law has a penalty of up to $2,500 per violationover 300 times less than the amount the House Energy and Commerce Committee alone has spent looking for proof that Planned Parenthood violated the law. As Buzzfeed noted, Daleidens situation recalls the case of conservative activist and undercover filmmaker James OKeefe, who only had to pay a $100,000 settlement to an ACORN employee in 2013 after his own heavily-edited videos effectively led to the collapse of the community organization, which once had a budget of $25 million. In a time when an activist with a camera and an internet connection can put an organization under tremendous pressure, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) believes that stricter laws could be the solution. On Sept. 1, PPAC announced its support of a bill in the California state legislature that would make it illegal to disclose secret recordings of health care providers in any forum, including, but not limited to, Internet web sites and social media. Currently, it is illegal in California to record or tape private conversations without all parties consent, PPAC noted in a press release. But that law was enacted before the internet and before you could post videos at the touch of a button. As Planned Parenthood learned so painfully last summer, it is the disclosure, not the taping, that causes the greatest harm. The bill has attracted widespread opposition from organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and the Los Angeles Times editorial board, which wrote that the bill would be bad for whistleblowers like a patient who sees her doctor handing out opioid prescriptions like candy. PPAC, on the other hand, points to the rise in anti-abortion violence and harassment that followed the CMP videos to argue that medical providers need additional legal protection. We worked hard to craft a bill that balances the rights of privacy and the rights of free speech, PPAC president Kathy Kneer said in a statement. With the bill headed to Gov. Jerry Brown for a potential signature, Daleiden is as confident as ever in his future. CMP is in a very strong position right now, and Planned Parenthoods barbaric business practices have never been more exposed, he told The Daily Beast. But whatever the strength of the CMPs position, Daleiden has exposed nothing to prove that Planned Parenthood profited from fetal tissue donation. What he has done is raise questions about the distinctions between legitimate undercover journalism and politically-motivated vendettas. These are important questions, but also ones that have cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. Early on a school morning, a stranger burst into the bedroom where Robert Testers daughter was sleeping. The man told the 8-year-old to stay in bed. He was going to kill her father. Tester, nephew of Montana Sen. Jon Tester, was found dead in his home outside of Spokane, Washington, on Tuesday morning. According to police, the murderer attacked Robert Tester with a wood-splitting axe, killing him in his living room while his young daughter hid in bed. Tester left behind bags of marijuana and a mysterious Facebook post that appeared to predict his troubles. Testers 8-year-old daughter told police she had been asleep with her father when a man with a sword and a knife, entered the room, according to police testimony in court documents obtained by the Spokesman-Review. (Spokane Police did not return The Daily Beasts requests for the documents.) The man told her to stay in bed because he was going to kill her dad, the documents read. Police say the girl did as she was told. The juvenile was not injured and did not witness the incident, the Spokane Sheriffs office said in a statement. But afterward, the young girl was left to report the murder. The court documents say she called her grandmother, who called police, who arrived at the rural home shortly after 7 a.m. They entered the home to a scene of carnage. Robert Tester was dead, lying in a large pool of blood, the documents said. Blood stained the walls and floor in the living room and throughout the home. Next to his body lay an ax-like maul, stained with Testers blood. Police have yet to name any suspects in the slaying. But days before his death, Tester appeared to allude to brewing trouble. In their report, police included an Aug. 25 Facebook post, in which Tester predicted hard days at the hands of an unnamed enemy. Im not one for drama. I stick to myself for a reason. Dont do family bbqs for a reason, Tester wrote. Theres gonna be some hard days ahead of us but i want you all to know that I was victimized by someone close to me. Someone i treated like a brother and trusted. I love you all and hope you can understand my never-ending pain. He took my best friend from me and turned her life into darkness, thru drugs and manipulation This isnt putting anyone on blast or me needing sympathy or attention. Keep it. Place it upon your spouse or kids Just understand why I roar when i do. Understand my agony. Police also discovered multiple bags of marijuana near Testers body in the living room, and reported that the house smelled of weed. Testers family told police they werent surprised; the grandmother said he grew his own product and sold it to medical marijuana dispensaries. Recreational marijuana is legal in Washington State, but only if purchased from a licensed dispensary. State residents are not allowed to grow their own weed, or sell it to licensed dealers. Reached by phone by The Daily Beast, the dispensaries nearest Testers home said his name was unfamiliar. Testers uncle, Montana Sen. Jon Tester, said the family wished for privacy after the death. Senator Tester and his family appreciate the privacy given during this difficult time, the senators office said in a statement. As Election Day 2016 approaches, Seth Meyers thinks one candidates alleged scandals seem to be getting a lot more attention than the others. As the Late Night host laid out Wednesday night, Hillary Clinton has been avoiding reporters this summer so she doesnt have to answer questions about her private email server or the Clinton Foundations potential conflicts of interest with the State Department. The issues only escalated last week when the FBI released notes from its interview with the candidate about her emails. Among the supposed revelations were that Clinton apparently didnt know the C on certain emails stood for confidential. But you know who does know that C stands for confidential? Donald Trump, Meyers said, before presenting a tweet in which Trump expressed outrage that Clinton didnt know it stood for CLASSIFIED. As Meyers put it, You know, its so great that when Trump is wrong, he does us the favor of highlighting it by putting it in all-caps. And while some of Clintons emails imply that Clinton Foundation donors may have received special access to the State Department, Meyers made it clear there is no evidence the State Department did any favors for them. This brought him to another foundation you may have heard a lot less about: the Trump Foundation. As we now know, Trump was forced to pay a penalty to the IRS when his foundation made a charitable donation to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was at the time investigating Trump University for fraud. But if you ask Trump, the two had nothing to do with each other, Meyers said. The only problem, he added, is that Trump spent the entire primary openly bragging about how he was able to buy politicians and get whatever he wanted from them by giving them money. That included Hillary Clinton herself, who Trump said had no choice but to attend his most recent wedding because he donated to her Senate campaign. Think about how sad that is, Meyers said. He is bragging that he had to pay people to come to his wedding. Finally, while Trump supporters like Chris Christie and Rudy Giuliani have been accusing Clinton of pay-to-play and calling for her imprisonment, Meyers hit them for brushing off the accusations against Trump as completely innocuous. In many ways The Magnificent Seven, as remade by the director of Training Day, King Arthur, and Olympus Has Fallen, is exactly what you might expect: A PG-13 popcorn Western filled with big action, blurry morals, quipping misfit heroes, and all the studio blockbuster bombast a $100 million-plus budget can buy. The twist is that our merry band of antiheroes are led by Oscar-winner Denzel Washington, and in casting an ethnically diverse rogues gallery along with him, Antoine Fuqua adds an entertainingly flashy entry to a budding subgenre: the post-racial Western. This retelling hinges on a familiar plot: Seven ragtag gunslingers rally to help a town fend off a murderous robber baron, putting their selfish lives on the line for the greater good. But Fuqua also puts his intentions front and center by opening on Washingtons slow horsebound amble into a new town, staring down the glares of white denizens who dont bother hiding their disdain, disbelief, and open hostility for the black cowboy standing before them. Its Cleavon Littles mosey into Rock Ridge in Blazing Saddles, only told with a straight face and with some horrendously cliched saloon dialogue. But the clunky deliberateness underscores Fuquas goal: To trump the ugliness of Americas historical racism with the progressivism of hindsight, like only a multiplex blockbuster can. The white folks in these towns might fear and hate Washingtons Sam Chisolm, but they soon enough will learn how much they need him. Its really no use comparing The Magnificent Seven to John Sturges star-studded 1960 original or that films predecessor, Akira Kurosawas Seven Samurai. Like any modern revisionist retelling, Fuquas multicultural actioner is a product of its time a fact that audiences will have to take or leave as The Magnificent Seven roars out of the gate striking an odd balance of reverent facsimile and winking postmodernism. Sam Chisolm is as serious and principled as his second-billed squadmate Josh Farraday (Chris Pratt) is smooth and rascally. Chisolm meets-cute with the ruggedly handsome gambler before recruiting him on a suicide mission to save the mining town of Rose Creek from Bartholomew Bogue (an oily Peter Sarsgaard). Theyve been promised a rich reward by a spunky young lady named Emma Cullen (Haley Bennett), who wants justice for the extortionist slaying of her husband (Matt Bomer, the most beautiful farmer to live in the Old West) at the hands of Bogue and his men. A little Pratt goes a long way as comic relief, as hes proven over the course of his last many blockbuster outings. The rest of the titular seven dont get as much screen time, but each make an impression in their own way: Ethan Hawke as an old wartime buddy of Chisolms called Goodnight Robicheau, a screenwriters dream of a name; his hetero Asian life-partner Billy Rocks (Korean superstar Byung-hun Lee), a knife-throwing assassin; Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Vasquez, a Mexican criminal trading his service for freedom; Vincent DOnofrio as a burly tracker with a few screws loose who steals every scene talking in a high pitched whimper; and Martin Sensemeier as a young Comanche warrior who joins the gang just cause, and seals his improbably speedy recruitment by snacking on the raw heart of a deer. Fuqua grew up on the classic Westerns before building a career with movies about men of loose morals seeking redemption with their fists, their guns, and their sheer willingness to do questionable things. The last time he directed his muse, he made Denzel a badass in a button-down and turned a Home Depot into a bloody battlefield. Here he envisions him as a stoic bounty hunter in black cruising the territories for bad men, haunted by a past marred by loss, and Washington carries that quiet pain with a captivating dignity. But Fuqua loses his handle on the sprawling ensemble as the plot moves toward its predictable conclusion, speeding through the motions: Getting the gang together, training the helpless townsfolk, preparing for a final standoff against Bogue and his army of hired guns that not everyone will survive. Theres so much movie to get through the script only bothers with broad strokes: The good, the bad, and the gray areas in between. Sarsgaards evil Bogue, for example, literally vocalizes what he stands for in his first scene as he proclaims that gold matters, people dont, and capitalism is God. While it has no time for nuance and seems to leave several character relationships on the editing room floor, Magnificent Seven at least celebrates the kind of vigilante hero we love to love. When the locals distraught over Bogues murderous ways wail, Whos gonna stand up to a man like that? the answer is, these guys: Predators roaming the West in the guise of average Joes, who could only ever serve a duty to society when society calls upon them to kill monsters more evil than them. And yet Magnificent Seven is exquisitely attentive in surprising ways, like when Chisolm and Farraday split up to recruit the rest of their makeshift gang and agree to meet up again in three days time. Marvel at the slowness of time itself in such bygone eras compared to the lightning-fast anxieties we feel nowadays just from sending a text and not getting an immediate reply back. Laugh along with Lees manbun-sporting Billy, who doesnt quite seem to know how he got there, either, but has found happiness hustling white guys who underestimate him in quickdraw brawls. At least Fuqua revels in orchestrating pulse-quickening shoot-outs and stunning horse stunts that make The Magnificent Seven fly. James Horners score blares big brassy horns to match the big, bombastic action. The Magnificent Seven is all plot and clever set piece, but forgets that you need to give the audience reasons to care about the fates that befall these characters as it leads up to its final siege, when industrialist Bogue and his army of evil cops descend upon the booby-trapped town for one last bloodbath. The winks, and there are plenty of them, come when Magnificent Seven embraces its truest destiny as a bromantic pop Western. At its best its Fast & Furious on horses, The Wild Bunch for people who will never bother to see The Wild Bunch big, boisterous, mostly intentionally unserious. If they can resist comparing Fuquas Magnificent Seven to the classic Westerns that have come before, diehard fans of the genre might even appreciate how it tries to replicate those tried and true formulas for a generation that craves a dose of self-awareness along with the good, the bad, and the ugly. The Taliban commander believed responsible for at least two ferocious attacks in Kabul over the last few weeks knows the Afghan capital very well. Five years ago, Mullah Sheerin Akhond, as he is called, spent long months walking the streets incognito, and as he learned the lay of the land, he also honed his hatred for the people there. He is a very nasty character, one knowledgeable Afghan Taliban source tells The Daily Beast. His Islamic scholarship is nil, but he has a harsh, fanatical attitude about anyone who lives in areas controlled by the Afghan government. In his view, it is permissible to kill anyone who lives in Kabul because they are supporting the Afghan government. And members of that government agree: Mullah Sheerin is a very nasty character indeed. At the moment, when it comes to atrocities targeting civilians, he is the most cruel and inhuman of the Taliban, says a senior aide to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who asked not to be named because he doesnt have permission to speak on the record. There had been hope that when the Pakistani military turned on the old Haqqani Network, pushing it out of the havens it had enjoyed for 40 years in North Waziristan, attacks in nearby Kabul would diminish. But Mullah Sheerin quickly stepped inand with a vengeance. Haqqani would use kilograms of explosives, as one Western diplomat put it, but Mullah Sheerin uses tons. The recent attacks bear that out, although they hardly appear to have been random and they are not always claimed. On Aug. 25, gunmen attacked the American University of Afghanistan, leaving more than a dozen people dead, and dozens more wounded. Then, on Monday of this week a massive car bomb blew up on a bustling street near the Ministry of Defense. As rescue workers arrived at the scene, another huge suicide bomb detonated. At least 24 people reportedly were killed, some of them senior security officials, and more than 90 were wounded. Gunmen followed up the attack, barricading themselves inside a building and skirmishing with authorities throughout the night. To make matters worse, there appears to be competition between the Taliban and the partisans of the so-called Islamic State to see who can inflict the worst carnage. In July, ISIS targeted a street demonstration and slaughtered more than 80 people. One Taliban official says privately that hes very uncomfortable with Mullah Sheerin and his tactics, which are likely to inspire hatred, not support. Some Taliban do not like him, says this official, but he is too strong to be disputed. Mullah Sheerin Akhond, at age 45, is now head of the Taliban military council for northeast Afghanistan and Kabul, and some diplomats say they believe he is also the head of the Taliban intelligence committee. His core strategy appears to be to undermine confidence in the governments ability to protect the people, and with some success. He is no stranger to the Western and Afghan intelligence services that have been watching him for years. Although Mullah Sheerin kept a low profile in the past, he was known to be very close to the late founder and leader of the Taliban, the one-eyed Mullah Omar. Another Afghan Taliban commander contacted by The Daily Beast, Mullah Salih Khan in Helmand province, tells us, I knew Mullah Sheerin from day one. He is a very devoted Taliban commander, and has a very sharp mind, with a genius for security, whether providing it, or thwarting it. The role he played for Mullah Omar was head of security. Sheerin used to wake up early in the morning and go to sleep only after Mullah Omar slept, says Mullah Salih Khan. He was one of Mullah Omars most trusted men. According to Mullah Salih, Sheerin was giving military instructions to top Taliban commanders from Mullah Omars office, conveyed as if they were Mullah Omars directions. In fact they were Mullah Sheerins ideas. Afghan intelligence officials believe that, like the Haqqani network before him, Mullah Sheerin has close ties to Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence agency, or ISI. Rahmatullah Nabil, who served until recently with the Afghan intelligence service, NDS, says Mullah Sheerin is not just behind recent attacks, he was behind several other barbaric attacks in Kabul. Nabi mentioned the attacks on the night of Aug. 7 when one bomb exploded near a police academy and another near an army base, killing at least 35 people and wounding hundreds more. Nabi claims that Mullah Sheerin is very close to the ISI and to Seraj U Din Haqqani, also known as khalifah, or the caliph. According to Nabi, Mullah Sheerin is living in Peshawar, where even his security guards are provided by the ISI. Pakistan never took action against him, Nabi told The Daily Beast. Pakistani officials, as usual, reject such allegations out of hand. Julia Roberts Says MLK Jr. Paid Hospital Bill For Her Birth YES, YOU READ THAT RIGHT The actress said her parents were friends with King and his wife, and the couple helped out when they couldn't afford the bill. Politicians should embrace an unsubsidized energy market Political leaders from the U.S. and China reaffirmed last week their commitment to the multi-national climate agreements reached in Paris last year, aimed at a reduction in global carbon emissions. One only has to witness the frequently smog-choked cities in China with images of people moving about in surgical masks to understand the economic mandate focusing China's leaders on sustainable, healthy energy-generation technologies. It's all about economics, and even such U.S. corporate giants as Exxon and Walmart now are pursuing business models that implement reductions in fossil fuel burning. Exxon, whose research was prescient on this topic decades ago, now appears to prefer a simple fee on carbon levied at the point of extraction, with proceeds distributed to consumers to reduce product costs. This allows carbon pricing in the free market, and avoids complicated carbon trading schemes and stifling government regulations. The move toward clean energy is demanded not only by the economic penalties inherent in the status quo, but also by the financial opportunities this largely untapped market provides. We are fortunate in Texas that our electric plants are free to seek the cheapest sources of energy to generate power. Increasingly, this has meant a transition away from coal-fed operations, first to gas-fired plants, and now even to wind and solar sourcing that aren't burdened by the many long-term economic downsides of hydraulic fracturing. Texas now leads the nation in wind-powered generation capacity. And the Electric Reliability Council of Texas has forecast solar as the cheapest source of energy for the grid's bulk power purchases from 2017 to 2031. This is an opportune time for political leaders to embrace and encourage a free, unsubsidized market in energy production that can create the innovative jobs of the future and make Texas a global leader in emerging energy markets and technologies. RAYMOND TARPLEY College Station Letter writer is reserved, respectful and fair-minded James Connealy describes Walter Kamphoefner as an elitist. Walter doesn't need for me to defend him but I have known Walter and his wife and their two children for 25 years. Being married to a professor and having worked at five different universities, I interacted with faculty on a daily basis for years. While it is true that there are some professors who believe that their advanced formal training puts them above other people, Walter Kamphoefner does not fall into those ranks. Walter comes from a farming family in middle America where he learned the values of hard work, decency and respect for neighbors. In fact, the Kamphoefner family farm where Walter grew up is in Harry Truman's home state and is still in the family. Though Walter is an accomplished scholar, he has not forgotten his humble roots. Far from being a power hungry man, Walter is a reserved, respectful and fair-minded man. He and his wife have dedicated their lives to education and to raising their children. I know Walter Kamphoefner and he is no elitist. ANGELITA GARCIA ALONZO Bryan Personal attack letter raised no real, substantive issues This is in response to James Connealy's letter, which was itself a reply to my friend and colleague Walter Kamphoefner's letter regarding comparisons between Donald Trump and Harry Truman. I question why The Eagle chose to publish a letter that did not address substantive issues, but is rather almost entirely a personal attack on another reader. I would like to point out the ironic amusement with which I, and everyone else who knows Walter, responded to Connealy's letter. Walter is, in addition to being a fine historian and a dedicated teacher, the proud product of a Missouri farm family. The idea that he is an "elitist" who looks down on farmers is absolutely absurd. As for Connealy's charge of "megalomania," I can simply suggest that he doesn't understand what this term actually means, because it has nothing to do with the issue at hand. In politics, words matter. Intemperate and poorly-written screeds may be a regrettable fixture in the comments section of the website, but The Eagle should know better than to dignify them in print. ADAM R. SEIPP College Station Bill McKibben, the spiritual leader of the global fossil fuel divestment movement, is arguably the most influential environmentalist in the world right now (maybe apart from the Pope). He spoke exclusively to The Ecologist at the Greenbelt festival near Kettering - an arts and justice gathering featuring an eclectic range of headliners including fellow environmentalist Satish Kumar (Editor Emeritus of the Resurgence Trust which now owns this site), humanitarian activist Terry Waite and comics Josie Long and James Acaster among others and here's what he had to say about the victories and the challenges environmentalists now all face. The 55-year-old McKibben was one of the first people to bring the dangers of climate change to a mass audience with his 1989 book The End of Nature. He's gone on to write a dozen more books on the subject. This year he was advising the Bernie Sanders campaign on its climate policies. The grass roots crowd, which propelled the Vermont Senator to the brink of the Democratic nomination, shares many of the same members as the US environmental movement. He says the growth of this movement is key to winning the fight with the fossil fuel industry. "There's not a lot of value in persuading the remaining 20% of climate change deniers," he says. "For the ideological ones, most of them are unlikely to be persuaded anyway. "We don't actually need them to win. Any political system shifts when you get 5-6% of people actively engaged. Less than 1% of the US population took part in the American Civil Rights movement but they changed the zeitgeist. The prize is to change the zeitgeist, and then you change the policy. If the Civil Rights movement had only worked on legislation they wouldn't have gotten anywhere, but they were successful because they exposed - and dramatised - the suffering of black people." He pointed to the rapid successes of the LGBTI movement as another example to follow. "They have done such a good job of changing attitudes. Listening to Clinton and Obama you'd think they had been lifelong activists for LGBTI equality but they have actually shifted their positions relatively recently. "In the case of climate change it's a little harder - no one was making trillions of dollars off bigotry" although as he adds with a wry smile: "they just had to overturn 10,000 years of ingrained prejudice!" The mild mannered Methodist Sunday School teacher is encouraged by the recent victories stateside and around the world. "When we focus on things like Keystone XL we can win," he said. "A dozen other pipelines in the USA have been stopped. They also wanted to put in six big coal ports to take coal to Asia. We've stopped five and we're going to stop the sixth. I'm amazed how much we win when we fight." Despite the successes he's not sugar coating the predicament humans find themselves in. He warns there is a very real chance the fight to save the planet will be lost. Unlike other social justice movements such as gender equality and civil rights, battles which were difficult but ultimately most thought them winnable given enough time, with climate change the deadline is set by physics. While Europe has been enjoying its summer holiday, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has been hard at work - creating a massive loophole for EU laws intended to protect people and wildlife from the most toxic and dangerous pesticides. It took advantage of the lower level of scrutiny over the holiday period to publish a 'protocol' for implementing a major derogation (exemption) from the Pesticides Regulation 1107/2009 which is only meant to apply where there is "serious danger to plant health". The derogation would apply to herbicides (weed killers) that are still on the EU market but about to be banned based on the 2009 pesticide Regulation that includes 'cut-off' provisions for classified carcinogenic, reprotoxic or endocrine disruptive pesticides. Examples of the herbicides that were due to be banned are Glufosinate (causing birth defects), Epoxiconazole (birth defects, liver cancer), Flumioxazin (toxic for reproduction & for endocrine organs), Pymetrozin (cancers, reduction fertility & effects on endocrine organs). Monstrous abuse of the 'plant health' loophole EFSA describes its derogation procedure as "concerning the necessity of the application of herbicide active substances to control a serious danger to plant health" and "to confirm the lack of other available means capable of controlling an identified serious danger to plant health." But Hans Muilerman of Pesticides Action Network Europe (PAN) responded that the entire premise of the derogation was fraudulent: "This protocol is a scandal. Weeds will in the worst case cause a reduction of the yield of a crop and not be a serious danger to plant health. Allowing herbicides to be part of the Article 4.7-derogation is a grave misuse of the rules." Their view is even confirmed by EFSA, he stated, which has itself conceded that "weeds in a strict sense do not directly pose a threat to plant health". The derogation was originally designed to allow the use of banned pesticides in cases where plants were suffering from disease caused by, for example, fungal, bacterial or viral infection, or insect attack. That's controversial enough in its own right - but to extend its use to herbicides is clearly outside the original scope and motivation. Under Article 4(7) of the regulation, banned pesticides may be permitted "on the basis of documented evidence included in the application an active substance is necessary to control a serious danger to plant health which cannot be contained by other available means including non-chemical methods, such active substance may be approved for a limited period necessary to control that serious danger but not exceeding five years". Ignoring legal requirement to promote non-chemical alternatives Spencer Petras had one of his best games at Iowa Iowa Football Faster loading time (lower bounce rates from) A faster loading ensures that your site visitors don't leave your site when it starts to load for too long. Guaranteed dedicated resources Bandwidth, memory, CPU power, storage of up to 200 GB SSD Storage, NVMe. Privacy and control (server admin) You will get total control over digital assets, databases, customer information, and files with no ovhcloud control panel. Easier scalability You will able to increase your resources as often as you want easily. Dedicated IP address Our VPS services will ensure that you get IPv4 and IPv6 for a reasonable fee. Other amazing benefits include the following: - Better capabilities to handle additional websites - Unaffected by traffic and security of other sites - Control panel and full root access to your server - Lower cost than hardware and management of physical servers A possible reason not to use a VPS hosting provider is that it costs a bit more than shared hosting (but far less costly than physical servers). But the costs arent much higher, and if youve outgrown your shared account, or want the value of the advantages listed above, then its time to upgrade. Another reason might be a lack of technical knowledge, making VPS servers harder to set up, manage, and secure. But thats why managed VPS hosting is such a good choice. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Saturday is a big day for the Brien McMahon High School Marching Band. The 150-member ensemble will perform while escorting Miss Connecticut down the boardwalk in Atlantic City for the annual Miss America Show Us Your Shoes Parade. For Thomas Purvis, a senior and head drum major who has been in the band all four years of high school, the day will be bittersweet. Im so excited to lead the band, Purvis said. Its a big deal for us because not everyone knows about our band. However, he said it will be sad to be going into his last year as the band continues to be invited to play at increasingly more high-profile events. I wish we could have done this my freshman year, Purvis said. These trips keep getting better and better. The parade is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. and will send students marching along the two mile route from New Jersey Avenue to Albany Avenue. While he said it will be an honor to represent Norwalk at the event, school band director Ronald Secchi said its not the first time the Senators have been invited to perform at a notable parade. The band has performed at various local and regional events and even the televised Columbus Day Parade in New York City, Secchi said. We are very lucky to be able to do things locally, regionally and nationally, Secchi said. Its that kind of experience that got the band the gig in the first place, he added. The band had to apply and be invited to the parade and was assessed on its record of performances, awards and other recognitions. Secchi said he received the news that the band was selected to perform in the Miss America parade back in June. We were very excited, he said. Emely De La Cruz, a senior drum major who has also been in the band the entirety of high school, said she felt a mixture of nervousness and elation when she found out they were invited. You dont get to march in these big parades all the time, De La Cruz said. The band will perform a song from their field show at the parade. Titled Tanga, by the Afro Cuban Allstars, Secchi described the song is a Cuban dance or jazz piece. The Brien McMahon school band will represent Connecticut at the parade, alongside over a dozen other bands from states along the East Coast, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. KSchultz@thehour.com; 203-354-1049; @kevinedschultz NORWALK Darline Perpignan, the Norwalk Republican who is hoping to unseat Democrat Christopher R. Perone in the 137th District in the state House this November, has qualified for public financing. Perpignan will receive more than $28,000 through the Citizens Election Program, according to a statement released by the Norwalk Republican Town Committee. I am so thankful for the many people who have welcomed me and inspired me to press on with my message for a new direction for Connecticut, Perpignan said in the statement. Our state needs new leadership that will lift Connecticut from the economic doldrums that have hurt us for so many years. Thats my message to my supporters and they've responded with whole-hearted endorsement. To qualify for the grant, Perpignan needed to raise donations from at least 150 individuals living within the district with no single donation being more than $100, said Norwalk Republican Town Committee Chairman Andrew T. Conroy. Conroy said Perpignan received approximately 300 such donations in what he described as enormous public support behind her campaign appeal to help end Connecticut's steady slide to financial ruin that Chris Perone failed miserably to stop. Darline will be part of a new majority that will give new hope to seniors, job-producing small businesses and job-deprived college grads who have lost out after years and years of reckless spending by the one-party-rule Democrats, Conroy said. The demonstration of public support for Darline's message is outstanding. Perpignan, a Haitian-American, migrated with her mother and sister to the United States to live in Connecticut. She teaches at-risk youth, owns a small business and founded Leaders of Tomorrow, an organization that focuses on helping inner-city youth. She is a former secretary for the Greenwich Chapter of World Vision for Women, according to the NRTC. Last year, Perpignan ran unsuccessfully for a District A seat on the Norwalk Common Council. Perone also applied for a campaign financing through the Citizens Election Program. He is awaiting word whether a grant has been awarded to him. A former Norwalk councilman from District D, Perone is running for a seventh two-year term representing the 137th District, which covers central Norwalk. The Norwalk Democrat is co-chairman of the General Assemblys Commerce Committee. As a lawmaker, he helped spearhead an effort to expand broadband internet coverage and worked on legislation addressing smart growth, establishment of a statewide port authority, campaign finance reform and infertility coverage, according to Connecticut House Democrats. A supporter of the Small Business Express Program, Perone rejects Republicans characterization that the state is sliding toward financial ruin. I am pleased to announce that more businesses opened their doors in Connecticut last year than in the previous year, and small businesses led the growth, according to state data, Perone wrote in an email update to his constituents in May. During 2015, 28,730 businesses opened in Connecticut, a slight uptick from the 28,208 business which formed here in 2014. Perone defeated Republican challenger Art Scialabba, 3,978 to 1,860, in the 137th District race in November 2014. WILTON A Stamford man faces charges of driving under the influence on Thursday, Sept. 1 after being stopped for a traffic infraction, police said. Police said that Juan Torres-Valencia, 25, was driving south on Danbury Road in the vicinity of Wilton Hills around 8 p.m. when he was pulled over by police for driving without his headlights activated. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NORWALK -- Once the head of a large cocaine distribution ring in the city of Norwalk, Michael Rodriguez spent more than a decade bettering himself and distancing himself from his past life. When he died suddenly at the age of 48 on the date of his birthday, Sept. 2, Rodriguez's legacy as a successful handyman, a family man and a good friend to people of all walks of life outweighed his past. "A lot of people say Mike changed," said Nik's Place owner Steve Kydes, a close friend of Rodriguez. "He never changed. He was always good-hearted." Rodriguez is the reason that Kydes still owns and operates Nik's Place. While struggling through the sweltering heat in the kitchen at the restaurant one summer, Kydes thought about selling the business after consulting a number of air conditioning companies, all of which said they could not lower the temperature in the kitchen to 70 degrees. Rodriguez installed a system that still keeps the kitchen cool. "He's the reason why I'm not contemplating leaving here and going somewhere else," Kydes said. Rodriguez is also the reason why Norwalk Police were able to switch from revolvers to semi-automatic Glock pistols as the result of funds received from one of the largest asset forfeiture cases in the history of Norwalk. "Though my dealings with Mike in later years were all positive, he did have a detrimental effect on what was occurring in South Norwalk in the '80s," said former Norwalk Police Capt. John Suchy. "He did wreak a lot of havoc in Norwalk at the time." Suchy was a supervisor for the Special Services Unit of the Norwalk Police Department during the investigation that led to the takedown of Rodriguez's drug empire. During the March 1986 raid of Rodriguez's 102 Taylor Ave. home, police seized a half-pound of cocaine, numerous firearms and thousands of rounds of ammo. His home was seized by authorities and sold, the proceeds going toward the purchase of Glocks for the then-166 member police department. "Back in '85, '86, he was not the Mike Rodriguez I'd come to know much later in life," Suchy said. Back on the streets in 1993 after serving a five-year sentence, Rodriguez found himself in trouble again, picking up a gun charge. The six-year sentence he earned would be his last. Rodriguez later told former Sgt. Andre Velez that he decided to re-structure his life after realizing that he missed a lot of significant events in his family members' lives. He learned carpentry, took two years of college courses and decided to go legit. On parole in 2001, Rodriguez, a fifth-degree black belt, chased down and captured a junkie who had just snatched an elderly woman's purse at a supermarket in Manchester. Employers were slow to hire Rodriguez, given his criminal history. When a local plumbing company finally realized his potential, Rodriguez took advantage, saving enough money to buy his own tools and truck and start a company. "He told me: 'I'm going to build an empire,'" said Kydes. "And he did. From the ground up." Rodriguez soon found a constant stream of work as a handyman, mainly from word-of-mouth references. He developed a reputation as a skilled laborer who had mastered multiple disciplines. "He was a hard-worker," said Rodriguez's son, Rashaun Rodriguez, a bondsman at Bail King who hopes to secure a career in law enforcement. "He worked 365 days a year. Never stopped." Rodriguez also made it a point to put family first. "He was a loveable man," said Rosa Delgado, Rashaun Rodriguez's mother. "Everybody loved him. He's the father of my child but also my best friend." He developed a large network of loyal friends, of which he was fiercely protective. "That guy did me a lot of favors, all of them legal," said former mayoral candidate Steve Serasis, who has been friends with Rodriguez for the past six years. Rodriguez drove his big blue Econoline van from job-to-job, stopping to chat with the cops who were once his adversaries. They'd converse about the accomplishments of Rodriguez's children -- Rashaun, Michael and Mariah Rodriguez and Sharday Samuel-Labady -- and his hopes for the future, never about the past. A couple days before Christmas in 2004, Rodriguez struck up a conversation with Velez, one of the officers responsible for the arrest that netted Rodriguez the six-year sentence. During the conversation, Rodriguez spoke of the hardships of being away from his family and the value of self-reflection. He told Velez: "I thank you for what you did, arresting me and all. I was headed to certain death and I was doing nothing more helping people ruin their lives." "He turned things around outstandingly," Velez said. Rodriguez's wake will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Hoyt Cognetta Funeral Home and Crematory, 5 East Wall St. His funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in St. Joseph's Church, 85 South Main St. On February 14, 1929, one of the most infamous gang killings happened in Chicago: the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. On this day, seven men associated with the Irish gangster George "Bugs" Moran were shot down by men wearing police uniforms, history.com writes. Currently Reading 'Star Trek' at 50: Then & now So important is it to have some sort of understanding of how the noble art of music works, and so important is it to become familiar with at least some of the great composers of the Western tradition, that all of the students here at Wyoming Catholic College (where I teach) are required to take two semesters of Music Theory and History. True, this is only barely a beginning, but a serious beginning must be madeone that stretches from the fundamental ingredients of music (rhythms in simple and compound time signatures, pitch in bass and treble clef, key signatures, the circle of fifths, scales and intervals) all the way to some of the greatest masterpieces of the art, like the Missa Papae Marcelli of Palestrina and the St. Matthew Passion of Johann Sebastian Bach. Unlike less complex forms of aural stimulation, artful musica better term than classical musicneeds, and deserves, to be given multiple hearings, with full attention. One needs to give this rich music a chance to speak to ones soul, to convey its beauties to ones mind, to mould ones heart. Its not supposed to be instant gratification; theres more intellectual substance to it than that. A cartoon, for example, tells you right away what its about, and you laugh at the joke. In contrast, an artfully written novel or play takes time to enter into and appreciate. Like a good wine, it must breathe. Indeed, a cultivated person would not rush through a gourmet French dinner, but would take plenty of time, savor each course, and enjoy the entire ambience, most especially the conversation with other human beings. Just as there are great books, which are known to be great by the common consensus of thoughtful people across the ages, and just as there are great paintings and great sculptures, so too there are great works of music, known and felt to be such by educated musicians and music loversworks notable for their depth of feeling, nobility of sentiment, and exquisite artistry. Ignorance of these is as bad, for someone who seeks to be educated in Western (and Catholic) culture, as ignorance of Dante and Shakespeare in literature, Plato and Aristotle in philosophy, Augustine and Aquinas in theology. One often hears a false claim: Todays popular music is more emotional, some say, while traditional music is less emotional. In reality, the emotions evoked in todays popular music are more crude and monotonous. The emotions elicited by the music of Palestrina, Bach, or Mozart, being more intellectual, are actually more profound and puretherefore, more variegated, subtle, and rich. There is no expression of joy or sorrow as profound as what you find in Victorias Passiontide motets, Bachs cantatas, Mozarts piano concertos, or Beethovens string quartets. Intellectual pleasures are the highest pleasures, as Aristotle notes, but awareness of them requires a certain process of maturation, which must be accompanied by a purifying of the passions. Nevertheless, the final result of this journey is the ability to experience passions that are more subtle, more all-encompassing, more fully what passions are supposed to be. In that sense, the best music is also the most emotionally satisfying. Ponder the difference between a great expression of emotion and the expression of great emotion. The former is an intellectually refined or purified expression, one might say emotion spiritualized or conformed to logos, while the latter is a raw outburst, a sort of exhibition of animal vitality. The question is: Which is most proper to man as man, to man as imago Dei, to man as redeemed by the Blood of the Logos and sanctified by the indwelling Trinity? A sign of the difference can be seen by comparing real dancing with the aerobic flailing that passes for dancing in the youth anti-culturea difference traceable to the styles of music that accompany these activities. The Baroque gavotte, the classical minuet, even a Strauss waltz, are embodiments of order, pattern, symmetry, and gracefulness, examples of disciplined motion that is more human, more social, and more aesthetically pleasing than individualistic gyrating. Which of these exercises is more truly dancing? Ballet, when all is said and done, is more beautiful, requires more strength, exhibits more fully the inner potentiality of man and woman, than rock or pop dancing. Being a more rational and more unified activity, it is more fully the perfection of the activity itself and of the human person who performs it. Needless to say, we can learn a lot about the nature of music itself by observing the human excellences or abominations to which it gives rise. Although one cannot train the ear in a day, a week, a month, or even a year, a beginning must nevertheless be made in developing the skill of what we might call attentive listening to beautiful sound that is inherently worth listening to. That is what we attempt to do in our music curriculum, and it is certainly my hope and prayer that our students will become, over time, not only witnesses to what is true and lovers of what is good, but also ambassadors for the beautiful, captivated by the reflection of the face of Eternal Beauty. In this way they would abundantly magnify the legacy of Pope Benedict XVI, whom posterity is likely to remember as the Pope of Beautythe Pope, that is, who opened up new fountains of beauty in a pilgrim Church, parched and thirsty, wandering through the desert of modernity. Republished with gracious permission from Views from the Choir Loft (March 2013). 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. AURORA A sentencing date has been set for the second man charged in a murder-for-hire case. During a status hearing on Sept. 1 in Hamilton County District Court, Derrick Shirley, 30, of Bradshaw took a plea bargain and pleaded no contest to possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony. The charge is a Class 2 felony. Shirleys sentencing is scheduled for 2 p.m. Dec. 1 in Hamilton County District Court. He could face one to 50 years in prison. In early August, he pleaded not guilty to a previous charge of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, a Class 2 felony, for conferring with Robert Honken of Aurora to kill Honkens wife. Shirley and Honken were arrested on Feb. 29 after a State Patrol investigation. According to the arrest warrant affidavit for Honken, a concerned citizen contacted police, telling them Sam asked the citizen to kill his wife. In a controlled call with police on Feb. 27, the citizen contacted Sam, who then told the citizen his real name was Robert. During the call, according to the affidavit, Honken said he wanted his wife out of the way and said he previously hired another person, Shirley, to do the job and paid him $400. Two days later, according to the affidavit, a State Patrol investigator posed as a hit man and met Honken to discuss killing Honkens wife. Honken paid the undercover investigator $500. The affidavit for Honken states that Shirley said he obtained a weapon and canvassed Honkens wifes house to prepare to kill her. In late June, District Judge Rachel Daugherty overruled pleas in abatement for both Shirley and Honken. She stated that, although Shirley never fully carried out the agreement to murder Honkens wife, Honken still tried to hire someone else, referring to the undercover investigator. According to Daughertys written decision on Shirleys plea in abatement, Shirley argued that there was no evidence shown by the state of an actual agreement between him and Honken. However, Daugherty wrote that evidence was presented that there were several discussions outlining how the murder would happen, preparations, the purchase of a gun and the exchange of money. Honkens jury trial is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Nov. 14 and continue through Nov. 18. His status hearing will be at 9 a.m. Sept. 16 in Hamilton County District Court. Once forgotten, four Bucks County veterans get final resting place Since 2020, Bucks County Coroner Meredith Buck has found final homes for the remains of more than 30 unclaimed dead. Most were military veterans. A Glen Carbon resident and EHS graduate has been selected to participate in Challenge Detroit, a yearlong fellowship. Andrea Stegeman just completed her Masters Degree in Architecture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln after earning a Bachelor of Architecture form SIU Carbondale. The year-long fellowship is focused on revitalizing the city of Detroit. Stegeman is one of 43 fellows selected. She will be working with Mosher Dolan, a construction management company, from Mondays through Thursdays. On Fridays, she will work with nonprofits to address the citys challenges. I was approached by a faculty member at the University of Nebraska who said I should put my resume in for this fellowship, Stegeman said. My boss at Mosher Dolan was integral in getting Challenge Detroit on its feet, Stegeman said. The company will host two new fellows this year. Three fellows from past years work there, also. This is the fifth year for Challenge Detroit, Stegeman said. Ive made a one-year commitment with the fellowship. After the fellowship year, she said, she will evaluate whether she wants to stay with the company. Challenge Detroit provides talent from across the country the opportunity to work with great companies, as well as the opportunity to give back to Detroit, said Deirdre Greene Groves, executive director of Challenge Detroit. Many Fellows have continued to stay in the city well past the end of their program year and still work to make a positive impact on the city. Stegeman said the opportunity appealed to her for several reasons. Im really interested in understanding how a city grows and what elements can help a city revive itself, she said. Im also excited to get involved with enterprises and city officials who make changes and get out into the community. After the fellowship year, Stegeman can continue with Challenge Detroit. You can be an advisor to incoming fellows and play a part in Challenge Detroit, she said. Im planning on staying in Detroit after my year is up, she said. A lot is happening here. Ill want to grow the connections that I make in the program. She also looks forward to learning. Development is happening everywhere here in all shapes and forms, she said. I want to learn from it and apply that wherever I end up in the long run, she said. Stegeman has already moved to Detroit. The fellowship starts in September, but Im in Detroit now, Stegeman said. Im really excited and kind of nervous, but Im excited to see more of the city. Im exploring. Glen Carbon residents have a long and proud history of military service. As a salute to these home town heroes, the Glen Carbon Heritage Museum will have a special exhibit of Military artifacts. The display will feature uniforms from different time periods, including one from a Pearl Harbor Survivor. Historic military photos and artifacts used by the military will give visitors a glimpse of a service persons duties. This special exhibit will be available for viewing the months of October and November, encompassing several important military anniversaries. Please join us at the Museum for a speaking program by local author, Ron Williams, on Saturday, Oct. 15, at 12:30pm. His Kindle book We Were Winning When I Left: The American soldiers that I knew in the Vietnam War, gives good insight into his two tours as an engineer and 32 year military career. Part of his responsibility was to write the unit history and prepare nominations for awards and commendations, meaning that at every important event, he interviewed the participants and made a record. Its from this process that he acknowledges the men he served with. President Barack Obama issued a proclamation on May 24, 2012 encouraging American citizens to remember the courage and sacrifice of U.S. service men and women who served in the Vietnam War. Obama declared May 28, 2012, through Nov. 11, 2025, a 13-year span, as the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War. A newly-created bus route is providing workers at the Lakeview Commerce Center in Edwardsville with better access to their jobs. The route was approved last month by the Madison County Transit District Board and buses began rolling Aug. 29. The Lakeview Commerce Center is a light industrial and logistics hub located at Illinois 111 and New Poag Road. It has more than 3 million square feet of buildings and is home to several large-scale distribution centers, including one of two new Amazon Fulfillment Centers, as well as World Wide Technology and Spectrum Brands. The new route provides direct service to those employment centers from a transfer point at Liberty and Chain of Rocks Road. From there, the shuttle connects to MCT routes No. 4, 6 and 20 which offer timed transfers to the Tri-Cities, Riverbend and the Edwardsville area, according to a news release from MCT. MCT plans to work closely with employers to develop carpools and vanpools through the RideFinders program. With a variety of unique shift times extending into the early hours of the morning when transit is not available, carpooling and vanpooling are viable alternatives, according to the release. Providing access to employment is one of MCTs primary objectives, said Jerry Kane, MCTDs managing director. In addition to the new route, MCT has been providing service to nearby Gateway Commerce Center. The center is home to about 5,000 full- and-part-time positions. MCT service was extended to the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Gateway in early August. Earlier this summer, Amazon began hiring and training people from Madison County and throughout the region. Weve been meeting with Amazon officials, and one of the things they had a concern with was that a lot of their employees take mass transit, and what weve been trying to do is to add stops to help workers get to and from work, said Madison County Chairman Alan Dunstan. Some Amazon employees have already started working at the Lakeview Commerce Center, Dunstan said. Amazon officials have told him they have been impressed at how well Madison County Transit District officials have worked with them. Were trying to do everything we can to make Amazon very successful here in Madison County, Dunstan said. If we add stops it will help them but it will also help other companies out there like Hersheys and Proctor & Gamble. This is really going to be a big thing as far as what is going to be coming in the future. Route and schedule information for the new Lakeview Shuttle have already been distributed to bus riders and employees. Details about that shuttle, and other MCT bus routes and services, are available at www.mct.org. Timetables are available at MCT stations, on MCT buses and at locations throughout Madison County. More details can be found by calling (618) 797-4636 or by emailing info@mct.org. Those old enough to remember the horrific attacks on September 11, 2001 can likely tell you exactly what they were doing when they saw the tragedy unfold. The Edwardsville Fire Department and the Glen Carbon Fire Protection District will join police representatives from both communities to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks this Sunday at noon at the Sunset Hills Cemetery in Edwardsville. The non-denominational service will include inspirational music and presentations to commemorate the sacrifices made by Public Safety personnel during and after the deadly attacks. Everyone I speak with has his or her own story of how they remember the events of that day, said Edwardsville Fire Chief Rick Welle. We wanted to take time out to reflect on the role of both fire and police on 9-11, and how that day has changed us, our communities and the world around us. The Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce is planning its first restaurant week. During the week, called Savor 2016, over 20 restaurants will offer special dinner and lunch menus. Although Savor is called a restaurant week, it will cover a 10-day period, from Sept. 16 to Sept. 25. Kerry Smith, Membership Director of the Chamber, said the event was planned at the request of Chamber members. Members that represent the dining community came to us and said we should try this. The goal behind this is to basically drive new traffic and increase traffic to our host spots. Smith said that she hopes the event will cause some people to try new restaurants as well as patronize old favorites. We have so many quality and well-run restaurants here, she said. Having the event cover a 10-day period allows it to include two weekends, Smith said. Most of the events like this around the country run across two weekends, Smith said. The participating restaurants will have their regular menus. In addition, they will have specials for the week. We have two categories, Smith said. What were calling the upscale restaurants will offer $10 lunch specials and $25 dinner specials. The fast casual restaurants will have $10 lunch and dinner specials. The restaurants can choose what they want to offer for the specials. Some may promote a new dish, and some may offer what theyre known for, Smith said. The specials will be offered to dine-in customers only. Its up to the restaurant to decide what to offer, Smith said. We wanted to leave them the creativity to design the dishes that they want to serve. Some restaurants will be offering logo glassware, Smith said. It will have their logo on one side and the Savor logo on the other, she said. Smith said that the chamber is advertising the event in Missouri as well as locally. Our hope is that certainly a lot of us in the area already eat at these restaurants. By advertising in Missouri as well, we hope to market beyond the Metro-East. All participating restaurants will have a sign in their window promoting the week. As part of their participation, each restaurant donated two $25 gift cards, Smith said. The gift cards will be raffled off in the days leading up to the week. Anyone interested in the raffle or more information about the week can visit the events Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/EdGlenRestaurantWeek. The page also contains a list of participating restaurants. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Thu, September 8, 2016 An early reminder for voters in the 101 provinces, regencies and municipalities who will elect their leaders in the upcoming regional elections: Dont judge the candidates by their covers. Politicians are experts in misleading voters with their courtesy, generosity, popularity and perhaps piety. A case in point is the recent arrest of Banyuasin Regent Yan Anton Fardjian whom the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is accusing of accepting bribes worth Rp 1 billion (US$77,000) from a businessman who was bidding for several projects at the local culture and education agency. KPK investigators nabbed the regent on the eve of his departure to Mecca for the haj with his wife. The regent, at 31, was known for his care for people. He, for example, visited the children of a murder victim in outlying Indrapura village late in May and donated cash and staples to the mourning family. One month later the young leader received an award from the National Family Planning Coordinating Board (BKKBN) for his contribution to the governments birth control efforts. And feeling confident of his chances because of his real actions for the people, he has openly expressed his bid for the South Sumatra gubernatorial post in 2018. Yan showed remorse when the KPK took him to Jakarta for questioning, which will put him in detention to facilitate the graft cases investigation. Indeed regret always comes last; therefore voters must carefully screen each candidate before casting their ballots before it is too late. KPK data reveal that Yan is the 51st head of a second-level administrative region (regencies/mayoralties) it has charged with corruption since the inception of the antigraft body late in 2013. Apart from being the latest, Yan is also the youngest among 185 politicians from various parties serving at national and regional level the KPK has prosecuted so far. A few months back, the KPK apprehended Subang Regent Ojang Suhandi, who is 38. Less than a week before catching Yan, the KPK named two-time Southeast Sulawesi Governor Nur Alam, 49, a graft suspect for allegedly accepting a bribe in return for a mining permit he awarded to a company. Learning from regional heads vulnerability to corrupt practices, voters and the public at large have to remain skeptical and critical of any candidate. Whoever wishes to run for a public post will try to look good, if necessary by hiring personality development and PR consultants, while hiding his or her past blemishes. Rather than giving the aspirants the benefit of the doubt, voters had better rely on findings by credible watchdogs like Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) to gauge the suitability of candidates to govern. Oftentimes ICW findings served as a tip-off for the KPK to launch investigations. Learning from the series of arrests of regional heads, political parties need to place integrity on top of the list of criteria of candidates for the regional elections. Of course political party elites have to lead by example before sending the anticorruption message to whoever they endorse to contest elections. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Lili Yan Ing and Olivier Cadot Jakarta/Geneva Thu, September 8, 2016 The economic growth of East Asia has outperformed the worlds growth for the last two decades. The emerging Southeast Asian economies Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam had an average annual growth of 5.2 percent from 2005 to 2015. East Asia has achieved such high economic growth by applying development strategies that have aggressively exploited the mechanics of global value chains and the Southeast Asian economies in ASEAN were forward-thinking on this. ASEAN undertook two bold reforms that should be appreciated. The first was the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) established in 1992, before the WTO. This was the foundation that enabled ASEAN to become a regional production base in the East Asian region. The second was the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA), both established in 2009. ATIGA outlined a schedule on tariff elimination on trade in goods and ACIA covered protection, liberalization, facilitation and promotion for investment. ACIA basically said that ASEAN agreed to open six sectors: agriculture, mining, fishery, forestry, manufacturing and services to manufacturing. ACIA also outlined a negative list of investment in those sectors. As a result, ASEAN has transformed itself into a giant factory accommodating trade in tasks in the region. Exports of machinery and parts and components contribute more than 43 percent of the value of exported goods in major ASEAN countries. Taiwan, the world leader in the assembly of notebook computers, imports HDDs (hard drives) from Thailand, chipsets from Malaysia and the Philippines, motherboards from China, LCDs from Korea and batteries from Japan. Thailand the largest auto exporter among Southeast Asian countries imports steel from Japan, compressors from Indonesia, diesel filters from Cambodia and airbags from the Philippines. Asia accounts for more than 50 percent of the worlds automobile production, 62 percent of liquid display screens, 86 percent of smartphones, and 100 percent of digital cameras. The main challenge for ASEAN is that ASEAN could be trapped in a shallow integration. The average use of ASEAN FTA and ASEAN+1 FTAs was 21 percent in 2013 and intra-ASEAN trade increased merely from 22 percent in 2000 to 24 percent in 2015. There are two underlying factors of ASEANs shallow integration: The first is Rules of Origins (RoOs). ASEANs RoOs have a relatively simple and transparent structure, with about 40 percent in the form of regional value content or change in tariff heading, but ASEANs RoOs are still perceived to be complicated by many businesses. The tariff equivalent of ASEANs RoO is relatively moderate at 3.4 percent across sectors, but the tariff equivalent of ASEANs RoOs is still relatively high in certain sectors: 13 percent in footwear, 9 percent in leather products, 8 percent in apparel, 7 percent in animal-vegetable fats and 7 percent in automobiles. The second factor that can cause a shallow integration in ASEAN is non-tariff measures (NTMs). While the average tariff rates of the 10 ASEAN countries declined from 8.9 percent in 2000 to 4.5 percent in 2015, the number of NTMs increased from 1,634 to 5,975 measures over the same period. Twenty-nine percent of the total measures are sanitary and phytosanitary, 43 percent are technical barriers to Trade, 16 percent are export measures and the remaining 12 percent are in the form of various measures. We are not in a position to blame NTMs. We can see the world with zero tariffs, but it is difficult to see the one without NTMs. The discovery of Volkswagens large-scale cheating with US emissions tests in 2015 was a wake-up call to everyone on the importance of product standards. The solution is neither to increase the allowable amount of the CO2 emissions nor to eliminate the regulations that manage certain product specifications, which are a kind of NTMs. This reminds us that, unlike tariffs, NTMs could play a role of check and balance for the quality of goods: for health, safety and environmental protection. The problem with NTMs is that many regulations are poorly designed, failing to protect the public, while unnecessarily complicating business. The upcoming ASEAN Leaders Meeting 2016 Vientienne aims to put forward feasible proposals to facilitate regional trade further and lead to deeper integration and increased trade. There are two proposals to be considered. The first proposal is on RoOs: Generalize alternate rules of regional value content of 40 percent or Change in Tariff Heading (CTH) and simplify RoOs in sectors like apparel, footwear, and prepared food. These will improve export-led growth and employment creation in ASEAN. The second proposal is on non-tariff measures. ASEAN should go beyond the trade negotiation approach and strive for three approaches: regional convergence on best practices, cooperation in conformity assessment procedures (CAP) and dynamic disciplines on NTMs at the national level. To start with, ASEAN should improve transparency of NTMs and conduct a regular review. In conclusion, if ASEAN wants to increase its trade and investment and escape from a shallow integration trap, ASEAN should make bold reforms think out of the box in trade facilitation. ASEAN should start to seriously work on simplifying RoOs, improving the transparency of NTMs and conducting dynamic discipline on NTMs at the national level. ______________________________ Lili Yan Ing is senior advisor on trade and investment at the Presidential Office in Jakarta and Olivier Cadot is with Laussane University, Geneva, Switzerland. The views expressed are their own. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Todung Mulya Lubis Denpasar, Bali Thu, September 8, 2016 When I was a student at the University of Indonesias (UI) School of Law, I worked as assistant to the president of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta) and I must admit that I learned a great deal from the work. At the LBH, legal aid was provided for poor, underrepresented and marginalized people. Those who cannot afford lawyers and meet all administrative requirements can come to the LBH Jakarta for free legal assistance where a group of young lawyers is ready to represent them. Legal aid at that time was not called pro bono, but essentially the LBH Jakarta practiced pro bono publico, which according to the Dictionary of Legal Terms refers to work for the public good and welfare. When an attorney takes on a case without compensation to advance a social cause, or to fill a perceived social need to offer legal representation to the poor, the attorney represents the party pro bono publico. The LBH Jakarta later broadened the definition of pro bono publico to also cover cases that it considered constitutionally important. That explains why the LBH Jakarta, for instance, has defended student activists, political prisoners and members of the media who themselves may not necessarily be poor but their cases are considered constitutionally important. In other words, their cases could influence democracy, the rule of law and human rights. Indonesia does not have a long history of pro bono practice. There has not been much research or many publications about legal practices under colonial times except by a few Dutch scholars and recently by Daniel S. Lev, a noted Indonesianist from Cornell University, the US. Having said that, it would not be an understatement to say that the tradition of pro bono practice is not rooted in our legal profession. This does not mean that earlier advocates in Indonesia had no idea about pro bono practices. First generation practicing lawyers were involved in the fight against colonialism. Individually, the advocates did take up cases on behalf of poor, underrepresented and marginalized people. It was sporadic and unorganized, however. The Indonesian Bar Association (IKADIN) was formed in 1964 and slowly but surely developed into a grouping of many lawyers practicing law and providing legal services to society, including the poor and those who had no access to justice. It was in 1971 that the LBH Jakarta came into being, when the Indonesian Bar Association together with the Jakarta administration agreed to lay the groundwork for legal aid services to the poor and the needy those who could not afford lawyers. At that time, young, idealistic and energetic lawyers were recruited to pioneer work as public defenders. They worked full time and received monthly remuneration, albeit far below that of lawyers working in law firms and commercial companies. But they were enthusiastic and proud of their accomplishments. Interestingly, they became role models for young lawyers, and their names appeared in various newspapers and magazines. They became the inspiration for law students who aspired to be public defenders, and along this line law schools established legal aid offices as part of their service to society. Pro bono efforts, if they are to grow, require solid and strong support and commitment from bar associations as well as the government. I have observed that our bar associations have paid relatively little attention to the development of pro bono services. The legal profession, in my opinion, stands behind the rich and the powerful, becoming a money machine and forgetting its social responsibility. It is no surprise then if many cynically describe the legal profession as defending those who pay, not those who are right. Having said all of that, it is not my intention to suggest that no pro bono services are emerging and developing. There are small groups of advocates who allocate some of their time to do pro bono work. However, as all pro bono work originates from law firms and solo practitioners, we should not expect any impressive developments from pro bono advocates. This is the time for Indonesian advocates to take the side of justice seekers, not to be selfish or chase after money, enriching themselves while ignoring their social responsibility to people at large. In addition, it is the inherent duty of advocates to help strengthen the foundation of the rule of law, human rights and democracy, which would contribute a great deal to more avenues by which to seek justice, and to make all people realize that justice belongs to everyone, not only to a privileged few. We all can learn from countries where the tradition of pro bono has been well established, through which bar associations require law firms and lawyers to allocate a portion of their time to pro bono work. There is a tendency for the average hours spent on pro bono work to gradually increase, which gives advocates and law firms both intellectual and emotional satisfaction in the sense that they feel worthy and useful to society. How could you not feel satisfied if migrant workers or victims of human trafficking that you defended won a case against a greedy mafia? Indonesia, the Philippines, India and Bangladesh, for instance, all face migrant worker and human trafficking problems. Instead of working individually and nationally we could do it together with a network through which we could coordinate and share the collective action that must be taken. Through such a network, perhaps, extra-legal work could reasonably be discussed before being pursued. Bringing bar associations into the picture would certainly be appropriate in the sense that it would give more weight to pro bono work. Combining legal advocacy and extra-legal work, in my experience, has been quite effective and satisfactory. There are many pressing problems faced by minority groups, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals and children. Undoubtedly those people need our commitment to assist them. There have always been radical and fundamentalist elements within society that impose their own rules and restrictions, not to mention intimidation and terror. Those affected by discrimination and violence prefer not to open up their cases to the public. They do not want to face further retaliation and terror. In my humble opinion, it is our duty as members of the legal profession to provide pro bono legal assistance to those in need. Again, in this respect, bar associations must do their utmost to support pro bono advocates in performing their social-legal responsibility to the community. This is the time for the legal profession in Asia, including Indonesia, to realize that it is indebted to countries and their people. A debt has to be repaid and it is long overdue. Pro bono legal services are one of the answers. Every bar association should require its members to allocate part of their time to pro bono legal services of their choice, either individually or jointly. __________________________________ The writer chairs the Indonesian Bar Association (IKADIN) and is a member of the International Bar Association (IBA). This article is an abridged version of his paper presented at the 2016 Asia Pro Bono Forum on Aug. 29 to 30 in Bali. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, September 7 2016 The discovery of an online prostitution ring involving nearly 150 boys in Bogor, West Java, has raised concerns over the growing threat facing Indonesian children in the age of social media. The case shows that suspected predators are aggressively recruiting children by direct coaxing or through social media to be prostitutes and sold online to pedophiles, some of whom are foreigners. The number of victims is expected to increase, National Police spokesman Sr. Com. Martinus Sitompul told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday. The police previously reported that the number of children pimped by the suspect, identified as AR, through a Facebook page called Berondong Bogor had reached 148. As of today, the police have arrested three suspects in the case. AR, the pimp, was busted during a police raid at a Bogor hotel in West Java. He was found with seven boys below 16-years-old. The other suspects are U, who also acted as a pimp, and E, who helped AR recruit children and prepare accounts to receive client payments. The police had handed over the seven victims to the Social Affairs Ministry, which placed them at the Bambu Apus safe house in East Jakarta. Edi Suharto, head of education and research and social extension at the Social Affairs Ministry, said the ministry had met with all of the seven victims and also their parents to dig deeper into the case. The ministry found that some of the children were living in boarding houses, without direct supervision from their parents. They were also from low-income families. Five of the seven children dropped out of school. Only two are still going to school, he said. To lure the boys, the suspects allegedly approached each boy and introduced them to a materialistic world. The suspects invited the kids to go around in cars, bought them new shoes and other things, he said. After they became close with each other, the suspects allegedly sold the boys for sex to men for between Rp 1.2 million (US$91.3) to Rp 1.5 million each, compensating each of the victims between Rp 100,000 to 150,000, he said. One of the victims claimed that in addition to the small compensation received, sometimes their customers gave them tips for about Rp 8 million to Rp 10 million. Some of the customers were foreigners, he said. The ministry interviewed some of the victims parents and found that they had no clue their children were involved in an online prostitution ring. The National Child Protection Commission (KPAI) chairman, Asrorun Niam Sholeh, said the online prostitution case should be a wake-up call for the nation, as methods of carrying out sexual abuse is becoming more varied. This should become the momentum to fight the sexual abuse of children and also our concrete support for the Presidents stance of categorizing it as an extraordinary crime by issuing a regulation in lieu of law [Perppu], he said. About four months ago, President Joko Jokowi Widodo issued a Perppu on sexual violence against children that will serve as a new legal basis to protect Indonesian children from abuse and exploitation. It stipulates that pedophiles and child rapists may be subjected to chemical castration and even the death penalty. The Perppu is currently under the deliberation process at the House of Representatives. Almost all factions in the House Commission VIII overseeing religious and social affairs have agreed with the Perppu, except the Gerindra Party. (win) _________________________________ 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 Hans Nicholas Jong (The Jakarta Post) Wed, September 7 2016 The Environment and Forestry Ministry is considering taking legal action against the people who allegedly held hostage and threatened officials from the ministry while they were investigating a forest fire. Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar said the ministry would first collect evidence on the incident, in which seven ministry officials were harassed by a group of people while they were investigating a forest fire in Rokan Hulu, Riau. Regarding the hostage incident, its a crime. We will soon study the procedural law. While were looking at the procedures, I believe the right thing to do is to collect data. If needed, we will file a report [of the incident to the police], 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 Teressa Warianto (The Jakarta Post) Wed, September 7 2016 If you ever wondered how important social media is to todays generation, turn to Dorothy Wang to find out. She is the breakout star of E!s reality series #RichKids of Beverly Hills, and with nearly 1 million followers on Instagram alone, she may be even more popular online. During her short visit to Jakarta to promote the fourth season of her TV series, it was apparent that Wang took her social media presence seriously. Her phone was never out of reach and she constantly took videos of her surroundings using Snapchat. I actually got my career started on television thanks to social media. One of the network execs saw my Instagram account and thought that it would be interesting to do a show with me and my friends, she said. The show follows Wang and her elite group of friends as they flaunt their excessive wealth while struggling to step out of their parents shadows. It is evident that social media plays a very important role on the show. Cast members are often seen taking selfies for that perfect Instagram photo or discussing their social media presence. Wang said that social media was not only a big part of her life, but also to her generation since it has changed the way people pursued their careers. With social media, everyone can be his or her own boss and there have been so many people who are perfect examples of this. There are models getting discovered on social media and there are entrepreneurs who get their starts on social media; youre basically creating your own brand. With most of her day being spent online, here are three apps the social media darling cannot live without. JP/Teressa Warianto _______________________ The writer is an intern at The Jakarta Post. 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 Julia Suryakusuma (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, September 7 2016 Xenophobia is the fear or contempt of anything foreign, right? Its something that lately Indonesia has displayed plenty of, despite the fact that so much of our cultural, political and religious identity is not indigenous to the archipelago. Yes, including Islam, which came in the 13th century through Sufi traders from Gujarat, India. Well, on top of xenophobia, now we also have zina-phobia. Zina? Is that a girls name? Nope, you are thinking of Xena, the warrior princess. This is zina (or zinah in Indonesian), which is Arabic for adultery or fornication, whether it be extramarital sex, premarital sex, casual sex and naturally, same-sex sex. Islam like any other religion bans marriage between a man and a man, and a woman and a woman. Automatically, zinaphobia includes homophobia. In Islam, zina is considered haram, i.e. a criminal act, according to religious law. 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 Thu, September 8, 2016 The Indonesian justice system often fails to protect the rights of foreign defendants, particularly the right to be accompanied by an interpreter during legal processes, an activist has said. The absence of interpreters is a serious matter, particularly for defendants accused of committing serious crimes who could face heavy sentences, including the death penalty, Indonesian Judicial Watch Society researcher Anugerah Rizki Akbari said on Thursday. He gave an example of Filipino suspect Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso, who was on death row in 2015. Mary was given an English interpreter during trials when she actually needed a Tagalog interpreter, Rizki said at the Celebrating Life event held at Plaza Indonesia shopping mall on Thursday. Indonesia halted the execution of Veloso after the Attorney Generals Office last year received information suggesting she was a victim of human trafficking. Her execution was postponed, pending legal processes in the Philippines. A similar situation occurred in 2002 when Nonthanam M. Saicon, a Thai national, was sentenced to death for smuggling narcotics, Rizki said. In a court hearing for a judicial review this year, the Supreme Court decided to reduce Nonthanams sentence from the death penalty to life in prison because the Tangerang District Court had failed to provide a Thai interpreter during the trial. The Supreme Court believed she could not fully understand the indictment against her, so justices reduced her sentence. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam Thu, September 8, 2016 Batam, Rempang and Galang Police general crime division deputy Adj. Comr. Aryo Prasetyo has said the police had released an Indonesian man accused of pimping migrants, among them a 15-year-old boy, because of a lack of proof. Aryo said that after interrogating the man over two days they had yet to find any proof of the allegations against the man, identified only as BS. We havent detained him, but we have ordered him to report. We havent found any proof of prostitution, nor human trafficking, said Aryo Thursday. We also havent decided which charges we would press. Were still considering the possibilities, he said. Read also: Immigration office uncovers migrant prostitution ring Batam Immigration Office earlier announced it had discovered a possible prostitution ring of male migrants serving female and male clients in Batam. They arrested BS, who was later handed over to the police. Ten suspected prostitutes were detained at the immigration office. From the 10, nine were identified as Afghanis, and one as Pakistani. Their ages range from 15 to 39 years old. Batam Immigration Office head of monitoring and enforcement Muhammad Noviandri said BS had offered the pictures of the refugees to men and women and charged them at least Rp 5 million (US$382) per appointment. The migrant prostitutes allegedly frequented a large fitness center in Batam, as well as nightclubs. You decide for yourselves whether we have been too hasty in concluding that there is a case of prostitution here, Noviandri said in response to the police statement about the lack of proof. (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Michael W. Setjoadi Jakarta Thu, September 8, 2016 For Indonesias tobacco sector, we are beginning to see some light for next year. In the 2017 Draft State Budget (RAPBN), the government is budgeting only a 6 percent increase in tobacco excise revenue to Rp 149.9 trillion (US$11.5 billion) (figure 1) from this years forecast of a 15 percent excise hike for a target of Rp 142 trillion. In our view, huge adjustments on average selling price this year following the 15 percent excise tax jump will result in slower-than-expected industry volume growth at minus 1 to minus 2 percent year-on-year (yoy) in 2016. Furthermore, revenue excise realization in the January-July period only accounted for 37 percent of 2016s full year target. Even if we include the two-month early excise revenue collection this year a policy implemented at the end of 2015 only 49 percent of the full year target will be reached, or about 6 percent lower than the January-July average of 2014 and 2015. Therefore, we believe the 2017 excise hike will amount to around 10 to 12 percent higher yoy instead of just 6 percent. In terms of stick sales, the post-Lebaran festivities 2.4 percent month-on-month (mom) volume growth may still result in the governments inability to meet the 2016 excise revenue target, unless the Directorate General of Customs and Excise decides to implement a similar move to book excise receipts two months in advance as was performed at end-2015. Figure 1 & 2(-/-) -(-/-) Going into 2017, although the excise tax hike should be lower than in 2016, we believe the competition is still tough this year with British American Tobaccos (BAT) aggressive moves to take up market share in Indonesia. Thus, we believe that HM Sampoerna (HMSP) and Gudang Garam (GGRM) should experience greater difficulties in passing on the higher excise tax ahead. At this stage, we are still awaiting the final cigarette excise tax figure per stick to be announced in October 2016. Despite increases in A Mild average selling price by 12 percent year-to-date (ytd), HMSP has maintained its market share of around 33 percent (figure 2), testimony to the companys high brand equity. This is despite BATs 5 percent discount on its Lucky Strike Mild products at the retail level in the form of extra packs (i.e. 100 packs to obtain five extra packs). On a brighter note, HMSPs focus on the premium full flavor machine-rolled cigarette (SKM FF) segment should help support margins through the launch of the one-of-a-kind Marlboro kretek (clove cigarette) called Marlboro Filter Black. HMSP will produce the product and pay a brand royalty to Phillip Morris Indonesia (PMI), unlike the other Marlboro brands, where HMSP only generates 3 to 5 percent distribution margins. At the stock level, we continue to like HMSP, and maintain our positive view with a higher target price of Rp 4,800 as we roll over our valuation to 2017, or 20 percent to Unilever Indonesias (UNVR) target price. On GGRM, it has increased the price of its Surya ProMild by 3.7 percent to Rp 706 per stick, closing the gap with A Mild at Rp 1,108 per stick. This should help maintain margins. Other positive catalysts for GGRM are its mass-market exposure and undemanding valuation on 2017-forecast price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 18.6 times, a 50 percent discount to HMSP, with a lower target price of Rp 72,300, based on a 2017-forecast PE of 21 times. ____________ The writer is an analyst at Bahana Securities. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Tama Salim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8 2016 A commemorative summit celebrating 25 years of ASEAN-Chinese relations yielded results on Wednesday indicating that all parties are willing to move on from the escalation of tensions in recent months and focus on rebuilding trust and confidence in the region. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said the 19th ASEAN-China Summit in Laos produced, among other things, two outcome documents: a Joint Statement on the Application of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) in the South China Sea, and the Guidelines for Hotline Communications among Senior Officials of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of ASEAN Member States and China in Response to Maritime Emergencies in the Implementation of the Declaration of Conduct (DOC). Our hope is that the [implementation of] CUES and the hotline will make the situation in the South China Sea more conducive and manageable, Retno told reporters after the summit. For the hotline, Retno has appointed the ministrys director general for ASEAN cooperation, Jose Tavares, as Indonesias point of contact. 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) Vientiane Thu, September 8 2016 Leaders of ASEAN and Australia placed particular focus on emerging non-traditional security threats in their inaugural ASEAN-Australia Biennial Summit in Vientiane on Wednesday. Non-traditional security threats comprise international terrorism, violent extremism and drug trafficking. The initiatives mostly reflect the existing work that Australia and Indonesia have nurtured at the bilateral and multilateral levels with each other and other partners in the region. Together with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, President Joko Jokowi Widodo and other ASEAN leaders issued the Joint Declaration for the Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism, Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi revealed. The joint declaration acknowledged, among other things, the work of the Jakarta Center for Law Enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC) on combating terrorism, and plans to increase cooperation on counterterrorism, Retno added. The minister also said Jokowis efforts in deradicalization were lauded by his Australian counterpart. In a few of his statements, PM Turnbull mentioned Indonesias contributions to efforts to combat terrorism, she said at the end of the second day of the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits. Earlier in the day, Turnbull said Australia would be requesting increased intelligence sharing with allies in the region, as reported by Australias ABC news agency. Many of the nations here assembled Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines to name a few have been victims of significant terrorist attacks in very recent times. They too face the challenge of returning foreign fighters adding to already radicalized elements in their community, he said. Our collaboration in terms of counterterrorism is critically important; it is intense now [and] it will become more so [...] We are engaged now and we will become more engaged. This years ASEAN-Australia Summit is the first since the partners entered into a strategic partnership in 2014, and will be held biennially with Australia proposing a Special Leaders Summit in 2018. Meanwhile, Indonesia called on other ASEAN leaders and Australia to realize the vision of a resilient region, the foreign minister said. In order to achieve this, Jokowi raised the need for a cooperation mechanism to combat transnational organized crime (TOC) by leading the fight against radical extremism through intelligence sharing, legislation cooperation and to promote the global movement of moderate ideology. We have a particular interest in [fighting] the drug problem, because we dont want the youth of Indonesia or ASEAN to throw away their futures to drug abuse. Thats why there is a need to increase monitoring at the borders of each respective partner country, as well as the sharing of intelligence and information, Retno said. During the summit, Jokowi also raised the issue of cooperation in maritime security in the region, pushing the existing agenda from the East Asia Summit (EAS) to the platform with Australia, Retno said. Retno further said Indonesia and Australia would become the first nations to implement the maritime security cooperation mechanism from the EAS this November. In addition to the ASEAN-Australia Summit, President Jokowi also attended various other ASEAN Plus One dialog partner meetings including with the UN, China, Japan and South Korea, as well as the 19th ASEAN Plus Three Summit with China, Japan and South Korea. During the 18th ASEAN-South Korea Summit, where ASEAN leaders interfaced with President Park Geun-hye, Jokowi took the opportunity to reiterate the importance of peace and stability as the key factor for economic growth in the region. The President also placed heavy emphasis on maritime cooperation during the ASEAN-Japan Summit, while also expressing appreciation to Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for Japans expanded partnership for quality infrastructure, which falls in line with the regions Masterplan for ASEAN Connectivity. For the 8th ASEAN-UN Summit, Jokowi raised the issue of poverty reduction in the region through the empowerment of small and medium-sized enterprises and inclusive financing, among others. He also reiterated the importance of the partnership to continue pushing the issue of Palestinian independence, and urging ASEAN leaders and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to aid efforts to resume the Six-Party Talks with North Korea. __________________________________ 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 Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8, 2016 Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan has claimed a good relationship with parties inside the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), saying they fully supported him during his candidacy to become the agencys new chief. Budi said outgoing BIN chief Sutiyoso and all personnel at the office had assisted him from the day President Joko Jokowi Widodo decided to appoint him until he passed the screening process at the House of Representatives. "I thank Pak Sutiyoso and his personnel for assisting me [...] Their assistance has demonstrated that internally, the agency is solid and they support my succession to the agencys leadership," Budi said on Thursday. He also asserted that he would cooperate with all BIN personnel to improve the agency's intelligence capability in order to present the more professional and accurate advice that was needed for the government's decision-making process, to the President. House lawmakers approved Budis nomination to replace Sutiyoso as the new BIN chief in a plenary meeting on Thursday. The House said it would immediately send an approval letter to President Jokowi so that the inauguration ceremony for Budi, who currently serves as the deputy National Police chief, could be carried out soon. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Pandaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8, 2016 When lawmakers are mulling a legislative plan, be very, very afraid. So goes a classic adage warning of anxieties about an impending law tailor-made to defend politicians interests rather than the public. A piece of such ominous news came from the House of Representatives very recently. Lawmakers stirred up a fresh political commotion after they floated the idea of allowing convicted criminals placed on probation to run for regional elections. They knew perfectly well that the proposal was not only immoral but also against Law No. 10/2016 on regional elections, which states that to qualify for candidacy, a person must never have been convicted of any crime by a court of law. But, with the support of the Home Ministry, the legislators also knew equally well how to force their way: pressuring the General Elections Commission (KPU) to adapt its Regulation No. 5/2016 on regional elections. The proposition was put on the table during a regular hearing between legislators, KPU commissioners and Home Ministry officials amid preparations for the upcoming round of simultaneous regional elections scheduled for Feb. 15 next year. Proponents have argued that people on probation should still fully retain their political rights because a verdict that allows the accused to remain in the community is not final in nature until they have completed their probation or been sent to jail for a repeat offense. Whats more, they are insistent that probation is typically handed down to people who commit petty crimes. The KPU begs to differ, believing that probation is unquestionably a guilty verdict and the interpretation should not be overstretched. But the problem is if lawmakers and the government eventually agree to alter the law, the KPU has no power to stop it. However, it seems that doomsday is not a certainty yet; well, at least it will not come anytime soon. Fierce popular resistance aside, not all political factions in the House and government bureaucracy are happy about the idea. Arteria Dahlan, a lawmaker from the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), for example, has openly opposed it, calling the advocates arguments misguided, which could set off an unnecessary political uproar. After the plan met with a torrent of criticism, the Home Ministrys director general for regional autonomy Soni Sumarsono clarified the governments stand; only people on probation for petty crimes will be given the chance but not those guilty of three serious types of offenses drugs, corruption and pedophilia. Basically, were doing our best to protect peoples constitutional right to elect their leaders or be elected as leaders, he told the media. There is no doubt that the plan to allow crooks on probation to try their luck in local contests for power is a regression in the development of democracy in the country. Politicians latest moves to loosen election rules reminds us of last years unprecedented simultaneous regional elections, when some candidates hooked up in legal wrangles were allowed to run and, oddly, some triumphed. This April, the Home Ministry canceled the inauguration of Rokan Hulu regent elect Suparman because he was named a graft suspect. He was not as lucky as another four regents elect who were sworn in early this year despite their suspect status: the mayor of Gunung Sitoli in North Sumatra, Lakhomizaro Zebua; regent of Sabu Raijua in East Nusa Tenggara, Dira Tome; regent of Ngada in East Nusa Tenggara, Marianus Sae; and regent of Maros in South Sulawesi, Hatta Rahman. Apparently, political parties which are among the most corrupt and distrusted institutions according to opinion polls have yet to make their senior members ethical track records a prerequisite for candidacy. This has given politics a bad name. Widespread vote-buying has become an open secret, so much so that people believe money is the most decisive factor in the battle for public jobs. Once a candidate clinches a political job after a costly campaign, he or she thinks of how to recoup the billions of rupiah already spent. It explains why many lawmakers, councilors and state bureaucrats have been prosecuted and convicted for graft. Chances are that such a short-sighted rule would be challenged at the Supreme Court and the tedious legal process could hamper preparations for the upcoming simultaneous local elections. The idea of easing regional electoral rules to allow persons on probation to contest elections should be rejected because not only is it against the law but it carries the danger of putting dishonest people in charge of government. A convict regional leader, albeit on probation, would be an object of ridicule at best and forever hounded by questions of integrity. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Stefani Ribka (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8, 2016 The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) has dug deeper into cartel practices allegedly carried out by motorcycle manufacturers Astra Honda Motor and Yamaha Indonesia by summoning Gunadi Sindhuwinata, chairman of Indonesian Motorcycle Industry Association (AISI). Gunadi testified before the court on Tuesday in a case that accuses the manufacturers of conspiring to mark up the prices of automatic scooters of 110 cc and 125 cc. Article 5 of Law No. 5/1999 on prohibition of monopoly and other unhealthy business practices stipulates that businesspeople are prohibited to cooperate with competitors to control prices in a particular market. The KPPU claims that the prices of both firms automatic scooters surged exponentially in the first half to reach more than Rp 15 million (US$1,155) per unit. Its calculation shows that the prices should have stood at Rp 12.6 million only, considering that production costs hovered at Rp 7.5 million to 8 million per unit. The KPPU also claims that three price increases in 2014 which hiked total prices by 400,000 to 600,000 are unacceptable. Prices shouldnt increase that often. They should only rise once in a year, provided theres no extraordinary change in raw material prices or labor costs, KPPU investigator Helmi Nurjamil told reporters after the hearing in the KPPU building in Jakarta. According to the commission, customers tend to think drastic price changes are normal because the market is dominated by only a handful of firms. It has cited a document that indicates that the two companies had exchanged emails to coordinate price adjustments as evidence. At present, Astra Honda controls 67 percent market share, while Yamaha holds 29 percent. If proven guilty, the companies face a maximum penalty of Rp 25 billion. In his testimony, Gunadi attributed the price increases to rising promotion costs as the two firms were entangled in fierce competition, especially during the current economic slowdown. Both race to keep launching new models because in this industry, [where] one will be left behind if it stops giving new options to customers, he added. I can already see that today Yamaha has spent a lot for TV ads and other promotional tools to gain more of a market share [from Honda]. He repeatedly voiced that AISI members, including Honda and Yamaha, had complied with existing business guidelines. In a previous hearing on July 26, both Yamaha Indonesias executive vice president Dionisius Dion Bety and Astra Honda Motors deputy head of corporate communication Ahmad Muhibbuddin also blamed surging promotional costs as the reason behind the price increases. Both said the email communications between Astra Honda and Yamaha were merely personal as the two high-ranking officials that allegedly conspired to create a cartel used their personal email addresses and not the firms. The case was brought to trial on July 19 and no details were immediately available regarding the next hearing. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Andi Hajramurni (The Jakarta Post) Makassar, South Sulawesi Thu, September 8, 2016 Three men who attempted to smuggle drugs into Parepare, South Sulawesi, in February were handed a death sentence and life sentences by the Parepare District Court on Thursday. Defendant Hartono, 25, was sentenced to death by a panel of judges led by Salam Al Farizi, while Makmur, 27, and Yunus, 40, were handed life sentences. The judges said the three were found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of smuggling 10 kilograms of sabu-sabu (crystal methamphetamine) into Parepare from Nunukan in Kalimantan via the sea using a motorboat on Feb. 5. Hartono was given a death sentence because he was found to smuggle sabu-sabu into South Sulawesi through Nusantara Parepare Port three times, judge Salam said. Makmur and Yunus, who worked at the port, acted as couriers. Makmur took delivery of the crystal meth at the port from Hartono and took it home while Yunus picked it up from Makmur and delivered it to a buyer in Sidenreng Rappang regency. Hartono said he would appeal the decision, arguing that he was also only a courier, not the owner. He said the owner was Onding, a man from Sidenreng Rappang who resided in Malaysia. Onding is still at large. Makmur and Yunus said they would discuss their sentences with their lawyers before deciding whether to appeal. (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8, 2016 A Malaysian citizen, Ong Bok Seong, 67, may face the death penalty as prosecutors demanded the death sentence in a drug trafficking case involving 11.3 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine in a hearing at the Sanggau District Court in Pontianak, West Kalimantan. "This is the third time the defendant has been involved in smuggling drugs into Indonesia," one of the prosecutors, Ulfan Yustian Arif, was quoted saying by Antara news agency on Thursday. Ong was previously arrested for allegedly smuggling 2 kilograms of crystal meth into the country. Along with Ong, an alleged Indonesian accomplice, Abang Hendry Gunawan aka Een, was charged in the same case. Prosecutors demanded 20 years in prison and a Rp 1 billion of fine for Een. According to Ulfan, prosecutors see Ong as having played a bigger role in the case. The lawyer for both defendants, Munawar Rahim, said his team was preparing a response to the demand. (dmr) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8, 2016 Recent controversy over dual citizenship and the growing role of the Indonesian diaspora have brought up the country's long-time plan to revise the 2006 Citizenship Law to allow dual nationality. Following the dismissal of former energy and mineral resources minister Arcandra Tahar over his citizenship status, Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan has signaled that the government might allow dual citizenship in the future to accommodate "another" Arcandra who might benefit the country with their skills and experience. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has reiterated that the law revision is indeed in his favor, as he invited 74 Indonesian professors living in the US, some who may already hold US citizenship, to return and assist his administration in developing the country. The bill containing the revisions to the 2006 law has also entered the 2014-2019 National Legislation Program (Prolegnas). However, despite Jokowis aspiration, the political mood in the House of Representatives is not in support of dual citizenship. "We should stick to only allow a single citizenship, however, we can still accommodate Indonesian diaspora interests [without having to allow dual citizenship], Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) deputy chairman Andreas Hugo Pareira said. Indonesia has experienced the phenomena of brain drain, which happens when skilled workers migrate abroad to seek work opportunities, resulting in brain gain for destination countries, Andreas said. However, instead of revising the law, Indonesia could create better incentives for its diaspora to turn the brain drain into brain gain, he added. Taking lessons from India and China, two countries that created brain gain from their diaspora; Indonesia could provide better policy, infrastructure, as well as facilities to accommodate its diaspora to develop the country. China, for example, offers simpler investment procedures for its diaspora to invest in the country, Andreas said. Gerindra Party legislator Muhammad Syafii said he opposed dual citizenship since it was susceptible to abuse by those who only wanted to gain economic benefits from Indonesia. It could collide with the countrys national interests in the future, he said. Experts, including state law expert Hikmahanto Juwana and international law expert Mahmud Syaltout have said dual citizenship would be dangerous for the country because people could use it for criminal action, including tax evasion. Humans act on their own interest. With dual citizenship, they will consider which citizenship brings them more benefits. [For example] they will use Indonesian citizenship when they invest, but he can opt to use their foreign citizenship to get their money abroad, Syaltout told The Jakarta Post. Top government officials themselves are not exactly enthusiastic about allowing dual citizenship. But as a show of goodwill to the lobbying diaspora communities, the government gave immigration privileges to them. Government Regulation (PP) No. 26/2016 on immigration signed by President Jokowi on June 27, an amendment of PP No. 31/2013, stipulated the diaspora could obtain five-year multiple entry visas. Once the regulation is implemented, the diaspora would also able to extend their stay permits from 30 days to 60 days per visit, according to the law. The visa privilege could be enjoyed by members of the Indonesian diaspora that possess diaspora cards, an identity token for Indonesians abroad the government plans to roll out soon after deliberations are completed. Deliberations are to finish by the end of this year, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has said. The Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister is also drafting a list of economic benefits for the diaspora, including better access to doing business in the country, property ownership and value-added investment opportunities, as a response to the strong aspirations of Indonesians abroad, Retno said. There is no need to revise the law to allow dual nationality. Now that we have [introduced a set of visa privileges], there is no need for the diaspora to go back and forth to apply for visas. Dual citizenship still has a long way to go as it requires further studies, Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly said. Indonesias decision to finally recognize its diasporas aspirations, came from an estimated 8 million Indonesians taking up residence abroad, has been generally welcomed by the diaspora, who said that at least the government had become responsive in creating a solution based on mutualism principles. Nuning Hallet, the Jakarta representative of the Dual Citizenship and Immigration Advocacy Team, Indonesia Diaspora Network Global, said diaspora cards should function more like citizenship cards that could bring more benefits, such as giving members of the diaspora who had gained foreign citizenship privileges to invest in the country not as foreign investors, but as Indonesian investors. She, however, said the diaspora would continue to push for dual citizenship. It is the aspiration of Indonesians abroad, Nuning said. (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Evi Mariani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8, 2016 The Indonesian Civil Society Network for Refugee Rights Protection (Suaka) has said the government should look at an alleged migrant prostitution ring case in Batam as a criminal case and not connect it to the alleged male prostitutes status as asylum seekers. In a statement made available on Thursday, Suaka coordinator Febi Yonesta said the Directorate General of Immigration at the Law and Human Rights Ministry had stated that the alleged prostitutes were abusing their certificates issued by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This is pure criminal case, not related to whether the perpetrators are asylum seekers or not, said Febi. The immigration office and the police should tread carefully to not stigmatize the asylum seekers and refugees who are seeking protection in Indonesia, he went on. Suaka said the asylum seekers were people who fled from hardships in their home countries. They are victims of persecution, either because of their religion or ethnicity or persecution by the government or other groups at home. They are protected by international law and every country is obliged to protect their rights, he said. Suaka lawyer Alldo Fellix Januardy said refugees often experienced other hardships in Indonesia. This is why asylum seekers and refugees, especially children, are vulnerable to becoming victims of crime and human trafficking, Alldo said. Batam Immigration Office uncovered an alleged migrant prostitution ring operated by an Indonesian pimp. The office detained 10 alleged prostitutes from Afghanistan and Pakistan, among them a 15-year-old boy. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8, 2016 Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati does not expect a trade surplus in 2017 on account of gloomy global economic conditions. The minister, who just arrived from the G20 Summit in China, said many countries were preparing for an efficiency phase. "Even China allocated 60 percent of its budget to regional governments not to enhance the regional economy but to close down steel companies," she said during a meeting with House of Representatives Commission XI overseeing finance and banking affairs on Wednesday. At the hearing, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) stated Indonesia still had a US US$4 billion trade surplus from previous years, but in 2016 year-to-date, the negative trade balance was deeper than in 2015. "We still rely on the three-biggest export markets, the US (12 percent of total exports), China (10 percent of total exports), and Japan (10 percent of total exports)," BPS balance sheet and statistical analysis head Kecuk Suhariyanto said. For the next year, international trade cannot be expected, he added. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Martha Mendoza and Margie Mason (Associated Press) Honolulu Thu, September 8, 2016 Hawaii's high-quality seafood is sold with the promise that it's caught by local, hard-working fishermen. But the people who haul in the prized catch are almost all undocumented foreign workers, confined to American boats for years at a time without basic rights or protections. About 700 men from impoverished Southeast Asian and Pacific Island nations make up the bulk of the workforce in this unique U.S. fishing fleet. A federal loophole allows them to take the dangerous jobs without proper work permits, just as long as they don't set foot on shore. Americans buying Hawaiian seafood are almost certainly eating fish caught by one of these workers. A six-month Associated Press investigation found fishing crews living in squalor on some boats, forced to use buckets instead of toilets and suffering running sores from bed bugs. There have been instances of human trafficking, active tuberculosis and low food supplies. "We want the same standards as the other workers in America, but we are just small people working there," said fisherman Syamsul Maarif, who didn't get paid for four months. He was sent back to his Indonesian village after nearly dying at sea when his Hawaiian boat sank earlier this year. Because they have no visas, the men can't fly into Hawaii, so they're brought by boat. And since they're not technically in the country, they're at the mercy of their American captains on American-flagged, American-owned vessels, catching choice swordfish and ahi tuna that can fetch more than $1,000 apiece. The entire system contradicts other state and federal laws, yet operates with the blessing of U.S. officials and law enforcement. "People say these fishermen can't leave their boats, they're like captives," said U.S. Attorney Florence Nakakuni in Hawaii. "But they don't have visas, so they can't leave their boat, really." Each of the roughly 140 boats in the fleet docks about once every three weeks, occasionally at ports along the West Coast, including Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, but mainly at Piers 17 and 38 in Honolulu. Their catch ends up at fancy restaurants and in supermarkets' premium fish counters across the country, including Whole Foods, Costco and Sam's Club. All companies that responded condemned the mistreatment of workers. Costco said it was investigating. Wal-Mart, which owns Sam's Club, declined to comment. Whole Foods spokeswoman McKinzey Crossland said only 1 percent of the chain store's seafood comes from Hawaii, and she has been assured that boat crews are well paid with bonuses and health insurance. She added that the company is looking into the issue. The AP obtained confidential contracts and interviewed boat owners, brokers and more than 50 fishermen in Hawaii, Indonesia and San Francisco as part of an ongoing global look at labor abuses in the fishing industry. Last year, the AP reported about fishermen locked in a cage and buried under fake names on the remote Indonesian island village ofBenjina . Their catch was traced to the United States, leading to more than 2,000 slaves being freed. But thousands more remain trapped worldwide in a murky industry where work takes place far from shore and often without oversight. In Hawaii, federal contractors paid to monitor catches are troubled by what they've seen while living at sea with the men. "It's like, 'How is this even legal? How is this possible?'" said Forest O'Neill, who coordinates boat observers in Honolulu. "They are like floating prisons." Under the law, U.S. citizens must make up 75 percent of the crew on most American commercial fishing boats. But influential lawmakers, including the late Hawaii Sen. Daniel Inouye, pushed for a loophole to support one of the state's biggest industries. It exempted commercial fishing boat owners from federal rules enforced almost everywhere else. Thus the workers in Hawaii, who catch $110 million worth of seafood annually, are paid as little as 70 cents an hour. They are detained on boats by captains who are required by law to hold their passports. That potentially goes against federal human trafficking laws saying bosses who hold workers' identification documents can face up to five years in prison. U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard routinely inspect the Hawaiian boats. At times, fishermen complain they're not getting paid and officers say they tell owners to honor the contracts. But neither agency has any authority over actual wages. "This is a unique situation," said Coast Guard vessel examiner Charles Medlicott. "But it is legal." On some boats the fishermen are paid as little as $350 a month, but many make $500 to $600. A lucky few get a percentage of the catch, making it possible to triple their wages. The men are willing to give up their freedom to take these jobs because the pay is better than they can make back home in developing countries where many people live on less than $1 a day. Boat owners pay brokers to bring the men from overseas mostly from Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and the tiny Pacific island nation of Kiribati. It costs about $10,000 to get each fisherman to Hawaii. In the long run, foreign crews end up being cheaper than bait and ice. Workers typically sign two- or three-year renewable contracts, and some extend repeatedly, staying up to a decade on boats with five to six crew. In rare cases, boat owners can request passes from federal authorities to take workers ashore for things such as medical care. The men also come on land when their contracts are up and it's time to go home. Even though they never legally enter the United States, the government provides a transit visa that lets them exit through Honolulu's airport. It's a system that leaves the foreign fishermen potentially vulnerable. "Most of the fish caught and sold in Hawaii is done by the use of exploiting migrant workers in what looks to be a human trafficking scheme legitimized by our own laws," said Kathryn Xian, who runs the nonprofit Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery. Signs posted at Pier 17 in six languages offer a hotline to help fishermen who have been trafficked. That's what happened to Abdul Fatah and Sorihin, who uses one name. The Indonesians ran away from their boat six years ago when it docked in San Francisco and were eventually granted visas after being designated as victims of trafficking. Sorihin has some advice for American seafood lovers: "Ask, where did this fish come from? Is it the kind of fish that you got from someone in slavery?" Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Haeril Halim and Margareth S. Aritonang (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8 2016 A few weeks after being forced to dismiss Arcandra Tahar from the energy ministers post after his possession of US citizenship came to light, President Joko Jokowi Widodo is subtly working to get him back. As the uproar over the Presidents faux pas in installing the oil and gas expert as minister while Arcandra still held a US passport began to recede, the Law and Human Rights Ministry issued a letter to the House of Representatives confirming that Arcandras Indonesian citizenship was still valid. After an investigation, it has been found that Arcandra is still Indonesian based on maximum protection and non-apatride stateless principles, Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly said during a hearing with House Commission III overseeing legal affairs on Wednesday, by way of explaining Arcandras citizenship status. The non-apatride principle binds Indonesia not to render any individual stateless. 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 Margareth S. Aritonang (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8, 2016 Despite some controversies surrounding his track record, Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan is one step closer to becoming chief of the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) as House of Representatives members on Wednesday gave him their full support. Members of House Commission I overseeing intelligence and defense affairs unanimously threw its support behind Budi, who is now serving as deputy National Police chief. The commission came to its decision after an approximately three-hour assessment hearing to learn Budis vision and mission. Commission I decided that Budi Gunawan has the competence and is a qualified candidate to replace Sutiyoso as the head of BIN, Commission I chairman Abdul Kharis Almasyhari said, reading out the statement after a closed-door hearing with Budi. The commission will bring its conclusion to a House plenary meeting scheduled for Thursday when the House will indicate a formal endorsement before forwarding the results to President Joko Jokowi Widodo. Before the lawmakers questioned Budi in a closed-door hearing, Budi was given about one hour to present his vision for running the states spy body in an open session. In his explanation, Budi pledged to develop professionalism, objectivity and integrity in the states intelligence agency. He added that he would aim to improve BIN to enable the institution to cope with the greater challenges faced by the global community. External threats that endanger national security are getting more complex, asymmetrical and without certain patterns. BIN should make an enhanced early detection system to prevent and tackle possible threats that can threaten national security, Budi said. He also touched on the political tensions in the South China Sea, drug trafficking, cyberwarfare, conflicts at border areas, terrorism financing and the escalating spread of radical ideologies as among the external threats awaiting the country. Aside from improving early detection mechanisms and related equipment, Budi made assurances he would also work on improving the quality of human resources in BIN as well as other management and operational issues. Budi, a three-star police general, is set to take over the leadership of BIN after months of uncertainty caused by an apparent political struggle between Jokowi and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri. He is known as a close confidant of Megawati after having served as her adjutant during her tenure as president from 2001 until 2004. Jokowi triggered a public outcry when he nominated Budi to be the National Police chief in January 2015. Three days later, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named Budi a graft suspect. Budi filed a pretrial motion against the KPK and the court controversially cleared him of the graft charges. In a move to accommodate both the public and Megawati, Jokowi appointed Gen. Badrodin Haiti as police chief and picked Budi to be the deputy police chief. Budi has remained involved in the political transactions between Jokowi and Megawati since then. After months of discussions, Jokowi finally submitted to Megawatis demands and nominated him to be the next BIN chief. As a police officer who would lead an institution associated with the military, analysts predicted that Budi would spend his first months after officially taking over BINs leadership from former military general Sutiyoso to consolidate his hold internally. But it will be a minor problem for Pak BG [Budi Gunawan] because of his years of leadership experience, said political analyst Kusnanto Anggoro. The most important thing for him to consider, I think, is how to reorient BIN to be more responsive to global issues, such as the South China Sea dispute, he said. Separately, defense analyst Al Araf from Imparsial concurred. Threats are becoming more complex now. Information technology is also becoming more complex. All of these need to be addressed with quality human resources. In this era of globalization, high intelligence skill is required of intelligence agents. Its not the time to use physical force any more and its the job of Pak BG to make BIN nurture more highly intelligent officers in order to address the more complex issues that the country is facing, he emphasized. (fac) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Margareth S. Aritonang (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8 2016 Despite some controversies surrounding his track record, Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan is one step closer to becoming chief of the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) as House of Representatives members on Wednesday gave him their full support. Members of House Commission I overseeing intelligence and defense affairs unanimously threw its support behind Budi, who is now serving as deputy National Police chief. 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 Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8, 2016 The House of Representatives officially approved Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan as the new National Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief during a plenary meeting on Thursday. Lawmakers attending the meeting, chaired by House deputy speaker Taufik Kurniawan, unanimously agreed with the decision of House Commission I, which oversees defense and foreign affairs, to endorse Budi as the successor of outgoing BIN chief Sutiyoso. "We hope he [Budi] can be soon inaugurated and this afternoon we will try our best to send an endorsement letter to the President [Joko Jokowi Widodo]. Tomorrow is a good time for the inauguration [of the new chief]," House deputy speaker Fahri Hamzah said after the plenary meeting. The decision came following a screening, conducted by Commission I, which finished on Wednesday. All political party factions at the commission approved Budi as the sole candidate for the new spy chief. Currently serving as National Police deputy chief, Budi was nominated by President Jokowi through an official letter sent to the House by State Secretary Pratikno last Friday. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam Thu, September 8, 2016 Batams immigration office has uncovered an alleged prostitution ring involving male migrants from Afghanistan and Pakistan who were taking shelter in Riau Islands. Among the 10 allegedly trafficked refugees was a 15-year-old boy of Afghan nationality. The asylum seekers were offered to men and women by an Indonesian pimp in Batam for millions of rupiah, the immigration office claimed. Batam Immigration Office head Agus Widjaja said the investigation began following a tip-off in late July. The tip-off said people had often spotted Middle Eastern looking men being picked up in a luxury car at Kolekta Hotel in Batam. An official at the immigration office, Muhammad Noviandri, said on Thursday that the office had followed up on the tip with an investigation team. We found that they served women and men, Noviandri said on Thursday. The pimp has been identified as Bonny Sario, he added. The 10 migrants comprised nine Afghanis and one Pakistani. Of the 10, eight were asylum seekers and two were refugees awaiting placement in another country. We have sent the pimp to the police, Noviandri said. (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Lucky Lontoh and Lasse Toft (The Jakarta Post) Geneva Thu, September 8 2016 Indonesia has a longstanding relationship with energy subsidies. For more than 40 years, these subsidies have been part of the lives of millions of Indonesians every day, for good and for bad. In Indonesia and elsewhere, subsidies are often put in place to support the poor, but sadly end up benefitting mostly middle- and upper-income households. As these groups are normally also politically influential, subsidies are persistently stubborn and challenging to remove for just about any government. Nevertheless, Indonesia has shown that fossil fuel subsidies can indeed be tackled. Last year, the Jokowi administration cut around Rp 200 trillion (US$15.4 billion) from gasoline and diesel subsidies, freeing up much needed money to invest in people and society. 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 Thu, September 8 2016 Indonesian Muslims wishing to perform the haj for the second time or make a visit to the holiest sites of Islam after performing the ritual may need to dig deeper into their pockets to fulfil their wishes. The government is waiting for final confirmation from Saudi Arabia pertaining to the kingdoms plan to increase visa fees for pilgrims who have previously performed the haj. Once it has become a balaidah [Saudi Arabian government regulation], the Religious Affairs Ministry will start publicizing the new decision, Religious Affairs Ministry inspector general Mochammad Jasin told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday. 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 Adam Rizky Nugroho (Bareksa.com) Jakarta Thu, September 8, 2016 After facing a sluggish market last year, three steel companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) enjoyed better financial performances in the first half of 2016, leading to stock price increases of more than 100 percent year-to-date. Krakatau Steel (KRAS), a state-owned enterprise and the largest player in the industry, booked a net loss of US$93 million in the first half of 2016. However, the Cilegon-based company has generated gross profits of $99 million, reversing the $38 million loss in the same period last year. Efficiency was key to Krakatau Steel's recent gross profits. It recorded $544 million in revenue in the first half 2016, rising 3.5 percent from the achievement in the same period 2015. At the same time, it managed to cut steel production costs by 21 percent, on the back of lower raw material costs. In more detail, Krakatau Steel's material costs were trimmed by 17.7 percent to $349 million during January-June 2016, compared to $424 million in the same period last year. As a result, the gross profit for steel products rose to $80 million, compared to $71 million in losses earlier. Better financial performance was also seen in Saranacentral Bajatama (BAJA). The Karawang-based steel producer improved its profit margin in the first half of 2016 despite a 30-percent drop in revenue. Its gross profit rose 8.3 percent due to the 29 percent decline in production costs. Thus, the company's gross profit margin was up to 6.1 percent from 4 percent earlier. The stable exchange rate in the first half of 2016 helped Bajatama to avoid losses. In the first six months of this year, the company received gains on foreign exchange worth Rp 21 billion, reversing the Rp 34 billion losses in the same period of 2015. Source: Bareksa.com(Graphic/File) Another steel producer, Gunawan Dianjaya (GDST) also managed to create efficiency amid lower revenue. With a production capacity of 400,000 tons of steel plate a year, the company posted Rp 414 billion in revenue during January-June 2016, down 15 percent from Rp 488 billion in the same period last year. However, the company succeeded in cutting its costs to Rp 340 billion, 33 percent lower than the Rp 515 billion earlier. With lower costs, Gunawan Dianjaya could generate a gross profit of Rp 73 billion, compared to last year's losses of Rp 27 billion. Stock price Along with better margins, stock prices of the three companies also climbed. Throughout the year until Sept. 7, KRAS stock prices rose 188.39 percent to Rp 845 apiece from Rp 293 on Dec. 30, 2015. During the same period, BAJAs stock price skyrocketed by 233.33 percent to Rp 290 per share, compared to Rp 87 previously. Meanwhile, GDST stocks closed at Rp 146 a piece, 147.46 percent higher than Rp 59 at the end of 2015. The hike in stock prices was also supported by external sentiments, such as the exception for Indonesian steel products from the safeguard tariff in Vietnam. This policy allows Indonesian producers to sell their steel to the country without the 23-percent tariff. This reflects the good quality of Indonesian steel. On the other hand, the steel market in Indonesia is still facing a shortage in supply. According to Industry Ministry data last year, the total industry demand for steel was 14 million metric tons, while the total national production was less than 9 million metric tons. (ags) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jambi Thu, September 8 2016 Illegal oil-drilling activities, some of which involve local people, are reportedly taking place in several areas of Sarolangun regency, Jambi, such as in Lubuk Napal village in Pauh district. The drillers have been digging wells to a depth of up to 100 meters and taking the crude oil to be refined into diesel and sold on the market. Sarolangun regency assistant secretary M. Fauzi said 24 illegal oil wells were currently operating in the region, besides an oil well left over from the Dutch colonial era. The illegal oil drilling activities are being carried out in the forest, said Fauzi on Wednesday. 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 Thu, September 8, 2016 Criminal law expert Muladi has said it is unlikely for Indonesia to abolish capital punishment and remove it from its national laws. The death penalty, he said, was in fact part of the Criminal Code (KUHP) Indonesia inherited from the Dutch colonial era. It has existed in our system of law since long ago, he said on Thursday. Under the KUHP, he said, criminal sanctions were imposed with an aim to fulfill criminal law principles, namely retribution, in which the perpetrator must get a sanction equal to what he or she had done. Capital punishment was also a legal penalty in Islam, a religion adopted by the majority of Indonesian people, he further said. Even if a referendum is held in this country, our citizens will be divided into two groups. Many people may vote in favor of the death penalty. Therefore, what we need to do now is to find middle ground to accommodate the aspirations of our people regarding this matter, said Muladi, who heads a drafting team for the KUHP revision. He said the current KUHP draft revision ruled out the death penalty from its list of primary sentences, as the punishment was imposed for parties committing extraordinary crimes only. Muladi said the KUHP would also regulate the conditionality of capital punishment, in which any perpetrator sentenced to death would be given a ten-year probation with the hope that they could be rehabilitated. If the government did not execute those convicts until their probation period expired, their punishment would decrease to a life sentence or 20 years in prison, he said. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8, 2016 The government is seeking solutions for hundreds of Indonesian haj pilgrims in Mecca that had posed as Filipino pilgrims so they can return directly to Jakarta instead of Manila to ease an investigation into the case, a minister said on Wednesday. An estimated 500 to 700 Indonesians haj pilgrims passed Philippine immigration and entered Saudi Arabia using fake Filipino passports. They currently on the haj in Mecca, using seats from the Philippine's haj quota, Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly said. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has met and raised the issue with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Allowing the Indonesians to return directly to Indonesiawill allow law enforcement and related institutions to commence a probe into the case to find the perpetrators behind the illegal dispatching of the pilgrims, he said. "[Duterte] has agreed that the pilgrims don't have to return to the Philippines, but they will be directed toIndonesia. They have been declared victims. Identity fraud is a crime in the Philippines, however due to our good bilateral relations, [Manila] has agreed to cooperate," Yasonna said on Wednesday. The ministry has intensified cooperation with the Indonesian Embassy in Saudi Arabia and the Religious Affairs Ministry to find all Indonesian pilgrims using Filipino passports in Mecca. As soon as all pilgrims are identified, the officials will take further measures to arrange for their return to the country. The case emerged after Philippine authorities detained 177 Indonesians for using fake Philippine passports on their way to Mecca last month. (rin) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ayomi Amindoni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8, 2016 President Joko Jokowi Widodo has called on ASEAN member countries and the US to step up measures to fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The eradication of IUU fishing was one of the main issues raised by President Jokowi during the ASEAN-US Summit at the National Convention Center, Vientiane, Laos, on Thursday. US President Barack Obama and ASEAN heads of state and government attended the meeting. In the summit, Jokowi stressed the urgency for all countries to combat IUU fishing, which had not only threatened security and environmental sustainability, but also damaged peoples prosperity. Indonesia suffered US$20 billion in financial losses per year because of this crime, he added. "The cooperation over IUU fishing should continue to be put forward, particularly in capacity building and exchange of information" Jokowi said. Jokowi also took an opportunity in the meeting to bid farewell to Obama, given the summit would be his last meeting with ASEAN leaders. The US is scheduled to hold a presidential election on Nov. 8, with Hillary Clinton becoming the Democratic Party's presidential nominee and businessman and reality television personality Donald Trump as the Republican Party's presidential nominee. "I am sure that whatever President Obama takes part in, he will always promote the importance of cooperation between ASEAN and the US," Jokowi said. The President also invited Obama to visit his old friends in Jakarta. The US president spent four years of his childhood in the Indonesian capital. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sagara Kusuma (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8 2016 Malaysia and North Korea may have celebrated their national days with separate events on Wednesday evening but both countries are looking to strengthen their relations with Indonesia. Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Zahrain Mohamed Hashim expressed a very positive and productive outlook for bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Zahrain told The Jakarta Post that there was an increasing number of high level interactions and discussions such as the visit by the Malaysian deputy prime minister to Bali recently, especially in regional security, politics and foreign investment that showed the dedication of both countries in wanting positive bilateral relations. Although diplomatic relations were initially shaky soon after independence, we have come a long way from the 1963 to 1966 confrontation. These two nations have endured the test of time to build a strong and strategic partnership, Zahrain said in his speech. Agrarian and Spatial Planning Minister Sofyan Djalil said only through unity and togetherness could the big challenges be tackled. Our relationship is the cornerstone to achieving the 2020 ASEAN Goals, he said. With over 11 annual consultations, the first in 2005 and latest in August, Prime Minister Najib Razak and President Joko Jokowi Widodo set their sights in August on a US$30 billion trade volume goal for the coming years. Malaysia is Indonesias second largest investor with $1.78 billion in 448 projects. According to Trade Ministry figures, total volume of exchanges with Malaysia reached $16.16 billion in 2015 with a $899.8 million deficit on Indonesias end. Other than trade and investment, Malaysia and Indonesia have also been working closely in the security sector such as securing the Malacca Strait in a coordinated patrol effort together with Singapore and a common fight against the Islamic State radical movement, which declared war on both countries on July 5. Meanwhile, in an event commemorating its 68th anniversary, North Korea hoped to continue friendly relations with Indonesia by developing cooperation in various fields. North Korean Ambassador to Indonesia An Kwang-il said the cordial relations between Indonesia and North Korea had been formed by then North Korean president Kim Il Sung and Indonesias first president Sukarno since the 1960s. I would like to believe our friendly relations have been maintained and even further developed under the cares of the present leadership of both countries, An said. It is the steady stand for our government to develop relations with Indonesia in various fields, he continued, with another gesture of good faith adding that, I need your help for my work in promoting our friendly relations as much as I can. The celebration in Jakarta of the establishment of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea included many Korean culinary delights, including the popular fermented-vegetable side dish kimchi. Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Puan Maharani and Deputy Foreign Minister AM Fachir were among the guests of the event. Puan congratulated North Korea on its 68th anniversary and hoped that both countries could enjoy closer ties. I believe that we can develop our cooperation, such as in the economy, technology and culture, Puan said. (vny) ______________________________________ The writer is an intern at The Jakarta Post. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan, North Sumatra Thu, September 8, 2016 The National Polices Densus 88 counterterrorism unit has moved Ivan Armadi Hasugian, a suspect in an attack on St. Yosep Catholic Church in Medan, North Sumatra, to Jakarta for further investigations into terrorism links. Police will examine Ivans alleged involvement with a terror network led by Bahrun Naim and linked to the Islamic State movement. North Sumatra Police spokesperson Rina Sari Ginting said the investigation into Ivans case by the Medan Police had finished. The Densus 88 team had taken the suspect to Jakarta to expand its investigation into the attack, she added. The suspect has been taken by the Densus 88 team to Jakarta today, Rina told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday. Ivans lawyer Rizal Sihombing confirmed the report. His parents have called me, saying Ivan is no longer at the Medan Police. He has been taken to Jakarta, he said. A legal team from the Association of Indonesian Advocates (Peradi) would accompany Ivan during his stay in Jakarta, he went on. Rizal criticized Ivans removal after the police connected him with Bahrun Naims radical group. He said his client had never been in touch with the suspected terrorist, blamed for the Sarinah attack in Jakarta in January. Ivan was never in touch with Bahrun Naim, said Rizal. Meanwhile, National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) chief Comr. Gen. Suhardi Alius said his institution could prove that in carrying out his attack, Ivan was connected with Bahrun. Its a fact. We can prove it, he said on Wednesday. Ivan, who graduated from senior high school last year, attempted to carry out a suicide bombing during Sunday Mass at the church on Jl. Dr. Mansyur in Medan on Aug. 28. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8, 2016 Millions of people could lose their voting rights in the upcoming regional elections in February as the government and the House of Representatives insist that they have electronic identification cards (e-KTPs) to be eligible to vote. As of Wednesday, the Home Ministry reported that 163 million people nationwide had already registered for e-KTPs. However, the remaining 19 million people have yet to obtain the cards. Many across the country are complaining about the shortage of blangko blank cards used to create e-KTPs consisting of seven layers and chips. Some of them also said that many registration machines in the districts are broken. The country will hold simultaneous regional elections in 101 regions across the country. From these regions, five million eligible voters still do not own e-KTPs, which means that the abstention rate due to administrative problems might rise during elections, Sigit Pamungkas, the General Elections Commission (KPU) commissioner, told The Jakarta Post. Just because of administrative problems, citizens rights to vote in elections would be disqualified, he said. The KPU met with the government and the House of Representatives on Monday to discuss the issue. It suggested that all citizens be given opportunities to vote by using valid identifications, including e-KTPs, non-electronic IDs and family cards. The poll body based its argument on Article 95 of Law No. 8/2015 on the revision of the election of regional heads, which stipulates that voters who are not registered in the voters lists can exercise their rights to vote at a polling station, in accordance with their residency, by showing valid identifications. E-KTPs should be seen as a civil service that the government must provide to its citizens, whereas voting is a civic right. When a problem of civil services is faced with civil rights, the right solution should be made to ensure the rights of citizens are protected, Sigit said. Unfortunately, the government and the House rebuffed the KPUs proposal, saying that, according to the regulations, citizens are only allowed to vote if they have e-KTPs or letters from the department of population and civil registry, explaining that they had taken the initiative to apply for e-KTPs. Zudan Arif Fakrulloh, the director general of the ministrys population and civil registration division, admitted that technical glitches were still happening. For instance, 800 e-KTP registration devices throughout the country were still broken. However, he said it was not a big problem since residents could still record their data in other districts close by. He added that the Home Ministry kept urging the public to apply for e-KTPs for their benefits. In order for people to obtain their rights, they need to fulfill some requirements. In the election, e-KTPs are important, so we know their personal identification. Also, [it is] to prevent double identification cards, he said. Furthermore, he reminded that the rule of having an e-KTP is stipulated in the Presidential Decree No. 112/ 2013, stating that non-electronic identity cards obtained after Dec. 31, 2014 are not valid. We have to push citizens to comply with the law. The government is already active, so citizens should show they are also willing to do it, he said. At present, he claimed that public enthusiasm in applying for e-KTPs had risen. On Monday and Sunday, the number of people recorded with e-KTPs had increased sevenfold in Bantul, Yogyakarta and fourfold in West Java. (win) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8 2016 Millions of people could lose their voting rights in the upcoming regional elections in February as the government and the House of Representatives insist that they have electronic identification cards (e-KTPs) to be eligible to vote. As of Wednesday, the Home Ministry reported that 163 million people nationwide had already registered for e-KTPs. However, the remaining 19 million people have yet to obtain the cards. Many across the country are complaining about the shortage of blangko blank cards used to create e-KTPs consisting of seven layers and chips. Some of them also said that many registration machines in the districts are broken. The country will hold simultaneous regional elections in 101 regions across the country. From these regions, five million eligible voters still do not own e-KTPs, which means that the abstention rate due to administrative problems might rise during elections, Sigit Pamungkas, the General Elections Commission (KPU) commissioner, told The Jakarta Post. Just because of administrative problems, citizens rights to vote in elections would be disqualified, he said. The KPU met with the government and the House of Representatives on Monday to discuss the issue. It suggested that all citizens be given opportunities to vote by using valid identifications, including e-KTPs, non-electronic IDs and family cards. The poll body based its argument on Article 95 of Law No. 8/2015 on the revision of the election of regional heads, which stipulates that voters who are not registered in the voters lists can exercise their rights to vote at a polling station, in accordance with their residency, by showing valid identifications. E-KTPs should be seen as a civil service that the government must provide to its citizens, whereas voting is a civic right. When a problem of civil services is faced with civil rights, the right solution should be made to ensure the rights of citizens are protected, Sigit said. Unfortunately, the government and the House rebuffed the KPUs proposal, saying that, according to the regulations, citizens are only allowed to vote if they have e-KTPs or letters from the department of population and civil registry, explaining that they had taken the initiative to apply for e-KTPs. Zudan Arif Fakrulloh, the director general of the ministrys population and civil registration division, admitted that technical glitches were still happening. For instance, 800 e-KTP registration devices throughout the country were still broken. However, he said it was not a big problem since residents could still record their data in other districts close by. He added that the Home Ministry kept urging the public to apply for e-KTPs for their benefits. In order for people to obtain their rights, they need to fulfill some requirements. In the election, e-KTPs are important, so we know their personal identification. Also, [it is] to prevent double identification cards, he said. Furthermore, he reminded that the rule of having an e-KTP is stipulated in the Presidential Decree No. 112/ 2013, stating that non-electronic identity cards obtained after Dec. 31, 2014 are not valid. We have to push citizens to comply with the law. The government is already active, so citizens should show they are also willing to do it, he said. At present, he claimed that public enthusiasm in applying for e-KTPs had risen. On Monday and Sunday, the number of people recorded with e-KTPs had increased sevenfold in Bantul, Yogyakarta and fourfold in West Java. (win) _______________________________________ 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 Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8, 2016 University of Indonesia (UI) forensic pathologist Djaja Surya Atmadja, who testified for Jessica Kumala Wongso in her murder trial, has emphasized that Wayan Mirna Salihin might have been poisoned, but possibly not with cyanide. She may have been poisoned, but I dont know with what because there is no autopsy report. Owing to a lack of an autopsy report, we do not know whether Mirna died of an illness, Djaja told the panel of judges at the Central Jakarta District Court on Wednesday. Djaja said victims of cyanide poisoning usually had reddish skin and a swollen stomach. In the victims liver, a large amount of cyanide and thiocyanate would also be found. The stomach, urine and blood of the victim would also contain cyanide. When asked by judge Binsar Gultom whether an autopsy could be performed after months of being buried, Djaja said the results would not be optimal as soil also contained cyanide. However, an autopsy may provide answers, if police and prosecutors believe carrying out one will help, Djaja added. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8 2016 Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutors at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Wednesday indicted Central Jakarta District Court registrar Edy Nasution for corruption. The KPK accused the clerk of receiving Rp 150 million (US$11,463) in bribes allegedly from executives of Lippo Group, a powerful business conglomerate operating in the country. The bribery case has implicated Supreme Court secretary Nurhadi, who tendered his early retirement last month after the KPK made an announcement that it was looking into Nurhadis alleged roles in the bribery case. 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 Grace D. Amianti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8, 2016 Bank Indonesia (BI) is slated to issue an upcoming regulation that will allow big banks to offer clients a structured product for hedging transactions. The central bank already submitted the draft of the regulation on a new hedging product dubbed call spread foreign exchange (FX) option to the Law and Human Rights Ministry, which is expected to approve the rule within a week, a senior official says. The regulation has been signed by the governor [BI Governor Agus Martowardojo], but it is still going through a registration process at the [ministry], Nanang Hendarsah, director at BIs department of financial market development, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday. The upcoming regulation will enable banks to offer the call spread FX option to their corporate customers. It is a form of structured product for a specific hedging transaction expected to attract local companies to conduct hedging domestically, instead of overseas. By using the call spread, customers will obtain two options or rights to buy and sell foreign currency at a certain level. The mechanism is considered cheaper since customers can terminate one of the options if they think that FX is not going in their favor. Data from BI show that customers will most likely see their costs hover at 1.5 to 2 percent of the hedge value with the new product. Under current the forward mechanism, customers are required to complete their FX transactions even if FX movement goes against their estimate, thus making hedging transactions quite expensive at 6 to 7 percent of the hedge value. Banks that will be allowed to offer the new product must be those under the BUKU III category or higher, meaning that the banks must have core capital of at least Rp 5 trillion (US$385 million) each. They must also have good risk management and expertise to ensure that the product will not be used for speculative purposes. When contacted, bankers applauded the latest progress on the regulation as they were convinced that the customers would be more willing to conduct hedging domestically. Corporations will have wider choices of instruments for a more affordable FX hedge, said Panji Irawan, Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) treasury and international director. CIMB Niaga treasury global sales head Sjarif Gunawan said it was constantly asking its customers with FX risk exposure to hedge after BI issued a regulation limiting hedging to two years. The regulation is part of the central banks attempt to put the brakes on rising offshore loans that can jeopardize the countrys financial stability, especially with fluctuating exchange rates. Sjarif said customers often turned down its hedging suggestion as they opted to wait for lower costs and better timing. He agreed that the use of the call spread would be more affordable because it would provide a partial hedge. However, a partial hedge is better than no hedge at all. Meanwhile, Nanang said BI would also coordinate with fellow regulator the Financial Services Authority (OJK) to revise an existing regulation on structured product PBI 11/26 that was issued in 2009 that required customers to place a certain deposit amount as collateral for their transactions. Maybank Indonesia global markets head I Made Budi P. Artha said if the deposit requirement was scrapped, customers would even be more willing to use the call spread FX option and it would enable local banks to be as competitive as their offshore counterparts. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8, 2016 Former National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) commissioner Ifdhal Kasim has said Indonesia should not hand down the death penalty unless it could ensure that all defendants received a fair trial, which posed a real challenge to law enforcement. The death penalty should be imposed only in a fair trial context, which remains a real challenge in our trial system. The death penalty should also be limited to serious crimes, not specific crimes like narcotics cases, he said on Thursday. Ifdhal said drug abuse was a specific crime because it had negative impacts on the users only. Meanwhile, according to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), serious crimes, including crimes against humanity such as genocide, could lead to widespread damage. The activist said the state had misinterpreted the concept of the death penalty, in which it equated serious and specific crimes. According to the Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR), Indonesia sentenced to death 54 people within the period of 2015 to June 2016. Most of them were involved in drug crimes. Within 18 months, it further said, the government had executed 18 death-row convicts. Indonesian Advocates Association (Peradi) chairman Luhut Pangaribuan said there were many loopholes in Indonesias trial system, especially when principles of due process were not regulated in the Criminal Law Procedures Code (KUHAP). He said principles of due process were crucial in the search for evidence-based truth in a trial. Currently, trials in our legal system fully depend on [perceptions of] judges. In fact, judges are only ordinary people who can be bribed just like other people. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Sidoarjo, East Java Thu, September 8, 2016 An accident involving a Pertamina fuel truck and a private car caused a large fire at the 33-kilometer point of the Porong toll road in Sidoarjo, East Java, killing one on Thursday. A traffic police officer with the East Java Police, Adj. Sr. Comr. Harri Nugroho, said the documents in the Toyota Avanza car showed the owner was a Krembangan resident in Surabaya. One person in the Avanza was killed while the driver of the fuel truck is at large. The license plate number of the fuel truck is L 1262 WF, he said as quoted by kompas.com. The accident caused traffic to back up on the toll road. An accident occurred involving a fuel truck in Sidoarjo going toward Porong at 8:30 a.m. The truck was delivering 32,000 liters of Pertamax to a fuel terminal in Malang [East Java], said Heppy Wulansari, area manager communication and relations at Pertamina of East Java, Bali and West Nusa Tenggara. (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Liza Yosephine (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8, 2016 The Press council has warned against media reports generalizing pedophilia in direct correlation to homosexuality, due to concerns over further stigmatization of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. "Journalists have the responsibility to report accurate facts and are not allowed to attach assumptions that could prompt stigmatization of community groups," Press Council chairman Yosep Stanley Adi Prasetyo told The Jakarta Post on Thursday. Stanley's remarks addressed the recent case in the uncovering of an online prostitution ring involving nearly 150 boys in Bogor, West Java. Several media reports have tied the case to homosexuality, allegedly because the boys were victims of male clients. According to Stanley, pedophilia is completely separate from homosexuality. The former is a sexual disorder in which perpetrators targeting underage children can be of either homosexual or heterosexual orientation. Meanwhile, homosexuality is an issue of gender. Stanley warned that such a deliberate connection could risk further fueling the discrimination of the already marginalized LGBT community. Stanley called on any related media to correct their reporting. He also urged reporters to educate themselves on relevant issues by getting involved in available journalism training, such as those provided by the National Commission on Human Rights, to spur ongoing improvement of knowledge in ensuring proper reporting. He encouraged the public, including NGO's and advocates of the LGBT community, to report media that has violated the journalism code of ethics. (dmr) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Hans Nicholas Jong (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8 2016 A plan to raise cigarette duties has incited debate on whether the plan would hurt an industry that has existed in the country since the 19th century. The government, troubled by a shortfall in state revenues, has announced that it would increase the duties that would likely push up the prices of cigarette packs. The plan has been welcomed by antitobacco groups that have been discouraged by the governments support for the industry. 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 Arya Dipa (The Jakarta Post) Bandung Thu, September 8, 2016 The Aspinall Foundation has released two primates repatriated from Howlett Wild Animal Park in Kent, the UK, into the Patenggang Lake conservation area in Bandung regency, West Java. The surili (Prescobytis comate) are a brother and sister pair named Lala and Lili. Lala and Lili are the fourth batch of surili from Aspinalls Back to the Wild program. Surili are endemic to West Java. This is the first time we released surili at Patenggang, the Java Endemic Primates Rehabilitation Centers animal caretaking head, Sigit Ibrahim, said on Wednesday. The center has worked with the Forestry and Environment Ministry since 2010 to support the release of primates into the wild. The primates are usually repatriated from wild animal parks or are confiscated pets. Sigit said surili needed nine months of preparation before being released into the wild. During the preparation time, the animals are taught to identify predators, and their bonds with humans are gradually severed. The Aspinall Foundation has rehabilitated at least 100 primates endemic to Java. Of the total, 74 have been released into the wild, including eight surili. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) includes surili on its endangered animals list. It estimated there were no more than 2,500 surili remaining in 1999. (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8, 2016 President Joko Jokowi Widodo hoped that his flagship tax amnesty policy would be the dawn of a new day for the countrys economy, with billions of dollars of Indonesian funds stashed overseas being repatriated and the countrys notoriously low tax base widened. The policy was launched with a bang, but looks like it might end in a whimper. Skeptical economists have started to question whether the amnesty is yielding the desired effects after sluggish results during the first few months and as the end of the low-penalty period approaches, after which interest in the amnesty is expected to wane. The amount of money that had been collected from the amnesty was very low compared with the initial expectations, said Akhmad Akbar Susamto, an economist at the Jakarta-based Center of Reform on Economics (CORE). If there is no sudden miracle, the program is likely to be fruitless, Akhmad said in a discussion in Jakarta on Tuesday. Tab:(Finance Ministrys Taxation Directorate General/-) As of Wednesday evening, almost a third of the way into the program, each of the targets for repatriated assets, declared assets and penalty payments remained pitifully unmet. Repatriated assets only amount to Rp 13.9 trillion (US$1 billion), a mere 1.4 percent of the initial target; declared assets Rp 245 trillion, 6 percent; and penalty payments Rp 6.43 trillion, 3.9 percent. Many, including Jokowi himself, expected most of the funds to be raised by September, after which penalty rates will be increased to 3 to 6 percent of declared assets until December and then 5 to 10 percent until the end of the program next March. Currently, penalty rates stand at 2 to 4 percent. People will join the amnesty if there is a serious punishment for not availing of it. In fact, the government is trying to convince people who have been avoiding their tax obligations for years to join the amnesty just through public meetings. That is far from enough, Akhmad said, calling for a carrot-and-stick mechanism to encourage more participants. Separately, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) economist Latif Adam said the tax amnesty program ran a high risk of failure, given the unrealistic initial target of funds to be raised. The government has to prepare for the worst-case scenario, meaning there should be a plan B in case the amnesty does not hit the target, he added, urging the government to consider increased borrowing to cover the lack of funds from the amnesty program. Latif acknowledged that the governments effort to widen its tax base for future tax collection was progressing, but he cast doubt on whether the amnesty was dominated by wealthy Indonesians, as initially targeted. Government data show 1,591 brand new taxpayers have participated in the amnesty program so far amid the governments drive to boost the number of individual taxpayers to 30 million people from 24 million last year. It also wants to boost the tax-to-GDP ratio to at least 16 percent, from 12 percent at present, one of the lowest in Southeast Asia. More than half of the participants have paid penalty rates of between Rp 1 million and Rp 100 million, indicating the program has yet to net many big fish, with only 39 taxpayers out of 31,322 overall participants paying more than Rp 10 billion in penalties. Many of the drawbacks of Jokowis amnesty now emerging had been predicted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). IMF deputy director of fiscal affairs Michael Keen had said its hard to think of good arguments for amnesties, while Philip Kerfs, head of international cooperation in the OECDs Center for Tax Policy and Administration, had warned that a tax amnesty would only favor noncompliant taxpayers. The director for the state budget at the Finance Ministry, Kunta Wibawa, who spoke in the discussion, acknowledged that the first three months of the amnesty program were crucial for the government before deciding on other fiscal policies to manage the state budget, which was recently revised for the second time as a result of an expected tax revenue shortfall. He said the government would wait until the end of September, before deciding steps to ease the budget shortfall, including by widening the state budget deficit to nearer the 3-percent-of-GDP limit set by law. (mos) Prima Wirayani contributed to the story. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dylan Amirio (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, September 8, 2016 Five months into its operations in Indonesia, Sweden-based streaming service Spotify has found the Indonesian market to be one of the most vibrant as user numbers increase and pirated music consumption seemingly decreases. Since its much anticipated launch in March, Indonesian Spotify users have streamed over 100 billion minutes of music, both local and international, and are listening to an average of 90 minutes of music per day, per user. Interesting observations made on the listening behavior of Indonesian users is that they tend to make multiple playlists, which mainly revolve around atmospheres such as the act of drinking coffee. As popularity of the service rises, the company said its focus had always been on finding ways to reach more customers on a more diverse level, hence their investment of time mainly in diversifying payment options in Indonesia. As Indonesia is a market with an emerging financial technology scene, many non-bankable users are still unaware of such services, hence the utilization of bank transfers, phone credits and transactions through minimarkets. Spotify Asias managing director Sunita Kaur said one of the most notable achievements the service has made was the gradual persuasion of users who used to consume their music through pirated means in the past five months. While the numbers for this shift were not revealed, she said the benefit lies between both the listener and the artist as Spotify has provided a healthy alternative to both. Artists [here] are excited about the prospect of collaborating with us because we are battling piracy. We are turning money lost to piracy back to the industry. Globally, we have paid out over US$3 billion to the music industry, she said at the Indonesia-Sweden Digital Forum on Tuesday. Sunita added that up to 20,000 new songs are added to Spotify every single day, therefore helping to promote the local music scene in terms of accessibility. In the first quarter of 2016, a slew of foreign streaming services pushed their way into the Indonesian market. Indeed, the previously overlooked country is now a market with one of the greatest potentials. Music streaming services such as Spotify, Yonder Music, Apple Music and JOOX joined hand-in-hand with video streaming services such as iFlix, HOOQ, Viu and Netflix in and around the first quarter of 2016, transforming the previously non-existent Indonesian streaming market into a vibrant one. Amid the rising use of internet in Southeast Asias largest economy, users are expected to reach 215 million in 2020 from 110 million now according to a recent Google-Temasek report, all of this against the backdrop of the emerging middle class and millenials aged 18 to 34. Even the government is considering entering the market with their own service, as the Creative Economy Agency is planning to launch a local music-focused streaming app in collaboration with telecommunications operator Telkomsel. Meanwhile, the most crucial aspect to assimilating into the Indonesian market, said Sunita, is the willingness and the level of localization that a service adopts. The advice that we received from the government, the Swedish embassy and [partner] Indosat Ooredoo carved what Spotify Indonesia is today, she explained in regard to the importance of partnership within the market. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Todung Mulya Lubis (The Jakarta Post) Denpasar, Bali Thu, September 8 2016 When I was a student at the University of Indonesias (UI) School of Law, I worked as assistant to the president of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta) and I must admit that I learned a great deal from the work. At the LBH, legal aid was provided for poor, underrepresented and marginalized people. Those who cannot afford lawyers and meet all administrative requirements can come to the LBH Jakarta for free legal assistance where a group of young lawyers is ready to represent them. Legal aid at that time was not called pro bono, but essentially the LBH Jakarta practiced pro bono 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 Thu, September 8, 2016 Police have arrested two more suspects while one remains at large, following the discovery of a car allegedly used to drop off two suspects at the home in which they stand accused of taking its residents hostage and robbing in Pondok Indah, South Jakarta, last Saturday. The three suspects have been identified only as RHN, HS and HAS, said Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Corm. Awi Setiyono in Jakarta on Thursday, adding that RHN and HS were arrested in Cilegon, Baten, while SAS was reportedly in his hideout in Tangerang. After we found the car on a roadside, we arrested RHN and HS in Cilegon at 5:30 p.m. [on Wednesday]. We are still hunting down another suspect, said Awi as reported by kompas.com. HS was not a target of the police operation, Awi said, but was arrested because he had been accused of hiding RHN, who allegedly drove the two alleged robbers and hostage takers AJS and SU --, who were arrested after surrendering to the police, following an hours-long standoff. The police are also investigating the relationship between homeowner Asep Sulaiman and AJS. The latter of the two was reported to have been previously employed as security personnel for an oil company in which Asep was a member of its executive board. A police officer said last week that AJS had requested that the police give protection to her husband. No further details were given about the relationship between AJS and Asep. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Tama Salim (The Jakarta Post) Vientiane Thu, September 8, 2016 Leaders of ASEAN and Australia placed particular focus on emerging non-traditional security threats in their inaugural ASEAN-Australia Biennial Summit in Vientiane on Wednesday. Non-traditional security threats comprise international terrorism, violent extremism and drug trafficking. The initiatives mostly reflect the existing work that Australia and Indonesia have nurtured at the bilateral and multilateral levels with each other and other partners in the region. Together with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, President Joko Jokowi Widodo and other ASEAN leaders issued the Joint Declaration for the Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism, Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi revealed. The joint declaration acknowledged, among other things, the work of the Jakarta Center for Law Enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC) on combating terrorism, and plans to increase cooperation on counterterrorism, Retno added. The minister also said Jokowis efforts in deradicalization were lauded by his Australian counterpart. In a few of his statements, PM Turnbull mentioned Indonesias contributions to efforts to combat terrorism, she said at the end of the second day of the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits. Earlier in the day, Turnbull said Australia would be requesting increased intelligence sharing with allies in the region, as reported by Australias ABC news agency. Many of the nations here assembled Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines to name a few have been victims of significant terrorist attacks in very recent times. They too face the challenge of returning foreign fighters adding to already radicalized elements in their community, he said. Our collaboration in terms of counterterrorism is critically important; it is intense now [and] it will become more so [...] We are engaged now and we will become more engaged. This years ASEAN-Australia Summit is the first since the partners entered into a strategic partnership in 2014, and will be held biennially with Australia proposing a Special Leaders Summit in 2018. Meanwhile, Indonesia called on other ASEAN leaders and Australia to realize the vision of a resilient region, the foreign minister said. In order to achieve this, Jokowi raised the need for a cooperation mechanism to combat transnational organized crime (TOC) by leading the fight against radical extremism through intelligence sharing, legislation cooperation and to promote the global movement of moderate ideology. We have a particular interest in [fighting] the drug problem, because we dont want the youth of Indonesia or ASEAN to throw away their futures to drug abuse. Thats why there is a need to increase monitoring at the borders of each respective partner country, as well as the sharing of intelligence and information, Retno said. During the summit, Jokowi also raised the issue of cooperation in maritime security in the region, pushing the existing agenda from the East Asia Summit (EAS) to the platform with Australia, Retno said. Retno further said Indonesia and Australia would become the first nations to implement the maritime security cooperation mechanism from the EAS this November. In addition to the ASEAN-Australia Summit, President Jokowi also attended various other ASEAN Plus One dialog partner meetings including with the UN, China, Japan and South Korea, as well as the 19th ASEAN Plus Three Summit with China, Japan and South Korea. During the 18th ASEAN-South Korea Summit, where ASEAN leaders interfaced with President Park Geun-hye, Jokowi took the opportunity to reiterate the importance of peace and stability as the key factor for economic growth in the region. The President also placed heavy emphasis on maritime cooperation during the ASEAN-Japan Summit, while also expressing appreciation to Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for Japans expanded partnership for quality infrastructure, which falls in line with the regions Masterplan for ASEAN Connectivity. For the 8th ASEAN-UN Summit, Jokowi raised the issue of poverty reduction in the region through the empowerment of small and medium-sized enterprises and inclusive financing, among others. He also reiterated the importance of the partnership to continue pushing the issue of Palestinian independence, and urging ASEAN leaders and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to aid efforts to resume the Six-Party Talks with North Korea. ______________________________ 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. For print subscription, please contact our call center at (+6221) 5360014 or subscription@thejakartapost.com Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Vijay Joshi and Jim Gomez (Associated Press) Vientiane, Laos Thu, September 8, 2016 President Barack Obama put the long-simmering dispute in the South China Sea front and center on the agenda at a regional summit Thursday as it became clear that most of the other leaders gathered in the Laotian capital were going to let China off with a mild rebuke over its territorial expansion in the resource-rich waters. "We will continue to work to ensure that disputes are resolved peacefully including in the South China Sea," Obama said in his opening remarks at a meeting with leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. He said an international arbitration ruling on July 12 against China was "binding" and "helped to clarify maritime rights in the region." ASEAN will hold a separate summit later Thursday with other world powers, including China and the U.S. The summit is expected to let China off with a muted reprimand over its expansionist activities in South China Sea, according to a draft of their joint statement to be released Thursday. The U.S. has repeatedly expressed concern over Beijing's actions in the resource-rich sea. Obama brought that up again. Referring to the arbitration panel's ruling that invalidated China's claims, Obama said: "I realize this raises tensions but I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and regional stability." The draft of the summit statement said that ASEAN and its partners "reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability and security and freedom of navigation in and over-flight in the South China Sea." "Several Leaders remained seriously concerned over recent developments in the South China Sea ... We stressed the importance for the parties concerned to resolve their disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international laws," it said. China has turned shoals and coral reefs into seven man-made islands and built airstrips capable of handling military aircraft on three of them. ASEAN leaders at their earlier summit on Tuesday expressed concern over China's island-building. A joint statement after the Tuesday summit said it "took note of the concerns expressed by some leaders on the land reclamations and escalation of activities in the area, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and may undermine peace, security and stability in the region." The use of the phrase "some leaders" in the two statements underscores the fundamental problem ASEAN and the wider East Asia Summit has in dealing with China not all its members are willing to scold Beijing. Cambodia, for example, remains in China's camp, as does Laos to a large extent, preventing any robust statement from the consensus-bound ASEAN group. U.S. officials, however, said that there were other critical elements in the ASEAN statement that China failed to block, and which amounted to a strong diplomatic rebuke of Beijing. China pulled out all the stops to block any reference to the words "recent activities," ''serious concern," ''reclamation," ''militarization," ''loss of trust" and "need to respect legal processes," but failed as all these phrases made it into the statement, said a senior U.S. administration official, who requested anonymity to discuss diplomatic discussions. Though Beijing recently announced a $600 million aid package to ally Cambodia, China was unable to get it to block the statement, said the official. Cambodia did however block an explicit mention of the tribunal's ruling, which the Philippines was willing to concede, the official said. The issue of ownership of territories in the South China Sea has come to dominate ASEAN summits in recent years. China claims virtually the entire sea as its own, citing historical reasons. That has pitted it against the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei, all members of ASEAN, which have overlapping claims. The U.S. military has also expressed concern over the possibility that China might turn Scarborough into another island, something that would give Beijing's forces greater control over a swath of the South China Sea used as a passageway to the Taiwan Strait. ___ Associated Press writer Josh Lederman contributed to this report. For many, art galleries arent exactly number one on the list of fun things to do. And thats fair enough each to their own. But exhibits can be so much more than just paintings hanging on a wall. Case in point: The Infinite Mix, the Hayward Gallerys newest show done in collaboration with the painfully hip Vinyl Factory. So why should you care? Because its really very cool trust us. Its completely different to any other exhibition you might have been to before. A stuffy gallery this is not instead its all edgy and exciting video pieces. (Kahlil Joseph, m.a.a.d, (film still) 2014, photography Chayse Irvin, 15:26 minutes, 2-screen video projection with sound, Courtesy of the artist and The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles) We spoke to the Hayward Gallerys director Ralph Rugoff to find out a bit more about the exhibition. He accepts that theres lots of really boring and uninteresting video out there, but also says that were in a moment in the art world where some of the really most adventurous and fantastic work being made is in video. The Hayward Gallery show their commitment to shaking things up by changing their location. For this exhibition theyve moved from the Southbank to The Store, 180 The Strand a strikingly large brutalist building. The Store, 180 The Strand (The Vinyl Factory) Its the perfect place for the exhibition, as you can get lost throughout the buildings different floors and rooms. Adding some drama to the whole experience, the building has a derelict feeling complete with graffitied walls. If you wanted to see a video demonstrating the move, here you go. Random, but appreciated nonetheless. Our favourite space was the very last piece, which is found in the underground car park. Cyprien Gaillards Nightlife is nothing short of mesmerising. You put on 3D glasses and walk into the gigantic space, where you watch tendrils of dancing plants dive out at you as a dull thumping dance track resonates in the background. Sound odd? Sure, but you are quickly transfixed by the dystopian atmosphere. Its also multi-layered: the track is a nine second sample of a 1970 Jamaican song called Black Mans Pride, and the piece explores issues of race and politics (in 3D no less). (Cyprien Gaillard, Nightlife, (film still) 2015, 3D motion picture, DCI DCP, 14 minutes 56 min, Copyright Cyprien Gaillard, Courtesy the artist and Spruth Magers) Politics run throughout the exhibition, but not in a way that will irk you. The politics arent prefabricated, Rugoff says, nobodys giving you a line and saying this is right and this is wrong, but theyre definitely asking you to think about things. You also might like this exhibition if youre into music, which forms an integral part of it. One of our favourite pieces comes from director and artist Kahlil Joseph. m.A.A.d has two screens showing intimate scenes through LAs African-American neighbourhoods, set to a soundtrack of remixes of songs from Kendrick Lamars 2012 album Good Kid, m.A.A.d city. (Kahlil Joseph, m.a.a.d, (film still) 2014 photography Chayse Irvin, 15:26 minutes 2-screen video projection with sound, Courtesy of the artist and The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles) For Rugoff, its great to go to an exhibition that makes you want to dance, and there are moments in this show where thats the case. Im not really interested in shows and art for the art world, Rugoff says, because he thinks that all really exciting art should appeal to everybody. This is what makes this show so special it has no lofty pretensions and lets the work speak for itself. The artists arent insular and speaking to themselves, but recognise theyre addressing a wider audience: us. (Cameron Jamie, Still from Massage the History, 2007 2009, 10 minutes, Copyright Cameron Jamie, Courtesy the artist, Gladstone Gallery, New York and Brussels) Making the exhibition accessible was a key concern of Rugoffs. He realised that a lot of video art has a bad rep because its dull and indulgent. And lets face it, we all have pretty puny attention spans. No one wants to stand for hours on end in an exhibition watching the art, which is why Rugoff made the total running time of the show under an hour and twenty minutes. Rugoff rightfully points out that artists are people too they are fascinated by the same things as us, theyre just lucky enough to be able to express their thoughts in a slightly more inventive way than the average Joe. (Jeremy Deller and Cecilia Bengolea, Bom Boms Dream, 2016 and courtesy the artists) But this is still modern art, so there are plenty of WTF moments in the exhibition. One of the stranger pieces is Cecilia Bengolea and Jeremy Dellers collaboration Bom Boms Dream. It features a Japanese dancer jiving on a superimposed background of clouds and the sea, to a soundtrack of Jamaican dancehall music. Sure. We wont give too much away about the other pieces on show, because you should check it out for yourself. You may not like all of it, but some youll love, and all of it will challenge you to think. And hey, if an exhibition can make you dance sign us up. (Ugo Rondinone, THANX 4 NOTHING, 2015, Film Installation. Black & White, stereo sound, 24 films on video projections (films 2k, 4/3), 216 films on monitors (films HD, 4/3), 24:14 min, Ed. no. 2/3 + 2 AP, Image courtesy the artist; Galerie Eva, Presenhuber Ugo Rondinone) The Infinite Mix: Contemporary Sound and Image is open today until 4 December at The Store, 180 The Strand, and is free of charge. Today it was announced that veteran filmmaker Ken Loach will receive Raindance Festivals first ever Raindance Auteur Award, recognising his achievements in filmmaking and his contribution to the film industry. The legendary British director has been honoured with a number of similar awards, such as the BFI (British Film Institute) Fellowship in 1996, the Academy Fellowship in 2006, as well as numerous other awards and nominations at the BAFTAS, Cannes, the British Independent Film Awards, and the Berlin International Film Festival. The legendary British director has been honoured with a number of similar awards, such as the BFI (British Film Institute) Fellowship in 1996, the Academy Fellowship in 2006, as well as numerous other awards and nominations at the BAFTAS, Cannes, the British Independent Film Awards, and the Berlin International Film Festival. Loach is renowned for his distinctive films which highlight socio-economic issues in everyday British life. His well-established filmography includes films such a: Cathy Come Home, Kes, Land And Freedom, Sweet Sixteen, The Wind That Shakes The Barley, Looking for Eric, and The Angels' Share. The award is to be presented by Raindance Founder Elliot Grove on Thursday 29th September. Loach is also taking part in an In Conversation With where he will discuss his films, his career, and the ever- changing industry which he works in. Elliot Grove said: "We could not be more thrilled that Ken Loach will be the recipient of the Festival's first-ever Raindance Auteur Award. "He has always been a great supporter of Raindance and as a prominent figure in the independent film industry and a filmmaker who, over the years, has changed the way we look at film, we could not think of a more fitting artistic talent for this award." Loachs newest film I, Daniel Blake won the Palme dOr at Cannes Film Festival this year, and is set to be released in the UK on October 21st. The 24th Raindance Film Festival is taking place from September 21st to October 2nd in Londons West End. physically digitally Over the course of a two-decade-long career, the progressive metal enigma has appeared on more than 80 albums, either as a musician, producer, writer or otherwise. He is the ultimate rock multi-tasker, to the point where it is nearing levels of insanity. But, that being said, insanity seems to be Devin Townsends bread and butter. Lets not forget, this is the man behind Ziltoid the Omniscient (2007): a concept album about an alien going to war with the Earth because he doesnt like its coffee. Yes, really. And the complex mind of this equally complex man is demonstrated wholeheartedly in his music; from extreme/death metal in his days as the front-man of Strapping Young Lad to comedy rock on Ziltoid to ambient tranquillity on his 2006 album The Hummer, Townsends music has proven to be as diverse as human emotion itself. And on his upcoming eighteenth solo album, Transcendence, it seems that he is inviting his fans to explore the operatic, calming and emotive corner of his brain. From its opening moments, Transcendence has one key positive that inherently makes it an enjoyable progressive rock record; its not boring.When an album has songs that regularly soar past the eight-minute mark much like this one does it is so unbelievably easy for it to be unnecessarily crammed with filler (see Metallica s Death Magnetic (2008), Iron Maidens The Final Frontier (2010) or Spirit Adrift s debut EP (2016) for reference). But on Transcendence, every second is vital and not one track is skippable. Despite the entire album encompassing the genre of atmospheric rock blended alternately with ambient, acoustic and metal-inspired elements, it indulges constantly in stretching the limitations of its generic boundaries. For example, the heavy-hitting, blink-and-youll-miss-it delivery of the powerful Offer Your Light contrasts entirely with the albums slow-burning but hummable closer Transdermal Celebration. Transcendences diversity is the records biggest takeaway after the first listen, but upon any fans inevitable return, more and more evidence of Townsends musical mastery will make itself known. The melodies and harmonies of the record are continually enticing throughout its runtime. As with other progressive rock groups like TesseracT , the vocals on Transcendence are somewhat low in its mix and clean and ambient in delivery, allowing the albums sung passages to actually complement its musicianship instead of, like with most metal releases, distracting from it. And, while on the subject, Transcendences instrumental portions are equally brilliant. Outside of songwriting, a musicians technical ability is the most important portion of making music actually feel progressive and refreshing, and Townsends album delivers mathematical expertise in spades. But this is something of a moot point. Every fan of the Canadian rocker already knows just how talented he really is. He made his Ziltoid album quite literally by himself; he produced it, he mixed it, he engineered it, he sang on it and he played every instrument (except for the drums, which were handled by a machine). This, tragically and ironically, leads to probably the only criticism one could muster up for Transcendence: for long-time followers of Devins work, it simply wont blow them away as much as his earlier works did. While this is a great album, in future it will not stand out as well as the pure zaniness of Ziltoid the Omniscient or the ambition of his double album, Z2 (2014), or the sheer aggression of his work in Strapping Young Lad. Everyone goes into a Devin Townsend record expecting nothing short of greatness, and he always delivers. And while it may be his best release since 2011s Deconstruction, Transcendence just is not memorable enough to reach the upper echelon of his stunning discography. But in spite of this, the album is lightyears away from disappointing any listener. Metal fan or not, this is still an addictive slice of experimental rock that belongs in your collection. Today marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most iconic television shows of all time, Star Trek. Created by Gene Roddenberry in 1966, this sci-fi classic has created an enormous legacy, spawning several spin-off series, films and reboots that continue to fuel and delight the 'Trekkie' fandom half a century later. As well as inventing a number of now-legendary quotes and phrases, the show also introduced us to some truly iconic characters, including everybody's favourite Vulcan, Spock. Brought to life by the late, great Leonard Nimoy, Spock's deadpan logic continues to be as sharp, entertaining and oddly relateable as it was in 1966. While Spock faltered to truly understand the emotions of the average human, his similarity to the average student is actually pretty uncanny... as we attempt to convey below. 1. When you sit through the first lecture of the new semester and struggle to figure out if this new module you're taking is interesting, confusing, or both. 2. When that one guy in your seminar group butts in to disprove or disagree with the point that you (reluctantly) made (...because the tutor picked on you). 3. When you find out some juicy gossip as you continue to climb the social ladder in your quest to be the ultimate BNOC. 4. When you're stood just a little too close to the confetti/snow machine at the Christmas ball. 5. When you're trying to gear yourself up for a 9am, running on three hours sleep and a hangover. 6. When your parents, tutors and friends (naively) tell you to "stay calm" during exam season and the run-up to essay deadlines. 7. When you're sat your laptop desperately trying to come up with a good point to make in your essay and you just keep coming up blank with nothing more to show than a 100 word 'introduction' and a stress-headache 8. When you get an essay back that you actually (miraculously) did well on. 9. Or alternatively, when you get an essay back and the marker questions more than a few of your points (which you totally wrote in a hurry at 2am, desperately trying to bulk up the word count with long words and facetious ideas that sounded good in your tired, caffeine-addled brain at the time) 10. When you try to make friends with/secretly adopt just about any animal that comes your way because you miss your pets at home. Happy 50th Birthday Star Trek! 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The bomb, hidden in a motorcycle, exploded on Tuesday morning (Sept 6) when Mayeng Wohbah parked his motorcycle to drop off his five-year-old daughter Mitra at Baan Taba School in tambon Che He of Tak Bai district. They were killed at the scene while Talmeesee Madao, 22, a street vendor who suffered serious injuries, was pronounced dead at Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Hospital. And Tuesdays motorcycle bomb not only took the lives of Mayeng and Mitra. It left six-year-old Masan, Mitras brother, an orphan. The already desperately poor schoolboy faces hardship no child should have to endure. Four police officers and five other civilians were also injured in the blast. Six others, including a young boy, were taken to Tak Bai Hospital. The Office of the Chularatchamontri, Thailands most senior Muslim leader, issued a statement yesterday (Sept 7) condemning the bombing as inhumane, saying such a cruel act was against the religious teachings of Islam. The office has urged the public to unite and oppose violence against innocent civilians, and for the state to take remedial measures to help the families of the victims and to bring the perpetrators to justice. The office also called for stepped up security in public areas. More than 500 Islamic religious leaders, local officials, teachers, schoolchildren and local residents attended prayers held yesterday at Baan Taba School in memory of those killed in the blast. After the prayers, they paraded through the community and called on local residents to join in condemning the attack. Meanwhile, New York-based Human Rights Watch issued a statement suggesting that to help protect children in Thailands armed conflict, the UN secretary-general should immediately put the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN)-Coordinate on the list of abusers. This years United Nations secretary-generals report on children caught up in armed conflict noted the unlawful attacks in the southernmost provinces, but did not specifically list the BRN-Coordinate as an abuser. Once a party to an armed conflict is placed on this list, it triggers an increased response from the UN including intensified engagement by UN agencies in the affected country and potential Security Council sanctions, said the HRW statement. Similarly, the Cross Cultural Foundation has also condemned the attacks against the venue protected under the laws of war, also known as international humanitarian law, which prohibits attacks on civilians and civilian objects or attacks that fail to discriminate between combatants and civilians. Col Pramot Promin, spokesman for the Internal Security Operations Commands (Isoc) Forward Command, told the Bangkok Post yesterday that the security forces took note of the statements of concern issued by the NGOs but wondered why such dubious terminologies were used. What we would like to see in the aftermath is society understanding that these inhumane attacks are deplorable. The perpetrators have violated Thai laws, and we will deal with them with our laws accordingly, said Col Pramot in a telephone interview. He cautioned that people should not be trapped in the discourse woven by non-governmental organisations that could internationalise internal issues. It could be a sensitive issue if international hands are dragged in, we must be careful not to allow such a condition that could upgrade or uplift the status of the insurgent groups, the spokesman said. Tak Bai students joined a mosque-led demonstration yesterday condemning the bombing and demanding an end to violence. Protests against Tuesdays deadly bomb by the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) supporters or their separatist allies now have spread worldwide. Isoc condemned the attack as inhumane. Its spokesman Col Peerawat Saengthong said the southern violence is a multi-dimensional problem involving not only separatist groups, but also networks operating in illicit activities, criminals, and drug traffickers. Col Peerawat said that while the Isocs operations to restore peace and safety in the deep South had begun to pay off, insurgent groups have recently been trying to disrupt peace and perpetrate violence against weak targets such as hospitals, hotels, schools and rail routes. The recent spate of violence has shown that those involved are inhumane and they are bent on doing all they can to strike fear so residents cannot live normal lives, Col Peerawat said. A BRN-sympathetic activist from Narathiwat province who asked not to be named said the negative impacts of the BRNs change in attack targets have already been discussed periodically within the clandestine movement. After all, its not the first time that soft targets, such as children, have been the victims. The BRN must also learn to adjust to be more politically appealing to the people, said the former Muslim student leader. However, he noted that local residents, though not happy with the civilian deaths, would eventually blame the heavy military presence in the region. Read original story here. Filipinos caught with stolen diamonds at airport BANGKOK: Five Filipinos were arrested with a diamond necklace reported stolen from a jewellery fair in Bangkok shortly before boarding a flight at Don Mueang airport. crimepolicetransport By Bangkok Post Thursday 8 September 2016, 02:57PM Five Filipinos are interrogated by police at the Tourist Police Division yesterday night (Sept 7) after a stolen diamond necklace was found in their luggage as they were about to board a flight from Don Mueang airport to Phuket. Photo: Post Today The three men and two women, believed to work together as a gang, were apprehended late yesterday night (Sept 7), said Maj Gen Surachet Hakphan, commander of the Tourist Police Division. Tourist police based at the airport found a diamond necklace worth about B300,000 in a bag belonging to one of them. The arrest followed a complaint to police by a gem trader with a booth at the 58th Bangkok Gems and Jewellery Fair in Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi. Paramin Taharian told police that two foreigners, possibly Filipinos, claiming to be a mother and son had arrived at his booth about 2pm. The son asked to see two pairs of diamond earrings, saying he wanted to buy a pair for his mother. The woman caused a distraction by starting a conversation with him, Mr Paramin said He believed this was when the man took the opportunity to snatch a diamond necklace from the showcase. The pair did not buy anything and quickly left the booth. Mr Paramin said he was unaware of the missing necklace at the time because it was not among the items he showed them. Instead, they took it from a showcase. He noticed the missing necklace only when checking his inventory later, about 6pm, and immediately contacted police, said Maj Gen Surachet. Tourist police alerted airport officials at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airport to watch for the two suspects, sending them a video from a surveillance camera at the fair. Officials at Don Mueang spotted the duo around 10pm in the company of three other Filipinos in a departure lounge waiting to catch a flight to Phuket, and eventually to Manila. They were approached and asked to allow a search. A search of their luggage revealed a diamond necklace matching the item reported stolen, along with some other jewellery. Maj Gen Surachet said police investigators believed the five suspects were an organised gang of thieves. They were being held in custody at Pak Kret police station pending further investigation. All were then detained for further questioning. The suspects were identified as Ebueza Christian Carpio, 27, Bien Nonoy Mulobuko 27, Chapoco Florenz Velarde, 65, and the two women, Canoy Adoration Carpio, 58, and Mallari Sofia, 56, Tourist police said the five arrived together on Sept 5 and had booked a return flight to Manila on Sept 12. Read original story here. Former Phuket land offices kin doubt DSI camera claims PHUKET: Police investigating the mysterious death of former Phuket land office chief land fraud suspect Tawatchai Anukul say they expect to complete their probe in 30 days, while the suspects brother has disputed Department of Special Investigation (DSI) claims that security cameras outside the detention cell where the suspect was kept were out of order. crimedeathcorruptionlandsuicidepolice By Bangkok Post Thursday 8 September 2016, 09:04AM Director-General of the DSI Col Paisit Wongmuang examines the door of the lockup cell where the DSI says Tawatchai Anukul tried successfully to strangle himself using his socks. The cameras which normally monitor the facility failed on that day because of a computer glitch, according to the agency. Photo by Tawatchai Kemgumnerd Lead investigator, Col Komsak Sumangkaset, deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureaus (MPB) Division 2, said police expected to wrap up the investigation in 30 days. He refused to go into details about what investigators had found so far. He was speaking after he and a team of Central Police Forensic Science Division (CPFSD) officials examined the DSI detention cell in which Mr Tawatchai allegedly tried to hang himself. Also present at the DSI was Mr Tawatchai's younger brother, Chainarong Anukul, 63, who later spoke to the media during which he expressed doubts on DSI claims that security cameras outside his brothers cell were not working. Mr Chainarong said yesterday (Sept 7) that on Monday (Sept 4) he had initially been invited to the DSI offices to examine camera footage only to be told by Maj Jatupol Bongkochmas, chief of the DSIs Bureau of Special Operation, that the security cameras outside the cell were out of order. He also said he was not allowed inside the detention cell. How on earth could they let the computer server break down without a backup system? he said. He was referring to the excuse he says the DSI gave him as to why the security cameras outside the cell were not working. Col Komsak, said yesterday that he believed the security cameras at the DSIs detention facility were operating well but was uncertain how much evidence the cameras would reveal. Mr Chainarong went to the DSI again yesterday expecting to gain access to the detention cell. However, he was denied permission to join the CPFSD officials in getting a first-hand look, an informed source said. Col Komsak said it was unnecessary for police to invite the dead mans family members to observe every aspect of the probe into Mr Tawatchais death. Mr Chainarong had to watch the CPFSD officials from outside the detention room as they tried to re-enact Mr Tawatchais alleged suicide. Afterwards, Mr Chainarong said he had many doubts over whether his brother had taken his own life. The Institute of Forensic Medicine earlier reported in its initial autopsy result that Mr Tawatchai died of abdominal haemorrhaging and a ruptured liver from being hit with a solid, blunt object together with asphyxiation from hanging, countering the DSIs claim that he committed suicide by hanging himself with a pair of socks. Meanwhile, a Justice Ministry-appointed panel of experts is expected to meet today (Sept 8) to examine details made available in the case so far. These include the autopsy findings which state Mr Tawatchai lost 500cc of blood from abdominal haemorrhaging, permanent secretary for justice Charnchao Chaiyanukij said. Panel chief, Wisit Wisitsora-at, also director-general of the Juvenile Observation and Protection Department, said the panel has 15 days in which to wrap up its probe. Mr Tawatchai, 66, was a key suspect in several land fraud cases and was allegedly involved in unlawfully issuing land deeds to wealthy people in Phuket and Phang Nga. Read original story here. Governor to seek PMs support on urgent Phuket projects PHUKET: The Governor of Phuket is planning to bring a range of urgent projects needed on the island to the attention of the Prime Minister when he visits next Friday (Sept 16) to preside over the Startup Thailand and Digital Thailand 2016 event being held at Royal Phuket Marina. constructioneconomicstransporttourismland By The Phuket News Thursday 8 September 2016, 05:37PM Gov Chamroen Tipayapongtada speaks at yesterday's meeting to discuss economics in the Andaman region. Photo: PR Dept Gov Chamroen Tipayapongtada presided over a meeting yesterday (Sept 7) with officials and members of the private sector from the Andaman region to discuss economic issues, with the main topic of discussion being urgent projects for the island that Gov Chamroen wants PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to consider supporting. Also in attendance at yesterdays meeting were Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul, Maj Gen Teeraphol Thipjaroen, representatives from the Highways Department, Thailand Expressway, and Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning. Gov Chamroen explained that Phuket has a number of urgent projects that need support from the PM such as the light rail, International Conference and Exhibition Centre, underpass projects, expressway and Andaman railway. The first project that we need to push for is the light rail project which is currently under study for a suitable plan and design that will least affect the environment. The project is waiting on its environmental report. We want this project to be included in the 2017 budget so we can start it early, Gov Chamroen said. Next on the list is the International Conference and Exhibition Centre project which is planned to be built on 141 rai of government land in Mai Khao. The project has been studied and designed but it came to a stall because it did not get EIA approval. After many meetings we agreed to keep pushing for this project but set out to change it from a conference centre to a merchandise exhibition centre, he added. Governor Chamroen said that he will also bring up the Kathu-Patong tunnel project which is still awaiting the results of the EIA. Another project needing support from the PM support is the Andaman railway, we want to propose this project so that it can get approved and sent to relevant departments to study its plan. I will also ask for a budget for our new Muang Mai-Pa Khlok road project, a 13 kilometre road that will help ease traffic coming on to and leaving the island, he said. 11AAA semis will be awesome and more from HS football quarterfinals high-school-sports FILE - In this July 26, 2016 file photo, Defense Secretary Ash Carter speaks during a news conference in Cambridge, Mass. Carter is strongly criticizing Russia for what he says is Moscow's "clear ambition to erode the principled international order" through coercion and aggression. Carter used a speech Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, to students at Oxford University to blast what he calls Russia's "unprofessional behavior" in Ukraine, Syria and cyberspace. He's accusing Moscow of nuclear "saber rattling." (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File) But the tribe has a long way to go Is something being cooked up between the ruling Samajwadi Party and the Congress in Uttar Pradesh? Are they contemplating forming a post-poll alliance? Latest political events indicate that Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi are developing a soft corner for each other. Akhilesh on Thursday unequivocally hailed the Congress vice-president. Soon after the cabinet meeting, the chief minister said, Rahul is a very good person and he is a good boy too. He should keep coming to UP and stay here more, and if someone will stay more in UP, then I too will have a friendship with him. If two good persons (Rahul and Akhilesh) meet, what is the harm there? The statement of Akhilesh has triggered speculations about the two parties joining hands in UP after the Assembly elections. Political experts believe that no party will be able to get a clear majority in UP this time and that there is likely to be a big fall in SPs present tally of legislators. Such a situation will force the SP to go for an alliance, and the ruling party is said to be preparing a ground for this. It may be recalled that when Rahul visited Lucknow in July last, he also had hailed Akhilesh at a public meeting. Rahul had said, Akhilsh is a good boy but he is not able to work; he was young when he became the CM, but he could not do what he wanted. Rahul's statement was interpreted in a way that the Congress leader believed some senior members were not letting Akhilesh work properly. Though the SP refused to comment on a possible alliance between the two parties, the Congress ruled out such a possibility. The BJP and the RSS are going all out to reach out to the Muslims in Kerala. The state unit of the RSS is keen on forming an exclusive Muslim outfit in the state, on the lines of the MRM (Muslim Rashtriya Manch). Sources in the RSS said that there is an urgent need to win the confidence of the Muslim community in Kerala. Said P. Gopalankutty Master, state secretary of the RSS, to THE WEEK: Though a final decision in this regard has not been taken, Muslim leaders in the BJP want the RSS and the BJP to clear false impressions about them among Muslims in Kerala. The Muslim body of the RSS is active in north Indian states. Kerala doesnt have one, yet. We will establish it soon. Said Ali Akbar, a prominent Muslim face of the BJP and film personality, to THE WEEK, It is wrong to say that Muslims in Kerala dont like the BJP. I contested on a BJP ticket from Koduvally assembly constituency near Kozhikode, which has a large number of Muslims. But I still polled around 11,000 votes. The CPI(M) and the Congress are trying to alienate Muslims from the BJP, but they will not succeed. Akbar said that the Sunni and the Sufi sects, among Muslims in Kerala, have no problems with the BJP and the RSS. It is the hardliners in the community who are creating problems and painting a negative image of the BJP and the RSS. Akbar said that it was a good move on the part of the RSS to form an exclusive body for Muslims in the state. Leaders at the national level, too, want more Muslims to join the BJP and the RSS in Kerala. Said Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Union minister of minority affairs, to THE WEEK: "I am not aware of a Muslim organisation being floated by the RSS in Kerala. But, as far as the BJP is concerned, we are for everyone, including Muslims. Every section of society in Kerala should come closer to the BJP and the RSS and be a part of Indias growth. Muslim leaders in the state, though, dont think much of the RSSs plans. Said P.K. Kunhalikutty, former state minister and Indian Union Muslim League leader, to THE WEEK, The RSSs plans wont work out in Kerala. Such a front will never come into existence. People here are educated and can differentiate between the good and the bad. They cannot be taken for a ride. In another case of political violence in Kerala, a BJP worker was attacked allegedly by CPM workers in the district on Wednesday night, police said. 25-year old Navneeth was injured in the attack at Pathiriyad at Koothuparambu near Kannur and was rushed to a hospital in Thalassery, police said. BJP alleged CPM activists were behind the attack. Meanwhile, police seized two bombs at Pallikunnu in the heart of Kannur, which has been witnessing sporadic clashes between CPM and BJP workers since the assembly elections in May last this year. A 'steel' bomb and an 'ice cream' bomb (explosives stuffed inside ice cream ball) were unearthed during a search conducted in the compound of a locked house following information that weed was kept there. More than 800 pro-Kannada groups have extended support to Friday's Karnataka bandh, which is likely to hit essential services across the state. The bandh call, given by farmers' unions in the Cauvery basin, is to protest against the Supreme Court direction to Karnataka to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. The Supreme Court on Monday directed Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu daily for the next 10 days (ending September 12), triggering massive protests across Karnataka. Inter-state buses went off the road, schools and colleges were closed, theatres screening Tamil movies were shut down, and the Tamil speaking people in Bengaluru rushed to the home minister seeking protection. Expressing solidarity with Friday's bandh, taxis, autos and buses will go off the road while hotels and cinema halls will remain closed. Private schools and colleges have declared a holiday as a precautionary measure. The cable operators have extended their support by blacking out 52 Tamil channels. More than 25,000 police personnel have been deployed in Bengaluru alone and 15,000 in rest of the state. The Karnataka government has earned the wrath of people for "offering" to release 10,000 cusecs of water daily for five days in its affidavit before the Supreme Court. Tamil Nadu had filed an interim plea seeking release of its share of water as per the final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tried to pacify the angry farmers by releasing water to their canals. He also assured that the state would file a petition before the apex court seeking to modify its order. "We will file a review petition before the court citing our difficulties," said Siddaramaiah, appealing to the people to desist from violent protests. Water resources minister M.B. Patil expressed hope that the supervisory committee, which is to take a call on further water release, will rightly assess the grim situation in the state. According to the government sources, Karnataka needs 75 tmc of water for agriculture (47 tmc) and drinking water to Bengaluru and Mysuru (28 tmc). But there is only 46.7 tmc of water across its four reservoirs which has to last till June 2017. "We had to comply with the SC order as defying it would amount to contempt of court. As the final hearing on the special leave petitions (SLP) filed by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala challenging the final award of the Tribunal, is coming up on October 18, state's counsel Fali S. Nariman has warned the government against any move that would adversely impact the verdict," Patil said. The opposition parties have joined the protest accusing the government of having mislead them during the all-party meeting held last week. "The government did not take opposition parties into confidence while offering to release water. The legal team has failed to effectively present Karnataka's case before the apex court," said leader of the opposition Jagadish Shettar. JD(S) state president H.D. Kumaraswamy, who joined the agitating farmers in Mandya, sent out a warning to the government against filing any case against the protesting farmers, as was the case during the Mahadayi agitation. The Gujarat BJPs attempt to put up a massive show of strength in Surat at a programme on Thursday proved to be a damb squib with members of Patidar community disturbing the function and raising slogans in support of their leader Hardik Patel. BJP President Amit Shah Though the function to honour Patel ministers in the Vijay Rupani-led government was organised under the aegis of Patidar Sanman Samiti, comprising some diamond merchants close to both the BJP and Patels, it is said that it had saffron partys full backing. A section of Patidars managed to disturb the proceedings much before the BJP leaders started speaking. The ruckus began when one of the organisers Mahesh Savani started speaking. Hardik Patel's supporters went on a rampage damaging furniture despite the presence of police and hundreds of volunteers. BJP national president Amit Shah, chief minister Vijay Rupani and state BJP president Jitubhai Vaghani were present at the function. The impact of the protests was so much that Shah had to wind up his speech in just four minutes. In his brief speech, Shah acknowledged Patel communitys support to the party and also said that the progress of the Patidars was linked to the progress of the state. By the time Shah began to speak, there were hardly two thousand people left at the venue. Incidents of stone pelting were also reported from near the venue. According to reports, over 300 protesters were detained. The organisers had claimed that they were expecting around one lakh people but sources said that the gathering was only around 20,000. Lakhs of rupees were spent in making the dome water proof. A source said that the expenses to organise the function would not be less than a couple of crores. By organising the programme, the BJP wanted to give a stern message to Hardik and his supporters that the Patidar community was still with it. It was also an opportunity for them to take the benefit of the rift among the Patidar leaders. For over one and a half years, the Patidars in the state have been demanding reservation under OBC category. The government has categorically denied the reservation demand saying that it is not possible to raise the quota beyond 49 per cent as per the Supreme Court directive. Hardik, who is facing sedition charges, is out on bail and is currently in Udaipur as per the directives of the court. As a precautionary measure, the Surat police had detained Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti leader Varun Patel and several others on Wednesday. In clear indications of possible disruptions during the event, posters linking Amit Shah with General Dyer had come up in different parts of Surat ahead of the function. As Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu accepted the special package for Andhra Pradesh, the opposition is most likely to take up the issue and make things difficult for Naidu. Naidu had accepted the Centre's argument that they could not give a special status to the residual state of Andhra Pradesh. He had accepted the special package announced by the NDA government late on Wednesday evening. Following this, on Thursday, the opposition parties got together and created pandemonium at the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. The main opposition, YSR Congress Party, has called for a state-wide bandh on September 10 to protest the denial of special status. Other political parties are also joining in the call for bandh. At the assembly, they raised slogans against the Centre and the Telugu Desam Party and stalled the proceedings. They wore black shirts as a mark of protest and threw pieces of paper at the Speaker K. Sivaprasada Rao. Amid the ruckus, the Speaker adjourned the house twice in quick succession. YSR Congress leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy demanded chief ministers resignation for failing to get special status for the state, despite being an ally of the Centre. The legislators prevented Naidu from making a statement on the special financial package announced by the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Naidu also tried to introduce the GST Bill for ratification and he urged the opposition members to cooperate with the government in passing the bill unanimously. The Speaker finally adjourned the house for the day. The chief minister should apologise for his midnight statement welcoming Jaitleys announcement of financial package. Nothing short of special status will satisfy the people. It is their right. And, it was promised to the people at the time of bifurcation two years ago, Jaganmohan Reddy said. Jaitley had cited the constraints placed by the 14th Finance Commission for granting special category status to AP. But he promised that the benefits would be equivalent to the special status. Tax concessions and full funding of Polavaram irrigation project are part of the financial package, though the full amount has not been specified. Meanwhile, Pawan Kalyan had taken up the mantle of the 'special status' issue and his first meeting at Tirupathi was the precursor for his three-phased attack on the Centre. Preparations are underway for Pawan Kalyan's maiden political rally at the coastal town of Kakinada in East Godavari district. The investigation into the murder of Govind Pansare has taken a new turn. Virendra Tawde, who was handed over to the SIT by the CBI after his arrest as the main conspirator in the murder of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar, was on Thursday taken to Sanatan Sanstha ashram in Panvel near Mumbai. At the ashram the team allegedly found huge stock of narcotic drugs, which are used for hypnosis in order to influence minds. The people in the ashram told police that the drugs were bought after being prescribed by the doctor. The SIT immediately called the officers of Food and Drugs Authority to seize the drugs and a panchanama was recorded. The team is now trying to find the doctor who prescribed the drugs in such large quantity and the patients for whom the drugs were prescribed. Tawde's motorcycle, believed to be used in Dabholkar's murder was found to be missing. The pile of drugs found in the ashram provides a new turn in the investigation. Earlier, families of Sansta members had complained that after undergoing hypnosis at the Sanatan Sanstha, the members lost control over their mind and that they had left their families to join the Sanstha. Sanjay Kumar, SIT chief said, "We have found drugs from the H1 schedule and it is mandatory to administer the drugs on prescription only from an M.D. in Psychiatry. It is also mandatory to maintain a separate register for it. The seized narcotic drugs are Zapiz, Amisul and Etizolam, which are known as narcotic drugs of the H1 schedule. We will investigate further." Tawde was handed over to the SIT by the CBI after the Scotland Yard police confirmed that the weapon used in the murders of Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare and M.M. Kalburgi was the same. This has strengthened the conclusion drawn by the three different agencies probing three murders that the killers in the murders were same. Karnataka CID, Maharashtra police SIT and CBI are the three agencies that are investigating the murders of Kalburgi, Pansare and Dabholkar. Adding yet another feather to Narendra Modi's Digital India cap, the government has integrated the vehicle registration system with the previously launched DigiLocker online portal. The initiative will digitise driving licences, allowing users to carry a soft copy on the government-backed mobile application, instead of physical ones. Launched by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) in February 2015, DigiLocker is an Aadhaar-based e-locker service. The platform was beta-tested last year and is set to go full-fledged, following the latest announcement. With the aim of paperless governance, the facility enables users to get government documents issued and verified via the internet. The cloud storage space is linked to the user's Aadhaar number to ease the authenticating burden on the government. The platform is loaded with features that make issuance, storage, retrieval and verification of documents easier for officials and citizens. The government has also stated that public officials will be given corresponding applications for spot verification of the e-documents. Features of the application include an eSign facility (similar to the process of self-attestation), 1GB cloud storage space and the ability to share documents with registered agency and departments. eSign is an online electronic signature to facilitate an Aadhaar holder to digitally sign a document. Documents that can be stored on the platform include SSC/HSC/degree certificates, government ID card, PAN card, voter ID card, ration card, passport, driving licence, electricity/water/telephone bills, rent receipts and residence certificates. Electronic copies of documents and certificates can be either uploaded by users themselves or be pushed directly into the citizen's lockers by organisations that are registered with DigiLocker. Users can also upload scanned copies of their legacy documents in their accounts. Stakeholders of the facility are divided into three categories: Issuers, requesters and residents. Issuers are bodies that issue the e-document compatible for the locker (CBSE, registrar's office, income tax department, etc); bodies that request access to a particular e-document are the requesters (employers, universities, passport office, regional transport office); and residents are the users who store their documents. The platform also comes with security features such as a 256-bit secure socket layer encryption for information transmitted via the portal, mobile authentication signup, a timed logout and assurances that the facility will be routinely security-audited. With the integration of the vehicle registration system, there have also been promises of ramping up the security features. Despite claims of the platform being safe and intrusion-free, security concerns have been raised and technical experts are still sceptical of the privacy of the documents in a government-based facility. The application is available on the Android Play Store for now, although since the facility involves sensitive data, one should make sure that only the DeitY-promoted app is downloaded. Numerous unscrupulous developers have launched apps with the same name, using the government's symbol and Narendra Modi's image, to con users into submitting confidential documents that can be misused later. The official DigiLocker currently has over 21 lakh registered users. In an obvious reference to Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said "export of terror" is a common threat to the region. "Export of terror, growing radicalisation and spread of extreme violence are common security threats to our societies," Modi said while addressing the 14th India-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in Vientiane. He said Asean was central to India's Act East Policy while describing the ties with southeast Asia as a "source of harmony". The India-Asean Summit will be followed by the 11th East Asia Summit on Thursday. Laos supports India's permanent seat in UNSC "Laos PM said his country supported India as a permanent member of a reformed and expanded UN Security Council (UNSC)," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup informed the media after a bilateral meeting between PM Modi and Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith on Thursday morning. Stating that the two leaders discussed regional developments, Swarup said that "both countries shared the same perspective" on the South China Sea issue. An international arbitration tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in July ruled in favour of the Philippines in its dispute with China over the South China Sea. While the Philippines welcomed the ruling, China reacted angrily calling it "null and void". Several southeast Asian littoral nations have disputes with Beijing over the South China Sea. India has called for all parties concerned to respect the UN Convention for the Law of the Sea (Unclos). According to Swarup, during the meeting, Sisoulith appreciated India's consistent support for Laos since the country's independence "particularly in areas of human resources development, agriculture, irrigation and power". Modi said he was especially happy to be in Vientiane at a time when India and Laos were celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. "Both prime ministers agreed to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in a befitting manner," Swarup stated. Modi is also scheduled to have meetings with South Korean President Park Geun-hye, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is the State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar, and US President Barack Obama later in the day. Soon after his arrival in Vientiane on Wednesday, Modi held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The India-Asean Summit on Thursday will be attended by leaders of 10 southeast Asian nations Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand. The East Asia Summit later in the day will be attended by leaders of the 10 Asean nations and those of India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Russia. [COMMUNICATED CONTENT] Chazal state: Vkashin Lezavgan Kkiriahs Yam Suf. Never in history has it been so evident that shidduchim are as difficult as the splitting of the sea. Whether you choose to see this monumental challenge as a result of the age gap, sociological differences in becoming a good girl versus good boy, or a Divine gezairah, there is no question that thousands of Bnos Yisrael are suffering. Chaya Braun, a newborn baby photographer in Baltimore, Maryland,was looking to do her part to help. I was trying to find a way to contribute to Klal Yisrael. For a while, I volunteered to drive for Bikur Cholim, however, that generally didnt work out for my schedule, and I turned them down all too often. Then Hashem put the idea of offering free shidduch portraits to women who are experiencing challenges finding their Bashert. With the advent of the Shidduch Resume in recent years, many women attach a photo along with their lists of accomplishments and references Although virtually everyone has access to a camera, getting a good portrait is a skill that takes time, talent, and expensive equipment. Theres a lot that goes into each photo that I take, Chaya says. The choice of background color and tone, the light and shadows, the angle of my camera, and the lens of my choice, are some of the factors that contribute to create a beautiful portrait. Women who are divorced or widowed, as well as single women age 25+ are welcome to contact Chaya Braun Photography to schedule their shidduch portraits. Each woman is given a complementary ten minute session in the studio, and then emailed a professionally retouched digital image. This program is not limited to women who live in Baltimore; visitors to town are also welcome to schedule a photo session! You can contact Chaya to book your complementary portrait at http://chayabraun.com/contact/ The machlokes surrounding Har Habayis is not a new one. There is the machlokes among Jews, those who follow the psak of Gedolim throughout the generations; prohibiting visiting Har Habayis, and there are those who follow rabbonim today permitting visiting the holy site in compliance with halacha. For the second group there is also the matter of compliance with regulations of the Muslim Waqf Authority, regulations enforced by Israel Police. One regulation prohibits Jews from reciting any prayer whatsoever, and one feared to be uttering holy words is immediately detained and removed from the holy site. According to a Honenu report, on Sunday, 2 Rosh Chodesh Elul, three girls were arrested for trying to daven near the Lions Gate entrance to Jerusalems Old City. They were questioned on suspicion of disturbing the peace and released with restrictions hours later. During the arraignment hearing, police requested distancing hem from the Old City for a period of time. Honenu attorney David Halevy tried to understand what law was broken by their actions and why they were detained by police for simply trying to daven. Israel Police representatives representatives Safi Sarahan and Roi Avrahami explained one is permitted to daven anywhere in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City, but the same is not true for the so-called Muslim Quarter, where such actions result in disturbances. When attorney Halevy asked to see where the law prohibits reciting a prayer in the Muslim Quarter, police responded it is not written but it is a matter of police using professional judgment based on their assessment of the situation. Justice Yael Yeitav accepted the position of police in part and distanced the girls from the Muslim Quarter for a period of 15 days as well as compelling them not to be within 25 meters of any gate leading to Har Habayis. Halevy said This I illegal conduct by Israel Police which is seeking manufactured quiet and has selected, albeit without authority and without anyone having broken any law, to deliver a severe blow to the freedom of moment of my clients by abusing its authority. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) The IDF continues operating along the Gaza border to southern Israel. The area is heavily patrolled by military units who maintain a watchful eye against infiltrations into area communities from Gaza as well as any kind of attack which might be launched along the border. In addition, as seen in the accompanying video, heavy machinery continues operating as part of the ongoing measures to detect Hamas terror tunnels. Israel has been battling the vast Hamas tunnel network since Operation Protective Edge, when the Hamas underground network was unveiled to all. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) In an initiative of the Tourism Ministry, the Knesset Finance Committee on Tuesday, 3 Elul approved a new priority map for the tourism industry. The objective of the new map is to encourage hotel construction and the increase of the hotel room supply in a number of new cities and areas and to encourage tourism projects operating in the periphery of large cities and close to Ben-Gurion Airport. The purpose of the order is to increase the supply of guest rooms in Israel, including budget hotels and hostels a process that is expected to reduce prices in the tourism industry. According to the conclusions drawn by a professional team from the Tourism Ministry that formed the basis for this order, a moderate increase in the number of active hotel rooms had been registered over the last decade, whereas the number of tourists had increased significantly. It was also apparent that the slow increase in the hotel supply was one of the factors impacting on the increased costs of hotel prices in Israel. The order stipulates that tourism entrepreneurs in the areas defined in the new priority map are entitled to a grant of up to 20% of the total investment. In addition, a few weeks ago the government approved the proposal of the Tourism Minister Yariv Levin for financial support of up to 33% of the total investment in building budget hotels. This benefit will also apply to the new priority areas. It should be noted that the total annual budget for grants stands at NIS 200 million. This is one of several steps taken that have been initiated by the Tourism Minister Yariv Levin, among them the Hotels Law which is designed to lower vacationing costs and was passed by the Knesset in early August, and the government decision to offer a 33% grant for the establishment of budget hotels, passed a few months ago. Tourism Minister Yariv Levin: I congratulate the Knesset Finance Committee Chairman MK Moshe Gafni for approving my decision to expand the national tourism priority area map. This is another important step in reducing the cost of vacationing in Israel and increasing the hotel room supply. Expanding the map will facilitate higher grants for building hotels in the new areas and will lead to a wider range of hotel rooms and the creation of many more jobs throughout Israel. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) Police on Wednesday afternoon 4 Elul moved ahead in the Netanya City Hall corruption investigation, arresting the citys Mayor, Mrs. Miriam Feirberg, who was questioned earlier in the day under warning. Attorney Nati Simchoni, who has represented the mayor in the past, told the media she has been serving for 18 years and has filled may positions and is known for her honesty and integrity. At least eight people have been arrested in connection to the ongoing corruption investigation which includes allegations of money laundering, tax evasion and bribery. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) For Israelis on an Air Serbia flight from Belgrade to Tel Aviv, they were shocked when they heard an airport announcement calling for passengers on the flight to Palestine. The incident occurred on 25 Menachem Av in Nikola Tesla International Airport in Belgrade. The passengers were traveling on flight JUO 816 and Israelis were outraged as a result of the announcement. After passengers refused to board the flight, a second announcement was made correcting the first, announcing the flight was departing for Tel Aviv. Ynet adds that Israeli Ambassador to Serbia Alona Fisher-Kamm spoke to the CEO of Air Serbia and, according to her, he expressed shock at the incident. The CEO even noted that this is the first time such an incident occurs, and that he considered it to be completely unacceptable. He further explained employees are not permitted to openly express a political opinion and the CEO issued an apology on behalf of the airline. Ynet adds that last, week, the Czech Republic decided to list the capital of Israel as Tel Aviv and not Jerusalem in an atlas used in schools. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) Member of Dutch Parliament (Labor Party) Tunahan Kuzu on Wednesday morning 4 Elul refused to shake hands with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who was visiting the Dutch Parliament. Netanyahu turned around. Local Dutch media added that the MP was also wearing a PLO flag pin. The Dutch MP also uses Facebook to blame Israel for Operation Protective Edge, accusing of murdering Gazan children while Mr. Netanyahu gets the red carpet treatment during his visit. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) A list of unindicted co-conspirators in the George Washington Bridge lane-closing case should not be released before trial, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday. The decision from a three-judge panel of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia overturns a lower court decision to release the list to a group of media organizations including The Associated Press. A federal judge in Newark ordered the list released in May only to have a person identified as John Doe file to block publication of the list. He claimed it would brand him a criminal even though he wasnt charged in the indictment last year that alleged two former allies of New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christie orchestrated traffic jams near the bridge in September 2013 as political payback. Jury selection in their trial is set to begin Thursday. The judges concluded that the letter was part of the general discovery process, meaning it was not protected by the First Amendment or the common law right of public access. The appeals court judges wrote in their decision that public access to judicial documents is a respected tradition but has limits. That is so even in a case affected by heightened public interest. The time may come, perhaps at trial, when the information in the Conspirator Letter ought to be made public, but that time is not here yet, the judges wrote. An unindicted co-conspirator is someone who was involved in a conspiracy in some way but hasnt been charged, usually because he or she is cooperating with a government investigation or because prosecutors feel they dont have enough evidence to gain a conviction. Bruce Rosen, an attorney representing the media companies, said they are disappointed by the decision. We continue to believe that the public is entitled to the list of unindicted coconspirators under the First Amendment, Rosen said. Federal prosecutors argued against releasing the list, and U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman made a rare appearance to argue in court in front of the appeals panel in June. Media organizations filed a motion with the court in Newark in January seeking access to the co-conspirator list, claiming it was part of the public record in the criminal case. Christie, who hasnt been charged and has disavowed any knowledge of the alleged scheme, has said it is highly doubtful he is on the list. A taxpayer-financed investigation by a law firm hired by Christie cleared him of wrongdoing, a conclusion roundly criticized by Democrats in New Jersey as a whitewash. (AP) The U.S. Navy again has accused Iranian patrol boats of harassing an American warship in the Persian Gulf, this time with a Revolutionary Guard vessel nearly causing a collision with the USS Firebolt. Why does this keep happening? HEAVY US MILITARY PRESENCE The U.S. Navy has had a regular presence in the Persian Gulf since the end of World War II. It ramped up its involvement in the region after Irans 1979 revolution, which toppled the U.S.-backed shah and alarmed Washingtons Gulf Arab allies. The 1991 Gulf War and the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq brought even more American forces to the region. Today U.S. ships patrol the Gulf and its narrow Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly a third of all oil traded by sea passes. Iran views the U.S. presence as a provocation. PAST CONFRONTATIONS During the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, Iran mined portions of the Persian Gulf and several commercial ships sank. In 1988, the USS Samuel B. Roberts struck a mine and nearly sank. That sparked a daylong naval battle between Iran and the U.S. in which American forces attacked two Iranian oil rigs and sank or damaged six Iranian vessels. A few months later, the USS Vincennes in the Strait of Hormuz mistook an Iran Air flight heading to Dubai for an attacking fighter jet, shooting down the plane and killing all 290 people onboard. AFTERMATH OF THE NUCLEAR DEAL The hard-liners who dominate Irans security forces were largely opposed to the landmark nuclear deal that President Hassan Rouhani, a moderate, reached with the United States and other world powers last year. Police have arrested a number of dual citizens on security-related allegations since the deal was struck, and there has also been an uptick in provocative acts at sea. The U.S. Navy has recorded 31 instances of what it describes as unsafe and/or unprofessional interactions with Iranian forces this year alone, compared to 23 in all of 2015. ROCKET LAUNCHES AND SAILOR SEIZURES The provocations cited by the U.S. Navy were largely blamed on Irans powerful Revolutionary Guard, a paramilitary force charged with protecting clerical rule. Iranian speedboats fired rockets near U.S. warships and commercial traffic in December, and an Iranian drone overflew an American aircraft carrier in January. Iran also briefly seized 10 U.S. sailors in the Gulf at gunpoint in January after their boats drifted into Iranian territorial waters. In Sundays incident, the Guards fast-attack boats came within some 450 meters (500 yards) of the USS Firebolt, with one stopping right in front of the coastal patrol boat, said Cmdr. Bill Urban, a spokesman for the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet, based in Bahrain. Urban said the USS Firebolt turned and missed the boat by only some 90 meters (100 yards). RISKS REMAIN AMONG THE WAVES For the U.S. Navy, each unsafe Iranian action creates a significant risk for our ships commanding officers, who have mere seconds to decide on appropriate actions to take to defend their ships and crew, Urban said Wednesday. Iran has vowed to continue its patrols, has blown up replicas of U.S. vessels in drills and says it can close the Strait of Hormuz at will. (AP) Treasury Minister Luis Videgaray has resigned, a ministry spokeswoman said Wednesday, the week after Donald Trump traveled to Mexico to meet with President Ernesto Pena Nieto. Treasury ministry spokeswoman Claudia Algorri said that Videgaray presented his resignation to Pena Nieto on Wednesday. Algorri gave no reason for the resignation, but it came in the wake of Pena Nietos widely criticized meeting with the Republican presidential candidate in the Mexican capital last week. The presidents office announced earlier Wednesday that Pena Nieto would have a message later in the day about a change in his government. Pena Nieto has faced a truckload of criticism after Trumps brief visit, with many Mexicans complaining that the president was poorly advised by the people around him. While some local media have said the visit was Videgarays idea, Pena Nieto denied that in recent days and said the initiative was all his. Pena Nieto also has been ridiculed for not confronting him more directly about comments calling migrants from Mexico criminals, drug-runners and rapists, and Trumps vows to build a border wall and force Mexico to pay for it. The wall proposal has been criticized widely and fiercely in Mexico. Speaking at a town hall late Thursday where he fielded questions from young people, Pena Nieto sought to defend his decision to invite Trump to visit. He said the easier path would have been to cross my arms and do nothing in response to Trumps affronts, insults and humiliations, but he believed it necessary to open a space for dialogue to stress the importance of the U.S.-Mexico relationship. What is a fact is that in the face of candidate Trumps postures and positions, which clearly represent a threat to the future of Mexico, it was necessary to talk, Pena Nieto said hours after his annual state-of-the-nation report was delivered to congress. It was necessary to make him feel and know why Mexico does not accept his positions. He acknowledged Mexicans enormous indignation over Trumps presence in the country and repeated that he told him in person Mexico would in no way pay for the proposed border wall. Pena Nieto came under fire for not responding to Trumps mention of the wall during a joint news conference on Aug. 31, something he has since sought to correct. A day later, Trump tweeted that Mexico would pay for the wall, Pena Nieto fired back his own tweet saying that would never happen. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, also invited to visit by Pena Nieto, said this week that she wont be going to Mexico before Election Day. She called Trumps quick stop in Mexico City an embarrassing international incident. (AP) A man carrying a knife attacked two police officers in the Molenbeek neighborhood of Brussels on Wednesday, but the officers were wearing bulletproof vests and suffered only bruises, prosecutors said. Brussels prosecutors office spokeswoman Ine Van Wymersch said the motives of the suspect arrested in the attack, a 24-year-old Moroccan known for having committing several thefts and who was residing in Belgium illegally, were not immediately known. Van Wymersch said the officers approached the man around 2:45 p.m. after a woman walking with her children in a park told them shed spotted a man holding a knife. She said the man allegedly then attacked the officers without saying a word. The knife struck one officer seven times and the other once, but protective vests prevented the blade from penetrating their skin. There is no indication at this time that its terrorism-related, Van Wymersch said. She said the suspect had received several orders to leave Belgium, but had no known connection to extremist activities or views. That the prosecutors office in Brussels was investigating the incident rather than its federal equivalent also was a sign that Belgian authorities had no evidence the knifing was linked to religious or political extremism. On Aug. 6, a machete-wielding man shouting Allahu akbar! Arabic for God is great! seriously wounded two policewomen outside the main police station in the southern Belgian city of Charleroi. The assailant, a 33-year-old Algerian who was in Belgium illegally, was shot dead by police, and subsequently identified by the Islamic State group as one of its soldiers. Molenbeek, a scruffy, multiethnic district on the west side of Belgiums capital, was home to some of the participants in the attacks claimed by the Islamic State group that killed a total of 162 victims in Paris and Brussels over the last year. (AP) A milestone has been reached in Chesed and Tzedakah that Klal Yisroel should be proud of and celebrate. In just over a year since its launching, the totally free crowdfunding website The Chesed Fund has raised a whopping 3 MILLION DOLLARS for Tzedakah causes! Avi Kehat, the man who started this incredible website told YWN he was overwhelmed with emotion, and never expected the website to have helped so many people, and have the Zechus to have so many people give Tzedakah using his website. More than THREE MILLION DOLLARS was raised for Tzedakah, and not one DOLLAR in commission was taken, Kehat said with excitement. The Chesed Fund has revolutionized the crowdfunding world by offering a completely free platform for those in need to raise money. TheChesedFund.com is a free alternative to the high commission demands of GoFundMe. Previously, GoFundMe had been a great resource to instantly raise funds for causes that required emergency funds. However that came at a high price as GoFundMe collected 5% of donations aside from the high processing rates that users were required to pay. A group of developers under the direction of Avi Kehat put in thousands of hours for the sake of chesed and to offer the Jewish world an alternative to the heavy taxing of donations executed by global crowd funding sites. Since its launch, The Chesed Fund has undergone a total revamping of the website both in programming, as well as in design. This was done to accommodate the influx of heavy usage that was never anticipated. The ones who desperately needed funds were getting taxed from these crowd funding sites and I have felt they were literally taking bread from mouths of widows, orphans and others in need. The only fee involved is the credit card processing fees, we just couldnt find a way around that says Kehat . The credit card processing is handled by Stripe which is a 3rd party credit card processor. The site does not profit from those fees and we have chosen WePay simply because they offer very flexible development tools Kehat told YWN. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) [By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times] It is a remarkable sefer that brings out Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinbergs essence in his inspirational shmuessin. The sefer is entitled, Tochachos Mussar and it was written and compiled from the notes of one of Rav Scheinbergs close Talmidim Rav Mordechai Rennert zl himself one of the Roshei Yeshiva of the Derech Chaim Yeshiva in Boro Park. I myself recall hearing a shmuess from Rav Scheiberg ztl at that very Yeshiva. He delivered his deep lessons of Mussar with his kind eyes and loving demeanor to Yeshiva students, beloved students of beloved Talmidim. My shver, Rav Yaakov Hirsch zl, was one of his first Talmidim and his loving concern for his welfare decades later, was still easily discerned. Here was a gadol hador who embodied the deepest Torah erudition combined with a love for students and people that reached the deepest recesses of the heart. Who would not flock to hear his shmuessin? The sefer has a beautiful mafteach an index broken down by Parsha and by season so that this sefer can be used at the Shabbos table for not just a vort but a beautiful discussion about Torah values replete with insights from the full gamut of the world of the great Baalei Mussar. There is also an in-depth mafteach of each maamar as well. In Parshas Shoftim he deals with the hachana necessary for Elul, and how there are people whose nature it is that they cannot put something out of their minds. He explains the three exemptions of going to war listed in Parshas Shoftim as examples of this notion. He artfully applies this to all aspects of Avodas Hashem. Rav Scheinbrg explains that during Elul we must be particularly careful in Mitzvos between man and man because our entire judgement is predicated upon this. Regarding Yomim Noraim he explains that the weight of our punishment and reward for Mitzvos take into account not quantity but quality in terms of the difficulties involved when performing those Mitzvos (and aveiros). The shmuessin are divided into six sections. The first section concerns Torah and acquiring it. Twelve maamarim. The next section deals with Avodas Hashem 13 maamarim. The first explains that the essence of Torah and Mitzvos is to foster a Dveikus Bashem. The next eleven deal with Bain Adom lChaveiro the last one explaining how honoring parents is connected to honoring Hashem Himself. Apropos for Elul and the Yomim Noraim, the fourth section deals with Teshuvah. There are five masterful pieces in this section. The fifth section deals with the middah of Emes. In the first of the four maamarim he explains how there are also spiritual negios and the negiah of frumkeit is one of the most difficult ones. In the last one he explains that if someone has the middah of Kafui Tov he cannot see the truth. The last section, with only two maamarim deals with leadership and being a true mechanech. A true mechanech, Rav Scheinberg explains, is to foster and develop greatness in each of his charges that are predicated upon that students nature and skills part of that students unique inheritance that he had received from Sinai. Rav Scheinberg is no longer with us. Up until now, the loss was deep and irreplaceable. This sefer, however, returns a section of Rav Scheinberg to us. It is long overdue. Rav Scheinberg ztl was a Gadol HaDor who grew up in America and was uniquely privy to the challenges that American Bochurim faced. In his shmuessim he combined those insights with the great mussar thoughts of the Yeshiva movement of Europe. This sefer is a must purchase for any Ben Torah. The insights are remarkable and can have life-changing ramifications. The author can be reached at [email protected] President Barack Obama said Thursday that Republican Donald Trump proves he isnt qualified to be president every time he speaks, adding that he was confident Americans would ultimately reject the brash billionaire on Election Day. Obama, closing out his final presidential trip to Asia, said his meetings with foreign leaders during the trip had illustrated that governing is serious business requiring knowledge, preparation and thought-out policies that can actually be implemented. He urged Americans not to allow the outrageous behavior seen amid the campaign-season din to become the new normal. The most important thing for the public and the press is to just listen to what he says and follow up and ask questions to what appear to be either contradictory or uninformed or outright whacky ideas, Obama said. Throughout the campaign, Obama has repeatedly denounced Trump and deemed him unfit to serve as commander in chief, arguing that hes pulling the Republican Party in a dangerous and unprecedented direction. Obama has endorsed Hillary Clinton and has said he plans to campaign full-force for the Democrat ahead of the November election. Obamas remarks came at the end of a grueling nine-day trip that took him to Laos and China following U.S. stops in Nevada, Hawaii and Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. Its the last of 10 trips Obama paid as president to Asia, where Obama lived as a youngster with his mother in Indonesia. When I think back to the time I spent here as a boy, I cant help but be struck by the extraordinary progress thats been made by the region in the decades since, even if theres still a lot of work to be done, Obama said. At the top of the list of unfinished business is the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a 12-nation free trade deal Obama helped broker. That deal awaits ratification in the U.S. Congress, where there is opposition from both parties. But Obama said he planned to do everything possible to persuade lawmakers to approve it this year. With his presidency nearing an end, Obamas agenda has narrowed to a few key goals he hopes to complete before his successor takes over. Asked to acknowledge he wouldnt be able to fulfill his campaign promise to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center, Obama pushed back. I am not ready to concede, Obama said, adding that his administration was making progress in reducing the prisons population. He bristled at the suggestion hed been slighted in Asia or that leaders in the region were rejecting his leadership a criticism leveled by Trump, who said hed have picked up and left had he been treated the way Obama was in Asia. The start of the trip was overshadowed by tense moments on the tarmac when Chinese officials clashed with White House aides and appeared to have failed to secure a staircase for Obamas plane moments that exploded on social media. The awkwardness continued days later when Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte called Obama a son of a bitch and warned him not to challenge him in their planned meeting in Laos, leading Obama to call it off. The two did end up shaking hands during a brief interaction on the summits sidelines. Obama said hed told Duterte that their aides should confer on how to move forward, adding that the spat would have no effect on the close cooperation between the longtime treaty allies. I dont take these comments personally, because it seems as if this is a phrase hes used repeatedly, directed at the pope and others, Obama said of the slur. I think it seems to be just a, you know, a habit, a way of speaking for him. As an example of progress on his trip, Obama pointed to discussions with Southeast Asian leaders about disputes over Chinas territorial ambitions in the South China Sea. In a concluding joint statement, the leaders were expected to issue a mild rebuke to China without referencing it by name or mentioning a recent international arbitration ruling against Beijing. I realize this raises tensions, Obama said earlier Thursday about the ruling. But I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and regional stability. On his last day in Asia, Obama met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose help Obama is seeking to galvanize further action on climate change, especially among developing countries. The White House said Obama had affirmed his support for Indias participation in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, a consortium aimed at preventing civilian nuclear technology from diverted for military use. Pakistan, Indias longtime adversary, opposes Indias membership in the group. (AP) A rabbi and another man have been charged in New York City in a plot to kidnap and kill a man so his wife could be divorced consistent with halacha. U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara says the two men were arrested Tuesday in Central Valley while they met to plan what he calls a chilling plot. He says they planned to pay $55,000 to someone they thought would commit the murder but that person contacted the FBI. Its unclear wholl represent the men during a Manhattan federal court appearance. Prosecutors say one of the men belongs to the Satmar community in Kiryas Joel. They say the second man is from Bnei Brak, Israel, and is a prominent rabbi in Kiryas Joel. It is interesting to note that in the press release disseminated to the media, the US Attorney took the liberty of slandering the entire Satmar community. The headline of the press release reads Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Arrest Of Rabbi And Member Of Satmar Community For Conspiring To Kidnap And Murder. Without condoning any illegal behavior in any way whatsoever, many are finding it quite shocking that Preet Bharara felt the need to smear the entire Satmar Community. Can anybody find anything similar stating membership in a church or mosque with other communities? Not to mention that the neither of the men arrested are prominent rabbis in Bnei Brak or in Kiryas Joel. (Charles Gross YWN / AP) The planned change to remove Jerusalem as the capital of Israel from Czech atlases will not occur as planned. The Czech Ministry of Education was planning to do just that, rewrite events and teach children that Tel Aviv is the capital of Israel, not Jerusalem by making the change in atlases. The planned move was in response to a complaint filed by the Palestinian ambassador in Prague. Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat on Sunday wrote a letter to Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka calling on him to revoke the decision. In light of objections, the ministry has decided to retract the decision and leave the nations atlas as it is, portraying Jerusalem as Israels capital. Following are Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkats comments in the wake of the Czech decision to maintain Jerusalems status as the capital of Israel in Czech schoolbooks: Jerusalem is on the map! Truth has indeed overcome lies: The Czech government has reversed its decision and Czech textbooks will correctly teach that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. Im thankful to the Czech government for making the right choice and for refusing to surrender to Palestinian incitement and lies. I am pleased that my letter to Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka and the additional diplomatic efforts have positively impacted this decision. The friendship between the Czech and Jewish peoples has deep and historical roots. Future generations of Czech students will continue to learn the truth: Jerusalem is Israels capital and the heart and soul of the Jewish people. In truth, the Czech move was simply acting on what the international community believes and observes. The best example might be taken from the United States, which continues to ignore a decision to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem to avoid confrontation with the PA (Palestinian Authority) and its supporters worldwide. As is well known, an American citizen giving birth in a Jerusalem hospital will not find Israel written under place of birth but rather Jerusalem, once again to sidestep the controversy. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) A citation was granted on Tuesday 3 Elul to the Netzach Yehuda (Nachal Chareidi) Battalion by the Yehuda and Shomron Division Commander Brigadier-General Lior Carmel, as the army held in esteem the hard work and enthusiasm of the soldiers and commanders all through their army service. The Netzach Yehuda Battalion serves primarily in Yehuda and Shomron. A special appreciation was mentioned due to the effort they have put on throughout the current year, a year in which many terror attempts have occurred throughout their sector. During the ceremony the battalion was described as having an essential contribution to the army and of the very best battalions in Yehuda and Shomron. The soldiers of Netzach Yehuda withstand various terror attacks daily and nevertheless continue to fight with a strong spirit and great motivation, reaching out to reduce and prevent the attacks of terror were the words used to describe the Netzach Yehuda Battalion. The soldiers are driven by a tremendous feeling of responsibility and persistence while they are set as role models to other military units in the battle against terror. In addition to the general unit citation, one of the soldiers of Netzach Yehuda, Noam Tubel, was honored a certificate of appreciation for outstanding activity in action during an attack that had occurred in December of 2015. During that attack Tubel and his unit had been in the middle of an operational activities when suddenly an armed terrorist had injured one of the soldiers. Tubel did all that was expected of him he neutralized the terrorist, aided the wounded soldier and prevented the wound from getting worse. Tubel was described by his commanders as a highly motivated, persistent and modest soldier. His initiative to act saved lives and for that he should receive this honor concluded his commander. Rabbi Tzvi Klebanow, President of the Nachal Chareidi Foundation, adds that Just a few days ago, at a ceremony held in Jerusalem at the Kotel, the latest intake of soldiers of the Nachal Chareidi declared their allegiance to protect the Jewish State and concurrently completed a mesechta of Talmud Bavli. I strongly believe that the close sequence of these two events signifies the culmination of many years of hard work by our professional staff of Rabbinic mentors and educators who travel daily to our soldiers wherever they may be stationed to offer encouragement and guidance. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) A Facebook page has been launched called (Bnei Brak Shabbos street party) by secular persons who plan to bring a large group and defy Shabbos in the Torah city. The event is planned for next Shabbos, 17 Elul, Parshas Ki Teitzei at 10:00AM. It appears the ongoing efforts to compel the closure of businesses in Tel Aviv on Shabbos is being used as the excuse for this public defiance of Shabbos RL. The adverts state The time has come to roll up our sleeves and battle for our freedom to live. We cannot remain silent any longer in the face of violations of the status quo. One cannot limit the movement of others on Shabbos or weekdays because of chareidi political whims. This is the call of the hour for the sane who remain here for those who do not wish to see the chareidi revolutionary guard in Tel Aviv. We served in the IDF and the reserves, pay taxes and work. The time has come for us to clarify that the extremist minority will not rule over us! We who motivate the country will remain free or fight until we are. I urge you to come to Bnei Brak next Shabbos with music, megaphones and an abundance of good vibes to prove to all the secular tzibur is not a sucker and will not remain silent. You have crossed the accepted border and now the border guards are coming to you. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) It was a horrible tragedy. Two Yeshiva students standing on the sidewalk after a long day at Yeshiva, when suddenly they were run over by an out of control vehicle. One of the boys, 17-year-old Marcos Tawil ZL was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The second boy, David Maldanado, 19, was listed in serious condition at the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. Friends and family were calling on everyone to say Tehillim for him. But the despicable Journal News (also known as LoHud.com), just couldnt control themselves. They couldnt attempt to write a story honestly even if they tried. The anti-semitism and glee in their reporting of this horrific tragedy is nothing short of despicable, and Matt Spillane and Steve Lieberman should be fired immediately. Their article reads as follows: A 17-year-boy died late last night when one car struck him and a friend as they stood in a school dormitory driveway on Route 202, police said. The dormitory-school at 996 Route 202, also known as Haverstraw Road, had been operating with a temporary certificate of occupancy after opening in violation of town zoning and building codes. A 2015 critical state report on the Building Department operations cites the school for lacking permits and operating in violation of safety regulations. The school, Yeshivat Tiferet Torah, also has been hit with fines by the Rockland Board of Health. During the two-car accident reported at 11:50 p.m. Wednesday, Marcos Tawil was struck by one and died shortly afterward at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern. The second youth, David Maldanado, 19, remained in serious condition at the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, Ramapo Detective Lt. Mark Emma said. Why did these anti-semitic writers feel the need to write about a violation that the nearby yeshiva building had been issued more than a year ago? Is that pertinent to the investigation in this horrific tragedy? Is it important to the reader? Is it important to this boys poor mother who was woken up in the dead of night in Argentina to inform her that her son was just struck and killed by a vehicle? Have you no shame in your reporting? Are you a parent, and have you ever thought about losing a child in the most tragic of ways? Have you ever thought of the way it would be reported? Perhaps some news agency will find some dirt on you from 22 years earlier and place it in paragraph number two. How would you feel about that? You heartless anti-Semites. But wait. There is more. The Journal News then felt the need to specifically ask Rampo Police Detective Lt. Mark Emma for comment on the violations. The article continues: Emma said officers will refer the case of the houses status to the Ramapo Building Department. Chief Building Inspector Anthony Mallia didnt return a telephone call this morning seeking comment on the building. During 2013, the Rockland Board of Health fined Arash and Sara Hakakian and Neal J. Klatzko, owners, 996 Haverstraw Road, $900 for operating a rooming house without a permit and for failure to get proper permits for a sewer system. The Hakakians operated the Sephardic Congregation of South Monsey. A judge rule in 2007 that their home at 7 Balanchine Court in Monsey was not entitled to a $14,226 religious tax exemption after a judge found Arash Hakakian didnt use the house primarily for religious reasons. The house was cited in a critical report of Ramapos building inspections and enforcement in January 2015 by the State Department of States Division of Building Standards and Codes. The state found the house is one of many that failed to comply with needed permits. The agency alleged when Ramapo didnt require the property owners to obtain building permits, the town violated the applicable minimum standards.The school and dormitory had received a temporary certificate of occupancy from the Building Department. The Hakakians and Klatzco bought the one-family house in December 2011 for for $615,000, according to the Ramapo Tax Assessors Office website. The colonial-style house was built in 1974. Ramapo Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence said he would check with Mallia and the Building Department about the house, but he was not aware of problems with zoning. He said theres been previous fatal accidents in the area. For the record, just SEVEN out of SEVENTEEN paragraphs in the Journal News article discussed the tragic crash. Jonathan Bergman Pomona DO YOU HAVE AN OPINION YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE POSTED ON YWN? SEND IT TO US FOR REVIEW (YWN World Headquarters NYC) More than two in five motorists have put their car at risk of theft by leaving their keys with a stranger even as experts warn of key-cloning conmen. According to a new survey, 43 per cent of drivers dont appear to think twice about handing over their car keys at a garage, airport parking, car-wash or valet, or at a hotel or restaurant. That four times as many who would do the same with their house keys. But a spate of key cloning thefts should make them think twice. A key problem: New research has warned motorists of the dangers of handing car keys to strangers at garages, valeting services and restaurants as vehicle thefts have risen by 8%. But is keyless system cloning by organised criminals to blame for the spike in stolen cars? Car thefts, which have been in significant decline since the mid 1990's, have risen recently. Some 80,000 cars were stolen between March 2015 and March 2016, according to official figures - a far smaller sum than 20 years ago when vehicle thefts peaked at 620,000 a year. Much of this can be credited to a surge in the number of scams by organised professional car thieves using hi-tech equipment to create a duplicate of keyless systems. Security in todays modern cars relies increasingly on electronic coded messages transmitted between the key fob and the car - if criminals have access to both the key and the car it is easier for them to crack the codes at leisure, copy the electronic access, and return at a later date to steal the compromised car. However, owner carelessness is also contributing to the recent rise in thefts, according to a new a YouGov consumer survey published on Thursday by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), government, police and insurance bodies. When questioning 2,028 drivers, the study found that in the past 12 months, 43 per cent of British drivers have left their car keys with someone they dont know. Seven out of ten (71 per cent) admitted they did not check whether the company or individual was a member of an accredited code of practice or other professional standard. By contrast, just over one in ten (11 per cent) said they have trusted their house keys to a stranger. At home, many respondents admitted leaving their car keys in clear view or close to the front door on a hallway hook or sideboard, leaving them at risk of opportunistic thieves. Just 11 per cent of people said the first thing they look for in a car park is CCTV, gated entry or manned barriers. Taking your car in for a service? Some 71% said they hand over their ca keys at a garage without asking for proof of identity Of those who left their cars with a stranger, the most common was when dropping a car off for maintenance, with nearly four out of ten (38 per cent) leaving the keys at a garage with a face they'd never seen before. Just over half (54 per cent) said they had never left their car keys with someone they didnt know, while two per cent couldnt recall and another two per cent preferred not to say. People also said they had different means and methods to check if they had locked a car before walking away from it. Some 55 per cent listen for the locking noise or bleep, 53 per cent watch for the lights to flash, 39 per cent pull the door handle and 10 per cent watch for the wing mirrors to fold in. The SMMT, government and insurers have also warned car owners about where they leave their keys indoors However, with many keyless systems recognising when a key is in close proximity, some of these techniques no longer work. For instance, some systems recognise when the key is in close proximity to the car and will automatically unlock the door if you pull the handle. Asked where they keep their car keys, 13 per cent said in a drawer or cupboard, 11 percent on the kitchen table or counter, 10 per cent on a hook near the front door, and eight per cent on top of a table or sideboard in the hallway which experts say is one of the most vulnerable locations and easy prey for thieves. Also cited were bedside tables (10 per cent), in a handbag or briefcase (10 per cent) in trouser or jacket pockets (six per cent), or on a window ledge ( one per cent). Just 24 per cent said they asked the stranger they left their car keys with if they were a member of an accredited Code of Practice, Kitemark or Trustmark scheme or other recognised professional standard or association. The SMMT provided this list of seven high tech security features you can fit to protect your car from theft By contrast, some 85 per cent say they have never left their house keys with a stranger. However six per cent said they did so with a builder or maintenance provider, two per cent with a cleaner, and five per cent with someone else. The SMMT report said: Investment in new technology means that all new cars sold in the UK now have an immobiliser and many are fitted with an alarm and double locking as standard. But car owners can also play an important part in protecting their vehicles by taking simple preventative measures, including parking in well-lit and secure parking spaces, double checking your car is locked before walking away, and checking the credentials of any company with which you leave your keys. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Home Office, Metropolitan Police Service and Thatcham Research, the motor insurers automotive research centre, also published a 10-point plan to help owners secure their cars to help beat the thieves. Tracker, which uses telematics to locate stolen vehicles, said it has recovered almost 1m worth of cars this year alone This includes checking whether garages or parking sites where you leave your keys are members of an accredited and trusted trade body, taking care where you leave any spare keys, and ensuring keys left at home are well away from the door or windows and out of sight. Thieves are known to fish for keys left within striking distance of the letter-box. Mike Hawes, Chief Executive, SMMT, said: Manufacturers invest billions of pounds every year to stay one step ahead of the criminals, and the latest models include sophisticated immobilisers, smartphone-controlled tracking devices and random key codes to prevent cloning. Technology can only do so much, however. 'While car makers, the police and government continue to work together to ensure that stealing cars is as difficult as possible, these latest figures show theres more consumers can do to minimise risk.' DCI Sarah Staff of the Metropolitan polices Organised Crime Command, said vehicle owners must be vigilant noting: Criminals are constantly seeking new ways to steal cars and organised criminals are using increasingly sophisticated methods. Shares in Micro Focus soared by 16 per cent after the UK firm agreed to buy the software arm of Hewlett Packard Enterprise for more than $8.8billion (6.6billion). Marking one of the biggest UK acquisitions of the year, the combined entity will have annual revenues of 3.4billion and a stock market valuation north of 10billion - putting Micro Focus inside the top 40 of the FTSE 100. The firm only joined the top flight a day ago to replace fellow tech giant ARM Holdings. The unit that Micro Focus is acquiring includes all the remaining assets of another former FTSE 100-listed software firm, Autonomy, which HP bought for $11billion in 2011 before writing off three-quarters of its value. The Autonomy assets constitute about a quarter of the value of the HP software unit, analysts said. Sold: Is the deal a reflection of the strength of Micro Focus or the gradual demise of HP? The tech deal comes swiftly after Japan's Softbank's completed its acquisition of ARM Holdings, widely regarded as the jewel in the crown of the UK technology sector, for 24.3billion. That deal was roundly criticised by some analysts and investors, who felt ARM was being 'let go' too easily. But, with this latest acquisition one of the biggest by a British company of a foreign tech firm, interest in the sector has been reignited. Micro Focus executive chairman Kevin Loosemore, who will head up the new firm, said: 'The merger will create one of the world's largest infrastructure software companies with leading positions across a number of key products and represents a compelling opportunity to create significant value for both companies' shareholders by applying Micro Focus' proven approach to efficient management of mature software products.' Chairman: Kevin Loosemore is excited by the deal which he described as 'compelling' Although the merger is a reverse takeover, it still very much a British deal. Microfocus will keep its listing on the London Stock Exchange and the management will be UK-based. Neil Wilson, markets analyst at ETX Capital, said: 'It's a big scalp for the FTSE 100 group. HPE will no doubt be glad to see the back of Autonomy, which it acquired in 2011 for $11billion in one of the worst deals in recent corporate history. 'After ARM Holdings was sold to SoftBank, it's also a sign that the UK tech sector is still capable of making deals in the other direction. 'It's a confident move - it would be the biggest acquisition by a British company of a foreign tech firm - and comes in the face of a massive drop in the value of the pound that has made UK firms the target of overseas bidders.' While many analysts lauded the ambition of the takeover, some said it showed how far the ageing US tech giant Hewlett Packard has fallen in recent years. UK TECH FIRMS SOLD TOO EASILY TO FOREIGN BUYERS Japan's Softbank's acquired ARM Holdings, widely regarded as the jewel in the crown of the UK technology sector, for 24.3billion. London-based artificial technology firm DeepMind was sold to Google in 2014 for 300million. Meanwhile Leeds-based Premier Farnell maker of the Raspberry Pi mini-computer - has been at the centre of a bidding war between American and Swiss firms. More are expected to follow with a fall in sterling since the Brexit vote making British firms attractive to overseas investors. Hewlett Packard is claimed to have founded Silicon Valley, nurturing a string of high-tech entrepreneurs and technologies that went on to conquer the world. But under chief executive Meg Whitman the company has shrunk in size in a bid to boost its share price and become more agile. Only two years ago HP still employed 210,000 people but after today's deal that falls to just 50,000. Micro Focus, which has its headquarters in Newbury, Berkshire, has embarked on a series of acquisitions under Mr Loosemore. In 2014 it snapped up Attachmate for $1.2billion, and it bought Serena Software this year for $540million. In July, Micro Focus reported pretax profits of 145.7million and revenue of 896.4million. During the late 1960s the Santa Clara valley and the neighbouring city of San Jose in California were home to fewer than half a million people. But in these sleepy communities, a new type of business was springing up tapping into a sudden interest in computers. It was here that William Hewlett and David Packard, working initially from their garage in Palo Alto had begun a computer company. Pioneers: A mainframe computer in the 1960s - the type of technology that UK firm Micro Focus first worked with By 1968 the firm which had grown steadily, and was suddenly to strike gold when it developed its idea for a computer that any ordinary homeowner could have. The Hewlett Packard 9100A, dubbed the desktop calculator and resembling a supermarket till, cost $5,000. The success of this model was the making of Hewlett Packard. It marked the start of the rise of region which today is better known as Silicon Valley and is home to more than three million people. Almost a decade after the launch of this first desktop, the boom led Brian Reynolds and Paul O'Grady to came up with their own idea across the Atlantic in Notting Hill, London. The duo found a way to allow companies to use their old, giant mainframe systems on these newer, 'micro-computers' made by firms such as Hewlett Packard. Their genius was spotting that this quite dull idea was something businesses would need. Four decades later their firm Micro Focus was turning over 936million a year and would turn history on its head by offering 6.6billion to takeover the company which inspired its founders. Yesterday, Micro Focus shares climbed 14.73 per cent after its deal for the software arm of Hewlett Packard Enterprises was announced. It will automatically trebled the size of the Berkshire-based business, and will push it inside the top 40 of London's top flight. Unlike many of the world's technology giants such as Apple and Google which are constantly competing to invent the next global seller Micro Focus continues with its original aim. It creates software to allow big businesses to keep their existing computer systems going as well as enabling them to introduce new technology if they want. This strategy has paid off. Micro Focus now employs 4,500 people across 80 global locations and is worth about 4.4billion. In 1996 Reynolds and O'Grady stepped down as chairman and chief executive respectively taking 8million away with them. Today it is led by Kevin Loosemore, executive chairman, who was appointed to the top post in 2011 and took home a total pay package of 4.2million last year. Stephen Murdoch, chief executive, took home 884,000 last year. Under their stewardship Micro Focus has expanded by snapping up rivals in the US. It bought Serena Software in March this year for 405million, and in 2014 it bought Texas-based Attachmate Group for 900million. Its latest deal is with HP Enterprise, which was spun off from Hewlett Packard in 2015 after the takeover of British tech firm Autonomy in 2011 widely regarded as one of the most disastrous takeovers in corporate history. Ironically this deal will see the return of Autonomy's business to the UK. Hewlett Packard sued two former Autonomy executives for 3.8billion alleging they misrepresented the financial health of the company before the takeover. A UK lawsuit into the deal is expected to start next year. However, Loosemore assured shareholders it would not be responsible for the lawsuit. He said: 'They are continuing with the lawsuit and we don't have anything to do with that.' As part of the takeover, 300million will be returned to Micro Focus shareholders, which Loosemore said was the company's main focus, rather than leading the UK tech scene. Major shareholders in the business today include Fidelity Management, Old Mutual, and M&G Investments. 'We run a business and our job is to serve our shareholders, and we do that to the best of our ability,' said Loosemore. 'We would love to see a growing UK tech scene, it would be fantastic, but actually that's not something we can do or particularly influence. 'If the deal can encourage people that's fantastic, but we just aim to be a successful company in the UK market.' And this mature market is where Micro Focus continues to see further growth with major companies paying a high price to extend the life of their software. 'Most companies are interested in new technology that is coming out,' said Loosemore. 'But at the same time they have a lot of old stuff they have been running their business with for 15-20 years. 'We help them link that old stuff to the new stuff so they don't have to throw it all away and start again.' 'We are the most efficient operator in this space.' Over time, he said there would be job losses as a result of the deal, adding: 'We go through every line of the businesses we acquire and work out what the optimum way to run it is.' But while HP Enterprise shareholders will retain 50.1pc in the business, Loosemore has insisted Micro Focus would be 'in control'. The management team will continue to be made up of Micro Focus executives, with one HP Enterprise exec appointed to the board. Shares in Micro Focus leapt up yesterday as the market reacted to the news of a bonanza for shareholders. It was a welcome boost for British technology which had seen the jewel in the country's crown ARM Holdings sold to Japan's SoftBank in a 24billion deal. Yesterday Loosemore hinted there could be more acquisitions to come from Micro Focus, adding: 'We believe the infrastructure market in software is mature and will consolidate. The way to win in a mature market is to scale up and optimise efficiency.' HP Enterprise was split from Hewlett Packard once one of the most powerful technology companies in the world and credited for giving birth to Silicon Valley. But its range of personal computers struggled to compete with the rise of smart phones, and its split from HP Enterprise was aimed to create two, more agile companies. The boss of Sky saw his pay fall by almost three quarters last year, but will still take home 4.7million, according to the latest annual report. Jeremy Darroch, chief executive of the media giant that broadcasts Game of Thrones, took home a fraction of the 17.9million seen last year because the firm's long-term incentives only pay out every other year. He still benefited from a 2million bonus and his base salary broke through the 1m mark for the first time, rising 3 per cent to 1.01million. He received 1.5million from another Sky investment plan. Sky boss Jeremy Darroch took home a fraction of the 17.9m seen last year because the firm's long-term incentives only pay out every other year James Murdoch, son of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, earned 153,000 as a non-executive director during the period, but will receive 400,000 after being appointed chairman on April 30. The firm has had a bumper year. It reported in June a 12 per cent rise in full-year profit on the back of new products and a focus on sport and original drama. The broadcaster added 808,000 customers across its operations in Britain and Ireland, Germany and Austria, and Italy in the year. Sky said it expected revenue growth of 5-7 per cent, topping market forecasts of 5 per cent in the year to the end of June 2017. During the year Sky also estimated cost savings from the integration of Sky Deutschland and Sky Italia would rise to 400million by 2020, from 200million by 2017, and said it would separately reduce costs by 2-3 per cent of sales next year. Murdoch's 21st Century Fox owns a 39.1 per cent stake in Sky. Stobart Group is boosting its energy business and said it is in line to hit full-year profit forecasts. The firm founded with a Guy Invincible four-wheeler lorry in the 1960s is the number one supplier of biomass in the UK. It has a 15-year contract to source wood-chips and waste timber, and transports it to renewable energy plants across the UK. Energy deal: Stobart Group has a 15-year contract to source wood chips and waste timber, and transports it to renewable plants across the UK It is building six biomass plants, which are due to become operational by May 2018. In addition two other plants became operational over the past six months. Stobart, which also owns London Southend Airport, does not receive a government subsidy because it only supplies and transports the raw material rather than produce the energy. Ben Whawell has taken up a position of chief executive of the energy division. The firm said it plans to grow passenger numbers at Southend to more than 2.5million passengers per annum and deliver operating profit of 8 per passenger by 2018. Chief executive Andrew Tinkler is in advanced talks with a number of low-cost carriers and other airlines interested in using the airport at peak times. He said: A particular highlight is the momentum in the energy division. 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. Varian Medical Systems, Inc. designs, manufactures, sells, and services medical devices and software products for treating cancer and other medical conditions worldwide. It operates through Oncology Systems and Proton Solutions segments. The Oncology Systems segment offers hardware and software products for treating cancer with radiotherapy, fixed field intensity-modulated radiation therapy, image-guided radiation therapy, volumetric modulated arc therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, stereotactic body radiotherapy, artificial intelligence based adaptive radiotherapy, and brachytherapy, as well as quality assurance equipment. Its products include linear accelerators, brachytherapy afterloaders, treatment accessories, and quality assurance software; and information management, treatment planning, image processing, clinical knowledge exchange, patient care management, decision-making support, and practice management software. This segment serves university research and community hospitals, private and governmental institutions, healthcare agencies, physicians' offices, medical oncology practices, radiotherapy centers, and cancer care clinics. The Proton Solutions segment designs, develops, manufactures, sells, and services products and systems for delivering proton therapy for the treatment of cancer. The company has a strategic agreement with McKesson Corp. to supply treatment delivery systems and planning, services, and radiotherapy information system solutions to its U.S. Oncology Network and Vantage Oncology affiliated sites of care; and a strategic partnership with Siemens AG to represent Siemens diagnostic imaging products to radiation oncology clinics in the United States and other select markets. Varian Medical Systems, Inc. was formerly known as Varian Associates, Inc. and changed its name to Varian Medical Systems, Inc. in April 1999. The company was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. The following companies are subsidiares of Ingersoll Rand: 13125882 Canada Inc., 211 E. Russell Road LLC, 4458664 Canada Inc., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES ASIA PTE. LTD., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES BORROWER S.C.A., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES LLC, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES MIDDLE EAST FZE, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES SERVICES LIMITED, ASTRUM IT GmbH, Accudyne Industries Acquisition S.A r.l, Accudyne Industries Canada Inc., Accudyne Industries S.A r.l., Air Dimensions, Air Dimensions Inc., Albin Pump SAS, BOC Edwards Global Low pressure Air business, CISA S.p.A., Cameron-Centrifugal Compression, Comercial Ingersoll-Rand (Chile) Limitada, Comingersoll-Comercio E Industria De Equipamentos S.A., CompAir, CompAir (Hankook) Korea Co. Ltd., CompAir Acquisition (No. 2) Ltd., CompAir Acquisition Ltd., CompAir BroomWade Ltd., CompAir Finance Ltd., CompAir GmbH, CompAir Holdings Limited, CompAir International Trading (Shanghai) Co Ltd, CompAir Korea Ltd, CompAir South Africa (SA) (Pty) Ltd., Consolidated Distribution Holdings Ltd., DV Systems Inc., Dosatron International SAS, Emco Wheaton Gmbh, Emco Wheaton USA Inc, Enza Air Proprietary Limited, FlexEnergy Holdings LLC, Frigoblock Grosskopf Gmbh, GD Aria Holdings Limited, GD Aria Holdings Limited, GD Aria Investments Limited, GD First (UK) Ltd, GD German Holdings GmbH, GD German Holdings I Gmbh, GD German Holdings II GmbH, GD German Investments GmbH, GD Global Holdings II Inc., GD Global Holdings Inc., GD Global Holdings UK II Ltd., GD Global Ventures I B.V., GD Global Ventures II B.V., GD Global Ventures III B.V., GD Industrial Products Malaysia SDN. BHD., GD Investment KY, GD UK Finance Ltd., GPS Industries, Gardner Denver (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Austria GmbH, Gardner Denver Bad Neustadt Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Belgium NV, Gardner Denver Brasil Industria E Comercio de Maquinas Ltda., Gardner Denver CZ + SK sro, Gardner Denver Canada Corp (Canada), Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments II Limited, Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments Limited, Gardner Denver Deutschland GmbH, Gardner Denver Engineered Products India Private Limited, Gardner Denver FZE, Gardner Denver Finance II LLC, Gardner Denver Finance Inc & Co KG, Gardner Denver France SAS, Gardner Denver Group Svcs Ltd, Gardner Denver Holdings Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Investments Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Ltd, Gardner Denver Iberica SL, Gardner Denver Inc., Gardner Denver Industries Ltd., Gardner Denver Industries Pty Ltd., Gardner Denver International Inc., Gardner Denver International Ltd., Gardner Denver Investments Inc., Gardner Denver Italy Holdings S.r.L., Gardner Denver Japan Ltd., Gardner Denver Kirchhain Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Korea Ltd., Gardner Denver Ltd., Gardner Denver Machinery (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Nash Brasil Industria E Comercio De Bombas Ltda, Gardner Denver Nash LLC, Gardner Denver Nash Machinery Ltd., Gardner Denver Nederland BV, Gardner Denver Nederland Investments B.V., Gardner Denver Oy, Gardner Denver Polska Sp z.o.o., Gardner Denver Pte. Ltd., Gardner Denver S.r.l., Gardner Denver Schopfheim GmbH, Gardner Denver Schopfheim Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Schweiz AG, Gardner Denver Slovakia s.r.o., Gardner Denver Sweden AB, Gardner Denver Taiwan Ltd., Gardner Denver Thomas GmbH (f/k/a ILMVAC GmbH), Gardner Denver Thomas Inc., Gardner Denver Thomas Pneumatic Systems (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Thomas Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Garo Dott. Ing. Roberto Gabbioneta S.r.l., Ghh-Rand Schraubenkompressoren Gmbh, HASKEL EUROPE LTD., HASKEL HOLDINGS UK LIMITED, HASKEL INTERNATIONAL LLC, Hamworthy Belliss & Morcom, Haskel France SAS, Haskel Sistemas de Fluidos Espana S.R.L., Hibon Inc., Highspeed Newco LLC, Hingerose Limited, ILMVAC (UK) Ltd., ILS Innovative Labor Systeme, ILS Inovative Laborsysteme GmbH, INGERSOLL RAND ITS JAPAN LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND (CHANG ZHOU) TOOLS CO. LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND (CHINA) INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING CO. LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND CHINA LLC, INGERSOLL-RAND COMERCIO E SERVICOS DE MAQUINAS E EQUIPAMENTOS INDUSTRIAIS LTDA., INGERSOLL-RAND DE PUERTO RICO INC., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL COMPANY B.V., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL SP. Z O.O., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL U.S. INC., INGERSOLL-RAND PHILIPPINES INC., INGERSOLL-RAND SPAIN S.A., INGERSOLL-RAND U.S. HOLDCO INC., IR HPS Holdco. Inc., ITO Emniyet, Ingersoll Rand Cyprus Investments Ltd., Ingersoll Rand Finance LLC, Ingersoll Rand Global Investments LLC, Ingersoll Rand Global Ventures LLC, Ingersoll Rand Hong Kong Investments Limited, Ingersoll Rand Inc., Ingersoll Rand Investments (SG) Pte. Ltd., Ingersoll Rand Investments B.V., Ingersoll Rand Schweiz Investments Gmbh, Ingersoll Rand Technology R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand (Australia) Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand (China) Investment Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (Guilin) Tools Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (Hong Kong) Holding Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (India) Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Ab, Ingersoll-Rand Air Solutions Hibon Sarl, Ingersoll-Rand Beteiligungs Und Grundstucksverwaltungs Gmbh, Ingersoll-Rand Colombia S.A.S., Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited (Uk), Ingersoll-Rand Company South Africa (Pty) Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Cz S.R.O., Ingersoll-Rand De Mexico S.A. De C.V., Ingersoll-Rand Equipements De Production S.A.S., Ingersoll-Rand Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Industrial Ireland Limited, Ingersoll-Rand International (India) Private Limited, Ingersoll-Rand International Holding Llc, Ingersoll-Rand Italia S.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Italiana Manufacturing S.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Korea Holding Llc, Ingersoll-Rand Korea Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Lux Investments II S.A R.I., Ingersoll-Rand Lux Investments S.A R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Luxembourg Industrial Company S.A R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Machinery (Shanghai) Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Malaysia Co. Sdn. Bhd., Ingersoll-Rand S.A. De C.V., Ingersoll-Rand Services And Trading Limited Liability Company, Ingersoll-Rand Services Company, Ingersoll-Rand Services Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Singapore Enterprises Pte. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand South East Asia (Pte.) Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand Superay Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Technical And Services S.A.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Technologies And Services Private Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Technology R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand Tool Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Trading Gmbh, Ingersoll-Rand Vietnam Company Limited, Instrum Rand JSC, Interflex Datensysteme, Ir Canada Holdings Ulc, Ir Canada Sales & Service Ulc, Ir France Sas, Kryptonite corp, Lawrence Factor Inc., LeROI, LeRoi International Inc, MILTON ROY (HONG KONG) LIMITED, MILTON ROY (UK) LIMITED, MILTON ROY EUROPA B.V., MILTON ROY EUROPE SAS, MILTON ROY INDUSTRIAL (SHANGHAI) CO. LTD., MILTON ROY LLC, MILTON ROY US PURCHASER INC., MP Pumps Inc., Maximum AG Technologies Inc., Maximus Solutions, Mb Air Systems Limited, Nash Elmo, Officina Meccaniche Industriali Srl, Oina VV, Oina VV Aktiebolag, Plurifilter D.O.O., Pt Ingersoll-Rand Indonesia, Robuschi, Runtech Systems, Runtech Systems (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Runtech Systems Inc., Runtech Systems OY, SEEPEX, Seepex (M) SDN, Seepex Australia Pty Ltd, Seepex Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft mit Beschrankter Haftung, Seepex France S.a.r.l., Seepex GmbH, Seepex Inc., Seepex India Private Ltd., Seepex Italia SRL, Seepex Japan Co. Ltd., Seepex Nordic A/S, Seepex OOO, Seepex Pumps (Shanghia) Co. Ltd., Seepex UK Ltd., Shanghai CompAir Compressors Co Ltd, Shanghai Compressors & Blowers Ltd., Shanghai Ingersoll-Rand Compressor Limited, Shenzhen Bocom System Engineering Co., Superay, Syltone, TIWR Real Estate GmbH & Co. KG, Tamrotor Marine Comp AS Norway, Tecno Matic Europe s.r.o., Thomas Industries Inc., Trane Technologies, Tri-Continent Scientific Inc., Vacuum and Blower Systems division, Welch Vacuum Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zaxe Technologies Inc., Zeks Compressed Air Solutions Llc, Zinsser Analytic, Zinsser Analytik GmbH, Zinsser NA Inc., and crayon interface. Read More South Jersey Industries, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides energy-related products and services. The company engages in the purchase, transmission, and sale of natural gas. It also sells natural gas and pipeline transportation capacity on a wholesale basis to residential, commercial, and industrial customers on the interstate pipeline system, as well as transports natural gas purchased directly from producers or suppliers to customers. As of December 31, 2021, the company had approximately 147 miles of mains in the transmission system and 6,815 miles of mains in the distribution system; and served 384,062 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in southern New Jersey. In addition, it markets natural gas storage, commodity, and transportation assets on a wholesale basis for energy marketers, electric and gas utilities, power plants, and natural gas producers in the mid-Atlantic, Appalachian, and southern regions of the United States. Further, the company owns and operates rooftop solar-generation sites. Additionally, it owns oil, gas, and mineral rights in the Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania; acquires and markets natural gas and electricity to retail end users, as well as provides total energy management, fuel management, and energy procurement and cost reduction services. The company was founded in 1910 and is headquartered in Folsom, New Jersey. BP, plc, once known as British Petroleum, is one of the worlds 7 oil & gas supermajors with operations spanning the globe. In terms of revenue, it ranks 4th on the list and the company is vertically integrated as well with operations in all segments of the oil and gas sector. Operations are currently underway in 80 countries around the world, the company can produce 3.7 million barrels of oil equivalents per day, and it lays claim to nearly 20 billion barrels in proven reserves. On the retail end of the business, the company operates more than 18,700 fuel stations and its largest segment is in the US. The company was founded in 1908 with the purpose of exploring for and producing oil in the middle east. The company expanded into Alaska in 1959 and then accelerated its expansion when it merged with Amoco in 1998. Another merger with Burhman Castrol in 2000 created the company that is traded today. BP, plc rebranded itself in 2000 giving new meaning to its name. The once British Petroleum is now Beyond Petroleum and focused on a major shift in its business. The company is working hard to move away from non-renewable carbon-based energy and into biofuels, solar, and wind. The company hopes to be net-zero in regard to carbon emissions and production by 2050 or earlier and is well on the way to doing so. Among the many avenues of advance are the build-out of solar and wind farms as well as the expansion of a major EV charging network. The network totaled more than 9,000 stations around the middle of 2022 and expansion was ramping in order to meet the goal of 100,000 EV stations before 2050. BP p.l.c. currently operates through 4 segments including Gas & Low Carbon Energy, Oil Production & Operations, Customers & Products, and Rosneft segments. The company produces and trades in natural gas and oil liquids, offers biofuels, and operates wind and solar power generating facilities. The company also provides de-carbonization solutions and services, such as hydrogen and carbon capture and storage, as part of its green agenda. In addition, it produces and refines oil and gas for its downstream operations as well as invests in upstream, downstream, and alternative energy companies including advanced mobility. Advanced mobility is the future of transportation and includes technologies like EV, hybrid, and hydrogen fuel cells. To that end, the company is building 7 hydrogen production and storage hubs in key locations around the world. The company aims to produce blue and green hydrogen for the global transportation industry with production beginning in 2027. Blue hydrogen is hydrogen captured from the companys natural gas deposits using a process that captures the waste carbon. Embraer S.A. designs, develops, manufactures, and sells aircrafts and systems in Brazil, North America, Latin America, the Asia Pacific, Brazil, Europe, and internationally. It operates through Commercial Aviation; Defense and Security; Executive Jets; Service & Support; and Other segments. The Commercial Aviation segment designs, develops, and manufactures a variety of commercial aircrafts. The Defense and Security segment engages in the research, development, production, modification, and support for military defense and security aircraft; and offers a range of products and integrated solutions that include radars and special space systems, as well as information and communications systems comprising command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems. The Executive Jets segment develops, produces, and sells executive jets. It also leases Legacy 600 and Legacy 650 executive jets in the super midsize and large categories; Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 executive jets in the midlight and midsize categories; Phenom family executive jets in the entry jet and light jet categories; Lineage 1000, an ultra-large executive jet; and Praetor 500 and Praetor 600, disruptive executive jets in the midsize and super midsize categories. The Service & Support segment offers after-service solutions, support, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for commercial, executive, and defense aircrafts; provides aircraft components and engines; and supplies steel and composite aviation structures to various aircraft manufacturers. The Other segment is involved in the supply of fuel systems, structural parts, and mechanical and hydraulic systems; and production of agricultural crop-spraying aircraft. The company was formerly known as Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. and changed its name to Embraer S.A. in November 2010. Embraer S.A. was incorporated in 1969 and is headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil. ICL Group Ltd, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty minerals and chemicals company worldwide. It operates in four segments: Industrial Products, Potash, Phosphate Solutions, and Innovative Ag Solutions (IAS). The Industrial Products segment produces bromine out of a solution that is a by-product of the potash production process, as well as bromine-based compounds; produces various grades of potash, salt, magnesium chloride, and magnesia products; and produces and markets phosphorous-based flame retardants and other phosphorus-based products. The Potash segment extracts potash from the Dead Sea; mines and produces potash and salt; produces Polysulphate; produces, markets, and sells magnesium and magnesium alloys, as well as related by-products, including chlorine and sylvinite; and sells salt. The Phosphate Solutions segment uses phosphate commodity products to produce specialty products; produces and markets phosphate-based fertilizers, as well as sulphuric acid, green phosphoric acid, and phosphate fertilizers; and manufactures thermal phosphoric acid for various industrial end markets, such as oral care, cleaning products, paints and coatings, water treatment, asphalt modification, construction, and metal treatment. It also develops and produces functional food ingredients and phosphate additives for use in the processed meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, beverage, and baked goods markets; and produces milk and whey proteins for the food ingredients industry. The IAS segment develops, manufactures, markets, and sells fertilizers based primarily on nitrogen, potash, and phosphate, including water soluble specialty, liquid, soluble, and controlled-release fertilizers. It sells its products through marketing companies, agents, and distributors. The company was formerly known as Israel Chemicals Ltd. and changed its name to ICL Group Ltd in May 2020. The company was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel. The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Canadian Retail, U.S. Retail, and Wholesale Banking. The company offers personal deposits, such as chequing, savings, and investment products; financing, investment, cash management, international trade, and day-to-day banking services to businesses; and financing options to customers at point of sale for automotive and recreational vehicle purchases. It also provides credit cards and payments; real estate secured lending, auto finance, and consumer lending services; point-of-sale payment solutions for large and small businesses; wealth and asset management products, and advice to retail and institutional clients through direct investing, advice-based, and asset management businesses; and property and casualty insurance, as well as life and health insurance products. The company also provides capital markets, and corporate and investment banking products and services, including underwriting and distribution of new debt and equity issues; advice on strategic acquisitions and divestitures; and trading, funding, and investment services to corporations, governments, and institutions. It offers its products and services under the TD Bank and America's Most Convenient Bank brand names. The company operates through a network of 1,061 branches and 3,381 automated teller machines (ATMs) in Canada, and 1,148 stores and 2,701 ATMs in the United States, as well as offers telephone, digital, and mobile banking services. It has a strategic alliance with Canada Post Corporation. The Toronto-Dominion Bank was founded in 1855 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. The following companies are subsidiares of Novartis: 1 A Pharma GmbH, Abadia Retuerta S.A, Admune Therapeutics, Advanced Accelerator Applications, Advanced Accelerator Applications, Advanced Accelerator Applications International SA, Advanced Accelerator Applications S.A., Advanced Accelerator Applications S.r.l., Advanced Accelerator Applications USA Inc., Aeropharm GmbH, Alcon, Alcon Couvreur NV, Amblyotech, Amblyotech Inc., Arctos Medical, Arctos Medical AG, Australia Pty Ltd, Beijing Novartis Pharma Co. Ltd., BioMedical Research Co. Ltd., CELLforCURE, Cadent Therapeutics, Cadent Therapeutics Cambridge, Cellerys, Cellerys AG, CellforCure, Chiron Corporation, Ciba-Geigy Japan Limited, Co. Ltd, CoStim Pharmaceuticals, CoStim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Coalesce Product Development Limited, Corthera, Development Co. Ltd., EBEWE Pharma Ges.m.b.H Nfg. KG, Encore Vision, Endocyte, Endocyte Inc., Eon Labs Inc., Farmanova Saglik Hizmetleri Ltd, Fougera Pharmaceuticals, Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc, Gyroscope Therapeutics, HEXAL AG, Hexal, IDB Holland BV, Iberica S.L.U., Ilaclari Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S, JSC Sandoz, Japat AG, Kedalion Therapeutics Inc., Lek Pharmaceuticals d.d., Lek S.A., Manufacturing Pte Ltd , Navigate BioPharma Services Inc, Neutec Pharma Limited, Novartis (Hellas) S.A.C.I., Novartis (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Novartis (Taiwan) Co. Ltd, Novartis (Thailand) Limited, Novartis Argentina S.A., Novartis Australia Pty Ltd, Novartis Austria GmbH, Novartis Biociencias S.A., Novartis Biosciences Peru S.A., Novartis Bioventures AG, Novartis Business Services GmbH, Novartis Capital Corporation, Novartis Chile S.A., Novartis Corporation, Novartis Corporation Sdn. Bhd., Novartis Deutschland GmbH, Novartis Ecuador S.A., Novartis Farma S.p.A., Novartis Farma Produtos Farmaceuticos S.A., Novartis Farmaceutica S.A, Novartis Farmaceutica S.A. de C.V., Novartis Finance Corporation, Novartis Finance S.A., Novartis Finance Services Ltd, Novartis Finland Oy Espoo, Novartis Gene Therapies, Novartis Gene Therapies EU Limited, Novartis Gene Therapies Inc., Novartis Grimsby Limited, Novartis Groupe France S.A., Novartis Healthcare A/S, Novartis Healthcare Philippines Inc., Novartis Healthcare Private Limited, Novartis Holding AG, Novartis Hungary Healthcare Limited Liability Company, Novartis India Limited, Novartis Inflammasome Research, Novartis Integrated Services Limited, Novartis International AG, Novartis International Pharmaceutical Investment AG, Novartis Investment Ltd, Novartis Investments S.a r.l., Novartis Ireland Limited, Novartis Israel Ltd, Novartis Korea Ltd., Novartis Middle East FZE, Novartis Netherlands B.V., Novartis Neva LLC, Novartis New Zealand Ltd, Novartis Norge AS, Novartis Ophthalmics AG, Novartis Optogenetics Research Inc., Novartis Overseas Investments AG, Novartis Pharma (Logistics) Inc., Novartis Pharma (Pakistan) Limited, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Pharma B.V. , Novartis Pharma GmbH, Novartis Pharma GmbH, Novartis Pharma K.K., Novartis Pharma LLC, Novartis Pharma Maroc SA, Novartis Pharma NV, Novartis Pharma Produktions GmbH, Novartis Pharma S.A.E., Novartis Pharma S.A.S., Novartis Pharma Schweiz AG, Novartis Pharma Schweizerhalle AG, Novartis Pharma Services AG, Novartis Pharma Services Romania S.R.L., Novartis Pharma Stein AG, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Limited, Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Limited, Novartis Poland Sp. z o.o., Novartis Portugal S.G.P.S. Lda., Novartis Ringaskiddy Limited, Novartis Saglik Gida ve Tarim Urunleri Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S, Novartis Saudi Ltd., Novartis Securities Investment Ltd, Novartis Services Inc., Novartis Slovakia s.r.o., Novartis South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Novartis Sverige AB, Novartis UK Limited, Novartis US Foundation, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Inc, Novartis Vietnam Company Limited, Novartis de Colombia S.A., Novartis de Venezuela S.A., Novartis s.r.o., Oriel Therapeutics Inc., PT. Novartis Indonesia, Protez Pharmaceuticals, Pte Ltd, Research Inc, Salutas Pharma GmbH, Sandoz A/S, Sandoz AG, Sandoz B.V., Sandoz Canada Inc., Sandoz Egypt Pharma S.A.E., Sandoz Farmaceutica S.A., Sandoz Farmaceutica Lda., Sandoz GmbH, Sandoz Hungary Limited Liability Company, Sandoz Ilac Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S., Sandoz Inc, Sandoz Industrial Products S.A, Sandoz International GmbH, Sandoz K.K., Sandoz Limited, Sandoz Manufacturing Inc., Sandoz NV, Sandoz Pharma K.K, Sandoz Pharmaceuticals AG, Sandoz Pharmaceuticals d.d., Sandoz Philippines Corporation, Sandoz Polska Sp. z o.o. , Sandoz Private Limited, Sandoz Pty Ltd, Sandoz S.A. de C.V, Sandoz S.A.S., Sandoz S.R.L., Sandoz S.p.A., Sandoz South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Sandoz Ukraine LLC, Sandoz d.o.o. farmaceutska industrija, Sandoz do Brasil Industria Farmaceutica Ltda, Sandoz s.r.o., Selexys Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Shanghai Novartis Trading Ltd., Societe par actions SANDOZ, Spinifex Pharmaceuticals, The Medicines Company, The Medicines Company, Triangle International Reinsurance Limited, Trinity River Insurance Co Ltd, Vedere Bio, Vedere Bio ll, Xiidra, Ziarco, and Ziarco Group Limited. Read More By PTI: From K J M Varma Beijing, Sep 8 (PTI) China today said it has secured the deportation from Armenia of 51 Chinese and 78 Taiwanese nationals, who were involved in telecom frauds worth over USD 1 million. The 129 suspects were arrested when local police raided six dens on August 20, Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said. advertisement A large amount of equipment, including computers and smart phones, were found on the spot. China already has a number of Taiwanese nationals alleged to have involved in such frauds from different countries. Taiwan has been protesting over the deportation of its nationals to China for trial and punishment. China, however, argues that they committed crimes against Beijing and are, therefore, entitled to be punished in the mainland. The MPS dispatched a working team to Armenia to deal with the issue on August 26. Investigation found that the syndicate based in Armenia had been falsely presenting themselves as law enforcement officers to extort money from people on the Chinese mainland through telephone calls, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. They were found to have cheated people involved in about 50 cases, worth more than 7 million yuan (USD 1.2 million). The MPS has designated police from Guangdong Province to investigate the case, as all victims are from the mainland. Mainland police have informed Taiwan authorities of the cases. Telecom fraud has caused grave harm, said the MPS, vowing to continue the fight against telecom fraud. Public Security Minister Guo Shengkun calld for efforts to enhance public awareness of such crimes and firmly curb on telecom fraud to protect peoples legitimate rights and interests in Shanghai on Tuesday. PTI KJV SAI AKJ SAI --- ENDS --- Addressing fire safety Living in San Diego County, the threat of fires is constant, that is why I have made fire safety one... Supporting animals As a trained Project Wildlife Native Songbird Rehabilitator, my experience raising orphaned and injured songbirds and returning them to the... By PTI: From Aditi Khanna London, Sep 6 (PTI) Seven Indian institutes have been listed in the top 400 educational institutions in the world by a UK survey which saw Cambridge slipping out of the top three global universities for the first time. According to QS World University Rankings 2016 survey, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) hold on to the top spot, followed by two other American universities ? Stanford at second position and Harvard at third position. advertisement Indian universities continue to lag behind in the global top 200, with Indian Institute of Science dropping five notches to 152 from 147 last year and Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi at 185 from 179 in 2015, the survey said, Other Indian universities that make the cut within the top 400 on the list are the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) -- Bombay (219), Madras (249), Kanpur (302), Kharagpur (313) and Roorkee (399). "This years rankings imply that levels of investment are determining who progresses and who regresses. Institutions in countries that provide high levels of targeted funding, whether from endowments or from the public purse, are rising," said Ben Sowter, head of research at QS. Cambridge University has fallen out of the global top three for the first time in the latest university rankings released. Cambridge, which was ranked a joint third with Harvard last year, slips to fourth with British competitor Oxford retaining its sixth rank. Experts believe the exact post-Brexit impact on UK universities will become clearer next year as bulk of the research for this year?s rankings was conducted before Britain voted to leave the European Union (EU) on June 23. Londons mayor Sadiq Khan said: "Boasting more of the globes top universities and welcoming the most international students, London is the higher education capital of the world and I want to make sure it stays that way." The rankings include 916 universities from 81 countries, with 33 countries featured in the Top 200. The US dominate, with 48 institutions, ahead of the UK (30), Netherlands (12), Germany (11), Canada, Australia (9), Japan (8), China (7), France, Sweden and Hong Kong (5). The QS World University Rankings are based on four categories: research, teaching, employability and internationalisation. The methodology consists of six indicators: academic reputation (40 per cent), employer reputation (10 per cent), faculty student ratio (20 per cent), citations per faculty (20 per cent), international students (5 per cent), and international faculty (5 per cent). PTI AK UZM ZH UZM --- ENDS --- advertisement Beating the age which is indeed just a number, this 94-year-old woman has been elected as the head of a village in Pune. Says "nothing affects me, rain or sun". By India Today Web Desk: Make some room please, clear some space, and meet the new sarpanch. Bhamburwadi village in Pune has just elected a new head, who could be the oldest sarpanch in the country. Meet 94-year-old Gangubai Nivrutti Bhambure. Despite being in her nineties, Gangubai is fierce, active, has a strong physique and great eyesight. She wakes up at 5 am, does household chores, and then goes out in the village to see what is going on, every day. advertisement She has four sons and a daughter, but lost her husband ten years ago. How does she manage to stay so spirited? "Eat less and live longer - that's my secret of life," she tells Indian Express. GANGUBAI'S ACTION PLAN According to the Indian Express report, Gangubai's prime concern is getting water to farmers with parched lands -- she plans to use a nearby canal by constructing a pipeline. Other things on her priority list include, developing a proper drainage system, building good roads, and ensuring that there are enough toilets. "I will not disappoint them... I can walk like a youngster and talk like a teacher. Nothing affects me, rain or sun," says Gangubai. "Now it's time to work. I have to do something for my people, otherwise it's no use becoming a sarpanch just for the sake of it." LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER Gangubai told the newspaper that she would like PM Modi to visit the village. She plans to write a letter to the prime minister about the pipeline needed for adequate irrigation. "PM Modi is like my son. My oldest son is 66 years old and I am told the PM is around the same age... I am sure he will pay heed to the voices of farmers," she says. BREAKING BARRIERS Traditionally, panchayats are male dominated systems. Currently, the law requires panchayats to have 33 percent women representatives. And though it could be raised to 50 percent in a few years, many villages don't always meet even current standards. Way to go Gangubai. --- ENDS --- The NCW had summoned Ashutosh for writing an article in defence of sacked Delhi Minister Sandeep Kumar, which the women panel found "insulting and demeaning" towards women. Ashutosh, who appeared before the panel in compliance with summons said that he doesn't think he has done anything wrong. Photo: PTI By Indo-Asian News Service: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Ashutosh told the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Thursday to take cognisance of a case of snooping on a woman in Gujarat allegedly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi while he was heading Gujarat and BJP chief Amit Shah. ASHUTOSH ON THE DEFENSIVE Ashutosh, who appeared before the panel in compliance with summons dated September 5, told reporters later, "I appeared before them (NCW) because I have faith in the Constitution of this country and the institutions established by it." advertisement "I told them that your letter is in violation of my fundamental rights. If I have done something wrong, you can hang me. But the Constitution of India gives me freedom of expression and I wrote that blog under this right," he said. The NCW had summoned Ashutosh for writing an article in defence of sacked Delhi Minister Sandeep Kumar, which the women panel found "insulting and demeaning" towards women. Sandeep Kumar was sacked from the cabinet by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after a sex tape featuring him surfaced last month. MODI HARASSED A WOMAN, ALLEGES ASHUTOSH "I told them that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is a married person, has been alleged of harassing a woman half his age when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat. In this connection, IAS officer Pradeep Sharma has given an affidavit in the Supreme Court for which he was victimised," Ashutosh said. He said that a tape of this matter is also in the public domain in which BJP President Amit Shah is supervising and monitoring intelligence agencies, but no action has been taken in this matter to this day. Ashutosh attached a copy of Sharma's affidavit as well as the audio clip along with his written reply. "I have complained how a woman was harassed by men occupying constitutional positions, how the Gujarat police/intelligence machinery snooped on that woman," he said. Ashutosh said that if such a serious matter is not probed by NCW, the women of the country would lose faith in the body. "(NCW Chairperson) Lalitha Kumaramangalam was gracious enough to accept that complaint and asked her office to register a complaint and initiate action against snooping," he said. "Now I am sure that the snooping matter would be investigated impartially and Modi ji and Amit Shah ji would be summoned to the Commission and questioned by it the way I have been," Ashutosh said. --- ENDS --- Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Mark Hallum A 23-year-old Bayside woman was hospitalized after she was allegedly sexually assaulted while on vacation in the town of Krabi, Thailand, The Phuket News reported. Hannah Gavios fell 150 feet off a cliff while trying to escape her attacker at night and is currently being treated for a broken back. Her alleged attacker, Apai Raingworchai, 28, was hired as a guide but led her into a secluded area and began harassing Gavios. Ao Nang Deputy Police Chief Lt Col Winai Poonsawas told the Phuket News. He is currently in police custody and awaiting trial. The incident happened Sept. 1, the day after Gavios, an English teacher in Vietnam, arrived in the country. According to the Daily Mail, she became lost. Gavios had hired the man near a tourist shop to show her around Railay, a popular destination for rock climbing and sight-seeing, according to police. I didnt get the best feeling about him, but I was tired and wanted to get home. Id been traveling for 16 hours, so I guess I wasnt feeling myself, Gavios told the Daily Mail. At about 11 p.m., Raingworchai allegedly began harassing Gavios, who fought back and started to run, the Mail reported. It was pitch black and before I knew it, I was in mid-air falling off a cliff. I was honestly thinking I wouldnt survive, Gavios said. Raingworchai followed Gavios to the bottom of the cliff, where she was conscious but unable to move, and allegedly continued to assault her, Gavios told the Daily Mail. It was light out before rescue workers arrived. I was stuck with this crazy person, Gavios said. I honestly didnt know what to do. I just had to remain calm. Whenever I screamed, he was choking me so I had to try to keep cool and stay friendly with him. Poonsawas told The Phuket News that Gavios account of the incident closely matched that of her attacker, who claimed to have assaulted her, before and after the fall, but had not raped her. The deputy police chief said Raingworchai is being held in Krabi Provincial Court and facing assault causing serious injury and charges of sexual assault, according to The Phuket News. Raingworchai is a homeless man who got by on food from hand-outs and odd jobs, Poonsawas said. Gavios is currently recovering from spinal surgery. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Bill Parry The city has postponed the Oct. 1 opening for the homeless shelter in Maspeth, according to state Assemblywoman Margaret Markey (D-Maspeth). After phone conversations with Mayor Bill de Blasio Tuesday and with Human Resources Administration Commissioner Stephen Banks, who oversees the Department of Homeless Services, Wednesday afternoon, Markey said the city will not move forward with the original date. She said City Hall will continue to evaluate the plan and the program to convert the Holiday Inn Express on 55th Road. This postponement gives us the opportunity to continue to bring pressure on the city to change its plan for Maspeth, Markey said. With Community Board 5s review still underway, we still have not seen answers to our continuing concerns about the location of the facility, the track record of the proposed provider and details about the financial arrangement between the city, Acacia Network and the hotel owner. Markey was booed during last weeks CB5 public hearing at the Knockdown Center even after it was announced that she had joined Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village) and state Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) in filing a lawsuit against the city to stop the opening of the shelter because it violates several city administrative codes. Markey had reached out to City Comptroller Scott Stringer shortly after the shelter proposal surfaced last month to ask for his help in examining the proposal. The outreach resulted in a meeting with Stringer and elected and civic leaders. At the time he explained his role in reviewing a contract for the facility once it was submitted. As of Wednesday Stringer has yet to receive a contract for the proposed facility. This is just political theater, said Brian Barnwell, Markeys opponent in Tuesdays Democratic primary. Look, the comptroller hasnt received the paperwork, so theres no way they can move people in on Oct. 1. This is just Markey taking a victory lap. The Department of Homeless Services confirmed the delay. As we announced at two community forums, we are continuing to review the proposal, and the start date will be determined as a result of the review, DHS spokeswomanLauren Gray said. Meanwhile, state Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside), who marched with protestors in Maspeth Aug. 27, is calling for a federal probe into the owner of the Holiday Inn Express, Mayor Bill de Blasio and DHS to make sure there is no illegal activity taking place. In a letter, he asked Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara to investigate the deal because motel owner Harshad Patel was involved in a 2011 bribery scandal. I recently learned that five years ago, Mr. Patel openly admitted to paying a former state elected official more than $20,000 to get that official to effect a zoning change in his favor, Avella wrote in his letter to Bharara. I ask that you investigate this situation to ensure there is no illegal activity taking place with respect to the Holiday Inn Express, or any other hotels owned by Mr. Patel. An article in a magazine has stirred outrage, especially in Britain where MPs have written to the Chinese Ambassador demanding action and an apology. By Ananth Krishnan: China's national carrier Air China has stirred outrage with a racist travel warning in its in-flight magazine targeting "Indians, Pakistanis and black people". An article in its in-flight magazine 'Wings of China' cautioned travellers to London, a popular destination for China's booming outbound tourism market, with a warning that read: "London is generally a safe place to travel, however precautions are needed when entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people." advertisement The article was noticed by journalist Haze Fan, a Beijing-based producer with CNBC, who posted an image online. The article further added, "We advise tourists not to go out alone at night, and females always to be accompanied by another person when travelling." It was carried in a section called "Tips from Air China". Also read: Bodh Gaya gangrape case: Japan and China travel firms warn tourists against India travel The article has stirred outrage, especially in Britain where MPs have written to the Chinese Ambassador demanding action and an apology. Air China has not responded to the controversy. "I am shocked and appalled that even today some people would see it as acceptable to write such blatantly untrue and racist statements," Labour MP Virendra Sharma was quoted as saying. "I have invited representatives of Air China to visit my constituency of Ealing Southall to see that a very multicultural area is safe, and would be of great value for those visiting London to see," he added, saying that if they did not respond appropriately "I shall feel forced to question whether Air China is a fit company to operate in the UK." Racist attitudes towards darker skinned people are widely prevalent in China. In May, a detergent company caused anger for a television commercial showing a black man pushed into a washing machine and emerging as a "cleaner" Chinese man. While many Indian students in China, of whom there are more than 17,000, say they are generally welcomed given local warmth to Indian culture, many students complain they find it more difficult to find jobs especially in the English teaching market, where students from the West and also eastern Europe are often preferred to "non-native" speakers, a label generally only applied to non-whites. Chinese travel agencies have in the past cautioned women against traveling to India citing safety concerns. --- ENDS --- Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Patrick Donachie School districts in Queens varied in terms of the numbers of students who experienced homelessness in the 2014-15 school year, according to a new report released by a nonprofit. On the Map: The Atlas of Student Homelessness, released by the Institute for Children, Poverty and Homelessness, measured a wide array of markers for New York students who were homeless, including the number of students who had received Individual Education Plans late, the number of English language learners and the suspension rates for homeless students. With more and more children experiencing homelessness, it is vitally important to understand the unique challenges that homeless students face and the interventions and opportunities available to meet their needs, the executive summary of the report read. District 25, which includes Flushing and Whitestone and District 26, which includes Bayside, Little Neck, Fresh Meadows and Floral Park, had the lowest student homeless rates of any school districts in the city. District 29, which includes Hollis and Queens Village, had the highest homeless student population of any district in Queens, although it was only the 19th highest percentage per district in the city out of 32 districts. According to the report, District 29 includes 462 shelter units and four family shelters, while Districts 25 and 26 do not include any. However, students living in a certain shelter may not necessarily attend school in that same district. Other Queens district fared somewhat better than District 29. District 30, which includes Astoria and Long Island City, ranked 23 out of 32 districts measuring percentage of students who were homeless, while District 24, which includes Sunnyside, Ridgewood, Elmhurst and Corona, was listed as the district with the 24th highest rate. District 28, which includes Rego Park, Forest Hills and Briarwood, and District 27, which includes Woodhaven, Ozone Park and Howard Beach, were ranked 27 and 28, respectively. Citywide, the analysis found that one out of every eight students enrolled in a city public school in the 2014-15 year had experienced homelessness in the past five school years. It found that if all the students who experienced homelessness were included in their own district, it would be of a comparable size to the unified district of San Diego, Calif., and greater than unified districts in Seattle and Boston. The study also concluded that sections of the Bronx suffer most acutely from student homelessness. Nearly 20 percent of homeless city public school students were enrolled in schools in Districts 9 and 10, which included the Highbridge and Fordham areas in the Bronx. The full report is available online at www.icphu sa.org/ Publi catio ns/ Repor ts. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Laura Amato Andy Murray was in complete control in the early part of his quarterfinal match at the US Open Wednesday, cruising to a win in the first set. Then it started to rain, forcing a suspension of play as the roof was closed over Arthur Ashe Stadium. And then a loud noise went off in the middle of the fourth set, forcing a replay on the point. Somewhere between then and the final point of the fifth set, Murray, the No. 2 seed at the Open, lost a bit of his composure and the unprecedented run of success he experienced this summer was over. After nearly four hours of play, Murray was out at the Open, losing to Kei Nishikori, 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5. Im not disappointed in a way, Murray said. Obviously I would have loved to have won, but I have had a good run every match. I would have loved to have gone further, but it wasnt to be today. Murray was nothing short of dominant in the opening set, but after the roof delay he couldnt maintain his rhythm and Nishikori, the No. 6 seed, took the second set. It was a back-and-forth affair for hours, but after the gong-like noise went off in the fourth setwhich the USTA said was a malfunctioning digital audio sound processor at court levelMurray appeared to lose his focus. He spoke with the chair umpire and a tournament official about the interruption and lost five games in a row to drop the set. Stopped the point, and I was just curious why that was and that was it, Murray said. [An Open official] told me that it happened four times during the match, that the speakers had gone off like that. I had only heard it one time before, which was on set point in the second set. That was it. Murray did have a chance to take the set, battling back from being down at the break twice, but he double-faulted at 30-30 to give Nishikori a break point. The sixth-seed converted with a volley into a wide-open court. It was a disappointing showing for Murray, who has been one of the most dominant players on the ATP Tour this summer. He lost in the final at the French Open, before going on to win Queens Club, Wimbledon and the gold medal at the Rio Olympics. His only loss in the 27 matches before Wednesday came in the final of the Cincinnati event last month. Well, obviously I was in a good position up and a set and a break and chances at the beginning of the fourth set, as well, Murray said. I could have won the match for sure. Nishikori will face Stan Wawrinka in the mens semifinal after the No. 3 seed defeated Juan Martin Del Potro 7-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. But while Nishikori is thinking upset, again, Murray was the first to admit that theres now a clear favorite in Flushing MeadowsNovak Djokovic. Id say Novak would be the favorite. I mean, obviously a lot of top, top players left, Murray said. I think in their head-to-heads, Novak has had quite a little bit of success. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Patrick Donachie Parents and area officials were excited to learn that the citys School Construction Authority had approved of a location for a new middle school in Sunnyside, an attempt to reverse increased overcrowding in the area. The school will be located at 38-04 48th St., according to the SCA and the office of state Sen. Michael Gianaris. The SCAs capital plan identified a need for seats in the Sunnyside/Woodside sub-district of District 30, and the new school will include seats that have been funded in the plan. Sean McGowan, a parent from the neighborhood, started advocating for a new middle school about two years ago and said he immediately knew the location could potentially house a new school, though he originally hoped for a nearby parcel owned by the Department of Transportation. A three-story abandoned building is currently occupying the property. It had been previously been a pool hall as well as a gym, and McGowan said he had heard it was, at one point, a typewriter ribbon factory. Im very happy about this and happy about this site. I think it will work, he said. Were very happy and very appreciative that all the local officials worked with us. They went out of their way and we didnt feel ignored. Gianaris said the news of a new middle school was particularly welcome for an area that was seeing children and families moving into the neighborhood at a quick pace. About a year ago, local parents organized and came to us to get us involved and we rolled up our sleeves and started advocating, he said. Were just pleased to have good news on this front. Theres going to be a continuing need, but this is a step in the right direction. It is still very early in the process, according to the SCA, and definitive details on the number of seats in the school, as well as a time line for design and construction of the facility, were unavailable. There are 824 funded seats in the capital plan for the Sunnyside/Woodside sub-district, according to the SCA. McGowan said his hope was that the building could be completed in three to four years, and it would likely be dependent on whether the schools design incorporated the existing building or demolished it for new construction. Queens is growing and this is a popular neighborhood, he said, pointing out that SCA officials were working towards offering solutions to the lack of space. Are they staying on top of it? With the addition of this school, theyre trying. Theyve at least acknowledged the middle school overcrowding. A small typo by pilot while punching in the coordinates landed the Malaysia bound airline in Melbourne instead. By India Today Web Desk: Typos can sometimes prove to be dangerous, especially when it has the potential to literally land an entire plane to a wrong destination and the AirAsia flight crew learned their lesson the hard way. The Air safety investigation published by Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) on Wednesday, revealed that on 10 March 2015 Airbus A330, was all set for its take off from Sydney, New South Wales to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. advertisement But the pilot inadvertently punched incorrect coordinates information into the planes navigation system. "Attempts to troubleshoot and rectify the problem resulted in further degradation of the navigation system, as well as to the aircraft's flight guidance and flight control systems." states the report. The captain entered coordinate of 01519.8 instead of 15109.8 before the flight, which amounts to a difference of nearly 7,000 miles, reports the Guardian. "The crew elected to discontinue the flight but were unable to return to Sydney as the weather had deteriorated in the Sydney area and the available systems limited the flight to approaches in visual conditions." The investigation also revealed that aircraft was not fitted with an upgraded flight management system and that added fuel to the bedlam in the flight. The plane spent three hours on the ground in Melbourne to rectify the problem before departing for Malaysia and it arrived six hours behind schedule. --- ENDS --- US President Barack Obama warned Beijing Thursday it could not ignore a tribunal\s ruling rejecting its sweeping claims to the South China Sea, driving tensions higher in a territorial row that threatens regional security. The dispute has raised fears of military confrontation between the world\s superpowers, with China determined to cement control of the strategically vital waters despite a July verdict that its claims have no legal basis. "The landmark arbitration ruling in July, which is binding, helped to clarify maritime rights in the region," Obama told Southeast Asian leaders at a summit in Laos. "I recognise this raises tensions but I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and stability." The verdict by an international tribunal in The Hague said China\s claims to most of the waters through which $5 trillion in global shipping trade passes annually had no legal basis. It also said that a massive burst of artificial island-building activity undertaken by China in recent years in a bid to bolster its claims was illegal. China angrily vowed to ignore the ruling, describing it as "waste paper", even though it had legal force through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Obama\s emphasis on the ruling being "binding" will undoubtedly attract a strong reaction from China, which has argued the United States has no role to play in the dispute. Other claimants in the sea are the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei all part of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc meeting in Laos plus Taiwan. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is also in Laos this week, with ASEAN hosting a series of regional meetings, and gathered with Obama later Thursday at an 18-nation East Asia summit. ASEAN leaders released a statement on Wednesday saying they were "seriously concerned" over recent developments in the sea. But intensive Chinese lobbying helped to ensure there was no mention of the July ruling in the ASEAN statement. The East Asia statement to be released later Thursday was also going to give a muted response, according to a draft obtained by AFP. ASEAN works by consensus, and China has successfully pressured Cambodia and Laos in recent years to ensure the bloc does not gang together to heavily pressure Beijing. However the Philippines released photos on Wednesday it said showed renewed Chinese island-building activity, in a deliberate move to throw the issue into the spotlight. The Chinese ships were at Scarborough Shoal, a small fishing ground within the Philippines\ exclusive economic zone that China took control of in 2012. If China did build an island at the shoal, it could lead to a military outpost just 230 kilometres (140 miles) from the main Philippine island, where US forces are stationed. It would also be a major step in China\s quest to control the sea, giving it the ability to enforce an air defence identification zone. Obama warned Chinese President Xi Jinping in March not to build at the shoal. Chinese island-building in the Spratlys archipelago another strategically important location has already triggered various US military shows of strength. Security analysts have said Chinese island-building at Scarborough Shoal could trigger a military confrontation. China insisted repeatedly this week it was not undertaking any island-building activities at the shoal, and on Thursday repeated its rejection of the tribunal ruling. "We hope the US can take an objective and just attitude with respect to South China Sea issues," Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in Beijing. A barrage of other security threats were also in focus in Laos on Thursday, including North Korea\s nuclear ambitions following its latest missile tests. Obama warned on Monday that Kim Jong-Un\s regime was dooming itself to further isolation, and the UN Security Council condemned the tests. A spectacular sideshow in Laos this week has been a spat between Obama and the acid-tongued Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, whose nations are longtime allies. Duterte launched a tirade against Obama on Monday after being told the US president planned to raise concerns about a war on crime in the Philippines that has claimed 3,000 lives in just over two months. "Son of a whore, I will curse you in that forum," Duterte told reporters. Obama cancelled a meeting with Duterte scheduled for Tuesday because of the outburst. SOURCE: AFP Hopewell Community Park remains a 'labor of love' for local community The lush green park is a product of the combined efforts of the Hopewell Township community and a symbol of decades of conservation efforts in Beaver County. By PTI: Lucknow, Sep 8 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today praised Rahul Gandhi terming him a "good human being" and said he can forge a friendship with the Congress leader, setting off speculation about a political realignment in the state. Rahul, who has been targeting the Centre during his ongoing Kisan Mahayatra in the poll-bound state while only making veiled attacks on the SP government, had recently used similar encomium for Akhilesh. advertisement "Rahulji bahut acche insan hain, bahut acche ladke hain. UP me jyada rahenge to hamari bhi dosti unse hogi...do acche log mil jaye to kya kharab baat hai? (Rahul is a good human being and a good boy. If he spends more time in UP, we can also have friendship with him...If two good human beings meet, whats wrong in that)," Akhilesh said. In a similar bonhomie, Rahul had recently said, "Look at the young Chief Minister here. Akhilesh theek ladka hai (he is well-meaning boy) but his government isnt working." Addressing Congress workers here on July 29, Rahul had said Uttar Pradesh has "not progressed" in the 27 years his party had been out of power. "You voted with your heart for a youth (in the 2012 elections). Akhilesh theek ladka hai but he failed to deliver what you wanted," the Congress vice-president had remarked. Speaking in the same vein, Akhilesh today said they can forge a "friendship" if Rahul spends more time in the state. However, he ducked a question on whether his affability with Rahul meant a prospective pre-poll alliance with the Congress in the state. Asked about chances of SP-Congress coalition, he said, "Aap isme rajniti kyun dekh rahe hain (Why are you seeing politics in it?)" Senior SP leader Kiranmoy Nanda said SP would go it alone in UP. "Congress is hardly any force to reckon with in the state with which one can think of a tie-up," he said here. Rahul avoiding criticism of the SP government forced BJP state chief Keshav Prasad Maurya to question his "silence". "Why is Rahul silent on the misdeeds of the SP?" asked Maurya. "He is blaming the central government for the misery of farmers and backwardness in UP," he said. (MORE) PTI ABN SMI TIR RT TIR --- ENDS --- SHARE Lewis was charged with the sexual assault of a boy and a girl. Lewis, 33, will spend 15 years in prison By Times Record News A Wichita Falls man has pleaded guilty to six counts of aggravated sexual assault on two children in 2013 and will spend 15 years in prison. Christopher Lee Lewis, 33, was charged with the sexual assault of an 8-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl. Local authorities were alerted to the incidents by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, whose agents said the suspected assaults happened in Wichita Falls. The children were interviewed at Patsy's House Children's Advocacy Center in Wichita Falls and the children told what Lewis did to them. Lewis' prison terms will run concurrently and he will have to register as a sex offender upon release. Contributed photo Nocona Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Rusty Henley, Fire Chief Billy Henley and Capt. Mark Murphey proudly show off the grant money they received from the Texas A&M Forest Service, which was used to purchase the high-capacity brush tanker truck behind them. SHARE Contributed photo The remote-operated hose turret on the Nocona Rural Volunteer Fire Department's new brush tanker allows firefighters to spray water on wildfires in a full semi-circle from inside the truck's cab. The 850-gallon tanker, paid for with a $200,000 grant from the Texas A&M Forest Service replaces a 20-year-old truck with less than a quarter the water capacity. By Times Record News Rural wildfires in Montague County have a formidable new foe, thanks to a grant from the Texas A&M Forest Service. The Nocona Rural Volunteer Fire Department has purchased a state-of the art, high capacity brush truck, using a $200,000 bonanza from the forest service's Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. The grant is twice the department's annual operating budget of $100,000, Nocona Rural VFD Assistant Fire Chief Rusty Henley said. The new truck is a 2016 Ford F750 four-wheel-drive with an 850-gallon water tank, which will replace a 20-year-old vehicle with a 200-gallon tank. "We are a rural department, so the 850-gallon water tank is important when there are no fire hydrants around," Henley said. The department uses water from the Nocona municipal supply, requiring a trip back to town to refill. "With our old truck we had to return to our water source to refill the small tank," Henley said. "It can mean the difference between a 30-minute fire or a 3-hour fire." The remote-operated turret mounted on the front bumper can be operated from inside the truck cab and can rotate 185 degrees horizontally and 20 degrees vertically. This allows for a quick knockdown of the fire using minimal water, improves safety and also allows the department to fight fires with fewer firefighters. As most volunteer firefighters have primary jobs away from the fire department, it can be hard to gauge how many will be available when a fire strikes. "We never know if we will have one volunteer or 15 volunteers show up when the call goes out," Henley said. Nocona Rural VFD, established in 1971, has 40 volunteers that serve approximately 7,500 people over 256 square miles of predominately agricultural land in Montague County. "Our most common fires are wildland fires," Henley said. "This new truck was sent out on its first call 15 minutes after we put it into service, and it has made at least five wildland fire calls since then." The Nocona Rural VFD was required to cover a $22,000 match to the grant, $10,000 of which was supplied by the Wichita Area Community Foundation. "We wouldn't have been able to do it without them," Henley said. SHARE That the fourth anniversary of the terrorist assault on America's Benghazi consulate coincides with the 15th anniversary of the 9/11/2001 attacks is no accident. 9/11 is an iconic date for Americans. It's also iconic for militant Islamists whose goals align with Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaida terror group. 9/11's prominence guaranteed the Benghazi attack would send a global message. Despite Bin Laden's death and President Barack Obama's January 5, 2012 claim that the "tide of war" was receding, in 2012 radical Islamists wanted the world to know their war on America still raged. U.S. enemies see election years as targets of opportunity. North Vietnam's 1968 Tet Offensive destroyed President Lyndon Johnson's re-election plans. Throughout the 2012 election year, the Obama administration's State Department received detailed reports of violent threats to U.S. assets in Benghazi. The House Oversight Committee's Benghazi report documents that fact. In the case of Benghazi, the Administration ignored the date, the year and the on-the-ground facts, and failed to take adequate precautions to defend against or respond to threats to personnel and facilities. Mistakes and miscalculations occur in war. All wartime leaders make mistakes. However, since 2010, Obama had been suggesting that the Global War on Terror was over. The Benghazi attack, however, demonstrated that his self-serving claim was wrong. Rather than own up to a mistake in judgment, his Administration engineered a cover-up. Though the president and secretary of state knew the attack was a planned attack, for some two weeks administration spokesmen claimed an anti-Muslim Internet video had incited the violence. The president was cagily careful with his own words. However, his minions spread this false narrative. It deterred criticism of Obama's "receding" tide of war re-election campaign theme. The administration's failure to prepare for attacks on vulnerable facilities on an iconic date in an election year, followed by its noxious "the video did it" falsehood, are why Benghazi is a politically corrosive issue in the 2016 election. Subsequent Islamist terror attacks in the U.S., Europe and Asia, and the homicidal rise of ISIS in Iraq and Syria prove the video didn't do it. Which leads to this reflection. I never thought the term GWOT was particularly apt. The phrase "War for the Terms of Modernity" appeared in a 2008 column of mine. It drew on a November 2001 essay that framed al-Qaida's 9/11 attacks as operations in a "fight for the future." To my mind, both phrases recognize we are engaged in a long-term cultural struggle, with struggle meaning a systemic conflict far more comprehensive than a war. For this insight, however, November 2001 was a belated date. Egyptian author Sayyid Qutb, al-Qaida's intellectual godfather, understood the radical Islamist movement he envisioned and helped create would engage in long-term cultural struggle. He utterly despised American culture. He was executed in 1966 for allegedly plotting the assassination of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser. So we confront religious-totalitarian enemies who wage a cultural struggle. Religious-totalitarian is an accurate description. In al-Qaida and ISIS, absolutist religious doctrines seamlessly entwine with murderous dictatorial political systems. Muslims who dispute their doctrines and methods are subject to slaughter as apostates. Their extremist dictates justify their heinous deeds as they pursue their utopian goal the Caliphate, a modern revival of a Deity-sanctioned past. Indeed, the Seventh century with cellphones, Islamist Internet chat rooms, nuclear weapons and smart bombs: that sketches their terms of modernity. Pathological? They're dead set on killing you to achieve it. If we are to prevail in this struggle, America and its allies must have the wisdom and resolve to ensure individual dignity and individual freedom secured by the rule of law are the fundamental tenets of 21st century modernity. We must also dedicate ourselves to the sustained, comprehensive defense of these tenets, using moral, intellectual, legal, economic and military means. Austin Bay is a commentator on National Public Radio's "Morning Edition," covering foreign affairs but often addressing issues in Texas that have a national interest. The University Art Museum at UAlbany has released a lineup of artist talks and other free public programs dovetailing with its current exhibit, "Future Perfect: Picturing the Anthropocene." Featuring the works of multiple artists, the exhibition ponders the future of humanity and the fate of the planet. Unless otherwise specified, all events are free, open to the public and held at the University Art Museum at the uptown campus, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany. For more information, see albany.edu/museum or call 442-4035. Here's the list: The Fulton-Montgomery Community College Veterans Club and the Johnstown campus welcomed the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall Thursday morning. The wall arrived with a police escort and The Patriot Guard. According to the college, the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will be available for public viewing from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and from 9 a.m. to noon Monday. The Wall is a three-fifths scale model of the Vietnam Memorial at Washington, D.C. The club collected and donated $10,000 for the FM Veteran's Club effort to bring the wall to the campus. Correction: Dowling College on Long Island was a not-for-profit institution. An earlier version of this article misstated its status. A handful of Capital Region colleges have emerged to offer a lifeline to students displaced by the sudden closure of ITT Technical Institute, a national for-profit education company that shut down this week amid heightened federal and state scrutiny. The institute, which was at risk of losing its national accreditation, had 138 campuses with more than 40,000 students, including one in Colonie that served roughly 150 students. Excelsior College in Albany, Mildred Elley in Albany, Schenectady County Community College, Hudson Valley Community College in Troy and SUNY Empire State College in Saratoga Springs said Wednesday they will do what they can to accommodate displaced students, but the schools need help in identifying the students. "Usually, when a school is closing, the Department of Education takes over the students and their records and manages the process," said Lisa LaVigna, executive director of outreach and access at Excelsior College. "In this case, the ITT closure happened so fast that we're not sure how it's going to work. We're trying to reach whoever we can to say, 'Hey, we can help.'" Students have essentially two options: They can try to transfer their credits and continue their education elsewhere or they can apply to the U.S. Education Department to have their loans forgiven. ITT Technical Institute had warned on its website that its credits were unlikely to be transferable anywhere other than to another ITT campus. That's no longer an option. Higher education experts have long cautioned students to think carefully before enrolling at for-profit institutions, whose national accreditation is often perceived to be less stringent than regional accreditation. As a result, regionally accredited schools often refuse to accept credits from nationally accredited institutions. Schenectady County Community College, which is regionally accredited, will make an exception for ITT students given the abrupt closure just prior to classes starting, said Penny Haynes, vice president of academic affairs, says the college. "We obviously feel really terrible for these students, so whatever we can do we have staff ready to help," she said. "We aren't going to do a blanket transfer of credits, but we will look at them on an individual basis and see what we can do." SCCC said Wednesday it will offer a "generous transfer" into its technology programs, including computer desktop support specialist, computer information systems, computer networking systems and cyber security, computer repair and networking, computer science, mathematics and science nanoscale science concentration, and nanoscale materials technology. The college has already heard from at least two ITT students, Haynes said. The fall semester begins Sept. 26, and students have until Sept. 21 to register. Excelsior College has agreed to provide a free transcript evaluation so prospective students can see how many of their credits would transfer first before applying. ITT students will likely have more success transferring credits to Excelsior than anywhere else, because the private college is regarded for having one of the most liberal transfer policies in the nation and is one of few regionally accredited institutions to accept credits from nationally accredited institutions. Along with a flexible transfer policy, the college provides credit for previous learning and real-life experience. Excelsior proved a lifeline this year for students left in the lurch by the closure of Dowling College on Long Island, not-for-profit college that came under federal scrutiny and ultimately had its accreditation withdrawn. Because Excelsior offers online courses and specializes in distance learning, geographic proximity is rarely an issue for its students. "Our history is one as a credit aggregator," LaVigna said. "We really look to help people that have credits and need a home for them. So to us, these ITT students are really our average student." Officials from Mildred Elley, a for-profit college with locations in Albany, New York City and Pittsfield, Mass., said Wednesday they would do "everything we can" to help students transfer credits and is in the process of determining which of its programs are compatible with ITT Tech offerings. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter. "This is not a new situation for us," said Faith Takes, chair of the board at Empire Education Corp., which operates Mildred Elley schools. "We have previous experience working with students looking to transfer to our New York City campus following the closure of two schools there. And many years ago we assisted students when the Stratford School closed here in Albany." Flexible transfer policies were the last thing on Paul Kennedy's mind when he heard his school had shut down. The 35-year-old Clifton Park resident and Marine Corps veteran had just enrolled at ITT's Colonie campus, and completed two courses this summer toward a construction-management degree. His initial thought upon receiving the emailed announcement was that it had to be a phishing scam. Colleges don't just close with no warning, he thought, so he continued about his day, planning to complete some errands before classes began Monday. But something didn't feel right, he said, so he drove to the campus in Colonie, only to find an empty building and a TV news reporter. "It was kind of like somebody punched me in the gut," Kennedy said. "It kind of blew the wind out of me. And then reality sunk in, and I started to feel sick because you've got this whole plan of what I'm going to do for the next year and a half, and everything's stable, everything's where I want it to be, and all of a sudden a major pillar of my future just disappeared." Kennedy soon learned that Hudson Valley Community College had a drafting and design program similar to the one he was taking at ITT, so he drove over and signed up for night classes. An HVCC adviser told him the college which is regionally accredited would consider making an exception and accepting his credits for at least one course, so long as the syllabus and his final grade met certain standards. Kennedy is still not sure if the federal government will continue to pay for his education, he said. As a veteran, he qualified for up to 36 months of education benefits under the GI Bill. He also recognized some of his fellow students at the Colonie campus may have a harder time landing on their feet. "People who've served in the military, we tend to be kind of resilient. We can bounce back from a number of situations," he said. "But there were a lot of people (in Colonie) who maybe couldn't a mother of three, a single parent. It's not like she has the same resources I have at my disposal. What's she going to do now?" bbump@timesunion.com 518-454-5387 @bethanybump Centre announced a financial package for Andhra Pradesh that includes full funding of Pollavaram irrigation project, tax concessions and a special assistance, but stopped short of giving the state a special category status. By Ashish Pandey: The first day of the monsoon session of Andhra Pradesh Assembly convened to ratify the Goods and Service Tax (GST) Bill witnessed much uproar over the special category status issue after Union finance minister announced financial package denying the special status to the state. While all the MLAs of principal opposition party YSR Congress reached Assembly wearing black dress in protest, Party chief YS Jagan Mohan held a Padayatra and demanded resignation of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. advertisement READ| Andhra Pradesh: Opposition calls for bandh, demands Naidu's resignation The session convened to ratify the GST Bill was stalled several times by the opposition party MLAs who reached into the well shouting slogans as well as holding placards denouncing the Centre's announcement of a financial package for the state. The speaker K Shiva Prasad adjourned the house twice while the legislative Affairs Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu tried to pacify the protesting opposition MLAs by assuring a statement by the government on the announcement made by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Raising the issue in the house the Leader of Opposition YS Jaganmohan Reddy pointed out that while the House had passed two unanimous resolutions previously demanding that special status be granted to the state, it was denied by the Center. YS Jagan said, "Last night, Jaitley categorically ruled out special status. When the Chief Minister himself welcomed this announcement, what should we discuss". Amid the din the house unanimously passed the GST Bill after that the speaker of Legislative assembly adjourned the house for tomorrow. Meanwhile in Andhra Pradesh legislative council the entire opposition staged a walk out protesting against the denial of special category status to the state. Also read: AP Assembly Monsoon session, YSR alleges TDP shirks responsibility Chandrababu Naidu welcomes Centre's special package for AP --- ENDS --- The new Titusville YMCA parking lot will offer 48 parking spaces for members and guests at the YMCA. The rendering shows the current YMCA wellness center, as well as the future wellness center addition (where current parking lot now sits), and a future pool addition. [September 08, 2016] Ahalogy Releases 2016 Pinterest Media Consumption Study Ahalogy, an official Pinterest Marketing Developer Partner, has released its third annual Pinterest Media Consumption Study, a follow-up to its first-of-its-kind research from 2014-which has been downloaded by thousands of marketing industry professionals and influencers. This year's study marks a combination of data from the past three years of interviews with social media users in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Ahalogy's 2016 Pinterest Media Consumption Study suggests that people are focusing more of their attention on Pinterest rather than other social platforms. 50% of US Pinners say they are spending more time with Pinterest instead of other social media platforms (up from 40% in 2015). Survey respondents reported that Pinterest was their second most important platform behind Facebook, and ahead of Instagram, Twitter (News - Alert) and Snapchat. "Not only is Pinterest growing in the US, but we're also seeing significant global growth, starting with the UK," said Ahalogy Co-Founder and CEO, Bob Gilbreath. "For example, our study shows that about as many UK Pinners (29%) use Pinterest 2-3 times a week as US Pinners (31%)." Pinterest expanded its advertising solution, Promoted Pins, to the UK earlier in 2016, an the Ahalogy study continues to examine how users of the platform feel about this change. According to Gilbreath, Promoted Pins are experiencing strong demand from Ahalogy clients: "Part of the reason it's performing so well is that people are finding value in the advertising itself, which is focused on providing useful ideas and inspiration." According to this study, about 65% of the UK, similarly to US Pinners, feel positive about Promoted Pins. This third annual study examines how people use Pinterest, and engage with brands and Promoted Pins. The output is a collection of data about user demographics, habits, and behavior on Pinterest year to year. It includes specific demographic data for sub-groups such as Men, Moms, and Hispanics, and includes results from the US, Canada and the UK. The full report is available at ahalogy.com/research. About Ahalogy Ahalogy is the Performance Content Marketing Solution. Ahalogy's optimization technology, licensed content, and focused expertise helps brands Source (News - Alert), Optimize, and Scale content for success. We work with many of the world's top brands and content creators to deliver meaningful marketing across content+social platforms. Ahalogy is an official Pinterest Marketing Developer Partner, and works with other leading social networks. Ahalogy is headquartered in Cincinnati, OH, the global capital of brand marketing, with additional offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Visit Ahalogy.com/Research for more of our latest Pinterest insights and trends. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160908005848/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [September 08, 2016] Devbridge Group Elevates Customer Experience for Leading Packaging Supplier New Berlin Packaging Website Offers Advanced Search and Filter Capabilities Among Improved Functionality CHICAGO, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Devbridge Group announced today the launch of a new website for Berlin Packaging (www.BerlinPackaging.com). Berlin Packaging, a full-service supplier of plastic, glass, and metal containers and closures, was looking to improve its corporate website via enhanced features and functionality as well as a better overall user experience. Berlin Packaging wanted a partner that would work side-by-side with its internal team and that could quickly deliver a dynamic, powerful site. The team partnered with Devbridge Group due to Devbridge's agile approach, development and design experience and Better CMS platforma fully responsive, open source, content management system. "Our diligence showed Devbridge to be an innovative, reliable, and results-oriented company. We liked that because these are the same traits Berlin strives to show its customers," said Jeremy Lagomarsino, EVP Business Development & Strateg at Berlin Packaging. "Our instinct was spot on. We were impressed with the entire Devbridge team from development to design and appreciated how transparent and professional the team was throughout this project. Devbridge was very accommodating and worked with us to deliver an outstanding end product." The new site is fully responsive, optimizes information management, and features a modern look and feel. Importantly, the site fulfills Berlin's expectations of making it easier for customers to explore products and ultimately offering a better customer experience. Berlin Packaging expects to further increase customer engagement and revenue as a result. Devbridge provided engineering expertise and a user-experience-driven, responsive web solution. The company's agile development methodology enabled Berlin Packaging to stay connected to the development process the entire time. About Devbridge Group Devbridge Group (www.devbridge.com) is a digital products company and strategic partner to upper middle market companies and large enterprises in the Financial Services, Manufacturing and Technology sectors. The company accelerates product to market, engages customers, and motivates employees by combining an agile approach, powerful UX/UI design and software engineering expertise with complete transparency. Since its inception in 2008, the company has nearly doubled in size each year and has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list four years running. The company has offices in the United States, Lithuania, and Canada. For more information, contact: Amanda Beto 312-242-1642 [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/devbridge-group-elevates-customer-experience-for-leading-packaging-supplier-300324664.html SOURCE Devbridge Group [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A young Kurdish fighter, dubbed as 'Angelina Jolie of Kurdistan', was killed in battle with the ISIS in Syria. By India Today Web Desk: Asia Ramazan Antar was only 18 when she joined the Kurdish military organization, Yekineyen Parastina Jin (YPJ), or the Women's Protection Unit. If reports are to be believed, this young girl was martyred in a fierce battle with the ISIS in Syria last week. She was 22. Asia Ramazan Antar, 20, dubbed the 'Kurdish Angelina Jolie' has died fighting #ISIS pic.twitter.com/iPqFn4UX9Y Syria Today (@todayinsyria) September 8, 2016 advertisement Also read: Key Islamic State leader killed in apparent US strike in Syria Asia, who is also being referred to as Viyan Qamislo in multiple posts, was dubbed the 'Angelina Jolie of Kurdistan' for her stark resemblance to the Hollywood superstar. Earlier this month, multiple reports surfaced the social media claiming that 22-year-old soldier had lost her life "in a battle against Daesh" . A report says she was killed during "a clash between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Turkish-backed Syrian opposition". Also read: ISIS-Khorasan: All you need to know about the terrorist group behind Quetta's hospital attack The news of her death, however, has not been officially confirmed. Kurdish female fighter of #YPJ Viyan QamiA?lo martyred on Manbij fronts against savages #ISIS Rats. #A?ehdNamiren RIP pic.twitter.com/M3rcAAsEhe Struggle Of Kurds (@StruggleOfKurds) September 1, 2016 Also read: Sharia-enforcing ISIS bans the burqa in Iraq and you wouldn't believe why The Iran Front Page says Asia was born in the north-eastern Syrian of Qamishli. At the age of 18, she was recruited by YPJ, for which she is said to have been fought some of key clashes against the ISIS. The YPJ was set up in 2012 as the all-girls division of the Kurdish militia, People's Protection Units (i.e. Yekineyen Parastina Gel, or YPG). As of 2014, the YPJ had over 7,000 female volunteer soldiers between the ages of 18 and 40. Asia has been referred to as "one of the most renowned" Kurdish fighters. Also read: Why ISIS want you to live in fear --- ENDS --- [September 08, 2016] Dow Works with Government, NGOs and Academic Partners to Meet Sustainability Challenges in the Philippines Forty employees from The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), representing 25 sites in 16 different countries departed for Cebu, Philippines on September 3 to join NGOs, social entrepreneurs, universities and government agencies to address pressing local challenges. The Dow employees are focusing their efforts on six distinct projects that seek to advance access to clean water, increase production of high-quality food crops and support product commercialization, among other challenges. "Bringing together Dow's incredibly diverse talent and expertise with dedicated NGO, government and academic partners creates the perfect formula for addressing critical societal needs," said Andrew N. Liveris, Dow's chairman and chief executive officer. "This type of collaboration demonstrates Dow's commitment to redefine the role of business in society. It is the Human Element at its very best." Employees will spend one week in Cebu, a fitting culmination to efforts that began in April with the six teams collaborating on the following local solutions: Increase access to sufficient and affordable safe water on the Buhisan Watershed, for personal consumption and ornamental plant production, which is the basis of their livelihood. Establish business solutions for branding, marketing, and packaging of pork and milk products to make them competitive within the mainstream market, without compromising affordability for the current urban poor partners. Develop global linkages and networks with foreign universities and organizations to improve the professional employability of graduates of the agricultural programs, as well as develop partnerships with various industries for collaborative research and product development. Promote the production and commercialization of dried food products that are accepted by local and export market consumers through the development of a solar and boiler hybrid dryer. Educate farmers on techniques to increase the production of high-quality crops, reduce post-harvest loss and support their financial literacy. Develop recommendations for funding sources and methodologies to assess the water quality and volume of Tinago Creek as a pilot for subsequent river rehabilitations throughout the city of Cebu. These projects are part of Dow's commitment to Global Citizenship, its Leadershipin Action (LIA) program and the Company's 2025 Sustainability Goals, specifically Dow's pledge to cross-sector collaboration in order to advance a sustainable planet and society. Dow's work in the Philippines supports its strategy in the Asia Pacific region, where the company is growing its presence and impact. Beyond the tangible business benefits, however, are the intangibles gained by the employees who participate, including: leadership development, changed perspectives and new insights into how people, products and skills can impact our world. While striving with others to deliver social benefit and business value, the Dow leaders become visionaries for new business opportunities and improved global citizenship. Since its inception in 2013, 159 employees have participated in LIA, working with 29 NGOs to benefit communities near Accra, Ghana, Addis Adaba, Ethiopia and Surabaya, Indonesia. "Leadership in Action is an investment in the leaders of tomorrow, who in turn are making an investment in the Dow of tomorrow and in the future vitality of the community they are helping," said Johanna Soderstrom, corporate vice president of Dow Human Resources. "For Dow to achieve its goal to redefine the role of business in society, our future leaders need to have a deep understanding of the critical needs of society." Follow this year's journey on the web or via Twitter (News - Alert) at @DowCorps and #DowLeads. About Dow Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company is driving innovations that extract value from material, polymer, chemical and biological science to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, clean energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's integrated, market-driven, industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 180 countries and in high-growth sectors such as packaging, electronics, water, coatings and agriculture. In 2015, Dow had annual sales of nearly $49 billion and employed approximately 49,500 people worldwide. The Company's more than 6,000 product families are manufactured at 179 sites in 35 countries across the globe. On June 1, 2016, Dow became the 100 percent owner of Dow Corning (News - Alert) Corporation's silicones business, a global company with sales of greater than $4.5 billion in 2015, 25 manufacturing sites in 9 countries and approximately 10,000 employees worldwide. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com. TM Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160908005811/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [September 08, 2016] EnvisionTEC to Showcase its Expanding Lineup of 3D Printers, Materials and Solutions EnvisionTEC, a leading global provider of 3D printing solutions, will showcase its expanded lineup of professional-grade 3D printers and materials at more than a dozen trade shows in the United States, Europe and Asia this fall. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160908005264/en/ EnvisionTEC's new printers through September 2016: From left, the 3D-Bioplotter Starter Series; the Vector 3SP; the SLCOM 1; the Aureus Plus, part of the Perfactory Desktop Plus line; the Vida Hi-Res DSP and Micro Plus cDLM. (Photo: Business Wire) The company earlier this year launched three new 3D printers and upgraded the 3D-Bioplotter Developer series, Aureus 3D printer and the Vector 3SP. Among this year's new printer launches: The SLCOM 1, which uses an all-new technology for 3D printing large woven fiber composite objects, launched in May at RAPID 2016, the preeminent event for 3D printing in North America. The machine is an ideal tool to produce prototypes and final parts for aerospace and automotive manufacturers. The all-new Micro Plus cDLM, which uses Continuous Digital Light Manufacturing technology, launched in June at JCK Las Vegas, the jewelry industry's premier event. The cDLM, available for sale now, is ideal for any professional making small, detailed objects in which build speed is a top consideration. The 3D-Bioplotter Starter Series, which is targeted at medical manufacturers and researchers, launched in May at the 2016 World Bioaterials Congress. John Hartner, Chief Operating Officer of EnvisionTEC, said the product launches demonstrate how the company continues to execute on an aggressive growth strategy, which also includes several key relationships. EnvisionTEC is now collaborating with Royal DSM's (News - Alert) Somos, a world leader in additive manufacturing material development, and has formed an exclusive strategic partnership with Woburn, Mass.-based Viridis3D, which has developed a Robotic Additive Manufacturing technology for the foundry industry. "We are excited to show customers around the world how EnvisionTEC continues to offer more solutions for professionals and manufacturers," Hartner said. The first stops on the company's fall "Made to Matter" tour will be the International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago, held Sept. 12-17; the annual meeting of the German Society of Orthodontists in Hanover, Germany, Sept. 14-18; and the TCT Show in Birmingham, UK, Sept. 28-29. The company also will be presenting at Formnext in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 15-18. For the full schedule of trade shows, visit Envisiontec.com/madetomatter. About EnvisionTEC EnvisionTEC is a leading global provider of professional-grade 3D printing solutions. Founded in 2002 with its pioneering commercial DLP printing technology, EnvisionTEC now sells more than 40 printers based on six distinct technologies that build objects from digital design files. The company's premium printers serve a wide variety of medical, professional and industrial markets, and are valued for precision, surface quality, functionality and speed. EnvisionTEC's intellectual property includes more than 100 patents and 70 proprietary materials. Headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, and Gladbeck, Germany, EnvisionTEC is privately owned by its founder, who is passionate about advancing the field of additive manufacturing. Learn more at EnvisionTEC.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160908005264/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [September 08, 2016] MyComputerCareer.edu Drops Tuition Costs up to 37% for Former Students of the now Closed ITT Technical Institutes MyComputerCareer.edu today announced it is significantly reducing tuition costs for former students of the now closed ITT (News - Alert) Technical Institutes. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160908005852/en/ MyComputerCareer.edu (one of the leading U.S. providers of technical training, certification preparation, and job placement support for adult learners) is led by Tony Galati, its Founder & CEO. (Photo: Business Wire) As an innovative U.S. provider of technical training, certification preparation and job placement support for adult learners looking to enter the Information Technology industry, MyComputerCareer has reduced tuition costs by up to 37 percent for former ITT-Tech students. This temporary tuition reduction applies to MyComputerCareer's foundational I.T. Systems Administrator (ITSA) course, one of the school's intensive career development programs. Details about this special offer are included below. For-Profit Education Rumblings & Response from MyComputerCareer.edu Following months of uncertainties about its fate due to rulings by its accreditor, the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) and the U.S. Department of Education, ITT Educational Services Inc. announced Tuesday that it had closed all of its over 130 ITT-Tech campuses around the country. As a result, the company left approximately 45,000 students and over 8,000 employees without a home, with many students unsure of their educational futures or their prospects for moving forward into technical careers. "The decisions and rulings that led to the demise of ITT-Tech and its parent company are very troubling to me and to our school," said Tony Galati, founder and CEO of MyComputerCareer.edu. "Most disturbing, however, is the educational fate of over 45,000 students, each of whom were pursuing some type of technical education but are now stranded. We can help these students better their lives and achieve their goals. Since 2008 we have helped thousands of adult students gain critical skills and I.T. certifications from such leading organizations as Microsoft, Cisco Systems (News - Alert), CompTIA and the EC-Council. With these certifications in-hand, our students not only enter a field with high-demand and high-paying opportunities, but they also gain lietime Job Placement services from our school." "Because of our passion for helping students achieve their professional goals and better their lives, we are pleased to unveil a special tuition reduction for former students of ITT Technical Institutes. Any former ITT-Tech student who wants to join us at MyComputerCareer will receive a discount of at least 14.7%. And for current displaced students, that reduction could be as high as 37%. We want every former ITT-Tech student to know that if they're looking for a way to get back on their career path quickly, chances are we can help." MyComputerCareer takes a very innovative approach to the educational process. Because students vary in their style of learning they can choose to complete their program in one of three ways: 1) Live Online - Students "attend" classes via the Internet and complete all coursework from the comfort of their own homes. 2) Resident - All work is done on campus. 3) Hybrid - Students attend classes on campus, but all other coursework is done from home. "Whether students choose to work from home or on campus, they are provided with everything they need to succeed, from a new computer, live tutoring, and hands-on skills development to career services support for life," Galati explained. Details & Schedule for MyComputerCareer's Foundational ITSA Course According to MyComputerCareer, its I.T. Systems Administrator (ITSA) course provides a broad foundation for any adult learner interested in pursuing an I.T. manager or administrator position, including jobs in I.T. Security, Network Administration and/or Helpdesk positions. After completing the rigorous full-time 7-month or part-time 10-month ITSA course, students can earn up to 10 I.T. Certificates, specifically Five Microsoft (News - Alert) Certifications: The Windows Operating Systems Fundamentals Certificate - Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA); The Networking Fundamentals Certificate (MTA); The Security Fundamentals Certificate (MTA); The Mobility and Devices Certificate (MTA); and The Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) Certificate; Four CompTIA (News - Alert) Certifications: The A+ Certificate; The Network+ Certificate; The Mobility+ Certificate; and The Server+ Certificate; and One Cisco Systems Certification: The Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) Certificate. The next ITSA courses will start on Friday, September 16 , for the 7-month, full-time courses taught during the day (Monday-Thursday) at each of MyComputerCareer.edu's seven campuses around the country; , for the 7-month, full-time courses taught during the day (Monday-Thursday) at each of MyComputerCareer.edu's seven campuses around the country; Monday, September 19 for the 10-month, part-time evening courses taught at each of MyComputerCareer.edu's seven campuses around the country; and for the 10-month, part-time evening courses taught at each of MyComputerCareer.edu's seven campuses around the country; and Tuesday, October 4, for MyComputerCareer's live online version of its ITSA course. Daytime students attend classes twice each week for roughly 6 hours per day. Evening classes also meet twice weekly for about 4 hours per class. These schedules enable students to maintain employment and other responsibilities while going to school. For specific details about enrollment opportunities with MyComputerCareer.edu, prospective students should call 866-606-6922 or visit MyComputerCareer.edu/ITT-Tech-Students. Additional Details & Testimonials MyComputerCareer.edu students are encouraged to find and receive assistance in finding employment in the I.T. industry within a few months of enrolling, even before completing studies with the school. By earning two or more I.T. certifications and completing a series of employment workshops included in their programs, students become eligible for Lifetime Career Services with MyComputerCareer, giving them access to a large network of preferred employer partners. Graduates can earn up to 14 total I.T. certifications (depending on their choice of studies). According to Alex Williams, a MyComputerCareer.edu graduate: "As an average teenager, my income was minimum wage, working at a grocery store. After MyComputerCareer, I started up at $13 an hour. Then I went to $15, and then I was making $19 an hour. That's insane for somebody at 18-years-old. I was ecstatic!" "I worked in food service and that felt like a 24-hour-a-day job," said Daryl Jones, another MyComputerCareer.edu graduate. "After MyComputerCareer, I'm making about $65,000 three years into my career. That's comfortable, but I know there's more out there as well. And now I'm a Monday through Friday, 8-hour-a-day guy!" MyComputerCareer is headquartered in Holly Springs, North Carolina, and it teaches thousands of students each year through online courses and its seven campuses around the U.S. located in Arlington, Texas; Charlotte, N.C.; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas, Texas; Houston, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Raleigh, N.C. For more information about MyComputerCareer.edu, please call 866-606-6922 or visit the company's Website where interested individuals can take a FREE Career Evaluation online. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160908005852/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [September 08, 2016] PAR Technology Subsidiary Announces $3.0M Contract with Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome, New York PAR Government Systems Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PAR Technology Corporation (NYSE:PAR), today announced the awarding of a $3.0M research and development contract with the U.S. Air Force. Under this three-and-a-half-year Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Information Directorate contract involving "Innovative Multi-Mission Agile (News - Alert) Radio Frequency Capability (iMARC)", PAR Government will provide affordable technologies for multi-mission waveforms, assured wireless communications systems, network connectivity, and wireless cyber-security to facilitate the Joint Aerial Layer Network (JALN) implementation strategies from permissive to highly contested domains. The iMARC project will provide an affordable, rapid waveform development ecosystem of advanced multi-mission Software Defined Radio frequency (SDRF) hardware, software, waveform library components, and tools for rapidly prototyping and demonstrating new waveform capabilities and advanced techniques. The contract work will be performed by PAR Government's Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Sector. "We are pleased that AFRL has selected PAR Government to support the iMARC program," commented Matt Cicchinelli, President of PAR Government. "Under this effort, we will develop innovative information transmission and reception technologies that can enhance warfighting utility, survivability and mision assurance." ABOUT PAR GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION PAR Government, headquartered in Rome, New York, provides Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance solutions to US Department of Defense, US Government agencies, and private industry. During 40 years of service, PAR Government has earned the reputation for developing high quality products ranging from theoretical and experimental studies to operational capability. For more information, visit www.pargovernment.com. ABOUT PAR TECHNOLOGY PAR Technology Corporation's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PAR. PAR's Hospitality segment has been a leading provider of restaurant and retail technology for more than 30 years. PAR offers technology solutions for the full spectrum of restaurant operations, from large chain and independent table service restaurants to international quick service chains. Products from PAR also can be found in retailers, cinemas, cruise lines, stadiums and food service companies. PAR's Government Business is a leader in providing computer-based system design, engineering and technical services to the Department of Defense and various federal agencies. For more information visit http://www.partech.com or connect with us on Facebook and @PAR_Tech. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160908005233/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [September 07, 2016] OutKazt Media Launches LeaseConquest for Auto Dealers CINCINNATI, Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- OutKazt Media has started on-boarding auto dealers to LeaseConquest. This new solution solves one of the greatest challenges dealers have today, to identify lease termination customers if they did not originally purchase from their dealership. Automobile leasing has seen a resurgence in the last 5 years, after the industry was impacted greatly by the financial downturn that the U.S. faced in 2007-08. Those events impacted auto dealers' ability to source low mileage cars from auto auctions. The auctions had a steady stream of off-lease vehicles to sell to dealers. As the leasing industry has regained speed, dealers are once again faced with large numbers of customers who are coming to the end of their 36 and 48-month leases. LeaseConquest allows dealerships to identify who those customers are and engage them with their own lease offers. Additionally, dealers are able to suppress out their own lease customers to insure that they are nly contacting customers who originally leased from another dealership. The solution is powerful enough to be used for OEM brand migration and brand loyalty campaigns by identifying the make and model of the current lease. "Because we are using the dealership's own stable of lenders to power the campaign, they have the ability to make custom offers to consumers with a great insight into what their current status is," explains Russell Gentry of OutKazt Media. "Until recently, the ability to make a lease only offer was not available," Gentry explains further. The first dealerships to take advantage of this new offering have begun their campaigns this week. If you would like more information about this new and unique program. Please call 855.444.5101 or go to www.LeaseConquest.com Related Images image1.png image2.png Related Links LeaseConquest Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP0B2OtkVCM Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405256LOGO 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/outkazt-media-launches-leaseconquest-for-auto-dealers-300324334.html SOURCE OutKazt Media [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [September 07, 2016] PR Newswire Broadens Online Content Distribution to Automotive Websites HONG KONG, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The automotive marketplace has recently seen an increase in tech connectivity, advanced safety and consumer features and a growing appetite for up-to-date trends and analysis. As more brands seek to target, reach and influence automotive industry conversations, PR Newswire has facilitated this by partnering with UBM Americas to reach key influencers and consumers in the automotive sector. Content promoted through PR Newswire's vast distribution network is featured on a number of industry-leading automotive websites, and with these additions will reach even more influencers interested in auto industry news, trends, and analysis. The four UBM Americas websites now featuring PR Newswire content include: SearchAutoParts.com , an industry-leading website that provides analysis, videos, product reviews, training information, and more to the auto industry; , an industry-leading website that provides analysis, videos, product reviews, training information, and more to the auto industry; Aftermarket Business World , a leading source of information for automobile parts wholesalers and retailers looking for market trends, analysis, features and business management stories; , a leading source of information for automobile parts wholesalers and retailers looking for market trends, analysis, features and business management stories; Automotive Body Repair Network , a site providing news, product and technical service information to the collision repair industry; and , a site providing news, product and technical service information to the collision repair industry; and Motor Age, a site that forecasts service shop issues and provides technical information to more than 140,000 professionals in the automobile service industry. "PR Newswire is committed to helping our clients target important niche automotive audiences online," states Joshua B. Cohen, Vice President,Content Licensing & Distribution. "The addition of these four new sites, in conjunction with the addition of ten new auto partner sites in 2015, allow more opportunities for our clients to reach the audiences they care about the most." In recent years, China has become the biggest passenger car market in the world and its growth surpasses any market in the world. However, it is only during the last few years that Chinese car manufacturers started to venture out into the global market. Brands such as GAC Motor, Geely Automotive, JAC Motors and Ruili Auto Parts have been leveraging on PR Newswire's global distribution network to support their overseas communication efforts to gain brand visibility on the global stage, especially in America. PR Newswire has long established a strong partnership with many other prominent automotive website partners in America. The wide range of media outlets will provide a comprehensive media coverage for Asian automotive and related companies to build their brand in the market. The following are some of the existing auto partner sites in America: WardsAuto , one of the three major automobile industry publications in America with 64,000 unique visitors per month and 17,000 Twitter followers. This site provides industry news such as new technological advancements that impact daily lives; , one of the three major automobile industry publications in America with 64,000 unique visitors per month and 17,000 Twitter followers. This site provides industry news such as new technological advancements that impact daily lives; AutoBlog.com , one of America's popular automotive websites with 9.2 million unique visitors per month and 91,000 Twitter followers. This website is a favourite among enthusiastic car owners who are interested in car reviews and modifications; , one of America's popular automotive websites with 9.2 million unique visitors per month and 91,000 Twitter followers. This website is a favourite among enthusiastic car owners who are interested in car reviews and modifications; Automotive Technology , a leading America's auto industry publication with 86,000 unique visitors per month, it covers the latest industry news on popular car magazines and books, as well as other information such as car racing; and , a leading America's auto industry publication with 86,000 unique visitors per month, it covers the latest industry news on popular car magazines and books, as well as other information such as car racing; and The Weekend Drive , written by a group of editors who are passionate about cars, this website attracts 7000 unique visitors per month. They always conduct road tests on different cars and share their experiences with readers. For companies looking to influence online conversations in the automotive industry, garner earned media or boost brand visibility, PR Newswire's article "Advanced Content Distribution: Optimizing to Go Beyond the Basics" provides valuable press release tips to help achieve those goals. A Chinese case study on China's GAC Motor also provides insights on how PR Newswire helps Asian companies tell their stories to the world. About PR Newswire PR Newswire (www.prnasia.com), a Cision company, is the premier global provider of news release distribution and multimedia platforms that enable marketers, corporate communicators, public relations practitioners and investor relations professionals to leverage content to engage with all their key audiences. Having pioneered the commercial news distribution industry in 1954, PR Newswire today provides end-to-end solutions to produce, distribute, target and measure text and multimedia content across traditional, digital, mobile and social channels. Combining the world's largest multi-channel content distribution and optimization network with comprehensive workflow tools and platforms, PR Newswire powers the stories of organizations around the world. PR Newswire serves tens of thousands of clients from offices in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific regions. Cision is a leading global media intelligence company, serving the complete workflow of today's communication professionals. For further information, please contact: PR Newswire's Asia Marketing Team +852-2572-8228 [email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20160907/8521605658 Logo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20160617/8521603993LOGO-d [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [September 08, 2016] Retired Highway Patrol Officer Acquires Patent to Increase Efficiency of Emergency Response PHOENIX, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- VIJILIS is developing a software solution to a national problem that plagues first responders: how to provide more expeditious and efficient response to emergency crises (e.g. natural disasters, catastrophic events, and traffic/hazmat situations). The Phoenix based company maps equipment, supplies, and ready licensed/trained personnel to mobilize response to emergency events. The patent obtained identifies a popular communication model where civilian resources are self-identified (crowd-sourced), qualified, and made available to centralized government call centers to recruit and deploy at the push of a button. Integrating existing technologies, VIJILIS (www.vijilis.com) is developing mobile software solutions to "confirm" live personnel are ready to respond and accept the required tasks. The new technology will feature: Sensors for human-to-resource proximity Live GPS-based resource tracking Real-time traffic and meteorological data Cloud-hosted silos for seure data storage Financed SaaS for emergency response contractors Jim Messerly realized there was a dire need for this strategy during his 31 years of service in the Arizona Highway Patrol. Messerly says: "My colleagues and friends have lost their lives to secondary traffic incidents and this could've been prevented with today's technology. A new system would provide our government with the modern tools needed to aid our military's response to homeland security issues." VIJILIS partnered with the Engineering Design Program of the University of Arizona in the 2016-2017 academic year to demonstrate the integration of various hardware and software technologies with the VIJILIS platform. Five senior engineering students have been selected by the program and Professor Ara Arabyan, the principal coordinator of the program, is eager to involve them in the VIJILIS initiative: "We're delighted to partner with VIJILIS in this very innovative concept, which has tremendous potential for growth and public impact. I'm confident that our students will produce a working prototype to enable the company to showcase its technology and hopeful that the talent we produce at the University of Arizona will be part of the company's future growth." The design will be showcased to top ranking military officials and open to the general public at Design Day at the University of Arizona in Spring 2017. Inquiries: Dominique Villela [email protected] +1 520 245 0054 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/retired-highway-patrol-officer-acquires-patent-to-increase-efficiency-of-emergency-response-300324552.html SOURCE VIJILIS [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [September 08, 2016] 5BARz To Roll out Wi-Fi Routers in 11 Cities across India 5BARz International (OTCQB:BARZ) (www.5BARz.com) ("5BARz" or "the Company"), a technology leader in the cellular network extender industry and broadband networks, is pleased to announce that our wholly owned subsidiary, 5BARz India Private Limited, one of India's most promising technology start-ups providing fastest network connectivity for cellular and broadband networks is rolling out the next-generation 5BARz Wi-Fi broadband router across 11 major cities in India. The move follows the landmark strategic deal with a top Internet Service Provider (ISP) to connect a minimum of 5 million Indian homes to the Internet over a period of five years. The next-generation 5BARz Wi-Fi broadband router, as well as its 5BARz Smart Experience connectivity software will cover an estimated 20 million users in Indian families, enabling fastest, optimal and smartest broadband connectivity. The roll out will cover major metropolitan cities including Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune and satellite towns/emerging metros such as Gurgaon, Vadodara, Surat, Navi Mumbai, Vishakapatnam, Vijayawada, Kakinada, Navsari, Powai and Thane. Daniel Bland, Founder and Global CEO of 5BARz International, Inc. says, "The roll out of next-generation routers through India's second largest and globally renowned ISP player is an exciting phase in our journey towards '5BARz powered homes'. Through the roll out of our advanced 5BARz Wi-Fi router in 11 Indian cities, ISP players are best positioned to serve the high-speed broadband connectivity needs for smart families in urban and emerging metros. From the capital of India's second most populous city, Mumbai to the Silicon Valley - Bangalore, 5BARz routers will make smart connectivity a reality in the digital India story. We are humbled by the contribution of 5BARz in fueling the digital dreams of a nation of 1.2 billion people through seamless last-mile network connectivity." Samartha Nagabhushanam, CEO of 5BARz India Private Limited, commented, "It is our constant endeavor to build world-class technology solutions that deliver enduring value to consumers, businesses and investors alike. The rollout of the next-in-clas 5BARz Wi-Fi broadband routers as well as 5BARz Smart Experience software in India, is a beginning in our journey to align the aspirations of digitally connected Indian families with the fastest and smartest network connectivity. Ultimately, the 5BARz Wi-Fi experience suite will transform connectivity in every home into a smart home assistant." Gil Amelio, Chairman of the Board of 5BARz International, Inc, commented, "The product is designed, manufactured and made to solve the fundamental last-mile connectivity challenges of India and other emerging markets. Technology innovation is at the heart of our business and the product roll out through our landmark ISP partnership is a major boost to its mass acceptance by India market. We are extremely confident of its potential to spur growth in not just India but other fast growing markets including South Africa." About 5BARz India 5BARz India Private Limited is one of India's most promising technology start-ups that is well equipped to provide seamless connectivity solutions. 5BARz India is a part of 5BARz International Inc., a start-up that is delivering solutions for cellular and broadband network operators in providing clear, high quality signal and superior connectivity for their subscribers. 5BARz with it's 2 state-of-the-art products, 5BARz Network Extender for cellular connectivity and the 5BARz Wi-Fi for broadband connectivity is striving to solve the problem of last mile connectivity. Due to the plug & play nature and zero installation cost, the 5BARz suite of products is emerging as the most attractive proposition in India. The ultra-portable 5BARz Network Extender incorporates a patented technology to create a high engineering based, single-piece, plug and play device that strengthens weak cellular signals by amplifying even the poorest cellular signals from 1 bar to 5 bars, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity at home and work. The 5BARz Wi-Fi through its single-piece, plug and play device introduces a break through approach in providing uninterrupted and superior coverage and connectivity across home and work with a smart approach to broadband. For further information about 5BARz International, Inc., visit www.5barz.com. For further information on 5BARz India visit www.5BARzIndia.com. About 5BARz International Inc. The 5BARz International Inc. business is focused on the global commercialization of patented product technologies branded under the name 5BARz. 5BARz is a cellular and broadband connectivity solutions company for application in the small office, home or for when users are mobile. 5BARz incorporates patented technology to create highly engineered, single-piece, plug 'n play units that strengthens weak cellular signals to deliver high quality signals for voice, data and video reception on cell phones and other cellular equipped devices cellular connectivity device and an uninterrupted and smart solution for the broadband coverage solutions. 5BARz represents a key solution for network operators in providing clear, high quality signal for their subscribers with a growing need for high quality connectivity. 5BARz International Inc.'s shares are publicly traded on the OTCBB under the ticker symbol BARZ. Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The information contained in this release consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These statements may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including all business uncertainties relating to product development, marketing, market acceptance, future capital requirements, and competition in general that may cause actual results to be materially different from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The Company is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160908005896/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [September 08, 2016] Aviation Leaders Harris Corporation and PrecisionHawk Launch LATAS with Live Manned Aircraft Alerts to Help Drone Operators Fly Safer RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- PrecisionHawk Inc. a leading provider of aerial data and safety platforms for drones today announced the launch of its low altitude traffic and airspace safety platform (LATAS). LATAS is the only platform to link drones, 3d ground data and live manned aircraft data from the FAA into a single system that tells a drone operator when and where it's safe to fly. The launch comes shortly after PrecisionHawk signed a five-year deal with Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS), a systems integrator for the FAA. By integrating Harris' manned aircraft data, LATAS can provide traffic alerts to drone operators without any delay and build tools for drones and manned aircraft to see each other's real-time location for the first time. PrecisionHawk first proved this concept under the FAA Pathfinder program and then with the Department of Homeland Security, and last week became the first company approved for beyond line of sight commercial flight under a Part 107 waiver. "We have done significant testing to measure how LATAS, equipped with Harris' real-time air traffic data, can enhance the safety of a drone pilot when flying beyond visual line of site (BVLOS)", said Tyler Collins, VP Airspace at PrecisionHawk. "As thousands of new operators join the drone space under Part 107, our goal is to provide an easy to use and reliable safety tool that gives a drone operators a complete picture of their surroundings and how those surroundings are changing in real-time." Harris' airspace data is available through the LATAS API to drone manufacturers and app developers, and drone operators can sign up to use the LATAS dashboard for free today. The free LATAS web dashboard acts as a digital observer for the drone operator. Equipped with airspace data maps that are rigorously analyzed by airspace and geospatial experts at Skyward, LATAS makes the operator as knowledgeable as possible about the environment around them during flight. A user submits a flight plan to see no fly zones and receive real-time notifications of hazards on the ground or in the air. "This partnership combines PrecisionHawk's UAS industry innovation with Harris' FAA critical networks expertise," said Ed Sayadian, president, Harris Mission Networks. "Harris developed the first UAS surveillance capabilities covering the entire National Airspace System, which are now being integrated into LATAS." About PrecisionHawk Inc.: PrecisionHawk is a terrestrial data acquisition and analysis company founded in 2010. The company provides an end-to-end solution using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for data collection and analysis software tools to deliver better business intelligence to clients across a wide range of civilian industries. PrecisionHawk also owns terrestrial data software, DataMapper, satellite imagery provider, Terraserver, and the Low Altitude Traffic and Airspace Safety platform for drones, LATAS. A privately held company based in Raleigh, NC and Toronto, Canada, PrecisionHawk's investors include Intel Capital, Millennium Technology Value Partners, Verizon Ventures, a subsidiary of USAA, NTT Docomo Ventures, Yamaha Motor and Indiana University's Innovate Indiana Fund. More information about PrecisionHawk can be found at www.precisionhawk.com or on Twitter @PrecisionHawk. About Harris Corporation: Harris Corporation is a leading technology innovator, solving customers' toughest mission-critical challenges by providing solutions that connect, inform and protect. Harris supports customers in more than 100 countries and has approximately $7.5 billion in annual revenue and 21,000 employees worldwide. The company is organized into four business segments: Communication Systems, Space and Intelligence Systems, Electronic Systems and Critical Networks. Learn more at harris.com. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160908/405614 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aviation-leaders-harris-corporation-and-precisionhawk-launch-latas-with-live-manned-aircraft-alerts-to-help-drone-operators-fly-safer-300324894.html SOURCE PrecisionHawk [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [September 08, 2016] LiveStories Raises $3 Million to Change the Way Governments Work With Data SEATTLE, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- LiveStories, a Seattle-based company and Techstars graduate, today announced a $3 million seed round led by True Ventures. Additional investors include Founders' Co-op, Social Leverage, Urban.us, the Knight Foundation and several angel investors. LiveStories aims to be the data hub for government a one-stop shop where government agencies can leverage data to help them achieve their program goals. To this end, LiveStories offers a web-based platform that allows data novices and experts alike to easily explore and make sense of data; share and collaborate around data within an organization; and present data in engaging ways to external audiences. "The public sector is in need of better ways to communicate data in order to inspire action and build healthier, safer, and more informed communities. Our platform and data storytelling approach helps with that," said LiveStories CEO Adnan Mahmud. "LiveStories has an opportunity to make a huge impact on communities. It is also the first time I have ever seen the government spend money so fast on a product," says Puneet Agarwal, Partner at True Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm. More than 45 million constituents are already being served with the LiveStories platform. Clients include government agencies and nonprofits around the world such as the City of New Orleans, The City of Melbourne, California Health Care Foundation, and San Diego County. Despite the colder venture capital investment climate, the company was able to close the oversubscribed round in just a few weeks. "We were lucky to be in a osition where we had to turn down investors," said Adnan Mahmud. The new funds are being used to hire across all departments. About LiveStories LiveStories is an online data platform that makes it easy for data novices and experts alike to explore, share, and present data. Governments and nonprofits around the world use LiveStories to communicate data more effectively and inspire action that can help build healthier, safer, and better communities. LiveStories is based in Seattle and was founded in December 2013 by Adnan Mahmud, who prior to LiveStories spent 8 years at Microsoft Research working on data analysis and data visualization, obtaining several patents. LiveStories is backed by top Silicon Valley and Seattle investors including True Ventures, Social Leverage, and Founders' Co-Op. About True Ventures Founded in 2005, True Ventures is a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology startups. With five funds and capital under management in excess of $1.3 billion, True provides seed and Series A funding to the most talented entrepreneurs in today's fastest growing markets. With a mission to make the world a better place for entrepreneurs, True encourages each founder's vision and has built resources to empower the employees, families and communities of its portfolio companies. The firm maintains a strong founder community and offers innovative educational opportunities to its portfolio, helping entrepreneurs achieve higher levels of success and impact. With more than 200 companies funded and multiple companies acquired, the current True portfolio has helped create over 8,500 jobs. To learn more about True Ventures, visit www.trueventures.com. About Founders Co-op Founders Co-op is the leading seed-stage investment fund in the Pacific Northwest. We help extraordinary founding teams located outside Silicon Valley build companies that the best venture capital firms in the world choose to back. We're also the guys behind Techstars Seattle, the region's #1 accelerator program. Most important, we are founder-operators with hard-fought experience + personal networks spanning every aspect of building, scaling and exiting a high-growth technology business About Social Leverage Social Leverage is an early stage venture capital firm that invests in exceptional entrepreneurs in the technology space. Social Leverage partners with promising companies, bringing their own entrepreneurial expertise, relationships, and marketing experience to the fore. Social Leverage portfolio companies benefit from their hands on involvement in all stages of development. Social Leverage is about harnessing their extensive network of industry relationships and expertise to help grow great companies and build great products. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/livestories-raises-3-million-to-change-the-way-governments-work-with-data-300324847.html SOURCE LiveStories [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] BJP women workers protested against the ongoing sex CD row, involving former AAP minister Sandeep Kumar. The crowd demanded that the chief minister speak on the misconduct of his MLAs. By India Today Web Desk: The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) women wing today launched a protest against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal at the New Delhi railway station. WHY BJP IS PROTESTING BJP women workers tried to gift Kejriwal bangles and roses as a mark of protest against his frequent visits to other states. Also read: AAP leaders exploiting women in Punjab, promising them party tickets, Delhi MLA complains to Kejriwal advertisement Punjab women commission asks DGP to probe allegations by AAP MLA AAP in Punjab finds itself sinking in controversies after sacking local leaders The women also protested against the ongoing sex CD row, involving former AAP minister Sandeep Kumar. The crowd demanded that the chief minister speak on the misconduct of his MLAs. The women also demanded the expulsion of AAP leader Ashutosh for comparing Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru with tainted leader Sandeep Kumar. KEJRIWAL ON 4-DAY PUNJAB TOUR Kejriwal is on a four-day tour of poll-bound Punjab where he will release the AAP's Farmers' Manifesto. Kejriwal will also address a public rally in Moga on the last day of his visit before returning to Delhi. This will be Kejriwal's first visit to Punjab after the AAP removed its Punjab convenor Sucha Singh Chhotepur over issues of corruption. Kejriwal will interact with AAP volunteers and members in Ludhiana who are said to be agitated over various issues, party sources said. The AAP has emerged as a major player in Punjab where elections are due early next year. Watch video: BJP women wing members welcome Kejriwal with roses, bangles in protest --- ENDS --- Saddling up to help children What gave rise to the Ventura County Sheriffs Posses latest initiative to help kids with disabilities? Just a man and his horse. Somis resident Russell... CRPD to dedicate latest neighborhood park near Janss/23 The newest installation in the Conejo Rec and Park District system is now open to the public. On Oct. 21, CRPD crews took down the... The best birthday gift ever As Kerri Braemer-Castro looked down at the mountains and valleys of Camarillo from the cockpit of a World War II B-25 bomber earlier this month,... Break out the costumes HISTORIC FUNTop, Layla Sayegh, 8, of West Hills tries her hand at roping on Oct. 22 during Leonis Adobe Museums annual Pumpkin Party. Above, Lisa... A large group of women belonging to both the BJP and the Congress shouted slogans, including "Kejriwal go back". Some Congress workers also allegedly threw bangles at the AAP leader. By India Today Web Desk: Arvind Kejriwal was greeted with more protests by the BJP's Mahlia Morcha as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener reached Ludhiana today to kick-start his Assembly election campaign. A large group of women belonging to both the BJP and the Congress shouted slogans, including "Kejriwal go back". Some Congress workers also allegedly threw bangles at the AAP leader. advertisement Also read: BJP protests against Kejriwal as he begins his Punjab tour KEJRIWAL HECKLED THIS MORNING The BJP women's wing had also allegedly manhandled and heckled Kejriwal this morning when he reached New Delhi railway station to take a train to Ludhina, with the AAP calling it a "pre-planned" attack and accusing the Delhi Police personnel present there of being "mute spectators". BJP activists managed to come close to Kejriwal and demanded his statement on the alleged "misconduct" of his MLAs, and the expulsion of Ashutosh for his controversial blog defending Sandeep Kumar, who was sacked as minister over an alleged sex scandal last week. BJP QUESTIONS KEJRIWAL'S SILENCE OVER KUMAR The BJP has questioned the Delhi Chief Minister's "silence" over Kumar, who is in custody after a sex tape featuring him and two other women became public last week. Kejriwals deputy Manish Sisodia questioned the lapse in the Chief Minister's security. "Is Modi ji conspiring with the Delhi Police and the BJP to attack Arvind Kejriwal? Was the morning episode (manhandling of the CM) a rehearsal to it?" Sisodia tweeted. Kejriwal's AAP is now eyeing Punjab where elections are due early next year after the party's landslide victory in Delhi in 2015. --- ENDS --- Soon after reaching Ludhiana, Kejriwal spoke to mediapersons and accused Badal of hiring a video company to prepare fake CDs on AAP. By India Today Web Desk: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched a frontal attack on Punjab Deputy Chief Minister today alleging that the latter will resort to dubious means to defame the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). "BADAL HIRED COMPANY TO PREPARE FAKE CDS" Soon after reaching Ludhiana, he spoke to mediapersons and accused Badal of hiring a video company to prepare fake CDs on AAP. "I am told this company has prepared 63 fake CDs at the instance of Badal. Every day, two-three CDs will be leaked in bid to defame us. These CDs will be shown on Badal's TV channel PTC," Kejriwal alleged in a video uploaded on Twitter. advertisement Also read: Protests mark Arvind Kejriwal's train ride from Delhi to Ludhiana BJP protests against Kejriwal as he begins his Punjab tour The Delhi chief minister claimed that he knew Badal's designs of maligning AAP once the Punjab elections approached near. That phase has started now, he said. However, he expressed faith in the people of Punjab and said they were matured enough to reject such tactics. Kejriwal also expressed apprehensions of AAP leaders and workers getting attacked by the BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) workers. He referred to the protests by BJP Mahila Morcha workers' protest at Delhi railway station before he left for Punjab and alleged that he was "attacked" by them. He said AAP will brave all these attacks. "We are a product of agitation. We have borne the brunt of police's lathi charge and water canons and we have also gone to jail. We are not going to get cowed down by these," he said. Kejriwal said he will stay put in Punjab till he got the Badals removed from power and had them jailed. "I will only go for a couple of days to Delhi in intervals," he said. AAP'S 'KISAN DIALOGUE' PROGRAMME He announced that a manifesto for farmers would be released in Bagapurana on September 11 as part of AAP's 'Kisan Dialogue' programme. "The farmers of Punjab are in a pathetic condition. They are committing suicide. After holding extensive meetings throughout the state, we have prepared a blueprint for waiver of farmers' loans. The poor farmers' debts would be waived off. The interest of the remaining would also be waived off. By December 2018, all farmers will be freed of loans," he said. This election will be a revolution, Kejriwal said. --- ENDS --- During his opening remarks at a meeting with leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Obama said an international arbitration ruling on July 12 against China was "binding" and "helped to clarify maritime rights in the region". US President Barack Obama, center, waves with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations during ASEAN-US summit. Photo: AP By AP: President Barack Obama put the long-simmering dispute in the South China Sea front and center on the agenda at a regional summit on Thursday as it became clear that most of the other leaders gathered in the Laotian capital were going to let China off with a mild rebuke over its territorial expansion in the resource-rich waters. "We will continue to work to ensure that disputes are resolved peacefully including in the South China Sea," Obama said in his opening remarks at a meeting with leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. advertisement He said an international arbitration ruling on July 12 against China was "binding" and "helped to clarify maritime rights in the region". ASEAN will hold a separate summit later Thursday with other world powers, including China and the US. The summit is expected to let China off with a muted reprimand over its expansionist activities in South China Sea, according to a draft of their joint statement to be released Thursday. CHINA'S CLOUT The mild language in the statement, despite growing frustrations in the region over China's claims, is a reflection of Beijing's diplomatic, economic and military clout within ASEAN, which forms the core of the East Asia Summit that also includes the US, China, Russia, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. The US has repeatedly expressed concern over Beijing's actions in the resource-rich sea. Obama brought that up again. Referring to the arbitration panel's ruling that invalidated China's claims, Obama said: "I realize this raises tensions but I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and regional stability." China went to great lengths to block any references in the statement to land reclamation, militarization or loss of trust, lobbying for the document to avoid mention of recent activities or the need to respect legal processes, said a senior Obama administration official. CONCERN OVER DEVELOPMENTS Though Beijing recently announced a 600 million dollar aid package to ally Cambodia, China was unable to get it to block the statement, said the official, who requested anonymity to discuss diplomatic discussions. Instead, Cambodia opposed including an explicit mention of the UN tribunal's ruling, the official said. "We reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability and security and freedom of navigation in and over-flight in the South China Sea," said the draft. "Several Leaders remained seriously concerned over recent developments in the South China Sea ... We stressed the importance for the parties concerned to resolve their disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international laws," it said. The statement also made no reference to the land reclamation activities by China, which has turned shoals and coral reefs into seven man-made islands and built airstrips capable of handling military aircraft on three of them. ASEAN leaders at their earlier summit on Tuesday expressed concern over China's island-building. advertisement The ASEAN leaders had also said that their summit "took note of the concerns expressed by some leaders on the land reclamations and escalation of activities in the area, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and may undermine peace, security and stability in the region". The use of the phrase "some leaders" in the two statements underscores the fundamental problem ASEAN and the wider East Asia Summit has in dealing with China not all its members are willing to scold Beijing. Cambodia, for example, remains firmly in China's camp, as is Laos to a large extent, preventing any robust statement from the consensus-bound ASEAN group. CLAIMS OVER LAND The issue of ownership of territories in the South China Sea has come to dominate ASEAN summits in recent years. China claims virtually the entire sea as its own, citing historical reasons. That has pitted it against the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei, all members of ASEAN, which have overlapping claims. advertisement On Wednesday, the Philippines released what it says are surveillance pictures of Chinese coast guard ships and barges at the disputed Scarborough Shoal, an apparent attempt to publicize its concerns before ASEAN leaders met with Chinese Premier Li Kequiang in Vientiane. The Philippines is concerned that China may plan to turn the shoal into another man-made island. CHINA'S DENIAL But Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China has not done anything to alter the circumstances surrounding the shoal. "What I can tell you is that the situation in waters near Huangyan Island remains unchanged and China hasn't made any new moves," Hua said in Beijing, using the shoal's Chinese name. "We should be highly alert against the mischief-making intentions of people who spread such groundless information in such situations." New Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has taken a more conciliatory approach to China than his predecessor, and has said he would not raise the dispute in an adversarial manner that might upset Beijing. The US military has also expressed concern over the possibility that China might turn Scarborough into another island, something that would give Beijing's forces greater control over a swath of the South China Sea used as a passageway to the Taiwan Strait. advertisement Also Read: Ahead of summit, Philippines shows images of Chinese boats at disputed shoal --- ENDS --- The PlayStation 4 as we knew it is dead and gone. In its place, rises the PlayStation Slim ($299, available September 15) and the PS4 Pro ($399, available November 10). For all intents and purposes, the Slim is the thinner resurrection of the PS4 while the Pro is the bigger, stronger brother. I had the opportunity to get a demo of the system, and from what I saw, the console wars are about to get a whole lot more interesting. Design The PS4 dropped the weight and the PS Pro picked it up. Measuring 12.9 x 11.6 x 2.2 inches with a weight of 7.3 pounds, the new PlayStation looks like someone took a half of the PS4 and stuck it on another console. And yet, with its slightly rounded corners and blue sliver of light running along the bottom front of the device, it manages to look oddly modern. To the right of the light, you'll see a pair of USB 3.0 ports. Toward the back, there's another USB 3.0 port, HDMI Out, an AUX port, Digital Out, a LAN port and the power port. Noticeably missing from the lineup is an optical 4K Blu-ray. MORE: PS4 Pro Top Features Mystery Specs There's... something powering the PS4 Pro, I'm just not sure what. The most info I could glean from the press conference was that Sony has raised the CPU's clock speed and doubled the GPU power. The company mentioned that the nascent system is still using an AMD GPU, so there's that. The storage also go bumped up to 1TB. Thanks to the more pumped-up specs, the PS4 Pro will have the power to support High Dynamic Range (HDR) and 4K. HDR and 4K The second battle in this console war is being fought on the 4K front. Similar to the Xbox One S, the PS4 Pro will have the ability to stream 4K content. Sony has teamed up with Netflix to run its 4K content, even going so far as to launch a new Netflix app, which dedicated to aggregating UHD content. That's all well and good for those of us that prefer to stream our ultra high-def movies. However, fans of physical discs are out of luck; Sony, the company that helped push Blu-ray into prominence, has dropped it like a bad habit. The PS4 Pro will also have HDR, and I've got to say, console games have never looked so good. HDR injects vividness that allows the human eye to detect a wide range of colors and luminescence. In layman terms, it can turn a pretty picture into a stunning work of art. I discovered this during the Infamous: Second Son demo. Without HDR enabled, the protagonist looked like she was surrounded in a circle of glowing cotton candy. Once the effect was turned on, I could see a myriad of pinkish lights swirling around and through her. Keep in mind that Infamous is a two-year-old game upscaled to 4K. Upcoming titles like Ubisoft's For Honor was a cornucopia of lush reds, blues and yellows. The dev playing through the title stopped hacking and slashing his way through enemies to check out the surrounding foliage. I could see every individual dark green pine needle on a nearby conifer, as well as the rough bark. If you don't have a 4K TV to play on, the Pro will still add some of its HDR goodness to your old HD display, but it won't be nearly as pretty. Seriously, it might be time to start looking for a UHD television. According to a Ubisoft rep, thanks to the extra power needed to support 4K HDR gaming, you won't see any noticeable difference between the PS4 and the Pro in terms of frame rates. He also noted that some developers could choose to to tweak the frames instead of going whole hog on the graphics. But looking at the near-PC quality graphics I saw at the demo, I can deal with 60fps. MORE: Here's Every PS4 Pro Game You Can Play in 4K What About VR? Outside of crisper graphics, you won't see any real difference between the PS4 Siim or Pro when you're using the PlayStation VR headset. This goes back to what the Ubisoft rep said about HDR 4K gaming. Most titles are going to use the Pro's power bump to make prettier games, which means we're not going to see any titles going above the 60Hz refresh rate anytime soon. Outlook It's an exciting time to be a console gamer. With the impending launch of the PS4 Pro, console gamers are entering an era of near-PC graphics, without requiring that you spend a fortune on a desktop. For a mere $399, gamers get a system that offers 4K streaming and stunning HDR gaming. There's also the PS VR to look forward to. Until Microsoft launches Project Scorpio, the PS4 Pro is the console to watch. Manus VR revealed a partnership with NASA that has astronauts leveraging the potential of virtual reality to train for trips to the International Space Station (ISS). The space agency developed a mixed reality training room that features an HTC Vive HMD, Manus VR gloves, and physical props that match up with a virtual representation of the ISS. NASA created a highly detailed model of the inside of the ISS with Unreal Engine 4, which takes advantage of Nvidias PhysX technology to simulate the zero gravity environment accurately. The astronauts wear a Vive HMD to experience the simulation and use the Manus VR gloves to interact with digital objects in zero gravity. The Manus VR gloves give astronauts fine motor control within the simulation, which provides a more realistic training experience. To enhance the training even further, NASA added physical objects to the VR training room that closely match the virtual environment. NASA provided a video of the experience that demonstrates an astronaut reaching out for a hand railing on the wall in the VR environment while grabbing onto a hand rail bolted to the wall in the training room. NASA and Manus VR are calling their training configuration mixed reality, but that term has already been used to describe multiple different things within the realm of virtual reality and augmented reality. Theres mixed reality gaming, which is when you use a green screen to inject yourself into a recording of a VR game; Magic Leap uses the term Mixed Reality Lightfield to describe its technology, and Microsofts Hololens is also considered mixed reality. Perhaps NASA would be better off adopting The Voids term for physically augmented spaces4D. Manus VR said that NASA started working with an engineering sample of the Manus VR gloves for this project, and the space agency is looking forward to the upcoming Manus VR developer kit to improve the experience. A report from the Sydney Morning Herald suggests Aussie rockers Jet are working on a reunion set to hit us early next year. According to the Fairfax Media publication, the Are You Gonna Be My Girl hit-makers will reunite to support Bruce Springsteen on an upcoming Australian tour. Australian music industry legend Michael Gudinski had previously teased that an Australian Springsteen tour was on the books for 2017. According to Fairfax, the Boss tour is not only happening, but Jet will serve as support act on all shows except one performance at Victorias Hanging Rock. There was talk of Jet potentially reforming to support AC/DC during their Australian tour last year, though these rumours never came to fruition. I think Id prefer to get up [on stage] under our own steam but theyre an amazing band and I do love them very much, Jet bassist Mark Wilson said at the time. I think it would be a tough gig to get up before them. I dont think youd have the crowd on your side necessarily. Wilson also said that relations between bandmates are positive. Were like brothers, he said. I text Chris all the time. Cam and I live around the corner from each other. Weve been through a lot together. Rumours rock legend Bruce Springsteen may be making a return to Australian shores in the near future first surfaced last month and now further fuel has been added to the fire. According to the Sydney Morning Heralds sources, the tour is on. The Boss will reportedly tour Australia in January/February next year, with dates possibly announced later this month. The tour will be a mix of outdoor and arena shows, including a performance at Victorias Hanging Rock. According to Fairfax, there will not be any Perth or Adelaide shows. And apparently a reformed Jet are set to be supporting the tour. The band were previously rumoured as supports for AC/DC, though this didnt eventuate. Frontier Touring chief Michael Gudinski first stoked the rumour mill after an appearance on Triple M, when he told the hosts and listeners to expect a massive February and March of rock and hinted at a 2017 Springsteen tour. That was an interesting visit from Michael Gudinski, the official Triple M Hot Breakfast account tweeted. Weve been warmed up to expect a MASSIVE February/March of rock! The tweet was post-scripted with the hashtag #TheBoss. They followed up the tweet by addressing rumours that Springsteen, whose memoir is set to drop this month, could play Victorias Hanging Rock, where The Rolling Stones were set to play before the show was cancelled due to Mick Jaggers illness. Australian music company UNIFIED have announced a groundbreaking new grant initiative with a view to helping those working behind the scenes of the music industry achieve their creative dreams. UNIFIED founder and CEO Jaddan Comerford, who recently spoke with Tone Deaf, announced the grant during his keynote address at the BIGSOUND music industry conference in Brisbane yesterday. The Unified Grant comprises of five x $5000 grants, available to passionate people to help them realise their dreams, a statement reads. The grant is specifically for music industry upstarts who are not musicians, this includes everything from photographers and journalists, to developers and graphic designers. Today Im honoured to announce The Unified Grant, said Comerford. As someone who started a business with nothing, at a young age and on my own, I want to encourage more people to follow their dreams. For me early on this grant would have helped me do CD pressings, or fly to SXSW. You can head to the Unified Grant website now for more details or to apply. Applications close 31st October. Those looking to apply for a grant will need to fill out a questionnaire and compose a 500-word statement explaining why they deserve the grant and what they will spend the money on. For example, if youre working on creating a studio, you may need to buy a mixing desk, or if youre a videographer, you may want to invest in new equipment. Application are now open and the final announcement will be made on Monday, 21st November after the dedicated panel makes its decision on the five winners. An Australian DJ will spend the rest of his life in a Thai prison after he was caught with 61 ecstasy pills in the Thai city of Pattaya and sentenced to two life terms. As the Sydney Morning Herald reports, 26-year-old Jake Mastroianni could spend the remainder of his life in Bangkoks Klong Prem jail, one of the countrys most brutal prisons. Mastroianni, a fixture on the Sydney club circuit before he arrived in Thailand, was arrested in 2014 with authorities finding 61 ecstasy pills in his possession. Lance Whitmore, a 28-year-old UK native and former solider, was arrested with Mastroianni and sentenced to serve 50 years, despite being found with 200 ecstasy pills. However, Whitmore was handed a shorter sentence as he pleaded guilty to charges last year. Both men lost their appeals, which their lawyer said was a disappointing result. Everyone was hoping the sentence would be reduced further, lawyer Jeffrey Stevens told Fairfax. According to the SMH, Mastroianni can apply to be transferred to an Australian prison in six years. Image: Instagram HERE'S PASSAGE AND VERSE OF KANSAS CITY RULES PERTAINING TO CAR TOWING THAT ARE IN FRONT OF THE T&I COMMITTEE!!! #160671 . . . From the fact sheet . . . This legislation would amend Code of Ordinances Sections 70-71, 70-73 and 70-522 relating to traffic and vehicles to give parking control officers the same authority as police officers when directing traffic at and emergency. The legislation would also give parking control officers and city employees acting pursuant to the direction of the director of public works the authority to remove vehicles obstructing roadways. Remember not so long ago aThanks to our KICK-ASS BLOG COMMUNITY . . .Take a look:Our community of experts also notes that this applies to not just abandoned cars but un-tagged and therefore illicit vehicles as well.To be fair . . .You decide . . . "After the folks over at the Alameda (I'm old enough to remember when it was built, so I call it the Alameda) get through consulting with all of the real estate/tax attorneys, etc., they might want to consider spending most of that $16 million on a good PR firm to help them recover from the PR nightmare they are creating for themselves." COURTHOUSE INSIDERS BLAME TEAM FRANK WHITE FOR THE HORRIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES PRECEDING JACKSON COUNTY JAIL RAPE ALLEGATIONS!!! STRIKES AGAINST THE REPUTATION OF COUNTY EXECUTIVE FRANK WHITE Insider: Plain and simple, team White's incompetence were the proximate cause of the jail rapes: Jackson County Prosecutor: Rape, burglary and other charges filed against Jackson County jail inmate Amid tragic reports and deets amid Jackson County jail rape allegations, the question of accountability is first and foremost on the minds of Kansas City political denizens.To wit . . .Here's an impressive roundup ofas this tragedy now necessitates questions of responsibility which often go unmentioned in mainstream media accounts.Checkit:As the details sink in of how a woman charged with a simple city ticket could come to be raped in the county jail by a man being held on a murder charge, it is becoming hard to ignore the obvious: Frank White and/or his entire administration are completely in over their heads. There are many very revealing tidbits in the official probable cause report that was released from prosecutor Jean Baker's office that expose many very troubling details. A few that come to mind are:1. How does a "key" to the cells of dangerous inmates simply go "missing" for two entire days and the place not be on 100% DEFCON 5-style lockdown?! The place should have been turned upside down until it was found with, at a minimum, nobody leaving their cell and guards swarming the place looking for it. That's what minimally competent administrator's do. However, it was just business as usual as the administration knew that a master key to the cells of our City's most dangerous felons was missing but nobody seemed to act like it was anything to be worried about. If this is properly dealt with at the time,2. Who in the HELL in the administration thought it was anything but an unmitigated disaster to put female municipal offenders awaiting bond on tickets in the same area as long-term violent sexual predators? A blind man could have seen this coming.. Also, given the large number ofwomen who have already come forward alleging their own issues with prior groping and assault, it is simply borderline (if not actually) criminal to have allowed this to continue. If this insane policy of comingling predators with low grade municipal offenders isn't adopted by the administration, then3. At least one of the victims claims that she was "too scared" to speak about her rape in front of jail staff. Clearly she had good reason to believe that the jail staff had little if any interest at all in her safety, and perhaps worse. What in the hell is going on over there? Why is only ONE guard "suspended" and not dozens fired? A further window into a culture of no accountability or even minimal concern with the safety of others.4. How are inmates allowed to open their cells and "wander freely" for almost 2 straight hours without any guard or video surveillance seeming to notice? Doesn't an alarm sound when a cell door is mysteriously opened at 2:30 am? It should. That technology has existed since the late 1800's. If an alarm did sound, who failed to respond, and if not, why hasn't the administration invested the roughly $10.00 per cell to alert them when a killer jimmies open their door in the middle of the night? If the entire operation had not been asleep, incompetent, or "on break" that night, thenLet's not understate this tragedy. Real people's lives have been completely destroyed by the historic level of apathy and utter incompetence that exists at the county today. This should rise far above politics. The juvenile infighting between the children in charge at the county only compounds the problem and ensures that the county is more focused on protecting Frank's "brand" then actually fixing anything. I don't know that it's not time to begin to think about Frank's resignation.###########Links:Developing . . . To avoid any clash with cow vigilante groups, several Muslim organizations have sent a petition to the Telangana government asking it to make cattle legally available to them for Bakrid sacrifice. By Ashish Pandey: With cow vigilantism on rise and Bakrid just around the corner, several Muslim organizations in Hyderabad have petitioned the government urging to sell the cattle through animal husbandry department counters for sacrifice in order to avoid harassment from various vigilante groups. The Muslim organizations requested the Telangana government as well as the police to make appropriate arrangements for procuring animals for the upcoming Bakrid festival. The organizations also requested the state government to provide animals for sale to avoid any law and order situation or spoiled communal harmony. advertisement 'LEGAL SACRIFICE FOR BAKRID' Speaking to India Today, President of ALL India Sunni Ulema Board Siyyad Shah Hamid Sutari said, "In the past various incidents were reported in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh creating trouble in the law and order situation. We have requested the government to provide cattle for sacrifice through state animal husbandry department to avoid any untoward incident." "The board is completely against the cow slaughter and but we need those cattle, which are allowed for sacrifice in law," Sutari further said. The petition has been signed by Muslim Organizations like Sunni Ulema Board, All India Muslim League, Soofi Academy, Telangana Minority State Forum, Sunni Ulema Council and Awami Majilis Amal. STRICT VIGILANCE BY POLICE Meanwhile, following the reports of illegal transportation of cows and calves in the city for Bakrid sacrifice, the city police have put check-posts at different places, particularly in the old city area. Police have arrested seven persons in two separate cases of illegal transportation of cattle for sacrifice. The police have warned the self-proclaimed cow vigilantes against harassing anyone in the name of protection of cows. Issuing strict warning, the DCP South Zone V Satyanarayana said, "If any cow vigilante group takes law in hand, we will definitely take tough action against them. At the same time we will not allow anyone to sacrifice banned cattle in the city." THE COW SLAUGHTER LAW Cow and calf slaughtering is prohibited in Telangana. The police have made elaborate arrangements to ensure maintenance of law and order situation in Hyderabad and other districts of the state. The police are also taking help of community leaders and conducting awareness camps informing people about the restriction. According to cow slaughter law, bulls and bullocks can be killed in Telangana against a "fit-for-slaughter" certificate. This is issued for such animals, which can no longer be used for breeding, draught or agricultural operations. Violators face 6 months jail and/or Rs 1,000 fine. Bakrid will be celebrated on September 13. ALSO READ: Bakrid in Delhi on Tuesday; no holiday on Monday Telangana govt to provide Rs 1.5 crore to each new district Hyderabad: Toddler rescued from locked car --- ENDS --- READ COUNCIL DUDE SHARP CALLING OUT RIVAL SOUTH KANSAS CITY CAMPAIGNERS FOR THE DRIVE-BY IN ADDITION TO BLAMING MISSOURI GUN LAWS!!! ACCORDINGLY, HE DEMANDS ELECTION REFORM AND 2ND AMENDMENT LIMITATIONS!!! Here's @ TKC we can't ignore the implication that Kansas City politics once again resulted in gun play . . . Which, if true, means that our local Democracy really has regressed back to the Pendergast days in every possible way. - The former councilman doesn't miss a beat in connecting this neighborhood shooting to Missouri Senate Bill 656 and the ongoing effort to limit 2nd Amendment protections in Missouri. - Former councilman Sharp has a point when he talks about Kansas City election reform and this violence he connects to a controversial campaign amid the "toxic atmosphere" of current political rhetoric that he hopes will be toned down. John Sharp: "I am almost positive I was the intended target, particularly since I was heavily involved in a successful campaign in the August 2nd Primary election that became very bitter in its closing days. In fact, I had to call 9-1-1 three times election day due to threats of physical violence against another poll worker helping the candidate I supported who was doing nothing confrontational. After I reported to the 9-1-1 call taker that the main instigator of these threat old me he had just gotten out of the penitentiary and was going home to get his gun and coming back to "settle this", the police responded in force and stationed an officer at the polling location for the remainder of the day . . . I have never personally witnessed this level of violent intimidation." Recently, Former Kansas City Councilman Sharp talked to thebut the info wasn't complete.Now . . .Denizens of our blog community remind us that the former councilman has also been criticized for his tough campaigning tactics andwhopeople feel betrayed their trust . . . You guys are smart and you'll figure it out in the comments.Also, and because the purpose of our TKC blog community is to discuss unpleasant topics that often go unmentioned . . . For all her faults, Bonnaye is a sweet lady and shedo a drive-by . . . But I digress . . . Mostly because the mere suggestion of as much would be laughable if the allegation wasn't so serious and irresponsibly implied against her campaign with a clever turn of a phrase that TV news politely ignored. The point of this paragraph amid what could be a record setting year for violence in our city: If a former Councilman is going to accuse a losing Kansas City campaign of commissioning a drive-by then we all need take note of the allegation, take it seriously and talk about it no uncertain terms . . . Not just use a potentially deadly instance of shooting as a rhetorical ploy.But beyond community news and neighborhood political slap fighting, there are two more important things here . . .More importantly . . .Here's the word . . .Eventually, we hope they'll post the whole thing in the Martin City Telegraph under "The John Sharp Report" . . .You decide . . . Greek Labour Minister George Katrougalos admitted that ancillary pensions were slashed by 40% during an interview on state broadcaster ERT, Wednesday. Katrougalos explained that this came about as a result of an imbalance between contributions and benefits. The Minister stressed that main pensions had not been affected, while supplementary pensions would be cut, only if the aggregate of the two was over 1,300 Euros a month. He claimed the new estimation was based on a more just social system between contributions and benefits received by pensioners. Katrougalos dispelled rumours that pensioners would suffer new cuts as black propaganda. The Minister added that all pensioners would be personally informed via letters on the amount they would lose and how the new system of estimating their pensions worked. He added that that a 10% limit would be imposed on amounts paid retroactively, while he accused the opposition party of New Democracy of twoing the line of Greeces lenders. On the matter of debts to pension funds, Katrougalos said the Greek government would attempt to freeze them in the upcoming talks with the countrys creditors. The Minister reiterated the government would not budge on its red lines regarding massive lay-offs in the workforce, collective bargaining and lock outs. On the issue of people losing their jobs in the TV stations that failed to get licences, Katrougalos said the government would show solidarity to them, without specifying how. 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 Cyprus considers the initiative of the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to hold the Med Group (Cyprus, Greece, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Malta) summit in Athens as particularly significant Cyprus considers the initiative of the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to hold the Med Group (Cyprus, Greece, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Malta) summit in Athens as particularly significant, the Cypriot government spokesman Nicos Christodoulides on Thursday said in exclusive statements to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency. The group was established three years ago, at the initiative of the Cypriot Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides. "The summit of Athens is the first meeting of the group, held at the level of heads of state and government." "The summit of the South" is considered essential in view of the forthcoming informal summit meeting of EU leaders to be held in Bratislava on September 16, focused on the future of Europe following the outcome of the British referendum," he stressed. "The aim of the summit is the positive, constructive and complementary contribution of the Group to this debate," Christodoulides stated. The Cypriot government spokesman underlined that "another burning issue of the meeting in Athens will be migration, and the need for full respect and implementation of the principle of solidarity between EU member states." "This issue," he said, "is one of the most critical issues Europe is faced with today, since the Mediterranean countries have to deal with most of the pressure." Particularities of the Mediterranean region Regarding the economy and growth, he noted that "it is particularly important for leaders to express their positions through the exchange of views to make better understand the particularities of the Mediterranean region in defining the Union's future policies." In addition, he noted, there is need for awareness of our other European partners to generate investment prospects in the Mediterranean region. Christodoulides stressed the important role of the Mediterranean countries to stabilize the European safety structure, since they are the borders of the EU to the Middle East and North Africa. "In such an unstable region, where there are constant conflicts and where the threat of terrorism always lurks, the Mediterranean basin should become a pillar of peace, stability and cooperation, building bridges between Europe and the Middle East / North Africa," according to the Cypriot government spokesman. He also stressed that the Summit of Athens "will support the EU efforts to evaluate the new geopolitical conditions in the region and to define the Union's future objectives and priorities for cooperation and joint action in security." 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 Several agreements in various sectors will be signed during the Greek-Russian Forum, that will take place during the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) Several agreements in various sectors will be signed during the Greek-Russian Forum, that will take place during the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), the Russian Consul in Thessaloniki, Alexei Popov, said on Thursday in an interview with Praktorio 104.9 FM. "We will have a Greek-Russian forum during the fair and agreements in various sectors will be signed on the second day. For example, in the sector of pharmaceutical manufacturing, tourism, as well as between the chambers of the two countries," he underlined. Russia, which is the guest of honor at the 81st Thessaloniki International Fair, will be present at booth 16, with about 40 companies - state and private - covering various sectors of the economy, from tourism to energy, and with a rich cultural programme, according to the Russian consul. As regards the growth prospects of the Greek-Russian relations, Popov noted that an effort is being made to extend in other sectors beyond the basic pillars (tourism and energy), such as industry and technology. "I believe that Greece, with its scientific staff, can play a positive role in this field," said Popov. Regarding the preference of the Russian tourists to Greece, Popov explained that "we see Greece as a very safe and favorable destination, since our people feel good as they are in a friendly, of the same religion, environment and not far away - just three hours from Moscow." From the Russian side, the main concern is, as Popov said, "to increase the flow of tourists to Russia." Popular destinations for Russians that choose Greece for their holidays are the Greek islands and Chalkidiki. 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 Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias during his opening speech at the Conference on Stability and Security held in Rhodes with the participation of foreign ministers and senior officials of European and Arab states stressed the need for collective and coordinated action, as well as taking initiatives for the public benefit. "Interconnection and interdependence," are the cornerstone, he said "in order to seek common positions and common solutions to the problems of the region." "The foundation of such cooperation," he noted "is the very good relations between Greece and the Arab world. Relations that we want to expand to whole Europe." The Greek Foreign minister stressed the importance of peace in fighting terrorism, defending the interests of the people and promoting international cooperation, adding that the main conditions for peace are the end of the chaos in Libya and a stable national government. The war in Syria and the war in Iraq should also stop. A peace treaty that will allow the local population to return to their homes should be signed and a large reconstruction programme in these countries should be implemented. Unstable areas need to be stabilized and a peaceful and long-lasting solution on the Kurdish issue to be found. Referring to the Palestinian issue, he stressed the need to create two states in the Middle East that will live in peace and security with respect to human dignity. New economic infrastructure Kotzias pointed out that the important contribution of Jordan and Lebanon must be recognised and be supported financially -especially by the EU - as the goal is not only the treatment of refugees but also the creation of new economic infrastructure. The Greek Foreign Minister also proposed the cooperation and coordination of intelligence services and police forces against terrorism and organized crime networks. "We must combat the origins of religious, racial, nationalist hatred and violence. We must contribute to a balanced social and economic development," he added. "Our core philosophy is that our region should not only be seen with regards to the Middle East problem and the potential dynamics," he said, adding the importance of promoting cooperation at all levels, which can be achieved through cooperation networks and immediate confidence building measures in multiple areas. "Our actions and further development of our cooperation are based on international law, the UN, the EU and cooperation among the Arab countries, the institutions of this cooperation", he concluded proposing this conference to become a permanent dialogue institution of peace and security for the entire region. 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 The 5th Athens Flying Week will be held at the Tanagra Airport on 17-18 September 2016 The biggest air Show in Greece, the 5th Athens Flying Week, is coming back in September, more dynamic than ever. The Athens Flying Week is growing and taking off for Tanagra, finally giving spectators the opportunity to experience up-close the takeoffs and landings of their favourite jets, to be photographed next to the aircraft of the largest static display of recent years and to have unique experiences with world-class pilots, as well as fighter jet pilots, in the largest airshow of South-eastern Europe!!! In this year's AFW, for the first time and only for AFW's friends, the Hellenic Aerospace Industry opens its doors and let's us tour the unknown up to now world of fighter aircraft. There will also be information available for all types of aviation training by Flying Clubs, the Hellenic Aeronautical and Airsports Federation and other similar schools. At the same time, there will be demonstrations by R/C air modellers, a range of original happenings, a trade fair, many catering venues, spacious bars, and as always, our state of the art playground for our young friends! The airshow, with more than 200,000 faithful fans from all over the world, will be held at the Tanagra Airport on 17-18 September 2016. For reservations and tickets 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 For Greece, Rosstat records 260,000 arrivals, an increase of 22.1% whereas the Bank of Greece announced for the same period 162,000 arrivals (+7.7%) Russian tourists outbound flow is reduced, but at a slower pace than in 2015, according to the Federal State Statistics Service Rosstat. For the first half of 2016, Russians made 13.2 million trips abroad, which is 13.1% less than in the same period of 2015 ( 15.2 million trips). For comparison, in the first half of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014 outbound flow decreased by 24.4%. In the first six months of this year, they often traveled to Abkhazia (1.5 million visits), Finland (1.26 million), Kazakhstan (1.25 million), Ukraine (816 thousands), China (712) , Estonia (698), Poland (581), Germany (468), Thailand (441) and Spain (321). Compared with the same period last year, Turkey and Egypt were excluded from the most popular destinations list. During the first 6 months of this year, Russians made only 168 thousand trips to Turkey, while last year over the same period they went on a 1.37 million trips (87.7% reduction). Between January-June 2015 Russians visited Egypt 1.27 million times. The main shift in the Russian market was recorded in Tunisia, where tourist arrivals grew almost 7 times: During the first half of 2016, the North African country was visited by 186 thousand Russians ranking 18th among the most popular destinations. Statistical discrepancy The list of the remaining popular destinations includes: Cyprus (314 thousand trips), Italy (313), Lithuania ( 303), Georgia (298), Azerbaijan (267), Greece (260), UAE (240), Bulgaria (182) and France (180). Thus, for Greece, Rosstat records 260,000 arrivals, an increase of 22.1% whereas the Bank of Greece announced for the same period 162,000 arrivals (+7.7%), Apparently, the Bank of Greece should try to locate the reasons behind this discrepancy. Cyprus showed great momentum with an increase of almost 50% followed by China (+45%). Upward tendecies were recorded in Thailand (+24.2%), Bulgaria (+ 23.8%), Greece (+ 22.1%) Georgia (+ 21.2%) and Spain (+ 14.6%). Vietnam also rose in popularity with 177 thousand Russians visiting during the first half of 2016 compared to 152 thousand visits during the same period last year (+ 16.4%). United Arab Emirates remained relatively stable at 240 thousand trips compared to 244 thousand last year and so did Estonia with 698 thousand visits against 696 thousand in 2015. Russian tourist arrivals decreased in Finland (-17%), Kazakhstan (- 11.5%) and Poland (-10.6%). There was also a 7% drop in the number of Russians traveling to France (180 thousand), 15.7% fewer trips to the Czech Republic (152 thousand) and 10.2% in Israel (140 thousand). 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 Cyprus and Jordan are expected to sign a significant number of agreements across various sectors before the end of 2016, government spokesperson Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday. In his remarks to reporters at the Presidential Palace, following the visit of the King of Jordan Abdullah II to Cyprus, Christodoulides said that during President Nicos Anastasiades and King Abdullah II's meeting, they held, a very constructive discussion on issues concerning the bilateral relations between the two countries and regional developments; and the President had the opportunity to brief also about the developments on the Cyprus problem, and what is taking place at the negotiating table. Regarding the bilateral relations, Christodoulides said that there was a discussion on issues concerning the strengthening of economic relations, tourism ties, and energy issues, based on developments in the region and Europe. It should be expected, before the end of the year, that there will be a signing of a significant number of agreements in various sectors between the two countries. Also discussed was the prospect of a trilateral meeting at the level of Heads of State between Cyprus, Greece and Jordan, he said. 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 Details on the property issue in the ongoing Cyprus talks have been revealed by Turkish newspaper Milliyet Details on the property issue in the ongoing Cyprus talks have been revealed by Turkish newspaper Milliyet, whose informants have suggested that the return of properties is still on the negotiating table and currently undergoing final adjustments. According to the newspapers publication on Thursday, the initial application of a Greek Cypriot or a Turkish Cypriot will be filed with the Property Committee, which will examine the application and decide whether or not it is valid. Milliyets article, CNA reported, says that in the case the application is deemed valid, the Committee will examine the options of exchange, recompense, or return. It also suggests that should a property have been undeveloped in 1974 but has subsequently had a home constructed on it, the land in question will not be returned to the owner. The property owner will be recompensed for the value of his/her property. If the property in question is a home which has been left empty, than a rule of 1/3 will be put into place. Milliyet says that the rule of 1/3 means that only 1/3 of the property will be returned to the rightful owner, and a title deed owned by a Turkish Cypriot will made into a title deed of a federal Cyprus. For public properties recompense will be given to the owners, the newspaper noted. Religious properties Milliyet has said that all religious properties will be returned, but not all properties owned by the church/mosque, except those that are used for religious ceremonies. The newspapers information has said that the rest of the properties will be given based on the formula developed regarding the emotional bond individuals have for their properties. Milliyet says that if a Turkish Cypriot or a Greek Cypriot says that they lived in the property before 1974 and that they have an emotional bond they will have the ability to return to their homes. However, the newspaper added this will be determined by the criteria, and who is living in the property at the moment. Milliyet has said that those criteria are still being discussed at the Cyprus negotiating table as the final adjustments are being made. The newspaper has mentioned that they estimate approximately 5,000 Greek Cypriots between the ages of 67 and 75 will have their properties returned, adding that if a Greek Cypriot selects the option of return then the individual living in the property will be recompensed. The newspaper has said that the Turkish Cypriot team is taking serious steps to reach a solution, in an effort to avoid social or economic problems in the future. Milliyet added that if the Greek Cypriot side makes concessions on the territory issues, than there will be more elasticity in the guarantee issue. 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 "I request India to add Balochistan to its foreign policies and completely support its freedom from Pakistan," reads the open letter. By India Today Web Desk: Pakistan's largest province by landmass, Balochistan, has experienced insurgency by Baloch separatists and militant groups for years. The separatist groups have time and again accused the Pakistani state of suppressing the rights of the civilian and systematically impeding the development of the people. The province has witnessed several uprisings since Pakistan became independent from British colonial rule in 1947. The civilians are the ones who bear the brunt of the atrocities meted out by Pakistani security forces. There are several accounts of targeted killings, rape and illegal detention. Pakistan, in turn, blames India for the insurgency in Balochistan, claiming that India is aiding terror activities among the Baloch nationalists advertisement ALSO READ: Human rights violated, natural resources exploited: All you need to know about the Balochistan issue In the middle of this blame game and fighting is a moving open letter by a young woman from Pakistan occupied Balochistan, who is a victim of the ongoing fighting. Tarek Fatah, a Canadian columnist and author, tweeted pictures of the letter penned by the woman from Pakistan-occupied Balochistan. A hand-written msg to the people & PM of India from a young woman in Pakistan-occupied #Balochistan - @Baloch_World pic.twitter.com/MdFeg9GWlQ (((Tarek Fatah))) (@TarekFatah) September 8, 2016 In the letter she writes, "Pakistan has serious concerns on Kashmir but India doesn't seem that much serious to support the ongoing freedom movement of Balochistan in Pakistan. I request India to add Balochistan to it's foreign policies,help improve education and completely support the movement of Balochistan freedom from Pakistan [sic]. ALSO READ: Who are the people of Balochistan? Here's all you need to know Pakistan raises the Kashmir issue in "Pakistan wants to occupy Jammu and Kashmir, nominally claiming independence but in actual Pakistan wants to take the revenge of Bangladesh. Pakistan has added Kashmir in it's foreign policies 'Kashmir Independence Day' 'Kashmir Accession Day'. All the agencies if the United Nations, adds its trained terrorist in Kashmir's separatist forces as "Mujahideens" Kashmir issue is a crucial part of Pakistani media while Pakistani army is directly in the battle to occupy Jammu and Kashmir." [sic] For a long time, India has maintained a neutral stand over the internal matters of other countries. However, PM Modi's Independence Day speech turned things around when he expressed his gratitude towards the people of Balochistan, and took a tough stance against terrorism. According to reports , Pakistani Foreign Affairs advisor Sartaj Aziz, said "Modi's intervention is a significant development for supporters of the Baloch freedom movement. While some say this might be intended to divert attention from the ongoing situation in Kashmir, it still has political and strategic significance. The Baloch leaders have said time and again that they are open to receiving support from any foreign government willing to come to their rescue." --- ENDS --- advertisement Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), a leading aluminium smelter, has announced commitments of $1.5 billion for the commercial loan facility to finance the companys Line 6 expansion project. Alba had originally planned to raise between $500 million and $750 million but increased the commercial loan facility size to $1.5 billion due to heavy oversubscription which resulted in competitive market terms. The $1.5 billion commercial facility will carry an interest margin of 325 basis point per annum over the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). This facility is expected to have a seven-year tenor and the principal amount repayable in eight semi-annual instalments, including a three-year grace period on principal payments to support the Line 6 construction period, Alba said. The commercial loan facility will comprise two tranches: a US dollar-denominated senior unsecured conventional term-loan facility (the Conventional Facility) of $882 million and a US dollar-denominated senior Shariah-compliant facility (the Islamic Facility) of $618 million. Alba's chairman Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Bin Daij Al Khalifa said: We are pleased with the success of these landmark commitments, which will be the largest syndicated loan structure in the history of the Kingdom of Bahrain. This clearly reflects the overwhelming support towards the Line 6 Expansion Project, which is one of the biggest mega projects in Bahrain and the GCC. The overwhelming demand is a testament to Albas solid balance sheet and the strong underlying fundamentals of the Line 6 Expansion Project. Gulf International Bank, J P Morgan Limited, and National Bank of Bahrain are acting as global coordinators to assist Alba in arranging the commercial loan facility. Expected to start metal production in early 2019, Line 6 Expansion Project will boost the per-annum production by 540,000 metric tonnes upon its full ramp-up, bringing Albas total production capacity to 1,500,000 metric tonnes per annum to make Alba the worlds largest single-site aluminium smelter. - TradeArabia News Service Egypt is in talks with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) to help finance three new development projects in Sinai region, said a report. These include road development works, upgradation of a fishing port in Al Tor city and extension of electricity lines to 17 compounds in North and South Sinai, reported Amwal Al Ghad citing a Ministry of International Co-operation official. There has been a significant progress in the co-operation between Egypt and the Arab funds, the official said, referring to $105-million deal signed recently with the Kuwait Fund for the establishment of five desalination plants in South Sinai. Egypt has also signed a $126 million with the Kuwait Fund late July to finance East Port Said desalination plant, the report added. Australia-based Elemental Minerals has signed an investment agreement with Omans State General Reserve Fund (SGRF), a sovereign wealth fund, to finance the development of a major potash project in the Republic of Congo, said a report. Elemental Minerals revealed in a statement that the SGRF is one of three globally significant strategic investors that have made a cumulative $50 million equity injection against the allocation of shares in the company, added the Oman Daily Observer report. SGRF has agreed to subscribe for shares with a total subscription value of $20 million at an issue price of $0.20, or approximately 133 million shares, representing approximately 17.4 per cent of the total issued share capital of Elemental Minerals, it said The other strategic investors are: Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA (SQM), a prominent Chilean producer of fertilisers and industrial chemicals, with a $20 million contribution; and Summit, a private equity fund group operating in Africa, with an investment of $10 million. Elemental said the funding would enable the appointment of a world class engineering and construction consortium to complete a definitive feasibility study (DFS) for its flagship potash project, the Kola Sylvinite Project in the Republic of Congo. Billed as one of the most attractive potash opportunities globally, Kola is estimated to hold proven and probable reserves of 152 million tonnes of Sylvinite ore (potash ore). With an operating cost of less than $100 per tonne of muriate of potash (MOP), it would be one of the lowest cost potash mines in the world, according to Elemental. Additionally, the strategic investment allows Elemental to carry out additional drilling at the Dougou Extension Sylvinite Prospect, deemed as a candidate for the worlds highest grading potash seam. Located 15km southwest of Kola, the Dougou Extension lies immediately west of the Dougou Deposit, a very large deposit with an indicated potash mineral resource of 1.1 billion tonnes, added the report. Top global expert in maritime security Captain John J Driscoll has been officially confirmed as a speaker at the 2016 Qatar Maritime Security - Coastal and Border Surveillance Conference (QMARSEC), next month, in Doha, Qatar. The event will take place on October 25. Captain Driscoll's participation in this event reflects the confidence and support that this relatively young event is already enjoying from major militaries, notably the US, said a statement. Captain John J Driscoll is Commodore US Coast Guard, Patrol Forces Southwest Asia. Previously, he completed a tour as chief, drug and migrant interdiction, Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, DC, it said. At sea, Captain Driscoll has commanded Coast Guard Cutters Thetis (WMEC 910), Nantucket (WPB 1316) and Matagorda (WPB 1303). Other afloat assignments include tours as officer in charge of a Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET); as Supply and then Operations Officer in USCGC MIDGETT (WHEC 726) highlighted by a 1999 deployment to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf as part of the USS Constellation Carrier Battle Group; and as executive officer aboard USCGC Mohawk (WMEC 913) when the ship's major accomplishments included the response to the disaster caused by the earthquake in Port au Prince, Haiti, and Mohawk's deployment to Africa as part of the African Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership (AMLEP). Captain Driscoll holds a Bachelor's Degree in History from the Virginia Military Institute and a Master's Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the US Naval War College. Captain Driscoll is the first Coast Guard graduate of the United States Navy's Maritime Advanced Warfighting School. QMARSEC 2016 is Qatar's Largest Maritime Security Conference and promises to be one of the highlights of the year, attracting delegates from all over the world to engage in discussions on the theme 'The Future of Automatic Identification System (AIS) Technologies and the Use of Unmanned Systems for Maritime Domain Awareness', said a statement. Captain Driscoll said: This conference is a magnificent opportunity for those of us involved in day-to-day maritime security operations to share our knowledge and experiences for our common benefit. By learning from each other, we grow in understanding and catalyze great leaps forward - especially in terms of the technology we employ - to achieve our goals in a safer, more efficient manner, he added. Staff Brigadier (Pilot) Mohammed A Al Mannai, director, Qatar National Security Shield Project, said: "I'm personally very excited to announce Captain Driscoll as one of our expert presenters for the event. "His experience is second-to-none and I know that many of our delegates are very much looking forward to his unique insights, he added. Matthew Cochran, chairman and CEO of Defense Services Marketing Council (DSMC) said: "Captain Driscoll is a global leader in maritime security and his participation is a huge personal vote of support for the event, as well as a strong signal of support from the US Military. TradeArabia News Service Ras Al Khaimah International Airport has announced the launch of Egypt Air Cargo freighter operations from today (September 8), with a weekly flight from Cairo. In a ceremony conducted at the airport Engineer Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Department of Civil Aviation, commended the progress the airport has made and welcomed Egypt Air to Ras Al Khaimah, said a statement from the airport. Al Qasimi said: We wholeheartedly welcome the national airline from our brotherly country of Egypt, and assure it of complete support from our teams here in Ras Al Khaimah to enable the smoothest of operations. This, we hope, is a beginning of a long-term relationship, which will increase and further strengthen trade and economic ties between Ras Al Khaimah and Egypt, he added. Al Qasimi attributed this success to the support and vision of HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the UAE and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. Egypt Air Cargos chairman and CEO Captain Basem Gohar, said: The UAE is changing the global economy by providing opportunities for Egypt Airs cargo products and services, and encouraging and increasing the productivity of air transportation gateways. This freighter operation to Ras Al Khaimah will provide a unifying vision and create opportunities to adapt further to the UAEs economic development and service other gateway destinations, he said. He added: We are keen to continue building Egypt Air Cargos reputation and impact in UAE, and are willing in the near future to increase our freighter operation, promoting Ras Al Khaimah as a high quality gateway transit centre which will benefit from traffic from the UAE to the Far East and beyond Egypt. We will maintain our close association and further grow the successful trading relationship between our two respective countries, he concluded. 2016 has been an exciting year for Ras Al Khaimah International Airport which has already seen the Emirate connected to more than 160 destinations worldwide following the startup of passenger operations for Qatar Airways and Air India Express, and the purple patch enjoyed by the UAEs Northern Gateway looks set to continue. RAK Airport CEO Mohammed Qazi, said: We are pleased to welcome Egypt Air Cargo to our airport, and look forward to working closely with the airline to increase the frequencies and routes through RAK in the near future. Cargo has always been high on our agenda, but finding right partner is always key. With Egypt Air Cargo, we feel confident that we have a great partner to work with and grow the trade between the countries. Current operations will be a weekly flight operating Cairo-Ras Al Khaimah-Mumbai-Cairo, he added. TradeArabia News Service Turkey's Zorlu Enerji plans to invest more than $4 billion for the construction of gas-fired power plants in Iran, the companys CEO was quoted as saying in an Iran Daily report. An investment plan is likely to be announced this year for building about 5,000 MW of capacity in Iran, Omer Yungul noted, the report said, citing Bloomberg. Meanwhile, Unit International is currently awaiting Iran's approval to begin constructing seven power plants worth about $4.2 billion in the country, the report said. The company expects to begin construction of the plants in the first quarter of 2017. Unit International's agreement signed in June is part of a much wider effort by Iran to boost its power capacity. The country currently produces 74,000 MW of electricity, but it plans to raise this to more than 120,000 MW within the next 10 years, the report said. Algeria's energy minister will meet his Saudi counterpart and Opec's secretary-general in Paris on Friday as part of moves towards clinching a global deal on stabilising crude output to support oil prices, an Algerian official and Opec sources said. Algeria will host the informal meeting with Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih and Opec's Mohammed Barkindo, said the Algerian official, who asked not to be identified. A source at the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries confirmed the meeting as part of a push for an output deal, with producers battered by a glut-induced halving of oil prices over the past two years. "There is a strong move towards a deal between Opec and non-Opec to at least freeze production," the source told Reuters. "It seems we are going in this direction. But if we are going to freeze, we have to use secondary sources to gauge production levels. We can't allow each country to use a different method," the source said. "Iran must agree to be in line with other producers and use secondary sources." Tehran says it supports any measures to stabilise the market. However, it has stopped short of indicating whether it would join a global deal before its production reaches 4 million barrels per day, the level at which it says it was pumping before the imposition of Western sanctions in 2012. The sanctions ended in January this year. Iran has been the main factor preventing an output deal between Opec and non-Opec Russia as Tehran has said it should be excluded from any such agreement before its production recovers. The Opec source said Iran's production before sanctions had never exceeded 3.75 million bpd according to secondary sources, which include consultants and industry media that estimate output independently. Iran has said it is producing slightly more than 3.8 million bpd. It signalled on Tuesday it was prepared to work with Saudi Arabia and Russia to prop up prices, although Tehran has begun to bargain with Opec on possible exemptions from any output cap. The Opec source said major oil producers were trying to convince Tehran to come onboard, adding there was an initial understanding that only Libya could be offered an exemption. "Now there is a push to smooth things out and solve any problem," the Opec source said, adding there had been no agreement yet on any level at which to freeze production. "This will be discussed in Algeria," the source said. Algeria is hosting meetings of the International Energy Forum and Opec on September 26-28. Energy Minister Noureddine Bouterfa travelled to Moscow on Thursday, following recent trips to Qatar and Iran. Opec and Russia are expected to revive talks for a global deal on production in Algeria. A similar initiative failed in April after Saudi Arabia insisted Iran join the pact. - Reuters By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 8 (PTI) In the wake of a row over Cauvery water, Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan today underscored the need for evolving a consensus to bring the subject of water in Concurrent List. "There is a need to discuss whether this subject can be brought under Concurrent List in view of water crisis. Several problems can be solved if the subject is brought in the Concurrent List, for Centre can do something in case of disputes then. Right now, water is a state subject and we cant do much about it," he said while speaking about the row. advertisement The Minister of State for Water Resources, who had spoken on the issue during the last Monsoon session of Parliament as well, claimed that several Parliamentarians share his view and stressed on the need to evolve the consensus cutting party lines. "An initiative in this regard though should come from within the Parliament first. An environment in this regard should evolve first," he added. In the past, Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti and a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources too have stated the need for bringing the subject in the Concurrent List. In December last year, the Standing Committee had urged the Centre to initiate "earnest" efforts to build a national consensus for bringing water in the Concurrent List of Constitution so that a comprehensive plan can be prepared for water conservation. The Panel had said water needs to be dealt within a consultative manner, taking into consideration the overall national perspective and given the fact that country will face acute water crisis in near future, especially ground water. Water supplies, irrigation and canals, drainage and embankments and storage fall in the state list. The Supreme Court had on September 5 directed Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to Tamil Nadu for 10 days to ameliorate plight of the farmers there. Noting that the samba crops in Tamil Nadu would be adversely affected, a bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and U U Lalit directed Karnataka to ensure supply of water to Tamil Nadu. Following the decision, farmers and pro-Kannada outfit activists hit the streets and observed bandh in Karnatakas Mandya district, considered as the hotbed of Cauvery politics. PTI ENM AAR RT AAR DK --- ENDS --- Samsung Gulf Electronics has launched its exchange programme for Galaxy Note7 owners in Bahrain in response to the recent announcement regarding isolated battery cell issue of the device. While there have been only a small number of reported incidents, Samsung is taking great care to provide customers with the support they need through the Galaxy Note7 exchange programme, a statement said. In view of customer safety, Samsung has stopped sales of the Galaxy Note7 in the kingdom, it added. Samsung is taking a proactive approach to address customer needs around the Galaxy Note7, said Ismail Yoon, president of Samsung Gulf Electronics. We are encouraging customers to replace their Galaxy Note7 by taking advantage of our Product Replacement Program. The safety and satisfaction of our customers is Samsungs top priority. For customers who have the Galaxy Note7 device, Samsung in Bahrain will voluntarily exchange their current device to a new Galaxy Note7 over the coming weeks till December 31 at multiple locations. Until the new Galaxy Note7 stock arrives, a loan device will be provided as an option, according to the statement. TradeArabia News Service Samsung Gulf Electronics today announced the availability of its exchange programme for Galaxy Note 7 owners in Bahrain. This programme is in response to the recent announcement regarding isolated battery cell issue of the Galaxy Note7 device, the company said. "While there have been only a small number of reported incidents, Samsung is taking great care to provide customers with the support they need through the Galaxy Note7 exchange programme. And, because customer safety is an absolute priority, Samsung has stopped sales of the Galaxy Note7," the company said in a statement. Samsung is taking a proactive approach to address customer needs around the Galaxy Note7, said Ismail Yoon, president of Samsung Gulf Electronics. We are encouraging customers to replace their Galaxy Note7 by taking advantage of our product replacement programme. The safety and satisfaction of our customers is Samsungs top priority. For customers who have the Galaxy Note7 device, Samsung in Bahrain will voluntarily exchange their current device to a new Galaxy Note7 over the coming weeks till December 31, 2016 at multiple locations. The locations are: Samsung Brand Shops in Bahrain City Centre, Seef Mall, Muharraq and Juffair Mall, Manama; and Samsung Experience Shops in Gosi Complex, Manama, and in Sultan Mall, Manama. Until the new Galaxy Note7 stock arrives, a loan device will be provided as an option. Further updates on the Galaxy Note7 exchange programme is available at the Samsung Gulf Electronics official website (www.samsung.com/ae). Galaxy Note7 owners are advised to call Samsung Customer Service on 8000-4726 for any questions or concerns. - TradeArabia News Service Visitors at this year's Zurich Film Festival will be able to experience Etihad Airways 360-degree virtual reality movie featuring Academy Award winning actress Nicole Kidman and get a chance to win flights to Abu Dhabi. Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways chief executive officer, said: We are excited to continue our partnership with one of the most prestigious cultural events in Switzerland. The sponsorship underscores our active support of global cultural events, engagement in the local communities we serve and it reinforces our long-term commitment to the Swiss market. Switzerland is an important market for our airline, which we have been serving since 2004. Travellers from cities around the world can conveniently reach Zurich and Geneva using Etihad Airways daily flights and the domestic and regional European services of our partner airlines, airberlin, Niki, Alitalia, Air Serbia and Etihad Regional. Nadja Schildknecht and Karl Spoerri, Zurich Film Festivals co-directors, said: We are very proud of our partnership with Etihad Airways, which helps us reach audiences worldwide. This partnership has proven to be a great fit as the Zurich Film Festival and Etihad Airways share a vision of bringing people together from across the globe through arts and culture. Audience Award For the 2016 edition, Etihad Airways will sponsor the Audience Award. As the culmination of three categories, the Audience Award is one of the festivals most prestigious and is voted for by festival visitors. By voting, viewers have the opportunity to win two Business Class return-flights with Etihad Airways to Abu Dhabi and experience the exclusive business class service of Etihad Airways, or two Economy Class return-flights with airberlin to a destination in the US. The Director of the winning film will be awarded two Business Class return-flights with Etihad Airways to Abu Dhabi and three luxurious nights in a five-star hotel. Whats more; film fans who buy their movie ticket at an official Zurich Film Festival ticket counter, will receive a 20 per cent discount voucher for all flights with Etihad Airways and a reduction of CHF 20 for flights with airberlin. Guests will also have the opportunity to enjoy Etihad Airways 360-degree virtual reality movie starring Academy Award winning actress Nicole Kidman in the main festival tent. The five-minute feature, titled Reimagine, which was first released in May 2016, immerses its viewers in a journey following Nicole Kidman through one of Etihad Airways new Airbus A380s flying between New York and Abu Dhabi. Each scene in the film takes on a theme intended to stimulate the senses of light, sound, motion, and conversation. Now in its 12th year, the Zurich Film Festival showcases diverse stories from around the world with screenings of nearly 160 films, offering cinematic treats to more than 85,000 national and international visitors. Participants include both emerging and renowned filmmakers as well as buyers, sellers, distributors, media professionals and industry leaders. The festival is internationally recognised and has attracted high profile personalities on its green carpet every year, including Hollywood celebrities Cate Blanchett, Hugh Jackman, Richard Gere, Sylvester Stallone, John Travolta, and Susan Sarandon, among others. - TradeArabia News Service Columbia, MD September 8, 2016 Global performance improvement solutions provider GP Strategies Corporation (NYSE: GPX) announced today that it has entered into a multi- year agreement with Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) for training, documentation and competency development services to support KNPCs Clean Fuels Project. The value of this five-year agreement is KWD 10,894,969 (approximately USD $36 million). KNPCs Clean Fuels Project is a large, strategic capital improvement project intended to upgrade KNPCs existing refinery infrastructure, enabling KNPC to supply products meeting the highest levels of quality and emissions reductions standards. The project aims at developing and expanding the Mina Al-Ahmad Refinery to refine 346,000 bpd, and the Mina Abdullah Refinery to refine 454,000 bpd. As a result, the capacity of the two refineries will be 800,000 bpd. GP Strategies involvement includes developing and delivering documentation and training for the refineries operations workforce to prepare them to operate the new and upgraded facilities and to support them through commissioning, initial startup, and sustained, long-term operations. We are excited to be selected as the successful bidder on this contract. We are committed to a successful, 5-year engagement with KNPC to support their workforce from commissioning through startup and in support of sustainable ongoing operations, said Karl Baer, Executive Vice President, Professional & Technical Services, GP Strategies. We are extremely appreciative of the opportunity that KNPC, a global leading oil refinery company, has entrusted to GP Strategies. About GP Strategies GP Strategies Corporation is a global performance improvement solutions provider of training, eLearning solutions, management consulting and engineering services. GP Strategies solutions improve the effectiveness of organizations by delivering innovative and superior training, consulting and business improvement services customized to meet the specific needs of its clients. Clients include Fortune 500 companies, manufacturing, process and energy industries, and other commercial and government customers. Additional information may be found at www.gpstrategies.com. Accused told the victim that he had recorded the rape on his mobile phone and that he would upload the video on the internet if she approached the police. By Mail Today: A 16-year-old girl was raped on Monday in the city allegedly by a youth who she befriended on Facebook six months ago. The police arrested the youth Daniel (24) on Wednesday after the victim's parents filed a police complaint. DETAILS OF THE CASE In her complaint to the police, the victim, who is studying in a polytechnic in the city, said that she attended her friend's birthday party in Ashoknagar on Monday evening. Daniel, who was also at the party, requested the girl to attend a party hosted by him at another place. The girl reluctantly agreed and Daniel introduced her to his friend, who was to drop her to the next party venue. advertisement After some time, Daniel left the party hosted by the girl's friend. Later, Daniel's friend dropped the girl to a different house where Daniel was supposed to have organised a party. However, there was none at home and Daniel forced the girl to have some drink. It is said that the girl was force-fed by Daniel and she lost her consciousness. By the time the girl regained her consciousness, Daniel had allegedly raped her. Daniel told the victim that he had recorded the rape on his mobile phone and that he would upload the video on the internet if she approached the police. Later, he dropped the victim near her home on his bike. CASE FILED UNDER POCSO ACT The next day, the victim approached the police with her parents. On the basis of information provided by the victim, the police arrested Daniel, who reportedly owns a fleet of auto rickshaws. A case has been registered under the POCSO Act. Also read: Karnataka: Trio responsible for 14 rapes in police net Minor Dalit girl gangraped in coastal Karnataka --- ENDS --- The massive rainfall flooded several low lying areas in the town. Many areas are still submerged despite the town receiving less rains on Thursday. By Rohit Kumar Singh: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Thursday visited rain ravaged town of Gaya which has been receiving incessant rains from Monday. The massive rainfall flooded several low lying areas in the town. Many areas are still submerged despite the town receiving less rains on Thursday. Nitish Kumar first went to Shahmir Takya Durga an area surrounded by hills. There is a threat of a landslide due to incessant rains. Nitish therefore appealed to the people living at the base of the hills to vacate the area immediately as there could be an untoward incident that might take place. He used a microphone to make an appeal to the people. He also said the state government was setting up a camp for these people where they would be provided food and shelter. advertisement The Bihar CM later visited the flooded areas of Pantnagar, Ashok Vihar, Madhusudan colony and Mayur Vihar. People in these areas complained of water logging and water entering their houses due to a poor drain system. He immediately directed the district administration to clear the drains within 24 hours and facilitate draining the affected colonies or else warned of action. He directed that if need be , NDRF should be called in to rescue people who are stuck in flooded areas and take them to safer locations. Also Read: --- ENDS --- Market.Biz added new market research report on Global Travel Bag Market 2016. This report also provides more details about Company Profile, Product Picture and Specifications, Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue (TRAVPR.COM) INDIA - September 8th, 2016 - The Global Travel Bag Market 2016 Industry Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the worldwide Travel Bag Market. Firstly, the report (Global Travel Bag Market 2016) provides a basic overview of the Travel Bag industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Travel Bag Industry analysis is provided for the international market including development history, competitive landscape analysis, and major regions? development status. Secondly, in the report (Worldwide Travel Bag Market) development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures regarding Travel Bag Scenario. This report on Travel Bag Market also states import/export, supply, Travel Bag consumption figures as well as cost, price, Travel Bag industry revenue and gross margin by regions (United States, EU, China and Japan), and other regions can be added. Do Inquiry Before Purchasing Report Here: https://market.biz/report/global-travel-bag-industry-2016-market-research-report/1535/#inquiry Major Manufacturers Analysis of Travel Bag :- -Dapai -Adidas -Nike -Winpard -OIWAS -WENGER -Samsonite -LI-NING -AmericanTourister -Caarany -Ace -Toread -NEWCOMER -KipLing -OZARK -HIGHLAND -Diplomat -NIKKO All above Company Profile, Product Picture and Specifications, Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue, Contact Information covered in Travel Bag market report. Then, the report focuses on global major leading industry players (in Travel Bag Industry Scenario) with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, Travel Bag Market revenue and contact information. Purchase Report Here To Get Instant Access To the Report: https://market.biz/report/global-travel-bag-industry-2016-market-research-report/1535/ Upstream raw materials, equipment and downstream consumers analysis is also carried out in Travel Bag Market report. What?s more, the Travel Bag industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed. Finally, The Report (Worldwide Travel Bag Industry)- Feasibility of new investment projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered. ### Market.Biz added new market research report on Global Travel Retail Drinks Market 2016. This report also provides more details about Company Profile, Product Picture and Specifications, Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue (TRAVPR.COM) INDIA - September 8th, 2016 - The Global Travel Retail Drinks Market 2016 Industry Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the worldwide Travel Retail Drinks Market. Firstly, the report (Global Travel Retail Drinks Market 2016) provides a basic overview of the Travel Retail Drinks industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Travel Retail Drinks Industry analysis is provided for the international market including development history, competitive landscape analysis, and major regions? development status. Secondly, in the report (Worldwide Travel Retail Drinks Market) development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures regarding Travel Retail Drinks Scenario. This report on Travel Retail Drinks Market also states import/export, supply, Travel Retail Drinks consumption figures as well as cost, price, Travel Retail Drinks industry revenue and gross margin by regions (United States, EU, China and Japan), and other regions can be added. Do Inquiry Before Purchasing Report Here: https://market.biz/report/global-travel-retail-drinks-market-2016-industry-research-report/10617/#inquiry Major Manufacturers Analysis of Travel Retail Drinks :- -Diageo -Pernod Ricard -Bacardi Ltd -Beam Inc. -Brown-Forman -William Grant & Sons -Edrington Group -R?my Cointreau -LVMH Mo?t Hennessy All above Company Profile, Product Picture and Specifications, Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue, Contact Information covered in Travel Retail Drinks market report. Then, the report focuses on global major leading industry players (in Travel Retail Drinks Industry Scenario) with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, Travel Retail Drinks Market revenue and contact information. Purchase Report Here To Get Instant Access To the Report: https://market.biz/report/global-travel-retail-drinks-market-2016-industry-research-report/10617/ Upstream raw materials, equipment and downstream consumers analysis is also carried out in Travel Retail Drinks Market report. What?s more, the Travel Retail Drinks industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed. Finally, The Report (Worldwide Travel Retail Drinks Industry)- Feasibility of new investment projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered. ### Market.Biz included latest market study report on Global Travelers Vaccines Market 2016. This report also provide more info about import/export, supply, Travelers Vaccines consumption figures as well as cost, price, Travelers Vaccines industry revenue and gross margin by regions (TRAVPR.COM) India - September 8th, 2016 - The Global Travelers Vaccines Market 2016 Industry Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the worldwide Travelers Vaccines Market. Firstly, the report (Global Travelers Vaccines Market 2016) provides a basic overview of the Travelers Vaccines industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Travelers Vaccines Industry analysis is provided for the international market including development history, competitive landscape analysis, and major regions? development status. Secondly, in the report (Worldwide Travelers Vaccines Market) development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures regarding Travelers Vaccines Scenario. This report on Travelers Vaccines Market also states import/export, supply, Travelers Vaccines consumption figures as well as cost, price, Travelers Vaccines industry revenue and gross margin by regions (United States, EU, China and Japan), and other regions can be added. Do Inquiry Before Purchasing Report Here: https://market.biz/report/global-travelers-vaccines-market-2016-industry-research-report/7531/#inquiry Major Manufacturers Analysis of Travelers Vaccines :- -GlaxoSmithKline/Novartis -Sanofi Pasteur -Pfizer -Merck -Sanofi Pasteur MSD -CNBG -Biokangtai All above Company Profile, Product Picture and Specifications, Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue, Contact Information covered in Travelers Vaccines market report. Then, the report focuses on global major leading industry players (in Travelers Vaccines Industry Scenario) with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, Travelers Vaccines Market revenue and contact information. Purchase Report Here To Get Instant Access To the Report: https://market.biz/report/global-travelers-vaccines-market-2016-industry-research-report/7531/ Upstream raw materials, equipment and downstream consumers analysis is also carried out in Travelers Vaccines Market report. What?s more, the Travelers Vaccines industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed. Finally, The Report (Worldwide Travelers Vaccines Industry)- Feasibility of new investment projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered. ### When spending time in Split, Croatia, it is difficult imagining leaving the seaside splendor for anything else. But if you have ample time to spend in the region, consider the following daytrips from the heart of the Dalmatian Coast. Islands The cluster of islands located just off the coast of Split make for a productive daytrip. Island hopping is quite common among visitors, and many tour companies offer boat rides among islands like Hvar, Brac and Vis. Bosnia & Herzegovina To travel to points south in Croatia, it is necessary to pass through Bosnia & Herzegovina as a portion of the neighboring country juts into Croatia and touches the Adriatic Sea. Why not make the most of the proximity? Pack your passport and enjoy the quaint mountain towns along the way. Krka National Park Secret trails, wildlife and a wondrous waterfall are just a few reasons to visit this park, one hour north of Split. Take a dip in the waterfalls to cool off from the intense summer heat. A stretch: Dubrovnik Although the Jewel of the Adriatic is located approximately five hours south of Split, adventurous travelers may find it a doable daytrip. Travel back in time by roaming through the walled city and imagining Dubrovniks powerful past. When it comes to the world's biggest personal care companies, a new survey shows that there's not much interest in banning these awful microplastics. Microbeads are bad news, but fortunately most of us know that by now. There has been growing resistance to the miniscule pieces of plastic, added to personal care products for their ability to exfoliate skin, or sometimes just to look pretty in a see-through bottle. These microbeads, however, wreak environmental havoc as soon as theyre washed down the drain. The outcome is described here by campaign group Beat the Microbead: Wastewater treatment plants are not designed to filter out microbeads and that is the main reason why, ultimately, they contribute to the Plastic Soup swirling around the worlds oceans. Sea creatures absorb or eat microbeads. These microbeads are passed along the marine food chain. Since humans are ultimately at the top of this food chain, it is likely that we are also absorbing microbeads from the food we eat. Microbeads are not biodegradable and once they enter the marine environment, they are impossible to remove. After learning that microplastics have been found in 170 types of seafood, Greenpeace East Asia decided to take action. It launched a survey of 30 of the worlds largest cosmetics and personal care companies, assessing four main criteria: 1) Whether or not these companies have a commitment on microbeads, and whether its publicly accessible and easy to read 2) How microbeads are defined for the companys commitment 3) When the company plans to meet its deadline for the commitment 4) Whether the commitment covers all of the companys products The result is the Microbeads Commitment Scorecard, available as an overview and in greater detail. Companies such as Beiersdorf (owner of Nivea and Eucerin), Colgate-Palmolive, L Brands (La Senza, Victorias Secret, Bath & Body Works), and Henkel (Schwarzkopf and Persil) all scored highest in relation to the other companies; however, all of these top-scorers exhibit microbead commitments that fall short of an acceptable standard, mostly because of their definition of microbeads is too narrow and may allow for other, insoluble plastic polymers to be used in products. At the very bottom of list, in the fail category, lie brands such as Revlon, Estee Lauder (MAC), and Amway. The first two have not stated dates for phasing out microbeads and all continue to use plastics in their skin care products. The good news? You dont need these brands and their nasty plastic pollution (nor the chemicals that will continue to exist in their products, even if they do get around the banning microbeads.) There are great alternatives out there that use all-natural, plastic-free ingredients to exfoliate your skin. Some that you may want to investigate are Celtic Complexions Gentle Creme Exfoliant (very luxurious and made with jojoba beads), Ethiques Gingersnap Facial Scrub Bars (they smell like cookies), and Fable Naturals Quinoa & Almond Fresh Skin Exfoliant (made with organic oats and almonds). Check out the Good Scrub Guide. The Bihar School of Examination Board has decided that answer sheets would be evaluated digitally from next year onwards. It seems that the topper scam in Bihar had an impact on the education system. By Rohit Kumar Singh: Call it an impact of the infamous toppers scam that rocked the country, the Bihar School of Examination Board (BSEB) has decided that from next year onwards, the answer sheets would be evaluated digitally. The Board, at present, is undergoing a massive revamp as far as conducting free and fair examinations is concerned. Also Read: Bihar toppers scam: Fails in re-examination, Humanities topper Ruby Rai arrested advertisement HOW THE NEW SYSTEM WILL WORK In the new evaluation system, the answer sheets of the candidates will bear a barcode and there would not be any physical movement of answer sheets from one district to another. The answer sheets of a district would be kept at a room. These answer sheets would then be scanned using high-speed scanners and uploaded to a central server from where they will be electronically transferred to computers installed at evaluation centers in the districts. The evaluators will check the answer papers and award marks electronically, after which the computer would calculate the total marks awarded. The results too will be reverted back to the central server for final computation. This entire process will approximately cost Rs 2 crore to the BSEB. "The entire process will be less cumbersome and answer sheets would be evaluated faster. There will be no chance of tampering with the answer sheets or the answer sheets getting misplaced through this method", informed Anand Kishore, the Chairman of BSEB. Also Read: India Today Impact: Bihar topper scam kingpin Lalkeshwar Prasad, wife arrested AADHAR TO BE LINKED TO EXAMINATION FORMS In a bid to clean the murky examination system further, post the toppers scam in the state, the BSEB has already announced that a new process will start from next year in which Adhar card number of the students will be linked with their examination forms to avoid duplication. Also Read: Bihar toppers scam: Examination forms to be linked with Aadhar to curb forgery This new initiative is the first to be implemented by any state board in the country. The move will not only add to greater transparency in the exam process but also facilitate easy access to documents. "When the student will apply for examinations, they will have to specify their Aadhar card number. Those who do not have Aadhar card are requested to apply for the same in order to benefit from the new initiative of the BSEB", said Kishore. Also Read: Bihar fake topper's latest: I asked dad to just help me pass, he made me a topper Bihar topper scam: Ruby Rai fails re-examination, arrested --- ENDS --- By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 7 (PTI) Congress today accused BJP of "fooling" the people of Kashmir on the issue of holding talks with separatists, saying it had already agreed on talking to Hurriyat under its agenda of governance with PDP. "PDP and BJP in their Common Minimum Programme clause no 9...said that we will talk to Hurriyat," party spokesman Ajoy Kumar told reporters. advertisement The two parties, which are ideologically opposite, share power in the sensitive border state where the Kashmir valley is witnessing unrest for nearly two months. Besides, he recalled Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister late Mufti Mohd Sayeed had, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, thanked those "across the border" for peaceful elections in the state. "But BJP says that we will not talk...So, whom are they fooling?" he said. Kumar also targeted the Prime Minister for "schizophrenic" policy with regard to Pakistan and Kashmir. He said that this has "harmed" the national interests. This government goes by "self, selfie and self promotion", he said, adding the UPA had taken a consistent stand of not having talks with Pakistan till the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack were brought to book. PTI SPG SMJ ZMN SMJ --- ENDS --- In a heartbreaking incident, some bullies in school dumped a deaf student's belongings in a toilet including his cochlear implant. Now he's afraid to go back to school. By India Today Web Desk: Staff at Nebraska's Burke High School are presently investigating a reported case of bullying against a deaf student when some bullies threw his belongings in a toilet. On Wednesday during lunch, someone took Alexis Hernandez's backpack and dumped it in the toilet. The backpack included his tablet, some school supplies, his homework and his debit card. advertisement These bullies even threw his cochlear implant in the toilet without which he cannot hear. Alexis Hernandez - Photo: @FOX59 When Alexis found that his backpack is missing, he immediately reported it to the administrators. They helped him look for it but could not find it. After they reviewed a surveillance video, they saw two unidentifiable male students walking off with his bag, Hernandez didn't know either of the students. "Those students think it's OK to bully a deaf student, but it's not. It's not OK to bully someone who is disabled, deaf or hard of hearing. Or anyone for that matter," Alexis said. Alexis has been deaf since he was one year old and has ever since been bullied, and now he feels unsafe to go back to school. He's also very upset about losing his English class project on which he worked very hard. "This just got out of hand. There's too much bullying, too much drama, too much fighting, it's just not nice. "I was very upset because I know I work really hard on my project and homework because I just want to make my mom to be happy and know that I did a good job on the homework," he said. MOTHER WANTS TO KNOW WHY According to a WPTV news report, the administration has identified the bullies but they claim they did not know Alexis was deaf. One of the students was suspended and the other one is still under investigation by the school. "I just want to talk to them; I don't want to fight them. I want to talk it out. And talk to their parents about them so they can tell them they need to teach them the right thing to do," Alexis' mother said. FRIENDS AND SCHOOL TO THE RESCUE Some of his friends after the incident even setup a fundraiser page to raise money to replace the ruined items and even the school is taking the incident very seriously. --- ENDS --- Vishav Bharti Tribune News Service Chandigarh, September 7 For almost two decades, student politics at Panjab University was about kakas from Malwa, swanky cars, fashion statements, partying in hills, orange colour of PUSU and parrot green of SOPU. But the last three years have seen the colours changing. Not only colours, words like communalism, fee hike, Dalit discrimination, vehicle-free zone, feminism and Ambedkars dreams started making it to the campus vocabulary. Left, on the decline in the entire country, saw an unusual emergence at the PU. Unprecedented too. That is why, even as the candidate of the Student for Society lost by a narrow margin, the margin cant be ignored. Follow Chandigarh Tribune on Facebook Bhupinder Brar, Professor, Political Science, Panjab University, who has been associated with Panjab University since 1972, said the emergence of the SFS contender as a fighter was something no one had foreseen. It is a rejection of the politics of muscle and money power. It indicates that students have also rejected the mainstream political parties, he said. These students have changed the colour of politics at the PU, says a former student leader, who wished not to be named. It is a rejection of the politics of those who were trying to get votes by offering movie shows, dinners, trips and beauty parlour coupons, says Aman Deep, a research scholar at the PU Department of English and SFS leader who unsuccessfully contested for the post of president in 2014. However, it required a lot of effort, she says. The SFS started as a discussion group in September 2010, holding discussions on books and social issues, circulating pamphlets among students. She says in 2012, they started a struggle against fee hike, making the PU a vehicle-free zone and a place where womens issues were a serious concern. The student leaders also had to face police cases. It was unimaginable that the son of a Dalit agricultural labourer would raise real issues of society and put up a strong fight in the elections, says Akshay Kumar, former president of PUTA. These elections will have a far-reaching effect on national and regional politics. That is where the hope lies, says Kumar. Harish Khare Three weeks after the Americans had elected him as their next President, Barack Obama met a group of reporters and shared his thoughts on pitfalls of decision-making. In the course of that interaction, he made this point: One of the dangers in the White House, based on my reading of history, is that you get wrapped up in groupthink and everybody agrees with everything, and there is no discussion and there are no dissenting views. There is no American monopoly on groupthink. It is a universal weakness. Historians can tell us of numerous instances of grave mistakes and gross misjudgements that resulted from groupthink. We in India seem to be on the verge of a new groupthink of our own on Kashmir. In this new thinking it is understood and unquestioningly accepted by all that the woolly-headedness of the past decades must be rolled back, and that it must be replaced by a new muscular approach to men and matters in Kashmir. This new mood is perhaps part of a larger rethink. The other day we got a glimpse of the new theology from a senior military functionary, Air Marshal Arup Raha, Chief of the Indian Air Force. The good Air Marshal was reported to have decried that India had allowed PoK to become a thorn in our flesh because the post-Independence leadership allowed itself to be governed by high ideals, rather than following a very pragmatic approach to security needs. In the new official wisdom, which the Air Chief unwittingly voiced, there are no strategic or other advantages in taking a high moral ground. In this emerging new groupthink, the separatist has been coddled up for too long; he must now be made to feel the rough end of the Indian truncheon. A kind of easy acceptance is being sought for this tough stance, invoking strands of nationalism, patriotism and a kind of anti-Pakistanism. Tactical cleverness is being mistaken for strategic clarity and wisdom. It is being authoritatively whispered in our ears that the separatist leaders, especially those who are associated with the Hurriyat, will no longer be allowed to enjoy the protection of the Indian security forces. Enough is enough. This kind of no-nonsense assertiveness goes down very well with the middle classes back in the mainland. Assuming and this is a very crucial assumption that we were protecting Syed Ali Shah Geelani, we were presumably keeping him away from coming to harm at the hands of Pakistani agents and contract-killers. Somewhere, sometime there must have been a judgement and, a mature and considered judgement at that that it was probably worth providing protection to the Hurriyat leaders; otherwise, they would be easily eliminated and replaced by more radical, more intractable rabble-rousers. Perhaps we have concluded that we have lost control over the Hurriyat leaders, and that we are prepared to have a known devil displaced by an unknown devil. The only flaw in this seductive groupthink is that the Hurriyat leaders by themselves do not add up to anything; what makes them toxic is their capacity to summon mobs on the streets and to have people of the Valley respond to their calls for hartal. But a self-assured democracy should be able to ask whether by locking them up or by denying them permission to visit Delhi or Saudi Arabia, are we able to wean the crowds away from the difficult Hurriyat-wallahs? And, while we are at it, we might as well ask ourselves why it is that suddenly the Hurriyat leaders seem to have acquired a greater traction than, say, two years ago. It is inexplicable that we deny the authenticity of the democratic energy we have witnessed on the streets in the Valley; it is inexcusable that we attribute authorship of the anger to Pakistan. The Pakistani meddlesomeness is older than the Shankaracharya Hills. But our new rulers in New Delhi seem to be confused. It will be naive to think that just because our Prime Minister allows himself to go and attend a wedding in Nawaz Sharifs family, the Pakistani military establishment would surrender its assets and advantages in Kashmir. Just as it was a criminal neglect on the part of our intelligence establishment not to be prepared for an explosion after Commander Wanis death in an encounter. Our policy, army, political and intelligence leadership cannot go on making errors of commission and omission and then blame Pakistan for taking advantage of our mistakes. The separatists were not born separatist. What drove very many Kashmiris over to the other side were our policies, postures and pretensions, and our politicians and their arrogance and aberrations. But then from time to time our democracy, too, has produced that magical illusion to induce the alienated and angry Kashmiris to come back to this side. After the Kargil War it was evident to every Kashmiri as it was to every Pakistani that Islamabad would never be able militarily to come to help them with the struggle. The so-called struggle project was over. All that remained was to enlarge the circle of participation and partnership between the Kashmiris and the Indian democracy, and its enormous capacity for accommodation and adjustment. We seem to have forgotten that an Indian Prime Minister had proclaimed and promised that short of azadi, sky is the limit. The only redeeming feature of the new groupthink on Kashmir is that the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, seems to be a very, very reluctant recruit. She is the only leader who appears to have the courage to contest and challenge the separatists and their arguments. Hers is perhaps the most demanding, most exacting as also the most dangerous job in India. She can, and does, question the Hurriyats pretensions precisely because she derives her legitimacy from a democratic mandate. Her efficacy critically hinges on her ability to showcase herself as the voice of the Kashmiris, rather than as New Delhis chosen nominee in Srinagar. And, if people in New Delhi and Nagpur cannot appreciate this delicate but absolutely necessary requirement, then we are in for serious trouble. Perhaps just to humour the high priests of the new groupthink, the Chief Minister did allow herself to suggest that if anyone can solve the Kashmir problem, it is Narendra Modi. We had heard the same tired mantra during Atal Bihari Vajpayees days, as if Kashmir is the personal jagir of this or that Prime Minister. The new groupthink notwithstanding, there is an old contradiction at work: an imperial Delhi has the constitutional obligation of the Centre to control, and coerce, if necessary, a recalcitrant periphery; but the democratic India flashes its moral badge and flaunts its openness and inclusiveness to blunt the separatist and his secessionist message. Kashmir will continue to test the relative effectiveness of the imperial Delhi and the democratic India. Legal Correspondent New Delhi, September 8 The CBI chargesheet against Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh in a disproportionate assets case will be on hold for another week as the Delhi High Court on Thursday adjourned the hearing till September 15. Justice Vipin Sanghi posted the hearing for September 15 as Singhs advocate pleaded that arguing counsel Kapil Sibal was not available today. At the last hearing on August 30, Additional Solicitor General PS Patwalia had told the HC that the CBI had completed the investigations and was ready with the chargesheet, but the agency required the high courts permission for filing it in the trial court. According to CBI, Singh and his family members purchased insurance policies for about Rs 6 crore using ill-gotten wealth accumulated during 2009-12. In November 2015, the SC had transferred the case from Himachal HC to Delhi HC due to the peculiar facts and circumstances and to prevent embarrassment to all concerned, be it the HP HC, the state government or the litigants. Tribune News Service Shimla, September 8 The signing of an agreement between the Himachal Government and Asia Pacific Singapore Enterprise here today could finally give wings to the states ambitious and long-pending plans to set up smart integrated townships to decongest the main towns, witnessing unregulated urbanization. The Himachal government today signed a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Singapore government for developing a smart integrated township at Jathiadevi, near Shimla. The MoU was signed between HIMUDA and Asian Pacific Singapore Enterprise in the presence of Urban Development, Town and Country Planning and Housing Minister Sudhir Sharma, here today. We are exploring the possibilities for expanding this MoU for other housing projects in the state as well so that we can offer affordable housing to people with all urban facilities, he said. He said HIMUDA had already acquired 32 hectare land for developing this township at Jathiadevi, near Juberhatti airstrip, which was connected by three national highways. The state would take the benefit of expertise of Singapore which had a huge experience of urban planning, he added. Sharma said development of a smart integrated township near the state capital was an ambitious project of the government which would go a long way in decongesting this highly populated city. He said there had been 10-time increase in the population of Shimla city, which was initially developed for 25, 000 people only, resulting in congestion and over utilization of infrastructure. The need of the hour is to have a smart integrated township outside the city having state-of-art social, physical, institutional and economic infrastructure, he said. He said a working group has been constituted having representatives from both the governments to chalk out plan, exchange of ideas and working on key factors for this new township. The minister said that with a view to enhance quality of life of the citizens and ensure social inclusion, boosting economic and environmental impact, the state government was working in a direction for developing smart integrated townships with futuristic planning apart from modernizing and rejuvenating the existing mid-sized cities. He said housing projects of HIMUDA had come up at Solan, Kasauli and many other places of the state and in developing these projects it was being ensured that these catered not only to the people of the state but outsiders and NRIs as well. The emphasis was being laid on mobility and connecting new townships with the existing ones. Kevin Chong, Director, Asia Pacific, said the new township would be developed in a cost-effective manner with Asian concept. He said the township would be developed as per the expectations of the state government and taking into consideration the topography and other conditions of this hilly state. Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development, Town and Country Planning and Housing, Manisha Nanda said Himachal was witnessing speedy urbanization and keeping the concerns like mobility, water supply, sewerage system, sanitation etc. in mind, the government was planning to develop more townships in a phased and coordinated manner. New Delhi, September 7 The all-party delegation (APD) that visited Jammu and Kashmir this week on Wednesday asked the Central and the state governments to take steps for a dialogue with all stakeholders but asserted that there can be no compromises on the issue of national sovereignty. The members of the delegation, headed by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, met here today and discussed the outcome of their interactions with the civil society, political parties and government officials during the visit on September 4 and 5. A unanimous statement of the APD released after the meeting appealed to the people of the state to shun the path of violence and resolve all the issues through dialogue and discussion. Without making any reference to separatists, including Hurriyat Conference, the statement asked the Central and state governments to take steps for a dialogue with all stakeholders. While some Opposition leaders met Hurriyat Conference leaders lodged in various sub jails, hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani refused to meet them. Expressing serious concern over the prevailing situation in the state, the statement said the members of the delegation were of the view that there is no place for violence in a civilised society. There can be no compromises on the issues of national sovereignty, it added. The meeting asked both the governments to take steps to ensure that education institutions, government offices and commercial establishment start functioning normally at the earliest. They requested the government to take effective steps to ensure security for all citizens and provide medical treatment to citizens and security personnel injured in agitation. Congress' Mallikarjun Kharge said although there should be no compromise on national security, all stake-holders should be included in talks for a political resolution. After the meeting, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechurry said that he had favoured some confidence-building measures immediately, which included banning the pellet guns, medical help to the injured and probe alleged excesses by the security forces. The measures include compensation to civil victims of violence, withdrawal of use of pellet guns, announcement with regard to withdrawal of AFSPA from civil area and implementation employment generating schemes on war footing. What they asked for: 1. Political dialogue with all-stakeholders, including Hurriyat leaders 2. Stopping use of pellet guns and ensuring complete treatment of injured persons 3. Crackdown on weekly hartals to bring law and order situation back to normal 4. Stop radicalisation of youths through madarsas and mosques 5. Left parties wanted withdrawal of AFSPA from civilian areas PTI/ TNS Arun Joshi Tribune News Service The all-party delegations call for peace and dialogue with all without any compromise on the national sovereignty is a crystal-clear message that violence cannot dictate terms of the outcome of the current unrest. Paradoxically, it is also likely that this message would be lost when viewed against the tragic backdrop of loss of 75 lives, several dozen blinded and thousands more injured, and with the greater danger looming of yet another generation getting consumed in the conflict. That would be another tragedy. By any stretch of imagination, the delegations much hyped visit to J&K was not a pure success, though its intentions were good to reach out to the people and find a way out of the dark reality of uncertainty that has been cast across the Valley and rest of the state. It was an attempt, not a conclusion that should be understood while measuring what it achieved or what it didnt. How would have the world known that former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah dismissed the visit as inconsequential or Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the veteran separatist leader, did not open doors to uninvited guests, who were neither security forces personnel nor militants but MPs. It might have raised many eyebrows in the state, and that of few individuals across the country, particularly of leftists and fundamentalists, whose words have granted sanctity to the stone-throwing exercise unmindful of the fact that resorting to violence is not a fundamental right. The all-party delegation has laid stress on restoration of normalcy and dialogue with all stakeholders, the Hurriyat Conference included, though it has not been mentioned specifically. Apart from the contesting claims about who all are the stakeholders, the fact that the Valley is burning should not obscure the fact that others living in the Valley and elsewhere in the state are equal stakeholders. Getting back to July 8, when militant commander Burhan Wani was killed, would reveal that nothing new had happened on the day. Encounters had taken place in the past, and took place under my watch, too, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti explained in detail in her speeches and interaction with the media. Thats a fact of life in any conflict situation. The National Conference and the Congress should have appealed for peace. Instead, these parties with their inciting statements only complicated the matter. Since all the mainstream parties in Jammu and Kashmir have failed to interact among themselves, the only roadmap to the lasting solution can be scripted in normalcy not in the thud of stones or roar of pellet guns. As the atmosphere has shown no way forward, the Hurriyat Conference has only muddled the prospects of a clear dialogue in the near future. That can be self-destructive because the political space is shrinking and leaders are losing their credibility, whether they are in power or out of it. As a common man would tell these leaders that as one cannot argue with stone-throwing children, the need of the hour is to make the dialogue process credible and fruitful. And, no nation can compromise on its national sovereignty, therefore the ground realities should be understood and rules of the dialogue defined instead of talking in puzzles or utopian terms. It may be the conclusion of veteran pro-Pakistan leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani that unless the gravity and intensity of the Kashmir issue is not agreed upon, any negotiations or talks are bound to fail. He claimed that his 50 years of political experience and 150 rounds of talks stand testimony to it that people met, had photo shoots and then a cup of tea for so many decades but our bloodshed didnt stop. Geelani is very meticulous in maintain records, and with this statement he is taking a dig not only at Delhi and Islamabad but also at some within the separatist camp. Although he acknowledges that our fourth generation is bound to live under the dark and obnoxious shadow of Indian thrall, yet he has not offered any alternative to dialogue. New Delhi, September 8 The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear next week a Public Interest Litigation seeking to declare as "illegal and unconstitutional" the alleged release of money from central consolidated funds to Jammu and Kashmir-based separatists. The court will hear the case on September 14. An advocate, ML Sharma, filed a PIL in personal capacity for a CBI inquiry into the suspected disbursement of funds to the separatists. "Declare the impugned release of fund from Consolidated Fund of India, without authority and valid permission for supporting separatist group for working against the country, as unconstitutional, illegal and amount to criminal breach of trust attracting Section 409 of the IPC," the plea said. The PIL, which has made Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Jammu and Kashmir government and CBI parties, has also claimed that an offence of corruption for misusing of public office and fund has been made out in the case. It has also sought a direction to the MHA and the Jammu and Kashmir government asking them not to "release/provide" any money from either the Consolidated Fund of India or state treasury. The plea has also sought a direction to the CBI to register an FIR against the "impugned release of fund from Consolidated Fund of India without authority and valid permission for supporting separatist group working against the country and to conduct investigation...and file the report before this court for further action". The PIL said no money could be withdrawn from the central fund without permission and, therefore, release of any money to separatists was "illegal and unconstitutional". "That respondent no.1 & 2 (Centre and state) without having any lawful authority and approval from the Houses and Parliament has been funding under disguise of relief and facilities, coupled with Z class securities to those persons/ group of persons who are separatists and are involved to promote terrorism and violence in the state of Kashmir since several years. "They are arranging stone pelting programme against the Indian army, violence in the state and providing safe passage to the terrorists to attack upon citizens of India ... for this they are getting money even from the Pakistan and other foreign country which is a serious injury/ damages to the country and life of the citizen of India. Therefore it must be declared unconstitutional and illegal. This all has been being done without informing either the Parliament or to the general public in any manner," it said. PTI Majid Jahangir &Suhail A Shah Tribune News Service Srinagar/Anantnag, September 8 Amid continued clashes and protests in the Valley, militants snatched four assault rifles from policemen guarding a political leader in south Kashmirs Kulgam district. In a late night attack on Wednesday, militants attacked the police guardroom of former National Conference leader Abdul Rashid Khanday at Begom village in Kulgam district, 70 km from Srinagar. The police said four militants entered into the guardroom while some cordoned it off at around 11 pm. Four rifles of our policemen were snatched when militants attacked the police guarding the political leader, Superintendent of Police, Kulgam, Sridhar Patil told The Tribune. A policeman also received a minor injury. Patil said the attack was not on the leader, who is safe. Our men tried to retaliate but they were overpowered and their weapons taken away by the militants, who managed to escape, said the Kulgam SP. However, Khanday while talking to mediapersons said some 12 to 15 armed men barged into his home and took all family members hostage and asked us to cooperate and not make any noise. Khanday said the militants asked his son to call the policemen at the police post guarding his house. The militants overpowered the policemen soon as they opened the guardroom and decamped with their weapons, Khanday said. The policemen posted at Khandays house have been detained for questioning and the inmates of the house are also being questioned. Former Chief Minister and NC working president Omar Abdullah has said Khanday is not affiliated with his party since 2002. Omar said the incident was an indicator of the serious situation in south Kashmir. Of late, Kulgam district has been emerging as the new bastion of militants. Before the killing of Burhan Wani on July 8, at least 28 militants were active in Kulgam and its neighbouring Shopian district. The number, sources said, seem to have gone higher during the past two months unrest. Militants also seem to have consolidated themselves. Almost an hour after the rifle-snatching incident in Kulgam, militants attacked the Pulwama police station in south Kashmir around midnight. The exchange of fire between militants and policemen continued for over five minutes. However, no one was hurt in the attack, officials said. A Canadian judge is facing disciplinary hearing for releasing an accused rapist after telling the rape survivor that "sex and pain go together", and that's not "a bad thing". By India Today Web Desk: While we debate over rapist Brock Turner's release after a meager three-month jail time for raping an intoxicated girl, the world keeps spinning on its axis of ignorance. No, that's not a harsh thing to say, because despite all protests, we are still waking up to 11-month-olds being raped and 15-year-olds raping. And as a cherry on top, we have grown-ups like this particular Canadian judge who told a rape survivor that rape is same as "sex and pain", and that's not "a bad thing". advertisement "Sex and pain sometimes go together," Federal Court Justice Robin Camp is said to have told the rape survivor during the trial in 2014. "That's not necessarily a bad thing." Two years later, the Canadian Judicial Council held a hearing on Tuesday to decide whether Justice Camp's remark should get him fired from the bench or not. As per the court transcripts obtained by Canadian National Post, Camp had also told the rape survivor that "Sex is very often a challenge". Canadian Judge who made rape comments goes on trial for his job https://t.co/4SNT88UZGq The Globe and Mail (@globeandmail) September 6, 2016 The case against Justice Camp Further charges against Justice Camp state that he had "illegally admitted testimony about the survivor's sexual past". He is also said to have remarked that "a woman cannot be raped against her will," and asked the survivor as to why "couldn't just keep [her] knees together". To top it all, Justice Camp waved off the rape as a misunderstanding which culminated into "a very unhappy thing." He released the accused with a warning, and left the rape survivor with suicide thoughts. "He made me hate myself and he made me feel like I should have done something that I was some kind of slut," The Canadian Press quoted the survivor from Tuesday's disciplinary. But pray, he's a good judge! The Post reports that four law professors who initiated proceedings alleged that during the 2014 sexual assault trial, "myths" and "stereotypes" about sexual violence had led him to "misinterpret Canada's sexual assault laws". "He is not perfect," Camp's lawyer, Frank Addario, said at the hearing, according to the Canadian Press. "But he's a good judge." Read more: Stanford rapist released early for 'good behaviour', parents seek protection amid armed protests Stanford rapist writes a letter full of excuses in his defence These pictures highlight exactly what you should not say to a rape victim Out of fear of rape, 17-year-old Yazidi girl burns herself to become undesirable --- ENDS --- Samaan Lateef Tribune News Service Srinagar September 8 Militants on Wednesday night snatched four assault rifles from policemen guarding a politician in south Kashmirs Kulgam district. The militants attacked the police guard room of Abdul Rashid Khanday, said to be affiliated to the National Conference (NC), at Bigund, Damhal-Hanjipora, in Kulgam. However, former chief minister and NC working president Omar Abdullah claimed that Khanday is not affiliated to his party since 2002. To set the record straight he was not an NC office-bearer and hasnt been affiliated with the party since 2002 or so, Omar tweeted. He said the matter had been formally communicated to the police by the district president, Kulgam. Omar said the incident showed the serious situation in south Kashmir. But, that doesnt take away from the seriousness of the situation in south Kashmir of which this incident is an indicator, he tweeted. Four militants entered the guard room while others cordoned it off around 11 pm, officials said. Four rifles of our policemen were snatched when militants attacked the policemen guarding the political leader, superintendent of police Sridhar Patil told The Tribune. A cop also received a minor injury. Policemen retaliated but the militants escaped. Patil said the attack was aimed at snatching the rifles and was not aimed at the leader, who is safe. In yet another midnight attack, militants attacked Pulwama police station. The exchange of fire between militants and policemen continued for a few minutes. However, no one was hurt, officials said. They said the militants, believed to be three to four, attacked the police station from a distance. Normal life has been affected for the past two months as educational institutes, business establishments and shops are closed. However, attendance in government offices has improved in the past few days. Traffic is off the roads. Government officials said curfew had been lifted from all parts of Kashmir but restrictions were in place at some places. At least 75 people have been killed and thousands injured in clashes between protesters and security forces in Kashmir, following the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani on July 8. Mukesh Ranjan Tribune News Service New Delhi, September 7 Even as members of the all-party delegation, who met here today on their return from Jammu and Kashmir to discuss the next course of action, pitched for a dialogue with all stakeholders, including the Hurriyat, the Union Government said it was ready for talks with all, making no reference to the separatist Hurriyat Conference. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) The meeting was chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh. The MPs suggested that the India-Pakistan dialogue be resumed and confidence-building measures (CBMs) initiated for bringing peace to the Kashmir Valley. Rajnath made it clear there would be no compromise on the nations sovereignty. A resolution adopted at the meeting stated: The delegation has appealed to the people of the state to shun the path of violence and resolve all issues through dialogue or discussion. The members have also asked the state government to take steps to ensure that educational institutions, government offices and commercial establishments start functioning normally. The government should take effective steps to ensure the security of citizens and provide medical treatment to the injured citizens and security personnel. The Left parties wanted talks with Pakistan resumed and measures, such as withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in certain areas of the Valley, initiated. Without any reference to the separatists, the resolution asked the Centre and the state governments to take steps for a dialogue with all stakeholders. Sitaram Yechury (CPM) said there was no discussion on the performance of the Mehbooba Mufti-led Jammu and Kashmir Government, but AIMIMs Asaduddin Owaisi said the PDP-BJP government had failed to handle the situation. Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service New Delhi, September 8 Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag will visit the Kashmir Valley on Friday to review the security situation, especially in the backdrop of a rather long-winded street protests in the Valley. The protests have gone out of hand since Hizbul commander Burhan Wani was killed by security forces. More than 70 people have lost their lives in various incidents. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) General Suhag will be in Srinagar where he shall be briefed by top commanders of the Northern Command, including the Army Commander Gen DS Hooda, and the Srinagar-based 15 Corps Commander Lt Gen SK Dua. The army chief will be briefed on what new military methods are being planned to curb Pak-sponsored infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir. This comes in the backdrop of the government thinking to hand over the south Kashmir region to the army for action against militants. The street protests have been vociferous in south Kashmir Kulgam, Pulwama, Anantnag and Shopian among other places. General Suhag had also met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday morning. The government is seeing this as a major challenge to restore law and order that has broken down completely in the absence of any presence of the J&K Police or the paramilitary forces, in the rural hinterland. Police stations and CRPF camps have been deserted and mobs of angry youth now control the streets. Army may not be tasked with mob control but with tasked with tracking down armed militants who have been fanning trouble. Mumbai, September 8 In a first, a special court in Mumbai on Thursday awarded the death penalty to a man convicted of throwing sulphuric acid at a Delhi girl in 2013. Ankur Lal Panwar, a hotel management graduate, was found guilty of offences under Sections 302 (Punishment for murder) and 326 B (Punishment for attempted acid throwing) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam called the case fit for death sentence on Tuesday, saying that it falls in the "rarest of the rare" category while Panwar's lawyer Apeksha Vora had pleaded leniency for her client, citing his young age and stating that he was the sole breadwinner for his family. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) "If he is given a lesser punishment and if he is released after completing the sentence, other girls would not be safe," Nikam had submitted. Rathi whose family lived in Bhakra Beas Management Board Colony in Delhis Narela, died of multiple organ failure in June 2013, a month after Panwar threw acid at her. Rathi, then 24,had gone to Mumbai to take up a nursing position in a naval hospital, INHS Asvini, in Mumbais Colaba. The incident occurred as soon as she alighted a train at Mumbai's Bandra Terminus on May 2, 2013. Police claimed Panwar, Rathi's neighbour, was unemployed and jealous of Rathis professional growth. He boarded the same train Rathi had taken, threw concentrated sulfuric acid at her, and returned by the same train. Agencies Vientiane, September 8 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed deep concern at the rising export of terror, in an apparent reference to Pakistan, saying it is a common security threat to the region as he sought a coordinated response from ASEAN member nations to combat the menace. While addressing the 14th ASEAN-India summit here, the Prime Minister also noted that growing radicalism through the ideology of hatred and spread of extreme violence are the other security threats. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Export of terror, growing radicalisation and spread of extreme violence are common security threats to our societies, he said in his second attack on Pakistan in two days amid escalating war of words between New Delhi and Islamabad. The threat is local, regional, and transitional at the same time. Our partnership with ASEAN seeks to craft a response through coordination, cooperation at multiple levels, Modi said. He said that in the face of growing traditional and non-traditional challenges, political cooperation has emerged as key in relations. We are willing to take concrete steps to enhance cooperation in cyber security, de-radicalisation and counterterrorism, he added. On Monday, Modi made a sharp attack on Pakistan at the G20 summit, saying one single nation in South Asia is spreading agents of terror as he asserted that those who sponsor the menace must be sanctioned and isolated, not rewarded. In his remarks today, the Prime Minister said that ASEAN is central to Indias Act East policy. Our engagement driven by common priorities bringing peace, stability and prosperity to the region, he told the 10-member grouping attended by Heads of state. He said enhancing connectivity was central to Indias partnership with ASEAN. Seamless digital connectivity between India and Southeast Asia is a shared objective. India committed to Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity, Modi said. Securing seas was a shared responsibility, he said, adding that sea lanes are life lines of global trade. India supports freedom of navigation based on United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), he added. He thanked the member countries for sharing their views on nature, direction and priorities of our engagement. All three pillars of our partnership - security, economic and socio-cultural have registered good progress, he said, adding that engagement of India-ASEAN is of economic optimism. We continue to expand and deepen our economic engagements, Modi said. Laotian premier Thongloun Sisoulith complimented Indias Act East policy and its contribution to ASEAN and hoped the summit will provide future direction. Addressing the Summit for the third time, Modi said he was delighted to renew close bonds of friendship with ASEAN. India is willing to march with ASEAN to fulfil promise and potential of our strategic engagement, said the Prime Minister, wearing crisp white churidar, kurta and jacket. He invited ASEAN as the Guest of Honour for the International Buddhist Conclave in October. On documenting civilisational ties, Modi proposed commissioning project for mapping Indian inscriptions along Mekong river. India announced hosting Commemorative Summit on Shared Values, Common Destiny in 2017 and also offered to host India-ASEAN Youth Summit. Noting that cooperation in science and technology was a crucial element of development engagement, Modi proposed to enhance the ASEAN-India Fund with an additional grant of USD 50 million. He also proposed Joint Task Force on connectivity to work on extension of India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Modi said India was committed to Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity. Noting that natural disasters were a common challenge and joint priority, he said India will host Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in November. PTI Vientiane, September 8 India and South Korea met on Thursday on the sidelines of the ongoing East Asia Summit to discuss strategic ties between the two countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met South Korean President Park Geun-Hye to discuss their partnership agreement, called the Special Strategic Partnership. President Park appreciated Modis Korea Plus programme saying it would invite increased South Korean investment into India, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said. The two leaders reviewed progress in the negotiations to improve India-ROK Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and discussed South Koreas $10 billion financial package for India's infrastructure. EXIM Banks of the two countries are discussing modalities for the utilisation of the package, Swarup said. President Park said Modis proactive leadership helped bolster Indias image in the world. She also appreciated Indias economic strategy, which she said ensured the country kept its growth momentum at more than 7 per cent despite slowdown, Swarup said. PTI Vientiane, Septemebr 8 In a fresh jibe at Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said there is one country in our neighbourhood which produces and exports terror as he called on the international community to isolate and sanction this instigator. Theres one country in our neighbourhood whose competitive advantage rests solely in producing and exporting terrorism, he said in his address at the East Asia Summit, without naming Pakistan. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) This export is reducing space for peace and increasing space for violence, and, putting at risk peace and prosperity of all, he told the gathering that had US President Barack Obama and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in attendance. The time has come to isolate and sanction this instigator, Modi added. The Prime Ministers fresh jibe directed at Pakistan came four days after he called on other BRICS members to intensify joint efforts to combat terrorism and sought coordinated actions by the grouping to isolate supporters and sponsors of terror. The time has come for us to stop this global exporter of terror, Modi said at the 11th East Asia Summit (EAS). We need to target not only the terrorists but also their entire supporting ecosystem. And our strongest action should be reserved for those state actors who employ terrorism as an instrument of State policy, he added. Wearing a crisp white churidar, kurta and jacket, Modi warned that terrorism is the most serious challenge to open and pluralistic societies and underlined that combating the menace requires collective effort. He said India and most countries in South Asia were pursuing a peaceful path to economic prosperity, but singled out one neighbouring country. Competing geo-politics, traditional and non-traditional challenges threaten peace, stability and prosperity of region, he said at the Summit, which he was attending for the third time. He expressed hope that ASEAN will continue to lead and remain central to efforts aimed at greater regional integration and cooperation. Remain committed, including through membership of export control regimes and to pursuing total and verifiable elimination of weapons of mass destruction, he said. He added the EAS is adopting statement on non proliferation and that India remains committed to strengthening its objectives. This underlines commonalities in approaches, Modi said. He also said India is committed to supporting realisation of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). India can also play an important role in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation for deepening ongoing economic integration in the region. He said he was happy to convey that Nalanda University has been inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage site in July 2016. India will remain steadfast in shared pursuit of regional, strategic political and economic priorities within EAS framework, he said. The Prime Minister was addressing the 18-member exclusive East Asia Summit here. Besides founding member India, EAS includes the ten members from ASEAN and Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea and the US. The EAS, held annually by leaders of, initially, 16 countries in the East Asian, Southeast Asian and South Asian regions, had its membership expanded to 18 nations including the US and Russia at the Sixth EAS in 2011. EAS is held after annual ASEAN leaders meetings. The first summit was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 14 December, 2005. PTI Our Correspondent Jaipur, September 8 RSS is an open organisation, people are free to join or leave and its name never figured in any legal case pertaining to Mahatma Gandhis assassination, its Akhil Bhartiya Prachar Pramukh Dr Manmohan Vaidya said on Thursday at the end of a day long session in Udaipur. On allegations levelled by Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, Dr Vaidya said the two commissions set up on Mahatma Gandhis assassination also did not mention the name of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The process of court should be regarded. This is a job of the court to decide if a person who makes allegations is guilty or not, he said. In an indirect jibe at the Congress vice president, Dr Vaidya said, Ye voh log hain jo nyayik prakriya dwara ghoshit atankvadion ki baithak mein jakar unka gungan karte hain (These are those people who attend terrorists meeting and hail them even after the courts declaration). If they have any evidence, then establish it, such persons have no courage to face truth, hence running from court to court, he alleged. Referring to the Udaipur meeting, he said, it was routine gathering of RSS activists who come from all parts of the country. The Kannada film industry has suspended shooting for new movies. The stars and technicians will take part in the one-day Karnataka bundh on September 9. Stars and technicians of Kannada film industry will take out a procession under the aegis of the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce.(Photo: PTI) By Aravind Gowda: Top Kannada film stars have extended their support to the agitation launched by farmers in Karnataka against the releasing of water from the KRS reservoir to Tamil Nadu. Actors Darshan, Rakshita and Prem today joined the farmers in Mandya, the epicentre of the protests, and raised slogans against Tamil Nadu. The Kannada film industry has suspended shooting for new movies. The stars and technicians will take part in the one-day Karnataka bundh on September 9. They will take out a procession under the aegis of the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce and submit a memorandum to the government in Bengaluru. advertisement ALSO READ: Cauvery row: Supply of drinking water suspended in Mysuru "Tamil Nadu wants water for irrigation whereas we are struggling to supply drinking water to villages in the Cauvery basin. This is total injustice? We want the government to take a logical stand and effectively defend the interests of the state in the courts," said actor Darshan. Well known film-maker-turned-actor Prem too condemned the state's failure to reflect the ground reality in the court. "Had the government effectively put forth the problems faced by farmers in the Cauvery basin in Karnataka, today we wouldn't have faced this situation," he added. ALSO READ: Cauvery dispute: Farmers in Mandya enraged, ask if Karnataka CM Siddaramariah wants more suicides --- ENDS --- New Delhi, September 8 Italy on Wednesday filed a new petition in the Supreme Court for modifying marine Massimiliano Latorres bail conditions to let him remain in Italy until an international tribunal settled a jurisdictional row over trying him for killing two Indian fishermen. The Supreme Court will hear the petition on September 20. Latorre has asked for the same bail conditions that were granted to marine Salvatore Girone, his colleague also accused of the same crime. The two men were accused of having killed two Indian fishermen off Kerala s coast in 2012. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Some senior lawyers, among them KTS Tulsi, appearing for the marine asked the court to hear the petition urgently saying that a previous order by the court in the case was valid only up to the end of the month. "Modify the bail conditions of chief master sergeant Massimiliano Latorre in the same terms as those prescribed for sergeant major Salvator Girone by this court's order dated May 26 this year... to enable Latorre to remain in Italy until a final decision by the Annex VIII Arbitral Tribunal on the merits of the case that finds India may exercise jurisdiction over him in respect of the Enrica Lexie incident," the plea said. While relaxing Girone's bail terms on May 26, the Supreme Court allowed him to return to Italy until an international arbitral tribunal settled the jurisdictional row between India and Italy. The Supreme Court also imposed four other conditions: that Girone must report to an Italian police station on the first Wednesday of every month and Italian authorities must inform the Indian Embassy in Rome about it; that he must not tamper with evidence, or influence witnesses, in the case in any way; Girone must undertake to remain under the Supreme Courts jurisdiction; and the last, that his bail would be cancelled if he violated its terms. The marines, who were on board a ship called 'Enrica Lexie', are accused of killing two Indian fishermen they mistook to be pirates off Keralas coast on February 15, 2012. PTI Vientiane, September 8 The US strongly supports Indias NSG membership bid, President Barack Obama on Thursday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi here as they discussed the immediate priorities in the strategic partnership, including deepening the civil nuclear cooperation and combating climate change. Had a great discussion with President of the US (POTUS) on India-USA relations, Modi tweeted after his meeting with Obama on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit here, their eighth in the last two years. A White House official, giving details of the meeting, said, Reaffirming the strong bonds of friendship between the United States and India, the President underscored that the United States strongly supports Indias membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). The US has been playing a lead role in supporting Indias bid in the 48-member elite group. China had scuttled New Delhis bid at the Plenary Session of NSG in June. The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of the deepening partnership between the US and India and the value of their shared engagement in the region, including through the East Asia Summit, the official said. President Obama praised Prime Minister Modis initiatives to reform the Indian economy. In particular, the US President expressed confidence that the passage of GST will unleash significant economic activity, sources said. During the meeting, Obama also praised Modis vision of entrepreneurship and innovation, which he said would be very important for a country like India. Obama said that he had always been a friend of India and would continue to be a strong partner of India and help in any way I can, according to sources. Both leaders reviewed the immediate priorities in the strategic partnership. They discussed climate change issues and energy cooperation. The two leaders also reviewed progress on Indo-US collaboration in nuclear energy, solar energy and innovation, the sources said. President Obama thanked Prime Minister Modi for his cooperation on a broad range of global and bilateral issues and commended Prime Minister Modis leadership in addressing the urgent threats posed by climate change, the White House official said. The leaders noted our joint commitment, fulfilled by the United States in advance of the G20 Leaders Summit, to join the Paris Agreement this year as well as our resolve to adopt an ambitious HFC amendment to the Montreal Protocol this year, the official added. PTI GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 8 The BSF on Thursday foiled an attempt to smuggle in 26kg heroin at the Border Outpost (BOP) Shahpur under the Ajnala sector here. BSF DIG Punjab Frontier RS Kataria said that during search, 25 packets of heroin weighing 26 kg, a pistol, a pistol magazine loaded with six rounds, a Pakistan mobile and two Pakistani SIM cards were recovered. On Wednesday, a packet of heroin was recovered from an Indian farmer and his helper during frisking by the BSF troops deployed at Border Security Fence Gate No 87 in the area of BoP Fatahpur in Amritsar sector. During the wee hours of Thursday, it was because of the alertness of ASI Birender Singh of BoP Shahpur that such a big contraband was recovered. Around 2.30 am, Birender observed a suspicious movement between the border fence and Dhussi bundh. As he spotted two men fleeing towards the Indian side, he challenged them. But they fled while taking advantage of low visibility and thick vegetation. On Wednesday evening, the BSF squad deputed at Border Fence Gate No 87 recovered a packet of heroin (1 kg) from the air cleaner cavity of a tractor during checking. The accused has been identified as Sukhdev Singh, resident of Chhankala village in Amritsar who was driving the tractor back from the fields beyond the border fence, and helper Dilbag Singh, resident of Panjoria village in Amritsar. The BSF handed them over to police, said Kataria. Vientiane, September 8 President Barack Obama put the long-simmering dispute in the South China Sea front and centre on the agenda at a regional summit on Thursday as it became clear that most of the other leaders gathered in the Laotian capital were going to let China off with a mild rebuke over its territorial expansion in the resource-rich waters. We will continue to work to ensure that disputes are resolved peacefully including in the South China Sea, Obama said in his opening remarks at a meeting with leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. He said an international arbitration ruling on July 12 against China was binding and helped to clarify maritime rights in the region. ASEAN will hold a separate summit later Thursday with other world powers, including China and the US. The summit is expected to let China off with a muted reprimand over its expansionist activities in South China Sea, according to a draft of their joint statement to be released today. The US has repeatedly expressed concern over Beijings actions in the resource-rich sea. Obama brought that up again. Referring to the arbitration panels ruling that invalidated Chinas claims, Obama said: I realize this raises tensions but I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and regional stability. The draft of the summit statement said that ASEAN and its partners reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability and security and freedom of navigation in and over-flight in the South China Sea. Several Leaders remained seriously concerned over recent developments in the South China Sea ... We stressed the importance for the parties concerned to resolve their disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international laws, it said. China has turned shoals and coral reefs into seven man-made islands and built airstrips capable of handling military aircraft on three of them. ASEAN leaders at their earlier summit on Tuesday expressed concern over Chinas island-building. A joint statement after the Tuesday summit said it took note of the concerns expressed by some leaders on the land reclamations and escalation of activities in the area, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and may undermine peace, security and stability in the region. The use of the phrase some leaders in the two statements underscores the fundamental problem ASEAN and the wider East Asia Summit has in dealing with China not all its members are willing to scold Beijing. Cambodia, for example, remains in Chinas camp, as does Laos to a large extent, preventing any robust statement from the consensus-bound ASEAN group. AP New York, September 8 Hillary Clinton has said the US will go after ISIS terror group and its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi the same way America had focussed on defeating al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden if she is elected as the next president. We have to defeat ISIS. That is my highest counterterrorism goal and we have got to do it with air power. We have got to do it with much more support for the Arabs and the Kurds who will fight on the ground against ISIS. We have to squeeze them by continuing to support the Iraqi military," Democratic presidential candidate Clinton said here yesterday. A 'commander in chief' forum, hosted by NBC on the decommissioned USS Intrepid which is now a floating museum, brought Clinton, 68, and her Republican rival Donald Trump, 70, together just weeks before they square off at the first presidential debate on September 26. While Clinton and Trump did not come face to face at the forum, they were questioned one after the other by Today show anchor Matt Lauer, who moderated the forum. Clinton vowed that under her presidency, she will not send ground troops into war-ravaged Iraq or Syria. PTI Tehran, September 7 A bitter war of words between Iran and Saudi Arabia erupted today ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage from which Iranians have been excluded for the first time in decades. Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blasted the incompetence of the Saudi royal family as he met families of victims of a deadly stampede during last years Haj. This incident proves once again that this cursed, evil family does not deserve to be in charge of the holy sites, Khamenei said. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia were already at rock bottom before the regional rivals started trading caustic remarks ahead of the annual pilgrimage to Islams holiest places in Saudi Arabia. Talks on safety and logistics fell apart in May after which Iranians were blocked from the event. If the problem with the Saudi Government was merely the issue of Haj, may be it would have been possible to find a way to resolve it. Unfortunately, this government by committing crimes in the region and supporting terrorism shed the blood of Muslims in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said at a cabinet meeting. The week began with a furious rebuke from Khamenei, published on his website, in which he accused the Saudi royals of murder over the death of nearly 2,300 pilgrims, including hundreds of Iranians, in last years stampede. Saudi Arabia, that claims the death toll was 769, has refused to release the details of its investigation into the disaster. The head of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council hit back today, calling Khameneis remarks inappropriate and offensive... and a desperate attempt to politicise Haj. Saudi Arabias most senior cleric, Grand Mufti Abdulaziz al-Sheikh, told the media on Monday: We must understand they are not Muslims, they are children of Magi and their hostility towards Muslims is an old one. Magi is a reference to the Zoroastrian religion prevalent in Iran before the advent of Islam. Custodian of Islams most revered places in Mecca and Medina, Saudi Arabia stakes its reputation on organising Haj, one of the five pillars of Islam which every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to is obliged to undertake at least once. The war of words on the eve of the mass pilgrimage will deepen a long-running rift between the Sunni kingdom and the Shi'ite revolutionary power. They back opposing sides in Syria's civil war and a list of other conflicts across the Middle East. Agencies Jerusalem, September 8 Soviet-era documents show that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas worked in the 1980s for the KGB, the now-defunct intelligence agency where Russian leader Vladimir Putin once served, Israeli researchers said on Thursday. The Palestinian government denied that Abbas, who received a PhD in Moscow in 1982, had been a Soviet spy, and it accused Israel of "waging a smear campaign aimed at derailing efforts to revive peace negotiations that collapsed in 2014. The allegations, first reported by Israels Channel One television on Wednesday, surfaced as Russia pressed ahead with an offer by Putin, made last month, to host a meeting in Moscow between Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Both leaders have agreed in principle to a summit, Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday, but it gave no date. Gideon Remez, a researcher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Truman Institute, said an Abbas-KGB connection emerged from documents smuggled out of Russia by former KGB archivist Vasili Mitrokhin in 1991. Some of the material, now in the Churchill Archives of Britain's Cambridge University, was released two years ago for public research, and the Truman Institute requested a file marked the Middle East, Remez said. Reuters New York, September 8 Praising Vladimir Putin, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has said the Russian President was far more of a leader than US President Barack Obama and asserted that he would have a very good relationship with the Kremlin strongman if he comes to power. I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Putin. And I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Russia, Trump said at a commander in chief forum on the decommissioned USS Intrepid, now a floating museum, here yesterday. The forum hosted by NBC brought Trump and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton together just weeks before they square off at the first presidential debate on September 26. However, Clinton and Trump did not come face to face at the forum as they were grilled back-to-back by the anchor. Trump asserted that he would have a very good relationship with many foreign leaders, unlike President Obama, who he said was not accorded a red carpet welcome when he went to China recently. I think its very sad, when you look at Barack Obama, as an example. Air Force One lands in China, and they dont want to put out stairs to get off the plane. And he has to use the stairs that mechanics use to get up and down to fix the plane. They wouldnt give him stairs, the 70-year-old real estate tycoon said. I think its very sad, when he lands in Saudi Arabia, and he lands in Cuba, and there arent high officials to even greet him. This is the first time in the history the storied history of Air Force One, Trump said. Trump said while Obama and Putin do not get along, he will have very good relations with the Russian leader. And I saw, just two or three days ago, they looked like they were not exactly getting along, but I looked at President Obama and Putin staring at each other. These were not two people that were getting along, he said. And, you know, the beautiful part of getting along, Russia wants to defeat ISIS as badly as we do. If we had a relationship with Russia, wouldnt it be wonderful if we could work on it together and knock the hell out of ISIS? Wouldnt that be a wonderful thing, Trump asserted. Asked if he would like to be complimented by a leader who annexed Crimea, invaded Ukraine, supports (President Bashar) Assad in Syria, Trump said if Putin says great things about me, Im going to say great things about him. Ive already said, he is really very much of a leader. I mean, you can say, oh, isnt that a terrible thing the man has very strong control over a country, he said. PTI Mexican FM quits over Trump visit As Dengue and Chikungunya cases increase in Delhi, the Municipal Corporation has failed in its efforts to control the rise of the diseases. By Parbina Purkayastha: "The last time we won 28 seats and arrogance arose in the party when we decided to contest across the country during the Lok Sabha elections and we lost. I have decided to work only in Delhi for the next five years" said Delhi CM in his 2015 oath speech. As dengue and Chikungunya cases increase in Delhi, the Municipal Corporation has actually failed in its efforts to control the rise of the two diseases. advertisement SYSTEMATIC FAILURE So far, more than 560 people have been hospitalized for Chikungunya and close to 1000 with dengue. India Today's special investigation found a failure in the part of government hospitals, failure of MCD to fog every locality of Delhi according to the requirement and failure to even provide healthy ambulances to ailing patience. "We came at 6 am and it is noon now and we are still in queue to get a basic check up done", said a patient in RML hospital. A systematic failure in the system has left the citizens of the capital fearing the government isn't serious about tackling the issue. As one of the patients pointed out, it will end with the government passing the buck to the MCD and vice versa. As the chief minister pledges to be in Punjab till he sends the Badals, the citizens are silently asking when his attention will return to his state. From Delhi's hit and run case to the Chikungunya menace, one common question on people's mind is will the CM now only care for Punjab? Ranging from infrastructure to health, the entire city is suffering but the top ministers of Delhi Government are in different cities to address the concerns of those places since elections are approaching there. OTHER CONCERNS "Only if he has time for the people of Delhi, can we raise our concerns but he is busy trying to gain popularity in other states" said a north Delhi citizen. While the CM is busy in Ludhiana, the deputy CM is in another election state, Manish Sisodia is in Goa.The second in command will strategise for AAP in Goa. If that wasn't enough rural development minister Gopal Rai too has embarked on a 12 day journey for a workshop in Chhattisgarh. There are no coordination meetings among MCD zones nor any corporation or government mechanism to handle the rising Chikungunya and Dengue cases in Delhi. What seems to be in the priority is to market the moral high ground taken by the party after an alleged sex scandal figuring an AAP minister. What is apparent is the party's willingness to make more promises in more states. What is not apparent is if they will fulfil the promises they made to the state they won with a huge mandate. ALSO READ: advertisement Chikungunya on rise, AIIMS tests 885 blood samples positive Delhi in tight grip of monsoon mayhem, Chikungunya on rise, 423 cases reported --- ENDS --- A Chinese couple gave birth to three sons in the four years to get a match for a lifesaving blood transplant for their first-born daughter. By India Today Web Desk: Unable to find a match for a lifesaving blood transplant for their daughter, this Chinese couple went ahead to give birth to three sons in the past four years to save their daughter. Finally, their search is over as the third son born to the couple in Shenzhen has given a sample of disease-free blood and the surgery has been successful. advertisement Zhuang Qian Qian, their daughter, was born with thalassaemia, a rare blood disease that doctors said could be cured only by a bone marrow or cord blood transplant. Also read: When a 8-yr-old Thalassemia patient became Hyderabad Police Commissioner for a day The sample of blood was taken from the newborn child's umbilical cord at the Shenzhen Children's Hospital. Zhuang was living on blood transfusion since 2009 and after her third brother was born in 2014, the umbilical cord was stored until the surgery could be carried out. The couple has spent 210,000 yuan ( more than Rs 20 lakhs) on the transplant for their daughter. However, Zhuang Qian will still need to take 10 courses of antiviral medication which each costs around 10,000 yuan (Rs 99,000). Zhuang Weixiang, the girl's 34-year-old father, was told by many to not spend a huge amount on his daughter's treatment. But the factory worker could not do that. "She is my first child. As long as I'm alive, I will not give her up," said Weixiang as reported by South China Morning Post . Also read: This boy suffers from a blood disease and wants to find a cure before dying The couple has borrowed thousands of yuan to pay for the medical bill but also had to give up their jobs to take care of their four children. --- ENDS --- By Sourish Bhattacharyya: There was a time when Angostura bitters plus Bols or Monin syrups were the three must-haves at every bar. Those days seem to be fading into history books as bartenders, who now like to call themselves bar chefs, go back to the kitchens of their mothers and grandmothers to seek out flavours that we had somehow forgotten in our rush to catch up with the world. advertisement To give the credit where it is due, the movement took off when Ek Bar, the wacky watering hole above a store selling kitsch fashion on the Defence Colony main road, opened a year ago with a completely new take on the idea of a cocktail bar. The industrial sugar syrups went out of the window as the bartenders started using ingredients, low on processed sweeteners, such as gur shakkar and mango murabba. Also read: Watch: This bartender pours 17 jagerbombs at once; sets new record Sea buckthorn berries from Ladakh, whose juice keeps Indian soldiers stationed at Siachen supplied with Vitamin C, now have a dedicated following, for the new generation of pub crawlers want to drink as much for their health as to their health. Mix the juice of sea buckthorn berries with that of apples or grapes (certainly not the canned variety) to mute the sourness and at the same let the goodness of the berries kick in. Sujan Sarkar, a gifted chef and AD Singh acolyte who presides over Ek Bar, has created a whisky cocktail called Chong in honour of the syrup made from Ladakhi barley, another unusual ingredient, that goes into making it. Fermented barley is the key ingredient of the Ladakhi brew called chhang. The cocktail is topped up with beer foam. Sarkar's most exciting drink is Queen Victoria because of its Kolkata connection. It's a flavoursome combination of whisky, aam aada (ginger redolent of ripe mangoes) and honey water. Ethnic chic just got a new meaning. Let's drink to it. --- ENDS --- Two South Carolina-based trucking companies are being sued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for subjecting African-American employees to a racially hostile work environment. According to the EEOC complaint, the working conditions at T-N-T of York County and TM Trucking of the Carolinas, jointly referred to as TNT entities, forced many of the companies black employees to resign. The racial harassment allegedly occurred in 2013 and 2014 and involved frequent use of the N-word by the owner. The complaint also alleges that some employees heard the owner make derogatory comments about African-Americans including comments that they could not read or write. Rodney Dunlap, who worked for the defendant companies from June 2013 through Jan. 2014, was one of the two employees who filed a discrimination charge with the EEOC based on the alleged harassment. Dunlap claimed that he was forced to resign because he could no longer tolerate the owners racist comments. Warrant Cholsom, who worked for the companies from April 2013 to June 2014, was the other employee in the discrimination suit who also quit for the same reason. "An owner's use of the 'N-word' and other racial slurs in the workplace is of tremendous concern to the Commission because there is no one more senior in the company to whom the offended employees can complain," said Lynette A. Barnes, regional attorney for EEOC's Charlotte District Office. "EEOC takes a company owner's disregard for the federally protected rights of the company's employees very seriously and will prosecute cases where this occurs." The EEOC suit also seeks damages for a class of current and former black employees who claimed to have been subjected to the owners misconduct. The suit seeks monetary relief including back pay, compensatory and punitive damages for Chisolm, Dunlap and the other employees in the case and also seeks injuctive relief against the companies to prevent future harassment. The same companies were also involved in an EEOC suit in 2014 that entailed a female employee alleging sexual harassment from the same company owner in the racial discrimination suit. The EEOC settled the lawsuit with those companies without an admission of guilt or liability through a consent decree. Planning commissioners approved amendments to the comprehensive plan Wednesday to move forward on Vision Tulsa-supported infrastructure for a north Tulsa industrial park. Backed by the George Kaiser Family Foundation, the project is preparing about 112 acres for a yet-to-be-determined employment center where more than 1,000 jobs are promised. Vision Tulsas tax is providing about $10 million for infrastructure to prepare the largely undeveloped land between Lewis and Peoria avenues on the south side of 36th Street North, bounded on the south by Mohawk Boulevard. The Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commissions recommendation for changes to the land includes mitigation for traffic and noise to protect the neighborhood directly south of the project. Neighbors spoke to commissioners Wednesday, conveying concern about increased traffic that would result from the project. However, residents generally said they supported the project as a means of bringing jobs to their community. Julian Wilson, whose home is adjacent to the proposed industrial park, said he is worried about the project becoming a general disruption to an otherwise isolated neighborhood. I believe its going to disturb the entire area, Wilson said. If they build a huge building, thats what Im going to see in the morning. Currently, the land is a mostly wooded area. Wilson said his point was not to oppose the project but instead to provide perspective from the neighbors for city officials as the project moves along. Were just looking at it from a residential perspective, Wilson said. Individuals can put things into the community, but they dont live there. In the amendment recommended Wednesday by commissioners, staff proposed building a berm as a buffer between the neighborhood and the industrial park to mitigate both noise from increased traffic and visibility issues. Entrances and exits from the industrial park on Mohawk Boulevard would be moved closer to Lewis and Peoria to cut down on traffic moving past the neighborhood, according to staff recommendations. The proposed Bus Rapid Transit System line running on Peoria would serve the facility. Theron Warlick, city planner, said traffic issues can be mitigated, but with no rail access to the site, the issues cant be avoided altogether. Warlick said he hoped the berm, built high enough, would alleviate many of the issues with increased traffic and improve the view. It can be a beautiful thing, Warlick said. When you walk out of your door, you dont have to look at a building. Another concern was the exact purpose of the project. Josh Miller, program organizer for GKFF, said the eventual employment center is still being shopped around, so the actual hours of operation and overall traffic to be generated by it are unknowns. But Miller said he hopes the 112 acres will draw more than the 1,000-employee goal his group pitched to voters through Vision Tulsa. Macys, with 2,000 employees, only uses 70 acres, Miller said. The planning commissions recommendations now go to the Tulsa City Council for consideration. All across the state, evidence-based programs have been implemented in our schools to help ensure Oklahoma students are college and career ready when they graduate. These programs have supported literacy education; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, and professional development for Oklahoma educators, just to name a few. But these programs stopped July 1 when the new fiscal year began. What happened? A giant budget deficit happened. And state agency directors had to make difficult decisions about what to cut. Unfortunately, some of those cuts led to the elimination of the School Competitive Grants Pool. Also called the C3 Competitive Grants Pool, this program funds projects designed to support the State Department of Educations goal of making sure all children graduate college, career and citizen ready by 2020. This is also a top priority of the State Chamber of Oklahoma and our more than 1,500 member businesses. We know that 64 percent of jobs will require post-secondary education by 2020, but only 37 percent of working adults currently meet that standard. Making up that difference will require 524,000 more degrees and certifications. Our high school graduates have to be prepared to take on that challenge. Thats why the School Competitive Grants Pool is so important. It provides money to schools so they can get the highest quality evidence-based programs into their classrooms to help ensure students are truly college and career ready. Because it is competitive, the funded programs are among the most innovative available in the state. Its a program that has been proven to work. Due to mandated budget cuts that turned out to be deeper than necessary, surplus dollars have now been released to their respective state agencies. The Oklahoma Department of Education will now have a little more than $40 million of its funding restored. We are encouraged to hear this news and strongly recommend that at least some of those funds go toward restoring the $6 million School Competitive Grants Pool. Given the positive, evidence-based outcomes our students are receiving through this program, it is a bargain and resource we cant afford to lose. We know there are a lot of demands on Oklahomas education budget. However, we can think of few things more important than ensuring our students are prepared for college or their career. Our schools need all the tools available to them to live up to this task. The School Competitive Grants Pool is an essential program that needs to be funded again. Jennifer Lepard is vice president of government affairs for the State Chamber of Oklahoma. Opposition parties have lashed out at the Modi government for raising rail ticket fare by upto 50 per cent in Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duranto trains. By India Today Web Desk: Opposition parties have slammed the Centre for introducing surge pricing in rail tickets for premium trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duranto. Congress and the CPI-M have demanded an immediate withdrawal of the government's notification. Earlier, the government raised railway fare for passengers travelling in AC II and AC II classes by Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains. The passengers will have to shell out between 10 and 50 per cent more under a dynamic surge pricing system to be introduced from Friday. The move was aimed at raking in additional revenue of about Rs 500 crore during the current financial year. advertisement RAHUL TAKES A POT SHOT Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, alleging that his model of governance is to "loot from the common man and give relief to his industrialist friends". In a tweet, the Congress vice-president said, "The speed of the train may increase or not, but Modiji has put the fares on the fast track. Modiji's model is to loot from the common people and provide relief to some of his industrialist friends." CONGRESS CALLS IT 'RUDE SHOCK' Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that the surge pricing in rail fares came as a 'rude shock' to people. In a statement, the Congress leader said, "The latest decision by Modi government to impose 'Surge Pricing' through 'flexi fare system' in Rajdhani, Duranto and Shatabdi trains is a rude shock for the ordinary people of India." "Railway surge pricing is Modi government's ugly gift to India during festival season. Congress demands rollback," Surjewala said adding, "Suit-boot Modi government has exposed its true face by taxing ordinary railway passengers by surge pricing but has exempted 1st/Executive Class." CPI-M DEMANDS IMMEDIATE ROLL BACK The CPI-M also strongly condemned the announcement of 'flexi fares' announced by the Railway Ministry. The CPI-M polit bureau demanded an immediate roll back of the government's decision. "This provides for an increase in fares upto 50 per cent over and above the normal fares for 90 per cent of the seats. This scheme however, excludes the highest class of travel i.e. AC I and Executive Chair reflecting the pro-rich bias of the government," CPI-M said in a statement. "This demand-driven scheme is a mask to cover a sharp hike in fares for 90 per cent of the passengers," the party added. 'RAILWAYS NOT A PROFIT-MAKING BODY' The CPI-M slammed the Modi government for trying to convert public enterprises aimed at making people's life easy into a profit venture. The government can't abdicate its responsibility to provide public services to people and aim at earning profit, the leftist party said. "If this model were to be made applicable to other public services like government hospitals, fire brigade and the police who will respond on the basis of demand at a given point of time, it would amount to a complete abdication of the government in providing public services to the people," the party said. advertisement ALSO READ: Surge pricing for Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi trains from Friday: Here's how it affects you Surge pricing in railways has passengers divided --- ENDS --- Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu Wednesday stressed Turkey's continued commitment to human rights, even in the wake of the July 15 defeated coup attempt when suspects in the coup bid are being detained. We assure you that this process [in the wake of the foiled coup] will be transparent. The supervision of the European Court of Human Rights is still in use. "The [European] Convention of Human Rights is a guide for Turkey even in these hard times, he told a news conference alongside his Estonian counterpart Marina Kaljurand and Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland. On proposals to revive the death sentence in the failed coups wake, Cavusoglu added, Today, there is a more rational environment for discussing this issue. Jagland, for his part, said, It is not acceptable on European territory for a countrys tanks to attack its people and for its jets to drop bombs on parliament. Also on Wednesday, Cavusoglu held a closed-door meeting with Johannes Hahn, the EUs commissioner for European neighborhood policy and enlargement negotiations. Anadolu Agency A Turkish-origin Dutch lawmaker has refused to shake hands with Benjamin Netanyahu during the Israeli leaders visit to the Netherlands parliament on Wednesday. As the Israeli PM shook hands with other members of parliament Tunahan Kuzu -- wearing a Palestinian flag lapel pin -- held his hands behind his back. Netanyahu continued greeting other lawmakers after the incident. Kuzu, a lawmaker and co-founder of the pro-immigrant Denk party, had criticized Netanyahus visit via his social media account. The 35-year-old lawmaker is known for his support for Palestinians and worked in the Netherlands to have Palestine recognized as a state. Rik Grashoff, a member of GroenLinks (Green Left) also tweeted there should be more pressure and sanctions against Israel. Another Dutch lawmaker from the Labor Party, Michiel Servaes, wrote on Twitter that he had a long but disappointed conversation with the Israeli leader. The Israeli PMs two-day visit to the Netherlands ended Wednesday. War criminal claim Earlier this week, a former Dutch prime minister, Dries van Agt, described Netanyahu as a war criminal and said he should be prosecuted. Van Agt made his comments in an interview with NPO1 TV on Monday. Known as a pro-Palestinian activist, van Agt -- prime minister between 1977 and 1982 -- also shared a cartoon of Netanyahu in which the Israeli prime minister is depicted as walking backwards from a sign showing the way to peace. The former premier said building on occupied territory was a war crime. The Dutch foreign ministry was not able to comment to Anadolu Agency Wednesday morning. Netanyahu started his visit to the Netherlands with a claim to a news conference in The Hague he was ready to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. If Mahmoud Abbas wants to meet without preconditions for direct talks, I am ready any time. I have been calling on him to do this for seven years already and if he agrees to do so there will be a meeting, Netanyahu was quoted as saying by YnetNews.com. Netanyahu's comments followed Abbass Tuesday remark that a proposed meeting in Moscow would not be held for now. Anadolu Agency Six Syrian villages were liberated from Daesh by Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters, the Turkish military said Wednesday. In a statement, the Turkish General Staff said the villages were cleared as part of Operation Euphrates Shield, which began two weeks ago as the FSA, backed by the Turkish Armed Forces, took the city of Jarabulus from Daesh. The villages are located around 12 kilometers (7 miles) to the southeast of the town of Al-Rai, known as Cobanbey in Turkish. Euphrates Shield has driven Daesh from Turkeys border with Syria as Turkish armor, artillery, special forces and jets support FSA fighters. Anadolu Agency Rodger Corser and the stars of Doctor Doctor joined with Nine execs at Rosetta in Melbourne last night for the media launch of the upcoming series. In attendance were Nicole da Silva, Tina Bursill, Steve Bisley, Ryan Johnson, Hayley McElhinney, plus Director of TV Michael Healy, Heads of Drama Andy Ryan and Jo Rooney and Essential Media producer Ian Collie. Claudia Karvan, who is also a producer, was unable to attend due to her filming commitments on ABCs Newtons Law. Andy Ryan told guests another star of the show was the location of Mudgee, which doubles as the rural town of Whyhope. I think audiences will love going to Whyhope. Its just divine, he said. Its terrific on Channel Nine to have a rural-based show again. Its the first one since McLeods Daughters where weve gone to the country. Ryan described the series as combining two traditions in Australian drama. One is the heart-warming, aspirational, family drama, often set in the country. Shows like McLeods Daughters, A Country Practice, The Flying Doctors. We do that sort of show so well. But theres another great tradition in Australian drama which is probably a bit more recent -the Australian drama with the flawed hero or heroine. With contemporary, sophisticated storytelling and a very topical subject matter. And you dont have to look any further than shows like Underbelly, Rake or Wentworth. Doctor Doctor really brings the best of both traditions together. Its a show that is heart-warming, aspirational, escapist, thoroughly entertaining and something the whole family can watch. But its also very sophisticated, witty, and it will be at times controversial in a way that the audience wont expect. Our characters zig in unexpected directions when you think they are going to zag. Doctor Doctor premieres 8:40pm Wednesday on Nine. It was reported that Katrina has been approached for the role of the leading lady opposite SRK after initial reports that Deepika will star in the film. By Hardeep Dugal: Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif, the two gorgeous leading ladies of Bollywood have practically been at war since 2009, when 'Rockstar' Ranbir Kapoor allegedly cheated on his then girlfriend Deepika for Katrina. Cut to 2016 and the battle now is no longer about love, but work. Deepika Padukone is reportedly miffed with 'Tanu Weds Manu' director Anand L Rai for having approached Katrina for his next film with Shah Rukh Khan without checking with Deepika the second time around. Apparently, Deepika was busy finishing her Hollywood commitments and so did not seal the deal when approached the first time around. advertisement ALSO READ: Of course I was taking revenge, Katrina Kaif on her hot body in Baar Baar Dekho ALSO READ: Is the break-up with Ranbir Kapoor the reason behind Katrina Kaif 2.0? Before she knew it, Rai approached Katrina, a move that has reportedly left Deepika quite upset. There is no confirmation yet if Katrina will play Rai's leading lady, but if reports are to be believed, Deepika is busy announcing to the world that she was the first choice for the film. Meanwhile, Katrina who is on a 'Baar Baar Dekho' promotion spree seems to be in a world of her own. Recently, when asked about her comments on Deepika making it to the Forbes list of the top 10 highest paid actresses in the world, Katrina was caught unawares. Even though both the actresses have not come out in the open about their discomfort with each other, they do show it here and there. In 2015 when Ranbir-Deepika starrer 'Tamasha' was about to release, Katrina did show some signs of insecurity, having gone on record to say, 'I can't enforce my will on the people in my life. Their choices are their own. I may not be happy with them but I hope that as they mature or as they evolve, their choices will change!'. To this, Deepika smartly replied that she did not read between lines and preferred people to be upfront. That chapter closed there itself. Back to 2016 and the Deepika-Katrina rivalry has taken another ugly turn with both actresses going an extra mile professionally. While Deepika has a Bhansali's next, a plum Hollywood debut, steady relationship and lots of moolah to boast about, Katrina isn't far behind with a fabulous body and Dharma Productions next in her kitty. At this rate it seems close to impossible for these warring goddesses to make peace. --- ENDS --- Militants in Donetsk have taken new captives, whose number now exceeds 110. Adviser to Chairman of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Yuri Tandyt said this on the air of Channel 5. "At least 47 captives may be released soon, but we should move on as more than 110 people are held captive now," he said. The adviser to the SBU chairman called on the citizens to visit the occupied areas of Donbas cautiously because the militants had taken new captives yesterday. ol Militants launched 20 attacks on positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine over the past day. This is reported by the ATO Headquarters press center. As noted, in Donetsk direction, the enemy used 82mm mortars, grenade launchers, machine guns, and small arms to launch provocative attacks on Avdiyivka (18km north of Donetsk). Ukrainian troops in Verkhniotoretske (22km north-east of Donetsk) and Luhanske (59km north-east of Donetsk) came under machine gun and small arms fire In Mariupol direction, the tensest situation was observed in Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol), where terrorists applied 82mm mortars, grenade launchers, and machine guns. In Luhansk direction, the enemy used small arms to fire at Popasna (90 km north-west of Luhansk). The militants did not used heavy weapons over the past day. ol Delhi Metro services on the busy Yellow Line were affected today after a man died after he jumped in front of a train at the Rajiv Chowk station. By India Today Web Desk: Delhi Metro services on the busy Yellow Line were affected today after a man died after he jumped in front of a train at the Rajiv Chowk station. Sources in the Delhi Metro said the passenger died on the spot. The Gurgaon line is one of the busiest Metro services in the national capital. Officials said they are trying to restart the services as early as possible. --- ENDS --- advertisement U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Ukrainian Minister of Defense Stepan signed a joint document that provides a framework for the United States and Ukraine to enhance the defense capacity of Ukraine's forces. The ceremony of signing took place during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in London today. As a demonstration of continued U.S. support for Ukraine, Secretary Carter and Minister Poltorak co-signed a bilateral partner concept, a document that provides a framework for the United States and Ukraine to enhance the defense capacity of Ukraine's forces, advance critical Ukrainian defense reforms, improve resource management processes, and boost defense technology cooperation, reads a report on the Pentagon official website. The partner concept will build on the strong partnership between the U.S. and Ukraine and will enhance the effectiveness of U.S. security assistance efforts. The defense chiefs discussed the fragile ceasefire in eastern Ukraine. Secretary Carter emphasized that the United States remains committed to the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements in support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. The head of the Pentagon also urged the Ukrainian defense minister to remain committed to the ambitious Ukrainian program of comprehensive defense reforms to make Ukraine's defense enterprise more effective and efficient. iy The International Monetary Fund will consider the allocation of a new tranche to Ukraine on September 14. This is stated on the website of the organization. According to the updated agenda, the second review under the Extended Fund Facility will be held on September 14. In addition, the Fund will assess the effectiveness of the stand-by arrangement. President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has already said he expects a positive decision from the International Monetary Fund. "Following my conversation with Christine Lagarde, the International Monetary Fund put consideration of the next tranche to Ukraine on the agenda for September 14. I hope for a positive decision," he wrote on Facebook. ol Ukrainian lawmakers have appealed to the parliaments of foreign states, international parliamentary assemblies and organizations with a request not to observe and not to recognize the elections to the State Duma of the Russian Federation on the territory of the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea. As an Ukrinform correspondent reports, the decision was supported by 269 MPs. "The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine appeals to the parliaments of foreign states, the parliamentary assemblies and international organizations with a request to refrain from observing the illegal parliamentary elections in Crimea and not to recognize the results," the statement reads. In addition, the Verkhovna Rada recalls that only continued compliance by the states and international organizations with the consistent position of condemning Russia's aggression against Ukraine, condemnation of the occupation and the non-recognition of the annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol will allow to restore the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine within the internationally recognized borders. ol The European Parliament's Committee on Legal Affairs has backed a draft resolution on canceling visa requirements for Ukrainian citizens. This is stated in the position (decision) of the committee about the draft legislation resolution on including Ukraine on the list of third countries whose nationals are exempt from visa requirements, own Ukrinform correspondent in Brussels reports. The Committee on Legal Affairs calls on the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, which is responsible for this issue [submitting proposals to abolish a visa regime for Ukraine], to offer the European Parliament to approve its position at first reading, based on the European Commission's proposal, reads a document, the author of which is MEP from Finland Heidi Hautala. The document also notes a significant progress that Ukraine has made in the process of carrying out reforms, and underlines the need to continue moving in this direction, particularly, on the issue of the rule of law in the Ukrainian society. iy Four festivals of Ukrainian culture will be held across Canada in September. As an Ukrinform correspondent reports, Montreal will host an annual Ukrainian festival this weekend. On Sunday, the community organizes the Ukrainian day in Winnipeg and celebration of the 75th anniversary of establishment of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress in London, Ontario. The day before, the Royal British Columbia Museum will open an exhibition dedicated to the 125th anniversary of start of Ukrainian immigration to Canada. The most large-scale event is expected to be held in Toronto on September 16-18, where a traditional Bloor West Village Ukrainian festival will be held. Last year it was attended by more than 10,000 visitors. ol The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a draft resolution on creating an interdepartmental working group to scientifically assess the demographic development of Ukraine. A corresponding decision was taken at a government meeting on Thursday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. A census of population is carried out once in 10 years in line with the world practice. In Ukraine, it was held in 2001 last tame, Social Policy Minister Andriy Reva said. He recalled that a population census was postponed several times due to the lack of funds in the budget. "But there is a [conflict] situation in the east of Ukraine, the annexation of Crimea took place. We should conduct a census to assess mlosses of human resources and understand uncontrolled migration movement, the minister said. iy If elected, Trump said he would give military leaders 30 days to formulate a plan to defeat the group, commonly known as ISIS. He also said he would ask the joint chiefs of staff to conduct a review of the nation's cyber defenses to determine all vulnerabilities. By AP: Republican Donald Trump vowed Wednesday to boost defense spending and deploy more active troops, fighter planes, Navy ships and submarines as he works to convince skeptics in both parties that he's ready to lead the world's most powerful military. The New York businessman, who has struggled at times to demonstrate a command of foreign policy, also seemed to acknowledge he does not currently have a plan to address cyber security or the Islamic State group. advertisement PLAN TO DEFEAT ISIS If elected, Trump said he would give military leaders 30 days to formulate a plan to defeat the group, commonly known as ISIS. He also said he would ask the joint chiefs of staff to conduct a review of the nation's cyber defenses to determine all vulnerabilities. Trump's address came hours before his national security acumen is tested at a "commander in chief" forum on NBC. ALSO READ: Barack Obama is founder of ISIS, says Donald Trump "We want to deter, avoid and prevent conflict through our unquestioned military strength," Trump declared of his Democratic opponent in his Wednesday speech, delivered inside the exclusive Union League of Philadelphia, which first allowed women in 1986. The appearances mark an intense, two-day focus on national security by Trump, who has offered tough rhetoric _ but few details _ on America's challenges abroad. Trump's rival, Democrat Hillary Clinton, has tried to paint the billionaire businessman as erratic, making the case that his disposition would be a major liability on the world stage. "They know they can count on me to be the kind of commander in chief who will protect our country and our troops, and they know they cannot count on Donald Trump," Clinton said Tuesday. "They view him as a danger and a risk." Trump's team has worked aggressively in recent days to turn deflect such criticism back at Clinton. "She's trigger-happy and very unstable," Trump said of his Democratic opponent, calling her use of a private email server while secretary of state "reckless." While Clinton and Trump will be featured at the Wednesday night forum, they will appear at separate times and will not face each other on stage. The forum could serve as a warm-up to their highly anticipated first presidential debate, scheduled for September 26 in New York. Trump's Union League address also included his plans to eliminate deep spending cuts, known as the "sequester," enacted when Congress failed to reach a budget compromise in 2011. Republicans and Democrats voted for the automatic, across-the board cuts that affected both military and domestic programs. advertisement Military leaders have said that they can live with an active duty Army of 490,000 _ bolstered by nearly 500,000 soldiers in the National Guard and Reserves _ as long as Congress provides enough funding to support that troop level. Gen. Mark Milley, the Army chief of staff, said last month that he is comfortable with a 1 million-soldier Army, and would welcome a larger force, only if Congress provides the money to maintain troop readiness. Increasing the size without increase other support, he said, will decrease readiness and hollow out the force. BRINGING NEW MONEY As for how he would pay for it, Trump insisted on Wednesday that he would fully offset the costs of his new spending through savings and new revenue. He said he would make the government "leaner," in part by using attrition to shrink the workforce, and said he'd bring in new money by asking countries like Germany, Japan and Saudi Arabia to pay more for the security the U.S. provides them. ALSO READ: Trump vows 'tracking system' to deport everyone whose visa expires Even before promising a huge boost in military spending, Trump's plans to cut taxes, expand infrastructure spending and leave untouched entitlement programs such as Social Security already threatened to add trillions of dollars to the federal deficit. advertisement Trying to emphasize his military support, Trump's campaign released a letter on Tuesday from 88 retired generals and admirals citing an urgent need for a "course correction" in America's national security policy. It was aimed at rebutting Clinton's arguments that she would be best positioned to lead the military and reassuring Republicans who have openly worried that his provocative statements might undermine U.S. alliances. Trump's proposal to lift the sequester limits on military spending won praise from Republicans on Capitol Hill even as some acknowledged the reality that Democratic opposition might render it difficult to achieve. "Obviously it's not something that would get through this Congress, so that's something we'd have to look at the election next year. But I agree with him in terms of lifting the sequester on defense, he's absolutely correct about that," said GOP. Rep Tom Cole of Oklahoma, a high-level member of the Appropriations Committee. But questions remain, even in his party. Bob Corker, the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, repeatedly refused to say directly whether he had confidence in Trump as commander in chief when questioned on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on Wednesday. advertisement "I do believe that Donald Trump is growing in his understanding of these issues and I think that he's beginning to get more and more people around him that have a depth of understanding as to the complexities and I'm watching this evolve," he said. ALSO READ: Donald Trump is totally unfit and unqualified to be US President: Hillary Clinton US Presidential election: Clinton, Trump clash over who is best for minorities Donald Trump leaves everyone 'open-mouthed', hints at Hillary Clinton's assassination by gun-rights supporters --- ENDS --- Trump suggested at the event in which he and Democratic rival Hillary Clinton made back-to-back appearances that US generals had been stymied by the policies of Obama and Clinton, who served as the Democratic president's first secretary of state. By Reuters: Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that Russia's Vladimir Putin had been a better leader than US President Barack Obama, as the Republican presidential nominee used a televised forum to argue he was best equipped to reassert America's global leadership. Trump suggested at the event in which he and Democratic rival Hillary Clinton made back-to-back appearances that US generals had been stymied by the policies of Obama and Clinton, who served as the Democratic president's first secretary of state. advertisement "I think under the leadership of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton the generals have been reduced to rubble. They have been reduced to a point that's embarrassing for our country," Trump said at NBC's "Commander-in-Chief" forum in New York attended by military veterans. It was the first time Trump and Clinton had squared off on the same stage since accepting their parties' presidential nominations in July for the November 8 election. Clinton was grilled over her handling of classified information while using a private email server during her tenure at the State Department. FBI Director James Comey had declared her "extremely careless" in her handling of sensitive material but did not recommend charges against her. "I did exactly what I should have done and I take it very seriously, always have, always will," she said. TRUMP PRAISES PUTIN Trump's praise of Putin and his suggestion that the United States and Russia form an alliance to defeat Islamic State militants could raise eyebrows among foreign policy experts who feel Moscow is interfering with efforts to stem the Syrian civil war. "If he says great things about me, I'm going to say great things about him," Trump said of the Russian president. "Certainly in that system, he's been a leader, far more than our president has been." Trump had called Obama "the founder of ISIS," an acronym for Islamic State, in stump speeches several weeks ago. The statement drew broad criticism, prompting him to take a more disciplined approach to campaigning. He has since picked up ground on Clinton in national opinion polls. Trump also flirted with revealing what he had been learning in classified intelligence briefings given to him by US officials because he is the Republican nominee. "There was one thing that shocked me," Trump said. "What I did learn is that our leadership, Barack Obama, did not follow what our experts ... said to do, and I was very, very surprised. ...Our leaders were not following what they recommended." Earlier on Wednesday, Trump pledged to launch a new US military buildup, saying America was under threat like never before from foes like Islamist extremists, North Korea and China. advertisement DEBATE PREVIEW? The event offered a prelude to how Clinton and Trump will deal with questions on national security issues in their three upcoming presidential debates later in September and in October. Clinton began the forum saying her long experience in government as a US senator and secretary of state made her uniquely qualified to serve as president. She said she had "an absolute rock steadiness" to be able to make tough decisions, a not so subtle dig at Trump, who Democrats say is temperamentally unfit for the White House. Moderator Matt Lauer doggedly pressed her about her handling of emails from a private server while secretary of state from 2009 to 2013. The issue has raised questions about whether she can be trusted to serve as president. Clinton said none of the emails she sent or received were marked top secret, secret or classified, the usual way such material is identified. FIT FOR OFFICE Appearing in the second half of the hour-long show, Trump faced questions about his fitness for office. Asked if he would be prepared on Day One to be commander in chief, Trump said: "One hundred percent." advertisement Trump quickly abandoned Lauer's entreaties to avoid attacking his opponent and focus on what he would do if elected president in November. "She's been there for 30 years," Trump said. "We need change, and we need it fast." The event brought together the meticulously prepared Clinton, 68, the wife of former President Bill Clinton, and Trump, 70, a New York businessman whose brash, freewheeling style has allowed him to dominate the headlines during his campaign. CONFLICTS Clinton said she regretted her decision as a US senator from New York to vote in favor of the much-criticized 2003 Iraq war and that Trump had been in favor of it as well. Trump has condemned the war during his campaign and said he would avoid lengthy conflicts in the Middle East. On the US intervention in Libya in 2011, Clinton rejected Trump's criticism of her support for the effort as secretary of state. "Permitting there to be an ongoing civil war in Libya would be as threatening and as dangerous as what we are seeing in Syria," she said. Trump said Clinton's handling of Libya proved disastrous. Republicans have made much of the fact that the US ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, was killed in an Islamist attack in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012. advertisement "She made a terrible mistake in Libya," said Trump. Clinton said US policies under her leadership at the State Department had helped promote security. "We made the world safer," she said. Also Read: Donald Trump is totally unfit and unqualified to be US President: Hillary Clinton --- ENDS --- By India Today Web Desk: Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu faced an awkward encounter during a parliamentary meeting on Wednesday when a Muslim Dutch MP, Tunahan Kuzu, a pro-migrant activist dodged a hand shake with him. Kuzu a former labour MP wore a flag of Palestine on his chest when he snubbed Netanyahu. In the video that went viral on social media Netanyahu, irked by the incident, can be heard saying 'Oh, okay', and then moves on to meet other members of the Parliament. advertisement In a video posted on Facebook, Kuzu justified his actions by referring to Israel's war in the Gaza Strip, he wrote, "While the streets of Gaza in the summer of 2014 Red tinted by the blood from the veins of children, be red carpets are rolled out here. That doesn't deserve a handshake." Following the incident, Netanyahu, released a video from his plane in response to the incident saying, "Today we saw another clear example of those who want peace, and those who don't." PM Netanyahu: Today, we saw another clear example of those who want peace and those who dont. pic.twitter.com/E6FClNdF7E PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) September 7, 2016 In the video he says,"I will continue to proudly present Israel's position to the world and strengthen its international standing." According to reports, the video of Kuzu ignoring Israeli PM will be used for election campaign to win Muslim votes. --- ENDS --- Modi's meeting with Li came just four days after he met Xi on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Hangzhou, where he discussed the strategic interests of the two countries. By Press Trust of India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today had a "pull aside" meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit, days after he held talks with President Xi Jinping in Hangzhou. "Moving forward with China. PM Narendra Modi has quick pull aside with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on sidelines of EAS," External Affairs Ministry Vikas Swarup tweeted. advertisement BILATERAL TALKS Earlier, Modi had bilateral parleys with Laotian Prime Minister Thongloun Sisolith, Myanmar Counsellor of State Aung San Suu Kyi and South Korea President Park Geun-hye. PM of Lao PDR HE Thongloun Sisoulith and I met today. Our discussions on stronger bilateral ties were fruitful. pic.twitter.com/RMRMXmlM2h&; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2016 Strong economic & cultural ties between our nations were discussed with ROK President @GH_PARK. @bluehousekorea pic.twitter.com/HPsvJKUzMs&; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2016 Met Aung San Suu Kyi. We had extensive talks on India-Myanmar bilateral relations. pic.twitter.com/tKflrq2qUn&; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2016 Modi's meeting with Li came just four days after he met Xi on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Hangzhou. In that meeting, Modi had told Xi that the two countries need to be "sensitive" to each others strategic interests. Asserting that fight against terror should not be motivated by "political considerations", Modi had said it is of "paramount importance that we respect each others aspirations, concerns and strategic interests" to ensure durable bilateral ties. Modi had also raised India's concerns over the USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). --- ENDS --- 12-year-old Cendikiawan (Diki) Suryaatmadja is preparing to go to school this fall. What's interesting about him, though, is that he is already going to college at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. VOA News reported that Diki is taking up physics as well as additional classes in math, chemistry and economics. He is from West Java, an Indonesian province. He will be living in an apartment near the university with his father. "I'm very excited to meet the new students and make new friends," he said in an interview with CBC News. "Little by little, through osmosis, you can learn [a] language." According to Channel News Asia, the 12-year-old college student only began learning the English language after his family moved to Singapore from West Java. Within six months, he has mastered the language with the help of subtitles on American action movies. "I expect to have lots of assignments," he added. Andre Jardin, associate registrar at the University of Waterloo, added that he is "amongst the strongest students coming to science this year." Diki is one of the growing number of pre-teens who will be going to college this year. Jeremy Shuler, also 12 years old, will be a freshman this year at Cornell University. He is reportedly the youngest student ever to attend as per the school's historian, Corey Earle. Petra Zarah Jarrar, via USA Today, advised students who will start or are looking to start university at a younger age to be confident of who they are. "You don't have to pretend to be someone that you are not just so you can get all of the popular kids to like you," she said. She also urged younger university students to not be afraid to talk about their age and never to forget that "education is a privilege, especially when you are young and brimming with endless possibilities." Northern Kentucky University is currently investigating the source of fliers that were seen around campus mocking "Welcome Black Week." It is believed to be a parody and not a legitimate event. In a collated report by The Washington Times, it was revealed that about fifty students and faculty, including President Geoffrey Mearns, met on Tuesday to discuss the unauthorized fliers announcing "Welcome White Week." The fliers were also posted this week in the Student Union. The parody fliers advertised on-campus events such as "White Lives Matter vs. Black Lives Matter," "Pizza Party for Tolerance" and "L.G.B.T.Q.R.S.T.U.V. and You." This is an attempt to ridicule the school's annual "Welcome Black Week." University spokesperson Amanda Nageleisen noted that the flier did not go through the official approval process of the school. Moreover, the student organization that was named on the document is not active or registered with the institution. According to NKU's student newspaper, The Northerner, a student-led peaceful protest took place on Tuesday, 6 p.m., in the Student Union Plaza. Junior student James Johnson, one of the organizers of the demonstration, said that part of the protest was to address the "Welcome White Week" flier. "The ignorance that stands on NKU's campus is no longer acceptable," he said. "It's starting to become deliberate. Just like this person who deliberately copied our flier." Welcome Black Week took place last Aug. 29 to Sep. 2. It is sponsored by African American Programs and Services. "We worked hard for Welcome Black Week in response to the lack of representation in the universal programs within Welcome Week, and we can even go back to homecoming," Johnson added. "It's like a cause and effect. So the reason they did this [posted the "Welcome White Week" flyer] was because we had Welcome Black Week." BuzzFeed noted that NKU President Geoffrey Mearns thanked protesters for their response. "You've responded in the best way of the character of the people here and the character of this institution," he told students. Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the idle land will be turned into shopping malls and cinema halls and the revenue accrued from it will be spent for the development of the Muslim community. By Siddhartha Rai: The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs will soon be developing prime wakf land for commercial use and utilise their proceeds to fund welfare projects for the Muslim community. Wakf land comes under the concept of charity or inalienable religious endowment in Islamic belief. The move may face opposition from the various wakf boards acting as the 'guardian' of these properties but the government appears firm in its intent. advertisement "They have the potential of generating an income of over Rs 10,000 crore per year," Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told Mail Today. "There are nearly as many as 5 lakh registered wakf properties in the country while the current annual income from these properties is roughly about 150 crore." According to the minister the total area under wakf properties is close to six lakh acre, the market value of which runs into lakhs of crores. Even the Sachar Committee had suggested that these be made profitable. Under the proposal, the idle land will be turned into complexes such as shopping malls and cinema halls to generate revenue, Naqvi said. "The identified land can also be used to construct buildings to house educational institutions such as engineering college, especially for girl students, and students' hostels or skill training centres for the minority community." MORE THAN 2,000 WAKF PROPERTIES IDENTIFIED Naqvi said that his ministry was in the process of identifying such plots which have high commercial value. "We have already identified over 2,000 such wakf properties that can be made into mixed use commercial complexes which can partly house both educational as well as commercial establishments. There are many more to be identified, but the task will be completed soon." The minister claimed that the Centre's move had the backing of state governments. "The entire revenue accruing from such commercial establishments will go to the state governments," Naqvi said. Sources in the ministry told Mail Today that Haryana Chief Minister Manoharlal Khattar recently met Naqvi and proposed sites at Palwal and Faridabad in Gurugram that could be utilised for the purpose. Earlier, Bihar's minority affairs minister too met Naqvi to deliberate on the feasibility of the scheme in the state and identify wakf properties for commercial use. MAJOR BLOW TO 'WAKF MAFIA' According to ministry officials, the idea would not just generate vital resources to augment the grants already given by the Centre to the state governments for the betterment of the minority communities, but would also put paid to the activities of what Naqvi described as "wakf mafia" that has emerged in the past several decades. advertisement "At the time of Partition of the country, a large number of families moved across the border from both sides, leaving a large number of properties of Muslims that are under various wakf boards. Some of these properties are prime real estate but are just lying idle," Naqvi said. Meanwhile, the ministry is also in the process of digitising the land records of all the wakf properties so as to curb any misuse of swindling of these properties. "In the next one year we shall be done with making all the land records pertaining to wakf properties digital so as to hold watertight records to thwart encroachers," Naqvi said. ALSO READ: Supreme Court backs Shani Shingnapur temple over land dispute with Wakf --- ENDS --- The Department of Education brought down ITT in a few weeks time. ITT Technical Institute is a for-profit giant school. It operated more than 130 schools in the United States. It has on its roster about 45,000 students. Recently, the Education Department forced ITT to announce that it will cease its operations and will no longer enroll new students for the year. In addition, Forbes indicated that the Education Department has barred it from receiving federal financial aid such as student loans and Pell Grants. The current students were said to be in a Catch-22 situation. Prior to its closure, the current students at the time were given the choice. To either remain at ITT Tech in the hopes that the school will close and they will be eligible for a closed school discharge. Or, they can quit the school and enroll at another school but dropping the opportunity for loan forgiveness. Especially when they need to transfer their ITT Tech credits. The dilemma here is that the students are facing the risk of not completing their education anywhere. Which is why the Department of Education shut down the school. The Department of Education did not only cease the operations of the school but also cuts of its main source of income. ITT Tech was receiving substantial taxpayer subsidies in the form of student loans and Pell Grants. Currently, tax payers are wondering where their money is going to. As of now, only current students and recent drop outs are the only eligible individuals that are eligible for school loan discharges. However, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy could change all that. Healey is suing the school for allegedly defrauding students regarding its job placement rates. If guaranteed a win, this assures ITT Tech graduates of loan forgiveness as well. As long as there are grounds that prove they have been defrauded. Watch this video below of ITT Tech making the news. Share your opinion in the comments section, too: Presidential Candidate Donald Trump made the headlines regarding his stand on education and the policies associated with it. He started to describe his stand but he never finished his speech. Education platforms everywhere are trying to find out what Donald Trump's plans are. According to AEI, he was going to devote a whole week to detailing his education views. Reports indicated that Trump started his agenda by explaining his stance on immigration. The industry and the media went on a frenzy trying to prepare and find out what his position is on education since Hillary Clinton already has her agenda covered by a debt-free education system. His agenda then involves him meeting with the Mexican president, Enrique Pena Nieto. Then Trump gave a speech in Phoenix about his hardline stance. The week ended with him detailing his alteration on the stance on immigration. Trump's education week focused on him acknowledging the fact that the had difficulty deporting 11 million unauthorized immigrants. In the end, he promises to work on a new policy that courses through to legalization. There was no point during the week that the presidential candidate uttered any significant thoughts on education. As of now, the country and the media still do not have any clue about what his thoughts and plans are on education. Reports indicate that he "makes things up as he goes along." In other news, the Trump administration is not having any luck on having an education advisor on board. While the opposition is trying to win the hearts of many Americans when it comes to zeroing or minimizing the cost of education, and the current administration trying to streamline the education system, Trump's camp remains mum. Maybe until Trump himself does plan to talk about it. Meanwhile, Trump University is still undergoing investigation regarding the fraud cases brought forward. Do you think Trump would be a good president for Education? Earl Ofari Hutchinson, the President of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable, explains that many have fought and even died to break down barriers when it comes to racial, social and cultural segregation. However, California State University, Los Angeles looks like it does not acknowledge that. California State introduced a housing program that left many in a foul mood and spurred foul mouths. The housing program at California State allowed the segregation of African-American students, cites ABC 7. There are over a thousand students on the California state campus. And the housing can hold about 24 of them. But the Halisi Scholars Black Living-Learning Community noted that something is off. And this sparked a national debate which prompts civil rights activists to speak out. Hutchinson stresses that Los Angeles officials should review and reconsider the policy regarding the public university's act immediately. In defense of the housing segregation, a press release from CSULA Black Student Union stresses that back in February, the housing program was agreed upon between the group and Covino - the CSULA President. It alleges that on Dec. 7, 2015, they reached an agreement after several demands. "The Director of Housing has been asked to work with administration and the BSU in creating, and developing, a Black Scholars' living learning community. We expect the development of the Black Scholars Hall to take place prior to the Fall 2016 term," states the report. A freshman living in the dorm expresses that it is not about segregation. Jonathan Thomas, who is studying communications and a freshman at CSULA says that it was meant for students like him to feel safe. "I don't know where that assumption even came from," says Thomas. CSULA insists that their dorm policies are following a "themed living community" and schools like Berkeley, Stanford and more are using the same housing themes. This has already reached local and state news. What are your thoughts on this? By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 8 (PTI) Central government employees can claim LTC if they travel to Jammu & Kashmir by any airline for two more years till September 25, 2018. "To boost tourism in Jammu & Kashmir, the government has decided to extend the facility to travel by any airline to visit Jammu & Kashmir on LTC under the Special Dispensation Scheme for central government employees for a period of two years beyond September 25, 2016," an official statement said. Earlier in June, the government had permitted its employees to travel to Jammu & Kashmir by private airlines till September 2016. Rules till then allowed government employees to travel by Air India only. advertisement A government employee gets to and fro journey cost reimbursed when he avails of LTC. PTI JD ARD --- ENDS --- SHARE Measuring to Improve: Peer and Crowd-Sourced Assessments of Technical Skill with Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy The development of video-assessment techniques for evaluation of surgical skills among training and experienced surgeons has shown immense promise for the purposes of skills assessment and standardized methods of surgical certification1,2. Surgical skill has been found to correlate with patient outcomes3. Using other experienced surgeons for peer assessment is time consuming and expensive. The purpose of this study was to see if lay people could be trained to rate the differences in technical skills of surgeons. Surgeons from the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MUSIC) submit videos of nerve sparing robot assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). The videos were split into four sections: bladder neck dissection, apical dissection, nerve sparing, and urethra-vesical anastomosis. Two scoring systems were used. For the global robotic skills assessment, the global evaluative assessment of robotic skills test (GEARS) was used4. Anastomosis was rated using the robotic anastomosis and competency evaluation (RACE)5. Each video clip was evaluated by 4 peers from 25 MUSIC surgeons. Each video was also rated by 30-55 crowd workers. Over fifteen days, peers performed 318 global and 33 anastomosis evaluations. Crowd workers over twenty-one hours, performed 2,531 global evaluations and in 38 hours, performed 459 anastomosis evaluations. Peer and crowd-sourced surgeon scores had high positive correlation for GEARS and RACE. Pearson correlation 0.78 and 0.74 (p<0.001). The order of lower and higher performing surgeons was consistent between the two groups. There is a secure web based system making it easy to administer the evaluations and maintain patient confidentiality. Crowd workers are able to provide rapid reviews. This is much cheaper and it is possible for crowd-sourced evaluations to adequately assess technical skills. The lower performing surgeons would then be peer assessed and trained. There are limitations to this study. Surgeon participation was voluntary. Videos are only representative of the parts chosen. GEARS is not tailored specifically to RARP6. Changes in technique between surgeons cannot be assessed. The expert reviewers did not undergo standardized training. There was a weak positive correlation between the skills and outcome. There is a limited sample size. Although the rank order was preserved, the crowd and peer ratings dont correspond exactly. For the future, skills and outcomes with a larger sample size and longer follow up. There is also a need for improved observational instrument specific to RARP. Written By: Khurshid R Gani, David C. Miller, Susan Linsell, Andrwe Brachulis, Brian Lane, Richard Sarle, Deepnash Dalela, Mani Menon, Bryan Comstock, Thomas S. Lendvay, James Montie, James O. Peabody Department of Urology, University of Michigan Reference: 1. Scott DJ, Vlantine RJ, Bergen PC, et al. Evaluating surgical competency with the American Board of Surgery In- Taining Examination, skill testing, and intraoperative assessment. Surgery 2000;128:613-22. 2. Matsuda T OY, Terachi T, et al. The endoscopic surgical skill qualification system in urological laparoscopy: A novel system in Japan. J Urol 2006;176:216872. 3. Birkmeyer JD, Finks JF, O'Reilly A, et al. Surgical skill and complication rates after bariatric surgery. The New England journal of medicine 2013;369:1434-42. 4. Goh AC, Goldfarb DW, Sander JC, Miles BJ, Dunkin BJ. Global evaluative assessment of robotic skills: validation of a clinical assessment tool to measure robotic surgical skills. The Journal of urology 2012;187:247-52. 5. Raza SJ, Field E, Jay C, et al. Surgical competency for urethrovesical anastomosis during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: development and validation of the robotic anastomosis competency evaluation. Urology 2015;85:27-32. 6. Kowalczyk KJ, Huang AC, Hevelone ND, et al. Stepwise approach for nerve sparing without countertraction during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: technique and outcomes. European urology 2011;60:536-47. Oct. 26, 2022 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. Cadets got the unique experience of interacting with and learning from the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2022 at the U.S. Air Force Academy Sept. 27-29. The National Character and Leadership Symposium sponsored the visit and three days of activities.The 12 A major chaos occured at BJP chief Amit Shah's meeting with leaders of the Patidar community in Surat today when supporters of Hardik Patel went on a rampage, chanting his name and vandalising the furniture. By India Today Web Desk: A major chaos occurred at BJP chief Amit Shah's meeting with leaders of the Patidar community in Surat today when supporters of Hardik Patel went on a rampage, chanting his name and vandalising the furniture. The Patel leader supporters also shouted slogans like 'Hardik, Hardik.' The party had expected a strong presence of the Patel community at the event, to affirm that the Patidars are with them in the run up to the 2017 Gujarat assembly elections. advertisement While Hardik Patel-led PAAS has asked the community to oppose the felicitation programme, city-based prominent businessmen have formed a group called 'Patidar Abhivadan Samiti', to honour the new state BJP chief Jitu Vaghani, deputy chief minister Nitin Patel and Union ministers of Patel community. "This felicitation of Patidar leaders is for the community, is for the state and is for the nation," said full page advertisements given in vernacular newspapers across the state by the samiti, inviting Patel community members to come in large numbers for the programme. Apart from Shah, Chief minister Vijay Rupani and former chief minister Anandiben Patel were also present at the event. WATCH: Chanting Hardik Patel's name,supporters vandalise chairs & create chaos at Amit Shah's Patidar meet, in Surat pic.twitter.com/2VoCwstx22 ANI (@ANI_news) September 8, 2016 Hardik is in Udaipur town of Rajasthan at present as the Gujarat High Court has ordered him to stay outside the state for six months as his bail condition. SPG's Lalji Patel also said that they will boycott the programme and stage protest at the venue. Shah's presence in the programme has led to allegations by quota agitators that it is BJP which has asked city businessmen to organise such a programme to win over the Patel community in the run up to the 2017 Gujarat elections. Shah is also scheduled to address BJP workers meeting in Vyara town of Tapi district and inaugurate state BJP office in Surat city tomorrow. --- ENDS --- Page Content Faculty experts from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will discuss a wide variety of topics, from de-extinction and ghettos to drones and lakes, in a public lecture series offered during the academic year. The College of Letters and Science Community Lecture Series will be held on select Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Pinery Room at the Portage County Public Library, 1001 Main St., Stevens Point. The public is invited to attend free of charge. The first of eight lectures, "Should Extinction Be Forever?" will be held Tuesday, Sept. 13, presented by Chris Diehm, philosophy professor at UW-Stevens Point. "Advances in genetic technologies have many people excited about the prospect of reviving extinct species, or 'de-extinction,'" said Diehm. "But is species revival really possible? If so, is it good to do? This lecture discusses the technical questions that de-extinction raises, as well as the ethical challenges it faces." Diehm earned his Ph.D. in philosophy from Villanova University and has been at UW-Stevens Point since 2005. He has served as coordinator of the Environmental Ethics program since 2006. Diehm teaches courses such as Eco-Feminism, Native American Environmental Philosophies and the Philosophy of Nature. The 2016-2017 Community Lecture Series schedule also includes: Oct. 11 Emergent Black Ghettos in New York and Chicago, 1880-1940, David Chunyu, sociology and social work Nov. 8 The Making of Global Citizens, David Barry, sociology and social work Dec. 13 Nuclear Fallout and the Birth of the Ecosphere, Jerry Jessee, history and international studies Feb. 7 Wisconsin's Climate: The Past as Key to the Future, Samantha Kaplan, geography and geology March 14 Preparing for the Drone Invasion, Tim Kennedy, geography and geology April 11 Using Lakes as Sentinels for Environmental Change, Krista Slemmons, biology May 9 Rebuilding U.S.-Cuba Relations, Anju Reejhsinghani, history and international studies and Jennifer Collins, political science For more information on the Community Lecture Series, visit www.uwsp.edu/cols/lectureseries or email stappa@uwsp.edu. Church News October 20, 2022 LIGHT OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH Needing Answers We want God to be like FedEx and deliver overnight. Things dont happen that way, but in... Church News October 13, 2022 LIGHT OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH Natures Therapy The pine tree with its solemn dignity lifts its branches to the sky as if to give... By PTI: One country in neighbourhood producing, exporting terror: PM From Jaishree Balasubramanian Vientiane, Sep 8 (PTI) Stepping up his attack on Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said there is "one country in our neighbourhood" which "produces and exports" terror as he pressed the international community to isolate and sanction "this" instigator. "Theres one country in our neighbourhood whose competitive advantage rests solely in producing and exporting terrorism," he said in his address at the East Asia Summit, without naming Pakistan. advertisement "The time has come for us to stop this global exporter of terror," Modi said. Earlier, while addressing the 14th ASEAN-India Summit here, Modi expressed deep concern at the rising "export of terror", in an apparent reference to Pakistan, saying it is a common security threat to the region. The Prime Minister also noted that growing radicalism through the ideology of hatred and spread of extreme violence are the other security threats. "Export of terror, growing radicalisation and spread of extreme violence are common security threats to our societies," he said in his attack on Pakistan amid escalating war of words between New Delhi and Islamabad. Speaking at the East Asia Summit with US President Barack Obama and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in attendance, Modi said, "This (terrorism) export is reducing space for peace and increasing space for violence and putting at risk peace and prosperity of all." "The time has come to isolate and sanction this instigator," Modi said. The Prime Ministers fresh jibes directed at Pakistan came three days after he launched a sharp attack on Pakistan, saying that "one single nation" in South Asia is spreading the "agents of terror". He had told the G20 leaders in Hangzhou on Monday that those who sponsor the menace must be sanctioned and isolated, not rewarded. In his address at the EAS, Modi said, "We need to target not only the terrorists but also their entire supporting ecosystem. And our strongest action should be reserved for those state actors who employ terrorism as an instrument of State policy." Modi warned that terrorism is the most serious challenge to open and pluralistic societies and underlined that combating the menace requires collective effort. He said India and most countries in South Asia were pursuing a peaceful path to economic prosperity, but singled out "one" neighbouring country. "Competing geo-politics, traditional and non-traditional challenges threaten peace, stability and prosperity of region," he said at the summit. He expressed hope that ASEAN will continue to lead and remain central to efforts aimed at greater regional integration and cooperation. advertisement In his remarks at ASEAN-India Summit, the Prime Minister also said that ASEAN is central to Indias Act East policy. "Our engagement driven by common priorities bringing peace, stability and prosperity to the region," he told the 10-member grouping attended by Heads of state. MORE PTI JB SAI ASK AKJ ASK --- ENDS --- Chiyaan Vikram is back in theatres. But is he back in the saddle? Here's our review. By Srivatsan: Iru Mugan on many levels is an important film for Chiyaan Vikram, as much as it is for director Anand Shankar, who is making his second film. Cast: Vikram, Nayanthara, Nithya Menen and Nasser Director: Anand Shankar Rating: (2.5/5) Iru Mugan opens to a senile Malaysian man in the Indian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Like asthma patients do, he uses an inhaler in that scene. In a few seconds, the drug activates his subconscious and he acquires superhuman strength. advertisement ALSO READ: Before Vikram in Iru Mugan- 5 actors who played transgender on screen ALSO READ: Before Vikram's Iru Mugan- 6 films where actors fought themselves Anand swiftly ushers us into the plot of Iru Mugan. This is the journey of Akilan Vinod (Vikram), an ex-RAW agent who embarks on a mission to nab an eccentric villain Love (also played by Vikram). Love is a mad scientist, who invents a deadly drug that can boost adrenaline levels. Akilan teams up with a trainee agent Aarushi (Nithya Menen) to thwart Love's plan to transport the drug to India and also to seek retribution for his wife Meera George's (Nayanthara) death. Meera too was a RAW agent and a data analyst. If it all sounds utterly superficial, director Anand Shankar attempts to authenticate by showing us instances from the World War II where Hitler introduced the drug methamphetamine to his army. Though some sequences have telltale signs of having been inspired by Hollywood films, one is inevitably reminded of Kamal Haasan's investigative thriller Vikram (1986). An ex-agent, who lost his wife as collateral damage. He's been assigned another mission only if he chose to accept it. Of course, he's the last ray of the hope for RAW. Anand Shankar's scale and attempts at research have to be appreciated, but film's flaws make it yet another dumb action film. Vikram plays dual roles - RAW agent Akilan and the mad scientist, Love. We've had films where actors have fought themselves on screen. The action scenes with the actor's doppelganger deliver what they promise. Right from the mannerisms to the characters' voices, no actor works as hard as Kamal Haasan. Vikram does a good job at keeping the two characters distinct from each other. Vikram is known to push boundaries and that is apparent in Iru Mugan as well. Vikram has tweaked his voice to suit Love's character. Though it reminds of the iconic character Bane from The Dark Knight Rises, Vikram excels in the second role and somehow makes the audience believe that the effeminate and quirky Love is a different actor. Without the typical pace-slowing, mood-killing romantic interludes, Iru Mugan is a solid, if predictable, story. Nayanthara as Meera looks stunning as a RAW agent. Nithya Menen doesn't get enough space to leave a mark. In Iru Mugan's two-and-a-half hour runtime, Anand manages to hold your attention. The first half is pretty pacy as he builds the plot with a little twist in the interval. But it's the second half that lacks the punch. advertisement Anand's previous film Arima Nambi was a neat thriller. With a saleable actor on board, did Anand compromise certain elements for the script? Just like the unnecessary songs and the scenes with Muttiah (Thambi Ramaiah). Harris Jayaraj's background music is the soul of Iru Mugan but the songs are passable except Halena, which is an instant addiction. Iru Mugan has some breath-taking action sequences and stunt choreographers Anbu-Arivu have to be credited. Iru Mugan could've easily been Tamil cinema's answer to Hollywood thrillers but it's neither a damn-good film or a bad one. ( The writer tweets as @TheLoner_7126 ) --- ENDS --- TREVI Italian Restaurant has made pizza lovers dreams into a reality in celebration of National Pizza Month this October. Located inside The Forum Shops at Caesars, TREVI will offer a Chefs Featured Pizza for just $10 each from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily throughout the month (Pictured: Herb Roasted Chicken Pizza Photo credit: Chris Wessling). Photo credit: TREVI Italian Restaurant. Executive Chef Jose Navarro will prepare a different pizza each day of the month of October, with varieties including sausage and peppers, margherita and herb-roasted chicken. Customers will be able to purchase one specialty pizza per day. The Las Vegas Firefighters Benefit Association (LVFBA), Vegas premiere 501-C benefitting active and retired firefighters, and retired NY firefighter Mike Tomko, have joined forces to immortalize the September 11th credo Never Forget by holding a tribute and procession in Downtown Las Vegas (DTLV) in honor of the 15th anniversary of the fallen firefighters and policemen who lost their lives during the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. On Sunday, September 11th, the LVFBA invites fellow firefighters, policemen, neighbors, politicians and supporters to join them in marching at retired FDNY firefighter Mike Tomkos Annual Las Vegas September 11th Firefighter Tribute and Procession, being held in DTLV. The first 403 guests to arrive will be gifted with an American flag (donated by various Downtown businesses) to hold during the procession to represent the 343 FDNY firefighters, 37 Port Authority Police Department officers, and 23 officers from NYPD who lost their lives during the dreadful September 11th attacks. The event starts at 7 p.m. and is open to the public; the procession will kick-off at the DTLV 3rd Street Stage, where bagpipers will play before the procession starts, immediately followed by longtime Vegas performer Frankie Scintas performance of the National Anthem. Supporters will join in a moment of silence and then the march will commence east on Fremont St. in honor of the fallen. A 50-ft. large American Flag Arch will pave the way at 3rd Street & Ogden. This Las Vegas 9/11 memorial event started in 2003 and simply consisted of a group of firefighters getting together at a makeshift memorial at NYNY Hotel & Casino where we lit a few candles, shed some tears and had a few laughs, which is what our departed brothers would have wanted, said Mike Tomko, retired FDNY firefighter. However, Im proud to say that we now have several hundred firefighters attending from all over the country, including the Honor Guards from all the Las Vegas Valley Fire Departments, along with Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases. The procession down Fremont Street is truly a site that will take your breath away. I would like to take to take this opportunity to invite everyone in our Valley to join us as we march in remembrance of the fallen and carry an American flag in support of those lost. Vietnams digital economy has seen significant growth over the last decade and is expected to be valued at US$57 billion by 2025. The countrys digital... The decree will make sure less buyers get their fingers burnt Among the big projects to be launched is An Khanh New City Developments sale of its first phase this quarter. The mega $2 billion project is developed by South Koreas Posco E&C and Vietnams Vinaconex, located in Hanois Hoai Duc district, along the Thang Long Boulevard. Scheduled for completion in 2013, the city is expected to supply 6,440 apartments, equivalent to 392,319 square metres of accommodation, enough for 30,000 people. Even though Hoa Phat Group, the investor in a more than 1,000 apartment Mandarin Garden in Cau Giay districts Tran Duy Hung road, refused to release its launching time, real estate experts predicted the project would be soon launched. At the beginning of this month the CT7D, located in Le Van Luong street and invested by Nam Cuong Group and the FLC Landmark Tower of FLC Group will also be launched, with a total of 200 units and prices ranging from VND23 million ($1,200) to VND28 million ($1,470) per square metre. In Gia Lam district, over the Red River, the second lot of Rung Co Residentials belonging to the Eco Park is also being launched, with around 1,500 apartment units. In addition, Victoria Van Phu, Star City, Diamond Tower and Song Da City View will also add apartments to the mix. Real estate consultant CBRE Vietnam expected that there would be 3,000 units in Hanoi launched this quarter, compared to 1,950 units in the third quarter. There were more than 4,600 units launched in the second quarter. This decline, according to CBRE Vietnam, could be due to the Decree 71, effective on August 8, 2010 providing guidance on the Housing Law, which caps the proportion of units sold via capital contribution contracts at 20 per cent with the remaining 80 per cent sold on transaction floors. This decree, CBRE Vietnam said, had put a pressure on developers with low financial capabilities and enhanced market transparency. However, CBRE Vietnam executive director Richard Leech said new project launches would continue trending towards more affordable options. With the opening and improvement of major infrastructure routes, the capitals western and southern districts are attracting new residents with easier access for commuting into the core urban districts, Leech said. He said that the Decree 71 was expected to benefit the market by enhancing transparency, placing pressures on developers with low financial capabilities, lessening the threat of price bubbles and limiting speculative forces. Tran Nhu Trung, Savills Vietnam associate director, said the Decree 71 had showed off its advantages to clearly regulate five types of mobilising capital investment. However, Trung said the procedures to implement Decree 71 were still complicated and wasted customers time and energy. The more simple it [decree] regulates, the more it is practical in the real life, Trung said. Massimiliano Latorre wants to stay in Italy till international arbitration tribunal decides over which country has the right to try the case. By India Today Web Desk: Italian Marine Massimiliano Latorre has sought seeks extension relief to his stay in Italy till the end of arbitration. The other marine Salvatore Girone was already allowed to return on humanitarian grounds in May. Latorre wants to stay in Italy till international arbitration tribunal decides over which country has the right to try the case. The apex Court is set to hear the case on September 20. advertisement NO ASSURANCES GIVEN This development comes after Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) yesterday clarified that no assurances between two countries took place and added that the marines would remain under the jurisdiction of Supreme Court of India. Also read: How the Italian govt, Facebook and some good samaritans helped reunite a 3-year-old with her stuffed owl The Supreme Court had allowed Latorre to stay in Italy till September end on medical grounds and asked him to report to a near by police station. Latorre and Girone were on duty as security guards on-board the Italian-flagged commercial oil tanker MV Enrica Lexie when they shot dead two Indian fishermen off the coast. They were arrested by Indian authorities in February 2012. Permanent Court of Arbitration TO DECIDE The case is presently pending in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague to adjudicate on whether India or Italy has the jurisdiction to extradite the accused marines after Italy approached on December 11, 2015 asking the tribunal to prescribe that, "India shall take such measures as are necessary to relax the bail conditions on Sergeant Girone in order to enable him to return to Italy under the responsibility of the Italian authorities, pending the final determination of the Tribunal". Also read: Miracle in Italy: Dog rescued after spending 9 days trapped under rubble The Tribunal on April 29, this year, ruled that Italyand Indiashall cooperate, including in proceedings before the Supreme Courtof India, to achieve a relaxation of Girone's bail conditions "to give effect to the concept of considerations of humanity", so that Girone, while remaining under the authority of the Supreme Courtof India, may return to Italyduring the ongoing arbitration. However, differences emerged between two countries following the verdict as Indiaclaimed that the verdict upholds the Supreme Court's Authority, while Italybelieves that it vindicates their stand that Indiahas no jurisdiction. --- ENDS --- The Forum, timed to coincide with the visit of President Francois Hollande to Ho Chi Minh City on the second day of his state visit to Vietnam, was organized by the French Chamber of Commerce. Speaking at the event, Nicolas Du Pasquier, director of the Chamber, said the French business community is eager to increase its commercial connection to the Vietnam economy. He said there are ample opportunities in infrastructure, power and energy, agriculture, consumer goods, health care, and information communication technology, but it will take a lot of hard work to develop solutions for greater commercial trade and investment. Vietnam markets hold many untapped opportunities for French investors and companies and capitalizing on them would create jobs and improve lives both for citizens of France and Vietnam. The ultimate goal, he said, is to foster strong ties between France and Vietnam that will drive greater economic growth and lift earnings of businesses and individuals in both nations. Administrative sanctions Administrative sanction is the most commonly applied sanction for advertising acts that violate law. Depending on the type of violation and advertised product, enterprises conducting false advertising will be penalised with a monetary fine arranging from VND10 to 70 million. Especially, for food, food additives, nutritional and dairy products, etc., enterprises will be subject to an addditional monetary fine of from VND5 to 15 million for advertising products in a manner that is not in accordance with the documents on food safety or the regulation conformity announcement. Apart from monetary fines, enterprises violating regulations must undertake remedial measures, such as correcting the information, removing, dismantling or deleting the advertisement. Sanctions for the act of unfair competition Currently, acts of false advertising have accounted for a high proportion of unfair competition cases. The violation can be related to advertising using fraudulent information, misleading clients about the price, quantity, quality and utility or imitating advertisements of other products to confuse the clients. Enterprises that violate regulations may be fined VND60-140 million and will be subject to one or more additional sanctions, such as confiscation of material evidence, means of violation or profits earned from the advertisement. They may also be required to commit a public retraction. Liability of damage compensation Victims of false advertising include consumers and enterprises trading products that compete with the ones being advertised. In Viet Nam, enterprises commiting acts of false advertising may be sued in court in accordance with the procedures of compensation for non-contractual damage caused by the negative impact of advertising to consumers and other enterprises. Since the claim for damage compensation is a right recognised by law to protect the legitimate interests of business entities and consumers, the liability for damages compensation may be simultaneously applied with other sanctions. Criminal liability If the false advertising shows sufficient signs of "fraudulent advertising" under the provisions of the Criminal Code, competent authorities will apply appropriate criminal sanctions based on the nature and extent of danger. Offenders may be fined from VND10 to 100 million, be subject to non-custodial reform for up to three years or be sentenced to imprisonment from six months to three years. In addition, offenders may be fined up to VND50 million and banned from practising or doing certain jobs for 1-5 years. Displaced Iraqi children stand outside a tent at a camp southwest of Baghdad, in May 2016 AFP/Ahmad Mousa "Indelible images of individual children - Aylan Kurdi's small body washed up on a beach after drowning at sea or Omran Daqneesh's stunned and bloody face as he sat in an ambulance after his home was destroyed - have shocked the world," United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund Executive Director Anthony Lake said in a statement. "But each picture, each girl or boy, represents many millions of children in danger -- and this demands that our compassion for the individual children we see be matched with action for all children." In its analysis of global data, UNICEF found that 28 million of those children were displaced by violence and conflict, including 10 million child refugees. There were also one million asylum seekers whose refugee status is pending and approximately 17 million children displaced within their own countries lacking access to humanitarian aid and critical services. Some 20 million other children have left their homes for various reasons including gang violence or extreme poverty. "Many are at particular risk of abuse and detention because they have no documentation, have uncertain legal status, and there is no systematic tracking and monitoring of their well-being - children falling through the cracks," UNICEF said. Children are also increasingly crossing borders on their own: more than 100,000 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum in 78 countries last year, tripling 2014's numbers. UNICEF pointed to children accounting for a "disproportionate and growing proportion" of people seeking refuge outside their birth countries. Children make up about a third of the world's population but about half of all refugees. In 2015, about 45 percent of child refugees under the UN refugee agency's care came from Syria and Afghanistan. UNICEF urged authorities to end the detention of children migrating or seeking refugee status, abstain from separating families, allow child refugees and migrants access to health services and to promote measure that combat xenophobia, discrimination and marginalization. The international body will take up the issue of migration in two late-September meetings on the sidelines of this year's UN General Assembly. "We'd like to see some clear commitments and practical measures," UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Justin Forsyth told journalists in New York. "The burden sharing of this crisis is not fair: the greatest burden is supported by neighboring countries or the poorest countries." Forsyth said the upcoming summits are "not enough to solve the problem," but they remain "critical." "It is a chance to get the world to look at this crisis," he said. The conference, held on September 7 and 9 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, was organised to provide news sites, publishers, and app makers with tips and solutions to earn money from advertising for global brands. The conference gave an overview of digital advertiisng in Vietnam and the world in 2016 and information on how successful global publishers with high revenue earned money from advertising. Then, participants discussed with Googles senior specialists on using the companys ad products and policies as well as the difficulties that Vietnamese news sites, publishers, and app makers encounter when working with Google. Sophia Jiang, channel partner manager at Googles SEA & AUNZ Partner Business Solutions, gave a presentation on mobile advertisement in the first half of 2016. In order to increase its presence and expand business activities in Vietnam, Google announced Vietnamese IT company Netlink as its Google AdSense Certified Partner in December 2014, then as its Google Certified Publishing Partner in October 2015. Currently, visitors who book places on high-end cruise boats of Image Halong Cruise Company can request to hold a party in the caves of Trong, Tien and Soi Kim. It is reported that parties have been held in the caves for a year. Not only Image Halong Cruise Company but other travel firms are offering this service. The service is widely advertised on the internet, especially on Foody.vn. Tourist groups of over 10 people can party in caves with the price of VND3 million ($136)/person. Smaller groups have to pay from VND4 million to VND5 million for a person. However, local people worry that dining in caves can harm the environment in the caves and the bay. Ho Quang Huy, Vice Chair of Ha Long City, said the city authorities had asked the Ha Long Bay Management Board to review the situation and propose solutions. Under a decision released by the Quang Ninh People's Committee last year, catering service, events and celebration parties are banned from caves in the bay, especially Trong and Dong Tien caves. A Quang Ninh official told Dantri newsite that the local government could not immediately ban parties in caves because the service providers were licenced in 2015. The official said Quang Ninh would gradually put an end to it. At first the province will tighten management of activities in caves and on the bay. Violators will be punished strictly. Second cable system to be built in Yen Tu Mountain, Quang Ninh Province.-Photo: VNA According to the plan, the total length of the two new cable routes will be 2,200m. The destination landing station will be situated some 500m away from Buddhist King Tran Nhan Tongs statue and some 600m away from the Dong Pagoda. The project with a total investment of VND650 billion (US$2.9 million) is aimed at reducing traffic jams during the festive days. The Quang Ninh project has been supported by relevant agencies and the Most Venerable Thich Thanh Quyet from the Viet Nam Buddhist Shangha. Representatives from the agencies also contributed their suggestions to be incorporated in the document. Deputy Chief of Ministry Agriculture and Rural Developments Administration of Forestry Cao Chi Cong, however, expressed concern about the project, saying it could affect the local forest. Chairman of the National Heritage Council Luu Tran Tieu said the new cable system should not affect the pilgrims and landing stations should not be higher than Buddhist King Tran Nhan Tongs statue. A Construction Ministry representative stressed that the new cable system should be designed keeping in mind tourists safety because the Dong Pagoda is located in difficult terrain. Buddhist King Tran Nhan Tong (1258-1308), the third king of the Tran dynasty, ascended the throne when he was just 21. He is famed for defeating Mongol invaders twice during his 15-year reign. The King abdicated the throne when he was 35 and spent the rest of his life on Yen Tu Mountain practising and propagating Buddhism. He founded the Truc Lam School of Zen and worked to unify different Vietnamese Buddhism sects into Vietnamese Zen Buddhism. The Complex of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscape is located on the Dong Trieu mountain range, at the intersection of the two provinces of Quang Ninh and Bac Giang. The heritage site is mostly situated in a mountainous region, some 600m above sea level. With its peak at 1,068m above sea level. The 19th ASEAN-China Summit to commemorate the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, Vientiane, Laos, Septmber 7, 2016. Photo: VGP It also depends on how ASEAN strengthens solidarity, connectivity and unity and the blocs capacity to harmoniously handle the benefits of partners, each member country and the whole ASEAN. Regarding ASEAN-China relations, PM Phuc noted that the bilateral relationship has been developing robustly, bringing benefits to both sides. He urged the two sides to attach importance to consolidating the backgrounds of the bilateral ties, especially political and strategic trust, accelerate comprehensive and practical cooperation, address all divergences and disputes via peaceful means on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Both sides should speed up trade and investment, connectivity, tourism cooperation, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and pay special attention to sustainable use and management of the Mekong water resources. PM Phuc affirmed that Viet Nam treasures relations with China and will spare no effort to work with ASEAN countries to develop the ASEAN-China relationship in a more practical and effective manner, to make active contributions to peace, development and prosperity in the region and the world. For ASEAN-Japan relations, PM Phuc stressed the necessity to give priority to economic, trade and investment cooperation and soon conclude talks on the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) to facilitate trade and investment in order to double to two-way trade volume by 2022. The Vietnamese Government chief spoke highly of Japans commitment to deploy the US$200 billion initiative of high-quality infrastructure partnership, in which ASEAN will be a prioritized beneficiary. PM Phuc said the East Sea situation is developing increasingly complicated and unexpectedly while touching on regional and international landscapes, thus enhancing intra and extra cooperation, especially in trade and investment domains, is of significant important. Maintaining peace, security and stability in the region must be the top goal, said PM Phuc, calling on all countries to join hands to guarantee peace, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea and create favorable conditions for settlement of disputes. Against the recent developments, Viet Nam expects that ASEAN and China will handle satisfactorily emerging issues, PM Phuc said. Relevant parties need to exercise self-restraint, not to take actions to complicate the situation, speed up talks towards substantial outcomes, comply with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, respect diplomatic and legal processes and strictly observe the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and work towards early conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). PM Phuc also welcomed the ASEAN-China agreement on the application of the Code for unplanned encounters in the East Sea (CUES) and the establishment of a hotline for ASEAN and Chinese senior officials to respond to urgent contingencies at sea. He asked the two sides to complete the COC in 2017 to mark the 15th anniversary of the signing of the DOC and the 50th anniversary of ASEAN formation. In the period, Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), operator of the Vinaphone network, earned VND83 trillion ($3.72 billion) in revenue and VND2.84 trillion ($127.35 million) in pre-tax profit. MobiFone earned VND24 trillion ($1.07 billion) in revenue and VND3.89 trillion ($174.4 million) in pre-tax profit. The company contributed VND3.7 trillion ($166 million) to the state budget. Meanwhile, Viettel earned a revenue of VND144 trillion ($6.46 billion) and a pre-tax profit of VND25 trillion ($1.12 billion). The companys pre-tax profit is 3.7 times the sum of VNPT and MobiFones. According to deputy general director Bui Son Nam, MobiFone has seen a fast decrease in the number of calls from international destinations to Vietnam, with the August results 15 per cent lower than in July. He attributed the decrease to competition from Over-the-Top (OTT) services. Tran Manh Hung, general director of VNPT, said that his company has seen a decrease in both to and fro international calls. The two companies asked MIC to eliminate the currently effective price floor on international calls. An FIR was lodged against music composer Vishal Dadlani by the Ambala Cantt police for allegedly hurting religious sentiments with his sarcastic tweet on the Jain monk. By Mail Today Bureau: The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to protect music composer Vishal Dadlani, also a staunch AAP supporter, from arrest for his sarcastic tweet on Jain monk Tarun Sagar. The Jain monk had appeared naked to deliver a lecture 'Kadve Vachan' in the state Assembly on August 26. SC also rejected Dadlani's plea for quashing the FIR lodged against him in Haryana and said that he could approach the concerned high court. advertisement DADLANI FACES ARREST: LAWYER Advocate Karuna Nundy representing Dadlani said that if the FIR is not quashed, the music composer could be arrested by the police. The lawyer had urged protection from arrest at least till Dadlani moved the high court. But the SC declined it. Earlier, an FIR was lodged against Dadlani by the Ambala Cantt police for allegedly hurting religious sentiments with his sarcastic tweet on the Jain monk. The FIR had also named social activist Tahseen Poonawala, a Congress sympathiser, who had also tweeted on the Jain monk. The case against Dadlani and Poonawala in Ambala was registered under several sections of the IPC including 153A, 295A and 509. The case was registered on a complaint filed by Punit Arora, a resident of Ambala Cantonment, who is said to be a follower of the monk. ALSO READ: Vishal Dadlani apologises again for his 'monkery of democracy' tweet, writes open letter to jain muni Jain monk: Vishal Dadlani doesn't know Jainism, was invited by Delhi Assembly too --- ENDS --- 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. The USB cable that connects MC4000 to the computer, for some reason it is stuck in the controller. I tried to pull it straight out without force and it is not coming out. Any ideas? The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party has planned a mass gathering of its supporters in the capital on Friday, the same day that its deputy leader, Kem Sokha, is due to appear in court. A CNRP official said the gathering had been approved by the municipality, but officials also said they plan to erect barriers to prevent opposition supporters marching on the city center. Morn Phalla, director of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Partys executive committee, said the authorities had said the meeting could go ahead if traffic was not disrupted and security forces policing the gathering were not abused. We also called for cooperation because the road is narrow and there are a lot of commuters and participants. Hence, there is a possibility of slight traffic congestion. However, it will not lead to a complete stalemate. We will try to run the event as smoothly as possible while at the same time making it easy for people to commute, he said. Mean Chanyada, a City Hall spokesman, said the number of people due to attend was not a concern, but cautioned the CNRP against gathering on the sidewalk. Am Sam Ath, technical supervisor at local rights group Licadho, said that traffic jams were more likely to be caused by the complete road blockades by the authorities. Sokha is due in court on Friday for questioning after missing a previous court date, where he was due to be questioned in a sex scandal case. Scientists appear to have discovered malarias Achilles heel, a weakness common to the multiple stages of malaria infection. In doing so, they have found a compound that cured mice of the disease. Once its entered the body through the bite of an infected mosquito, the malaria parasite, P. falciparum, behaves as a unique organism as it goes through three phases during its life cycle. Experts say most treatments are aimed at only one stage or another. Over time, the parasite can become resistant to therapy, sometimes as quickly as within one year. But researchers at the Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University have identified a single protein target that appears to be the diseases weakness, according to senior researcher Stuart Schreiber, a founding member of the biomedical institution. Malaria protein We did discover a novel protein thats made by the parasite, thats needed for all three phases of its life cycle, and a series of novel compounds that potently inhibit this protein," he said. "And we could show in an infected animal that we could kill the parasite in all three phases. Schreiber and colleagues published their findings in the journal Nature. After discovering the protein, researchers screened a unique library of 100,000 small molecules, from which they synthesized about a dozen compounds that they tested in infected mice. The molecules appear to stop the production of this protein in all of malaria's life stages, effectively killing the disease. The mice were disease-free for a month, a length of time considered to be a cure. When they tried to infect other mice with the blood of the treated rodents, the animals did not become infected with malaria. The compound that scientists tested was a one-time oral treatment. Schreiber was quick to caution that what works in a mouse is not necessarily effective in humans. But he is hopeful. I am the eternal optimist," he said. "On the other hand, I do know that whats ahead is extremely challenging and full of unknowns that can only be addressed by marching forward and running the key experiments." The experiments include seeing how well each of the 12 compounds works, for how long, and whether resistance develops with any of the promising agents. In theory, Schreiber said a drug that works in all three stages of malaria could be taken at any point in the disease cycle, as a treatment and even as a way to prevent the disease. The researchers note that individuals can remain infectious even while undergoing treatment. So their infection can be spread to someone else through a mosquito bite. Information about the anti-malaria compounds is being made freely available to other researchers through an online database. The library contains compounds designed and housed at the Broad Institute that are not usually found in the arsenals of pharmaceutical companies. Malaria infects over 200 million people each year. Once it has infected a human host, the malaria parasite evolves through a number of unique stages, from initial blood infection to liver infiltration where the parasite matures and reenters the blood stream. The parasite then goes on to infect and destroy red blood cells, releasing thousands of daughter parasites that invade other blood cells, continuing the cycle of reproduction and infection. It is during this later blood stage when symptoms of malaria occur, including very high fever, overwhelming sweating, debilitating nausea and diarrhea. Over half a million people do not survive, mostly children in sub-Saharan Africa. The research by Schreiber and colleagues was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. A Japanese drug company, Eisai, has shown an interest in helping to further develop the experimental malaria treatment. President Barack Obama said Thursday he made it clear to Southeast Asian leaders gathered in Laos that the United States will continue to stand with the people of the region. He has made re-balancing U.S. policy with a focus toward Southeast Asia a priority during his presidency, which ends in January. Obama said his hope and expectation is that his successor continues that effort. "This is where the action's going to be when it comes to commerce and trade, and ultimately creating U.S. jobs by being able to sell to this market," Obama told reporters after a meeting of leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. He said the group recognized the importance of a July international arbitration ruling dismissing China's territorial claims in the South China Sea, and the importance for those claiming parts of the disputed region to not militarize those areas or occupy uninhabited islands. "I reiterated that the United States will stand with allies and partners in upholding fundamental interests, among them the freedom of navigation and overflight, lawful commerce that is not impeded, and peaceful resolution of disputes," Obama said. North Korea Regarding North Korea's nuclear weapons program, the U.S. president said his policy has been not to reward bad behavior. "It's not as if we are looking for a problem or avoiding a willingness to engage diplomatically, but diplomacy requires that Pyongyang meet its international obligations." He pledged to continue pressuring the North Korean government while also putting in place defensive measures to ensure the U.S. and its allies are protected. Another of his administration's goals was to close the U.S. detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Nearly 800 people have been held there since 2002, but about 60 detainees remain. Obama said he is not ready to concede that some will still be there when he leaves office. "I continue to believe that Guantanamo is a recruitment tool for terrorist organizations, that it clouds and sours some of the counterterrorism cooperation that we need to engage in, and it's not necessary and it's hugely expensive for U.S. taxpayers." Deeper US cooperation Obama's meeting with ASEAN leaders was the eighth of his presidency. He has visited the region more than any of his predecessors. He said earlier Thursday his repeat visits reflect Asia's growing importance. Obama said the U.S. will deepen economic cooperation with nations in Asia, including promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. And he reiterated, as he has multiple times during his visit this week, that he will push for Congress to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. A White House statement on U.S.-ASEAN initiatives highlighted initiatives to promote low-carbon growth, support sustainable fisheries, increase the supply of renewable energy, and promote opportunities for women including protecting rights, holding seminars for young leaders and awarding a prize for women in science. "We'll continue to partner to strengthen global health security and fight epidemics," Obama said. "We will continue to make progress on people-to-people ties, scientific exchanges and making sure that we are are increasing continually the opportunities for our businesses, our students, our scientists, our people to work together." A bookstore in the tiny town of Mount Crawford, Virginia is nothing fancy - no comfy chairs or coffee like you find in some other stores. Yet this store has proven resilient over the years through a simple philosophy of giving people what they want: books, lots and lots of books. VOA's June Soh visited the Green Valley Book Fair in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan resigned Thursday, saying the country needed fresh policies, after his government struggled with an economic slowdown and protests in the capital earlier this year. His announcement paved the way for the cabinet to resign and the president to appoint a new prime minister following consultations with parliament. "We need a new approach, new start. That's why I've decided to resign and let the president form a new government," Abrahamyan said. Artak Zakaryan, a deputy from the ruling Republican Party, told reporters Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan had accepted Abrahamyan's resignation. The party said technocrat Karen Karapetyan, 53, the former head of national gas distributing company ArmRosGazprom and later Yerevan's mayor, has been nominated as his replacement. After leaving the post of mayor, Karapetyan moved to Moscow to be appointed first vice president of Gazprombank. He is currently deputy CEO of Russian gas producer Gazprom's GAZP.MM Mezhregiongaz unit. Experts said the new government was likely to be temporary and that the final configuration would emerge only after 2017 parliamentary elections and the end of Sarksyan's second term in 2018, when the full transition from the semi-presidential form of government to a parliamentary republic will be completed. Two-year run A former parliamentary speaker and an economist by training, Abrahamyan was appointed prime minister two years ago. In 2015, Armenia's economy started to deteriorate; economic growth slowed to 3 percent in 2015 from 3.5 percent in 2014 and below the government's growth forecast of 4.1 percent. The government expects 2.2 percent economic growth in 2016. Armenia, a country of 3.2 million people, depends heavily on aid and investment from former Soviet overlord Russia, whose economic downturn has hit Armenian exports and much-needed remittances from Armenians working there. The government has also faced political challenges, including a flare-up of violence in Azerbaijan's breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region in April between Armenian-backed separatists and Azeri forces. Two months later, 30 armed men seized the police station and took hostages in Yerevan, Armenia's capital. Two police officers were killed during a two-week standoff, before gunmen surrendered to the authorities. The incident led to mass protests in the capital, when people took to the streets to secure the release of a jailed opposition politician and demand the resignation of the government and the president. Shortly after that, Sarksyan said radical reforms in political and social life were needed. He said it was necessary to form "a government of national accord" to provide a broader distribution and division of political responsibility. The letter alleges that Central Armed Police Forces and Jammu and Kashmir Police have been wantonly firing pellet guns above the waists, resulting in eye injuries to most victims. By Naseer Ganai: Prominent civil society actors including high court judges, former IAS officers and leading editors of the state have written to the President seeking initiation of dialogue for a lasting solution to the Kashmir crisis. "Jammu and Kashmir has been on the boil for eight weeks. The discontent and discord in the state may not be new. Its history is replete with umpteen incidents of mass uprising after brief intervals of lull against the suppression of political aspirations. The spread and magnitude of public anger this time, however, is without parallel in its strife-torn history," the letter reads. advertisement "At no stage of political struggle spread over seven decades have been such a large number of people killed, maimed and blinded in various crowd control measures by security forces and police within a few weeks. The unrest has spread to Pir Panjal region, Chenab Valley and Kargil region. There is no sign of an early respite," read the letter, written by former IAS officer Muhammad Shafi Pandit; former HC judge Hasnain Masoodi; former Chief Information Commissioner, G R Sufi; former Vice-Chancellor of Kashmir University Abdul Wahid, Editor-in-Chief of Greater Kashmir Fayaz A Kaloo and others. POLICE SLAMMED OVER PELLET GUNS The letter alleges that Central armed police forces and Jammu and Kashmir Police have been wantonly firing pellet guns above the waists, resulting in eye injuries to most victims. They have suggested confidence-building measures (CBMs) to create a conducive atmosphere for conducting a successful dialogue. The CBMs they have asked for include repealing or with drawing laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act to reduce the footprints of Army, paramilitary forces and police, especially in civilian areas; relocation of such forces and making Jammu and Kashmir Police and Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police responsible for maintaining law and order. They have called for an immediate ban on pellet guns and the appointment of an inquiry commission headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India to inquire into all civilian killings, blindings (total and partial), maiming, grievous hurt caused by security forces and police firing and through other crowd-control measures. 'GOVT FREE TO WITHDRAW SECURITY' Even as the Centre is considering scaling down security cover to separatist leaders, seizing their passports and scrutinising their bank accounts, prominent separatist leader Abdul Gani Bhat challenged the government to prove that he has received a single penny from it. He also said that the government is at liberty to withdraw his security any time as he had never asked for it. "Why don't they withdraw my security? I never asked for it," Bhat told Mail Today. He had met some members of the All-Party delegation, which visited him on Sunday. "I gave them respect, but did not talk to them as the collective leadership had decided not to talk on Kashmir," he added. advertisement The separatist leader said that the delegation met Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik, and they too received them, but did not talk to them. He said only Geelani slammed the door on them. He, however, refused to comment on whether Geelani's decision not to open his door to the delegation was right or wrong. "I have been in only two countries, India and Pakistan. I have not even visited Saudi Arabia. I have never known any foreign country. Give me a passport and I will settle somewhere else," Bhat said. Meanwhile, a spokesman of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that his passport and that of JKLF leader Yasin Malik had been impounded four years ago. He accused the government of misleading the people and 'creating a hysteria so that their attention is diverted from the ground situation in Kashmir'. ALSO READ: Kashmir unrest: Modi government should put in efforts to douse the ongoing fire, says Omar NC, Hurriyat hit out at Centre, say govt looks towards Balochistan while brutality continues in Kashmir --- ENDS --- advertisement The leader of last week's coup in Burkina Faso has apologized to the country and says he is planning to hand over power to a civilian government. In a statement Monday, General Gilbert Diendere, said he will step down as the country's de facto leader at the conclusion of talks mediated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The regional group is holding an emergency summit in Nigeria's capital Tuesday to discuss the situation. General Diendere, head of the presidential guard which seized power last Wednesday, told VOA's French to Africa Service on Monday that he wants to avoid bloodshed. The general said former Burkinabe president Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo is serving as a go-between in the talks. Diendere also said the junta is allowing for the release of the interim prime minister who has been under house arrest since the coup. Earlier, Burkina Faso's army said its troops were moving toward the capital, Ouagadougou, with the goal of disarming the presidential guard, known as the RSP. Spokesman Captain Herve Ye told VOA (French to Africa Service) that the army wants the presidential guard to surrender and move to a base near Nation's Square, a public gathering place in the capital. A reporter for VOA in Ouagadougou, Emilie Iob (pronounced Yob), said the streets of the capital have emptied out as word spreads that the army is coming. The RSP overthrew Burkina Faso's transitional government last Wednesday, less than a month before elections. Diendere said the polls were "biased," because supporters of former president Blaise Compaore were barred from running. Compaore ruled Burkina Faso for 27 years before being ousted in a popular uprising last year, when he tried to change the constitution to extend his presidency. Protests against the coup turned violent, killing at least 10 and injuring more than 100. West African negotiators announced a plan Sunday to restore civilian authority but offer amnesty to the coup leaders. Under the plan, the elections originally set for October 11 would be held sometime before November 22. Monday, a U.N. spokesman said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is following the situation with great concern, and calls on both the military and presidential guard to exercise restraint and avoid violence. U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton called Thursday for the United States to make it a top priority to hunt down Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, much like it did when it killed al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden in a 2011 raid in Pakistan. Getting al-Baghdadi will require a focused effort driven at the highest levels, Clinton told reporters in New York. But I believe it will send a resounding message that nobody directs or inspires attacks against the United States and gets away with it. The former secretary of state scorned her opponent, Republican Donald Trump, for his performance late Wednesday at a nationally televised forum at which the two candidates separately answered questions about defense and national security issues. Clinton said that Trump, a real estate mogul seeking his first elected office, "failed yet again" and showed he is temperamentally unfit to be the U.S. commander-in-chief, a point she underscored in a separate tweet. 'Trash talking' He trash-talked American generals, Clinton said, and called his claim that Russian President Vladimir Putin is more of a leader than U.S. President Barack Obama astonishing and unpatriotic and insulting to the people of our country. It is scary, she said, because it suggests he will let Putin do whatever Putin wants to do, and then make excuses for him. 'Reduced to rubble' Trump said at the forum that U.S. military generals had been reduced to rubble under Obama to a point where its embarrassing to our country and suggested that he might fire some of them. As a major party candidate, Trump and Clinton have both received confidential intelligence briefings meant to ensure that the next leader is knowledgeable about key foreign policy issues when their term begins. When asked if he was shocked by anything he heard, Trump said Obama, Clinton and Secretary of State John Kerry did the opposite of what intelligence experts told them. "I am very good with body language, Trump said. I could tell, they were not happy our leaders did not follow what they were recommending. Clinton rebuked Trumps assessment about his briefing, saying, I think what he said was totally inappropriate and undisciplined. I would never comment on any aspect of an intelligence briefing that I received. Trump, in a comment on his Twitter account, bragged about his performance at the forum, saying, The reviews and polls from almost everyone of my commander-in-chief presentation were great. Nice! IS strategy Clinton, seeking to become the first female U.S. president, said she is convening a group of former top national security officials who have served under both Democratic and Republican presidents to map strategy on how to defeat Islamic State jihadists. Trump has also made destruction of Islamic State a key plank of his foreign policy strategy, saying he would get military generals to present him with a plan within 30 days of taking office. Trump and Clinton, now just two months from the November 8 election to replace Obama when he leaves office in January, are set to square off in their first debate September 26, with two others scheduled in October. Clinton is leading Trump by about 3 percentage points in national polls, less than half her advantage a month ago. Her standing with voters has continued to be clouded by ongoing questions about her use of an unsecured private email server while she was the countrys top diplomat from 2009 to 2013. U.S. investigators concluded that her handling of classified material was extremely careless but that no criminal charges were warranted. Posters warning of the dangers of Zika only reached Haiti's health ministry in August, six months after the country reported an outbreak, in one example of delayed prevention efforts that have health experts worried a "large epidemic" is looming. Gabriel Thimothe, a senior health ministry official, said the public service posters would be distributed to hospitals and airports shortly, but that health funding had been cut this year and foreign aid was sparse to fight the mosquito-borne virus that can cause severe birth defects. Zika infections in pregnant women have been shown to cause microcephaly - a defect in which babies' heads and brains are undersized - as well as other brain abnormalities. Widespread fumigation that has limited the virus' spread in other Caribbean nations such as Cuba only began in Haiti last month. Publicity campaigns have been all but invisible and hospital workers were on strike for much of the year. "We're expecting a large epidemic but we don't know when it will occur," said Jean-Luc Poncelet, the World Health Organization's representative in Haiti. "There is under-reporting." Such an epidemic could severely strain Haiti's fragile healthcare system, battered by an earthquake in 2010 that killed 300,000, and still struggling with a cholera epidemic that has sickened nearly 800,000 people. WHO data show 5,000 suspected cases have been reported in more prosperous neighbor Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti and has a similar population and climate. Haiti by contrast, has reported 3,000 suspected cases, according to numbers shared by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That makes Haiti's Zika infection rate about 30 per 100,000 people, compared to 82 per 100,000 in Brazil, where the connection between Zika and microcephaly was first detected, and 50 per 100,000 in Dominican Republic The connection between Zika and microcephaly first came to light last fall in Brazil, which has since confirmed more than 1,800 cases of microcephaly. Rainy Season In the Dominican Republic there were spikes in infections in March and May, broadly coinciding with rainy seasons on both sides of the island, a time when mosquitoes and diseases they carry normally flourish. In Haiti, the number of cases reported each week generally dropped from February through the rains. A long strike by medical residents at most public hospitals coincided with that decline, raising the question of whether there were fewer infections or a lack of health workers available to register cases. A Zika task force, which includes the government and non-governmental organizations, was formed in May, Thimothe said. Several U.S. health officials in Haiti told Reuters that the United States provided $3 million in August to combat Zika in the country, money that was initially intended to be deployed against Ebola in West Africa. Thimothe said the impact of an explosion of microcephaly cases would be devastating, but denied the condition was more widespread than thought, even though many Haitian women give birth at home rather than in clinics. His position is supported by WHO data through June, which did not show an uptick in microcephaly or Guillain-Barre syndrome, a neurological disorder that can cause temporary paralysis and has also been linked to Zika. But Louise Ivers, the senior health and policy advisor for Partners in Health, which along with Haitian organization Zanmi Lasante runs a hospital in the central town of Mirebalais, said she had seen at least 12 cases this year of Guillain-Barre, normally a rare condition. The same hospital registered two microcephaly cases, including one confirmed to be linked to Zika, this summer. "Maybe we are too late for prevention. Maybe we just have to manage the consequences," Ivers said. "This could just be the tip of the iceberg." The European Union's efforts to force Apple to pay back taxes worth $14.5 billion could open up many other multinational corporations to similar actions, which analysts say may strain relations among countries across the globe. With many expecting the European Commission to extend its investigations to other multinationals for alleged tax evasion in Europe, in China, financial analysts say Beijing will also try to stop companies from shifting their tax liability to places where they would pay less. "I think the tax investigations will go beyond Apple, and other multinational corporations will be covered. This might also affect Chinese investments in the EU," said Oliver Rui, a Shanghai-based CEIBS professor of finance and accounting, in an interview with VOA. The move on Apple comes after anti-trust regulators in the European Commission launched investigations into Google's financial affairs. With regulators focused on the two American technology giants, the battle is being closely watched by other firms like China's Internet giant Baidu, that hope to challenge the dominance of U.S. firms in Europe's Internet market. "...I think European countries are frustrated that they don't have enough number of choices. That actually creates opportunities for companies like us," Baidu CEO Robin Li told CNBC early this week. Positive outcome? For years, international organizations including the United Nations, the Overseas Economic Cooperation and Development and the Paris regulator, Financial Action Task Force, have been engaged in creating and implementing global standards to check tax evasion. The EU has taken the lead in these efforts with the Apple case. Some experts believe the Apple case shows that anti-tax evasion methods adopted by these agencies are working. They expect authorities will soon begin pressuring other similar global corporations, which avoid taxes by shifting their legal address from highly taxed countries to low taxed locations. "The Apple case could be used as a way of generating political will to push these initiatives forward," Denisse V. Rudich, the London-based director of G20 Research Group, told VOA. "However, there remains a long road ahead for these initiatives to come to fruition as they are seen as infringing upon state sovereignty." Angel Gurria, the OECD secretary general, recently said there can be no rollback on the international moves to check companies that get away with paying very little in taxes in different locations. MNC's are known to use a ploy called base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) to artificially shift profits to low or no-tax locations by exploiting gaps and mismatches in tax rules of different countries. "Thanks to the BEPS measures, double non-taxation (as was the case of Apple, recently highlighted) will no longer be possible," Gurria said at the recently concluded meeting of the Group of 20 nations in China. "These are not just words: the laws in Ireland that allowed the Apple arrangement have already been dismantled; thousands of tax treaties will soon be modified by a single multilateral convention to stop abuses..." Apple pays its taxes in Ireland, which has been accused of setting a rate of just 1 percent of the company's profits from sales in all of Europe, instead of the applicable 12.5 percent. Ireland is defending its decision to charge low taxes from Apple. The EU insists that the company should be forced to pay the full amount. Europe's Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development has proposed a new country-by-country reporting requirement, which would force companies to disclose the revenue, profit and tax paid in each country combined with details on employment, capital and assets used in each nation. "Given the accounting and compliance costs of carrying out country-by-country reporting, there is going to be little support from the private sector in doing this," Rudich of the G20 Research Group, which is affiliated to the University of Toronto, said. Divided world At the G-20 summit in China, there were reports that behind the scenes, European Union and U.S. officials were locked in tense discussions over the tax issue. The United States expressed concern that the EU's moves might result in serious loss of tax revenue because American companies may try to pay less at home while moving their tax base to other locations. "The one thing that we have to ensure we do is to move in concert with other countries, because there is always a danger that if one ... acts unilaterally, that it's not just a matter of a U.S. company being impacted, but it may also have an impact in terms of our ability to collect taxes from that same company," U.S. President Barack Obama told journalists at the end of the summit in the Chinese city of Hangzhou on Tuesday. "In the same way, we then have to do some coordination with even some of our closest allies racing to the bottom in terms of how they enforce their tax policies in ways that lead to revenue shifting and tax avoidance in our country," he added. As President Barack Obama makes his final tour of Asia, much of the focus has been on the United States pivot or re-balance of its economic, diplomatic and military interests to the region. The United States, however, is not the only country that is pivoting to Southeast Asia and trying to build influence. Japan and Russia are taking big steps to up their presence in the region. Over the past three years, Japan has put more investment into countries who are part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations than it has put into China and Hong Kong. And steadily it is looking for ways to move beyond developmental assistance to massive infrastructure projects much like Beijing is already doing in the region. The U.S. pivot and Chinas rise are drivers of that shift, said Titli Basu, a researcher with the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses in New Delhi. "Japan has been orienting its policy toward the region more so since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe came to power in 2012," Basu said. "The arrival of China as a major power has made Japan really impatient to redefine its role in the Asia Pacific security order." Asias big game Japans focus is not only on building business, but security and diplomatic ties as well. One focus of that effort recently has seen Tokyo providing Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia with coast guard ships and training. Communist ruled Vietnam has long had close party-to-party relations with China, but it is also seeing its ties with the United States and Russia blossom. Earlier this year, the United States announced the lifting of a decades-old arms ban to Vietnam. In addition to working on a nuclear power plant for Vietnam, Russsia is also providing Hanoi with submarines and building a submarine base. That would help Vietnam protect its maritime interests in the South China Sea and the support comes even as Moscow has backed Beijings position regarding territorial disputes. Everyone is a 'frenemy' As more nations compete for influence, that inevitably is creating tensions. Conflicting and cross-cutting purposes is really what defines Asia these days, said Richard Bitzinger, a senior fellow at Singapores S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. Everybody is a 'frenemy' so to speak, Bitzinger said. There are a lot of places where two countries: Russia, China; China, the United States; find lots of opportunities and common interests that make them want to cooperate At the same time there are a lot of places where they collide and compete, he said. North Korea is an area where Russia, Japan, China and the United States can find room to work together, but when it comes to the East or South China Sea, interests are more divided, Bitzinger said. Russia an Asian power too More of a latecomer to the big game in Asia, Russia too is stepping up efforts with arms sales to Vietnam and energy deals. Russia has long been a key supplier of weapons to countries across Asia. At the peak of its power in the 1980s, the former Soviet Unions largest overseas military base was in Vietnam. For the past few years, Russia has been pre-occupied with events in Europe, said Lo Chih-cheng, a political scientist at Taiwans Soochow University. And now, Putins trying to move the strategic direction from Europe to Asia, (which is) Russias version of a pivot to Asia as a balancer (equalizer) to rising U.S. influence in the region. But while it appears to be determined to slowly return to the region, its trade pales in comparison to most other countries, and as Bitzinger puts it, Moscow is more of Johnny come Late-ly in the region who is situated more at the back of the pack. The problem with the Russians is that they dont really have a good toe-hold in the region, he said. Unintended consequences However, to boost its position in the region, Russia has been working together with China (even as its arms sales in Vietnam undermine Beijing). Russian President Vladimir Putin has voiced his country's support of Beijing's stance that countries outside the region should not get involved in the South China Sea dispute. At the East Asia Summit, leaders tip-toed around the issue and failed to articulate a forceful position on issues such as freedom of navigation and overflight, said Basu. There was no reference to the arbitration. There was no reference to the land reclamation that China is undertaking in the region, she said. And that tells you a lot about the deep roots that China has in terms of diplomacy, economics and defense. And while most countries dont want to see things get worse and pretty committed to keep the tensions or keep the differences that they have from exploding, the potential for inadvertent conflict is a growing, Bitzinger said. A lot of the actions that are being taken by countries particularly when it comes to the regional arming that is going on, a lot more types of very sophisticated weapons are flowing into the region, he said. Coupled with that you are seeing an increasingly kind of intransigent amount of brinkmanship that is going in the South China Sea in particular. And with that brinkmanship and increasing complexity of ties, he adds, small and minor incidents have a bigger chance of spinning out of control. From Laos, U.S. President Barack Obama denounced Donald Trump as unfit to be the American commander-in-chief, after the Republican presidential candidate said Russian President Vladimir Putin has been more of a leader than Obama. "I do not think the guy's qualified to be president of the United States and every time he speaks, that opinion is confirmed," Obama said in what was an unusually caustic comment about the U.S. presidential contest while he was traveling overseas. WATCH: Obama responds to reporter's question about Trump Late Wednesday, Trump said at a nationally televised candidate forum that Putin was "far more than our president has been a leader" and that U.S. military generals have been "reduced to rubble" under Obama. Obama, at the end of his last presidential trip to Asia, said as president, "You actually have to know what you are talking about and you actually have to have done your homework. When you speak, it should actually reflect thought out policy you can implement." Obama, who staunchly supports Trump's Democratic candidate, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, said, "The most important thing for the public and the press is to just listen to what he says and follow up and ask questions to what appear to be either contradictory or uninformed or outright wacky ideas." 'Very good relationship' with Putin During an NBC News forum Wednesday in which Trump was interviewed separately from Clinton, Trump said he thinks if he is elected and succeeds Obama as president, he would have a "very good relationship with Putin." He said Russia and the United States have a joint interest in defeating Islamic State jihadists. "Russia wants to defeat ISIS as badly as we do," he said. "If we had a relationship with Russia, wouldn't it be wonderful if we could work on it together and knock the hell out of ISIS?" He further criticized U.S. military action in Iraq under Obama, saying generals "have not been successful." Trump repeated his assertion the United States should have seized oil from Iraq. "If we would have taken the oil, you wouldn't have ISIS, because ISIS formed with the power and wealth of that oil," Trump contended. Intelligence briefing As a major party candidate, Trump has received confidential intelligence briefings meant to ensure that the next leader is knowledgeable about U.S. foreign policies when their term begins. When asked if he was shocked by anything he heard, Trump said Obama, Clinton and Secretary of State John Kerry did the opposite of what intelligence experts told them. "I am very good with body language. I could tell they were not happy our leaders did not follow what they were recommending," he said. Trump said he was qualified to be commander-in-chief because I built a great company; Ive been all over the world; Ive dealt with foreign countries... I have great judgment; I know whats going on. WATCH: Trump, Clinton on intelligence briefing Iraq war Trump also said he was "totally against the war in Iraq," a claim that is contradicted by his initial support for the 2003 U.S. invasion. Clinton said that her vote for the Iraq war when she was a U.S. senator was a mistake, but that it was important to learn from mistakes. She also pushed back against Trump's repeated assertions during the campaign that he opposed the U.S. attack on Iraq. "He supported it before it happened, he supported it as it was happening, and he is on the record as supporting it after it happened," Clinton said. "I have taken responsibility for my decision. He refuses to take responsibility for his support. That is a judgment issue." Trump has called Clinton totally trigger-happy, adding, In Iraq, my judgment was right, hers was wrong. Clinton said the most important quality in a president is steadiness and the strength to make hard decisions. "What you want in a president, a commander-in-chief, is someone who listens, who evaluates what is being told to him or her, who is able to sort out the very difficult options being presented, and then makes the decision," she said. Emails, counterterrorism She has faced criticism and investigations for her use of an unsecured private email server while serving as the country's top diplomat during Obama's first term, from 2009 to 2013. Investigators said she was "extremely careless," but criminal charges were not warranted. "It was something that should not have been done," she said, adding that there was no evidence her system was hacked. Clinton called the fight against Islamic State the top counterterrorism goal, advocating using air power and getting more support from Arabs and Kurds fighting IS militants, while also supporting the Iraqi military. She said no U.S. ground combat troops would go to Iraq or Syria. "I view force as a last resort, not a first choice," she said. Trump and Clinton will square off directly in their first presidential debate on September 26, with two more scheduled in October in the weeks before the November 8 election. U.S.-backed Libyan forces are close to vanquishing Islamic State from its last holdouts in the city of Sirte, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Wednesday. Carter said forces aligned with Libya's U.N.-backed government, who have been aided by U.S. airstrikes since the beginning of August, had cornered Islamic State in one small section of the city. "I expect that they'll eliminate .... remaining opposition shortly," Carter said at a news conference in London. Libyan forces said Saturday that they had advanced against some of Islamic State's last holdouts in the city. The jihadist group exploited Libya's deep political divisions to seize Sirte more than a year ago, using it as a base for Libyan and foreign fighters. Losing the city would compound the setbacks it has suffered in Syria and Iraq. The Sirte campaign is only one of many challenges in Libya, where the U.N.-backed government is trying to unite a multitude of rival factions that have divided the country since the downfall of Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. Carter said the United States would not halt its assistance to Libya once Sirte was retaken. Israeli and Palestinian leaders have agreed "in principle" to resume peace talks in Moscow, the Kremlin announced Thursday. There is no timetable yet for the meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Netanyahu has repeatedly said he would meet with Abbas anywhere and at any time, as long as there were no preconditions for the talks. U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said both sides have to show they are committed to a two-state solution before there can be any successful negotiations. "It's our belief that and this speaks broadly to any peace negotiations, but certainly in this case ... if you don't have the right climate for them to be successful, then it's not worth having it," Toner said. He said he was not sure on what level the U.S. would participate in the Moscow talks. Long gap in talks There have been no Israeli-Palestinian peace talks in more than two years, and conditions in the region seem to have worsened since then. Israel is continuing to plan and build Jewish settlements in lands the Palestinians want for a future state. Palestinians have carried out a series of knife attacks on Israeli civilians, police and soldiers since last year in response to rumors Israel was planning to take over an East Jerusalem holy site revered by Jews and Muslims. Israel has accused Palestinian leaders of inciting the violence, while the Palestinians demand the end of settlement activity as a condition for talks. Meanwhile, Palestinian officials denied an Israeli television report late Wednesday that said Abbas was a Soviet KGB agent in Syria in the 1980s. Two Israeli researchers said they found the proof in documents unearthed in archives at Cambridge University in Britain. The papers purportedly identify Abbas as using the code name "mole." Palestinian officials dismissed the report as an "Israeli smear campaign" and an attempt to derail the peace process. Film director Pablo Larrain said his portrayal of Jacqueline Kennedy in the aftermath of her husband's assassination is not a biopic, but rather a chance to look at an intriguing and painful story from the point of view of the former first lady. Larrain was speaking at the Venice film festival where "Jackie," starring Natalie Portman, will premier Wednesday and is competing against 19 other movies for the coveted Golden Lion that will be awarded Saturday. "I believe that Jackie was someone incredibly mysterious, probably one of the most unknown from the known people," the Chilean director told a press conference. The movie is Larrain's first English-language feature and also his first movie centered around a female character. "I'm not American and not necessarily attached to their history ... but I felt this was a very beautiful and intriguing story," he said. The movie shows Jacqueline Kennedy in the first week after the assassination as she struggles to come to terms with the tragedy and her own grief. At the same time, she seeks to comfort her two young children and prepare her husband's funeral in a way that will make his death meaningful but also allow her to be remembered as more than a fashion icon. Portman, who won an Oscar for her role in ballet thriller "Black Swan," said portraying someone whose looks, speech and gestures were known to everyone made this the "most dangerous" role she had ever played. The movie recreated parts of a White House tour the first lady gave after renovating the presidential residence, making it easy to draw comparisons between Portman and Kennedy. "And that's terrifying because I've never thought of myself as a great imitator or anything," the 35-year-old actress said. "I was just trying to get to something that people could get past and believe that I was Jackie, and then you always have yourself in there too, inevitably." A big part of Portman's job was portraying a character always in control of her identity, putting different masks on when in public, with those close to her or when truly alone. The camera moves from Kennedy recording the White House tours with a nervous smile to a first lady alone in her bedroom, sipping on vodka, popping pills and swapping outfits, all the while listening to a Broadway recording of "Camelot." "She's a symbol for all these people, she is a mother, she's a wife, a betrayed wife, she's a person just trying to find her way in the world," Portman said. "There are so many things she's dealing with." Larrain said the movie was not trying to deliver all the answers, but rather leave something for the audience to digest. "You don't completely get who she was because it's just not possible, and I found beauty in that fact," he said. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will meet Friday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva for another try at arranging a cease-fire in Syria. The State Department said their talks would focus on "reducing violence, expanding humanitarian assistance for the Syrian people and moving towards a political solution needed to end the civil war." Kerry and Lavrov have met several times over the past two weeks in Geneva and at the Group of 20 summit in China, but failed to finalize an agreement on a cessation of hostilities in Syria. U.S. officials said the talks have been hung up on "technical issues." American diplomats, speaking to VOA, have expressed frustration with their Russian counterparts, accusing them of reversing direction on some key points of agreement in recent days. Kerry has said he does not want a tenuous deal, but a realistic agreement with the Russians. Russia is the Syrian government's strongest ally in Damascus' fight against numerous rebel groups moderates and Islamic extremists who are trying to topple the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Moscow's determination questioned The U.S. backs the moderate opposition and has accused the Russians of making things worse in Syria. Some U.S. officials have questioned Moscow's seriousness in pursuing a political solution. Meanwhile Thursday, activists and state-run Syrian media said Syrian forces had taken a strategically important southern suburb of Aleppo. Rebels control the eastern part of the city, while government forces, backed by Russian warplanes, control the west. Thousands of suffering civilians are stuck in the middle. The fighting is preventing humanitarian aid from getting into the city, which used to be Syria's commercial capital. Also Thursday, Syrian officials denied reports that the military was behind suspected chlorine gas attack on civilians Wednesday in a rebel-held part of the city. The officials blamed "armed terrorist groups," the government's term for the opposition. There was a heavy rush of customers outside various banks in the commercial hub of Lal Chowk this morning. There are no restrictions or curfew anywhere in the Valley today, a police spokesman said here. Photo: Reuters By Press Trust of India: Restrictions on the assembly of people across Kashmir Valley have been lifted even as normal life remained disrupted for the 62nd day today due to the separatist-sponsored strike. There are no restrictions or curfew anywhere in the Valley today, a police spokesman said here. He, however, said security forces have been deployed at sensitive places to maintain law and order. advertisement CURFEW LIFTED BUT SCHOOLS STILL SHUT Even as the curbs were lifted, normal life in Kashmir continued to remain affected as the unrest in the Valley, in the wake of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in July, entered into its third month. While shops, business establishments and petrol pumps continued to remain shut during the day, markets in Srinagar and other places will come to life late in the evening in view of the 12-hour relaxation in the strike from 6 p.m. announced by separatists on some days. The separatists, who are spearheading the ongoing agitation, have extended the shutdown programme till September 16. Schools, colleges and other educational institutions in the Valley continued to remain closed. However, the attendance in government offices and banks has improved a lot. PEOPLE RUSH TO LAL CHOWK There was a heavy rush of customers outside various banks in the commercial hub of Lal Chowk this morning. Public transport also continued to be off the roads, while there was increased movement of private cars and auto-rickshaws especially in the civil lines areas of the city. The violence, in the wake of Wani's killing in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir on July 8, has left 73 people, including two cops, dead and several thousand injured. --- ENDS --- Former United Nations chief Kofi Annan assured residents of Myanmar he is not in the country to police human rights violations, but instead to recommend solutions to ease tensions between Buddhists and the Muslim minority. "We are not here as inspectors, as policemen," he told a news conference Thursday in Yangon. "We are here to help at the request of the government and we see this as a Myanmar Commission that we are participating in, bringing some international dimensions and you will get an honest report from all of us." Ghanaian-born Annan was met by hundreds of jeering protesters when he arrived in Myanmar's western Rakhine state earlier this week as part of a nine-member panel on a fact-finding mission into the bitter ethnic and religious strife that has triggered a humanitarian crisis. The protesters were gathered outside the airport in the capital city of Rakhine, where they voiced anger over what they see as foreign meddling in their internal affairs. Annan said he was not upset by the protests, and in fact admired them as a show of democracy and freedom of expression. "I think it was a healthy sign that the people felt they should make their views known in their own way," he said. The special advisory committee, made up of six citizens of Myanmar and three foreigners (none of whom are Muslim), is charged with finding solutions on ending the crisis that began in 2012, when fighting broke out between majority Buddhist nationalists and minority Rohingya Muslims. More than 100 people were killed, while as many as 120,000 Rohingyas are currently languishing in squalid displaced persons camps, where their movements are severely restricted. Six Syrian Kurdish fighters were killed and a dozen were wounded as Turkish military artillery fired across the border Thursday into Syria, Kurdish officials and rights activists said. Some of those wounded in the attack on the northern town of Afrin were civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a group that has researchers across the country. "Two members of our security forces were killed by Turkish snipers before their artillery attacked us," Ahmed Ali, a wounded Kurdish fighter, told VOA. Another Kurdish fighter said he came under a Turkish mortar attack while he was trying to retrieve the body of a fellow fighter. Afrin is controlled by the Kurdish People's Protection Units, known as YPG, that are allied with the United States in the fight against Islamic State in Syria. Turkey views the YPG as a terror group linked to the Turkey-based Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Turkish military sources said the Afrin incident began when border guards came under machine-gun fire from unknown forces inside Syria. Turkey's Dogan News Agency reported that Turkish military responded to "harassment fire in accordance with rules of engagement." Turkey fears that a strong Kurdish entity in Syria would aid and embolden PKK fighters who have been fighting against the Turkish military for decades. Tensions between Turkey and Syrian Kurds have increased since Turkish-backed Syrian rebels not affiliated with the YPG entered the border town of Jarablus in late August, pushing back IS fighters and preventing further expansion of the U.S.-backed militias. WATCH: Wounded Kurdish Fighter Talks about Attack The United States has repeatedly called on both sides to exercise restraint and focus more on fighting IS militants. "We have agreed with them about where each party will be, geographically, in such a way that they can conduct their operations against [Islamic State] and not run into each other," U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in a recent interview with CNN. Otherwise, he added, there could be a "collision between the two [sides] which we don't want to see." All giraffes are not created the same. A new study finds that instead of just one species (and several subspecies) of the long-necked animal, there are four, with researchers saying that the genetic differences among the four kinds are similar to the differences between polar and brown bears. "We were extremely surprised, because the morphological and coat pattern differences between giraffe are limited," said Axel Janke, a geneticist at the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center and Goethe University in Germany. Giraffes are also assumed to have similar ecological requirements across their range, he added, "but no one really knows, because this megafauna has been largely overlooked by science." Giraffes, like many wild animals in Africa, are facing a steep decline, dropping from an estimated 150,000 to 100,000 over the last three decades. The discovery of the different species could help the giraffe. "With now four distinct species, the conservation status of each of these can be better defined and in turn added to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List (of threatened species)," Julian Fennessy of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation in Namibia says. "Working collaboratively with African governments, the continued support of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation and partners can highlight the importance of each of these dwindling species, and hopefully kick start targeted conservation efforts and internal donor support for their increased protection. For the study, researchers took skin biopsies from 190 giraffes from different regions of Africa and made sure to get samples from all nine previously known subspecies. What they found were four highly distinct types of giraffe, which they say should be recognized as distinct species, including southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa), Masai giraffe (G. tippelskirchi), reticulated giraffe (G. reticulata) and northern giraffe (G. camelopardalis). "As an example," Fennessyadds, "northern giraffe number less than 4,750 in the wild, and reticulated giraffe number less than 8,700 individuals -- as distinct species, it makes them some of the most endangered large mammals in the world." The findings were published in the Cell Press journal Current Biology. In rubber dinghies and rickety wooden boats, refugees and migrants have been risking their lives in increasing numbers crossing the Mediterranean in one desperate expedition after another from Libya. The voyages have been making a mockery of the European Unions claim it has control over its southern borders, and a referendum in October in Hungary threatens to further undermine the European blocs efforts to stay on top of a crisis that has been roiling the continent and fueling the rise of far-right anti-immigrant parties. Pollsters predict a majority of Hungarians will signal in the referendum that they dont want the EU to resettle non-Hungarian citizens in Hungary without the approval of the anti-immigrant dominated National Assembly. A vote against the blocs troubled mandatory migrant relocation plan will likely encourage other EU states, mainly central European governments, to dig in and continue to refuse to accept Brussels-designed quotas to share the burden of resettling war refugees and economic migrants from the Middle East and Africa - a key plank in the EUs migration policy. Hungary's hardline prime minister, Viktor Orban, who has been leading the keep them out campaign, expects record numbers to turn out for the Brexit-inspired plebiscite and deliver a snub to Brussels bureaucrats. In one recent speech, Orban said, We don't want to change the character of our country. We want to remain Hungarian, to keep our religious and ethnic compositionThey want to force rules on member states that are in conflict with their interests, including Hungary's. We are preparing for a conflict. Earlier this year, Orban ordered Hungarys borders with Serbia and Croatia closed, although that has not stopped migrants still crossing into Hungary - 14,000 are believed to have done so illegally. While the political focus, when it comes to the future of EU migration policy, currently is on Hungary, the on the ground crisis is in Italy, which, since March, has been in the eye of the migration storm once again. Since the Europeans struck a deal with Ankara in March, under which migrants arriving at Greek islands from Turkey are supposed to be sent back, the flow of refugees from Turkey to Europe has receded dramatically. The migrant crisis is like a balloon -- pressed at one point, it bulges at another. More than 118,000 people have made the perilous journey from Libya to Italy so far this year, 3,000 of them dying in the attempt. About 15,000 have been picked up off the Libyan coast since August 28. Nothing seems to arrest the traffic, including the much-trumpeted EU naval interdiction operation. Nor has a high-profile, hard-hitting Italian government online campaign launched just over a month ago and called Migrant Aware. The campaign aims at discouraging migrants dreaming of a better life in Italy from making the journey. Costing $1.65 million, it consists of harrowing first-person accounts of the horrors migrants faced on their journeys, with videos and testimony posted on popular social media sites used by would-be sub-Saharan migrants. Launching the campaign, Italys interior minister, Angelino Alfano, said it was a message in a bottle we have thrown into cyberspace. The message is not being heeded, throwing up moral dilemmas for Italians, who pride themselves on welcoming those fleeing war and destitution but who now feel they are inundated. We cant take everybody, says 54-year-old Helene Forni, a Roman who has been searching for full-time work and resents migrants resettled in Italy getting a daily stipend. I dont get that support from the government. Rome has changed - it is overwhelmed with migrants, she adds, saying that street crime is rising. So is prostitution, with the EUR neighborhood, south of Romes center, relentlessly being turned into an open air sex market - many of the women and girls there have been trafficked from sub-Saharan Africa or are paying off criminals for arranging their migration. Another moral (and legal) question answered by a court in Palermo, Sicily, Thursday is whether migrants who have been instructed by people smugglers to pilot boats and dinghies should be prosecuted for doing so - and especially when the crossing ends in loss of life. The court decided to acquit two young African men - a Gambian and a Senegalese - who steered a boat in July 2015. A dozen of the migrants in the boat drowned. Prosecutors demanded life sentences but the court decided that as the men had been threatened by traffickers with death if they didnt pilot the boat, they should be freed. They acted, the judge decided, "in a situation of necessity and "had no choice but to commit the crimes" attributed to them and committed in a "context of extreme drama and tension. The rise in migrant numbers coming into Italy is straining relations between the country and its northern neighbors - France, Austria and Switzerland, which have all strengthened their border controls. In recent weeks, there have been chaotic scenes at the Italian-French border, with hundreds of asylum seekers being turned back by French police. The Swiss have also refused to allow migrants in from Italy, and on Wednesday, Austrian police said there has been a creeping rise in the number of asylum seekers attempting to cross into Austria from Italy. The head of the Tyrol police, Helmut Tomac, said between 40 and 50 migrants are being stopped every day at the Brenner border crossing. Tyrols governor, Gunther Platter, told the newspaper Tiroler Tageszeitung that if the French and Swiss decide to shutter their borders with Italy completely, the pressure will fall on us even more. Police in France have detained another couple in connection with a car loaded with six full gas canisters that was found near the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris Sunday. Two other people with known links to radical Islamic groups had been arrested Tuesday in southern France. The abandoned car with no license plates was reported to police by a bar employee who noticed a gas canister on the back seat when he walked past the vehicle Sunday. Police detained the owner of the car also known to authorities for ties to radical Islam Tuesday but released him shortly after. The car owners daughter is still being sought by police for questioning. Police searched the car and found no detonation mechanism for the canisters. Officers speculated that the car's flashing hazard lights may have been turned on to attract attention. "We think he may have been trying to carry out a test-run," one police official told AFP. French authorities are on high alert for terror activities after two separate incidents allegedly perpetrated by the Islamic State group over the past year have left more than 200 people dead. In November, a coordinated attack in Paris killed 130 people, and a man driving a truck along a crowded boardwalk in Nice left 86 people dead. President Barack Obama says comments by Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte will not impact U.S. relations with the people of the Philippines. He said they leaders shook hands during a brief interaction at an Association of Southeast Asian Nations dinner Wednesday in Laos. The White House canceled a meeting between the two Tuesday, after Duterte called Obama a "son of a b****" in a warning not to lecture him about his government's crackdown on drug traffickers that has left 2,000 people dead since June. Duterte later expressed regrets. Obama said, "I do not take these comments personally, because ... this is a phrase he has used repeatedly, including directed at the pope and others." Obama added, "What I indicated to him is that my team should be meeting with his to determine how we can move forward on a range of issues." Duterte campaigned on promises to end illegal drug activity, and has alarmed a number of human rights organizations with his deadly crackdown. He has defended the killings, saying he is following the will of those who elected him. Obama said Thursday the United States wants to partner with the Philippines on the issue of drug traffickers, but in a way that is consistent with international norms and the rule of law. "We are not going to back off our position that if we are working with a country - whether it is on anti-terrorism, whether it is on going after drug traffickers, as despicable as these networks may be, as much damage as they do, it is important from our perspective to do it the right way," the U.S. president said. As President Barack Obama wrapped up his final trip to Asia while in office, he reflected Thursday on his long ties to a region that he has made a central focus of U.S. foreign policy. In a final news conference before departing Laos, he said that he was proud to be the first U.S. president to meet with the leaders of all 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries, and that he hoped his successor would continue to make the region a priority. My hope and expectation ... is that my successor will, in fact, sustain this kind of engagement, because there is a lot happening here," he said. "Youve got countries here that are taking off. Youve got one of the most dynamic and youngest populations in the world. This is where the action is going to be when it comes to commerce and trade, and ultimately creating U.S. jobs by being able to sell to this market. Bumpy begininng Obamas final Asia trip ended on a positive note after getting off to a rough start. There was his botched arrival in China, where the president had to disembark from Air Force One on a shorter staircase from the belly of the plane when the Chinese failed to provide the customary metal staircase. North Korea tested a nuclear missile during the visit, as if to highlight one of the big failures of U.S. and international nonproliferation efforts. Also, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte uttered an insult about Obama, prompting him to cancel their sit-down meeting. The two did speak briefly on the sidelines of the summit, after Duterte and his foreign minister expressed regret. These awkward and tense moments prompted critics, including Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, to say that foreign leaders were showing disrespect to the lame duck U.S. president, who only has five months left in office. 'Flap' dismissed Asia expert and Brookings Institution senior fellow Jonathan Pollack told VOA he fundamentally disagreed: The whole flap over the airplane stairs, this is one of the classic snafus, a glitch that could and should be avoided by the staffs of both leaders. There is a long record of similar glitches in the U.S.-China relationship. Pollack told VOA the long, substantive, face-to-face meeting between Chinese President Xi Jingping and Obama was much more important than any staircase drama, which he said the media had exaggerated. Pollack said Philippine foreign ministry officials sincerely apologized for their presidents vulgar remark, because the last thing they want to do is to undermine that countrys relationship with the United States. He praised Obama for the way he handled the insult. Obama struck a wistful tone at the news conference, saying he realized this was his last trip to Asia as president and remembering the years he spent in Indonesia as a child. When I think back to the time that I spent here as a boy, I cant help but be struck by the extraordinary progress thats been made across so much of the region in the decades since even as theres still a lot of work to be done," he said. "And so it means a great deal to me, not only as president, but also personally, that over the past eight years weve increased cooperation between ASEAN countries and the United States. Paris climate accord Pollack said Obamas commitment to the Asia-Pacific region was political, economic and highly personal, and pointed to the ratification of the Paris accord on climate change as the most significant accomplishment. Pollack said the fate of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade agreement the president passionately supports, rests in the hands of Congress, which has vowed not to even take it up until after the next president has been inaugurated. He said the presidents Asia-Pacific rebalance ambitions were incomplete, but added that true success is often measured in the tough work of keeping at it instead of flashy breakthroughs. But Matthew Goodman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank, told VOA he thought Obamas legacy in Asia hinged on whether Congress ratified the TPP agreement: The economic part of the pivot is essential to the overall strategy and so if we cant get TPP ratified by Congress, that is going to undermine the view of his overall legacy in the region in the political, military and social sides as well." Some conservative U.S. Republican lawmakers want to tie President Barack Obama's Syrian refugee resettlement program to a spending bill that must pass in order to keep the federal government open after the fiscal year ends on September 30. In a move that could complicate congressional leaders' efforts to pass the bill on time, members of the House of Representatives' conservative "Freedom Caucus" said they would support a temporary spending measure if it included a moratorium on admitting the Syrians to the United States. Republican Representative John Fleming, a caucus member, said putting limits on Syrian refugees was a "high priority" for the group. "We should not be allowing refugees from terrorist regions of the world, without proper vetting," he told reporters. Democrats would object to such a measure, increasing worries that the government might shut down on October 1 if Congress cannot pass the temporary spending bill, known as a continuing resolution. The Freedom Caucus' plan was first reported by Politico. Bid to increase target The Obama administration said on August 29 that it would meet its goal of admitting 10,000 Syrian refugees during the current fiscal year a month ahead of schedule and was working with Congress to increase the target by a few thousand during 2017. U.S. admission of Syrian refugees has long been a politically sensitive issue, although the country has admitted far fewer than many of its close allies. Obama's 2015 promise to admit the 10,000 sparked a firestorm of criticism, mostly from Republicans who said the plan could put Americans at risk from terrorists. Democrats who supported his plan argued that Syrians are already subjected to intense screening and said barring them was contrary to the values of the United States. The issue has been discussed in the 2016 race for the White House. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has warned that violent militants could enter the country posing as refugees. The civil war in Syria has led millions of people to flee the country. Millions of them have found shelter in neighboring countries, including Jordan and Turkey. Germany has admitted hundreds of thousands, and Canada has admitted nearly 30,000 between November 2015 and May 1. The Baltic Sea outpost of Kaliningrad was once touted as Russia's future Hong Kong: separated from the mainland, with a special status that would allow it to thrive through trade. But for Igor Pleshkov, who employs 300 workers in a cement factory in this region of 1 million people wedged between EU members Lithuania and Poland, the future now looks dark. He has watched his business wither in recent months, brought low by protectionist measures imposed by Moscow in retaliation for Western sanctions. "The Russian economy has hit bottom, but who would have thought the Russians would start digging?" Pleshkov, 46, says, quoting a line he says he first heard from a German engineer who had come to work in Kaliningrad. The medieval port of Koenigsberg, once a center of Protestant learning and trade on the Baltic coast, was in fact part of Germany until World War II, when it was bombed to rubble by the allies, besieged by the advancing Red Army and captured in the final months of the war. Its entire German population fled, died or was expelled, and the region known as North Prussia was annexed by the Soviet Union, renamed Kaliningrad, rebuilt with stark housing blocks and repopulated by Russians. The breakup of the Soviet Union left it separated from the rest of Russia, its crumbling roads now clogged with second-hand Volkswagens and Skodas bought cheaply in Europe, rather than Russian Ladas and Volgas. While the region was heavily militarized and largely closed to outsiders during the Soviet period, it grew the shoots of prosperity in recent years. Kaliningrad now has some 80,000 small- and medium-sized firms, many involved in manufacturing, thanks in part to special trade status with its EU neighbors. Companies like Pleshkov's Thomas-Beton were permitted to import raw materials duty free to make products that could be sold back in mainland Russia. But that status was allowed to lapse on April 1 this year. And that followed a series of other moves to restrict trade since 2014, when Russia seized Ukraine's Crimea, the United States and EU imposed punitive financial sanctions, and Moscow responded with counter-sanctions of its own. Different situation Kaliningrad is hardly the only part of Russia that is hurting. Throughout the past two years, a collapse in global prices for energy exports have created a grinding economic crisis. The ruble has fallen, raising the price of imports. But while some parts of Russia have been partly shielded from the pain by the fall in imports, which has boosted consumption of home-made goods, Kaliningrad's close ties to its EU neighbors means it has suffered more than other areas. Since 2014, Russia's overall trade volume has fallen by a third, but Kaliningrad's has plummeted by nearly half. Industrial output, which had previously outpaced the rest of Russia, fell more than anywhere else. Russia's counter-sanctions included a ban on most EU food imports, wrecking an industry of processing imported meat into canned lunch meat for sale across Russia, which had accounted for nearly a fifth of Kaliningrad's manufacturing. In the case of Pleshkov's cement company, the situation became worse in recent months when the government squeezed his supply of inexpensive cement by demanding complicated certificates for imports. The reform was intended to protect Russian companies but had the opposite effect in Kaliningrad, Pleshkov says. "They are closing off markets, but they do not understand that the Kaliningrad region is in a little bit of a different geographical situation," said Pleshkov. Not special anymore The Moscow government speaks of refocusing eastwards on trade with countries like China. But that is small comfort here on Europe's doorstep. "Cooperation with Australia looks as likely to yield success as the current model at this point in time," gloomily quipped Ilya Shumanov, a former director of Kaliningrad's Transparency International office. Many locals blame the region's government for not having a plan to support business after the end of the special status regime, beyond relying on government subsidies, set at 66 billion rubles ($1.02 billion) for this year. Anton Likhanov, the region's newly appointed prime minister, an energetic young politician from Moscow, said there were some "rough edges" that needed smoothing out. "We need to change the structure because we have depended too much on import components," Likhanov told Reuters. Kaliningrad should not aim to become a manufacturing hub assembling products from imported EU materials, which would only be sustainable if workers stay low paid, he said. "I don't want Kaliningrad to become an appendage to the EU with cheap labor and low costs - that would be some kind of neo-colonialism," said Likhanov. Instead, it should focus on high-quality manufacturing using Russian raw materials. Good times over? For years, Kaliningrad residents enjoyed special permission to travel back and forth across the Polish border. But Poland suspended that pact in July, citing security concerns, and says it won't renew it anytime soon. That hurts shops in Kaliningrad, many of which have long passed off smuggled Polish meat as local meat. Consumers are demoralized. "I am certainly a patriot, but I would go from time to time to Poland," said Vladimir Kuzin, a former Kaliningrad city official. "Because what they call cheese in our stores is not cheese." Vadim Khlebnikov, editor of local news portal rugrad.edu, said everything had become more expensive last year, apart from potatoes and cheap frozen fish. Russian tourists still come in summer to enjoy Kaliningrad's sandy coast. But statistics show restaurants have been closing. Many are empty. Meanwhile, Moscow has been busy turning the already highly militarized region into a fortress, beefing up its military presence amid heightened tensions with NATO. Some locals say that will only isolate Russia further. Pleshkov, who calls himself an optimist, says he fears the region's best times are behind it. "The government tried to cover up the problems with the help of quasi patriotism, suggesting it wasn't those fools who didn't know how to manage their own country, but those evil people abroad who drove us into this situation," he said. ($1 = 64.8653 rubles) Turkey must produce clear evidence in pursuing participants in a failed coup and avoid targeting teachers and journalists simply because they worked for firms run by the Muslim cleric Ankara portrays as its mastermind, the head of the European rights watchdog said. Otherwise, said Thorbjorn Jagland, Turkey may be challenged in the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, which is tasked with enforcing the European Convention on Human Rights. Turkey said the judicial process would be fully transparent. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has cracked down on schools, media and businesses run by U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen since the July coup. Several thousand soldiers have been expelled from the army, and more than 100,000 people, including civil servants, teachers, journalists and soldiers, have been suspended or sacked. "We are stressing to the Turks that they have to present clear evidence, be able to separate those who were clearly behind the coup and those who have been in some way or another connected to or working for this so-called Gulen network," Jagland, secretary general of the Council of Europe, told Reuters. "They are not necessarily guilty. For teachers and journalists that worked in schools or media outlets of Gulen, you cannot say automatically that because they've done that, they are part of this military coup." Gulen has denied being behind the coup. Double standard Turkey has accused the European Union of applying a double standard in criticizing the crackdown while, in its view, showing hesitation in condemning the coup that killed about 240 people. Western officials have said they fear Erdogan may use the action as a cover for suppressing any opposition. Jagland was speaking after Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu briefed representatives of Council of Europe states in Strasbourg, France, on the situation in his country after the coup. Speaking to reporters before the council session, Cavusolgu outlined plans for dealing with the aftermath of the coup. "Be assured that this process will be very transparent and the supervision of the European Court of Human Rights is still valid and the Convention on Human Rights is also a guideline for Turkey even during this difficult time," he said. Jagland is also trying to persuade Turkey to apply its counterterrorism laws more narrowly. The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has in the past ruled against convictions of journalists on the basis of these regulations. While Turkey is a member of the council, it is not in the European Union. The 28-nation bloc made easing visa requirements for Turks traveling to the EU conditional on changing the terrorism laws. Turkey says it needs a broad interpretation of such regulations to meet a threat from Kurdish rebels and from Islamic State militants. "Journalists who have reported on the work of terrorist organizations, which is the job of journalists you can't say one supports terrorists by reporting on them," Jagland said. By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 8 (PTI) Government will use both firmness and compassion in dealing with the unrest in Kashmir even as it appears not averse to talks with separatists but not before violence comes to an end. As Eid-ul Azha, slated for September 13, is approaching, the government expects the situation to improve as it has a feeling that people would like to celebrate the occasion, despite the strike call extended by separatists till September 16. advertisement As the violence has still not abated, top government sources say that the state will assert itself against trouble makers while civilians will be treated with "compassion". In this regard, the government is willing to provide the best medical care even to those injured in clashes with security forces. It also refuses to buy the theory of victim hood by trouble makers who first instigate violence and then claim sufferings because of retaliatory action by the security forces. The dual strategy appears to be the governments approach amid demands for initiating a dialogue process with all stakeholders in the state. On the external front, the government appears to be in no mood for a dialogue with Pakistan which, it is convinced, is "100 per cent" behind the current unrest in Kashmir and has taken a "complete U-turn" by injecting bitterness in the relations. There is also no clarity on whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Pakistan to attend the SAARC Summit in November, with the sources saying there is still time to decide on it. (MORE) PTI AKK/VSC VSC --- ENDS --- At the Republican National Convention in July, retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn pulled no punches as he gave a speech in support of the party's presidential nominee, Donald Trump. Flynn criticized President Barack Obama, the commander in chief of the U.S. armed forces, as "weak and spineless." He called Hillary Clinton "reckless" and "crooked." And when the crowd began screaming for the Democratic nominee to be imprisoned, Flynn joined in. "That's right. Lock her up," said Flynn, a former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. While the speech clearly fired up those gathered in Cleveland, some of Flynn's colleagues were not impressed, viewing it as a dangerous politicization of the military. Retired General Martin Dempsey, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, slammed his former colleague in a letter to The Washington Post days after the speech. "The American people should not wonder where their military leaders draw the line between military advice and political preference," Dempsey said. He also chastised retired Marine General John Allen, who gave his own passionate speech in defense of Clinton at the Democratic National Convention. Competing lists The speeches sparked fresh debate about whether retired senior military officers should become involved in politics. The issue has become even more relevant lately, as both Clinton and Trump roll out long lists of former admirals and generals who endorse their campaigns. Trump's campaign staff released an open letter this week, signed by 88 former military leaders who said they thought the Republican nominee would oversee a "long-overdue course correction" in U.S. foreign policy. Not be outdone, Clinton's camp quickly responded with a list of 95 generals and admirals who support her, boasting that her list of endorsements was greater than that of any other recent Democratic nominee for president. The potential benefits of releasing such lists are obvious: They bolster a candidate's national security credentials and help create the perception that the nation's military leaders support the candidate, not the opponent. Dividing line But when military generals become highly partisan cheerleaders for political candidates, does that blur a necessary line between politics and the military? It depends on whom you ask. Harley Hughes, a retired Air Force lieutenant general, laughed off the question. "That couldn't be more ridiculous," said Hughes, who signed the letter in support of Trump. In Hughes' view, not speaking out was more dangerous than any theoretical conversation about the relationship between politics and the military. "The stakes of this election are enormous," Hughes told VOA. "We won't have very many more chances to make mistakes. That's why folks like me speak up." John Castellaw, a retired Marine lieutenant general who supports Clinton, said he was apolitical during his time in the military, but in retirement, he feels obligated to use his expertise for the good of the country. "I think it's good for military people [to be involved in politics]," Castellaw said. "We tend to be analytical and methodical. We tend to think about what we are going to do before we take action. Our words in most cases are moderate and measured." Not illegal It's not illegal for retired military figures to enter politics. They have the same rights as any other citizen to run for office and to endorse or criticize those who are. Many retired military leaders have themselves run for elected office, even the presidency. But some have made the argument that officers' responsibilities extend into retirement, not least of all because they continue to be paid by the military and they keep their military ranks. That's part of what seemed to upset many about Flynn's and Allen's convention speeches: They were introduced as generals and spoke as generals, not simply as "John" or "Mike." For many ex-military and intelligence officials, that amounts to a violation of a norm they are not so quick to break. "I don't think it's good for the nation," said Dennis Wilder, who retired in April after serving for over three decades in several senior intelligence and diplomatic roles. "It's the precedent it sets." "It wasn't appropriate for 37 years, and it's a habit I got into that I'm not getting out of just yet," he told VOA. "The debate on foreign policy should stop at our shores. We shouldn't be criticizing each other overseas. I don't think it's good for the nation." South Sudan's political opposition has dismissed remarks by U.S. officials urging former First Vice President Riek Machar not to return to South Sudan to reclaim his position, saying the opposition leader's absence is hampering the fragile peace process. Ambassador Donald Booth, the U.S. special envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, told members of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs subcommittee Wednesday that Machar, who fled the country in July, should not return to South Sudan because of the continuing instability in the country. In an interview with VOA after the hearing, Booth said the lack of trust between Machar and South Sudans president, Salva Kiir, has created one of the most extreme humanitarian situations in the world. Its clear that [Machar] and Salva Kiir are unable to work together. And if they have their security forces there because they dont trust each other, those security forces have proven that they cant coexist in the same town, said Booth. So you had the fighting of Juba. We dont want to see a return to that, he added. Reath Muoch Tang, the SPLA/M-in Opposition representative for North America, said he was disappointed by Booths remarks, insisting the ambassadors comments supported the abrogation of the peace agreement. Muoch also said that Kiirs appointment of Taban Deng Gai to replace Machar in late July is inconsistent with the peace deal signed over a year ago. It seems very complicated now because the government is talking that there is peace in Juba, in which there is no peace in Juba, said Muoch, who attended the hearing. And actually to us, there is no Transitional Government of National Unity because if the peace collapses, if the two partners actually are not working together, there is no government in place, he said. Foreigners attacked, lawmakers frustrated The Associated Press reported that South Sudanese troops raped foreign women, beat and robbed people and killed a local journalist in July in Jubas Terrain Compound, a venue frequented by foreigners. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), chairman of the House subcommittee on Africa, said one of his constituents was among the foreigners attacked during that incident, which lasted several hours. The victim from New Jersey had been expected to testify at Wednesdays hearing but decided not to because she was still traumatized, according to Smith. Rep. Thomas Rooney (R-Fla.) said he does not believe South Sudans leaders can reverse the course of violence in the country and urged Ambassador Booth to immediately implement an arms embargo. What can it hurt if the United States does take the lead to say that enough is enough, he said. Weve got diplomatic envoys being shot at; weve got all kinds of crimes that weve talked about against its own citizenry. Weve got humanitarian aid and food being seized upon. Weve got the opposition has fled. Weve got a government that has lost control of its own military, said Rooney. Asked if observers should expect a change in U.S. policy toward South Sudan in light of recent developments, Smith said the shift is already in the process of happening, adding that there are only a few days left for South Sudan to pivot on the side of protection and advocacy for human rights. Machar the legitimate opposition leader Calling Machar the legitimate leader, Muoch said the former first vice president, who is still recovering from injuries sustained while fleeing the capital Juba shortly after fighting broke out in July, is still in control of the opposition forces. Festus Mogae, chairman of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, the body overseeing the peace agreement, told the Associated Press recently that the legitimacy of Taban Deng Gai is questionable but diplomats will continue to work with him because they dont have an option. Brian Adeba, the Associate Director of Policy at the Washington-based Enough Project said more consideration should be placed on the ability of Deng to lead the opposition movement. I would reiterate that it is very important to look at Taban Deng Gai himself. Does he have the support of the rank and file of the IO, said Adeba, who added that it is the determining factor. Muoch said the majority of the opposition does not support Deng, and sees his appointment as a violation of the peace agreement. There was no SPLM in Opposition that said to replace Machar, it was only four people, he said. And SPLM-IO we all know we have 270 members of the National Liberation Council and 28 members of the political bureau, said Muoch. Speaking to VOA after the hearing, Ambassador Princeton Lyman, the former U.S. special envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, said observers should consider a comprehensive approach when considering the role of Machar. You have to remember that Ambassador Booth also talked about a more inclusive government and the question is how do you get to a more inclusive government without more of the supporters of Riek Machar, whether he is personally or otherwise is involved in the government, he said. Lyman added that it is not clear if the United States will advocate for Machars return once a regional protection force enters South Sudan. President Barack Obama said Thursday he made it clear to Southeast Asian leaders gathered in Laos that the United States will continue to stand with the people of the region. He has made re-balancing U.S. policy with a focus toward Southeast Asia a priority during his presidency, which ends in January. Obama said his hope and expectation is that his successor continues that effort. "This is where the action's going to be when it comes to commerce and trade, and ultimately creating U.S. jobs by being able to sell to this market," Obama told reporters after a meeting of leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. He said the group recognized the importance of a July international arbitration ruling dismissing China's territorial claims in the South China Sea, and the importance for those claiming parts of the disputed region to not militarize those areas or occupy uninhabited islands. "I reiterated that the United States will stand with allies and partners in upholding fundamental interests, among them the freedom of navigation and overflight, lawful commerce that is not impeded, and peaceful resolution of disputes," Obama said. North Korea Regarding North Korea's nuclear weapons program, the U.S. president said his policy has been not to reward bad behavior. "It's not as if we are looking for a problem or avoiding a willingness to engage diplomatically, but diplomacy requires that Pyongyang meet its international obligations." He pledged to continue pressuring the North Korean government while also putting in place defensive measures to ensure the U.S. and its allies are protected. Another of his administration's goals was to close the U.S. detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Nearly 800 people have been held there since 2002, but about 60 detainees remain. Obama said he is not ready to concede that some will still be there when he leaves office. "I continue to believe that Guantanamo is a recruitment tool for terrorist organizations, that it clouds and sours some of the counterterrorism cooperation that we need to engage in, and it's not necessary and it's hugely expensive for U.S. taxpayers." WATCH: Obama on South China Sea Deeper US cooperation Obama's meeting with ASEAN leaders was the eighth of his presidency. He has visited the region more than any of his predecessors. He said earlier Thursday his repeat visits reflect Asia's growing importance. Obama said the U.S. will deepen economic cooperation with nations in Asia, including promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. And he reiterated, as he has multiple times during his visit this week, that he will push for Congress to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. A White House statement on U.S.-ASEAN initiatives highlighted initiatives to promote low-carbon growth, support sustainable fisheries, increase the supply of renewable energy, and promote opportunities for women including protecting rights, holding seminars for young leaders and awarding a prize for women in science. "We'll continue to partner to strengthen global health security and fight epidemics," Obama said. "We will continue to make progress on people-to-people ties, scientific exchanges and making sure that we are are increasing continually the opportunities for our businesses, our students, our scientists, our people to work together." People in the Middle East and North Africa are still hoping for jobs, social justice and security five years after the start of the Arab Spring. And change in European Union policy towards Arab countries is needed to limit economic migration and further destabilization of the region, according to new research. The European Union can play a crucial role in stabilizing the Middle East and North Africa region and reducing migration flows if its policies focused more on fighting political and socioeconomic injustice. Those are some of the conclusions the European Commission-funded Arab Transformations Project presented Thursday in Brussels. Arab Transformations Project director Andrea Teti said EU policy does not focus on the root causes, which can further destabilize the already volatile region. "We prioritize anti-terrorism operations, domestic security, the question of migration," he said. "They do not fix inequality, social-economic inequality," he added. "They do not address or they do not succeed in addressing giving people more political voice. So, to the extent that we are currently failing on both of these fronts, political inclusion and social economic inclusion, we create conditions that create political radicalization." Demonstrators in several Middle Eastern and North African countries voiced their frustrations about unemployment, bad governance and social injustice during the Arab Spring mass protests in 2011. Several governments were toppled, but five years later, political and economic conditions have barely improved, while insecurity has increased. Teti said it is understandable the EU focuses on human rights and promoting democracy, but these are not the main issues on which respondents in the Middle East and North Africa would like to see the EU intervene. "It does not focus so much on social justice and economic rights and so on," he said. "It leaves those to trade agreements and to giving aid; but, those trade agreements, especially trade agreements, are also viewed from the Middle East as major problems - because they contribute to social economic injustice and polarization of wealth, relative poverty, rather than fixing it." The European Union is struggling to deal with a record number of incoming refugees and migrants from Arab countries. European citizens are also becoming less welcoming to them; but thousands are still risking their lives crossing the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe each month. In a deal earlier this year, the European Union agreed to give billions of dollars in aid to Turkey in return for reducing the number of migrants to EU territory. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she would like to see a similar deal with North African countries. The Arab Transformations Project study was conducted in Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Jordan and Iraq. Afghan officials say they have repulsed a major Taliban assault on the capital of central Uruzgan province, adding that a "house-to-house" search has been launched to clear it of any remaining insurgents. Taliban insurgents had fought their way into the besieged city of Tarin Kot on Thursday morning, triggering fierce battles with Afghan security forces, according to local authorities and insurgents. The Taliban made some advances, but Afghan forces swiftly pushed them back in a counteroffensive, General Mohammad Ramdish of the Defense Ministry in Kabul told VOA. "A house-to-house search operation is currently underway to clear the city of remaining insurgents," the general said. He added that "a number of police commanders" suspected of helping Taliban assailants had been taken into custody. The rebels have not commented on the official claims. Air support impeded Earlier, a spokesman for the Taliban claimed its fighters captured large parts of the provincial capital and were engaged in pitched battles with Afghan forces. Fighting reportedly raged around the police headquarters, the main prison facility and governors office. Provincial officials said they were unable to call in airstrikes to halt the insurgent advances, fearing collateral damage because Taliban assailants had occupied civilian areas of the city. Local media reported foreign fighter planes and military advisers also have taken part in the counteroffensive. "We are aware of the media reports surrounding the current fighting in Uruzgan," Colonel Michael Lawhorn, a spokesman for the NATOs Resolute Support mission in Kabul, told VOA. "Resolute Support continues to conduct our train, advise and assist mission and support our Afghan partners with enablers as needed, he said. As this is an ongoing operation, we're not able to provide additional details at this time." The Taliban earlier this week launched coordinated attacks on Tarin Kot, and overran key security outposts before entering the city early on Thursday. Taliban fighters from surrounding Helmand and Kandahar provinces arrived in large numbers overnight to push for the control of the city, outnumbering government forces there, according to local media. No reliable casualty reports were available immediately, though both sides claimed to have inflicted heavy losses. Battlefield expands Afghan forces, assisted by American advisers from Resolute Support, have mostly focused this year on defending urban centers in Helmand and several northern provinces, including Kunduz, where the Taliban has launched frequent assaults and made significant territorial gains. But the Islamist insurgency has recently opened new war fronts in parts of eastern, southeastern and central Afghanistan, putting pressure on already strained Afghan security forces. The commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, revealed last week that in July alone more than 900 Afghan soldiers and policemen were killed while battling the Taliban insurgency. In the wake of intensified conflict and mounting pressures on Afghan refugees in neighboring Pakistan, more than 1 million people in Afghanistan are anticipated to be on the move by the end of this year, according to the United Nations. An estimated 1.2 million people already have been displaced from their homes. "If the current trends persist and the security situation continues to remain the same or worsen, the new arrivals will likely compound the already overstretched housing and essential services capacity in many of the main urban centers," the U.N. office in Kabul reported. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump praised Russian President Vladimir Putin Wednesday, saying he has been more of a leader than U.S. President Barack Obama. During an NBC News forum in which he was interviewed separately from Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, Trump said he thinks as president he would have a "very good relationship with Putin." He also said Russia and the U.S. have a joint interest in defeating Islamic State. "Russia wants to defeat ISIS as badly as we do," he said. "If we had a relationship with Russia wouldn't it be wonderful if we could work on it together and knock the hell out of ISIS?" He further criticized U.S. military action in Iraq under Obama, saying generals "have not been successful." Trump repeated his assertion that the U.S. should have seized oil from Iraq. "If we would have taken the oil, you wouldn't have ISIS, because ISIS formed with the power and wealth of that oil." As a major party candidate, Trump has received confidential intelligence briefings meant to ensure that the next leader is up to speed on issues when Obama leaves office in January. When asked if he was shocked by anything he heard, Trump said Obama, Clinton and Secretary of State John Kerry did the opposite of what intelligence experts told them. "I am very good with body language. I could tell, they were not happy our leaders did not follow what they were recommending," he said. Trump also touted his "great judgment" and said he was "totally against the war in Iraq." Obama responded to Trump's criticism during a news conference Thursday in Laos, saying the Republican candidate is not qualified to be president and has "either uninformed or contradictory or outright wacky ideas." "This is serious business, and you have to actually know what you're talking about," Obama said. The president is a Democrat and has campaigned for Clinton during the race to take his place when he leaves office in January. On Iraq, Clinton said her decision to vote in favor of the war while she was a senator was a mistake, but that it is important to learn from mistakes. She also pushed back against Trump's repeated assertions during the campaign that he opposed the 2003 invasion. "He supported it before it happened, he supported it as it was happening, and he is on the record as supporting it after it happened," Clinton said. "I have taken responsibility for my decision. He refuses to take responsibility for his support. That is a judgment issue." Clinton said the most important quality in a president is steadiness and the strength to make hard decisions. "What you want in a president, a commander in chief, is someone who listens, who evaluates what is being told to him or her, who is able to sort out the very difficult options being presented, and then makes the decision," she said. She has faced criticism and investigations for her use of a private email system while serving as secretary of state during Obama's first term. Investigators said she was "extremely careless" but that criminal charges were not warranted. "It was something that should not have been done," she said, adding that there was no evidence her system was hacked. Clinton called the fight against Islamic State the top counterterrorism goal, advocating using air power and getting more support from Arabs and Kurds fighting on the ground while also supporting the Iraqi military. She said no U.S. ground troops would go to Iraq or Syria. In general, she said she would make sure the members of the military were prepared for any challenge they faced, but that she would consider carefully before putting them in harm's way. "I view force as a last resort, not a first choice," she said. Clinton also called the Iran nuclear agreement one of the most important strategic questions and said she does not think the U.S. is being taken advantage of by the Iranian government. "I think we have enough insight into what they're doing to be able to say we have to distrust but verify," she said. "What I am focused on is all the other malicious activities of the Iranians -- ballistic missiles, support for terrorists, being involved in Syria, Yemen and other places, supporting Hezbollah, Hamas." Trump and Clinton will more directly face off in their first presidential debate on September 26. There will be two more debates in October ahead of the November 8 election. One day before North Carolina becomes the first U.S. state to begin early voting for the November 8 presidential election, state officials there have generally ruled in favor of Republican proposals governing the casting of ballots before Election Day. The North Carolina Board of Elections heard disputes Thursday in 33 of the states 100 counties where local boards failed to present unanimous plans, and it ruled that early voting hours would be reduced in 23 counties compared with the amounts of time allowed in the 2008 presidential election. In contrast, early voting hours were increased in 70 counties. A particularly contentious issue in North Carolina has been whether to allow Sunday voting, which has historically been especially beneficial for African-American voters. Most African-American voters are Democrats, and many of them in North Carolina have participated in traditional mass early voting drives after Sunday church services. Twenty-one counties allowed Sunday voting four years ago, but it was eliminated Thursday in nine counties and left intact in 12 others. Ruling on 2013 law Thursdays decisions came in response to a ruling issued in July by a federal appeals court that nullified most of North Carolinas 2013 voting law. The ruling said the law suppressed African-American voter turnout with almost surgical precision. The law, approved by a Republican-majority legislature, established stringent voter identification conditions, reduced early voting hours, and abolished same-day registration, out-of-precinct voting and early registration for those under age 18. The court reinstated a week of early voting the law had eliminated, but it allowed local election officials to determine the number of polling sites and voting hours. This allowed the local boards, all of which have Republican majorities, to reduce voting hours below what they were during the presidential election four years ago. Key state North Carolina, in the Southeastern U.S., is a battleground state being targeted by the presidential campaigns of Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump. President Barack Obama, a Democrat, narrowly won in North Carolina during his second presidential run in 2008. Clinton on Thursday visited Charlotte, a major commercial hub in the western part of North Carolina. Speaking at Johnson C. Smith University, a historically African-American institution, Clinton decried Republican-led efforts to change North Carolinas early voting rules, describing them as underhanded and mean-spirited and a blast from the Jim Crow past. Clinton said that if elected president, she would reverse a concerted effort to undermine the right to vote by working to expand early voting and ensuring all people are automatically registered to vote when they reach 18. Trump is scheduled to return to North Carolina on Monday, his second visit in less than a week. On Tuesday, Trump appeared at a rally in Greenville, where he vowed to restore jobs in the state. Clinton in front The latest polls show Clinton holding a slight 44.3 percent-to- 43.8 percent lead over Trump in North Carolina, according to Real Clear Politics polling average. North Carolina is the first of 37 states and the District of Columbia to allow residents to vote by mail-in absentee ballots or at polling sites before Election Day. In the last presidential election in 2008, more than 45 million people, or 35 percent of the electorate, cast ballots before November 8. Although early voting on the state level does not begin until Friday, absentee ballots have already been cast by some federal employees who are deployed overseas. Early votes will not be tallied until Election Day. To determine what the voting requirements are in North Carolina or in any other U.S. state or territory, check here. Two North Carolina men were arrested Thursday and charged in connection with a computer hacker network that allegedly targeted CIA Director John Brennan and other senior government officials. Federal prosecutors in Alexandria said Andrew Otto Boggs, 22, known online as INCURSIO, of North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, and Justin Gray Liverman, 24, also known as D3F4ULT, of Morehead City, North Carolina, were charged and will make initial appearances next week. Prosecutors say Boggs and Liverman were members of a hacking group called Crackas With Attitude. Beginning in October, the hackers gained access to personal online accounts of senior U.S. government officials. The officials are not identified in a 37-page affidavit. Earlier this year, British authorities arrested a 16-year-old boy who they said used the name Cracka to target Brennan and others. The affidavit cites email exchanges in which Boggs tells another individual, I want to carry on (Cracka's) legacy if or when he is arrested. I know he'll receive a harsh sentence because our government doesn't like being embarrassed. According to the affidavit, Boggs and Liverman lived in their respective parents' homes. They used the hacked accounts to send harassing messages to their victims. While Brennan is not named in the affidavit, he appears to be Victim 1. The affidavit states that Victim 1's emails were released by WikiLeaks on Oct. 21, 2015, which corresponds with a WikiLeaks disclosure pertaining to Brennan. In one exchange, Boggs tells Cracka that he wants to hack Victim 1's agency because I've been looking for evidence of aliens, according to the affidavit. Authorities also accuse the hackers of calling in a false bomb threat to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's office in Florida earlier this year. Online court records do not list attorneys for Boggs or Liverman. The United States does not believe Riek Machar, South Sudan's former first vice president, should return to his government position, given continuing instability in the country, Washington's special envoy for South Sudan said Wednesday. Nearly three years ago, political rivalry between South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, and Machar, a Nuer, sparked a civil war that has often followed ethnic lines. The pair signed a shaky peace deal a year ago but fighting continues, including attacks on South Sudanese and foreign civilians. Machar has fled the country. "Given all that has happened, we do not believe it would be wise for Machar to return to his previous position in Juba," Special Envoy Donald Booth said at a U.S. House of Representatives hearing. "But this cannot become a justification for President Kiir to monopolize power and stifle dissenting political voices," Booth testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Africa subcommittee. Calls for sanctions Continuing instability and violence in the African country, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, has angered U.S. lawmakers. During the hearing, several U.S. lawmakers called for international sanctions to be imposed on individuals blamed for the ongoing violence. "There must be consequences for those who are found guilty," said New Jersey Republican Representative Chris Smith, the subcommittee's chairman. Booth described growing anti-American sentiment in South Sudan. But he said it was not clear that an attack on U.S. Embassy vehicles on July 7 had targeted Americans. A two-vehicle embassy convoy taking U.S. personnel to their residential compound passed South Sudan's presidential palace in Juba about 9 p.m. that day, just an hour after a clash between forces loyal to Machar and Kiir, the State Department told reporters Wednesday. Some soldiers of the South Sudan army approached the U.S. Embassy vehicles outside the palace and attempted to open the door, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said. Feeling threatened, the convoy accelerated away and the soldiers fired on the cars, which were armored so no U.S. personnel were hurt. Toner said the soldiers were "very tense, and if I could say it, a little trigger happy." One of the embassy vehicles became disabled following the shooting, and U.S. Marines from the embassy were sent to pick them up and escort them home. Probe demanded U.S. Ambassador Mary Phee met the following day with Kiir and demanded that the government investigate the incident, find those responsible for the shooting and hold them accountable, Toner said. Kiir agreed and the investigation is ongoing, he said. Toner said the department did not believe U.S. Embassy personnel had been deliberately targeted, and it was not clear whether the troops realized they were firing at an embassy vehicle, despite a laminated flag and diplomatic plates. "We're not forgiving it and we're certainly not overlooking it," Toner said. "They opened fire on an embassy convoy and that is inexcusable. But ... there had been an altercation, fighting, in the runup to this convoy passing and ... they were very tense." Booth said Kiir and Machar would not work together to implement a peace agreement or set up security arrangements to prevent a return to fighting, and both lost control of their forces. Booth was also questioned about the possibility of a U.N. arms embargo against South Sudan. On Sunday, the government of South Sudan agreed to accept 4,000 extra peacekeepers in a bid to avoid an arms embargo threatened by the U.N. Security Council. Washington and Beijings longstanding agreement on the need to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear ambitions is, analysts say, splintering over rising tensions in the region and diverging national interests. American and South Korean officials, as well as analysts from China and Russia, addressed the increasingly complex security situation on the Korean peninsula at the Seoul Defense Dialogue on Thursday, organized by the South Korean Ministry of Defense. Stay the course Kim Hong-kyun, the South Korean Special Representative for Korean Peace and Security Affairs, called for continued international support to pressure the Kim Jong Un government to curb its defiant and continued development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. Pyongyang may believe that if it persists in conducting these provocations on a routine basis the international community will somehow accept them as a given reality but they cant be more wrong, Kim said. The latest round of United Nations sanctions caused economic pain, especially, Kim said, in trade, shipping and finance. However, since the new restrictions were imposed in March, North Korea has conducted 20 tests of short and medium range missiles, including submarine-based launches, advancing its capability to reach the U.S. mainland with a nuclear strike. Both Kim and U.S. Undersecretary of Defense David Shear noted that diplomatic outreach is at a standstill as both Seoul and Washington demand that Pyongyang first take significant action to dismantle its nuclear program before any talks can occur. Unfortunately, today there have been no credible signs that North Korea is ready to move down this path, Shear said. China For sanctions to be effective, Chinas support remains crucial as it is North Koreas economic lifeline. Nearly 90 percent of all North Korean trade flows through China. Shi Yinhong, a professor of international relations at Renmin University in China, said officials in Beijing have doubts that sanctions alone will force Pyongyang to change. He noted that Chinas temporary halt of aid and energy supplies after North Koreas 2013 nuclear test seemed not to have any effect, other than to damage relations between the traditional allies. What has China received from such a hardline approach? We have still not changed their radical attitude towards nuclear weapons, Shi said. Shi expects Beijing to maintain its current enforcement level of sanctions that critics say is lax, but will likely deviate from Washingtons stance by opening new avenues of unconditional dialogue to improve Sino-North Korean relations. THAAD Regional concerns over Chinas military build-up in the South China Sea, conflicting claims between China and Japan over the Senkaku islands, and Beijings opposition to the U.S. and South Korean decision to deploy the THAAD (Terminal High-altitude Area Defense) missile defense system are making cooperation on North Korea more difficult. Beijing sees THAAD in particular as part of the U.S. military pivot to Asia, and Douglas Paal, the Vice President for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said China could retaliate against South Korea to establish its regional dominance. China seems to be bent on a two-track policy, treat the U.S. with a certain amount of respect, avoid provocation, but teach lessons to Chinas neighbors that they need to be more obedient towards China, Paal said. Feodor Voitolovskiy of Russias Institute of World Economy and International Relations, said Moscow sees its deployment as a confrontational move by the U.S. even though THAADs powerful radar poses no real threat to Russia. This system is one more barrier - political, military barrier - which is being built between China and American allies in Asia Pacific, (and) between Russia and American allies in the Asia Pacific, Voitolovskiy said. Professor Shi said protecting North Korea has become more important for China to counterbalance the growing American military presence on the Korean peninsula. Paal said he does not expect any further movement to resolve the growing North Korean security crisis initiatives until after the U.S. presidential election in November. No matter who becomes the next president, he said, there will likely be an evaluation of the current policies and new efforts made to either increase pressure on Pyongyang or begin talks. Youmi Kim in Seoul contributed to this report. The guard room of the leader's house was targetted and officials said militants also snatched a weapon from the guard in D.H. Pora village of Kulgam district. By India Today Web Desk: Amid the ongoing unrest in Kashmir, National Conference party leader Abdul Gani's house was attacked by unknown people in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir. The guard room of the leader's house was targetted and officials said militants also snatched a weapon from the guard in D.H. Pora village of Kulgam district. In another incident, militants attacked a police station in south Kashmir's Pulwama district, resulting in firing exchanges between the security forces and the militants. advertisement A senior police officer said militants attacked the Pulwama police station with grenades and automatic gunfire. "Firing exchanges started immediately after the attack between the security forces and the militants. Further details are awaited," the officer said. With inputs from IANS --- ENDS --- The United States is working with partners in the private sector on a program to combat the Islamic State group's extremist message on social media and the internet. Despite military defeats across Iraq and Syria, IS continues to expand its online presence, using the web to recruit members and spread its violent ideology, especially through the encrypted app Telegram. U.S. officials have tried varying strategies to counter that message, with admittedly mixed results. One of the Obama administration's latest approaches, initiated by an affiliate of Google, seeks to disrupt IS online recruiting efforts by targeted advertising algorithms and the use of YouTube's video platform to dissuade people from enlisting with IS. Some details of the pilot program were discussed this week during a meeting at the Brookings Institution in Washington. The program, to officially launch later this month, will place advertisements on computer users' screens when certain keywords are searched. The goal is to target those who have already developed an interest in online content disseminated by IS, experts said. The ads will present the voices of influential people countering Islamic State's message. "Citizen journalists, imams and defectors are credible voices that can answer questions that IS is raising," said Yasmin Green, head of research and development at Jigsaw, a Google-owned company spearheading the project. Countering IS messages The goal is to present a targeted audience with a counter-message for each message IS produces online, developers say. "We take [anti-IS] online content and synthesize it into a more coherent narrative," said Ross Frenett, director of Moonshot CVE, a tech startup involved in the new program that specializes in countering violent extremism. U.S. government officials say the effort shows the importance of involving the private sector in the counter-messaging campaign against IS and other extremist groups. "There is a tremendous overlap interest between the U.S. government and tech companies," said Richard Stengel, the State Department's undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs. Twitter recently announced it has suspended more than 360,000 of its users' accounts during the past year because they were associated with terrorist groups or messages. With IS moving to encrypted social media platforms such as Telegram, U.S. officials say it is important for technology companies to refine their strategy for detecting those users who advocate extremism. "The method that Jigsaw is pioneering is particularly useful because it is competing [with IS] in this very narrow, targeted space," Stengel said. Questionable results The U.S. initiative echoes efforts in Europe, where many countries are marshaling public and private resources to oppose IS online. "There are quiet pools of researchers and pundits who work on the subject, and European governments have moved toward this direction, and it is in the interest of U.S. government to work with them in terms of tackling issues they are facing, without reinventing the wheel," said Marie Lamensch, who focuses on IS social media strategies as a senior researcher at the Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies in Montreal. The new public/private anti-IS project grew out of the State Department's establishment of a Global Engagement Center earlier this year to combat Islamic State's "violent extremist messaging." That shifted some of the focus away from government-led efforts to counter IS and placed greater emphasis on working with communities and local organizations. The goal was to find and amplify voices that might better resonate with young people seen to be vulnerable to IS propaganda. U.S. officials admitted last month that they are not sure the programs are making headway against IS online, and said the IS social-media presence continues to thrive. "This arguably is the most complex challenge that the federal government and industry face," George Selim, director of the office for community partnerships at the Department of Homeland Security, said in July. Uzbekistan's parliament on Thursday appointed the country's prime minister to be the new acting president, replacing Islam Karimov, the longtime authoritarian head of state, who died of a stroke recently at the age of 78. An exiled Uzbek opposition leader immediately denounced the move as unconstitutional. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who served as Karimov's prime minister since 2003, was appointed in a joint session of the upper and lower houses of parliament, making him the favorite to win Uzbekistan's next presidential election, set to take place within the next three months. Muhammad Salih, leader of the banned Erk (Freedom) Democratic Party, who has been living in exile in Istanbul, Turkey for more than a decade, told Russia's privately-owned TV Rain on Thursday that the Uzbek parliament's move was a "gross violation of the constitution" and a "silent coup" carried out for "the usurpation of power." According to Article 96 of Uzbekistan's constitution, the chairman of the upper chamber of parliament, Nigmatilla Yuldashev, should have been named the new acting president, but he declined, TV Rain reported. The television channel quoted Salih as saying Yuldashev may have been pressured or even blackmailed to refuse accepting the post of acting president. Dannil Kislov, chief editor of Fergana, an independent Uzbek information agency, told TV Rain that the parliament's decision was a shock for local Uzbek officials and observers in the capital, Tashkent, who were certain Yuldashev would become the new acting president. Kislov said that under Uzbek law, Yuldashev was required to accept the appointment. Authorities in Mexicos southwestern state of Michoacan say gunmen shot down a police helicopter this week in a remote area where narcotics traffickers operate. The pilot and three police officers died in the crash, the worst such incident in Mexico since a military helicopter crash last year that killed 10 people. The incident Tuesday in Michoacan comes at a time of increasing violence in Mexico from drug cartels fighting each other as well as law enforcement groups. Homicides on the rise in Mexico While Mexicos organized crime groups have always engaged in violence, there was a dramatic rise in murders after President Felipe Calderon assumed office in 2006 and began a war on criminal gangs. By the time Calderon left office in 2012, the murder count had gone well over 20,000 per year. Under his successor, President Enrique Pena Nieto, the murder toll began to subside, but still remains well above 18,000 per year. Recorded homicides in Mexico during the first six months of this year represent a 15 percent rise over the same period last year. According to Mexicos National Board of Statistics, the murder rate last year was 16.9 per 100,000. By comparison, the national U.S. murder rate is around 4.5 per 100,000. Balkanization of drug cartels Crime experts see various reasons for the uptick in violence, including the imprisonment of Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin Chapo Guzman, which has led to fighting to fill the leadership vacuum. But there are other factors as well. Tristan Reed is an international crime expert who keeps a special watch on Mexico for Stratfor, a global intelligence company headquartered in Austin, Texas. In a VOA interview, he explained how Mexican crime organizations have become more tightly identified with certain regions. Fragmentation, what we call the balkanization of organized crime in Mexico, is a trend that has been going on for decades now, Reed said. Before 1980, the most powerful organized crime group in Mexico was based in the city of Guadalajara, in Jalisco state in central Mexico. But it fragmented into a number of other groups. Now, Reed said, smaller gangs have emerged in the states that produce most of the drugs being smuggled. In the area known as Tierra Caliente, (the hot land), in Michoacan state, these groups operate on their own, but exist under the same geographic umbrella, as do gangs operating in particular regions in other parts of the country. There are distinct organizations that may be fighting with each other, that may be allied with groups from different regions. But ultimately the groups within each umbrella are fairly tight-knit in terms of operations, and allegiances and rivalries can emerge overnight because of that. In the past these groups were mainly focused on producing heroin and marijuana, but Reed said they now have their own smuggling operations on the border, and have even set up distribution centers in Texas and other states. Government efforts to stem violence When Pena Nieto came to power, Reed said, he promised a different approach to fighting organized crime, to reduce the violence plaguing innocent civilians in areas dominated by the criminal groups. Violence did subside for a time, but Reed said the president ended up essentially using the same tactics as his predecessor - mainly relying on the military. Reed said this tactic has produced benefits, disrupting criminal groups by removing their top bosses and securing some areas, but it does not end the lucrative drug trade or end the rivalries between gangs. A simple deployment of troops can quell violence for a good period of time, but as soon as the military leaves you see violence resume, Reed said. Drugs' impact on the United States Control of the border with Mexico has become a major issue in the current U.S. presidential election. Republican candidate Donald Trump promises to build a wall more than 3,000 kilometers long, covering the entire border. But even that would probably not deter drug smugglers, who have shown themselves to be very inventive, by tunneling under existing walls and fences and hiding drugs in legitimate shipments sent over the border. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administrations 2015 National Drug Threat Assessment, indicates that more than 46,000 people in the United States die each year from drug abuse, compared to around 35,000 deaths in automobile accidents and 33,000 deaths associated with firearms. The same report indicates heroin from Mexico is responsible for a large part of overdose deaths and that Mexican transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) remain the greatest criminal drug threat to the United States. The Mexican cartels once lucrative marijuana trade has diminished somewhat since several U.S. states legalized its use and allowed it to be grown. At the same time, the demand for opioid drugs in the United States has increased as a result of what many health experts say was over-prescription of powerful pain killers. Over the past decade or so, according to U.S. officials, heroin smuggling from Mexico has doubled, and that dangerously addictive derivative of opium is now much cheaper and easier to obtain in almost all parts of the United States than are the prescription drugs that have made so many people dependent upon them. Yosemite National Park on Wednesday announced its largest expansion in seven decades with the donation by a conservancy group of a large meadow surrounded by trees that will be home to dozens of endangered species. Ackerson Meadow at the western edge of the current park was purchased from a private couple earlier this year by the Trust for Public Land for $2.3 million and donated to the National Park Service, a Yosemite spokeswoman said. The gift of 400 acres (161.87 hectares) of land marks the largest expansion of Yosemite, which was first protected in 1864 and encompasses nearly 1,200 square miles (3,107.99 sq km) in central California, since 1949. "It's a big open meadow surrounded by forest land. We're very excited. This pristine meadow is going to provide habitat for a number of protected species," park spokeswoman Jamie Richards said. Among them are two endangered species of owls. Among the major contributors to the purchase were the nonprofit Yosemite Conservancy, the National Park Trust and American Rivers. According to the park, the land is especially important because it consists of a meadow. While just three percent of Yosemite National Park is meadows, they are home to some one-third of the plant species found there. Frank Dean, president of the Yosemite Conservancy, said in a statement that Ackerson Meadow had been included in the original boundary plans for the park, which was inspired by the advocacy of Scottish-American naturalist John Muir. "Donating the largest addition since 1949 to one of the world's most famous parks is a great way to celebrate the 100th birthday of our National Park Service and honor John Muir's original vision for the park," said Will Rogers, President of The Trust for Public Land. Yosemite, considered one of the crown jewels of America's national park system, regularly ranks among the top U.S. tourist attractions. The park saw a record 4.3 million visitors in 2015. High Court judge Justice Chinembiri Bhunu on Thursday postponed the sentencing of three members of the Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai, who were recently found guilty of killing a policeman during riots in 2011. Bhunu postponed the sentencing of Last Maengehama, Tungamirai Madzokere and Yyvonne Musarurwa, who are facing the death penalty, for two weeks following strong arguments against stiffer sentences by their lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa. They were convicted of murdering Assistant Police Inspector Petros Mutedza in public protests staged in Harares Glen View suburb by MDC-T members in 2011. It still remains to be seen whether the three will be sentenced to death as one of the countrys vice presidents, Emmerson Mnangagwa, opposes such punishment. He once faced the hang mans noose under the colonial Ian Smith regime when he fought against colonialism. Their co-accused, Pheneus Nhatarikwa, was granted bail. Meanwhile, pro-democracy activists Linda Masarire, Promise Mkwananzi of Tajamuka-Sesijikile Campaign and Kerina Gweshe, who were arrested for spearheading protests against the deteriorating social and economic situation in Zimbabwe and President Robert Mugabes rule, have approached the courts to seek bail. They have been denied bail several times. On Thursday, Harare magistrate Stan Mambanje presided over the trial of Masarira and 10 others, who were arrested following a complete shutdown of Zimbabwe in July this year led by exiled Pastor Evan Mawarires #thisflag Movement and Tajamuka. They are facing accusations of with obstructing the free flow of traffic during the protests. The trial will continue at Mbare Magistrates Court on Friday. The 11 are being represented by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights member, Kudzayi Kadzere. Masarira has been languishing in prison ever since her arrest on 6 July 2016, but the other accused persons are remanded out of custody. At the same time Tajamuka-Sesijikile Campaign national spokesperson Promise Mkwanazi, who was arrested and charged with public violence in connection a protest on alleged police brutality on August 24 in Harare, is set to appear in court Friday to appeal for bail at the High Court. Gweshe and three others will also appear before a Justice Musakwa for a bail appeal on the same day. Ellen DeGeneres put together an emotional package on her show this morning featuring Tony Marrero, who survived the worst mass shooting in U.S. history, when a gunman opened fire in the Orlando gay nightclub Pulse, killing 49 people. Marrero was shot four times in the back, and lost his friend Luis Vielma who went out with him that night. And because this wouldnt be a daytime show without some improbable wish-granting, Ellen surprised Marrero with the gift of Katy Perry. Marrero says that her song Rise helped him through his recovery (and annoyed his boyfriend a lot!). So heres Katy Perry! And yes, everybodys crying! Its fine! Photo: GP Images/WireImage The best part of attending an actors career retrospective is getting to see a famous person forced to rewatch his own work in front of an audience, in real time. At last nights TIFF Soiree, the Toronto Film Festivals pre-opening-night fundraising event, honoree Michael Fassbender did not disappoint, particularly when he started cringing and rubbing his face with embarrassment during a clip of himself as Magneto nearly taking down a plane while in a rage against James McAvoys Professor X in a scene from X-Men: Days of Future Past. I dont actually like that performance there, to be honest, Fassbender said as the lights came up. I just think its me shouting. Its just like he made an angry face and flailed his arms around some dude shouting. Too late now! said moderator and TIFF artistic director Cameron Bailey. I know, said Fassbender, laughing and burying his head in his hands. Tell me about it. He had a better time watching himself getting screamed at by Charlize Theron as android David in Ridley Scotts Prometheus. I like the way I finished that sentence, he said, laughing, and explained hed based his characters androgynous robot physicality on David Bowie and, of all people, Olympic diving great Greg Louganis. My mom was a fan of Greg Louganis and I just remember watching the Olympics thinking his walk [to the diving platform] was so funny and mesmerizing, the economy of movement. So why was Fassbender putting himself through this? For one, its a good cause: TIFF is actually a year-round charitable organization that connects youth in underserved Toronto communities with the film community in a variety of ways, such as providing free transportation to TIFF events, hosting workshops around the city, and bringing screenings and directors to mental hospitals. But the prospect of public humiliation also seems to turn Fassbender on. He admitted that he often doesnt get to see his own movies until their film festival premieres, when hes sitting with an audience and all eyes are on him, and he LOVES it. I get off on it a little bit, he said with a grin. Its nice when the sort of nerves and excitement are at maximum and you get to experience it with a very passionate audience and theyre usually very honest as well, so you get the full effect, as it were. (Sadly, Bailey didnt ask him what it was like sitting in an audience watching himself pee and have sex against the windows of the Standard Hotel in Shame.) What else did we learn about Fassy in the nearly two-hour discussion? If he were a superhero, hed mostly fall asleep at inopportune times. Im a great power napper, Fassbender said when Bailey asked how he conserves his energy on long shoots. Having been a mutant with superhero powers, that is my real superhero power. I could do it now. I could just lie down on the stage, if it goes that way. There is the downside to it, when I get tired, I have to sleep. I cant keep awake. If we can have a super-movie featuring a guy who throws boomerangs, surely theres room for a power-napper. He makes a really bad first impression. When he was a struggling 30-year-old actor (it wasnt like my door was getting knocked down with offers or anything) and met with Steve McQueen about playing IRA hunger-striker Bobby Sands in Hunger, he thought the meeting went great! Then I later found out that he hated me, said Fassy. I think he thought I was arrogant. I guess I was a little defensive. I hadnt been working a lot, and I dont know how I came across in the room. I thought I came across well, but that just goes to show how much I know. McQueens impression of Fassbender was so bad, in fact, that he only let him come back to read for the part after a lot of pleading and convincing from people who told him he wouldnt regret it. If acting doesnt work out, he could always be a mime. Much has been made of Fassbenders unique physicality onscreen, and a lot of it has to do with how, starting at 17, he used to go around to pubs doing pantomime. Fun fact: You can trace his part in Inglourious Basterds back to when he produced, directed, and starred as Mr. Pink in a stage version of Reservoir Dogs he and his friends put on in a nightclub. Shoes are the most important part of getting into character for him. Hes not sure why, but once he has the shoes figured out, everything else falls into place. It grounds me from the feet up. He went barefoot, and sometimes pants-less, to play sadistic plantation owner Edwin Epps, because he thought it helped convey Eppss dangerous lack of smarts and the intense boredom of being in charge of a plantation where your nearest neighbor is miles away. Somebody offer him a comedy already! He told Bailey hes dying to do one, but maybe people dont think of me that way, he said, laughing. He actually met Seth Rogen long before they worked together on Jobs because he was a fan of Rogens work. I think I threw a blueberry at him at one of these dinners, and he was at a table across the way, so that was our introduction, Fassbender said. So when we were on Jobs, he said, I thought wed work together at some point.. . on one of my movies! So maybe at some point. Hunger is still the film with the most personal resonance for him. I was just so hungry! he said, in more ways than one. For one thing, he left the production for ten weeks so he could go off on his own and lose enough weight to look like he was starving (it was a very solitary and profound experience), and then came back to shoot the final scene. But he was also hungry to be a real actor, the kind who didnt have to do pantomime in pubs, and this was his first chance to play a lead role onscreen. I really wanted to do this for a living and I got this opportunity to play a lead role in a film, and I really wanted to make sure that I grabbed that opportunity with both hands, he said. So he took nearly two months to learn the movies centerpiece 23-minute, one-take scene between Sands and Father Moran (Liam Cunningham) now considered one of the classic scenes in cinema history. Fassbender admitted that hes really slow at learning lines, so he likes to show up to set having memorized the entire script; it allows him to be looser on the day. That scene The Scene, as its know among those in awe of it was 27 or 28 pages long, to be filmed all at once. For comparison, Fassbender said that on a Marvel film he might shoot two pages of dialogue a day, and thats considered fast. McQueen didnt tell them he wanted to shoot the scene in one take until Cunningham arrived on set. Cunningham went into a panic; Fassbender asked his scene partner to move into the two-bedroom flat he was staying in. We got up every morning, cooked porridge, and we started rehearsing, says Fassbender. We did it every day for 11 days and had people bring lunch to us. The goal was to do it ten to 15 times a day and then Steve would come in in the evening and watch us, give us some notes, next day same thing. The morning they shot it, I remember it very clearly, it was a Wednesday, said Fassbender, and we ran the whole 23 minutes and in four takes we were done. The producers had wanted McQueen to shoot coverage, or film the scene from each characters perspective, rather than just a two-shot of them sitting at the table, and we did about two minutes of those and Steve was like, I dont want to do this. Its a oner. We should all just go home. It was about 12:30 in the afternoon. Fassbender remembers some objections from the producers, and some unintelligible yelling, and seeing McQueens hands up in the air, and that was it. We all went home. He considered maiming himself to get out of playing Steve Jobs. Asked by an audience member what his most difficult movie had been, Fassbender said Steve Jobs, without hesitation, and blamed Aaron Sorkin for all of it. He wrote all that stuff! said Fassbender. It was so dense! It was such a mountain, and Im a slow learner, so when the script arrived for me and the opportunity came to play the part, I really thought, This is not me. This should be somebody else. Its a miscast scenario. He only relented after his dad and his agent convinced him to go for it. But in rehearsals I was trying to find a way to get out of the job, he said. I remember telling my driver, If I put my arm in the door, you should slam it. It should cause a break and it should get me out of this gig. Instead, he wound up going back to his hotel and learning more lines. Boring! After India Today exposed the exploitation meted out in Uttar Pradesh's Kasna jail, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav lauded team's efforts for bringing the issue to the fore. In video grab: Jail authorities can be seen beating a prisoner with a club. By India Today Web Desk: After India Today exposed atrocities meted out against prisoners in Greater Noida's Kasna Jail, Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav congratulated the team on the revelation. DEVELOPMENTS In addition, Noida DM NP Singh ordered probe into the matter and said that strict action will be taken against those involved in the case. advertisement UP Jail Minister Balwant Singh Ramowalia called a meeting in Lucknow on the Kasna Jail expose. Adg Jail GL MEENA said, "Even if they are old videos, we will take action against officers involved in this. Investigation will be done by DIG from different range so that there would be no influence of alleged officers." WHAT HAPPENED The crime team of India Today recorded the cycle of torture and exploitation carried out viciously against the inmates in what Uttar Pradesh advertises as the model prison. The footage shows Akram Khan, a deputy jailer, beating the soles of an inmate with a club, a degrading and oppressive torture technique common in Middle-Eastern countries. Khan was assisted by lifers, who held the feet of the victim in bamboo poles, and chief warden Shoorveer Singh Yadav. Ajay Bholaram, who is a former inmate of the Kasna jail, told India Today that such brutality was routine in the prison. He also alleged that prison staff yanked off his toenail when he was serving his sentence. Inmates, he claimed, were subject to foot whipping if they didn't bribe the jail authorities. Watch the video here ALSO READ: Exposed: UP's hell prison where inmates suffer vicious torture and corruption --- ENDS --- If the first episode of Queen Sugar left you wondering whether Nova was a force to be reckoned with, Evergreen will remove any lingering doubt. Although this episode focuses on Charley being a fish out of water, we also get a clearer picture of Novas ethics, both as a journalist and as a southern woman. At Ernests house, Charley finds several letters from a man named Remy Newell (Dondre Whitfield). He and Ernest were close, so Charley wants to reach out to him to learn how her fathers farm wound up in such trouble. Before she leaves, a group of white men arrive and begin inspecting the land uninvited. The very sketchy Samuel Landry (David Jensen) approaches, calling her Ernests California Girl, to talk about potentially selling the farm. When Charley finally meets with Remy and recovers from the shock of finding him both young and good-looking, she tries to ask him about Landry, but he gently shuts her down. He doesnt want to talk about that man in public. Landry looks shadier and shadier by the moment. When it comes to funeral planning, however, Charley is a little out of her depth. When the siblings go to the funeral home to make arrangements, Nova negotiates a more economical package, which Charley insists on paying for. The three argue about how to cover the costs. Even though Ralph Angel doesnt have any money, he resents them for acting like he cant contribute. They settle on a compromise: Charley will pay half, and theyll pick a white casket for Ernest because Nova wants to let light send him back to the light. Its the first thing they all agree on instantly. When Nova moves to sew a mysterious pouch in the lining of the casket, the funeral home director steps in, insisting its a floor model and his is a Christian establishment. Both sisters shoot him a death glare. Ralph Angel walks forward, the muscle of the crew, and the funeral director backs down. The Bordelon siblings are still learning how to come together as a family, but they dont hesitate to unite when an outsider stands in their way. We see this when Novas editor pushes her to abandon an expose about environmental racism and lead poisoning so she can write about Davis Wests alleged rape scandal. Nova refuses to be a source. She will not break her familys trust to score eyes for the local paper. This type of unity will serve them well, especially as people like Landry try to sink their claws into Bordelon land. Charley and Nova pick out fresh seafood for the repast, and Nova is surprised that her sister cant remember how to pick the best fish. Back at Violets, a group of servers arrive; Charley hired them to pass out food, and its all too much for Nova to handle. Shes tired of Charley throwing money around to soothe grief. Beyond the accents, the slang, and the shows geographical location, Novas rant encapsulates a significant part of black southern life: We dont honor our father by serving friends and family outside at fancy tables. We dont honor our father by having strangers serve those grieving. We serve comfort food for those who need comfort and we do it with our own hands. In other words, grief is personal and intimate. Inviting strangers to witness the homegoing of someone they never knew in life is almost insulting. Charley thinks shes being helpful by removing the burden of service from Ernests loved ones, but shes also taking away their chance to honor his life, an opportunity for the bereaved to be of service. While Charley struggles to find her place in this southern home, Ralph Angel argues with Violet about letting his son attend the funeral. He thinks Blue is too young; he wants Blue to remain a child as long as he can. In a world where 12-year-old black boys are shot in the park for playing with toy guns and teenage black girls are wrestled to the ground for attending pool parties, its hard for black children to remain innocent. Ralph Angel knows this. And Blue is the sweetest thing. Whenever he appears onscreen, you instantly want to cuddle him. In its premiere episode, Queen Sugar showed us that black women can be loved tenderly, and now Evergreen turns its focus to sensitive young black boys. These boys have fathers in their lives; they have women who surround them with care. Ernest held on until he could say good-bye to his grandson. Davis shows up to make sure Micah knows hes still there, despite the trouble hes in. Ralph Angel is trying his best to protect Blue, a boy who plays with a Barbie doll. These details, along with Novas investigation of police brutality, speak to issues that sparked the Black Lives Matter movement and the Civil Rights Movement before it. Crucially, Queen Sugar works to show that black lives exist before they are being mourned. Before young black men are painted as thugs, they are little boys who blow out birthday candles just like anyone else. The Bordelon family wears all white to Ernests funeral. Calvin stands quietly in the back, offering Nova silent support. It appears that Ernest was a member of the Prince Hall Affiliated Free and Accepted Masons, a predominantly black fraternal organization with a history that stretches back to the 18th century. Prince Hall, a prominent black abolitionist, was attracted to Freemasonry because of its pledge to liberty, equality, and peace. When he was denied entry into American lodges because of racism, he sought membership from an Irish lodge in Boston, which spawned the organizations that bear his name today. Queen Sugars commitment to bringing slices of black life and history to the screen is incredible. At Ernests funeral, his Masonic brothers honor the immortality of his soul by placing a sprig of evergreen on his casket. There is no rain to symbolize grief, but clouds linger in the distance. Nova, Charley, and Ralph Angel hold hands, connected, a promise to their father to respect his legacy and face whatever is coming together. Photo: Andrew Toth/Getty Images The Netflix mini-series adaptation of Alias Grace just got a handful of new cast members, and one of them is David Cronenberg. He will join a roster that already includes Zachary Levi, Sarah Gadon, who has appeared in multiple films by the director, and Anna Paquin, in addition to the others announced today: Edward Holcroft, Kerr Logan, Rebecca Liddiard, and Paul Gross. Grace is based on the book by Margaret Atwood and follows Grace Marks (Gadon), a poor Irish immigrant living in Canada who is convicted of murdering the people who employ her as a domestic servant. The man of the house, Thomas (Gross), takes a shine to Marks, which offends his housekeeper and lover, Nancy (Paquin). After Nancy fires Grace in a rage, the couple turns up dead, with Grace and stable hand James left as the key suspects. The series is being directed by Mary Harron, of American Psycho fame, and has a script by Sarah Polley. This one isnt going to lack for intensity. Reports of beef consumers and transporters being beaten up by vigilantes have surfaced from different parts of India. By Mail Today Bureau: Maharashtra Congress functionary Shehzad Poonawalla on Wednesday filed a complaint against Haryana government, Gau Sewa Aayog of the state and police, after reports appeared that the cow protection commission had ordered police to check whether vendors in Muslim-majority Mewat are serving beef in their biryani ahead of Bakri Eid later this month. Poonawalla dubbed the move 'unconstitutional' and 'communal' in his complaint to the Union Home Ministry, and marked a copy to the Haryana chief minister as well. advertisement GAU SEVA AYOG DEFENDS ACTION Meanwhile, Gau Seva Ayog chairperson Bhani Ram Mangla told Mail Today that the move had come in response to several complaints from the Muslim-majority district. "We are doing only what is lawful. When the state is under a law that prohibits cow slaughter and beef consumption, and such complaints come to the government, should not the government act on them and try to find the truth?" Mangla said. He added that samples had already been taken from nearly 10 places in the Ferozepur-Jhirka segment of the district and sent to a university lab in Hissar. "The head of the task force and a veterinary doctor went to collect the samples which have already been sent for forensic testing," Mangla said. The Gau Seva Aayog chairperson added that no communal touch should be given to the move as the state is acting on a complaint. "If there is a complaint regarding a grocer, does the government not go and investigate?" he said. MUSLIM COMMUNITY TARGETED? While Poonawalla asserted that the move was in continuation of several events in the past where people from the Muslim community had been targeted on the pretext of either consuming or transporting beef, deputy inspector general (DIG) of police in charge of the task force to check cow smuggling and slaughter gave Mail Today a contradictory account. DIG Bharti Arora said, "There is nothing to check biryani in Mewat. The state had made a cow-protection task force and I head it. What we are doing is holding workshops across the state to educate police personnel about the new law with regard to cow protection that the state has formed. We have already covered nine districts." STOP BIRYANI POLICING: POONAWALLA Meanwhile, Poonawalla told India Today that certain state governments had been sheltering and goading communalism in the name of cow protection. He demanded that the minority commission direct the Haryana government and Haryana police to call off the 'unconstitutional biryani policing aimed at terrorising minorities' and that 'NCM should direct the Centre and MHA to take cognisance of such communal agendas being given state sanction by various governments, which must be directed to run in accordance with the Constitution'. advertisement ALSO READ: Another beef row: Now, biryani samples collected in Mewat to test meat --- ENDS --- Last week in The Washington Post, a George Mason University professor wrote that only one of his 24 honors students in an undergraduate class was majoring in history, English, philosophy or the fine arts. Confused, he asked the class how this could be. Our parents wouldnt let us, was the answer. He couldnt believe it. I wasnt surprised in the least by this, but I really hope that a great number of other people will be. Students have told me the same thing when Ive talked to them about being history majors. I imagine the fine and performing arts have an even bigger problem with the perceived need for justification in todays relentlessly materialistic culture. Administrators at universities inevitably take note of things like this when theyre deciding where to allocate funding. A year ago in the University of Southern Californias Roski School of Art and Design, the entire studio art MFA class that was to graduate in 2016 left the program in protest of what they considered to be signs that the university was seriously shortchanging it. Beyond the MFA candidates specific issues, explained the Los Angeles Times, there has been concern among some students and faculty that USC might be marginalizing the work of the fine arts department in favor of creating buzzier academic programs that draw the tech set. A year later, things are still in disarray. Respected and long-serving faculty have left for other jobs, and in June the last MFA student enrolled in the fine arts program withdrew (although there are eight new students coming in this fall). The whole mess dropped USCs program from being ranked 36th in the nation down to 69th. But on the far other end of the bad news-good news spectrum are the music majors at Los Angeles City College, who, like students everywhere, are concerned about bills and student debt whether theyre on the colleges two-year program or finishing at a four-year college before beginning their performing careers. In one of the best stories Ive come across in a long time, the philanthropic foundation of famed trumpeter and music executive Herb Alpert is giving the school more than $10 million to provide free tuition for all of its students getting music degrees. Alpert calls the college a gem of an institution and said he wants to help kids studying music who dont have the financial energy to go to a major college. The money will also help LACC increase the number of music majors from 175 to 250. The news has been received in music circles with something approaching euphoria, and rightly so. Just when it seems all hope is lost for humanity and the future of music, we are reminded there are a whole lot of angels among us, wrote Paul Zollo for American Songwriter. Well, a few at any rate. Freed from the burden of a huge debt load at graduation, each of these students will have an unchained head start, one which will profoundly impact the arc of their careers, Zollo said. In remarks that parents of college-age kids today might consider, Alpert said participating in the arts transformed his young life. I was super-shy and the trumpet was speaking for me, he said. It made the noise I couldnt get out of my mouth. Its a way for kids to experience their own uniqueness and appreciate the uniqueness of others. Theres all the justification for students dedicating themselves to something they want to study, whether our culture says its worth it or not. The world-famous Majuli island, which recently won the Guinness World Record of being the world's largest river island, will be declared India's first island district today. By India Today Web Desk: Assam's famed Majuli island, which recently won the title of being the world's largest river island, will be declared India's first island district on Thursday, according to a tweet by All India Radio. On Wednesday, All India Radio News tweeted the pictures of the island with the caption, "Photos of Majuli, which will be announced as 1st island district of country on September 8th by Assam govt.(sic)" advertisement The preparations are in full swing to celebrate the big day. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who is the elected representative of Majuli in the state assembly, will formally declare the island as a district on Thursday, which also happens to be Bhupen Hazarikas birth anniversary, according to NorthEast Today. Also read: John Abraham is the new brand ambassador of Arunachal Pradesh; wants to shoot a movie there On Sep 1, the 880 square km Majuli island on the Brahmaputra river displaced Marajo island of Brazil to become the world's largest river island according to Guinness World Records, media reported. Located 1,100 km away from the mouth of the Brahmaputra, Majuli had an area of 1,256 sq km in 1991 but due to soil erosion, it has now reduced to 875 sq km. Majuli is home to around 1,60,000 people, the entry in the Guinness World Records said. --- ENDS --- Years of organization and work toward a Cultural District designation for Waco paid off when the Texas Commission on the Arts approved Wacos application Wednesday. Commissioners voted unanimously at their September meeting in Austin to approve the Waco Downtown Cultural District, one of seven new cultural districts named by the state. Wacos district, which covers the same area as the citys downtown Public Improvement District, joins other new ones in Salado, Arlington, Amarillo, downtown Plano, Texarkana and Rockport. Fiona Bond, executive director of the nonprofit Creative Waco, formed in part to establish a cultural district, said Wacos application topped the stack of the 12 submitted to the Texas Commission on the Arts in June, thanks partly to demonstrated community and political support. We scored considerably higher than the others. It was extremely gratifying, Bond said after returning from the TCA meeting in Austin. The real strength of our application was that it was such a community effort. The states approval of the district adds outside support to what many Waco arts supporters, businesspeople and city leaders have argued for years: The arts are an important aspect of the citys economic and cultural life and add considerably to Wacos quality of life, Bond said. This validates what Waco has been working for so long, she said. Its another feather in Wacos cap. Attracting funds This weeks TCA action bumped the number of Texas cultural districts to 35. Cultural districts are designated areas in a city or a community known for a clustering of historic buildings, arts venues, shops, restaurants and similar ventures. Formal cultural district status can attract funding to stimulate arts- related development through tax breaks, economic incentives and financial grants for businesses and organizations in the district. Its that prospect for economic stimulus that excites Creative Waco board President Charlie Olson, who was delighted at the news of district approval. This is the result of years of work by lots of people, Olson said. It will pay off big time for the economy of Waco . . . Its a great springboard. A formal ceremony acknowledging Wacos new cultural district will take place in upcoming weeks, Bond said. One of the first orders of business for the new district will be creating the organizational infrastructure that will allow collection and distribution of various forms of funding for arts programming, organizations and new arts-related startups. By the start of 2017, the district should start on a broader cultural plan that seeks to develop cultural activity in downtown Waco, boost Waco arts organizations and support Wacos creative sector. Joining Bond in representing Waco at the TCA meeting were TCA board member Linda Hatchel of Woodway; Creative Waco vice president Lisa Sheldon; arts management consultant Luann Jennings; Central Texas Artist Collective co-director Angie Veracruz; Waco filmmaker Louis Hunter; Art Forum of Waco volunteer Jennifer Warren; and Waco artist Michelangelo Flores. The office of State Rep. Charles Doc Anderson, R-Waco, also sent a representative, Bond said. The collaborative effort behind Wacos cultural district application helped open some eyes to a broader sense of the citys cultural and artistic assets, Veracruz said. Going through the application process to determine if Waco has what it takes to be a cultural arts district was interesting and definitely led to interesting conversations, she said. Quickly, we began to realize the many cultural gems landmarks and people Waco has to offer. McLennan County leaders are creating a new position aimed at getting individuals with mental health issues the help they need and reducing costs associated with processing them through the judicial system. After the start of the fiscal year Oct. 1, county commissioners will vote to move $50,000 into a fund for a coordinator position that would expand District Attorney Abel Reynas pretrial diversion program. Anticipating the potential expansion, commissioners included a $1 placeholder in the fiscal year 2017 budget to allow for the transfer if the right pieces fell into place. The position would work with Reynas office, Heart of Texas Region MHMR and Tarleton State University. Tom Thomas, division director of MHMRs adult mental health services, said he is hoping the program serves about 125 people the first year, which would average to about $400 spent per person. He said the county spends about $10,000 per person serving individuals with mental health issues in the judicial system. Creating the position is the right thing to do to help community members and to save money, Thomas said. Were certainly not going to put anyone in this we dont feel will be successful, he said. I think its going to be a good thing for our community, and I know its going to be a good thing for the folks involved in it. Reyna instituted the pretrial diversion program in October 2013 to prevent clogging the criminal justice system with individuals who didnt need to be there. The program allows attorneys and their clients charged with minor offenses to request a committee to review their entry into the program. Those selected are subject to conditions outlined by the committee, which could include electronic monitoring or curfews, in hopes the district attorneys office drops any criminal charge upon completion of the program. The new position and funding will allow for a focus on helping people with mental health issues. Reyna said when all the stakeholders met to discuss what route the county could take, he emphasized the need for an expert to handle the cases. Reyna said the expert who will fill the full-time position will have an understanding of community services and needs of individuals with mental health issues. Reyna said he is thankful there are so many resources and stakeholders in the community that can come together to create something of this nature. He said the criminal justice system does not need to be bogged down with people who dont need to be behind bars. When you stress it with people you dont need to be in there, youve taken away from those that need to be monitored, Reyna said. Its a benefit to me because those individuals that are on probation or deferred adjudication or need to be in jail, you have the room and capacity, and resources are being spent on those individuals. Treatment plans Thomas said individuals deemed appropriate for the pretrial services program would work with three Tarleton State University masters-level social work interns to create a treatment plan. The program will provide case management specific to each individual, including ongoing behavioral health intervention, counseling, medication services, and stable housing or employment. Thomas said allowing the individuals to work to get their charges dropped will help keep their criminal record clean. A criminal record prevents many from being accepted in employment or housing and falling into the recidivism seen in the community of repeat offenders. Thomas said the interns will help follow up with clients and perform statistical analysis of the program, among other duties. He said they agreed to start with three interns for the first year but expect to increase that number as the program grows. Reyna said he is certainly leery of the flip side to expanding the pretrial diversion program to serve people with mental health issues. Now everybody is going to have mental health issues, he said. Its going to happen, but thats why you have the expert. Thats why you have the committee to be the net to catch that out. Thomas said the Rapoport Foundation, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute and Prosper Waco are working with a local Behavioral Health Leadership Team to create a comprehensive plan to address behavioral health services. Several groups are a part of that leadership team, including local hospitals, city and county government officials, and local foundations. This project was among the possibilities the team identified. Prosper Waco executive director Matthew Polk said the Dallas-based Meadows Foundation Inc. has been working with communities across the state to emphasize the importance of mental and behavioral health and the impact and policies needed with cities, the criminal justice system, hospitals, and law enforcement. Polk said the organization is working with communities to help develop local approaches. In the heat of a presidential campaign, youd think that a story about one partys nominee giving a large contribution to a state attorney general who promptly shut down an inquiry into that nominees scam university would be enormous news. But we continue to hear almost nothing about what happened between Donald Trump and Florida attorney general Pam Bondi. The story re-emerged last week when The Washington Posts David A. Fahrenthold reported that Trump paid a penalty to the IRS after his foundation made an illegal contribution to Bondis PAC. While the Trump organization characterizes that as a bureaucratic oversight, the basic facts are that Bondis office had received multiple complaints from Floridians who said they were cheated by Trump University; while they were looking into it and considering whether to join a lawsuit over Trump University filed by the attorney general of New York State, Bondi called Trump and asked him for a $25,000 donation. Shortly after getting the check from Trump, Bondis office dropped the inquiry. At this point, we should note that everything here may be completely innocent. Perhaps Bondi didnt realize her office was looking into Trump University. Perhaps the fact that Trumps foundation made the contribution (which, to repeat, is illegal) was just a mix-up. Perhaps when Trump reimbursed the foundation from his personal account, he didnt realize thats not how the law works (the foundation would have to get its money back from Bondis PAC; he could then make a personal donation if he wanted). Perhaps Bondis decision not to pursue the case against Trump was perfectly reasonable. But heres the thing: We dont know the answers to those questions, because almost nobody is pursuing them. For instance, there was only one mention of this story on any of the five Sunday shows, when John Dickerson asked Chris Christie about it on Face the Nation. (Christie took great umbrage: I cant believe, John, that anyone would insult Pam Bondi that way.) And the comparison with stories about Hillary Clintons emails or the Clinton Foundation is extremely instructive. Whenever we get some new development in any of those Clinton stories, you see blanket coverage every cable network, every network news program, every newspaper investigates it at length. And even when the new information serves to exonerate Clinton rather than implicate her in wrongdoing, the coverage still emphasizes that the whole thing just raises questions about her integrity. The big difference is that there are an enormous number of reporters who get assigned to write stories about those issues regarding Clinton. The story of something like the Clinton Foundation gets stretched out over months and months with repeated tellings, always with the insistence that questions are being raised and the implication that shady things are going on, even if there isnt any evidence at a particular moment to support that idea. When it comes to Trump, on the other hand, weve seen a very different pattern. Heres what happens: A story about some kind of corrupt dealing emerges, usually from the dogged efforts of one or a few journalists; it gets discussed for a couple of days; and then it disappears. Someone might mention it now and again, but the news organizations dont assign a squad of reporters to look into every aspect of it, so no new facts are brought to light and no new stories get written. The end result of this process is that because of all that repeated examination of Clintons affairs, people become convinced that she must be corrupt to the core. Its not that there isnt plenty of negative coverage of Trump, because of course there is, but its focused mostly on the crazy things he says on any given day. But the truth is that youd have to work incredibly hard to find a politician who has the kind of history of corruption, double-dealing and fraud that Donald Trump has. The number of stories that could potentially deserve hundreds and hundreds of articles is absolutely staggering. Heres a partial list: Trumps casino bankruptcies, which left investors holding the bag while he skedaddled with their money. Trumps habit of refusing to pay contractors who had done work for him, many of whom are small businesses. Trump University , which includes not only the people who got scammed and the Florida investigation, but also a similar story from Texas where the investigation into Trump U was quashed. The Trump Institute, another get-rich-quick scheme in which Trump allowed a couple of grifters to use his name to bilk people out of their money. The Trump Network, a multilevel marketing venture (aka pyramid scheme) that involved customers mailing in a urine sample that would be analyzed to produce for them a specially formulated package of multivitamins. Trump Model Management, which reportedly had foreign models lie to customs officials and work in the United States illegally, and kept them in squalid conditions while they earned almost nothing for the work they did. Trumps employment of foreign guest workers at his resorts, which involves a claim that he cant find Americans to do the work. Trumps use of hundreds of undocumented workers from Poland in the 1980s, who were paid a pittance for their illegal work. Trumps history of being charged with housing discrimination. Trumps connections to mafia figures involved in New York construction. The time Trump paid the Federal Trade Commission $750,000 over charges that he violated antitrust laws when trying to take over a rival casino company. The fact that Trump is being advised by Roger Ailes, who was forced out as Fox News chief when dozens of women came forward to charge him with sexual harassment. According to the allegations, Ailes behavior was monstrous. As an indicator, his abusive and predatory actions toward women were so well-known and so loathsome that in 1968 the upstanding folks in the Nixon administration refused to allow him to work there despite his key role in getting Nixon elected. And that last one is happening right now. To repeat, the point is not that these stories have never been covered, because they have. The point is that they get covered briefly, then everyone in the media moves on. If any of these kinds of stories involved Clinton, news organizations would rush to assign multiple reporters to them, those reporters would start asking questions and wed learn more about all of them. Thats important, because we may have reached a point where the frames around the candidates are locked in: Trump is supposedly the crazy/bigoted one, and Clinton is supposedly the corrupt one. Once we decide that those are the appropriate lenses through which the two candidates are to be viewed, it shapes the decisions the media make every day about which stories are important to pursue. Paul Waldman is a contributor to The Plum Line blog and a senior writer at The American Prospect. WAHOO The new school year is in full swing, and so is the new agriculture curriculum option for Bishop Neumann students. Father Jeremy Hazuka said the school has been looking for the opportunity to introduce agriculture curriculum for at least the past three years. After a shift in faculty, that opportunity arose, Hazuka added. Im very excited its coming to Bishop Neumann, he said. Being in an agriculturally situated community, its a very important offering to be able to provide. Students in grades nine through 12 have four class options, which includes introduction to agriculture, food and natural resources; plant science; agriculture construction; and agriculture mechanics. Agriculture career pathways, a quarter exploratory class for eighth graders, will also be offered. According to Bishop Neumann Agriculture Instructor and FFA Advisor Katie Arp, the classes are designed to provide students a hands-on education geared toward a career in agriculture. Eventually, the upper division courses, agriculture construction and agriculture mechanics, which includes basic construction skills and welding, will require students complete the introduction to agriculture prerequisite. However, Hazuka said after consulting with representatives from Nebraska Agriculture Education, students will be allowed to participate in upper-level classes without the prerequisite as the school transitions into programming. With enrollment of 38 students in grades nine through 12, Arp said the response from students, parents and community members has been phenomenal. As the program grows over the years, Hazuka said the school plans to introduce more classes. Classes could include animal science, agbusiness and natural resources. In addition to agriculture classes, Bishop Neumann will also introduce FFA, an intracurricular activity, which supplements agriculture education. Through FFA, students will get to experience practical, career specific skills, Arp said. Theyll also practice public speaking, working as a team and learning how to properly conduct a meeting, said the 2016 Northwest Missouri graduate of agriculture education. Given the vast production agriculture in the county, agriculture education is important and valuable to Bishop Neumann students, Arp said. A lot of the students here statistically go back to the agriculture industry, so to start their education young and in high school I think is very important for them to get their feet wet now, instead of jumping into college without any prior experience besides maybe growing up on the farm, Arp said. Hazuka said the school extended the offer to Arp after being impressed with her positive reputation from her provided references. A 2012 East Butler graduate, Arp said she is excited and humbled by the opportunity to help build the new agriculture curriculum at Bishop Neumann for her first teaching experience. I always told people when I left for Northwest (Missouri State) that I wanted to come back and give back to the communities that I grew up in, she said. Arp said she had no direct relationship to agriculture growing up in the town of Weston. However, it was agriculture education at East Butler and participation in the Prague and East Butler FFA chapters that sparked her interest, and she hopes to facilitate that same interest in her students. Bishop Neumann held their first FFA informational meeting Aug. 24. Around 20 students were in attendance. Like Bishop Neumann FFA Chapter on Facebook for current information. By Anil Kumar: A controversy has erupted around the 16- minute short film Mama's Boys, which is a sharp satire based on the Mahabhara, directed by Delhi Belly writer Akshat Verma. The film is an irreverent take on Draupadi's polygamous wedding to the Pandavas, and that might have irked Hindu organisations a little bit. ALSO SEE: Delhi Belly writer gives Mahabharata a modern twist with Mama's Boys advertisement Mama's Boys if filled with wisecracks and innuendos, one too many maybe. One of them even goes on to go ahead and suggest that a couple of the Pandava brothers were homosexuals. It is only understandable why not all Hindu organisations would show a sense of humour about it. Swami Chakrapani, Chief of Hindu Mahasabha said, "The film shows characters like Kunti, Draupadi in bad light and this is a bad joke against our religion. An FIR should be filed against the maker of the film and the actors who participated in it." "The film should be removed from YouTube immediately. If they don't remove it then they will face the wrath of Hindu Sena. Strict action must be taken against such filmmakers," said Vishnu Gupta, Hindu Sena leader. In an environment of growing intolerance, this comes as no surprise. Akshat Verma is currently working on a feature film which will have Saif Ali Khan in the lead role and should release early next year. --- ENDS --- He got inside a bank, robbed it, then sat in the lobby waiting for police to come and arrest him. Because he preferred jail to his wife. By India Today Web Desk: He does not mind being imprisoned and is ready to go to jail. As long as he can stay away from his wife. And how did he do it? He robbed a bank. A 70-year-old man accused of robbing a bank in Kansas, US, told investigators that he would rather stay in a prison than live with his wife. advertisement "I'd rather be in jail than at home," Lawrence Ripple told his wife Remedios, after a fight, according to a court document. THE ROBBERY Lawrence went inside Bank of Labor in Kansas on Friday and demanded cash. He told a bank teller that he had a gun and soon the teller gave Lawrence $3,000 in cash (Rs 20 lakh approximately). THE SURRENDER Instead of fleeing, Lawrence walked towards the lobby and sat there. He then told a guard that he is the one who has robbed the bank and he is the 'guy he was looking for'. The guard took the money back and called the police. THE NOTE Lawrence told the investigators that he wrote the note in front of his wife, telling her he would 'rather be in jail than at home'. Two weeks ago, Lawrence shared a photo of him and his wife which is also his profile picture. But the guy just could not take it anymore it seems. He just wanted to go to prison to get away from his wife. And so he did. --- ENDS --- By PTI: doesnt work: Baig New Delhi, Sep 8 (PTI) A senior PDP leader and Parliament Member Muzzafar Hussain Baig today suggested that Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti should consider resigning if she feels the Agenda of Alliance between PDP and its ruling partner BJP is a "paper of fraud and not a paper of good faith". advertisement Baig, a founder member of the PDP, expressed the hope that Mehbooba will be able to take control of the situation but cautioned her that in case she feels that the two "alliance partners are incompatible", she is left with only one option and that is to resign. The PDP leader said he had no two opinions that their party president will live up to expectations and bring the situation in the restive Kashmir Valley under control. However, "if she comes to a conclusion that she is not getting enough support and she cannot deliver on the promises that she made to the people, of course, the only course left for her will be to resign. "If this alliance does not work for inner contradictions, because we are incompatible and what we have on paper is a paper of fraud and not a paper of good faith...if she comes to that conclusion and she does not get the support she must resign in honour," Baig, who is in the national capital, told TV channels. He said the PDP was suffering on the ground. "It is the worker at the ground level, the cadre that makes the party, they are losers any which way. We have not benefited them a bit, we have done nothing for our workers. We have not acted upon our common agenda of alliance. That is the real reason why we are in trouble today," he said. Baig, who has been the Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister in the state, said the Centre was being shown a different view of the situation in the state. "Its a case of a General who has a broader view of the situation while the soldier at the ground has a different (view). "Take the case of Hurriyat Conference. Too little attention has been given to them," he said and added that if the Centre feels they are not the stakeholders, keep them on the side and talk to Pakistan directly. He said a sense of "disillusion" was running deep into party cadre but even in these tough times, "I have not heard a single responsible person saying that Mehbooba should resign because she has failed." "My personal view is that when there is a challenge, when there is a strife and uprising, you should never resign. That time you should show your strength both as a human being and as a functionary of an Indian state, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, you should show your mettle, if you have any mettle. advertisement "But once there is peace and still the alliance does not work, either for ideological reasons or administrative reasons or lack of agreement on implementing the Agenda of Alliance, that will be the right time to dissolve the government both for BJP and PDP but never run away when it is a difficult time," he said. PTI SKL SK --- ENDS --- Five MNS workers were arrested for assaulting fruit vendors and vandalising their carts at Amrut Nagar in Ghatkopar area of Mumbai. By Kamlesh Damodar Sutar: Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which has been out of headlines for a hiatus, is back with its hate politics and this time on its radar are the migrant workers. Five MNS workers were arrested for assaulting fruit vendors and vandalising their carts at Amrut Nagar in Ghatkopar area of Mumbai on Wednesday evening. Defending the attacks MNS worker Ganesh Bhagat called it an agitation where "illegal vendors" were attacked for not allowing local farmers to sell their produce in the open market on Wednesday. advertisement "Farmers who had gone there to sell fruits and vegetables were stopped by local vendors, after which the farmers approached us for help and we helped them in our way," said Bhagat. A police complaint has been registered against the MNS workers at the Ghatkopar police station. Bhagat and others were arrested and later released on bail. And on expected lines, the agitation has flared the political scenes in Mumbai. While Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam met the vendors beaten by MNS, NCP alleged it as tacit deal between the BJP and the MNS. Nirupam visited the migrant vendors in Ghatkopar on Thursday afternoon. "Just recently the Chief Minister attended a program of north Indian community over chokha baati, but while sharing chokha baati with the community on one hand, the CM has betrayed them on the other... But we will firmly stand behind the community," said Nirupam. The NCP also attacked the state government over the attack on migrants? Party Spokesperson Nawab Malik called it as a tacit deal between the BJP and MNS to revive the MNS with the anti migrant agenda to divide the Marathi votes ahead of the BMC polls. Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi too has hit out at the state government and also demanded immediate action against Raj Thackeray. "This has happened in the past in the Congress rule and now it's happening again under the BJP rule. Apart from the ones involved, the party chief Raj Thackeray should also be arrested as he is the one responsible for the attacks," Azmi said. #WATCH Mumbai (7.9.16): Hooliganism by MNS workers in Ghatkopar area, fruit vendor thrased (source: unverified) pic.twitter.com/iJ6wbpKIRc ANI (@ANI_news) September 8, 2016 --- ENDS --- Immediately after the plane took off, the report said, the captain and first officer heard an alert of "terrain, terrain". This usually means the plane is too close to the ground, however it was disregarded as the pilots could see nothing in their path. Soon after autopilot was switched on at 410 feet (124 metres), air traffic controllers noticed the plane was turning left instead of right, crossing the path of other planes expected to soon take off. When they asked the pilots what was happening, the crew realised tracking and navigation equipment had the error warning "GPS primary lost". The crew flew the plane over the ocean east of Sydney while they spoke to air traffic controllers attempting to fix the problem. The plane soon lost autopilot and auto-thrust features, and the pilots decided to return to Sydney's Kingsford Smith International Airport - however they were unable to, as low-lying cloud and rain meant they could not physically see the runway on approach, which they now needed to do to land. Air traffic controllers arranged for their counterparts in Melbourne to track the plane on radar and give constant directions on where to go until they touched down at Tullamarine Airport. The captain, who had 22,580 hours of flying experience, manually flew the plane to Melbourne. After one "go-around" and another "terrain" warning on approach, it landed safely at 2.03pm - 1 hour and 54 minutes after taking off. The Gina Rinehart-backed gas explorer, Lakes Oil, is looking at legal action to overturn the Victorian government's ban on onshore gas exploration in the state. In an update to the market on Thursday, Lakes Oil reiterated its "extreme disappointment" with the Victorian government's decision to maintain the ban and would "consider all options available to it". But Lakes Oil chief executive, Roland Sleeman, went one step further on Thursday. He said the company confirms it is "formally investigating the potential for legal action". The company, with a market value of just $12 million, said half of its 11,000 shareholders are Victorian residents. Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens has conceded that he has "some discomfort' about rising Sydney house prices, but argued that these concerns need to be weighed up against the need to stimulate economic activity. In his final annual interview with The Australian Financial Review, the outgoing governor said there was some mixed evidence as to the strength of the housing market. "Prices are probably rising smartly in some areas, but in other areas they're not, and in some cities in the country, they're falling," he said, in what is the clearest acknowledgement to date that the central bank is concerned about outsized price rises in some sectors of the market. "So I think it's a mixed picture and it's not without risk, and it certainly gives me some discomfort, but then we're balancing that against the other obligations we have to pursue." Corporate tactics to exploit legal loopholes and undercut minimum pay and conditions could come under fresh political scrutiny, with support for a wide-ranging Senate inquiry now gaining momentum. Fairfax Media has confirmed Labor, the Greens and crossbench senator Jacqui Lambie will back calls for a sweeping inquiry into big corporations' evasion of Australian workplace laws. It comes amid mounting concern over deteriorating workplace standards in Australia, including underpayments, the exploitation of temporary foreign workers and the misuse of contracting and labour-hire arrangements. The latest incident to spark widespread union outcry has centred on Carlton & United's Melbourne brewery, where dozens of long-serving maintenance workers were laid off and invited to reapply for their old jobs with a new contractor on inferior pay and conditions. Malcolm Turnbull's government has risked another costly brawl with Japan by backing an international resolution to condemn Tokyo's slaughter of whales. The Prime Minister has risked an awkward encounter with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at a regional summit in Laos after Australia joined a bloc of 95 nations at the World Conservation Congress in Hawaii to demand a halt to whaling for so-called "scientific research". Japanese whalers offloading a minke whale onto the Japanese whaling factory ship the Nisshin Maru in the Southern Ocean in February 2013. Credit:Glenn Lockitch/Sea Shepherd However, even that is not enough for conservation groups, who want Australia to finally put a stop to the hunt in the Southern Ocean. A major global summit on whaling will convene next month in Europe. The Hawaii resolution - which was also overwhelmingly supported by non-government organisations - called on Japan to revoke any "special permits" for whalers in the Southern Ocean and northern Pacific. Sometimes mass media coverage is a symptom of a bigger problem: here Senator Sam Dastyari talks after resigning as opposition consumer affairs spokesman after revelations he asked a company with links to the Chinese government to refund $1600 worth of travel expenses. Credit:Wolter Peeters Initially Dastyari thought the story wasn't that big a deal and wouldn't go far. He responded that night on Twitter by vowing to forward the same amount, $1600 to charity but the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation refused the money, not wanting to be tainted. One right-wing ally of Dastyari's wondered if the leader's office had set up the Senator in suggesting the rejected gimmick but the idea was Dastyari's. In truth, the leader's office had gone to pains to spell out to the senator just how serious the matter was. The next night, Dastyari was the butt of both leaders' jokes at the Canberra press gallery's annual midwinter ball. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull wondered if the next Labor scare campaign would claim the Liberals were out to privatise the Senate but wait, Dasher's beaten us to it! Opposition Leader Bill Shorten Credit:Jason South Shorten observed how great it was to see the senator (who was present) raising so much money for charity. Boom-tish! Dastyari might well have survived given the government's lacklustre attack early on. It was left to Liberal senator Cory Bernardi to do the heavy lifting. Normally prone to attacking his own side, the South Australian turned his fire on Dastyari and didn't miss, using the cover of parliamentary privilege to observe the "stench of corruption" surrounding the personal donation. Bill Shorten in his seat of Maribyrnong with NSW senator Sam Dastyari in August. Credit:Penny Stephens On Friday, Turnbull belatedly decided to take on the issue and asked if Dastyari's comments supporting China's position on the South China Sea, in direct contravention of the Australian government and the Labor party's policy, were some form of "cash for comment". The Prime Minister flew to Hangzhou for the G20 where he used his Chinese backdrop to further press the matter and up the pressure on Bill Shorten. "I'm here in China standing up for Australia. I'm standing up for Australia. Back home, Bill Shorten is standing up for Sam Dastyari's right to take cash from a company, associated with a foreign government and then express a view on foreign policy that undermines the Australian government's foreign policy, which has had been supported by Mr Shorten himself," Turnbull said. At least one prominent Labor figure was surprised to see the Prime Minister use his international stage to launch the devastating political attack. It was an indicator that the Liberals would raise the issue once more in Parliament when it resumes next week. Then came the narrative that Dastyari had gone into hiding. He pulled out of a Monday night event with Arthur Sinodinos whose own relationship with political donations during his stint as treasurer of the NSW Liberal party forced his temporary resignation from the government frontbench in 2014. Dastyari's New South Wales colleague Ed Husic was forced to stand in at an Australian Chamber of Commerce event where he was heckled after announcing himself as Dastyari's replacement. On Tuesday, one week later, Dastyari had to front the media. Perhaps it was an insurmountable task but he had one goal to shut down the story and for good. Instead, "talk about walking off a cliff, he just did," was how one Labor MP described the performance. "He left Bill with no choice." Dastyari knew that if his position wasn't untenable now it would be by the time Parliament resumed and he knew what he had to do by Tuesday night. On Wednesday he and Bill Shorten spoke several times. In their last conversation Shorten charted where Dastyari's situation could go. There could be no positive unless he resigned, was the conclusion of both men. Dastyari offered his resignation. Shorten accepted. Within the hour Dastyari was before the cameras. He pointedly thanked Shorten for his "incredible support." Shorten had created two extra spaces on the Labor frontbench after the July election. One was for Canberran Andrew Leigh, the other was for Sam Dastyari. Some in Labor believed Shorten's "Captain's Pick" of Dastyari was to placate him, a hedge against the NSW Right throwing their support against Shorten's leadership rival and leader of the Left faction Anthony Albanese. But this ignores Dastyari's obvious talents. He might be "fast and loose" but is "talented and well-liked" say Labor sources, who note his knack for getting front-page coverage for pet issues like multinationals not paying their fair share of tax and the financial scandals in the banking sector. A royal commission into the banks was a key value-defining issue in Labor's favour during the election. The campaign "Bill Bus" was Dastyari's creation. It's the fact that he makes it look effortless that attracts jealousy from his colleagues and internal competitors, observes one Labor source. There is also the matter that like any politician on the make, he is willing to say one thing and do another if it furthers his ambition. Promises are easily made but less frequently kept. This has cost him personal friendships, which are not only rare in politics, but also almost impossible to restore once broken. But enemies aside, aged 33, there is widespread confidence Dastyari will rise again. Indeed in his statement, Shorten made it clear Dastyari would be welcome back onto the frontbench. The NSW right is locked in behind the number cruncher. For now the cost to Shorten appears to be minimal. Dastyari is not expected to sit on the backbench idle, nor turn his attention to plotting Shorten's downfall, as Sinodinos did for Turnbull when deposed under Abbott. We've all heard the saying "cheaper by the dozen" and more often than not based our own purchases on the notion. For beer drinkers around pubs in Western Australia, it's commonly expected that the bigger the beer you buy, the better the value, right? Well, not in this day and age, where some Perth pubs have taken to serving smaller schooner-size glasses over the traditional pint (568ml) - but still selling them at pint prices. One Perth punter decided to test the "cheaper by the dozen" concept with some friends at his nearest pub after reading an expose on WAtoday about his local selling schooners as pints. Couchsurfing has traditionally been a service used by young backpackers - but now older Australians are signing up to give it a go and reinvigorate their lives. Just in case you don't know, Couchsurfers.org is an international hospitality service where users can stay for free with a host, or have other travellers stay with them. Denis building an outhouse for couch surfers near one of the shacks on his property. Credit:Tom de Souza It began back in 1999 when a 25-year-old American computer programmer hacked a University of Iceland database, and randomly emailed 1,500 students asking for a place to stay. These days the site has millions of users worldwide with 50,000 Australian members at an average age of 28-years-old. The former RJD MP was granted bail on Wednesday in connection with an eyewitness murder case and is likely to be released in couple of days from Bhagalpur jail where he is lodged at present. By Rohit Kumar Singh: BJP leader Sushil Modi has launched a scathing attack on Bihar government alleging that the state government has paved the way for the release of dreaded gangster turned politician Mohammad Shahabuddin from jail. The former RJD MP was granted bail on Wednesday in connection with an eyewitness murder case and is likely to be released in couple of days from Bhagalpur jail where he is lodged at present. advertisement RAJIV ROSHAN MURDER CASE Modi alleged the state government systematically did not allow the trial to be completed in the eyewitness Rajiv Roshan murder case despite the Court in February this year directed that the trial be concluded within six months. Roshan was the sole eyewitness of the murders of his two brothers that took place in Siwan in 2004. Roshan was allegedly gunned down by Shahabuddin's sharp shooters in 2011. Modi questioned whether the state will impose Crime Control Act against Shahabuddin. He said when the government considers Independent MLA Anant Singh, also known as terror of Mokama as a threat to law and order and has imposed CCA on him, then why was the state government so keen on releasing Shahabuddin from jail? SHARE A STAGE WITH NITISH, LALU " CCA was imposed on dreaded criminal and independent MLA Anant Singh. Why does the govt not impose CCA on Shahabuddin", said Sushil Modi. Slamming Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and RJD President Shahabuddin, Modi said whether the dreaded mafia don Shahabuddin would share a stage with Nitish and Lalu in the days to come. " Shahabuddin has been an symbol of jungle raj in Bihar. Will he be seen sharing a stage with Nitish and Lalu ?', questioned Modi. JUNGLE RAJ The former deputy CM said there was a sense of extreme fear in the state only talks going around that "Sahab"( he's called by this name in Siwan) would be out from jail soon. Very recently, Shahabuddin's role came under scanner in the killing of a Rajdev Ranjan, a bureau chief of a Hindi daily in May this year. Ranjan was killed when he was gunned down allegedly by Shahabuddin's sharp shooters. Shahabuddin was initially lodged in Siwan jail till that time but immediately shifted to Bhagalpur jail in order to prevent him from influencing the probe. Also Read: Court failed Nitish's attempt to implicate Bihar Sharif excise officer, says Sushil Modi Also Read: Patna High Court grants bail to Shahabuddin in murder case, to walk out from jail soon --- ENDS --- advertisement At the invitation of the Norwegian Customs Administration the Secretariat attended the Norwegian tariff classification seminar in Lillestrm, Norway, on 5 and 6 September 2016. Classification experts from Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Sweden also attended the seminar, which was conducted in Norwegian. Around 20 specific tariff classification issues raised by the six Norwegian Customs regions were discussed. Since views were often divided, the participants argued well for their position on the classification, but in most cases a common conclusion was reached. However, it was decided that the Norwegian Administration should submit one or perhaps two issues to the Harmonized System Committee for examination, as had also been the case in the past. During the seminar, the Secretariat representative made a detailed presentation on the HS-2017 amendments and the representative from Denmark informed the attendees about recent classification issues considered by the EUs Customs Code Committee. The Norwegian Customs Administration issues more than 4500 classification rulings per year and the participants emphasized the importance of the rulings being issued at the regional level to avoid loss of classification expertise in the regions. The seminar provided a good opportunity for the tariff classification experts from the Norwegian Customs regions and the Customs Directorate to consider issues of common interest with the aim of ensuring uniform classification. The active participation of the foreign guests was also appreciated by the Norwegian Administration A mother from Oklahoma, who was once married to her son, is now facing prosecution charges for marrying her daughter. By India Today Web Desk: Patricia Ann Spann, a 43-year-old mother from Oklahoma, US, married her son in 2008. In March 2016, she married her daughter. Now, she's facing jail time. Why? How? Questions? Here's her story: Source: Patricia Ann Spann/ Facebook Patricia, for reasons unknown, had lost custody of three children. One of their grandparents, then, took them in and started looking after them. advertisement In 2008, Patricia married her son. It's not quite known as to why Patricia and he got married. But as per an affidavit, the unnamed son filed for an annulment 15 months after the marriage, reasoning that his "wife" was actually his birth mother. Then, some two years ago, Patricia reunited with her biological daughter, Misty Spann. This March, she and her 25-year-old Misty decided to tie the knot. But then, the police found out. Authorities issued arrest warrants for the mother-daughter duo for incest, after their "unorthodox" relationship was discovered last month during a child welfare investigation. Patricia, however, claims she did not know she was violating any law by marrying her daughter, as she was not listed as a parent on Misty's birth certificate. The reason as to why the two got married still remains unclear. What we know is that both the women were being help in a jail in Duncan, Oklahoma. Source: Patricia Ann Spann/ Facebook --- ENDS --- The court also issued a notice to the government on a plea to examine the boat used by the 10 LeT terrorists to reach the Indian coast. By Press Trust of India: An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan on Wednesday issued notices to seven accused of 2008 Mumbai attack case, including LeT commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, and the government on a plea to examine the boat used by the 10 LeT terrorists to reach the Indian coast. "The Anti-Terrorism Court Islamabad on Wednesday held Mumbai case hearing at the Adiala Jail Rawalpindi and issued notices to seven suspects and the prosecution to present arguments regarding inspection of Al-Fauz boat parked at the port city of Karachi," a court official told PTI after the hearing. advertisement He said both prosecution and defence lawyers would present their arguments on next hearing on September 22. Last month the Islamabad High Court had set aside the verdict of trial court in Mumbai case for not allowing a commission to Karachi for inspection of Al-Fauz. The HC had termed the trial court's decision as "flawed and not in accordance with law" and allowed examination of Al-Fauz. The prosecution had pleaded that vessel should be made "case property". Al-Fauz is in the custody of the Pakistani authorities in Karachi, from where the 10 militants, armed with AK-47 assault rifles and hand grenades, had left for India to carry out the Mumbai attack in November 2008. According to the Federal Investigation Agency, the attackers used three boats including Al Fauz to reach Mumbai from Karachi. It said the security agencies had also traced the shop and its owner from where the culprits bought the engine and the boat while a bank and a money exchange company were also traced which were used for the transaction of money. The 10 LeT militants had left Karachi on the boat on November 23, 2008. En route, they hijacked another boat, killing four of its crew. They forced the vessel's captain to take them close to the India shores. The captain was killed when the vessel reached Mumbai's coast. According to prosecution, all Pakistani witnesses have recorded their statements and trial cannot be concluded till recording the statements of Indian witnesses. LeT operations commander 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 attacks that left 166 people dead. Lakhvi, believed to be the mastermind of the attacks, is living at an undisclosed location after getting the bail a year ago. Other six suspects are in Adiala Jail Rawalpindi. The case has been underway for more than six years. --- ENDS --- While addressing the 14th ASEAN-India summit, the Prime Minister also noted that growing radicalism through the ideology of hatred and spread of extreme violence are the other security threats. By Press Trust of India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed deep concern at the rising "export of terror", in an apparent reference to Pakistan, saying it is a common security threat to the region as he sought a coordinated response from ASEAN member nations to combat the menace. While addressing the 14th ASEAN-India summit here, the Prime Minister also noted that growing radicalism through the ideology of hatred and spread of extreme violence are the other security threats. advertisement "Export of terror, growing radicalisation and spread of extreme violence are common security threats to our societies," he said in his second attack on Pakistan in two days amid escalating war of words between New Delhi and Islamabad. "The threat is local, regional, and transitional at the same time. Our partnership with ASEAN seeks to craft a response through coordination, cooperation at multiple levels," Modi said. He said that in the face of growing traditional and non traditional challenges, political cooperation has emerged as key in relations. "We are willing to take concrete steps to enhance cooperation in cyber security, de-radicalisation and counterterrorism," he added. On Monday, Modi made a sharp attack on Pakistan at the G20 summit, saying "one single nation" in South Asia is spreading "agents of terror" as he asserted that those who sponsor the menace must be sanctioned and isolated, not rewarded. In his remarks today, the Prime Minister said that ASEAN is central to India's Act East policy. "Our engagement driven by common priorities bringing peace, stability and prosperity to the region," he told the 10-member grouping attended by Heads of state. He said enhancing connectivity was central to India's partnership with ASEAN. Seamless digital connectivity between India and Southeast Asia is a shared objective. India committed to Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity," Modi said. Securing seas was a shared responsibility, he said, adding that sea lanes are "life lines of global trade". India supports freedom of navigation based on United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), he added. He thanked the member countries for sharing their views on "nature, direction and priorities of our engagement". "All three pillars of our partnership - security, economic and socio-cultural have registered good progress," he said, adding that engagement of India-ASEAN is of "economic optimism". "We continue to expand and deepen our economic engagements," Modi said. Laotian premier Thongloun Sisoulith complimented India's Act East policy and its contribution to ASEAN and hoped the summit will provide future direction. --- ENDS --- WSU Hosts Conference to Strengthen Families September 8, 2016 OGDEN, Utah Weber State Universitys Department of Child and Family Studies will host the 2016 Families Alive Conference, a three-day event that offers help to strengthen and maintain relationships, from Sept. 15-17. This years conference, themed Mindful Living and Learning, will feature two prominent keynote speakers and multiple workshops. Registration is open to all and costs $75 to attend the full conference, with an option to receive continuing education credit for an additional fee. Current students registered for 12-17 credit hours may add the conference to their load for a course fee of $75, which includes university credit, conference materials and food. WSU students may receive one university credit for attending the entire conference. The Families Alive Conference provides WSU students a great opportunity to learn about ways to strengthen individual and family life, said Wei Qiu, child and family studies associate professor and conference chair. Participating in the conference also benefits family life educators, marriage and family therapists, social workers, teachers, childcare providers and anyone in the community interested in gaining CEUs, career ladder credits, professional development credentials and knowledge about strengthening relationships with family, friends and colleagues. The conference will begin with a free opening-night keynote speech, Sept. 15 at 7:40 p.m. in the Shepherd Union Ballrooms. The community is invited to hear child and family psychologist Kristen Race discuss A Mindful Life: From Surviving to Thriving. Race is the author of the book Mindful Parenting and the founder of Mindful Life, a program that provides brain-based solutions to handle stress. Her speech will focus on ways to feel more present at home and at work, and how to shift from simply surviving to thriving. Keynote speaker Gaye Gronlund, an early childhood consultant, will provide speeches and workshops centered on early education. Gronlund specializes in helping teachers, administrators and policy makers implement the best approaches to teach and assess children. During her sessions, she will share strategies that focus on meeting the needs of each child. Additional workshops led by field experts will explore topics including: Embracing introverts in your life Maintaining a lasting and rewarding romantic relationship The influence of encouragement Childhood nutrition Stopping dating violence and sexual assault Raising children who read The conference is sponsored by the Department of Child and Family Studies in collaboration with WSUs continuing education program and O.C. Tanner. To view a full schedule of events or to register for the conference, visit weber.edu/familiesalive. Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University. "Export of terror, growing radicalisation and spread of extreme violence are common security threats to our societies," Modi said while addressing the 14th India-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit. By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tough talk aimed at cornering Pakistan on the global stage continued today with India saying Islamabad has just one competitive advantage over other nations in the region, and that is exporting terror. WHAT MODI SAID ON TERROR "One country has only one competitive advantage: exporting terror," Modi said in his statement at the Asean summit in Laos, shortly before his meeting with US President Barack Obama. advertisement "The time has come to isolate and sanction the instigator of terror," he said, adding that the "export of terror" from Pakistan is a common threat to the Asian region. "Export of terror, growing radicalisation and spread of extreme violence are common security threats to our societies," Modi said while addressing the 14th India-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit. Also read: Export of terror common security threat: PM Modi to ASEAN nations MODI LAUNCHED SIMILAR ATTACK ON PAK AT G20 SUMMIT India has accused Pakistan of escalating the crisis in Kashmir, which has been on the boil for more than two months and has seen over 70 deaths of protesters. At Asean, Modi has also raised India's concerns over the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Earlier this week, Modi had launched a similar attack on Pakistan at the G20 summit in China, saying, "one single nation" in South Asia is spreading "agents of terror" and demanded that those who sponsor the menace must be sanctioned and isolated, not rewarded. India and Pakistan have been engaged in a fierce verbal battle over terrorism and the situation in Kashmir. While India has accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism, Pakistan, on its part, has been trying to internationalise Kashmir, alleging New Delhi of human rights violations. Modi's strong remarks also came a day after the US asked Pakistan to do more to eliminate terrorist safe havens saying terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed continue to be a threat to everyone. "We're also aware India is located in a challenging neighbourhood and the United States has been very clear, at the highest levels, that Pakistan can and must do more to eliminate terrorist safe havens," US Ambassador to India Richard R Verma said in New Delhi on Wednesday. --- ENDS --- The following is an editorial by John Kennedy, State Treasurer No doubt you're aware of what August brought to south Louisiana in terms of historic flooding. The water rose fast, destroying homes and cars. Thousands of people were displaced. At least 13 people died. Those of you in north Louisiana - and in other corners of Louisiana - know the August flooding is a bookend to what March wrought. March came in with a roar and torrential rain. The horrific March flooding came on the heels of the Red River's nearly 38 foot crest in June 2015, the highest the Red had risen since the 1940s. We're stacking up debris and rebuilding in south Louisiana, but we haven't forgotten our family and friends in north Louisiana. If you live in a parish that hasn't endured Mother Nature's worst lately, then you're lucky. Homeowners, renters, businesses, farmers and ranchers have been hit hard. The March flooding impacted three dozen parishes. Preliminary estimates indicated more than 12,000 homes were impacted. We're still tallying up the damages. As of April 20, the parishes of Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Union, Morehouse, West Carroll, East Carroll, Madison, Richland, Ouachita, Lincoln, Jackson, Bienville, DeSoto, Red River, Winn, Caldwell, Franklin, Catahoula, LaSalle, Grant, Natchitoches, Sabine, Vernon, Rapides, Avoyelles, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, St. Helena, Livingston, Ascension, Tangipahoa, Washington and St. Tammany were eligible for individual and public assistance from FEMA. If you're keeping count, that's a good chunk of the state. Those impacted by this flooding still have some resources at their disposal. I want to make sure that you're aware of what they are. State Sales Tax Refund: If you live in a presidential declared disaster area impacted by the March and August floods, you can file for a refund on state sales tax paid on personal property destroyed by the floods. This applies to items such as furniture, rugs, clothing, linens, televisions, cameras, toys and books not reimbursed by insurance or disaster relief. Visit www.latreasury.com for more information. Federal Income Tax Deductions For Unreimbursed Casualty Losses: If you lost your home to flooding and you weren't insured, you can deduct at least a portion of your loss on your federal tax return. The casualty loss deduction is aimed at sudden events such as storms, earthquakes, fires and volcanic eruptions. In a federally declared disaster area, you can make the deduction in the year the disaster occurred or in the year immediately before the disaster (typically through an amended return). To learn more, visit https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc515.html. FEMA: You can no longer apply for disaster assistance through FEMA. However, you can contact FEMA to ask questions about determination letters, appeal decisions, change your address and ask questions. Call the helpline at 1-800-621-3362. Small Business Administration: Small businesses and nonprofit organizations still can apply for Economic Injury Disaster loans. These are designed to help with working capital needs. The deadline to apply is Dec. 13. Visit https://www.sba.gov/. Don't forget these programs. They are here to help you. Don't get discouraged. We will overcome and rebuild. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit By PTI: Noida, Sep 7 (PTI) Asserting that Information Technology was being used in nearly every aspect of modern urban life, Rajya Sabha MP P Bhattacharya today pressed for furthering technology literacy among Indian masses. Bhattacharya was speaking at the inauguration ofInternational Conference on Reliability, Infocom Technologies and Optimization (ICRITO-2016) at Amity University. "70 per cent of population in India does not know how to use computers. There is a need to spread the knowledge about IT and the necessity of communication systems, starting from remotest parts and villages of the country," said Bhattacharya. advertisement "IT has changed the urban planning models and it is being used to make environment, governance and economy more efficient. Optimisation of IT is needed to serve growing cities, which are flooded with soaring population," he added. Bhattacharya said the concept of smart cities need to be coupled with smart villages to ensure inclusive development in India. The three-day international conference will witness numerous sessions including Digital Future and Innovation- A Societal Transformation and Statistical Process Control for OSS Projects and OptimalRelease Policies among others. PTI CORR CHT RG CHT --- ENDS --- Advertisement By Adam Morton Sep. 07, 2016 | PADUCAH, KY By Adam Morton Sep. 07, 2016 | 01:44 PM | PADUCAH, KY The United States Department of Energy helped out local Charities in Paducah Wednesday morning as part of the Feds Feed Families National Program. DOE officials donated needed food items to Paducah Cooperative Ministry, the Salvation Army, and Martha's Vineyard. Lt. Johnny Horton with the Salvation Army said enough food was donated to provide about 30 meals to needy families. The program began in 2009 as part of President Obama's United We Serve campaign, Feds Feed Families was created to help replenish food banks and pantries. The program also helps the food banks during summer months when the donations are low but need his high. In Washington, D.C., the Capital Area Food Bank receives collections and distributes them through its network of more than 500 partner organizations. Since 2009, the food drive has collected nearly 57.2 million pounds of food for those in need. "It helps restock our pantry. Its going to be used in the community, but that is not the primary focus for the use of the days donation. Most of it will be used for the teens that attend Salvation Army after School Programs." Horton said. Horton said although the event was small in the grand scheme of things, it can make a huge impact to local folks. 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. By West Kentucky Star Staff Sep. 02, 2016 | 09:57 PM | PADUCAH, KY Family Night is Friday from 5-10 pm Dinners served from 5-8 pm Burgers, bbq and hot dogs Food, drinks, fun and games for all... Live music: Steel Dove Band Children's Corner and Prizes Pre-register for Poker Run 50-50 and door prizes Saturday Morning Breakfast is served from 8-10 am First bike out at 9:30 am Last bike out at 11 am Last bike in 2 pm $10 per poker hand BBQ lunch served noon-3:30 pm Free Spirit Biker Church is an organized group dedicated to reaching bikers and people who would not attend your regular steeple churches. They began their ministry 11 years ago with nine people and now average about 250 people every Sunday. A year and a half ago, they purchased their building and grounds at 2380 John Puryear Drive. Now they are in need of a parking lot at this facility. This two day rally on September 9th and 10th will help them raise funds to build that parking lot. For more information, call 270-564-3004. Free Spirit Biker Church is an organized group dedicated to reaching bikers and people who would not attend your regular steeple churches. They began their ministry 11 years ago with nine people and now average about 250 people every Sunday.A year and a half ago, they purchased their building and grounds at 2380 John Puryear Drive. Now they are in need of a parking lot at this facility. This two day rally on September 9th and 10th will help them raise funds to build that parking lot. Free Spirit Biker Church, 2380 John Puryear Drive, is hosting its annual Poker Run on Friday, Sept. 9th and Saturday, Sept. 10th. The "Ride On Rally 2016" is a rain or shine event with door prizes, raffles and prizes from $500 for 1st place, $200 for 2nd place, $100 for 3rd place, $100 for 4th place and $100 for the "Lucky Winner". It's an annual fundraiser for the church. By West Kentucky Star Staff Sep. 08, 2016 | 06:54 AM | FORT CAMPBELL, KY Officials say five soldiers have been injured in a hard helicopter landing during a training exercise at an Army base on the Kentucky-Tennessee border.A statement from Fort Campbell says the soldiers were in the middle of a routine training exercise Wednesday evening when the Chinook helicopter made a hard landing.All five soldiers were taken to medical treatment facilities, according to the statement.Media cited an Army statement saying two crew members were in stable condition Thursday at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville and three others were treated at the post hospital and released.No further information was immediately available.Fort Campbell is home to the 101st Airborne Division.Original Story:Five Fort Campbell soldiers were injured Wednesday night during a routine training exercise at the military base.According to The Tennessean, the base's public affairs office says at about 10:30 pm Wednesday, a helicopter made a hard landing at Fort Campbell.All five soldiers aboard the aircraft suffered injuries and were taken to medical facilities, according to the paper. The base is not releasing the extent of their injuries at this time.The incident is under investigation. On the Net: By West Kentucky Star Staff Sep. 08, 2016 | 05:31 AM | MURRAY, KY Calloway County authorities have made an arrest in a vehicle theft and fire investigation. Late Wednesday night, Calloway County sheriff's deputies and Murray Police officers arrested 32-year-old William L. Nelson of Murray on a warrant for burning personal property to defraud insurer. Nelson had reported that his truck was taken from his home on Cambridge Drive in Murray last month without his knowledge. Police said the truck was allegedly taken from Nelson's home while family was inside. The truck was found in a rural area west of Murray, where it had been set on fire. Police said an investigation in conjunction with insurance special investigators determined that the series of events surrounding the movement and burning of Nelson's truck appeared to be very suspect. Nelson was arrested and lodged in the Calloway County Jail. Deputies said further charges against Nelson and possibly accomplices in the case are pending. Even with 5-0 lead, Verlander can't get 1st World Series win By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 7 (PTI) Citizens will now be spared from the hassle of carrying physical driving licences and vehicle registration certificates (RCs), which can be accessed online or on their mobile phones using DigiLocker. Launching the integration of DigiLocker with the Driving Licence and Vehicle Registration system of the ministry of road transport and highways today, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said citizens can use these as valid identification at airports too. advertisement The digital driving licence and vehicle registration documents will be available on citizens cellphones via the DigiLocker mobile app and this will ensure authenticated on the spot verification by various law enforcement authorities like the traffic police. "The system will not only eliminate corruption but is a mega step towards realising Prime Ministers Digital India drive. The citizens can use this at airports as valid identity document," Road Transport and Highways Minister Gadkari said. According to Gadkari, this move is vital for the transport sector where 19.5 crore vehicles are registered and there are 10 crore driving licences. "If someone is stopped anywhere, he or she can show driving licence on mobile phone. This will benefit common masses and ensure a corruption free, transparent system devoid of red tapism. Crores of people will benefit," he said. He said the proposed new motor vehicle legislation will have provisions for online driving licences. The minister said the transport ministry is actively pursuing the digitisation of documents and this will help in enforcement of traffic laws and enhance citizen convenience. He said DigiLocker integration with the ministry will make available over 19 crore digital vehicle RCs and about 10 crore driving licences in citizens DigiLocker accounts and the digitally signed accounts will be at par with the physical certificates as per the IT Act, 2000. IT and law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who launched the system along with Gadkari, said there are 21 lakh registered users of DigiLocker. "Technology is a big enabler. Digital India is designed to empower India and Indians," Prasad said. DigiLocker is a key initiative under Digital India and serves as a platform for issuance of documents and certificates in a digital way, thus eliminating the use of physical documents. Citizens who sign up for the DigiLocker account get dedicated cloud storage space which can be used for storing key documents like voter ID, driving licences and vehicle registration certificates. PTI NAM MBI ARD --- ENDS --- By The Associated Press Sep. 08, 2016 | 08:54 AM | FRANKFORT, KY A judge has ruled ousted Kentucky Retirement Systems board member Thomas Elliott can still participate in meetings, but he won't have a vote. Republican Gov. Matt Bevin is trying to remove Elliott from the board. Elliott sued Bevin, one of several pending lawsuits testing the limits of the governor's power. Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd previously ruled Elliott could temporarily vote and participate in the board's meetings pending the outcome of the case. But Elliott angered Shepherd by skipping two board meetings after the ruling. Bevin's attorneys on Wednesday asked Shepherd to modify his ruling, questioning Elliott's commitment. Elliott said he plans to attend all future meetings and takes his role seriously. A sea of people lined the streets, right hands over their hearts. Small American flags blew in the warm summer wind. Military, Police, fire fighters, and civic volunteers stood at attention. A shiny black hearse adorned with a small Marine Corps sticker slowly drove down Hudson Ave. Inside, a lost Marine made his way home and was taken to his final resting place. Pfc. George H. Traver was killed in action on Nov. 20, 1943. His body was one of many found earlier this year in the Gilbert Islands, just off the coast of Hawaii. Travers remains were flown from a military laboratory in Hawaii to the Albany International Airport on Aug. 26th, 2016, where Marines received the casket and performed military honors. Two days later, hundreds of citizens, many with no relation to Traver, came out to celebrate the return of his remains during a processional to and from a funeral service held in his honor at the St. James Catholic church in his hometown of Chatham, New York. As a young kid, I remember going to family picnics and seeing my heartbroken grandmother. Shed say over and over again, I wish theyd find George. I wish theyd find George, said George Traver, nephew of Pfc. Traver. Traver, the fourth of five siblings, enlisted in the Marine Corps on Jan. 22, 1942, the month following the infamous attacks on Pearl Harbor. He was assigned to the Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, and served in the South Pacific during World War II. Later that year, he was wounded at Guadalcanal and received a Purple Heart. He was sent to New Zealand for a short time to recover before returning to the front lines, according to his family. In November 1943, he paid the ultimate sacrifice during the battle of Tarawa, a joint Navy-Army-Marine mission. The mission was the first and largest American offensive in the Pacific region. Sixty-six destroyers, 36 transport ships, 17 aircraft carriers, 12 battleships, eight heavy cruisers, and four light cruisers sought to usurp a Japanese airstrip. Nearly 1700 American sailors and Marines died during the battle, and more than 2,000 were wounded. The tiny island became known as, one square mile of hell. His mother received a Western Union telegram more than a month later which read, Deeply regret to inform you that your son was killed in action in performance of his duty and in the service of his country. His fellow Marines also mailed back several personal effects, including a Japanese wooden box with a tin nameplate nailed onto it, a Marine logo, and a cross. His mother kept that box and added his Boy Scout awards, high school awards, and every remnant of his short military career, including his two Purple Hearts, Marine awards, letters of commendation, and letters of condolence. After his death, Travers mother was inducted into the American Gold Star Mothers, an organization of women who have lost children in service to their country. On May 28, 1918, President Woodrow Wilson approved a suggestion made by the Women's Committee of the Council of National Defenses that American women should wear a black band on the left arm with a gilt star on the band for each member of the family who has given his life for the nation, according to their website. His mother would often participate in the towns Memorial Day parade, riding in a convertible alongside other Gold Star Moms, recalled her grandson, David Silliman. Id watch my grandmother in the convertible and they shushed us kids and told us as they drove past, Please, no applause for the Gold Star Mothers, said Silliman. He heard stories of his uncle, the war hero and pieced together a biography from newspaper clippings and letters Traver had written home to his mother. Eventually, the family stopped talking about his death, except to tell the younger generations not to join the Marines. They felt they gave enough to the Marines, said Al Wheeler, great-nephew of Traver. His remains were found this past spring with help from ground-penetrating radar and volunteers with History Flight, a non-profit organization. History Flight strives to honor and locate the remains of more than 78,000 American service members still missing in action from World War II, according to their website. We all have one thing in common, we believe in the motto that no American service member should ever be left behind, said Paul Schwimmer, a volunteer with History flight. One member of the History Flight who was integral in finding the remains was Buster, a cadaver dog who specialized in sniffing out 70 year-old graves. When he sensed the remains of Traver and other Marines, he sat down and began barking. Traver was found with three-dozen other fallen Marines in shallow trenches and was identified using dental records and a Boy Scout pocket knife he carried with him. Although rusted, the emblem on the knife was clearly discernable. You see things like this on TV, especially with the different ceremonies for the GIs that got lost and stuff like this other the years, but to be a part of itits something that youll never forget, said G. Traver, nephew of Pfc. Traver. Members of the Traver family said that although his mother died in 1975, she finally got her dying wish that her son returned home from war. Addressing a conference on Assessing South Asia's Nuclear Security, he said Pakistan qualifies for the membership for Nuclear Suppliers Group and has mobilised the member countries for supporting the cause. By Press Trust of India: Describing Pakistan as a "responsible" nuclear state, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said the country's nuclear assets are "safe" and it qualifies for NSG membership. Addressing a conference on "Assessing South Asia's Nuclear Security" organised by Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Chaudhry said people of Pakistan are the owners of Pakistan's nuclear programme which is meant only for its defence as a sovereign nation. advertisement "Pakistan has always voiced its desire for strategic stability and urges all regional partners to utilise resources for economic development instead of furthering nuclearisation in the region that in turn usher insecurity in the region," he said. NSG MEMBERSHIP Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state and its nuclear assets are safe and regularised by an autonomous body which is Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Radio Pakistan quoted him as saying. He said Pakistan qualifies for the membership for Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and has mobilised the member countries for supporting the cause. The Foreign Secretary hoped that political and commercial motives will not hinder Pakistan's membership for the NSG. Chaudhry said Pakistan has urged the international community and particularly the United States to shun discriminatory practices in the context of nuclear and defence ties as it jeopardizes the stability of whole region. "Credible minimum deterrence remains our principle and as a sovereign country we take every step for the defence of our motherland if any strategic partnership or alliance threats our security and regional stability," he said. BILATERAL RELATIONS Referring to recent US-India defence deal, he said we have no comments for the bilateral relations of any country if "these do not undermine our security and stability of the region". He said Pakistan is a staunch advocate of nuclear non-proliferation at international level and believes in amicable solution of all disputes. In the context of India and Pakistan bilateral relations, he said both countries need to bolster the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to reach pragmatic solutions for their long standing disputes. He said dialogue is the only way possible to keep the relations at a positive trajectory. --- ENDS --- For the eighth time in two years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet US President Barack Obama today for bilateral talks at the ASEAN summit in Laos. By PTI: For the eighth time in two years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet US President Barack Obama today for bilateral talks at the ASEAN (Association of South Eastern Nations) summit in Laos. Modi had a brief chat with Obama on Sunday at the G20 summit in China, where the American leader had praised the PM's achievement in clearing the landmark Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill. advertisement The meeting with Obama is scheduled later in the day, when they are also expected to speak to reporters before their talks. The India-Asean Summit on Thursday will be attended by leaders of 10 southeast Asian nations - Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand. 8TH MEETING IN 2 YEARS This would be the eighth meeting between Modi and Obama in two years. They met for the first time at the White House in September 2014 when Modi travelled to Washington DC at the invitation of Obama. Prime Minister Modi exchanged views with Obama on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Chinas Hangzhou on Sunday, with the US president praising the "bold policy" move on GST reform in a "difficult" global economic scenario. Obama is scheduled to address a news conference in Laos immediately after his meeting with Modi. Modi also met South Korean President Park Geun-hye, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is the State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar today. Also read: Export of terror common security threat: PM Modi to ASEAN nations --- ENDS --- OP Kohli will hold the additional charge of the office of Governor of MP along with Gujarat. By Rahul Noronha: Gujarat Governor Om Prakash Kohli was administered the oath of office as Governor of Madhya Pradesh by acting Chief Justice of MP High Court Rajendra Menon today at the Raj Bhawan in Bhopal. Kohli will hold charge of the office of Governor of MP along with Gujarat after Ram Naresh Yadav's tenure in office got over on Wednesday. advertisement The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his cabinet colleagues, besides senior officers of the state government. OP Kohli would return to Gandhi Nagar on Thursday evening. Also read: Assembly polls: Scindia expresses keenness to take on BJP in MP Sources said that a full time governor may be appointed by the Union government closer to the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. VYAPAM SCAM Previous Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav had a controversial term at the Raj Bhawan with allegations of his involvement in the Vyapam scam coming to the fore. The Special Task Force of the MP police, while it was probing the Vyapam scam had registered a case against the governor. However, the FIR was quashed by the MP High Court on grounds that a serving governor cannot be booked. A case was also registered against Yadav's OSD, Dhanraj Yadav in connection with the Vyapam scam. The scam is being probed by the CBI now which is expected to look into the role of the former governor in the forest guard recruitment scam. --- ENDS --- US said Pakistan must go after terrorist groups who seek to harm neighbours. By India Today Web Desk: Mark Toner, US Dept of State Deputy Spokesperson today dismissed statements of declared Pakistan-based terrorist Hafiz Saeed that the new pact between India and America against the China Pakistan Economic Corridor was anti-Muslim. Speaking to media, Toner rejected Saeed's claims that pact between the two countries was "against the Muslim World and bulwark Pakistan". "I would dismiss it outright. We have a strong bilateral relationship with Pakistan, but one that is premised on counterterrorism cooperation and as - as part of that conversation, or that dialogue and that cooperation that we have on counterterrorism issues," Mark Toner said. advertisement Toner reiterated that US had made it clear to Pakistan that it must go after terrorist groups who seek to harm neighbours. "We have a strong bilateral relationship with Pakistan, but one that is premised on counter terrorism cooperation. As part of that conversation, we made it very clear that Pakistan cannot pick and choose which terrorist groups it goes after," the spokesperson said. "Pakistan has to go after those groups that seek to do harm to its neighbors and may seek refuge on Pakistani soil", he added. Toner's statements came after Hafiz Saeed, the terror convict in 2008 Mumbai attack, said that India and US' share a mutual interest against Pakistan. The Jamaat-Ud-Dawa (JuD) chief asserted, "The new pact between India and US is against Pakistan, against China-Pak Eco Corridor and in fact it is against the Muslim world." "The United States has issues with China, India has issues with Pakistan. The interest of both has become one due to CPEC. The mutual consent of the two nations against the CPEC hints preparation of a terrifying war," he added. --- ENDS --- This man's nephew died due to lack of functional ventilators in a public hospital in Pakistan. That's when he decided to build a low-cost ventilator. By India Today Web Desk: This man saw his nephew struggling to live in a public hospital in Pakistan but due to lack of functional ventilators could not make it. Dr Mujeeb ur Rahman, an engineer, saw his young nephew fight for his life for three days while breathing through an Ambu bag whereas he needed a ventitalor. An Ambu bag is used as a stop gap arrangement to save a patient's life. advertisement "My nephew had been brought in from Sahiwal, and as his condition went from bad to worse, there was no ventilator available for him. What we were given instead was an Ambu bag which is generally used as a stop gap arrangement to save a patient's life. Me and three other people took turns on this bag to make sure the child got his body's requirement of air", said Dr Mujeeb as reported by MIT Technology Review Pakistan . In Pakistan's Punjab, the number of working ventilators is low and it is challenging for people to afford the exorbitant charges of private hospitals. According to a report , out of 885 ventilators available at least 122 are dysfunctional. It became difficult for his nephew to breathe and soon he collapsed. Dr Rahman, who recently returned from the United States after completing his Masters and PhD from The California Institute of Technology (Caltech), felt helpless. That was when he thought that he could either "sit and fume" or use his engineering skills to look for a solution. He came up with an idea to automate the Ambu bag. He wanted to create a product that could take out the human errors involved in using an Ambu bag as a ventilator. Photo: MIT Technology Review Pakistan Using the help of another mechanical engineer from work he began working on the idea. The duo started with some preliminary sketches and moved towards mechanical designs. He then realised the need of a full time resource and then Saad Pasha joined him as a research associated provided by Lahore's Information Technology University, where Dr Rahman works as an Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering. Using their acquired skills and knowledge, they built a version 0.1 of the low cost Ambu bag ventilator system. The funding of the invention was done by ITU's research fund but the machine is yet to pass the testing phase only after which it can be rolled out. It will be first tested and monitored on animals and then human testing will begin. In the in-house-testing, the device has already performed well. --- ENDS --- advertisement Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 08/09/2016 (2242 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Canadian Federation of Students is urging the Pallister government to pass legislation addressing sexual assault on campus. The Manitoba chapter of the student lobby group wants to see a law that would mandate policies regarding sexual assault at all public post-secondary institutions and ensure sufficient resources and policies to combat the crime. Students have been fighting for decades for action from both university administrations and government officials, Manitoba chairman Michael Barkman said. There are no excuses when it comes to the safety of our students. Enough is enough, we need campus sexual-assault legislation now. The Post-Secondary Violence and Sexual Harassment Policies Act was introduced June 8 as a private members bill by the Opposition NDP. We are focused on getting legislation passed, Barkman said. We are optimistic that the current government will take action, given their focus on the safety and well-being of Manitoba families. A government spokesman for Manitoba Education and Training didnt address the bill specifically Thursday, but said the province will continue to help protect those most vulnerable. We continue to listen and engage in meaningful discussions with education and womens organizations on initiatives to enhance on campus safety in Manitoba, he said. Last spring, Brandon University came under fire after a first-year student was forced to sign a document which has been described as a gag order that effectively punishes a complainant after reporting shed been sexually assaulted in a residence on campus. The document stated the woman could not contact the other person involved or discuss what happened with anyone other than a counsellor, and warned a breach of the contract could result in disciplinary action. WAYNE GLOWACKI / FREE PRESS FILES 'Students have been fighting for decades for action from both university administrations and government officials,' says Michael Barkman. Brandon University president Gervan Fearon later apologized and created a task force, which made nine recommendations, including developing a process to handle complaints of sexual violence. staff, with files from the Brandon Sun Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 08/09/2016 (2242 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Upcoming changes to make 911 services more cellphone-friendly could mean a new government fee attached to your phone bill. The province is slowly moving toward the so-called next-generation 911, which would see Manitobans be able to send texts, videos and pictures to 911 operators. The overhaul isnt going to be cheap. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES The province is slowly moving towards "Next Generation 911", which will see Manitobans be able to send texts, videos and pictures to 911 operators. A briefing note given to Infrastructure Minister Blaine Pedersen following the April election states planned technological changes to 911 will lead to a 30 to 40 per cent increase in operating and capital costs for 911 service providers such as the Winnipeg Police Service and the City of Brandon. Increased capital costs will occur for the NG911 technology itself and a 30 to 40 per cent increase in operating costs associated with the management of the much greater amount of incoming data, states the April 25 briefing note. Staff Sgt. Gord Spado of the Winnipeg Police Service says the 911 community made up of advocates and 911 service providers has proposed a funding model to the provinces Emergency Measures Organization modelled after seven other provinces. Those provinces tack on a monthly government fee to all cellphone and landline users bills that goes directly to help fund 911 service providers and their salaries. Charges in those provinces range from 43 cents a month in Nova Scotia to 75 cents in Newfoundland and Labrador. Ontario and British Columbia are the only other provinces that dont charge a government fee on users phone bills. Technology is changing all the time, next-generation is a concept where people are going to be able to contact emergency services in a variety of different ways as opposed to a traditional telephone line, and that means sending in videos, texts and a lot more data can be exchanged, said Spado, a certified emergency number professional. There are times when voice call isnt the safest, youre the subject of a home invasion you dont really want to talk on the phone all people, all devices, all the time. This additional levy would have to be legislated by the province. A recent review of 911 services by the province includes the move toward next-generation 911 and will consider funding models such as a government levy. Federal tariffs currently collected for 911 services go to Manitoba Telecom Services to support 911 infrastructure . Pedersen said his government is considering the review. On top of additional staff needed to process the extra data, it will also mean a serious overhaul of telephone infrastructure to replace 911 centres from an analog system to a digital-friendly Emergency Services IP Network. This overhaul will increase accuracy in locating callers using mobile devices because it gives dispatchers a map-based system to use as opposed to a grid, Spado said. A timeline for when the changes would be rolled out in Manitoba has not been set, but Spado said a national coalition of advocates is attempting to spearhead getting next-generation 911 across the country. The target is to have a national framework by 2020. The CRTC, which regulates the telecommunications carriers that direct and connect 911 calls, is in consultations ahead of a establishing a regulatory framework for the new 911 system. (In) five years, it would probably be realistic to have a solid road map for implementation, Spado said, adding it depends on how quick telephone companies are able to build the infrastructure needed for the transition. However, Spado said the province could begin legislating the new tariff, whenever they think it is a good idea to endorse it. Is it being considered? Sure it is, but at the end of the day it is the (minister who) has to make the call, Spado said. kristin.annable@freepress.mb.ca Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 08/09/2016 (2242 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Has Ottawa finally solved the property tax conundrum that hamstrings national museums? For as long as anyone can remember, the federal government has fought with municipalities over payments in lieu of property taxes (PILT) for the more than 22,000 buildings and other physical assets it owns in 1,250 municipalities across the country. Ottawa expends more than $1 billion each year on PILT, and yet it does little to ease the hunger of municipalities and their huge infrastructure deficits. The battle is never more fierce than when it comes to calculating PILT on unique federal assets, chief among them national museums and other cultural institutions. Canada has six national museums, including Winnipegs Canadian Museum for Human Rights. In all instances, each of those museums has struggled to find the money to pay escalating tax bills from the municipalities in which they are located. WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS files The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is one of many federal cultural institutions that must pay PILT out of their operating budgets. The CMHR has been involved in prickly negotiations with the City of Winnipeg almost from the moment ground was broken at The Forks. It came to a head in August when Public Works Canada (the federal department that issues PILT to municipalities) settled with the city for $7.5 million in back and current taxes. In a process that could only make sense to government bureaucrats, Public Works is now seeking that money from the museum, which is in turn hoping to get the money from the federal Heritage Department, which oversees and funds federal museums. If the CMHR is unable to get additional support from Heritage and is forced to take the money out of its operating grant, the PILT settlement could severely impair it. Its a preposterous process that holds the museums responsible for paying PILT out of their operating budgets, but gives all power to negotiate those payments to Public Works. The insult added to the injury is Ottawas refusal, to date, to account for rising PILTs in annual museum operating grants. So, as municipalities have increased assessments, the museums have been forced to trim staff, curtail operations or defer repairs in order to meet PILT obligations. All that said, there is some reason for hope. In March, the Liberals unveiled a budget that featured additional or restored funding for federal cultural assets. Specifically, the budget calls for $106 million over the next five years for repairs and operational support. Federal sources indicate funds to cover back and current property taxes for the CMHR will come from that fund. However, that expenditure only solves part of the problem. Ottawa desperately needs to forge a new policy that allows museums to cover rising PILT costs well into the future. The solution is likely to be found in a broader and more detailed examination of the system for compensating municipalities in lieu of property taxes for federal buildings and other assets. PILT is a divisive issue, but if there is anything everyone can agree on, it is that almost no one likes the current system. Limited in how they can raise money and straining under the weight of infrastructure deficits, municipalities complain federal departments and agencies resist any bid to increase assessments. In some instances, federal departments have refused to pay taxes to municipalities, prompting lengthy and expensive court battles. A seminal case was a 2012 Supreme Court decision over taxes owing on Citadel Hill, a national park in downtown Halifax. The top court found little virtue in Ottawas approach to the issue, warning the federal government it cannot unilaterally hold PILT to unreasonably low levels. Unfortunately, most observers believe the courts decision did little to amend the federal governments tactics when negotiating PILT settlements. On the other side of the equation, federal officials complain municipalities often have unreasonable PILT expectations of their own. In the CMHR negotiations, the city repeatedly rejected federal arguments that the museums final tax bill should take into account the museums enormous contributions to economic activity and the tax revenue that it generates. Initially, the city attempted to assess the CMHR at an extraordinarily high value that would have resulted in an annual tax bill of more than $5 million, nearly one-quarter of the museums annual operating grant. Although municipalities will play a role in finding a lasting solution, Ottawa carries the lions share of the responsibility to find a better way to cover off PILT. Perhaps Ottawa could examine a long-term, multi-year PILT settlement with a modest escalator that would give municipalities predictable, steadily increasing revenue without having to engage in divisive, mind-numbing negotiations or costly legal threats. It would also help Ottawa plan operating budgets for its museums well into the future. Whatever is decided, a remedy is most definitely needed. Now that Ottawa appears to have dealt with past and current PILT obligations, its time to start looking ahead to a system that better satisifies municipalities without threatening the viability of national institutions. dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 08/09/2016 (2242 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The town of The Pas is prepared to use whatever resources it can to prevent the Tolko paper mill from closing Dec. 2. Mayor Jim Scott has made a pitch to the privately owned company to waive three years worth of property and education taxes $2.53 million in exchange for the company continuing to make paper in The Pas and to give the town time to find a buyer for the kraft paper mill. The Vernon, B.C.,-based company announced two weeks ago it is closing the plant. Trevor Wright / Opasquia Times The Tolko kraft paper mill in The Pas is to close Dec. 2, but the towns mayor is offering incentives to keep it open while a new owner is sought. Unfortunately, despite years of continued effort to improve the cost structure and business results of the operations, the business is not financially sustainable, said Tolko president and CEO Brad Thorlakson. The town and others, including Unifor, the union that represents some of the 330 people who will lose their jobs, as well as the northern chiefs organization Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, have all committed to finding a buyer to keep the mill open. Scott said he doesnt know how long such a process will take but said he didnt want to buy a six-month window only to find it will take another six months. He said it is an offer to persuade the company to extend the closure deadline past Dec. 2. The cost of shutting that place down and restarting is massive. If we could avoid that, we would like to, said Scott. And shame on us if we dont go down every path we possibly can to try to make this work. The town is in the process of hiring an industry consultant to undertake a professional search for a buyer. Scott said while the company has said it is not happy with the financial performance of the mill, it does not necessarily mean it is not profitable. If we find the right buyer, they can sign a non-disclosure agreement and they can look at the books to see if it is worthwhile. A letter was sent to Tolko with the proposal late last week before the long weekend. The company has not responded. A company spokesperson could not be reached. The provincial government has ruled out a bailout but said its open to new ideas. Shame on us if we dont go down every path we possibly can to try to make this work The Pas Mayor Jim Scott Our government is working with the town of The Pas to identify long-term, sustainable options for northern development. I, and several of my cabinet colleagues, will be in The Pas next week for meetings with northern mayors and business leaders that will focus on facilitating a business-friendly environment that is attractive to investors and to entrepreneurs, Cliff Cullen, Manitobas minister of growth, enterprise and trade, said in an email message. Meanwhile, The Pas is fighting for its life. If the mill closes, the town loses its largest employer and a $37-million annual payroll. It would be a major blow to its essential services, including the school division Scott believes receives about $9,000 per student in provincial funding. If that mill closes down and 100 kids move ouch, said Scott. We dont want to see our school division shrink, we want to see it grow. We dont want to lose out on that. The town is also facing uncertainty over the future of a couple of other significant contributors to its economy. Omnitrax, the owner of the Hudson Bay Railway, which employs at least two dozen people in The Pas, is looking to exit the business and has been cutting back its operations. More recently, the operators of the Aseneskak Casino at Opaskwayak Cree Nation, which is adjacent to The Pas, has let it be known it is looking to move the casino elsewhere. martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 08/09/2016 (2242 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Will it be President Clinton or President Trump? The Winnipegger who has met them both and knows U.S. politics better than most Canadians isnt sure. Its too close to call, former U.S. ambassador and Manitoba premier Gary Doer told a sold-out crowd at an Insiders event at the Free Press News Cafe Wednesday night. The gregarious 68-year-old shared stories from his six years working in Washington, D.C., and getting to know politicians on both sides of the aisle Republicans and Democrats. Hes had dinner with Hillary and Bill Clinton at their home down the street from the Canadian Embassy. Hes seen Hillary Clinton at work in meetings and was impressed by her. Shes very, very smart, disciplined and well-prepared, he said. She is very, very effective at meetings. She has a bright sense of humour that you dont always see in public, he said. Shes very prepared, said Doer. When you raise issues with her, she would be very well-briefed. Doer said he met Trump only once, briefly, at a 2011 Washington correspondents dinner many pundits believe pushed the businessman and reality-TV star to run for president. (U.S. President) Obama was unloading on Trump, said Doer. It was quite an evening. The president told the crowd of politicians, reporters and celebrities singling out Trump in the audience for publicly questioning whether or not Obama was born in the U.S. that hed found his long-form birth certificate. Obama had a really big smile on his face, Doer said. Not only had the president found his birth certificate but he also had what he claimed to be footage of his actual birth. He showed it to us and it was (a clip from Disneys) The Lion King, Doer laughed. Trump sat there but didnt move a hair or an eye. Doer predicted last year, before the Republican nominee was chosen, that Trump had a shot at being president. On Wednesday night, he told Free Press Insiders at the presidential politics, a pint and pizza event for subscribers he still thinks that Trump may win. I think the debates will matter, said Doer, who is looking forward to watching Clinton and Trump square off face to face for the first time Sept. 26. Youll have a better sense after the first debate. Doer said Clinton is saddled with high expectations heading into the debates with Trump because of her experience. I dont think its easy for Hillary Clinton with all those debates with Barack Obama and Bernie Sanders, he said. You try to lower expectations, said Doer. If you exceed them, youre the winner, said Doer. Expectations are lower for Trump, he said. Right now hes got to pass the Is he presidential? test, Doer said. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Gary Doer, Canadas former ambassador to the United States and former Manitoba premier, shares his perspective on U.S. presidential politics at the Free Press News Cafe with host Free Press editor Paul Samyn. Doer said Trump is a master of marketing who has tapped into the anxiety and anger in the U.S. The housing crisis there caused property values to plummet 40 per cent while people had to pay taxes that went to a Wall Street bailout. People lost a fortune and jobs, he said. The billionaire businessman has been telling them No one is there for them, Doer said, and Its time to throw them all out of Washington and Im on your side and What have you got to lose? Clintons main marketing message is she will be steady hands on the nuclear buttons, said Doer. While Clinton and the Democrats have organization and electoral college votes on their side, its emotion, not logic, that gets out the vote, and Trump has a talent for triggering emotions, Doer said. Emotion is more of a motivating factor than logic and facts, said Doer. I wish that wasnt true, but it is true its a motivating factor and a turnout factor. Doer moved back to Winnipeg after more than six years as Canadas ambassador to the U.S. at the end of January. He was Manitobas premier from 1999 to 2009. He now sits on the boards of Great-West Lifeco Inc. and Investors Group. carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 07/09/2016 (2243 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA Winnipeg Liberal MP Dan Vandal is urging Premier Brian Pallister to get on with a planned study on relocating rail lines outside of Winnipeg, but the province hasnt yet decided what to do. Vandal, who has for years been a proponent of moving at least some of the 150-kilometres of tracks that criss-cross Winnipeg, told the Free Press Wednesday the issue of rail lines being relocated has dogged the city for too long. For decades we have been talking about this and the thing that is always missing is accurate information, Vandal said. It should have been done years ago. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Traffic at the Waverley CN Rail crossing. In January, the former NDP government tapped former Quebec premier Jean Charest to lead a task force to study the issue. It was putting up $400,000 for the project, which was expected to take at least two years to complete. Vandal was to be the federal Manitoba Liberal caucus representative on that task force. However, since the Tories won the provincial election in April, the project has been on hold while Pallister and his new cabinet decide whether to proceed. In June, Pallister wouldnt say whether his government planned to forge ahead with the task force, saying it was a great idea but the NDP had committed to so many things in its bid to be re-elected the government couldnt likely proceed with all of them. Eileen Clarke, minister of indigenous and municipal affairs, reiterated those sentiments in a statement Wednesday, adding the Pallister government is making strategic funding decisions based on return on investment. To that end, the contract with Mr. Charest has been placed on hold and is being thoroughly reviewed, Clarke said. Vandal put a call in to Pallister last week and spoke with a member of his staff but not with the premier himself. Last February, the federal government made public a review of Canadas transportation systems done by former industry minister David Emerson. In the report, Emerson specifically recommended the government support the relocation of rail infrastructure outside of dense urban centres for both safety reasons and the benefit of city life. Under the Rail Relocation and Crossing Act, federal funding may be made available for up to half the cost of a feasibility study or the actual relocation work, but only if Ottawa has set aside the money to contribute. Railways can be required to move their rail lines under the act but only if there is no net cost to the railway. Vandal said with all the new infrastructure money pledged by the Liberal government, there should be funds available for such projects. Winnipeg is not the only city looking at the possibility of rerouting rail lines. Calgary is looking at it as well, as are the Vancouver suburbs of Surrey and White Rock. Regina spent $100 million on a rail relocation project in 2011. At least one estimate pegs the cost of moving the rail lines from Winnipeg at $1 billion, however Vandal said the study may show the best option is to only move some of them. Moving all of them out of the city is probably not an option, but I have no doubt there will be some efficiencies we can find. mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 08/09/2016 (2242 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. What do canola and students have in common? If you had answered China, go to the head of the class. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has returned from his latest charm offensive with the hope that Canada has worked out a firm deal on canola exports to China. Farmers can breathe a sigh of relief or can they? The current era has become increasingly marked by anti-globalization and anti-free trade. Brexit and the bellicose Donald Trump are just two of the high-profile manifestations of this sentiment. Even Hillary Clintons promise to re-examine the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in response to left-wing Democrats shows how pervasive this anti-free-trade sentiment has become. JEFF MCINTOSH / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Canada has won some trade concessions from China over canola. But why has this occurred? Surely the benefits of free trade are clear, as any first-year student in economics comes to understand. Why cant people just accept that when you and I trade, we will both be better off? I trade my bologna sandwich for your cheese sandwich, and we both benefit. So what is so hard? Does government need to make economics compulsory in high school just so people understand what is good for them? The problem is not with people. It is the easy acceptance of the simple models of free trade and the blind spots conventional economics has when it emphasizes the gains from trade without counting the losses. Modern trade deals are vastly more complex than kids trading lunches. The details of these agreements are snakepits of complexity, and the puppeteers behind them far from benign. For Canada, three trade deals are on the table. The potential renegotiation of NAFTA, the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The easy part is the agreement to reduce tariffs, the import duties that government imposes to make foreign goods more expensive. Imagine the roar from consumers if the Canadian government imposed an extra fee on all smartphones made outside Canada. People understand that part of free trade. Offsetting the gains from trade are three losses typical of most agreements. As Canada negotiates CETA, it is useful to note that countries in the European Union make between 10 and 12 per cent of their budget revenue from tariffs. Canadas experience is similar. Offsetting these losses to the public treasury is the gain in gross national product that usually results when trade lowers costs. The second and more important losses are the increases in unemployment in those sectors affected by cheap imports. Reducing the tariffs on smartphones to allow cheaper models to enter Canada benefits consumers but kills any prospect for developing a domestic cellphone-manufacturing industry and also limits certain areas of software development. These losses place an added burden on employment insurance, retraining and relocation programs. A robust social and economic safety net is essential to support freer trade. A final cost relates to the social impact of regulatory harmonization. Canola offers a good illustration. Despite the findings of science, European governments oppose the importation of food products and materials that result from genetic modification. This non-tariff barrier imposes restrictions on Canadian exports of canola, most of which is produced from genetically modified seed. China has been imposing a requirement that canola exports from Canada contain one per cent dockage and not the international standard of 2.5 per cent. Dockage is the non-canola junk such as other seeds, weed and dirt dragged up in the harvesting and transportation process. China alleges that high proportions of dockage includes a fungus known as blackleg, a fact contrary to all expert opinion. Negotiating agreements that need to navigate complex and arbitrary foreign standards is a cost of trade agreements in the modern era. Often, issues completely removed from the commodity in question are on the table. One report suggests the Chinese objection to the high levels of dockage might be managed by dramatically increasing the number of visas for Chinese students in Canada. On balance, most studies show the gains from trade outweigh the losses. And Canada must trade. Just tell a farmer that grain or beef cannot be exported, and then stand back and watch thousands lose their livelihoods. When it comes to trade, Angela Merkel, Li Keqiang and Barack Obama play by street rules, working to protect their own. As we negotiate new trade agreements, Canadian diplomats will need every trick in the book to defend our interests. Playing nice will not work. The problem is, up against Germany, China and the United States, we are the runts of the litter. While playing tough with our competitors, politicians must also have the resolve to maintain the social and economic safety net to ensure all Canadians bear the gains and losses from trade fairly. Gregory Mason is an associate professor of economics at the University of Manitoba and a senior consultant at PRA Inc. His views are his own. www.gregorymason.ca Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 08/09/2016 (2242 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Canada, which is a great joiner of international organizations, has decided to join the Beijing-run Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The immediate payoff was the Chinese governments announcement it would defer cutting off imports of Canadian canola seed. Next time Canada needs another deferral of an arbitrary and capricious Chinese trade barrier, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will have to come up with another concession to Beijings ambitions. Since 1966, Canada has been a minor player in the Asian Development Bank, an organization dominated by Japan, the United States and the European Union, which mobilizes funds from its 67 member governments to finance social and economic development projects in Asia. Canada is also a small player in the World Bank, the great ancestor of all multilateral development banks and the leading authority on turning poor countries into middle-income countries and setting them on the path to wealth. When the Chinese government launched the AIIB in 2013, the United States and Japan stood aside and discouraged their allies from joining. Britain, France and Germany did join, however, and now Canada has also fallen in line with Beijing. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in China The AIIB is likely to support projects that reflect the Chinese view of economic growth. China, with the help of the World Bank and other agencies, has achieved astonishingly rapid growth in the years since the death of Mao Zedong and the reforms of Deng Xiaoping. Economic growth has averaged an eye-popping 10 per cent a year and more than 800 million people have been raised out of poverty. China has achieved all the Millennium Development Goals (time-bound targets established by the United Nations for addressing extreme poverty) and become the second-largest economy in the world. But the costs of the Chinese path to growth have been high. Coal powers China, and the air in Beijing is dangerous much of the year. Favourites of the Communist party and the New Peoples Army have become fabulously wealthy, while 70 million rural poor have yet to enjoy their first taste of Chinas economic progress. Workers harmed by unsafe working conditions and consumers poisoned by contaminated products are prevented from challenging the ruling party by strict police control of public discussion and by cruel suppression of political dissent. The World Bank monitors its own work by measuring a wide range of social and economic indicators, including life expectancy, youth literacy, proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments and carbon-dioxide emissions. The World Bank has learned development is not purely a matter of rising incomes but must be designed to produce benefits of many kinds. China may be in the process of reaching the same conclusion, but it keeps building coal-fired power plants, and it keeps pouring its new wealth on the families of regime insiders, its prisons are still filled with political dissidents and its ruling party organs are still an aging patriarchy. So what kind of development will Canada now be supporting? The AIIB will probably be invited to support projects that would not much interest the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and other agencies that want to see social and economic development on a broad front in keeping with western ideas about a market economy and an open society. The World Bank at least aims for social betterment of a widely defined sort along with economic growth. Canada should participate cautiously in Beijing-sponsored projects until it sees what they amount to. The court said since the approval of Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung was not taken, the appointment is illegal. By India Today Web Desk: In a major setback for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Delhi High Court today set aside the appointment of 21 parliamentary secretaries that the Arvind Kejriwal government had appointed from among the party's 67 MLAs in the national capital. A petition in the court had challenged the appointment of the legislators, alleging that it was an instance of dual offices of profit held by the AAP leaders. The plea had asked for their disqualification. advertisement The court said since the approval of Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung was not taken, the appointment of the 21 MLAs in the light of the recent judgement on LG's powers is illegal. Last month, following a long tussle between Jung and the AAP, the court had ruled that the LG remains the administrative head in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Also read: BJP protests against Kejriwal as he begins his Punjab tour WHAT IS THE ROW ABOUT The parliamentary secretaries were appointed by the Kejriwal government on March 13, 2015. The government had defended its decision by claiming that the move does not amount to creation of a "public office". After coming to power in February 2015, the Arvind Kejriwal government appointed the parliamentary secretaries, saying this would facilitate smooth functioning but made it clear that they won't receive any remuneration or perk of any kind from the government, that is, no burden on the exchequer. The order, however, permitted them to use government transport for official purposes and earmarked space in the ministers' offices to help them in the official work. NGO Rashtriya Mukti Morcha had sought scrapping of the appointments as these were "unconstitutional, illegal and without jurisdiction". The PIL said the Chief Minister had "no power, jurisdiction or authority" to administer the oath of office to parliamentary secretaries. MATTER WITH EC TOO The Election Commission is also hearing depositions on the question of the disqualification of the 21 AAP MLAs who were appointed as parliamentary secretaries, on the grounds that they were availing of allowances and perks in addition to what they were entitled to as MLAs. On Wednesday, the Delhi government had denied giving any additional salary, perks, or privileges to the 21 parliamentary secretaries other than what they were entitled to by virtue of being MLAs. Also read: Navjot Sidhu to launch Aawaaz-e-Punjab today as Arvind Kejriwal begins state tour The government's assertion came in response to a query from the Election Commission (EC) asking it to furnish details of all the perks, allowances and other facilities enjoyed by the parliamentary secretaries. --- ENDS --- advertisement The most recent Marquette Law School poll showed that 68 percent of Wisconsinites do not find Hillary Clinton to be honest. University of Stanfords Distinguished Visitor Russ Feingold disagrees. It sort of reminds me of the Seinfeld episode when Jerry Seinfeld says to George Costanza, And you want to be my latex salesman! In the 1992 episode of the famous series, Costanza is trying to dupe the unemployment office into believing he has been applying for work as a latex salesman and provides the interviewer Seinfelds phone number. Neighbor Cosmo Kramer answers the phone when the call comes in and Costanza runs out of the bathroom and falls onto the floor with his pants around his ankles. Enter Seinfeld and the famous punch line. Watching the former senator from Wisconsin is sort of like watching Costanza running around duping everyone into believing he is doing something he is not. Its probably why Feingold finds Clinton reliable and trustworthy. After spending so much time conning the folks from Wisconsin, its difficult to distinguish fact from fiction or truth from fantasy. At a listening session in the Town of Merrimac several years ago, the then senator listened intently as a town resident described how the Alternative Minimum Tax was forcing her retired parents to pay a higher tax rate than the standard taxpayer and that is was an unfair tax. She described how it was squeezing her parents retirement income and it needed to be eliminated. She even argued that its very construct was unfair to anyone fairly working their way through our tax code. Feingold agreed with her and even launched into a dissertation supporting her very position. Despite his rhetoric, he voted against the repeal of the AMT in 2007 and left 23 million disadvantaged in our tax system even though, when enacted in 1967, the tax was targeted at 155 taxpayers who were using legal means to avoid paying taxes. This was the defining moment that reminded me this guy isnt in this game for you or me, but he is in it for himself. Its like taking a maverick position in a 98-1 vote against the Patriot Act. It was nothing more than a political talking point that would feed his supporters on the progressive left. Then there is the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, or more famously known as the McCain-Feingold Act. It was a bill intended to prohibit the national parties from raising funds above a federal limit and to eliminate the free speech of those who opposed them. While famously billed as a move to eliminate unfair election tactics, the McCain-Feingold Act clearly established a security blanket for incumbents. After all, who would oppose a sitting candidate? I suspect it would be the opposition party and anyone who disagrees with them. Limiting their contributions into the political process most certainly protects the office holder from massive attacks for failed policy decisions. In true-to-form do as I say, not as I do fashion, the champion against soft-money and issue advocacy started his own Political Action Committee, Progressives United. These are the very soft-money people Feingold championed against. He even continued to run this PAC, a group that basically provided salaries for his former senate staff, while working for the State Department and eventually as a teacher at a California university. But now he is, magically, a new man. Thats why he no longer runs under the Feingold name. He wants you to believe that the 1992 version isnt Feingold 2.0, but Russ 1.0. If Feingold had no issues as a candidate, then why does he need to rebrand himself as Russ? The former senator from Middleton has a long track record of saying one thing and then doing the other. Hes a seemingly intelligent man who has figured out how to game the system by convincing voters of one thing and then voting for another. Feingold, or Russ, finds Clinton reliable and trustworthy because he himself as a problem in that department. This fall, when you walk into the election hall, make sure you dont need another latex salesman. Editor's note: A previous version of this column was changed Sept. 9 to accurately reflect the bill for which Russ Feingold cast the lone opposition vote in the U.S. Senate. Relay for Life says thanks On June 17, our community joined together at the Beaver Dam High School track to fight cancer by participating in the 21st annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Beaver Dam Area event. Together we raised more than $115,500 to help the American Cancer Society do one thing, Finish the Fight. At our relay we honored more than 80 cancer survivors, including our honorary survivor Jamie Kratz Gullickson, Beaver Dam, and our honorary child survivor Louis Westergarrd, also of Beaver Dam. The survivors led the first lap and were joined by caregivers to conclude the opening ceremony. The theme for relay this year was Theres No Place Like HOPE! campsites were decorated with scenes from their favorite cartoon/childrens movie and many characters from the movies were in attendance. A very moving luminaria ceremony was held after dark where hundreds of bags lined the track; each one represented a person, with a name and a story to tell. The word hope was spelled out in the bleachers. Each donor, each volunteer, each participant, each team captain, each sponsor and entertainer can feel proud of the efforts put forth and the results we attained. We did it together. And a special thank you to the event leadership team. You made it happen. This event wouldnt have been possible without all your help. The passion of the people in our community to end this disease is overwhelming. Remember, the success of this relay is because of you. If youd like to be more involved in Relay For Life of Beaver Dam Area for our 2017 event, please email beaverdamrelay@gmail.com or call Kristin Fabisch, event lead, at 920-203-4552. Planning for the 2017 relay will get under way in October. See www.relayforlife.org/beaverdamwi. With immeasurable thanks and appreciation. Kristin Fabisch, Relay For Life of Beaver Dam Area Columbus School Board members have been reaching out to area businesses and organizations to spread the word about a three-day community conversation they will be hosting in the fall titled Launching a New Legacy. On Tuesday night, board President Kevin White and Superintendent Annette Deuman were at the Columbus City Council meeting to make a presentation and invite city officials and others in attendance to be part of the event. This is a road map the school board wants to use to improve the education of our students in this district, White said. We want to get feedback from our community members. The purpose of the event, which will be held Oct. 6-8 at Kestrel Ridge, is to engage the districts stakeholders in conversation that will create a shared understanding and a clear vision of the districts future in education. The board has been planning for the event since the spring, when a small team of community members was selected to design it. The effort is being led by consultant Drew Howick of Patina Solutions. Anyone from the community who is interested in being part of the conversation is welcome, White said. The board hopes that parents, students, teachers, business leaders, government officials and other stakeholders will attend. The district has also sent out postcards to spread the word about the event. People who are interested in participating are asked to commit to all three sessions and to RSVP to the school district office at 623-5950 or pzander@columbus.k12.wi.us by Sept. 29. Portage and Columbia Countys first responders will conduct a memorial service Sunday, marking 15 years since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The event will begin at 6:45 p.m. with a silent procession along West Conant Street starting near Sunset Park, with members of the Portage Police Department, Portage Fire Department, Columbia County Sheriffs Office and Divine Savior Healthcare Emergency Medical Technicians proceeding to Pauquette Park. At Pauquette Park an invocation will precede a flag ceremony and candlelight vigil, remembering 2,996 lives lost on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, when American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 were hijacked and flown into the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, American Airlines Flight 77 was flown into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and United Flight 93 was crashed into a field in Stonycreek, Pennsylvania after passengers wrested control of the plane from hijackers. The total number of fatalities resulting from the terrorist attack have yet to be determined as first responders continue to deal with the long-term health consequences of working days of search and rescue at and around the site of the World Trade Center. The ceremony is expected to last about an hour, according to Portage Fire Chief Clayton Simonson, ending with shared songs and bagpipes. The Columbus Odd Fellows will host their annual Oddtoberfest, an Oktoberfest-themed community celebration, at the Firemans Park Pavilion on Saturday, Sept. 24. The event will kick off at 2 p.m. with the Odd Brat Trot, a 5K run and 1-mile walk, outside the pavilion and beer, food and fun inside. The pavilion will be decorated like a German beer hall, with four different types of beer and wine available and a variety of Bavarian-style sausages being served. Music will be provided by Carol and the Keynotes and the Tom Brusky Band until 10 p.m. Handmade steins and T-shirts will be for sale. A number of 50/50 raffles will also be held throughout the day. For the kids, local 4-H clubs and the Columbus Club House will have games and activities set up. Odd Brat Trot Runners and walkers can register in advance for the Odd Brat Trot. Details and a link to online registration may be found at http://www.wioddfellows40.org/. Participants may also sign up directly at https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/Columbus/TheOddBratTrot2016. Proceeds from the Odd Brat Trot will be donated to Badger Honor Flight to send veterans to Washington D.C. to see the memorials that have been erected in their honor. Questions regarding the run/walk may be emailed to oddbrattrot@gmail.com or call 608-444-6171. There are many barriers that keep college students away from the polls. They include registration and voting requirements that vary from state to state, difficulty with obtaining the proper ID or proving residency, lack of familiarity with local issues and local candidates and uncertainty about how or where to vote at home or at school. Some laws passed over the previous four years, including in Wisconsin, have created even more barriers. In August, a federal judge in Madison threw out some additional requirements for college students in Wisconsin, including a provision that had barred students from using expired but otherwise qualifying campus IDs for voting. The trial included testimony that behind closed doors, Republican legislative leaders had discussed trying to suppress college turnout with the voter ID law. But U.S. District Judge James Peterson found the evidence was not enough to establish discrimination on the basis of age. Nevertheless, additional requirements imposed by Wisconsins on-again, off-again voter ID law remain in effect for the Nov. 8 election. According to Common Cause in Wisconsin, regular student identification cards issued by just three of the University of Wisconsin Systems 26 campuses and seven of 23 private colleges are considered acceptable forms of ID for voting in the upcoming election. All UW schools are now offering special voter ID cards, University of Wisconsin System spokeswoman Stephanie Marquis said. To use those campus-issued IDs to vote, students must also provide proof of enrollment. In addition to campus-issued IDs, students can also vote by using a Wisconsin drivers license, state-issued ID card, passport, military or tribal ID. Out-of-state students who want to get a Wisconsin drivers license or ID card will have to surrender their drivers license or ID card from their home state, said Reid Magney, spokesman for the Wisconsin Elections Commission. To help students navigate the system, the newly formed Wisconsin Student Power Alliance plans to hire between 18 and 20 organizers on campuses across the state this fall whose first project will be a nonpartisan get-out-the-vote drive, co-director Lamonte Moore said. Sam VanWees, a UW-Madison graduate student from Des Plaines, Ill., got her special voter ID at the end of August along with her WisCard student ID. Rather than drive back to Illinois or mail in a ballot, VanWees said she likely will vote in Madison for the upcoming election. College students not active voters Despite their usually low turnout numbers, college students have the potential to influence elections. There were 17.3 million undergraduate students enrolled in degree-granting postsecondary institutions in 2014, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Experts predict that population will increase to 19.8 million by 2025. Yet millennials have the lowest turnout rates of all the generations. Because the majority of college students are under age 25, they make up a significant part of that age group. Some activists charge these young voters are being targeted by some of the recent changes in state voting laws. There's a whole group of states that are trying to make it harder and harder every year to get to the ballots, said Mike Burns, the national director for nonpartisan Campus Vote Project, which focuses on informing and helping solve student voter issues. Its stuff that boils down to a lack of information as opposed to a lack of interest. Students must show proof of residency Burns said a patchwork of residency laws and voting requirements often confuses first-time voters. In 1979, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed a ruling that holding college students to a different standard of residency than other people or requiring them to swear they will remain in the community after graduation violates the 26th Amendment in the case Symm v. United States. You dont have to say, I intend to return here forever, Burns said. You dont need to know that youre going to be there after graduation. Because its based on peoples subjective intent, its squishy. Appalachian State University student Rachel Clay served as an election protection field coordinator for a campus program and organized poll watchers. She said she and her poll monitors witnessed students at her North Carolina school who had issues meeting voter residency requirements. We also have a lot of people that live on campus, and they werent allowing students to use their on-campus address without proof of residency, Clay said. And basically, they werent accepting anything for proof of residency, so our on-campus students and our on-campus, out-of-state students didnt know what to do at all. While Clay said this was in part because the election officials were unaware of the laws, it also was done because the Board of Elections doesnt really want students to vote. Our polling officials, they are really not helpful, Clay said. They misinform. They lie to students. They scare students away from voting provisionally, and they take really, really long to do everything. So our lines are super duper long, and students just cant stand in line for two hours. Watauga County Board of Elections Director Matthew Snyder said when the issue was investigated in March, there was no substantiating evidence to Clays claim. They did address the issue on the first day of early voting with the poll workers to make sure they followed procedures, Snyder said. They found no evidence that workers were impeding the process. Voter ID creates new barriers While more states now require IDs at the polls, many dont accept student IDs as a valid form. Nine states never accept student IDs. Another 21 states, including Wisconsin, only accept them if they meet certain criteria. Wisconsin also requires student IDs to be accompanied by a proof of enrollment. Why is this a problem? One University of Michigan study indicated that the number of people getting a drivers license the most common form of accepted ID at the polls has declined. In fact, many in younger generations have said they never plan on getting a license. Theyre too busy. Its too expensive to own a car. They can catch a ride from others, according to another University of Michigan study. Gunther Peck, an associate professor of public policy studies at Duke University, said North Carolina lawmakers changed the law to exclude student IDs after the youth vote helped propel President Barack Obama into office in 2008. The Republicans knew exactly how to suppress votes. That was their intention, Peck said. They looked carefully at how they lost in 2008 and found the weak links in that coalition. The law has made it much harder for students to get the proper ID, and theres several steps they have to go through now to secure what is a constitutional right: the right to vote. Peck said he saw this issue come up during this years presidential primary when many students had to vote with a provisional ballot because they didnt have the proper ID. According to the nonprofit Democracy North Carolina, there were 29,000 provisional ballots they fought to have counted in the election. To put that in context, that doesnt sound like a lot, but this state was the closest state in the country the last two election cycles, and the margin of difference in 2008 was 14,000, Peck said. So this voting law literally has the impact of flipping a state potentially. When the law went into effect, then-North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Claude Pope said in a statement that it would ensure the integrity of the elections. Signing this bill into law is just plain common sense, Pope said. Proper photo identification is needed to do daily tasks in everyday life such as cashing a bank check or boarding an airplane. But on July 29, North Carolinas voter ID law was struck down by a federal appeals court, which ruled the law violated the Voting Rights Act because it was aimed at suppressing the vote of African-Americans. The U.S. Supreme Court on Aug. 31 rejected an appeal by state officials to overturn that decision, so the states voter ID law will not be in effect for the Nov. 8 election. More steps required under Wisconsin ID law Sally Rohrer, a sophomore at UW-Madison, said obtaining a valid photo ID for voting can be a hassle. As an in-state student, she can use her Wisconsin drivers license to vote. But it is a different story for many out-of-state students, who must find other photo identification to present at the polls. Rohrer told News21 that is just one extra thing that might deter someone who is not fully committed to voting already. She now works as a vote ambassador at the Morgridge Center for Public Service educating students and encouraging them to vote. Last school year, as a member of the Associated Students of Madison, Rohrer pushed to get UW-Madison administrators to issue new student IDs that would meet the voter ID requirements to no avail. They were really adamant about not changing, mostly from our chancellor, Rohrer said. In a statement on her blog, UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank said replacing all students existing cards would have been too expensive. The current card has a five-year expiration date; the law calls for no more than two years. The existing card does not have a signature, which the voter ID law requires. And all of the cards have expensive embedded technology because they are used for a variety of purposes. Blank noted that students who are Wisconsin residents can use their drivers licenses or other photo ID to vote. In the end, Blank wrote, the number of students who need a voter ID card is relatively small. Experience tells us that whatever we and others do to encourage voting a substantial share of students will not choose to vote. Natalie Griffin, Amber Reece and Taylor Gilmore contributed to this report. This report is part of a project on voting rights in America produced by the Carnegie-Knight News21 program. The Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism contributed to and distributed this report. While the passage of the Bill makes it an Act, it also paves the way for setting up a GST Council that will decide the tax rate, cess and surcharges. By India Today Web Desk: President Pranab Mukherjee today signed the Constitution 122nd Amendment Bill on Goods and Services Tax (GST) after a minimum of 16 states had ratified it. This is a step closer to implementing GST in the country from April 1, 2017. While the passage of the Bill makes it an Act, it also paves the way for setting up a GST Council that will decide the tax rate, cess and surcharges. advertisement The GST is a single indirect tax, which will subsume most of the Central and State taxes such as the Value Added Tax (VAT), excise duty, service tax, central sales tax, additional customs duty and special additional duty of customs. On August 8, Parliament passed the Bill, which was then circulated to the state governments seeking its ratification. READ| Andhra Pradesh: Centre denies special category status demand, Assembly ratifies GST Bill A Constitution Amendment Bill needs to be ratified by the legislative Assemblies of at least 50 per cent of the states. The Bill was sent to the President's secretariat after as many as 19 States, the BJP-ruled Assam being the first, ratified it. The other States that have passed legislation include Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Nagaland, Maharashtra, Haryana, Sikkim, Mizoram, Telangana, Goa, Odisha, Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. READ| April 2017: Unrealistic target for GST? Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said recently that the Government is ahead of schedule for GST implementation. "Instead of 30 days kept for this (States' ratification), it is achieved in 23 days," he said in a tweet. Now that the Bill has got Presidential assent, the Government will notify the GST Council. Headed by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the Council comprises state Finance Ministers. The states and the Centre are working overtime and talking to stakeholders to draft the Central GST, State GST and Integrated GST laws, which are to be passed in the winter session of Parliament. The CGST and IGST will be drafted on the basis of the model GST law. The States will draft their respective GST (SGST) laws with minor variation, incorporating State-based exemptions. The IGST law would deal with inter-State movement of goods and services. Also read Running against time for implementation of GST: Arun Jaitley Obama praises Modi's GST bill, calls it bold policy move (With inputs from agencies) --- ENDS --- The St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Portage has been a resource for people going through hard times for the past seven years, but for the first time is now offering milk, eggs, yogurt and produce along with the more typical canned goods available at pantries. Corn on the cob has been plentiful but thats starting to come to an end this year. We were getting eight banana boxes of corn, said Tricia Pionke, general manager of St. Vincent de Paul in Portage. And we never know what were getting when we are picking up from any location. After a handful of notable donations, the St. Vincent de Paul store, on the west edge of town where West Wisconsin Street becomes Highway 16, has needed to do some reorganizing. Part of the expansion was possible through a $1,000 donation from Aprilaire of Poynette. The store also received an anonymous donation of a commercial cooler. Before we did the fresh produce and dairy, if somebody was really in need, we also had vouchers they could take for milk, bread and eggs and could take those vouchers to Pierces and Pierces would just bill us, said Pionke. Pierces Market has been one of the supporters of the organization, with produce deliveries also coming from Wal-Mart and Kwik Trip. The pantry has served about 200 homes each month, but with the help of word of mouth, there has been a recent increase in both clients and volunteers, with Pionke hearing from people offering to bring meals and groceries to elderly, home-bound residents. Food bank managers have an ongoing challenge to develop an efficient, cost-effective way to get food to those who need it, logistical challenges and limitations that can be unique to their clients. One benefit of St. Vincent de Pauls new cooler is that they are able to store pre-packed meals. Sometimes we get people who are homeless who have been gifted a stay at the Ridge, but dont have a refrigerator, they dont have a sink, they dont have a stove, said Pionke. An ongoing challenge for food pantries is having enough volunteers to run the operation, Pionke says. St. Vincent de Paul, though, has been fortunate and able to maintain full-time hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with extended hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays. St. Vincent de Paul is looking toward more change, according to Pionke, with options that have included looking at new facilities and bringing in architects and engineers to see what might be possible through renovation of the current facility, which is a good location for the enterprise, she said. As a part of the larger Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the organization has outside support and the Portage operation is considering broadening its services. In Sauk Prairie, the group has hired a full-time nurse for administering medication to combat opioid addiction. There is the dental clinic in Mauston, if we wanted to go in that route we could. If we wanted to do a soup kitchen, we could do that, said Pionke. The skys the limit on what we can do. But it depends on what funds we have and how people frequent us. A Fall River man arrested for a misdemeanor on Friday is being held on $500 cash bond as a matter of public safety. Hillard Szlapka, 59, appeared Wednesday in Columbia County Circuit Court charged with a single count of misdemeanor bail jumping. It is my understanding he was on a $250 cash bond and then was making comments about killing other people and himself, said Assistant District Attorney Troy Cross. He has only one prior conviction, said defense attorney Jennifer Cunha, requesting Szlapka be released on a signature bond, saying hes in a very tough situation. A Columbia County Sheriffs Office deputy responded to a call on Friday afternoon reporting an apparently drunk man on North Main Street of Fall River. The deputy arrived, as well as a Fall River police officer, who met Szlapka, who was reportedly slurring his speech, missing a shoe, and having a problem with his pants. Szlapka, having no Wisconsin criminal record preceding 2016 according to online information, accumulated eight cases since a charge for disorderly conduct in February. Following an arrest on Aug. 9 for disorderly conduct, resisting an officer and bail jumping, Szlapka was released on $250 cash bond with a court order of maintaining absolute sobriety. During his arrest in Fall River, officers reported his making fun of their weight, then escalating to threatening statements such as, Next time you pick me up, I will shoot you, and, I will get a gun and shoot everybody. Like it or not, people are going to have to get used to the court knowing what is in the news, said Judge Alan White, I know this isnt Chicago, but referring to the frequency of reporting of gun violence. I have to put the safety of the public first, said White. I know the argument can be made that he didnt know what he was saying, but that is when a lot of these things happen. White ordered Szlapka to be held on $500 cash bond and for release to again be contingent on absolute sobriety, as well as not possessing any dangerous weapons. Szlapka is scheduled to appear again in court Oct. 17. By PTI: From Yoshita Singh New York, Sep 8 (PTI) Praising Vladimir Putin, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has said the Russian President was "far more"of a leader than US President Barack Obama and asserted that he would have a "very good relationship" with the Kremlin strongman if he comes to power. "I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Putin. And I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Russia," Trump said at a commander in chief forum onthe decommissioned USS Intrepid, now a floating museum, here yesterday. advertisement The forum hosted by NBC brought Trump and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton together just weeks before they square off at the first presidential debate on September 26. However Clinton and Trump did not come face to face at the forum as they were grilled back-to-back by the anchor. Trump asserted that he would have a very good relationship with many foreign leaders, unlike President Obama, who he said was not accorded a red carpet welcome when he went to China recently. "I think its very sad, when you look at Barack Obama, as an example, lands Air Force One in China, and they dont want to put out stairs to get off the plane. And he has to use the stairs that mechanics use to get up and down to fix the plane. They wouldnt give him stairs," the 70-year-old real estate tycoon said. "I think its very sad, when he lands in Saudi Arabia, and he lands in Cuba, and there arent high officials to even greet him. This is the first time in the history -- the storied history of Air Force One," Trump said. Trump said while Obama and Putin do not get along, he will have very good relations with the Russian leader. "And I saw, just two or three days ago, they looked like they were not exactly getting along, but I looked at President Obama and Putin staring at each other. These were not two people that were getting along," he said. "And, you know, the beautiful part of getting along, Russia wants to defeat ISIS as badly as we do. If we had a relationship with Russia, wouldn?t it be wonderful if we could work on it together and knock the hell out of ISIS? Wouldnt that be a wonderful thing," Trump asserted. Asked if he would like to becomplimented by a leader who "annexed Crimea, invaded Ukraine, supports (President Bashar) Assad in Syria, Trump said if Putin "says great things about me, Im going to say great things about him." "Ive already said, he is really very much of a leader. I mean, you can say, oh, isnt that a terrible thing -- the man has very strong control over a country," he said. advertisement Trump has made no secret of his admiration for Putin, who last year praised the US businessman as "very outstanding." Putin "has very strong control over a country," Trump said. "Its a very different system, and I dont happen to like the system. But certainly in that system hes been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader." PTI YAS ASK AKJ ASK --- ENDS --- A. O. Smith Corporation manufactures and markets residential and commercial gas, heat pump and electric water heaters, boilers, tanks, and water treatment products in North America, China, Europe, and India. It operates through two segments, North America and Rest of World. The company offers water heaters for residences, restaurants, hotels and motels, office buildings, laundries, car washes, and small businesses; commercial boilers for hospitals, schools, hotels, and other large commercial buildings, as well as residential boilers for homes, apartments, and condominiums; and water treatment products comprising point-of-entry water softeners, well water solutions, and whole-home water filtration products, on-the-go filtration bottles, point-of-use carbon, and reverse osmosis products for residences, restaurants, hotels, and offices. It also provides food and beverage filtration products; expansion tanks, commercial solar water heating systems, swimming pool and spa heaters, and related products and parts; and heat pumps, electric wall-hung, gas tankless, combi-boiler, heat pump and solar water heaters. The company offers its products primarily under the A. O. Smith, State, Lochinvar, and water softener brands. It distributes its products through independent wholesale plumbing distributors, as well as through retail channels consisting of hardware and home center chains, and manufacturer representative firms; and offers Aquasana branded products directly to consumers through e-commerce, as well as other online retailers. A. O. Smith Corporation was founded in 1874 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. WESCO International, Inc. provides business-to-business distribution, logistics services, and supply chain solutions in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Electrical & Electronic Solutions (EES), Communications & Security Solutions (CSS), and Utility and Broadband Solutions (UBS). The EES segment supplies products and supply chain solutions, including electrical equipment and supplies, automation and connected devices, security, lighting, wire and cable, and safety, as well as maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products. This segment also offers contractor solutions, direct and indirect manufacturing supply chain optimization programs, lighting and renewables advisory services, and digital and automation solutions. The CSS segment operates in the network infrastructure and security markets. This segment sells products directly to end-users or through various channels, including data communications contractors, security, network, professional audio/visual, and systems integrators. It also provides safety and energy management solutions. The UBS segment offers products and services to investor-owned utilities; public power companies; and service and wireless providers, broadband operators, and contractors. This segment's products include wire and cable, transformers, transmission and distribution hardware, switches, protective devices, connectors, conduits, pole line hardware, racks, cabinets, safety and MRO products, and point-to-point wireless devices. This segment also offers various service solutions, including fiber project management, high and medium voltage project design and support, pre-wired meters and capacitor banks, meter testing and metering infrastructure installation, personal protective equipment dielectric testing, and tool repair, as well as emergency response, storage yard, materials, and logistics management. The company was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. By Rasesh Mandani : Even as PV Sindhu is relishing the taste of a chocolate cake at one of the many felicitations she has attended, C Kiran, her physio watching from the corner lets her satisfy her taste buds. ('Rustom', Hyderabadi biryani await Sindhu after Silver in Rio) A year and a half back, such spoils were unthinkable. Kiran has been working as a physio at the Gopichand academy for eight years and is seen as one of the main back-room boys behind Sindhu's success. advertisement Sindhu won India's second medal - a Silver in badminton women's singles - at the recently-concluded Rio Olympics. Sindhu's training routines were punishing. "Sometimes she would train and practice 10 to 12 hours a day and her day would begin at 4.15 in the morning. On other days when she would train less but running would be with the intensity of 100-200 heart rates per minute," Kiran recalls. "We never give her schedule as a girl. 70 percent of her fitness sessions were with the boys. She made sure she challenged the boys. And when a girl challenges a boy they obviously don't take it easily so it gets the best out of training," he says. Kiran and his team of physios and trainers made an elaborate plan a year and a half before Rio even while Sindhu was recovering from a broken foot in early 2015. "My primary task was to help her recover as she strived to meet the stiff challenges set up by Gopi Sir," he says. The business end of her preparations meant, off media, off mobile phone, off sleep. Now, as she eats cakes, gives media interviews in dozens and sleeps merrily, it may seem all worth it. That's until she takes up the racquet again and gets into isolation for her next target. --- ENDS --- The Boeing Company is the worlds largest manufacturer of airplanes and commands more than 50% of the market in some channels and categories. The company and its family of subsidiaries design, develops, manufacture, sell, service, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight, and related services worldwide. The company operates through four segments including Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital providing products and services to end-users in 150 countries. Boeing got its start in 1910 when William E. Boeing developed a love for aircraft. Soon after he takes his first plane ride which leads him to build a hangar and begin construction of his first plane. The onset of WWI helped spur the companys growth but business was cut drastically in its wake. The start of WWII was another milestone for the company and one that led to its current position of dominance. The company was incorporated in 1916 and is based in Chicago, Illinois. Boeing employs over 140,000 people in 65 countries making it one of the most diverse employers on the planet. The Commercial Airplanes segment is built around the iconic 7-series which includes the 737, 747, and 787. The segment provides commercial jet aircraft for passenger and cargo requirements, as well as fleet support services for regional, national, and international air carriers and logistics and freight companies. In terms of global volume, the company estimates about 90% of all air freight is carried aboard one of its jets. This segment also includes the Dreamliner family of planes. The Dreamliner is a game-changing airplane for many carriers as it opens up the potential for new one-stop destinations because of its capacity and range. The Defense, Space & Security segment develops and manufactures a range of systems including manned and unmanned aircraft, missiles, missile defense systems, satellites, communications equipment, and intelligence systems for governments. Among the many iconic brands within this segment are the AH-64 Apache, Air Force One, B-52, C-17 Globemaster, Chinook, F/A-18, and the V-22 Osprey VTOL aircraft used by the Marines. The Global Services segment offers a range of products and services that include supply chain and logistics management, engineering, maintenance, upgrades, conversions, spare parts, pilot and maintenance training, technical and maintenance documents, and data analytics to its commercial and defense customers. Boeing is also a leader in innovation, leveraging its many decades and avenues of experience to further aerospace and defense technology. Among the many innovations is the MQ-25 Stingray which will be the worlds first autonomous aircraft. The Stingray is only one of many areas of research that also include drones and undersea vehicles. Telefonica, S.A., together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunications services in Europe and Latin America. The company's mobile and related services and products comprise mobile voice, value added, mobile data and Internet, wholesale, corporate, roaming, fixed wireless, and trunking and paging services. Its fixed telecommunication services include PSTN lines; ISDN accesses; public telephone services; local, domestic, and international long-distance and fixed-to-mobile communications; corporate communications; supplementary value-added services; video telephony; intelligent network; and telephony information services, as well as leases and sells handset equipment. The company also provides Internet and broadband multimedia services comprising Internet service provider, portal and network, retail and wholesale broadband access, narrowband switched access, high-speed Internet through fibre to the home, and voice over Internet protocol services. In addition, it offers leased line, virtual private network, fibre optics, web hosting and application, outsourcing and consultancy, desktop, and system integration and professional services. Further, the company offers wholesale services for telecommunication operators, including domestic interconnection and international wholesale services; leased lines for other operators; and local loop leasing services, as well as bit stream services, wholesale line rental accesses, and leased ducts for other operators' fiber deployment. Additionally, it provides video/TV services; smart connectivity and services, and consumer IoT products; financial and other payment, security, cloud computing, advertising, big data, and digital telco experience services; virtual assistants; digital home platforms; and Movistar Home devices. It also offers online telemedicine, home insurance, music streaming, and consumer loan services. The company was incorporated in 1924 and is headquartered in Madrid, Spain. This is a current list of the top 250 companies by market capitalization on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Learn more . The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is one of the largest, and most recognizable, stock exchanges in the world. The NYSE is in New York City, New York at 11 Wall Street. The NYSE has been in existence since the earliest days of the United States becoming a nation, in 1792 and is primarily made up of blue-chip companies with large market capitalizations. In fact, many of the stocks that make up the Dow Jones Composite Index (i.e. The Dow) are listed on the NYSE. This article gives a brief history of the New York Stock Exchange. In addition, it covers topics such as what kind of stocks trade on the exchange, what are the listing requirements, how trading is performed, and what the daily price movement of the NYSE tells investors about investor sentiment. What Were the Origins of the NYSE? Today, the New York Stock Exchange is known as the center of the financial universe. However, the exchanges origin is far more humble. On May 17, 1792, 24 stockbrokers signed the Buttonwood Agreement creating a centralized exchange to help provide order to the securities market in what was still a young nation. The "Buttonwood Agreement comes from the tree of the same name under which the founders signed the agreement. An initial benefit of the exchange was how it removed the need for auctioneers when trading commodities like wheat and tobacco and to set a commission rate. The exchange initially focused on government bonds. However, the exchange had no formal home. Business was usually conducted informally in the local coffeehouses. In 1817, the exchange changed its name to the New York Stock & Exchange Board which later became the New York Stock Exchange. At this time, the exchange adopted a constitution that set the rules for trading. A group of stockbrokers met twice a day at 40 Wall Street to trade 30 stocks and bonds. Over time, the exchange moved became the financial hub of the country and moved to its current location in 1865. What Kind of Stocks Trade on the NYSE? As of June 2022, the NYSE includes approximately 2,400 companies with a market capitalization of over $28.2 trillion. Although the NYSE trades stocks of all market capitalizations, its best known for trading the stocks of large cap companies. These have the benefit of being mature companies in mature industries. And many of these companies reward shareholders with dividends. However, that also means that many of these companies are better suited for value investors as opposed to growth investors. In bear markets this stability can be a benefit for investors as these stocks tend to perform less bad than more volatile stocks. But in a bull market, these stocks are not likely to provide investors with the growth that they look for. An interesting fact about how the NYSE and NASDAQ operate is that the companies with the five largest market caps on the NYSE are also listed on the NASDAQ exchange. What Are the Listing Requirements For the NYSE? The NYSE has strict guidelines that govern the types of companies that can list on the exchange. Here are the major requirements that all companies must meet: The company must have at least 2,200 shareholders The company must trade over 100,000 shares per month The company must have a market valuation of over $100 million The company must generate more than $75 million in annual revenue However, there is at least one advantage of having such stringent requirements. That is the companies that meet the requirements generally find it easier to get more investors funds when they hold their initial public offering (IPO). Once a company begins trading on the NYSE, it must continue to meet these requirements. If it doesnt it can be delisted. In addition to these requirements, the stock must continue to trade above $1. If the price of a stock drops below $1 for more than 29 consecutive trading days, the stock receives an Initial Price Violation Notice. At that point, the company has 10 days to provide the exchange with a plan for bringing their shares above $1. How are Trades Executed on the NYSE? For over a century, the floor of the NYSE was the place for investors to be. This meant trades were conducted by traders who ran buy and sell orders across the trading floor looking to broker a deal for their clients. But with the birth of the NASDAQ exchange in 1971, the New York Stock Exchange began conducting electronic trading. However, the NYSE continues to conduct trades in an auction style. Brokers purchase stocks on behalf of their clients or firms. Every order features a broker who will enter the order electronically and a specialist who serves as the market maker for that stock. The specialist posts bid and ask prices and manages the actual execution of the trades. And there are still a handful of stockbrokers who still traffic buy and sell orders physically on the floor of the exchange. How Does the NYSE Signal Investor Sentiment? Like its counterpart, the NASDAQ, the NYSE measures the risk appetite of investors. When the NYSE is moving higher over a length of time, it signals that a risk on environment. Conversely when the NYSE moves lower over a significant period, it signals that investors are moving to a risk off position. Some Final Thoughts on the NYSE Financial news networks plan their programming schedule around the opening and closing bell of the New York Stock Exchange. Its still considered a distinguished honor when individuals or groups are invited to ring the opening bell. In fact, Warren Buffett is attributed with saying that in the short term, the stock market acts like a voting machine. A fact that many U.S. presidents will attest to. The NYSE is the oldest and most recognizable of all the stock exchanges. It also has the most stringent requirements for inclusion. And those requirements must be maintained even after a stock begins publicly trading on the exchange. Although the NYSE still has a small in-person Trading Floor, much of the trading is done electronically to provide traders with the speed to execute trades. The following companies are subsidiares of Bristol-Myers Squibb: 1096271 B.C. ULC, 345 Park LLC, A.G. Medical Services P.A., AHI Investment LLC, AbVitro LLC, Abraxis BioScience Australia Pty Ltd., Abraxis BioScience Inc., Abraxis BioScience International Holding Company Inc., Abraxis BioScience LLC, Abraxis BioScience Puerto Rico LLC, Acetylon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Adnexus, Adnexus a Bristol-Myers Squibb R&D Company, Allard Labs Acquisition G.P., Amira Pharmaceuticals, Amira Pharmaceuticals Inc., Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Apothecon LLC, B-MS Generx Unlimited Company, BMS Benelux Holdings B.V., BMS Bermuda Nominees L.L.C., BMS Data Acquisition Company LLC, BMS Forex Company, BMS Holdings Sarl, BMS Holdings Spain S.L., BMS International Insurance Designated Activity Company, BMS Investco SAS, BMS Korea Holdings L.L.C., BMS Latin American Nominees L.L.C., BMS Luxembourg Partners L.L.C., BMS Omega Bermuda Holdings Finance Ltd., BMS Pharmaceutical Korea Limited, BMS Pharmaceuticals Germany Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals International Holdings Netherlands B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Korea Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Mexico Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Netherlands Holdings B.V., BMS Real Estate LLC, BMS Spain Investments LLC, BMS Strategic Portfolio Investments Holdings Inc., Blisa Acquisition G.P., Bristol (Iran) S.A., Bristol Iran Private Company Limited, Bristol Laboratories Inc., Bristol Laboratories International S.A., Bristol Laboratories Medical Information Systems Inc., Bristol-Myers (Andes) L.L.C., Bristol-Myers (Private) Limited, Bristol-Myers Middle East S.A.L., Bristol-Myers Overseas Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (China) Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (Israel) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (NZ) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Proprietary) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (Singapore) Pte. Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Taiwan) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (West Indies) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb A.E., Bristol-Myers Squibb Aktiebolag, Bristol-Myers Squibb Argentina S. R. L., Bristol-Myers Squibb Australia Pty. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Axia Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb B.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb Belgium S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Business Services Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada Co., Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada International Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Delta Company Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Denmark Filial of Bristol-Myers Squibb AB, Bristol-Myers Squibb EMEA Sarl, Bristol-Myers Squibb Egypt LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Epsilon Holdings Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Farmaceutica Ltda., Bristol-Myers Squibb Farmaceutica Portuguesa S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb GesmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb GmbH & Co. KGaA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holding Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings 2002 Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Germany Verwaltungs GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Ireland Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Pharma Ltd. Liability Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Ilaclari Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb India Pvt. Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb International Company Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb International Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Investco L.L.C., Bristol-Myers Squibb K.K., Bristol-Myers Squibb Kft., Bristol-Myers Squibb Luxembourg International S.C.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Bristol-Myers Squibb MEA GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Manufacturing Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Marketing Services S.R.L., Bristol-Myers Squibb Middle East & Africa FZ-LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Norway Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Nutricionales de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb Peru S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma (HK) Ltd, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma (Thailand) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Holding Company LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Ventures Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Polska Sp. z o.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Products SA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Puerto Rico Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Puerto Rico/Sanofi Pharmaceutical Partnership Puerto Rico, Bristol-Myers Squibb Romania S.R.L., Bristol-Myers Squibb S.A.U., Bristol-Myers Squibb S.r.l., Bristol-Myers Squibb SA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Holding Partnership, Bristol-Myers Squibb Sarl, Bristol-Myers Squibb Service Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Services Sp. z o.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Spol. s r.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Theta Finance Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Trustees Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Verwaltungs GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb de Colombia S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb de Costa Rica Sociedad Anonima, Bristol-Myers Squibb de Guatemala S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb/Astrazeneca EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership, Bristol-Myers de Venezuela S.C.A., CHT I LLC, CHT II LLC, CHT III LLC, CHT IV LLC, CR Finance Company LLC, Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals, Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals Inc., Celem LLC, Celem Ltd., Celgene, Celgene A.B., Celgene AS, Celgene Ab (Finland), Celgene Alpine Investment Co. II LLC, Celgene Alpine Investment Co. III LLC, Celgene Alpine Investment Co. LLC, Celgene ApS, Celgene B.V., Celgene BVBA, Celgene Brasil Produtos Farmaceuticos Ltda., Celgene CAR LLC, Celgene CAR Ltd., Celgene Chemicals Sarl, Celgene China Holdings LLC, Celgene Co., Celgene Corporation, Celgene Distribution B.V., Celgene EngMab GmbH, Celgene Europe B.V., Celgene Europe Limited, Celgene European Investment Company LLC, Celgene Financing Company LLC, Celgene Global Holdings Sarl, Celgene GmbH [Austria], Celgene GmbH [Germany], Celgene GmbH [Switzerland], Celgene Holdings East Corporation, Celgene Holdings II Sarl, Celgene Holdings III Sarl, Celgene Ilac Pazarlama ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Celgene Inc., Celgene International Holdings Corporation, Celgene International II Sarl, Celgene International III Sarl, Celgene International Inc., Celgene International Sarl, Celgene K.K., Celgene Kft., Celgene Limited [Hong Kong], Celgene Limited [Ireland], Celgene Limited [New Zealand], Celgene Limited [Taiwan], Celgene Limited [UK], Celgene Logistics Sarl, Celgene Ltd, Celgene Luxembourg Sarl, Celgene Management Sarl, Celgene NJ Investment Co, Celgene Netherlands B.V., Celgene Netherlands Investment B.V., Celgene Pharmaceutical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Celgene Pte. Ltd., Celgene Pty Ltd, Celgene Puerto Rico Distribution LLC, Celgene Quanticel Research Inc, Celgene R&D Sarl, Celgene RIVOT LLC, Celgene RIVOT Ltd., Celgene RIVOT SRL, Celgene Receptos Limited, Celgene Receptos Sarl, Celgene Research Incubator At Summit West LLC, Celgene Research S.L.U., Celgene Research and Development Company LLC, Celgene Research and Development I ULC, Celgene Research and Development II LLC, Celgene Research and Investment Company II LLC, Celgene S. de R.L. de C.V., Celgene S.L.U., Celgene S.R.L., Celgene SAS, Celgene Sarl AU, Celgene Sdn Bhd, Celgene Services Sarl, Celgene Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Celgene Sp. Z.o.o., Celgene Sro [Czech Republic], Celgene Summit Investment Co, Celgene Switzerland Holding Sarl, Celgene Switzerland II LLC, Celgene Switzerland Investment Sarl, Celgene Switzerland LLC, Celgene Switzerland Sarl, Celgene Tri A Holdings Ltd., Celgene Tri Sarl, Celgene UK Distribution Limited, Celgene UK Holdings Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing II Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing III Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing Limited, Celgene d.o.o., Celgene sro [Slovakia], Celmed LLC, Celmed Ltd., ConvaTec Divestiture, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals AB, Crosp Ltd., Delinia Inc., Deuteria Pharmaceuticals Inc., DuPont Pharmaceuticals, E. R. Squibb & Sons Inter-American Corporation, E. R. Squibb & Sons L.L.C., E. R. Squibb & Sons Limited, EWI Corporation, EngMab Sarl, F-star Alpha, FermaVir Pharmaceuticals L.L.C., FermaVir Research L.L.C., Flexus Biosciences, Flexus Biosciences Inc., Forbius, Galecto Biotech, GenPharm International L.L.C., Gloucester Pharmaceuticals LLC, Grove Insurance Company Ltd., Heyden Farmaceutica Portuguesa Limitada, IFM Therapeutics, Impact Biomedicines Inc., Inhibitex, Inhibitex L.L.C., Innate Tumor Immunity Inc., JuMP Holdings LLC, Juno Therapeutics GmbH, Juno Therapeutics Inc., Kosan Biosciences, Kosan Biosciences Incorporated, Linson Investments Limited, Mead Johnson (Manufacturing) Jamaica Limited, Mead Johnson Jamaica Ltd., Medarex, Morris Avenue Investment II LLC, Morris Avenue Investment LLC, MyoKardia, O.o.o. Bristol-Myers Squibb, Oy Bristol-Myers Squibb (Finland) AB, Padlock Therapeutics, Padlock Therapeutics Inc., Pharmion LLC, Princeton Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Receptos LLC, Receptos Services LLC, RedoxTherapies Inc., Route 22 Real Estate Holding Corporation, SPV A Holdings ULC, Seamair Insurance DAC, Signal Pharmaceuticals LLC, Sino-American Shanghai Squibb Pharmaceuticals Limited, Societe Francaise de Complements Alimentaires(S.O.F.C.A.), Squibb Middle East S.A., Summit West Celgene LLC, Swords Laboratories, VentiRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Westwood-Intrafin SA, Westwood-Squibb Pharmaceuticals Inc., X-Body Inc., ZymoGenetics, ZymoGenetics Inc., ZymoGenetics LLC, ZymoGenetics Paymaster LLC, iPierian, and iPierian Inc.. Read More By PTI: away cots Gorakhpur, Sep 7 (PTI) A day after participants at his inaugural Khaat Sabha decamped with cots, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today came to their defence, saying while farmers were branded as "thieves" for taking away the humble charpoy, industrialists like Vijay Mallya who did not repay huge bank loans escaped with just the "defaulter" tag. advertisement "Kisan Khatiya le jata hai to wo use chor kehte hain. Magar jab bade udyogpati, Mallyaji jaise, bhag jaate hain to use defaulter kehte hain. (If a farmer takes away a charpoy, he is called a thief but people like Vijay Mallya who run away with crores of rupees are called mere defaulters)," he said. The Congress Vice President was addressing farmers after a road show here. He had earlier accused the ruling dispensation of allowing Mallya to "escape" abroad even when he was facing charges of loan default in the country. Rahul, who is undertaking about a month-long 2500-km mahayatra from Deoria to Delhi that started yesterday, is highlighting the plight of farmers. As part of the yatra, "Khaat Sabha" (Charpoy meetings) are being organised for Rahul to interact with farmers. At the inaugural Khaat Sabha yesterday, moments after Rahul left after having made a raft of promises like farm loan waiver, reduction of power tariff and higher minimum support price for agricultural produce, the venue plunged into utter chaos with men, women and children scampering in, lifting the charpoys and hurrying towards their homes. Later, at a Khaat Sabha in Sant Kabirnagar district today, Rahul referred to the incident of locals taking away the cots brought for the meeting, saying, "Our opponents see farmers as poor persons but I always feel that farmers are the real power of Hindustan". Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, people are facing problems but it has no effect on the prime minister. On the state of affairs in Uttar Pradesh, he said that farmers were only getting bills but no electricity. PTI SKC ABN COR SAB SMJ SK SK --- ENDS --- By PTI: Udaipur, Sep 8 (PTI) RSS leader Manmohan Vaidya today asked Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi to come up with evidence to back his claim that his organisation was responsible for Mahatma Gandhis assassination. "Its court which will decide the matter, not Rahul Gandhi. When an RSS volunteer has challenged him in the court, he is running away. If he has any evidence in support of his claims, he should present them before Judiciary," Vaidya, who was in the city for a two-day meeting of RSS volunteers, told reporters. advertisement "RSS had no connection with Mahatma Gandhis assassination. There is no mention of Sangh in the charge sheet and the accused did not even mention the name of RSS," he said. Without naming Mahatma Gandhi, Vaidya said RSS had observed 13-day mourning after his death. "Whatever Rahul Gandi has said is lie. He extends support to those who were held terrorists by court. Does he has faith in judiciary of the country or not?" he questioned. PTI CORR SDA FAR ZMN BSA --- ENDS --- Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. engages in designing, building, overhauling, and repairing military ships in the United States. It operates through three segments: Ingalls Shipbuilding, Newport News Shipbuilding, and Technical Solutions. The company is involved in the design and construction of non-nuclear ships comprising amphibious assault ships; expeditionary warfare ships; surface combatants; and national security cutters for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. It also provides nuclear-powered ships, such as aircraft carriers and submarines, as well as refueling and overhaul, and inactivation services of ships. In addition, the company offers naval nuclear support services, including fleet services comprising design, construction, maintenance, and disposal activities for in-service the U.S. Navy nuclear ships; and maintenance services on nuclear reactor prototypes. Further, it provides life-cycle sustainment services to the U.S. Navy fleet and other maritime customers; high-end information technology and mission-based solutions for Department of Defense (DoD), intelligence, and federal civilian customers; nuclear management and operations and environmental management services for the Department of Energy, DoD, state and local governments, and private sector companies; defense and federal solutions; and unmanned systems. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Newport News, Virginia. Intu owns and manages some of the best shopping centres, in some of the strongest locations, in the UK and Spain. Our UK portfolio is made up of 17 centres, including eight of the top-20, and in Spain we own three of the country's top-10 centres, with advanced plans to build a fourth. We are passionate about creating compelling experiences, in centre and online, that make our customers smile and help our retailers flourish. We attract around 400 million customer visits and 26 million website visits a year offering a multichannel approach that truly supports retail strategies. Our strategic focus on prime, high-footfall flagship destinations, combined with the strength and popularity of our brand, means that intu offers enhanced footfall, dwell time and loyalty. This helps our tenants flourish, driving occupancy and income growth. We are committed to our local communities, with our centres supporting nearly 130,000 jobs (representing about 3 per cent of the total UK retail workforce), and to operating with environmental responsibility. We have already met or exceeded a significant number of our 2020 environmental targets. Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. operates bookstores for college and university campuses, and K-12 institutions in the United States. It operates through three segments: Retail, Wholesale, and Digital Student Solutions. The company sells and rents new and used print textbooks, digital textbooks, and publisher hosted digital courseware through physical and virtual bookstores, as well as directly to students through Textbooks.com. It also offers First Day and First Day Complete access programs; BNC OER+, a turnkey solution for colleges and universities, that offers digital content, such as videos, activities, and auto-graded practice assessments; and general merchandise, including collegiate and athletic apparel, school spirit products, lifestyle products, technology products, supplies, graduation products, and convenience items. In addition, the company sources, sells, and distributes new and used textbooks; and sells hardware and a software suite of applications that provides inventory management and point-of-sale solutions to approximately 350 college bookstores. Further, it offers direct-to-student subscription-based writing services; and bartleby, a direct-to-student subscription-based offering that includes textbook solutions, expert questions and answers, and writing and tutoring services. The company operates 805 physical college and university bookstores; 622 virtual bookstores; 8 True Spirit e-commerce websites; pop-up retail locations; 73 customized cafes and 11 stand-alone convenience stores; and a media channel for brands targeting the college demographic. Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. By PTI: Lucknow, Sep 8 (PTI) As Rahul Gandhi undertakes his 2,500-km yatra in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today termed the Congress scion as a good human being and said they can forge a "friendship" if he spends more time in the state, setting off speculation about a political realignment. Akhilesh, however, shrugged off a question on possible alliance between Congress and the Samajwadi Party in run-up to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. advertisement "Rahulji bahut acche insan hain, bahut acche ladke hain. UP me jyada rahenge to hamari bhi dosti unse hogi...do acche log mil jaye to kya kharab baat hai? (Rahul is a good human being and a good boy. If he spends more time in UP, we can also have friendship with him...If two good human beings meet, whats wrong in that)," he said. During his ongoing Kisan Mahayatra in the state, Gandhi has been aggressively attacking Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi but has taken only veiled jibes at the SP government in the state. When Akhilesh was asked about chances of SP-Congress coalition, he said, "Aap isme rajniti kyun dekh rahe hain (Why are you seeing politics in it?" He was talking to media after a Cabinet meeting. On locals carrying away cots, many on their bicycles, after Gandhis Khat Panchayat, Akhilesh said, "At least the bicycle (SPs poll symbol) has some use for them...had it been taken by samajwadis, you (media) would have said samajwadi goondas took it away". Asked about state minister Azam Khans controversial comments on BR Ambedkar, Akhilesh said the issue should not be politicised. "In Uttar Pradesh, elections are nearing. No one should become thekedar of mahapurush (great personalities). You should not let them become thekedar of mahapurush," he said. On the Cabinet meeting, Akhilesh said, it was decided to hike old age pension from Rs 300 to Rs 500 per month, formation of new nagar panchyats and construction of Acharya Narendra Dev Memorial park in Sitapur. Besides, the Cabinet also discussed formation of UP Yuva Niti-2016 and a policy to give free smartphones to people. "How to give smartphones in the days to come was discussed. Its registrations will be started soon. It (smartphones) will help reduce distance and information will reach fast in rural areas," he said. "It is being felt that information regarding government schemes and policies did not reach people. Giving smartphones will help in governance," he said. advertisement The Cabinet also decided to employ over 30,000 BPEd (Bachelor in Physical Education) passouts, who were agitating for past few years while working on honoraium in government schools. PTI ABN TIR RT TIR --- ENDS --- The following companies are subsidiares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.: 2235158 Alberta Limited, A.J. Amer Agency, AHC Digital LLC, AIX Limited, AJG Coal LLC, AJG Financial Services LLC, AJG Meadows LLC, AJG North America ULC, AJG RCF LLC, AJGRMS of Louisiana LLC, ARM RE Ltda., AVIATION INSURANCE SERVICES, AVRECO, Ace IRM Insurance Broking Group, Acumus Holdings Limited, Acumus Interco Limited, Acumus Ltd, Adams & Associates International, Adaptive Marketing LLC, Adco General Corporation, Advanced Benefit Advisors, Aequus Trade Credit, Affinity Marketing Group, Ahrold Fay Rosenberg, Aires Consulting Group, Alesco Risk Management Services Limited, Alize Limited, Allied Claims Administration Inc., Alternative Market Specialists, Altman & Cronin Benefit Consultants, American Freedom Carriers Inc., American Security Services Corp., American Wholesalers Underwriting Ltd, Andrew-Anthony Insurance Agency, Anthony Hodges Consulting Limited, Antrobus Investments Limited, AquaSurance, Argentis, Argentis Financial Group Limited, Argentis Financial Management Limited, Argus Benefits, Armstrong/Robitaille/Riegle, Artex (SAC) Limited, Artex Cedar Hill, Artex Corporate Services (Malta) Limited, Artex Corporate Services Limited, Artex Holdings (Gibraltar) Limited, Artex Holdings (Malta) Limited, Artex Insurance (Guernsey) PCC Limited, Artex Insurance (Tennessee) PCCIC Inc., Artex Insurance Brokers (Malta) PCC Limited, Artex Insurance ICC Limited, Artex Intermediaries Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Bermuda) Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Cayman) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Gibraltar) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Guernsey) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (International) Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Malta) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (UK) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions Inc., Arthur J Gallagher (Norway) Holdings AS, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AUS) Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Bermuda) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Illinois), Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Insurance Brokers of California Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher (Aus) Pty Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (Bermuda) Holding Partnership, Arthur J. Gallagher (Life Solutions) Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (U.S.) LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher (UK) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Asesoria S.A.C., Arthur J. Gallagher Australasia Holdings Pty Ltd., Arthur J. Gallagher Brokerage & Risk Management Services LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Broking (NZ) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Financial Services Professionals Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Group Quebec ULC, Arthur J. Gallagher Holdings (UK) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Latin America LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Management (Bermuda) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Real Estate Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services (Hawaii) Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services of Utah Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher School Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Service Company LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Services (UK) Ltd, Ashmore & Associates Insurance Agency, Atlantic Risk Management Corp., Atrex Insurance (Cayman) SPC Limited, Avantek Pty Ltd, Axe Insurance PCC Limited, BIS Insurance Services, Baker - Tillys employment benefits solutions, Ballard Benefit Works, Bankers Financial Benefits, Barmore Insurance Agency, Behnke & Co. Inc., Bellisle Pty Ltd, Belmont Associates Consultants, Belmont Insurance Holdings Limited, Belmont International, Belmont International Limited, Benefit Development Group, Benefit Management Group, BenefitLink Resource Group, Benefits Planning & Insurance Agency, Benefits Unlimited, Bennett & Shade Co., Bergvall Marine, Bergvall Marine A.S., Besselman & Little Agency, Big Savings Insurance Agency Inc., Blenheim Park Ltd, Blenheim Park Services Limited, Blue Holdings Pty Ltd, Blue Horizon Insurance Services, Blue Water Benefits, BluePeak Advisors, Blueleaf Consulting Pty Ltd., Bluewater Incorporated Cell Insurance Company, Bollinger Inc., Bollinger Insurance Services Inc., Bowen Miclette Britt & Merry of Arkansas Inc., Brendis & Brendis, Brim AB, Broker Benefit Services, Brokerage Professionals, Brown Hobbs & McMurray Insurance, Bultman/Bell Associates Inc., Burkwald & Associates, Burns-Fazzi Brock & Associates, Bushong Insurance Associates, C&B Consulting Group, CGM Gallagher Insruance Brokers (Trinidad & Tobago) Limited, CJM Solutions Inc., CMA Solutions LLC, Cairnstone Financial, California Insurance Center, Capital Bauer Insurance Agency, Capitol Benefits Group, Capsicum CRLA LLP, Capsicum Re Brasil Participacoes Ltda, Capsicum Re Latin America Corretora De Resseguros Ltda, Capsicum Reinsurance Brokers Bermuda Limited, Capsicum Reinsurance Brokers Miami Inc., Carefree Marketing Inc., Carpenter Cammack & Associates, Cashan & Co., Castle Insurance Associates, Centennial Insurance Agency, Charity First Insurance Services Inc., Charles Allen Agency, Charter Lakes Insurance Agency, Chris Schroeder Insurance, Christie-Phoenix, Cintran Claims Canada Limited, Classic Insurance Services, Cleaveland Insurance Group, Cohen & Lord Insurance Brokers, Cohn Financial Group, Coleman Group Holdings Limited, Coleman Holdings Limited, College and University Scholastic Excess Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Commercial Insurance Brokers, Complete Benefit Alliance, Complete Financial Balance, Complete Financial Balance Pty Ltd, Consolidated Casualty Specialties LLC, Construction Risk Solutions, Contego Underwriting Limited, Contego Underwriting Ltd, Continental Excess & Surplus, Convergence Risk Services Ltd, Copper Mountain Assurance Inc., Cornwall & Stevens Co., Corporate Benefit Advisors, Corporate Life Consultants, Countrywide Accident Assistance Limited, Coverdell & Company Inc., Coverdell Canada Corporation, Cowles and Connell, Craig M. Ferguson & Co., Crist Elliott Machette Insurance Services, Crombie Lockwood (NZ) Limited, Davis-Poston & Associates, Denman Consulting Services, Detlefs Johnson & Partners, DiBrina Group, Dickinson & Associates, Discount Development Services L.L.C., Discovery Benefit Solutions, Dodson-Bateman & Co., Donald P. Pipino Co. Ltd., E. S. Susanin Inc., EHE Holdings LLC, EHS Holdings Limited, Elantis Premium Funding (NZ) Limited, Elantis Premium Funding Limited, Elite Benefits Insurance Marketing Services, Employee Benefits Analysis Corp., Employee Benefits of The Carolinas, Encore Insurance & Bonding, Everett James, Evolution Risk Services Limited, Evolution Technology Services Limited, Evolution Underwriting Group, Evolution Underwriting Group Limited, Evolution Underwriting Limited, Excel Insurance Services, FYI Direct Canada Corporation, FYI Direct LLC, Farallone Pacific Insurance Services, Fenchurch Faris Limited, Fidelity Benefits & Insurance Services, Financial Profiles Inc., Finergy Solutions Pty Ltd, First Agency, First Iowa Insurance Agency, First Premium Inc., First Premium Insurance Group, Fish & Schulkamp, Fishermans Insurance Services, Foley Healthcare Limited, Fortress Financial Solutions Pty Ltd, Fortress Insurance LLC, Foundation Strategies, Fox Lawson & Associates, Franklin-Case Agency LLC, Fraser MacAndrew Ryan Limited, Friary Intermediate Limited, Fuller & O'Brien, G.S. Chapman & Associates Insurance Brokers, G.S. Levine Insurance Services, GBS (Australia) Holdings Pty Ltd, GBS Administrators Inc., GBS Insurance and Financial Services Inc., GBS Retirement Services Inc., GBS Specialty Markets LLC, GGB Finance 1 Limited, GGB Finance 2 Limited, GGB Finance 3 Limited, GGB Finance 4 Limited, GPL Assurance, GPL Assurance Inc., Gabor Insurance Services, Gale Smith & Co. Inc., Gallagher (Bermuda) Insurance Solutions Ltd., Gallagher - Grace/Mayer Insurance Agency, Gallagher Bassett Aires Inc., Gallagher Bassett Canada Inc., Gallagher Bassett Insurance Services Ltd., Gallagher Bassett International Ltd., Gallagher Bassett NZ Pty Ltd., Gallagher Bassett Services Inc. , Gallagher Bassett Services Pty Ltd., Gallagher Bassett Services Workers Compensation Victoria Pty Ltd., Gallagher Benefit Services (Canada) Group Inc., Gallagher Benefit Services (Holdings) Limited, Gallagher Benefit Services Inc., Gallagher Benefit Services Management Company Limited, Gallagher Benefit Services Pty Ltd, Gallagher Benefits Consulting Limited, Gallagher Bomford Couch Wilson, Gallagher Burgess, Gallagher Canada Acquisition Corporation, Gallagher Caribbean Group Limited, Gallagher Clean Energy LLC, Gallagher Communications Limited, Gallagher Community Clinic RPG LLC, Gallagher Consulting Ltda, Gallagher Corporate Services LLC, Gallagher Coyle, Gallagher CyberRisk, Gallagher Energy Risk Services Inc., Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors LLC, Gallagher Holdings (UK) Limited, Gallagher Holdings Bermuda Company Limited, Gallagher Holdings Four (UK) Limited, Gallagher Holdings Three (UK) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (Barbados) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Kitts & Nevis) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Lucia) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Vincent) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers Jamaica Limited, Gallagher International Cash Management s.r.l., Gallagher International Holdings (US) Inc., Gallagher Investment Advisors LLC, Gallagher Inwest Group, Gallagher Koster, Gallagher Lambert Group, Gallagher Madison Risk & Insurance Services, Gallagher Mauritius Holdings, Gallagher Mississippi Brokerage LLC, Gallagher RE Colombia Ltda Corredores de Reaseguros SA, Gallagher Risk & Reward Limited, Gallagher Risk Group LLC, Gallagher Risk Placements Pty Ltd, Gallagher SKS, Gallagher Service Center LLP, Gallagher-Tarantino, Galtney Group, Game Day Insurance Inc., Gardner & White Corp., Gardner Marine Agency, Garza Long Group, Gatehouse Consulting Limited, Gault Armstrong Kemble Pty Ltd, Gault Armstrong SARL, Giles Group, Giles Holdings Limited, Giles Insurance Brokers, Gillis Ellis & Baker Inc., Goodman Insurance Agency, Grandy Pratt Co., Greenseed Alternative Mangaers Platform Ltd, Grossman & Associates, Group Benefits of Arkansas, Group Insurance Associates, Gruppo Marcucci, HLG Holdings Limited, HMG-PCMS Limited, HPF Investments LLC, HR Owen Insurance Services Limited, Hagan Newkirk Financial Services, Hagedorn & Company, Hardman & Howell Benefits, Harlequin Insurance PCC Limited, Hartstein Associates Inc., Healthcare Professionals Purchasing Group LLC, Healthcare Risk Solutions, Heath Lambert Group Ltd., Heath Lambert Limited, Heath Lambert Overseas Limited, Heiser Insurance Agency, Henderson Phillips Fine Arts Insurance, Herbruck Alder & Co., Heritage Insurance Brokers (CI) Limited, Hesse & Partner AG, Hesse Consulting, Hexagon ICC Limited, Hexagon Insurance PCC Limited, Hill Chesson & Woody, Hogan Insurance Services, Home & Travel Limited, Honour Point Limited, Horseshoe Corporate Services Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services (Cayman) Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services USA Inc., Horseshoe ILS Services UK Ltd, Horseshoe Insurance Advisors US LLC, Horseshoe Insurance Advisory Ltd., Horseshoe Insurance Services Holdings Ltd, Horseshoe Insurance Services Holdings US Inc., Horseshoe Management (Gibraltar) Limited, Horseshoe Management (Ireland) Ltd, Horseshoe Management Ltd., Horseshoe PCC Limited, Horseshoe Re Limited, Horseshoe Services (Cayman) Ltd, Horseshoe Services (Pty) Ltd, Horton Insurance Agency, Housing Authorities Services Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Human Resource Management Systems, I-Protect Underwriting Pty Ltd, IBIS Advisors, IBS Reinsurance Singapore Pte Ltd, ILS Fund Services Ltd., ISG International, ITI Solutions, Igloo Insurance PCC Limited, Independent Benefit Services, Independent Fiduciary Services, Ink Underwriting Agencies Limited, InsSync Group Pty Ltd, Inspire Underwriting Limited, Instrat Insurance Brokers, Instrat Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd, Instrat Integration Holdco Pty Ltd, Insurance Acquisitions Holdings Limited, Insurance Associates Inc., Insurance Dialogue Limited, Insurance Dialogue Ltd., Insurance Plans Agency, Insurance Plus Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Insurance Point, Insurance Risk Managers of Missouri Inc., Insure My Villa Limited, Insure Pty Ltd, Integrated Healthcare Strategies, InterNational Insurance Group, InterPacific Underwriting Agencies, Intermountain Financial Benefits, Interstate Insurance Underwriters, JPGAC LLC, James F. Reda & Associates, James R. Weir Insurance Agency, Jenkins and Associates, Joe E. Martin Inc., John P. Woods Co. Inc., Jones Brown, Jones Brown Group Inc., Jones Brown Insurance Solutions Inc., Joseph Distel, Joseph James & Associates Insurance Agency, Just Landlords Insurance Services Ltd, KDC Associates, KRW Insurance Agency, Kahl Insurance Services, Kaler Carney Liffler & Co. Inc., Kane Group - Insurance Management Operations, Kelly Financial, Kent Kent & Tingle and RBS, Keyser Benefits Corp., Kingspark Enterprises Pty Ltd, L&R Benefits, LSG Insurance Partners, Learn About Money Limited, Lewis & Associates Insurance Brokers, Leystone Insurance & Financial, Life Plans Unlimited, Lincoln Financial Management, Longfellow Financial, Lucas Fettes Limited, Lucas Fettes and Partners Limited, Lutgert Insurance, MA Underwriting Pty Ltd, MDM Insurance Associates, MG Advanced Coal Technologies-1 LLC, MGA Insurance Services, MRS Holdings Ltd., Madison Scott & Associates, Managed Healthcare Solutions, Mannequin Insurance PCC Limited, Marchetti Robertson & Brickell Insurance, Marine Insurance Service, Martin Gordon & Jones Inc., McDowall Associates Human Resource Consultants, McIntyre Risk Management, McLean Insurance Agency, McNeary, McPherson Benefits Group, McRory & Co., Mecacem Insurance SPC Ltd, MedInsights Inc., Melton Insurance Associates, Memberworks Canada LLC, Merit Insurance, Metcom Excess, Metzler Bros. Insurance, Meyers-Reynolds & Associates, Mid America Group, Midwest Surety Services, Mike Henry Insurance Brokers, Mike Henry Insurance Brokers Limited, Mike Henry Insurance Funding Limited, Miller Buettner & Parrott, Miller-Harrison Insurance Services, Milne Alexander Pty Ltd, Minvielle & Chastanet Insurance Brokers, Monument Insurance (NZ) Limited, Monument Llc, Monument Premium Funding Limited, Mortgage Insurance Agency, Murphy Consultants, Mutual Insurance Services, NationAir Aviation Insurance, National Administration Co., National Ethics Association, National Transportation Adjusters, Nelson/Monarch Insurance Services, Nicoud Insurance Services, NiiS/Apex Group Holdings, Nonprofit Insurance Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Noraxis Capital Corp, Nordic Forsakring & Riskhantering AB, North Alabama Insurance, Nourse Insurance Brokers, O'Gorman & Young, OAMPS (UK) Limited, OAMPS Gault Armstrong Pty Ltd, OAMPS Limited, OAMPS Special Risks Ltd, Offshore Market Placements Limited, Optimum Talent, Orb Financial Services, Orb Financial Services Limited, Osprey Insurance Brokers Limited, Oval Group, Oval Healthcare Limited, Oval Insurance Broking Limited, Oval Limited, Oval Management Services Limited, Oxygen Insurance Managers, P2 Group, PEN Insurance Management Advisors Ltd, PT IBS Insurance Broking Service, Pacific Insurance Agency, Palmer Atlantic Insurance, Palmer Atlantic Insurance Ltd, Palmer Atlantic Risk Services Ltd., Park Row Associates, Parkstar Enterprises Pty Ltd, Parmia Pty Ltd, PartnerSource, Pastel Holding (NZ) Company, Pastel Holdings Pty Limited, Pastel Purchaser (NZ) Limited, Pastel Purchaser Pty Limited, Pavey Group Holdings (UK) Limited, Pavey Group Holdings Limited, Pavey Group Limited, Pearson Dunn Insurance Inc., Pen Underwriting Canada Limited, Pen Underwriting Group Pty. Ltd., Pen Underwriting Limited, Pen Underwriting Pty Ltd, Persing Dyckman & Toynbee Inc., Personal Advice Services Pty Ltd, Petty Burton Associates, Pointer Insurance Agency, Portmore Insurance Brokers (Wilshire) Limited, Portmore Insurance Brokers Limited, Potter-Holden & Co., Powell Insurance Agency, Premier Insurance Services Inc., Premier Risk Services, Premium Finance Corporation, Preston-Patterson, ProSource Financial, Professional Agents Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Professional Claims Managers, Proinova AB, Proinova Agency AB, Pronto California Agency LLC, Pronto California General Agency LLC, Pronto Florida Claims LLC, Pronto Florida General Agency LLC, Pronto Franchise LLC, Pronto General Agency Ltd, Pronto General Agency Management LLC, Pronto Holdco Inc., Pronto Holding California LLC, Pronto Holding Florida LLC, Pronto Insurance Agency of Laredo Inc., Pronto Premium Finance LLC, Property & Commercial Ltd., Property Insurance Initatives Limited, Property and Commercial Limited, Protected Insurance Company, Protection Plan Association Inc., Protek Group Limited, Providium Consulting Group, Ptarmigan Underwriting Agency Limited, Ptarmigan Underwriting UK Limited, Purple Bridge Claims Management Limited, Purple Bridge Finance Limited, Purple Bridge Group Limited, Purple Bridge Investments Limited, Purple Bridge Online Services Limited, Purple Bridge Publishing Limited, Quantum Underwriting Solutions Limited, Quillco 226 Limited, Quillco 227 Limited, R. L. Youngdahl & Associates, R.G. Speno Inc., R.W. Scobie, RA Rossborough (Guernsey) Ltd., RA Rossborough (Insurance Brokers) Ltd, REGENCY Group inc., RGA Referencing Limited, RGA Underwriting Limited, RIL Administrators (Guernsey) Ltd., RJ Dutton Inc., RSM Insurance Services Limited, Reassurance Holdings Inc., Rebholz Insurance Agency, Reid Manson Ltd., Reimbursement Services, Rentguard Limited, Reward Management Limited, Reynolds & Rodar Insurance Group, Riley & Associates, Rio 587 Limited, Rio 588 Limited, Risk & Reward Group, Risk Management Partners Limited, Risk Placement Services Inc., Risk Planners, Risk Services (NW) Limited, Risk Services (NW) Ltd., Risk Solutions Group Limited, Robert A. Schneider Agency, Robert Keith & Associates, Roberts & Roberts Insurance Service, Robinson-Adams Insurance, Rossborough Healthcare International Ltd, Rossborough Insurance (IOM) Ltd., Rossborough Insurance Services Ltd. (Jersey), S. A. Freerks & Associates, SEG Insurance Ltd, SGB-NIA Insurance Brokers, SHILLING Ltd, SKANCO International, SMERI AB, SRS Underwriting Pty Ltd, Secure Enterprises Pty Ltd, Securitas Re, Sellers Group, Sentinel Indemnity LLC, Septagon Insurance PCC Limited, Shuford Insurance Agency, Sigma II Insurance Agency, Sinclair Billard and Weld Limited, Sobieski & Bradley, Solid Benefit Guidance, Spanjers Insurance Agency, Spataro Insurance Agency, Specialised Broking Associates, Specialty Risk, Stackhouse Poland, Stackhouse Poland Bidco Limited, Stackhouse Poland Group Limited, Stackhouse Poland Holdings Limited, Stackhouse Poland Midco Limited, Stackouse Poland Limited, Stanton Group, Stark Johnson & Stinson Inc., Steel Agency, Strata Solicitors Ltd, Strategic Health Plans Corp., Strathearn Insurance Brokers, Strathearn Insurance Brokers (Qld) Trading Trust, Strathern Insurance Group Pty Ltd, Strathern Integration Holdco Pty Ltd, Strathern Unit Trust, Strong Financial Resources, Summit Insurance Group, Sunday and Associates, Sunderland Insurance Services, Super Advice Corporate Services Pty Ltd, Taylor Benefits, Texas Insurance Agency, Texas Insurance Managers, The BeneTex Group, The Buchholz Planning, The Chapman Group, The Commonwealth Consulting Group, The Daniels Group Inc., The EHE Group LLC, The EHE Insurance Agency LLC, The Eagle Insurance Agency LLC, The Eriksen Group, The Forker Company, The Gleason Agency, The Great Lakes Agency, The HR Group, The Hawk Agency, The Human Capital Group, The Lance Group, The Levitt/Kristan Co., The MW Bagnall Company, The Old Greenwich Consulting Group, The Parks Johnson Agency, The Plus Companies Inc., The Presidio Group, The Producers Choice, The Rains Group, The Splinter Group, The Titan Group, The Treiber Group, The Woodsmall Companies Inc., Title & Covenant Brokers Ltd., Title Investments Limited, Tom Sherwin Insurance Agency, Total Reward Group, Total Rewards Group (Holdings) Limited, Towle Agency, Transwestern, Tri-State General Insurance Agency, Triad Insurance Agency, Triad USA, Tribeca Strategic Advisors, Trinder & Norwood, Trip Mate, Trissel Graham & Toole, Tropp & Co., Tudor Risk Services, Tyloma Holdings Limited, Uni-Care Inc., Unison Inc., Universico Group, Unoccupied Direct Limited, V2V Holdings LLC, VEBA Service Group, Vasek Insurance Services Limited, Velo ACU LLC, Velo Holdings Inc., Verbag AG., Vertrue LLC, Victory Insurance Agency, Vincent L. Braband Insurance, Vital Benefits, Voluntary Benefits Solutions, W. E. Kingsley Co. Inc., WM. W. George & Associates, Walker Taylor Agency, Welling Associates, Wesfarmers Insurance - Insurance Brokerage Operations, Western Benefit Solutions, White & Company Insurance, Whitehaven Insurance Group, William Gallagher Associates Insurance Brokers, William H. Connolly & Co., Williams Insurance Agency Inc., Williams-Manny Insurance Group, Winn & Company Insurance Brokers, Wischmeyer Benefit Partners, Woodbrook Underwriting Agencies, Woods & Grooms, WorkCare Northwest, Worksite Communications, Y. S. Liedman & Associates, YOA Capsicum Reinsurance Broker Limited, Zenor Limited, Zuber Insurance Agency, and e3 Financial. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Novo Nordisk A/S: Aldaph SpA, Beijing Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Science & Technology Co. Ltd., CS Solar Fund XIV LLC, Calibrium, Corvidia, Corvidia Therapeutics Inc., Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Dicerna Pharmaceuticals Inc., Emisphere Technologies, Emisphere Technologies Inc., MB2 LLC, NNE A/S, Neotope Neuroscience Limited, Novo Nordisk, Novo Nordisk (China) Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Novo Nordisk (Pty) Limited, Novo Nordisk (Shanghai) Pharma Trading Co. Ltd., Novo Nordisk B.V., Novo Nordisk Canada Inc., Novo Nordisk Colombia SAS, Novo Nordisk Comercio Produtos Farmaceuticos Lda., Novo Nordisk Denmark A/S, Novo Nordisk Egypt LLC, Novo Nordisk Farma OY, Novo Nordisk Farma S.R.L., Novo Nordisk Farma dooel, Novo Nordisk Farmaceutica Limitada, Novo Nordisk Farmaceutica do Brasil Ltda., Novo Nordisk Finance (Netherlands) B.V., Novo Nordisk Health Care AG, Novo Nordisk Hellas Epe., Novo Nordisk Holding Limited, Novo Nordisk Hong Kong Limited, Novo Nordisk Hrvatska d.o.o., Novo Nordisk Hungaria Kft., Novo Nordisk Inc., Novo Nordisk India Holding Pte Ltd., Novo Nordisk India Private Limited, Novo Nordisk Kazakhstan LLP, Novo Nordisk Kenya Ltd., Novo Nordisk Lanka (PVT) Ltd, Novo Nordisk Limited, Novo Nordisk Limited Liability Company, Novo Nordisk Ltd, Novo Nordisk Mexico S.A. de C.V., Novo Nordisk North America Operations A/S, Novo Nordisk Norway AS, Novo Nordisk Panama S.A., Novo Nordisk Pars, Novo Nordisk Peru S.A.C., Novo Nordisk Pharma (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Novo Nordisk Pharma (Private) Limited, Novo Nordisk Pharma (Singapore) Pte Ltd., Novo Nordisk Pharma (Taiwan) Ltd., Novo Nordisk Pharma (Thailand) Ltd., Novo Nordisk Pharma AG, Novo Nordisk Pharma Argentina S.A., Novo Nordisk Pharma EAD, Novo Nordisk Pharma GmbH, Novo Nordisk Pharma Gulf FZE, Novo Nordisk Pharma Inc., Novo Nordisk Pharma Korea Ltd., Novo Nordisk Pharma Limited, Novo Nordisk Pharma Ltd., Novo Nordisk Pharma Operations (Business Area) Sdn Bhd, Novo Nordisk Pharma Operations A/S, Novo Nordisk Pharma S.A., Novo Nordisk Pharma SARL, Novo Nordisk Pharma SAS, Novo Nordisk Pharma Sp.z.o.o., Novo Nordisk Pharma d.o.o., Novo Nordisk Pharma d.o.o. Belgrade (Serbia), Novo Nordisk Pharmaceutical Industries LP, Novo Nordisk Pharmaceutical Services Sp. z o.o., Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals (Philippines) Inc., Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals A/S, Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Pty. Ltd., Novo Nordisk Pharmatech A/S, Novo Nordisk Pharmatech US Inc., Novo Nordisk Production SAS, Novo Nordisk Production Support LLC, Novo Nordisk Producao Farmaceutica do Brasil Ltda., Novo Nordisk Region AAMEO and LATAM A/S, Novo Nordisk Region China A/S, Novo Nordisk Region Europe A/S, Novo Nordisk Region Japan & Korea A/S, Novo Nordisk Research Center Indianapolis Inc., Novo Nordisk Research Center Seattle Inc., Novo Nordisk S.P.A., Novo Nordisk Saglik Urunleri Tic. Ltd. Sti., Novo Nordisk Saudi for Trading, Novo Nordisk Scandinavia AB, Novo Nordisk Service Centre (India) Pvt. Ltd., Novo Nordisk Slovakia s.r.o., Novo Nordisk Tunisie SARL, Novo Nordisk US Bio Production Inc., Novo Nordisk US Commercial Holdings Inc., Novo Nordisk US Holdings Inc., Novo Nordisk Ukraine LLC, Novo Nordisk Venezuela Casa de Representacion C.A., Novo Nordisk d.o.o., Novo Nordisk s.r.o., PT. Novo Nordisk Indonesia, S.A. Novo Nordisk Pharma N.V., UAB Novo Nordisk Pharma, Xellia Pharmaceuticals, Ziylo, and Ziylo Limited. Read More Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells petroleum products in the People's Republic of China. It operates through five segments: Synthetic Fibers, Resins and Plastics, Intermediate Petrochemicals, Petroleum Products, and Trading of Petrochemical Products. The Synthetic Fibers segment produces polyesters, acrylic fibers, and carbon fibers that are primarily used in the textile and apparel industries. The Resins and Plastics segment produces polyester chips that are used to produce polyester fibers, coating, and containers; polyethylene resins and plastics, which are used to produce insulated cables and mulching films, as well as molded products, such as housewares and toys; and polypropylene resins that are used for films and sheets, as well as molded products, such as housewares, toys, consumer electronics, and automobile parts; and PVA granules. The Intermediate Petrochemicals segment produces p-xylene, benzene, and ethylene oxide, which are used as raw materials in the production of other petrochemicals, resins, plastics, and synthetic fibers. The Petroleum Products segment operates crude oil refinery facilities used to produce refined gasoline, fuel, diesel oil, heavy oil, and liquefied petroleum gas. The Trading of Petrochemical Products segment is involved in the import and export of petrochemical products. The company was founded in 1972 and is based in Shanghai, the People's Republic of China. Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited is a subsidiary of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation. Advance Auto Parts, Inc. provides automotive replacement parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items for domestic and imported cars, vans, sport utility vehicles, and light and heavy duty trucks. The company offers battery accessories; belts and hoses; brakes and brake pads; chassis and climate control parts; clutches and drive shafts; engines and engine parts; exhaust systems and parts; hub assemblies; ignition components and wires; radiators and cooling parts; starters and alternators; and steering and alignment parts. It also offers air conditioning chemicals and accessories; air fresheners; antifreeze and washer fluids; electrical wires and fuses; electronics; floor mats, seat covers, and interior accessories; hand and specialty tools; lighting products; performance parts; sealants, adhesives and compounds; tire repair accessories; vent shades, mirrors and exterior accessories; washes, waxes and cleaning supplies; and wiper blades. In addition, the company offers air filters; fuel and oil additives; fuel filters; grease and lubricants; motor oils; oil filters, part cleaners and treatments; and transmission fluids for engine maintenance. Further, it offers battery and wiper installation; engine light scanning and checking; electrical system testing; video clinic; oil and battery recycling; and loaner tool program services. Additionally, the company sells its products through its website. It serves professional installers and do-it-yourself customers. The company operates stores under the Advance Auto Parts, Autopart International, and Carquest brands, as well as branches under the Worldpac name. As of April 23, 2022, it operated 4,687 stores and 311 branches in the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada; and served 1,318 independently owned Carquest branded stores in Mexico, Grand Cayman, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and the British Virgin Islands. The company was founded in 1929 and is based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Reshma Qureshi's international debut on the runway, was all sorts of awesome! By Hemul Goel: In 2014 Reshma Qureshi's brother-in-law and his friends threw acid on her face and assaulted her, but look where life has taken her! Today, Reshma created a global splash by walking on the runway of one of the most important events of the global fashion calendar aka New York Fashion Week. Reshma came into the spotlight on becoming the face of NGO Make Love Not Scars' #EndAcidSale campaign after which FTL Moda--which is known for its diverse models--invited her to walk during their presentation. advertisement However, before she took to the runway, Reshma was already killing it in a saree while posing with Ria Sharma, the founder of Make Love Not Scars. Reshma and Ria pose in their sarees. Picture courtesy: Twitter/@MakeLuvNotScars And here's a picture of the two of them backstage, all prepped up before the show. It's finally showtime! Picture courtesy: Twitter/@MakeLuvNotScars Look how pretty she looked during her pre-show press interviews, attired in a Gaurav Gupta tunic paired with Atelier Mon accessories. Interactions with the media kept Reshma busy in the morning. Picture courtesy: Twitter/@MakeLuvNotScars Interactions with the media kept Reshma busy in the morning. Picture courtesy: Twitter/@MakeLuvNotScars In the previous edition of the New York Fashion Week, FTL Moda's runway was hailed for inviting Down Syndrome model Madeline Stuart for sashaying down their runway, so one can only hope that Reshma's appearance on the catwalk will turn the lens on an important issue plaguing the women of our country. Having walked the ramp for renowned Indian designer Archana Kochhar--whose designs were also sported on the ramp by Sunny Leone--Reshma looked every bit radiant in her white coloured tribal print Kochhar attire. Reshma also met Sunny Leone at the New York Fashion Week. Picture courtesy: Twitter/@MakeLuvNotScars --- ENDS --- West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells containment and delivery systems for injectable drugs and healthcare products in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in two segments, Proprietary Products and Contract-Manufactured Products. The Proprietary Products segment offers stoppers and seals for injectable packaging systems; syringe and cartridge components, including custom solutions for the needs of injectable drug applications, as well as administration systems that enhance the safe delivery of drugs through advanced reconstitution, mixing, and transfer technologies; and films, coatings, washing, and vision inspection and sterilization processes and services to enhance the quality of packaging components. It also provides drug containment solutions, including Crystal Zenith, a cyclic olefin polymer in the form of vials, syringes, and cartridges; and self-injection devices, as well as a range of integrated solutions, including analytical lab services, pre-approval primary packaging support and engineering development, regulatory expertise, and after-sales technical support. This segment serves biologic, generic, and pharmaceutical drug companies. The Contract-Manufactured Products segment is involved in the design, manufacture, and automated assembly of devices used in surgical, diagnostic, ophthalmic, injectable, and other drug delivery systems, as well as consumer products. It serves pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and medical device companies. The company distributes its products through its sales force and distribution network, as well as contract sales agents and regional distributors. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. was incorporated in 1923 and is headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania. The following companies are subsidiares of Thermo Fisher Scientific: 236 Perinton Parkway LLC, 27 Forge Parkway LLC, ABR--Affinity BioReagents, ACI Holdings Inc., ARG Services LLC, ASPEX Corporation, Abgene Inc., Abgene Limited, Acoustic Cytometry Systems Inc., AcroMetrix LLC, Acros Organics B.V.B.A., Advanced Biotechnologies Limited, Advanced Scientifics (ASI), Advanced Scientifics Inc., Advanced Scientifics International Inc., Affymetrix Biotech Participacoes Ltda., Affymetrix Biotech Shanghai Ltd, Affymetrix Inc, Affymetrix Japan K.K., Affymetrix Pte Ltd, Affymetrix UK Ltd, Afora S.A.U., Ahura Scientific, Alchematrix Inc., Alchematrix LLC, Alfa Aesar, Alfa Aesar (China) Chemical Co. Ltd., Alfa Aesar (Hong Kong) Limited, Allergon AB, Alphine Mountain Limited, Ambion Inc., Apogent Denmark ApS, Apogent Finance Company, Apogent Holding Company, Apogent Technologies Inc., Apogent Transition Corp., Apogent U.K. Limited, App-Tek International Pty Ltd, Applied Biosystems B.V., Applied Biosystems Finance B.V., Applied Biosystems International Inc., Applied Biosystems LLC, Applied Biosystems Taiwan LLC, Applied Biosystems Trading (Shanghai) Company Ltd., Applied Biosystems de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Applied Scientific Corporation, Avances Cientificos de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Avocado Research Chemicals Limited, B.R.A.H.M.S. Biotech GmbH, B.R.A.H.M.S. GmbH, B.R.A.H.M.S. UK Ltd, BAC BV, BAC IP BV, Barnstead Thermolyne LLC, Beijing Phadia Diagnostics Co Ltd, Bender MedSystems GmbH, BioTrove Corporation, BioTrove International Inc., Bioanalysis Labsystems S.A., Biochemical Sciences LLC, Biolab, BmT GmbH Laborprodukte, Bonsai Tecnologies - Sistemas para Biotecnologia e Industria Unipessoal Lda, Brammer Bio, Bumi-Sans Sendirian Berhad, CAC Limited, CB Diagnostics AB, CB Diagnostics Holding AB, CEPH International Corporation, CHK Holdings Inc., CRS Robotics, CTPS LLC, Capitol Scientific Products Inc., Capitol Vial Inc., Cellomics Inc., CellzDirect Inc., Cenduit GmbH, Cenduit LLC, Cezanne S.A.S., Chase Scientific Glass Inc., Chromacol Limited, Clintrak, Clintrak Clinical Labeling Services LLC, Clintrak Pharmaceutical Services LLC, Cohesive Technologies (UK) Limited, Cohesive Technologies Inc., Columbia Diagnostics Inc., Compendia Bioscience Inc., Comtest Limited, Consolidated Technologies Inc., Consultores Fisher Scientific Chile Ltd, Core Informatics, Core Informatics LLC, Core Informatics UK Ltd., D-finitive Technologies Inc., DCG Systems B.V., DCG Systems C.V., DCG Systems G.K., DCG Systems GmbH, DCG Systems Korea Ltd., DCG Systems LLC, DPI Newco LLC, DSM Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Dharmacon, Diagnostix Ltd., Dionex (China) Analytical Ltd, Dionex (Switzerland) AG, Dionex (UK) Limited, Dionex Austria GmbH, Dionex Benelux B.V., Dionex Brasil Instrumentos Cientificos Ltda, Dionex Canada Ltd., Dionex China Limited, Dionex Corporation, Dionex Denmark A/S, Dionex Holding GmbH, Dionex I LLC, Dionex Pty Ltd., Dionex S.A., Dionex S.p.A., Dionex Singapore Pte Ltd., Dionex Softron GmbH, Dionex Sweden AB, Distribution Solutions International Inc., Doe & Ingalls Investors Inc., Doe & Ingalls Limited, Doe & Ingalls Management LLC, Doe & Ingalls Properties II LLC, Doe & Ingalls Properties LLC, Doe & Ingalls of California Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Florida Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Maryland Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Massachusetts Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of North Carolina Operating LLC, Doublecape Holding Limited, Doublecape Limited, Drakeside Real Estate Holding Company LLC, Duke Scientific Corporation, Dynal Biotech Beijing Limited, EGS Gauging Ltd., EGS Gauging Technical Services Company, EP Scientific Products LLC, Ecochem N.V., EnviroEquip Pty Ltd, Epsom Glass Industries Limited, Equibio Limited, Erie Electroverre S.A., Erie Finance Limited, Erie LP Holding LLC, Erie Scientific Company of Puerto Rico, Erie Scientific Hungary Kft, Erie Scientific LLC, Erie U.K. Limited, Erie UK 1 Limited, Erie UK 2 Limited, Erie UK Holding Company, Erie UK Senior Holding Limited, European Laboratory Holdings Limited, Eutech Instruments Europe B.V., Eutech Instruments Pte Ltd., Eutech Instruments Sdn Bhd, Ever Ready Thermometer Co. Inc., FEI Asia Pacific Co. Ltd., FEI Australia Pty Ltd, FEI CPD B.V., FEI Company, FEI Company Japan Ltd., FEI Company of USA (S.E.A.) Pte Ltd., FEI Czech Republic s.r.o., FEI Deutschland GmbH, FEI EFA Inc., FEI EFA International Pte. Ltd., FEI Electron Optics B.V., FEI Electron Optics International B.V., FEI Europe B.V., FEI France SAS, FEI Global Holdings C.V., FEI Hong Kong Company Limited, FEI Houston Inc., FEI Italia Srl, FEI Korea Ltd., FEI Melbourne Pty Ltd., FEI Microscopy Solutions Ltd, FEI Munich GmbH, FEI Norway Holding AS, FEI SAS, FEI Saudi Arabia LLC, FEI Servicos de Nanotecnologia Ltda., FEI Technologies Inc., FEI Technology de Mexico S.A. de C.V., FEI Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., FEI Trondheim AS, FEI UK Ltd., FHP LLC, FRC Holding Inc. V, FS (Barbados) Capital Holdings Ltd., FS Casa Rocas Holdings LLC, FS Mexicana Holdings LLC, FSI Receivables Company LLC, FSII Sweden Holdings AB, FSII Sweden Holdings I AB, FSIR Holdings (UK) Limited, FSIR Holdings (US) Inc., FSUK Holdings Limited, FSWH Company LLC, FSWH II C.V., FSWH International Holdings LLC, Fermentas China Co. Ltd, Fermentas Inc., Fermentas International, Fermentas Sweden AB, Fermentas UK Limited, Fiberlite Centrifuge LLC, Finesse Scientific Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Finesse Solutions AG, Finesse Solutions Inc., Finnzymes Oy, Fisher Alder S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Asia Manufacturing Ventures Inc., Fisher Bermuda Holdings Limited, Fisher BioImage ApS, Fisher BioPharma Services (India) Private Limited, Fisher BioSciences Japan G.K., Fisher BioServices Inc., Fisher Bioblock Holding II SNC, Fisher CLP Holding Limited Partnership, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 1, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 2, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 3, Fisher Canada Limited Partnership, Fisher Chimica BVBA, Fisher Clinical Logistics LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services (Bristol) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Colombia) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Korea) Co. Ltd, Fisher Clinical Services (Mexico) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Peru) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services Colombia S.A.S., Fisher Clinical Services GmbH, Fisher Clinical Services Inc., Fisher Clinical Services Japan K.K., Fisher Clinical Services Latin America S.R.L., Fisher Clinical Services Limited Liability Company, Fisher Clinical Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Clinical Services Peru S.R.L, Fisher Clinical Services Pte Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services U.K. Limited, Fisher Emergo B.V., Fisher Germany Holdings GmbH, Fisher Hamilton China Inc., Fisher Hamilton Mexico LLC, Fisher Holdings ApS, Fisher Internet Minority Holdings L.L.C., Fisher Laboratory Products Manufacturing (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Fisher Luxembourg Danish Holdings SARL, Fisher Manufacturing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Maybridge Holdings Limited, Fisher Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Scientific (Austria) GmbH, Fisher Scientific (Hong Kong) Limited, Fisher Scientific (M) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Scientific (SEA) Pte. Ltd., Fisher Scientific A/S, Fisher Scientific AG, Fisher Scientific Australia Pty Limited, Fisher Scientific Biotech Line ApS, Fisher Scientific Brazil Inc., Fisher Scientific Central America Inc., Fisher Scientific Chile Inc., Fisher Scientific Colombia Inc., Fisher Scientific Company, Fisher Scientific Company L.L.C., Fisher Scientific Costa Rica Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Fisher Scientific Europe Holdings B.V., Fisher Scientific GTF AB, Fisher Scientific Germany Beteiligungs GmbH, Fisher Scientific GmbH, Fisher Scientific Holding Company LLC, Fisher Scientific Holding HK Limited, Fisher Scientific Holding U.K. Limited, Fisher Scientific Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Scientific Holdings (S) Pte Ltd, Fisher Scientific International LLC, Fisher Scientific Investments (Cayman) Ltd., Fisher Scientific Ireland Investments Unlimited, Fisher Scientific Ireland Limited, Fisher Scientific Japan Ltd., Fisher Scientific Jersey Island Limited, Fisher Scientific Korea Ltd, Fisher Scientific Latin America Inc., Fisher Scientific Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Fisher Scientific Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Scientific Mexico Inc., Fisher Scientific Middle East and Africa Inc., Fisher Scientific Norway AS, Fisher Scientific Operating Company, Fisher Scientific Oxoid Holdings Ltd., Fisher Scientific Oy, Fisher Scientific Pte. Ltd., Fisher Scientific S.A.S., Fisher Scientific S.L., Fisher Scientific SPRL, Fisher Scientific The Hague I B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague II B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague III B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague IV B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague V B.V., Fisher Scientific U.K. Limited, Fisher Scientific UK Holding Company 2, Fisher Scientific UK Holding Company Limited, Fisher Scientific Unipessoal Lda., Fisher Scientific Venezuela Inc., Fisher Scientific Worldwide (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Fisher Scientific Worldwide Holdings I C.V., Fisher Scientific Worldwide Inc., Fisher Scientific de Mexico S.A., Fisher Scientific of the Netherlands B.V., Fisher Scientific spol. S.r.o, Fisher Servicios Clinicos (Chile) LLC, Fisher Servicios Clinicos Chile Ltda, Fisher WWD Holding L.L.C., Fisher Worldwide Distribution SPV, Fisher Worldwide Gene Distribution SPV, Flux Instruments, Fuji Partnership, G & M Procter Limited, G V Instruments Limited, GV Instruments Canada Ltd., GV Instruments Inc, Gatan Inc, General Scientific Company Sdn Bhd (M), Genomed molekularbiologische und diagnostische Produkte GmbH, Gerhard Menzel B.V. & Co. KG, Gold Cattle Standard Testing Labs Inc., Golden West Indemnity Company Limited, Goring Kerr Detection Limited, Greenville Service Company Inc., HENO GmbH i.L., Hangar 215 Inc., Helmet Securities Limited, Henogen, HighChem, HyClone International Trade (Tianjin) Co. Ltd, Hybaid Limited, I.Q. (BIO) Limited, IDnostics AG, ILS Laboratories Scandinavia AB, Inel Inc., Inel SAS, InnaPhase Inc., InnaPhase Limited, IntegenX, Intrinsic BioProbes Inc., Intrinsic Bioprobes Inc., Invitrogen (Shanghai) Investment Co. Ltd., Invitrogen Argentina SA, Invitrogen BioServices India Private Limited, Invitrogen Europe Limited, Invitrogen Finance Corp., Invitrogen Holdings LLC, Invitrogen Holdings Ltd., Invitrogen Hong Kong Limited, Invitrogen IP Holdings Inc., Invitrogen Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ion Torrent Systems Inc., Ionalytics Corporation, JSC Thermo Fisher Scientific, Jouan LLC, Jouan Limited, Jouan SA, Kendro Containment & Services Limited, Kendro Laboratory Products Ltd, Kettlebrook Insurance Co. ltd., Keystone Scientific, KonTEM GmbH, Kyle Jordan Investments LLC, LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, LTC Tech South Africa PTY Ltd., La-Pha-Pack GmbH, Lab Vision (UK) Limited, Lab Vision Corporation, Lab-Chrom-Pack LLC, Lab-Line Instruments Inc., Labomex MBP S. de R. L. De C.V., Laboratoire Service International - L.S.I, Laboratory Management Systems Inc., Laboratory Specialties Proprietary Ltd., LambTrack Limited, Laser Analytical Systems Inc., Liberty Lane Investment LLC, Liberty Lane Real Estate Holding Company LLC, Life Sciences International (Poland) SP z O.O, Life Sciences International Holdings BV, Life Sciences International LLC, Life Sciences International Limited, Life Technologies AS, Life Technologies Australia PTY Ltd., Life Technologies BPD AB, Life Technologies BPD UK Limited, Life Technologies Brasil Comercio e Industria de Produtos para Biotecnologia Ltda, Life Technologies Chile SpA, Life Technologies Clinical Services Lab Inc., Life Technologies Co. Ltd., Life Technologies Czech Republic s.r.o., Life Technologies DaAn Diagnostic (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd., Life Technologies Europe B.V., Life Technologies Finance Ltd., Life Technologies Finland Oy, Life Technologies GmbH, Life Technologies Holdings PTE Ltd., Life Technologies Inc., Life Technologies International B.V., Life Technologies Japan Ltd., Life Technologies Korea LLC, Life Technologies Limited, Life Technologies Magyarorszag Kft, Life Technologies New Zealand Ltd., Life Technologies Norway Investments US LLC, Life Technologies Polska Sp z.o.o., Life Technologies SA, Life Technologies SAS, Life Technologies s.r.o, Linkage Biosciences Inc., Linkage Biosciences S.a.r.l., Loftus Furnace Company, Lomb Scientific, Lomb Scientific (Aust) Pty Limited, MTI-GlobalStem, Marketbase International Limited, Matrix MicroScience Inc., Matrix MicroScience Ltd., Matrix Technologies Corporation Limited, Matrix Technologies LLC, Maybridge Chemical Company Limited, Maybridge Chemical Holdings Limited, Maybridge Limited, Medical Analysis Systems Inc., Medical Analysis Systems International Inc., Medical Diagnostics Systems Inc., Metavac LLC, Microgenics Corporation, Microgenics Diagnostics Pty Limited, Microgenics GmbH, Microm International GmbH, Microm Laborgerate S.L.U, Molecular BioProducts Inc., Molecular Probes Inc., Molecular Transfer Inc., NAPCO Inc., NERL Diagnostics LLC, NOVODIRECT GmbH Labor- und Industrie- Megerate, Nalge (Europe) Limited, Nalge Nunc International (Monterrey) LLC, Nalge Nunc International Corporation, Nanjing WeiKangLe Trading Industrial Co Ltd, NanoDrop Technologies LLC, National Scientific Company, Navaho Acquisition Corp., Neomarkers Inc., New FS Holdings Inc., NewcoGen PE LLC, Nihon Dynal K.K., Niton Asia Limited, NovaWave Technologies Inc., Nunc A/S, ONIX Systems Inc., OXOID CZ s.r.o., Odyssey Holdings Corporation, Odyssey Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Odyssey Luxembourg IP Holdings 1 S.a r.l., Odyssey Luxembourg IP Holdings 2 S.a r.l., Odyssey Venture Corporation, Omega Data Systems, One Lambda Inc, Onix Holdings Limited, Orme Scientific Limited, Owl Separation Systems LLC, Oxoid (ELY) Limited, Oxoid 2000 Limited, Oxoid AS, Oxoid Australia Pty. Limited, Oxoid Company, Oxoid Deutschland GmbH, Oxoid Holding SAS, Oxoid Holdings Limited, Oxoid Inc., Oxoid International Limited, Oxoid Investments GmbH, Oxoid Limited, Oxoid N.V., Oxoid New Zealand Limited, Oxoid Pension Trustees Limited, Oxoid Senior Holdings Limited, Oxoid UKH LLC, PAX - DSI Acquisition LLC, PE AG, Pacific Rim Far East Industries LLC, Pacific Rim Investment LLC, Panomics L.L.C., Panomics S.R.L., Patheon, Patheon API Inc., Patheon API Manufacturing Inc., Patheon API Services Inc., Patheon Austria GmbH & Co KG, Patheon B.V., Patheon Banner U.S. Holdings Inc., Patheon Biologics (NJ) LLC, Patheon Biologics Australia Pty Ltd, Patheon Biologics B.V., Patheon Biologics LLC, Patheon Calculus Merger LLC, Patheon Cooperatief U.A., Patheon Development Services Inc., Patheon Finance LLC, Patheon France SAS, Patheon Holdings B.V., Patheon Holdings I B.V., Patheon Holdings II B.V., Patheon Holdings SAS, Patheon I B.V., Patheon I Holding GmbH, Patheon Inc., Patheon International AG, Patheon Italia S.p.A., Patheon KK, Patheon Life Science Products International GmbH, Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC, Patheon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Patheon Pharmaceuticals Services Inc., Patheon Puerto Rico Acquisitions Corporation, Patheon Puerto Rico Inc., Patheon Regensburg GmbH, Patheon Softgels B.V., Patheon Softgels Inc., Patheon U.S. Holdings Inc., Patheon U.S. Holdings LLC, Patheon UK Limited, Patheon UK Pension Trustees Limited, Pelican Acquisition Corporation, Perbio Science (Canada) Company, Perbio Science AB, Perbio Science BVBA, Perbio Science France SAS, Perbio Science Inc., Perbio Science International Netherlands B.V., Perbio Science Invest AB, Perbio Science Nederland B.V., Perbio Science Projekt AB, Perbio Science Sweden Holdings AB, Perbio Science Switzerland SA, Perbio Science UK Limited, Phadia AB, Phadia Diagnosticos Ltda, Phadia GmbH, Phadia Holding AB, Phadia International Holdings C.V., Phadia Korea Co. Ltd, Phadia Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l., Phadia Malta Holdings Limited, Phadia Oy, Phadia Real Property AB, Phadia Sweden AB, Phadia Taiwan Inc., Phadia US Inc., Phadia s.r.o., Pharmacaps Mexicana SA de CV, Phenom-World B.V., Phenom-World Holding B.V, Phenom-World Innovations B.V., Phinotex, Pierce Biotechnology Inc., Pierce Milwaukee Holding Corp., Pierce Milwaukee Inc., Polychromix, Power Sweden Holdings I AB, Power Sweden Holdings II AB, Power Sweden Holdings III Aktiebolag, Princeton Gamma-Tech Instruments LLC, Princeton Security Technologies, Prionics AG, Prionics Asia Ltd., Prionics Deutschland GmbH, Prionics France SAS, Prionics Italia S.r.l., Prionics Lelystad B.V., Prionics USA Inc., Priority Air Express LLC, Priority Air Express Pte. Ltd., Priority Air Express UK Limited, Priority Air Holdings Corp, Priority Solutions International, Promedica Pty Limited, Proxeon, Proxeon Biosystems ApS, Qiagen, REP GBP I-B Blocker Inc., Raymond A Lamb Limited, Remel Europe Limited, Remel Inc., Richard-Allan Scientific Company, Robbins Scientific LLC, Robocon Labor- und Industrieroboter Gesellschaft m.b.H, Rupprecht and Patashnick, Rupprecht and Patashnick (R&P), Russell pH Limited, S.C.I. du 10 rue Dugay Trouin, SCI Inno 92, STC Bio Manufacturing Inc., Samco Scientific (Monterrey) LLC, Samco Scientific LLC, Saroph Sweden AB, Schantz Road LLC, Seradyn Inc., Shanghai Life Technologies Biotechnology Co. Limited, Shanghai Thermo Fisher (C-I) Trading Co. Ltd, Shanghai Thermo Fisher (S) Trading Co. Ltd, Southern Trials (Pty) Ltd., Specialty (SMI) Inc., Spectra-Physics AB, Spectra-Physics Holdings Limited, Spectra-Physics Holdings USA LLC, Spectronex, Staten Island Cogeneration Corporation, Sterilin Limited, Stokes Bio Ltd., Sweden DIA (Sweden) AB, SwissAnalytic Group GmbH, Systems Manufacturing Corporation, TFLP LLC, TFS Breda B.V., TFS LLC, TFS Singapore HK Limited, TFSL Financing GP LLC, TFSL Senior GP Holdings 2 LLC, TK Partnership, TKA Wasseraufbereitungssysteme, TMOI Inc., TPI Real Estate Holdings LLC, TSP Holdings I LLC, TWX LLC, Technology Design Solutions Pty Ltd, Thermedics Detection de Argentina S.R.L, Thermo Allen Coding Limited, Thermo Asset Management Services Inc., Thermo BioAnalysis LLC, Thermo BioAnalysis Limited, Thermo BioSciences Holdings LLC, Thermo CIDTEC, Thermo CRS Holdings Ltd., Thermo CRS Ltd., Thermo Cambridge Limited, Thermo Cayman Holdings Ltd., Thermo Corporation, Thermo DMA Inc., Thermo Detection de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Dutch Holdings Limited Partnership, Thermo EGS Gauging LLC, Thermo Eberline Holdings I LLC, Thermo Eberline Holdings II LLC, Thermo Eberline LLC, Thermo Electron (Calgary) Limited, Thermo Electron (Chile) S.p.A., Thermo Electron (Karlsruhe) GmbH, Thermo Electron (Management Services) Limited, Thermo Electron (Proprietary) Limited, Thermo Electron A/S, Thermo Electron Australia Pty Limited, Thermo Electron Export Inc., Thermo Electron Holdings SAS, Thermo Electron Industries, Thermo Electron LED GmbH, Thermo Electron LED S.A.S., Thermo Electron Limited, Thermo Electron Manufacturing Limited, Thermo Electron Metallurgical Services Inc., Thermo Electron North America LLC, Thermo Electron Pension Trust GmbH, Thermo Electron Puerto Rico Inc., Thermo Electron SAS, Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments LLC, Thermo Electron Sweden AB, Thermo Electron Sweden Forvaltning AB, Thermo Electron Weighing & Inspection Limited, Thermo Elemental Limited, Thermo Environmental Instruments LLC, Thermo Fast U.K. Limited, Thermo Finland Holdings LLC, Thermo Finland Holdings MT1 B.V., Thermo Finland Holdings MT2 B.V., Thermo Finnigan LLC, Thermo Finnigan Limited, Thermo Fisher (CN) Luxembourg Holding S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher (CN) Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher (CN) Malta Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher (CN-I) Luxembourg LLC, Thermo Fisher (CN-II) Luxembourg LLC, Thermo Fisher (Cayman) Holdings I Ltd., Thermo Fisher (Cayman) Holdings II Ltd., Thermo Fisher (Finland Holdings 2) LLC, Thermo Fisher (Finland Holdings) Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher (Gibraltar) II Limited, Thermo Fisher (Gibraltar) Limited, Thermo Fisher (Heysham) Limited, Thermo Fisher (Kandel) GmbH, Thermo Fisher CHK Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher China Business Trust, Thermo Fisher China Business Trust II, Thermo Fisher Costa Rica Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Thermo Fisher Cyprus Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Detection Mexico LLC, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics (Ireland) Limited, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AB, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AG, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AS, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Aps, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Austria GmbH, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics B.V., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics GmbH, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics K.K., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Limited, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics NV, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics S.L.U., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics S.p.A. , Thermo Fisher Diagnostics SAS, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Thermo Fisher Eurobonds Ltd., Thermo Fisher Financial Services Inc., Thermo Fisher GP LLC, Thermo Fisher German Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Germany B.V., Thermo Fisher India Divestco Private Limited, Thermo Fisher India Holding B.V., Thermo Fisher Insurance Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Insurance Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Investments (Cayman) Ltd., Thermo Fisher Israel Ltd., Thermo Fisher Production et Services SAS, Thermo Fisher Project Cyprus LLC, Thermo Fisher Re Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Asheville) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Australia) C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Barbados) Holdings Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Breda) Holding BV, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bremen) GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific (CN) Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher Scientific (China) Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (China) Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (China-HK) Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (DE) Holding S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Ecublens) SARL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance I) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance I) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance II) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance III) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance III) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Fuji) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Holding II) B.V. & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Hong Kong) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (IVGN) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (IVGN) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Johannesburg) (Proprietary) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Mexico City) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Milwaukee) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Mississauga) Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Monterrey) S. De R.L. De C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (NK) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) Austria Holding GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) UK LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) UK Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN-I) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN-II) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN1) UK Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Panama) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Panama) Dutch LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Praha) s.r.o., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Real Estate 1) GmbH & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Real Estate 1) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Schweiz) AG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Shanghai) Instruments Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Suzhou) Instruments Co. Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific AL-1 LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific AU II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Africa Proprietary Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Aquasensors LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Australia Pty Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific B.V.B.A., Thermo Fisher Scientific BHK (I) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific BHK (II) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics UAB, Thermo Fisher Scientific Beteiligungsverwaltungs GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Biosciences Corp., Thermo Fisher Scientific Brahms LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Brasil Instrumentos de Processo Ltda., Thermo Fisher Scientific Brasil Servicos de Logistica Ltda, Thermo Fisher Scientific C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cayman Investments LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Chemicals Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific China (C-I) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific China (S) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings I B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings III B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings IV B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Chromatography Holdings Aps, Thermo Fisher Scientific Chromatography Holdings S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus I Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus II Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus III C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus III Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus IV C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus V C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Denmark Senior Holdings ApS, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie 1 Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie Financing S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Europe GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC Finance C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSIR Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSIR Financing S.a.r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSUKHCO Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Falcon Senior Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Finance Company BV, Thermo Fisher Scientific GENEART GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Germany BV & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific HR Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings (Cayman) I, Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings (Cayman) II , Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings Europe Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific IT Services GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific India Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific India Pvt Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Malta) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Sweden) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Sweden) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments Malta (Sweden Financing) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Invitrogen Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings I B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings III B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific K.K., Thermo Fisher Scientific Korea Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific LSI Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life CV GP Holdings II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life CV GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Enterprises C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Enterprises GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing (Cayman), Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings III C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International Holdings I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments I S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments III S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments IV S.a.r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta Holding I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta Holding II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments US Financing I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments US Financing II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life NL Holdings GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Netherlands Holding C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior GP Holdings II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Switzerland Holdings GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Tech Korea Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Enterprise Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment UK I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment UK II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investments Holding LP, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Israel Investment I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Israel Investment II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Luxembourg Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Enterprise Holdings S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg German Holdings S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Life Technologies UK Holding S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Sweden Holdings I S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Sweden Holdings II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Venture Holdings I S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Venture Holdings II S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Malta Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Messtechnik GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Mexico City S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Middle East Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Milano Srl, Thermo Fisher Scientific NHK Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific New Zealand Holdings, Thermo Fisher Scientific New Zealand Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Norway Holdings AS, Thermo Fisher Scientific Norway US Investments LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Odyssey Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Odyssey Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Operating Company LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy, Thermo Fisher Scientific PN2 C.V, Thermo Fisher Scientific PN2 LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Panama I Cayman Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Peru S.R.L., Thermo Fisher Scientific Pte. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Re Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific SL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Senior Financing LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Senior Holdings Australia LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific South Africa Proprietary Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific SpA, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Holdings Luxembourg I S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Holdings Luxembourg II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Investments Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Switzerland Holdings C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific TR Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Taiwan Co. 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Read More The Indian connect at New York Fashion Week is too damn high this season. Get ready to spot these faces at New York Fashion Week. Pictures courtesy: Instagram/@makelovenotscars, Instagram/@bollywoodyworld, Instagram/@sunnyleone_007 By Hemul Goel: Fashion month's finally here and so is the New York Fashion Week. One of the most talked (read tweeted) about fashion extravaganzas, globally, the New York fashion Week showcases some of the hottest talent in design, besides offering ample opportunities for celeb, fashion and beauty trend spotting. However, this year will see Indian designers and a bevy of Indian beauties taking the New York Fashion Week by storm both on and off the runway. And most of them will be there today itself. advertisement Reshma Qureshi A campaign image of #EndAcidSale. Picture courtesy: Instagram/@makelovenotscars In 2014, Reshma Qureshi's face was brutally disfigured after her brother-in-law and his friends assaulted her and threw acid on her face. After going through a tough phase in her life, it's her association with the NGO Make Love Not Scars, that restored her confidence and she became the face of the #EndAcidSale. And this year, the gorgeous girl's been invited to walk the runway on September 8 by FTL Moda--known for its diverse catwalk--at the New York Fashion Week.Archana Kochhar Fashion designer Archana Kochhar has made a name for herself with her ahimsa silk range of garments and this is the second time she'll be showcasing at New York Fashion Week.Sunny Leone Sunny Leone in a creation by the designer. Picture courtesy: Instagram/@sunnyleone Sunny Leone in a creation by the designer. Picture courtesy: Instagram/@sunnyleone Having sported Archana Kochhar's creations for sometime now, the Ek Paheli Leela actress will be seen opening the fashion designer's show at the New York Fashion Week.Vaishali Shadangule Fashion designer Vaishali Shadangule's label, Vaishali S will make its New York Fashion Week debut by showcasing handwoven creations from the brand's new Spring Summer 2017 collection titled, And Quiet Flows the Thread.Jacqueline Fernandez TRESseme India's face, Jacqueline Fernandez will also be in attendance. Picture courtesy: Instagram/@jacquelinef143 Also read: Get ready to see Jacqueline Fernandez grace the front row at New York Fashion Week Though we won't get to see the Flying Jatt actress on the runway, Jacqueline Fernandez will be seen off the runway, giving us some major #fashiongoals as the actress will be in attendance at the event in her capacity as a brand ambassador for TRESseme India.Chasa IDT The Pune-based Chasa Institute of Design and Technology will present 15 designs on the runway in a show choreographed by Lubna Adams, with the presentation focusing on women's education and the importance of handloom in India and the models will carry placards highlighting the same. Amruta Fadnavis Also read: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis' wife is all set to walk the New York Fashion Week runway Amruta Fadnavis will promote social causes on the runway. Picture courtesy: Instagram/@amruta.fadnavis Amruta Fadnavis will promote social causes on the runway. Picture courtesy: Instagram/@amruta.fadnavis advertisement Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis' banker wife will be the showstopper for Chasa IDT's presentation and will promote the cause of women's education and handloom on one of the hottest international runways.Models to watch out Eyes on the prize. Pictures courtesy: Instagram/@bhumika_arora04, Instagram/@poojamor Though there's no confirmation, it's very much possible that the biggest labels would have booked India's hottest runway exports, models Pooja Mor and Bhoomika Arora to sashay down their ramps, so keep your eyes wide open. P.S: Though she's busy filming the latest season of Quantico, you just might spot Priyanka Chopra in the front row! --- ENDS --- Panhellenic three-peat: W&M nationally recognized for sorority achievement Celebrating success: Members of William & Marys Panhellenic Council pose for a photo with the award alongside Vice President for Student Affairs Ginger Ambler (second from left) and President Taylor Reveley (third from left). Courtesy photo Photo - of - Hide Caption Omen Trium Perfectum. As the saying goes, all good things come in threes, which is just the case with the performance of William & Marys Panhellenic Council. The organization, which is the coordinating body for the universitys Panhellenic sororities, recently received the National Panhellenic Conferences highest honor, the Excellence Award, for the third year in a row. I think this award is a culmination of our hard work over the last couple of years. It really shows that the work were doing is not only moving our [Greek] community forward, but the entire W&M community, said Kendall Carter 17, president of the W&M Panhellenic Council. The National Panhellenic Conference, one of the largest advocacy organizations for women and sorority advancement, annually recognizes college Panhellenic associations for their dedication and achievement in on-campus work to advance the sorority experience. As cooperatives comprised of all National Panhellenic Conference member sororities on a campus, associations are scored according to seven criteria: recruitment, Panhellenic structure, communication with NPC area advisor, judicial procedures, Panhellenic programming, academics and Panhellenic community impact and relations. The NPC recognizes associations across the country who meet five or more of the criteria. This year, the organization recognized 27 Excellence Award recipients, who met all seven criteria, and 12 Achievement Award recipients, who met five or six criteria. For William & Mary, this was the third year in a row that its own Panhellenic council succeeded in all seven categories. I think it means a lot to W&M having won these past three years, because its showing that we are moving in the right direction and continuing, hopefully, to work for our community in the best way possible. [and] that were more than just social organizations and we are hopefully creating some kind of lasting positive impression on the College, said Carter. W&Ms council was recognized alongside those of other such colleges and universities as the University of Alabama, Texas A&M and Louisiana State University. It is comprised of 10 Panhellenic-recognized sororities (up from nine last year): Alpha Chi Omega, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Pi Beta Phi and, new addition, Phi Mu. Sorority members strive to live according to the Panhellenic Creed, which begins, We, as Undergraduate members of womens fraternities, stand for good scholarship, for guarding of good health, for maintenance of fine standards, and for serving, to the best of our ability, our college community. Cooperation for furthering fraternity life, in harmony with its best possibilities, is the ideal that shall guide our fraternity activities. According to Carter, members take the values and tenants of Greek life to heart by letting them guide their missions, not in order to gain recognition, but to focus on the work being done for the good of the community. She stated that participation with the Arc of Greater Williamsburg, which has been the service partner of W&Ms fraternity and sorority community since 1999, is one of several areas that has flourished in recent years. We have to basically almost turn people [volunteers] away from Arc carnivals and Arc dances, because we have so many volunteers and not even enough clients, said Carter. Carter noted that while winning an award is a perk of the work being done, recognition is not the ultimate goal for W&Ms sororities. Instead, the award is more a reflection of the mission to create a meaningful impact on the Williamsburg and W&M community. The categories they [NPC] were looking for when they were giving out those awards are all something we take very seriously, whether that be service, reaching out to the greater community, or our work with IFC [Interfraternity Council] and NPHC [National Pan-Hellenic Council], the other councils. They are all individual goals we have as a council, so its a guiding force having those goals in place. But at the end of the day, its nice to win an award, but I think our biggest goal more is helping our community, said Carter. Established in 1902, the National Panhellenic Conference is the supervising group for 26 national and international sororities. Member sororities are located on more than 670 campuses with 380,565 undergraduate members in 3,234 chapters. NPC was founded to build cooperation among sororities on campus, and the 39 College Panhellenic Associations being recognized embody the idea that by working together each individual chapter becomes stronger, said Frances Michelson, Panhellenic chairman, in a press release. Those founding ideals are exactly what Carter believes W&Ms member sororities and the Panhellenic Council exemplify, ultimately striving to foster a stronger communal bond between all members and cooperating organizations for the greater good of the surrounding community. I think that as a whole our Panhellenic community has grown stronger, said Carter. I see less and less competition among the sororities from when I joined, not that it was even all that bad when I joined. But, I think I continue to see a lot of the sororities working together and coming together, because we all serve a pretty much common purpose. By PTI: temples: BJP Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 8 (PTI) BJP today lashed out at the LDF government over reports claiming that it was mulling banning RSS drill in shrines in Kerala and alleged that the step was aimed at using temple complexes for CPI(M) workers activities. BJP state president Kummanom Rajasekharan said the RSS conducts its shakhas as per law and after getting due permission from authorities concerned. advertisement "Devaswom Minister who says that arms training should not be allowed in shrines also should reveal in which shrines arms training is being held. "The objective of the move is to make temple complexes a venue for CPI(M) party workers activities. It is part of an attempt of CPI(M) to silence all those who oppose the violent activities of communists," he alleged. The RSS conducts its shakhas as per law and after getting due permission and sanction from authorities concerned. "The law banning arms training is already there. We are not doing anything in violation of temple traditions and customs inside temple complexes," the BJP leader said. He alleged that three CPI(M) workers were killed in an explosion when they were making bombs inside a temple at Thalassery in 2000. "Then who is making temples a storehouse of arms?" he asked. The friction between the Left parties and the RSS has intensified in the aftermath of the May Assembly polls, with both the sides accusing each other of unleashing political violence. A crude bomb was hurled at a BJP office in the heart of the city on September 6 midnight. The incident occurred shortly after BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan had left the office for Kozhikode, where preparations are on for the three-day National Executive and Council meeting from September 23 which is being attended by senior party leaders and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A BJP worker was attacked allegedly by CPI(M) workers in Kannur district last night. Police also seized two bombs at Pallikunnu in the heart of Kannur, which has been witnessing sporadic clashes between CPI(M) and BJP workers since the assembly polls. PTI JRK BN RT --- ENDS --- 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 Delhi Police is more inclined to send the sex CD to Central Forensic Science Laboratory whose results will pick up crucial evidence to nail Sandeep Kumar. By Atir Khan: Delhi Police will soon be sending Sandeep Kumar sex CD for forensic examination to Central Forensic Science Lab. His voice sample will also be picked up to for confirmation with voice in CD. FSL VISITS SANDEEP'S HOUSE Forensic results in the case are crucial to establish the charged against the sacked minister. A team of forensic experts from Forensic Science Lab, Rohini visited Sandeep Kumar's residence for detailed examination. The forensic experts picked up samples from the spot. advertisement According to sources, Delhi Police is more inclined to send the sex CD to Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) whose results will pick up crucial evidence to nail Sandeep Kumar. HARD DISK UNTRACEABLE For a detailed examination the police with subject Sandeep Kumar's voice sample to voice spectrography test. The police are hopeful the results will help them establish the voice in CD is indeed Sandeep Kumar. However they are yet to locate hard disk used to make the CD. The CD will be sent for forensic examination along with the hard disk used for filming the act. 3 PRONGED PROBE The investigation has been divided into three parts. While the first part pertains to establishing the charges of rape and how the act was filmed, the second will focus on the leak and circulation of the video. The third part will focus on proving charges of illegal gratification of the minister under Prevention of Corruption Act. RAPE ALLEGATION TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT Rape allegation will be be taken into account if the video turns out to be genuine and not fake. However it would be difficult to establish the source of the leak since police have not been able to trace the original recording device.Om Prakash, the man who submitted the copies to news channels and the Delhi government, could also be questioned to know who gave him the CD. On Wednesday, the police took Kumar to his official residence at Civil Lines in connection with the probe. They also wrote to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to take down the video clip and photographs allegedly showing Kumar with two women from the Internet. Sandeep Kumar was produced in Tis Hazari Court on Thursday. Police had demanded three day custody for recovering the hard disk of computer used to produce the CD. However court granted only one day police custody. ALSO READ: Sex CD case: Cops recover devices used to film video from Sandeep Kumar's house Sex CD row: Sacked AAP minister Sandeep Kumar now Pornhub's new 'employee' --- ENDS --- Chinese regulatory system must keep up with growth, says IAEA 08 September 2016 Share China's regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety is effective but will need to keep pace with the country's nuclear energy program, an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) peer review mission has concluded. Members of the IAEA-led mission and NNSA staff visit the Fuqing plant (Image: IAEA) The ten-day review - carried out at the request of Chinese authorities - was conducted by a 14-strong team of experts and concluded today. The team conducted an Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission, a peer review based on the IAEA safety standards. The review followed an initial mission in 2010. As part of the mission, the team reviewed laws, regulations, guidelines and other documents. It also held discussions with counterparts from the Ministry of Environmental Protection's (MEP's) National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA), as well as with senior management and staff at the entities it regulates. The trip included a visit to the Fuqing nuclear power plant in China's Fujian province, where they toured units 1 and 2 - both in operation - as well as the construction site of unit 5, the first of two demonstration indigenously-designed Hualong One reactors being built there. They also visited a radiation technology company and China's Nuclear and Radiation Accident Emergency Technical Centre. The IRRS team provided a preliminary report of its findings, together with recommendations and suggestions to the ministry, NNSA and the government. The team said it found most of the recommendations made during the 2010 mission had been implemented but that "further work is needed in areas such as managing long-term operation of nuclear power plants and waste management". In a statement, the IAEA said, "The team recommended that China should continue its progress towards adopting the draft Nuclear Safety Act, which sets out fundamental safety principles. The team emphasised the Act should ensure the independence of MEP/NNSA as a regulatory body that is separate from other entities with responsibilities or interests that could unduly influence its decision-making. It also said national policy and strategy to manage radioactive waste should reflect the planned expansion of nuclear power." The review team also recommended the ministry and NNSA expand requirements for operators to ensure financial provisions for decommissioning so that they include facilities other than nuclear power plants and fuel cycle facilities. It said they should also create guidelines for applications to extend the operating period of nuclear power plants and establish a process for reviewing such applications. IAEA team leader Ramzi Jammal - executive vice-president and chief regulatory operations officer at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission - said: "China's plan for unparalleled expansion of the use of nuclear power poses a challenge for the regulatory body, which will have to invest effort and resources to ensure that it has the capacity to effectively regulate nuclear and radiation safety." He added, "We found that significant progress has been made in developing the regulatory framework in the six years since the last review. Due to the dynamic character of China's nuclear power program, we recommend that the next full-scope review takes place within a ten-year period of the initial mission." The mission's final report will be submitted to the Chinese government in about three months. Li Ganjie, China's vice minister of environmental protection and administrator of the NNSA, said: "The Chinese government attaches great importance to nuclear and radiation safety regulation, and adopts the fundamental principle of making safety and quality the top priority in all nuclear-related activities. Nuclear and radiation safety regulation in China is of sufficient openness and transparency, fully in line with international practice." "Since 2010, with careful consideration of the recommendations and suggestions made by the IAEA review team, and incorporating lessons learned from the Fukushima nuclear accident, the Chinese government has brought its nuclear and radiation safety regulation up to a new level," he said. "We will now continue this work." There are currently 35 nuclear power reactors in operation in mainland China with a combined capacity of 31,617 MWe. A further 20 units are under construction. The country plans to have around 90 reactors in operation or under construction by 2020, with nuclear energy supplying about 4% of its electricity by then. Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics Basic Beliefs of Sunni Islam The name Sunni is derived from the word Sunnah which means tradition. This sect believes that they follow the true tradition of the prophet Muhammad. Sunni Muslims practice Islam as their interpretation of Islamic law guides them. These interpretations follow four differing schools of thought: the Hanafi, the Maliki, the Shafi'i and the Hanbali. These are based on the teachings of 4 early Islamic scholars. Some Sunni Muslims believe that Islamic law should be based on only one of these interpretations, others believe it is acceptable to choose interpretations of specific issues from each scholar and mix the teachings. Basic Beliefs of Shia Islam Shia Muslims follow one principle school of thought: Jafariya. They believe that the Imam exists to provide moral and religious leadership to the world. These Imams have been appointed by God. In addition to the Quran, Shia practitioners honor the Nahj al-Balagha book which is a collection of the sermons by their first Imam. Similarities between the Sunnis and Shias The two sects, while different, also share many beliefs. They both believe that there is only one all-powerful God who created the world and all life in it. They also believe in a devil, angels, and demons. Shia and Sunni believe that Islam began in 610 CE when Muhammad, the last prophet, began receiving messages from God. These revelations were recorded in the Quran by his followers, which both sects respect as the Holy Book. In practicing their religion, both groups recognize the Five Pillars of Islam which provide the framework for everyday life. These pillars include: testifying the existence of only one God and Muhammad as his prophet, taking part in prayer 5 times daily, giving charity, fasting during Ramadan, and making the pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca). These two sects also believe that the purpose of human life is to praise God so that one day the gates of Paradise will open for them. What is the Difference between Sunni and Shia Islam? Sunni followers believe that their prophet Muhammad did not appoint a specific successor before his death. After significant debate over several years, Sunni followers chose one of Muhammads fathers-in-law and a close friend, Abu Bakr Siddique, as their religious leader. Sunnis believe that the Imam, an important position within Islam, is the formal prayer leader. They also apply the teachings of the Quran to all of life and believe that individuals can approach God directly through prayer. In Sunni belief, God will present himself on Judgment Day. Shia followers believe that their prophet Muhammad chose Ali ibn Abi Talib, his son-in-law, as successor. Their Imams are central figures and leaders of the community in Shia belief, they are the perfect manifestation of God. This branch of Islam relies more on the clerics interpretation of the Quran than on the individuals relationship with God. Shia practitioners do not believe that humans will see God on Judgment Day. This early division between Islam followers has led to additional distinct differences between the two. Over time, the Shia began to give more importance to specific Hadith and Sunnah literature, leaning toward those that were written by family and close associates of the Prophet. The Sunni, however gave the same importance to all Islamic literature. This difference has created a different understanding of Islamic law between the two. Shia followers also visit and honor shrines of past Imams, saints, and scholars. In the eyes of many Sunni, this is blasphemous and equivalent to worshipping other deities. Some ritualistic differences can also be noted between the two. When Sunnis pray, they kneel so that their head touches their prayer mat. Shias, however, kneel so that their head touches bare earth or a small clay block taken from a holy place. In leadership roles, the Shia have established a formal hierarchy among their clergy. Leaders arise from those with the most profound studies and they may teach all over the world. They fund their religious institutions through a mandatory tax. This hierarchy and taxation does not exist in Sunni Islam; because it is the majority religion in many places, the state often finances their religious institutions. These are thus some of the basic differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims. World Demographics The Sunni branch is by far the largest denomination of Islam and represents 89-90% of all followers, they are located all over the world. Throughout the Middle East, their numbers are higher with large concentrations in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Aside from Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, and Azerbaijan, Sunnis constitute a larger population than Shia in any other country. Shia are a minority sect making up only 10% to 13% of the total Muslim population. Calculating their population is difficult because unless they form a large minority group in their country, they are often counted as Sunni. Estimates hold that between 10% and 20% of the worlds Muslims are Shia. This number reaches approximately 200 million. They make up the majority in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, and Azerbaijan. They also have a strong presence, roughly 30% of the population, in Lebanon, Yemen, and Kuwait. In Turkey, they make up just over 20% of the population and are between 10% and 20% in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Shia-Sunni Relations Today Today, relations between Shias and Sunnis continue to be strained. Where Sunnis are the majority and hold political power, Shias tend to live in poor conditions. They believe these conditions are due to Sunni oppression and discrimination. Extreme Sunni fundamentalists claim that Shias are heretics and call for their murder. Iran has national policies that support Shia military groups and political parties in other countries. Sunni-ruled countries have often perceived this as a threat to their well-being and responded by increasing funding to its interests everywhere. In Syria, the conflict is complex but is divided along Shia-Sunni lines. The majority of the population is Sunni however, the government is Shia. Iran has been supporting Shia efforts to counter Sunni opposition by funding militia and sending troops. In retaliation, Sunni fighters are targeting Shia populations, Shia places of worship, and Iraq (majority Shia). Efforts Towards Unity Despite the differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims, all of this violence and distrust, some Muslim leaders do call for Shia-Sunni unity. They claim that fighting between the sects only works to weaken the Islamic religion. This unity stance has gained support since terrorists targeted the Prophets Mosque, the second holiest site of Islam located in Saudi Arabia during the month of Ramadan. This attack occurred just months before the Hajj pilgrimage. Iranian leaders joined the call for unity as well, an important change in stances given that Saudi Arabia is majority Sunni. There are an estimated 2.2 billion Christians in the world, which makes Christianity the largest religion on the planet. It is a monotheistic faith where Roman Catholicism is the most prominent denomination. Christianity has its roots in the Middle East. From there, it spread throughout the world through missionaries and colonization. The Bible is considered to be the most sacred text in Christianity. The three largest Christian populations are found in the Americas as well as in Europe. Countries With the Most Christians The United States of America The United States tops the list with an estimated 230 million Christians living in the country. Christianity is by far the most popular religion in the country, with the majority being Protestant Christians. Christianity in the US became firmly ingrained under British rule. Some states were exclusively established as Christian havens such as Pennsylvania. With political independence came religious independence as well. Religious independence saw the proliferation of Protestant Churches, which were keen to resist the influence of the Catholic Church in the US. Beliefs among the diverse denominations have only minor differences. God is revered as the super being across all Christian denominations, and the Bible is the Holy Christian book. The US has no official state religion and the constitution guarantees for the freedom of worship for all. The Christian adherents in the US have been steadily declining while the numbers of people not affiliated to any organized religion have been increasing. Brazil Brazil is home to the largest population of Christians in South America, as well as to the greatest number of Catholics of any nation in the world. The country has 180,770,000 Christian adherents. Prevalence of all forms of Christianity stands at 90%. Catholicism in Brazil has its origins with the European settlers, and the denomination was made the official religion of the state in the 19th Century. Catholicism became firmly intertwined with the political and social life of Brazilians. The results of the Catholic influence can be seen today in activities such as festivals based on Catholic doctrines. The constitution of Brazil guarantees for freedom of worship and there are numerous Protestant Churches in the country. Such churches include Lutherans, Baptists, Methodists, and Jehovahs Witnesses. Evangelical Protestantism has reduced drastically and has led to the dominance of the Roman Church in Brazil. Secularism has also been on the rise in the country. Mexico Mexico boasts over 100 million Christians who are primarily Roman Catholics. Prevalence of all forms of Christianity in Mexico stands at 92%. Christianity in Mexico has its roots on the Spanish during their conquest of the region. Protestantism first took root in Mexico in the 1800s and 1900s. Christianity in Mexico is generally tolerant, and different religions exist in harmony. The constitution of Mexico clearly provides for the separation of the church and the state. There is also freedom of religious worship in the country. Growing secularism in the nation has led to a decrease in the number of Christians. Evangelical Christianity has also been on a steady increase while Roman Catholicism has experienced a notable decline in the recent years. Nigeria Nigeria accounts for the most Christians of any nation on the African continent, with as many as 107 million adherents. Prevalence of all forms of the religion stands at around 49%, with the dominant type being Protestantism. Christianity in Nigeria is particularly prevalent in the Southern and Central areas of the country. Christianity in Nigeria, as in many African countries, was the result of missionaries and colonization. Christianity denominations in the country include Roman Catholic, Seventh-day Adventist, Baptist, Anglican, Church of Nigeria, and Assemblies of God Church. Protestants churches in Nigeria adhere to the foundations of Christianity as other Protestants in other countries but have also adopted different ways of expressing their faith. Countries With Christian Populations Who Are Growing Other countries with large Christian populations, and their respective numbers of adherents, include the Philippines with 86 million, Russia with between 66 million to 99 million Christians, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (63 million), Ethiopia (52 million), Italy (53 million), and Germany (47 million). Christianity is expected to increase in numbers, with the highest growth expected to be recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa. If the FIR is put on the website, it would be in larger public interest and the same will also avoid difficulties being faced by the general public. By Harish V Nair: The Supreme Court in a landmark judgment on Wednesday directed all states and Union Territories to upload a copy of First Information Report on their respective websites within 24 hours of registration. The apex court wants to infuse transparency in the functioning of the police across the country and also emphasises on the need for the accused and his family to know what exactly is the case against him which helps him to take a legal recourse. advertisement FIRS ON SENSITIVE CASES NOT TO BE UPLOADED The apex court significantly exempted the state police authorities from uploading the FIRs on sensitive cases pertaining to insurgency and sexual offences against women and children. Explaining the reasoning behind the judgment, the bench also made it clear that the accused should not be allowed to take benefit before the courts of law of the fact that FIRs lodged against them have not been uploaded on the website. Initially, it was suggested during the hearing that the states be allowed to upload FIRs on websites within 48 hours. However, the court later fixed the time limit at 24 hours. SC JUDGMENT TO BENEFIT GENERAL PUBLIC The direction came on a PIL filed by Youth Bar Association of India on the issue. They sought writ in nature of mandamus, an order or direction directing the respondents to upload every First Information Report lodged in all police stations within the territory of India on the official website of police of all states as early as possible, preferably within 24 hours from the time of lodging of such an FIR. They contended that the FIR is a public document however, it is not an easy task for the general public to obtain a copy of FIR from the police. Therefore, if the FIR is put on the website, it would be in larger public interest and the same will also avoid difficulties being faced by the general public. In November 2015, the Allahabad High Court had directed the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure that all FIRs be uploaded on the website of the UP Police, except in exceptional circumstances. ALSO READ: Supreme Court forces Nitish Kumar to return to official bungalow, Sushil Modi claims credit --- ENDS --- Marijuana plants at day care center By: Feng Qian (Scroll down for video) Police launched an investigation after hundreds of marijuana plants were found growing in the yard of a day care facility, according to police in Connecticut. West Haven police said that they got a call about suspicious activity at the day care center located at 159 Norfolk Street. The day care is registered under Rosalee Miller. On Friday, police entered the yard, where they found 600 marijuana plants worth about $1 million. State inspectors called the police when they were denied access behind a tall wooden fence in the yard. The 600 plants were around 8 feet tall each. The city inspectors shut down the facility and the child care license was suspended. Police are looking to charge those responsible for the marijuana plants with child endangerment among other offenses. Ted Merchant By: Wayne Morin (Scroll down for video) An elderly pastor was shot and killed by another pastor, who is disabled, during an argument about religious, according to police in Illinois. The Chicago Police Department said that they have arrested 67-year-old Ted Merchant, after being accused of killing 80-year-old Allen Smith. In court, Merchant pleaded not guilty to a one count of first-degree murder. He was booked into jail, and he is being held in custody pending a bail hearing. According to the police investigation, the incident unfolded early on Monday morning. Smith and Merchant were in the backyard of Senior Suites of Rainbow Beach, and they talked about Bible passages. Suddenly, Merchant pulled out a gun and shot Smith several times. Smith died at the scene. Merchant fled in his motorized scooter, but was later arrested. Witnesses at the scene said that Merchant was trying to set up his own ministry and attracted a following while Smith held services at the senior citizen center. Smith and Merchant often argued about religion, and members of the senior citizen center do not know what led to the shooting. Burger (illustration) By: Chan Yuan (Scroll down for video) McDonalds launched an investigation after two women in Kentucky, reported finding live worms in their burgers in two separate incidents. Madison Stephens of Mayfield, said that she went to McDonalds on Sunday, to purchase food for herself on her 1-year-old child. As she was about to bite into her burger, a live worm fell out. In another incident that unfolded on Tuesday, Lacey Jo Lovett of Draffenville, bought a burger for herself, but found a live worm inside. Stephens notified McDonaldas, and she received a $10 gift card. The owner of the McDonalds, Michael Love, said that an inspection by health officials did not uncover any problems. By PTI: Los Angeles, Sep 8 (PTI) Researchers, including one of Indian origin, have decoded the science behind the perfect car and quantified how the aesthetic design of car models affects consumer preference. By combining data on aesthetic design and sales, the researchers showed that while customers do not like cars to look too different from the market average, they also do not want something that looks too similar. advertisement When buying a luxury car, it is more important that the car looks consistent with the brand, and less important that it looks like other cars in the market segment. Cars in the economy segment can gain in popularity by mimicking the aesthetics of their luxury counterparts. The findings will help marketing professionals make better decisions on aesthetic design, and can be applied to a wide range of product categories including electronics, wearable technologies and household appliances, said Subramanian Balachander, professor at University of California, Riverside. "Using our quantitative design model, product design managers in all sectors can forecast sales and profits of alternative aesthetic designs," Balachander said. Although quantifying the physical appearance of real products is challenging, the researchers used a recently developed morphing technique to construct the average car in a particular market segment or brand from a series of individual pictures. Once developed, the researchers determined the similarity of more than 200 car models from 33 brands sold in the US between 2003 and 2010 to that average, examining their segment prototypicality (how typical a product is compared to other products in the same market), brand consistency (how much a product looks like the average product in a brands product lineup) and cross-segment mimicry (how much the design of an economy product mimics a luxury product), while controlling for other variables such as price and advertising. Their results showed that the aesthetic design of a product can have a significant effect on consumer preference, with consumers preferring products that are neither too similar to the average product nor drastically different. In the luxury category, customers prefer cars that adhere more closely to the brand, and less to the market average. Products in the economy segment of a market can gain by mimicking the aesthetics of luxury products. Balachander said the results highlight the fine line between creating products that appeal to consumers because they stand out, but are not perceived as ugly. "In contrast to previous research, which has shown that consumers prefer a more prototypical car, our study highlights the advantage of introducing some level of freshness into a new model, particularly if those unique design elements mimic those of a luxury car," Balachander said. advertisement The study was published in the Journal of Marketing. PTI MHN SAR MHN --- ENDS --- A sign outside the Kadin Building on Front Street reminds passersby not to smoke or use other tobacco products on the premises. Home to several state agency offices and now a credit union, in November the building's owners formally adopted a policy barring occupants from using the substance. Last month Wrangell's Senior Apartments formally went smoke-free, asking its residents to instead head outdoors if they feel the need to have a cigarette. "It was mostly for the health and well-being of our tenants," explained Gail Rilatos, manager of the facility for the past four years. The decision was made by the apartment complex's five-member governing board, which sought input on a new policy from SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium. SEARHC facilitates an Alaska Tobacco Prevention and Control Program grant, which is paid for using funds from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a portion of state cigarette tax revenues and tobacco company settlements. At the community level, the program provides technical assistance and tobacco-related health education for various organizations and businesses. SEARHC educator Tammi Meissner said she had been invited by then-board member Ty Esposito, formerly Wrangell's Public Health Nurse. "She was a big pusher of it," said Meissner. After Esposito's departure early on in the spring, board member Mike Ottesen Sr. kept the ball rolling on the idea. Meissner's role was technical, providing sample policies and answering questions about implementation. It is up to the individual establishment whether to ban smoke-specific tobacco usage, or to include smokeless chews and electronic vaporizer cigarettes as well. "It's really up to the business that wants to do it," she said. Due to the apartments' shared ventilation and common access, the board decided to stick with keeping units smoke-free. If a resident wants to continue smoking, the new policy would require them to do so at least 25 feet away from the building. The policy was adopted over the summer, and put into place on August 1. On day one of the new policy, Senior Apartments resident Susie Hay decided it was a good time to quit. "I've been smoking since I was five years old," Hay said. Now 74, she has given up tobacco on multiple occasions over the years, six years at the longest stretch. For her, smoking had been the cool thing to do as a teenager, and was tied to socializing during her adult years which made the habit difficult to let go. Hay was lately looking for reasons to quit, and having to start smoking outdoors seemed to be just the ticket. "I just couldn't relate to that," she said. "So I just decided it was time to quit. And it wasn't hard." All but one of the apartments' 23 units are occupied, and of its residents Rilatos said only a handful of residents would be affected as smokers. She said beyond the environmental health benefits, the new restriction would help cut down on maintenance costs as well. Years of cigarette residue takes its toll on the walls, furniture and carpeting, and in between residents smoked-in apartments need to be repainted, the carpet cleaned and wiped down. It was those kinds of considerations which prompted bar owner Reme Privett to take away the ash trays. Rayme's Bar began the trend among local taverns, starting off the new year in 2014 with a ban on smoking inside. "With me I kind of got tired of it," he said. A lot of cleaning had to go into keeping the establishment presentable, and between the periodic repainting and cost of cleaning chemicals, Privett decided it was no longer worth doing. For the most part, he said patrons have been accepting of the change. Privett explained he has tried to be accommodating to his smoking customers, providing an overhang outside of each exit to shelter them from rainfall. He has been pleased with the decision so far, and says he has no regrets. "I would never, ever go back to a smoking bar," he said. The Totem Bar and Elks Lodge became smoke-free as well shortly after Rayme's had, leaving the Marine Bar & Pizza the only place left in town where patrons can light up. Other businesses and workplaces have likewise gone smoke-free, such as outfitter Alaska Vistas, and the Kadin Building last November. Meissner pointed out Wrangell Senior Apartments' adoption of a policy makes it the first multiunit housing on the island to make the ban official. In September last year Wrangell Cooperative Association eliminated tobacco use from its facilities and work vehicles as well. In an adoptive resolution, the WCA Council cited the health risks connected to first- and secondhand smoke exposure as a reason, considering that Alaska Natives also have the highest rate of tobacco use of any demographic in the state. The state Department of Health and Human Services estimates one in three adult Natives smoke in the state, compared to one in five non-Native Alaskans. Meissner explained adopting a smoke-free environment benefits non-smokers, particularly vulnerable groups like elders, youth and those with sensitivities. In the long term, she said the overarching goal of her program and coalitions like Partnership for a Tobacco-Free Southeast is to change cultural perceptions about smoking. "Eventually we'd like to see ordinances in every town, in order to protect those that are vulnerable," Meissner said. "Our goal is to have communities be able to breathe clean indoor air." Currently Wrangell has no such ordinance in place. While people are not allowed to smoke inside city facilities or vehicles, they can do so immediately outside, near windows and doorways. An ordinance which would have formally addressed that was put to a popular vote in 2008, but was rejected by a 2-to-1 margin. Though the measure failed then, Meissner said the effort had helped raise awareness, and has been followed by a general trend of businesses and multifamily residences going smoke-free on their own. In turn, and in time, these changes may yet translate into fewer residents using tobacco. Already, efforts across the state have reduced the number of smokers, which since 1996 has proportionally fallen by 25 percent. While the SEARHC program no longer focuses on individual interventions for stopping tobacco use, it does recommend resources for those desiring to quit. One such method is the state's Tobacco Quit Line, at 1-800-QUIT-NOW. An accompanying website at http://www.alaskaquitline.com has a number of facts, graphs and resources for those with an interest, including a cost calculator. Hay said she would be happy to talk with people interested in quitting smoking, should they need advice on how to start. "I want to encourage everyone to quit," she said. Ponkshe's barb has not gone down well and has angered Muslim leaders who have asked for action against the actor. By Kamlesh Damodar Sutar: Shiv Sena spokesperson and noted Marathi actor Sharad Ponkshe has stirred yet another controversy after he appealed to celebrate an eco-friendly Bakri Eid. In a sarcastic remark, Ponkshe has appealed Muslims to celebrate an eco-friendly Bakri Eid. The appeal by the actor has gone viral on Social media. In a video appeal Ponkshe said, "Just as actors, criketers, media appeal to celebrate Ganeshotsav in an eco-friendly manner, I would like to appeal to my Muslim brothers to celebrate Bakri Eid in an eco-friendly manner. They should symbolically sacrifice goat or other animals made up of clay." advertisement But Ponkse's barb has not gone down well and has angered Muslim leaders who have asked for action against the actor. Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi called it an attempt to disturb social harmony by interfering into religious practices. "Every individual has a right to practice his or her religion. The statement by the actor is nothing but the arrogance of power and ever since the Shiv Sena-BJP have come to power they are doing such things," Azmi said. "A suo-moto cognizance and action should be taken against the actor immediately." demanded Azmi. Also Read: Will Shiv Sena and BJP fight the high-stakes BMC polls together? Dahi Handi: Unhappy, but will abide by SC's order, says Shiv Sena's Pratap Sarnaik --- ENDS --- Further Crowdfunding Plans Following Success of Safeguarding The Standards Campaign This article is old - Published: Thursday, Sep 8th, 2016 More support for local and community based crowdfunding projects could soon be offered if council plans are backed. In a report due before Wrexham Councils Executive Board next week it has been recommended that crowdfunding is considered as a funding solution for community-focused projects. Crowdfunding is an alternative form of funding and is the process of raising money from a large group of people to fund a community project or the like. If the recommendation is approved than each project would be considered on a case by case basis by the relevant Head of Department and Lead Member. Previously Wrexham Council have used Spacehive to crowdfund, which saw a 4,000+vat subscription. Additional fees of 5% per completed project were also mentioned, which were included in the target amount, along with per-donation costs in line with usual internet transactions. However the report proposes that AVOW are invited to submit a proposal to front future campaigns on behalf of the local authority. The recommendations come off the back of Wrexham Councils first Crowdfunding project, which raised11,889 to safeguard four veteran standards. 17% of the money raised was directly pledged online via the campaigns page on the Spacehive platform. The remaining 10,259 was donated off-line, either directly or at a fundraising event, for example, a cake sale, bucket collection, supermarket bag pack. Details within the report state: The strength of positive feeling about a project within a community must be sufficient to generate both pledges, and the people power needed to promote and support a campaigns on and offline activities. To harness and capitalise upon community support, it is important that the decision to crowdfund can be made quickly. The report continues onto add: As a charity AVOW can claim Gift Aid on financial contributions made by UK tax payers, increasing their value by 25%. Access a broader range of crowdfunding platforms and potentially more payment processing fees and a winder range of models dictating the retention of pledges (Spacehive was chosen for this project because it is the only platform exclusively for civic projects) Allow the authority to distance itself from the campaign. Best practice suggests that campaigns fronted by local authorities are less successful because benefactors may perceive that they are politically driven, and / or be more inclined to believe that the authority could or should fund a project from its existing budget. Capitalise on its existing networks with community-minded individuals and groups. For example, volunteers and not for profit organisations t secure financial contributions and people power. The Executive Board report continues onto add: To benefit from Gift Aid, a scheme that increases the monetary value of donations made by UK tax payers, by enabling registered charities to reclaim tax, the Authority may wish to take AVOW up on its offer to front future campaigns, partner with another third sector organisation with charitable status, or it may opt to create a charity of its own. Speaking about the proposals, Lead Member for Communications and Partnerships, Cllr Hugh Jones said: When a project comes forward we will look at the best way of delivering that project. There are different ways of delivering and different providers of fundraising. If we get a project to come forward we will look at it and engage where appropriate. It wont be one size fits all. The report will go before Wrexham Councils Executive Board at 10am on Tuesday 13 September. For those who cant make the meeting it will be webcast and archived on the Wrexham Council website. Wrexham MP Calls For Clarity on PCSO Powers This article is old - Published: Thursday, Sep 8th, 2016 Clarity about the powers of Police Community Support Officers can help tackle anti-social behaviour in Wrexham, the towns MP has said. Ian Lucas MP raised the issue during Home Office Questions in Parliament earlier this week, and called on Policing Minister Brandon Lewis to make the powers that officers have clearer. He asked: In Wrexham Town Centre we have fewer police and more anti-social behaviour under this Government. Police Community Support Officers, introduced by a Labour Government, are very welcome and perform a very valuable role, but there is a disturbing lack of lack of understanding and clarity about their powers. Will the review that the Government should undertake make clear to the general public, and to offenders, how important police Community Support Officers are? In reply, the Minister said new proposals should give Chief Constables greater say over the powers of PCSOs. Speaking afterwards, Mr Lucas said: One of the concerns people have been raising with me over this summer is a rise in anti-social behaviour on the streets of Wrexham. At the same time, there is a pressure on the police service to do more with less. There is certainly a case for PCSOs playing a greater role, but I have dealt with cases where there has been uncertainty over their powers and when and where they can take action. That is why I raised the issue with the Minister in Parliament today, and I will be seeking further clarity from him in the coming days. Our PCSOs are an extremely valuable resource we must make sure we give them the help they need to do their job. By PTI: Chennai, Sept 8 (PTI) Twelve days after his arrest, founder chairman of SRM Group of educational institutions T R Pachamuthu was today granted conditional bail by a court here in the MBBS admission scam case allegedly involving over Rs 70 crore. Granting bail, Principal Sessions Judge G Jayachandran directed Pachamuthu to deposit Rs 75 crore in the IX Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Saidapet, where the trial is set to be held in the case. advertisement The judge also asked him to submit a personal bond of Rs 10 lakh, two other sureties of like sum and surrender his passport. Pachamuthu was directed to appear before the investigation officer daily at 10.30 AM until further orders. The case relates to complaints from 111 parents who had alleged that they had paid Rs 74 crore to get admission for their wards in MBBS courses run by SRM Group of institutions through film producer Madan, perceived to be close to Pachamuthu. Madan mysteriously disappeared on May 26, leaving behind a note that he was going to end his life in Varansai by drowning. Pachamuthu was arrested on August 26 after the Madras High Court asked the Central Crime Branch of police -- which was probing the complaints of parents as to why the SRM founder had not been questioned in the case. PTI CORR VGN APR SC --- ENDS --- A few thousand demonstrators gathered last Saturday at Adenauerplatz in Berlin to drum up support for a Social Democrat/LeftParty/Green coalition government. Although the demonstration took place under cover of the name Stand Up against Racism, the disgusting spectacle in the posh district in the west of the capital city had nothing to do with a struggle against racism and right-wing extremism. Gathered together were the very political parties, groups and trade unions that bear responsibility for the current drift to the right, and are preparing to shift their political coordinates even further right in the wake of the upcoming election to the Berlin state House of Representatives on September 18 and the federal elections due next year. The protest march made its way from Adenauerplatz across the Kurfurstendamm, took a detour to pass the headquarters of the ultra-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), and ended at the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) headquarters on Lutzowplatz. For his part, state senator for interior affairs Frank Henkel (CDU) seized the opportunity to put his law-and-order election campaign into practice. He ordered over 1,000 police officers from Berlin and other states to mobilise en masse in the city centre and conduct strict checks on bags. The Friends of Nature Association, which is part of the Stand Up against Racism coalition, and registered the demonstration, called on all people, civil society actors and alliances, trade unions, youth organisations, creators of culture, religious communities and parties to take part. According to media reports, 10,000 people had been expected but only 3,000 turned out. The figure of 6,000 provided by the organisers was clearly exaggerated. The nationwide alliance Stand Up against Racism was founded in mid March after the right-wing extremist AfD achieved some success in a number of state elections. In its statement, the alliance declared, Wherever the racists from the AfD and co. demonstrate, speak or seek to win votes, we will be present to clearly and decisively state: we are standing up against racism! No votes for right-wing agitators! The list of over 200 people who signed the statement reads like a whos who of the political establishment around the SPD, Left Party, the Greens and trade unions. In April, they met in Frankfurt for a so-called conference of action against racism, which the World Socialist Web Site characterised as a cynical fraud. Saturdays demonstration was a continuation of this manoeuvre. Under the cover of a struggle against the right, a new governing coalition is being propagated to proceed with the attacks on refugees and democratic rights and the involvement of the German army in imperialist wars abroad even more decisively than the current grand coalition of the CDU/CSU/SPD in the federal government. The Partei fur Soziale Gleichheit (Socialist Equality PartyPSG) is the only party standing in the Berlin state elections for a socialist perspective. The PSG warns in its election statement on the danger of an SPD/Left Party/Green coalition, whether in Berlin state or nationally: The Berlin election is seen as a trial run in laying the foundations for an SPD-Left Party-Green coalition at the federal level, a so-called red-red-green government. Such an administration would not represent progress. In 1998, the SPD and Greens formed a coalition, which sent the Bundeswehr on foreign combat missions for the first time since World War II, and cut wages and benefits. Now this alliance is to be revived using the Left Party in order to impose the next round of social cuts and pave the way for further German militarism. Together, the right-wing policies of the SPD and the Left Party have facilitated the rise of the AfD. This ultra-right party is only able to present itself as a social opposition because of the absence of an opposition from the left. It exploits anger and disappointment with the broken campaign promises of the SPD and the Left Party for its own reactionary purposes. Marine Le Pen in France and Donald Trump in the US function in a similar manner. Those who want to fight the AfD must break with the SPD and the Left Party. The entire character of the demonstration confirms this analysis. It took place a day prior to the state elections in Mecklenburg Western-Pomerania, where the AfD secured over 20 percent in its first election in the state and finished in second place behind the SPD. In the campaign, all of the establishment parties sought to outdo each other with xenophobic electioneering. The social milieu at the demonstration corresponded to the rotten political programme of the organisations represented. They speak on behalf of privileged sections of the middle class and the pseudo-radical petty bourgeoisie, who themselves intend to profit from a change in government. Among the waving flags of the established parties sat some people drinking beer, while representatives of the Pirate Party, the Antifascist Action (Antifa), the Stalinist German Communist Party (DKP) and all sorts of pseudo-left organisations mingled. Everyone was among friends. Hardly a single worker, public sector employee or youth concerned by the strengthening of far right tendencies in Germany found their way there. The fact that the rally found no resonance among the working class does not express broad support for right-wing or racist positions. The abandonment of the political establishment by the working class is much more the expression of growing anti-capitalist sentiments. An increasing number of workers and young people recognise that the establishment parties do not represent their interests, let alone organisations of struggle to combat the far right. Speakers at the rally included representatives from the three partiesSPD, Left Party and Greensfigures from the Blockupy movement, the Ver.di trade union, the globalisation critics of Attac and other groups. Most contributions were reduced to empty phrases about conditions confronting refugees and superficial slogans against the racism and sexism of the AfD. The timid criticisms made of the refugee policies of the parties present by a few speakers were grotesque in the context of an event promoting an SPD/Left Party/Green coalition. International political questions like the war in Syria or the rightward shift in other European countries were hardly touched upon. The candidates for the Berlin state House of Representatives, Susanne Kitschun (SPD), Elke Breitenbach (Left Party) and Clara Hermann (Greens), appeared together on the podium and showed their unity. All three know the swamp of Berlin state politics very well. Kitschun was elected to the House of Representatives in 2006 after five years in local politics in Friedrichshein-Kreuzberg, thus making her responsible for the social attacks of the SPD/Left Party state government. Since 2011, she has served as deputy chairwoman of the parliamentary group of the Berlin SPD. The young Green candidate Hermann has also been in the House of Representatives since 2006. The third candidate in the alliance, Elke Breitenbach, has sat as a Left Party (and its predecessor PDS) deputy since 2003. She was therefore fully involved in the policies pursued by the SPD/Left Party Berlin state government, which ruled in the capital from 2002 to 2011 and organised an unprecedented assault on social conditions. Breitenbach is deputy chairwoman of the Berlin Left Party and is among those who would also like to see the CDU joining in the struggle against racism. As the Left Partys representative, Breitenbach signed the so-called Berlin consensus in July, a public statement of Berlins democratic parties, SPD, CDU, the Greens, Left Party, Pirate Party and FDP. The paper, which was signed by Berlin mayor Michael Muller (SPD) and the rightward-leaning justice senator Thomas Heilmann (CDU) among others, began with a cynical lie, In recent years, Berlin has accepted tens of thousands of people fleeing war and persecution with a lot of engagement. In fact, the Berlin Senate, with the support of the parties who signed the statement, has confined refugees to mass accommodation centres and restricted the right to asylum so as to be able to deport people as quickly as possible. A lot of engagement was not shown by the parties, but by the population, who intervened to support the refugees! The statement goes on to assert that it is a long tradition in Berlin for democratic parties to stand together against right-wing extremism, right-wing populism, anti-Semitism and racism, while claiming that joint action against right-wing extremism had been agreed. Behind the Berlin consensus against the right is in reality a right-wing consensus of all bourgeois parties, including the Left Party, that in the face of mounting social inequality it is necessary for the established parties to draw closer together in opposition to the working class. At the rally, the representatives of the SPD, Left Party and Greens then promoted a Red/Red/Green coalition government with all manner of vague phrases. Kitschun described an alliance between all three parties as a nice option. Breitenbach stated, A new coalition can and must create policies which preserve the diversity and colourful character of this city and place the question of social justice at the centre. In front of the stage, party colleagues Petra Pau and Klaus Lederer nodded politely. In the current political situation, the Left Party is playing a critical role for the German bourgeoisie. They raise questions of social justice and employ anti-war slogans so as to misdirect and confuse workers angered by the policies of the establishment parties. At the same time, the Left Party is giving up its pseudo-left mask and offering its services openly to the other parties as a partner in domestic and foreign policy. The election campaign of the Berlin Left Party is characterised by this double function. While the Left Party raises some social demands in sections of its election programme, it calls a few pages later for the buildup of the police and security forces. In the section More security personnel instead of more video surveillance, it states, Only people can intervene in critical situations. The Left Party therefore proposes, to ensure additional personnel, particularly on buses and trains as well as train stations for public transport. A strong training and equipping of the police is required, and the working conditions of police officers must be improved and more personnel hired. The Left Partys former parliamentary group chairman Gregor Gysi closed his speech at a party rally held at Hermannplatz prior to the demonstration with a call for more police. Along with the call for an SPD/Left Party/Green alliance, the speech contained the demand for a more aggressive and independent foreign policy to secure Germanys own imperialist interests, particularly against the United States. The rapid rightward development of the Left Party on the issues of war and refugee policy is provoking unease among the ranks of the pseudo-left groups desperately seeking to portray the Left Party as an anti-capitalist or even revolutionary party. Some antifa groups and the pseudo-Trotskyist RIO group therefore found themselves compelled to focus not only on the racism of the AfD, but also the racism of the CDU/SPD/Greens/Left Party. Their simple slogan was Struggle now! This general call to struggle is not aimed at building a revolutionary party of the working class. Instead, it is an invitation to supposedly left-wing tendencies within the Left Party and trade union bureaucracy to carry out even closer political cooperation. In its statement on the Berlin elections, RIO calls for the building of an anti-capitalist left front. Just how broad this front is has been made clear by RIO in other articles. In a contribution for the Neues Deutschland newspaper, which is aligned to the Left Party, RIO member Wladek Flakin named SPD Deputy Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel and family minister Manuela Schwesig as potential figures for joint actions. The author also recommends: Action AllianceStand Up Against Racism in Germany: A cynical fraud [23 April 2016] Germany: How the pseudo-left justify the Left Partys shift to the right [18 May 2016] During an eight-day visit to China that ended this Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with top government leaders, including President Xi Jinping, and attended the G20 summit in Hangzhou. Trudeaus trip was overshadowed by the strategic crisis facing Canadian imperialism as it seeks to balance between the United States, its longstanding military-strategic ally and principal economic partner, and China, whose burgeoning markets it is anxious to milk under conditions of anemic growth in the advanced capitalist countries. Since coming to power last November, the Liberals have worked to strengthen Canadas decades-long partnership with US imperialism, including by signaling support for the Obama administrations Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade and investment deal, which is the economic arm of Washingtons anti-China Pivot to Asia. Trudeau and his ministers have also parroted the provocative US and Japanese line on the territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Canada is deeply implicated in the US Pivot, having struck a secret military agreement with the Pentagon in 2013 on joint action in the Asia-Pacific region. Earlier this year, the Liberals agreed to step up security cooperation with Japan, which has its own territorial disputes with China in the East China Sea and is moving to arm Beijings South China Sea rivals, beginning with the Philippines. In his public events in China, including meetings with top business figures, Trudeau evaded discussion of the South China Sea and other geopolitical disputes, but his aides insisted he did raise them during his summit with Xi. This was in keeping with the stated principal purpose of Trudeaus visit: expanding economic ties with the worlds second largest economy. The most substantial outcome of Trudeaus trip was the announcement that Canada will soon apply to join the Chinese-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Last year Britain led a host of US allies in joining the AIIB in defiance of Washingtons wishes. Ultimately, only two other major economic powers stood with the US in refusing to join the AIIB at its foundingCanada and Japan. Washington opposes the AIIB because it represents a challenge to the US-led World Bank, which is a key part of the international framework established by US imperialism to consolidate its predominant position in the wake of World War II. Trudeau did not say how much Canada intends to invest in the AIIB, but it is expected this will be announced when Ottawa formally joins later this year. Trudeau stressed Ottawas desire to reset Canadas relations with Beijing, and, to this end, it was agreed he and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will meet at least once per year. The Liberal government is claiming that Beijings suspension of plans to subject canola imports to tougher regulations to limit the risk of fungi outbreaks constitutes an important victory. Canada currently exports $2 billion worth of canola to China annually. In coming weeks, negotiators will continue to work for a resolution to the dispute over extraneous material in Chinas canola imports. During Trudeaus visit, 56 business deals were signed between Canadian and Chinese businesses, with a total value of a little over $1 billion. The Canadian and Chinese governments also agreed to conduct a feasibility study into a free trade agreement, although Canadian officials were quick to say that any formal negotiation is still a long way off. In a speech delivered in Hong Kong at the end of his trip, Trudeau emphasized the need to strengthen commercial ties and accused the former Conservative government of overseeing a hot and cold relationship with China. However, much of the Canadian media is suggesting that Trudeau gave up more than he got. The Globe and Mail, the main mouthpiece of the Canadian financial elite, complained that Trudeau had provided China a valuable vote of confidence and international prestige by signing up to the AIIB, while he had only secured a Band-Aid solution to the canola dispute and failed to make progress on other matters. Complaints were also raised about Canadian corporate access to protected areas of the Chinese economy and Trudeaus apparent failure to make any progress in securing the release of Kevin Garrett, a Canadian national currently being detained by Beijing on accusations of spying on trans-border shipments with North Korea. While much of Canadas business and political establishment favours rapidly expanding economic ties with China, there are major differences on how far this should go, how Ottawa can gain greater access for Canadian investors, and how Canada can best exploit profit-making opportunities in China under conditions where Washington is ratcheting up geo-political pressure on Beijing. The previous Conservative government imposed restrictions on Chinese investment in Canadas energy sector after Calgary-based Nexen Energy was taken over by the state-owned China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC) in 2012. Trudeau indicated yesterday that he would be open to lifting these restrictions to facilitate the inflow of Chinese capital and boost investment in Canadas troubled Alberta oil sands. We need to draw in global investment as a way of being able to properly develop our resources in ways that are going to create a lot of jobs in Canada, he said. The right-wing National Post has repeatedly attacked Trudeau for not making a more demonstrative display of Canadas support for the USs provocative and disingenuous claims that China is threatening freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea. During Trudeaus China visit the Post published a stream of articles that accused Trudeau of ignoring or soft-pedaling Chinese human rights violations and failing to tell China to stop violating international law in the South China Sea. While some Conservatives want Trudeau to concentrate on expanding trade ties with Japan, most support a focus on China with the proviso that the Liberals more vigorously advance Canadian business interests at home and abroad. Speaking on CTVs Question Period Sunday, Conservative interim leader Rona Ambrose called on Trudeau to move ahead with the construction of oil pipelines to transport Albertas tar sands oil to tidal water, a vital step if Canada is to export oil to China. Her call was backed up by former Progressive Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who urged Trudeau to lead a nation-building exercise by overcoming opposition to Big Oils pipeline projects. Discussions on Canadas long-term orientation to China have assumed a renewed urgency over recent months, as Canadas economy sputters and Canada continues to lose market share in the US, especially to China and Mexico. In April, the Trudeau government quietly announced a review of its China policy but was careful not to discuss its substance publicly. A National Post article reported that a book containing essays by leading diplomats and academics entitled Moving Forward: Issues in Canada-China Relations was doing the rounds in government. The book advances the case for a dramatic expansion of Canada-Chinese economic ties, including through a free trade agreement. Citing Canadas role as a middle power, several of the authors also argue for Ottawa to seek to bridge differences between China and Washington, with particular reference to the South China Sea. Writing in the conclusion, former Canadian Ambassador to China David Mulroney argues that Ottawa could follow the example of Australia and reach a free trade deal with China while retaining close ties to the US. Mulroney, however, neglects to mention the fate of former Labour Party Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who was associated with a policy of balancing between China and the United States and seeking to arbitrate their disputes. In 2010 Rudd was unceremoniously ousted as government leader in a backroom coup carried out by political operatives working in close collaboration with Washington. Under Rudds successor, Canberra quickly fell in line with US demands and in 2011 provided Obama with the stage from which he announced the anti-China Pivot. Five years on, the current Australian prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, is under increasing attack within the establishment for his reputed reluctance to carry out Washingtons demand that Australian warships court confrontation with China in the South China Sea (See: Knives out for Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull). The example of Australia was raised in even more explicit terms by senior Globe columnist Konrad Yakabuski. In an August 29 column titled The risk of going easy on China, Yakabuski complained about the Trudeau governments kid-gloves treatment of Beijings lawless behaviour in the South China Sea. He then went on to praise a recent Australian decision to block on national security grounds a Chinese company from taking over the countrys main electricity provider. Otherwise, claimed Yakabuski, China could turn out the lights and cripple Australias economy if Canberra backed the United States in a military dispute in (the) South China Sea. Warming to his right-wing task, the Globe columnist then asked if Canadian leaders, and especially Trudeau, who seems to take a more benign view of China than most Western leaders, will be able to say No to Beijing so as to uphold our broader national-security interests. On Tuesday, Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) teachers attended a mass membership meeting to hear highlights of a tentative six-month to one-year contract settlement concluded by the Detroit Federation of Teachers (DFT). DFT interim president Ivy Bailey, her local bargaining team, and American Federation of Teachers (AFT) president Randi Weingarten negotiated the tentative settlement with DPSCD emergency manager Judge Steven Rhodes following the dirty deal that implemented the dissolution of the Detroit Public Schools and the creation of a new district on July 1. It is significant that AFT President Weingarten lent her assistance in crafting the deal in Detroit, which follows a rotten agreement imposed to prevent a strike by the Cleveland Teachers Union at the end of August. The AFT, the first union to endorse Hillary Clinton for president, is now in a full-court press on behalf the Democratic Party leading up to election day. The well-heeled union hierarchy is determined to prevent the outbreak of any struggle that would draw attention to the anti-education policies pursued by the Obama administration. They are particularly worried about containing the militancy of Detroit teachers, who demonstrated their readiness to fight in defiance of the union repeatedly over the course of the last year. Bailey told the hundreds of assembled DPSCD teachers that this was the unions first contract without concessions in a decade. She went on to tout miserable 3 percent bonuses proposed for teachers at the top of the pay scale (less than $2,000 in most cases). The agreement provides smaller one-time increases for other teachers equal to their next salary step level. Making the lame argument that this was real money in teachers pockets, Bailey attempted to placate angry teachers with the time-worn excuse that it was a tough fight and we didnt get everything we wanted. Many Detroit educators, after taking repeated pay and benefit cuts, had set their sights on a 10 percent pay increase to begin to make up lost ground. Instead, these pathetic bonuseswhich will be paid from grants, not the general fundfailed to even cover all DFT represented employees. Its like a slap in the face. Its like, theyve taken over $20,000 away and now theyre just offering a thousand dollars here, $1,200I say no, Gina Hatcher told Fox 2 News, also referring to the fact that the so-called loan to the district in the Termination Incentive Program will not be repaid under the new agreement. Bailey was repeatedly interrupted during her presentation by angry teachers who pointed to the years of pay cuts that teachers have endured. One teacher with a masters degree who joined the district in 2005, told the meeting that she has been stuck on the first pay level for 11 years. Another teacher denounced the union for failing to do its job. She demanded that the DFT return to the bargaining table to demand all of the loss of pay plus double, citing the Biblical injunction. Yet another said she had lost $20,000 per year as a result of the combination of pay cuts, healthcare cost increases and the union dues increases. Teachers step pay levels have been frozen since 2005. Educators have made unfreezing the steps a central demand in nearly every strike action or sickout since that time. But far from unfreezing the steps, apparently the union has agreed to tie such pay increases to the passage of a new regressive property tax millage. The agreement stipulates that if the school district receives additional tax revenues exceeding $12 million for the 2016-17 school year, teachers will move ahead one full step on the salary schedule. In other words, teachers will continue to fall further behind until the hard-pressed Detroit population can be blackmailed into paying higher taxes. The Cleveland Teachers Union threw its support behind a similar reactionary scheme. In a further stab in the back, the tentative deal defers the question of healthcare provisions. Teachers are expected to ratify the deal while the union continues negotiations. Last year, former emergency manager Darnell Earley attempted to foist a plan on teachers that would hike deductibles as high as $8,000 per family. While this was not enacted, teachers have seen a nearly 125 percent increase in premiums since 2009. The DFTs audacious move to present a contract without a healthcare provision indicates that healthcare will most likely involve steep new concessions, despite Baileys assurances to the contrary. In fact, the interim president admitted there will be an increase in monthly premiums as well as increased deductibles and copays. The contract sidesteps the critical need for more teachers and smaller class sizes by offering extra pay for teachers to take on a sixth class, up to $8,000 per year. There are more than 300 classroom vacancies in DPSCD. Class sizes average 40 students, double the recommended size. For educators, adding on a sixth class would compound an already unbearable workload. The contract provides only a minimal class-size overage funding pool to incentivize educators, but does nothing to remedy the lack of desks, chairs, or room for more than 40 students. While the DFT is calling it a tentative contract, the deal is entirely subject to the dictatorial Detroit Financial Review Commission. Even if approved, it would only be operative for a few months until the new school board takes over, at which point it could be renegotiated or extended for another six months. Teachers attending the membership meeting spoke to the World Socialist Web Site. The contract didnt even address my job classification, Leslie Holsey said. Im a salaried position. Weincluding counselors and social workersare getting no compensation, no 3 percent, no nothing. The bonuses were negotiated only for classroom teachers that are in steps, not even for subs. But we all pay union dues. [Ivy] Bailey and the negotiating team didnt even negotiate for us. Our job classifications are out in the cold. Were a fractured union. But as a group, many educators are scared if we go out well be retaliated against, and fired. Referring to the fact that the healthcare plan has not been negotiated, Leslie pointed out, Bailey already said it will be increased deductibles. The cost per month will be nominal, but the deductibles are going up. The fact is Judge Steven Rhodes is an emergency manager, no matter what he wants to call himself. He can impose a contract. And the question that wasnt answered washas the Financial Review Commission approved this contract proposal? The only reason for this new district is that it provides a new credit limit, a new line-item to borrow against. They are now going out for a millage for the new district while we are still paying for the DPS debt. We have four line items for old co and now they want to float a new millage. Its all to chase new money. There was a mass transfer of wealth when they took over the DPS. That wealth was transferred out of the school system. At one point DPS was the largest landowner in the city of Detroit. Education was always a social service, it was never for profit. Now they havent educated two whole generations. Laura, a 15-year veteran educator, commented, Its interesting they were bringing up the no more concessions. Well, its just too little, too late at this point. Weve lost so much over the past years. This is not even close. The idea of a bonus would be easier to swallow if it were more generous. But this isnt even half of the 10 percent we are owed Then the contract is only one year. Yes, its part of the circumstances, but to get something one time for one year, we could be right back having the same conversation next year. That bonus doesnt even guaranteewhy I am soft-peddling itit does not even begin to cover the increased healthcare costs. It doesnt cover the out-of-pocket costs Ive already had this year. When you are making less than you did eight years ago, your budget has been chopped. In addition to the unions preoccupation with the Clinton presidential campaign, the other unmentioned elephant in the room was the subject of school closures. As the DFT held its meeting, state politicians were huddling to discuss all options necessary to proceed with closing down Detroit schools. Michigan Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof and House Speaker Kevin Cotter have denounced the legal opinion of the Miller Canfield law firm which claims the new district is exempt from the State Reform Offices mandate to close failing schools. The full-throated support which the DFT has thrown behind Judge Rhodes and Governor Snyders reorganization of the district has opened the door, not just to another concession contract impoverishing educators and undermining public education, but to the breakup of the entire school district at the hands of the pro-privatization politicians. The Conservative government has again been emboldened in its offensive against the working class as a result of the latest craven capitulation of the British Medical Association (BMA). The BMA only announced 20 days of strikes by 50,000 junior doctors last Thursday, after stating that the government was intent on imposing a new contract from next month. But on Monday, the BMA called off the first five days of strikesset to begin on September 12. The new contract, which the government is imposing from next month before any action will now take place, includes the reduction of unsocial payments for weekend working, with Saturday and Sunday between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. reclassified as normal working days and nightshift rates reduced, along with the elimination of automatic pay progression. In the name of bringing in a seven-day health service, with no additional funding on offer, it sets a precedent for a massive assault on all health workers. The BMA was forced to call further strikes after junior doctors rejected a sell-out agreement reached between the union and the government in July. This was meant by the union bureaucracy to bring an end to five rounds of nationwide strikes that started in January and culminated, in April, in the first ever all-out strike in the nearly 70-year history of the National Health Service (NHS). The rejection forced the resignation of Junior Doctors Committee (JDC) chair Dr. Johann Malawana, who was replaced by Dr. Ellen McCourt. The strike announcement prompted a vicious government and media campaign against the junior doctors. In unison, they declared that the upcoming strikes, to be held without emergency cover, were endangering the public with those on strike prepared to let patients suffer and dieas one newspaper declared. Instead of opposing such lies, McCourt used them to justify the BMAs latest retreat. Thousands of you have been in touch, your level of anger over the Secretary of States imposed contract remains high, but at the same time you want to keep your patients safe during industrial action, she stated. Patient safety remains doctors primary concern. For the first time in this dispute NHS England have told us that a service under such pressure cannot cope with the notice period for industrial action given. ... Our hospitals are chronically under staffed. Our NHS is desperately underfunded. We have to listen to our colleagues when they tell us that they need more time to keep patients safe. The initiative has once again been handed to a hated government, which has refused to budge an inch. In addition, as it has at every juncture of this dispute, the BMA offered to call off the remaining strikes. McCourt declared, The BMA has repeatedly said that it will call off further action if the Secretary of State stops his imposition of the contract, listen to the concerns of junior doctors, and works with us to negotiate a contract, based upon fresh agreed principles, that has the confidence of junior doctors. Junior doctors must confront the stark truth. Despite fighting against the governments plans for more than two years, they are facing an impasse that threatens defeat. The central reason for this has been not only the pernicious role of the BMA, under Malawana and now under McCourt, but the isolation of the junior doctors struggle by the trade unions and, above all, by the Labour Party. Junior doctors correctly see their fight as one in defence of the NHS and against plans to run down, break up and privatise the service. Indeed, just prior to the BMA vote for further strike action it was revealed that NHS chiefs are planning to close hospitals and slash many services in Englandin response to the 30 billion funding deficit projected by the year 2020-21beginning as early as next month. The NHS is routinely cited in the holiday speeches of the labour and trade union bureaucracy as the jewel in the crown of the post-1945 welfare state. But aside from occasional token words of sympathy by union heads, committing them to absolutely nothing, no action whatsoever, let alone a sympathy strike, has been organised in defence of the junior doctors. The isolation of the junior doctors has been reinforced by Labour under Jeremy Corbyn, who was elected last year due to his declared opposition to austerity and militarism and pledge to fight the Tories offensive against the working class. As could be expected, the Blairite right-wing of the Labour Party, which did so much to set in train the privatisation of the NHS, has been hostile to the junior doctors action from the very beginning. However, the junior doctors determined stand has also exposed the claim by Corbyn to represent an alternative path for workers through the refashioning of Labour as an anti-austerity and anti-war party. Labour has refused to officially support the strike and has confined itself to criticising the government for provoking a protracted industrial dispute. But Corbyn has in all essentials followed this same path. Rather than calling for the widest support for the junior doctors over the heads of his partys MPs, he has made opposition to waging a class struggle his central concern. Corbyn has repeatedly urged renewed negotiations with Tory Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, a leading advocate of privatisation. In February, when Hunt first announced that the government intended to impose the contract, Corbyn spoke of his fear that More strikes now look likely. Even at this late stage, I appeal to Jeremy Hunt to go back and negotiate with the BMA. He made a single token appearance at a protest in London in support of junior doctors in April and since then has maintained a studious silence on the dispute. Indeed, not once during the leadership contest, forced upon him by the right wing, has he demanded solidarity action from the trade unions or defied in any way the treacherous position of the Parliamentary Labour Party. Last week, even as the BMA was forced to call the additional strike days, Corbyn could only stir himself to Tweet, Government must engage collaboratively and constructively with junior doctors. Corbyn seeks to blind the working class as to what is at stake in the junior doctors dispute with his claims that goodwill on all sides can bring about a just settlement. Health workers face a political struggle against the government, the media and the state apparatus committed to reversing every single social gain ever made by the working class, including the right to public health care. As Nigel Lawson, Chancellor of the Exchequer in the government of former Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher, wrote in the Financial Times, Brexit gives us the chance to finish the Thatcher revolution. For this reason, in waging a fight against such a ruthless opponent, junior doctors cannot limit themselves to an attempt to wage a militant action through the BMAwhich is in any case utterly hostile to such efforts. They are engaged in a political struggle that must be based on the mobilisation of the entire working class in defence of the NHS on which millions rely. And they must recognise that, in the Labour Party, they confront a pro-capitalist party no less hostile to them than the Tories and just as determined to see their struggle defeated. The NHS FightBack campaign was initiated by the Socialist Equality Party to urge junior doctors and all health workers to take their struggle out of the hands of the BMA and other health unions and establish rank-and-file committees independent of the union bureaucracy. An appeal must now be made for a unified offensive by all NHS workers and for the mobilisation of the entire working class and young people in defence of free and universal health care. For such a struggle to be waged effectively requires above all the building of a new and genuinely socialist leadership in opposition to both the trade unions and the Labour Partywhoever leads it. For further information contact: www.socialequality.org.uk and www.nhhfightback.org The nationally televised Commander-in-Chief Forum, held before an audience of soldiers and ex-soldiers in New York City, was a demonstration of the militarization of American society and the prostration of official politics to the military-intelligence apparatus. The two major-party presidential candidates, Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump, were accorded half an hour each to take questions from interviewer Matt Lauer and from veterans selected from the audience. The militaristic framework was established in the forums locationthe Sea, Air & Space Museum on board the dry-docked former aircraft carrier Intrepidand reinforced in the opening video prepared by NBC, the events broadcaster, which was a montage of American presidents ordering troops into battle, from John F. Kennedy to George W. Bush and Barack Obama. There was no suggestion that any of the wars conducted by these presidents, from Vietnam to Libya and Syria, was in any way questionable. There was no mention of the mass opposition to the war in Vietnam, or the millions who protested Bushs decision to invade Iraq. Matt Lauer underscored the identification of the presidency and war making in his introduction, declaring, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are vying not only to become president of the United States, but one of them will become the leader of the most potent military force the world has ever seen. The forum was the first back-to-back appearance of the two leading presidential candidates, and its unstated premise was that those in the military or who have been in the military should have the first right to screen the candidates seeking to exercise the powers of the commander-in-chief. This conception stands in direct opposition to the longstanding constitutional principle of civilian control over the military. The president is designated commander-in-chief in the US Constitution, not to elevate the role of the military, but just the reverse, to assert the subordination of the military to the highest elected civilian authority. Even within the Pentagon itself, the highest official is a civilian appointed by the president as Secretary of Defense, and the top military officer, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is chosen by the president for a two-year term to serve as his military adviser, with no command of any military unit. The active-duty military is barred by law and policy from participating in politics. Soldiers may not run for office, speak at partisan rallies, or conduct a wide range of other political activity. The political restrictions on soldiers while in uniform are even greater. These institutional arrangements were established in the period when the US ruling elite still felt compelled to observe democratic norms, and when the bulk of military personnel were recruited through conscription, meaning that the vast majority of soldiers were in uniform for a relatively brief term before returning to civilian life. After the debacle of Vietnam forced an end to the draft, the armed services were transformed into an all-volunteer force, creating a large-scale professional military for the first time in US history. Today, after more than 25 years of continual American war making around the world, this military force has emerged as a definite social caste, increasingly asserting its independent role in political life. In the last two decades, it has become commonplace to see an array of retired generals and admirals on the dais of Democratic and Republican national conventionsa once unheard-of spectacle. This year, retired officers gave major speeches in prime time. General Michael Flynn, the former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, spoke at the Republican convention in support of Trump, while General John Allen, the former US commander in Afghanistan, addressed the Democratic convention on behalf of Clinton. Trump and Clinton have vied to assemble the longest list of supporters among retired military officers. After the Trump campaign released a list of 88 generals and admirals Tuesday, the Clinton campaign countered with a list of 95. Clinton noted that Trumps support fell well below the hundreds of military endorsements of previous Republican nominees, boasting, Im doing better than any Democrat in collecting such support. Given their acceptance of the principle that their main task as commander-in-chief is to satisfy the military brass and take its advice, the differences between Clinton and Trump on foreign policy shrink to complete insignificance. This was evident in Wednesday nights forum, where both candidates did little more than repeat campaign talking points and trade insults. A few of the questions from the audience of veterans, many of whom have suffered the impact of warmongering by Democratic and Republican presidents alike, exposed this bipartisan agreement. One ex-soldier asked Clinton if she could respond to those who were concerned about your hawkish foreign policy that led to wasteful war campaigns in which our peers, servicewomen and men, continue to be killed and wounded. Clinton responded to this criticism of her 2002 vote to authorize the war in Iraq and her leading role in the US-NATO attack on Libya in 2011, by pointing to Trumps also supporting both wars. Clinton combined such evasions with outright lies, as when she pledged never to return US ground troops to Iraq or deploy them to Syriaperhaps the first promise she would break upon entering the White House next January. Trump delivered his usual bombast, including the claim to have a secret plan to defeat ISIS, while reiterating his lament that previous US administrations had bungled the war in Iraq by failing to seize the countrys oil fields. We should have taken the oil, he declared. In a speech earlier in the day, Trump made a bogus appeal to antiwar sentiment, denouncing Clinton as trigger-happy in her approach to wars in the Middle East, while reassuring the Pentagon brass that a Trump administration would pour trillions into expansion of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. What the Commander-in-Chief Forum made clear is that whether Clinton or Trump becomes the next US president, the US financial aristocracy and its military-intelligence apparatus will remain the ultimate decision-makers, dictating a policy of escalating imperialist aggression and violence against the population of the world. The outcome of last Sundays election for Hong Kongs legislature has been a political blow to the Chinese regime with wins by six political activists who were prominent in the protracted protests in 2014 against Beijings anti-democratic strictures. The demonstrations in 2014 erupted in opposition to Beijings decision to allow universal suffrage in the 2017 election for Hong Kongs powerful chief executive, but only for candidates selected by a stacked nomination committee. The protests, which occupied key areas of the city for months and at times swelled to around 100,000, eventually dwindled and were finally dispersed by police. The organisations which dominated the proteststhe Hong Kong Federation of Students, the young organisation Scholarism, and Occupy Centralhad no orientation to the working class and made no broader appeal to workers and youth over unemployment, social inequality and the lack of public services. These groups had no fundamental differences with the so-called pan-democrats who represent layers of Hong Kongs elite which seek greater autonomy for the former British colony that was handed back to China in 1997. They fear that Beijings greater involvement in Hong Kongs political and economic life will undermine their business interests. The new parties that were formed following the protests reflected the deep frustration among layers of youth in particular that nothing had changed. Their demands, including in some cases for full independence from China, go much further than the conservative pan-democrats and are combined with parochial and xenophobic attitudes to Chinese mainlanders. The Chinese governments refusal to make any, even cosmetic, concessions to the protestors has fuelled a marked increase in separatist sentiment in Hong Kong that was reflected in Sundays election. A university poll in July found that 17 percent of respondents supported independence from China with the figure rising to 40 percent among those aged 15 to 24. The turnout, while still relatively low at 58 percent, was the highest of any election since 1997, up from 53 percent in 2012. The six protest figures who won in Sundays election for the Legislative Council or Legco were Sixtus Leung, 30; Nathan Law, 23; Lau Siu-lai, 40; Eddie Chu, 38; Yau Wai-ching, 25; and Cheng Chung-tai, 33. Nathan Law, the youngest person ever elected to the Legco, founded the new political party Demosisto in April along with another Scholarism leader, Joshua Wong, who at 19 was too young to stand as a candidate. Demosistos manifesto stopped short of calling for full independence from China, instead advocating self-determination and a referendum in 10 years time to allow voters to decide Hong Kongs future after 2047. Hong Kong was returned to China on the basis of one country, two systems to ensure that the territory remained a major Asian financial centre. Underpinning its legal system is the Basic Law, which stipulated that Hong Kong was part of China and that the Legco and chief executive would eventually be elected by universal suffrage. The Basic Law is due to expire in 2047. Prior to last weekends election, Hong Kong authorities insisted that all candidates sign a statement declaring that the territory was an inalienable part of China. Six candidates were excluded, even though all but one had signed the declaration. In rejecting them, the government said it did not believe their signatures were sincere. Sixtus Leung and Yau Wai-ching both stood as candidates for Youngspiration, a party formed in 2015 that is explicitly hostile to immigrants and tourists from the Chinese mainland. In July last year, the grouping organised a protest on the reactionary demand that Hong Kong authorities deport a 12-year-old boy who had overstayed a visa and lived with his grandparents for nine years. Speaking after Sundays election, Leung declared that his vision was for an independent Hong Kong. We think that Hong Kong people are somehow different from other nations, like [the] Chinese. We have different cultures, we have different languages, we have different currencies, and our economic system is different from theirs, he said. These parochial sentiments take a particularly vile form with the emergence of the xenophobic Civic Passion which is deeply hostile to socialism, falsely equating it with the Stalinist regime in Beijing. Formed in 2012, it has branded Chinese mainlanders as locusts who come to Hong Kong to take jobs and educational opportunities from the citys residents and drive up prices, especially for housing. Cheng Chung-tai, a teaching fellow at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, led Civic Passion protests last year against so-called parallel tradersthat is, those who buy goods in Hong Kong to take back to China. Civic Passion has clashed with police and aggressively confronted Chinese shoppers claiming they are driving up prices in Hong Kong. Civic Passion is bitterly opposed to any suggestion of a joint struggle in Hong Kong and China against the government in Beijing, criticising the pan-democrats for their limited calls for democratic rights in China. For many years, we have seen that many political parties used the slogan of Serve Hong Kong: create a democratic China. But we have had enough of it, Cheng said after the election. This is our last chance to take an aggressive strategy [against the Hong Kong government]. The six new legislators will have limited voting clout in the 70-seat legislature. This so-called localist group, together with the pan-democrats, holds about a third of the seats as only 40 are directly elected and the remaining 30 are selected from functional constituencies representing professions, trades and other interest groups. These associations tend to choose pro-Beijing legislators. The Chinese government has responded to the election result with threats. As reported by the state-owned Xinhua news agency, a Chinese official declared on Monday: We resolutely oppose any form of Hong Kong independence activity either inside or outside the Legislative Council, and strongly support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Regions punishing it under the law. Beijing fears that any moves towards independence in Hong Kong could encourage similar separatist movements in other parts of China, including Tibet and Xinjiang, to more aggressively pursue their demands. It is already under intense pressure from the US, which is engaged in a diplomatic offensive and military build-up throughout the Asia Pacific aimed against China. Washington will be following the political development in Hong Kong closely to see if the localist movement can be exploited to weaken Beijing. The CIA has longstanding connections with Tibetan and Uighur exile communities that are pressing for greater autonomy or independence for Tibet and Xinjiang. None of these movements represents the interests of the working class. Rather they speak for layers of the local bourgeoisie and upper middle class who regard Beijings dominance as an impediment to their own business interests and careers but are deeply hostile to the struggles of workers. The working class in Hong Kong can only fight for its democratic and social rights by turning to workers in China, throughout Asia and the world in a joint struggle against capitalism on the basis of socialist internationalism. The 35-year-old became the first Bollywood actress to walk the coveted runway. By India Today Web Desk: This time around, the New York Fashion Week has that extra dash of glamour, in the form of Baby Doll, Sunny Leone. Sunny became the first Bollywood actress to have walked the ramp at the coveted fashion week, lending life to the designs of renowned Indian designer, Archana Kochhar. The 35-year-old star opened the show for Kochhar on Thursday night, looking radiant in green. advertisement When asked about being the chosen one to walk the runway, Sunny told IANS, "It feels amazing and when I found out that I am the first, it felt even better. I was very nervous about walking and just wanted it to go perfectly." Sunny looking fab in an Archana Kochhar creation at the NYFW. Picture courtesy: Twitter/@afdiaries About the ensemble, she said, "I am wearing a creation from Archana Kochhar from Mumbai. She is one of the select few that NYFW has accepted to showcase. She is one of my favourite designers in India and I am very proud to be wearing her clothes." Nervous about representing the country at the international fashion gala? "I am representing a very talented designer who had worked very hard to get to NYFW. It is a great honour that she even asked me to come. What I believe I represent is just that anything can happen and anything is possible in life, just believe and work hard," she told IANS. Sunny even took to Twitter earlier today to thank the designer for choosing her: Thank you @Archana_Kochhar for this amazing moment! Won't ever forget this!! pic.twitter.com/BpJbL0PWMu Sunny Leone (@SunnyLeone) September 9, 2016 Kochhar showcased her collection, A Tale of Two Travels, a melange of her travels to the Taj Mahal and the village of Banjara tribals, at the FTL New York Fashion Week SS17. She is also supporting the initiative, Bring Beauty Back, at the fashion week, for which acid-attack survivor Reshma Banoo Qureshi walked the ramp for her. The New York Fashion week commenced on September 8 and will go on till September 15, 2016. --- ENDS --- ITT Technical Institute, one of the countrys largest for-profit colleges, announced the sudden closure of its 130 campuses throughout the United States on Tuesday, leaving its more than 40,000 students without a means of obtaining a degree and over 8,000 personnel without jobs. The closure of ITT marks the second mass closing of a for-profit college program in as many years. In June of 2014, Corinthian College Inc. (CCI) announced the selling-off of 85 campuses after the federal government stopped funding to the college, citing violations of federal law. The shuttering of ITT came two weeks after officials from the Department of Education (DOE) banned the for-profit institute from receiving any further government-based Title IV student aid. That decision was tied to an investigation launched into ITT by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) in April, which cited the schools organizational integrity, financial viability and academic standards as cause for concern. In addition, the DOE required that ITT Tech raise more than $247.3 million, or nearly 40 percent of all government loans received by the education company, to cover any potential student defaults on existing debts. Speaking to ITT students in a mass email, representatives stated, Please know we worked diligently to identify alternatives that would have allowed you to start or continue your education at ITT Tech, and earn your degree But the Department of Educations actions have forced us to cease operations at the ITT Technical Institutes. We are truly sorry to have to make this decision. ITT spokespeople have accused the government of being inappropriate and unconstitutional in stopping funds without proving a single allegation. The DOE declared that it plans to help students currently enrolled or out of school by less than 120 days discharge their loans if they choose to drop out, forfeiting all received credits. The total for discharging loans for all 40,000 students at the for-profit could cost well over $500 million for taxpayers. ITT Tech is currently facing legal challenges at the state and federal levels, including two lawsuits from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, for violations regarding its in-house loans program, which the government alleges was used to lure students into taking on debt with draconian and undisclosed penalties if payments were missed. In connection to these lawsuits, the ACICS launched an investigation into the credit-worthiness of the for-profit last April. The ACICS, a non-profit agency whose stamp of approval is seen as the gatekeeper for several billion dollars in federal aid, has itself come under scrutiny from the US government in recent months for lax standards in school accreditation. In June, the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, a federal body, voted to de-recognize the ACICS as the agency in charge of accreditation for for-profit and independent institutions for what DOE Under Secretary Ted Mitchell referred to as a wide and deep failure in making the determinations we, you and the public count on. In addressing the interruption the closure could have for thousands of students, employees and their families, Mitchell stated that he knew it could cause disruption, confusion and disappointment, but the governments responsibility is not to any individual institution. Its to protect all students and all taxpayers. Rising tuition costs and the prospect of graduating without access to decent-paying jobs is a reality for tens of thousands of young people and workers returning to school seeking to receive an education in the US. The current level of student debt in the US is $1.2 trillion, the largest form of debt among the population. A study released last year by the Brookings Institute discovered that students leaving for-profit schools and community colleges in 2011 constituted nearly 70 percent of all student loan defaults for that year. Many for-profit universities maintain political ties in order to ward off investigations into their practices and obtain business opportunities. A recent investigation conducted by the conservative Judicial Watch found that between 2010 and 2015, former President Bill Clinton received $17.6 million serving as honorary chancellor at Laureate International Universities, a connection which allowed representatives of the for-profit college to attend State Department functions and receive the latters support in overseas endeavors, where the majority of Laureates campuses are located. In addition, the school has donated over $5 million to the Clinton Foundation and owner Douglas Becker is listed as a Hillary Clinton campaign donor. The average tuition costs at Laureates US-based schools exceed ITTs by several thousand dollars and their graduation rates are nearly identical. A recent Wall Street Journal opinion piece noted, ITT investors must be wishing they had ponied up for political protection like Laureate International Universities, the for-profit college that paid Bill Clinton $17.6 million to serve as its honorary chancellor. The author also recommends: For-profit education chain Corinthian College implodes [14 July 2014] Tens of thousands of federal public sector workers are set to strike on Friday, in opposition to ongoing moves by the Liberal-National Coalition government of Malcolm Turnbull to slash wages and conditions. The widespread support for the action among public sector workers reveals an increasing militancy and desire to fight back against a decades-long assault on jobs and working conditions prosecuted by successive governments, Labor and Coalition alike. The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), which covers the public sector, however, has limited the stoppage to 24 hours and is using it to promote the illusion that the government can be pressured into altering its course in enterprise bargaining negotiations. At the same time, the union is seeking to politically corral opposition behind the Labor Party, which has been one of the chief architects of the assault on the public sector. Workers participating in Fridays strike action include employees of Centrelink, Medicare, the Tax Office, Child Support Defence, the Bureau of Meteorology, Agriculture and Water Resources, and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. CPSU airport workers are also expected to take limited industrial action, with warnings from the government of delays. The strikers are among around 100,000 public servants who have opposed regressive Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBA) put forward by the Liberal-National governments over the past two-and-a-half years. As a consequence of the delayed agreements, the bulk of the CPSUs members in the federal public sector have not had a pay rise in over two years. The government has stated that any agreements will not be back-dated which means that CPSU members have effectively been locked into a pay freeze since 2013. Cost-cutting agreements covering another 50,000 workers have been pushed through. Agreements covering some 20,000 workers over four departments have been imposed since the July 2 federal election. Over the course of the protracted dispute, the union has reduced its pay claim from a 4 percent increase over four years, to between 2.5 and 3 percent. The government has offered nominal pay increases of 2 percent per year, which it has stated will be tied to productivity measures aimed at slashing costs. Workers have resoundingly rejected deals put forward by a number of departments. Employees in the Department of Immigration rejected an offer of a 3.4 percent over three years last September, with 91 percent voting against. Some 81 percent voted down a 6 percent offer over three years in March. The same month, 71 percent of the Australian Communication and Media Authoritys workers voted down an annual 2 percent pay rise. In May, 71 percent of employees rejected the latest offer put forward by the Australian Tax Office. In most departments, workers have voted against two or three concession EBAs. The ballot results express widespread anger over the intensified assault on public sector jobs and conditions. In its May budget, the Liberal-National government committed to almost $2 billion in cuts to the public sector in the form of efficiency dividends over the next four years. The government is conducting reviews into a host of departments, and foreshadowed the destruction of up to 250 smaller public sector bodies. At the same time, job cuts are being extended, with 810 sackings slated in the Department of Human Resources, 300 at the Immigration Department and 344 in Social Services. The union has warned that up to 800 more additional jobs may be destroyed in immigration. The governments offer for Department of Immigration workers included the abolition of multiple allowances, which could see some workers up to $8,000 worse off annually, along with the scrapping of flexible working hours. The CPSU has played the central role in preventing the development of a unified struggle against the cuts. Throughout the wage dispute, the union has stressed its willingness to negotiate a reasonable outcome. The union has repeatedly appealed to the government to utilise its services to impose new agreements, which would inevitably entail further cost-cutting. In comments last month, CPSU national president Alistair Waters denounced the governments unworkable approach to public sector bargaining and declared that Michaelia Cash, the employment minister, had tried to undermine our attempts to help her fix the Turnbull governments bargaining mess. Nadine Flood, the unions national secretary, reiterated in comments published yesterday that the CPSU is appealing for the government to engage with us on a sensible alternative. The CPSUs role in isolating employees in each department, and limiting industrial action to partial strikes, has been aimed at wearing-down and dissipating opposition. In March, the union cancelled a strike of airport workers after an appeal from Malcolm Turnbull which included vague references to terror threats, establishing a precedent that can be used against other industrial and political actions. The following month, the union acceded to a ruling by the Fair Work Commission, banning industrial action by Border Force workers on the grounds of national security. This has played directly into the hands of the government. On Wednesday, Fairfax Media reported new moves to force through EBAs and stated, some departmental secretaries and agency chief executives now see an opportunity to capitalise on weariness among their employees with the protracted stoush. The union has advanced the lie that the Labor Party will reverse the assault on the public sector. Featured speakers at a strike event in Brisbane will include former Labor treasurer Wayne Swan and other prominent Labor Party figures. The union campaigned for Labor in the 2016 federal elections and promoted its fraudulent populist posturing, including claims that it would wind back efficiency dividends which have been the chief mechanism for decades of cutbacks. One union statement, for instance, was headlined, Community wins, consultants lose with Labor efficiency dividend policy. In reality, Labor merely committed to a 2017 review into dividends and refused to specify whether it was proposing their abolition. It was the Labor government of Bob Hawke that introduced efficiency dividends in 1987. The measurean annual funding reduction for government agencieshas been the basis for an unending assault on jobs, wages and conditions across the public sector. Prior to the 2007 election, then Labor leader Kevin Rudd declared that his government would take a meat axe to the public service. The Labor governments of Rudd and Julia Gillard proceeded to destroy as many as 14,500 public sector jobs between 2007 and 2013, repeatedly increasing the efficiency dividend. In 2013, the Rudd government boosted the dividend from 1.25 percent to 2.25 percent laying the basis for cuts subsequently enforced by the Abbott Coalition government. The attack on the public sector is part of a broader offensive against the entire working class, amid relentless demands by the corporate and financial elite for austerity measures in line with the social counter-revolution being imposed in Europe and the United States. During the election campaign, Labor pledged to make some $33 billion in cuts, including to healthcare, education and welfare. Since the formation of a Liberal-National government, Labor has stressed its bipartisan commitment to so-called budget repaira code-word for slashing spending. At the same time, the slowdown of the Australian economy is being used to overhaul working conditions across the board, and eliminate hundreds of thousands of jobs. The only way forward for public sector workers is to break out of the shackles imposed by the CPSU, and begin an independent political struggle in defence of all jobs, wages and conditions. Workers should establish rank-and-file committees as centres of an industrial and political fight aimed at uniting public sector employees throughout all departments and with other sections of the working class. Above all, what is required is a socialist perspective and the fight for a workers government, which would end the subordination of social need, including to a decent, well-paying job, to the dictates of the capitalist market. The Australian governments contempt for international law was again on display last week as it rejected the authority of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague to conciliate an agreed maritime border between Australia and East Timor. The legal case underscores Australian imperialisms staggering hypocrisy. It has joined Washington in publicly demanding that China recognise and abide by a PCA ruling issued last July in favour of the Philippines challenge to Chinese maritime claims in the South China Sea. The Philippines case was prepared with US assistance to bolster Washingtons militarist campaign to maintain its geostrategic dominance in East Asia against the threat posed by Beijing, yet the Australian government endorsed it as a legitimate exercise in international law. However, when it comes to another disputed maritime borderin the Timor Sea, just 2,000 kilometres from the South China SeaCanberra maintains that the PCA is an illegitimate tribunal. In 2002, the Australian government declared it would not abide by any International Court of Justice ruling on maritime boundaries, nor accept the procedures on disputed boundaries under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). These moves were made on the eve of East Timors declaration of independence and were transparently aimed at securing Australian control over the lions share of the oil and gas reserves in the Timor Sea. Canberra had previously supported the 1975 invasion of the former Portuguese colony by General Suhartos Indonesian military regime, later negotiating a lucrative deal that carved up Timors energy wealth between Australia and Indonesia. In 1999, a year after Suharto was removed from power, Canberra launched a bogus humanitarian intervention, deploying troops to East Timor to oversee the transition to nominal independence, while maintaining its dominance over the Timor Sea. This was secured through subsequent treaties negotiated between Dili and Canberra, accompanied by overt Australian bullying and blatant dirty tricks. East Timor is now challenging the legitimacy of the 2006 treaty known as CMATS (Certain Maritime Arrangements in the Timor Sea). It has invoked a never-before-used UNCLOS compulsory conciliation clause. This involves a five-member PCA panel, chaired by former Dutch diplomat and UN jurist Peter Takse-Jensen, hearing the rival Australian and Timorese claims and issuing a non-binding finding that is supposed to form the basis of a negotiated settlement. The conciliation commission heard the rival submissions over several days last week, mostly behind closed doors but with the opening presentations delivered in a public hearing on August 29. The Australian governments legal team began by contesting the competence of the commission to hear the case. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) deputy secretary Gary Quinlan declared there was no proper basis for East Timor to bring this claim. He insisted that doing so violates treaty commitments under which both countries have committed not to bring proceedings against each other on maritime boundaries. Quinlan claimed that Canberra was motivated by a serious regard for principle at a time when the rules-based order globally is under serious challenge, it is vital that countries stand by their treaty commitments. For good measure, he concluded by chiding East Timor that it is not a mark of good neighbourliness to initiate a compulsory procedure in breach of your own treaty commitments to that neighbour. This talk of principles, rules-based orders and good neighbourliness is nothing short of obscene in the context of Australian imperialisms predatory relationship with East Timor. The treaties that the Australian government now maintains are sacrosanct were delivered through threats and provocations. In November 2002, then Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer met with then Timorese Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri. Downer demanded that the Timorese drop their demand for an equidistant maritime border between the two countries, consistent with international law, and threatened to sabotage the Bayu-Undan gas field that has since provided 95 percent of total Timorese government revenue. If you want to make money, you should conclude an agreement quickly, Downer declared. We are very tough. We will not care if you give information to the media. Let me give you a tutorial in politicsnot a chance. This mafioso performance was followed in 2004 by an illegal Australian intelligence operation to bug Timorese government offices, under the cover of a humanitarian construction program. The intelligence gathered was used in the lead up to the finalisation of the CMATS treaty. Royalties from the massive, as yet undeveloped, Greater Sunrise oil and gas fields were to be split 50-50 between East Timor and Australia, with the setting of a maritime border postponed for 50 years. The arrangement was a blatant theft. Under international legal norms governing maritime boundaries, Australias claim of Greater Sunrise would likely be less than 20 percent. East Timors legal team at The Hague was led by Xanana Gusmao, a former president and prime minister, who now serves as the countrys investment minister and chief Timor Sea negotiator. Gusmao said the achievement of maritime boundaries in accordance with international law is a matter of national sovereignty and the sustainability of our country. In the period immediately after independence, East Timor was vulnerable to duress and exploitation. Because the government was desperate for revenue to rebuild our country from ruins, we succumbed to Australias pressure and signed the CMATS treaty. Gusmao and other Timorese representatives argued that the 2004 spying operation rendered the treaty invalid. While there is little question that international law is on the side of the East Timorese, the case in The Hague has inadvertently shed light on the desperate manoeuvres of the impoverished countrys government. Dili does not require the PCA to overturn CMATSthe treaty itself contains provisions for either party to withdraw from it. Rather, the East Timor government wants to use the legal proceedings to put pressure on Canberra for concessions, while at the same time reassuring energy companies of profitable returns on investment. As Timorese representatives before the conciliation commission explained, the government wants to coordinate a new treaty with Australia in order to ensure a smooth transition for the benefit of both states, and also of the petroleum industry. The Hague court also heard that Timorese government ministers had in the past month travelled to oil and gas company headquarters in Australia and the US, to see their senior executives personally to explain the situation and to seek their views those visits have been very well received and we are working on a post-[CMATS] termination plan to meet the investors requirements. The Turkish government is prepared to carry out a joint assault with the US on the Islamic State (also known as ISIS) capital in Raqqa, Syria, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has told the Turkish media. Erdogan made the remarks to journalists on board his plane returning from the G20 summit in Hangzhou, China, where he said US President Barack Obama had proposed the joint action. Obama particularly wants to do something together [with us] about Raqqa, Erdogan said, according to the daily Hurriyet. We have told him that this is not a problem for us. He added that top level military commanders from both sides should meet and then what is necessary will be done. Turkey launched what it has dubbed Operation Euphrates Shield two weeks ago, sending troops and tanks across its border to attack both ISIS positions and those of the Syrian Kurdish separatists of the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its armed wing, the Peoples Protection Units (YPG). The Kurdish forces have been employed as the Pentagons main proxy forces in terms of ground operations against ISIS, receiving weapons, funding, training and support from US special operations units on the ground in Syria. Turkey has backed its own rebels, comprised of Sunni Turkmen and Arab Islamist militias, to not only attack ISIS but drive the Kurdish forces out of areas that they had wrested from ISIS with US backing. From the outset of the intervention, it has been evident that these forces are Turkeys main target. Ankara fears that continued military successes by the YPG could consolidate an autonomous Kurdish region on its border and encourage Turkeys own Kurdish separatist movement, the PKK, with which the Syrian Kurdish movement is politically aligned. Turkeys deputy prime minister, Nurettin Canikli, told the media that Turkish forces had so far killed a combined total of 110 ISIS and Kurdish fighters. Three Turkish soldiers were reportedly killed in an ISIS rocket attack on Tuesday, while another died at the outset of the offensive in clashes with the YPG. The Turkish official added that, after having secured the border area, Turkish forces could push further into Syria. It appears that is what the Turkish military is preparing. Syrian sources reported Wednesday that Turkish warplanes struck targets in the ISIS-held town of Al-Bab, which is 180 kilometers northeast on the highway leading to Raqqa. At least 14 civilians were reportedly killed in the Turkish bombardment. A battle for control of Al-Bab could prove particularly bloody and involve multiple antagonists in addition to ISIS. Turkish forces and Turkish-backed Islamist militias are advancing on the town from the west, the Russian-backed Syrian army is within striking distance from the south and US-backed Kurdish forces are approaching from the north and east. The main Turkish objective appears to be to prevent the Kurdish militia from taking Al-Bab, which would allow them to join their main enclave in northeastern Syria with territory they control in the northwest. Turkish officials are already speaking of the latest incursion carving out a de facto safe zone that would divide Syrian Kurdish controlled areas in the east and west of the border area and leave Turkey in a more or less permanent occupation of a swathe of Syrian territory. A spokesperson for the YPG said that the group had asked US forces to take a stand in their defense against the Turkish offensive. They replied that a decision will be made in Washington, he said. Meanwhile, Russias Foreign Ministry issued a statement Wednesday expressing concern over Turkeys offensive into Syria. This calls into question the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic, it said, adding, We call on Ankara to refrain from any steps which can further destabilize the situation in Syria. It pointed out that the Turkish operation had been launched without either the permission of the Syrian government or authorization by the United Nations. Turkey established closer relations with Moscow last month in the wake of the abortive July 15 coup, which was widely seen as having been backed by Washington. The de-escalation of tensions played a significant role in freeing Ankaras hand to launch its Syrian operation. After an incident in November of last year in which Turkish warplanes ambushed and shot down a Russian jet in the border area, relations were broken and the threat of a major armed conflict between Russia and Turkey, a member of the US-led NATO alliance, rose sharply. The Erdogan government now appears to be disposed to pursuing its own interests by playing off Washington and Moscow, whose strategic objectives Syriaunder the veneer of a common struggle against terrorismare diametrically opposed. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov are set to meet in Geneva on Thursday and Friday, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported. Washington has demanded the implementation of an immediate ceasefire, particularly in the area of Aleppo, where a government offensive has thrown back the Al Qaeda-linked militias that Washington and its allies have backed in the five-year-old war for regime change in Syria. Were not going to take a deal that doesnt meet our basic objectives, US deputy national security advisor Benjamin Rhodes told reporters during a stop by President Obama in Laos. These objectives were spelled out Wednesday in a 25-page transition plan issued by the so-called High Negotiations Committee, a front representing the Islamist militias and Syrian exile politicians aligned with various powers and their intelligence agencies that was cobbled together by the Saudi monarchy. It demands the ouster of Bashar al-Assad and his clique within six months and the installation of a transitional governing body that would rule the country for 18 months leading up to elections. How such a body would be selected is not specified, but the transparent aim is to impose a regime in Damascus that would be aligned with Washington and its allies, thereby achieving US imperialist aims of furthering hegemony over the oil-rich Middle East and further isolating Russia and China. The insistence on these objectives coupled with the increasing weakness of US-backed forces on the ground in Syria and the new aggressive intervention by NATO member Turkey are creating an extremely volatile situation in which the threat of a direct confrontation between the worlds two foremost nuclear powers, the US and Russia, is growing. The new fare system introduced by the railways will come into effect from September 9. By Anindya Banerjee: Come tomorrow, if you travel by Shatabdi Express, Rajdhani or Duronto and book your tickets a little late, as the fare would keep going up with the number of tickets sold. This surge pricing is much akin to aviation sector where fares are determined according to demand supply ratio. PASSENGERS DIVIDED The new announcement from the government has the passengers divided. Kumar who boarded the Amritsar Shatabdi feels the hike is 'stiff'. "The hike is too stiff. Railways need to understand this is for the common people," says Kumar even as his wife quips, "I am ready to pay more if they maintain cleanliness. Right now its pathetic." advertisement Also read: Surge pricing for Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi trains from Friday: Here's how it affects you Another lady added, "The government will be reasonable if they have done this." As the gentleman next to her in the train called it an 'open loot'. PRICE HIKE As per this flexi-fare system, only the first 10 per cent tickets will be sold at the current fare. After that it will go up by as much as 50 per cent above what you pay today. The new system means the Delhi - Amritsar Shatabdi fare which is Rs 749 can go upto Rs 1140, a Mumbai Rajdhani 2AC which is currently sold at Rs 2870 will go upto Rs 4055. Though the opposition has lashed out at this move calling it 'anti people' and some passengers are visibly unhappy but there is unanimity among passengers that a little extra can be shelled out provided railways provide better services. --- ENDS --- The Gujarat CID has filed a chargesheet in the UNA flogging incident, accusing four policemen of dereliction of duty and fudging facts. Seven Dalits from Una district were thrashed by self-styled cow vigilantes while they were "skinning" a dead cow. (TV grab) By India Today Web Desk: The Gujarat CID accused four policemen of dereliction of duty and fudging facts in the Una Dalit flogging incident, in a chargesheet on Wednesday. Authorities chargesheeted 34 people, including the four cops, two months after seven Dalit youths were flogged by self-styled cow vigilantes in Una, Gujarat. A separate chargesheet was also filed against three minors before the Juvenile Justice Board at Junagadh. advertisement The four policemen -- including Una police inspector at the time of the flogging -- were arrested for failing to stop the crime, conniving with the perpetrators and forging FIR related documents to help the accused. Read: Gujarat Dalits continue to protest, refuse to pick cattle carcasses from roads COPS DISTORTED FACTS On July 11, cow vigilantes thrashed seven Dalits from Mota Samadhiyala village of Una district while they were "skinning" a dead cow. Four of the Dalit youth were then taken to Una, tied up to a vehicle 1.5 km from Una police station and flogged for almost four to five hours. CID alleged the arrested policemen "misused" their position by not acting against the perpetrators and by letting them leave after they abandoned the assaulted men outside Una police station. It also accused them of turning the skinning of a dead cow by Dalits into a case of "beef being found", according to an Indian Express report. "The local police didn't act (on information of some youths being beaten up) for nearly four hours after registering the information in their logbook. Later, they added a line that 'cow meat was found' and thus fudged the information," Inspector General of CID-Crime SS Trivedi told Express. Read: Dalit men attempt suicide, buses torched as protest over Una flogging by cow brigade intensifies CID noted that the owner, in his statement, said his cow was killed by a lioness. But the accused police personnel insisted that he report his cow missing. A forensic analysis report confirming the presence of "hair of the Asiatic lion" on the carcass, was submitted in addition to the chargesheet. CID also accused the cops of fudging records. "The FIR which they lodged named only six accused despite the fact that the victims have said more than 40 accused had assaulted them. Among the six accused, two names were repeated by the police. That is also a mischief in order to shield the accused," public prosecutor Dipendra Yadav told Express. Read: Stop shedding crocodile tears for Dalits and act: Congress to PM Modi VARIETY OF CHARGES A total of 43 people have been arrested in the case, but only 34 were chargesheeted. advertisement They have been charged under various sections of IPC including 307 (attempt to murder), 397 (robbery), 365 (kidnapping), 355 (assault to dishonor a person), 342 (wrongful confinement), 147 (rioting), 324 (causing hurt by weapon) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) among others. They are also charged under various sections of Prevention of Atrocities Act and under sections 66A and 66B of the Information and Technology Act for making and circulating clips of the incident. The case came to light after a video of the flogging, allegedly made by the accused, went viral on social media platforms. CID noted that the outrage caused by the viral video led to "74 incidents of rioting causing the death of one policeman... (and) 23 suicide attempts of which one died." Read: Gujarat's caste faultline: Will it cast a shadow on BJP's UP plan? --- ENDS --- BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) - Florida deputies have arrested a day care worker after a toddler was bitten several times by another child. A Manatee County Sheriff's Office report says 23-year-old Caci Burke was responsible for about six children at J's Bright Learners day care center. Burke put children to sleep in one room and, against the rules, left the room to check on children in another room that had her niece in it. In the room she was supposed to be watching, the affidavit says one 1-year-old bit another several times on his cheeks, forehead, arms and back. The sheriff's office says many bites broke the skin and left obvious teeth marks. Burke was released from jail Wednesday after posting a $1,500 bond. It's unclear if she's retained an attorney. (Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) - Police say a Columbus man has died after someone hit him in the head at a Labor Day barbecue. The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reports (http://bit.ly/2cAEw8W ) 47-year-old Joseph Davis died Tuesday after he was airlifted to an Atlanta hospital for hemorrhaging inside his skull. Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said Davis was at a Labor Day gathering when someone struck him in the head as Davis was leaning against a pickup truck. Witnesses identified the person who attacked Davis and police issued a warrant for assault. Those charges Bryan says those charges will likely be upgraded now that Davis has died. Columbus police Maj. Gil Slouchick says investigators have identified a person of interest. He says police are awaiting results of an autopsy to tell them exactly how Davis died. ___ Information from: Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, http://ledger-enquirer.com (Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) ALBANY, Ga. (AP) - Authorities in southwest Georgia say a police officer shot an assailant after being stabbed while responding to a call about a suspicious person. Albany police spokeswoman Phyllis Banks said in an emailed statement that the officer and suspect were taken to a local hospital Wednesday morning. She did not say how badly either person was injured. Banks said the officer was dispatched after someone reported a suspicious person at about 5 a.m. Wednesday. She said the officer was stabbed by a person with an unknown object and the officer then shot the attacker. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called in to investigate. GBI spokesman Scott Dutton said he did not immediately know the conditions of the officer or suspect. Albany is located about 180 miles south of Atlanta. (Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) - Thursday, opponents of the solar energy initiative put together a group of environmentalists, the Green Party of Florida, republicans, and libertarians to vote "no" on this campaign. The critics of the major amendment that was on the ballot last week feel it would limit rooftop energy choices, reduce competition and further expand the monopoly powers of the state's giant utilities. Supporters of Amendment 1 said the claims by opponents are simply not true. Instead, they believe the intent of the amendment is to protect the right for Floridians to generate their own solar electricity while ensuring the government continues to have a role that protects consumers against unfair subsidies. By PTI: Los Angeles, Sep 8 (PTI) "Greys Anatomy" star Patrick Dempsey, who has reconciled with wife Jillian after announcing their split in 2015, says he decided to work on his marriage as he was not ready to end their 15-year-old union. Dempsey and Jillian, who raise three children together, had shocked fans by announcing their break up but they eventually worked out their differences. advertisement "Our marriage was not something I was prepared to let go of. I didnt feel like we had done all the work. And we both wanted to do that work. Thats where it started," Dempsey told People magazine. The "Bridget Joness Baby" star says it was scary to imagine the end of his marriage. "Its always destabilizing when youre potentially breaking up a family or you have a big section of your life thats ending," he said. "Everybody has their own path. Jill and I decided it was time to work on our issues and improve. We wanted to be role models for our kids like, okay, if you have differences, you can work them out." Dempsey, 50, who left Greys Anatomy in April 2015, also began to pull back from his passion for car racing to devote more time to his family. "You can only do one thing at a time and do it well. I (learned) to prioritize. Our union has to be the priority. I wasnt prepared to give up on her and she wasnt either. We both wanted to fight for it." PTI BK SG --- ENDS --- You are the owner of this article. Photos of the crimson river flowing through Norilsk in Siberia baffled locals and prompted the Russian government to start an investigation. By India Today Web Desk: The Russian government officials are investigating the cause trying to find out why a river that turned blood red near Norilsk in Siberia. Residents from the Norilsk area started posting pictures after they noticed the Daldykyn River turning red on September 7. The pictures immediately went viral on social media. The investigations revealed that the red color might have come from the waste of a nearby nickle factory. In a statement, Russia's Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology Sergei Donskoy said, the chemical waste may have trickled from a broken pipe in nickel plant which caused the river to turn red. advertisement However, the Norilsk Nickel factory denied any sort of leakage from its unit and also claimed that the river is back to it's normal colour. The phenomenon does not pose an immediate threat to residents as it is not connected to any public water supply unit. --- ENDS --- If you are sending a Letter To the Editor, please be sure to follow these rules: Letters have a firm 200-word limit and will be edited for grammar, clarity and accuracy. The person who signs the letter must be the author. Anonymous letters will not be considered. Letters must address the editor, not a third party. We will not print form letters, libelous letters, business promotions or personal disputes, poetry, open letters, letters espousing religious views without reference to a current issue, or letters considered in poor taste. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer. The Yakima Herald-Republic cannot verify the accuracy of all statements made in letters. Writers are limited to one published letter per calendar month. Three and a half years ago, John Kerry took office as the American secretary of state. Like his five predecessors, he rushed to declare that he planned to put time and effort into the advancement of an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement based on the two-state principle. When asked why he thought he would be more successful than his predecessors, he provided a typical American answer: "We'll work harder." Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Indeed, Kerry put more effort into this matter than any of his predecessors, but like his predecessors, he decided to give up about a year ago. Solving the crisis does not only depend, therefore, on hard work. There have recently been more and more rumors that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to initiate a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Such a meeting is possible of course, as no one would like to offend Putin, but there is no chance for it to set in motion a real process that would end the conflict, unless other ideas apart from the "two-state" solution are raised in this meeting. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Archive photo: Reuters) The difficulty does not depend on the willingness to work hard, or on the ability to produce summits, but on the fact that there has been only one plan on the table for 23 years nowand that plan is, unfortunately, not attractive enough for either side. The two-state plan is based on five presumptions: The first, that the solution to the conflict can only be found within the area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea; the second, that the solution requires the establishment of a new Arab state with the full authorities of a state; the third, that the real Palestinian desire to end the Israeli occupation is not identical to the Palestinians' aspiration to establish an independent statewhich is not real; the fourth, that Gaza and the West Bank must be part of one diplomatic entity, as opposed to the de facto situation today; and the fifth, that all moderate Arab states are very interested in this sole solution, and will therefore help advance it. If there is an international elementbe it Putin or perhaps the next American administrationthat really wants to advance a solution to the conflict, it should ignore the mistaken presumptions we have been relying on for so long and try to analyze the entire range of alternatives. The international initiative to reexamine the way to solve the conflict is crucial. There is no chance that an Israeli initiative, as creative as it may be, could serve as the basis for any discussion. The important thing in international relations is not the content of the package, but its packaging, and the most important part in the packaging is the identity of the packerin other words, whoever initiated the plan. The more important he is, on the one hand, and the more he is perceived as supporting the other side's stands on the other hand, it will be easier for the other side to seriously consider the initiative. In this sense, Russian involvement could possibly be a refreshing novelty, as long as the Russians dont enter the trap the Americans fell into and try to force both sides to agree to the "two-state" plan. Even if the Palestinians agree to hold the meeting without preconditions, and even if the sides agree to launch negotiations based on the two-state outline, the process will just end with another bitter disappointment, or worsea third intifada. Albert Einstein asserted a long time ago that insanity is "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results"and the time has come to think about other solutions. It has been two weeks since Israeli software company NSO caused an international panic which led tech giant Apple to urge customers to perform an urgent update to their iPhone devices becaus of security concerns. Now, officials in the Ministry of Defense reveal that the Defense Export Controls Agency (DECA) has granted NSO a license to sell its espionage program, Pegasus, to a private company in an Arab state. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The exposure of the failed attempt to download the spy software on the mobile device of a human rights activist in the United Arab Emirates has elicited strong condemnation in Israel over the state's decision to allow such software to be used in Arab countries. According to the defense officials, even while discussions were ongoing as to whether or not to grant NSO a license to export the technology, there were strong objections from senior officials in the ministry to allow the export of the system to an Arab nation, citing national security. One official noted that, "it is scandalous that such a license was given." Although Foreign Ministry officials have made it clear that while NSOwhich is now controlled by US company Francisco Partnerswas not involved in any data breach itself, they still noted that "any ties to a cyber attack on a human rights activist causes damage to Israel's reputation." NSO was founded by three Israelis and employs veterans of elite Military Intelligence units in R&D positions. The company promised customers that the Pegasus program will provide them with the ability to control mobile devices after implanting a Trojan horse via email. This means the moment the program is downloaded to the device, it accesses the microphone, allowing for eavesdropping on what is being said in the vicinity of the phone. It also receives everything that is being typed on the device or sent to it and gains access to all information stored on the phone, including bank account details and emails. Competitors of NSO claimed that Pegasus constitutes unfair competition because it is based on knowledge accumulated by the Israeli intelligence community, but NSO insisted the system was their own development. Text message prompting Mansoor to download the spyware The system that was sold to the Arab nation was supposed to also include an upgrade allowing the user to hack and take over email accounts without the device's owner even having to click a malicious link. However, shortly after receiving the license, the DECA changed its terms, leaving NSO with no choice but to sell a version of the program that does require clicking the malicious link before a hostile takeover of the email account can occur. The mediation for the deal with the Arab nation was done with the help of former Israeli defense officials. The sale itself, the installation of the system, and the instruction on its operations were done with the help of a private company in that nation. This is not the first time NSO products have been used to spy on human rights activists. It has been previously reported that the Pegasus program was sold to rulers with dubious records on human rights in Panama, Mexico, Turkey, Mozambique, Kenya and Nigeria. As far as it is known, NSO meets the conditions of its license and sells only with permission. However, the UAE activist iPhone hacking scandal underscores the problematic nature of information and expertise coming from the Israeli intelligence community leaving Israeli hands. The Defense Ministry stressed that "The ministry operates a supervision mechanism, according to the law, and works closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs." NSO has commented that the company "does activate the systems for their customers. NSO develops products designed to help governments fight crime and terrorism. The company only sells to government bodies that are licensed and certified in legal accordance with defense exports." A Lebanese citizen who is wanted by the United States for involvement in terrorism was detained at the airport in Argentina, state news agency reported. The man, Khalil Mohammed al-Sayed, tried to enter Argentina with false papers. It was reported that al-Sayed is also wanted in Brazil for trading in drugs and arms. UNITED NATIONS -- Israel's UN ambassador says there is a clear link between the rise of social media and the rise of anti-Semitism and is demanding that media companies "stop providing a platform for hate sites." Danny Danon told a high-level forum on anti-Semitism on Wednesday that recent studies found a 40 percent increase in violent anti-Semitism globally. In France, he said, anti-Semitic incidents today are seven times higher than in the 1990s. And in Britain, he said, 2014 saw the highest-ever number of attacks against Jews. "On Twitter, 63 percent of the anti-Semitic tweets are calls for violence against Jews," Danon said. "But only 1 in 10 are ever removed." US Ambassador Samantha Power called for "more effective tools to monitor and confront anti-Semitism online and in social media." ANNAPOLIS -- Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan will be leading a trade mission to Israel this month, officials said Wednesday. The seven-day trip, scheduled for Sept. 19 through Sept. 26, will focus on economic development. Business, academic and Jewish leaders from Maryland will accompany the governor and some administration officials. About 25 private-sector representatives are going, said Barry Bogage, executive director of the Maryland Israel Development Center, a public-private partnership that works with the state's Commerce Department. The Israeli Air Force attacked Syria in the early hours of Thursday morning following spillover from the fighting in Syria. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Several mortars were fired into Israel on Wednesday afternoon, hitting the northern Golan Heights. No injuries or damage was reported. They hit a Syrian artillery position located across the border on in the Northern Syrian Golan. The IDF has expressed that it views the Assad regime as responsible for anything that happens or is shot from Syrian territory, and will not accept any violation of Israeli sovereignty or threat to the security of Israeli citizens. A fighterjet takes off on a training mission (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit) No special instructions or alerts were given to Golan Heights residents, and life is continuing as normal there. Spillover of mortars into the Golan Heights occurred earlier this week as a result of the Syrian civil war. There were no injuries or damage reported during the incident. The IDF hit Syrian Arab Army artillery positions in response. Following the spillover at the beginning of the week, a high ranking Syrian official told Syrian news sources that "the Israeli enemy continues to support terror organizations and has attacked (Syrian forces) in the area of Kafr Hader with two missiles which were shot by Israeli drones, causing damage." The Syrian official didn't say anything about wounded or killed in the attack. Mortar fire has spilled over into Israel several times since the start of the Syrian civil war as a result of the fighting between rebel forces and the Syrian regime. The IDF has responded each time by hitting the sources of fire. For the first time in two and a half years, talks resumed between Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Jordan and Japan for the establishment of a modern industrial park in Jericho. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Ministers and representatives of all parties met Wednesday to promote the project, which is expected to generate thousands of jobs for local residents. Products of the industrial zone will be directly exported to Jordan and from there, to the rest of the Middle East. On behalf of Israel, Tzachi Hanegbi, a Likud minister, attended the meeting in Jericho, which is in territory controlled by the Palestinian Authority (PA). Hanegbi met with the PA Minister of Civil Affairs, Hussein al-Sheikh, Secretary General of the Jordanian Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, Dr. Saleh al-Kharabsheh, and Japanese Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kentaro Sonoura. Meeting between Israeli, Japanese, Palestinian and Jordanian officials The meeting was intended to advance the project, financed by the Japanese government, in order to assist the Palestinian economy. Since the breakdown in negotiations with the Palestinians two and a half years ago, there has been no public dialogue between Israeli ministers and Palestinian officials. Hanegbi expressed his optimism that the project would produce a more cordial climate between the two sides. "I hope the successful meeting will contribute more to a positive atmosphere, after such a tense and pessimistic period." To date, Japan has contributed NIS 1.7 billion. Israel has also contributed significant funds, albeit not directly to the project. However, it has supported ventures related to the project, such as upgrades to the border and overland transport routes. During a televised forum with Hillary Clinton on Wednesday, Donald Trump declared that Russia's Vladimir Putin had been a better leader than US President Barack Obama. Trump further stated that he was best equipped to reassert America's global leadership and that US generals had been stymied by the policies of Obama and Clinton, who served as the Democratic president's first secretary of state. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "I think under the leadership of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton the generals have been reduced to rubble. They have been reduced to a point thats embarrassing for our country," Trump said at NBC's Commander-in-Chief forum in New York attended by military veterans. It was the first time Trump and Clinton had squared off on the same stage since accepting their parties' presidential nominations in July for the November 8 election. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump square off (Photo: AFP, AP) Commander-in-chief forum X Clinton was grilled over her handling of classified information while using a private email server during her tenure at the State Department. FBI Director James Comey had declared her "extremely careless" in her handling of sensitive material but did not recommend charges against her. "I did exactly what I should have done and I take it very seriously, always have, always will," she said. Trump's praise of Putin and his suggestion that the United States and Russia form an alliance to defeat Islamic State militants could raise eyebrows among foreign policy experts who feel Moscow is interfering with efforts to stem the Syrian civil war. "If he says great things about me, Im going to say great things about him," Trump said of the Russian president. "Certainly in that system, hes been a leader, far more than our president has been." Obama and Putin (Photo: EPA) Trump also flirted with revealing what he had been learning in classified intelligence briefings given to him by US officials because he is the Republican nominee. "There was one thing that shocked me," Trump said. "What I did learn is that our leadership, Barack Obama, did not follow what our experts ... said to do, and I was very, very surprised. ...Our leaders were not following what they recommended." Earlier on Wednesday, Trump pledged to launch a new US military buildup, saying America was under threat like never before from foes like Islamist extremists, North Korea and China. DEBATE PREVIEW? The event offered a prelude to how Clinton and Trump will deal with questions on national security issues in their three upcoming presidential debates later in September and in October. Clinton began the forum saying her long experience in government as a US senator and secretary of state made her uniquely qualified to serve as president. She said she had "an absolute rock steadiness" to be able to make tough decisions, a not so subtle dig at Trump, who Democrats say is temperamentally unfit for the White House. Moderator Matt Lauer doggedly pressed her about her handling of emails from a private server while secretary of state from 2009 to 2013. The issue has raised questions about whether she can be trusted to serve as president. Photo: AFP Clinton said none of the emails she sent or received were marked top secret, secret or classified, the usual way such material is identified. Appearing in the second half of the hour-long show, Trump faced questions about his fitness for office. Asked if he would be prepared to be commander in chief, Trump said, "One hundred percent." Trump quickly abandoned Lauer's entreaties to avoid attacking his opponent and focus on what he would do if elected president in November. "She's been there for 30 years," Trump said. "We need change, and we need it fast." Clinton said she regretted her decision as a US senator from New York to vote in favor of the much-criticized 2003 Iraq war and that Trump had been in favor of it as well. Trump has condemned the war during his campaign and said he would avoid lengthy conflicts in the Middle East. Photo: AP On the US intervention in Libya in 2011, Clinton rejected Trump's criticism of her support for the effort as secretary of state. "Permitting there to be an ongoing civil war in Libya would be as threatening and as dangerous as what we are seeing in Syria," she said. Trump said Clinton's handling of Libya proved disastrous. Republicans have made much of the fact that the US ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, was killed in an Islamist attack in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012. "She made a terrible mistake in Libya," said Trump. Clinton said US policies under her leadership at the State Department had helped promote security. "We made the world safer," she said. The Russian Foreign Ministry says Israeli leaders and Palestinians have agreed, in principle, to meet in Moscow, according to a report by the Russian news agency, Interfax on Thursday. No date was given by the agency for the possible meeting. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Archive photo: Reuters) The report comes just three days after rumors were circulated by the agency that Abbas had agreed to meet with Netanyahu in Russia for direct talks. The initial report on Monday came just hours after Netanyahu's office said the prime minister was considering an offer by Russian President Vladimir Putin to host the talks between the Israeli leader and Abbas. The last round of direct negotiations between Netanyahu and Abbas took place in 2014 but broke down over a string of disagreements. Since then, Netanyahu has repeatedly stated in public that he is willing to meet with Abbas any time, any place. Indeed, speaking at The Hague on Tuesday, Netanyahu said I am ready to meet with Mahmoud Abbas any time with no preconditions to engage in direct talks...I am not picky about the placewhether it is here in the Netherland's or in Moscow is no problem. The central question is whether Mahmoud Abbas is ready to meet without preconditions. We hear conflicting versions. Just yesterday Palestinian spokespersons said that they were ready to meet but that they have conditionsthe release of prisonersand they want to know in advance what the results of the talks will be, Netanyahu said. According to the first report by Interfax, a the Palestinian ambassador to Russia was quoted as saying that the meeting was supposed to take place on September 9 but that Israel requested that it be delayed. Despite the reported agreement by Abbas and Netanyahus repeated calls for renewing negotiations without preconditions, the PA president is insisting that on a construction freeze in the West Bank and a discussion which will establish a timetable for what he describes as the end of the occupation prior to the commencement of talks. More than a week after a report that the Czech Ministry of Education had instructed that Tel Avivand not Jerusalemappear as the capital of Israel on the countrys official academic atlas, authorities in Prague have announced that the change will not go ahead. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter News of the change came last week when, in response to the complaint received from the Palestinian Embassy in the Czech Republic, the Education Ministry decided to stop Jerusalem appearing in the atlas as the Israeli capital. The Czech Education Minister, Katerina Valachova, said Tuesday that the atlas has official approval from her office and that the ministry has no intention of becoming involved in the matter until 2017. She also pointed out that it was not the ministry's job to become embroiled in a political dispute. Jerusalem is the capital of Israel from the perspective of the Declaration of Independence. If something changes, maybe we will add a sentence stating that there are countries that dont recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital. Prime Minister Netanyahu with Czech President Milos Zeman (Photo: Kobi Gidon/GPO) The publisher of the atlas also clarified its position on the matter, stating that it would follow the recommendations made by the education ministry. One of the options currently at its disposal would be to release a new edition with the adage of the aforementioned sentence. Immediately after the announcement was made that the atlas may be changed to feature Tel Aviv as the capital, Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid called on people to flood the Facebook page of the Czech president protesting the decision. The Israeli embassy in Prague, along with the Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, also expressed their satisfaction with the reversal of the decision. We are on the map! The truth will defeat lies, said Barkat Wednesday. The Czech government decided to overturn the decision and not to remove Jerusalem as Israels capital from the Czech academic atlas. I am happy that the letter that I sent to the Czech prime minister and the diplomatic efforts paid off and influenced the decision. I thank the Czech government for making the right decision and not surrendering to lies and the wild incitement of the Palestinians. Barkat added that, the friendship between the Czech nation and the Jewish people has existed throughout history and now also the next generation of Czechs will learn the one truth: Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and the beating heart of the Jewish people. The Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem also released a statement on the issue. The Foreign Ministry has been dealing with this matter for three weeks and is grateful to all those who assisted. In the meantime, no change will be made to the atlas. We are in contact with Czech officials from the education ministry in order to prevent a blow to the status of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the statement read. Labor and Welfare Minister Haim Katz has decided to resume infrastructure and maintenance work at Israel Railways on Shabbat, despite the political crisis it sparked over the past two weeks. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Katz, who is in charge of issuing Shabbat work permits as part of his role as the labor minister, said he intends to allow the work that is necessary for the weekend and examine every week the planned work to determine what must be done on Shabbat and what can be postpone to a weekday. In an interview with Ynet's sister publication Yedioth Ahronoth, to be published in full on Friday, Katz declared: "Every case will be examined in its own right." Welfare and Labor Minister Haim Katz (Photo: George Ginsburg) According to Katz, "Work concerning safety that has to be done on Shabbatwill be done. Work that there is no other choice but to do it on Shabbatwill be done. At the same time, the sanctity of Shabbat will also be kept. The difference is that with me, things will be done quietly and without shouting. Where the work is not necessaryit won't be done (on Shabbat)." "For years now that there is work on Shabbat, and work on Shabbat will continue in the future. This was a lot of noise for no real reason," he added. Katz went on to say that even when Shas leader Aryeh Deri served as the economy minister and the labor portfolio was still under that ministry's responsibility, infrastructure and maintenance work for the train was done on Shabbat. He specified that "maintenance work necessary for the trains to operate properly and in the best, safest way will be done on Shabbat. (But) I instructed the Israel Railways management to allow any worker, religious or secular, not to work on Shabbat if they don't want to." Infrastructure work done on train tracks (Photo: Israel Railways) Katz is confident his decision to renew the Shabbat train work will be accepted without resulting in another crisis. He also said he does not plan on involving the prime minister in his decisions regarding work on Shabbat. "When he spoke to me, the prime minister presented me with all of the solutions and let me decide," he said. "I don't plan on reporting to him, updating him or sharing these decisions with him even if they go against his own wishes. I'm the minister in charge of this issue, and I'm telling you the decisions will be made professionally and according to the law." With that in mind, Katz also stressed he planned on reaching understandings with the ultra-Orthodox public. "I have no interest in defying them, angering them, or doing things just to spite them. I want the country to keep running as it should be run. I'll find the way to please everyone." While the heads of the ultra-Orthodox parties informed Katz on Wednesday that they were against resuming train work on Shabbat, Shas leader Deri told Ynet on Thursday that "at the end of the day, the seculars are the ones who will decide what kind of Shabbat they want. We won't tell anyone what to do. We live in a secular state. Jewish, perhaps, but secular." Deri stressed his party "had no interest in creating crises. We realize we're not living in a Halacha state, that the days of the Messiah are not yet upon us and that we've yet to reach the ideal situation in which the entire people of Israel know the significance of Shabbat." He noted he "did not approach or pressure Minister Katz on the Shabbat work. We have to do what we must, using non-Jewish workers, and I'm confident it will be done." The Haifa District Court has sentenced five Israeli-Arabs from the Galilee to five years in prison for trying to join ISIS. Four of them are from the town of Sakhnin. The five were convicted of membership in an illegal organization, expressing solidarity with ISIS, and trying to harm the State of Israel. Those sentenced are: Karim abu-Salah, 22, who was sentenced to six years; Sharif abu-Salah, 30, who recieved three years; Haisam Marisat, 31, from Deir Hanna who was sentenced to four and a half years; Mohammad abu-Salah, 29, who was sentenced to two and a half years; and Fadi Bashir, 30, who was sentenced to three years behind bars. When Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan blamed Facebook in July for the recent wave of terror attacks, he was likely not referring to the Arabs and Right-Wingers Tweeting, Facebook page, which serves as a forum for Israeli Arabs who love and support Israel but who often pay a heavy price for it. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter A post on the page displays a picture of two Israeli-Arab soldiers in uniform and lauds them for their efforts to protect Israel. Another presents a video documenting a platoon of sweaty IDF troops struggling to push a tractor up a steep hill. When a Palestinian tractor broke down, IDF reserve soldiers were the first to help. Together with the Palestinian farmers, they got the tractor up and running, read the accompanying caption. Sometimes IDF soldiers perform great acts of heroism; sometimes all it takes is a small act of kindness. The posts, that received thousands of likes, are typical for the page, which was launched by an Israeli Arab together with a Orthodox Jew who are attempting to foster coexistence by providing a forum for Arabs who love Israel to express themselves. We want to unite Arabs who love the country and who are Zionist, but who feel like they do not have a welcome place in their communities, said Michal Julian, 37, a Jewish resident of Jerusalem who co-founded the page with Abdallah Abdel Rahman, 27, from Abu Ghosh. Acre resident Mahdi Satri, a frequent contributor to the 'Arabs and Right-Wingers Tweeting' Facebook group (Photo courtesy of Mahdi Satri via Facebook) Israeli-Arab Knesset members are constantly inciting against the state, and many Israelis think that they are the true representatives of the Arab sector, which isnt true, continued Julian. We have a group of Israeli-Arabs here who truly love their country and we want to show that they are not alone. Arabs and Right-Wingers Tweeting was launched in 2014, after Julian and Abdel Rahman met while battling anti-Israel incitement on a Facebook page popular with Israeli Arabs during Operation Protective Edge. She said that one of the administrators reached out to her and suggested creating a Facebook forum for pro-Israel Arabs, rather than arguing on that page. I decided that if there are Arabs who define themselves as Zionists, then we should (support them by) opening a Facebook page and showing the world the truth, recalled Julian. We started small, but more and more people joined us, and here we are today, with thousands of followers. The page aims to be the voice of a sector whose existence is unknown to many Israelisright-wing Israeli Arabs, who proudly support Israel and oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state. The founders also hope the project will show a different face of the Arab community to Israelis in addition to acting as a force for Israel advocacy, or hasbara. The page regularly features displays of coexistence between Arabs and Jews. One Arab man named Khaled received 100 likes after exclaiming forever my Israel, I have no other country in response to a post showcasing Arab children distributing candy to IDF soldiers. He was lavished with praise from both Arabs and Jews alike, with statements like I would love to shake your hand and Khaled, people like you bring light to the world. One supporter and frequent contributor to the page, 45-year-old Sara Zoabi of Nazareth Illit, says she is an unabashed supporter of the Jewish state. She stunned Israelis when she introduced herself on the MasterChef cooking show as Arab, Muslim, Israeli, and proud Zionist. This page is a necessary step and can further encourage this phenomenon of Arab Zionists expressing themselves, Zoabi contended. The page is successful and will continue to be successful and it has a bright future. The memebrs of Arabs and Right-Wingers Tweeting are no strangers to the consequences that can befall an Israeli Arab openly supporting Israel. Julian has received frantic calls from Israeli Arabs who begged him to remove their posts after they had received death threats. Abdel Rahman could not deal with the emotional pressure, lamented Julian. They wrote many things about him on pages frequented by Arabs. He was called a traitor and lived in constant fear. Nevertheless, Zoabi believes that many Israeli Arabs secretly support Israel, but are afraid to come out and say so openly. It is a problem that many people do not have the courage to come out and say so, Zoabi claimed. I myself have paid a very steep price with curses hurled at me and having been forced to move apartments because of my feelings about Israel. Zoabis own son Muhammad had to leave the country in 2014 due to blowback he received following his condemnation of the abduction and murder of Eyal Yifrach, Gil-Ad Shaer and Naftali Frenkel. It is not easy, Zoabi admitted. But I have to do what I think is right and I am prepared to pay any price for it. SANAA -- At least nine civilians, including four children, were killed on Thursday in an air strike by the Saudi-led coalition on a residential building north of the Yemeni capital Sanaa, residents said. At least five other people were injured in the attack early on Thursday on the three-storey apartment building in the Amran provincial capital, Amran city, north of Sanaa, they said. A spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition said he was checking the report. The coalition, which has been fighting to roll back gains made by the Iran-allied Houthi group since 2014 and restore ousted President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power, says it does not target civilians. Residents said the building was struck three times while an adjacent but empty school was hit twice. No one was hurt in the school which was empty as the school year has yet to start. Rescue workers were still sifting through the rubble searching for more victims. The Haifa District Court has sentenced five Israeli-Arabs from the Galilee to five years in prison for attempting to join ISIS. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The five individuals, four of whom are from the town of Sakhnin in northern Israel, were convicted of membership in an illegal organization, expressing solidarity with ISIS, and seeking to harm the State of Israel. Those sentenced are: Karim abu-Salah, 22, who was sentenced to six years; Sharif abu-Salah, 30, who recieved three years; Haisam Marisat, 31, from Deir Hanna who was sentenced to four-and-a-half years; Mohammad abu-Salah, 29, who was sentenced to two-and-a half-years; and Fadi Bashir, 30, who was sentenced to three years. One of the Israeli-Arabs who tried to join ISIS (Photo: Ido Erez) According to the indictment, Karim abu-Salah arrived at Ben Gurion International Airport on July 20, 2014 in an attempt to enter Syria, but was stopped by the Shin Bet. He then continued to meet with his associates, discussing issues relating to the terror group and reflecting on why he had failed. Abu-Salah and his associates would occasionally send ISIS videos to each other showing various activities performed by the terror group. The owner of a farm, named as 'Aladin'who is also a lawyer accused of encouraging people to join ISISalong with Fadi Bashir, had ISIS paraphernalia in their possession. On August 22, 2014, 'Aladin' discussed and explained to the accused how to create Molotov cocktails and how to use them. Meanwhile, Karim abu-Salah admitted to planning an attack against security forces and members of the Druze community with a firearm. Karim then approached various people in an attempt to acquire a firearm in order to carry out the attack. The phenomenon of Israeli-Arabs attempting to join ISIS has been on the rise in recent months. Seven Israeli-Arabs have been killed fighting for ISIS in the Syrian civil war so far. Those killed were Israeli-Arab residents from all over Israelfrom Taybe in the center; Iksal, Nazareth, and Um al-Fahm in the north, and al-Hura in the south. Approximately 50 Israeli-Arabs are known to have joined ISIS in Syria. The sixth Israeli-Arab to be killed fighting alongside ISIS in Syria was from Um al-Fahm, and the family claims that he was killed by a US airstrike. His name was Halil Salah, 28, and managed to infiltrate into northern Syria from Turkey three years ago. A family friend was quoted as saying that "the family lost touch with their son. The only thing that they were told was that he was killed, and nothing else." "Its a shame for anyone to join these types of organizations because everyone knows how it ends. It's still hard for me to understand who's behind the brain washing of our young people and is convincing them to join ISIS. It's something very serious." Fadi Bashir is the son of the former mayor of Sakhnin. He is engaged and has no prior criminal record. After high school, Bashir worked studied at a pre-college course at the Technion in Haifa. He then went to Italy to study mechanical engineering, but had to flee in 2013 when he entered the radar of authorities for his contacts with a man who joined a terrorist organization in Syria. Bashir denied formal responsibility for his actions and claimed that he was not concerned with ideology but supported the organization after he arrived at the conclusion that ISIS was the dominant force in the Syrian civil war. BERLIN - German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday rejected further centralisation within the EU after Britain's vote to leave, saying the bloc instead needed to delegate more tasks to subsidiary organisations. "Centralisation is definitely not the answer," Merkel told a local political event before a Sept. 16 summit in Bratislava between the 27 European Union states that will remain after Britain departs. "Germany is a country that has had good experiences with the sharing out of tasks," added Merkel, who has been a strong defender of EU institutions since becoming chancellor in 2005. Donald Tusk, who chairs the EU talks, last week said the meeting would focus on the future of the EU, not Britain. The two Border Police officers who were filmed damaging a scooter in Jerusalem's Old City last week have been suspended from their unit. This week, they were questioned under caution by the Ministry of Justice's Police Internal Investigations Department and released on limiting terms. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The investigation came after footage appeared to show two Border Police officers striking a scooter and breaking its mirrors. The Jerusalem District Commander of the Israel Police, Yoram Halevy, ordered that the scooter's owner, Kamal Jamal, be compensated for damages, depending on the results of the PIID investigation. Broken windows Najib Jamal, the brother of the scooter's owner, Kamal Jamal, told Ynet, "There were incidents in our area. They pounded on the door of our house, made a whole mess and started breaking the scooter with a rod." He didn't file a complaint with the PID because "I don't believe that it'll help." The footage X The organization Ir Amim ("city of nations"), an organization that seeks "to render Jerusalem a more equitable and sustainable city for the Israelis and Palestinians who share it," complimented the decision: "We welcome the steps taken against the officers." However, the organization emphasized "that eliminating the trend of police violence directed at residents of east Jerusalem will only be possible with a police change in perception that maintaining security in Jerusalem should also include maintaining the well-being, property and dignity of its Palestinian residents." Three ultra-Orthodox Jews belonging to the anti-Zionist Neturei Karta sect were arrested on Wednesday night after breaking into the home of Moshe Havlin, the Ashkenazi chief rabbi of Kiryat Gat. Their break-in was apparently motivated by Havlin's support of the IDF draft arrangement for Chabad Lubavitch Hassidim, of which Havlin is a member. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The arrested men tore photographs from the walls of the chief rabbi's house and blew on a shofar. They detention was extended to four days. Havlin also works as the director of the Chabad yeshiva in Kiryat Gat. Late Wednesday night, some ten Haredi protestors entered the rabbi's home. The police ascertained that they were creating a public disturbance and violating Havlin's privacy and arrested three, who were taken for questioning. They refused to identify themselves. Neturei Karta outside rabbi's house X Havlin recounted to Ynet, "About 25 young men came and knocked on the door. I thought that is somebody who needed something from me because lots of people are used to coming to me at home. "I opened the door, and they burst in, pushing me and coming into my house. My wife fainted. They started yelling and blowing on a shofar, tearing pictures and placards from the walls, yelling insults and attacking me. It was extremely frightening, but I wasn't deterred. My views are clear. I support the arrangement for drafting yeshiva students to the IDF. I am a Zionist, and I love Israel." Neturei Karta outside the rabbi's house Chabad students generally complete their seventh year of studies (at around the age of 2021) at Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn. Because the IDF forbids non-enlisting yeshiva students from exiting the country, Chabad rabbis asked for a special dispensation for their students, explaining that the trip to the US is part of their curriculum. Thus, the arrangement to which Havlin referred was signed between the parties, setting that the students could leave the country on the condition that they agreed to enlist at the age of 26. However, as the great majority of the Chabad students are expected to be married by that age, they will receive a waiver for their military service. This agreement has attracted criticism from rabbis and yeshiva heads of Hassidism inside the Haredi population, especially from the more extremist elements. According to them, while the arrangement is purely declarative, it is the thin edge of the wedge that will bring IDF enlistment for additional yeshiva students outside of Chabad. This has been a long time in the making, but in our continuing pursuit to bring only the best of firearms, 2nd Amendment and defence related news to our readers, we are very excited to announce the next step in our evolution as a company. As of 2020, Minuteman Review is now the proud owner and operator of Your Defence News, a website with a long history of breaking huge news stories and investigative journalism. We hope you are equally as excited as us. This means that now the teams of Minuteman can combine with the firepower of Your Defence News to stay at the absolute forefront for our readers. Keep an eye. Big things are coming soon. We couldn't be more excited. In the meanwhile, here are some of our most popular posts and categories to keep you busy. Happy shootin' my friends! Buying Guides: Firearms Firearm Accessories Ammunition Gun Safes Scopes & Optics Hunting Air Rifles Best AR-15 Best AR 15 Scope Best Hunting Rifle Best Gun Safe Best AK 47 Best AR 10 Best Glock Triggers Best Glock Best Home Defense Shotgun As a homeowner, you probably already know that you should be working to maintain your home. But, chances are, you Read More Dobra, k. Szczecina 900 m2 40 miejsc parkingowych Atut: Dodatkowe dochody z paczkomatow InPostu, a juz niedugo i z myjni samoobsugowej. Tradycyjny zakup nieruchomosci, mozliwosc wykupienia uzytkowania wieczystego. Latest News Provo, Utah - In designing a tool to help students write better essays, BYU English Professor Pat Madden and graduate students Shelli Spotts and Courtney Bulsiewicz looked to biology for inspiration. Just like the Human Genome Project maps out DNA to understand the human body, the Essay Genome Project analyzes defining characteristics of essays for similarities between a students work and a well-known classic or contemporary essayist. An essay is classified as a short piece of writing on a particular subject. At times the essay has been considered the step-child to other writing forms, Spotts said. However, the essay is not a new writing tradition. Its been around for hundreds of years. With technical assistance from the Office of Digital Humanities, Madden, Spotts, Bulsiewicz and a team of students created a corpus for the Essay Genome Project, a searchable compilation of essays by authors from the past 500 years. Corpus analysis has been previously used for poetry and drama, but the Essay Genome Project is the first to create a corpus for essays. The essays in the corpus are analyzed by a computer algorithm that identifies the frequency at which authors use common words and phrases, as well as stylistic, tonal and formal similarities in the writing. Anyone can submit their own essays or blog posts to the corpus. Within seconds the algorithm will share personalized information about their writing style, including a list of essayists with similar styles. Not only does the corpus help writers improve their skill, but the research also examines which essayists have had the greatest influence throughout time and whether originality exists. The corpus was designed to compare authors and the evolution of essay subjects through differing time periods and geographical locations. It also traces a writers literary ancestors and descendants. We want students to read many essayists, not only contemporary ones, said Madden. Students who are well versed develop an appreciation for the tradition of the essay, recognize the ways theyve been influenced and make personal connections with past and present essayists. To find your place in the Essay Genome Project, upload your essay: http://egp.byu.edu/ Latest News Notre Dame, Indiana - Using colors to identify the approximate ages of more than 130,000 stars in the Milky Ways halo, University of Notre Dame astronomers have produced the clearest picture yet of how the galaxy formed more than 13.5 billion years ago. Astrophysicist Daniela Carollo, research assistant professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Notre Dame, and Timothy Beers, Notre Dame Chair of Astrophysics, along with research assistant professor Vinicius Placco and their colleagues, published their findings in Nature Physics, including a chronographic (age) map that supports a hierarchical model of galaxy formation. That model, developed by theoreticians over the past few decades, suggests that the Milky Way formed by merging and accretion of small mini-halos containing stars and gas, and that the oldest of the Milky Ways stars are at the center of the galaxy and younger stars and galaxies merged with the Milky Way, drawn in by gravity over billions of years. We havent previously known much about the age of the most ancient component of the Milky Way, which is the Halo System, Carollo said. But now we have demonstrated conclusively for the first time that ancient stars are in the center of the galaxy and the younger stars are found at longer distances. This is another piece of information that we can use to understand the assembly process of the galaxy, and how galaxies in general formed. Using data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, in which Notre Dame is a partner, the scientists identified more than 130,000 blue horizontal-branch stars, which burn helium in their cores, and exhibit different colors based on their ages. They are the only type of star whose age can be estimated by color alone. The technique they employed is one that Beers helped develop about 25 years ago when he was still a postdoctoral fellow. The mapped stars show a clear hierarchy, with the oldest stars near the center of the galaxy, and younger stars further away. The colors, when the stars are at that stage of their evolution, are directly related to the amount of time that star has been alive, so we can estimate the age, Beers said. Once you have a map, then you can determine which stars came in first and the ages of those portions of the galaxy. We can now actually visualize how our galaxy was built up and inspect the stellar debris from some of the other small galaxies being destroyed by their interaction with ours during its assembly. Carollo explained that initial gas clouds containing primordial material, such as hydrogen and helium, formed the first stars. Clouds with various masses and gas content behaved differently: The smaller clouds formed one or two generation of stars (older objects) and then merged with other clouds and ended in the center of the galaxy pulled in by gravity, while larger mass clouds formed multiple generation of stars (younger objects) before they merged. Still larger galaxies, such as the Milky Way, grew as their gravity pulled in and forced mergers with these smaller galaxies. Today, it is only possible to use these techniques in our own galaxy and in the dwarf satellite galaxies that surround the Milky Way. However, the James Webb Space Telescope, set to be launched in 2018, is expected to gather much more data from distant galaxies, including the first glows from the Big Bang. Using the aging method that Beers Galactic Archaeology group at Notre Dame employed, those data can fill in pieces of the puzzle on our own galaxys formation, as well as questions about how the universe came into being. Latest News Seattle, Washington - Cultivating young childrens interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics has become a leading educational priority, as experts predict that many future jobs will require substantial math and technology skills. Early education in STEM topics, as theyre known, is critical for boosting later success in school and attracting students to occupations in those fields. But little has been done to optimize STEM curriculum for preschoolers or help children seek out and enjoy STEM tasks. Now, a new study by University of Washington researchers shows that adding a basic social cue making children feel like theyre part of a group increased preschoolers engagement in STEM. At 4 and 5 years of age, social groups start to matter more to children and begin to influence who they are and what theyre interested in, said lead author Allison Master, a research scientist at the UWs Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences. If we can get children interested in STEM when theyre young, it has the potential to carry through their education and increase the number of students pursuing STEM careers, she said. The journal Developmental Psychology published the research online Sept. 5. We are capitalizing on kids interest in social groups to help boost their motivation in STEM learning, said co-author Andrew Meltzoff, I-LABS co-director and the Job and Gertrud Tamaki Endowed Chair at UW. Its a wonderful example of how basic science discoveries, in this case about the social nature of learning, can have practical applications and help children, Meltzoff said. An even mix of 141 boys and girls about 4-and-a-half years old participated in the study. Each worked on two STEM activities: A math task that involved matching cards showing a number (e.g., 6) with a card depicting numbers of objects (e.g., six bluebirds) A spatial task that involved a 12-piece puzzle Before each activity, an experimenter told the child whether they were doing the task as part of a group (e.g., You are in the green group, and your green group does the number game) or as an individual. Each child did one game in the group condition and the other game in the individual condition. The group condition was in name only all the children were tested separately and worked alone, and there was no competition between groups. But the study was designed to have many strong visual cues to remind children that they were working as part of their group (e.g., wearing the groups color t-shirt, seeing the groups color flag on the table). For each activity, the researchers measured how well the children did, how long they persisted on it, and how they felt about each of the tasks. After completing both tasks and experiencing both the individual and the group conditions children were also asked to choose which one they liked more. On all measures, the children did better when they felt they were part of a group rather than doing the task on their own. When told that they were part of a group, the children persisted longer, did better, enjoyed the task more, thought they were better at it, and chose that task over a task they did as an individual, Master said. The effect was strongest on the children (90 percent of those tested) who liked being part of their group. Although social groups can be a positive motivator for children, Master cautioned that care needs to be taken so children dont feel excluded from a group. To avoid these potential pitfalls, Master suggested several strategies for adapting the studys findings for use in classrooms: Make classroom-wide groups (e.g., Our class goal is to learn math) so that all children feel included Use social language, such as time for us to do our math problems to emphasize that the activity is shared Set goals that emphasize the process of the academic activity (we do math) instead of childrens ability for that activity (this group is really good at math, but that group is not) Sapna Cheryan, a UW associate professor of psychology, is also a co-author of the study. Grants from the National Science Foundation and the Bezos Family Foundation funded the research. Vientiane: With months left in office, US President Barack Obama said on Thursday he was not ready to give up on an eight-year-old promise to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay. "I am not ready to concede that it may still remain open because we`re still working diligently to continue to shrink the population," Obama said at a press conference in Laos. Obama urgently wants to close the facility before he leaves office at the start of next year but has been continually thwarted by Republican lawmakers. Still, the United States has in recent months accelerated the rate at which detainees who have been approved for transfer are released from the facility. Speaking in Vientiane, Obama said the controversial prison served as a "recruitment tool" for terrorist organisations and was a waste of money. "As we continue to shrink the population to the point where we`re looking at 40 or 50 people and are maintaining a multimillion dollar operation to house these people, the American people are asking why should we spend this money on this when it could be spent on other things," he told reporters. Vientiane: US President Barack Obama and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte shook hands and had a brief chat on Wednesday, officials said, easing a standoff after Duterte called Obama a "son of a bitch" ahead of a summit of Asian leaders in Laos. The presidents of the two longtime allies were due to hold talks on Tuesday but the White House cancelled the meeting after Duterte`s insult. "I`m very happy that it happened," Philippines` foreign minister, Perfecto Yasay, said of their short meeting. "It all springs from the fact that the relationship between the Philippines and the United States is firm, very strong." Duterte had his outburst on Monday when he was defending his war on drugs that has killed at least 2,400 Filipinos. Notorious for his tirades and for cursing during interviews and speeches, he later expressed regret for offending Obama. The two men shook hands and chatted for about two minutes as they waited to take their seats at a gala dinner ahead of Thursday`s East Asia Summit, according to Yasay and several of Duterte`s aides. Alan Cayetano, who was Duterte`s vice-presidential running mate in this year`s election, described the atmosphere as "warm and cordial", while a White House official said "the exchange consisted of pleasantries between the two". Tensions between the United States and the Philippines, its former colony, are unusual at high-level meetings. The two countries are treaty allies and Washington has strongly backed Manila`s calls for China to abide by a recent ruling over the South China Sea, which the Philippines won. China is among the countries taking part in Thursday`s summit, which includes the 10 Association of South East Asian Nations member states and Japan, South Korea, Australia, India, Russia and the United States Philippines ambassador to Laos, Marciano Paynor, said the tiff with Obama was part of a learning curve for Duterte, who needed a chance to make the transition from being a city mayor to a head of state. "He has to experience it," he said. "If you don`t experience it, you don`t know how it`s done, you`ll be grappling." Washington: US Presidential nominees Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton addressed topics ranging from national security to veteran affairs in their first television forum here. The two struck a pointed contrast on deploying ground troops to Iraq during the town hall held in New York on Wednesday by NBC News and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Democratic presidentaial nominee Clinton pledged that the US was "not putting ground troops into Iraq ever again, and we are not putting ground troops into Syria", while the Republican nominee disagreed, reported the Guardian. Trump, who has long talked about the importance of "taking the oil" in the Middle East, said: "We would leave a certain group behind and they would take the various sections where they have the oil." The forum came hours after Trump laid into Clinton as "trigger happy". During an address on defence spending in Philadelphia earlier in the day, the former reality TV star suggested there wasn't a country in the Middle East that Clinton did not want to invade -- an assertion he repeated on Wednesday evening. The US currently has roughly 5,000 troops deployed in Iraq, mostly as official non-combat advisers for the Iraqi military, along with special operations forces. Navy and Air Force pilots also participate daily in air attacks on the Islamic State terrorist group. The discussion took place a little under three weeks before the first Presidential debate on September 26. In response to a question from the audience on military sexual assault, Trump cited his tweet from 2013 in which he suggested that the epidemic was a consequence of allowing women to serve in the military. Trump also called for "a court system within the military", seemingly unaware that the military has always been governed by a court system separate from civilians. When asked what he would do, if elected as President, to curb military sexual assault, Trump remained vague. "We have to come down very hard on that and do something about that," he said. Trump also touched his bumpy relationship with various foreign leaders. He further talked about his so-called "bromance" with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he repeatedly praised and cast as a better leader than Barack Obama. Trump went on to characterise his relationship with Putin as mutually beneficial. "If he says great things about me, I'm gonna say great things about him," he said. "I think when he calls me brilliant, I'll take the compliment. OK? "I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Putin and a very good relationship with Russia." Clinton, by contrast, sought to re-emphasise her foreign policy expertise while defending her legacy as Obama's Secretary of State. The Democratic nominee repeated once more that it was "a mistake" for her to use a private email server while at the helm of the State Department. "I have made no excuses for it. It was something that should not have been done," Clinton said. Clinton struck a similar tone when discussing her support for the Iraq war, although not without pointing out that Trump also backed the invasion but has refused to acknowledge his support. "I took responsibility for my decision," she said of her vote for the Iraq war. "My opponent has refused to take responsibility for his support." However, Trump asserted that he had been against the war all along. Clinton also pointed out there was "no difference" between her position on Libya and that of Trump. "He's on record extensively supporting intervention in Libya," she said. Trump, in turn, criticised the Obama administration as pursuing "the dumbest foreign policy" he had ever seen. "The Generals have been reduced to rubble," Trump said, when pressed on the assertion he made during his campaign that he knows more about Islamic State than military Generals. Asked what his own strategy would look like against the militant group, Trump declined to comment. "I have a substantial chance of winning -- make America great again," he said. "If I win, I don't want to broadcast to the enemy what my plan is." New York: Hillary Clinton has said the US will go after ISIS terror group and its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi the same way America had focussed on defeating al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden if she is elected as the next president. "We have to defeat ISIS. That is my highest counterterrorism goal and we have got to do it with air power. We have got to do it with much more support for the Arabs and the Kurds who will fight on the ground against ISIS. We have to squeeze them by continuing to support the Iraqi military," Democratic presidential candidate Clinton said here yesterday. A 'commander in chief' forum, hosted by NBC on the decommissioned USS Intrepid which is now a floating museum, brought Clinton, 68, and her Republican rival Donald Trump, 70, together just weeks before they square off at the first presidential debate on September 26. While Clinton and Trump did not come face to face at the forum, they were questioned one after the other by Today show anchor Matt Lauer, who moderated the forum. Clinton vowed that under her presidency, she will not send ground troops into war-ravaged Iraq or Syria, but said the White House will ensure that the Iraqi military has all the support, including special forces, surveillance, intelligence, reconnaissance help. "They are not going to get ground troops. We are not putting ground troops into Iraq ever again and we are not putting ground troops into Syria. We are going to defeat ISIS without committing American ground troops. So those are the kinds of decisions we have to make on a case-by-case basis," Clinton said as she assured that it is in America's national security interest to defeat ISIS. "I intend to make that happen. And as part of it, we are going after Baghdadi, the leader, because it will help us focus our attention, just like going after bin Laden helped us focus our attention in the fight against al-Qaida in the Afghanistan-Pakistan theater," she added. On the threat of terror attacks on the US soil, Clinton said she will do "everything in my power" to ensure Americans are safer on the streets of San Bernardino or Boston at the end of her presidency than they are today. She, however, cautioned that achieving this result will be a huge challenge. "We have got to have an intelligence surge. We have got to get a lot more cooperation out of Europe, out of the Middle East. We have to do a better job of not only collecting and analysing the intelligence we do have, but distributing it much more quickly down the ladder to state and local law enforcement," Clinton said. She also said the US will have to do a better job combating ISIS online, where they recruit and radicalise and the nation will have to take the support of technology giants in Silicon Valley in disrupting the terror group's online plans. " I do not think we are doing as much as we can. We need to work with Silicon Valley. We need to work with our experts in our government. We have got to disrupt, we have got to take them on in the arena of ideas that, unfortunately, pollute and capture the minds of vulnerable people. So we need to wage this war against ISIS from the air, on the ground and online, in cyberspace," Clinton said. Making strong case for gun reforms to tackle homegrown threats, Clinton said there is need to pass a law prohibiting people on the terrorist watch list from being able to buy a gun in the US. She said the solution does not lie in insulting Muslim- American families but in working with America's Muslim partners to defeat ISIS. "Going after American-Muslims, defaming a Gold Star family, the family of Captain Khan, making it more difficult for us to have a coalition with Muslim majority nations is not going to help us to succeed in defeating ISIS and protecting our American homeland," she said, a reference to Trump's remarks against Humayun Khan, who lost his life while in Iraq for the US military. New York: Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that Russia`s Vladimir Putin had been a better leader than US President Barack Obama, as the Republican presidential nominee used a televised forum to argue he was best equipped to reassert America`s global leadership. Trump suggested at the event in which he and Democratic rival Hillary Clinton made back-to-back appearances that US generals had been stymied by the policies of Obama and Clinton, who served as the Democratic president`s first secretary of state. "I think under the leadership of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton the generals have been reduced to rubble. They have been reduced to a point thats embarrassing for our country," Trump said at NBC`s "Commander-in-Chief" forum in New York attended by military veterans. It was the first time Trump and Clinton had squared off on the same stage since accepting their parties` presidential nominations in July for the November 08 election. Clinton was grilled over her handling of classified information while using a private e-mail server during her tenure at the State Department. FBI director James Comey had declared her "extremely careless" in her handling of sensitive material but did not recommend charges against her. "I did exactly what I should have done and I take it very seriously, always have, always will," she said. Trump`s praise of Putin and his suggestion that the United States and Russia form an alliance to defeat Islamic State militants could raise eyebrows among foreign policy experts who feel Moscow is interfering with efforts to stem the Syrian civil war. "If he says great things about me, Im going to say great things about him," Trump said of the Russian president. "Certainly in that system, hes been a leader, far more than our president has been." Trump had called Obama "the founder of ISIS," an acronym for Islamic State, in stump speeches several weeks ago. The statement drew broad criticism, prompting him to take a more disciplined approach to campaigning. He has since picked up ground on Clinton in national opinion polls. Trump also flirted with revealing what he had been learning in classified intelligence briefings given to him by US officials because he is the Republican nominee. "There was one thing that shocked me," Trump said. "What I did learn is that our leadership, Barack Obama, did not follow what our experts ... said to do, and I was very, very surprised. ...Our leaders were not following what they recommended." Earlier on Wednesday, Trump pledged to launch a new US military buildup, saying America was under threat like never before from foes like Islamist extremists, North Korea and China. DEBATE PREVIEW? The event offered a prelude to how Clinton and Trump will deal with questions on national security issues in their three upcoming presidential debates later in September and in October. Clinton began the forum saying her long experience in government as a US senator and secretary of state made her uniquely qualified to serve as president. She said she had "an absolute rock steadiness" to be able to make tough decisions, a not so subtle dig at Trump, who Democrats say is temperamentally unfit for the White House. Moderator Matt Lauer doggedly pressed her about her handling of e-mails from a private server while secretary of state from 2009 to 2013. The issue has raised questions about whether she can be trusted to serve as president. Clinton said none of the e-mails she sent or received were marked top secret, secret or classified, the usual way such material is identified. Appearing in the second half of the hour-long show, Trump faced questions about his fitness for office. Asked if he would be prepared on Day One to be commander in chief, Trump said: "One hundred percent." Trump quickly abandoned Lauer`s entreaties to avoid attacking his opponent and focus on what he would do if elected president in November. "She`s been there for 30 years," Trump said. "We need change, and we need it fast." The event brought together the meticulously prepared Clinton, 68, the wife of former President Bill Clinton, and Trump, 70, a New York businessman whose brash, freewheeling style has allowed him to dominate the headlines during his campaign. Clinton said she regretted her decision as a US senator from New York to vote in favor of the much-criticized 2003 Iraq war and that Trump had been in favor of it as well. Trump has condemned the war during his campaign and said he would avoid lengthy conflicts in the Middle East. On the US intervention in Libya in 2011, Clinton rejected Trump`s criticism of her support for the effort as secretary of state. "Permitting there to be an ongoing civil war in Libya would be as threatening and as dangerous as what we are seeing in Syria," she said. Trump said Clinton`s handling of Libya proved disastrous. Republicans have made much of the fact that the US ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, was killed in an Islamist attack in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012. "She made a terrible mistake in Libya," said Trump. Clinton said US policies under her leadership at the State Department had helped promote security. "We made the world safer," she said. Islamabad: Describing Pakistan as a "responsible" nuclear state, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry has said the country's nuclear assets are "safe" and it qualifies for NSG membership. Addressing a conference on "Assessing South Asia`s Nuclear Security" organised by Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) here, Chaudhry said, people of Pakistan are the owners of Pakistan`s nuclear programne which is meant only for its defence as a sovereign nation. "Pakistan has always voiced its desire for strategic stability and urges all regional partners to utilise resources for economic development instead of furthering nuclearisation in the region that in turn usher insecurity in the region," he said. Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state and its nuclear assets are safe and regularised by an autonomous body which is Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Radio Pakistan quoted him as saying. He said Pakistan qualifies for the membership for Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and has mobilised the member countries for supporting the cause. The Foreign Secretary hoped that political and commercial motives will not hinder Pakistan's membership for the NSG. Chaudhry said Pakistan has urged the international community and particularly the United States to shun discriminatory practices in the context of nuclear and defence ties as it jeopardizes the stability of whole region. "Credible minimum deterrence remains our principle and as a sovereign country we take every step for the defence of our motherland if any strategic partnership or alliance threats our security and regional stability," he said. Referring to recent US-India defence deal, he said we have no comments for the bilateral relations of any country if "these do not undermine our security and stability of the region." He said Pakistan is a staunch advocate of nuclear non- proliferation at international level and believes in amicable solution of all disputes. In the context of India and Pakistan bilateral relations, he said both countries need to bolster the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to reach pragmatic solutions for their long standing disputes. He said dialogue is the only way possible to keep the relations at a positive trajectory. Majuli: The world's largest river Island Majuli became India's first and only island district after the Assam government on Thursday gave approval for its upgradation. The 352 square km island was till now a subdivision of Jorhat district. With the upgrade, it has become the 35th district of Assam. A state Cabinet meeting was held on the island on Thursday, which was attended by all Cabinet colleagues of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The meeting unanimously made several key decisions to develop the island district into a developed one in the days to come. Sonowal also inaugurated the Deputy Commissioner`s office of the Majuli district and addressed a public meeting. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in Assam had decided to upgrade the Majuli subdivision to a district in its first ever Cabinet meeting on May 24, immediately after assuming office in the north-eastern state. Sonowal contested from Majuli constituency in the Assam assembly elections in April and defeated Congress candidate Rajib Lochan Pegu, who had represented the constituency for the last three terms since 2001. "When I proposed in the Cabinet that Majuli be upgraded to a district, everyone agreed. So the credit goes to everyone in the Cabinet. However, as I represent Majuli in the assembly, my responsibility is more. People of the island will not forgive me if I fail to translate their dreams into reality," the Chief Minister said at the public rally on the island on Thursday. "Majuli has a lot of problems. A lot needs to be done. The government will leave no stone unturned to make it one of the best and developed districts of the state," Sonowal said. The Chief Minister said that his government was also preparing a dossier to be presented to Unesco authorities for getting the World Heritage Site status for the island. Speaking on the occasion, Assam Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said the island will be connected with Guwahati through bus service. Other steps will also be taken to develop communications network for the benefit of Majuli residents, he added. The Chief Minister has announced a cultural university as well as an ayurvedic hospital in Majuli. Housing a population of over 1.5 lakh, Majuli faces flood and erosion every year. The island has already lost 60 per cent of its landmass to erosion since 1950. The island is mostly accessible through boats and remains cut off from the rest of the state during floods, causing great miseries to its residents. Majuli residents hitherto had to visit Jorhat by crossing the mighty Brahmaputra river for every single administrative work. The government has assured that offices of all state departments will be opened in Majuli within two to three months. Raipur: Giving a fillip to the ongoing drive for rehabilitation of Maoists, 72 of the Left extremists, including two women, surrendered before the district authorities in Chhattisgarh's Bastar area on Thursday, a senior police officer said. SP-Narayanpur, Abhishek Meena, said that 70 male and two female Maoists left their outfits and have decided to get absorbed into mainstream society. "Out of those who surrendered, 45 are of the Jan Militia and one a Party Committee President," Meena said. Meena said a warrant was also issued by a Court against 18 Maoists who have surrendered. Three Local Guerrilla Squad members were rewarded Rs 1 lakh each, while others were also rewarded. New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party leader Ashutosh will on Thursday appear before the National Commission for Women (NCW) to give an explanation for his controversial blog in defence of sacked Delhi minister Sandeep Kumar over an "objectionable CD". The NCW had on Monday summoned the AAP leader for "demeaning" women through the article. Kumar has since been booked for rape and arrested after the woman featuring in the video filed a complaint with police. In his article titled "The Sex Was Consensual, Private Act. Why AAP Punished Its Man", which was published on NDTV website on September 01, Ashutosh had said a public figure is entitled to his or her private space and they should not be chased, suggesting that what Kumar did in private should not be a matter of debate and also that the liaison between Kumar and the woman could have been consensual. He said that tall public figures such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, Atal Behari Vajpayee and George Fernandes had relations with more than one women but this aspect of their life was seldom discussed or held against them. NCW chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam had said on Monday that the language of the article was derogatory and "demeaning" towards women. While issuing summons Kumaramangalam said, "The summons are in response to what we feel is a very reprehensible and demeaning blog Ashutosh wrote, where he defended a man accused of rape." She also said that Ashutosh was wrong to jump the gun and pronounce Sandeep Kumar innocent when a police investigation was on. The NCW chairperson said it did not behove a party spokesperson to defend a party MLA accused of a sexual crime. (With Agency inputs) New Delhi: In a big blow for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi High Court on Thursday revoked the Aam Aadmi Party government's order to appoint 21 legislators as parliamentary secretaries. A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal passed the order after the counsel appearing for the Delhi government "conceded" that the March 13, 2015, order was issued without taking concurrence or views of Lieutenant Governor. Senior advocate Sudhir Nandrajog, who appeared for the Delhi government, referred to the August 04 judgement passed by the High Court which had quashed several notifications issued by the AAP government on the ground that they were issued without taking concurrence of the LG. "Today I have to concede that the judgement (of August 4) stands against me (Delhi government)," Nandrajog told the bench. Taking into consideration the submissions advanced by the Delhi government, the bench said, "the impugned order of the GNCTD is set aside". During the brief hearing, Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain told the bench that the Election Commission was also seized of the matter pertaining to the appointment of 21 legislators as parliamentary secretaries. In its August 04 judgement, the High Court had held that Delhi was a Union Territory and LG remained its administrative head. The Centre had on July 13 opposed the appointment of 21 parliamentary secretaries by the Aam Aadmi Party government, saying the post neither finds place in the Constitution, nor does it find a place in the Delhi Members of Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualification) Act of 1997, except for the post of Parliamentary Secretary to the Chief Minister. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had told the court that such an appointment was "not covered by the law." The MHA had made the submission in an affidavit filed in response to the court's notice to the Centre on an NGO's PIL seeking quashing of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's order appointing 21 AAP MLAs as Parliamentary Secretaries. In its affidavit, the MHA had also said that the Delhi government had tried to legalise the appointment of the 21 parliamentary secretaries by amending the Delhi Members of Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualification) Act, but the President has withheld his assent to the measure. On July 13, the HC had fixed the matter for hearing today after the Delhi government said that a petition has been moved before the Election Commission for disqualification of the 21 MLAs and the poll panel has issued a notice in that. On October 07 last year, the AAP had defended its decision in the high court, saying the move does not amount to the creation of a "public office". "The provision of parliamentary secretary is merely to assist the minister in connection with the public and the rest of the Assembly and ensuring a harmonious functioning," it had said in an affidavit. The AAP government had told the court that no office akin to the Council of Ministers has been created and no additional hierarchy was being imposed upon the Legislative Assembly. It had also stated that the parliamentary secretaries were not given any access to confidential documents which are exclusively within the domain of the Minister. NGO Rashtriya Mukti Morcha had claimed in its plea that the Chief Minister had issued "unconstitutional and illegal order" in gross violation of the constitutional provisions and the Transaction of Business of the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi rules, 1993. Denying the NGO's allegation, the Delhi government had said it was not bypassing the statutory functions of the LG. (With Agency inputs) New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was on Thursday mobbed and chased by the BJP women's wing workers as he arrived at the New Delhi railway station to board a train for Punjab. According to reports, the members of Delhi BJP women wing protested against CM and demanded that he speak on misconduct of his MLAs and expel Ashutosh from AAP. The BJKP workers protested against the scandals involving AAP party leaders. Delhi BJP women wing protest against Delhi CM, demand he speak on misconduct of his MLAs & expel Ashutosh from AAP pic.twitter.com/ReacRsami3 ANI (@ANI_news) September 8, 2016 The BJP supporters chased the AAP leader as he entered the platform to board the train for Ludhiana and angrily shouted slogans. They chanted 'Kejriwal hai hai', 'Kejriwal istifa do'. Kejriwal is going to Ludhiana to hold meetings with the candidates for the 2017 Punjab Assembly election. AAP leaders have voiced concerns over Delhi CM's security breach and blamed BJP for the fiasco. @ArvindKejriwal ? ? Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) September 8, 2016 This comes just days after AAP MLA Devendra Sherawat claimed that AAP leaders in Punjab were sexually exploiting women in return for tickets. Recently, Sandeep Kumar, who held the Women and Child Welfare and Social Welfare portfolios, was sacked from the council of ministers by Arvind Kejriwal after he received a nine-minute-long CD in which Kumar was purportedly shown in a compromising position with a woman. Share your views on AAP sex scandal here. New Delhi: Former Delhi government minister and AAP leader Sandeep Kumar wll be produced before a court here in connection with a case of rape filed against him by a woman recently. The court had on Sunday remanded ousted Delhi minister in one-day police custody in connection with the sex CD row. Kumar was arrested by Delhi Police last week after a woman alleged that he had drugged and raped her a year ago. The arrest came days after Kumar was sacked from the Delhi Cabinet following the release of a video showing the complainant and him in a "compromising position". Kumar was sacked by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after a CD that contained an 'objectionable' video landed at AAP's office in Delhi. Kumar also lost his primary party membership. To determine the authenticity of the CD, the Delhi Police's Crime Branch has initiated an investigation. Paris: French police have arrested a second couple in connection with a car found carrying seven gas cylinders near Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, a judicial official said on Thursday. The couple were arrested on Wednesday evening and taken into custody. Further details were not immediately available. A first couple, aged 34 and 29, were arrested on a motorway on Tuesday in southern France also in connection with the incident on Saturday and remain in custody. There was no detonating device present in the car, found on a Seine riverside stretch called the Quai de Montebello, metres from Notre-Dame, one of Paris`s most popular attractions. Documents with writing in Arabic were also found in the car. More than 200 people have been killed in attacks by militant Islamists in France over the past 18 months. France remains on maximum alert after calls by the Islamic State group for followers to attack the country, which is taking part in bombing the militant group`s bases in Iraq and Syria. Ankara: Turkey's state-run news agency said authorities have issued detention warrants for six generals and scores of other military personnel as part of an ongoing investigation into the July 15 failed coup. Anadolu Agency says the warrants were issued by the Istanbul chief prosecutor's office today. Turkey accuses US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen of orchestrating the coup attempt that led to more than 270 deaths and has launched a sweeping crackdown on his followers. Close to 5,000 military personnel have been dismissed since the coup, including 151 generals and admirals. Nearly 43,000 people overall have been dismissed from government jobs. Tens of thousands of people have been detained for questioning and more than 17,000 including soldiers, police, judges and journalists have been formally arrested to face trial. Surat: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is hoping to put up a major show of strength of Patels at a rally here on Thursday in the presence of national party president Amit Shah to honour new Patel Ministers in the Vijay Rupani-led Gujarat government. Dubbed Rajasvi Sanman Samaroh (royal felicitation ceremony), the event is expected to send the message to agitating Patidar leaders like Hardik Patel that the BJP continues to hold sway over the community. Besides Amit Shah, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani would attend the programme where all Patel legislators and ministers would be honoured. It has been organised by Patidar Sanman Samiti. The BJP has been holding a series of meetings and public contact programmes across Surat to make the event a huge success. Sources claimed that the party is looking at mobilising not less than three to four lakh people at the rally. Several BJP leaders have been stationed in the diamond city of Surat to reach out to Patels in residential societies as well as public places. Some leaders are also holding one-on-one meetings with prominent people of the community. "It is our tradition that whenever any community member achieves something, he or she is honoured. The Patels, as part of this tradition, have decided to felicitate Patel leaders who have taken over as new state party President (Jitubhai Vaghani) and Ministers," Purushottam Rupala, Union Minister of State for Agriculture, said. Rupala is also a Patel. Minister of State for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja told reporters that "The function will see the presence of lakhs of Patidars and Gujarat will be energised and motivated afresh." He visited the venue to review the security arrangements in wake of reports that a section of Patels may create ruckus at the event. Groups of Patels have been disrupting several BJP and government functions since the beginning of their quota stir last year. They even tried to raise slogans in support of their cause as recently as August 30 at a public function of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jamnagar, where he had come to inaugurate the first phase of a Rs 12,000-crore irrigation project. The reservation agitation leaders from the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) of Hardik Patel and Sardar Patel Group (SPG) have also been holding parallel meetings across the city to ensure the BJP event does not succeed. Even Congress leaders are learnt to be preparing for this. "We will show our dissent at the event in a Gandhian manner and raise slogans of `Jai Sardar` to oppose the holding of the event," Lalji Patel, chief of SPG said. Meanwhile, the Surat police has picked up PAAS convenors Varun Patel and Lalit Vasoya in Surat. The two have been speaking openly against the event and alleging that the organisers were holding it under pressure from Amit Shah and the BJP. Surat: BJP president Amit Shah along with Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and other party leaders were booed off stage as the members of Hardik Patel's Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti created ruckus and vanadalised furniture at a programme to felicitate Patel leaders here. Chaos prevailed outside the venue as well as in Mota Varraccha area, where Patidar community members from the locality hurled stones at police. The function, supposed to be the show of strength of BJP in the Patidar stronghold, wound up hastily within minutes with Patel leaders cutting short their speeches while Shah could speak for hardly four minutes amid sloganeering. The ruckus started even before the commencement of the function with the Patel quota agitators raising slogans like "Jai Sardar, Jai Patidar" and hailing Hardik, even as they damaged furniture at the venue and flung chairs in air. The programme was organised by 'Patidar Abhivadan Samiti', an outfit floated by a local businessmen, to felicitate Patidar leaders including the newly-appointed state BJP chief Jitu Vaghani, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, Union ministers Purshottam Rupala and Manshukh Mandaviya. Though police detained several members of Patidar community, the protest continued. The slogan shouting continued even when top BJP leaders like Shah and Rupani started their respective address, forcing them to cut short their speech. While Shah wound up within four minutes, Rupani too could not speak for more than three minutes. The organisers abruptly declared the programme closed and the leaders were whisked away. The showdown was anticipated as the programme, viewed as BJP's outreach to Patels for 2017 Gujarat Assembly elections, was organised in the Patel-dominated Mota Varraccha area. Hardik-led PAAS and Sardar Patel Group (SPG) of Lalji Patel, who are spearheading the quota stir, had called upon their supporters yesterday to protest at the venue of today's programme. Surat: BJP president Amit Shah along with Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and other party leaders were booed off stage as the members of Hardik Patel's Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti created ruckus and vanadalised furniture at a programme to felicitate Patel leaders here. Chaos prevailed outside the venue as well as in Mota Varraccha area, where Patidar community members from the locality hurled stones at police. The function, supposed to be the show of strength of BJP in the Patidar stronghold, wound up hastily within minutes with Patel leaders cutting short their speeches while Shah could speak for hardly four minutes amid sloganeering. The ruckus started even before the commencement of the function with the Patel quota agitators raising slogans like "Jai Sardar, Jai Patidar" and hailing Hardik, even as they damaged furniture at the venue and flung chairs in air. The programme was organised by 'Patidar Abhivadan Samiti', an outfit floated by a local businessmen, to felicitate Patidar leaders including the newly-appointed state BJP chief Jitu Vaghani, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, Union ministers Purshottam Rupala and Manshukh Mandaviya. Though police detained several members of Patidar community, the protest continued. The slogan shouting continued even when top BJP leaders like Shah and Rupani started their respective address, forcing them to cut short their speech. While Shah wound up within four minutes, Rupani too could not speak for more than three minutes. The organisers abruptly declared the programme closed and the leaders were whisked away. The showdown was anticipated as the programme, viewed as BJP's outreach to Patels for 2017 Gujarat Assembly elections, was organised in the Patel-dominated Mota Varraccha area. Hardik-led PAAS and Sardar Patel Group (SPG) of Lalji Patel, who are spearheading the quota stir, had called upon their supporters yesterday to protest at the venue of today's programme. Surat SP Mayursinh Chavda said the situation in and around Mota Varachha is under control. "The situation is totally under control. There was no untoward incident in the area. No one was injured during the entire incident," he said. Surat rural police said at least 35 persons were detained, but there were no reports of violence. PAAS termed the incident as its victory. "For some time, there was a battle going on between BJP and Patels. Finally, we won the battle and stripped the dignity of BJP. A single appeal by Hardik has ruined entire program by BJP. I hope Amit Shah enjoyed his stay in Gujarat," PAAS spokesperson Brijesh Patel said in a statement. State BJP president Jitu Vaghani blamed Congress for the incident. "Patidar community has always been with the BJP and will remain with us. Let Congress, our opposition, do whatever they want to, it can't take away community's support from BJP," he said. "BJP government has given security, development and it takes all communities together," he added. Earlier, in his short speech Shah said, "Progress of BJP, Gujarat and Patidar community are interconnected. Looking at the history of Gujarat, the progress made by the Patidar community in the state is connected to the history of Gujarat. Similarly, the growth of BJP in the state is linked to the Patidar community". "I express my gratitude to the community for the contribution made by it for the progress of the party," he said. Shah said in the history of BJP, in progress from 1995 to 2016, Patidar community has made great contributions and the party accepts this contribution with all due respect. Patel community is agitating for the last one year for its inclusion in the OBC category to avail reservation in government educational institutes and jobs. Lahore: An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has issued notices to seven accused of 2008 Mumbai attack case, including LeT commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, and the government on a plea to examine the boat used by the 10 LeT terrorists to reach the Indian coast. "The Anti-Terrorism Court in Islamabad held Mumbai case hearing at the Adiala Jail Rawalpindi on Wednesday and issued notices to seven suspects and the prosecution to present arguments regarding inspection of Al-Fauz boat parked at the port city of Karachi," news agency PTI quoted a court official as saying after the hearing. He said both prosecution and defence lawyers would present their arguments on next hearing on 22 September. Last month the Islamabad High Court had set aside the verdict of trial court in Mumbai case for not allowing a commission to Karachi for inspection of Al-Fauz. The HC had termed the trial court's decision as "flawed and not in accordance with law" and allowed examination of Al-Fauz. The prosecution had pleaded that vessel should be made "case property". Al-Fauz is in the custody of the Pakistani authorities in Karachi, from where the 10 militants, armed with AK-47 assault rifles and hand grenades, had left for India to carry out the Mumbai attack in November 2008. According to the Federal Investigation Agency, the attackers used three boats including Al Fauz to reach Mumbai from Karachi. It said the security agencies had also traced the shop and its owner from where the culprits bought the engine and the boat while a bank and a money exchange company were also traced which were used for the transaction of money. The 10 LeT militants had left Karachi on the boat on November 23, 2008. En route, they hijacked another boat, killing four of its crew. They forced the vessel's captain to take them close to the India shores. The captain was killed when the vessel reached Mumbai's coast. According to prosecution, all Pakistani witnesses have recorded their statements and trial cannot be concluded till recording the statements of Indian witnesses. LeT operations commander 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 attacks that left 166 people dead. Lakhvi, believed to be the mastermind of the attacks, is living at an undisclosed location after getting the bail a year ago. Other six suspects are in Adiala Jail Rawalpindi. The case has been underway for more than six years. With PTI inputs New Delhi: In the wake of a row over Cauvery water, Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan on Thursday underscored the need for evolving a consensus to bring the subject of water in Concurrent List. "There is a need to discuss whether this subject can be brought under Concurrent List in view of water crisis. Several problems can be solved if the subject is brought in the Concurrent List, for Centre can do something in case of disputes then. Right now, water is a state subject and we can't do much about it," he said while speaking about the row. The Minister of State for Water Resources, who had spoken on the issue during the last Monsoon session of Parliament as well, claimed that several Parliamentarians share his view and stressed on the need to evolve the consensus cutting party lines. "An initiative in this regard though should come from within the Parliament first. An environment in this regard should evolve first," he added. In the past, Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti and a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources too have stated the need for bringing the subject in the Concurrent List. In December last year, the Standing Committee had urged the Centre to initiate "earnest" efforts to build a national consensus for bringing water in the Concurrent List of Constitution so that a comprehensive plan can be prepared for water conservation. The Panel had said water needs to be dealt within a consultative manner, taking into consideration the overall national perspective and given the fact that country will face acute water crisis in near future, especially ground water. Water supplies, irrigation and canals, drainage and embankments and storage fall in the state list. The Supreme Court had on September 5 directed Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to Tamil Nadu for 10 days to ameliorate plight of the farmers there. Noting that the samba crops in Tamil Nadu would be adversely affected, a bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and U U Lalit directed Karnataka to ensure supply of water to Tamil Nadu. Following the decision, farmers and pro-Kannada outfit activists hit the streets and observed bandh in Karnataka's Mandya district, considered as the hotbed of Cauvery politics. Mumbai: A couple, facing social boycott in their village in coastal Konkan, today performed puja of the Ganesh idol installed at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' official residence Varsha in south Mumbai. The couple, Parmanand Hewalekar and wife Preetam, had reached the main gate of Mantralaya, the state Secretariat, yesterday, with an idol of Ganesh, after residents of their village barred them from celebrating Ganesh puja. Hearing their plight, Fadnavis invited them to Varsha, an official said. The couple was on a dharna at Mantralaya last night to seek justice against their social boycott. The Hewalekars have been ostracised by the 'jaat panchayat' of their village Mahadevache Kerwade in Kudal tehsil of Sindhudurg district. The ugly spectre of caste panchayats in Maharashtra resurfaced last month when a 45-year-old autorickshaw driver in Pune was allegedly driven to commit suicide after suffering sustained humiliation at the hands of an illicit caste tribunal. Arun Kisan Naikunji, who belonged to the Lingayat Gawli caste, allegedly took his own life at his home in Pune's Wadgaon Sheri area by hanging himself after he and his family were boycotted relentlessly for two years by the caste tribunal. He had suffered social exclusion for reportedly supporting an inter-caste marriage, which was attended by the victim's brother. Rome: Massimiliano Latorre, one of the two Italian marines facing murder charges for killing two Indian fishermen, has approached the Supreme Court seeking an extended stay in his country Italy till final decision of international tribunal on jurisdictional issue. According to news agency ANI, the apex court is expected to hear the case on September 20. ANI also quoted sources as saying that Italy has approached the highest court seeking modification of bail conditions imposed on one of its marines Massimiliano Latorre. Latorre and Salvatore Girone, who were on duty as security guards on-board the Italian-flagged commercial oil tanker MV Enrica Lexie, were arrested by Indian authorities in February 2012 after they shot dead two fishermen off the coast of Kerala Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Vikas Swarup had on Wednesday denied reports that Rome has asked India to let the two Marines, accused of killing two Indian fishermen in 2012, to stay back in Italy to boost bilateral ties. Swarup maintained that no assurances between two countries took place and added that the marines would remain under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India. During a meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Italian counterpart Paolo Gentiloni held on 4 September in Rome, Italy reportedly urged India to allow the two marines to stay back home. Lattore is currently in Italy on medical grounds after he suffered a stroke in 2014 and Girone, on the other hand, was also allowed to return on 'humanitarian grounds' in May this year. Vientiane: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a bilateral meeting with US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of 11th East Asia Summit in Vientiane, Laos. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the immediate priorities in the strategic bilateral partnership, including strengthening the civil nuclear cooperation and combating climate change. The two leaders shook hands and posed for the shutterbugs before beginning the bilateral meeting in perhaps one of their last such meetings before Obama demits office in November. After meeting the US President, Modi tweeted: Had a great discussion with @POTUS on India-USA relations. pic.twitter.com/4cqHwMwtMf Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2016 "President Obama praised Prime Minister Modi's initiatives to reform the Indian economy. In particular, the US President expressed confidence that the passage of GST will unleash significant economic activity," sources said. During the meeting, Obama also praised Modi's vision of entrepreneurship and innovation, which he said would be "very important for a country like India". Obama said that he had always been a friend of India and would continue to be a "strong partner of India and help in any way I can," according to sources. Both leaders reviewed the immediate priorities in the strategic partnership. They discussed climate change issues and energy cooperation. The two leaders also reviewed progress on Indo-US collaboration in nuclear energy, solar energy, and innovation, the sources said. The meeting was "very warm and friendly", they said. Modi praised President Obama for his contribution to the relationship and the growing trust between the two countries. He also invited the US President to visit India after demitting office to which Obama said he would welcome any opportunity to visit India. On a lighter note, Obama said he and his wife Michelle were yet to see the Taj Mahal. Last year, Obama had cancelled a planned trip to the Taj Mahal, cutting short his visit to India to travel to Saudi Arabia following King Abdullah's death. This is the eighth meeting between Modi and Obama in two years. Modi and Obama met for the first time at the White House in September 2014 when the Indian PM travelled to Washington DC at the invitation of the US President. Modi had also exchanged views with Obama on the sidelines of the G20 summit in China's Hangzhou on Sunday, with the US President praising the "bold policy" move on GST reform in a "difficult" global economic scenario. (With PTI inputs) Vientiane: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Myanmar's democracy icon and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday met here on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits and "positively assessed" bilateral security cooperation. "An icon of democracy, a partner for development. State Counsellor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted along with photos of the two leaders shaking hands and holding talks. Looking elegant in a peace sarong, blouse with a green stole with her trademark orchid flower pinned in her hair, 71-year-old Su Kyi briefed Modi on the progress in the peace and reconciliation process in Myanmar. Both sides "positively assessed" India-Myanmar security cooperation, Swarup said, in the backdrop of certain insurgent groups from northeastern states using the country for launching attacks. Last month, Myanmar had assured India that it will not allow any insurgent group to use its territory against New Delhi during the first high-level visit from India after the civilian government assumed office here when External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had called on President U Htin Kyaw and held extensive talks with Suu Kyi. Within a week, Myanmarese President Kyaw and Modi had also held wide-ranging talks in New Delhi during which the Prime Minister said India will stand by with Myanmar at "every step" of its new journey and that it wants to take the ties to "new heights". The two leaders today also discussed ways to boost cooperation in several areas including dairy farming, animal husbandry and agriculture besides discussing cooperation in the area of their shared Buddhist heritage. Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy brought down curtains on five decades of military rule, is the country's State Counsellor and Foreign Minister. During their talks, Modi also spoke about a possible agreement on pulses which had been discussed during Swaraj's visit to Myanmar, Swarup said. Modi complimented Suu Kyi on the victory of the NLD in the elections and welcomed her as an icon of democracy, he said. The Prime Minister assured the alumni of Delhi's Shri Ram College that India would always stand with the Government and people of Myanmar as the new government strived to fulfill the aspirations of the people. Modi said he was looking forward to receiving Suu Kyi in Goa for the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit. Cooperation in disaster manangement would be one of the important element of the Summit given that several countries in South Asia continued to face natural disasters, Modi said. Suu Kyi thanked the Prime Minister and said she was looking forward to visit India, where she had always felt at home. Vientiane (Laos): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asserted that Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is central to India's 'Act East' Policy. Expressing happiness over taking part in the ASEAN summit for the third time, PM Modi said, "he was delighted to renew close bonds of friendship with ASEAN." "India's engagement engagement is driven by common priorities, bringing peace, stability and prosperity to the region," PM Modi said. Emphasising on the need to enhance connectivity with the ASEAN nations, PM Modi said the engagement was driven by linking our economic success and development experiences. He stressed on fighting terrorism unitedly. Export of terror, growing radicalisation and spread of extreme violence are common security threats to our societies, the PM asserted. "The threat is local, regional, and transitional at the same time. Our partnership with ASEAN seeks to craft a response through coordination, cooperation at multiple levels," Modi said. He said that in the face of growing traditional and non traditional challenges, political cooperation was a key emerging in our relations. "We are willing to take concrete steps to enhance cooperation in cyber security, de-radicalisation and counterterrorism," he added. He proposed a joint task force on connectivity to work on extension of India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, while also proposing to enhance the ASEAN-India Fund with an additional grant of USD 50 million. Modi declared that India supports the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). "Sea lanes are life lines of global trade. India supports freedom of navigation based on UNCLOS," he added. Concluding his speech, the PM proposed to host Commemorative Summit on the theme Shared Values, Common Destiny in 2017. Washington/Vientiane: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Thursday meet US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos. The meeting between the two leaders will be one of their last such meetings before Obama demits office in November. The White House made the announcement of the bilateral meeting in its official announcement of the President's schedule. "In the afternoon, the President will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India," the White House said. The two leaders are expected to make brief remarks at the top of the meeting. This would be the eighth meeting between Modi and Obama in two years. They met for the first time at the White House in September 2014 when Modi travelled to Washington DC at the invitation of Obama. On Wednesday night, the two leaders along with Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah clinked glasses at a dinner gala thrown by the Laos Prime Minister in Vientiane. The two leaders met just days ago, on Sunday in Hangzhou, China, during the G20 Summit where Obama praised the passage of the Good and Services Tax bill by the Indian Parliament. (With Agency inputs) New Delhi: Delhi Police on Thursday told the court that it is searching for the dustbin where sacked AAP Minister Sandeep Kumar has thrown a recording device used for making a sex video featuring him. The police submission came while seeking extension of police custody remand of Kumar. During in-camera proceedings, Special Judge Poonam Chaudhary remanded Kumar to one day police custody after he presented before her the expiry of his three-day police custody. According to court sources, Delhi Police has sought custody of Kumar on the ground that during investigation it was revealed that Kumar has dumped the mobile phone and other device used for making the "objectionable video" in a dustbin, and it has to be recovered. Public Prosecutor Balbir Singh said that Kumar was not cooperating in the probe and the probe agency has to recover the original electronic device used for making the sex video. However, the police plea was opposed by Kumar's defence counsel Pradeep Rana who submitted that the police had not done any substantial investigation in the past four days and has not been able to find out the source of the alleged video yet. He also said that seeking extension of custody for recovery of an old video does not hold strong ground. Kumar is being quizzed 19 hours every day but police has failed to recover the alleged recording source, he said. The former Social Welfare and Women and Child Development Minister in the Delhi government was arrested last week after a woman approached Sultanpuri police station in north Delhi with a complaint of sexual harassment against him, following which a case was filed. Kumar was booked under Sections 376 (punishment for rape) and 328 (causing hurt by means of poison, with intent to commit an offence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He was also charged under the Information Technology Act's Section 67A (punishment for publishing or transmitting of material containing sexually explicit act in electronic form). The woman had alleged in her complaint that she was sexually harassed by Kumar at his office-cum-residence in Sultanpuri area where she had gone to get her ration card made. She had also alleged that Kumar had offered her a spiked cold drink following which she could not recall what exactly happened with her and how she had acted. A Delhi Police team on Sunday visited the same house where the woman had alleged she was raped. Kumar was sacked after the alleged "sex video" involving him became viral. He later defended himself, saying he had resigned on his own and claimed that he had been targeted because he was a Dalit. Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said he will soon be announcing more schemes like the distribution of free laptops and smart phones to the people of his state. Speaking at a function of the Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy, Yadav said he has been told that the Bharatiya Janata Party was rattled about the scheme and was planning to petition the Election Commission of India (ECI) alleging that the state government was bribing people. He, however, asserted that he was not shaken by the charge. "I am committed to the people of the state and their welfare and would do everything that can be done in this direction," he said while brushing aside charges that the smart phones were to lure people into voting for the ruling Samajwadi Party. "We are rolling out this scheme to empower people and assimilate information technology into governance," the 43-year-old Chief Minister said while dropping hints that many more such schemes were on the anvil. He also said that traffic management in cities could well be part of the Samajwadi Party (SP) poll manifesto for the Assembly polls in 2017. At this point, Urban Development Minister Mohd Azam Khan intervened and said that he should rather not spill the beans as the BJP might copy them. Yadav later laid the foundation of an 'Urdu Darwaza' to be built at Deoband and six hospitals which would be built across the state. Saying that his government was for all-round welfare of the people, irrespective of their caste or religion, Yadav cited examples of the Haj houses built at Ghaziabad and Lucknow and the Bhajan centres at Chitrakoot and Faizabad. "I am of the firm belief that the society, the state and the nation can only grow when there is peace, harmony and love for each other" the Chief Minister further stated. He also took a dig at the Bahujan Samaj Party government from which he took over, saying that while they were wasting precious public money in building monuments and parks, his government was spending the money on infrastructure, power and health sectors. Vientiane/Washington: Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday advocated the strongest action against states that use terrorism as an instrument of state policy, the United States in a blunt message told Pakistan that it cannot "pick and choose" the terrorist groups it goes after. The US also told Pakistan that it has to target militants who seek to harm its neighbours by taking refuge on its territory. At the same time, US rejected 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's remarks that America and India have joined hands against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which runs through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and the recent US-India defence logistics agreement is anti-Muslim. "...I would dismiss it (Saeed's comments) outright," Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner said in his daily press briefing. "...We made it very clear that Pakistan can't pick and choose which terrorist groups it goes after and it has to go after those groups that seek to do harm to its neighbours and may seek refuge on Pakistani soil," he said, as per PTI. Toner said the US has a strong bilateral relationship with Pakistan, "but one that is premised on counter-terrorism cooperation and as part of that conversation, or that dialogue and that cooperation that we have on counter-terrorism issues." The US earlier said it is in constant "conversation" with the Pakistani leadership on the threats posed by terror organisations like the Haqqani network and LeT operating in the region. The dreaded Haqqani network, which is blamed for several deadly attacks against Indian interests in Afghanistan including the 2008 bombing of the Indian mission in Kabul that killed 58 people, has also carried out a number of kidnappings and attacks against US interests in Afghanistan, the Afghan government and other civilian targets. US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter had refused to give the necessary Congressional certification to Pakistan and had blocked military aid worth USD 300 million to Islamabad for not taking sufficient action against the Haqqani network. One country in neighbourhood producing, exporting terror: PM Modi Meanwhile, stepping up his attack on Pakistan, PM Modi today said there is "one country in our neighbourhood" which "produces and exports" terror as he pressed the international community to isolate and sanction "this" instigator. "We need to target not only the terrorists, but also their entire supporting ecosystem," PM Modi added while addressing the 11th East Asia Summit, the premier forum of the Asia-Pacific region. "And, our strongest action should be reserved for those state actors who employ terrorism as an instrument of state policy," he said without naming Pakistan, as per IANS. The PM's fresh jibes directed at Pakistan came three days after he launched a sharp attack on Pakistan, saying that "one single nation" in South Asia is spreading the "agents of terror". He had told the G20 leaders in Hangzhou on Monday that those who sponsor the menace must be sanctioned and isolated, not rewarded. PM Modi meets President Barack Obama On the other hand, President Barack Obama today told PM Modi said that US "strongly supported" India's NSG membership bid, as they discussed the immediate priorities in the strategic partnership, including deepening the civil nuclear cooperation and combating climate change on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit, their eighth in the last two years. A White House official, giving details of the meeting, said, "Reaffirming the strong bonds of friendship between the United States and India, the President underscored that the United States strongly supports India's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)." The US has been playing a lead role in supporting India's bid in the 48-member elite group. China had scuttled New Delhi's bid at the Plenary Session of NSG in June. The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of the deepening partnership between the US and India and the value of their shared engagement in the region, including through the East Asia Summit, the official said. (With Agency inputs) Vientiane: The US "strongly supports" India's NSG membership bid, President Barack Obama today told Prime Minister Narendra Modi here as they discussed the immediate priorities in the strategic partnership, including deepening the civil nuclear cooperation and combating climate change. "Had a great discussion with President of the US (POTUS) on India-USA relations," Modi tweeted after his meeting with Obama on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit here, their eighth in the last two years. A White House official, giving details of the meeting, said, "Reaffirming the strong bonds of friendship between the United States and India, the President underscored that the United States strongly supports India's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)." The US has been playing a lead role in supporting India's bid in the 48-member elite group. China had scuttled New Delhi's bid at the Plenary Session of NSG in June. The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of the deepening partnership between the US and India and the value of their shared engagement in the region, including through the East Asia Summit, the official said. "President Obama praised Prime Minister Modi's initiatives to reform the Indian economy. In particular, the US President expressed confidence that the passage of GST will unleash significant economic activity," sources said. During the meeting, Obama also praised Modi's vision of entrepreneurship and innovation, which he said would be "very important for a country like India". Obama said that he had always been a friend of India and would continue to be a "strong partner of India and help in any way I can," according to sources. Both leaders reviewed the immediate priorities in the strategic partnership. They discussed climate change issues and energy cooperation. The two leaders also reviewed progress on Indo-US collaboration in nuclear energy, solar energy and innovation, the sources said. "President Obama thanked Prime Minister Modi for his cooperation on a broad range of global and bilateral issues and commended Prime Minister Modi's leadership in addressing the urgent threats posed by climate change," the White House official said. "The leaders noted our joint commitment, fulfilled by the United States in advance of the G20 Leaders' Summit, to join the Paris Agreement this year as well as our resolve to adopt an ambitious HFC amendment to the Montreal Protocol this year," the official added. The meeting was "very warm and friendly", sources said. Modi praised President Obama for his contribution to the relationship and the growing trust between the two countries. He also invited the US President to visit India after demitting office to which Obama said he would welcome any opportunity to visit India. On a lighter note, Obama said he and his wife Michelle were yet to see the Taj Mahal. Last year, Obama had cancelled a planned trip to the Taj Mahal, cutting short his visit to India to travel to Saudi Arabia following King Abdullah's death. This could be the last meeting between Modi and Obama as leaders of the two countries with Obama's second term as US President coming to an end in January next year. They met for the first time at the White House in September 2014 when Modi travelled to Washington DC at the invitation of Obama. Modi had also exchanged views with Obama on the sidelines of the G20 summit in China's Hangzhou on Sunday, with the US President praising the "bold policy" move on GST reform in a "difficult" global economic scenario. Brussels: A conference held under the aegis of Jammu Kashmir International People`s Alliance (JKIPA) passed resolutions demanding declaration of Jammu and Kashmir as indispensable political entity, while also pointing out that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has detrimental effects on Gilgit Baltistan environment. The JKIPA in a statement revealed the resolutions that were passed during the meeting held on September 6 in Brussels, Belgium. Declare that state of Jammu and Kashmir is indispensable political entity that comprises the areas of Gilgit Baltistan, Jammu, Ladakh , Kashmir valley and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) including the area which is handed over to the People`s Republic of China by Pakistan, the statement said. During the meeting, the alliance endorsed that only institutions of dialogue can pitch an amicable solution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue. Asserting that the CPEC has detrimental effects on Gilgit Baltistan environment, the meeting also highlighted that neighbouring countries are colonizing natural resources of Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK)."Herald both Pakistan and China that the project of their geo strategic interest is destroying ecosystem and livelihood of vulnerable communities," the statement said. The JKIPA also demanded that a provision should be incorporated in the agreement that future government of the state of Jammu and Kashmir shall have a right to negotiate new terms with the respective governments of Pakistan and China on the CPEC."Demand that since the China, Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is being built through a disputed region, therefore, a provision should be incorporated in the agreement that future government of the state of Jammu and Kashmir shall have a right to negotiate new terms with the respective governments of Pakistan and China," the statement said. The resolution also demanded that fabricated charges of sedition against political leaders of Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir must be withdrawn."All political prisoners including Baba Jan and his colleagues should release unconditionally," the statement said. The statement also criticised the extension of Protection of Pakistan Ordinance and National Action Plan (NAP) in Pakistani peripheries which they said are in principal contradiction of the United Nations Commission for India Pakistan (UNCIP) resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir. During the meeting, it was also decided to give emphasis on the revival of state subject rule in Gilgit Baltistan with clear reiteration that any demographic change in these areas would be rejected. Asking the world community to focus on constitutional restraints and democratic dispensation in Pakistan occupied Kashmir region, the JKIPA said that Islamabad must fulfill its commitment with regard to the Truce Agreement of 1948. New Delhi: A PIL was filed in the Supreme Court on Thursday against government funding to Kashmiri separatists, alleging that they are misusing the money for anti-India activities. Advocate ML Sharma has filed the plea, which seeks to stop government funding for separatists for their foreign travel. The PIL also alleged that the government spends more than Rs 100 crore on other expenses related to separatists. The Supreme Court asked the petitioner to number his petition before mentioning. Justice Anil Dave observed, "We also share the same feelings. Everybody sitting here feels the same. All this comes days after the separatists leaders refused to hold talks with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh-led all-party delegation to discuss Kashmir unrest. After Singh`s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, the Central government indicated that it would toughen its stand against the separatist leaders. According to the reports, the Centre will not only scrutinise the bank accounts of the separatists, but also speed up pending investigations in cases against them. They have also decided to keep an eye on activities of Kashmiri separatists, particularly Hurriyat leaders, and curtail their foreign travel by not issuing them passports. With ANI inputs Ranchi: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairperson Justice HL Dattu on Thursday said that the allegations with respect to the fake surrender of innocent young men posing as naxals in Jharkhand were found to be prima facie true, as per a media report. According to The Indian Express, the report has been sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the state government for comments. Prima facie, the allegations were found to be true. The probe report has been sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs and also the state government. Further action would be taken following their comments, Dattu was quoted as saying by the Daily. The case relates to the alleged stage-managing of fake surrender of well over hundred naxal-operatives in 2011-12. The matter had come to light in 2014 and a FIR was registered in this regard in March 2014. Later a CBI inquiry into the case had been recommended by the state government. After things supposedly did not move forward, the NHRC took cognisance of the matter and got it probed. As per the Daily, the CRPF, state police and military intelligence officials had allegedly connived to boost the surrender figures by promising jobs to these youths and making them pose as naxal-operatives. Dattu added that the commission had given the state CID three months to complete its investigation and submit a report regarding the Palamu encounter. Twelve people, including minor children, were killed in June 2015. However, no compensation had been recommended by the NHRC so far. Dattu was further quoted as saying by the Daily, The state has requested three months time, which we thought was reasonable, for submitting the report. The time has been granted. Once that report is filed, we will take further action." Bengaluru: Karnataka will shut down on Friday to protest against the state government releasing Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu on a Supreme Court directive amid deficit rains. With political parties also supporting the day-long shutdown called by a federation of over 500 pro-Kannada organisations, including farmers, traders and businesses, security has been stepped up and additional forces deployed across the state to maintain law and order. In Bengaluru, which solely depends on the river for drinking water to its 10-million denizens, the IT industry, comprising software majors Infosys and Wipro and about 400 multinationals, declared a holiday for its techies in support of the shutdown. In the absence of buses, taxis, autos and other vehicles, there will be no public transport from dawn-to-dusk in cities and towns across the state. The Karnataka government has declared a holiday for all schools and colleges to prevent inconvenience to students and teachers. Though government offices will remain open, attendance is likely to be thin in the absence of public transport, including metro services in Bengaluru. Banks, shops, markets, malls, hotels, bars, pubs, eateries, restaurant, theatres and petrol bunks will also remain closed during the day. "As releasing water has stirred the sentiments of the people, we do not oppose the bandh (shutdown), but it should be peaceful," Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters here and appealed to the people not to damage public property. Essential supplies, including milk and medicines, have been exempted from the shutdown. Ambulances will be allowed to ferry patients to hospitals. Train and air passengers departing or arriving in the city will have to depend on private vehicles for commuting from railway stations and airport or be stranded till evening in the absence of buses, cabs and autos. Bowing to the apex court's Monday order, the state began releasing daily 15,000 cusecs from early Wednesday from Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) and Kabini reservoirs across the river basin for 10 days amid protests and demonstrations by farmers, traders and youth in the Mysuru region. Admitting that frequent shutdowns cause inconvenience to the public, Kannada Okkuta (federation) president Vatal Nagaraj said there was no alternative to protest against injustice and failure of the government in protecting the interests of the people, especially farmers. Pune: Social crusader Anna Hazare, who recently voiced his displeasure over the alleged misconduct of the AAP leaders, has now threatened to launch an agitation against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal if more evidence of corruption surface against his government. Interestingly, the agitation for Lokpal bill had brought the two together. But the Ralegan Siddhi-based social activist has now completely distanced himself from Arvind Kejriwal and his party. The social crusader said on Wednesday that he would start an agitation against his one-time most trusted colleague - Delhi chief minister Kejriwal - in the national capital if he got concrete evidence of wrongdoing against Aam Aadmi Party ministers. Speaking to reporters at his native village Ralegan Siddhi, Hazare said he did not have doubts about Kejriwal's character. "But his reputation has been damaged because of the people he took in his party to win power. If he wishes to win over the confidence of people again, he should give up power and serve the nation again," he said. "Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is going to contest the Punjab elections but the voters will take into consideration the current turn of events while making the decision about whom to give their votes to," Hazare said, adding that it was unfortunate that reports had surfaced about women being exploited in exchange for tickets in Punjab. "Had Kejriwal selected people of good character in his party, he would not have faced this problem," the Gandhian said, adding that now there was no difference between other political parties and AAP. "I had hoped that something good will happen because Kejriwal has a good character," he said. Mumbai: A special women's court here on Thursday awarded capital punishment to Ankur Lal Panwar, two days after convicting the 26-year-old of murdering Delhi native Preeti Rathi in 2013 by throwing acid at her. Special Judge AS Shende pronounced the death penalty for the convict. On Wednesday, the prosecution sought the exemplary punishment for Panwar, saying an acid attack is a crime against women and Panwar did not commit the crime on the spur of the moment but it was a pre-planned attack. Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam yesterday termed the case fit for a death sentence, saying that it falls in the "rarest of the rare" category while Panwar's lawyer Apeksha Vora had pleaded leniency for her client, citing his young age and stating that he was the sole breadwinner for his family. "If he is given a lesser punishment and if he is released after completing the sentence, other girls would not be safe," Nikam had submitted. The objective of the sentencing is to deter criminals and like-minded persons from committing such crime, he had said, contending that "the court would be failing in its duty if a just and appropriate punishment was not awarded." Panwar is accused of murdering Delhi native Preeti Rathi in 2013 by throwing acid at her after he allegedly grew jealous of the nurse who had come to Mumbai to pursue a career in a defence hospital here. On Tuesday, Panwar was convicted under Sections 302 (murder) and 326 B (Voluntarily throwing acid) of the IPC. A resident of Narela in New Delhi, Rathi, then 24, had died of multiple organ failure after she developed severe health issues on account of swallowing the acid which Panwar threw on her on May 02, 2013 at the Bandra Railway Station here. Rathi, who had come to Mumbai join as a nurse in a defence hospital, succumbed to injuries at a private hospital here on June 01, 2013. Panwar was Rathi's neighbour in Bhakra Beas Management Board Colony in Delhi. The Mumbai Police filed a 1332-page charge sheet against Panwar, a hotel management graduate in April 2014 and also submitted a list of 98 witnesses after he was arrested from the national capital in January. As per the charge sheet, Panwar, threw concentrated sulfuric acid on Preeti at Bandra station here, as he envied her career growth. According to police, Rathi had secured a nursing job with the Ministry of Defence at the INHS Ashvini Hospital. Also, Panwar's parents often told him about his failure to get a job despite completing his education and would praise Preeti, who landed the job at the Navy hospital in Colaba. Panwar wanted to disfigure her face so as to destroy her career. He procured the acid on April 2 and boarded the same train taken by Preeti and her family to Mumbai. After his conviction two days ago, Panwar's mother Kailash had demanded a CBI inquiry claiming her son had been falsely implicated while Rathi's father Amar Singh Rathi had sought the death penalty for the accused. Panwar allegedly flung the bottle of acid on Preeti when she got down from Garib Rath Express at the Bandra Terminus and took the same train back home. The gruesome incident had set the local police on a wild goose chase as Panwar had covered his face at the time of the attack. The Railway Police, which initially probed the case, had arrested another neighbour of Rathi, Pawankumar Gahalon, but set him free as there was no evidence against him. Later, based on a Bombay High Court direction, the case was handed over to Mumbai Crime Branch, whose investigation led to Panwar and arrested him. Mohali: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday dismissed 'Awaaz e Punjab' formed by ex-BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu as a "bunch of fugitives and defectors", and said people who had "deceived" their mother party could never be loyal to the state and its people. He said Sidhu and his associates, including Pargat Singh, do not have any vision or commitment for the well being of Punjab. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a state-level function here, the Chief Minister said nothing could be expected from those who have backstabbed their parties for the lust of power. Reacting strongly to Sidhu's no-holds barred attack on the state government, Badal questioned why he didn't raise issues while he and his wife were part of the government. "The former MP from Amritsar was just issuing baseless and irrational statements just for the sake of scoring brownie points before media," he said. Sidhu had today said "'kaale Badal' (dark clouds) have overshadowed Punjab and people are keen to see sunlight". "People elect government for themselves and not for a family," Sidhu had said, alleging that Badals have made Punjab and the party as their family fiefdom. Badal also termed AAP as a party of "scandals" and said its the "internal tug of war would lead to the party tearing itself apart". New Delhi: Reversing its earlier order, the Supreme Court on Thursday lifted its stay on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the infamous Bulandshahr gang rape case. The order came days after the central probe agency approached the apex court to lift its stay on the ongoing probe in the case. The CBI has contended that the current ban may delay the filing of the chargesheet in the case. If a final probe report is not filed within 90 days of the arrest of the six accused, all of the accused will be entitled to statutory bail, the agency had argued. Responding to a petition filed by the rape victims husband, asking for a transfer of the case outside UP, the SC bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra had stayed the CBI probe. It also took strong exception to UP minister Azam Khans statement that the gang-rape was a political conspiracy and fixed September 29 to hear the case again. CBI had urged the top court that it will hardly have any time to file the chargesheet after September 29. That on behalf of the CBI, it is most humbly and respectfully submitted that continuation of stay of investigation by the CBI may result in disappearance of material evidence and may cause prejudice to the conduct of this case, the agency said. The FIR, initially lodged by the Uttar Pradesh Police under various sections of IPC was transferred to the CBI subsequent to the Allahabad High Court order. The petitioners wife and minor daughter were gang-raped on the night of July 29, when a group of highway robbers stopped their car. The accused dragged them out of the vehicle at gun-point and later assaulted the victims. Basti: The 'Kisan Mahayatra' of the Congress on Thursday reached Basti where party vice president Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to interact with farmers and also visit around a dozen villages, a party leader said. On the third day of his yatra, being seen as the biggest outreach by the party in the poll-bound state, the Gandhi scion is scheduled to interact with people, farmers, youth and party workers. Basti has five assembly segments and one parliamentary constituency. Gandhi is also slated to hold a road show. The town has been profusely decorated with Congress hoardings, banners and posters and the workers are working hard to ensure large crowds. After the road show, Gandhi would go through Katra and Badewan after which he is scheduled for a brief stopover at Haraiyya where he will be meeting family members of late freedom fighter Ram Ratan Pathak. The Congress leader, as has been the case in the past two days, will also visit a Dalit locality and is slated to have food at the house of one Kamla Devi. Everett (US): A US flag that turned up in Washington state in 2014 is believed to be the flag that was raised by firefighters above the site of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York. The finding comes after a two-year investigation by the Everett Police Department, with assistance from forensic experts. The flag will be donated to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Exactly how the flag wound up in Everett, a city about 30 miles north of Seattle, is a mystery. The flag disappeared from ground zero during the site cleanup. The police investigation began in November 2014, when a man dropped off a flag at an Everett fire station. Former Everett Police Detective Jim Massingale told The Daily Herald "the flag is likely the same flag." The detectives' investigation included DNA analysis, photographic comparisons and eyewitness identification. Beijing: China on Thursday asked its flag-carrier Air China to investigate the racial comments found in its in-house magazine advising London visitors to take 'precautions' when entering areas populated by "Indians, Pakistanis, and black people". "I have seen the report but I have no specific information on that," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing here while replying to questions on the Air China magazine's comments. "I have noticed that this morning Air China has already given a response to this issue. We hope Air China will properly deal with it," Hua said. Air China's 'Wings of China' has carried a long feature on visiting London. After a section on transport options and lifestyle and cultural activities in London, Wings of China has offered some "Tips from Air China". "London is generally a safe place to travel, however, precautions are needed when entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people," China's flagship carrier advises in the magazine. "The position upheld by the Chinese government is that all ethnic groups are equal.We are firmly opposed to any form of racial discrimination and this position is clear and consistent," Hua said. "For tips travelling in London, we will issue some specific travel warnings for people going to very dangerous places but for London, I have no specific tips for Chinese people there," she said. Asked if the Chinese ambassador will get involved, Hua said, "I have seen the report but no specific information on that. As I said China's policy concerning different races and ethnic groups is very clear...We urge Air China to properly deal with this issue and carry out a thorough investigation." Indian-origin Labour MP for Ealing Southall Virendra Sharma had tweeted yesterday, "This is offensive and I hope Air China will remove this magazine and apologise immediately." Sharma had demanded an apology from Air China for "blatant racism". In a statement, Sharma had said, "Today I have written in the strongest possible terms to His Excellency Mr Liu Xiaoming, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China, to raise my concerns about reports of racism in their inflight magazine." Beijing: China's military has equipped all of its ground forces with advanced WZ-10 combat helicopters which will be used to target battle tanks and air-to-air combat missions, a strategic move which could have implications for India. Several WZ-10s have been delivered to an aviation brigade of the PLA's 13th Group Army under the Western Theatre Command, the People's Liberation Army's TV news channel reported. This means that all of the Army's aviation units now have this advanced attack helicopter, state-run China Daily reported. Senior Colonel Xu Guolin, deputy chief of the PLA Army's Aviation Equipment Bureau, told the news channel that all of the group armies will have at least one aviation brigade or regiment. The helicopter was designed primarily for anti-tank missions, but now has a secondary air-to-air combat capability. Wu Peixin, an aviation analyst in Beijing, said the PLA Army now has a strong force of dedicated combat helicopters thanks to the service of the WZ-10 and WZ-19, another attack helicopter that is less powerful than the WZ-10. "The Army now needs more medium-lift, multipurpose helicopters such as the US Army's Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk," he said. "This helicopter is capable of performing both combat operations and transport tasks." Gao Zhuo, a military observer in Shanghai, said the PLA Army needs at least 3,000 helicopters, especially heavy-lift transport types and multipurpose models. Meanwhile, the Chinese military has discounted media reports that China's stealth fighter J-20, currently undergoing trials, will be deployed in Tibet along the India-China border. Reacting to reports that J-20 spotted at the Daocheng Yading Airport in Tibet, an article in the PLA website said that J-20 will be put into service soon but the 'China-India border is apparently not the ideal place for its deployment'. "In addition, the world's highest airport there does not have a complete set of supporting facilities and such shortage will impede the function of J-20," it said. "J-20 will not be deployed in Daocheng Yading airport as the airport is too close to the border, and it is vulnerable to India's first wave hit. If India is to deploy BrahMos missile on the China-India border, then the Daocheng Yading airport will likely to become its target," it said. "Experts pointed out that for India, China is undoubtedly its largest opponent and therefore every move of the Chinese military will touch the nerve of Indian media," it said. ? "India is not yet the biggest threat for China and though confrontation events along the border would occur from time to time, the overall situation is rather stable," it said. "In this way, China does not put too much emphasis and focus targeting India. Chinese equipment deployment and drills along the border are mostly confirmatory, mainly to gain experience, improve high-altitude combat capability, and form deterrent ability," it said. Conakry: Two Chinese vessels face huge fines after being caught fishing illegally in Guinea's waters, including one fine of up to $3.4 million, the country's fishing minister said as west Africa attempts to crack down on millions lost to foreign trawlers. The Chang Yuan Yu 6 and Lu Jiao Nan Yuan Yu 102 were among 14 vessels identified as operating illegally in a joint operation mounted by Gambia, Guinea yesterday, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal between August 28 and September 1 as part of a European Union-backed initiative. The Chang Yuan Yu 6 was escorted to port and held there, said minister Andre Loua, while the second vessel escaped. The boats were guilty of "unauthorised fishing in our economic zone without the required licence," Loua said. The maximum penalty of one million euros ($1.1 million) would be applied to the captured vessel while the second had the maximum doubled for the aggravating factor of fleeing. The crew of the first vessel have been freed, according to the minister. The same company owns the two ships but its name has yet to be disclosed. Experts have recently warned west Africa is missing out on vital income because of the masses of fish taken from their waters by trawlers from as far afield as South Korea. A lack of government transparency in the region, limited capacity to patrol the seas and legal loopholes once west Africa's fish arrive in Europe, its biggest market, all contribute to the situation. The sale of fishing rights to foreign operatives netted Africa $400 million in 2014, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, but could in theory generate $3.3 billion if the continent's own fleets caught and exported the fish. * PermaKat Eleonora Rosati received the 2022 Adepi Award * PermaKat Eleonora Rosati listed as one of the World Intellectual Property Review's "Influential Women in IP" of 2020. * PermaKat Eleonora Rosati listed as one of the Managing Intellectual Property magazine's "Fifty Most Influential People" of 2018. * IPKat founder and Blogmeister Emeritus Jeremy Phillips listed as one of the Managing Intellectual Property magazine's "Fifty Most Influential People" of 2005, 2011, 2013, and 2014. * Recommended by the European Patent Office as reading material for candidates for the European Qualifying Examinations, 2013. * Listed as "Top Legal Blog" in The Times Online, March 2011. 2010 ABA Journal 100. * One of the only two non-US blogs listed in the Blawg100. * Court Reporter Top Copyright Blog award winner, November 2010. * Number 1 in the 2010 Top Copyright Blog list compiled by the Copyright Litigation Blog, July 2010. * Selected by the United States Library of Congress for inclusion in its historic collections of Internet materials related to Legal Blawgs as of 2010. * Top Patent Blog poll 2009: 3rd out of 50 in the "Favourite Patent Blog" poll and 2nd out of 50 in the "Most-read" poll. Blog of the Year, 20 August 2008. * ComputerWeekly IT Law and Governance, 20 August 2008. United Nations: Zero-tolerance policy must be maintained against sexual exploitation by UN peacekeepers, a Chinese envoy to the United Nations (UN) has said. "All sides should safeguard the reputation of the UN and ensure the healthy development of peacekeeping activities," Xinhua news agency quoted Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, as saying on Wednesday in a General Assembly meeting. Wu said the UN peacekeepers deployed to a mission must maintain ethical conduct, strictly abide by laws and disciplines and respect the local community. He called on the troop-contributing countries (TCCs) of the UN peacekeeping missions to strengthen disciplines and accountability and called for the implementation of an integrated approach to deal with the issue. "Peacekeeping is a common cause of all member states, which plays an important role in safeguarding national and regional peace and security," said Wu, urging the international community to affirm the contributions made by TCCs as well as the peacekeepers, jointly maintain the good reputation of peacekeeping and support this cause. A total of 99 allegations of sexual exploitation by UN personnel were reported in 2015, with 69 of the cases in countries where peacekeeping operations are deployed, according to a UN report released in February 2016. The UN Security Council adopted a resolution in March this year to tackle the problem. It requested the UN Secretary-General to replace all military and police unit of a troop or police contributing country in UN peacekeeping operations if the country has not taken appropriate actions to investigate their personnel or hold perpetrators accountable. White Plains (New York): US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton chastised Republican rival Donald Trump on Thursday for hinting about things he learned in classified intelligence briefings, calling it "totally inappropriate and undisciplined." Speaking to reporters the morning after a New York security forum featuring separate appearances by the two candidates, Clinton also slammed the businessman for praising Russian President Vladimir Putin and saying U.S. generals had been "reduced to rubble" by the policies of U.S. President Barack Obama. At the televised forum on Wednesday night, Trump said he was "shocked" by information he got during the briefing. "What I did learn is that our leadership, Barack Obama, did not follow what our experts ... said to do," Trump said. "I would never comment on any aspect of an intelligence briefing I received," said Clinton, a former secretary of state, before boarding her campaign plane. Clinton said Trump`s praise of Putin as a better leader than Obama was "not just unpatriotic" but also "scary." "It suggests he will let Putin do whatever Putin wants to do and then make excuses for him," Clinton said. Trump`s campaign fired back at Clinton after her session with reporters, saying she was resorting to "unhinged and dishonest" attacks. "These are the desperate attacks of a flailing campaign sinking in the polls, and characteristics of someone woefully unfit for the presidency of the United States," Jason Miller, senior communications adviser for Trump, said in a statement. Clinton`s lead over Trump in national opinion polls has weakened in recent days. The current average of polls by website RealClearPolitics puts her at 45.6 percent support, compared to Trump`s 42.8 percent. Obama hit back at Trump on Thursday for criticizing his foreign policy record, saying the Republican nominee for the Nov. 8 election was unfit to follow him into the Oval Office and the public should press him on his "outright wacky ideas." Clinton said she would convene a meeting of bipartisan security experts on Friday to discuss the fight against Islamic State militants. "What you didnt hear from Donald Trump last night was any plan to take on ISIS," Clinton told reporters, using an acronym for the group. "Thats not only dangerous, it should be disqualifying." The televised "Commander-in-Chief" forum on Wednesday, attended by military veterans, was the first time Trump and Clinton had squared off on the same stage since accepting their parties` White House nominations in July, although they did not appear at the same time. It offered a prelude to how Clinton and Trump will deal with questions of national security in their three upcoming presidential debates later in September and in October. New York: Praising Vladimir Putin, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has said the Russian President was "far more" of a leader than US President Barack Obama and asserted that he would have a "very good relationship" with the Kremlin strongman if he comes to power. "I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Putin. And I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Russia," Trump said at a 'commander in chief' forum on?the decommissioned USS Intrepid, now a floating museum, here yesterday. The forum hosted by NBC brought Trump and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton together just weeks before they square off at the first presidential debate on September 26. However Clinton and Trump did not come face to face at the forum as they were grilled back-to-back by the anchor. Trump asserted that he would have a very good relationship with many foreign leaders, unlike President Obama, who he said was not accorded a red carpet welcome when he went to China recently. "I think it's very sad, when you look at Barack Obama, as an example, lands Air Force One in China, and they don't want to put out stairs to get off the plane. And he has to use the stairs that mechanics use to get up and down to fix the plane. They wouldn't give him stairs," the 70-year-old real estate tycoon said. "I think it's very sad, when he lands in Saudi Arabia, and he lands in Cuba, and there aren't high officials to even greet him. This is the first time in the history -- the storied history of Air Force One," Trump said. Trump said while Obama and Putin do not get along, he will have very good relations with the Russian leader. "And I saw, just two or three days ago, they looked like they were not exactly getting along, but I looked at President Obama and Putin staring at each other. These were not two people that were getting along," he said. "And, you know, the beautiful part of getting along, Russia wants to defeat ISIS as badly as we do. If we had a relationship with Russia, wouldn?t it be wonderful if we could work on it together and knock the hell out of ISIS? Wouldn't that be a wonderful thing," Trump asserted. Asked if he would like to be?complimented by a leader who "annexed Crimea, invaded Ukraine, supports (President Bashar) Assad in Syria, Trump said if Putin "says great things about me, I'm going to say great things about him." "I've already said, he is really very much of a leader. I mean, you can say, oh, isn't that a terrible thing -- the man has very strong control over a country," he said. Trump has made no secret of his admiration for Putin, who last year praised the US businessman as "very outstanding." Putin "has very strong control over a country," Trump said. "It's a very different system, and I don't happen to like the system. But certainly in that system he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader." "We have a divided country. We have a country where you have Hillary Clinton with her e-mails that nobody's ever seen where she deletes 33,000 e-mails, and that's after getting a subpoena from Congress. If you do that in private business, you get thrown in jail," Trump said. On his plans to defeat ISIS, Trump said the generals under Obama and Clinton have not been successful. "I think under the leadership of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, the generals have been reduced to rubble. They have been reduced to a point where it's embarrassing for our country," he said. When asked what his plan is to defeat ISIS, Trump said he will not disclose his plan just like Obama does. "I have a plan. I don't want to broadcast to the enemy exactly what my plan is. If I like maybe a combination of my plan and the generals' plan, or the generals' plan, if I like their plan, I'm not going to call you up and say, 'Matt, we have a great plan'. This is what Obama does. We're going to leave Iraq on a certain day," Trump said. Part of the problem plaguing the US is that it goes to war and "then we don't know what we're doing after that, he said. "We lose it, like as an example, you look at Iraq, what happened, how badly that was handled. And then when President Obama took over, likewise, it was a disaster. It was actually somewhat stable. I don't think could ever be very stable to where we should have never gone into in the first place. "But he came in. He said when we go out, and he took everybody out. And really, ISIS was formed. This was a terrible decision. And frankly, we never even got a shot. And if you really look at the aftermath of Iraq, Iran is going to be taking over Iraq. They've been doing it. And it's not a pretty picture," Trump said. He suggested that if the US was going to get out of Iraq, it should take the oil with it. "If we would have taken the oil, you wouldn't have ISIS, because ISIS formed with the power and the wealth of that oil," Trump said. When asked how the US could take the oil, he said, "just we would leave a certain group behind and you would take various sections where they have the oil. They have, people don't know this about Iraq, but they have among the largest oil reserves in the world, in the entire world". Trump was also asked about the two intelligence briefings he received and whether there was anything in the briefing that shocked or alarmed him. "Yes. Very much so. I have great respect for the people that gave us the briefings. They were experts on Iraq and Iran and different parts of ? and Russia. But, yes, there was one thing that shocked me. And it just seems to me that what they said President Obama and Hillary Clinton and John Kerry, who is another total disaster, did exactly the opposite. "What I did learn (from the briefing) is that our leadership, Barack Obama, did not follow what our experts and our truly ? when they call it intelligence, it's there for a reason ? what our experts said to do," Trump added. Caracas: A week after mass protests, Venezuela witnessed fresh demonstrations across the country against the government of President Nicolas Maduro with demands of a recall referendum. The supporters of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and the opposition coalition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) held rallies on Wednesday -- though on a smaller scale as compared to the massive protests staged on September 1. The MUD sought to pressure the National Electoral Council (CNE) to speed up the procedure to call a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro, Xinhua news agency reported. In response, the PSUV marched "in defence of peace" and against the MUD's moves which, according to the PSUV, were attempts to destabilise the country. Speaking ahead of the opposition march, Jesus Torrealba, Executive Secretary of the MUD, urged the CNE to rapidly provide a start date for the collection of signatures of 20 per cent of the electorate -- around 4 million people -- needed to trigger the referendum. CNE Director Socorro Hernandez said the electoral authorities are due to provide details next week on the timeline of the referendum process, adding that the collection of signatures was being planned. Torrealba called on all machines to be working at all polling stations, so that all may have the opportunity to validate the signatures. Despite the MUD's pressure, the PSUV stated that it would be technically unviable to hold the referendum this year and that the MUD is stirring up violence to attempt a coup against Maduro. Vientiane: US President Barack Obama on Thursday emphasised the "binding" nature of the July ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration over Beijing's claims in the South China Sea after China rejected the verdict as null and void. Obama's statement came at the beginning of a bilateral meeting with Asean member nations, held on the sidelines of the three-day Asean summit in Laos that began on Tuesday, EFE news reported. Obama stressed that the US will continue working with Asean to ensure peaceful resolution of these territorial disputes, keeping in mind the international tribunal's verdict that favoured Manila and rejected China's historical claims in the region. "The landmark arbitration ruling in July, which is binding, helped clarify maritime rights in the region," Obama told reporters. "I recognise this raises tensions, but I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and stability," he added. In recent years, the region has witnessed frequent clashes between coast guards and fishermen, as well as growing militarisation by China, which has been building military facilities on various islets. A separate Asean-China meeting held on Wednesday saw Chinese Premier Li Keqiang announce Beijing's willingness to work with the bloc to dispel interference -- a reference to the US -- and address the issues bilaterally. Meanwhile, Obama also reiterated Washington's desire to deepen cooperation with the ten-member group on issues, including climate change, development, and promotion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. On July 12, the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague ruled against China's historic claims in South China Sea, backing a case brought in by the Philippines in 2013. The tribunal also said that China violated the Philippines' sovereign rights and had caused "severe harm to the coral reef environment" by building artificial islands. Austin (Texas) At least one person was killed in a shooting on Thursday at a high school in the West Texas town of Alpine, TV station Fox 24 reported. The report cited Brewster County Sheriff`s Office personnel at the scene. The office told Reuters that there was "an active shooter incident" at Alpine High School, but declined to give further details. Alpine High School, which has about 280 students, has been evacuated and other schools are also on lockdown, KWES TV reported. It said the shooter was on the loose. Other media reports said there may be a second suspect who is also on the loose. Students said they heard about two or three shots, KWES reported. Vientiane: Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte did not attend any meetings at the ASEAN in Laos on Thursday, reportedly owing to a migraine, official sources reported. Duterte sent his Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay to lead the Filipino delegation in ASEAN's meetings with India and the US and in the East Asia Summit, EFE news reported. In the ASEAN-US meet and the East Asia Summit, Duterte was scheduled to share space with Obama, for whom he used obscene remarks on Monday, which led to the suspension of a bilateral meet between the two on Tuesday. However, during the ASEAN dinner, the two leaders were seen having a brief chat to clear the air, according to Manila, while Washington termed it as an exchange of formal pleasantries. Before the East Asia Summit - which brings together leaders from Japan, South Korea, China, Russia, India, Australia and New Zealand - Filipino Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar attributed Duterte's absence to a headache. The Filipino media had earlier speculated that the President's absence was because his daughter, who was pregnant with triplets and had to undergo an unwanted abortion. Duterte is expected to participate in the summit's closing ceremony, during which Laos will pass on the rotational presidency to the Philippines, which will be in charge in in 2017 as ASEAN will mark its 50th anniversary then. Hermosillo (Mexico): The death toll from tropical storm Newton has climbed to five in Mexico, authorities said, with the downgraded hurricane weakening as it traveled over the US state of Arizona. The five victims -- all fishermen -- were killed when their shrimp boat sank Tuesday as the storm crashed into the Baja California peninsula with hurricane force winds, the government said in a statement. Officials had previously reported two dead and three missing in the mishap, which occurred between the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific. Newton swept into northwestern Mexico early yesterday as a tropical storm, weakening as it moved north into southeastern Arizona, the US National Hurricane Center said. It uprooted trees and shattered windows in Baja California's Los Cabos resort area, where thousands of tourists rode out the storm in their hotels. But the region managed to escape major damage two years after Hurricane Odile ravaged Los Cabos, killing six people and causing damage worth USD 1 billion. Beirut: Pro-regime forces overran a strategically important district on the southern outskirts of Syria`s Aleppo Thursday, a monitor said, rolling back nearly every gain from a major month-long rebel offensive there. The government advance in Ramussa further seals off Aleppo`s opposition-held eastern districts, under renewed siege since Sunday by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. Government forces and allied fighters "retook full control of the Ramussa district after ferocious clashes with rebels, Islamist fighters, and jihadist groups," said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said the capture came after reinforcements of Iraqi and Iranian pro-government militiamen arrived south of the city earlier this week. "The regime could not afford to lose this battle, otherwise it would have lost everything," he told AFP. Rebels and their jihadist allies had launched a major assault in Aleppo`s southern outskirts on July 31 in a bid to break the government`s encirclement of the eastern neighbourhoods. They successfully opened a route into those districts a week later via Ramussa, but regime forces have managed to recapture nearly all that territory. Abdel Rahman told AFP on Thursday that rebels still hold marginal positions in a residential complex and a school. An AFP correspondent in the city`s east said shops had been struggling since Sunday to secure goods to sell and that prices were skyrocketing. State news agency SANA also reported that the government`s armed forces advanced south of Aleppo on Thursday. Once Syria`s commercial powerhouse, Aleppo is now a divided city, with rebel groups firing into the government-held west and regime and allied Russian warcraft pounding the opposition-controlled east. On Wednesday, strikes by unidentified aircraft on the eastern Sukkari district left 11 civilians dead, according to the Observatory. Aleppo province, which borders Turkey to the north, is a patchwork of territory held by competing forces in Syria`s war: rebels, the regime, Kurdish fighters, and jihadists. The Islamic State group`s last major position in the province is Al-Bab, eyed by rival Kurdish and Arab fighters backed by the US-led coalition and Ankara respectively. At least 10 civilians were killed in the IS-held town of Taduf, near Al-Bab, in air strikes by unidentified aircraft on Wednesday, the Observatory said. Four IS fighters were also killed in the raids and another four bodies have yet to be identified, according to the monitor. Beirut: Syria's army and its allies have regained an important Aleppo district lost to rebels last month, state media and a war monitor said on Thursday, and were pressing an offensive south of the city to further squeeze the insurgents. If sustained, the advance in Ramousah would reverse nearly all gains rebels made in a push last month, tighten a blockade over rebel-held eastern Aleppo and ease access for the army into government-held western districts through the city`s south. A second line of attack, aimed at villages south of Aleppo and supported by what a pro-government fighter called "dusk to dawn" bombardment, is intended to isolate Telat al-Eis, a hill captured by rebels in May that commands fire over the region. However, a rebel source said insurgents still held part of Ramousah and that though the army was mobilising forces, the Jaish al-Fatah coalition of Islamist groups was still present at the southern Aleppo front. The battle for Aleppo has become the focus both for President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Shi`ite militias from Iraq and Lebanon, Iran`s Revolutionary Guards, and Russian air power, and for the Sunni rebels seeking to overthrow him. In early August the rebel advance into southern Aleppo gave them control over the residential district of Ramousah, a complex of military colleges immediately to its west and the 1070 Apartment Blocks district west of that. It opened a corridor into the rebel-held parts of Aleppo that are home to at least 250,000 people and had been under siege for weeks, while forcing the government to access its own areas in the city by a longer, more precarious route. As international concern has mounted, the United Nations has renewed a call for weekly 48-hour humanitarian ceasefires to allow aid into the city, but efforts by Russia and the United States to agree terms for a truce are dragging. On Thursday Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry discussed by phone potential cooperation to facilitate aid deliveries. Syria`s five-year war has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced 11 million, half of Syria`s pre-war population, while drawing in world and regional powers, inspiring jihadist attacks across the world and sparking an international refugee crisis. BIG REINFORCEMENTS However, on Thursday the army and its allies "managed to restore control over all of Ramousah district", the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor of the war that has a network of contacts across the country, reported. Pro-government al-Mayadeen television showed its reporter speaking from Ramousah, standing near piles of rubble, shell-pocked walls and twisted metal. "Units of our armed forces in cooperation with allied forces control the gas works, the tannery, the slaughterhouse, the post office and the military checkpoint area of Ramousah in Aleppo," a Syrian military source had said earlier. Parts of the 1070 district and a school remain in rebel hands, the Observatory said. State media reported that the government now controlled the road through Ramousah into western Aleppo districts from the south, meaning supplies will no longer have to traverse the narrow strip of army-held land around the city`s east and north. That northern route into the city, the Castello Road, had been the main rebel access point into Aleppo until July when it was taken by the army, putting insurgents under siege. On Wednesday, an Iraqi Shi`ite militia, the Harakat al-Nujaba, said it had sent an extra 1,000 fighters to southern Aleppo to reinforce positions the army and its allies had taken. "Big reinforcements arrived from allied groups," the pro-government fighter said. On Thursday, state media reported jets had attacked rebel positions and movements around the village of Khan Touman, 7 km (4 miles) southwest of Ramousah, which the insurgents seized in May creating a launchpad to break the siege. London: A senior UN peacekeeping official on Thursday said that the organisation is committed to increasing the number of female peacekeepers, urging worldwide efforts to make peacekeeping troops more gender-balanced. "We are recommitted to the goal to double the total number of women troops in our missions by 2020," Xinhua news agency quoted Herve Ladsous, the UN under secretary-general for peacekeeping operations, as saying. The official made the comments at the ongoing UN Peacekeeping Defense Ministerial 2016 in London, a follow-up event one year after the Leaders' Summit on Peacekeeping was convened in the UN. Ladsous lauded the role of women personnel in UN peacekeeping missions worldwide, saying they are critical in areas such as civilian military affairs, intelligence, community policing and raising awareness about gender issues. He said the efforts to make the UN peacekeeping troops more gender-balanced are long overdue and the ongoing meeting provides a fresh kick-off for the long-term efforts to make progress. "We have to make sure we prepare ourselves for the challenges ahead and are able to respond rapidly," Ladsous said. UN statistics showed that in 1993, women made up only 1 per cent of deployed uniformed personnel. In 2014, out of approximately 125,000 peacekeepers, women constituted 3 per cent of military personnel and 10 per cent of police personnel. While the UN encourages and advocates the deployment of women to uniformed functions, the responsibility for deployment of women in the police and military lies with members. Columbia: The US military has closed a maximum-security detention center at Guantanamo Bay, an official said Thursday, as the controversial military prison`s population continues to shrink. Guantanamo`s Camp 5 lockup, which was opened in 2004, will be converted into a medical facility for detainees, facility spokesman Navy Captain John Filostrat said in a statement. The detainees formerly housed there have been moved to another prison camp in the Cuba-based facility. "Camp 5 at Guantanamo Bay has been closed as a detention facility and repurposed into another function and the detainees consolidated," Filostrat said. Camp 5 once housed non-compliant inmates and had special equipment in place to protect jailors from "splashing" -- the grim practice of hurling bodily fluids and excrement at guards. Last month, 15 Guantanamo detainees were transferred to the United Arab Emirates, bringing Guantanamo`s remaining population down to 61. Since the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, about 780 inmates have been housed in the US military-run facility which President Barack Obama has repeatedly tried to close. In recent months, he has authorized a flurry of transfers of prisoners to other countries. According to the Miami Herald newspaper, Filostrat told reporters at Guantanamo Bay on Wednesday that Camp 5`s closure would shrink the number of troops needed to run and guard the facility by about 400. Currently, about 1,950 troops and civilians operate the prison centers, the Herald said. Guantanamo is a US naval base carved out of a remote chunk of land on the tip of southeastern Cuba. The administration of George W. Bush opened a prison there to hold terror suspects. The riskiest remaining detainees, including the five men accused of plotting the September 11, 2001 attacks, are incarcerated at another, secret prison camp elsewhere on the base. The day everybody had been waiting for - at least since 13 February 2014 [that, of Svensson decision, on which see Katposts course, was the date of thedecision, on which see Katposts here - has finally arrived. [fairly liberal] judgment in GS Media [not yet available on the Curia website, but here's the press release . [UPDATE AT 10:51: THE TEXT OF THE JUDGMENT IS AVAILABLE HERE This morning the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has issued itsjudgment in Playboy magazine) and GS Media, concerning the publication by the latter on a website that it operates ( of Dutch starlet Britt Dekker . These photographs were due for publication in a forthcoming issue of Playboy. This was a reference for a preliminary ruling from the Dutch Supreme Court. It had been made in the context of proceedings between Sanoma (the publisher ofmagazine) and GS Media, concerning the publication by the latter on a website that it operates ( GeenStijl.nl ) of hyperlinks to other websites hosting unpublished photographs Background More specifically, in 2011 [prior to the publication of the Playboy issue in question] GS Media published a report with the title [obscenity] leaked! Nude photos ... Dekker. The report also included part of one of the photographs in the top left-hand corner (the cutout). The report ended with the following words: And now the link with the pics youve been waiting for. Whoever [obscenity] first, [obscenity] first. HERE. .... By clicking on a hyperlink, indicated by HERE, readers were directed to an Australian data-storage website called Filefactory.com [where the photographs appeared to be freely accessible, although this was not entirely clear] . By clicking on the following hyperlink, they could open a new window which contained the button DOWNLOAD NOW. By clicking on the button, the readers opened a file in zip format containing 11 files in pdf format, each of which contained one of the photographs. Despite Sanoma's demands, GS Media refused to remove the hyperlink in question (although the photographs were removed from the Filefactory.com website), and later on published two further reports with new hyperlinks to Dekker's photographs. GS Media was successfully sued before the Amsterdam District Court and the Amsterdam Court of Appeal, although these courts considered different aspects. The former held that by posting those hyperlinks, GS Medias conduct had been unlawful because it encouraged visitors to GeenStijl to view the photographs illegally posted on Filefactory.com which, without those hyperlinks, would not have been easy to find. In contrast, the Court of Appeal held that, on the one hand, GS Media had infringed copyright by posting a cut-out of one of the photographs on the GeenStijl website but, on the other hand, had not made the photographs available to the public by posting the hyperlinks on its website. The CJEU reference The decision of the Court of Appeal was appealed before the Supreme Court, which decided to stay the proceedings and seek guidance from the CJEU on whether the provision of a hyperlink to a work made available on a certain website without the initial consent of the relevant rightholder and where it is freely accessible is to be regarded as an act of communication to the public. whether the provision of a hyperlink to a work made available on a certain website without the initial consent of the relevant rightholder and where it is freely accessible is to be regarded as an act of communication to the public. the Dutch Supreme Court asked the CJEU whether: More specifically, Article 3(1) of the InfoSoc Directive must be interpreted as meaning that the provision on a website of a hyperlink to another website operated by a third party, which is accessible to the general internet public and on which works protected by copyright are made available to the public, without the authorisation of the copyright holder constitutes an act of communication to the public. The fact that the person who posts the hyperlink to a website is or ought to be aware of the lack of consent by the copyright holder for the initial communication of the works on that website is important for the purpose of Article 3(1) of this directive. The fact that a hyperlink has facilitated access to the works in question is relevant in accordance with Article 3(1) of this directive. AG Wathelet The AG Opinion here ] , Advocate General (AG) Wathelet held that the provision of a hyperlink to a work made available on a certain website without the initial consent of the relevant rightholder and where it is freely accessible is NOT be regarded as an act of communication to the public. In his Opinion on 7 April 2016, Advocate General (AG) Wathelet held that the provision of a hyperlink to a work made available on a certain website without the initial consent of the relevant rightholder and where it is freely accessible is NOT be regarded as an act of communication to the public. The AG recalled that in Svensson the CJEU held that for there to be an 'act of communication', it is sufficient, in particular, that a work is made available to a public in such a way that the persons forming that public may access it, irrespective of whether they avail themselves of that opportunity. According to the AG this approach is not correct in relation to hyperlinks, also because in FAPL here ] the CJEU held that without the intervention, for example, of a hotel to offer a television signal in its rooms via television sets, the work would not have been accessible to the hotels customers. It would follow that in order to establish an act of communication, the intervention of the hyperlinker must be vital or indispensable in order to benefit from or enjoy works. the CJEU held that, for example, of a hotel to offer a television signal in its rooms via television sets, the work would not have been accessible to the hotels customers. It would follow that in order to establish an act of communication, the intervention of the hyperlinker must be vital or indispensable in order to benefit from or enjoy works. The AG also found that it is not important whether the person who posts on a website a hyperlink to another website on which copyright works are freely accessible to the public is or ought to be aware that the relevant rightholder has not authorised the initial communication. More generally, the AG suggested that linking should not fall within the scope of copyright protection. Today's judgment According to the official release: [the InfoSoc Directive] , Member States are to provide authors with the exclusive right to authorise or prohibit any communication to the public of their works. At the same time, that directive seeks to maintain a fair balance between, on the one hand, the interests of copyright holders and related rights and, on the other, the protection of the interests and fundamental rights of users of protected objects, in particular their freedom of expression and of information, as well as the general interest. In todays judgment, the Court declares that, in accordance with the directive concerned, Member States are to provide authors with the exclusive right to authorise or prohibit any communication to the public of their works. At the same time, that directive seeks to maintain a fair balance between, on the one hand, the interests of copyright holders and related rights and, on the other, the protection of the interests and fundamental rights of users of protected objects, in particular their freedom of expression and of information, as well as the general interest. The Court recalls its earlier case-law in accordance with which the concept of communication to the public requires an individual assessment, which must take account of several complementary criteria. Those criteria include, first, the deliberate nature of the intervention. Thus, the user makes an act of communication when it intervenes, in full knowledge of the consequences of its action, in order to give access to a protected work to its customers. Secondly, the concept of the public covers an indeterminate number of potential viewers and implies a fairly large number of people. Thirdly, the profit-making nature of a communication to the public is relevant. The Court specifies that its earlier case-law concerned only the posting of hyperlinks to works that have been made freely available on another website with the consent of the rightholder, and that it cannot, therefore, be inferred from that case-law that the posting of such hyperlinks would be excluded, as a matter of principle, from the concept of communication to the public when the works at issue have been published on the other website without the rightholders consent. As regards that latter situation, the Court emphasises, however, that the internet is of particular importance to freedom of expression and of information and that hyperlinks contribute to its sound operation and to the exchange of opinions and information as well. In addition, it accepts that it may prove difficult, in particular for individuals who wish to post such links, to ascertain whether the works involved are protected and, if necessary, whether the copyright holders of those works have consented to their publication on the internet. Having regard to those circumstances, the Court holds that, for the purposes of the individualised assessment of the existence of a communication to the public, it is necessary, when the posting of a hyperlink to a work freely available on another website is carried out by a person who, in so doing, does not pursue a profit, to take account of the fact that that person does not know and cannot reasonably know that that work had been published on the internet without the consent of the copyright holder. Indeed, such a person, does not, as a general rule, intervene in full knowledge of the consequences of his conduct in order to give customers access to a work illegally posted on the internet. In contrast, where it is established that such a person knew or ought to have known that the hyperlink he posted provides access to a work illegally published, for example owing to the fact that he was notified thereof by the copyright holders, the provision of that link constitutes a communication to the public. The same applies if that link allows users to circumvent the restrictive measures taken by the site where the protected work is posted in order to restrict the publics access to its own subscribers. Furthermore, when hyperlinks are posted for profit, it may be expected that the person who posted such a link should carry out the checks necessary to ensure that the work concerned is not illegally published. Therefore, it must be presumed that that posting has been done with the full knowledge of the protected nature of the work and of the possible lack of the copyright holders consent to publication on the internet. In such circumstances, and in so far as that presumption is not rebutted, the act of posting a clickable link to a work illegally published on the internet constitutes a communication to the public. In the present case it is undisputed that GS Media provided the hyperlinks to the files containing the photos for profit and that Sanoma had not authorised the publication of those photos on the internet. It appears from the facts, as stated in the Hoge Raads request for a preliminary ruling, that GS Media was aware of the illegal nature of that publication and that it cannot, therefore, rebut the presumption that it posted those links in full knowledge of the illegal nature of that publication. Subject to the checks to be made by the Hoge Raad, by posting those links, GS Media therefore effected a communication to the public. How the rapid response linking event is going to be Rapid response seminar Today's CJEU judgment marks another milestone in the history of CJEU copyright case law. While a more detailed analysis will be provided as soon as the judgment become available, don't forget the rapid response seminar that the IPKat is organising together with Bristows in the afternoon of 13 September! Here's the programme: 5:30 Registration 6:00 Panel discussion 7:30 Drinks and canapes The format will be that of an informal panel discussion, in which panelists and attendees alike will share their views. Shareholders of both banks are yet to vote on the merger deal, creating some uncertainty despite the favourable views of analysts The European Central Bank and the Bank of Italy have given the go ahead for a merger of Banco Popolare and Banca Popolare di Milano, creating Italy's third-largest bank by assets. The two banks, which announced their planned merger in March, will be known as "Banco BPM". "The Bank of Italy, considering the result of its investigation and in the absence of objections from the European Central Bank, has given authorisation for the merger," the central banks said in a joint statement. The deal is a major development in the consolidation of Italy's fragmented banking sector that has been saddled with around 200 billion euros ($225 billion) worth of non-performing loans. The merger had been delayed as the banks struggled to meet higher capital requirements, weighed down by hundreds of billions of euros of bad loans and weak economic growth. Only in April did Italy's banking sector agree on a five-billion-euro fund to take on bad loans and guarantee that weakened banks can be recapitalised. Shareholders of both banks are yet to vote on the deal, creating some uncertainty despite the favourable views of analysts. The new bank would have an 8.2 percent market share and create a lender with more than 25,000 staff and four million customers. Forgetful officials, in the U.S. he says, should not be rewarding Tehran for its deadly actions with gifts like sanctions relief. Senator Lieberman is chairman of United Against a Nuclear Iran. The article, published September 7, argues that a key al Qaeda partner, Iran, has never been held responsible for its enabling role. Senator Lieberman reminds readers of the evidence of that partnership: the findings of the 9/11 Commission; the finding by Judge John D. Bates of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in the 2011 case of James Owens et al. v. Republic of Sudan et al which illustrated Irans role in the truck bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania; the accusation, made by the Treasury Department, that Iran allows al Qaeda to use Iranian soil to move money, arms and fighters to its bases in Pakistan and Afghanistan; the July 20, 2016 U.S. blacklisting of three members of al Qaeda who were living in Iran, saying these men helped the jihadist group on the battlefield, with finance and logistics, and in liaising with Iranian authorities; and the 2007 letter captured in the raid that killed Osama bin Laden in which he directed al Qaeda not to target Iran because Iran is our main artery for funds, personnel, and communication. Senator Lieberman also outlines the academic work which has traced the close relationship between al Qaeda and the Iranian regime. While the State Department says Iran is the worlds leading state sponsor of terrorism, he points out, Washington policy makers have pursued closer relations with Tehran. The deal with Iran, which at best postpones Irans nuclear ambitionswhile giving them billions of dollars now, and a legal path to nuclear weapons in the future, was a deal, Lieberman argues, with a regime which has the declared and demonstrated desire to destroy our country. Wells Fargo will pay $100 million to the CFPB, the largest fine to date imposed by the bureau, which was created in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis Retail and commercial banking giant Wells Fargo will pay more than $185 million in fines after US regulators accused the bank of secretly opening accounts without customers' knowledge, officials said Thursday. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said employees at Wells Fargo, the world's largest bank by market value, had illegally boosted sales figures by opening unauthorized deposit and credit accounts and then covertly funding them with customers' money, sometimes creating phony email addresses to enroll them. Wells Fargo found that employees had opened more than 1.5 million bogus deposit accounts alone over 2011-2015 resulting in millions of dollars in customer fees while helping bank employees meet sales targets and receive bonuses. Wells Fargo will pay $100 million to the CFPB, the largest fine to date imposed by the bureau, which was created in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. The San Francisco-based bank will also pay $50 million to the City of Los Angeles, which had filed suit last year, accusing the bank of pressuring employees into fraudulent behavior, such as opening fictitious accounts. The bank will also pay a $35 million fine to the Treasury Department in addition to $5 million to compensate all customers concerned. "Today's action should serve notice to the entire industry that financial incentive programs, if not monitored carefully, carry serious risks that can have serious legal consequences," CFPB Director Richard Cordray said in a statement. Wells Fargo said in a statement that it regretted and took responsibility for the unauthorized accounts. "?Wells Fargo reached these agreements consistent with our commitment to customers and in the interest of putting this matter behind us," the company said in a statement. A bank spokesperson told AFP it had fired 5,300 employees tied the illegal conduct. Standing three-storeys high and stretching 180,000 square feet, theres nothing portable or dainty about this picnic basket. But for $6.45 million the structure, which once served as an office building and headquarters for the Longaberger Company, impractical as it may be, can be yours to fill with thousands of pounds charcuterie, cheese, fruits and veggies, or whatever other wacky activity you can do with massive building that looks like a picnic basket. The basket building, as its known to locals who live near its resting place about 60 kilometres outside of Columbus, Ohio, was put up for sale 18 months ago for $9.67 million, but has struggled to find a buyer and its price tag was dropped to its current ask of $6.45 million, or about $36 per square foot. At that price, the basket building is a bargain compared to what other office buildings in the area usually fetch. Its listing agent, Michael Guagenti of Cushman & Wakefield, told Bloomberg that nearby commercial properties usually garner $64 to $103 per square foot. And the cards seem to be stacked against Guagenti as he tries to sell the gargantuan basket. He admitted to Bloomberg that it is the strangest property hes tried to sell and that it very challenging. We have had a couple (of offers) but nothing that materialized, he told the website, adding that so far only developers have shown interest. One of the biggest issues appears to be its mammoth size. While a 180,000 square-foot picnic basket may appeal to selfie takers, basket aficionados and architecture nerds, for many local businesses, it is just too much space. Just no one is big enough to take that kind of basket on, said Guagenti. The basket buildings location hasnt been an easy sell either. It is too far for a Columbus-based company to consider it, Guagenti said, adding that if it were closer he likely wouldve sold it by now. Its like they say: location, location, location, New York-based real estate broker Brendon DeSimone told Bloomberg. Story continues It has two things against it: It's a far location, and it's a unique building. The location is probably what's worse. The entire building itself could use a paint job. It was originally constructed in 1997 for $41.2 million to house the Longaberger Company, which is known for its handcrafted wood baskets and other home and lifestyle products. However, the companys sales reportedly fell from about $1.3 billion to $129 million in 2012. Then, Longaberger moved workers from the ebasket building to another local factor while its holding company, JRJR Networks, decide to consolidate and streamline operations in June. While it hasnt been a picnic to convince buyers that theres a practical use for the building, theres no hiding its real magnetism and the brutal honesty of its design. "You might see it three or four miles off before you come around the bend, and then you say, 'That is a basket. That is unquestionably a basket,'" Tom Rochon, founder and vice chairman of JRJR Netowrks, observed in his interview with Bloomberg. By Foo Yun Chee and Julia Fioretti BRUSSELS (Reuters) - U.S. tech giants Google and Facebook are among multinationals spending more in Brussels as the European Commission eyes new business regulation after last week handing Apple a 13-billion-euro tax demand. A new annual filing by Google to the EU's Transparency Register showed it spent roughly 15-20 percent more on lobbying European Union officials and lawmakers last year than in 2014, itself some three times as much as in the year before that. A review by Reuters of EU lobbying budgets of a handful of leading U.S. firms which have been in the spotlight of European regulatory debates showed Google among the biggest spenders of all corporations, reporting a budget of 4.25-4.50 million euros ($4.8-5.1 million) in 2015. That compared to 3.5-4.0 million euros the year before and 1.25-1.5 million euros in 2013. A spokesman for the company, which has been served with three sets of charges in the past two years by EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager, said its 14 staff involved in lobbying in Brussels were there to provide information. "European politicians have many questions for Google and about the Internet. We're working hard to answer those questions, helping policymakers understand our business and the opportunity for European businesses to grow online," he said. Google's annual Transparency Register filing, publicized on Wednesday by anti-corruption group Transparency International, appeared online coincidentally on Aug. 30. On that day European Competition Commissioner Vestager ordered Apple to pay a record $14.5 billion in back taxes to Ireland after ruling that the U.S. firm had effectively had illegal subsidies from Dublin. The iPhone maker did not respond to a request for comment on its lobbying in Brussels, where it has been advertising since July for a new government affairs manager to "represent Apple's position with policymakers". Its EU declaration of spending a modest 800,000-900,000 euros last year and employing just five staff working part-time on lobbying has prompted speculation that it may have underplayed its hand -- though EU officials insist that they are not influenced by high-pressure corporate lobbying. WAKING UP Daniel Freund from the Brussels office of Transparency International said businesses could benefit from devoting resources to relationships with EU officials in a city where an expansion of regulatory powers for the Commission and European Parliament in the past few years has seen Brussels start to rival Washington in numbers of professional lobbyists. "A strong lobbying presence would smooth relations with the EU institutions, establish personal relationships, prevent spats," Freund said. "The (2009) Lisbon Treaty means more competences have shifted to Brussels and companies are waking up to this fact." Facebook, whose WhatsApp messaging service could be affected by an upcoming reform of the EU's telecoms rules and which also has an interest in new data protection rules, spends much less than Google -- 700,000-800,000 euros last year -- but is expanding its small team of people lobbying for it in Brussels. A staff that numbered just two last year is now four and a fifth person is being recruited, a spokeswoman said. "Our team has increased in size as our company has grown and as such we are currently recruiting one extra person," she said. Its advert for a Public Policy Manager reads: "As Facebook has become part of the daily lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world, policy makers in many countries naturally wish to talk to us, and we wish to talk to them." Google's spending surge has come since Vestager's arrival in 2014 brought what many competition experts see as a more confrontational approach from the Commission. It is now similar to that of Microsoft, according to the latter's public filing. Microsoft, which lost heavily in the European court after years of legal battles with the Commission over its market dominance that began in the 1990s, declined comment. Amazon, which faces a similar tax investigation to Apple related to its relations with the Luxembourg government, declined comment. It employs six people on EU lobbying with a budget of 1.5-1.75 million euros, according to its filing. Uber, the ride hailing app company which has lobbied the Commission to do more to open up national taxi and transport markets to its smartphone-based services, has built a presence in Brussels over the past two years and now employs three people with a budget of 400,000-500,000 euros. Of global tech firms not based in the United States, Apple's smartphone competitor Samsung spent 2.5-2.75 million euros last year with a staff of nine, its Transparency Register filing shows. The South Korean company declined to comment. ($1 = 0.8894 euros) ($1 = 0.8894 euros) (Additional reporting by Marilyn Haigh; Writing by Alastair Macdonald; editing by Susan Thomas) DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland's government won strong backing from parliament for its appeal against a 13-billion-euro back tax bill the European Commission ordered it to collect from Apple , following 12 hours of debate on Wednesday. Ireland's fragile coalition overcame initial misgivings from independent members of cabinet to join Apple last week in fighting the ruling that Ireland granted state aid to the company through undue and selective tax benefit. The government says Ireland did not give favorable tax treatment to Apple and that no state aid was provided, and it won a motion to endorse its position in parliament by 93 votes to 36. "The picture of Ireland painted by the Commission in its decision, as a country prepared to play fast and loose with the law to gain unfair advantage, could not be more damaging or further from the truth," Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny told lawmakers. "This is not a Commission finding that stands by a small country that has played by the rules. It cannot be allowed to stand." (Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by James Dalgleish) By Alexandria Sage SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Tesla Motors Inc said on Wednesday it had entered into an agreement with Deutsche Bank whereby the electric car maker can borrow up to $300 million for its vehicle leasing program, part of a broader effort to bolster the company's finances. In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Tesla said the new liquidity meant its own cash requirements for its direct leasing program would be "significantly reduced." It would thus need to raise correspondingly fewer funds from the public market, Tesla said, as it gears up for its much-anticipated Model 3 mass-market vehicle. The amount outstanding from the loan and security agreement is due on Sept 20, 2018. Tesla, which burned through over $600 million of cash in the first half of the year, faces a cash crunch as it ramps up manufacturing capacity for the Model 3 next year and completes construction of its massive "Gigafactory" battery factory in Nevada. Moreover, Tesla's planned $2.6 billion acquisition of SolarCity , which itself has pressing cash needs, will add to its liquidity issues. Combined, the two companies' debt totaled $5.43 billion with a combined cash burn of $830 million last year. In August, the company said it had $3.25 billion in principal sources of liquidity as of June 30, 2016, but in July it repaid $678 million on a revolving credit line and planned to redeem $411 million of 2018 convertible notes, warning it could spend more on the securities. The company also warned that the value of its secured assets had limited its ability to borrow under its asset-based revolving credit agreement with a syndicate of banks. [nL4N1AM2K2] Hours before Bell Canada testified at a CRTC hearing Wednesday about its $25 basic TV package, the telco announced it will no longer force Fibe TV customers to also subscribe to the company's internet service. Then, during the hearing, Bell admitted for the first time that it had designed a training document for employees that specifically told them not to promote its cheaper, basic TV plan. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission grilled Bell on both topics during its hearing in Gatineau, Que. The event aims to address numerous complaints from dissatisfied customers about the new basic TV packages. The CRTC mandated that television providers offer the pared-down TV plans in March for a maximum of $25. Consumer groups have criticized Bell for demanding that its basic Fibe or fibre optic customers in Ontario and Quebec also sign up for its internet service. Critics predicted Bell would come under fire during the hearing for linking the two products. But the day before it testified, the telco announced that its Fibe TV service would be available as a standalone product in early 2017. "If one were to take a bit of a cynical view, it's somewhat surprising that would come out hours before the oral phase of a hearing," said CRTC commissioner Christopher MacDonald to Bell during its testimony. Tying internet to basic TV However, Bell executives stressed that the decision was part of an "ongoing process" to streamline its services. Fibe TV requires an internet connection to work, but Fibe customers in Atlantic Canada are not forced to get their internet only from Bell. In May, to justify its linked selling, Bell had made a submission to the CRTC, claiming that Fibe TV customers had to get Bell internet or "key features of our [TV] service would not work." When asked about this submission during the hearing, Robert Malcolmson, Bell's senior vice president of regulatory affairs, asserted it was true. He added that the company would now face major technical challenges untying the two products before the big change early next year. Story continues Malcolmson did not address why Fibe TV currently works without Bell's internet in Atlantic Canada. 'Do not promote' Bell was also in the hot seat at the hearing because of a CBC News story about a training document that surfaced in February of this year. Leaked by a Bell employee, it instructed workers to downplay Bell's basic TV plan, called the Starter package. "Do not promote the Starter TV package. There will be no advertising, and this package should only be discussed if the customer initiates the conversation," stated the document. Many industry insiders had speculated that the major TV providers didn't want to offer the basic plans because they would be less profitable. When CBC News asked Bell about the document in February, it would not acknowledge its existence. However, in Wednesday's hearing, Malcolmson fessed up. "I'd be delighted if I could refute the [CBC News] report, but there was what I would call an unfortunate incident in the early stages of training," he said. He also stressed that the document was only designed for employees in Atlantic Canada, was not reflective of Bell's obligations to promote the basic package, and that it was pulled before it could ever be used to train workers. But in February, a Bell employee who had seen the document told CBC News that he clearly got the message that the company didn't want the basic plan promoted. "Bell has no intention of selling this package," he said. "If a customer asks for it, then it'll be available." Not told about basic TV package That's also the message that Bell customer Lowell Geddes says he got when he contacted the company. Geddes says he called customer service twice in May to pare down his TV plan. The North Sydney, N.S., resident says he didn't know about the basic deal at the time and told the service representative he just wanted to watch the news on CBC and CTV. "Surely, if anyone interpreted that, they would see that's the basic package," says Geddes. But he claims no one ever mentioned the basic TV option, and he wound up getting a bigger package he didn't really want. This week, Geddes learned from a CBC News report that Bell does offer a basic plan. "I feel I was not informed," he says about his conversations with Bell in May. "I feel a little bit ripped off, I guess, by not having the information to make a choice as a consumer." Bell stressed at the hearing that it promotes its basic Starter package with the same gusto it promotes all its other TV plans. "We have definitely tried to promote the starter package on our website along with all of our other packages," said Payal Gabrani-Bahl, vice-president of content with Bell TV. Rogers makes change Bell wasn't the only telco announcing adjustments to its basic plan as it faced the CRTC hearing. Rogers announced during its testimony that, after hearing from customers, it has decided to allow basic subscribers to combine the plan in a bundle with other services. Previously, consumer groups had criticized the cable company for excluding basic customers from getting a bundled discount. Near the close of the hearing today, CRTC head Jean-Pierre Blais admitted some culpability in the problems that have been raised with the rollout of the basic TV packages. "I was kicking myself in March, saying to myself the commission itself probably could have done a better job." He added that everyone, including TV providers and consumers, have a role to play in ensuring the new plans are a success. Kouchner told POLITICO, Its a crime against humanity and must be taken into account by the International Criminal Court. The entire international community has a responsibility to shed light on these events and ensure that the criminals behind them face an investigation. Last month a recording surfaced that revealed disagreements among Iranian officials in the summer of 1988. Hossein Ali Montazeri, who was to become Khomeinis successor, can be heard arguing with an audience made up of a sharia judge and prosecutors, saying that the mass killings were the biggest crime in the Islamic Republic, for which history will condemn us. A member of the audience asked if he could carry out a final set of 200 executions, to which Montazeri responds that he would not authorize a single one. A fatwa had been issued by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, ordering the execution of all political prisoners, who were already locked up in Iranian jails. The members of an opposition group named Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK), seemed to be targeted. Khomeini called them hypocrites. Thousands of prisoners were condemned to death by ad hoc tribunals over the course of a just a few months. Amnesty International estimates that around 4,500 people across the country were killed during the massacre. Opposition groups allege that the death toll was closer to 30,000, with victims including teenagers as young as 14 and pregnant women. This is a crime against humanity of great magnitude, said William Bourdon, a French lawyer for Transparency International who has handled human rights cases, notably representing Franco-Chilean families in a case against General Augusto Pinochet. The International Criminal Court has prosecuted crimes that were of smaller magnitude, but there is no doubt this would fit their definition. Montazeri paid for following his conscience. He was placed under house arrest until his death in 2009. His son, Ahmad, published the recording on August 9, on a website dedicated to Montazeris memory. MEK officials presented allegations that members of the death councils are now among the top members of President Hassan Rouhanis administration, at a news conference this week. For instance, Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi, is now Irans justice minister, and Hossein-Ali Nayyeri, is the current head of the Supreme Disciplinary Court for Judges. Both were active members of the Death Committee. We call on the international community to shed light on these events, though we do not underestimate the obstacles, said Bourdon. There are tools that can help us end this insolent impunity. He points out that an international investigation into the killings would require that one or more governments raise the issue at the United Nations. However, the recent preliminary business deals being discussed between Iran and Western countries has governments reluctant to jeopardize economic interests. There is nothing impossible about making an ad hoc tribunal to address this case, Bourdon said. The question needs to be taken up by governments. WEST HAVEN, Conn., Sept. 8, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Watson Inc. presented a check in the amount of $15,000 to Columbus House on September 1, 2016. Alison Cunningham Chief Executive Officer of Columbus House, John Brooks Chief Development Officer, Linda Kosko Development Manager, and Sheree DiMario - Volunteer Coordinator, visited Watson to accept the donation. The funds will be used for apartment makeovers at Harkness House. Harkness House is run by Columbus House as a component of the organization's Homefront initiative, which helps homeless area Veterans. These funds will provide for new or additional furnishings, window treatments, and appliances in the four apartments. The team at Columbus house will access each apartment to determine how the funds can be best utilized to provide a comfortable home for the Veterans. Jim Watson, President of Watson Inc. presented the check. "We are so grateful to Watson and their team of dedicated associates for all that they have done over the years for those we serve at Columbus House", said Columbus House CEO Alison Cunningham. "This most generous contribution will enable us to perform a long-overdue makeover at Harkness House which will certainly lift the spirits of all who pass through the doors!" With this gift, Watson recognizes the service and sacrifice these Veterans have made for their country. The company appreciates that they give so much to our country, and feels they should be supported in their personal accomplishments. Following the presentation of the check, the team from Columbus House was taken on a Watson plant tour by Gavin Watson, Vice President of Operations. Harkness House is one component of the many services Columbus House offers to Veterans experiencing homelessness.. Located in New Haven, Harkness House provides short term housing and support for 14 homeless male Veterans. . Columbus House program goals are to secure and maintain affordable, stable housing, increase access and connection to services, expand social and employment skills, grow self-determination, and encourage community connections. Watson has been a long-time supporter of Columbus house, and an active advocate for local businesses to support their communities and give back. Watson has supported Columbus House by providing gift bags to both the men's and women's shelters for Christmas. These gift bags contained clothing and toiletry items, as well as a travel or card game. Each gift bag was packed by a Watson team member and tied with a bow for the Holidays. Watson has also conducted coat drives, provided pizza for the main shelter, and gift cards for the Veterans on Veterans' day. Watson has a comprehensive community service program, and is involved in local charities such as Columbus House and the Connecticut Food Bank, as well as national charities and service organizations. To learn more about the community service programs at Watson, please see their news page: http://www.watson-inc.com/news/category/social-responsibility/ About Columbus House Columbus House opened its doors in 1982 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing shelter for homeless men and women. Today, they provide not only shelter but also housing assistance and services designed to help people who are homeless move toward independence through innovative programs that meet the changing needs of the homeless population. Their vision is to one day end homelessness in Connecticut by providing people with the tools they need to get and stay housed. Programs include: outreach & engagement; shelter services; rapid re-housing; permanent supportive housing; and population-specific programs for families with children, seniors, Veterans, and those living with HIV/AIDS, as well as people with behavioral health disorders and histories of incarceration. For more information on Columbus House or their programs, please visit their website at www.columbushouse.org or contact John Brooks, (203) 401-4400 x108 or jbrooks@columbushouse.org About Watson: Watson is one of the highest quality suppliers of products and services geared towards enhancing human health and nutrition around the world. We are a leader in developing quality products and innovative ingredient systems for the food and supplement industries. Expertise in custom nutrient premixes, microencapsulation, agglomeration, micronizing, spray drying, and film technology allows us to develop unique formulations and products using Watson manufactured, value-added ingredients. For more information on Watson see www.watson-inc.com. Contacts: Watson Inc. Moira Watson, V.P. Marketing & Communications moira.watson@watson-inc.com 800-388-3481 or (203) 932-3000 Company info: Watson Inc. Corporate headquarters: 301 Heffernan Drive, West Haven CT 06516 CEO: James T. Watson Website: www.watson-inc.com Employees: 300 A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=41353 DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Sept. 08, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Determined to raise awareness about veterans' suicide, West Point cadets Adrian Shanahan and James Callan set out in a canoe to paddle the entire length of the Mississippi River. With the optimistic words, Gulf or bust! scrawled across their oars, on good days they journeyed 50 miles. On difficult ones? The cadets described the highlights and lowlights on the crowdfunding web site Gofundme. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e0a6906d-20e3-42af-841d-0992deb1943b Supporters were urged to donate to The 22 Project, a Delray Beach, Fla. charity dedicated to helping veterans recover from traumatic brain injury (TBI). Donations to 2320 Miles for our Fallen Heroes reached nearly $12,000. The 22 Project was launched by Erica and Alex Cruz in 2014 to provide greater access to healing hyperbaric oxygen treatments for U.S. service members. The name, The 22 Project, grew from a troubling statistic: An estimated 22 veterans were committing suicide each day in the years since 9/11, according to a 2012 report from the Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health Services.(1) So many soldiers who saw combat in Iraq and Afghanistan experienced TBI that it has been called the signature wound of the conflicts.(2) Risk of suicide goes hand-in-hand with TBI, especially with multiple concussions.(3) Unfortunately, conventional therapies like antidepressants and sleeping pills address symptoms, but not the underlying brain injury. About The 22 Project: The 22 Project was born after the Cruzes, owners of Southeast Medical Imaging, were asked to donate imaging services to document hyperbaric TBI treatments for injured soldiers. We saw the veterans after their 40 treatments and we couldnt believe the difference. We just wondered how we could get this to more people, Erica Cruz says. The 40 treatments cost about $8,000. So far, they have yet to become standard of care for TBI at the VA, despite growing evidence of the benefits. For more information, or to interview veterans and cadets, visit http://www.support22project.org or email peter@support22project.org. References: (1) http://www.va.gov/opa/docs/suicide-data-report-2012-final.pdf (2) http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/tbi.pdf (3) http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/a-new-link-between-traumatic-brain-injury-and-suicide/ September 8, 2016 - Wolters Kluwer Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) today announced it has signed an agreement to sell its indirect loan origination solutions, including the AppOne software platform, to The Reynolds and Reynolds Company, a provider of software, documents, and professional services to automotive retailers, for 32 million in cash. Wolters Kluwer's intended divestment is in line with the GRC division's strategy to focus its financial services group of businesses on growing its market-leading compliance content and expert solutions for banks and other financial institutions globally. The company's AppOne indirect loan origination platform, compliance documents and risk mitigation services are used primarily by automotive, marine, powersports and recreational vehicle dealers across the U.S. to facilitate interaction with lenders. Wolters Kluwer expects to report a 13 million book gain, net of tax, on the divestment. Reynolds and Reynolds anticipates extending offers of employment to 36 Wolters Kluwer employees as part of the transaction. "As a leader in automotive dealership solutions, Reynolds and Reynolds is well-positioned to continue to support the unique needs of indirect loan origination customers," said Richard Flynn, CEO of Wolters Kluwer's GRC division. "Wolters Kluwer will continue to invest in our core regulatory compliance business which serves thousands of banks, credit unions, and mortgage lenders globally." "At the same time, we remain committed to providing these banks and other licensed lenders with our proven regulatory expertise, solutions and services for their mortgage, consumer and commerical lending as well as investment and insurance businesses," said Steven Meirink, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Compliance Solutions business unit for Wolters Kluwer's GRC division. "We continually look for ways to grow our business," said Jerry Kirwan, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Reynolds Document Services at Reynolds and Reynolds. "Reynolds already offers an extensive documents product portfolio, along with well-known expertise in business forms compliance for dealerships. By acquiring these additional documents, software and services business, Reynolds will be able to serve an even broader set of markets and customers even more effectively." The divestiture is expected to close by the end of 2016. About Wolters Kluwer Governance, Risk & Compliance Wolters Kluwer Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) provides legal, finance, risk and compliance professionals and small business owners with a broad spectrum of solutions, services and expertise needed to help manage myriad governance, risk and compliance needs in dynamic markets and regulatory environments. Its prominent brands include: AuthenticWeb(TM), Bankers Systems, BizFilings, Capital Changes, CASH Suite(TM), CT Corporation, CT Lien Solutions, ComplianceOne, Corsearch, Expere, GainsKeeper, LegalVIEW, OneSumX, Passport, TyMetrix 360, Uniform Forms(TM), VMP Mortgage Solutions and Wiz. Wolters Kluwer N.V. (AEX: WKL) is a global leader in information services and solutions for professionals in the health, tax and accounting, risk and compliance, finance and legal sectors. Wolters Kluwer reported 2015 annual revenues of 4.2 billion. The company, headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands, serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries and employs 19,000 people worldwide. For more information about our solutions and organization, visit www.wolterskluwer.com, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. About Reynolds and Reynolds Reynolds and Reynolds is a leading provider of automobile dealership software, services, and forms to help dealerships deliver better business results and transform the customer experience. The company is headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, with major operations in Houston and College Station, Texas, and Celina, Ohio. The company also serves automotive retailers in Canada, United Kingdom, and several European countries. (www.reyrey.com) Media Contacts: Annemarije Pikaar Senior Manager, External Communications Wolters Kluwer Global Corporate Communications +31 172641470 press@wolterskluwer.com Chuck Miller Director,Corporate Communications Wolters Kluwer Governance, Risk & Compliance +1-320-217-9193 charles.miller@wolterskluwer.com Thomas Schwartz Director, Corporate Communications Reynolds and Reynolds +1-937-485-8109 (office) +1-937-269-9569 (mobile) thomas_schwartz@reyrey.com Analysts/Investors Contact: Meg Geldens Vice President, Investor Relations Wolters Kluwer +31172 641 407 meg.geldens@wolterskluwer.com No acknowledgement of the estimated 30,000 political prisoners who were executed over the summer of 1988 by the Iranian regime has been forthcoming as another year passes. This is understandable given the effort expended by the regime to keep the massacre under wraps. Rusu writes that it went so far as banning prison guards from contacting their families, carrying out executions in secrecy and often leaving no witnesses alive. This means that the exact number of deaths may never be known. To this day the massacreone of the worst in a long line of crimes in Iran met with total impunity for its perpetrators remains relatively unknown in the West. Leftists who opposed to the regimes brutal ruling tactics, and those who supported the opposition Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran were targeted. At fatwa was issued by the regimes founder, Ruhollah Khomeini, and the massacre began in July 1988. Whoever at any stage continues to belong to the PMOI must be executed. Annihilate the enemies of Islam immediately! Khomeini stated at the time. Those who are in prisons throughout the country and remain steadfast in their support for PMOI are waging war on God and are condemned to executionIt is naive to show mercy to those who wage war on God. All televisions, radios and newspapers were removed from the wards, and all family visits were suspended to prisons across Iran. Prisoners who were ill were denied medical care, and family members were turned away at the gates. The arrival of a Death Commission, a team of three hand-picked officials, including a representative from the Ministry of Intelligence, a religious judge and a prosecutor, signaled the beginning of the massacre. Rusu paints a poignant picture, One by one each prisoner was called in for a re-trial that lasted no more than a few minutes, during which they were questioned about their political and religious beliefs. If their answers were less than favourable to the regime, prisoners were sent to be hanged. Meanwhile, those who received pardons were bound by conditions such as walking through an Iraqi mine field or proving their repentance by placing a noose around the neck of a PMOI supporter. Virgin girls were raped the night before their executions to prevent them from going to heaven; men and women were mercilessly tortured; mothers were beaten in front of their children; and wives raped in front of their husbandsall in a gruesome attempt to break their wills. Hundreds of people were hanged each day, many of whom had already completed their sentences and were due for release. In fact, many were originally sentenced for nonviolent offences, such as handing out illegal newspapers or leaflets. It is believed that up to 400 political prisoners were executed on many nights, and their bodies were transported to unmarked mass graves Former deputy of the Ministry of Intelligence and Security, Reza Malek, claims there are 170 to 190 mass graves across Iran. As many families had no information as to where their loved ones were buried, so people began to flock to the Khavaran Cemetery in southern Tehran to mourn all of those executed. Unfortunately, this was stopped when revolutionary guards began patrolling the cemetery, and attacking those who had come to mourn. Private commemoration ceremonies were raided, and family members were arrested if they attempted to locate their loved ones remains. The Iranian government destroyed evidence of the mass grave sites by bulldozing the Khavaran Cemetery in January of 2009. The story hasnt ended, even after close to three decades have passed. Those who were involved in the 1988 massacre of political prisoners are still in power in Iran, Madyar Samienejad, researcher and human rights defender, stated in an interview with The Guardian. And Maryam Rajavi, the leader of PMOI has said, the time has come for the United Nations to examine this crime against humanity, to investigate the massacre of 1988 and to bring the guilty to justice. Protests and criticism from around the world may soon bring those responsible to be held accountable. Icelandic English Landsbankinn hf. has today issued 500 million of senior unsecured bonds, equivalent to around ISK 65 billion. The bonds have a 4.5 year maturity with a fixed 1.625% coupon and were priced at terms equivalent to 190 basis point spread above mid-swaps in euros. The bonds were sold to institutional investors in Scandinavia, the UK and Continental Europe. The final order book amounted to around 1.5 billion, three times oversubscribed, from over 130 investors. The bonds are issued under Landsbankinn's Medium Term Note (EMTN) Programme and will be listed on the Irish Stock Exchange on the 15th of September. Landsbankinn will use the proceeds to pre-pay a part of the bank's existing funding in addition to strengthening the bank's liquidity further. Joint lead managers on the transaction were: Barclays, Citigroup and Deutsche bank Steinor Palsson, CEO of Landsbankinn: "Today's issuance is an enjoyable milestone for Landsbankinn. The bank is reaching its goal to lower funding cost significantly and at the same time lengthening the maturity of its market funding. Strong interest from investors highlights the increased confidence among international investors in Landsbankinn as well as the positive economic development that Iceland has experienced. Better terms and increased access to foreign capital markets enables Landsbankinn to continue to play a leading role in servicing Icelandic businesses." Detailed information about Landsbankinn for investors and others stakeholders are available at: http://corporate.landsbankinn.com/investor-relations/ Further information: Investor relations: Hanna Kristin Thoroddsen ; ir@landsbankinn.is ; Tel: +354 410 7100 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 [September 07, 2016] The M2M & IoT Ecosystem: 2015 - 2030 - Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies, Industry Verticals & Forecasts LONDON, Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- M2M (Machine-to-Machine) refers to the flow of data between physical objects, without the need for human interaction. M2M connectivity has opened a multi-billion dollar revenue opportunity for mobile operators, MVNOs and service aggregators, addressing the application needs of several verticals markets. By enabling network connectivity among physical objects, M2M has also initiated the IoT (Internet of Things) vision - a global network of sensors, equipment, appliances, smart devices and applications that can communicate in real time. SNS Research estimates that global spending on M2M and IoT technologies will reach nearly $250 Billion by 2020, driven by a host of vertical market applications including but not limited to connected car services, remote asset tracking, healthcare monitoring, smart metering, digital signage, home automation and intelligent buildings. The "M2M & IoT Ecosystem: 2015 2030 Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies, Industry Verticals & Forecasts" report presents an in-depth assessment of the M2M and IoT ecosystem including enabling technologies, key trends, market drivers, challenges, vertical market applications, deployment case studies, collaborative initiatives, regulatory landscape, standardization, opportunities, future roadmap, value chain, ecosystem player profiles and strategies. The report also presents market size forecasts from 2015 till 2030. The forecasts are segmented for 8 vertical markets, 7 access networking technologies, 6 regions and over 70 leading countries. The report comes with an associated Excel datasheet suite covering quantitative data from all numeric forecasts presented in the report. Topics Covered The report covers the following topics: - M2M and IoT ecosystem - Market drivers and barriers - Enabling technologies and key trends - Network architecture and mobile operator business models - Assessment of cellular, satellite, LPWA (Low Power Wide Area), wireline and short range networking technologies - Analysis of key trends in the ecosystem including but not limited to IoT platforms, traffic projections, multimedia applications, LTE adoption, roaming, cloud services and network security - Vertical market applications, opportunities and deployment case studies - Regulatory landscape, collaborative initiatives and standardization - Industry roadmap and value chain - Profiles and strategies of over 240 leading ecosystem players, including enabling technology providers, mobile operators, MVNOs, aggregators, IoT platform providers, system integrators and vertical market specialists - Strategic recommendations for ecosystem players - Market analysis and forecasts from 2015 till 2030 Historical Revenue and Forecast Segmentation Connection and service revenue forecasts are provided for each of the following submarkets and their subcategories: Vertical Markets - Automotive & Transportation - Asset Management & Logistics - Consumer Electronics & Home Automation - Energy & Utilities - Healthcare - Intelligent Buildings & Infrastructure - Public Safety, Security & Surveillance - Retail & Vending - Others Wide Area Netwoking Technologies - LTE & 5G Cellular - Satellite - LPWA - Wireline - Others Short Range Networking Technologies - WiFi - Bluetooth & ZigBee - Others Application Categories - Multimedia & Video - Remote Monitoring, Maintenance & Control - Metering - Tracking & Tracing - Security - Payments - Others Revenue forecasts for the wider M2M and IoT market are provided for each of the following submarkets: Submarkets - M2M Application Services & Connectivity - M2M Modules & Hardware - M2M & IoT Security - CDP (Connected Device Platforms) - M2M & IoT Application Platforms - Other M2M & IoT Software - Network Integration & Professional Services The following regional and country level markets are also covered: Regional Markets - Asia Pacific - Eastern Europe - Middle East & Africa - Latin & Central America - North America - Western Europe Country Markets - Algeria , Argentina , Australia , Austria , Belarus , Belgium , Bolivia , Bosnia & Herzegovina , Brazil , Bulgaria , Canada , Chile , China , Colombia , Croatia , Czech Republic , Denmark , Ecuador , Egypt , Finland , France , Germany , Greece , Hong Kong , Hungary , India , Indonesia , Ireland , Israel , Italy , Japan , Kenya , Luxembourg , Malaysia , Mexico , Morocco , Netherlands , New Zealand , Nigeria , Norway , Paraguay , Peru , Philippines , Poland , Portugal , Qatar , Romania , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Serbia, Singapore , Slovakia , South Africa , South Korea , Spain , Sudan , Sweden , Switzerland , Taiwan , Tanzania , Thailand , Tunisia , Turkey , UAE, UK, Ukraine , Uruguay , USA , Uzbekistan , Venezuela and Vietnam Additional forecasts are provided for: - Embedded M2M Cellular Module Shipments and Revenue - Smart Meter Penetration - M2M and IoT Traffic - M2M and IoT Software Submarkets including OS & Software Stack, Middleware & Storage, Analytics Platforms and Business Process Applications Key Questions Answered The report provides answers to the following key questions: - How big is the M2M and IoT opportunity? - What trends, challenges and barriers are influencing its growth? - How is the ecosystem evolving by segment and region? - What will the market size be in 2020 and at what rate will it grow? - Which regions, countries and verticals will see the highest percentage of growth? - Who are the key market players and what are their strategies? - How will M2M and IoT services drive investments in cloud based IoT platforms, Big Data, analytics, network security and other technologies? - What are the growth prospects of cellular, satellite, LPWA, wireline and short range networking technologies? - How do government mandates and initiatives impact the adoption of embedded M2M connectivity? - How will LTE drive the adoption of multimedia and video based IoT applications? - Do LPWA IoT networks pose a threat to cellular network technologies? - What strategies should enabling technology providers, mobile operators, MVNOs, aggregators, IoT platform providers and other ecosystem players adopt to remain competitive? Key Findings The report has the following key findings: - SNS Research estimates that global spending on M2M and IoT technologies will reach nearly $250 Billion by 2020, driven by a host of vertical market applications including but not limited to connected car services, remote asset tracking, healthcare monitoring, smart metering, digital signage, home automation and intelligent buildings - The installed base of M2M connections will grow at a CAGR of nearly 30% between 2015 and 2020, eventually accounting for over 10 Billion connections worldwide - SNS Research estimates that multimedia and video applications will account for more than 20% of the revenue generated by M2M and IoT services by 2020, amid growing incorporation of LTE in M2M modules and gateways - Besides optimizing their cellular networks for M2M services, mobile operators are increasingly investing in LPWA networks for low power, low bandwidth IoT applications Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/3331688/ 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 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-m2m--iot-ecosystem-2015--2030--opportunities-challenges-strategies-industry-verticals--forecasts-300324344.html SOURCE ReportBuyer [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [September 08, 2016] Cybera Bolsters Security Expertise and SD-WAN Leadership NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Cybera, the leading provider of secure software-defined wide-area networks (SD-WAN), has advanced the company's leadership position in building security into the fabric of SD-WAN with the appointment of Greg Garten to the post of chief technology officer and executive vice president of engineering. "Companies know that in order to compete in today's complex, fast-paced markets they must deploy new applications at an unprecedented pace," said Andrew Lev, chief executive officer, Cybera. "Greg's experience working with large, global companies on user experience, technical design, architecture, governance, managed security services, and proven ability to co-create with R+D, significantly expands our bench and our ability to aid customers in the frictionless and secure roll-out of applications." Traditional networks and applications require point solutions to address modern cyber security threats and risks. This model can significantly impact a company's ability to easily adopt and leverage the full benefits of an application or device. By automating application policy for performance and security, Cybera's SD-WAN is the essential ingredient for companies who know that there should never be a trade-off between security and the user experience. The company's SD-WAN technologies and sevices allow distributed enterprises to embed security in the very foundation of practically any application or device, significantly reducing the friction associated with legacy security point solutions. "By virtualizing security functions in the very fabric of a network, we can introduce advanced enterprise security that would otherwise be impractical and cost prohibitive for companies to adopt," said Greg Garten, chief technology officer and executive vice president of engineering. "At Cybera we support companies who are seeing the application performance benefits of moving from 'bolt-on' security to security built into the fabric of SD-WAN, with absolute zero touch provisioning that allows our customers to have true business agility." Greg Garten is a senior business and technical leader with extensive security expertise and experience with large multinational companies. He joins Cybera from NTT Communications, one of the leading global providers of information and communications technology, where he was chief technology officer and vice president of engineering. While at NTT, Garten developed their next generation managed security services platform focused on protecting complex enterprise customers from malware and advanced persistent threats, while ensuring compliance with industry and regional standards. Prior to NTT, Garten held several key technical leadership positions with companies such as Intuit, Cable & Wireless, and Exodus Communications. He has experience designing and implementing large-scale distributed systems and technical processes and controls relating to ISO27001, PCI, SOX and HIPAA regulatory requirements. Garten is an active member of IEEE, ISC2 and ISSA. About Cybera Cybera is a leading provider of secure, software-defined WAN to many of the world's top enterprises. The company provides a simple solution to the growing complexity that distributed enterprises face at remote locations in managing payment networks and other sensitive, complex applications. Released in 2011, the Cybera ONE platform reduces customer cost, complexity and time-to-market by integrating cloud and premise-based security technology into a single, easy-to-use offering. Cybera is a privately held company headquartered in the Nashville, Tennessee area with technology installed in over 60,000 business locations in 23 countries. For more information about Cybera, visit www.cybera.com. Media Contact: Amy Dalkoff Hill+Knowlton Strategies 1 312 255 3078 [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160722/392280LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cybera-bolsters-security-expertise-and-sd-wan-leadership-300324357.html SOURCE Cybera [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [September 08, 2016] CoreMedia LiveContext Integrates with SAP Hybris Creating Unmatched Digital Shopping Experiences SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CoreMedia, a leading platform for content and digital experience management, announced the integration of CoreMedia LiveContext with SAP Hybris. Building on the success of our previous integrations with SAP WCEM and ISA, this new solution integrates SAP Hybris, the top-rated omni-channel commerce solution, with the advanced content management and digital asset management (DAM) capabilities of CoreMedia. SAP Hybris users now have the tools to create compelling digital shopping experiences faster and more efficiently, and to deliver them precisely to each target group. For more than two years, CoreMedia LiveContext has enabled marketers and e-Commerce professions to augment their online stores with dynamic, intuitive and personalized content delivery across all channels and devices. Information from SAP hybris is integrated in real time, and seamlessly enriched with content and rich media assets from CoreMedia. Through the combined solutions, e-commerce teams can personalize content effortlessly regardless of whether it is on the actual homepage, the individual category subpages, or on integrated content pages such as blogs or theme pages. "If you want to create profitable omni-channel shopping experiences, you need to be able to seamlessly bring together attractive content and current transactions, all within each client's individual context. So for us, the tailored integration of SAP Hybris and our CoreMedia LiveContext solution was the logical next step, says Soren Stamer, CEO and founder of CoreMedia. "The financial benefits for SAP Hybris customers are enormous. Thanks to our more efficient, highly automated processes, we can deliver a significant reduction in production costs. At the same time, we're enabling a faster time-to-Web. In addition, our new system boosts revenue so you can increase the quality of the shopping experience, the average revenue per user, repeat-customers, and significantly enhance the organic web traffic from search engines. It's no coincidence that more and more e-commerce enterprises including Office Depot, U-Haul and Graybar chose CoreMedia LiveContext." This new integration offers all operators of SAP Hybris-based web shops a fast track to delivering personalized shopping experiences. And with CoreMedia Studio, online teams can easily create a customized shop design, and then combine product information and marketing content from many different sources to generate compelling results for each of their customer segments. The built-in digital asset management feature makes it easy for shop owners to manage and integrate digital content such as graphics or videos. High-performance multi-site and multi-language features, plus the integration of modern translation workflows, save time and money, improve international competitiveness and ensure that brand communication is consistent. To learn more contact CoreMedia to schedule a private demonstration of the new SAP Hybris integration here or contact us via email at [email protected]. About CoreMedia CoreMedia is a leading content management and digital experience management company that has been powering the online strategies of global enterprises for more than two decades. We help clients reach their target groups at every touchpoint. We seamlessly blend branded content with transactional processes and contextual data in real time, to accelerate time-to-market and boost the productivity of business users. By merging compelling multimedia content with other digital content, CoreMedia transforms cloud or on-premises e-commerce systems, digital marketing and corporate communications into mobile digital experiences - at every point of the customer journey. The result: greater customer activation, stronger loyalty, and higher sales. Established in 1996, CoreMedia is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, with offices in San Francisco, Washington DC, London and Singapore. CoreMedia's clients include a wide range of leading brands, such as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), BILD, Boots, Calvin Klein, CLAAS, Continental, Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Telekom, dm-drogerie markt, DMG Mori Seiki, Deutsche Borse Group, Henkel, Homebase, Office Depot, Telefonica Germany and Tommy Hilfiger. For more information please visit www.coremedia.com CONTACT: Ben Jolley Connect Marketing (801) 373-7888 [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/coremedia-livecontext-integrates-with-sap-hybris-creating-unmatched-digital-shopping-experiences-300324596.html SOURCE CoreMedia [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Advice columnist Carolyn Hax will be online to take your comments about her current advice column and any other questions you might have about the strange train we call life. Her answers may appear online or in an upcoming column. 2016 Future Digital Award Winners Announced for Commerce and Fintech Hampshire, UK: 7th September, 2016: Companies at the forefront of new developments in several categories have been honoured in this years Juniper Research Future Digital Awards for Commerce & Fintech. The award winners and runners-up in each category were as follows: Digital Banking Best System Solution Winner EdgeVerve Systems Finacle Omnichannel hub Highly Commended Bankable Bankable platform Digital Banking Best Consumer Offering Winner Fidor Fidor Highly Commended N26 N26 Digital Coupons Best Platform/Technology Winner Giesecke & Devrient Convego Highly Commended Vodafone Vodafone Wallet Money Transfer & Remittance Best Solution, Mobile Winner Econet Wireless Zimbabwe & Mahindra Comviva EcoCash Diaspora powered by Mahindra Comvivas mobiquity Money Highly Commended TransferWise TransferWise Mobile Payments Best Contactless Technology/Solution Winner Giesecke & Devrient Convego Pearl Highly Commended Gemalto Gemalto DCV Mobile Payments Best Consumer Offering Winner Apple Apple Pay Highly Commended Google Android Wallet Ticketing Best Solution Winner Bytemark Bytemark Mobile Apps & Merchant Back Office Highly Commended Gemalto Celego Ticketing Best Consumer Offering Winner Gemalto Celego Highly Commended moovel transit Rider App Best Fintech Innovation Winner Chain Chain Open Standard Highly Commended Circle Circle Pay App The Future Digital Awards are given to companies that Juniper believes have made significant progress within their sector during the previous year, and are now poised to make considerable market impact in the future. Chain Wins Inaugural Award for Best Fintech Innovation Were very grateful to be recognized for our work on the Chain protocol, said Devon Gundry, Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder, Chain. Working closely with our industry partners, we set out to invent a new format for financial assets that would dramatically change the pace of innovation in banking, payments, and capital markets. The Chain protocol is the culmination of that collaboration. It is the product of years of research, design, and engineering that we believe will reshape financial services. ByteMark Takes Ticketing Solution Prize It is a great honour to receive Junipers award for Best Ticketing Solution, said Micah Bergdale, CEO, Bytemark. Being recognized in the overall Ticketing Solution category exemplifies the growing importance of mobile technology in passengers daily lives. This award validates how Bytemark is revolutionizing the transit ticketing experience for both passengers and transit operators. Mahindra Comviva Triumphs in Banking System Solution Category We are honoured to win this award, said Srinivas Nidugondi, SVP Mobile Financial Solutions, Mahindra Comviva. This recognition confirms Mahindra Comvivas position as the leading innovators in the mobile money space and that Econet Wireless is the right partner for our continued growth in Africa. The awards were decided by a panel of expert judges based on a number of criteria including: product features and user benefits; innovation; commercial partnerships; commercial launches; certification & compliance; and, potential future business development. Dr Windsor Holden, panel judge and Head of Forecasting & Consultancy at Juniper Research, said that: Once again, the standard of entries across all categories was extremely high, with increasing competition in the digital commerce sector helping to fuel innovation and creativity. Juniper Research provides research and analytical services to the global hi-tech communications sector, providing consultancy, analyst reports and industry commentary. Other Point of Sale blogs that may interest you: Alliance Data Signs New Agreement With Williams-Sonoma For Private Credit Cards PLANO, Texas and SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ Alliance Data Systems Corporation (NYSE: ADS), a leading global provider of data-driven marketing and loyalty solutions, today announced its Columbus, Ohio-based card services business, a premier provider of branded private label, co-brand and commercial credit programs, has signed a new multi-year agreement to provide private label and co-brand credit card services for Williams-Sonoma (www.williams-sonoma.com), a member of the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM) portfolio of brands. San Francisco-based Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is one of the largest U.S. e-commerce retailers, and is comprised of some of the best known brands in home and kitchen furnishings, including Williams-Sonoma, Williams-Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, PBteen, West Elm, Rejuvenation and Mark and Graham, marketed through e-commerce sites, direct mail catalogs and 624 stores. Alliance Data also manages the credit card programs for Pottery Barn and West Elm. Williams-Sonoma has always embraced innovative customer engagement strategies. We look forward to working with Alliance Data to build a comprehensive credit card program that bolsters our ongoing efforts to foster strong, long-term relationships with our customers and provide meaningful rewards as they pursue their home and culinary aspirations, said Janet Hayes, president of Williams-Sonoma. Leveraging Alliance Datas loyalty and marketing expertise, paired with our high standard of customer service, were confident our new credit card program will provide a value proposition that is unparalleled in the home and lifestyle category. Alliance Data will employ in-store, online and mobile acquisition tools to target highly qualified customers for whom the programs robust value proposition would be advantageous. Williams-Sonoma plans to benefit from Alliance Datas proprietary MyLoyalty App capabilities, which will be customized to provide a brand-immersive experience, giving Williams-Sonoma shoppers the ability to apply, earn and connect at home or on-the-go. In addition, Alliance Data will leverage its industry-leading, innovative credit marketing tools and predictive modeling to build programs that motivate cardmembers to increase purchase and frequency of visits across multiple channels. Utilizing retail and lifecycle marketing expertise to create customized communications, Alliance Data will ensure the new credit program motivates cardmembers to continue to shop at Williams-Sonoma as they celebrate milestones like graduations and weddings and as they move through lifes many stages. Alliance Data has signed an agreement to acquire the existing Williams-Sonoma co-brand credit card portfolio. Alliance Data believes that the performance of the Williams-Sonoma credit card portfolio will be consistent with its overall co-brand credit card portfolio, and all new co-brand and private label credit card accounts will be consistent with Alliance Datas credit quality standards. The portfolio acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of Q3 2016. Alliance Datas Epsilon and Conversant businesses also provide services to Williams-Sonoma and the entire Williams-Sonoma, Inc. portfolio of brands. Epsilon has provided marketing data services for the past 20 years, enhancing Williams-Sonoma, Inc.s in-house modeling and analytics efforts. Conversant delivers a personalized digital messaging strategy to increase online and in-store customer sales. Williams-Sonoma is an iconic brand and one of the most recognizable portfolio of brands in the United States. It is synonymous with outstanding service, high-quality cookware, tools and other artisan crafted items, said Melisa Miller, president of Alliance Datas card services business. Drawing on our deep retail heritage, our unique data-driven insights and our experience working on behalf of sister brands like Pottery Barn and West Elm, Alliance Data is positioned to deliver an even deeper customer engagement program for Williams-Sonoma. [September 08, 2016] The future of manufacturing on display with KUKA Robotics Corporation at IMTS 2016 Visit KUKA (News - Alert) Robotics in booth N6200 during the International Manufacturing Technology Show to see the future of manufacturing live on display! This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160908005216/en/ KUKA has curated automated live booth demonstrations to showcase the hot topics of today's manufacturing revolution. Industry 4.0 or Internet of Things "IoT" is no longer concept but a reality. Stop by the booth to see the latest in additive manufacturing, 3D Metal printing, 3D measurement inspection, collaborative robots, safe operations, vision-guided robotics, cloud-based automation monitoring, and CNC-based controls and KUKA KORE for next generation in STEM education. (Photo: Business Wire) KUKA has curated automated live booth demonstrations to showcase the hot topics of today's manufacturing revolution. Industry 4.0 or Internet of Things "IoT" is no longer concept but a reality. Stop by the booth to see the latest in additive manufacturing, 3D Metal printing, 3D measurement inspection, collaborative robots, safe operations, vision-guided robotics, cloud-based automation monitoring, and CNC-based controls and KUKA KORE for next generation in STEM education. KUKA Robotics In-booth Demonstration at IMTS 2016 will include: NEW! 3D Metal Printing Additive Manufacturing Demonstration by Midwest Engineering Official KUKA Robotics System Partner Midwest Engineered Systems has partnered with several international industry leaders to develop a complete and scalable additive metal manufacturing solution. Additive manufacturing commonly referred to as Industrial "3D Metal Printing" is a digital process, which uses 3D design data to build components in layers by depositing material. This demonstration by an Official KUKA Robotics System Partner will showcase the strategy for manufacturing of a workpiece, preparation of the slicing program, translation into the robot path program, process development for the laser welding, laser delivery system, hot wire feed of material, and dynamic deposition measuring to compensate for adverse conditions. NEW! The FARO Cobalt (News - Alert) Array Imager - unlimited configurable Robotic Inspection Unique on-board processing enables unlimited multi-imager array configurations by expanding the scan area to deliver automated rapid inspection of all features and surfaces, dramatically improving cycle time. The actionable data is displayed as a simple go/no-go result or an easy-to-read dimensional deviation color map. This new technology from FARO showcases easy integration into production environments, automated deployment options when attaching Cobalt Imagers to a robot, and overall improvement with throughput and productivity of 3D measurement workflows. The FARO Cobalt Array Imager brings unparalleled performance at an affordable price for quality inspection and factory automation applications. NEW! Collaborative Robots KUKA will feature multiple collaborative robots showing a range of applications demonstrating how collaborative robots can be used in Human Robot Collaborative applications industry. KUKA will also feature how it is possible to use traditional industrial robots in collaborative applications by incorporating auxiliary safety technology. NEW! EMCO Educational Cell KUKA Robotics introduces the EMCO Concept TURN 260 as part of KUKA Robotics' education area. The Concept TURN 260 brings CNC training with industrial performance. This high performance semi-industrial CNC lathe is part of EMCO Industrial Training where students are able to program advanced to complex CNC programs using a 3-axis lathe with a life-tooling turret at industrial standards and a 3-5 axis milling machine with industrial performance rates and complexity. NEW! Siemens (News - Alert) Run My Robot Demonstration featuring a KR 6 R700 showcasing Siemens Run MyRobot Machining provides a standardized solution for the machining robot based on the combination of CNC and robotics know-how. By utilizing the KUKA robot, Siemens Run MyRobot offers a cost-effective and greater productivity solution for large machining areas. High accuracy by machining is also achieved with the KR 6 R700 because the precision is supplemented by the support of the robot-specific know-how making the robot a CNC robot with the Siemens Run MyRobot. NEW! North American Introduction KUKA Connect software KUKA Connect is an all-new software platform that connects KUKA robots to the cloud. Using KUKA Connect, customers can easily access and analyze their robots' data on any device, anywhere at any time. Built on open global standards, KUKA Connect securely leverages cloud computing technologies and big data analytics to provide customers maximum visibility into their connected KUKA robots. KUKA Connect is a subscription-based platform that requires zero software installation and provides customers immediate access to new features and functionalities. Leveraging the latest web and mobile technologies, KUKA Connect features a responsive user interface that allows administrative users to construct seamless workflows with easy accessibility to multiple layers of robot data. NEW! KUKA KORE Official Robotic Education KUKA Robotics introduces the new KORE Official Robotic Education Cart designed to support the education market's need to make robotics a KORE part of their STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education programs. With the KUKA KORE package students are given the opportunity to learn and perform basic robot programming and operation skills on robotic hardware. Students will also have the opportunity to mine for clues in the KUKA booth and take the KUKA Kraze mobile quiz to enter for a chance to win a STEM party for their class visiting IMTS! KUKA KORE can also be found in the Smartforce Student Summit in booth NC-631 with a maze challenge for students understand the basic behind-the-scenes programming and the opportunity to win KUKA-branded giveaways. NEW! North American Introduction of KR 3 and Cybertech KR CYBERTECH nano series boast the world's largest model range in its class offering 6 kg to 22 kg payloads in the future. With the KR CYBERTECH nano series, payload intervals of 6, 8, and 10 kg is perfectly equipped for arc welding. The new hollow wrist features a level of performance and quality that enables the robot to move up close to workpieces with infinite rotation and motion precision. The KR 3 AGILUS is built for the production of the smallest components and products. This new small robot is ideal for use in 600 x 600mm automation cells since it excels at reaching maximum automation performance in confined spaces. The KR 3 AGILUS is one of the fastest robots in its class offering minimum cycle times and larger production outputs. This robot is ideal for applications such as assembly of small parts, pick and place, dispensing, screw fastening, brazing, etc. NEW! KR AGILUS KR 6 R900 Sixx demonstrating CNC lathe tending This cell demonstrates the speed and agility this small robot was designed for by minimizing the cycle time while tending a CNC machine tool incorporating vision inspection and post machining part deburr. End of arm tooling is a dual gripper for quickest possible part change. See more KUKA Robots in demonstrations on the IMTS show floor at: Cenit North America, Inc. E-3331 FARO Technologies E-5825 IPG Photonics (News - Alert) N-6481 & N-6581 Schunk W-2000 Tebis America, Inc. E-3230 About the KUKA Robot Group KUKA Robotics Corporation along with KUKA Roboter GmbH, Augsburg Germany (part of the KUKA Aktiengesellschaft group of worldwide companies), ranks among the world's leading suppliers of industrial robots and material handling vehicles. Core competencies include the development, production, and sale of industrial robots, controllers, software, linear units, and omniMove omni-directional motion platforms. KUKA robots are utilized in a diverse range of industries including the appliance, automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, logistics, food, pharmaceutical, medical, foundry and plastics industries as well as multiple applications including material handling, machine loading, assembly, packaging, palletizing, welding, bending, joining, and surface finishing. KUKA robots range from 5kg to 1300kg payloads, and 635mm to 3900mm reach, all ontrolled from a common PC based controller platform. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160908005216/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] GlassesUSA.com and Splitit Offer Customers Interest-free Installment Payments at Checkout Interest-free monthly installments will enable GlassesUSA.com customers to maximize purchasing power on their existing credit cards New York, NYSeptember 7, 2016 Splitit, an interest-free installment payments technology, announced today that it has been selected by GlassesUSA.com to help customers maximize purchasing power, while boosting sales. Splitit enables retailers to instantly offer monthly payment plans to their customers directly at checkout. Splitit works on existing credit cards so customers enjoy all of their regular credit card benefits such as points, cash-back and mileage. Retailers enjoy increased conversion rates, higher average orders and increased customer satisfaction without any greater risk than they have with regular credit card transactions. Since first offering Splitit to customers 6 months ago, GlassesUSA.com has seen a 12% increase in high order value sales. Additionally, check out abandonment rate has decreased by more than 10% for high order value baskets. Our customers are our first priority at GlassesUSA.com so we are happy to be working with Splitit to offer a payment option that offers them greater purchasing power and the convenience of paying on their existing credit cards, said Daniel Rothman, CEO of GlassesUSA.com. Since implementing Splitit, we have seen an increase in high ticket items sales which is a clear indicator to us that our customers are increasingly choosing this payment option and realizing the benefits it offers. The implementation of Splitit on the GlassesUSA.com website was done in 3 days. After collecting initial information from the Company, Splitit worked closely with the GlassesUSA.com IT team to set up their payment gateway and onboard them into the merchant portal. Immediately after this process, Splitit was available to customers as a payment option on the site. Having our technology chosen by one of the largest online merchants in the US is a real honor and a testament to the effectiveness of Splitits offering, said Gil Don, CEO of Splitit. Consumers today are inundated with various payment options from store cards to online financing but the common denominator for most of these is that they have conditions which are very detrimental to the consumer, including hidden fees. We have created a transparent payment tool that benefits both consumers and merchants with no hidden fees or tedious application process. About Splitit: Splitit is revolutionizing the credit card industry by extending to all sizes of merchants/retailers the ability to offer interest-free monthly payments on their customers existing credit cards. The Splitit product has been patent protected in the United States since 2012. To learn more, please visit www.splitit.com. Other Point of Sale blogs that may interest you: Market Expansion and a Full Range of Use Cases Highlight Breakthrough Year for Masterpass Global Digital Payment Service PURCHASE, NY September 7, 2016 The continued transformation of Mastercard to an even more digital company continues to be driven by the rapid growth, support and success of Masterpass, the companys digital payment service. As part of this momentum, Mastercard today announced issuers and merchants around the globe that are making Masterpass available to their customers, enabling fast, simple and secure digital payment experiences across devices and channels online, in-app and in-store. Global Expansion and Enhancements to Masterpass The Masterpass vision is to support all forms of commerce in order to address the widest range of merchant experiences and consumer needs. Currently available in 33 markets and with planned expansion to 36 by the end of 2016, Masterpass stores all payment information, including card details from both Mastercard and other payment networks, shipping information, and payment preferences in one convenient, secure place. In July, Mastercard launched the next stage in the Masterpass journey an omni-channel all-digital payment service for issuers, merchants and consumers leveraging the most advanced methods of payment security available today, including network tokenization. Now live in the United States, the enhanced Masterpass service will continue to roll out in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North America during 2016 and into 2017. Around the globe, we continue to work with our bank and merchant customers to deliver new features and functionality to Masterpass that not only solve for their needs, but address the issues facing the ultimate customer the consumer. In doing so, weve developed a platform thats second to none and unique in the market today. The global momentum were achieving with banks, merchants and consumers is proof-positive of our efforts to create simple and secure digital payment experiences anywhere consumers want to shop, said James Anderson, executive vice president, Digital Payment Products, Mastercard. Issuers Moving to Digital Payments Turn to Masterpass Masterpass offers the only issuer-branded solution that supports multichannel, multi-device commerce to enable a wide range of consumer shopping preferences. By adding digital payment functionality through Masterpass, issuers can enhance and differentiate their existing product suite, including their mobile banking application, and integrate their proprietary services including balance display, purchase alerts and paying with points to differentiate its solution from other digital payment options in the market. Key issuers in Asia, Europe and the United States have committed to auto-enroll 80 million accounts into Masterpass by year end. In North America , the enhanced version of Masterpass was announced with support from leading issuers in the United States including Bank of America, Bank of the West, Capital One, Citi, Fifth Third, Key Bank, PSCU and Sun Trust. Several issuers including Associated Bank, Fifth Third Bank, First Tech Federal Credit Union, KeyBank, Peoples United Bank, Security Service Federal Credit Union and Virginia Credit Union, are now live with the enhanced version of Masterpass, with additional launches planned for this year. , the enhanced version of Masterpass was announced with support from leading issuers in the United States including Bank of America, Bank of the West, Capital One, Citi, Fifth Third, Key Bank, PSCU and Sun Trust. Several issuers including Associated Bank, Fifth Third Bank, First Tech Federal Credit Union, KeyBank, Peoples United Bank, Security Service Federal Credit Union and Virginia Credit Union, are now live with the enhanced version of Masterpass, with additional launches planned for this year. Forty major issuers across 18 countries in Europe , including KBC Bank in Ireland, Intesa Sanpaolo in Italy, SEB, Nordea, Swedbank, ICA Banken and Resurs Bank in Sweden and Viseca in Switzerland, are now using Masterpass to integrate digital payments into their services. , including KBC Bank in Ireland, Intesa Sanpaolo in Italy, SEB, Nordea, Swedbank, ICA Banken and Resurs Bank in Sweden and Viseca in Switzerland, are now using Masterpass to integrate digital payments into their services. In the Asia Pacific region, AXIS Bank and CIMB Bank have signed on to support the use of Masterpass by their cardholders. These banks join dozens of financial institutions in the region, including Commonwealth Bank, National Australian Bank, Westpac, Bank of Ningbo, China Construction Bank, Bank of East Asia, HSBC, Maybank, DBS Bank, OCBC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, UOB Bank, Hang Seng Bank, Dah Sing Bank, Fubon Bank and Cathay United Bank, in providing more options to pay to their customers. region, AXIS Bank and CIMB Bank have signed on to support the use of Masterpass by their cardholders. These banks join dozens of financial institutions in the region, including Commonwealth Bank, National Australian Bank, Westpac, Bank of Ningbo, China Construction Bank, Bank of East Asia, HSBC, Maybank, DBS Bank, OCBC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, UOB Bank, Hang Seng Bank, Dah Sing Bank, Fubon Bank and Cathay United Bank, in providing more options to pay to their customers. In the Middle East and Africa , more than 18 Masterpass-enabled wallets are live, with support coming from eight leading banks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and four leading banks in South Africa including Standard Bank and Absa Bank. , more than 18 Masterpass-enabled wallets are live, with support coming from eight leading banks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and four leading banks in South Africa including Standard Bank and Absa Bank. In Latin America and the Caribbean, Masterpass is currently live in Colombia and Brazil, supported by key issuers including Caixa and Porto Seguro. Merchants Offer Masterpass Acceptance to Provide Innovative and Secure Digital Shopping Experiences to Consumers Masterpass provides a way for merchants to deliver the most convenient shopping experiences to their customers. Because Masterpass is backed by banks across the globe, merchants can gain access to the large, still untapped group of mainstream consumers who trust banks to provide them with a digital payment service. Masterpass also provides multilayered security, leveraging techniques such as data encryption and card tokenization, to help protect against the risk of fraud for merchants. Masterpass is currently available at hundreds of thousands of merchants online or in-app. Consumers are also now able to use Masterpass at the more than six million merchant locations in 77 countries that accept contactless payments, with this capability first available to Android device owners in the United States. In North America , Kohls.com, Match and United Airlines join the growing roster of merchants committed to supporting Masterpass including BJs Wholesale Club, The Cheesecake Factory, Crate & Barrel, Office Depot, Saks.com/LordandTaylor.com and Walmart , Kohls.com, Match and United Airlines join the growing roster of merchants committed to supporting Masterpass including BJs Wholesale Club, The Cheesecake Factory, Crate & Barrel, Office Depot, Saks.com/LordandTaylor.com and Walmart In Europe , new merchants including Galeria Kaufhof, Media Markt and Saturn in Germany, TicketOne in Italy, Letsbonus and Lastminute in Spain, Boots, See Tickets and The Hut Group in the UK join the more than 100,000 retailers in the region that accept Masterpass, including Trenitalia, Alitalia and Czech Railways. In the UK, Mastercard is reinventing the way people pay when eating out. With Qkr! with Masterpass, consumers can pay their bill, add items to their order, split tabs, and add a tip all from their smartphone. The service is now widely available in the UK with restaurant chains such as wagamama, Ask Italian, Zizzis and Carluccios all offering it as a way to pay for their customers. , new merchants including Galeria Kaufhof, Media Markt and Saturn in Germany, TicketOne in Italy, Letsbonus and Lastminute in Spain, Boots, See Tickets and The Hut Group in the UK join the more than 100,000 retailers in the region that accept Masterpass, including Trenitalia, Alitalia and Czech Railways. In the UK, Mastercard is reinventing the way people pay when eating out. With Qkr! with Masterpass, consumers can pay their bill, add items to their order, split tabs, and add a tip all from their smartphone. The service is now widely available in the UK with restaurant chains such as wagamama, Ask Italian, Zizzis and Carluccios all offering it as a way to pay for their customers. Within the Asia Pacific region, ComfortDelGro taxi, Singapores largest taxi operator, leverages Masterpass to enable its customers using the ComfortDelGro taxi booking app to easily pay for rides with a few clicks of their smartphone. Pizza Hut customers in the Philippines and Hong Kong leverage Masterpass to complete their online and in-app orders, while in Singapore, the availability of Masterpass on AXS e-Station and AXS m-Station enables consumers to quickly and safely complete their bill payments. region, ComfortDelGro taxi, Singapores largest taxi operator, leverages Masterpass to enable its customers using the ComfortDelGro taxi booking app to easily pay for rides with a few clicks of their smartphone. Pizza Hut customers in the Philippines and Hong Kong leverage Masterpass to complete their online and in-app orders, while in Singapore, the availability of Masterpass on AXS e-Station and AXS m-Station enables consumers to quickly and safely complete their bill payments. In the Middle East and Africa , leading merchants including Novo Cinemas and Aido.com in the UAE have chosen to offer Masterpass as a payment option for their customers. In South Africa, Masterpass is accepted for online, in-store and in-app payments at a range of merchants including Netflorist, Takealot, South African Airways, Le Creuset and Mango Airlines. Card-based mobile top-up continues to deliver new levels of consumer convenience in South Africa, and Masterpass has been extended to support payments in-store or face-to-face at more than 3,000 iKhokha retailers and service providers. In the UAE, BEAM, a mobile commerce and rewards platform, has implemented Masterpass at more than 3,000 merchants, including a unique fuel use case with Emirates National Oil Company-owned gas stations. , leading merchants including Novo Cinemas and Aido.com in the UAE have chosen to offer Masterpass as a payment option for their customers. In South Africa, Masterpass is accepted for online, in-store and in-app payments at a range of merchants including Netflorist, Takealot, South African Airways, Le Creuset and Mango Airlines. Card-based mobile top-up continues to deliver new levels of consumer convenience in South Africa, and Masterpass has been extended to support payments in-store or face-to-face at more than 3,000 iKhokha retailers and service providers. In the UAE, BEAM, a mobile commerce and rewards platform, has implemented Masterpass at more than 3,000 merchants, including a unique fuel use case with Emirates National Oil Company-owned gas stations. Leading merchants including Ricardo Electro, Renner and Novo.com in Latin America and the Caribbean are offering Masterpass to their customers as a simple and safe way to make digital payments. Masterpass QR Launches to Address Digital Payment Acceptance Challenges of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Developing Markets With more merchants of all sizes and in all corners of the globe beginning to accept electronic payments and expand their presence across digital, Mastercard introduced Masterpass QR, a quick, intuitive and secure way for consumers to pay, eliminating the need to use cash and helping merchants enhance the degree of convenience their customers can expect when shopping with them. To safely pay for online and in-store purchases, consumers scan a Quick Response (QR) code displayed at checkout on their smartphones or enter a merchant identifier into their feature phones. Consumers then enter the amount of the transaction and their PIN to complete the transaction. Masterpass QR first launched in August in Pakistan with United Bank Limited (UBL), Pakistans Best Bank 2016. Additional launches are planned across Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa. About Mastercard Mastercard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the worlds fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. Mastercard products and solutions make everyday commerce activities such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MastercardNews, join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau. US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet in Geneva Friday for high-level peace talks on Syria, with Washington warning its patience is wearing thin. The top diplomats from the two powers, which support opposite sides in the five-year conflict, will meet in the Swiss city to push for a peace agreement, Russia said. Washington later confirmed Kerry was leaving for face-to-face talks with Lavrov. The diplomatic news came after the US pressed Russia on Thursday for a "true cessation of hostilities" against a backdrop of continued military turmoil. Coalition-backed forces were continuing to push the Islamic State group away from the Turkish border, an Islamist rebel leader died in a bombing attack and pro-regime forces made major gains on the outskirts of the ravaged city of Aleppo. The talks "will focus on reducing violence, expanding humanitarian assistance for the Syrian people, and moving toward a political solution needed to end the civil war," State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement. US Defense Secretary Ash Carter told BBC radio that there was "quite a long way to go" before a final peace deal could be struck. He called for "a true cessation of hostilities -- not what you've seen, which is a partial cessation of hostilities," adding: "Our patience is not unlimited." Both sides have agreed that a deal must involve a durable ceasefire, humanitarian access to conflict-wracked areas and a resumption of peace talks. Amid a flurry of diplomatic efforts, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed to intensify efforts for a ceasefire "as soon as possible" in Aleppo, the Turkish news agency Anadolu reported. Moscow backs the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Ankara supports the opposition seeking his ouster. US President Barack Obama earlier held talks with Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit in China but the two failed to bridge their differences. Lavrov suggested that problems in another part of the world -- namely, US sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine crisis -- may be hampering efforts between the former Cold War rivals to resolve "regional conflicts," a reference to the Syrian war. And Carter noted: "We have our differences, serious differences, with Russia elsewhere, especially here in Europe with Ukraine." - 18-month transition - Fighting in the complex war continued to claim lives, with Turkish shelling over the border into Syria killing six Kurdish fighters aligned with US forces on Thursday. Syrian rebels supported by Turkish and coalition air strikes pushed further west into areas held by the Islamic State group in northern Syria. The top military commander of the Army of Conquest, the largest Syrian rebel alliance, was killed in an air strike during a meeting of the leaders of the anti-government group, Islamist sources said Thursday. The former Al-Nusra Front, renamed Fateh al-Sham Front, announced on Twitter "the martyrdom" of commander Abu Omar Sarakeb. Pro-regime forces meanwhile overran a strategically important district on the southern outskirts of Aleppo, rolling back nearly every gain from a major month-long rebel offensive there, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Thursday. The government advance further seals off Aleppo's opposition-held eastern districts. Regime forces backed by the Russian air force have completely encircled opposition-held neighbourhoods. "Rebels are now back to square one, under an even more ruthless siege," Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the observatory, told AFP. Shops in the city's east have been struggling since Sunday to secure goods and prices are skyrocketing. "The price of a kilo of meat rose from 3,000 pounds ($6) to 6,000," complained Ahmad, a father of three, in the Bustan al-Qasr district, ravaged by air strikes. In London on Wednesday, the Syria opposition, under pressure, fleshed out a proposal for a transition to democracy without Assad after a six-month negotiating phase with the regime. The opposition hopes new talks would result in an 18-month transition that would see Syria governed by an interim body made up of opposition figures, current government representatives and members of civil society, according to a 25-page blueprint. The Syrian war -- which began as a pro-democracy revolt in 2011 but morphed into a multi-front conflict after the regime unleashed a crackdown -- has killed more than 290,000 people and forced more than half the population to flee their homes. The Islamic State group has used the chaos to spread throughout the country and into Iraq. But it has lost ground in recent weeks. Turkey said Wednesday that it favoured a joint operation with the US to oust the jihadists from their de facto capital of Raqa in northern Syria. Erdogan said he had agreed with Obama to do "what is necessary." AFP News Russia on Saturday suspended its participation in a landmark agreement that allowed vital grain exports from Ukraine, blaming alleged drone attacks on Russian ships in Crimea. Russia made the announcement after its army accused Kyiv earlier Saturday of a "massive" drone attack on its Black Sea fleet, while Britain bluntly rejected Moscow's claims its specialists were involved. The Turkey and UN-brokered deal to unlock grain exports signed between Russia and Ukraine in July is critical to easing the global food crisis caused by the conflict. The agreement already allowed more than nine million tonnes of Ukrainian grain to be exported and was due to be renewed on November 19. "In light of the terrorist act carried out by the Kyiv regime with the participation of British experts against ships of the Black Sea fleet and civilian vessels involved in the security of grain corridors, Russia suspends its participation in the implementation of the agreement on the export of agricultural products from Ukrainian ports," the Russian defence ministry said on Telegram. Sevastopol in Moscow-annexed Crimea, which has been targeted several times in recent months, serves as the headquarters for the fleet and a logistical hub for operations in Ukraine. The Russian army claimed to have "destroyed" nine aerial drones and seven maritime ones, in an attack in the port early Saturday. Moscow's forces alleged British "specialists", whom they said were based in the southern Ukrainian city of Ochakiv, had helped prepare and train Kyiv to carry out the strike. In a further singling out of the UK -- which Moscow sees as one of the most unfriendly Western countries -- Russia said the same British unit was involved in explosions on the Nord Stream gas pipelines last month. Britain strongly rebutted both claims, saying "the Russian Ministry of Defence is resorting to peddling false claims of an epic scale." Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Saturday Moscow would raise the blasts and the alleged drone attack at the UN Security Council. The British defence ministry said this "invented story says more about arguments going on inside the Russian Government than it does about the West". Moscow's military said ships targeted at their Crimean base were involved in a UN-brokered deal to allow the export of Ukrainian grain. Russia had recently criticised the deal, saying its own grain exports have suffered due to Western sanctions. - 'Massive' attack - Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Moscow-installed governor of Sevastopol, said Saturday's drone attack was the "most massive" the peninsula had seen. The city's services were on "alert", but he claimed no "civilian infrastructure" had been damaged. City authorities said that the harbour was "temporarily" closed to boats and ferries and urged people "not to panic". Attacks on Crimea, annexed by Moscow in 2014, have increased in recent weeks, as Kyiv presses a counter-offensive in the south to retake territory held by Moscow for months. Moscow-installed authorities in Kherson, just north of Crimea, have vowed to turn the city into a fortress, preparing for an inevitable assault. On Thursday, Razvozhayev said a thermal power station had been attacked in Balaklava, in the Sevastopol area. He claimed there was only minor damage and no casualties. In early October, Moscow's bridge linking Crimea to the Russian mainland -- personally inaugurated by President Vladimir Putin in 2018 -- was damaged by a blast that Putin blamed on Ukraine. The Russian fleet stationed in the port had also been attacked by a drone in August. Russia's allegations Saturday came as the Ukrainian army reported fighting in the Lugansk and Donetsk regions in the east, including near Bakhmut -- the only area where Moscow's forces have advanced in recent weeks. Pro-Russian separatists fighting alongside Moscow also announced a new prisoner exchange with Kyiv, saying 50 will return home from each side. Both sides were gearing up for the battle for the city of Kherson, the regional capital that fell to Moscow's forces in the first days of their offensive. bur/raz/jmm Giving your business a boost doesnt have to be difficult or incredibly time consuming. In fact, there are some essential elements of building successful businesses that can sometimes get overlooked. These suggestions from members of our small business community include some small but important things you can do to boost your business right away. Include These Essential Features of a Small Business Website Your small business website serves as the online face of your business. And it can also provide any number of important functions. While each small business website should be different, there are some essential elements that can make them great, like the ones outlined in this post on Techlofy by Prince Kumar. Entice Customers to Binge Watch Your Product Videos Videos can really enhance your product pages with additional information, views and storytelling elements. But for them to really work, you need to get customers to actually watch them. This post on the Kissmetrics blog by Shayla Price includes some tips for getting people to binge watch your product videos. Find a Fundable Startup Market Opportunity Theres a lot that goes into finding a great startup opportunity. But one of the essential elements of any idea is its ability to get funded. Martin Zwilling of Startup Professionals Musings explains more in this post about finding fundable startup opportunities. And BizSugar members discuss the post further here. Use a Digital Marketing Strategy to Increase Marketing Impact A digital marketing strategy can help you keep all of your online and mobile marketing goals organized so that youll be better equipped to actually reach them. For that reason, Erik Newton of the BrightEdge blog suggests that using a digital marketing strategy can increase your marketing impact overall. Achieve the Ideal State of Marketing Marketing is an essential part of running any successful business. The actual activities that go into marketing can vary from business to business. But there are some elements you can include to find the ideal state of marketing for your business. Scott Rayden discusses the idea in this Marketing Land post. Get Mind-Blowing Traffic From Pinterest Pinterest has been steadily gaining popularity among consumers for a few years now. And that popularity means that it can be a great tool for businesses looking to attract online consumers. This Mostly Blogging post by Janice Wald includes some thoughts on the potential power of Pinterest. And the BizSugar community also weighs in here. Learn How to Write Effective Web Content Communicating with your customers online is becoming increasingly important. And content marketing can help you get those messages out effectively. But you need to understand how to write content thats actually effective first. Jireh Gibson shares some tips in this Media Shower post. Nurture Email Leads in Your Digital Marketing Funnel Once you gather leads from your website or opt-in forms, you need to have a plan for actually converting those leads into customers. Nurturing leads is a huge part of that, as Mike Gingerich discusses in this post. He also offers tips for how to actually craft your emails. Get Started With Facebook Instant Articles Facebook has become such a huge part of how many businesses interact with their customers. So new or changing features like Facebook Instant Articles can have a big impact. In this post, Rebekah Radice explains Facebook Instant Articles and how they can help small businesses. You can also see discussion about the post over on BizSugar. Take a Weekend Business Break Hard work is an essential ingredient for any small business. But working hard constantly without ever taking any breaks can be draining and ultimately hurt your business in the long run. In this CorpNet post, Nellie Akalp challenges entrepreneurs to take a break over the long weekend, and explains why that is important. If youd like to suggest your favorite small business content to be considered for an upcoming community roundup, please send your news tips to: sbtips@gmail.com Kyle Kittleson uses livestreaming in a very unique way. Kittlesons efforts, delivered over a variety of platforms, have transformed more than 1,000 dogs with positive reinforcement training. Hes also developed a strong passion for marine mammals, an interest important to him since the age of 6, and he has worked across the U.S. in the fields of animal care, rescue, rehabilitation and training. His interests and aptitude have led him to work with exotic birds, penguins, harbor seals, Hawaiian monk seals, California sea lions and more. Small Business Trends interviewed Kittleson via telephone for his thoughts on the latest trends in live programs and what resonates with viewers in the livestreaming world. He also talks about monetization in regards to Busker, an up and coming livestreaming app that also includes a tipping function. * * * * * Small Business Trends: How many live streaming platforms do you use? Do you treat them differently? Kyle Kittleson: I use three platforms: Facebook Live, Periscope and Busker. On my Facebook Live, Ill always deliver high-value informational content, never just chat. Periscope and Busker can be the chatty ones. Let me say I think highly of Busker and the people who created it. While its nice to be on the receiving end of Busker tipping, its not a priority for me. I didnt open a Busker account to get tipped. Im more interested in making connections with viewers and creating relationships. Small Business Trends: Lets talk more about Busker tipping, because it seems like an answer to Periscopes absence of a monetization function. Kyle Kittleson: When I first heard about Busker, I wondered why any viewer would tip. One day I was in Mary Desmonds broadcast and I asked her to play a Britney Spears song, and she did. I tipped her and then it made total sense. I give tips in real life, to a piano player for example, so whats the difference? Not much. Its a great feature of Busker. I teared up during my first Busker broadcast because of the support I received. It was just me introducing myself, but many of the viewers were already watching me on Periscope for a year. Dog training advice was what I initially thought would generate the most Busker tips. But Ive noticed when Im just doing a broadcast about me, or walking my dog Callie or just hanging out with her, I get more tips. I dont know the reason, but I think its because for the people who are following me nicknamed the #KittleFam its the first time in a year theyve been able to communicate in a way that was more than a tweet or an email. Tipping was something they could do instantly to show appreciation, and not just for specific broadcasts I was doing. They were showing appreciation that I was even on livestreaming to begin with. So its not about getting a dollar, its the fact that somebody would think enough of me to show their support. Small Business Trends: Can you give us a preview of what content you might bring to Busker? Ive seen you give animal behavior tips and you do street interviews, but what else? Kyle Kittleson: Closet Confessions is my most popular Periscope show, and I might bring it to Busker so it can reach a brand new set of people. Buskers quality is better than Periscope, but my following is larger on Periscope. But most importantly, Ill be where the #KittleFam wants to watch me. If they say they want to watch me on Periscope, Ill be on Periscope. Its more up to them than it is up to me. At first, the Periscope #KittleFam werent too happy with the thought of me shifting anything to Busker, mainly because it wasnt available on Android at the time. But Busker is on Android now. Small Business Trends: Ive heard people say its exhausting and difficult to create a live streaming show that gets a lot of viewers, so congrats. How popular is popular? Kyle Kittleson: I get emails from people saying they have to record Scandal because theyd rather be part of Closet Confessions live on Thursday nights. The show really resonates with people. Its a perfect use of live streaming. It allows people the chance to share and confess something thats bothering them in a supportive environment. While its live, people connect to each other too, which is rare on social media. Revealing personal secrets on social media isnt always safe because social media has an evil and horrible side, but Closet Confessions is a safe haven for thousands of people every week. Nine or ten months ago, I found myself broadcasting from my closet, and thats how the show idea started. The next day was the shows first episode and 1,500 people tuned in. Since then, Ive had guests on it like Sonequa Martin-Green from the hit show The Walking Dead as well as live streamers. Its become a community. Nobody is above having something to confess. Participating can result in major life-changing decisions. And I mean things like rehab, divorce, taking information to the LAPD. Small Business Trends: When can people watch it? How can people reach you directly? Kyle Kittleson: Closet Confessions is every Thursday at 5 p.m. Pacific time. Let me add, the show has nothing to do with me. Its all about the viewers they are the show. I just moderate it. Ive spent years studying animal behavior and theres not a lot of difference between animal behavior and human behavior. Closet Confessions is powerful, but its not for the weary. My background lets me view human behavior in a unique way, which is helpful for moderating the show because its all live and its as real as it gets. Whats known as reality TV isnt real. But real people making real confessions, thats real. You can send me a direct message on Twitter or Facebook, or email me at Kyle@KyleKittleson.com. Image credit: Robin Roemer; Pictured: Kyle Kittleson, Callie The Lab This is part of the Small Business Trends Livestreamed Livelihoods interview series featuring sessions with today's movers and shakers in the livestreaming world. Companies are not permitted to discriminate in hiring based on a candidates age, because such discrimination is illegal. And yet they do it every day. Why? Why are younger people considered more desirable in the workplace? The simple answers are that they require less compensation; theyre hungry because they need to accumulate wealth for future years; sometimes theyre more educated and have advanced degrees; and they can stick around longer before retiring. There are other reasons too, such as getting sick less often and having more stamina. But theres one crucial thing that people dont often talk about: that younger generations can adapt more easily to change and therefore can and are willing to learn new things. Invariably, more-mature people joke about the fact that if they need to do just about anything technology related, they phone their children or even their grandchildren. Younger generations brains are wired to deal more readily with modern technology. And they dont have to unlearn old technology. A Growing Need for Adaptable Employees Todays work environment requires the ability to adapt quickly to market demands. New technology is ubiquitous and evolving fast. Learning new things and immediately becoming able to use them are modern-age requirements. Younger people more easily learn. Older people often resist and cant. You cant teach an old dog new tricks, as the adage says, is true for people more advanced in age. Many dont know how to use a smartphone or how to email or how to navigate the internet or how to shop online. And theyve come to believe theyre too old to learn; theyve given up on learning new things. Employers are fully aware of that phenomenon and consider the age of an applicant before making an offer. Beginning with our birth and for many years after, learning new things is a necessity to survive and be part of modern society. As we get older, though, we reach a point when learning becomes optional. We no longer need to learn new things to survive. Some use the excuse that they cant learn anymore because theyre old. Its not true, of course, but it still gets used as an excuse. And some simply lack the motivation to expend the energy required to learn new things. Older people should stress in job interviews that they have the desire to keep learning new things, and in fact they should give examples of new things theyve learned recently and adopted as parts of their daily lives. Republished by permission. Original here. Small businesses in New Jersey worried about a potential increase in labor costs can breathe easy. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has vetoed a bill to raise the states minimum wage to $15 per hour. Concerns About Hiking the Minimum Wage in New Jersey Behind Veto Gov. Christie called the proposed $15 raise a really radical increase that would trigger an escalation of wages that will make doing business in New Jersey unaffordable. He also argued that small businesses would replace more employees by automated kiosks if the state increases its minimum wage. Had he signed the legislation, New Jersey would have become the third state after New York and California to adopt a $15 per hour minimum wage. Its worth noting that state voters had agreed to a previous wage hike in 2013 when it was raised to $8.25. In a statement about his veto, Christie cited that the legislature wants to increase the minimum wage by almost 80 percent only three years later. His decision has been backed by Michele Siekerka, president of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association who said the increase was too much, too fast. Had this bill been signed, it would not only have hurt the New Jersey economy, but it would have hurt the exact workers the proponents of this policy are trying to help, she said in a statement. But there are voices against the veto as well. Analilia Mejia, director of New Jersey Working Families Alliance, said the proposed increase in the minimum wage would have raised the pay of about 975,000 New Jersey workers. Him vetoing this is not shocking, Mejia told The New York Times. But she argued a higher minimum wage would increase prices and accelerate the automation of many jobs. She also added that low-wage workers would have more money to spend and increase the revenue of retailers and other businesses. Meanwhile in New York and California, the $15 wage increase has met with mixed response from small businesses. Gary Hu, owner of Check Maid Cleaning, a 50-employee residential cleaning business based in New York City told CNBC that increasing wages to $15 an hour has helped him retain cleaners. Brian Hibbs, owner of comic book and graphic novel store Comix Experience, on the other hand, told CBS news that the wage hike will hurt small businesses. I dont think this was thought through, he said. The cost of labor is so high. Its very, very difficult to run a profitable business at this point. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Over 9,000 homes have been destroyed in the country, OCHA was cited as saying by The New Indian Express daily on Thursday, adding that the homeless are being sheltered in schools and public buildings. The floods in Niger are being caused by torrential rains, which were particularly heavy in August. Since last month, the death toll from the floods in the country has gone up from 14 to 38, according to OCHA. According to the United Nations, over 50,000 people have received aid in Niger amid the annual rainy season and heavy flooding. The poll was conducted by the oldest French opinion and marketing research company, Ifop, from June 28th to July 4th 2016 in Germany, France, and Italy, and from August 26th to 30th in the United States. Ifop interviewed 4,015 people over the age of 18 years in Germany (1,000 respondents), France (1,004), Italy (1,002) and the United States (1,009), and the samples were representative of each countrys population in terms of gender, age, and geography. The confidence interval was +/- 3.1% at 95% confidence. About the Sputnik.Polls Project The international public opinion project was created in January 2015, in partnership with leading research companies such as Populus, IFOP, and forsa. The project organizes regular surveys in the United States and Europe on the most sensitive social and political issues. Sputnik is a news agency and radio network with multimedia news hubs in dozens of countries. Sputnik broadcasts through its websites in over 30 languages, as well as on analogue and digital radio, mobile apps, and social media. Sputnik newswires, available by subscription, 24/7 in English, Arabic, Spanish and Chinese. Itongadol.-British ambient composer Brian Eno will not allow Israeli dance company Batsheva to use his music in their upcoming performance due to his affiliation with the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. According to The Guardian, Batsheva was planning to use his piece "Neroli" in a series of performances Tuesday in Italy that are sponsored by the Israeli embassy in a piece entitled "Humus." This particular piece is a prominent one in Batsheva\s repertoire. It has recently come to my attention that you have been using a piece of my music in a work called Humus, Eno wrote in a letter to Batsheva. I was not aware of this use until last week, and, though in one way Im flattered that you chose my music for your work, Im afraid it creates a serious conflict for me. To my understanding," Eno continued, "the Israeli embassy (and therefore the Israeli government) will be sponsoring the upcoming performances, and, given that Ive been supporting the BDS campaign for several years now, this is an unacceptable prospect for me. Its often said by opponents of BDS that art shouldnt be used as a political weapon. However, since the Israeli government has made it quite clear that it uses art in exactly that way to promote Brand Israel and to draw attention away from the occupation of Palestinian land I consider that my decision to deny permission is a way of taking this particular weapon out of their hands. I am trying to understand the difficulties that must face any Israeli artist now and in particular ones like yourselves who have shown some sympathy to the Palestinian cause." He added, "I feel that your government exploits artists like you, playing on your natural desire to keep working even if it does mean becoming part of a propaganda strategy. Your dance company might not be able to formally distance itself from the Israeli government but I can and will: I dont want my music to be licensed for any event sponsored by the Israeli embassy. Batsheva is one of Israel\s most prominent and lauded artistic organizations. The Guardian noted that Eno is among the 1,700 artists who signed the Artists\ Pledge for Palestine, which promises to refuse funding or cultural contacts from the Israeli government. "One of my neighbors came into my house with her five-year-old, who was sick everywhere because of the fumes," Turner said. "Ive lived here for 17 years. I cant believe there was a cannabis farm there." Another neighbor, speaking on condition of anonymity, also spoke of feeling ill. "It was very strong, you could feel it on your lungs," the resident said. "Someone was joking that we should have been grateful because it was a 'free high.'" Their unanticipated love for Denmark may have been fuelled by a recent change in the Danish citizenship laws. In September 2015, Denmark permitted dual citizenship, which allowed Brits to become Danish citizens without having to give up their British passports. "EU membership affect the possibility of settling down somewhere in the EU and getting a job. There are over a million Britons living and working in other EU countries who enjoy same rights as all other citizens in the respective countries. This option as a starting point will disappear when the British leave the EU. This also applies to access to welfare services and the like," Rebecca Adler-Nissen pointed out. Denmark is currently home to a British diaspora of 12,000 people. In the aftermath of the Brexit referendum, which was won by the Leave' side with 51.2 percent of the votes, many have expressed fears, citing, among other anxieties, the prospect of losing the ability to work freely, continued access to the Danish welfare system or problems with property ownership. In order to apply for Danish nationality, one must have lived in Denmark for nine years and have a permanent residence permit. Additionally, one must also have been self-supportive for at least 4 years and 6 months out of the last 5 years before applying. Finally, one must as passing a citizenship test to prove one has sufficient knowledge of Danish society, culture and history. The authorities and the residents of the tiny town of Kyyjarvi in Central Finland filed a request to Minister of Internal Affairs Paula Risikko not to close down the local reception center for refugees. Previously, dozens of reception centers across Finland have been shut down, as the raging migrant crisis is winding down, Finnish national broadcaster Yle reported. Earlier, authorities reported that the center in Kyyjarvi will close in November, whereupon the refugees will be transferred to other centers. According to Kyyjarvi residents, the refugees breathed new life into the plain provincial town. However, Risikko did not address the appeal, signed by half of Kyyjarvi residents, saying that the issue was within the competence of the Immigration Service. Last year, Kyyjarvi, which has a population of 1,300, received around 70 asylum-seekers, mainly from Afghanistan. The refugee crowd included both single young men and families with children, some of which were even born in Kyyjarvi. The guidelines also prohibit the doctors from inappropriately touching a patient and suggest they conduct physical examinations in the presence of a third person or a chaperon. Any doctor found violating these guidelines may be punished as per relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code that deals with rape, child sexual abuse, sexual molestation, adultery and sexual harassment at workplace. However, the guidelines allow doctors and patients to enter into a relationship legally once the minimum time-frame of one year elapses after termination of treatment. Laws relating to sexual abuse in India are mainly women centric. But the guidelines on sexual boundaries for doctors are not gender specific and apply to both male and female doctors and patients. The guidelines are expected to be formally adopted in October this year. ALMATY (Sputnik) Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov is expected to resign from his post on Friday, a source in the Kazakh government told RIA Novosti on Thursday. "An extended government meeting is scheduled for Friday, which will be held with the participation of the government head. It is expected that at its conclusion, Prime Minister Karim Massimov will leave his post," the source said. Massimov, 51, has served as Kazakhstans prime minister since April 2014. Before that, he was in the same post from January 2007 until September 2012. VIENTIANE (Sputnik) Medvedev has already had a conversation with US President Barack Obama at the ceremonial reception organized for top politicians taking part in the East Asia Summit on Wednesday. On Thursday, Medvedev will meet with New Zealands Prime Minister John Key. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Prihodko said that the sides were going to discuss trade and economic ties between two countries. "We will discuss how to give a fresh impetus taking into account that New Zealand did not join western economic sanctions against Russia. They have additional chances," Prihodko said. VIENTIANE (Sputnik) Medvedev and Key exchanged greetings in front of the media and proceeded to a meeting behind closed doors. On Wednesday, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Prikhodko said that economic cooperation would be on the agenda of the prime ministers' talks, adding that a potential free trade deal between the Eurasian Economic Union and New Zealand was also likely to be discussed. The 11th EAS summit kicked off on Wednesday and lasts two days. Established in 2005, the EAS brings together all member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and the United States. NEW DELH (Sputnik) The initial price asked by France was estimated at 11.6 billion euros. "Unless there are any unforeseen complications, the jet fighter contract should happen soon. The price has been substantially lowered after several rounds of tough negotiations," the source told The Economic Times newspaper. The deal is expected to be approved at the next meeting of India's Cabinet Committee on Security, according to the media outlet. MOSCOW (Sputnik) The European Union has no problems with the potential Australia-UK free trade agreement (FTA) that can be reached after Britain leaves the bloc, Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs Elmar Brok said Thursday. "If Britain is totally third country then it is normal that Australia and Great Britain negotiate a free trade agreement or something like that what they want but it is not up to us," Brok told journalists. On Wednesday, the two countries announced the establishment of a bilateral Trade Working Group following talks in London between Australian Trade Minister Steve Ciobo and UK Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox. Modi stressed that enhancing connectivity is at the heart of Indias strategic partnership with ASEAN. Seamless digital connectivity between India and South East Asia is a shared objective. India is committed to a Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity, Modi said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also proposed a Joint Task Force on connectivity to work on the extension of the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Strengthening partnership with ASEAN is a part of Indias core strategy to increase its influence in the South East Asian region. An inflight magazine on the state run Air China has provoked anger amongst Indian, Pakistani and black residents in London. The advice cautioned readers that care should be taken when venturing into Indian, Pakistani and Black areas in London. London is generally a safe city, but precautions are needed entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistani and black people. We advise tourists not to go out alone at night and females always to be accompanied by another person when travelling, text reads. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Taliban fighters are attacking government and police buildings in the Urozgan provincial capital Tarinkot, a local government representative told Sputnik on Thursday. "The militants are attacking the governor's office and the police headquarters using heavy weapons, there is intense fighting 400 meters from here," Dost Mohammed Nayab said. On Wednesday, local officials in the southern province warned the Afghan government of an impending fall of Tarinkot to the Taliban after the Islamist movement advanced to within almost one mile from the city, reportedly claiming to have overrun more than a dozen Afghan army outposts. But Taiwan also needs to keep its submarine fleet armed. After stalling for many years, the United States has finally agreed to approve the sale of MK-48 heavyweight torpedoes to the island nation. The news comes from an unnamed official within Taiwans Ministry of National Defense, speaking to Defense News. Neither country has officially confirmed the agreement, and it remains unknown how many torpedoes will be purchased. "We are working very closely with our retail partners to ensure that as we go into the important holiday season, the back half of 2016, that we've got all of the levers pulled to get back on the growth trajectory," Goodwin said. Lego is a family-owned company established in 1932. In the past 12 years, its revenue has increased 15 percent per year, according to Reuters. The company manufactures colorful plastic objects and renews its products by producing building sets for characters and ships from Star Wars, Angry Birds and Disney Princesses, among others. Lego Architecture also offers recognizable iconic buildings. The company has six Legoland theme parks and multiple video games. In 2014, the company released a movie that was a surprise hit, bringing the company hundreds of million dollars. Demand has not decreased. According to Reuters, despite Lego's short-term policy, in the first half of the year the company's revenue rose 11 percent due to sales in Europe and Asia. Earlier this year, Australia came under international criticism for keeping thousands of asylum-seekers in closed detention camps on Nauru and Papua New Guinea. Conditions in both camps, run by Ferrovial S.A., a Spanish multinational, were claimed to be downright miserable, with obviously inhuman treatment of the inmates. The Government Pension Fund of Norway, which harbors Norway's oil revenues and is commonly referred to as "the oil fund," is the largest shareholder in Ferrovial. The Norwegian share of 1.7 percent is estimated at 2.5 billion NOK (roughly $310 million) The Norwegian investments were strictly condemned by human rights watchdogs Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch for apparently contradicting the oil fund's own ethical guidelines. Whereas violence, child abuse and torture all abound in the notorious camps, Ferrovial keeps, together with its investors, harvesting millions of dollars owing to lucrative contracts with Australian authorities. The two human rights groups claimed Canberra was ignoring the inhumane treatment of refugees as a means of deterring others from attempting the journey to Australia. "Based on our examination of the facts, it is possible that individual officers at Ferrovial might be exposed to criminal liability for crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute," Diala Shamas, a lawyer at the Stanford clinic, told the Guardian newspaper. MOSCOW (Sputnik) His comments came amid a recent wave of statements by numerous EU officials about the viability of the deal that seeks to establish a free trade zone between the European Union and the United States. "There will be no race to the bottom. The EU and the USA are the markets with the highest standards in the world. The TTIP standards will be the highest in the world and they can also become a global role model for banking regulation, food safety or environmental issues, just to name a few," Pfeiffer, also a member of Germany's Bundestag Committee on Economic Affairs and Energy, said. The TTIP agreement has drawn severe criticism for the tremendous power it would potentially give to international corporations as well as for the lack of transparency in the negotiations as its details have not been released to the public. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Nord Stream 2 company will submit a request in two weeks to the Swedish government for carrying out gas pipeline construction works, the company's representative told RIA Novosti on Thursday. "Nord Stream 2 is planning to submit a request for conducting construction works to the Swedish government in two weeks," he said. Earlier in the day, Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said that the government would consider such a request if it was submitted. She also added, that the Swedish government "does not like" the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, but the are no legal grounds to halt it. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) Defective door latches have led to a recall of 2,383,292 vehicles in North America, 1.5 million more than previously announced, the Ford Motor Company said in a press release on Thursday. "In the affected vehicles, the pawl spring tab in the side door latch could break," the release explained. "A door that opens while driving increases the risk of injury." Affected vehicles include 2013-15 Ford C-MAX and Ford Escape, 2012-15 Ford Focus, 2015 Ford Mustang and Lincoln MKC and 2014-16 Ford Transit Connect, the release noted. THESSALONIKI (Sputnik) The first day of the forum, held within the framework of an international exhibition, will be devoted to agricultural cooperation between Russia and Greece. On Saturday, Russian and Greek companies are expected to sign a number of bilateral agreements. Sunday will be devoted to energy and modern technology. A Russian delegation is expected to visit Greek companies that are working on the development of solar cells. In May, Russia and Greece adopted a declaration on strengthening bilateral ties during a visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Athens. A joint intergovernmental declaration on economic partnership was also signed during that visit. STRASBOURG (Sputnik) On Sunday, September 4, over a dozen people set fire to the TV Inter headquarters in Kiev. The channels representatives claimed it was arson, while Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said that former military servicemen were responsible for the act. "We discussed the situation related to the gross violations of the rights of journalists in Ukraine. We raised the issue firmly and supported the statement of the Council of Europe in connection with the flagrant violation of journalists rights, I am referring to the attack on the Inter TV channel. Journalists cannot and must not be subject to this kind of unlawful actions," Meshkov told RIA Novosti after a Wednesday meeting with Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland. Earlier this week, US democracy watchdog Freedom House said that the protesters who set fire to Ukraines TV Inter headquarters on Sunday violated the freedom of the press. BRUSSELS (Sputnik) In the past months, Belgian nuclear facilities have been guarded by a force of 140 army personnel According to the newspaper De Morgen, the government has decided to replace them with a special unit composed of federal police officers trained to intervene in the event of a terrorist attack. The counterterror unit will be armed with semi-automatic weapons, and should be ready for deployment next year, the paper reported. As for Merkel's policy on migrants, it is "only an outlet, the problems go much deeper," according to him. Also criticizing Merkel was German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel, who said that the grand coalition "underestimated" the challenge of integrating asylum seekers in Germany. "It is not enough when she [Angela Merkel] constantly says we will manage. She must instead create the conditions under which we'll be able to manage [the refugee situation] well, but the CDU /CSU have always blocked such efforts," Gabriel said. Merkel, for her part, took the blame for her party's election defeat, saying that "I am the head of the party and chancellor naturally I am also responsible." At the same time, she strongly defended her decision to accept more than one million refugees in Germany last year. Nico Fried, a commentator with the German daily Suddeutsche Zeitung, said in turn that Merkel only has two realistic courses of action to choose from following her party's defeat on Sunday, and both of these would lead to "emergency scenarios." The first option would be for Merkel to stick to her policy at any cost, because any change will be perceived by Merkel's opponents as a tactical maneuver, according to him. The second option is for Merkel to simply resign, which would certainly be viewed by Merkel's opponents as her political surrender, Fried said. For his part, Jon Worth, political consultant and EU policy specialist, told Sputnik that Merkel is "not as strong as she was, but she still is immensely strong and broadly trusted within Germany." MOSCOW (Sputnik) Germany's Federal Intelligence Service requested an increase of 12 percent, which would result in a total budget of 808 million euros, while the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution demanded an 18-percent hike, which would result in them being able to obtain a 307 million euro budget, Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported. The BND plans to spend more on the decryption of messengers, which are popular among criminals and terrorists, since out of 70 communication services it can only decipher 10. The BfV says it needs more funding to close the technological gap, as it has to cooperate with agencies like the US National Security Agency (NSA) to perform its own duties. It also cites the need to expand networking with other security agencies and create 55 new jobs in countering both far-left and far-right extremists and Islamist terrorism. The office also intends to spend another 4.5 million euros on cyberdefense. According to Sweden's Crime Prevention Council (Bra), over 2,000 cars were set alight during the first half of the year. Last weekend, 17 cars were torched in the city of Vasteras alone. For city dweller Kristian Howes, this was the last straw. The active citizen started a Facebook group to gather volunteers in order to patrol the community on evenings and weekends, in a bid to prevent further car fires. "In the last two years, I have personally seen up to eight car fires. Frankly speaking, I myself have been waiting for someone to do what I'm doing now. But since nothing has happened so far, I decided to go for it myself," Christian Howes told SVT. His effort was hailed by police, who have been criticized for being inept and failing to prevent the car arson epidemic. Police officer Per Agren told Swedish national broadcaster SVT that it was important for the public to get involved and for alert adults in the community to stand up. Although Kristian is a trained guard, he pointed out that vigilantes should not engage in police work, but instead aim at preventive efforts. At the same time, Howes has been procuring fire extinguishers for guards to be able to use, despite calls for caution from the Rescue Service. WARSAW (Sputnik) Poland is ready, if needed, for the amendment of the Lisbon Treaty to reform the European Union and has Visegrad group backing in the issue , Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski said Thursday. "For many months we have tried to begin reforms in the EU, we want to use the Brexit discussion for that We [Visegrad group] are united [in the understanding] that intra-EU relations must be reformed We say it out loud, we would not hesitate to change the [Lisbon] treaty, if necessary," Waszczykowski told TVN24 broadcaster in an interview, stressing that the relations between all the EU decision-making bodies should be reshaped. He added that Brexit was not just Britain's whim but an EU failure. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Police arrested two men in west London as a part of a counterterrorism probe, it said in a press release on Thursday. "The men, who are aged 19 [A] and 20 [B], were arrested at an address in west London as part of a pre-planned, intelligence-led investigation by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, supported by the South East Counter Terrorism Unit," the press release read. One suspect was arrested over preparation of terrorist acts, while the other one is suspected of funding terrorism and failure to disclose information regarding an act of terrorism. MOSCOW (Sputnik) The European Union will disburse 348 million euros ($392 million) to assist the Syrian refugees in Turkey, Christos Stylianides, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management said Thursday. "Today Im here as commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management to announce a groundbreaking humanitarian program to help them [refugees] lead dignified lives with 348 million euros in funding from the EU budget and of course from our member states we are launching an emergency social safety net to support the most valuable refugees inside Turkey," Stylianides said in a statement. According to the official, the European Union is keeping its promise to help Turkey amid the refugee crisis. As the date of the Austrian presidential election re-run looms closer, the debates on whether or not the country should follow Britains example and secede from the European Union are becoming more and more poignant. It should be noted that Brexit made a considerable impact on political rhetoric in Austria, encouraging some and making others more wary of such prospects. Taking stock of this situation, the Freedom Party apparently decided to tone down its anti-EU agenda and stop calling for the secession from the European Union. Instead, presidential hopeful Norbert Hofer now promotes the idea that the country should work together with Brussels in order to strengthen Europes economy and security. However, according to Hofers plan, Austria shouldnt do this alone, but as a part of a regional bloc that would also include Slovenia, Croatia, the Czech Republic and Hungary. In an interview with Sputnik, Andrija Mandic, one of the leaders of Montenegro's opposition political alliance, the Democratic Front, warned against his country joining NATO, a membership that he said will never bring any benefit to people of Montenegro. The interview came after the Democratic Front's first meeting ahead of the October 16 parliamentary elections in Montenegro, which will take place in the town of Niksic. According to Mandic, his country should not enter NATO, which bombed Montenegro in 1999. He said that he majority of Montenegro's citizens do not see their country as a member of the alliance. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet with his counterpart from Luxembourg Jean Asselborn in Moscow on September 13 to discuss the issues of Syrian settlement, as well as bilateral political and economic relations, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday. "On September 13, the Russian foreign minister will hold a meeting in Moscow with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn, who will be in Russia on a working visit," Zakharova said at a press briefing. According to the spokeswoman, the ministers are expected to discuss the development of bilateral political dialogue and "intensification of contacts at the high and the highest level." Despite this and the striking accusation that the UK should bear some of the responsibility for such bloodshed, Prime Minister May staunchly defended the UK-Saudi relationship. Speaking in the Commons on Wednesday, May said: "Actually what matters is the strength of our relationship with Saudi Arabia on issues like dealing with terrorism, on counter-terrorism issues. It is that relationship that has helped to keep people on the streets of Britain safe." Also on Wednesday, the Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir was in London. He too has claimed that if the UK were to withdraw support from the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, the West would be more vulnerable to terrorism. Saudi FM Adel Al Jubeir in Chatham House, delivering an on-the-record address on KSA New Foreign Policy Priorities pic.twitter.com/cYSwLsZ4dK Sarah Y. Bn Ashoor (@SarahYJA) September 7, 2016 Andrew Smith from the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) rejected Mrs. May's and Mr. al-Jubair's assertions. "I think it's no coincidence that Mr. al-Jubair was in London yesterday. He was specifically there to put pressure on MPs ahead of the committee meeting [the Committee on Arms Export Controls] in order to try and influence the committee to try and whitewash Saudi Arabia's crimes." "And this goes broader: we should ask, what would it take for Mrs. May to stop supporting the Saudis, if the death of 10,000 people isn't enough?" Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn chose to highlight the issue of the humanitarian cost of British arms sales, in a challenge to Mrs. May in Parliament on Wednesday. "I remain concerned at the heart of this Government's security policy also is apparently increased arms exports to the very part of the world that most immediately threatens security," he told MPs. "The British Government continues to sell arms to Saudi Arabia, which are being used to commit crimes against humanity in Yemen, which has been clearly detailed by the UN and other independent agencies. Will the Prime Minister commit today to halting arms sales to Saudi Arabia that have been used to prosecute this war in Yemen with the humanitarian devastation that has resulted from that?" Mr Corbyn asked. Downing Street and the Ministry of Defense were unavailable for comment on whether there will be a suspension of future arms sales to Saudi Arabia. To claim there is no chance that UK weapons have been used in war crimes in Yemen represents the triumph of self-deception over the evidence Paddy Ashdown (@paddyashdown) September 7, 2016 However, in a statement earlier this week, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has defended UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia, saying the Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen was not "in serious breach" of international humanitarian law. "The key test for our continued arms exports to Saudi Arabia in relation to international humanitarian law is whether those weapons might be used in a commission of a serious breach of international humanitarian law," Johnson said. "Having regard to all the information available to us, we assess this test has not been met." 'Toxic Relationship With a Brutal Tyranny' The cross-parliamentary report is the latest in a growing barrage of condemnation of continuing arms sales between the UK and Saudi Arabia: worth US$3.7 billion since the conflict began. In July, anti-arms trade campaigners won the right to legally challenge Britain's licensing of weapons sales to Saudi Arabia. 'A shameful relationship': read our report on UK complicity in Saudi state violence and why we must #StopArmingSaudi https://t.co/0r8H18rxYY CAAT (@CAATuk) September 8, 2016 A High Court judge in London ruled the Campaign against the Arms Trade (CAAT) has an "arguable case" that there had been an unlawful failure to suspend existing deals which could result in the weapons being used in the war in Yemen. Andrew Smith from CAAT told Sputnik that the British public should be in no doubt that the government has broken international law. "We have ample evidence from several agencies that have independently looked into this, from Oxfam to Amnesty International, the UN and Human Rights Watch. Every one of these organizations says that there has been a breach of international law." How @GOVUK is arming and backing war crimes in Yemen by its ally Saudi Arabia, from @hrw, @CAATuk and @amnesty: https://t.co/e9pnqK4C6A Connor Woodman (@ConnorDWoodman) September 8, 2016 "In fact, a UN report earlier this year, found that there have been 120 different violations. "The only people who say that British-made weapons have not been used in attacks on civilians in Yemen are the Saudi Air Force and the British government. The Saudi Air Force conducted their own review, and I think they can't possibly be trusted to impartially review their own conduct. "What we have here is a toxic relationship with a brutal tyranny." The Yemen civil war is a strategic battleground for the regional forces of Saudi Arabia and Iran. The crisis began in February 2015, when Zaidi Shia rebels known as Houthis, forced the beleaguered President, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, to flee the capital Sanaa. #Yemen: Houthi and allied forces are showing cold-hearted cruelty toward civilians by using landmines. https://t.co/zfVeNPXCfT Wenzel Michalski (@WenzelMichalski) 8 September 2016 The situation quickly spiraled with Saudi Arabia assembling a coalition of nine Arab states, backed by the US and UK. For instance, the British public, financial markets and EU leaders still have no indication as to whether May wants the UK to retain its current access to the EU single market. Similarly, there are 590,000 EU nationals living in the UK, who do not know if they are soon to lose their right to live and work in the UK. Prime Minister May has sought to portray her reluctance to reveal her intentions as canny negotiating: that she's keeping her cards close to her chest in order to wrangle the best deal from EU bureaucrats. "We will not take decisions until we are ready, we will not reveal our hand prematurely and we will not provide a running commentary on every twist and turn of the negotiations," May said. However, she has plenty of critics who say that this strategy makes it difficult for businesses and political institutions to plan for the upcoming years of unprecedented transition. The uncertainty hanging over the future of the EU could threaten not just the UK's future economic performance, but that of other EU member-states. The remaining 27 EU leaders are due to meet in Bratislava, Slovakia next week without Britain to consider the future of the EU. Meeting PM @theresa_may to inform about EU27 #Bratislavasummit and discuss process for Brexit talks pic.twitter.com/ANGuFY7wAC Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) September 8, 2016 European Council President Donald Tusk has insisted that officially, the Brexit issue will not be on the agenda. However, it is expected to be a topic on the margins of the meeting. In his London meeting with May on Thursday, Tusk acknowledged that the rest of the EU will be stymied until they know exactly what they're dealing with: "It doesn't mean that we are going to discuss our future relations with the UK in Bratislava, because for this and especially for the start of the negotiations we need the formal notification, I mean triggering Article 50," he said. Tusk may be set to be disappointed, however. Following the meeting, a Downing Street spokeswoman reiterated May's insistence that she wouldn't invoke Article 50 before the end of this year. We can't allow all this #Brexit uncertainty to go on for years. We should be out in months. Get on with it. https://t.co/Tq8lTjLeOb Cllr.Brian Silvester (@CllrBSilvester) September 5, 2016 While speculation remains rife as to what May has in store for the UK, she looks set to face mounting pressure at home and abroad to reveal her hand. "It might sound a bit dramatic but we are at this turning point. We could relaunch our European project and make it more functional and powerful for our citizens and the rest of the world. Or we could diminish its intensity and power." Her comments on Wednesday were widely interpreted as alluding to the UK. Before the UK voted to exit the EU on June 23, the UK was a vocal critic of any suggestions of pooling military resources and sharing command across member states. In August, General Vincenzo Camporini, a former Italian chief of the general staff, put a particular emphasis on the plan for an EU army, also suggesting that such a project will be easier to achieve post-Brexit. In an interview with the Italian newspaper, La Repubblica, he said Britain had thwarted plans for a joint European defence policy for years. He said he believed the EU has been given the opportunity to reassess the chances for European defence "now that the British have no voice in the matter". Move for full EU army now underway as @Nigel_Farage warned before EU ref. Thankfully we voted #Brexit https://t.co/6piEoTqJnS Michael Heaver (@Michael_Heaver) September 8, 2016 Certainly, senior British military officials have long held concerns that a combined EU military force would be hugely cumbersome and a drain on resources. Conservative MEP for the East of England Geoffrey Van Orden, his party's defence spokesman, told the newspaper the Daily Telegraph: "The US and indeed the UK are being misled if they imagine that such moves will enhance NATO the key guarantor of our collective defence." "On the contrary, the creation of EU defence structures, separate from NATO, will only lead to division between transatlantic partners at a time when solidarity is needed in the face of many difficult and dangerous threats to the democracies." Now the UK is set to exit the EU, some European bureaucrats are hoping to bring the remaining 27 members closer by deepening defence ties. KRYNICA-ZDROJ (Poland) (Sputnik) Polands state oil and gas company PGNiG does not foresee an out-of-court settlement with Russias Gazprom to reconsider natural gas prices, PGNiG Management Board President Piotr Wozniak said Thursday. "Like us, Gazprom is awaiting arbitration, which will be made in July or August next year, according to the procedures Perhaps Gazprom will still respond positively to our proposal and the dispute will end earlier and the expenses will be less expensive. But that is hard to believe," Wozniak told RIA Novosti. PGNiG filed a lawsuit against Gazprom over gas prices last February, following its 2014 call for the energy giant to revise its gas price deal in line with recent gas market trends. KUBINKA (Moscow Region) (Sputnik) Frances Moret Industries Group, a leading producer of equipment for various industries , believes that the anti-Russia sanctions should be lifted as it wishes to offer Russia's shipbuilding enterprises its navy equipment, a manager of Morets subsidiary Ensival Moret told Sputnik on Thursday. "Those sanctions should be lifted. It is very bad for business. We wish to start working with the Russian Navy. Here, at the expo, we were in touch with Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering and the United Shipbuilding Company but again they said that we cannot cooperate straight due to sanctions," Ensival Morets navy and nuclear department manager Bruno Labranche said on the sidelines of the Army-2016 military expo taking place near Moscow. According to Labranche, Russias United Shipbuilding Corporation plans to build 15-20 ships during the next ten years, and the company can offer the equipment for those vessels. "It's not just about refugees, this applies to everyone living here," Maas stressed. "Those who were born in Germany and wish to marry before reaching the age of majority have to first obtain the permission of a family court. This is a proven approach." According to existing German law, a couple is allowed to wed if one or both of the partners have turned 16 and obtain court permission. The Justice Minister also said that the cases of abuse are worth noting: "We must think about the abuse cases before we allow entry to the relatives within the framework of reuniting families. Unfortunately, such cases exist where the marriage was not entirely voluntary." "We want to find a solution to this problem. I am sure that in the nearest weeks, the federal and regional authorities will provide their solutions," Heiko Maas assured. MOSCOW (Sputnik) France needs a new association to oversee building of the mosques and training Islamic religious leaders in the country, President Francois Hollande said on Thursday. The French President said on his Twitter he supported the creation of "a national association to raise the funds for building of mosques, training of imams" after stating that at the moment "the majority of imams are educated abroad and sometimes do not speak [French] language." Experts said that during the 20-minute speech, one could clearly discern Merkel's we-will-manage-it mantra as it pertains to Germany's ability to receive migrants. Bosbach, however, is unable to accept Merkel's motto. "I'm surprised about this phrase because everyone knows that repeating it constantly is not enough. And here we must specify what she meant by using the words 'we' and 'it'. The optimism of this phrase should be tempered with realism. And now it's necessary to explain once again what we have achieved and what we have yet to implement," he told Sputnik. Bosbach said that he wished he would have seen the federal government clarify their stance, so that ordinary people could better understand the policy of Germany's ruling coalition. "I have always felt that people want to understand exactly what political decisions will be made and how the political situation will develop. People also want to know about a politician's position on pressing political issues," he said. As far as the current German Chancellor is concerned, Bosbach remained skeptical about some experts' speculation regarding "Merkel's sunset." In this vein, he blamed the German media for overdramatizing the situation. "She [Merkel] is under pressure, but it is an open secret for her. I do not feel that she is tired of being in office. I'd rather say that she will want to feel this pressure once again during the elections to the Bundestag in 2017. Although her approval rating has fallen in recent weeks, the figure is still much higher than popularity rating of other European countries' heads of government," Bosbach said. When giving a keynote speech, the president said he considered the ban "unacceptable and unconstitutional." He also said that he believed Islam could adjust to France's secularism. LUGANSK (Sputnik) Mauricio Marrone, a lawmaker of Italy's Piedmont Regional Council, said Thursday that half of his colleagues supported recognition of the self-proclaimed peoples republics of Donetsk and Lugansk (DPR and LPR) in Ukraines southeast. "There are regional parliaments in Italy and half of [Piedmont Regional Council] members voted in favor of the recognition of the republics and against anti-Russian sanctions. And they [lawmakers] want to do the same on the international level in order to let everybody recognize the peoples republics of Donetsk and Lugansk," Marrone said at a press conference in Lugansk. According to the lawmaker, most of the Italian nationals support recognition of LPR and DPR. "Our already low wages will keep shrinking because Ukrainian slaves are a perfect instrument for blackmailing local workers. And our businessmen and HR agencies bought into it. They force these migrant laborers to work for 12-16 hours a day for a pittance that they also have to split with their employers and possibly even with Ukrainian mafia; and to share tiny dorm rooms with several other people. Obviously, a Czech worker who has a family to feed and taxes to pay cannot compete with them," Luzar explained. He also pointed out that the parties involved in negotiations about this visa-free regime apparently forgot about the economic migration aspect of it, not to mention the fact that Ukraine was first supposed to deal with rampant corruption within the country and to curtail the influence of Ukrainian oligarchs over their government. "They say that this agreement wont provide Ukrainians with the right to seek employment in EU countries. However, due to previous experience we all know how these things really work. Is it really in the Czech Republics best interests to support this measure? Or are we going to use Poroshenkos Ukraine to blackmail ourselves the same way as with the Erdogans Turkey," Luzar wondered. In an interview with Sputnik at the height of the financial crisis in Greece in 2015, Alexander Douglas, lecturer in the philosophy of economics at University of London, said Greece's debt is "morally and politically different," to other debt laden countries. Why? "In financial terms, the Greek debt is unpayable.unpayable debts are usually generated through financial fraud, overrating the creditworthiness of borrowers. In most nations, the fraud was perpetrated by the private banks, who were lending to non-creditworthy borrowers." "When the [Greek] banks had to be bailed out, the bad liabilities ended up on the government's balance sheet, the difference with Greece is that the government was in on the fraud fiddling the books with the help of Goldman Sachs in order to hide a lot of debt and qualify for the euro," said Douglas. But why mention this now, well the issue of pensions, the EU and Goldman Sachs has reared its head again. This time it's included in a petition calling for former European Commission (EC) president and Portuguese politician Jose Manuel Barroso to be stripped of his EC pension following his appointment as chairman of Goldman Sachs, "one of the worst banks in the 2008 economic crisis," the petition begins: "Barroso will know which strings to pull inside the European Commission." "Barroso, don't sell our public interest to Goldman Sachs," the petition requests in its call for public officials to be prohibited from using "their contacts and influence for powerful corporations." Revolving Door "Stop this revolving door between the European Commission and big business," it states, suggesting that former commissioners should be "banned for at least three years from any job that provokes a conflict of interest, including all direct and indirect EU lobbying." "In this spirit, Barroso should have his commission pension entitlements removed." LUGANSK (Sputnik) The representative office the Lugansk Peoples Republic (LPR) is expected to open in Austria, LPR lawmaker Nikolai Zaporozhtsev said on Thursday. "We are opening a representative office in Austria and authorizing [Austrian activist] Alfred Almeder to head it," Zaporozhtsev said. Polands both houses of parliament, the Sejm and the Senate, have almost unanimously voted to recognize World War II killings of up to 60,000 Polish citizens by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) as genocide. "The Verkhovna Rada condemns one-sided actions by the Polish Senate and Sejm aimed at revision of positive results of cooperation achieved through constructive Ukrainian-Polish dialogues in the past decade," the parliament said in a statement. MSF UK added that "over the past year and a half, 35 migrants have died in Calais while trying to reach the United Kingdom" and criticized the moves made by the UK and French government on implementing deterrence measures as likely to increase the numbers of those injured or killed in their attempts to board trucks or trains heading towards the UK border. "The UK and other European Union members have largely failed to manage the refugee and migrant influx to Europe in a way that is in line with their international responsibilities The UK government must play its part in providing safe and legal passage to refugees including for those currently in Calais that need protection and asylum, none more so than the 800 unaccompanied minors living in desperate conditions in the camps, many of which already have family living here," Hawkins noted. On Monday, two convoys of at least 40 trucks and tractors joined a demonstration slowing traffic at a major highway near Calais, protesting against the presence of the migrant camp. Since last year, Calais has served as the location of the Jungle, notorious for its dreadful living conditions. Thousands of migrants, many from the Middle East and North Africa, are living in the Jungle, located not far from the Channel Tunnel, in the hope of reaching the United Kingdom. MOSCOW (Sputnik) German Economy Minister and Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel is planning to visit Moscow with a delegation this month for talks on Germany-Russia economic cooperation, a spokesman for the ministry of economy and energy told Sputnik on Thursday. "We are in the process of planning a trip for Minister Gabriel to Moscow within September. The reason for the journey are talks on the bilateral economic cooperation between Germany and Russia and the general conditions for German enterprises in Russia. Minister Gabriel will be accompanied by a business delegation," Andreas Audretsch said. "If a narrative has been established, then it is very simple to increase it from time to time, to create a little campaign or even outright propaganda," he said. "This is my main criticism of the mainstream media which exists in Germany and in other countries." Teusch differentiates between different kinds of mainstream media, which are more or less connected to the political establishment. "I distinguish between the mainstream within the mainstream, and mainstream which is outside it." "This inner segment is more dominant. This is often bold and biased, closely related to politics, the state and business, and this is what I criticize. However, there is also another journalism, and here in Germany that is mainly (undertaken by) public broadcasters," Teusch said. WARSAW (Sputnik) Four people from Russias Chechen Republic have been accused in Poland of aiding the Islamic State (ISIL or Daesh) terror group, National Public Prosecutor's Office said Thursday in a statement. Taus G., Zaur G., Alvi Y. and Shamkhan A.have been charged with participating in an organized criminal group and fund raising to finance terror-related crimes linked to the so-called Islamic States activities, the Prosecutors Office said. The detained people can face from two to 12 years in prison. Zarif talked about the construction of the Nicaraguan Grand Interoceanic Canal, a project to build a waterway linking the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. "Cooperation between Iran and Nicaragua can include collaboration in the construction of the [Grand] Interoceanic Canal [as well as] agriculture, energy production, petrochemistry, banking, lending, transportation, food and pharmaceutical industries, and science and technology," he added, Press TV reported. Houshyar Rostami, an Iranian expert at Canadian financial consulting firm Finapath, told Sputnik Persian that Iran is offering political rather than technical support for the demanding engineering project. "Even Chinese companies wouldn't be able to master this project in isolation, without the support of the Chinese government. It is really necessary to have an international consortium of a few large companies from different countries. However, for political reasons the initial phase has been entrusted to a Chinese company." Rostami explained that Tehran is interested in seeing China, which has offered to finance the project, gain a foothold in the region and provide a counterweight to the US, which has military control over the nearby Panama Canal. Chinese industrialist Wang Jing has agreed with the Nicaraguan government to finance the canal. Russia also supports the project in principle, and earlier this year agreed to supply $80 million of defense equipment to Nicaragua. The country ordered 50 modernized T-72B1 tanks, 20 of which were delivered earlier this year. Rostami said that Zarif's comments in Latin America received a lot of attention back home, where the public criticized Zarif for devoting so much attention to Nicaragua. The artist spoke to Sputnik Brazil about his project and the main features of the artistic device he uses. According to Levitan, the Photo Invasion project came about while he was engaged in a wide range of activities: he edited a documentary, wrote stories for comic books and photographed endlessly. Lucas Levitan (@lucaslevitan) 25 2016 12:44 PST Photo Invasion invades @ollyburn 's exhibition @doomedgallerydalston from 5 of May in London. To be invaded use #iwanttobeinvaded Lucas Levitan (@lucaslevitan) 3 2016 9:09 PDT "The Photo Invasion project combines two of my passions: illustration and photography. I began to put drawings on my own pictures. But then I realized that I can use other people's photos for this, and this makes more sense. It's a lot of fun to find hidden meanings in photos of other people," the artist explained. Levitan said that he often roams different Instagram accounts in search of his "victims." The main requirement is that the photos are able to inspire the artist. There were protests in 24 of Brazils 26 states, including Brasilia, where an estimated 600 protesters greeted Temer with calls of "Fora, Temer!" (Out, Temer!) and "Usurper" for his role in the ousting and eventual impeachment of former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff. Aline Piva, an activist with the pro-Rousseff organization Brazilian Expats for Democracy, told Sputnik that the anger now directed at Temer is a result of a rising consciousness amongst Brazilians about a "soft" coup that has caused a shift in Brazilian politics. Putin and Obama met for bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Group of Twenty (G20) summit in Hangzhou on Monday. According to the Kremlin, the presidents discussed the crises in Syria and Ukraine. US National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes said on Tuesday that the United States and Russia had identified the remaining gaps on the Syrian settlement. MOSCOW (Sputnik) It is important not to remain stuck upon the figure of Syrian President Bashar Assad but to concentrate on discussions regarding Syria's future, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said. "To accept Assad means the continuation of conflict and chaos. That is why we cannot remain stuck upon one person and we must instead discuss Syrias future. The vision outlined by the opposition covers this entirely. I think it is realistic, but countries that support Assad must see this too," Cavusoglu told journalists following a meeting with Syrian High Negotiations Committee (HNC) in London. On Wednesday, the HNC unveiled a three-stage plan to complete a political transition in the war-torn Arab country. Said to be based on the Geneva Communique made in 2014 by international mediators, the plan allocates six months to finalizing a peace deal before moving on to the 1.5-year second stage, when a transitional government would preside between the departure of Assad and fresh elections. The third stage would see to UN-supported local, legislative, and presidential elections being held in the country. Besides, on Tuesday, Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said that Ankara is proposing to introduce a 48-hour ceasefire around Syria's besieged city of Aleppo and after that extend it until Kurban Bayrami holidays, which begin on September 12. Otherwise it could lead to a new influx of refugees who have already flooded Turkey, and Europe will then get 1,5 million more migrants from Aleppo. Besides Turkey, it will come as a crushing burden to a number of European countries, and first and foremost to Germany, the expert said. Meanwhile during his press conference at the G20 Summit, Barack Obama said that while the US and Russia had some "productive conversations" on the ways of settlement of the Syrian conflict, there are still "gaps of trust" between the two countries. "All the above means that unlike the US, Turkey and Russia do understand each other on Syria," Casn told Sputnik. "I think that Presidents Putin and Erdogan will be able to make an agreement on Aleppo in the nearest future, which will lead to the announcement of ceasefire for Kurban Bayrami celebrations and to the opening of humanitarian corridors," he added. A source in the Iraqi military told Sputnik that these documents were stored on a memory card that was recovered during the liberation of Al-Khalidiya. "The women's faces on those papers were all crossed out with pens and markers because a wifes face must not be seen by outsiders. And all of the wives were dressed in black burkas," the source said. Apparently, the terrorists actively competed with each other to see who could get more 'wives' and earn more money. However, these contests quickly became unsustainable due to the financial crisis and military defeats that Daesh started to experience. A resident of Mosul also told Sputnik that Daesh leadership hadn't paid any of the aforementioned bridal bonuses for over 6 months now, and that rank-and-file militants aren't even being paid their wages. Al-Waz added that the focus should be placed on simplifying procedures for the admission of pupils and students in educational institutions, as well as introducing new systems to test students' knowledge background. Other priorities include efforts to introduce a self-study program for students living in hot spots, provide "absolutely all" students with textbooks and cooperate with relevant international and non-governmental organizations to help mitigate the effects of the emotionally traumatic war, he said, citing the launch of the Khaqqi at-Ataalum campaign (My right to study). Also top on the agenda is a plan to help children from all provinces return to school at the beginning of the school year, distribute a million school backpacks with the stationery required for each child and popularize the role of social workers and psychologists in supporting students traumatized by the war, according to Al-Waz. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Russia sees links between certain armed opposition groups in Syria and terrorists as obvious, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday. "The links between a number of illegal armed groups and recognized terrorists are a fact, it is obvious not only to us but also for the militants themselves," Zakharova told journalists. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Turkish special services have thwarted an attempted terrorist attack at the Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul, detaining a Kurdish suicide bombing suspect, the Turkish press reported Thursday. Security measures have been expanded to their highest level across Istanbuls two international airports in response to the threat of terrorist attacks, the Turkish National Police said in a letter circulated on August 24. ANKARA (Sputnik) Ground operation in the the Syrian city of Raqqa against the Islamic State (ISIL or Daesh) militant group (outlawed in Russia) is vital for achieving victory over terrorists, Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Thursday. On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accepted US President Barak Obamas proposal for a joint operation to free Raqqa from Daesh. "If we want to cleanse Syria and Iraq of Daesh [IS], it is important that we mount operations both in [Iraqi] Mosul and in Raqqa. We have always said that if we do not support local forces on the ground, if there is no land operation, it will not be possible to eliminate or even stop Daesh exclusively from the air," Cavusoglu said, as quoted by the Anadolu news agency. In Iraq, seven airstrikes destroyed Daesh bunkers, vehicles and a weapons storage facility, among other targets, the statement noted. The Daesh has been designated as a terrorist organization and is outlawed in Russia as well as in numerous other countries around the world. The US-led coalition of more than 60 nations has been conducting airstrikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria since the summer of 2014. In Syria, however, the coalition is acting without the permission of the countrys legitimate government of President Bashar Assad or the UN Security Council. Comparing the Russian and Turkish military involvement in the country, Suponina pointed out that while the Russian effort fits within the framework established by international law, "the Turkish military operation is an attempt to change the balance of forces on the front lines in the spur of the moment, without any prior arrangement." Accordingly, the Middle East expert noted, "Turkey's military presence in Syria is not by any means the result of any backroom arrangements with Moscow. Otherwise, it would be absolutely contrary to Russia's position on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country." More than anything, Suponina said that she was concerned by the fact that "Turkey is moving deeper and deeper into Syrian territory, and not winding down its military operation." They have not even laid down any constraints on the operation in terms of its timeframe, the analyst complained. Turkey's main goal, Suponina suggested, "is not so much the fight against terrorism as it is the weakening of the Kurds." Kurdish forces, she noted, have played a very important role in the fight against terrorism in northern Syria. Recently, foreign actors including the United States have attempted to use the Kurds for their own purposes to undermine Syria's sovereignty. "The army has managed now to control many areas within the vast complex that houses military installations," said al Jazeeras Hashem Ahelbarra. "Ramosa is crucial for all parties. It is crucial for the government because it will pave the way for them to encircle rebel-held areas. Its also crucial for the rebels because it is the only supply line." On Sunday, Syrian state television reported that "armed forces, in cooperation with their allies, took full control of the military academy zone south of Aleppo and are clearing the remaining terrorists from the area." The offensive, the report added, "cut all the supply and movement routes for terrorist groups from southern Aleppo province to the eastern neighborhoods and Ramosa." MOSCOW (Sputnik) Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed in a phone call on Thursday to continue coordination of efforts aimed at resolving the Syrian crisis, the Kremlin said. "The presidents focused on the situation in Syria. They agreed to continue active contacts at various levels aimed at coordination of efforts to facilitate the settlement of the Syrian conflict," the Kremlin press service said in a statement. Putin and Erdogan also discussed issues of bilateral relations, the statement said. MOSCOW (Sputnik) In June, Ankara restricted a delegation of German lawmakers access to the air base where some German forces are stationed. Cavusoglu said last month that German officials would be able to visit the base if the German government distanced itself from a Bundestag resolution recognizing the early 20th century massacre of ethnic Armenians by the Ottoman Empire as genocide. On September 2, German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said that Bundestag resolution was not legally binding. "We set a condition for Germany. Germany fulfilled it by stating that this decision had no legal power Germany met our expectations," Cavusoglu told a press conference. The Incirlik Air Base hosts six German Tornado reconnaissance jets aircraft, as well as jets from the United States, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and Qatar who are participating in the US-led coalition against Daesh, which is outlawed in many countries. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Daesh and Jabhat Fatah al Sham terrorist groups shelled inhabited areas in the Syrian provinces of Aleppo, Damascus, Daraa and Hama in the last 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday. "Within last 24 hours, in the Aleppo province terrorists have fired with MLRS and mortars against the Khai-al-Ansari and Al-Halidiyah, the cement plant and the Air Force school. Armed formations of the terrorist groupings in the Damascus province have opened mortar fire against inhabited areas Haush-al-Farra, Kaush-Harabu, Jaubar as well as the school of medical service in the Harasta inhabited area," the ministry said in a daily bulletin posted on its website. Terrorists are also said to have shelled the Mardes and Kaukab inhabited areas as well as an airfield zone in the province of Hama. Jihadists also fired against the Al-Manshia quarter of the city of Daraa, according to the Defense Ministry. Over the past year, Daesh has been swept from several cities in northern and western Iraq, including Tikrit, Sinjar and Ramadi, as well as Fallujah. In July, Iraqi forces cleared the Qayyarah airbase, some 60 kilometers from Mosul, preparing for a major offensive on the city, which the violent extremist group declared the Iraqi capital of its self-proclaimed caliphate in 2014. Now, preparations for the retaking of Mosul are on full display. US forces have set up a logistics center south of the city and the United Nations is bracing for a complicated humanitarian mission. On Wednesday, a representative of the local militia said terrorists were trying to seize four villages located between the Idlib and Hama provinces. Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces fighting numerous opposition groups, as well as terrorist formations, such as the Daesh, prohibited in many countries, including Russia and the United States. KUBINKA (Moscow Region) (Sputnik) Serial production of the Russian Korsar (Corsair) surveillance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will start in 2017, a manufacturing firm United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation (UIMC) spokesperson told Sputnik on Thursday. "Russia's newest tactical surveillance UAVs of the Korsar tactical family will go into production in 2017," the spokesperson said on the sidelines of the Army-2016 international military forum. The spokesperson added that in the long term the Korsar UAV family could receive a new drone that would be different from the existing UAVs by a number of characteristics. NEW DELHI (Sputnik) New Delhi and Moscow are discussing the purchase of four stealth frigates for the Indian Navy in a deal worth $4 billion, local media reported, citing a Ministry of Defense source. "Under the proposal, two of the frigates will come from Russia, while the other two will be constructed in India. The MoD has asked for some clarifications before taking a decision on the price and inter-governmental agreement," the source told Time of India newspaper. The source added that Moscow offered to equip the vessels with modern weaponry including BrahMos cruise missiles. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) Warships from NATO countries arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia for the Canadian-led military exercise Cutlass Fury, Royal Canadian Navy Commander Vice Admiral Ron Lloyd said in a Twitter post on Thursday. "Several warships from NATO nations arrive at RNC MARLANT [Royal Canadian Navy Maritime Forces Atlantic Formation] today for Cutlass Fury strengthening international partnerships and interoperability," Lloyd stated. The Canadian Armed Forces explained that Cutlass Fury will involve Task Group-level exercises with a focus on anti-submarine warfare, air defense, amphibious operations and support to Special Operations forces. Commenting on the initiative, and on China's prospects for matching Russian and American capabilities in military aviation, Russia's Svobodnaya Pressa online newspaper spoke to two experts on the subject, including Alexander Khramchikhin, deputy director of Russia's Institute of Political and Military Analysis, and Andrei Frolov, editor of Arms Export magazine. China, Khramchikhin recalled, is already among the top three military powers in the world, alongside the US and Russia, and is capable of competing accordingly, including in military aviation. "China's Air Force, like that of Russia, remains behind the US when it comes to support aircraft (including tankers, transport planes, and electronic warfare planes), but is steadily closing the gap," the analyst explained. Furthermore, "in terms of the numbers of 4th generation it will have in the coming years, China will confidently come out first in the world, besting both the US and Russia and its airplanes will be physically newer." WASHINGTON (Sputnik) Recent incidents between US and Russian armed forces over the Black Sea demonstrate the normalcy of great power competition between the two nations, US Defense Intelligence Agency director Lt. Gen. Vincent Stewart said on Thursday. "We are always going to have a Russia that believes it should be viewed as a great power, and a great power will compete with other great powers," Vincent said at the Intelligence and National Security Summit in Washington, DC. Responding to reports of a recent Russian intercept of a US aircraft, Stewart explained that "it is probably the norm, rather than the exception" that the United States and Russia will have "times where we bump into each other around the world, where our interests collide." WASHINGTON (Sputnik) The United States has a good success rate winning individual battles, but often fails to establish stable conditions after the fighting is over, US Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lt. Gen. Vincent Stewart said at the annual Intelligence and National Security Summit in Washington, DC. "We have done fairly well in winning the battle, we have not always done well in winning the wars, because we have not had the things in place to rebuild and create conditions for success after the fighting has ended," Stewart stated. Stewart was asked about the pending operations to retake the Iraqi city of Mosul from Daesh control, and preparations for the aftermath of that fight. WUHAN (China) (Sputnik) On Wednesday, a Russian delegation headed by Matvienko departed for China. The delegation includes the chairman of the Federation Council's International Affairs Committee, Konstantin Kosachev, Vice Chairman of the Federation Council Dmitry Mezentsev, as well as Umakhanov. "There should be a meeting, or at least our Chinese colleagues, represented by the deputy chairmantalked about it in the morning," Umakhanov said. According to the press service of the Federation Council, during the trip the delegation is set to visit the cities of Wuhan and Beijing. The agenda of the visit includes, among other issues, negotiations with Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Zhang Dejiang. According to the press service, among the main topics to be discussed will be the development of inter-parliamentary relations and regional cooperation between China and Russia. According to Turkish columnist Kadri Gursel, "the main determinant for Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield in Syria was not the threat posed by the Islamic State [Daesh]." "Rather, it was the US support for the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), which Ankara sees as an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)," Gursel stresses in his op-ed for Al-Monitor, adding that the prospect of a "Kurdish corridor" stretching from Afrin to Kobani has long been Ankara's nightmare. Yury Zinin, a leading research fellow at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), shares a similar stance, adding that Turkey is pursuing at least two goals in northern Syria. Ankara has to protect the FSA from Daesh and prevent the YPG from creating an independent entity on Turkey's doorstep. However, NATO's commanders have complained that these forces can be activated only in the event of an actual attack. Accordingly, officials have said that the bloc needs a 'Defense Schengen' to be able to quickly organize exercises. In May, Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, commanding general of United States Army Europe, complained that coordination for troop transfers between countries is a bureaucratic process that takes weeks. Accordingly, he grumbled, NATO's is not in a position to stage drills involving troops' sudden transfrer from one country to another without prior political approval by each individual member state. At the same time, Hodges warned, Russia does not have that problem. "The Russians are able to move huge formations and lots of equipment a long distance very fast," he told the BBC in June. NATO, he added, should have such capabilities. "Three days' notification, we ought to be able to do that." Of course, the commander didn't mention that the reason Russia does not face bureaucratic hassles in moving its troops is because it's moving them within its own borders, while NATO has become a bureaucratic monstrosity, which Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently suggested is matched only by the European Union. Col. Gen. Nikolai Bordyuzha is secretary general of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a military alliance between six former Soviet states: Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Speaking at a press conference in Moscow on Wednesday, he had some harsh words for Russia's NATO partners. The North Atlantic Alliance, he said, has been consistently opposed to any military integration between Russia and its partners in the CSTO, and the reason is that NATO wants to deprive these countries of their collective security guarantees. "Why do you think NATO does not cooperate with the CSTO?" the general asked. "It's simple they have no need to support processes of [defense] integration. This way, things will be like in Syria, and nobody will be able to let out a peep. The country is being pounded, and there's no one to help them, since it didn't have any allies. And this is the situation they want to create for us as well," Bordyuzha said, referring to the members of the CSTO. Curiously, Parys's language on 'non-interference in internal affairs' matches the words of the country's top leaders, who, facing a crisis in relations with the EU, have repeatedly called on Brussels to avoid interfering in Poland's domestic politics. For its part, Russia has remained neutral in the European debate over Poland's internal politics. Moscow has always been more concerned about the country's military efforts as part of the US-led NATO alliance. Recently, Polish officials have repeatedly criticized what they call the 'militarization' of the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, situated on Poland's northeastern border, calling the Russian military presence in the region disproportionate, and a 'threat to Poland and NATO as a whole'. Outspoken Polish Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz has repeatedly suggested that the forces on Russia's western borders "significantly exceed" NATO's presence in the region, adding that this is evidence of "Russian aggression." Known for his intense hostility to Russia, the defense minister previously suggested that the 2010 Smolensk air catastrophe that resulted in the death of President Lech Kaczynski was a Russian 'terrorist attack' against Poland, and even that Poland and Russia have been in a 'state of war' since that 2010 air crash. "We are an exceptional nation because we are an indispensable nation. In fact, we are the indispensable nation," she emphasized. According to Clinton, the world would be dragged into chaos if Washington fails to keep a tight rein on it. "In other words, the United States must conquer the world to avoid chaos wherever we are not; or, even worse, the exercise of power outside our control," Fein notes, adding that the Democratic nominee has apparently forgotten that the world survived for thousands of years "without falling into chaos" before the United States were founded in 1776. Daniel Larison of the American Conservative echoes Fein. Commenting on Clinton's speech to the American Legion Larison drew attention to the fact that the Democratic nominee and her followers understand "American exceptionalism" in a "particularly warped way that justifies interfering all over the globe." Moreover, Clinton went even so far as to claim that "Defending American exceptionalism should always be above politics." Clinton: "Defending American exceptionalism should always be above politics." Why? Daniel Larison (@DanielLarison) 31 2016 . The US has been particularly concerned by developments in Aleppo. Last week, State Department special envoy for Syria Michael Ratney laid out a series of very specific steps on a ceasefire, complete with the requirement that government forces withdraw their heavy equipment from the area around Castello Road, the Aleppo militants' main supply lifeline in the north. The Washington Post even cited the letter, which reads that "if the cease-fire extends to 7 dayscheckpoints are set up and all forces are withdrawn, then the US and Russia will work on stopping the regime planes from flying and will work together to weaken al-Qaeda in Syria." While it's obvious that the US will always support 'their guys' in Aleppo, it's unclear how the US plan is actually meant to weaken al-Qaeda's Syrian branch, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, which recently rebranded itself and formally disassociated itself from the terrorist group. More than anything, Ratney's plan feels like an attempt to stall for time to prevent Aleppo militants from being annihilated. Whatever the case may be, on Thursday, the Kremlin officially responded to The Washington Post's article, presidential spokesman Dmitri Peskov saying that it "doesn't fully correspond to reality." "The Syrian topic was indeed discussed in great detail by the two presidents, and in even greater detail by Lavrov and Kerry," Peskov noted. "There really was a discussion on a certain document. However, this document has not yet been finalized, as there are still some unresolved issues remaining, and work continues," he added. Peskov also emphasized that all points in the possible agreement are being discussed "in the format of compromise," added that on "a small number of outstanding issues, compromise has not yet been reached." What those issues are remains unclear, but their existence indicates that for one reason or another, on one issue or another, Moscow has rejected Washington's effort to foist an unfavorable agreement on Russia and on Syria. MATTOON -- The Lions Club recently heard a presentation from Mattoon Area Family YMCA Youth Development Coordinator Kayla Spencer. She grew up in the Coles County area and attended Mattoon schools. While majoring in business and accounting at Lake Land College, Spencer took time off from her studies to go on a mission trip to Africa. There, she fell in love with working with children. Spencer subsequently returned home, started attending Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, and changed her major to family and consumer sciences. She then went on a full year of mission trips to 11 countries in 11 months in 2011, where she worked with various organizations. What Spencer learned most during her mission trips, she said, is the importance of relationships and the impact that people have on the communities around them. Upon returning home, she realized her passion for her own community here and is now employed at the YMCA. Information about joining the Lions Club or getting assistance in the purchase of glasses and hearing aids is available by calling Jim Arnholt at 217-234-3401. The club meets at Pagliaccis at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday and noon on the third Thursday of each month to hear reports and plan for fundraising to help the community. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) US Secretary of State John Kerry is travelling to Geneva, Switzerland, and will hold a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on September 9 about the Syrian crisis, US Department of State spokesperson John Kirby said in a release on Thursday. "Their discussion follows recent conversations on Syria and will focus on reducing violence, expanding humanitarian assistance for the Syrian people, and moving towards a political solution needed to end the civil war," Kirby stated. Social media users were quick to point out that four Americans were, in fact, killed in Libya, when militants attacked the US consulate in Benghazi. "With respect to Libya, againI put together a coalition that included NATO, included the Arab League, and we were able to save lives. We did not lose a single American in that action." During NBCs Commander in Chief forum, Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton was asked about her perceived hawkishness. The former US Secretary of State defended her decisions , citing the NATO bombing of Libya, a decision she vocally supported. "I think taking that action was the right decision," she added. Clinton was not the only candidate lying to voters. "I heard Clinton say I was not against the war in Iraq," Republican nominee Donald Trump said during the forum. "I was totally against the war in Iraq. You can look at Esquire magazine from 2004. You can look at before that." Social media, again, was quick to point out that referring to a publication date after the Iraq War had already begun invalidates Trumps argument. Later in the evening, Trump stressed that Clinton "made a terrible mistake on Libya." stuart stevens (@stuartpstevens) September 8, 2016 andrew kaczynski (@BuzzFeedAndrew) September 8, 2016 During a 2002 interview with Howard Stern, however, Trump very clearly indicated his support for the Iraq invasion. When asked if he supported the decision, Trump said, "Yeah, I guess so. I wish the first time it was done correctly." It was only after the war began that Trump began to walk back his support. On Libya, Trump made a video that reveals his opinions of North African nations former leader, Muammar Gaddafi. andrew kaczynski (@BuzzFeedAndrew) September 8, 2016 "We should go in, we should stop this guy, which would be very easy, very quick, we could do it surgically, stop him from doing it, and save these lives. This is absolute nuts [sic]," he said. "The people will appreciate it, and they should pay us back." Still, the nights biggest loser was undoubtedly host Matt Lauer. A political contribution GOP nominee Donald Trump made to a Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi in 2013 is receiving scrutiny in the media as charges fly that it was evidence of a quid pro quo. Then, updates on the fight over the Dakota Access Pipeline: Security Guards sicced dogs on protesters, Green Party Presidential Candidate Jill Stein vandalized some oil company equipment, and a judge stops part of the pipeline ahead of a final decision. Steve Horn joins us again to talk about Republican operatives financial ties to the project, and Democrats wishy-washiness. And later we mourn the death of for-profit college giant ITT Tech by predicting which predatory corporation will be the next to shutter. Also, whats the deal with Conservative Never-Trumpers getting stuck in elevators? KUBINKA (Moscow Region) (Sputnik) A military modification of the Mil Mi-38 transport helicopter will be created by 2018, the Russian Helicopters company said Thursday. "The technical shape of the helicopter has been approved by the Defense Ministry and the holdings experts, and all work on additionally equipping the vehicle will be completed by 2018," Russian Helicopters said in a statement. The firm said flight tests would determine the helicopters adherence with the demands of the Russian Armed Forces. Russian Helicopters experts are currently working to increase the Mi-38s payload and maximum altitude. MOSCOW (Sputnik) A Russian Emergencies Ministry humanitarian convoy is about to depart to Macedonia to provide relief following a severe flood in the country, the ministry said in a press release on Thursday. "A humanitarian convoy set for Macedonia has been formed on the territory of Noginsk emergency response center. It consists of five vehicles which will deliver mobile power units, electric pumps and food canned fish and meat," the press release read. The convoy will leave for Skopje soon on the request of the Macedonian authorities, according to the release. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold a meeting on the main parameters of the 2018-2025 state armament program on Friday, the Kremlin press service said Thursday. On September 9, 2015, Vladimir Putin will hold a meeting on the main parameters of the 2018-2025 state armament program, the Kremlin said. Newly appointed Chief of Staff Anton Vaino, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and presidential aide Andrei Belousov will attend the session with federal ministers, it added. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Sanctions motivate Russian companies to develop their own technologies, the CEO of the country's nanotechnology company Rusnano, Anatoly Chubais, said on Thursday. "We think, that the development of the sanctions situation is a deadlock, it goes against global trends, it hinders tackling threats the global civilization is facingBut as for our portfolio company, the situation will motivate us to seek external solutions, develop our technological base," he told RIA Novosti when commenting on US decision to extend anti-Moscow sanctions. Leningrad's defenders had other ideas. Despite the horrendous pressure, both physical and mental, the city and its people endured against all odds. Children were working alongside the adults, helping to convert basements into bomb shelters. Artists and musicians did their best to lift the peoples spirits; the most famous performance was probably the Leningrad premiere of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 7, performed by the starving musicians and broadcast to the German lines, dealing a serious blow to the enemy morale. Even though the people of Leningrad were dying, they never thought to surrender. In January 1943 the Red Army managed to make a dent in the citys blockade, but the siege was only fully lifted a year later when the Nazis were pushed 60 kilometers away from the city. On January 27, 1944 the city residents were finally able to celebrate the end of the blockade, as well as their victory over the enemy who failed to break their will. You reach for your phone and try to unlock it, but unfortunately it falls to the floor and you have no way of calling someone The above scenarios are thankfully just an example, but they do happen. Hundreds of women and men are attacked each year across Europe. Sexual assault cases have risen sharply over the last decade, with more people coming forward reporting abuse. Now however there maybe one solution that could help to combat the rise in reported rape and sexual assault cases. New Wiso SafSmart Whistle The World's First Smart Whistle https://t.co/BxiAY3KmHg pic.twitter.com/MVOA6DGy56 Raru (@RaruShopping) 31 August 2016 WISO, a technology company from China, have developed a Bluetooth whistle which the user connects to their phone. If they find they are in trouble, they can blow into the whistle. It doesn't make a sound like a traditional whistle, but activates the Bluetooth, which then alerts the app to make a call, send out an SMS or email to friends and family who will be able to trace where the person is and notify the authorities of their location. Stein, along with running mate, activist Ajamu Baraka, were charged with criminal mischief and criminal trespassing. Activists at the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's reservation invited the Green Party ticket to leave a message at the protest site. Baraka spray painted "Decolonization" and "We need decolonization" on a piece of construction equipment while Stein sprayed, "I approve this message" in red paint of the blade of a bulldozer. Her actions were recorded on video and viewed by authorities, according to the Bismarck Tribune. The Morton County Sheriffs Department said the protest of some 150-200 people took place around 10:30 AM Tuesday at a construction site two miles east of Highway 1806 at Country Road 35. CHARLESTON -- A woman who admitted being part of a group of people making methamphetamine was sentenced to probation to include an intensive treatment program. The three-year probation sentence for Nichole G. Hendrickson marked the end of the cases against eight people who were charged in connection with the methamphetamine operation that allegedly took place over two years. The suspects, all Douglas County residents, were accused of obtaining medicine with pseudoephedrine to use to make methamphetamine in Coles and Douglas counties in 2013 and 2014. They were indicted in 2014 by what's called a statewide grand jury, which the Illinois Attorney General's Office uses to charge people suspected of related criminal activity in more than one county. The cases were then prosecuted in Coles County. Hendrickson, 44, for whom court records list a rural Arcola address, pleaded guilty in June to the charge in the indictment, conspiracy to commit methamphetamine manufacturing. There was no agreement on a sentence when she pleaded guilty to the charge, which could have a brought a prison sentence of four to 15 years. A charge in a separate case, accusing her of having methamphetamine and ingredients in Coles County in June 2014, was dismissed. Probation terms included the Treatment Alternative for Safe Communities program, which focuses on counseling and other treatment to specifically address a participant's criminal behavior. In addition, Hendrickson was ordered to continue with the substance abuse treatment and counseling she's already started. Probation terms also included payment of about $2,600 in fines and court fees. Coles County Circuit Judge Teresa Righter imposed the sentence after hearing recommendations from Illinois Assistant Attorney General Barry Schaefer and county Assistant Public Defender Lupita Thompson. Two other suspects were sentenced to prison time when they pleaded guilty earlier. They are Billy J. Dunlap, 40, and Jason E. Hudson, 32, both of Hindsboro. Others who pleaded guilty and were sentenced to probation were Felicia Brinkley, 27, of rural Arcola; Craig S. Willison, 36, of Hindsboro; Michael J. Garrard, 39, of Hindsboro; Wilbur D. Hendrickson, 56, of rural Arcola; and Carol Giovanazi Willison, 54, of Hindsboro. MOSCOW (Sputnik) "I read several reports, some experts found out that my proxy IP is hosted at a service thats somehow connected with Russia and has a version in Russian as well as in English," a person identifying as Guccifer 2.0 wrote to The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, adding "This is their strong evidence (with a smile emoticon)." In July, US media alleged that investigators blamed Russian-linked hackers for a breach of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) email system that revealed party officials colluded to support US presidential candidate Hillary Clintons election campaign. The correspondent identifying as Guccifer 2.0 told The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday that blaming Russia or China for hacking attacks "is the most safe point." WASHINGTON (Sputnik) The Republican candidate for the US presidential election expects to have very good relations with Russia and with President Vladimir Putin if elected, Donald Trump told an audience of US military veterans. "I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Putin and I think I would have a good relationship with Russia," Trump said on Wednesday, at an event organized by the nonpartisan Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. "In that system, he's [Putin] been a leader far more than our leader [Obama]," Trump added. In June, Trump said he would be prepared to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to the United States if elected president, and stressed that the two countries should maintain positive relations. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) The US policy of putting together a coalition to topple Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who was then brutally murdered, was the right decision, Hillary Clinton told a security forum. "We were able to save lives [in Libya] we did not lose a single American in that action," the US Democratic presidential candidate said on Wednesday night at an event organized by the nonpartisan Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. "Taking that action was the right decision," Clinton stressed. Clinton was US secretary of state under President Barack Obama in 2011 when the United States encouraged Britain and France to provide air cover and support for rebel forces seeking to topple Gaddafi in Libya. The Control Arms Coalition stated that the US violated the 2014 Arms Trade treaty which restricts illicit trade in conventional arms. Nonetheless, the US government last month approved a new $1.15 billion arms package to Saudi Arabia. Hartung suggests that the US can use its leverage to bring pressure on Saudi Arabia to end the bloodshed. He told Reuters, "It's time for the Obama administration to use the best leverage it has Saudi Arabia's dependence on US weapons and support to wage the war in Yemen in the first place." "The more recent deals that have involved resupplying Saudi Arabia with ammunition, bombs, and tanks to replace weaponry used up or damaged in the war in Yemen are no doubt driven in part by the effort to 'reassure' the Saudis that the US will not tilt towards Iran in the wake of the nuclear deal," he said. MOSCOW (Sputnik) US President Barack Obama said Thursday he was "not ready to concede" that the US military detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, will stay open after the end of his presidential term. "I am not ready to concede that it may still remain open because we are still working diligently to continue to shrink the population," Obama told a press conference in Vientiane, Laos. In the wake of 9/11 attacks the US government opened a detention center for terror suspects at the military base at Guantanamo Bay in 2002. As suspects deemed dangerous may be subjected to indefinite detention without charges of trial in the prison, it is largely criticized by domestic and international watchdogs as violating human rights. The detention center is also notorious for torture and abuse. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) A reported active shooter at the Alpine High School in the US state of Texas is dead and one student has been shot, US media reported on Thursday. "Just in: Shooter dead, 1 student shot at Alpine High School in Brewster County, Texas, police say," ABC News reported in a tweet. Authorities initially believed there were two shooters on the scene, though Dodson said they now believe the deceased to be the only suspect. "It was scary, I didnt really know what was going to happen," William Butler, a student at Alpine, told NBC News. "The cops knocked on the door a little bit later and started to escort everyone out. When the police escorted us out of the classroom, there was a trail of blood going from the hallway I was going in towards the band hall." The school, which has roughly 280 students, was placed on lockdown in the wake of the shooting. The incident comes only two weeks after the beginning of the new school year. HANGZHOU (Sputnik) Argentina remains Russias significant economic and trade partner in Latin America, President Vladimir Putin said Monday at his first face-to-face meeting with the nations new leader Mauricio Macri. "Argentina is our noticeable trade and economic partner in Latin America. Despite all the difficulties weve discussed today, our trade turnover rose 1.7 percent in January-June," Putin said after the meeting on the G20 Summit sidelines in Hangzhou, China. Right-winger Macri succeeded Argentinas Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner after the November 2015 election. This is the first meeting of his tenure with the Russian president. They spoke twice over the phone. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Buenos Aires and Moscow are ready to expand strategic cooperation between the two countries, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Thursday. "As we know, the Argentinean leadership thoroughly analyzed its relations with Russia on the whole. It is important to us that this work resulted in a resolve to expand further bilateral ties in the spirit of comprehensive strategic partnership," Shoigu said after the meeting with his Argentinean counterpart Julio Martinez in Moscow. According to Shoigu, Russia regards Argentina as a partner in Latin America. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Russian ruble-denominated bonds would allow the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) to boost its operations in Russia, contributing to a greener economy and sustainable development, NDB President Kundapur Vaman Kamath told Sputnik. First ruble bonds are expected to be issued before the end of 2016, according to NDB officials. "Raising ruble financing in the Russian capital markets would allow the Bank to efficiently step up its operations in Russia and the proceeds of the bond will be used for financing infrastructure and sustainable development projects in the country," Kamath said. CHARLESTON -- Three men arrested after drugs were reportedly found in their vehicle during a search at a Charleston gas station last month face charges that require prison with a conviction. The suspects from the Aug. 18 incident have ties to a Chicago street gang and cocaine and several bags of methamphetamine were found in the vehicle, according to records in their cases. Police stopped and searched their vehicle on Aug. 18 at the Mach 1 station at 702 W. Lincoln Ave., Charleston. One of the three men reportedly ignored police commands and fled from the scene but was located and arrested later. Case records say police stopped the suspects' vehicle after seeing them leave the Unique Suites motel in Charleston, which followed several reports of the men being involved in drug activity there. The suspects are Brian D. Allen, 37, Kenneth M. Ghaziani, 23, and Ian J. Kearns, 18, for whom court records list Chicago addresses. The charges against the three suspects include possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. The amount of the drug reportedly found in the vehicle led to an offense that would require a prison sentence of six to 30 years with a conviction. Each man is also charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver in connection with the cocaine allegedly found. A conviction could bring a four- to 15-year prison sentence but prison time isn't required for that offense. In addition, Kearns is also charged with obstructing justice, a felony offense that accuses him of giving a false name to police during questioning. Coles County authorities are also seeking forfeiture of $1,000 that Ghaziani reportedly had in his possession and $345 allegedly found on Allen. Each man remains jailed with his bond set at a level that would required $25,000 to be posted for release. Allen pleaded not guilty during a court appearance last week and his case was scheduled for a status hearing on Oct. 13. Ghaziani asked for time to hire an attorney, and Kearns received a court-appointed attorney, also during hearings last week. Both men are scheduled to return to court later this month. The case records say 28 bags, each containing about a third of an ounce of methamphetamine, along with about a quarter-ounce of cocaine were found in the men's vehicle during the search. Ghaziani fled the scene and was later located and arrested at the County Market store at 551 W. Lincoln Ave., according to police. The case records say police identified all three men as having ties to a street gang, and also say Allen faces pending charges of attempted murder and armed robbery in Colorado. Ghaziani is on parole from a prison sentence that resulted from a Cook County weapons conviction. He also served prison sentences for earlier Coles County convictions and court records show previous addresses for him in Mattoon and Charleston. Police also said the three men and a fourth suspect, Antonio L. Ghaziani, are suspected of several vehicle damage incidents in Charleston and Mattoon around the same time. Antonio Ghaziani, 24, for whom records list an address of 660 W. Elm Ave., Charleston, has been charged with property damage. These children are exploited by people smugglers , face immediate physical danger as they attempt to flee, and then get inadequate social support when they arrive at their destination. "One of the big calls we're making is for countries across the world to strengthen the child protection network which they have. (This includes) social services, social workers, provide better-equipped accommodation so that children have somewhere to go and have human support to help them adapt and adjust to their new circumstances." Apart from war, about 20 million international child migrants have left their homes for a variety of reasons including extreme poverty or gang violence. Ingram said that many children are sent abroad to earn money for their families. "Children are sent from poorer countries in West Africa for example, 16-17 year old boys are sent by their family with the intention of getting them into Europe so they can then send money back to support their family back home." MOSCOW (Sputnik) The inclusion of the Chinese yuan into the International Monetary Fund's Special Drawing Right (SDR) currency basket is a real step toward a stronger global financial system, BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) President Kundapur Vaman Kamath told Sputnik. The IMF approved the yuan status of a reserve currency in November. The G20 leaders earlier this week praised in their final communique after a summit the IMF's decision, which is expected to enter into force October 1. "In my opinion, strengthening of the international role of the yuan is in line with the greater role that China is playing in the global economy. It also contributes to improving the resilience of the global financial system. Thus, IMF's decision to include the yuan into the Special Drawing Right (SDR) currency basket on the 1st of October can be viewed as an important practical step," Kamath said. MOSCOW Earlier in the day, The Washington Post newspaper reported that Washington issued a document with final proposals to Russia on cooperation on the Syria issue and is awaiting a response from Moscow in the coming days. "These reports are not totally correct They really talk about a certain document, President [Vladimir Putin] has mentioned it. However, this document has not yet been finalized, as there are still some contentious issues remaining," Peskov said. According to Peskov, Syrian settlement can only be discussed in a format of a compromise. The US is constantly citing Russia as a "major threat" not only to itself but to its "European allies." Washington has been using this as a pretext for the deployment of additional contingents of NATO troops alongside Russia's borders. However, it seems this is not the only "preventive measure" which is being set up on the Russian frontiers. Earlier in September, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reminded that Washington opposes the idea of tightening international control over biological weapons. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter and Ukrainian Minister of Defense Stepan Poltorak signed a bilateral partner concept that focuses on boosting Ukraines defense capabilities, the US Department of Defense announced in a release on Thursday. "[The] document provides a framework for the United States and Ukraine to enhance the defense capacity of Ukraine's forces, advance critical Ukrainian defense reforms, improve resource management processes and boost defense technology cooperation," the release stated. The level of annoyance in Turkish society with the US is so high that if not for the announced state of emergency, he said, there are high risks that the representatives of the public organizations would have staged large-scale protests near the US embassy which could have potentially grown out of control. Besides the above, the negative attitude is also being fuelled up by a feeling of revenge for the US failure to topple the current country's leadership, he noted. All the US claims of its noninvolvement in the events of July 15 are being ruled out as "political tactics" of the American leadership. Moreover, this point of view is shared not only by the public but also by the political leaders as well, he said. Kulat also noted that during his visit to Ankara earlier in August, US Vice President Joe Biden was greeted by a less representative delegation than in the years before. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US State Secretary John Kerry discussed in a phone call on Thursday possible Russian-US cooperation aimed at defeating terrorist groups operating in Syria and achieving a political resolution of the Syrian conflict, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. Lavrov and Kerry were expected to meet in Geneva on September 8-9 to discuss the actions aimed at conflict settlement, including strengthening of a ceasefire regime and anti-terror cooperation between Moscow and Washington. Despite the frequent contacts Moscow and Washington have not yet reached an agreement on Syria. Despite numerous Russias requests to make an official and clear distinction between terrorists and the opposition groups fighting in Syria, Washington has not yet managed to give a substantive reply. "The mismanagement of conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Egypt, Yemen, and Syria has escalated the threat manifolds. In place of one al-Qaeda, the world is facing many al-Qaedas. The Islamic State is its worst manifestation," Gunaratna believes. More is yet to come. The United States is having a presidential election on November 8. Democratic candidate and apparently a front-runner, former State Secretary Hillary Clinton is determined to continue and deepen the current Syria policy. "I am afraid if Hillary Clinton is elected on November 8, this attitude [of involvement in Syria out of political interests] will continue. She advocates greater American mediation in Syria, which is a cover for the intervention against [president] Bashar Assad in order to change regime. And she has no coherent anti-terrorist strategy at all," Trifkovic said. INTELLIGENCE SERVICES FAIL TO HANDLE As more and more Muslim refugees flee their war-torn countries and arrive in Europe, blaming the West for the woes in their countries and thus being potentially perceptive for radical ideas, European intelligence agencies are overwhelmed and fail to guarantee their citizens security. Inability of Europe to control the influx of migrants has made intelligence and security agencies unable to keep track of all the suspects that were seen in the attacks in Paris and Brussels, Trifkovic noted. On November 13, a series of terrorist attacks were staged across Paris, leading to the death of 130 people and injuring over 350 others. On March 22, at least 35 people were killed and over 300 were wounded in several terrorist attacks in Brussels. Islamic State, which is outlawed in many countries, including Russia, has claimed responsibility for the violence in both the French and the Belgian capitals. "With over a million of predominantly Muslim migrants and refugees coming to Europe only last year, and with the influx still continuing, the ability of security agencies to anticipate and prevent such attacks will be even less than it is today," Trifkovic said. "Like many of Obama's foreign policy concepts, the 'pivot to Asia' was full of high hopes, and like many other approaches in foreign policy, the result has been very modest. In any case, the US pivot to Asia did not make a good impression in Beijing." Obama's failure to curb China's ambitions in the South China Sea was a "slap in the face" for the President, and the probable failure to get TPP approved this year also leaves the US lacking soft power in Asia, Wergin wrote. After his arrival at the G20 summit, Obama further inflamed relations on Monday by warning China about the "consequences," if it doesn't back down from its position regarding the South China Sea. "For years, their policy has relied on pinpricks and a steady erosion of American power. The Chinese bases in the South China Sea were not just a slap in the face for Obama, they were also intended to show US allies in the region that Washington can't do much to protect their interests," Wergin wrote. Obama's pivot to Asia envisages building economic bridges with Asian countries, and he has prioritized the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement. At the ASEAN summit in Laos this week, he reiterated his determination to push for the passage of the controversial trade deal. "I have said before and I will say again: Failure to move ahead with TPP would not just have economic consequences, but would call into question America's leadership in this vital region," Obama said. However, on Thursday US House of Representatives speaker Paul Ryan said that the TPP would not be passed by Congress this year, because "we don't have enough votes." The failure has lead Obama to seek "concession prizes" for his foreign policy legacy in Asia, such as improved relations with Laos. However, this would represent modest progress, given the small size of the country's economy and its firm position within China's sphere of influence. Coding Arkansas Governor Launches School Coding Competition Governor Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas has kicked off the first Governors All-Region and All-State Coding Competition to help promote the states initiative to expand computer science classes to all high schools. The competition will feature eight simultaneous regional competitions across the state this fall. The top two teams from each regional event will receive an invitation to participate in the statewide competition, to be held in the spring, according to the governor's communications director J.R. Davis. Verizon also announced plans to grant $40,000 to the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce to sponsor the coding competition. The competition will award a 529 college savings scholarship to members of each of the top three teams. Members of the team that places first will each receive a $2,000 scholarship award, while the second and third place teams will each receive awards of $1,000 and $500, respectively. The school that produces the competitions winning team will also receive an award of up to $20,000. The Governors All-Region and All-state Competition will be open to students in grades 8 through 12 at public and private high schools. Homeschooled students of equivalent age will also be eligible to participate. The state Department of Education will send out a commissioners memo Sept. 15 with further information, including rules and registration details. Under Hutchinson, Arkansas became the first state to mandate the offering of computer science courses in every high school in the state. The governor is currently traveling the state on his Computer Coding Tour to promote increased enrollment in computer science courses. A supporter of Brazil's former President Dilma Rousseff wearing an anonymous mask holds a sign that reads Pilar Olivares/Reuters Good morning! Here's what you need to know. Tokyo has been rocked by an earthquake. An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.9 shook buildings in Tokyo on Wednesday, but no tsunami warning was issued and there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. Merkel's in trouble. The leader of the state of Bavaria warned German conservatives on Tuesday that they faced an "extremely threatening" situation after a "disastrous" state election on Sunday which he blamed squarely on Angela Merkel's open-door migrant policy. A London airport was shut down. British Black Lives Matter protesters on Tuesday chained themselves together on the runway of London's City Airport, forcing all flights in and out of the business travel hub to be diverted. The EU is rethinking its tax policy. European Union countries should better coordinate tax rules to avoid hitting corporations too hard, the council president said, in an effort to provide more balance to an EU campaign against tax avoidance by multinational companies. Turkey doesn't even want to join the EU. Turks are dismayed by the "double standards" the European Union applied to their country after the coup attempt earlier this year and are putting their government under "huge pressure" to end accession negotiations, the foreign minister said. There's still no Brexit plan. Prime Minister Theresa May has an open mind on what Britain's relationship with the European will look like after Brexit and will not put all her cards on the table before negotiating their divorce, her spokeswoman said. Lego is looking to boost US sales and production. Lego reported a decline in revenue growth and profits for the first half of 2016, but only because the Danish toymaker needed time to add production capacity to meet increased demand for its colorful building bricks in North America. An online payment system met the real world. PayPal has entered into a deal with MasterCard that will allow payments in stores. Story continues Climate change should form part of investing. BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, said all investors should factor climate change into their decision-making and doing so would not mean having to accept lower returns. There's a new spat between China and Hong Kong. Beijing has warned new Hong Kong lawmakers not to back independence for the semi-autonomous city after young anti-China activists won seats for the first time in key weekend elections. NOW WATCH: How 2 brothers turned a virtually indestructible cooler into a half-billion-dollar brand See Also: * Kraken project costs cut by further $150 mln to $2.6 bln * In talks with multiple bidders over Kraken stake sale * Sees (Shanghai: 600481.SS - news) up to $40 mln a year forex windfall at current rates * Shares (Berlin: DI6.BE - news) down 2.6 pct (Adds detail, CEO and analyst comment, background) By Karolin Schaps LONDON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Oil producer EnQuest lowered its full-year production guidance by 7 percent on Thursday after the slow start-up of a new field, sending its shares lower despite posting a 51 pct jump in first-half pretax profit. Enquest (Frankfurt: 3EQ.F - news) , in common with oil companies worldwide, continues to keep a tight rein on costs to contend with depressed crude prices. The North Sea-focused company lowered its 2016 production forecast to between 42,000 and 44,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (bpd), down from the 44,000 to 48,000 bpd previously expected, citing a slower than expected ramp-up in output from its Alma/Galia field after technical teething troubles. Shares in the company were down 2.6 percent at 0831 GMT. Despite the Alma/Galia problems EnQuest reported total first-half production up 43 percent year on year, adding that more efficient drilling practices enabled it to save a further $150 million on its flagship Kraken oil field in the North Sea. With (Other OTC: WWTH - news) the total cost now pegged at $2.6 billion, the company has saved $575 million compared with initial estimates for the project. Kraken remains on track to produce first oil in the first half of next year, EnQuest said. "EnQuest has performed well in a low oil price environment ... With Kraken on track, there is the prospect of volume growth over the next couple of years," Liberum analysts said. FIELD PARTNERS EnQuest announced in July that it was in talks to sell a 20 percent stake in Kraken to Israel's Delek Group (Frankfurt: 6D4A.F - news) in a deal valued at about $162 million. However, EnQuest chief executive Amjad Bseisu said on Thursday that the announcement had been a mistake and that talks with other partners are also continuing. Story continues "We're not exclusively talking to Delek," he told Reuters. EnQuest is mainly relying on cashflow from asset disposals to beef up its balance sheet, Bseisu added. The company is in discussions to sell the FPSO vessel tied to its Alma/Galia field, which it would then lease in return, he said. EnQuest made a similar deal on its Aberdeen office which it sold in June last year and subsequently rented for 20 years, freeing up cash on non-core assets. The weakening of the pound in the aftermath of Britain's vote to leave the European Union has created a favourable exchange rate for EnQuest, which makes money in dollars and invests heavily with sterling. EnQuest said that operating expenditure could fall by $30 million to $40 million a year in 2017 and 2018 if exchange rates remain at current levels. (Editing by David Goodman) * Only Saudis have spare oil capacity and it is very thin * Constraints could signal higher oil prices * Graphic on global spare capacity and fiscal breakeven: * http://reut.rs/2c4D0vZ By Dmitry Zhdannikov LONDON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - A battle for market share between oil producers has left the world awash with stocks of unwanted crude and driven a collapse in prices over the past two years. But a study of one often overlooked oil market parameter -- spare capacity or the ability of producers to quickly ramp up output to cushion against unexpected supply cuts elsewhere -- shows that a major bullish trend for prices could be building. With Iran, Iraq, and Gulf nations Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates all producing at or almost at capacity, there is only a handful of states that have a significant gap between current production levels and what they can produce in theory. The word "theory" is key here, though, as those countries include Libya, Nigeria, Venezuela and Saudi Arabia. The chances of an end to unrest in Libya and Nigeria or of Venezuela overcoming its social and economic problems and ramping up production are so low that most analysts are writing off theoretically higher capacity levels in those countries. That leaves Saudi Arabia, the only major traditional swing supplier, as the sole global central bank of spare capacity. But the assumption also comes with a caveat. Having told the market for many years that they can produce 12.5 million barrels per day if needed, Saudis, including Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, have said this year they can ramp up supply immediately only to 11.5 million bpd. Deduct from that figure Riyadh's current record output of 10.7 million bpd, and that leaves Saudi and effectively global spare capacity at only 0.8 million bpd -- the lowest on record and not enough to cover even one major supply outage. "Supply constraints seem a distant prospect in the current oil market, but a return to balance in 2017 will leave the world with severely limited spare capacity," HSBC's oil industry analysts said in a note. Story continues Others broadly share that view. "In a market full of disruptions and uncertainties, if there was a blow up of the scale of Canada once again, we would see oil prices rise like we did pre-summer," said Abhishek Deshpande, an analyst at Natixis (LSE: 0IHK.L - news) . Wildfires in the Canadian region of Alberta in May cut the country's daily output by 1 million barrels and were one of the factors that pushed oil prices to a six-month high. RECORD STOCKS So is it inevitable that when global oil demand finally rises close to or above supply in the next few months, prices will jump on fears of a lack of spare capacity? Not necessarily. For analyst Deshpande, countries like Nigeria still pose downside risks as their contribution to the market is unpredictable. "Assuming all countries were producing at their optimal levels, including Libya and Nigeria, and markets were balanced, it is then I would be really worried about thin spare capacity," he said. Meanwhile Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are all set to add new capacity in 2017 as they are drilling on new fields. Separately, the world has accumulated so many stocks over the past two years -- standing at a record 3 billion barrels according to the International Energy Agency -- that they have become a substitute of sorts for spare capacity. Before the supply glut started building in mid-2014, stocks stood at just 2.6 billion barrels. It would take many months to bring them back to that level if demand were finally to exceed supply next year. However, some observers believe that the constraints on spare capacity mean a bigger cushion needs to be maintained. "There is no reason stocks should return to pre-collapse levels. The lack of swing suppliers calls for more," said veteran OPEC watcher Jamie Webster. (Reporting by Dmitry Zhdannikov; Editing by Keith Weir) DGAP-News: IMMOFINANZ AG / Key word(s): Real Estate/Miscellaneous 2016-09-08 / 13:15 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- IMMOFINANZ is currently developing the new headquarters for trivago in the Dusseldorf Medienhafen. The first stone for this modern campus was laid today, Thursday, in a ceremony attended by Lord Mayor Thomas Geisel and trivago founder and CTO Peter Vinnemeier. The circular six-storey building will have approx. 26,000 sqm of office space in the first stage of construction, which will be occupied by trivago on a long-term lease. Completion is scheduled for mid-2018. "The trivago headquarters is a landmark project for IMMOFINANZ. Not only does it fulfil the requirements of a new generation office, it is also important to us that the architecture and design reflects trivago's innovative company culture. This will be a campus with a genuine feel-good factor for employees", commented Oliver Schumy, CEO of IMMOFINANZ. Lord Mayor Thomas Geisel on the project: "The new headquarters will become another highlight among the many buildings that give the Medienhafen its unique appearance, and has made the area well-known beyond the city's borders. Since access to the harbour will remain open to the public, Dusseldorf's residents will also benefit from the new trivago campus. I value IMMOFINANZ's commitment to this dynamic business location in Dusseldorf and welcome this eye-catching addition to our real estate market." "We are very grateful to both the city of Dusseldorf and IMMOFINANZ, for helping us to realize our dreams, in the city that trivago has always called home. From our first office in Flingern-Sud, to our most recent spot in Golzheim along the Rhein - we are looking forward to exploring Dusseldorf's Medienhafen next, and all it has to offer. This is an exciting, and undoubtedly historic, moment for all of us at trivago", said Peter Vinnemeier, founder and CTO of trivago. The six-storey high trivago headquarters is under construction on Kesselstrasse in the Medienhafen and will provide space for roughly 2,000 employees. The second stage of construction will cover a 16-storey building with up to 16,000 sqm of space. The investment costs are expected to total approx. EUR 200 million, including EUR 145 million for the first stage. slapa oberholz pszczulny | sop architekten are responsible for the design of the new campus. "The campus opens toward the water and creates new areas for rest and relaxation along the harbour. The buildings have a playful and harmonising effect at the crossing points of the various architectural lines and construction styles in the Dusseldorfer Medienhafen. The offices have green inner courtyards, numerous balconies and roof terraces", stated Wolfgang Marcour, Partner of slapa oberholz pszczulny | sop architekten. The headquarters are designed almost entirely as open space offices. It will have creatively designed rooms, kitchen areas, and also space for a wide range of activities sponsored by trivago from bouldering and yoga to football. Ed. Zublin AG is the general contractor responsible for the final completion of the first stage of construction. "The cornerstone laying ceremony marks the official start of the civil engineering work. We are following our proven Zublin team partnering model - which is based on co-operation with all of the involved companies - to carry out the project", explained Olaf Demuth, Member of the Managing Board of Ed. Zublin AG. On trivago At trivago, we are focused on empowering our 120+ million monthly travelers to find their ideal hotel at the lowest rate by offering total transparency of the online hotel market. Our team of over 1000+ creative and focused minds from all corners of the globe are working to develop fast, game-changing, unbiased, consumer-centric products - in order to better not only what we do, but the industry as a whole. Using trivago's hotel search, you can sift through over 1 million hotels, from 250+ booking sites and hotel chains in 190+ countries, at once. Founded in 2005, trivago currently operates on 55 live international platforms in 33 languages. On IMMOFINANZ IMMOFINANZ is a commercial real estate company whose activities are focused on the retail and office segments of eight core markets in Europe: Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Poland and Moscow. The core business includes the management and development of properties. The company has a real estate portfolio of approx. EUR 5.5 billion that covers more than 380 properties. IMMOFINANZ is listed on the stock exchanges in Vienna (leading ATX index) and Warsaw. Further information under: http://www.immofinanz.com For additional information contact: IMMOFINANZ Bettina Schragl Head of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations T +43 (0)1 88 090 2290 M +43 (0)699 1685 7290 communications@immofinanz.com investor@immofinanz.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2016-09-08 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Company: IMMOFINANZ AG Wienerbergstrae 11 1100 Wien Austria Phone: +43 (0) 1 88090 - 2290 Fax: +43 (0) 1 88090 - 8290 E-mail: investor@immofinanz.com Internet: http://www.immofinanz.com ISIN: AT0000809058 WKN: 911064 Listed: Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart; Open Market in Frankfurt ; Warschau, Wien (Amtlicher Handel / Official Market) End of News DGAP News Service Prosecutors in Austria have charged two men with being part of Islamic State as part of ongoing investigations into the Paris attacks. The 26-year-old Moroccan and 40-year-old Algerian, who were arrested on 18 December, are suspected of helping two other suspects extradited to France earlier this year. They are said to have assisted the pair through "logistics as well as through gathering information and arranging contacts". A statement from prosecutors in Salzburg said the men had been charged with "the preparation of ... attacks in Paris as members of IS". The other two - 29-year-old Algerian Adel Haddadi and a 35-year-old Pakistani, Mohamad Usman - were sent to France in July. All four men lived at the same refugee centre in Salzburg. Detectives believe that Haddadi and Usman travelled to the Greek island of Leros on 3 October last year. It is thought they were on the same refugee boat as two men, thought to be Iraqis, who blew themselves up outside the Stade de France on November 13. Haddadi and Usman were detained by the Greek authorities for 25 days because they had falsified Syrian passports, eventually arriving in Austria after the Paris attacks had taken place. Meanwhile Salah Abdeslam, who is thought to have played a key role in the terror plot, kept silent during a court hearing in the French capital on Thursday morning. The 26-year-old refused to attend a similar hearing in July. His lawyer said his silence was linked to 24-hour surveillance in his cell. The authorities hope Abdeslam can provide information about Islamic State, and identify others who may have been involved. TYLER, Texas An East Texas college professor has been accused of conversing with a 12-year-old girl online and trying to meet her for sex. Judd Harrison Quarles of Tyler was charged with online solicitation of a minor under age 14. Smith County jail records Tuesday didnt list an attorney for the 31-year-old Quarles, who was arrested Friday and freed on $350,000 bond. Quarles taught economics and government at Tyler Junior College. He was suspended following his arrest. An affidavit says Quarles had sexual conversations with the girl, who pretended to be 18, but told police that he was never going to meet her. A message for comment, sent Tuesday to his college email, was returned as undeliverable. Quarles previously was chief of staff for state Rep. Matt Schaefer of Tyler. Amanda Beebe rushed to the day care center where she left her 18-month-old and became hysterical. Her boys body was covered with more than a dozen bite marks. His face, limbs and back were swollen and raw. Who bit her boy? Where were the adults? How could this happen at a day care? It looked like hed been mauled by an animal, Beebe told The Associated Press on Wednesday. But the doctor at the hospital told Beebe that by the look of the marks, her son had been bitten by another child. Now, the Manatee County Sheriffs Office and child welfare authorities are investigating the Js Bright Learners center in Bradenton, and an employee there could face charges of child neglect. A woman who answered the phone at the day care Wednesday said no one there could comment. Beebe said she had recently put her two children, the 18-month-old and his 4-year-old brother, into the day care so she could continue her education in alternative medicine. She was paying $40 a week all she could afford with a government voucher covering the rest. On Aug. 26, a day care worker notified Beebe and her husband that their younger boy had been bitten once. We werent upset that happens with children, said Beebe, who assumed workers would keep a watchful eye on the child with the biting issues. Three days later, she got another call. This time, the employee said its bad, its really bad, she recalled. She hung up and rushed to the center, where her boy was covered with bites and inconsolable. As a mom, you dont ever know what youre going to do in a situation. The anger didnt set in until later, she said. This is my son; hes been hurt. As a mom you feel like this was your fault. She rushed him to a hospital, where doctors called authorities. A week later, Beebe is shocked that no ones been arrested. According to the Bradenton Herald, Floridas Department of Children and Families has issued violations to Js Bright Learners six times after its last 12 inspections, for leaving children unsupervised or failing to have enough staff to care for the number of children. I just want everyone to know this is not OK. I want justice, said Beebe, who published pictures of her boys injuries on Facebook in a post that generated some 47,000 comments in a week. She doesnt blame the other child she blames the adults. She chose this day care because it was one of the few she could afford, and it had cameras. They allowed her to watch a recording, but because of the angle, she couldnt see her son being bitten, only that there appeared to be no adult in the room for about 20 minutes as her son came into view, crying. Her son received antibiotics and hes on the mend, she said. Im just grateful its not worse, she said. Im trying to look at the bright side. ___ Follow Tamara Lush on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tamaralush 100 years ago, Sept. 8, 1916 MATTOON -- The total rainfall for the 24 hours ending at 7 o'clock this morning was 2.23 inches, according to C.L. James. Of this amount, .62 of an inch fell during the storm at noon Thursday and 1.61 inches fell late Thursday afternoon and into the evening. The rain that fell in the afternoon was little short of a deluge. Many street intersections were flooded, the depth in some places being six to eight inches. While only five trees were uprooted, many limbs were broken off. The city's street department received 46 calls about downed limbs that needed to be hauled away... OAKLAND -- One traveling man has marked Oakland off his list and from what he told an Oakland Ledger reporter, you couldn't get him to stop here even if he was at the point of a German centimeter gun. The said traveling man was from a Danville house, his name being Collier. Mr. Collier said the front license plate was loose on his car and he took the number off for fear of losing it. It was his intention to have the license fastened at a local garage. While driving through Oakland, the minions of the law spied him and hauled him before Judge "Squire" Blevins, and Squire said he would let him off easy and fined Mr. Collier $2. City authorities made a holler and the fine was boosted to $25 and costs. Mr. Collier paid the fine and to say he was mad is putting it mildly. He said he would go so close to h____ he would burn his eyebrows before he'd come through this blankety-blank-----?----!---- town again. 50 years ago, 1966 MATTOON -- Clem G. Phipps, general chairman of the proposed area junior college, called for the support and backing of business and industry in the establishment of the Eastern Illinois Area Junior College Wednesday. Speaking at the Mattoon Holiday Inn to more than 50 leaders in area business and industry, Phipps said this area needs to approve the Sept. 24 referendum establishing a junior college district in the region. Phipps said 90 of the state's 102 counties already are in a junior college district. He pointed out that any school district not in a junior college district must pay for any of its residents who attend a junior college in another district... CHARLESTON -- Eastern Illinois University has moved into three new unfinished buildings with the start of the 1966-67 school year. Unfinished buildings in use are Taylor Hall, men's residence hall; the Lantz Physical Education and Recreation Building; and the Telephone and Security Building. Taylor Hall's food service area is not yet completed and residents must eat meals in other residence halls. With enrollment increasing rapidly, EIU is in the process of building two nine-story residence halls, a fieldhouse at Lantz, an addition to the University Union and an applied arts building... CHARLESTON -- Mike Wallace, news commentator for the CBS radio and television networks, will be guest speaker at Eastern Illinois University's Parents Weekend Sept. 17-18. Wallace will speak following the dedication of three new buildings and the renaming of the old Lantz Gymnasium on Sept. 17. The lecture will be held in the newly named Florence P. McAfee Gymnasium, which formerly was the Charles P. Lantz Gymnasium. 25 years ago, 1991 Sunday. No paper. 100 years ago, Sept. 9, 1916 MATTOON -- C.L. James, superintendent of the municipal water plant, reports that a raid was made yesterday on the muskrat dens of the earthen embankment of the Paradise reservoir dam. Eleven muskrats and one barn rat were killed. The little animals had burrowed into the earthwork to a depth of about 20 inches. the men plan to construct traps in the embankment for snaring muskrats, their snaring having a tendency to endanger the dam... MATTOON -- Three special trains, carrying members of the 71st New York Infantry enroute home from the Mexican border, passed through Mattoon this morning on the Big Four Railroad. The New Yorkers were white-skinned, soft-muscled fellows when they passed through Mattoon a few months ago enroute to the Mexican border, but today they are browned-skinned veterans... MATTOON -- Two cars were derailed in the local Big Four repair yards on Friday. The Ringling Circus advance car, which derailed on the track west of the 16th Street crossing, was given repairs at the shops that afternoon. Engine 6616 was derailed and overturned Friday morning. There was some property damage but no loss of life or personal injury. The local wrecking crew was sent to re-rail the locomotive. 50 years ago, 1966 TOLEDO -- Smoldering ruins are all that remained today on the south side of the courthouse square in Toledo after a fire destroyed three business establishments. The fire started about 4 p.m. in the Speedway Coin Wash and spread from that building to the C.C. Clark Shoe Store and the Diel & Thompson Farm Implement Co. Tests are being made today to check the purity of the Toledo water supply after it became contaminated as a result of the fire, which caused damages estimated at more than $150,000. Because of the water contamination, 411 students at Toledo Grade School will not have classes today, Mayor Scott Everhart said... CHARLESTON -- President Quincy Doudna has urged "thoughtful discussion" among faculty members about the possibility of offering doctoral programs at Eastern Illinois University. Speaking at the first general faculty meeting of the fall quarter, Doudna said more emphasis will be given to the graduate program and said there is no reason why EIU can't move toward a doctoral program. 25 years ago, 1991 MATTOON -- An unpredictable animal that doesnt follow script marks its territory on Johnny Carsons head. The audience laughs. Not funny is the destruction of tropical rainforests and other habitat necessary to sustain endangered species, Joan Embery, a goodwill ambassador for the San Diego Zoo, told audiences at the Cross County Mall this weekend. Embery also holds a Board of Governors bachelors degree from Eastern Illinois University. Her primary message was to encourage people to get involved in environmental issues by volunteering at Scovill Zoo or Douglas-Hart Nature Center and by becoming more involved in environmental issues ARCOLA Dave Barry, author, nationally syndicated humor columnist and self-proclaimed presidential candidate, took on a new adventure Saturday when he joined the world famous Lawn Rangers at the Arcola Broomcorn Festival. He was invited by Rangers member Pat Monahan and by Mark Petty. After learning the intricate maneuvers used by the Rangers and taking part in the parade, Barry noted: I feel that weve shown once again why America is the country it is, which is to say a third-rate power and going down fast. Its people like this, with small-town values, small minds and small amounts of discretion, and large amounts of beer -- thats what makes Americans. A group of about 30 emails sent or received by Hillary Clinton about the 2012 Benghazi, Libya, attacks and recovered in an FBI investigation into her use of a private email system contains only one previously undisclosed email, government lawyers said in a filing Wednesday. The revelation of the existence of as many as 30 potentially related emails in a conservative groups public records lawsuit briefly roiled the presidential race on Aug. 30, triggering attacks by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trumps campaign. But the criticisms were undercut by the single newly released email, which is a complimentary note to Clinton from another U.S. diplomat. In the message, dated Jan. 23, 2013, the U.S. ambassador to Brazil at the time, Thomas Shannon, praised the then-secretary of states Senate testimony about the Sept. 11, 2012, attack that killed ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans. I watched with great admiration as she dealt with a tough and personally painful issue in a fair, candid and determined manner, Shannon wrote Clintons then-chief of staff Cheryl D. Mills, who forwarded the note to Clinton. I was especially impressed by her ability to turn aside the obvious efforts to politicize the events in Benghazi, reminding Americans of the tremendous sacrifice made by Chris Stevens and his colleagues but also insisting that our ability to play a positive role in the world and protect U.S. interests requires a willingness to take risks. The government said in a filing that all the other emails turned out to be unrelated or duplicates of previously searched records. In a statement about the newly disclosed email, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said, The email does not change the facts that have previously been made clear about the Benghazi attacks. Toner said two other documents are near duplicates of emails returned to the department by Clinton in December 2014, after her tenure as secretary from 2009 to 2013, that Clinton directed assistants to print out. One was an end-of-year 2012 message to department staffers, and the other was a complimentary message by a former campaign staffer, Rick Jasculca. In a statement, Judicial Watch, the conservative group that has sued for Benghazi-related records, objected to the governments withholding of what it called printed internal technical metadata on the two FBI-retrieved documents that were not included in a set of about 30,000 emails that Clintons lawyers previously deemed work-related and that she had returned to the State Department. The Justice Department closed the email investigation without criminal charges on July 7, and FBI Director James Comey said investigators did not believe emails on the private server were intentionally deleted in an effort to conceal them, but purged through normal processes. The bureau has turned over 14,900 recovered documents to the State Department for review and potential release. Judicial Watch filed a civil public records lawsuit over the records. clinton-emails Back in Washington after a seven-week recess, House Republican leaders are hoping for a drama-free September that involves voting on pieces of their campaign-season policy agenda and averting a government shutdown at months end. Some GOP members, however, are pushing for action on an issue that is dividing their party: whether to impeach Internal Revenue Service Commissioner John Koskinen over the agencys treatment of conservative nonprofit groups and the handling of subsequent investigations into that treatment. Two members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, Reps. John Fleming, R-Louisiana, and Tim Huelskamp, R-Kansas, filed a special motion in July that could force a floor vote on Koskinens impeachment at virtually any time this month. And GOP leaders appear to have succeeded at least the delaying the vote on the Freedom Caucus resolution until later this month. There are two standards out there right now, and people think if your name is Lerner or Koskinen or Clinton, you get away with stuff that the rest of us cant get away with, and thats not right, said Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, the Freedom Caucus chairman, referring to former IRS official Lois Lerner and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. But many Republicans believe Koskinens alleged conduct does not rise to the level of impeachment and are otherwise eager to avoid what they consider a distraction just two months before Election Day not to mention setting what many consider a dangerous precedent. Koskinen met with two groups of House Republicans on Wednesday to personally present a case for why he should not be impeached. He appeared on Capitol Hill at the invitation of the Tuesday Group, an organization of GOP moderates qho have largely been skeptical of the impeachment effort. He later met with approximately 40 members of the larger Republican Study Committee after members learned that he was in the vicinity. The RSC represents well over half of House Republicans, and they are expected to play a critical role in determining the success of the impeachment effort. Koskinen said he responded to questions from members and declined to provide any additional details about either meeting: We had a very good exchange of views. Rep. Bill Flores, R-Texas, the RSCs chairman, said afterward that he continued to support holding a vote on Koskinens impeachment but that he remained personally undecided on whether to vote in favor. He did raise some interesting issues, Flores said. There is a due process to go through with respect to impeachment, and I think he makes some valid points on that. House Republicans are scheduled to discuss the impeachment issue together behind closed doors next week, and members of the leadership suggested there would be no votes until that discussion has taken place, though Freedom Caucus members have not ruled out a quicker vote. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-California, told reporters Tuesday that the matter should be handled through regular order in other words, by the relevant House committees rather than through a special privileged resolution that comes straight to the floor. One of the biggest arguments Ive always heard from the Freedom Caucus is regular order, so I try to stay with regular order as much as possible, he said. Within the conference, there are different beliefs on what should be done should there be censure, or should it be impeachment? And the discussion is, should it reach that level? House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, sent a similar message Wednesday: You have members on both sides of this . . . and this is something where the conference is going to work its will. Neither chairmen of the relevant committees has been especially gung-ho about impeaching Koskinen. Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Virginia, held a hearing on the allegations against Koskinen in June, but he has stopped well short of endorsing impeachment. Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, said Wednesday he was just watching the process unfold at this point and that further action by his committee is to be considered. No executive official below the rank of president has been impeached since 1876. The Treasury Department and congressional Democrats have dismissed the allegations against Koskinen that he had obstructed justice by failing to respond to congressional subpoenas as baseless. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which does not have formal jurisdiction over the IRS or impeachments, passed a censure resolution in a June party-line vote. But Jordan said Wednesday that censure would not suffice for the Freedom Caucus whose members have bristled at the IRSs alleged targeting of conservative activist groups and promised a floor vote sometime this month. When you look at the facts, it warrants that kind of action for the behavior weve seen at the IRS since Mr. Koskinen took over, he said. Kelsey Snell contributed to this report. house-irs WASHINGTON Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, said Wednesday that he is in talks with the White House and Senate Democrats about breaking a partisan deadlock over funding to combat the Zika virus and a bipartisan accord to continue funding the government past a Sept. 30 shutdown deadline. McConnell said he is prepared to move a stopgap funding measure, known as a continuing resolution (CR), that would keep the government open through Dec. 9 as soon as next week. Were looking for a way forward, and Im hopeful and optimistic that well be able to do that, McConnell said. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, said of Republicans he is hopeful they understand the predicament theyve created. They cant close the government again, he said. Were going to be totally reasonable. The December date is in line with the wishes of Democrats and GOP appropriators who are hoping to pass the annual spending bills before a new Congress arrives next year. But it goes against the wishes of conservative Republicans who want the next Congress to write those spending bills, arguing that producing a funding measure during a lame-duck session will lead to a package with higher spending and provisions sought by special interests. On Wednesday, McConnell made clear he the current focus of his negotiations is with the White House and Senate Democrats, not Republican leaders in the House, including Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin. The speaker is talking to his members I believe later in the week about how to go forward, McConnell said. We are, as you know, two separate bodies, but were talking to each other. But we think the Senate ought to be able to resolve the issues that confront us, and go forward. And we hope to do that very soon. How House Republican leaders will handle internal disagreements over the length of the stopgap spending bill remains unclear, but conservatives are not happy with the Senate plan. I think Leader McConnell is going in the wrong direction, said Republican Study Committee Chairman Rep. Bill Flores, R-Texas. I dont see it passing the House. House Republican moderates and members of the Appropriations Committee are advocating for wrapping up the annual budget work during a post-election session. It is the responsibility of this president and this Congress to write the budget for [fiscal year 2017], said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Oklahoma, who chairs the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees the Labor and Health and Human Services departments. They dont need to do our job because we couldnt get it done with the largest Republican majority in 88 years. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers, R-Kentucky, said Tuesday that a straight CR into next year would prevent Republicans from enacting policy provisions, such as limiting refugee resettlement or managing the use of unspent war funds, that give Congress oversight over how federal dollars are spent. Im not willing at this time to throw up the white flag, Rogers said. House Republicans plan to meet Friday morning to discuss options for a spending agreement. Some conservatives have floated the possibility supporting a short-term CR in exchange for policy concessions. Ideas currently under consideration are attaching legislation that would effectively halt the the resettlement of refugees from Iraq and Syria in the United States and a floor vote on impeaching IRS Commissioner John Koskinen, a top priority for the roughly 40-member House Freedom Caucus, a group of the Houses most conservative members. Some of us have said if were going to do a short-term, can we address the Syrian refugee issue, said Freedom Caucus member Mark Meadows, R-North Carolina. If that were something that could be guaranteed on a short-term CR I think youd see a majority of Freedom Caucus members and conservatives supporting a shorter term strategy. But not all members were on board with the idea. Rep. Mark Sanford, R-South Carolina, said he could envision some policy horsetrading over elements of a spending bill, just not the length of the full CR. I think there is a fairly absolute focus on a long-term CR, Sanford said. One wrinkle in the House debate is the growing concern among conservatives that the leadership is not embracing their principles, which is making them less hospitable to any spending deals. They have gone so far as to accuse establishment leaders of meddling in a primary contest that resulted in a loss for one of their members, Rep. Tim Huelskamp, R-Kansas. Its pretty clear that the establishment wanted to take me out, Huelskamp said on Wednesday. At the end of the day the message they wanted to say is sit down and shut up, and I think it has just infuriated folks up here as well as folks in the conservative movement across America. spending-1stld-writethru U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen in Montana ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to consider adding more habitat for the wild cats in several states, including its southern range in Wyoming, Colorado and north-central New Mexico. The judge cited the presence of a reproducing lynx population in Colorado. Agency officials had earlier concluded that area was not essential for the recovery of the species, pointing in part to low population densities of snowshoe hares that lynx eat. The (Fish and Wildlife) Services own representations suggest that parts of Colorado constitute suitable critical habitat, Christensen wrote. He added that snowshoe hares are certainly present in the southern Rockies at densities at or near the level needed to support lynx. In such a close call.the (Endangered Species Act) demands that the tie go to the species, the judge said. Lynx are elusive, forest-dwelling animals. There is no reliable population estimate for the species. It was listed as threatened in 2000, but a dispute lingers as to where lynx should receive the strongest protections. Christensen also ruled that officials had failed to analyze the potential for lynx to thrive in portions of Montana and Idaho when they made their critical habitat designation in 2014. But the judge agreed with the government that a critical habitat designation wasnt needed in Oregon and the Kettle mountain range in Washington state, where there has been little evidence of lynx. That means lynx in those areas will be protected from hunting and trapping, but there will be less stringent reviews of human activities that could affect the dense forests they need to survive. Wildlife advocates sued the government following the 2014 habitat designation. They said Wednesdays ruling could mark a turning point in lynx recovery. The species really now has a fighting chance, said attorney Matt Bishop with the Western Environmental Law Center, who represented some of the plaintiffs in the case. The feds can no longer discard the southern Rockies or its importance for lynx. Fish and Wildlife Service spokeswoman Serena Baker said the agency was disappointed with the ruling on the southern Rockies, Montana and Idaho but pleased that aspects of the 2014 habitat designation were left in place. She declined to say if the agency would appeal Christensens ruling or how long it would take to comply. The American Petroleum Institute and Washington State Snowmobile Association sided with the government in the case. They had asked Christensen to reject the lawsuits from Wildearth Guardians, Cascadia Wildlands and the other plaintiffs. I dont care what kids say the school lunch lady is not trying to kill them. The federal government is. Well, I have my suspicions, at least. Many of the meals served as part of the National School Lunch Program are high in fat and cholesterol and contain considerably more sodium than fiber. Theyre a heart attack in the making. I wonder if thats why the American Heart Association has warned us that atherosclerosis hardening of the arteries begins in childhood and progresses into adulthood, at which point it can lead to coronary heart disease. Most schools serve the same artery-clogging slop that was served when I was a student and frozen meals still had to be baked in the oven. How can we expect students to take a health teachers healthy eating tips seriously when the school cafeteria is serving unhealthy foods? Salisbury steak, pepperoni pizza and chicken nuggets need to go the way of film projectors and hand-crank pencil sharpeners. And fast-food corporations should also be expelled from schools or at least suspended until they serve more plant-based meals. As Dr. Neal Barnard, the president of the nonprofit Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, says, Fresh produce, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds are nutritional powerhouses that study after study has shown to be quite literally lifesaving. (D)iets high in animal protein are associated with a fourfold increase in the chance of dying from cancer or diabetes making heavy meat and dairy consumption just as dangerous as smoking. Responsible parents teach their children not to smoke because cigarettes cause cancer and other health problems. For the same reason, they should make sure their kids dont get hooked on hamburgers and other unhealthy foods. Lets put more emphasis on teaching children to eat vegan meals at school and at home. Kids will gladly eat plant-based meals, such as pasta, veggie burgers and black bean chili, if theyre delicious as well as nutritious. Knowing this, the Coalition for Healthy School Food created the Cool School Food program to develop, test and implement plant-based meals in school cafeterias. The program, which helped two public schools in New York implement the first entirely plant-based school menus in the U.S., aims to make it fun and exciting for young people to try new foods and learn about their health benefits. Food Is Elementary, another school program that was recently featured in VegNews magazine, is also working to introduce children to plant-based foods, which the kids prepare and eat as part of a curriculum established by the founder of the Food Studies Institute, a New York-based nonprofit that helps school cafeterias incorporate low-fat, high-fiber foods into their menus. We need more programs like these. Students are fed up with the unappetizing, inhumane and potentially disease-promoting fare that passes as lunch in many school cafeterias. Last year, students at Theodore Roosevelt High School in Chicago boycotted school lunch in an attempt to persuade officials to serve healthier meals, including more fresh fruit and vegetables. Thats hardly an unreasonable request. The school cafeteria is supposed to be a source of nourishment, not disease. This years National School Lunch Week, which will be observed in October, aims to remind parents, students and school officials that a healthy lunch helps students power through the day! But how can we expect kids to make it through the day and learn compassion and empathy if theyre eating unhealthy animal-based foods? We need to teach children that v is for vegan and serve them healthy, tasty, cruelty-free plant-based foods that wont cause them to heap scorn on the lunch lady. Heather Moore is a senior writer for the PETA Foundation. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The University of New Mexico is reporting some hopeful trends toward producing a more college-educated local workforce. But a greater buy-in to major reforms to produce college-ready graduates by some of the states public schools most notably Albuquerque Public Schools is still needed. During the 2015-2016 academic year, UNM awarded an all-time record number of degrees 5,674 degrees, up from 5,489 the year before. According to UNM Provost Chaouki Abdallah, the university is on track for its four-year graduation rate last year to exceed 20 percent for the first time in years. And that is despite declining enrollment. Quite an accomplishment. Its five- and six-year grad rates also show improvement. Abdallah and President Bob Frank have attributed the brightening graduation picture to steps UNM has taken in the past several years to prevent students from dropping out or from taking longer than the traditional four years to earn a degree. Among them are reducing the number of credits for a degree, increasing student support services and encouraging faculty to be more engaged. Also, the university has undertaken the kind of fundamental change APS has been reluctant to embrace, moving away from the status quo and successfully moving students who need remedial help more quickly into regular college classes. And, UNM has a carrot on the degree stick: Students who are on track to graduate in four years get free tuition for the last semester. In other words, UNM is becoming more nimble and proactive to help students get through school in four years. Good job. But before a student can embark upon earning a degree at UNM or Central New Mexico Community College or other institutions of higher learning, he or she has to make it through high school with the knowledge and skills to do college-level work. And the APS pipeline with a graduation rate of 61.7 percent in 2015 compared with 82.7 percent in Rio Rancho is a significant impediment to improving the higher education profile of the four-county metropolitan area. Meanwhile, this month is Attendance Awareness Month and Mission: Graduate, an initiative of United Way of Central New Mexico and its partners throughout the region, focusing on the importance of helping students and their families recognize the importance of regular attendance and staying in school. Starting as early as kindergarten or even preschool, chronic absences predict lower third grade reading scores, and by middle school its a warning sign that students will fail key classes and drop out of high school, said Angelo Gonzales, executive director of Mission: Graduate. Misson: Graduate and its partners, whose ultimate goal is to substantially increase the number of people with college degrees and certificates in Central New Mexico by 2020, are sponsoring the free Attendance + Engagement = Graduation Conference today where educators and community, government and business leaders will meet to address truancy in particular. Here, APS is part of the reform effort. Mission: Graduate will recognize APS Truancy Prevention and Intervention Initiative, whose goal is reducing truancy at all grades with identifying truancy early in a childs school career and getting them help. Bernalillo High Schools Attendance team will also be recognized for working with local tribes to increase Native American students attendance. New Mexico needs an educated and skilled workforce and people who are prepared to make contributions to society. These efforts are commendable. But the hard truth is this: unless APS can embrace substantial change and produce more graduates who are better prepared, no amount of other effort can move the needle enough. 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. I saw New Mexico for the first time in March of 1970 as I headed south through Raton Pass. It was love at first sight. I was on spring break from Ohio University. I had never been as far west as Indiana before. I had been staying in Boulder, which I found to be just another suburb that happened to have mountains. It wasnt the West of my movie-inspired imagination. Out of boredom and by chance, I started to drive south to see what else the West had to offer. I had never seen such skies, light, colors or vastness as I saw that day crossing into New Mexico. I knew the plains to my left ended somewhere near the Ozarks, but that day I believed they were infinite. I drove along the Cimarron River, through quiet canyons, then into Ranchos de Taos. Some hippies put me up at a commune overnight. Id never seen adobe houses before. I didnt know buildings could be bright pink or that window frames and doors could be turquoise. I thought to myself, Im home. I moved to Albuquerque that August, and except for a painful 18 months in Connecticut for work, Ive never left. As you get to know the things you love, the romance fades. My newspaper career has been spent trying to understand why our state is so impoverished, why too many of our kids do so poorly in school, why we are so violent, why our government is so feckless. Days go by when I dont notice the mountains or the sky. So it was with some shock of recognition that I toured the Mabel Dodge Luhan & Company exhibit at the Harwood Museum in Taos last Sunday. Luhan and her circle D.H. Lawrence, Carl Jung, Georgia OKeeffe, Andrew Dasburg and many others also came from other states and other countries in search of a romance with New Mexico. Luhan, a wealthy heiress from Buffalo, N.Y., settled in Taos in 1918 and soon invited the great artists, writers, musicians and thinkers she had cultivated in New York and Italy to come experience the dawn of the world. She put artists up in her compound for months at a time. She assembled exhibits of santos and Native American art in the East. She published books and articles. The artist Marsden Hartley called her a creator of creators. In the excellent catalog published for the Harwood exhibit, Lois P. Rudnick and MaLin Wilson-Powell say Luhans goal was to remake civilization. World War I had convinced her and other political and social radicals that the industrialized, capitalistic West could not be reformed; it had to be replaced. Political and social reform efforts had been fruitless, leading only to carnage. The new civilization would be built in northern New Mexico by borrowing from the ancient pueblo cultures and religions. Luhan became aware of a highly misleading vision of New Mexico through the paintings of Taos Society artist E. Irving Couse. She sent her then-husband Maurice Sterne to investigate. He wrote to her, Do you want an object in life? Save the Indians, their art-culture reveal it to the world! Rudnick says Luhan believed non-Anglo nonwhite cultures had laid the groundwork for a revitalized American civilization whose culture products would equal or surpass those of Europe. The people she brought to Taos believed Native and Hispano peoples offered a model of ecological, spiritual and artistic integration for an alienated and decadent Western civilization, which was invested in tawdry popular and middlebrow cultures. Victor Higgins was one of the artists Luhan introduced to New Mexico. In the cities, men are careful, doing what others have done, bound by conventions, ringed round by tradition, Higgins said. The very air of Taos country, its nearness to big works of nature, drives caution from mans brain. In the magnificent fierce morning of New Mexico one sprang awake, a new part of the soul woke up suddenly, and the old world gave way to a new, Lawrence wrote. The sky-scraper will scatter on the winds like thistledown, and the genuine America, the America of New Mexico, will start on its course again. Though Luhan remained in Taos until her death in 1962, most of her circle left New Mexico, but they left with an entirely new way of seeing, thinking and creating. The romance they took with them influenced their art the rest of their lives. Mabel Dodge Luhan and her company have been excoriated for the many ways in which they contributed to the fantasy of New Mexico as the Land of Enchantment, which has obscured its (still) third world economic profile and racial inequalities, Rudnick wrote. It was getting to know Third World New Mexico that ended my own romance and left me with a more complicated, more uneasy love affair. Still, it is good to experience New Mexico once again through the eyes of the romantics who followed Luhan to Taos. It reminded me why I fell in love in the first place. Mabel Dodge Luhan & Company will hang at the Harwood in Taos through Sunday. It will open at the Albuquerque Museum Oct. 28 and hang through Jan. 22. UpFront is a front-page news and opinion column. Comment directly to Winthrop Quigley at 823-3896 or wquigley@abqjournal.com. Go to ABQjournal.com/letters/new to submit a letter to the editor. SANTA FE New Mexicos sobering budget crisis has prompted calls for an increase in sin taxes specifically, taxes on alcohol and tobacco purchases. Tax hikes on booze and cigarettes likely wouldnt solve the states entire $589 million budget shortfall for the current and just-ended fiscal years, but groups promoting them in recent weeks say they would bring in revenue that could help close the gap. Most recently, the director of a group that favors higher alcohol taxes asked Gov. Susana Martinez this week to consider adding an alcohol excise tax increase of 25 cents per drink to the agenda of a possible legislative special session focused on balancing the budget thats expected to be called this month. Peter DeBenedittis, the director of Alcohol Taxes Save Lives and Money, said such a tax increase would generate more than $154 million annually and would help offset costs to the state imposed by excessive drinkers in the form of law enforcement efforts, court cases and medical treatment. He also said the tax increase would apply to all types of alcohol sales, and would amount to a $1.50 increase for a six-pack of beer or $1.25 more for a bottle of wine. Given our budget deficit, it makes sense to require the drinkers causing these problems to pay for a portion of them, rather than cutting the jobs and services provided to all New Mexicans, DeBenedittis said. Meanwhile, a separate group, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, has advocated for a dollar-a-pack tobacco tax increase that, it claims, would generate about $33 million annually. The proposal would mean an increase on the tax for a pack of cigarettes from $1.66 to $2.66, taking the cost of a pack to about $7. It could also mean an increased tax rate for cigars, chewing tobacco and other tobacco products. While backers say recent polls show broad support for their efforts, the push for higher alcohol and tobacco taxes appears politically untenable because Martinez has maintained a no tax increase stance since taking office in 2011. Many legislators have also expressed a reluctance to use tax hikes to help bridge the states budget gap. In a recent interview, Rep. Jimmie Hall, R-Albuquerque, deputy chairman of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee, said, Im very hesitant to jump on the bandwagon of new taxes. Meanwhile, Martinez spokesman Michael Longergan reiterated Wednesday that the two-term GOP governor is still opposed to tax hikes. Gov. Martinez isnt going to raise taxes; she believes we can solve our budget challenges by making tough decisions and tightening state governments belt, Lonergan said. Taking the easy way out by raising taxes is nothing more than the Washington way, and thats a route she isnt going to take. Sen. Howie Morales, D-Silver City, who sponsored tobacco tax legislation during this years regular 30-day session, acknowledged Wednesday that the proposal might be a long shot during a special session, given the governors tax stance. But he indicated he still supports the measure and plans to reintroduce it during next years 60-day session, saying, The data shows that it saves lives and dollars. I still very strongly believe weve got to put all the options on the table (to solve the budget crunch), Morales added. New Mexico has overbudgeted by more than $1 billion in the just-completed and current budget years, as lower oil and gasoline prices caused the states tax collections to fall far short of what had been expected. State lawmakers have in recent years approved tax cuts aimed at stimulating the states economy, but New Mexico still has one of the nations highest jobless rates. As a result, the state has already exhausted its main cash reserves and is still facing a projected $458 million shortfall for the budget year that started in July, as well as a $131 million deficit for the fiscal year that ended in June. Cutting spending, tightening existing tax breaks and taking money from government accounts are among the budget-balancing measures floated by lawmakers in recent weeks. In New Mexico, all so-called sin taxes, including those on alcohol, tobacco and gambling, amounted to roughly $193 million in the 2014 budget year, according to Governing magazine. That figure made up just 3.4 percent of the states total tax revenue for the year. Despite the current political headwinds, New Mexico does have a recent history of using sin taxes to help balance the budget. In 2010, legislators approved and then-Gov. Bill Richardson signed into law a 75 cents-per-pack increase in the states cigarette tax as part of that years budget-balancing package. Alcohol excise taxes havent been raised in the state since 1993, DeBenedittis said. Newton, reduced from once haughty hurricane status to a mere post-remnant low, moved into New Mexico with much less punch and swagger than anticipated. It just sheared apart, Royce Fontenot, senior hydrologist with the Albuquerque office of the National Weather Service, said Wednesday afternoon. Its low-level part is still in Tucson. Its threat is diminishing. The flailing fragments of Newton moved into western New Mexicos Catron County on Wednesday, advanced more quickly than expected into Grant and Socorro counties and moved on toward Albuquerque. But instead of the 5 to 8 inches of rain forecasters thought Newton might drop on the southern slopes of Catron Countys Mogollon Mountains, Fontenot said the county was getting only three-quarters to an inch and a half of rain. There had been concerns that flash flooding might swell Catrons Whitewater and Mineral creeks, both of which flow into the San Francisco River. But Fontenot said the San Francisco was behaving itself Wednesday afternoon. If you lived close to the river, you might notice a slight rise, he said. Fontenot said the system was having a difficult time pushing into the Albuquerque metro area and that Albuquerque might get a quarter-inch of rain out of a staggering Newton overnight, but it might get less than that or nothing at all. High cloud cover shielded Newton from surface heat that could have triggered heavier rainfall, Fontenot said. As of 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, a flash flood watch was in effect from Catron County into the Albuquerque area, but Fontenot said that might be lifted before the evening was over. As it turned out, Albuquerque likely got much more rain Tuesday afternoon than Newton may bring. More than an inch of rain was recorded Tuesday at several unofficial rain stations in the Northeast Heights. Heavy rain slowed down traffic during Tuesdays rush hour and caused minor street flooding in some parts of the heights. However, officially, as recorded at the Albuquerque International Sunport, Albuquerque got just 0.05 inch of rain on Tuesday. Metro area rain Tuesday afternoon rainfall totals in inches: Cedar Crest: 1.31 Placitas: 1.10 Comanche and Tramway: 1.07 Central and Coors: 0.69 Sage and 98th: 0.43 Rio Bravo and Isleta: 0.29 A progressive nonprofit has teamed up with the New Mexico Wildlife Federation in a TV ad targeting Republican Gov. Susana Martinez for signing legislation last year that restricted access to some streams. We cant fish anymore. Gov. Martinez closed the river, a childs voice says as a little boy is shown walking with a man portraying his grandfather. The ad airing in the Albuquerque and Las Cruces media markets is the second in what the ProgressNow New Mexico Education Fund says will be a series of ads to expand the publics understanding of conservation issues and political decisions that impact them in New Mexico. The two organizations say access to public lands and water is increasingly jeopardized, including by the political influence of contributors. The ad cites oil-and-gas lawyer Dan C. Perry, although not by name. A Texan who relocated to Santa Fe, he owns a ranch south of Chama that offers fly-fishing and hunting to paying customers. He pushed for the 2015 legislation that bars the public from walking or wading in streams that run through private property without written permission. The ad says campaign records show his organization gave more than $50,000 to Gov. Martinez and her allies after it was signed. In fact, Perrys New Mexico Habitat Conservation Initiative gave more than $48,000 to various Republican-affiliated political committees this year. He personally gave $10,400 to Martinez for her re-election in 2014, before the legislation was passed. A spokesman for Martinez faulted the ad for not mentioning that the bill was supported by more than a dozen Senate Democrats, and called it a cheap and breathtakingly dishonest smear peddled by a dark secret money group that doesnt disclose its donors and has an elected official on its payroll. Thats a reference to ProgressNows executive director, Pat Davis, a member of the Albuquerque City Council. Deborah Baker dbaker@abqjournal.com TEA PARTY OF THE LEFT: A progressive group thats hoping to make a splash in local and state-level politics has hired former state Sen. Eric Griego as its new state director. Griego, who is also a former Albuquerque city councilor, said this week that the Working Families Party in New Mexico could eventually register with the state as a political party, but for now will function as an advocacy group. He said that public financing for Albuquerque city elections is a current top focus, but that the organization could get more assertive in the 2018 election cycle, possibly by recruiting candidates to run against incumbent Democrats who are seen as too moderate. If theres any Democrats that dont have a strong record, its not inconceivable that wed run someone against them, Griego told the Journal. He has taken on incumbent Democrats several times in his own career, with mixed results, ousting incumbent state Sen. James Taylor in 2008 but losing the Albuquerque mayoral race to then-Mayor Martin Chavez in 2005. The Working Families Party was launched in 1998 and is based in New York. It has been occasionally described as the tea party of the left and has backing from labor unions and other progressive organizations. The group organized in New Mexico earlier this year and launched radio ads before the June primary election in support of two incumbent Democratic lawmakers. Dan Boyd, dboyd@abqjournal.com Copyright 2016 Albuquerque Journal Bradbury Stamm is on the clock. Mayor Richard Berrys administration signed an $82.6 million contract Wednesday that calls for the local construction company to finish work on Albuquerque Rapid Transit in 16 months, or by late 2017. The city is entitled to damages of $2,500 a day if the work isnt done on time, city officials said. Heavy demolition and disruptions along a nine-mile stretch of Central Avenue are expected to begin in mid-October as Bradbury Stamm puts hundreds of people to work building a network of bus-only lanes and bus stations between Louisiana and Coors. Berry said he hopes the project will reach substantial completion by the time he leaves office. His second four-year term as mayor ends Nov. 30 next year. He announced the signing of the construction contract during a 45-minute news conference that featured 14 speakers, including business owners, city councilors and the heads of business associations. It was a celebration of sorts after the project survived litigation aimed at preventing the start of construction. Opponents also filled a series of public meetings earlier this year and shouted down city officials supporting the project. Nevertheless, the decision to move forward with Albuquerque Rapid Transit won support on a 7-2 vote of the City Council earlier this year, and its remained a priority of the mayor. This is a landmark day for the city of Albuquerque, Berry said as a few dozen workers wearing yellow and orange safety vests stood behind him at Bradbury Stamms headquarters in the North Valley. Its not just a bus, he said. Its our future. The $82.6 million contract with Bradbury Stamm covers the bulk of the construction work. City officials say it guarantees a maximum price, unless the city asks for extra work. The project overall is still expected to cost about $119 million when the cost of design, buying buses and other work is added in. Most of the money comes from the federal government. Congress has not yet granted final approval to fund a $69 million Small Starts grant thats critical to the financing. But Michael Riordan, Albuquerques chief operations officer, said the city has received approval from the Federal Transit Administration to begin construction and that no project at a similar stage has ever failed to receive the funding. Cynthia Schultz, CEO of Bradbury Stamm, said she expects the project to employ the equivalent of 300 full-time workers over the next year. About 1,000 people altogether might work on it in some way, she said. The construction contract gives Bradbury Stamm about 480 days to complete the work, or almost 16 months, though officials said they hope to finish in the 14- to 16-month range. The city plans to issue an official notice to proceed that starts the clock Wednesday or today. Supporters at Wednesdays news conference said they expect Albuquerque Rapid Transit to spur redevelopment along the Central Avenue corridor and provide faster, more reliable service than the regular bus system. The project is designed to mimic light rail, but at a fraction of the cost. Opponents, meanwhile, say the project will damage the car-friendly charm of what was once Route 66. They say the creation of bus-only lanes reducing the capacity for general traffic will create congestion and harm local businesses. Later Wednesday, the City Council adopted a resolution calling for the city to convene a summit of merchants and property owners along the rapid-transit route to discuss parking, ridership projections and other matters. The meeting must happen by Oct. 1. We need to keep this dialogue open, said Councilor Ken Sanchez, who sponsored the bill. Riordan, meanwhile, told city councilors that the ART system might cost an extra $2.2 million a year to operate, though federal funding and other sources might offset that. In other action The City Council: LAS CRUCES Mayor Ken Miyagishima is proposing the city create and give away yard signs to show support for local law enforcement in the wake of two southern New Mexico officers killed in the line of duty in recent weeks. Miyagishima, who pitched the idea at a City Council meeting Tuesday, said he envisions the city of Las Cruces creating small signs akin to a type it already hands out promoting safe driving in neighborhoods. Residents could get the free signs from the city to post at their business or home. While the specific text and graphics of the sign havent been finalized, Miyagishima said the basic message would be a thank you to police in the city for all they do. He said it wouldnt specifically mention fallen officers, but rather would be a general message. Its just a way of hopefully bringing the community together and to highlight the dangers of law enforcement every day, he said. Its a tough job, and it seems like its getting tougher everyday. On Aug. 12, Hatch police officer Jose Ismael Chavez, a Las Cruces resident, was shot while carrying out a traffic stop in that northern Dona Ana County community. He died later the same day in an El Paso hospital, leaving behind a fiancee and two daughters. Then, on Friday, a second policeman, Clint Corvinus, 33, died from his injuries in Alamogordo after being struck by gunfire during a foot pursuit. He left behind a girlfriend and an 8-year-old daughter. The measure must still be voted upon by the council, according to Miyagishima. A resolution could be on a city agenda as early as next week. The city would have to work out a number of logistics, city officials said. Interim City Manager David Dollahon said the city police chief, public information officer and streets department will be developing a plan on how to implement the project that will cover the signs design, pricing and how theyll be distributed. It is very much a work in progress, he said. Sgt. Robert McCord of the Las Cruces Police Department said he thinks the proposed signs would be meaningful to officers. After two decades in law enforcement, McCord said he hasnt received as many kind words from the public as he has this summer. Ive never had so many people approach me, he said. I went to lunch with my wife two weeks ago, right after the Hatch officer was shot. We were there about an hour. Three people approached me and said: Thanks for protecting my city.' Continued McCord: Its nice to know because we start to think the public is not behind us anymore. Dollahon said the city is likely to buy the initial round of signs. But he said the city wouldnt turn away donations, if people wanted to give a contribution. LCPD Chief Jaime Montoya said the proposed signs would be a visible way to give residents an opportunity to say thanks to area law enforcement for all their hard work. Many times we are so busy with our daily lives that we dont make the time to do this, he said. With a yard sign, the public can say thanks and law enforcement patrolling the neighborhoods can see this during their patrols. Dollahon estimated that, if the sign measure is OKd by councilors, the city could have the first signs by the end of October. Miyagishima said when he was growing up, some of his neighborhood friends got a hug from their dad, who was a police officer, each day in case he didnt return home from work. That was in the early 70s, but its a different era now. He wants officers to know theyre appreciated. While there has been an outpouring of support for law enforcement this summer, there also has been criticism of police nationally, particularly over the use of force. In Las Cruces, as a memorial service for Hatch Officer Jose Ismael Chavez took place on Aug. 21, two LCPD officers fired at and killed a suspect who authorities say lunged at them with a 14-inch knife. The 3rd Judicial District Attorneys office cleared the officers last week, saying the shooting was justified. However, family members of the suspect, Juan Gabriel Torres, have objected to the shooting, saying they believe the situation could have been de-escalated without resorting to gunfire. Court documents indicated Torres suffered from mental illness, according to the Albuquerque Journal. Asked where the line should be drawn between carte blanche support for law enforcement and a critical review thats necessary to ensure officers arent carrying out abuses of power, Miyagishima said the citys job is to hire the best personnel it can and trust them to act appropriately. There always room for improvement, sure, he said. But theres always 98 percent of any organization, theyre good people. They try to do the right thing. Diana Alba Soular may be reached at 575-541-5443, dalba@lcsun-news.com or @AlbaSoular on Twitter. 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. An annoyed and frustrated 12th District Judge Dan Bryant tried to conduct a hearing on the Alto horse case Wednesday in which attorneys for both sides attempted to make their cases via glitch-plagued long distance phone lines. After brief arguments, interrupted repeatedly by dropped connections with one or both lawyers, the judge ended the proceeding by saying he would try again at 2 p.m. Thursday with everybody present in his courtroom. No phone appearances, Bryant said. I want all the lawyers here tomorrow. The hearing had been requested by Albuquerque attorney Steven K. Sanders, who represents the Wild Horse Observers Association. WHOA sued on Aug. 29 to have the Alto herd legally declared wild horses and to prevent the New Mexico Livestock Board from selling or relocating them. With word circulating of Livestock Board plans to sell the horses next week, Sanders sought an emergency order to stop them. More than 30 concerned citizens were in the courtroom to show their support for bringing the herd back to Lincoln County The Livestock Board took the 12 mares and foals last month from a private landowner near Alto who had penned them up and complained they were a nuisance. Their seizure produced a local outcry, and advocates of the free-ranging herds quickly organized to get them back. Their efforts include a legal effort in partnership with WHOA, which has been fighting a nearly identical two-year-old case involving horses wandering in the Placitas area near Albuquerque. Sanders is WHOAs lawyer in that case too. Sanders and co-counsel Freda McSwane of Ruidoso had not tried last week to get an emergency order to prevent the sale of the horses because of reports that the Board had promised to return the herd to Lincoln County while its legal status was being deliberated. That turned out to be untrue. Sanders told Bryant during Wednesdays hearing that he was informed late last week that the Livestock Board had posted public notice that it planned to go ahead with the sale on Monday, Sept. 12. He said WHOA had been forced to ask for Wednesdays hastily-called hearing to stop any sale before the court could consider WHOAs argument that the Livestock Board had no legal right to determine the herds future. Asst. Atty. Gen. Ari Biernoff told the judge that Sanders had failed to meet the technical requirements for obtaining a temporary restraining order against a government agency. With no formal motion filed, no bond posted and none of the other formalities properly observed by WHOA, Biernoff said, all we have is the plaintiff raising its hand and saying they were very concerned that something bad is going to happen. He also questioned whether it was proper for Bryant to hear the case at all while the same legal issues were already in play in the Placitas case, in which a hearing was scheduled later Wednesday afternoon before 2nd District Judge Valerie Huling. Biernoff called the Alto case highly improper and an end run around Judge Huling. But Sanders argued that the horses over which the Placitas case was originally fought had long since been relocated, and with the herd gone the entire case might actually end up being dismissed Wednesday. By contrast, the Alto herd is still in the Livestock Boards custody, he said. Biernoff confirmed that the Livestock Board still has the herd, but under questioning by Bryant he admitted he didnt know whether the Board had scheduled a sale for Monday, Sept. 12, as Sanders said he had learned. Bryant said that was a poor answer. But he said he couldnt hold a proper emergency hearing for a restraining order without better prepared papers and arguments from both sides. The judge gave Sanders until 4 p.m. Wednesday to amend WHOAs original lawsuit to include a formal request for a temporary restraining order, properly served on the attorney generals office. Bryant said he would hold a new hearing Thursday with all attorneys present to consider whether this herd ought to be preserved by the Livestock Board while the case goes forward over whether the Livestock Board should have custody of the horses at all. The judge said he would also hear any further arguments from Biernoff over whether he could hear the Alto herd case while the Placitas case was still alive. Bryant said if he issues a temporary restraining order barring sale of the Alto herd, there will automatically be another hearing 10 days later to determine whether that order should be continued. He also said he would expedite the case on his docket so that a trial will be held within 90 to 120 days if the case isnt already resolved by before then. 2016 the Ruidoso News (Ruidoso, N.M.) Visit the Ruidoso News (Ruidoso, N.M.) at www.ruidosonews.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. _____ JERUSALEM Was Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a Soviet spy in the 1980s? A report Wednesday night by Israels Channel 1 News seems to indicate that he was a KGB agent for a period of time, although the Palestinian Authority very quickly denied the claims, calling them another Israeli slur against the struggling president. The news report, which was based on research carried out by two Israeli professors, revealed that the cryptic information was hidden in documents from the Mitrokhin archive, a collection of handwritten notes by KGB archivist Vasili Mitrokhin. Mitrokhin smuggled his notes out of Russia in the 1990s when he defected to Britain. Cambridge Universitys Churchill College made the papers public in 2014. In the documents, the report says, just few lines refer to the now octogenarian Palestinian leader: His codename was Krotov or Mole and he worked with the Soviet secret police and security agency in Damascus circa 1983. Gideon Remez and Isabella Ginor, the two researchers from the Truman Research Institute at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said that Abbas worked for the KGB under Mikhail Bogdanov, who was then based in Damascus and is now Russias special envoy to the Middle East. On Monday, Bogdanov held meetings in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an attempt to broker a summit between the Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Wednesdays news report also pointed out that Russian President Vladimir Putin was a KGB lieutenant colonel during the 1980s. Speaking to Channel 1s Foreign News Editor, Oren Nahari, the Hebrew University researchers said the documents are relevant today because of Russias growing role in the region and its possible influence on Abbas. The Palestinian Authority, however, issued a statement denying the report. It called the allegation a smear campaign by Israel. Jamal Dajani, Director of Strategic Communications at the Prime Ministers Office, dismissed the report. The Israeli Government and its surrogates are using smoke and mirrors to confuse the public and deceive the international community in order to derail any efforts to revive the peace process, while appropriating more Palestinian land and building new illegal settlements, Dajani said. Mohammed al-Madani, a member of Abbas Fatah party told Israeli daily Haaretz that it was another attempt by Israel to discredit Abbas. Theres a clear trend of attempting to damage Abu Mazen by various elements, including Israel, said al-Madani, referring to Abbas by his nickname. This is another attempt to slander him. Madani said the relationship between the Soviet Union and the Palestine Liberation Organization started after then Palestinian President Yasser Arafat visited Moscow in the 1960s and the Soviets once supplied the Palestinians with firearms. Abbas eventually served as a liaison to the Russians on behalf of the PLO. He also spent time in Moscow as a student and wrote his doctoral thesis on the Holocaust while studying there. abbas-kgb There was a very weird thread worth picking out of Donald Trumps comments during NBCs Commander in Chief Forum on Wednesday night. Over the course of a brief back-and-forth with moderator Matt Lauer, Trump shrugged at a past comment that he knew more about the Islamic State than Americas generals, disparaged those generals by saying theyd been reduced to rubble, suggested that his plan to defeat the Islamic State long something he said was a secret would instead be formulated with help from top generals and, ultimately, casually indicated that he might just fire most of the generals anyway. Of the many ways in which Trump contradicted himself or betrayed a misunderstanding of how things work, this rapid evolution was hardly the most egregious example. There was, for example, his return to the idea that America should have purloined Iraqs oil after ousting Saddam Hussein. He once suggested this should have happened to provide revenue to wounded soldiers; he now argues it would have blocked the rise of the Islamic State (or ISIS, as he calls the group). If we would have taken the oil, you wouldnt have ISIS, because ISIS formed with the power and the wealth of that oil, Trump told Lauer. How would we take it? Just we would leave a certain group behind and you would take various sections where they have the oil, he replied. One might wonder if we couldnt just, you know, guard the oil on behalf of the Iraqis to curtail the Islamic State, if were putting people around the oil anyway? Well: It used to be to the victor belong the spoils, Trump said. But lest you think that implies that we meaning advocates of the conflict like Hillary Clinton were somehow victorious in Iraq, we werent. Now, there was no victor there, believe me. There was no victor, Trump said. But I always said: Take the oil. So its not to the victor belong the spoils, then, but take the spoils of a sovereign nation for reasons that may vary over time. But, again: Lets set that aside. Lets focus on the generals. The way the promotional structure of the United States military works is not complicated. Generals are not selected by being hired from the private sector thanks to their thorough LinkedIn profiles. Instead, they slowly rise through the ranks. Trump offered his views on Americas top generals to Lauer over the course of a few questions. I know more about ISIS than the generals do. Believe me,' Lauer quoted Trump as saying, then asked: Was that the truth? Well, the generals under Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have not been successful, Trump replied. I think under the leadership of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, the generals have been reduced to rubble. They have been reduced to a point where its embarrassing for our country. Have you lost faith in the military commanders? Lauer pressed a bit later. I have great faith in the military. I have great faith in certain of the commanders, certainly, he said. But I have no faith in Hillary Clinton or the leadership. An audience member asked Trump for details on his promise to rapidly defeat the Islamic State. This is where Trump started talking about the oil, so Lauer brought it back to the terror group. (Y)ou very often say, Im not going to give you the details because I want to be unpredictable, he said. But yesterday, you actually told us a little bit about your plan in your speech. You said this. Quote: Were going to convene my top generals and they will have 30 days to submit a plan for soundly and quickly defeating ISIS. So is the plan youve been hiding this whole time asking someone else for their plan? No, he replied. But when I do come up with a plan that I like and that perhaps agrees with mine, or maybe doesnt I may love what the generals come back with. If I win, I dont want to broadcast to the enemy exactly what my plan is, Trump added. And let me tell you, if I like maybe a combination of my plan and the generals plan, or the generals plan, if I like their plan, Matt, Im not going to call you up and say, Matt, we have a great plan.' But youre going to convene a panel of generals, and youve already said you know more about ISIS than those generals do, Lauer rebutted. Well, theyll probably be different generals, to be honest with you, Trump replied, then boasting of having the endorsement of 88 former military leaders. (As Lauer noted, thats a number that is a bit lower than what Clinton claims.) Trump offered that line about different generals casually, but its not an insignificant claim. As president, Trumps ability to overhaul the leaders of the military is limited. As commander-in-chief, he can remove generals from positions but he doesnt enjoy Donald Trump-like powers to summarily fire service members, as Brian Palmer explained for Slate back in 2010 (clearly when The Apprentice was still on the air). When President Obama relieved Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal of his command in 2010 after McChrystal gave some ill-advised comments to a reporter, McChrystal retained his rank, as a four-star general, until he decided to retire. Trump could seek the counsel of other members of the militarys leadership, but he cant simply clean house or bring in people from the outside. Its not clear that Trump recognizes such nuances, though. He has in the past seen the line between the military and the commander-in-chief as blurrier than it is in reality. During a debate in March, Trump was asked by Fox News Bret Baier what he would do if the military refused to carry out his orders to commit acts of torture or targeting civilians. They wont refuse, Trump replied. Theyre not going to refuse me. Believe me. Buried in all of this are competing instincts: Trumps disinterest in being wrong and his great interest in being the boss. He threatens to oust top leaders of the military for little other reason than they were in positions of authority under Obama. While his prepared comments from Tuesday suggested that he would seek the counsel of service members whod committed decades to protecting Americas interests, he tossed that to the side in favor of not being embarrassed by Matt Lauer, insisting that he still did have his own secret plan. Probably one that involves oil. Bear in mind, the presidents role as commander-in-chief was the primary focus of the town hall. Its what Trump was there to talk about. And, for good or bad, he talked about it. trump-military ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas is asking the federal government to protect students in the wake of an announcement by the for-profit college chain ITT Technical Institute that it was shutting down its U.S. campuses. Balderas raised his concerns in a letter sent Wednesday to the U.S. Department of Education. He also called on New Mexicos congressional delegation to investigate the sudden closure. The school said Tuesday it cant survive recent sanctions by the Education Department. The chain was banned Aug. 25 from enrolling new students who used federal financial aid, because, federal officials said, the company had become a risk to students and taxpayers. The department also ordered ITT to pay $152 million within 30 days to help cover student refunds and other liabilities if the chain closed. In response to growing complaints of racial bias among its users, the home-sharing company Airbnb will beef up its nondiscrimination policy, do more to diversify its own workforce and offer implicit bias training to its hosts, according to a report released Thursday after a three-month review by the company. But Airbnb will not, for now, concede to critics one of their chief requests abandoning the user photos that make it easy to identify online who is a minority. After thoroughly analyzing this issue, I came to believe that Airbnb guests should not be asked or required to hide behind curtains of anonymity when trying to find a place to stay, writes the reports author, Laura Murphy, a former longtime American Civil Liberties Union official who was brought on as an adviser to lead Airbnbs review. Technology can bring us together and technology shouldnt ask us to hide who we are. Instead, we should be implementing new, creative solutions to fight discrimination and promote understanding. By the end of the year, the company is vowing instead to experiment with reducing the visibility of photos on booking pages and promoting in their place other reputation information, such as reviews. The issue has been a thorny one for the company, which argues that photos as well as real names are necessary to create trust and ensure safety on a platform where millions of strangers rent space in each others private homes. Academic research has found discrimination among Airbnb hosts against guests with black-sounding names. And critics have argued that the design of the site with such information prominently displayed may more easily enable discrimination, making the company responsible for the behavior of users acting even on implicit biases. Airbnbs own research, the company acknowledges in the report, generally confirmed public reports that minorities struggle more than others to book a listing. Among the other promised changes, Airbnb will create a new feature automatically blocking calendar dates once a host rejects a potential guest. That would potentially prevent hosts from denying a user based on their race, only to offer the rental for the same dates to someone else, as has occurred according to some of the reported complaints. Under another new policy, the company also vows to immediately find alternative, comparable accommodations for guests who have experienced discrimination, even if that means pointing them to a traditional hotel room when no other Airbnb options exist and potentially subsidizing the price difference. In the revised nondiscrimination policy, the company is more explicit that hosts cannot decline guests based on their color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status. Nor can they post any statements suggesting a preference or discouraging any group. (If a host is sharing their living space, however, they can request guests of the same gender.) Airbnb will then remind users of the policy at points throughout the booking process, as experts on implicit bias recommended. Starting Nov. 1, users will also be asked to agree to this commitment before they book a listing or rent their space: We believe that no matter who you are, where you are from, or where you travel, you should be able to belong in the Airbnb community. By joining this community, you commit to treat all fellow members of this community, regardless of race, religion, national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or age, with respect, and without judgment or bias. The company acknowledged that awareness of its existing nondiscrimination policy was extremely limited. And the report concludes that Airbnb has been slow to address complaints of discrimination because of its own lack of diversity. (The company says less than 10 percent of its U.S. employees are from underrepresented populations.) Critics of a company that has threatened the hotel industry and riled some politicians had latched onto Airbnbs racial woes as further grounds to attack the company, and they will probably dismiss these changes as more window-dressing. But it will become clearer with time whether the companys own diversity numbers increase and complaints of bias decline as a result. There have been too many unacceptable instances of people being discriminated against on the Airbnb platform, the report concludes, because of who they are or what they look like. airbnb-race BISMARCK, N.D. North Dakotas chief archaeologist plans to inspect an area along the route of the $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline where Standing Rock Sioux officials say theyve identified cultural artifacts. Paul Picha (PEE-kuh) told The Associated Press that the trip likely wont happen until next week. If any artifacts are found, pipeline work would cease. Picha says state officials earlier surveyed the route, but not the disputed site, which is on private land west of State Highway 1806. Last weekend, tribal officials said crews bulldozed several sites of significant cultural and historic value in that area, which Texas-based pipeline company Energy Transfer Partners denies. A federal judge allowed construction to continue there earlier this week, but is expected to rule by Friday on the tribes lawsuit challenging federal permits. The pipeline starts in western North Dakota and crosses through South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois. Iraq has long been an uncomfortable subject for Hillary Clinton. Her vote to authorize the war alienated progressives and arguably cost her the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. And now its even being used against her by Donald Trump (who falsely claims to have opposed the war). So Clinton took a bold step Wednesday night when it comes to Iraq and neighboring Syria, where the battle against the Islamic State rages 13 years later. They are not going to get ground troops, she said at a prime-time NBC forum. We are not putting ground troops into Iraq ever again. And were not putting ground troops into Syria. Were going to defeat ISIS without committing American ground troops. She said it four times. Clearly, this was a message she intended to deliver. She elaborated in a press conference on Thursday morning. Clinton on ground troops: There is no, in my opinion, path forward to ground troops that would be in our interest The first big problem with this premise is the fact that there are already arguably ground troops in Iraq and Syria. The second is that in recent months, generals have asked for even more. In other words: The potential need for a ramped-up effort is already evident, but Clinton is completely foreclosing that option in a way that doesnt allow for changing circumstances. At the core of Clintons promise is the definition of ground troops. The Obama administration itself has notably changed its own verbiage when referring to troops serving in Iraq and Syria. Obama said repeatedly in 2013 that there would be no boots on the ground in Syria. I will not put American boots on the ground in Syria, he said in a televised address in September 2013. By 2014, though, the administration slightly altered its promise, pledging that there would be no combat troops on the ground. And then the administration in 2015 announced a small number of special forces would indeed be put on the ground there. Its also worth noting here that there are technically thousands of U.S. troops already on the ground in Iraq. The administration stresses that these troops are training the Iraqis and serving in advisory capacities not combat troops but they are on the ground. So its somewhat odd that Clinton is drawing the line at ground troops and not combat troops, as the administration does. Even the administrations pledge has been tested at times; its not hard to see Clintons also coming under scrutiny in the years ahead. Circling back to that second reason Clinton might regret her promise Wednesday night, its worth noting that commanders-in-chief generally try to avoid taking options off the table And you neednt look far in the rear view to see why. Whether you think Obama has technically made good on his promise to not put ground troops in Syria, he has clearly failed to keep his promises to close the Guantanamo Bay prison and to bring all American troops home from Afghanistan by the end of his presidency. The Washington Posts Amber Phillips said it well last year: There are a variety of reasons things havent gone Obamas way some arguably his making, others he had no control over. Congress and other countries blocked many transfers of prisoners from Guantanamo Bay (though critics of closing Guantanamo would say this was predictable); whether the withdrawal from Iraq helped the Islamic State is much debated; and Iraq and Afghanistans political turmoil hasnt made it easy for the president to exit those two countries. But the bottom line is that Obamas campaign promises, which sounded feasible enough at the time to those who agreed with his worldview and rewarded him for it, relied on too much he couldnt control. He stepped into office in 2009 with a grand strategy in his words, to lead this country in a new direction but much has conspired to keep Americas Middle East policy focused on Iraq and Afghanistan. In sum: The only expectation is the unexpected especially when it comes to the Middle East and the Islamic State. Taking options off the table, as Obama has done and now Clinton is doing, is fraught both militarily and politically. Clintons promise appeared to make even a top military adviser of hers, retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. John Douglass, squirm on Thursday morning. Pressed on her pledge on NBCs Today, Douglass tried to make the case that she hadnt actually meant to take any options off the table. You can look at that one way or another, and I dont think she meant to take an option off the table, he said. I think she meant to say that her policy is that she is not going to go in at the scale that [George W.] Bush and others have done there in Iraq. But thats not what Clinton said. Her language clearly took the option of ground troops however you define that off the table in both Iraq and Syria. There is simply no other way to read her comments. She said the U.S. would put ground troops in Iraq never again. She didnt allow for changing circumstances. She sought to allay concerns about her own hawkishness by making a blanket promise about what she wouldnt do as commander in chief. The wisdom of those words could indeed be tested in the years to come. clinton-mideast-analysis On Oct. 7, 1879, the New York Times reported the death of one Lucy Ann Lobdell Slater under the headline, the Death of a Modern Diana, a reference to the Roman goddess of the hunt. While known for her prowess as a female hunter, the Times reported, her strange life history was most notable for the fact that she assumed the name of Joseph Lobdell, put on male attire and went about the country making a living as a music teacher. It was a pursuit, the obit added, which came to an abrupt end when her sex was accidentally discovered, and she was forced to fly from the place in the night to escape being tarred and feathered. There was a modicum of truth in the obituary. Lucy Ann was a skilled hunter but the name had not been Lucy Ann for years. He had long ago assumed the name Joseph Lobdell. And he did wear mens clothing. He and his wife were constantly on the run, hounded from town to town in upstate New York and beyond, and threatened with being tarred and feathered. But there was one giant untruth: Joseph Lobdell, or as the Times called him, Lucy Ann, was not dead. The error was perhaps understandable. His family, after all, had told everyone he was indeed dead. When his wife came looking for him, they told her as well. Why the lie? That was just one of the questions Josephs descendant, specifically his second cousin three times removed, Bambi Lobdell set out to answer some 130 years later, nearly a century after Josephs actual death in 1912 at roughly the age of 83. He was literally erased, literally, textually killed, 30 years before he died, said Lobdell, who teaches in the women and gender studies department at SUNY Oneonta, not far from the region of New York where Lobdell lived his early life, then sparsely populated, dotted with farms and forests. What she found was the story of a pioneering American transgender man, described in her 2012 book, A Strange Sort of Being: The Transgender Life of Lucy Ann /Joseph Israel Lobdell, and on a website she set up LucyJoe.com, from which most of this story, highly condensed, is drawn. Shes confident that he wasnt the first transgender man or woman in America, but rather the first to attract public notice, though the newspapers of the day didnt call him transgender, a word uninvented and unimaginable then. They called him strange and a freak. A doctor at the Willard Hospital for the Insane, where Lobdell was involuntarily committed in 1880, would write in a medical journal in 1883 that he was insane, a case of sexual perversion, a rare form of mental disease. And then he dismissed him as a clinical curiosity in psychiatric medicine. His report, benighted as it was, is cited as one of the first medical journals to use the term lesbian love, though thats not what Bambi Lobdell says it was. Joe didnt just put on male attire. Born with a womans anatomy in upstate New York, he dispensed with the accoutrements of womanhood and with the appointed and approved role females played in the era. He lived the life of a man and believed himself to be one. And he married a woman. The story, said Bambi Lobdell, remains deeply relevant today, amid controversies over gender, gender identity, bathrooms, locker rooms and discrimination. Its about who gets to define identity, she said. I really hope that Joe can help establish a legitimate transgender history. A lot of people think its a new fad, dreamed up by feminists who want to destroy our social fabric. One think I think Joe can help people understand is that transgender has been around. Bambi Lobdell discovered Joseph Lobdell only about 14 years ago. She was looking for a dissertation topic when her Aunt Edith gave me this book, an extraordinary memoir called: Narrative of Lucy Ann Lobdell, the Female Hunter of Delaware and Sullivan Counties, N.Y., written by Lucy Ann at about the age of 26. It showed her to be uncommonly literate and intelligent, and exceedingly rebellious. In it, Lucy Ann explained that at the time she was dressing as a man to earn a living. I had several reasons, she wrote. Perhaps foremost among them, my father was lame, and in consequence, I had worked in-doors and out; and as hard times were crowding upon us, I made up my mind to dress in mens attire to seek labor . . . As a woman, she went on, she could do house work get maybe a dollar per week. But I was capable of doing mens work, and getting mens wages, I resolved to try . . . Lucy Ann was indeed a hunter. She learned to shoot as a child of 10 or 12, she wrote in her memoir. She needed money to pay for her schooling itself an unusual ambition for a girl of her era and raised it by tending to farm animals that she then sold. It was necessary in that line of work to fend off predators. I learned to shoot the hawk, the weasel, the mink, and even down to the rat, she wrote. She was forced by her family, Bambi Lobdell says, to marry a man named George Slater, who would die in the Civil War. The marriage is a rocky one, Bambi Lobdell writes in her chronology of Joseph Lobdells life. Lucy is educated and passionate about theological discussions. George is illiterate and not very religious. But the biggest issue is that Lucy refuses to be a passive, obedient wife . . . She openly disobeys her husband and frequently argues with him. She bore George Slaters daughter, Helen, but by the time she was born, George has left and Lucy has returned to her parents house. In 1854, having already assumed the name Joseph, he moved to Bethany, Pa., and started a singing school, with many of his students being young ladies of the best families of the village, as Bambi Lobdell writes. One of those students fell in love with Joseph and the two decided to wed. What happened next was described in the Port Jervis Evening Gazette, dated August 10, 1876, in an article that described Joseph as a freak. The bride-to-be had all her wedding clothes made, when, just before the day set for the wedding, the discovery was made in some way that the music teacher was not a man but a woman . . . Popular indignation ran high, and a party of young men determined to tar and feather the teacher and ride her out on a rail out of the place. Warned by someone who feared for Josephs life, he fled. The pattern would repeat itself. He fled from town to town, with destinations as far away as Minnesota, Bambi Lobdell reported, where he assumed the name La Roi Lobdell and became a hired gun and jack-of-all trades, respected as a phenomenal hunter. But in 1858, he was arrested for falsely impersonating a man and taken back to upstate New York, where he wound up in the county poor house. Thats where Marie Louise Perry also found herself after running away from her wealthy family. She helped Joseph escape, and they were married by a Justice of the Peace in Wayne County, Pa. The pattern of flight, discovery, arrest and expulsion continued as the couple moved from town to town, leaving them only one real refuge, the woods and the wilderness. An 1877 New York Times articlethe paper had a fascination with Lobdelldescribed it as a mountain romance, a strange love of two women, and called Joseph a voluntary outcast. But there was nothing voluntary about it. By the time of the 1879 New York Times obituary, the family had declared him dead. But, according to Bambi Lobdell, census records show that Joseph was then living with John after that date, and probably kept him out-of-sight. In 1880, his brother John took legal action in Delaware County, N.Y., to have Joseph declared insane and committed to an asylum. She has a habit of dressing in mens clothes, he declared to the court before a hearing convened in his own home. She has a woman who she sometimes claims is her wife . . . From what I see and know of her she is of unsound mind at all times. A doctor who never examined Joseph and admitted that he was never acquainted with her before signed the paperwork to move the commitment forward. I have frequently heard of her as a crazy female hunter, he attested. In October of that year, Joseph Lobdell was transported to the Willard Asylum for the Insane in Ovid, N.Y. where, Bambi Lobdell learned, he continued to wear mens clothes and insist he was a man. In January, 1883, the doctor at the Willard asylum published a scientific paper, entitled A Case of Sexual Perversion, based on his observation and conversations with Joseph Lobdell. It reflected the ignorance, attitudes and customs of the era. But it provided the last glimpse, albeit through a cloudy lens, at how Joseph might have regarded himself. She believed herself to possess virility and the coaptation of a male, the doctor wrote, that she had not experienced connubial contact with her husband, but with her late companion nuptial satisfaction was complete. In nearly her own words I may be a woman in one sense, but I have peculiar organs that make me more a man than a woman.' The physician, puzzled and disbelieving, noted that he had been unable to discover any abnormality of the genitals. But as to her mind, he reported, She is fast losing her memory and capacity for coherent discourse. In 1890, Joseph Lobdell was moved to an asylum in Binghamton, N.Y. where in 1912 he died. In contemporary times, Lobdell has been resurrected in the name of many causes: as an early feminist for Lucy Anns memoir about equal pay and the role of women; and as an early lesbian heroine, on the basis of his relationship with his wife. In 2013, William Klaber, author of a novel about her called The Rebellion of Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell, acknowledges that Joseph made gender history at every turn but questioned Lobdells conclusion that he was a transgender man. To apply modern gender labels to historical characters is to invite error, he wrote, but it seems clear to me that Lucy Lobdell by way of her writing was an early feminist. She was also, by her own words, an opportunity transvestite. She may have been, for a time bisexual. Bambi Lobdell is convinced otherwise. Had he been merely opportunistic, dressing as a man to earn a living or passing . . . he could have gotten out of it when the ruse failed to achieve his ends. He could have said, thats right. Im a woman. Let me go. But he didnt, she said. He endured. He suffered extreme persecution, despite the many times he proved he was productive and never caused any harm, she said. But, said Bambi Lobdell, he lived a life true to himself. And he paid a dear price for it. transgender-history Last month, a series of local bans enacted by French mayors on the wearing of burkinis a type of body-covering Islamic swimwear generated global furor. Images of armed French police forcing a burkini-clad woman to partially disrobe on a beach outraged observers elsewhere. The whole thing, critics argued, smacked of hypocrisy and sexism. A top French court ultimately ruled that the bans constituted an insult to fundamental freedoms, but a majority of people in the country as well as in other major Western European nations still support such measures. At the head of the pack is French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, who has been conspicuous in his defense of these controversial bans and indignant at criticism from fellow Westerners. This week, Valls penned an op-ed that was published in the Huffington Post, taking exception to an earlier story in The New York Times that featured the voices of Muslim French women speaking out against the bans and what they perceived as anti-Muslim discrimination and prejudice within France. Valls took issue with what he suggested was the stigmatization and misunderstanding of Frances secularist precepts. The Muslim women whom this article has given voice to express only one point of view. They are free to express it, he wrote, but then went on to reiterate his long-held view that the act of wearing a burkini was tantamount to embracing a political project antithetical to French values. We must have open eyes to the growing influence of Salafism, which contends that women are inferior and impure and that they must be sidelined, Valls wrote, referring to a particularly puritanical strain of Islam linked to militancy. This was the question, absolutely not anecdotal, that was at the center of the debate around the burkini and the burqa. It is not an insignificant bathing suit. It is a provocation of radical Islam, which is emerging and wants to impose itself in the public space! Many have already balked at Valls linking a swimsuit to radical Islam and contend a ban on such attire is simply another form of the patriarchal domination that Valls claims to be fighting. But ahead of an election year when Valls and his fellow politicians on the center-left face a stiff challenge from the far-right, hes trying to position himself as both a staunch opponent of political Islam as well as a champion of inclusion. We are fighting for the freedom of women who should not have to live under the yoke of a chauvinist order, he wrote. Valls sees the disquiet of others in the West opposed to the burkini bans as misplaced sympathy for those who would wall themselves off in conservative ghettos. This is a frustration shared by others in France. The tolerance offered by progressives effectively reinforces the idea that hiding from mens natural sexual urges is a womans burden, wrote Benjamin Haddad, a research fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington and a French national. That the burkini may be worn free of pressure does not change the underlying message. Part of the clash of views has to do with the very different nature of secularism in France than what exists in countries such as Britain and the United States. Olivier Roy, a French political scientist and scholar of religion, laid out in a 2007 essay what distinguished Frances concept of secularism or laicite from its Anglo-Saxon counterparts. Laicite is about the separation of church and state, a concept Americans know well. But in America, separation was designed to free religion from state interference (and vice versa), whereas in France separation evolved to exclude religion from public space and to promote the supremacy of the state over religious organizations. And the historical reasons for the distinction are clear enough. As de Tocqueville observed, the American Founders saw Protestant Christian religion as a support for freedom and civic virtue; French republicans saw the Catholic Church as having been complicit with the worst features of the ancien regime and sought to limit its sway over French democracy. In the United States, secularism implies a freedom for religion; in France, it is a freedom from. The latter principle has been ingrained in French politics since its revolution in the late 18th century. A politician like Valls would probably avoid trumpeting the religious moorings of his culture in the way Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump recently hailed the Judeo-Christian values of the United States. The conviction on which the French nation is based is that to have free and equal citizens, religion must fall under the private sphere, Valls wrote, explaining that what it means to be French must remain wholly distinct from any kind of sect or faith. France, in this respect, different than other countries, does not see itself as a juxtaposition of communities with each having their own autonomous process. To say it in another way: We do not view the French identity as something ethnic. To be sure, this is a rather rigid view of national identity. In other places, as The Washington Post has noted, a more pluralist outlook is possible. At the same time as France fulminated over burkinis, police departments in Canada and Scotland permitted female officers to don hijabs, if they so desired. But in France, as The Washington Posts James McAuley reported, attitudes have hardened over fears of terrorism and Islamist radicalization in the country. Conservative politician and former president Nicholas Sarkozy has positioned himself as a strong challenger in the upcoming elections on the back of a hard-line platform that includes banning the Muslim headscarf from universities and public companies, curbing the French nationality rights of children born to foreign parents, and ending pork-free meal choices in school cafeterias for Jewish and Muslim children. Sarkozy can argue that he is standing up for French values and the importance of assimilation. But such a stance can also be seen simply as cynical bullying, the move of a politician seeking the vote of a bigoted Parisian restaurant owner rather than the Muslim patrons he controversially refused to serve last week. Sarkozys campaign, wrote British journalist and author Christopher de Bellaigue, looks likely to be defined by his promises to enforce majority prejudice over minority interests. This is an impulse that is hardly unique to France. Rather, as de Bellaigue observed, it links up with a current trend of democracies from India to Turkey to countries in the West where the political leadership is indulgent of many different varieties of nationalist phobia and where xenophobia has once more become a widely accepted electoral tool. In many cases, such as in the tumultuous U.S. election campaign, suspicion of Islamist extremism is a dominant theme. But the opposite is true in majority Muslim Turkey, whose powerful President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sculpts his religious nationalism as a reaction to decades of stifling, French-style secularism. The majoritarianism of the moment looks even bleaker when you turn to the worlds most prominent authoritarian regime. Consider this recent episode of state-enforced secularism in China: In the last week of August, authorities in the far-western region of Xinjiang, home to the Uighurs, a restive Turkic Muslim minority, rounded up thousands of local people in the city of Yarkand and forced them to participate in a mass rendition of the Chinese national anthem as well as a performance of tai chi. The event, a government website explained, was intended to foster the Chinese nations valuable traditions and spread patriotic education among the regions largely Muslim population. Beijing has long seen the faith of Xinjiangs Uighurs as a potential threat to the state and has sought to curb all sorts of daily expressions of Muslim identity, from trimming mens beards to imposing strictures over female dress. The patriotic show in Yarkand was not that different from the actions of Frances burkini-banning mayors: a heavy-handed bid to counter the supposed radicalism of a minority under permanent suspicion. And what of these Islamists under suspicion? The threats posed by groups like the Islamic State and their proxies are all too real. But secularism as a worldview or policy platform is not exactly an antidote to extremist violence. When observers imply that Arabs or Muslims are prone to violence, theyre usually thinking of groups like the Islamic State or al-Qaida, writes Brookings scholar Shadi Hamid in his recent book Islamic Exceptionalism: How the Struggle Over Islam Is Reshaping the World. But the preponderance of Arab violence has come at the hands of ostensibly secular regimes that claim to be reacting against Islamist movements and which largely stoked the rise of extremist militant groups. Hamids work raises interesting questions about the capacity or incapacity of majority Muslim countries to become truly secular. Islam, perhaps more than other religions, plays an outsize role in the public life of countries where it is the majority faith. But the discomfort it causes some Western leaders raises questions about their values, too, and the limits of the universalism they preach. Tharoor writes about foreign affairs for The Washington Post. He previously was a senior editor at TIME, based first in Hong Kong and later in New York. france-muslims SANTA FE Tension over New Mexicos gaping budget shortfall appears to be mounting, as Gov. Susana Martinez lashed out at Senate Democrats on Thursday for playing what the Governors Office described as political games with the states dicey fiscal situation. The two-term Republican governors comments came after majority Senate Democrats had called on Martinez in recent days to put forward a budget-balancing plan and voiced concern about why a special legislative session to deal with the budget crisis has yet to be scheduled. Meanwhile, a Martinez spokesman suggested other issues including proposals to increase child abuse penalties and reinstate New Mexicos death penalty could be added to the agenda of a special session. Since it looks like the Senate Democrats dont want to work on a budget solution in advance, that will mean a much longer session and it would make sense to include more items, spokesman Michael Lonergan told the Journal, adding that no decision on adding other issues has been made. Senate Finance Committee Chairman John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, the lead negotiator for Senate Democrats in budget talks, said Thursday that he recently told the governor during a telephone conversation that a special session should focus on the budget crunch. New Mexico is facing a $458 million projected budget shortfall for the current fiscal year, along with a $131 million deficit for the budget year that ended June 30. The crunch is largely due to plummeting energy prices, which caused state tax collections to fall far short of what had been expected. As a result, the state has spent all the money in its primary reserve fund, and its remaining reserve accounts could be drained in a special session. Martinez has said previously that she would like a special session to be an in-and-out job, which would likely require that an agreement be reached beforehand. But no budget deal has been struck, despite meetings between Martinez administration officials and lawmakers, and the governor has held off on calling the Legislature back to Santa Fe. Asked Thursday about the governors criticism of Senate Democrats, Smith said he has repeatedly sounded the alarm about the states budget situation and urged that action be taken to address it. Ive said from the get-go that everything should be on the table, Smith said in an interview. The bottom line is Ive been very out front about wanting a special session. The Martinez administration has not released a comprehensive budget-balancing blueprint, though top staffers have been looking at options. No budget plan has been put forward by the Legislature, either, although various cost-saving measures have been floated. On Thursday, the Governors Office insinuated majority Senate Democrats are more worried about November elections all 112 legislative seats are up for election this year than they are about solving the budget shortfall. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats are more committed to playing political games than they are to addressing the budget situation, Martinez spokesman Lonergan said. He also said legislative leaders have not heeded the governors call to ask state agencies not under the executive branchs control to reduce their spending levels. Martinez last month directed executive branch agencies to come up with ways to trim at least 5 percent in spending from their approved budgets, though exceptions were allowed for public safety and health. But Smith said such spending reductions by non-executive branch agencies would likely only generate $35 million to $40 million in savings, or just a fraction of whats necessary to balance the states budget. And Sen. Bill Soules, D-Las Cruces, blasted the governor in a Thursday social media posting that said, Saying no tax increases isnt a plan. Governor, wheres the plan? a reference to Martinezs continued opposition to raising taxes. As for the possibility of other issues being added to a special session agenda, Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle, R-Portales, has said he supports adding increased child abuse penalties to the agenda, a move that would force lawmakers to deal with the issue just weeks before the November election. Talk of tougher penalties and reinstating New Mexicos death penalty which was replaced in 2009 by life in prison without the possibility of parole has been stoked in recent weeks by the death of Victoria Martens, an Albuquerque girl who police say was raped and killed on the day she planned to celebrate her 10th birthday. A special session would likely cost taxpayers at least $50,000 per day in staffing costs and per diem payments to legislators, based on recent special sessions. BEIRUT People who live in the Syrian city of Aleppo confirmed Thursday that they havent heard of a U.S. politician named Gary Johnson, an outlier candidate for the U.S. presidency who has caused a furor by acknowledging that he doesnt know anything about the war-ravaged city. Many Americans hadnt even heard of Johnson until he made headlines Thursday by asking in an interview, What is Aleppo? thereby establishing that he was unaware of the existence of the city at the heart of the Syrian war. But news of the uproar failed to reach the people of Aleppo, who spend more time dodging airstrikes and chemical weapons attacks than following news about politics in the United States. Can you repeat the name, please? asked Omar Shaban, an Aleppo resident and student, speaking over the Internet. No, I dont know him. Who is he? Oh my God, he said, after hearing the explanation. Thats weird. Its really weird because news about Aleppo is everywhere, even in America, I think, he said. But people here dont get any information about politicians in America. They are just thinking about how to survive, how to live. For Aleppo residents, wrapped in the daily tragedies of their heavily-bombed city, it came as something of a surprise that their plight is not being widely tracked by the outside world. Johnson is just a person, so its normal for me not to know his name. But Aleppo is a city at war, and for a politician not to know the name of this city, it is very shocking to me, said Abdulkafi al-Hamdo, a teacher in Aleppo. For Hamdo, it is also sad. When he is not teaching, he works as a media activist, striving to bring his citys daily tragedies to the attention of the outside world. Dozens of those media activists have died in the attempt. The thought that some people in the United States still havent even heard of Aleppo troubles Hamdo. We are trying to tell the world the details about what is going on, he said. I feel like what I am doing doesnt make sense. Videos and photos taken by media activists do occasionally cause a stir, such as those of Omar Daqneesh, a 5-year-old boy whose stunned response to an airstrike there captured the horrors of war. But it is rare for the footage of the daily carnage to have such an impact, and Johnsons comments have come as a reminder that most people arent paying attention to Syria or its suffering, said Aref al-Aref, another activist in the city. Unless you are living on Mars there is no excuse not to know about what is going on in Aleppo, he said. But I guess Aleppo doesnt know who Gary Johnson is either, so were even. The Washington Posts Heba Habib in Stockholm contributed to this report. aleppo-johnson WASHINGTON It took just a few hours for Donald Trump to frustrate the GOPs fresh confidence in his national security platform, following up his embrace of Republican defense priorities by heaping praise on Russias Vladimir Putin. Senior Republicans, such as House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., tried to avoid commenting directly on Trumps remarks at an MSNBC forum on Wednesday that Putin has been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader. The GOP nominee also said he welcomes Putins praise and claimed the Russian president has an 82 percent approval rating at home. When asked about Trumps comments, Ryan noted Thursday only that Putin is an aggressor that does not share our interests and that the Russian president is acting like an adversary. But some Republicans seemed uncomfortable, or more, with Trumps newfound friend. Other than destroying every instrument of democracy in his own country, having opposition people killed, dismembering neighbors through military force and being the benefactor of the butcher of Damascus, hes a good guy, quipped Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., of Putin. Graham, a former presidential candidate, has often sparred with Trump and is one of his most vocal critics. This calculation by Trump unnerves me to my core. Some top lawmakers were concerned about the idea that Trump welcomes praise from Putin (the GOP nominee said in the forum that when he calls me brilliant, I think Ill take the compliment, OK?). You know, flattery can be used as a tool that sometimes bears very negative fruit, said Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., who was once on the short list to be Trumps vice president. One has to be careful about letting flattery affect ones relationship with a person or a country. Meanwhile, Trumps surrogates on the Hill scrambled to either dismiss Trumps admiring take as so much noise in the wind as Rep. Chris Collins, R-N.Y., put it or, alternatively, to attempt to cast Trumps approach as strategic. You know, maybe hes playing to Putins ego, said Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., emerging from a meeting of the GOP nominees surrogates Thursday morning. Russia is a threat, and I think Mr. Trump may be playing it very smart with how he addresses Mr. Putin. Trumps effusive praise of Putins leadership, which his rival Hillary Clinton leaped on Thursday as unpatriotic, put congressional Republicans in the uncomfortable spot of once again having to reconcile their nominees comments with the GOPs conviction that Russia is one of the top threats to America. Even some of Trumps surrogates wish the nominee would turn his Russia focus away from lavishing praise on Putin and toward criticizing Clintons dealings with Russia as secretary of state. Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., said that Trumps comments were distracting voters from the message that marks the Republican nominees high ground, which is talking about the failures of Hillary Clintons reset [with Russia] and what that did. Clinton headed up the State Department when the Obama administration attempted to refresh relations with Russia in a 2009 reset that most agreed had failed by the time Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. Perdue said Trump should focus his message more on what we didnt do in Ukraine, what we didnt do in Crimea, and what we havent done in Syria than on his personal affinity for Putin. Russia may be a top threat, but to Trump surrogates, it doesnt pose the same dangers to the United States as radical Islam and thus, is worth courting as an ally. Trump said Wednesday night that an alliance with Russia would help defeat the Islamic State. And some GOP lawmakers agree. Russias not going to invade the United States were not going to take over Russia, said Trump surrogate Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., noting that Putin was a good partner to help defeat radical Islam. You can say mean things about Putin but then give and give and give over and over again, Hunter added, explaining that was how the Obama administration had operated vis-a-vis Russia. Whats wrong with talking, saying, Hey, we can work together, but then actually taking a very hard stance? I think thats what a president does. Collins also pointed out that Russia could help on ISIS. Its what a CEO does, reaching out to those where we may have major disagreements, Collins said. When it comes to ISIS, there are not major disagreements. Mike DeBonis contributed to this report trump-graham TAMPA, Fla. Farooq Mithas friends, seated in a tight circle at a mosque here on a recent evening, told it to him straight. This would be the easiest election to take Muslims for granted, said Mohammad Mubarak, a lawyer, as several of the other Muslim American political activists nodded. The prospect of a Donald Trump presidency may frighten plenty of Muslim voters, the group told Mitha, but Hillary Clinton isnt particularly popular, either. In the Democratic primary, many Muslim voters backed Sen. Bernie Sanders, Vt. Clinton was too hawkish for them and may still be even if she earns their votes. And then there are voters such as Oz Sultan, a counterterrorism analyst and commentator in New York who calls himself a lifelong conservative. I dont think Hillary Clinton has the ability to keep our country safe, he said Wednesday from his home in Harlem, after watching Trump speak at a national security forum. Sultans biggest concern is the Islamic State, and Clinton has gone on a destabilizing spree, he said, noting the Obama administrations military offensive in Libya. Registered Muslim American voters are a starkly diverse and growing constituency, and Mitha, 34, who was named Clintons Muslim outreach director last month, is trying to woo them all. Back in this Gulf Coast city where he grew up, he expected a tough crowd. He already had held roundtable discussions in Michigan, Ohio and Virginia, and he knew that some Muslims in his hometown viewed Clinton as too right-wing or centrist on issues of domestic spying and Middle East policy. His counter: I dont think a presidential campaign has ever hired anyone to do Muslim outreach, Mitha told his friends. The campaign has looked at the numbers and embarked on an unprecedented outreach to a voting bloc that has the potential to decide elections in several swing states, where support for Clinton has been ticking downward since the Democratic National Convention. Take Florida, where Clinton remains locked in a tight race with Trump. In a state where the 2000 presidential election was decided by a 537-vote margin for George W. Bush, there are about 180,000 registered voters who are Muslim, Arab and South Asian, the civic nonprofit Emerge USA estimates. Two years ago, Muslims made up just under 1 percent of the U.S. population, according to the Pew Research Centers 2014 Religious Landscape Study. But the population is growing; Emerge USA, which collects data on Muslim voters and has a political action committee to support candidates, puts the number at closer to 2 percent of the population. Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia alone add up to almost 1 million Muslim voters, said Khurrum Wahid, a Miami-based lawyer and the organizations founder. With a decent voter turnout in those states, Muslims will be the swing vote in both the presidential and many close House races. Most Muslim Americans now lean Democratic, according to the Pew study. In past decades, many were fiscally conservative, pro-family and eager to see their cities get tough on crime. Surveys conducted by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the American Muslim Alliance in the aftermath of Bushs 2000 election found that between 72 percent and 80 percent of Muslims polled said that they had voted for him. But after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and Bushs rhetoric on religion and decision to invade Iraq and Afghanistan, the majority began voting Democratic. At the same time, Muslims are generally less politically active than the larger American population; only 62 percent of those who were U.S. citizens were certain that they were registered to vote, compared with 74 percent of adult U.S. citizens overall, according to Pew. To reach those voters, the Clinton campaign has appointed two state-level Muslim outreach coordinators to work with Mitha, and the campaign also has dispatched Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., the first Muslim elected to Congress, and Huma Abedin, Clintons close adviser and deputy campaign manager, to key swing states across the country. Ellison estimates that he has met with at least 10 Muslim groups since the July convention. One recent Monday morning, he showed up in a tiny Orlando doctors office where the campaign was holding its kickoff phone bank for Muslim volunteers and rattled off reasons Muslims should vote for Clinton. She has fought for childrens rights, he said. She stood up for Abedin when the Trump campaign attacked her. And she has gone out of her way to meet with Muslims, Ellison said, stopping in his home district of Minneapolis to meet with Somali American community leaders. The Clinton campaign is more inclusive of the Muslim community than any presidential campaign that Ive ever seen, he told the group of phone bank volunteers that included doctors, lawyers, college students, Palestinian Americans, Guyanese Americans, Kenyan Americans and others. One of Clintons challenges is the populations sheer diversity. Nearly a third of all Muslim Americans are black, according to Pew, some of them with deep roots in the distinctly American sect the Nation of Islam. Others about eight in 10 are immigrants or the children of immigrants. Muslim Americans come from different ethnic, linguistic and cultural backgrounds; span the economic spectrum; and have policy opinions and priorities that can be just as divergent, community leaders say. Some, like Sultan, are even likely to vote for Trump, who has called for a ban on Muslim immigrants and surveillance of mosques. I know, personally, three doctors who are voting for him, Azhar Subedar, an Islamic scholar, told Mitha in Tampa. The Trump campaign did not respond to questions about whether it is also trying to attract Muslim voters or considers the constituency a potential tipping point in any swing states. This cycle, get-out-the-vote efforts are surging in Muslim communities. The Clinton campaign, Emerge USA, the Washington-based Arab American Institute, CAIR and a range of smaller, local organizations, including mosques, have held voter registration drives, candidate forums and phone banks. The most common arguments for Clinton offered by her Muslim advocates tend to revolve around Trump. Obviously, this election has a sense of urgency that we havent felt before, said Muna Jondy, a Syrian American activist and lawyer from Flint, Mich. Because its not just an option between a Republican and a Democrat. Its between a fascist and another person. Never before in the history of America has a major party had someone who was screaming bigotry into a megaphone, Ellison told the phone bank volunteers in Orlando. No Muslim can sit around and let this happen. The Trump factor doesnt work with everyone, said James Zogby, the president of the Arab American Institute, who served as a campaign adviser to Sanders. Support for Sanders among Muslim voters was huge, said Ellison, who also backed Sanders. A Muslims for Bernie 2016 Facebook page, with 7,465 likes, still exists. A Muslims for Hillary 2016 Facebook group has 820 members. Muslims for Trump has 428. Sanderss supporters say that, unlike Clinton, the senator from Vermont spoke out about key Muslim voter concerns, such as the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory. It was an issue that always existed in our community, said Nuren Haider, 31, who is running for Orange County commissioner in Florida. But he brought it to the limelight, said Mohammad Shair, a 23-year-old Florida law student who now plans to vote for Green Party candidate Jill Stein. Ellison tries to remind the disenfranchised Muslims who supported Sanders that Clinton has done a lot of good. He tells them that she regrets her vote in favor of the Iraq War and that there are congressional votes he regrets, too. I also tell them: Theres going to be a president, and its not going to be one of these third-party candidates. Its going to be the Democrat or the Republican. So understand the clear and present danger presented by the alternative, he said. That binary choice makes some Muslim voters feel like they have no choice, Amina Spahic, the Tampa Bay regional director for Emerge, told Mitha and the others who gathered at the mosque in Tampa. Mubarak, the Tampa lawyer, said he regretted his votes for President Barack Obama and what he considers the administrations hawkish drone policy and increased federal surveillance of Muslims. He wants to believe that Clinton would be different. But the problem is weve been burned before so many times, he said, and frankly were tired of it. To those voters, Clintons statements on the issues provide little reassurance. The campaign websites explanation of her stance on combating terrorism starts with the words radical jihadists a term that some Muslim activists say stigmatizes Islam. Her national security page makes prominent reference to protecting Israel but no similar reference to Palestinians and Syrians, which some voters say theyd like to see. In a March speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a lobbying group that aligns with the Israeli right and is opposed by many liberal American Jews, she twice referred to Palestinian terrorists. Ghazala Salam, a Clinton delegate at the Democratic National Convention in July who chairs the American Muslim Democratic Caucus in Florida, said the former secretary of state is simply the most qualified to do the job. Whether you like all of her policies or not, Salam said, she knows how to deal with the outside world. Skeptical Muslim voters are coming around, she said, and what they do next will be critical to the future of Muslim participation in U.S. politics. Had Muslims been more politically engaged before the 2016 campaign, we would have not really heard a person like Trump come out and say openly the things he did about Muslims, Salam said. For it not to happen again, we have to have proactive engagement in every level of government. Emily Guskin and Jenna Johnson in Washington contributed to this report. campaign-muslim The mood outside ITT Techs shuttered Albuquerque campus Thursday was a funereal one, as students and faculty loaded up their cars with the materials they had planned to use the rest of the year. Many were crying. Leslie Tovar and Lisa Geddie, students in the schools nursing program, carried with them the uniforms they would have worn Monday when their clinical instruction was scheduled to begin. Still wrapped in blue plastic, the students were hoping they might be able to return the items for a refund of more than $100 per uniform. Were devastated, said Tovar, wiping away tears. Weve wasted more than nine months of our lives. The teachers here were wonderful, but the company? I am so disappointed with the company. ITTs parent company announced this week it is closing all 130 of its campuses nationwide after the U.S. Department of Education ruled the company could no longer enroll students who use federal financial aid. The subject of several state and federal investigations in recent years, the department accused the company of putting millions of dollars of taxpayer money at risk with its accounting and recruiting practices. ITT said in a press release the departments actions were unconstitutional and had compromised the careers of hundreds of thousands students and faculty. There were 386 students enrolled at the Albuquerque campus in 2015, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas has sent letters to U.S. Secretary John King Jr., as well as New Mexicos congressional delegation and other lawmakers, urging them to investigate and remedy the circumstances surrounding ITTs closure. ITT and the federal government owed it to these students to have a much smoother transition, Balderas said in an interview. We would never allow, say, a banking institution to shut its doors in this way. In 2014, New Mexico filed a lawsuit with three other state attorneys general and the federal government against ITT, claiming the company engaged in predatory lending practices in its nursing program, among a slew of other violations. This situation has re-victimized ITTs students, said Balderas. We are continuing our litigation, but the federal government should have been able to help students with a more reasonable transition. Nationwide, ITT students who used federal loans and did not complete their programs will have the option of either applying for loan forgiveness or transferring their credits to another institution, according to the Education Department. As for Geddie and Tovar, they said they havent figured out their next steps, in part because theyve been unable to access their transcripts from ITTs online portal. Nobody seems to know anything, said Tovar. This isnt just another setback. Theyre messing with peoples lives. WASHINGTON Secretary of State John Kerry is heading to Geneva for yet another meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to try to forge a nationwide truce in Syria, improve humanitarian aid deliveries and restart peace talks. The State Department said Kerry was departing on Thursday to see Lavrov on Friday. On Wednesday, the Russian foreign ministry had announced the pair would meet on Thursday and Friday, but the State Department never confirmed two days of talks. Since Aug. 26, Kerry and Lavrov have met three times to discuss Syria once in Geneva and twice in Hangzhou, China. The State Department says they have spoken by phone four times in the past two days: three times on Wednesday and once on Thursday. The money was supposed to go toward feeding the most vulnerable children in Arkansas: Kids in low-income areas who relied on after-school programs for dinner or visited community centers during the summer because they might not get to eat otherwise. Instead, authorities say a small group deliberately defrauded the system and pocketed at least $10 million in federal funds intended to feed at-risk youths in a place with one of the highest rates of child hunger in the United States. The scheme unfolded over about 2 1/2 years, and officials considered it to be the equivalent of taking food directly from children, said Chris Givens, a U.S. Attorneys Office spokesman. At least 12 people in Arkansas have been charged with crimes including wire fraud, bribery and money laundering in an ongoing investigation of misused funds related to federal feeding programs, according to government prosecutors. Moreover, investigators said they could trace all of the corrupt activity back to internal sources, which state officials called a troubling and extremely disappointing matter. Of those charged, three were employees of the Arkansas Department of Human Services, the state agency that oversees the distribution of such funds from the U.S. Agriculture Department. The unraveling of what turned out to be a staggering level of fraud began in mid-2013, when the state DHS received what it considered a suspicious claim from Jacqueline Mills, the sponsor of meal sites in rural eastern Arkansas. The site in question was in Helena-West Helena, a small city with a low population density; the claim amount was high enough to raise a red flag. The amount was almost a million dollars, said Tonya Williams, a state DHS division director. It was just like, Wait a minute that just doesnt seem right. The stage agency reported it to the USDA inspector generals office. Soon the Internal Revenue Service, the FBI and other federal agencies joined the investigation. What they found shocked the Arkansas DHS. More than a year after the investigation began, Mills was arrested on fraud and bribery charges, and so were two longtime DHS employees Gladys King and Tonique Hatton. I was pretty mortified, Williams said. Investigators found that Hatton had accepted bribes some directly, others made through payments to her relatives in exchange for approving the maximum number of children who would be fed at Mills site in eastern Arkansas. Mills, in turn, allegedly submitted inflated claims for reimbursement to the state DHS. Because her sites had already been approved for a certain number of children, the DHS approved and paid out the claims. Authorities estimate Millss sites received more than $2.5 million in federal funds through the state agency. Investigators said that in exchange for bribes, King approved other sites knowing their administrators would submit similarly inflated claims. King had worked at the DHS since 2009 and most recently served as a special nutrition-unit program coordinator; she voluntarily left the agency in December 2013, after the investigation began. Hatton began working at the agency in 2001 and was still employed there at the time of her arrest. The DHS fired her immediately. Its extremely disappointing to learn that people were reportedly cheating a program that feeds hungry children, especially in a state that has one of the highest rates of childhood hunger in the country, then-DHS Director John Selig said in a statement released the morning of the first arrests, in 2014. We appreciate all the work to help us root out the bad actors so other providers can continue to ensure kids have adequate food when they arent in school. Over the following year, the investigation continued to turn up sobering discoveries of fraud and bribery. In one case, a provider named Christopher Nichols submitted a claim to open two meal sites through an organization called A Vision for Success. Both locations were approved by King, his aunt. One site was discovered to be an auto repair shop in North Little Rock owned by Nicholss uncle Anthony Waits. The other address was nonexistent. According to authorities, Waits was married to King. In February, DHS administrator Mark Speight told KARK News that it was not unheard of for a feeding program to be run from an auto shop. When youre feeding children, you might find some places you would never think would be a feeding site, Speight told the station. If there were children and there was an apartment complex right next to it and it had facilities to be able to serve, it could possibly happen. In March, another defendant, Reuben Nims, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. According to the Justice Department, Nims admitted he was recruited by Waits to sponsor a meal program through an organization called Blessed Thru Success. Nims had one approved site in Little Rock that he claimed fed up to 300 children per day. It was all a lie, investigators found. No children were ever actually fed there, the Justice Department said after Nimss guilty plea. In all, 12 people have been charged. This week, Hatton became the ninth person to plead guilty to crimes surrounding theft of federal feeding-program funds. Three defendants have pleaded not guilty; their trials begin Oct. 17. Only one defendant has been sentenced. In March, Kattie Jordan was sentenced to more than five years in federal prison. A judge also ordered her to pay joint restitution of $3.6 million. The defendants face a maximum of 20 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine for the charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The punishment for accepting bribes is up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 maximum fine. Regardless of these statutory penalties, we feel these are very serious crimes, said Givens, the U.S. Attorneys Office spokesman. It is unclear how many children in Arkansas rely on free or reduced meals outside of school, but nearly 289,000 of the states students (about 61 percent) qualified for free or reduced school lunches in the 2015-2016 academic year. A 2010 Feeding America report said Arkansas had the highest level of child food insecurity in the country, at 24.4 percent. Theres hungry kids all over Arkansas, Givens said. He added that it is unclear whether any children in Arkansas were not fed as a result of the fraud. But based on USDA reimbursement rates about $3.07 to $3.69 per lunch the $10 million that was siphoned off from the programs in Arkansas could have meant anywhere from 2.7 million to 3.2 million meals for children, according to a USDA spokeswoman. The stolen funds came through two USDA programs: the Summer Food Service Program, which feeds low-income children when school is out, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The Arkansas DHS receives about $70 million per year through the programs, an official said. With the funds, the agency served nearly 35 million meals and snacks to needy Arkansans in 2015. All of the defendants are connected through the DHS employees in some way, although not all defendants know each other, Givens said in an email. Tonique Hatton began her scheme, and the others at DHS followed. It could be considered the same fraud ring, in a sense, because the fraud was made possible through the same means, that is, with the help of the DHS employees. One way or another, most of the defendants took advantage of a relatively basic system: In Arkansas, local sponsors who want to participate in the feeding programs must get training and then submit an application to the state DHS. Once approved, they can provide meals to qualifying children in the community, then submit claims for reimbursement based on the number of eligible meals they serve. An approved site also appears on the state agencys website for participants in the Arkansas Special Nutrition Program. Until recently, a single state DHS employee could be the one approving, visiting and reimbursing sites, said Williams, the division director. We have restructured completely, as you can imagine, she said. The agency has compartmentalized duties so that no one employee is responsible for approving and reimbursing sites from beginning to end, Williams said. Moreover, Williams said, she uses the findings of fraud as a cautionary tale. Its just part of training now, she said, noting that she tells DHS employees, You do not want to be on the front page. When I do new-employee orientation, she said, its like: Youre going to read about it. Were not going to hide this elephant. arkansas-meals Last year, Jeff Chang, the executive director of Stanford Universitys Institute for Diversity in the Arts, visited Ferguson, Mo., on the first anniversary of the death of Michael Brown. I went intending to be a fly on the wall and check it all out from a journalistic, intellectual point of view, but I was immediately drawn into it, he says. Chang joined the protests of police brutality and was even arrested. Those experiences inspired the author of Cant Stop Wont Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation to write a series of essays about the current state of racial inequality in America. Those essays turned into a new book, We Gon Be Alright: Notes on Race and Resegregation. Q: How is the current Black Lives Matter movement different from civil rights movements of the past? A: Theres a deep moral and ethical framework the organizers are bringing to the movement and theres definitely a critique of older generations and how previous movements have marginalized women and queer people. The Movement for Black Lives organizers are approaching this with an eye towards helping the folks who are the most impacted by the structures of inequality and racism. But I think there are also a lot of continuities with previous movements. They all have the goal of pushing us towards our highest ideals. Q: You wrote that America has been going through cycles of progress toward racial equality and then backlash. Can you elaborate? A: After the Civil War theres Reconstruction, where the Union tries to make the Confederacy end segregation, to allow black people to be elected to office and to be able to gain power. As that begins to happen, theres a backlash and Jim Crow segregation comes in. Then, almost a hundred years later, theres the second reconstruction, which begins with the bus boycott in Montgomery and spreads to Birmingham and Selma and results in the passage of all these pieces of legislation, from the Voting Rights Act to the Civil Rights Act to the Immigration and Nationality Act. But then, towards the end of the 60s, theres a huge backlash and resistance to that. Leaders are killed; there are firebombings and cross burnings, including in St. Louis County [where Ferguson is located], as desegregation is coming into place. And that kind of leads us to the current moment, where theres been a concerted effort to roll back these laws. And we have had the creation of new types of enforcement and segregation that result in heavy-handed policing, that result in the resegregation of schools, that result in the resegregation of higher education, that result in the ongoing imbalance of power between different racial groups in the country. Q: What should we learn from this? A: We need to call attention to the fact that we dont naturally fall into a situation that is equitable. Equality is something we have to fight for. And I think that is ultimately the point of the book, to get people to see that it takes concerted thinking and action and attention to be able to bring about a just society. Q: Its hard to know where to go from here. I thought it was interesting that you took inspiration from Beyonces Lemonade. A: Lemonade and the Black Lives Matter movement are both grappling with this question of how to live with someone who has wronged you, and this idea of moving forward with love and compassion. This is why we keep coming back to the concept of grace, to things old people like to talk about in church. Reconciliation isnt a strong emotion like anger, so its harder to write compelling music about. But is anger a good mode for living? A way of designing societies? The older I get, the more doubts I have about it. chang-qanda A Valencia County man, 63, who developed neuroinvasive disease from West Nile virus was the first New Mexican to die of the illness this year, health officials said Thursday. The man, who was hospitalized before his death, had the second human case of the mosquito-borne infection this year, New Mexico Department of Health officials said. People 50 and older are at increased risk for serious illness from West Nile virus and should take steps to avoid mosquito bites, officials warned. With continued rainfall, mosquito populations can be expected to increase and cause illness from West Nile virus in both people and in horses throughout the state, said Dr. Paul Ettestad, the departments public health veterinarian. New Mexico typically sees most of its West Nile virus cases in August and September, but can see cases through October and until the first hard frost. In 2015, DOH identified 14 human cases of West Nile virus, of whom 12 had neuroinvasive disease, but no deaths. Symptoms of West Nile neuroinvasive disease can include neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. Symptoms of a milder illness, West Nile fever, can include headache, fever, muscle and joint aches, nausea and fatigue. People with West Nile fever typically recover on their own, although symptoms may last for weeks or months. Mosquitoes that spread West Nile virus breed in stagnant water. Health officials advise people to regularly drain standing water, including water collecting in empty cans, tires, buckets, clogged rain gutters and saucers under potted plants. They also recommend using an approved insect repellent outdoors. Among the EPA-approved repellents are those that contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535 and oil of lemon eucalyptus/para-menthane-diol. Wear long sleeves and pants at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Use air conditioning or make sure there are screens on all doors and windows to keep mosquitoes from entering the home. There are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent West Nile virus infection. Zios Restaurant Company has filed for bankruptcy and intends to close its Albuquerque location, according to court documents. The Texas-based company operates Zios Italian Kitchen at 10041 Coors NW, near Cottonwood Mall. That is one of five sites the chain reported in court filings that it intended to close amid its current financial struggles. The company, which has 15 restaurants and about 875 employees, said in a filing it has been adversely impacted by the overall weakness in the casual dining environment, and cited competition from fast-casual restaurants. It also said declining oil and natural gas prices have hurt revenues, since its locations are centered around the area of the United States impacted the most by changes in oil prices. Zios has restaurants in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Missouri, Kansas and Colorado. The company is seeking court approval to close five locations: Albuquerque, Independence, Mo.; and three in Texas: Humble, Webster and San Antonio. Zios representatives did not return messages seeking official comment about the fate of the companys Albuquerque location. CLEVELAND Donald Trump made a renewed pitch here Thursday for the school choice movement at a charter school that has received failing grades from the Ohio Department of Education for its students performance and progress on state math and reading tests. Scrutiny on the low marks the school received threatened to complicate Trumps pitch, as critics questioned his decision to visit this particular school before he even arrived in this critical battleground state. The Republican presidential nominee used his appearance at the Cleveland Arts and Social Sciences Academy to announce that his first budget would redirect $20 billion in federal funding to create a state-run block grant that he said he hoped would help poor children in low-performing public schools to enroll at charter and private schools. Im proposing a plan to provide school choice to every disadvantaged student in America, said Trump. Before speaking about education when he took the podium in the schools cafeteria, Trump took sharp aim at Democratic rival Hillary Clinton on foreign policy and defended his repeated assertion that he was opponent of the Iraq War from the start, a claim that has been debunked by fact checkers. The stop here marked Trumps latest attempt to reach out to African-Americans, as polls show Clinton holding a wide lead among black and other minority voters. The charter school where he spoke serves about 325 predominantly poor African-American children. The academy is a K-8 school where fewer than half the students scored proficient or above on standardized math and reading tests in 2014-15, the most recent year for which state data are available. On its 2014-2015 state report card, the school received a D and an F on two measures of students achievement; an F for students progress on tests, or the gains they made over the course of a year; and an F for its record on closing achievement gaps. Its highest grade was a C, for progress among students with disabilities and literacy improvement among kindergartners through third-graders. On its website, the school claimed to be the top-ranked charter in Ohio for value-added, a measure of academic growth, referring to a 2014 report produced by a nonprofit organization, Battelle for Kids. The school received an A rating for value-added on its 2013-2014 state report card. Its not clear why the schools performance declined so sharply from one year to the next. Sandra Theis, executive director of left-leaning ProgressOhio, which has pushed for closer oversight of the states charter schools, questioned why Trump chose to visit Cleveland Arts and Social Sciences Academy. Ohios charter schools are nationally ridiculed, and they should be. But Cleveland actually has some good ones, Theis said. He goes to this lousy one and uses African-American kids as props. Asked about the decision to campaign here, Trump spokesman Jason Miller wrote in an email: Mr. Trump believes that all children deserve the opportunity to receive a first-class education, and his school choice reform proposals will help do just that. Introducing school choice and challenging failed government monopolies is central to helping improve results and prepare our children for the rest of their lives. Officials at the school said they were busy Thursday morning and would not be able to respond to questions about the schools performance until after Trumps visit. Representatives from the for-profit company that runs the academy, Accel Schools, did not immediately reply to voice-mail messages. Trumps plan to add an additional federal investment of $20 billion towards school choice would be accomplished by reprioritizing existing federal dollars, he and his campaign said. But they did not say specifically where in the budget the money would come from. Trump said states would have the option to use the money as they wish, but he would push them to allow students to use the money to attend the schools of their choice. Trumps desire to see federal dollars follow poor children to the public or private schools of their choice echoes proposals that other Republicans have floated, including during last years overhaul of the nations main federal education law. The measure did not make it into the law, which is called the Every Student Succeeds Act. Vouchers and charter schools are generally popular among Republicans and are central planks in the education platform that Republican National Convention delegates adopted in July. Critics, including many Democrats and teachers union leaders, say that vouchers threaten to destroy public schools by siphoning money to private schools that are not accountable to voters or taxpayers. Ohio has a state program that supplies taxpayer-funded vouchers to more than 18,000 students. A recent study of that program, released in July by the conservative Thomas B. Fordham Institute, found that students who used the vouchers to attend private schools actually performed worse on standardized tests than similar students who stayed in public schools. The study did find improvement among students who tried to get a voucher but remained in public schools; researchers attributed those gains to improvements in public schools spurred by increased competition due to the voucher program. Trump also said he would support merit pay for teachers and use the bully pulpit afforded by the presidency to advocate for candidates who run on making school choice more widespread. There is no failed policy more in need of urgent change than our government-run education monopoly, Trump said. He said he was proposing a plan to provide school choice to every disadvantaged student in America. Outside the event, a handful of protesters demonstrated against Trump. Some pro-abortion rights activists held up signs telling Trump that women deserve better than him. One man posted a banner reading: Trump What do you have to lose? Everything! The sign was a reference to Trump repeatedly urging African-Americans to vote for him in recent weeks because they have nothing to lose by doing so. An intimate crowd that included about a dozen schoolchildren who were predominantly African-American gathered to hear Trumps speech. A smaller group of a dozen students, teachers, administrators of the school participated in the discussion before Trumps speech. He talked about his desire to increase the number of charter schools and other school choice options because, The traditional way, its not working so well. Trump has repeatedly criticized U.S. public schools for failing to measure up on international exams. But he has offered few details about how he would fix K-12 education, other than saying he wants to get rid of Common Core (which the president lacks the authority to do academic standards are determined by states); scale back or possibly eliminate the U.S. Education Department; and expand school choice. We will rescue kids from failing schools, he told delegates at the RNC in July. For years, Ohios charter school law was criticized as too loose, allowing poorly performing schools to proliferate and persist. Lawmakers tightened oversight last year with a new law that calls for more accountability and transparency, including from the for-profit companies that manage some schools. The Cleveland Arts and Social Sciences Academy was run by a for-profit company, Mosaica Education, until a lawsuit against Mosaica forced the company into court receivership in October 2014, according the most recent state audit of the school. Another for-profit company, Accel Schools, took over the management of the school in the summer of 2015. Both Accel and its parent company, Pansophic Learning, are headed by businessman Ronald Packard, who previously helmed the for-profit company K12 Inc., one of the nations largest and most controversial operators of full-time virtual schools, where students learn at home via computer. K12 has expanded quickly and last year ran virtual schools in 32 states and the District of Columbia, bringing in nearly $1 billion in revenue. But it has faced growing scrutiny over its use of taxpayer dollars and its schools often poor records on common measures of achievement, including standardized tests and graduation rates. In July, K12 agreed to a $168.5 million settlement after California Attorney General Kamala Harris filed a lawsuit alleging that its operation of 14 public virtual schools in the state violated false claims, false advertising and unfair competition laws. Brown reported from Washington trump-education While Americans savored the last moments of summer this Labor Day weekend, the U.S. military was busy overseas as warplanes conducted strikes in six countries in a flurry of attacks. The almost simultaneous bombing runs across Asia, Africa and the Middle East spotlighted the diffuse terrorist threats that have persisted into the final days of President Barack Obamas presidency conflicts that the next president is now certain to inherit. In Iraq and Syria, between Friday and Monday, the U.S. conducted about 45 strikes against Islamic State targets. On the other side of the Mediterranean, in the Libyan city of Sirte, the U.S. also hit fighters with the group. On Sunday in Yemen, a U.S. drone strike killed six suspected members of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula. The following day, just across the Gulf of Aden in Somalia, the Pentagon targeted al-Shabab, another group aligned with al-Qaida. And the military conducted several counterterrorism strikes over the holiday weekend in Afghanistan, where the Taliban and the Islamic State are on the offensive. Militants in each of those countries have been attacked before, but the convergence of so many strikes on so many fronts in such a short period served as a reminder of the endurance and geographic spread of al-Qaida and its mutations. This administration really wanted to end these wars, said Paul Scharre, a former Army Ranger and Pentagon official now at the Center for a New American Security. Now, weve got U.S. combat operations on multiple fronts and were dropping bombs in six countries. Thats just the unfortunate reality of the terrorism threat today. In meeting those threats, Obama has sought to limit the large-scale deployments of the past, instead relying on air power, including drones; isolated Special Operations raids; and support for foreign forces. But militant groups have defied eight years of these sustained counterterrorism efforts. Nowhere are the unexpected turns of Obamas foreign-policy record more visible than in Iraq, where thousands of U.S. troops returned after the 2011 withdrawal to support local forces battle against the Islamic State. A smaller Special Operations force is based in northern Iraq, responsible for hunting down militant leaders. U.S. warplanes conducted about 20 strikes in Iraq over the holiday weekend, largely centered in northern Nineveh province and Mosul, the strategic city that local forces hope to recapture from the Islamic State this year. But there were also strikes in Iraqs western Anbar province, which has largely been retaken from the Islamic State. That suggests some militant cells linger in areas cleared by the Iraqi army. The resumption of U.S. combat activities in Iraq in 2014 represented not only the extent of Iraqs unsolved problems after the American departure but also the power of the war in neighboring Syria to destabilize areas once considered secure. In Syria over the weekend, more than 25 strikes hit targets across the countrys north and east, highlighting the Pentagon focus on the Islamic States de facto capital of Raqqa. While U.S. officials hope that friendly local forces can encircle the city, the path ahead is complicated by the fractured, internationalized nature of the conflict in Syria. In Libya, as in Iraq and Syria, local ground forces are the key to the U.S. goal of defeating the Islamic State. Over the weekend, U.S. planes pounded at least 20 Islamic State targets in the coastal city of Sirte, where militia forces have struggled to defeat a small but resilient band of militants dug in by the sea. After months of watching a powerful Islamic State affiliate expand, U.S. Africa Command launched an air campaign over Sirte last month. For U.S. officials, the air power is critical to help local forces disrupt militants ability to plot external attacks. For critics of Obama, the need for such an intervention is proof of the presidents failure in Libya following his 2011 intervention, which sought to limit American involvement. Its certainly the case if you look over the last 16 years, there are times when we have gone in way too heavy, and thats caused problems, and times when weve gone in too light, and that has caused problems, said William Wechsler, a former Pentagon official who oversaw U.S. Special Operations activities. What youve seen at the end of the Obama administration is a determination that there is this very complicated but middle ground that both allows us to meet our counterterrorism objectives but also support our allies who are doing fighting on the ground, he said. The United States now faces a test of its ability to do just that in Afghanistan, where local forces are struggling to contain a startling comeback by the Taliban. Almost 10,000 U.S. service members are now part of a dual mission to support the Afghan army and conduct counterterrorism operations against both al-Qaida and militants loyal to the Islamic State. The expansion of commanders authority to combat militants and the extension of the U.S. troop presence underscore Afghanistans uncertain future long after Obama declared an end to the war there. Beyond those ongoing conflicts, the Pentagon has kept up its lower-intensity operations against militants in more far-flung places, often in a fashion that is shielded from public view. On Sunday, in Yemens central Shabwah province, a U.S. drone fired at a group of suspected members of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, killing six, according to U.S. Central Command. It was the latest in a recent series of attacks that seeks to ensure that AQAP, once the most fearsome al-Qaida affiliate, cannot rebound amid the Yemeni civil war. The United States has sought to limit its military involvement in Yemen, keeping a small counterterrorism presence close to the coast and providing logistical support to Saudi Arabias bombing campaign against Houthi rebels. The Pentagon on Monday also conducted a pair of strikes in Tortoroow, Somalia, in defense of African peacekeeping forces that are now operating with U.S. support there. According to U.S. African Command, the African forces had been attacked by a large group of al-Shabab fighters. While the breadth of ongoing U.S. combat operations may appear to be a step back from the Obama administrations earliest national-security goals, Scharre said the bombing was an appropriate response to an array of security threats, one that might be sustained over time in the same way that the United States has committed to long-term military presences in places such as Germany and South Korea. I think the goal of getting to zero U.S. involvement was always just the wrong metric, he said. The goal was to get to the place where U.S. involvement is commensurate with our interests. airstrikes The closure of ITT Technical Institutes, a national chain of career schools with a 50-year legacy, is fueling a debate over the federal governments aggressive policing of for-profit higher education and whether it could destroy the industry. Education officials are holding for-profit colleges such as ITT accountable after years of consumer complaints about shoddy programs, deceptive marketing and high loan defaults. The government which has been targeting problems at for-profits for more than a decade has handed down a series of regulations targeting the industry and sanctions that have put companies on the edge of survival. The collapse of ITT this week, brought on by sanctions curtailing its access to federal financial aid, is to some experts the latest evidence that the federal Department of Education is going after the industry by pushing tough employment regulations that only really apply to for-profits, wresting away power from an accrediting agency that oversees such schools and proposing student loan rules aimed specifically at the industry. The administration wants improved student outcomes, said Michael Tarkan, senior research analyst at Compass Point. And yes, some of the larger for-profits have been caught in the crossfire, but those are some of the ones that have had pretty weak student outcomes. The for-profit higher education industry consists of more than 3,500 vocational, technical and career schools that are focused on job training. More than 1.1 million students were enrolled in such schools in the spring semester of 2016, roughly 6 percent of the total college population, according to National Student Clearinghouse. Education Secretary John King has said the administration is not singling out any group of schools but instead is working to ensure that students and billions of dollars in taxpayer money are not put in jeopardy. We take our enforcement responsibilities seriously, King told reporters recently. Thats why over the last seven years the Obama administration has taken a number of actions to protect students, borrowers and taxpayers from the illegal behavior of some institutions and programs. Marquee names in the for-profit industry, such as DeVry University and the University of Phoenix, are the subject of ongoing government lawsuits or investigations. And many of these companies point a finger at the federal government for their shrinking footprint; more than a hundred campuses run by for-profit companies have closed in the past two years, including locations of the Art Institutes, Le Cordon Bleu and Brown Mackie College. Its the worst political and regulatory environment for career schools that Ive seen in my 27 years in the industry, said Eric Juhlin, chief executive of the Center for Excellence in Higher Education, which runs career schools Stevens-Henager College and CollegeAmerica. It has never been this coordinated, this systematic. Others in higher education say the administrations actions are long overdue and that the crackdown is just weeding out the worst actors in the for-profit industry. The industrys greatest nemesis is not the government, they say, but economic head winds that are lowering enrollment and rendering unsustainable a business model once beloved by Wall Street. Were seeing a slow-motion train wreck here, said Barmak Nassirian, director of federal relations and policy analysis at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. The government hasnt really done anything. Id love to have cops on the beat who can prevent crime, not chase after perpetrators after the mayhem. For-profit colleges experienced remarkable growth in the past decade, with private equity firms pumping in money as students dependent on federal loans and grants poured into training programs. State and federal authorities say some schools with profits in mind lured in vulnerable students with promises they could not keep. Students took on debt for programs that failed to land them jobs earning enough to repay the loans. And as the economy recovered and allegations of abuse mounted, fewer people were willing to take a chance on for-profit schools. The take-all-comers-and-offer-low-wage-certificates model really doesnt work anymore, said Ben Miller, senior director for postsecondary education at the Center for American Progress. Its the place where the marginal decision of do I go to college or do I enter the workforce is the strongest. So as the economy got better, there are fewer people in that category. ITT Tech had double-digit percentage declines in enrollment for several quarters. It made fatal mistakes by starting an in-house student loan program that suffered heavy losses and by repurchasing a lot of its shares, said Trace Urdan, a research analyst at Credit Suisse. He said the schools most at risk of suffering a similar fate are the ones battling poor enrollment, weak balance sheets and regulations on student employment, mainly small, regional career schools. We could see something on the scale of ITT in aggregate, through a lot of smaller schools being pushed out, Urdan said. Government enforcement moves, he said, could put real pressure on some career colleges. Education officials may soon bar the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), an agency that overwhelmingly accredits for-profit colleges, from serving as the gatekeeper between colleges and billions of dollars in federal financial aid. If that were to happen, the nearly 300 schools the council oversees might have a difficult time finding another agency willing to accept them, Urdan said. Without an accreditor, students at those schools would be unable to access federal loans and grants, which could drive the schools out of business. The decision on the accrediting council is as much driven by the departments decision to eliminate some of these schools in an orderly process as it was about going after ACICS, said Steve Gunderson, president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, a for-profit trade group. Gunderson said the government is under no obligation to keep any school in business, but does have a responsibility to students seeking a shot at a career that can land them in the middle class. Yet President Barack Obamas administration, he said, is sacrificing a whole generation of students to advance their ideological hostility toward for-profit schools. At stake is the education, time, money and future of millions of students who for a myriad of reasons chose trade, vocational and other for-profit schools to put them on a path to better employment. Students such as Sen Wynn. Wynn, 29, was set to graduate with a bachelors degree in cybersecurity from ITT Tech in Chantilly, Virginia, in October, until a classmate emailed to say the school had closed. She was devastated. Not only did Wynn miss out on a chance to graduate, but she also lost her job interning as a computer tech at the school. This has been really hard, Wynn said. I had no idea this was going to happen. Even though Wynn completed all of the credits for her degree, she is hoping Northern Virginia Community College will let her transfer, even if it means having to take more classes. Education officials are asking community colleges near ITT locations to accept academic credits from the career school, a request that plays into suspicions that the Obama administration wants community colleges to supplant for-profit schools. The administration has pushed the idea of providing free community college to the nations high school graduates. Juhlin, of the Center for Excellence in Higher Education, believes the administration wants to redirect all federal aid dollars to public institutions, a charge education officials have denied. He is suing the Education Department over its refusal to recognize his chain as a nonprofit under the federal financial aid program. Education officials have accused his company of trying to skirt regulations, but Juhlin says his case is part of a broader effort to undermine career colleges. Ive gone from spending 80 percent of my time on trying to run good schools, improve the education and deliver better outcomes, he said, to spending 80 percent of my time responding to lawsuits, drafting motions, testifying before state regulators. ITT also accused the department of having an agenda because of its flat rejection of proposals to sell campuses, much like Corinthian did after facing government sanctions. Education officials helped broker the controversial sale of those schools, leaving the department open to a barrage of criticism. In ITTs case, Under Secretary Ted Mitchell said the department never saw a path forward for a sale. The department is learning about the need for being proactive, Miller said. ITT is the result of learning from Corinthian, where they lingered far too long so the results of when it collapsed were worse than they needed to be. Gunderson said one of the technical schools his organization represents wanted to take over a few ITT locations but wasnt given a chance by the department. He declined to identify the school because he said career colleges are scared to death that anything they do will cause the department to go after them. itt President Barack Obama wrapped up his 10th and final trip to Asia on Thursday by touting the extraordinary progress in the region and taking credit for expanding U.S. influence and prestige among a diverse set of ally and rival nations. But his victory lap was punctured when a reporter asked him to respond to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trumps contention that he had been humiliated this week by his Asian counterparts. Obama, clearly exasperated, said, I think that is overblown. Everywhere weve gone, weve had a great reception, he said at a news conference in Vientiane, Laos, noting crowds lining the streets as he became the first U.S. president to visit the communist nation. Any reasonable person, certainly any person in the region, would be puzzled as to how [Trumps remarks] became somehow indicative of the work weve done here. Obama was frustrated that a pair of awkward protocol stumbles a tarmac squabble between U.S. and China officials that marred his arrival in Hangzhou, China, and a canceled bilateral meeting with the Philippines president over a personal slur threatened to partially obscure the tangible accomplishments of his nine-day trip. Yet the outcome was perhaps a fitting conclusion for his fitful and inconsistent two-term effort to rebalance U.S. foreign policy toward Asia, which Obama has viewed as a legacy issue to help maintain American economic growth and national security. Since announcing the policy in 2011, Obama has struggled to extract the United States from wars in the Middle East and Central Asia and to shift attention and resources to the worlds fastest-growing and most-populous region. As he prepares to depart office, Obama pointed this week to an ambitious global climate pact spurred by the United States agreement with China to reduce greenhouse gases. His administration has forged closer military ties with Australia, the Philippines and Vietnam, and the president personally helped mend icy relations between Japan and South Korea over historical grievances. He will tout U.S. support of Burmas burgeoning democratic transition after a half-century of brutal military rule when the nations de facto leader, state counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, visits the White House next week. But the rise of the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq and Russias invasion of eastern Ukraine have preoccupied the administration. North Koreas test of another ballistic missile while the president was in the region served as a reminder that the White House, in contrast to the negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, has made no headway with the worlds most reclusive authoritarian state. Most disappointing of all to Obama, the economic pillar of his Asia rebalance policy, the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade accord led by the United States, remains stalled in Congress. Crafted as a hedge to Chinas growing clout, the TPP is opposed by both Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, who reversed herself amid a broad anti-trade sentiment among voters after having championed it as secretary of state. His heart is in the right place, and his intent is in the right place, but the politics of trade will muck up his legacy, said Victor Cha, an analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies who served as Asia director in the George W. Bush administration. He will not have finished the victory lap in Asia until the TPP is done. Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have vowed to campaign for a trade vote during an expected lame-duck session of Congress after the November elections. But Republican leaders have said that no vote is likely before Obama leaves office. The stark truth is that the Asia rebalance remains a work in progress, and Obama will hand it off to his successor with no guarantees. The concern Ive heard is not that what weve done hasnt been important and successful, the president said in Laos. The concern that Ive heard is, Will it continue? Almost uniformly, the question I get from other leaders is, We hope Americas interest and presence and engagement is sustained. Trump has bashed China and Japan on trade, and he has suggested that the United States defense treaties with Japan and South Korea, predicated on U.S. military bases in both countries, are too expensive for American taxpayers. Clinton is far more likely to maintain U.S. engagement in the region, having been intimately involved in the opening of Burma at the State Department. But it is not clear that she would continue Obamas frequent presence in the region; he made more trips to Asia than did his predecessors, deploying his personal appeal to help spread U.S. values and goodwill. Huge crowds lined the streets when Obama made his first visit to Vietnam in May and lifted a long-standing U.S. arms embargo. The U.S. has historically never seen itself as naturally tied to Asia strategically, Cha said. Its always been war brought us there Obama said, No, in peacetime, Asia will be strategically important to us. The region clearly remains important to Obama on a personal level. In town hall-style meetings with young people in Southeast Asia over the years including one in the scenic city of Luang Prabang this week the president waxed fondly about the years he spent as a young boy living with his mother in Indonesia five decades ago. On his visit to Laos, Obama pledged $90 million in aid to the country to help clear millions of unexploded bombs dropped by U.S. warplanes during the Vietnam War. He also took time to tour the Wat Xieng Thong temple, browse a market for paper lanterns and sip water from a coconut. In terms of my reception here, as far as I can tell, its been terrific, Obama told reporters shortly before returning to Washington, D.C. I dont know if youve gone and talked to some people in Laos, but they seem pretty happy with my visit. obama-asia Before the photos flashed in front of Melvin Pates face, the police detective gave the man in the hospital bed clear instructions: Blink hard once for yes. Police were showing Pate a photo lineup, asking whether any of the images showed the man who had shot him during a drug robbery and left him paralyzed. Unable to speak as a result of gunshot wounds, Pate squeezed his eyes shut, then reopened them while looking at a photo of Jermaine Hailes. Six years later, a Prince Georges County, Maryland, judge sentenced Hailes to 70 years in prison in the killing of Pate, who died in 2012 from his wounds. Hailess sentencing Thursday closed what prosecutors believe was only the fourth case in U.S. history in which a murder victims nonverbal identification in this instance, video of Pate blinking was used as evidence at trial. In June, a Prince Georges jury convicted Hailes, 25, of first-degree murder and related charges in the slaying of Pate, 29. This case blows my mind, Judge Leo Green said at Thursdays sentencing hearing. This case has lived with me longer than most murder cases do. The sentencing hearing Thursday was emotional, with prosecutors asking the judge to issue a life sentence and Hailes and his family asking for a sentence that would keep open the opportunity for parole. I have not given up on myself, Hailes said. But Hailes had many opportunities for reform in the past and had thrown them away, said Christine Murphy, who recently left the Prince Georges States Attorneys Office but was allowed to represent prosecutors during Hailess sentencing. This is a defendant who does not deserve to walk the streets the rest of us do, Murphy said. Pate was shot during the drug robbery in 2010, leaving him a quadriplegic. Police instructed Pate to blink if he recognized his assailant in a photo array and recorded the identification. The robbery and assault case turned into a homicide investigation in 2012 after Pates death. The case became complicated as lawyers argued about whether video of Pate blinking at the photo lineup could be shown to jurors at Hailess trial. Hailess attorneys argued that showing the video deprived their client of the right to confront his accuser in court. But prosecutors said Pates blink was exempted from the confrontation clause because it was a dying declaration. Even though Pate died two years after the video was recorded, doctors had told him that he had about 24 hours to live when police showed him the photo lineup. The states highest court eventually ruled that Pates video was indeed a dying declaration and admissible in court. Pates mother, Felicia Pate, said it was difficult to suffer the loss of her son, who was bedridden and in and out of the hospital for years. Felicia Pate said she had to bathe, feed and care for her son round-the-clock in addition to watching over Pates daughter, who was 2 months old when he was shot. It was hard, Pate said Thursday. I am just glad that justice was served for my son today. Amy Brittain contributed to this report. blink-sentencing Ares Management is reportedly seeking to raise more than $45bn for its latest batch of funds. California-based venture capital firm Asenqua Ventures has closed its fourth fund at $125m. The firm, which has now rai According to a press release from the Polish company, both signatories declared cooperation in the most important segments of activities, intend to focus on joint business projects, as well as exchange of knowledge and experience of both companies, Interfax-Ukraine reports. The potential and experience of employees, as well as the challenges both companies face will allow us to get mutual benefit from this cooperation, Ozhech said. Cooperation between the companies will concern, in particular, maintenance and upgrading contact networks, quality control, electricity distribution, as well as introduction of modern IT tools to support growth of efficiency. PKP Energetyka has been operating in the Polish market since 2001. Its core business is the sale and supply of electricity and operation of power supply services. The owner is CVC Capital Partners investment fund. The speeches are over, the national political conventions are history, and the road to the White House is entering the final stretch. It is clear from the candidates financial disclosures that both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are well set for retirement. What is less clear is how a Clinton or Trump administration would affect the general taxpayers retirement. The candidates and their respective party platforms both support the Social Security system and want to strengthen it, but in very different ways. The Democratic Partys platform calls for protecting and expanding Social Security and fighting every effort to cut, privatize, or weaken it. This would mean going against many reforms that have been proposed previously, such as raising the retirement age, cutting cost-of-living adjustments, and reducing earned benefits. Clinton has proposed raising the cap on income that is subject to the Social Security tax (currently $118,500) and expanding the Social Security tax to investment income. The Republican Partys platform calls for preserving and modernizing a system of retirement security and states that saving Social Security is our moral obligation to those who have trusted in the governments word. However, Republicans oppose tax increases and look to the power of the markets to create wealth and secure the future of the Social Security system. The platform calls for all options to be considered in preserving Social Security and notes that current retirees and those close to retirement can be assured of their benefits. Trump has stated that economic growth is the key to preserving Social Security, and that having a robust economy that is growing will help secure Social Security for the future. The candidates and their party platforms provide little detail on positions related to private retirement plans, such as defined benefit plans, 401(k) plans, and IRAs. The Democratic Party platform calls for enacting legislation to ensure that Americans earned pension benefits will not be cut and proposes to pay for it by closing tax loopholes that benefit millionaires and billionaires. The platform also supports the Department of Labors (DOL) recently released fiduciary rule, stating that Democrats will fight against any attempt by Republicans in Congress or on Wall Street to roll back the conflict-of-interest rule. Hillary Clinton also has publicly stated her support for the DOLs final fiduciary rule. It is clear from an analysis of the candidates tax proposals, however, that retirement plans will be affected, regardless of whether Clinton or Trump is the next president. Both have indicated that they would propose limiting the tax benefits for certain income tax deductions and exclusions (not including charitable contributions), such as deductible IRA contributions and 401(k) plan exclusions from income. Hillary Clintons tax proposal would increase taxes on high-income households and implement the Buffet Rule that would impose a minimum tax rate of 30 percent of adjusted gross income (AGI) on filers with AGI greater than $1 million. In addition, Clinton would cap the tax value of specified deductions or AGI exclusions to 28 percent. The tax value of the exclusion for employee contributions would be reduced to a maximum of 28 percent for defined contribution retirement plans and IRAs instead of allowing taxpayers to exclude the contributions from the full 33 percent, 35 percent, or 39.6 percent that they would otherwise owe. Taxpayers in the 28 percent and lower brackets would be unaffected. Another Clinton proposal would limit contributions to tax-favored retirement accounts, including defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, and IRAs, once the total of all tax-favored retirement account balances reaches the level adequate to finance the maximum annuity currently permitted for defined benefit plans. Under the proposal, the account balance limit for an individual age 62 in 2015, would be approximately $3.4 million. Both of these proposals were part of President Obamas final fiscal year budget proposal, as well as previous Obama administration budget proposals. Donald Trumps tax proposal would reduce the current seven income tax bracketswhich range from 10 percent to 39.6 percentto just three, and dramatically streamline the process. Trump initially proposed three tax brackets of 10 percent, 20 percent, and 25 percent, but has since modified his proposal, adopting the same tax brackets12 percent, 25 percent, and 33 percentthat House Republicans have proposed. Like Hillary Clintons proposal, Donald Trumps plan also would limit the tax value of certain itemized deductions and exclusions. Trumps campaign has not specified how it would limit certain itemized deductions and exclusions, but the expectation is that the limitation would be set at 10 percent. This would reduce the tax value for those itemized deductions and exclusions for taxpayers in all three of Trumps proposed tax brackets. It is still two months before the presidential election, but it is very clear that regardless of who is elected, tax reform will be on the agenda come next January, and tax-favored retirement savings incentives will be under scrutiny. Stay tuned. Talking Points: Crude oil prices fell after the EIA reported a 14.5 million barrel draw on crude inventories The 14.5 million barrel decrease was the largest since Jan 1, 1999, w hich saw 15.2 mb removed Large decreases in crude oil inventories may impact prices as supply glut fears ease Want to learn more about the DailyFX SSI indicator? Click here to watch a tutorial Crude oil prices spiked approximately 2.3 percent this morning following the release of the Energy Information Agencys weekly inventory report. The data showed US crude inventories decreased by 14.5 million barrels from the previous week - the largest recorded, single-week draw since the opening week of 1999. Inventories being held at the Oklahoma Cushing reserve fell by 434 thousand barrels, and gasoline inventories fell by 4.2 million barrels. This data comes just a day after the America Petroleum Institute reported a 12 million barrel draw in crude inventories. The large drop in inventories may have moved prices as it directly impacts the current status of US oil supply a country that represents one of the largest supplies and consumers of the commodity. Easing of the oil supply glut is generally bullish for prices. However, the permanence of this supply-demand rebalance should not be concluded from this update alone. Some analysts are pointing out that this slide in holdings may also be a temporary response to the inclement weather with Tropical Storm Newton and Hurricane Hermine diverting shipments. OPEC members are also set to meet at the end of this month at the side lines of an energy conference in Algeria. Members and non-members reportedly plan to discuss cooperative production policies that may help to further ease the downward pressure on oil prices. Tomorrow the Baker Hughes rig count report will be released at 17:00 GMT. (Data from Bloomberg) From our Correspondent Shri Ganesha Temple (SGT) in Adelaides southern suburb Oaklands Park in South Australia is reportedly planning a $600,000 expansion to host bigger events, weddings, classes, etc. This Temple, built at the site of a former Lutheran Church, has approached City of Marion regarding this project and Citys Development Assessment Panel, whose task is to assess proposed development, will consider its proposals, reports suggest. Expansion plans at SGT, a State Heritage Place, reportedly include building an outdoor cooking area, dining room extension, etc. Meanwhile, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, urged South Australia and Australia governments to provide generous grants for upgrades of this Temple so that it could accommodate the growing Hindu community effectively. Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, commended efforts of Temple leaders and area community towards running this Hindu temple complex. Rajan Zed further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this Temple would help in this direction. Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realization of Self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism. SGT, reportedly conceived by the Hindu Society of South Australia in 1985 and formally opened in 2001, serves over 20,000 Hindus; including immigrants from India, Mauritius, South Africa, Fiji, Trinidad, Sri Lanka, Guyana, Surinam, Malaysia, etc.; besides students. Ganesha is the presiding deity at the Temple, where other deities include Laxmi Narayan; Durga, Laxmi and Saraswati; Muruga Valli and Deivanai; Hanuman; Bhairava; Navagraha; and Shiva Linga. This Temple, which opens daily; besides offering worship services and being a social gathering place; also holds various festivals, satsangs, pujas; runs a children library; undertakes various community assistance programs; organizes blood donation campaigns; helps new migrants; and offers food donations and educational scholarships. It organized over 80 festivals in 2015. Milk Abhishekam here costs $50, reports indicate. Siva Selvakulalingam, Kewal Suri and Usha Rajagopalan are President, Vice President and Secretary respectively of SGT; while Skandarajah Kurukkal and Ashok Sharma are Chief Priest and Assistant Priest. Oaklands Park in the City of Marion is best known for Westfield Marion shopping complex. Kris Hanna is Mayor of the City of Marion, while Gavin Lloyd-Jones is the Presiding Member of Marions Development Assessment Panel. HONOLULU, Wednesday, September 7, 2016 The World Conservation Congress yesterday formally adopted a motion against Japans research whaling program, which is used as a front to kill whales for commercial sale. The motion calls on Japan to stop issuing special permits for whaling in the Antarctic and western North Pacific oceans and for all International Whaling Commission (IWC) members to refrain from issuing any further permits. The motionwas overwhelmingly approved earlier via an electronic vote of those voting, 93 percent of government members and 96 percent of NGO members supported the motion and adopted by the Congress today.Japans scientific whaling program is permitted through a loophole in the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW) and has led to the commercial slaughter of over 15,000 whales since 1988, including over 10,000 within the South Ocean Whale Sanctuary established in 1994. Meat and other products of the hunt are sold for commercial gain, thereby circumventing the global ban on commercial whaling approved by the IWC in 1982. In the 2015-2016 whaling season, Japan took all the whales in its self-allocated quota (333 minke whales), including 157 pregnant females.The world has spoken and the message is clear: stop killing whales. The decisive action today by the World Conservation Congress is a win for the whales, stated Taryn Kiekow-Heimer, a senior policy analyst with the Natural Resources Defense Councils Marine Mammal Protection Project. It harpoons Japans scientific research whaling program and recognizes that there is no legitimate reason to kill thousands of whales in order to study them.Japans farcical claims that it must kill whales for science have been rejected repeatedly by many cetacean scientists, the majority of IWC member governments, and now by the World Conservation Congress, explained DJ Schubert, wildlife biologist at the Animal Welfare Institute. Instead of continuing to ignore government opinion and scientific reasoning, its time for Japan to discard its harpoons and embrace nonlethal tools to study whales.With scientific and legal opinion against it, with nearly two dozen IWC resolutions opposing its whaling, and given overwhelming public sentiment in favor of whales, Japans intransigence is incomprehensible, noted Pam Eiser, president of Project Jonah Australia. Until the whaling ships no longer sail, Japans reputation will continue to be damaged by its dying whaling industry.In 2014, the International Court of Justice held that Japans purportedly scientific whaling program in the Antarctic was not conducted for the purposes of scientific research and therefore was in violation of Article VIII of the ICRW. In 2015, a number of scientists affiliated with the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission comprised of the worlds foremost experts on whales concluded that Japans whaling program was not scientifically justified.We welcome this latest condemnation of Japan's so called scientific whaling from this important expert body. Japan's whale killing meets no real scientific needs, stated Kitty Block, vice president of Humane Society International. It is solely a mechanism to allow commercial hunts to continue. The world's leading experts are not convinced by either of Japans scientific or legal arguments to continue whaling. Japan at long last, must end this charade.Tokyo, take note! said Patrick Ramage, whale program director at the International Fund for Animal Welfare. The international community is charting a course for collaborative whale science in the 21st century. The Government of Japan should be leading that effort, not trying to turn back the tide.The World Conservation Congress is hosted every four years by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and is currently meeting in Hawaii. The Congress has brought togethermore than 8,000 delegates including government officials, scientists, and policy experts from more than 180 countries, including Japan to discuss solutions to the worlds most pressing environment and development challenges.###About the Animal Welfare InstituteThe Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1951 and dedicated to reducing animal suffering caused by people. AWI engages policymakers, scientists, industry, and the public to achieve better treatment of animals everywhere in the laboratory, on the farm, in commerce, at home, and in the wild. For more information, visit http://www.awionline.org About Humane Society InternationalHumane Society International and its partner organizations together constitute one of the worlds largest animal protection organizations. For more than 25 years, HSI has been working for the protection of all animals through the use of science, advocacy, education and hands on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty worldwide on the Web at hsi.org.About the International Fund for Animal WelfareFounded in 1969, IFAW saves animals in crisis around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit http://www.ifaw.org . Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.About the Natural Resources Defense CouncilThe Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 2 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at http://www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.About Project Jonah AustraliaFounded in Australia in 1975 Project Jonah is dedicated to achieving a world-wide ban on commercial whaling. Our first success was in leading the campaign to turn Australia from a whaling country to a prominent advocate for whale conservation. We are committed to the conservation and welfare of all cetaceans. This week, participants at an international conservation meeting in Hawaii set a new bar in the conservation of imperiled sharks by overwhelming voting in favor of a resolution to increase protections for silky sharks, a species facing dangerous declines due to industrial fishing practices. The resolution, advanced by Turtle Island Restoration Network, PRETOMA, and Nakawe Project at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress, received 95 percent favorable votes from participating countries and non-governmental organizations. For Immediate ReleaseCONTACT:Joanna McWilliamsCommunications DirectorTurtle Island Restoration NetworkCell: (415) 488-7711Randall ArauzInternational Policy DirectorTurtle Island Restoration Network (Costa Rica)Cell: (506) 8344-3711Silky Sharks Singled Out as Species to Protect at International Conservation Meeting in HawaiiHonolulu (September 8, 2016) This week, participants at an international conservation meeting in Hawaii set a new bar in the conservation of imperiled sharks by overwhelming voting in favor of a resolution to increase protections for silky sharks, a species facing dangerous declines due to industrial fishing practices. The resolution, advanced by Turtle Island Restoration Network, PRETOMA, and Nakawe Project at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress, received 95 percent favorable votes from participating countries and non-governmental organizations. This advisory resolution is an important building block for next months critical Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) meeting later this month in South Africa.Earlier this week IUCN members to voted overwhelming to pass Resolution 23 to support the conservation and management of silky sharks. The resolution is an important first step in ensuring the survival of silky sharks, a species which is targeted for their valuable fins and is considered to be in need of greater protections."I am encouraged that fellow NGOs, scientists and governments overwhelming recognize the need to protect silky sharks on a global scale," said Randall Arauz, International Policy Director of Turtle Island Restoration Network and 2010 Goldman Environmental Prize Winner. "But to truly protect silky sharks, we need to binding regulations in place, and we can achieve that at the upcoming meeting in South Africa," he added.Motions such as the silky shark protection Resolution 23 are proposed by IUCN Members every four years to set priorities for the group as a whole, which is made up of a diverse membership of state and government agencies, NGOs, and networks and thousands of experts. A resolution is a first step in getting global protections for species at the upcoming CITES meeting, which takes place from September 26 October 6, in Johannesburg, South Africa.At the CITES meeting, conservationists are supporting a proposal from the Maldives to list the silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) under Appendix II of CITES. Listing a species provides it with special protections globally. In the case of the silky shark, fishing nations would need to provide scientific evidence on the sustainability of their extraction for export. If that information is not provided, then the international trade of the species is barred.Silky sharks are the most common shark caught incidentally by tuna longline and purse seine fisheries throughout their range, particularly those using fish aggregating devices. Silky sharks are the most-caught species in longline fisheries in the Eastern Pacific, constituting up to 90 percent of the total catch of sharks. The species ranks 2nd or 3rd in Hong Kong shark fin markets. Silky sharks are classified as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In the Central and Eastern Tropical Pacific silky sharks are even more endangered and classified as vulnerable. Whilst the capture and retention of this species is banned in the Atlantic by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), its catches in the Pacific remain unencumbered.Conservationists are also supporting proposals to list thresher sharks and mobula rays under Appendix II of CITES.Background Information on CITES & Proposal Support:Countries that support a silky shark listing under Appendix II: Bahamas, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, the Comoros, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, the European Union, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Maldives, Mauritania, Palau, Panama, Samoa, Senegal, Sri Lanka and Ukraine.Countries that support a thresher shark listing under Appendix II of CITES: Bahamas, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, the Comoros, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, the European Union, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Maldives, Mauritania, Palau, Panama, Samoa, Senegal, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Ukraine.Countries that support a mobula ray listing under Appendix II of CITES: Bahamas, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, the Comoros, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, the European Union, Fiji, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Maldives, Mauritania, Palau, Panama, Samoa, Senegal, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and the United States of America.CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Currently CITES is comprised of 184 members.For more information about the IUCN Congress visit: http://iucnworldconservationcongress.org/presse/about-iucn-congress Click here to view Resolution 23: https://seaturtles.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/023-Shark-resolution-approved.pdf ###Turtle Island Restoration Network works to mobilize people and communities around the world to protect marine wildlife, the oceans and the inland waterways that sustain them. Join us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. SeaTurtles.org Bailey Lauerman has named an Omaha native and University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate as its new chief executive officer. The Omaha-based advertising agency, which was founded in Lincoln, announced that Greg Andersen took over the top job this week. Andersen comes to Bailey Lauerman from RAPP, where he served as president of RAPP US and managing director of RAPP Los Angeles. Bailey Lauerman said in a news release that Andersen has more than 25 years of experience at top advertising agencies in New York and Los Angeles and has worked with notable brands, including Google, Cadillac, Toyota, Westin Hotels, Axe and Mattel. "I am truly honored to be joining Bailey Lauerman," Andersen said in the release. "As a proud Nebraska native, Ive always tracked the agency's success, so to have the opportunity to help build a world-class agency here in my home state is a unique opportunity for me. Andersen replaces Andy Fletcher, who left the firm in July after a little more than four years as CEO. Fletcher's departure came just months after an audit found that Bailey Lauerman had overrun contracts with the Nebraska Tourism Commission by $4.4 million while working on the state tourism marketing campaign "Visit Nebraska. Visit Nice." Company officials said Fletcher's departure had nothing to do with the audit, but they did not say why he left the company. It was during Fletcher's tenure, in 2013, that Bailey Lauerman shifted its headquarters and most of its employees to Omaha from Lincoln, where it was founded in 1970. 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 Were excited to announce that metalbulletin.com is now part of fastmarkets.com. A new look and an improved experience means you can still stay ahead of this fast-moving metals market with price data, news and market intelligence right here on Fastmarkets. Discover more than 2000 prices, news and analysis in primary and secondary metals markets. We cover base metals, industrial minerals, ores and alloys, steel, scrap and steel raw materials. If you already have a Fastmarkets account, youll still have uninterrupted access to your markets by logging in with your current details. The Lincoln metropolitan area exported a record amount of goods in 2015. The U.S Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration on Thursday said that exports from the Lincoln Metropolitan Statistical Area rose $15 million in 2015 to an all-time high of $1.2 billion. Lincoln was one of 119 metro areas to see export growth in 2015 and one of 63 to hit a record. Top exports from the area, according to the Commerce Department, were transportation equipment, chemicals, and computer and electronic products. Embattled state Sen. Bill Kintner is accusing Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers of targeting his wife in a recent rhyming memo circulated around the Capitol. Chambers has authored a dozen such "Kintner-grams" in the weeks since Kintner admitted using his state-owned laptop to have cybersex with a stranger during a trip to Boston last year. But the latest writing, dated Tuesday, "is a new low," Kintner said in a news release. The three-page memo includes a vivid dramatization of Kintner's encounter and a blurred-out photo of his wife, Lauren, and questions whether the Papillion senator engaged with the stranger because he was dissatisfied with his "wifey." It also appears to allude to Lauren Kintner's struggle with ovarian cancer. Bill Kintner accused Chambers of attacking and making fun of his wife and her medical condition. "This is beyond two politicians arguing over policy or personal differences," Kintner told the Journal Star on Thursday. "This is a politician going after another politician's wife." "I expect Chambers to be a man and apologize to my wife," he said in the news release. Chambers could not immediately be reached for comment, although he has said his goal with the memo was to portray Lauren Kintner as a victim of her husband's behavior and his refusal to resign from office. In the memo, Chambers compared Lauren Kintner to other political spouses who "play the role of 'Forgiving Wife.'" Lauren Kintner is chief policy adviser to Gov. Pete Ricketts, who joined leaders in the Legislature calling for Bill Kintner to step down after the cybersex scandal was made public. Kintner has refused, saying he apologized to God and his wife, and later to his fellow senators and constituents. His decision to remain in office has vexed many fellow lawmakers. The Legislature's Executive Board has held two public hearings to weigh responses ranging from punishment to impeachment, and last week issued a letter telling Kintner to resign by Sept. 2 or face consequences. He again refused to step down before the deadline, but the Executive Board hasn't responded, and canceled a meeting set for this week to discuss the issue. Chambers, a member of the Executive Board, has said he would be unsatisfied with any action short of removing Kintner from the Legislature. Kintner and Chambers, outspoken personalities from opposite ends of the political spectrum, have sparred for years. And even before the cybersex scandal, Kintner was a regular target of Chambers' writings. "I don't particularly read these things," Kintner said Thursday. A conservative activist from Omaha accused Chambers last month of misusing public resources by printing the memos with state government letterhead using a copying machine at the Capitol. That complaint cites the same law under which Kintner was fined $1,000 on Aug. 5 for misusing his state laptop for cybersex. Now, Kintner said, "I'm being a man and standing up for my wife, and that's the right thing to do." - The Nigerian federal government has made plans to employ 100,000 graduates - The plan is to send these graduates into farms as extension workers - These graduates will help push the federal government's food drive Nigerian students farming in a school As the prices of foodstuff continue to skyrocket, the Nigerian federal government is set to turn things around. According to Vanguard, over 100,000 graduates are to be employed by the federal government. These graduates will be assigned to farms in all local government councils across the country, as extension workers to help government actualize its food production drive to increase the availability of food in the country. Chief Audu Ogbeh, the minister of agriculture and rural development, made this known shortly after he inspected various Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), improved agronomics practice farms at Sumaka and Taraku in Guma and Gwer local government areas of Benue state. READ ALSO: Controversy: JOB VACANCY! Pay N150000 to get teachers job Mr Auta Appeh, the Senior Adviser to the minister on international donor partners said the initiatives were necessary because government is doing everything to encourage our youths to take up farming as a business and not as a hobby. Dr Ameh Onoja the national programme coordinator of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD-VCDP), said that the organisation had constructed roads, cleared farmlands and provided inputs through its matching grants to farmers to help boost growth in the sector. READ ALSO: Fast all in one -- UC Browser Acting chairman of Guma local government, Chief Gbor Igyo, also urged government to urgently provide tractors and other farming implements and inputs to farmers if the food sufficiency campaign of the present administration would become a reality. Meanwhile, there were reports that a recently commenced recruitment exercise which held simultaneously at the 17 local government areas of Enugu state, as well as the College of Immaculate Conception (CIC), Enugu, witnessed a turn-out of thousands of applicants. Whereas those whose names were shortlisted had their examination at the designated council areas, the CIC played host to thousands of applicants who had their names missing in the list. However, signs that all was not well with the exercise started showing early in the morning as the applicants at the CIC waited from 7 am till 4 pm before the process for the test commenced. It was revealed that the recruitment was fraudulent. Source: Legit.ng Marjorie "Marge" Jane Hampton, 86, of Lincoln, passed away on September 5, 2016. She was born on December 27, 1929, to Joseph and Anna (Karlsson) Johnson in Oakland. She was a farm girl at heart and even towards the end was telling stories about her farm life. She graduated from Lyons High School in 1947. She came to Lincoln and studied at UNL in Home Economics and then met her husband, Joe Hampton, and they were married May 3, 1953. She was an integral part in her husband's business, Hampton Enterprises, where she loved to design house plans and decorate show homes in the early years. She was vital in helping run East Hills Country Club, which her husband also owned. She was very active in community groups in Lincoln; LaSertoma, Home Builder's Women's Auxiliary, and Tabitha to name a few. She did all this while raising two kids. She even had her pilot's license so she could fly alongside her husband when they enjoyed many trips to Minnesota and Colorado with the kids. She also loved to spend time at their summer cabin in Fremont where Marge learned to water ski and she spent time out in their condo in Keystone, Colo., where she loved to snow ski. She and Joe loved to travel across the U.S. and abroad. They also enjoyed their local "Dinner" group where they made life-long friends. She was a talented artist and left many beautiful oil landscaped pictures to cherish. Alzheimer's struck her about ten years ago and she battled the disease with much grace. She will be missed but she is freed from the cruelty of Alzheimer's. Marjorie is survived by her husband, Joe Hampton of Lincoln, son, Bob & (Sherri) Hampton of Fremont, daughter, Lori Hampton & (Scott Dunn) of Lincoln, granddaughters Amy & (Joel) Bond of Commerce City, Colo., Raeann Bronder of Lincoln, grandsons, Ty & (Theresa) Hampton of Anchorage, Alaska, Radd Bronder of Lincoln, great-grandchildren, Ryder and Lincoln Hampton of Anchorage, and Riley and Hayden of Commerce City and many other nieces, nephews, and cousins which she adored. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Judith Johnson, Glaydce Loomis (Johnson), brother Richard Johnson. Funeral service: 1 p.m. Sunday, September 11, at Roper and Sons Chapel, 4300 'O' Street. Visitation from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, September 10, at Roper and Sons. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, to Alzheimer's Association Nebraska Chapter, 1500 S. 70th St., Lincoln, NE 68506. Condolences online at Roperandsons.com A small army of volunteers searched the square mile surrounding Ann Marie Kelleys home a few days after she disappeared on April 15, 2008. The rural Filley woman had taken off once before, leaving for a night before returning home in the morning, but this time she hadn't come back. The last anyone heard from the 37-year-old was earlier that day, when she keyed in to her job at Southeast Community College in Beatrice, and later called her boss about an issue with one of her kids at school. The final text message sent from her phone was a simple "What's up?" to her husband, William. After that, Ann Marie and the dark gray 1991 Plymouth Voyager minivan with wood paneling she was last seen driving in Beatrice vanished. Her family learned she was missing when Head Start called to say no one showed up to pick up the Kelleys' youngest child, or two others from St. Paul's Lutheran School. That night, William called Ann Marie's sister, Rhonda Rickers, asking what he should do. William later called Beatrice police at 7:30 p.m. to report his wife missing, and the sheriffs office responded. At first, it was just a missing persons case, said Randy Ritnour, who was county attorney until 2011 and who spearheaded much of the early effort to find Ann Marie. Law enforcement focused on finding the boxy minivan -- the kind that would stick out in 2008 -- and distributed Ann Maries drivers license photo. The hope was if someone spotted the vehicle Ann Marie wouldnt be far away, said Sheriff Millard "Gus" Gustafson. Neither turned up, despite a deluge of tips from all corners of the state and beyond, including one describing a woman resembling Ann Marie driving a van in Wyoming. It was a coincidence, Ritnour said. Investigators traveled to Wyoming, where they met a woman named Anne Kelly driving an early 1990s minivan. But it was not the Ann Marie Kelley they were looking for. * * * The investigation shifted back to the Kelley house. A search of the property turned up drugs, Ritnour said, and an angry William Kelley sped home to confront law enforcement, more upset with the direction of the investigation than the fact his wife was missing. Unbeknownst to William, he was becoming a suspect. The summer before, according to former coworkers interviewed by deputies, William had talked about killing his wife and bragged that he knew several bodies of water in the area deep enough that he could get a vehicle into it and that no one would be able to find. But the coworkers had brushed aside his comments at the time. They knew him to be a hothead who often argued with his wife over money troubles. With a new direction to search, Nebraska State Patrol divers waded into farm ponds, sand pits and limestone quarries dotting Gage County to look for vehicles. The sheriffs office bought a sonar device to scan the muddy bottoms for a minivan. Nothing tied to the case has been found. Investigators pried into phone records to look for clues to Ann Marie's disappearance. Court records show William reported finding a note, as well as Ann Maries cellphone, on a pillow in the couples bedroom at around 12:30 a.m. on April 16, 2008. The search of the house, however, also led deputies to discover Kelley had been trading drugs and alcohol with a teenage girl for sex. Deputies arrested William Kelley, charging him with child abuse, drug possession, providing false information on a handgun application and being a felon in possession of a firearm. A little more than a year after his wife disappeared, William Kelley was sentenced to 16 years in the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution by Judge Daniel E. Bryan Jr. He is scheduled for a parole hearing later this month, court records show. At a post-sentencing hearing, Kelley requested Gage County return several items taken from his property: VCR tapes, a fishing boat and pictures. Bryan asked Ritnour if there was any reason to deny the request. We believe she might be dead, Ritnour told the court. So we need to keep the evidence. Bryan sided with Gage County, in whose hands the evidence remains, although Kelley has never been charged in Ann Maries disappearance. His alibi: Kelley was with his employer from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Lincoln on April 15, 2008, and didnt return to Gage County until around 5 p.m. The last message from Ann Marie's phone was sent around 12:30 that afternoon. The case remains an active homicide investigation, Gage County Attorney Roger Harris said, and the sheriffs office as well as the State Patrol are still looking into leads and combing over old evidence. Well treat it as a homicide until they show it differently," Harris said. Missing persons cases -- like homicides -- are treated carefully by law enforcement, although cases involving adults can often be tricky, particularly when time has passed, he said. Were going to stay on top of it and continue to search for an answer, the county attorney said. Sometimes it comes from the dangdest places, but its difficult for the family when you start wanting to have closure. * * * The day William was arrested, Rickers went to bring three of Ann Marie's kids home to the house she shares with her husband, Dale. I was informed they were going to be at the house, they were going to put them into foster care, so I went to pick them up, Rickers said. We thought Ann would be coming home soon. She never has. Nor has she withdrawn money from her bank account, nor made any attempt to contact her children, now teenagers growing up in the Rickers home. The family has reached closure, in some sense, even as questions about Ann Marie persist. The contents of the note left on Ann Maries pillow remain a mystery, as do other details about the house that night. Some cellphones tied to the case were also destroyed as the investigation widened beyond a missing persons case, Ritnour said. Rickers asked deputies if Ann Maries glasses or contacts were left at the home. Ann Marie couldnt see without them, she told investigators, and it would be unlikely she would leave them behind if she left on her own. But answers -- there have been three lead investigators from Gage County on the case over the past eight years -- have been hard to come by. The three younger Kelley kids living with Rickers still wonder about their mother. The youngest for a time believed his mother was at the bottom of the ocean after being attacked by whales. The older kids voiced theories that Ann Marie fled to Mexico in that dark gray 1991 Plymouth Voyager minivan with wood paneling to escape the husband she feared. Once, the kids wanted to retrieve old family videos from the rural Filley home, to remember what their mothers voice sounded like and to see her in motion, but pornography had been recorded over all the tapes, Rickers said. Its never easy to talk about, and while the kids have moved on to make friends and make the honor roll, a missing mother and a father in prison are never far from their minds, Rickers said. In those conversations, Rickers often finds a common refrain: Were not in control and we dont know why this happened. Our faith, at least for me and my husband, and were trying to instill that into them, is the comfort we have, she said. We honestly believe shes in Gods arms. Through a supportive family and others, Rickers said, the family has been pushing through. Prayer, thats the biggest thing. The power of prayer," she said. Fliers showing Ann Marie and her minivan are still posted around Beatrice, and the sheriffs department is still investigating leads as they come in. A few years ago, Gustafson said, the department even asked a nationally known psychic to look into Ann Marie's disappearance. It is what it is, he said at the time. Were trying everything. There is an active warrant for Ann Maries arrest tied to the drugs found in the home, although officers say its in hopes that if she does cross law enforcements path, shell become a blip on the radar once more. If her remains are ever found, the DNA will be compared to samples taken from her children. Rickers said she hopes someone who knows something about her sisters disappearance will come forward, although she believes the one who knows most about it sits in a Nebraska prison. Ritnour, the former prosecutor, said what he thinks happened to Ann Marie and what he can prove are two different things. I think she was killed and we just dont know where the body is, he said. Just in Gage County alone, theres a lot of woolly country out there, and theres a lot of open space, he added. If something has happened to Ann Marie Kelley, unless somebody just happened to cross it, that might be the only way you find her out there. An 80-year-old Kansas woman died Wednesday afternoon after being thrown from her vehicle in a rollover crash east of Stromsburg, Polk County Sheriff Dwaine Ladwig said in a news release. Deloris and Maewethers Marshall, of Kansas City, were found by rescue crews around 2:30 p.m. along 126th Road, Ladwig said. Deloris, who wasn't wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene, the release said. Her husband, who was driving and wearing a seat belt, was taken to Annie Jeffery Health Center in Osceola. His condition wasn't immediately known. Investigators don't know why the couple were in rural Polk County, Ladwig said. At Wednesdays Commander-in-Chief Forum hosted by Matt Lauer on NBC, the two major party candidates clashed on a number of topics, but none more so than their past positions on the Iraq War. Donald Trump asserted that he had opposed the war from the outset (I was totally against the war in Iraq) while Hillary Clinton accused him of lying about his position, stating: I have taken responsibility for my decision, Clinton said. He refuses to take responsibility for his support that is a judgment issue. No follow-up question was asked, prompting outrage from Clinton-supporting talking heads in the media and writers like Matthew Yglesias of Vox (or VOX as I like to call it in reference to its obvious bias). Dissatisfied with the way Matt Lauer conducted the presidential forum, they argued the host should have called out Trump for saying he did not support the war. In truth, though Mr. Trump said that he supported the war once in 2002 during an interview with Howard Stern, his position was non-committal at best. When Stern asked if he supported the war, his response was, Yeah, I guess so. By 2004, the GOP nominee had completely come out against the war, as he told Esquire in August of that year: Does anybody really believe that Iraq is going to be a wonderful democracy where people are going to run down to the voting box and gently put in their ballot and the winner is happily going to step up to lead the country? Cmon. Two minutes after we leave, theres going to be a revolution, and the meanest, toughest, smartest, most vicious guy will take over What was the purpose of this whole thing? Hundreds and hundreds of young people killed. And what about the people coming back with no arms and legs? Not to mention the other side. All those Iraqi kids whove been blown to pieces. And it turns out that all of the reasons for the war were blatantly wrong. All this for nothing! On the other side, Clinton maintained her support for the war well into the next decade, though she did offer criticisms as early as 2003 about the way the Bush administration was handling the effort. In 2008 it became one of Barack Obamas greatest lines of attack against her. It was not until her 2014 book, Hard Choices, which followed her failed presidential bid, that Clinton called her yes vote which she cast with conviction, a mistake, let alone offered up regret for casting it. The motivation for this change of heart is also suspect given the timing (the 2016 race around the corner) and her proclivity for military intervention. For example, Mrs. Clinton was the driving force behind U.S. actions in Libya, and, according to inside sources, she does not regret it. The difference here is that while Clinton was a Senator at the beginning of the war, charged with making actual leadership decisions for the country, Trump was a celebrity offering opinions consistent with popular sentiment at the time. In March of 2003, 75 percent of Americans supported war with Iraq. By the time Trump gave his Esquire interview, that number had fallen to about half. At the same time, only one to two percent of Americans had no opinion either way. To compare Clintons and Trumps culpability for supporting the war in 2003 is unfair, as the former clearly bears the lions share of the blame. While celebrities do wield influence over the public, they are not elected leaders; for better or worse they are not held to the same standard. However, it is appropriate to question Trumps judgment for going along with popular sentiment at the time. Leadership surely involves taking a more committed stance than I guess. Still, one would hope that in staking a position, they take the right one. Clinton steadfastly supported the war in spite of public opinion for over a decade and her opposition may be politically motivated. Lauer could have dug deeper into both candidates, the fact is neither candidate really owns this issue. And then, the only reason we care at all about what Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump said or did regarding the Iraq War is we want to gauge how they would handle foreign policy as President of the United States. According to OnTheIssues, the nonpartisan nonprofit which tracks candidates positions, Clinton is more hawkish than Trump, in spite of some outlandish statements the latter has made (some of which have shocked some of our allies). Multilateralism: Hillary accepts the current framework of American engagement with allies around the world; Trump would re-negotiate most of them (but he is not an isolationist, like some Republicans who reject the current international framework). Mideast intervention: Hillary favors keeping America engaged militarily, while Trump opposes most military action, especially in the Middle East. This reverses the standard party positions: Hillary is more hawkish than Trump. In Syria in particular our next potentially big conflict we see the differences. Mrs. Clinton has called for a full review of the administrations policies. According to insiders like Jeremy Bash, former Pentagon and CIA chief of staff, Mrs Clinton believes that problems around the world can more easily be solved when America is involved and in each of those problems or crisis. In the past Clinton has favored military involvement arming the rebels as well as airstrikes and the creation of no-fly zones. On the other hand, Trump generally favors economic support to create a safe zone. He has hinted at support for airstrikes against ISIS, but he has also said he does not support our military getting bogged down in Syria or training rebels, and that he favors Russian involvement. I dont trust him [Putin]. But the truth is, its not a question of trust. I dont want to see the United States get bogged down. Weve spent now $2 trillion in Iraq, probably a trillion in Afghanistan. Were destroying our country. As I have said before, this election, barring the very remote chance of a third party upset, comes down to a devil we know and one we do not. This is especially true in terms of foreign policy. Clinton is, at her core, a cringe-worthy militarist, and Trump is an unpromisingand potentially dangerouswild card. Some of us are born with a superb sense of direction. This sense could be remembering detailed street names and cardinal directions or landmarks like the Dairy Queen or the boulder that looks like Ashton Kutcher. In Iceland, it doesnt matter which sense of direction you are born with. If you are blessed with the latter, there is still a way you can deliver something to the desired location without an address. Three tourists drew a map on an envelope of a postcard to be delivered to a remote farm in western Iceland. The map did not include an address or name like most postage needs to be delivered to the location. The envelope only described who lived at the destination and gave a description of the destination. The postcard was successfully but surprisingly delivered to the farm in the Icelands Dalabygg region. It was sent from Reykjavik by the tourists who had been to Holar farm before but didnt remember the address. The owner of the farm, Rebecca Cathrine Kaadu Ostenfeld, posted a photo of the envelope that arrived at her farm on Facebook which went viral. Apparently, the map address works internationally. An individual in Russia saw the viral post online and sent a letter the same way the first envelope was delivered to the Holar Farm last month with the map which described the farm as a horse farm with an Icelandic/Danish couple and 3 kids and a lot of sheep! A British startup company is trying to eliminate street addresses around the world for three-word phrases, according to Quartz. The phases break down every corner of the world into nine-square-meter blocks. The system seems to be gaining popularity; Mongolia adopted the system in June, and Rio de Janeiro used the system to help visitors during the Olympics this year. If street addresses are completely eliminated, maybe there is hope for those of us who use bent stop signs and restaurants as landmarks to get from point A to point B. Lauren Spiler is a freelance journalist based in Athens, Georgia, but most call her Spiler. A New Wall Design Option for Commercial and Residential Interiors, Pattern Tiles Add Texture and Color Accents onto Walls 1 2 3 4 5 Sustainable Materials: Pattern Tiles - Arabic Sustainable Materials: Pattern Tiles - Classic Sustainable Materials: Pattern Tiles - No Touch Sustainable Materials: Pattern Tiles - Roots Pattern Tiles, Manufactured in Renewable Cork, Imported from Portugal End -- Sustainable Materials introduces Pattern Tiles, a wall decor innovation, to the U.S. and Canada. Pattern Tiles are three-dimensional pieces of the finest natural, renewable cork cut into patterns that allow the color of the wall on which they are applied to show through. Imagine personalizing the feeling of a room to suit your mood, or changing the character of a room to make a statement without repainting the walls. With an intriguing variety of organic, geometric, classical and techno designs, Pattern Tiles instantly transform the look of a room. Make it playful and charming, classically elegant, or confidently modern. Imported from Portugal, and pre-finished in a selection of 12 fashion-forward colors, Pattern Tiles are available in nine large-pattern motif styles and two smaller, mixed-pattern, multi-color mosaics."Traditionally, to dramatically change a room, you had to re-paint the walls or put up wallpaper. No more," said Pete Nichols, president, Sustainable Materials, LLC. "Applying Pattern Tiles to even just one wall creates an accent with a distinctive pattern, interesting texture, and a complementary or contrasting color. Self-adhesive and easy to apply, Pattern Tiles express the individual's personal inspiration."Manufactured on high precision industrial machines in sustainably harvested, rapidly renewable cork, a premium sustainable material for exceptional interior design and lifestyle products, Pattern Tiles are part of the Muratto Cork Wall Design Collection from Portugal. Available in the U.S. and Canada exclusively from Sustainable Materials, LLC, Muratto represents the fulfillment of more than 20 years of European design and manufacturing of fashionable interior finished products skillfully crafted in natural cork. Pattern Tiles are designed to add greater visual interest and impact on interior walls with the painted wall color as background,"said Vasco Barros, managing director of Muratto. "The motif styles emphasize shapes some bold, some subtle that reflect a variety of organic, geometric and classical themes. The mosaics recall ancient, hand-crafted tiles, re-imagined and reinvented for today."Headquartered in Boulder, Colo., Sustainable Materials, LLC is a branding, marketing and distribution company. Sustainable Materials specializes in exceptional interior design and lifestyle products imported from Europe. The company brings together U.S. buyers and European manufacturers of sustainable, green products that are distinctive in design, versatile and innovative in function, and proven in performance. For its manufacturing partners in Europe, Sustainable Materials provides winning strategies for entering the U.S. market. For its buyer partners in the U.S., Sustainable Materials provides the fashionable, sophisticated, and sustainable products that captivate discerning customers who desire to create interiors that are at once contemporary, cosmopolitan, and natural. Discover Sustainable Materials at www.sustainablematerials.com Stempson characterizes Joshua as someone who will fight the enemy where they are found and who will stop them from coming into our country. The book of Joshua recounts three military campaigns of an invasion force whose goal it is to conquer and displace indigenous populations with the goal of claiming their land based on an understanding that God had promised it to them, instead of those currently in possession of the land. The contents of the book of Joshua seem incongruous with what Stempson wants Trump to do. As such, Stempsons analogy is either lacking in biblical literacy or is a veiled call for Trump, presuming he is elected, to invade the lands held by, as he says, Muslim jihadists and Mexican drug lords. Neither option, an erroneous reference to biblical literature or a call for yet another U.S. military incursion, is desirable. Stempson asks that those who want to dispute this letter do so by defending Hillary Clinton, but one doesnt need to be a fan of Clinton to see the problems with his analogy. All one needs to do is read the Bible before one talks about what it says. End -- Sierra Nevada Cosmetic + Laser Surgery officially opened their doors on October 12, 2015 in Reno, Nevada. In the eleven months they have been open, they have seen many patients for a wide variety of facial plastic and reconstructive needs.The surgeon, Dr. Kyle Yamamoto, returns to his hometown after completing an extensive facial plastic surgery fellowship at the prestigious Emory University. He was mentored by Dr. Louis DeJoseph and brings a wealth of knowledge back with him to Northern Nevada. He is an expert in the complex and intricate structures of the face, and offers a wide range of both surgical and non-surgical skills to rejuvenate, reshape, and repair."Facial plastic surgery is the perfect blend of surgery, creativity, and artistic expression,"says Dr. Yamamoto. "The face is the most complex and beautiful creation of the human body."Located conveniently in the heart of Reno in the Plumgate Shopping Center, Dr. Yamamoto and his staff are excited to help give each patient a personalized experience. To schedule a complimentary consultation, contact the office at (775) 525-1712, or visit their website at http://www.sierracosmeticsurgery.com ReadyCEO's new content marketing services cater to small businesses with small monthly budgets, helping them reach the whopping 80% of today's audience that ignore ads. By: ReadyCEO Contact Sylvester Loh ***@readyceo.com Sylvester Loh End -- Today, ReadyCEO, a content marketing agency based in Singapore, officially launch to public an innovative suite of content marketing plans designed and priced for small, growing businesses.On the company's vision, ReadyCEO Founder Sylvester Loh said, "We want to help small businesses build big brands online. The proven effectiveness of content marketing can take them there much faster and cheaper."From just USD40 or SGD50 month to month - a fraction of what contract-based agencies are charging - small businesses can now start reaching a world of new audience through highly engaging content created or curated by ReadyCEO's content team. Busy business owners will be glad to know that all campaigns are fully managed, taking just 24hrs to go live from sign-up.This new service from ReadyCEO is tailored for busy business people, allowing them to fully focus on what really matters, that is the day to day running of their business.To learn more or sign-up for a free 15-day trial, visit ReadyCEO's website at https://readyceo.com US expats might move to Costa Rica after US presidential election results Contact Ivo Henfling American European Real Estate Group ***@american- european.net +506-22895125 Ivo HenflingAmerican European Real Estate Group+506-22895125 End -- Thousands of U.S. citizens and residents are asking themselves today if they really want to live in the United States once their new President is elected after the 2016 US elections, or move their family to another country. Just a few days ago, Roger Stone, a prominent Donald Trump supporter, told The Hill newspaper that "if Hillary wins, I'm moving to Costa Rica".The polls don't show how many voters and non-voting property investors and business ownners will not be happy with the outcome of the 2016 US elections and move elsewhere. Is Costa Rica an option? Mr. Roger Stone thinks so as well as many others do.Not surprisingly, after the Super Tuesday primaries, Google Trends shows that there is clearly a huge peak of Google searches on "moving to Costa Rica".The Huffington Post Canada writes "With every Trump victory, an increasing number of U.S. citizens are considering the possibility of moving to Canada". What many Clinton supporters might not realize is that Canada is pretty cold and Costa Rica offers a much warmer and sunnier future. Either way, Costa Rica will be in the picture again, just as it was during the 2006 2008 real estate boom. And Costa Rica real estate agents are getting ready for it.The American European real estate group, the largest Costa Rica Real Estate MLS, with 26 affiliate members, from Coast to Coast just welcomed its newest member: William Turley who covers the Guanacaste area between Canas and Bagaces, and mainly specializes in small, medium sized and large farms, where you will be able to invest in cattle ranches and/or crop farms as well as timber farms.The #1 MLS in Costa Rica now covers most of Costa Rica real estate, through its affiliates, from coast to coast.Find the weather of your choice before you purchase Costa Rica real estate in the wrong location. The locations we cover are Central Valley Guanacaste Zona Norte North Pacific Nicoya Peninsula Central Pacific - South Pacific Southern Caribbean.You just guessed it right, Costa Rica real estate, and the # 1 MLS in Costa Rica in particular, is ready for you if you want to move away after the 2016 US elections. Book your retirement or relocation tour https://godutchrealty.com/ Costa-Rica-Real- Estate-Blog/ Eve... in Costa Rica now.About American European Real Estate Group,The American European Real Estate Group is the leading English-language Costa Rica real estate MLS since 1996, featuring Costa Rica property for sale with over 2,000 up to date real estate listings with description and photos from coast to coast. For more details, visit our website https://www.american- european.net/ now. The Knowledge Group Live Webcast Series, the leading producer of regulatory focused webcasts, has announced today that Anthony Korda, Attorney, The Korda Law Firm will speak at the Knowledge Group's Event. End --https://theknowledgegroup.org/eb-5-program-reforms-on-the-horizon-implications-of-the-jay-peak-enforcement-live-webcast/Anthony Korda was admitted to the Bar of England and Wales in 1988 and prior to moving his practice to the US practiced in the English courts as a Barrister of the Supreme Court of England & Wales for many years.He is licensed as an Attorney in the State of California and is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Federal Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He now handles all aspects of employment, business and family immigration in the USA.Anthony is admitted to practice before the US Supreme Court, the California Supreme Court, the 9th and 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and the US District Courts for the Middle District of California and the Northern District of Florida.Anthony focuses his practice on EB-5 Related matters and has successfully filed hundreds of I-526 Investor Petitions Applications to I-829 Petitions to Remove Conditions of Residence and applied for I-924 Regional Center designation, Exemplar Approval and filed I-924 Annual Returns for many Clients.Anthony also works successfully with a number of Regional Centers as a reviewing Attorney and provides legal and administrative services to a number of Regional Centers.As an EB-5 Investor himself (originally from the United Kingdom) Anthony brings a unique perspective to the process.Fluent in English and German, Anthony practices from his offices in Naples-Florida, Beverly Hills-California and London-England.Anthony Korda at The Korda Law Firm is an Immigration Attorney who focuses his practice on Business and Family Immigration, with a particular emphasis on EB-5 cases. Anthony has successfully filed hundreds of I-526 and I-829 Petitions for EB-5 investors. He regularly advises Clients on the creation of new Regional Centers, amendments to Regional Center designation and works with developers seeking to raise Capital through the EB-5 Visa program.Originally from the UK where he practiced as a Barrister for many years, Anthony brought his family to the U.S. using the EB-5 visa program, giving him a unique perspective of the process.The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program ("EB-5 Program") is a U.S. immigration program that provides a path to U.S. citizenship for foreign investors who can demonstrate that their capital investment into an existing U.S. business resulted in the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs per foreign investor. The EB-5 Program is sometimes heralded as a successful immigration program since it promotes economic development through job creation.However, the EB-5 Program has recently become subject to increased scrutiny and enforcement actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In April 2016, the SEC filed a complaint against Jay Peak Ski Resort and its principals, Ariel Quiros and Bill Stenger, alleging violations of the anti-fraud provisions of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The complaint alleges that funds raised through the EB-5 Program were fraudulently diverted for uses not permitted under the EB-5 Program. More specifically, the SEC complaint alleges that more than $200 million was misappropriated in a Ponzi-like scheme. Among other things, the complaint also claims that Mr. Quiros allegedly stole approximately $50 million from foreign investors and that Mr. Stenger helped facilitate the fraud.While some argue that the Jay Peak complaint underscores the need for reform to the EB-5 Program, Congress has not yet passed legislation that would reform aspects of the EB-5 Program identified as problematic by EB-5 industry operators. It is therefore crucial for stakeholders, developers, regional centers, and immigration attorneys to advise and help implement key processes and best practices to ensure transparency and compliance for the EB-5 Program. In light of these issues, The Knowledge Group has put together a panel of industry leaders and professionals for a two-hour LIVE Webcast that will provide an in-depth discussion of the EB-5 Program and proposed reform measures, as well as the implications of the SEC enforcement action against Jay Peak.Some of the major topics that will be covered in this course are: EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program: Overview Implications of the Jay Peak Enforcement EB-5 Violations and Obligations Significant Lawsuits Due Diligence Considerations Compliance Responsibilities EB-5 Integrity Act Recent Legal Issues and Litigation Risks Best Practices in Mitigating Litigation Risks Best Risk Mitigation StrategiesThe Knowledge Group was established with the mission to produce unbiased, objective, and educational live webinars that examine industry trends and regulatory changes from a variety of different perspectives. The goal is to deliver a unique multilevel analysis of an important issue affecting business in a highly focused format. To contact or register for an event, please visit: http://theknowledgegroup.org/ 57 Individuals have just been recognized in a list of the highest-producing insurance brokers in the country. Contact Key Media ***@keymedia.com.au Key Media End --has released its 2016 Elite Brokers report, recognizing 57 insurance professionals who are leading the Canadian insurance market.Entry to the list was based on brokers' gross income over the last year. However,did not focus solely on executives from well-resourced brokerages but also rewarded local firms and niche brokers who are achieving big things in the industry."There are many other merits that combine to make for an elite broker," saidjournalist Heather Turner. "So it was important for us to not only recognize those who pulled in the most gross income last year but also be able to showcase the top brokers by province, by largest book of business, and those who wrote the most policies, as well as the top brokers with the highest average revenues per policy and per client."In the latest report,highlights the best of the best in the Canadian insurance industry who are shattering goals year after year.For the full report see issue 4.04 ofout now.To view the list, go to http://www.insurancebusiness.ca/ rankings/elite- brokers-2016/ ###is Canada's leading independent business magazine and website for insurance brokers and advice professionals. A key business resource,provides daily breaking news, cutting-edge opinion and in-depth analysis affecting the industry.is part of a global suite of insurance publications from independent media company Key Media International ( www.keymedia.com ).For more information, please contact:Katrina RicarteKatrina.Ricarte@keymedia.com.au Registration is Open for Safe and Secure Embedded Systems Design and Reliable Multithreaded Programming Public Courses By: Barr Group Contact Angie Hatfield Hughes Communications, Inc. ***@hughescom.net Angie HatfieldHughes Communications, Inc. End --During the week of 2428 October 2016,Barr Group, The Embedded Systems Expertswill be hosting three in-depth, specialized training (http://www.barrgroup.com/Embedded-Systems/Training-Courses)courses in the downtown City Center of Munich, Germany. Aimed at making engineers better able to create safer and more secure code, these public courses comprise a new two-day "Reliable Multithreaded Programming"course, a new one-day course on the "Top 10 Ways to Design Safer Embedded Software," and Barr Group's popular two-day course on "Best Practices for Securing Embedded Systems.""Based on the most recent results of our annual Embedded Systems Safety & Security Survey (http://www.barrgroup.com/Embedded-Systems/Market-Surveys/2016-Safety-Security), it has become clear that more safety and security need to be incorporated into software development techniques for embedded systems applications,"said Andrew Girson, Barr Group's CEO. "Without the integration of important safeguards into the development process, products based on embedded systems are more vulnerable to both software malfunction and hacking. As a result of these oversights, the risk of human injury is multiplying and both safety and security continue to be big industry challenges. By offering our embedded systems training courses in Munich, we hope to make hands-on training on industry best practices for robust software development more accessible to embedded software developers in Germany and other parts of Europe."To further broaden the awareness of essential techniques for developing safer and more secure code, Barr Group is offering the "Top 10 Ways to Design Safer Embedded Software" course free of charge to attendees of either of the two-day courses.The three courses to be presented in Munich are: Reliable Multithreaded Programming ( http://barrgroup.com/ Embedded-Systems/ Training-Courses/ Re... ) (2425 October 2016) Learn the necessary skills to implement multithreaded software (cooperative and preemptive multithreading compatible with any OS) in a reliable and safe manner. Top 10 Ways to Design Safer Embedded Software ( http://barrgroup.com/ Embedded-Systems/ Training-Courses/ Sa... ) (26 October 2016) Discover 10 practical, lightweight, and lesser-known techniques for minimizing the risk of injury or loss from firmware malfunction. Best Practices for Securing Embedded Systems (http://barrgroup.com/Embedded-Systems/Training-Courses/Security-Best-Practices) (2728 October 2016) Strengthen the skills needed for hardening embedded systems to eliminate vulnerabilities and detect the most common types of attacks.Registration is open for Barr Group's courses held at the Hotel Regent, Downtown City Center (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=byl5biyab.0.0.jdttcccab.0&id=preview&r=3&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fmaps%2Fplace%2FSeidlstra%C3%9Fe%2B2%2C%2B80335%2BM%C3%BCnchen%2C%2BGermany%2F%4048.1422854%2C11.5546561%2C17z%2Fdata%3D%213m1%214b1%214m5%213m4%211s0x479e75fc06004041%3A0x96226b77f8e8a7b8%218m2%213d48.1422854%214d11.5568448), 2428 October in Munich. More information on dates and pricing is available on Barr Group's training calendar at: http://www.barrgroup.com/Embedded-Systems/Training-Courses/Calendar.Barr Group, The Embedded Systems Experts, is an independent provider of world-class product design, training, and corporate and legal technical consulting services for the embedded systems industry. Founded by internationally known experts in the design of safe and secure embedded systems, Barr Group is driven by its mission to help companies improve the overall reliability and security of all embedded system-based applications. Applications strengthened as a result of services and resources provided by Barr Group include those in the automotive, medical, defense, industrial controls, consumer electronics, and Internet of Things (IoT) markets. Barr Group has assisted thousands of engineers in the development of safer, more reliable electronic products through its Embedded C Coding Standard(http://barrgroup.com/Embedded-Systems/Books/Embedded-C-Coding-Standard)and continues to push the embedded systems industry forward with the annual release of Barr Group's Embedded Systems Safety & Security Survey(http://barrgroup.com/Embedded-Systems/Market-Surveys/2016-Safety-Security). For more information about Barr Group, go to www.barrgroup.com.###Barr Group, The Embedded Systems Experts, Embedded C Coding Standard, Embedded Systems Safety & Security Survey, Embedded Software Boot Camp, Embedded Android Boot Camp, and Embedded Security Boot Camp are trademarks or service marks of Integrated Embedded, LLC d/b/a Barr Group.Public Relations for Barr GroupAngie Hatfield425-941-2895angie@hughescom.netMarketing ManagerStacy Yu866-653-6233 ext. 713syu@barrgroup.com Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Njongonkulu Ndungane has called on the South African government to deny entry to the country to controversial American pastor, Steven Anderson, who has an openly anti-gay stance. By: Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane Media Contact Ruth Coggin 011-4870026; 082-903-5819 Archbishop Emeritus Njongonkulu Ndungane ruth@quo-vadis.co.za Ruth Coggin 011-4870026;082-903-5819Archbishop Emeritus Njongonkulu Ndungane End -- Archbishop Ndungane made the call tonight after Anderson labelled the Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba, a "sodomite" in a video broadcast. Anderson, of the Faithful Word Baptist Church in the United States of America, is outspoken in his anti-gay views and achieved notoriety when he welcomed the tragic Dallas gay night-club shooting earlier this year as having "rid the world of 50 sodomites".Ndungane said: "Our Constitution, of which we are all immensely proud, makes it quite clear that there will be no discrimination against people of a different sexuality. Neither does it allow hate speech in South Africa. How, then, can we allow such an openly homophobic and anti-gay person the right to speak on public platforms in our country?"Ndungane said he failed to see the logic of refusing entry to a human rights activist such as the Dali Lama, as the government had done previously, and yet allowing someone such as Anderson entry, albeit with conditions."South Africa is a society facing many challenges, including that of poverty. We don't need to have a man such as Pastor Anderson stirring up conflict and division through hate speech. I therefore call on Minister Gigaba to deny him entry to the country."I also call on Pastor Anderson to immediately apologise to Minister Gigaba for having insulted him on his video. He would do well to learn from the African concept of ubuntu, in which we respect others even if we differ from them."Clearly, Pastor Anderson has yet to experience the liberating freedom of the love of Jesus Christ, a man who accepted all people without reservation,"the Archbishop Emeritus added.Ndungane has been actively outspoken in the worldwide Anglican communion in defence of gay rights, and in moves to get the Church to be more accepting of gay people.Ends_________________________________________________________Note: Archbishop Emeritus Njongonkulu Ndungane is the former Archbishop of Cape Town. He held this office as head of the Anglican Church in South Africa for 11 years from September 1996 to September 2007 when he retired. He is currently the Executive Director of the Historic Schools Restoration Project (an initiative to restore the historic schools of South Africa) and President of African Monitor (an independent continent-wide organisation that monitors the development of grassroots communities) United Country AltaTerra Realty & Auction to Conduct Auction By: United Country AltaTerra Realty & Auction End -- Qualified buyers will have the opportunity to purchase one of the last true classic Texas cattle operations in the heart of big ranch county, located near Electra, Tx. United Country AltaTerra Realty & Auction in conjuction with United Country Kansas City Auction and Realty and Mason & Morse Ranch Company Strategic Partner of United Country Real Estate will offer 3,920.65 acres at a live auction event on September 27 at 10 AM CDT with online pre-bidding available.The auction will take place at the Holiday Inn Express/Wellington Conference Center located at 5300 Kell Blvd, Wichita Falls, Tx. "We are excited to present this quality Texas ranch to the public," said J.W. Ross, broker with United Country AltaTerra Realty and Auction. "The property is known locally as the Best Ranch and it is nothing short of its name."Located in the Central Great Plains Eco-Region, the Best Ranch features exceptional views of Lake Diversion and shares fence lines and borders the legendary 514,000 acre Waggoner Ranch. The property includes 5 ponds, 2 corrals, good pastures, fantastic hunting opportunities, as well as potential for an executive retreat or corporate lodge.Detailed information about the property for sale, as well as details about the auctions, can be found online at http://www.BestRanchAuction.com or by calling 903-905-2999 or 903-491-1719.United Country Real Estate a division of the United Real Estate Group is the leading, fully integrated network of conventional and auction real estate professionals. The company has been an innovator in lifestyle and country real estate marketing since 1925. United Country supports nearly 500 offices and 5,000 real estate professionals across four continents, with a unique, comprehensive marketing program that includes the highest ranked and largest portfolios of specialty property marketing websites, the largest real estate marketing services company, an extensive buyer database of more than 550,000 opt-in buyers and exclusive global advertising of properties. The implication of the study on staffing at Nebraska prisons is that neglecting Correctional Services puts the public at risk ("Study: LCC most understaffed," Aug. 28). However, Gov. Pete Ricketts seems to believe that this is acceptable if it saves money, while simultaneously clamoring to spend millions on the death penalty. Lets think it through. Here are the facts: Security officers have a difficult and dangerous job keeping society safe. Nebraska requires 138 more officers to improve officer and inmate safety, costing $11 million to $14 million. Retaining the ban on the death penalty saves $14.6 million annually, according to Creighton University. Criminologists and police agree that the death penalty does nothing to deter crime, because criminals dont consider consequences. We cant afford to ignore the problem, so we must choose between two solutions: Invest in more officers and reinstate the death penalty, with an additional cost to taxpayers of up to $28.6 million annually, or invest in security and keep the death penalty banned, saving at least $600,000 yearly. The first option is fiscally irresponsible and ineffective. We must instead empower Correctional Services yet still save money by retaining the ban on the death penalty and investing in the vital work of Correctional Services. Helen Wheeler, Lincoln Coastal waters near heavy human development are more likely to receive land-based "pathogen pollution," which can include viruses, bacteria and parasites, according to a recent study from the University of California, Davis. The study said higher levels of rainfall and development increase the risk of disease-causing organisms flowing to the ocean. The study, published recently in Nature Scientific Reports, adds to years of work by a consortium of researchers led by the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine's Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The scientists were called upon to help decipher the mystery in the late 1990s when a parasite hosted by cats, Toxoplasma gondii, caused deaths in sea otters along the coast of California. Wild and domestic cats are the only known hosts of T. gondii. The parasite can shed its infective egglike structures, called oocysts, in their feces. In soil, freshwater and seawater, these hardy oocysts can survive for over a year in some cases, infecting animals and people. The latest study advances earlier work by tracking the parasite to see how human-driven land-use change and rainfall might be impacting pathogen movement from land to sea. "This isn't just about Toxoplasma," said lead author Elizabeth VanWormer, a postdoctoral researcher at UC Davis at the time of the study. "Humans, pets, stray animals, livestock and wildlife can all shed pathogens that can be carried from land to sea in runoff after rainstorms. The way we develop our urban and rural coastlines -- adding people, domestic animals, and hard surfaces like concrete and asphalt -- can increase the flow of these pathogens into estuaries and oceans." Development and Climate Change Affect Runoff advertisement From 1910 to 2010, California's human population, the majority of which resides in coastal counties, expanded from 2.4 million to more than 37 million, with close to 50 million people expected by 2050. The growing human population reshaped large areas of the California coast, converting natural habitat to residential, industrial and agricultural uses. Natural environments like forests, grasslands and wetlands can help filter out pathogens like T. gondii before they reach the sea. However, a paved or tilled landscape promotes the flow of contaminated runoff into waterways, storm drains and, ultimately, the ocean. Using census and land-use records, the authors estimated that development between 1990 and 2010 increased oocyst delivery from coastal watersheds to the ocean by 44 percent. Climate change may also exacerbate the journey of pathogens to the ocean. Changes in rainfall or in the intensity of storm events can alter the level of contaminated runoff. Oocyst runoff rose by 79 percent between years of low and high precipitation. When increases in development and climate variability are combined, oocyst runoff more than doubles. Reducing Coastal Pathogen Pollution "Human-driven changes can increase pathogen runoff, but we also have the power to reduce coastal pathogen pollution through actions like conserving wetlands and riparian areas along waterways, reducing paved surfaces in our developed lands, and reducing the amount of poop left in the environment from pets and free-roaming domestic animals," VanWormer said. An analysis of data from more than 1,200 caregivers in the United States finds that cancer caregivers report a higher burden and spend significantly more hours per week caregiving, as opposed to individuals who care for people with other conditions. The analysis was based on survey data from the National Alliance for Caregiving, which estimates that there are 2.8 million caregivers providing care for an adult family member or friend with cancer. The findings shed light on the state of cancer caregiving in the United States. This study will be presented at the upcoming 2016 Palliative Care in Oncology Symposium in San Francisco. "Our research demonstrates the ripple effect that cancer has on families and patient support systems," said study researcher Erin Kent, PhD, MS, program director in the Outcomes Research Branch of the Healthcare Delivery Research Program of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). "Caregiving can be extremely stressful and demanding -- physically, emotionally, and financially. The data show we need to do a better job of supporting these individuals as their wellbeing is essential to the patient's quality of life and outcomes." Dr. Kent emphasized the cyclical nature of cancer care, often requiring short, yet highly intense periods of time where patients undergo active treatment, such as chemotherapy, as a possible reason for the increased intensity in caregiving. She noted such intensity is also associated with increased caregiver stress and depression. The data, extracted from the 2015 Caregiving in the U.S. study, showed cancer caregivers were 63% more likely to experience a higher burden than non-cancer caregivers. Cancer caregivers also reported spending nearly 50% more hours per week providing care than non-cancer caregivers. Researchers also found that cancer caregivers were more likely to communicate with health care professionals, and to advocate on behalf of the patient (62% of cancer caregivers vs. 49% of non-cancer caregivers). Despite high levels of engagement with providers, cancer caregivers were twice as likely to report needing more help and information with making end-of-life decisions. Dr. Kent stated that data on caregiving is difficult to collect and stressed the importance of these population-level findings. In addition, she underscored the need for additional research on cancer caregivers. "Based on our findings, it's clear we need additional research on caregiving to better understand at what point providers and clinicians should intervene to assess the wellbeing of caregivers. Technology, combined with use of a clinical distress rating system, could be promising in the future as a means to ensure caregivers are being supported in a meaningful way," Dr. Kent said. This study received funding from the National Alliance for Caregiving, the National Cancer Institute, and the Cancer Support Community. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers have found a better way to assess the potential impacts of low doses of human-made chemicals -- like pharmaceuticals and personal care products -- on water bodies and their ecosystems. Such products -- known to scientists as PPCPs -- are widely released into the world's freshwaters and oceans, where they mix at low concentrations over long time periods and seep into diverse environmental pathways such as surface water, groundwater, drinking water or soil. "The end effect could be degradation of aquatic life," said Rafael Munoz-Carpena, a UF/IFAS professor of agricultural and biological engineering and a lead author of a new UF/IFAS-led study. "Some pharmaceuticals that individually are typically not toxic at even high doses, can damage aquatic life at very low doses when present in complex mixtures often found in natural waters after wastewater finds its way there." Most PPCPs have been found and analyzed in high concentrations individually, but a new test developed by the UF/IFAS-led team detects the effects of the chemicals in low-dose mixtures. In the study, the team tested their method in a freshwater environment that they created in their lab. They selected PPCPs including antibiotics, caffeine, analgesics and psychiatric drugs. Researchers then mixed those 16 chemicals with blue algae engineered to produce light. They used changes in the light signal to gauge the toxicity of the different mixtures of chemicals in the bacteria. Scientists found that a handful of the PPCPs in the mixtures, particularly antibiotics and other commonly used medicines, may impede processes such as growth, assimilation of nutrients, photosynthesis, reproduction and more, Munoz-Carpena said. Results from the study confirm that less-than-lethal effects from PPCPs mixtures make freshwater ecosystems more susceptible to later stresses such as light, temperature, nutrient availability and competition with other organisms, Munoz-Carpena said. "Our new method can be used not only to study impacts to aquatic systems of emerging chemicals, but also with human cells, biosensors and more," Munoz-Carpena said. Despite the abundance of these chemicals, scientists still don't know the full effects of PPCPs on the environment, partly because they haven't found the right testing method. "This opens exciting opportunities for many life sciences, like medicine or cell biology, facing real world complex problems." The new UF/IFAS-led study is published in the journal Science Advances. More than 20 years ago, a billboard in China piqued the interest of a chemical biologist. It endorsed an extract from the plant known as the "thunder god vine" as an immunosuppressant. A brief review of published research revealed that the extract's key ingredient -- the small molecule triptolide -- had been identified 20 years before that billboard ad, and it could stop cells from multiplying. Now, that chemical biologist and his colleagues at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine report that tests of triptolide in human cells and mice are vastly improved by the chemical attachment of glucose to the triptolide molecule. The chemical add-on makes the molecule more soluble and essentially turns it into a "cruise missile" that preferentially seeks out cancer cells, the research says. The change might also decrease side effects in patients and make the drug easier to administer. A summary of the research is published in the journal Angewandte Chemie and was published online on Aug. 30. "We have a long way to go before we can test this derivative of triptolide in humans, and we think that additional adjustments could improve it even more," says Jun O. Liu, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology and molecular sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a member of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, "but it already has the key characteristics we've been looking for: It is quite water soluble, and it prefers cancer cells over healthy cells." Liu, a native of a small town north of Shanghai in China, explains that the thunder god vine has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 400 years, mostly to calm an overactive immune system, which can cause diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. His laboratory specializes in figuring out how natural compounds with known healing properties exert their effects on human cells. Five years ago, he and his colleagues discovered that triptolide halts cell growth by interfering with the protein XPB, part of the large protein machine transcription factor IIH, which, in turn, is needed by enzyme complex RNA polymerase II to make mRNA. advertisement Because triptolide halts cell growth, it works well to fight the multiplication of cancer cells, Liu says, both in lab-grown cells and in laboratory animals with cancer. Unfortunately, it -- and many of its derivatives -- has failed to work well in patients because it doesn't dissolve well in water or blood, and has too many side effects due to its indiscriminate killing of healthy cells as well as tumor cells. Liu's latest research sought to "train" triptolide to target cancer cells by exploiting the knowledge that most cancer cells make extra copies of proteins, called glucose transporters. Those transporters form tunnels through a cell's membrane to import enough glucose to fuel rapid growth. By attaching glucose to triptolide, the researchers hoped to trick the cancer cells into importing the cell-killing poison, as had been done successfully with other anticancer drugs. "We were looking for something that could be administered intravenously, remain stable in the blood and then become active as soon as it was imported into cancer cells," says Liu. To begin, the chemists designed and synthesized five derivatives of triptolide, dubbed glutriptolides. Each derivative had glucose attached to the same spot on the triptolide molecule but had different "linkers" connecting them. An initial experiment showed that none of the glutriptolides were good at blocking the activity of purified transcription factor IIH. Liu explains that what might seem like bad news was actually a positive result, since it suggested that the drugs would only be active once they entered cells and had their glucose attachments removed. advertisement When the five glutriptolides were tested on human embryonic kidney cells, glutriptolide 2 slowed down cell growth better than the rest and is the only derivative they continued to study. In later test tube and cell experiments, the researchers confirmed that glutriptolide 2 works just like triptolide -- by interfering with XPB -- though it does so only in higher concentrations. They also showed that a cancer cell line (DLD1-Mut) known to produce lots of glucose transporter 1 was more sensitive to glutriptolide 2's effects than a similar cell line (DLD1-WT) without extra copies of the transporter. When the researchers assessed triptolide's effects on a variety of healthy cells and cancer cells in parallel with glutriptolide 2, they found that triptolide tended to equally slow the growth of healthy cells and cancer cells, while glutriptolide 2 was eight times more effective against cancer cells, on average. Liu says this result suggests that the new compound -- if tested in humans -- may be more selective against cancer cells and could therefore have fewer side effects. Finally, due to the differences in the compounds' general toxicity, tests showed that mice could tolerate a dose of 0.2 milligram/kilogram of triptolide and 1 milligram/kilogram of glutriptolide 2. At those doses, glutriptolide 2 eradicated tumors more quickly in mice with prostate cancer and prevented tumor cells from reappearing for a full three weeks after treatment had stopped. "We were totally surprised to see that sustained antitumor activity," says Liu. "It's something we want to study further." The group plans to test additional modifications to the biochemical links that connect glucose to triptolide to see if it can further decrease the compound's toxicity to healthy cells and increase its effectiveness against cancerous ones. The work was accomplished through a close international collaboration among three research groups led by Liu, Martin Pomper of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Biao Yu of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Other authors of the report include Qing-Li He, Il Minn, Sarah Head and Emmanuel Datan of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Qiaoling Wang and Peng Xu of the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This work was supported by a Synergy Award from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Johns Hopkins Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, which is funded in part by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (UL1 TR 001079). A nondisclosure agreement for the invention/technology described in this publication has been executed between The Johns Hopkins University and Rapafusyn Pharmaceuticals Inc. Dr. Liu is a co-founder of and a Scientific Advisory Board Member for Rapafusyn Pharmaceuticals Inc. This arrangement has been reviewed and approved by The Johns Hopkins University in accordance with its conflict of interest policies. For the past 30 years, computer science researchers have been teaching their machines to read, for example, assigning back issues of the Wall Street Journal, so computers can learn the English they need to run search engines like Google or mine platforms like Facebook and Twitter for opinions and marketing data. But using only standard English has left out whole segments of society who use dialects and non-standard varieties of English, and the omission is increasingly problematic, say researchers Brendan O'Connor, an expert in natural language processing (NLP) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Lisa Green, director of the campus' Center for Study of African-American Language. They recently collaborated with computer science doctoral student Su Lin Blodgett on a case study of dialect in online Twitter conversations among African Americans. Details appear in their paper posted online now in advance of their presentation at the Empirical Methods on NLP conference on Nov. 2-5 in Austin, Texas. The authors believe their study has created the largest data set to date for studying African-American English from online communication, examining 59 million tweets from 2.8 million users. As O'Connor explains, "We have a huge amount of digital information now that we didn't have before, and many different demographic groups are now using new technologies. On the computer science engineering side, a lot more types of people are using search engines like Google, and the computer needs to be able to parse the text to understand what they're asking." On the social side, Green adds, people from many different social groups use different language than is found in mainstream media, especially casually or among themselves. She notes, "New semantics can be expanded very quickly if some expression is picked up from dialect by the larger community. As linguists, we are always interested in how language changes and now we are seeing some changes happening very quickly. For example, consider the expression 'stay woke' on Twitter." O'Connor says, "What's interesting now is that all this important textual data is being generated in a less formal context. If we want to analyze opinions about an election, for example, we still use NLP tools to do it, but right now, the tools are all geared for standard, formal English. There are clearly deficiencies in status quo technologies." To expand NLP and teach computers to recognize words, phrases and language patterns associated with African-American English, the researchers analyzed dialects found on Twitter used by African Americans. They identified these users with U.S. census data and Twitter's geo-location features to correlate to African-American neighborhoods through a statistical model that assumes a soft correlation between demographics and language. advertisement They validated the model by checking it against knowledge from previous linguistics research, showing that it can successfully figure out patterns of African-American English. Green, a linguist who is an expert in the syntax and language of African-American English, has studied a community in southwest Louisiana for decades. She says there are clear patterns in sound and syntax, how sentences are put together, that characterize this dialect, which is a variety spoken by some, not all, African Americans. It has interesting differences compared to standard American English; for example, "they be in the store" can mean "they are often in the store." The researchers also identified "new phenomena that are not well known in the literature, such as abbreviations and acronyms used on Twitter, particularly those used by African-American speakers," notes Green. adds, "This is an example of the power of large-scale online data. The size of our data set lets us characterize the breadth and depth of language." Finally, the researchers evaluated their model against existing language classifiers to determine how well existing NLP tools perform in analyzing African-American English in user-level and message-level analyses. They found that current widely used tools identify African-American English as "not English" at higher rates than expected, O'Connor says. Testing the best open source language classification software and Twitter's own language identifier, they found the open source system was almost twice as bad for African-American English than for online English associated with whites in the U.S. The researchers also found similar issues with Google's state-of-the-art SyntaxNet grammatical parser. He adds, "These methods are used by Google and other companies on millions of web pages every day to extract meaning for systems like search engines. Since African-American English is analyzed poorly, that implies information access is worse for texts authored by African-American English speakers. The issue of fairness and equity in artificial intelligence methods is of increasing concern, since they are crucial to technologies we use every day, like search engines." Furthermore, O'Connor states, "Technology companies have well-known issues with diversity. For example, Facebook and Google recently reported that only 2 percent of their employees are African-American. Hopefully, efforts to increase diversity among technologists can help draw attention to addressing problems of fairness in artificial intelligence." For her part, Green hopes the new model will show that "there might be new opportunities for young African-American English speakers to contribute further to natural language processing. We might be able to look forward to attracting more African-American English speakers, and members of other underrepresented groups, to engineering and computer science." The authors plan to release their new model in the next year to better identify English written in these dialects by using publicly available data from Twitter. The cost of incarceration in the United States exceeds $1 trillion, or six percent of gross domestic product, and dwarfs the amount spent on corrections alone, finds a new study from Washington University in St. Louis. "The $80 billion spent annually on corrections is frequently cited as the cost of incarceration, but this figure considerably underestimates the true cost by ignoring important social costs," said Carrie Pettus-Davis, assistant professor at the Brown School and an expert on incarceration. A new study, "The Economic Burden of Incarceration in the U.S.," led by doctoral student Michael McLaughlin, with assistance from Pettus-Davis, draws on a burgeoning area of scholarship to assign monetary values to include costs to incarcerated persons, families, children and communities, which yield an aggregate burden of $1.2 trillion dollars. "We find that for every dollar in corrections costs, incarceration generates an additional $10 in social costs," said Pettus-Davis, director of the Concordance Institute for Advancing Social Justice and co-director of the Smart Decarceration Initiative. "More than half of the costs are borne by families, children and community members who have committed no crime," she said. The scale of incarceration in the U.S. over the past 40 years is unprecedented, Pettus-Davis said. The prison population grew seven-fold as this country became the world leader in incarceration. "Researchers have devoted considerable effort to estimating the cost of crime, but no study has yet estimated the aggregate burden of incarceration," Pettus-Davis said. "Recent reports highlighting the costs to incarcerated persons, families, and communities have made it possible to estimate the true cost of incarceration," she said. "This is important because it suggests that the true cost has been grossly underestimated, perhaps resulting in a level of incarceration beyond that which is socially optimal." The study can be found online at: https://concordanceinstitute.wustl.edu/SiteCollectionDocuments/The%20Economic%20Burden%20of%20Incarceration%20in%20the%20US.pdf There are almost 800,000 patients in the United States who are intubated and require mechanical ventilation annually. More than half of these patients are awake, alert and desperately attempting to communicate with nurses, physicians and their loved ones. Current methods that exist today to assist patients with their communication needs are either antiquated, time consuming or just cumbersome. A tablet-based communication application called "Speak for Myself," was developed by Rebecca Koszalinski, R.N., Ph.D., during her doctoral studies under the guidance of Ruth Tappen, Ed.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., the Christine E. Lynn eminent scholar and professor in the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University. Speak for Myself is proving to be an invaluable tool empowering patients who are voiceless. Results of a pilot study of Speak for Myself, conducted at three hospitals in South Florida, was recently published in the journal Computers, Informatics, Nursing, and demonstrates the importance of this innovative computer app as well as the disconnect between what health care providers think patients want to communicate and what patients actually want to communicate. Subjects in the study ranged in age from 45 to 91 and were hospitalized in intensive care units including cardiovascular, neurological, and surgical ICUs. "When patients are not able to clearly verbalize their needs, there is an elevated risk of misinterpretation and misunderstanding, which could lead to errors and unintentional poorer quality of care," said Tappen. "While writing boards and other traditional methods may be helpful, important information is often lost. Furthermore, allowing others to speak for the patient has its limitations." Speak for Myself enables a patient to communicate his or her level of pain using an analog pain scale. It also helps them convey feelings of fear and loneliness as well as their physical needs such as suctioning, repositioning needs and requests for toileting. The app has a graphic for indicating the location of their pain and the level of pain they are experiencing. When a patient touches the screen to indicate the location of pain on the body graphic, the voice says "it hurts here." Patients can use shortcuts and single words or type in phrases or full sentences to communicate their needs. The software is predictive so that if a patient begins to enter a word, the program will anticipate and present likely solutions. "The purpose of Speak for Myself is to provide an easy-to-use, patient-centric, and hospital experience-specific program that can assist patients in expressing their needs," said Koszalinski, now an assistant professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. "Patients want to be heard, to retain control, and to contribute to decisions about their care, even if it is without a voice. Technology at the bedside can play a significant role in making this a reality." Results from the study revealed to Tappen and Koszalinski just how effective Speak for Myself was for both patients and health care providers in the ICUs. In one example, a patient who had reported unresolved pain in the back of his throat was finally able to get assessed properly. Health care providers learned that it was the nasogastric tube that had become twisted and was causing his pain. They corrected the placement of the tube and resolved the issue. Perhaps the most dramatic example for clear communication was demonstrated when a patient asked the nurses to help document her end-of-life decisions and wishes. The patient decided not to prolong treatment but to disconnect the mechanical ventilation that was keeping her alive. "It is accurate to assert that with enhanced communication, patients will have less frustration, their pain will be better controlled, and they will have a greater opportunity to participate in their own care, and this is all supported in our study," said Tappen. Few entrepreneurs and investors can resist the temptation to follow the herd into a new, "hot" market, even when they understand that it is rarely the path to riches. New research from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business finds that entrepreneurs who resist pressure to follow the consensus are most likely to stay in a market, receive funding and ultimately go public, according to a paper published in the Administrative Science Quarterly. In "The Non-consensus Entrepreneur: Organizational Responses to Vital Events," Chicago Booth Associate Professor of Organizations and Strategy Elizabeth G. Pontikes and Stanford University's William P. Barnett find that entrepreneurs who follow the prevailing beliefs in a market are less viable, while non-consensus entrepreneurs prosper. "Startups and investors face constant pressure to follow the consensus, and that pressure is hard to overcome" said Pontikes. "When we talked to individual entrepreneurs and venture capitalists directly, they said they know intellectually that they shouldn't follow the crowd, but they still do it." The researchers studied startups in the software industry over a period of 13 years. The data contained 4,566 organizations in 456 different market categories from 1990 to 2002. The researchers assembled data on software organizations, their market categories, when they received venture capital funding and when they had an initial public offering. They also interviewed investors, board members and executives in the software industry about the decision-making process for entering a new market. The study found that both firms and venture capitalists engaged in herding behavior by entering markets that received venture capital funding. On average, software entrepreneurs enter market categories every other year, and the top 30 percent enter market categories yearly. Those firms and venture capitalists following the consensus suffered in the long term. They put too much emphasis on the viability of a "hot" market and overlooked whether their product had a good fit for the market. Entrepreneurs who entered "untouchable" markets -- those tainted by bankruptcies -- applied more scrutiny to product-market fit and, in turn, fared better. The study has implications for entrepreneurs and investors across industries. Firms would do well to institute processes that force executives and decision makers to carefully examine whether their products are suited to compete in a market before entering, Pontikes said. This formal process can offset tendencies to overweight the potential of hot markets and to gloss over questions around product-market fit. "Although non-consensus behavior may seem like foolishness at the time, it turns out to be a wise alternative -- if the organization can weather the heightened scrutiny," the researchers write. "Consensus entrepreneurs can readily garner support to enter a hot market, but as a result are less viable." JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. OMAHA -- Green Party presidential candidate Dr. Jill Stein sought to embrace Bernie Sanders supporters at a Nebraska campaign stop Wednesday, urging them to side with her over "lesser-evil Democrats in November. We are Bernie Sanders on steroids, she told a conference room crowd of about 250 people at Metro Community College's Fort Omaha Campus. In an 80-minute appearance, the second-time presidential candidate also courted environmentalists and political newcomers who opposed the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline before it was rejected last year. This is where you did so much to stop the Keystone pipeline, Stein told the crowd. Her event came the same day a judge issued a warrant for her arrest in North Dakota, where she spray-painted a piece of construction equipment Tuesday during a protest against the Dakota Access pipeline. Stein and her running mate, Ajamu Baraka, are both charged with misdemeanor trespassing and criminal mischief. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is trying to stop construction of a section of the $3.8 billion, four-state pipeline, which tribal leaders say would violate sacred and culturally sensitive grounds and possibly pollute water. "This is the new Keystone pipeline," Stein said Wednesday. The Omaha event also came as major-party presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump participated in a nationally televised NBC News forum on military issues. Scoring national airtime has been a focus for Stein's campaign as well as that of Libertarian Gary Johnson, who will also appear on Nebraskans' ballots in the Nov. 8 general election. Although at least 43 states will include Stein on their ballots, her poll numbers have hovered in the single digits, far below the 15 percent threshold needed to participate in the upcoming debates. "We need to be in the debates," Stein said. Poll numbers don't tell the complete story because they only survey likely voters, she said. Her campaign, meanwhile, relies on a whole new movement of unlikely voters, many of them mobilized by Sanders' bid for the Democratic nomination. About half the crowd at Wednesday's event, maybe more, raised their hands when asked if they supported Sanders in Nebraska's Democratic caucus in March. Sanders won here but ultimately lost the nomination to Clinton at the party's national convention in July. Four Sanders delegates who participated in the national convention appeared at Stein's event: Adrian Sanchez of Lincoln and Omahans Linda Bowman, Amy Buchanan and Edgar DeLeon. Buchanan and DeLeon said they plan to support Stein over Clinton in November. Sanchez and Bowman didn't state a preference. Stein's platform includes switching entirely to wind, water and solar power by 2030 as part of a "Green New Deal," creating a "welcoming" path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants looking to remain in the United States, and "ending the crisis of police violence to ensure that all black lives matter." Many have called Stein's environmental and economic positions unrealistic. A blistering editorial last month in The Washington Post called her vision a "fairy tale." Still, Stein said Wednesday, voters are looking for other options because they don't trust "these two candidates that have been forced down our throats. "We are saying it is time for a new way forward.


Jessica Kincheloe

There was so much dirt and feces blocking the door to the barn stall where Lazarus had been living, trapped in filth and inside his overgrown coat, it had to be shoveled away. "From the looks of the dog and the door it looked like it had been a while," says C., a dog groomer who requested her name be kept private. C. and Jessica Kincheloe C. and another groomer, Jessica Kincheloe, had been asked by a neighbor to help the dog, whose owner is terminally ill. About a week ago, they went to his house and freed him from the stall, then then freed him from his coat - taking off just over 35 pounds of hair in the process. Dodo Shows Adopt Me! Scared Little Dog Is So Full Of Joy Now And Looking For A Family C. and Jessica Kincheloe During the grooming, Lazarus seemed unsure at first. But once hair was clipped away from his neck, "he calmed down and seemed to realize because it was making him feel better," says Kincheloe. C. and Jessica Kincheloe In fact, everything seemed new. Like walking. Being petted and fussed over, too. "He was OK with the human touch but didn't seem familiar to it. He warmed up to us really quick. Especially after offering treats," says Kincheloe. Big Fluffy Dog Rescue Lazarus has been taken into the nonprofit Big Fluffy Dog Rescue. He's in a foster home in Virginia, where he will stay for weeks, or months, or however long it takes until he lets it be known that he is ready to be adopted into a permanent home. Now, Big Fluffy Dog Rescue founder Jean Harrison tells The Dodo that Lazarus is still getting accustomed to his new life. For example, he "approached a freshly grilled steak cautiously which made us sad," she says. "But he quickly got the idea and he was incredibly happy to have that steak." In the short time since his rescue, Lazarus is proving to be a sweet, loving, grateful dog - though that last part makes Harrison sad. Dogs shouldn't have to feel grateful, she thinks. "It means they have seen and suffered too much," she says. "We look forward to the day when he takes all of this as his due." Even in death, the love of a faithful dog endures. Last weekend, family of the late Dona Rosalba Quiroz gathered together to bid her a final farewell during a funeral service in Mexico - but they quickly discovered they were not alone in their grief. The deceased's cherished dog, Bayron, who'd gone missing 15 days earlier, somehow seemed to know it was his last chance to say goodbye, too. Dodo Shows Faith = Restored Couple Meets A Beach Dog In Mexico Who Changes Their Life Quiroz, who had been battling cancer, lived with Bayron on her ranch outside the city of Montemorelos. A few months back, however, as her condition deteriorated, Quiroz was sent to live with relatives. Still, as Punto X Punto reports, she returned home often enough to care for the dog who stayed behind. But then that all changed. When her health took a turn for the worse and Quiroz could no longer travel, she asked relatives to care for the dog in her place. However, when they went to find Bayron, the family discovered he had disappeared. Sadly, a little over two weeks later, Quiroz passed away. No one knew where Bayron had gone to - but when it came time for her funeral, he suddenly reappeared there, miles away. "We normally don't let animals in, but the dog was howling and scratching at the door, so we brought him in," a worker at the funeral home told El Sol. Bayron proceeded to lie down alongside Quiroz's coffin, later getting up to view her body as other family members did the same. It's as if he understood then why she had failed to return to him. "We've never seen a case like this," the owner of the funeral home said. "We're all surprised how the animal without knowing arrived alone to say goodbye to his owner." The coldest day of Joe Joe's life was December 3, 2013. The 20-pound terrier mix found himself tied outside an Iowa shopping mall in subzero weather. His family had left him there. He was about 14 years old. It seemed the only people in the world who had any interest in him now were animal control officers. Joe Joe got his mugshot taken. Terrified, old and in poor health, he seemed a portrait of the unadoptable dog. Diann Helmers Diann Helmers found him cowering in a kennel, flinching every time someone tried to touch him. And from that moment on, Joe Joe would never know cold again. Helmers, founder of Agape Fosters, began working her animal rescue network, looking for a family for Joe Joe. She would even waive the adoption fee. Bonni Brown Holiday, a board member for another Iowa-based rescue, the Hardin Eldora Animal Rescue Team (HEART), responded to that call. "I stepped up and picked him up bought him a cheeseburger and he has been my shadow ever since," she tells The Dodo. Dodo Shows Adopt Me! Scared Little Dog Is So Full Of Joy Now And Looking For A Family Bonni Brown Holiday Sometimes, it's that simple. Of course, for Joe Joe, coming back from the brink wasn't without cost. Already missing several teeth, he had to have eight pulled. Then there was the heart murmur. None of it gave Holiday pause. Not even when Joe Joe's cataracts and glaucoma led to the dog to lose his sight in 2015. It hasn't stopped Joe Joe from growing into, as Holiday says, "a happy confident little old man of 17." Bonni Brown Holiday And he's got good friends in fellow rescues, Annie and BabyDoll. Bonni Brown Holiday Today, the only thing about Joe Joe that gives Holiday pause is the moment when he curls up on his bed. Old, blind and perfectly loved. Holiday took a picture of him last week. Just like that. A portrait of the adopted dog. The everydog of rescue. Bonni Brown Holiday In response to growing complaints of racial bias among its users, the home-sharing company Airbnb will beef up its nondiscrimination policy, do more to diversify its own workforce and offer implicit bias training to its hosts, according to a report released Thursday after a three-month review by the company. But Airbnb will not, for now, concede to critics one of their chief requests abandoning the user photos that make it easy to identify online who is a minority. After thoroughly analyzing this issue, I came to believe that Airbnb guests should not be asked or required to hide behind curtains of anonymity when trying to find a place to stay, writes the reports author, Laura Murphy, a former longtime American Civil Liberties Union official who was brought on as an adviser to lead Airbnbs review. Technology can bring us together and technology shouldnt ask us to hide who we are. Instead, we should be implementing new, creative solutions to fight discrimination and promote understanding. A spokeswoman for Airbnb in Canada said the new rules and changes will apply worldwide, including here in Canada. By the end of the year, the company is vowing instead to experiment with reducing the visibility of photos on booking pages and promoting in their place other reputation information, such as reviews. The issue has been a thorny one for the company, which argues that photos as well as real names are necessary to create trust and ensure safety on a platform where millions of strangers rent space in each others private homes. Academic research has found discrimination among Airbnb hosts against guests with black-sounding names. And critics have argued that the design of the site with such information prominently displayed may more easily enable discrimination, making the company responsible for the behaviour of users acting even on implicit biases. Airbnbs own research, the company acknowledges in the report, generally confirmed public reports that minorities struggle more than others to book a listing. Among the other promised changes, Airbnb will create a new feature automatically blocking calendar dates once a host rejects a potential guest. That would potentially prevent hosts from denying a user based on their race, only to offer the rental for the same dates to someone else, as has occurred according to some of the reported complaints. Under another new policy, the company also vows to immediately find alternative, comparable accommodations for guests who have experienced discrimination, even if that means pointing them to a traditional hotel room when no other Airbnb options exist and potentially subsidizing the price difference. In the revised nondiscrimination policy, the company is more explicit that hosts cannot decline guests based on their colour, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status. Nor can they post any statements suggesting a preference or discouraging any group. (If a host is sharing their living space, however, they can request guests of the same gender.) Airbnb will then remind users of the policy at points throughout the booking process, as experts on implicit bias recommended. Starting Nov. 1, users will also be asked to agree to this commitment before they book a listing or rent their space: We believe that no matter who you are, where you are from, or where you travel, you should be able to belong in the Airbnb community. By joining this community, you commit to treat all fellow members of this community, regardless of race, religion, national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or age, with respect, and without judgment or bias. The company acknowledged that awareness of its existing nondiscrimination policy was extremely limited. And the report concludes that Airbnb has been slow to address complaints of discrimination because of its own lack of diversity. (The company says less than 10 per cent of its U.S. employees are from under-represented populations.) Critics of a company that has threatened the hotel industry and riled some politicians had latched onto Airbnbs racial woes as further grounds to attack the company, and they will probably dismiss these changes as more window-dressing. But it will become clearer with time whether the companys own diversity numbers increase and complaints of bias decline as a result. There have been too many unacceptable instances of people being discriminated against on the Airbnb platform, the report concludes, because of who they are or what they look like. SHARE: CALGARY, ALTA.-Canadas music deserves a beautiful home, declares National Music Centre president and CEO Andrew Mosker. You can see his quote on the wall of the stunning new centre that opened on Canada Day. Heres what to love about this cultural attraction: The building: Anchoring Calgarys new East Village neighbourhood, the $191-million Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre was designed by Brad Cloepfil of Allied Works Architecture. Bell paid $10 million for naming rights for 12 years. The 160,000 square-foot centre boasts five storeys across nine interlocking towers and integrates a restored 1905 King Edward Hotel. The centre celebrates music in Canada not just Canadian music. The design: The dramatic curved design references musical instruments and the mountains and hoodoos of Western Canada. Natural light lets you catch great views and admire glazed terra-cotta tiles in metallic and earthen colours. The public east block that houses the exhibition space and performance hall is expected to draw 150,000 visitors a year. The private west block has artist-in-residence spaces, classrooms, a radio station, recording studios and media centre. Dont miss Patrick Marolds Solar Drones audio project in the East Village Skybridge that connects the towers and be sure to spend time taking the stairs to admire the internal and external views. The live music: The 300-seat performance space has a movable acoustic wall so it can be intimate or opened to the lobby below. You might luck into live music in the lobby or at the massive organ, but failing that grab a coffee at Rosso Coffee Roasters and know that new music is being incubated through an artists-in-residence program. Watch for shows at the King Eddy, the centres biggest artifact and legendary blues club that reopened briefly after a heritage restoration with popup concerts during the Calgary Stampede. The Canadiana: I toured the centre the day the Tragically Hip was in Calgary and gravitated to several spots that honoured the iconic Canadian band. (So, apparently, did the band the day before.) Exhibition galleries are called stages to promote a music-festival vibe. The Canadian Music Halls of Fame (three of them) are here, as well as a salute to our best music venues. Spend time admiring the instruments, artifacts and memorabilia, such as Corey Harts iconic Ray-Bans, Avril Lavignes guitar from the Girlfriend video, Alanis Morissettes signed harmonica and Randy Bachmans American Woman guitar. The music royalty: I did two sweeps of the centre yet missed the Rolling Stones Mobile Recording Studio that was used to record albums (yes, albums) by Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and the Stones. Turns out you must view it through a large window beside the King Eddy, though there may be special tours. I did see TONTO, the worlds largest analog synthesizers used to record Stevie Wonder and Isley Brothers albums. And I saw John Leimseider, the centres head electronics technician and ex-keyboard player for Iron Butterfly, working on them. The chance to have your say: The centre celebrates the power of music, not just actual music. Take selfies with life-size wall-mounted photos of stars, such as Joel Plaskett. In one room, you are asked whether music can change the world and you scrawl your answer on a sticky note. In the Sandbox, youre supposed to think it, make it, play it, and an interpreter encourages you to touch and play with anything you like. If you break it, they like to say, youre doing something right. A day without music is a mistake, someone writes on the erasable board. The musical lessons: Its all about interaction at this arts and technology hub. You can play the guitar, piano and drums, mix a track or sing along in a vocal booth. Who knows what budding musicians will be inspired by the National Music Centre. Theres something were doing really right for music in Canada, says Mary Kapusta, the centres senior manger of marketing and communications, and its good to wave that flag a little bit. Plan your visit at studiobell.ca and nmc.ca. Jennifer Bains admission was provided by the National Music Centre, which didnt review or approve this story. Read more about: SHARE: OTTAWACanadas doctors are calling for strict limits on legalized pot smoking, saying the minimum age should be 21. And amounts and potency of products sold to those under 25 should be tightly controlled, the Star has learned. In a brief for a federal task force studying the legalization of marijuana, the Canadian Medical Association does not support or oppose legalization, but makes a range of go-slow recommendations. It urges more money be spent on research, medical and social services for addictions treatment, a ban on home cultivation, a ban on smoking non-medical marijuana in public places, and pilot projects before a full national rollout of legalized marijuana. Several of its concerns will find high-profile support from Canadas police chiefs. The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police is recommending in a private submission to the task force a uniform minimum legal pot-smoking age across Canada, leaving the age designation to health professionals. The police chiefs also oppose home cultivation, and say a lot more money needs to be spent on training officers and developing an efficient and effective roadside drug impairment detection device. The police chiefs submission like the CMAs raises big red flags for the Liberal government as it inches closer toward overhauling Canadas drug laws. The CMA says ideally the minimum pot-smoking age should be 25. It says scientific evidence shows the brain is still developing up to and beyond 25 years. But the physicians association acknowledges that is likely unrealistic. Dr. Jeff Blackmer, who headed the CMAs policy formulation group, said in an interview that the experience of other jurisdictions that have already loosened pot laws and the reality in terms of the implementation of this type of regime led the doctors to settle on 21 years of age as the minimum. Its trying to find that balance between what the scientific evidence says and what is sort of the art of the possible, he said. Even now, as marijuana use remains illegal, its use among youth aged 15 to 24 is double that of the general population, the CMA says. Under a legalized system, those aged 25 and older are likely to share with their underage friends and so the physicians group is calling for regulations that would mandate lower maximum purchase levels and lower THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient) levels in product sold to those under 25. Blackmer said public health concerns must be at the heart of any new legal regime because data shows nine per cent of marijuana smokers will go on to develop a dependence at some point a figure that rises to 17 per cent when an individual starts using in adolescence. The police chiefs association wont publicly release its submission over concerns some of the content would give organized crime a blueprint to work around. But in an exclusive interview with the Star, Gatineau Police Chief Mario Harel, CACP president, said a big concern for police leaders is law enforcements capacity to deal with drug-impaired driving. We have to be frank, its actually a problem driving under the influence of different drugs and marijuana is one of them, said Harel. He said police across Canada anticipate a big surcharge of work when a new regime is in place. Police now use a standard sobriety test to detect a drugged driver. Simple roadside testing devices akin to roadside breathalyzers used to detect alcohol impairment are still in development and havent been approved under Canadian law for police use. We need those tools to be efficient on the side of the road so we can process people rapidly to shorten the time that their liberty is limited on the side of the road. You dont want to be an hour and a half on the side of the road to do those sobriety tests, he said. The other issue is that training is costly. Officers certified as drug recognition experts must be specially trained in the United States an expensive exercise, said Harel. Quebec and Vancouver are working on training programs, and the CACP says proper police training should be certified and anchored in Canada. Harel said the CACP which in 2013 supported a decriminalization or ticketing option for simple possession of marijuana will also not take a position for or against legalization but said it will work with the government to ensure public safety. Were not policy-makers. Were there to apply the law. Were there to ensure the safety of the community and if the community decided that it was okay to legalize marijuana well, our job is to apply the law, and to ensure the safety of the public. The police chiefs written brief is to be submitted shortly. Meanwhile, the deadline for Canadians to provide opinions to the federal task force passed last week. The task force received nearly 30,000 submissions, via an online consultation page, emails, or written briefs. Now its up to the nine members appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to make sense of the morass and to report by the end of November. The briefs have not been publicly posted on the federal governments website. However, the Star canvassed several organizations about their submissions a range of papers that paint a complex picture in the face of what appeared to be a simple Liberal campaign promise last year: to legalize marijuana. The Arthritis Society, Canadians for Fair Access to Medical Marijuana and Canadian AIDS Society made a joint submission that recommends a distinction between medical and recreational users to ensure more than 67,000 critically and chronically ill patents have a safe and regulated supply. Their brief says the government should allow a variety of distribution options, such as compassion clubs, pharmacies, in addition to mail order and self-production, noting there is no one-size-fits-all distribution model to meet the needs of people in remote regions, far from pharmacies or other dispensaries. They say medical cannabis should not be subject to sales tax, as other prescription drugs are exempt. Currently, it is taxed. They say any tax collected from recreational pot sales should be poured back into research into medical cannabis, in contrast to the CMA, which argues any tax haul should be poured back diverted back to provinces for the delivery of health care, to offset the anticipated rise in costs for addictions and mental health. The three patient groups point to a January 2016 analysis by CIBC economist Avery Shenfield that estimated federal and provincial governments stand to reap $5 billion in tax revenue from the regulation of pot. They also argue Health Canada should recognize medical cannabis as an authorized therapeutic product so it can be covered under health insurance plans. Jonathan Zaid, founder and executive director of Canadians for Fair Access to Medical Marijuana, said the focus has to stay on patients. Lots of the talk, lots of the business, lots of the money is on the recreational side, its not on the medical side, so were really concerned that the government will basically abolish the medical system and just have one cannabis system for everyone. We really want to ensure that patient needs are not forgotten in this process. Canadas pharmacists recommend the federal government should designate local drugstores as the best option to manage and dispense medical marijuana. They didnt endorse any particular option for recreational pot, but are concerned about the lack of clinical oversight of medical pot in a relaxed regime. There are some 9,750 community pharmacies in Canada along with 285 hospital pharmacies. The CMA opposes the idea of having pharmacies distribute medical marijuana, saying it could lend it credibility as a pharmaceutical medication, whereas placing it in liquor stores would send the message that it needs strict and formal controls. SHARE: OTTAWAThe Conservative leadership campaign of Kellie Leitch is trying to goad her rivals and caucus colleagues into reacting to her proposal that newcomers be vetted for their values that make up a unified Canadian identity, a strategist says. The Conservative MP from Ontario sparked some life into a sleepy summer leadership race last week when she emailed a survey ending with solicitations for both votes and donations to supporters that included a question about whether the federal government should screen potential immigrants and refugees for anti-Canadian values. These include views on gender equality, religious tolerance, and belief in hard work. This is about protecting Canadian values and people that believe that women are property, that they can be beaten and bought or sold, or believe that gays or lesbians should be stoned because of who they love, dont share in my opinion, basic Canadian values, Leitch said in an interview. Some other leadership hopefuls as well as interim leader Rona Ambrose have been come out against the idea to various degrees over the past week, and discussions are likely to continue behind closed doors at the Conservative caucus retreat next week in Halifax, where the nascent race to replace former prime minister Stephen Harper is expected to start picking up steam. Conservative strategist Jason Lietaer said forcing a response is no doubt part of Leitchs plan. They are throwing a wedge down and trying to get everybody else on the other side of the issue, Lietaer said Wednesday. The attempts to goad others were made obvious late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, when Leitch campaign manager Nick Kouvalis issued a series of tweets pushing her rivals to make their views known, or criticizing the positions of those who have already done so. Kouvalis declined to comment. Ontario MP Michael Chong was the first to weigh in last week, accusing Leitch of engaging in dog-whistle politics: the use of code words that go unheard or unremarked by most people but which convey a particular usually nasty, racially tinged message to a target audience. Quebec MP Maxime Bernier said he agrees there are Canadian values, but ensuring immigrants have economic opportunities that will help them integrate into society is a better way to promote them. Alberta MP Deepak Obhrai is also against the proposal, saying he reacted strongly to it as an immigrant. It would feel very insulting to many immigrants, he said Wednesday. Others, such as Tony Clement, have demurred, his spokesman saying he would rather concentrate on his own campaign. Tempting . . . but I will politely decline, former Conservative cabinet minister Peter MacKay, who has not yet announced his decision, wrote in an email. In an interview Tuesday, Leitch also said her idea to screen newcomers would apply to visitors too. But Kouvalis clarified Wednesday she was referring to high-profile individuals such as Daryush Valizadeh, a controversial American blogger known as Roosh V, who has said rape should be legal if done on private property a position he has said was intended as satire. Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel had urged the Liberal government to bar the blogger from visiting Canada earlier this year, something Kouvalis has also pointed out on social media in defending Leitchs proposal. Rempel said Wednesday the previous Conservative government brought in ministerial discretion to deny someone entry if they promote hatred or violence, even if they do not have a criminal record. There is already an existing mechanism to ensure that people come to Canada to do those things dont do them, Rempel said. Kouvalis returned as Leitchs full-time campaign manager last month after resigning in April following a car crash near Windsor, Ont., which led to charges related to impaired driving and prompted Kouvalis to seek treatment for alcoholism. He pleaded guilty to having a blood alcohol level over the legal limit in May, paid a fine and the impaired driving charge was withdrawn. SHARE: MONTREALGrowing up in the late 1960s in Toronto one commonly ran into otherwise well-meaning people who claimed that francophone parents who sought to have their children schooled in French were determined to keep their families out of the Canadian mainstream. Ecole secondaire Etienne-Brule Torontos first French-language public high school opened in September 1970, about a month before the kidnappings by the Front de liberation du Quebec (FLQ) of a provincial cabinet minister, who later died in captivity, and a British diplomat. At the time the school was the target of enough anonymous threats to warrant extra police protection. Indeed, days before it opened, a neighbour told me bluntly that the wooden barracks that were the temporary home of my new high school would be burned down before years end. Had a government at the time of the War Measures Act set up a snitch line to report on so-called barbarian cultural practices or their 1970 equivalent, the French-speaking communities that lived outside Quebec would have been considered by many as the ground zero for the fostering of anti-Canadian values. Those were the days when an English-rights manifesto famously titled Bilingual Today, French Tomorrow became a bestseller in some circles. The then-Progressive Conservative party in particular was home to a solid contingent of followers who thought a Quebec-led federal government was out to use official bilingualism to wipe the English language and the countrys British heritage and values off the Canadian map. The masterminds behind the residential school system that destroyed the social fabric of so many of Canadas indigenous communities were even more imbued with notions of superiority as to their values. Given the long and mostly dishonourable history of the quest for a unified Canadian identity, it is hard to fathom what federal Conservative party leadership candidate Kellie Leitch is thinking when she uses such a pursuit to justify screening would-be immigrants for so-called anti-Canadian values. A charitable explanation would be that she skipped her history classes on the way to her medical degree. But what about more recent history including that of her own party? Among the values Leitch believes Canada should require support for from future immigrants, gender equality has pride of place. Fair enough. But many religions do not treat men and women equally. The Catholic Church for one does not. It denies women access to the priesthood. It frowns on contraception, has long been at the forefront of the fight against abortion rights and opposes same-sex marriage. On that basis, would Leitch subject the values of prospective Catholic immigrants to special scrutiny? Moving on to gay rights and discrimination based on sexual orientation, in the 90s, the Reform Party fought tooth and nail against added protection from hate crimes for Canadas gay community. For the record, more than a few Liberal backbenchers in Jean Chretiens caucus also opposed the change. Most said they were doing so on religious grounds. Until last spring it was still Conservative party policy to insist that marriage should be reserved for heterosexual couples. Some of Leitchs Conservative colleagues are currently musing about running for the leadership to campaign for the restoration the partys anti-same-sex marriage stance. This rearguard battle comes more than a decade after the courts found equal access to marriage for same-sex couples to be a fundamental right. To this day, many of the supporters Leitch might hope to attract with her proposal to vet immigrants for purported anti-Canadian values would be hard-pressed to agree on what those could be. A word in closing: it is excessively rare, if not unprecedented, for an interim party leader to censure the proposals of a leadership candidate. Interim leaders for the most part stay above the fray. Over the weekend, Conservative interim leader Rona Ambrose made an exception for Leitchs values musings. Most of Leitchs leadership rivals have also come down against her proposal. They are right in their assessment that a leadership conversation along those lines would be divisive for the party in the short term and counterproductive for the Conservatives in the longer one. In a country as diverse as this one there is a limited market for the notion that immigration poses a bigger threat to the ever-evolving inclusive values of Canadians than some of the negative forces at play within some of its main parties. SHARE: CALGARYJessica Daigle had a message Thursday for a judge whose future on the bench is being considered at a Canadian Judicial Council hearing. My fantasy would be Justice (Robin) Camp not only acknowledging the error of his ways but, at this point in time, he really should consider resignation, because the public trust in the justice system is already waning, said Daigle, 34, as she held a placard demanding Dignity For Victims outside the Calgary hearing room. A council committee is hearing from witnesses about Camp and his handling of a sexual assault trial in which he chastised the complainant, questioned her morals and suggested she didnt try hard enough to fight off her alleged attacker. Daigle and her boyfriend, Donald Walker, who was holding a sign that read Ignorance Is Not An Excuse, said they were dismayed by what they had heard. So far Ive been really disappointed. I understand they are trying to make a case to show that he has reformed in his thinking, said Daigle, who described herself as a victim of sexual abuse. While I appreciate the education portion of this for someone in his position, he should have had that knowledge to begin with. Daigle said her case never went to court after she was warned by a detective about how difficult it is for sexual assault victims during a trial. When you go to court, they strip you apart, even though you are the victim. That to me was not something ... I was prepared to deal with. Camps comments while he was a provincial judge in Calgary in 2014 led the Alberta Appeal Court to order a new trial for the man he acquitted. Court transcripts show Camp asked the woman why she couldnt just keep her knees together and told her that pain and sex sometimes go together. A law professor, paid by Camp to work with him, said the judge realized his remarks were insensitive and inappropriate, but has since been educated about the historic disadvantage women have faced during trials. He was open and sincere and remorseful. He knew he had made some terrible mistakes. He was absolutely open to that learning, said Brenda Cossman, director of the Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies and a professor at the University of Toronto. She said some of Camps comments were belittling and trivializing the crime of sexual assault, but she believes hes changed. I cannot give two or five year warranties on my education, but ... he seemed remorseful, he seemed prepared to admit where he was wrong, said Cossman, who was called before the committee by Camps lawyer. Dr. Lori Haskell, a psychologist at the University of Toronto who was also paid by Camp for her services, said she has taught courses on the effect of sexual assault on women to groups including judges, police officers and Crown prosecutors. She said she initially found Camps comments disturbing and expected he would be resistant, contemptuous, arrogant. But that wasnt the case, said Haskell. We talked about the fact he made mistakes. He, of course, wanted to apologize ... he wanted to make amends. Is he teachable? asked Camps lawyer. Yes, definitely. Hes very motivated and people do best when theyre motivated. Camp has attended the hearing since it began Tuesday and is scheduled to address the hearing Friday. SHARE: A man was arrested and charged after a patient claimed that she was sexually assaulted by a male nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital early Tuesday morning. According to Toronto Police, the 19-year-old patient went to the emergency department of Mount Sinai Hospital seeking medical treatment when the assault occurred. Police received a report of a sex assault at 5 a.m. that day. According to the Toronto Police, a 34-year-old man, Yan (Arn) Xie, has been arrested and is facing one charge of sexual assault in relation to the accusation. Police are concerned there may be other victims. SHARE: There was a lot of talk about swag at the government management committee meeting at city hall Tuesday. The politicians tossing the term around were using it as a synonym for branded merchandise. Since swag in that sense generally means freebies (or the giveaway Stuff We All Get at events or conventions, as Michael Scott of the television show The Office famously said) and they were talking about selling stuff by establishing a gift and memorabilia shop at city hall, they were using it incorrectly. Yet in another sense, it was the right word for the topic: the newest (already passe, you might say) common usage of swag is as a short form for swagger, and the newest addition to Torontos evolving reputation is that it has some. Part of the citys newfound cool can be credited to Drake and the globe-dominating R&B and hip-hop scene he waves the 6 flag for. Part of it is probably the result of the bomb-blasting, bat-flipping Blue Jays of the past couple of seasons, and the underdog We The North Raptors playoff drive last year. Part of it is just the result of more than a decade of massive growth and evolution in the city, especially downtown, a pace of cosmopolitan change that inspires excitement. A more earnest local pride has been bubbling up in corners for a generation. Whatever its component parts, this wave of pride has created a virtual industry in gear: T-shirts that say Turonno or Toronto Versus Everybody; iPhone cases with images of the streetcar engraved on them and cufflinks made of subway tokens; caps that say The New Toronto or H6ME; and, of course, those lapel buttons that show the tile patterns and names of subway stations. The list could go on there have even been bidding wars on the citys website for old street signs that have been taken down but the point is theres a market for Torontophenalia: Matt Blackett, creative director of Spacing, the magazine publisher and retail store that created those subway buttons, told the city committee meeting that his company has sold more than 750,000 of them since introducing them 12 years ago. (I should mention Blackett is a friend of mine and I have written for Spacing magazine in the past.) Blackett said that if the city proceeds with a plan and seeks an operator for the store, his company would be interested in bidding, and the Spacing store on Richmond St. is a good example of what a civic gift shop can be: instead of just mass-produced CN Tower snow globes, it has toques bearing the names of neighbourhoods, books of local history, toys in the shape of streetcars, vintage TTC posters and die-cut coasters made of city street-grid maps. That the citys government isnt cashing in on this market may seem strange. Theres not a lot to be made, for the city, Blackett warned candidly, speaking of dollars and hes likely quite right. Even the entire profit from 750,000 buttons that sell for $2 a piece is peanuts in a city where installing bike lanes costs almost $200,000 a kilometre. Former Rob Ford chief of staff Mark Towhey has suggested that to make real money rather than retail, the city should look at licensing its trademarks, and at the meeting this came up as a possibility. Indeed, when it comes to logos (not just municipal government ones, but police, fire department, and TTC logos even Parks department logos, Mary Margaret McMahon suggested), the city should do exactly that. Which doesnt mean it shouldnt pursue a store, too. There may not be a lot of cash in it. But, Blackett went on, theres a tremendous amount of value. Apparently the committee at city hall agreed, because they voted to study the feasibility of the idea by November. About time. Souvenirs and merchandise and other mementos and indeed, books and archival photographs and other things that might be sold in a gift shop are about more than just chasing the short money from tourists. They are about building and cementing the intangible relationships marketers constantly blather on about when they talk about branding, relationships with tourists and local residents alike. About giving people an outlet to enjoy and express an attachment, or a fond memory, to carry or wear a part of the city around with them or make it part of their home decor. People buying clothes or decor items make symbols of the citys identity part of their expression of their own identity, and by doing so, contribute to the further development of the citys identity. Theres no better place for a shop that allows that to happen than city hall. The only question may be why it isnt there already. Edward Keenan writes on city issues ekeenan@thestar.ca . Follow: @thekeenanwire SHARE: Power has been restored to almost all of the 3,000 Torontonians left in the dark due to thunderstorms and rainfall that rolled through the city late Wednesday night. Around 10:45 p.m., Toronto Hydro reported that around 2,000 customers were affected in High Park, and more than 1,200 customers in the area between Eglinton Ave. and St. Clair Ave. W. and Russell Hill and Bathurst St. Nine buildings in CityPlace were also affected. This is CityPlaces fourth power outage in the past two weeks. Many residents took to Twitter to express their frustration. Were doing everything we can to assess the damages, Toronto Hydro spokesperson Mallory Cunnington said. SHARE: Gretta Vosper, the popular and controversial United Church of Canada minister who calls herself an atheist, should no longer be a minister, a review committee has recommended. In our opinion, she is not suitable to continue in ordained ministry because she does not believe in God, Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit, the churchs Toronto Conference Review Committee concluded in a 39-page report released Wednesday. We have concluded that if Gretta Vosper were before us today, seeking to be ordained, said the report, the committee would not recommend her. After prayer and much discussion, the 23-person committee voted 19 to 4 in favour of a motion that found Vosper unsuitable to continue serving. Vosper, 57, a minister at West Hill United Church in Scarborough for nearly two decades, does not believe in an interventionist, supernatural God. She preaches instead about love, kindness and human connection. My sadness is for the many clergy and members and individuals currently studying for leadership in the UCC who are now also being told they need to keep quiet about their true beliefs or risk censure, Vosper told the Star in an email. The majority report said nothing about ethos and spoke exclusively to theological belief. A very sad day for the UCC. Vosper and her supporters will have a chance to respond to the reports conclusions at a hearing scheduled for Sept. 15, before a separate, eight-member sub-executive committee of the church. Were going to hear from Gretta and her congregation and its possible that they could say something that could cause us to go in a totally different or a slightly different direction, David Allen, executive secretary of Toronto Conference of the United Church of Canada, told the Star. The committee next week can accept the reports recommendations, reject them or modify them, said Allen. A decision could be made the same day as the hearing. If the committee was to find that Vosper should be put on the Discontinued Service List the most severe outcome she could face there would have to be a further hearing at the national level of the church. Vosper has been an outspoken voice in a slow but growing movement within the United Church toward downplaying Jesus and the Bible, and adopting a more metaphorical interpretation of religious symbols and a greater emphasis on humanist, environmental and social justice causes. Some argue it will reinvent a struggling church with declining attendance. Others believe it will destroy it. The minority who dissented to the interview committees motion finding Vosper unsuitable wrote that many of her theological positions, while not in the mainstream, are not unique amongst the ministers and lay persons of the United Church. Until recently, Vospers unorthodox approach was welcomed by the United Church of Canada, a historically inclusive and open-minded Protestant denomination founded in 1925, when Presbyterians, Methodists and Congregationalists formed a union. It is a church that has always avoided setting boundaries on the scope of acceptable beliefs. Vosper, whose Twitter bio boasts, Irritating the church into the 21st century, has pushed the limits of that openness. In challenging Vospers suitability for ministry, the church took the unprecedented step of asking itself whether there is a line. The majority of the 23-member review decided she has crossed it. In the past, top elected church leaders, known as moderators, have enthusiastically come to Vospers defence, whether they agree with her or not. No one questioned her in 2008 when she published her first book, With or Without God: Why the Way We Live Is More Important Than What We Believe, or a few years later when she published her second, Amen: What Prayer Can Mean in a World Beyond Belief. The tipping point came three years ago, when Vosper adopted a new label: atheist. The West Hill congregation has stood behind her through it all.Others have balked calling her a heretic, an abomination, a provocateur and demanded to know why an atheist is allowed to preach from a Christian pulpit. Things escalated in January 2015, when she wrote an open letter to then-moderator Rev. Gary Paterson in response to a prayer published on the United Church of Canada website for those killed in the Charlie Hebdo attacks, arguing the use of religious language reinforced the belief that motivated the killings: the existence of a supernatural God. In May 2015, Toronto Conference announced that it planned to review Vospers fitness to be a minister, and asked Nora Sanders, general secretary of the United Church, to create a procedure for doing so. A United Church minister can only be reviewed for alleged ineffectiveness or insubordination. The Sanders decision tied Vospers effectiveness to her suitability. A minister who is not suitable, Sanders ruled, cannot be effective. To assess suitability, Sanders wrote, a review committee may ask the minister to answer the ordination questions again, starting with: do you believe in God? Vosper filed an appeal seeking to halt the review, arguing it would redefine the nature of ministry in the United Church and reduce the diversity of beliefs that could be expressed within the denomination. In March, the Church announced that the review would proceed. SHARE: Jack Nicholson was coming. Then he wasnt. Yes he was. But he didnt. Fans were so miffed at Nicholsons no-show during Torontos first mega movie festival 40 years ago that 50 of them walked out of an event. To add to the chagrin, actress Julie Christies appearance also fizzled. But two days into the weeklong affair, festival organizer Bill Marshall was claiming success. Frankly, I dont care that neither of the stars are coming, he said. The 7,000 movie buffs who are attending our daily film programs and workshops seem to be quite happy without ogling big-name stars. Such was the beginning of what has become a hugely popular, much-anticipated event every fall since 1976 (Sept. 8 to 18 this year). The Toronto International Film Festival a mouthful shortened to TIFF has exhibited its share of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, to steal a 1960s movie title. The festival was founded by film producers and business partners Bill Marshall, Henk Van der Kolk, and Dusty Cohl, who wanted to give the Canadian film industry a boost. Held in October at the Ontario Place Cinesphere and theatres throughout the city, the then-named Festival of Festivals aimed to celebrate the best works from around the world. In Toronto, we plan to put the word festive back in festival, declared Marshall. The Toronto Star predicted a star-spotters paradise that would lure such celebrities as Rex Reed, Marcello Mastroianni and even the premier, Bill Davis. Tickets ranged from $6 for three daytime events to $150 for an all-inclusive package. That first year, 35,000 enthusiasts (including 750 who didnt walk out of Nicholsons workshop) turned out to watch 127 films from 30 countries. But most of the major U.S. distributors refused to participate as Marshall blasted them for their lack of financial support north of the border. Then there were the pesky censors who zoomed in on the launch film, French-made Cousin Cousine, billed as a deliciously adult comedy about love and infidelity. The producer refused to cut a sex scene and the screening went ahead, with movie critic Clyde Gilmour pronouncing the scene more lukewarm than hot and steamy. The following year TV superstar Da Fonz, a.k.a. Henry Winkler of Happy Days, set cameras clicking as he ditched motorcycle leather in favour of a three-piece suit for his initiation to Hogtown. Winklers mission: promote his first film The Heroes and add more Canadians to his 55,000 fan letters a month. Things turned ugly in 1978 when the gala opening of In Praise of Older Women, starring Helen Shaver and Karen Black, bordered on riotous. There was this brouhaha over the sex and the rumour that they would close it, recalled former volunteer and party planner Andre Rosenbaum. Festival director Wayne Clarkson mistakenly believed rain and a transit strike would keep people away but hordes rushed into the oversold show at the Elgin Theatre. The In Praise mob was frightening, Rosenbaum told the Stars Rita Zekas years later. It was completely unruly The fire marshal came in and stopped us until we ejected people. Misbehaviour aside, by 1987 the festival had become this citys premier cultural event, gushed movie critic Ron Base. That was the year the red carpet found itself under the large feet of Andre the Giant. The 7-foot-3-inch actor needed a specially built seat for the premiere of the runaway hit The Princess Bride. At the Varsity Theatre, film foul-ups from ongoing mechanical problems were blamed on old equipment and poor ventilation. Little-used 16 mm equipment was so bad that, in one instance, someone had to stand with his finger on the film all night to keep it from jumping off the sprocket, a member of the projectionists union told the Star. But as the sniping wore on, the snipping ceased. Censors had made the province a laughing stock around the movie world, and by 1988 Queens Park was fed up, the Star reported. After that, the festival joined art galleries and artistic venues in being excused from censor rulings. Several years later, Robert Downey Jr.s behaviour could have benefited from a little curbing as the then-substance abuser threw a temper tantrum over a mix-up at the Sutton Place Hotel. In town for Norman Jewisons romantic comedy Only You in 1994, the actor completely lost it, an onlooker later blabbed. Crawling on the front desk on hands and knees, he was screaming profanities and punching the walls, the spectator said. But there was plenty of good amid the festivals bad, as exemplified by Matthew McConaughey in 2001. The Hollywood sex symbol gave the kiss of life to a stricken patron at the premiere of his film, Thirteen Conversations About One Thing. The tall Texan tried to downplay his actions at a news conference later, but his co-star Amy Irving branded him a hero, pointing out that you gave her mouth-to-mouth. Tinseltown bad boy Sean Penn tarnished proceedings by puffing on cigarettes during a Q&A at the Sutton Place in 2006. That was the year Ontarios public smoking ban took effect but apparently Penn didnt get the memo. No one is above the law, whether its Sean Penn or someone at the local tavern, fumed Jim Watson, charged with implementing the smoke-free law. The hotel was fined $605 but the actor escaped paying the piper. Controversy often rode into town with the stars and 2009 was a banner year for badmouthing when TIFF turned its programming spotlight on Israeli films, sparking accusations that organizers were anti-Palestine. Celebrities Viggo Mortensen, Jane Fonda, Natalie Portman and Jerry Seinfeld all got into the fray as an escalating war of words threatened to upstage the movies. But at least Jack Nicholson wasnt the bad guy this time. Story idea? Share your story suggestions at OnceUponACity@thestar.ca . To search more about this story or your story go to thestar.com/archives . To purchase or browse more photos go to starstore.ca/collections/once-upon-a-city , or visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/TorontoStarArchives or on Twitter: @StarHistoricPix. Read more about: SHARE: The City of Vaughan has laid charges against a developer and two companies after an investigation found that at least 10 mature trees were chopped down on private property without a permit. The incident took place in early July, the same month dozens of trees were chopped down at a property along Bayview Ave. in Toronto, prompting Mayor John Tory to call for a seven-figure fine to send a message to developers. Motivated by Torys comments, Vaughan residents and one politician are calling for changes to their tree protection bylaw, which they said needs to be overhauled to be effective. Our current fines are so low that they are not a deterrent but rather an incentive to clear-cut any parcel of land in the city, said Vaughan Councillor Marilyn Iafrate, who added that she has asked staff to come back with a report about strengthening the bylaw in the fall. Its simply the cost of doing the business in the city. And its such a minimal cost, she said. The citys tree protection bylaw says an individual who cuts down a tree with a trunk size of 20 cm or more, without a permit, can face a fine of $1,000 per tree or a maximum of $10,000, whichever is greater. Corporations can face a maximum fine of $25,000. In comparison, Torontos bylaw states anyone removing any tree with a trunk larger than 30 cm, about the size of a telephone pole, can face a maximum fine of $100,000 per tree and allows for a separate extra $100,000 penalty which has never been levied, the city said. Its (the bylaw) a joke, said Vaughan resident Robert Kenedy, who notified the city about the tree removal in early July. Kenedy said that he and neighbours saw heavy machinery being used to knock down trees and pull out the stumps on a heavily forested piece of land at 1600 Teston Rd., and reported it to the city. It was a professional job, said Kenedy. The trees were cut down, the stumps removed and then the holes filled. You cant even tell it happened. Last month, the citys bylaw and compliance department charged three parties with committing the offence of injuring or destroying a tree. . . without a permit. Local landowner Cam Milani, Elmwood General Contractors Ltd. and Teston Sands Inc. are facing 10 charges each, one for each tree. Teston Sands Inc. is a new company that was incorporated the same week the incident took place, according to Ontario corporate records. Milani did not respond to requests for comment for this article. Milanis mother Lucia, who is listed as president of Teston Sands Inc., also did not respond to requests for comment for this article. A man who answered the phone at Elmwood General Contractors Ltd., and didnt want to give his name, said he didnt know about the charges, and then said he had no comment. The charges and fines will be dealt with in Provincial Offences Court on October 6, said a City of Vaughan spokesperson. Matthew Cutler, a spokesman with the City of Torontos Parks, Forestry & Recreation department, said Toronto convictions in provincial offences court usually yield fines of about $5,000 to $12,000 per tree. The July incident, where at least 30 trees were chopped down without a permit in North York, including a Linden tree thought to be 150 years old, is still under investigation, which could take anywhere from four weeks to four months, he said. Most municipalities have a lengthy permit process for removing trees, which can include: getting an arborist report, paying a fee and applying for a permit. According to the City of Toronto, tree removal requests are approved 94 per cent of the time. Thats why it makes little sense to go about it without the proper approvals, said Todd Irvine, an arborist with Bruce Tree Expert Co., who has done work for developers. He said that in 99 per cent of cases, developers follow the rules. When they dont get permits, they look bad, and they piss off their neighbours, he said, speaking generally. In most cases, they are just being inconsiderate and probably think they will get away with it. In Vaughan, the neighbours are asking why the city had a pre-application meeting with the owners of 1600 Teston Rd., for an application of 121 single detached homes, while the investigation into the trees was ongoing. The message that this sends is that a developer can go ahead and cut trees with impunity and then proceed with a development application as if nothing abnormal had occurred, wrote local activist Richard Lorello, in an email to staff and council last month. Toronto Mayor John Tory and his Council has made it abundantly clear that he will not tolerate this type of conduct in his city. Personally I would like to see Vaughan Council take the same position and send the same message of zero tolerance to illegal tree cutting. Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua said he takes the protection of our trees seriously and that is why we require a permit to remove privately owned trees within the City. He did not respond to questions about if he would support a motion to strengthen the citys tree bylaw. Iafrate said the irony is that the city has invested millions this term in a program to replace trees that were damaged due to the 2013 ice storm and the invasive emerald ash borer. We cant be spending millions upon millions of dollars to replace boulevard trees damaged by storm and disease and then shrug our shoulders when dealing with trees damaged/removed by humans, Iafrate wrote in an email to council soon after Torys comments were made public. We must be consistent and our residents expect it. Read more about: SHARE: A Durham police officer for six months co-owned a medical marijuana company that is not licensed and offers consumers pot brownies and other products the government says are illegal to sell. And veteran Const. Phil Edgar, who once received a commendation for numerous marijuana busts, did it with the blessing of his police force. After the Star began asking questions, Edgar said he stepped back from the marijuana company Living On Inc. and is weighing whether he wants to continue a career of policing or branch into the budding medical weed business. Durham Regional Police Service refused to answer questions about whether it was appropriate for an active police officer to be involved in this kind of business, and why it approved Edgars request to co-own the medical marijuana company. Living On is a medical marijuana company headquartered on First Nations land in Port Perry. It does not have a licence from Health Canada to sell medical pot. Its website advertises various kinds of edible marijuana products pot brownies, gummies, a weed-infused chocolate hazelnut spread called Chrontella that are illegal to sell in Canada because the government says they pose a risk of overdose or unintentional ingestion by children. From my view everything Living On was doing was ethical and legal. If were helping people, and its all ethical and legal, then I have no problem with it, Edgar said in an interview. According to a police board document, the Durham force received a legal opinion that it would be required to approve Edgars ownership of a marijuana dispensary. Under Ontario law, officers must receive the forces permission to have a second job or have ownership in a company that may appear to be a conflict of interest or interfere with their duties as a cop. In the past, Durham has denied requests from officers looking to get side jobs as bartenders or security guards. Edgar has been a Durham cop for 22 years. When not on patrol, he is also a businessman who owns a bustling gas station across the street from Living Ons headquarters on the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, of which Edgar is a member. He lives nearby with two palatial homes nestled along Lake Scugog, the product of what he described as years of smart investments and good business practices. He owns a fleet of high-end cars, including an Audi R8 wrapped in green vinyl film emblazoned with the dispensarys company name. I do policing right now because I enjoy helping people, Edgar said. I dont do it for the money. A well-liked and respected officer, Edgar once received an award from his force for police work that involved seizing more than $530,000 of marijuana during just seven traffic stops. He said its important to make the distinction between medical marijuana and street drugs. People are talking about marijuana like its a poison to society. People who are using medicinal marijuana are people who are looking for an alternative to the pharmaceutical drugs that arent working or are causing negative side effects, he said. There are police officers in the province who are using medicinal marijuana. Edgar joined Living On in December 2015 and said he filed a secondary employment request with the force around the same time. The force said it would not discuss the issue of Edgars request. We view any secondary employment request as an employer-employee matter and therefore not open for public discussion, police spokesman Dave Selby said in a statement. He said each request is reviewed by the service and evaluated based on considerations including case law and the Police Services Act. The police chief has the final call on whether a secondary employment is approved. The Star could not determine what information was available to the force or its lawyers when it approved Edgars involvement. Until recently, Living Ons website stated that the company is licensed by Health Canada to sell and distribute marijuana for medical purposes. It has since dropped the claim from its website. Dispensaries and other sellers of marijuana who are not licensed under the current law are illegal, a Health Canada spokeswoman said in a statement. These establishments operate outside of the legal framework and provide products from illegal sources that are untested, unregulated and may be unsafe. Living On is also offering products that are not approved for sale under current drug laws in Canada. Despite a 2015 Supreme Court decision that ruled medical marijuana patients can consume the drug in any form they choose, Health Canada allows licensed venders to sell the product only as a bud, leaf or oil. Edibles, such as cookies or gummies, remain illegal to sell, the government said, because these products may be particularly appealing to children and youth and can pose a risk of overdose or unintentional ingestion. Living Ons website requires customers to have a medical marijuana prescription and a membership before they can begin shopping. While the company lists edibles and other items on its website, Living On does not actually sell medical marijuana products, said one of its co-owners, Kris Khan. Instead, he said it currently just refers customers to other companies that are actually licensed by the government to sell medical marijuana. Were not selling, Khan said, adding that they dont take any cut for referrals. However, Green Penguin Delights, a B.C. company that produces edibles, told the Star that it supplies marijuana products to Living On. We dont sell to the public. We only sell to the dispensaries, said Green Penguin Delights Brina Levitt, explaining that the dispensaries then distribute the products to patients who have valid prescriptions. Living Ons website lists more than a dozen different edibles under its products page. Khan said in a follow-up text message to the Star that the Green Penguin edibles are lab tested and that Living On will be following the law all the way. Const. Edgar said his role with the company was promotional and he had nothing to do with day-to-day operations. There are only 35 companies licensed by the federal government to produce and sell medical marijuana, that supply by mail close to 70,000 Canadians with fresh or dried buds and cannabis oils. There are another 400,000 Canadians, according to one academics research, who buy their marijuana for medical purposes from the black market, including storefront dispensaries and compassion clubs. Cracking down on these illegal venders is left to local police. In Toronto, officers have raided numerous dispensaries and charged the operators with various drug offences. Other cities have taken to regulating the storefront businesses through bylaws and licences. In Durham region, where Edgar works, police say they are monitoring the dispensaries that continue to pop up in its cities cores, trying to corner their own piece of the estimated $80-million medical marijuana market. It was the high market evaluation that attracted Edgar to Living On in December 2015. Its a new industry that people are changing their views about. Its going to be decriminalized in this country and the opportunity for an investment such as this is something that intrigued me, he said. The officer co-owned the marijuana company with Khan and Rennie Goose, who owns a popular smoke shop wedged between Edgars gas station and Living Ons yet-to-open storefront shop. The focus of the company, said co-owner Khan, is on developing tamper-proof vending machines that patients can use to safely buy their medical marijuana, something they could license to other companies. Edgar said he left the company as of July 1 to avoid the unnecessary attention it was garnering from the media and others in the force. I have to do some serious soul searching to decide: do I stay in the policing industry or do I want to branch out into businesses like this? he said. Contact the reporter at jmclean@thestar.ca or 647-215-4370 SHARE: Back to school aint (and isnt) what it used to be. Back to the bargaining table is now the new normal. In years past, teachers, parents and students could count on years of labour peace in between contract talks. No longer. Looming over this weeks return to school is the prospect of perennial (or perhaps perpetual) labour negotiations one round resuming almost immediately after the last. An endless cycle of talking in circles. Two years after their contracts expired, and a year after a province-wide settlement was supposed to serve as the template for peace in our time, some teachers are still bogged down in negotiations (GTA school boards have settled). With the current three-year-contact set to expire next summer, both sides are braced for bargaining to resume early next year. Enjoy the respite. While you can. This week, parents are probably more preoccupied by declining math scores or deteriorating facilities. Students are looking forward to team sports, spared the spectre of extracurricular boycotts (for now). And politicians are still going in circles over sex education. The Tories tried to seduce social conservatives in last weeks Scarborough byelection by sending out thousands of letters promising to scrap the updated curriculum until they had second thoughts about their thoughtlessness. Against that backdrop of back-to-school distractions teacher negotiations and voter seductions its easy to get discouraged by the state of our schools, and pine for a return to the basics. Less rhetoric, more reading. Less wrangling, more writing. Less rithmetic over salaries, more math for students. For all the fuss about falling math scores, at least we still test how its taught. Teachers unions have long criticized the EQAO assessments of childrens math competency in grades 3, 6 and 9 most recently in 2015, when teachers targeted it for work-to-rule disruptions. But legitimate disagreements over testing (and other pedagogical debates) seem destined to be overtaken by disputes at the bargaining table, which siphon endless resources from government. Is there a better way? The last round of teacher talks was supposed to be an improvement over the past. The idea, incubating over the past decade, was to streamline bargaining on a more stable two-track process for the public and separate Catholic systems. A central table would determine province-wide pay and benefits, on the theory that there has been a single provincial paymaster since the Mike Harris Tories centralized funding. Local school boards could then thrash out the fine print at a decentralized level. Premier Kathleen Wynne hoped it might repair the bad blood after former premier Dalton McGuinty pre-emptively imposed legislation on the teachers in 2012 to restrict their bargaining rights. Both sides were onside with entrenching two-track negotiations in legislation. Then it all unravelled. High school teachers pre-emptively went out on strike in parts of the GTA last year, only to be called out by the Ontario Labour Relations Board for flouting the law. Elementary teachers refused to fully fill out report cards, accept parental requests for meetings, or co-operate on EQAO testing. Protracted negotiations finally produced province-wide deals. But the Liberals got only more grief when the Progressive Conservatives discovered that the government had been quietly reimbursing the unions and school boards for extra expenses incurred in the complex bargaining process. (Rather than antagonize the teachers, whom PC Leader Patrick Brown is quietly courting, the Tories leaked it to the media.) The multi-million-dollar payouts, while a rounding error in a multi-billion-dollar budget, looked like another Liberal scandal. The auditor general criticized the government for not demanding receipts, but found no foul play. In the aftermath, the new framework seems fiendishly complex. But its hard to pinpoint whether the past five years of strife and stasis in our schools are the result of an imperfect process, or the rigid financial parameters brought on by massive budget deficits. Next time, the government is unlikely to demand net zeroes from the teachers after freezing them since 2012. While that financial flexibility wont make union leaders any more malleable, it may lubricate a creaky process. As to the bigger question on the minds of parents will we ever get a break from non-stop bargaining, so that the province can put more thought into educating students? Theres only one certainty: back to school is more than we bargained for. Well know more when schools out next spring. Martin Regg Cohns political column appears Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. mcohn@thestar.ca , Twitter: @reggcohn Read more about: SHARE: Premier Kathleen Wynne is giving her Liberals a mid-mandate reboot with a Monday throne speech aimed at everyday concerns like high electricity bills after a steamy summer. Wynne, who prorogued the Legislature on Thursday, will outline the governments agenda for the 20 months leading up to the spring 2018 election in an address to be read by Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell. Im looking forward to Monday and the throne speech, a beaming Wynne said as she returned to her office with Secretary of Cabinet Steve Orsini, the head of the Ontario public service, after meeting with Dowdeswell. The speech will focus on making the everyday lives of Ontarians better, Government House leader Yasir Naqvi later told a news conference We know Ontarians have concerns about things like hydro prices, concerns about cost and everyday living, he added, saying all government legislation including the political fundraising reform bill triggered by a Star series will be reintroduced, in some cases with amendments. That means the prohibition on MPPs and candidates attending campaign fundraisers, and the ban on union and corporate donations to political parties will almost certainly take effect in January. Wynne signalled pocketbook issues are top of mind after last weeks byelection loss of former Liberal stronghold Scarborough-Rouge River to the Progressive Conservatives, who scoffed at her sudden attention to them. Apparently Premier Wynne only just learned that Ontario families are struggling to afford their hydro bills, PC Leader Patrick Brown who was not available to take questions said in a statement calling the Liberals old, tired and self-interested. If she were serious about addressing this crisis, the Wynne Liberal government would immediately halt any further sales of Hydro One shares and stop signing expensive contracts for energy we dont need. NDP House leader Gilles Bisson accused Wynne, whose party trailed the Conservatives in a recent public opinion poll, of just using prorogation to change the channel on her failed record. Ontarians will not be fooled by another Liberal public relations exercise. They want to see real action on their priorities, said Bisson, who also called for a halt to the ongoing sale of the Hydro One transmission utility. Naqvi defended the decision to prorogue as part of normal tradition to outline new priorities and stressed that MPPs are returning to the legislature as scheduled. He said the government is very much open to carry forward private members bills introduced by opposition MPPs in the previous session of the legislature. Under the political fundraising reforms, annual donation limits will be cut to $1,200 down from the existing $9,975 and other loopholes will be closed. To offset the loss of revenue to parties, there will be a $2.71-per vote subsidy, which is based on the results of the 2014 election. That payout is expected to increase to help riding associations. With a $2.71-per-vote stipend: The Liberals, with 1,863,974 votes in 2014, would receive $5.06 million annually starting in January. The Progressive Conservatives, with 1,508,811 votes, would get $4.09 million. The New Democrats, with 1,144,822 votes, would get $3.1 million. The Green Party of Ontario, with 232,536 votes, would get $630,000. But there is more to the throne speech than a reiteration of reforming campaign finance. That includes a commitment to the Liberals plan to implement a carbon-pricing scheme to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change a measure expected to cost the average household $13 extra a month and a continued focus on jobs and the economy. Our plan is working but our work is far from done, Naqvi said, citing major investments in public transit like the Eglinton Crosstown light rail line slated to open in 2021 and Wynnes successful push for an enhanced Canada Pension Plan. The Star first disclosed the prorogation when government staffers were spotted examining the legislative chamber this week for a seating plan of dignitaries invited to attend Mondays noon speech. Wynne, who became premier in February 2013, acknowledged Wednesday that electricity bills are alarming ratepayers across the province. We heard concerns at the doors in Scarborough-Rouge River and, quite frankly, those concerns are things that we now have to take to heart and we have to use them to inform our actions going forward, said the premier, who toured northern Ontario earlier this summer. One of the things that we heard most consistently was hydro rates . . . . It is not something that is isolated in one riding in Toronto. Wynne has ordered new Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault to look for ways to help people bear the costs in their day-to-day lives. While prorogation is a standard practice in parliamentary government, its use has become controversial in recent years. In October 2012, Wynnes predecessor, premier Dalton McGuinty, announced he was proroguing the legislature and resigning as Liberal leader just one year after being re-elected with a minority government. The opposition parties charged McGuinty was suspending the House and quitting to lessen the political fallout of his decision to cancel two locally unpopular gas-fired power plants in Oakville and Mississauga before the 2011 election, which the auditor general estimates could cost up to $1 billion over 20 years. In December 2008, then-prime minister Stephen Harper prorogued the Commons for his minority Conservative government to avoid a non-confidence vote that would have led to its defeat. Wynnes Liberals argue that her move is different from what McGuinty and Harper did because the legislature will resume Monday as planned, unlike the eight-week gap set in motion by Harper in 2008. McGuintys move to prorogue suspended the House for four months. Read more about: SHARE: LOS ANGELESIn July, author Elizabeth Gilbert announced that her relationship with Brazilian businessman Jose Nunes he was called Felipe in the love part of her bestselling 2006 memoirEat, Pray, Love was coming to an end. On Wednesday morning, Gilbert revealed the reason for the split: She has fallen in love with Rayya Elias, a woman whos been her best friend for years, and who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic and liver cancer. I do not merely love Rayya; I am in love with Rayya, Gilbert wrote in a Facebook post. And I have no more time for denying that truth. The thought of someday sitting in a hospital room with her, holding her hand and watching her slide away, without ever having let her (or myself!) know the extent of my true feelings for her . . . well, that thought was unthinkable. Elias is a Syrian-born American musician and filmmaker, and author of the 2013 memoir Harley Loco: A Memoir of Hard Living, Hair, and Post-Punk, from the Middle East to the Lower East Side, to which Gilbert wrote the introduction. Gilbert confirmed that her relationship with Elias was the reason for her separation from Nunes. For those of you who are doing the math here, and who are wondering if this situation is why my marriage came to an end this spring, the simple answer is yes, she wrote. Here is where we stand now: Rayya and I are together. I love her, and she loves me. Im walking through this cancer journey with her, not only as her friend, but as her partner. Gilbert and Elias have been friends for more than 15 years. The two were profiled last year by the Sydney Morning Herald, which described them as clasping hands, finishing each others sentences, Elias absentmindedly fixing Gilberts hair and displaying a kind of intimacy only found in female friendships and, even then, not always. Elias told the newspaper that her friends would often refer to Gilbert as her wife. I know it sounds like a love story and it totally is, she said. In her Facebook post, Gilbert explained why she chose to go public with the news of her relationship with Elias. I need to live my life in truth and transparency, even more than I need privacy, or good publicity, or prudence, or other peoples approval or understanding, or just about anything else, she wrote. So that is why Rayya and I have decided together to speak up publicly now both about her cancer and about our love for each other. Its for the sake of our own integrity, but its also intended to make our lives simpler. Gilbert ended her post by asking her readers for love. Whatever extra love you might be carrying around in your hearts right now, could you direct some this way? she wrote. We will resonate with it, and we will thank you for it. Because truth is the force that guides us to where we need to be in life, but love is the power that heals us once we arrive there. Below that is a picture of Gilbert and Elias together, smiling. SHARE: At 7:05 p.m. Thursday evening, a team of scientists assembled in Cape Canaveral, Fla., will watch as a rocket lifts a 6.2-metre-long spacecraft into the sky. OSIRIS-REx will spend two years travelling through space to the asteroid Bennu. The mission, with the help of Canadian science and engineering, will send a precious piece of the asteroid hurtling back to Earth and help scientists answer questions about our solar systems deep history. A near-Earth threat Out of all the asteroids in all the orbits in our solar system there are millions scientists chose Bennu. Why? Bennu comes extremely close to the Earth, almost as close as the moon, and orbits the sun in roughly the same plane as our planet, so it is more accessible than most. With a diameter of about 500 metres, Bennu also spins more slowly than a smaller asteroid typically would, making a tricky sampling manoeuvre feasible (more on that later). But there are eye-widening reasons too: Bennu has a 1 in 2,700 chance of impacting our planet sometime between 2175 and 2199, classifying it as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid. One of the spacecrafts objectives is to measure the tiny push that happens when an asteroid absorbs and emits sunlight, known as the Yarkovsky effect. Understanding this effect will help astronomers better predict Bennus path in the future. Lastly, scientists believe Bennu is a rare B-type asteroid: a carbon-rich, primitive remnant of the early solar system a cosmic time capsule that may provide clues about the origins of life on Earth. Canadian lasers When it reaches Bennu in 2018, OSIRIS-REx will use a suite of five instruments to explore the asteroid. One of them, the OSIRIS-REx Laser Altimeter (OLA), was designed and built in Canada. You obviously have to bring some expertise to the table, and we have that expertise here in Canada, said Michael Daly, OLAs instrument scientist and York Research Chair in Planetary Science. The instrument, built by a Canadian company, uses two lasers, a high-energy beam for distances of up to 7.5 kilometres and a low-energy one for distances of under 1.5 kilometres. By timing the gap between when a laser pulse is emitted and when it returns, OLA will allow the spacecraft to precisely calculate the distance between it and the asteroid. That capability will help OSIRIS-REx navigate around Bennu. But OLA also has important scientific functions too: by pinging lasers at the surface up to 10,000 times a second, the instrument will help create a high-resolution topographic map of Bennu. Fundamentally with these asteroids, the shape is so, so important, says Daly, helping scientists understand the objects geology and evolution. A careful dance Part of OLAs job, along with the cameras and spectrometers on board, is to help identify and map the most scientifically interesting places to grab material from the asteroids surface. Once the team back on Earth selects a site, the spacecraft will use a novel touch and go technique to collect its sample. OSIRIS-REx will never land on the asteroid. It will hover in close and extend a robotic arm, making contact for just five seconds. When the sampler head touches the surface, it will send out a jet of nitrogen gas to blow surface material into an internal chamber. The spacecraft has enough gas for three attempts. The science team wants at least 60 grams of material and as much as two kilograms. After the sample is collected, OSIRIS-REx will begin a two-and-a-half year trip back to Earth, eventually releasing its sample return capsule, which will come hurtling towards the Utah desert in 2023. Cosmic time capsule Because of the Canadian Space Agencys participation in the mission, Canadian scientists are entitled to four per cent of the material collected from Bennu. This is the first time that Canada has ever participated in an asteroid return sample, so were super excited about having materials we can study directly, says Kim Tait, curator of mineralogy at the Royal Ontario Museum and a collaborator on the missions Canadian science team. Part of Taits job is to train graduate students to study the sample and get even younger students excited about it: because of the seven-year duration of the mission, There are people who are still in school who will be studying this one day. Meteorites, pieces of asteroids that have broken up in our atmosphere and rained down on Earth, are nuggets of space history. But meteorites are altered by their traumatic entry and contaminated by sitting on our planet, so a pristine asteroid sample from a known source is of irreplaceable scientific value. We wouldnt be doing this if we knew what we were going to get, says Tait. Asteroids like Bennu and planets like Earth all formed as our solar system coalesced 4.5 billion year ago. But Earth has been scoured by dynamic geologic processes like plate tectonics. On Bennu, theres no rain, theres no wind. Its just stuck, Tait explains. For that reason, Bennu is like a time capsule that can tell scientists about the deep history of our solar system. The research team also wants to know whether asteroids were the source of organic molecules that led to life on Earth, a finding suggested but not confirmed by meteorites. An uncontaminated sample from carbon-rich Bennu may help answer that question. Thats always the big question: where do we come from? says Tait. If we can get back to material that is from the beginning, and from the early solar system . . . Are there the things we need to seed life? SHARE: Nearly a year after the influx of migrants into Europe reached its peak, the repercussions can now be felt in thousands of classrooms across the continent as a new school year begins. Whereas most other schools are focused on assimilating migrant children, one Danish school in the city of Aarhus has decided to separate them. The idea has drawn criticism from human rights advocates who question the legality of segregating children based on their ethnicity. Many countries provide separate schooling for newcomers in efforts at quicker assimilation. In special international classes in Germany, for example, migrant and refugee children receive intensive language training in an attempt to move them into normal German classrooms as soon as possible. The Danish schools approach, however, is somewhat different because it was not originally designed to integrate migrant children better. Instead, it seeks to allow children to avoid a multicultural class, according to the Jyllands-Posten newspaper, which first reported the story. The policy does not only apply to refugees or children born abroad, but also to pupils who grew up in Denmark but have parents who migrated from abroad. The case of the Aarhus school is considered isolated. About 25 per cent of the schools pupils were either migrants or the children of migrant parents in 2007, but that number has since to 80 per cent. Some critics of the plan say it reflects a deeper trend within a society that has grown opposed to more immigration. Denmark made headlines last year with a law that allowed police officers to seize valuables from refugees as a way to help defray the costs of hosting the new arrivals many from war-ravaged countries such as Syria and Iraq. Opponents of such policies say that Denmark is increasingly isolating itself and portraying the country as unwelcoming to refugees and others. The number of refugees coming to the country has decreased significantly as a result. It is pure discrimination when you sort people according to whether they are white or brown Danes, Jette Moller, the president of the non-governmental organization SOS Against Racism, was quoted as saying by Jyllands-Posten. Read more about: SHARE: BEIJINGChinese flag-carrier Air China said Thursday that it had removed copies of its inflight magazine containing an article criticized as racist for telling visitors to take precautions when visiting areas of London with large ethnic-minority populations. The state-owned airline said in an email to The Associated Press that the September issue of Wings of China used inappropriate language and that the article didnt represent the airlines views. After discovering this problem, Air China immediately removed this magazine from all flights and demanded that the publishers of Wings of China seriously learn from this lesson, strengthen their content review and avoid making similar mistakes, the airline said. It also forwarded an email from the magazines publisher apologizing to Air China and saying the fault lay with an editing mistake. The original article in English read: London is generally a safe place to travel, however precautions are needed when entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people. It also advised tourists not to go out alone at night, and for women not to travel alone. British lawmaker Vivendra Sharma, who represents a diverse London district, said Wednesday that he had written to Chinas ambassador to Britain to demand an apology for the blatantly untrue and racist statements. In the apology to Air China, China Aviation Media Co. Ltd. said the article ran counter to our original intention to promote the beautiful scenes of London. It has brought about misunderstanding from some media outlets and readers and also a huge negative impact on your companys business operations and image. We deeply apologize for that, its statement read. Its not the first time Chinese businesses have been criticized for being tone-deaf over issues of race and ethnicity. Earlier this year, a Chinese laundry detergent maker apologized for the harm caused to the African people over its TV advertisement that showed a black man being stuffed into a washing machine and coming out a fair-skinned Asian man. Shanghai Leishang Cosmetics Ltd. Co. said it strongly condemned racial discrimination but blamed foreign media for playing up the controversy. The examples highlight how companies and much of the population in China remain somewhat oblivious to racial sensitivities, partly a result of Chinas overwhelming ethnic homogeneity and a relative lack of contact with foreigners until recent years which has allowed stereotypes to persist. Asked about the magazines London travel advice, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying responded that the government only issues tourist alerts to people travelling to high risk areas like war zones. The Chinese government resolutely opposes all forms of racial discrimination, she said. Read more about: SHARE: WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.Hillary Clinton blasted Donald Trump Thursday for his condemnation of American military generals and his praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying her Republican opponent had failed at proving he can be commander in chief. Every Republican holding or seeking office in this country should be asked if they agree with Donald Trump about these statements, Clinton said in a morning news conference. The governments most senior Republican, for one, says he does not share Trumps complimentary view of the Russian leader. Vladimir Putin is an aggressor that does not share our interests, House Speaker Paul Ryan told reporters Thursday. It certainly appears that he is conducting state-sponsored cyber-attacks on what appears to be our political system. That is not acting in our interests. Asked whether hed be comfortable with Trump as president, Ryan demurred, Ill leave it at that. The discussion followed a Wednesday night national security forum in which the presidential candidates made back-to-back appearances. During the session, Clinton was repeatedly challenged on her controversial email use at the State Department and her vote as a senator for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. She also flushed out several national security priorities if she is elected, including trying to take out the leader of Daesh, also known as ISIS and ISIL, and vowing to defeat the extremist group without putting U.S. troops on the ground in Iraq or Syria. Trump did little to counter the criticism that he lacks detailed policy proposals, particularly regarding Daesh. He both insisted he has a private blueprint for defeating the extremist group and that he would demand a plan from military leaders within 30 days of taking office. But he was also harshly critical of the military, saying Americas generals have been reduced to rubble under Obama. Asked to square his request for military options with that criticism, Trump said simply: Theyll probably be different generals. The Republican also renewed his praise for Putin and his disdain for President Barack Obama, saying that the Russian enjoyed an 82 per cent approval rating. The man has very strong control over a country, Trump said. Its a very different system and I dont happen to like the system, but certainly, in that system, hes been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader. Speaking to reporters Thursday morning, Clinton suggested she agreed with Democrats who say she is being held to a different standard in the White House race. I dont understand the reasons for it, she said. I find it frustrating, but its part of the landscape we live in. With just two months until Election Day, national security has emerged as a centerpiece issue in the White House race. Both candidates believe they have the upper hand, with Clinton contrasting her experience with Trumps unpredictability and the Republican arguing that Americans worried about their safety will be left with more of the same if they elect Obamas former secretary of state. Clintons argument that Trump is ill-prepared to be commander in chief has been bolstered by a flood of Republican national security experts who have chosen to back the Democratic nominee instead of their own partys pick. Some of those Republicans will join Clinton Friday for what she dubbed at working session on the threat of terrorism. Those attending the event include Michael Chertoff, who served as Homeland Security secretary under President George W. Bush. Wednesdays forum served as a preview of sorts for Clinton and Trumps highly-anticipated presidential debates. The candidates will face off for the first time on Sept. 26 at Hofstra University. By virtue of a coin flip, Clinton took the stage first and quickly found herself responding at length to questions about her years in government. She reiterated that she had made mistakes in relying on a personal email account and private server as secretary of state and in voting for the 2003 invasion of Iraq as a senator. But she defended her support for U.S. military intervention to help oust a dictator in Libya, despite the chaotic aftermath. Im asking to be judged on the totality of my record, said Clinton, who grew visibly irritated at times with the repeated focus on her past actions. Trump stood by a previous comment that appeared to blame military sexual assaults on men and women serving together, but added he would not seek to remove women from the military. And for the first time, he opened the door to granting legal status to people living in the U.S. illegally who join the military. I think that when you serve in the armed forces, thats a very special situation, Trump said. And I could see myself working that out. The Republican also repeated an incorrect claim that he was opposed to the war with Iraq before the invasion. That assertion is contradicted by an interview Trump did with Howard Stern in September 2002 in which he was asked whether he supported the invasion. He replied, Yeah, I guess so. Read more about: SHARE: WASHINGTONDonald Trump supported the invasion of Iraq. This is a matter of public record. But the presidential nominee with a frequent disregard for the truth has relentlessly insisted that he always opposed the invasion. He did so again during a televised forum on NBC on Wednesday night. As usual, he was fact-checked by journalists. Unusually, he decided to respond at length. It was dizzying. Over the course of 13 minutes of a Thursday speech at a Cleveland school, Trump offered nine explanations and justifications for his position on the war in 2002 and 2003. Most of them were false, contradictory or both. Even by the standards of presidential-campaign spin, this was a highly abnormal level of dishonesty, especially for a scripted speech. Behold: Claim #1: I always opposed the war Quote: Iraq is one of the biggest differences in this race. I opposed going in. And I did oppose it. Despite the media saying no, yes, no, I opposed going in. Reality: Trump expressed support for the war on Howard Sterns radio show in September 2002, as Buzzfeed first reported in February. Claim #2: I opposed the war after that Stern interview Quote: I was opposed to the war from the beginning, long after my interview with Howard Stern. Three months before the Iraq war started, I said in an interview with Neil Cavuto that perhaps we shouldnt be doing it yet. Reality: Trumps position on the war was far from clear in the Cavuto interview; he certainly did not express clear opposition. A longer version of his quote: Well, he (George W. Bush) has either got to do something or not do something, perhaps. Claim #3: The Stern interview is irrelevant to the question of my pre-war stance because it was . . . before the war Quote: Those other statements were before the war even started. Claim #4: I didnt really tell Stern I supported the war Quote: It was the first time anybody ever asked me about Iraq. He said, and I said, Ah, I dont know. You know, it was very, very (sic). Reality: This explanation is nearly indecipherable, but it is not true that Trump told Stern, I dont know. When Stern asked if he supported the war, Trump said, Yeah, I guess so. You know, I wish the first time it was done correctly. Claim #5: I was unimportant at the time of the Stern interview Quote: Frankly nobody really cared too much about what I said. I doing business. I dont even know why I was asked the question. I guess because I was asked the question. Thats who knows. Claim #6: I did not have access to good information at the time Quote: Heres the bottom line. I was a private citizen. I had no access to briefings or great intelligence surveys that she did. I had no access to anything. Claim #7: I made anti-war comments that took precedence over the comment to Stern Quote: That was superseded, because, before the war, much closer to the war, I gave statements that we shouldnt go in. Reality: There is no evidence that he did so. Claim #8:I have been a long-term opponent of foreign wars Quote: Had I been in Congress at the time of the invasion, I would have cast a vote in opposition. For years, Ive been a critic of this kind of reckless foreign invasions, and, look, lets face it, interventions. Reality: Trump, a Republican, has supported numerous recent foreign interventions he now criticizes opponent Hillary Clinton for supporting. For example, he also supported the attack on Libya and the ouster of Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak. Claim #9: I criticized the war soon after it started Quote: On March 25 of 2003, just after the war had started, just days after, just a little while after, I was quoted as saying the war is a mess. And yet more evidence that I had opposed the war from the start. Reality: He made the mess remark in passing to the Washington Post at an Academy Awards after-party. But he still did not clearly say that he opposed the war and just days before, he had told Cavuto that the war looked like a tremendous success from a military standpoint, as Buzzfeed also reported in February. Claim #9, Part 2: I criticized the war soon after it started, cont. Quote: Then in August of 2004, very early in the conflict, extremely early in the conflict, right at the beginning, I made a detailed statement in an interview to Esquire magazine. So right at the beginning. Reality: Trump did criticize the war in the Esquire interview. But this was 17 months after the invasion, not right at the beginning, as Esquire says in an editors note now attached to the article. Read more about: SHARE: Seventy-four years ago, a naval battle off this remote spit of land in the middle of the Pacific Ocean changed the course of the Second World War. Last week, President Barack Obama flew here to swim with Hawaiian monk seals and draw attention to a quieter war one he has waged against rising seas, freakish storms, deadly droughts and other symptoms of a planet choking on its own fumes. Bombs may not be falling. The sound of gunfire does not concentrate the mind. What Obama has seen instead are the charts and graphs of a warming planet. And theyre terrifying, he said in a recent interview in Honolulu. What makes climate change difficult is that it is not an instantaneous catastrophic event, he said. Its a slow-moving issue that, on a day-to-day basis, people dont experience and dont see. Climate change, Obama often says, is the greatest long-term threat facing the world, as well as a danger already manifesting itself as droughts, storms, heat waves and flooding. More than health care, more than righting a sinking economic ship, more than the historic first of an African-American president, he believes that his efforts to slow the warming of the planet will be the most consequential legacy of his presidency. During his 7 years in office, Obama said, a majority of Americans have come to believe that climate change is real, that its important and we should do something about it. He enacted rules to cut planet-heating emissions across much of the U.S. economy, from cars to coal plants. He was a central broker of the Paris climate agreement, the first accord committing nearly every country to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. But while climate change has played to Obamas highest ideals critics would call them messianic impulses it has also exposed his weaknesses, namely an inability to forge consensus, even within his own party, on a problem that demands a bipartisan response. He acknowledged that his rallying cry to save the planet had not galvanized Americans. He has been harshly criticized for policies that objectors see as abuses of executive power and far too burdensome for the economy. That has made Obamas record on climate curiously contradictory, marked by historic achievements abroad and frustrating setbacks at home. The threat of global warming inspired Obama to conduct some of the most masterful diplomacy of his presidency, which has bound the United States into a web of agreements and obligations overseas. Yet his determination to act alone inflamed his opponents, helped polarize the debate on climate change and will carry a significant economic cost. Obama chalks up the contradictions both to politics and to the amorphous, unseen nature of the threat. It feels like, Meh, we can put this off a little bit, he said. The president spoke in a cottage on a Marine base that overlooks Kaneohe Bay in his home state, Hawaii. Angry waves crashed on the rocks below the house, the sea churned by one of two hurricanes spinning close to the island. Hawaii, as one of Obamas climate advisers pointed out, normally does not get back-to-back hurricanes. When you see severe environmental strains of one sort or another on cultures, on civilizations, on nations, the byproducts of that are unpredictable and can be very dangerous, Obama said. If the current projections, the current trend lines on a warming planet continue, it is certainly going to be enormously disruptive worldwide. All bets are off Eight years ago, when Obama ran for president against Sen. John McCain of Arizona, both men had essentially the same position on global warming: It is caused by humans, and Congress should enact legislation to cap greenhouse gas emissions and force polluters to buy and trade permits that would slowly lower overall emissions of climate-warming gases. But in the summer of 2010, a cap-and-trade bill Obama had tried to push through Congress failed, blocked by senators from both parties. One would have hoped for transformational leadership, in the way JFK would have done it, said Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, the director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany. That domestic defeat was compounded by failure on the world stage after efforts to enact a highly anticipated United Nations climate change treaty in Copenhagen fell apart in 2009. By the fall of 2010, Tea Party super PACs supported by the billionaire brothers Charles G. and David H. Koch had seized on cap-and-trade as a political weapon, with attacks that helped Republicans take control of the House. Polls showed that few Americans thought of climate change as a high public policy priority, and the percentage of voters who accepted the reality that it was caused by humans had tumbled. There is the notion that theres something I might have done that would prevent Republicans to deny climate change, Obama said. I guess hypothetically, maybe there was some trick up my sleeve that would have cast a spell on the Republican caucus and changed their minds. In fact, some Republicans, including Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, were willing to go forward with a more limited climate bill that would have restricted emissions only from power plants. But the presidents own party would not unify even around that, with Democrats from industrial and coal states digging in against him. Ironically, Obama would end up with regulations that narrowly target power plant emissions. The White House wanted 60 votes on climate, and they werent interested in Republican votes, Alexander said in an interview. Now its back to power plant only. The lesson here is that if people who want a result would be a little bit more flexible, they might actually get one. In defeat, the president appeared cowed. Campaigning against Mitt Romney in 2012, he barely mentioned climate change. But soon after Election Day, Obama interrupted a broad discussion with historians about the countrys challenges with a surprising assertion. Douglas Brinkley, a historian who attended the session, recalled, Out of nowhere, he said, If we dont do anything on the climate issue, all bets are off. Obama, who understood that a legislative push would be fruitless, told his advisers to figure out how to enact deep emissions cuts without Congress. They found a way through the Clean Air Act of 1970, which gives the Environmental Protection Agency the authority to issue regulations on dangerous pollutants. In 2014, Obama unveiled the first draft of what would become the Clean Power Plan: a set of Clean Air Act rules that could lead to the closing of hundreds of coal-fired power plants. The move enraged critics, including Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, whose state relies heavily on coal. Another critic, Laurence H. Tribe, likened the rules to burning the Constitution a charge that might have stung, since Tribe, a liberal constitutional scholar, was a mentor to Obama at Harvard Law School. Obama dismissed the criticism as the voice of Tribes client, Peabody Energy, the nations largest coal company, which filed for bankruptcy protection in April. You know, I love Larry, he said, but when it comes to energy issues, Larry has a history of representing fossil fuel industries in big litigation cases. The legality of the climate rules is likely to be decided by the Supreme Court, the composition of which depends on the outcome of the presidential election. Deep-pocketed corporations will not give up the legal fight easily, even after a Supreme Court decision, and Republicans in Congress will continue their legislative attacks. If the rules survive, they will almost certainly cost the coal industry thousands of jobs. What we owe the remaining people who are making a living mining coal is to be honest with them, Obama said, and to say that, look, the economy is shifting. How we use energy is shifting. Thats going to be true here, but its also going to be true internationally. Scrutinizing the science Few people would have described Obama as a climate evangelist when he ran for the White House in 2008. While he invoked the rising seas and heating planet to thrill his young supporters, he did not have the long record of climate activism of Al Gore or John Kerry, who is now his secretary of state. Like many things with Obama, his evolution on climate was essentially an intellectual journey. Obama immersed himself in the scientific literature, which left little doubt that the planet was warming at an accelerating rate. My top science adviser, John Holdren, periodically will issue some chart or report or graph in the morning meetings, he said, and theyre terrifying. The morning Obama unveiled the final version of the Clean Power Plan last year, he summoned his senior climate adviser, Brian Deese, to the Oval Office. Deese expected that the president would hand him some last-minute changes to his speech. Instead, he brought up an article in the journal Science on melting permafrost. The research not only documented faster increases in temperatures, but also drew direct links between fossil fuel emissions and extreme weather. Obama scrutinized reports like the 2014 National Climate Assessment, which tied climate change to events like flooding in Miami and longer, hotter heat waves in the Southwest. More and more, there are events that are happening that are astoundingly unusual, that knock your socks off, like the flooding in Louisiana, said Michael Oppenheimer, a professor of geosciences and international affairs at Princeton University. Those are the kinds of events where its becoming possible to draw attribution. Benjamin J. Rhodes, one of the presidents closest aides, recalled Obama talking about Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed, Jared Diamonds 2005 bestseller, which explored the environmental changes that wiped out ancient societies like Easter Island and discussed how modern equivalents like climate change and overpopulation could yield the same destruction. The presidents Pacific roots also came into play. In Honolulu last week, he told a meeting of Pacific Island leaders that few people understood the stakes of climate change better than residents of their part of the planet. Crops are withering in the Marshall Islands, he noted. Kiribati is buying property in another country for the day that its own land vanishes beneath the waves. And villagers in Fiji have been forced from their homes by high seas. Shifting monsoon patterns in South Asia could affect 1 billion people who depend on low-lying agriculture, Obama said in his interview. If you have even a portion of those billion people displaced, he said, you now have the sorts of refugee crises and potential conflicts that we havent seen in our lifetimes. That, he added, promises to make life a lot more difficult for our children and grandchildren. Joining forces with China Obama and Hillary Clinton never seem to tire of telling the story of Copenhagen: In December 2009, with the climate conference on the verge of failure, the two learned of a meeting of the leaders of Brazil, China, India and South Africa, from which they had been pointedly excluded. Elbowing their way past a Chinese security guard, they crashed the meeting, and over the course of 90 minutes of tense negotiations with the abashed leaders, they extracted an agreement to set goals for lowering emissions. The Europeans, who had been cut out of the talks, derided the deal as toothless, but Obama learned from the experience. A global climate accord could not simply be a compact among developed economies, he said. It had to include the major developing economies, even if they resented being held to standards that had never applied to the club of wealthy nations. And any agreement had to be led by the two largest emitters, the United States and China. Obama set about persuading President Xi Jinping of China to join the United States in setting ambitious reduction targets for carbon emissions. Tensions were already high over Chinas hacking of U.S. companies, and the United States was balking at Chinas slow-motion colonization of the South China Sea. A casual, get-acquainted summit meeting between Obama and Xi at the Sunnylands estate in California in June 2013 had failed to break the ice. But the meeting did produce one headline: an agreement to explore ways to reduce emissions of hydrofluorocarbons, known as HFCs, potent planet-warming chemicals found in refrigerants. In hindsight, it would prove significant. The final international accord on the chemicals is expected to be ratified next month in Rwanda. It was a place Obama and Xi found some common ground, said John D. Podesta, a chief of staff to President Bill Clinton whom Obama recruited to lead his climate efforts in his second term. (Podesta is now the chairman of Clintons presidential campaign.) Podesta and Todd Stern, the State Departments climate envoy, began arduous negotiations with China. They were backed by Kerry and Obama, who sent Xi a letter with a proposal in which the United States would pledge to increase its target for reducing carbon emissions by 2025 if the Chinese pledged to cap and then gradually reduce their emissions. China had historically resisted such agreements, but the air pollution there had become so bad, Obama noted, that the most-visited Twitter page in China was the daily air-quality monitor maintained by the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. One of the reasons I think that China was prepared to go further than it had been prepared to go previously, Obama said, is that their overriding concern tends to be political stability. Interestingly, one of their greatest political vulnerabilities is the environment. People who go to Beijing know that it can be hard to breathe. The Chinese were also swayed by Obamas announcement in 2014 of his regulations to reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants, which gave Kerry and his team of climate diplomats the leverage they needed in months of meetings with China. On Nov. 11, 2014, after a quiet stroll across a bridge in the Chinese leadership compound beside the Forbidden City, Xi and Obama sealed their agreement. By locking in China, Obama said, it now allowed me to go to India and South Africa and Brazil and others and say to them: Look, we dont expect countries with big poverty rates and relatively low per-capita carbon emissions to do exactly the same thing that the United States or Germany or other advanced countries are doing. But youve got to do something. A little more than a year later, in Paris, the United States led negotiations among 195 countries that resulted in the most significant climate change agreement in history. And this past weekend in Hangzhou, China, Obama and Xi formally committed their two nations to the Paris accord. For Obama, it was not just redemption for Copenhagen, but a vindication of his theory of the United States role in the world. There are certain things that the United States can do by itself, Obama said. But if were going to actually solve a problem, then our most important role is as a leader, vision setter and convenor. An ambitious, divisive legacy To his successor, Obama leaves an ambitious and divisive legacy: a raft of new emissions rules that promise to transform the U.S. economy but are likely to draw continuing fire from Republicans, and an aggressive some say unrealistic pledge made in Paris to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 per cent from 2005 levels by 2050. All of this, he acknowledges, could be undone at the ballot box. I think its fair to say that if Donald Trump is elected, for example, you have a pretty big shifted now with how the EPA operates, he said. Clinton has embraced Obamas go-it-alone approach, promising to meet and in some cases exceed his goals without trying to pass cap-and-trade legislation. She is proposing marquee projects like installing 500 million solar panels by 2020 and giving states and cities $60 billion (U.S.) to invest in energy-efficient public transportation and buildings. It will be first-order business, Podesta said. But Clinton will face the same partisan fire Obama has. He noted that, like him, Clinton had been pilloried in coal country for acknowledging that coal mining would have a declining role in a 21st-century economy. Obamas bet is that as his regulations get woven into the fabric of the economy, they will be harder for anyone to unwind. He says that his successor should promote past victories, including those of Republicans like Richard M. Nixon and George Bush. For his part, Obama said he planned to stay active in fighting climate change in his post-presidential life. During his tour of the wildlife on Midway, he paused to make an improbable remark. My hope, he said, is that maybe as ex-president I can have a little more influence on some of my Republican friends, who I think up until now have been resistant to the science. Read more about: SHARE: It would be easy to describe Gary Johnsons appearance on MSNBCs Morning Joe on Thursday as having doomed his third-party candidacy for president were it not for the fact that his candidacy was already doomed. The English language lacks a good way to describe something that was already in very bad shape and then, somehow, becomes far worse rather dramatically. Like if the Titanic had begun sinking but then blew up. Johnson was talking politics with the Morning Joe crew when regular guest Mike Barnicle shifted gears. What would you do, if you were elected, about Aleppo? Barnicle asked. About? Johnson replied. Aleppo, Barnicle said. And what is Aleppo? Johnson asked. A beat. Youre kidding, Barnicle replied. No! Johnson said, prompting Barnicle to explain that Aleppo is a city in Syria that epitomizes the countrys refugee crisis and has seen some of the worst horrors of its civil war. But ... you probably knew that. Johnson is running for president on the Libertarian Party line. Hes a non-interventionist. Once he got his bearings (perkily replying Got it! to Barnicles explanation), he suggested that the Syria problem was a function of American regime change efforts (presumably because of the instability in Iraq) and that the best way forward was to partner with Russia. Host Joe Scarborough pressed Johnson on his whiff. So Aleppo is the centre of a lot of peoples concerns across the planet about the terrible humanitarian crisis that is unfolding not only in Syria, but especially in Aleppo, Scarborough said. You asked, What is Aleppo? Do you really think that foreign policy is so insignificant that somebody running for president of the United States shouldnt even know what Aleppo is, where Aleppo is, why Aleppo is so important? No, Johnson replied, fumbling a bit. I do understand Aleppo and I ... understand the crisis that is going on. But when we involve ourselves militarily, when we involve ourselves in these humanitarian issues, we end up we end up with a situation that in most cases is not better, and in many cases ends up being worse. Read more about: SHARE: ALPINE, TEXASA 14-year-old female student died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound Thursday after shooting and injuring another female student inside a high school in West Texas, according to the local sheriff. Authorities havent release a possible motive for the gunfire that erupted shortly before 9 a.m. at Alpine High School in Alpine, a town of 5,900 about 355 kilometres southeast of El Paso. The shooting was followed by a series of unrelated threats made by a male caller that added to the chaos of the day and diverted law enforcement from the high school. Thats ridiculous for someone to call in something like this when weve got this situation going on, Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson told radio station KVLF. The sheriff said the family of the girl who died had moved to Alpine, a town of roughly 5,900 residents, about six months ago. . She was a freshman at the school, he said, but he declined to provide other details. In recent decades, the majority of school shooting suspects have been male. Dodson said the injured student ran outside seeking help and was taken to a hospital with injuries that werent considered life threatening. A U.S. Homeland Security officer responding to the shooting also was injured; he was shot in the leg when a U.S. marshal accidentally discharged his weapon, Dodson said. Big Bend Regional Medical Center spokeswoman Ruth Hucke said the hospital treated two people from the incident. She said one was treated and released, while the other was transferred. Hucke didnt specify which patient was released, but officials said the injured officer was transferred to a hospital in Odesa. The shooting at the high school prompted a lockdown at Alpines three public schools, which were later evacuated. Alpine police Chief Russell Scown said even after the shooter was found mortally wounded in a bathroom at the school, it wasnt immediately clear that she was the assailant. Emergency responders at one point thought two shooters may have been involved. After an emergency board of trustees meeting Thursday afternoon, officials at the Alpine Independent School District issued a statement closing its three schools Friday. The statement said the district will have counsellors and clergy available Monday when classes resume. It is also holding a training for staff on responding to trauma and will hold a parent and community forum Sunday night. Law enforcement officials were also dealing with the other threats in the wake of the shooting. They said they dont believe there was a connection between the threats and the shooting at the high school. Authorities said threats were phoned in to an Alpine hospital and to Sul Ross State University, which is about a mile from the high school. Officers and bomb-sniffing dogs had to search for explosives in each building of the university, Dodson said. None were found. Right now, we think weve got some nut, who in the midst of one of our most emotional times here at our school started calling in these threats, Dodson said at an afternoon news conference, adding, Basically, hes what were looking for right now. There was also a threatening note left at a motel in Marathon, Texas, about 48 kilometres east of Alpine. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said earlier that hes monitoring developments in the Alpine shooting and promised to provide support for law enforcement agencies investigating the matter. SHARE: MOSCOWRussias Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that the Israeli and the Palestinian leaders have agreed in principle to meet in Moscow for talks in what the Russians hope will relaunch the Mideast peace process after a more than two-year break. But the wide gaps between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas left it uncertain if or when the meeting will take place, and raised doubts about whether they would make any progress if they do get together. After years of taking a back seat to the U.S. in Mideast diplomacy, Russia has increasingly sought to take a leadership role in the region. It has developed close ties with Iran and sent fighter jets to Syria to back President Bashar Assad in his war against rebel groups. In Washington, a spokesman said the U.S. State Department is following the Russian efforts closely and would be supportive of any kind of effort to bring the parties together. Thursdays announcement in Moscow indicates that Russia is pushing forward with its attempt to become a peace broker after a setback earlier in the week. On Tuesday, Abbas said that a meeting scheduled in Moscow this week had been delayed at Israels request. While bringing the men together would represent an accomplishment for Moscow, a diplomatic breakthrough seems unlikely. Abbas and Netanyahu remain far apart on key issues, and their differences have prevented meaningful talks since Netanyahu took office in 2009. The last round of peace talks broke down two and a half years ago, with no progress reported during months of U.S.-brokered negotiations. In Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Abbas and Netanyahu had accepted an invitation to meet in the Russian capital, but a date has not been set yet. There also was no word on whether the two had settled on an agenda for the meeting the key stumbling block in preparations. The most important thing is to pick the right timing, Zakharova told reporters. Intensive contacts on this are ongoing. Abbas and Netanyahu exchanged a brief handshake last year at a global climate change conference in Paris but have not held a public working meeting since 2010. Before returning to talks, the Palestinian leader has demanded that Israel halt settlement construction on occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians and carry out a prisoner release that was promised during the last round of talks. Netanyahu has rejected the terms and said the meeting should take place without conditions. If the Palestinian Authority can say with one voice that they are willing to meet without preconditions, then Prime Minister Netanyahu will meet President Abbas, said the Israeli leaders spokesman, David Keyes. Late Wednesday, Israel TV broadcast an interview with two Israeli researchers who said they had unearthed a document showing that Abbas served as a KGB agent in Syria in 1983. The program showed a document that listed Abbas name, said he was born in Palestine in 1935, and identified him by the code name Krotov, which roughly translates as mole. Abbas was born in what was British-administered Palestine that year. His hometown of Safed is now in northern Israel. The station said the information came from a trove of handwritten documents that Vasily Mitrokhin, a former KGB archivist, brought with him when he defected to the U.K. in 1992. Gideon Remez, one of the Hebrew University researchers, said the full archive was only opened to researchers by Cambridge University last year. He said the credibility was very high. In the 1980s, Abbas was a top official in the Palestine Liberation Organization. The Soviet Union had close ties with both the PLO and Syria at the time. The station said Abbas may have been recruited while earning his doctorate in the Soviet Union. Russian President Vladimir Putin was a senior KGB official around this time, and the Israeli station said that Russias Mideast envoy, Mikhail Bogdanov, was stationed in Damascus at the same time. In an interview, researcher Remez said he decided to release the information now because of the Russian diplomatic initiative. He said he supports peace with the Palestinians but does not believe Putin can be an honest broker given Russias history in the region and close ties with Israeli adversaries Syria and Iran. In the West Bank, Palestinian officials dismissed the report as an Israeli smear campaign. The Palestinians seek to establish an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war. While the Palestinian claims have wide international backing, Netanyahu has refused to use Israels pre-1967 lines as a basis for border talks, retreating from positions adopted by his predecessors. The Palestinians have accused Israels hard-line government of seeking a peace process as a diplomatic shield against international criticism. The Netanyahu government has tried to discredit Abbas, accusing him of anti-Israel incitement and alleging he is not a partner for a peace deal. . Read more about: SHARE: KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTANThe Taliban pushed into the capital of Afghanistans southern Uruzgan province on Thursday, triggering fierce clashes and sending all government officials fleeing from the city, an Afghan official said. The insurgents surprise attack left authorities in control only of Tirin Kots police headquarters, which the Taliban were besieging since the morning hours, according to the provincial spokesman, Doost Mohammad Nayab. Nayab said that all checkpoints around the city have been overrun or destroyed and have appealed to the government in Kabul for quick reinforcements. He did not provide a casualty toll but said he feared that the city will soon completely fall to the insurgents. Hundreds of Taliban are involved in the assault, Nayab added, without giving any specifics. However, within hours, the Afghan Ministry of Defence said the Taliban had been repelled from Tirin Kot. Mohammad Radmanish, the ministrys deputy spokesman, said the army, police and intelligence service headquarters in the city have all been secured. Radmanish insisted that all strategic locations in Tirin Kot, a city with a population of about 72,000, are now under government control and that reinforcements are on the way to the Uruzgan provincial capital. Air support has been called in and Afghan airstrikes have killed several Taliban fighters in Tirin Kot, he added. The Taliban did not immediately issue any statements to media about the attack on Tirin Kot. Nayab later said that Afghan and U.S. air force were pounding the Taliban with airstrikes, forcing them to step back from city. Afghan state TV reported from Tirin Kot that all shops, bakeries and pharmacies were closed and that the residents were fleeing. One resident, shopkeeper Sultan Muhammad, said he fled and was making his way south to the city of Kandahar, the provincial capital of neighbouring Kandahar province. We civilians are fed up with both the Taliban and the government, we dont care who is coming and who is going, we just want peace, he said, speaking to The Associated Press over the phone. He said the Taliban had pushed inside Tirin Kot, where they are now attacking government buildings inside the city. Tirin Kot is the third Afghan provincial capital that has come under Taliban threat recently, along with the city of Kunduz in the north and Lashkar Gah in southern Helmand province. The uptick in Taliban attacks against Afghan security forces has prompted the United States to send additional troops to the southern Helmand province, where its capital, Lashkar Gah, is also under heavy pressure from the insurgents. The provincial council head Kareem Atal earlier said that roughly 80 per cent of Helmand is already under Taliban control. Since August, Taliban fighters have attacked Afghan security forces in northern Kunduz province, briefly taking control of a district headquarters. The militants also overran a district in northern Baghlan province and in eastern Paktia province. Meanwhile, in eastern Nangarhar province, Taliban militants are fighting pitched battles with security forces. The Taliban are also believed to have captured much of Uruzgan province. Afghanistans Ministry of Defence says its security forces are currently waging operations in 15 provinces. Also on Thursday, a sticky bomb attached to a motorcycle exploded in Kabul, killing one civilian and wounding two others, police officer Gulam Jan said. Read more about: SHARE: When Olivia Chow first entered the 2014 campaign to become Torontos next mayor she was considered the overwhelming favourite to win the race against Rob Ford and John Tory. Her name recognition was high as an NDP MP and as the widow of the late Jack Layton, she had raised lots of money, had an experienced campaign team, a bulletproof election platform and hundreds of eager volunteers. But after leading the polls for months, her campaign eventually faltered badly and she finished a distant third behind the winner Tory and runner-up Doug Ford, who replaced his ailing brother Rob in the last weeks of the campaign. So what happened? How did this high-profile, seasoned politician crash and burn so badly? Now, in a revealing new book by John Laschinger, her former campaign manager, voters can get an insiders look into the backroom secrets and strategies of one of the most critical elections in recent Toronto history. As Laschinger sees it, Chows dream of being Torontos mayor ran into a wall of bad luck, bad timing, blatant racism and sexism and a possibly fatal overall campaign strategy. In his book, Campaign Confessions:Tales from the War Rooms of Politics, to be released by Dundurn Press on Sept. 10, Laschinger also offers critical insight into why Tory won in 2014 and why Rob Ford was so successful in his 2010 mayoral bid. Its an important book because Laschinger is considered to be Canadas lone full-time professional campaign manager. In Toronto alone he has headed David Millers successful 2003 mayoral bid and managed Joe Pantalones third-place campaign in 2010. Over the last 45 years, he has been involved in 50 political campaigns, winning 30 of them. In 2014, Chow was cruising to victory well into June. But then she started to run into trouble that her team failed to predict and failed to overcome. First, the provincial Liberals under Kathleen Wynne swept to a majority victory in the June 12 election. In Toronto, the NDP lost three of its five seats, including Chows old federal riding of Trinity-Spadina. It was a shocking setback for Chow because it threw into question her supposed lock on downtown wards. Second, Rob Ford returned from addiction rehab on June 30, where he had been since May 1, and re-entered the race. Chow and Laschinger were stunned by the number of voters willing to give Ford a second chance, undermining the lead she had built as the main anti-Ford candidate. Suddenly, Ford, rehabilitated, was not the Darth Vader of municipal politics, Laschinger writes. He seemed to a number of people to be a stronger candidate than he had been before rehab. That unsettled the two-thirds of Torontonians who had all wanted to be rid of Ford. Although not everyone believed that John Torys policies were sound, he seemed to have grabbed the anti-Ford mantle. Third, Chow was the target of what Laschinger describes as some of the most appalling racists, sexist and vulgar abuse I have had the misfortune to witness in my life in politics. It disgusted him and it should disgust all who care about this city. Much of it originated with the supporters of the Ford brothers, he says, with Chow getting a steady stream of hate mail and having one man yelling for her to get the f--- out of here. This is Ford Nation, bitch. By late July, secret focus groups were telling Laschinger that while voters liked Chows progressive policies, they equally wanted a right-of-centre mayor to keep costs under control. This placed Chow in a tight spot, he writes. As a member of the NDP she was seen as progressive, but also many saw her as a tax-and-spend socialist. In anticipation of this, Chow had adopted a defensive strategy of presenting her story as a child of a poor immigrant family who need to watch every penny it spent and as a city councillor who helped prepare seven balanced budget under former conservative mayor Mel Lastman. At first, the strategy worked. But it began to go badly when Chows progressive supporters in downtown areas started to abandon her to support Tory. They felt that he was a real conservative who would control spending and at the same time he was progressive enough, at least compared to Rob Ford, to satisfy their desire for a progressive mayor, Laschinger concludes. By mid-September, Chows poll numbers were dropping rapidly. She never recovered. Did Chows team screw up by urging her to tout her fiscal credentials instead of continuing to put her progressive ideas at the forefront of her campaign? Or as Laschinger says, was she simply doomed from the start by the political cards she was dealt? Even Laschinger isnt sure. What is certain, though, is that, as he suggests, political scientists will debate Chows election strategy for years to come. Bob Hepburn's column appears Thursday. bhepburn@thestar.ca Read more about: SHARE: There was a time when it was said: Whats good for General Motors is good for the country. Thats not necessarily true today, at least not in Ontario. The thriving car maker, which employs more than 8,400 people across Canada, is in negotiations toward a Sept. 19 strike deadline. Unifor, the autoworkers union, wants the company to commit to continued production, especially in Oshawa. But GM is rejecting any such obligation. This should trouble the entire province. Operations in Oshawa are especially in peril with the firm shutting its truck plant here in 2009 and then moving Camaro production to Lansing, Mich., last year, killing about 1,000 jobs. Assembly of the Chevy Equinox is scheduled to stop in 2017. And three other vehicles, being built on the plants high-tech flex line, are expected to go out of production in a couple of years. With the company refusing to commit to any further product line beyond 2019, preserving 2,500 unionized jobs here has become Unifors top priority. And for good reason there would be economic devastation if GM closed its Oshawa plant. We are not, under any circumstances, going to sign a collective agreement without a firm commitment to production in Oshawa, and also in St. Catharines, says Unifors national president Jerry Dias. That may be considered a line in the sand. So be it. Unfortunately, GM Canada has drawn a line of its own. More time is necessary to develop a business case for continued work in Oshawa, David Paterson, the companys vice president, corporate and environmental affairs, said in an interview Wednesday. Signing a collective agreement with Unifor represents only one factor, and not a particularly large one, in building a competitive business case, said Paterson. Government policy is also a factor, as is the state of the Canadian supply base. We have to look at 100 per cent of the costs and make decisions on that. What worries Unifor is that the Oshawa truck plant closing and loss of Camaro production both followed the signing of new contracts. Given the myriad complications involved in researching and installing a specific product line, its too much to expect GM to announce before a strike deadline less than two weeks away precisely what new vehicles it will build in Oshawa. But given the low Canadian dollar and the companys financial health, earning a record $2.87 billion (U.S.) profit in the second quarter of this year, it should be possible to commit to produce something here. That would be especially appropriate in light of the billions of dollars in bailout money Canadian governments provided to GM a few years ago in the depths of the financial crisis. Instead, GM is bargaining to keep the option of shutting Oshawa down. Every plant in the world has that option, said Paterson. Perhaps, but that doesnt change the fact it would be a blow to workers who served the company well; to a community sorely in need of jobs; and to a province that was there when GM looked to it for help. Good for the country? GMs sole concern now appears to be whats good for itself. And thats not good enough. Read more about: SHARE: If Kellie Leitch is truly concerned about the rise of intolerance in Canada, she should take a look in the mirror. Last week, the Tory leadership aspirant floated the idea of screening immigrants for anti-Canadian values, an appeal plucked directly from Donald Trumps nativist playbook. The move caused appropriate controversy, but Leitch didnt back down. She now says the proposal isnt intolerant, as her critics claim, not a dog-whistle to bigots, but rather an attempt to weed out intolerance: Intolerance towards other religions, cultures and sexual orientations, violent and/or misogynist behaviour and/or a lack of acceptance of our Canadian tradition of personal and economic freedoms. If the proposed test is not the crass political ploy it appears to be, it is at the very best a highly impractical solution to an apparently non-existent problem. Canadians have and always will hold a diversity of values and that will inevitably be true of the immigrants we attract. And its not as if no immigration screening currently exists. Prospective citizens are subjected to criminal background checks. They are provided information on Canadas history and institutions and are tested on their knowledge of these. They are required to take an oath that they will observe our laws and constitution and the duties of citizenship. But what we dont do what we must not do on moral grounds and cannot possibly do on practical ones is require them to believe anything in particular. Thought-policing is best left in the pages of Orwell. The state demands that Canadians obey the law even if they dont like it and uphold the constitution even when they disagree. Beyond this, do we really want the government of the day dictating what are so-called Canadian values? As for the specific test that Leitch proposes, theres more than a whiff of hypocrisy. It is anti-Canadian, she says, to be homophobic, and yet her own party finally embraced gay marriage only earlier this year, 11 years after Ontario made it legal. It is anti-Canadian to be intolerant of other religions, yet during the last election campaign Leitch proposed a snitch line for barbaric practices and helped her party wage a war on the niqab in a clear effort to sow fear of Islam and reap votes. She says upholding personal freedoms is a fundamentally Canadian value, but what about the niqab thing? What about the values test? She wouldnt pass her own screening. While Leitchs arguably anti-Canadian values thankfully dont disqualify her from citizenship, they ought to disqualify her from being Conservative leader. The path she is proposing is the wrong one both for her party and the country, as many of her Tory colleagues seem to recognize. In recent days, interim leader Rona Ambrose and leadership rivals Maxime Bernier and Michael Chong have all spoken out against the idea. Unlike Leitch, they learned the lessons of the last election. The Tory turn toward fear and division in the dying days of the campaign proved politically disastrous, just as Pauline Marois nativist values-charter gambit did for the Parti Quebecois in the 2014 Quebec election. Theres not enough hate in this country to sustain Leitchs brand of politics, try as she might to breed it. SHARE: One of the surest ways to make big money is to invest early in a small, technologically innovative company that has a head start over rivals. After all, the Holy Grail of investing is to find the next Apple (AAPL) . It also helps if the federal government throws its considerable weight behind the company's industry. Apple is a holding in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. See how Cramer rates the stock here. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells AAPL? Learn more now. Federal Aviation Administration chief Michael Huerta Wednesday reaffirmed the huge investment potential in unmanned aerial systems (a.k.a. drones), by pledging that the FAA will expedite their commercial application. Huerta, whose remarks are always closely followed by aerospace industry leaders and investors, described the fast growth of drones as one of the "critical moments" in the history of aviation. He asserted that drones have "fundamentally changed" the world and that their use would expand exponentially . Huerta made his remarks on Wednesday, as part of his grand opening keynote address at the InterDrone trade show in Las Vegas. With 4,000 attendees and 135 exhibitors, InterDrone is the largest event in North America dedicated to the commercial drone market. The dominant company in the commercial drone industry is AeroVironment (AVAV) , which makes a broad spectrum of drones for both commercial and military applications. As the drone industry enjoys explosive growth, now's the most opportune time to grab shares of AeroVironment, while it's still a mid-cap stock with room for significant upward growth. Citing the recent implementation of the Small UAS Rule (Part 107) to integrate commercial drone operations into the national airspace, the FAA's Huerta called Part 107 "one of the most significant milestones" for bringing drones into the aviation mainstream. FAA Part 107 became effective on Aug. 29, and it's considered a major shot in the arm for drone makers. Essentially, the rule makes it easier for the commercial operation of drones weighing less than 55 pounds. One major stipulation is that the operator must keep the drone within sight. FAA Part 107 means that the U.S. government has officially opened the door for the commercial use of drones. Through Part 107, the regulatory process has become simpler and considerably more efficient. This regulatory streamlining is a major tailwind for AeroVironment. Increasing numbers of federal organizations such as the U.S. Coast Guard, Forestry Service and Border Patrol, as well as local police departments, are adopting drones for airborne surveillance and monitoring. These futuristic machines also are in great demand among Hollywood filmmakers, who are deploying them to capture exhilarating aerial footage that was once unobtainable or extremely costly. Drones already stand in the forefront of military technology and now they're also getting paired with manned military helicopters, to create operational synergies. These efforts are accelerating the development of advanced sensors, which are vital to commercial drones. "Military helicopter manufacturers continue to upgrade sensors on premier platforms, even as the U.S. Army, the world's largest rotorcraft operator, plans its future vertical lift platform," says Bill Carey, senior editor at Aviation International News and author of the book Enter the Drones. The widespread use of commercial drones still faces many regulatory hurdles, but through Part 107 the FAA has eased those restrictions and paved the way for their use. These developments put drones among the hottest investment opportunities available. Online retailing giant Amazon intends to develop a program where its packages are delivered to customers' doors via drones. The scheme seems far-fetched, but considering advancements in drone technology it's not all that improbable. The use of drones for package delivery is greatly dependent on miniaturization, a capability at which AeroVironment excels. Bilal Zuberi, a partner at the Silicon Valley venture capital firm Lux Capital, spoke at an InterDrone panel on Wednesday. (Full disclosure: The author of this article moderated this panel, which was made up of prominent technology venture capitalists.) In his capacity as a VC looking for sizable returns on investment, Zuberi has been studying the drone industry for several years. "For investors, the key is to keep an eye out for the innovative drone applications that no one has envisioned yet," he said. With a market cap of $554.6 million, AeroVironment has the financial wherewithal to develop groundbreaking drone applications. It's sufficiently large to weather the industry's inevitable ups and downs, but also small enough to reward investors with market-beating gains when compared to larger and more diverse rivals such as Boeing and Raytheon. AeroVironment is a major player in the U.S. Army's "next-gen" battlefield blueprint, whereby situational awareness is enhanced for ground troops as well as supporting aircraft. As is often the case with military technology, the Pentagon's focus on situational awareness is bearing fruitful spinoffs into the commercial sector. Analysts estimate that AeroVironment will rack up annual adjusted earnings per share of 20 cents in the current fiscal year, which ends in April 2017. As of July 30, 2016, the company boasted a funded backlog of $74.7 million compared to $65.8 million as of April 30, 2016. Shares of AeroVironment now trade at about $24; the average 12-month price target from analysts who cover the stock is $31. That means that if the analysts are right, the shares could gain 29% in the next year. AeroVironment is beset by a bevy of start-ups that are competing for market share, but none even come close to the company's entrenched client base and financial heft. As the drone industry achieves giddy growth, it's on the cusp of an inevitable shake out. When these smaller players fall by the wayside, AeroVironment is likely to be the last man standing. --- As we've just explained, AeroVironment is a smart bet now. If you're looking for other growth opportunities, we've found a genius trader who turned $50,000 into $5 million by using his proprietary trading method. For a limited time, he's guaranteeing you $67,548 per year in profitable trades if you follow his simple step-by-step process. Click here now for details. John Persinos is an editorial manager and investment analyst at Investing Daily. At the time of publication, he owned stock in Boeing and Raytheon. Persinos appears as a regular commentator on the financial television show "Small Cap Nation." Follow him on Twitter. NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Qualcomm (QCOM) were edging lower in late-morning trading on Thursday as BMO Capital Markets analysts said the model configurations in Apple's (AAPL) iPhone 7 suggest risk to the company's baseband share. "While all versions of the iPhone 6S supported CDMA technology, the 7 limits the technology's availability to about half the U.S. models, China and Japan," the firm wrote in an analyst note earlier today. Apple chose to split the iPhone into models that have CDMA technology, or the air interface standard created by Qualcomm, and those that don't have CDMA, which its competitor Intel (INTC) is supplying, Barron's noted. Of the three new iPhone models, two have CDMA modems and one does not. This should give Intel a 40% market share of the iPhone 7 if future releases go the non-CDMA route, BMO said. It could also result in Qualcomm losing 20% to 25% of its share in the iPhone 7 to Santa Clara, CA-based chipmaker Intel, while still maintaining a stake of at least 40%, Barron's added. The CDMA models are mostly aimed at carriers such as Verizon (VZ), Sprint (S), all three Chinese carriers and companies in Hong Kong and Japan, BMO noted. The non-CDMA version is targeted to AT&T (T) and T-Mobile (TMUS) in the U.S. "For the remaining 60%, which does not contain CDMA, at this point we do not know the split between Intel and QCOM," the firm added. Cowen analysts said Intel could supply more than half the units shipped by Apple, Barron's added. The firm said that Intel CEO Brian Krzanich was at Apple's media event yesterday, which could indicate a growing manufacturing partnership between the two companies. Cowen added that a deal between Apple and Intel could happen in the next few years. (Qualcomm is held in David Peltier's Dividend Stock Advisor portfolio. See all of his holdings with a free trial.) 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 has this to say about the recommendation: We rate QUALCOMM INC as a Buy with a ratings score of B. This is driven by a number of strengths, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its increase in net income, revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, solid stock price performance and attractive valuation levels. We feel its strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows weak operating cash flow. You can view the full analysis from the report here: QCOM QCOM data by YCharts Lincoln Habitat for Humanity supporters not only talk the talk they walk it. Supporters boarded buses and took a walk-through tour of homes being built by Habitat volunteers Aug. 13 as part of Raising the Roof, the fifth-annual fundraising event for Lincoln Habitat. Dressed in yacht captain garb, Habitat board member Matt Kasik, a manager at the Lincoln Journal Star, served as emcee on one bus. Welcome aboard! said Kasik, who told the passengers that Habitat for Humanity is a Christian organization that works to break the poverty cycle by building safe, decent and affordable housing for local families who need it most. As the bus approached the site where Habitat volunteers are constructing four side-by-side houses on Morrill Avenue, Kasik noted that the blue house was built on the St. Marks United Methodist Church parking lot at 84th and Pioneers Boulevard before being moved to the Havelock site. The St. Marks congregation raised funds and did the lions share of the work, Kasik said. They even provided lunches for the construction crews. The gold house next door was built by women as part of Habitat for Humanitys National Women Build Week last spring. Lowes volunteers and the Wells Fargo Housing Foundation took part in that project, and Journal Star columnist Cindy Lange-Kubick was a guest of honor who volunteered during the construction, Kasik said. The bus tour also included a walk through the Habitat for Humanity ReStore at 4630 Y St., which sells used and surplus building materials at reduced prices to help generate funds to build additional Habitat homes. We just celebrated our second anniversary August 9th, said Bruce Williamson, ReStore manager. Our first year we broke even, but last year we brought in $47,000, which paid for a little over half a house. It costs Habitat $80,000 to build each home, he said. More than 100 supporters attended the Aug. 13 Raise the Roof event and raised $20,000 for Lincoln Habitat, said Christina Zink, development director. Event proceeds will help underwrite the cost of building materials and required subcontracted work. The fundraiser included dinner, overlooking Lincoln from the Nebraska Club on U.S. Banks 20th floor, and a program that showed guests what their support does for Habitat homeowners. Speakers included Faisal Murad, originally from Iraq, whose family will move into the Women Build house in 2017; Rosie Gonzalez, whose family will move into the 150th house built by Lincoln Habitat in 2017; and Aubrey Gerlach, whose family moved into a Habitat house in 2003 when he was 13 years old. Gerlach, along with his parents and four siblings, previously had lived in a two-person home. My brother and I slept in the garage, he said. When we were told we would receive a new home, we got really excited. At 13, I could run downstairs and pick out a bedroom after never having had one to myself. It had a big impact on my life. Executive Director Josh Hanshaw noted that last year, Lincoln Habitat received 70 applications for homes. With current funding, Habitat builds seven homes in Lancaster County each year, he said. Hanshaw presented the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year award to Roger Baddeley of Lincoln at the event. Raise the Roof was made possible by Community Sponsor Carl Mesecher, who is a Thrivent Financial representative, and other supporters. For more details on Lincoln Habitat and how to get involved, see lincolnhabitat.org. Your Money, Your Retirement, and the 2016 Presidential Election - What changes will you need to make to your portfolio should Hillary Clinton become president? What happens to your investments should Donald Trump become president? Join us on Sept. 12 as our panel of the world's top financial experts provide trusted information on the investment risks and opportunities that arise with the upcoming presidential election in November. [Learn more about the event and RSVP.] NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Saudi Arabian Oil Co. is said to be choosing an adviser from a list of boutique banks to help Aramco go public in what could be the biggest initial public offering ever, BloombergTV's Matt Miller said on "Bloomberg Markets" on Thursday afternoon. "Well we know that for the last two months at least, there have been many flights back and forth from Riyadh where the top executives at these banks have been pitching to the company," Bloomberg's Ruth David told Miller. Aramco, the world's largest oil company, has recently met with banks including Rothschild & Co., Lazard Ltd. and Moelis & Co. and could make a decision this month, Miller noted. The boutique bank that's chosen will advise Aramco on selecting banks to underwrite the share sale and decide on where the company is going to list, David said. Every key financial hub in the world has been suggested, including Tokyo, Hong Kong, London and New York, she said. Everyone will probably want the "prestige" of having "the biggest deal in the universe" on their exchanges, she noted. The government hopes to raise about $100 billion from the sale, David added. When deciding on a venue for its listing, Aramco will be looking at the regulation in each of the markets, trying to find the exchange that gives them the terms they're looking for, she predicted. "When they go public, given the huge government interest and given what Aramco means for Saudi Arabia, you've got to imagine that they will be very careful about how much data they will want to share," she said. However, this step is just another step in a process "that's going to take very long time, and that we probably won't see come to fruition until about 2018," she noted. The sleepy stock of Houston oil and gas company Apache (APA) was awakened Wednesday, shooting up almost 7% after announcing a new oil and gas field discovery dubbed "Alpine High" in the southern part of West Texas' Delaware Basin. Its shares advanced another 7% on Thursday. Some think the new find could be worth billions of dollars. But some observers are expressing doubt on the find, saying it's full of low priced natural gas, lacks the infrastructure to recover it and needs further proving up to determine its real worth. "It could be a very nice discovery. They gave some nice IP's [initial production rates] on the wells," one industry observer said. "But the last thing the market needs is another large gas field. It's a yawner." While Apache claims the find could contain 3 billion barrels of oil, the reality is that the discovery is mostly gas - 75 trillion cubic feet of it. The low pressure area is 11% oil, 29% natural gas liquids and 60% natural gas and the high pressure area contains 12% oil, 28% natural gas liquids and 60% gas. Gail Nicholson, managing director of research at the KLR Group, said the high gas composition is the reason why gas prices need to continue to increase and also the reason the company needs to achieve its expected development well cost expectations ($4 million to $6 million per well, depending on the pressure). "If those two things occur, the economics work," she said. It's also early innings, with Apache only having drilled 19 wells over 100 days, nine of which are producing in limited quantities due to infrastructure constraints. So some don't expect a clear understanding of the play until the second half of next year. "The asset shows promise, but [we] want more wells/production history," analysts at Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. said in a note Thursday. As a result, TPH isn't changing its net asset value estimate for the company until information about more wells and longer-term data is released. Capital One Securities Inc. didn't wait. It boosted its net asset value estimate for the company by $5 per share to $60 based on the new find, although it expects Apache's oil production to fall to 53% overall in 2018 versus 55% expected for next year. Apache said it plans to sink 25% of its capital budget this year on developing the find. But observers think 40% of that will probably have to go toward infrastructure to get it to market, pushing any growth from the play into 2018. Capital may also be pulled away from accelerating more liquids-rich development given the company's goal to maintain cash flow neutrality near-term, TPH noted. The other risk is that there could be a dramatic decline in the wells after these initial results, Nicholson said, which would put a damper on the stock. While the company spent only $1,300 per acre to buy the 307,000 acres, that still amounts to around $400 million, which is a lot of money to lose in the middle of an industry downturn. Observers say that Apache's management - led by CEO John Christmann -- had been doing as well as could be expected with its previous properties, which one characterized as "mediocre," so the new assets could really boost the company's prospects. The company also has a solid balance sheet with $4.7 billion in liquidity, pays a decent dividend and is unhedged, so if oil prices significantly recover next year, it will capture the upside, Nicholson said. "The Alpine play looks to be similar to the Scoop/Stack, which is the new hot play on the street. So if APA has found something similar and they own the bulk of the acreage, you are potentially talking a game changer for the company and even a potential multiple expansion driven by the growth potential," she said. Potential is the key word to remember here. Support us - Help us upgrade our services! Maintaining our website and our free apps does require, however, considerable time and resources. We're aiming to achieve uninterrupted service wherever an earthquake or volcano eruption unfolds, and your donations can make it happen! Every donation will be highly appreciated. Improved multilanguage support Tsunami alerts Faster responsiveness Design upgrade Detailed quake stats Additional seismic data sources Download and Upgrade the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online: Android | IOS to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online: We truly love working to bring you the latest volcano and earthquake data from around the world.We need financing to increase hard- and software capacity as well as support our editor team.If you find the information useful and would like to support our team in integrating further features, write great content, and in upgrading our soft- and hardware, please PayPal or Online credit card payment )., these features have been added recently: Retailers are trying to end an era of seemingly endless sales that began during the Great Recession. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) In the dark days of the recession, retailers began cranking their promotional hype machines in overdrive, offering an increasingly loud drumbeat of 30 percent off the store-type offers to coax cautious consumers to spend their money. Shoppers got hooked on the deals. But now, in sunnier economic times, some major stores are trying to turn out the lights on the 24/7 discount party. Preppy-chic clothier Ralph Lauren has slashed the number of promotions it promises to online shoppers and has made its discounts less deep. Handbag giant Michael Kors is demanding to be taken off department stores friends and family sales, worried those bonanzas blemish its brand cachet. Big-box shoe store DSW told investors last week that it is moving away from storewide sales events, instead opting for narrow, targeted deals such as a $29.95 sandal event. Experts say the moves are something of a reckoning for an industry that has struggled during this long-running promotion-palooza. The pace of promotions and the impact of promotions on retailer profitability from the last several years really is not sustainable, said Steve Barr, leader of the retail and consumer division at consultancy PwC. Its hardly a sure thing the tactic will succeed. J.C. Penney famously tried to get rid of discounts and coupons in 2012, when then-chief executive Ron Johnson said customers would prefer fair and square price tags that didnt require them to do any arithmetic. The move was widely regarded as a disaster, and J.C. Penney eventually brought back the deals and parted ways with Johnson. Turns out, the chains devotees missed the thrill of feeling as if they got a special price. Elana Haverstick of Fairfax County is one shopper who has come to count on the discounting routine. Haverstick hit up Tanger Outlets National Harbor in Prince Georges County last week with her 5- and 13-year-old sons, scooping up back-to-school gear. If her go-to stores were to start pulling back on coupons and discounts, I would probably buy less, Haverstick said. Tween-centric retailer Justice a mecca of sequin-studded skirts and T-shirts festooned with emoji offered one of the more extreme examples of how intense the promotion game had become in recent years. In 2014 and early 2015, the chain flogged offers such as 40 percent off, plus an additional 20 percent off for 400 straight days. The store found itself trapped in a vicious cycle. The first time you do it, it works. You look like a hero because of the sales bump, Brian Lynch, Justices chief executive, said to investors earlier this year. But eventually, he added, it doesnt quite work the same. In other words, it becomes hard to create any sense of urgency among shoppers when they come to realize the deals are nearly always available. Consumers apparently became skeptical of Justices price tags. Last year, the brands parent company, Ascena Retail Group, agreed to pay out $50.8 million as part of a settlement in a class-action lawsuit alleging the stores 40 percent off deals were misleading, because, complainants said, those were effectively everyday prices. (Ascena denies wrongdoing.) These days, Justice has pledged to do away with storewide sales events, instead opting for discounts on specific items such as workout clothes. It has dropped its initial prices but expects to make more money per garment because it has pumped the brakes on promotions. On paper, Justices sales are suffering. In the most recent quarter, the brand posted an 11 percent decline in comparable sales, a measure of sales online and at stores open more than a year. But the chain says thats all part of the plan. It says it is swallowing a bitter pill now that will make for a healthier business down the road. Early indications suggest those efforts are working: The operating loss for the Justice brand was $8.8 million in the latest quarter, an improvement from the $17.5 million loss posted in the same quarter last year. [Why are sales suffering at so many womens stores? They made bad clothes.] Experts say its not just a steadier economy that is pushing retailers to consider easing up on promotions. Online shopping is growing explosively, and shipping costs mean that those purchases tend to be less profitable ones for retailers, said Jeff Simpson, managing director of the retail practice at Deloitte. To absorb that growing pressure on profitability, Simpson said, somethings got to give. There are other cultural changes, too: Retailers used to set the pace of a shopping season, creating a starting-gun effect with a big sales event. Now, though, shoppers run the show, armed with price-checking apps and inspiration from social media. Its hard for a retailer to stand out by promotion alone. Promotions are like city buses these days, said Joel Bines, managing director of the retail practice at consultancy AlixPartners. If you miss one, theres going to be another one that looks just like it coming down the road behind it. PVH, the parent company of fashion brands Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, told investors last month it will focus less on promotions on its websites. Womens specialty chain Chicos said its comparable sales slipped 5.1 percent this quarter, largely because it reduced promotions. (Meanwhile, its merchandise margins improved, because it was selling goods at a higher price.) [Its about to get a lot harder to get a discounted Coach handbag] Other brands are trying to simply think differently about what constitutes an effective deal. Victorias Secret is ditching the $10-off direct-mail coupons it used to lean on, instead focusing on promotions that encourage shoppers to try workout attire or a beauty product something they might not typically buy from a store known for its bras and panties. There are plenty of retailers that remain fairly aggressive with promotions. Outlet store J.Crew Factory, for example, sent an email blast last week promising 50 percent off the entire store through Labor Day. Gap offered 35 percent off all online purchases last Wednesday. And many chains are looking to harness shoppers purchasing data to give more customized promotions that cater to their preferences. Those efforts, though, are in relatively nascent stages. With that as a backdrop, it might not prove to be easy going for retailers cutting back on promotions. They really have to settle in for a long, tough grind, Bines said. Where were you on 9-11? Did you watch the horrific acts of terrorism unfold on TV? Or did you receive a call like I did? Are you watching? asked the voice on the other end. Watching what? I asked. I quickly turned on the TV and thought to myself, Whats next? We had no idea whether or not our nation was under attack and if terrorists were prepared to carry out their attacks across the country. Quickly we mobilized and did what we could based on what we were seeing. Needless to say we became more vigilant as the day unfolded and prepared for the worst. Fifteen years later we have not forgotten because that date, 9-11, is seared in our memories. As a result, we remember those who lost their lives and we observe National Preparedness Month each September. We are reminded that its not a matter of if disaster strikes, but when. Whether its flooding in northern Wisconsin and Louisiana, a mass shooting in a mall, earthquakes in Italy or tornadoes in the Midwest, disasters and emergencies do occur and often at the most inopportune times. September is National Preparedness Month County executive Jonathan Delagrave has joined with Gov. Scott Walker in proclaiming September as National Preparedness Month and he urges all citizens and businesses to develop their own emergency preparedness plans and work together toward creating a more prepared society. This years theme is Dont Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today. Taking time now to discuss with family, friends and neighbors about what to do in an emergency and then building an emergency kit for your home and vehicles. Family communications If your family is like ours, we are rarely all together at the same time. Yet if something happens, how will we communicate? What will we do? Where will we go? We are often told that the first thing to fail is cell phones so then what? In a disaster, it may be easier to communicate via text messaging than it is by calling someone. We also recommend having an out-of-state contact who everyone can check in with. Put together an emergency card with important names and phone numbers and make sure everyone has one. Include out-of-town family members or friends, as well as a central meeting place. You can download a card on our website www.readyracineco.com. Create a family plan Develop an emergency plan for the common hazards that may affect you and your family. These may include fires, chemical spills and severe weather like tornadoes and winter storms. Know what to do and how to react to each hazard. Decide whether you will need to shelter in place or evacuate. Finally practice the plan. Making a kit Depending on the situation, help may not be quickly on the way. Therefore, how will you survive? What do you need to get by on your own for 24, 36 or 72 hours? Basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may not work or you might have to evacuate your home immediately. Thats why it is important to have your own fully-stocked disaster kit ready. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items that members of a household may need in the event of a disaster. Supplies such as food and water should last for at least three days. Other items to consider include flashlights with fresh batteries, radio, medications and first aid kit, pet food and supplies, and other necessities. Also make sure you put an emergency kit in every vehicle as well that contains non-perishable food and water, jumper cables, and extra coats, blankets and gloves. Racine County selected to attend training Racine County has been selected to attend the Community Specific Integrated Emergency Management Course (IEMC) at the Emergency Management Institute (EMI) in Emmitsburg, Md. Only a handful of communities are selected each year to participate in this training. The last time Racine County attended this course was in 1998 when 77 county, city and community officials took part. The Community-specific Integrated Emergency Management Course provides an in-depth exercise experience for participants from a single jurisdiction. EMI instructors will visit Racine County and then build a realistic disaster exercise around our communitys hazards, the type of Emergency Operations Center (EOC) used here, and our emergency plans. Its too early to tell what disaster they will dream up this time but rest assured, it will challenge participants as they respond to the scenario thrown at them. Facebook If you have not done so, like us on Facebook. We regularly post useful information and tips, along with information about severe weather. You can find us at www.facebook.com/readyracineco. In addition, check out our website at www.readyracineco.com. Until next time, stay safe. As if you needed another reason in this grotesque political season to contemplate a move to the Great White North, along comes Come From Away, a musical packed with so much Canadian goodwill youll wonder why an entire province wasnt awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. That maritime province, Newfoundland, is the benevolent locale of this heartwarming and eager-to-please musical, which had its official opening Wednesday night at Fords Theatre. Its most compelling character, in fact, is the place itself, and more to the point, the embracing spirit of a rough-hewn people who opened their arms and homes to 7,000 airline passengers marooned there on one of the worst days in American history, Sept. 11, 2001. The 15th anniversary of the terrorist acts that resulted in 3,000 deaths in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington and a fundamental change in the way Americans think about the world occurs on Sunday. For anyone with even a faint memory of or connection to those events, the musical by the husband-and-wife team of Irene Sankoff and David Hein will reach into a place in your gut you may have wanted left undisturbed. My heart leaped into my mouth several times over the course of the hour and 45 minutes of Come From Away, episodes triggered by finely detailed depictions of the stranded passengers realizations of the scale of the horrors, and the townfolks small but meaningful acts of kindness toward the horde of strangers in their midst. The musical, then, is about a channel of generosity that yawned wide on 9/11 in the town of Gander, Newfoundland, where 38 passenger jets were diverted and remained there, as the U.S. government shut down its airspace. Sankoff and Hein, who conducted interviews with both local residents and The Plane People and composed a score referencing the galloping Celtic rhythms and instrumentals of Newfoundlands native music, want us to experience the transcendent goodness of Gander that they discovered. In the aftermath of the unspeakable, they and director Christopher Ashley seem to be saying, it is important to speak of humankinds better nature. This feels especially consoling right here and right now, when, amid the noise of a rancid presidential campaign, the impulse in so much of our civic discourse is not to engage, but degrade. The often amusing tale Sankoff and Hein spin, about the week in which the town rallied and the passengers from around the world intermingled (and in at least one case, fell in love), is not without its weaknesses. Musicals tend to benefit from a strong narrative spine; Come From Away, which invites comparison to Thornton Wilders Our Town, suffers a bit from a lack of drama. With the exception of a New York mom (Q. Smith) awaiting news of a firefighter son missing at Ground Zero, the passengers chief worry is when they will be allowed to complete their journeys. Jenn Colella as Beverly in the Fords Theatre production of Come From Away. (Carol Rosegg) Although the musical touches briefly on interesting aspects of the passengers feelings such as, their guilt at being so lovingly cared for, when other more consequential 9/11 victims were suffering many of the self- narrated stories here fall into the lower-grade category of tales of inconvenience. In the conjuring, too, of Ganders collective rising to the occasion, the individual characters, while embodied in lively fashion by an altogether splendid cast of 12, remain rather schematic. Virtually every song in Come From Away, accompanied zestily by an eight-member band conducted by Ian Eisendrath, is an ensemble piece; only an American Airlines pilot, played and sung superbly by Jenn Colella, is accorded her own complete solo number, and youre left scratching your head a bit as to why. Its as a unit that the dozen actors, with Ashleys intelligent guidance, wring the most urgent emotionality out of the material. On Beowulf Boritts woodsy turntable set some tables and chairs scattered in a Newfoundland forest they all play both the plane people and the townspeople, the segues so persuasively seamless that ones belief in the bonds that form is rewardingly underlined. Everyones good, but if asked to single out a few notables, Id mention Joel Hatch as Ganders mayor; Kendra Kassebaum as the local TV reporter; Alyssa Wilmoth Keegan, playing a stubbornly assertive animal caregiver; and Rodney Hicks as a passenger gobsmacked by the local hospitality. Lee MacDougall and Sharon Wheatley apply a commendable lack of sentimentality to the roles of middle-aged passengers who make a romantic connection. And how refreshing is it that a Broadway-bound musicals central love story goes to characters who might qualify for AARP membership. Yes, Come From Away is headed to New York this winter, after an additional stop in Toronto and then a special pair of concerts in Gander itself. One wonders whether the story might be better served with slightly less emphasis on the logistics of sheltering the strangers and more on the characters lives. A gay couple, well played by Chad Kimball and Caesar Samayoa, for instance, might come more satisfyingly into focus if the nature of their unhappiness with each other were more incisively explained. Still, if the books mechanics unfold with too much sugar, the score has an infectious, gritty vitality: Especially good is a number set in a Gander pub, choreographed by Kelly Devine, during which a risibly nutty local initiation rite is performed, involving the embrace of a recently caught codfish. O, Canada!: Come From Away gives one the wholly comforting impression that when people talk of going to a better place, they mean you. Come From Away book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. Directed by Christopher Ashley. Choreography, Kelly Devine; music supervision, Ian Eisendrath; set, Beowulf Boritt; costumes, Toni-Leslie James; lighting, Howell Binkley; sound, Gareth Owen; orchestrations, August Eriksmoen; dialects, Joel Goldes. With Astrid Van Wieren, Geno Carr. About 1 hour 45 minutes. Tickets, $20-$73. Through Oct. 9 at Fords Theatre, 511 10th St. NW. Visit fords.org or call 202-347-4833. The General Tsos chicken jumps off the menu at Zabver, a Chinese American dish at an otherwise largely Thai restaurant. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post) When dining out is your profession, you learn to spot the warning signs of a restaurant more interested in survival than staying true to its roots: The Korean barbecue joint that dabbles in all-you-can-eat sushi. The Chinatown spot that allocates menu space for crab puffs stuffed with cream cheese. The Mexican establishment that caters to the pupusa crowd. Right or wrong, knee-jerk or not, I tend to avoid restaurants that behave like pop stars who adopt new personas to remain, you know, relevant. So when colleagues and readers suggested I visit Zabver in Mount Pleasant, I studiously steered clear of the (mostly) Thai spot for one reason: Among its chefs specials is a plate of General Tsos chicken, the cloying cornstarch king of Chinese American carryouts. Let me get this off my chest before I say anything else: I was wrong to take my prejudices out on Zabver. I dont remember now why I decided to ignore my instincts and walk into the tiny storefront on a blisteringly hot July evening, but when I did, I made sure to order the General Tsos chicken. Each bird part was covered in a sauce that shimmered like river water on a cloudless summer day. My reaction was visceral, a silent inward drool, as if some previously unknown craving was about to be satisfied. The tempura coating had not yet surrendered its crispiness. It still had serious crunch, that mysterious source of pleasure at the dining table. The chicken, sprinkled with a handful of scallions, included a dense hedge of broccoli florets at one end of the plate. The vegetables were easy to ignore in favor of the sweet, salty crackle of the boneless breast meat. This was chicken candy, and I was a 10-year-old again, trying to hoard every last piece for myself. Chef Piwat Laosiri owns the tiny Zabver in Mount Pleasant with his wife, Thitiporn Mai Sankom. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post) The chef behind this unexpected delight is Piwat Laosiri, a Bangkok native who owns and operates Zabver with his wife, Thitiporn Mai Sankom. With only six seats and virtually no ability to combat the heat inside the colorful, cramped dining area, Zabver is best treated as a carryout, not a sit-down restaurant. (The couple, incidentally, hope to expand into an upstairs space later this year.) I say this with trepidation, since takeout containers inevitably degrade Laosiris best work. Plus, the husband and wife are charming, courteous hosts, quick with a quip or just a cup of chili flakes for an extra kick to your dish. Carryouts are not exactly temples of authenticity. They tend to specialize in speed and cheap, late-night calories. Zabver is an exception: Its a carryout that trades in genuine Thai flavors, is fearless in its use of fish sauce and is not shy about making you wait. Best order ahead and save yourself from the self-basting humiliation of roasting in the ovenlike dining room during the last days of summer. One taste of Laosiris chicken larb salad, and you understand that the chefs not interested in peddling the sweet, starter-kit fare that has characterized Thai eateries aimed at an undifferentiated American palate. Served in a large outer leaf ripped from a head of iceberg lettuce, the salad radiates heat, sourness and the fetid funk of fish sauce. BASE jumping wont generate this kind of adrenaline rush. One of the more traditional Thai dishes on the menu at Zabver: the chicken larb salad. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post) As the General Tsos chicken suggests, Zabvers owners identify as Thai but embrace the freewheeling spirit of their American locale, occasionally adopting the dishes of Asian immigrants who came before them. The menu skips easily between an unconventional wonton soup (the dense, matzo ball-like dumplings float in a clear-and-complex chicken broth seasoned with soy) and a traditional tom ka gai (the coconut milk cant begin to tame the soups jungle elements). Even Zabvers soundtrack has an American heartbeat: In between spoonfuls of soup, I bobbed my head to Michael Jackson, Prince and Maroon 5, which claimed to have absorbed the moves of an Englishman named Jagger. None of the fresh noodles at Zabver are made in-house, which gives you a sense of where the boundaries are drawn at this mom-and-pop operation. As open-ended as Laosiris menu can be, time remains a fixed commodity. There arent enough hours in the day to prepare fresh strands for the selection of noodle dishes here. Despite this, I never sucked down a noodle that showed signs of age, whether mold or stickiness, which would have forced me to send up an emergency flare, seeking fresh reinforcements. The flat, wide ribbons used for the drunken noodles tasted almost caramelized, which balanced the dishs traditional slap of sobering heat. The stir-fry noodles in the pad Thai still had plenty of chew left in them, providing a solid base to ferry the flavors inherent in the dish (tamarind and fish sauce) and those added (like a generous squeeze of lime). But my most ticklish experience was reserved for the refugee noodles, a pile of spongy steamed rice noodles topped with fried tofu and a variety of rough-cut vegetables, all tied together with a sweetened soy sauce. It was like a dim-sum dish ripped on roids. The refugee noodles at Zabver, a pile of spongy steamed rice noodles topped with fried tofu and a variety of rough-cut vegetables, tied together with a sweetened soy sauce. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post) Laosiri has a knack for renewing your faith in dishes that have let you down in the past. It might be his crusty re-examination of General Tsos, or it might be his uncompromising green curry, built with a paste as pointed as a bayonet. Laosiri doesnt seem to have a cruise setting. He puts the pedal to the metal no matter what the dish or its country of origin. Im thinking specifically about his moo ta-kite, a lemon grass pork preparation that comes with rice, not vermicelli. Im not convinced a Vietnamese cook could make it much better. The couples commitment to their native cuisine and to any dish that wanders into their field of vision makes me think they adopted the right name for their place. They tell me Zabver translates into, Oh, my God, its so delicious! The journalist in me has basically verified the translation with a Thai-speaking friend, who says the term is slang for over-the-top delicious. If the couples version is tinged with hyperbole, thats okay. The critic in me knows the truth of it. Another traditional Thai dish at Zabver: The green curry with Chicken. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post) The rocket carrying OSIRIS-REx is scheduled to launch Thursday at 7:05 p.m. Eastern time. The robotic probe will collect gravel and dust from the asteroid Bennu, which may shed light on the origins of life. (Joel Kowsky/NASA) An asteroid that may hold the key to life is getting its first visitor in billions of years. Asteroid Bennu, a black roundish rock taller than the Empire State Building, is the intended target of a NASA spacecraft set to blast off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Thursday night. Not only will the robotic probe named OSIRIS-REx fly to this ancient asteroid, it will scout it out for two years before scooping up some gravel and dust, and deliver the samples back to Earth. All told, the first-of-its-kind mission will take seven years, from launch to sample return. [Watch a NASA video on how OSIRIS-REx will get its asteroid sample. ] Flying to another world is no simple matter. Neither is vacuuming samples off an asteroid. Were going out into the unknown, said principal scientist Dante Lauretta of the University of Arizona at Tucson. An artists illustration shows the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft drawing samples from the asteroid Bennu. (NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center via AP) You can watch the launch, scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Eastern time, online on NASA TV. Whats in a name? Bennu (pronounced BEN-oo) was discovered in 1999 but named 14 years later, when the asteroid was chosen for the NASA mission. It is one of more than 500,000 known asteroids in the solar system, and its shaped like a ball. Michael Puzio, a 9-year-old from North Carolina, won an international student naming contest. Michael chose Bennu because the boxy NASA spacecraft, with its twin solar wings and 10-foot mechanical arm, reminded him of the long-legged bird of Egyptian mythology. The spacecraft shares that Egyptian theme, bearing the name of the Egyptian god Osiris (oh-SIGH-riss). A space vacuum cleaner The asteroid rotates every four hours, which means that yes a day on Bennu is just over four hours long. This rotation is slow enough for a spacecraft to reach out and suck in samples, using nitrogen gas to stir up the surface. We are basically a space vacuum cleaner, Lauretta said. OSIRIS-REx, which stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer, is also similar to a hummingbird, because it hovers over Bennu during the big grab. The asteroid makes a full revolution around the sun every 14 months and passes by Earth every six years. That cuts down on the travel time for OSIRIS-REx and, because its close to the sun, keeps its solar wings energized. [Whats the difference between an asteroid and a meteorite?] Theres a slim chance that 150 years or so from now, Bennu could collide with Earth just one-tenth of 1 percent, according to Lauretta. The asteroid is believed to be 1,600 feet across, which means that a collision would be a major natural disaster. But it wouldnt be a knockout punch for Earth or life as we know it, Lauretta said. The mission to Bennu should help scientists better understand the changing paths of asteroids, as well as the origins of life. Bennu is the color of coal, a sign that the asteroid is rich in carbon that dates back to the origin of the solar system 4.5 billion years ago. If it does have ancient carbon, Bennu would be a time capsule that could help explain how life sprouted on Earth and, possibly, elsewhere in the neighborhood. Weve done the best job we can to characterize the asteroid with telescopes, Lauretta said. Once a sample is brought back then well be able to answer the question definitively. Bobby Troups song, (Get Your Kicks on) Route 66, was recorded by Nat King Cole in 1946. For the classic tunes 70th anniversary and the roads 90th birthday I drove the entire 2,448-mile distance from Chicago to Los Angeles. During the two-week road trip, I replaced the original cities with destinations that better capture the spirit of the Mother Road. Here are the new 10 stops and why they make the charts. In case youve forgotten the lyrics to (Get Your Kicks on) Route 66, heres a refresher: [The perfect Route 66 road trip for the Main Street of Americas 90th birthday] Now you go through Saint Louie And Joplin, Missouri And Oklahoma City looks mighty pretty, youll see Amarillo Gallup, New Mexico Flagstaff, Arizona Dont forget Winona Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino. Now forget what youve just remembered. Pontiac, Ill.: This time-capsule townfeels like an alfresco gallery with more than 20 murals, including the worlds largest painted Route 66 shield, and 15 miniature art cars. The Pontiac Museum Complex contains the Bob Waldmire Experience, which honors the Route 66 artist and cartographer; the Pontiac-Oakland Museum; and the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum. The Old Log Cabin Restaurant opened in 1926 and flipped its entrance around when the road was realigned in the 1940s. You can see an original section out back. Info: il-pontiactourism.civicplus.com. Springfield, Mo.: The city backs up its claim to the Birthplace of Route 66 title with a replica of the telegram that greenlighted the road. See a copy of the message, plus other mementos, at the Route 66 Springfield Visitor Center. As part of a plan to create a living museum on a stretch of the road, the city erected a replica of the Reds Giant Hamburg sign (the worlds first drive-through restaurant) at the Birthplace of Route 66 Roadside Park. The Classic Car Museum opened this summer with more than 60 classic cruisers. The Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven hotel has eight sandstone cottages from 1938 as well as an Elvis suite with a tail-fin car bed. The Steak n Shake is a true 1960s diner: The steakburger and hand-dipped milkshake joint is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Info: springfieldmo.org. [A how-to guide to driving all of Route 66] Galena, Kan.: A 1926 section of Route 66 runs through the states oldest mining town. The Howard Pappy Litch Park was once a federal weigh station on Route 66. The park features a gazebo and a Will Rogers Highway plaque from 1952 that once stood at the Missouri-Kansas state line. A stand-in for Tow Mater and his Cars pals welcome visitors at the Cars on the Route cafe and souvenir shop, in the restored Kan-O-Tex gas station. Info: nps.gov/nr/travel/route66/east_galena_historic_district.html. A sculpture at the Cyrus Avery Plaza in Tulsa depicts the Father of Route 66 in his Ford Model T. (Andrea Sachs/The Washington Post) Tulsa: The Mother Roads other birthplace honors the Father of Route 66 with a bronze statue at the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza. The city has plans to build a Route 66 museum where the road crosses the Arkansas River. The Woody Guthrie Center dedicates exhibit space to Route 66, the Dust Bowl and the migrant workers subjects that appear in many of the folk singer's songs. Tulsa will host the Mother Road Revival Weekend on Sept. 10 and 11. Info: visittulsa.com. Adrian, Tex.: Halfway there! Document your success 1,139 miles down, 1,139 to go with a snapshot of the sign and the shield on the road. Then celebrate with a piece of ugly pie at the Midpoint Cafe, which also has a gift shop. Next door is the Sunflower Station, an antiques and souvenirs store whose owner, Fran Houser, inspired the Flo character in Cars. Info: route66midpointcafe.com. Tucumcari, N.M.: Back in the day, the towns slogan was Tucumcari Tonite, a nod to its booming hospitality industry. Today, the number of motor courts is drastically smaller, but the neon still burns bright at several establishments, including the Blue Swallow Motel, a lavishly restored property open since 1939, and the Motel Safari, established in 1959. The convention center houses the New Mexico Route 66 Museum, plus a slide show of Tucumcaris past. During the day, follow the map to more than 40 murals around town, including several with Mother Road themes. For Route 66 swag, stop by Tee Pee Curios, a former gas station. Info: tucumcarinm.com. At the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Ariz., guests can sleep in one of 15 teepees. (Andrea Sachs/The Washington Post) Holbrook, Ariz.: The frontier town, near the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park, is overrun with petrified wood, extinct creatures and old outlaws. At the Navajo County Historical Society, creep around the jail covered in inmates graffiti; learn about the Blevins Shootout (diorama included) and George Smiley, a convicted murderer; and mail a letter via the Hashknife Pony Express (next delivery is the last week of January). On your way out, grab a map and take a walking tour of historic buildings and sites. A pride of dinosaurs guards the Rainbow Rock Shop, a trove of geologic finds. Spend the night in a conical structure at the Wigwam Motel, one of three surviving outposts from the 1930s chain. Info: www.ci.holbrook.az.us. [Images from a photographers Route 66 quest] Winslow, Ariz.: Well, Im a-standing on a corner . . . and I see . . . a family of eight in a camper, not a girl in flatbed Ford. But verisimilitude is not the point, nor is factual accuracy. According to a bartender at La Posada Hotel, co-writer Jackson Browne actually saw a girl passing by in a Toyota in Flagstaff, but the Eagles changed the lyric when their tour bus broke down in Winslow. The Standin on the Corner Park commemorates the Take It Easy line with a life-size statue of Browne, a mural and a parked flatbed Ford. A few blocks away, La Posada Historic District contains one of finest examples of a Harvey House, a collection of elegant resorts built by the Santa Fe Railway from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s. The Mary Colter-designed La Posada Hotel features a top-notch restaurant, historical exhibits (meet the Harvey Girls), the Tina Mion Museum (the painter restored and runs the property with her husband) and a trading post with art by Native American and Southwest artists. At Dairy King in Commerce, Okla., the cookies come in a familiar shape. (Andrea Sachs/The Washington Post) Williams, Ariz.: The last town to be bypassed by Interstate 40 isnt throwing itself a pity party. Instead, its whooping it up with Wild West shows in the street, the Route 66 Zipline and train rides to the national park aboard the Grand Canyon Railway. Pop into the Williams and Forest Service Visitor Center for a history lesson and a free I Heart Williams pin. Cruisers Cafe 66 has a classic car on its roof, a barbecue pit and road memorabilia inside and out. Info: experiencewilliams.com. Santa Monica: In 1936, planners extended the terminus to this beachfront city in western Los Angeles County. The Santa Monica Pier offers road-trippers an Instagram finish: the End of the Trail sign. At the 66 to Cali kiosk, sign the guestbook and buy your last Route 66 trinket. Then walk onto the golden sand and dive into the Pacific, a splashy ending to a 2,448-mile drive. Info: santamonica.com. This weeks best travel bargains around the globe. Land Secret Bay, an eco-luxury boutique resort on the West Indies island of Dominica, has an Escape Election 2016 deal with a savings of $250. The package, valid through Dec. 16, starts at $3,074 per couple and includes five nights in a luxurious villa; a gourmet welcome dinner, a 60-minute in-room couples massage; a forest bathing experience; a 60-minute private couples yoga session; airport transfer; and an organic food basket. Add 20 percent for taxes and service charges. Guests also have free access to bikes. Blackout dates may apply. Travel by Dec. 16. Info: secretbay.dm. Acacia Africa has a sale on 25 Africa expeditions, with savings of several hundred dollars. The deal applies to combo tours in South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and Kenya, among other countries. For example, the 21-day South East Adventure starts at $1,947 single or double, down from $2,290, and includes 16 nights camping in two-person dome tents; four nights in twin-share rooms; 21 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 15 dinners; all ground transportation, including a safari vehicle; camping and cooking equipment (bring your own sleeping bag); and most taxes. The overland trip starts in Nairobi and visits Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Malawi and Zambia. Several departures through December. Book by Sept. 30. Info: acacia-africa.com. The Franklin Hotel, a luxury property in Londons Knightsbridge district, is offering introductory rates. For example, a superior room in mid-October starts at $523 a night, including taxes a savings of $210. The 35-room hotel reopened last month after an extensive renovation. Book by Oct. 31; travel by Dec. 18. For the cheapest rates, call the hotel at 011-44-20-7584-5533. Info: thefranklinlondon.com/offers/special-introductory-offer. Sea John Halls Alaska is offering savings of at least $500 per person on six Alaskan land-and-cruise tours in 2017. In addition, pay the tour balance by cash and check and save an additional $200. Groups of four or more travelers receive an extra discount of $50 to $200. For example, the Denali Explorer, a 14-day land-and-cruise voyage, starts at $11,758 per couple a savings of $1,000. The price drops to $11,358 when you pay by cash or check. A family of four sharing one cabin pays from $23,516; book two or three cabins with the cash/check option and the price falls to $22,516 a savings of $3,000. Price includes accommodations; meals; luxury land, rail and cruise transportation; airport transfers; port charges and taxes; and some gratuities. Select departures June through August. The trip starts in Anchorage and ends in Vancouver. Book by Jan. 1. Info: 800-325-2270, kissalaska.com . Carnival Cruise Line is offering free upgrades on select sailings through December. For example, an ocean-view cabin on a five-day cruise sailing from Jacksonville, Fla., to the Bahamas on Oct. 31 starts at $279 per person double, a savings of $110. Add $82 in taxes and fees. Book by Sept. 18. Info: 800-764-7419, carnival.com/cruise-deals/cruise-sale.aspx. Air Singapore Airlines is offering a fare sale from New York, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco to cities in Europe and Asia, including Frankfurt, Singapore and Tokyo. For example, round-trip fare from New Yorks JFK to Singapore is $650, including taxes; priced separately, fare from Washington to New York starts at about $100 for a round-trip ticket. From Los Angeles to Tokyo, round-trip fare starts at $550; round-trip fare from D.C. to Los Angeles starts at about $250. Other airlines are matching on most routes. Book by Sept. 30; travel Nov. 1-June 30. Blackout dates are Dec. 9-Jan. 8. Info: singaporeairgetaway.com/us_en. Package Save $400 per person on SmarTours eight-night Enchanting Peru trip. The escorted tour starts at $2,199 per person double for the Feb. 6 and Feb. 27 departures; pay by check and receive an additional $100 off. The package includes round-trip airfare from New York to Lima; eight nights lodging in Yucay, Cuzco, Puno and Lima; flight from Puno to Lima; 11 meals; sightseeing tours; land transportation; airport transfers; and taxes. Book by Oct. 6. Info: 800-337-7773, smartours.com/tour/enchanting-peru. Carol Sottili, Andrea Sachs Submit travel deals to whatsthedeal@washpost.com . Prices were verified at press time Thursday, but deals sell out and availability is not guaranteed. Some restrictions may apply. When Diana Lee Craig cast off on the Oceania Rivieras 10-day Eastern Caribbean cruise, there were no surprises. The ship left Miami as scheduled, stopping in San Juan, St. John, Punta Cana and Nassau, before returning to Florida. The shock came after she returned home. Gradually, the mailbox of her Sonoma, Calif., winery began to fill with unwanted brochures. First, there was a glossy Oceania flyer promoting sailings in Alaska, the Mediterranean and Asia. But soon more arrived from other cruise lines and tour operators all vying for her future business. Now I receive the brochures almost daily, she complains. I have no intention of going on a cruise ever again. Whenever cruise trips come up in social conversation, this these brochures seem to be a huge problem. Oceania automatically adds customers to its mailing list after they book a cruise. A cruise line representative said most passengers enjoy receiving the pamphlets, and that it leads to repeat business. Guests can certainly opt out of our mailings at any time, either via the website or by contacting us directly, said Oceania spokesman Jason Lasecki. [Hotels are happy to accommodate guest requests up to a point] After I contacted Oceania about Craigs case, the company deleted her name from its mailing list. But Craig will almost certainly continue to receive brochures. The reason: Other parties, such as her travel agent, may have sold her mailing address to a third party. Shes probably on everyones mailing list now because she lives in affluent Sonoma County and is tagged as a hot prospect for booking a luxury cruise. While there are several ways to remove your name from these lists, they take time and effort. Her case, and others like it, highlight the inadequacy of federal laws and voluntary compliance by an industry that sometimes doesnt seem to know when enough is enough. Jay Acunzo, a Boston marketing consultant, says the assault on Craigs mailbox is a sign of the times. Marketing has a long history of convincing itself that non-marketers actually enjoy marketing, says Acunzo, who is the founder of Unthinkable.fm, a podcast and radio show exploring creative intuition in marketing. Thats simply not true. Travel companies that automatically add clients to their lists are betting theyll get their repeat business by carpet-bombing them with offers. This only works for a small percentage of customers, but thats still enough to make it worthwhile to advertisers. Although the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), a trade organization for travel agencies, has a clause in its ethics statement that prevents agents from disclosing any information without permission of the client, unless required by law, its relatively easy for customers to inadvertently opt in online. No one reads the fine print on those terms and conditions, anyway. That allows a travel adviser to freely share or sell a clients address to a third party. (An ASTA spokesman said he could not recall any guidance on email marketing from the organization.) [If your flight is canceled, is your airline obligated to get you to your destination?] Transmitting unsolicited email messages is restricted by federal law, but sending brochures through the Postal Service isnt. We have no control over the selling of mailing lists by other organizations, says Darleen Reid-DeMeo, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Postal Service. According to Ken Kosky, the promotions director for Indiana Dunes, a popular vacation area on the southern tip of Lake Michigan, there is an unspoken industry standard on this issue. People must opt in and request our information, he says. And even when someone asks for information, theres a limit. Our organization only does one additional mailing beyond the initially requested one the second mailing comes the next year, he adds. Apparently, though, the standard is not widely embraced. There are steps consumers can take to avoid unwanted mailings. The Direct Marketing Association (DMA), a trade group, allows you to opt out of all mailing lists at its site, DMAchoice.org. (It also reminds readers, before they opt out, that direct mail is critical to the economic well-being of communities, representing more than $686 billion in sales and supporting jobs at more than 300,000 small businesses across the country. So noted.) Senny Boone, DMAs general counsel, said companies that ignore the opt-out list face enforcement actions from the organization, which may include publishing the offending organizations name in a report. A consumer should be able to make a choice about direct mailing, she says. But, she adds, DMA doesnt support regulating the industry or moving to an opt-in rule because it would limit their members ability to market to Americans, which would have an impact on the economy. Consumers dont necessarily agree. I dont think any company should be able to give your name to any mailing lists, says Marjorie Yasueda, a retired travel agent from San Francisco. She recommends two steps for getting off the lists: First, call the companys 800 number and opt out. Typically, these requests take about a week to process, and you may receive an errant brochure or two in the meantime. Second, use Catalog Choice, an opt-out service run by a nonprofit organization thats dedicated to stopping junk mail. Theres no charge, and its most effective when used in tandem with the DMA service, she says. [Frequent-flier programs could face tighter regulation if customers speak up] Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt. Before asking me for help, Craig registered at the DMA site. She contacted her travel agency four times to ask it to remove her name from its mailing lists and asked Oceania twice to opt out. Then theres Carlos Vargas. A retired small-business owner from Chicago, Vargas says hes inundated with brochures, mostly from cruise lines. Thats not including the often-daily email newsletters they send him. I wonder why they waste so much money in the digital era? he said. His own behavior answers that question. Vargas has booked dozens of cruises through Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Princess and Celebrity. And for all the perceived waste, he hasnt asked to be removed from the lists, at least not yet. In other words, the brochures may annoy some recipients but they work. But does that make them okay? Should customers like Craig and Yasueda have to take extraordinary steps to keep their mailboxes uncluttered, or is the burden on travel companies to ask for permission to send them brochures? The bottom line: Junk mail, a problem that goes far beyond the travel industry, is almost entirely unregulated. Maybe that needs to change. Elliott is a consumer advocate, journalist and co-founder of the advocacy group Travelers United. Email him at chris@elliott.org. The closure of ITT Technical Institutes, a national chain of career schools with a 50-year legacy, is fueling a debate over the federal governments aggressive policing of for-profit higher education and whether it could destroy the industry. Education officials are holding for-profit colleges such as ITT accountable after years of consumer complaints about shoddy programs, deceptive marketing and high loan-default rates. The government which has been targeting problems at for-profits for more than a decade has handed down a series of regulations and sanctions that have put some companies on the brink of ruin. [ITT Technical Institutes shut down after 50 years in operation] After years of federal scrutiny, ITT Educational Services, is closing its vocational schools for good. (Claritza Jimenez/The Washington Post) To some experts, the collapse of ITT this week, brought on by sanctions curtailing its access to federal financial aid, is further evidence that the Education Department is going after the industry by pushing tough employment and student loan regulations rules aimed specifically at for-profits and by wresting power from the accrediting agency for such schools. The administration wants improved student outcomes, said Michael Tarkan, senior research analyst at Compass Point. And, yes, some of the larger for-profits have been caught in the crossfire, but those are some of the ones that have had pretty weak student outcomes. The for-profit higher education industry consists of more than 3,500 vocational, technical and career schools that are focused on job training. More than 1.1 million students were enrolled in such schools in the spring semester of 2016, roughly 6 percent of the total college population, according to the National Student Clearinghouse. Education Secretary John B. King has said the administration is not singling out any group of schools but instead is working to ensure that students and billions of dollars in taxpayer money are not put in jeopardy. We take our enforcement responsibilities seriously, King told reporters recently. Thats why over the last seven years the Obama administration has taken a number of actions to protect students, borrowers and taxpayers from the illegal behavior of some institutions and programs. [Federal Trade Commission sues DeVry University for deceptive advertising] Marquee names in the for-profit industry, such as DeVry University and the University of Phoenix, are the subject of ongoing government lawsuits or investigations. And many of these companies point a finger at the federal government for their shrinking footprint: More than a hundred campuses run by for-profit companies have closed in the past two years, including locations of the Art Institutes, Le Cordon Bleu and Brown Mackie College. Its the worst political and regulatory environment for career schools that Ive seen in my 27 years in the industry, said Eric Juhlin, chief executive of the Center for Excellence in Higher Education, which runs career schools Stevens-Henager College and CollegeAmerica. It has never been this coordinated, this systematic. Others in higher education say the administrations actions are long overdue and that the crackdown is just weeding out the worst actors in the for-profit industry. The industrys greatest nemesis is not the government, they say, but economic head winds that are lowering enrollment and rendering unsustainable a business model once beloved by Wall Street. Were seeing a slow-motion train wreck here, said Barmak Nassirian, director of federal relations and policy analysis at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. The government hasnt really done anything. Id love to have cops on the beat who can prevent crime, not chase after perpetrators after the mayhem. For-profit colleges experienced remarkable growth in the past decade, with private equity firms pumping in money as students dependent on federal loans and grants poured into training programs. State and federal authorities say some schools with profits in mind lured in vulnerable students with promises they could not keep. Students took on debt for programs that failed to land them jobs earning enough to repay the loans. And as the economy recovered and allegations of abuse mounted, fewer people were willing to take a chance on for-profit schools. The take-all-comers-and-offer-low-wage-certificates model really doesnt work anymore, said Ben Miller, senior director for postsecondary education at the Center for American Progress. Its the place where the marginal decision of do I go to college or do I enter the workforce is the strongest. So as the economy got better, there are fewer people in that category. [This really might be the end of ITT] ITT Tech had double-digit percentage declines in enrollment for several quarters. It made fatal mistakes by starting an in-house student loan program that suffered heavy losses and by repurchasing a lot of its shares, said Trace Urdan, a research analyst at Credit Suisse. He said the schools most at risk of suffering a similar fate are the ones battling poor enrollment, weak balance sheets and regulations on student employment, mainly small, regional career schools. We could see something on the scale of ITT in aggregate, through a lot of smaller schools being pushed out, Urdan said. Government enforcement moves, he said, could put real pressure on some career colleges. Education officials may soon bar the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), an agency that overwhelmingly accredits for-profit colleges, from serving as the gatekeeper between colleges and billions of dollars in federal financial aid. [Federal advisory board votes to kick out the nations largest college accreditor] If that were to happen, the nearly 300 schools the council oversees might have a difficult time finding another agency willing to accept them, Urdan said. Without an accreditor, students at those schools would be unable to access federal loans and grants, which could drive the schools out of business. The decision on the accrediting council is as much driven by the departments decision to eliminate some of these schools in an orderly process as it was about going after ACICS, said Steve Gunderson, president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, a for-profit trade group. Gunderson said the government is under no obligation to keep any school in business, but it does have a responsibility to students seeking a shot at a career that can land them in the middle class. Yet the Obama administration, he said, is sacrificing a whole generation of students to advance their ideological hostility toward for-profit schools. At stake is the education, time, money and future of millions of students who for myriad reasons chose trade, vocational and other for-profit schools to put them on a path to better employment. Students such as Sen Wynn. Wynn, 29, was set to graduate with a bachelors degree in cybersecurity from ITT Tech in Chantilly, Va., in October, until a classmate emailed to say the school had closed. She was devastated. Not only did Wynn miss out on a chance to graduate, but she also lost her job interning as a computer tech at the school. This has been really hard, Wynn said. I had no idea this was going to happen. Even though Wynn completed all of the credits for her degree, she is hoping Northern Virginia Community College will let her transfer, even if it means having to take more classes. Education officials are asking community colleges near ITT locations to accept academic credits from the career school, a request that plays into suspicions that the Obama administration wants community colleges to supplant for-profit schools. The administration has pushed the idea of providing free community college to the nations high school graduates. [For-profit college fights Education Department decision to block its conversion to a nonprofit] Juhlin, of the Center for Excellence in Higher Education, believes the administration wants to redirect all federal aid dollars to public institutions, a charge education officials have denied. He is suing the Education Department over its refusal to recognize his chain as a nonprofit under the federal financial aid program. Education officials have accused his company of trying to skirt regulations, but Juhlin says his case is part of a broader effort to undermine career colleges. Ive gone from spending 80 percent of my time on trying to run good schools, improve the education and deliver better outcomes, he said, to spending 80 percent of my time responding to lawsuits, drafting motions, testifying before state regulators. ITT also accused the department of having an agenda because of its flat rejection of proposals to sell campuses, much like Corinthian did after facing government sanctions. Education officials helped broker the controversial sale of those schools, leaving the department open to a barrage of criticism. In ITTs case, Undersecretary Ted Mitchell said the department never saw a path forward for a sale. The department is learning about the need for being proactive, Miller said. ITT is the result of learning from Corinthian, where they lingered far too long so the results of when it collapsed were worse than they needed to be. Gunderson said one of the technical schools his organization represents wanted to take over a few ITT locations but wasnt given a chance by the department. He declined to identify the school because he said career colleges are scared to death that anything they do will cause the department to go after them. A health-care advocacy group says it will push Maryland lawmakers to address prescription drug prices during the coming legislative session, part of a national response to allegations of price-gouging and the rising cost of the emergency allergy treatment EpiPen. Maryland Citizens Health Initiative wants the Democratic-majority legislature to require prescription drug companies to disclose how they come up with their prices; notify the public of significant price hikes; and authorize the state attorney general to take legal action to prevent price-gouging. [How Mylan, the maker of EpiPen, became a virtual monopoly] We think they are fair, reasonable proposals that can make prescription drugs more affordable. Its good policy and good politics, said Vincent DeMarco, president of the advocacy group, which is hoping to finalize a legislative proposal and find sponsors this fall. It is unclear whether there would be support in the General Assembly for such legislation. Any bill attempting to address how companies set prices would probably face fierce opposition from the pharmaceutical industry, which has lobbied heavily against such proposals in other states. Legislation like this doesnt help patients to actually afford the medications they need, said Caitlin Carroll, a spokeswoman for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, which represents the countrys leading drug companies. She said her organization wants to work with advocates, lawmakers and other stakeholders to provide patients with predictable and accessible information about out-of-pocket costs. Shareese DeLeaver Churchill, a spokeswoman for Gov. Larry Hogan (R), said it is too early to respond to questions about the governors position on proposals dealing with prescription-drug prices. The governor would be happy to review any piece of legislation should it reach his desk, she said. Maryland Citizens Health Initiative said Thursday that it plans to use a poll it commissioned to demonstrate strong public support for government intervention on drug prices. The poll of 802 Maryland voters, taken by Annapolis-based OpinionWorks, found that 84 percent of Maryland voters favor prescription-drug-price transparency, which would require drug companies to explain how they set their prices, including how much they spend on production, research, advertising and profits. [EpiPen CEO is daughter of Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.)] The statewide poll also showed widespread support for a provision that would require drug companies to notify the public if they plan to increase prices by 10 percent or more and another that would enable the state attorney general to take legal action to prevent unfair price hikes. But some of the questions in the poll used language that may have compromised the objectivity of the study. For example, the question about transparency says the proposal is intended to keep prescription prices reasonable through more transparency and competition. . . . Would you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose this proposal? An August Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that 86 percent of people supported a plan that would require drug companies to release information to the public about how they set their drug prices. But the poll also found that 51 percent of people believed that competition in the marketplace would do a better job at keeping prescription drug costs down than regulation by the federal government, compared with 40 percent who thought federal government regulation would be more effective. Maryland would be one of the first states to pass legislation requiring drug companies to disclose information about prices. Vermont recently passed a drug-transparency bill. But a measure in California that would have required drug companies to justify the costs of certain drugs and provide notice when there is a 10 percent hike in costs died in committee. This week, a Senate panel opened an investigation into the dramatic spike in the price of EpiPen, which has increased more than fivefold since 2007, the Associated Press reported. DeMarco said that ideally the issue of transparency would be better handled at the federal level. But he said states need to do everything they can do until Congress acts. Shedding a tear as a resident gave a painful account of the night of the explosion is Cecelia Escobar, center, with her son, Carlos. At left is fellow Flower Branch Apartments resident Meron Workmeh with her son, Jonathon Tadesse. At far right is resident Stephanie Reyes, 9. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post) Residents of a Silver Spring apartment complex that exploded in flames last month killing seven people submitted a petition to the apartment management company Wednesday demanding changes to what they called poor treatment before and after the fire. The petition drive, organized by the Maryland-based immigrant rights group Casa, lists a series of grievances ranging from general harassment to confusion over how parking rules and water charges are administered. The residents also contend that security guards are requiring tenants to show their IDs before entering their apartment buildings. We need answers and actions, said Rommel Sandino, a community organizer for Casa. In the petition, residents did not list grievances they directly linked to the cause of the explosion and fire. Casa officials indicated that they intend to file separate litigation over the explosion. The Aug. 10 fire at the Flower Branch Apartments, about 1 1 /2 miles east of downtown Silver Spring, followed a massive explosion in a basement utility room, where officials believe natural gas was leaking. The exact cause of the leak and the source of the ignition are still under investigation. A Flower Branch Apartment resident carries groceries while walking past the damaged units at the complex. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post) The utility room had a series of natural gas lines some of them large, high-pressure lines managed by Washington Gas and some of them smaller, low-pressure lines managed by Kay Apartment Communities, the firm that manages the apartment complex. The probe into the explosion, which could take more than a year, is being led by the pipeline division of the National Transportation Safety Board. That division generally is interested in larger, high-pressure lines, according to a spokesman. Casa said it had collected about 130 signatures on the petition. Few of the complaints described in the document deal directly with gas or fire-safety issues. Casa held a news conference Wednesday in a parking lot outside the damaged apartment buildings. Officials of the group and residents then walked the petition to a Kay management office, trailed by reporters and cameras. The crowd squeezed into an office staffed by Ruth Joholske, a regional property manager for Kay. In a statement, Kay Apartment Communities said its management team met with a group of residents Aug. 16, six days after the fire. We will reach out to the residents who signed the petition so they know we are ready and willing to meet with them, the company said. They are always welcome to share their concerns directly with us we strongly encourage all residents to be in touch with us. Kay said it has tried to help leaseholders who lived in the 24 apartments that are no longer habitable. The company said in a statement it has returned security deposits, refunded Augusts rent, given out $1,800 rent checks, paid for new furniture and helped move tenants to other apartments managed by Kay, giving them three months of rent free. As of Wednesday, Kays statement said, 79 percent of the leaseholders and authorized occupants have accepted other homes with Kay Apartment Communities. Sandino, the community organizer with Casa, said that since the explosion, at least four tenants have smelled gas in their units. Sofia Reyes lives in a second-floor unit of a building near the one that blew up but has been able to remain in her apartment. On Aug. 15, she said at the news conference, she walked into her apartment, smelled gas and called 911. Firefighters arrived soon after, and she and her daughters were sent to the hospital to be checked. They were fine physically, she said, but not psychologically. Who can guarantee that my apartment is safe? Reyes asked. Reyes said the leak was determined to be in her gas range. She helped collect petition signatures . We want to continue living here, but we want to live with dignity and fairness to all our neighbors, she said. Casa officials declined to say what entity would be sued in litigation it says it plans. YORKVILLE Racine County officials will ponder three offers for Ridgewood Care Center, with the purchase price likely between $10.5 million and $11.75 million higher than the asking price of $10 million. Members of the Racine County Boards Executive Committee and Health and Human Development Committee on Wednesday heard the details of six offers made for the county-run nursing home. The offers were collected and scrutinized by real estate broker Ray Giannini, hired in May by the County Board to find a buyer for the 186-bed facility. County officials are considering turning over operations of Ridgewood, 3205 Wood Road, Mount Pleasant, to a new owner amid rising costs and flat Medicaid reimbursements. The facility is expected to have a $2.2 million shortfall this year, officials have said. Giannini, of Milwaukee-based Marcus & Millchap, said Ridgewood went on the market July 12. An initial set of 25 interested buyers was winnowed down to six serious offers. The lowest offer was $10.5 million, 105 percent of the asking price, Giannini said. The highest offer was $11.75 million, he said. The offers are as solid as they can be, Giannini said. They show that the buyers are very interested. From the six offers, Giannini and the board members went into closed session Wednesday night to discuss three of them in more detail, including the identities of the buyers. Board members may next meet face to face with the prospective buyers. Almost all of the offers incorporated a list of conditions for a potential sale that County Board members developed several months ago: The buyers commit to stay in Racine County; make capital improvements to the facility, built in 1986; maintain the current staff; and have experience operating skilled care facilities, Giannini said. Many of the prospective buyers are willing to make written commitments to stay in business for 10 and even 15 years, Giannini said. Of the six offers, five of them had corporate ties to Illinois, while two of them operate facilities in Wisconsin, Giannini said. Two of them want to get into the Wisconsin market, he said. These were very, very high-quality offers, he said. I dont think we have left anything on the table. Willie Jones, left, talks with Kenyan McDuffie, city council member for Ward 5, about the Safe Surrender program and how it has changed his life. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post) Willie Jones, a former heroin user and dealer, said the program gave him the chance to try to make things right. In 2007, Jones was arrested for heroin distribution and was ordered to appear in court. But he didnt show up for his court date, and a judge issued a warrant for his arrest. Later that year, D.C. Superior Court held its first Safe Surrender program, allowing people with outstanding warrants for nonviolent offenses to surrender in court and increase the chances that they would avoid jail time. Jones took advantage of it, he said, and ultimately resolved his case with a sentence of two years of probation. It was the first step in a new beginning, Jones said. Jones on Wednesday joined officials from the court, D.C. police, the U.S. attorneys office and the attorney generals office as they gathered outside the courthouse to announce the citys third Safe Surrender initiative. Willie Jones speaks to the media about how the Safe Surrender program has changed his life. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post) Safe Surrender will run for three consecutive Saturdays beginning this weekend. The first initiative was held in 2007, when 479 people surrendered to authorities, officials said. In 2011, during the second program, 673 people turned themselves in. Because prosecutors and judges show leniency to those who surrender, the court boasts that about 98 percent of those who come in with warrants are able to return home the same day and avoid jail altogether. The program is not aimed at people with arrest warrants issued by police or people charged with violent offenses. Instead, it targets those with misdemeanor offenses, missed child-support payments and probation violations and those who have failed to pay court-imposed fines or appear in court. Some 12,000 people, court officials say, have outstanding warrants in the nations capital. [D.C. criminal justice officials launch program for those with warrants to turn themselves in] Officials said people who have outstanding warrants may end up being arrested in front of co-workers or family, and the program allows them to avoid that possibility. In an interview this week, Judge Lynn Leibovitz, the presiding judge of the courts criminal division, said that at one of the previous Safe Surrender sessions, an individual appeared before her who had a warrant from the 1980s. It creates a level of paranoia and limits the way they live their life, Leibovitz said. But by turning themselves in, it gets a big albatross off their neck. If someone with an outstanding warrant is pulled over in the District for a minor driving offense, that person runs the risk of being arrested if the officer discovers an outstanding warrant, Leibovitz said. Having outstanding warrants, for some, restricts how they conduct their everyday lives, including finding a job or housing, the judge said. The event will be held in the lobby of the main courthouse at 500 Indiana Ave. NW, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday as well as Sept. 17 and Sept. 24. Judges, court employees and prosecutors will be on hand to process those who show up. Attorneys from the Districts Public Defender Service will offer free legal advice, and representatives from the Districts Department of Behavioral Health and Unity Health Care will offer services for people with mental health problems or other health issues. Since 2007, Jones has emerged as the programs public face. He said he believed that if he had not turned himself in, he would have likely been sent to jail. Jones, 56, now works as a claim clerk for the Department of Employment Services. He admits that he still has struggles: In 2014, he was arrested again for heroin distribution when he said he tried to earn extra money and began selling drugs so that he could purchase a headstone for his mothers cemetery plot. He was sentenced to 200 days in jail. But Jones says that life of quick money is behind him. You have to learn to trust in God and live off what you make. Hell take care of you, Jones said. Im not what I want to be, but I sure aint what I used to be. Daryl Thompson, 27, charged with first-degree murder in an Aug. 29 shooting death of Tyler J. McEachern in Southeast. Police believe Thompson altered his appearance after the shooting. (Courtesy of D.C. Police) D.C. police have issued arrest warrants in three separate fatal shootings in August. In the first case, police said they are searching for Daryl Thompson, 27, charged in a warrant with first-degree murder while armed. Police have charged him with killing Tyler Jerel McEachern,23, on Aug. 29 in the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace SE. [Man shot in Southeast Washington] Police issued two photographs for Thompson, saying it is possible he altered his appearance after the shooting, which occurred shortly after 2 p.m. In an old photo, he has short hair and wears eye glasses; a later photo shows him wearing hair extensions and no glasses. Authorities have also issued an arrest warrant for Montez Jacob Warren, 35, who is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with a Aug. 21 shooting in the 1200 block of 18th Place NE. Montez J. Warren, 35, was charged with first-degree murder in an Aug. 21 fatal shooting in Northeast D.C. (Courtesy of D.C. Police) Police said Dante Miller, 24, was killed in that shooting, which occurred a few minutes after 2 a.m. A neighborhood advisory commissioner said at the time that the shooting occurred after police broke up a neighborhood block party. [Man fatally shot after police break up neighborhood block party] In the third case, police said they have charged Herman Lee Cook Jr., 45, with second-degree murder while armed in the Aug. 8 shooting in the 5700 block of Georgia Avenue NW. Police said Donald Stephen Johnson Jr, also 45, was killed in that incident. Johnson, who lived in Prince Georges County, was shot several times on the parking lot of the Emery Recreation Center on the border of 16th Street Heights and Brightwood Park. [Shooting at recreation center parking lot prompts concern] That shooting and others in the area around the time sparked concern and led to a community meeting with outgoing D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier. Police are offering rewards up to $25,000 for information leading to arrests and convictions in each of the cases. Anyone with information is urged to call 202-727-9099 or text the departments tip line at 50411. Prince Georges County police are investigating the fatal shooting of a man in Temple Hills early Thursday. Officers responded to the 2500 block of Southern Avenue after reports of gunfire about 11 a.m., police said. When investigators arrived, they discovered the man, whom authorities did not identify. He was taken to an area hospital, where he died hours later, a department spokesman said. No further information was released. A Maryland man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 15 years in prison Thursday after he struck an Alexandria man during a robbery in Old Town in March, and the victim died of his injuries. On March 28 at 9 p.m., 22-year-old George Edward McGee, of Capitol Heights, followed 68-year-old Melaku Abraha from a cash machine in the 400 block of King Street, a statement from the Commonwealths Attorney for Alexandria said. [Suspect charged in death of man, 68, during Old Town Alexandria robbery] McGee punched Abraha, causing Abraha to fall to the ground and hit his head before McGee stole his wallet and fled the scene, jumping a turnstile at the King Street Metro station, the statement said. Abraha died of his injuries April 1. After his guilty plea, McGee was sentenced to 30 years in prison with 15 years suspended, conditioned upon good behavior and compliance with probation for 10 years after his release. The evidence establishes that the defendants intent was to rob Mr. Abraha, not kill him, Commonwealths Attorney Bryan Porter said in a statement. However, even an unintentional homicide may be punished as murder if the death was a reasonably foreseeable consequence of the defendants intentional criminal act. Porter added: The victim, Mr. Abraha, was a peaceful and loving person who is dearly missed by his family and friends. I hope that the arrest and guilty plea in this case brings some solace to those that loved him. John Brennan, director of the CIA, was targeted by the group Crackas With Attitude, officials said. (Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images) U.S. authorities have arrested two North Carolina men accused of hacking into the private email accounts of high-ranking U.S. intelligence officials. Andrew Otto Boggs, a.k.a. INCURSIO, 22, of North Wilkesboro, N.C., and Justin Gray Liverman, a.k.a. D3F4ULT, 24, of Morehead City, N.C., were arrested Thursday morning and will be extradited next week to Alexandria, where federal prosecutors for the Eastern District of Virginia have spent months building a case against a group that calls itself Crackas With Attitude. Along with Boggs and Liverman, authorities say, the group included three teenage boys being investigated in the United Kingdom. The hacking collective has claimed to have gained access to the private email accounts of CIA Director John Brennan and Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper Jr. The group regularly bragged about its escapades to reporters, explaining its methods and providing evidence of its activities. According to U.S. officials familiar with the investigation, the group also hacked into the accounts of Mark Giuliano, a former FBI deputy director; Amy Hess, the FBI executive assistant director for science and technology; Gregory Mecher, who is married to White House communications director Jen Psaki; and Harold Rosenbaum, chief executive of CIA contractor Centra Technology. In an affidavit, FBI agent B.J. Kang wrote that Cracka, one of the British teens, took the lead in hacking the accounts, while Boggs and Liverman encouraged him and used the exposed information to harass the targets. According to Kang and interviews the hackers have given to reporters, the group relied not on computer skills but social engineering to gain access to social media, phone and email accounts. In the affidavit, Kang did not name the people who were victims, but a U.S. official familiar with the investigation verified the identities of those who were hacked. Kang wrote that Cracka gained access to Brennans account by posing as a Verizon technician and tricking the companys tech-support unit into revealing the CIA directors account number, password and other details. He then used that information to lock Brennan out of his AOL account. Later, he released the form Brennan filled out to obtain his top-secret security clearance, a 47-page document full of personal details, according to the affidavit. Cracka then gained access to Giulianos Comcast account information and began forwarding the officials cellphone calls to a number associated with the Free Palestine Movement, according to the affidavit and interviews with the alleged hacker. Liverman allegedly texted threats to Giuliano, calling him a f---ing boomer and paid for a campaign of harassing phone calls to Giulianos cellphone. When Cracka got access through Giulianos accounts to a database of sensitive law enforcement information, Liverman allegedly requested information on Miami police. Authorities say a file containing information on 80 Miami-area officers was found on his computer. Those names and numbers were released online. Boggs allegedly used the information to post online the prison booking report for Chicago hacker Jeremy Hammond. The work emails and phone numbers for thousands of law enforcement personnel across the country were also posted online. According to the affidavit, Cracka appears to have gotten into the law enforcement database simply by calling an FBI help desk and asking for Giulianos password to be reset. The group is accused of using the same tactics to access an internal website for staffers at the Civil Division of the Department of Justice and post employee information online. In that instance, a member of the group allegedly used the credentials of a Justice Department contractor. Both the FBI and Justice Department information was found on Livermans computer, according to authorities. Liverman purportedly asked Cracka to target Mecher because Psaki had spoken critically of National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden. Again, Cracka allegedly obtained access to Mechers account by pretending to be him and a Verizon employee in calls to Verizon. Liverman allegedly called Mecher, taunted him on Twitter by pretending to be Snowden and attempted to gain access to Mechers account himself. Hess was targeted because Liverman believed she probably knew government secrets, according to Kang. Cracka allegedly obtained access to her Comcast account and began altering her settings, changing her passwords and playing movies on her television. He and Liverman allegedly released her call logs online. Rosenbaums company became a target because of its government work, according to Kangs affidavit. Cracka allegedly hacked into Rosenbaums and his wifes Facebook accounts, canceling their dinner reservations and posting anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian messages. They also defaced his LinkedIn page, according to authorities. Cracka and Liverman were also behind a fake bomb threat called in to the Palm Beach police in January, according to Kang. Last year, before his arrest, Cracka told the New York Post that he was motivated by opposition to U.S. foreign policy and support to Palestine. One member told CNN that he smoked marijuana all day every day and was probably high when gaining access to high-level accounts. A Rockville youth minister was arrested and charged with sex offenses and assault Wednesday after allegedly having inappropriate sexual contact with a 16-year-old girl, police said. On May 20, 32-year-old Brian Patrick Werth of Montgomery Village, a youth minister at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Rockville, had inappropriate sexual contact with the girl during a youth event at the church, Montgomery County Police said in a statement. Werth had sent the girl graphic sexual texts since the summer of 2014, the statement said. Charging documents said Werth had known the girl since middle school and allegedly forced himself on her at an overnight event in May. The girl said she did not want to engage in this sexual activity, but felt she had no choice because Werth had helped her with so many things up to that point, according to the documents. Werth was charged with one count of fourth-degree sexual offense, one count of sexual abuse of a minor and second degree assault, police said. In a statement, the Archdiocese of Washington said Werth had cleared a background check. Werths alleged conduct was reported to the church pastor who contacted the diocese which reported the case to Montgomery County law enforcement, the diocese said in a statement. Werth has been terminated from his job, according to the diocesan statement. Brian Patrick Werth (Montgomery County Police) The Archdiocese of Washington takes seriously its responsibility to the children entrusted to its care, the statement said. No attorney for Werth was listed in public court records, and attempts to reach Werth by telephone Wednesday were not successful. Police, who say they believe Werth may have targeted others, asked anyone with information about inappropriate contact involving him to contact them at 240-773-5400. Dan Morse contributed to this report. Melvin Pate is seen blinking to ID his shooter in a screen grab from a video released by the Office of the State's Attorney. (Office of the State's Attorney) Before the photos flashed in front of Melvin Pates face, the police detective gave the man in the hospital bed clear instructions: Blink hard once for yes. Police were showing Pate a photo lineup, asking whether any of the images included the man who had shot him during a drug robbery and left him paralyzed. Unable to speak as a result of gunshot wounds, Pate squeezed his eyes open then shut at a photo of Jermaine Hailes. Six years later, a Prince Georges County judge sentenced Hailes to 70 years in prison in the killing of Pate, who died in 2012 from his wounds. Hailess sentencing Thursday closes an unusual case that prosecutors believe was only the fourth time in U.S. history that a murder victims nonverbal identification in this case, video of Pate blinking was used as evidence at trial. In June, a Prince Georges County jury convicted Hailes, 25, of first-degree murder and other related charges in the slaying of Pate, 29. Jermaine Hailes (Prince George County Police) This case blows my mind, Judge Leo E. Green said at Thursdays sentencing hearing. This case has lived with me longer than most murder cases do. [Video of victim blinking might be used as evidence in Pr. Georges murder trial] The sentencing hearing Thursday was emotional, with prosecutors asking the judge to issue a life sentence and Hailes and his family asking for a sentence that would keep open the opportunity for parole. I have not given up on myself, Hailes said. But Hailes had many opportunities for reform in the past and had thrown them away, said Christine Murphy, who recently left the Prince Georges County States Attorneys Office but was allowed to represent prosecutors during Hailess sentencing. This is a defendant who does not deserve to walk the streets the rest of us do, Murphy said. Pate was shot during the drug robbery in 2010, leaving him a quadriplegic. Police instructed Pate to blink if he recognized his assailant in a photo array and recorded the identification. Melvin Pate poses for a portrait in this undated family photo. (Family Photo) The robbery and assault case turned into a homicide investigation in 2012 after Pates death. [Victims blinks lead to murder conviction in Prince Georges] The case became complicated as lawyers argued about whether video of Pate blinking at the photo lineup could be shown to jurors at Hailess trial. Hailess lawyers argued the video denied their clients right to confront his accuser in court. But prosecutors said Pates blink was exempted from the confrontation clause because it was a dying declaration. Even though Pate died two years after the video was recorded, doctors had told him he had about 24 hours to live when police showed him the photo lineup. The states highest court eventually ruled that Pates video was indeed a dying declaration and admissible in court. Pates mother, Felicia Pate, said it was difficult to suffer the loss of her son, who was bed-ridden and in and out of the hospital for years. Felicia Pate said she had to bathe, feed and care for her son around the clock in addition to watching over Pates daughter, who was 2 months old when her father was shot. It was hard, Pate said Thursday. I am just glad that justice was served for my son today. Amy Brittain contributed to this report. Volunteers Moazzam Raja, left, and Zakariya Hassouneh call registered voters during a gathering of American Muslims working to gain votes for Hillary Clinton on Aug. 22. (Phelan M. Ebenhack for The Washington Post) Farooq Mithas friends, seated in a tight circle at a mosque here on a recent evening, told it to him straight. This would be the easiest election to take Muslims for granted, said Mohammad Mubarak, a lawyer, as several of the other Muslim American political activists nodded. The prospect of a Donald Trump presidency may frighten plenty of Muslim voters, the group told Mitha, but Hillary Clinton isnt particularly popular, either. In the Democratic primaries, many Muslim voters backed Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.). Clinton was too hawkish for them and may still be even if she earns their votes. And then there are voters such as Oz Sultan, a counterterrorism analyst and commentator in New York who calls himself a lifelong conservative. I dont think Hillary Clinton has the ability to keep our country safe, he said Wednesday from his home in Harlem, after watching Trump speak at a national security forum. Sultans biggest concern is the Islamic State, and Clinton has gone on a destabilizing spree, he said, noting the Obama administrations military offensive in Libya. Farooq Mitha, left, Vetnah Monessar, center, and Nadia Hassouneh chat during a gathering of American Muslims working to organize votes for Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in Orlando, Fla., Aug. 22, 2016. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/For The Washington Post) Registered Muslim American voters are a starkly diverse and growing constituency, and Mitha, 34, who was named Clintons Muslim outreach director last month, is trying to woo them all. Back in this Gulf Coast city where he grew up, he expected a tough crowd. He already had held roundtable discussions in Michigan, Ohio and Virginia, and he knew that some Muslims in his home town viewed Clinton as too right-wing or centrist on issues of domestic spying and Middle East policy. His counter: I dont think a presidential campaign has ever hired anyone to do Muslim outreach, Mitha told his friends. The campaign has looked at the numbers and embarked on an unprecedented outreach to a voting bloc that has the potential to decide elections in several swing states, where support for Clinton has been ticking downward since the Democratic National Convention. Take Florida, where Clinton remains locked in a tight race with Trump. In a state where the 2000 presidential election was decided by a 537-vote margin for George W. Bush, there are about 180,000 registered voters who are Muslim, Arab and South Asian, the civic nonprofit group Emerge USA estimates. Two years ago, Muslims made up just under 1 percent of the U.S. population, according to the Pew Research Centers 2014 Religious Landscape Study. But the population is growing; Emerge USA, which collects data on Muslim voters and has a political action committee to support candidates, puts the number at closer to 2 percent of the population. Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia alone add up to almost 1 million Muslim voters, said Khurrum Wahid, a Miami-based lawyer and the organizations founder. With a decent voter turnout in those states, Muslims will be the swing vote in both the presidential and many close House races. Most Muslim Americans now lean Democratic, according to the Pew study. In past decades, many were fiscally conservative, profamily and eager to see their cities get tough on crime. Surveys conducted by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the American Muslim Alliance in the aftermath of Bushs 2000 election found that between 72 percent and 80 percent of Muslims polled said that they had voted for him. But after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and Bushs rhetoric on religion and the decision to invade Iraq and Afghanistan, the majority began voting Democratic. At the same time, Muslims are generally less politically active than the larger American population; only 62 percent of those who were U.S. citizens were certain that they were registered to vote, compared with 74 percent of adult U.S. citizens overall, according to Pew. To reach those voters, the Clinton campaign has appointed two state-level Muslim outreach coordinators to work with Mitha, and the campaign also has dispatched Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), the first Muslim elected to Congress, and Huma Abedin, Clintons close adviser and deputy campaign manager, to key swing states across the country. Ellison estimates that he has met with at least 10 Muslim groups since the July convention. One recent Monday morning, he showed up in a tiny Orlando doctors office where the campaign was holding its kickoff phone bank for Muslim volunteers and rattled off reasons Muslims should vote for Clinton. She has fought for childrens rights, he said. She stood up for Abedin when the Trump campaign attacked her. And she has gone out of her way to meet with Muslims, Ellison said, stopping in his home district of Minneapolis to meet with Somali American community leaders. The Clinton campaign is more inclusive of the Muslim community than any presidential campaign that Ive ever seen, he told the group of phone bank volunteers that included doctors, lawyers, college students, Palestinian Americans, Guyanese Americans, Kenyan Americans and others. Sheer diversity One of Clintons challenges is the populations sheer diversity. Nearly a third of all Muslim Americans are black, according to Pew, some of them with deep roots in a distinctly American sect, the Nation of Islam. About 8 in 10 Muslim Americans are immigrants or the children of immigrants. Muslim Americans come from different ethnic, linguistic and cultural backgrounds; span the economic spectrum; and have policy opinions and priorities that can be just as divergent, community leaders say. Some, like Sultan, are even likely to vote for Trump, who has called for a ban on Muslim immigrants and surveillance of mosques. I know, personally, three doctors who are voting for him, Azhar Subedar, an Islamic scholar, told Mitha in Tampa. The Trump campaign did not respond to questions about whether it is trying to attract Muslim voters or considers the constituency a potential tipping point in any swing states. This cycle, get-out-the-vote efforts are surging in Muslim communities. The Clinton campaign, Emerge USA, the Washington-based Arab American Institute, CAIR and a variety of smaller, local organizations, including mosques, have held voter registration drives, candidate forums and phone banks. The most common arguments for Clinton offered by her Muslim advocates tend to revolve around Trump. Obviously, this election has a sense of urgency that we havent felt before, said Muna Jondy, a Syrian American activist and lawyer from Flint, Mich. Because its not just an option between a Republican and a Democrat. Its between a fascist and another person. Never before in the history of America has a major party had someone who was screaming bigotry into a megaphone, Ellison told the phone bank volunteers in Orlando. No Muslim can sit around and let this happen. The Trump factor doesnt work with everyone, said James Zogby, the president of the Arab American Institute, who served as a campaign adviser to Sanders. Support for Sanders among Muslim voters was huge, said Ellison, who also backed Sanders. A Muslims for Bernie 2016 Facebook page, with 7,523 likes, still exists. A Muslims for Hillary 2016 Facebook group has 820 members. Muslims for Trump has 428. Sanderss supporters say that, unlike Clinton, the senator from Vermont spoke out about key Muslim voter concerns, such as the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory. It was an issue that always existed in our community, said Nuren Haider, 31, who is running for Orange County commissioner in Florida. But he brought it to the limelight, said Mohammad Shair, a 23-year-old Florida law student who now plans to vote for Green Party candidate Jill Stein. Ellison tries to remind the disenchanted Muslims who supported Sanders that Clinton has done a lot of good. He tells them that she regrets her vote in favor of the Iraq War and that there are congressional votes he regrets, too. I also tell them: Theres going to be a president, and its not going to be one of these third-party candidates. Its going to be the Democrat or the Republican. . . . So understand the clear and present danger presented by the alternative, he said. Weve been burned before That binary choice makes some Muslim voters feel like they have no choice, Amina Spahic, the Tampa Bay regional director for Emerge, told Mitha and the others who gathered at the mosque in Tampa. Mubarak, the Tampa lawyer, said he regretted his votes for President Obama and what he considers the administrations hawkish drone policy and increased federal surveillance of Muslims. He wants to believe that Clinton would be different. But the problem is weve been burned before so many times, he said, and frankly were tired of it. To those voters, Clintons statements on the issues provide little reassurance. The campaign websites explanation of her stance on combating terrorism starts with the words radical jihadists a term that some Muslim activists say stigmatizes Islam. Her national security page makes prominent reference to protecting Israel but no similar reference to Palestinians and Syrians, which some voters say theyd like to see. In a March speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a lobbying group that aligns with the Israeli right and is opposed by many liberal American Jews, she twice referred to Palestinian terrorists. Ghazala Salam, a Clinton delegate at the Democratic National Convention in July who chairs the American Muslim Democratic Caucus in Florida, said the former secretary of state is simply the most qualified to do the job. Whether you like all of her policies or not, Salam said, she knows how to deal with the outside world. Skeptical Muslim voters are coming around, she said, and what they do next will be critical to the future of Muslim participation in U.S. politics. Had Muslims been more politically engaged before the 2016 campaign, we would have not really heard a person like Trump come out and say openly the things he did about Muslims, Salam said. For it not to happen again, we have to have proactive engagement in every level of government. Emily Guskin and Jenna Johnson in Washington contributed to this report. RACINE A former Racine man extradited from Michigan last month to stand trial in a 2001 shooting has pleaded not guilty to the crime. William C. Myhre, 31, who court records show last had a local address in the 1500 block of Phillips Avenue, was charged in January 2002 with attempted first-degree intentional homicide. He allegedly fired a gun into a crowd of people and injured at least one in the early hours of Dec. 23, 2001. According to the criminal complaint, the victim told police he had just left a building in the 1500 block of State Street, where a dice game had taken place, when he walked past a group a of people and heard one or two shots fired. He turned around and allegedly saw Smack a man he later identified as Myhre shooting a handgun. The victim then made eye contact with the defendant and saw Myhre was pointing the gun right at him, the complaint states. The victim dove toward a nearby couch to protect himself, but soon after realized he had been shot. When police arrived, they reportedly found a crowd of about 100 people running in all directions from the scene of the shooting, which allegedly took place behind the former Rondone Liquor Store in a block now occupied by the Save-A-Lot grocery store. Myhre was picked up on the charge in April in Wayne County, Mich., where the City of Detroit is located, Racine County Sheriffs Lt. Steve Sikora said last month. On Wednesday, Racine County Court Commissioner Alice Rudebusch found probable cause to bind Mhrye over to stand trial, online court records indicate. Mhrye then entered a not-guilty plea. Myhre remains held at the Racine County Jail on a $100,000 bond. NEW JERSEY Media bid for names in Bridgegate denied A federal appeals court on Wednesday rejected an effort by news media to force prosecutors in the George Washington Bridge lane-closing scandal known as Bridgegate to disclose the names of unindicted co-conspirators. Reversing a lower court ruling, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia found no right of public access under the First Amendment of the Constitution or the common law to a list of people implicated but not criminally charged. The 3-0 decision came one day before jury selection was scheduled to begin in the trial of two former allies of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) who are accused of arranging the September 2013 shutdown of bridge access lanes in Fort Lee, N.J., causing several days of gridlock. Prosecutors accused William Baroni, a former deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Bridget Anne Kelly, a former Christie deputy chief of staff, of closing lanes to punish Fort Lees Democratic mayor, Mark Sokolich, for not endorsing the successful reelection of Christie, a Republican. Disclosing the list could have shown whether other Christie allies sought political payback by snarling traffic. Bristol-Myers Squibb employees prepare to kick-off the 2016 Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer Ride from Cannon Beach, Ore. to the Jersey Shore in support of research by Stand Up to Cancer. (Natalie Behring/Newscast Creative for Bristol-Myers Squibb/Natalie Behring/Newscast Creative for Bristol-Myers Squibb) Another former Port Authority official, David Wildstein, is cooperating with prosecutors after pleading guilty. Christie has denied involvement. Reuters MICHIGAN Ex-principals get jail time in kickback scam Two former Detroit principals will spend time in prison for taking kickbacks from a vendor in a scheme that defrauded the citys public school system of $2.7 million. Ronnie Sims was sentenced Wednesday to one year and three months, and Nina Graves-Hicks to a year in prison. Along with vendor Norman Shy and a district administrator, Sims and Graves-Hicks are among 12 principals charged in the scheme. Prosecutors say bogus invoices were submitted for chairs, paper and other supplies. School employees received gift cards, cash and checks. Sims took more than $58,000 from Shy, while Graves-Hicks received more than $27,000 in gift cards. The government says Shy paid out about $900,000 in kickbacks. He was sentenced Tuesday to five years in prison. Ex-administrator Clara Flowers was sentenced to three years. Associated Press Three killed as small planes collide midair: Three people died Wednesday after two small airplanes collided in midair at a rural airport in western Georgia, where one witness told authorities the pilots may have been trying to land at the same time. The single-engine planes crashed just before 11 a.m. near the end of the lone runway at West Georgia Regional Airport in Carrollton, about 45 miles west of Atlanta, Carroll County Fire Chief Scott Blue said. Reuters A French Police officer stands guards as worshipers arrive for the Easter mass at Notre Dame Cathedral, in Paris. (Francois Mori/AP) FRANCE Gas-canister discovery prompts terror probe A criminal terrorist investigation has been opened in Paris after the discovery of a car parked near Notre Dame Cathedral with seven gas canisters and pages written in Arabic inside, prosecutors said. The Paris prosecutors office said Wednesday that a couple it described as radicalized a 34-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman were arrested a day earlier in a highway rest area near the southern town of Orange and transferred to Paris for questioning in the case. The car found near Notre Dame on Sunday had its license plates removed and hazard lights on. That evening, its owner went to the police to report that his radicalized daughter was missing but did not say that his car also had disappeared, the prosecutors office said. Police briefly detained and questioned the car owner before letting him go, the prosecutors office said. His daughter still is being sought, the office said. The man and woman arrested Tuesday were known to French security services for alleged links with radical Islamism, prosecutors said. They would not say whether the couple might have been in contact with the car owners daughter. France is on alert after a deadly string of militant attacks and threats against landmarks. Associated Press HUNGARY Woman indicted in migrant-kicking case Hungarian prosecutors filed charges Wednesday against a camerawoman accused of kicking and tripping migrants fleeing police near the southern border with Serbia last year. Petra Laszlo was fired from her job at N1TV, a television station with nationalist sympathies, after video footage spread online appearing to show her kicking a girl and a young man. Her prosecution on disorderly conduct charges comes as political tensions mount over Europes migration crisis. Hungary will hold a referendum Oct. 2 on whether to accept any migrant quotas set up by the European Union. Prosecutors said hundreds of migrants broke through a police cordon and out of a holding area and headed toward Szeged, a nearby city, last September. Laszlo was directly behind the police officers and filmed migrants as they ran. While filming she kicked a young man in the shin with a swift kick of the sole of her right foot, and also kicked a young girl around the knee with her right foot, the prosecutors said in a statement. There was no evidence it was a racially motivated hate crime, they added. Laszlo told the daily Magyar Nemzet last year that she felt remorse over what had happened. Reuters BELGIUM Man with knife attacks Brussels police officers A man with a knife attacked two police officers in the Molenbeek neighborhood of Brussels on Wednesday, but the officers were wearing bulletproof vests and suffered only bruises, prosecutors said. Ine Van Wymersch, a spokeswoman for the office of the Brussels prosecutor, said the motives of the suspect arrested in the attack, a 24-year-old Moroccan known for having committed thefts and residing in Belgium illegally, were not known. She said the officers approached the man after a woman walking with her children in a park told them she had spotted a man holding a knife. Van Wymersch said the man allegedly then attacked the officers without saying a word. The knife struck one officer seven times and the other once, but the vests prevented the blade from penetrating their skin. There is no indication at this time that its terrorism-related, Van Wymersch said. She said the suspect had no known link to extremist activities or views. Molenbeek, a multiethnic district, was home to some of the perpetrators of the attacks that killed 162 people in Paris and Brussels last year. Associated Press 6 suspected militants killed in Russias Dagestan: Russian officials said six people were killed in the Dagestan region in clashes with security forces. Police said three suspected militants died in the regions capital, Makhachkala, and three in the town of Izberbash. The militants were suspected of crimes including an attack on patrol officers, the National Anti-Terrorism Committee said. The mainly Muslim republic became a hotbed of Islamist insurgency after the separatist wars in neighboring Chechnya. From news services YORKVILLE Permanent traffic lights on Highway K at East Frontage Road in Caledonia could have a bright future. Racine County officials will review plans Thursday to add lights at the intersection. The countys Public Works, Parks and Facilities Committee will discuss the proposal at noon at the public works and development services conference room in the Ives Grove Office Complex, 14200 Washington Ave., Yorkville. Under the plan, traffic lights would be erected on Highway K and control the intersection with East Frontage Road between the Pilot Truck Stop and A&W restaurant. That intersection could see significantly more traffic as DeBack Farms Business Park, a 75-acre development along Highway K and Interstate 94, continues to grow. The county and Caledonia plan to split the cost of the lights, Caledonia Village Administrator Tom Christensen said. The state Department of Transportation in 2017 plans to renovate Highway K from the frontage road on the east side of Interstate 94 to the frontage road on the west side of the I. DOT at first planned to install temporary traffic lights at the intersection, Christensen said. But the county and village preferred a permanent set of lights, he said, and decided to share the cost of the difference between installing temporary lights and permanent ones. Any recommendation from the county committee would be reviewed by the full County Board later this month. The Caledonia Village Board also will review the proposal in the near future, Christensen said. AFGHANISTAN Taliban launches surge into former stronghold Taliban fighters waged street-by-street gun battles against Afghan forces Thursday in an isolated southern city that was once a militant stronghold, pushing hard toward government offices as Afghan helicopter gunships tried to slow the advance, officials said. The surprise attack on Tarin Kot, the capital of Uruzgan province, came as Taliban forces in recent weeks have seized new territory around the country and made aggressive moves on another strategic city, Kabul, where they have staged a series of suicide bombings and other attacks. In just the past three days in the Afghan capital, the Taliban has exploded two bombs near the Defense Ministry, killing more than 40 people; bombed and stormed the downtown headquarters of the charity CARE International; and set off another bomb in a residential area. Officials said the militants appeared to be gaining ground against outgunned security forces in Tarin Kot, even as reinforcements were sent from Kandahar and Kabul to help defend the compounds of the governor and police chief. There were reports that some officials had fled to the city airport, and the Taliban claimed it had taken the local prison and freed all inmates, including insurgents. Sayed Salahuddin A worker walks next to a partially collapsed railroad bridge connecting Burkina Faso to Ivory Coast in Dimbokro, Ivory Coast. (Luc Gnago/Reuters) SYRIA Government troops tighten Aleppo siege Syrian government forces and their allies captured new ground on the edge of the contested northern city of Aleppo on Thursday, tightening the siege on rebel-held parts of the city, state media and an activist group said. The latest push came after pro-government troops recaptured several military academies over the weekend that they had lost in attacks by insurgents a month ago. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said government forces backed by allied groups, including Lebanese Hezbollah militants, captured the Ramouseh neighborhood on the southern edge of Aleppo. Syrian state news agency SANA quoted an unnamed military official as confirming that pro-government troops had captured large parts of the neighborhood of Ramouseh and a nearby hill. The government advance also endangers talks between Russia and the United States over a possible Aleppo cease-fire. Associated Press TURKEY 11,000 educators reportedly suspended A senior Turkish official said that 11,285 education ministry personnel, including teachers, have been suspended amid suspicions they may be linked to outlawed Kurdish rebels. The official said Thursday that the personnel were placed on paid leave until authorities can complete a formal investigation. Violence between the Kurdistan Workers Party and Turkeys security forces resumed last year after the collapse of a two-year peace process. Associated Press Four held in Paris terror probe: Four people suspected of being radical Islamists have been detained in a terrorist investigation stemming from the discovery Sunday of a car parked next to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris with six gas canisters inside. The Paris prosecutors office said Thursday that police arrested a couple a 27-year-old man and 26-year-old woman a day earlier in the Loire region of France. A second couple a 34-year-old man and 29-year-old woman were detained Tuesday. More people are being sought, the prosecutors office said. Britain to add peacekeepers in South Sudan: British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon announced Thursday at a U.N. peacekeeping meeting in London that Britain will add 100 peacekeepers to its mission in South Sudan to help build a hospital. The meeting brought together senior ministers from 80 countries, including U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter, who called for an increase in support for U.N. missions. Ex-Argentine air force chief sentenced: A court in Argentina has sentenced the former head of the countrys air force to 25 years in prison for the abduction and disappearance of activists during the 1976-1983 dictatorship. The court sentenced Omar Graffigna, 90, on Thursday for abducting activist couple Patricia Roisinblit and Jose Manuel Perez Rojo in 1978. Roisinblit was pregnant when she, Perez Rojo and a 15-month-old daughter were taken to a clandestine detention center. The couple disappeared. From news services Diann Aldridge, left, the mother of Nykea Aldridge, is embraced with a hug during a prayer vigil for her daughter, who was shot in the head and killed when a stray bullet struck her while she was pushing her baby in a stroller, in Chicago. (Joshua Lott/Getty Images) THE DEADLIEST month in two decades. More homicides this year than in New York and Los Angeles combined. Almost twice as many people killed as U.S. soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2013. With each new homicide in Chicago comes a new description that tries to capture the magnitude and horror of the violence that has plagued Americas third-largest city. A wave of shootings 65 people shot, 13 of them fatally over the Labor Day weekend pushed the number of dead for 2016 past 500, putting Chicago on pace for more than 600 homicides for the year. Among those killed over the holiday weekend: a 44-year-old man killed as he and his wife drove to the grocery store, an 80-year-old pastor shot in the face outside the senior home where he lived and a 17-year-old boy shot in the back. Others gunned down this year include a young woman caught in crossfire as she walked her baby in a stroller and a newborn baby boy who died two days after an emergency delivery necessitated by his mother being shot in the chest. The violence, reminiscent of the crack-cocaine epidemic that drove murders in cities across the nation in the 1990s, seems to have left officials flummoxed. Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said Tuesday that his department is doing all it can to combat violence. Its not a police issue, its a society issue, he said, pointing the finger instead at impoverished neighborhoods where people without hope do these kinds of things. That sounded like an evasion. No doubt the chief is right about the complexities that give root to crime and violence. But it is clear as evidenced by the success New York and other cities have had in curtailing homicides that Chicago has a unique set of problems in which the police play their part. Foremost among them are the tumult and distrust that pervade police-community relations in the wake of the fatal shooting of black teen Laquan McDonald by an officer in October 2014 and the belated release of a troubling video a year later. That the police union urged its members to refuse voluntary overtime over the recent holiday weekend when they were most needed suggests there may be a morale problem, the Ferguson effect of police not doing all they can. It is also important to address the flow of illegal guns that fuels the violence in gang-heavy neighborhoods. Despite restrictive gun laws, guns are easily available from nearby jurisdictions, such as Indiana. And despite its reputation for strict control, Chicago has relatively lenient gun penalties. There is a one-year minimum for illegal possession, compared with New Yorks 3 years. Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D) has promised to deliver a major address in mid-September to deal with the violence. Its a complex set of problems that will be dealt with in a very comprehensive way, he said. Everything from the police, to children, to what we have to do for their safety, to guns, to making sure were providing hope where there is despair. That many of his constituents think it more likely that young people will become victims of crime than graduates from college shows the need for urgency in offering solutions. Donald Trump is shifting to responsible candidate mode now, so his remarks on foreign policy Wednesday night sounded relatively restrained until you begin parsing the details. Lets start with Trumps comment in an NBC forum that after invading Iraq, his policy would have been to take the oil. Thats what many Arabs, in their most extreme conspiracy theories, believe U.S. intervention was all about. His argument that seizing the oil wouldve stopped the Islamic State is probably backward. It would have been a recruiting tool. There was a raw neo-imperialist tone to Trumps rhetoric. When moderator Matt Lauer pressed him on how he would have done that (or would do it in the future), heres how Trump responded: We would leave a certain group behind and you would take various sections where they have the oil. . . . You know, it used to be to the victor belong the spoils. Now, there was no victor there, believe me. . . . But I always said, take the oil. For Islamic State propagandists, Trump is the gift that keeps on giving. In a forum aimed at testing the candidates fitness to be commander in chief, Trump showed a disdain for the architecture on which U.S. security is built. That came through in his strident criticism of U.S. military leadership. On Sept. 7, during a town hall event hosted by MSNBC, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump stated he would have a good relationship with Russian president Vladimir Putin. It wasnt the first time he made that claim. (Adriana Usero/The Washington Post) Thanks to President Obama and Hillary Clinton, the generals have been reduced to rubble, he said. Its embarrassing for our country, and if Trump is elected, theyll probably be different generals, who can advise him and defeat the Islamic State in the manner of Gen. George Patton, who is spinning in his grave. Presidents can appoint new generals, to be sure. Abraham Lincoln famously relieved Gen. George McClellan, convinced that McClellan had the slows in pursuing the Confederates. But the modern U.S. military is a supremely professional force that provides nonpartisan military advice. Trumps assertion that men and women who have been at war for 15 years are rubble and embarrassing is extraordinary. It would not have been made by anyone who knows the current senior military leadership. If Trump wants to be taken seriously on national security issues, he needs to understand that theres near-unanimity among military leaders that it would be a mistake to insert a large U.S. ground force in Iraq or Syria. If he has an alternative, what is it? His talk about not wanting to broadcast to the enemy his secret plan for victory wont hold up over the next two months. A third head-scratcher came in Trumps discussion of the intelligence briefing he received last month. The correct answer would have been to say: Im not going to discuss a secret briefing. What Trump did instead was insidious: He implied that Obama had ignored policy recommendations from the intelligence community and did not follow . . . what our experts said to do. Trump knew this because hes pretty good with the body language and could tell that [the analysts] were not happy. This reflects a chronic misunderstanding of how the intelligence process works. Analysts do not make policy recommendations. Its a violation of their basic tradecraft. What they do, at best, is offer honest, unsentimental assessments of whether policies are working. Over the decades, theyve offered withering assessments of U.S. military involvement in Vietnam, Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, to name just a few. But that doesnt mean theyve offered policy direction. If Trump gets another intelligence briefing, it should be prefaced with an admonition: Mr. Candidate: Nothing in this session should be construed as policy advice. The final jaw-dropper Wednesday night was Trumps enthusiasm for Russian President Vladimir Putin. If he says great things about me, Im gonna say great things about him. Ive already said he is really very much of a leader. . . . I mean, the man has very strong control over a country. The Trump-Putin bromance is becoming genuinely frightening. Putin has invaded Crimea. He is fighting a proxy war in Ukraine. He has intervened in Syria, tipping the military balance in the Middle East. His thugs are assaulting U.S. diplomats and intelligence officers overseas. Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warns that Putins Russia poses an existential threat to the United States. And Trumps response is I think that Ill be able to get along with him. Trumps vision of foreign policy seems to be a kind of authoritarian big guys club stealing other countries oil, sacking generals, politicizing intelligence and buddying up to a Russian leader who may be running a covert action against the U.S. political system. Really, was this the presentation of a man who would be commander in chief? Read more from David Ignatiuss archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. PRESIDENT OBAMAS 11th and final trip to Asia looked rude and ragged from the outside. It began with a botched arrival in China, featuring a missing airline staircase, that some interpreted as a deliberate snub of the president. Then came an unmistakable insult from Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who obliged Mr. Obama to cancel their bilateral meeting by calling him the Tagalog equivalent of son of a whore. The kerfuffle was particularly troubling because it came as China marshaled ships near a shoal whose defense from Beijings incursions has been a focus of recent U.S.-Philippine cooperation. Administration officials insisted that the tour was better than it looked. Among other things, they cited the mutual commitment of Mr. Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping to a global climate change accord, as well as the confirmation following a meeting with South Koreas president that a U.S.-supplied missile defense system will be deployed despite Chinese objections. Still, it was striking that Mr. Obamas most substantive meetings appeared to be with Russias Vladimir Putin and Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with whom he bargained over the wars in Ukraine and Syria. Even on a trip meant to showcase the U.S. commitment to Asia, the crises elsewhere in the world intruded. To a substantial extent, that has been the story of Mr. Obamas pivot of U.S. foreign policy toward Asia, which was meant to be a major part of his foreign policy legacy. In Laos, where he was the first U.S. president to visit, Mr. Obama summed up some of its achievements: new defense agreements or collaborations with Japan, Australia and South Korea; the deployment of more military capability to the region; improved relations with former adversaries such as Burma and Vietnam, and the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. Those were meaningful steps in what, overall, has been a sensible strategy. However, they are likely to pale in the historical record of Mr. Obamas presidency next to the nuclear accord with Iran and the catastrophic wars in Syria and Iraq for better and for worse. The centerpiece of the policy, the TPP, would be a major accomplishment, but Mr. Obama sounded suspiciously like the parrot owner in the Monty Python sketch as he insisted that it was not, in fact, dead, despite its rejection by both major-party presidential candidates and key congressional leaders. Mr. Obama would do his successor, and U.S. standing in Asia, an enormous service if he somehow managed to revive and pass the treaty in Congresss lame-duck session after the election. Otherwise, he will leave the next president with the unresolved challenge of how to cement U.S. ties to the states in the region as Chinese power grows. Even with the TPP, the next president would face an increasingly aggressive China attempting to establish dominion over most of the South China Sea and an increasingly dangerous North Korea building nuclear warheads and missiles capable of reaching the U.S. homeland. For all its ambition and incremental achievements, an Asia policy that leaves behind that much trouble will be hard to regard as a success. Sen. Rob Portman probably will win a second term, despite the fact that he deserves to. The swarm of young people who gathered on a Saturday morning in this Cincinnati suburb to feast on doughnuts and his gratitude are among the 5,000 volunteer interns, including students from 35 campuses, who have made 3.5 million voter contacts. Portmans supporters are a forgiving sort, undeterred by his many accomplishments and qualifications that could be disqualifying in this season of populist antagonism toward people who have actually governed. A graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Michigan Law School, Portman was one of President George H.W. Bushs counselors. After six terms in Congress, Portman became President George W. Bushs trade representative and, a year later, director of the Office of Management and Budget. It gets worse: This years Republican presidential nominating electorate decided that the lungs are the locus of wisdom, but Portman is as quiet as his 19th-century Quaker abolitionist ancestors probably were when assisting the Underground Railroad. (In Uncle Toms Cabin, Eliza escapes over the Ohio River ice floes about 50 miles east of here.) Given todays apotheosis of the outsider, Portman is fortunate to be running against a former congressman and governor, Ted Strickland, a political lifer who first ran for Congress (unsuccessfully) 40 years ago. Strickland is an ordained Methodist minister from the gun-toting coal country of southeastern Ohio. Fortunately for Portman, Strickland, after losing the governorship to John Kasich in 2010, became head of the Washington-based, impeccably liberal Center for American Progress Action Fund. What was he thinking? Probably not about running again in Ohio. Strickland has revised the Clintonian mantra about making abortions safe, legal and rare. He seems to prefer safe, legal and as frequent as subsidies can make them: He favors repeal of the Hyde Amendment, which for 40 years has banned taxpayer funding of abortions. The center supports many gun control measures unacceptable to the National Rifle Association, which supported Strickland in 2010 but has endorsed Portman. The Center for American Progress shares the Obama administrations animus against coal, so the United Mine Workers (like the Teamsters and the Fraternal Order of Police) have abandoned Strickland. Tip ONeills incessantly quoted axiom All politics is local is increasingly false in polarized America, where many elections are nationalized. This year, however, it is in Portmans interest to stress local issues unrelated to anything being bellowed about by the person at the top of the Republican ticket. Sixty thousand eligible voters say that the biggest issue for them is algae threatening Lake Erie. And the biggest issue might be the epidemic of deaths from heroin and other opioids. Nationally, such deaths about 27,000 a year are almost half the drug overdose deaths that now take more American lives than do car crashes. Opioids are especially devastating in post-industrial communities, of which Ohio has its share. In 2012, Ohio was one of 12 states where the number of opioid prescriptions written was larger than the number of people. Ohioans who are pleased that Portman wrote the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act must forgive him for having done so in Washington. In Portmans 15-minute parking-lot pitter-patter to his supporters here, he did not mention the choleric man at the top of the ticket. Portmans strategic reticence does not extend to the matter of trade: He has made the obligatory vow to oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Stricklands one-track-mind campaign focuses on international trade as the root of most of Ohios evils. Never mind that Honda is Ohios biggest auto employer and that Portman says one-third of the states farm acres are growing crops for export. Six presidents were elected from this state (William Henry Harrison, Rutherford Hayes, James Garfield, William McKinley, William Taft, Warren Harding), a seventh was born here (U.S. Grant), and there could have been an eighth Robert Taft (1889-1953). A presidents son, he was Mr. Republican during his 14 years representing Ohio in the Senate seat that Portman now occupies. Then as now, Ohio had many blue-collar industrial workers, and Tafts critics said he could not represent them. So, in 1947 a reporter asked Tafts wife, Do you think of your husband as a common man? Aghast, she replied: Oh, no, no! The senator is very uncommon. He was first in his class at Yale and first in his class at the Harvard Law School. We wouldnt permit Ohio to be represented in the Senate by just a common man. In 1950, Taft was easily reelected. Portman probably will be, too, even though he should be. Read more from George F. Wills archive or follow him on Facebook. Donald T. Critchlow, director of the Center for Political Thought and Leadership at Arizona State University, is author of Phyllis Schlafly and Grassroots Conservatism and Future Right: Forging a a New Republican Majority. Phyllis Schlafly may be best remembered for the decisive role she played in defeating the Equal Rights Amendment in the late 1970s. Yet her more enduring legacy reflected in the success of her chosen candidate, Donald Trump, in winning the 2016 Republican presidential nomination was shaping and fueling the rise of the populist right. As much as Trump might seem to differ from Barry Goldwater, the candidate who originally helped propel Schlafly to prominence, Schlaflys support of Goldwater in 1964 and Trump in 2016 share a common thread in her revulsion against globalism and elitism. Schlafly entered the national stage when she self-published A Choice Not an Echo, a 120-page polemic proclaiming Barry Goldwater as the voice of true conservatism against the Northeastern liberal establishment. When Schlafly endorsed Trump a half-century later, many conservatives, including some of her most ardent admirers and family members, wondered about the seemingly abrupt shift from Mr. Conservative to Trump, a man of changing and at times undiscernible ideology. Yet the disconnect was not as jarring as it first appeared. The signal consistency in Schlaflys political outlook was her profound opposition to the Republican Party establishment and globalism. She represented a grass-roots populist sentiment that distrusted party elites, internationalism and crony capitalism. Schlafly tapped into this sentiment in A Choice Not an Echo and her fight against the ERA, and she proved remarkably adept in balancing dual allegiances to the Republican Party and a grass-roots base tempted by third-party candidates. A Choice Not an Echo articulated Schlaflys case against the kingmakers, composed of financial interests who sought a convergence between the parties. Schlafly argued that this group had manipulated the party into nominating candidates who were not true Republicans: Alf Landon in 1936; Wendell Willkie in 1940, Thomas Dewey in 1944 and 1948. She shied away from accusing the popular Dwight D. Eisenhower of being a kingmaker candidate, but it didnt take much reading between the lines when she argued that the 1952 nomination had been stolen from conservative Sen. Robert Taft of Ohio. Schlaflys argument reflected both purist ideology and factional Republican politics. She voiced the ideology of the Old Right, leery of international involvement, anti-Soviet and insistent on U.S. military superiority. At the same time, the Goldwater movement represented the takeover of the GOP by Sun Belt and Midwestern activists. This parsing of ideology and real politics played out strangely at times. For example, in 1968, Schlafly threw her full support behind Richard Nixon over Ronald Reagan, who had been elected governor of California two years earlier, because she considered Reagan inexperienced on foreign policy and soft on nuclear strategic policy. In opposing the ERA a decade later, Schlafly took on the establishment within the Democratic and Republican parties, as well as Hollywood, the media and the feminist movement. Her success came because she united various factions on the right to come together under a single slogan, STOP ERA, which encompassed various points of opposition. Her campaign tapped into evangelical Christians, a lesson for party strategists, who began organizing evangelical voters in the 1978 midterm elections. The emergence of the religious right allowed Republicans to win the White House five out of seven times from 1980 to 2004. Schlafly had found herself disappointed by Nixon, and in 1980 she threw her support to Reagan, who had become a hero of the Republican right. Although she was denied an official position in the administration, her support of Reagan remained unqualified, unlike some other grass-roots conservatives, who complained of tax hikes and a failure to dismantle the welfare-regulatory state. For the next 20-plus years following the Reagan presidency, Schlafly searched in vain for a candidate who represented another choice not an echo. She refused to endorse George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and John McCain in their attempts for the White House. She did back Mitt Romney in 2012, largely in reaction to Obama. But Schlaflys true candidate came in 2016 with Donald Trump. In her eyes, he represented all she had been looking for after Goldwater and Reagan. Here was a nationalist, a trade protectionist, immigrant restrictionist and a neo-isolationist. She dismissed arguments that Trump was not a true conservative, a candidate ignorant of constitutional principles, religious values or family values, to come out in full-throated support of Trump. Whatever inconsistencies in Trumps agenda his favorable comments on Vladimir Putin, for example Schlafly managed to overlook. In her final days, Schlafly fought what she considered the good fight, endorsing Trump and helping him win the partys nomination. Her unqualified and emotional support of Trump troubled many of her followers and family members, but she witnessed at last what she had worked toward for seven decades: the triumph of the populist right against the party establishment. Rachel E. VanLandingham, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and judge advocate, is an associate law professor at Southwestern Law School and vice president of the National Institute of Military Justice. Geoffrey S. Corn, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and formerly the Armys top law of war adviser, is a professor at Houston College of Law. During the Vietnam War, U.S. military leaders infamously used the number of enemy killed body counts as the measure of U.S. battlefield accomplishment. Even if accurate, these numbers were a spectacular failure as a touchstone of success. It was ironic that Vietnam War opponents used a similar but opposite body count to undermine the war effort that of civilians killed. The iconic image of protesters chanting, Hey, hey, LBJ, how many babies did you kill today? foreshadowed a paradigm shift in how the U.S. military approaches the issue of civilian casualties, particularly in asymmetric conflicts. Now, civilian protection is, appropriately, central to both the international law of war and the legitimacy of U.S. military operations. From the highest levels of strategic command to the dirt and mud of tactical execution, U.S. forces are subject to an ever-increasing imperative to mitigate risk to innocent civilians caught in the crossfire of todays battlefields. In our current fight against the Islamic State, both types of body counts tick on. However, enemy casualty numbers seem overshadowed by interest in the Pentagons efforts to limit or even completely prevent civilian casualties. The Defense Department regularly publicizes its assessments of the historically low number of civilian casualties in this conflict. In July, the Pentagon touted the total the number of U.S.-confirmed civilian casualties: 55 civilian deaths and 29 injuries over two years (compared with more than 200 allegations). A few weeks later, U.S. Central Command emphasized the difference between allegations of civilian casualties and those CENTCOM could confirm. This emphasis on precise, casualty-averse warfare may be distorting the publics understanding of war and law. The public accounting of every allegation of coalition-caused civilian casualties on the Islamic State battlefield, and the outcome of every civilian casualty investigation, is conditioning both domestic and international audiences to expect that international law demands analogously low levels of civilian casualties in all wars and that this level can be met while successfully prosecuting the conflict. This is wrong. It is also dangerous. The Islamic State is exploiting this emphasis on civilian casualty avoidance to gain both tactical and strategic success. From its documented use of civilians as human shields to the practice of hiding weapons in civilian homes and schools, the group has adopted the playbook of other illicit armed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. The Pentagon should accompany its transparency initiatives with a much stronger reminder that the law of war often, even if unfortunately, permits civilian casualties when necessary to accomplish legitimate military objectives. And that it is almost always the Islamic States fault, not the coalitions, when such casualties are inflicted. In an asymmetric war against an enemy that violates the law by hiding and fighting among civilians, these casualties are frequently a calculated price of attacks aimed at destroying enemy fighters and other military targets. That is, civilian casualties often are the product of strikes conducted despite the knowledge that civilians are likely to be harmed. As long as coalition forces ensure that the law of wars yardsticks are met that the military advantage to be gained by a strike outweighs the potential harm to civilians, and that reasonable care has been taken in choice of weapons and tactics to minimize the effect on civilians civilians may, and unfortunately will often be, killed and injured. That is the horrible essence of modern, lawful war, and a burden that our young warriors carry into battle. But the responsibility for the vast majority of this suffering lies at the feet of the illicit enemy. Confusion regarding the law of war only incentivizes the Islamic State and similar groups to continue their illegal methods of fighting among civilians. In this vein, if the Pentagon continues to over-emphasize the rarity of civilian casualties during coalition airstrikes, it risks sending potentially delegitimizing shockwaves once airstrikes are used in close air support of ground forces retaking cities and villages, in which the Islamic States use of human shields and other illegal tactics will almost inevitably result in much higher civilian casualty numbers. Just as in the Vietnam-era, body counts are a false indicator of battlefield success. The United States and its partners need to emphasize their effort to reduce civilian risk, not simply the numerical outcome of that effort. This is why: Enemies such as the Islamic State get a vote in that outcome, and can frustrate the best efforts to prevent civilian suffering. What we should always highlight, therefore, is that it is the Islamic State that ultimately bears responsibility for the tragic battlefield harm that befalls civilians today. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trumps recent speech at the American Legion convention in Cincinnati revealed again his ignorance of the Constitution, particularly the Bill of Rights. Mr. Trump asserted that he would insist on students reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in schools. His sweeping generalization failed to recognize a caveat that has existed for more than 70 years. In the wake of violence done to students because their religious beliefs prevented them from reciting the pledge, the Supreme Court in 1943 reversed a prior high court ruling, stipulating that the reciting of the pledge must be accompanied by respect for the conscience of attendees. It was a victory over bigotry and a narrow view of patriotism one that seems to be lost on Mr. Trump. Stephen D. Harris, Gettysburg, Pa. The Washington Post's David Fahrenthold breaks down the controversy over Donald Trump's improper $25,000 donation to a political group connected to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was at the time considering whether to open a fraud investigation against Trump University. (Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post) The Washington Post's David Fahrenthold breaks down the controversy over Donald Trump's improper $25,000 donation to a political group connected to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was at the time considering whether to open a fraud investigation against Trump University. (Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post) Better than anyone, Donald Trump made the case for why our campaign money system is rotten. Unsurprisingly, the prime example he used was himself. I was a businessman, Trump explained at a Republican debate in August 2015. I give to everybody. When they call, I give. And you know what? When I need something from them two years later, three years later, I call them, they are there for me. And thats a broken system. Bravo. Sort of. In retrospect, its remarkable that Republican primary voters seemed to reward Trump for saying that he bought off politicians right and left, as if admitting to soft bribery was a sign of what a great reformer he would be. And it turns out that there is one candidate who was so metaphysically perfect, so personally close to him, that Trump tells us his (illegal) contribution to her was not designed to make sure shed be there for him. Meet Pam Bondi, Floridas attorney general. Trump would have us believe that it is pure coincidence that the Trump Foundations $25,000 contribution to Bondi on Sept. 17, 2013, was made four days after the Orlando Sentinel reported that Bondis office was considering joining a class-action lawsuit against Trump University. It was brought by customers who felt victimized by what sure looks in retrospect like a shameless rip-off operation. Weeks later, Bondi announced that Florida would not join the lawsuit after all. Yes, when Trump needs something, he gets it. Except that in this one case, Trump insists he wasnt looking for anything. Ive just known Pam Bondi for years, he said Monday. I have a lot of respect for her. It has been hard to find evidence that Trump and Bondi were close before Sept. 17, 2013, although I suppose the time between then and now technically adds up to years. The Donalds affections did not stop there. The Huffington Post revealed Tuesday that Trump also hosted a fundraiser for Bondi in March 2014 at his Mar-a-Lago resort. The invitation listed Trump and Rudy Giuliani as special guests. However much he respects Bondi, Trump (or his minions) miraculously misreported the improper donation to her. As David A. Fahrenthold recounted in The Post, Trump paid a $2,500 penalty because nonprofit, tax-exempt foundations are barred by law from making campaign contributions. The foundation not only didnt mention the political gift in its tax filings. It made, Fahrenthold wrote, a false listing, showing that the foundation had instead given [a] $25,000 gift to a Kansas nonprofit with a name similar to Bondis political group. That gift did not exist. Trump had given nothing to the Kansas group. And Wednesday, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a watchdog organization, filed a complaint asking the IRS to reopen the case because Trump may have violated a separate tax rule against self-dealing by nonprofits. 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. Hillary Clintons enemies keep coming back to the same old stories and try to freshen them up. Its the server, the foundation and the speaking fees. (The GOP has, for now, left Benghazi dormant, after eight congressional investigations.) Trump, on the other hand, has left such a rich trail of shoddiness that David Graham of the Atlantic has published an aptly named cheat sheet on the many scandals of Donald Trump. Graham helpfully noted that to catalogue the full sweep of allegations would require thousands of words. Here, in the briefest form, is a selection from the Atlantic compendium: Trump University, Trump Institute, the beauty pageant scandals, racial discrimination in housing, questions about mafia ties, tenant intimidation, his various bankruptcies, the employment of undocumented workers (including models), breaking casino rules, refusing to pay workers and contractors, and using campaign funds to buy his own books. Trump has run so many ethical stop signs over his long career that the media just cant seem to keep up with the number of tickets he is due. Some of the scandals make mere cameo appearances and then disappear behind others. Of course journalists should investigate and detail all of Clintons lapses and mistakes. But it is hugely misleading to take every new Trump scandal and match it up with a replay of one of the standby Clinton scandals and then pretend there is rough equality between the candidates on some scandal-o-meter. There is not. Where sleaze and corner-cutting are concerned, we all should pay proper tribute to Trumpian exceptionalism. When it comes to the broken system he so accurately described, Trump is the star. Read more from E.J. Dionnes archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. Robert J. Samuelsons Sept. 5 op-ed, A new era of labor scarcity?, hit home with me. Im one of the nearly one-quarter of workers ages 55 to 74 who are employed in an alternative work arrangement, specifically as an independent contractor. As a retired federal employee, Ive looked at work life from both sides now and note with interest Mr. Samuelsons distinction between insiders and outsiders in the proliferating alternative work arrangement labor market. As the beneficiary of an earlier era, I receive a generous federal pension coupled with a Social Security benefit for my time in the private sector. On the other side of the spectrum, the future I see for young people in outsider alternative work arrangements is quite bleak: a free ride for employers, with no job security, no benefits and no pension prospects for their employees. Hopefully, as Mr. Samuelson posited, this scenario could be a prologue to an era of labor scarcity, which would result in a more balanced labor market that recognized the value of the American worker. Lois A. Engel, Washington As a college professor, I routinely apologize to my students for the economic conditions they now face. Even if labor costs creep up at 3.5 percent, as Robert J. Samuelson wrote, the minimum wage is far too low today. Fifty years ago, when I was my current students age, I paid for my state university education by working a summer job and living at home. With that summer job I paid for my tuition, books and supplies and a small car and had some money left for a minor social life. Thanks to these low-paying, low-skill summer jobs, I had no educational debt. No student today can do what I did in 1967. Our society and economic system have dramatically changed. Regrettably, the minimum wage has not changed in a corresponding fashion. As a result of inflated higher-education costs, diminished state support and universities competing for out-of-state, high-tuition-dollar students, the middle-class American student has been leveraged out of an affordable higher education. At minimum, the federal minimum wage should be raised to $15 an hour. Until then, Ill keep apologizing to my hardworking students each semester. And others who are not going to school attempting to increase their wage-earning capabilities will have to continue working multiple low-paying jobs to make ends meet. Perhaps someone should apologize to them as well. Kevin Hluch, Frederick The president is elected for four years not three years, so the power he has in year three continues into year four, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, pictured in August, said Wednesday. (Craig Fritz/AP) Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said Wednesday that senators refusing to vote on President Obamas nominee to the Supreme Court should recognize that a president is elected for four years not three. But she also told incoming law students at Georgetown University that she did not see how a lawsuit from supporters of the nominee, Judge Merrick Garland, trying to force the Senate to act could accomplish their desired outcome. [Ginsburg regrets criticism of Trump] In response to a question, Ginsburg said the presidents power to nominate Supreme Court justices is contingent on the advice and consent of the Senate. If the Senate is not acting, what can be done about it? Ginsburg asked rhetorically. Even if you could conceive of a testing lawsuit, what would the response be? Well, you want us to vote, so well vote no. But Ginsburg, who in the past has expressed support for Garland to fill the seat of her late friend and colleague Justice Antonin Scalia, disagreed with Senate Republicans who have said Obama should not nominate a replacement and that the vacancy should be filled by the next president. I do think cooler heads will prevail, I hope sooner rather than later, Ginsburg said. The president is elected for four years not three years, so the power he has in year three continues into year four. Maybe members of the Senate will wake up and appreciate that thats how it should be. [Will Hillary Clinton stick with Garland if shes elected?] It was the only touch of politics in Ginsburgs talk with Georgetowns incoming class, and the student asking the question about whether there were any valid constitutional arguments that would prevent Obama from naming Scalias successor seemed wary. I hope thats not too political, the student said, to laughter. Sorry. Ginsburg earlier this summer expressed regret for comments she made about Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. In media interviews, she criticized him as a faker and said she feared for the country and the Supreme Court if he were elected. She later issued a statement: On reflection, my recent remarks in response to press inquiries were ill-advised and I regret making them. Judges should avoid commenting on a candidate for public office. In the future I will be more circumspect. In an interview with the New York Times, Ginsburg called Garland about as well qualified as any nominee to this court and, when asked whether senators should act on the nomination, said, Thats their job. Obama nominated Garland on March 16, but Republican Senate leaders have refused even to hold a hearing. His pending nomination is the longest in history. No other member of the Supreme Court has called upon the Senate to act, and in public forums some have said they will not answer questions about the issue. But many are known to be friends and admirers of the judge. Garlands clerks regularly are chosen by the justices to work for them as well, including by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., who served with Garland on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. President Obama travels to China for three days to attend the Group of 20 economic summit and then a first presidential visit to Laos. President Obama travels to China for three days to attend the Group of 20 economic summit and then a first presidential visit to Laos. President Obama travels to China for three days to attend the Group of 20 economic summit and then a first presidential visit to Laos. What Obama is doing on his final trip to Asia as president What Obama is doing on his final trip to Asia as president President Obama wrapped up his 10th and final trip to Asia on Thursday by touting the extraordinary progress in the region and taking credit for expanding U.S. influence and prestige among a diverse set of ally and rival nations. But his victory lap was punctured when a reporter asked him to respond to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trumps contention that he had been humiliated this week by his Asian counterparts. Obama, clearly exasperated, said, I think that is overblown. Everywhere weve gone, weve had a great reception, he said at a news conference in Vientiane, Laos, noting crowds lining the streets as he became the first U.S. president to visit the communist nation. Any reasonable person, certainly any person in the region, would be puzzled as to how [Trumps remarks] became somehow indicative of the work weve done here. Obama was frustrated that a pair of awkward protocol stumbles a tarmac squabble between U.S. and China officials that marred his arrival in Hangzhou, China, and a canceled bilateral meeting with the Philippines president over a personal slur threatened to partially obscure the tangible accomplishments of his nine-day trip. President Obama traveled to China and Laos to attend the G20 and ASEAN conferences. Along the way there were more than a few times when the geopolitical discourse surrounding the events became awkward. (Jason Aldag,William Wan/The Washington Post) Yet the outcome was perhaps a fitting conclusion for his fitful and inconsistent two-term effort to rebalance U.S. foreign policy toward Asia, which Obama has viewed as a legacy issue to help maintain U.S. economic growth and national security. Since announcing the policy in 2011, Obama has struggled to extract the United States from wars in the Middle East and Central Asia and shift attention and resources to the worlds fastest-growing and most-populous region. As he prepares to depart office, Obama pointed this week to an ambitious global climate pact spurred by the United States agreement with China to reduce greenhouse gases. His administration has forged closer military ties with Australia, the Philippines and Vietnam, and the president personally helped mend icy relations between Japan and South Korea over historical grievances. He will tout U.S. support of Burmas burgeoning democratic transition after a half-century of brutal military rule when the nations de facto leader, state counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, visits the White House next week. But the rise of the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq and Russias invasion of eastern Ukraine have preoccupied the administration. North Koreas test of another ballistic missile while the president was in the region served as a reminder that the White House, in contrast to the negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, has made no headway with the worlds most reclusive authoritarian state. Most disappointing of all to Obama, the economic pillar of his Asia rebalance policy, the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade accord led by the United States, remains stalled in Congress. Crafted as a hedge to Chinas growing clout, the TPP is opposed by both Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, who reversed herself amid a broad anti-trade sentiment among voters after having championed it as secretary of state. His heart is in the right place, and his intent is in the right place, but the politics of trade will muck up his legacy, said Victor Cha, an analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies who served as Asia director in the George W. Bush administration. He will not have finished the victory lap in Asia until the TPP is done. Obama, and Vice President Biden, have vowed to campaign for a trade vote during an expected lame-duck session of Congress after the November elections. But Republican leaders have said that no vote is likely before Obama leaves office. The stark truth is that the Asia rebalance remains a work in progress, and Obama will hand it off to his successor with no guarantees. President Obama said that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is "key to a peaceful and prosperous future for the world," during the association's summit in Laos on Sept. 8. (The Washington Post) The concern Ive heard is not that what weve done hasnt been important and successful, the president said in Laos. The concern that Ive heard is, Will it continue? Almost uniformly, the question I get from other leaders is, We hope Americas interest and presence and engagement is sustained. Trump has bashed China and Japan on trade, and he has suggested that the United States defense treaties with Japan and South Korea, predicated on U.S. military bases in both countries, are too expensive for U.S. taxpayers. Clinton is far more likely to maintain U.S. engagement in the region, having been intimately involved in the opening of Burma at the State Department. But it is not clear that she would continue Obamas frequent presence in the region; he made more trips to Asia than did his predecessors, deploying his personal appeal to help spread U.S. values and goodwill. Huge crowds lined the streets when Obama made his first visit to Vietnam in May and lifted a long-standing U.S. arms embargo. The U.S. has historically never seen itself as naturally tied to Asia strategically, Cha said. Its always been war brought us there . . . Obama said, No, in peacetime, Asia will be strategically important to us. The region clearly remains important to Obama on a personal level. In town hall-style meetings with young people in Southeast Asia over the years including one in the scenic city of Luang Prabang this week the president waxed fondly about the years he spent as a young boy living with his mother in Indonesia five decades ago. On his visit to Laos, Obama pledged $90 million in aid to the country to help clear millions of unexploded bombs dropped by U.S. warplanes during the Vietnam War. He also took time to tour the Wat Xieng Thong temple, browse a market for paper lanterns and sip water from a coconut. In terms of my reception here, as far as I can tell, its been terrific, Obama told reporters shortly before returning to Washington. I dont know if youve gone and talked to some people in Laos, but they seem pretty happy with my visit. Architect Christine Chan, right, remodeled the childhood home of her husband, architect Matthew Reiskin. Their children, Julia and Noah, live in the house in which their father grew up. (Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post) Even though they are a couple who often finish each others thoughts and sentences, Matthew Reiskin and Christine Chan werent always in sync when it came to remodeling their Bethesda home. The two architects for the most part agreed on what they wanted. But Chan, who designed the renovation, found that her client also her husband and the father of their two children could at times turn nostalgic when it came to altering his childhood home. Not only did Chan have to navigate her husbands feelings, but she also had to respect her father-in-laws design. Reiskins father, Leon, designed and built the midcentury modern rambler for his family in 1963. Now 50 years later, they have the house they hope will last them through their retirement years. This is our forever home, Chan said. Theres no reason to move. Thats what I would like, Reiskin said. But on the other hand, I could also see if one of the kids wanted the house, I could see us giving it to one of them. Leon Reiskin was born in the District and graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School before going on to earn a degree in architecture from the University of Michigan. He started his own firm in 1957, designing and building apartment buildings and townhouses in Maryland and Virginia. Merrill House, named for his mother, won a City of Falls Church award for landscape design in 1964. 1 of 14 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad Staying true to her father-in-laws design View Photos Christine Chan updated the house designed by Leon Reiskin, the father of her husband, Matthew. Caption Christine Chan updated the house designed by Leon Reiskin, the father of her husband, Matthew. Leon Reiskin designed this midcentury modern rambler in 1963. The house is like a square doughnut, with an atrium in the middle. Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue. The family of four had been living at one of Reiskins apartment buildings, Bradford House in Silver Spring, when Matthews mother announced she was tired of apartment living. My mother said, Ive had it. I want a house, Matthew Reiskin said. They looked in Kenwood, but they werent allowed to buy in Kenwood because they were Jewish. So the Realtor said how about Kenwood Park? They found this piece of land, and he designed the house. The Reiskins moved into the house in May 1963. Matthew was born in 1964. Not long after it was built, the house was featured in The Washington Posts Real Estate section. It was designed to fit a topographical situation, Leon Reiskin told The Post in a July 1965 article. It provides maximum privacy and visual interest. The house is a reflection of the man who designed it. He was a little hard to get to know, Matthew said of his father. But once you got to know him, he was a very warm person. The exterior of the house is camouflaged. The main entrance is tucked behind the carport and shielded by tall shrubbery. You cant see into the house very well from the street, Reiskin said. Its not surprising that he did that. But then as you go through the house, it just gets more and more open to the back yard. I always felt like that was kind of his personality. His favorite architect was [Ludwig] Mies van der Rohe. This is a very Miesian design. Its all about planes and glass and minimalism. The most significant modifications to the home were to the kitchen and dining room. (Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post) A redwood wall is one of the dramatic features of the living room. (Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post) Leon Reiskin died in 2004. Matthews mother remained in the home until her death in 2011. Reiskin and Chan bought the home from the estate and lived in it for a while before renovating it in 2013. It was kind of like she was the architect and I was the client, more or less, Reiskin said. Christine is very good at designing a renovation that blends in with what was there before. It is hard to tell whats new. . . . Im analytical. Shes intuitive. In a design firm, shes the designer, and Im the project manager. Chan maintained the layout of the home. The most significant modifications were to the kitchen and dining room, which she opened up. She had wanted to reconfigure the bedrooms but lost that argument. I came home from work and looked at [her design] and said No way, Reiskin said. The owner said theres no budget for that, Chan said with a laugh. Chan didnt lose every argument, though. When her suggestions were met with but I grew up in this house, she would have to convince her husband that the change was for the better. Reiskin initially balked at her proposal to move a door in the den that opened to the back yard. Oh, man, that took awhile for me to accept, Reiskin said. But once she showed him how much better traffic would flow through the room, he capitulated. The exterior of the house is relatively camouflaged. The main entrance is tucked behind the carport and shielded by tall shrubbery. (Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post) On some design elements, they worked as a team. Reiskin and Chan wanted to replace every piece of glass in the house with something more energy-efficient. But what seemed like a simple project became a complex problem. The first thing Reiskin did was consult his fathers drawings for the home. It was interesting to just see his own hand, his lettering, but also his choices of how he detailed things, how everything came together, Reiskin said. After spending hours studying the drawings, Reiskin realized that standard residential wood windows werent in keeping with his fathers design. Thats why we kept poring over the drawings: to see what he intended, Chan said. As architects, we understand the difference. The builder would have just put in any old thing they could find. This was a family house, Reiskin said. I was not going to junk it up. In the end, they chose commercial-grade aluminum windows typically used in condo buildings. The centerpiece of the house is the atrium, enclosed by glass on three sides. Leon Reiskin designed it be an outdoor living room, but it ended up being too warm in the summer. Chan wanted to turn it into a garden. I wanted something softer, to soften all these angles, Chan said. She suggested to her husband that they build a low planter wall. Hes like, Dream on, Chan said with a laugh. Julia Reiskin reads a book in the den. (Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post) But Reiskin found an affordable option one day while flipping through a magazine as he waited for his son to finish a kung fu class. The company that made planters for High Line Park in New York City also made planter walls out of Cor-Ten steel. The soil and everything is green-roof technology, Reiskin said. We had a landscape architect from my office design the planting plan. It looks pretty crazy, but theres actually a plan to those plants. Because of the atrium, Chan describes the house as a square doughnut. The layout is ideal for their daughter, Julia, who sometimes runs laps around the atrium to burn off extra energy just as her father did when he was growing up. Julia now sleeps in her fathers old bedroom, while her brother, Noah, sleeps where his uncle once did. The house is definitely kid-friendly, Chan said. Their perspective is different. All their friends come over and say, Wheres your upstairs? But all the adults come to our house and say, Oh, I wish I had this, because when we get old we wont have to worry about the stairs. Living in his childhood home as an adult has been a revelation for Reiskin. Even though I grew up in it, once it was ours, it hit me a lot harder that this is unusual, Reiskin said. The first morning, I remember we woke up and just thought, Wow, this is ours, this is cool. Lin Yongyue, second from left, tries to control his horse as he and teammates leave the field at the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club earlier this summer. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) On a hazy summer morning in July, a tiny figure climbed up a stepladder and wriggled onto a white mare named Wendy. The rider: a red-cheeked child who gave his name, in English, as, Im Harry and Im 8. Harry took the reins in two hands and urged Wendy to a trot. Later, with help from a half-dozen professionals from Argentina, he practiced the tougher, one-handed polo grip, perched, like a young knight, on the back of a wooden horse. What did you do this summer? When Harry and his friends from Tianjin Golden Metropolitan Polo Club get asked the classic back-to-school query, they will have quite a tale to tell or composition to write. They spent part of their summer break refining their riding skills, reviewing polo etiquette and racing down the halls of the luxury hotel that doubled as their cabin. Two full-time photographers summer-camp paparazzi captured every move for parents and grandparents keen to see what you get for 10,000 renminbi, or about $1,500 a week. The families are at the high end of a thriving business in summer programming for Chinese children. Not long ago, most children here spent their school break playing outside or helping their parents. With incomes rising and tighter academic competition, the summer months have become a front in Chinas educational arms race. Decades into Chinas great economic transformation there is more wealth here than ever, but also more disparity. A recent survey by Peking University estimated that the country's richest 1 percent control a third of the countrys wealth. The poorest 25 percent control about 1 percent. At the Tianjin Golden Metropolitan Polo Club, well-heeled Chinese are trying to give their kids a leg up when it comes to getting into elite universities abroad. (Emily Rauhala,Jason Aldag/The Washington Post) For the horse-riding Harrys of the country, that means summers spent honing skills that will serve them well when they make it to Oxford or Cambridge universities, or the Ivy League. For the vast middle class, its less about summer camp than supplemental classes. Even families that are struggling and there are many feel the pressure to keep up, often pooling the extended familys savings to pay for whatever private tutoring they can afford. At all ends of the market, that means one thing: money. The sector is booming, said Luo Moming, an assistant vice president at New Oriental, a private- education firm thats listed on the New York Stock Exchange. When Luo was a child, summer camp, at least as Americans picture it, was an abstraction. Born in 1975, he spent his summers running through the streets of Wuhan, a city in central China, while his parents worked. That changed quickly. The economic opening that followed Mao Zedongs death, in 1976, has seen hundreds of millions toil their way from fields to factories to the ranks of the socially mobile middle class. Thanks to the one-child policy, those raised in the boom years of the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s did not, for the most part, have siblings. Parents and grandparents wanting to improve their lot put all their time and energy into that one child, ferrying little emperors to English lessons and math camp. The current boom is an intensification of that trend. Chinese families are generally wealthier, healthier and better educated than ever before, but growth is slowing and theres a fear of being left behind. Chinese players take a break during stick and ball training during summer camp in Tianjin. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) Horse trainers and handlers exercise polo horses at the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) At New Oriental, the privateeducation firm, revenue for a project that offers extra classes for the K-to-12 set was up more than 35 percent in the past fiscal year. Although a growing number of parents are interested in extra-curricular subjects such as painting or sports, the most popular programs are geared toward classwork and tests. A perennial favorite is a 20-hour preview of a textbook called New Concept English. Middle-class parents dont want camp, per se, but courses that are intensive and ahead of schedule, Luo said. That way their children can test into a good middle school, get a head start on high school, ace the university entrance exam, known as the gaokao, and be on their way. Although English lessons are always popular, summer camps signal the parental imperatives of the day. Some parents and grandparents complain that children today are coddled. It makes sense, then, that they send them to military or weight-loss camp. Weary city-slickers can send their child to nature camp, an adventure that may include a chance to meet a real-life farmer or feel dirt on their fingers for the first time. Those inspired by President Xi Jinpings push to promote traditional culture can send their little one to learn calligraphy and proper temple etiquette. (And what child doesnt love temple etiquette?) Kaixin Mamas Double Win Life camp (6,980 renminbi, or about $1,000 per week) is for both parent and child. The focus is improving communication and developing better life skills oh, and getting better grades. The woman who runs the program, Cao Kaixin, says that more and more middle-class parents want to help their children become happy and well rounded. Most parents, however, cant abandon academics altogether just because its summer and the child is young. Even for the ultra-wealthy the type that can skip the gaokao and head straight for the SAT summer programming comes with a focus on the future. At polo camp in Tianjin, between hitting practice and pastry breaks, cooking class and equestrian, children learn about what it takes to get a world-class education at a brand-name school. Hey, what college did you go to? 12-year-old Chloe said as she skipped to lunch in her riding boots. Im going to Harvard. Gu Jinglu in Tianjin and Jin Xin in Beijing contributed to this report. Read more: In his fathers footsteps, Justin Trudeau is looking to be big in China Two Chinese retirees win hearts on epic American road trip These viral selfie apps are shaping Chinas start-up culture Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Written submissions to TODAY are welcome. Submissions should be at The Journal Times by 9 a.m. two full business days before the desired publication date. Please send your events to TODAY, The Journal Times, 212 Fourth St., Racine, WI 53403; fax to 262-631-1780 or email sknox@journaltimes.com. For more information, call 262-631-1767. While Americans savored the last moments of summer this Labor Day weekend, the U.S. military was busy overseas as warplanes conducted strikes in six countries in a flurry of attacks. The bombing runs across Asia, Africa and the Middle East spotlighted the diffuse terrorist threats that have persisted into the final days of the Obama presidency conflicts that the next president is now certain to inherit. In Iraq and Syria, between Saturday and Monday, the United States conducted about 45 strikes against Islamic State targets. On the other side of the Mediterranean, in the Libyan city of Sirte, U.S. forces also hit fighters with the militant group. On Sunday in Yemen, a U.S. drone strike killed six suspected members of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. The following day, just across the Gulf of Aden in Somalia, the Pentagon targeted al-Shabab, another group aligned with al-Qaeda. The military also conducted several counterterrorism strikes over the weekend in Afghanistan, where the Taliban and the Islamic State are on the offensive. Militants in each of those countries have been attacked before, but the convergence of so many strikes on so many fronts in such a short period served as a reminder of the endurance and geographic spread of al-Qaeda and its mutations. This administration really wanted to end these wars, said Paul Scharre, a former Army Ranger and Pentagon official now at the Center for a New American Security. Now, weve got U.S. combat operations on multiple fronts and were dropping bombs in six countries. Thats just the unfortunate reality of the terrorism threat today. In meeting those threats, Obama has sought to limit the large-scale deployments of the past, instead relying on air power, including drones; isolated Special Operations raids; and support for foreign forces. But militant groups have defied eight years of these sustained counterterrorism efforts. Nowhere are the unexpected turns of Obamas foreign-policy record more visible than in Iraq, where thousands of U.S. troops returned after the 2011 withdrawal to support local forces battle against the Islamic State. A smaller Special Operations force is based in northern Iraq, responsible for hunting down militant leaders. U.S. warplanes conducted about 20 strikes in Iraq over the weekend, largely centered in northern Nineveh province and Mosul, the strategic city that local forces hope to recapture from the Islamic State this year. But there were also strikes in Iraqs western Anbar province, which has largely been retaken from the Islamic State. That suggests that some militant cells linger in areas cleared by the Iraqi army. [Bombs struck their targets in a Syrian village. But who was killed?] The resumption of U.S. combat activities in Iraq in 2014 represented not only the extent of Iraqs unsolved problems after the American departure, but also the power of the war in neighboring Syria to destabilize areas once considered secure. In Syria over the weekend, more than 25 strikes hit targets across the countrys north and east, highlighting the Pentagon focus on the Islamic States de facto capital of Raqqa. While U.S. officials hope that friendly local forces can encircle the city, the path ahead is complicated by the fractured, internationalized nature of the conflict in Syria. In Libya, as in Iraq and Syria, local ground forces are the key to the U.S. goal of defeating the Islamic State. Over the weekend, U.S. planes pounded at least 20 Islamic State targets in the coastal city of Sirte, where militia forces have struggled to defeat a small but resilient band of militants dug in by the sea. After months of watching a powerful Islamic State affiliate expand, U.S. Africa Command launched an air campaign over Sirte last month. For U.S. officials, the air power is critical to help local forces disrupt militants ability to plot external attacks. For critics of Obama, the need for such an intervention is proof of the presidents failure in Libya following his 2011 intervention, which sought to limit American involvement. Its certainly the case if you look over the last 16 years, there are times when we have gone in way too heavy, and thats caused problems, and times when weve gone in too light, and that has caused problems, said William F. Wechsler, a former Pentagon official who oversaw U.S. Special Operations activities. What youve seen at the end of the Obama administration is a determination that there is this . . . middle ground that both allows us to meet our counterterrorism objectives but also support our allies who are doing fighting on the ground, he said. [How Special Operations troops secretly help foreign forces target terrorists] The United States now faces a test of its ability to do just that in Afghanistan, where local forces are struggling to contain a startling comeback by the Taliban. Almost 10,000 U.S. service members are part of a dual mission to support the Afghan army and conduct counterterrorism operations against both al-Qaeda and militants loyal to the Islamic State. The expansion of commanders authority to combat militants and the extension of the U.S. troop presence underscore Afghanistans uncertain future long after Obama declared an end to the war there. Beyond those ongoing conflicts, the Pentagon has kept up its lower-intensity operations against militants in more far-flung places, often in a fashion that is shielded from public view. On Sunday, in Yemens central Shabwah province, a U.S. drone fired at a group of suspected members of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, killing six, according to U.S. Central Command. It was the latest in a recent series of attacks that seeks to ensure that AQAP, once the most fearsome al-Qaeda affiliate, cannot rebound amid the Yemeni civil war. The United States has sought to limit its military involvement in Yemen, keeping a small counterterrorism presence close to the coast and providing logistical support to Saudi Arabias bombing campaign against Houthi rebels. The Pentagon on Monday also conducted a pair of strikes in Tortoroow, Somalia, in defense of African peacekeeping forces that are operating with U.S. support there. According to U.S. African Command, the African forces had been attacked by a large group of al-Shabab fighters. While the breadth of ongoing U.S. combat operations may appear to be a step back from the Obama administrations earliest national-security goals, Scharre said the bombing was an appropriate response to an array of security threats, one that might be sustained over time in the same way that the United States has committed to long-term military presences in places such as Germany and South Korea. I think the goal of getting to zero U.S. involvement was always just the wrong metric, he said. The goal was to get to the place where U.S. involvement is commensurate with our interests. Read more: 10 new wars that could be unleashed as a result of the one against ISIS Obama administration: Deal with Russia over Syria at make-or-break moment Marine gunships enter the fight against the Islamic State in Libya Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, answered questions on national security and foreign policy Sept. 7 during a commander-in-chief forum on NBC News. (Video: NBC News/Photos: Melina Mara/Post, Mike Segar/Reuters) Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, answered questions on national security and foreign policy Sept. 7 during a commander-in-chief forum on NBC News. (Video: NBC News/Photos: Melina Mara/Post, Mike Segar/Reuters) Did U.S. intelligence analysts betray disdain for President Obama and Hillary Clinton during recent classified briefings with Donald Trump, as the GOP candidate claimed Wednesday? Doing so would represent an almost inconceivable violation of training and tradition, former U.S. intelligence officials said. They added, however, that those accused briefers may be quietly muttering and shaking their heads about at least one of the presidential candidates now. Those selected for this task would have been the most professional of an elite corps of intelligence officers, said Paul Pillar, a former high-ranking CIA analyst. One of the last things they would do is express either verbally or through body-language preferences about candidates or policy. [Trump praises Putin, battles with Clinton on national security] Michael Morell, a former deputy CIA director who has endorsed Clinton, put it more bluntly, saying that Trumps comments show that hes got zero understanding of how intelligence works. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said on a televised forum on Sept. 8 that he is "pretty good with the body language" and could tell that the officials giving him his intelligence briefings don't respect President Obama. But can he really tell anything from body language? (Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post) Trumps claim came during a candidates forum Wednesday when he was asked whether he learned anything that shocked or alarmed him during a pair of briefings designed to provide an overview of security issues confronting the United States. Trump could not name anything of substance he learned from the sessions, which are part of a long tradition of giving candidates access to classified information about global trouble spots. Instead, he said he was mainly struck by the briefers obvious disdain for his political opponent and the current president. There was one thing that shocked me, he said, suggesting that the briefers had made clear that Obama and Clinton had ignored their expertise and recommendations. He added that he is pretty good with the body language. I could tell they were not happy. Our leaders did not follow what [the intelligence experts] were recommending. The assertion was delivered as a throwaway line during a lengthy discussion of foreign policy. But among U.S. intelligence officials, Trumps claim amounts to an accusation of a serious breach of professional ethics. The CIA and other spy agencies are supposed to collect information and assemble analysis to help policymakers make decisions. But their roles require spy services to steer clear of seeking to influence policy. Analysts trained to remain impartial are particularly allergic to domestic politics. A spokesman for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees the candidates briefings, declined to comment. Officials said it was the first time they could recall a presidential candidate providing a readout of a briefing he had been given, let alone exploiting it to make a political point. This is unprecedented, said David Priess, a former CIA officer who delivered daily briefings to senior members of the George W. Bush administration. Weve had other presidential candidates mention that they got a briefing and talk in platitudes about it. Weve never had somebody talk about what happened in a session. Asked whether he learned anything that might make him reconsider campaign pledges, including his vow to swiftly defeat the Islamic State, Trump said, No, I didnt learn anything from that standpoint. U.S. officials had previously expressed concern that Trump might be abusive toward his briefers. Instead, he described them as terrific people. Trump was accompanied during his initial Aug. 17 briefing by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) and retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, both avid supporters. Trump and Christie listened politely, but Flynn repeatedly interrupted the briefers and disparaged their work, according to former officials familiar with the matter. There will be other opportunities to be abusive the higher priority now is to cast a negative light on his opponent, Pillar said. The briefers reaction to Trumps depiction of their session probably involved shaking of heads and rolling of eyes, Pillar said, but part of the professionalism is to keep that thoroughly private. Read more: Candidates poised for classified briefings despite spy agency worries over Trump A Russian plan to help Trump win? Some intelligence officials are skeptical. The roots of the hostility between Putin and Clinton Brady Campaign Goes Into Hysterics Pushing Gun Control As Congress Returns From Recess By Bob Owens. September 6, 2016 If you listen to the claims made by Dan Gross from Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, 4,500 people were killed in the streets of America in the weeks the House and Senate were on summer recess. You can almost see report Tim Devaney's eyes roll as he typed up Brady's hysterical claims. Thousands of Americans were shot to death while Congress was on its summer break, according to gun control activists. The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence reported Tuesday that 4,500 people have been shot and killed since lawmakers left town in mid-July. Lawmakers will be greeted by protests from gun control advocates Tuesday as they return to Capitol Hill. "Congress is in for a rude awakening today if they thought seven weeks of vacation would wipe the slate clean," Brady President Dan Gross. "While Congress enjoyed nearly two months of sun and fun, the American people paid the ultimate price for Congress' inaction, with 4,500 shot and killed during August recess alone. Now that they're finally back at work, gun violence must be a priority for Congress." The group intends to "plaster offices of the corporate gun lobby's most loyal lap dogs" with the names of their constituents who were shot to death during August recess. Interestingly, Gross and Brady didn"t provide any data to support their claims. ....... As is saliently mentioned - "It's not a "gun violence"problem. It's a thug culture problem." Perhaps with Chicago probably topping the list, that should be concentrated on, instead of making broad unsupported claims and ignoring the criminal subculture. The Brady idea of 'gun control' is naive at best, with little thought toward common sense and practicality. "You don't have to be Jewish to fight by our side." 2016 JPFO All rights reserved. jpfo@jpfo.org 1-800-869-1884 Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership 12500 NE 10th Pl. Bellevue, WA 98005 USA Americas most aggressive civil rights organization We make the NRA look like moderates Join JPFO Back to Top U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry boards his plane as he departs to Geneva on Thursday. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) Secretary of State John F. Kerry will meet in Geneva on Friday with his Russian counterpart, the State Department said, in a sign that the United States and Russia may be close to an agreement for a renewed cease-fire in Syria. The Obama administration said earlier this week that the meeting would not take place unless they had resolved outstanding issues with a U.S. proposal for an extended truce, to be followed by new coordination in their counterterrorism efforts in Syria. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reportedly flew to Geneva before Kerrys scheduled departure Thursday afternoon for a meeting with U.N. special envoy Staffan de Mistura, who has pleaded with the two governments to reach an agreement that would allow safe and sustained delivery of humanitarian aid to besieged Syrian towns and the northern city of Aleppo. Kerry has had several telephone conversations this week with Lavrov, following their failure to reach an agreement over the weekend during meetings in China, where President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin also met on Syria and other issues on the margins of a G-20 summit. Those meetings followed Kerry-Lavrov talks in Geneva two weeks ago on the U.S. proposal, which Kerry presented to Putin during a July visit to Moscow. The State Department said of Kerrys departure Thursday that talks with Lavrov will focus on reducing violence, expanding humanitarian assistance for the Syrian people and moving towards a political solution needed to end the civil war. Read more: Obama and Putin unable to reach cease-fire agreement for Syria Families face a long wait and uncertainty in repatriating America militamen killed in Syria Afghan security forces stand guard after an attack on the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul on Aug. 25. (Rahmat Gul/AP) U.S. Special Operations forces conducted a secret raid last month to rescue Western hostages in Afghanistan but failed to recover the men, the Pentagon said Thursday. Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said President Obama, acting on a recommendation from Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter, authorized the August mission to rescue the two civilian hostages in an unspecified area of Afghanistan. U.S. officials thought the hostages, an American and Australian who were professors at the American University in Kabul and were seized at gunpoint in early August, were being held in eastern Afghanistan by the Haqqani network, a hard-line Taliban faction. During the raid, a team of Navy SEALs touched down under the cover of night at a compound where the hostages were thought to be held. The hostages were not there, but a group of militants was, leading to a firefight in which seven militants were killed, officials said. No Americans were wounded. Military hostage rescue operations are inherently sensitive and dangerous, and careful deliberation went into this mission, Cook said in a statement. The United States military remains fully prepared to take extraordinary steps to protect American citizens anywhere in the world. The attempt to rescue the kidnapped professors, American Kevin King and Australian national Timothy Weeks, was first reported by Fox News. Officials declined to say whether they know the current whereabouts of the hostages. It was the SEAL teams second attempt in two days to recover the men. A night earlier, the elite forces had boarded their aircraft and flown toward their target even before their mission had secured presidential approval, officials said. They were forced to turn back because the proposal for the raid had not reached the White House with sufficient time for it to be reviewed and presented to Obama for approval. There was a very narrow window before the sun came up, said a defense official who like others interviewed spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the record. By the next night, Obamas most senior advisers had studied the plan, assessing the intelligence about the hostages whereabouts and the risks to American personnel. The president signed off on it, meaning the nighttime raid could go forward. The president authorized this mission when it was presented to him, with the careful review and recommendation of his national-security team, soon after the Pentagon submitted their request, a senior administration official said. Some officials stressed the unusual nature of the SEALs step in initiating the raid the first night without having the required approval beforehand. Officials also said there was disagreement among intelligence experts about whether the hostages had been at the compound the first night and possibly moved before the raid occurred on the second night, or whether they were never there. The administration was also scrambling to inform the families of the abducted men even as they coordinated with the Afghan and Australian governments in responding to the disappearance. The raid took place as a reduced U.S. military force seeks to help Afghan troops confront a resurgent Taliban. While the Obama administration declared an end to combat operations in 2014 and Western nations have pulled out most of their troops, militants continue to threaten the government, this week launching an offensive to capture a provincial capital. Militants have also struck Western targets in the Afghan capital repeatedly, including restaurants, embassies and aid organizations. Several weeks after the professors kidnapping, militants attacked the American University in a prolonged assault. It is not the first time the U.S. military has attempted to rescue Western hostages in Afghanistan. A Navy SEAL won a Medal of Honor for his role in the 2012 operation to rescue an American doctor kidnapped in eastern Afghanistan. In 2010, a British aid worker was accidentally killed by U.S. forces during a rescue attempt in eastern Afghanistan. Read more: Democracy for the Palestinians suffered another setback Thursday when the Palestinian high court ruled that municipal elections scheduled for next month must be postponed because of a dispute between the rival political parties that control the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The Palestinian court decided to suspend the elections also because of a legal challenge filed on behalf of Palestinians living in East Jerusalem, who would not be allowed to vote. Israel considers East Jerusalem a part of Israel and would not permit ballot boxes there. Palestinians consider East Jerusalem occupied territory and want it to serve as their capital in a future Palestinian state. The now-suspended Oct. 8 vote was not for Palestinian president or parliament, but for leaders to fill 3,818 seats on 416 municipal councils in cities and villages across the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The elections would be the first vote in a decade to pit the militant Islamist movement Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, against its bitter rivals in Fatah, which runs the West Bank and is the party steered by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The vote was seen as a potentially important proxy to measure support for both Hamas, which has fought three wars in recent years with Israel, and Abbas, who is an unpopular leader. Opinion surveys have found that two-thirds of Palestinians want Abbas to resign. The people in Gaza have not voted in 10 years. The West Bank held municipal elections in 2012, but many cities and villages did not participate. Nor did Hamas, which boycotted the contest. As for Abbas, the Palestinian president is now in the 11th year of a four-year term he was elected to back in 2004. He has not named a successor, and there is no public plan for what would happen if the 81-year-old were to die in office. The Palestinian Central Election Commission announced that the parties should suspended campaigning following the court ruling to postpone. There was confusion among Palestinian leaders and media over when the Palestinian high court might hear arguments over how the elections can proceed, with some suggesting a hearing could be held later this month and others saying the court would not do so until December. In addition to the tussle over what to do about Palestinians who live in East Jerusalem, the high court in Ramallah announced the suspension after a court in Gaza ruled that some candidates submitted by Fatah to run for posts in Gaza should be disqualified. Fatah officials said their candidates were being denied rights to compete. A spokesman for Hamas in Gaza said the decision to suspend the elections was a political one that aims to rescue the Fatah party from defeat after some of its candidates were disqualified by the Central Election Commission and Palestinian courts. On their website, Fatah officials expressed hope that the elections will be held but said they must yield to the courts orders. Hazem Balousha in Gaza City contributed to this report. Read more: Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Taliban fighters waged street-by-street gun battles against Afghan forces Thursday in an isolated southern city that was once a militant stronghold, pushing hard toward government offices as Afghan helicopter gunships tried to slow the advance, officials said. The surprise attack on Tarin Kot, the capital of Uruzgan province, came as Taliban forces in recent weeks have seized new territory around the country and made aggressive moves on another strategic city, Kabul, where they have staged a series of suicide bombings and other attacks. In just the past three days in the Afghan capital, the Taliban has exploded two bombs near the Defense Ministry, killing more than 40 people; bombed and stormed the downtown headquarters of the charity CARE International; and set off another bomb in a residential area. [Kabul is increasingly a Taliban target] Officials said the militants appeared to be gaining ground against outgunned security forces in Tarin Kot, even as reinforcements were sent from Kandahar and Kabul to help defend the compounds of the governor and police chief. There were reports that some officials had fled to the city airport, and the Taliban claimed it had taken the local prison and freed all inmates, including insurgents. Uruzgan Gov. Nasir Ahmad Kharoti, reached by phone briefly, said he had not abandoned his office but added that he could not speak longer because of the situation. He said that Taliban forces had advanced toward the city under cover of darkness and by hiding amid groves of trees but that we are pushing them back. Tarin Kot is far from major population centers in Afghanistan and more than 75 miles from the nearest large city, Kandahar. But it holds symbolic importance as the birthplace of the Taliban founder, the late Mohammad Omar. It is also at the center of Afghanistans opium poppy growing region, a key source of revenue for the Taliban. [Deadly twin bombings near Afghan Defense Ministry] The sudden insurgent thrust there is one more sign that the Taliban is moving to establish zones of control in numerous scattered regions, both within and beyond its traditional strongholds. Tarin Kot was protected by Dutch and Australian troops for years until a drastic reduction of NATO forces in 2014. Afghan troops were reported to be weakening under the militant onslaught. Some had to abandon their posts for lack of ammunition, said Mohibullah Popal, a tribal chief and former police official there. Inadequate fighting supplies have led to so-called tactical withdrawals by Afghan forces in other recent clashes. Bette Dam, a Dutch journalist who has reported extensively on Afghanistans southern regions, said deepening local frustration over corruption and government infighting has weakened public support for the government in Uruzgan. She said some local anti-government gunmen had joined the Taliban offensive there. Uruzgan is now in a very problematic situation where the police and the ANA [Afghan national army] are more and more leaving their posts, not defending the government, she said. It is a victory for the Taliban, she added, but it is much more a sign of how weak the government of Uruzgan is. Read more: Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Yesterday, Britain hosted the High Negotiation Committee (HNC), representing more than 30 Syrian political and military forces seeking the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad. UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson used the occasion to urge Russia to stop supporting the government and commit to a supposedly democratic transition. However, this only underscores the increasingly prominent role the UK is playing in the US-led regime change operation, including a covert and illegal military role on the ground with the aim of carving up Syria into ethno-religious enclaves. Pictures published by the BBC in August showed a British Special Air Service (SAS) unit operating in Syria near an army base belonging to rebel forces close to the Syria-Iraq border. The pictures confirmed an earlier BBC report in March 2015 on British Special Forces operations on the front line, in defiance of the 2013 House of Commons vote against military intervention in Syria, which former Prime Minister David Cameron had promised to honour. Last December, parliament voted to support an air campaign against Islamic State (ISIS-Daesh) in Syria, but not the use of ground troops and Special Forces. The secret deployment of the SAS is of a piece with the governments campaign of lies, deceit and disinformation throughout the five-year-long civil war that has killed more than 400,000 people and displaced nearly half the Syrian population. The war to topple the Assad regime is aimed at undermining the regional influence of his allies, Iran and Russia. The Guardian recently produced further evidence of Camerons flouting of parliaments officially declared wishes and disregard of the electorate. According to leaked contract documents, dated November 2014, soon after the 2013 vote, the government secretly began funding a press office for the US and UKs proxies in Syria, as part of Camerons propaganda war against ISIS. The Foreign Office, in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence, hired contractors at a cost of millions to produce films, videos, military reports, radio broadcasts and social media posts in Arabic using the militias logos to deliver strategic communications and media operations support to the Syrian moderate armed opposition (MAO). Operating out of Istanbul, they were apparently using a front organisation, a humanitarian-style human rights organisation called the Conflict and Stability Fund. It was part of a broader propaganda offensive focused on Syria, intended to promote the moderate values of the revolution, demonstrate the effectiveness of the MAO and create a climate of public opinion rejecting both the Assad regime and ISIS. The Guardian quoted a British source knowledgeable about the contracts as saying that the government was essentially running a Free Syrian Army press office. The British government was closely monitoring their work and nothing was done without Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence approval. The effort is in part an attempt to make good Britains failure, in 2013, to support military intervention in Syria which had angered Washington, as the Guardian s source explained. The films and propaganda sent a message to the US State Department and its regional allies that were arming the SFA and the so-called moderate groups, and Thats good PR to go back to the Pentagon. The character of the so-called moderates Britain was supporting emerged in June 2015, during the trial in London of a Swedish man, Bherlin Gildo, who was accused of terrorism in Syria. The prosecution was forced to abandon the case after it became clear that British intelligence had been arming the very same rebel groups the defendant was charged with supporting. The defence argued the trial was an affront to justice, given that there was plenty of evidence the British state was providing extensive support to the armed Syrian opposition. It cited the example of MI6s cooperation with the CIA in facilitating a rat line of arms transfers from Libya to the Syrian rebels in 2012, following the NATO-led toppling of the regime and the brutal murder of its leader, Muammar Gaddafi. The government evidently viewed the contract to promote the Free Syrian Army as a holding operation until British military forces could participate openly, as it offered the capability to expand back into the strategic space as and when the opportunity arises [emphasis added.] This was an open admission that British forces had been operating in Syria long before the government lost the 2013 vote. In 2012, the Israeli website DEBKAfile, which has close links to Israels military intelligence, suggested that SAS Commandos were inside Syria conducting covert operations alongside the insurgents. Britain was also providing intelligence from its Cyprus bases on Syrian regime movements to Turkey to be passed on to the Free Syrian Armysomething the Ministry of Defence only confirmed in October 2014. In June 2012, it was widely reported that the prospect of British Special Forces entering Syria on the ground or operating on the Turkish border close to Aleppo, was growing. In 2014, a BBC Newsnight team reported that the British military had drawn up plans in 2012 to train 100,000 Syrian rebel forces. It was rejected as too risky after discussion in both Britain and the US. However, the only support that the government told the public about in 2012 was the supply of non-lethal equipment to the Islamist militias in Syria, including vehicles, trucks and VSATs (small satellite systems for data communications), and training to the Syrian opposition forces. Just months later, the Daily Telegraph reported that British military advisers were operating on Syrias borders, while the Croatian press reported that Britain had been participating in a major US airlift of heavy arms to Syrian rebels through Zagreb since November 2012, in defiance of a European Union embargo on sending weapons to Syria. Further indirect evidence of Britains role is provided by a heavily redacted August 2012 US Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) report, published by the right-wing watchdog Judicial Watch. The report noted that the US and its allies were supporting the armed insurgency in Syria knowing that it was dominated by Salafists, the Muslim Brotherhood and al-Qaida in Iraq. The US knew that these forces wanted to establish a Salafist state in eastern Syria, and this was exactly what the supporting powers to the opposition want, in order to isolate the Syrian regime. Given Londons close relationship with Washington, it is inconceivable that Britain was not one of the supporting powers, behind the Islamists from the earliest days of the Syrian civil war, and the attempt to divide the country. The Saudis were widely reported to be arming these forces and Britain, as one of Riyadhs main arms suppliers, was therefore directly involved. In September 2014, Cameron said there was a case for airstrikes against ISIS, but acknowledged this would need parliaments approval. Nevertheless, in July 2015, it emerged that British forces were taking part in airstrikes in Syria, alongside US and Canadian forces, without such approval. The lies and subterfuge follow inexorably from the governments commitment to wars of aggression, which have no popular mandate, in support of the financial elites predatory commercial interests in the oil-rich region. This underscores the political significance of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyns refusal to insist on Labour MPs voting in line with Labours policy of opposing intervention in Syria and allowing a free vote on December 2 last year. Giving Labours warmongers free reinincluding allowing then Shadow Foreign Secretary Hilary Benn to sum up for the opposition in the debate with a speech applauded by the Conservativessaw 66 Labour MPs vote with the government. By deliberately demobilising the substantial opposition within Labours membership to the right-wing, Corbyns actions both gave the Tories crucial cover for advancing their war plans and set the stage for the present efforts by the Blairites to remove him as leader and purge his supporters from the party. Unifor President Jerry Dias announced on Tuesday that his union has selected General Motors as the target in this months contract negotiations with the Detroit Three auto companies. Traditionally, the autoworkers union chooses an initial company with which to negotiate that then sets the pattern for subsequent agreements with the remaining automakers. Contracts for some 23,000 workers at GM, Ford and Fiat-Chrysler Automotive (FCA) expire on September 19th. Corporate management at the Detroit Three will be delighted with Unifors selection. Dias has chosen as his target the company with which autoworkers have the least leverage in reversing over a decade in concessions contracts. But this is no blunder on the part of Unifor. Rather, it is a signal from the union officialdom that it is prepared to once again negotiate deals that surrender the wages and benefits of the membership to further bolster auto company profits and line the pockets of corporate shareholders and executives. Both FCA and Ford have made substantial new investments in their operations over the past three years. FCA has invested $3 billion to retool its Windsor Assembly operation and prepare for production of a next generation minivan whilst Ford put $700 million in new monies into its Oakville operations to produce its best-selling Edge SUV. Both companies would face substantial losses in the event of strike action. That is not the case for General Motors. Some 2,600 jobs at the companys Oshawa complex are at risk (as well as financing of an under-funded pension program) as GM seeks to reposition its global operations. The Consolidated Line, which currently produces the Chevrolet Equinox and has narrowly avoided closure on several occasions over the past decade, has no new product scheduled after 2017. The Flex Line plant, which produces the poor-selling Buick Regal, Chevrolet Impala and Cadillac XTS, is also threatened. That line already lost 1,000 jobs last year when Camaro production was transferred to Michigan. Seeking further concessions, GM Canada President Stephen Carlisle has insisted that no new investment decisions will be made for its Canadian operations until the conclusion of contract bargaining. The automakers transparent aim is to use the threat of massive job losses to extort concessions, pitting workers in Canada against their class brothers and sisters in the US and Mexico. GMs only high-selling product in Canada, the Equinox, is also produced at its CAMI Ingersoll plant (CAMI workers have a separate contract that does not expire until 2017) and can be produced in Spring Hill, Tennessee and in Mexico as well. In addition, GM has built in redundancy at operations south of the border for some of the V6 and V8 engines produced at its St. Catharines, Ontario engine plant, although product shipped to GM Arlington, Texas is sole sourced from St. Catharines. The nationalist perspective of Unifor (formerly the Canadian Autoworkers-CAW), brought to a frenzied climax in the 1985 split from American autoworkers, has borne bitter fruit for workers on both sides of the border. The auto companies are well-versed in using the divisions created between American and Canadian workers to their own advantage. Unifors promotion of economic nationalism dovetails with the promotion by the United Auto Workers (UAW) of protectionist policies in the United States. This perspective has proven utterly disastrous for autoworkers and for communities dependent on the auto industry. It has served to pit Canadian, Mexican and American autoworkers against each other in a never-ending whipsawing drive to lower wages and benefits and destroy working conditions for all sections of workers. Based on its nationalist and corporatist program Unifor is absolutely opposed to any struggle to mobilize the strength of autoworkers against concessions and in defense of jobs. Despite occasional bluster about a dust up with GM over jobs in Oshawa, Dias, at his Tuesday press conference, told reporters that I dont think there is going to be a strike. I think GM is going to work with us toward a solution. Indeed, despite one concessions contract after another over the past decade and more, CAW/Unifor has not launched industrial action since a three-week strike at General Motors in 1996. If a strike is called by the union, it will only serve as a stunt to siphon off rising anger amongst autoworkers over the unions refusal to mount any fight over years of give-backs, job losses and plant closures. Prior to his current role, Dias served as a lieutenant to former Canadian Autoworkers union president Buzz Hargrove during the 2008 closure announcements for GMs Windsor Transmission and Oshawa Truck plant. In both cases, strike action was threatened but never carried forward. Indeed, in the case of the Oshawa facility, the union had actually negotiated the language that allowed for the shutdown, called for the membership to ratify the deal and then, to deny their own culpability, cried foul when weeks later GM announced the closure. In any case, as Dias himself said to the Globe and Mail, Ive probablyunfortunatelybargained more plant closings than anybody else in the country. At his press conference, Dias all but admitted that the pattern he would be seeking to set would be another concessions-laden deal. The negotiations with Ford in 2012 (the target company of that year) would serve as the model for bargaining this year with GM. Workers will not soon forget how the 2012 contracts only deepened the deep cuts made in the 2007 and 2009 agreements, further extending the two-tier grow-in system, moving to an inferior hybrid pension scheme for new hires, once again forgoing a wage increase, weakening work rules, abandoning retirees and further slashing benefits. Union leaders have already signaled that they are open to surrendering the last remnants of the already watered-down pension plan for newly-hired workers by extending concessions granted in 2013 at the GM CAMI assembly plant to all other facilities. The CAMI deal pushed all new employees into a wholly defined-contribution pension scheme. Currently, new hires in all other plants have a hybrid pension plan that relies heavily, but not entirely, on investment schemes. Speaking like a labour contractor, Dias bragged last spring that about two-thirds of unionized workers at the Oshawa plants are eligible to retire under the provisions of the [current] Unifor contract with GM. This will save General Motors billions. Of course, the billions saved would be on the backs of the thousands of new hires who would enter the plants with not only massively compromised pension benefits, but significantly lower wage and benefit packages. Already, new hires at Ford Oakville and Brampton Chrysler make up substantial proportions of the work force. As Dias went on to explain, If those (GM) workers retire, they can be replaced by newly hired employees who start at $20.50 per hour and whose wages wont rise to the full seniority level of $34 an hour until they have been there for 10 years. Paramount in Unifors calculations is not the well-being of the members they claim to represent, but the maintenance of a lucrative dues base that funds their six-figure salaries, perks and expense accounts. Also instructive is Dias fulsome praise for United Autoworkers president Dennis Williams in the wake of the auto contract negotiations last fall in the United States. During that round of concessions bargaining, workers at FCA rejected the initial sell-out deal but were not called out on strike. Instead they were told to vote on a similar sellout agreement a week later. At GM, skilled trades workers voted down the contract and, in a violation of the union constitution, UAW officials overrode the result. At Ford, a large margin for rejection was carried into the last day of voting when, under very credible charges of vote fraud, a landslide at the final plant to vote narrowly shifted the tally in favour of ratification. For all this, Dias has characterized Williams as an incredible leader. Canadian autoworkers should take the pronouncements coming from Dias and his assorted national and local union bureaucrats as a threat. Declarations that job security is the top priority are simply coded language intended to convey to the auto bosses that Unifor is ready to push through further sweeping cuts in wages, benefits and working conditions. Canadian autoworkers will no doubt resist the plans of Unifor and the auto bosses to impose ever more hardships on them. But to be successful, this struggle requires a new, international strategy. In the first place autoworkers need to draw the lessons of last years US auto contract struggle, where UAW officials rammed through concessions agreements despite a rebellion by the rank-and-file against them; and, more generally, the lessons around the transformation of the unions internationally into corporatist appendages of big business. A fight to defend jobs and living standards requires the formation of rank-and-file factory committees to unite autoworkers, not only across auto plants in Canada, but also in the US and internationally in a common struggle against the corporations. This requires a new political perspective based on uniting the working class around a socialist program in opposition to the big business parties and the capitalist system they defend. We encourage readers of the World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter in the plants to step up their efforts to build resistance and to share information and their comments with us for dissemination among autoworkers throughout North America and the world. If you have not done so already, subscribe to the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter today. There have been reports of more clowns in more cities spotted lurking in the woods. In the past month, police in the Carolinas have received multiple reports from people claiming clowns with white-painted faces were acting strangely in the area at least once attempting to lure kids into the woods with money. The reports have fueled speculation that the sightings could be a hoax, or possibly even morbid fans trying to promote the 2017 movie release of Stephen Kings It, about an evil clown known as Pennywise that terrorized a group of young boys. One local TV station wondered if Rob Zombies upcoming film, about a group of kidnapped carnival workers, might be involved in guerrilla marketing but the distributor said they were not. If this is a hoax or publicity stunt it is not funny, Greensboro police spokeswoman Susan Danielsen tells PEOPLE. It is alarming to the public and a drain on police resources. We just dont know at this point, because we havent had the chance to interview any clowns. The latest sighting occurred on Tuesday, when a man brandishing a machete chased a clown into the woods near an apartment complex in Greensboro, North Carolina, police said. The person, who was wearing a scary clown mask, red curly wig, yellow dotted shirt, blue clown pants and clown shoes, ran back into the woods and disappeared from view, according to police. We dont know why he was there or what he was doing there, Danielsen says. She says officers scoured the area, but couldnt find anyone. While its not illegal to dress as a clown in Greensboro, Danielsen says the city has an ordinance that prohibits people from wearing a mask within city limits. The police department, she says, is also discouraging copycat behavior. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. In August, several residents at an apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina, reported seeing clowns lurking in the nearby woods. Story continues According to a Greenville County Sheriffs Office incident report obtained by PEOPLE, a deputy spoke to a woman on Aug. 21 who claimed her son had seen clowns in the woods, whispering and making noises, and when she went over to check, she saw several clowns flashing green laser lights in the woods before they ran off. Another resident told the deputy that shed been walking home to her apartment hours before, at 2:30 a.m., and saw a large-figured clown with a blinking nose, standing under a post light near the garbage dumpster area, according to the incident report. According to the report, several children also told the deputy that clowns had approached them behind one of the apartment buildings and tried to lure them into the woods by displaying large amounts of money. There has been a couple of people that have seen them, Master Deputy Drew Pinciaro of the Greenville County Sheriffs Office told PEOPLE in an earlier interview. Mainly it has been children who have reported they have seen these clowns in the woods. Every time we have gone out there we have not seen any clowns. The children said the clowns lived in a house near a pond at the end of a hiking trail, according to the report. The deputy found the house, but there were no signs of suspicious activity or characters dressed in clown attire, according to the report. Greenville Police Chief Ken Miller said last week that the clowning around needs to stop. Its illegal, its dangerous, its inappropriate, its creating community concern, he said. Miller said the reported clown sightings have included various descriptions, with differences in both race and costume, and that at that point police had found no evidence supporting the sightings. Days later, on Sept. 4, residents in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, reportedly saw a clown attempting to entice kids into the woods with treats, the Associated Press reports. Police said two children saw the clown, and an adult heard the clown, according to the news agency. Police responded to the area but found no signs of the creepy character, who was seen wearing white overalls, white gloves, red shoes with red bushy hair, a white face and a red nose, according to the AP. For more news videos visit Yahoo View. Alfonso Cuaron, the acclaimed filmmaker behind Gravity and Children of Men, is returning to Mexico for his next film project. Cuaron is partnering with Participant Media for the untitled period drama that will begin shooting in Mexico this fall. The film chronicles a year in the life of a middle-class family in Mexico City in the early 1970s. The project will be produced by Cuaron, Gabriela Rodriguez and Nicolas Celis. Jeff Skoll, David Linde and Jonathan King of Participant Media will executive produce. Cuaron described the project as "close to his heart," bringing him back to Mexico for the first time since his international breakthough, 2001's Y Tu Mama Tambien. "Alfonso is a master storyteller who breaks cultural boundaries around the world by skillfully connecting audiences through the power of cinema," said Participant CEO Linde. The Justice League may be saving the Earth on the big screen, but theyre championing another cause in real life. Ben Affleck, Ray Fisher, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, and Ezra Miller took a break from the DC superhero set to film an endorsement for the Rezpect Our Water campaign on Change.org (watch the clip above), an online petition to stop the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Related: Ben Affleck Teases DC Universe Villain Deathstroke The petition was started by the youth members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe who reside near the Missouri River. According to the petition, a private oil company wants to build a pipeline that would cross the Missouri River less than a mile away from the Standing Rock Reservation. The tribe is worried about the environmental fallout from the construction of the pipeline and potential leaks. Related: Ben Affleck Directing, Starring in Witness for the Prosecution Remake As a gang of earth defenders, we want to send a big shout out to the Oceti Sakowin and those who stand with them in opposing the Dakota Access Pipeline, Miller said. The Oceti Sakowin is the proper name for the Sioux. While Affleck (Batman), Fisher (Cyborg), Gadot (Wonder Woman), and Miller (The Flash) were all out of costume, a shirtless Momoa appeared to be wearing his Aquaman shorts. Justice League opens in theaters on Nov. 10, 2017. Get more from Variety and Variety411: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter Watch the Justice League Comic-Con Trailer: Russia will introduce tax rebate programs for local and foreign film and television productions in three regions as of 2017. The Kaliningrad exclave in the country's Northwest, Primorsky Krai in the Far East and the Astrakhan region in South Russia will be the first regions to offer tax rebates to film crews coming to shoot there. The government hopes the introduction of the plans also will help to attract travelers to regions that are situated outside the traditional tourist areas. Russian culture minister Vladimir Medinsky was quoted by news agency TASS as saying that the success of attracting The Lord of the Rings to New Zealand was among the inspirations for the move. Although the amount earmarked to be spent on rebates in 2017 is small at 60 million rubles, or just under $1 million, film production costs outside Moscow and St. Petersburg are very low, so homegrown shoots and independent productions from the U.S. and Europe are seen benefiting from the program. Big Hollywood blockbusters are not expected to see it as a major draw. To qualify for rebates, productions will have to spend a certain portion of their budget in the region, but the exact percentage and other criteria must be worked out by the end of the year. However, the regional initiatives could pave the way for a national rebate system, which has been discussed for years. Read more: Russia Box Office: Summer Gross Sets Record in Rubles Fernando Guzzonis fiction debut Dog Flesh, a portrait of a former torturer under Augusto Pinochet, won San Sebastians New Directors Prize in 2012, establishing Chiles Guzzoni as a director to track from maybe the most-talked up of Latin American filmmaking nations. Now Guzzoni is back, with Jesus, which world premieres in Torontos Discovery section, then segues to a competition berth at San Sebastian. An unsettling drama-thriller plumbing the anomie of much modern-day youth and Chiles generational disconnect, Jesus now has an international trailer. The movies Chilean context sometimes gives it a singularity as well as an extra grounding to the broken father-son relationship, which lies at the films emotional core. Otherwise, Jesus could pretty well happen in many parts of the world, Constanza Arena head of Cinemachile promo board, has observed. That in a way makes its observations all the more disturbing. Its themes the generational gulf, the aimlessness and disaffection of the young play out in other memorable movies at Toronto and San Sebastian this year as a new generation of filmmakers seek to capture and understand what looks like a building breakdown in core social values. An 18-year-old high-school student, Jesus life seems rudderless in Guzzonis film. He dances in a school K-pop band, does drugs with his friends, watches narco execution snuff movies, has sex with a girl in a park anything for an adrenaline rush. Crucially, Jesuss mother is dead, and his father, Hector, often out of the house for work. Even when he is at home, they hardly talk to each other. One night, just for a lark it seems, Jesus and his friends beat the hell out of a young guy in a park, leaving him for dead. Appalled hell be found out, Jesus turns to his estranged father for help. Guzzoni set out to write a film about a dysfunctional father-son relationship, he told Variety in 2013. In a Lacanian sense, fathers work as entries into society who set the rules, give you identity, he commented to fellow filmmaker Roberto Dovers in a more recent interview. Story continues But in a world of youth unemployment and new economies alien to parents understanding, its questionable how far that role can now function. Growing up under Pinochets dictatorship, Hector carries an internalised repression and has a life-moral that refers to work. Jesus world, in large contrast, is hyper-globalized, hyper-sexualized and, at the same time, non-ideological, Guzzoni told Doveris. In such a distanced world, the drama of Jesus takes on a thriller edge as the son turns to his father for help. One question is whether the police will identify Jesus. Another, the extent and manner in which his father will seek to protect him, if at all. Lensed by ace Uruguayan cinematographer Barbara Alvarez (The Second Mother), Jesus is lead-produced by Jacques Bidou and Marianne Dumoulins Paris-based JBA Production and Giancarlo Nasis QuijoteRampante Films in Santiago de Chile. Nicolas Duran , seen in Nicolas Lopezs 2016 Chilean blockbuster No Filter, plays Jesus; Alejandro Goic, co-star of Pablo Larrains The Club, and star of Guzzonis Dog Flesh, lies a father who thinks that being a parent is to be stern and authoritarian, Guzzoni told Variety. Related stories Roma Downey Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame Joaquin Phoenix Considered for Jesus Role in 'Mary Magdalene' Film Review: 'The Young Messiah' Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump sat down Wednesday for their first joint-candidate event of the general election, and in the end, it was moderator Matt Lauer who faced the most Twitter backlash. The NBC host spoke with both candidates during the forum, in which they covered topics of national security and the military with questions fielded by Lauer and a live audience comprising active-duty service members and veterans. Lauer started by asking them both about "the most important characteristic that a commander-in-chief can possess" and military policies in general, but focused more on Clinton's email scandal and failed to press Trump on his claim that he opposed the Iraq War. Read more: Commander-in-Chief Forum: Clinton Talks Emails, Trump Defends Stance on ISIS See some of the reactions below. WTF is the matter with Matt Lauer not calling @realDonaldTrump out on his lie about not supporting going into Iraq. MSM keep him honest!!! - Rob Reiner (@robreiner) September 8, 2016 . @mattyglesias: Matt Lauer totally blew it on Trump's blatant lying about Iraq and Libya https://t.co/DsRbubnarP - Arianna Huffington (@ariannahuff) September 8, 2016 If only @MLauer had access to this crack team of journalists. https://t.co/DYtkFFNrB8 - Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) September 8, 2016 I don't blame Lauer for asking the email question. But it's ABSURD that he started off with Trump, "Why should you be Commander-in-Chief?" - Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) September 8, 2016 Matt Lauer, getting ready for the #NBCNewsForum tonight. pic.twitter.com/sMHI1afiOy - Wil Wheaton (@wilw) September 8, 2016 Shoutout to Matt Lauer for not asking a follow up when Trump lies a out opposing Iraq war. Maybe Matt was still thinking about emails. - Wil Wheaton (@wilw) September 8, 2016 Precisely. What an embarrassment. What a travesty. We will remember this, NBC and @mlauer. You are responsible. https://t.co/WESVMoK0d3 - Jeff Jarvis (@jeffjarvis) September 8, 2016 Story continues OK great @Mlauer call, quoting a Trump tweet about how rape is the natural consequence of having women in the military. No followup - Joan Walsh (@joanwalsh) September 8, 2016 So @MLauer's plan is just to let Trump lie about his past statements on Iraq? - Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) September 8, 2016 Trump is lying about what he said on Iraq and Lauer just lets it go by. Lauer did four follow ups on email. - Jon Lovett (@jonlovett) September 8, 2016 From Delish 1. The first restaurant was on a college campus. When Samuel (Sandy) E. Beall was a finance major at the University of Tennessee he lent a hand managing Pizza Hut restaurants in the area. Before his business partner died of a heart attack, he offered Beall $10,000 to open a restaurant. Sandy later dropped out of school to run the business. 2. It became a watering hole for students. The homey joint served up hamburgers on English muffins for $1.45, and had the benefit of Knoxville's first liquor-by-drink license, making it a popular spot for students to gather for a cheap meal. 3. It's named after a Rolling Stones song. Though Sandy wasn't a fan of the band, it's rumored that a fraternity brother from college suggested the restaurant be named after Keith Richards' popular song, which was released five years before. 4. It's not connected to TGI Fridays. The chains have similar names, a similar feel, and even similar menus, but Fridays was founded a few years earlier on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Turns out there's no relation! 5. They're big on burgers. Customers flock to the chain for their half-pound burger baskets made with fresh beef and their choice of toppings like applewood smoked bacon and onion rings. Though the burgers are well-known, the menu is packed with other options like steak, pasta, ribs, sandwiches and salads. Photo credit: shelnew19/Flickr Creative Commons 6. The decor has completely changed. In 2007 the chain revamped the brand entirely, swapping out its imitation Tiffany lamps and kitschy wall hangings for dark wood and leather banquettes. Unfortunately, the general consensus from customers was that the original look was better. Photo credit: Flickr Creative Commons / Wei Ti Chiang 7. The chain once pranked all of its customers. To hit home the fact that Ruby Tuesday would look completely different going forward, the restaurant released a video of the "old Ruby Tuesday" being demolished in Ohio. Viewers watched as the restaurant next door was accidentally imploded instead, and the company released an apology for the mistake. Turn out it was all a hoax, however, meant to fool customers (and hopefully make them laugh). The demolition on video was actually film on a miniature set, staffed by a Hollywood special effects crew! Story continues 8. It's easy to get a free burger. Any customer who signs up for the chain's So Connected loyalty program receives special updates and promos, including a complimentary burger on your special day! The restaurants also usually offer deals for National Cheeseburger Day. 9. There are great deals for families. At all company-owned restaurants you can get one free kid entree per adult entree on Tuesdays from 5pm to close, which means that dinner with your clan won't get too pricey. 10. Happy hour is all day, every day! Once we realized that there are $5 cocktails on offer AT ALL TIMES, we quickly stopped scoffing at the idea of meeting here for happy hour. That includes margs, Long Island iced tea, Mai Tais, Bloody Marys and Screwdrivers. Who's ready for tipsy (Ruby) Tuesday? Follow Delish on Instagram. You Might Also Like Kanye Wests Yeezy 4 presentation on Wednesday for his collaboration with Adidas was much like its designer: controversial, polarizing and widely discussed. Needless to say, he kicked off New York Fashion Week with a bang. Here, ten things you should know about what happened before, after and during the fashion show. It was held on Randalls Island: Editors were shipped out to the New York City island via bus to the venue, which according to the sign in this photo tweeted by a attendee, was a smallpox hospital in another life. The #YeezyBus is really glamorous, guys! Especially when the bathroom door swings open and nearly slaps us. pic.twitter.com/Ifsp9pUvH1 Alyssa Vingan Klein (@alyssavingan) September 7, 2016 S/O to Kanye for shuttling a thousand fashion people to the smallpox hospital to kick off #NYFW. Power move. pic.twitter.com/JFkOAqyINz Alyssa Vingan Klein (@alyssavingan) September 7, 2016 The line for the line after the bus to Roosevelt Island for top secret last minute #Yeezy show #NYFW Day One pic.twitter.com/zcRDfuONZu Guy Trebay (@GuyTrebay) September 7, 2016 It started late, leaving models and editors alike to wait in the hot sun: Attendees took to Twitter in the downtime. Story continues Yeezy? 3 hours in the sun? Just not right. gary wassner (@gary_wassner) September 7, 2016 But in case you wanted to pass the time with retail therapy, they had merchandise for sale: It wouldnt be a Kanye joint without some merch and the Yeezy Season 4 shirts apparently went for $75 a pop, according to according to Times reporter Guy Trebay. Experiment: bought two #Yeezy4 T-shirts @yeezy show for $75 apiece. Now to see if the eBay legends are true.. #nyfw Guy Trebay (@GuyTrebay) September 7, 2016 Notable attendees included Desiigner, Pusha T, Virgil Abloh, and the entire Kardashian Krew: Desiigner sat front row next to Cavs baller (and Teyana Taylors trophy husband), Iman Shumpert. Also spotted at the show was model Winnie Harlow and Kanye collaborator and Off-White designer Virgil Abloh and President of GOOD Music Pusha T. Wests wife Kim and co (Kendall and Kylie showed up to the show with Tyga in tow.) The New York Times Vanessa Friedman took to Twitter to say that the Kardashian family members arrived late. Kendall, Kim and the clan Kardashian have finally arrived at Yeezy. 1 1/4 hrs late. pic.twitter.com/m3Opgl8jZT Vanessa Friedman (@VVFriedman) September 7, 2016 Kendall, Kylie and Kim at the Yeezy Season 4 Fashion Show at Roosevelt Island #kendalljenner #kimkardashian #kyliejenner #kardashian #jenner #yeezyseason4 #nyfw #fashionweek #ny #yeezy A photo posted by Kendall & Kylie Jenner News (@officialjennernews) on Sep 7, 2016 at 1:57pm PDT This was the first runway show that Kanye has done with Yeezy x Adidas: Previously, West has only shown his Yeezy collections during performances; this was the first time that hes used a runway to show his wares. Its also worth noting that this is the first all-female show that hes done for the Yeezy x Adidas collaboration, which begs the question whether or not this season will mean only womenswear for Yeezy. #YeezySeason4 A photo posted by Jian DeLeon (@jiandeleon) on Sep 7, 2016 at 1:46pm PDT It was created with long-time Kanye West collaborator Vanessa Beecroft: The show was billed as a Performance by Vanessa Beecroft and the women who stood within the grass on the runway reflected Beecrofts signature aesthetic. Blue skies and a Vanessa Beecroft performance for #YeezySeason4. Photo by @edwardbarsamian. #NYFW A photo posted by Vogue Runway (@voguerunway) on Sep 7, 2016 at 1:43pm PDT One model appeared to pass out; others sat because of the elements: The Cuts Stella Bugbee documented a models apparent fainting spell, while others reported that models were sitting because of the heat. Those viewing the live stream saw that one rogue model left to get water for herself and her fellow models. One model just fainted. #YeezySeason4 Stella Bugbee (@stellabugbee) September 7, 2016 I'd like to see Kanye and Vanessa Beecroft stand in the hot sun in nude leotards for three hours. #YeezySeason4 Stella Bugbee (@stellabugbee) September 7, 2016 Model passed out in the heat is given water by man in the audience but no one on the #YeezySeason4 team helps. Stella Bugbee (@stellabugbee) September 7, 2016 Is this the show? Waiting until the models collapse one by one? #YeezySeason4 #NYFW Am I complicit? What's going on! pic.twitter.com/Mm5pi3GVKN Robin Givhan (@RobinGivhan) September 7, 2016 Sofia Richie made her runway debut at the show: Celebrity progeny/little sister Sofia Richie made headlines recently for her association with a young man who goes by the name of Justin Bieber. After her turn on Kanyes runway, however, it looks like she might be getting buzz from the fashion world. #YeezySeason4. A photo posted by PAUSE Magazine (@pause_online) on Sep 7, 2016 at 1:54pm PDT Kanyes boots (and shoes) are not for walking: Yeezy favorite model Amina Blue had to take her shoes off at the end of the runway, while another model needed assistance from Bergdorf Goodman fashion director Bruce Pask to finish her walk. .@brucepask! fashion week hero for helping a tired model to the end of the runway #NYFW pic.twitter.com/jVn0lmak73 erik maza (@erikmaza) September 7, 2016 She was having a hard time in them heels.. that's definitely how I be #YeezySeason4 pic.twitter.com/hWWpfmFmZi Justine Skye (@JSkye__fan) September 7, 2016 Teyana Taylor and Chanel Iman closed the show: Kanye protegee, Fade muse, and all-around multi-talented performer, Taylor took to the runway to slay us all, while supermodel Chanel Iman closed the show. I see @TEYANATAYLOR is still refusing to take a break from her slay #YeezySeason4 pic.twitter.com/82mV1QhkCW Sylvia Obell (@SylviaObell) September 7, 2016 The 2017 edition of Guinness World Records was released Thursday, marking the 62nd time the best-selling guide has been published. Recognized as the definitive authority on record-breaking achievement, this years version documents over 4,000 records in less than 300 pages. With chapters on everything from space to humans to stunts you shouldnt try at home, the books focus runs the gamut from the ultra impressive to the super strange. Here are 10 of the weirdest records that have been set since the debut of the 2016 edition: Sept. 2, 2015: Andrew Gray took the title of largest collection of stuffed crocodiles with 6,739 of the plush reptiles. Sept. 3, 2015: National shearing champion Ian Elkins sheared over 90 pounds of wool from an overgrown sheep the most wool sheared from a sheep in one shearing. Sept. 19, 2015: A group of 2,681 boy scouts assembled at Denver Area Councils Camporee to become the largest group of people to pop bubble wrap together, more than doubling the previous best of 1,011. Sept. 30, 2015: Aficion Chocolate built a nearly 13-foot-5-inch chocolate structure that weighed in at 22,458 pounds to create the heaviest chocolate sculpture of all time. Oct. 20, 2015: Jim Bolins 8-foot-4-inch-wide, 61-foot-2-inch long pitchfork was established as the largest pitchfork its approximately the same length as a bowling alley. Nov. 12, 2015: An English bulldog named Otto coasted through a tunnel of 30 people to secure the longest human tunnel skateboarded by a dog record. Nov. 12, 2015: Breakdancer Benedikt Mordstein typed the seven-word German proverb, Ein blindes Huhn findet auch in Korn (Even a blind hen sometimes finds the corn), in 56.65 seconds while spinning on his head for fastest time to type a text message on a mobile phone while performing head spins. Nov. 12, 2015: Dinesh Shivnath Upadhyaya beat his own record for most lit candles held in the mouth with 15. Nov. 13, 2015: TODAYs Al Roker recorded the fastest time for reporting a weather forecast from all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia: 7 days, 18 minutes. Jan. 6, 2016: The longest eyebrow hair belonging to Zheng Shusen was measured at 7.5 inches. More than 100,000 Afghan refugees have been repatriated from Pakistan since July, UNHCR officials said Thursday, the highest number since the fall of the Taliban saw a flood of people cross the border in 2002. The majority of the refugees crossed in July and August, Qaisar Khan Afridi, spokesman UNHCR at the Voluntary Repatriation Centre outside the northwestern city of Peshawar, near the Afghan border, told AFP. In the six months prior to that just 7,000 refugees crossed back into Afghanistan, according to UNHCR figures. Pakistani officials said the increase came after they vowed to tighten border controls, particularly at the porous Torkham Gate crossing. However UNHCR cited an array of other reasons that could be helping drive the rush back into war-torn Afghanistan, including increasing anxiety and insecurity for refugees about life in Pakistan. Pakistan is home to 1.5 million registered and about as many undocumented Afghan refugees, with growing insecurity in Afghanistan impeding voluntary return programmes. But UNHCR said refugees are increasingly anxious about their future in Pakistan. In June, Islamabad granted Afghan refugees an extra six months to remain in Pakistan as authorities stepped up efforts to work with the UN and Kabul to relocate camps to Afghanistan. Fears are growing that the December deadline will be final. A security crackdown against undocumented foreigners has also contributed to the decision to leave, despite assurances from Pakistani authorities that refugees with the correct documents will not be subject to arrest or deportation. Other factors include the UNHCR decision to double its cash grant for voluntary returnees from $200 to $400 per individual in June, and a campaign by the Afghan government to lure its citizens back with the slogan "My country, my beautiful country". An AFP team in Peshawar saw thousands of men, women and children waiting their turn for verification at UNHCR's Voluntary Repatriation Centre in the suburbs of Peshawar this week. Story continues Afridi said they expect even more after the religious feast of Eid al-Adha next week, adding that UNHCR plans to open another repatriation centre in Peshawar to cope. The vast majority of those returning had been living in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, of which Peshawar is the capital. The rest were repatriated from southwestern Balochistan province. Washington (AFP) - Fifteen years after the September 11 attacks, US anti-terror officials say the country is hardened against such well-developed plots but remains as vulnerable as ever to small and especially home-grown attacks. Counter-terror operations are under huge pressure to ferret out and disrupt plots by sympathizers of the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda hidden by less centralized networks and new communications technologies, they say. "Our job is getting harder," said Nick Rasmussen, the powerful director of the National Counterterrorism Center, at a stock-taking this week in Washington. The explosion of ways extremists can communicate with each other, many of them via popular smartphone apps and easy access to powerful encryption, "gives them the edge" against the US intelligence community, he said. The 9/11 attacks gave birth to the US War On Terror, which initially focused on Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. But 15 years later, the target is a different group, the Islamic State, which has seized territory in Syria and Iraq and shown the ability to plan and inspire home-grown attacks in Europe and the United States, smaller-scale than 9/11 but nevertheless deadly and demoralizing. Meanwhile, Al-Qaeda still exists without former leader Osama bin Laden, with affiliates, spinoffs and rivals of both groups operating from the Philippines to West Africa, posing a more complex threat. "The reality is that it has metastasized" from the Iraq-Syria region, said Frank Cilluffo, director of the Center for Cyber and Homeland Security at George Washington University. "The threat persists and is in some cases more complex." A series of surprise attacks have placed "HVEs" -- homegrown violent extremist -- as much in the focus of intelligence agencies as threats from abroad. Among them, a 29-year-old American of Afghan descent believed to hold radical Islamic sympathies shot dead 49 people in an Orlando gay nightclub in June. Story continues And in December, a US-born man and his wife, both with Pakistani roots, killed 14 at a Christmas party in San Bernardino, California. The George Washington University Program on Extremism counts 102 people who have been charged in the United States with offenses related to the Islamic State group, many of them lured online. US intelligence is strained by the more than 1,000 cases of possible extremists it is following, Rasmussen said. Moreover, plots are now developed and carried out much more rapidly, and in smaller networks, making it much harder for counter-terror operations to discover them. US officials say they are confident the Islamic State group will be defeated on its Iraq-Syria turf eventually, but that that won't end the overall extremist threat. A breakup of Islamic State could send hundreds of sympathizers underground around the world, lying quietly in wait for years to build new networks and plot attacks, they said. "The threat that I believe will dominate the next five years for the FBI will be the impact of the crushing of the caliphate," or the IS group, said James Comey, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. That will release "hundreds of hardened killers" into the general population, many of them going north to hide in Europe, he predicted. "We are facing this 'going dark' phenomenon where we cannot see these people," he said. The other big challenge, the officials said, is the weakness of European intelligence to identify and track threats, which they tied to still-weak cooperation between agencies in the different countries. Rasmussen said that he had been more confident a decade ago in the ability of the United States and other countries to work together in fighting terrorism. Today, he said "I feel like we're pushing uphill," and cooperation remains strongest on a bilateral basis. The core fight is in ideology, officials also say, and the United States has made little progress in combatting the propaganda that draws sympathizers to the IS group and Al-Qaeda. Real progress requires a longer-term strategy involving social media, said Michael Leiter of defense and intelligence contractor Leidos. Only a little money is being given to people on the ground to fight radicalization, he complained. "There are no silver bullets here. Banning Muslims is not going to do it." The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an investigation of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata. According to agency documents, at least four owners have reported driving the Sonata when its rear brakes locked. More alarmingly, these incidents allegedly occurred without the drivers pressing the car's brake pedal. One complaint even reported that the brakes caused a fire: "REAR BRAKES FAILED TO PROPERLY FUNCTION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN FORWARD MOTION ON A HIGHWAY. BOTH REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP WITHOUT OPERATOR PRESSING ON BRAKE PETAL. BOTH REAR BRAKES AND WHEEL GOT RED HOT CAUSING PASSENGER SIDE REAR BRAKES CAUGHT ON FIRE. NO BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS WAS ACTIVATE. THIS EVENT TOOK PLACE TWICE, ONCE ON 1/27/16 (18 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE) AND 2ND TIME 3/7/16...." (Ed. note: sorry for the shouty caps. That's the way NHTSA rolls.) ALSO SEE: 2016 Honda Pilot long-term road test: from car seats to diaper bags, hauling the family The cause of the locking brakes remains uncertain. However, in May of 2016, Hyundai issued a technical service bulletin to dealers, asking them to fix a problem with the Sonata's electric parking brake software. NHTSA says that the problem occurred after the software conducted a diagnostic self-check. In some cases, the routine could leave the Sonata's rear brake pads in contact with the brake rotors, causing them to "drag" when the vehicle was in motion. The Sonata investigation is now in the Preliminary Evaluation phase, during which NHTSA will work with Hyundai to evaluate consumer complaints and identify possible causes for the brake problem. If they find a persistent issue, the investigation could move on to phase two, the Engineering Analysis, during which NHTSA will try to recreate the problem in a lab setting. Depending on the results of that phase, NHTSA could call for a full or partial recall of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata, which would affect roughly 8,000 vehicles in the U.S. We'll keep you posted as the investigation progresses. Screen Shot 2016 09 07 at 9.28.16 AM On Sunday morning, about 200 hedge fund employees received a mass email about an activist position in one of the world's biggest asset managers, Och-Ziff Capital Management. The note came from an unusual source, a man identified only as Michael Young, who wrote from a personal Gmail account. Young's goals for Och-Ziff were straightforward: "I. Focus Och-Ziff's attention on increasing tangible book value. "II. Help Och-Ziff develop an automated trading strategy to decrease human emotion and improve investing performance. This will also increase profit margin by requiring fewer traders to execute trades. "III. While continuing to focus their attention on tangible book value and investing performance, we will advocate for the sale of Och-Ziff Capital Management to a buyer who can manage the business better." But one question remained: Who is Michael Young? Business Insider wasn't included on the email chain, which included Citadel, Eton Park, and DE Shaw, among other top funds. One of the recipients asked if we could find out more. Young, it turns out, is a 24-year-old Chipotle cook in San Jose, California, who dreams of becoming an investor full time, he told Business Insider in a phone call. He realizes that in the world of asset management, his investment is small potatoes. For the Och-Ziff stake, he cobbled together $1,000 of his savings a situation he compared to David and Goliath. Och-Ziff manages $39.2 billion. But by sharing his thesis with some of the top minds in finance, he figured he might band together others who would in turn advocate for change, too. Dan Och "I wanted to use my voice in order to draw attention to what the company has not been doing over the years," Young told Business Insider. One of Young's points is that Och-Ziff should up its game in quant trading letting computers make buy and sell decisions which it doesn't currently employ. Otherwise, he said, it would fall behind its competition. Story continues This is the first time Young has made such a big move announcing his position, he said. "There are a lot of companies that need owners to come in and say, 'Listen, we all together own the company,'" he said. "We all need to come together and say if we want change let's lay it out." He manages his day job with his passion for investing by pulling all-nighters researching investments. "If I get off work at 11 p.m., I'll stay up until 5 or 6 a.m. or so, just making sure I'm not missing anything with the numbers," he said. Young got into investing at age 19, when he read "The House of Morgan: An American Banking Dynasty and the Rise of Modern Finance." Since then, Carl Icahn and Warren Buffett have become his idols. "The same rules that Icahn and Buffett abide by these are the principles I carry," he said. Would he like to work for a fund one day? That wasn't the purpose of the email, he says, but it certainly crossed his mind. "Right now, the answer would be yes," he said. "That would allow me to ... learn more from the people I look up to." A spokesman for Och-Ziff declined to comment. NOW WATCH: The 'Mrs. Doubtfire' house is on sale for $4.45 million heres what it looks like 23 years later More From Business Insider Five years after losing his eyesight in Afghanistan (the Navy lieutenant stepped on an explosive device while trying to help bomb-blast victims), swimmer Brad Snyder is set to add even more Paralympic medals to his collection. Before the three-time medalist hit the pool in Rio de Janeiro, he shared 25 interesting facts about himself exclusively with Us Weekly. PHOTOS: Celebrities Dating Athletes 1. When Im alone I sometimes talk in funny cartoon voices to my dog or sometimes just to myself. The problem is that Im not always good at telling whether or not Im alone, so that has made for a few embarrassing instances when my roommates catch me making my funny voices. 2. I am fiercely independent, so much so that I ran away from home twice when I was 6 years old just to prove that I could live on my own. (I couldnt.) 3. I hate strawberries. I also hate anything that is strawberry-flavored. If something has touched a strawberry, I probably wont like it either. 4. I started playing guitar when I was 11. Im no Jimi Hendrix, but I hope to one day play a live gig somewhere. 5. I am right-handed. I do everything that way, though from time to time I give my left hand a pep talk so it doesnt feel left out. 6. I won third place in a toothpick bridge building contest in high school, and afterword I decided that I wanted to become an architect. 7. Also in high school, I submitted artwork to be displayed in the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida. My submission made it to the finals, but it wasnt picked. My mom likes it, though! 8. The US Naval Academy was the only Division I swimming program that recruited me, so I went there. 9. They didnt have an architecture major at the Naval Academy, so I settled on Naval Architecture, figuring it was basically the same thing. It is not. 10. I won exactly one race my entire collegiate career, which was my first race against the Army. If I had to pick just one race to win, I would have picked that one! Story continues PHOTOS: Olympians' Darkest Secrets 11. I received demerits and served restriction at the Naval Academy for skipping class twice. 12. Despite my shenanigans, I was one of 15 midshipmen in my graduating class of nearly a thousand to be selected to join the Explosive Ordnance Disposal community in the Navy, which is a fancy way of saying the bomb squad. 13. For my first inspection in the Navy as a commissioned officer, I was wearing two left shoes. Its a long story, but I will tell you that I passed the inspection! 14. In 2007, I completed the Great Floridian Triathlon, which is an Ironman-distance race conducted near Orlando every year. 15. In 2009, my team and I were featured on a Discovery Channel show called Surviving the Cut. 16. I attended Military Free Fall School and learned how to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. Over the next two years, I would jump more than 50 times. Its a bucket list item for me to complete a solo sky dive while blind. 17. I am not afraid of many things, but I am very much afraid of cats. I dont understand them. What is their mission? 18. I have always been a dog guy. My dog, Gizzy, is a beautiful long-haired German shepherd. 19. In 2012, Eone Timepieces, a startup based in D.C., named their flagship product, a tactile wristwatch, after me! The Bradley timepiece is a unique watch that uses two rotating ball bearings that you can touch to tell the time instead of the traditional hands of an analog clock. 20. After the injury I sustained in 2011 that resulted in the loss of my vision, I received two prosthetic eyes. They are painted to look exactly like my sisters eyes! PHOTOS: Olympic Athletes: Where Are They Now? 21. If you catch me in a bad mood, its probably because I just had a great idea only to find out that its already a thing. That happens to me way too much. 22. I have two food weaknesses: Coca-Cola and spaghetti. I could drink Coke with every meal, and I would be perfectly content to eat spaghetti for every meal. 23. I secretly yearn to be named the next Bachelor. Dont tell anyone. Unless, of course, you know Chris Harrison. 24. I was the flag bearer during the conclusion of the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. I then had the distinct honor and privilege to present that same flag to President Obama when we returned to the U.S.! 25. I recently wrote a book called Fire in My Eyes: An American Warriors Journey from Being Blinded on the Battlefield to Gold Medal Victory. To learn more about all the Paralympic athletes, visit TeamUSA.org. The Paralympics begin on September 7. Related Content: chateau ubuntu house commune san francisco A 10-bedroom house in San Francisco's Alamo Square neighborhood might be the city's most affordable, if not strangest, rental for the millennial who doesn't mind cramped quarters. The promotional video for Chateau Ubuntu (yes, there's a promotional video) goes a little something like this: Millennials hold jam sessions in the living room, flip into tidal pools, shop at the farmer's market, and twirl tiki torches around a fire while three dozen of their closest friends watch. It's like MTV "Real World," if the roommates were nice to each other. The community, founded in 2015, operates out of a French Victorian mansion where some 38 residents eat, sleep, dance, and "realize his or her grandest potential." Hey guys are you having fun??? #bayforbreakers #chateauubuntu A photo posted by GOodMrningUbuntu! (@goodmorningubuntu) on Jul 7, 2016 at 7:44pm PDT on Jul 7, 2016 at 7:44pm PDT They live by a set of Burning Man-esque values that encourage living with intention and finding strength in community. According to the website, the group shares 1,330 hugs a week. "We're not looking for bodies to fill a room; we're looking for dynamic, authentic, and all-around awesome people," the online application for Chateau Ubuntu reads. Adalyn. A photo posted by GOodMrningUbuntu! (@goodmorningubuntu) on Oct 4, 2015 at 3:48pm PDT on Oct 4, 2015 at 3:48pm PDT The 35-question application asks the typical questions what's your move-in deadline and who's your current landlord but also, "What does community mean to you?" They ask what traits and skills help make you and the people around you "more awesome." Chateau Ubuntu posted an ad to Craigslist in June. The vacancy appears to be filled. Rent starts at $650 for a bunk in a six-person bedroom and reaches $1,050 for a more private spot in a two-person room. All tenants pay an addition $350 monthly membership fee to help cover food, utilities, cleaning, and other community needs, according to the online application. Story continues For comparison, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Alamo Square neighborhood sets renters back about $3,695 a month, according to real-estate site Trulia. #everydaychateauubuntu #photodiary A photo posted by GOodMrningUbuntu! (@goodmorningubuntu) on Sep 12, 2015 at 12:25pm PDT on Sep 12, 2015 at 12:25pm PDT San Francisco remains the most expensive rental market in the US. Chateau Ubuntu shows the extremes that young people will go to live comfortably in this city. So if "sharing with intention" and making veggie stew from produce rescued from dumpsters is your thing, Chateau Ubuntu might be the home for you. Watch the promotional video below: More From Business Insider Washington (AFP) - More than 400 additional US troops have deployed to Iraq in recent days, a defense official said Thursday, as local forces prepare for an assault on Mosul, the Islamic State group's last major Iraqi stronghold. Colonel John Dorrian, a spokesman for the US-led coalition that has been attacking IS in Iraq and Syria for the last two years, said the number of US troops in country had grown from about 4,000 a week ago to 4,460 today. The deployments had been previously authorized earlier this year. Dorrian did not say what the troops would be doing, but their arrival comes as Iraqi security forces continue "shaping operations" around Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city. Much of the work is focused on an airfield near the town of Qayyarah, which will provide a staging area for Iraqi forces pushing toward the northern city Mosul. Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, the new commander of the US-led coalition, told the Wall Street Journal late Wednesday that the assault could begin within the next month. Dorrian, however, soft-pedalled his boss's remarks, saying it was the Iraqis who would determine any timeline. General Joe Votel, the head of the US military's Central Command, last week said coalition-backed Iraqi forces can retake Mosul by the end of the year. Iraqi security forces from the south and Kurdish peshmerga forces from the north are expected to conduct the push from multiple directions. Mosul had an estimated population of around two million before IS took it over in June 2014 in an offensive that sparked large-scale displacement. Accurate numbers for the population remaining in the city are hard to come by but the United Nations and other officials have said up to one million civilians may still be living under IS rule in the Mosul area. Dorrian said an estimated 3,000 to 4,500 IS fighters are in Mosul, though he noted it was hard to say how many were "hardcore" fighters compared to "people that are not as committed to the fight." Angela Merkel and her center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) were trounced in regional elections this past weekend. Its going to be that type of year for Merkel. Here are the 5 biggest risks that Merkel, the most important voice in any conversation about Europes future, faces over the coming months. 1. Political Rivals: Continuing Rise of the AfD Merkels CDU finished in third place in regional elections last weekend in the northeastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, her home state. Finishing behind the second-place far-right and anti-EU Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) makes matters much worse. Nationalist parties have been on the rise across the continent, a particularly unnerving development for Merkel, a defender of the broader European project. The AfD is a relative newcomer to German politics, but it has hit the ground running. Since its founding in 2013, it has gone from polling at below 3 percent nationally to more than 12 percent today. It has made strides over the past 12 months by taking a hard line against Merkels open-door policy on Syrian refugees. AfD now has deputies in over half of Germanys 16 state assemblies and is predicted to enter at least a couple more. Its been 70 years since xenophobic and nationalist politics have found such a real audience in Germany. (BBC, Pollytix) Read More: How Angela Merkel Went From Ignored to Person of the Year 2. Political Partners: A Fracturing Coalition? The ultimate victor of this weekends elections, with roughly 30 percent of the vote, was the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), Merkel and the CDUs on-and-off coalition partners since 2005. But the rise of AfD and other parties is putting a strain on the long-standing partnership of center-left and -right forces in German politics. Sigmar Gabrielhead of the SDP, Minister for Economic Affairs and Merkels vice chancellorU-turned on Merkels migration policy and has declared the TTIP E.U.-U.S. trade deal failed. Even some of her reliable allies are distancing themselves from Merkel, a jarring development for a politician who just two years ago was touted as the savior of Europe. If the CDU continues to fall flat in regional elections, like the one upcoming in Lower Saxony, Gabriel and the SPD will have even more reason to keep their distance, making governingand campaigning ahead of next falls federal electionsthat much more difficult for Merkel. Story continues (BBC) Read More: How a German Comic Exposed Merkels Weakness by Provoking Turkey 3. Migrants & Turkey Its not hard to see why Merkel and her party have tumbled in popularity. Merkel decided to throw open the doors to Syrian refugees last year, a morally courageous and politically risky act. The German state has clamped down considerably on refugee flows into the countryfor example, by tightening border controls and asylum rulesin response to domestic backlash. New asylum seekers fell from 90,000 in January to 16,335 in June, but the PR damage has been done, and a majority of Germans disapprove of her migrant policy. Merkels political fate is now inextricably linked to this problem. To cope, Merkel and Europe have struck a deal with Turkey to keep refugees inside that country from attempting to reach Greece by boat. Its done the job so far; Turkey currently houses 2.7 million displaced Syrians. But the deal is getting harder to maintain as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan grows more authoritarian and erratic; failed coup attempts can have that effect. As Erdogan tries to quash dissent, Europe is forced to decide how far its willing to work with Erdogan as his crackdown on independent journalism and assault on the rule of law continue. The increasingly vulnerable Merkel may be more willing than other European leaders to give Erdogan some space, yet another blow to European solidarity. (Wall Street Journal, The Independent, UNHCR) 4. Germanys Economic Prospects Merkels saving grace so far is a German economy humming along while most of Europe sputters. Yet while Germany is the worlds fourth-largest economy and a manufacturing powerhouse, there are troubling signs ahead. The services sector just registered its weakest performance in 15 months. Slowing growth in Europe and emerging markets means less demand for German products. Then theres the continuing fallout from Brexit. Britain is Germanys third-largest export market; it exports nearly twice the amount it imports from the U.K.. Who knows what Brexit and whatever trade deal that accompanies it will bring. And given current political realities, any loss of confidence in the economy will add to Merkels headaches. (Business Insider, Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal) Read More: Angela Merkels First TIME Profile 5. E.U. Challenges Greece continues to stumble under German-mandated austerity. Sanctions on Russia havent budged Moscow, but have hit European economies. Then there are the looming Brexit negotiations. London wants to strike the most favorable deal it can while Brussels and Berlin want to offer harsh terms to dissuade other European countries from following suit, particularly with national elections next year in Germany and France. Italy faces a constitutional referendum that will determine whether Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and his government will survive in office. Hungary is holding a referendum on whether it should reject the E.U.s burden-sharing plan for migrants, a vote that looks set to embarrass Merkel and Brussels. Austria is poised to elect the far-right Norbert Hofer as president, the first time ever a far-right leader will become a head of state in the E.U. All of that will happen in the next two months or so. Of particular concern is the rise of Marine Le Pen and the far-right Front National in France. France has presidential elections scheduled for the spring of 2017, and Le Penwho calls herself Madame Frexitlooks poised to be a contender until the bitter end. All of which is to say that Merkels ability to enforce European consensus on controversial issues will continue to be sorely tested as domestic politics play out across the continent. *** Taken individually, each of these risks could be overcomeMerkel is a remarkably capable politician. But taken together, they pose an almost insurmountable obstacle to Merkels ability to maintain the illusion of European unityand they collectively threaten her political future at home. If Merkel thought 2016 was tough, shes not going to like 2017. Nicky Romero is a man of many hats: DJ, producer, label owner, even actor (if you count his cameo in We Are Your Friends), but few people know that the Dutch artist is also an accomplished pop beat-maker. While he may not have the Top 40 radio notoriety of his peers such as Calvin Harris or Jack U, he has amassed an impressive resume of all-star collaborations after wowing the dance world with his 2012 breakthrough tracks "Toulouse" and Avicii collaboration "I Could Be the One." The 5 Pop Songs You Didn't Know Avicii Produced Below, Billboard lists the five pop songs Nicky Romero had a hand in producing. Rihanna - "Right Now" By the time Rihanna released her seventh studio album, Unapologetic, she had already caught the EDM bug, having churned out two Calvin Harris-produced chart toppers, "We Found Love" and "Where Have You Been," in her previous album Talk That Talk. Hoping to recreate the magic, she enlisted Romero to co-produce (alongside David Guetta) "Right Now," a bass-grinding bop about seizing the moment. Britney Spears - "It Should Be Easy" Once the reigning pop princess, Britney Spears became a slave for dance beats on her 2013 album Britney Jean, recruiting a squad of European heavyweights such as Tiesto, Otto Knows, Sebastian Ingrosso, and Guetta to produce radio radio hits. Romero came on to co-produce "It Should Be Easy," a big-room anthem that's just begging for pyrotechnics and cryo cannons to go off with each chorus. David Guetta - Bang My Head ft. Sia & Fetty Wap Though he's uncredited, Romero had a hand in creating David Guetta's star-packed 2014 single "Bang My Head" featuring Sia and Fetty Wap. Now past the era of the big-room radio hit, the track is more subdued but still bangs with its tropical percussion. Sekai no Owari - "Dragon Night" This one's a bit of a curveball. In 2015, Romero co-produced a track called "Dragon Night" for Japanese rock band Sekai no Owari's third album, Tree, which debuted at No.1 on Japan's Oricon Albums Chart. The track, which slowly transforms from a marching band melody into a club-friendly beat, was the band's first flirtation with EDM, and it may not be the last: in April, they told JpopAsia that they're planning an English-language album for 2017 and are again working with Romero on the project. David Guetta & Showtek - "No Money No Love" ft. Elliphant & Ms. Dynamite When will Guetta and Romero need to make their constant team-ups official by becoming a duo? Romero helped out with Guetta's Showtek collaboration "No Money No Love," a high-octane hybrid of electro house and reggae that appears on Guetta's collaboration-stacked sixth album Listen. Video footage shows two people attempting to rob an elderly man named Federico LaGuardia before one of the assailants shot the 71-year-old while he was watering his front yard in Chicago. A neighbor has a surveillance camera positioned towards the Marquette Park block that captured the Tuesday afternoon assault. Two men on bicycles rode past LaGuardia and then returned and demanded his wallet, said Chicago police spokesperson Officer Thomas Sweeney, the Chicago Tribune reports. When he refused, they shot him in the abdomen, said Sweeney. The footage shows LaGuardia standing up and clutching his torso after the attackers biked off. He was able to reach a neighbors doorstep to seek help, and underwent surgery at a nearby hospital. LaGuardia is currently in fair condition, and investigators are offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the suspects. Chicagos homicide count topped 500 over Labor Day weekend, with many of the deaths resulting from shootings. [Chicago Tribune] (Reuters) - Medical device maker Abbott Laboratories and Alere Inc agreed on Thursday to work with a mediator to settle their dispute over Abbott's role in obtaining U.S. antitrust clearance for its $5.8 billion (4.36 billion pounds) takeover of the diagnostics company, but Alere voiced concern about the speed of the process. The companies are considering using former Delaware Chancellor William Chandler as their mediator, according to court filings. However, he is not available until the end of the month, and Alere wants to start the process immediately. In a lawsuit filed in Delaware's Court of Chancery in August, Alere accused Abbott of dragging its feet on key antitrust submissions in an effort to sabotage its planned acquisition of Alere. After announcing the Alere deal, Abbott agreed in April to a $25 billion acquisition of rival St. Jude Medical, which Alere has said is the reason Abbott no longer wants to buy Alere. Alere has been the target of several federal probes that delayed its ability to complete important regulatory filings on time. One of the probes, a U.S. Justice Department investigation into its sales practices, was revealed after Abbott agreed to buy Alere in February. A Securities and Exchange Commission investigation into its revenue recognition was already public at the time of the deal. In a rebuttal to Alere's lawsuit, Abbott attributed any delays in the close of the deal to Alere's inability to file its regulatory submissions on time. Under the current merger agreement, Abbott has nearly eight more months to receive antitrust approval and close the deal. (Reporting by Carl O'Donnell; Editing by Will Dunham) A Montana woman abducted from a rest stop was able to call her husband and speak to the police from the trunk of her car where she was held captive before she died, authorities said. Rita Maze, 47, was driving to Great Falls from Helena, Mont. when she was struck on the head at a rest stop on Tuesday morning. She was found dead in her car trunk around midnight on Wednesday outside the Spokane International Airport in Washington state. Maze called her husband Tuesday night and told him she had been hit on the head, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo C. Dutton said on Wednesday. Maze was able to speak with her husband several times throughout the night, as cell service allowed, Dutton said. Her husband reported her missing, and a Helena police officer spoke with her at one point before she died. Police tracked Mazes cellphone use to help locate the vehicle. Her cars license plate was captured on a reader near Post Falls, Idaho. The cause of death was not released. Dutton said police were seeking a person of interest in the case. The FBI is now investigating the case because interstate travel was involved. By Scott Malone BOSTON (Reuters) - Federal prosecutors argued on Thursday that an alleged Boston ex-mobster accused of the 1993 murder of a man whose body was found earlier this year should be jailed until trial because his alleged victim was targeted because he was a witness to a crime. That ex-mobster, 61-year-old Paul Weadick, and his 83-year-old ex-boss, Francis "Cadillac" Salemme, have been charged with killing Steven DiSarro, the owner of a mob-linked nightclub, because they thought he was talking to the FBI. Weadick has already served time for manslaughter and that fact coupled with the charge of murdering a witness justify his detention, Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Wyshak told a magistrate judge. "Mr. Weadick's criminal record demonstrates he's a violent individual," Wyshak said. "This a case where they killed a witness to prevent a witness from providing information to law enforcement." Weadick's attorney noted that his client has known he was a suspect in the killing since Stephen "The Rifleman" Flemmi, an associate of convicted Boston mobster James "Whitey" Bulger, first named him as a suspect more than a decade ago, and has no reason to flee because he is not guilty. "He should be able to return home to his family while he defends his case," defense attorney Carmen Lepore said. Magistrate Judge Donald Cabell declined to rule immediately on Weadick's request to be released on conditions that include posting a $50,000 bond and wearing a GPS monitoring bracelet. Salemme, who appeared in court separately on Thursday to plead not guilty to the charges, has not asked to be released on bail, a nod to the fact that he has twice fled prosecution. Lawyers for both men have attacked Flemmi, the government's main witness, as not credible. Flemmi, who has pleaded guilty to 10 murders, testified against Bulger at his former boss's 2013 trial. Both men are now serving life in prison. Story continues "The whole thing is going to depend on his credibility, whether those jurors are going to believe what he's selling," Lepore said. A Massachusetts state trooper involved in the case testified that a reputed mobster named Robert DeLuca arrested in connection with DiSarro's death said Salemme had discussed the killing with him, asking him to prepare a place to hide the body. "Salemme called Bobby DeLuca and said you have to be ready to receive a package. Dig a hole," Trooper John Fanning testified. "Bobby DeLuca knew that package to be a body." (Reporting by Scott Malone; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn, Bernard Orr) You probably know Jesse Williams for his role as Dr. Jackson Avery on Greys Anatomy or remember his impassioned speech at the BET Awards in June while receiving the 2016 Humanitarian Award. But most dont know that before he was a star, he was a public high school teacher in Philadelphia for six years. And now, Williams is joining the Scholly team as chief brand ambassador. You probably know Jesse Williams for his role as Dr. Jackson Avery on Greys Anatomy or remember his impassioned speech at the BET Awards in June while receiving the 2016 Humanitarian Award. But most dont know that before he was a star, he was a public high school teacher in Philadelphia for six years. So when Williams, an avid fan of ABCs Shark Tank, saw 24-year-old Christopher Gray pitch his app Scholly on the show, his interest was immediately piqued. Scholly directly pairs students with scholarships that theyre eligible to receive. The company has matched students with more than $50 million in scholarship funds since launching in 2014. I was really blown away. It really struck a chord with me because finances were a big part of whether or not I was going to make it into college, Williams told Yahoo Finance. And throughout my college experience, it was a source of a lot of stress and strain and work study and worrying about whether Im going to be able to afford the next semester and a lot of scrambling. So [Scholly] seemed really important and impactful. On Wednesday, Williams joined the Scholly team as chief brand ambassador. Because of both his experience growing up in underfunded public school systems as well as teaching bright students who didnt have the access or resources to pursue college, Williams says he and Scholly were a natural fit. As a member of Schollys board of directors, Williams will get equity in the company. I desperately wish that [Scholly existed when I was in school]. I was constantly kicking and scraping. Books cost a lot of money, figuring out my housing issues, having to do a work study, I had to work as a telemarketer for five bucks an hour. Getting into school is one thing, and then its another thing to be able to focus on your schoolwork and not worry about how youre going to pay for the next semester, he says. Gray says that Williams storied background is closely aligned with Schollys mission to understand the plight of those struggling to pay for college and why its vital to help them. Gray himself was raised by a single mother in Birmingham, Alabama, and received $1.3 million in scholarships (which covered his four years at Philadelphias Drexel University, with the rest to be redeemed if he decides to pursue a Masters and/or PhD). Story continues Gray landed a $40,000 deal on Shark Tank from Lori Greiner and Daymond John. Scholly has since received $100,000 for winning last years Rise of the Rest business pitch competition hosted by AOL founder Steve Case and a $100,000 investment from StartUP PHL, an angel fund run by venture capitalist Josh Kopelman. The Scholly app was initially free to download but now costs $2.99 to access the platform. Scholarships in Schollys database are both need- and merit-based. The app narrows down your search with eight parameters (e.g., the state you live in, your GPA, your race). When making a profile, theres even a section titled miscellaneous in case there are other traits or qualities you may want to list, like being a vegetarian or left-handed. Williams says he feels its his job as an educator and activist to make things like higher learning attainable. I want to show theres a multitude of options for you going forward. Just as Scholly has harnessed technology to help students find money for college, Williams says the wide range of scholarships gives students the ability to broaden their horizons and think creatively about the kinds of professions they can pursue. Business is about finding a need and finding a solution, Williams says. [We want to] put kids in a position to be literate and understand the vocabulary of tech and to be able to marry that with their own vision. Were focused on establishing a nice long runway for kids to be able to make a future for themselves creatively. Most students in school right now will have jobs that might not even exist yet, he adds. What Chris Gray did so wonderfully was he found out that there are millions and millions of dollars that are unclaimed every year in scholarships and figured out a way to bridge that divide between the money and the people who desperately need it, he says. Melody Hahm is a writer & reporter at Yahoo Finance, covering entrepreneurship, innovation and technology. Follow her on Twitter. Read more from Melody: This entrepreneur is making it easier for students to win scholarships How to invest like Kobe, Bono and Ashton without being ludicrously rich How this entrepreneur became the shoe designer for Beyonce and Lady Gaga 34-year-old Facebook employee sees better investment opportunities than stocks JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Growth in South Africa's two key sectors slowed on Thursday, with weak activity renewing fears South Africa may struggle to avoid recession and a downgrade of its debt to junk status by year's end. Manufacturing output braked to below 1 percent year-on-year while mining output contracted sharply, dousing optimism earlier in the week after second quarter gross domestic product bounced back from a contraction in the first quarter. Manufacturing slowed to 0.4 percent year-on-year in July, well below expectations of 3 percent after rising by a revised 4.7 percent in June. Mining output contracted by 5.4 percent in the month from a 3 percent contraction previously, data from Statistics South Africa showed, below expectations of a 1.4 percent contraction. Production of electrical machinery shrank 13.7 percent, basic iron by 4.9 percent and vehicle production by 3.8 percent, all on a year-on-year basis. "The first Q3 South African output data support our view that the rapid growth reported in Q2 is unlikely to be sustained," Africa analyst at Capital Economics John Ashbourne said in a note. Africa's most industrial economy grew by a surprise 3.3 percent in Q2, data on Tuesday showed, but was only up 0.6 percent year-on-year, prompting analysts and the central bank governor to warn that growth remained insufficient. Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago said on Wednesday that current levels of growth were inadequate and needed to be closer to 6 percent. The Bank forecasts zero percent growth in 2016. Ratings firms Fitch and S&P Global Ratings, which both rate South Africa's debt one notch above junk status, have cited low growth as possible trigger for a downgrade in reviews in December. (Reporting by Mfuneko Toyana; Editing by James Macharia and Jon Boyle) Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fstory%2fthumbnail%2f20184%2fed4797c24f0f4361a0fb5c8582d76718 You probably didn't wake up thinking Katy Perry would make you cry today, but get ready. Tony Marrero, a survivor of the shooting at Pulse in Orlando, Florida, visited The Ellen Degeneres Show to share his story. One of the things that helped him through the aftermath of the tragedy was Perry's inspirational song "Rise," so the pop star herself stopped by to give his recovery a boost in person. It doesn't take long before everyone's in tears, and Perry even offers to pay for his first year of film school. Marrero was shot four times in the back at the nightclub, which was built to be a safe space celebrating the LGBTQ community. His friend, Luis Vielma, was among the 49 people who lost their lives that night. Watch Stephen Colbert courageously impersonate Tim Cook announcing the iPhone 7 Safety conscious cat perfectly demonstrates the correct use of a pedestrian crossing Listen to Rage Against the Machine frontman Zach de la Rocha's furious solo single Dude smashes world record for fastest speed on a skateboard in jaw-dropping video Air China issued an apology Wednesday after a storm of criticism over an article in its in-flight magazine warning London visitors to be cautious in neighborhoods mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people. However, the apology, in the form of a tweet from its North American business arm, has since been deleted, according to CNBC. The now vanished tweet reportedly read: We regret and apologize for the offensive language contained in the current issue of our in-flight magazine Copies of this magazine have been or are being removed from all our flights. The original article warned tourists visiting London to take care when entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people, and prompted outrage in the U.K and on social media. I am shocked and appalled that even today some people would see it as acceptable to write such blatantly untrue and racist statements, said British legislator Virendra Sharma in a statement on his website. According to CNBC, Air China did not responded to requests for comment. The incident is the latest in a series of Chinese marketing faux pas viewed as racially offensive. Web users were outraged earlier this year over a laundry-detergent commercial in which a black man was put in a washing machine and emerged as a Chinese man. [CNBC] LA Times Myra Lewis Williams, who married her cousin Jerry Lee Lewis when she was 13, wrote two books and said in 2015 that he is 'no longer part of my life.' Dear Airbnb community, At the heart of our mission is the idea that people are fundamentally good and every community is a place where you can belong. We dont say this because it sounds nice. Its the goal that everyone at Airbnb works towards every day because weve all seen how when we live together, we better understand each other. Discrimination is the opposite of belonging, and its existence on our platform jeopardizes this core mission. Bias and discrimination have no place on Airbnb, and we have zero tolerance for them. Unfortunately, we have been slow to address these problems, and for this I am sorry. I take responsibility for any pain or frustration this has caused members of our community. We will not only make this right; we will work to set an example that other companies can follow. In June, we asked Laura Murphy, the former head of the American Civil Liberties Unions Washington D.C. Legislative Office, to review every aspect of the Airbnb platform, and to make sure that were doing everything we can to fight bias and discrimination. Thanks to Lauras leadership, today were releasing a report that outlines the results of that process. You can read the full report here but Id like to highlight four changes that will impact the way our platform works: Airbnb Community Commitment Beginning November 1, everyone who uses Airbnb must agree to a stronger, more detailed nondiscrimination policy. We arent just asking you to check a box associated with a long legal document. Were asking everyone to agree to something were calling the Airbnb Community Commitment, which says: We believe that no matter who you are, where you are from, or where you travel, you should be able to belong in the Airbnb community. By joining this community, you commit to treat all fellow members of this community, regardless of race, religion, national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or age, with respect, and without judgment or bias. Open Doors Well be implementing a new policy called Open Doors. Starting October 1st, if a Guest anywhere in the world feels like they have been discriminated against in violation of our policy in trying to book a listing, having a booking canceled, or in any other interaction with a host we will find that Guest a similar place to stay if one is available on Airbnb, or if not, we will find them an alternative accommodation elsewhere. This program will also apply retroactively to any Guest who reported discrimination prior to today. All of these Guests will be offered booking assistance for their next trip. Instant Book Well increase the availability of Instant Book, which allows our hosts to offer their homes to be booked immediately without their prior approval of a specific guest. Instant Book makes booking easier for everyone, and our goal is to have 1 million listings bookable via Instant Book by January 1st, 2017. Anti-bias training We are working with experts on bias, including Dr. Robert Livingston of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and Dr. Peter Glick of Lawrence University, to make anti-bias training available to our community, and will be publicly acknowledging those who complete it. These steps are just the beginning, not the end, of our efforts to combat bias and discrimination. While we as a company have been slow on this issue, I am now asking you the community to help us lead the way forward. Every time you make someone else feel like they belong, that person feels accepted and safe to be themselves. While this may sound like a small act of kindness, we are a community of millions of people strong. Imagine what we can do together. Brian Chesky CEO, Co-founder Founded in 2008 by Brian Chesky (CEO), Joe Gebbia (CPO), and Nathan Blecharczyk (CTO), Airbnb is an app and website that connects people seeking lodging with renters who have listed their personal houses, apartments, guest rooms, etc., on either platform. Travelers can book accommodations around the world online or from a tablet or mobile phone. Airbnb is an easy way for people to monetize any extra living space they have. With over 2 million listings worldwideincluding 1,400 castlesit operates in over 34,000 cities and 191 countries, with a total guest list of more than 60 million people. Airbnb as a Lifestyle Back in 2014, Airbnb announced a huge, company-wide rebranding, indicating a desire to transition from a hotel service to a lifestyle brand. Since its inception, it has been easy to categorize the company as just another hotel option, taking on big industry names like Wyndham WYN, Hyatt H, Hilton Worldwide HLT and InterContinental Hotels IHG. But its brand upheaval demonstrates how Airbnb has the potential to be something much more. In a blog post, the company stated they want to possess a logo that will be seen on a variety of products, houses, and businesses, to make sure people understand that whoever owns it is a supporter of their idealbut, more importantly, a supporter of their brand. Dubbed Belo, its logo is a symbol of belonging. While it may look like a misshapen paperclip, Belo is a symbol for people who want to welcome into their home new experiences, new cultures, and new conversations. Airbnb has also redesigned its website and app, which are now far cleaner than previous versions, and feature subtle animations and flashier imagery. The desire of a company to be more than its services is reminiscent of Shake Shack SHAK, the better-for-you New York City burger joint who went public in 2015. Shake Shack is finding great success by promoting themselves as a lifestyle brand, as well as putting themselves into the fine casual dining category. Story continues So, what can Airbnb learn from this burger restaurant? Like Shake Shack did, would Airbnb benefit by staying private longer? Could extra time help the company reinforce reserves, address weaknesses, and plan for the future? Controversies to Consider Airbnb may present a legitimate challenge to the hotel industry, but the company is enveloped by controversy and regulatory issues in cities that are none too pleased with residents turning their homes into hotels. In San Francisco, critics have blamed Airbnb for the growing vacancy rates and the over $3,900 average monthly rent. Average home prices in the city just hit the $1.1 million median mark, and San Franciscos population has reached an all-time high (according to Paragon Real Estate Group). Despite the absence of a permit, which, according to law, one must have in order to rent for under 30 days, San Francisco residents are still illegally listing personal homes and apartments for less than the required number of days on Airbnb. And recently, legislation was approved in San Francisco that would require anyone listing available property on Airbnb or other sites to register the property with the city, hindering a persons ability to casually list a spare room for some extra cash going forward The company is also embroiled in a long-standing battle with New York City, where they face similar issues as in San Francisco. Recently, the New York State Senate passed a bill that makes online apartment listings for stays shorter than 30 days illegal, which, not surprisingly, thwarts Airbnb in their goal to expand in the area. If Gov. Andrew Cuomo decides to sign the bill into law, some have calculated that it would delete roughly half of current Airbnb listings in New York. The penalties for breaking the law will likely be harsh, with fines of $1,000 hitting providers of short-term apartment rentals for the first offense and up to $7,500 by the third violation. IPO Buzz Since 2014, and regardless of its fight with certain cities, rumors have been swirling of Airbnbs inevitable initial public offering, even though CEO Chesky said no to an IPO at that time. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Chesky said that we will do it at a time when it benefits the company, when we have a good reason. Airbnbs last valuation clocked in at $25.5 billion, but the company reportedly just raised $850 million in August, putting its total equity funding at about $3.2 billion at a valuation of $30 billion and making it the second most valuable U.S. startup behind Uber. This, as well as being a recognized name in the hotel industry and increasingly popular sharing economy, is helping raise buzz. Their popularity among venture capitalists (VCs) is helping increase hype, too. However, this new round of funding, in addition to a separate deal where investors are planning to buy $200 million in stock from Airbnb employees, could be seen as a move to relieve some of the pressure of filing for an IPO. Airbnb is adding significantly to its amount of available cash, allowing it to spend enough money to continue its global expansion without going public. But like other tech startups, Airbnb is a company for the digital age, and VCs are clamoring to be the first ones to invest in its expected success. Billions of dollars have been invested in the digital sharing economy over the past few yearsspecifically, in companies whose platforms are apps and websites that connect a person selling an item or service with a consumer who wants to use that item or service. According to Neil Sequeira, managing director of VC firm General Catalyst Partners in Palo Alto, California, these types of companies are well-liked among investors. Particularly, Airbnb is popular because it is inexpensive to run; it doesnt have to build or maintain hotels or hotel staff. The company is also easy to grow quickly, as there is no need for a physical office in every country, just consumers with a smartphone. The reason they make better investments is they are very high-margin at scaleyoure basically closing a transaction. You dont get that dirty, said Sequeira. How Might Airbnb Perform? Like any tech startup, Airbnbs IPO will be a toss-up. Its tentative valuation of $30 billion is impressive in and of itself, and will most likely be the driving factor for investors come time for a public entrance into the market. Airbnb needs to keep an eye on their increasing competition. Companies like Roomorama, Homeaway, and the Expedia EXPE-owned Housetrip all have a dedicated following of their own, and are all beginning to eat into the market share. Despite rival companies and regulatory issues, Airbnb has the potential to be one of the hottest upcoming IPOs. With billions of dollars in investments already, a thriving rebranding, and its rising popularity among travelers, Airbnbs IPO is one to watch out for. Interested in IPOs? Check out the special edition of Zacks Friday Finish Line, where Editor Maddy Johnson and Content Writer Ryan McQueeney interview Kathleen Smith of Renaissance Capital about the IPO market in 2016. Part One: Part Two: 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 EXPEDIA INC (EXPE): Free Stock Analysis Report WYNDHAM WORLDWD (WYN): Free Stock Analysis Report INTERCONTL HTLS (IHG): Free Stock Analysis Report HYATT HOTELS CP (H): Free Stock Analysis Report SHAKE SHACK INC (SHAK): Free Stock Analysis Report HILTON WW HLDG (HLT): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research San Francisco (AFP) - Global home-sharing giant Airbnb announced Thursday it is implementing new policies aimed at curbing racial discrimination by hosts and creating a permanent team aimed at fighting bias. The new policies come from a review launched earlier this year in the face of concerns over discrimination on the platform, which allows users to rent out a room, a bed or an entire lodging. "Discrimination is the opposite of belonging, and its existence on our platform jeopardizes this core mission," Airbnb chief Brian Chesky said in an email to hosts and guests. "Bias and discrimination have no place on Airbnb, and we have zero tolerance for them. Unfortunately, we have been slow to address these problems, and for this I am sorry... We will not only make this right; we will work to set an example that other companies can follow." Chesky said that a new "Open Doors" policy starting October 1 will allow a guest anywhere in the world who feels subject to discrimination to be booked in a similar place on Airbnb, or an alternative accommodation elsewhere. Airbnb will also seek to increase its "instant book" lodgings which do not require approval of a specific guest. The home-sharing group will also create "a permanent team of engineers, data scientists, researchers, and designers whose sole purpose is to advance belonging and inclusion and to root out bias," according to a document produced by its review committee. Airbnb earlier this year asked former American Civil Liberties Union executive Laura Murphy to head up a review, which included input from former US attorney general Eric Holder. The report said Airbnb should also de-emphasize the use of photos, which may lead to discrimination. "Airbnb's new product team dedicated to fighting discrimination will experiment with reducing the prominence of guest photos in the booking process and enhancing other parts of host and guests profiles with objective information," the report said. The high-profile campaign to ferret out discrimination came after an Airbnb host in the US state of North Carolina fired off hateful, race-based messages to a black woman while canceling a stay she had booked at his home. Airbnb operates in more than 190 countries and has been valued at an estimated $30 billion. By Lisa Rapaport (Reuters Health) - A traveler with a bulge in their body from a cyst or hernia might get flagged for an invasive airport security screening to look for explosives, a case report suggests. In many larger airports, X-rays have been replaced in recent years by machines that use radio frequencies to detect suspicious items on travelers, researchers note in JAMA Dermatology. One female traveler with a common type of skin cyst was flagged for a hidden explosive search at a U.S. airport, her physician, Dr. Warren Heymann, notes in the report. Until my patient told me her story, I had never encountered this situation, Heymann, a researcher at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University in Camden, New Jersey, said by email. To the best of my knowledge, there has only been one similar case in the medical literature, as noted in my article - a man with a hernia, Heymann added. On future trips, this woman traveled with a doctors note explaining her condition that she could show airport security agents, Heymann said in the case report. The man with the hernia had a protrusion in his groin area that alarmed airport screeners. This traveler was interrogated and subjected to a genital exam, Heymann reported. I would suggest that people be aware that this could happen to them if they have prominent lesions on their skin, Heymann said by email. Having a letter from a physician noting the presence of a cyst, hernia, or other lesion might help, but understandably, the TSA agent may still wish to perform a pat down and a swipe for contraband, Heymann added. Mutual understanding and respect should allow the screening process to go smoothly. Airport scanners generally show solid masses on the surface area of a persons body and/or in their clothing. If a large cyst or mass appears to stick up above the skin or body outline around it, or looks like a solid mass compared to the area around it, the scanner may reflect that, said Dr. Mahadevappa Mahesh, a radiology and public health researcher at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore who wasnt involved in the case report. Theres no data on how many travelers may experience incidents like the woman with the cyst or the man with the hernia, Mahesh, a member of the American College of Radiologys medical physics commission, said by email. We suspect that it is a rare situation, Mahesh said. Its more common for patients that have been injected with or ingested a radioactive material for nuclear medicine exams to be flagged for airport screening because radiation may be detected if they travel shortly after their procedures, Mahesh added. While smaller cysts shouldnt confuse airport scanners, its more likely that travelers would be flagged when they have larger ones, said Dr. David Brenner, a radiology researcher at Columbia University Medical Center in New York who wasnt involved in the case report. If you do have a large (greater than 2 inch) external skin lesion which is located under your clothes, you would be prudent to get a doctors note before traveling but you still might expect a patdown, Brenner said by email. Aleppo Syria Aleppo is one of Syria's largest cities and one of its most divided. For years, control of the city has been split between President Bashar Assad's forces and the rebels fighting his authoritarian regime. The fighting has set off a large-scale humanitarian crisis as civilians are bombarded daily and areas are cut off from receiving aid. Gary Johnson, the Libertarian candidate for president of the United States, was roundly mocked on Thursday when he appeared not to know what Aleppo was during an interview on MSNBC's "Morning Joe." Far from being an obscure aspect of a remote civil war, the crisis in Aleppo has had ripple effects across the globe as refugees fan out across Europe to flee the conflict. And as the US has been working with Russia in hopes of brokering a ceasefire in the city, Russian planes have been carrying out airstrikes in support of Assad. The suffering in Aleppo is almost indescribable. Clarissa Ward, a CNN correspondent who has reported on wars for more than a decade, testified before the UN Security Council last month, saying that in all of her experience covering war she has "never seen anything on the scale of Aleppo." "This is what hell feels like," she said. Below, we've outlined some key information about the city's significance in Syria. The siege Aleppo map Aleppo is the epicenter of fighting between President Assad and the rebels seeking to oust him. Syrian government forces are concentrated in the western half of the city and rebels control the eastern half. Control of the surrounding province shifts, with the Syrian army controlling eastern areas and rebels controlling western areas. Both rebel-held areas and government-held areas of Aleppo have been under siege in recent months. The fight for Aleppo is part of the larger Syrian civil war, which began in 2011. Since then, Assad has used nearly every means to quash the rebellion. Story continues Five years into the conflict, jihadists have also laid roots in the country. ISIS and affiliates of Al Qaeda have both been laying groundwork for the creation of an Islamic emirate in Syria. But the city of Aleppo itself is split between Assad's forces and other rebel groups. Because of the fighting between Assad and the rebels, large areas of the city, which still have millions of civilians living in it, has been cut off from receiving crucial aid (including food, water, and medicine) that would help keep people alive. Last month, a top UN official called Aleppo the "apex of horror" in Syria. Russia entered the conflict last year to help Assad's forces, and Iran has also aided the regime. Aleppo has been in the news lately as the US attempts to work with Russia to broker a ceasefire that would allow aid to get through to besieged areas. putin assad Russia's involvement Of particular concern to the US is Russia's involvement in the Syrian conflict. While Russian officials insisted when they got involved in the war that they were there to fight terrorist elements in Syria, they've largely been targeting other rebels who oppose Assad. Aleppo is one example. The Syrian government spelled out a plan in July to gain more control over rebel-held areas with help from Russia. And Russia has contributed to the humanitarian crisis in Aleppo by helping to cut off outside access to rebel-held areas and targeting civilians with airstrikes. Russia and the US are in some ways on opposite sides of the conflict. The US has made repeated calls for Assad to leave power but has declined to get involved directly in his ousting. The US has, however, targeted terrorist groups inside Syria. ISIS and Al Qaeda also oppose Assad's rule and fight his forces, so the Syrian army has been fighting on multiple fronts. Still, since the moderate opposition, which is becoming increasingly radicalized the longer the war drags out, is the biggest threat to Assad's legitimacy as a ruler, his forces have focused most on them. Wounded Syrian boy Aleppo Strikes on civilians What makes Assad's rule so brutal is his unabashed willingness to target innocent civilians. And his brutality has been on full display in Aleppo. Assad and his allies, including Russia, have targeted markets, hospitals, and other areas where civilians gather. Snipers have targeted doctors and emergency workers near medical facilities. Samer Attar, a surgeon who lives in Chicago and has worked recently in Aleppo, wrote a column for The New York Times last month describing the horrors he's seen in the city's hospitals. Here's an excerpt: "My weeks in Aleppo are intense. In Chicago, where I specialize in surgical oncology, I see one patient at a time. In Aleppo, I see 20 at once. You live your life one massacre to the next: of children at school, or of families sleeping at home or shopping at a market. We hear the jets screech by, the helicopters whirring in the sky, the mortars launching, then the bombs exploding. Followed by sirens and screaming. "The screaming seems never to end, some days. So many people pushing through the entrance. There are never enough beds, so patients have to share gurneys or lie on the floor. Sometimes, there is no place to step, with patients lying on floors smeared with blood and strewn with body parts." Suffering in Aleppo recently captured the attention of the world when a photo and video of 5-year-old Omran Daqneesh (pictured above) being pulled from the rubble of his home near Aleppo went viral. The boy's home had been hit by an airstrike carried out by either the Syrian government or Russian forces. A civilian breathes through an oxygen mask at al-Quds hospital, after a hospital and a civil defence group said a gas, what they believed to be chlorine, was dropped alongside barrel bombs on a neighbourhood of the Syrian city of Aleppo, Syria, early August 11, 2016. REUTERS/Abdalrhman Ismail Chemical weapons Another point where US foreign policy comes into play in Aleppo is chemical weapons. Just this week, a rebel area of Aleppo was hit with a suspected chlorine gas attack. Aid workers have attributed the attack to Assad's forces. The Obama administration has touted its negotiations to remove chemical weapons from Syria as a major diplomatic achievement, but a recent UN report found that Assad's forces used chemical weapons against civilians in 2014 and 2015 in violation of the deal. Russia participated in the negotiations and helped broker the deal. Dozens of civilians are suspected to have died in the latest chemical-weapons attack. Destruction The constant bombardment that Aleppo has faced over several years has resulted in widespread destruction. It's unclear how what was once Syria's most populated city will be rebuilt once the war ends. These photos give a sense of the scale of destruction: A boy rides a bicycle near rubble of damaged buildings in the rebel held al-Maadi district of Aleppo, Syria, August 31, 2016. REUTERS/Abdalrhman Ismail Men inspect a damaged site after double airstrikes on the rebel held Bab al-Nairab neighborhood of Aleppo, Syria, August 27, 2016. REUTERS/Abdalrhman Ismail A civilian removes the rubble in front of a damaged shop after an airstrike in the rebel held al-Saleheen neighborhood of Aleppo, Syria August 18, 2016. REUTERS/Abdalrhman Ismail A general view shows a damaged street with sandbags used as barriers in Aleppo's Saif al-Dawla district, Syria March 6, 2015. REUTERS/Hosam Katan Aleppo Syria NOW WATCH: Gary Johnson stuns MSNBC panel over Syria civil war: 'What is Aleppo?' More From Business Insider Washington (AFP) - This was not how White House contender Gary Johnson hoped to finally crack the headlines -- mocked mercilessly on Twitter for asking an interviewer "What is Aleppo?" in response to a question about the ravaged Syrian city. But the exchange Thursday morning instantly thrust the former New Mexico governor under a global spotlight, with #WhatIsAleppo a trending hashtag and a red-faced Johnson scrambling to fend off suggestions he is a foreign-policy amateur. "This morning, I began my day by setting aside any doubt that I'm human," the Libertarian candidate said in a statement. "Yes, I understand the dynamics of the Syrian conflict -- I talk about them every day. But hit with 'What about Aleppo?', I immediately was thinking about an acronym, not the Syrian conflict. I blanked." When MSNBC journalist Mike Barnicle asked him what he would do about the crisis in the devastated Syrian city, Johnson replied, "What is Aleppo?' -- with an incredulous Barnicle responding, "You're kidding me." "Aleppo is in Syria," Barnicle explained to Johnson, in seeming disbelief. "It's the epicenter of the refugee crisis." On Twitter, the verdict was instant and clear, with a deluge of posts ranging from sarcasm to disbelief. "You hear that? That's the sound of Gary Johnson's campaign coming to a crashing halt," one user posted. The notion that Johnson was thinking of an acronym drew further online ridicule -- perhaps the "Alaskan Logging Expansion & Ping Pong Occupation?" one user opined. But many on social media also voiced dismay, posting poignant pictures of years of bloodshed in the Syrian city under the phrase "This is Aleppo." - 'It's a mess' - Johnson has been striving to reach the 15 percent mark needed for inclusion in the presidential debates, starting September 26, alongside Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump. Story continues The blunder raised serious questions about his grasp of foreign policy, coming at a time of growing speculation that the Libertarian candidate, who is on the ballot in all 50 states, might play a decisive role if the November 8 election is close. A Washington Post-Survey Monkey poll released Wednesday found that Johnson, a former Republican who is often excluded from presidential polling, is supported by an average of 13 percent across all states. While his party generally plays on the fringes of American politics -- as the Libertarian candidate in 2012, Johnson took only one percent of the popular vote -- he is expected to be the choice of at least some Americans disillusioned by the historically unpopular major party candidates. After stumbling on MSNBC, Johnson did offer that "with regard to Syria, I do think it's a mess." He added: "I think that the only way that we deal with Syria is to join hands with Russia to diplomatically bring that at an end." Aleppo, once Syria's economic powerhouse, has been devastated by the war that began in the country in March 2011. It is not clear how closely the average American voter is following events in Syria. Ahead of its world premiere tomorrow at the Toronto International Film Festival, Netflix has released two trailers and key art for its anticipated original documentary Amanda Knox. Titled Believe Her and Suspect Her, the two opposing viewpoint trailers feature the main subjects speaking in their words. Was she a cold-blooded psychopath who brutally murdered her roommate or a naive study abroad student trapped in an endless nightmare? In the docu, directors Rod Blackhurst (Here Alone) and Brian McGinn (Chefs Table) and producer Mette Heide (Indias Daughter) explore the notorious case that made worldwide headlines. Knox was twice convicted and twice acquitted by Italian courts of the brutal killing of her British roommate Meredith Kercher. With access to the key people involved and never-before-seen archival material, the film shifts between past to present, exploring the nearly decade-long case in exclusive interviews with Amanda Knox, her former co-defendant and ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, Italian prosecutor Giuliano Mignini and Daily Mail reporter Nick Pisa. The film will make its world premiere at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9 and will launch globally on Netflix on September 30. Check out both trailers below: Believe Her: Suspect Her: Related stories 'Luke Cage' Review: Mike Colter-Led Marvel Series Flexes Serious Muscle 'Dear White People' Netflix Series Casts Nia Jervier & Wyatt Nash As Recurring 'Altered Carbon': Chris Conner & Ato Essandoh Cast In Netflix Series Talking about race is hard. Eighty percent of millennials would rather not discuss it. A majority of white and black adults say theyre uncomfortable broaching the subject with someone of another race. So how can people examine something that permeates nearly every aspect of American life? Hope in the Cities, a Richmond, Virginia, nonprofit group, works to help people to face their own racial biases. Its part of a movement of similar groups that hold small, interracial dialogues in churches, businesses, and civic spaces across the country. Reverend Sylvester Tee Turner is the director of reconciliation programs for Hope in the Cities. Turner has helped organize more than 200 racial healing dialogues for politicians, nonprofit leaders, and church groups, among others. Turner says these programs have made the topic of race less taboo in Richmond, though the results are hard to measure. I recently spoke to Turner about why people have such a hard time talking about race and the challenges he faces in bringing together Richmonds black, white, and Latino communities. Recommended: Fear of a Female President This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity. Alexia Fernandez Campbell: Can you tell me why Hope in the Cities started doing racial healing work in Richmond? Tee Turner: If you go back to 1977, when the city council of Richmond became majority African American, many of the racial issues began to show up. So it was clear that there was a need to talk about race in the community. It was a response to this majority-black governing body now making decisions that whites had been making throughout the history of the city of Richmond, and the white flight that began to take place because of that. Those were issues that were dormant and became more overt in their expression. It was sort of the drive behind spearheading the process for racial healing in the city of Richmond. Story continues Campbell: Racism is such a touchy subject. How do you get people to talk about it? Turner: It's quite interesting, and there have been a couple different approaches that we have taken. The first approach that we took was assembling people together and presenting the issue, and we did that through a community lunch. From there, we asked willing individuals to participate in some dialogues around this issue, and we ended up doing probably close to 200. We called them "six-part dialogues," and they lasted six weeks. And it sort of grew from there. Campbell: Who participated in these dialogues? Turner: This work has to be intentional. We made it close to 50 percent African American and 50 percent white. We sought out a lot of churches. We had white churches and African American churches come together to have dialogues, and we tried to keep the number to between 12 and 15 people so that you could have a real, honest, and open dialogue and not allow people to get lost in the crowd. We brought the NAACP together with a Jewish organization for example. So we crossed a lot of territory, and then it grew to a place where it was kind of acceptable to have racial-healing conversations, and that taboo was removed. And when I talk about the taboo, if you understand Richmond, [race] was not something that we even wanted to talk about. But some of the individuals that have participated in those dialogues were individuals that were in corporate America, some of them were city leaders, some of them were city politicians, so we sort of built a team that extended beyond the organization. Recommended: Here's How NASA Thinks Society Will Collapse Campbell: Why is it such a taboo for people to talk about race, do you think? Turner: Well, I think there are a number of reasons. One is that most people don't know how to talk about it. The other thing is, people are ignorant to the systemic nature of it. Another reason is the privilege that has come as a byproduct of it, that I don't have to talk about it. A major reason is guilt and shame that people carry, which is what I call the byproduct or legacy of it. And some people just think it's not worth talking about. They just want to move on. When you start peeling back the layers of it, there are often people in power who don't want to give up their power, or they don't want the threat of losing their power. So there's a number of different reasons why people don't want to talk about it, but guilt and shame and ignorance to me have been the reasons that always rise to the top when you bring people together. Campbell: Can you give me an example of what a dialogue looks like? Turner: First of all, we felt it was important that we had dialogues that extended beyond a two-hour gathering, because we found that, what we call one-offs really don't get the job done. We start with very simple stuff, because in the process of real racial healing, the key to it is creating a safe space to talk about these difficult situations. So we would start with things that were very personal about your family, your grandparents. Did you talk about race in your home? When did you know that race was an issue? And then we would go into deeper and deeper conversation. The simple questions were designed to create deeper dialogue. But what we found was that after the third session, there was a safety net created from bringing people together, showing them their commonalities, and then dealing with some of the divides that exist. We can move to talking about housing, and we could move toward talking about school segregation and other things, but we had to build a container of trust so that the deeper issues could be addressed. It doesn't mean that there were never any blow-ups. Too often, we go into racial dialogues with the opposition being a person and not an issue. Healing is about building a safety net to deal with these challenging issues, and weve had conservatives and liberals in the same room. Too often you can't get those individuals, and you end up speaking to the choir. Racial healing is not just about the choir, it's about the community. Recommended: Hillary Fails to Offer a Foreign-Policy Vision Campbell: How do you know when the healing has occurred? Can you measure the results? Turner: I will be very honest with you, that is what we have struggled with for the time I've been doing this work, and that's close to 30 years. Even though we have evaluators looking at different approaches, it's hard to measure a person's heart change. And healing racially is about a heart change, and that heart change should show itself in our society in how equity plays out in so many different fields. Campbell: Virginia Commonwealth University is doing research on the tensions between African Americans and Latino immigrants in Richmond, and theyve found that many Latinos say blacks discriminate against them. How do you work on that dynamic? Turner: I would say that it's been a slow progress. I don't know that weand I'm talking we as a community, as opposed to Hope in the Cities right nowhave done a great job of understanding the Latino community. Also in Richmond, the Latino community is still very new. It's a small percentage, but it's also the fastest growing community, racially. It's not that nothing has been done, it's not that communication doesn't exist, but major work hasn't been done. I know in our programs, we work really hard to make sure that we have Latino representation. Weve laid a foundation, but its work that we still need to do. Campbell: Do you ever see a day where your job won't be necessary anymore? Turner: I would like to say that, but I'm also realistic. We're talking about trying to turn 400 years of injustice around in 30 years. But I do know that progress has been made, and more progress will be made. So whether it will disappear, I don't believe, but I think it will keep getting better. And the better we get, the greater our community and our city and our state will become. Related Videos Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. Angelina Jolie Pitt has called for a "new way of conducting peacekeeping" focused on the inclusion of women during a surprise visit to a United Nations summit in London. In her speech, the actress and U.N. ambassador encouraged countries to sign an agreement pledging to increase the involvement of women throughout the peacekeeping process. "Peacekeeping forces can only gain and keep the trust of the local populations if they are able to engage with women, as well as men, in that community," Jolie said. "When I met senior commanders a short while ago to discuss the challenges of the security tasks they faced, they were clear that women peacekeepers and police officers are essential to local consent and operational effectiveness." She continued, "There is a dividing line between nations that are prepared to commit to this moment, to understand all that is necessary and all that we are capable of achieving together and those who are not." Angelina Jolie Pitt Calls for Inclusion of Women in Peacekeeping During Surprise Speech at U.N. Summit| politics, United Nations, Good Deeds, Angelina Jolie The agreement put forward on Thursday saw countries pledge to double the number of women involved in U.N. peacekeeping operations within four years, integrate the needs of women in all stages of the planning process, equip missions so they can respond to violence and mass atrocities, and eliminate all forms of abuse and exploitation by members of peacekeeping missions, Jolie said. The 41-year-old actress and director kept her look low-key and understated during her speech, sporting an all-black ensemble with nude pumps and wearing her hair slicked back. Jolie has been involved in the U.N. since 2001. The special envoy for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees has previously spoken out about the Syrian refugee crisis. (Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Thursday rejected a woman's appeal in a lawsuit that alleged a Roman Catholic hospital in Michigan denied her adequate treatment during a painful miscarriage because of a policy banning even the discussion of abortion as an option. Tamesha Means said she went to a Mercy Health Partners facility in Muskegon, Michigan, the only hospital within 30 minutes of her home, when her water broke after only 18 weeks of pregnancy, according to the lawsuit filed against the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2013. Despite her being in excruciating pain and with virtually no chance her pregnancy could survive, Mercy Health Partners told Means there was nothing they could do and did not tell her that terminating her pregnancy was an option and the safest course for her condition, the lawsuit said. The lawsuit accused the conference of creating healthcare directives "that cause pregnant women who are suffering from a miscarriage to be denied appropriate medical care, including information about their condition and treatment options." Three former chairs of Catholic Health Ministries, which is a sponsor of the hospital, were also named as defendants in the lawsuit. U.S. District Judge Robert Holmes Bell in Grand Rapids, Michigan, dismissed the case in June 2015, ruling that the court did not have jurisdiction over the conference and that reviewing Means' negligence claim would "impermissibly intrude upon ecclesiastical matters." Means appealed the ruling. On Thursday, the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati upheld the district court's ruling, saying the court did not have jurisdiction over the defendants and that Means could not prove negligence. "Means alleges - and we do not doubt - that she suffered physical and mental pain, emotional injuries, a riskier delivery, shock and emotional trauma from making funeral arrangements for her dead child. ... But these allegations are not sufficient to state an injury under Michigan negligence law," the 13-page order read. "Pain alone is not 'physical injury.'" Story continues The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan said it was disappointed by the ruling. "Her suffering and trauma was a direct result of hospital policies drafted by nonmedical professionals who let their religious doctrine trump patient care," ACLU staff attorney Brigitte Amiri said in a statement. Nearly 15 percent of the 900,000 beds in the United States are in a Roman Catholic hospital, according to the Catholic Health Association of the United States. In those hospitals, medical professionals must comply with the bishops' directives, which prohibit suggesting or performing abortions. (Reporting by Curtis Skinner in San Francisco; Editing by Jonathan Oatis) Cairo (AFP) - Arab foreign ministers weighed in Thursday on a bitter dispute between Tehran and Riyadh over the hajj pilgrimage, after Iran's supreme leader questioned Saudi Arabia's management of Islam's holiest site. "The council of Arab foreign ministers condemns the bellicose, inciting statements by the supreme leader, (Ali) Khamenei," the ministers said in a statement after a meeting in Cairo where the Arab League is based. "The language used in (Khamenei's) statements is inappropriate for the highest authority in the Islamic Republic of Iran," they said. Iranians have been blocked from attending the pilgrimage to Mecca that starts on Saturday, after talks on logistics to avoid a repeat of last year's deadly stampede in the holy city foundered. The stampede killed 2,300 pilgrims, including hundreds of Iranians. Khamenei on Monday denounced the "incompetence" of the Saudi royal family as he met with families of victims of last year's stampede. "This incident proves once again that this cursed, evil family does not deserve to be in charge and manage the holy sites," located in western Saudi Arabia, Khamenei said. Saudi Arabia's most senior cleric, Grand Mufti Abdulaziz al-Sheikh, has also waded in, telling the Makkah daily on Tuesday: "We must understand these are not Muslims, they are children of Magi and their hostility towards Muslims is an old one." The reference to the Zoroastrian religion that prevailed in Iran before Islam is used by fundamentalist Sunnis as an insult against Iranians. Relations between Shiite Iran and ultraconservative Sunni Saudi Arabia were already tense before the regional rivals started trading caustic remarks ahead of the annual pilgrimage. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 8, 2016 / Arctic Star Exploration Corp, (ADD.V) ("Arctic Star" or the "Company") announces that it has been informed by North Arrow Resources, the Optionee to the Redemption Diamond Exploration property in the Lac De Gras area NT, that it has elected not to complete the option. The property therefore reverts back to Arctic Star 100%. Arctic Star wishes to take this opportunity to thank North Arrow for its professional and extensive work over the last three years where they spent approx. $4 million concentrating on drill testing numerous geophysical anomalies. The source of the diamond indicator trains in the area remains illusive. Arctic will wait to receive all the materials from North Arrow before deciding on any further exploration. For further information on this release or other projects that Arctic Star has please visit www.arcticstar.ca or contact the Company at info@arcticstar.ca or 604-689-1799. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ARCTIC STAR EXPLORATION CORP. Patrick Power Patrick Power, President Forward Looking Statements: This news release contains "forward-looking statements" including but not limited to statements with respect to Arctic Star's plans, the estimation of a mineral resource and the success of exploration activities. Forward-looking statements, while based on management's best estimates and assumptions, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to the successful integration of acquisitions; risks related to general economic and market conditions; closing of financing; the timing and content of upcoming work programs; actual results of proposed exploration activities; possible variations in mineral resources or grade; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry; changes in national and local government regulation of mining operations, tax rules and regulations. Although Arctic Star has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Arctic Star undertakes no obligation or responsibility to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Arctic Star Exploration Corp. Ariel Winter's at it again! The 18-year-old actress stepped out in Los Angeles on Wednesday evening looking chic and sexy while attending Drake's concert. The Modern Family star wore a matching cream crop top and skirt with a simple choker necklace. She paired the look with nude pumps and French braids, looking confident as she passed photographers. WATCH: Ariel Winter Goes Blonde, Flaunts Her Booty for Secret Photoshoot Earlier in the day, the recent high school grad shared a risque pic from behind-the-scenes at a top secret photo shoot. AKM-GSI "Shhh #secretshoot #magazine #blonde #tb," she captioned the Instagram shot of herself wearing a blonde bob wig , black one-piece and a sheer black tulle skirt. In the photo, Winter flashed a glimpse of her famous behind, which she loves to share with her fans. And as for the critics, she had a few words for them when she spoke to ET last month. Shhh #secretshoot #magazine #blonde #tb A photo posted by Ariel Winter (@arielwinter) on Sep 7, 2016 at 10:12am PDT EXCLUSIVE: Ariel Winter Opens Up About Her Risque Instagram Posts "Everybody's like so hyped up on the fact that I post photos where my butt's out. It's a butt!" she said. "Everyone has a butt. I don't think it's crazy. I get so confused as to why people make it such a big deal. Let me live. I'm enjoying my life, you're enjoying your life. You should be posting your butt if you like it too!" Related Articles 30 Nepali migrants stranded in UAE appeal for rescue Thirty Nepali migrant workers stranded at UAE have appealed for their immediate rescue. By Roberta Rampton and Martin Petty VIENTIANE (Reuters) - Barack Obama defended his efforts to 'rebalance' U.S. foreign policy toward Asia on Thursday even as he wound up the final visit of his presidency to the region with the South China Sea dispute still smoldering. Obama's trip to Asia began and ended on awkward notes. Arriving for a G20 summit in China last week, his staff argued with airport security officials over media access, and a meeting in Laos with the Philippines' new president was called off after he alluded to Obama as "a son of a bitch". Obama, who lived in Indonesia as a boy with his mother, a development worker, told a group of young leaders that the emphasis he had placed on Asia over his two terms was personal. But addressing leaders of Southeast Asian nations in Laos on Thursday, he said it was also "key to a peaceful and prosperous future for the world", and voiced his hope that whoever succeeds him in the White House next year would take it forward. Obama, whose foreign policy focus has been widely seen as a response to China's economic and military muscle-flexing across the region, said critics at home were wrong to say it had failed when Asian leaders only wanted more. "The concern that I've heard is - will it continue? And, almost uniformly, the questions I get from other leaders is: we hope that America's interest, and presence, and engagement is sustained," he told a news conference in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Nevertheless, there was barely concealed tension at the summit of East Asian and Southeast Asian nations in Laos. CHINA DENOUNCES "INTERFERENCE" The leaders played down differences over the South China Sea in a carefully worded statement, mentioning only that several of them were "seriously concerned over recent developments" in the waterway that is the most volatile hotspot in the region. China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei have competing claims on the sea, through which more than $5 trillion of trade moves annually. The last four are part of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The statement made no reference to a July ruling by a court in The Hague that declared illegal some of China's artificial islands and invalidated its claims to almost the entire sea. But Obama pointedly told the meeting that the arbitration ruling, which China refuses to recognize, was "binding". "We discussed the importance of claimants adhering to steps they've already agreed including respecting international law, not militarizing disputed areas and not occupying uninhabited islands, reefs and shoals," he told reporters later. For its part, Beijing voiced objections several times to what it referred to as countries outside the region "interfering" in tussles over the South China Sea - wording that is usually understood to mean the United States and Japan. Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters in Laos it had been "inappropriate" for two countries, which he did not name, to bring up the arbitration issue during the summit. Besides the ASEAN members, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, India, Australia, New Zealand and the United States attended. China has over the past year alarmed other claimants, and outside powers such as the United States and Japan, by re-claiming land on several disputed reefs through dredging, and building air fields and port facilities. The Philippines, a longtime ally of the United States, pumped up tension over the South China Sea on Wednesday ahead of a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and ASEAN leaders. It released photographs and a map showing what it said was an increased number of Chinese vessels near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, which China seized after a standoff in 2012. Its defense ministry expressed "grave concern" that China was preparing to build structures at the shoal. China's embassy in Manila said there has been no dredging or building at the shoal and China has maintained a coastguard presence there for law enforcement patrols. SPAT WITH MANILA OVER SLUR The Philippines' move came after a dispute with the United States, its former colonial power. Ties turned frosty when new President Rodrigo Duterte insulted Obama on Monday, prompting the cancellation of a meeting between them. Duterte has bristled at criticism from abroad of his war on drugs, in which more than 2,400 people have been killed since he became president two months ago. Obama and Duterte made some steps toward clearing the air late on Wednesday, chatting briefly, and exchanging pleasantries as they prepared to take their seats at a leaders' dinner. Obama has made 11 trips to the region as U.S. president. But they have often been overshadowed by events at home or other parts of the world, and his ambition to put a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact at the heart of the "pivot" to Asia has been frustrated. The prospects for U.S. congressional approval for the TPP have looked increasingly dim, with both major presidential candidates - Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump - standing opposed. "I have said before and I will say again failure to move ahead with TPP ... will call into question America's leadership," Obama said in Laos. "I think it is important for the entire region and it is important for the United States." (Additional reporting by Mai Nguyen, Amy Sawitta Lefevre, Brenda Goh and Maniel Mogato, and by Ben Blanchard in Beijing; Writing by John Chalmers; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) * Asian buyers took 400,000 of Australian wheat last week * Sales of Australian wheat setback for Black Sea exports * Deals include 60,000 T of Australia feed wheat to Philippines By Naveen Thukral SINGAPORE, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Flour millers in Asia are switching to Australian wheat as a decline in the Pacific nation's grain prices has made cargoes more competitive, a setback for Black Sea suppliers who had been gaining market share in the region. In the past 10 days, mills in Asia have signed deals to import up to 400,000 tonnes of new-crop Australian wheat for shipment between December and January, three trade sources said. "Buyers have been very active in the last one week to 10 days," said a grains trading manager at an international trading company in Singapore. "They are mainly taking milling wheat from Australia, but some buyers have also taken feed wheat of Australian origin." Global wheat prices slid to a 10-year low of $3.86-3/4 a bushel last week on expectations of near-record production in key exporting regions of the world. Millers have bought Australian wheat with 10.5 percent protein content at $205-$210 a tonne, including cost and freight. This compared with the price of $195 and $200 a tonne being offered for Black Sea wheat. "Mills in Asia prefer Australian wheat over other origins, so they are ready to pay a premium of about $15 per tonne," said a second trading source in Singapore. "Earlier mills were taking Black Sea cargoes as the premium was much higher." Shipments of Australian wheat are regarded as cleaner, with less moisture and a better protein content. Bangladesh has been one of the most active destinations in Asia for Black Sea wheat, taking close to one million tonnes for arrival between August and December. Indonesia has taken about 400,000 tonnes for delivery during the same period. Buyers are now shifting some of that demand to Australia. In one of the latest deals for Australian wheat, Indonesia bought 100,000 tonnes for December-January shipment at about $210 a tonne. Story continues The Philippines took 30,000 tonnes of milling wheat and 60,000 tonnes of feed quality of Australian origin. "Buyers in the Philippines taking Australian feed wheat is key as feed wheat business is usually dominated by the Black Sea suppliers," one Australia-based analyst said. The loss of business in Asia is a double whammy for the Black Sea region's wheat suppliers following a decline in shipments to Egypt, the world's biggest wheat buyer, after it implemented zero tolerance for ergot fungus in foreign shipments. Egyptian inspectors have rejected a 63,000 tonne shipment of Romanian origin-wheat in a Romanian port after checks for ergot fungus. Australian farmers will start in October the harvest of a near-record crop of close to 28 million tonnes following ideal growing conditions this year. (Reporting by Naveen Thukral; Editing by Richard Pullin) The euro rose Thursday and US and European stock markets retreated as the European Central Bank kept its economic stimulus powder dry and held key rates steady. ECB President Mario Draghi pleaded for "patience" to see the effect of unprecedented amounts of cash already injected into the financial system, before trying anything new. US stocks also declined, dented by Apple, which tumbled 2.6 percent one day after the technology giant unveiled new iPhones and a second-generation Apple Watch that drew mixed reviews. Investors never expected any immediate steps from the ECB Thursday, said Andrea Tueni, an analyst at Saxo Banque in Paris, "but neither did we get anything reassuring about future action". Shares in Frankfurt fell 0.7 percent, while Paris lost 0.3 percent. The euro, meanwhile, rose after ECB economists said they now expect 1.7 percent growth this year, up from the 1.6 percent they forecast in June. London outperformed bourses on the continent, rising 0.2 percent, while Tokyo dipped 0.3 percent. Oil prices shot up more than four percent on data showing a massive drop in US crude stockpiles, due largely to the curtailment of imports because of a hurricane. - Draghi: 'Be patient' - Traders had expected Draghi to lay the groundwork for more stimulus later in the year, especially if Brexit economic pain worsens demonstrably. But for the moment, Draghi said the changes to the outlook are not "so substantial to warrant a decision to act. Our monetary policy is effective". "Ultimately we've got to be patient," he said. Oanda analyst Craig Erlam said he suspected Draghi's team may also need time to revamp the ECB's quantitative easing program as the supply of bonds it can still buy runs dry. "That would explain why they did not announce an extension to the QE program beyond March 2017 today," he said. - Apple deal lifts Nintendo - Japan's Nintendo shot up 13.2 percent after reaching a deal with Apple to distribute the game "Super Mario Run" exclusively for the Apple smartphone. Story continues Nintendo shares have been on a tear since the July release of Pokemon Go -- making the company more valuable than Sony at one stage -- vindicated the company's long-awaited move into mobile gaming. British software group Micro Focus jumped 14.7 percent after it agreed to merge with some of Hewlett Packard Enterprise's software assets. Under the deal, Hewlett Packard shareholders will get 50.1 percent ownership of the new combined company and a $2.5 billion cash payment. Hewlett Packard lost 3.2 percent. Petroleum-linked stocks rose with oil prices. US giant ExxonMobil and Britain's BP both climbed 0.9 percent, while oil-services company Schlumberger advanced 1.0 percent. - Key figures around 2100 GMT - New York - DOW: DOWN 0.3 percent at 18,479.91 (close) New York - S&P 500: DOWN 0.2 percent at 2,181.30 (close) New York - Nasdaq: DOWN 0.5 percent at 5,259.48 (close) London - FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 6,858.70 (close) Frankfurt - DAX 30: DOWN 0.7 percent at 10,675.29 (close) Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.3 percent at 4,542.20 (close) EURO STOXX 50: DOWN 0.3 percent at 3,083.54 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.3 percent at 16,958.77 (close) Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.1 percent at 3,095.95 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng: UP 0.8 percent at 23,919.34 (close) Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3295 from $1.3340 Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1261 from $1.1242 late Wednesday Dollar/yen: UP at 102.48 yen from 101.73 yen HELSINKI (Reuters) - About 300 asylum seekers and pro-immigration citizens gathered in Helsinki on Thursday to protest against Finland's new asylum policy, which considers Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia largely safe countries to return to. More than 1 million migrants and refugees crossed into Europe last year, many fleeing wars and poverty in the Middle East and beyond. About 32,000 came to Finland and the government responded by tightening immigration policies, along with other Nordic countries. Finnish Immigration Service in May said security had improved to such an extent in Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia that refugees would generally not be at risk in the countries. Asylum seekers would only be allowed to stay if they could prove that they were individually at risk. After launching the new guidelines, the office has turned down more than 75 percent of applications from Iraqi asylum seekers, compared to a previous rate of 30 percent. Almost two thirds of Finland's asylum seekers are from Iraq. Signs said "Stop the deportation" and "Afghanistan is safe for terrorists" as asylum seekers had come to protest the new policy in front of the immigration office. "One should look at the news...I don't know why they are saying that Afghanistan has a good situation nowadays," said Afghan Mustafa Mohebi, one of the demonstrators. "I would never think about going back home," added Sabah Rstem from Baghdad. Earlier this week, attacks in the Afghan capital of Kabul killed at least 24 people and wounded 91 others while a car bomb claimed by Islamic State killed at least 9 in Baghdad. Anti-immigrant sentiment among Finns has been on the rise. On Wednesday, a small group of people rallied in a counter protest, with signs saying "Finland first." (Reporting by Tuomas Forsell and Jussi Rosendahl) Today in 5 Lines Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will participate in a forum about national security and veterans issues that will air on NBC and MSNBC. The U.S. House of Representatives will reportedly vote this week on a bill that would allow 9/11 survivors and family members of victims to sue Saudi Arabia. Trumps campaign is ending its media blacklist and approving press credentials for several outlets, including The Washington Post, Politico, The Huffington Post, and BuzzFeed. A federal survey found that the rate of uninsured people in the United States has hit a record low at 8.6 percent. The Dallas Morning News endorsed Clinton for presidentthe first time the newspaper has supported a Democrat for the position since before World War II. And Apple announced its new iPhone 7 will use wireless earbuds. Today on The Atlantic Lets Talk About Sex : In West Texas, a Christian pregnancy center teaches abstinence-based sex education in public schools with the hope that young women who do become pregnant will seek out alternatives to abortion. (Olga Khazan) Bill Clinton, the Peacemaker : President Clinton spent a lot of his time working to resolve the century-old conflict between Israel and Palestineeven coming close to reaching an agreement in 2000. Will he get another chance as Hillarys first husband? (Jeffrey Goldberg) Having the Tough Discussions: Reverend Sylvester Tee Turner has helped organize more than 200 race healing dialogues. In this Q&A, Turner says that building trust and asking simple questions are important to facilitating a meaningful conversation. (Alexia Fernandez Campbell) Follow stories throughout the day with our Politics & Policy portal. Recommended: Fear of a Female President Snapshot Air Force Captain Jennifer Lee, right, kneels as she presents an American flag to Terry Harmon, center seated, daughter of World War II pilot Elaine Danforth Harmon, during burial services at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP What Were Reading Clintons Secret Weapon: Every move the Democratic nominee makes on the campaign trail is meticulously planned, thanks to Clintons heavy investment in data analytics. Meet Elan Kriegel, the man powering her data-driven race for the White House. (Shane Goldmacher, Politico) Story continues Recommended: What Is Aleppo? Can Conservatives Crack a Joke?: Ann Coulters performance at the Comedy Central Roast of Rob Lowe could have proven that conservatives have a sense of humor, argues National Reviews Christian Schneider, but her awkward standup came up short. The Art of Poll Reading: Last month, Hillary Clinton held a commanding lead in the polls; recent counts show that her lead has shrunk, but theyre much hazier. Why is it so hard to tell where each candidate stands? (Nate Cohn, The New York Times) Americas Public Defender Crisis: Public defenders are facing overwhelming caseloads following years of budget cuts to legal defense teams. Guardian US teamed up with The Marshall Project to examine the effects of this trend on Americas poor. (Oliver Laughland) The End of Trumps Era?: Over the last several weeks, America has seen a noticeably different Donald Trump on stage and in front of cameras. Heres why this change could signal the end of his success. (Matt Taibbi, Rolling Stone) Visualized Can School Integration Make a Comeback?: Is America betraying the legacy of Brown v. Board of Education? The Atlantics Alia Wong spoke with the U.S. Secretary of Education John King, Jr. about his plan to improve public-school integration. (Dan Lombroso) Shots Fired: What would Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton have to do to launch a nuclear strike as president? Take a look at this step-by-step procedure to find out. Hint: The whole process takes only a few minutes. (Bloomberg) Recommended: Can Hillary Clinton Win Texas? Question of the Week Recess is over, and Congress is back in session in Washington D.C. For the next few weeks, their assignments include passing Zika funding, figuring out how to deal with IRS Commissioner John Koskinen, and preventing another government shutdown. But if you were to assign one book to be read by every member of Congress, what would it be? Send your answers to hello@theatlantic.com or tweet us @TheAtlPolitics, and our favorites will be featured in Fridays Politics & Policy Daily. -Written by Elaine Godfrey (@elainejgodfrey) and Candice Norwood (@cjnorwoodwrites) Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. MELBOURNE (Reuters) - The Australian government will help fund a dozen large-scale solar projects worth A$1 billion ($770 million), as it looks to boost the use of clean power in a coal-rich country, which is one of the world's biggest carbon emitters per head. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) said on Thursday the projects would triple Australia's large-scale solar capacity to 720 megawatts, and deliver a tenth of the new capacity needed to meet its 2020 renewable energy target. The government will provide A$92 million for 12 projects, which includes three proposals from private French firm Neoen SA, and one each from Thailand's Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding and Infigen Energy. Australia wants to double its large-scale renewable energy generation to 33,000 gigawatt hours by 2020, which means by then solar, wind and hydroelectricity would have to make up nearly a quarter of the country's power generation. The government's tenders to back solar projects have helped build momentum in the industry and forced companies to become more competitive, which will help push the sector closer to being commercially viable, ARENA CEO Ivor Frischknecht said. "We aren't quite there yet, but the commercial viability of large-scale solar in Australia is tantalisingly close and the question is now 'how soon' rather than 'if' or 'how long'," he said in a speech, announcing the winning bids. As evidence of the improving competitiveness, ARENA said early large-scale solar plants needed A$1.60 per watt in government funding, but funding for the 12 new projects has dropped to just 19 cents per watt in just three years. The biggest plant to be offered funding was a 105 MW project, set to be Australia's largest solar farm, which Origin Energy Ltd plans to start building near its gas-fired Darling Downs power station in the state of Queensland in 2017. "Origin's substantial gas-fired generation portfolio will help to balance out the intermittent nature of renewable generation," Origin's Energy Markets chief executive Frank Calabria said in a statement. Australia has the highest uptake of rooftop solar photovoltaics (solar PV) but lags behind other countries in the construction of large-scale solar farms, with 240 megawatts of capacity built so far, due to higher costs. The country is on track to cut carbon emissions by 13 percent by 2020 from 2005 levels, however, the industry and green groups say it will have to step up the pace of solar and wind power growth to meet the government's renewable energy target. ARENA, which faces a A$1.3 billion funding cut under the conservative government's latest budget plan, is helping fund trials of battery storage, which will be key to making solar and wind power more reliable. (Reporting by Sonali Paul; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips) (This version of the September 7 story has been refiled to add last name of FPO candidate Norbert Hofer in paragraph 12) By Shadia Nasralla VIENNA (Reuters) - Austria's interior minister threatened on Wednesday to sue Hungary if it refused to take back migrants crossing their shared border, in an escalation of tensions over immigration ahead of next month's presidential election. Pressured by a surge in support for the far-right Freedom Party (FPO), Austria's government has repeatedly accused Hungary of letting migrants enter its territory in defiance of European Union rules that asylum seekers must stay in the first country they enter in the bloc. Hungary, which is preparing for a referendum on whether to accept an EU-wide asylum quota, has countered that most refugees enter its territory from other EU states, notably Italy and Greece, in a growing European blame game. "States or groups of states that permanently break the law have to expect legal consequences," Interior Minister Wolfgang Sobotka told ORF radio, responding to a question on Hungary's refusal to give ground. "In that case, the (Austrian) republic must sue. The republic must see that the European Union acts according to the law, full stop," he added, without specifying what legal process he was considering. Budapest has built a fence along its border with non-EU member Serbia to stem the flow of hundreds of thousands of people, many of them fleeing violence in the Middle East and North Africa. However, both Hungary and Austria said earlier this month the situation was now broadly under control. "IRRESPONSIBLE CONDUCT" A Hungarian government spokesman dismissed Sobotka's call in an emailed statement, saying the vast majority of migrants had arrived in other EU states first. "Hungary cannot and will not take responsibility for, and suffer the consequences of, the irresponsible conduct of other member states - Austria, Germany - which expressly suggested ignoring the rules, or for other states - Greece - that neglected to do their job," the spokesman said. Many migrants arriving in central Europe first entered the EU via the Greek islands from Turkey. Last autumn Germany and Austria initially welcomed large numbers of refugees from the Middle East and Afghanistan. But Vienna started to toughen its asylum rules this year and imposed an annual limit on the number of asylum requests it accepts. Those steps, widely criticized by human rights groups and the European Union, came after the anti-immigrant FPO surged past the ruling centrist parties in opinion polls. FPO candidate Norbert Hofer hopes to become Europe's first far-right head of state after Austria's presidential election on Oct. 2, the same day as the Hungarian referendum. Late on Tuesday Austria's government backed draft emergency measures that would allow it to turn migrants away directly at the border once the annual threshold of 37,500 was exceeded. The decree said exceeding the asylum limit this year could endanger Austria's security by putting pressure on public services and leading to increased crime. U.N. refugee agency UNHCR expressed concern over the move. "The planned emergency decree would break a taboo and mean a departure from refugee protection in Austria," UNHCR Austrian director Christoph Pinter said in a statement. The measures will now be subjected to four weeks of discussion before taking effect. (Reporting By Shadia Nasralla and Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi; additional reporting by Marton Dunai in BUDAPEST; Editing by Gareth Jones) By Shadia Nasralla VIENNA (Reuters) - Austria's interior minister threatened on Wednesday to sue Hungary if it refused to take back migrants crossing their shared border, in an escalation of tensions over immigration ahead of next month's presidential election. Pressured by a surge in support for the far-right Freedom Party (FPO), Austria's government has repeatedly accused Hungary of letting migrants enter its territory in defiance of European Union rules that asylum seekers must stay in the first country they enter in the bloc. Hungary, which is preparing for a referendum on whether to accept an EU-wide asylum quota, has countered that most refugees enter its territory from other EU states, notably Italy and Greece, in a growing European blame game. "States or groups of states that permanently break the law have to expect legal consequences," Interior Minister Wolfgang Sobotka told ORF radio, responding to a question on Hungary's refusal to give ground. "In that case, the (Austrian) republic must sue. The republic must see that the European Union acts according to the law, full stop," he added, without specifying what legal process he was considering. Budapest has built a fence along its border with non-EU member Serbia to stem the flow of hundreds of thousands of people, many of them fleeing violence in the Middle East and North Africa. However, both Hungary and Austria said earlier this month the situation was now broadly under control. "IRRESPONSIBLE CONDUCT" A Hungarian government spokesman dismissed Sobotka's call in an emailed statement, saying the vast majority of migrants had arrived in other EU states first. "Hungary cannot and will not take responsibility for, and suffer the consequences of, the irresponsible conduct of other member states - Austria, Germany - which expressly suggested ignoring the rules, or for other states - Greece - that neglected to do their job," the spokesman said. Many migrants arriving in central Europe first entered the EU via the Greek islands from Turkey. Last autumn Germany and Austria initially welcomed large numbers of refugees from the Middle East and Afghanistan. But Vienna started to toughen its asylum rules this year and imposed an annual limit on the number of asylum requests it accepts. Those steps, widely criticised by human rights groups and the European Union, came after the anti-immigrant FPO surged past the ruling centrist parties in opinion polls. FPO candidate Norbert Hofer hopes to become Europe's first far-right head of state after Austria's presidential election on Oct. 2, the same day as the Hungarian referendum. Late on Tuesday Austria's government backed draft emergency measures that would allow it to turn migrants away directly at the border once the annual threshold of 37,500 was exceeded. The decree said exceeding the asylum limit this year could endanger Austria's security by putting pressure on public services and leading to increased crime. U.N. refugee agency UNHCR expressed concern over the move. "The planned emergency decree would break a taboo and mean a departure from refugee protection in Austria," UNHCR Austrian director Christoph Pinter said in a statement. The measures will now be subjected to four weeks of discussion before taking effect. (Reporting By Shadia Nasralla and Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi; additional reporting by Marton Dunai in BUDAPEST; Editing by Gareth Jones) Former Fidelite Films CFO/COO Guillaume Lirondiere has joined Paris-based finance, production and distribution outfit Backup Media (Still Alice) as COO. The exec will spearhead production and finance at Backup with founding partners Jean-Baptiste Babin, David Atlan Jackson and Joel Thibout. Backup is entering a new growth phase as it heads to Toronto. Last year, it got out of the French tax finance business after funding over 300 films. Its focus going forward will be on 10-15 international productions a year with up to five being fully financed. The current lineup includes Guy Pearce/Dakota Fanning-starrer Brimstone; Fabrice Du Welz Message From The King with Chadwick Boseman and Luke Evans; and Submergence from director Wim Wenders and starring James McAvoy and Alicia Vikander. Atlan Jackson says, Working on 40 to 50 films a year for so long with its load of successful projects but also not so successful ones has helped us gain experience, expertise and some kind of wisdom, which we now will try to use along with our sweat and capital, on a more manageable volume of films. TrustNordisk has boarded Norwegian dramedy Drib. Kristoffer Borglis debut feature is a ficion/documentary hybrid thats based on the real-life story of how the directors good friend almost became the international face of a well-known energy drink when an LA-based ad agency mistook his staged viral videos for the real thing. The film tracks how art becomes commerce, how fiction becomes fact, and how something fake can have very real effects. Artist and stand-up comedian Amir Asgharnejad stars with Brett Gelman (Jobs, Mad Men, Twin Peaks) and internet activist Adam Pearson (Under The Skin). Borgli first made a name for himself with the award winning short film Whateverest. Vancouver-based Brightlight Pictures has appointed Sandra Karr as COO. She joins from Telefilm Canada where she was Director of National Business Affairs. The hire comes just ahead of the Toronto International Film Festival where Brightlight is handling international on Nacho Vigalandos kaiju monster mash-up and Anne Hathaway-starrer Colossal. Related stories Toronto 2016: Pre-Buys Prized As Festival Gets Underway Werner Herzog's 'Salt And Fire' Acquired By XLrator Media - Toronto 'The Oath': Baltasar Kormakur Talks Directing Himself In Icelandic Thriller, Unveils Trailer - Toronto (Repeats story filed on Wednesday, no change in text) By Alastair Macdonald BRUSSELS, Sept 7 (Reuters) - EU officials are livid at their former boss Jose Manuel Barroso for taking a job at Goldman Sachs that has drawn public scorn just as they are trying to win back trust in a European Union wounded by Britain's Brexit vote. But despite a vocal campaign by EU staff and a formal demand for action from the bloc's ethics watchdog, the European Commission and Barroso's successor as president Jean-Claude Juncker, see little they can do -- beyond distancing themselves from the former Portuguese premier's move to the U.S. bank. The row began two months ago when Barroso, a conservative who led the EU executive for a decade until 2014, was unveiled by Goldman as non-executive chairman of its London-based international arm with a special role in advising on the Brexit process triggered by the British referendum on June 23. It flared again this week just as EU leaders, back from summer breaks, are preparing a major push for hearts and minds that they hope can start restoring trust in institutions assailed across the continent by eurosceptic insurgent parties. European Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly, citing among other evidence of public unease a petition run by EU staff that has over 130,000 signatures, wrote to Juncker asking whether he will convene an ethics review of his predecessor's action, amend the code of conduct or issue special guidance to the Union's Brexit negotiators on how to handle any contact with their former boss. "Mr. Barroso's move has generated concern at a very challenging time for the EU and particularly in relation to citizen trust in its institutions," she wrote. "WORST POSSIBLE MOMENT" Juncker, who is preparing for his annual keynote State of the Union address to the European Parliament next Wednesday, has publicly distanced himself from Barroso, telling French television in July that he would not have taken the job. Aides have made clear the former Luxembourg premier is far from impressed with his predecessor for joining a firm which many Europeans see as having an unprincipled hand in triggering the 2008 financial crisis still scarring the continent today. It risks denting his own efforts to break perceptions of the EU as a cosy, technocratic club for political and business elites. Story continues "It is, at the worst possible moment, a disastrous symbol for the Union and a gift horse for the europhobes that a former Commission president is associated with the unbridled and unethical financial values that Goldman Sachs represents," wrote a group of anonymous EU staffers in an online petition. Reuters contacted one of the organisers of the petition to demand Juncker take "exemplary measures" against Barroso. It had over 132,000 signatures on change.org by late Wednesday and, the person said, had seen a sharp acceleration in support this week. The problem for Juncker, EU officials say, is that the code of conduct for former commissioners allows the Commission to bar them from certain activities only for 18 months after stepping down. Barroso took his job in London 20 months afterwards. He could not immediately be contacted on Wednesday but people who know him have told Reuters Barroso sees the role at Goldman as an important one that he is entitled to take after long years of public service. Allies note that much of the criticism has come from long-time opponents on the left. French President Francois Hollande called it "morally unacceptable". REVOLVING DOORS EU officials argue that the Commission has some of the world's strictest rules on what are known as "revolving door" job moves by senior officials into the private sector and that after 18 months inside knowledge and contacts lose their value and so no longer raise issues of conflict of interest. One EU official argued that it was Goldman Sachs' specific reputation among sections of the European population that posed the biggest problem; another bank, another Wall Street name, might not have caused so much fuss. But short of keeping a list of politically "toxic" companies for which former commissioners should never work, there may be little the Commission can do. "When it comes to broader moral and ethical questions raised by personal choices of former senior staff, can they really be reasonably defined and governed by a set of regulations?" a Commission spokesman said. As a result, officials say, it is hard to see the Commission acting further on the Barroso case, no matter how embarrassing its effect on public perceptions as EU leaders prepare for a summit next week in Bratislava on how to restore public trust. (Editing by Giles Elgood) 37th Nat'l Education Day: President presents education awards to students President Bidya Devi Bhandari, on the occasion of the 37th National Education Day on Thursday, presented different education awards to various students receiving college and university degrees with outstanding results. BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative allies in Bavaria have drawn up a list of demands, including an upper limit on migration and a burqa ban, deepening the rift between the two parties before next year's federal election. The ruling conservative bloc suffered a blow on Sunday when Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) were pushed into third place in the eastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern by the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD). Merkel has acknowledged that her open-door migrant policy - about one million arrived in Germany over the past year - contributed to the embarrassment, which has increased pressure from Bavaria's Christian Social Union (CSU) for a tougher line. The five-page CSU paper seen by Reuters, which is due to be agreed at a meeting of CSU leaders at the weekend, includes a legally binding limit on the number of migrants allowed to enter Germany and the abolition of dual citizenship. "The number of a maximum 200,000 new refugees per year is the upper limit for successful integration and must be written into law," it said. Merkel has repeatedly ruled out such a migrant cap. The policy paper, which says it stands for German values and asserts "Germany must remain Germany", also calls for a ban on the burqa, the enveloping outer garment worn by some Muslim women, and the niqab, a facial veil which reveals only the eyes. "Whoever doesn't wish to do without a burqa or a niqab should look for a different country," it said. The CSU paper, in part a repetition of earlier demands, raises the pressure on Merkel to adopt a tougher migrant policy before the conservatives agree an election campaign. The CSU and CDU form a parliamentary bloc and agree on a joint candidate for the chancellorship. "OPEN ATTACK" Katarina Barley, general secretary of the Social Democrats, junior partner in Merkel's coalition, said the CSU paper was aimed at "sabotaging" the government. "This is another open attack on Angela Merkel," Barley told the German Funke Mediengruppe newspaper chain, adding:"I expect the conservatives to continue to govern with us constructively." CSU leader Horst Seehofer has not yet endorsed Merkel and Sunday's regional election defeat prompted speculation that she may not stand for a fourth term. Her popularity has waned in the last year due to her handling of the migrant crisis but she is still the only obvious conservative candidate. Merkel has urged lawmakers to tone down their rhetoric in response to the migrant crisis and the growing popularity of the AfD, urging all mainstream parties to counter its simplistic slogans with facts to win back voters' trust. The inflow of migrants, many of them fleeing conflicts in Syria and elsewhere, has fallen sharply in recent months due to tighter European border controls and a repatriation deal between the European Union and Turkey. The total number of refugees in Germany stood at 1.38 million at the end of June, up from 1.25 million at the end of 2015, Germany's taz newspaper reported on Thursday, citing data provided by the migration office to the Left party. (Reporting by Andreas Rinke; Writing by Madeline Chambers; Editing by Gareth Jones) It's safe to say there's no love lost between Real Housewives of New York stars Bethenny Frankel and Luann de Lesseps. After the ladies' heated season eight reunion -- in which de Lesseps accused Frankel of sleeping with married men -- Frankel appeared on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live! on Wednesday, and admitted that their shouting match had the potential to get violent. "I said to Andy, 'If I didn't have a business, I would have grabbed Luann by the throat,'" Frankel candidly told fellow WWHL guest Michael Rapaport when asked if a RHONY reunion could ever get physical, a la Real Housewives of Atlanta. "I wouldn't have minded strangling her," she said. "I would have enjoyed it," Frankel added, as host Andy Cohen appeared visibly shocked. WATCH: EXCLUSIVE -- Bethenny Frankel Reveals Why She Chose to Tell Luann de Lesseps About Fiance's Alleged Cheating The 45-year-old Skinnygirl mogul also defended herself when it came to showing de Lesseps a photo of her fiance, Tom D'Agostino, Jr., kissing another woman just days after their engagement. During the show's finale, de Lesseps told Frankel to stay out of her business. "It just was interesting that Luann never mentioned that, 'Oh God, my guy cheated,'" Frankel said. "It was all me. I'm terrible, I'm the terrible person -- shoot the messenger." "What did I really do? I didn't know what to do and I'd do it again," she continued. In Bravo's dramatic, three-part RHONY season eight reunion, 51-year-old de Lesseps didn't hold back on the explosive allegations that Frankel was a mistress. De Lesseps is referring to Frankel's boyfriend, LawCash CEO Dennis Shields, who -- according to Frankel's tweets -- is separated from his wife. "[Bethenny] was going out with him for a while, while he was still married, living at home," de Lesseps said, which Frankel denied. "Everybody knows it! This has been going on for a long time. So as much as you want to say that he's separated, you're separated -- that is a lie. That's not how it started!" Story continues "I have other people that know you've slept with married men," she added. WATCH: EXCLUSIVE -- 'RHONY' Star Luann de Lesseps Reveals Why She Forgave Her Fiance ET caught up with Frankel last month, when she admitted that the unpleasant reunion experience has caused her to question whether she wants to keep appearing on the Bravo reality show. "It was very, very negative and I didn't enjoy it at all," Frankel said. "Something very dramatic happened that questioned my integrity. If someone questions my business or my integrity I take it really seriously." "I live my life honestly," she continued. "You have 50 percent of the cast that has a whole taboo, police line, 'do not cross' section of their life that is not discussed on camera and never has been. For legal issues and liability issues, Bravo doesn't need to bring it up and it's a difficult line to ride, and that may be why I don't come back." Watch below: Related Articles LONDON (Reuters) - Up to 100 additional British troops will join U.N. peacekeeping work in South Sudan, the defense minister said on Thursday, taking the total to around 400. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said the deployment, which supplements the 300 British personnel already in the region, could help reduce the number of migrants fleeing poverty and war in Africa and the Middle East from traveling to western Europe. "This large scale deployment underlines how we are stepping up our global commitments," Fallon told a conference of defense ministers. "Backed by a rising defense budget, it's part of our effort to tackle the instability that leads to mass migration and terrorism. It will help keep Britain safe while improving lives abroad." Last month, the United Nations Security Council authorized the deployment of 4,000-strong protection force in South Sudan's capital Juba after several days of fighting involving tanks and helicopters between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and those backing former Vice President Riek Machar. (Reporting by Elizabeth Piper; editing by Michael Holden) LONDON (Reuters) - Britain and the European Union should work together to smooth their divorce and forge a new strong relationship, Prime Minister Theresa May told European Council President Donald Tusk on Thursday. May's spokeswoman said that the two leaders' first meeting since she became prime minister following the June 23 Brexit vote was friendly and that the British leader felt the EU understood her need to take time to form a negotiating stance before triggering the formal divorce procedure. "The main points that the prime minister made were about working together so that there was a smooth process for the UK leaving the European Union, that is why we are taking time to prepare for the negotiations," the spokeswoman told reporters. May also told Tusk that Britain would be a "strong player" while it remained in the European Union, and would continue to stand firm on sanctions against Russia over its action in neighbouring Ukraine. (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan, editing by Elizabeth Piper) LONDON (Reuters) - Britain and the European Union should work together to smooth their divorce and forge a new strong relationship, Prime Minister Theresa May told European Council President Donald Tusk on Thursday. May's spokeswoman said that the two leaders' first meeting since she became prime minister following the June 23 Brexit vote was friendly and that the British leader felt the EU understood her need to take time to form a negotiating stance before triggering the formal divorce procedure. "The main points that the prime minister made were about working together so that there was a smooth process for the UK leaving the European Union, that is why we are taking time to prepare for the negotiations," the spokeswoman told reporters. May also told Tusk that Britain would be a "strong player" while it remained in the European Union, and would continue to stand firm on sanctions against Russia over its action in neighboring Ukraine. (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan, editing by Elizabeth Piper) BERLIN (Reuters) - European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said in a newspaper interview published on Thursday that if Britain decided to leave the European internal market, it would hit the City of London hard. "If (the British government) decides to leave the European internal market as well as the European Union, it would have serious effects for the City of London," he told German newspaper Handelsblatt. "At the moment British banks only need a licence for one EU state to be able to be active in all member countries. The banks would lose this EU passport if Britain no longer wants to completely respect the rights and duties of the European internal market after it has left the EU," Dombrovskis said. (Reporting by Michelle Martin and Madeline Chambers) London (AFP) - The British government will in November present its first budget since the country voted to leave the European Union, the Treasury announced on Thursday. New finance minister Philip Hammond will give his first Autumn Statement to lawmakers exactly five months after the referendum backing Brexit. "The chancellor of the exchequer, Philip Hammond, has today announced that he will present his first Autumn Statement to parliament on 23 November 2016," the Treasury said. As well as tax and spend plans, the budget will include the Conservative government's latest forecasts for British economic growth. The Autumn Statement is seen as a mini-budget before the main tax and spend announcements given usually in March. While the risk of recession in Britain caused by Brexit fallout has diminished following relatively upbeat data releases since the June 23 vote, the economy could still take a turn for the worse. A leading economic think tank, NIESR, warned Wednesday that "the probability of a technical recession before the end of 2017 remains significantly elevated". Hammond replaced George Osborne, who resigned as chancellor after the Remain camp lost the EU referendum. The biggest political casualty was David Cameron, who stepped down as prime minister and was replaced by Theresa May. Hammond meanwhile decided against holding an emergency budget following the referendum result despite Osborne claiming that one would have been necessary. Col Lamas acquittal: Setback for moment, but victory in long run Though the acquittal of Nepal Army Colonel Kumar Lama by a British court has come as a temporary setback for conflict victims and rights groups, they maintain that the fact that the conflict-era cases could come under universal jurisdiction is a step forward in long term. Beijing (AFP) - The publisher of Chinese national carrier Air China's in-flight magazine apologised Thursday for allegedly "racist" travel advice offered to passengers visiting London, as mainland social media users rushed to defend the controversial tips. The latest issue of "Wings of China" ran an article detailing safety tips for travellers based on the race and nationality of local residents. "London is generally a safe place to travel, however precautions are needed when entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people," the article said in English translation below a Chinese text, according to a photograph published by CNBC. "We advise tourists not to go out alone at night, and females always to be accompanied by another person when travelling," it added. The Chinese version was worded slightly differently, stating that such neighbourhoods were "comparatively more chaotic" -- an adjective often used to describe dangerous areas. The English translation prompted London MP Virendra Sharma, who emigrated from India to Britain in the 1960s, to complain to the Chinese government. "I am shocked and appalled that even today some people would see it as acceptable to write such blatantly untrue and racist statements," he said in an online statement. "I have raised this issue with the Chinese ambassador, and requested that he ensures an apology is swiftly forthcoming from Air China, and the magazine is removed from circulation immediately," Sharma said. In a Chinese-language statement Thursday, the publisher attributed the "inappropriate descriptions" to editorial errors, stating that they were at odds with the "original intention to actively promote the beautiful scenery of London". It described itself as a third-party organisation, although Air China's own website describes the magazine as "an authoritative information resource of Air China Group and Air China". Story continues The publisher apologised that the text had "misled" a number of media outlets and readers and damaged Air China's brand image. But on Chinese social media, most commenters expressed bafflement at the backlash. In a common refrain, one user of China's Twitter-like Weibo platform asked: "This is just stating the truth -- what is there to apologise about?" Another queried: "There are more rapists and robbers there anyway -- why is saying this discriminatory?" Many said they felt the advice was valuable. "We can't satisfy everyone, but we certainly must put Chinese people's safety first," one user stated. Discussion and public awareness of racism in China is notoriously low -- often resulting in viral scandals that spark global outrage beyond the Great Firewall but cause nary a whimper of concern within the mainland. In May, an ad by a Chinese detergent maker depicting a black man stuffed into a washing machine and transformed into a fair-skinned Asian stoked outcry abroad, initially dismissed by the company as overly sensitive. - 'Politically correct' - China often portrays itself as the victim of discrimination at the hands of foreign media, and many on Weibo expressed indignation at what they saw as hypocritical finger-pointing from those in the West. "We don't owe black people, Indians or Pakistanis anything; we never trafficked slaves or colonised India and Pakistan," wrote one user, adding: "So go die, all you politically correct people." The controversy comes during a period of tension between Beijing and London. British Prime Minister Theresa May returned to London this week from the G20 summit hosted by China, where she defended her decision to delay giving the go-ahead to a nuclear power project in which Beijing has substantial investment. China has a one-third stake in the plan to build Britain's first nuclear plant in decades at Hinkley Point in southwest England, along with French company EDF. May unexpectedly delayed the project in July after EDF gave it a green light, saying on Sunday she would make a decision this month. China's ambassador to Britain, Liu Xiaoming, warned last month relations were at a "crucial historical juncture" between the two countries. One commenter on the Air China magazine incident had their own solution to the controversy, saying: "In the future, just don't translate this stuff into English. It's enough that we get the message amongst ourselves -- foreigners wouldn't understand." By Martyn Herman LONDON (Reuters) - Kell Brook admits to feeling fear but says he is ready to inflict a first career defeat on Kazakh knockout specialist Gennady Golovkin when they meet in a London ring on Saturday. Golovkin, who boasts a perfect 35-0 record with 32 KOs, puts his WBC and IBF middleweight belts on the line against unbeaten IBF welterweight champion Brook who has moved up two weight divisions for the biggest fight of his career. Amiable as a dapper Golovkin appeared at a news conference on Thursday, describing his love for London and its people, he has proved a ruthless beast inside the ropes and is regarded as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, dominating the middleweight ranks. "There is fear for me in this fight, but that will make me so sharp," Briton Brook, who recovered from a life-threatening stabbing while on holiday in Spain two years ago, told reporters across the Thames from the O2 Arena that will stage the contest. "That fear is healthy because I need to be switched on throughout the fight. This is my moment. I'm going in there to win. Very confident. I'm going to shock the world." Golovkin's trainer Abel Sanchez warned Brook that he was in for a rude awakening on Saturday, questioning the wisdom of moving up to middleweight for the first time. "It takes more than a 10-week scientific experiment to topple Gennady Golovkin," he said. Golovkin's WBA belt is not up for grabs as that ruling body refused to sanction the fight, saying it was concerned about Brook's safety in the 160lbs division. However, Brook says it is a natural step and that he will finally be able to fight at 100 percent. "When I've had to take weight off to make 147 (lbs) it's meant I fight at 60 or 70 percent," Sheffield's Brook, who owns a 36-0 record, said. "You are going to see the full 100 percent." Brook's trainer Dominic Ingle also played down concerns that his charge was moving out of his depth. "We used to have to take muscle off him (to make the weight)," he said. "This is not a big guy versus a small guy. This is two middleweights. We've left no stone unturned to prepare for the fight. "No one is giving Kell a chance. But he is coming to win." Golovkin is eyeing a 17th consecutive middleweight title victory. Many had hoped he would fight Mexican Saul Alvarez but their proposed showdown fell through. His promoter Tom Loeffler said finding opponents willing to climb into the ring with Golovkin was difficult, which is why Brook's challenge has stoked such interest and meant 17,000 tickets sold in nine minutes, according to promoters Matchroom. "Brook is a champion, undefeated. He's not scared," Golovkin said. "Respect. He's a fighter." (Reporting by Martyn Herman; editing by Clare Lovell) Abuja (AFP) - President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday set out his vision for a better Nigeria, imagining an incorruptible paradise where drivers do not run red lights and internet scams are a thing of the past. In Buhari's Nigeria, police turn down bribes from rich men driving SUVs, militants in the oil-rich Niger delta lay down their arms, rubbish is thrown in bins, not the street, and workers are on time. "I won't sell my body for marks," a student is quoted as saying in a promotional video to launch the initiative before a gathering of high-profile politicians in the presidential villa in Abuja. "I no go do Yahoo Yahoo or 419 again," says another in pidgin English, referring to the online scams originating from Nigeria that have snared victims around the world. The "re-orientation campaign" conjures up images of social engineering and Big Brother-style state control but Buhari maintained it was first and foremost about a change in "mindset". "We must resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship, pettiness and immaturity that have poisoned our country for so long," he told delegates. "You must first ask how far have I changed my ways? What have I done to be part of the change?" The campaign, set to an infectious jingle with the lyrics "change begins with me", appears to be a gentler revamp of the "war on indiscipline" Buhari introduced as military ruler in the 1980s. Then, soldiers in his regime enforced orderly queues for buses and fair prices in markets, while tardy civil servants were made to do star jumps if ever they arrived late for work. More than 30 years on, the issues are the same: police and public sector workers still solicit bribes, while stopping at traffic lights remains more of a suggestion than the law. Buhari was voted into power in 2015 on an anti-corruption platform and Nigerians have largely praised the retired general for his commitment to restoring order and accountability. Story continues The straight-laced president has before criticised Nigerians for being "unruly" and urged people to reform their "lawless habits" while embarking on a wide-ranging corruption crackdown. Yet then, as now, his social crusade risks being undermined by the country's dismal economic performance. This month Nigeria reported that it had entered a recession, with the oil sector reporting a double-digit decline following a wave of attacks by rebels in the oil-producing south. Still, Buhari emphasised that by changing "personal behaviour" the country can overcome hard times. "Every one of us must have a change from our old ways of doing things," he said. "We cannot fold our arms and allow things to continue the old way." meridith baer The prospect of decorating an entire new house can be daunting. Real estate developers are well aware of that fact. That's why so many of them have turned to home staging company Meridith Baer Home, which has worked on thousands of homes in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Miami, and the Hamptons. Meridith Baer Home's designers will fill an empty home with beautiful furnishings so that potential buyers can be free to picture what their life would be like if they lived there. "When people want to buy a house, they might have an idea of what it is, but without the lifestyle it's hard for them to imagine that," founder Meridith Baer recently said to Business Insider. "We kind of bring the house to life and put its best dress on." To do this, the designer whom the firm decides is best suited to the style of the individual home will do a walk-through, then select the appropriate furniture from the company's warehouse. Meridith Baer Home's Los Angeles headquarters is home to 200,000 square feet of furniture, in addition to other warehouses in San Francisco, Connecticut, and Florida. The team then installs the furniture in the home, considering every detail down to the glasses they keep by the side of the bed. They can accomplish this pretty quickly usually in a matter of two to four days. If the client is a property developer, the house will then go right onto the market. That work seems to pay off According to Meridith Baer's office, staged homes have been shown to sell 80% more quickly and for 20% more than homes that hadn't been professionally staged. As a whole, the company's designers perform about 140 installations every month. meridith baer home before meridith baer royal palm florida But sometimes the client is not a developer, but a new homeowner who wants a full set of furniture installed in their new digs. This product, which Baer calls "Instahome," might be especially attractive to someone who either isn't from the area or is looking to use the new home only as a vacation spot. Story continues "This is when someone buys a house and asks us to install a complete home for them," she said. "They can even look at our website and say, 'That's the house I want.'" The company also offers a third product that allows users to lease luxury furniture for a certain period of time. They'll charge an install fee, usually about $30,000 to $40,000, plus a monthly rental fee that varies based on the quality and quantity of the furnishings provided. (The fees for staging furniture are similar, but developers can have free "rent" on the pieces for the first two to three months after that, they pay a monthly fee.) Baer said that this particular product tends to draw some very wealthy clients: Elon Musk and CBS' Les Moonves, to name a few. "They're in a situation where they want to rent furniture for a given period of time, but they want something nice," Baer said. "It might be in the context of a divorce, where they might want to create the same house their kids are used to. Or it could be that they're in the process of building a home, and they're renting another home until it's ready." "If Robert DeNiro is in town filming a movie and he's renting a house, he'll want the furniture to be in the style that he wants." Baer began her home staging career almost by accident. Originally a screenwriter and journalist, she was in between homes and wanted somewhere to keep her things, so she offered to help a developer friend of hers fill a project with beautiful furniture. "This kind of service didn't exist, but there was such a need for it," she said, adding that many of her current clients are repeat customers. Her company now gets so many requests for traditional interior design work that they added it to their regular roster of services. "Usually these people are very busy, and they just want it done," she said. "But every once in a while you'll get someone who's really hands-on. We did an interior design project with Gerard Butler, and he wanted to go to the flea market with us." Baer's background in writing influences how she approaches each project. "I found that as a writer, I enjoyed creating a mood and scene much more than I enjoyed writing dialogue. I liked suggesting, that part of writing," she said. "It was a natural progression to go into a home and imagine how it could be, and bring it to life." NOW WATCH: These are the childhood homes of the most powerful leaders in history More From Business Insider Image: By Invite Only | Yu Ahn Cluster Necklace Youre probably used to seeing citronella candles to ward off mosquitos, but what if you your own jewellery could repel the pesky critters? Enter By Invite Only, a Singapore jewellery company that is warding off mosquitos with its new line of accessories. The Yu Ahn Collection is the companys new jade-coloured line (jade is a Chinese colour symbol said to protect against evil and bad luck), that comes with pendants equipped to hold refillable citronella balls. Image: By Invite Only | Yu Ahn Cluster Necklace The bracelets and necklaces are made with stainless steel while the Yu Ahn Square Bracelet also incorporates onyx and rhodium plated chains into the design. Each item comes with three citronella mosquito repellent beads (under $5 CND for the batch). The demand has been so high that the collection is currently sold out, but those interested can sign up for a waiting list until stock is replenished. According to the website, By Invite Only focuses on producing style-lines that are constantly replenished to give buyers fresh choices, so the sold-out dilemma shouldnt last long, hopefully. Prices ranges from $45 CND to $62 CND. Trixie Khong, the companys founder, recently told Mashable that people arent always keen on bringing mosquito repellent with them everywhere they go even though mosquito-borne diseases are a problem in Singapore. So she decided to combine the concept of safety with fashion. By Invite Only | Yu Ahn Square Bracelet Like many other countries, Singapore is currently dealing with the Zika and dengue viruses, both of which can be spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. According to health officials, there are over 275 Zika cases in Singapore and surrounding states (such as Johor). Singapore has reported two cases that involve pregnant women. Just today nine more locally transmitted Zika virus cases were announced in Singapore. Thus far, the Zika virus has been reported in 67 countries and territories. Malaysia has also seen a surge in dengue fever, which according to the National Environment Agency (NEA) reports there are currently over 11,400 cases. A California man is now paralyzed and confined to a hospital bed in Hawaii after an accident in the ocean left him with serious injuries to his spine and neck. By Alex Dobuzinskis LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - California will tighten controls on greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, factories and public utilities under a pair of bills signed on Thursday by Democratic Governor Jerry Brown. The measures in the most populous U.S. state would extend by 10 years California's main greenhouse gas reduction program and beef up oversight of the state agency charged with implementing it. "Climate change is real, and knowing that, California is taking action," Brown said. The bills, which were opposed by most Republicans, extend the state's greenhouse gas emissions reduction program to 2030 and require a reduction in carbon emissions to 40 percent below the level released in 1990. The measures also increase oversight of the state's air pollution control agency by appointing two members of the legislature to the State Air Resources Board and requiring the board to publish emissions data for factories, power companies and other facilities. The stricter rules for carbon emissions, which contribute to global warming by trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere, come as a controversial program aimed at managing greenhouse gases has had mixed results. That program, known as cap-and-trade, limits the total amount of emissions and allots companies that need to release gases, such as factories that use power to make their products, a certain number of allowances. Theoretically, firms that need fewer allowances can sell theirs at an auction, while those needing more can buy them. Last month, state officials released disappointing results from an auction of carbon permits, but officials say they are still on track to meet emissions goals. Brown, at the event, chided Republicans in the U.S. Congress who have opposed measures to control climate change, and he said California lawmakers, for their part, were moving forward. "It's going to take wisdom and it will take some balance that we don't overdo it, but I'm not afraid that we're going to get to that point," Brown said. But Republicans, particularly in oil-producing areas, say the state's existing greenhouse gas reduction targets have already cost jobs and increased the cost of electricity. They also question how Democratic lawmakers with a majority in the legislature are using the money generated by fees paid in the cap and trade program. The bill was also opposed by the Western States Petroleum Association, an oil industry group (Additional reporting by Sharon Bernstein in Sacramento; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) Getty Image Guess it was only a matter of time until Calvin Harris weighed back in on Taylor Swift, right? Especially given yesterdays rumored split with her also recently-new boyfriend Tom Hiddleston, now is a fitting time for the EDM producer to speak on his recent ex. Last time we heard from him on the matter he was ranting on Twitter about Taylors camp trying to trash him and revealed that Taylor had helped write his smash hit with Rihanna This Is What You Came For. Juicy! Now, in a new interview for British GQ for their Men of the Year feature no less he seems to be regretting his outburst a bit. The aftermath of the relationship was way more heavily publicized than the relationship itself. When we were together, we were very careful for it not to be a media circus. She respected my feelings in that sense. Im not good at being a celebrity. But when it ended, all hell broke loose. Now I see that Twitter thing as a result of me succumbing to pressure. It took me a minute to realize that none of that matters. Im a positive guy. For both of us it was the wrong situation. It clearly wasnt right, so it ended, but all of the stuff that happened afterwards Honestly, who hasnt been there during a breakup? Congrats to Calvin on his Solo Artist of the Year distinction from British GQ. He seems thrilled with the piece, which features him on the cover: (Adds details of release, background) OTTAWA, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Canadian new housing prices rose more than expected in July, climbing 0.4 percent from June on continued strength in the hot market of Toronto, Statistics Canada data indicated on Thursday. The monthly increase, the 16th in a row, was greater than the 0.2 percent advance forecast by analysts in a Reuters poll. Prices in the combined Toronto-Oshawa region, which accounts for 27.92 percent of the Canadian market, rose by 1.0 percent. Builders cited market conditions and prices on new listings as reasons for the increase. Prices in Vancouver, another booming market, climbed 0.6 percent. The rapid rise in prices in the two major cities have raised concerns that their markets are becoming overheated. The new housing price index excludes apartments and condominiums, which the government says are a particular cause for worry and which account for one-third of new housing. (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe) Dad-son duo held for rape, forced abortion Police have arrested a father-son duo in a rape and forced abortion case involving a 14-year-old girl in Surkhet. By Susan Taylor TORONTO (Reuters) - Canadian newspaper publisher the Globe and Mail offered voluntary buyouts to all staff on Thursday in an effort to 'right-size' the business, publisher Philip Crawley said. The newspaper, which has about 650 staff, is looking for about 40 people to volunteer for the buyout, Crawley said in an email sent to employees and seen by Reuters. In 2013, when the paper last offered buyouts, more than 60 employees accepted the offer, he said. Newspapers are under increasing pressure to cut costs to offset sharp declines in print advertising sales. The package is open to union and non-unionized staff and management, with enhanced severance for employees with more than 30 year of service, Crawley said. "I made it clear today that this is about right-sizing the business. It would have happened now, with or without a new building," Crawley said in an email, referencing the newspaper's planned move to a new office building in downtown Toronto later this year. In the email, the company said that under a three-year plan it had reduced its expense run rate by C$25 million ($19.34 million) through cost-cutting measures including a new print plant contract and reduced marketing budget. The Globe hopes to reduce its staff by mid-November, the email said. The Globe is majority-owned by Canada's Thomson family, which is also a majority owner of Reuters' parent company, Thomson Reuters Corp . ($1 = 1.2924 Canadian dollars) (Reporting by Susan Taylor; Editing by James Dalgleish) OTTAWA, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Canadian construction and engineering company SNC-Lavalin Group Inc, hit by a wide-ranging misconduct scandal in 2012, on Thursday said it had reached an agreement with authorities over illegal political donations. As part of a voluntary compliance agreement with the Commissioner of Canada Elections, the country's elections watchdog, the company acknowleged that some former executives had asked employees to donate money to political parties. In some cases, employees who agreed to donate were then reimbursed in the form of false refunds for expenses or the payment of fictitious bonuses. Corporations are not allowed to give money to political parties in Canada. "Our cooperation with the Commissioner reflects the efforts and progress we have made in terms of ethics and compliance since 2012, which our clients and partners now recognize," SNC Chief Executive Neil Bruce said in a statement. The company pledged never to repeat the behavior. Reports of scandals involving alleged corruption and bribery at SNC's Libyan operations led to the ouster of its former chief executive in 2012, after the discovery that millions of dollars were missing. In a separate statement issued on Thursday, the elections commissioner noted SNC's full cooperation during the probe and said the compliance agreement did not leave the company with a criminal record. The illegal donations totaled almost C$118,000 ($91,500) and covered the period between March 2004 and May 2011, when first the Liberals and then the Conservatives controlled the federal government. ($1=$1.29 Canadian) (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Jonathan Oatis) Hollywood's diversity debate has spread to Canada. In time for the start of the Toronto Film Festival, Canadian indie filmmakers on Thursday revealed they have their own diversity problem on local cinema screens. "When Canadian films are at their best, they reflect the rich experience and perspectives of the people who make up our diverse nation," Reynolds Mastin, president and CEO of the Canadian Media Producers Association, representing indie producers, said in a statement. After falling short of that goal, the indie producers and Telefilm Canada, Canada's main film financier, announced they have formed a joint working group to secure a more "representative and diversified" feature film portfolio with the goal to better reflect gender and diversity by 2020. Both parties stopped short of quantifying the number of diverse characters they want to see onscreen at the local multiplex within five years. "Building a portfolio that better reflects Canadian society is a priority for us," Carolle Brabant, Telefilm's executive director, added in her own statement. "I'm very pleased to see that the industry is committed to change," she added about a domestic film industry highly dependent on government subsidies and tax breaks to finalize indie film budgets. To promote diversity, Telefilm at the Toronto Film Festival this year will pay tribute to 12 Canadian women in film, including actors, directors and screenwriters, during its Birks Diamond Tribute. The Canadian industry's drive toward diversity follows the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unveiling changes in its structure and voting regulations to similarly promote diversity. Canada's diversity debate getting under way here also follows the Toronto festival giving an international premiere to Nate Parker's The Birth of a Nation, about an American slave rebellion, despite recent revelations about the director's past. Story continues Other buzzy titles in Toronto dealing with race relations include writer-director Jeff Nichols' Loving and Amma Asante's A United Kingdom. The Toronto Film Festival, which launches today with a racially diverse cast to promote the opening night film, The Magnificent Seven, continues through Sept. 18. Read more: Academy Unveils Dramatic Changes to Promote Diversity Caroline Manzo and her family clearly aren't afraid of the dark or sleeping in jail cells. In an exclusive sneak peek at Sunday's Manzo'd with Children premiere, the 55-year-old matriarch embarks with her husband and kids on an adventurous evening to an abandoned jail. As the family walks through the dimly lit cells, the tour guide tells the group, "You're going to be staying in cell block 12, which was the worst of the worst." "I'm going to freak out," Manzo's son-in-law Vito Scalia says as he walks through the dark halls. "You're a big man, Vito," Manzo assures him as the group descends on Al Capone's jail cell, where the gangster was held in 1929 for carrying a deadly concealed weapon. "That's f---ing $1,700 a month in Hoboken. Say what you want," Christopher Manzo jokes about the upscale jail cell, which was outfitted with a bed, chair, lamp, desk and heater. "The warden says he got no special treatment whatsoever; he was treated just like every other inmate here. But of course people don't write bribes down," the tour guide tells the group. "Kind of like how people say celebrities in jail don't get any special treatment." "That's what they say," Manzo responds. Asked in her interview if celebrities get "special treatment" in jail, the Real Housewives of New Jersey alum denies knowing any "real celebrities" and throws some major shade at Teresa Giudice. "I don't know any celebrities that have been in jail real celebrities that have been in jail," Manzo says as she takes a jab at her former RHONJ cast mate. In October 2014, Teresa and Joe Giudice were sentenced to prison for a combined 56 months for mail, wire and bankruptcy fraud. Manzo'd with Children season 3 premieres Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo. Back in late December 1996, all eyes were on the mysterious murder of 6-year-old beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey. In addition to the media storm that erupted around the homicide, the long-running investigation into her death drew a slew of detectives, prosecutors, forensic specialists, and members of the FBI. However, as The Case Of: JonBenet Ramsey executive producer Tom Forman explains in The Hollywood Reporter's exclusive video above: "The investigative team felt like there was a missing piece the first time around, that there was one expert they should have had back in 1996 they just didn't have" - until now. In the upcoming six-part docuseries slated to premiere on CBS later this month, that missing piece - a victimologist - plays an important role in the extensive investigative team assembled to reexamine the 20-year-old cold case. Read more: 6 JonBenet Shows and TV's Rush to True Crime: A Checklist A victimologist, as represented on the team by former New Scotland Yard criminal behavioral analyst Laura Richards, looks at the victims and attempts to figure out how they lived in order to find new clues into how they died, and, potentially, who killed them. "It's such a confusing crime scene with so many mixed motives and things that were done to her," Richards says in the video. "It's why it never made sense." With so many different docuseries attempting to reexamine the JonBenet case (A+E, HLN, NBC's Dateline and Investigation Discovery also have projects), the pressure is on for The Case Of's team to find new clues and new answers about who killed Ramsey. Meet the rest of the intrepid investigators in the exclusive video above. The Case Of: JonBenet Ramsey debuts on Sunday, Sept. 18 at 8:30 p.m. on CBS. var el = document.getElementById('targetParams');if (el !== null && typeof(el) != 'undefined') {var srcParams = $('.advert iframe').attr('src');var addParams = srcParams.split(";");for (i=1;i<=addParams.length - 1;i++) {if (addParams[i] != '=null' && addParams[i] != 'dcopt=ist' && addParams[i] != '!c=iframe' && addParams[i] != 'pos=t' && addParams[i] != 'sz=728x90') {el.value += addParams[i]+";";}}}brightcove.createExperiences();>>>>>>> Sorry, conspiracy theorists: Al Pacino and Robert De Niro actually did act opposite one another in their iconic diner conversation scene in Michael Manns 1995 magnum opus Heat. Thats been confirmed many times over the years of course. But thanks to the fact that in the films final cut, all their scenes are composed of interspersed close up shots, a curious urban legend has persisted holding that the two never actually met on set. Tonight however, during a special screening of Heats new 4K remaster at the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre followed by an entertaining Q&A with Pacino, De Niro, and Mann themselves, once again the record was set straight about the duos interactions in the classic film. Make a note, skeptics, that a photo of them sitting together hung for years on the wall of Kate Mantilini in Beverly Hills where the scene was shot. Moderated by Intersteller and The Dark Knight trilogy director Christopher Nolan (who himself made several nods to Heat in the opening sequence of 2008s The Dark Knight), the discussion was joined later co-stars Amy Brenneman, Val Kilmer, Diane Venora, and Mykelti Williamson, along with producers Art Linson and Peter Jan Brugge, editor William Goldenberg, sound mixer Andy Nelson, and cinematographer Dante Spinotti. Now, if youve been on IMDB, watched the home video special edition or caught the stray interview with Pacino, De Niro, or Mann, chances are youve already heard most of what was discussed tonight. But who cares, because for the first time in two decades, the three shared a stage to talk about the beloved film, shed some light on how it was made, and laugh together about the experience. The packed theater beforehand, bent around a nearby parking lot, there was a long line of people hoping to get in laughed right along with them. When, that is, they werent breaking out into spontaneous applause and more than one standing ovation for the film and its cast and crew. Story continues Among the highlights: in explaining his famously over-the-top performance as LAPD Lt. Vincent Hanna, Pacino confirmed something long known to those familiar the original script, that the character is a drug addict who chips cocaine. That detail was left out of the shoot but Pacino kept it in mind while performing as a way to explain his mannerisms and outbursts. Just so you know, he said tonight, where some of the behavior comes from. Mann also recounted his inspiration for the film, the real life experiences of his friend, Chicago police detective Charlie Adamson, who in 1963 ended up killing criminal Neal McCauley (for whom De Niros character was named). McCauley and Adamson actually met before their later fatal encounter, having dinner together with a conversation that was reportedly very similar to the one Pacino and De Niro have in the famous scene. As Mann put it, they had the kind of intimacy only strangers can have, and just as easily were torn apart. Also under discussion, the detailed backstories Mann devised for all of his characters Michael is the king of backstory said Williamson tonight as well as the intense work that went into creating the films intense realism. For instance, to prepare for the films climactic bank heist, De Niro and co-stars Val Kimer and Tom Sizemore cased a bank in Century City (with, it was made clear, permission of bank security), then were made to recount from memory the layout once they left. Williamson told a story tonight Id personally never heard before. It seems that when he was asked to meet with Mann and Pacino about taking the part of LAPD detective Drucker, he was told straight up by Pacino that you got robbed for not receiving an Oscar nomination for his work the year before in Forest Gump and that the snub was part of why they wanted him for the role. As for the small number of scenes shared by the films two stars, Mann explained how the two playing off one another increased the subtlety of their performances. If Bob is shifting his weight, Mann said, Al is doing something to counter, almost, he explained, as if afraid De Niro might go for a gun. The diner scene in particular was also fairly raw, done at De Niros suggestion without any rehearsal before they set about filming it. The Goldwyn Theater might not be the best equipped to demonstrate the full beauty of a 4K presentation, but the new print looked fantastic, with eye popping detail that shines a bright light on the work of cinematographer Spinotti. A particular stand out is how the new print makes clear some of the technical achievements Mann and Spinotti employed to make the city of Los Angeles itself as much a character as the actors moving inside it. L.A. is a weigh station on the way to somewhere else, said Mann tonight about the way the city looks throughout Heat. One way that was achieved was to combine then-new computer effects to heighten the citys iconic cityscape. For example, in the scene in which De Niros McCauley and Brennemans Eady talk on a balcony overlooking Sunset plaza, Spinotti explained how the L.A. landscape seen in the shot was filmed on a very low framerate to increase exposure. Meanwhile, De Niro and Brenneman were filmed on location in front of a green screen blocking the actual view, which was added to the background of the shot in post. Its unnoticeable in previous home video releases but in the new print, it makes L.A.s nighttime view look like a surreal dream, or perhaps a nightmare. It adds to the sense, as it was said more than once tonight, of how all the films characters are in their own way imprisoned in Los Angeles. Release from Fox Home Video is set for some time in 2017 (no word on whether there will be a theatrical re-release), which is to say audiences will have to wait a bit longer to judge for themselves how it looks. But if the reaction from the crowd tonight is any indication, it will be worth that wait. Related stories 'Hands Of Stone' Review: Roberto Duran Boxing Biopic Takes Too Many Swings 'Heat' Reunion: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro & Michael Mann Set For Academy Screening Robert De Niro Compares "Totally Nuts" Donald Trump To 'Taxi Driver's Travis Bickle Milan (AFP) - The CEO of troubled Italian bank BMPS, Fabrizio Viola, resigned Thursday, six weeks after unveiling plans to reverse its ailing fortunes, the bank said. "At a meeting today the board of BMPS and CEO Fabrizio Viola agreed to change the head of the bank," BMPS said in a statement which added that Viola would stay in his post and oversee the transition pending the arrival of a successor. "Fabrizio Viola, called upon to head the bank at a moment of extreme difficulty for the establishment, leaves it solid and in the black wih a plan unveiled last July 29 comprising a definitive structural solution for bad debts," the bank said. The plan drawn up by Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena's (BMPS) board of directors included the offloading of 9.2 billion euros ($10.3 billion) of non-performing assets which had threatened to overwhelm the world's oldest lender, founded in 1472, as well as a capital increase of five billion euros. The drastic restructuring of Italy's third-biggest bank was required to avoid triggering a banking crisis which it was feared could spread beyond Italy's borders. BMPS came last in EU bank stress test results released in July sparking fears it would suffer a 14.23 percent plunge in its core capital ratio -- a measure of stability -- by 2018. The tests showed it as the only one of 51 banks examined to end up with a negative measure. The stress tests pinpointed BMPS as the financial institution most susceptible to bankruptcy. The board said it expected to unveil a successor to Viola soon and thanked him for his dedication over four years in charge. Since the 2008 financial crisis regulators have tightened oversight of banks to head off a potential systemic threat to the global financial system. It eyes rolling out a 4.5G network. It may seem like MyRepublic and TPG Telecom already have the upperhand in the fight to becoming the fourth telco operator in the city-state, but newcomer airYotta has a few tricks up its sleeves that can shake up the competition. In a statement, airYotta said it is planning to unveil Singapore's first 4.5G LTE Advanced Pro network. This, the group claims, will have an architecture common to 5G and would be a critical turning point in Singapore's journey towards a 5G world. AirYotta Chief Technology Officer Philip Heah said the company aims to address the disconnect between demand and supply of mobile data capacity in Singapore. "The mobile industry is facing major disconnect, exacerbated by video-streaming, new applications and Internet of Things," he stated. He added, "airYotta is a response to this insatiable demand for data, and will allow Singapore to realise its Smart Nation vision." He will work hand-in-hand with airYotta's Chief Executive Michael DeNoma, former CEO of Global Consumer Bank Standard Chartered. More From Singapore Business Review News Story not available This story has been published on: 2022-10-30. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. This story is no longer available on our site. Fall in Bodhichitta prices concerns farmers, traders Traders and producers of have complained about falling prices Bodhichitta, a religious product, following disruptions at Tatopani and Kerung crossings of Nepal-China border. By James Pomfret HONG KONG (Reuters) - The former head of a Chinese village once dubbed a symbol of grassroots democracy was sentenced on Thursday to three years' imprisonment, Hong Kong media reported, triggering anger and fresh protests in the village. The ruling follows victories by several pro-independence candidates in Hong Kong's first major election since democracy protests in 2014, spurring a warning by China this week that any independence would damage the city's security and prosperity. Lin Zuluan, 72, was jailed by a court in the southern city of Foshan for three years and one month, and fined 400,000 yuan ($60,000) on several charges, including accepting bribes, Hong Kong's Ming Pao newspaper said. Many residents of the fishing village of Wukan, about a four-hour drive northeast of Hong Kong, were outraged and fresh unrest was likely, said a villager contacted by Reuters. "It's definitely not just the sentence," added the villager, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the subject. "He didn't do anything wrong and he wasn't even able to hire his own lawyer. The village will fight this." Red notices posted around the village called for shops and markets to close and urged residents to rise up in support of Lin, he said. Huang Shunxing, an official of Foshan's People's Court, said he was not aware of Lin's case. Reuters could not reach Lin's relatives and associates by mobile telephone to seek comment. Wukan made global headlines in 2011, with a protest against corrupt former village leaders and landgrabs that prompted provincial authorities to sack the former village chief and allow fresh polls, in which many protest leaders won seats. In June, authorities arrested the democratically elected Lin, just days after he made a public appeal for a mass march against fresh illegal seizures of land. In a televised confession after his arrest, Lin admitted accepting kickbacks, but many skeptical villagers dismissed the confession as having been forced, and defied authorities' warnings with mass demonstrations for several weeks this summer. Authorities blocked at least two lawyers hired by Lin from taking on his case, his relatives have said. In late 2014, Hong Kong's 79-day "umbrella revolution" brought chaos to the streets as protesters sought to press Beijing to allow full democracy in the former British colony. ($1=6.6636 Chinese yuan) (Editing by Clarence Fernandez) US China Coast Guard A recent report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies exposed a troubling tactic used by China to harass and intimidateneighboring nations into steering clear of their unlawful claims to militarized islands in the South China Sea. In short, China has turned their coast guard into a sort of paramilitary force, the largest of it's kind in the world. In some cases, China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels have simply been painted white and repurposed for maritime "law enforcement." Sometimes, the .50 caliber machine guns still hang over the sides of vessels once used for war and now used to intimidate neighboring nations. But unlike military disputes, where internationally agreed-upon accords regulate standard operating procedures, these coast guard ships fall in a legal gray zone that China has come to exploit. "What we have is a situation in East Asia where China in particular is not using naval vessels to intimidate, not using [traditional] force, but theyre taking actions that are below that line of triggering any kind of military confrontation, and yet intimidating other actors," Bonnie Glaser, an expert on security in the Pacific from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Business Insider in a phone interview. Glaser, who headed up the report on China's coast guard, compiled 45 incidents in the South China Sea and found China's coast guard involvement in two thirds of them. But according to Glaser, "what we have been able to compile is just a fraction of the number of incidents in the South China Sea," where China's larger ships have repeatedly rammed, harassed, and used water cannons on fishing vessels from the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and others. Story continues "In my conversations in the Philippines Chinese ramming of other ships is considered to be part of their acceptable rules of engagement. Thats just what they do," said Glaser. Nothing stopping them U.S. President Barack Obama (C) walks down from the stage with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (center R) after a family photo with ASEAN leaders after the US-ASEAN meeting at the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, November 21, 2015. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Recently, China touted an agreement they reached with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on a Code of Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES), which provides a legal framework for how the navies of different nations should interact at sea. According to Glaser, the legal framework marks a step in the right direction, but does nothing to stop the harassing actions of China's coast guard, which operates as a navy in all but name. What's more, the majority of signatories to the recent ASEAN CUES agreement had already signed a similar agreement in April 2014, rendering the agreement even more empty. "China's ASEAN CUES agreement is not new, and was already agreed upon. [Chinese state media] portrayed it as some breakthrough... Everyone is applauding, and it's nice to have, but it doesnt address the problem," said Glaser. The real problem, of course, is that no meaningful laws regulate their paramilitary coast guard. According to Glaser, there have been fatal incidents at sea, and not all involving China. Unlike in the Persian Gulf, where Business Insider previously reported that a hypothetically fatal incident between Iran and the US would touch off a major international incident, belligerent behavior like China's is the norm in the South China Sea. Looming conflict china coast guard scarborough "China is building very large coast guard vessels," and lots of them in a "quantity as well as quality" approach, said Glaser. The sheer size of the ships, usually weighing more than 1,000 tons, as well as the way they're armed, make other nation's law enforcement craft "pale in comparison." Essentially, the Chinese bully civilian craft with hulking boats that intimidate on sight. Only Japan even comes close to having the capability to defend itself, with 105,000 total tonnage of coast guard ships to China's 190,000. But Glaser says that actual military capability should come second to infrastructure, in the form of internationally agreed-upon law. "Putting in place acceptable procedures of behavior and other confidence building measures is the way to go, rather than everyone having the ships the size of China's," said Glaser, nodding to the potential arms race that could result from China's unilateral military buildup. Glaser suggests that extending CUES to coast guard ships, as well as naval ships, could be a good model going forward. US President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly discussed this topic in a recent meeting. philippine south china sea scarborough But it's hard to imagine China agreeing to something that would limit its influence. Japan recently loaned some ships to the Philippines to monitor the Scarborough Shoal, where China continues to visit despite the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling against their claims to the land mass. China has completely ignored this ruling, and should they go as far as militarizing that shoal, which Obama has warned against, the US would be forced to act or risk losing all leverage in the region. "Many different risks are posed if China goes ahead and develops the Scarborough Shoal... it would undermine US credibility, cause the Chinese to continue to test the US, and push forward a greater agenda of seeking control of the air and sea space," Glaser said. Scarborough shoal map south china sea philippines manilla subic bay Furthermore, China undermining the US would cause "enormous anxiety in the region, with the US seen as weakening in its ability and will," Glaser said. "Reverberating effects, as well as security threats eventually posed by China having capability near main bases (the Subic Bay) would be a threat to the Philippines and the US." So for now, China has found a loophole in international law that allows its paramilitary "second navy" of a coast guard to muscle smaller nations out of their rightful claims. China has shown a persistent will to militarize and enforce its claims in the South China Sea. Unless the US, and its allies in the Pacific, can get China to agree to a legal framework, Beijing appears ready to continue pushing its claims by force. There is a perceived weakness in the way international law is enforced at sea, and China is exploiting it handily. As Donald Rumsfeld said, "weakness is provocative." NOW WATCH: Scientists just discovered the world's deepest sinkhole More From Business Insider A protest leader from a Chinese village which became a symbol of resistance against corruption was sentenced to three years in prison for bribery Thursday, state media said. Lin Zulian, elected head of the village of Wukan in rare open polls after residents expelled local officials in a mass 2011 uprising which drew global attention, was convicted of corruption, the official Xinhua news agency said. The 70-year-old confessed to accepting bribes worth some $590,000 yuan ($90,000 USD) at his trial in the nearby city of Foshan and vowed not to appeal the verdict, it added. Lin was detained in June and was shown on state TV admitting to taking bribes in a video recorded while he was under interrogation and released by prosecutors. "Due to my lack of understanding of law, in many projects related to people's livelihoods... and in some collective purchases I took huge kickbacks," state-media quoted Lin as saying. Dozens of Wukan locals marched in front of ranks of security officers after Lin was arrested, waving red flags and protesting his innocence, videos posted online showed. Local authorities have warned villagers to stop protesting, the South China Morning Post newspaper reported. The newspaper added security was "ultra-tight" outside the court in Foshan, with uniformed officers patrolling around a 1 kilometre radius. Residents of the 13,000-strong fishing village in the southern province of Guangdong began protesting against what they called illegal land-grabs in 2011 in what was then seen as just another bout of social unrest in China, where tens of thousands of such incidents occur each year. But when a protest leader died in police custody, villagers took their demonstration a step further, barricading roads leading into Wukan, and effectively expelling security forces for more than a week. Communist Party authorities unexpectedly backed down and promised rare concessions, including pledges to investigate the land dispute and allow village polls to be held in an open manner -- a first in Wukan. Lin -- who also led the protests -- was one of the successful contenders. BEIJING (Reuters) - China wants to work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to "dispel interference" in the disputed South China Sea, Premier Li Keqiang said during a regional summit in the Lao capital Vientiane. The Philippines said on Wednesday it was "gravely concerned" that Chinese boats were preparing to build structures at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, shattering an appearance of cordiality at the summit. China claims much of the South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion of trade moves annually. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have claims. Officials said talks between Southeast Asian leaders and Li went smoothly, but there was no reference to a July court ruling in The Hague that declared illegal some of China's artificial islands and invalidated its claims to almost the entire waterway. In a statement released later on Wednesday by China's Foreign Ministry about the meeting, Li was paraphrased as saying China was willing to work with ASEAN countries in "dispelling interference ... and properly handling the South China Sea issue". He did not elaborate, but such wording is typically used by Chinese leaders to refer to not allowing countries from outside the region with no direct involvement in the dispute, like the United States, from getting involved. With joint efforts from China and ASEAN members, the situation in the South China Sea is moving towards a positive direction, Li added. Peace and stability in the South China Sea was directly related to prosperity and development of countries in the region, he said. "Countries in the region are the biggest beneficiaries of peace in the South China Sea. History and facts have repeatedly showed that the South China Sea can only be peaceful and stable so long as the regional countries themselves get hold of the key to fixing the problems," Lie said. Increasingly assertive action by China's coast guard ships in the South China Sea risks destabilizing the region, according to the authors of new research tracking maritime law enforcement incidents across the vital trade route. Hours before the meeting, however, the Philippines' defense ministry released photographs and a map showing what it said was an increased number of Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal, which China seized after a standoff in 2012. Li made no direct mention of Scarborough Shoal in the comments provided by the foreign ministry. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Michael Perry) Markets gained marginally over the week as stocks traded within a narrow range. The benchmark index increased on Monday, primarily due to gains made by raw materials stocks. The Shanghai Composite increased on Tuesday, boosted by consumer and industrial stocks. The benchmark index gained on Wednesday after gains in raw materials and infrastructure stocks outweighed declines in healthcare and consumer shares. The Shanghai Composite index increased slightly on Thursday after encouraging economic data was countered by declining expectations about further monetary stimulus. Alibaba Group Holding Limited BABA-owned Alibaba (Australia) Company Pty. Ltd. has signed a strategic agreement with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade). Ctrip.com International, Ltd. CTRP reported adjusted second-quarter 2016 loss of 17 cents per share, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of loss per share of 21 cents. Last Weeks Developments Last Friday, the Shanghai Composite increased 0.1% following a recovery in property stocks. However, investors continued to search for direction in the midst of a recent trend of range bound trading. The CSI 300 gained 0.4%, increasing 0.2% over last week. The benchmark index declined marginally, by 0.1% over the same period. Fresh results from companies listed in China indicated that a recovery was underway in sectors suffering from excess capacity, such as steel and coal. However, investors continued to remain tentative. The CSI 300s trading volume was 19% lower than the 30-day average. Real estate stocks staged a rebound with the sectors sub-index gaining 0.8%. Shares of financial companies added 0.5%. The Hang Seng gained 0.5% and advanced 1.6% over last week. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index increased 0.8%, with weekly gains amounting to 1.4%. Markets and the Economy This Week The benchmark index gained 0.2% on Monday, primarily due to gains made by raw materials stocks. However, trading remained range bound in nature. The CSI 300 also increased by 0.2%. Raw materials stocks were among the leading gainers for the day. The sub-index of raw materials stocks increased by 1%. These gains were primarily attributable to comments made by President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit. Story continues President Xi said that the strategy to reduce excess capacity in the coal and steel sectors was in keeping with specific considerations. Such plans were in consonance with Chinas long term growth and structural adjustment objectives. The Hang Seng advanced 1.7%, increasing by the highest degree since Jul 12. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index added 1.5%. The Shanghai Composite increased 0.6% on Tuesday, boosted by consumer and industrial stocks. The CSI 300 gained 0.7%. Speculations that government backed funds were reducing their involvement in currency and equity markets curbed the days gains. Market watchers believed that this was leading investors to move funds from equity markets into real estate. The small cap heavy ChiNext advanced 2.1% to touch its highest level in a month. The sub-index for consumer staples stocks increased by 1% over the day. The Hang Seng increased 0.6% while its 14-day relative strength index rose to 77. This indicated that a section of trader deemed the rally to be excessive in nature. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index rose to its highest level since Dec 2015. The benchmark index gained 0.1% on Wednesday after gains in raw materials and infrastructure stocks outweighed declines in healthcare and consumer shares. These stocks gained after the government promised to take further fiscal policy initiatives to boost the economy. Chinas cabinet said that it would encourage key banks to provide additional credit. Additionally, it reemphasized the governments resolve to cut overcapacity. The CSI 300 gained 0.1%. The sub-index of infrastructure stocks increased 0.7%. The raw materials sub-index added 0.3%. This was a result of investors hopes that the government would provide approval to additional infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, stocks related to the environment also gained following sustained efforts by the government to fight pollution. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index advanced 0.3%. The Shanghai Composite index increased only 0.1% on Thursday after encouraging economic data was countered by declining expectations about further monetary stimulus. The CSI 300 closed the day nearly flat. Analysts took the view that markets had already accounted for encouraging trade data. This was because official PMI data released earlier had indicated that Chinas economy was stabilizing. Imports rose for the first time in around two year, primarily due to the inflow of commodities. This hinted that the domestic demand was picking up. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index added 0.4%, marking the sixth consecutive day of gains. Stocks in the News Alibaba Group Holding Limited owned Alibaba (Australia) Company Pty. Ltd. has signed a strategic agreement with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade). The agreement is aimed at increasing trade opportunities for Australian food producers and merchants engaged in other businesses. It will help them to reach out to global consumers through Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) ranked Alibaba, the e-commerce juggernaut. With over 434 million registered users, Alibaba processes 12.7 billion orders every year. Collectively, over 1300 Australian brands do business on the two platforms. Of these, 80% didnt have access to Chinese markets before. (Read: Alibaba Partners Austrade to Promote Small Businesses) China Petroleum and Chemical Corp. SNP, aka Sinopec, reported net profit of 19.9 billion yuan ($3.0 billion) or 0.151 yuan per diluted share for the first half of 2016. The bottom line came in below the year-ago profit level of 25.4 billion yuan ($4.14 billion) or 0.194 yuan per diluted share. During the first half of 2016, Sinopecs crude oil production decreased 11.4% year over year to 154.17 million barrels. Nonetheless, natural gas volumes increased 10% year over year to 388.69 billion cubic feet in the same period. Capital expenditures for the first half of 2016 totaled 13.474 billion yuan. Out of this, 5.168 billion yuan was spent on exploration and production projects. Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) rated Sinopec spent 2.774 billion yuan on the Refining segment, while the Chemical Business segment was allocated 2.44 billion yuan. (Read: Sinopec's (SNP) 1H16 Profit Falls Y/Y as Production Declines) Ctrip.com International, Ltd. reported adjusted second-quarter 2016 loss of 17 cents per share, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of loss per share of 21 cents. This was also significantly worse, given the earnings of 8 cents reported in the same period last year. However, the figure was a substantial improvement over adjusted loss of 54 cents per share reported in the first quarter of 2016. Ctrip.com reported revenues of $664 million, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. This was also 62.7% higher than the figure posted in the year-ago quarter. This was also higher than the first quarter figure of $548 million. The stock has a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. JKS reported second-quarter 2016 non-GAAP earnings per American Depositary Share (ADS) of $1.86, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.00 by 7%. However, the reported figure increased from earnings of $1.04 per ADS reported in the year-ago quarter. Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Buy) rated JinkoSolars total revenue of $896.1 million missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $930 million by 3.6%. However, on a year-over-year basis, the top line surged 86.1% for this Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) stock, primarily on the back of higher shipments and an increase in electricity revenues from solar projects. JinkoSolar expects third-quarter 2016 total solar module shipment in the range of 1.51.7 gigawatts (GW). For 2016, the company reiterated its total solar module shipments expectation in the band of 66.5 GW. (Read: JinkoSolar (JKS) Misses Q2 Earnings and Revenue Estimates) ReneSola Ltd. SOL reported earnings of 5 cents per ADS in the second quarter of 2016, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 3 cents by 66.7%. The reported figure also compared favorably with the year-ago tally of a loss of 2 cents. ReneSolas second-quarter net revenue of $250 million missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $282 million by 10.7%. Reported revenues also deteriorated 6.8% year over year and 4.1% sequentially for this Zacks Rank #3 rated stock. The company expects third-quarter 2016 revenues at around $200 million and gross margin of roughly 10%. For 2016, management lowered its revenue guidance to the range of $900 million to $1.1 billion from its previous projection of $1.0 billion to $1.2 billion. (Read: ReneSola (SOL) Tops Q2 Earnings, Stock Down on View Cut) Performance of Most Actively Traded US-listed Chinese Stocks The table given below shows the price movements of 10 Chinese companies with the highest three-month average trading volume on U.S. exchanges. Price movements over the last five days and during the last six months have been included. Ticker Last 5 Days Performance 6-Month Performance BABA +5.8% +44% BIDU +8.4% +9.5% CTRP -5.5% +15.6% EDU +10.5% +40.7% JD +5.6% +1.8% MOMO +6.2% +77.8% SFUN -4.1% -19.9% VIPS -3.5% +16.6% WB +2.1% +207.3% RENN -1.5% -45% Next Weeks Outlook: Stocks have traded within a tight range during this week. Investors remain uneasy about the role of state backed funds in propping up markets. In case these funds decide to reduce their leverage, markets may have to suffer losses in the near future. Meanwhile, economic reports remain encouraging in nature. However, analysts believe that markets had already priced in such positive developments. Several crucial economic reports are lined up for release in the weeks ahead. This includes data on new yuan loans, money supply, fixed asset investment, industrial production and retail sales. If most of these reports are encouraging in nature, stocks could gain significantly in the days ahead. Where Do Zacks' Investment Ideas Come From? You are welcome to download the full, up-to-the-minute list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buy" stocks free of charge. There is no better place to start your own stock search. Plus you can access the full list of must-avoid Zacks Rank #5 "Strong Sells" and other private research. See the stocks free >> 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 CTRIP.COM INTL (CTRP): Free Stock Analysis Report CHINA PETRO&CHM (SNP): Free Stock Analysis Report RENESOLA LT-ADR (SOL): Free Stock Analysis Report JINKOSOLAR HLDG (JKS): Free Stock Analysis Report ALIBABA GROUP (BABA): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Two Chinese vessels face huge fines after being caught fishing illegally in Guinea's waters, including one fine of up to $3.4 million, the country's fishing minister said Thursday, as west Africa attempts to crack down on millions lost to foreign trawlers. The Chang Yuan Yu 6 and Lu Jiao Nan Yuan Yu 102 were among 14 vessels identified as operating illegally in a joint operation mounted by Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal between August 28 and September 1 as part of a European Union-backed initiative. The Chang Yuan Yu 6 was escorted to port and held there, said minister Andre Loua, while the second vessel escaped. The boats were guilty of "unauthorised fishing in our economic zone without the required licence," Loua said. The maximum penalty of one million euros ($1.1 million) would be applied to the captured vessel while the second had the maximum doubled for the aggravating factor of fleeing. The crew of the first vessel have been freed, according to the minister. The same company owns the two ships but its name has yet to be disclosed. Experts have recently warned west Africa is missing out on vital income because of the masses of fish taken from their waters by trawlers from as far afield as South Korea. A lack of government transparency in the region, limited capacity to patrol the seas and legal loopholes once west Africa's fish arrive in Europe, its biggest market, all contribute to the situation. The sale of fishing rights to foreign operatives netted Africa $400 million in 2014, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, but could in theory generate $3.3 billion if the continent's own fleets caught and exported the fish. By Tom Polansek CHICAGO (Reuters) - Consumer opinions of Chipotle Mexican Grill have slid in recent weeks on food safety concerns, pollster YouGov BrandIndex said on Wednesday, a move that hurts the burrito chain's efforts to recover from a string of foodborne illnesses last year. The YouGov data, requested by Reuters, shows that perceptions about Chipotle's quality on Tuesday returned to levels last seen in early August. Before the latest survey, brand perceptions had nosed into positive territory for the first time since last year. The survey was carried out the same day investor William Ackman disclosed after the market close that his hedge fund had purchased a 9.9 percent stake in Chipotle, buying in after the once high-flying company was battered by food-safety issues. "For at least some consumers, the outbreaks from last year still resonate and for those consumers, eating in a Chipotle even today is not worth the risk," said Ted Marzilli, YouGov BrandIndex's chief executive officer. Chipotle has given away millions of free burritos and other menu items, including guacamole and chips, to revive sales growth after outbreaks of E. coli, salmonella and norovirus linked to its outlets last year put off customers. In July, the company reported an uptick in comparable sales for the month but said it had a bigger-than-expected drop in such sales in the quarter ended June 30. Ackman's fund said in a regulatory filing that Chipotle was undervalued. Chipotle's own research on consumer perceptions shows "the overall trend is moving in the right direction," a spokesman said. "Week-to-week fluctuations will always occur, but we tend to focus on longer-term trends," he said. YouGov said it interviews 4,800 people each weekday in the United States for its polls, with participants drawn from an online panel of more than 1.8 million people. On Tuesday, 4.5 percent more people said they had a negative rather than positive perception of Chipotle's brand, according to its data. Story continues Consumer opinions dropped in the last quarter of 2015, with 31.2 percent more people saying in late December that they had a negative rather than positive perception of Chipotle's brand, according to YouGov. Brand perceptions have since improved steadily but remain below last summer, prior to the food-safety problems. Regarding quality, 4.8 percent more people said they felt positive rather than negative about Chipotle on Tuesday, according to YouGov. That was down from about 9 percent on Aug. 23 and from more than 20 percent a year earlier. (Reporting by Tom Polansek; Editing by Andrew Hay) One of Wall Street's most high-profile hedge fund managers, Bill Ackman, has made his next high-stakes bet: burritos. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (ticker: CMG) is officially under assault from a corporate raider. Ackman's Pershing Square Capital Management announced in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Tuesday that it had taken a 9.9 percent stake in CMG stock for about $1.2 billion. The purchase instantly made Pershing Square CMG's second-largest investor (Fidelity is the first) overnight, giving it major influence over the board and the direction of the company. Activist investors like Ackman are characterized by making large, short-term bets on companies, agitating for quick changes to add value, and then cashing out. They often stick below the 10 percent ownership threshold due to securities laws requiring 10 percent shareholders who sell out within six months to forego any profits made in that time period. Shares of Chipotle shot nearly 6 percent higher on Wednesday, as investors cheered the vote of confidence from Ackman. But what, if any, significance should retail investors assign to this move? [Read: The Pros and Cons of Hedge Fund Investing.] A brief relief. It's a welcome bounce for CMG stock, which has been hammered to the tune of 40 percent in the last year as a series of foodborne illness outbreaks (E. coli, salmonella, and norovirus) hit stores across the country, spooking customers and investors alike. As it turns out, Ackman's Pershing Square is no stranger to miserable financial performance either. Two of Ackman's largest investments, Herbalife (HLF) and Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (VRX), went against him quite publicly over the last year. Investors in Pershing Square's hedge funds also took a roughly 40 percent hit between August 2015 and August 2016, equating to more than $7 billion in losses. Shareholders pulled an additional $600 million from Pershing in the first half of the year in an effort to flee weak performance. Story continues For individual investors, let's take a quick look at this new dynamic and how it could -- for better or worse -- pan out for the CMG stock price down the road. The bull case. Franchising may be on Ackman's agenda. The franchise model allows companies to expand rapidly without much capital. Chipotle's former parent company McDonald's Corp. (MCD) is a pro at this. Simply put, you can expand your store base much more quickly if franchisees put up the money to build new locations instead of the company itself. Franchising is a low-risk way to build up a stream of generally reliable, recurring revenue; franchisees have to buy nearly everything directly from the parent company: food, napkins, utensils, kitchen equipment, uniforms -- the whole lot. On top of that, the parent company gets a percentage of all sales off the top for lending its brand out to the franchisee. You can see why it's a pretty sweet deal for the franchisor, and why Ackman may end up pushing CMG for this change. Ackman may also shake up the board, which is not an uncommon move for activist investors seeking to make big changes. Ackman does have some success doing this sort of thing; in August, Pershing sold its $1.5 billion stake in Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) in August at around $150 per share. The fund began buying into the railroad stock in 2011 for less than $50/share, then rode shares higher as it pushed for (and got) new board members and a new CEO who shared Pershing's vision for executing a successful turnaround. "Shareholders have and should welcome the 'vote of confidence' from Bill Ackman's 9.9 percent stake," says K C Ma, professor of finance at Stetson University. Ma even has a prediction about what, aside from franchising, Ackman could be interested in pushing for. [Read: The 7 Smartest Acquisitions of All Time.] The legendary fund manager is "set to take a hard look at the 'strategic value' of the scheduled launch of 'Tasty Made,' a burger chain, by Chipotle, a taco chain." He may decide the two restaurants aren't compatible, ditch the Tasty Made idea, and try to boost the bottom line by cutting those expenses. The bear case. On the other hand, Ackman has had a remarkable ability to get things dead wrong this year. Sure, Ackman's losing streak isn't the most rational reason to avoid CMG stock, but it's a valid reason to ask yourself a few questions about Pershing Square's recent troubles before viewing the fresh CMG stake as an unqualified bullish indicator: 1. Is Ackman simply "seeing the market wrong" right now? His fund's embarrassing multibillion-dollar losses in Valeant Pharmaceuticals have been particularly egregious this year, as shares of the drug maker plunged from more than $250 a share to as low as $18 amid questions about opaque accounting and sketchy business practices. In February, Pershing announced it had increased its Valeant stake at the beginning of the year, when it presumed the stock was trading at bargain-bin prices in the $95 to $100 range. Today VRX stock hovers around the $30 level. His billion-dollar bet against the nutritional supplement company Herbalife also hasn't panned out. Ackman has repeatedly said HLF stock is going to $0; instead, shares are up about 16 percent this year. 2. The second, arguably more pressing question is whether Ackman is buying CMG shares out of haste, in a desperate effort to recoup his fund's significant year-to-date losses. We already saw Ackman throw good money after bad with Valeant earlier this year; Chipotle may be yet another not-so-thinly-veiled attempt to claw back gains from a formidable hole. [See: The 9 Best Investors of All Time.] At the end of the day, piggybacking on the moves of activist investors may seem like a sexy way to invest, and sure, it has the potential to reap some big rewards. But unless you want to carefully watch Ackman's every move and announcement regarding CMG until he ultimately sells his stake, it's probably better to just leave these sort of investments to the "pros" -- who can still manage to lose 40 percent in a year. John Divine is a staff writer for U.S. News & World Report. He is also a longtime investor, and has previously written about investing and the markets for InvestorPlace and The Motley Fool. You can follow him on Twitter @divinebizkid or give him the Tip of the Century at jdivine@usnews.com. Families of 13 VDCs to get compensation The residents of 13 VDCs in Dhading, who could be displaced by the proposed Budhigandaki Hydropower Project, are going to receive Rs 200,000 each for rebuilding homes. Having three kids hasn't slowed down Elsa Pataky one bit! The 40-year-old Spanish stunner posed next to a surfboard on the beach with her back to the camera, wearing a printed bikini. MORE: Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky Are the Cutest Couple Ever on Beach Vacation "First swim of the Australian Spring !! Take a look of my new post of exercises for the glutes! @glamourspain #fitness #exercises #strong #intensidadmax #surf," the actress captioned the Instagram post. On her new blog for Glamour Spain, Pataky posted a new glute exercise video, showing fans how to get her enviable backside. In addition to her new fitness regime, Pataky also recently finished filming Fast 8 where she's reprising her role as Elena. MORE: Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston Visit Children's Hospital as Thor and Loki -- See the Awesome Pics! She's also been getting in a lot of family time. Over the weekend, she posted a picture of her husband, Chris Hemsworth, with two of their kids in honor of Australian Father's Day. "Everyday is father's day, specially when we have a dad like ours!! hope all the Australian dads had a great day! Happy Father's Day/night! #papa#fathersday #funday #weloveyousomuch," she captioned a picture of the Thor star goofing off with their kids on a playground. Story continues Related Articles Al Pacino finally admitted it: Vincent Hanna, the dedicated Los Angeles police detective he plays in Michael Manns 1995 crime saga Heat, is strung out on cocaine throughout the film. I dont think Ive ever said it out loud, Pacino revealed at a special screening of a 4K DCP of the film at the Academys Samuel Goldwyn Theater Wednesday night. But Ive always wanted to say it, just so you know where some of the behavior comes from. The packed audience gave a knowing chuckle, as Pacinos performance is so big and boisterous it has take on mythic proportions in his filmography. A year after Heats 20th anniversary, the event brought together much of the films principals for a post-screening Q&A session moderated by filmmaker Christopher Nolan. Mann, Pacino and Robert De Niro kicked things off with an initial chat, and later in what was quite a sight they were joined by actors Amy Brenneman, Val Kilmer, Diane Venora and Mykelti Williamson, producers Pieter Jan Brugge and Art Linson, cinematographer Dante Spinotti, film editor William Goldenberg and sound re-recording mixer Andy Nelson. By way of introduction, Nolan recalled reading a review of the film upon release when he was living in London at the time. The critic had pointed out that Heat was a new American classic, but Nolan wondered whether there was anything more to say in the cops and robbers genre. He soon found out Manns film transcends such labels. Ive drawn inspiration from it in my own work, the Dark Knight director said. As has been recounted before, Mann took his own inspiration from the real-life saga of criminal Neil McCauley, who was finally killed by Manns friend, Chicago police detective Charlie Adamson, in 1963. They were two men, like Hanna and De Niros version of McCauley, who had a fondness for one another, despite being on opposite sides of the law. They had the kind of intimacy only strangers can have, Mann said. That, and the idea of two characters the audience could invest in and pull for despite their goals being at such stark opposition to one another, was the germ of Heat. Mann first explored it as a movie of the week with 1989s L.A. Takedown, and finally developed it to its full 172-minute glory six years later. Story continues Talking character specifics, De Niro spoke about visual cues. At the onset, I thought there should be that difference in the characters in terms of how they come off, what colors theyre in, he said. He also found it instructive that while Hannas life is falling apart he and his wife (played by Venora) are passing each other on the down-slope of a marriage, my third, because I spend all my time chasing guys like you around the block, the detective confides in his foe mid-film McCauleys is just getting started. The career criminal has dreams of moving to Fiji, perhaps settling down with Eady, a young woman who enters his life and nearly disrupts the entire credo he lives by: Dont let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner. As is always the case with a Mann film, exhaustive time was put into building backstories for the characters. What the film is is the right now of it, the director said. The richness of nuance built into the characters hopefully then seeps out onto the screen. He also spent plenty of time detailing how a guy like McCauley might come to his world view, spending time in prison libraries learning the Buddhist and/or Marxist underpinnings that might inform his moral identity. Brenneman, meanwhile, said she came to the table with a lot of ideas for Eady, which Mann was eager to hear. What she read on the page had her thinking the character was incredibly damaged, with father issues and perhaps even dark chapters of incest in her history. But Mann made it simple for her. He said, No she just falls in love with him,' Brenneman recalled. It was really a beautiful moment. It was a surrender and letting go. I thought, Oh, I am an aspirational hope for a person [McCauley]. And Kilmer spoke about visiting the prison his character, Chris Shiherlis, would have done time in. He was filming Joel Schumachers Batman Forever at the time, but was more enthused about the work hed be doing with Mann and company. The most fun I had doing Batman was preparing for Heat,' he said. I miss it. Fox Home Entertainment is targeting early 2017 for a release of the restoration, which looked incredible, Spinottis cityscape imagery as dazzling as ever. Indeed, Heat maintains an interesting place in Manns filmography, before he took the digital plunge and captured the nighttime look of the city so accurately in Collateral. Its built with more classical imagery, kissed by lens flares, painting a dream-like atmosphere that is nevertheless a dark place where men break the law and others hunt them for it. Two decades on, it remains his defining work. And its never looked better. Related stories World Renowned Chef Tackles Hunger in 'Theater of Life' Trailer (EXCLUSIVE) Panama Plays Key Role in Boxer Biopic 'Hands of Stone' Robert De Niro Compares Donald Trump to His 'Taxi Driver' Character: He's 'Totally Nuts' Cigna Corporations CI global expatriate business segment, Cigna Global Health Benefits, recently extended its partnership with Hollard Insurance Group, an insurer based in Africa. The alliance is expected to address the requirement of a fully compliant health insurance product for residents of sub-Saharan Africa. This new health insurance product to be offered has been named Hollard Cigna Health. This custom-made product will also cater to the legal needs of staff members who are mobile across regions and nations, expatriates and even key local nationals operating in different regions. This partnership combines Cignas global exposure and substantial expertise in Health solution with Hollards dominance in the African markets owing to its brand recognition and local market knowledge. Hence, the partnership can make use of its ISO-certified procedures to establish an all-in-one solution for multinational corporations that intend to build a presence in sub-Saharan Africa as well as companies already operating in the region. African markets are segregated by unique demands, expectations and legislations. Therefore, Hollard Insurance is well positioned as a local insurance player to have extensive insight on the varied and distinctive markets of sub-Saharan Africa. This should prove to be highly beneficial for Cigna in its efforts to penetrate into the concerned African markets and profit by delivering premium quality yet affordable health care to its clients, customers and partners in the area. In addition, this strategic alliance is likely to expand Cignas global footprint with more customized and compliant regional health insurance solutions. This expansion into African market reflects the companys long-term strategy of accelerating international operations. Notably, the insurer has been expanding its base to new markets, owing to the significant regulatory pressure in the domestic market in the face of the Healthcare reform. To this end, Cigna has been diversifying its operations in China, India, Turkey and the other Middle Eastern countries to fuel future growth. Story continues Moreover, we believe that the companys distinctive presence in the emerging markets will bolster its earnings and expand margins. Its international business offers faster growth (high-double digits) and higher margins (high-single digits to low-double digits) than its commercial book. Given the aggressiveness with which Cigna is forging ahead with its Go Global strategy, we expect the contribution of its international business to be largely accretive to total earnings, going forward. Companies like Aetna Inc. AET and UnitedHealth Group Inc. UNH who deal with medical product and services, are also growing their international businesses. With the optimism over the recent partnership with Hollard Insurance, the Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) multi-line insurer might witness favorable estimate revisions and in turn a rank upgrade. CIGNA CORP Price CIGNA CORP Price | CIGNA CORP Quote Stock to Consider A better ranked multi-line Insurers is CNO Financial Group Inc CNO. It carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Confidential from Zacks Beyond this Analyst Blog, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them 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 CIGNA CORP (CI): Free Stock Analysis Report CNO FINL GRP (CNO): Free Stock Analysis Report AETNA INC-NEW (AET): Free Stock Analysis Report UNITEDHEALTH GP (UNH): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research By Jeff Mason WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (Reuters) - U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton slammed Republican rival Donald Trump on Thursday for talking about things he learned in classified intelligence briefings and for praising Russia's Vladimir Putin as a better leader than President Barack Obama. Speaking to reporters the day after a New York security forum featuring separate appearances by the two candidates, Clinton also criticized the businessman for saying U.S. generals had been "reduced to rubble" by Obama's policies. At the televised forum on Wednesday night, Trump said he was "shocked" by information he got during the briefing. "What I did learn is that our leadership, Barack Obama, did not follow what our experts ... said to do," Trump said. Clinton, who was secretary of state during Obama's first term, said Trump's comments on the briefing were "totally inappropriate and undisciplined." "I would never comment on any aspect of an intelligence briefing I received," Clinton said before boarding her campaign plane. As nominees for the Nov. 8 presidential election, she and Trump are entitled to receive intelligence briefings. Clinton said Trump's praise of Putin as a better leader than Obama was "not just unpatriotic and insulting to the people of our country, as well as to our commander in chief, it is scary." "It suggests he will let Putin do whatever Putin wants to do and then make excuses for him," Clinton said. Trump fired back at Clinton, saying her comments were an effort to make up for a poor performance during the security forum. "Hillary Clinton is always complaining about what's wrong," he said during a campaign stop in Cleveland, where he visited a charter school and proposed federal spending on "school choice" programs. "I just watched her on the tarmac. She tried to make up for her horrible performance last night," Trump said. The intensifying political combat came as Clinton's lead in opinion polls has slipped in recent days. The current average of polls by website RealClearPolitics puts her at 45.6 percent support, compared with Trump's 42.8 percent. Obama also hit back at Trump for criticizing his foreign policy record, saying the Republican nominee was unfit to follow him into the Oval Office and the public should press Trump on his "outright wacky ideas." The televised "Commander-in-Chief" forum on Wednesday, attended by military veterans, was the first time Trump and Clinton had squared off on the same stage since accepting their parties' White House nominations in July, although they did not appear at the same time. A PRELUDE TO DEBATES The forum offered a prelude to how Clinton and Trump will deal with questions of national security in their three upcoming presidential debates later in September and in October. Clinton has said her experience in government as secretary of state and a U.S. senator makes her uniquely qualified for the White House, and that Trump's series of controversial comments make him temperamentally unfit for the office. Some of Trump's foreign policy positions, such as his proposal to fight terrorism by imposing a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country, have alarmed not just Democrats but many in his own party's leadership. Trump, who has never held elected office, has criticized Clinton's judgment for backing the 2003 Iraq war and her support for the U.S. intervention in Libya in 2011. The Republican candidate was widely criticized recently when he called her a "co-founder," along with Obama, of the Islamic State militant group. Clinton, who voted in favor of the 2003 Iraq war as a senator but has since said she regrets doing so, said she would convene a meeting of bipartisan security experts on Friday to discuss the fight against Islamic State. "What you didnt hear from Donald Trump last night was any plan to take on ISIS," Clinton told reporters, using an acronym for the group. "Thats not only dangerous, it should be disqualifying." Trump and Clinton supporters went on the offensive on social media Wednesday night and Thursday morning, defending their candidates performances during the forum. Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway spoke with Trump supporters in Congress on Thursday morning, and Trump spoke with the group by phone to thank them for their support. Some supporters shrugged off his comments about Putin. "I think he is being very smart in how he addresses Putin and you know, maybe he's playing with Putin's ego," said Representative Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee. Mike Pence, Trump's vice presidential running mate, told CNN it was "inarguable" that Putin had been a stronger leader of Russia than Obama had been in the United states. House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, the top elected Republican official, who has frequently broken with Trump, took a sharply different view. "Putin is an aggressor that does not share our interests. Vladimir Putin is violating the sovereignty of neighboring countries," Ryan told reporters at his weekly news conference. Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus told reporters at the Cleveland rally that Trump was not endorsing Putin with his praise. "He doesn't agree with his style of government. He wasn't saying that," he said. Clinton said Republicans holding or seeking office across the country should be pressed on whether they agree with Trump's comments, including his views on Putin and U.S. generals that surfaced during the forum. "Republicans are just in a terrible dilemma trying to support a totally unqualified nominee, I have no sympathy for them, its their nominee," she said. (Additional reporting by Steve Holland in Cleveland, Ginger Gibson, Emily Stephenson and Susan Heavey in Washington, Amy Tennery in New York; Writing by John Whitesides; Editing by Andrew Hay and Leslie Adler) By Steve Holland and Jeff Mason NEW YORK (Reuters) - Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that Russia's Vladimir Putin had been a better leader than U.S. President Barack Obama, as the Republican presidential nominee used a televised forum to argue he was best equipped to reassert America's global leadership. Trump suggested at the event in which he and Democratic rival Hillary Clinton made back-to-back appearances that U.S. generals had been stymied by the policies of Obama and Clinton, who served as the Democratic president's first secretary of state. "I think under the leadership of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton the generals have been reduced to rubble. They have been reduced to a point thats embarrassing for our country," Trump said at NBC's "Commander-in-Chief" forum in New York attended by military veterans. It was the first time Trump and Clinton had squared off on the same stage since accepting their parties' presidential nominations in July for the Nov. 8 election. Clinton was grilled over her handling of classified information while using a private email server during her tenure at the State Department. FBI Director James Comey had declared her "extremely careless" in her handling of sensitive material but did not recommend charges against her. "I did exactly what I should have done and I take it very seriously, always have, always will," she said.Trump's praise of Putin and his suggestion that the United States and Russia form an alliance to defeat Islamic State militants could raise eyebrows among foreign policy experts who feel Moscow is interfering with efforts to stem the Syrian civil war. "If he says great things about me, Im going to say great things about him," Trump said of the Russian president. "Certainly in that system, hes been a leader, far more than our president has been." Trump had called Obama "the founder of ISIS," an acronym for Islamic State, in stump speeches several weeks ago. The statement drew broad criticism, prompting him to take a more disciplined approach to campaigning. He has since picked up ground on Clinton in national opinion polls. Trump also flirted with revealing what he had been learning in classified intelligence briefings given to him by U.S. officials because he is the Republican nominee. "There was one thing that shocked me," Trump said. "What I did learn is that our leadership, Barack Obama, did not follow what our experts ... said to do, and I was very, very surprised. ...Our leaders were not following what they recommended." Earlier on Wednesday, Trump pledged to launch a new U.S. military buildup, saying America was under threat like never before from foes like Islamist extremists, North Korea and China. DEBATE PREVIEW? The event offered a prelude to how Clinton and Trump will deal with questions on national security issues in their three upcoming presidential debates later in September and in October. Clinton began the forum saying her long experience in government as a U.S. senator and secretary of state made her uniquely qualified to serve as president. She said she had "an absolute rock steadiness" to be able to make tough decisions, a not so subtle dig at Trump, who Democrats say is temperamentally unfit for the White House. Moderator Matt Lauer doggedly pressed her about her handling of emails from a private server while secretary of state from 2009 to 2013. The issue has raised questions about whether she can be trusted to serve as president. Clinton said none of the emails she sent or received were marked top secret, secret or classified, the usual way such material is identified. Appearing in the second half of the hour-long show, Trump faced questions about his fitness for office. Asked if he would be prepared on Day One to be commander in chief, Trump said: "One hundred percent." Trump quickly abandoned Lauer's entreaties to avoid attacking his opponent and focus on what he would do if elected president in November. "She's been there for 30 years," Trump said. "We need change, and we need it fast." The event brought together the meticulously prepared Clinton, 68, the wife of former President Bill Clinton, and Trump, 70, a New York businessman whose brash, freewheeling style has allowed him to dominate the headlines during his campaign. Clinton said she regretted her decision as a U.S. senator from New York to vote in favor of the much-criticized 2003 Iraq war and that Trump had been in favor of it as well. Trump has condemned the war during his campaign and said he would avoid lengthy conflicts in the Middle East. On the U.S. intervention in Libya in 2011, Clinton rejected Trump's criticism of her support for the effort as secretary of state. "Permitting there to be an ongoing civil war in Libya would be as threatening and as dangerous as what we are seeing in Syria," she said. Trump said Clinton's handling of Libya proved disastrous. Republicans have made much of the fact that the U.S. ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, was killed in an Islamist attack in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012. "She made a terrible mistake in Libya," said Trump. Clinton said U.S. policies under her leadership at the State Department had helped promote security. "We made the world safer," she said. (Additional reporting by Amanda Becker and Alana Wise in Washington and Gina Cherelus and Jonathan Allen in New York; Editing by Alistair Bell and Peter Cooney) Hillary Clinton defended her handling of classified information when asked by a veteran about it during NBCs Commander-in-Chief Forum Wednesday night. As a naval flight officer, I had top secret clearance, the veteran, John Lester, said. Had I communicated this information not following prescribed protocols, I would have been prosecuted and imprisoned. Secretary Clinton, how can you expect those such as myself who were and are trusted with Americas most sensitive information to have any confidence in your leadership as president? Clinton said none of the emails she sent or received on her private email account were designated classified with a header that said Secret Top Secret or Confidential. (Some of the emails had the letter C in parenthesis on them, but Clinton told the FBI she did not think that meant they were confidential.) I communicated about classified material on a wholly separate system, she said. I took it very seriously. Matt Lauer, the forums moderator, pressed Clinton to explain why some of her emails were about drone strikes. There were no discussions of any of the covert actions in process being determined about whether or not to go forward, Clinton said. Rather, the emails were about what Clinton or other officials should say if asked abroad about a drone strike that had already occurred and had been reported. I just respectfully point to the hundreds of experienced foreign policy experts, diplomats, defense officials who were communicating information on the unclassified system, because it was necessary to answer questions and to be able publicly to go as far as we could, which was not acknowledging the program, Clinton said. The former secretary of state also defended her vote for the Iraq War, calling it my mistake and vowing to never send ground troops into Iraq again. She asked voters to look at the totality of her record, mentioning her work for veterans in the Senate. Donald Trump, who spoke after Clinton, denied his earlier support for the Iraq War, claiming he had always been against it. White Plains (United States) (AFP) - US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton Thursday slammed her Republican opponent Donald Trump's recent praise for President Vladimir Putin as "scary." Responding to Trump's claim that the Russian strongman is "far more" of a leader than President Barack Obama, the Democrat Clinton said it was "not just unpatriotic and insulting to the people of our country as well as to our commander in chief, it is scary." Hillary Clinton took yet another step on Thursday in opening up to the media: a 16-minute formal press conference during which she slammed Donald Trump for suggesting Russian President Vladimir Putin is a better leader than Barack Obama. Though the event was similar to the two gaggles she held on her plane with reporters earlier in the week, Clinton took the extra step Thursday of giving the media a half-hour warning before answering questions on live video at a podium on the tarmac in White Plains, N.Y. With the event, Clinton effectively ended the months-long standoff with her press corps, which led Trump to brand her Hiding Hillary. Before she took questions, Clinton blasted the GOP nominee for his praise of Putin at Wednesdays Commander-in-Chief Forum, where Trump said the authoritarian president of Russia is a better leader than Obama. Among other things, Trump cited Putins high approval rating in his country. That is not just unpatriotic and insulting to the people of our country as well as to our commander in chief, it is scary, Clinton said Thursday. Because it suggests he will do whatever Putin wants to do, and then make excuses for him. Clinton also suggested former presidents would be rolling in their graves at the comment. I was just thinking about all of the presidents that would just be looking at one another in total astonishment. What would Ronald Reagan say about a Republican nominee who attacks Americas generals and heaps praise on Russias president? I think we know the answer, she said. (Trump had said that Americas generals had been reduced to rubble.) She also announced she would be convening a Friday meeting of bipartisan national security experts, including former Secretaries of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff and Janet Napolitano, to discuss the best way to find and kill ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. As she took questions, Clinton continued her new charm offensive with the media she had previously kept at arms length. She asked one reporter if he went shopping in your closet for a new hat. And she told NBCs Andrea Mitchell that she was my kind of woman for insisting on getting her question answered. I love you AndreaYoure indefatigable, she said. Story continues Clintons media reset began on Monday, when her campaign allowed the press on her new, larger plane for the first time this election cycle far later than candidates have welcomed the media in the past. (Trump quickly followed suit, inviting a smaller press pool to travel with him for a leg of his journey on Monday as well.) Clinton told reporters she was happy to have them on her plane with her. Some members of the media laughed, given the 275-day standoff during which the candidate had not held a press conference with them. No, really, she insisted. Later that day, she again walked to the back of the plane brandishing a copy of her book Stronger Together and then took more than 10 questions from reporters for nearly a half hour. She held another gaggle Tuesday, answering more questions at the back of her plane and taking a tarmac photo with the print photographers who have covered her candidacy. Trumps campaign released a statement calling her Thursday press conference desperate. Trump held a gaggle with reporters on Monday but hasnt had a formal press conference since the end of July. After months of what the military calls stand-off attacks, launched from a distance, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump finally met on the same stage Wednesday night for hand-to-hand combat. Unfortunately for those seeking information on their respective military policies, they were separated by a half-hour, which meant there was plenty of unilluminating blather spewed by both candidates. Thats to be expected when neither has issued a detailed national-security blueprint or spelled out their plans to defeat ISIS with any specificity. The candidates ran through their talking pointslittle they havent said beforeset apart by stirring martial music, a live exclusive MSNBC logo on the screen, and nasal-spray and bladder-control advertisements. Of course, with each candidate limited to about 25 minutes, they couldnt say much. Clinton spent much of her allotted time responding to questions over her lousy email security while serving as secretary of state. By the time a veteran asked her a serious question about defeating ISIS, moderator Matt Lauer jumped in, encouraging her to answer as briefly as you can. Read More: Transcript of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trumps Remarks at a Military Forum Clinton said she would follow the plodding path blazed by President Obama. We are not putting ground troops into Iraq ever again, and we are not putting ground troops into Syria, she said. Were going to defeat ISIS without committing American ground troops. Trump didnt address the issue, except to confirm he would destroy ISIS quickly. The generals have been reduced to rubble, he argued of the U.S. militarys high command, their hands tied by an overly cautious White House. But Trump, who said last year that he knew more about ISIS than the generals do, has suddenly done an about face and says he will order my generalsitself a jarring constructionto devise a plan to defeat ISIS. Obama, of course, has done that as well, and has decided on a go-slow approach to grind the caliphate into dust. Sure, the U.S. could steamroll into the Syrian city of Raqqa, crushing at least ISISs physical capital. Ive talked to some U.S. generals who are really frustrated, retired Marine general Anthony Zinni told Time Aug. 31. They could be in Raqqa in a week. But that would only set off a new wave of problems, as the U.S. has learned, relearned, and learned again in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. Trump dismissed such concerns. In a non-sequitur, he suggested that a Trump Administration would take the oil to end such turmoil. Story continues The evening highlighted one real difference. U.S. national security has been largely on autopilot since the end of the Cold War 25 years ago. Clinton, part of the Establishment ever since (member of the Senate Armed Services Committee for six years; Secretary of State for four), has made clear she wont rock that boat. Trump, reflecting the views of a lot of Americans who dont feel their nations investment in blood and treasure paid off in either Afghanistan or Iraq, vows to retreat from nation-building, while pumping billions more into the U.S. military than currently allowed by law. But why let legalities get in the way? While its clear that a President Trump would try to make wholesale changes in the U.S. military, its just as clear thatabsent a dictatorshipmost of what he wants to do will never happen. But some of it might. After all, no one saw the end of the Soviet Union coming when Ronald Reagan was running for president. It was his push for a big increase in military spending, and a new breed of Soviet leader in the person of Mikhail Gorbachev, that led to its collapse. Major nuclear-arms reductions negotiated by Gorbachev and Reagans successor, George H.W. Bush, were icing on the cake, and marked the last major progress on controlling nuclear weapons. Sometimes upsetting the apple cart works; sometimes, as in the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, it simply fails. The forum came hours after Trump issued a laundry list of military reinforcements he would seekmore ships, planes, troops and a state of the art missile-defense systemwithout any framework showing how this might lead to improved U.S. security, or how the nation could afford them. In any case, such investments would do nothing to thwart ISIS. Three times Trump called the U.S. military depleted. But the U.S. military has been the worlds best for the past 75 years. While that doesnt prove Trump is wrong, it does make his claim largely irrelevant. The nation has made it clear that it is unwilling to spend more money on its military. The legally-mandated sequester, which limits spending across the federal government, is halfway through its decade-long mandate, despite repeated attempts by some in Congress to scrap it. And promises to take better care of the nations veterans (a subject of several vets questions) overlooks the fact that the Obama Administration has boosted spending by the Department of Veterans Affairs by more than 85%. There has been trouble for vets seeking help, but once they get it they tend to be satisfied. A President Trump could trigger big changes around the world by restraining U.S. military might and shrinking those regions deemed vital U.S. national-security interests. But that too can boomerang, as Dean Acheson, President Trumans Secretary of State, discovered after placing South Korea outside U.S. protection in 1950, shortly before North Korea invaded. The most dispiriting thing Wednesday night was the grim view of the world the candidates gave Americans, with their relentless focus on fighting and terror. That, in part, comes from candidates eager to courtsome might say pander tothe military vote. There was scant optimism, reflecting the hunkered-down nature of U.S. politics since 9/11. The frontier spirit that made the U.S.a national character trait for more than two centurieswas nowhere on the deck of the USS Intrepid, docked in the Hudson River. More than 500,000 Americans have died on U.S. highways since 9/11. A U.S. resident is 1,000 times more likely to die in a car crash than a terrorist attack. While the federal government has succeeded in reducing the number of vehicle fatalities, few blame the federal government for the asphalt carnage. But because such deaths are an everyday occurrence, they have become part of the white noise of American life. You wouldnt know it from listening to the candidates, but the world today is less violent than it has been in generations. If the candidates had focused on that Wednesday night, instead of heightening fears over relatively small threats, the evening could have been inspiring, as well as informative. Fix number of units: Chief whips Chief whips of the ruling and opposition parties have urged the government to fix the number of local units at the earliest to ensure local level elections in March-April. CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / September 8, 2016 / CMG Holdings Group, Inc. (CMGO): CMG Holdings Group, Inc. ("CMG" or the "Company") today announces an important recent decision regarding the Civil RICO complaint it filed against Hudson Gray, Studio AG and defendants associated with these entities. Defendants, former XA executives Joseph Wagner, Jean Wilson, Darren Andereck, Jessie Lomma, Michael Day and their alleged co-conspirators Remgio Gudin and Estelle Pizzo, filed a motion to dismiss CMG's RICO Conspiracy claims, along with several of its common law claims. Judge J. Paul Oetken of the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York issued his 27-page ruling yesterday, September 7, 2016. The Court not only denied defendants' motion to dismiss CMG's RICO claims, but also denied their motion to dismiss almost all of CMG's other claims. Referring to the complaint as "sprawling" and describing CMG as having pleaded the underlying schemes "in deep detail," Judge Oetken explained CMG had pled "pervasive and particularized allegations of fraudulent behavior" and he concluded that the complaint "plausibly alleged" the existence of a long-term, conspiratorial criminal agreement. The Court refused to dismiss CMG's claim for ten times compensatory damages (punitive damages) for all damages arising from non-RICO predicate crimes (for which treble damages are sought), noting the "comprehensive nature" of the alleged scheme to deprive the owners of profits and defendants' alleged extensive efforts to conceal what they had done. "Based on CMG's allegations, this case may present a rare occasion where punitive damages may potentially be justified." Judge Oetken made note of the "chutzpah with which Defendants allegedly executed their schemes" to defraud CMG over a five-year period and sustained CMG's claims of breach of fiduciary duty (and aiding and abetting same), misrepresentation and unfair competition, theft of corporate opportunities, and tortious interference with contract, business relationships and prospective advantage claims. Glenn Laken, CEO and CMG Chairman, commenting on the decision, stated: "We are pleased with Judge Oetken's decision and very much look forward to proving our case and finally receiving justice for our shareholders." Compensatory damages sought by CMG total $20 million. About CMG Holdings Group, Inc. CMG Holdings Group, Inc. is a holding Company involved in numerous pursuits, including Experiential Advertising, eSports through its majority-owned subsidiary Good Gaming, Inc. (www.good-gaming.com; OTC Pink GMER), opportunistic mergers and acquisitions, and certain litigation claims. Forward-Looking Statements Statements not historical in nature, are intended, and are hereby identified as, "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements may be identified by words including "anticipate," "believe," "intends," "estimates," "expect," and similar expressions. The Company cautions readers that forward-looking statements including, without limitation, those relating to future business prospects are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projections, estimates or aspirations, due to factors such as those relating to economic, governmental, technological, and any risks and factors identified from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the SEC. Contact Information CMG Holdings Group, Inc. Glenn Laken CEO 773-698-6047 SOURCE: CMG Holdings Group, Inc. Fifteen years on, a generation of Americans who have no firsthand memories of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks are starting to come of age. That realization weighed on the filmmakers behind 9/11 as they prepared the 15th anniversary edition of the extraordinary documentary that features the only video footage shot inside the World Trade Center on that devastating morning. The backstory of 9/11 is well-known by now: French filmmakers Jules and Gedeon Naudet and firefighter/director James Hanlon were filming a documentary about a rookie firefighter when they found themselves bearing witness to history. Jules Naudet caught footage of the first plane hitting Tower 1, and he followed firefighters inside the building as the frantic rescue effort began. His camera kept rolling even as the skyscraper collapsed. The Naudet brothers and Hanlon have produced updated material for 9/11 every five years. As work on the 15th anniversary edition began, the trio decided it was time to ensure the movie would be preserved and properly showcased for generations to come. They cut a deal for CNN to acquire all rights to the film and all of the raw footage they collected on Sept. 11 and the days that followed. CNN plans to build a digital archive for 9/11 material that will allow users to access roughly 100 hours of footage, the vast majority of it unseen. We often talk to high school students, and one of the more fascinating things about the kids who were either too young or not born [on Sept. 11] is that they are such a visual generation, Jules Naudet says. The film resonates so much more with them. They can put themselves in that place. CNN will air 9/11: Fifteen Years Later twice starting at 8 p.m. on Sept. 11. A limited amount of new material will be available on the CNN Films website, but the archive will take time to build out. For starters, they have to digitize and preserve all of the master tapes. TV Tributes Among the special programming slated to mark the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks: CNBC Ground Zero Rising: Freedom vs. Fear An hour-long look at the revitalization of the World Trade Center site History Americas 9/11 Flag: Rise From the Ashes Details the disappearance of the flag raised in the WTC rubble by three firefighters MSNBC 9/11/01: The Today Show A three-hour rerun of the NBC show that day Fox News 9/11: Timeline of Terror Draws from the networks archives to re-create the timeline of events Smithsonian Channel 9/11: Day That Changed the World Revisits the actions of leaders including President George W. Bush This is not going to be just a dump of raw footage, says Amy Entelis, CNNs exec VP of talent and content development. There is a big opportunity for us to organize the material in different ways and make interactive features. We want to make it into a resource not just for us but for people who are studying these events. Story continues For the Naudets and Hanlon, reviewing the movie periodically reminds them of the global repercussions of the attacks on New York and the Pentagon, as well as the plane that went down in Pennsylvania. The attacks left nearly 3,000 dead, including 343 members of the New York City Fire Dept. 9/11 is really the turning point its when everything changed and [terrorism] took a different path, Gedeon Naudet says. The attacks in their native country in the past year are a prime example. Unfortunately, it is the new normal, Jules Naudet says. Terrorism is here to stay. 9/11 previously aired three times on CBS on March 10, 2002, and to commemorate the five- and 10-year anniversaries of the tragedy. The 2016 edition will feature a new intro from Denis Leary, who is closely aligned with advocacy for first responders. The updated material will focus on the ongoing health issues that 9/11 firefighters have battled, and the inspiring stories of legacy kids women and men who lost loved ones in the attack and have since become firefighters. Hanlon retired from firefighting in 2007 to focus on his career as a TV director and actor. But seeing the legacy kids in action on the job reinforced the significance of the document that 9/11 provides. In hindsight, Hanlon cant believe they managed to collect so much material particularly the in-the-moment experiences of individual firefights from Ladder 1 near the WTC under such catastrophic circumstances. We pulled each guy who returned to the firehouse and made them record what happened that day, Hanlon says. Many years from now, when were all gone, people will look back and see what happened. And we didnt put any spin on it. Im proud of that historical record. Related stories CNN Readies Back-to-Back Documentaries on Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton 'Dr. Drew' Ending After 5 Years on HLN In New CNN Documentary, Gloria Borger Talks to the Men Who Didn't Win The Presidency On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, firefighter James Hanlon shot footage alongside two French filmmakers for what was supposed to be a documentary about a probationary firefighter. Their camera panned to capture something in the sky that seemed impossible. What they saw from the Duane Street firehouse was American Airlines Flight 11 hitting Tower One of the World Trade Center. Their footage aired on CNN that night, quickly gaining comparisons to the Zapruder film. This weekend, to mark the 15th anniversary of that hellish day, the footage will return to CNN. Hanlon and the the brothers, Gedeon and Jules Naudet, used the images as the basis for the 2002 Peabody and Emmy Award-winning documentary 9/11, now updated with the new title 9/11: Fifteen Years Later. There hasnt been a day, maybe two days tops, that I havent spoken to one of the guys from that day. I always try to go to the picnics, go to the events at the firehouse, and really stay in touch. Weve never left that bond. Gedeon and Jules were right there with us. Its like they were brought into a family, Hanlon, who retired as a firefighter in 2007, told TheWrap. The trio updated the film five years ago for CBS, and hope to update it every five years. This years version looks at people in the original film who since died because of exposure to smoke and toxic dust three of them first responders from Duane Street. Its very strange, whenever September 11 comes around, especially on big anniversaries, you always have a moment where it feels like it was yesterday other moments feel like its been a long time, Jules said. The film also explores legacy kids young people who lost a loved one to the attacks and have honored their dead by becoming firefighters. We can see the time pass when we look at our own lives and the lives of the guys at the firehouse and everything they went through. They went through quite a lot, from the psychological trauma to the deaths, Gedeon said. Story continues For this years move to CNN, they added a new introduction from Rescue Me star Dennis Leary, an old friend of Hanlons who has long fought for firefighters. The film is now called 9/11: Fifteen Years Later. Also Read: Why CNN's Clarissa Ward May Be the Biggest Badass in Cable News Hanlon says Hollywood can never recreate what he saw in real life. What you can shoot with a Hollywood camera, you can never capture what a documentary captures. When you see the footage from inside [the tower], youre looking around and you see the faces, you can get never get an actor to even play that, he said. Still, he said, Oliver Stones World Trade Center was a fairly accurate portrayal of the experience of two Port Authority officers who were trapped in the rubble. And he has nothing against Hollywood: He went on to work for CBSs NCIS: Los Angeles. The Naudet brothers and Hanlon still spend September 11 of every year at the firehouse. For us, its about preserving the memory of that day, said Jules. 9/11 Fifteen Years Later will debut on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET, with an encore showing at 11 p.m. ET. Related stories from TheWrap: Why CNN's Clarissa Ward May Be the Biggest Badass in Cable News Why Candidates' Kids Highlight Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton CNN Docs CNN Sets Premiere Date for 'This is Life With Lisa Ling' Season 3 (Exclusive Video) Nice Day For A Cruise The overall winner of the UKs best sea view competition was taken by David Lyon in Newhaven, East Sussex, with a dramatic scene of huge waves crashing into the path of a ferry. (Image: David Lyon) These are the spectacular winners of a national photography competition to find Britains ultimate seascapes. The completion is run by the Shipwrecked Mariners Society, which is one of the UKs oldest maritime charities. A prestigious panel of judges trawled through more than 800 entries from all over the UK in search of the most illustrious sea view. The incredible collection of images will showcase at the 177th annual meeting of the society in October. View this years Shipwrecked Mariners Society competition winners Days after his Comedy Central Roast, fans can get a first look at Rob Lowe in his upcoming series regular role on Code Black, thanks to the newly released Season 2 trailer. The first look video includes an introduction to Lowes character, as well as a refresher on the existing cast members populating the medical drama, including Marcia Gay Harden as Dr. Leanne Rorish, the ER Residency Director at Angels Memorial Hospital, and Boris Kodjoe as Dr. Mike Campbell, the Chief of Surgery. It was announced in July that Lowe would join Season 2 as Colonel Ethan Willis, a doctor in the U.S. Militarys prestigious Combat Casualty Care research program who has been pulled out of a combat hospital in Afghanistan and embedded at Angels Memorial to teach staff what the military has learned about combat medicine. Lowes hire followed a cast shakeup that saw Season 1 regulars Bonnie Somerville and Raza Jaffrey exit the series. The show, based on the documentary by Ryan McGarry, takes place in an understaffed and overcrowded hospital in Los Angeles. The cast also includes Luis Guzman, Melanie Chandra, Harry Ford, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Jillian Murray and William Allen Young. Lowe was previously a series regular on shows such as The West Wing, Parks and Recreation, Brothers & Sisters and last seasons shortlived comedy The Grinder. Related stories TV News: Anthony Anderson To Host Animal Planet Series; 'Hairspray Live' adds 'Hamilton' Alum 'Life in Pieces' Casts Boxer Victor Ortiz & Model Jasmine Tookes in Guest Roles Judge Judy Developing Scripted Series at CBS Based on Her Life (EXCLUSIVE) Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump each sat down with Matt Lauer on Wednesday for the first joint-candidate event of the general election, discussing national security, military and once again, Clinton's emails. NBC's Lauer moderated the Commander-In-Chief Forum, broadcast from New York's Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, located in the Intrepid aircraft carrier on the Hudson River. The event was hosted by service organization Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Clinton and Trump each fielded questions from Lauer as well as a live audience comprising active-duty service members and veterans. Read more: Michael Wolff on Hillary's "Self-Delusion," Trump's "S Show" and the Media's Final, Frantic 100 Days The event began with Clinton onstage with the NBC host, who was first asked by Lauer, "What is the most important characteristic that a commander-in-chief can possess?" Clinton answered "steadiness" and "temperament," which led Lauer to question her about her email. "It was a mistake to have a personal account, I would certainly not do it again," said Clinton. But "none of the emails sent or received by me" were classified, she reiterated. On the Iraq War, Clinton told Lauer that "the decision to go to war in Iraq was a mistake," and her vote "was, from my perspective, my mistake." She added: "We must learn what led us down that path so that it never happens again. I am asking to be judged on the totality of my record." Responding to an audience question about military intervention, Clinton stressed that "I view force as a last resort, not a first choice." Read more: Univision CEO Pens Open Letter Calling for Presidential Debates to Include a Hispanic Moderator When it was Trump's turn, Lauer told the GOP presidential candidate to "keep the attacks to a minimum" and began by asking him what prepares him to be commander-in-chief. "Can we afford to take that risk with you?" asked Lauer. Story continues "I think absolutely," Trump said, referencing his recent trip to Mexico. "The people that arranged the trip in Mexico have been forced out of government, that's how well we did." Lauer pressed him on his past statements, including how he claims to know more about ISIS than President Barack Obama and Clinton. "She's been there for 30 years," Trump said, pointing to Clinton's recent comments that she would have made different decisions in regards to Iraq. "We need change, Matt," he replied. On Vladimir Putin, Lauer asked the GOP candidate what he thinks about getting a compliment from the Russian leader, which Trump stood by. "We're losing our jobs like we're a bunch of babies," Trump said. "He is really very much of a leader. The man has very strong control over a country. "If he says great things about me, I'm going to say great things about him." He concluded: "I think I'll be able to get along with him." What kind of homework is Trump doing now to prepare to be the commander-in-chief? Lauer asked. "How much time are you spending on this?" "A lot," Trump said. "I feel I have a common sense on the various issues you're talking about." Lastly, Trump defended his judgment on military decisions, saying that he would be "a lot slower" in making decisions than Clinton, who "has a happy trigger." He also said a court system "almost doesn't exist" when asked about his plan to reduce sexual assaults in the military. Social media was quick to latch onto Trump's remarks, with Clinton sharing the 2013 tweet that Lauer asked Trump about during the forum. "It is a correct tweet." - Donald Trump, just now #NBCNewsForum https://t.co/EyNuOmY8oF - Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 8, 2016 "It is a correct tweet. There are many people that think that's absolutely correct," Trump said about the post, which reads: "26,000 unreported sexual assaults in the military-only 238 convictions. What did these geniuses expect when they put men & women together?" He continued: "When you have somebody that does something so evil, so bad as that, there has to be consequences for that person. You have to go after that person. Right now, nobody is doing anything." It wasn't a traditional debate, but the conversation got heated all the same when Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump sat down for the Commander-in-Chief Forum on Wednesday, September 7. With an audience made up entirely of members of the military, both candidates for the presidency took turns fielding tough questions about their intended foreign and military policy should they win the upcoming election and Us Weekly was watching live to report the action as it happened. In keeping with her campaign, Clinton highlighted her experience and temperament as assets to her potential presidency, frequently shutting down moderator Matt Lauer to complete her points when he tried to interrupt her mid-answer. Out of keeping with his campaign, Trump was remarkably restrained and said nothing particularly nasty about his opponent although he was less than specific (and sometimes downright secretive) when pressed for details about how he intended to turn the country around. Read on for a minute-by-minute account of the event. (And start from the bottom if you want it in chronological order!) PHOTOS: Celebrity Deaths in 2016: Stars Weve Lost 8:55 p.m. ET: And finally, a moment which will likely end up being the most talked-about of tonight's forum: In 2013, Trump tweeted, "Twenty-six thousand unreported sexual assaults in the military only 238 convictions. What did these geniuses expect when they put men & women together?" When questioned about that sentiment tonight, Trump's response was as follows: "It is a correct tweet." Although Trump was remarkably restrained and on script tonight (not even one reference was made to the size of his penis!), the internet almost certainly isn't going to let him forget about this apparent defense of a tweet which seemed to suggest that women don't belong in the military. And while his die-hard supporters probably won't be bothered, that comment isn't going to help him with women voters, a group he's already pretty unpopular with. Story continues Donald Trump's Craziest Quotes From His 2016 Presidential Campaign and Beyond 8:50 p.m. ET: It was time for Trump to tackle the question of reforming the VA, specifically, providing better access to health care (including mental health care) for veterans. "I have a very, very powerful plan that's on my website," said Trump. However, he did not go into details; instead, he attacked Clinton for being too soft on the VA. However, Trump was forced to circle back when an audience member brought up the terribly high rate of suicide among veterans. "We're going to speed up the process we're going to create a great mental health division," the candidate said. How? Unfortunately, Trump just wasn't keen on the details here. Instead of outlining concrete solutions, he accused the VA of being a corrupt entity. The best he did in terms of explaining his goals was the following statement: "We're going to make it official and good." PHOTOS: Biggest Reality TV Villains Ever! 8:45 p.m. ET: A military policyfocused forum is an odd place to fit in an immigration question, but they managed it! A female member of the first West Point class to include women had a question for Trump about undocumented immigrants who intend to serve in the Armed Forces. Would Trump relax his superstringent policy of deporting any/all illegal immigrants in a case like this? In a word: Yep. "I could see myself working that out," Trump admitted. "We have to vet very carefully, but it would be a very special circumstance." In a follow-up question, another veteran asked Trump about his potential relationship with Russia. (Trump has caught flak during the campaign for praising Vladimir Putin, as well as for a remark in which he seemed to invite Russian hackers to dig deeper for dirt on Clinton's email scandal.) Trump's answer was a bit meandering; in short, he cited this week's incident in China, where a special staircase was not provided for President Barack Obama to descend from Air Force One, as a marked contrast to the kind of relationship Trump himself plans to have with China and Russia. PHOTOS: Stars Who Played the President 8:40 p.m. ET: Trump has just given possibly the most incredible answer in the history of politics to a question about the specifics of his plan to defeat ISIS: "I have a substantial chance of winning, and if I win, I don't want to broadcast to the enemy exactly what my plan is." In other words, he totally has a plan, but it's a secret. This is not illuminating in terms of his intended policy, but it is unprecedented! 8:35 p.m. ET: Clinton had her time in the spotlight, and now it was Trump's turn and his reputation preceded him. "Try to keep the attacks to a minimum," Lauer said before asking his first question. Similarly to Clinton, Trump was asked about his expertise in this case, what kind of personal/professional experience he has that will serve him well as commander-in-chief. Trump first cited his business acumen as a boon, saying, "I've built a great company, I've been all over the world, I've dealt with many countries. I've had great experience dealing with an international basis." He then tried to derail the question a bit not with an attack, to his credit, but with a defense: Clinton lied, he said. He was totally against the war in Iraq. Lauer redirected with a question that included one of Clinton's buzzwords: temperament. Can we afford to have a commander-in-chief who says things he later regrets? Trump chalked up his inflammatory comments to the heat of campaign, then cited his trip to Mexico as an example of his diplomatic abilities. "If you look at what happened the people who arranged the trip in Mexico have been forced out of government," he said. PHOTOS: Donald Trump's Most Offensive and Outrageous Quotes 8:27 p.m. ET: And of course, we can't talk military policy without talking about ISIS, which was the last topic Clinton tackled in her time on stage. HRC made it clear that she takes the threat of the terrorist group seriously, vowing to fight ISIS "in the air, on the ground and in cyberspace." But the most noteworthy part of this answer might just be the moment when Clinton veered into Second Amendment territory for a hot second, citing her support for keeping folks on the terrorist watch list from buying firearms. 8:22 p.m. ET: The state of Veterans Affairs was expected to be front and center tonight, so it was no surprise when an audience member brought it up. Clinton's response: "I will not let the VA be privatized," she said, going on to describe such a decision as "disastrous" for veterans. Lauer segued, saying, "Let's talk about veterans and suicide." Clinton jumped right on it: "Yes, let's." Clinton clearly knows her stuff on this front, as she cited statistics as well as individual cases before leading into an explanation of her planned military mental-health initiative although she stayed solution-focused throughout. People who were looking for her to act like a mom-in-chief rather than a seasoned politician were likely disappointed that she didn't get more emotional while answering this one. 8:15 p.m. ET: A female Air Force vet asked Clinton how she responds to progressives who are concerned about her "hawkish" foreign policy and intervention overseas. "Let me say very clearly: I view force as a last resort, not a first choice." Clinton emphasized a commitment to a prepared military, and a careful approach to deploying troops. And when it comes to Iraq and Libya, she said, there's no difference in position between her and Trump except that she's coming at it from a place of experience and knowledge. Lauer used this opportunity to ask: What about Iran? Clinton started to explain how a coalition was assembled to apply pressure on Iran to put a lid on their nuclear program and she blew right past Lauer when he tried to derail her midpoint. Sorry, Matt: There will be no man-terrupting tonight. PHOTOS: Biggest Celebrity Scandals of 2015 8:10 p.m. ET: Lauer asked Clinton to talk first about expertise and the characteristics of a good president an opportunity she welcomed, since it gave her an opportunity to highlight her experience, of which she has much more than Trump. What's the most important characteristic of a president, per HRC? "Steadiness." Unsurprisingly, Clinton used this opportunity to remind us that she was in the Situation Room during the raid that resulted in the killing of Osama Bin Laden. She also worked the word "temperament" in there, which is a word we've heard from her a lot during this campaign. Lauer then followed up with a question about Clinton's emails, to which she replied, "It was something that should not have been done" but she offered the same defense as always, that she never sent or received classified information this way. She had to paraphrase this same point when an audience member confronted her with a follow-up question on the same topic. And with that, to semiquote Bernie Sanders, maybe this will be enough about the damn emails. 8:03 p.m. ET: And we're off! This forum is broadcasting live from the Intrepid aircraft carrier in New York City, with Matt Lauer doing the necessary nod to the city's history of being targeted by terrorists the kind of terrorists our commander-in-chief must strategize to defend us against. It'll be ladies first tonight, as Hillary Clinton will take the stage for a round of questions before ceding the mic to Donald Trump. PHOTOS: Celebrity Kids Just Like Us! 7:55 p.m. ET: Which Commander-in-Chief will be the chief we all say hail to come the November presidential election: Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump? On Wednesday, September 7, the two front-runners for the country's biggest job will each make their case, in their first joint event as nominees and Us is live-blogging the whole show from start to finish. The Commander-in-Chief Forum is the first event of its kind, as Clinton and Trump will answer questions live in front of an audience made up entirely of members of the U.S. military. Will Hillary come prepared, own every question, and widen her reportedly sizable lead in the polls or will she stumble at this pivotal moment and be left trying to play catch-up in the coming weeks? And will Donald make an unexpected show of seriousness, stick to his talking points and emerge as a more viable candidate than current polling reflects or will he use this opportunity to mention one more time how very presidential his wiener is? Be sure to refresh this post throughout the event for updates as the forum unfolds! The Commander-in-Chief Forum airs live on NBC and MSNBC Wednesday, September 7, at 8 p.m. ET. Related Content: Beirut (AFP) - The commander of Syria's largest rebel coalition has been killed in an air strike near Aleppo, in what analysts say is the biggest blow to the alliance since its formation. The strike on a meeting of leaders of the Army of Conquest came after a major defeat for the rebels, which saw them once again besieged inside Aleppo after a pro-government advance this week. Former Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front, renamed Fateh al-Sham Front when it broke ties in July, announced on Twitter "the martyrdom" of commander Abu Omar Saraqeb in an air strike. The jihadist Fateh al-Sham is a leading member of the Army of Conquest alliance, which groups its fighters with those of Islamist factions such as Ahrar al-Sham. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said unidentified aircraft hit the Army of Conquest meeting on Thursday night, killing Saraqeb and another rebel commander named as Abu Muslim al-Shami. Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said it was not clear whether the strike was carried out by the Syrian regime or its Russian ally. In Washington, Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said the US military was not involved. "It was not a US strike," he said. A US defence official later told AFP that Russia was the "leading suspect" in the strike. A US-led coalition carries out daily air raids in northern Syria targeting the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group, but it has steered clear of Aleppo, where Russian and regime forces are battling rebels. "This is undoubtedly the biggest blow ever inflicted on Fateh al-Sham and the Army of Conquest in Syria," Abdel Rahman told AFP. According to the Observatory, Saraqeb was a leading member of Al-Qaeda in Iraq -- a precursor to IS -- in its fight against the US-led occupation of that country after 2003. He went on to become a key commander of Al-Nusra Front in Syria. - 'Islamist unifier' - Abu Omar reportedly also founded Al-Nusra Front's Lebanon branch which has claimed responsibility for several bombings in Syria's western neighbour. Story continues He has operated under different noms de guerre, making it difficult to know his nationality. He led a major offensive by the Army of Conquest in spring last year that saw it seize control of nearly all of the northwestern province of Idlib. But the alliance has been less successful in and around Aleppo, where it was dealt a major blow by regime forces this week. In early August, Saraqeb led an offensive against pro-government fighters encircling the rebel-held east of the divided city and opened up a new supply route from the south that broke the siege. But this week regime loyalists backed by Russian jets recaptured nearly all of the territory taken last month and reimposed the blockade on the estimated 250,000 civilians in rebel-held neighbourhoods. Pro-jihadist accounts on Twitter mourned Saraqeb's death, calling him a "heroic martyr". "The targeting of the symbols of this blessed revolution will only increase our determination to achieve our goals," pledged one Army of Conquest brigade. - 'Ideological hardliner' - Charles Lister, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute think tank, said Saraqeb had helped found the Army of Conquest last year and once served as the "emir" of Idlib province. Amid Syria's fractious rebel movement, he was an "advocate of military unity" as well as "an ideological hardliner who held strong views on how society should be controlled", Lister told AFP. He said the raid on Thursday targeted a meeting that would plan a fresh rebel offensive "to break the re-besieging of Aleppo". It remains unclear the extent to which Abu Omar's death will have an impact on the fight for Aleppo and the broader rebel movement in Syria. According to Syria expert Thomas Pierret, the Army of Conquest remains "the only group that could credibly claim that it can break the siege of Aleppo". "The consequences of this assassination will undoubtedly be more political than military, as jihadist groups are generally well-prepared to replenish their cadres," he told AFP. Aleppo has been ravaged by fighting since the rebels seized eastern districts in 2012, with the former commercial hub transformed into a bombed-out city. Govt change hits management of wildlife parts The management of wildlife parts that were collected and seized from various parts of the country has been delayed. KINSHASA, Congo In a calm corner of this typically chaotic capital city, the expressionless face of President Joseph Kabila stares down from a billboard urging patience and dialogue. I launch a final appeal to those who still hesitate to respond to the resounding call of their homeland, the sign reads in a veiled reference to the countrys dangerous electoral impasse. It might as well be the motto of Kabilas government, which is widely suspected of delaying electoral preparations as part of an evolving ploy to remain in power. But judging by the governments own actions, which have grown increasingly paranoid and heavy-handed in recent months, the motto hasnt resonated much with the Congolese people. A former Belgian colony the size of Western Europe, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has never in its history had a peaceful transition of power. The countrys constitution, which was drafted in the wake of a bloody wave of wars between 1996 and 2003, calls for presidential elections in November and bars Kabila, who has already served two full terms in office, from standing as a candidate. But while nominally preserving the appearance that they are getting ready for the election, the president and his allies in government seem to be preparing for something else entirely: the massive political unrest that could erupt in the wake of a delayed or stolen vote. This constitution is a reply to multiple cycles of violence, and so to want to ignore it would be to invite belligerence and encourage people to take up arms and rebellion, said Donatien Nshole Babula, the first deputy secretary-general of Congos influential National Episcopal Conference, which has called on Kabila to step aside at the end of his term. That is why we are calling on the politicians to listen to the cries of the suffering of the people. Instead of listening, Kabila and his team have doubled down on their dangerous game of electoral delay, or glissement, as the Congolese people call it, using the French world for slippage. They insist that elections cant happen in November because of logistical and budgetary constraints; the voter registration rolls, for example, havent been updated since 2011, meaning that an estimated 7 million new young voters would be excluded while millions of dead people would remain eligible. Story continues But the political opposition says these claims are just a fig leaf for stalling preparations, delaying elections, and clinging to power. The timetables put in place by the electoral commission are just playing a game to allow Mr. Kabila to stay in power, said prominent Congolese opposition leader Martin Fayulu, who was briefly arrested in February after organizing demonstrations. The people of Congo want Kabila gone. Thats why we will demonstrate. We dont have anything else. Kabilas bid to delay the election comes at the same time as a growing number of leaders in the region have altered or ignored constitutional term limits in order to remain in power. Last year, the presidents of Rwanda and the Republic of Congo both orchestrated changes to their constitutions to enable them to run for third terms; in Burkina Faso and Burundi, violent protests broke out after the presidents of those countries tried the same. Some Kabila allies have floated the possibility of a constitutional referendum in Congo, but the president himself has stayed silent on exactly when elections will happen. In the meantime, there are worrying signs that Kabila and his associates are readying themselves for a street fight. The government recently imported new surveillance cameras from China, as well as drones, anti-riot gear, water cannons, and tear gas from unnamed parties. It claims that the new equipment will help it safely and nonviolently disperse protests, but Congos security forces are not known for their restraint. In January, for instance, protests against a draft election law requiring a new census before presidential elections are held an endeavor that would take years in a massive, infrastructure-poor country like Congo provoked a violent crackdown in which more than 40 people were killed. Hans Hoebeke, a researcher at the International Crisis Group focusing on Congo, described the newly acquired crowd-control arsenal as part of a larger attempt to keep the senior levels of the army on the side of regime in the event of popular unrest. He cited gifts of expensive new cars to top commanders as another facet of this strategy. Meanwhile, the government has moved aggressively to silence its critics over the last year, arresting Congolese activists and civil society leaders on dubious charges. It has also denied visas to multiple foreign journalists, expelled noted Congo researcher Jason Stearns after he published a report linking the army to civilian massacres, and revoked the work permit of Ida Sawyer, a researcher for Human Rights Watch who has lived in Congo since 2008. I do think that Kabila and the people around him want to stay in power, and I would say at whatever the cost, Hoebeke said. If he leaves, the whole construction of the majority around him would disintegrate. Kabila and his allies simply have too much to lose. They have amassed millions of dollars from mining, trading, and other business ventures licit and illicit that critics say are made possible by corruption at all levels of government. Those who have prospered under Kabila may fear prosecution once hes gone. The big threat is Kabila and his people, Fayulu said. What they are fearing is to lose the advantage. And then if they are not in power, maybe someone will cut them or jail them. At the crumbling headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Kinshasa, deputy spokesman Onesime Kukatula Falash defended the governments decision to delay the elections on budgetary and logistical grounds. Seated in a large office adorned with two photos of Kabila and a third of Kukatula Falash shaking hands with U.S. Sen. John McCain, he said it would take around 16 months just to update the voter registration rolls, citing a U.N. report that reached a similar conclusion but estimated ten and a half months. In the meantime, Kabila could legally remain in office, he said, citing a controversial decision by Congos highest court that was delivered in May. (The court, whose judges were handpicked by the president, ruled that Kabila could remain in power until elections are held, regardless of the length of the delay.) We have the constitution, which is covering everything, so I dont think people will take to the streets because of the articles of the constitution, Kukatula Falash said. Leonnie Kandolo, a civil society and womens rights activist in Kinshasa, reads her copy of the constitution which she always carries in her purse very differently. She said its clear that the Congolese people want Kabila to go, but one question looms darkly: If people stand up and say no [to election delays], how are you [the government] going to stop those people? Kandolo asked, shaking her hands exasperatedly. The answer, she feared, was force. Kandolo was part of a monitoring team for the 2006 presidential election, the countrys first after the war. Kabila, who had been in power since the death of his father, President Laurent Kabila, in 2001, won with 58 percent of the vote. But it was the 2011 vote that shattered Kandolos faith in Congos political system. In a disputed election that was denounced as flawed by international observers, Kabila narrowly beat out longtime opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi, who nonetheless declared himself the winner. Demonstrations and repression followed, and more than 20 people were killed, according to Human Rights Watch. Many fear that electoral delays could precipitate something far worse in the coming months. In July, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned in a report to the Security Council that the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo was developing contingency plans because the election impasse could degenerate into a severe crisis, with a high risk of relapse into violence and instability. Another report released in June by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, a group of U.N. and non-U.N. humanitarian partners, put Congo at the top of a list of worldwide risks to watch. In addition to delaying the vote, the government is likely to limit or shut down mobile networks, restrict the oppositions rights through legal or violent means and increase intimidation and harassment, the report said. Reports like these make Kabilas calls for dialogue ring hollow to many Congolese. But others are just as frustrated with the fragmented opposition, the majority of which has boycotted Kabilas dialogues and called for its own. Part of the problem is that the leaders of both sides see delaying elections as in their interest, Stearns said. Although the government clearly benefits from the delay because it gets to remain in power, the opposition benefits as well since it has a clear issue around which to mobilize its supporters. Still others are frustrated with the international community, which many Congolese see as disinterested in Kabilas efforts to subvert democracy. The U.S. government has been vocally critical of rising repression, including imposing sanctions on Kinshasas police chief for violence against civilians. But it and other Western powers have stopped short of sanctioning Kabila and his allies over glissement. If this international community wants to stop or save us from this war, instead of spending money on small, senseless projects, we should pool the money to mobilize ourselves to organize elections, said Chrispin Mvano Ya Bauma, a Congolese journalist and researcher based in the eastern city of Goma. If these elections arent organized, we could fall into war. Image credit: FISTON MAHAMBA/AFP/Getty Images Lyle Denniston, our Supreme Court correspondent, looks a Senate subcommittees demand for information from an online publisher about how it conducts its business and a potential First Amendment conflict that could merit the Supreme Courts attention. Sample news website on digital tablet. Contents are all made up. THE STATEMENT AT ISSUE: The Courts of Appeals are hopelessly divided on the import of the [Supreme Courts decision in Branzburg v. Hayes in 1972] including the fundamental question of whether a reporters privilege even exists under the First Amendment.The Fourth, Sixth, and Seventh Circuits have heldthat no privilege exists.The majority of circuits, conversely, have understood Branzburg correctly to established at least a qualified privilege against investigative demands.This case presents a compelling reason for this court to reexamine the issue presented in Branzburgin light of ever-increasing confusion arising from the scope of First Amendment protection available to online intermediary publishers. Excerpt from a document filed in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, seeking a delay of a Senate subcommittees subpoena to an online publisher Backpage.com demanding access to information about how that site screens and edits content supplied to it by someone else. Backpage is a large publisher of classified ads, and it includes ads in its adult section that are being investigated by various law enforcement officials on the theory that they contribute to sex crimes. Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., has temporarily blocked an investigative subpoena pending further action by the Supreme Court. WE CHECKED THE CONSTITUTION, AND It is a general rule that everyone has a civic duty to cooperate when government sets out to investigate whether a crime has been committed. But it is also a tradition that, in the interest of serving other public goals, some people are not required to reveal everything that police, prosecutors and investigators would like to learn from them. Story continues A persons spouse is exempt from being forced to testify against the other spouse in a criminal case; a lawyer need not reveal what a client has revealed; a religious counselor cannot be forced to tell what has been learned in confidence. All such exemptions are known technically in the law as testimonial privileges. Most of them are based in common-law traditions that date back centuries. But such privileges also can gain support from the Constitution. Indeed, the right under the Fifth Amendment not to be forced to give criminal evidence against ones self is known as the privilege against self-incrimination. For a long time, decades at least, newspaper reporters and editors have been trying to establish something called the reporters privilege. It is also referred to as the news-gathering privilege. Usually, what that means is that courts, grand juries, and other investigative entities should not have the power to force a journalist to reveal the sources of news. The theory behind it is that journalists need to rely upon confidential sources in order to do their work, and being forced to give away a sources identity is bound to dry up such sources. Reporters, in fact, have gone to jail rather than give up their sources. Obviously, because journalism is a profession that has the special protection of the First Amendments Free Press Clause, recognition of a news-gathering or reporters privilege under that Clause would make it very strong. The Supreme Court last discussed this idea some 44 years ago, in the case of Branzburg v. Hayes. That decision involved three journalists newspaper reporters Paul Branzburg and Earl Caldwell and television reporter Paul Pappas who had been summoned before separate grand juries investigating crime and urban violence, to tell how and from whom they got stories they had written. Each resisted, claiming a reporters privilege to keep their sources to themselves. The Supreme Court split 5-to-4, and the result actually went against the claim. But this is one of those split decisions by the court that can easily be misunderstood. One of the five Justices who supported the outcome was Justice Lewis F. Powell, Jr. While he agreed that these reporters should have to testify, he wrote separately to insist that the ruling was actually very narrow and that, at least in some measure, there should be a testimonial privilege for news-gathering under the First Amendment. It should be judged, he said, case by case. News reporters and editors have never given up that cause. And now the Supreme Court is being asked to reconsider the idea, in the Digital Age, the age of the Internet. Some of the biggest players on the Web like Google, YouTube, Craigslist, and Yelp get much of their content from someone else, not their own staffs. In effect, the computer-using public is their staff of news-gatherers. But each of them, at least to some degree, exercises some form of editorial oversight of the content that appears on their sites. And their mode of operation has made them quite vulnerable to law enforcement demands. In a new case developing at the Supreme Court, the Justices were told that online publishers increasingly find themselves the targets of government efforts to stifle unpopular speech they host, and that they are often facing scattershot fishing expeditions by various law enforcement and investigative officials or entities. Some of their challengers, it was suggested, are even trying to shut down sites completely. The case involves Backpage.com, a large publisher that puts on the Internet what are called classified ads in the newspaper business. A part of Backpages operations includes an adult section, where sexually explicit material regularly appears. That has been the target of investigators, including for the past year a Senate subcommittee that is looking into sex trafficking on the Internet. That subcommittee has issued a broadly worded subpoena to Backpage and its CEO, Carl Ferrer. The subcommittee won enforcement of its subpoena in two lower courts in recent weeks, and Ferrer and his team of First Amendment-specializing lawyers has moved on to the Supreme Court. At this point, they are seeking simply a delay of the subpoenas enforcement, so that they can pursue further challenges to it in lower courts and, ultimately, the Supreme Court. It may shortly become clear whether their challenge has any realistic prospect of a sympathetic response from the Supreme Court. So far, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., has temporarily blocked the subpoena for only a few days, awaiting further legal filings. Recent Stories on Constitution Daily Hamiltons Treasury Department and a great Constitutional debate 10 fascinating facts about the Labor Day holiday Constitution Check: Where have all the poll-watchers gone?Recent Historical Stories on Constitution Daily LONDON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Average daily volumes on currency trading platforms run by Thomson Reuters fell in August, with spot trading sliding to its lowest in more than three years as the summer lull hit activity. Spot volumes fell to their lowest since January 2013 at $83 billion in August, down from $97 billion in July and $116 billion in June - when volumes shot up after the results of Britain's referendum on EU membership were announced on June 24 and the pound and other major currencies saw sharp swings. Total foreign exchange trades across TR platforms, including forwards, swaps, options and non-deliverable forwards (NDFs), averaged $342 billion a day over the course of the month, down from $359 billion a day in July and $364 billion in the same month last year. EBS, which is owned by the world's largest inter-dealer broker ICAP, said earlier this week that volumes for the U.S. dollar, euro and yen fell 25 percent in August compared with the previous month. Daily volumes in the currency market have been hurt in recent months by regulatory changes that have crimped banks' risk-taking ability, and by lower global trade flows. Some in the industry had hoped the volatility in the two weeks following the Brexit vote might mark the start of a broader trend that would support more trading in general. Instead, with many traders on holiday, the volatility of the pound has fallen back to levels seen at the start of 2016 and those on the euro are near their lowest in two years. (Reporting by Anirban Nag; Editing by Nigel Stephenson) And MAS wont ease property cooling measures anytime soon. Singapore Exchange Ltd. said it has formed a committee to look at ways to improve the operational resiliency of its markets. SGX created the Securities Industry Working Group in consultation with the Monetary Authority of Singapore, it said in a statement Tuesday. The group will be led by Ho Tian Yee, a DBS Group Holdings Ltd. board member. Read more here. The recent woes of Hanjin Shipping Co. underscore a sea change blowing through the Asian debt market as companies, lenders, and investors come to grips with a 'new normal' in corporate financing: banks appear less inclined to prop up national champions in oversupplied sectors. That's the conclusion from analysts at HSBC Holdings Plc, who say high private-sector leverage combined with stubborn over-capacity in trade- and commodity-orientated sectors, are propelling Asian banks in mature markets to become more conservative in their lending practices. Read more here. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will not ease the property cooling measures which have caused home prices to drop by almost 10 percent anytime soon, reported Bloomberg. MAS Managing Director Ravi Menon explained that last weeks relaxation of mortgage refinancing rules by the central bank is aimed at easing the debt burdens of homeowners, and not create demand for new home loans. Find out more here. More From Singapore Business Review Danny DeVito has signed on to join John Turturro and Tony Shalhoub in The Price, the Arthur Miller play getting a Broadway revival in the spring from Roundabout Theater Company. DeVito makes his Broadway debut in the show as the furniture dealer appraising an estate recently inherited by two brothers (Turturro and Shalhoub). The Always Sunny in Philadelphia star got his start on stage in Off Broadway shows including One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest before transitioning to TV (Taxi) and film (Romancing the Stone, Weiner-Dog, the upcoming The Comedian). In 2012 DeVito starred in a West End revival of Neil Simon comedy The Sunshine Boys, and subsequently starred in the show in L.A. Jessica Hecht (Fiddler on the Roof) rounds out the four-person cast of The Price, to be directed by Terry Kinney. The production comes on the heels of a Broadway season that saw starry revivals of two Arthur Plays, The Crucible and the Tony-winning A View from the Bridge. The show, which begins previews Feb. 16 ahead of a March 16 opening at the American Airlines Theater, is part of a 2016-17 season at Roundabout that includes Holiday Inn, The Cherry Orchard and Love Love Love. Related stories John Turturro in Production on 'Big Lebowski' Spinoff 'Going Places' John Turturro, Tony Shalhoub Sign on for 'The Price' on Broadway Katie Couric, Danny DeVito Politicize Gun Violence at 'Under the Gun' Premiere Its value at risk is about 3 times that of UOB. Should macro uncertainties come upon Singapore's big banks, DBS would be the most affected, as its Value at Risk (VAR) could soar, threatening its trading income. According to a report by MayBank Kim Eng, trading income formed 6-11% of the banks total income in 2015, tagging it as the "chief engine" behind revenue growth since 2008. "Trading books have ballooned, inflating net trading income to an average of 8.4% of total income from 4.6% in 2000," the report said. DBS' VAR is much higher despite a 97.5% confidence level due to the size of its trading position. "At a 97.5% confidence level, DBS Value at Risk or VAR for its trading book is about 3x UOBs, even when UOBs VAR is based on a 99% confidence level. At 99%, DBS VAR would be even higher. But to DBS credit, its higher VAR did yield higher trading gains, " the report explained. And with larger trading position, DBS is exposed to more Basel rules which require higher risk weights for trading books. "If the macro environment turns more volatile, so will returns from treasury desks," it noted. More capital will be needed to support its trading desk and returns could shrink," it added. More From Singapore Business Review Libreville (AFP) - All eyes in Gabon were on Jean Ping on Thursday, as the opposition leader had only a few hours left to take his claim of presidential election fraud to the country's highest court. With the clock ticking on Ping's court bid, the government meanwhile said a planned visit to Gabon of African Union heads of state had been indefinitely postponed. Any appeals against provisional results of the August 27 presidential election -- which gave incumbent Ali Bongo a razor-thin lead over Ping -- were supposed to be lodged at the Constitutional Court by 4 pm (1500 GMT), but the court has the power to delay this deadline until midnight. Ping insists he won the election. "So, is he going to court?" anxious citizens asked journalists towards the end of the day. Bongo himself has said he will contest a number of results attributed to his rival. Ping, who believes Bongo has the court in his pocket, seems to be waiting until the last moment before showing his hand. The August 31 announcement that Bongo had beaten Ping by fewer than 6,000 votes prompted several days of riots amid opposition claims the election had been stolen. During the unrest, the parliament building was set ablaze, many shops were looted and life in the capital brought to a standstill. The government says three people died in the unrest, dismissing some opposition claims that between 50 and 100 people lost their lives. Citing Gabon's constitution and election laws, Bongo has dismissed Ping's demand that a recount take place before any legal challenge. "If we go to the constitutional court, we will enter a trap we can never escape," a close associate of Ping said late Wednesday. "The dice are loaded at the court," he said, comparing the institution to "the Tower of Pisa that always leans the same way". But he conceded the wisdom of keeping the fight within the law. "That's what France, the US and the European Union are asking," he said, adding that he hoped such international pressure would also be brought to bear to ensure a fair ruling. Story continues France took pains Thursday to dismiss the common perception it was still a power-broker in Gabon. "Times have changed," government spokesman Stephane Le Foll told a news conference in Paris. "There is no more France-Afrique," he said, using a somewhat derisive term for Paris's close relationship with its former colonies. "France is not here to make decisions for African countries; we are here to help find a solution and support the African Union (AU) mission," he said. - Crisis? What crisis? - Announcing the shelving of the AU delegation's visit, Foreign Minister Emmanuel Isozet Ngondet said such a mission was uncalled for. "There is no danger here, no explosive security or humanitarian situation which justifies a rather robust intervention from the international community," he told a news conference. An AU "good offices" mission had been due in Libreville on Friday. -- Breathing room -- If the constitutional court gets involved, it will create additional breathing room for mediation; the nine judges have two weeks to examine complaints and declare definitive results. Many fear that announcement, whichever way it goes, could spark another wave of violence because of the narrow margin between Bongo and Ping and the various claims of fraud. The main bone of contention, especially for the international community, relates to results from the Haut-Ogooue province, Bongo's heartland. According to figures from the election commission, Bongo won more than 95 percent of votes cast in the province, with a turnout just a shade under 100 percent. "An analysis of the number of non-voters as well as blank and disqualified votes reveals a clear anomaly in the final results in Haut-Ogooue," an EU election observer mission said in a statement Tuesday. Bongo accused some members of the mission of overstepping its mandate. And the foreign minister said "many inconsistencies" had been noted in the observers' behaviour. "We have the impression that the observer mission wanted to become a control mission," he said. The central African nation has been ruled by the Bongo family since 1967. Maine Governor Paul LePage speaks at the 23rd Annual Energy Trade and Technology Conference in Boston, Massachusetts November 13, 2015. REUTERS/Gretchen Ertl A provocative mural protesting Maine Gov. Paul LePage has appeared in Portland, Maine, this week. The mural, which an unknown artist drew this week in Portland, Maine, originally depicted the embattled governor wearing a Ku Klux Klan hood and robe next to the words "RACIST," "HOMOPHOBE" and "MORON." A fourth word, "GOVERNOR," was crossed out with a red line. However, yesterday, the artwork underwent a number of transformations at the hands of vigilante residents. First, according to NBC affiliate WCSH-TV, two LePage supporters painted over the mural with white paint. Then, opponents of the governor scrubbed the paint off, restoring the original image. lepage mural kkk Late Tuesday night, the Ku Klux Klan imagery was removed from the mural, while Mickey Mouse ears were added to the governor's image, according to the Portland Press Herald. The words "No Hate" and "Hate is Hate" were also added. A graffiti mural of LePage originally had him dressed as a KKK leader, but this morning he has Mickey ears. pic.twitter.com/ymb3QMJfPS Kelsey Fabian (@KelseyFabian) September 7, 2016 "I do not want it up there. It is not reflective of our values," Mayor Ethan Strimling said, according to the Press Herald. "The KKK has a long, problematic history in the state of Maine, and equating the governor and his rhetoric, as much as we disagree with it, is a step too far." LePage, a Republican, has come under fire for a series of inflammatory comments he made last month, which include a diatribe about 'black and Hispanic' drug dealers and a profanity-laced voicemail left for a state representative. Story continues LePage vowed he would not resign in wake of the remarks, and rejected some lawmakers' assertions that he had "mental issues." NOW WATCH: This animated map shows the most probable path to a Trump victory More From Business Insider Icao tells states to form air accident probe unit The International Civil Aviation Organization (Icao) has urged its contracting states, including Nepal, to constitute a separate authority to investigate air accidents or serious incidents involving public air transport within November 10. Since the release of their 2013 studio offering Random Access Memories, Daft Punk have been quite the experts at hiding while their fans go seeking for new music, upcoming tours, appearances -- anything really. And the myth that "Daft Punk is playing at the trash fence" is an enduring urban legend at Burning Man. So it's no surprise that a cryptic tweet from Detroit producer GriZ would heighten the speculation surrounding the robot duo's whereabouts causing fans to question if Daft Punk actually appeared with GriZ at Burning Man as his tweet stated. That time i played sax with Daft Punk at burning man... https://t.co/KXkl5NtXgw - GRiZ (@mynameisGRiZ) September 7, 2016 Was Daft Punk really at Burning Man? If so, how does someone actually pull off bringing Thomas and Guy out of hiding? "When we put the lineup out we just said 'special guest'...once we put 'special guest' on the lineup, after GriZ and before Thomas Jack, everyone wanted to know -- the buzz was already there", Tucker Gumber AKA The Festival Guy, who founded FestEvo and is one of the founding members of the Ego Trip camp at Burning Man 2016, told Billboard exclusively. GRiZ Covers 'Hotline Bling with ODESZA's Band at Holy Ship 2016 After watching a Daft Punk set at Burning Man last year along with "40 other people", Gumber wasn't quite convinced he had actually seen the infamous dance duo but the enjoyed the effort nonetheless. He wanted people to feel the same way he felt during the faux Daft Punk experience and set out to do something bigger and better and did so with his Camp Ego Trip at Burning Man 2016. To pull the stunt off, Gumber searched for helmets on Etsy, raised money to back his idea and eventually searched for someone worthy enough to pull of a faux Daft Punk set. To assist him in carrying out his plans, Gumber recruited Canadian duo The Funk Hunters and it was an opportunity they could not resist. Story continues FestEvo App Aims to 'Help You Festival Better,' Announces Ticket Giveaway "We gotta do it!", Nick Middleton, 1/2 of The Funk Hunters told Billboard via email. Once GriZ's set ended, the crowd roared with anticipation as they awaited Daft Punk's arrival. "We hit the lights and suddenly Daft Punk was on stage at Ego Trip and everyone just screamed," Tucker recalls. The FestEvo founder and Vancouver natives kept the crowd's energy and hopes high as The Funk Hunters -- dressed as Daft Punk of course -- took the stage to deliver an hour-long set filled with chart-topping Daft Punk hits. "This has been Tucker's dream forever and as a massive Daft Punk fan I couldn't think of anything cooler than actually getting to BE daft punk for an hour!" {"source":"Publicity","title":null,"title_text":null,"path_original":"\/files\/media\/The-Funk-Hunters-2016-billboard-embed.jpg","path":"\/files\/media\/The-Funk-Hunters-2016-billboard-embed.jpg","image_path_original":"\/files\/media\/The-Funk-Hunters-2016-billboard-embed.jpg","file_uri":"public:\/\/media\/The-Funk-Hunters-2016-billboard-embed.jpg","extension":"jpg","type":"image","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","file_size":907154,"width":1240,"height":827,"orientation":"landscape","caption":"The Funk Hunters","credit":"Roco Newson","animated":false,"id":"626973"} Was it enough to hold fans over until the real Daft Punk makes their return to the scene? Probably not, but until then listen to the exclusive mix from the night's set below. The latest big budget Marvel universe superhero film, "Doctor Strange" is heading to Denmark, and the CPH PIX festival for its world premiere. When the 2016 CPH PIX Festival officially opens on October 27 it will do so with the very first public screening of the latest Marvel film and will be introduced by its co-star, renowned Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen. "We are thrilled that Disney and Marvel has given us the opportunity to premiere the film," said Festival Director Jacob Neiiendam. "Doctor Strange is a different kind of superhero, more philosophical and mystical, and I honestly couldn't have asked for a better showpiece to kick off the festival." Over the past six years CPH PIX has cemented itself as Denmark's biggest film festival and therefore it's fitting that the country's biggest actor opens this year's event with the film that represents his biggest English-speaking role to date. "Doctor Strange," which also stars British actor Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular role will open in US cinemas on November 4. By Makini Brice PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - Posters warning of the dangers of Zika only reached Haiti's health ministry in August, six months after the country reported an outbreak, in one example of delayed prevention efforts that have health experts worried a "large epidemic" is looming. Gabriel Thimothe, a senior health ministry official, said the public service posters would be distributed to hospitals and airports shortly, but that health funding had been cut this year and foreign aid was sparse to fight the mosquito-borne virus that can cause severe birth defects. Zika infections in pregnant women have been shown to cause microcephaly - a defect in which babies' heads and brains are undersized - as well as other brain abnormalities. Widespread fumigation that has limited the virus' spread in other Caribbean nations such as Cuba only began in Haiti last month. Publicity campaigns have been all but invisible and hospital workers were on strike for much of the year. "We're expecting a large epidemic but we don't know when it will occur," said Jean-Luc Poncelet, the World Health Organization's representative in Haiti. "There is under-reporting." Such an epidemic could severely strain Haiti's fragile healthcare system, battered by an earthquake in 2010 that killed 300,000, and still struggling with a cholera epidemic that has sickened nearly 800,000 people. WHO data show 5,000 suspected cases have been reported in more prosperous neighbor Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti and has a similar population and climate. Haiti by contrast, has reported 3,000 suspected cases, according to numbers shared by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That makes Haiti's Zika infection rate about 30 per 100,000 people, compared to 82 per 100,000 in Brazil, where the connection between Zika and microcephaly was first detected, and 50 per 100,000 in Dominican Republic The connection between Zika and microcephaly first came to light last fall in Brazil, which has since confirmed more than 1,800 cases of microcephaly. RAINY SEASON In the Dominican Republic there were spikes in infections in March and May, broadly coinciding with rainy seasons on both sides of the island, a time when mosquitoes and diseases they carry normally flourish. In Haiti, the number of cases reported each week generally dropped from February through the rains. A long strike by medical residents at most public hospitals coincided with that decline, raising the question of whether there were fewer infections or a lack of health workers available to register cases. A Zika task force, which includes the government and non-governmental organizations, was formed in May, Thimothe said. Several U.S. health officials in Haiti told Reuters that the United States provided $3 million in August to combat Zika in the country, money that was initially intended to be deployed against Ebola in West Africa. Thimothe said the impact of an explosion of microcephaly cases would be devastating, but denied the condition was more widespread than thought, even though many Haitian women give birth at home rather than in clinics. His position is supported by WHO data through June, which did not show an uptick in microcephaly or Guillain-Barre syndrome, a neurological disorder that can cause temporary paralysis and has also been linked to Zika. But Louise Ivers, the senior health and policy advisor for Partners in Health, which along with Haitian organization Zanmi Lasante runs a hospital in the central town of Mirebalais, said she had seen at least 12 cases this year of Guillain-Barre, normally a rare condition. The same hospital registered two microcephaly cases, including one confirmed to be linked to Zika, this summer. "Maybe we are too late for prevention. Maybe we just have to manage the consequences, Ivers said. This could just be the tip of the iceberg." (Additional reporting by Joseph Guyler Delva; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel and Alistair Bell) Donald Trump For a night, Donald Trump seemed to feel at home. A few blocks from Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan, he accepted the Conservative Party of New York's nomination for president, pointing to a man in the crowd and saying that this was a room in which he "really knew" people. He boasted about how he'll put New York in play against Hillary Clinton. And in unscripted Trump fashion, he told a lengthy story about one of his favorite New York-related topics: his mid-1980s takeover of the Wollman Rink renovations in Central Park, just near Trump Tower. He spoke of how the city screwed up its years-long effort to get the ice rink up and running, and that he was able to have it finished in a matter of months. "This was no joke," a woman in the crowd said, as the audience laughed at his pot-shots directed at 1980s New York politicians with whom they were all familiar. Speaking in front of a small crowd of about 100 people in midtown Manhattan, Trump accepted the Conservative Party's nomination, which is possible under a quirky New York election law that allows multiple parties to nominate the same ticket. It was part of a Manhattan double feature for Trump on Wednesday. He appeared along with Hillary Clinton as MSNBC's Commander-in-Chief Forum later. For Trump, the earlier event was a rare occasion that hearkened back to earlier in the summer of the presidential campaign. The speech Trump gave following his acceptance was unscripted. No teleprompters. The Republican nominee promised to challenge Clinton in New York, where he's trailing miserably in the polls. He said his recent trip to Mexico "worked out really well." And he joked that he was "sure" that the Commander-in-Chief forum with NBC's Matt Lauer later that night would be "fair." With limited time to speak before heading off to the NBC forum, Trump wrapped up his remarks by touting his New York roots while making a plea to the state. If New Yorkers wanted one of their own in the oval office, Trump said, "you will never get more of a New Yorker than you will get with me." Story continues NOW WATCH: 'Taco Trucks on every corner': Watch the stunning comments made by the leader of 'Latinos for Trump' More From Business Insider Donald Trump disputed the indisputable Thursday in a speech at a school in Cleveland as he argued that he never supported the Iraq War. Had I been in Congress at the time of the invasion I would have cast a vote in opposition, Trump said, as his campaign deviated from a planned speech on education reform to relitigate the early 2000s. Reading selected excerpts of his public comments from around the 2003 invasion, Trump denied first ever supporting the invasion, then said his comments supporting the invasion were uninformed and superseded by later comments opposing it. He attacked Hillary Clintons judgment for voting for the Iraq war resolution, despite forgiving her for the same nearly a decade ago. The long list of Trump comments on Iraq seemingly begins on Sept. 11, 2002, just weeks before the invasion vote, when Trump was asked by radio host Howard Stern whether he supported going into Iraq. Yeah, I guess so, he replied. Trump also pointed to a January 2003, two months before the invasion, when he maintained he expressed doubts about the war to Fox News host Neil Cavuto. Trump cited Bushs declining poll numbers, encouraging him to focus on the economy. But on the war, he was far from clearly opposed. Well, he has either got to do something or not do something, perhaps, because perhaps shouldnt be doing it yet and perhaps we should be waiting for the United Nations, you know, Trump said. The hodgepodge of deflections and explanations offer a microcosm of Trumps approach to all contentious policy issues in this campaign, in which he has deliberately eschewed facts in order to appeal to all sides of a debate. Trump maintained Thursday that no one really cared about his opinion on Iraq, though just hours before claimed the question from Howard Stern proved people respected his foreign policy thinking. Speaking in Cleveland at an event that was supposed to be focused on education reform, Trump railed against the dishonest media for correcting his flawed timeline. It follows a pattern for Trump, who has sought to undermine and discredit for reporting on his long history of controversial remarks. Story continues I opposed going in and I opposed the reckless way Hillary Clinton took us out, along with President Obama, he said. Even that proves to be more complicated than Trump made it out to be, as he called for an early withdrawal before even becoming a critic of the Obama drawdown. At best, Trump is hoping to cast himself as a natural foreign policy expert, though even cursory examination of his record reveals cracks in that narrative. At worst, Trump believes hes at least dragging Clinton into the mud, dredging up vote that is still a sore point for her liberal supporters which tarnishes her claims to foreign policy mastery. Heres the bottom line: I was private citizen, Trump argued. I had no access to briefings or great intelligence surveys that she did. I had no access to anything as a private citizen. In Iraq, my judgment was right, and hers, with all of this information and all of this great intelligence information was wrong, he continued. But in a 2006 interview, Trump told the New York Times that Clinton should get a pass on the votemuch as he has since given his vice presidential nominee, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence a pass for the same decision. Dont forget that decision was based on lies given to her, he said. Shes very smart and has a major chance to be our next president. Katie Reilly contributed to this report Donald Trump 's campaign and its joint fundraising arm with the Republican Party raised about $90 million in August, the campaign announced Thursday. It said the campaign and joint fundraising committees ended the month with $97 million on hand. However, it did not detail how the money is split between the campaign and the party, an important distinction. The campaign will likely offer more detail in a report to the Federal Election Commission due Sept. 20. Trump's Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton raised more than $140 million for her campaign and the party in August. Her campaign said she ended the month with about $68 million on hand. Steven Mnuchin, the Trump campaign's national finance chairman, downplayed the fundraising gap, saying the campaign focused on meeting with voters in August rather than attending fundraisers. "We run a very efficient organization. We don't need to raise nearly as much as Clinton, who needs the money to support her negative advertising," he told CNBC in a phone interview. For comparison, the Trump campaign said it and the GOP raised $80 million in July, but it reported receipts of only $36.7 million in the FEC report. The campaign ended July with $38.4 million on hand. Trump's camp said he made another "significant contribution" in August, bringing his total funding for the campaign to nearly $60 million. He had contributed about $52 million of his own money by the end of July, meaning about $8 million came from his own pocket in August, according to NBC News. Clinton has consistently outraised and outspent Trump , but the race has grown tighter in recent weeks. Clinton's lead has fallen to less than 3 percent in an average of recent polls, according to Real Clear Politics. Trump's campaign began seriously fundraising in June and only recently started purchasing expensive television ads. Much of its spending has gone to a San Antonio company that handles digital fundraising and marketing efforts. Story continues CNBC's Lori Ann Larocco contributed to this report More From CNBC Donald Trump By pledging to immediately invest $20 billion in school choice, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump provided the first detailed proposal of his education agenda. "There's no failed policy more in need of urgent change than our government run education monopoly," Trump said at a speech in Cleveland, Ohio. I want every single inner-city child in America who is today trapped in a failing school to have the freedom, the civil right, to attend the school of their choice. Trump's plan would reprioritize existing federal dollars to establish a grant to allow children living in poverty to attend whatever school they wanted. Trump argued that the voucher system would not only help impoverished children enroll at quality schools, but a free market would also improve the entire system. While eligibility for vouchers varies state-by-state, Trump promised to campaign nationwide and call upon individual states and cities to elect officials in support of school choice. "Not only would this empower families, but it would create a massive education market that is competitive and produces better outcomes," he said. Trump also said he will support merit-pay for teachers. It's perhaps unsurprising that Trump chose to unveil his education proposal with school choice at the helm. Trump's running mate, Mike Pence, supported many school choice initiatives during his time as Indiana governor. Pence won big in his push to expand the state's voucher program, successfully lifting the cap, which was previously $4,800, on the amount of money families can receive when sending their children to private schools. In fact, Indiana's voucher program is now one of the largest in the nation, according to the New York Times. NOW WATCH: Here's footage of Brock Turner leaving jail after serving half of his 6-month sentence More From Business Insider Moscow (AFP) - Is Donald Trump Russia's best friend? Many in the country seem to believe the flamboyant White House candidate could help fix shattered ties between the two ex-Cold War foes. Hillary Clinton's rival in the US presidential race has raised eyebrows with his praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin, reviled by many in the West over his stance on Ukraine and Syria. On Wednesday, the Republican nominee said at a New York forum on national security that the Kremlin strongman is "very much of a leader... far more than our president has been a leader", slamming Barack Obama. Putin "has very strong control over a country," Trump added. "I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Putin. And I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Russia." Had the Clinton-Trump race been held in Russia, there is no doubt over who would have the upper hand. An August poll by the independent Levada Centre said 39 percent of Russians who follow the US election campaign would vote for Trump while only 15 percent would choose Clinton, who is seen as anti-Moscow after her time as secretary of state. "Trump promises us a 'very good relationship'. Clinton guarantees us a very bad one," Alexei Pushkov, a lawmaker in Russia's ruling party, tweeted. "You don't need binoculars to spot the difference." - 'A cool guy' - "I like his ideas, Trump is a cool guy," said Vadim Lativ, an 18-year-old studying engineering in Moscow. "He has a good attitude about Russia -- Putin and him will get along." "It's clear that Trump is a better friend of Russia," chimed in Vadim Voronov, a musician. "All my friends support him," he said, though adding that Trump's character might not fit in with presidential duties. "It will be difficult for someone quite so spontaneous to have power." "Perhaps it would be better to have Hillary, she's a mother... and wouldn't press the red button. Trump, yeah," he pondered. Story continues "Trump is more popular than Clinton in Russia, because his political style is what Russians like: he is blunt, sometimes funny and feeds the 'anti-establishment' sentiment," said political analyst Konstanin Kalachev. "But Russians forget that, even though he seems nice, he will follow US interests if he's elected," Kalachev added. Anna Futoryan, a Russian working in New York City who was in Moscow on vacation, compared Trump to one of Russia's own politicians, the eccentric veteran nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky who is famous for his outlandish views. She said she has been "shocked" by the extent of positive reception of Trump in her home country. "Russian television shows him very favourably and my friends wrongly think that he supports Russia and that he will improve relations," she said. "That's completely false." - Wearing down US leaders - The Kremlin denies that Trump, who has visited Russia before, has ever met Putin, and ridicules accusations that it is meddling in the US election process. US officials have pointed the finger of blame at Russia over a computer hacking of the Democratic National Committee -- with some saying Moscow is trying to tip the vote in Trump's favour. Despite Putin calling him a "colourful" character, the Kremlin insists it isn't taking sides in the US elections. "We are of course following the election campaign, we are undoubtedly taking note of the candidates' statements, and we see that de facto the Russia issue, the Putin issue has become practically a daily feature of the campaign," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday. After years of bad blood between Putin and Obama over the crisis in Ukraine and Moscow's support for Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, some Russians insist the Kremlin can handle whoever is the next US president. "We'll survive if Trump is elected," popular radio presenter Mikhail Klimov told AFP. "Russia has already worn down many American presidents. Kennedy, Bush Jr, Obama, now Trump... Don't worry, Vladimir Vladimirovich (Putin) has it all under control." Is almost all remittance spent on consumption? ... Maybe not How is the money sent by Nepalis working abroad used at home country? Donald Trump's free-wheeling, shoot-from-the-hip style caused a firestorm at a "commander in chief" forum in New York Wednesday night. Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, again praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for being a strong leader and said Putin is more worthy of praise than President Barack Obama. "Certainly, in that system, he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader," Trump said. "We have a divided country." Trump, a billionaire real-estate developer, said Putin has an "82 percent approval rating" in polls of Russians but the candidate didn't elaborate. Trump added, "I think when he [Putin] calls me brilliant, I think I'll take the compliment, OK? ... If he says great things about me, I'm going to say great things about him." Trump also said the United States should work in partnership with Russia to defeat the Islamic State terrorists, even though Russia under Putin has upset many in the West by annexing Crimea from Ukraine and becoming more aggressive in opposing U.S. policies. Trump said he doesn't support Russia's system of government but noted, "I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Putin, and I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Russia." At the same time, Trump leveled sharp-edged criticism at U.S. military leaders. "The generals have been reduced to rubble," he said. Asked what he had learned from official intelligence briefings that he begun receiving as the GOP nominee, Trump said he "was very, very surprised" to learn that Obama has not done "what our experts said to do" around the world. Even though such briefings are usually conducted in an even-handed manner, he said, "In almost every instance, and I could tell -- I'm pretty good with the body language -- I could tell, they were not happy. Our leaders did not follow what they were recommending." Story continues THE RUN 2016: [Trump vs. Clinton: 2016's Race to the Bottom] Trump made his comments at a national security forum hosted by Matt Lauer of NBC. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton appeared on the same stage prior to Trump. She didn't make as much news as Trump because she mainly defended herself on issues she has discussed many times before. These included her controversial use of a private email server while she was secretary of state and her vote in favor of the Iraq War when she as a U.S. senator from New York. She now acknowledges that the Iraq vote was a mistake. Trump made another controversial comment when he said one reason for the sexual-assault problem in the military is that women are allowed to serve alongside men in many jobs. Trump didn't back away from a message he sent on Twitter three years ago in which he estimated the number of unreported sexual assaults in the military and said, "What did these geniuses expect when they put men & women together?" Asked by Lauer to explain this comment, Trump said, "It is a correct tweet. There are many people that think that that's absolutely correct. .. It's happening, right? And, by the way, since then, it's gotten worse." DECISION 2016: [U.S. News Covers the Race to the White House] A spokesman for the Democratic National Committee said, "Tonight, Donald Trump confirmed what we have known since the moment he declared his candidacy: He is dangerously unstable, temperamentally unfit, and totally unqualified to serve as commander in chief and president of the United States. It was abundantly clear tonight that Trump is in over his head and unprepared to deal with the complex challenges facing our nation and the world." The Clinton campaign and its allied political action committees are likely to turn Trump's words against him in television ads around the country. Ken Walsh covers the White House and politics for U.S. News. He writes the daily blog "Ken Walsh's Washington," for usnews.com, and "The Presidency" column for the U.S. News Weekly. He is the author of the book "Celebrity in Chief: A History of the Presidents and the Culture of Stardom." He can be reached at kwalsh@usnews.com and followed on Facebook and Twitter. Folk-rock legend Donovan will become the third recipient of the John Lennon Real Love Award at the 36th annual John Lennon Tribute Concert to be held on Dec. 2 at Symphony Space in New York City, the event's non-profit sponsor Theatre Within announced. Tickets go on sale at 1 p.m. ET Sept. 23 on the event's website. Donovan, who accompanied the Beatles on a trip to India in 1968 and composed songs there, will perform a set of Beatles songs and his own at the concert and dedicate them to Lennon. Donovan Reflects on the 50th Anniversary of Landmark 'Sunshine Superman' Album "Donovan's body of work speaks for itself. It's seminal and beloved by fans and fellow artists," Joe Raiola, executive producer and artistic director of Theatre Within's Annual John Lennon Tribute, told Billboard. "He was also with the Beatles during a pivotal time -- not just for the group but for Western culture. The Beatles helped bring yoga and meditation to America and Donovan was part of that. Ever since, he has been a vocal advocate of seeking peace within and for years has championed the David Lynch Foundation, which promotes Transcendental Meditation around the world. These are true Lennon values, so it is Theatre Within's privilege to honor Donovan with this award in John Lennon's name." Raiola, senior editor at MAD Magazine, was co-creator of the tribute with Alec Rubin in 1981. The Story of the Man Who Saved John Lennon & Yoko Ono from Being Deported "Donovan is a beautiful soul who was positively influenced by John," Yoko Ono said in a statement. "I think it is lovely that Theatre Within is honoring him with the 'John Lennon Real Love Award' and that the Tribute continues to flourish." The Lennon tribute concert, produced with Music Without Borders, is the only Lennon tribute in North America or Europe fully sanctioned by Ono. More performers will be announced for the concert at a future date. Story continues "I am delighted to be honored with this year's John Lennon Real Love Award," Donovan said in a statement. "And I am amazed to say that John has written a song through me which I will sing at the Tribute with special guests. Please support Theatre Within and remember, peace begins within." Theatre Within said it will also hold a free "Meditation for World Peace" event at the Insight Meditation Center in New York City on Oct 9, which would have been Lennon's 76th birthday. It will include demonstrations of "loving-kindness meditation," a period of silence and songs made famous by John Lennon. Paul McCartney Says John Lennon's 'Whole Life Was a Cry for Help' "The idea behind the John Lennon Real Love Award is to recognize artists for both their body of work and positive social impact," Raiola said. "That's what we loved so much about John -- that he was a brilliant artist and passionate social activist." The John Lennon Real Love Award previously honored photographer Bob Gruen in 2014 and playwright-activist Eve Ensler in 2015. Yahoo News photo illustration; photos: AP Down Ticket is Yahoo News complete guide to the most fascinating House, Senate and governors races of 2016. Coming to you every Tuesday and Thursday until Nov. 8. What you need to know today. _____ Labor Day is done. The summer is over. The fall campaigns have (finally!) begun. To kick off Down Tickets general-election coverage the 60-day sprint from now until Nov. 8 weve decided to spend this week taking stock of where things currently stand and preview what to expect in the days ahead. For todays overview and for the rest of the cycle well be getting an assist from our expert partners over at the Cook Political Report, who know more about down-ballot races than anyone else in the business. Short version: Democrats have a better chance than ever of taking back the Senate. The House will be more challenging but a shift in control is no longer unthinkable. And while Democrats definitely wont win a majority of governors mansions this year, they are hoping to pick up a few. Heres the current state of play in the races for the House and the governorships. We posted a Senate cheat sheet on Tuesday; you can check it out here. _____ HOUSE Current breakdown: 186 Democrats; 247 Republicans; two (Democratic) vacancies In play: U.S. representatives serve two-year terms; all 435 House seats are up for election in November. At the moment, however, only 56 positions are considered competitive, according to Cook: 45 Republican seats and 11 Democratic seats. The rest are completely safe for one party or the other. To change control: Democrats need a net gain of 30 seats. Tossups: Three Democrat-held seats (AZ-01, FL-18, NY-03); 16 Republican-held seats (CA-25, CO-06, FL-26, IL-10, IA-03, ME-02, NV-03, NH-01, NY-01, NY-19, NY-22, NY-24, PA-08, TX-23, UT-04, WI-08) The big picture: In many ways, 2016 was always destined to be a favorable year for House Democrats. Republicans typically perform better during midterms, when young voters and nonwhite voters are less likely to show up at the polls, and worse during presidential election cycles, when these voters tend to reappear. Also key: There are a dozen more House Republicans retiring or running for other office this year than Democrats, 30 to 18, writes Cooks David Wasserman and historically, open seats have been among the most sensitive to national vicissitudes. Take into account the fact that Republicans netted an additional 68 House seats between 2010 and 2014, giving them their largest (and therefore most vulnerable) majority since 1928, and you have a pretty clear recipe for Democratic gains. Story continues Eudora Carter drops her ballot into a voting box in Seattle during Washingtons primary elections, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2016. (Photo: Elaine Thompson/AP) The question, however, is whether 2016 will favor Democrats enough to reward them with control of the House. The conventional wisdom says no. Aside from one brief interregnum early 2007 to late 2010 Republicans have ruled the House for the past two decades, as we previously noted. Republican-dominated redistricting redrawing the congressional boundaries to give the incumbent party a leg up has only strengthened their hold. Democratic voters are increasingly concentrated in fewer and fewer districts, a huge disadvantage. Wave elections the sort that can flip Congress rarely take place in presidential years. And its challenging enough for any party to win three consecutive terms in the Oval Office. The only time it has happened in the modern era 1988 the composition of Congress barely changed at all. Meanwhile, according to the crack analysts at Cook, there arent even enough 50-50 (or better) Democratic pickup opportunities in play to get them to 218, the number needed for a majority. To do so, Nancy Pelosi & Co. would need a net gain of at least 30 seats. At the moment, 16 GOP-held seats are tossups; another six either lean Democratic or appear likely to flip in November. Lets assume that the Democrats run the table, winning all 22 of these vulnerable GOP seats a big assumption. Lets also assume that every tossup Democratic seat stays Democratic. Thats 210 seats, total. The Dems would still be eight seats shy of a majority. You can see why most observers are skeptical including House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, who described a Democratic takeover as a stretch earlier this week. Still, a stretch isnt the same thing as an impossibility. Gains of 30 or more seats arent unprecedented even in this era of rampant polarization and partisan gerrymandering. A change of this size has happened in two out of the past five congressional elections: a 31-seat gain for Democrats in 2006 and a 63-seat gain by Republicans in 2010, notes neuroscientist Sam Wang, who runs the respected Princeton Election Consortium. In the modern era of polarization, 19942014, a change of that size has happened in three out of 11 elections. Since 1946, it has happened in 10 out of 35 elections. Incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and incoming House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., at a news conference on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006. (Photo: Dennis Cook/AP) So what would it take for Democrats to pull off a similar swing this time around? The answer is pretty simple: Theyd have to start poaching seats from the Lean Republican column seats such as New Jerseys Fifth Congressional District, an educated, suburban area that trends a slender four percentage points more Republican than the rest of the nation and where Democratic challenger Josh Gottheimer has so far doubled GOP incumbent Scott Garretts fundraising haul. To take advantage of that opportunity and actually win on Nov. 8, however, Gottheimer and other Democrats like him will probably need a wave election, which is what happens when some overarching, nationwide dynamic tips down-ballot races in a particular direction. Size matters here. Pollsters like to ask voters whats known as the generic congressional ballot question: Which partys House candidate do you plan to vote for? The final results tend to come within three percentage points of Novembers actual nationwide congressional vote, so analysts have some sense of what this years tipping point the coast-to-coast margin that propels 30 or more of the partys House pickup candidates to victory should be. The consensus? Theyd need a lead of at least seven percentage points and possibly as high as 13, thanks to redistricting. Democrat Josh Gottheimer, left, is challenging incumbent Republican Scott Garrett for his seat in New Jerseys Fifth Congressional District. (Photos: Josh Gottheimer via Facebook; Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP) The bottom line: Right now, Democrats are winning the generic congressional ballot question by an average of 3.2 percentage points. So theyre not there yet. But that could change. Why? Because of Donald Trump. Trump is the X-factor the overarching, nationwide dynamic that could trigger a wave election. As of last month, according to a model devised by Republican political consultant Adrian Gray, Clinton was ahead in 54 Republican-held House districts, while Trump led in only three Democratic districts. It is possible, of course, that voters in those 54 districts will conclude that Trump is a party of one and decide, in droves, to split their tickets between Clinton and down-ballot Republicans which is what those Republicans are increasingly asking them to do. But so far, the data dont support this hypothesis. Instead, the gap between Democrats and Republican on the generic congressional ballot question has aligned almost exactly with the gap between Trump and Clinton in the presidential polls. Right now, the former is, again, 3.2 percentage points; the latter is 3.1. They have widened and narrowed together. This suggests that when Trump does badly, Democratic House candidates do well. In August, during Trumps disastrous postconvention period, the Dems were routinely racking up seven-, eight-, even nine-point margins on the generic congressional ballot question. They might have won back the House were Election Day in late August. Trump has since gained ground on Clinton; as a result, those margins have shrunk. The mere fact of their prior existence, however, suggests that the potential for a Democratic wave is there. Its just up to Trump to create one. _____ GOVERNORS Current breakdown: 18 Democrats; 31 Republicans; one independent In play: Eight Democrat-held governorships; four Republican-held governorships To change control: Democrats need a net gain of seven governorships Tossups: Four Democrat-held governorships (MO, NH, VT, WV); two Republican-held governorships (IN, NC) The big picture: Democrats are on track to win back the Senate. They have a chance however slim of taking over the House. But theres no way theyre going to catch up to the GOP in the battle to control the most governors mansions. At least not this year. After two consecutive midterm blowouts v elections that helped them net eight new governorships Republicans now boast their biggest roster of governors since 1998. To squander the partys massive lead over the Democrats, seven GOP governors would have to lose to Democrats in November. Only four will be on the ballot. North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper arrives at a forum in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, June 24, 2016. Cooper will face Gov. Pat McCrory in November for governor in what could be the most expensive and watched gubernatorial election this year. (Photo: Chuck Burton/AP) This doesnt mean that the Dems cant gain some ground on Election Day. Perhaps their best opportunity is North Carolina. Incumbent GOP Gov. Pat McCrory led in pretty much every early poll, but state Attorney General Roy Cooper, his Democratic challenger, has come out ahead in all five surveys released since the start of July; the latest ones show Cooper leading by anywhere from six to nine percentage points. Its too early to say for sure that the race has broken for the Dems, but backlash against North Carolinas ultraconservative legislature and in particular H.B. 2, a divisive transgender bathroom law, signed by McCrory, that has driven businesses away from the state seems to be boosting Coopers chances. Not helping matters is the fact that Hillary Clintons campaign is investing heavily in North Carolina, while Trumps is not. The other Republican governorship in play on Nov. 8 also looks promising for Democrats. Indiana Gov. Mike Pence was supposed to be running for reelection this fall; then Donald Trump asked him to be VP. Pence wasnt overwhelmingly popular he also signed a controversial transgender bathroom law but at least he was familiar. His party-appointed, eleventh-hour replacement, Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb, is still introducing himself to voters, having never competed in a primary. As a result, second-time Democratic nominee John Gregg the former state House speaker is neck and neck with Holcomb in the polls, despite Indianas rightward tilt. One Democratic survey even has Gregg up by seven. Democratic Indiana gubernatorial candidate John Gregg and Indianapolis state Rep. Christina Hale listen to a question during a news conference, Wednesday, May 25, 2016, in Indianapolis. Gregg announced that Hale will be his running mate. (Photo: Darron Cummings/AP) If Democrats defeat Holcomb and McCrory and hold all eight of their own contested governorships theyll claw their way to 20 governors mansions (and pull the GOPs tally down into the 20s as well). A landslide? Hardly. But progress, sure. The problem is that holding all eight of those Democratic governorships isnt a done deal. Delaware and Washington, at least, are safe. Washington held its all-party primary in August, and Democratic incumbent Jay Inslee bested Republican nominee Bill Bryant by 11 points; in dark-blue Delaware, sole U.S. Rep. John Carneys path to power could not be clearer. The contests in Oregon and Montana may wind up being closer, but Democratic Governors Kate Brown and Steve Bullock seem likely to prevail although Democrats are paying close attention to Bullocks GOP challenger, self-funding tech entrepreneur Greg Gianforte. Montana Gov. Steve Bullock campaigning at a Democratic gathering in Livingston, Mont., in July. (Photo: William Campbell-Corbis/Getty Images) The GOPs top targets are Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont and West Virginia. Despite favoring Trump in the presidential contest, however, the Show Me States gubernatorial race now appears to be leaning Democratic; Gov. Jay Nixon is retiring, but Attorney General Chris Koster, a Republican turned Democrat with $11 million in the bank, has trounced rookie Republican Eric Greitens, a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, in all four polls released since the start of August. His average lead: seven percentage points. West Virginia where Republican state Senate President Bill Cole faces billionaire Jim Justice, a Democrat may also be slipping from the GOPs grasp. As The Hill recently reported, Coles chances have faded since an ugly fight over the state budget and the floods that insiders on both sides say effectively froze the race with Justice on top. The latest polling shows Justice winning by anywhere from six to 18 percentage points. West Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim Justice speaks at a roundtable discussion with representatives from various social work and mental health agencies in Charleston, W.Va., Aug. 30. (Photo: Christian Tyler Randolph/Charleston Gazette-Mail via AP) That leaves New England. Home to Bernie Sanders, Vermont is typically considered one of the most liberal corners of the country. But this years gubernatorial contest appears to be a tossup. Incumbent Democrat Peter Shumlin is retiring, and the pro-choice, pro-gay marriage Republican nominee former state senator, construction contractor and stock car driver Phil Scott is popular with voters, who twice re-elected him lieutenant governor, most recently in 2014 with 62 percent of the vote. If the candidate running on Sanders old Liberty Union ballot line winemaker and retired Boston Red Sox Pitcher Bill Spaceman Lee swipes some votes from the left, Scott could squeak past the Democratic nominee, former state Transportation Secretary Sue Minter, in November. The Green Mountain State has certainly defied partisan expectations before: In 2008, then-Sen. Barack Obama breezed to victory in Vermont with 68 percent of the vote on the same day Gov. Jim Douglas, a Republican, won reelection with 53 percent. Theres a reason the Republican Governors Association has already spent $425,000 on Scotts behalf. Hans von Briesen, left, and Alix Klein, center, speak with Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Sue Minter outside the polls after Minter cast her ballot in the primary election, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2016, in Waterbury, Vt. Minter is one of five candidates vying for the Democratic nomination. Democrat Gov. Peter Shumlin is not seeking reelection in November. (Photo: Wilson Ring/AP) As for New Hampshire, no one really knows yet: Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan is vacating her seat to challenge GOP Sen. Kelly Ayotte, and neither party has even nominated someone to replace her yet. The top GOP contenders are Ted Gatsas, the mayor of Manchester; and Chris Sununu, a state executive councilor, son of former Gov. John H. Sununu and brother of former Sen. John E. Sununu. Democrats will likely select either state executive councilor Colin Van Ostern, former Portsmouth Mayor Steve Marchand or former state Rep. Mark Connolly. The primaries are Sept. 13. The bottom line: The Democrats currently have a slight edge, but neither party is likely to make significant gains or sustain big losses. Any drama will derive from the particulars of each race not from their potential to affect the broader balance of power. _____ The best of the rest Dems sound alarm on Senate majority https://t.co/RJVqvcLNqe pic.twitter.com/7Wksfat6xH The Hill (@thehill) September 8, 2016 Inside McConnell's plan to save the GOP majority (Hint: Getting money) https://t.co/6ViRUbD7mD Burgess Everett (@burgessev) September 7, 2016 NYT: Souring on Donald Trump, Republicans Pour Money Into Senate Raceshttps://t.co/uwrqRaFOeX pic.twitter.com/E7XbvAso8d Sopan Deb (@SopanDeb) September 8, 2016 Game of Senate Thrones: @SenJohnThune gives $2m to NRSC as @chuckschumer drops $2m to DSCC. https://t.co/8K169pT4QZ Paul Kane (@pkcapitol) September 7, 2016 Money, mail, and people pouring into North Carolina to help Sen. Burr, as the state looks perilous for him and Trump https://t.co/wFAXyEqxDC BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) September 6, 2016 McCain portrays immigration record differently in English and Spanish https://t.co/XmoJvFBV7a Ed O'Keefe (@edatpost) September 7, 2016 Countdown _____ Chicagoland data management and marketing services company has merged with former competitors to form the strongest in-market represented automotive technology and marketing services organization in the country CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / September 8, 2016 / For over 17 years, Dealer Product Services (DPS) has been one of the most trusted marketing partners to dealers and manufactories throughout North America. Today, they have joined forces with OneCommand, Peak Performance, and TimeHighway.com to form a new company called Affinitiv. Together, this merger now represents more than 20 OEMs and over 5,500 dealerships with the largest sales and support team in the industry. BMW, MINI, Rolls Royce, KIA, Acura, Porsche, VW, Audi, Lexus, and Chrysler, to name a few, will now enjoy the solutions and technological advantages offered by Affinitiv. Combining the skills of more than 100 in-market consultants and marketing experts with customer care support offices throughout the US. Building on collaborative and innovative success, Affinitiv's unique predictive analytics and integrated solutions will now power the expanded suite of solutions to present the most comprehensive marketing portfolio in the vertical. Direct mail, BDC call centers, service appointment scheduling, Text/SMS, telematics, CRM, and a comprehensive digital marketing program including, paid search, SEO, display, IP targeting, social media, and CSI will propel dealers' marketing success throughout sales and fixed operations. Affinitiv combines predictive analytics, integrated technology, and in-field experts to help OEM and dealer clients make informed decisions to retain customers, build loyalty, and drive sales. In a world of piecemeal solutions, siloed communications, and a sea of vendors, Affinitiv will cut through the marketing technology quagmire to put dealers and OEMs in control of a unified comprehensive customer journey. Delivering a dealer's message in their consumers' channel of choice creates the connected customer journey Affinitiv is proud to present. Story continues "The idea of offering the most diverse marketing and technological portfolio in the industry was the driving focus for executing this merger for DPS. Affinitiv will be able to offer a franchise-wide scope of solutions to build dealers' businesses," DPS CEO Timothy O'Neill said. "Our level of execution was already recognized by our clients all over the country and combining our forces, our message of better service, unparalleled targeting, and reporting can reach even more potential clients." Portico Capital Securities LLC served as exclusive financial advisor with respect to this transaction. About Dealer Product Services DPS has been an industry leader in delivering proven marketing solutions for automotive dealerships nationwide since 1999. DPS delivers customer loyalty and retention through an extensive catalog of custom-built marketing products and services specifically created for the needs of automotive dealerships and their customers. The company provides everything from database management, business intelligence reporting and analytics, search engine marketing, search engine optimization, PPC, display advertising, email, and social media marketing, as well as traditional marketing to its clients. DPS enables its clients to achieve new sales heights and increased profitability by connecting them with active, inactive, and prospective customers. DPS also goes beyond its competitors by placing an emphasis on customer retention to ensure long-term prosperity for its clients. For more information, visit dpscrm.com or contact: Leigh Koulouras at leighk@dpscrm.com or 800-998-2910. SOURCE: Dealer Product Services UPDATE: Phoenix police arrested 21-year-old Travion King and charged him with theft, ET has learned. King has done past work with local venues and was identified in surveillance footage from Talking Stick Arena. The property has been recovered and police are working to ensure everything that was stolen is accounted for. Drake is understandably upset. The "One Dance" rapper's tour bus was robbed of millions of dollars Tuesday night during a tour stop in Phoenix, Arizona. EXCLUSIVE: Rihanna and Drake Are Officially 'Dating,' Decided to 'Stop Hiding it From Everyone' Phoenix police tell ET that the robbery occurred while the 29-year-old artist was performing at the Talking Stick Arena with his DJ, Future the Prince. "Their bus was parked in the lower garage," the police say. "Between 10:00pm and 10:15pm, a suspect boarded the bus and removed a briefcase containing an estimated $3 million in jewelry and property." WATCH: Rihanna Says She 'Loves' Drake, Thanks Him for 'Touching' VMAs Speech The investigation is ongoing and police say they have a lot of material to work with in helping to solve the case. After the robbery, video obtained by TMZ shows Drake losing his temper over the troubling news, claping his hands and waving them around while appearing to speak in a very frustrated manner. WATCH: Drake and Rihanna: A Timeline of Their Love From the 'Pon de Replay' Video to the 2016 VMAs! ET has reached out to Drake's rep and the Talking Stick Arena. Meanwhile, Drake has been heating up his Summer Sixteen Tour with Rihanna, after ET confirmed in August that the two are finally a couple. Watch the video below to see their sweet lip-locking moment on-stage in Miami. Related Articles By Manuel Mogato VIENTIANE (Reuters) - Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday defended his country's human rights record at a regional summit in Laos, urging East Asian leaders and the United States to help Manila eradicate the scourge of illicit drugs. Duterte swept to power in May on promises to wipe out crime and corruption within six months, pledging to wage a war on drug dealers and crush widespread addiction in a country of 100 million. The toll in his government's two-month war on drugs reached 2,400 last week, with police saying about 900 people died in police operations, and the rest were "deaths under investigation", a term human rights activists call a euphemism for vigilante and extrajudicial killings. Setting aside a prepared speech, Duterte spoke for more than five minutes about human rights and his campaign against drugs during the East Asian Summit in the Laotian capital of Vientiane, according to one Indonesian diplomat at the meeting. "Let me tell you about human rights," the diplomat quoted Duterte as saying while displaying a picture of Filipinos killed by American soldiers about a century ago. "This is my ancestors being killed, so why now we are talking about human rights? We have to talk of the full spectrum of human rights." Duterte spoke after Obama had delivered a speech that referred to human rights. Duterte's drive has won popular support at home but the killings have drawn expressions of concern from the United States, a close Philippine ally, and the United Nations. In a tirade before the Laos summit, Duterte insulted U.S. President Barack Obama and the White House responded by cancelling a two-way meeting. Philippine officials this week handed out a 38-page pamphlet at the summit that praised Duterte's drug campaign. (Reporting by Manny Mogato; Editing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Clarence Fernandez) 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. For Immediate Release Chicago, IL September 08, 2016 Zacks Equity Research highlights DXP Enterprises (DXP) as the Bull of the Day and Freds Inc. (FRED) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. (HPE). Here is a synopsis of all three stocks: Bull of the Day : The oil and gas segment has seen massive volatility in oil prices over the past year, but recent news has stabilized the market as of late. The impeding OPEC and producers meeting set for later in September to discuss a production cap has caused prices to trade within a nice range. This stabilization will enable producers to start new repairs and replace old operating products as price uncertainty fades. One such industrial maintenance company is well positioned to take advantage of this opportunity, DXP Enterprises (DXP ), who is the Zacks Bull of the Day. This Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company is a leading supplier of maintenance, repair and operating products, equipment and services to industrial customers. The company offers its customers a single source of supply on an efficient and competitive basis by being a first-tier distributor which purchases its products directly from the manufacturer. The company also provides value-added services such as system design, fabrication, installation, repair and maintenance for its customers. Earnings & Revenue Beats In their most recent earnings report the company saw quarter over quarter gains in Sales (+1.0%), Gross Profit (+4.1%), SG&A costs (down -18.8%), EBITDA (+185%), and Earnings per diluted share rose from -$0.35 in Q1 16 to $0.34 in Q2 16. Managements Take According to David Little, Chairman and CEO, We are pleased with the second quarter performance. Total DXP revenue of $256.2 million for the second quarter was up 1.0 percent sequentially. We feel strongly that our sales team is taking market share as we continue to battle volatility in our industrial markets. Our goal is to take market share, manage working capital, capital expenditures and cash flow in order to maximize our return on invested capital for our shareholders. Despite the challenging environment, we remain confident in our future and the opportunities ahead for DXP. With the work we have done and continue to do in terms of managing costs, aligning the business and strategically positioning our product segments, DXP is poised for the earnings leverage and sales growth that we are accustomed to delivering once the market turns. Story continues Bear of the Day: Even if a management team can identify the companys negative issues, and create a sound game plan to reduce these issues, it does not always work out. This is the case of the Bear of the Day, Freds Inc. (FRED). Management has been working on optimizing their stores, and supply chain, but their synergies are not expected to be achieved for another 6-12 months. This Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) company operates discount general merchandise stores in a number states in the southeastern United States. Fred's stores generally serve low, middle and fixed income families located in small to medium sized towns. The majority of the company's stores have full service pharmacies. The company also markets goods and services to franchised Fred's stores. Recent Earnings Announcement While the company beat both top and bottom line expectations, the company saw their net loss (-$6.9 million) widen by 40.1% from the year ago quarter. Further, the company posted year over year losses in Total Sales (-3.0%), and Comparable store sales (-2.0%). Unfortunately for FRED, these negative trends bled into their Q3 data as well; August total sales declined by -3.5% (compared to August of 2015), and comparable store sales also fell by -3% compared to August of last year. Managements Take According to Michael K. Bloom, Chief Executive Officer, Looking at the quarter, we are disappointed with the Company's performance, as comparable store sales were down in front store, retail pharmacy and specialty pharmacy. The deleveraging impact of lower-than-plan sales, combined with a decline in gross margin rate for the pharmacy division, driven by generic deflation, reimbursement pressures and unexpected direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees, accounted for the quarter's net loss and the revision in guidance for 2016 that we provide later in this release. While we did see progress on initiatives in the front store delivering improved gross margins and operating profit, the headwinds in pharmacy and competitive pressures in the front store were deeper than anticipated. There are some new initiatives that we will be launching in the back half of 2016 that will help set the stage to combat these headwinds. We remain confident that the ongoing plan will result in improved company performance over the long term. Additional content: Hewlett Packard Enterprises Beats Q3 Earnings, Plans $8.8B Software Merger Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. (HPE) just released its third quarter fiscal 2016 earnings results, posting earnings of 49 cents per share and revenue of $12.2 billion. Currently, HPE has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). HPE was down over 2.5% to $21.50 in after-hours trading shortly after its earnings report was released. Beat earnings estimates . The company posted non-GAAP diluted net earnings of 49 cents per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 44 cents per share. This number excludes 83 cents from non-recurring items. Missed revenue estimates . The company saw revenue figures of $12.2 billion, lagging behind our consensus estimate of $12.588 billion and declining 6% year-over-year. Reported third-quarter cash flow from operation of $1.7 billion, up 10% from the year ago quarter. Announced plans for a spin-off and merger of its non-core software assets with Micro Focus in a transaction valued at approximately $8.8 billion. "Today's announced spin-merge of our non-core software assets with Micro Focus is another important step in our strategy to unlock a faster growing, higher margin, stronger cash flow company," said President and CEO Meg Whitman. "As we said in the Enterprise Services announcement last quarter, both software and services remain key enablers of our go-forward strategy, and we are focused on building the right portfolio to win in our target markets. We believe the portfolio changes we've made over the past year are setting up HPE for long-term success while unlocking tremendous value for our shareholders." Updated its fiscal 2016 GAAP EPS guidance to $2.09 to $2.14, and non-GAAP EPS guidance to $1.90 to $1.95. 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 >> Get todays Zacks #1 Stock of the Day with your free subscription to Profit from the Pros newsletter: About the Bull and Bear of the Day Every day, the analysts at Zacks Equity Research select two stocks that are likely to outperform (Bull) or underperform (Bear) the markets over the next 3-6 months. About the Analyst Blog Updated throughout every trading day, the Analyst Blog provides analysis from Zacks Equity Research about the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. About Zacks Equity Research Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term. Continuous analyst coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. 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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 FREDS INC (FRED): Free Stock Analysis Report HEWLETT PKD ENT (HPE): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research * Deal was due to be signed by Oct. 1 * Kenya stands to lose quota-and duty-free access without deal (Adds details, background) By Fumbuka Ng'wanakilala DAR ES SALAAM, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The East African Community trade bloc will delay signing a trade agreement with the European Union, originally set for Oct.1, Tanzanian President John Magufuli said on Thursday. Kenya and Rwanda signed the agreement earlier this month, but it needs approval from all members of the East African Community bloc to take effect. The pact, known as the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), gives products from EAC member states duty- and quota-free access to the EU as long as they meet health and safety standards. "We have given ourselves three months to discuss further the signing of the EPA agreement, and we will meet in January 2017 over this issue," Magufuli, who is also the East African Community chairman, said at a meeting of fellow heads of state in Dar es Salaam "We appeal to the EU not to punish Kenya by denying it access to the European market," he added. Kenya stands to lose the most without the agreement. Member states Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda and Rwanda would continue to get duty- and quota-free access under the EU's Everything But Arms initiative, since they are classified as least developed countries. Governments in the region want to ensure that exports such as tea and fresh flowers, which are major sources of foreign exchange, are not hampered by any tariffs on trade with Britain after it leaves the European Union. "Our decision to move together as East Africa is not negotiable. We agreed that the Economic Partnership Agreement, though already signed by two countries, we are going to give ourselves three months so we can move together as a community," Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto said. Tanzania has said on Wednesday it would not sign the agreement and urged neighbouring countries to back a delay pending discussions on its effect on the region's manufacturers. Story continues "We are giving ourselves more time to synchronise our understanding. We need to achieve market access of the EU market with industrialisation of our countries. We cannot continue to export raw materials," Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said. "We say to our European Union friends, please don't panic ... don't panic. Give us another three months and you will see our position." EAC member states initialled an interim EPA deal in 2007 and another in 2014. Governments were given two years from the October 2014 agreement to ratify the deal in national parliaments. South Sudan, which joined the bloc this year, was not part of initial negotiations of the deal, which began in 2002. The EAC trade bloc had a combined gross domestic product of $169.5 billion at the end of last year. (Reporting by Fumbuka Ng'wanakilala; Editing by George Obulutsa, Larry King) Milan (AFP) - The European Central Bank and the Bank of Italy have given the go ahead for a merger of Banco Popolare and Banca Popolare di Milano, creating Italy's third-largest bank by assets. The two banks, which announced their planned merger in March, will be known as "Banco BPM". "The Bank of Italy, considering the result of its investigation and in the absence of objections from the European Central Bank, has given authorisation for the merger," the central banks said in a joint statement. The deal is a major development in the consolidation of Italy's fragmented banking sector that has been saddled with around 200 billion euros ($225 billion) worth of non-performing loans. The merger had been delayed as the banks struggled to meet higher capital requirements, weighed down by hundreds of billions of euros of bad loans and weak economic growth. Only in April did Italy's banking sector agree on a five-billion-euro fund to take on bad loans and guarantee that weakened banks can be recapitalised. Shareholders of both banks are yet to vote on the deal, creating some uncertainty despite the favourable views of analysts. The new bank would have an 8.2 percent market share and create a lender with more than 25,000 staff and four million customers. CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt is in advanced talks with Saudi Arabia to secure a new deposit worth $2-3 billion as part of about $6 billion in bilateral financing required to seal an IMF loan, the finance minister said in comments published by Al Borsa newspaper. Borsa quoted Amr El-Garhy as saying that negotiations with Saudi Arabia were due to be completed in the next few weeks. It was not clear if Garhy was expecting Egypt to agree on the disbursement of a $2 billion deposit agreed with Saudi Arabia in April or if the country was seeking new funding. Egypt reached a preliminary agreement with the International Monetary Fund in August for a $12 billion three-year lending programme to help it plug its funding gap and stabilise markets. But the deal requires Egypt to secure a further $6 billion in bilateral financing. (Writing by Lin Noueihed; Editing by Toby Chopra) Elizabeth Gilbert's 15-year friendship with Rayya Elias has transformed into love a revelation that came Wednesday, just two months after the Eat, Pray, Love author's separation from husband Jose Nunes. In an emotional Facebook post, Gilbert, 47, said of Elias, "I love her, and she loves me." Gilbert also revealed that the romance blossomed after Elias was diagnosed with pancreatic and liver cancer this past spring. The author has vowed to stay by Elias' side throughout her treatment, calling her partner a "role model" and "most trusted confidante." Here's everything you should know about Elias. 1. She's also a published author Elias has published a memoir: Harley Loco: A Memoir of Hard Living, Hair, and Post-Punk From the Middle East to the Lower East Side. The ranging life story, which hit bookstores in 2013, features an introduction by Gilbert. 2. She was born in Syria Elias was born in Aleppo, Syria, now the war-torn center of the country's refugee crisis. Fleeing political conflict in the country, Elias and her family traveled to the United States, settling in Detroit, Michigan, in 1968. According to Elias' website, she knew no English, and had to learn the language in fourth grade. 3. She's an accomplished hairdresser Before relocating to New York City in 1983 in pursuit of her dream of being a musician, Elias discovered her hairdressing skills, according to her website. "In Detroit in 1979, I was playing in a band, and this kid came up to me wanting a mohawk. He had knicked these clippers from his parents, and I refused," she explained to Australian student newspaper Honi Soit in 2015. "He was like, 'Come on man, everyone knows how to cut a mohawk. I know you could do a really good job.' " Who Is Elizabeth Gilbert's New Love Rayya Elias?| Couples, Eat, Pray, Love (Book - Elizabeth Gilbert), Elizabeth Gilbert She continued, "So I plugged them in and gave my first mohawk in a bathroom at a club called Todd's, and that was it. People started calling me, like his friends, saying we want this and we want that." Elias decided to attend beauty school, and, after hitting the Big Apple, began to do hair for fashion shows, working with big design houses like Armani. In fact, Elias and Gilbert met when the latter was sent to her now-girlfriend for a so-called "hair intervention," they revealed during a sit-down at the Sydney Opera House last year. 4. She was once homeless Though she now been sober for nearly 20 years, Elias once dealt with addiction issues a path that left her homeless in N.Y.C. for a time, she told Honi Soit. Story continues Who Is Elizabeth Gilbert's New Love Rayya Elias?| Couples, Eat, Pray, Love (Book - Elizabeth Gilbert), Elizabeth Gilbert "I remember being homeless. I remember sleeping on a park bench," she explained. Of getting sober, she said, "It's funny, because after 12 rehabs and 23 detoxes and jail and institutions and three deaths, I didn't need to go anywhere. I just basically picked myself up, shook myself off and took about a week's worth of Vicoden just to get rid of the ache of withdrawing, started going to meetings and got clean." 5. She's also a punk rock musician Elias' Harley Loco has an accompanying soundtrack, with music entirely performed by the 55-year-old. First getting involved in the punk music scene during her time in Detroit, Elias joined a band, Ancient Beat, upon arrival in N.Y.C. The group performed at a variety of local clubs, with Elias on the electronic instruments and vocals. Their performances, according to her site, were often accompanied by live performers and dancers. U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) delivers remarks at the Center for American Progress in Washington U.S. July 13, 2016. REUTERS/Gary Cameron Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren thinks Apple should pay more taxes in the United States, especially in light of the record-breaking EU decision to force Apple to pay around $14 billion in taxes to Ireland. "Both Apple and Ireland are appealing the decision, but the commissions announcement was the latest sign that multinational corporations are running out of places to hide from paying taxes," Warren wrote in a New York Times op-ed. "The door is now open for Congress to fix our own corporate tax code, which has allowed the biggest multinationals to shirk their obligations for decades." An aspect of the controversy over the EU decision was that Europe was taking taxes from Apple that might have been eventually collected by the United States, if Congress ever passed corporate tax reform. The EU hit Apple because Ireland gave it a deal that allowed it to attribute its profits to offices in Ireland, a low-tax country. Warren says Apple paid a tax rate of 1% or lower. Warren, who campaigns for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, argues for corporate tax reform, but warns against legislation that is supported by companies like Apple. "Now that they are feeling the sting from foreign tax crackdowns, giant corporations and their Washington lobbyists are pressing Congress to cut them a new sweetheart deal here at home," Warren wrote, warning Congress against "bailing out the tax dodgers under the guise of tax reform." "Giant corporations are pushing corporate tax reform proposals that offer a lower permanent tax rate for earnings generated abroad than earnings generated at home. That is nuts," Warren wrote. Apple CEO Tim Cook said last month that Apple was not going to bring money back to the United States until there's a "fair rate." He also predicted corporate tax reform in 2017. Ultimately, Warren wants big companies to pay more taxes. Story continues "First, Congress should increase the share of government revenue generated from taxes on big corporations permanently. In the 1950s, corporations contributed about $3 out of every $10 in federal revenue. Today they contribute $1 out of every $10, despite their reliance on federal investments to start and expand their businesses," Warren wrote. President Barack Obama also recently weighed in on the Apple tax affair during the G-20 summit in China. Its in the interest of all countries, whether theyre developed countries or developing countries, to put a stop to this, Obama said. NOW WATCH: Apple is announcing a new iPhone on September 7 here's what you're getting More From Business Insider Lavadev Awasthi named chairman of Language Commission The government has named Lavadev Awasthi as the Chairman of Language Commission. By Julia Fioretti BRUSSELS (Reuters) - An agreement between the European Union and Canada to share airline passenger data that the two sides say is key to fighting terrorism cannot enter into force as currently drafted, an adviser to the top EU court said on Thursday. The agreement the EU signed with Canada in 2014 foresees the retention and sharing with Canadian authorities of airline passenger data by carriers operating flights between the EU and Canada. The European Parliament then asked the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) to rule on whether the agreement protected people's privacy enough. In a non-binding opinion to the judges, Advocate General Paolo Mengozzi said certain provisions of the agreement went against the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. "The Court should ensure that the proposed measures...reflect a fair balance between the legitimate desire to maintain public security and the equally fundamental right for everyone to be able to enjoy a high level of protection of his private life and his own data," the Court said in a statement. Opinions from Advocates General are followed by the ECJ's judges in a majority of cases. The opinion will come as a blow to national governments who have stepped up their arguments for data retention after a spate of militant attacks across Europe in the past year. "Given the level of the threat, you have to ask what planet some of these lawyers live on. Law enforcement authorities all say we are continually playing catch-up on information flow and analysis, and the ECJ now risks setting back our efforts even further," said Timothy Kirkhope, a conservative member of the European Parliament (MEP). Mengozzi said the proposed agreement allowed authorities to use the passenger name records data beyond what is strictly necessary for the prevention and detection of terrorist offences and serious transnational crime. Passenger name records include names, travel dates, itineraries, ticket and contact details, travel agents and other information. Story continues However, he said the agreement would be compatible with EU fundamental rights subject to certain conditions. These include that sensitive data not be collected, that the offences for which data can be retained be listed exhaustively and that the number of targeted persons can be limited to those who can be reasonably suspected of participating in a terrorist offence. The opinion also bodes badly for a separate commercial data transfer agreement with the United States, Privacy Shield, which replaces a framework struck down a year ago by the ECJ over concerns about mass U.S. surveillance. It is widely expected to be challenged by privacy advocates. Civil rights groups and liberal politicians welcomed the opinion as a reaffirmation of the importance of privacy even when responding to security threats. "For years now we have questioned the necessity and proportionality of a massive transfer of European passenger data and the legal basis for this," said Sophie Int Veld, a Dutch liberal MEP. "Security measures must be legally sound and stand up in court." (Reporting by Julia Fioretti, editing by Foo Yun Chee and Hugh Lawson) By Julia Fioretti BRUSSELS (Reuters) - An agreement between the European Union and Canada to share airline passenger data that the two sides say is vital to fighting terrorism must be redrafted before it can be signed, an adviser to the top EU court said on Thursday. Parts of the deal, agreed in 2014, go against the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, Advocate General Paolo Mengozzi said, and in most such cases, judges follow advisers' views. Mengozzi's opinion will therefore come as a blow to governments around the world, which have stepped up their arguments for data retention and sharing after a spate of militant attacks this year. EU lawmaker Timothy Kirkhope, who successfully steered so-called Passenger Name Record (PNR) legislation through the European Parliament in April, called the opinion "irresponsible", given the level of security threat. Canada welcomed the "detailed opinion" but said it would not comment until the final ruling, expected in a few months. "We remain committed to continue working closely with the European Union until the ratification of a Canada-EU PNR Agreement that complies with EU fundamental rights and EU law," a government representative said. Mengozzi said the proposed agreement allowed authorities to use the passenger name records data beyond what is strictly necessary for the prevention and detection of terrorist offences and serious transnational crime. It also leaves too much leeway for Canadian authorities to transfer the data to a non-EU country's authorities, he said. Passenger name records include names, travel dates, itineraries, ticket and contact details, travel agents and other information. However, he said the agreement would be compatible with EU fundamental rights subject to certain conditions. These include sensitive data not being collected, that the offences for which data can be retained be listed exhaustively and that the number of targeted persons be limited to those who can reasonably be suspected of participating in a terrorist offense. The opinion might also bode badly for a separate commercial data transfer deal with the United States, Privacy Shield, which replaces a framework disallowed a year ago by the European Court of Justice over concerns about mass U.S. surveillance. It is widely expected to be challenged by privacy advocates. Civil rights groups and liberal politicians welcomed the opinion as a reaffirmation of the importance of privacy even when responding to security threats. "For years now we have questioned the necessity and proportionality of a massive transfer of European passenger data and the legal basis for this," Dutch Member of the European Parliament, Sophie Int Veld, said. (Editing by Louise Ireland) By Gabriela Baczynska BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union on Thursday announced it was contracting 348 million euros ($393 mln) to the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) for humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees in Turkey, part of the bloc's migration cooperation with Ankara. The money comes as part of a 3 billion euro support for some 3 million Syrian refugees living in Turkey, which the EU promised in return for Ankara's help in curbing the number of people embarking from there for Europe. "This is the largest humanitarian program the EU has ever financed," the bloc's Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Commissioner Christos Stylianides said in announcing the deal. "The EU is keeping its promise of assisting Turkey in hosting the largest refugee population in the world." The WFP, together with the Turkish Red Crescent, will roll out a system under which refugees would get pre-paid cards to cover for food, housing, schooling or medical expenses in Turkey, where most Syrian refugees live outside camps. Stylianides stressed allowing refugees to choose what they buy was important in giving the distressed people a sense of dignity and could help their relations with local communities. The Cypriot commissioner said the EU had so far contracted 652 million euros for refugees in Turkey. But Ankara complains the money flows slowly as only 181 million euros have so far been disbursed. The EU, which relies on Ankara in the migration deal that gave leaders of the 28-nation bloc a badly-needed breathing space after mass arrivals in 2015, promised to step up the aid and is also in talks on visa liberalization for Turks. These have stalled before the summer break and ties between the EU and Ankara soured after a failed coup in Turkey in July. The EU has intensified criticism of Turkey's track record on human rights as Ankara went on to dismiss tens of thousands of people, and arrest many of them, over alleged links to a U.S.-based Muslim cleric whom it accuses of being behind the coup. Both sides are now seeking to calm down the rhetoric and, in the latest of a string of high-level contacts, EU's top diplomat, Federica Mogherini, and Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn will visit Ankara on Friday. Ankara says it would go on preventing refugees and migrants setting sail for the EU but may refuse to accept returns from the bloc if it does not give it more relaxed travel rules. ($1 = 0.8853 euros) (Editing by Ralph Boulton) By Alastair Macdonald BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Parliament has named Guy Verhofstadt, a former Belgian prime minister and arch-foe of eurosceptics across the continent, to represent it in forthcoming Brexit negotiations with London. Verhofstadt, 63, leads the liberal bloc in the legislature, where he has railed against nationalists like Nigel Farage of the UK Independence Party, who described the Belgian on Thursday as a "fanatical" federalist who "hates everything we stand for". Parliament, which announced Verhofstadt's appointment by a caucus of fellow party leaders, will have a limited role in the detailed negotiations with British Prime Minister Theresa May, once she formally launches the process triggered by the June 23 referendum vote to leave the bloc. But MEPs will have to pass legislation to enact a divorce and possibly other agreements. Verhofstadt was one of a trio of parliamentarians involved in negotiating this year's pact with May's predecessor, David Cameron, which offered Britain concessions on EU migration and other rules in a vain bid to persuade its voters to stay. Verhofstadt, who called his appointment an "honor" and said parliament would play a "central role" in any deals with London, has long taken a tough line with the British. But he spoke out after the vote to back Scotland's pro-independence leader Nicola Sturgeon in her quest for Scots not to be forced out of the EU. A Fleming fluent in English, he has often clashed verbally in the chamber with Farage as well as with Syed Kamall, the pro-Brexit British Conservative leader in parliament. Farage said Verhofstadt would speed Britain's departure from the bloc but Kamall complained that he had been appointed in a "back room" deal and called for an open vote in the legislature. There is little love lost between the Belgian and the Conservatives. When Boris Johnson dropped a bid to lead the party in July, Verhofstadt said he and other "Brexiteers" were "rats fleeing a sinking ship." Johnson is now foreign minister. NEGOTIATING LINE-UPS The EU parliament is dominated by strongly pro-EU members, who fear that a deal too generous to Britain will reinforce centrifugal forces elsewhere. They will be keen to prevent Brussels and other states allowing Britain to retain full access to EU markets while keeping out European immigrants. Detailed negotiations will be handled by the EU executive, the European Commission. Its president, Jean-Claude Juncker, has appointed Michel Barnier, a French conservative former minister, MEP and EU commissioner, to lead the talks. The other 27 member states must also agree any deals. They will negotiate through the European Council and its president, Donald Tusk. He has named Didier Seeuws, a Belgian diplomat who was once Verhofstadt's government spokesman, to coordinate the Council's involvement in the negotiations. While Barnier has been visiting Brussels to prepare for his task, he does not formally start his job until Oct. 1. EU officials say they see little urgency since May says she will not formally notify the Union this year of Britain's plan to leave, under Article 50 of the EU treaty. Tusk, who met May in London on Thursday for their first official talks, and Juncker, insist there can be no negotiations until that notification -- although British and EU officials widely expect some general, informal discussions about how talks will be conducted and on possible outcomes. Tusk told May, who has made Brexit campaigner David Davis her minister responsible for negotiating with Brussels, that the ball was now in Britain's court. Notification under Article 50 should set a two-year deadline for its departure, either under an agreed treaty or without one, if talks fail to reach a deal. (Editing by Ralph Boulton) London (AFP) - British Prime Minister Theresa May and EU president Donald Tusk on Thursday held their first formal bilateral meeting on the country's exit from the bloc, with the UK leader reaffirming she will not launch Brexit talks this year. During the meeting at Downing Street, May said the exit procedure following the June 23 referendum on EU membership would not begin before 2017. "She said the UK would take time to prepare for the negotiations, reiterating that Article 50 will not be triggered before the end of the year," a government spokesperson said. The timing of Britain's EU departure -- which will follow a two-year negotiation period sparked by Article 50 -- has been a key point of tension between London and Brussels. Speaking in the Latvian capital Riga following the meeting with May, Tusk reasserted EU rules that formal negotiations on Britain leaving the EU cannot begin until the British government formally triggers procedures. "Article 50 of the Treaty is very clear. In fact it is there to protect the interests of the countries remaining in the EU," he said. "I told Prime Minister May that I am convinced that it is in everyone's best interests that we start the negotiations soon to reduce and eventually end the uncertainty," said Tusk. The EU president said he aimed to establish the "best possible relations" with the UK. Tusk is touring European capitals ahead of a summit in Slovakia this month where the 27 EU leaders -- the entire bloc, except Britain -- will gather to discuss the fallout from Britain's EU referendum. "It doesn't mean that we are going to discuss our future relations with the UK in Bratislava, because for this... we need the formal notification, I mean triggering Article 50" of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, Tusk said at the start of the Downing Street meeting. EXCLUSIVE: The Toronto Film Festival officially kicks off tonight with the world premiere of MGM and Sonys remake of the iconic 1960 Western The Magnificent Seven, which in itself was based on 1954s Akira Kurosawa classic Seven Samurai. Although TIFF, like Telluride and Venice, is considered a key Oscar-season launch pad for contenders, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone likely even at Sony, which releases the film September 23 who thinks this is remotely an awards contender. Indeed, we will have to wait until Friday when the real Oscar possibilities begin to surface here including Lionsgate and Lakeshores compelling period drama American Pastoral, which is based on author Philip Roths Pulitzer Prize-winning novel (John Romano wrote the screenplay adaptation). There is already Oscar buzz on this one, a rarity for the hit-and-miss reputation of Roth movie adaptations like Portnoys Complaint and Goodbye, Columbus. The buzz is justified in this instance: Set in the late 1960s, it is a Patty Hearst-like story about a seemingly perfect American family torn apart when the daughter goes underground after participating in blowing up a government-owned office in their small town. The film stars Ewan McGregor, Jennifer Connelly and Dakota Fanning in a breakthrough role showcasing the young actress like we have never seen before. But where it really differs from previous efforts is that it is also directed by McGregor, who takes the reins of a major motion picture for the first time after several false starts in wanting to add to his credits one where he is also behind the scenes. That doesnt mean he has given up acting. McGregor also stars as The Swede in this film, the perfect all-American jock who married a beauty queen (Connelly) and had what appeared to be the perfect family until they werent. Recently I had the opportunity to be the first to talk to McGregor about this seminal change in his career and his anticipation about the movies world premiere Friday evening here in Toronto, the only major festival the movies producers deemed to be a perfect beginning for the challenging but complex material. It will open in theaters on October 21 through Lionsgate. McGregor told me there have been many false starts in his nascent directing career and that in fact he was only attached, for years, to American Pastoral as an actor. He was in and out of the picture under several iterations where directors like Phillip Noyce came and went. McGregor had been looking at other projects to direct when his Los Angeles agent called him during his Broadway run in the play The Real Thing. Suddenly, the opportunity to direct a major feature also was a real thing. My agent said, Look , you have been asking me to find something for you to direct for ages. Well I think it might be under your nose. He said it was American Pastoral and I sort of had that stomach-churning nervous feeling like, Oh sh*t, and then I thought maybe hes right, McGregor said. On his day off from the play he told his agent he was up for the job and the next day got in touch with producers Tom Rosenberg and Gary Luchessi, the team behind the Oscar-winning Million Dollar Baby which Lakeshore Entertainment partially financed. He told them his vision of the adaptation. The important elements are to me as a man and as a father, and I suppose also as a son, even though ultimately it is a story about a father and daughter, he said. It took a while after that, and McGregor at one point was out as helmer when the producers felt, at a budget north of $30 million or so, that it was just too big a stretch for a first-time director. They resumed the search for a helmer until, feeling the pressure of a looming production date, McGregor got a call from Rosenberg saying they were going to push the start, renegotiate his fee, bring the budget down, and let him direct. I was totally relaxed thinking I was just acting, and suddenly it was game on, McGregor said. Really from that moment on, until very recently, that has been my only waking focus, and Ive been trying to be a good husband and father and human being, but basically most of my brain has been locked in Phillip Roths story and the idea of like, now here it is, this is what I have been dreaming of for 15 years, and now how am I going to do it? What kind of director are you going to be? How are you going to pull it off? This was a very interesting process from that moment where Tom said it was mine, to now speaking with you on the phone about it, he said about the long months leading up to our interview. Its just been the most extraordinary passage of time and a really fulfilling creative experience, very traumatic at times, just learning the curve of it all. McGregor wasnt really worried too much about the prospect of directing himself as The Swede because he had been attached to play him so long; because of that he didnt have to think about it much when he was finally on the set. I knew how I wanted him to be. I knew what was important to him I thought, and I allowed myself the freedom, he said. He also praised Connelly and Fanning, the latter a real revelation in this film as she has never been asked before to play a role quite this intense or transformative. And the story itself seems more timely than ever. It goes right into radicalism and losing your children to political radicalism, which is sadly even more prevalent now than it was then, McGregor said, bringing up the issue of kids being recruited into groups like ISIS similar to the Hearst case that dominated headlines in the early 70s. But McGregor related to the story on a much more personal level when he first read it, thinking about his eldest daughter Clara eventually leaving home. Shes 20 now and at college in New York City, and shes left the home. Shes still totally a part of our lives, but shes not living under our roof on a daily basis. I can see the loss that has happened, the adjustments been made by me as her father, and that also in an extraordinary way that is what Roth is talking about, he said though Roth never had kids of his own. So even though the story is about a girl who is lost to her parents because of her radical and political actions, McGregor sees it as a sort of metaphor of something more primal. It could also be an extreme example of just what all of us go through when our kids leave home. It is that feeling of loss, that the sand is slipping through through your fingers, and things will never be the same again. That is maybe what I come away with also in this film when I see it, he said. There is also the fact McGregor is a foreigner seeing this very American story through Scottish eyes, though he lives in U.S. now and doesnt think that was much of a factor. I live in America. True, I wasnt brought up here culturally though. I was alive in the 70s , but I wasnt alive in America, and I have got sort of Starsky And Hutch visions of what I saw, he said, noting that he just simply tried to follow Roths lead in the novel, trying his best to be faithful to what American Pastoral was saying. He actually has never met Roth and remains terrified of what the author might think of the film version the second movie this year alone that tackled a Roth novel, the first being James Schamus Indignation. Before the latter film was shot, Schamus told me he sent his script to Roth, but that Roth did him the greatest favor a director and writer could ever get: He said he didnt read it, leaving Schamus to stand or fall on his own. Long before McGregor took the directorial reins, Roth had actually OKd a draft of the screenplay, though McGregor isnt sure which draft. At any rate, it makes him a little less nervous about the prospects for the film, which was shot a couple of years ago and is only now getting a release from Magnolia Pictures. McGregor told me he didnt have time to mourn the long wait: In fact, he finished the sound mix of Pastoral on a Friday, then flew straight to London and then Scotland. He soon was on another set, for Trainspotting 2, the long-gestating sequel to the original that has now been brought up to date by director Danny Boyle. McGregor says it was a wonderful and strange experience to get back into the skin of a character he played more than two decades ago. Its very odd. And it is not a good idea to kid yourself that youre not getting older, he said. Its a very exposing experience when youre playing someone 20 years later. You are reminded of those 20 years on a daily basis. But for McGregor the matter at hand will be unveiling his first-ever directorial baby here Friday. He is in a good place about it. Basically I look at it and say, Well, this is the film I wanted to make. This is what I had in my head. And there it is, so I think thats great, he said. And so I go into Toronto at least with that. At least I like it, and hopefully people will respond to it. And thats exciting. Related stories 'Trainspotting 2' Teaser Reunites Ewan McGregor, Danny Boyle And Iggy Pop's 'Lust For Life' 'American Pastoral' Trailer: Ewan McGregor Stars And Makes Directorial Debut In Powerful '60s-Set Drama 'Fargo': Ewan McGregor Set As the Lead In Season 3 Of FX Limited Series In Dual Role Man arrested for trying to get his Indian son-in-law Nepali citizenship as dowry Birendra Prasad Mandal of Rangeli-4, Morang, has been arrested for his attempting to producing fake documents to acquire Nepali citizenship for his Indian son-in-law. Ben Affleck wrote, directed and stars in his latest movie, Live by Night, and ET has a first look at the gangster film! The Oscar winner showcases a full Boston accent to play Joe Coughlin, a cop's son who has gone to the dark side. PIC: Ben Affleck Looks Totally Retro and Amazing on the Set of 'Live by Night' The 1920s drama, based on the Dennis Lehane novel of the same name, follows the saga of Coughlin through his rise to power in Boston, his incarceration and release to start over in Florida. It's in the Sunshine State where the once straight-edged U.S. soldier finds himself caught between two rival gangs and two femme fatales played by Zoe Saldana and Sienna Miller. "I realized to be free in this life breaking rules meant nothing. You had to be strong enough to make your own," Affleck says as Coughlin in the trailer. Affleck shared pictures from the set when the movie began shooting in Brunswick, Georgia, in October. WATCH: Ben Affleck Shows Off His Muscles While Grocery Shopping With Jennifer Garner "First day. First shot," he posted on Instagram. First day. First shot. #livebynightmovie A photo posted by Ben Affleck (@benaffleck) on Oct 28, 2015 at 1:00pm PDT Shooting for the film started just four months after Affleck's split from Jennifer Garner after 10 years of marriage. Live by Night, the fourth film directed by Affleck, hits theaters Jan. 13, 2017. Related Articles By Greg Roumeliotis and Liana B. Baker (Reuters) - Four private equity firms have formed a consortium to bid on a data centre business that CenturyLink Inc, a U.S. provider of phone and internet services, is hoping to divest for more than $2.5 billion (1.88 billion pounds), people familiar with the matter said this week. The move illustrates that private equity firms will still occasionally partner in so-called club deals when the amount of equity they need to raise for a leveraged buyout exceeds the commitments their funds and their investors can make. Buyout firms GTCR LLC, Charlesbank Capital Partners LLC, Berkshire Partners LLC and Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners have teamed up in an effort to buy the data centres from CenturyLink, the people said. CenturyLink has also held talks with other bidders, including companies active in the data centre sector as well as buyout firm BC Partners LLP, the people said. There is no certainty that the private equity consortium's bid will be successful, the people added. The sources asked not to be identified because the negotiations are confidential. "As we stated in our second-quarter earnings call in early August, our strategic review process continues to progress well and we expect to complete the process by the end of this year. We are exploring a full range of options including, but not limited to, a partnership or joint venture, a sale of all or a portion of the data centres, as well as keeping these assets as part of CenturyLinks portfolio," CenturyLink said in a statement. GTCR, Stonepeak and Charlesbank did not respond to requests for comment, while Berkshire Partners and BC Partners declined to comment. Maintaining and upgrading its 59 data centres has been expensive for CenturyLink. The Monroe, Louisiana-based company announced last November that it would explore strategic options for its data centre and colocation business to free up cash for capital investments and to boost returns for shareholders. Story continues Its colocation data centres provide space for customers to install servers and equipment that CenturyLink then helps support. Data centre divestitures are difficult to complete because they involve separating assets that are deeply integrated into a telecommunications network. AT&T Inc unsuccessfully tried last year to sell data centres, while Verizon Communications Inc has also been trying this year to shed a data centre business. "We believe the data centre sale would clearly enhance shareholder value, especially given the price these types of assets have commanded recently, and would like to see management move more decisively," Morningstar analyst Michael Hodel wrote in a research note on CenturyLink last month. (Reporting by Greg Roumeliotis and Liana B. Baker in New York; Editing by Matthew Lewis) By Dustin Volz WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House on Thursday named a retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general as the governments first federal cyber security chief, a position announced eight months ago that is intended to improve defenses against hackers. Gregory Touhill's job will be to protect government networks and critical infrastructure from cyber threats as federal chief information security officer, according to a statement. The administration of President Barack Obama has made bolstering federal cyber security a top priority in his last year in office. The issue has gained more attention because of high-profile breaches in recent years of government and private sector computers. U.S. intelligence officials suspect Russia was responsible for breaches of Democratic political organizations and state election systems to exert influence on the Nov. 8 presidential election. Russia has dismissed the allegations as absurd. Obama announced the new position in February alongside a budget proposal to Congress asking for $19 billion for cyber security across the U.S. government. The job is a political appointment, meaning Obama's successor can choose to replace Touhill after being sworn in next January. Touhill is currently a deputy assistant secretary for cyber security and communications at the Department of Homeland Security. He will begin his new role later this month, a source familiar with the matter said. Touhill's responsibilities will include creating and implementing policy for best security practices across federal agencies and conducting periodic audits to test for weaknesses, according to the announcement. Grant Schneider, who is the director of cyber security policy at the White Houses National Security Council, will be acting deputy to Touhill, according to the announcement. (Reporting by Dustin Volz; editing by Cynthia Osterman and Grant McCool) In an exclusive interview with ABC11, Cindy Racine of Fayetteville says she can't shake the images of seeing her father murdered. She says her relationship with the suspect, who apparently killed himself afterward, was trouble from the start -- a "big ball of crazy." Fannys Forgotten Music is Based on a True Story about a Young Woman with a Talent for Music LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 8, 2016 / Judit Benedek, a director based in Stockholm, Sweden, is pleased to announce the launch of Fanny's Forgotten Music project, a new musical about a young woman named Fanny Mendelssohn. To learn more about the musical, which will be performed at Theatre Pero in Stockholm this fall, please visit http://goo.gl/EszGBb. As a spokesperson for Fanny's Forgotten Music project noted, the musical is based on a true story about Fanny Mendelssohn, a young woman who lived in 19th century Berlin. Fanny, who has an inherent gift for music, has dreamed of being a pianist and composer, but is prohibited from doing so by both her father Abraham and the social expectations of the times. "Fanny finally gets a chance to release her music to the world, but only through letting her brother Felix, an equally talented musician, claim it as his," noted the spokesperson, adding that Felix eventually feels free to use his sister's musical works as his own. "The musical has all new modern music written in a variety of popular styles. There are also snippets of Mendelssohn music that recur in recitative and in transitions in and between scenes." Currently, a team called The Workable Group is working on giving the story life, on stage, at an industry showcase at Stockholm's Theatre Pero in October. According to director Benedek, the musical has the potential to become a definite hit. "We are now arranging an industry showcase in October at Theatre Pero, Stockholm with some of the finest musical theatre actors," the spokesperson said, adding that the show has caught interest from several theatre companies and an industry showcase could be the start for an opening of this musical. In order to help pay for the performance of Fanny's Forgotten Music at Theatre de Ville in Stockholm, Benedek and The Workable Group recently launched a fundraiser on Indiegogo. They hope to raise $6,500 through crowdfunding to help bring Fanny's Forgotten Music to the world. Story continues About Fanny's Forgotten Music project: Fanny's Forgotten Music is based on a true story about a young woman, Fanny Mendelssohn, living in 19th century Berlin with a raw talent for music. A talented team called The Workable Group is working on turning the story of Fanny into a musical that will be performed this fall in Stockholm, Sweden. For more information, please visit http://goo.gl/EszGBb. Contact: Raymond Carson admin@rocketfactor.com (949) 555-2861 SOURCE: Fanny's Forgotten Music Minister likely to sack NEA chief Managing Director Mukesh Raj Kafle of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) faces an uncertain future as newly appointed Energy Minister Janardan Sharma has been reportedly preparing to sack him on grounds of incompetence. By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Around 9:15 a.m. March 9, a motorcade of special agents from the Food and Drug Administration was due to arrive at the Sheraton Suites in Plantation, Florida. There, the agents would pick up FDA Regulatory Affairs Associate Commissioner Melinda Plaisier and transport her to a town hall-style meeting with criminal investigators at the FDA's Miami field office. They departed the hotel with authorization to flash their emergency blue lights, internal records show. The security detail for Plaisier, a mid-level FDA executive not in a presidentially-appointed position, encompassed pulling 11 staffers from their day-to-day duties investigating crime. Later, Miami Special Agent in Charge Robert West rewarded staffers with eight hours each of time off, citing "their efforts in preparing and executing the comprehensive mission plan." Yet the detail appears to violate FDA policy. Agents do not receive training on offering protection, and emergency lights and sirens "shall not be initiated unless an emergency or life threatening situation can be clearly articulated," FDA records show. The Health and Human Services Secretary is generally the only department official receiving such protection. During the same visit, another team of agents was instructed to ferry George Karavetsos, director of the Office of Criminal Investigations, from the nearby Doubletree Hotel to the same meeting. The agents had approval to use emergency lights. In an interview, Karavetsos and Plaisier initially told Reuters they did not remember seeing emergency lights. Plaisier said she never authorized or requested a motorcade. I dont recall there ever being lights used, and I wouldnt characterize it as a motorcade, Karavetsos said. Later, FDA spokesman Jason Young confirmed emergency signaling was used briefly during the visit. The office has taken corrective action, and Karavetsos was reviewing how the field visits were supported, he said. Plaisier and Karavetsos South Florida police escort was not their first. In January 2016, an agent arranged a police escort when Plaisier and Karavetsos visited an FDA task force office in Providence, Rhode Island, FDA emails show. A Rhode Island State Police spokesman confirmed a trooper and detective used a marked and an unmarked car. Afterward, the agent emailed West, who declined an interview request, about the police escorts success. Good job," West replied. "But we will see who collects the Gold medal!!!!" Karavetsos, a former Miami federal prosecutor who took control of the investigations office in 2015, has moved aggressively to spur changes at OCI. Yet his approach has carried financial costs. Last fall, after urging senior staffers in a September meeting to "get out of their comfort zone," Karavetsos began shipping nearly a dozen agents across the country to serve in temporary supervisory jobs, instead of filling the slots with staffers onsite. The temporary bosses lived out of hotels and received a per diem allowance for food and travel for 120-day stints that stretched from August 2015 into early 2016. Cost to the public: $185,000 plus. "I cannot help but wonder how the money spent on per diem and hotels (over $100K) for the numerous detailees could be better spent within FDA," one agent wrote anonymously to Plaisier. Plaisier and Karavetsos defended the move, saying it allowed staffers to try out managerial roles and learn different methods and means of undertaking investigations. In March, weeks after her visit, Plaisier approved letting Karavetsos return to his home in Florida and run the Maryland-based investigations unit from the Miami field office. This move will be good for the FDA family and also for his family," Plaisier wrote in a March email announcing the change. That move came less than two years after the FDA paid more than $25,000 to move Karavetsos to Maryland, records show. In 2015, he was separately paid $17,270 as an "incentive" to move because he was "uniquely qualified" for the job. In 2010, then-director Terry Vermillion resigned after a whistleblower alleged he inappropriately worked from his home in Hampton, Virginia, asked OCI technical staff to help with personal projects at his home, failed to address allegations of sexual harassment in a field office, and scrubbed reports alleging certain agents received preferential treatment because they had worked at the Secret Service, where Vermillion previously worked. The HHS Inspector General concluded Vermillions conduct was "unbecoming" and violated policy. Vermillion, who could not be reached for comment, declined to speak with the HHS inspector general during its inquiry. After that controversy, why would the FDA let another director work remotely? He is a terrific director and I didnt want to risk losing him, Plaisier said. (Editing by Ronnie Greene) (Adds commentary from banking trade associations) By Patrick Rucker and Olivia Oran WASHINGTON/NEW YORK, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve Board recommended that Congress pare back Wall Street's ability to own physical commodities and engage in other aspects of merchant banking because of possible risks to the financial system, according to a report issued on Thursday. U.S. lawmakers should repeal permission granted in 1999 for Goldman Sachs Group Inc and Morgan Stanley to conduct activities like storing and transporting physical commodities that other banks cannot do, the Fed said jointly with two other regulators. Fed Governor Daniel Tarullo had already expressed misgivings about the commodities exemption, so the Fed's position was somewhat expected. The Fed's opposition, however, to merchant banking, was something of a surprise. Merchant banks take direct ownership shares in non-financial businesses. The report was required under Dodd Frank, the Wall Street reform law, which required the Fed, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to report to Congress on the types of banking activities that might pose risks to the financial system. Existing rules allowing commodity investments raise "safety and soundness concerns as well as competitive issues," the Fed said. Wall Street firms have been scaling back riskier parts of their commodities businesses in recent years due to public and political scrutiny over the role of banks in raw materials markets. Morgan Stanley last November completed the sale of its physical oil business to commodity trading firm Castleton Commodities. In 2014, the bank sold its controlling stake in oil storage business TransMontaigne to NGL Energy Partners LP. In December 2014, Goldman sold its controversial Metro metals warehousing unit to Swiss private equity group Reuben Brothers. The Fed recommended that Congress repeal the ability of banks to make investments in non-financial companies. This would preclude banks being exposed to legal liability for operations of a portfolio company, the report said. Story continues Spokesmen for Goldman and Morgan Stanley declined to comment on the report. Wells Fargo & Co, which makes merchant bank investments through its Norwest Equity Partners and Norwest Venture Partners units, said in a 2014 letter to the Fed that its "diverse portfolio of merchant banking investments has increased the safety and soundness of our institution by producing attractive risk-adjusted returns." A number of banking trade organizations, including the Clearing House, the American Bankers Association, SIFMA, Financial Services Roundtable and the Financial Services Forum, called the recommendations "unfortunate and ill-considered." They said regulators had not provided a cost-benefit analysis or justification for the changes. (Reporting bPatrick Rucker in Washington D.C. and Olivia Oran in New York; Editing by David Gregorio and Dan Grebler) By Patrick Rucker and Olivia Oran WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve Board recommended that Congress pare back Wall Street's ability to own physical commodities and engage in other aspects of merchant banking because of possible risks to the financial system, according to a report issued on Thursday. U.S. lawmakers should repeal permission granted in 1999 for Goldman Sachs Group Inc and Morgan Stanley to conduct activities like storing and transporting physical commodities that other banks cannot do, the Fed said jointly with two other regulators. Fed Governor Daniel Tarullo had already expressed misgivings about the commodities exemption, so the Fed's position was somewhat expected. The Fed's opposition, however, to merchant banking, was something of a surprise. Merchant banks take direct ownership shares in non-financial businesses. The report was required under Dodd Frank, the Wall Street reform law, which required the Fed, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to report to Congress on the types of banking activities that might pose risks to the financial system. Existing rules allowing commodity investments raise "safety and soundness concerns as well as competitive issues," the Fed said. Wall Street firms have been scaling back riskier parts of their commodities businesses in recent years due to public and political scrutiny over the role of banks in raw materials markets. Morgan Stanley last November completed the sale of its physical oil business to commodity trading firm Castleton Commodities. In 2014, the bank sold its controlling stake in oil storage business TransMontaigne to NGL Energy Partners LP. In December 2014, Goldman sold its controversial Metro metals warehousing unit to Swiss private equity group Reuben Brothers. The Fed recommended that Congress repeal the ability of banks to make investments in non-financial companies. This would preclude banks being exposed to legal liability for operations of a portfolio company, the report said. Story continues Spokesmen for Goldman and Morgan Stanley declined to comment on the report. Wells Fargo & Co , which makes merchant bank investments through its Norwest Equity Partners and Norwest Venture Partners units, said in a 2014 letter to the Fed that its "diverse portfolio of merchant banking investments has increased the safety and soundness of our institution by producing attractive risk-adjusted returns." A number of banking trade organizations, including the Clearing House, the American Bankers Association, SIFMA, Financial Services Roundtable and the Financial Services Forum, called the recommendations "unfortunate and ill-considered." They said regulators had not provided a cost-benefit analysis or justification for the changes. (Reporting bPatrick Rucker in Washington D.C. and Olivia Oran in New York; Editing by David Gregorio and Dan Grebler) The sequels to Avatar have been in the works for years, but they have remained shrouded in mystery since the first movie came to theaters in 2009. Now, almost seven years later, director James Cameron is finally ready to share a few details about the story that he will explore in the four planned sequels. DON'T MISS: Samsung finally explained why Galaxy Note 7 batteries are exploding "The storyline in the sequels really follows Jake and Neytiri and their children," Cameron told Variety this week in an interview about Toruk, the Cirque du Soleil prequel to Avatar that is currently in the middle of a limited run at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Cameron says that Toruk won't have any direct connections to the movie universe, but might have a similar emotional arc: "[The sequels are] more of a family saga about the struggle with the humans. But thematically, Toruk manages to land very very closely to the feeling of where the sequel stories are going." Regarding the previously announced release dates of the sequels, Cameron says we should still see Avatar 2 in two years, but that could change if necessary. "We havent moved that target yet, but we will if we need to," he said. "The important thing for me is not when the first one comes out but the cadence of the release pattern. I want them to be released as close together as possible. If its an annual appointment to show up at Christmas, I want to make sure that were able to fulfill on that promise." Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com The first big spoiler for Game of Thrones Season 7 is here and itll make you say WHOA! The first big spoiler for Game of Thrones Season 7 is here and itll make you say WHOA! Now that Game of Thrones production is well under way for Season 7, there are a ton of ~happenings~ going on over in Belfast. Of course, many of our favorite Thrones stars have been spotted popping up all over the capital of Northern Ireland, home-base for Game of Thrones production, but were also getting some of our first insider reports about Season 7 So, FAIR WARNING, stop reading here if you want to go into Season 7 as blind as Maester Aemon. spoilers gif Okay, now that weve moved beyond The Wall that, onwards to our first MAJOR spoiler coming out of Northern Ireland! According to Watchers on The Wall, all the Game of Thrones filming that went on this week involved our favorite Ironborn siblings Yara and Theon Greyjoy. yara Apparently theres going to be a major sea battle (AWESOME) involving the siblings and their uncle ol Euron build me a thousand ships like its NBD Greyjoy. It sounds like Euron catches up to Yara and Theon and then ::dun, dun, dun:: CAPTURES ONE OF THEM. And we sincerely hope its not Theon, because that boy has been held captive long enough to last two lifetimes! Plus wouldnt it be an ironically fun twist of fate if Theon went to rescue Yara just like she (tried) to rescue him from Ramsay back in Season 4? Uncle of the year, yall. euron But what about Daenerys?! Because, as you may recall, the last time we saw Yara and Theon they were traveling across the narrow sea alongside Dany and the Unsullied. Everyone was in very high spirits, ready to kick some Westerosi ass. No time for your bullshit, Euron. dany Will Theon and Yara sacrifice themselves to let Dany, Tyrion, and the Unsullied carry on towards Kings Landing?! As excited as we are to see an epic battle at sea, this definitely has us a touch worried. WotW also reports that Euron will probably be joining forces with Queen Cersei for Season 7, and that he may even take out at least one of the Sand Snakes, too. Story continues Really, tho? snake SO. MUCH. DRAMA. ALREADY. Can you believe Game of Thrones Season 7 is still a year away? The post The first big spoiler for Game of Thrones Season 7 is here and itll make you say WHOA! appeared first on HelloGiggles. (Adds U.S. FDA comment) Sept 7 (Reuters) - Intrexon Corp said on Wednesday a bipartisan coalition of Florida politicians had urged the U.S. government to step up efforts to fight Zika, including sanctioning the emergency use of the company's genetically engineered mosquitoes. The Florida House members, led by Speaker-designate Richard Corcoran and Democratic leader-designate Janet Cruz, have written to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), seeking permission for the state and local governments to use the GM mosquito, the company said. FDA said in an email to Reuters that it had received the letter and will respond directly to the Florida coalition, without specifying a timeframe for it. No vaccine or treatment has been approved for Zika. The virus, first detected in Brazil last year, has rapidly spread across the Americas and parts of Asia. In recent weeks, U.S. authorities determined that local mosquitoes were transmitting Zika in an area of south Florida. The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico has also experienced a widespread outbreak. U.S. health regulators cleared the way last month for a trial in Key Haven, Florida to assess the effectiveness of Intrexon's GM mosquitoes to reduce levels of the aedes aegypti mosquito population, which is known to carry Zika, dengue and chikungunya. There is vote scheduled in November seeking community approval for the trial, as the use of Intrexon's mosquitoes have raised concerns among the locals about its safety. In the letter, the politicians said that delaying Florida's access to Intrexon's technology posed "an unnecessary health risk" to the people of Florida, the company said. The mosquitoes are genetically altered so their offspring die before they can reproduce. Trials in Brazil, Panama and the Cayman Islands have shown that the GM mosquitoes can reduce localized Aedes aegypti populations by more than 90 percent. (http://bit.ly/1McvLMg) Story continues The GM mosquito strain is made by Oxitec, an Oxford University spin-off company that is now a UK subsidiary of U.S.-based Intrexon. While most people experience mild symptoms, Zika infections in pregnant women have been shown to cause microcephaly, a severe birth defect in which the head and brain are undersized. In adults, it can cause a rare neurological syndrome called Guillain-Barre. (Reporting by Natalie Grover in Bengaluru; Editing by Ted Kerr, Saumyadeb Chakrabarty and Sunil Nair) (Reuters) - Intrexon Corp said on Wednesday a bipartisan coalition of Florida politicians had urged the U.S. government to step up efforts to fight Zika, including sanctioning the emergency use of the company's genetically engineered mosquitoes. The Florida House members, led by Speaker-designate Richard Corcoran and Democratic leader-designate Janet Cruz, have written to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), seeking permission for the state and local governments to use the GM mosquito, the company said. FDA said in an email to Reuters that it had received the letter and will respond directly to the Florida coalition, without specifying a timeframe for it. No vaccine or treatment has been approved for Zika. The virus, first detected in Brazil last year, has rapidly spread across the Americas and parts of Asia. In recent weeks, U.S. authorities determined that local mosquitoes were transmitting Zika in an area of south Florida. The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico has also experienced a widespread outbreak. U.S. health regulators cleared the way last month for a trial in Key Haven, Florida to assess the effectiveness of Intrexon's GM mosquitoes to reduce levels of the aedes aegypti mosquito population, which is known to carry Zika, dengue and chikungunya. There is vote scheduled in November seeking community approval for the trial, as the use of Intrexon's mosquitoes have raised concerns among the locals about its safety. In the letter, the politicians said that delaying Florida's access to Intrexon's technology posed "an unnecessary health risk" to the people of Florida, the company said. The mosquitoes are genetically altered so their offspring die before they can reproduce. Trials in Brazil, Panama and the Cayman Islands have shown that the GM mosquitoes can reduce localized Aedes aegypti populations by more than 90 percent. (http://bit.ly/1McvLMg) The GM mosquito strain is made by Oxitec, an Oxford University spin-off company that is now a UK subsidiary of U.S.-based Intrexon. While most people experience mild symptoms, Zika infections in pregnant women have been shown to cause microcephaly, a severe birth defect in which the head and brain are undersized. In adults, it can cause a rare neurological syndrome called Guillain-Barre. (Reporting by Natalie Grover in Bengaluru; Editing by Ted Kerr, Saumyadeb Chakrabarty and Sunil Nair) If you missed the last major airfare sale to the Caribbean, youre getting another chance. You can fly round-trip from the U.S. to the Caribbean starting at $55 one-way. The Airfare Spot highlighted these low fares from Delta, the latest airline to slash prices to the Caribbean. Travelers can fly from New York City to Bridgetown, Barbados, starting at $55 one-way, with departures available on select dates throughout September, October, and December, with more flexibility on travel between January and March. The cheap fares are available for travel during Valentines Day, for those seeking a romantic vacation that won't break the bank. Equally affordable is Deltas $62 one-way fare for flights from New York City to the Cayman Islands between October and late March, including for New Years Eve. Cheap flights are also available from September 30 until May from New York City to Kingston, Jamaica, with round-trips starting at $247, and to Saint Thomas, from October 5 through late March. Round-trip tickets start at $249. With airfare this low, you can easily fly there and back for a perfect long weekend. But with one-way fares starting at $55, you may not have a good enough reason to come home. Melanie Lieberman is the Associate Digital Editor at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @melanietaryn. Constitution implementation, relief to quake victims top agenda: PM Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal made an address before the Parliament on Thursday saying implementation of the new constitution and distribution of relief package to the earthquake-affected were the top priority of the government. Move over, Nessie! There's a new ancient sea monster in town: the Storr Lochs Monster, a fierce, dolphin-like predator that lived 170 million years ago, during the age of dinosaurs. Found on a beach in 1966 near the SSE Storr Lochs Power Station by the facility's manager, Norrie Gillies, the fossil is the most complete skeleton of a Jurassic-era, sea-living reptile that has ever been found in Scotland. The ancient reptile, which belongs to an extinct family of marine reptiles known as ichthyosaurs, measured around 13 feet (4 meters) in length. It had a long, pointed head filled with hundreds of cone-shaped teeth. According to researchers, ichthyosaurs thrived in prehistoric seas, feeding on fish and squid. [In Images: Graveyard of Ichthyosaur Fossils Found in Chile] "Ichthyosaurs like the Storr Lochs Monster ruled the waves, while dinosaurs thundered across the land," Steve Brusatte, a paleontologist at the University of Edinburgh, said in a statement. "Their bones are exceptionally rare in Scotland, which makes this specimen one of the crown jewels of Scottish fossils." A fossilized skeleton of the Storr Lochs Monster was discovered 50 years ago, but until recently, it was sitting in the National Museums Scotland's storage facility. Thanks to a new research partnership, the fossil has been extracted from the rock that encased the skeleton for millions of years, so that it can now be studied. "It's all thanks to the keen eye of an amateur collector that this remarkable fossil was ever found in the first place, which goes to show that you don't need an advanced degree to make huge scientific discoveries," Brusatte said. Brusatte studied another fossil of the prehistoric marine-reptile found in Scotland, also discovered by an amateur fossil collector. That ichthyosaur specimen was incomplete consisting of an arm bone and vertebrae and was smaller than the Storr Lochs Monster. Story continues The fossil record, which Brusatte noted is scarce, shows that sometime during the Middle Jurassic, smaller ichthyosaurs went extinct, while the larger, more advanced ones continued to thrive until their extinction about 95 million years ago, in the early stages of the Late Cretaceous period, the researchers said. The reason for this turnover, however, is unknown. As paleontologists continue to study the Storr Lochs Monster, it could shed light on the Middle Jurassic Period, which lasted from about 176 million to 161 million years ago, Brusatte said. "We don't have that many fossils from that time period anywhere in the world," Brusatte told National Geographic. "That's what makes this potentially an internationally important specimen. It's one of the few good fossils of an ichthyosaur that comes from this 'dark' period." The Isle of Skye, where the Storr Lochs Monster was discovered, is one of the few places in the world where fossils from the Middle Jurassic Period can be found, the researchers 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. Jihadi John Although foreign policy experts and human behavior psychologists can analyze the motivations of western jihadists pledging allegiance to a failing state, few have probably come close to interacting with them on a daily basis as the hostages they took by force. A report from Australian Broadcasting Corporations Lateline sheds light on the experiences of several hostages that seem to corroborate the over-the-top actions of their captors who originated from Europe. By doing so, the report has laid bare some of the militants' underlying motivations. In the Lateline interview, French journalist Nicolas Henin recounts his 10 months as a prisoner after being captured in Syria by ISIS militants. He differentiated between the local jihadists who had a more specific agenda, and those who merely harbored ill-will for fellow westerners. "This mad enterprise of hostage taking was mostly [a] kind of revenge of westerners against westerners ... we were almost two dozen western hostages held by mostly western captors," he explained to Lateline. It can sound weird but we were sometimes protected by local Syrian members of IS against the violence of foreigners, Henin continued in the Lateline report." For the locals, their jihad, their holy war, had a much more local agenda. Another prisoner who shared the same cell with Henin also recounted his ordeal as ISIS prisoner. Daniel Rye Ottosen, who was released after paying ransom, spent 13 months being tortured by the likes of British citizen Mohammed Emwazi. "What Daniel was explaining to me was that there was a clear difference between the local guards around him and the foreign guards," explained Danish journalist Puk Damsgaard, who has since chronicled Ottosens tale in her book, 'The ISIS Hostage: One Mans True Story of 13 Months in Captivity.' Story continues "The foreign guards were among the most violent and I think some of the things that motivated them was clearly what they grew up [with] in back in England or back in France and what they have seen on the international stage political reasons rather than necessarily religious, said Damsgaard to Lateline. ISIS suspect Amidst the whipping and beatings, Ottosen was also the subject of humiliation, such as being forced to dance the tango and sing songs, by Emwazi. His experiences grew to the point where he even attempted suicide, only to be eventually caught by his captors. However, it doesnt appear that Ottosen bears hatred toward his oppressors. On the contrary, in a Newsweek interview, he explained that if he was faced with them today, he would not engage them physically, but instead do so with social discourse. I do not think that any of them were evil, he said in Newsweek. I remember in the schoolyard some of the kids who are the weakest are also the ones who do cruel things to protect themselves and to hide their weaknesses. So I think some of the people who were very violent to us had issues. You do it because you need to prove something to somebody. I feel a little bit sorry for some of them. Although the number of these tourist-terrorists from foreign nations may at first glance be worrisome, the recent progress of coalition forces in what was once ISIS-held territories could ultimately convince foreign fighters to second-guess their intentions. NOW WATCH: Female soldiers have created a 30-woman unit to fight ISIS in Iraq More From Business Insider Berlin (AFP) - Retired pope Benedict XVI says he has no regrets about his 2013 decision to retire and thanks God for enabling him to recover his "freedom" from the responsibilities associated with leading the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. "I thank God that this responsibility, which I could no longer bear, no longer weighs upon me and that I can in all humility move forward with Him, that I can live with friends and friends can visit me more," Benedict, 89, says in an extract from "Final Conversations", a series of interviews with German journalist Peter Seewald. In the work to appear Friday the former pontiff says that "of course it wasn't easy" to take the decision to become the first pope to retire in seven centuries. But the erstwhile Joseph Ratzinger insisted that "it was the right moment" to step down. He explained that the decision stemmed from a March 2012 visit to Mexico and Cuba during which he realised he no longer had the strength to oversee World Youth Day celebrations in Rio the following year. After he stepped down it was successor Pope Francis who led celebrations for three million faithful on Copacabana Beach. Seewald told German news weekly Die Zeit, in an article which appeared Thursday, that Ratzinger "fell in love... in a very serious way" as a student. But his collection of interviews do not contain any revelations on the scandal of paedophile priests, although Ratzinger indicates that he would "deal with things straight away" if he did get wind of an issue that required action. Benedict admitted he had initial reservations on the choice of Pope Francis, Argentine Jorge Bergoglio, to succeed him. "I was uncertain to begin with. But then I saw how he speaks with God, with men -- and I was very happy." He also told Seewald that he felt he himself had "perhaps not been enough among men" during his stewardship and found Francis' direct style of engagement "very good." Even so, "I do of course ask myself how long he will keep it up... because that requires a lot of energy." PARIS (Reuters) - The head of Alstom was summoned by the French government for an explanation on Thursday after the company revealed plans to bring over 130 years of trainmaking to an end at its Belfort plant in eastern France. Alstom on Wednesday said that by 2018 it would transfer production from Belfort, where it made its first steam locomotives in 1880, to its plant in Reichshoffen, about 200 kilometres (124 miles) further north near the German border. Unions have for years feared a wind-down at Belfort. Those concerns increased in 2014 after the company's associated power turbine-making activities in the same town were sold to U.S.-based General Electric. The GE deal was deeply controversial in France, fuelling concerns about the loss of industrial power it appeared to symbolize, and about the future of French jobs as the country's economy stalled. Ahead of presidential elections in April 2017, those concerns are still at the front of voters' minds. As part of the GE deal, the government sought to protect the remaining train-making business by acquiring voting control over a 20 percent stake in the shrunken Alstom business. In May last year, the then Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron said he did not want to see any redundancies at the Belfort train plant. Junior Industry Minister Christophe Sirugue, Macron's successor, told Europe 1 radio that he and Finance and Economy Minister Michel Sapin would meet with Alstom CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge "so that we can get explanations regarding this announcement," "At this stage I consider that nothing is final," Sirugue added. Some 400 workers out of Belfort's total 480 are to be offered jobs at Alstom's other 11 French sites and the Belfort site would be refocused on maintenance and repairs, Alstom has said. The company employs about 9,000 people in all. During the summer, Alstom missed out on a French train-building contract when the state railway operator SNCF's affiliate Akiem, a joint venture with Deutsche Bank, awarded a contract to build 44 locomotives to the German company Vossloh. Story continues Unions and local politicians have called on the government to intervene and overturn that decision. Alstom has been winning contracts elsewhere, but in many cases these have involved agreements to build the trains in the countries where the orders have been made. (Reporting by Yann Le Guenigou, Dominique Vidalon, Andrew Callus and Michel Rose; Editing by Leigh Thomas) (Adds details, background) PARIS, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The head of Alstom was summoned by the French government for an explanation on Thursday after the company revealed plans to bring over 130 years of trainmaking to an end at its Belfort plant in eastern France. Alstom on Wednesday said that by 2018 it would transfer production from Belfort, where it made its first steam locomotives in 1880, to its plant in Reichshoffen, about 200 kilometres (124 miles) further north near the German border. Unions have for years feared a wind-down at Belfort. Those concerns increased in 2014 after the company's associated power turbine-making activities in the same town were sold to U.S.-based General Electric. The GE deal was deeply controversial in France, fuelling concerns about the loss of industrial power it appeared to symbolize, and about the future of French jobs as the country's economy stalled. Ahead of presidential elections in April 2017, those concerns are still at the front of voters' minds. As part of the GE deal, the government sought to protect the remaining train-making business by acquiring voting control over a 20 percent stake in the shrunken Alstom business. In May last year, the then Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron said he did not want to see any redundancies at the Belfort train plant. Junior Industry Minister Christophe Sirugue, Macron's successor, told Europe 1 radio that he and Finance and Economy Minister Michel Sapin would meet with Alstom CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge "so that we can get explanations regarding this announcement," "At this stage I consider that nothing is final," Sirugue added. Some 400 workers out of Belfort's total 480 are to be offered jobs at Alstom's other 11 French sites and the Belfort site would be refocused on maintenance and repairs, Alstom has said. The company employs about 9,000 people in all. During the summer, Alstom missed out on a French train-building contract when the state railway operator SNCF's affiliate Akiem, a joint venture with Deutsche Bank, awarded a contract to build 44 locomotives to the German company Vossloh. Story continues Unions and local politicians have called on the government to intervene and overturn that decision. Alstom has been winning contracts elsewhere, but in many cases these have involved agreements to build the trains in the countries where the orders have been made. (Reporting by Yann Le Guenigou, Dominique Vidalon, Andrew Callus and Michel Rose; Editing by Leigh Thomas) LYON, France (Reuters) - Forty-five people were stranded overnight in cable cars near Europe's highest mountain, Mont Blanc, when a ride between two mountain peaks came to a halt on Thursday, French authorities said. Four helicopters had managed to rescue 65 people from the cable cars before night fell over the Alps, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said in a statement. The 5-km (3-mile) ride between the Aiguille du Midi peak and the Helbronner summit, at the border between France and Italy, is at an altitude of over 3,000 metres (9,840 feet). It usually takes 35 minutes but has been stuck since 5:30pm (1530 GMT). France 3 TV said the cable cars stopped when cables became tangled in high winds. Cazeneuve mentioned a technical incident but gave no details. Blankets and food were delivered by helicopters to those still stuck inside. Rescue workers would stay with them overnight. (Reporting by Catherine Lagrande, Gerard Bon and Ingrid Melander; Editing by Alistair Bell) Dijon (France) (AFP) - Seventeen victims of a Dutch dentist jailed for deliberately mangling their mouths in a town in central France have received compensation of up to 40,000 euros ($45,000), their lawyer said Thursday. The former patients of Jacobus van Nierop, dubbed the "dentist of horror", have each received at least 4,000 euros from a government fund for crime victims, with total awards ranging between 5,000 and 40,000 euros, the lawyer, Charles Joseph-Oudin, told AFP. They are the first group of a total 85 former patients recognised as victims of violence at the hands of Van Nierop, who was based in the town of Chateau-Chinon. Of those, a court in nearby Nevers deemed 45 to have been "mutilated". Van Nierop was jailed for eight years in April after the court found him guilty of ripping out healthy teeth and leaving dozens of patients with injuries including broken jaws, recurrent abscesses and septicaemia. He was also convicted of fraud over claims that he tried to rip off patients and insurance companies. The court found that 61 people were victims of fraud. It also banned Van Nierop, who claimed he suffered from "psychological problems" and had suicidal tendencies, from practising as a dentist and fined him 10,500 euros. The next batch of compensation awards, for 10 more victims, will be decided on October 3. "Some are waiting for the compensation so they can continue their treatment," said Nicole Martin, head of the victims' group. The victims were unable to lodge claims with Van Nierop's insurer after a court ruling that allowed it to cancel his contract because he had covered up prior run-ins with the Dutch dental association. Van Nierop, who called himself Mark, was hired by a head-hunter and was initially welcomed by locals when he arrived in their area, which lacked medical services, in 2008. But by 2011, patients were starting to compare notes on his dubious dentistry and some of his accounting practices were beginning to raise suspicions. Story continues The court heard nightmarish tales, including one from Sylviane Boulesteix, 65, who saw Van Nierop in March 2012 to have braces fitted. "He gave me seven or eight injections, and pulled out eight teeth in one go. I was gushing blood for three days," she said. Another man had 13 healthy teeth treated and ended up with a growth that deformed his face. Around 120 former patients joined a victims' group set up in early 2013. Van Nierop was arrested in June 2013, but fled France while awaiting trial. He was later tracked down to a small town in Canada, arrested and extradited first to the Netherlands and then to France. Paying for torture Col Lamas acquittal only underscores how difficult closure of war-era cases can be (Photo: Central Perk Singapore) Fans of popular American TV sitcom Friends can now look forward to reenacting their favourite scenes at an upcoming themed cafe opening on 24 Nov. Friends, a TV series that spanned 10 seasons since it started first in 1994, revolves around six characters - Monica, Chandler, Joey, Ross, Phoebe and Rachel - who live in the same apartment building in Manhattan. The cafe, called Central Perk, bears the same name as the cafe featured in the show. It will be located at Central Mall on Magazine Road. Visitors can expect replicas of the shows studio sets that look like the actual cafes alfresco scenes, iconic furniture such as Patsy the Dog, Monicas Kitchen, Joeys Italian cabinet, as well as a merchandise section for fans to shop for Friends memorabilia. The tentative opening day was announced on the cafes Facebook page on Wednesday (7 Sept). The admin also shared that the cafe will take up more than 3,300 sq feet of space, and has begun recruiting staff. The themed cafe project was first posted on crowd funding site IndieGogo earlier this year by a Jit Min, and has since gotten 145 financial backers. Funds were contributed through advanced purchase of the cafes products, available in three options - US$37 for a one-week drink pass, US$7 for one beverage, or US$73 for a two-week drink pass and a Friends t-shirt. Libreville (AFP) - Gabon opposition leader Jean Ping on Thursday appealed to the country's highest court Thursday in an attempt to have a wafer-thin presidential election loss overturned. Ping insists he was the winner of the August 27 presidential election -- which gave incumbent Ali Bongo a narrow win -- and lodged an appeal with the Constitutional Court, his campaign team said. "Jean Ping has a petition with the Constitutional Court requesting a review... of the results of the August 27, 2016, presidential election in Haut-Ogooue province," Bongo's family fiefdom, said a member of his legal team, Jean-Remy Batsantsa. Batsantsa said the appeal was for a "recount of votes in this province, polling station by polling station, through comparison of records held by the Cenap (the national electoral commission) and all parties. -- "Serious anomalies" -- "We are asking for the Court to determine that there are serious anomalies" in a count which saw Bongo declared the winner by a whisker, said Batsantsa, echoing a finding by EU observer head Maryia Gabriel. "An analysis of the number of non-voters as well as blank and disqualified votes reveals a clear anomaly in the final results in Haut-Ogooue," an EU election observer mission said in a statement Tuesday. Bongo accused some members of the mission of overstepping its mandate. And the foreign minister said "many inconsistencies" had been noted in the observers' behaviour. "We have the impression that the observer mission wanted to become a control mission," he said. Batsantsa said that a compilation of returns from Haut-Ogooue made it clear that "there is no way that Ali Bongo can win this election." Bongo himself has said he will contest a number of results attributed to his rival. The court's nine judges now have 15 days to hand down a ruling on the appeal. Haut-Ogooue is a Bongo stronghold where the incumbent won more than 95 percent of the vote on an official turnout of more than 99 percent. Story continues -'A trap' - Ahead of the appeal announcement, the government said a planned visit to Gabon of African Union heads of state had been indefinitely postponed. Ping, who believes Bongo has the court in his pocket, has rejected an official August 31 announcement that Bongo won by fewer than 6,000 votes. That outcome prompted several days of riots amid opposition claims the election had been stolen. During the unrest, the parliament building was set ablaze, many shops were looted and life in the capital brought to a standstill. The government says three people died in the unrest, dismissing some opposition claims that between 50 and 100 people lost their lives. Citing Gabon's constitution and election laws, Bongo has dismissed Ping's demand for a recount. "If we go to the constitutional court, we will enter a trap we can never escape," a close associate of Ping had warned Wednesday. "The dice are loaded at the court," he said, comparing the institution to "the Tower of Pisa that always leans the same way". But he conceded the wisdom of keeping the fight within the law. "That's what France, the US and the European Union are asking," he said, adding he hoped such international pressure would also be brought to bear to ensure a fair ruling. - "No danger" - France took pains Thursday to dismiss the common perception it was still a power-broker in its former colony Gabon. "Times have changed," government spokesman Stephane Le Foll told a news conference in Paris. "There is no more France-Afrique," he said, using a somewhat derisive term for Paris's close relationship with its former colonies. "France is not here to make decisions for African countries; we are here to help find a solution and support the African Union (AU) mission," he said. Announcing the shelving of the AU delegation's visit, Foreign Minister Emmanuel Isozet Ngondet said such a mission was uncalled for. "There is no danger here, no explosive security or humanitarian situation which justifies a rather robust intervention from the international community," he told a news conference. An AU "good offices" mission had been due in Libreville on Friday. The central African nation has been ruled by the Bongo family since 1967. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 8, 2016 / Gainey Capital Corp. (GNC.V) (GNYPF) ("Gainey" or the "Company") announces that the Phase 1 Drilling campaign has completed the first three Diamond Drill holes at the El Colomo Gold-Silver Project in Mexico. The first of the three holes targeting the La Nueva Victoria Mineralized Zone has been sampled and shipped to ALS Labs Vancouver, BC for analysis and the other two holes are currently being processed at the Company's core logging facility to be submitted shortly. Preliminary results from these drill holes are anticipated within the next few weeks. Furthermore, the Company is pleased to announce that the program continues to advance with the commencement of drilling on the first of four targets at the La Higuerita/El Arrayan Mineralized Zones. Gainey's exploration team, led by Rafael Gallardo of Minera Cascabel S.A. de C.V., notes that though they have encountered two serious weather systems in the region, the program has not met any serious delays, and drilling progress has continued on the target zones. David Coburn, CEO of Gainey, commented, "We are looking forward to the first set of drilling results over the next 2-3 weeks. The Exploration Team has done an excellent job meeting their objectives given they have encountered challenging weather conditions." The Company recently upgraded its exploration team with the addition of David Hladky, P.Geo. to the Technical Advisory Board, who is also the Company's acting Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, please see the Company's news release on July 26, 2016 for full details. Mr. Hladky's previous position was with Cayden Resources Inc. as the Qualified Person and one of the leaders in the exploration of the Morelos Sur and El Barqueno projects in Mexico, that were successfully sold to Agnico Eagle Mines for $205 Million in 2014. The Company also reports the grant of up to an aggregate 2.5 million common share purchase options, exercisable at a price of $0.20 per share, to its directors, officers, employees and consultants. Story continues About Gainey Capital Corp. Gainey Capital is a gold and silver exploration, development and mineral processing company exploring an aggregate of 192-km2 strategically located in the gold/silver-rich Sierra Madre Occidental Trend in western Mexico. The company's processing centre, located outside of Huajicori, in Nayarit, Mexico, is capable of processing up to 300 tons of mineralized material per day and the company has the capability to upgrade to 600 tons per day with a low capital expenditure. Additional information on Gainey Capital, its current operations and its vision is available on the Company's website at www.gaineycapital.com or from info@gaineycapital.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "David Coburn" David Coburn, Chief Executive Officer For information, please contact the Company: Phone: 480-347-8904 E-mail: info@gaineycapital.com Website: www.gaineycapital.com FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date such statements were made. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Gainey Capital Corp. Washington (AFP) - Global clothier Gap Inc this week became the latest apparel retailer to identify the factories which produce its garments, helping shed light on how the world's clothing is made. The decision follows similar moves this year from fashion retailers Marks & Spencer and C&A, according to Human Rights Watch, which welcomed Gap's disclosures as a boon to transparency in an industry that has been rife with abuse. Activists have targeted the highly profitable "fast-fashion" industry, which churns out new low-cost garments daily or weekly to maximize sales volumes, calling on retailers to improve labor and environmental conditions at supplier factories in the impoverished developing world. "I think the increased visibility will create increased information which ultimately will lead to helping garment workers across the globe," David Hayer, Gap's vice president for sustainability, told AFP. A million workers currently produce Gap clothing in 885 factories in about 30 countries around the globe, according to Hayer. The company has reduced the number of supplier factories from about 2,000 six years ago to be able to manage relations, he said. Gap markets its apparel under brands including Old Navy, Athleta, and Banana Republic as well as The Gap in more than 3,700 stores around the world. In one of the world's worst industrial accidents, more than 1,100 people died in April 2013 in the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, where workers reportedly produced garments for Western retailers such as Walmart, Benetton and Joe Fresh. The United States subsequently suspended trade privileges for Bangladesh out of concern for labor rights. Gap clothing has not been traced to Rana Plaza but the company did contribute to a fund for victims of the disaster. Retailers have in the past been reluctant to invite greater scrutiny by identifying their suppliers. Hayer told AFP that Gap had previously been concerned this could give competitors a window on the company's clothing in production. But other brands now identifying factories include H&M, Nike, Levis and Adidas. Story continues In a 47-page document posted online on Wednesday, Gap Inc revealed the names and street addresses of suppliers in countries such as China, Bangladesh, Egypt, Cambodia, Guatemala, India and Indonesia. Hayer said the disclosures should lead to greater accountability for vendors and for Gap. The growing number of apparel industry leaders disclosing factories is good news for workers, the industry, and consumers, Aruna Kashyap, senior womens rights counsel at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. Libertarian presidential nominee, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, is having a bad Thursday Sept. 8. During his interview on the MSNBC show Morning Joe, panelist Mike Barnicle and Johnson had the following exchange: Barnicle: What would you do if you were elected about Aleppo? Johnson: About? Barnicle: Aleppo. Johnson: And what is Aleppo? Barnicle: Youre kidding. Johnson: No. Johnson was then refreshed about Aleppo. In case youre uncertain yourself, it was Syrias most populous city before the civil war began in 2011. Aleppo is now home to many different fighting factions that have all but destroyed the city and the lives of the hundreds of thousands of people who have had to flee or who are still living there. The U.S. has been involved with aid to the rebel army and has taken a stand against Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has been accused of war crimes. Johnson was grilled further about Aleppo by host Joe Scarborough. Do you really think that foreign policy is so insignificant that somebody who is running for president of the United States [doesnt] know what Aleppo is, where Aleppo is and why it is so important? asked the host. I do understand Aleppo, and I understand the crisis that is going on, Johnson replied. Johnson made a point of critiquing the U.S. involvement and said the U.S. needs to partner with Russia to find a diplomatic solution. He also criticized the Democratic and Republican parties past support of regime change. Johnsons media day was not over. Already scheduled to be on The View, he had to offer a reason for his gaffe, blaming no one but himself. No excuse, he told the panel. I was thinking in terms of acronym. Aleppo. Thats no excuse, whatsoever. When asked if it was a fair question, he said, Its fair game. Im running for president of the United States, and everything is fair game. Hey, its how you deal with adversity that ultimately determines success. Thats all of our lives. Later, the Johnson campaign would put out a statement: Story continues This morning, I began my day by setting aside any doubt that Im human. Yes, I understand the dynamics of the Syrian conflict I talk about them every day. But hit with What about Aleppo?, I immediately was thinking about an acronym, not the Syrian conflict. I blanked. It happens, and it will happen again during the course of this campaign. Can I name every city in Syria? No. Should I have identified Aleppo? Yes. Do I understand its significance? Yes. As Governor, there were many things I didnt know off the top of my head. But I succeeded by surrounding myself with the right people, getting to the bottom of important issues, and making principled decisions. It worked. That is what a President must do. Johnsons already been praised for his handling of this situation, but some were less forgiving. View co-host Joy Behar told him, I think its a disqualifying statement, frankly. Fair enough, replied Johnson. Fair enough. CNN Host Says Fox News Had Staff Member Pretend to Date Him, Was Actually Spying: Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. Gary Johsnon Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson responded Thursday to an embarrassing gaffe from earlier in the morning when he asked on MSNBC, "What is Aleppo?" "No one is taking this more seriously than me, I feel horrible," the former New Mexico governor told Bloomberg's Mark Halperin. He added: I have to get smarter, and thats just part of the process. The governor later released a lengthier statement, in which he said he "blanked." "This morning, I began my day by setting aside any doubt that I'm human," he said in the statement. "Yes, I understand the dynamics of the Syrian conflict I talk about them every day. But hit with 'What about Aleppo?' I immediately was thinking about an acronym, not the Syrian conflict. I blanked. It happens, and it will happen again during the course of this campaign." "Can I name every city in Syria? No," he continued. "Should I have identified Aleppo? Yes. Do I understand its significance? Yes." He said that there "were many things" he did not know off the top of his head when he served as governor, but by "surrounding myself with the right people," he "succeeded." "That would begin, clearly, with daily security briefings that, to me, will be fundamental to the job of being president." Johnson was asked on "Morning Joe" earlier about what he'd do regarding Aleppo, a city in Syria that is among the hardest hit by the ongoing Civil War. Johnson wasn't familiar with the city. "You're kidding," MSNBC contributor Mike Barnicle responded. "No," Johnson said. Barnicle then explained the significance of Aleppo in Syria, which is an epicenter of the worldwide refugee crisis. Johnson then called Syria a "mess" and said the US had to work with Russia to end the conflict. "The only way that we deal with Syria is to join hands with Russia to diplomatically bring that at an end," Johnson said. "But when we've aligned ourselves with when we've supported the opposition, the Free Syrian Army, the Free Syrian Army is also coupled with the Islamists, and then the fact that we're also supporting the Kurds. And this is it's just a mess." Story continues The gaffe came just one day after 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney suggested Johnson should be allowed to participate in the presidential debate. The RealClearPolitics average of recent polls showed Johnson on Thursday with around 9% support, 6 percentage points away from qualifying for the debates. Maxwell Tani contributed to this report. NOW WATCH: Gary Johnson stuns MSNBC panel over Syria civil war: 'What is Aleppo?' More From Business Insider gary johnson Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson stunned the hosts of MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on Thursday when he did not know the site of some of the fiercest fighting in Syria's civil war. In the interview, contributor Mike Barnicle asked the Libertarian presidential candidate what he would "do about Aleppo," prompting a befuddled response from Johnson. "What is Aleppo?" Johnson asked. "You're kidding," Barnicle replied. "No," Johnson said. After Barnicle explained Aleppo's significance in the Syrian civil war, Johnson offered a meandering response, saying that Syria was "a mess." He also offered that the US had to work with Russia to reach a diplomatic solution to the conflict. "The only way that we deal with Syria is to join hands with Russia to diplomatically bring that at an end," Johnson said. "But when we've aligned ourselves with when we've supported the opposition, the Free Syrian Army, the Free Syrian Army is also coupled with the Islamists, and then the fact that we're also supporting the Kurds. And this is it's just a mess." Johnson's stumble on Syria comes at a time when his candidacy has appeared to pick up slightly more steam than when he ran for the presidency in 2012. Former presidential candidates like Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney both suggested that Johnson should be allowed to participate in the debates. The RealClearPolitics average of recent polls showed Johnson on Thursday with around 9% support, 6 percentage points away from qualifying for the debates. Watch the clip below: More From Business Insider Joseph Cedar, the New York-born, Israel-raised golden boy of the cinema of the modern Jewish State, bursts firmly onto the international scene this festival season with Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer, his new Richard Gere-toplined feature. The film has its international premiere in Toronto on Sept. 12 as a Gala Presentation afters is world preem at the recent Telluride Film Festival. Its the first English-language film for the Israeli writer and helmer, and his first time working with international star power after decades directing Israels biggest names. Pic, set in both Jerusalem and New York, created a flurry of excitement and media headlines last year when its production set up shop in the nations capital. Cedar has sat atop the Israeli cinematic pack since the release of his stirring 2007 Beaufort, the Oscar-nominated drama about an Israeli Defense Force unit stationed upon a remote mountaintop during this countrys conflict with south Lebanon. Four years later, he further raised the bar with Footnote, an Only-in-Jerusalem spin on a classic family competition story, probing the disturbing rivalry between a pair of father and son Talmudic scholars at Israels Hebrew University. Footnote earned Cedar a second Oscar nod and secured his position as one of the great Israeli filmmakers of his generation. But with Norman, which was snapped up by Sony Pictures Classics earlier this month, he has, in the eyes of Israelis, truly made his country proud. Israeli cinema continues to flourish at the most important festivals in North America, gushed a headline in the Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot in describing the Telluride bow of both Cedars film and Through the Wall, the sophomore effort of Orthodox helmer Rama Burshtein. Meanwhile Mako, a popular Web portal here, made sure to note while covering the Sony Pictures deal that Cedar had earned a sum unprecedented for Israeli filmmakers. Story continues The hype began back in March 2015, when Gere, who plays a blustering New York hustler named Norman Oppenheimer tangled in a Ponzi-like scheme with Israels future prime minister, arrived in Jerusalem for filming. Women of Israel, brace yourself Richard Gere is coming, headlines said. In the film sections across the Israeli press, Cedar was declared The Israeli director who managed to land Richard Gere. The English-language Jerusalem post went as far as laying out the plush details of Geres hotel suite (the 22nd floor of Jerusalem Leonardo hotel), his requested tea flavors (green, as well as fresh sage and mint), and even his snacks of choice (pecans, organic fruit). In that same story, the Jerusalem Post explained the reason behind the hype Gere, for the first time, was a Hollywood star working with Israeli talent despite not being Jewish, and having no earlier ties to Israel. Geres presence here may herald an important change in Israels ability to lure top star to appear in major films, the article read. For the past 15 years, no A-list actor has worked in Israel on a major production, except the Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman, who directed and starred in her adaptation of Amos Ozs A Tale of Love and Darkness, in 2014. But while Portman is certainly a star, and had acted in Israel before the fact that she was born in Jerusalem and is a dual Israeli-American citizen makes her willingness to work here a bit less dramatic. Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer also stars Steve Buscemi, Michael Sheen, and Charlotte Gainsbourg alongside Israeli veteran star Lior Ashkenazi. Related stories Toronto: Lagos Sends Its Cinematic Best to Fest's City to City Program Telluride Film Review: 'Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer' Toronto: Bleecker Street Acquires 'Eye in the Sky' Starring Helen Mirren (EXCLUSIVE) VILNIUS (Reuters) - Germany's defense minister called for a European "defense union" on Thursday during a visit to the Baltic state of Lithuania, where Berlin is preparing to lead a battle group of about 1,000 troops as a deterrence against neighboring Russia. The European Union has long considered forging closer defense ties while not undermining the U.S.-led NATO alliance, to which many EU member states also belong, especially in the face of a more aggressive Russia and worsening conflicts in the Middle East. The decision of Britain, a staunch opponent of any EU "army", to quit the EU has also removed an obstacle to the closer European defense cooperation favored by Germany, France and many eastern European countries. "It's time to move forward to a European defense union, which is basically a 'Schengen of defense',", Ursula von der Leyen told reporters in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. "That is what the Americans expect us to do." Schengen refers to the passport-free zone covering much of Europe, a pillar of the more integrated Europe that Germany strongly supports. German Chancellor Angela Merkel also recently endorsed the idea of more joint military operations with the three Baltic republics, all NATO and EU members which have felt especially vulnerable following Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. Germany already has close military ties and joint forces with Poland, the Netherlands and France outside NATO structures, though Berlin and Paris also say they do not envisage establishing a European army. "When we have threats that are surrounding us, we all know no country by its own will be able to manage that. But we together, we Europeans, we are very strong if we improve our capabilities as Europeans," von der Leyen said. The German-led battle group in Lithuania will operate air defenses when it is deployed early next year, she added. "There will be a comprehensive air defense", she said. "We are very glad that we find many European friends who want to join, like the Dutch or the French, for example." NATO leaders agreed in July to move four battalions totaling 3,000 to 4,000 troops to the Baltic states and eastern Poland for the first time and to increase air and sea patrols to reassure those countries following Russia's seizure of Crimea. (Reporting By Andrius Sytas; Editing by Gareth Jones) By Gopal Sharma KATHMANDU (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Kopila Wosti was just 14 when her father married her off to a stranger who was five years older. A year later, she gave birth to a baby girl. By the time she was 20, she had three children. "The first time I became pregnant, I was not even aware I was going to be a mother and did not know how to raise the child," said Wosti, now 34, as she sat cross legged on the floor of a shelter home in the Nepali capital, Kathmandu. Separated from her husband for over a decade, Wosti blames the marriage for ruining her life - denying her the chance of going to school and of choosing a more suitable partner. "There are women of my age who are yet to have children," said the petite woman, dressed in a green shirt and trousers, with her long black hair tied up in bun. "I could have gone to school and had a better future too. But all that is a dream now," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Child marriage is illegal in Nepal, yet the impoverished Himalayan nation has failed to put in place policies to curb the practice with almost 40 percent of girls married before the age of 18, a report by Human Rights Watch said on Thursday. It found that poverty, compounded by illiteracy and society's disapproval of unmarried women, compelled many parents to seek out husbands for their daughters. Yet child marriage often results in a vicious cycle of malnutrition, poor health and ignorance since a child bride is more likely to drop out of school and experience problems during pregnancy and childbirth. Her children are more likely to be underweight or die before the age of five, said the report based on over 100 interviews with children, former child brides, parents and activists. "Many children in Nepal both girls and boys are seeing their futures stolen from them by child marriage," said Heather Barr, women's rights researcher at the HRW. "Nepal's government promises reform, but in towns and villages across the country, nothing has changed." MARRIAGE FOR FOOD The study showed child marriage was prevalent throughout Nepal, and practiced in Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, and Christian communities. Government officials said the deeply entrenched nature of child marriage, which the nation has vowed to end by 2030, made it hard to tackle. "The government considers child marriage as an act of violence and is making efforts to end the scourge which is deep rooted in the society," Sushila Paudel, an official from Nepal's women's ministry, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. One third of girls in the developing world are married before the age of 18, according to the International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW). Child marriage is most prevalent in sub-Saharan African countries such as Niger and Chad, but due to population size, the largest number of child brides live in South Asia. Nepal, home to 28 million people, has the third-highest rate of child marriage in Asia after Bangladesh and India, with 37 percent of girls marrying before 18. The country outlawed the practice five decades ago with a punishment of up to three years imprisonment and a fine of 10,000 rupees ($95). The age of marriage is set at 20 years old for both men and women. But HRW said the law was seldom enforced with complaints rarely investigated by police or prosecuted. Police officials were not immediately available for comment. The HRW said gender discrimination and poverty were key factors driving child marriage. Almost 25 percent of Nepalis live on a less than $1.25 a day. "Some girls said they welcomed a child marriage because they hoped it might mean they had more to eat, a hope that was not always fulfilled," the report said. In many communities it is normal for girls to marry soon after puberty, as parents will avoid paying a higher dowry to the groom's family if the bride is younger, it said. (Reporting by Gopal Sharma. Writing by Nita Bhalla. Editing by Katie Nguyen. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, corruption and climate change. Visit news.trust.org) PM Dahal's parliament address made for cheap popularity: UML Vice-chair Rawal CPN-UML Vice-chair and former Deputy Prime Minister Bhim Rawal has stated that the Prime Minister's address in the parliament was just remarks made for cheap popularity. The 18-karat gold Apple Watch Edition has been discontinued, dead just a year and a half after it began. Since the company never released official sales figures, well never knew how many models actually crawled off the shelves, but in the months after its release, MacRumors estimated that just under 2,000 had been sold. In terms of revenue, thats at least $20 million, as the base price for the watch was $10,000. But for one of the worlds most powerful companies, it wasnt enough to save it from humanitys practical conscience as Apple quietly pulled its gold watch page from its website. This came as Apple unveiled its upgraded Apple Watch series 2. The extremely paltry sales make it hard to track down owners of the gold Apple Watch Edition for their reactions, but its not impossible thanks to Instagram, Twitter, and Reddit. Christel Quek, a VP at Brandwatch, a platform for monitoring social media response about brands and products, is a proud owner of a gold Apple Watch Edition, and isnt much bothered by the Apple Watch Series 2 superseding her model. I got it because of the collectability, she said via a Twitter direct message. An educated fan of European watches like IWC and A. Lange & Sohne, Quek wears the gold Apple Watch Edition in rotation with the other watches in her collection and reckons its discontinuation will make hers more collectible. But unlike the mechanical watches that can operate without electronics of any kind, the Apple watchs electronics destine it to a relatively short life and slow death, as future updates will render it slower and slower. Quek, of course, knew this from the outset. For sure, gadgets have a shelf life, she said. I actually got it because it was something that I wanted to make a statement about. Luxury. Collectibility, which is not tied to fresh battery and performance, is so often married to the idea of alternate investment opportunities, with items hoarded away in the hopes that they will result in future windfall. Perhaps the Museum of Modern Art or a private horological collection will scour the Earth for gold Apple Watch Editions to purchase and display, but for Quek, that wasnt the point. I dont think this would be an investment. It would be a bonus if it did appreciate in value. Sure it might not have the waterproofing or the other cool new bells and whistles, but ironically, that edition will [be the luxury, collectible] Swiss version of the Apple Watches. Story continues All this flies in the face of the consternation and the face-palming that some on Twitter were expecting with salivating schadenfreude. Quek and other Apple Watch owners were nothing if not psyched with the new model, showing no early adopters remorse. Now Im a bit at a loss as I wanna get the new Apple Watch for swimming, said Quek, who is eyeing the new ceramic Edition that will sell for a tenth of the price of a gold Edition. This time Ill get a more affordable version of the waterproof Apple Watch. Even if there was a really expensive version of it. I found Ryan, another gold Edition owner, on Instagram after he commented, I dont give a damn if the second one is coming out. Same s***. When I asked him why he shelled out the price of a compact car on a gadget with the shelf life of a pair of shoes, he responded tersely, collectibility and investment. Interestingly, he said the bling factor was not really applicable since Apple had offered rose gold versions of the cheaper aluminum models which could look similar to the untrained eye, torpedoing any attempts of conspicuous consumption. As for the inevitable successor rendering his Apple Watch old, he, unlike Quek, isnt so rosy. To me I feel like its bad, because the value of this watch will go down probably dramatically due to the new watch that is coming out, he said. Plus, the gold just wasnt really a hit. During the journey into the corners of Twitter and Instagram, I did find something interesting that perhaps has skewed public perceptions of the expensive gold editionsthere are probably way more gold-plated Apple Watches than gold Apple Watch Editions. Why? Well, thats because you can buy an aluminum Apple Watch that has been gold plated by a third party with five microns of gold for less than $2,000. According to an employee of one gold-plating company I messaged who sells gold-plated Apple Watches, they sold as many as eight a day during the December holiday season. He said its possible his numbers are greater than Apples, if the rumor of 2,000 was accurate. If true, that could mean that the gold Apple Watch wasnt really a bust, after all, and that Queks genuine model could in fact have second-hand traction as a collectable later on. It also means that while Apple has discontinued the gold Apple Watch, you can still get one gold plated, if you desire the Midas touch. Ethan Wolff-Mann is a writer at Yahoo Finance focusing on personal finance and tech. Follow him on Twitter @ewolffmann. Read more: Apple spits on history by removing the headphone jack Apple is trying to pacify headphone jack loyalists with this $9 dongle By John Tilak and Frank Jack Daniel TORONTO/MEXICO CITY, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Goldcorp Inc has hired Bank of Nova Scotia to lead the sale process for Los Filos, its gold and silver mine in Mexico, according to two sources familiar with the situation, after putting the asset on the block earlier in the summer. David Garofalo, chief executive of the Vancouver-based gold miner, said in late July that Goldcorp was looking at offloading the mine, as well as weighing options for its Alumbrera mine in Argentina and the Marlin mine in Guatemala. An open pit and underground mine in southern Mexico, Los Filos has proven and probable gold reserves of 1.46 million ounces and 10.55 million ounces of silver. Its net asset value was estimated at $617 million in an August RBC Capital Markets report. The mine is now operating under a revised, shorter mine life plan that targets higher grades of gold. Goldcorp could either make a cash sale to a large player or target a junior or intermediate miner with an arrangement that includes shares of the acquirer, said the sources, who declined to be named as the matter is not public yet. Canadian gold miner Torex Gold Resources Inc is seen as a logical buyer because it has a mine about 41 kilometers (25 miles) from Los Filos, the sources said. Several other Canadian and global players with mines in Mexico could also take a look, the sources added. With Torex ramping up its own Guerrero mine, it's unclear how keen the company is to double down in the region, which has had social and crime issues and the occasional shutdown. "As neighbors with potential synergies, it is almost incumbent upon us to look. We will do so to find out if we should be interested," Torex CEO Fred Stanford said. Goldcorp declined comment, and Scotiabank did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Other Canadian gold miners with a presence in Mexico include Yamana Gold, Agnico Eagle Mines, New Gold , Argonaut Gold Inc, Alamos Gold Inc, Timmins Gold Corp, McEwen Mining and Primero Mining Corp. Story continues Considered by Goldcorp as a non-core asset, Los Filos is a "smaller scale" mine that lacks economies of scale, Garofalo told Reuters in the July interview. Los Filos gold production is estimated at 328,000 ounces this year and 404,000 ounces in 2017. It is expected to slip to 166,000 ounces in 2020, its final year of operation, RBC analysts have forecast. (With additional reporting by Susan Taylor in Toronto; Editing by Phil Berlowitz) A North Dakota judge issued an arrest warrant for Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein after she allegedly spray-painted construction equipment during a protest against the construction of a $3.8 billion oil pipeline. Stein and her running mate Ajamu Baraka were charged Wednesday on criminal trespassing and mischief after Stein spray-painted I approve this message in red paint on bulldozer blade on Tuesday. Baraka is accused of painting the word decolonization on another piece of construction equipment, the Associated Press reported. Stein and Baraka joined protestors from the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, who want to stop the construction of a section of the four-state oil pipeline because it may destroy cultural sites and affect the local water supply. A federal judge temporarily stopped a section of the construction after protests turned violent over the weekend. Stein said she hoped North Dakota authorities press charges against the real vandalism taking place at the Standing Rock Sioux reservation: the bulldozing of sacred burial sites and the unleashing of vicious attack dogs, the AP reported. It was not immediately clear whether Stein plans to turn herself in. Moscow (AFP) - A river in Russia's far north turned a blood red colour probably as a result of an industrial accident, environmental group Greenpeace said on Thursday. The claim was denied by a nearby factory, run by Norilsk Nickel the world's biggest producer of nickel and palladium. "We believe that a factory pipe must have broken and discharged its waste into the river," Greenpeace Russia spokesman Vladimir Chuprov said. "What happened with the River Doldykan is an example of the cost of industrialisation in Russia's far north," he said, adding that the river had also turned red in June following a similar accident. On Wednesday, Russia's environment minister ordered an inquiry into a possible industrial accident after the river, near the town of Norilsk, suddenly took on the bright red hue. The minister said "the rupture of a drainage pipe at the Norilsk nickel factory" could have been the cause of the sudden colour change. Norilsk is a town of around 170,000 people. The factory has denied any leak from its premises close to the river and said the colour was "no different to its usual one". Greenpeace Russia on Thursday publicised a picture in which the river appears to be a vivid red. "We have asked a local laboratory to do an analysis and we are going to ensure that the authorities cannot hide this catastrophe," Chuprov added. "The question is whether this colouring is dangerous to the fish and when the river will return to its normal state," he added. American Funds Washington Mutual C Fund (WSHCX) a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) was incepted in July 1952 and is managed by Capital Research and Management Company. The objective of WSHCX is to provide current income and opportunity for growth of principal consistent with sound common-stock investing. WSHCX invests at least 95% of assets in equity securities. WSHCX invests in stocks that meet strict standards that evolved from requirements originally established by the U.S. district court for the District of Columbia for the investment of trust funds. WSHCX does not invest in companies that derive their primary revenues from alcohol or tobacco. This Large Value product, as of the last filing, allocates their fund in four major groups; Large Value, Large Growth, Intermediate Bond and Precious Metal. Further, as of the last filing, Microsoft Corp, Home Depot Inc and Verizon Communications Inc were the top holdings for WSHCX. The American Funds Washington Mutual C fund, managed by American Funds, carries an expense ratio of 1.38%. Moreover, WSHCX requires a minimal initial investment of $250. WSHCX has a history of positive total returns for over 10 years. Specifically, the funds returns over the 3, 5 year benchmarks; 3 year 8.67% and 5 year 11.60%. To see how this fund performed compared in its category, and other #1 and #2 Ranked Mutual Funds, please click here. WSHCXs performance, as of the last filing, when compared to funds in its category was in the top 16% in 1 year, top 41% over the past 3 years, and in the 37% over the past 5 years. Want key mutual fund info delivered straight to your inbox? Zacks free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing mutual funds, each week. Get it free >> View All Zacks #1 Ranked Mutual Funds 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 Get Your Free (WSHCX): Fund Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Preeti Rathi case: Death for India acid attack convict A court in the Indian city of Mumbai has given the death penalty to a man for throwing acid at a woman at a busy railway station three years ago in what is being hailed as a landmark ruling. Kandahar (Afghanistan) (AFP) - The Taliban stormed into Tarin Kot Thursday, triggering heavy fighting around government buildings as panicked residents scrambled to flee the capital of southern Uruzgan province, the latest city to be targeted by insurgents. Hundreds of militants battled to overrun the local prison, police headquarters and the governor's compound after breaching the city, but hours later Afghan forces bolstered by reinforcements and air support repelled them from Tarin Kot, officials said. The attack highlights the once rural insurgency's aggressive push to capture big cities, from Kunduz in the north to Lashkar Gah in the south, leaving Afghan forces fighting without full NATO support thinly stretched across multiple fronts. The Taliban onslaught in Tarin Kot prompted senior officials to retreat to the airport, home to a military base on the outer fringes of the city, which has been besieged by the Taliban for months. Tarin Kot's normally bustling streets were deserted and shops closed as civilians sought to escape from the city. Sabir Menawal, a Tarin Kot resident, said Taliban fighters entered his house near the police headquarters and took up positions inside to fire at government buildings. "The Taliban instructed us to leave the area immediately," Menawal told AFP. "I fled with my family to a safer area of Tarin Kot, but we fear fighting could spread to this area too." In a sobering admission, Uruzgan's police chief Wais Samim said many of the city's outer defences had fallen to the Taliban without a fight. "Some policemen made deals with the Taliban and retreated from their posts. Some people here deliberately want the enemy to succeed," he told AFP. "We will address this issue once we push back the enemy." - Deteriorating security - Tarin Kot is the third provincial capital that has come under Taliban attack in recent weeks, after Lashkar Gah and Kunduz, which the insurgents briefly seized last year in a stinging blow to Afghan forces. Story continues The Taliban said they broke into Tarin Kot's prison, but Samim rejected the claim and said many of the inmates had been transferred to the airport. Boosting morale for government troops, General Abdul Raziq, the powerful police chief of Kandahar province with a fierce reputation for brutality, arrived in Uruzgan with hundreds of reinforcements. Samim said 79 insurgents had been killed in Thursday's fighting, but declined to give a specific number of casualties for Afghan forces. He added that troops were preparing for another assault to flush out Taliban insurgents from the outskirts of Tarin Kot. President Ashraf Ghani's office said the government will not allow "Uruzgan to become a sanctuary for terrorists". "Reinforcements have reached the province, and the local police chief and provincial officials are on the frontline fighting the enemy," presidential spokesman Shahhussain Murtazawi said on Facebook. NATO forces, which ended their combat mission in Afghanistan in 2014, said they were providing assistance to Afghan forces in Uruzgan but declined to provide any specifics. Since being toppled by a US invasion in 2001, the Taliban have been seen as a rural militant movement capable only of hit-and-run attacks on cities. But they have demonstrated an alarming push into urban population centres over the last year. The deteriorating security highlights the struggle of overstretched Afghan forces to secure remote provinces such as Uruzgan, a top poppy-growing region where Australian, Dutch and American troops fought for years. From Cosmopolitan Yes, using protection is always a good idea, but if you and your partner have stopped using a barrier method of contraception, here's what you need to know about Zika. On Tuesday, the World Health Organization clarified its guidelines about the sexual activity of people who visit areas where Zika is transmitted by local mosquitoes. The agency is now recommending that visitors abstain from sex or have only protected sex for at least six months after returning. That's a dramatic increase from its prior recommendation of eight weeks. Zika, which can cause birth defects such as microcephaly, eye problems, and impaired growth, is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes. But WHO says that sexual transmission of the virus is more common than previously thought: Recent studies show that even people who don't have symptoms of infection can still transmit the virus sexually and that sperm can harbor Zika for at least six months. (The virus can also be found in urine, but there isn't any evidence that urine can transmit it.) At this time, WHO isn't outright recommending that women avoid pregnancy during this international health emergency. It does, however, say that all couples who live in affected areas should have access to contraception and family planning counseling, and that pregnant women should avoiding visiting these areas. The only U.S. state currently proven to have mosquito-borne Zika transmission is Florida, but even if you aren't traveling or living in Florida, there are a few things you can do to prevent spreading Zika: Use repellants that are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency, control standing water near your home by emptying swimming pools, fountains, and birdbaths, and definitely use condoms if you or your partner has visited a Zika-affected area - for six months after your return, at least. Follow Hayley on Twitter. You Might Also Like Hillary Clinton slammed Donald Trumps comments on a classified briefing he received as totally inappropriate and undisciplined in remarks Thursday. Trump said during a Wednesday town hall on national security that he could tell from the body language of the experts who briefed him that they were not happy with President Obamas decisions. Our leadership, Barack Obama, did not follow, he said. They call it intelligence, its there for a reasonwhat our experts said to do. Read More: Transcript of Hillary Clinton Press Conference Clinton suggested Thursday during a press conference that Trump should not have commented on classified security briefings and declined to comment on her own briefing. The moment contributes to an ongoing argument from the Clinton campaign that Trump lacks the temperament and discipline to serve as president. Both candidates have received classified national security briefings despite the misgivings of their opponents. The Trump campaign responded with a long list of arguments against Clinton including references to Benghazi and the ongoing email scandal. Trump spokesperson Jason Million called Clintons criticism unhinged. These are the desperate attacks of a falling campaign sinking in the polls and characteristics of someone woefully unfit for the presidency of the United States, he said. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will pay a visit to NBCs late-night ratings leader The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday, September 19, kicking off the first week of the official broadcast TV season. NBC noted in this mornings announcement that Clintons appearance comes during the height of the campaign for the White House and a week before the highly anticipated presidential debate between the former Secretary of State and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. NBC forgot to mention the news comes the morning after the networks Today show co-host Matt Lauer eviscerated Clinton at an NBC News Commander-in-Chief forum. Clintons getting low marks for her performance at that clambake, but Lauers taking even more heat, with critics saying he pounded on Clinton over her email habits as Secretary of State, and more than once instructed her to cut off her answer so he could move on, while giving Donald Trump a pass on inaccurate statements, such as having always opposed the war in Iraq. Lauers performance was trending on Twitter last night and still trending today, and not in a good way, with the hashtag #LaueringTheBar. This will mark Clintons third appearance on The Tonight Show, having previously guested on Sept. 16, 2015 and Jan. 14 earlier this year. Related stories Commander-In-Chief Forum Draws 15M Viewers On NBC & MSNBC, Boding Big Crowds For Upcoming Debates Matt Lauer Bashing Continues In Wake Of Bungled Commander-In-Chief Forum Donald Trump & Hillary Clinton NBC News Forum Tops Wednesday Night Viewership As you search for your next home, you'll hear the term "HOA" tossed around when talking about a specific house or neighborhood. It may appear trivial as you hunt for a home with the right number of bedrooms and enough outdoor space, but take heed because this seemingly small detail can have a significant impact on the neighborhood, the changes you can make to your home and the monthly cost of living. The HOA you hear about is a homeowners association: a group made up of all the homeowners in a defined area, run by a board of neighbor volunteers that oversees services such as the maintenance of common areas and snow removal and establishes and enforces community rules. The Community Association Institute estimates about 68 million people in the U.S. live under a community association, which includes HOAs, condominium associations, townhomes, master-planned communities and cooperatives. All HOAs are nonprofit corporations initially created by the developer who establishes the subdivision. To have his or her plan approved by the local municipality, a developer often agrees to form an HOA, which collects monthly dues from homeowners in the community for infrastructure costs -- such as street and sewer maintenance, trash pickup and street lights -- that would otherwise fall to the municipality. Depending on the size of your community and its amenities, monthly HOA fees can be as low as $50 per home and reach beyond $1,000. As the creator of the HOA, the developer establishes a declaration, which "is sort of like the constitution for the community association," explains Andrew Fortin, senior vice president of external affairs at Associa, a homeowners association management company. Following the declaration, the developer typically sets initial bylaws that all homeowners living under the association must abide by. These rules may include requirements for payment of dues, restrictions on lawn ornaments on a property or guidelines for the use of any neighborhood amenities, including a park or community pool. "They'll adopt rules and bylaws that govern [for example] how you can paint your house," Fortin says. Story continues Once enough homeowners have entered the community, the developer leaves management of the HOA to a board of community volunteers who are elected to discuss and propose changes to bylaws, establish the annual HOA budget and hire outside assistance for a community manager to oversee maintenance, field feedback from residents and attend to other projects. [See: The Best Apps for House Hunting.] Tied to the Land As a condition for the development of land, all homes built under the HOA are forever tied to the association. So if you purchase a home in a community with an HOA, you're tied to it as well. "Prior to me buying in a community association, I get, or the seller is required to give me, a stack of documents related to that association. So I get a copy of the declaration and the bylaws and the budget, and all the things that are going to be relevant to me in assessing if this is going to be the right community for me," Fortin says. Steven Tinnelly, managing partner of Tinnelly Law Group, a California law firm that represents community associations headquartered in Orange County, explains that purchasing a home under an HOA automatically requires you to pay dues and abide by both current and future bylaws established by the HOA board. In California, for example, in the same way a bank can pursue foreclosure when a homeowner doesn't pay his or her mortgage, "the associations have that same power" when a homeowner hasn't paid dues or otherwise owes the HOA money, Tinnelly says. If you find yourself owing money to the board for another reason -- because you damaged a fence or sign, for example -- you're liable for those costs. "Let's say a homeowner does something to damage the common areas. The association has to fix it, and then go after the homeowner to recover those costs," Tinnelly says. Defined HOA Power, Restrictions Most states have laws clearly defining the role of an HOA, often adopted from recommendations in the Uniform Common Interest Owners Act, created by the Uniform Law Commission, a nonpartisan group of attorneys that established the general legislation for HOAs in the 1970s and have regularly maintained it since then. The uniform law includes guidelines for holding HOA board elections and what bylaws may or may not prohibit. "It's very comprehensive," says Dawn Bauman, senior vice president of government and public affairs at Community Associations Institute. "Then some of the states adopt certain versions of that. They don't usually adopt it wholesale because it can be quite cumbersome." Even with states defining an HOA's autonomy and restrictions, some homeowners naturally oppose their community association. And in some cases, if state law guarantees the HOA rights that an individual doesn't agree with -- like preventing you from parking on the street overnight or painting your house a bright color -- it becomes proposed state legislation rather than a fight between the homeowner and their association. According to CAI, an average of 1,000 to 1,500 pieces of legislation regarding community associations are introduced each year in the U.S. "What we often find is when someone is unhappy with their community association, working with that community association might not be their first choice of effort," Bauman says. "They may choose to go to their legislator and say, 'Oh my gosh, this is awful and ridiculous and crazy, and you should stop this.' And that can be very compelling for a legislator when they don't understand the entire story." [Read: What Can You Expect If Your Home Is Part of a Homeowners Association?] Involvement and Satisfaction Under HOAs Even with the significant amount of legislation to change association law and the pitfalls of HOAs, dissatisfied residents make up a minority of the national HOA population. In a March 2016 survey by CAI, 65 percent of community association members reported their experience living in an association was positive. You have to follow the rules and pay dues, but that doesn't mean you can't advocate to make changes to your HOA. All board members are neighborhood volunteers, so why not run for a seat in the next HOA election? Regardless of whether you intend to be a leader in an HOA, it's important to learn about the association you'll be joining, as well as your rights and responsibilities as member before you close on the home. Take the time to read through the association's declaration and bylaws, and utilize resources provided by organizations like CAI that advise on the technical skills of running an HOA as well as working with other residents and resolving neighbor disputes. Paris (AFP) - French President Francois Hollande's actress girlfriend Julie Gayet has taken on a new role, appearing as an anti-sexism ambassador in a government campaign launched Thursday. The campaign entitled "Sexisme, pas notre genre" (which loosely translates as 'Sexism, not our type') aims to highlight the discrimination still suffered by many French women because of their gender. Statistics published by the ministry for family and women's rights shows the enduring nature of sexism in the home, the workplace and public life. Only one of the companies in the CAC40 listing of France's top listed companies is headed by a woman and only 16 per cent of the country's mayors are female. Women also earn on average 19 percent less than men for the same work. Gayet, who is little known as an actress outside France was thrust onto the global stage in January 2014 when a magazine published paparazzi pictures of Hollande riding across Paris on a scooter to rendezvous with her in secret. Shortly after the story broke Hollande ended his relationship with his partner Valerie Trierweiler, who went on to savage him in a tell-all book about their years together. Embarrassed at seeing his private life splashed across the front pages Hollande, 62, has kept his relationship with Gayet, 44, strictly private. But in a sign she may be about to play a more public role ahead of next year's presidential election Gayet posed for the cover of this week's Paris Match and gave an interview to Le Parisien daily. The blonde mother of two told the newspaper that parents had to lead by example when it came to gender equality. "I want my boys to do the same things as I do: they clear the table and are learning to cook." Hollande, who has four children from an earlier relationship with Environment Minister Segolene Royal, has not yet confirmed whether he will seek a second term. Polls show the deeply unpopular Socialist being soundly beaten if he does. By Venus Wu HONG KONG (Reuters) - A Hong Kong politician has said he was pressured to bow out of a city election to clear the field for a candidate favored by the Chinese government, which, if confirmed, could offer rare evidence of interference by Beijing in city politics. Hong Kong, which has a special autonomy in China, held an election for a city legislature on Sunday, its first major test of public opinion since pro-democracy protests in 2014 ignited calls for independence, especially among young voters. Ken Chow of the pro-business Liberal Party told Reuters on Wednesday he withdrew from the election after three men he believed were sent by the Chinese government threatened him while he was visiting the city of Shenzhen in August. "They said I must stop campaigning. They also said I must leave Hong Kong as soon as possible ... and I was only permitted to come back after the results," Chow said. "They said, 'If you keep being stubborn, we will take action, and your supporters will pay a heavy price.'" Reuters was not able to independently corroborate Chow's account. China's main representative office in Hong Kong, the Liaison office, gave no response to faxed questions. China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said she had no real understanding of the issue. Chow, who campaigned as a pro-establishment candidate, said other people, whom he declined to identify, had offered him money to withdraw from the election, in order to leave the field open for a pro-Beijing candidate. "They said 'you don't have a chance to win. If you really participate in the election, you'll only ruin the grand plan'," Chow said. The former British colony returned to China in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" agreement that ensured its freedoms. But Beijing has ultimate control and some Hong Kong people are concerned it is increasingly interfering to head off dissent. In late August, Chow announced he was dropping out of the race but did not say why. The pro-Beijing candidate he would have competed for votes with won a seat on Sunday. Chow's party told media in August the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) would investigate whether he had been threatened. The party said on Wednesday its honorary chairwoman and Hong Kong deputy of China's National People's Congress, Miriam Lau, would write to China's head of parliament to urge the Beijing government to investigate. The ICAC said it would not comment on individual cases but it placed great importance on election fairness. Hong Kong's Secretary of Justice, Rimsky Yuen, told reporters on Thursday he could not comment on individual cases but he trusted the ICAC would follow up, even though it was hard to investigate events that took place outside Hong Kong. "If we think there is evidence showing there may be corrupt behavior relating to the elections, I think our government has the duty and the need to follow up," Yuen said. (Reporting by Venus Wu; Editing by Robert Birsel) Shree Airlines gets okay for fixed-wing operations The government has given the go-ahead to the countrys largest helicopter operator Shree Airlines to begin fixed-wing operations. The Tourism Ministry on Tuesday approved the carriers proposal to induct two 50-seater Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ-200) and two 100-seater Embraer (ERJ-190) aircraft into its fleet. LONDON (Reuters) - British Airways-parent IAG is not looking actively at any acquisitions at the moment, although other airlines are interested in joining the group and industry consolidation is on the cards, its chief executive said on Thursday. "We're always looking for the opportunity," Willie Walsh told an airlines conference in London. "We're structured to facilitate further consolidation if the right opportunity comes along. We're not actively looking at anything in particular at the moment," he added. He also shrugged off the impact of Britain's vote to leave the European Union, saying he was concerned only about the uncertainty it has created for business. (Reporting by Sarah Young; Editing by Victoria Bryan) LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 8, 2016 / Lundin Law PC (the "Firm") announces a class action lawsuit has been filed against Goldcorp Inc. ("Goldcorp" or the "Company") (GG) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws between March 31, 2014 and August 24, 2016 (the "Class Period"). Investors, who purchased or otherwise acquired shares during the Class Period, should contact the Firm in advance of the October 24, 2016 lead plaintiff motion deadline. To participate in this class action lawsuit, click here. You can also call Brian Lundin, Esquire, of Lundin Law PC, at 888-713-1033, or e-mail him at brian@lundinlawpc.com. No class has been certified in the above action. Until a class is certified, you are not considered represented by an attorney. You may also choose to do nothing and be an absent class member. The complaint alleges that during the Class Period, Goldcorp made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose: that Goldcorp's mine in Penasquito was leaking selenium into the groundwater well near the mine as early as October 2013; that the Company informed the Mexican government about the rise of selenium levels in the groundwater in October 2014; that in August 2016 the Company informed the Mexican government of contaminated water found in other properties near the mine; and as a result of the above, Goldcorp's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When this news was disclosed to the public, shares of Goldcorp decreased in value, causing investors harm. Lundin Law PC was founded by Brian Lundin, a securities litigator based in Los Angeles dedicated to upholding shareholders' rights. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. Contact: Lundin Law PC Brian Lundin, Esq. Telephone: 888-713-1033 Facsimile: 888-713-1125 brian@lundinlawpc.com http://lundinlawpc.com/ SOURCE: Lundin Law PC (HONOLULU) Hawaiis high-quality seafood is sold with the promise that its caught by local, hard-working fishermen. But the people who haul in the prized catch are almost all undocumented foreign workers, confined to American boats for years at a time without basic rights or protections. About 700 men from impoverished Southeast Asian and Pacific Island nations make up the bulk of the workforce in this unique U.S. fishing fleet. A federal loophole allows them to take the dangerous jobs without proper work permits, just as long as they dont set foot on shore. Americans buying Hawaiian seafood are almost certainly eating fish caught by one of these workers. A six-month Associated Press investigation found fishing crews living in squalor on some boats, forced to use buckets instead of toilets and suffering running sores from bed bugs. There have been instances of human trafficking, active tuberculosis and low food supplies. We want the same standards as the other workers in America, but we are just small people working there, said fisherman Syamsul Maarif, who didnt get paid for four months. He was sent back to his Indonesian village after nearly dying at sea when his Hawaiian boat sank earlier this year. Because they have no visas, the men cant fly into Hawaii, so theyre brought by boat. And since theyre not technically in the country, theyre at the mercy of their American captains on American-flagged, American-owned vessels, catching choice swordfish and ahi tuna that can fetch more than $1,000 apiece. The entire system contradicts other state and federal laws, yet operates with the blessing of U.S. officials and law enforcement. People say these fishermen cant leave their boats, theyre like captives, said U.S. Attorney Florence Nakakuni in Hawaii. But they dont have visas, so they cant leave their boat, really. Story continues Each of the roughly 140 boats in the fleet docks about once every three weeks, occasionally at ports along the West Coast, including Fishermans Wharf in San Francisco, but mainly at Piers 17 and 38 in Honolulu. Their catch ends up at fancy restaurants and in supermarkets premium fish counters across the country, including Whole Foods, Costco and Sams Club. All companies that responded condemned the mistreatment of workers. Costco said it was investigating. Wal-Mart, which owns Sams Club, declined to comment. Whole Foods spokeswoman McKinzey Crossland said only 1 percent of the chain stores seafood comes from Hawaii, and she has been assured that boat crews are well paid with bonuses and health insurance. She added that the company is looking into the issue. The AP obtained confidential contracts and interviewed boat owners, brokers and more than 50 fishermen in Hawaii, Indonesia and San Francisco as part of an ongoing global look at labor abuses in the fishing industry. Last year, the AP reported about fishermen locked in a cage and buried under fake names on the remote Indonesian island village of Benjina . Their catch was traced to the United States, leading to more than 2,000 slaves being freed. But thousands more remain trapped worldwide in a murky industry where work takes place far from shore and often without oversight. In Hawaii, federal contractors paid to monitor catches are troubled by what theyve seen while living at sea with the men. Its like, How is this even legal? How is this possible?' said Forest ONeill, who coordinates boat observers in Honolulu. They are like floating prisons. Under the law, U.S. citizens must make up 75 percent of the crew on most American commercial fishing boats. But influential lawmakers, including the late Hawaii Sen. Daniel Inouye, pushed for a loophole to support one of the states biggest industries. It exempted commercial fishing boat owners from federal rules enforced almost everywhere else. Thus the workers in Hawaii, who catch $110 million worth of seafood annually, are paid as little as 70 cents an hour. They are detained on boats by captains who are required by law to hold their passports. That potentially goes against federal human trafficking laws saying bosses who hold workers identification documents can face up to five years in prison. U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard routinely inspect the Hawaiian boats. At times, fishermen complain theyre not getting paid and officers say they tell owners to honor the contracts. But neither agency has any authority over actual wages. This is a unique situation, said Coast Guard vessel examiner Charles Medlicott. But it is legal. On some boats the fishermen are paid as little as $350 a month, but many make $500 to $600. A lucky few get a percentage of the catch, making it possible to triple their wages. The men are willing to give up their freedom to take these jobs because the pay is better than they can make back home in developing countries where many people live on less than $1 a day. Boat owners pay brokers to bring the men from overseas mostly from Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and the tiny Pacific island nation of Kiribati. It costs about $10,000 to get each fisherman to Hawaii. In the long run, foreign crews end up being cheaper than bait and ice. Workers typically sign two- or three-year renewable contracts, and some extend repeatedly, staying up to a decade on boats with five to six crew. In rare cases, boat owners can request passes from federal authorities to take workers ashore for things such as medical care. The men also come on land when their contracts are up and its time to go home. Even though they never legally enter the United States, the government provides a transit visa that lets them exit through Honolulus airport. Its a system that leaves the foreign fishermen potentially vulnerable. Most of the fish caught and sold in Hawaii is done by the use of exploiting migrant workers in what looks to be a human trafficking scheme legitimized by our own laws, said Kathryn Xian, who runs the nonprofit Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery. Signs posted at Pier 17 in six languages offer a hotline to help fishermen who have been trafficked. Thats what happened to Abdul Fatah and Sorihin, who uses one name. The Indonesians ran away from their boat six years ago when it docked in San Francisco and were eventually granted visas after being designated as victims of trafficking. Sorihin has some advice for American seafood lovers: Ask, where did this fish come from? Is it the kind of fish that you got from someone in slavery? By Patricia Reaney NEW YORK (Reuters) - An Indian model scarred in an acid attack challenged perceptions of beauty as she strutted down the runway at New York Fashion Week to promote a ban on the sale of corrosive substances used to maim thousands of women and children each year. A smiling Reshma Quereshi, 19, opened the FTL Moda show on Thursday to applause in a long-sleeve, white gown with embroidered appliques by Indian designer Archana Kochhar during her first trip to the United States. The buzz and glamour of the event was a world away from Allahbad, India, where she suffered severe facial burns and lost an eye two years ago after being attacked with sulfuric acid by her estranged brother-in-law and two men. Quereshi never thought she would be going abroad, much less modeling in New York. After enduring numerous skin graft surgeries and contemplating suicide, she met the founder of Make Love Not Scars, a group that helps survivors of the gender-based crimes. Quereshi is the face of the group's online video campaign, which has been viewed by 1.3 million people and led to her appearance in New York. "I couldn't believe it was happening to me," Quereshi said about the trip through a translator. "In that moment I felt extremely happy." She said she hopes her turn on the catwalk will inspire hope and confidence in other acid attack survivors and spur countries to regulate the sale of cheap and easily available acids. "No one else understands what an acid attack is except the survivors themselves," she said. "I do not want this to happen to anyone else." About 1,500 acid attacks are reported each year, but Jaf Shah, the executive director of the London-based charity Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI), said the real number is many times higher. "There are whole swathes of regions across the globe where acid attacks are occurring but are not being recorded," he said in an telephone interview. "It is not reported for fear there might be reprisals from the perpetrators due to the fact that survivors and their immediate family have no confidence in the police or the judiciary to take action." India has the highest number of recorded attacks, which are often a form of revenge by jilted husbands or rejected suitors. ASTI describes it as a global phenomenon that occurs in countries ranging from Afghanistan and Iran to Nigeria and Colombia. Shah said limiting the sale of acid, punishments for attackers, and compensation and care for survivors, are needed. People like Quereshi speaking out is also very important, he said. "Victims coming forward are defying the perpetrators of the attacks," he added. Increasing diversity on the catwalk has been an aim of FTL Moda. The production company has featured models with disabilities, in wheelchairs, on crutches and amputees. Australian model Madeline Stuart, who has Down Syndrome, made her runway debut at the FTL Moda show last year. "I think this is a powerful tool," said FTL Moda founder Ilaria Niccolini. "I think it can make a change for the better." (Editing by Steve Orlofsky) An Indian teenager who lost an eye and whose face was brutally disfigured in an acid attack walked the New York catwalk to whoops and cheers Thursday in what she called a life-changing experience. Reshma Qureshi, 19, brushed off nerves to stride the runway like a pro in a stunning cream and floral floor-length gown by Indian designer Archana Kochhar on the first official day of New York Fashion Week. "I feel really good and the experience was great," she told AFP afterward, speaking in Hindi through a translator. "I feel as though it has definitely changed my life." She was invited to take part by FTL Moda, a fashion production company committed to challenging industry stereotypes of beauty and which last year invited a model with Down Syndrome to take part. Qureshi, whose ambition remains to finish the last two grades of high school and go to college, said she hoped her participation would send a powerful message to other acid attack survivors. "Why should we not enjoy our lives? What happened to us is not our fault and we've done nothing wrong and so we should also move forward in life," she told AFP the night before the show. Acid attacks, which overwhelmingly target women and children, are a particular scourge in Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, the West Indies and the Middle East. In India, an estimated 500 to 1,000 attacks take place each year, and while they rarely kill they leave severe physical, psychological and social scars that can see victims ostracized and hidden away. Thursday's show came the same day an Indian court sentenced a man to death for murdering a 24-year-old woman by throwing acid on her face after she rejected his offer of marriage, in a landmark judgement. Since Qureshi was attacked by her brother-in-law in 2014, pinned down by his friends and her face doused in acid, she has become the face of a campaign to end the open sale of acid in India. - Brave - As slim as any professional model and with thick, luxurious hair, she appears in YouTube videos, filmed in her home base of Mumbai, and offering beauty tips and make-up advice. Story continues Just moments before hitting the catwalk she clung to the arm of a floor assistant. But with her hair swept into a chignon with a delicate headpiece, professional make-up and her model frame flattered by the curves of the gown, she quickly turned into a natural. "I want to tell the world -- do not see us in a weak light and see that even we can go out and do things," she told AFP. "People have a tendency to look at acid attack survivors from one perspective and I don't want them to look at them like that anymore," she said. Backstage she was embraced by a fellow model and then lent over the balcony watching part of the rest of the show which featured evening and daywear for men and women by a handful of different designers. As much as the audience of stylists, bloggers and members of the Indian diaspora whooped and cheered, Qureshi had come across on the eve of the show as rather overwhelmed and understandably jet lagged. The daughter of a taxi driver and abroad for the first time, she was accompanied by a representative of the charity she works with, but flung into the bulb-popping, high-octane world of Manhattan fashion. She answered questions politely, saying that New York seemed "very nice" even though she had barely slept on the long, transcontinental flight and had no time to even see the skyline. But with her New York debut under her belt, she was much happier. She will walk in a second show Thursday before heading out to dinner and is keen to see as much as possible of the Big Apple. "I do feel brave," she said. MUMBAI, Sept 8 (Reuters) - India's Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) has warned that its financial sector clients in the United States are holding back on discretionary spending, sending its shares tumbling as much as 6.4 percent to a six-month low. The country's top software services exporter said its internal data as of end-August indicated that banking and financial services clients were being cautious and have in some cases been holding back on discretionary spending. This has led to a "sequential loss of momentum", TCS said in a securities filing late on Wednesday. The United States is the biggest market for India's more than $150 billion software outsourcing sector, followed by Europe. Brokerage firm Ambit said lower revenue growth and adverse exchange rate movements would likely hurt the profitability of TCS. It estimated revenue to grow 1-2 percent on quarter in the three months to September, lower than the 3 percent rise reported for the first quarter. IDFC Securities said in a note that it expected "downward risk" to the company's margin guidance of 26-28 percent after the warning. The brokerage cut its earnings estimate for TCS for the next fiscal year by 3-4 percent due to the operational challenges. As of 0545 GMT, TCS shares were down 5.7 percent at 2,302.20 rupees after declining to their lowest since March 2 at 2,284.75 rupees. (Reporting by Sankalp Phartiyal; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu) Indonesias antinarcotics agency is on a shopping spree for weapons and intelligence tools as it prepares to ramp up its crackdown on drug trafficking. Budi Waseso, head of the countrys National Narcotics Agency (BNN), said that this was to match the firepower wielded by some of countrys drug gangs, reports the Jakarta Post. We should modernize our equipment since our enemies are drug dealers who have different capabilities, said Budi, according to the Post. The announcement came on the heels of comments made by Budi at a BNN press conference, seemingly calling on the country to follow the ruthless path pursued by the Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and start its own drug war, as the BBC reports. According to the BBC, the Indonesian antidrug czar said that the life of a drug dealer is meaningless because [he] carries out mass murder, adding that he believed Indonesia should be aggressive like the Philippines in pursuing drug offenders. However, a BNN spokesperson later clarified that punishments have to be in accordance with our law and with national and international standards. In the Philippines, where the tough-talking Duterte has waged his drug war since he took office, the number of people killed by government or vigilante forces for drug-related reasons has exceeded 2,400, according to the latest numbers. This bloody streak has been roundly condemned by the U.N. Indonesia already has some of the worlds toughest antinarcotics legislation. Its executions of foreign nationals convicted on drug charges have attracted protests from the countries involved, with some of them recalling their ambassadors. Last November, Agence France-Presse reported that Budi proposed to hold death-row inmates convicted on drug-related charges on an island guarded by crocodiles. Indonesia has a dark history of tackling crime with extrajudicial killings. The so-called petrus killings of the 1980s resulted in the deaths of thousands of alleged offenders. Taking Karnali to the Oscars Auteur Min Bahadur Bhams debut feature Kalo Pothi will be representing Nepal at the 89th Academy Awards, the Best Foreign Language Film Selection Committee, Nepal, announced issuing a press release on Tuesday. BNP Paribas Innovation Zone Can 5,000 square feet transform a bank? BNP Paribas clearly hopes so. It opened what it's calling an "innovation zone" Wednesday on the 30th floor of its midtown Manhattan US headquarters. Banking is changing fast, with startups encroaching on the big companies' turf, and new technologies like blockchain, which is decentralized, threatening to take some control away from big banks. That's why competitors are acquiring startups and launching accelerators. BNP Paribas is hoping this lab will help it stay relevant. "The goal here is to foster all kinds of innovation and to reshape the entire work experience," said Bruno d'Illiers, COO of BNP Paribas North America. He sees it as a place where employees from different divisions can meet and brainstorm. "The lab is open to everybody," he said. BNP Paribas is a big player in international finance worldwide. However, its US presence is a growing, but relatively small part of its business. It has 188,000 employees worldwide, with 16,000 in North America. Its better-known competitors are racing to acquire or partner with hot fintech startups. JPMorgan teamed up with On Deck Capital, an online lender. UBS' wealth-management arm teamed up with SigFig, a so-called robo-advisor. Another automated investment company, FutureAdvisor, was acquired by BlackRock. And BNP has watched as other banks like Wells Fargo, Citi and UBS have established their own in-house fintech labs and innovation centers in recent years, complete with the kind of startup-style that's synonymous with Silicon Valley. BNP Paribas Innovation Lab BNP's is no different. Its kitchen has free drinks and snacks. Its desks and chairs are made of recycled materials. It looks more Brooklyn than big bank. "I was inspired by how my own kids are working these days," said Cecile Vilaraseau-Remy, head of transformation and premises at BNP Paribas Americas. There's a bright and airy feel. It's modern, if rather stark. The employees that do come up to the lab are likely to spend a lot of time thinking about blockchain, the technology behind Bitcoin. It's thought to be a more secure way to send and verify financial transactions, as it eliminates middlemen and ensures everyone involved has an indelible record of money coming and going. Story continues BNP Paribas is an investor in Digital Asset Holdings (DAH), the blockchain startup run by former JPMorgan CFO Blythe Masters. BNP's head of commodities and FX, Catherine Flax, sits on the board and is involved with the startup's efforts to implement blockchain technology to business processes. BNP is also one of forty banks that signed on to R3, the industry wide body trying to bring blockchain technology to finance. To show it's serious, the launch of the innovation lab was combined with what it's calling "Americas Blockchain Bizhackathon," which brought together industry leaders in the blockchain community including the CMO of Digital Asset Holdings, the co-Founder of R3, fintech investors, and a blockchain strategist at Microsoft. BNP Paribas kitchen More than 200 employees attended the event and some will spend part of this week figuring out how BNP might benefit from implementing blockchain technology. Then the space will open up to all employees. Others using the space may work on big data, robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence, areas that have only recently started to infiltrate the staid world of banking. The company is also running what it calls an "Ideation Campaign," which asks employees to submit proposals to improve the bank's business processes. Innovation labs have a mixed track record. It can be hard to transplant a freewheeling creative spirit into companies with strong hierarchies and an entrenched culture, and some companies end up pulling the plug on the experiments. Its high ceilings and laptop-friendly wood tables may inspire BNP's employees come up with the ideas that help the company adapt and compete. Or it could just be a place for employees to get a free snack. NOW WATCH: SCOTT GALLOWAY: Netflix could be the next $300 billion company More From Business Insider Last June, Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss was killed during a Blue Angels practice flight at Smyrna Airport near Nashville, Tenn. The 32-year old veteran pilot was preparing for a weekend air show when his plane crashed on takeoff. Then on August 2, a Navy pilot had to eject after the jet fighter he was flying experienced an engine fire at Nevadas Fallon Naval Air Station. In just four short months this spring and summer crashes involving non-deployed military units killed two pilots and destroyed five multi-million-dollar planes. Related: Pentagons Sloppy Bookkeeping Means $6.5 Trillion Cant Pass an Audit In all of the cases, the pilots were flying practice missions state-side in F/A-18 Hornets and F/A-18E/F Super Hornets relics of the Air Force and Marines dating back to the late 1980s. The Hornets will continue to be used as workhorses of the U.S military until the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is fully activated in the coming years. However, a Stars and Stripes analysis of Naval Safety Center data over the past six years shows the number of serious or fatal Navy and Marine mishaps has soared by 44 percent, from just 57 such cases in 2012 to 84 in 2015. There have already been an additional 82 serious plane accidents this year involving Hornets and Super Hornets, which puts the military on course for a new, depressing record. While there are numerous factors that contribute to a plane disaster of this sort, some Navy and Marine Corps leaders began warning more than a year ago that across-the-board spending cuts mandated by the 2011 Budget Control Act may have cost pilots lives by reducing funding for non-combat training and airplane maintenance. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Wednesday called for the elimination of the sequester on military spending as part of his proposals for beefing up U.S. defense forces. Related: Why the Pentagon Budget Is Out of Control As soon as I take office I will ask Congress to fully eliminate the defense sequester and will submit a new budget to rebuild our military, Trump said in a speech in Philadelphia before his appearance with Democrat Hillary Clinton in a presidential town hall meeting on national defense broadcast Wednesday night by NBC News. It [the military] is so depleted. We will rebuild or military. This will increase certainty in the defense community as to funding and will allow military leaders to plan for our future defense needs and most importantly, we will be defended because without defense we dont have a country. Story continues Some Pentagon brass, lawmakers and military experts contend that the spike in crashes of the F/A-18s and F/A-18E/Fs coincided with the implementation of the budget sequester in 2013 that forced the Pentagon and scores of other departments and agencies to find savings to bring down the deficit. According to the Government Accountability Office, the Defense Departments operations and maintenance account, which funds flight training and aircraft repairs, lost $20.3 billion that year. The actual automatic cuts in the Defense Departments operating budget never proved to be as deep as many defense hawks had feared, thanks largely to last minute intervention by Congress. In fiscal 2014, for example, the Budget Control Act mandated a $54.6 billion sequester cut to defense accounts. However, that cut was reduced by more than $20 billion as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act approved by Congress in December 2013. However, the non-deployed squadrons of F/A-18s and F/A-18E/Fs absorbed the bulk of the remaining budget cuts, through reduced training and delayed maintenance at home so the best aircraft personnel can be used on the front lines, Stars and Stripes reported. Related: The 10 Most Expensive Weapons in the Pentagons Arsenal There are a number of ways the F/A-18 squadrons have felt the spending pinch ever since. As combat demands on aircraft overseas remained high, that meant fewer hours available for flight practice at home to sharpen pilots skills while they waited for their next deployment. Flight hours for non-deployed Marine pilots of the F/A-18 Hornet hit a low point last summer when they averaged 8.8 hours per month, Stars and Stripes reported. That was about 2.3 hours less than what was considered an acceptable average. The amount of practice time was raised to an average of 11.1 hours a month as of August 2016. Another problem has been a shortage of fighter jets as the U.S. picked up its tempo in fighting ISIS and carried out other missions abroad. Some naval officers and members of Congress have said that aircraft has required more repairs because of increased use and many planes have aged aged-out because theyre longer useful. Maintenance of the Hornet and Super Hornet for non-deployment exercises has suffered as a result. Related: After Years of Bad News, the F-35 Proves a Double Threat from the Sky Its extremely clear what happened, a California-based Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet pilot told Stars and Stripes. These aircraft have reached their life span, and they continue to extend their life spans for another few thousand flights hours, which hasnt worked for them due to significant budget decreases. They continue to run these jets that have caused catastrophic incidents. The most recent F/A-18 Hornet crash at Fallon Naval Air Station in Nevada prompted some military experts to warn that Navy and Marine aviation was in serious trouble. Christopher Harmer, a retired Navy commander who is now a military analyst with the non-profit Institute for the Study of War, said on Wednesday that naval aviation could be headed for systemic failure. What I mean by that is procurement spending for new aircraft training, spending for Pilots and Readiness, spending for spare parts and maintenance on existing airframes has not kept pace with operational spending, Harmer said in an email. We are operating our Fleet of aircraft much faster than we are procuring replacement airframes or training new pilots or maintaining existing qualifications for current pilots or fixing the airframes we have. There is a significant mismatch between operational commitment and the procurement training and readiness funding required to sustain that level of operations. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: (Reuters) - Intel Corp said it would spin out its cyber security division, formerly known as McAfee, and sell a majority stake in it to investment firm TPG for $3.1 billion in cash. TPG will own 51 percent of the new entity, valuing the entire company at $4.2 billion including debt. Intel, which bought McAfee for $7.7 billion in 2011, will retain a 49 percent stake in the business. The deal ends a failed effort by Intel to stake out a major position in the computer security business. At the time of the acquisition, Intel spoke of integrating McAfee security technology into its chips, but little came of those plans. Intel executives at the time also said they hoped the acquisition would give it a piece of the emerging business of protecting corporations from sophisticated espionage, but newer players such as Mandiant, now a unit of FireEye , came to dominate that business. At the same time, PC growth slowed, eroding the traditional McAfee customer bases potential. The unit, rebranded as Intel Security Group in 2014, will revert to the McAfee brand name following the closing of the deal, expected in the second quarter of 2017. McAfees founder, John McAfee, was for a time on the run from a murder investigation in Belize and is a pariah in the industry. He recently sued Intel to get back the right to use his name. Chris Young, Intel Security's general manager, will be named chief executive of the new company. Intel Security's revenue rose 11 percent to $1.1 billion through the first half of this year, the company said in a statement. TPG, which is making a $1.1 billion equity investment in the company, first approached Intels board about a potential transaction for McAfee around a year ago, sources familiar with the matter said. TPG also led a $120 million investment round for security startup Tanium last year and was the lead investor in a $100 million funding round in internet security firm Zscaler. (Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee in Bengaluru, Joseph Menn in San Francisco and Liana Baker in New York.; Editing by Jonathan Weber and Alan Crosby) Iran Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh Iran gingerly offered some support for an oil production freeze earlier this week without actually agreeing to join one. Since the lifting of sanctions, Iran has taken a hard stance against any production freeze, a position that ultimately ended up being a major reason for Saudi Arabia bailing on the Doha meeting back in April. However, on Tuesday, Iran's oil minister Bijan Zanganeh seemed to suggest that he'd support measures keeping prices around $50-$60 a barrel. "Iran wants a stable market and therefore any measure that helps the stabilization of the oil market is supported by Iran," Zanganeh said after a meeting with OPEC secretary-general Mohammed Barkindo, according to Reuters. This comment came one day after Saudi Arabia and Russia's agreement at the G-20 summit in China to cooperate on oil and to create a "working group" to stabilize markets, and just weeks ahead of the informal oil talks to be held in Algiers on September 26 and 27. Screen Shot 2016 09 08 at 11.51.19 AM "We believe that the sovereign producers could come to conclude in Algiers that they have little to lose by capping output when they are close to maxing out," argued the RBC Capital Markets team, headed by Helima Croft, in a note to clients. "While the Saudi-Iranian regional rivalry could still upend the talks, we contend that these countries have the capacity to opt for pragmatism in order to secure some financial relief." Still, on Wednesday, the director for international affairs at state-run National Iranian Oil Co., Mohsen Ghamsari, said that Iran would be ready to decide on capping production only after its output hit pre-sanctions levels, which would amount to just over 4 million barrels a day, according to Bloomberg. It currently produces around 3.8 million barrels a day. And on Monday, Khalid al-Falih, Saudi Arabia's oil minister, dismissed the need for a production freeze, leading analysts to wonder whether the Saudi-Russia agreement on oil cooperation would actually amount to anything. Story continues Screen Shot 2016 09 06 at 9.19.44 AM Some oil watchers have argued that the recent talk might not necessarily translate into action. "While recent rhetoric suggests a freeze deal has a fighting chance, on the ground realities make this outcome far from certain, in light of worsening geopolitical tensions within OPEC, too many members production below current and/or aspirational capacity, and demand concerns if prices are driven too high, too fast," argued a Macquarie Research team led by Vikas Dwivedi. "Even if a 'freeze' truly materializes, it will provide little fundamental impact. From a longer-term perspective, core OPEC and non-OPEC producers are eyeing $50+ levels to enable future growth," he added. "Thus, instead of a meaningful rapprochement among key producers, a 'freeze' may merely represent an opportunity to 'reload' only to resume oil market hostilities." Prices for Brent Crude oil, the international benchmark, are up 3.6% at $49.70 a barrel as of 12:36 p.m. ET. Screen Shot 2016 09 08 at 12.35.26 PM NOW WATCH: Paul Krugman weighs in on the Apple tax debate More From Business Insider By Stephen Kalin QAYYARA AIRBASE, Iraq (Reuters) - The U.S.-led war on Islamic State has depleted the group's funds, leadership and foreign fighters, but the biggest battle yet is expected later this year in Iraq's northern city of Mosul, where Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared his "caliphate" two years ago. The jihadist insurgents have lost more than half the territory they seized in Iraq and nearly as much in neighboring Syria, but still manage to control their twin capitals of Mosul and Raqqa, symbols of the state they sought to build at the heart of the Middle East. Military and humanitarian preparations are now in full swing to retake Mosul, the largest city under the ultra-hardline group's control. American troops are establishing a logistics hub to the south, while the United Nations warns of the world's most complex humanitarian operation this year. Iraq's recapture over the summer of Qayyara airbase and surrounding areas along the Tigris river 60 km (nearly 40 miles) south of Mosul have set the stage for a big push on the city, which commanders say could start by late October. Whether Islamic State makes a final stand in Mosul or slips away to fight another day remains in question, but Baghdad expects a fierce battle and the international coalition backing it is preparing for one. The densely populated river valley may hold obstacles for the military, though Islamic State appears to be putting up relatively little resistance, possibly to conserve fighters for a showdown in Mosul where their forces are estimated at between 3,000 and 9,000. Hardcore fighters have likely slipped out already through the desert and into Syria, while many top leaders and foreign fighters have been killed in targeted air strikes, according to Major General Najm al-Jabouri, the Mosul operation's commander. He told Reuters that victory by year's end would be easy, in keeping with pledges by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. "We will go to Mosul, they will go to Tel Afar. We will go to Tel Afar, they will go to Baaj," said Jabouri, referring to IS-controlled districts 70 km (44 miles) and 140 km (87 miles)west of Mosul, respectively, which can be used to reach Syria. "We will go to Baaj, maybe. It depends on the situation in Syria. They can get to Syria but the situation there is not like before. It is not a safe haven for them now." TURNING TIDE Lieutenant General Vincent Stewart, Director of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, said on Thursday he expected the Mosul operation could unfold in the next two or three months but that it would be long and difficult. "Urban warfighting is not easy and this is a large city that has had at least two years to prepare to defend its position ... It's going to be a multi-dimensional fight," Stewart said at a national security summit in Washington. The war against jihadist insurgents in the Middle East has ebbed and flowed but there is a palpable sense in the region that the tide has turned against Islamic State. In the past year and a half, the group has lost swathes of territory and strategic outposts. In Iraq it was driven out of Tikrit and Sinjar in the north, the oil refinery town of Baiji, and finally Ramadi and Falluja in western Anbar province, the heart of the insurgency following the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 that toppled Saddam Hussein. In northern Syria, U.S.-allied Kurdish militia of the People's Protection Units (YPG) have taken vital territory and border crossings below the frontier with Turkey after capturing Kobani and later taking Tel Abyad, a key supply line for the jihadist capital Raqqa further south. The YPG has expanded its territory west of the Euphrates, seizing Manbij last month. Meanwhile Turkey, backing Syrian rebels, this month cleared Islamic State from its southern border by seizing some 20 villages while Libyan government forces are close to flushing IS insurgents from holdouts in Sirte. Amid those territorial losses, Islamic State has claimed credit for a surge in global attacks this year beyond its main Middle East theater. European countries remain on alert for additional strikes based on undisclosed information. Nonetheless, the U.S. military has said Iraq is on track to retake Mosul later this year. Over the past two weeks, convoys of sophisticated engineering vehicles have been seen approaching Qayyara airbase, which Islamic State wrecked before withdrawing in July. Repairing it to help supply the 20,000 to 30,000 Iraqi troops expected to be used in the campaign could take another two months. Until then, forces trained by the U.S.-led coalition are amassing further afield. Mosul fell to Islamic State in June 2014 when Iraqi security forces, riddled with corruption and sectarianism despite billions of dollars in U.S. aid, dropped their weapons and fled from the insurgents. KURDISH AND SHI'ITE FORCES Kurdish peshmerga forces, entrenched east, north and northwest of Mosul since 2014, will help tighten the noose around the city but might not enter central districts to avoid aggravating political sensitivities. After retaking 11 villages southeast of Mosul last month, they are now eyeing eastern Christian and Shabak villages long abandoned by minority communities the group seeks to eliminate. The peshmerga's role is complicated by tensions with the central government, which claims territory the Kurds have taken from IS and effectively annexed to their autonomous region. The Kurds say Baghdad is not forthcoming about its military strategy for Mosul or its plans to manage it after the battle. "If we do not prepare the politics of it, we may not succeed in the military plan or we may succeed in the military plan but lose the political plan and that would be disastrous," Falah Mustafa Bakir, the head of Kurdistan's Foreign Relations Department, told Reuters last week. The participation of the Hashid Shaabi, a government umbrella for mostly Shi'ite militias, is also unresolved. Powerful commanders have pledged to take part, despite fears among Mosul's Sunni leaders and residents of rights abuses. Prime Minister Abadi said this week the demands of the battle would dictate the disposition of forces but that no decision had been made to bar the Hashid. Confrontation that inflames sectarian tensions between Shi'ite-led government forces and the Sunni jihadists of Islamic State risks turning Mosul into a "bloodbath", according to a Western diplomat in Baghdad. HUMANITARIAN CRISIS The Mosul operation has also triggered large-scale humanitarian planning, with the U.N. predicting up to one million people could flee the city in all directions. The Kurds expect half of those leaving will head towards their territory, which already struggles to accommodate more than one million displaced people. Regional authorities, fearing a new wave will exacerbate demographic and security concerns, aim to settle new arrivals in camps outside of main cities. In the best-case scenario, though, there is only enough land and funding for about 450,000 people, according to a senior U.N. official, raising the prospect of housing others in unused buildings or abandoned villages. "If there is mass displacement, there could be shantytowns in the disputed border areas because the plan for camps doesn't accommodate them all," said Tom Robinson, director of Rise Foundation, which analyses Iraq's humanitarian crisis. Aid workers say the authorities are limiting the construction of new camps to discourage displacement. In fact, the military is urging residents to shelter in place as it advances, but that will only be feasible if fighting doesn't lay waste to homes and infrastructure as it has before. Jabouri, the top Iraqi commander, dismissed concerns that such a scheme jeopardises civilians' safety, saying: "What does it mean if some areas receive mortars? That's not the end of the world. We are in Iraq, not in Switzerland." (Additional reporting by Yara Bayoumy in Washington; Writing by Stephen Kalin; Editing by Samia Nakhoul, Janet McBride and James Dalgleish) Washington (AFP) - Iraq and Syria have been so thoroughly damaged by warfare, sectarian conflict and killing that it is unclear they "can be put back together again," CIA Director John Brennan said. In an interview this week with the CTC Sentinel, a publication from the West Point military academy's Combating Terrorism Center, the head of the Central Intelligence Agency said the current system of governance in the two countries might change altogether. "I don't know whether or not Syria and Iraq can be put back together again. There's been so much bloodletting, so much destruction, so many continued, seething tensions and sectarian divisions," Brennan said. "I question whether we will see, in my lifetime, the creation of a central government in both of those countries that's going to have the ability to govern fairly." He added that he could envision some type of a federal structure governing autonomous regions. In northern Iraq and parts of Syria, for instance, Kurdish populations already have established de-facto states. Brennan also described how the Islamic State group (IS) is now collaborating in Yemen with rivals Al-Qaeda to fight common enemies, such as the Houthi rebels and Arab coalition-backed government forces. "The farther away you get from that (IS) heartland of Syria and Iraq, the more likely you're going to see collaboration between Al-Qaeda elements, (IS) elements, and others," he said. "We see it right now in Yemen.... There are indications that, in fact, they're working together." JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel has begun construction of an underground barrier along the frontier with the Gaza Strip that is meant to block cross-border tunnels built by Palestinian militants, Israeli defense and political sources said on Thursday. Since being blindsided during a 2014 war by tunnel raiders from the Hamas Islamist group that controls Gaza, Israel has stepped up work on technologies for spotting the secret passages. Currently Israel has a fence along the border. Military engineers unearthed and destroyed 32 tunnels during the war, Israeli officials say, and the military has since uncovered two others. One Israeli political source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the government has already budgeted some 600 million shekels ($160 million) to build one section of the underground concrete barrier. The barrier will eventually be about 65 km in length, the source said. Israel's Defense Ministry declined to comment on the issue. ($1 = 3.7521 shekels) (Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch) Jerusalem (AFP) - The Israeli air force hit Syrian army positions on Thursday after fire from its war-wracked neighbour struck the Israeli-held zone of the Golan Heights, the military said. It said the strike was in response to "a projectile" which landed on open ground on Wednesday, causing no injuries. "Following the projectile fired from Syria yesterday, the Israel Air Force targeted Syrian armed forces mortar launchers in the northern Syrian Golan Heights," Israeli military spokesman Peter Lerner said. It was the second such incident in the past few days. On Sunday Israel responded to Syrian mortar fire in the Golan with an air strike on what it described as "cannons of the Syrian regime". On August 22, the air force hit what it said was a Syrian army rocket launcher in response to "stray fire from Syrian conflict". There were similar events in July and previously. This week's incidents were not characterised by Israel as stray fire. Israel has sought to avoid being drawn into Syria's complex war which is now in its sixth year, but it has attacked Syrian military targets when fire from the conflict spills over. Israel seized 1,200 square kilometres (460 square miles) of the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community. Test drive for education campaign Sipradi Trading, the authorised distributor for TATA Motors in Nepal, is launching a campaign under which funds will be raised to sponsor needy childrens education. JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli aircraft attacked targets in Syria on Thursday, for the second time in five days, after an errant mortar shell from fighting among factions in Syria struck the Golan Heights, the Israeli military said. No casualties from the shellfire were reported and a statement by the military spokesman's office said "the Israeli air force targeted Syrian armed forces mortar launchers in the northern Syrian Golan Heights." The area is close to where fighting in the Syrian civil war is taking place. Israel has responded similarly in the past when there has been an overspill of fire into the territory. The previous retaliation for errant fire took place on Sunday when Israeli aircraft struck Syrian positions after a number of shells landed on the Israeli-controlled Golan. Israel captured the Golan, a strategic plateau, from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed it in 1981 in a move that has not won international recognition. (Writing by Ori Lewis; Editing by Tom Brown) By Steve Scherer ROME (Reuters) - An Italian judge acquitted two men accused of people smuggling and murder, saying they had been forced at gunpoint by Libyan traffickers to drive a rubber boat packed with migrants last year. A judge in the Sicilian city of Palermo on Wednesday ordered that Jammeh Sulieman and Dampha Bakary, from Senegal and Gambia respectively, be released from prison, according to a copy of the ruling. Hundreds of similar cases are pending in Italy, and the ruling may have set a "historic" precedent, said one of the defense lawyers in the case. The two were accused of both people smuggling and murder because 12 people died during the attempted crossing in July 2015 when the rubber boat they were driving started to deflate. The prosecution had sought life sentences for both. The other migrants on the boat were rescued by an Italian coastguard vessel, along with the accused smugglers, who were taken into custody when the rescue ship reached Palermo. "The defendants did not autonomously and freely set out in the Mediterranean at the helm of a flimsy boat impossibly packed with people," Judge Gigi Omar Modica wrote in his ruling. Libyan people smugglers forced them to take the helm at gunpoint, and then handed them control of the boat only after it had taken to sea. If they had turned back, it "would have meant certain death at the hands of the Libyans", Modica said. NO RETURN TO LIBYA Palermo prosecutors Claudio Camilleri and Maurizio Scalia said they planned to appeal the decision. In Italy, both prosecutors and defendants can appeal court rulings. Almost 800 suspected "scafisti" or "boat smugglers" were arrested in the 12 months to July, the Interior Ministry said in August. More than 700 were arrested in the previous 12 months. "I have many clients who are accused of driving the boats, and it's always the same story," Cinzia Pecoraro, one of the two defense lawyers, told Reuters on Thursday. Armed men take them to the boats, start the engines, load migrants onto the vessels and then accompany them as they set out to sea. Before abandoning the boat and returning to shore, they tell the drivers they will be shot if they return to Libya, she said. "Now courts can look at each case with this sentence in mind," Pecoraro said. Mass migration to Europe from Asia, the Middle East and Africa is now in its third year, and Italy has been on the front line since it started in 2013. Hundreds of thousands have set out fleeing violence and poverty at home. (Additional reporting by Wladimir Pantaleone in Palermo; editing by Ralph Boulton) ROME, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Italy's government, the single largest shareholder in Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena , expects the Tuscan bank to name a new chief executive soon and is confident the situation is "under control", a Treasury source said on Thursday. Italy's third-biggest bank announced CEO Fabrizio Viola had agreed to step down as it prepares to tap investors for the third time in as many years, raising as much as 5 billion euros ($5.6 billion) in a share sale. ($1 = 0.8890 euros) The government owns around 4 percent of Monte dei Paschi after it bailed the bank out twice during the financial crisis. (Reporting by Francesca Piscioneri,) Since its introduction two months ago, the "Great 69 Songs" section of Apple's iTunes Store, the company's latest experiment with song discounts at that price and which can be found halfway down the Store's front page, has become one of label executives' most closely watched promotion vehicles. Hit tracks typically sell for $1.29 on the iTunes Store, but labels are finding that promising songs can receive a boost -- at a cost -- after being featured within the section, helping to keep a song on the radio when labels fear momentum is waning, and when would-be hits are percolating below the top 40, 30, 20 on various charts. Importantly, Nashville label executives say the discount section is "practically the only way to get a track on the front page, if your music is in another genre -- not pop or urban." Overall, having a song on the slider "could help out the whole picture," says Concord Records'' head of sales Mike Gillespie. {"source":"Staff","title":null,"title_text":null,"path_original":"\/files\/media\/iTunes-Store-Great-69-cent-songs-2016-billboard-1240.jpg","path":"\/files\/media\/iTunes-Store-Great-69-cent-songs-2016-billboard-1240.jpg","image_path_original":"\/files\/media\/iTunes-Store-Great-69-cent-songs-2016-billboard-1240.jpg","file_uri":"public:\/\/media\/iTunes-Store-Great-69-cent-songs-2016-billboard-1240.jpg","extension":"jpg","type":"image","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","file_size":71801,"width":1240,"height":282,"orientation":"landscape","caption":"The iTunes Store\u2019s \u201cGreat 69\u00a2 Songs\u201d section on Sep. 8, 2016.","credit":"Courtesy Photo","animated":false,"id":"626957"} Story continues Shawn Mendes' "Treat You Better" is a good case study. The song went made available for purchase on sale June 3, debuting on the Hot 100 at No. 34 before falling back to No. 63 the following week. After several weeks spent slowly ascending the charts, eventually reaching No. 14. In what seemed to be an attempt to crack the Hot 100 top 10, "Treat You Better" was ultimately submitted and accepted into "Great 69 Songs" (where it stayed for three weeks), posting a 66 percent increase in sales in its first week at a discounted price, driving it to No. 12, and eventually No. 8. Throughout, streams of the song held steady -- over 9 million a week, five weeks in a row -- but radio spins also rose, from 8,000 all-format plays the week of July 21, according to Nielsen Music, then 12,000... then 13,000, 15,000 and 16,000 in the three weeks that it was placed on "Great 69 Songs." "I don't know what the problem is yet, but I think one is coming," one label executive tells Billboard, recalling expensive discounting strategies in years past. One clear problem is the aforementioned "cost" of the section. A majority of songs featured in the slider lose money, one source says, telling Billboard the promotion can cost between $2,000 and $10,000 a week. If a record becomes a runaway hit in the week its featured, which can also be a costly revenue hit. Billboard Cover: Shawn Mendes Brings Back Hunky, Guitar-Strumming Sensitivity "We have been using pricing as a tactical way to drive songs up the chart for many years now, but this is more predictable, if you get placement in the visible portion of the slider," says a label executive who didn't want to be quoted by name. (Unsurprisingly, according to label executives, the first 16 visible-by-default songs of the 200-song section, is much more important.) However, the strategy yields diminishing returns, driving sales for about two weeks (the typical length of time a song is featured). After that, even if it stays within the section, sales will begin to fall. When the price is raised back up to the default $1.29, there is a dramatic sales drop. Not shocking. Shawn Mendes Keeps Getting 'Better' on Hot 100 Some in the music business wonder if the overall decline of digital sales -- this year, track sales are down 25 percent -- could push the standard price for a digital song back down to $0.99. Asked about a possible price drop overall, label executives emphatically responded: "No." If it were up to Jesse Ventura, marijuana would be legal, Gary Johnson would be president and the United States would abandon the two-party system. Oh, and American media companies would act more like Russias. Thats just some of what the former Minnesota governor, ex-professional wrestler and author told Yahoo News in a wide-ranging interview on Thursday. Ventura dismissed concerns about Johnsons qualifications after the Libertarian presidential nominee seemed to be unfamiliar with Aleppo during an appearance on MSNBC earlier in the day. Aleppo is the most populous city in Syria and the epicenter of the long and violent conflict that has sparked a global refugee crisis. Much ado about nothing, Ventura said of the gaffe. The reason is, Gary Johnson supports full withdrawal from the war. And I agree with him. So once youve withdrawn from the Middle East, whos going to care about that city any more? Ventura, whose is promoting his new book, Marijuana Manifesto, chalked it up to fatigue. Gov. Johnson, I can imagine, as tired as he is Im on a book tour and Im going 6 a.m. to midnight. Hes running for president you think youre not going to make a mistake? Ventura said. You think thats going to stop me from voting for him? Hes going to end wars to end the war on drugs too. These other two candidates, get ready: War is gonna continue. Ventura believes Johnson could win the presidency if he were allowed on the debate stage with Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. When I ran for governor of Minnesota, at Labor Day I was only polling 10 percent, Ventura recalled. I was allowed in the debates, and 60 days later I was governor. It can be done. It can be done if people can see an alternative. The 65-year-old Minneapolis native also dismissed the notion that there isnt room for a third-party candidate in the current political climate. There isnt room? If Id have ran, Id have beaten both these two, Ventura said. Story continues This is a bold claim given that third-party candidates have not enjoyed success in modern American politics and because he last held office in 2003. So why didnt he run for president? Because I dont want the job, Ventura replied. Why should I clean up a 150-year mess I didnt make? The Democrats and Republicans made the mess. On the subject of legalization, Ventura said its clear drug prohibition has not worked. Addiction should be treated medically, not criminally, he said. Ventura said his position applied to all drugs, including heroin. A heroin addict because they have nowhere to get it, they have to buy it in the back alley, they dont know if its good or not, they die from it, he said. That doesnt mean its going in the 7-Eleven. You may have an area in a hospital where an addict can go, and then try and cure the addict. Ventura wouldnt say how often he smokes marijuana, only that when he does, he does so legally: in Colorado. The outspoken Ventura, whose son, Tyrel, hosts a television show on the Russian government-backed RT America, said he is going to be hosting one soon too. I just signed a contract with the only people that let me speak freely: Russia, Ventura said. I just signed a contract with RT America. I will be on there with my own show. I met Vladimir Putin in December and he assured me he will never interfere in anything I talk about. Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura, much like Donald Trump, says that he wishes the United States and Russia had a better relationship. Ventura, who now has a job with Russia Today, asked Yahoo's Bianna Golodryga why Russia is still our enemy when they are no longer communists, but capitalists, then saying, "they're even white." French-Mexican jewelry designer Colette Steckel has opened an all-new boutique on Melrose Place in West Hollywood. It joins Steckels flagship showroom in Mexico City. The new 344-square-foot spaces chic decor reflects Steckels approach to jewelry and blends delicate, romantic details with flashes of drama. Inside, black and white marble floors are contrasted with light lavender-grey walls set with vintage-style gold veined mirrors, recessed display boxes, and Steckels jewelry sketches. A black-cushioned Lucite chair tucks into a vanity-style counter, a perfect space for clients to try out new designs or hold private appointments with Steckel. Custom cases are equipped with antique gold drawer pulls and display a mix of the brands classic and exclusive designs (which range from $2,000 to more than $40,000). A stunning, large-scale flower blossom chandelier made with frosted Murano glass serves as the boutiques crown jewel. (colettejewelry.com) More From Robbreport.com Inside Look at the Exclusive New Luxury Homes on South Carolinas Kiawah Island This Dolce & Gabbana Refrigerator Doubles as Art 7 Must-Know Tailors on Londons Famous Savile Row Step Inside Lake Comos Most Exclusive New Resort Christophe Harbour Resort in St. Kitts to Open Superyacht Marina Village in 2017 Step Inside Nepals Most Luxurious Jungle Safari Escape "Pirates of the Carribean" actor Johnny Depp is reportedly in talks to star in an upcoming biopic based on the murders of rappers Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur in the 90s. The film, titled "Labyrinth", is based on Randall Sullivan's book LAbyrinth: A Detective Investigates the Murders of Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G., the Implication of Death Row Records' Suge Knight, and the Origins of the Los Angeles Police Scandal", with Depp tipped to play Russell Poole, the LAPD detective who investigated the still-unsolved drive-by shooting deaths of both artists. Poole, who passed away in August 2015 at the age of 58, spent he latter half of his career as lead investigator trying to unravel the mystery murder of Notorious B.I.G, and was a fierce advocate for the conspiracy theory that music executive and producer Suge Knight orchestrated the rapper's death in March 1997 in retaliation for the murder of Tupac in 1996. According to The Hollywood Reporter, director Brad Furman ("The Lincoln Lawyer") is attached to helm the film, with Good Films backing the project, which is currently being pitched to studios at the Venice Film Festival. I wrote this email to my goddaughter, who grew up in California, on August 28, 2006. She was 10 years old at the time, and she had asked me where I was on Sept. 11, 2001. So on Sept. 11 I woke up early so I could go vote that morning. I did not turn the TV on since I wanted to get out of the house soon. I walked to the polling station (where you vote) and voted. Then I took the train to work, as I always did. [I lived then on West 176th Street in Washington Heights, one of the northernmost neighborhoods of ManhattanI had grown up in the Bronx. I worked at Urban Latino magazine, down on Varick Street in the West Village, about 30 blocks from the World Trade Center. That meant I had to traverse the length of the island daily.] When I got about halfway down on my way, we stopped at one of the stations along 42nd Street, which is the center of the city. The conductor announced that the train was being held in the station because a small airplane had crashed onto the antenna of the World Trade Center. All the passengers in the car started grumbling since we were all going to be late for work. So I decided to get out onto the street and take a taxi the rest of the way. Recommended: What Is Aleppo? This Is Aleppo When I got up on the surface there were a lot of people walking in every direction and many of them huddled in groups talking about something major that had just happened. Then I saw some people, especially women, running up the street away from downtown. So I got nervous and checked how much money I had in my wallet. Exactly $2! Not enough to get me to work or home. So I started walking toward the bank, which was closer to the center of Times Square. As I got closer to Times Square there were many more people in the areathousandsand traffic had stopped. Everyone was looking up at the giant television monitors on the sides of the buildings in Times Square. CNN was on and they were showing video of a plane hitting one of the towers. I was stunned. It was so surreal and unbelievable. And it was happening about 50 blocks away from where I was standing. Story continues Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. Unknown individuals open fire at Police in Matatirtha A group of unidentified individuals opened fire at police during a pursuit at Chiyan Daanda in Matatirtha early on Thursday morning. My main take-away from watching Wednesday's Commander-in-Chief Forum on MSNBC* was that Hillary Clinton will not have much trouble inducing errors by Donald Trump in their debates. Trump did especially badly on Wednesday when he was repeatedly pressed about stupid things he had said in the past: For example, that he knows more about ISIS than the generals do, or that Vladimir Putin is highly respected within his own country and beyond and is getting an A for leadership. Trump is incapable of disavowing such statements or effectively changing the subject. Instead, he doubles down. By aggressively pushing back, interrupting and correcting when Trump is in the wrong, Clinton can rattle and annoy him, drawing out responses that escalate in both anger and stupidity. (Donald Trump.AP) Consider, for example, Trumps Miss Teen South Carolina-level word salad when pressed on whether he really has a plan to beat ISIS, a line of questioning that somehow led Trump into saying he'll probably replace much of the career leadership of the military soon after entering office: LAUER: But yesterday, you actually told us a little bit about your plan in your speech. You said this. Quote, Were going to convene my top generals and they will have 30 days to submit a plan for soundly and quickly defeating ISIS. So is the plan youve been hiding this whole time asking someone else for their plan? TRUMP: No. But when I do come up with a plan that I like and that perhaps agrees with mine, or maybe doesnt I may love what the generals come back with. I will convene LAUER: But you have your own plan? TRUMP: I have a plan. But I want to be I dont want to look. I have a very substantial chance of winning. Make America great again. Were going to make America great again. I have a substantial chance of winning. If I win, I dont want to broadcast to the enemy exactly what my plan is. LAUER: But youre going to TRUMP: And let me tell you, if I like maybe a combination of my plan and the generals plan, or the generals plan, if I like their plan, Matt, Im not going to call you up and say, Matt, we have a great plan. This is what Obama does. Were going to leave Iraq on a certain day. Story continues LAUER: But youre going to convene a panel of generals, and youve already said you know more about ISIS than those generals do. TRUMP: Well, theyll probably be different generals, to be honest with you. Or consider his response to a questioning about his past praise of Putin. Asked repeatedly about this, Trump proceeded to Praise Putins 82% approval rating. Claim Putin called him brilliant (Putin says he didnt). Say hell say nice things about Putin as long as Putin says nice things about him. Call Putin very much of a leader with very strong control over his country (in which he has decimated the independent press and allegedly had political opponents assassinated). Say Putin has been a far stronger leader than Barack Obama. In both of these series of questions, Trump got more rattled, more adamant, and more bizarre as the questioning went on. And that was just under aggressive questioning by an interviewer. Imagine how hes likely to react under pressure from a political opponent. (U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton arrives at the airport following a campaign Voter Registration Rally at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, United States, September 6, 2016.Reuters/Brian Snyder) Remember, during the primaries, Trump allowed himself to get baited in to bragging about the size of his penis on a debate stage. This is not a man with discretion or self-control. When I tweeted that Wednesdays forum showed Clinton should be as aggressive as possible when debating Trump, my MSNBC colleague Irin Carmon responded that this is a risky strategy for a female candidate. Ordinarily, I would say thats true. But Trumps response to Clintons aggression is likely to be be so overaggressive and undirected as to make her focused aggression seem measured and presidential. Plus, aggression from Clinton will help to combat Trumps charges that she lacks the strength and stamina to be president. Clintons team has already been sending signals about their intention to rattle Trump in the debates. Now we know it shouldnt be too hard for her to do so. *Disclosure: In addition to my duties at Business Insider, I am a contributor to MSNBC, but I was not involved in the production of the forum. NOW WATCH: Naked Donald Trump statues are popping up across America More From Business Insider By Lawrence Hurley WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said on Wednesday she hoped "cooler heads will prevail" over the vacancy on the Supreme Court, suggesting that Republicans should act on President Barack Obama's nominee. Ginsburg's comments at Georgetown Law Center came a day after Democrats in the Republican-controlled Senate renewed their push for a confirmation hearing for Obama's pick, appeals court judge Merrick Garland. The nomination has been pending for 175 days without Senate action, the longest ever to the high court. Republicans have said the next president should get to make the appointment because the vacancy, created by the death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia in February, came in the final year of Obama's presidency. "I do think that cooler heads will prevail, I hope sooner rather than later," Ginsburg said. Ginsburg, 83, a liberal appointed by Democratic President Bill Clinton in 1993, acknowledged that the Senate, which has the responsibility to confirm or reject judicial nominations, did not have to confirm the nominee. But she said it did have an obligation to at least consider Garland instead of taking no action at all. "The president is elected for four years, not three years," she said in relation to the president's authority to make appointments in the final year of a term. "Maybe some members of the Senate will wake up and appreciate that that's how it should be." Earlier on Wednesday, Democratic senators held a press conference outside the Supreme Court demanding action on the nomination. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has so far held firm to his pledge to take no action. The nine-seat court has been one justice short since Scalia's death. With four liberals and four conservatives now on the bench, an appointment by a Democratic president could end decades of conservative domination on the court. Ginsburg has a long track record of making sometimes outspoken public remarks, in stark contrast to most of her colleagues. In July, she issued a statement in which she said she regretted comments she made in press interviews criticizing Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. In one CNN interview she described him as a "faker." (Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Richard Chang) Early on the morning of June 12, Tony Marrero was inside Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., when a gunman opened fire, killing 49 people. Marrero was hit four times in the back and once in the arm. He died on the way to the hospital but was revived. While in the hospital, Marrero sent Ellen host Ellen DeGeneres a picture of himself with a sign that read, Im still swimming, Ellen, with a drawing of Dory, Ellens character from the animated film Finding Dory, on it. DeGeneres called Marrero personally and invited him to come on the show when he got out of the hospital. When DeGeneres learned that Katy Perrys hit song Rise was an inspiration to Marrero while he was recovering, she also invited the pop star on the show to surprise him. Coming out of commercial with Marrero on Ellen, they played Rise in the studio and for good reason. After Marrero explained to the crowd what that song meant to him, DeGeneres had two questions for him. Have you met Katy yet, or no? she asked a speechless Marrero. You wanna meet Katy? Perry and Marrero were already in tears before they met and shared a long hug onstage. The emotion continued once they sat down to talk. Marrero got the chance to tell Perry what that song meant to him and how it has helped him through the past few months, and Perry got the chance to help Marrero realize his dream of going to film school. She offered to pay for his first year. Check out: Britney Spears and Ellen cause mischief at the mall: 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. By Katy Migiro NAIROBI (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Kenya aims to restore trees and vegetation across almost nine percent of its land mass by 2030, the government said on Thursday, in a bold initiative to combat climate change, poverty and hunger. The 5.1 million hectares of deforested and degraded land targeted for landscape and forest restoration is equivalent in size to Costa Rica in Central America. "This program provides the most coherent and systematic effort to restore degraded forests and other landscapes," Kenya's environment minister Judy Wakhungu said at the launch of the program. "It provides us with the opportunity to reduce poverty, to improve food security, to address climate change and to conserve our valued biodiversity." Kenya has been hit hard by illegal settlement, logging and charcoal production, reducing forest cover to seven percent of its land mass, government data shows. The new initiative will count towards the Bonn Challenge, a 2011 global goal to restore 150 million hectares of degraded and deforested land by 2020 and 350 million hectares by 2030. Kenya is the 13th African country to submit a target to the Bonn Challenge, bringing the continent's total restoration commitment to 46 million hectares by 2030, according to the Washington-based World Resources Institute (WRI) thinktank. "This is a huge step forward," said Wanjira Maathai, daughter of Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai. She recalled her late mother being asked to describe her ultimate vision. "She said: 'To see Kenya redressed with her green dress'," said Maathai, chairwoman of the Green Belt Movement, which has planted 51 million trees in Kenya since her mother founded it in 1977. "I know wherever she is, she is smiling on us," Maathai told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone. Three-quarters of Kenya's landscape is arid or semi-arid and the East African country experiences repeated droughts, trapping millions in poverty and hunger. Some 1.2 million Kenyans are acutely food insecure following poor rains, according to the Kenya Food Security Steering Group. The initiative should improve the lives of Kenya's poor by improving soil fertility, agricultural yields and access to clean water, and creating jobs, its backers said. "The impacts of climate change will disproportionately affect the poor," Maathai said. "They are the ones with the least resilience and ability to adapt when floods and landslides hit. They must be centrally involved." Kenya set the 5.1 million hectare goal by creating maps detailing all of its landscape restoration opportunities -- the first African country to do so, WRI said. These include reforestation of degraded natural forests, planting trees on farms and ranchlands, and planting vegetation as buffers along waterways and roads. Trees, which store carbon, help to prevent soil erosion, retain soil fertility and regulate water flows, as well as by providing habitats for wildlife. (Reporting by Katy Migiro; Editing by Katie Nguyen. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, womens rights, trafficking, property rights and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org to see more stories.) Washington (AFP) - US Secretary of State John Kerry is leaving Thursday for Geneva, where he will hold high-level talks with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to try to strike a peace deal for Syria, the State Department said. "Their discussion follows recent conversations on Syria and will focus on reducing violence, expanding humanitarian assistance for the Syrian people, and moving towards a political solution needed to end the civil war," spokesman John Kirby said in a statement. The State Department did not say when Kerry and Lavrov will hold their talks on Friday, but the top US diplomat will be in Geneva early in the morning. The meeting in Geneva had been announced Wednesday by Russian diplomats as scheduled for Thursday and Friday, but Washington waited until the last minute to confirm Kerry's trip. Both sides have agreed that a deal would involve a durable ceasefire, humanitarian access to conflict-wracked areas and a resumption of peace talks. Kerry and Lavrov spoke by telephone Thursday on possible US-Russian cooperation aimed at destroying terror groups active in Syria, helping resolve humanitarian problems and promote a political solution to the conflict, the Russian foreign ministry said. The phone call was a US initiative, the ministry added. In fact, after five and a half years of chaos in Syria and four months before President Barack Obama leaves office, Kerry is racing after Lavrov to try to secure a deal to end the Syrian crisis. Their meetings have multiplied across the world, the latest on the sidelines of the Group of 20 major powers in China this week and in Geneva on August 26. The Syria war has pitted the former Cold War rivals against each other, with Russia flying a bombing campaign in support of Syrian strongman leader Bashar al-Assad and the United States backing rebel groups fighting to oust him from power. Moscow and Washington are looking for ways to revive a peace plan adopted by the international community in late 2015, which includes a sustainable ceasefire, humanitarian aid and a political transition between the regime and the opposition. Washington and Moscow also have discussed for months a strengthened military cooperation to ensure the ceasefire holds and to fight together against jihadist groups. But the many US-Russian contacts have not yielded anything concrete. Russian President Vladimir Putin said there was "some alignment" after meeting with Obama on the sidelines of the G20 summit Monday. Donald Trump Hillary Clinton's campaign is calling out Donald Trump's "schoolyard behavior," for criticisms the GOP presidential nominee aimed at his Democratic rival on Wednesday. While delivering a speech on national security in Philadelphia, Trump accused Clinton and President Obama of bungling conflicts in the Middle East and referred to Clinton as "trigger-happy" and "unstable." Sometimes it has seemed like there wasn't a country in the Middle East that Hillary Clinton didn't want to invade, intervene or topple," Trump said. Clinton's campaign responded by comparing Trump's comments to a petulant child's behavior. Like a schoolyard bully who cant rely on facts or issues, Trump has only one way of responding to legitimate criticism of his own vulnerabilities: I know you are, but what am I?" Clinton campaign communications director, Jennifer Palmieri, said in a statement. Over the course of his campaign, Donald Trump has hurled a litany of insults at Clinton including accusations of political corruption because of her ties to the Clinton Foundation, and her use of a private email server at the US State Department. More recently, the real-estate mogul labeled her a "bigot." Clinton's campaign reiterated its assertion that the billionaire's retaliatory style of politics make him unfit to be president. "You could dismiss these actions as insecure schoolyard behavior but this man is running to be President of the United States. As Hillary Clinton has said, anyone you can bait this easily is not someone you can trust be Commander in Chief,Palmieri said. NOW WATCH: Trump has more support from veterans, except when it comes to nuclear weapons More From Business Insider VENICE (Reuters) - Andrei Konchalovsky uses the Holocaust-theme in his drama "Rai" to explore how people back then and today commit evil acts all the while believing that what they do is right, the veteran Russian director said at the Venice film festival on Thursday. "Rai" (Paradise), which follows three characters as they make life-altering choices, is one of 20 films competing for the coveted Golden Lion that will awarded on Saturday. Olga, played by Julia Vysotskaya, is a Russian noblewoman and part of the French resistance, who gets arrested by Nazis for hiding two Jewish children and is sent to jail where she meets French-Nazi collaborator Jules, who offers to ease her punishment in exchange for sex. Olga is eventually sent to a concentration camp where she meets her old flame Helmut, now a high-ranking SS officer. "I didn't want to make a film about the holocaust. I basically wanted to speak of evil," Konchalovsky told a news conference ahead of the movie's premiere. "Evil is born every day in every age. And most people do evil when in fact they are doing good." The black and white movie's main storyline is framed around scenes in which each of the main characters addresses the camera face-on as if being interrogated. Konchalovsky uses the close-ups to create the idea of a confession, while the actors' speaking in their native tongues, be it Russian, German or French, helps him add authenticity. "My intention was that you could feel the horror that mankind and the individual feels or doesn't feel because we are always convinced that we are right," the 79-year-old said. "The bombing in Libya, the bombing in Iraq ... all these evil acts were considered to be honorable because they were defending human rights, democracy, freedom," he said. (Reporting by Agnieszka Flak; Editing by Richard Balmforth) 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 Korea Electric Power Corp. KEP 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 KEPs status as a solid value stock below: Forward PE for Korea Electric Power Easily one of the most popular readings for value investors, the forward PE ratio shows us the current price of a stock divided by the full year earnings. Generally speaking, value investors like to see this ratio below 20, though it can vary by industry. Right now, KEP has a forward PE of just 5.25, which means that investors are paying $5.25 for each dollar in expected Korea Electric Powerearnings this year. Compared to the industry at large this is pretty favorable as the overall space has an average PE of 18.27 in comparison. KOREA ELEC PWR PE Ratio (TTM) KOREA ELEC PWR PE Ratio (TTM) | KOREA ELEC PWR Quote PEG Ratio for KEP While earnings are definitely important, it is vital to know how much you are paying for the growth of earnings as well. One can easily do that with the PEG ratio as this metric looks to show investors how much they are paying for each unit of earnings growth. KEP manages to impress on this front as well, as the companys PEG is just 0.21, suggesting that Korea Electric Power is trading as a relative bargain right now. This is particularly the case when you compare this PEG to the industry, as the broader segment has an average PEG of 3.38 in comparison. Story continues KEP 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 KEP stock have been raising their estimates for the company lately, meaning that the EPS picture is looking a bit more favorably for Korea Electric Powernow. Over the past 60 days, 1 earnings estimate has gone higher compared to none lower for the full year, while we are also seeing that 1 estimate has move upwards with no downward revision for the next year time frame too. These revisions have helped to boost the consensus estimate as 60 days ago KEP was expected to post earnings of $4.84 per share for the full year though today it looks to have EPS of $5.02 for the full year. Bottom Line For the reasons detailed above, investors shouldnt be surprised to read that we have KEP as a stock with a Value Score of A and a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. So if you are a value investor, definitely keep KEP on your short list as this looks to be a stock that is very well-positioned for gains in the near term. Confidential from Zacks Beyond this Tale of the Tape, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them 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 KOREA ELEC PWR (KEP): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f204295%2fsstasept8 With stabilizing sea surface temperatures in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, climate forecasters announced Thursday that they have canceled the La Nina watch that had been in effect since April. The diminished likelihood of a La Nina event starting this fall and lasting into the winter has ramifications far beyond the Pacific, including how the Atlantic hurricane season may evolve along with U.S. winter weather patterns. Importantly, it also means there will not be a natural brake placed on the planet's increasing fever, fed by human-caused global warming. SEE ALSO: Deadly Louisiana deluge had a major climate change assist, study finds La Nina events, which are characterized by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, tend to lower global average surface temperatures. The lack of a La Nina, or even just the presence of a weak La Nina as opposed to a strong one, means the current record-long string of hottest months may continue through the end of 2016 and into next year. Sea surface temperature anomalies animation through the end of August. Image: NOAA/CPC El Nino and La Nina events tend to develop in the late spring and peak during the winter. According to the latest forecast issued Wednesday by the Climate Prediction Center and the International Institute for Climate and Society (IRI), there is just a 43 percent likelihood of a La Nina developing during August, September and October. "Overall, the combined ocean and atmosphere system continues to reflect ENSO-Neutral," the Climate Prediction Center stated in an update on Thursday. By November, December and January, the odds of a La Nina decrease to 39 percent, with a 57 percent probability of so-called "ENSO-neutral" conditions, meaning that there is neither an El Nino or La Nina present. Some forecasters refer to this as "La Nada." Trends in global average surface temperatures since 1880. Image: Bob Al-Greene using NOAA data Story continues In May, the forecast for August, September and October called for a 58 percent probability of La Nina conditions. While sea surface temperatures (SST) in the tropical Pacific Ocean are near the threshold for a La Nina event, Emily Becker of the Climate Prediction Center wrote in a blog post that computer model forecasts show that ocean temperatures are likely to rebound and stay above the threshold. "The second step of the La Nina conditions decision process is 'do you think the SST will stay below the threshold for the next several overlapping seasons?' For now, the answer to this question is 'no,'" she wrote. According to Becker, La Nina conditions have failed to develop because the ocean and atmosphere failed to interact in the necessary ways to fully develop such an event. La Nina events tend to diminish the winds at high altitudes across the tropical Atlantic Ocean, which can aid the formation of tropical storms and hurricanes. Such storms tend to sputter and die when faced with powerful upper level winds, and the expectation of a weak La Nina helped lead to forecasts of an above average hurricane season. Record warm months aided by El Nino conditions Global average surface temperatures for the year-to-date through July compared to previous years. Image: NASA GISS/Gavin Schmidt Coming out of a record-strong El Nino event during 2015-2016, the climate has smashed longstanding temperature records. July of this year, for example, was the warmest month since temperature records began in 1880, according to the two U.S. agencies that track global temperatures: the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA. Scientists have said that while El Nino, which is characterized by above-average ocean temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean and altered weather patterns worldwide, was responsible for only a minority of that record warmth. Instead, human-caused global warming has been the biggest player in turning up the Earth's thermostat. July 2016 global temperature anomalies. Image: NASA GISS If August turns out to have been the warmest such month on record, it would make it the 16th straight month to set such a milestone, which is unprecedented in NOAA's climate history. For climate scientists, what matters is the long-term trend over decades to centuries, making monthly records much less significant compared to the steady increase in temperatures throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. The long-term record shows an unmistakable upward trend in global temperatures, with warming accelerating in the oceans and atmosphere in recent decades. For example, climate scientists have said that it is now virtually certain that 2016 will beat 2015 for the dubious distinction of the hottest year on record. * Minerva kicks off post Labor Day issuance * Group of Oi bondholders reject in-court plan * Uncertainty over Brazil Samarco mine hinders restructuring By Mike Gambale and Paul Kilby NEW YORK, Sept 8 (IFR) - Below is a recap of primary issuance activity in the LatAm market on Thursday: Number of deals priced: 1 Total issuance: US$1bn MINERVA Brazilian beef company Minerva is out with a US dollar benchmark 10NC5 to fund a tender for its outstanding 7.75% 2023s. Banco Bradesco, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, HSBC, Itau and JP Morgan are leads on the senior unsecured bond, which is expected to be rated BB-/BB- by S&P and Fitch. The listing will be on the Singapore Stock Exchange, while the bond will be governed by New York law. IPTs 7% area GUIDANCE: Minerva 10NC5 at 6.75% (+/- 1/8) LAUNCH: Minerva US$1bn 10NC5 at 6.625% PRICED: US$1bn 10NC5: 99.096; 6.5%C; 6.625%Y - Settlement Sept 20 2016, Maturity: Sept 20 2026 BOOK: About US$3.5bn PIPELINE: Mexico's Banco Inbursa will start engaging investors this week as it seeks to market a new US dollar 10-year senior unsecured bond, according to market sources. The borrower will hold investor calls on Thursday in Mexico and will then meet investors in London and Boston on Friday. Roadshows finish on September 12 in New York and Los Angeles. Expected ratings are BBB+/BBB+. Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Citigroup and Credit Suisse have been mandated as leads. JSL, a logistics services provider operating in Brazil, will start roadshows this week to market a possible 144A/Reg S senior unsecured US dollar bond. The borrower visited accounts in Singapore on Thursday, and will head to London and Hong Kong on Friday. Next week it goes to Boston and Los Angeles on September 12 and New York on September 13. BB Securities, Bradesco BBI, Morgan Stanley and Santander have been mandated on the deal. Ratings are BB/BB by S&P and Fitch. Bankers are set to start marketing this week a Green bond to help fund the construction and operation of Mexico City's new international airport. Story continues The bond, which is being issued through a special purpose trust, is expected to be the first of up to US$6bn of such trades, allowing the borrower to create an extensive curve over time. Bondholders will be paid through cash flows collected from passenger charges from the current airport and the new Mexico City International Airport (NAICM) that will start operations in 2020. The issuer will visit accounts in Hong Kong on Friday and will then head to Singapore on September 12, to London on September 13 and 14, Boston on September 15 and Los Angeles on September 16. Roadshows will wrap up in New York on September 19 ahead of expected pricing. Citigroup, HSBC and JP Morgan are acting as global coordinators, while BBVA and Santander are coming in as joint bookrunners. Expected ratings are Baa1/BBB+/BBB+. BRF Brazil's BRF GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of BRF SA, (rated Ba1/BBB/BBB) has mandated BB Securities, Bradesco, Itau, JP Morgan and Santander to organize a series of fixed-income investor meetings. A US dollar-denominated 144A/Reg S senior unsecured bond issue with intermediate to long maturity is expected to follow, subject to market conditions. The meetings will take place in New York, Los Angeles and London on Sept 12 and New York, Chicago and Boston on Sept 13. Earlier on Wednesday, the Brazilian food company launched a tender offer targeting about US$291m in outstanding 2020 and 2022 bonds. The borrower is offering purchase price of 112.75 on the 7.25% 2020s and 110.50 on the 5.875% 2022s. BNP Paribas, BTG Pactual and HSBC are acting as dealer managers on that offer, which expires on September 14. (Reporting by Mike Gambale; editing by Shankar Ramakrishnan) * $14 billion in cargo aboard affected Hanjin ships * Seoul court on Wednesday said more money needed for Hanjin * Bank considering request for funds but further support unlikely * Mess caused by collapse threatens to take years to resolve (Recasts, adding analyst and cargo owner comment) By Jane Chung and Joyce Lee SEOUL, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Will 80 tonnes of spicy kimchi stuck aboard three Hanjin Shipping vessels bobbing off the coast of California be unloaded before overripening? Nobody seems to know. Around $14 billion of cargo has been stranded by the failure of the world's seventh-biggest container carrier, with ports and lashing firms fearing they will not be paid. The havoc wrought through global trade networks threatens to take years to resolve. Hopes that emergency money to help with unloading of cargo could soon be made available suffered a setback on Thursday when Hanjin's lead creditor said it would be difficult to accept a court request to provide the firm with fresh funds. The ocean freight industry has never seen a container carrier of Hanjin Shipping's size go under before. Its collapse last week also came at the worst possible time - during the peak shipping period ahead of the year-end holiday season, stranding cargo for the likes of HP Inc and Samsung Electronics . "For the luckiest, their cargo is already discharged in the destination port and they may be able to pay to get it released," said Alan Murphy, chief executive of consultancy SeaIntel Maritime Analysis in Denmark. "At worst the cargo is onboard vessels owned by Hanjin, and the discharge and delivery of cargo will be subject to lengthy legal battles between Hanjin and their creditors," he said. For perishable cargo like kimchi, even a few days matter. "Kimchi can ripen fast, and if it's too ripe when it's unloaded, then it should all be thrown away," said an official with a South Korean firm, who declined to identified due to the sensitivity of the matter. Story continues The cargo was bound for Costco Wholesale Corp and Albertsons Cos Inc supermarkets before it was caught up in Hanjin's collapse. FUNDING PLANS UNCERTAIN AND INADEQUATE The court presiding over Hanjin's receivership asked the state-backed Korea Development Bank on Wednesday for fresh funds to normalise operations but met resistance. The bank said that while it was still considering the request, complying would raise breach of trust issues as there was no certainty that additional support would help the company survive. Hanjin's parent firm, Hanjin Group, has also pledged to raise 100 billion won ($90 million) in funds to help rescue cargo and government officials have said government-backed creditors would offer another 100 billion won if collateral was provided. Hanjin Group is considering the offer. The court has, however, called those funds inadequate, also noting there was little clarity on when or if the funds would materialise. South Korea's government, meanwhile, plans to send more than 20 substitute container ships from next week on routes to the United States, Europe and Southeast Asia to contain the fallout. As of Thursday, 89 of Hanjin Shipping's 141 vessels were not operating normally, the company said. A few have been seized by creditors. A U.S. bankruptcy court's temporary ruling this week that protects Hanjin ships from being seized does not compel ports worried about payment to unload the ships. Courts in the United Kingdom and Japan have granted similar protection to ships run by Hanjin, which is seeking stay orders in 43 jurisdictions. Sung Kwang Co Ltd, a small Korean textile maker, is not among the lucky cargo owners. Three Dubai-bound containers carrying $450,000 worth of textiles - equal to nearly a quarter of its profit last year, is floating on a Hanjin ship off the coast of southern China, said Lee Wan-kyu, an official at Sung Kwang, which is scrambling to find a way to get its cargo onto another ship. "It's already late for delivery and getting later by the second," he told Reuters. ($1 = 1,090.4900 won) (Additional reporting by Keith Wallis in Singapore and Se Young Lee in Seoul; Writing by Tony Munroe; Editing by Edwina Gibbs) If you only read one thing: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trumps first face off on national security issues Wednesday night served as a preview of the contentious 61 days ahead. Neither had a banner night, and both nominees gave ample ammunition to the other side as they reinforced the caricatures being painted of them by their rivals. Clinton grew defensive over questions about past support for the Iraq War, constantly trying to pre-but her rivals later appearance at the town hall. And she struggled again to defend her use of a private email server. Trump spoiled the softball questions lobbed his way with unforced errors including praise for Vladimir Putin, attacking the U.S. military leadership as rubble and discussing his classified national security briefings. The evening also highlighted the difficult road ahead for the debate moderators, as NBC anchor Matt Lauer refused to correct Trumps false assertions that he never supported the Iraq War or the Libya intervention. Trump is turning to education reform Thursday with a stop in Cleveland where he will call for more school choice as part of his continuing bid to win over minority voters. Clinton held a press conference Thursday morning to pile on Trumps performance last night, but first called for the U.S. to hunt and capture or kill ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi the same way it went after Osama bin Laden. (Notably, in 2007 she criticized then-Sen. Barack Obama for proposing the U.S. intervene in Pakistan to find the late al Qaeda leader.) On the final day of his Asia swing, President Obama waded into U.S. politics in some of his strongest terms yet, calling out Trumps contradictory or uninformed or outright wacky ideas. Obamas criticism came in direct response to Trumps answers at the town hall. Win or lose Trump is going to Washington. Mike Pence breaks with Trump and says Obama was born in Hawaii. And What is Aleppo? Here are your must reads: Must Reads Hillary Clinton and Donald Trumps Unsatisfying Clash The candidates duel over national security, but fire mostly blanks, TIMEs Mark Thompson writes Donald Trump Proposes Larger Military With Less to Do Speech leaves out key detailslike how hell pay for it [TIME] Obama: Americans Will Reject Trumps Wacky Ideas In Laos, Obama sharply rebukes Trump [Associated Press] Trump Bragged That His Money Bought Off Politicians Just not this time. [Washington Post] Sound Off Ive already said, he is really very much of a leader. I mean, you can say, oh, isnt that a terrible thing the man has very strong control over a country. Donald Trump praising Vladimir Putin in the Commander in Chief town hall Wednesday So I did exactly what I should have done. Hillary Clinton on classification and her private email server. (Coming to a GOP ad near you!) Bits and Bites Mike Pence Says Obama Was Born in Hawaii: I Accept His Birthplace [TIME] Win or Lose, Donald Trump Is Coming to Pennsylvania Avenue (With His New Hotel) [New York Times] Donald Trump Defends Tweet About Military Sexual Assault [TIME] Presidential Candidate Gary Johnson Asks And What is Aleppo? [TIME] Email Shows Powell Advised Clinton on Using Private Email [TIME] On Israeli TV, Hillary Clinton Says Terrorists Are Praying for a Trump Victory [New York Times] ISTANBUL (Reuters) - At least five people were killed and 12 wounded in an Islamic State attack in the Syrian border town of Jarablus, Turkish security and hospital sources said on Thursday, only a day after civilians started returning to their homes in the town. Wounded people were taken to hospitals in Turkey's southern province of Gaziantep, which lies across the border from Jarablus, same hospital sources said. A group of 292 Syrians went back to the Syrian town of Jarablus from Turkey on Wednesday, marking the first formal return of civilians since Ankara launched a military incursion two weeks ago to try to secure the border region, a Turkish official said. Jarablus, which had been held by Islamic State, was the first town captured by Turkey's army and its Syrian rebel allies in an offensive launched on Aug. 24 that aims to sweep away jihadists and Syrian Kurdish militias from the frontier. Turkey has said it cleared militants from a 90-km (55-mile) stretch of Syrian territory and has pushed south. It has also said it would support any U.S. initiative to strike Islamic State's stronghold of Raqqa, further to the southeast. But Turkey's tactics have drawn criticism from its NATO ally the United States and also from Russia, with which it recently patched up ties. Washington says Turkish attacks on Kurdish-aligned militias damage a U.S.-backed coalition that is fighting Islamic State. Russia, which backs the government in Damascus, said on Wednesday Ankara's push south threatened Syria's sovereignty. (Writing by Seda Sezer; Editing by Ralph Boulton) London (AFP) - Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri could give a debut to record signing Islam Slimani against Liverpool on Saturday even though the Algeria striker is yet to train with the Premier League champions. Slimani joined Leicester from Sporting Lisbon for an initial fee of around 28 million ($37 million, 33 million euros) on August 31 and is only due to arrive at his new club on Friday after international duty. But despite Slimani having been absent, playing in Algeria's Africa Cup of Nations win over Lesotho, Ranieri insists he won't hesitate to play him at Anfield this weekend. "I haven't seen him but I will speak with him. He is available for Saturday, he could play but I want to speak with him, to see him and then we will see," Ranieri said on Thursday. "Yes (it would be a big call), but he is good. He only has to score goals. He is ready, he played all the matches with Sporting and he is ready to play with us. "It is important when a player changes country that he has to adapt and keep calm. Of course we bought him because we believe in his ability. "It is a goalscorer but it is important he understands the Premier League. It is different from the Portuguese league but he is a very interesting player. "He cost a lot of money but if you see the market, it was crazy. I think as a goalscorer he cost less than others. He was a good buy for us." KELOWNA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 8, 2016 / Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (LXRP) (CSE:LXX) ("the Company" or "Lexaria") is proud to announce two important new developments: PRIVATE LABEL Lexaria has entered its first ever Private Label agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Lexaria will cause a certain new line of cannabidiol/herbal products powered by its patent-allowed technology to be manufactured under the Timeless Herbal Care Limited ("Timeless") brand name for Timeless to market and distribute across the USA, Canada, and Jamaica. The Timeless brand with Lexaria's enhancements will offer Timeless' consumer base improved taste and bioavailability for hard-to-absorb molecules. By utilizing Lexaria's protected technology the products will be unique in a sector where tangible benefits are highly sought after. Lexaria will earn a pre-defined premium to costs on all raw ingredient sourcing and manufacturing, and will further earn a pre-defined royalty rate on all gross product sales revenues earned by Timeless in all three countries. The agreement is for an initial term of 5 years. Although not certain, there is an expectation that the Timeless products private-labelled from Lexaria could be offered for sale in up to one thousand locations across the USA within a reasonable period. DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY OUT-LICENSING AGREEMENT Lexaria has also entered a definitive technology out-licensing agreement with Timeless. Under the terms of the agreement, Timeless has acquired exclusive rights along with only Lexaria itself in the country of Jamaica and the option to acquire semi exclusive rights in each of Canada and the USA to use Lexaria's patent-allowed palatability and absorption improving technology to develop, produce and sell certain products containing cannabidiol and other active ingredients under the Timeless brand in those nations. This definitive agreement does not represent either of the other two existing LOIs previously announced by Lexaria, each of which are hoped to result in their own definitive agreements in due course. The definitive agreement with Timeless is of 3-years' duration in each nation and provides for either of a pre-determined royalty rate or a fixed usage fee payment schedule to be paid to Lexaria on all Timeless revenue generated utilizing the Lexaria technology. Story continues Lexaria expects to earn a minimum of $921,000 from Timeless on the sale of products assuming it enters all three nations. The definitive agreement also includes access fees to be paid by Timeless to Lexaria on a per nation basis. In the cases of the USA and Jamaica, these fees will be paid on an in kind basis through Timeless executing certain deliverables for Lexaria that includes execution of clinical testing in patients with chronic conditions who receives products with Lexaria's technology at a major medical center. All total, these fees are expected to have additional value to Lexaria of more than $300,000 in cash and in kind. Additional information and details regarding the clinical testing to be conducted by Timeless for Lexaria will be announced in due course. Readers are cautioned that the clinical plans are currently in the preliminary design stages and will, like any other clinical testing in patients with chronic conditions, likely take an as yet undetermined period of many months to complete and report. Lexaria will have no funding responsibilities for the clinical testing and does not influence its funding sources which are third-party to the Company. "Timeless is pleased to have entered into these two significant agreements with Lexaria which allows us to immediately bring our line of products to market", said Courtney Betty, CEO of Timeless. "Timeless is now positioned to be a leader in the development of CBD nutraceutical products which will be combined with other Jamaican medicinal plants." "Lexaria is proud to have reached these important agreements with the team at Timeless Herbal," said Chris Bunka, CEO of Lexaria Bioscience. "Together with Timeless, we are moving fast to attack exciting consumer sectors new to us that we believe will deliver significant results. We progressed rapidly from initial negotiations through to a definitive agreement because of our shared vision and values of becoming market leaders in our chosen sectors." Lexaria believes that the Timeless business network that spans three countries can deliver meaningful value to its stakeholders. Timeless Herbal Care Limited is an international nutraceutical research and development company focused on high quality, pharmaceutical grade, medical marijuana products. Based in Jamaica, Timeless has partnered with various Jamaican and international private, public and educational institutions to develop, market and distribute products. Timeless utilizes Jamaican grown raw materials to minimize production costs and maximize quality. Readers are cautioned much of the financial compensation for Lexaria under these agreements is dependent upon the success of the Licensee in selling products enhanced with Lexaria's technology. About Lexaria Lexaria Bioscience Corp. is a food sciences company focused on the delivery of active compounds that can behave as superfoods through its proprietary infusion technologies. Lexaria's technology enables higher bioavailability rates for CBD; THC; NSAIDs; Nicotine and other molecules than is possible without lipophilic enhancement technology. This can allow for lower overall dosing requirements and/or higher effectiveness in active molecule delivery. Lexaria hopes to reduce other common but less healthy ingestion methods such as smoking as it embraces the benefits of public health. www.lexariaenergy.com. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Lexaria Bioscience Corp. Chris Bunka Chairman & CEO (250) 765-6424 FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This release includes forward-looking statements. Statements which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. The Company makes forward-looking public statements concerning its expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategy, products and services, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management for future operations, including statements that include words such as "anticipate," "if," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "could," "should," "will," and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: that any license arrangements may be entered into with other companies or partners, that the Company's technology will prove to be beneficial to third parties or to generate revenue for the Company. Forward-looking statements are estimates reflecting the Company's best judgment based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that other factors will not affect the accuracy of such forward-looking statements. Access to capital, or lack thereof, is a major risk and there is no assurance that the Company will be able to raise required working capital. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by the Company include, but are not limited to, government regulation, managing and maintaining growth, the effect of adverse publicity, litigation, competition, the patent application and approval process and other factors which may be identified from time to time in the Company's public announcements and filings. There is no assurance that the participation in the hemp oil sector or alternative health businesses will provide any benefit to Lexaria, or that the Company will experience any growth through participation in these sectors. There is no assurance that the new private label agreement entered will result in any revenues being realized by Lexaria. There is no assurance that Timeless Herbal Care Limited will execute their business and therefore no assurance that the definitive license agreement will provide new revenues to Lexaria. There is no assurance that existing capital is sufficient for the Company's needs. There is no assurance that any planned corporate activity, business venture, or initiative will be pursued, or if pursued, will be successful. There is no assurance that any patent application in the USA or any other nation or under any treaty will result in the award of an actual patent; nor that an award of any actual patent will protect against challenges from unknown third parties. There is no assurance that any of Lexaria's postulated uses, benefits, or advantages for the patent-pending technology will in fact be realized in any manner or in any part. No statement herein has been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). ViPovaTM and Lexaria products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Lexaria Bioscience Corp. lexus ux concept suv Lexus leaked its concept SUV the UX ahead of the Paris Motor Show, and the car highlights a focus on going mirrorless. First a closer look at the car itself: it's a wide-body SUV with some massive looking wheels, giving you a nice lift above the road. As Autocar's Sam Sheehan notes, the door handles are set in the middle, implying that they are "suicide doors" hinged at the rear. Pretty swanky for an SUV. But perhaps the most interesting feature we can glean from this one photo is that the sideview mirrors have been replaced by cameras. lexus ux suv concept mirror focus Replacing the exterior mirrors with cameras is something we've seen in a few concept cars, like the BMW i8 concept car show off at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, and are likely to see more in production vehicles in the future. Japanese automakers got the OK in June to make and sell mirrorless cars, making it one of the first countries to embrace the technology. Considering Lexus is owned by Japanese automaker Toyota, we're likely to see more of this tech in use going forward. There's not much information on the car itself aside from the photo, but Lexus notes that the concept "showcases imaginative technologies for an immersive driver experience, while the interior marries traditional craftsmanship with high-tech manufacturing techniques." So at the very least, we know the concept is meant to demonstrate a focus on tech innovations in line with replacing the sideview mirrors with cameras. We'll have to wait for the Paris Motor Show to learn more about the UX. NOW WATCH: Lexus just revealed exactly how they made the hoverboard everyone is talking about More From Business Insider The Hague (AFP) - Libya's last chemical weapons stocks have arrived safely in Germany after being shipped out of the country, and will now be prepared for destruction, a global watchdog said Thursday. "Another crucial step has been taken toward eliminating Libya's remaining chemical weapon precursors," Ahmet Uzumcu, head of the UN-backed Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said in a statement. The stocks, including 23 tanks of chemicals, were shipped out on a Danish vessel on August 30 from the Libyan port of Misrata, under the supervision of the United Nations. It was a multi-nation maritime operation led by Denmark, and Uzumcu said the remaining "chemicals arrived safely and securely at the specialised destruction facility in Munster". The destruction of around 500 tonnes of toxic chemical products by GEKA, Germany's state-owned company for disposing of chemical weapons, will be the last phase of the operation to rid the unstable north African country of its stockpile. The stocks had been stored in the central Jafa area, about 200 kilometres (125 miles) south of Sirte where Libyan pro-government forces are battling jihadists from the so-called Islamic State group. The removal of the dangerous weapons precursors eases fears that extremists like IS could gain access to the weapons in Libya, which has been wracked by chaos since the 2011 overthrow of Moamer Kadhafi. "These chemical weapon precursors have not been weaponised and now they never will be by anyone," the OPCW said in a statement Thursday. The UN Security Council on July 22 endorsed the plans to remove Libya's remaining chemical weapons from the country. UN chief Ban Ki-moon in a statement praised the operation and welcomed the contribution of "personnel, technical expertise, equipment, financial and other resources" by the countries involved. Libya joined the UN convention banning chemical weapons in 2004 as part of Kadhafi's ultimately abortive efforts to shake off the country's pariah status and mend ties with the West. Story continues At the time Libya joined the convention, it declared 24.7 tonnes of sulphur mustard, 1,390 tonnes of precursor chemicals and more than 3,500 aerial bombs containing chemical weapons. It had eliminated all the aerial bombs, 51 percent of the sulphur mustard and 40 percent of the precursor chemicals by 2011, when operations to destroy the arsenal were interrupted by the uprising against Kadhafi, according to the OPCW. Of three chemical weapons production facilities also declared in 2004, two were destroyed and one converted for civilian use, it said. Rock duo Jamestown Revival -- comprised of childhood friends Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance -- made a name for themselves with their 2014 debut Utah. The record cemented their sound -- a fusion of Americana, folk and rock -- and received critical acclaim. In all, it perfectly paved the way for them to keep on trekking. Now, the two are back with their sophomore effort, The Education of a Wandering Man, due Oct. 7. Clay says the record is essentially "chapter 2" and that it is largely about "leaving behind our last bastion of adolescence, if you will." The upcoming album's lead single, "Love Is a Burden," has already arrived, and now they are sharing the album's opening track, "Company Man," exclusively on Billboard. Jamestown Revival Offer Their Take on Social Media at Sundance "'Company Man' is a song about the frustration of feeling like you're up against insurmountable odds," Clay says. "It's a song about feeling like your voice will never get heard over the roar of the machine. It's a song about the big man, the little man, money, power, and all of the things that make the world go 'round." The song's production echoes this sentiment, as the track surges on with more power than previously heard from the duo. It's clear they're revved up -- and it makes the song all the better. The track is colored with bluesy undertones and is elsewhere soaked in synth-heavy instrumental breaks. As for the the inspiration behind "Company Man," it stems from a true story of corporate greed. Clay's family has owned land in Walker County since the '70s -- a place he says he and Zach have been going since childhood. "It's one of our favorite places," he says -- though it was recently taken by an oil company. "When you can't legally lock the gate to land that you legally 'own,' it's an unbelievably helpless feeling," Clay says, a feeling that is clearly captured and conveyed on the new single. Give it a listen below: Did Hillary Clinton wear a secret earpiece during the NBC forum Wednesday night? It's a question on the lips of many political observers who now are spewing accusations at the Democratic candidate. Read: Injury to Insult: Sarah Palin Uses Bloody Gash to Take a Shot at Hillary Clinton Actor James Woods tweeted a still frame from the NBC special aboard The Intrepid in New York City, claiming to show an object embedded in her ear with the caption: "Earpiece? #CrookedHillary." Woods, a vocal critic of Clinton who dedicates most of his Twitter account to taking jabs at her, ran with the earpiece claims for most of the night. The website True Pundit claimed New York cops working security at the forum saw Clinton wearing a high tech "inductive earpiece" so aides backstage could help her answer questions. Could it have been an optical illusion or even a hearing aid? In a side profile of Clinton's left ear, no device could be seen or found. The Clinton campaign has not commented on the matter. In her first press conference in 278 days Clinton trashed Donald Trump's performance in last night's live TV forum. Story continues She spoke in New York Thursday morning and said: Last night was yet another test and Donald Trump failed yet again. We saw more evidence that he is temperamentally unfit and totally unqualified to be commander-in-chief. Read: Woman Seated Behind Trump Appears Shocked as He Calls Clinton 'a Bigot' During Rally She even called Trump unpatriotic for this remark about Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The man has very strong control over a country. It's a very different system and I don't happen to like the system, but certainly in that system, he's been a leader. Far more than our president has been a leader, she said. Watch: Cher Rips Into Donald Trump at Hillary Fundraiser Related Articles: LONDON (Reuters) - Two men were arrested in London on Thursday on suspicion of being involved in terrorism, the British capital's Metropolitan Police said in a statement. The men, who were not named, were arrested at an address in west London as part of a pre-planned, intelligence-led investigation by the force's Counter Terrorism Command. One of the men, aged 19, was arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. The other, aged 20, was arrested on suspicion of funding terrorism and failure to disclose information regarding a terrorist act. He was also arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts under a separate investigation by the South East Counter Terrorism Unit. Officers were searching addresses and vehicles in west and southeast London and in the Thames Valley area. Both men, who are from London, remain in police custody. The current terrorist threat level in Britain is considered severe, meaning that an attack is highly likely. (Reporting by Estelle Shirbon; Editing by Elisabeth O'Leary) Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fstory%2fthumbnail%2f20160%2fspider-smokes-weed-bro Some days the stoner gods answer all of your spidey prayers. After finishing what appears to be a joint, spliff or hand-rolled cigarette, this smoker from Little Lever, UK, attempted to toss his smoke over the fence. Instead, the joint landed directly in a lucky spider's web, where it proceeded to spin the free weed so that no other spiders could come along and bogart on his freshly acquired jay. In reality this spider was probably confused and annoyed at the jerk who couldn't properly dispose of his trash, but we'd like to just imagine that this little spider had a relaxing afternoon. Stephen Colbert wrote a song about Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston's breakup Michael Strahan and Jimmy Fallon go head-to-head in a giant tricycle race 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' gloriously retold as an 8-Bit arcade game Hilarious parody gives hope to women suffering from 'headphones in ears' New York (AFP) - Pop diva Madonna has settled a bitter custody dispute with former husband Guy Ritchie, agreeing for their teenage son to stay in Britain with his filmmaker father, a US court says. "Their custody case is resolved," Lucian Chalfen, spokesman for the New York court where the divorced couple had fought for custody of their son Rocco, told AFP on Thursday. The custody agreement reached Wednesday stipulates that the 16-year-old is to remain with his British father, according to US media reports citing Ritchie's lawyer, Peter Bronstein. Bronstein was not immediately available to comment. Madonna, who wanted her son to live with her in the United States, reacted enigmatically on social media. The pop star posted a photo of herself on Instagram wearing a black hoodie with the word "bitch" scrawled across it in red. Madonna and Ritchie had battled for months for custody of Rocco in US and British courts. Judges heard that Rocco remained in London with his father after a visit in December last year. Madonna wanted the teen to return to live with her in the State of New York. The celebrity couple divorced in 2008 after eight years of marriage. Madonna aired her feelings about the painful end to their relation in her album "MDNA", released in March 2012. The two also have a 10-year-old adopted son, David Banda. KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Malaysia Airlines Bhd on Thursday reported a decline in passenger loads in the traditionally slower second quarter, but said cost savings would help it post a smaller-than-expected annual loss. The national carrier said its load factor - or passenger capacity used per flight - fell 0.3 percentage points from the first quarter to 68.6 percent. It also said demand was lower - as usual - in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan that fell in June. Booking patterns have since strengthened, the airline said. It also said it expects business class loads to improve in the last quarter of the year spurred by cabin upgrades. "(The) group expected to record a loss for the whole fiscal year of 2016 but significantly smaller than initially budgeted at the beginning of the year, and ahead of the turnaround plan for the airline to be sustainably profitable by 2018," the airline said in a statement. Malaysia Airlines has struggled since the disappearance of flight MH370 and shooting down of flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine, both in 2014. It is currently owned by Malaysian sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd. Chief Executive Officer Peter Bellew, who assumed his role in July, said competition domestically and globally is intense and is likely to intensify in the second half of the year. He said the airline will increase marketing and sales initiatives and be strict on costs in the second half of 2016. (Reporting by Liz Lee; Editing by Christopher Cushing) Colombo (AFP) - Police in the Maldives raided the offices of a local media organisation just hours after a documentary aired accusing President Abdulla Yameen and his government of corruption, journalists said Thursday. Police searched the seven-storey building housing the Maldives Independent website whose editor was quoted in the Al Jazeera documentary aired on Wednesday night detailing high-level graft allegations. "We believe the search was part of an attempt at intimidation," a Maldives Independent journalist told AFP. "They looked at rooms and even the toilets, but took only a broken CCTV unit." There was no immediate comment from the police. The documentary is the latest twist in a protracted political crisis that has dented the Indian Ocean archipelago's reputation as an upmarket holiday destination and raised international alarm about an erosion of democracy. Al Jazeera said the documentary was based on data including emails and text messages it had obtained between key officials of Yameen's administration allegedly implicating them in graft and other criminal activity. The editor of the Maldives Independent left the country before the documentary aired, fearing the government would slap charges against her under a tough defamation law. Former Maldives auditor-general Niyaz Ibrahim, who alleged in the documentary financial irregularities under the Yameen regime, also reportedly left the country on Wednesday night fearing persecution. Yameen's government labelled the documentary disappointing, saying it mostly contained allegations revealed in an official report by Ibrahim that were already being probed by Maldives' authorities. "The Maldives government would request that all evidence obtained by Al Jazeera be handed to the Maldives Police Services or the Anti-Corruption Commission so as to assist it with their own investigations," the foreign ministry said in a statement posted on its website Thursday. Story continues The "Stealing Paradise" documentary, by Al Jazeera journalist Will Jordan, a former editor of the Maldives Independent, shows what it says are leaked messages from former vice-president Ahmed Adeeb's phone to various officials discussing payments. In June, Adeeb was jailed for 15 years on a charge of plotting to assassinate Yameen -- part of a sweeping crackdown on opponents, most of whom are in jail or exile. Yameen's administration faces international criticism over the crackdown along with the jailing last year of the country's first democratically elected president, Mohamed Nasheed who has since obtained asylum in Britain. The Maldives last week issued an arrest warrant for Nasheed for failing to return to the nation to complete his jail sentence after receiving medical care in Britain. Nasheed was among members of several exiled opposition groups meeting in Colombo last week to plot a strategy to topple Yameen, according to sources. He returned to London earlier this week, sources told AFP. The country has been gripped by political turmoil since Nasheed was forced to resign in 2012 following a mutiny by police and the military. Nasheed was sentenced to prison in 2015 on a terror-related office. Dads are never easy to shop for, but this Florida man got exactly what he wanted when his wife's daughter presented him with adoption papers on his 53th birthday. Read: 18-Year-Old Asks Mom's Boyfriend to Adopt Her at Graduation Party: 'His Wish Had Come True' Gabby Lynde of Port Richey told InsideEdition.com she's wanted to be adopted by her mom's husband, David Lynde, since she was 10 years old, but the family always ran into roadblocks because it would require her biological father's consent. After she turned 18, Gabby said she started looking into adult adoption, which would not require her birth father's permission under Florida law. When she got the papers ready by David's 53rd birthday, she knew it would be the perfect surprise for him. Last Sunday, Gabby, now 22, and her boyfriend went to her parents' house for dinner as usual, and she then took the chance to present David with a gift bag. In a video shot by her mom, Lori Ann Lynde, David can be heard yelling sarcastically, "I got a pen," but falls quiet as he reads the stack of papers that are also inside. "Am I adopting you?" he finally says in the video after a long pause. Finally, he wraps Gabby into a hug. Through tears, he promised he'd sign, "as soon as I can see," he joked. Despite the emotional display, Gabby told InsideEdition.com that in the 14 years she's known him, David has always been her father. Read: Man Surprises Wife With Pregnancy Despite Vasectomy Months Before: 'God Had Other Plans' "We do things that a father and daughter would do, which is awesome because I thought I wasn't going to get that," Gabby said. She explained that David has always been there for her, whether it be prom, or nursing school, or a weekend fishing trip. Gabby has even been going by David's last name, Lynde. Watch: Instead of Missing First Day of School for Her Adoption, This 10-Year-Old's Class Came With Her Related Articles: Beijing (AFP) - Forty years after his death, Mao Zedong's presence remains impossible to escape in China, yet difficult to discuss. His corpse still lies in state in the centre of Beijing, watched over by a giant portrait hanging on the Forbidden City in Tiananmen Square. His face peers out of every wallet, emblazoned on the bank notes that have powered his country's rise to the world's second largest economy. Yet his legacy remains problematic for China, the Communist Party, and its current chairman Xi Jinping, according to Frank Dikotter, a Mao expert at Hong Kong University, describing him as "both the Lenin and the Stalin" of the ruling party. "He's both the one who like Lenin brought the Communist Party to power and he's the one who like Stalin committed horrendous crimes against humanity," he said. The son of a wealthy farmer, Mao dreamed of transforming the nation into a communist paradise and stopped at nothing to achieve his vision. He was among the Chinese Communist Party's founders in 1921, and fought for 28 years against his own countrymen and the Japanese. Finally on October 1, 1949 he declared the People's Republic in Tiananmen Square, but his dream quickly turned into a nightmare. He ordered multiple purges to fight "counter-revolutionary" influence in the party, which are believed to have killed hundreds of thousands of people. Tens of millions starved to death in the late 1950s during his Great Leap Forward, an ill-conceived attempt to force the country into communes. And in the decade leading up to his death, he unleashed the Cultural Revolution, an orgy of spiritual and physical violence that deeply scarred the national psyche. Looking back on that history, the ruling party issued a 23,000-word resolution describing Mao as "a great Marxist and a great proletarian revolutionary, strategist and theorist" who made "gross mistakes". The verdict is often summarised as "70 percent right and 30 percent wrong", a stance that hasn't really shifted even as the reforms instituted by Mao's successor Deng Xiaoping transformed the country, Dikotter said. Story continues "You can't really touch upon the whole credibility, reputation, image of Mao, without undermining the foundation of the Communist Party of China." - 'Sanctioned amnesia' - Under President Xi, the government has gone to ever greater lengths to make sure everyone says the same thing when they talk about Mao. The most powerful leader since the Great Helmsman himself, Xi has cautioned against both "historical nihilism" and "neo-liberalism", an implicit warning to bury both praise and criticism of Mao's era. "There is an officially-induced and sanctioned amnesia about Mao's true record," said Fei-Ling Wang, a China expert at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Criticism of his failures may undermine the government's legitimacy, and last year a Chinese television anchor was suspended after a video surfaced of him criticising the dead leader at a private gathering. But praising his ideology can also be seen as a lament to how far down the capitalist road the country has gone: Chinese officials in January ordered the demolition of a giant, golden statue of the Chairman just days after pictures of its construction appeared online. "Citizens, artists, and activists all have to navigate the grey and shifting boundaries of what's politically permissible," said Jessica Chen Weiss, an expert on Chinese politics at New York's Cornell University. - Better than Jesus - For many, Mao's legacy remains highly subjective, said Jeff Wasserstrom, editor of the Oxford Illustrated History of Modern China. An unemployed steelworker might think of "a more heroic, to him, Mao of the mid-1950s who spoke of labourers being the natural 'masters' of society and promised men like him... jobs for life", he said. Meanwhile, victims of the Cultural Revolution would see "a doddering figure who made bad decisions that plunged the country into chaos", Wasserstrom said. Some Chinese retain an almost God-like reverence for Mao, similar to the cult of personality that once surrounded him, said Li Yaxing, a professor of Mao Zedong Thought at Xiangtan University in the ruler's home town. "No one is perfect. Even the Cultural Revolution was a mistake he made while discovering the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics," she said. It was hard to find anyone comparable, she said, adding: "Even Jesus didn't enjoy such a high reputation." For Dikotter, China's top leaders' relationship to Mao is more personal than reverential. For them, the chaos of his era is akin to a family secret: "Most of the leaders and their families were involved in it, including the family of Xi Jinping," he said. "All party members have a stake in making sure that history is rarely scrutinised," he added. "All of them have a stake in making sure Mao's portrait stays up there." LONDON (Reuters) - About 46 million people in Britain could potentially benefit from a legal case brought against Mastercard demanding 14 billion pounds ($19 billion) in damages for allegedly charging excessive fees, according to court documents filed in London. The case brought by a former chief financial services ombudsman alleges the payments company set unlawfully high fees charged to stores when shoppers swipe their debit or credit cards that were passed on to consumers in higher prices. Mastercard was accused of doing this for 16 years between 1992 and 2008, according to the documents filed at the Competition Appeal Tribunal on Thursday. The company said in a statement it denied any wrongdoing."We continue to firmly disagree with the basis of this claim and we intend to oppose it vigorously," the world's second-largest credit card and debit card issuer said. The lawsuit comes after the European Union's antitrust regulator found in 2014 Mastercard's fees to store owners to process payments were excessive.Law firm Quinn Emanuel said the lawsuit was the largest damages claim in British history and would be brought under a law meaning consumers would automatically be claimants unless they opt out. "MasterCard charged billion of pounds of unlawfully high fees for its sole benefit and to the detriment of consumers," Walter Merricks, who is bringing the case, said in a statement. "The filing of this claim is the first step towards consumers obtaining compensation." Merricks was head of Britain's financial services ombudsmen for ten years until 2009, helping to settle disputes between consumers and financial services companies. Consumers no longer living in Britain, but who lived there between 1992 and 2008, can opt in to the collective claim. (Reporting by Andrew MacAskill; Editing by Mark Potter) #LaueringTheBar still was trending this morning as NBCs Matt Lauer continues to get blistering reviews in the media, old-school and social, for the job he did moderating NBC News/MSNBCs Commander-in-Chief forum last night. The hashtag began trending Wednesday night on Twitter as the Today co-host wrapped his live Q&A with presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Twelve hours later, its trending still. Rule of thumb: When you are on the front page of both the New York Times and the Washington Post as a prize bungler, you know youre in trouble. This morning, public relations execs are emailing reporters covering the election, offering crisis-management experts to discuss not whether Clinton can recover from the grilling she got last night but whether Lauer irreparably damaged his reputation and, if not, what steps must he take to repair the damage. Lauer has been accused by pundits on both sides of the political aisle of spending way too much time pounding away at Clintons email habits as Secretary of State, then rushing her through other topics. When a veteran in the hall asked Clinton how she planned to defeat ISIS, Lauer interrupted, instructing her to answer as briefly as you can, so he could get to the rest of his list before his half-hour with her ran out. Lauer was overly aggressive with Clinton, to whom he seemed hostile, former New York Times media reporter Bill Carter concluded this morning, on CNN. Meanwhile, Lauer neglected to challenge Trump on several claims, such as his already refuted insistence he always opposed the war in Iraq. Clinton actually had referenced one such occasion when Trump voiced support for the war, during an interview with Howard Stern. Lauer focused on plowing through his list of questions rather than challenging Trump, who sometimes reverted to his effective interview style of talking over the moderator. As one TV news pundit said this morning, in fairness, Lauers not the first TV news talent to get sidelined by the real estate developer-turned reality-competition-show executioner. Story continues Even one of MSNBCs talking heads gave Lauer failing grades on the air, immediately after the forums wrapped. During Rachel Maddows post-forum show, Col. Andrew Bacevich scolded that as a discussion of national security issues and the sort of things we want to hear from a prospective commander in chief, its really been a missed opportunity. Questions they should have been asked on that score, they simply were not asked, he reprimanded. And the couple of occasions that the question was posed, they evaded it. Before we wrap things up, it seems to me it would be useful to surface the things that ought to be discussed when we are trying to understand the qualifications of somebody to be commander in chief. We did not hear that. Bacevich ticked off four or five questions he thought should have been asked, including such basics as: What have you learned from our unsuccessful wars of the past couple decades, and how would you apply those lessons? and What is your understanding of the complexities of the Syrian civil war? He concluded, Those are the items that ought to be on a commander in chiefs agenda, and they werent even asked. Related stories BidenJam Hits L.A. On Friday As VP Joins 'Stand Up To Cancer' TV Special Commander-In-Chief Forum Draws 15M Viewers On NBC & MSNBC, Boding Big Crowds For Upcoming Debates Hillary Clinton To Make Third 'Tonight Show' Visit On September 19, Kicking Off Premiere Week Commander-in-Chief forum host Matt Lauer has sparked uproar across the nation for his treatment of both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump during the live NBC event Wednesday night in New York City. Read: Listening In? Hillary Clinton Accused of Wearing Earpiece During Live TV Forum Lauer failed to challenge Trump on the claim that he opposed the invasion of Iraq. I was against the war in Iraq, I said it's going to totally destabilize the Middle East, which it has. It's been a disastrous war. And perhaps almost as bad was the way Barack Obama got out. That was a disaster, he told Lauer. But Trump told Howard Stern the opposite during a 2002 interview. When asked by the shock jock if he was in favor of invading Iraq, he said: "Yeah, I guess so. I wish you know, the first time it was done correctly." Lauer was also blasted for frequently interrupting Clinton during the TV forum. In one instance, she had said: Our decision was to put together an international coalition, including Russia and China to exert the kind of pressure that the United States alone could not do. Lauer interjected and said: You said you think they're going to cheat. Let me finish, she declared. I want to get to a lot of questions, Lauer fired back. She responded: I will talk quickly, but I want people to understand this. During a question Clinton fielded from a vet about her plan to defeat ISIS, Lauer jumped in before she could answer and said: As briefly as you can. Some have called Lauers actions sexist. Read: Woman Seated Behind Trump Appears Shocked as He Calls Clinton 'a Bigot' During Rally Political commentator Norman Ornstein wrote on Twitter: Lauer interrupted Clintons answers repeatedly to move on. Not once for Trump. Tough to be a woman running for president. Reince Preibus tweeted she didn't smile. Matt Lauer will never be taken seriously again. #sexist https://t.co/ldvYnXGWJr Carole Myers (@CaroleMyers) September 8, 2016 Trump got submissive Lauer cowed, so naturally macho Lauer reverted to attacking the women. Yes, the moderation was that sexist. Jim Safley (@jimsafley) September 8, 2016 In response to his performance as moderator, a Twitter hashtag #LaueringTheBar quickly gained steam on the microblogging site. Story continues The Huffington Post said the Today show host failed the moderator test under the headline: Lauer Cowers. The New York Times said: Matt Lauer Fields Storm of Criticism Over Clinton-Trump Forum. Watch: Cher Rips Into Donald Trump at Hillary Fundraiser Related Articles: Donald Trump Matt Lauer NBC host Matt Lauer questioned Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on a years-old tweet about military sexual assault that seemed to suggest women should not be allowed in the military. Lauer brought up the tweet after a veteran at an NBC forum on national security asked Trump about statistics on sexual assault in the US military, noting that his daughter decided not to join the service when she saw them. Trump responded that military sexual assault is a "massive problem." "The numbers are staggering, hard to believe even, but we're going to have to run it very tight," he said. "I, at the same time, want to keep the court system within the military. I don't think it should be outside of the military, but we have to come down very, very hard on that." But Lauer immediately quoted a 2013 tweet from Trump that said, "26,000 unreported sexual assaults in the military-only 238 convictions. What did these geniuses expect when they put men & women together?" Trump defended the tweet. "Well, it is a correct tweet," Trump said. "There are many people that think that that's absolutely correct. And we need to have a strength and we need to have " Lauer cut in. "So this should have been expected and does that mean the only way to fix it is to take women out of the military?" he asked. "No, not to kick them out, but something has to happen," Trump said. "Right now, part of the problem is nobody gets prosecuted." Hillary Clinton's campaign, in a statement on the forum, criticized Trump's remarks during the exchanges on sexual assault in the military. "Trump sputtered his way through the forum, making clear his secret ISIS plan is no plan at all, doubling down on the idea that the military should have known better than to have men and women serve together and lying yet again about his early support for the war in Iraq," Clinton campaign chair John Podesta said. Story continues NOW WATCH: Why you won't find a garbage can near the 9/11 memorial More From Business Insider Matt Lauer NBC News anchor Matt Lauer has come under fire for what critics are calling a dreadful performance at a Wednesday night forum with Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Tasked with moderating the forum, Lauer was widely panned on social media for his handling of Trump's segment, in which he fed the Republican candidate allegedly easy questions and failed to press him on his claim that he initially opposed the Iraq War. Meanwhile, critics pointed to Lauer's grilling of Clinton on her use of a private email server as evidence of unfair treatment at the forum. As The New York Times reported, Lauer has less experience interviewing Trump than other NBC News anchors and may have been caught off guard by the businessman's "motor-mouth style." "At times, Mr. Lauer appeared flummoxed by his subject's linguistic feints," The Times reported. The candidates' first head-to-head debate is September 26. It will be moderated by another NBC News anchor, Lester Holt. Here is some of the criticism: Matt Lauer's interviews of Clinton and Trump were a complete disgrace to journalism https://t.co/P3Xv8QbkpH Jonathan Chait (@jonathanchait) September 8, 2016 How can someone like @MLauer not set the record straight on Trump's bogus claim of being against the war in Iraq? Glenn Kessler (@GlennKesslerWP) September 8, 2016 I don't blame Lauer for asking the email question. But it's ABSURD that he started off with Trump, "Why should you be Commander-in-Chief?" Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) September 8, 2016 Precisely. What an embarrassment. What a travesty. We will remember this, NBC and @mlauer. You are responsible. https://t.co/WESVMoK0d3 Jeff Jarvis (@jeffjarvis) September 8, 2016 Lauer's performance was so roundly condemned that the hashtag "#LaueringTheBar" began trending on Twitter. Dear Press: it is time to stop #LaueringTheBar and ask @realDonaldTrump substantive questions. Hold him accountable for his words/actions. Jim MacFawn (@JimmyFNmac) September 8, 2016 Pro tip for TV news orgs: Don't send guy who who covers cooking segments and puppies to do a political journos job. #LaueringTheBar #Fail Lily Mazahery (@LilyMazahery) September 8, 2016 NOW WATCH: Donald Trump is under fire for his comments about the Iraq War More From Business Insider Democrats and Republicans seemed to agree on one thing after NBCs presidential town hall Wednesday: Matt Lauer was an awful moderator. If the mark of journalistic fairness is that people on both sides of the audience dislike you with equal vehemence, then the Today host was very, very fair. Hillary Clinton supporters blasted him for not challenging Donald Trump when the Republican wrongly claimed he opposed the Iraq invasion all along. Trumps backers said Lauer gave Clinton a pass while treating their candidate with disrespect. Also Read: Donald Trump Slammed for Lying About Iraq War in Town Hall How can someone like @MLauer not set the record straight on Trumps bogus claim of being against the war in Iraq? asked Washington Post fact-checker Glenn Kessler. Probably a good thing that @MLauer wont be a debate moderator, tweeted GOP pollster Frank Luntz. @MLauer didnt ask Hillary about her Classified briefings & how it relates to her political commitment to not send troops to a conflict, said Richard Grenell, a spokesman for Mitt Romneys 2012 presidential campaign. I think @MLauer was trying desperately to impress others in the press to prove hes not just a morning show lightweight. Failed, said Vanity Fairs Kurt Eichenwald. Also Read: Hollywood Democrats Nervous as Clinton-Trump Polls Tighten: 'I'm Freaked Out' Vox blasted: Matt Lauer totally blew it on Trumps blatant lying about Iraq and Libya. Buzzfeeds Andrew Kaczynski, who first tracked down the 2002 Howard Stern interview in which Trump expressed his support for the Iraq invasion, was more muted. "I was totally against the war in Iraq," Trump says, saying something that is not true. Matt Lauer offers no follow up. andrew kaczynski (@BuzzFeedAndrew) September 8, 2016 A Today show representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Story continues The moment that got Lauer the most grief from Democrats came when Trump asserted that he was totally against the war on Iraq. Trump cited an interview with Esquire Magazine in 2004 and statements before that as evidence. But Trump told Howard Stern in 2002 that he was in favor of the Iraq War. During a radio interview, Stern asked Trump, Are you for invading Iraq? Trump answered, Yeah, I guess so. It was unclear why Lauer didnt bring up the Stern interview though Clinton herself had said that Trump was dishonest when he said he opposed the invasion all along. Trump and Clinton appeared separately at the forum, which was organized by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and broadcast on NBC and MSNBC. Here are more reactions to Lauers performance: Seriously everyone, and I mean everyone, knew this would happen. And Matt Lauer didn't have a followup planned? https://t.co/mm5ufZKjEx Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) September 8, 2016 Watching DT spew his lies and never answer any questions, and Matt Lauer never holding him accountable for anything was sickening. Rob Reiner (@robreiner) September 8, 2016 Matt Lauer, youre fired. John Aravosis (@aravosis) September 8, 2016 You cant just let Trump tell obvious, widely-debunked lies in interviews https://t.co/I1bnTbMN3i Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) September 8, 2016 Honestly, I don't trust my reaction here. I think @Mlauer was much more adversarial to Clinton than Trump. Thoughts? Joan Walsh (@joanwalsh) September 8, 2016 Really enjoying every single other human realizing that Matt Lauer is The Absolute Worst. https://t.co/G0lEOwRp5G Heidi N Moore (@moorehn) September 8, 2016 Maybe you could mention that to your colleague, Matt Lauer. https://t.co/LGggl40N5K Paul Begala (@PaulBegala) September 8, 2016 How can someone like @MLauer not set the record straight on Trump's bogus claim of being against the war in Iraq? Glenn Kessler (@GlennKesslerWP) September 8, 2016 "I was totally against the war in Iraq," Trump says, saying something that is not true. Matt Lauer offers no follow up. andrew kaczynski (@BuzzFeedAndrew) September 8, 2016 .@MLauer dude what happened Marlow Stern (@MarlowNYC) September 8, 2016 @MLauer I lost ALL respect for you tonight,you kept interrupting, Hillary,and let that ass Trump just blather on! Nia Imani-Diarra (@Adeepsis52) September 8, 2016 I think Matt Lauer @MLauer was trying desperately to impress others in the press to prove he's not just a morning show lightweight. Failed. Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) September 8, 2016 Matt Lauer was treating Trump the same way a disinterested parent reacts to their babbling child. "Yup. Mhmm. That's nice." Jeff (@nudojudo) September 8, 2016 @MLauer disappointed in your performance Damaron (@ShanDixy) September 8, 2016 Pathetic job from Matt Lauer https://t.co/bUOSrcNKh8 Elizabeth Gruber (@Bethg15918812) September 8, 2016 Also Read: Donald Trump, Rom-Com Star? Twitter Has Some Notes @MLauer Very disappointed in your performance. Kay Tanswell (@kaytans) September 8, 2016 @USAforTrump2016 @MLauer Lauer sucks at anything he does. Talk about lining Hillary up with questions. She knew what they were going in. Vickie E (@BeSpotted) September 8, 2016 @TaraSetmayer @MSNBC all of this is sad. @MLauer was bought and paid for by Donald and he let him slide. Trump will be the end of humanity. Will (@TheEditor26) September 8, 2016 So some people are pretty mad at Matt Lauer, huh? Nate Sjol (@natesjol) September 8, 2016 Related stories from TheWrap: Why Candidates' Kids Highlight Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton CNN Docs Donald Trump Agrees With 'Liberal' New York Times on Clinton Foundation Are Trump-Pence's KFC Pics a Dog-Whistle to a Sexist Clinton Joke? In a notable departure during this political season, NBC actually gave over an hour of primetime, forsaking a precious edition of Americas Got Talent, to let the country hear from presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. The setting was what was billed a Commander-in-Chief Forum, hosted by Matt Lauer and airing on both NBC and MSNBC. Clinton and Trump appeared in separate half-hours. Clinton lost the coin toss, so she went first. Lauer asked her to tell us what qualities she possessed to lead the country without attacking her opponent; Lauer promised to ask Trump the same question. Clinton played by that rule. Yet when Trumps half-hour began, Lauer rephrased that question, asking Trump to keep attacks to a minimum. Which of course opened the door for Trump to criticize Clinton, which he did repeatedly, egregiously, throughout his time. Lauer allowed this to happen. Lauers second question was about Clintons old email server. Think about it: In the context of was supposed to be an exploration of each candidates ability to become commander in chief, the second question out of Lauers mouth was about emails, not about military strategy or leadership goals or policy positions. It was an appalling example of the way the TV media persists in following cable-news ratings-teases, asking about controversy for controversys sake. During Trumps half of the show, no such questions were asked about any extraneous controversy Trump has been involved in, and of course, hes been involved in many. Instead, Lauer asked questions like, What in your life [has] prepared you to be commander in chief? (Trump managed to work in a Clinton criticism there.) And a softball such as Will you be prepared on Day One? (Trump worked in multiple criticisms of Clinton there as well.) Trumps responses were marked by meaningless phrases (she has a happy trigger Huh?), and sentences begun but never finished. (One response, in its entirety: The vets are waiting six days, seven days, eight days. Uh-huh; for what?) Lauer is by no means the only TV news person who falls into an apparent coma in the face of Trumps repetitive patter, while fixating to an obsessive degree on Clintons email server. But his lapse this evening was especially notable, given how rare it is for network television to spend any amount of primetime with the candidates. LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May will meet European Council President Donald Tusk in London on Thursday to discuss Britain's exit from the European Union, May's spokeswoman said. It will be the pair's first bilateral meeting since May took office in July, following Britain's vote to leave the EU. "It will be an opportunity in part to talk about the process of leaving the European Union, how we see the upcoming months," May's spokeswoman told reporters. The spokeswoman said Tusk and May would also discuss issues on the agenda for the October meeting of EU leaders, including migration, trade and Ukraine. May has said Britain will continue to play a full role in the EU until it leaves the bloc, a process which will take at least two years. (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; editing by Michael Holden) From Country Living In March 1942, a photographer touring the Naval Air Station in Alameda, California snapped a photo of a 20-year-old woman wearing a stylish red-and-white polka dot bandana while working a vertical turret lathe. The photograph made its way around the nation, eventually catching the eye of artist J. Howard Miller, who reportedly used the image as inspiration for his 1943 Rosie the Riveter "We Can Do It" poster. For decades, the woman in the photo was thought to be a Michigan factory worker named Geraldine Hoff Doyle, who bore a striking resemblance to Rosie and thought she recognized herself in an uncaptioned reprint of the photo in the 1980s. But the woman in the photo wasn't Geraldine Hoff Doyle. It was Naomi Parker-Fraley . When Parker-Fraley, 95, first saw the poster during the war, she noticed a resemblance, but assumed it was just because Rosie was a representative of the millions of girls contributing to the war effort all over America. "I did think it looked like me, but nobody ever mentioned it," she told People. But in 2009, she and her sister attended a reunion at the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park, and noticed a familiar photo displayed as the inspiration for the poster, under an unfamiliar name. "I couldn't believe it because it was me in the photo, but there was somebody else's name in the caption: Geraldine," she said. Parker-Fraley tried to rectify the misidentification by sending a newspaper clipping of the original photo to the park administration, but at that point, everyone already associated Rosie with Geraldine Hoff Doyle. "I didn't want fame or fortune, but I did want my own identity," she said. It wasn't until she met James J. Kimble, a professor of communications at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, that she found someone willing to take up her cause. He pronounced her as the true Rosie in a 2016 article in the journal Rhetoric and Public Affairs, and now she's finally ready to take up her true place in history. Story continues You Might Also Like Former Greys Anatomy actress Melissa George was hospitalized Wednesday after being assaulted by her partner, French website Paris Match reports. The 40-year-old Australian reportedly accused her partner Jean-David Blanc, the founder of French movie website Allocine, of causing her injuries that included a swollen face, bodily pain, nausea and dizziness. According to the report, George called the police from her home on Wednesday evening to report the incident. George, who appeared on Greys from 2008 to 2009 as Dr. Sadie Harris, was hospitalized for over 24 hours at Cochin Hospital in Paris, the report states. The Golden Globe-nominated actress most recently starred in The Slap and Heartbeat and has two young children sons Raphael, 2, and Solal, 10 months with Blanc. A rep for the actress did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment. Melissa George was hospitalized on Wednesday after allegedly being assaulted by her partner Jean-David Blanc, according to French website Paris Match (via People). Greys Anatomy and Home and Away alum George reportedly called police after allegedly being attacked by Blanc, who founded the movie website AlloCine. According to the report, George, 40, suffered injuries such as a swollen face, bodily pain, nausea and dizziness. The actress was reportedly hospitalized for more than a day at Paris Cochin Hospital. A representative for George, who played Dr. Sadie Harris on the Shondaland drama, has not yet responded to TheWraps request for comment. Also Read: WWE Suspends Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler After Domestic Assault Arrest George, who met Blanc at a BAFTA after-party in 2011, has two sons, Raphael and Solal, with the entrepreneur. The actress has most recently starred in the short-lived NBC series Heartbeat, playing heart transplant surgeon Alex Panttiere. Related stories from TheWrap: WWE Suspends Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler After Domestic Assault Arrest Sarah Palin's Son Arrested for Domestic Assault Hours Before Trump Endorsement Amber Heard to Present More Evidence of Johnny Depp's Alleged Domestic Abuse (Adds comment from Trump on resignation) By Dave Graham MEXICO CITY, Sept 7 (Reuters) - President Enrique Pena Nieto on Wednesday replaced his close ally and finance minister, Luis Videgaray, after the two were heavily criticized for Republican U.S presidential candidate Donald Trump's controversial visit to Mexico last week. A somber-looking Pena Nieto told a news conference that Videgaray, who officials said was the architect of Trump's visit, would make way for former Finance Minister Jose Antonio Meade. Pena Nieto was widely pilloried for hosting Trump at short notice last Wednesday. The New York businessman has repeatedly vowed to build a border wall to keep out illegal immigrants - which he said Mexico would pay for. Trump has further infuriated Mexicans by threatening to carry out mass deportations and rewrite trade treaties crucial to their economy, and by referring to some immigrants from the United States' southern neighbor as rapists or drug runners With economic growth sluggish, the president's popularity at record lows and tensions palpable between the finance minister and other Cabinet members, rumors of Videgaray's impending departure had bubbled under the surface in Mexico for months. "The proverbial last straw was the Trump visit," said Agustin Barrios Gomez, a politician from the opposition leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution, and a driving force behind a draft bill sent to Congress this week to empower the government to retaliate against Trump if he threatens Mexican interests. "(It) was seen as such a fiasco that he no longer had the credibility necessary to do his immediate job," he added. Senior diplomats said Videgaray, 48, had been instrumental in arranging the American's visit, in which the government had hoped to impress upon Trump the need to moderate his tone and reconsider his more divisive campaign proposals. But within hours of leaving Mexico, Trump was telling a cheering crowd of supporters in Arizona that Mexico would pay for the border wall "100 percent," prompting fresh ridicule of Pena Nieto at home. Story continues Instead of teaching Trump a lesson, the visit "legitimized him as a potential head of state," said Andres Rozental, a former deputy Mexican foreign minister. "It just shows how little thought went into it." Trump commented on the resignation during a forum with U.S. veterans on NBC television when he was asked if the United States could take a chance with him as commander-in-chief. "Well, I think absolutely," he said. "I think if you saw what happened in Mexico the other day...I let them know where the United States stands. I mean, we've been badly hurt by Mexico...And if you look at what happened, look at the aftermath today where the people that arranged the trip in Mexico have been forced out of government. That's how well we did." PRESIDENTIAL RACE Videgaray ran Pena Nieto's election campaign, and was long regarded as the most powerful Cabinet minister, with a huge influence on policy after orchestrating the country's landmark energy, telecommunications, tax and education reforms. Both men were embroiled in conflict-of-interest scandals in late 2014, after Pena Nieto's wife and Videgaray were found to have acquired property from a major government contractor. Pena Nieto ordered an inquiry, which cleared both of any wrongdoing. The respected new finance minister, Meade, is a friend of Videgaray and had started in the administration as foreign minister before moving to the social development ministry. Videgaray's departure from the Cabinet means Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong, on whose watch capo Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman escaped from prison before being recaptured, is now the most visible potential presidential candidate in 2018 for the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI. Polls show the main hopefuls for 2018 face a tough battle, with Osorio Chong leading prospective PRI contenders. Meade, who was also once energy minister, is among those hopefuls. He must now steer next year's budget through Congress, with the draft plan to be announced on Thursday. Senator Ernesto Cordero, a former finance minister from the center-right opposition, said he expected a smooth handover to Meade, whose experience in government he underlined. "He's been a minister five times, and on those five occasions he's done a good job," Cordero said. The economy has consistently fallen short of government growth forecasts during Videgaray's tenure, and contracted in the second quarter for the first time in three years. The new budget will be under close scrutiny after rating agency Standard & Poor's last month said it could cut Mexico's credit rating following a marked increase in debt. Videgaray, who has also been rumored as a potential 2017 gubernatorial candidate for the PRI in the State of Mexico, a populous region next to the capital, will not take another public post, a finance ministry spokeswoman said. (Additional reporting by Alexandra Alper, Michael O'Boyle, Gabriel Stargardter and Frank Jack Daniel and Steve Holland in Washington; Editing by Simon Gardner and Jonathan Oatis) If you were thinking of visiting Miami Beach and finding a cheap apartment through Airbnb, it won't be easy: the city is cracking down on short-term rentals. The city has doled out $1.6 million (1.4 million euros) in fines against homeowners and websites like Airbnb, HomeAway and Booking.com for listing or renting homes on a short-term basis. Police have even evicted tourists staying in 31 properties that had been the subject of fines, according to a recently disclosed memo from city manager Jimmy Morales. Rentals for periods of less than six months and a day are prohibited in much of Miami Beach, an island with an expansive beachfront, turquoise waters and a vibrant nightlife enjoyed by thousands of tourists a month. The authorities argue that regular residents are fed up with the round-the-clock partying at short-term rentals. And they contend that those who rent out the properties are nothing more than tax dodgers. "People are squeezing anywhere from five to 10 people in a room at basement rates. They're up all night, they party all night, residents don't want that," said Michael Grieco, a Miami Beach commissioner. "This is not an issue about tourism, it has to do with people's quality of life. And secondarily it's tax evasion," he said. Since March, when the city jacked up fines, owners and website operators have been hit with fines ranging from $20,000 to $80,000, according to the memo which was published by the Miami New Times. Grieco said hundreds of investigations are ongoing into "thousands of listings." Some residents are applauding the crackdown. "You don't want to see people you don't know in your building all the time," said Rafael Belisario. - Discouraging foreign buyers - But not everyone is happy about it. Ross Milroy, a Miami Beach real estate agent, said he's considering a class action suit and warns that the city is going to discourage foreigners from buying property there. Story continues "Why would, say, a European or even American buyer purchase an investment property or vacation home in Miami Beach if they could not rent it out for any period of less than 6 months and one day?" he asks. An Airbnb spokesman, Benjamin Brait, said the online rental lister is "a very small but unique part of Miami Beach's tourism ecosystem, one of the world's greatest destinations." "We look forward to working with community leaders and stakeholders in the coming months to create fair rules for home sharing," he said. Miami is the latest in a string of cities across the world which are trying to clamp down on properties being rented out through platforms like Airbnb. Among them are Berlin, Paris, Lisbon, Vancouver and even San Francisco, where the home-sharing website is based. Hoteliers in many cities are up in arms over such sites, which have also been accused of driving up property prices. mike pence Indiana Gov. Mike Pence backed up running mate Donald Trump on Thursday over Trump's assertion that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been a stronger leader than President Barack Obama. "I think it's inarguable that Vladimir Putin has been a stronger leader in his country than Barack Obama has been in his country," Pence said in an interview with CNN. Pence's comments came a day after Trump defended his positive statements about Putin in a presidential forum, citing the Russian president's high poll numbers and saying he was simply returning the compliments the Russian president had paid him. "If he says great things about me, I'm going to say great things about him. I've already said he is very much of a leader," Trump said. "The man has very strong control over his country." Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton immediately condemned Trump's comments, asserting that the real-estate magnate would not hold Putin accountable if Trump became president. "That is not just unpatriotic and insulting to the people of our country, as well as to our commander in chief. It is scary," Clinton said during a press conference Thursday. She added: "It suggests that he will let Putin do whatever Putin wants to do." For his part, Putin exerts far more control within Russia over areas such as free speech and free assembly. Much of the media inside Russia is heavily state-influenced, while state censors attempt to block internet sites deemed critical of Russia. NOW WATCH: Naked Donald Trump statues are popping up across America More From Business Insider Mistresses fans holding out hope for a Season 5 renewal, take heart: When the shows producers sat down with ABC brass to discuss the conclusion of summer 2016 run, they didnt tell us to make a series finale, says still-hopeful EP Rina Mimoun, who co-wrote the teleplay for Tuesdays polarizing cliffhanger with K.J. Steinberg. RELATEDMistresses: Yunjin Kim Not Returning for Potential Season 5 Mimoun said she and showrunner Josh Reims are in the process of trying to sell the network on the idea of a final fling of 13 episodes to air in 2017. We really feel like theres one more year of story to tell, but were also looking for a graceful way to wrap up the series, Mimoun explains, Thered be some new hot messes in the mix, and wed be moving back toward the kind of racy romp that Mistresses was when it began. TVLine caught up with Mimoun to talk about the decision to kill of Yunjin Kims endlessly entertaining Dr. Karen Kim, a popular fan theory about the shows mystery woman cliffhanger and the return of Wilson Cruzs Dante (and how it relates to the absence of Kates sweet roommate/gay BFF Randy). RELATEDJessica Biel Is The Sinner in USA Pilot TVLINE | We have to talk about Karens death and what prompted it. Did Yunjin Kim ask to exit the show, or did the writers room decide her character had run its course? I know youre not going to believe this, but it was entirely mutual. We came into the fourth season, and Yunjin expressed an interest in moving on to pursue other projects. And we said, Its so funny youre saying this to us now, because were fiddling around in the writers room with the idea that we want to do something big. I remember when K.J. and I first began the show, we were still mired in the BBC version of it all, we always said, If anyones going to die on this show, it would be Karen. We didnt always know that was the journey wed take, but when Yunjin expressed an interest in doing other things, we asked, How would you feel about Karen dying? We didnt want to do what we did with [Alyssa Milanos] Savi, having a character of ours out in the world that we dont see. And Yunjin was like, Do it! She knew Karen was going to die before the first table read of Season 4. She was such a trouper all year, holding in this secret. Cause for a while she was asking, When can I tell people? And we said, Never! [Laughs] Story continues TVLINE | When Episode 13 opened with her funeral, and you cut to her picture, my jaw dropped. Was the cast just as flabbergasted when they got the script? No, because this cast has been through a lot. Every year we dont know if well be back. Were always shooting in a new location Disney [Studios], Culver City, Canada, Santa Clarita. And we lost Alyssa [Milano] early [at the end of Season 2] and that was a surprise to all of us. Once you absorb that kind of a shock, you can handle anything. OK, its TV! TVLINE | Karens been such a beautiful disaster for four seasons Ill sleep with my dying patient! Ill be in a thruple! Ill wear a hooker wig! Ill have an affair with my nanny! It really stung to have her life end at the exact moment shed finally found some happiness and stability: Baby Vivian, new love Adam and her burgeoning career as a sexpert/author. Getting to that place, and then a slip-trip-fall death? We didnt want her to be in a sad, tragic place. We wanted her to die heroically. K.J. wrote that eulogy and it spoke to the character so nicely: She died doing what shed been meant to do all along by saving someone who needed to be saved. We loved the hot mess that was Karen, but the character felt like shed gone as far as we wanted to take her and as far as Yunjin wanted to play her, so it felt like the right time. RELATEDPatrick Dempsey on Greys Departure: I Stayed Longer Than I Should Have JES MACALLAN TVLINE | With the last two original mistresses, Joss and April, each happily married and with new babies at the end of Season 4, have you painted yourself into a corner in terms of exciting, scandalous arcs for those characters? Not at all. We have a 10-page pitch for Season 5. We are not going to suddenly become a show about April and Joss pushing swings on the playground and chatting about breast milk. We want to make a wide left turn that still allows us to stay true to the characters. Were not going to become the baby show if we get another season, I can promise you that. We have some real fun planned. TVLINE | To that end, what can you tease about this new character who introduced herself as Karen Kim or should we say Karen Kim 2.0 in the last seconds of the finale? And is she, as many TVLine readers wondered, Karens unstable nanny Lydia following some extreme plastic surgery? And would that character be a series regular? Its not Lydia. Ill give you that much. We can start a new theory percolating because the Lydia one is not it. We would be going into full [Days of Our Lives] Marlena turns into the devil territory, which were not prepared to do. This is a summer series, but come on. [Laughs] I dont think in Season 5, were looking to create a whole new series regular. But [Karen Kim 2.0] would be prominetly featured, as would [Harrys newly discovered adult son] Gabe. Plus, theres a ton of new characters we want to bring into our world who naturally fit, and a few whove been missed, who wed want to bring back to spark a little fun. Wed do it knowing it was out final season, to be able to tie it off in a way thats satisfying for the fans. screen-shot-2016-09-07-at-8-17-08-pm TVLINE | So exactly how outlandish would the New Karen Kim arc be? Its kind of out there, but its more about growing our group of women in the most organic way possible. Despite everyones mad hate for the finale Im still absorbing it, thats fine [Laughs] I love that so many photos that accompany the stories about us show our core group of women hugging or toasting with glasses of wine. Weve always been a show about female friendship, and we want that to continue. We were saddled with this title that either made us or broke us. The title was alienating to what could have and would have been our core audience, who was looking for that group of gals thta they missed from Sex and the City. We wanted to provide that wish fulfillment Yeah, I wish me and my girlfriends had wine in the middle of the day in my friends Anthropologie-esque store! I wish I had a ladies night every other day with my four best girlfriends who have all the time in the world to gab about our crazy st! [Laughs] Who doesnt love that? Who wants to go to the office? RELATEDMistresses Season 4 Finale Recap: No Beddings and a Funeral TVLINE | I hope one of the characters you bring back is Elizabeth Grey with a martini. [Laughs] I always want to bring back Elizabeth Grey. And Penelope [Ann Miller] is always down for that! TVLINE | Last question: The finale felt like you were perhaps setting up Wilson Cruzs wardrobe stylist Dante as a possible new mistress. Is that a possibility? Oh my God, I want Wilson on the show so badly. I fell in love with him when we worked together on Red Band Society. He is just the best and the scene between Tabrett Bethels Kate and Wilson gave us a jump into a place that could be a lot of fun, if we were able to get him as recurring next year. TVLINE | Is that at the exclusion of Kates endearing gay roommate Randy? Because when April started talking to some new female employee at Maison Sur Mer, I was like Wheres Randy? And who is this rando?! Our actor who plays Randy [Brian Gattas] was out of town when we shot the finale. But dont worry: Randy still works at the store! Related stories Miss America 2017 Crowns New Queen, Delivers Tone-Deaf 9/11 Tribute Quotes of the Week: Mistresses, Zoo, Atlanta, Beauty and the Beast and More Mistresses Cancelled After Four Seasons Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli researchers say they have uncovered a document showing Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas was a Soviet agent in the 1980s, but his office called it a smear campaign and pointed to suspicious timing. The claim first emerged in a report by Israeli public television on Wednesday night citing two researchers studying documents from the so-called Mitrokhin papers stored in Britain at Cambridge University's Churchill Archives Centre. The researchers, Gideon Remez and Isabella Ginor of the Truman Institute at Jerusalem's Hebrew University, said he was named as a KGB agent in Damascus in 1983 under the codename "Mole". Remez said Abbas was not simply labelled a "source or collaborator." "It says explicitly regarding Abbas that he was a KGB agent," said Remez. Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh told AFP it "falls under the framework of Israeli absurdities which we have got used to," calling it a "smear campaign." He also alleged it was an attempt to derail a Russian peace initiative. "It is clear Israel is troubled by the (Palestinians') strategic relationship with Russia and by the clear and announced Russian position, which is to solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis on an independent Palestinian state and the right of self-determination for our people," Abu Rudeineh said. Abbas was born in what was then British mandate Palestine, but his family fled to Syria during the 1948 war surrounding the creation of Israel. In 1980, Abbas was selected to sit on the Palestine Liberation Organisation executive committee. He had been in Moscow in 1982, where he studied for his doctorate, according to his online biography. The Mitrokhin Archive, where the document was said to have been found, is based on files of the Soviet spy agency KGB that were smuggled to Britain. Major Vasili Mitrokhin was a senior archivist in the KGB's foreign intelligence archive from 1972 until his retirement in 1984, and, disillusioned with domestic Soviet oppression, secretly copied information by hand, before defecting to Britain with it in 1992. Story continues - Russian peace effort - An Israeli specialist in Soviet history said the claim regarding Abbas was plausible. "There were numerous contacts in the Middle East with the former Soviet Union," said Yaacov Roi of the University of Tel Aviv. "It is very plausible that the Soviets would have tried to use Abu Mazen (Abbas) at the KGB while he was a student." The report comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks to organise a face-to-face meeting between Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Putin's Middle East envoy Mikhail Bogdanov met with both Netanyahu and Palestinian officials this week. He also reportedly met Abbas in Jordan three weeks ago. The television report recalled that Bogdanov was stationed in Damascus in 1983. His official CV online shows that he was in Syria between 1983 and 1989. Abbas claimed earlier this week that a meeting with Netanyahu had been set for Friday, but he said that an aide to the Israeli premier proposed delaying it and it was called off. Netanyahu has repeated his position -- he is ready to meet Abbas anytime, anywhere, as long as it is without preconditions. Palestinian leaders have previously called for the release of prisoners, a deadline for the end of the occupation of the West Bank and a halt to Israeli settlement building as conditions for talks. It is unclear whether Abbas has stuck to those demands. Peace efforts have been at a standstill since a US-led initiative collapsed in April 2014. The last substantial public meeting between Abbas and Netanyahu is thought to have been in 2010, although there have been unconfirmed reports of secret meetings since then. (Repeats to fix format of first paragraph) * Monte dei Paschi CEO agrees to quit ahead of cash call * Bank of America Merrill Lynch man tipped to take over * Cash call could be pushed back to early next year-source By Paola Arosio and Silvia Aloisi MILAN, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Fabrizio Viola, the chief executive of troubled Italian bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena , has agreed to quit and allow a new boss to try to convince reluctant investors to back an emergency rescue plan. The Tuscan lender, which emerged as Europe's weakest bank in stress tests in July, said on Thursday it was working to appoint a successor quickly and that Viola would remain in place until that was done. Marco Morelli, the head of Bank of America Merrill Lynch in Italy, was almost certain to take Viola's job, a source with knowledge of the matter said. "It'll be him at 99.9 percent," the source said, adding the decision to replace Viola was because the bank needed "a change of gear" to persuade investors to buy into a capital increase of up to 5 billion euros ($5.6 billion) -- one of the main pillars of its bailout plan. Another senior source said the bank had "basically" identified a successor for Viola, refusing to give more details. A person close to Morelli, who was Monte dei Paschi's chief financial officer until 2010, said he had not been contacted for the time being. A third source said Corrado Passera, who has served as industry minister and headed bank Intesa Sanpaolo, could also be a candidate for the job. Passera, backed by investment bank UBS, presented a last-ditch rival bailout plan for Monte dei Paschi in July but was rebuffed by the bank's board. CASH CALL DELAYED? Time is tight as the lender has committed to launch the capital increase -- its third in as many years -- before the end of the year as part of the privately-funded rescue blueprint agreed with the European Central Bank. However, one of the sources said the fund raising was now more likely to be launched in January or February of 2017, a delay that should allow Italy's political situation to become clearer. Story continues The health of the country's third-largest lender poses a threat to the wider banking system, the savings of thousands of small investors and also to the weakening political authority of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who faces a make-or-break constitutional referendum this autumn. A source at Italy's Treasury, which is the top shareholder in Monte dei Paschi with a 4 percent stake, said the situation was under control and a new CEO would be appointed soon. The bank gave no reason for the departure of Viola, who took charge of Monte dei Paschi in 2012 just as the lender was on the brink of collapse because of the euro zone debt crisis. Several bankers had said it would be difficult for Viola, who has already tapped the market for cash in 2014 and 2015, to lead another fundraising. POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY Further complicating the picture is the constitutional referendum on which Renzi has staked his job, expected to be held in late November or early December. According to a banker close to the situation investors want to see the outcome of the vote before deciding whether to buy into Monte dei Paschi's capital increase. A defeat for Renzi would increase political uncertainty and dampen sentiment towards Italian assets. With larger Italian bank UniCredit also expected to launch a multi-billion euro capital increase in coming months, the two banks could find themselves courting investors at the same time. Wary of the risks, JP Morgan and Mediobanca , global coordinators for the Monte dei Paschi's cash call, are working on a possible conversion of the bank's subordinated bonds into shares to reduce to size of the capital increase by around 2 billion euros, sources have said. ($1 = 0.8889 euros) (additional reporting by Silvia Ognibene in Siena and Stefano Bernabei in Rome; Editing by Keith Weir) SIENA, Italy (Reuters) - The outgoing chief executive of Monte dei Paschi di Siena said he did not expect his resignation to affect a 5 billion euro ($5.6 billion) rescue plan at Italy's third largest bank. Monte dei Paschi said on Thursday that CEO Fabrizio Viola had agreed to step down and a replacement would be found quickly, as the bank readies its third cash call in as many years and a record sale of bad loans. "I don't believe it will," Viola told journalists when asked if he thought his resignation would have an impact on the emergency plan needed to stave off the risk of the lender being wound down. Viola said a successor had not yet been found. A source with knowledge of the matter said earlier on Thursday Bank of America Merrill Lynch's Italy head Marco Morelli was likely to be Viola's replacement. Leaving the bank after a board meeting, Chairman Massimo Tononi said Viola's departure was unexpected. "I'm very sorry, I've worked very well alongside Fabrizio and I wished we could have continued to do so. However our task now is to find very quickly a new chief." ($1 = 0.8890 euros) (Reporting by Silvia Ognibene) Morgan Spurlock is set to tackle the so-called "Patriot" movement for an untitled documentary that he will produce for Spotlight financier First Look Media. David Byars (Self Storage), who shot the film and is directing, went inside the 2016 occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon during the siege that sparked international headlines. The doc is said to offer unfettered access to the armed protest led by Ammon Bundy, the son of the defiant leader of the anti-federal lands movement Cliven Bundy. With an insider's view of a new breed of American ideologues, the film delves into the dramatic rise and inner workings of the movement and gives audiences an unprecedented first-hand look into the occupiers' beliefs by living amongst them and giving them a voice. Oscar winner Spurlock (Super Size Me) is producing via his Warrior Poets production company, with Impact Partners (Queen of Versailles) also onboard as producers. Emmy nominee Jeremy Chilnick (What Would Jesus Buy?, The Third Wave) also is producing alongside David Holbrooke (The Diplomat). "From the first moment I saw the raw footage David captured in Oregon, I knew I had to make this movie," Spurlock said. "Audiences will be blown away. It's so timely and beyond powerful." Added Impact Partners' Dan Cogan: "Ammon and Cliven Bundy, heroes of the Patriot movement, have zoomed from the radical fringe to the mainstream with lightning speed. If you want to understand American politics and American life today, you need to understand where they and their movement are coming from. With astonishing access and a great storyteller's eye for detail, David Byars brings you into the heart of their world in eye-popping fashion. I cannot wait for the world to see this film." The film will look at the incendiary combination of disaffection, government mistrust and an affinity for guns and vigilante justice that is synonymous with the movement. It also references the meteoric rise of Donald Trump, whose views often dovetail with those espoused by movement members. Byars captures the story of the right-wing and libertarian extremist rebellion, with exclusive access into the Oregon compound for the occupation. Story continues The project extends First Look's support of innovative political documentary filmmaking as seen in AJ Schnack's election docuseries NomiNation, a portrait of America's political process, and Laura Poitras' new Julian Assange film Risk. Impact Partners is a well-respected brand in the documentary space, having produced Danfung Dennis' Oscar-nominated Hell And Back Again and Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady's Detropia. "David Byars captured something truly exceptional in Oregon, a clear-eyed vision of an America we hear a lot about but really see up close," said Adam Pincus, executive vp of programming and dontent for First Look. "He's managed to make a complicated, controversial story utterly human, and that's something we're thrilled to be a part of." Spurlock is represented by CAA and The Arlook Group. By Philip Scipio NEW YORK, Sept 8 (IFR) - Goldman Sachs promoted Philip Berlinski, head of EMEA equities trading to co-head of global equities trading and execution services. He replaces Peter Selman, who is retiring from the firm after 22 years, according to a memo obtained by IFR. The announcement of Selman's retirement comes one day after Tom Cornacchia, the bank's co-head of global sales for fixed-income, currencies and commodities retired. Berlinski will lead the global equities trading group with Brian Levine. Berlinski will work out of London and Levine will work out of New York. Berlinski first joined Goldman in 1998 as an analyst in equity derivatives research in London. He rejoined the firm in 2007 as a vice president in single stock volatility trading. Selman joined Goldman in 1994 as an associate in equity derivatives in London. In 2004, he assumed overall leadership of the regional derivatives business. He relocated to New York in 2007 as head of Americas derivatives trading and in 2012 he became co-head of global equities Delta One & derivatives trading. (Reporting by Philip Scipio; editing by Shankar Ramakrishnan) (Adds background on Selman, equities trading) By Olivia Oran Sept 8 (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs Group Inc's co-head of global equities trading and execution services, Peter Selman, is retiring and will be replaced by partner Philip Berlinski, the bank said in a memo on Thursday. Brian Levine will remain as co-head of global equities trading, according to the memo, a copy of which was reviewed by Reuters. A Goldman spokeswoman confirmed the contents of the memo. Goldman competes fiercely with Morgan Stanley for the top rankings on Wall Street as a stock trading franchise. During the second quarter, Goldman generated equities revenue of $1.8 billion, compared with $2.1 billion for Morgan Stanley. Berlinski had run Goldman's equities trading business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa since 2014. He had previously co-headed the bank's global equity derivatives business. He joined Goldman in 1998 as an analyst in equity derivatives research in London, where he will continue to be based. He was named managing director in 2007 and partner in 2008. Selman joined Goldman's equity derivatives operations in 1994 as an associate in London. He assumed responsibility for the European structured products business in 1999 and in 2004 took over the regional derivatives business. In 2007 he relocated to New York and was named head of Americas derivatives trading. Five years later, he became co-head of global equities one delta and derivatives trading. Selman was named managing director in 2003 and partner in 2006. (Reporting by Olivia Oran in New York; Editing by Richard Chang) Brian Moynihan Bank of America's message to activist investors: Bring it. The bank's CEO, Brian Moynihan, told CNBC Thursday that the bank is "all ears" to suggestions from activist investors. This comes as ValueAct Capital, an activist hedge fund, took a surprisingly large stake in rival bank Morgan Stanley last month. Morgan Stanley wasn't the only hoped-for target, it appears. Some investors in Bank of America had been gunning for an activist to shake up BofA, the Wall Street Journal's Christina Rexrode reported last month. Those investors reached out to activists including ValueAct, but the activists decided BofA was too big a bank to accumulate a large enough stake, according to The Journal's report. Wilfred Frost at CNBC asked Moynihan whether he feared activists investors, given Bank of America is trading below book value. Here's what he said (emphasis added): "We're driving a thing we call responsible growth. You've got to grow no excuses. We got to do it the right way. It's got to be sustainable investing in the future, technology, the way we conduct our business and govern ourselves. That we've been driving. And if somebody has better ideas about how to manage our company, we're all ears. And we'll, by the way, we talk to shareholders all the time. We hear from them. And, so, our view is we're driving this company back to the successful point. We're partway there. We're most of the way there. But we have more to go. And that'll then lift the earnings even further." NOW WATCH: Kobe Bryant is starting a $100-million venture capital fund More From Business Insider BERLIN (Reuters) - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Thursday that a lot of work was still "urgently needed" to get a ceasefire fully implemented in eastern Ukraine where Ukrainian government forces confront Russian-backed separatists. Steinmeier, who visits Ukraine next week in an effort to arrange a new high-level meeting between Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia, voiced dissatisfaction over slow progress to resolve the conflict in which more than 9,500 people have been killed. "I think everyone involved ... isn't and can't be satisfied with the implementation of the Minsk agreement," Steinmeier told reporters, referring to a peace accord brokered by leaders of the countries in the Belarussian capital in 2015. "We have experienced long periods of standstill and when progress has been made, it has been in millimeters. None of us ... can allow or see any benefit in standing on the spot when it comes to implementing the agreement," he said after meeting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin. Steinmeier travels to Ukraine next week with his French counterpart to discuss if, and when, a new round of high-level talks among the four powers can be arranged. Russian President Vladimir Putin said this week his country would continue to support new talks among the four leaders aimed at ending the fighting. "With regard to the implementation of the Minsk agreement, we also have to talk about the special status law, the local election law, the amnesty law ... we both know that a lot of work will be necessary to ultimately come together on this point," Steinmeier said. Steinmeier said concrete progress had to be made before calling a meeting of the four countries. "We can only do that when we have enough substance to come together at this level. Were checking that at the moment and were working on getting this substance and thats one of the reasons why I will be in Ukraine," said Steinmeier. (Reporting by Michelle Martin and Madeline Chambers; Writing by Madeline Chambers; Editing by Richard Balmforth) BERLIN (Reuters) - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Thursday that a lot of work was still "urgently needed" to get a ceasefire fully implemented in eastern Ukraine where Ukrainian government forces confront Russian-backed separatists. Steinmeier, who visits Ukraine next week in an effort to arrange a new high-level meeting between Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia, voiced dissatisfaction over slow progress to resolve the conflict in which more than 9,500 people have been killed. "I think everyone involved ... isn't and can't be satisfied with the implementation of the Minsk agreement," Steinmeier told reporters, referring to a peace accord brokered by leaders of the countries in the Belarussian capital in 2015. "We have experienced long periods of standstill and when progress has been made, it has been in millimeters. None of us ... can allow or see any benefit in standing on the spot when it comes to implementing the agreement," he said after meeting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin. Steinmeier travels to Ukraine next week with his French counterpart to discuss if, and when, a new round of high-level talks among the four powers can be arranged. Russian President Vladimir Putin said this week his country would continue to support new talks among the four leaders aimed at ending the fighting. [nR4N1BD01C] "With regard to the implementation of the Minsk agreement, we also have to talk about the special status law, the local election law, the amnesty law ... we both know that a lot of work will be necessary to ultimately come together on this point," Steinmeier said. Steinmeier said concrete progress had to be made before calling a meeting of the four countries. "We can only do that when we have enough substance to come together at this level. Were checking that at the moment and were working on getting this substance and thats one of the reasons why I will be in Ukraine," said Steinmeier. (Reporting by Michelle Martin and Madeline Chambers; Writing by Madeline Chambers; Editing by Richard Balmforth) Whether it's workers for construction, domestic or PMETs - Multiway Employment represents a quick and reliable source of foreign talent promising "zero hassle" for clients SINGAPORE / ACCESSWIRE / September 8, 2016 / Foreign worker agencies in Singapore are responsible for the crucial intake of manpower that powers the country's dynamic economy. As such, Multiway Employment functions to identify and recruit the best talent from countries around the world for a wide range of industries, including cleaning services, laundry and dry cleaning, construction, food and beverage, engineering, manufacturing and carpentry. To that end Multiway Employment has the ability to source from a multitude of countries including China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia and Bangladesh, which also handles the tedious legal paperwork of hiring. An employment agency in Singapore is even more relevant to employers and employees amidst the manpower crunch. Due to the restriction of foreign worker intake imposed by the government recently it is crucial that a company's foreign worker quota be filled with only the best candidates. A foreign worker recruitment like Multiway Employment also knows how to avoid hiring bad employees. Multiway Employment has an impressive track record and strictly adheres to government regulations. The company does not believe in taking shortcuts or cost-cutting that that could cause unnecessary complications for the related parties . The company also ensures that all candidates go through the proper channels to protect the interests of all parties involved. Multiway Employment is a manpower recruitment agency of excellent reputation and its services have garnered many positive testimonials from satisfied customers from across all sectors. About The Company: Multiway Employment Pte Ltd is a "One-Stop" foreign labour solutions provider for businesses in Singapore, registered under license number 13C6845 and approved by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The company is a fully legalized and professional agency which adheres strictly to all legal channels and procedures. Multiway Employment has the capacity to hire workers from a wide international network, providing a service that normal employment agencies cannot. Story continues For more information, please visit http://www.multiwayemployment.sg/ Contact Info: Name: K.K. Kua Email: kk.kua@multiwayemployment.sg Organization: Multiway Employment Pte Ltd Address: 21, Woodland Close, Primz Bizhub, #06-46, Singapore 737854 Phone: +65 8322 0440 (HP) Video URL: https://youtu.be/fEbLJZDH8mc SOURCE: Multiway Employment Pte Ltd Muriel's Wedding is headed for the stage. Global Creatures will join forces with Sydney Theatre Company for the 2017 world premiere of Muriel's Wedding The Musical, producers announced Thursday. The new production will play Nov. 6 through Dec. 30 at Sydney's Roslyn Packer Theatre. P.J. Hogan, who wrote and directed the 1994 Miramax comedy starring Toni Collette, is penning the book for the show, which will also include original music from Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall. The new tracks will, of course, be joined by beloved ABBA songs written by Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson. Simon Phillips (Priscilla Queen of the Desert) will direct, and Gabriela Tylesova will design sets and costumes. Like the original Australian film, Muriel's Wedding The Musical centers on Muriel Heslop, the ABBA-loving romantic who dreams of the perfect wedding, despite never having gone on a date. The musical's book will be updated, as the show description notes that the titular, Sydney-bound heroine "ends up with everything she ever wanted - a man, a fortune and a million Twitter followers. That's when things start to go really wrong." Read more: All the Broadway Shows of the 2016-2017 Season When music publisher Warner/Chappell agreed to pay $14 million earlier this year to end a lawsuit challenging its hold on the song, "Happy Birthday to You," the development brought massive attention to the issue of material claimed to be in the public domain but being licensed anyway. The controversial topic shows no signs of abating anytime soon. From the masked vigilante character Zorro to the iconic civil rights song, "We Shall Overcome," there are works waiting adjudication on whether or not they will be freed from copyright grips. Meanwhile, those on the receiving end of lawsuits are fighting back. This is true in two cases that both sparked motions to dismiss this week. One deals with Woody Guthrie's iconic folk song, "This Land," while the other is a $1 billion suit against Getty Images and a couple of other photo licensing outfits over images donated to the public for free via the Library of Congress. The disputes each deal with alleged misuse of public domain material, but are different enough to showcase the various obstacles that plaintiffs face when going to court over allegedly inappropriate licensing conduct. The lawsuit over "This Land" comes from members of the rock band Satorii, who created a different version that uses Guthrie's lyrics but with a different melody. They are challenging The Richmond Organization and Ludlow Music, who are maintaining ownership despite copyright registrations that plaintiffs say never disclosed that elements of the song had been previously published. True or not, the defendants on Tuesday asked a New York judge to reject the lawsuit because of a lack of live controversy that they argue leaves Satorii without sufficient standing. "In contrast to Plaintiffs' counsel's previous case regarding the song "Happy Birthday to You," the actual Plaintiffs here had no direct contact with Defendants, were not asked to pay a license fee for use of the Song, and were not denied a request to use the Song in any medium," states a motion to dismiss. "Plaintiffs' claimed harm - both for the completely theoretical threat of an infringement suit and for the theoretical claim of their inability to release a song with the same lyrics but a different tune - is not sufficiently imminent to give them a right to relief." Story continues The Richmond Organization is warning the judge of the consequences of being permissive with these kind of lawsuits. "Taken to its logical extreme, the principle Plaintiffs are asking this Court to endorse, is that anyone wishing to record a version of a copyrighted song, by, for instance, singing into a voice-recording application on their cellular phone and sending a check for 9.1 cents (along with a Notice) to a copyright owner or the Copyright Office (see 17 U.S.C. 115), could thereby challenge any historical copyright of their choosing in federal court," the memorandum continues. "Beyond the fact that there is no statutory support in the Copyright Act for the type of claim Plaintiffs are attempting to bring here, the practical effect of a ruling that such a claim is viable would put all songwriters and the entirety of the music industry at risk of unimaginable harassment." The lawsuit against Getty doesn't have this exact standing issue, but the plaintiff will still need to explain to a court her basis for proceeding. Carol Highsmith is the one suing, and theoretically, she should be in better position because she is the one who injected the works into the public domain in the first place. She's a photographer and a pretty renowned one. Her work has been featured in 50 books, on U.S. postage stamps and has been licensed for use in films including the recently released Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. For nearly three decades, she's been providing the Library of Congress tens of thousands of her photographs for public use. Now, she claims that Getty, Alamy and Picscout have misappropriated her "generous gift to the American people" by "not only unlawfully charging licensing fees to people and organizations who were already authorized to reproduce and display the donated photographs for free, but ... [also] threatening individuals and companies with copyright infringement lawsuits that the Defendants could not actually lawfully pursue." Specifically, Highsmith is claiming a violation of the provision of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act that pertains to copyright management information by doing things like putting watermarks on the photos ly identifying the works as belonging to the defendants, plus committingadvertising and unfair competition under the Lanham Act. In response to the lawsuit asserting more than $1 billion in damages, Getty moved for dismissal this week with the argument that she gave up her right to assert a copyright violation when she disclaimed rights through her donation. In doing so, the licensing agency points out that "public domain works are routinely commercialized - e.g., publishers charge money for their copies of Dickens novels and Shakespeare plays, etc." Getty explains that the photographs came to its image catalog via a "contributor" to its website and tells the court that it would only be liable if it acted with "the intent to induce, enable, facilitate or conceal infringement," but because the photos are no longer subject to copyright, these works "by definition, cannot be infringed" and thus, there can be no showing of the requisite intent or knowledge of infringement. As for the other claim that it is essentially confusing the marketplace as to the source of these photographs, Getty is leaning on the landmark Supreme Court opinion in Dastar Corp. v. Twentieth Century Fox Film. Ironically, that decision became shorthand for the proposition that trademarks can't be used as perpetual swords to counter copyrighted work falling into the public domain. Here, Getty picks up on the late Justice Antonin Scalia's discussion of attribution and how the Lanham Act applies to "the producer of the tangible goods that are offered for sale, and not to the author of any idea, concept or communication embodied in those goods." Applying this, Getty asserts that the lawsuit is seeking "to protect not the producer of the copies of the Photos at issue - under Dastar, Getty Images is the producer of those copies - but rather the author of the Photos, Plaintiff Highsmith." Here's Getty's full memorandum. How the judges in these cases rule will likely impact future controversies by spelling out when challengers - whether they be the original authors, ones making derivatives or those looking to use material free of threat - can take action over the use or misuse of public domain material. Categories Celebrity Style After the day-long buzz about Kanyes Yeezy Season 4 collection, last nights talk of the town centered on Tom Ford, whose NYFW show presented a stark contrast to fainting models and sweltering heat. The designer drew up a guest list with enough star wattage to power the former Four Seasons restaurant, where the event was held, inviting past and present muses from Naomi Campbell and Uma Thurman to Karlie Kloss and Gigi Hadid. Hollywoods finest crowded the round dinner tables, where caviar was served and champagne flowed. Seasoned supermodels Carolyn Murphy and Amber Valletta made runway appearances wearing fringed skirts and sequined turtlenecksall available to shop right now thanks to Toms new see-now-shop-now collection. Thanks to this spectacular turnout, were crossing our fingers for more surprise NYFW appearances by our favorite runway veterans (Claudia Schiffer, anyone?). Tom Ford and Julianne Moore. Photo: Courtesy of Tom Ford Amber Valletta on the runway. Photo: Courtesy of Tom Ford CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission is ready to start its seven-year space journey. If the good weather holds, the spacecraft will launch into space today (Sept. 8) at about 7:05 p.m. EDT (2305 GMT), and begin its round-trip journey to study an asteroid and snatch a sample to bring back home. "We are prepared to launch this fantastic asteroid-retrieval mission," Tim Dunn, the NASA launch manager at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), said at a media briefing at KSC Tuesday (Sept. 6). You can watch a webcast of OSIRIS-REx launch here beginning at 4:30 p.m. EDT (2030 GMT), courtesy of NASA TV. The OSIRIS-REx mission (which stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer) will travel about 4.5 billion miles (7.2 billion kilometers) to the asteroid Bennu, NASA representatives said at a science briefing on the mission. After studying and mapping the asteroid in depth, the spacecraft will move close enough to scoop material off the space rock's surface before returning home. The sample should provide insights into the early life of the solar system. [NASA's OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Mission Launch: Complete Coverage] Favorable conditions Created at roughly the same time as the solar system's eight planets, asteroids are thought to contain within them the seeds of the early solar system. The sample that OSIRIS-REx will take from Bennu in 2020 will provide clues about how planets like Earth formed, a mystery that continues to puzzle researchers, NASA representatives said at the science briefing. Scientists think the asteroid is covered with organic material. If its fellow asteroids rained down on Earth billions of years ago, the space rocks could have brought water and the ingredients for life to the young world. On Wednesday (Sept. 7), the mission's Atlas V rocket with the attached payload moved nearly a quarter mile, leaving the safety of its storage building for the pad where, hopefully, it will blast into space. The final preparation begins at midday today, as the launch crew begins the final power preparation at noon EDT, followed by fueling at around 5 p.m. EDT. At 7:05 p.m. EDT today, the clock begins counting down the 115-minute launch window. If everything runs smoothly and the weather cooperates the Atlas V carrying OSIRIS-REx will lift off tonight. If, however, there are complications, the rocket may have to wait. Large problems will require investigation, but if the issue is minor, or weather-related, the crew is prepared to retry every 5 minutes, Scott Messer, a NASA program manager at United Launch Alliance in Colorado, said during the media briefing Tuesday. Story continues The skies look pretty good so far. Forecasters are predicting 80 percent chance of good weather when it's time to launch. Clay Flinn, the launch weather officiator at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, said the principle concern will be the presence of cumulus clouds that are expected to blow in off the Atlantic Ocean, heading west. If technical issues delay the launch, conditions on Friday and Saturday are anticipated to be only slightly worse, with a 70 percent chance of launch. "It looks pretty favorable for the first attempt on Thursday evening," Flinn said. If the rocket does not launch on Thursday, there is a 34-day window for the probe to launch and still reach its target. Managing risks Space can be a dangerous path to travel. Last week's explosion of the Space X Falcon 9 rocket seems to have brought a sharp dose of reality. "Nobody likes to see your colleagues go through a day like that," Dunn said during the briefing. "It was a stark reminder to me and the whole team about the risks that we face in the business." Messer said the team performed an extensive walk-down of the platform to ensure no debris would cause problems. The engineering team also reviewed the equipment and determined there were no concerns. The Atlas V is well-tested, having flown more than 60 launches since its 2002 debut. "There is no elevated risk to OSIRIS-REx to launch on the Atlas V," Dunn said. OSIRIS-REx principal investigator Dante Lauretta said that he isn't nervous, because he trusts the engineering team that assembled the rocket that will carry the mission into space. That doesn't mean he's totally calm, however, he said. "I'm anxious because I've been working on this for 12 years," he said before emphasizing his strong faith in the OSIRIS-REx team and its analysis of potential risks. The team has worked to actively identify, manage and mitigate the worst of the challenges that will face the probe throughout its lifetime, he said. "A hallmark of OSIRIS-REx is effective risk management," Lauretta said. "But we understand those risks." Follow Nola Taylor Redd on Twitter @NolaTRedd or Google+. Follow us at @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com. Editor's Recommendations Copyright 2016 SPACE.com, a Purch company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f203497%2f7eac91443b2147bca68edc3fc9222a71 UPDATE: Sept. 8, 2016, 7:14 p.m. EDT NASA's OSIRIS-REx successfully launched to space at 7:05 p.m. ET from Florida on its journey to take a sample of an asteroid and bring it back to Earth. NASA wants to snag a piece of an asteroid, and a new mission launching Thursday is designed to do just that. The space agency's uncrewed OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will speed toward a meet up with the giant asteroid Bennu after its launch, expected at 7:05 p.m. ET Thursday from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It will take seven years for the spacecraft to reach the asteroid. SEE ALSO: NASA sends spacecraft to asteroid for answers about birth of our solar system The mission, a first of its kind for NASA but the third such mission launched worldwide in the last 15 years, should deliver a sample of the asteroid back to Earth by 2023, potentially revealing more about the origins of our planet and even life than ever before. "The formation of the solar system was a violent but dimly recorded time," Jason Dworkin, OSIRIS-REx project scientist, said during a news conference Tuesday. "Although most of the record of the ancient Earth is lost to the dynamic geology that shaped our planet, there are lines of evidence that indicate that heavy bombardment by debris from the formation of the solar system around the same time helped form the oceans, and around a few million years later, life," he said. Asteroids may have slammed into Earth during the early epoch. Some of these may have been carrying carbon-rich material that could be the precursors to life as we know it. Cosmic questions to answer The OSIRIS-REx team chose Bennu a 1,614-foot-long space rock a little taller than the Eiffel Tower as their target for a variety of reasons. First of all, the space rock is relatively easy to reach from Earth, circling the sun in an orbit similar to our planet's. That orbit will allow OSIRIS-REx to meet up with Bennu and then come home after collecting its sample, according to Christina Richey, a scientist working with the mission. Story continues Bennu is also a relatively large asteroid, which means that its rotation speed is likely slower than that of smaller objects, allowing OSIRIS-REx to match its spin and get into the asteroid's orbit more easily. "Its rotation speed is only 3.4 hours, so we'll be able to match the rotation speed of it and do a safe, smooth, slow high-five to collect that sample that we will then return to Earth," Richey said during the news conference. The asteroid was also chosen because of its composition, Richey said. Scientists think that the asteroid is "rich in carbon," and may harbor materials that are 4.5-billion-years-old, leftovers from the very beginning of the solar system. Asteroids like Bennu may contain organic materials like amino acids and carbon-based molecules that could be the "precursors to life on Earth or elsewhere within our solar system," Richey said. Scientists have an idea of what might be within asteroids like Bennu because they've been able to examine the composition of meteorites that may have broken off and fallen to the Earth's surface. However, those space rocks that have descended to Earth are likely contaminated by our planet. That contamination means the rocks are of limited use to scientists as they try to piece together the history of our solar system. Bennu or bust But before scientists get their hands on the space rock sample seven years after launch OSIRIS-REx will need to run the cosmic gauntlet. The spacecraft will arrive at the asteroid in August 2018 and then spend some time mapping Bennu in 3D before the main event in July 2020, NASA said. At that time, OSIRIS-REx will touch down on the surface of the asteroid and grab at least 60 grams, or up to 2 kilograms, of rock and dust for its return mission to Earth. "We are basically a space vacuum cleaner," OSIRIS-REx principal investigator Dante Lauretta said during a NASA presentation on Wednesday. Once its sample is in hand, the spacecraft will leave Bennu behind in 2021, speeding through space for about 2.5 years before getting back to Earth in September 2023. OSIRIS-REx will then spit out the capsule containing its asteroid sample, putting it on course to enter Earth's atmosphere, hopefully allowing it to land in the Utah desert. Not the first mission to an asteroid OSIRIS-REx will not be the first spacecraft launched from Earth to visit an asteroid to sample it. Japan's Hayabusa probe launched in 2003, visiting Asteroid Itokawa in 2005. "There, it made several attempts at collecting samples in touch and go maneuvers," NASA wrote in a description of the mission on the space agency's website. "During one of these attempts the spacecraft unexpectedly lost communication with Earth and crash-landed on the asteroid surface, damaging the spacecraft." Even though the spacecraft was damaged, it still managed to return to Earth in 2010 and contained an unexpected sampling of the space rock. Japan also launched its Hayabusa 2 mission in 2014. That spacecraft should rendezvous with its asteroid target Asteroid Ryugu in 2018, delivering its bounty of space rock material back to Earth by 2020, if all goes according to plan. The fact that OSIRIS-REx and Hayabusa 2 will be at their respective asteroids at the same time will be a huge advantage to scientists and mission controllers working with the whole spacecraft from Earth. "The plan is for Hayabusa 2 to get the first sample in, I think, October 2018," Lauretta said in an interview with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. "Thats about one year before we go for our sample, so I want to know what happens to Hayabusa 2 when they touch the asteroid. This is the biggest unknown and the biggest danger for OSIRIS-REx, so we really want to understand what the surface is like when you touch it." NASA scientists are also planning to work with their Japanese counterparts to share results as the two probes explore their targets. "We will have some Japanese scientists in Tucson, Arizona, and well have some of our scientists here in Japan helping each other explore. It is important to exchange information while we are operating our spacecraft," Lauretta said. Once both spacecraft return their precious cargo to Earth, scientists will get the chance to examine two asteroids in detail at about the same time. This will afford them an unprecedented opportunity to learn even more about how two of the ancient objects in our solar system formed, possibly unlocking the key to the evolution of our home planet. You can watch the launch live via NASA. Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f204488%2f33df32b5fd464ab99fffd5e0e8f1cf81 NASA mission controllers are some of the biggest Star Trek fans in the universe, so it only makes sense that they would celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original series in true nerdy style. Instead of showing its usual graphic of the International Space Station on a world map in mission control, Thursday's live view of the station's current position is represented by Captain Kirk's intrepid Starship Enterprise. SEE ALSO: Facebook changes Like buttons to celebrate Star Trek's 50th anniversary NASA's love of Star Trek has been known among space fans for quite some time. In honor of #StarTrek50, an Enterprise icon is used to show where station is on the world map in Mission Control! pic.twitter.com/HF6H6rM3nm Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) September 8, 2016 The agency even named one of its space shuttles "Enterprise" after Star Trek fans launched a letter-writing campaign in the 1970s. The shuttle was originally going to be named the Constitution to celebrate the bicentennial in 1976. The Space Shuttle Enterprise never went to space, but its flight tests did help NASA engineers learn more about how to safely fly the other orbiters to space and back again. NASA's space shuttle Enterprise with the cast of "Star Trek." Image: NASA Astronauts have also brought their love of the series to space with them. European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti wore Star Trek-themed clothing during her time above Earth and paid tribute to Leonard Nimoy who played Spock in the original series along with NASA astronaut Terry Virts when Nimoy died in 2015. "Of all the souls I have encountered.. his was the most human." Thx @TheRealNimoy for bringing Spock to life for us. pic.twitter.com/mE12wLQKrU Sam Cristoforetti (@AstroSamantha) February 28, 2015 NASA astronauts also have a habit of re-creating their favorite movie posters for unofficial mission photos ahead of a launch to the Space Station or (previously) on the space shuttle. Story continues A NASA poster modeled after the 2009 "Star Trek" reboot. Image: NASA For example, the crew of a space shuttle mission launched in 2011 parodied the 2009 Star Trek movie reboot for their poster. The Expedition 21 crew to the Space Station also used a Star Trek theme for their own parody poster. A "Star Trek"- themed NASA poster. Image: NASa NASA scientists and engineers also appear to be big fans of Star Wars, Firefly and many other space-related series or movies. osiris rex atlas v launch NASA successfully launched a space probe bound for the asteroid Bennu Thursday, September 8 at 7:05 p.m. ET. OSIRIS-REx, short for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification-Regolith Explorer, should reach the near-Earth asteroid by 2018. "Near" is a relative term here, since Bennu is about 121 million miles away. NASA scientists are hoping the nearly $1 billion mission will help them unravel how life began on Earth, how the solar system formed, and how to protect our planet from stray asteroids like Bennu. The 190-foot tall Atlas V rocket launched right on time in perfect weather conditions from Cape Canaveral, Florida on Thursday, bound for Bennu: osiris rex osisis rex supersonic? Once OSIRIS-REx reaches the asteroid is when the real nail-biting part of the mission begins. It would be too tricky to land on the asteroid, so the space probe will reach out its 10-foot robotic arm to poke Bennu and capture just about 2 ounces of dust. After a two year journey, this sample collection will take just five seconds. OSIRISRexTA 1 1024x768 OSIRIS-REx will store the sample for its return trip to Earth. In 2023, just the container holding the sample will re-enter the atmosphere and fall down to Earth, aided by a parachute. NASA expects it to land in Utah, and scientists can begin studying the sample. This launch occurred exactly a week after SpaceX's planned launch of a satellite for Facebook exploded on the launch pad. Luckily, the explosion was at a location down the road from NASA's launch pad for the asteroid mission, so the agency didn't face any delays. Here's the full video of the launch: NASA also put together this pretty epic trailer about OSIRIS-REx if you want to learn more about the mission: NOW WATCH: NASA's next mission is collecting 'scientific treasure' that could answer one of life's greatest mysteries More From Business Insider 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 Portman is pregnant! Natalie Portman is expecting her second child with her husband, Benjamin Millepied, a source reveals to Us Weekly. [E! News also has multiple sources who confirm the pregnancy. -Ed.] The Oscar winner, 35, debuted her growing baby bump at the premiere of her film Planetarium at the Venice Film Festival on Thursday, September 8. She wore a blush pink one-shouldered dress on the red carpet. PHOTOS: Breathtaking Photos From the Venice Film Festival 2016 The Black Swan actress didnt appear to be keeping her pregnancy a secret either. An onlooker tells Us that the actress was rubbing her belly at the star-studded event. Portman and Millepied, 39, met on the set of 2010s Black Swan and married in 2012. (Millepied was a choreographer on the drama.) They are already parents to son Aleph, 5. PHOTOS: Celebrity Babies 2016 The Israeli-born star and the former director at the Paris Opera Ballet lived in the City of Light for two years before recently moving back to L.A. Everyone smiles a lot here. Its so nice. Theyre more cool in France. I didnt realize I got used to it until I got here and I was so surprised! Portman told Jimmy Kimmel on August 25. I feel theres a lot of rules of politeness and codes of behavior there you have to follow. Its a lot looser here. PHOTOS: Cutest Celebrity Baby Announcements In July, the No Strings Attached star explained how motherhood has changed the way she works. I think being a mother made me realize how maternal the role of director is, she said during an interview with the New York Times magazine T. It made me much calmer under stress because theres that weird parent thing you develop, that when things get really bad, your voice gets calm and your blood pressure slows and you can make everything OK again. And things get bad and stressful easily on films. Related Content: Cannon Ball (United States) (AFP) - Drive on a state highway along the Missouri River, amid the rolling hills and wide prairies of North Dakota, and you'll come across a makeshift camp of Native Americans -- united by a common cause. Members of some 200 tribes have gathered here, many raising tribal flags that flap in the unforgiving wind. Some have been here since April, their numbers fluctuating between hundreds and thousands, in an unprecedented show of joint resistance to the nearly 1,200 mile-long Dakota Access oil pipeline. "All of this is Native American land here," said Michael Zephier, who came from South Dakota with his children. "These are my people." The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, which uses the river for drinking water, says allowing the pipeline to cross it just north of its reservation -- near the campsite -- would endanger its water supply and destroy culturally significant lands nearby. "Pipes always break. It will break. And within about 10 minutes, it'll be to our fresh water intake for the tribe," said Ron His Horse Is Thunder, a former tribe chairman and its current head of transportation. "They say that they're going to have monitoring systems that'll tell them 24 hours a day whether it breaks. But by the time they get to shut the thing off, the water will already be contaminated," he said. A federal regulatory agency approved the river crossing, but the tribe sued to stop it. Now, it is waiting for a federal judge's ruling expected this week, on whether to temporarily halt construction while the lawsuit proceeds. - Safety concerns - The Dakota Access Pipeline would snake through four US states, delivering oil from North Dakota to Illinois, where it can be shipped to other parts of the country. It could help reduce the cost of transporting North Dakota oil, enabling it to better compete with cheaper oil from Canada. Proponents say a pipeline is more efficient than moving oil by truck and train. Its developer, Energy Transfer Partners LLC, claims environmental impact analysis shows that it will be safe. Story continues "This is a state of the art pipeline," said Julie Fedorchak, a member of the North Dakota Public Service Commission which approved its route in the state. Fedorchak said the pipeline would have multiple safeguards -- buried under the river bed to avoid contact with water, thicker pipe walls, and remotely-controlled shut-off valves. The project route was thoroughly examined by archeological experts, she said, during a 13-month vetting process. "We didn't hear a single word from (the tribe) until a month after it was approved," she said. "At this point, I just think it's too late." But such claims have fallen on deaf ears among Native Americans and their growing number of supporters. There have been sympathetic protests held in other parts of the US. Celebrities have rallied to the cause, including actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Susan Sarandon. A petition on the White House website has collected more than 150,000 signatures and now awaits a response from the Obama administration. The protest even touched on election year politics when Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein faced criminal charges after spray painting a pipeline bulldozer. There has been violence, too. A weekend confrontation between construction workers and campers left injuries on both sides. Company guards pepper sprayed protesters and used attack dogs. Protesters struck back with sticks and poles. - 'Conquer anything' - Many Native Americans see the current fight as an assertion of their rights and their tribes' sovereignty -- as they battle in an underdog tale that could have been penned by a Hollywood screenwriter. The local tribe says it was railroaded by the pipeline's developer and the US Army Corps of Engineers, the governmental body responsible for approving construction under the river (the state approved the rest of the route). In its lawsuit, the tribe said neither paid much attention to its repeated objections. Energy Transfer Partners did not respond to repeated requests for an interview. The Corps did not respond to a request for comment. The encampment meanwhile has turned into a celebration of Native American culture. Members of tribes from across the US have visited -- sometimes in ceremonial dress, performing songs and rituals. During large gatherings, camp leaders address the population here as "relatives." "I haven't seen anything like this anywhere in my lifetime," said Susan Ireland, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe who put together a tepee wrapped in white canvas at the camp, on which visitors scribbled messages and tribal names. "Look how powerful we are," Ireland said, "If we can combat this... we should be able to conquer anything." - Historic wrongs - The Native Americans' distrust of both government agencies and the oil company is rooted in events dating far into the past. "In 1889, Congress stripped large portions of the Great Sioux Reservation that had been promised to the Tribe forever, leaving nine much smaller Sioux reservations, including Standing Rock," the tribe said in a court filing. It also pointed a finger at the Corps, saying that in 1958 it took away land from the tribe for a water project. The federal Environmental Protection Agency has added some weight to the tribe's concerns, telling the Corps in a letter to reevaluate the potential environmental impact. Still, the Sioux tribe is not trying to completely shut down the oil pipeline -- even though some groups that have joined their cause, such as the Indigenous Environmental Network, say they would like to do just that. What the tribe ultimately wants, said His Horse Is Thunder, is to move it farther north, above the state's capital city Bismarck, an alternative route that was initially considered by the pipeline developer. "We're not so naive to believe that we can stop the pipeline completely," he said. Istanbul (AFP) - NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday hailed the Turkish people's courage in defeating the July 15 putsch, which he called an "attack on democracy", saying a strong Turkey was "essential" for European and regional security. "Any attack on democracy, in any of our countries, is an attack on the very foundation of our alliance," he said in a statement after meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the capital Ankara. "A strong and democratic Turkey is essential for the stability and security of Europe and the region," he said. The NATO head was one of the top Western officials to visit Turkey in the wake of the attempted coup aimed at bringing down the Turkish government. Erdogan has blamed the military action on a rouge group within the army loyal to US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who has denied the charges from his compound in Pennyslvania. The Turkish strongman has however criticised what he said was a lack of Western support for his government after the bloody coup attempt, accusing Europe of backing coup plotters who sought his ouster. Erdogan's massive crackdown on suspects in the wake of the botched coup has raised alarm bells in Europe, which has warned Ankara not to compromise on democratic norms. NATO has condemned the coup in solidarity with the Turkish government but remained cautious on the purge of tens of thousands of people in the putsch's aftermath. On Friday, Stoltenberg is due to meet with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, as well as the country's defence and foreign ministers. (Reuters) - Truck and engine maker Navistar International Corp reported a fall in revenue for the sixth straight quarter due to lower truck sales and said one of its units had received a subpoena from the United States defense department. Shares of the company were down 4.6 percent in premarket trading on Thursday. Volkswagen AG earlier this week agreed to an engine technology and purchasing alliance with Navistar and bought a 16.6 percent stake in the U.S. firm. The net loss attributable to Navistar widened to $34 million, or 42 cents per share, in the third quarter ended July 31, from $28 million, or 34 cents per share, a year earlier. Revenue fell 17.7 percent to $2.09 billion. Analysts on average had expected the company to earn 14 cents per share on revenue of $2.18 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Navistar Defense LLC, a unit of the company, said it received a subpoena from the United States Department of Defense Inspector General asking for documents related to the sale of some independent suspension systems to the government. The Lisle, Illinois-based company has submitted the documents and intends to comply with the subpoena, Navistar said in a filing on Thursday. (http://bit.ly/2cvAtdv) The subpoena is related to the independent suspension systems sold for military vehicles between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2010. (Reporting by Arunima Banerjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Shounak Dasgupta) amanda knox Netflix has released two trailers for "Amanda Knox," its latest true-crime documentary. This one is about the murder of British exchange student Meredith Kercher in Italy in 2007, which eventually blew up in the media. The case became very tangled. Amanda Knox and her former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were arrested for the crime, convicted of it in 2009, "declared innocent in 2011, re-convicted in 2013 but declared innocent once and for all by Italys highest criminal court" in March 2015, as The Washington Post reported. In line with its massive hit "Making a Murderer," Netflix promises to explore "the other side" of the epic eight-year crime saga, and its two opposing trailers alternately paint Knox as someone to either "believe" or "suspect." "Suddenly I found myself tossed into this dark place," Knox says, teary-eyed, as she faces the camera in the "Believe Her" trailer. "Either I'm a psychopath in sheep's clothing, or I am you," Knox says in the trailer that asks you to "Suspect Her." "Amanda Knox," which premieres tomorrow at the Toronto International Film Festival, will be available on Netflix on September 30. NOW WATCH: Marvel just dropped the first full trailer for 'Guardians of the Galaxy 2' and it looks amazing More From Business Insider Never forget when Oprah gave everyone a brand new car on her iconic talk show Never forget when Oprah gave everyone a brand new car on her iconic talk show Its been 30 years to the day since The Oprah Winfrey Show premiered and ever since this game-changing talk show first hit the airwaves, our lives have never been the same. Although the final episode aired five years ago, we still cant forget some of our favorite moments, particularly Oprahs insanely awesome giveaways. I am the maker of dreaaaaams! oprah From college scholarships to homes, and even trips to Disney World, getting to be in the audience on a giveaway show, particularly her annual favorite things episode was better than winning the lottery. And never forget the time she gave cars away to her ENTIRE audience. The year was 2004, and it was the first episode of her wildest dreams come true season. Oprah started out by saying ~one~ (HA! If only they knew) lucky person in the audience would be going home with a car that day. oprah car gif Everyone in the audience was given a box thinking ONLY ONE PERSON would have a set of keys inside to the new car box and tension/anticipation/excitement was H-I-G-H. tension After a dramatic drumroll, Oprah had everyone open their boxes and they collectively lost their shit when they realized EVERYONE GOT A FREAKIN CAR!!!! happy And then we also got one of THE BEST MOMENTS on The Oprah Winfrey Show ever. you get a car gif You can watch the entire reveal as well as Oprahs commentary on this landmark episode in this great video below. The post Never forget when Oprah gave everyone a brand new car on her iconic talk show appeared first on HelloGiggles. A Hong Kong lawmaker advocating more autonomy from China who won a seat in landmark elections last weekend said Thursday he had received "death threats" before and since the polls as he reported them to police. Eddie Chu was one of at least five candidates in the semi-autonomous city pushing for more distance or even an outright break from Beijing who took seats for the first time in the Legislative Council assembly Sunday amid fears of China tightening its grip. Chu, 38, is also an environmentalist who has campaigned against the destruction of heritage properties to make way for newer developments. He said he was unable to go home because he was being stalked and the safety of his family threatened. "I received death threats...because of my political views," Chu told reporters. "The threat to my personal safety is imminent...it has drastically worsened in the past two to three days," he said before going into the city's Wan Chai police station with his lawyer. He did not give any detail on who had made the threats and how they reached him. Michael Vidler, a lawyer assisting Chu, urged police to take the case seriously. "Politically motivated threats or violence against elected representatives of the people is a direct attack on the rule of law and democracy," Vidler told reporters. "The Hong Kong police are duty bound to uphold the rule of law and everybody's constitutional rights, including Mr. Chu's," he said. Sunday's election saw a record turnout with more than two million residents casting their votes in the city of seven million. It was the first major poll since the 2014 "Umbrella Movement" protests, with the anti-establishment camp increasing its share of the legislature, which is still weighted towards Beijing. Chu, standing as an independent, emerged as winner in his constituency with more than 80,000 votes -- the most of any candidate in the polls. Story continues His allegations mark the latest controversy to hit the election. Several pro-independence activists were banned from standing and two say they will now appeal their disqualification, according to media reports. Pro-establishment candidate Ken Chow, of the Liberal Party, has also complained of interference, saying he was told to quit the race to make way for other pro-Beijing candidates. Jana Shortal doing her job, wearing clothes. (Credit: KARE-11) Jana Shortal has been reporting for KARE 11, the NBC affiliate in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, since 2003. As an out member of the LGBTQ community, she has used her role in the public eye to speak out on everything from this summers horrific mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, to embracing her own identity, appearance, and sexuality, despite the pressure she felt for being a public figure in a visual medium. Indeed, as she wrote this summer in a poignant column in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, before the debut of her KARE 11 program Breaking the News, a show which she co-anchors, she began to wonder, Could I really, really be myself? Finally, she realized, on the morning of her debut broadcast, I had the answers in my closet. I just had to come out of it. Which is why its especially galling and downright ridiculous that Shortal is now being ridiculed for doing just that and, worse still, for daring to believe that your work can stand on its own merits and not have to be evaluated based on what you happen to be wearing. While reporting earlier this week on Breaking the News on the confirmed death in 1990 of Jacob Wetterling, an 11-year-old boy who was kidnapped by Daniel Heinrich, Shortal wore a blazer, a blouse, a pocket square, skinny jeans, and loafers an iteration of a regular on-air look for the television journalist, who has worn jeans while anchoring her program before. And yet, Star Tribune columnist C.J. took offense at Shortals wardrobe choices, the very choices that Shortal wrote about so eloquently earlier this summer (in the same publication) in explaining her evolution of in terms of her security in her own identity and profession. The column, which has since been removed, said, The skinny jeans did not work. I was among a number of media types who found then inappropriate and, given the gravity of the days subject matter, downright jarring. My thoughts are also with the Wetterling family. While I cannot imagine theyll want to read or watch every media take about the horror they have been living, I would think that hipness wouldnt be a priority while covering one of the biggest, saddest stories in Minnesota history. Story continues She also took the time to tweet a comment at Shortal: By creating an artificial hierarchy of value in which reporting, respect, and integrity are evaluated solely on the basis of whether the reporter is adhering to conventional sartorial standards columnist C.J. is herself guilty of the very thing she so harshly accuses Shortal of: detracting from the news at hand by making the story about someones wardrobe. Only, it wasnt Shortal who was the disrespectful one, but C.J. herself. Not only did she shift the narrative away from the Wetterling news to her contention that skinny jeans were unacceptable, but she diminished the identity, authenticity, and merit of a journalists work, based solely on her appearance. Shortal, of course, did not declare that she had opted to make hipness the focal point of her broadcast. Rather, she was just doing her job, and wearing her own clothes a situation that is too often problematic for women everywhere, as they face judgment for how their clothing choices influence things, from attracting catcalls to being sexually assaulted. Indeed, Shortal has only continued to take the high road and to call attention to the fact that clothes do not, in fact, make the woman. In an open letter she posted on Twitter, Shortal writes, I dressed. I prayed. I went to work. I kept my head down. I learned what happened to [Wetterling]. I prayed again. I went on the air. I did my best. I gave that newscast every single shred of hope and love I had for Jacob. And for his family. And for every single one of you who was hurting. I left everything I had on that newsroom floor. And today. You took that away. You made it about my pants. I wore my clothes. The clothes it took me a very long time to feel comfortable in no thanks to the bullies like you who tried to shame me out of them. But have you no dignity, person with the name I wont write? You wrote about clothes in the darkest moment of Minnesota news history. This morning, Shortal once again took to Twitter, this time to ask her supporters to Stop with the hatred for CJ, and explaining, Want to be on #teamjana? Donate to the Jacob Wetterling foundation. The Star Tribune posted an apology, which Shortal accepted, while noting that C.J. has not apologized and has continued bullying her on social media. She asks the Star Tribune to end the column and give that space to something that builds joy. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. LINTHICUM, MD / ACCESSWIRE / September 8, 2016 / Shad is a 12 year United States Army Veteran with two combat deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his 12 years of service, he has conducted extensive military training both physically and mentally challenging. After September 11th , Shad enlisted in the United States Army. Enlisting in the Infantry was a big step towards his interest in fitness. Outside of the Military, Shad was introduced to weightlifting through friends, who would lift weights after work and on weekends. It started out as a hobby but began to evolve the more he looked into the sport of weightlifting. Lorenz and his wife eventually would open CrossFit Germantown Performance, a gym in Germantown, MD. "I joined the Army on September 11, 2001, because of the attack on our soil," said Lorenz. "I wanted to serve and do my part for my country. After spending 12 years in active duty and serving with some of the finest soldiers I have had the privilege to meet, serving my country with the people I have and supporting this country is the greatest honor I have ever been a part of." Lorenz was nominated by his wife, Beth Piantone. "Shad is a wonderful, loving and extremely giving person," said Pantone "He loves to train people in physical fitness to help them be the best version of themselves possible. He is a selfless bleeding heart who would give you the shirt off his back while he's fiercely protecting his family and community from enemies and dangers." NFM Salute is an initiative in which one military member or Veteran is chosen each month to be honored as the "Salute of the Month." Salutes are chosen from nominations on the NFM Salute website, www.nfmsalute.com. The "Salute of the Month" will be featured on the website with a brief biography and information about his or her service, and NFM Lending will make a $2,500 donation to a military or Veteran non-profit in the Salute's name. Lorenz chose The Gary Sinise Foundation to receive this month's donation. Story continues Selected NFM Salutes may choose from one of the following four non-profits: Platoon 22, AnySoldier, Soldier's Wish, and the Gary Sinise Foundation. NFM looks forward to the opportunity to continue to honor military and Veterans through the NFM Salute initiative. For more information please contact: NFM Lending Toll-Free: 1-888-233-0092 pr@nfmlending.com www.nfmlending.com Twitter: @nfm_lending About NFM Lending NFM Lending is a mortgage lending company currently licensed in 28 states in the U.S. The company was founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 1998. They attribute their success in the mortgage industry to their steadfast commitment to customers and the community. NFM Lending has firmly planted itself in the home loan marketplace as, "America's Common Sense Residential Mortgage Lender." SOURCE: NFM Lending SANAA (Reuters) - At least nine civilians, including four children, were killed on Thursday in an air strike by the Saudi-led coalition on a residential building north of the Yemeni capital Sanaa, residents said. At least five other people were injured in the attack early on Thursday on the three-storey apartment building in the Amran provincial capital, Amran city, north of Sanaa, they said. A spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition said he was checking the report. The coalition, which has been fighting to roll back gains made by the Iran-allied Houthi group since 2014 and restore ousted President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power, says it does not target civilians. The attack was the latest raid to have struck civilian targets since August. Previous ones include a strike on a hospital run by Doctors without Borders, prompting the international medical charity to withdraw staff from northern Yemen. Residents said the building was struck three times while an adjacent but empty school was hit twice. No one was hurt in the school which was empty as the school year has yet to start. Rescue workers were still sifting through the rubble searching for more victims. The conflict has killed more than 10,000 people, according to the United Nations, and displaced more than three million people. Hadi's government, backed by the coalition, began an offensive on Houthi positions outside the capital Sanaa in early August after the latest round of peace talks ended in Kuwait without an agreement. But little progress has been reported on the ground by either side. (Reporting by Mohammed Ghobari, writing by Sami Aboudi; Editing by Richard Balmforth) Nintendo's tie-up with Apple on a Super Mario app for iPhone is more proof the console-maker could score big in mobile gaming, analysts said Thursday, as its stock skyrocketed. The deal, announced in the United States Wednesday, will see "Super Mario Run" available exclusively for the Apple smartphone from later this year and follows Nintendo's huge hit with the Pokemon Go app this summer. Investors cheered the deal as they pushed the Tokyo-listed stock up 18 percent in early trade before it finished at 27,955 yen ($275), up 13.2 percent. Nintendo shares have been on a tear since the July release of Pokemon Go -- making the company more valuable than Sony at one stage -- as markets embraced the game as vindication for its long-awaited move into mobile gaming. After years of pressure, Nintendo -- which also created the Donkey Kong and Legend of Zelda brands -- abandoned a consoles-only policy and opened the door to licensing some of its characters for mobile game use. "It is a big deal," Neil Campling, an analyst at Northern Trust Capital Markets, said of the Nintendo-Apple announcement. "This venture is perhaps the biggest endorsement we could possibly have imagined that Nintendo's strategy to monetise their huge franchise IP (intellectual property) on mobile and ex-platform reliant technology is the right one," he said in a commentary, according to Bloomberg News. The deal comes after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last month appeared at the Rio Olympics' closing ceremony in the mustachioed plumber's red hat and blue overalls to promote the Tokyo 2020 Games. - Late visionary - In March, Kyoto-based Nintendo released its first mobile game "Miitomo" -- a free-to-play and interactive game that allows users to create avatars -- as it tries to compete in an industry that has increasingly moved online. That followed the firm's announcement last year that it was teaming up with Japanese mobile specialist DeNA to develop games for smartphones based on its host of popular characters. Story continues Analysts said much of the credit belongs to Nintendo's late president Satoru Iwata, a charismatic visionary who died last year at age 55. In a dramatic U-turn, Iwata acknowledged in 2014 that Nintendo could no longer afford to stand on the sidelines of the booming mobile games market. But the company's mobile moves since Iwata's death appear to go well beyond the conservative steps he had envisioned. "The rails were laid by Mr Iwata," said Ace Securities analyst Hideki Yasuda. "Nintendo realised there was a limit to what it could do on its own. They wanted to expand the business and now we're seeing the fruits of those efforts." The firm is also seeing an uptick in advance orders for a Pokemon game for its 3DS handheld console and it's also developing a new home-based system, set for release next year. Nintendo stands to profit more directly from the Apple venture than Pokemon Go, which has now been downloaded more than half a billion times. Nintendo did not create Pokemon Go, but it holds a stake in its US maker Niantic Labs. It also owns about one-third of the Pokemon Company, which will get licensing fees for loaning out the cuddly monsters' brand. The app sparked a worldwide frenzy among millions of users who took to the streets with their smartphones in a bid to capture and train mythical creatures for battles. Shoppers leave Costco in Fairfax, Virginia, January 7, 2010. REUTERS/Larry Downing Amazon Marketplace not Costco is the top online seller of Costco's private-label brand, Kirkland Signature, according to a new study. Amazon is responsible for 70% of Kirkland's online sales, while Costco is only responsible for 23%, according to the study by analytics firm 1010data. Jet.com is in third place with a 5.5% share of Kirkland's online sales. "I have always associated the Kirkland Signature brand with Costco, which is why I was so surprised to learn that Costco.com is NOT the No. 1 seller of Kirkland items online," a 1010data researcher wrote. Prices on Kirkland's products vary between all three websites. For example. the average selling price for a 200-count box of Kirkland kitchen trash bags is $19.01 on Costco.com, $22.72 on Amazon Marketplace, and $14.25 on Jet.com, the study found. And not all items that are available on Amazon Marketplace, such as Kirkland Signature olive oil, can be purchased at Costco.com. Customers must have a Costco membership to shop in the warehouse chain's stores. Membership fees start at $55 annually. Here are the top-selling Kirkland items by units sold on each website: 1010data NOW WATCH: Here's why people love these L.L.Bean boots that sell out every winter More From Business Insider basket building Potential buyers are apparently electing not to put all their dollars in one basket-shaped office building. This unique property near Newark, Ohio, is having a hard time moving off the market, according to Bloomberg. The former headquarters of the basket-making Longaberger Company, the building is something of a landmark in the Newark area, which is about 40 miles outside of Columbus. The 180,000-square-foot building is famous for looking just like an enormous basket specifically, like the company's best-selling Medium Market Basket. "You might see it three or four miles off before you come around the bend, and then you say, 'That is a basket. That is unquestionably a basket,'" Tom Rochon, who works for Longaberger's holding company JRJR Networks, told Bloomberg. It was completed in 1997 at the behest of founder Dave Longaberger. Inside, it has a marble entryway and a seven-story atrium. Since Longaberger moved out of the building and condensed operations in a nearby factory, it has been looking to offload the structure. There's just one problem: it's a gigantic wicker basket. Originally listed for $7.5 million about 18 months ago, it's now for sale for $5 million. At about $28 per square foot, that's a steal compared to similar buildings in the area, which typically go for $50 to $80 a square foot. Apart from the abnormal exterior, the building is apparently quite normal. "There's nothing baskety inside," Rochon said. "Nothing makes you feel like it's in a basket. You feel like you're in a nice, high-rise office building." However, there are some downsides. The paint is peeling due to the heating used to prevent snow build-up, the location isn't all that desirable, and creating a new facade isn't feasible. Michael Guagenti of Cushman & Wakefield, who is listing the property, has his work cut out for him. NOW WATCH: An architect figured out how to build houses from plastic waste More From Business Insider DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 8, 2016 / North American Cannabis Holdings, Inc. (USMJ) released a letter from the Company CEO, Steven Rash today. The letter is included in its entirety below. Dear Shareholders - Summer is officially over and North American Cannabis Holdings (USMJ) has big plans for this fall. We anticipate soon announcing big steps forward in the ongoing development of the AmeriCanna Cafe and the continuing expansion of our pilot program which will finally be producing its first dividend issuance of stock in a pilot program graduate - the first with more to come. DEA Rescheduling Decision Music To USMJ Ears The entrepreneurial future of the cannabis industry looks ripe for the future of innovation and we believe the USMJ business model is unlike any other cannabis industry model in the cannabis sector. While many see the DEA's decision to not reschedule marijuana as a setback, we see it as protecting the opportunity for the best innovations yet to come. Had it been rescheduled, the industry might have been flooded with the mundane commercialization of large pharmaceutical, tobacco and spirit companies. The ongoing bureaucratic delay will keep big companies on the sidelines, while entrepreneurial endeavors continue to introduce true innovation. With USMJ's hard earned, hands-on experience, we believe we are set to take a leadership position within the cannabis sector. Colorado Restaurants and More Regions Yet To Come The USMJ business development team will deploy to Colorado next week to solidify next steps with the Rock Mountain High Restaurant Group in the rollout of the AmeriCanna Cafe. Similar developments are in the works for in other regions. Shareholder Dividend Date In The Month Of September A date has been set internally on which the issuance of stock in our first pilot program graduate, Puration, Inc. (PURA), will be determined. In other words, all shareholders on the set date will be eligible to receive PURA stock. The internal date is within the month of September. The public announcement is pending the finalization of all external requirements. The dividend issuance depends on the support of certain third parties and once those supporting requirements are set in stone, we will announce the date. The anticipated dividend ratio is one share of PURA for every 200 shares of USMJ. Story continues We expect a busy September and in fact, a very active fall. I encourage all to check back regularly for updates on our website and published in news releases. Sincerely, Steven Rash CEO To learn more about North American Cannabis Holdings: http://www.growusmj.com. Follow the Company on Twitter: https://twitter.com/US_HEMP This press release 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 (the "Exchange Act"), and as such, may involve risks and uncertainties. These forward looking statements relate to, among other things, current expectation of the business environment in which the company operates, potential future performance, projections of future performance and the perceived opportunities in the market. The company's actual performance, results and achievements may differ materially from the expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements as a result of a wide range of factors. North American Cannabis Holdings Contact: Steven Rash Info@growusmj.com +1-972-528-0162 SOURCE: North American Cannabis Holdings, Inc. OSLO (Reuters) - Norway's right-wing government reaffirmed on Thursday a ban on oil and gas exploration off picturesque Arctic islands, rejecting suggestions it might open the area to drilling in the run-up to elections in 2017. The Oil and Energy Ministry said it had sent letters to oil companies dismissing what it called media speculation that the areas off the Lofoten and Vesteraalen islands would be opened to oil and gas exploration in a new licensing round. "That's never been the case," it said in a statement. It reaffirmed a statement, issued when it announced the new round last week, that it was asking companies to nominate blocks for exploration in areas that are already "open" to oil and gas drilling on the Norwegian shelf. The Lofoten region, where jagged mountains rise from the sea, was kept closed by a 2013 deal between the right-wing government and two small centrist parties which say drilling could threaten rich cod spawning grounds. Opening the region would almost inevitably trigger the government's collapse a year before elections in September 2017. The centrists demanded Lofoten be closed as part of the price for ensuring the minority government a majority in parliament. But oil and gas newspaper Upstream reported earlier this week that the government had indicated in its original letters to oil and gas firms that blocks off Lofoten, including the Nordland 6 area, would be available. Oil and Energy Minister Tord Lien wrote to companies on Thursday saying the upcoming round would follow existing rules on closed blocks and respect "commitments the government has towards its cooperation partners" in parliament. Several hundred people held a rally, called before the controversy erupted, in central Oslo on Thursday to urge greater action to limit climate change and protect the environment. They celebrated the government statement as a climbdown. "We have to ensure that the Arctic is kept off limits," Truls Gulowsen, head of Greenpeace Norway, told Reuters. (Reporting by Alister Doyle; Editing by Mark Potter) SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The mayor of Oakland, California, said on Wednesday she had moved to fire four police officers and suspend seven more in connection with a sex scandal that has roiled the department in recent months. The Oakland Police Department has been racked with problems, including the resignation of three police chiefs in quick succession after news of the scandal involving a teenage sex worker and police officers emerged in local media in June. "We believe we have taken very strong and serious discipline, and that it sends a very loud message about what our expectations are for the conduct and professionalism of police officers," Mayor Libby Schaaf told the evening news conference. Oakland City Administrator Sabrina Landreth said the city issued notices of intent to discipline 12 officers in total on Wednesday. The city is seeking to terminate four officers over violations including attempted sexual assault, engaging in lewd conduct in public, assisting in the crime of prostitution, accessing law enforcement databases for personal gain, failing to report a violation of law, and lying to investigators, she said. The city issued notices of intent to suspend seven other officers without pay, and intends to order counseling and training for another officer, Landreth said. She said the proposed disciplinary actions were subject to due process and grievance processes. Representatives for the Oakland Police Officers' Association could not be immediately reached for comment. But the organization expressed anger over the allegations in June, saying they "do not represent what we stand for." Schaaf added that prosecutors were investigating the case and she expected a decision on possible charges to be made "relatively soon." Schaaf declined to provide the identities of the officers involved and other details about the investigation. The East Bay Express newspaper reported in June that as many as 21 officers from the Oakland Police Department and other area law enforcement agencies had sex with a teenage sex worker, including some incidents while she was underage. The newspaper based its report on interviews with the woman, elected officials, Oakland police sources and documents. Other media outlets have since published similar accounts. (Reporting by Curtis Skinner in San Francisco; Editing by Peter Cooney) barack obama President Barack Obama couldn't seem to contain his amusement when asked whether he wanted to defend his legacy against a slew of Donald Trump's insults. During a press conference in Laos, a reporter asked Obama whether he wanted to "defend his legacy" against the Republican presidential nominee's claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin was "more of a leader" than Obama, and that Obama had "reduced American generals to rubble." "Do I care to defend OK, OK, respond, got it," Obama said, chuckling. The president reiterated that he believes Trump holds "contradictory, uninformed, or outright wacky" policy opinions, and that he is unqualified to handle the responsibilities of the presidency. Obama also cautioned that voters and reporters could be normalizing Trump's inflammatory statements. "Every time he speaks, that opinion is confirmed," Obama said. He added: "Somehow behavior that in normal times we'd consider completely unacceptable is normalized and people start thinking we should be grading on a curve." Obama's reaction to Trump's attack on his legacy comes as the real-estate magnate has attempted to contrast his foreign-policy vision with Obama's in relentless, often creative ways. In August, Trump said Obama was the "founder of ISIS" and has occasionally argued both that Obama did not do enough to stop the terrorist organization in Syria and that the Middle East would be safer if Obama had not intervened at all. NOW WATCH: Donald Trump is under fire for his comments about the Iraq War More From Business Insider Barack Obama A pivot to Asia was supposed to be one of the signatures of President Barack Obama's foreign policy. But the last Asia trip of his presidency, which came to a close Thursday, has been marred by controversy. Obama had to cancel a meeting with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte after Duterte called him a "son of a whore." He failed to reach a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin on a ceasefire in Syria. And he caused an uproar in China by exiting Air Force One through the belly of the plane rather than down a large staircase that would have provided a better photo op. And a rising China might make officials there more willing to take risks. "The negotiating environment for the US is getting more challenging," geopolitical expert and Eurasia Group President Ian Bremmer told Business Insider in an email. "The world is more 'multipolar,' and China in particular is getting much more assertive with the economic (and, in Asia, military) power to back it up." This, along with Obama's struggles to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, contributes to the difficult conditions Obama has faced during the Group of 20 summit in Asia. "Even if the US made all the right moves, these would be harder trips than they used to be," Bremmer said. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte speaks during a news conference in Davao city, southern Philippines August 21, 2016. Picture taken August 21, 2016. REUTERS/Lean Daval Jr The Philippines president Duterte railed against Obama while he was talking to reporters, telling press that if Obama asked him about human-rights issues during their meeting, he would curse at him. Duterte said he would call Obama a "son of a b----" if such a line of questioning was raised. Obama called off his meeting with Duterte, and the Philippines government issued an apology, saying that the press reporting that Obama would "lecture" Duterte on extrajudicial killings "led to his strong comments, which in turn elicited concern." The incident made headlines in the US as well as Asia. Story continues But Obama canceling the meeting doesn't necessarily signify any trouble with US relations with the Philippines. "Duterte misspoke," Bremmer said. "He'll do that a bunch. But I'd bet they'll talk and make up before Obama leaves office." Ben Rhodes, Obama's deputy national-security adviser, told reporters that the meeting with Duterte was canceled because the administration didn't want the focus to be on Duterte's controversial comments. "All of the attention frankly was on those comments and therefore not on the very substantive agenda that we have with the Philippines," he said. Obama and Duterte did end up meeting informally on the sidelines of the G-20 summit. Vladimir Putin Barack Obama The Syrian ceasefire There was also hope that Obama and Putin might come to agreement on a Syrian ceasefire at the G-20. Russia has been supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad in the country's civil war, and the US has been trying to mediate between the regime and the opposition, which is demanding that Assad step down. Both Russia and the US are also fighting ISIS and Al Qaeda-linked terrorists in Syria. In the end, Obama and Putin couldn't close the "gaps of trust" that exist between the US and Russia in Syria, Obama said. "We have had some productive conversations about what a real cessation of hostilities would look like to allow us to both focus our energies on common enemies," Obama said at a press conference Monday. "But given the gaps of trust that exist, that's a tough negotiation. We haven't yet closed the gap." Syria negotiations involving the US and Russia are scheduled to continue later this week. But US officials have said that eventually the US might decide that pursuing an agreement with Russia isn't worth it. Some foreign-policy experts consider the humanitarian crisis in Syria one of the failings of Obama's presidency. The Obama administration has often touted its 2013 deal that was supposed to remove chemical-weapons stockpiles from Syria and prohibit Assad's forces from using them against civilians in the future, but a recent UN report confirmed that the regime has used chlorine gas multiple times since then. Barack Obama China plane The landing in China More negative headlines came with the botched landing in China. Obama typically exits Air Force One on a rolling stairway flown in by the military, but Chinese officials reportedly told US officials shortly before Obama arrived that he couldn't use those stairs. The US agreed to use a Chinese stairway, but then the local driver was not able to communicate with White House officials, according to The New York Times. The mix-up resulted in Obama exiting the plane on a smaller staircase from a less-visible part of the aircraft, as he does when he arrives in a location where there are concerns for his safety, according to The Times. Some in the US interpreted the snafu as a snub from China, and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump seized on this embarrassing moment during his national-security forum on Tuesday. "Think of it lands in Cuba, doesn't have high officials to greet him," Trump said, mocking Obama. "Lands in Saudi Arabia and they don't have the high officials to greet him, the highest officials." Then, in China, Trump said, "They won't give him stairs to get off the plane!" There was also a tussle when Chinese officials mistakenly tried to prevent Obama national-security adviser Susan Rice from walking to the president's motorcade. While the incident was unfolding, a Chinese official said loudly to a White House aide, "This is our country. This is our airport." The story made headlines across China. While US relations with China are often tense, the pressure might be increasing as China shows it power. "I don't see China sparring with the US over Obama's visit as anything new it happens every trip. It just ratchets up incrementally as China gets more powerful," Bremmer said. obama tpp The Trans-Pacific Partnership The Trans-Pacific Partnership will be key to America's relationship with Asian countries going forward, Bremmer said. "A lot depends on TPP," he said. "If it doesn't get done, China will become the fall-back leader for Asian economic architecture. And US relations with many countries in the region will slip." Obama is pushing for the controversial trade deal that would lower tariffs for 12 countries around the Pacific, not including China. Obama is attempting to get the deal through Congress during the lame-duck period before he leaves office. "I believe that we'll get it done, but it's always going to be hard," Obama said Wednesday in Laos. "Nothing is easy in the US Congress right now." Both Trump and his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, say they oppose the deal. "The whole TPP agreement really isn't about workers, who are taking it on the chin whether it gets concluded or not," Bremmer said. "It's about America's position in Asia." Obama still has a few months to cement his legacy in Asia. But with the TPP still hanging in the balance and his rocky final trip to the region, the question of whether he'll be able to successfully pull off a pivot is open. NOW WATCH: 'We're not playing games any longer': Trump ramps up his rhetoric on China More From Business Insider Vientiane (AFP) - With months left in office, US President Barack Obama said Thursday he was not ready to give up on an eight-year-old promise to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay. Obama urgently wants to shutter the facility before he leaves the White House at the start of next year but his efforts have been continually thwarted by Republican lawmakers. "I am not ready to concede that it may still remain open, because we're still working diligently to continue to shrink the population," Obama said at a press conference in Laos. Speaking in the capital Vientiane during the final trip to east Asia of his eight-year presidency, Obama said the controversial prison served as a "recruitment tool" for terrorist organisations and was a waste of money. "As we continue to shrink the population to the point where we're looking at 40 or 50 people and are maintaining a multimillion dollar operation to house these people, the American people are asking why should we spend this money on this when it could be spent on other things," he told reporters. In recent months the US has accelerated the rate at which detainees who have been approved for transfer are released from the US military-run facility, which sits on a remote chunk of land on the tip of southeastern Cuba. In August, fifteen Guantanamo Bay detainees were transferred to the United Arab Emirates, the largest such release in years. That batch included 12 Yemenis, who the Pentagon had struggled relocate to a third country as they can't go home because of the ongoing civil war. Afghan national Obaidullah who had been detained for 14 years without trial was also released with that group. Roughly 780 men have passed through the facility since it was opened in the wake of the 9/11 attacks to hold terror suspects. The population now stands at 61, down from 242 when Obama took office in January 2009. Obama wants to send the remaining inmates, who are deemed to be the most dangerous, for incarceration in the US -- but that is an extreme long shot given Republican opposition. Story continues In February, the president presented Congress with a new closure plan for Guantanamo but Republicans resisted. November's election will likely help determine the future of the notorious prison, as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has vowed to fill Guantanamo with "bad dudes" should he win the White House. To date, just 10 of the remaining detainees face criminal trial, including the "9/11 Five" -- led by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed -- who are accused of plotting the September 11, 2001 attacks. Former inmates who are transferred are usually freed subject to supervision and undergoing rehabilitation programmes. Vientiane (AFP) - US President Barack Obama warned Beijing Thursday it could not ignore a tribunal's ruling rejecting its sweeping claims to the South China Sea, driving tensions higher in a territorial row that threatens regional security. The dispute has raised fears of military confrontation between the world's superpowers, with China determined to cement control of the strategically vital waters despite a July verdict that its claims have no legal basis. "The landmark arbitration ruling in July, which is binding, helped to clarify maritime rights in the region," Obama told Southeast Asian leaders at a summit in Laos. "I recognise this raises tensions but I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and stability." The verdict by an international tribunal in The Hague said China's claims to most of the waters -- through which $5 trillion in global shipping trade passes annually -- had no legal basis. It also said that a massive burst of artificial island-building activity undertaken by China in recent years in a bid to bolster its claims was illegal. China angrily vowed to ignore the ruling, describing it as "waste paper", even though it had legal force through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Obama's emphasis on the ruling being legally "binding" attracted an immediate reaction from China, which has argued the United States has no role to play in the dispute. "We hope the US can take an objective and just attitude with respect to South China Sea issues," Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in Beijing. Other claimants in the sea are the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei -- all part of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc meeting in Laos -- plus Taiwan. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is also in Laos this week, with ASEAN hosting a series of regional meetings, and gathered with Obama later Thursday at an 18-nation East Asia summit. Story continues - 'Serious concern' - ASEAN leaders released a statement on Wednesday saying they were "seriously concerned" over recent developments in the sea. But intensive Chinese lobbying helped to ensure there was no mention of the July ruling in the ASEAN statement. The East Asia statement to be released later Thursday was also going to give a muted response, according to a draft obtained by AFP. ASEAN works by consensus, and China has successfully pressured Cambodia and Laos in recent years to ensure the bloc does not gang together to heavily pressure Beijing. However the Philippines released photos on Wednesday it said showed renewed Chinese island-building activity, in a deliberate move to throw the issue into the spotlight. The Chinese ships were at Scarborough Shoal, a small fishing ground within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone that China took control of in 2012. If China did build an island at the shoal, it could lead to a military outpost just 230 kilometres (140 miles) from the main Philippine island, where US forces are stationed. It would also be a major step in China's quest to control the sea, giving it the ability to enforce an air defence identification zone. Obama warned Chinese President Xi Jinping in March not to build at the shoal. - Show of strength - Chinese island-building in the Spratlys archipelago -- another strategically important location -- has already triggered various US military shows of strength. Security analysts have said Chinese island-building at Scarborough Shoal could trigger a military confrontation. China insisted repeatedly this week it was not undertaking any island-building activities at the shoal, and on Thursday repeated its rejection of the tribunal ruling. A barrage of other security threats were also in focus in Laos on Thursday, including North Korea's nuclear ambitions following its latest missile tests. Obama warned on Monday that Kim Jong-Un's regime was dooming itself to further isolation, and the UN Security Council condemned the tests. - Spectacular sideshow - A spectacular sideshow in Laos this week has been a spat between Obama and the acid-tongued Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, whose nations are longtime allies. Duterte launched a tirade against Obama on Monday after being told the US president planned to raise concerns about a war on crime in the Philippines that has claimed 3,000 lives in just over two months. "Son of a whore, I will curse you in that forum," Duterte told reporters. Obama cancelled a meeting with Duterte scheduled for Tuesday because of the outburst, and on Thursday urged the Philippine president to do his crime war "the right way". Vientiane (AFP) - Outgoing President Barack Obama condemned Donald Trump as unsuitable to be commander-in-chief Thursday, after the Republican nominee blasted US military brass and praised Vladimir Putin. "I don't think the guy's qualified to be president of the United States, and every time he speaks, that opinion is confirmed," Obama said in unusually caustic language while overseas. Obama, who was in Laos for a summit with South East Asia leaders and his final trip to east Asia, said that Trump holds contradictory and "outright wacky ideas" and is "uninformed". "I can tell you from the interactions I have had over the last eight or nine days with foreign leaders that this is serious business," Obama added. "You actually have to know what you are talking about and you actually have to have done your homework. When you speak, it should actually reflect thought out policy you can implement." Trump on Wednesday raised eyebrows by saying that Russia's president was "far more" of a leader than Obama. Putin is "very much of a leader," Trump said in a televised interview. "It's a very different system, and I don't happen to like the system. But certainly in that system he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader." Trump also drew fire for criticising the military. "The generals have been reduced to rubble," Trump said, before noting he had "faith in certain of the commanders". The bombastic mogul will face Hillary Clinton in November's election, which the Democratic former first lady is tipped to win. Trump has previously angered many in the military community with mocking remarks against US Senator and former prisoner of war John McCain for being captured in Vietnam. Speaking in Laos about Trump's unsuitability for office, Obama observed that over the course of the election season "people start thinking behaviour that in normal times we would consider completely unacceptable and outrageous becomes normalised". Obama is expected to hit the campaign trail with Clinton when he returns to the United States, with voter turnout likely to be a key theme. Obama won the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections handily by mustering large numbers of young, black, Latino and Asian voters to go to the polls. VIENTIANE (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama hit back at Donald Trump on Thursday for criticizing his foreign policy record, saying the Republican nominee was unfit to follow him into the Oval Office and the public should press him on his "outright wacky ideas". Speaking in Laos at the end of the second of two Asian summits, Obama said the tycoon's lack of leadership credentials was exposed whenever he spoke and American voters were aware of that. "I don't think the guy's qualified to be president of the United States, and every time he speaks, that opinion is confirmed," Obama told a news conference. "The most important thing for the public and the press is to just listen to what he says and follow up and ask questions about what appear to be either contradictory or uninformed, or outright wacky, ideas." Trump declared on Wednesday during a televised forum attended by military veterans that Russian President Vladimir Putin had been a better leader than Obama. Trump said the progress of U.S. military generals had been stymied, or "reduced to rubble" with Obama as commander-in-chief and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton as his first secretary of state. It was the first time Trump and Clinton had squared off on the same stage since securing their nominations in July. Obama said he believed his foreign policy legacy would be one of success, particularly his so-called "rebalance" to Asia. He said Asian leaders would be puzzled by Trump's remarks, and Americans would know who to choose as president on Nov. 8. "I have confidence that if, in fact, people just listen to what he had to say, look at his track record or lack thereof, that they'll make a good decision," he said. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Writing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Martin Petty; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) By Scott DiSavino NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices surged over 4 percent on Thursday, with Brent briefly touching $50 (37.5992 pounds) a barrel for the first time in two weeks, after a surprisingly huge drawdown in U.S. crude stocks as Gulf Coast imports slumped to a record low. Brent (LCOc1) rose $2.01, or 4.2 percent, to settle at $49.99 a barrel, its highest close in almost three weeks. U.S. crude (CLc1) ended at $47.62 per barrel, up $2.12, or 4.7 percent, the biggest daily percentage gain for U.S. futures since April. U.S. crude stocks dropped 14.5 million barrels last week to 511.4 million barrels, the biggest weekly drop in stockpiles since January 1999, according to government data. Imports into the U.S. Gulf Coast fell to 2.5 million barrels per day, the lowest since data collection began in 1990. [EIA/S] Traders said the imports fell as ships delayed offloading cargos in Texas and Louisiana due to Tropical Storm Hermine. Hermine, which threatened the Gulf Coast refining hub last week, scuttled some U.S. oil production and limited imports and shipping, ultimately did not harm Gulf facilities. "The market missed the imports but I think the price increase is temporary as opposed to a new uptrend," said Dominick Chirichella, senior partner at Energy Management Institute in New York. "The vast majority of the crude stock decline will be made up in next weeks numbers when we should see a big bump up in imports," he said. Key U.S. oil spreads remained little changed after the EIA report. Tariq Zahir, spreads trader at Tyche Capital in New York, said the "drawdown may be viewed as a one-off situation." Gasoline futures (RBc1) jumped over 5 percent after the data release, on higher than expected draws and rising refinery utilization in the Midwest, traders said. Gasoline margins (1RBc1-CLc1) also rose sharply. Oil prices drew support earlier when Chinese trade data showed crude imports in August surged nearly 25 percent from a year ago to the second-highest ever, as independent refiners took advantage of low oil prices before import quotas expire in December. Story continues On the bearish side, Russian average oil production rose close to 11 million bpd during Sept. 1-7, industry sources told Reuters, from 10.71 million bpd in August. The increased output - which may not be sustained throughout the month - comes as Russia and Saudi Arabia are talking about cooperation to stabilise global oil markets. On Monday, crude prices jumped after both major producers agreed to cooperate on stabilizing the oil market. Uncertainty remains over the chances that producer nations will agree on an output freeze. An April meeting in Doha, Qatar, failed to reach an agreement. The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and non-OPEC producers such as Russia are expected to discuss the issue at informal talks in Algeria Sept. 26-28. "Implementation remains highly questionable and current OPEC production already approaches levels we had not anticipated until 2018," Macquarie Research analysts said in a note. (Additional reporting by Devika Krishna Kumar and Catherine Ngai in New York and Christopher Johnson in London; Editing by Marguerita Choy and David Gregorio) By Scott DiSavino NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices surged over 4 percent on Thursday, with Brent briefly touching $50 a barrel for the first time in two weeks, after a surprisingly huge drawdown in U.S. crude stocks as Gulf Coast imports slumped to a record low. Brent rose $2.01, or 4.2 percent, to settle at $49.99 a barrel, its highest close in almost three weeks. U.S. crude ended at $47.62 per barrel, up $2.12, or 4.7 percent, the biggest daily percentage gain for U.S. futures since April. U.S. crude stocks dropped 14.5 million barrels last week to 511.4 million barrels, the biggest weekly drop in stockpiles since January 1999, according to government data. Imports into the U.S. Gulf Coast fell to 2.5 million barrels per day, the lowest since data collection began in 1990. [EIA/S] Traders said the imports fell as ships delayed offloading cargos in Texas and Louisiana due to Tropical Storm Hermine. Hermine, which threatened the Gulf Coast refining hub last week, scuttled some U.S. oil production and limited imports and shipping, ultimately did not harm Gulf facilities. "The market missed the imports but I think the price increase is temporary as opposed to a new uptrend," said Dominick Chirichella, senior partner at Energy Management Institute in New York. "The vast majority of the crude stock decline will be made up in next weeks numbers when we should see a big bump up in imports," he said. Key U.S. oil spreads remained little changed after the EIA report. Tariq Zahir, spreads trader at Tyche Capital in New York, said the "drawdown may be viewed as a one-off situation." Gasoline futures jumped over 5 percent after the data release, on higher than expected draws and rising refinery utilization in the Midwest, traders said. Gasoline margins also rose sharply. Oil prices drew support earlier when Chinese trade data showed crude imports in August surged nearly 25 percent from a year ago to the second-highest ever, as independent refiners took advantage of low oil prices before import quotas expire in December. Story continues On the bearish side, Russian average oil production rose close to 11 million bpd during Sept. 1-7, industry sources told Reuters, from 10.71 million bpd in August. The increased output - which may not be sustained throughout the month - comes as Russia and Saudi Arabia are talking about cooperation to stabilize global oil markets. On Monday, crude prices jumped after both major producers agreed to cooperate on stabilizing the oil market. Uncertainty remains over the chances that producer nations will agree on an output freeze. An April meeting in Doha, Qatar, failed to reach an agreement. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and non-OPEC producers such as Russia are expected to discuss the issue at informal talks in Algeria Sept. 26-28. "Implementation remains highly questionable and current OPEC production already approaches levels we had not anticipated until 2018," Macquarie Research analysts said in a note. (Additional reporting by Devika Krishna Kumar and Catherine Ngai in New York and Christopher Johnson in London; Editing by Marguerita Choy and David Gregorio) NAIVASHA, Kenya (Reuters) - A Polish national was killed and five other people, including the pilot, were injured when a light aircraft they were flying in on a tour over Lake Naivasha crashed on Thursday, police said. The light airplane was flying across the lake, some 104 km (65 miles) northwest of the capital Nairobi, when the accident occurred at around midday. Civil aviation authority investigators were trying to establish the causes of the crash. Apart from the dead person, who was a woman, the other occupants were the Kenyan pilot and four passengers from Britain. (Reporting by Antony Gitonga; Editing by George Obulutsa) By Gerauds Wilfried Obangome LIBREVILLE (Reuters) - Gabon's opposition leader lodged a constitutional court challenge on Thursday against a presidential election he narrowly lost, hoping to overturn a result whose validity has been questioned at home and abroad. Former foreign minister Jean Ping lost the Aug. 27 election to President Ali Bongo by fewer than 6,000 votes, an outcome that sparked days of riots in which at least six people were killed. Ping's spokesman said in a statement he would seek a recount in the province of Haut-Ogooue, a stronghold of the Bongo family, who have ruled the central African oil-producing nation of 1.8 million for nearly half a century. The poll and its aftermath have shone a rare and unwelcome international spotlight on Gabon, a former French colony where petrodollars, invested by foreign firms including Total and Royal Dutch Shell , have mostly benefited the elite. France, which still has a military base the country, reiterated calls for a recount, a foreign ministry spokesman saying a "transparent, impartial examination of the results" was needed to resolve the political crisis. Bongo has said only the court can consider that request, while Foreign Minister Emmanuel Issoze Ngondet said an African Union (AU) mediation mission, due to arrive in the now becalmed capital Libreville on Friday, had been postponed until further notice. The mission's head, Chad's President Idriss Deby - who took power in 1990 and is one of Africa's longest serving rulers - was "tired" after attending a summit in China, the minister said. Opposition parties in Africa frequently dispute elections citing fraud and, while it is unusual for foreign governments to press for further scrutiny after an election has been declared, results are rarely overturned. Ping has also said he says he has little faith in the court, his only legal avenue for redress and which he says is tied to the government. ANOMALIES Criticism of the poll has focused on Haut-Ogooue, where results showed 95.46 percent of voters backed Bongo on a turnout of 99.9 percent, more than double the participation rate of other regions. The president, who has in turn accused the opposition of cheating, was re-elected after coming to power in 2009 on the death of his father, Omar Bongo, who had ruled for 42 years. Ping says the Haut-Ogooue numbers were inflated to give Bongo victory, and the European Union has also reported anomalies. Sarah Crozier, EU election monitor spokesman, said on Thursday the official turnout for Haut-Ogooue indicated just 47 abstentions out of more than 71,000 registered voters. Election uncertainty may complicate Gabon's adjustment to lower oil prices and that could have implications for the country's credit profile, Fitch Ratings agency said on Thursday. Gabon produces 200,000 barrels of oil per day. Critics of Bongo say he has not done enough to redistribute the wealth of that production beyond a small elite. Bongo has accused the opposition of cheating in its turn and said on Wednesday he would ask the constitutional court to investigate irregularities in Ping's stronghold and elsewhere. Ping, a former African Union Commission chairman, was an ally of Omar Bongo but fell out with his son and resigned from the ruling party in 2014. (Writing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg; editing by John Stonestreet) By Gerauds Wilfried Obangome LIBREVILLE (Reuters) - Gabon's opposition faced a legal deadline on Thursday to seek a vote recount in an election they say was stolen by President Ali Bongo, whose family has ruled the country for nearly half a century. Results last week showed Bongo, 57, beat his main rival Jean Ping, a veteran diplomat, by fewer than 6,000 votes in the Aug. 27 poll, prompting days of violent riots during which at least six people died. Bongo has rejected accusations that results were altered to ensure his victory but has come under increasing international pressure to back a recount of votes, including from former colonial power France, which has a military base in Gabon. The United Nations has urged the opposition to lodge an appeal with the constitutional court before the 4 p.m. (1500 GMT) deadline. Ping, 73, has repeatedly questioned the neutrality of the court and could not immediately be reached for comment on Thursday. However his campaign manager said Ping was weighing the option of officially challenging the result. "We are currently studying the question. A decision has not yet been taken," said John Nambo. A Reuters reporter saw a copy of a legal complaint submitted to the court by a member of civil society earlier this week, calling for a recount, but it was unclear whether this had been formally accepted. An official at the court declined to comment. International criticism of the election has focused on the results from Bongo's stronghold, the province of Haut-Ogooue, where the participation rate was more than double that of other regions and showed that 95.46 percent of voters backed Bongo. The European Union has said it found anomalies in the results from Haut-Ogooue. Sarah Crozier, EU election monitor spokesman, said on Thursday that the official turnout for the province equated to just 47 abstentions out of more than 71,000 registered voters. France, which has substantial business interests in Gabon, also renewed its call for a recount on Thursday. "France considers that a transparent, impartial examination of the results of the presidential election is a condition for ending the crisis as it's the only way to establish the sincerity of the result incontestably," French foreign ministry spokesman Romain Nadal said. MEDIATION As well as its military base, France has about 14,000 nationals based in Gabon and, through its oil giant Total, a large stake in the country's oil sector, which produces 200,000 barrels per day. But Paris has ruled out intervening in Gabon's post-electoral crisis as it has done before in its former colonies, saying it is up to Africans to resolve it. African Union mediators, led by Chad's President Idriss Deby, are expected to arrive in the Gabonese capital Libreville on Friday to help find a solution to the standoff. Some analysts have questioned whether Deby, one of Africa's "big men" in power since 1990, will push for a recount. A power-sharing deal in Gabon is also seen as unlikely, partly because of the personal nature of the feud between the two candidates. Bongo has accused the opposition of cheating in its turn and said on Wednesday he would ask the constitutional court to investigate irregularities in Ping's stronghold and elsewhere. Critics of Bongo, who won a disputed election in 2009 after the death of his long-ruling father Omar Bongo, say he has not done enough to redistribute oil wealth beyond a small elite. The ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) has suffered a series of high-level defections in recent years. Ping, a life-long political insider and former African Union Commission chairman, was a close ally of President Omar Bongo but fell out with his son and resigned from the PDG in 2014. He has fathered two children with Ali Bongo's sister Pascaline. (Reporting by Gerauds Wilfried Obangome; Writing by Emma Farge, Editing by Joe Bavier and Angus MacSwan) Palikir (Micronesia) (AFP) - Pacific island leaders opened their annual regional summit Thursday with a colourful ceremony in Micronesia, as some of the world's smallest nations vowed to put up a big fight against climate change. Members of the 16-nation Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) were greeted by traditional dancers in grass skirts at the meeting's opening in the Micronesian capital Palikir. The event included a sakau-sharing session, where local elders consume the mildly narcotic drink better known as kava, as well as a Christian invocation in the deeply religious country. The PIF nations face a range of serious issues when the summit gets down to business, ranging from over-exploited fisheries to poverty and an obesity epidemic. But they agree that the most pressing problem is climate change, which threatens the very existence of some low-lying PIF members such as Kiribati and Tuvalu. The PIF's prominent lobbying played a key role reaching a deal at last year's Paris climate talks, which was finally ratified by Washington and Beijing -- the world's two biggest polluters -- last weekend. "The Paris agreement and the praise that has come to the Pacific people for their relentless effort to bring attention to the subject and capture even the sceptics is a gold medal not to be denied," Micronesia President Peter Christian told the ceremony. Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna said the countries on the frontline of climate change must now keep up the pressure. "Whilst the Paris Declaration was a milestone decision, the imperative is now to mobilise a global action plan to mitigate against the effects of global warming," he said after arriving on the main island Pohnpei. "In this respect, as a region with some of the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change, it is important the Pacific continue to advocate strongly for global action on climate change." The theme of this year's meeting is "Small and Far" -- a reference to the economic challenges facing the isolated island nations. Story continues But Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine said the tiny nations would not back away from an issue that threatens their future. "Some of the smallest and most vulnerable countries on the planet have said loud and clear that even with the Paris agreement in-hand, the fight against climate change is as urgent as ever before," she said. "Once again, we have committed to lead the world and pursue ambitious action to reduce emissions." Most PIF members are small island states and developing nations, with Australia and New Zealand its richest members. The meeting lasts until Saturday and is followed on Sunday by meetings with observer nations including the United States, China, the European Union and India. By Kathryn Doyle (Reuters Health) - Asking patients in the emergency room to rate their pain on a visual scale or to rank it from zero to 10 doesnt really convey what the patient is feeling, suggests a study from Sweden. Pain scales currently used in the ER focus on pain intensity, and miss other important aspects like the type of pain or whether it changes with body position, and many patients dont really understand what the extremes of the pain scales would feel like, researchers found. Some say that painkillers should be given on patients request rather than based on a pain score, said senior author Dr. Therese Djarv of Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. Likewise, up-triaging based on a pain score might be less relevant than based on the patients whole experience of pain, she said by email. In the fall of 2012, two researchers interviewed patients waiting in the emergency department of Karolinska University Hospital with complaints of chest, abdominal or orthopedic pain. Participants were asked to rate their pain on a visual scale and a numeric scale. The visual scale asks respondents to mark their pain level on a 10-centimeter (about 4 inches) horizontal line, and the numeric scale asks respondents to rate their pain from zero to 10 scale, with 10 being the most intense possible pain. Then researchers interviewed the patients about how sufficient or insufficient the scales had been at rating their pain. Some patients expressed that rating their pain at one time on one scale was insufficient because their pain levels changed over time. One patient said, When you have pain the scales are good, but not when the pain varies or comes and goes. Some patients with chest pain complained that what they felt was pressure rather than pain. Others feared that rating their pain lower would mean their condition wouldnt be taken seriously, according to the report in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine. Pain is one of the few things physicians cant objectively measure, said Dr. John G. DeVine of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Augusta University in Georgia, who was not part of the new study. Each patients perception of pain is influenced by several variables (anxiety, depression, cultural upbringing, acute vs chronic symptoms, etc), DeVine told Reuters Health by email. As physicians, the actual number used to describe the pain is probably less important than the location, pattern, onset, and the ability of the patient to change these (position, medications, etc). The scales used are well validated and used on postoperative and chronic pain, however, the pain in the (emergency department) differs from such pain because it is of unknown origin and severity, Djarv said. The scales may need to be retested and validated in the emergency department, she said. Patients should be honest with their ratings, she added. If the rating does not make sense to you, speak up and ask the personnel, Djarv said. Do not guess how to do it. By Jeffrey Heller JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Soviet-era documents show that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas worked in the 1980s for the KGB, the now-defunct intelligence agency where Russian leader Vladimir Putin once served, Israeli researchers said on Thursday. The Palestinian government denied that Abbas, who received a PhD in Moscow in 1982, had been a Soviet spy, and it accused Israel of "waging a smear campaign" aimed at derailing efforts to revive peace negotiations that collapsed in 2014. The allegations, first reported by Israel's Channel One television on Wednesday, surfaced as Russia pressed ahead with an offer by Putin, made last month, to host a meeting in Moscow between Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Both leaders have agreed in principle to a summit, Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday, but it gave no date. Gideon Remez, a researcher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Truman Institute, said an Abbas-KGB connection emerged from documents smuggled out of Russia by former KGB archivist Vasili Mitrokhin in 1991. Some of the material, now in the Churchill Archives of Britain's Cambridge University, was released two years ago for public research, and the Truman Institute requested a file marked "the Middle East", Remez told Reuters. "There's a group of summaries or excerpts there that all come under a headline of persons cultivated by the KGB in the year 1983," he said. "Now one of these items is all of two lines ... it starts with the codename of the person, 'Krotov', which is derived from the Russian word for 'mole', and then 'Abbas, Mahmoud, born 1935 in Palestine, member of the central committee of Fatah and the PLO, in Damascus 'agent of the KGB'," Remez said. Abbas is a founding member of Fatah, the dominant faction of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the main Palestinian nationalist movement. He became Palestinian president in 2005. The documents cited by Remez did not give any indication of what role Abbas may have played for the KGB or the duration of his purported service as an agent. A Palestinian official, who declined to be identified as he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, said that Abbas had served as an "official liaison with the Soviets, so he hardly needed to be a spy", without elaborating. The official said any suggestion that the president was a spy was "absolutely absurd". Adding to the intrigue, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, whom Putin has tasked with arranging the Moscow summit, served two stints in the Soviet embassy in Damascus between 1983 and 1994, covering the period in which Abbas was purportedly recruited. Bogdanov was in the area this week for meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials. (Additional reporting by Luke Baker; Editing by Pravin Char) Ramallah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - A spokesman for Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Thursday dismissed a claim by researchers that he worked as a Soviet agent in Damascus in the 1980s, calling it a smear intended to derail a Russian peace initiative. The claim emerged in a report by Israeli public television on Wednesday night citing two researchers who were studying the so-called Mitrokhin papers stored in Britain at Cambridge University's Churchill Archives Centre. "In 1983, he (Abbas) is listed as being groomed by the KGB under the codename Krotov, the mole," one of the Israeli researchers, Isabella Ginor, told the programme. Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh told AFP it "falls under the framework of Israeli absurdities which we have got used to," calling it a "smear campaign." Abbas was born in what was then British mandate Palestine, but his family fled to Syria during the 1948 war surrounding the creation of Israel. The report did not make clear what Abbas is alleged to have done for the Soviets. "It is clear Israel is troubled by the (Palestinians') strategic relationship with Russia and by the clear and announced Russian position, which is to solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis on an independent Palestinian state and the right of self-determination for our people," Abu Rudeineh said. The Mitrokhin Archive, where the document was said to have been found, is based on files of the Soviet spy agency KGB that were smuggled to Britain. Major Vasili Mitrokhin was a senior archivist in the KGB's foreign intelligence archive from 1972 until his retirement in 1984, and, disillusioned with domestic Soviet oppression, secretly copied information by hand, before defecting to Britain with it in 1992. The report comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks to organise a face-to-face meeting between Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Story continues Putin's Middle East envoy Mikhail Bogdanov met with both Netanyahu and Palestinian officials this week. The television report recalled that the Russian envoy, Bogdanov, was stationed in Damascus in 1983. His official CV online shows that he was in Syria between 1983 and 1989. Abbas claimed earlier this week that a meeting with Netanyahu had been set for Friday, but he said that an aide to the Israeli premier proposed delaying it and it was called off. Netanyahu has repeated his position -- he is ready to meet Abbas anytime, anywhere, as long as it is without preconditions. Palestinian leaders have previously called for the release of prisoners, a deadline for the end of the occupation of the West Bank and a halt to Israeli settlement building as conditions for talks. It is unclear whether Abbas has stuck to those demands. The Goal of the Panacea Project is to Develop a Drug for Cancer Treatment that is both Effective and Free of Unwanted Side Effects LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 8, 2016 / Ezequiel Lukinskas, CEO of Biogenica, is pleased to announce the launch of the Panacea Project: Cancer Treatment Research. To learn more about this innovative project, which is working on developing a drug for cancer that is not toxic, please visit http://goo.gl/Rbs1yJ. As a spokesperson for the Panacea Project noted, strides have been made with cancer research over the past few decades, but treatment has generally stayed the same, using chemotherapy to combat and reduce the number of cancerous cells in a body. While traditional anti-cancer drugs can damage cancer cells, they can also kill off healthy cells, the spokesperson said, adding that this can lead to unwanted side effects. The Panacea Project is hoping to develop a new alternative treatment, using drugs which will target only the cancerous cells, without general toxicity that will affect surrounding tissues. The research will be conducted by a team of chemists, medics, and executives collaborating with some of Uruguay's best scientists, the spokesperson noted. With the support of the Faculty Of Chemistry of Uruguay's State University, the team is ready to embark on this hefty research project that will revolutionize cancer treatment worldwide. In order to help pay for the costs that are associated with the Panacea Project, Lukinskas recently launched a fundraiser on Indiegogo. He hopes to raise $600,000 through crowdfunding to help bring this new cancer treatment to as many people as possible. "We have a team of scientists ready to take the challenge and we have the knowledge that 10 years of investigation have given us but we still need the initial funds to have our own lab space and to start working in the first studies of this stage of the investigation," Lukinskas said. "We have already narrowed the number of substances which we will be working with and identified probably the main substance that will work as active principle so we are actually really close and it's because of this that we know we will succeed." Story continues About the Panacea Project: Cancer Treatment Research: The Panacea Project: Cancer Treatment Research is being developed by Ezequiel Lukinskas, CEO of Biogenica. The project is working on developing an anti-cancer drug that will effectively target cancer cells without the general toxicity that often impacts the surrounding tissues. For more information, please visit http://goo.gl/Rbs1yJ. Contact: Erin Carlson admin@rocketfactor.com (949) 555-2861 SOURCE: Panacea Project Lingerie label Panache has unveiled its latest campaign 'Modeled by Role Models,' celebrating inspirational women from around the world. The campaign stars six models, chosen for their individual achievements, contributions to society and healthy approach to body image. Among them are Anja Loven, a Danish relief and aid worker who set up the African Children's Aid Education and Development Foundation (ACAEDF), and Eliza Rebeiro, the British founder of "Lives Not Knives," an organization that supports young people in education, employment and training. Plus-sized Canadian model Elly Mayday, who was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer and underwent a hysterectomy at the age of 25, and Scottish fundraiser and neuroblastoma survivor Emily Findlay also help front the campaign. Jayne Hurditch, the British founder of the charity 'Amy's House', and Sylwia Blach, a Polish ambassador for differently abled people through the charity 'The One and Only' who has helped organize 'Miss Poland Wheelchair' as well as 'Miss Wheelchair World' complete the lineup. The 'Modeled by Role Models' concept was first launched by Panache in 2015, in an attempt to boost body confidence and expand the notion of beauty by celebrating women who make an impact in different ways. This year the formula was changed and people from around the world were invited to nominate their own personal role models, with the public joining a special judging panel to select the final six role models from a selected shortlist. The campaign will be broadcast across Panache's digital and social outlets and retail spaces globally. "Modeled by Role Models" launches in September 2016 on ModeledbyRoleModels.com, accompanied by the hashtag #MyRoleModel, encouraging people worldwide to share their own role models. Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - The International Paralympic Committee said Thursday it has stripped the accreditation of a Belarussian who waved a Russian flag at the opening ceremony, calling it a "political statement" after Russia's doping ban. The IPC said it would also speak to the Belarussian Paralympic Committee to remind it that political displays are not allowed at the Olympic or Paralympic Games. The man in question was not an athlete but a friend of the Belarussian committee president who had been accredited to take part in the ceremony, said the IPC. IPC spokesman Craig Spence said the Belarussian committee's president has been vocally critical of the decision to bar all Russian athletes from the Paralympics over evidence of a state-run doping program. The unidentified Belarussian man marched into Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium at the back of the Belarus delegation during Wednesday night's opening ceremony, brandishing Russia's white, blue and red flag. Russia, Belarus's neighbor and most important political and trade partner, is traditionally a Paralympic heavyweight. It finished second in the medal table at the 2012 Paralympics in London, behind China. Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the ban as "outside the law, morality, humanity." In response, Russia has organized its own games for its disabled athletes, complete with a glitzy opening ceremony Wednesday where Russian pop stars performed. - The International Paralympic Committee said it has stripped a Belarussian of his accreditation for waving a Russian flag at the opening ceremony, calling it a "political statement" after Russia's doping ban. The IPC said it would also speak to the Belarus Paralympic Committee to remind it political displays are not allowed at the Olympic or Paralympic Games. The man in question was not an athlete but a friend of the Belarus committee president who had been accredited to take part in the ceremony. IPC spokesman Craig Spence said the Belarus committee's president has been vocally critical of the decision to bar all Russian athletes from the Paralympics over evidence of a state-run doping program. The unidentified man marched into the Maracana stadium at the back of the Belarus delegation during Wednesday night's opening ceremony, brandishing the Russian flag. AFP (PARIS) The only surviving suspect in last Novembers attack on Paris refused to speak to a judge Thursday for a third time, in frustration at 24-hour video surveillance of his prison cell. s lawyer, Frank Berton, said the judge repeatedly asked questions to no avail on Thursday. Berton said Abdeslam wasnt obligated to explain his silence but obviously its linked to the constant surveillance. Authorities hope Abdeslam can provide information about ISIS strategies and networks, and identify others who might have had a connection to the Nov. 13 attacks, which killed 130 people. The same network that attacked Paris struck again in Abdeslams hometown of Brussels in March, days after he was tracked down in his hideout and arrested. His Brussels lawyer was present at Thursdays hearing in Paris. While Abdeslam is the only person suspected of directly participating in the attacks, others believed linked to it also are being identified as French and other European authorities continue their investigations. Austrian prosecutors, meanwhile, announced Thursday that two men who spent time in a Salzburg refugee camp with other suspects in connection to the attacks have been charged with being part of the ISIS terrorist organization. A statement from the Salzburg prosecutors office said the two are suspected of helping two other suspects who Austria extradited to France earlier this year through logistics as well as through gathering information and arranging contacts. Those extradited had been charged with the preparation of attacks in Paris as members of ISIS, according to the statement. The two whose charges were announced Thursday are identified as a 26-year-old Moroccan and a 40-year-old Algerian, but havent been publicly identified in keeping with Austrian privacy laws. They also are charged with belonging to a criminal organization. Story continues The two extradited in July were a 35-year-old Pakistani and a 29-year old Algerian. All four are believed to have come to Europe last year posing as refugees. Abdeslam kept silent at a hearing in May, and refused to attend a hearing in July. Berton argued that two round-the-clock video cameras in Abdeslams cell in Fleury-Merogis prison could cause psychological damage, but Frances top administrative authority struck down the lawyers request to remove them. Judicial authorities argue the surveillance is needed to ensure he doesnt commit suicide. Abdeslam, 26, had initially said he wanted to explain his path to radicalization and his role in the Nov. 13 attacks on the Bataclan concert hall, cafes and the national stadium. The other attackers died in suicide bombings or under police fire. Abdeslams precise role in the attacks has never been clear. The Paris prosecutor has said he was equipped as a suicide bomber that night, but abandoned his plans and fled. Abdeslam evaded police for four months, but was arrested in March in the Brussels neighborhood where he grew up. He was later extradited to France and handed several preliminary terrorism charges. GettyImages 547307740 House Speaker Paul Ryan on Thursday expressed concern that the House is being denied constitutional oversight from the FBI over the agencys stonewalling of a request to determine whether Hillary Clinton committed obstruction of justice. The remark came during an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. Are you concerned, Speaker Ryan, that the House is being denied its constitutional oversight by an FBI that is indifferent to what is obviously an obstruction of justice? Hewitt asked. Yes, and its not the first time weve experienced this, Ryan replied. The speaker continued: I was part of the IRS investigation in my last job here in Congress, and I would say it's a very, very similar story. It's a story of stonewalling. Ryan said Congress would continue doing our oversight to try and bring truth to power. House Republicans announced Tuesday that they had requested an investigation into whether Clinton and her team illegally destroyed evidence during the FBI's investigation into her use of a private email server. The Justice Department has not yet responded to House Republicans' requests. Rep. Jason Chaffetz, the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said that new documents from the FBI raised the possibility that some of Clinton's email archives were deleted after congressional committees had ordered them preserved. Ryan, nevertheless, told Hewitt he was perplexed as to why FBI Director James Comey released the agencys interview notes with Clinton on the Friday before Labor Day weekend. I don't know why they thought it wouldn't look too cute by half releasing it in the typical political data dump Friday of Labor Day, the Wisconsin Republican said. That judgment mystifies me, because it's so clearly political in nature. He added: That is what politicians do when they have bad news to tell that they want to get swept under the rug in order to minimize a story. Theyre not, the FBI's not supposed to be minimizing political damage of political stories. They're supposed to be getting to the truth and holding people accountable. And so when they make things like this, it makes them look political. Story continues NOW WATCH: 'A joke gone bad': How Republicans are responding to Trump's '2nd Amendment people' controversy More From Business Insider Rodrigo Duterte, the controversial, recently-elected Philippine president facing international criticism for his violent crackdown on drug dealers, made his international debut an unfortunate one this week at a summit for Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN) in Laos. He missed meetings with U.S. and Indian leaders at the summit, after having previously insulted President Barack Obama. And, according to a verbatim White House pool report from Obamas small contingent of traveling press, Dutertes absence was due to a migraine after he was unable to rest on Saturday. Its not regular, but when he is tired and he is always working [he gets headaches], his spokesman said. Because lately, before we flew here to Laos, we had a very bad bombing incidentand the president was not able to rest on the weekend which is usually his rest day on Saturday. The spokesman was referring to last Fridays bombing in the presidents hometown of Davao, which coincided with Dutertes arrival there for a visit. Duterte blamed the attack on Islamist militants loyal to the Abu Sayyaf terrorist organization, and then said that if he caught any of them he would eat them alive. If you make me mad, in all honesty, I will eat you alive, rawI will really carve your torso open, he said after the attack. Give me vinegar and salt and I will eat you. Duterte, whos already made a name for himself by calling both the pope and the U.S. ambassador to the Philippines sons of bitches, offered Obama the same honor this week, ahead of a private meeting he had scheduled with the U.S. president. The insult came after Obama expressed concern over Dutertes shoot-to-kill campaign against drug dealers, which has left thousands dead since June. Obamas camp promptly scrapped the bilateral meeting. Duterte then failed to show up for the U.S. summit meeting mentioned above. Entirely coincidentally, he also missed a United Nations meeting last week after Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon expressed similar worries over the human rights situation in the Philippines. Story continues But apparently Obama and Duterte reconciled enough to at least shake hands on Wednesday evening, ahead of a dinner gala at the summit in Laos. According to pool reports, the exchange consisted of pleasantries between the two. The pool report also noted that Dutertes spokesman did not confirm or deny reports that Dutertes daughter recently suffered a miscarriage, which also could have contributed to his absence from the meetings. Photo credit: Jes Aznar/Getty Images Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gestures during his first State of the Nation Address at the Philippine Congress in Quezon city, Metro Manila, Philippines July 25, 2016. REUTERS/Erik De Castro The bluster and vitriol of the Philippines' recently elected president has captured international attention, as has the wave of violence that has swept the country since he entered office promising to wipe out drug-related crime. And with that violence and bravado, Rodrigo Duterte's administration has implemented an antidrug policy that is likely to be wildly counterproductive, say drug-policy experts. Duterte, who was elected president in May and took office on June 30, said during his campaign that his policy toward people in the drug trade was "kill them all," and he promised to kill 100,000 criminals in his first six months in office. While the violence has yet to reach those levels, about 2,400 people have been killed since Duterte took office. "This is an exterminationist policy, an eliminationist policy." Sanho Tree, the director of the Drug Policy Project at the Institute for Policy Studies, said in an interview with CCTV. This is not a well-thought-out plan." The violence has largely affected the poorest parts of the country and targeted low-level members of the country's drug trade. At this level, targets and people who appear to be targets are plentiful, but attacking them is unlikely to seriously affect organized crime in the country, experts say. "There is a high chance that Dutertes hunting down of low-level pushers (and those accused of being pushers) will in fact significantly increase organized crime in the Philippines and intensify corruption," Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, wrote recently. Jennelyn Olaires, 26, cradles the body of her partner, who was killed on a street by a vigilante group, according to police, in a spate of drug related killings in Pasay city, Metro Manila, Philippines July 23, 2016. REUTERS/Czar Dancel Story continues Low-level pushers are common in the drug trade, but the power they hold in the industry is minimal, and eliminating them will probably not seriously erode drug cartels' and other criminal organizations' ability to operate. Instead, according to Tree, it produces a "filtering effect," where "sloppy" and "inefficient traffickers" tend to get caught while more potent and capable criminals carry on. "By eliminating low-level, mostly non-violent dealers, Duterte is paradoxically and counterproductively setting up a situation where more organized and powerful drug traffickers and distribution will emerge," Felbab-Brown wrote. Similarly, an atmosphere permissive to violence can embolden criminal groups and civilians to lash out at rivals, using the drug war to legitimize and cover up their actions. The same dynamic can arise among corrupt elements within the government and law enforcement, which would only entrench the rot Duterte has promised to root out. Many Filipinos involved in the drug trade are likely to flee further underground, which would isolate them from society further and "increase the chance of overdoses as well as a rapid spread of HIV/AIDS, drug-resistant tuberculosis, and hepatitis," Felbab-Brown noted. Philippines drug war crime vigilante justice extrajudicial killings Almost 700,000 people have turned themselves in to authorities for drug-related matters since Duterte took office, but instead of rooting the criminal economy, packing prisons is more likely to exacerbate the issue, experts say. One facility in Manila already has five times the number of inmates it's designed to hold. It is far from the only prison straining under the weight of Duterte's campaign. Overcrowded prisons often become recruitment sites for criminal organizations, and the conditions in such prisons, coupled with the lack of treatment provided to incarcerated addicts, frequently causes high recidivism rates. Similar wars on drugs, according to Felbab-Brown, have ended with countries backpedaling years later, as in Thailand and Vietnam in the early 2000s. Despite such policies' initial popularity, countries like Thailand are now thinking about decriminalizing some drugs, says Tree. "They tried the toughest ways, and theyve failed," Tree said. Philippines drug war violence killing funeral In Philippines, these policies had large support from the public. Duterte built his reputation on aggressive anticrime measures as mayor of the southern Philippine city of Davao, an office he held for much of the last 30 years. The lethal vigilante justice that has swept the country was common in the city during his tenure, and some residents there hold him in high regard, even though Davao is still the murder capital of the country. A nationwide poll conducted in early July, a month after he took office, found he had a 91% approval rating and a less than 0.5% disapproval rating. That Duterte's tough talk has gained traction is perhaps not surprising. Effective antidrug policies are often counterintuitive and take time to implement. Those factors make such approaches unappealing to people facing these problems on a daily basis. "They just want this thing to go away," Tree said. NOW WATCH: Obama canceled a meeting with the Philippines president after he called him a 'son of a b----' More From Business Insider WARSAW, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Poland remains in talks with Lockheed Martin's MEADS joint venture regarding the purchase of an Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) despite arrangements it has made with rival supplier Raytheon Co , the deputy defence minister said. Poland this week said it would seek formal U.S. approval to buy eight Patriot missile defence systems from Raytheon aiming to close a deal worth an estimated $5 billion. "Raytheon is leading in this race. But if we are unable to get along, we want to have another negotiation option open, so we are not forced to start talks from scratch," Deputy Defence Minister Bartosz Kownacki was quoted as saying by the Dziennik Gazeta Prawna daily newspaper. Poland had previously excluded the MEADS consortium of Lockheed and European missile maker MBDA from the tender, short-listing Raytheon as well as a consortium of MBDA teamed with French firm Thales SA. Last year, Poland's former centre-right government announced it would purchase Raytheon's Patriot system, a decision which the Law and Justice (PiS) party, then in opposition but now in government, said it would review should it come to power. The missile defence tender is central to Warsaw's army modernisation programme which has been stepped up following the Ukraine crisis. Germany has selected the MEADS system for its $4.5 billion air and missile defence programme, but Lockheed and MBDA are still working out the details of their final proposal to the government. Raytheon says it is standing by to step in with its Patriot system if those talks falter. ($1 = 3.8374 zlotys) (Reporting by Marcin Goclowski; editing by Jason Neely) Police raided the office of local newspaper the Maldives Independent on Wednesday, hours after the release of Stealing Paradise, an al-Jazeera documentary that details an $80 million scandal allegedly involving Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. The documentary, produced with the help of local journalists, featured an interview with the Maldives Independent editor Zaheena Rasheed alongside representatives of watchdog groups and opposition-party members. The Maldives Independent reported that it was facing allegations of a conspiracy to overthrow the elected government. The offices of a local NGO were also raided and the passport of opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed canceled, reports the Guardian. The Maldives broadcasting commission released a statement on Wednesday warning that anybody disseminating the documentarys allegations would be liable for defamation. Last month, the government issued laws making defamation both a civil and criminal offense. David Kaye, the U.N. special rapporteur on freedom of expression, called the move [a] direct attack on the exercise of the right to freedom of expression in the Maldives. By Fiona Lau HONG KONG, Sept 8 (IFR) - Postal Savings Bank of China has set a target of HK$57bn-$63bn (US$7.3bn-$8.1bn) from its Hong Kong IPO after lining up five cornerstone investors to buy most of the shares, according to sources close to the plans. The Chinese lender is looking to sell about 12.2bn H-shares at an indicative price range of HK$4.68-$5.18, the sources said. The range represents a 2016 P/B of 0.94-1.02, according to one of the sources. PSBC is planning to sell about 75% of the float to five cornerstone investors, said two of the sources. The biggest of those, China State Shipbuilding, will invest US$2.5bn, Shanghai International Port Group will take US$2bn and the HNA group US$1bn. Bookbuilding will start on September 13 and pricing will be on September 20. Listing is scheduled for September 28. The listing of PSBC, China's biggest lender by branches, is set to be the world's largest since Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group went public through a US$25bn IPO in 2014. Proceeds will be used to replenish its capital. Bank of America Merrill Lynch, CICC, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley are joint sponsors on the IPO. UBS is the sole financial adviser. (Reporting by Fiona Lau; Editing by Steve Garton) Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f204725%2fgettyimages-529492942 Researchers from Stanford University have developed a "potalyzer," a device that can detect levels of THC in a human to determine if a driver is too impaired to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of cannabis. According to a press release from Stanford, the device was developed using magnetic nanotechnology, a process used previously to screen for cancer. While breathalyzers to determine a drivers blood alcohol content are widely used today, monitoring a person's THC level, (the chemical in weed that makes you feel high) isn't as helpful to police. Although there are a number of devices that claim to monitor the level of cannabis intoxication users, no currently available device has been able to show consistent and quick measurements for officers in the field. Currently, officers rely on The Standard Field Sobriety Test (the one where you stand on one leg, touch your nose, etc.) to determine if a driver is fit for driving. SEE ALSO: Moms caught smoking celebratory back-to-school joint in a school zone According to Stanford, this new device not only detects the presence of THC in a person's saliva, but it also measures the level of concentration, a subject that has been debated among marijuana activists. Paul Armentano, deputy director for the pot advocacy group NORML was not immediately available for comment, but he previously told Business Insider "We don't have a consensus as to what levels of THC are consistently correlated with behavioral impairment." Some states, such as Colorado where cannabis is legal for recreational use, have set THC limits for drivers, while others have no set limits. The limit is measured in nanograms (a billionth of a gram) per milliliter of blood. "Researchers tackling the 'potalyzer' problem have zeroed in on saliva because testing it is less invasive and because THC in saliva may correlate with impairment better than THC in urine or blood," the report explains. "The big challenge is that these spit tests may be called upon to detect superlatively tiny concentrations of THC." Story continues The limit currently in place by certain states is typically set between 0 and 5 ng/mL, and the new device can measure between 0 and 50 ng/mL, which leaves plenty of room for potential limit increases as more research is done. Regardless, some argue that measuring the amount of THC in someone's system does not accurately determine someone's intoxication level like an alcohol breathalyzer would. Typically, if you have five nanograms in a regular smoker, you probably won't see any behavioral effects, Carl Hart, a professor of psychology and psychiatry at Columbia University told The Atlantic. Whereas, with five nanograms in someone whos never smoked, you might see a lot of effects. Additionally, a recent study from the NHTSA determined that stoned drivers are much safer than those who drive drunk. The Washington Post summarized the study by saying, "After adjusting for age, gender, race and alcohol use, drivers who tested positive for marijuana were no more likely to crash than who had not used any drugs or alcohol prior to driving." Even the US Department of Transportations Drug Evaluation and Classification Training student manual states: "Toxicology has some important limitations. One limitation is that, with the exception of alcohol, toxicology cannot produce per se proof of impairment. Stanford was not immediately available to comment on how long THC can stay present in a person's saliva after consuming cannabis. Bonus: Inside a High-End Cannabis Grow House Washington (AFP) - Former Secretary of State Colin Powell counseled Hillary Clinton on how best to keep official emails out of public view, according to a leading Democratic lawmaker and close ally of the White House candidate. Emails made public by US lawmaker Elijah Cummings -- top Democrat on the House of Representatives' Oversight Committee and a longtime Clinton supporter -- appear to corroborate what Clinton has told the FBI about Powell's advice to her during its investigation into her emails. Powell preceded Clinton -- now the Democratic party's presidential nominee -- in the office of top US diplomat. He served under Republican president George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005. Powell emailed Clinton advice on the use of digital devices in 2009, just two days after the start of her tenure as secretary of state. "If it is public that you have a BlackBerry," he wrote, "it may become an official record and subject to the law." "Be very careful," Powell warned her. "I got around it all by not saying much and not using systems that captured the data," Powell said. The retired four-star general revealed one particularly useful trick: "I had an ancient version of a PDA (personal digital assistant) and used it," he wrote. Cummings, in a statement accompanying Wednesday's email release, said that the correspondence showed Powell gave Clinton "a detailed blueprint on how to skirt security rules and bypass requirements to preserve federal records, although Secretary Clinton has made clear that she did not rely on this advice." Prior to the release of the emails by Cummings, Powell denied having schooled Clinton in email detection avoidance. "The truth is she was using it (her personal email) for a year before I sent her a memo telling her what I did," Powell told the New York Post newspaper last month. "Her people have been trying to pin it on me," he told the tabloid. Story continues Republicans on the House Oversight Committee led a months-long probe into Clinton's email practices following revelations that she had used a private email server for official business while secretary of state. Cummings faulted House Republicans for their relentless pursuit of Clinton over the email issue, calling it wasteful and excessive. "The Republican obsession with Secretary Clinton has reached a fever pitch, and they have been using taxpayer resources to single her out in a desperate and abusive attempt to hurt her presidential campaign," he said. FBI Director James Comey concluded that Clinton had been "extremely careless" in her use of a private server, but declined to press criminal charges against her. Republicans are pushing for additional investigations into Clinton's private email server, hoping it will thwart her bid in the November 8 election to succeed Democratic President Barack Obama in the White House. Mecca (Saudi Arabia) (AFP) - After spending thousands of dollars to reach Mecca for the hajj, Muslim pilgrims face another unavoidable cost - for the armfuls of gifts they are expected to take home. Even before this year's pilgrimage rites begin on Saturday, Sidi Mokhtar Dembele from Mali said he has already spent the equivalent of more than $850 on prayer beads, prayer rugs and other souvenirs for family and friends. The annual pilgrimage is first and foremost a spiritual journey, with close to two million faithful visiting the sites where their Prophet Mohammed performed the same rites 1,400 years ago. But religious tourism is also an industry which Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's two holiest sites, plans to develop under its wide-ranging "Vision 2030" project to diversify its oil-dependent economy. While the number of annual hajj pilgrims is relatively constant, the kingdom wants to foster a year-round religious tourism sector relying on those who perform the umrah, or lesser pilgrimage, at any time of the year. By 2020, Saudi Arabia wants 15 million umrah visitors annually, up from six million. Dembele, 54, a customs inspector who wears a traditional blue robe and a white skullcap, said shopping was part of the religious obligation. "It's what the Prophet Mohammed asked us to do. Bring back gifts for family and friends," he said in a cluttered street of Mecca lined with stalls. Another pilgrim, Mohammed Hassan from Egypt was making purchases just a few dozen metres (yards) from the Grand Mosque, the holiest site in Islam. There, on Ibrahim al-Khalil Avenue, shops compete with flashing lights and signs in a myriad of languages. "I already bought some abayas, prayer beads, perfume, prayer rugs and incense," the 61-year-old Egyptian engineer said. Abayas are head-to-toe black robes worn according to tradition by Saudi women. Grimacing, Hassan said his total budget is 3,000 riyals ($800), a substantial sum on top of around $6,700 for airfare and hotels in Mecca and Medina, the second holy city. Story continues The cost is unavoidable, he said, because "family and friends will be proud of these souvenirs. They have real value. They are priceless." Dressed in a jalabiya robe and smiling as he tried to force his way through the crowded street, he said his children will be able to tell everyone: "Papa brought me this from the Kaaba." Muslims across the world pray in the direction of Kaaba, the black cube which stands in the middle of the Haram or sacred site at the Grand Mosque. Many pilgrims from poor countries in Africa or Asia cannot, like Hassan, pay for hajj themselves. They make the journey courtesy of their governments and may live in cheap hostels, or even in the street. - Business good - Foreign pilgrims last year spent almost 20 billion riyals ($5.3 billion) during the hajj, according to the Mecca Chamber of Commerce and Industry. More than 1.4 million overseas pilgrims are expected to perform this year's hajj, alongside hundreds of thousands of Saudi-based faithful. Gamal Hamada, an Egyptian who will perform the hajj with his wife, said "we saved our entire life" to realise the dream of hajj, and it is an obligation to return home loaded with gifts. The hajj formally lasts six days but pilgrims arrive earlier. One vendor, Maged Abdullah, said daily revenue at his small shop selling prayer rugs and Islamic clothes is already running at between 20,000 and 25,000 riyals. His neighbour Ali Abu Saadi agreed that things are going well. Saadi's shop overflows with trinkets made in China as customers jostle -- "those who are rich as well as those who are poor", said the Yemeni, 66. Yet in Mecca there is more on offer than just the plastic prayer beads or windup clocks, mass-produced in Asia, which alert Muslims to their five-daily prayers. Outside the Grand Mosque, on mats on the ground, other vendors propose a return to the simpler time of the Prophet, selling traditional incense, or sticks of miswak, wooden "natural tooth brushes" often seen protruding from the lips of pilgrims. Sold for a few riyals, even miswak forms part of the religious rite. "Most gifts have a religious significance, helping those close to us who remain in our country feel the passion of the hajj," said Omar Sar, a 58-year-old from Senegal. "With these gifts, we inspire them to reinforce their faith that they too will come to Mecca." Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f204872%2fobamaparasitenaming It's no Nobel Peace Prize, but Barack Obama has a new honor to brag about. Scientists have named a parasite after him and there's no worming out of it. Meet Baracktrema obamai, a tiny parasitic flatworm that lives in turtles' blood. A new study officially names the two-inch-long, hair-thin creature after Obama. Thomas Platt, the newly retired biology professor at Saint Mary's College in Indiana who chose the name, says it's an honor, not an insult. Really. Platt, who discovered and named the flatworm to crown his career before retiring, has 32 new species to his credit. In the past, he's named them after his father-in-law, his doctorate adviser "and other people I have a great deal of respect for. This is clearly something in my small way done to honor our president," Platt says. A distant relative of the president, Platt says people pay thousands of dollars for the privilege of having a species named after them. Parasites get a bad rap. Platt says this one reminds him of the president: "It's long. It's thin. And it's cool as hell." Platt says Baractrema obamai "are phenomenally incredibly resilient organisms.""I hold them in awe and with phenomenal respect," Platt says. The worm is related, distantly, to a parasite that can cause a devastating disease in humans, but it causes no harm to turtles, Platt says. Parasites are cool, crucial to life and all around us, says Rutgers biologist Michael Sukhedo, editor of the Journal of Parasitology, where the study appears. About seven out of 10 animals on Earth are parasites, he says. Naming a new species especially in the final paper of a career "is a big decision," Sukhedo says. Obama already has a spider, a fish and even an extinct dinosaur named after him. Although names are usually bestowed as an honor, Sukhedo admits once or twice parasites have been named as a tool of revenge something Platt says isn't the case here. One time, Sukhedo says, a biologist named an entire group of parasites after her ex-husband: microphallus. From Esquire On the sunny Marine Corps Base in Honolulu, Hawaii, where rising sea levels threaten the very island where he was born, President Obama took a moment to speak with The New York Times about climate change. And yes, Obama thinks that the reports are just as "terrifying" as the scientists and advocates do. Though he hesitated to spell the doom of mankind, Obama said current trends will be "enormously disruptive" worldwide, spurring conflicts and displacements that will make the world a far more dangerous place. The problem is global warming is a slow build to catastrophe, which makes it harder to get people to care right now. [contentlinks align="center" textonly="false" numbered="false" headline="Related Story" customtitles="Fox News Briefly Admits Climate Change Is Real" customimages="" content="article.48365"] Obama has cared since he was elected. His cap-and-trade legislature died in the Senate, but Obama was able to work around Congress, like when he announced emissions targets jointly with China in 2014. China, he said, recognized that it could not keep the stability at home if its people were choking on smog-filled air, which makes you wonder: Would Americans demand immediate action if their air was the color of dirty water? Or would some still toss snowballs onto the Senate floor? He also exercised executive power to extend the regulatory power of the EPA with the Clean Power Plan-if it ever gets implemented. Of his eight years in office, Obama believes his work to combat climate change will be his "most consequential legacy," according to The Times. Unfortunately, depending on who steps into the Oval Office in January, the next four years (at least) could be spent unraveling it. [contentlinks align="center" textonly="false" numbered="false" headline="Related Story" customtitles="When the End of Human Civilization Is Your Day Job" customimages="" content="article.36228"] You Might Also Like Priceline PCLN discontinued its service Name Your Own Price for flights beginning Sep 1. This service enabled travelers to submit a desired ticket price for a flight. The flights that were booked through the service before Sep 1 will still be valid for use. Priceline.coms Name Your Own Price for hotels and car rentals will still be available. The company blamed declining competition in the airline industry as one of the major reasons for the discontinuation of its Name Your Own Price service. Reduced Airline Competition Over the last few years, the U.S. aviation industry has been witnessing several consolidations. It has seen multiple mega mergers, like the ones between Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines in 2008, United Airlines and Continental Airlines in 2010, and AirTran Holdings and Southwest Airlines Co. in 2011. In 2013, the merger of AMR (American Airlines' parent group) and US Airways created American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL). The merger, which occurred after a bankruptcy filing by American Airlines, resulted in the formation of the largest airline internationally. Since the merger, the carrier is raking in huge profits. With major U.S. airlines joining forces, the total number of carriers operating within the industry has decreased. According to a report in the Associated Press, more than 85% of the travel market in the U.S. is now dominated by four major carriers, namely United Continental Holdings, Inc. UAL, Delta Air Lines DAL, Southwest Airlines LUV and American Airlines Group. Though this consolidation in the airline industry is proving to be a lot more disciplined in adding capacity than has been the industrys historical track record, it has resulted in reduced competition. This could be one of the major challenges facing the airline industry going forward. Bottom Line Priceline.com Inc. is one of the largest online travel companies in the world. The companys travel-related offerings cover hotel rooms, airline tickets, rental cars, vacation packages, cruises, things to do at customer destinations and travel insurance. With people increasingly becoming price conscious, Priceline is focusing on new strategies to help customers get the best price and connect with deals faster and more easily than before. Pricelines strong position in international markets, growth opportunities in the domestic market, solid execution, prudent marketing strategy and strong financial position are among its positives. Moreover, Priceline belongs to an attractive industry, which is particularly positive for its business. Story continues PRICELINE.COM Price PRICELINE.COM Price | PRICELINE.COM Quote Currently, Priceline has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Confidential from Zacks Beyond this Analyst Blog, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them 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 SOUTHWEST AIR (LUV): Free Stock Analysis Report DELTA AIR LINES (DAL): Free Stock Analysis Report PRICELINE.COM (PCLN): Free Stock Analysis Report UNITED CONT HLD (UAL): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research The Play tells the Gripping Story of a Man Named Brian who is Killed by Police LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 8, 2016 / Urbain Hayo is pleased to announce the production of Custody: The Play. Custody centers on the bereaved family of Brian, a man who was killed by police. To learn more about Custody and the professional and talented team behind this innovative play, please visit http://goo.gl/07GJl0. As a spokesperson for Custody noted, prejudicial brutality while in custody of the police in the UK is a hot topic that is on the minds of many people. A creative production team and passionate cast is now ready to explore this topic through the form of Custody, the play. Inspired by true stories, the spokesperson said Custody focuses on the moment when a young black man's life is taken from him by the enforcers of a system that is meant to protect him. The play follows the victim's bereaved family as they fight for justice and resolution. "The play was created by Urbain Hayo and written by Tom Wainwright and was originally tested on a small audience in the form of a mini-production," the spokesperson said, adding that those who had the chance to experience the preview of the show reiterated how powerful the story is. "The play presents the often-ignored perspective of a grieving family, stunned and angry at what happened to a man that was a son, brother, and fiance. Audience members expressed their desire to see the play become a full production, which already promises to captivate audiences with such a strong story." In order to help pay for the costs associated with turning Custody into a full-length production, Urbain Hayo recently launched a fundraiser on Indiegogo. The production team hopes to raise 20,000 through crowdfunding. "We need your support to help us stage a full-length play throughout the UK and beyond," the spokesperson said. "Backing this project will enable us to stage the play in November and record it for the purpose of attracting more needed attention to this emotive story." Story continues About Custody: The Play: Custody is a play, inspired by true stories, about the moment a young black man's life is taken from him by the enforcers of a system that are supposed to protect him. Custody follows the victim's bereaved family as they struggle for justice and resolution. For more information, please visit http://goo.gl/07GJl0. Contact: Timothy Pearson admin@rocketfactor.com (949) 555-2861 SOURCE: Custody The for-profit-college industry has been battered over the past decade with allegations of aggressive pricing, ripped-off students, wasted federal aid and low graduation rates taking their toll. The notoriety surrounding the now-defunct Trump University (which was not actually an accredited college) and the $18 million that former President Bill Clinton was paid as a consultant and honorary chancellor of Laureates International Universities have kept the business in the public eye lately in a not-very-flattering way. Related: Bill Clinton Throws an $18 Million Curveball Into the Trump University Mess Now the U.S. company with the most students and the highest tuition has abruptly shut down after the government last month ordered it to stop enrolling students who receive federal aid. ITT Technical, which claimed on its website to have 45,000 on 130 locations in 38 states, is effectively dead in the water. A message at the top of the home page says: We are currently not enrolling new students. ITT offered courses in electronics, drafting & design, criminal justice and nursing and it wasnt cheap. Tuition costs upwards of $45,000, the highest in the industry. ITT also had the highest rate of default on student loans within the first two years of attendance. The Wall Street Journal says the school, facing allegations of financial mismanagement and shady recruiting tactics, was being investigated by more than a dozen state and federal agencies including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Securities & Exchange Commission. Related: Pell Grants Cost Billions, but Many Recipients Fail to Graduate One outcome of the shakeup of the for-profit industry could be a huge tab for taxpayers, The New York Times said, with federal loan forgiveness for students at ITT amounting to as much as $500 million. In a call yesterday with reporters, Under Secretary of Education Ted Mitchell said the government was acting to protect students and taxpayers. He said he recognized that the news of ITTs collapse may cause disruption, confusion, and disappointment to many of ITT's current students. [But] we believe that enabling students to restart or continue their education at a different school will best serve them in the long run. Story continues In a statement late last month when it announced it was banning ITT from enrolling students using federal financial aid and increasing its oversight, the Education Dept. said that roughly $580 million of the almost $850 million in total revenue that the school reported last year came from federal aid dollars. ITT Technical is owned by ITT Educational Services Inc., a publicly traded company (NYSE ticker symbol ESI) that until the late 1990s was owned by ITT Corp. As of mid-afternoon in heavy trading, ESI was at 0.36, down from its 52-week high of 4.10. Related: The Education Department Is Failing Students Who Got Defrauded Despite the heat on ITT, last spring two Chinese investors, Zhifeng Zhang and his son Yude Zhang, bought 2.35 million shares of ESI, or almost 10 percent of the company, for about $5.7 million, according to an SEC filing. The money was paid out of the personal and family funds of the elder Zhang, who was listed as Chair of Guangzhou Huali Investment Ltd, a company that owns and controls several for-profit education schools in China. They held the shares through a company registered in the Cayman Islands, KHLU Ltd. On Aug. 29 and 30, the Zhangs liquidated their holdings in ESI for a total of just over $1.3 million about a $4.4 million loss. No one replied to a message left for the younger Zhang at a phone number listed on an SEC filing. Education Under Secretary Mitchell said yesterday that students enrolled in ITT or those who withdrew in the past 120 days could be eligible to have their federal debt wiped away. Students can also explore transferring their credits to another school. The Education Dept., has set up a hotline (1-800-4-FED-AID) to answer the questions of the tens of thousands of students affected by ITTs demise. On ITTs website this morning, just below the notice that it would enroll no more students, were two words in huge type mocking the dashed dreams of so many: Endless Possibilities. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: Public concern over the use of Naled, a chemical that's being deployed in airborne anti-Zika efforts, is rising in the South, particularly around Miami, Florida. A public protest outside of South Beach's City Hall Wednesday prompted Miami-Dade officials to delay the start of aerial spraying, but only for 24 hours. Naled is banned in the European Union, and its use in Puerto Rico one of the areas hit hardest by the Zika virus was protested by officials who derided it as dangerous for pregnant women. "Naleda can essentially kill anything," Tanjim Hossain, a graduate research fellow at the University of Miami, told CBS News. "When a droplet of the insecticide touches a mosquito, it kills the mosquito pretty much instantaneously." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have both sanctioned Naled for use. It's been in use for mosquito control since 1959 in the U.S. and has an extensive history of use: In 2004, eight million acres across Florida were treated with it as part of the emergency responses to hurricanes; and in 2005, after Hurricane Katrina, five million acres of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas were treated with Naled to kill mosquitoes. Its use isn't restricted to rural areas, either: In 1987, the CDC treated 177,000 acres of metropolitan San Juan in Puerto Rico as part of Dengue fever control efforts. "Decisions on when and where to conduct aerial spraying are made by local mosquito control districts and local government, in consultation with state and federal agencies, like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, when appropriate," a spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Health told PEOPLE. "We are more afraid of this than we are of Zika," Liza Samuel, South Beach resident and mother of three, told the Miami-Herald. "I don't particularly want to do this," Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, told a crowd Wednesday, according to the Herald. "We tried everything to not to get to this point." Naled spraying in South Carolina killed over 2.5 million bees in South Carolina this week, which could be a dark portent for the spray's effect on pollinating insects in Florida and, consequently, agriculture across the region. Sept 8 (Reuters) - U.S. homebuilder PulteGroup Inc said it appointed Ryan Marshall chief executive, effective immediately. The company also added Bill Pulte, the grandson of founder and largest shareholder William Pulte, to its board. Marshall will replace Richard Dugas, who announced his retirement in April, bowing to pressure from William Pulte. Marshall was most recently the company's president, responsible for its homebuilding, marketing and strategy operations, PulteGroup said on Thursday. PulteGroup, which was the No.2 U.S. homebuilder until 2014, has been unable to take full advantage of a steady recovery in the nationwide housing market as its biggest market, Texas, has been hurt by a sharp drop in oil prices. In July, William Pulte said in a letter to shareholders that the company had a lot of ground to cover, mainly on cost controls and home sales. PulteGroup shares were down slightly at $21.01 in morning trading. (Reporting by Arunima Banerjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Kirti Pandey) Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f203878%2fscreen_shot_2016-09-08_at_12.15.19_pm Yass bish! Made famous by Ilana Glazers character in Broad City, "yass" actually has a long history. But not quite as much history as one historical town in rural Australia, also called Yass. Thanks to Instagram user @new_metropolitan_omen, the women of Broad City and the New South Wales community of Yass have finally come together at least virtually. SEE ALSO: 'Broad City' duo celebrates Hillary Clinton from 1776 Seeing the picture of a road sign in Yass, the actors paid special tribute to the town by posting the image on the Broad City Instagram account with the simple and obvious question, "WHERE DIS??" #tbtuesday WHERE DIS?? via @new_metropolitan_omen #Yass A photo posted by abbi & ilana (@broadcity) on Sep 6, 2016 at 7:28am PDT So in the interests of education and boosting Yass' tourism industry, we're here to help. Yass (pronounced like "ass" if you're from the U.S.) is located 59 kilometers from Canberra. According to TripAdvisor, Yass boasts many attractions, like the famous Royal Hotel Yass, Yass Railway Museum and, of course, Yass romantic, date-friendly restaurant, Ewen Me. It's also a goldmine of photo opportunities. Image: NSW Rail Image: Oz Roads Petition to get a road trip episode of Broad City Season 4 filmed here? Yass queen. Also, somebody please flag this etymological discovery with Nicki. Madonna and ex-husband Guy Ritchie have settled a court dispute over the custody of their 16-year-old son Rocco. A spokesman for the New York State court system said the pair had reached an agreement, but did not reveal with which parent the teenager would live. Ritchies lawyer Peter Bronstein said Rocco would continue to live with his father in London. The dispute arose in December when Rocco ignored a court order to fly back to live with his mother in New York. He has since stayed with his father in the UK capital and enrolled in a school there. Madonnas lawyers have not commented on the settlement. (Reuters) - A rabbi and another Orthodox Jewish man were arrested in New York in connection with a plot to kidnap and murder a man whose wife wanted to divorce him, federal officials said on Wednesday. Israel-based rabbi Aharon Goldberg, 55, and Shimen Liebowitz, 25, were taken into custody in Central Valley, New York, while meeting to discuss the plot on Tuesday, the Manhattan U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement. The statement said they were charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, and conspiracy to commit murder for hire. Xavier Donaldson, an attorney for Goldberg, declined to comment when reached by email on Wednesday night. An attorney for Liebowitz, who prosecutors said is a member of Satmar Hasidic community in Kiryas Joel, New York, could not be immediately reached for comment. Prosecutors said Liebowitz and Goldberg recruited an individual to carry out the crimes and force the man to issue a document called a "get" to allow his wife to divorce him. An Orthodox Jewish woman cannot get a religious divorce unless her husband consents through a get, according to prosecutors. Without the document, a divorce can only occur if the husband dies. Prosecutors said the recruit contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation in July about the plot and began recording their conversations. The group discussed kidnapping, torturing and forcing the get from the target while the intended victim was in the United States or on a planned trip to Ukraine, prosecutors said. As the plotting continued, the group decided they wanted the victim murdered as well, prosecutors allege. In total, the pair paid the informant around $60,000 to carry out the kidnapping and murder. (Reporting by Curtis Skinner in San Francisco; Editing by Andrew Hay) By Piya Sinha-Roy and Alastair Sharp LOS ANGELES/TORONTO (Reuters) - A slavery drama clouded by controversy, an African king fighting to be with a white woman and a young Barack Obama navigating college life are some of the true-life tales exploring race at the Toronto International Film Festival, against a backdrop of heightened racial tension. As the 10-day festival kicks off on Thursday, all eyes are on the Friday premiere of "The Birth of a Nation," about preacher-slave Nat Turner, who led a rebellion in the antebellum South. "Birth of a Nation," which debuted at Sundance Film Festival in January to rave reviews and was hailed an Oscar front-runner, has stumbled in the past month as news emerged of the film's star and writer-director-producer Nate Parker's 2001 trial and acquittal on rape charges. While the controversy around Parker has overshadowed "Birth of a Nation," the film itself puts a spotlight on the harrowing brutality suffered by slaves. The film comes amid heightened tensions in the United States with the Black Lives Matter movement protesting police brutality against members of the black community. It also comes at a time where the film industry has come under fire for its lack of diversity after this year's Oscars featured no acting nominees of color, sparking the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag. "Filmmakers are attracted to controversy, theyre attracted to issues, debates of the day, and the racial debate is certainly one of the key ones," said Piers Hardling, chief executive of the Toronto International Film Festival. Aside from "Birth of a Nation," there is "Barry," the story of a young Barack Obama navigating racial and social issues when he attended Columbia University in New York in 1981. "Hidden Figures" follows three black female mathematicians helping NASA during the 1960s space race, while "Loving" and "A United Kingdom" explore the real-life stories of two separate interracial couples fighting to be together. Director Amma Asante's "A United Kingdom" stars British actor David Oyelowo as Seretse Khama, the king of Botswana, who defied traditions and expectations in 1947 to marry a white English worker portrayed in the movie by Rosamund Pike. "You can look back and say 'yes, that's 1947 and so much has changed,' but I think for couples who are in interracial relationships, they may argue maybe not so much has changed," Asante told Reuters. "Politically, people have become very stimulated, very active, and I think when that happens, we as creators start to reflect the climate and the energy around us," Asante said. "Moonlight," directed by Barry Jenkins and adapted from a play by Tarell Alvin McCraney, follows the story of a young black man navigating his identity and sexuality, told through three chapters of his life. While it is not exactly a true story, it is inspired by the playwright's life, Jenkins said, and reflects a "very authentic experience." "In 'Moonlight,' what we're doing is taking Tarell's source material and adaptation and we're trying to explore real life for everyday people, not necessarily these famous or iconic people," Jenkins said. (Reporting by Piya Sinha-Roy; Editing by Steve Orlofsky) Looking for a stock that might be in a good position to beat earnings at its next report? Consider Rayonier Inc. RYN, a firm in the Building Products industry, which could be a great candidate for another beat. This company has seen a nice streak of beating earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. In fact, in these reports, RYN has beaten estimates by at least 30% in both cases, suggesting it has a nice short-term history of crushing expectations. Earnings in Focus Two quarters ago, RYN expected to post earnings of 8 cents per share, while it actually produced earnings of 11 cents per share, a beat of 37.5%. Meanwhile, for the most recent quarter, the company looked to deliver earnings of 3 cents per share, when it actually saw earnings per share of 7 cents instead, representing a 133.3% positive surprise. RAYONIER INC Price and EPS Surprise RAYONIER INC Price and EPS Surprise | RAYONIER INC Quote Thanks in part to this history, recent estimates have been moving higher for Rayonier. In fact, the Earnings ESP for RYN is positive, which is a great sign of a coming beat. After all, the Zacks Earnings ESP compares the most accurate estimate to the broad consensus, looking to find stocks that have seen big revisions as of late, suggesting that analysts have recently become more bullish on the companys earnings prospects. This is the case for RYN, as the firm currently has a Zacks Earnings ESP of 21.43%, so another beat could be around the corner. This is particularly true when you consider that RYN has a great Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) which can be a harbinger of outperformance and a signal for a strong earnings profile. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. When you add this solid Zacks Rank to a positive Earnings ESP, a positive earnings surprise happens nearly 70% of the time, so it seems pretty likely that RYN could see another beat at its next report, especially if recent trends are any guide. Confidential from Zacks Beyond this Tale of the Tape, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them 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 RAYONIER INC (RYN): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Our live blog tracked reaction as the ECB meeting in Frankfurt offered little for those expecting further monetary stimulus. Read below to see how the day unfolded. (App users please click here). LAUER: Good evening, everyone, from the Carrier Intrepid here in New York City. In just a couple of short months, Americans are going to vote in a critical election. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are vying not only to become president of the United States, but one of them will become the leader of the most potent military force the world has ever seen. Im standing in a place where I can actually see the site of the World Trade Center. Fifteen years ago this week, the worst terror attack on American soil changed the world and launched this nation into years of war. Tonights forum is a great opportunity for these nominees to talk about national security and the complex global issues that face our nation. And theyll get to tell you why they are ready for the role of commander-in-chief. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) KENNEDY: It shall be the policy of this nation to regard any nuclear missile launched from Cuba as an attack by the Soviet Union on the United States. JOHNSON: I have today ordered to Vietnam the Air Mobile Division. REAGAN: Air and naval forces of the United States launched a series of strikes against the headquarters and military assets that support Moammar Gadhafi. GEORGE H.W. BUSH: No president can easily commit our sons and daughters to war. BILL CLINTON: We can and will succeed because our mission is clear and our troops are strong. GEORGE W. BUSH: I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon. OBAMA: I can report to the American people the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of Al Qaida. (END VIDEO CLIP) ANNOUNCER: The Commander-in-Chief Forum, live from the Carrier Intrepid in New York. Here now is Matt Lauer. LAUER: Good evening, everyone. The decisions a commander-in- chief makes can have a profound and lasting impact on all Americans, but none more so than the brave men and women who serve, fight, and die for our country. What makes tonights forum unique, some of the questions will be asked by U.S. military veterans who are in our audience. The presidential nominees will appear back-to-back tonight. After a coin toss yesterday won by Mr. Trump, he chose to go second. So that means we begin tonight with the Democratic nominee for president. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Hillary Clinton. (APPLAUSE) CLINTON: Matt, how are you? Good to see you. Thank you. Hi. How are you? LAUER: Good to have you. (APPLAUSE) Nice to see you. Good evening. CLINTON: Thank you very much. Im happy youre doing this. LAUER: Let me thank you very much, Im happy to be here. Let me ask you something ahead of time that Ill ask Mr. Trump in a half an hour. To the best of your ability tonight, can we talk about your qualities and your qualifications to be commander-in-chief and not use this as an opportunity to attack Mr. Trump, all right? And Ill ask him the exact same thing. CLINTON: I think thats an exactly right way to proceed. LAUER: OK. CLINTON: This is a very important decision for our country. And each of us should be presenting our experience, our expertise, and our plans to protect and defend the United States and our allies around the world. LAUER: What is the most important characteristic that a commander-in-chief can possess? CLINTON: Steadiness. An absolute rock steadiness, and mixed with strength to be able to make the hard decisions. Because Ive had the unique experience of watching and working with several presidents. And these are not easy decisions. If they were, they wouldnt get to the president in the first place. And when youre sitting in the Situation Room, as I have on numerous occasions, particularly with respect to determining whether to recommend the raid against bin Laden, what you want in a president, a commander-in-chief, is someone who listens, who evaluates what is being told to him or her, who is able to sort out the very difficult options being presented LAUER: Youre talking about judgment. CLINTON: and then makes the decision. Makes the decision, thats right. LAUER: So judgment is a key. CLINTON: Temperament and judgment, yes. LAUER: The word judgment has been used a lot around you, Secretary Clinton, over the last year-and-a-half, and in particular concerning your use of your personal e-mail and server to communicate while you were secretary of state. Youve said its a mistake. CLINTON: Mm-hmm. LAUER: You said you made not the best choice. You were communicating on highly sensitive topics. Why wasnt it more than a mistake? Why wasnt it disqualifying, if you want to be commander-in- chief? CLINTON: Well, Matt, first of all, as I have said repeatedly, it was a mistake to have a personal account. I would certainly not do it again. I make no excuses for it. It was something that should not have been done. But the real question is the handling of classified material, which is I think what the implication of your question was. And for all the viewers watching you tonight, I have a lot of experience dealing with classified material, starting when I was on the Senate Armed Services Committee going into the four years as secretary of state. Classified material has a header which says top secret, secret, confidential. Nothing and I will repeat this, and this is verified in the report by the Department of Justice none of the e-mails sent or received by me had such a header. LAUER: Were some of the e-mails sent or received by you referring to our drone program, our covert drone program? CLINTON: Yes, because of course, there were no discussions of any of the covert actions in process being determined about whether or not to go forward. But every part of our government had to deal with questions, and the secretary of states office was first and foremost. So there are ways of talking about the drone program (CROSSTALK) LAUER: And you said you thought your communications on that were fairly routine? CLINTON: Well, let me say, the FBI just released their report about their investigation, they discussed drone matters in the unclassified section of their report. LAUER: But Director Comey also said this after reviewing all the information. He said there is evidence to support a conclusion that any reasonable person in Secretary Clintons position should have known that an unclassified system was no place for that conversation. CLINTON: Well, Matt, I just respectfully point to the hundreds of experienced foreign policy experts, diplomats, defense officials who were communicating information on the unclassified system because it was necessary to answer questions and to be able publicly to go as far as we could, which was not acknowledging the program. But I would be in Pakistan, as I was on several occasions. There might very well have been a strike. I would be asked in a public setting, in an interview, about it. It was known to have happened. We had to have an answer that did not move into classified area. And I think we handled that appropriately. LAUER: You mentioned youre in Pakistan. Some of the e-mails you sent and received happened while you were overseas. And Director Comey also said that while they have no proof, we assessed that it is possible that hostile actors gained access to Secretary Clintons personal e-mail accounts. CLINTON: Matt, there is no evidence. Of course anything is possible. But what is factual is the State Department system was hacked. Most of the government systems are way behind the curve. Weve had hacking repeatedly, even in the White House. There is no evidence my system was hacked. LAUER: Let us bring in Hallie Jackson of NBC News whos been covering this campaign. Shes getting questions from our veterans. Hallie, who are you with? JACKSON: Hi, Matt. Im with Lieutenant Jon Lester (ph), who will stand with me here. He began his military career by enlisting in the Air Force and then switched over to the Navy before he retired, where he flew P-3 Orions in Desert Storm and in Desert Shield. Hes a Republican, and he has this question for you, Secretary Clinton. CLINTON: Thank you. QUESTION: Secretary Clinton, thank you very much for coming tonight. As a naval flight officer, I held a top secret sensitive compartmentalized information clearance. And that provided me access to materials and information highly sensitive to our warfighting capabilities. Had I communicated this information not following prescribed protocols, I would have been prosecuted and imprisoned. Secretary Clinton, how can you expect those such as myself who were and are entrusted with Americas most sensitive information to have any confidence in your leadership as president when you clearly corrupted our national security? CLINTON: Well, I appreciate your concern and also your experience. But let me try to make the distinctions that I think are important for me to answer your question. First, as I said to Matt, you know and I know classified material is designated. It is marked. There is a header so that there is no dispute at all that what is being communicated to or from someone who has that access is marked classified. And what we have here is the use of an unclassified system by hundreds of people in our government to send information that was not marked, there were no headers, there was no statement, top secret, secret, or confidential. I communicated about classified material on a wholly separate system. I took it very seriously. When I traveled, I went into one of those little tents that Im sure youve seen around the world because we didnt want there to be any potential for someone to have embedded a camera to try to see whatever it is that I was seeing that was designated, marked, and headed as classified. LAUER: Let us (CROSSTALK) CLINTON: So I did exactly what I should have done and I take it very seriously, always have, always will. LAUER: Sir, thank you. Thank you very much for your question. Secretary Clinton, lets talk about your vote in favor of the war in Iraq. Youve since said it was a mistake. CLINTON: Mm-hmm. LAUER: Obviously, it was not something you said you would do again. I asked before for people to raise their hand if you served in Iraq. Can you do it again? How do you think these people feel when the person running to be their commander-in-chief says her vote to go to war in Iraq was a mistake? CLINTON: Look, I think that the decision to go to war in Iraq was a mistake. And I have said that my voting to give President Bush that authority was, from my perspective, my mistake. I also believe that it is imperative that we learn from the mistakes, like after- action reports are supposed to do, and so we must learn what led us down that path so that it never happens again. I think Im in the best possible position to be able to understand that and prevent it. But I will say this. Im asking to be judged on the totality of my record, what Ive done for our veterans as first lady, as senator, what Ive done for Gold Star Families, working with them to increase the death benefit from $12,000 to $100,000, working with Republicans, like Lindsey Graham, to get TRICARE for our National Guard members who didnt have health care unless they were deployed, working to provide more support for the care of our veterans, those who are wounded, working with the Fisher family, now into the third generation of caring for our fallen heroes, working with John McCain to raise money for Brooke Medical Centers Intrepid Center to take care of those who are coming back with profound injuries, working on TBI and PTSD and so much more, working with groups to end veteran suicide, like TAPS. So, yes LAUER: Im going to get on to that subject in a second. CLINTON: There was there was a mistake. Now, my opponent was for the war in Iraq. He says he wasnt. You can go back and look at the record. He supported it. He told Howard Stern he supported it. So he supported it before it happened, he supported it as it was happening, and he is on record as supporting it after it happened. I have taken responsibility for my decision. LAUER: Let me go to another CLINTON: He refuses to take responsibility for his support. That is a judgment issue. LAUER: Let me go to another question. Hallie? JACKSON: (OFF-MIKE) who served in the Air Force for nearly a decade, where she was an intelligence specialist, specializing in countering violent extremism. Like you, Secretary Clinton, shes a Democrat and she has this question for you. QUESTION: Thank you. Secretary Clinton, to your point, you have had an extensive record with military intervention. How do you respond to progressives like myself who worry and have concerns that your hawkish foreign policy will continue? And what is your plan to end wasteful war campaigns in which our peers, servicewomen and men, continue to be killed and wounded? CLINTON: Well, I assume youre talking about Iraq, because of my vote, and you probably are talking about Libya, because of the role that I played in the administrations decision about whether to take on Gadhafi. CLINTON: But before I get to that, let me say very clearly: I view force as a last resort, not a first choice. I will do everything in my power to make sure that our men and women in the military are fully prepared for any challenge that they may have to face on our behalf. But I will also be as careful as I can in making the most significant decisions any president and commander-in-chief can make about sending our men and women into harms way. With respect to Libya, again, theres no difference between my opponent and myself. Hes on record extensively supporting intervention in Libya, when Gadhafi was threatening to massacre his population. I put together a coalition that included NATO, included the Arab League, and we were able to save lives. We did not lose a single American in that action. And I think taking that action was the right decision. Not taking it, and permitting there to be an ongoing civil war in Libya, would have been as dangerous and threatening as what we are now seeing in Syria. LAUER: Im going to jump in. Thank you very much for your question. Let me ask you about the Iran nuclear deal. It was signed under Secretary Kerry; it was begun under you. You started those talks. CLINTON: Right, I did. LAUER: You have said you expect the Iranians to cheat, you think theyll buy time, and perhaps stay along their course to building a nuclear weapon. If they cheat, Secretary Clinton, will you have any course of action other than a military course of action? Would you enter into negotiations with again (ph)? Would you go back to economic sanctions knowing they cheated and are then closer to a nuclear weapon? CLINTON: Matt, look, let me put this in context, because this is one of the most important strategic questions we face. When I became secretary of state, the Iranians were on a fast track to acquiring the material necessary to get a nuclear weapon. That had happened the prior eight years. They mastered the nuclear fuel cycle, they built covert facilities, they stocked them with centrifuges, and they were moving forward. What was our decision? Our decision was to try to put together an international coalition that included Russia and China to exert the kind of pressure through sanctions that the United States alone could not do. LAUER: Right, but youve said that you think theyre going to cheat CLINTON: Now, wait, let me look, this is an important issue. I know were on TV and we dont have a lot of time. LAUER: I want to get to a lot of questions. CLINTON: I will talk quickly. But I want people to understand this. So, yes, I put together the coalition. We imposed the sanctions. We got them to the negotiating table. And after I left, we got the agreement. That agreement put a lid on their nuclear weapons program and imposed intrusive inspections. I have said we are going to enforce it to the letter. LAUER: Do you think theyre playing us? CLINTON: On the nuclear issue, no. I think we have enough insight into what theyre doing to be able to say we have to distrust but verify. What I am focused on is all the other malicious activities of the Iranians ballistic missiles, support for terrorists, being involved in Syria, Yemen, and other places, supporting Hezbollah, Hamas. But heres the difference, Matt. I would rather as president be dealing with Iran on all of those issues without having to worry as much about their racing for a nuclear weapon. So we have made the world safer; we just have to make sure its enforced. LAUER: Hallie? JACKSON: Im with Kenneth Anderson (ph). Hes one of our undecided voters here. He considers himself an independent. He earned the rank of sergeant in the Marine Corps, where he was an Arabic translator during three tours in Iraq. Kenneth, you have a question for Secretary Clinton. QUESTION: Yes, Secretary Clinton, last October you said that surveys of veterans show that theyre overall satisfied with their treatment and that the problems with the V.A. arent as widespread as theyre made out to be. So do you think the problems with the V.A. have been made to seem worse than they really are? CLINTON: Look, I was outraged by the stories that came out about the V.A. And I have been very clear about the necessity for doing whatever is required to move the V.A. into the 21st century, to provide the kind of treatment options that our veterans today desperately need and deserve. And thats what I will do as president. But I will not let the V.A. be privatized. And I do think there is an agenda out there, supported by my opponent, to do just that. I think that would be very disastrous for our military veterans. So Im going to do everything I can Im going to have a meeting every week in the Oval Office. Were going to bring the V.A. people, were going to bring the DOD people, because weve got to have a better fit between getting mustered out and getting into the V.A. system, sometimes and you probably know this, Sergeant Ive met so many vets who get mustered out, who leave the service, they cant find their records from DOD, and those records never make it to the V.A. They feel like theyre living in a funhouse. They have to go over the same things over and over. Were living in a technological world. You cannot tell me we cant do a better job getting that information. And so Im going to focus on this. Im going to work with everybody. Im going to make them work together. LAUER: And Im going to jump in. CLINTON: And were going to fix the problems in the V.A. LAUER: Sergeant, thank you very much for your question. Lets talk about veterans and suicide. CLINTON: Yes, lets, please. LAUER: Its an alarming, alarming story. The population of veterans has a rate of suicide far above the general population. CLINTON: Twenty twenty suicides a day. LAUER: What are you going to do to stop it? CLINTON: Well, this month is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. And Ive spent a lot of time with family members, survivors, whove lost a loved one after he or she came home, sometimes suffering from PTSD or TBI or sexual assault, being handed bags of opioids, not being given an appropriate treatment to help that particular person, which is something, to go back to the sergeants question, we have to change. So I rolled out my mental health agenda last week, and I have a whole section devoted to veterans mental health. And weve got to remove the stigma. Weve got to help people currently serving not to feel that if they report their sense of unease, their depression, that somehow its going to be a mark against them. We have to do more about addiction, not only drugs, but also alcohol. So I have put forth a really robust agenda, working with a lot of the VSOs and other groups, like TAPS, who have been thinking about this and trying to figure out what were going to do to help our veterans re-enter civilian life and live full, productive lives. LAUER: Hallie? JACKSON: Im with Ernie Young. Come on up here with me, a former Army captain, who led troops during tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Hes an independent voter. And you have a question for the secretary. QUESTION: Secretary Clinton, as an Army veteran, a commander-in- chiefs to empathize with servicemembers and their families is important to me. The ability to truly understand implications and consequences of your decisions, actions, or inactions. How will you determine when and where to deploy troops directly into harms way, especially to combat ISIS? LAUER: As briefly as you can. CLINTON: We have to defeat ISIS. That is my highest counterterrorism goal. And weve got to do it with air power. Weve got to do it with much more support for the Arabs and the Kurds who will fight on the ground against ISIS. We have to squeeze them by continuing to support the Iraqi military. Theyve taken back Ramadi, Fallujah. Theyve got to hold them. Theyve got to now get into Mosul. Were going to work to make sure that they have the support they have special forces, as you know, they have enablers, they have surveillance, intelligence, reconnaissance help. They are not going to get ground troops. We are not putting ground troops into Iraq ever again. And were not putting ground troops into Syria. Were going to defeat ISIS without committing American ground troops. So those are the kinds of decisions we have to make on a case-by-case basis. And, remember, when I became secretary of state, we had 200,000 troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. And Im very grateful that we have brought home the vast majority of those. We have a residual force, as you know, in Afghanistan. We have built up several thousands of the folks that Ive talked about who are assisting in the fight against ISIS. But it is in our national security interest to defeat ISIS. And I intend to make that happen. LAUER: Thank you very much for your question. CLINTON: And as part of it, were going after Baghdadi, the leader, because it will help us focus our attention, just like going after bin Laden helped us focus our attention LAUER: Secretary CLINTON: in the fight against Al Qaida in the Afghanistan- Pakistan theater. LAUER: Secretary Clinton, I am fast running out of time. I want to get to one of the concerns just about everybody in this country, and that is terror attacks on our soil. CLINTON: Right. LAUER: Either directed by ISIS or inspired by ISIS. Would your message as the next president of the United States or potential next president be to Americans that we simply are living in the reality that those attacks will happen? And can you guarantee people that after four years of a Clinton presidency, they will be safer on the streets of San Bernardino or Boston than they are today? CLINTON: Well, Matt, Im going to do everything in my power to make sure that thats the result. Im not going to, you know, promise something that I think most thinking Americans know is going to be a huge challenge, and heres why. Weve got to have an intelligence surge. Weve got to get a lot more cooperation out of Europe, out of the Middle East. We have to do a better job of not only collecting and analyzing the intelligence we do have, but distributing it much more quickly down the ladder to state and local law enforcement. We also have to do a better job combating ISIS online, where they recruit, where they radicalize. And I dont think were doing as much as we can. We need to work with Silicon Valley. We need to work with our experts in our government. We have got to disrupt, we have got to take them on in the arena of ideas that, unfortunately, pollute and capture the minds of vulnerable people. So we need to wage this war against ISIS from the air, on the ground, and online, in cyberspace. And here at home, for goodnesss sakes, we have to finally pass a law prohibiting people on the terrorist watch list from being able to buy a gun in the United States of America. So weve got work to do. I know we can do that work. Im meeting with a group of terror experts, counterterrorism experts. But I want to just say one additional thing. LAUER: Ive got 30 seconds left. CLINTON: Matt Olsen, the former director of the National Center on Counterterrorism, has a great article out today saying the last thing we need to do is to play into the hands of ISIS. Going after American Muslims, defaming a Gold Star family, the family of Captain Khan, making it more difficult for us to have a coalition with Muslim majority nations LAUER: And we tried to have an agreement CLINTON: that is not going to help us to succeed in defeating ISIS and protecting our American homeland. LAUER: Secretary Hillary Clinton, thank you very much. CLINTON: Thank you. Thank you all. (APPLAUSE) Thank you so much. Too short a time. LAUER: I know. Were going to take a break. Were going to have much more with her competitor, Donald Trump, right after this. Youre watching NBC News special, the Commander-in-Chief Forum. (COMMERCIAL BREAK) LAUER: We welcome you back now to this NBC News special, the Commander-in-Chief Forum. Tonight were speaking with the two major party presidential nominees to find out where they stand on the critical issues. Now, please welcome the Republican nominee for president, Donald Trump. (APPLAUSE) LAUER: Good to see you. TRUMP: Thank you, Matt. LAUER: Thank you very much for joining us. TRUMP: Thank you. LAUER: You heard me say to Mrs. Clinton, Secretary Clinton, and it didnt completely work out toward the end there, as much as possible Id like you to tell our veterans and our people at home why you are prepared for the role of commander-in-chief and try to keep the attacks to a minimum. Weve had a year of that and maybe 60 more days of it. TRUMP: To a minimum, absolutely. LAUER: OK, perfect. To a minimum. I guess thats a question of definition. TRUMP: I guess. LAUER: Any time you interview a president, sitting or past president, they will tell you that the most daunting TRUMP: Was I supposed to answer this question? LAUER: No, no, no, I mean just keep the attacks to a minimum. Any time you talk to a president, theyll tell you the most daunting part of the job is the role of commander-in-chief. TRUMP: Right. LAUER: What have you experienced in your personal life or your professional life that you believe prepares you to make the decisions that a commander-in-chief has to make? TRUMP: Well, Ive built a great company. Ive been all over the world. Ive dealt with foreign countries. Ive done very well, as an example, tremendously well dealing with China and dealing with so many of the countries that are just ripping this country. They are just taking advantage of us like nobodys ever seen before. And Ive had great experience dealing on an international basis. I look today and I see Russian planes circling our planes. Theyre taunting us. I see in Iran, I see the boats taunting our ships, our destroyers, and I think (CROSSTALK) LAUER: But what have you done in your life that prepares you to send men and women of the United States into harms way? TRUMP: Well, I think the main thing is I have great judgment. I have good judgment. I know whats going on. Ive called so many of the shots. And I happened to hear Hillary Clinton say that I was not against the war in Iraq. I was totally against the war in Iraq. From a you can look at Esquire magazine from 04. You can look at before that. And I was against the war in Iraq because I said its going to totally destabilize the Middle East, which it has. It has absolutely been a disastrous war, and by the way, perhaps almost as bad was the way Barack Obama got out. That was a disaster. LAUER: People talk about you and commander-in-chief, and not just Secretary Clinton, but some of your Republican opponents in the primary season, and they wonder about your temperament. They say, does Donald Trump have the temperament to be commander-in-chief? You said something recently that I found interesting. You admitted that sometimes in the heat of a debate or when youre talking about a lot of issues you say things that you later regret. So can we afford that with a commander-in-chief to have a commander-in-chief who says things that he later regrets? TRUMP: Well, when you say regret, yeah, sure, I regret. But in the meantime, I beat 16 people and here I am. So, you know, to a certain extent there is a regret. I would have liked to have done it in a nicer manner. But I had 16 very talented people that I had to go through. And that was a lot of people. LAUER: But when you say TRUMP: That was a record, Matt. That was a record in the history of Republican politics. I was able to get more votes than anybody ever has gotten in the history of Republican politics. LAUER: But when you say inflammatory things (CROSSTALK) LAUER: in a presidential campaign, its different than saying them when youre commander-in-chief. If you say things you regret TRUMP: I agree with you. LAUER: when youre commander-in-chief, you can spark a conflict, you can destabilize a region, you can put American lives at risk. Can we afford to take that risk with you? TRUMP: Well, I think absolutely. I think if you saw what happened in Mexico the other day, where I went there, I had great relationships, everything else. I let them know where the United States stands. I mean, weve been badly hurt by Mexico, both on the border and with taking all of our jobs or a big percentage of our jobs. And if you look at what happened, look at the aftermath today where the people that arranged the trip in Mexico have been forced out of government. Thats how well we did. LAUER: Back in August TRUMP: And thats how well were going to have to do, Matt. LAUER: Back in August, when you admitted that you regret some of the things you said, you also said this. I can promise you this: I will always tell you the truth. TRUMP: Its true. LAUER: So let me read some of the things youve said. I know more about ISIS than the generals do. Believe me. Was that the truth? TRUMP: Well, the generals under Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have not been successful. ISIS LAUER: Do you know more about ISIS than they do? TRUMP: I think under the leadership of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, the generals have been reduced to rubble. They have been reduced to a point where its embarrassing for our country. You have a force of 30,000 or so people. Nobody really knows. But probably 30,000 people. And I can just see the great as an example- General George Patton spinning in his grave as ISIS we cant beat. We had the greatest (CROSSTALK) LAUER: Yeah, youve said if we had MacArthur today or if we had Patton today, we would not have ISIS, that the rise of these military commanders that we have today, they come up the chain of command, and by the time they get to the top, theyre too politically correct. And we know thats not a compliment coming from you. Have you lost faith in the military commanders? TRUMP: I have great faith in the military. I have great faith in certain of the commanders, certainly. But I have no faith in Hillary Clinton or the leadership. You look at whats happened. And, you know, when she comes in and starts saying, oh, I would have done this, I would have shes been there for 30 years. I mean, we need change, Matt. We have to have it, and we have to have it fast. LAUER: Lets go to Hallie Jackson in our crowd. Hallie? JACKSON: Im with Phillip Clay (ph), who was a public affairs officer in the Marine Corps. He spent a year in Anbar province in Iraq. He left the military with the rank of captain, service that inspired him to write a book. Hes a Democrat, and he has this question for you, Mr. Trump. QUESTION: Mr. Trump, over the past 15 years, a lot of U.S. troops have bled and died securing towns and provinces from Iraq to Afghanistan, only to have insurgent groups like ISIS spring back the moment we leave. Now, youve claimed to have a secret plan to defeat ISIS. But youre hardly the first politician to promise a quick victory and a speedy homecoming. So assuming we do defeat ISIS, what next? What is your plan for the region to ensure that a group like them doesnt just come back? TRUMP: Sure. I mean, part of the problem that weve had is we go in, we defeat somebody, and then we dont know what were doing after that. We lose it, like as an example, you look at Iraq, what happened, how badly that was handled. And then when President Obama took over, likewise, it was a disaster. It was actually somewhat stable. I dont think could ever be very stable to where we should have never gone into in the first place. But he came in. He said when we go out and he took everybody out. And really, ISIS was formed. This was a terrible decision. And frankly, we never even got a shot. And if you really look at the aftermath of Iraq, Iran is going to be taking over Iraq. Theyve been doing it. And its not a pretty picture. The and I think you know because youve been watching me I think for a long time Ive always said, shouldnt be there, but if were going to get out, take the oil. If we would have taken the oil, you wouldnt have ISIS, because ISIS formed with the power and the wealth of that oil. LAUER: How were we going to take the oil? How were we going to do that? TRUMP: Just we would leave a certain group behind and you would take various sections where they have the oil. They have people dont know this about Iraq, but they have among the largest oil reserves in the world, in the entire world. And were the only ones, we go in, we spend $3 trillion, we lose thousands and thousands of lives, and then, Matt, what happens is, we get nothing. You know, it used to be to the victor belong the spoils. Now, there was no victor there, believe me. There was no victor. But I always said: Take the oil. One of the benefits we would have had if we took the oil is ISIS would not have been able to take oil and use that oil LAUER: Let me stay on ISIS TRUMP: to fuel themselves. LAUER: Let me stay on ISIS. When weve met in the past and weve talked, you say things like Im going to bomb the expletive out of them very quickly. And when people like me press you for details like that gentleman just said on what your plan is, you very often say, Im not going to give you the details because I want to be unpredictable. TRUMP: Absolutely. The word is unpredictable. LAUER: But yesterday, you actually told us a little bit about your plan in your speech. You said this. Quote, Were going to convene my top generals and they will have 30 days to submit a plan for soundly and quickly defeating ISIS. So is the plan youve been hiding this whole time asking someone else for their plan? TRUMP: No. But when I do come up with a plan that I like and that perhaps agrees with mine, or maybe doesnt I may love what the generals come back with. I will convene LAUER: But you have your own plan? TRUMP: I have a plan. But I want to be I dont want to look. I have a very substantial chance of winning. Make America great again. Were going to make America great again. I have a substantial chance of winning. If I win, I dont want to broadcast to the enemy exactly what my plan is. LAUER: But youre going to TRUMP: And let me tell you, if I like maybe a combination of my plan and the generals plan, or the generals plan, if I like their plan, Matt, Im not going to call you up and say, Matt, we have a great plan. This is what Obama does. Were going to leave Iraq on a certain day. LAUER: But youre going to convene a panel of generals, and youve already said you know more about ISIS than those generals do. TRUMP: Well, theyll probably be different generals, to be honest with you. I mean, Im looking at the generals, today, you probably saw, I have a piece of paper here, I could show it, 88 generals and admirals endorsed me today. (CROSSTALK) LAUER: Its a numbers game. Hillary Clinton claims more numbers. TRUMP: Well, its not really its not yeah, numbers. People that have been losing for us for a long period of time. I mean, the fact is, we have had the worst and you could even say the dumbest foreign policy. Our results are so bad. We would have been better off had we never, ever spent $2 in that part of the world. LAUER: You recently you recently received two intelligence briefings. TRUMP: Yes, I did. LAUER: Did anything in that briefing, without going into specifics, shock or alarm you? TRUMP: Yes. Very much so. LAUER: Did you learn new things in that briefing? TRUMP: First of all, I have great respect for the people that gave us the briefings. We they were terrific people. They were experts on Iraq and Iran and different parts of and Russia. But, yes, there was one thing that shocked me. And it just seems to me that what they said President Obama and Hillary Clinton and John Kerry, who is another total disaster, did exactly the opposite. LAUER: Did you learn anything in that briefing again, not going into specifics that makes you reconsider some of the things you say you can accomplish, like defeating ISIS quickly? TRUMP: No, I didnt learn anything from that standpoint. What I did learn is that our leadership, Barack Obama, did not follow what our experts and our truly when they call it intelligence, its there for a reason what our experts said to do. LAUER: Hallie? TRUMP: And I was very, very surprised. In almost every instance. And I could tell you. I have pretty good with the body language. I could tell they were not happy. Our leaders did not follow what they were recommending. LAUER: Hallie? JACKSON: Im with former Army Captain Sue Fulton, who was a member of the First West Point class to include women. She served as a signal corps officer in Germany. (APPLAUSE) Shes a Democrat, and she has this question for you, Mr. Trump. QUESTION: Mr. Trump. TRUMP: Hi, thank you very much. QUESTION: Thank you. Do you believe that an undocumented person who serves who wants to serve in the U.S. armed forces deserves to stay in this country legally? TRUMP: I think that when you serve in the armed forces, thats a very special situation, and I could see myself working that out, absolutely. LAUER: So shes saying has already served in the armed forces or wants to serve, plans to serve? QUESTION: Plans to serve. Plans to serve in the armed forces. As you know, under DACA, we already have people who are undocumented who are serving. TRUMP: I think military is a very special thing. If they plan on serving, if they get in, I would absolutely hold those people now, we have to be very careful. We have to vet very carefully. Everybody would agree with that. But the answer is, it would be a very special circumstance, yes. Thank you. LAUER: Thank you very much for your question. Hallie, you have another one? JACKSON: I do. Alex Gronkowski (ph) was an Army staff sergeant assigned in special operations. He was stationed at Fort Bragg and was deployed to Afghanistan and other places across the Middle East. He has not decided who he will vote for yet in November. And you have a question for Mr. Trump. QUESTION: I do. Mr. Trump, as you know, tensions between the United States and Russia have been at the highest level since the Cold War. In your first 120 days of presidency, how would you de-escalate the tensions? And more importantly, what steps would you take to bring Mr. Putin and the Russian government back to negotiating table? TRUMP: I think I would have a very good relationship with many foreign leaders. I think its very sad, when you look at Barack Obama, as an example, lands Air Force One in China, and they dont want to put out stairs to get off the plane. And he has to use the stairs that mechanics use to get up and down to fix the plane. They wouldnt give him stairs. I think its very sad, when he lands in Saudi Arabia, and he lands in Cuba, and there arent high officials to even greet him. This is the first time in the history the storied history of Air Force One. I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Putin. And I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Russia. As I said, take a look today. Take a look at what happened with their fighter jets circling one of our aircraft in a very dangerous manner. Somebody said less than 10 feet away. This is hostility. And I saw, just two or three days ago, they looked like they were not exactly getting along, but I looked at President Obama and Putin staring at each other. These were not two people that were getting along. And, you know, the beautiful part of getting along, Russia wants to defeat ISIS as badly as we do. If we had a relationship with Russia, wouldnt it be wonderful if we could work on it together and knock the hell out of ISIS? Wouldnt that be a wonderful thing? LAUER: Let me ask you about some of the things youve said about Vladimir Putin. You said, I will tell you, in terms of leadership, hes getting an A, our president is not doing so well. And when referring to a comment that Putin made about you, I think he called you a brilliant leader, you said its always a great honor to be so nicely complimented by a man so highly respected within his country and beyond. TRUMP: Well, he does have an 82 percent approval rating, according to the different pollsters, who, by the way, some of them are based right here. Look, look LAUER: Hes also a guy who annexed Crimea, invaded Ukraine, supports Assad in Syria, supports Iran, is trying to undermine our influence in key regions of the world, and according to our intelligence community, probably is the main suspect for the hacking of the DNC computers (CROSSTALK) TRUMP: Well, nobody knows that for a fact. But do you want me to start naming some of the things that President Obama does at the same time? LAUER: But do you want to be complimented by that former KGB officer? TRUMP: Well, I think when he calls me brilliant, Ill take the compliment, OK? The fact is, look, its not going to get him anywhere. Im a negotiator. Were going to take back our country. You look at whats happening to our country, you look at the depleted military. You look at the fact that weve lost our jobs. Were losing our jobs like were a bunch of babies. Were going to take back our country, Matt. The fact that he calls me brilliant or whatever he calls me is going to have zero impact. LAUER: But the fact that you say you can get along with him, do you think the day TRUMP: I think Id be able to get along with him. LAUER: Do you think the day that you become president of the United States, hes going to change his mind on some of these key issues? TRUMP: Possibly. Its possible. I dont know, Matt. Its possible. And its not going to have any impact. If he says great things about me, Im going to say great things about him. Ive already said, he is really very much of a leader. I mean, you can say, oh, isnt that a terrible thing the man has very strong control over a country. Now, its a very different system, and I dont happen to like the system. But certainly, in that system, hes been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader. We have a divided country. We have a country where you have Hillary Clinton with her e-mails that nobodys ever seen where she deletes 33,000 e-mails, and thats after getting a subpoena from Congress. If you do that in private business, you get thrown in jail. LAUER: Hallie? JACKSON: Steve Korea (ph), here with me, was in the Army Reserves and spent 10 months in Iraq right at the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is a Republican and has this question for you. QUESTION: Good evening, Mr. Trump. TRUMP: Hi. QUESTION: I like what you say about supporting veterans and how theyre important. But I havent heard what the actual plans are to continue that support beyond words. How do you translate those words to action after you take office? TRUMP: Well, I love that question, because Ive been very close to the vets. You see the relationship I have with the vets just by looking at the polls. In fact, today a poll came out. And my relationship has been very good. I have a very, very powerful plan thats on my website that you possibly saw. One of the big problems is the wait time. Vets are waiting six days, seven days, eight days. And by the way, Hillary Clinton six months ago said the vets are being treated essentially just fine, theres no real problem, its over-exaggerated. She did say that. LAUER: No, no, she went on after that and laid out a litany of problems within the V.A. (CROSSTALK) TRUMP: Look, I mean, she made up half of the things she said about me. Im telling you, this is she said she was satisfied with what was going on in the Veterans Administration. Now, under my plan, if youve got to wait and, by the way, people are dying on line. Theyre dying, waiting, waiting to get to see a doctor. Theyre waiting five days and six days. Under a part of my plan, if they have that long wait, they walk outside, they go to the local doctor, they choose the doctor, they choose the hospital, whether its public or private, they get themselves better. In many cases, its a minor procedure or a pill or just a prescription. And they end up dying because they cant get to see the doctor. We will pay the bill. They go outside, they get a doctor, they get a prescription, they do what they have to do, and we pay the bill. That is something that I have been praised and, by the way, I never said take the V.A. take the Veterans Administration private. I wouldnt do that. Too much respect for our people. I would never do that. LAUER: OK. TRUMP: I heard it was said that I said that. I would not do that. But I do believe I do believe, when youre waiting in line for six, seven days, you should never be in a position like that. You go out, you see the doctor, you get yourself taken care of. LAUER: Hallie, youve got another question. JACKSON: I do. Rachel Fredericks (ph), who specialized in aviations operations in the Marine Corps, serving stateside, she lost two friends to suicide. And you now struggle yourself with PTSD. Shes a Republican, but leaning towards you, still undecided a little bit. Rachel, you have a question for Mr. Trump. QUESTION: I do. Mr. Trump, I wanted to ask what your plan will be to stop 20 veterans a day from killing themselves. TRUMP: And actually its 22. And its almost impossible to conceive that this is happening in our country, 20 to 22 people a day are killing themselves. A lot of it is theyre killing themselves over the fact that they cant theyre under tremendous pain and they cant see a doctor. Were going to speed up the process. Were going to create a great mental health division. They need help. They need help. They need tremendous help. And were doing nothing for them. The V.A. is really almost, you could say, a corrupt enterprise. If you look at whats going on, as an example, Matt, in Arizona, where they caught people stealing, and they cant even do anything about it, they cant even fire the people. So we are going to make it efficient and good. And if its not good, youre going out to private hospitals, public hospitals, and doctors. Thank you very much. LAUER: Hallie, one more? JACKSON: Donald Day (ph) here, who served as a radio operator in the Marine Corps in the Vietnam era. He had tours of duty in Southeast Asia and in Europe. Hes also a Democrat and has this question for you. QUESTION: Mr. Trump, I have a daughter who is interested in joining the service, but when she researched the military, she saw the stats on sexual assault and decided not to go. I have a concern about the rape of women in our armed forces. As president, what specifically would you do to support all victims of sexual assault in the military? TRUMP: Its a great question. And its a massive problem. The numbers are staggering, hard to believe, even. But were going to have to run it very tight. I at the same time want to keep the court system within the military. I dont think it should be outside of the military. But we have to come down very, very hard on that. And your daughter is absolutely right, it is a massive problem. But we have to do something about that problem. And the best thing we can do is set up a court system within the military. Right now, the court system practically doesnt exist. It takes too long. LAUER: In 2013, on this subject, you tweeted this, quote, 26,000 unreported sexual assaults in the military, only 238 convictions. What did these geniuses expect when they put men and women together? TRUMP: Well, it is it is it is a correct tweet. There are many people that think that thats absolutely correct. And we need to have a (CROSSTALK) LAUER: So this should have been expected? And does that mean the only way to fix it is to take women out of the military? TRUMP: Well, its happening, right? And, by the way, since then, its gotten worse. No, not to take them out, but something has to be happen. Right now, part of the problem is nobody gets prosecuted. You have reported and the gentleman can tell you, you have the report of rape and nobody gets prosecuted. There are no consequence. When you have somebody that does something so evil, so bad as that, there has to be consequence for that person. You have to go after that person. Right now, nobodys doing anything. Look at the small number of results. I mean, thats part of the problem. LAUER: So many of the issues that weve talked about with you, Mr. Trump, tonight, and Secretary Clinton, are so complex that even career military people and career diplomats and politicians have trouble getting their arms around them. TRUMP: Right. LAUER: Youve had a very different background, in business. So nobody would expect you to have taken over the last 20 years really deep dives into some of these issues. But Im curious about what youre doing now. What kind of research are you doing now? What kind of homework are you doing? What kind of things are you reading as you prepare for the day in two months where you might be elected the next president of the United States? TRUMP: Sure. Well, in the front row, you have four generals. You have admirals. We have people all throughout the audience that Im dealing with. Right here is a list that was just printed today of 88 admirals and generals that I meet with and I talk to. LAUER: How much time are you spending on this? TRUMP: Im also a lot. A lot. And Im doing a lot of different things. Dont forget, were running a big campaign. Were doing very well. Im also, you know, and Im very much giving it to my children and my executives to run, Im also partially running a business. Im campaigning, Im running a business. Ive got a lot of hats right now. But were doing very well. But in the meantime, I am studying. And Im meeting constantly you see you see General Flynn and you see some of the folks that we have, and theyre scattered throughout the audience. So we have admirals, we have generals, we have colonels. We have a lot of people that I respect. And I think Ive learned a lot. But I think, also, I certainly I really feel I have a common sense on the various issues that youre talking about, Matt. LAUER: You said in the speech today, you said history shows that when America is not prepared is when the danger is the greatest. TRUMP: And were not prepared. LAUER: Will you be prepared on day one, if youre elected president of the United States, to tackle these complex national security issues? TRUMP: One hundred percent. Hey, Matt, again, she made a mistake on Libya. She made a terrible mistake on Libya. And the next thing, I mean, not only did she make the mistake, but then they complicated the mistake by having no management once they bombed you know what out of Gadhafi. I mean, she made a terrible mistake on Libya. And part of it was the management aftereffect. I think that we have great management talents, great management skills. LAUER: But you are prepared? TRUMP: And I have to tell you totally prepared. But remember this. I found this subject and these subjects of interest all of my life, Matt. This hasnt been over the last 14 months. Ive found these substantiates of tremendous interest. Thats why they were asking me about Iraq 14 years ago. They were asking me these questions. They dont ask businesspeople those questions. LAUER: Let me end in kind of the same place I started. Have you given much thought, Mr. Trump, if youre elected president and commander-in-chief, to that moment where youre going to have to make that first decision that puts American men and women in harms way? TRUMP: I think its the most difficult decision you can possibly ever make. Youre talking about death. And were talking death to not just our side. Were talking death all over. I would be very, very cautious. I think Id be a lot slower. She has a happy trigger. You look, she votes for the wars, she goes in Libya (CROSSTALK) LAUER: Have you thought about personally the emotional burden of that moment? TRUMP: I think its a tremendous burden. I think there is no greater burden that anybody could have. Ive been preparing this for a long time. And, you know, my theme is make America great again. Were going to make America great again. But, Matt, weve also got to make America strong again. And right now, we are not strong. Believe me. We have a depleted military. We have the greatest people in the world in our military. But it is very sadly depleted. LAUER: The Republican nominee for president of the United States, Donald Trump. TRUMP: Thank you, Matt. LAUER: Thank you. (APPLAUSE) Were going to be much well be back with much more from the Intrepid carrier on this Commander-in-Chief Forum right after this. (COMMERCIAL BREAK) LAUER: Theres a lot of people we want to thank for making tonight a success, the presidential nominees themselves, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. We want to thank the many veterans in our audience for their questions and, most importantly, for their service. We want to thank our hosts at the IAVA, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and, of course, the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum, this amazing venue. The first presidential debate will be held on September 26th right here on NBC. Itll be hosted by my colleague, Lester Holt. We hope youll tune in for that. And more importantly, we hope you get out and vote this November. Nothing could be more important. Thank you for joining us tonight. For Matt Lauer Im Matt Lauer. For all of us at NBC News, we appreciate your tuning in. (APPLAUSE) GEIST: Joining us now, the Libertarian candidate for president, former Republican governor Gary Johnson of New Mexico. Governor, good to have you with us. JOHNSON: Great to be with you. There was a there was a super PAC that did an ad Abe Lincoln ad, and its now had close to 20 million views BRZEZINSKI: My goodness. JOHNSON: in 12 days. GEIST: Wow, which is really BRZEZINSKI: What does that tell you? JOHNSON: Well, I think that theres I dont know. Maybe a maybe a little spice needs to get added to the two-person race thats currently going on. BRZEZINSKI: Maybe a little less GEIST: Right. BRZEZINSKI: by me. GEIST: Thats a good place to start. For people who dont know a lot about you and havent had a chance to hear and learn about where you stand on the issues, what is the lane for the Johnson-Weld ticket between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton? What do you bring thats different from those two? JOHNSON: Well, I think theres a big six-lane highway down the middle that encompasses 60 percent of Americans. And broadly speaking, fiscally conservative, socially inclusive, skeptical when it comes to our military intervention. Skeptical when it comes to our going in and supporting regime changes that have not resulted in a more safe world free markets. So I think that that encompasses about 60 percent of the electorate and I think that the two-party system has really, really got to the fringes on both sides. BRZEZINSKI: Mike? BARNICLE: Which of those candidates of the two-party system Republican candidate, Democratic candidate do you draw the most votes from? JOHNSON: You know, in all of these polls its just, remarkably, 50-50. Amazingly, I think, though, that with the exception of just a few polls its more votes from Hillary. BARNICLE: Do you JOHNSON: But I think I think when it ends up it will really be 50-50. BARNICLE: But do you worry about the Nader effect in 2000? JOHNSON: I dont worry one bit about it. I really do think that the two-party system is broken. I dont think Democrats are able to balance a checkbook these days. Thats its all about bigger government and higher taxes. And then Republicans with, I think, the social agenda. Look, whatever your social inclinations are just dont force it on me. And I think the Republican Party has gotten really extreme in that category. BARNICLE: What would you do, if you were elected, about Aleppo? JOHNSON: About? BARNICLE: Aleppo. JOHNSON: And what is Aleppo? BARNICLE: Youre kidding. JOHNSON: No. BARNICLE: Aleppo is in Syria. Its the its the epicenter of the refugee crisis. JOHNSON: OK, got it, got it. BARNICLE: OK. JOHNSON: Well, with regard to Syria, I do think that its a mess. I think that the only way that we deal with Syria is to join hands with Russia to diplomatically bring that at an end. But when weve aligned ourselves with when weve supported the opposition of the Free Syrian Army the Free Syrian Army is also coupled with the Islamists. And then the fact that were also supporting the Kurds and this is its just its just a mess. And that this is the result of regime change that we end up supporting. And, inevitably, these regime changes have led a less-safe world. GEIST: So alliance with Russia is the solution to Syria. Do you think Vladimir Putin and Russia are good and a reliable partner? JOHNSON: Well, I think diplomatically that that is the that that has to be the solution, is joining hands with Russia to bring to bring this civil war to an end. BRZEZINSKI: Joe? SCARBOROUGH: So, Aleppo is the center of a lot of peoples concerns across the planet about the terrible humanitarian crisis thats unfolding not only in Syria but, especially, in Aleppo. You asked, What is Aleppo? Do you really think that foreign policy is so insignificant that somebody running for President of the United States shouldnt even know what Aleppo is, where Aleppo is, why Aleppo is so important? JOHNSON: Well, no, I do understand Aleppo, and I I understand the crisis that is going on. But when we involve ourselves militarily when we involve ourselves in these humanitarian issues we end up we end up with a situation that in most cases is not better, and in many cases ends up being worse. And we find ourselves always politicians are up against the wall and asked what to do about these things and this is why we end up committing military force in areas that, like I say, at the end of the day have an unintended consequence of making things worse. BRZEZINSKI: Former governor Gary Johnson SCARBOROUGH: Donald Trump Ive got one more question. Donald Trump said last night that he wanted to increase the military budget. I know you disagree with that. How much would you propose to Congress the military budget is cut? JOHNSON: Well, first of all, I think there was a poll significant three weeks ago that among active military personnel I was the choice to be President of the United States among active military personnel. SCARBOROUGH: Right. JOHNSON: The Pentagon, itself, in the mid-90s enacted BRAC. SCARBOROUGH: Well, I understand all that. Im just curious how much would you want to cut the military budget what percentage? JOHNSON: Well, we would target we would target 20 percent. And I would point out that the BRAC BRAC, in the mid-90s suggested that 20 percent more U.S. bases, in fact, could be cut. That hasnt taken place because the political will hasnt been there to accomplish that. We would bring that to the table, a 20 percent reduction in military spending. SCARBOROUGH: So you would yes, a 20 percent cut in military spending. OK, thank you so much, former governor Gary Johnson. We greatly appreciate it. JOHNSON: Great, thank you. BRZEZINSKI: Thank you for being on the show and well be right back with much more MORNING JOE. A new mayor in South Africa says he will give away a fleet of new luxury cars ordered by his predecessors. Solly Msimanga, from the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), said the vehicles would instead be given to a police anti-hijack unit. However, he will continue to use the luxury car used by the previous mayor. Mr Msimanga said no more luxury cars would be bought under his leadership. He took over from the governing ANC, which lost control of the capital for the first time since 1994, last month. He will still use a BMW 5 series car he inherited from the previous mayor. Mr Msimangas spokesman Matthew Gerstner told the BBC that this vehicle could not be dispensed with because its been bought and paid for already and treasury regulations prohibit that. He added: But, as soon as he can replace it, he will, with a sensible, low-cost vehicle. Story By BBC This new research has revealed even more frustrating aspects of the wage gap This new research has revealed even more frustrating aspects of the wage gap When we discuss the persistent wage gap plaguing women in our society, us ladies are often encouraged to raise our voices and negotiate for better pay (and, of course, the wage gap is even larger for women of color). Previous studies all seem to report that women are less likely to ask for a raise from their employers. But what if thats no longer the case what if women are asking for raises, but were just not getting them? A new study by University of Wisconsin and two U.K. universities has found that, oftentimes, women are asking for raises just as much as their male co-workers, but they are more frequently denied. In fact, their findings showed that men were 25 percent more likely than their women co-workers to receive a raise upon asking for one. Nationwide Protests Over IR Changes These study results are incredibly important, as they reveal a much deeper kind of gender discrimination in the workplace, challenging the idea that the wage gap would be rectified ~if only women spoke up more.~ Because we already are speaking up. Andrew Oswald, a professor of economics at University of Warwick and an author of the study, told CNN Money, Having seen these findings, I think we have to accept that there is some element of pure discrimination against women. Protesters hold up placards and banners The study looked at 4,600 Australian workers, but the researchers explained to CNN Money that similar economies meant that the results would likely represent American workers as well. While we can celebrate the fact that more and more women are demanding their right to better compensation these infuriating statistics must push us to keep fighting against this economic injustice. The post This new research has revealed even more frustrating aspects of the wage gap appeared first on HelloGiggles. What happens when senior retired military officers endorse a candidate for president, as 88 retired generals and flag officers did for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump just a few days ago? Are voters persuaded by what such endorsements say about the candidates, or by what they say about the people doing the endorsing? We already know how some groups react to endorsements. National security experts react with expressions of concern, warning that this is corrosive of healthy civil-military relations. I have joined that chorus before and believe that my side has the better part of the argument. In addition, political operatives from the other campaign will react by trying to one-up their opponent, bragging that they have a larger number of endorsements or a more illustrious set of signers. On cue, the Hillary Clinton campaign reacted to Trump by trotting out a letter boasting of seven additional signees. The campaign bragged further that Clintons list is the longest ever assembled by a Democratic presidential candidate who is not an incumbent. We also know that the campaigns will try to get their allies in the media to impugn the credibility and integrity of officers who endorse the opponent. Again on cue, one Daily Beast reporter culled through the clippings file to find whatever muck could be thrown at Trumps signees. (So far as I can tell, the Daily Beast has not similarly exposed the foibles of the folks on Clintons list; alas, as every expert knows, there is plenty there to be found.) But are voters impressed? There is surprisingly little published research on this question. During the 2012 presidential election, I did a study with James Golby and Kyle Dropp and we found that there was only a modest effect on respondents who were cued with information about military support for Republican candidate Mitt Romney or support for President Barack Obama. Obama got a bit of a bounce, perhaps reflecting the man-bites-dog surprise of the military endorsing a Democratic candidate. The effect was more pronounced among independents and low-interest voters, large enough perhaps to entice a campaign trying to work every angle, but hardly a game-changer. Story continues We have extended that research with new polling from the current campaign. Morning Consult asked some relevant questions in a national poll it conducted in mid-August after the convention round of military endorsements (and subsequent controversy) but before the latest round of competing lists. We are just starting to analyze the results and, so far, they are quite interesting. Being told that retired Lieutenant General Mike Flynn endorsed Trump or that retired General John Allen endorsed Clinton did not have clear effects on how respondents assessed which candidate they considered to be best on national security. Nor did it have clear effects on which candidate they trusted to handle terrorism. While the campaigns tout retired military endorsements as reasons the voters should trust their candidate more on military-related issues, it does not seem to work that way for the voters themselves in the aggregate. (We are still investigating whether it works that way for certain subsets of voters.) We did find, however, that voters who were cued with information about endorsements from retired military leaders did express lower confidence in military leaders overall. As a rule, the public expresses very high levels of confidence in military leaders. But respondents who were cued about military endorsements expressed somewhat lower levels of confidence. Crucially, respondents who were cued with the full information that some retired military leaders backed Trump while others backed Clinton expressed markedly lower levels of confidence in the military than those who were only told about one set of endorsements, let alone those who were not told about any such endorsements at all. The same effects are noticeable in another crucial attitude about the military: Survey respondents who were told about the military endorsements were less likely to say they would be proud if a member of their family were to join the military. In other words, our results suggest that the net effect of the past couple days is likely not a change in how voters viewed the candidates, but perhaps a change and a negative one, to boot in how voters viewed the military. Contrary to our expectations, there does not appear to be any direct effect on whether respondents were more inclined to view the military as a partisan institution. Our earlier work led us to believe that endorsements contributed to a public perception that the military was becoming a partisan institution, rather like what has happened with the Supreme Court over the last decade or so. If that is happening, we did not capture it in this one set of survey experiments. But what we did find largely supports my view that the solicitation of retired officers to tout one candidate over another has real costs. While it is understandable that desperate candidates will continue to solicit the endorsements, it would also be understandable and desirable if more and more officers said, Thanks for the invitation, but I care too much about the military institution to harm it in this way. Photo credit: CHIP SOMODEVILLA/Getty Images A decade-plus into her run as globalist pop's top lefty renegade, Maya Arulpragasam's radical patter is sounding a bit ho-hum ("Borders: what's up with that?" she wonders on her fifth album). But M.I.A.'s skill as a buoyant beat-rider remains intact (the glassily thumping "Visa" turns border crossing into a party), and there are moments on AIM where the political and personal blur evocatively: "Humming higher than a drone/Doves cry/Are you going home alone?" she sings against the South Asian-flavored hip-hop skitter of "Bird Song," flipping a Prince quote into a come-on perfect for an era when war can be as darkly ambiguous as desire itself. Related Content: "To the modern generation, music and fashion are not seen as separate works of art," says Virgil Abloh, 35, and he should know: as the founder of buzzy Milan-based luxury/streetwear brand Off-White, a sought-after DJ, and Kanye West's creative director, his entire life revolves around the nexus of the two. His lines for men and women, both of which made Paris runway debuts this year, mix high fashion tailoring and draping with an edgy street ethos. The Chicago-raised Abloh takes inspiration from graffiti art ("my first and only art class in my high school years"), skateboarding, concert tees and the music of his '90s youth -- "everything from N.W.A to Nirvana." His signature stripes and effortlessly cool blend of high and low have endeared him to musicians from Beyonce to Bieber, and has earned him critical acclaim as the line's progressed since its late-2013 inception. In 2015, the self-taught Abloh (who earned his masters in architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology) got the stamp of approval from the fashion elite with a nomination for the prestigious LVMH Prize, which supports burgeoning designers. More than anything, he's driven by "the bright-eyed optimism of youth culture," he says, speaking from Indianapolis while overseeing the first night of Kanye West's 39-date Saint Pablo tour. "Fashion and music are two great artistic forms that can be molded by the youth culture -- our taste and our passion for evolving things in our limited time on earth allows us to look at things with fresh eyes. I created Off-White and I DJ now more than I ever have in my life as ways to stay in tune with a younger self." Working in the digital era has fostered a vast network of cross-platform artists in different cities (he cites multi-disciplined creatives like A$AP Rocky, Frank Ocean, and DJ Tremaine Emory as friends and peers) who have a similar vision, adding up to what he likens to a virtual Studio 54 where "shared creativity is happening -- it's got wider legs, it's a little bit more global, but we're all still interconnected, pushing our own ideas as artists but also pushing culture along because we care." "What I've learned so far within these seasons of doing the clothing line and the expressions of deejaying is that the pinnacle is being an artist. All of this is preparing my thesis, if you will, for that in the future - just creating fine art." Does he paint of sculpt? "Nah. I think," he says, citing conceptual artists such as Marcel Duchamp, Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons and Tom Sachs (who is a mentor to Abloh) as inspirations. But don't get the wrong idea about some massive ego. Of his working relationship with Kanye West, with whom he's been employed for 14 years, he says: "I'm still his assistant, like, for life. I have the title of creative director, but for a talent like him, you can only be an assistant." Which up and coming musicians are catching your eye in terms of style? I've always felt that A$AP Rocky embodies another level of personal confidence. I'm not really into style. I'm more into confidence or having something to say. Fashion is not that interesting. But the A$AP crew of kids -- A$AP Nast, Bari, the designer of their crew, A$AP Illz, A$AP Ferg -- they're a generation that have modernized fashion in their own way. What's the most epic garment you've made or dressed a musician in? l would probably say A$AP Rocky's first tour; we did the wardrobe for it. For me it was a great opportunity that pre-dated any of my direct fashion projects. It was before Off-White, before Pyrex Vision - the project that spurred Off-White - it was the ambition to create a tour that meant something with it's own identity down to the outfits, the tour poster, and everything like that... it still stands as one of my favorite projects. The design was pure... but also fully resolved into this sort of Apocalypse Now theme. Our references in fashion were something that we were both into, that we sort of were bringing to the forefront in its own way. It allowed the whole A$AP Mob to partake in the vibe of the creative direction that we set. I worked on the album cover for it and everything. You have so many creative endeavors. Is there anything that you haven't done yet that you're dying to do? I'm in the midst of working on it, but I think what I've learned so far [through] the clothing line - is that to me, the pinnacle is being an artist - an artist without a specific genre. What artists are you inspired by? Duchamp and Andy Warhol. Tom Sachs is sort of like a mentor of mine - all the way to like a young artist friend by the name of Jim Jones who like inspires me greatly. People that are able to think in terms of concepts and offer us valuable forms of art are very exciting to me. A version of this story appeared in the Sept. 17 issue of Billboard. Rob Lowe's Code Black debut is even more intense than we anticipated! It was announced in July that the former West Wing star will be scrubbing in to the CBS medical drama's second season, and now the very first trailer featuring Lowe's new role been released. The 52-year-old star is playing Col. Ethan Willis, a "pre-trained trauma doctor courtesy of the U.S. Army" who has come to Angels Memorial to teach combat medicine. EXCLUSIVE: Rob Lowe Is a Quick Study on the Set of 'Code Black': 'This Is Medical Boot Camp' The two-minute trailer re-highlights the high-stakes environment of what a "code black" status means for a hospital and gives an adrenaline-pumping glimpse at one of this season's most traumatic storylines. Described as having "aggressive and rule-breaking" medical style, Lowe's character and Dr. Leanne Rorish (Marcia Gay Harden) are getting along famously in the operating room, but the other doctors do not seem as pleased to have this newcomer in their hospital halls. Press play on the trailer above to watch all hell break lose in the hospital and don't miss season two of Code Black when it premieres Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. Related Articles Roger Ailes is keeping himself busy after being forced out of Fox News for a number of sexual harassment allegations by shaping Donald Trumps debate prep, according to CNN. Dylan Byers and Dana Bash co-byline the story that claims the former chairman and CEO of the cable news network has been advising Trump for his entire campaign and his involvement has picked up in recent weeks. Trump and Ailes met in person several times between June 2015 and June 2016 almost always at Fox News headquarters and spoke frequently on the phone, the sources said. Even when Ailes and Trump appeared to be at war over Trumps treatment of Megyn Kelly, the two men kept the conversation going, Byers and Bash write. Also Read: Fox News Settlement Solves Gretchen Carlson Problem - But Roger Ailes Still Looms Large This is probably surprising to the average voter, as Trump famously skipped a GOP debate on Fox News earlier this year after weeks of public feuding with Ailes. The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to TheWraps request for additional comment. Citing, sources familiar with the discussions, the CNN report said Ailes has taken on a larger role in the Trump campaign in recent week and has become one of the most influential voices in the room as Trump prepares for his first head-to-head matchup with Hillary Clinton. Also Read: NBC Hires Gabe Sherman, Thorn in Fox News' Side Ailes main objective is to sharpen Trumps message, according to the report. He has a long and storied career advising GOP politicians, working with everyone from Richard Nixon to George H.W. Bush. Last month, a spokesperson for Trumps campaign denied media reports that Ailes will be helping the Republican candidate and his preparations for the upcoming debate. They are longtime friends but he has no formal or informal role in the campaign, Trump campaign spokesperson Hope Hicks said in a statement. The first presidential debate is scheduled for Sept. 26 in New York. Story continues Related stories from TheWrap: Fox News Scores 5 Straight Weekly Primetime Cable Wins Without Roger Ailes 12 Roger Ailes Accusers and Their Allegations Against Former Fox News Boss (Photos) Fox News Settlement Solves Gretchen Carlson Problem But Roger Ailes Still Looms Large President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have been unable to make any progress on peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to give it a try. On Thursday, the Russias Foreign Ministry announced Israeli and Palestinian leaders have agreed in principle to meet in Moscow. The hope is that the meeting would kickstart a peace process that has been nascent for more than two years. Theres neither a set date nor an agenda for the meeting, although Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said both leaders have agreed to one. Its also not the first time in recent days Moscow has tried to broker talks: On Tuesday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Israel had asked to delay a meeting tentatively set for this week. If it does happen, and soon, new Israel-Palestine peace talks gives Putin a chance to succeed where the Obama administration has failed even though it is unclear at best whether the two sides can overcome decades of sharp disputes. The timing of Moscows announcement must also be uncomfortable for Kerry, who was meeting Thursday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva to try to forge peace in Syria. Kerry was the Obama administrations most dogged advocate of new peace talks between Israel and Palestine during a nine-month period in 2013 and 2014, but fell short. Those efforts fizzled when the Palestinian leader demanding Israel halt settlement construction on occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians. Abbas also called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to carry out a prisoner release that was promised during previous talks. The Israeli leader, who has an icy relationship with Obama, refused, and the talks died. Asked about Russias announcement Thursday, the State Department referred Foreign Policy to Sept. 1 remarks by spokesperson John Kirby of the possibility of Moscow-brokered peace talks. I think the Secretary has said many times that he welcomes all ideas and all initiatives that can explore and hopefully get us closer to a viable two-state solution, Kirby said then. Story continues If the Moscow meeting does occur, it would be Russias latest push for influence in the Middle East. Already this week, Russia and Saudi Arabia have inked a deal to stabilize oil markets. One year ago, Putin began sending fighter jets, weapons, and troops to Syria to help embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. As for peace talks between Israel and Palestinians, the most important thing is to pick the right timing, Zakharova told reporters Thursday. Intensive contacts on this are ongoing. Photo credit: AFP/Getty Images Moscow (AFP) - Britain's High Court will next year hear a case Moscow has filed against Ukraine over a $3 billion eurobond loan, a deputy finance minister said Thursday. "The court hearing has been set for 17-20 January. The hearing will last three days," said deputy finance minister Sergei Storchak, quoted by Russian agencies. Russia granted Ukraine a $3 billion loan in late 2013, but former Moscow-backed leader Viktor Yanukovych who struck the deal was ousted by protests just two months later. The new government in cash-strapped Ukraine has refused to pay back the money in full, saying Moscow had lent its ally the money on preferential terms as a bribe. Moscow, which is suffering from a protracted recession, however refused to grant a discount on reimbursement and instead filed the lawsuit in February after the two sides failed to reach a settlement. It is one of several major lawsuits lodged in various international courts between the two former allies turned arch-foes which include disputes over natural gas contract price, the annexed Crimean peninsula, and war damage in east Ukraine, where pro-Russian separatists are fighting Kiev's forces. Italian fashion house Salvatore Ferragamo has selected Paul Andrew as its design director of women's footwear, who will make his debut with the Pre-Fall 2017/2018 collection. "We have a proud history of nurturing design talent and we believe that Paul's credo very much matches the spirit at our house," Ferruccio Ferragamo, president of Salvatore Ferragamo, said Thursday in a statement. It's a match made in shoe heaven for the British designer, who cut his teeth at Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Narcisco Rodriguez and Alexander McQueen for a decade before launching his namesake womenswear collection in 2013. A focus on craftsmanship, comfort and classic, elegant design garnered Andrew a strong celebrity following, from Jessica Chastain to Cate Blanchett, and a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award in 2014. Earlier this year, he expanded into men's footwear, and also took home the CFDA Fashion Awards Swarovski Award for Accessory Design. Read more: Kanye vs. Tom Ford: Clash of the Fashion Titans "Salvatore Ferragamo has been an iconic reference for shoe design and craftsmanship for nearly a century. It is a great honor to be invited to lead the creative vision for the future of its women's shoe division, where the legend began," added Andrew, who also will continue to design his eponymous label. Andrew's red-carpet appeal is a natural fit for the luxury label, which has deep-seated history in Hollywood; after all, Salvatore Ferragamo got his start in the industry, debuting The Hollywood Boot Shop in Los Angeles in 1923, where he counted everyone from Rudolf Valentino to Mary Pickford as clients. Today, the brand continues to resonate in Tinseltown, worn by everyone from Angelina Jolie to John Legend and Blake Lively. "I look forward to bringing a new perspective to the company in line with the demands of today's marketplace, marrying the power of its heritage and industrial force with high design and the latest innovations in material and make," said Andrew. Read more: Keira Knightley Talks About Her Chanel Dustbin Wedding Dress, Love Affair With the Brand By Tom Hals (Reuters) - Samsung Electronics Co Ltd on Thursday asked a U.S. judge to allow it to pay cargo handlers to remove its goods from Hanjin Shipping Co Ltd's vessels stationed near U.S. ports after the failure of the world's seventh-largest container carrier. Around $14 billion of cargo has been tied up globally as ports, tug boat operators and cargo handling firms refuse to work for Hanjin because they fear they will not be paid due to uncertainty over plans to provide new financing. Samsung said an order this week by a U.S. bankruptcy judge did not encourage the Hanjin ships to enter U.S. ports as intended, which the company blamed on a misunderstanding of maritime law, the bankruptcy code and Korean law. The maker of electronic goods including Galaxy smartphones said the judge should issue an order barring the seizure of ships and allow it and other cargo owners to retrieve their goods by paying cargo handlers, who have been demanding payment guarantees. "Theres no earthly reason why these parties should not be permitted to cut their own deals," Samsung said in a Thursday court filing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Newark, New Jersey. An attorney for Hanjin, Ilana Volkov, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The judge, John Sherwood, will hear the request on Friday. Hanjin's collapse last week came during the peak shipping period ahead of the year-end holiday season, stranding cargo for the likes of HP Inc and Samsung. As of Thursday afternoon, two Hanjin ships were near the Port of Long Beach, according to the Marine Exchange of Southern California, which tracks cargo ship traffic. One of the ships, the Hanjin Boston, is scheduled to head into the port on Friday afternoon for re-fueling. A third ship, the Hanjin Greece, was off the shore of Mexico, where it could avoid U.S. anti-pollution regulations that require use of low-sulfur fuel, the tracking group said. Many ships carry only a limited supply of low-sulfur fuel. Some cargo owners have already paid fees to terminal operators to allow the release of Hanjin containers held up on the docks, according to a Port of Oakland spokesman. The Seoul Central District Court is presiding over the receivership filed by Hanjin last week. A foreign representative of the shipping line has filed for so-called Chapter 15 bankruptcy with the Newark court. Chapter 15 is meant to allow a company to seek recognition by U.S. courts of orders issued overseas and to ask U.S. judges to assist in a foreign corporate debt restructuring. (Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware; additional reporting by Lisa Richwine in Los Angeles, Jim Christie in San Francisco and Angela Moon in New York; Editing by Alan Crosby) A Florida mans recently recalled Samsung phone exploded and set his vehicle on fire earlier on Monday, he said. Nathan Dornacher said his Galaxy Note 7 smartphone was charging inside his SUV when it burst into flames, which then engulfed his vehicle. The incident came days after Samsung said it is suspending Galaxy Note 7 sales because batteries of some of the smartphones exploded while they were charging. Not the barbecue I wanted on my day off, Dornacher wrote on Facebook, sharing photos of his vehicle on fire and the charred remnants of his cellphone. https://www.facebook.com/nathan.dornacher/posts/1218779674800874 No one was injured in the incident. We are safe no one was hurt all that matters to me, Dornacher wrote on Facebook. Samsung did not immediately return a request for comment on Thursday. The company said in a statement to Fox 10 that it was aware of the incident and urged customers to swap in their Galaxy Note 7 phones. We are working with Mr. Dornacher to investigate his case and ensure we do everything we can for him, the statement said. By Kate Kelland LONDON (Reuters) - Scrub typhus, a deadly disease common in southeast Asia and spread by microscopic biting mites known as chiggers, has now taken hold in a part of South America and may have become endemic there, scientists said on Wednesday. The tropical disease, which kills at least 140,000 people a year in the Asia-Pacific region, has been confirmed in a cluster of cases on a large island off Chile, some 12,000 kilometres from its usual haunts on the other side of the Pacific. Scrub typhus has been known of for years and the bacteria that causes it was first identified in Japan in 1930. It is caused by the bacteria, Orientia tsutsugamushi, transmitted by chiggers, and spreads through the lymphatic fluid. Those infected find the illness can begin quite suddenly, with shaking chills, fever, severe headache, infection of the mucous membrane in the eyes, and lymph node swelling. Until 2006, scrub typhus was thought to be limited to an area called the "tsutsugamushi triangle", from Pakistan in the west to far eastern Russia in the east to northern Australia in the south. But writing in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers from Britain's Oxford University and the Pontificia Universidad Catolica and Universidad del Desarrollo in Chile the cases found off of Chiles mainland "suggest there may be a much wider global distribution than previously understood." In 2006, two cases of scrub typhus were found outside the triangle. One, in the Middle East, was caused by a previously unrecorded bacteria related to tsutsugamushi and named Orientia Chuto. The second was found on Chiloe island, just off mainland Chile. In January 2015 and again in early 2016, three more cases were discovered in Ancud, on the northern coast of Chiloe. "Scrub typhus is a common disease but a neglected one," said Paul Newton, director of the LaoOxfordMahosot Hospital Wellcome Trust Research Unit, which collaborated in the study. "Given that it is known to cause approximately a million clinical cases, and kills at least 140,000 people each year, this evidence of an even bigger burden of disease in another part of the world highlights the need for more research and attention to it." (Reporting by Kate Kelland; Editing by Toby Chopra) PARIS (Reuters) - French police investigating the discovery of a car packed with gas cylinders near Notre Dame cathedral in Paris have arrested a second couple and also established that the vehicle contained three jerry cans of diesel fuel, a judicial source said. The discovery last Saturday night of the Peugeot 607 loaded with seven gas cylinders, six of them full, triggered an inquiry by counter-terrorism experts in a country where more than 200 people have died in attacks over the past year and a half. Police sources said on Tuesday that no detonator device was found in the car, but the presence of diesel-filled cannisters added to concerns that there had been a plan to explode the vehicle. The two arrests late on Wednesday takes to four the number held in custody by police, who are also trying to find the 19-year-old daughter of the car's owner. A first couple, aged 34 and 29, were arrested on a motorway on Tuesday in southern France. The Peugeot was found in the early hours of Sunday morning on a Seine riverside road meters from the Notre Dame cathedral. Documents with writing in Arabic were also found in the car, which had no registration plates and was left with its hazard lights flashing. The car owner was taken into custody earlier this week but later released. He had gone to police on Sunday to report that his daughter had disappeared with his car, officials said. His daughter, officials say, is known to police for wanting to leave for Syria, where scores of religiously radicalize people of French and other nationalities have joined the ranks of the Islamic State militant group. France remains on maximum alert after calls for attacks oncountry, which is taking part in bombing the militant group's bases in Iraq and Syria. Thousands of extra police and soldiers have been deployed to patrol sensitive sites since 130 people were killed by Islamist gunmen and suicide bombers in attacks on Paris last November. A state of emergency declared at that time is still in place and gives police extra search and arrest powers but debate still rages over security after another attack in July in which a man drove a truck into crowds in the city of Nice, killing 86. (Reporting by Marine Pennetier, Writing by Dominique Vidalon and Brian Love) A second couple was detained overnight in connection with an investigation into the discovery of a car in Paris containing six gas canisters, a French police source says. The pair was picked up near Montargis, about 110 kilometres (65 miles) south of Paris. (Adds General Dynamics principal contractor, paragraph 6) By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Four U.S. senators introduced a joint resolution on Thursday seeking to block the U.S. sale of $1.15 billion of Abrams tanks and other military equipment to Saudi Arabia, citing issues including the conflict in Yemen. The measure was introduced by Republican Senators Rand Paul and Mike Lee and Democrats Chris Murphy and Al Franken, the latest indication of strong disapproval of the deal among some U.S. lawmakers. "Selling $1.15 billion in tanks, guns, ammunition, and more to a country with a poor human rights record embroiled in a bitter war is a recipe for disaster and an escalation of an ongoing arms race in the region," Paul said in a statement. In August, 64 members of the House of Representatives signed a letter urging President Barack Obama to delay the sale. The Pentagon announced on Aug. 9 that the State Department has approved the potential sale of more than 130 Abrams battle tanks, 20 armored recovery vehicles and other equipment to Saudi Arabia. The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which implements foreign arms sales, said that General Dynamics would be the principal contractor for the sale. Introducing the resolution, the senators cited the conflict in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia is leading a coalition in support of forces loyal to the exiled government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi who are trying to oust Iran-allied Houthi forces from the capital, Sanaa. Human rights groups have criticized the coalition's air strikes because of the deaths of civilians. "Thousands of civilians are being killed, and terrorist groups inside the country, like al Qaeda and ISIS, are getting stronger. Until the Saudis' conduct changes, the U.S. should put a pause on further arms sales," Murphy said in a statement. Some congressional aides questioned whether Congress had the right to try to block the sale, since it has been more than 30 days since Congress was notified about it. Story continues But the four senators said the Arms Export Control Act of 1976 allows senators to force a vote on an arms sale by a president. Human rights activists applauded the resolution. "Congress' silence would signal to the Yemeni people that U.S. support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen is unconditional - no matter how cruel the parties' methods of warfare or how unwilling they are to make peace," Scott Paul, senior humanitarian policy advisor at Oxfam America, said in a statement. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Mohammad Zargham, Grant McCool and David Gregorio) By Aleksandar Vasovic and Igor Ilic BELGRADE/ZAGREB (Reuters) - Serbia has appealed to Austria and France for help controlling its southern and eastern borders, the country's interior minister said on Thursday, as countries across the region braced for a possible surge in migrant flows as winter approaches. The country was at the center of last year's migrant influx into Europe, when hundreds of thousands of people fleeing war in the Middle East journeyed up through the Balkans to reach sanctuary in the continent's heart. Over the summer, many migrants have attempted the sea crossing from North Africa to countries such as Italy. But as autumn brings more unsettled seas, the land route through the Balkans may see a revival of activity. Many fear that the European Union's deal to pay Turkey to harbor more refugees will collapse amid frosty relations between Brussels and Ankara, triggering a repeat of last year's flood, which gave a boost to far-right and anti-immigration parties across Europe. Serbia's request for technical assistance mirrors an earlier request to Hungary, which has agreed to send police officers with thermal imaging equipment to help patrol Serbia's border with Bulgaria and Macedonia. In July, Serbia formed a joint military and police task force to tighten its control over its southern and eastern borders. "Our task is to prevent illegal border crossings," Serbian interior minister Nebojsa Stefanovic told Tanjug news agency. "To control borders we need more technical assets." More than 103,000 migrants have passed through Serbia so far in 2016, with most heading north toward Hungary. Over the past six weeks, the task force has foiled over 5,600 illegal crossing attempts, authorities said. Croatia has also seen the pace of illegal border crossings pick up over the past two months. Most of the 5,000 asylum seekers already in Serbia at present want to carry on to Germany or Sweden, where they expect a warmer reception, after crossing the Hungarian border into the EU's passport-free Schengen zone. Prompted by such concerns, Hungary has announced plans to build a second, more impenetrable fence along its border with Serbia to prevent "illegal" crossings, some 20,000 of which have taken place so far this year. (Writing by Thomas Escritt) By Christian Hartmann and Ingrid Melander BOUSSY-SAINT-ANTOINE/PARIS (Reuters) - Three women arrested on Thursday in connection with a car laden with gas cylinders found abandoned near Paris's Notre Dame cathedral were likely planning an imminent attack, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said. The minister said one of the women had stabbed a police officer during the arrest before being shot and wounded. A source close to the investigation said the attacker was the missing 19-year-old daughter of the car's owner. The discovery on Saturday night of the Peugeot 607 loaded with seven gas cylinders, six of them full, prompted a counter-terrorism investigation in a country where militants have killed more than 230 people in attacks since January, 2015. Police sources said no detonator had been found, though the vehicle also contained three jerry cans of diesel fuel, adding to concerns that there had been a plan to explode the car. "These three women aged 39, 23 and 19 had been radicalised, were fanatics and were in all likelihood preparing an imminent, violent act," Cazeneuve said in a televised statement. Seven people have now been detained since Tuesday in connection with the investigation. MISSING DAUGHTER The arrests took place in Boussy-Saint-Antoine, some 30 km (20 miles) south-east of Paris. A Reuters photographer later saw a hand-cuffed person being carried into a building in that town, in the area cordoned off by police, where house searches were being carried out. Police investigators and bomb-disposal experts were on the ground. The town's mayor told BFM TV there had been no specific threat of an attack in the local area. The Peugeot was found in the early hours of Sunday morning on a Seine riverside road metres from Notre Dame cathedral. Documents with writing in Arabic were also found in the car, which had no registration plates and was left with its hazard lights flashing. The car owner was taken into custody earlier this week but later released. He had gone to police on Sunday to report that his daughter had disappeared with his car, officials said. His daughter, officials say, is known to police for wanting to leave for Syria, where scores of religiously radicalised people of French and other nationalities have joined the ranks of the Islamic State militant group. France, which is taking part in bombing the militant group's bases in Iraq and Syria, remains on maximum alert after calls for attacks on the country. Thousands of extra police and soldiers have been deployed to patrol sensitive sites since 130 people were killed by Islamist gunmen and suicide bombers in attacks on Paris last November. A state of emergency declared at that time is still in place and gives police extra search and arrest powers but debate still rages over security after another attack in July in which a man drove a truck into crowds in the city of Nice, killing 86. (Additional reporting by Simon Carraud; Writing by Richard Lough; Editing by Ralph Boulton and Chris Reese) Almaty (Kazakhstan) (AFP) - As ex-Soviet Uzbekistan waits anxiously for a presidential vote following the death of Islam Karimov, one man has a clear lead in the race to succeed the long-reigning autocrat. On Thursday, parliament appointed Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev, 58, interim president, a move that appeared to violate the constitution. Mirziyoyev led the committee that organised Karimov's September 3 funeral and has since held one-on-one meetings with Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. Uzbekistan, which has not held a free and fair election since independence in 1991 according to international vote monitors, has yet to set a date for the presidential vote, which parliament says has to be held within the next three months. - Yes man - In his post as premier since 2003, Mirziyoyev is depicted as having close ties to the Karimov's family and to key security bosses. According to rights activists, the former governor of Karimov's home region of Samarkand has been in charge of making sure the country fulfils its annual cotton quotas. That places him at the heart of an industry crucial to the national economy. Uzbekistan is one of the world's leading cotton producers and is accused of forcing over a million citizens, including children, to pick the cash crop each year. Mirziyoyev therefore represents a "continuity candidate" unlikely to pursue systemic reform, according to analyst Bakhtiyor Nishanov, deputy director of Eurasia for the International Republican Institute, a Washington-based pro-democracy non-profit. "It may be precisely because he did what he was expected to do and always delivered that he has been groomed as Karimov's successor," Nishanov told AFP by telephone. Mirziyoyev "was known as a guy who would not ask questions but just get things done." - Russia's favourite? - Mirziyoyev is also seen as a pro-Russian figure. He is related by marriage to the family of Uzbek-descended Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, who is an ally of Putin. Story continues Meetings broadcast on state television between Mirziyoyev and Medvedev on the day of Karimov's funeral and on Tuesday with Putin highlighted Moscow's keen interest in Central Asia's most populous country. Karimov's Uzbekistan kept the Kremlin at arm's length, flirting with the West while walking out of a Russia-led security bloc and snubbing a Moscow-driven economic union. Under Mirziyoyev, "it is likely that Russian influence in Uzbekistan will increase," Alex Melikishvili of the Washington-based research corporation IHS Markit told AFP, speculating Uzbekistan may seek more protection for almost two million Uzbek migrant labourers in Russia. - A host of problems - Whoever becomes Uzbekistan's next ruler faces the unenviable task of bringing the country's diverse political clans to heel while reinvigorating a state-driven economy that seems to be running out of steam. If Mirziyoyev is elected, he must work out what to do with highly-regarded deputy prime minister and finance czar Rustam Azimov, who, like Mirziyoyev, was one of Karimov's pall-bearers. Kamoliddin Rabbimov, an Uzbek political scientist based in France, believes there is a "natural rivalry" between the pair, who were often mentioned together as potential successors to Karimov while he was still alive. Sorting out Karimov's divided family will be another concern after daughter Gulnara -- rumoured to be under house arrest -- failed to appear alongside mother Tatiana and sister Lola in state media broadcasts of Karimov's funeral. "The honour of the Karimov family will most likely be upheld by whoever comes next, for the sake of the regime," said Rabbimov. "Gulnara is another story. There is a consensus across the elite -- foremost among her mother and sister -- of the need to isolate her," Rabbimov said of the 44-year-old former pop star and parfumier once believed to harbour presidential ambitions. There will be no quick fix for the economy however, which, despite rosy official statistics, has been badly dented by Russia's recession and a commodities slump, Rabbimov argues. "The coffers are empty, migrant remittances from Russia have fallen massively, real unemployment is very high. The socioeconomic situation is dire, to say the least," he told AFP by telephone. tim ferriss Most people would stop taking a drug if it caused them to have grand-mal seizures for hours and puke uncontrollably. But Tim Ferriss, the author of "The 4-Hour Workweek," said the drug ayahuasca vaporized his anger overnight. "It's mind-boggling how much it can do in one or two nights," Ferriss, an early investor in tech startups such as Uber, Evernote, and Duolingo, told The New Yorker. Ayahuasca is a hallucinogenic drink made from boiling Amazonian plants. It's typically used in religious rituals throughout South America, but lately at least, according to The New Yorker it's been growing in popularity in Brooklyn and San Francisco. It's supposed to be a crazy trip and detox for the mind and soul, but most people who take it end up vomiting or "purging." However, that doesn't stop people from preaching about how much they love it. Even Ferriss stuck with it after what's described as an "harrowing early trip" because of the effects: "'I felt like I was being torn apart and killed a thousand times a second for two hours.' This was followed by hours of grand-mal seizures; Ferriss had rug burns on his face the next day. 'I thought I had completely fried my motherboard,' he continued. 'I remember saying, "I will never do this again."' "But in the next few months he realized that something astounding had happened to him. 'Ninety per cent of the anger I had held on to for decades, since I was a kid, was just gone. Absent.'" He's not the only person praising ayahuasca. Some startup founders are going on retreats to Peru to experience the awakening. In San Francisco, Ferriss is convinced everyone is doing it. "Ayahuasca is like having a cup of coffee here," Ferriss told The New Yorker. "I have to avoid people at parties because I don't want to listen to their latest three-hour saga of kaleidoscopic colors." Perhaps we hang out in different circles, but I still see more cups of coffee in San Francisco than people having violent trips. Story continues Ferriss like his coffee too, though he's also an investor in Blue Bottle Coffee. NOW WATCH: Here's how the iPhone 7 compares to the Samsung Galaxy S7 More From Business Insider Kintari Branded Skin Care Products to Entering the Asian Marketplace LAS VEGAS, NV and SHENZHEN, CHINA / ACCESSWIRE / September 8, 2016 / Skinvisible Inc., (SKVI), through its subsidiary Kintari Int. Inc., and EDFA Morgan Capital Co. LTD. ("EMC") (NEEQ:838957) located in Shenzhen, China, have signed an exclusive distribution agreement for Kintari branded products for the territory of Greater China (Includes China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand). According to the agreement, EMC will sell Kintari products to Chinese consumers through a network of online shopping malls and other channels. In addition to their local market expertise, EMC has agreements with extensive sales and distribution networks in Greater China. Kintari will supply its portfolio of globally patented skincare products made with its Invisicare delivery technology. "We are pleased to enter into this agreement with EMC as they have excellent access to international distribution channels," said Terry Howlett, President of Kintari Int. Inc. "This agreement marks a significant milestone in Kintari's business strategy to develop strong relationships with established marketing and distribution channels for our products. This agreement exemplifies our shared vision for accelerated and sustainable growth in future product sales and we look forward to a long, successful partnership." "We are pleased to enter into this distribution agreement with Kintari for its high quality products," said Alexander McCoy, Director of EMC. "EMC is uniquely capable of introducing Kintari's products throughout our extensive network in Greater China. We are looking forward to this opportunity and believe this will increase revenues and bring additional business for both companies in the short and long-term." China, with a population of over 1.6 billion people, has a strong demand for American-made products. This is driven both by the growth of a middle class in large cities as well as the increased desire for high quality products made in America. Last year China imported $2.7 billion personal care products (skincare, sun care, etc.) (Source:Global Trade Atlas). According to HKTDC Research; 69% of females surveyed would buy skincare products and cosmetics from online stores and spend an average of US$1800 a year on them. Story continues This distribution agreement is consistent with Skinvisible's business model which includes driving revenue from the sale of its Kintari branded products through its subsidiaries Kintari USA and Kintari Canada and through international distribution and licensing agreements. About Skinvisible Pharmaceuticals, Inc. / Kintari Int. Inc. Skinvisible Pharmaceuticals is a R&D company that licenses its proprietary formulations made with Invisicare, its patented polymer delivery system that offers life-cycle management and unique enhancements for topically delivered products. Invisicare holds active ingredients on the skin for extended periods of time resisting both wash off and perspiration along with controlling the release of actives and reducing skin irritation. Kintari Int. Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary markets its cosmeceutical and OTC products. www.skinvisible.com, www.invisicare.com, www.kintari.com About EDFA Morgan Capital Corporation ("EMC") EDFA Morgan Capital Co., LTD. ("EMC") is located in the Futian Duty Free Zone in Shenzhen, China and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EDFA Smart-Eco Holdings Co., LTD. ("EDFA"). EDFA, which trades on the Beijing stock exchange (NEEQ:838957), is an 11 year old company which specializes in city development including finance, strategic planning, deployment, construction, engineering and urban design. EDFA's subsidiary EMC has the sole objective to integrate Internet technologies with manufacturing and business (referred to as "Internet Plus") which includes developing a large cloud e-commerce platform featuring top American-made products to be supplied to the Greater China region. www.edfadesign.com Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains 'forward looking' statements within the meaning of Section 21A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties associated with an emerging company. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward looking statements as a result of risk factors discussed in Skinvisible, Inc. reports on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including, but not limited to, a report on Form 10Q for the period ending June 30, 2016). Corporate Contact: Doreen McMorran, Skinvisible Inc. Email: info@skinvisible.com Phone: 702-433-7154 SOURCE: Skinvisible Inc. Via Sony on YouTube For some time now its been an open secret that Sony is preparing to launch two new Playstation 4 models one a slimmed-down version, the other a powerful model codenamed Playstation Neo. Well, they finally made it official today in an information-packed press conference. First up, we have the new, smaller machine, which is simply called the PS4 as its now the standard model. This new PS4 has leaked to some retailers, so we already know what it looks like, but Sony did drop some welcome news regarding the consoles price the new PS4 will cost only $299, down 40 bucks from the machines current MSRP. The new version of the PS4 will launch on September 15. Regarding the PS4 Slim rumour: although it makes sense as an Xbox One S competitor, not set on this being real yet. https://t.co/Hx6MRzNLA6 Ryan Brown (@Toadsanime) August 21, 2016 Now, onto the Playstation Neo, which is officially called the Playstation 4 Pro. The machine is mainly designed for high-end users who want to play in 4K, and boasts an overclocked CPU, a 1TB hard drive, and a GPU thats twice as powerful as the one in the base PS4. In addition to 4K resolutions and high dynamic range (HDR) support, the Playstation 4 Pro will allow developers to use certain rendering techniques not available on the base PS4. Most new games will support the Pro, and some existing games will also get visual boosts via patches, which Sony has cleverly dubbed forward compatibility. And now, the moment of truth how much does the Playstation 4 Pro cost? Not as much as you might think! The Pro will cost $399 and hits shelves November 10. By Wendell Roelf CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa's parliament on Wednesday approved high-level civil servant Busisiwe Mkhwebane's nomination to replace outgoing Thuli Madonsela as Public Protector, a top anti-corruption position whose findings have vexed President Jacob Zuma. Mkhwebane, 46, a lawyer whose most recent job was with the State Security Agency (SSA), has also worked as a director at Home Affairs and as an immigration official in China. Madonsela led high-profile investigations that subjected Zuma and other government officials to unwelcome scrutiny. Mkhwebane's nomination was approved with 263 votes in favour, 79 against and 1 abstention. Her name will now go to Zuma for his assent, which is likely after she was backed overwhelmingly by the ruling African National Congress. If approved, she would replace Madonsela, whose seven-year, non-renewable term ends in October. The Public Protector position has a constitutional mandate to investigate misconduct and abuse in state affairs. The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) declined to support Mkhwebane due to her work with the SSA, which has responsibility for civilian intelligence operations, saying this could prevent her from taking on cases implicating senior government officials. "The Public Protector cannot be seen to be even remotely connected to the State Security Agency," Glynnis Breytenbach, the DA's shadow minister of justice said without elaborating. Corruption Watch, a local NGO that focuses on graft issues, applauded the parliament committee that recommended Mkhwebane, said in August it was satisfied "that the final candidate got the job on merit and not for any other reason". During her interview in August, Mkhwebane said she was apolitical, had no criminal record and was unbiased. Analysts said Mkhwebane - who has worked as a senior investigator in the Public Protector's office - will have a tough act to follow. Madonsela won acclaim for investigating major scandals in Africa's most industrialised country. "Her integrity will be tested immediately," said political analyst Nic Borain. "There are cases looming, the most obvious one is the state capture allegations, and quite soon her ability to stand above the politics of her job will be tested very quickly and we have to wait and see how she performs." In one of her most high-impact investigations in 2014, Madonsela found Zuma had included in a $16 million "security upgrade" to his rural Nkandla home a raft of non-security items including a swimming pool and amphitheatre. She said Zuma should pay back the cost of those items, and her view was supported in March by South Africa's highest court, which said Zuma had broken the law by ignoring Madonsela's order. Zuma has since said he will pay back some of the money. Madonsela has said she is investigating whether Zuma allowed a wealthy business family, the Gupta family, to decide on cabinet appointments. Both Zuma and the Guptas have denied the accusations made by the opposition. (Writing by James Macharia; editing by Susan Thomas) JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's rand added to its recent gains on Thursday, remaining near its firmest in two weeks as an unexpected rise in Chinese imports lifted emerging market assets and counterbalanced political uncertainty weighing on the currency. * Rand firmed 0.15 percent to 13.99975 per dollar by 0650GMT compared to close of 14.0190 overnight in New York. * China imports rose for the first time in nearly two yearsin August, buoying commodity-linked currencies. * Mining and manufacturing figures due at 0930 GMT and 1100GMT should to confirm economy recovering after Q2 GDP expansionof 3.3 percent. * Moves limited as investors look ahead to ECB policydecision. * Government's benchmark 2026 bond also firmer, yield down3.5 basis points to 8.585 percent. * In stocks, blue chip futures index up 0.1 percent,indicating bourse opening flat at 0700 GMT. (Reporting by Mfuneko Toyana; Editing by Ed Cropley) (Corrects throughout to reflect that ULA chief Tory Bruno was speaking generally and not specifically talking about recent SpaceX accident.) By Irene Klotz CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Sept 8 (Reuters) - If history is any guide, Elon Musk's SpaceX could be grounded for nine to 12 months while it investigates the cause of last week's launch pad accident and makes any repairs, according to the chief executive of SpaceX's primary U.S. competitor on Thursday. "It typically takes nine to 12 months for people to return to flight. That's what the history is," Tory Bruno, chief executive of United Launch Alliance, told Reuters. Bruno did not mention SpaceX by name. A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster exploded on the launch pad on Sept. 1 as it was being fueled for a routine pre-launch test. A $200 million Israeli communications satellite was destroyed in the blast, the second failed mission for technology entrepreneur Elon Musk's privately owned SpaceX in 14 months. The cause of the accident is under investigation. SpaceX has not publicly disclosed the extent of damage to its launch pad. Bruno said the main issue after accidents involving space launches has "always been figuring out what went wrong on the rocket, being confident that you know ... how to fix it and then actually getting that fix in place." Repairing damage to the launch pad is usually not a significant issue, he said. "Historically, it had never been the pad that's taken the longest time," he said. Bruno spoke with Reuters a few hours before ULA, a partnership of Lockheed-Martin Corp and Boeing Co , was preparing to launch its 111th rocket, so far all successfully. An Atlas 5 rocket, carrying a NASA asteroid sample-return spacecraft, was poised for liftoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida about 1.2 miles (2 km) away from the SpaceX launch site. Bruno said he called SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell shortly after the accident to extend sympathies and offer help. "It's a small community and issues especially around safety - but even mission success - kind of transcend the competitive piece of this," Bruno added. Story continues ULA and SpaceX are rivals for private space missions and launches by U.S. government agencies. Musk's company in May broke ULA's monopoly on flying U.S. military and national security satellites, winning an $83 million Air Force contract to launch a Global Positioning System satellite in 2018. The two firms are expected to square off over a second satellite launch services bid, which closes on Sept. 19. Bruno declined to say specifically if ULA would submit a proposal. Bruno said factors that prevented ULA from competing for an earlier military launch, including a trade ban that stymied imports of Russian rocket engines, are no longer obstacles. But ULA will still have to compete with SpaceX on price. "It is still a priced-only competition, which I think is unfortunate and not necessarily, in our view, the best way to select this type of complex and risky service," Bruno said. (Reporting by Irene Klotz; editing by Joseph White, G Crosse) A Sri Lankan court Thursday ordered a new autopsy on the body of a high-profile anti-establishment newspaper editor whose 2009 murder under the previous regime remains unsolved. A magistrate agreed to a police criminal investigation unit's request for the fresh forensic report on the killing of Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickrematunga, a police official said. "We are guarding the grave site pending the exhumation," the unnamed official at Colombo's main cemetery told AFP. "The court order to carry out the exhumation on September 27 has just been issued." President Maithripala Sirisena came to power at 2015 elections pledging action against criminal and corrupt individuals under former ruler Mahinda Rajapakse's regime. A former minister in Rajapakse's government has publicly accused the autocrat's brother Gotabhaya Rajapakse of ordering Wickrematunga's murder. Gotabhaya, then secretary to the ministry of defence, has denied involvement, but rights groups say there is strong evidence the military played a role. An army intelligence officer was arrested in July in connection with the killing. Rajapakse has faced wide criticism of his government's dismal rights record. More than a dozen reporters and other media persons were killed during his decade-long rule. Gunmen shot dead Wickrematunga in his car in Colombo in January 2009, according to police at the time, with the crime sparking international outrage. But a police source said on Thursday that there was also a "suggestion that he was stabbed in the head with a very sharp instrument". "We need to establish how he was killed," the source said asking not to be named, "before we can start a prosecution". Editor Wickrematunga and his newspaper were staunch critics of Rajapakse and his family who are accused of illegally amassing huge wealth during their rule. The paper had accused Gotabhaya of corruption over the purchase of second-hand aircraft and arms for the military. Separately on Thursday, a close aide of Gotabhaya was sentenced to death by the Colombo High Court, along with four others, over the 2011 killing of a politician from their own party. Duminda Silva was convicted of killing a rival member of the then ruling party during a local election. Paris (AFP) - The heart-protecting benefits of anti-cholesterol statins far outnumber the side-effects, a scientific review said Friday blaming shoddy research for scaring people and putting lives at risk. Much of the evidence for statins' bad rap came from trials whose very design did not allow them to draw any conclusions, said the authors of the review seeking to "help doctors, patients and the public make informed decisions." Their own analysis, the team wrote, showed that statins prevented many more heart attacks and strokes than they caused muscle problems or diabetes. "We've had an underestimation of the benefits and a massive overestimation of the harms," said Rory Collins of the University of Oxford's Nuffield Department of Population Health, who co-authored the review in The Lancet. "Consequently there is a serious cost to public health from making misleading claims about high side-effect rates that inappropriately dissuade people from taking statin therapy despite the proven benefits." Statins have been used for about 30 years to bring down "bad" LDL cholesterol, which has been linked to a risk for heart and artery disease. It is prescribed as "secondary prevention" for people already suffering cardiovascular disease, but increasingly also as "primary prevention" for those at high risk due to high blood pressure or diabetes, for example. As conflicting reports of statins' benefits and harms have hit the headlines in recent years, people prescribed them had stopped taking the drugs. The new review showed that using statins to lower cholesterol would prevent "major cardiovascular events" in 1,000 out of 10,000 secondary prevention users over five years. In people who take statins for primary prevention, 500 out of 10,000 would avoid a major event such as heart attack, stroke or coronary bypass, said the authors. - The snag - On the downside, five in 10,000 would develop myopathy -- a muscle disease. Story continues Five to ten would have a haemorrhagic stroke, which causes bleeding on the brain, and about 50-100 would develop diabetes. However, Collins said the other type of stroke, caused by blood clots, was vastly reduce by statins -- thus lowering the overall stroke risk. The team had reviewed data from so-called randomised controlled trials, in which one group of people were given the real drug and another group a dummy "placebo" drug, without knowing who is getting what. This is the only type of trial, the authors said, which can ascribe an effect to a drug being tested. However, much of the evidence for statin risks came from "observational studies". They are not designed to show a cause and effect, yet have ascribed to statins everything from memory loss, cataracts, liver disease, sleep disturbance, aggression, suicidal behaviour and erectile disfunction -- none of which were borne out by randomised controlled trials, said the team. "We hope that the impact of publishing this comprehensive scientific review will be to correct the public record about the safety and efficacy of statins," The Lancet editor Richard Horton told journalists. A daily 40-milligram statin dose costs about 2 ($2.70, 2.6 euros) per month in Britain, where some two million people are prescribed statins for secondary prevention and four million for primary prevention. This meant some 80,000 people in Britain alone will be spared a major cardiovascular event, said the reviewers, who received research funding from drug companies but insisted they were independent. Other experts not involved in the study said it was a good summary of the risks and benefits. "Statins have been unfairly demonised," Tim Chico, a cardiologist from the University of Sheffield, told the Science Media Centre. "Statins can cause side effects, but the chance of developing these is low while the effects of suffering the heart attack that a statin might have prevented can be fatal or life-long." In August, a 17-year-old Mexican boy reportedly died of a stroke that resulted from a hickey, according to Hoy Estado de Mexico, a local Mexican news source. As strange as it sounds, his case was not the first of its kind: A 44-year-old M?oriwoman in New Zealand also had stroke caused by a so-called love bite (another term for a hickey). The womansurvived her stroke after being admitted to an emergency room, doctors wrote in their report of her case, published in The New Zealand Medical Journal. Most strokes are caused by a blocked artery that cuts off blood supply to the brain. These strokes, called ischemic strokes, are usually the result of blood clots, which may form in the heart or large arteries leading to the brain. According to the American Heart Association, only about 13 percent of strokes are the other type, hemorrhagic strokes, which are caused by a rupture in an artery that leads to bleeding in the brain. In the cases of both the boy in Mexico and the New Zealand woman, the hickey might have damaged the blood vessels in the neck, which ultimately might have led to the stroke, said Dr. Thomas Hemmen, a professor of neurosciences at the University of California, San Diego, who was not involved in either case. [You] can come up with all sorts of scenarios [for] how you can cause a rupture of an artery, he said. [ 7 Things That May Raise Your Risk of Stroke] It's more common for choking or twisting of the neck to cause trauma that leads to stroke than it is for hickeys to cause stroke, Hemmen told Live Science. The death-by-hickey story is odd, said Dr. W. Scott Burgin, a neurologist and professor at the University of South Florida College of Medicine. But "countless forms of seemingly minor neck trauma have been associated with strokes," including those from vomiting, sneezing and turning of the head. If a love bite is big enough, it could cause stroke, he told Live Science. Strange stroke stories involve a wide range of medical maladies. In 2015, doctors reported the case of a 48-year-old woman in China who suffered a series of strokes that her doctors traced to blood clots caused by a heart infection. It turned out that the heart infection was caused by a finger-length needle that had been lodged in her heart a few weeks prior, the doctors wrote in their report of her case, published in the Journal of Medical Case Reports. Story continues Doctors surgically removed the needle, and the woman recovered. There were no further details in the report about how the needle got there. [Giant List of the Strangest Medical Cases] Just off the top of his head, Burgin said some odd stroke cases he has seen have involved massages, a Bruce Springsteen concert, beauty salon chairs, rodeos, chicken pox, ear and sinus infections, trampolines, scuba diving, weight lifting, synthetic cannabis (spice) smoking, cocaine, meth, workout supplements and work on a chicken farm. Insect venom? Burgin said he also treated a patient who had a stroke after being stung by a wasp. There have been a handful of such cases, he said. Just earlier this year, other doctors also reported such a case in The Journal of Emergency Medicine. In that case,a 44-year-old Ohio man experienced a stroke following a wasp sting. There are a few theories as to how an insect sting could lead to a stroke, according to the report of the Ohio man's case. One is that the insect's venom could cause blood vessel constriction, leading to a clot. Or, the sting could trigger atrial fibrillation, a condition wherein the upper chambers of the heart beat quickly and irregularly, causing pooling of the blood in the upper chambers and increasing the likelihood of clot formation. If someone is severely allergic to stings, this could cause a drop in blood pressure that would, in turn, reduce blood flow to the brain. Hemmen said a severe allergic reaction could cause dehydration, which could lead to a stroke. He added that he's heard that some people may be concerned that an insect could inject venom into their carotid artery (a major blood vessel in the neck). But such fears may be unwarranted; it's not likely that any insect could bite or sting deeply enough to damage the artery, Hemmen said. Possible link to infections Strokes also may be linked with infections. In a case reported in January 2015,awoman in west Africa survived a combination of Ebola and a stroke. The middle-age woman suffered a stroke while already at an Ebola treatment center, according to the details published in the journal BMJ Case Reports. Because the center was not equipped with a CT scanner, the doctors were unable to confirm her stroke, but her symptoms included weakness in the right side of her body and difficulty talking, both potential indictors of stroke. Hemmen said brain hemorrhages (bleeding in the brain), fever and dehydration are all symptoms of Ebola that could lead to stroke. Although this may have been the first published case linking Ebola and stroke, the doctors involved in this case said it's likely that other such cases have occurred. However, the vast majority of strokes result from plain old high blood pressure. According to the American Heart Association, more than 75 percent of Americans who have a stroke have high blood pressure. Each year, more than 795,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke, resulting in a death every 4 minutes, on average, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hemmen said people should educate themselves about the signs of stroke, including a sudden inability to speak or walk, a sudden loss of feeling or strength on one side, and unexplained headache (a particularly tricky symptom for many). Getting medical assistance quickly can increase a person's chances of surviving a stroke. The risk of stroke rises with age, but young people should still be aware of these red flags because bystanders and loved ones are often the people who get help for people experiencing a stroke, Hemmen said. "Don't hesitate to call for help," he said. "And you have to understand that the victim themselves may not be a reliable source" of information about their own symptoms, he said. People experiencing a stroke may not realize what's happening and may even discourage those around them from seeking medical assistance. [10 Amazing Facts About Your Heart] In his own research, Hemmen has found that certain minority groups are particularly prone to avoiding seeking emergency care for stroke because of the potential expenses involved. For example, in a study of 1,117 patients who had experienced an acute ischemic stroke (stroke caused by a sudden loss of blood circulation in part of the brain), Hemmen and his colleagues found that Hispanics were about half as likely as non-Hispanics to experience a favorable outcome after their strokes, particularly because they tended to avoid using emergency medical services. Hemmen stressed that people who use emergency medical services following a stroke generally receive appropriate care much more quickly than those who try to drive themselves to a hospital or consult with their doctor over the phone prior to seeking in-person help. The main risk factors for stroke include high blood pressure, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, diabetes, smoking and atrial fibrillation. Many of these conditions can be improved with lifestyle changes. A recent study published in the journal The Lancet concluded that 90 percent of all strokes could be prevented by addressing 10 modifiable risk factors. 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. Stranger Things fans rejoice! Barb is back and she's got a few things in store. The breakout star of the Netflix hit, Shannon Purser, has landed a new movie after a recent trip to L.A., according to The Hollywood Reporter. WARNING! Stranger Things Spoiler Alert Below! Purser, a 19-year-old Atlanta-area native, made her acting debut as Barb, Nancy Wheeler's best friend, who was attacked by the monster from the Upside Down on the show. The death of the character sparked a trending hashtag on Twitter, #JusticeForBarb. Purser recently traveled to L.A. for a week to meet with top casting directors in Hollywood, meeting with executives at ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and Sony, among others. RELATED VIDEO: What Happened to Barb!? Will Eleven Be Back!? The Stranger Things Cast Is Answering Our Burning Questions! Stranger Things Cast Is Answering Our Burning Questions!" data-ad-channel="peoplenow" data-ad-subchannel="sharethisnow" data-auto-play="no"> The actress is now set for a small role opposite Melissa McCarthy in the upcoming movie Life of the Party. Mike Page, a casting director, also took to Twitter to thank Purser for sitting down with him, describing her as "being super talented" and "super delightful." Purser's manager told THR: "It's been a whirlwind of an experience to have such a high level of excitement surrounding Shannon, and the types of meetings and projects coming her way." Purser will also be back on screen on The CW's Archie reboot Riverdale. Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton (Photos: Evan Vucci/AP; Andrew Harnik/AP) Hillary Clinton has a cough. Not just that a persistent cough. Last week the cough proved so virulent during a speech that she needed to pause for water. Its a wonder the markets didnt tumble. Clintons cough, first reported by NBC, led to a spate of media stories, most of which slyly purported to be about the media coverage of the cough, although they managed to leave open the possibility that Clinton, who turns 69 next month, was like one of those bygone Soviet premiers who were always seen smiling and waving about six weeks after their deaths. Not that we know much more about the health of Donald Trump, who is 16 months older than Clinton. Last December, Trumps longtime physician, Harold Bornstein, announced unequivocally that Trump would be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency. Because apparently hes gone around exhuming all the others and performing autopsies in the dead of night. But then last month Bornstein told NBC News that hed actually rattled off that assessment in five minutes. I cant help thinking here of Dr. Nick Riviera from The Simpsons, who once exclaimed, when described as being the only one in the room even close to being a doctor: Stop! Youre embarrassing me! Anyway, none of this health business would seem very pressing if this years nominees werent quite so, you know old. As it happens, Hillary Clinton would be the oldest Democrat ever inaugurated, and Trump would be the oldest man to assume the office, period. Which raises a larger question that has puzzled me for many months now. How can it be that, even as millennials overtake their parents and grandparents as a share of the electorate, somehow were stuck with the aging boomers yet again? If I sound frustrated about this, its only because I am. The baby boomers have done some wonderful things for our country in social justice, in music, in movies and magazines and literature. They gave us cookie dough ice cream, for crying out loud. Story continues But lets face it: When it comes to politics, the boomers have left us a pile of wreckage unparalleled since a generation of leaders in the 1850s fumbled their way toward civil war. The collective legacy of the 60s generation assuming they ever step aside and allow it to be tallied, which might or might not happen, depending on impending advances in cryogenics includes gradual economic decline, rising inequality, a confused role in global affairs, a hateful and totally dysfunctional governing environment, a seriously endangered planet and, not incidentally, a looming crisis brought on by massive public spending on the oldest Americans. Their most visionary political minds and I count Bill Clinton among them were largely thwarted or outright rejected, mainly because their solutions didnt conform to partisan dogmas and short-term self-interest. Its possible that either Trump or Hillary Clinton might be the one who redeems their generation at last and is rewarded with a sprawling monument on the Mall. Its also possible that the next installment in the Halloween franchise will mine some rich and untapped artistic vein. For now, though, its worth asking how we ended up here again eight short years after President Obamas election seemed to presage an entirely new chapter in American politics. Theres no single answer, or at least not one that I can figure out, that neatly explains the resurgence of the septuagenarian set. Trump blinded his younger rivals in the Republican field with the aura of ageless celebrity. Clinton benefited mightily from a couple of off-year wave elections that decimated the ranks of younger Democrats. But both triumphed in part because the entire country seems to be caught up in a current of political nostalgia. Clinton consciously harks back to the good old days of the 90s; at one point she promised to put her husband in charge of everything economic, which was about as close as she could come to saying she had devised a time machine and there was room for all of us inside. The activist left that opposed Clintons candidacy is in thrall to Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, 74 and 67 respectively, both of whom champion the kind of big-government populism that defined Democratic politics in the age before deindustrialization and globalization were even part of the lexicon. Trump, meanwhile, runs on the now famous promise to Make America Great Again, by which presumably he means returning it to the 1950s, with all the social regressiveness that implies. His principal and much younger rival, Ted Cruz, preached a revival of 1980s conservatism without so much as a nod to modernizing the agenda. And maybe this last part gets to the hard truth of the matter, which is that if youre going to affix blame for our backward-looking debate, you have to look squarely not at the tired cadre of boomers who still dominate our politics, but at the generation my generation that was supposed to succeed them. Because if theres anything like a new, 21st century vision for government and its responsibilities, no younger politician has yet tried to articulate it. Marco Rubio ran on an explicit message of generational change, but youd be hard pressed to name a single policy that encapsulated his differences with weathered conservative orthodoxy; in the end, the change he proposed was about the age of the candidate rather than the novelty of his thinking. Martin OMalley was the only Democrat under 60 with the courage to take on Clinton (hes 53), but the guy who was once among the countrys most innovative young mayors ended up running, essentially, as a Sanders alternative. If OMalley had any compelling critique of rusty, industrial-age liberalism, he kept it to himself. No wonder, then, were in a generational rut. Find me a case of a young candidate who ever won with ascendant nostalgia. Bill Clinton assailed the liberal establishment of his party. George W. Bush argued for a new kind of conservatism. Obama, technically a boomer himself, promised an end to the toxic political culture (and then became mired in it). New leaders win when they can point to some promising, undiscovered path ahead. If the only path is one youve trod before, why not hire a guide whos already made the trip? The age of our leaders isnt always relevant. There are moments, I suppose, when the world changes at a predictable and manageable pace, when technology and social orders evolve in a way that makes them recognizable to everyone. The 1980s were probably like that. Reagan governed at the zenith of broadcast television, which was a medium he had been dominating, more or less, for 20 years leading up to then. He didnt feel out of time. But our moment isnt like that. And in November, we will elect a president who didnt grow up with cellphones or email, who never dated or did back-to-school shopping online, who works hard to grasp the cultural and economic norms of a digital world but who will always be reaching back for some frame of reference. The health outlook for either candidate, I trust, is just fine. The prognosis for our politics is another story. Federal investigators who questioned Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger the day after the "Miracle on the Hudson" say the forthcoming movie about the hero pilot unfairly portrays them. Read: See Tom Hanks as Captain 'Sully' Sullenberger in New Movie Trailer The Clint Eastwood-helmed Sully will open in theaters Friday and is the true story of the hero pilot who splash-landed his stricken airliner on the Hudson River after a bird strike shortly after taking off from New York's LaGuardia Airport in January 2009. Starring Tom Hanks as the real-life pilot, the film was a hit at both the Telluride and Toronto Film Festivals. The movie shows Sully being grilled and his judgment questioned following the dramatic landing. Malcolm Brenner was a National Transportation Safety Board official who grilled Sully. It does bother me, he told Inside Edition. He claims the NTSB never second guessed the captain, saying: He decided that here you have the river, it is unobstructed, there is a chance of surviving, he can save his passengers by going down there and no one in the room questioned that decision. Eastwood spoke about the government's alleged treatment of the pilot. Read: Meryl Streep Is on a Mission to Convince Clint Eastwood to Vote for Hillary Clinton In a publicity video for the film, the Academy Award-winning director said: Until I read the script, I didn't know the investigative board was trying to paint the picture that he had done the wrong thing. They were kind of railroading him into 'it was his fault. Brenner says no one doubted Sully's courage that day. He calls Sully a hero, adding: He has an integrity. I was impressed then and Im impressed now. Watch: 45 Years After 'Love Story,' The Movie's Stars Return to Harvard Related Articles: by Kelli Hill Capt. Chesley Sully Sullenberger became a national hero on January 15, 2009, when he landed US Airways flight 1549 on the Hudson River in New York City, saving the lives of his crew and the 150 passengers on board. The flight had taken off from LaGuardia Airport, encountered a bird strike and just 208 seconds later, was floating in the Hudson. Sullys emergency landing became known as the Miracle on the Hudson. Yahoo Global News Anchor Katie Couric sat down with Oscar-winning director Clint Eastwood and actors Tom Hanks and Aaron Eckhart to talk about their new movie, Sully, and the untold story behind that miracle landing. In the film, Eastwood focuses on what happened after that day, when Sully and his co-pilot, Jeff Skiles, played by Hanks and Eckhart respectively, faced intense questioning by the National Transportation Safety Board about their decision to land the plane in the river. The investigation was not widely publicized. It was just private meetings and asking a lot of questions, and thats their job, Eastwood said, but theres no reason for an accident like that other than the fact that it happened. The NTSB doesnt get to question the participants in an air disaster, Hanks added. It was unique that everyone had survived and they were investigating a successful forced water landing. Hanks was ready to take a break from acting when he read the screenplay written by Todd Komarnicki, and felt he couldnt say no to playing Capt. Sully. I had no idea the concept of the PTSD, of the pressure that this man felt, Hanks told Couric. All the little tiny, small details of how he got through, honestly the worst nine months of his life, after being celebrated like hes some kind of combination of Elvis and Superman. On how Capt. Sully knew the plane lost both engines Both Hanks and Eckhart spoke with Sully and Skiles during filming about that day in the cockpit and the events that followed. I talked to Jeff on the phone and he explained everything that was going on mentally and physically with him and how he dealt with it. Eckhart said. I think the most interesting thing that people want to know is what were you thinking while this was happening, and they didnt have time to think. They just had time to react and rely on their training. Story continues Eastwood on his own emergency water landing Eastwood had himself been in a water landing at age 21, when he was passenger in a military plane. It was a good water landing, much like Sully did. The plane didnt float though. We had about 30 seconds to get out of it, Eastwood said. The pilot said, What do you think? to me, and I said, I guess were going swimming. Even after the NTSB questioned Sullys actions on that day, there is no denying Sullys decisions saved the lives of the everyone on that plane with his quick thinking. The fact is that Sully is a star, Eastwood said. When he walks in the room, he is a little more than the average man as far as his presence. PARIS (Reuters) - Hot, dry weather over the past two months has damaged European Union maize (corn) crops and this year's harvest is now expected to be almost as bad as in 2015 when production was also hit by drought. Consultancy Strategie Grains plans to downgrade its grain maize harvest forecast in its monthly report next week due to take account of dry weather damage in large producing countries such as France, Romania, Bulgaria and Poland, analyst Benoit Fayaud told Reuters. Better harvests in other major EU maize producers such as Hungary, Italy, Austria and Slovakia would only help cushion the decline, he said. The 28-member bloc harvested 57.4 million tonnes of maize last year, down from a record 75.7 million in 2014. In its previous report, Strategie Grains cut its output estimate to 60.6 million tonnes from 61.7 million. The European Commission cut its maize production forecast last week to 62.5 million tonnes from 65.5 million. "In France crops are not doing very well, mainly in the western part of the country, because of the dry weather over the past two months as well as difficult sowing conditions," Fayaud at Strategie Grains said. "It's a double punishment." Prior to the recent hot weather, rains delayed maize sowings in the spring in France, the EU's top maize producer. The trade consensus for this year's harvest in France is about 12.5 million tonnes, which would be the lowest since 2003, although some warn further dry weather forecast in the coming week could make the final result even worse. "We could fall below 12 million tonnes if these dry conditions continue," one trader said. France harvested 13.5 million tonnes of grain maize in 2015, farm ministry data showed. The maize growers union noted that many French crops have been turned into fodder maize because they were too damaged by drought to end the growth cycle, which would dent the final grain maize harvest further. The grain maize harvest is due to kick off in about 10 days in France while fodder maize cuttings have already started. In Romania, the harvest is in full swing with results varying widely from one region to another, grain expert Nicolae Sitaru of the APPR maize farmers association said. "As the campaign is looking now ... we can reach last year's production, but one shouldn't forget that last year was a pretty bad year for maize," Sitaru said. Romania's 2015 maize harvest fell 26 percent to 8.9 million tonnes at a meager yield of 3.5 tonnes per hectare. In Hungary, the third EU producer after France and Romania, the maize crop is expected to rise to 7.99 million tonnes this year from 6.6 million tonnes harvest in 2015, official estimates showed on Monday. Poland, also a large EU maize grower, has experienced dry weather in recent weeks but is set to rebound from a particularly poor 2015 harvest, analysts said. "Following last years poor crop, we may actually harvest a good one this year," analyst Wojtek Sabaranski of Sparks Polska said, pegging the harvest at about 4 million tonnes, up 30 percent. (Reporting by Sybille de La Hamaide and Valerie Parent in Paris, Gergely Szakacs in Bucharest and Radu Marinas in Budapest; editing by David Clarke) A man has been arrested in connection with the theft of a reported $3 million worth of jewelry taken from Drake's tour bus. The robbery took place on Tuesday while Drake was performing at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. NBC 12 News in Phoenix reports that Arizona State University police arrested the suspect, Travion King, early Wednesday morning when he was caught trespassing on the college's Tempe, AZ, campus and was found with the jewelry. The jewelry, which reportedly belongs to Drake's DJ, Future the Prince, had been stored in a briefcase on the bus. Authorities believe that it was a targeted theft made by someone who would likely know the area since the busses were located in the lower section of the venue's garage. Police told NBC 12 News that King "had done contract work with venues in the past." King was described as transient by police and was charged with felony burglary, according to TMZ. In more positive Drake news, Kanye West revealed that he and Drake are working on a collaborative album. Drake is currently in the midst of his Summer Sixteen tour with Future, which headed to Los Angeles on Wednesday for a three-night stint at Staples Center. Related Content: (STOCKHOLM) Swedish prosecutors will have to drop a six-year-old rape investigation against Julian Assange unless they find a way to interrogate the WikiLeaks founder at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, a top investigator said Wednesday. Ecuador recently said it has approved a Swedish request to question Assange at the embassy, where he has been holed up for four years, but prosecutors said the details remain to be worked out. We are now awaiting information on how and when the questioning will take place, and whether we will be allowed to be present, Director of Public Prosecution Marianne Ny told reporters in Stockholm. Ny said prosecutors would prefer to interrogate Assange in person, but would also accept to send a list of questions and let Ecuadorian officials handle the questioning, as the South American country has proposed. The rape allegation stems from Assanges visit to Sweden in 2010. He denies the allegation as well as other less serious allegations of sexual misconduct against two women for which the statute of limitations has expired. Chief prosecutor Ingrid Isgren said the questioning is crucial to the case, which has turned into a diplomatic back-and-forth involving Sweden, Britain and Ecuador. We will not be able to indict Julian Assange if we are not able to interview him first, Isgren said. She said Swedish law requires prosecutors to question a suspect and inform him of the suspicions against him before filing a formal indictment. Assange sought shelter at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London in 2012 after British courts rejected his attempts to fight extradition to Sweden. Assange fears that if he is extradited to Sweden he will be sent to the United States to be prosecuted for WikiLeaks publication of secret documents, including reams of U.S. diplomatic cables. Prosecutors working on the Swedish case have had no contact with U.S. authorities, Isgren said. The news conference with Ny and Isgren came ahead of an investigative report on the case, scheduled to be aired Wednesday evening by Swedish broadcaster SVT. Story continues The broadcaster posted a preview clip where Assange declines to discuss the case, saying the proper place for that is in a formal statement to the Swedish prosecutor. Thats something that she has avoided for six years. Ny initially refused to interview Assange at the embassy, demanding that he come to Sweden. She agreed to do so only after a Swedish court told her to speed up the investigation. We feel that the only viable option to get some progress is to conduct the interview in this manner, Ny said. The statute of limitations for rape is 10 years in Sweden, meaning it would expire in 2020 if prosecutors havent filed an indictment by then. AMMAN (Reuters) - Syria said on Thursday it was ready to cooperate with the global chemical weapons watchdog over accusations it had used poison gas against insurgent held areas. A Syrian foreign ministry statement said Damascus was ready to cooperate with a team of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) currently in Syria and looking into incidents Damascus blames on "terror groups and their foreign operatives". A joint investigation by the United Nations and the chemical weapons watchdog last month found Syrian government troops were responsible for two toxic gas attacks and that Islamic State militants had used sulfur mustard gas, according to a report seen by Reuters. The year-long U.N. and OPCW inquiry - unanimously authorized by the U.N. Security Council - focused on nine attacks in seven areas of Syria. The results set the stage for a Security Council showdown between the five veto-wielding powers, likely pitting Russia and China against the United States, Britain and France over whether sanctions should be imposed after the inquiry. Diplomatic sources say there have been discussions between Washington and other powers in the Security Council on a resolution that would impose sanctions, moves that have long been opposed by Moscow, a staunch ally of President Bashar al Assad's government. Syrian defense workers operating in rebel-held areas said Syrian helicopters dropped bombs with chlorine on the Sukri neighborhood of Aleppo on Tuesday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Wednesday that one person had died as a result of the attack that caused dozens of cases of suffocation. The Syrian army denied the accusations. (Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; editing by Ralph Boulton) United Nations (United States) (AFP) - More than 70 Syrian aid groups are suspending cooperation with the United Nations, accusing UN humanitarian agencies and their partners of being manipulated by the regime, according to a letter released Thursday. In the letter to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the 73 signatories demanded an investigation of the UN agencies' work in Syria and called for a monitoring body to be set up to oversee the relief effort. "It has become clear to many organizations that the Syrian government in Damascus has a significant and substantial influence on the performance of UN agencies based in Damascus as well as their partners," including the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, said the letter. Among the signatories were the Syrian American Medical Society and the Syrian Civil Defense, known as the White Helmets, who are active in opposition-held areas. The groups announced they were pulling out of a UN information-sharing program for aid deliveries and would propose a new mechanism "where there is no political influence in any aspect of it." "The Syrian government has interfered with the delivery of humanitarian assistance in multiple instances," the aid groups wrote. They took aim at the failure of the United Nations to deliver aid to nearly 600,000 people living in besieged areas, most of which are surrounded by President Bashar al-Assad's forces. British newspaper The Guardian last month reported that UN aid contracts worth tens of millions of dollars have gone to people closely associated with Assad despite US and European Union sanctions. The newspaper's analysis of hundreds of UN contracts granted since the Syrian conflict began in 2011 showed many awarded to companies run by or linked to regime players who are under US and EU sanctions. But the United Nations defended its actions, saying it had to work with the Syrian government to ensure aid deliveries. Story continues The Guardian found that two UN agencies had partnered with the Syria Trust charity, an organization started and chaired by Assad's wife Asma, spending a total of $8.5 million. It also said the UN had given money to the state-owned fuel supplier, which is under EU sanctions, and to Syria's national blood bank, which is controlled by Assad's defense ministry. Money also went to the Al-Bustan Association, owned and run by Assad's billionaire cousin Rami Makhlouf, who is Syria's most notorious and powerful tycoon. The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization had given $13.3 million to the Syrian agriculture ministry, which is on the EU sanctions list, the Guardian said. More than 290,000 people have been killed in the war, now in its sixth year, and international efforts to end the conflict have faltered. By Tom Perry BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian Kurdish groups and their allies will approve a constitution for a new system of government in northern Syria next month, a top Kurdish politician said, defying a Turkish incursion aimed at curbing Kurdish influence in the area. The new system will be established in parts of the north where Kurdish groups have already carved out autonomous regions since the start of the Syrian conflict in 2011, alarming Turkey which fears the rise of Kurdish influence on its border. "We have decided to convene a meeting of the founding assembly of the federal system at the start of October, and we will declare our system in northern Syrian," Hadiya Yousef, who chairs the assembly, said in an interview. "We will not retreat from this project. On the contrary, we will work to implement it," she said. "The Turkish intervention will not obstruct us." Kurdish officials say the new system will deepen and widen the existing autonomous administration, allowing for an expansion into areas that have been captured from Islamic State by Kurdish militia and their allies from other ethnic groups. The plan underscores the Kurds' emergence as a major force in Syria since the onset of its war. While Kurdish officials deny suggestions they aim to establish a Kurdish state, they do not hide their goal of safeguarding their autonomy in a country where they faced systematic discrimination before the conflict. Their unilateral moves are taking place against a backdrop of international failure to promote a wider peace. Their efforts are opposed by both the Syrian government and its Sunni rebel opponents, but underpinned by one of the most powerful militias in the country, the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). Turkey views the YPG as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged a three-decade insurgency for Kurdish autonomy in southeastern Turkey. But the YPG has also been an important partner for the United States in its campaign against Islamic State in Syria. Turkey's incursion into Syria has targeted a 100 km (60 mile) stretch of territory between the two main Kurdish-controlled areas of northern Syria, obstructing plans to link up territory known in Kurdish as Rojava. Syrian rebels backed by Turkey and hostile to the YPG have moved into the area since the incursion began late last month. Turkey aims to both drive Islamic State from the border, and to prevent further Kurdish gains. Yousef said she expected a city captured by Kurdish-allied forces last month to join the federal system, though the Turkish-backed rebels are also laying claim to it. The city, Manbij, is to the west of the Euphrates River. "According to our view ... the people of Manbij are eager to join the federal system and accept it," Yousef said. "I believe Manbij will enter the borders of the federal system." Both the United States and Turkey have demanded the Kurdish YPG militia withdraw from positions west of the Euphrates. The YPG says it has done so. Turkey and its Syrian rebel allies say it has not. Manbij was captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces alliance, which includes the YPG, in a U.S.-backed operation. The United States voiced opposition to the federal plans when they were first announced in March. Yousef said the Kurdish groups and their allies were still seeking to link up the regions, or cantons. "We are working to reach the Afrin canton," she said, referring to a region of northwestern Syria. "We will not retreat from that." The constitution, known as the social contract, will be approved by a 151-member council chaired by Yousef. Work will then begin on a law for elections to be conducted at the local level, to be followed later by regional elections. The draft constitution names the city of Qamishli at the Turkish border as the capital of the new federal region, she said. The Turkish-backed rebels have clashed with Kurdish-allied forces north of Manbij since the Turkish incursion began on Aug. 24. A Turkish-backed Syrian rebel commander told Reuters this week he expected a battle for Manbij soon because the YPG had not withdrawn. Yousef said: "We will certainly respond to any attack that the Turks mount against our forces." Kurdish officials say their autonomous system will guarantee the rights of all groups and become a blueprint for the kind of decentralized state needed to end the Syrian war. Some 30 million Kurds are estimated to live in Iran, Turkey, Iraq and in Syria. Kurdish groups have enjoyed autonomy in northern Iraq since the 1990s. (Writing by Tom Perry; editing by Giles Elgood) BEIRUT (Reuters) - A Syrian military source denied on Wednesday accusations that the army had launched a chlorine gas attack on a rebel-held neighborhood of Aleppo. The Syrian Civil Defence, a rescue workers' organization which operates in rebel-held areas, said government helicopters dropped barrel bombs containing chlorine on Tuesday on the Sukari neighborhood in Aleppo's eastern sector. "We have not and will not use at any point this type of weapon," the Syrian military source said. The accusation was an attempt by rebels to divert public attention away from their defeats, the source added. The Syrian army, backed by allied forces including Iraqi and Lebanese Shi'ite militias, on Sunday encircled the rebel-held part of Aleppo where more than 250,000 people are estimated to live. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Wednesday that one person had died as a result of the attack that caused dozens of cases of suffocation on Tuesday. A United Nations and Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) inquiry seen by Reuters last month found that Syrian government forces were responsible for two toxic gas attacks in 2014 and 2015 involving the use of chlorine. (Editing by Dominic Evans) By William James LONDON (Reuters) - Syria's main opposition negotiating group would reject any deal struck by Russia and the United States on Syria's fate that was very different from its own proposed transition plan, the group's general coordinator Riyad Hijab said on Wednesday. The High Negotiations Committee, which is backed by Saudi Arabia and Western powers and has been involved in stalled U.N.-mediated peace talks, presented its road map to a new political settlement for Syria at a meeting in London. The proposed process would start with six months of negotiations to set up a transitional administration made up of figures from the opposition, the government and civil society. It would require President Bashar al-Assad to leave office at the end of those six months. The transitional body would then run the country for 18 months, after which there would be elections. "If what the Russians and the Americans agree upon is very much different from what the Syrians aspire to, then we shall not accept it," Hijab said. "It's not a question of keeping Assad in for six months or one month or one day, in this transitional period. The Russians and Americans know that. They know the position of the Syrian people, they have sacrificed a lot and they will not give up this demand." BEHIND THE SCENES EFFORTS Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the group's proposals offered the first credible picture of a peaceful Syria without Assad. "There is still a chance that this vision can be made to work," Johnson wrote in a column in Wednesday's Times newspaper. "If the Russians and Americans can together create a ceasefire, then the talks can restart in Geneva with the difference, perhaps, that all sides will by then have seen at least the scaffolding of a post-Assad Syria." Moscow and Washington are backing opposite sides in the 5-1/2-year-old Syrian conflict, with the Russians fighting on Assad's side while the Americans back opposition groups and insist Assad must go. The two powers have been negotiating in recent days, with Presidents Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin meeting for 90 minutes on Monday on the sidelines of a G20 meeting in China, but failed to reach an agreement. Speaking after talks with leaders from the Friends of Syria group in London, HNC spokesman Salem Al Meslet said the plan had been well received, but that it was up to the U.S. and Russia to reach a deal that could move the situation forward. "We fear that they reach an agreement that does not really help Syrians because... when Mr Obama has just a few months left he might just sign any agreement just to accomplish something before he leaves the White House," he told reporters. "I'm afraid Russia might take advantage of that." Hijab said the greatest challenge in achieving political transition came from the outside powers, pointing the finger at Iran's Revolutionary Guards, other regional militias, and above all, Russia for protecting Assad. "What Mr Lavrov has put on the table about Assad will not solve the problem," Hijab said, accusing Moscow of using proscribed weapons to shore up Assad's regime. Regional power Iran, arch-enemy of Saudi Arabia, is Assad's strongest supporter and is determined to keep him in power in Damascus. (Writing by Estelle Shirbon; editing by Ralph Boulton and Dominic Evans) By Dahlia Nehme MECCA, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - Syrians from territory held by opposing sides in the civil war prayed together for peace as they flew to Mecca for the haj, even as President Bashar al-Assad's government accused Saudi Arabia of politicizing the annual Muslim pilgrimage. Riyadh has no diplomatic ties with Damascus and requires Syrians seeking to make the haj to obtain visas in third countries through a committee controlled by the Syrian National Coalition (SNC), an anti-Assad opposition body. "Saudi Arabia now does not deal with the legitimate government (in Syria) but rather with individuals who are not recognized, and thus the responsibility for protecting these people falls on the Saudi government," Sheikh Ahmed al-Jazaily, an advisor at Syria's Islamic Affairs ministry, told Reuters by telephone. Tamam al-Khatib, an SNC official, said Saudi Arabia gave the group 9,000 visas for Syrian pilgrims residing in Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Turkey. For Syria, which had 23 million people before the war, that is far less than its usual quota of 1,000 visas per million Muslims, Jazaily said. All able-bodied Muslims who have the means are expected to make the pilgrimage once in their lifetimes. Whichever side they came from, Syrians on board a flight from Beirut to Mecca made no mention of their differences and said the pilgrimage transcended politics. Safaa, 40, said she had traveled from government-controlled Damascus with her parents, her sister, her brother and his wife, despite the difficulty of arranging the trip. "All our friends and relatives in Damascus asked us to make special prayers for them while in the Grand Mosque," said Safaa, wearing the seamless white cloth all pilgrims must use during haj. "God willing, we will pray for them and all of Syria." Mariam, 60, made the journey from Talfita, an opposition-held village north of the Syrian capital. "We left the war and suffering and came to haj. By God ... I long to see the Prophet," she said, as her cousin Khadra gazed at white clouds and the yellow desert below. "May God give Syria a remission." None of the Syrian pilgrims who spoke to Reuters on the flight would give their surnames, to protect relatives back home. Nor would any say which side they support in the five year conflict, which has killed hundreds of thousands of people and made 11 million Syrians homeless. Open discussion of politics is traditionally barred during the haj. However, Reuters met only members of Syria's Sunni Muslim majority on the flight; there appeared to be no members of Assad's minority Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam, many of whose adherents see Saudi Arabia as a sectarian enemy. Jazaily, the Syrian government advisor, said Damascus would not block Syrians from taking part in the haj, but would not be able to offer them protection. "From our side, we are not stopping anybody from going to haj," he said. "But if a pilgrim goes on his own, are his rights protected? If they faced a problem, where will they turn?" (Editing by Sami Aboudi, William Maclean and Peter Graff) By Sayed Sarwar Amani KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Taliban forces fought their way deep into the capital of Afghanistan's central province of Uruzgan on Thursday, threatening government offices and capturing a prison before being pushed back, officials said. The attacks, in one of the country's top opium-producing areas, exposed how thinly stretched Afghan security forces have become as they try to contain Islamist insurgents in other areas of the country. In Uruzgan, militants had fought to within a few hundred meters of the governor's compound and police headquarters in Tarin Kot, a city of about 70,000 people, but by afternoon, officials said they had repelled the attacks. Reinforcements included General Abdul Raziq, a border police commander from the southern region of Kandahar with a fearsome reputation, said Dost Mohammed Nayab, a spokesman for the governor of Uruzgan. Aircraft and helicopters flew over the city, providing air support to embattled government troops, and the Taliban suffered heavy casualties, Nayab added. The offensive, and apparent government collapse in some areas, were reminiscent of the Taliban's swift but brief capture of Kunduz city last year, the first time the movement had seized a provincial capital since losing power in 2001. Bolstered by reinforcements and air support, security forces began to push the Taliban back in the early afternoon, said one resident, who asked not to be named for his own safety. "This morning was very bad, but the security situation is better now," he said. "This morning the circle of fighting was a kilometer or so from the main bazaar. The government and (officials) were all escaping to the airport and trying to get out to Kandahar." In the aftermath of the fighting, streets remained deserted and shops closed, with many families fleeing the city, the resident added. "The city won't be back to normal for a month at least. The shops, bakeries, restaurants are all closed. There are no vehicles on the streets, the city is just shut down." BLAME GAME BEGINS Leaders in Uruzgan had retreated to the airport, home to an Afghan military base, said a police official, who asked not to be named as he was not authorized to speak to the media. In the Afghan capital, Kabul, a spokesman for President Ashraf Ghani expressed confidence in the security forces in Tarin Kot. "Uruzgan will not turn into a terrorists' safe heaven," said Shah Hussain Murtazawi. In telephone interviews with Reuters, security officials were quick to assign blame for the initial collapse of the defenses. Provincial police chief Wais Samim said many officers in the city had made deals with the Taliban and abandoned checkpoints without a fight, while another police official accused the province's senior leadership of abandoning the city. In a statement late on Wednesday, the Taliban promised government forces protection if they surrendered peacefully. The city's prison fell to the advancing militants, but its occupants had previously been transferred to the airport, said Abdul Karim, head of the Uruzgan provincial council. In an online statement released early in the day, the Taliban said their fighters had entered the city and overrun at least seven checkpoints as well as the prison, with officials taking the prisoners as "hostages" and fleeing to the airport. Taliban militants have been waging an insurgency against the Western-backed government for 15 years, since they were toppled by a U.S.-led military intervention in 2001. Last year, the government retook Kunduz only after nearly two weeks of fighting, with elite Afghan troops backed up by U.S. special forces and warplanes. A spokesman for the U.S. military command in Kabul said officials were monitoring the situation, but there were no coalition advisers in Uruzgan and no U.S. air strikes during the latest fighting this week. At least 69 coalition troops died in Uruzgan during nearly a decade and a half of international military efforts to defeat the Taliban and other militant groups after 2001. The province is in a part of south-central Afghanistan long dominated by the Taliban and warlords who vie for access to its lucrative smuggling routes and illicit drug production. Uruzgan's opium output jumped 22 percent last year, the United Nations said. (Additional reporting by Mohammed Stanekzai in Lashkar Gah; Writing by Josh Smith; Editing by Nick Macfie, Clarence Fernandez and Mike Collett-White) By Will Dunham WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Genetic research on the world's tallest land animal has found that there are four distinct species of giraffe, not just one as long believed, with two of them at alarmingly low population levels. Scientists on Thursday unveiled a comprehensive genetic analysis of giraffes using DNA from 190 of the towering herbivores from across their range in Africa. The genetic data showed that four separate species of giraffes that do not interbreed in the wild inhabit various parts of the continent. "We were extremely surprised," said conservationist Julian Fennessy, co-director of the Namibia-based Giraffe Conservation Foundation. Beyond genetics, the researchers identified differences among the four species including body shape, coloration and coat patterns. Genetic differences among the four species were comparable to those between polar bears and brown bears, said geneticist Axel Janke of the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre and Goethe University in Germany. Until now, scientists had recognized a single species, with the scientific name Giraffa camelopardalis. The study identified the four separate species as: the southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa), with a population of 52,000; the Masai giraffe (Giraffa tippelskirchi), with 32,500; the reticulated giraffe (Giraffa reticulata), with 8,700; and the northern giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), with 4,750. "The conservation implications are immense and our findings will hopefully help put giraffe conservation on the map," Fennessy said. The giraffe currently is not listed as endangered, although its population has declined dramatically over the past three decades from more than 150,000 to fewer than 100,000, the researchers said. But the low population levels of the northern giraffe and reticulated giraffe make them some of the world's most endangered large mammals and of high conservation importance, Fennessy said. Giraffes stand up to about 18 feet (5.5 meters) tall, with long necks and legs, a sloped back and two to five short knobs called ossicones atop the head. They have a tan, white or yellowish coat blotched with brownish patches. They roam the savannas of central, eastern and southern Africa, as far north as Chad, south to South Africa, east to Somalia and west to Niger. Fennessy said the biggest threats to the giraffe include habitat destruction due to human population growth as well as poaching for bush meat, their tail hair and "medicinal" parts. Their closest relative is the long-necked African mammal called the okapi. The research was published in the journal Current Biology. (Reporting by Will Dunham; Editing by David Gregorio) By Kizito Makoye DAR ES SALAAM (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Tanzania has threatened to ban non-governmental groups that "promote" the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in the first public statement the government has made against the minority group. Gay sex is illegal in Tanzania and punishable by up to 30 years in prison. The East African country has a reputation for being more tolerant toward LGBTI people than its neighbor Uganda but recent comments attacking the group have sparked fears and condemnation from activists. In a statement late on Wednesday, the deputy minister for health, community, development and gender, Hamisi Kigwangala, said the Tanzanian government took traditional values seriously and would "always protect them". "I cannot deny the presence of LGBTI people in our country and the risk they pose in fuelling the spread of HIV/AIDS but we don't subscribe to the assertion that there's a 'gender continuum'," Kigwangala said. "We still recognize two traditional sexes and there's nothing in between or beyond ... Any effort to claim otherwise is not allowed. "Tanzania does not allow activist groups carrying out campaigns that promote homosexuality ... Any attempt to commit unnatural offences is illegal and severely punished by law," he added. Kigwangala's comments came a month after Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda announced a crackdown against gay people in Tanzania's commercial capital. He said he would use social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to identify and arrest people suspected of being gay in the port city. In July, the government announced it would ban imports and sales of lubricants to "curb" the spread of HIV. Kigwangala said the government, in conjunction with the Tanzania Commission for AIDS, had started to vet gay rights NGOs. Nurdeen Supa, a gay rights activist with LGBT Voice of Tanzania, an officially registered NGO, expressed concern the government move would further fuel discrimination against LGBTI people. "They are simply instilling fear in vulnerable people who live their lives without harming anybody," Supa told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. (Editing by Katie Nguyen. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org to see more stories) By Fumbuka Ng'wanakilala DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - Tanzania said on Wednesday it would not sign a regional trade deal with the European Union due to come into effect by Oct. 1, and urged neighbouring countries to back a delay pending discussions on its effect on the region's manufacturing sector. Kenya and Rwanda signed the deal earlier this month, but it needs approval from all members of the East African Community bloc - which also includes Burundi and Uganda - to take effect. The trade deal with the European Union gives EAC member states duty- and quota-free access for their goods to the EU as long as they meet the set health and safety standards. But Tanzania's Minister of Foreign Affairs Augustine Mahiga, describing the EU as an "industrial giant", said fledgling industries in his country would not be able to cope with zero-rated imports of European goods. "Tanzania will not sign the economic partnership agreement (EPA) until several issues are addressed," Mahiga told journalists in Dar es Salaam. EAC member states initialled an interim EPA deal in 2007 and another in 2014. Governments were given two years from the October 2014 agreement to ratify the deal in national parliaments. South Sudan, which joined the bloc this year, was not part of initial negotiations of the deal, which started in 2002. Kenya stands to lose the most without the deal signed, as other member states - including Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda - would still continue getting duty- and quota-free access under EU's Everything But Arms initiative since they are classified as Least Developed Countries. "If the EPA is not signed and ratified by all EAC partner states by Sept. 30, 2016, Kenya stands to lose its market to the EU, having significant impact on her economy," Kenya's Trade and Industrialisation Ministry said in a statement late last week. Governments in the region are also anxious to ensure that exports such as tea and fresh flowers, which are major sources of foreign exchange, are not hampered by any tariffs on trade with Britain after it leaves the European Union. Mahiga said Tanzania would urge regional leaders on Thursday to delay the signing of the deal at an EAC heads of state summit in Dar es Salaam to give more time for the bloc to renegotiate the agreement with the EU. The summit will be chaired by Tanzanian president John Magufuli and Rwandan president Paul Kagame and Uganda's Yoweri Museveni will attend, Tanzania's foreign affairs ministry said on Wednesday. The presidents of Kenya and Burundi will send representatives to the meeting, Tanzanian officials said. (Additional reporting by George Obulutsa in Nairobi; editing by Dominic Evans) cruz-0 Getty Image Ted Cruz is not too pleased with President Obamas plan to relinquish control of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). The shift is scheduled for October 1, and Cruz and other GOP lawmakers are not about to let it happen without a fight. It must be noted that iCANN doesnt control internet content and gears itself mainly towards coordinating a uniform policy on the domain name system. Today our country faces a threat to the internet as we know it. In 22 short days, if Congress fails to act, the Obama administration intends to give away the internet to an international body akin to the United Nations, Cruz said on the Senate floor Thursday. I rise today to discuss the significant, irreparable damage this proposed internet giveaway could wreak not only on our nation, but on free speech across the world. Cruz, who chairs the Senate Judiciary oversight subcommittee, has scheduled a hearing for next week to investigate possible dangers of the plan. The Texas Senator has already launched a website, which displays an ominous countdown until Obama gives away the Internet. Cruz also narrates his own gloomy PSA, which you can see below. Right now, the Obama administration is trying to push through a radical proposal to give away control of the Internet to foreign countries, his voiceover warns. ICANN would empower countries like Russia and China and Iran. On Wednesday, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, said that Senate Republicans will be including language to delay the transition in a resolution to fund the government. House Republicans are also thinking about adding similar rhetoric to an upcoming appropriations bill, according to Politico. (Via Politico, Fortune, Duke Law Journal) VIENTIANE (Reuters) - Thailand and Malaysia will discuss plans to build a wall along their shared border, Thai officials said on Thursday, a day before Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is set to meet his counterpart in Bangkok. People-trafficking and the smuggling of drugs and weapons are among the transnational crimes that have flourished along the 640-km (398-mile) Thai-Malay border, until a crackdown by Thailand last year disrupted regional trafficking routes. Najib is to meet Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on an official visit that will focus on security cooperation and investment. The wall is on the agenda for the meeting, said a Thai foreign ministry official. "It will be on the agenda during Najib's visit, but it will not be the biggest item on the agenda," foreign ministry spokesman Chinawut Setawat told Reuters at a regional meeting in the Laotian capital of Vientiane. "It is still at the memorandum of understanding phase," said Colonel Yutthanam Petchmuang, a spokesman for Thailand's Internal Security Operations Command. Malaysia's foreign ministry did not respond to a request from Reuters for comment. Najib's visit follows three deadly bomb attacks in southern Thailand over the past month, including a wave of bombs in tourist towns in August that Thai police have linked to Muslim separatists operating in the country's south. The porous Thai-Malay border has also been a site for the smuggling of weapons, drugs and illegal oil. After taking power in a May 2014 coup, Thailand's junta promised what it called a "zero tolerance" policy of human trafficking and launched a nationwide crackdown on vice and crime. In January 2004, a shadowy separatist insurgency by ethnic Malays resurfaced in Thailand, after simmering for decades. Since then, 6,500 people have been killed, says Deep South Watch, a body that monitors the violence. Thailand's three southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat were once part of an independent Malay Muslim sultanate until they were annexed by Thailand in 1909. Two issues in particular have spurred the interest of Malaysia and Thailand in building a border wall, said Srisompop Jitpiromsri, director of Deep South Watch. "The first is to stop the flow of illegal goods, whether it is petrol, drugs or human trafficking," he told Reuters. "The second reason is that insurgents operating in Thailand regularly cross the border and use Malaysia as a safety base." Yet it remains unclear how far the wall will reduce crime. "There are still many logistical issues to address before building the wall," Srisompop said. "It's a tremendously long area." (Reporting by Amy Sawitta Lefevre in Vientiane; Additional reporting by Cod Satrusayang in Bangkok; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Port-au-Prince (AFP) - Throngs of mourners attended the funeral Thursday for a Catholic sister from Spain who was shot dead last week on a highway in Haiti. "People are dying and the authorities do not care at all," said Mimose Targette, a leader at the same church where Sister Isabel Sola Macas, 51, played guitar every morning. Macas was driving in downtown Port-au-Prince early Friday when she was gunned down by unidentified attackers who shot her twice in the chest -- a shocking act even in this poverty-stricken and politically insecure nation where acts of violence are not uncommon. The passenger next to Macas was also hit and is still receiving treatment in a hospital in the capital city. "Sister Isa helped people from poor neighborhoods and these are the same people who killed her," Targette said. Top religious leaders as well as everyday citizens filed past her open coffin Thursday and offered condolences to her four siblings who came to Port-au-Prince for the funeral. Haitian police said progress had been made in the investigation but declined to share any details. "We know that the investigation will lead to nothing, so it's still one more person who has spilled her blood for nothing," Catholic sister Sandra Thomas said. "But we are going to continue fighting in our own way so that Haiti finally rises from the ashes because we are not going to leave this country by itself," she added. iot village defcon Your home may be getting smarter but it is not getting more secure. The "Internet of Things" is all the rage in the technology space these days, as companies sell light bulbs controlled by your smartphone, thermostats that learn your routine, or door locks that open when you get home. But unfortunately, many of these products lack basic security features, and that means they can probably be hacked. That point was made quite clear on Wednesday after Independent Security Evaluators shared exclusive results of its IoT hacking competition from the Def Con conference held in early August. The average person who is not in technology has probably never even thought of how something is hacked, but now when they realize the lock on the door of their house ... or the baby monitor that they use, theres research saying that someone can hack into the baby monitor," Ted Harrington, Executive Partner at ISE, told Business Insider. "That becomes much more real now for the average person. ISE hosted the IoT Village at the world's largest hacker conference last month with the goal of bringing together experts to learn, network, and find security vulnerabilities in connected devices so they could be fixed. Since it was the second year the contest was held, you might think manufacturers would be making it a lot harder for the hackers to find the flaws. Unfortunately, you'd be wrong. iot village 'Bad security practices are still the norm' Tucked away in a side room on the floor of the Bally's Hotel in Las Vegas, the IoT Village was one of many sections dedicated to a hacking subgroup, such as car hacking or lock-picking. But it may be one of the most important, since some 24 billion IoT devices will be online by 2020. The scope of attack surface is expanding," Harrington said, using a term for the different points where a hacker can gain access. "And not just attack surface, but the scope of vulnerable attack surface is expanding exponentially. Story continues In response, the IoT Village was created in 2015 to give hackers, security researchers, and hobbyists alike a platform through which they could find problems and get them corrected. And so far, it's been a big success for the hackers and a failure for the IoT manufacturers. Last year we proved the hypothesis that security vulnerabilities in connected devices is a systemic issue," Harrington said. This is not isolated to a specific type of manufacturer or specific type of product but rather, all these connected devices are showing issues. Researchers often found what were egregious flaws: Passwords written directly into the code for anyone to see, built-in backdoors, or devices that allow an attacker to execute malicious code over the Internet. All told in 2015, the hackers in the village uncovered 66 different "zero-day" vulnerabilities previously unknown and unfixed security issues across 28 different device types from 18 manufacturers. This year, they found 47 exploits in 23 devices from 21 different manufacturers. IoT village This year what we were interested in understanding was, had anything significantly changed? Harrington said. As it turns out, he said, "bad security practices are still the norm in IoT. Hackers motivated by the hunt There were two hacking contests in the village: One lets hackers search for zero-days, while the other pit them head-to-head in a digital "capture the flag" game for points. And once many of them got started, they didn't really stop for the next three days, except for the occasional bathroom break or to go to sleep in their room. "They were sort of like the people in line when the iPod came out," Harrington said of some hackers who were there even before ISE showed up. "Its the hunt that really motivates them. Researcher Anthony Rose of Merculite Security had a particular interest in locks: He owned everything from the world's first "smart" bike lock to another lock for the home that opens via a smartphone. As he found, a hacker could unlock these devices often with minimal effort. Others found problems with a Samsung smart refrigerator, an undisclosed thermostat, and a device that controls solar panels powering a home. "I can shut down the equivalent of a small to mid-sized power generation facility," Fred Bret-Mounet told IoT Village organizers. "I can use that device as a Trojan within a target's network to spy on them. It looks very likely that I can remotely physically damage a solar array using this manufacturer's device." In other words, Bret-Mounet claimed, a hacker could potentially spy on someone in their home through their computer webcam by first hacking the solar panels, since they are often connected to the same network. The village also hosted workshops where experts guided attendees through hands-on demonstrations, and talks presented the latest research on what's happened over the last year. One researcher showed how he could ruin things inside a smart fridge via the Internet, for example. iot village One of the researchers found a ransomware exploit a way to leverage ransomware on thermostats which was pretty cool," Harrington said. While the thought of a criminal holding your fridge or thermostat hostage and asking for cash can be terrifying, Harrington says manufacturers are slowly improving, and the mindset toward research coming out of the village has changed even more. It's also worth mentioning that a home computer or phone with plenty of personal data and documents is a much bigger target than the light bulb hovering over your kitchen table. The point of research in the IoT Village is less about demonstrating what hackers will do, but what they can do as the ultimate goal is to influence companies to prioritize security. It wasnt that long ago, 10 years ago maybe, when security researchers, the way that companies dealt with them was actually through litigation," Harrington said. "The findings of security research out of places like IoT village, what theyre doing is theyre starting to make awareness about security issues start to weave its way into mainstream thinking." Now if you don't mind, I have to go and change the password on my fridge. NOW WATCH: We did a blind taste test of KFC and Popeyes fried chicken here's the verdict More From Business Insider By Piya Sinha-Roy LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - When a US Airways pilot landed a damaged plane in the Hudson River in the middle of winter, saving all 155 people on board, he was immediately hailed a hero - but even heroes can be crumbling on the inside. "Sully," directed by Clint Eastwood and out in theaters on Friday, follows the immediate aftermath of the extraordinary events on Jan. 15, 2009 that saw Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger land the plane on the Hudson after the Airbus A320-214's two engines were destroyed by a flock of birds. Following the landing, Sully, played by Tom Hanks, and his co-pilot Jeff Skiles (Aaron Eckhart) faced a lengthy National Transportation Safety Board investigation, which tried to determine whether Sully and Skiles had made an error and thus, put both their long-standing reputations at risk. The film spotlights the post-traumatic stress disorder that Sully faces as the world around him hails him as a hero. He struggles through vivid nightmares reliving different versions of the event where the plane crashes into New York buildings, an image that brings to mind the tragedy of 9/11. While Sullenberger's actions were extraordinary, Hanks told Reuters that the captain's mental anguish throughout the hearing was "a human experience that a lot of people find relatable, because all of us at some point have been woken up by a dream that has bothered us." Sullenberger in turn praised Hanks' portrayal, saying "it's amazing how good he is at his craft and how he's able to in very subtle ways, to do things, say things, behave in such a way that it seems like me." The film examines the sequence of events that led Sully and Skiles to land the plane on the Hudson with numerous variations, each one allowing the audience to "learn something new" about the flight, Hanks said. "What you get from the recreations we did is how many people were involved in the aftermath, but also how specific it did come down to those two guys in the cockpit," the Oscar winner said. Eckhart said Eastwood, a famed actor and Academy Award-winning director, brought a level of experience to the film that echoed both Sully's experience as a pilot and Hanks' experience as an actor - a tale of a hero told by seasoned veterans in the industry. "Everybody looks at Clint throughout his movie career as this hero. He's this man to us and that's what Sully (is)," Eckhart said. "He's a born leader; he has that aura about him." (This version of the story has been filed again to fix typos in plane in fourth paragraph, and in Sullenberger in fifth paragraph) (Reporting by Piya Sinha-Roy; Editing by Jonathan Oatis) The fact that the first major deal at the 2016 Toronto Film Festival is for a film that isnt here Focus Features won the untitled 50s London fashion industry drama that Paul Thomas Anderson will direct with Daniel Day-Lewis underscores how profoundly the independent theatrical acquisitions has turned toward pre-buys of film packages. Toronto has always been viewed as a terrific place for distributors to launch Oscar-season films, and to supplement their slates with acquisitions of finished films. Deals were sluggish last Toronto: STX made the splashiest deal for Hardcore Henry, Bleecker Street got the top earner in Eye In The Sky and Michael Moores docu Where To Invade Next was done in by his insistence on bypassing Netflix for a theatrical release and then being walloped by pneumonia and unable to promote it. I am getting the impression that buyers are ready to be wowed, and that there will be several large deals either during the festival or right after. If I had any advice, it would be for buyers to consider extending their return trip if it means missing Birth Of The Dragon, which wont be screened until 3 PM Tuesday at the Ryerson, and probably wont last until subsequent screenings are set for L.A. I saw the picture, part fact and part fable about a legendary brawl that Bruce Lee fought against Shaolin master Wong Jack Man. The George Nolfi-directed film from Groundswell is a throwback to the spirit of Lees 70s martial arts hits and has real breakout mainstream potential even if the most recognizable stars are the characters of Lee and Steve McQueen. There will also likely be a quick deal for the Pablo Larrain-directed Jackie, the drama that stars Natalie Portman as Jackie Kennedy as she secures her husbands legacy in the week following his assassination. The picture got exquisite reviews in its debut at the Venice Film Festival and offers are coming in. Buyers have been primed for the picture since Cannes when promo footage was shown, even though they didnt bite back then. That pre-buy restraint is changing. There are plenty of finished films here that are high on buyer lists, but dont be surprised if some of the biggest sales come in unexpected places. All of the major agents who preface festival conversations by counting all the pictures launching here that they packaged in pre-buy deals tell me theyve got a few plum projects in their pockets. Strong sales candidates not on the Toronto slate include The Leisure Seeker, the Paolo Virzi-directed romp that stars Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland as a couple that takes an adventure in a Winnebago. Another is We Do Not Forget, the Zach Helm-directed drama that stars Daniel Radcliffe and Zachary Quinto in a fictionalized showdown between hacker activists and a ruthless Mexican drug cartel. Other promos buyers will see include the Danny Strong-directed JD Salinger drama Rebel In The Rye with Nicholas Hoult, Kevin Spacey and Laura Dern starring. Others Im hearing rumors of include the Fernando Trueba-directed The Queen Of Spain with Penelope Cruz. Other possible surprises could include packages like I, Tonya, the drama that will have Margot Robbie playing disgraced Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding, with Craig Gillespie directing. That picture is looking like a real thing with financier Len Blavatnik circling, with shooting likely to start early next year. There are plenty more where that one came from. Some reports have painted a picture of caution caused by the hardships facing the record-setting Sundance film The Birth of A Nation following Deadlines revelation of a 17-year-old rape charge against filmmaker-star Nate Parker (he was acquitted). Buyers and agents dont expect it to be a factor as they look for slate-filling films. The glare on Parker because of the circumstances of the incident and the subsequent suicide of the woman 12 years later certainly tarnishes the charmed Oscar track the picture was on, but it is a total anomaly. Distributors need quality product and seem willing to pay for it, as evidenced by the way Focus stepped up on the PTA-Day-Lewis film which constitutes roughly twice the financial outlay of Parkers Sundance film. The other area worth watching is Midnight Madness, where some of the most profitable genre titles are hatched. Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions president Steven Bersch reminds that finding those frightful gems isnt easy. Bersch is riding high on the genre thriller Dont Breathe, but the title of his Toronto experience ought to be Dont Sleep. I remember when we bought Insidious, he said. It was my second or third Toronto, so I still had the energy, but this was my fifth midnight movie in a row, on a Tuesday night. The reason we got it is, everybody sent junior executives, but I dragged myself there. While everybody was sleeping, we were making a deal, with FilmDistrict doing domestic, and we closed at 6:10 in the morning. Everybody woke up hearing it was pretty good, but by then it was gone. We just announced Insidious 4, so it was worth it, but it isnt easy. Here are the titles that buyers and sellers are most high on: BIRTH OF THE DRAGON Director: George Nolfi. Cast: Billy Magnussen, Xia Yu, Philip Ng. Set against the backdrop of San Franciscos Chinatown in 1964, this cross-cultural biopic chronicles Bruce Lees emergence as a martial arts superstar after his legendary secret showdown with Shaolin master Wong Jack Man. Details of the fight staged in front of a handful of witnesses are still disputed, but it launched Lees star and cemented his legacy as the man who brought kung fu to the world. 1st Screening: Tuesday, September 13, 3 PM Ryerson Theatre COLOSSAL Director: Nacho Vigalondo. Cast: Anne Hathaway, Jason Sudeikis, Dan Stevens, Austin Stowell, Tim Blake Nelson. An aimless party girl discovers a mysterious connection between herself and a giant monster wreaking havoc on the other side of the globe. 1st Screening: Friday, September 9, 9 PM Ryerson Theatre JACKIE Director: Pablo Larrain. Cast: Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, Greta Gerwig, Billy Crudup, John Hurt. After JFK is murdered, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy fights through grief and trauma to regain her faith, console her children, and define her husbands historic legacy. 1st Screening: Sunday, September 11th, 8:30 PM- Winter Garden Theatre MAUDIE Director: Aisling Walsh. Cast: Sally Hawkins, Ethan Hawke. Fact-based tale of Maude Lewis, who overcame the physical challenge of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis to become one of Canadas premier folk artists. 1st Screening: Monday, September 12, 5:30 PM Visa Screening Room (Elgin) MESSAGE FROM THE KING Director: Fabrice Du Welz. Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Teresa Palmer, Luke Evans, Alfred Molina. Mysterious traveler from South Africa combs the Los Angeles underworld for those responsible for the death of his sister. 1st Screening: Thursday, September 8, 6 PM Visa Screening Room (Elgin) BRIMSTONE Director: Martin Koolhoven. Cast: Dakota Fanning, Guy Pearce, Kit Harington. A woman running from her past meets a zealot preacher and an outlaw along the way. PARIS CAN WAIT Director: Eleanor Coppola. Cast: Diane Lane, Arnaud Viard, Alec Baldwin. An American woman in a tired marriage finds herself on an unforeseen road trip from Cannes to Paris with a dashing Frenchman. A seven-hour drive unexpectedly becomes a whirlwind two-day road trip. 1st Screening: Monday, September 12, 1:45 PM Winter Garden Theatre Second Screening: Tuesday, September 13, 9:45 AM Scotiabank 4 THE PROMISE Director: Terry George. Cast: Oscar Isaac, Charlotte Le Bon, Christian Bale. Armenian medical student, an artist and an American journalist form a love triangle amid the genocide of Armenia perpetrated by Turkey during WWI. 1st Screening: Sunday, September 11, 9:30 PM Roy Thomson Hall THEIR FINEST Director: Lone Scherfig. Cast: Gemma Arterton, Sam Claflin, Bill Nighy, Jack Huston. Period comedy-drama follows a group of filmmakers struggling to make an inspirational film to boost morale and inspire America to join the war during the London Blitz in World War II. 1st Screening: Sunday, September 11, 3:30 PM Roy Thomson Hall WAKEFIELD Director: Robin Swicord. Cast: Bryan Cranston, Jennifer Garner. A successful lawyer and family man disappears from his own life and observes his baffled loved ones from a hiding place in the attic. 1st Screening: Friday, September 9, 9 AM Scotiabank 4 ALL I SEE IS YOU Director: Marc Forster. Cast: Blake Lively, Jason Clarke. Return to Monsters Ball form for Forster. After a blind woman regains her sight, she and her husband begin discovering uncomfortable details about their marriage and their lives. 1st Screening: Saturday, September 10, 11 AM Scotiabank 2 CHASING TRANE: THE JOHN COLTRANE DOCUMENTARY Director: John Scheinfeld. 1st Screening: Friday, September 9, 12:30pm Tiff Bell Lightbox, Cinema 2 BARRY Director: Vikram Ghandi. Cast: Devon Terrell, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ellar Coltrane. Set in the backdrop of a true story in 1981 New York City, young Barack Obama tries to find his way as a college student in a new city as he is faced with questions about race, culture, and identity in this inspiring drama centered on a crucial year in the future Presidents life. 1st Screening: Saturday, September 10, 6 PM Ryerson Theatre CARRIE PILBY Director: Susan Johnson. Cast: Bel Powley, Nathan Lane, Gabriel Byrne, Vanessa Bayer, Jason Ritter. A brilliant young woman graduates Harvard at 18 but has no street sense and struggles in areas of morality, relationships, sex and leaving her New York City apartment. 1st Screening: Friday, September 9, 2 PM Ryerson Theatre CATFIGHTDirector: Onur Tukel. Cast: Sandra Oh, Anne Heche, Alicia Silverstone, Craig Bierko, Dylan Baker. A reunion between two old school friends sparks a no-holds-barred war of attrition 1st Screening: Friday, September 9, 6:15 PM Ryerson Theatre GOON: THE LAST OF THE ENFORCERS Director: Jay Baruchel. Cast: Seann William Scott, Liev Schreiber. The original hockey brawler pic was a gem. Why not a sequel with Doug The Thug Glatt? 1st Screening: Sunday, September 11, 3 PM, Location TBD THE HEADHUNTERS CALLING Director: Mark Williams. Cast: Gerard Butler, Alison Brie, Willem Dafoe, Gretchen Mol, Alfred Molina. Ruthless corporate headhunter in Chicago battles his rival for control of their job-placement firm, until a family tragedy brings his personal and professional lives into conflict. 1st Screening: Tuesday, September 13, 2:15 PM Scotiabank 3 THE BLEEDER Director: Philippe Falardeau. Cast: Liev Schreiber, Naomi Watts, Elisabeth Moss, Jim Gaffigan, Ron Perlman. Story of the rise, fall and rise of Chuck Wepner, who decked Muhammad Ali and was an inspiration for Rocky. Related stories 'Loving' Helmer Jeff Nichols To Direct 'Alien Nation' Remake Justin Timberlake Concert Film From Jonathan Demme Lands At Netflix - Toronto 'Free Fire' Trailer: Oscar Winner Brie Larson Comes Out With Guns Blazing - TIFF For the new documentary Amanda Knox, Netflix has cut two diametrically opposed trailers (see below.) One is titled Believe Her. The other is called Suspect Her. For while the case at the center of the film may be nearly ten years old, but it remains something of a hot-button Rorschach test. True crime tales dont come much more lurid than that of Meredith Kercher, the British student who was brutally murdered in Peruga, Italy, on Nov. 1, 2007. Her roommate, Amanda Knox, an American student spending the year abroad, and Knoxs new Italian boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, were arrested and convicted of the murder, only to have their convictions overturned in 2011 after theyd spent nearly four years in prison. Tried again in 2014, they were once again found guilty, then finally exonerated by the Italian Supreme Court in 2015. Throughout the serpentine court proceedings, the case commanded international headlines, especially in the British tabloids, who dubbed Knox Foxy Knoxy. But despite the blanket of media that had covered the story, filmmakers Rod Blackhurst and Brian McGinn were convinced there was more to discover when they began exploring making a documentary in 2011. People werent looking past the headlines to understand what had happened. They had developed these passionate ideas of who these people were, but nobody seemed any closer to figuring out what had really happened despite the global media scrutiny, says Blackhurst. McGinn adds that the previous coverage had really been led by the new click-bait journalism. We felt there was a place for the personal, human side of the story - to actually hear from the people involved. Related: Toronto Film Buyers Beware: Birth of a Nation Blowup Casts Shadow on Dealmaking Their persistence paid off, and five years later, their documentary feature Amanda Knox will have its world premiere Sept. 9 at the Toronto Film Festival. It arrives on Netflix, which acquired the film once it was well underway, on Sept. 30. Story continues Although the longtime friends - Blackhurst, 35, directed the 2016 horror thriller Here Alone, while McGinn, 31, has been working on the Netflix series Chefs Table - first approached Knox, now 29, in 2011, she didnt agree to sit for the first of three interviews until 2013 when it became clear that a second trial would take place. The way it progressed, says McGinn, people agreed to participate in the film according to when they felt their side of the story was not being heard. Ultimately, they secured on-camera sessions with Knox; Sollecito; Nick Pisa, a British tabloid journalist whod often led the breaking story; and the Perugia prosecutor Giluliano Mignini, who whipped up the argument for Knoxs guilt and who agreed to speak only once Knoxs second conviction was overturned. Unlike many of the other journalists who interviewed Knox or Mignini during the course of the case, the two filmmakers made it clear from the start they were not approaching the story with an agenda of their own and that the interviews would not be confrontational. Says McGinn, It was important to form some sort of connection. We were a couple of young guys from the states. We had not experienced anything like what Amanda had gone through or, for that matter, what Magnini had gone through. Our goal was to let Amanda, Mignini, Sollecito and Pisa drive the conversation and reveal things about themselves. With that in mind, it was very different than the goal of an ABC news program with Diane Sawyer or a lot of the other public appearances Amanda had made where it was really considered a forum to discuss 'Did you do it? or 'Did you not?. That was really never the way we came at the story. The filmmakers photographed their subjects sitting center-screen, talking directly to the camera, in a style reminiscent of Errol Morris ground-breaking documentaries. There had been a lot of circumstantial thoughts and feelings, this aura that had been created around each of these people, says Blackhurst. We thought if we could center them in the middle of the frame, have them speak directly, making eye contact, to you, the audience, we could strip away a lot of that noise that might influence how you felt about them. The doc has other film references as well. When it first cuts to the Italian countryside, the music cue is the song Tu Vuo Fa L'Americano, which Anthony Minghella also used in his 1999 The Talented Mr. Ripley, another film in which an American abroad gets caught up in murder. "There a few nods to other films in the movie. Were certainly a big fan of that film, says McGinn. Adds Blackhurst, "Were hoping too that there is a little bit of our love for David Finchers films that comes across in some of the stylized visual moments in the movie. One of the themes that emerged as they assembled the movie, McGinn says, was a recognition of the way our society commodifies tragedy. Adds Blackhurst: What we found, editing the movie, is people make judgments based on how they feel and not on what actually is. [That] influences how stories are told in the news and on social media. Living with this story for so long, and living with the changes that happened to these people in the case, allowed us to find that and end up with a conversation that is bigger than this story itself. Although the film ultimately makes the case for her innocence, Knox herself is under no illusions when she faces the camera and says in the films opening moments, If Im guilty, it means I am the ultimate figure to fear. On the other hand, if Im innocent, it means everyones vulnerable. And its everyones nightmare. Watch the two trailers below. This story first appeared in the Sept. 16 issue of 'The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe. The bright lights of Toronto turn on Lagos this week, as the Nigerian metropolis takes center stage for TIFFs eighth City to City program. Showcasing filmmakers living and working in a selected city, the program this year offers a dynamic portrait of a fast-paced metropolis of 20 million plus, known as much for its creative energy as its gritty underbelly. Boasting a mix of new-wave indie films and selections from the countrys prolific Nollywood film biz, this years City to City crop will offer a broader picture of the talent coming out of Lagos, according to TIFF artistic director Cameron Bailey. The program opens with The Wedding Party, a star-studded romcom featuring some of the most recognizable names in Nigerian film and comedy. We wanted to go all out to get an amazing cast, says executive producer Mo Abudu, CEO of EbonyLife TV. I think what were going to show audiences will wow them. Nigerias home-grown Nollywood industry ranks as one of the worlds most successful moviemaking machines, said to produce more than a thousand movies and rake in $5 billion each year. While best-known for their frantic shoots and shoestring budgets, a fresh wave of Nigerian filmmakers in recent years have striven to set a higher artistic bar than their freewheeling predecessors. All signs point to a maturing industry thats finding its place on the international stage, according to Abudu. What Toronto has done is to give us an opportunity to showcase some of the work [for] a global audience, she says, Along with screenings, City to City will feature an intimate onstage conversation with acclaimed helmer Kunle Afolayan and actress Genevieve Nnaji, widely considered to be the face of African cinema. And for the first time, the Rising Stars program which in the past has offered a platform for emerging Canadian actors will travel beyond its borders to include Nigerian thesps O.C. Ukeje and Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama, for what Bailey describes as a professional development boot camp, offering a range of specialized programming, workshops and seminars for the duo. Story continues The program sets the stage for a rollicking Nigerian contingent to arrive in Toronto when TIFF kicks off today, offering an unprecedented showcase at a major festival for Nigerian filmmakers, according to Bailey. Its a moment in the spotlight, says Abudu, that wont be wasted. I think its an opportunity for the world to see what we can do, she says. Related stories Gere Pic Sends Helmer Cedar to Top of Israel's Biz List Toronto: Bleecker Street Acquires 'Eye in the Sky' Starring Helen Mirren (EXCLUSIVE) Toronto: Music Films Engage Auds and Buyers The gunslingers of The Magnificent Seven on Thursday gathered for reporters just before the film's world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, and they were immediately asked questions about the intent of the cast's diversity onscreen. But Antoine Fuqua shot down the idea of trying to make a political statement with his call list. "We just wanted to make a good movie together," the director explained. "When I was in a room with MGM and Sony and the producers, we just talked about actors, and I just wanted to see Denzel Washington on a horse. I didn't think about color or anything, I just thought that would be an event. My idea was, Denzel walks into a room, the room stops. Ethan Hawke walks into a room, the room stops. Is it because he's a gunslinger or is it the color of his skin? We'll let the audience decide." Washington echoed, "It's a movie, and it's for people to enjoy. Like I always say, whatever you get from it depends on what you bring to it. I know one of the things you'll get from it is a good time." Read more: 'The Magnificent Seven': Film Review | TIFF 2016 However, since the film does feature a refreshingly diverse cast, audiences "gotta give the studios credit when they do something like this. They didn't blink an eye," Fuqua stressed. "It's a different time, a different era. Young people who don't know Westerns need to feel like they have their own," he continued. Therefore, "this becomes the new definition of what a Western is. You can make a Magnificent Seven with all women - and there were some tough women then! Why not make a movie like that? You can do it today." Fuqua gave the cast creative freedom to craft their own characters - a tradition appreciated by Hawke, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo and Chris Pratt. "We got to go into a wardrobe room with a ton of cowboy shit" and try on whatever accessories and weapons they desired, said Pratt. "Clothes make a man, and we're making out characters." Story continues But in doing so, they weren't required to revisit John Sturges' 1960 film The Magnificent Seven - or, in Washington's case, watch for the first time. "I know it's odd to hear that from us, but that's not something you do when you approach a project," said Vincent D'Onofrio. "You don't try to be something that already happened; you try to create something new and hope it happens." Read more: Toronto: How Antoine Fuqua Persuaded Denzel Washington to Join 'Magnificent Seven' (Q&A) Pratt added, "We could've called it The Cowboys, but this [film title] has more reach, it gets people excited. But it's probably more Wild Bunch than it is [like the 1960 film] Magnificent Seven. We used the title, we used the story, there's seven of us and we're all f - ing magnificent - we got that going for us - but let that movie be that movie. This is a different movie." Fuqua also explained that his intention was not to remake Sturges' film of the same name - "The world was different then, they were much more wholesome. None of them sweat, and none of them were black," he joked - but instead to "stay true to the DNA" of Akira Kurosawa's original 1954 classic, Seven Samurai. "Kurosawa is like Shakespeare," said the director. "I believe he would've loved to see a version today. He was a very forward thinker." As for the remake's modern relevance, Fuqua highlighted the universal story of all three films: "Do right by others, even at your own cost - I think that's timeless." Read more: 'Magnificent Seven' Producer on Why Westerns Aren't Dead and How Cancer Changed Him Those bloodshot eyes you're certain to see at Toronto Film Festival premieres might not all be the result of all-night movie bidding wars. The smell of weed wafting down King and Queen streets is another whiff of life in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Canada after the new leader promised to legalize cannabis following the election less than a year ago. With legislation to legalize pot expected in spring 2017, medical marijuana dispensaries have popped up all over Toronto. "[Legalization] is just around the corner, and we can almost smell it," says Canadian filmmaker Ezra Soiferman, who also is an artist-in-residence for slick Canadian online medical marijuana startup Tweed Inc. Technically, you still must have a doctor's prescription to buy weed, but in reality that's not always needed. Of course, if you're only at the festival for a few days, you won't have time to legally access cannabis via a prescription from a doctor. Not to worry: Since the dispensaries largely are unregulated, all you have to do is pop into one of the many new Toronto medical marijuana outlets, which are happy to oblige since they operate in a legal gray area. With a valid I.D., you walk in and ask for some pot, even if you're from out of town. "As long as you're 19 or over, you can buy whatever you'd like at some of these places," says Soiferman. Toronto's cannabis bars sell varied strains at prices that range from $9 to $15 a gram. There are an estimated 100 "medical" dispensaries in downtown Toronto alone, each staking out neighborhood storefronts to get a slice of the burgeoning recreational weed bonanza. The city's marijuana dispensaries do not resemble your average "head shop." Enter Cannabis Culture on trendy Queen Street West, for instance, and you won't find Bob Marley posters, giant bongs or skull-shaped pot pipes. Instead, you'll encounter a comfortable, tastefully furnished waiting room occupied by an affable manager who sits behind a desk. Once he calmly waves you into the backroom, you'll discover polite, well-groomed staff (or "budtenders") quietly filling orders as customers peruse clear-glass jars filled with various strains of weed with such names as Pink Kush, Blue Crush, Special K and Seedman's Haze. And if you don't have time to visit a dispensary, you can have pot delivered via online sites including Tweed, Medical Marijuana Services and Green Doctors Network. You'll need a prescription, but have no fear: In Canada, you can get a doctor's "consultation" from your hotel room - via Skype. Once approved, you'll have a stash discreetly delivered via courier to the front desk, maybe as fast as you can order delivery pizza. This story first appeared in the Sept. 16 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe. Poetry, like music, lends itself to epiphaniesthose moments where a piece of art that might have previously seemed inert suddenly seems to connect. For David Nagler, it was the music of Randy Newman that helped him appreciate Carl Sandburgs poetry. Both Newman and Sandburg might be seen as bards of American citiesSandburg with his famous poems about Chicago, Newman with his barbed paeans to Los Angeles, Baltimore, Cleveland. But it was the characters that did it. Reading Sandburgs Mag in Evanston, Illinois, where Nagler went to college, the down on his luck, at the end of his rope narrator reminded Nagler of the characters on Newmans Good Old Boys. That was two decades ago. Now, Nagler is releasing an album called Carl Sandburgs Chicago Poems, inspired by Sandburgs book by that title and featuring guests including Jeff Tweedy and Robbie Fulks. This is the premier of Chicago, based on one of Sandburgs best-known poems (you can read the text here): Its easy to see the allure of Sandburgs poems for an artistthey are full of powerful images and lyrical passages. Its equally easy to see the challenge, too: They dont rhyme and seldom stick to regular structures that would make them easily adaptable. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. Rumors of a Cruel Winter project from G.O.O.D. music have been circulating since the release of Cruel Summer in 2012, but according to Travis Scott, this is the winter that the album will finally see the light of day. Sitting down with Hot 97 this morning, Travis revealed his important role on the collaborative project and hinted at a possible release date. "I'm executive producing the album," he said. While it appears the release date is still up in the air, he added, "It's coming very soon. I want to say like the top of next year. I'm putting the press on everybody. I'm saying February." When Ebro asked how many songs on the project are finished, he explained, "Everybody's involved. Kanye West. Every G.O.O.D. Music artist is involved. It's amazing. We've got our illest friends and it's going to be one of the illest projects. One thing I can say about this project is that it will be very youthful. Straight to the point." Explaining what he meant by "youthful," Travis continued, "The kids that are not on the radio all the time who really have the clubs going ridiculous... that's who this album is for." Watch the full interview above, in which he also discusses Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight, working with Kid Cudi and Jay Z, and Kanye's reaction to his new album. Continue Reading On Complex Trendlines Medical Singapore will focus on the incubation and commercialization of early-stage healthcare companies with a focus on Singapore and the region B. Braun will invest in Trendlines Medical Singapore and along with Trendlines, support the development of portfolio companies, and actively consider follow-on investment opportunities in portfolio companies Ms. Anna Maria Braun, President of B. Braun Asia Pacific, will join Trendlines Medical Singapore's board of directors The first medical incubator established by an Israeli company in Singapore and Trendlines' first incubator outside of Israel MISGAV, ISRAEL & SINGAPORE / ACCESSWIRE / September 8, 2016 / The Trendlines Group Ltd. ("Trendlines") (OTCQX: TRNLY, 42T.SI), an Israeli company focused on establishing and developing innovation-based companies in the medical and agricultural fields, and B. Braun Melsungen AG ("B. Braun"), one of the world's leading providers of healthcare solutions with 56,000 employees in 64 countries, jointly announced today that they have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU"), under which B. Braun and Trendlines will jointly invest in Trendlines Medical Singapore PTE. Ltd. ("Trendlines Medical Singapore"), both parties will appoint members to Trendlines Medical Singapore's board of directors and investment committee, and B. Braun will advise on market needs and technical and commercial matters. The incorporation of Trendlines Medical Singapore was previously announced on the Singapore Exchange on July 18, 2016. Trendlines Medical Singapore will be a platform for the investment in and incubation of early-stage healthcare companies with a focus on Singapore and the region. B. Braun, as a co-investor of Trendlines Medical Singapore, will support the development of the portfolio companies by providing its expertise in the medical technology field, including technological development, regulatory, medical & scientific affairs, and marketing and sales. Mr. Eric Loh has been appointed Chief Executive of Trendlines Medical Singapore. Mr. Loh has more than 20 years of experience in the medical device industry. Mr. Loh formerly served as senior vice-president at Biosensors International, an early-stage cardiovascular device company listed in Singapore, where he led corporate development and sales and marketing and commercialized Biosensors' products in the fast-growing Chinese market and other Asia Pacific markets. He was also involved in Biosensor's IPO on the Singapore Stock Exchange and in M&A transactions that advanced the company. Ms. Anna Maria Braun, a deputy member of the Management Board of B. Braun, will become a member of the board of directors of Trendlines Medical Singapore. Ms. Braun is the President of B. Braun Asia Pacific, responsible for the business of the global pharmaceutical and medical technology company in the region, including one of the g,roup's largest manufacturing sites in the world with over 7,000 employees in Penang, Malaysia. Ms. Braun will share her healthcare industry expertise by providing advice and support to Trendlines Medical Singapore and its portfolio of companies, in areas related to B. Braun's activities. Commenting on the establishment of Trendlines Medical Singapore, Mr. D. Todd Dollinger, Chairman and CEO of Trendlines, said, "We announced our plan to establish an incubator in Singapore as part of our international expansion strategy at the time of the IPO on the Singapore Stock Exchange. We are pleased that B. Braun, a strategic partner of Trendlines since our IPO, will participate in the development of the incubator and will enhance our collaboration in the global healthcare industry. The combination of Trendlines experience in business incubation, B. Braun's knowledge and industry insights and financial strength, gives strong support to the launch of Trendlines Medical Singapore." Mr. Eric Loh, CEO of Trendlines Medical Singapore, added, "Trendlines Medical Singapore is our first incubator outside of Israel. Singapore offers a conducive environment for innovation commercialization, with a strategic location as a business hub in Asia, generation of innovative ideas from universities, research institutes and professionals in the medical field and great support from the Singapore government. By applying our business model and expertise in incubation beyond Israel, we can tap the growth opportunities in Singapore and the wider Asia-Pacific region, nurture the development of innovative technologies in the healthcare sector, and play a larger role in improving the human condition." Commenting on the partnership, Ms. Anna Maria Braun, director of Trendlines Medical Singapore, and President of B. Braun Asia Pacific, said, "Asia is a strategic area of growth for B. Braun, given its dynamic and innovative environment for medical technology start-up companies. By continually sharing expertise in dialogue with our partners, B. Braun aims to protect and improve the health of people around the world. I am delighted with the forging of this partnership between B. Braun and Trendlines Medical Singapore, and look forward to the creation and advancement of innovative medical solutions to benefit customers and patients in Asia Pacific and the world." About B. Braun With over 56,000 employees in 64 countries, B. Braun is one of the world's leading manufacturers of medical devices and pharmaceutical products and services. Through constructive dialogue, B. Braun develops high quality product systems and services that are both evolving and progressive - and in turn improves people's health around the world. In 2015, the Group generated sales of approximately 6.13 billion. www.bbraun.com About The Trendlines Group The Trendlines Group is an innovation commercialization company that invents, discovers, invests in, and incubates innovation-based medical and agricultural technologies to fulfill its mission to improve the human condition. As intensely hands-on investors, Trendlines is involved in all aspects of its portfolio companies from technology development to business building. The Trendlines Group is traded on the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX: 42T) and in the United States as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR) on the OTCQX (OTCQX: TRNLY). Forward Looking Statement Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unknown factors that could cause the Company's actual operating results to be materially different from any historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements that explicitly describe these risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements that contain terms such as "believes," "belief," "expects," "expect," "intends," "intend," "anticipate," "anticipates," "plans," "plan," to be uncertain and forward looking. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investor Contact Information: Israel Judith Kleinman, Director, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications judith@trendlines.com +972.72.260.7000 US Adam Holdsworth, Managing Director of Investor Relations adamh@pcgadvisory.com 646-862-4607 SOURCE: The Trendlines Group Brookfield Prime Property Fund and EnergyAustralia take on an efficient and sustainable approach to their R2R process with the adoption of Trintech's Cadency solution DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 8, 2016 / Trintech, the leading global provider of integrated Record to Report software solutions for the office of finance, today announced its expanding market presence throughout Asia Pacific and Australia with the addition of two new customers - Brookfield Prime Property Fund and EnergyAustralia. As with many other global organizations, both companies quickly recognized the need to move away from less than optimal point solutions to Cadency, a platform that addresses the critical requirements of integration, configurability, and scale that the office of finance requires to be successful as they transform their Record to Report process. "Cadency's Robotic Process Automation (RPA) features will maximize efficiency and help both companies reduce the vast amount of time and effort on financial reporting practices, while ensuring a sustainable compliance approach to their Record to Report process," said Teresa Mackintosh, CEO at Trintech. "Not only will Brookfield Prime Property Fund and EnergyAustralia experience the many benefits of our Cadency solution, they will also have the unique opportunity to leverage the best practices developed by the network of thousands of organizations who have implemented our solutions before them." As the world's leading global R2R software solutions provider, Trintech currently serves the majority of the Fortune 100. Its cloud-based software is being embraced by some of the world's most respected companies to help them achieve real financial transformation by increasing both process efficiency and effectiveness, while reducing risk throughout. About Trintech Trintech, Inc. pioneered the development of Financial Corporate Performance Management (FCPM) software to optimize the Record to Report process. From high volume transaction matching and streamlining daily operational reconciliations, to automating and managing balance sheet reconciliations, journal entries, treasury management and bank fee analysis, to governance, risk and compliance - Trintech's portfolio of financial solutions, including Cadency, ReconNET and T-Recs, help manage all aspects of the financial close process. Over 1,700 clients worldwide - including the majority of the Fortune 100 - rely on our cloud-based software to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve governance and transparency across global financial organizations. Story continues Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Trintech has offices located across the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Ireland, the Netherlands and the Nordics, as well as strategic partners in South Africa, Latin America and Asia Pacific. To learn more about Trintech, visit www.trintech.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. About Brookfield Prime Property Fund Brookfield Prime Property Fund is an Australian-based company focused on investments in a portfolio of Central Business Districts office assets in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth and listed property trusts. Key features of the portfolio include a diversified tenancy profile, regular fixed rent reviews and strong lease profiles. Brookfield Capital Management Limited is the responsible entity of Brookfield Prime Property Fund. The company's operating segments are identified by Consolidated Entity in order to allocate resources to segments and to assess their performance. About EnergyAustralia EnergyAustralia is an electricity generation, electricity and gas retailing private company in Australia that is owned by Hong Kong-based and listed CLP Group. The company offers various services, such as production, processing, technical assistance, maintenance, operation and modification and customer support. It offers various discount options to home and business users. In addition, it undertakes wiring inspections for homeowners and installation of electric heaters, showers and solar panels. The company serves the industrial, commercial and domestic consumers sectors. Contact: Kelli Shoevlin Phone: +1 (972) 739 1680 Email: kelli.shoevlin@trintech.com SOURCE: Trintech, Inc. We love our animals. Pets are bona fide, highly valued members of the familysometimes more so than the human membersbut not all rental buildings feel so warm and fuzzy about four-legged tenants. Despite the fact that an estimated 72% of renters have pets, many landlords simply dont allow dogs or cats. And that puts animal lovers in a pickle over how to find pet-friendly apartments. Where can you turn to find places that lay out the welcome mat for creatures great and small? These steps will point you in the right direction. Filter for pet-friendly apartments Luckily, certain rentals embrace pets! Heres how to start finding them: On searchable rental listing sites such as realtor.com, narrow your hunt through filters. Check first for apartments in any area that have indicated that they are fine with renters having cats or dogsor both. Note that some apartments may be open specifically to one or the other, but not to all types of pets. The Humane Society Pets Are Welcome database lets you search by location and includes listings of pet-friendly properties in more than 22 states. PeopleWithPets.com is a free service directing readers to pet-friendly apartments available in 59 U.S. cities. How to present your pets to landlords Many management companies are wary of welcoming pets due to the potential for tenants griping about noise, property damage, dog bites, or worse. But not your pet, right? If your dog or cat is a model of animal behavior, ease your landlords anxiety with a positive introduction: Provide letters of reference from past landlords detailing how youre a responsible pet owner. Yes, were serious. If you have a dog, show that the pooch has proven good behavior with a training class certificate. Ask your veterinarian to write a letter on your behalfand include documentation that your pet has been spayed or neutered and vaccinated. Craft a resume for your pet, complete with photo, certifications, explanation of the arrangements made to care for your pet while youre at work, and a personal story. And yeah, were still serious. Petfinder.com reports that a prospective tenant in a dog-friendly but cat-shy building attached a resume for her two cats to her application and convinced the property management to accept them on the spot. Story continues Pony up some extra money Many landlords hold insurance policies with carriers who discriminate against larger breeds of dogs, including German shepherds, huskies, pit bulls, and others, says Donna Reynolds, executive director of the nonprofit Bad Rap.org. So resourceful renters are buying their own renters insurance policies that cover their dogs to help open doors for their well-behaved pets. Here are other ways pet owners can grease the wheels: Offer to pay an extra security deposit to compensate for any damage your furry friend may make to the property. Be prepared to pay a pet fee, typically between $200 and $500, or a refundable pet deposit (in addition to your security deposit) upon lease signing. Brace yourself for a possible recurring monthly pet rent charge from property managers to cover cleaning. Average amount? Anywhere from $50 to $100. Read the fine print If a lease doesnt mention pets, its generally understood that youre allowed to have them. But if you want to avoid drama and potential nightmares down the road, you should ask for clarification in writing. And never sign a lease that specifies no pets allowed even if the landlord or other neighbors tell you its totally OK. It would mean youre violating your lease, which could come back and bite you down the road. Watch: 4 Pets You Never Knew You Could Have in Your Home The post How to Find Truly Pet-Friendly Apartments appeared first on Real Estate News and Advice - realtor.com. The Commander-in-chief forum for the two major party presidential candidates hosted by NBC News in New York last night wound up looking very much like a microcosm of the general election race so far: We witnessed a poor performance from Democrat Hillary Clinton offset by an even worse showing by her Republican rival Donald Trump. Clinton repeated her dubious letter-of-the-law defense of the decision to use a personal email system while serving as secretary of state and even seemed to become angry with a former Navy officer who asked about her trustworthiness. Related: So Just How Will Trump Pay for His Big Military Buildup? That might have been the main headline coming out of the hour-long event moderated by Matt Lauer if Trump, who appeared after Clinton, hadnt taken the opportunity to reiterate his support for having the US military engage in the theft of another countrys natural resources -- a war crime prohibited by the Geneva Conventions -- and to express his continuing admiration for the leadership qualities of Russian strongman Vladimir Putin. Clintons half-hour session with Lauer was dominated by the email question. The former secretary of state has admitted that her use of the private server was a mistake, but has steadfastly clung to the claim that no actual classified material was sent or received over the system. Classified material has a header, which says Top Secret, Secret, Confidential, Clinton said. Nothing and I will repeat this, and this is verified in the report by the Department of Justice none of the emails sent or received by me had such a header. The fact is that while that it is strictly true that there were no headers in the material Federal Bureau of Investigation agents found in emails recovered from the system, there were hundreds of emails that contained information at various levels of classification. Many had subtler markings which Clinton claimed not to have understood. Related: Democrats Set a Nuclear Trap for Trump But in an even larger sense, the markings on documents is immaterial. Clinton, as secretary of state, was expected to protect sensitive information, and to transmit it over a secure server, regardless of how it was marked. Story continues Clinton appeared angry when she responded to retired Navy officer John Lester, who noted that in his time as a pilot, he would have been thrown in jail for failing to keep classified information within the bounds of a secure communications system. Secretary Clinton, he asked. how can you expect those such as myself who are entrusted with Americas most sensitive information to have any confidence in your leadership as president when you clearly corrupted our national security? Clinton stuck to her claim that no classified information moved through her private system. I communicated about classified material on a wholly different system, she said. I took it very seriously. Related: FBI Documents Show Clinton Email Scandal Isnt Going Away As the event went on, Clinton asked listeners to judge her fitness to be commander-in-chief on the totality of my record including what I have done for our veterans as first lady [and] as senator. It wasnt Clintons best performance, but when Trump followed her onstage, he made a mighty effort to make Clinton look good by comparison. He began by repeating the widely debunked lie that he opposed the invasion of Iraq in 2003, something there is no public record to support. Trump himself could only point to a 2004 magazine article, published more than a year after the war started. Then, he repeated his insistence that before withdrawing from Iraq, the US should have taken ownership of its vast oil reserves. Related: Clinton Leads Trump in Texas? Wait a Minute... We shouldnt be there, but if were going to get out, take the oil, he said. If we wouldve taken the oil you wouldnt have ISIS, because ISIS formed with the power and the wealth of that oil. Lauer asked, How are we going to take the oil? How are we going to do that? We would leave a certain group behind and you would take various sections where they have the oil...It used to be to the victor belong the spoils, he said, adding, There was no victor there, believe me...but I always said, Take the oil. However, pillaging another countrys natural resources during an occupation is, very clearly, a war crime. Trump also renewed his praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin, even as Lauer reminded him that the Russian strongmans various offenses against international order in general and against the United States in particular. Related: Bill Clinton Throws an $18 Million Curveball Into the Trump University Mess I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Putin, and I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Russia, Trump said. The beautiful part of getting along, Russia wants to defeat ISIS as badly as we do. If we had a relationship with Russia wouldnt it be wonderful if we could work on it together and knock the hell out of ISIS? When Lauer questioned whether Putin was the sort of leader Trump really wanted to cozy up to, the former reality television star said, Well, he does have an 82 percent approval rating. When Lauer reminded him that, among other things, Putin has invaded Ukraine, supported the murderous regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, worked to undermine US interests around the world, and that computer hackers working on behalf of his government appear to be trying to influence the US elections, Trump said, You want me to start naming some of the things that President Obama does? Still speaking of Putin, Trump said, I think Ill be able to get along with him...If he says great things about me Im going to say great things about him. Ive already said he is really very much of a leader...the man has very strong control over a country. Now its a very different system and I dont happen to like the system, but certainly in that system, he has been a leader far more than our president has been a leader. Around the time Trump got to praising the leadership qualities of the former KGB agent who now runs Russia with an iron fist, one has to imagine Hillary Clinton let herself breathe a sigh of relief. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: New York (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin is "far more" of a leader than Barack Obama, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said Wednesday, echoing previous praise for the Kremlin strongman. Putin is "very much of a leader," Trump said in a televised interview, where he and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton were separately grilled over their national security and military credentials. Trump has made no secret of his admiration for Putin, who last year praised the US businessman as "very outstanding." Putin "has very strong control over a country," Trump said. "It's a very different system, and I don't happen to like the system. But certainly in that system he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader." Before Trump spoke, Clinton too was asked about her security smarts, but also faced questions on the sprawling email scandal that continues to overshadow her White House run. The interviewer, NBC's Matt Lauer, asked why it wasn't "disqualifying" for Clinton to have handled government emails on a private server while secretary of state. "It was a mistake to have a personal account. I would certainly not do it again. I make no excuses for it," Clinton responded, stressing she had not improperly handled classified information. The forum, held aboard historic aircraft carrier the USS Intrepid, docked off New York City, did not put the candidates head-to-head, and Lauer asked them not to waste time insulting each other. For the most part they refrained, though Clinton said Trump had refused to take responsibility for his initial support for the Iraq War. Trump went on to attack Clinton over her emails. The first debate between the one-time friends turned bitter rivals is scheduled for September 26. - Trump's military plans - Earlier Wednesday, Trump pledged to increase US military spending -- already at levels far higher than any other nation -- and to demand a plan to beat the Islamic State (IS) group if he becomes president. Story continues The Republican presidential candidate told supporters he would ask generals to craft a roadmap to the IS group's annihilation. Trump also outlined proposals for an active army of around 540,000 troops, an air force of at least 1,200 fighter aircraft, a 36-battalion marine corps and a navy of 350 surface ships and submarines -- though he provided no details on how he would persuade Congress to pay for it all. Apart from consulting with top generals, Trump remained vague on how he would defeat IS. "Is the plan you've been hiding this whole time asking someone else for their plan?" Lauer asked. Trump said he didn't "want to broadcast to the enemy what my plan is." The United States for more than two years has led a coalition bombing IS in Iraq and Syria, and training local partners on the ground to fight the jihadists. The air campaign started slowly, but IS now appears to be on a back foot, having suffered tens of thousands of casualties and losing many of the important towns it once controlled across its self-declared "caliphate." Clinton provided more specifics, stressing IS would be defeated without US ground troops being deployed. Currently, America has thousands of troops in Iraq and hundreds in Syria, but their mission is to train local forces and not engage in direct combat with IS. - Attacking the generals - In a move likely to enrage the brass in the Defense Department, Trump also blasted the current status of America's top officers, saying they had been hamstrung by Obama and Clinton. "The generals have been reduced to rubble," Trump said, before noting he had "faith in certain of the commanders." Trump, who has campaigned on a platform railing against illegal immigration, also said he had no problem with existing US policy of allowing undocumented immigrants to stay in America if they serve in the military. Most national polls show a tight race with Clinton in the lead as the US presidential race enters its home stretch with just nine weeks until the November 8 election. However, Trump is ahead by a wide margin of 19 percentage points among military and veteran voters, according to the latest NBC News/SurveyMonkey Weekly Election Tracking poll. His 55 to 36 percent lead with the group comes despite recent remarks against the parents of a Muslim-American soldier killed in Iraq, members of the so-called Gold Star families who have lost loved ones in military service. Trump also angered many in the military community with mocking remarks against US Senator and former prisoner of war John McCain for being captured in Vietnam. Donald Trump Donald Trump defended his praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday night by saying Putin has been more of a leader than US President Barack Obama. NBC host Matt Lauer asked the Republican presidential nominee about his past statements on the Russian leader at a televised national security forum. Trump didn't back down from his glowing comments on Putin, saying that if someone says "great things" about him, he'll return the favor. "He is really very much of a leader," Trump said of Putin. "You can say, 'Oh, isnt that a terrible thing,' I mean, the man has very strong control over his country. Now, it's a very different system, and I don't happen to like the system, but certainly in that system he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader." "We have a divided country," Trump concluded. Putin has said that Trump is "very talented," and Trump in turn said it was a "great honor to be so nicely complimented by a man so highly respected within his own country and beyond." Trump has repeatedly said that if he wins the presidency in November, he'd like to strengthen ties with Russia and work with Putin to defeat the terrorist group ISIS. NOW WATCH: Trump rips a protester in Pennsylvania: 'Your mother is voting for Trump' More From Business Insider Donald Trump Donald Trump spent seven minutes of his major address on education reform Thursday to defend his false assertion that he was against the Iraq War before it started. The subject came back to the center of discussion after Trump brought it up in Wednesday night's Commander-in-Chief Forum on NBC. "I happened to hear Hillary Clinton say that I was not against the war in Iraq," he said Wednesday. "I was totally against the war in Iraq. You can look at Esquire magazine from '04. You can look at before that." NBC host Matt Lauer was strongly criticized by his colleagues in the media for not rebuffing Trump, who told shock jock Howard Stern in 2002 "yeah, I guess so" when asked if he was in favor of the Iraq War, adding, "I wish the first time it was done correctly." "I opposed going in," Trump said on Thursday. "And I did oppose it, despite the media saying no, yes, no. I opposed going in." The New York businessman claimed he opposed the war from the beginning, long after his interview with Stern when he halfheartedly said he'd be for the conflict. He cited an interview from January 2003 right before the war's outbreak with Fox News host Neil Cavuto as proof of his opposition before it started. "I said in an interview with Neil Cavuto that perhaps we shouldn't be doing it yet and that the economy, these were quotes, that the economy, this was on live television, the economy is a much bigger problem as far as the president is concerned," he said. "This was before the war started by a very short distance." Donald Trump Here's what Trump said in that appearance on Cavuto's program, after Cavuto asked whether President George W. Bush should be more focused on the economy or on the potential Iraq War: "Well, he has either got to do something or not do something, perhaps, because perhaps shouldn't be doing it yet and perhaps we should be waiting for the United Nations, you know. He's under a lot of pressure. I think he's doing a very good job. But, of course, if you look at the polls, a lot of people are getting a little tired. I think the Iraqi situation is a problem. And I think the economy is a much bigger problem as far as the president is concerned. Story continues "Well, I'm starting to think that people are much more focused now on the economy. They are getting a little bit tired of hearing we're going in, we're not going in, the you know, whatever happened to the days of the Douglas MacArthur? He would go and attack. He wouldn't talk. "We have to you know, it's sort like either do it or don't do it. When I watch Dan Rather explaining how we are going to be attacking, where we're going to attack, what routes we're taking, what kind of planes we're using, how to stop them, how to stop us, it is a little bit disconcerting. I've never seen this, where newscasters are telling you how telling the enemy how we're going about it, we have just found out this and that. It is ridiculous." Although Trump expressed skepticism about the war, he did not outright oppose it in this appearance. Trump then cited an interview from March 2003, when he was quoted by The Washington Post as saying the war was "a mess." "Just after the war had started, just days after the war had started, just a little while after, I was quoted as saying the war is a mess," Trump said in his Thursday speech in Cleveland. "And yet, more evidence that I had opposed the war from the start. I said the war is a mess on television, somewhere." But Trump also expressed in another interview with Cavuto right after the onset of the war that he thought the war looked "like a tremendous success from a military standpoint": "Well, I think Wall Street's waiting to see what happens, but even before the fact, they're obviously taking it a little bit for granted, and it looks like a tremendous success from a military standpoint, and I think this is really nothing compared to what you're going to see after the war is over. "I think Wall Street's just going to go up like a rocket, even beyond, and it's going to continue and, you know, we have a strong and powerful country, and let's hope it all works out." In December 2003, also speaking with Cavuto, Trump again expressed skepticism about the war, but not outright opposition. Here's what he said after Cavuto asked about the opposition to the war: "Well, look, you have a lot of questions and a lot of people questioning the whole concept of going in in the first place, Neil. But we are in, we went in, you had to find him. If he was alive, you had to find him. And you know, they fulfilled the pledge of finding Saddam Hussein. "Well, you have two mixed bags. I mean, you have Mr. [Howard] Dean that's going to say we shouldn't have been there regardless. And you have others that are saying, 'Well, we are there, and we have to do the best.' I mean, we are there, regardless of what should have been done. "Some people agree and some people don't agree, but we are there. And if we are there, you have to take down Saddam Hussein. And they have done that, and they did it maybe not as quickly as they thought in terms of finding him, but they found him. And that is a huge day for this country." In his Thursday speech, Trump then referenced the August 2004 Esquire article his strongest and earliest rebuke of the Iraq War more than a year after it began. "Very early in the conflict," Trump said. "Extremely early. Right in the beginning. Right at the beginning." Donald Trump In that Esquire interview, Trump called the war a mess he would "never have handled" in "that way": "Look at the war in Iraq and the mess that we're in. I would never have handled it that way. Does anybody really believe that Iraq is going to be a wonderful democracy where people are going to run down to the voting box and gently put in their ballot and the winner is happily going to step up to lead the country? C'mon. Two minutes after we leave, there's going to be a revolution, and the meanest, toughest, smartest, most vicious guy will take over. And he'll have weapons of mass destruction, which Saddam didn't have. "What was the purpose of this whole thing? Hundreds and hundreds of young people killed. And what about the people coming back with no arms and legs? Not to mention the other side. All those Iraqi kids who've been blown to pieces. And it turns out that all of the reasons for the war were blatantly wrong. All this for nothing!" Trump told CNN's Larry King in November 2004 that he did "not believe that we made the right decision going into Iraq, but, you know, hopefully, we'll be getting out." On Thursday, Trump said he saw "all the lies last night" about his opposition to the Iraq War. "'Donald Trump was always in favor of the war,'" Trump said, as if he were a reporter. "Which is why I had to do this. The media is so dishonest. So terribly dishonest." He later added that he would've caught Osama bin Laden, the Al Qaeda leader and plotter of the September 11 attacks, before the attacks. He called the lengthy rant setting "the record straight" because "there is so much lying going on." "The Howard statement was long before, and it was the first time anyone had asked me about Iraq, and I said, 'Ah, I don't know,'" Trump said of his initial support of the war. "That was superseded because before the war, much closer, I gave statements that we shouldn't go into the war." Trump did not provide such statements in his rant. "Had I been in Congress at the time of the invasion, I would've cast a vote in opposition," he said. "Here's the bottom line: I was a private citizen. I had no access to briefings or great intelligence ... like [Clinton] did. I had no access to anything. I was a private citizen." NOW WATCH: Naked Donald Trump statues are popping up across America More From Business Insider Mexico City (AFP) - Donald Trump may have visited Mexico for only a few hours, but President Enrique Pena Nieto is still feeling political pain from last week's ridiculed meeting with the White House hopeful. Public anger over the trip continues to flare even after felling Pena Nieto's close confidant, Luis Videgaray, who stepped down Wednesday as finance minister following reports he orchestrated the sit-down with the Republican candidate who referred to Mexican migrants as "rapists." Adding insult to injury, Trump later bragged during a televised forum that Videgaray's resignation proved his lightning visit on August 31 was a success. "I let them know where the United States stands," said Trump, who has angered Mexicans by demanding that the government pay for a border wall. "And if you look what happened, the aftermath today, people that arranged the trip in Mexico have been forced out of government. That's how well we did," he said, before tweeting on Thursday that Videgaray was a "brilliant finance minister." - 'Vomited in your house' - "The cabinet change was a recognition that the visit was a disaster," political analyst Jose Antonio Crespo said. "Otherwise they wouldn't have changed President Pena Nieto's right-hand man." The controversial meeting is dogging a president whose approval ratings have plummeted, with the economy underperforming, drug violence claiming more lives every day and a report last month that he had plagiarized parts of his law school thesis. The government "commits mistake after mistake after mistake and doesn't consult people who know about these things, so they invite someone (Trump) at a completely inadequate time," said Jesus Velasco, a specialist on US-Mexico relations at Tarleton State University in Texas. Pena Nieto came under fire for not being hard on Trump during a joint news conference and failing to challenge him when the New York billionaire said they had not discussed the wall during their meeting. Story continues It was only later that Pena Nieto said he had privately told Trump that he would not pay for the barrier. Carlos Marin, editorial director general of the Grupo Milenio media outlet, put it this way when he interviewed Pena Nieto this week: "This miserable man vomited in your house." Pena Nieto defended the get-together saying it was important to open a dialogue with someone who could be the next US president instead of confronting Trump with "insults" that "would make me very popular here in Mexico." That decision has clearly not helped his popularity, with a survey by pollsters Mitofsky showing that 88 percent of Mexicans were not pleased with the meeting. - Cooler US-Mexico ties? - Acknowledging the "very heated rhetoric" that often occurs in US elections, US Ambassador Roberta Jacobson said "there may be rough times ahead for each country" but "in the end we get back to business." "So I tend to not 'catastrophize' even some of the things that are happening in this election," she said at a forum in Mexico City. But analysts said Trump's visit could hurt Mexico's relations with the next US president, whether Trump or Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, who declined Pena Nieto's invitation to visit Mexico. Pena Nieto gave Trump a platform to look presidential just as Clinton was seeking to paint him as unfit for office. "Whoever wins (the US election), the relationship, at least with Pena Nieto until there's a new (Mexican) president, will already be cooler than it should have been before Trump's visit," Crespo said. But Christopher Wilson of the Mexico Institute at the Wilson Center think-tank said the meeting could end up useful if Trump wins -- despite their discord over what they said at their meeting. "They got to know each other and it opened lines of communication and that's probably a good thing," he said. "If Hillary Clinton wins, maybe this is a bit of stain on what she would hope to be a strong relationship from the get-go," he added. "But at the same time, you'd be dealing with Hillary Clinton, who is someone who understands the importance of a strong relationship with Mexico." Although the scandal is hurting Pena Nieto, Wilson said, ultimately, what matters to Mexicans is "kitchen table" issues such as the economy, public security and fighting corruption. "His record on those, both for good and for bad, will be the most important part of his legacy." Berlin (AFP) - Turkey on Thursday lifted a months-long ban on German lawmakers visiting a NATO airbase near Syria, easing a bitter row sparked by a Bundestag vote labelling the Ottomans' World War I-era massacre of Armenians a "genocide". The foreign ministers of both countries confirmed German lawmakers would be allowed next month to visit their nation's troops, who are stationed at the Incirlik base as part of the multinational coalition fighting the Islamic State group. But Turkey's top diplomat made clear Ankara had only given the green light after Chancellor Angela Merkel's government last week met its demand and publicly clarified that the Armenia resolution from June was "not legally binding". "To give these visas, we made it obvious to Germany what the requirements were," said Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. "Germany fulfilled these conditions... by explaining it was not legally binding," he said, in comments embarrassing to Merkel amid domestic criticism she is kowtowing to Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. As the EU's top destination for refugees last year, Germany has relied on an EU-Turkey agreement designed to stop the massive influx of people fleeing war and poverty. "They understand that they cannot treat Turkey as they wish," added Cavusoglu, speaking in Ankara. In Berlin, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he welcomed as a "a step forward" the go-ahead for the October 4-6 visit by the parliament's defence committee. The defence expert of the far-left Linke party, Alexander Neu, however, said he wasn't sure he would join the trip. It was "a difficult decision because the government bought this travel permit by distancing itself from the Armenia resolution," he told AFP. - Sources of discord - Germany has around 240 troops stationed at the base in southern Turkey, from where it flies Tornado surveillance missions over Syria and refuelling flights as part of the campaign against IS. Story continues Germany hopes to invest 58 million euros ($65 million) in mobile barracks and other facilities in Incirlik, Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday. The bitter row over the visit started when the German parliament in June joined more than 20 countries in recognising the massacre of Armenians as a genocide. Armenians say up to 1.5 million were killed between 1915 and 1917 as the Ottoman Empire was falling apart. Turkey rejects the claims, arguing that 300,000 to 500,000 Armenians and as many Turks died in civil strife when Armenians rose up against their Ottoman rulers and sided with invading Russian troops. After the German vote, a furious Erdogan accused German lawmakers of Turkish origin of having "tainted blood". Last week, Merkel said that the Armenia resolution was a political statement and not legally binding, in what was widely read as an attempt to soothe Turkey's anger -- a claim her government strongly denied. Merkel then met Erdogan at a G20 summit in China and afterwards said she hoped for progress in "coming days" on the base visit. Other sources of discord, however, remain -- including German criticism of the Erdogan government's treatment of local and foreign journalists, of its Kurdish minority and of many of the alleged plotters detained in sweeping arrests after the failed coup in July. Germany is home to a three-million-strong ethnic Turkish population, the legacy of a massive "guest worker" programme in the 1960s and 1970s. Istanbul (AFP) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed late Thursday on the need for a ceasefire in Syria "as soon as possible", state media reported. Ankara is hoping a ceasefire will be implemented in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo for the Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) Islamic holiday which in Turkey begins around September 12. Erdogan told Putin by phone Thursday that it was essential to agree to a ceasefire in Aleppo "as soon as possible," the news agency Anadolu reported. Both leaders agreed to intensify efforts to this end, it added. Turkey and Russia remain on the two opposite ends of the Syrian conflict, with Moscow backing Assad and Ankara supporting the opposition fighting for his ouster. The Turkish leader had met separately with Putin and US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the recent G-20 meeting in China, telling them both that it was essential to agree to a truce for Aleppo. Russia and the United States were believed to have been close to an agreement at the G20 but Washington then admitted no deal could be announced for the moment. Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for Erdogan, said Tuesday that the ceasefire could begin with a 48-hour-truce that would then be lengthened and would see both the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and opposition fighters halt fire. By Phil Stewart LONDON (Reuters) - Turkey supports plans to drive Islamic State out of its Syrian stronghold of Raqqa but U.S.-backed Kurdish militia fighters should not be at the core of the operation, Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Isik said on Thursday. Turkey launched its first major military incursion into Syria just over two weeks ago. Washington has said it supports the effort to push back Islamic State, but the two NATO allies remain at odds over the role Kurdish fighters should play. The United States sees the Syrian Kurdish YPG as a useful ally in the fight against the jihadists. But Turkey views them as a hostile force, an extension of Kurdish militants who have waged a three-decade insurgency on its own soil. Speaking to Reuters after a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter in London, Isik said YPG fighters should not be at the heart of any bid to seize Raqqa. "What Turkey focuses and insists on is that instead of solely the YPG forces, the operations must be conducted, as the core of the operatives, by the local people of the region, instead of the YPG," he said in an interview. "Turkey will not allow YPG forces to extend their territory and gain power by using the Daesh operations as an excuse," he said, using an acronym for Islamic State. Turkey and the United States are already at odds over control of another town, Manbij, some 30 km (20 miles) south of the Turkish border, which was captured last month from Islamic State by a U.S.-backed coalition that includes the YPG. Turkey has insisted that the Kurdish fighters pull back east of the Euphrates river following the operation, and warned that they will be legitimate targets for Turkish forces and the Syrian rebels Turkey backs if they fail to do so. CONTROLLING BORDER WITH TURKEY Carter told reporters that YPG fighters had already pulled out of Manbij and pledged to stay east of the Euphrates, but Isik said they had yet to fully do so. Turkey fears that by advancing westwards from the Euphrates the Kurds would control unbroken tracts of borderland. "We are expecting this pledge to be fulfilled. However the information we are receiving from our intelligence units and local sources indicate that YPG forces have not retreated to the east of the river. They are still present in the area," he said. Turkey would seek no other objective around Manbij other than the retreat of the YPG forces, Isik said. Carter acknowledged Turkish concerns but said U.S. policy in both Syria and Iraq was for local populations to rule cities and towns after Islamic State's defeat. "Nobody's going to go in there and occupy those cities except the people who already live there. Thats the point," he said, adding that the YPG understood this and would not be allowed to hold Manbij. Turkey's incursion into Syria came after it had called in vain for several years for world powers to help create a "safe zone" along the Syrian border, with the aim of clearing out Islamic State and Kurdish fighters and of stemming a wave of migration that has caused tension with Europe. Western allies have so far balked at the idea, saying it would require a significant ground force and planes to patrol a "no-fly zone", a major commitment in such a crowded and messy battlefield. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told a joint news conference with his Saudi counterpart on Thursday that Turkish forces would nonetheless continue "north to south". In London, Carter assured the Turkish defense minister of continued U.S. support for Turkey's efforts to clear Islamic State from its borders. The two men also discussed the importance of local forces being at the center of any Raqqa operation. (Reporting by Phil Stewart; Writing by Nick Tattersall; editing by Ralph Boulton) By Phil Stewart LONDON (Reuters) - Turkey supports plans to drive Islamic State out of its Syrian stronghold of Raqqa but U.S.-backed Kurdish militia fighters should not be at the core of the operation, Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Isik said on Thursday. Turkey launched its first major military incursion into Syria just over two weeks ago. Washington has said it supports the effort to push back Islamic State, but the two NATO allies remain at odds over the role Kurdish fighters should play. The United States sees the Syrian Kurdish YPG as a useful ally in the fight against the jihadists. But Turkey views them as a hostile force, an extension of Kurdish militants who have waged a three-decade insurgency on its own soil. Speaking to Reuters after a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter in London, Isik said YPG fighters should not be at the heart of any bid to seize Raqqa. "What Turkey focuses and insists on is that instead of solely the YPG forces, the operations must be conducted, as the core of the operatives, by the local people of the region, instead of the YPG," he said in an interview. "Turkey will not allow YPG forces to extend their territory and gain power by using the Daesh operations as an excuse," he said, using an acronym for Islamic State. Turkey and the United States are already at odds over control of another town, Manbij, some 30 km (20 miles) south of the Turkish border, which was captured last month from Islamic State by a U.S.-backed coalition that includes the YPG. Turkey has insisted that the Kurdish fighters pull back east of the Euphrates river following the operation, and warned that they will be legitimate targets for Turkish forces and the Syrian rebels Turkey backs if they fail to do so. CONTROLLING BORDER WITH TURKEY Carter told reporters that YPG fighters had already pulled out of Manbij and pledged to stay east of the Euphrates, but Isik said they had yet to fully do so. Turkey fears that by advancing westwards from the Euphrates the Kurds would control unbroken tracts of borderland. "We are expecting this pledge to be fulfilled. However the information we are receiving from our intelligence units and local sources indicate that YPG forces have not retreated to the east of the river. They are still present in the area," he said. Turkey would seek no other objective around Manbij other than the retreat of the YPG forces, Isik said. Carter acknowledged Turkish concerns but said U.S. policy in both Syria and Iraq was for local populations to rule cities and towns after Islamic State's defeat. "Nobody's going to go in there and occupy those cities except the people who already live there. Thats the point," he said, adding that the YPG understood this and would not be allowed to hold Manbij. Turkey's incursion into Syria came after it had called in vain for several years for world powers to help create a "safe zone" along the Syrian border, with the aim of clearing out Islamic State and Kurdish fighters and of stemming a wave of migration that has caused tension with Europe. Western allies have so far balked at the idea, saying it would require a significant ground force and planes to patrol a "no-fly zone", a major commitment in such a crowded and messy battlefield. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told a joint news conference with his Saudi counterpart on Thursday that Turkish forces would nonetheless continue "north to south". In London, Carter assured the Turkish defence minister of continued U.S. support for Turkey's efforts to clear Islamic State from its borders. The two men also discussed the importance of local forces being at the centre of any Raqqa operation. (Reporting by Phil Stewart; Writing by Nick Tattersall; editing by Ralph Boulton) By Daren Butler and Ece Toksabay DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) - Turkey is waging the largest operation in its history against Kurdish militants and the removal of civil servants linked to them is a key part of the fight, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday, as more than 11,000 teachers were suspended. The crackdown comes as Ankara also pushes ahead with a purge of tens of thousands of supporters of U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused by Turkey of orchestrating an attempted coup in July. Gulen denies any involvement. Erdogan has repeatedly said he will not stop in his efforts to quash both the outlawed Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) or followers of Gulen, a network Ankara has labeled as FETO, meaning "Gulen Terror Organisation". "We have run and are currently running the largest operations against the PKK terrorist organisation in its history, both within and across our borders," Erdogan said. "Whether it's the struggle against the PKK or against the FETO, an important dimension of this struggle is the removal of civil servants that are extensions of these organisation within the state." Turkey has sacked or suspended 100,000 people following the failed July 15 coup. At least 40,000 people have been detained on suspicion of links to Gulen's network and half of those arrested. The scope of the crackdown has raised concern from rights groups and Turkey's Western allies who fear Erdogan is using the failed coup as pretext to curtail dissent. Following the coup, there has been no let-up in the government's campaign against the PKK in the mainly Kurdish southeast. The group, seen as a terrorist organisation by the United States, Turkey and the European Union, has waged a three-decade insurgency that has killed 40,000 people, most of them Kurds. TEACHERS SUSPENDED The government suspended 11,500 teachers over alleged links to the PKK, an official said on Thursday, after Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said during a visit to the region over the weekend that there were an estimated 14,000 teachers with links to the militants. Security officials and local media reports said the state had appointed administrators to two municipalities in the southeastern province of Diyarbakir, although the local governor later denied it. "Reports on the taking over of two mayor's offices in Diyarbakir do not reflect the truth. There has not been such an appointment at this stage. If there is an appointment, a statement will be made," the governor's office said in a statement. Security officials, the private Dogan news agency, and the state-run Anadolu agency earlier said the government appointed the administrators to replace a pro-Kurdish party because of alleged support for Kurdish militants. Diyarbakir is a province in Turkey's largely Kurdish southeast. The Democratic Regions Party (DBP), which runs the councils and many across the region, has been dubbed by Erdogan as an extension of the PKK, which has fought a three-decades-old conflict in the mainly Kurdish southeast. The DBP is the local partner of Turkey's national pro-Kurdish opposition party, the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). (Additional reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Seda Sezer; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by David Dolan) By Daren Butler and Ece Toksabay DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) - Turkey is waging the largest operation in its history against Kurdish militants and the removal of civil servants linked to them is a key part of the fight, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday, as more than 11,000 teachers were suspended. The crackdown comes as Ankara also pushes ahead with a purge of tens of thousands of supporters of U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused by Turkey of orchestrating an attempted coup in July. Gulen denies any involvement. Erdogan has repeatedly said he will not stop in his efforts to quash both the outlawed Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) or followers of Gulen, a network Ankara has labeled as FETO, meaning "Gulen Terror Organisation". "We have run and are currently running the largest operations against the PKK terrorist organization in its history, both within and across our borders," Erdogan said. "Whether it's the struggle against the PKK or against the FETO, an important dimension of this struggle is the removal of civil servants that are extensions of these organization within the state." Turkey has sacked or suspended 100,000 people following the failed July 15 coup. At least 40,000 people have been detained on suspicion of links to Gulen's network and half of those arrested. The scope of the crackdown has raised concern from rights groups and Turkey's Western allies who fear Erdogan is using the failed coup as pretext to curtail dissent. Following the coup, there has been no let-up in the government's campaign against the PKK in the mainly Kurdish southeast. The group, seen as a terrorist organization by the United States, Turkey and the European Union, has waged a three-decade insurgency that has killed 40,000 people, most of them Kurds. TEACHERS SUSPENDED The government suspended 11,500 teachers over alleged links to the PKK, an official said on Thursday, after Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said during a visit to the region over the weekend that there were an estimated 14,000 teachers with links to the militants. Security officials and local media reports said the state had appointed administrators to two municipalities in the southeastern province of Diyarbakir, although the local governor later denied it. "Reports on the taking over of two mayor's offices in Diyarbakir do not reflect the truth. There has not been such an appointment at this stage. If there is an appointment, a statement will be made," the governor's office said in a statement. Security officials, the private Dogan news agency, and the state-run Anadolu agency earlier said the government appointed the administrators to replace a pro-Kurdish party because of alleged support for Kurdish militants. Diyarbakir is a province in Turkey's largely Kurdish southeast. The Democratic Regions Party (DBP), which runs the councils and many across the region, has been dubbed by Erdogan as an extension of the PKK, which has fought a three-decades-old conflict in the mainly Kurdish southeast. The DBP is the local partner of Turkey's national pro-Kurdish opposition party, the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). (Additional reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Seda Sezer; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by David Dolan) Beirut (AFP) - Heavy Turkish shelling across the border into Syria killed six US-backed Kurdish fighters and wounded several civilians, a monitoring group said on Thursday. The artillery fire struck the Kurdish-controlled Afrin area in the northwest late on Wednesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. A Syrian Kurdish news website reported the same death toll. The majority-Kurdish Afrin area has been under the control of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) since government forces pulled out in 2012. It has come under intermittent artillery fire by Ankara which regards the YPG as an extension of the outlawed rebel Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) that has been waging an insurgency in southeastern Turkey for three decades. But it has not been a direct target of the unprecedented ground incursion which Ankara launched on August 24 targeting both the YPG and the Islamic State jihadist group. Turkish leaders have said a major goal of the intervention was to prevent the YPG and their allies from joining up the Afrin enclave with the large swathe of territory they control in northeastern Syria to create a contiguous autonomous region along much of the border. A total of 19 Kurdish and allied fighters have been killed since the incursion began, according to the Observatory. Turkish troops and their Syrian rebel allies have now occupied a border strip stretching from the Euphrates River to the Afrin enclave, after ousting the last IS fighters last weekend. Turkish operations against the YPG have drawn criticism from Washington which has urged both sides to focus their sights on IS. Washington regards the Kurdish militia as the most effective force fighting IS on the ground in Syria and has provided it with weapons and military advisers. Here are the two BIG Disney Easter eggs youre gonna want to look for in Moana Here are the two BIG Disney Easter eggs youre gonna want to look for in Moana Weve been non-stop psyched about the latest addition to the Disney collection ever since Moana was officially announced back in 2014. With its long history of beloved animated movies and amazing female leads, we just cant wait to see the young heroine Moana embark on her adventure across the south Pacific with demigod, Maui. On top of the musical stylings of Hamilton creator/all-around musical genius Lin-Manuel Miranda, a brand-new Disney princess voiced by an incredibly talented high school freshman, and the movies revolutionary no-love-interest plot, we also apparently have some great Disney Easter eggs to look forward to in the movie. Disney is known for throwing in references and visual cues calling back to their previous films in each new movie, tying together all of the films in one gigantic Disney-verse (and blowing peoples minds with no shortage of increasingly zany Disney fan theories). Moanas directors (and veritable Disney legends) John Musker and Ron Clements have confirmed that there will be at least two Easter eggs in their newest film: One The Little Mermaid reference, and one callback to the recent smash-hit Frozen. Musker and Clements confirmed this news to Buzzfeed at a press event for Moana earlier in the summer. Flounder does appear in this movie, Musker said. Youll have to find Flounder. I wont say where. flounder This Easter egg totally makes sense. Moana follows the title character as she journeys by boat across the South Pacific, accompanied by a demigod (Dwayne The Rock Johnson, obvs). Ocean = fish = Flounder, so sneaking Ariels sidekick into the movie couldnt have been too tricky! Will Moana and Maui run into Nemo, Marlin, and Dory, too?! giphy (4) The directors did also say that there are other [Easter eggs] as well, hope everybodys favorite forgetful fish and her comrades pop up, too. Story continues Besides Flounder, theres one other confirmed Easter egg: Olaf. Olaf is in the movie very briefly, Clements said. Wait, what? giphy (5) Hm. Well, we know very well from his adventures in Frozen that Olaf, the happiest lil snowman around, loves summer. But how exactly would he fare in the tropical climate of ancient Oceania? Its pre-Hawaii Hawaii over there in other words, not a great place to be if youre made out of snow. Once you realize where he is, youll get it, Musker explained. But we dont want to say too much. Okay, fair enough. Feel like it would be just a wee bit too dark to have an Olaf-looking puddle of water somewhere in the middle of one of the islands that Maui and Moana visit, so maybe well just see a drawing of Olaf or something? Then again, a very dead Scar did appear in Hercules so maybe they will go for something morbidly humorous like that. Either way, were so excited to see Moana when its released on November 23rd! The post Here are the two BIG Disney Easter eggs youre gonna want to look for in Moana appeared first on HelloGiggles. By Aidan Lewis TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Two car bombs exploded near Tripoli's foreign ministry and a naval base used by Libya's U.N.-backed government early on Thursday, a security source said. Images posted online from the bombing near the foreign ministry showed charred vehicle wreckage scattered in the middle of a street close to Tripoli's coastal highway. There were no casualties from either bombing. Tripoli is home to numerous armed factions that have clashed in the past, though the situation in recent months has been relatively calm. Militants loyal to Islamic State are also thought to operate sleeper cells in Tripoli and carried out attacks there last year. Some armed groups have helped provide security to the U.N.-backed Government of National Accord (GNA). Its leaders arrived in Tripoli in March, travelling to the naval base by ship after opponents shut down the airspace to prevent them flying in. Since then, the GNA has gradually taken control of government buildings in Tripoli, including the foreign ministry, which is close to the naval base. The GNA is designed to replace two rival sets of institutions in Tripoli and eastern Libya, which split after a battle for control of the capital in 2014. But the new government has struggled to impose its authority and has failed to win endorsement from power-brokers in the east. It has also been widely criticised for failing to deal with day-to-day problems in Tripoli and beyond, including a liquidity crisis and lengthy power cuts. Libyan forces aligned with the GNA are now close to ousting Islamic State from its former North African stronghold in Sirte, about 400 km (250 miles) south-east of Tripoli. (Editing by Gareth Jones and Robin Pomeroy) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. forces attempted to rescue two civilian hostages in Afghanistan last month, but the captives were not at the location and no U.S. personnel or civilians were harmed in the attempt, the Pentagon said on Thursday. "In August, at the recommendation of Secretary Carter, President Obama authorized U.S. forces to conduct a mission in Afghanistan, aimed at recovering two civilian hostages," Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said in a statement. "Unfortunately, the hostages were not at the location we suspected," Cook said. He added that U.S. forces "engaged and killed a number of hostile forces." The identities of the hostages were not disclosed. In early August, two faculty members of the American University of Afghanistan, one American and one Australian, were abducted at gunpoint from a road near the university in Kabul. (Reporting by Idrees Ali in Washington and Phil Stewart in Oslo; Editing by Peter Cooney) By Valerie Volcovici WASHINGTON (Reuters) - About 10,000 retired coal miners and their families descended on the U.S. Congress on Thursday to pressure lawmakers to pass stalled legislation that would prevent 22,000 of them from losing their pension and health benefits as soon as early 2017. A bipartisan group of senators is trying to pass legislation to ensure the retirees' coverage with the United Mine Workers of Americas retirement and healthcare funds, which are dwindling as some coal companies drop benefits in their bankruptcy proceedings. The future of the coal industry and its workers has been an issue in national politics. With just weeks to go before the presidential and congressional elections in November, time for passage of the bill is limited. The union said the federal government was obligated to ensure coal workers continue to get the benefits. The UMWA pension currently supports about 120,000 former miners and their families. These miners put in decades of back-breaking work in Americas coal mines to energize our nation," UMWA International President Cecil Roberts said. But some Republican senators, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, have hesitated to support the legislation, either because they do not want to be seen bailing out unionized workers or because it does not address what they say is President Barack Obama's regulatory "war" on the coal industry. Legislation backers say they are obligated to uphold a guarantee made in 1946 by President Harry Truman to protect the benefits to avert a strike. Republican West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito said on Wednesday that the payments were less than $600 a month. "These aren't lavish pensions," she said. "This is food. This is the trip to see the doctor." If Congress fails to pass the Miners' Protection Act, the $5 billion federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp, an agency that backstops failed private-sector pension programs and is already financially strained, would be responsible for the plans. Story continues Mervn Click, a retired coal miner from Hueytown, Alabama, who traveled more than 20 hours by bus for the rally, said his benefits could cease by year's end. "I don't know what I will do if it runs out," he said as he stood under a tree facing the Capitol. West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin said 46 Democratic senators and at least eight Republicans backed the bill. Three of the Republicans - Rob Portman of Ohio, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Mark Kirk of Illinois - are up for reelection this November in tight races in coal-producing states. Portman told the crowd he was confident the bill will pass in the Senate Finance Committee, where it will be discussed on Wednesday. "We hope it's a strong vote because that will get it to the (Senate) floor like a torpedo," he said. Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat who is the ranking member of the Finance Committee, said he was "working both sides of the aisle" to make sure the bill gets passed. "Today it's mine workers; tomorrow it can be woodworkers," he said, referring to his state's logging industry. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, who has criticized bankrupt coal companies for shirking their responsibility to pay healthcare benefits for retirees, voiced support for the bill. I firmly believe that if you spent your life keeping the lights on for our country, we cant leave you in the dark," Clinton said in a statement. She has also proposed a $30 billion package to help coal states adapt to a changing economy. That plan has been overshadowed by a comment she made earlier this year that she would put coal companies out of business. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has repeatedly pledged to put coal miners back to work but has not offered any details. His campaign was unavailable for comment. McConnell spokesman Robert Steurer told Reuters that the issue "deserves an open, transparent debate through regular order." Vera Newton, a member of the United Auto Workers' Louisville, Kentucky, chapter joined her members at the rally in solidarity with the coal workers. "If they lose this fight, we're next," she said. "It's like dominoes - if they lose their pension, other unions will follow." WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. prosecutors on Thursday dropped corruption charges against former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell and his wife, bringing to a close a case that tarnished the once-rising star of the Republican Party. "After carefully considering the Supreme Courts recent decision and the principles of federal prosecution, we have made the decision not to pursue the case further," the U.S. Justice Department said in a statement. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court threw out McDonnell's bribery convictions in a ruling that could make it tougher to prosecute politicians for corruption. The eight justices, liberals and conservatives alike, overturned McDonnell's 2014 conviction, saying that his conduct fell short of an "official act" in exchange for a bribe as required for conviction under federal bribery law. Jurors had convicted McDonnell for accepting $177,000 in luxury gifts and sweetheart loans to him and his wife Maureen McDonnell from a wealthy Richmond businessman seeking to promote a dietary supplement. He was sentenced to two years in prison but remained free pending appeal. The case was a rare instance of the nation's highest court reviewing a high-level public official's criminal conviction. The court sent the case back to lower courts to determine if there was sufficient evidence for a jury to convict McDonnell, which had kept alive the possibility of a new trial. His lawyers applauded the decision, saying in a statement on Thursday: "Governor McDonnell can finally move on from the nightmare of the last three years and begin rebuilding his life." McDonnell served as governor from 2010 to 2014 and once was considered a possible U.S. vice presidential candidate. His wife was convicted in a separate trial and given a one-year sentence but remained free while pursuing a separate appeal. The Supreme Court ruling effectively applied to Maureen McDonnell too, meaning that her conviction also had to be tossed out. Story continues Her attorney said in a statement on Thursday: "We are thrilled and thankful that Maureen can now move on with her life." Legal observers have noted that the Supreme Court ruling opens the possibility that politicians could sell meetings and other forms of access without violating federal law. The decision was criticized by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a corruption watchdog group. It said in a statement the Justice Department had "sent a clear signal that it would not aggressively enforce corruption laws to hold public officials accountable when they abuse their office. (Reporting by Tim Ahmann; Writing by Eric Walsh; Editing by Alistair Bell and Andrew Hay) By Jonathan Allen NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers said Thursday they will seek to recover the missing emails of Colin Powell from his time as U.S. secretary of state by going directly to AOL Inc, whose email service he used for his work. The decision came a few minutes after U.S. State Department officials testified in a hearing that the department never contacted AOL to recover the missing records, despite repeated requests by the National Archives and Records Administration over the last year. The hearing, by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, was the latest in the fallout from Hillary Clinton's decision to use an unauthorized private email system for official email while secretary of state. Clinton, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, has said her decision was wrong, but it has continued to dog her effort to defeat Republican rival Donald Trump in the Nov. 8 election. Her defenders have pointed to some similarities in Powell's earlier use of private email, which drew fresh scrutiny at Thursday's hearing. "I don't get this, it's ridiculous," said Democrat Stephen Lynch, a committee member. "This is the National Archives asking you to contact AOL, but you didn't do that." Patrick Kennedy, the State Department's most senior management official, said that Powell, a Republican, never replied to the department's request to ask AOL to attempt to recover his work emails, which were not properly archived at the agency. He said the department's lawyers decided to decline the National Archives' requests that the department go to AOL directly. "We cannot make a request for someone else's records from their provider," Kennedy said in his testimony. "That request has to be made by them." Jason Chaffetz, the Republican who chairs the committee, then agreed to a request by the committee's most senior Democrat, Elijah Cummings, to try to recover the emails from AOL, using a subpoena if necessary. AOL is owned by telecommunications provider Verizon Communications Inc. A spokeswoman for Powell did not respond to a request for comment. AOL did not immediately respond to questions, and has previously said the its privacy policy precludes it from discussing a customer's emails. The State Department did not have a fully functioning email system when Powell joined it in 2001, according to agency officials. Powell has said he told technology officials to set up a computer with his AOL account in order to become the first secretary of state to use email. In contrast, Clinton eschewed the official state.gov email system when she took office in 2009. Department officials have said she would not have received permission for this had she asked. (Reporting by Jonathan Allen; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Steve Orlofsky) By Nate Raymond NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent testified on Thursday that a probe of two nephews of Venezuela's first lady began after a drug trafficker cooperating with authorities told him of a meeting arranged by her brother, a top police official. The agent testified in Manhattan federal court about the origins of the probe of Franqui Francisco Flores de Freitas and Efrain Antonio Campo Flores as he detailed how two key informants deceived investigators to conduct drug deals. The testimony came during proceedings in which lawyers for the nephews of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's wife, Cilia Flores, sought the suppression of evidence against them and statements they gave after their November 2015 arrests. Both men are fighting charges that they worked with others to try to send 800 kg of cocaine from Venezuela to Honduras so it could be imported into the United States. In court, DEA Special Agent Sandalio Gonzalez testified that the probe began after a cooperating witness in Honduras, a drug trafficker called El Sentado, told him in October 2015 a Venezuelan official named Bladimir Flores was going to send his nephew to meet with him. "He (cooperating witness) indicated that these individuals wanted to fly drug-laden planes to Honduras with flight plans," Gonzalez said. Gonzalez did not elaborate on the role of Bladimir Flores. He is the brother of Cilia Flores and serves as inspector general of Venezuela's investigative police, known as CIPCP. Bladimir Flores could not be reached for comment. The nephews' case, an embarrassment for Maduro as Venezuela experiences political and economic struggles, was brought last year amid a series of U.S. probes that have linked individuals connected to the Venezuelan government to drug trafficking. In court, Gonzalez characterized the nephews as significant drug traffickers. "They indicated they had the run of the main airport in Caracas and then could easily dispatch drug-laden planes on the presidential ramp," he said. But under questioning by the nephews' lawyers, Gonzalez acknowledged a series of problems involving the DEA's reliance on El Sentado and two informants who at its direction posed as Mexican drug traffickers. The informants lied throughout the probe about their own drug dealing and one used Venezuelan prostitutes the defendants paid for, he said. Both have since been charged and are incarcerated, he said. Gonzalez also said El Sentado failed to record his first meeting with the nephews in October 2015, despite instructions to do so. Prosecutors said El Sentado was murdered in Honduras last December. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in New York; Editing by Peter Cooney) By Alex Dobuzinskis (Reuters) - A Marine Corps investigation into the suicide of a recruit in South Carolina has uncovered abuse by drill instructors, in a case that could result in military prosecution or discipline of 20 training personnel, officials said on Thursday. The probe into the death in March of Raheel Siddiqui, who was Muslim, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island has led to revelations that other recruits also were mistreated. Siddiqui was 20 years old, according to media reports. The Marine Corps in a statement on Thursday said its investigation into Siddiqui's death has led to a number of commanders and advisers being relieved of duty and the suspension of some drill instructors. The statement did not say exactly how the alleged mistreatment of recruits at Parris Island might have contributed to Siddiqui's suicide or how many members of the military were disciplined. The son of Pakistani immigrants jumped over the wall of an outdoor stairwell at the depot and fell three stories, later dying at a medical center, according to the Wall Street Journal, which cited a casualty report. The military investigation has resulted in accusations that drill instructors engaged in "recurrent physical and verbal abuse of recruits" and that commanders failed to properly supervise instructors, according to the Marine Corps statement. In some cases, the instructors themselves were maltreated by senior colleagues, the investigation found. The probe also uncovered evidence that one drill instructor was under investigation for previous allegations of assault and hazing. In the future, personnel who are under investigation for hazing or other abuse will be suspended, the statement said. Marine Corps Brigadier General David Furness said in a letter to a U.S. representative in June that the commanding officer for a training battalion at Parris Island was relieved of command. The latest statement from the Marine Corps said 20 recruit training personnel had been identified for "possible military justice or administrative action." Story continues "We mourn the loss of Recruit Siddiqui and we will take every step necessary to prevent tragic events like this from happening again," Commandant of the Marine Corps General Robert Neller said in a statement. The Marine Corps statement did not name personnel under investigation and a representative for the Marine Corps could not be reached for additional comment. The Wall Street Journal reported Marine Corps officials have not said whether Siddiqui's ethnic or religious background was a factor in the way he was treated. (Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) NAIROBI (Reuters) - The United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan said on Thursday it was concerned that members of civil rights groups in the country were being harassed for speaking to U.N. Security Council diplomats who visited this week. Fierce fighting in the capital between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar in July raised fears that the five-year-old nation could slide back into civil war, wrecking a peace deal signed last year. It prompted the United Nations to authorize the deployment of the additional U.N. troops to bolster the 12,000-strong U.N. mission there. Diplomats from the 15-member Security Council visited South Sudan this week and last, and the government agreed to accept 4,000 extra peacekeepers in a bid to avoid an arms embargo threatened by the council. They also met displaced civilians, religious leaders and members of civil society groups, who urged deployment of the extra foreign troops, even as government ministers questioned whether more peacekeepers were needed in the capital, Juba. The U.N. peacekeeping mission (UNMISS) said after the meetings it had received reports that some of the people who met the diplomats had received threats and being harassed. "Any attempt to suppress these rights through threats and harassment must be condemned in no uncertain terms," it said in a statement. Government officials could not immediately be reached for comment. Civil war first erupted in South Sudan in December 2013, sparked by a longtime political rivalry between Kiir and Machar. Thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced by the conflict. (Writing by George Obulutsa; Editing by Richard Balmforth) By Scott DiSavino NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. crude prices soared nearly 3 percent on Wednesday in post settlement trading after U.S. inventory data showed what might be the largest weekly stock draw in over three decades. Nationwide crude inventories plunged by 12.1 million barrels in the week to Sept 2, according to data released late Wednesday from the American Petroleum Institute. If data released on Thursday from the U.S. government confirms the draw, it will be the largest one-week decline since April 1985. U.S. crude jumped after the data release, rising by as much as 1.6 percent, or 71 cents, over the next 20 minutes. It settled earlier up 67 cents at $45.50 a barrel, a third consecutive session of gains. Brent futures rose 72 cents to settle at $47.98 a barrel. The draw in crude inventory may boost markets going forward, especially as demand slips in the fall marked by heavy refinery maintenance season and the end of summer driving. "I think it will start to ease fears of oversupply in the market," said Gene McGillian, a senior analyst at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut. "There's apprehension of crude restocking as we exit the gasoline season and we exit strong demand. That's one of the reasons why the market fell below $45." Trading this week has remained fairly choppy as the market focused on the possibility that the world's top oil producers could strike a deal on an output freeze later this month. Oil hit a one-week high on Monday after Russia and Saudi Arabia agreed to cooperate on stabilising the oil market. Prices have since fallen due to uncertainty over a deal, particularly after a meeting in Doha in April among the world's largest producers to discuss output ended in failure. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and non-OPEC producers such as Russia are expected to discuss an output freeze at informal talks in Algeria on Sept. 26-28. "I think we're going to be headline driven for a while. Generally, I think we'll see lower prices going forward. The upcoming meeting isnt going to do very much. If OPEC freezes at these levels, these are record levels," said Tariq Zahir, analyst at Tyche Capital Advisors. Story continues Iran has said it would cooperate on a freeze only if fellow exporters recognised its right to boost market share to levels reached before the imposition of nuclear-related sanctions, which have now been lifted. The U.S. Energy Information Administration is set to release its inventory report on Thursday at 11 a.m. (Additional reporting by Amanda Cooper in London, Osamu Tsukimori in Tokyo, Catherine Ngai in New York; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Alistair Bell) ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey's military said on Thursday it had taken control of four residential areas in northern Syria as it presses an offensive to sweep Islamic State out of a patch of border territory and prevent Kurdish militia fighters gaining ground in their wake. The military said it had taken control of the Kantara, Es Sehid, Al Humran and Taslihuyuk settlements. Turkish tanks and special forces, backed by fighter jets, entered Syria two weeks ago to support mostly Turkmen and Arab rebels in an operation which has secured some 90 km (56 miles) along the border. (Reporting by Ece Toksabay; Writing by Nick Tattersall) Montreal (AFP) - Canada's Quebec government and US ride-sharing service Uber struck a tentative deal Thursday for the company to continue operating in the province, as part of a one-year test program. Authorities had threatened to ban Uber if it did not comply with local laws before September 8. Following last-minute negotiations, Quebec Transportation Minister Laurent Lessard said the agreement "respects the required parameters for Uber to operate a taxi service in Quebec." According to local media, Uber has pledged to collect and pay provincial and federal value-added taxes on each trip made by its UberX drivers. In addition, Uber reportedly will cap the time worked by all drivers to 50,000 hours per week, and pay a fee per ride to the Quebec government to finance a modernization fund for the local taxi industry. Lessard said that under the guidelines, traditional taxis and their direct rival, the company's UberX vehicles, "are going to compete on a more balanced playing field." "We will need to evaluate our capability to offer a quality service to drivers working in the share-ride service and customers under this new pilot project," said Uber Quebec general manager Jean-Nicolas Guillemette in a statement. He insisted that the company was determined to "demonstrate to the government that we are ready to work in a regulated industry and be a partner in innovation." As has happened in many locations around the globe, the arrival of the UberX ride-sharing business in Canada has generated hostility from the taxi industry. Taxi drivers in Quebec filed a lawsuit in February seeking to block its operations. Other areas in the country are supportive. Edmonton, the capital of Alberta province, became the first Canadian city to vote to legalize Uber on January 27. The Canadian capital of Ottawa has also given Uber the green light to begin service on September 30. And in Toronto, Canada's largest city, the municipal government has created a new category of taxi license required for Uber drivers. Its been four months since he lost the UFC heavyweight title, but to Fabricio Werdum, it seems like four years. The goal hed worked toward for most of his adult life ended in a flash, as a back-pedaling Stipe Miocic caught him with a punch in the perfect spot and knocked him out. It was deeply disappointing to Werdum, whod reinvested himself since rejoining the UFC in 2012 and had quietly become the sports best big man. Hed won six fights in a row, including a knockout of the virtually impossible to knock out Mark Hunt, and a submission of Cain Velasquez. Then, as Miocic backed away from him, boom, it was all over. That it happened in Werdums native Brazil, in front of an adoring throng of more than 40,000, made it all the worse. Sad, sad, sad moment, Werdum said, plaintively. It was more, though, than just a disappointment at a loss that all athletes feel at one point or another. There was a tangible loss he felt, beyond the emotional impact of being defeated. Its always so hard to lose, but that loss was very difficult for me for so many reasons, he said. There were a lot of bad things. I didnt have as many sponsors as I did. I didnt get [asked to give] as many seminars. I felt it. It hurt me. Stipe Miocic, left, knocked out Fabricio Werdum at UFC 198. (REUTERS) Hell face Travis Browne in the co-main event of UFC 203 at Quicken Loans Arena on Saturday in Cleveland and is looking to fight the winner of the main event. Miocic will make the first defense of the belt he won from Werdum on Saturday when he takes on Alistair Overeem in what should be an intriguing striking match. Werdum was originally scheduled to fight Ben Rothwell, but Rothwell pulled out because of an injury. That led to Browne taking the fight on short notice. Browne is a top-10 opponent, but a win over him doesnt do as much for Werdum as a win over Rothwell would have because hes already defeated Browne handily in 2014. On top of that, Browne is coming off a devastating first-round defeat at the hands of Velasquez at UFC 200. Story continues Thus, the bout becomes more risk than reward for Werdum. Browne is a dangerous opponent who is clearly capable of winning, but since Werdum has already beaten him so definitively, another victory may not help his cause for the title shot. Werdum, though, had no qualms. He was glad that Browne took the fight and hes eager to get another win. Injuries are a part of this sport, and so when [Rothwell] got hurt, I told my manager I just wanted to fight and to get me someone in the top 10, Werdum said. Travis is there and he was available and so Im fighting him. I feel I deserve the rematch after this fight. Given what I have done, I felt I should have [gotten an immediate rematch], but I didnt and so I have to deal with it as it is. And so I feel like, a win over a top-10 opponent should get it for me. He would seem to have little to prove against Browne. Browne was on a roll the last time they met, having won three in a row and six of seven. The only loss in that stretch came when he was fighting Antonio Silva with a badly injured leg. But when Browne met Werdum on April 19, 2014, in Orlando, it was about as one-sided as a five-round fight could get. Werdums improved hands were on display and he battered Browne around the cage. As impressive as he was, though, he wouldnt acknowledge it as his best performance. That was a very good fight for me, but the best fight of my life, that is always going to be [the 2010 win over] Fedor Emelianenko, Werdum said. He was the man and thats the best win of my career. He hopes, however, that bigger and better things are ahead. And after seeing both sides, he much prefers to have the belt around his waist. He knows he needs to defeat Browne a second time and then hope UFC officials feel its enough to earn him a crack at the winner. Velasquez was sensational at UFC 200 and is a former champion, so its not out of the question that the UFC could make that rematch with the winner getting the shot at the Miocic-Overeem winner. Regardless of how it plays out, Werdum knows one thing for sure. Its a lot better to win than to lose, he said, laughing. I have no excuses. [Miocic] landed a good punch and he won. I have no excuses. I cant say bad training or injury or anything. It was his night. It is important to learn from your mistakes and I feel like Im better for having gone through this. Im going to come back and be better a better fighter even though it was so hard to lose. By Kylie MacLellan LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's parliament should completely vacate its historic Palace of Westminster building for six years in order to allow a multi-billion pound major renovation project to take place, a committee of lawmakers said on Thursday. The neo-Gothic fronted building on the banks of the River Thames was rebuilt in the mid-1800s following a fire and its mechanical and electrical services have not undergone major renovation since. Last year an independent report on required restoration work found asbestos throughout the building, stonework crumbling, roofs leaking and plumbing failing. "There is a substantial and growing risk of either a single, catastrophic event, such as a major fire, or a succession of incremental failures in essential systems which would lead to parliament no longer being able to occupy the palace," the Joint Committee on the Palace of Westminster, set up to consider the renovation options, said in a report. "Unless an intensive programme of major remedial work is undertaken soon, it is likely the building will become uninhabitable." The committee looked at a series of options ranging from a six-year, 3.5 billion pound programme involving lawmakers moving out of the building, to a 32-year rolling programme carried out while it continued to function as a parliament, at a cost of 5.7 billion pounds. "All the evidence points to having to move out of the whole palace simultaneously. That is the lowest risk, most cost-effective and quickest option," said committee member and opposition Labour lawmaker Chris Bryant. The committee recommended parliament now set up a delivery authority to put together detailed plan and budget. A world heritage site and major tourist attraction, the palace includes the famous clock tower housing the Big Ben bell. The oldest building on the site, Westminster Hall, dates from 1099 and is still in daily use. The committee said that while the work, expected to begin in the early 2020s, is carried out, the House of Commons should relocate to the nearby Department of Health's building, where a temporary chamber would be built in an inner courtyard. Parliament's upper chamber, the House of Lords, should be moved to an adjacent conference centre, it said. "Both houses must act now to restore and renew this historic building for the future, and to ensure that the Palace of Westminster is preserved for future generations," it said. (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; editing by Michael Holden) London (AFP) - Britain will provide 100 more troops to the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan to help set up a field hospital, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon announced Thursday. "We've announced an additional 100 troops in addition to the 300 previously pledged to South Sudan to establish a hospital," Fallon said following a London UN peacekeeping conference. "This large-scale deployment underlines how we are stepping up our global commitments," said Fallon. "Backed by a rising defence budget, it's part of our effort to tackle the instability that leads to mass migration and terrorism. "It will help keep Britain safe while improving lives abroad," he added. The first deployment of British personnel arrived in South Sudan in June, with the majority of troops expected to arrive in 2017. The UN Security Council last month urged South Sudan's neighbours to help end renewed fighting in the capital Juba, asking for additional peacekeepers. It demanded that President Salva Kiir and his Vice President Riek Machar "do their utmost to control their respective forces, urgently end the fighting and prevent the spread of violence". The battles are the first between the army and ex-rebels since rebel leader Machar returned to take up the post of vice president in a unity government in April, under an accord to end a bloody civil war. Representatives from around 70 countries attended Thursday's meeting. Britain co-hosted the event with Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Japan, Netherlands, Pakistan, Rwanda, Uruguay, the United States and the UN. KIEV (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund will discuss giving another tranche of aid to Ukraine at its board meeting on September 14, Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko said late on Wednesday, after speaking by phone with IMF chief Christine Lagarde. The Fund earlier this month said it was "very close" to concluding its latest review of Ukraine's $17.5 billion (13.11 billion pounds)bailout. Ukraine had originally envisaged receiving the latest tranche of aid in October, but said concerns over slower-than-expected progress on economic and political reforms demanded by the IMF had delayed the decision. "According to the results of the talks with @Lagarde, the IMF officially included the question of granting Ukraine the next tranche into the agenda for September 14," Poroshenko said on Twitter. Ukrainian officials have said the tranche will likely amount to around $1 billion, reduced from the previously expected sum of $1.7 billion. The funds are part of a $17.5 billion bailout to prop up Ukraine's economy after fighting between government troops and separatist rebels erupted in 2014 in eastern Ukraine, the centre of much of its steel, chemicals and coal output. (Reporting by Pavel Polityuk; Editing by Matthias Williams and Raissa Kasolowsky) * Hammond says UK financial services cannot be replicated * EU businesses rely on London banking - Hammond * UK would welcome free movement of finance workers - Hammond (Adds more detail) By Huw Jones LONDON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Britain's finance minister Philip Hammond warned other European Union countries they would be making a "huge mistake" if they tried to break up London's dominance as a global financial centre after the country leaves the bloc. In a sign of tense negotiations that lie ahead as Britain tries to negotiate its exit from the EU while keeping as much access as possible to its single market, Hammond said London's "complex ecosystem" of banks and financial services could not be replicated elsewhere. "To break it up or try to damage it in the pursuit of some very narrow and hypothetical national advantage would be a huge mistake for any of our European Union partners to follow," he told lawmakers. "London's financial services market supports the real economy across Europe, and not just in the UK. German car manufacturers, Italian manufacturers of consumer white goods use the City of London," Hammond said. His comments were among the strongest yet in support of the City of London finance industry since the referendum, and echo arguments being put forward by the sector itself. London dominates much of European finance, accounting for 78 percent of its foreign currency trading, 85 percent of hedge fund assets and 74 percent of off-exchange derivatives trading, according to TheCityUK, which promotes UK financial services. After voters decided in a referendum in June to leave the EU, Britain will have to negotiate new trading terms with the bloc. The financial sector, which represents more than 10 percent of Britain's economy, is worried that it will lose "passporting" rights to do business across the single market. Hammond said Britain would leave the single market and would try to secure a deal that was suited to the country's interests. Story continues "The arrangements we negotiate with the EU will be bespoke, I have no doubt whatsoever about that," Hammond said. The financial sector has acknowledged that some parts of the industry would not need a passport because they do not do much business in the EU. EU leaders have said full access to the single market must be matched by the freedom for EU citizens to work in Britain. HIGHLY SKILLED BANKERS WELCOME Hammond said Britain could not accept uncontrolled free movement of people from the bloc given the political message from the June referendum, but he wanted a deal which gave British businesses as much access as possible to the EU. Banks in London recruit large numbers of workers from the bloc and have warned they may have to move elsewhere if they are unable to continue doing so. "I would expect that using the control that we will have over the movement of people, we would use it in a sensible way that would certainly facilitate the movement of highly skilled people between financial institutions and businesses in order to support investment in the UK economy," Hammond said. He dismissed warnings that the clearing of euro-denominated transactions such as derivatives will shift to the euro zone after Brexit, as called for by French President Francois Hollande and others. Former Bank of England deputy governor Charlie Bean said on Wednesday that Britain would lose that market. "Clearing in London is a massive business and it benefits from huge economies of scale," Hammond said. "Most of the people I am talking to do not believe that you can break off bits of the clearing system. Most of them do not believe you can persuade clearing to go to any place it does not want naturally to go." After London, the most likely destination for clearing would be New York rather than anywhere in Europe, Hammond said. (Additional reporting by David Milliken, Andy Bruce and Laura Gardner Cuesta; editing by William Schomberg) Photo: Courtesy of Uniqlo Ten years after opening its doors in the fashion mecca of Soho in Manhattan, Uniqlo is upping the ante and cementing its status as the high-street shop the fashion industry loves the most with a newly remodeled store on Broadway. The Soho store represents so much; its not only our beginning, but the reason why we wanted to come here was so much of the legacy of creativity in this city and this country, says John Jay, Uniqlos creative director, while sitting in the lower level of the new store. If you look at contemporary art, avant-garde music and film, all of those things were born here, and we wanted to go to a place where some of that magic could rub off on us. And the new store definitely feels like a little bit of magic: The 28,000-square-foot space has been transformed into 12 shop-in-shops that highlight its unique commitment to being the best at providing the basic pieces people wear to live their life in, or Lifewear, as the company calls it. The shops, which focus on things like activewear, contemporary workwear, and, my personal favorite, a newsstand filled with Japanese fashion and design magazines, not only make shopping easier but also perfectly highlight the qualities that make Uniqlo such a unique brand in the market. While almost everyone in the fashion world is desperately seeking to become the next viral hit through collaborations with the most Instagrammable designers, models, and celebrities or any combination thereof, Uniqlos focus on its LifeWear has always had a more refined approach. Were not interested in overhyping something and having people break down the doors and never see them again, says Jay. Its about a lifelong relationship with our customer. In the past the company has collaborated with Jil Sander the woman, not the brand and underground Japanese label Undercover, and currently it has ongoing collections with fashion icon Ines de la Fressange, editor and legendary stylist Carine Roitfeld, and, of course, the fashion worlds favorite minimalist chic label Lemaire. These people are not the hottest designers or personalities to a mainstream audience, and yet their collaborations are wildly successful. While the choice of collaborators may appeal to a high-brow customer, the in-store offerings are truly for everyone. Its that democratization of fashion everyone is always talking about but is rarely seen in action perfectly executed. Story continues A detail of the Christophe Lemaire x Uniqlo collaboration. (Photo: Courtesy of Uniqlo) Those collaborations are very important because they help give us a fresh perspective on what LifeWear is, says Jay. I remember sitting in the room with Christophe Lemaire, and Mr. Yanai [Uniqlos founder] says to him, Use your skills, your history, your culture, now put it through the lens of LifeWear, which is something thats simple and basic but can improve peoples lives and thats the magic of our collaborations. The Lemaire collaboration was so successful in fact that Uniqlo named Christophe Lemaire, who designs the label alongside his partner, Sarah Linh-Tran, as the artistic director for Uniqlos new Uniqlo U collection, part elevated basics, part design incubator. A perfect mix of high and low. With this new phase in Uniqlo, its obvious these customer relationships are ready to go to the next level. While some of us are obsessive about Uniqlos HeatTech socks and layers for the winter, and the AIRism separates for our Pilates gear, the redesign is all about bringing a Japanese street-style aesthetic to the States. We want to bring some of that Tokyo inspiration here, Jay explains, because clearly we are inspired by Soho back in Tokyo. We want to make this an even exchange. This means that the mannequins throughout the store are styled in a much more editorial way, like the cream rib-knit turtleneck paired with a matching A-line skirt that would not be out of place on, well, a Lemaire runway. Each piece that makes up the look is merchandised immediately around the mannequin, so you dont even have to think about it. You see it, you like it, you buy it. Weve always said we make things, and were building blocks for your personal style, said Jay about this new shift in the stores aesthetic. But to say it and to be able to show people is another thing, so were trying to do a better job of showing people. This is just the beginning; this is the starting point of a very important, new future for us. Heres to another decade of truly elevating the look of our everyday lives. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. When the goal of fostering and strengthening democracy abroad became a significant element of U.S. foreign policy in the 1980s, an informal network of enthusiastic democracy practitioners, activists, and scholars emerged within the foreign policy community. Over time, their numbers expanded to encompass diplomats, aid practitioners, members of Congress, and others. While still a minority within the larger circle of U.S. policymakers, this community has become a substantial and persistent voice urging that the promotion of democracy assume a central role in Americas global engagement and criticizing U.S. actions abroad that compromise democratic values. In the 1990s, as democracy advanced around the world, democracy promotion got a hearing at the high table of U.S. foreign policy. Many mainstream policymakers embraced the idea of democratic enlargement as a core policy goal. In practice, of course, their lofty declarations of a U.S. commitment to democracy promotion outstripped the reality. Although Washington no longer needed to support dictators for the sake of anti-communism, various security and economic interests from trade with China to the Arab-Israeli peace process kept the United States in bed with quite a few autocratic strongmen. Moreover, behind their pro-democratic words, most mainstream policymakers did not share the faith of the democracy community in the ability of the United States to shape the political direction of other countries. After 9/11, the cause of democracy rose once again on the policy agenda. George W. Bushs war on terror incorporated the hope that helping foster political inclusion in the Middle East and elsewhere would help undercut the roots of Islamist radicalism. But again, the reality proved more complex. Serious contradictions emerged between the presidents high-octane freedom agenda rhetoric and his administrations policy practice particularly as U.S. military and intelligence efforts on counterterrorism entailed closer ties with non-democratic governments from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia. Yet, as in the 1990s, U.S. democracy enthusiasts felt that democracy was at least in the United States central strategic mix. Story continues This is no longer the case. Serious pessimism about democracys global fortunes as well as skepticism about the value and wisdom of democracy promotion have gripped Washington. Democracy is no longer among the main areas of concern in U.S. foreign policy, as evinced by the United States approaches to major geopolitical rivals like Russia and China and its engagement in the Middle East. Yet democracy enthusiasts maintain a fundamentally different, more optimistic view of the state of democracy in the world and remain convinced that supporting it should be a central priority. In short, what were once two only partly divergent perspectives have become two almost entirely separate narratives. Furthermore, the position that the United States should actively promote democracy abroad has lost ground, becoming quite clearly a minority view. The upcoming U.S. presidential election is unlikely to change this situation. Yet democracy promotion still exists, albeit quietly, in many areas of U.S. policy, and many of its adherents remain in the bureaucracy. By working to maintain and slowly expand their work out of the limelight, democracy promoters can ensure that the new pessimism does not extinguish decades of valuable gains in knowledge and capacity about how best to support democracy around the world. The new pessimism starts from a bleak assessment of the state of democracy in the developing and post-communist countries. The heady democratic expansion of the 1990s has been replaced by democratic stagnation or even recession. As measured in the Freedom House index, the number of democracies in the world is no greater today than it was ten years ago. Discouraging cases of backsliding or fragmentation are multiplying, whether it be military rule in Thailand, the rise of antidemocratic populism in Hungary and Poland, polarization and near chaos in Venezuela, the closing of political space in Turkey, civil war in Yemen, or extended presidential rule in Burundi. Meanwhile, various authoritarian regimes are exhibiting a new self-confidence on the international stage, adopting more assertive security postures, and expanding their support for other non-democratic forces. A hallmark view of the early post-Cold War years that democracy has no serious ideological rival has been replaced by the worry that the China model and other authoritarian exemplars are winning hearts and minds in many places. One might expect this view to spur the U.S. to do more on democracy promotion and try to reverse the trend. But instead, it is hardening the skepticism about the United States capacity to promote democracy abroad that many policymakers have felt all along. The punishing experiences of Iraq and Afghanistan contributed greatly to this trend. Both interventions appear to be glaring examples of why the United States should abandon what John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt have recently called the democracy delusion. In his new book, Mission Failure, Michael Mandelbaum portrays these two cases, along with the United States attempts to support democratic change in Haiti, Bosnia, Russia, and other places, as a litany of failures driven by the United States misguided belief in its ability to transform the politics of other countries. The disastrous outcomes of most of the Arab uprisings of 2011-2012 also resounded loudly in U.S. foreign policy circles, serving as a further warning about the apparent folly of democracy promotion. Pessimists conclude from the violent or ambiguous outcomes in Libya, Egypt, Syria, Yemen, and elsewhere that the United States had no real capacity to foster positive change in the Arab world, and that in fact it made things worse by trying. This pessimistic view of democracy promotion not only questions whether the United States has the capacity to promote democratic change but also whether it is in its interests to do so. Pessimists insist that the many urgent security challenges facing the United States, from radical Islamist terrorism to the rise of China, overshadow and often conflict with the democracy promotion endeavor. The United States current counterterrorism policy, in particular, continues to be conducted in a way that puts it at direct odds with support for democracy, particularly when it entails direct cooperation between U.S. security agencies and foreign counterparts that are known for repressive practices. The United States regularly finds itself downplaying the topics of democracy and human rights in conversations with governments that are viewed as useful allies in the fight against terrorism, not just in the Middle East (such as Jordan), but also in place like Ethiopia and Malaysia. The troubled state of democracy within the United States itself completes the pessimistic picture. Traditionally, mainstream U.S. policymakers and analysts have assumed the United States political superiority relative to developing countries. But today, many of them frequently highlight Americas myriad domestic woes. They argue that the U.S. must concentrate on getting its own house in order, or that Americas domestic troubles undercut the credibility of U.S. democracy promotion. In a July interview with the New York Times, Donald Trump said, When the world sees how bad the United States is and we start talking about civil liberties, I dont think we are a very good messenger. Then theres the opposing view. Democracy promoters are certainly aware of the above-mentioned challenges. Yet their optimism runs deep, and they reject the pessimists main conclusions. To start with, they acknowledge the global stagnation of democracy, but view the situation as, at worst, a mixed picture. They emphasize that, alongside the cases of backsliding, a good number of positive democratic developments have taken place. Bad news on democracy attracts headlines, they note, while good news tends not to. Making the case for a more positive view on democracy and democracy promotion in Foreign Affairs earlier this year, for example, Larry Diamond cites Burma, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka as encouraging cases. Moreover, the optimists insist on a longer-term perspective, arguing that while the number of democracies has not increased in the past ten years, it remains close to its historic peak, and that polling in most countries reveals a strong preference for democracy over any other form of government. Todays democratic stagnation, they contend, should be viewed at worst as a pause in a multigeneratonal trend of democratic growth. They argue, for example, that its much too early to declare the Arab Spring a failure. Democratic change often occurs in fits and starts over an extended period. In their view, the key fact is that many Arabs have recognized the need for fundamental political change and have been willing to push for it, even when it has meant paying with their lives. They also differ with the pessimists regarding the durability of the authoritarian surge. They see the greater assertiveness of authoritarians such as Russias actions in Ukraine and Chinas in the South China Sea not as evidence of the authoritarian models success, but rather as a sign of its weakness. In this view, Russian and Chinese leaders are fearful of their citizens reactions to economic slowdowns and bad governance, and are playing the nationalist card of external belligerence as a way to shore up their legitimacy. They regard the growing autocracy promotion on the part of some authoritarian governments as a call to arms against democracy support. In their view, it should prompt a vigorous response akin to President Ronald Reagans embrace of democracy promotion in the early 1980s in reaction to the Soviet Unions efforts to win the global war of ideas. When it comes to the United States capabilities, democracy optimists agree that Iraq and Afghanistan have been disastrous experiences. But they see them as exceptional cases from which general rules about democracy building should not be drawn, beyond the proposition that military-led regime change is rarely a good method of promoting democracy. These, the democracy promoters say, were not the cases they asked for. Rather, they were military interventions driven by security imperatives, with democracy building becoming a post-invasion afterthought. Nor do democracy promoters see the aftermath of the Arab Spring as proof positive of the limits of the United States capabilities in democracy promotion. In general, they dont believe that the U.S. government made a very significant effort to affect the outcome of these uprisings. They argue, for example, that the disappointing outcomes in Egypt and Bahrain can be explained more by the United States failure to make use of its leverage to promote democratic change than by any failure of its (essentially insignificant) democracy promotion efforts. The optimists dismiss the broader argument that U.S. democracy promotion policy since the early 1990s has been nothing more than a sorry string of failed efforts, arguing that this view requires cherry picking a handful of the hardest cases and willfully ignoring dozens of less prominent, more typical examples of democracy support ones in which the United States and other Western democracies have been able to make clear and meaningful contributions to democratic progress. Such positive cases include Burkina Faso, Chile, Colombia, Indonesia, Mongolia, Burma, Senegal, Slovakia, and Tunisia. Democracy promoters also take strong exception to the view that counterterrorism need necessarily trump commitment to democracy. They acknowledge that compromises with some helpful authoritarians are an inevitable part of U.S. counterterrorism policy. But they insist that encouraging political pluralism in Muslim-majority countries must be a foundation stone of the United States long-term approach to countering violent extremism. Finally, democracy promoters recognize the mounting problems with democracy in the United States and feel their effects in their work. But they disagree that these shortcomings disqualify the United States from fostering democracy abroad. In their opinion, such a view rests on an out-of-date notion of democracy promotion as the exportation of the U.S. model, mixed in with one-sided lecturing of foreigners by Americans. They argue that, although such an impulse may have been present in the earliest democracy promotion efforts, it has more recently been replaced by a more sophisticated, interactive conception of democracy support in which the United States can help make available comparative experiences from multiple sources to officials and activists struggling to achieve democracy in their own countries. Some democracy promoters argue further that if Americans who work in democracy promotion openly acknowledge the United States own political defects, this can in fact open rather than close doors to U.S. democracy support by helping deflate perceptions of American arrogance. In short, the gulf between the democracy community and the pessimistic mainstream view of democracy promotion is vast. In Washington, the drumbeat of negative events around the world relating to democracy has become almost deafening. President Obama and his administration have not fully embraced the realist perspective that Mearsheimer, Walt, Mandelbaum, and some others advocate, but they are not far from it. There is no transformative ambition evident in any of the main lines of U.S. foreign policy, whether toward Russia, China, or the Middle East. Instead, realist engagement with rivals dominates. Obamas early declarations of broad pro-democratic aspirations, such as those he laid out in Cairo in 2009, are very much a thing of the past. The old U.S. habit of making do with authoritarian allies for the stake of stability or security is making itself felt once again not only in U.S. relations with the Arab world, but in Africa (such as with Rwanda and Ethiopia), Asia (such as with Vietnam), and Turkey. Yet democracy promotion is not off the table. In Ukraine and Tunisia, the United States has stepped up support for democratic consolidation. In numerous other transitional countries of secondary policy import, U.S. diplomats sometimes nudge their official counterparts in favor of democratic outcomes. President Obama has responded to the global trend of closing space for civil society with the Stand with Civil Society call to action. The administration strongly backs multilateral initiatives that advance democratic norms, such as the Open Government Partnership. And U.S. democracy assistance programs remain numerous and seriously pursued in dozens of countries, though the amount of such assistance has declined since the early Obama years. Broadly speaking, U.S. engagement on democracy issues has shifted. There was a time when democracy promotion occupied policymakers at all levels from the high policy end of the spectrum (which involves top-level engagement that seeks transformative change in strategically important countries) to the low policy realm of quiet, low-key methods that seek long-term, iterative change in countries of lesser policy relevance. Today, its mostly the low policy side thats left. The democracy promotion community chafes at this shift, and continues to argue for higher-level U.S. attention to democracy support. Yet the chances for substantive change anytime soon are slim. If the American people choose Donald Trump for president, democracy promotion would likely fall off the stage of U.S. foreign policy almost entirely. This is plain to see given Trumps apparent admiration of strongmen like Russian President Vladimir Putin, his determination to pull the United States into a defensive crouch, and his florid disrespect for basic principles of democracy and rights even at home. If the next president is Hillary Clinton who evinces a strong commitment to democracy and human rights abroad democracy promotion will continue. As Secretary of State, Clinton frequently met with activists in other countries and supported U.S. efforts to protect endangered civil societies. Yet the grip of the pessimistic narrative is strong throughout the U.S. defense, diplomacy, and intelligence establishments, and is likely to keep U.S. democracy policy aspirations very modest. Moreover, the events in the Arab world that took place while Clinton was Secretary of State have clearly influenced her outlook. In her 2014 book, Hard Choices, for example, she emphasizes that she counseled caution to President Obama in discussions about how hard to pressure Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to step down in February 2011. The outcome of the Libya intervention also presents a strong cautionary note to any upcoming U.S. administration. Nevertheless, looking back at U.S. efforts to promote democracy over the last several decades yields two crucial underappreciated facts that may provide some consolation for frustrated fans of democracy promotion. First, its important to note that, while the high policy side attracts most of the public attention given to democracy issues, the low policy side of democracy work is far bigger. Even as high-profile strategic engagement on democracy issues has waned, assistance programs, quiet diplomacy, and other long-term efforts have continued in as many as 100 countries. This work has led to many meaningful results, undramatic though they may be in any single instance. These have included, for example, helping build lasting institutions that administer free and fair elections in Latin America, contributing to significant gains for womens political empowerment in Africa, building active networks of pro-democratic politicians in Asia, and nurturing countless civic activists dedicated to greater governmental accountability in many regions. This is not to say that the democracy promotion community should give up arguing for a place at the high policy table. For example, its imperative to keep making the argument that returning to an embrace of authoritarian stability in the Arab world would be dangerous and counterproductive. No less important (or true) is the fact that any efforts at counterterrorism will fail without attention to issues of political inclusion, pluralism, and tolerance. But given the global headwinds on democracy, it is persistence on the low policy side that will allow the democracy community to conserve a significant place for democracy in the U.S. policy landscape and gradually build a bridge across the gulf that has opened up between it and the rest of the U.S. foreign policy community. In the photo, Afghan students listen to an instructor from the International Foundation For Election Systems who is teaching them about the election process on October 4, 2004 in Kabul. Photo credit: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images NASA Langley Research Center hangar As Hurricane Hermine passed through Florida last week and moved northward, Langley Air Force Base in Virginia was faced with the problem of protecting its F-22 Raptors. Costing about $140 million a pop, not including development costs, the stealth aircraft became vulnerable to the elements as Virginia declared a state of emergency. That's when the Air Force reached out to NASAs Langley Research Center nearby. With 85,200 square feet of space in their hangar, NASA's Category 2 hurricane-rated facility seemed like the ideal location to hold 13 F-22s. After it was all said and done, 22 aircraft, including a massive C-130, was squeezed into the hangar. The Air Force even showed their gratitude with the following tweet: NOW WATCH: NASA's next mission is collecting 'scientific treasure' that could answer one of life's greatest mysteries More From Business Insider US-led coalition airstrikes have continued to target ISIS positions and infrastructure in northern Iraq in recent weeks, as Iraqi ground forces move closer to the terrorist group's stronghold in Mosul, the largest city it still controls. Now it seems that campaign has added a new rhetorical flourish. Officials added text saying "You can run, but you can't hide!" to the GIF below, appearing after the bomb explodes on its target. On the task force's Facebook page, the same version of the GIF above was posted with the message: "When Da'esh can't quite get up to 88 mph...," using a pejorative name for ISIS, and included the hashtags #defeatdaesh, #nottodayisis, #backtothefuture, #bttf, and #onemissionmanynations. The same GIF was also posted with messages written in Arabic. When asked about the addition of the text to the GIF, the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) press desk said: "The text was chosen to show Da'esh, potential terrorist recruits, and the general public that the coalition is capable of targeting Da'esh fighters anywhere and anytime; to demonstrate that the efforts of the Coalition to defeat Daesh will be successful. ... It also serves the purpose of showing that we have a very arduous targeting process; that we are watching Daesh, no matter where they are, and we will defeat them." "This post has succeeded in generating discussions and will be used to help gauge whether Graphics Interchange Formats (GIF) will be used in the future," the OIR press desk added in its statement. "By staying abreast of the most current and innovative social media trends, CJTF-OIR plans on expanding the audience reached." Iraqi security forces wait for vehicles travelling to Mosul to fight against militants of Islamic State at an Iraqi army base in Camp Taji in Baghdad, February 21, 2016. REUTERS/Ahmed Saad/File Photo It's not clear how effective such messaging will be, or how many potential ISIS recruits it could reach. It's also likely the terrorist group's recent defeats will deter many potential fighters, though reports that the group was losing fighters were appearing as far back as spring 2015. Story continues Past criticism of US military operations in Muslim countries has often accused US and Western militaries of disregarding Muslim lives. Messaging like the GIF above could be recast as propaganda in that vein, considering US airstrikes have killed civilians in the past. The US-led air campaign has continued apace in September. In four days this month, there were more than 30 strikes on ISIS targets in Iraq, which included fighting units, weapons, and other infrastructure. The general in charge of US operations against ISIS predicted this week that that battle for Mosul would start before early October, saying the fight for the city would have to begin relatively soon if the coalition hoped to retake it before the end of the year. See the full video below: NOW WATCH: Trump said he never vowed to 'carpet bomb' ISIS we fact-checked his claim More From Business Insider Washington (AFP) - The US military has closed a maximum-security detention center at Guantanamo Bay, an official said Thursday, as the controversial prison's population continues to dwindle. Guantanamo's Camp 5 lockup, built in 2004 at a cost of $17 million, closed August 19 and will be converted into a medical center with a psychiatric wing for detainees, facility spokesman Navy Captain John Filostrat told AFP. Only a "handful" of detainees had remained at Camp 5 after 15 inmates were transferred to the United Arab Emirates last month, the biggest single release under President Barack Obama. The few former Camp 5 inmates are now housed in an adjacent medium-security jail, Camp 6, where they have access to communal areas and computers through which they can Skype family members, Filostrat said. Twenty of the 40 or so detainees now at Camp 6 have been cleared for transfer and are optimistic they may be released before Obama leaves office in January. "It's fair to say there's a sense of anticipation, maybe hope even," Filostrat said. Still, a small number of detainees continue to protest their indefinite detention by hunger striking. Many have been locked up for more than a decade without any formal charges being brought, with only limited access to lawyers and amid allegations of detainee abuse. The riskiest remaining detainees, including the five men accused of plotting the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, are incarcerated at another, secret prison camp called Camp 7 located elsewhere on the base. - Preparing for new president - Camp 5 once housed non-compliant inmates and hunger strikers. The facility had special equipment in place to protect jailors from "splashing" -- the grim practice of prisoners hurling bodily fluids and excrement at guards. Filostrat said a small number of men at Camp 6 are continuing their hunger strikes and are force-fed, but noted "90 percent are very compliant." Story continues Camp 5's closure means the overall guard and staffing force for Guantanamo Bay's entire prison operation will shrink from 1,950 to about 1,550. Most of the reductions come from military police units that no longer will be sent there. Since the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, about 780 inmates have been housed in the US military-run facility which Obama has repeatedly tried to close. In recent months, he has authorized a flurry of transfers of prisoners to other countries -- prompting howls of outrage from Republicans each time. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has said he wants to send terror suspects captured in the war against the Islamic State group to Guantanamo, and even supports US citizens being sent there if they are accused of terror offenses. Because the Guantanamo Bay naval base is on Cuban and not US soil, it is not subject to the same federal laws and legal processes as the United States, which is why the administration of George W. Bush opened a prison there. Trump's Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, has said she backs the closure of Guantanamo. "We are planning for either contingency," Filostrat said. "Whatever the next commander-in-chief wants, we will follow that." Washington (AFP) - US federal sting operations against illegal gun sales in several states were poorly managed and sometimes benefited the people they were aiming to catch, a government report said Thursday. Following a two-year investigation, the Justice Department's inspector general's office reported a number of problems in the undercover storefront operations run by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, an arm of the department. The problems in the ATF operations "were caused primarily by poor management, insufficient training and guidance to agents in the field, and a lax organizational culture that failed to place sufficient emphasis on risk management in these inherently sensitive operations," the report said. The fake businesses were set up to lure owners of illegal weapons so that enforcement officials could identify them, buy their weapons to take them out of circulation, and try to discover how they had been used. The ATF set up 53 phony storefronts between 2004 and 2013 -- including tattoo parlors and hip-hop clothing stores -- and spread rumors that they were places open to buying illegal arms or drugs, the report said. The report focused on five such operations: in Milwaukee, Minnesota; Pensacola, Florida; St. Louis, Missouri; Wichita, Kansas; and Boston, Massachusetts. The Justice Department ordered the investigation after newspaper articles published in 2013 by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel exposed the shortcomings, notably that ATF agents had overpaid for certain illegal weapons, misusing taxpayer funds. In some instances, traffickers sold their firearms to undercover agents before using the proceeds to buy new weapons at retail stores they then sold to storefronts for higher prices. ATF agents in Milwaukee also used a mentally handicapped man to promote their fake business, rewarding him with cash or cigarettes, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. The inspector general's office looked into allegations that the agency was targeting people with disabilities for enforcement action, focusing on the five storefronts and a sixth, in Portland, Oregon. The report said it found no evidence the ATF targeted people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, but that the Justice Department had failed to enforce legislation prohibiting discrimination against them. After the Milwaukee storefront was closed, it was burglarized. The firearms recovered by the ATF were stolen, along with documents containing sensitive information about the undercover operation, including names, vehicle descriptions and mobile-phone numbers. Caracas (AFP) - Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles said that armed supporters of the leftist national government "besieged" him and other travelers at an airport on the island of Margarita. News of the incident came as thousands of Venezuelans staged rival protests Wednesday, with the opposition pressing for a referendum on recalling President Nicolas Maduro. Two-time presidential candidate Capriles blamed Maduro for the airport incident, accusing him of "looking for a death." Capriles said the others managed to get out after he intervened with airport authorities, but he was trapped for much longer. "We were besieged for four hours by the government's armed bands," Capriles said in a video disseminated on social media site Periscope after he left the airport. Oil giant Venezuela's once-booming economy has gone into meltdown as crude prices have crashed since mid-2014, triggering a severe financial crisis. Outrage is mounting as the country grapples with crippling shortages of vital supplies like food and medicine, threatening Maduro and the socialist "revolution" his late predecessor, Hugo Chavez, launched in 1999. The head of the ruling socialist party, Diosdado Cabello, scoffed at Capriles' accusations. "Since nobody pays attention to him, he charges that they are persecuting him. He's hearing voices. Who would be persecuting him," Cabello said on his weekly program on the government-run television station. On Sep 7, 2016, we issued an updated research report on Verizon Communications Inc. VZ. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 1.25 cents per share to $57.57, taking its annual dividend yield to 4.4%. Notably, this is the 10th consecutive year of a dividend hike by Verizon. Verizon is also actively investing to expand and enhance its network footprint. With the company targeting to launch the super-fast 5G wireless network in 2017, it has decided to acquire and install dark fiber-based network throughout its footprint in order to strengthen the existing 4G LTE network and make the transition to 5G easier. Additionally, Verizon has entered into an agreement with Yahoo Inc. YHOO to acquire the core businesses of the latter for $4.83 billion. This will help the company gain traction in the mobile media and advertising space. On the flip side, the U.S. wireless is almost saturated. Smaller companies like T-Mobile US Inc. TMUS and Sprint Corp. S are aggressively launching products, increasing pricing competition to a great extent. Moreover, the company expects its earnings to be flat on a year-over-year basis in 2016 as it does not foresee enough variables for growth. However, it expects to return to growth in 2017. Meanwhile, the price transformation drive in the industry is likely to deal a heavy blow to the company in the near term. The Bottom Line Verizon provides a rare mix of steady income and capital gains, which make it a safe bet for investors. However, tepid earnings projection and intensifying competition raise caution. Verizon currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Interested in IPOs? Check out the special edition of Zacks Friday Finish Line below, where Editor Maddy Johnson and Content Writer Ryan McQueeney interview Kathleen Smith of Renaissance Capital about the IPO market in 2016 (see part two here) Confidential from Zacks Beyond this Analyst Blog, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them 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 YAHOO! INC (YHOO): Free Stock Analysis Report SPRINT CORP (S): Free Stock Analysis Report VERIZON COMM (VZ): Free Stock Analysis Report T-MOBILE US INC (TMUS): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Hundreds of people came together in Killington on Thursday for a conference addressing substance abuse in Vermont. Organizers said it was designed to strengthen collaborations between prevention, treatment and recovery professionals around the state. Robert Morin A University of New Hampshire librarian, who spent a lifetime living frugally, surprised the school by donating his entire estate, worth $4 million, to the school, The Boston Globe reported. Robert Morin, who died a little over a year ago, graduated from UNH in 1963 and worked in the school's Dimond Library as a cataloger for nearly 50 years, according to UNH. Morin lived alone, spent little of his income on himself, and saved instead. "He would have some Fritos and a Coke for breakfast, a quick cheese sandwich at the library, and at home would have a frozen dinner because the only thing he had to work with was a microwave," Edward Mullen, Morin's longtime financial adviser, told The Globe. "He was a very unusual gentleman." Morin also had a voracious appetite for reading and watching videos. A UNH press release explained: "Morin also had a passion for watching movies, and from 1979 to 1997 he watched more than 22,000 videos. Following this feat, he switched his attention to books. He read, in chronological order, every book published in the US from 1930 to 1940 excluding children's books, textbooks, and books about cooking and technology. At the time of his death he had reached 1,938, the year of his birth." A beloved figure on campus, Morin donated the majority of his $4 million gift as unrestricted money for UNH. "Unrestricted gifts give the university the ability to use the funds for our highest priorities and emerging opportunities," Deborah Dutton, president of the UNH Foundation, said in the release. "This is an extraordinary gift that comes at a critical time for launching a number of initiatives that are only able to move forward because of his generosity." NOW WATCH: A teacher in Afghanistan turned his bike into a mobile library and cruises the countryside giving kids a chance to read More From Business Insider 8 Sep - Following the example of Star Magic, talent management company Viva Artists Agency has also recently held its own drug test and proudly announced that two of their top stars, James Reid and Anne Curtis are drug free. As reported on Coconuts Manila, on 6 September the agency stated that it decided to release the results to debunk unfounded rumours about the two particular stars' supposed drug abuse, as well as to show support for the government's crackdown on drugs. Reid stated that he immediately agreed to the test following the false reports in the tabloids, saying, "I wasn't worried. I just wanted to get my name cleared as soon as possible." Star Magic did the same test last week, where it announced that its artistes such as Jake Cuenca, Diego Loyzaga and Enrique Gil are free from drugs. On the other hand, other stars have also undergone their own drug test. Both Patrick Garcia and Luis Manzano released their test results, which tested negative, last week; while Baron Geisler - who sparked controversy by challenging President Duterte to test his own son for drugs, also prove himself clear from illegal substance. (Photo Source: James Reid Instagram) FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Volkswagen has rejected suggestions it may have breached European Union consumer rules in connection with its emissions cheating scandal, and said it does not see the need to compensate affected car owners. EU Consumer Commissioner Vera Jourova said on Monday the European Commission was assessing whether Volkswagen had violated two EU consumer directives. Several officials have also urged the German carmaker to draw up a compensation scheme for affected EU drivers similar to the one it has agreed with U.S. authorities. In a letter to Jourova dated Sept. 7 and seen by Reuters on Thursday, Volkswagen said a technical fix had been found and was already available for more than 50 percent of the affected vehicles across the 28 EU member states. "We therefore believe there is no room or need for any additional compensation," Volkswagen said in the letter signed by its head of public affairs, Thomas Steg. The company also said it did not believe it had breached the two regulations identified by Jourova - the Consumer Sales and Guarantees Directive and the Unfair Commercial Practises Directive - adding the technical fixes were being carried out entirely at the carmaker's expense. (Reporting by Tina Bellon; Editing by Mark Potter) U.S. stock index futures traded lower on Thursday as traders digested developments in Europe, where the latest monetary policy meeting of the European Central Bank (ECB) took place. The ECB kept benchmark interest rates unchanged at zero and maintained its quantitative easing program at its current levels. President Mario Draghi said in a news conference the central bank did not discuss extending its asset purchase program. The pan-European Stoxx 600 Index (^STOXX) was down 0.04 percent. On the data front in the U.S., initial jobless claims fell 4,000 to 259,000, with consumer credit due at 3:00 p.m. ET. In oil markets, Brent crude traded at $48.60 a barrel on Thursday, up 1.29 percent, while U.S. crude rose 1.56 percent to $46.25 a barrel. In Asia, Japan's Nikkei (Nihon Keizai Shinbun: .N225) closed 0.32 percent lower on Thursday, while in China the Shanghai composite (Shanghai Stock Exchange: .SSEC) closed 0.15 percent higher. CNBC's Arjun Kharpal and Holly Ellyatt contributed to this report More From CNBC Mitsubishis legendary Lancer Evolution is about to bow out of the market and you can own the very last one. Recall, Mitsubishi built a run of 1,600 Final Edition models to celebrate the Evos ten-generation run. Recently, a dealer was selling the first of the 1,600 Lancer Evolution Final Editions for $88,888. ALSO SEE: Challenger to receive AWD model, wide-body Hellcat before 2019 redesign With the last of the 1,600 cars, Mitsubishi will auction it via eBay Motors to raise funds for the charities Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino and Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. The auction starts today and runs until September 15. The listed price for the Lancer Evolution Final Edition is $37,995, including an $810 destination charge. The car is based on the Lancer Evolution's GSR trim level, which means it comes with a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard. A number of premium features from the MR trim are added and output from the familiar turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 is increased to 303 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque, up from the usual 291 hp and 300 lb-ft. Note, Mitsubishi hasnt retired the Evo nameplate. However, the automaker has stated in the past that any new Evo will be very different to past generations of the rally-bred car, with many suggesting it will be a plug-in hybrid SUV based on the next-generation Outlander Sport. Jarrett Hill, who was on Twitter sitting at a Starbucks when he realized Melania Trump was saying words from a 2008 speech from Michelle Obama, is a contributor for The Hollywood Reporter and host of Countdown to Election Night With Jarrett Hill. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump were in the same room, at different times, addressing how they would steer the country, for the first time during the general election on NBC's Commander-in-Chief Forum Wednesday. During the televised back-to-back sit-down hosted by Matt Lauer, the candidates, before an audience of veterans assembled by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, addressed issues of significance for service members. In what felt short, if not rushed, each had a half hour with NBC News' Lauer to make their case and answer a handful of questions from veterans. Overall, the candidates didn't make any major headlines with their answers (or non-answers) or their plans (or lack thereof). There were a lot of questions that were never really addressed. Veterans and active-duty service members' issues were front and center, but there was an overt lack of discussion around domestic issues for vets when they return home from service abroad - most notably homelessness. The hour prompted heavy criticism for the Today host's performance but also came out as a ratings success, with fast national returns from Nielsen reported at 10.8 million viewers. The Hollywood Reporter introduced a new series, Countdown to Election Night With Jarrett Hill, on Facebook Live after the forum. THR senior writer Seth Abramovitch and Matthew Craffey, president of the Log Cabin Republican of Los Angeles, discussed the candidates, the highlights and what to expect in the upcoming debates. Tune in below, and chime in on what you'd like to hear discussed in the next edition. Read more: Commander-in-Chief Forum: Clinton Talks Emails, Trump Defends Stance on ISIS (NEW YORK) California and federal regulators fined Wells Fargo a combined $185 million on Thursday, alleging the banks employees illegally opened millions of unauthorized accounts for their customers in order to meet aggressive sales goals. The San Francisco-based bank will pay $100 million to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a federal agency created five years ago; $35 million to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and $50 million to the City and County of Los Angeles. It will also pay restitution to affected customers. It is the largest fine the CFPB has levied against a financial institution and the largest fine in the history of the Los Angeles City Attorneys office. The CFPB said Wells Fargo sales staff opened more than 2 million bank and credit card accounts that may have not been authorized by customers. Money in customers accounts were transferred to these new accounts without authorization. Debit cards were issued and activated, as well as PINs created, without telling customers. In some cases, Wells Fargo employees even created fake email addresses to sign up customers for online banking services. Wells Fargo built an incentive-compensation program that made it possible for its employees to pursue underhanded sales practices, and it appears that the bank did not monitor the program carefully, said CFPB Director Richard Cordray. The behavior was widespread, the CFPB and other regulators said, involving thousands of Wells Fargo employees. Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer called Wells Fargos behavior outrageous and a major breach of trust. Consumers must be able to trust their banks, Feuer said. Wells Fargos aggressive sales tactics were first disclosed by The Los Angeles Times in an investigation in 2013 . The story series prompted the Los Angeles City Attorney office to sue Wells Fargo over its tactics. Story continues Roughly 5,300 employees at Wells Fargo were fired in connection with this behavior, according to Los Angeles City Attorneys office. In a statement, Wells Fargo said: We regret and take responsibility for any instances where customers may have received a product that they did not request. Wells Fargo said theyve refunded $2.6 million in fees associated with any product that was opened without authorization. Despite the LA Times investigation, Wells Fargo is still known for having aggressive sales goals for its employees. Wells Fargos executives highlight every quarter the banks so-called cross sale ratio, which is the number of products the bank sales to each of their individual customers. The ratio hovers around six, which means every customer of Wells Fargo has on average six different types of products with the bank. Washington (AFP) - Retail and commercial banking giant Wells Fargo will pay more than $185 million in fines after US regulators accused the bank of secretly opening accounts without customers' knowledge, officials said Thursday. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said employees at Wells Fargo, the world's largest bank by market value, had illegally boosted sales figures by opening unauthorized deposit and credit accounts and then covertly funding them with customers' money, sometimes creating phony email addresses to enroll them. Wells Fargo found that employees had opened more than 1.5 million bogus deposit accounts alone over 2011-2015 resulting in millions of dollars in customer fees while helping bank employees meet sales targets and receive bonuses. Wells Fargo will pay $100 million to the CFPB, the largest fine to date imposed by the bureau, which was created in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. The San Francisco-based bank will also pay $50 million to the City of Los Angeles, which had filed suit last year, accusing the bank of pressuring employees into fraudulent behavior, such as opening fictitious accounts. The bank will also pay a $35 million fine to the Treasury Department in addition to $5 million to compensate all customers concerned. "Today's action should serve notice to the entire industry that financial incentive programs, if not monitored carefully, carry serious risks that can have serious legal consequences," CFPB Director Richard Cordray said in a statement. Wells Fargo said in a statement that it regretted and took responsibility for the unauthorized accounts. "Wells Fargo reached these agreements consistent with our commitment to customers and in the interest of putting this matter behind us," the company said in a statement. A bank spokesperson told AFP it had fired 5,300 employees tied the illegal conduct. (Recasts throughout; adds details on firing of 5,300 employees) By Patrick Rucker and Dan Freed WASHINGTON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Wells Fargo has long been the envy of the banking industry for its ability to sell multiple products to the same customer, but regulators on Thursday said those practices went too far in some instances. The largest U.S. bank by market capitalization will pay $185 million in penalties and $5 million to customers that regulators say were pushed into fee-generating accounts they never requested. "We regret and take responsibility for any instances where customers may have received a product that they did not request," the bank said of a settlement reached Thursday with California prosecutors and federal regulators. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will receive $100 million of the total penalties - the largest fine ever levied by the federal agency. "Today's action should serve notice to the entire industry that financial incentive programs, if not monitored carefully, carry serious risks that can have serious legal consequences," said CFPB Director Richard Cordray. Los Angeles officials and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency were also party to the settlement. In a complaint filed in May 2015, California prosecutors alleged that Wells Fargo pushed customers into costly financial products that they did not need or even request. Bank employees were told that the average customer tapped six financial tools but that they should push households to use eight products, according to the complaint. The bank opened more than 2 million deposit and credit card accounts that may not have been authorized, the CFPB said Thursday. Wells Fargo spokeswoman Mary Eshet said the bank fired 5,300 employees over "inappropriate sales conduct." The firings took place over a five-year period, Eshet said, adding that the bank has 100,000 employees in its branches. Wells Fargo regularly releases numbers about how many products it sells to customers, a practice it calls "cross-sell." Its wealth and investment management unit, for example, sold 10.55 products per retail banking household in November 2015, up from 10.49 a year earlier, according to the bank's annual 10-K financial filing. Story continues In the second quarter, however, the bank changed how it tallies up some of those numbers and said it was considering more changes. Piper Jaffray analyst Kevin Barker said he does not think the crackdown on Wells Fargo will have much of an impact on others in the industry. "I think this is unique to Wells Fargo and their particular situation and how hard they push on cross-sell," he said. (Reporting By Patrick Rucker in Washington and Dan Freed in New York; Editing by Alan Crosby and Jonathan Oatis) By Ali Sawafta and Nidal al-Mughrabi RAMALLAH, West Bank/GAZA (Reuters) - The Palestinian high court in Ramallah has ruled that municipal elections scheduled for Oct. 8 cannot go ahead after a dispute over party lists and the inability to hold the vote in East Jerusalem, which is annexed by Israel. The elections would have been the first democratic exercise in the Palestinian territories in a decade. They were being seen as a proxy vote on the popularity of President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah party versus the Islamist movement Hamas. Thursday's ruling follows court submissions by Hamas in Gaza against party lists drawn up by Fatah. The dispute underlines the legal and political divisions between Abbas's Palestinian Authority, which governs in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007. "Elections can't take place in one place and not the other," the presiding judge of the Ramallah court said in his ruling. "The election can't take place in Jerusalem and its neighborhoods. Also, there are problems with the formation of courts in Gaza ... Therefore, the court decides to stop the election (scheduled for Oct. 8)." The court will hold another session to consider the issue on Sept. 21, but legal experts said Thursday's decision was unlikely to be changed, meaning it is almost certain that the municipal elections will not go ahead as planned. The Central Election Committee said it had suspended preparations for the ballot following the court ruling. The vote would have been the first involving Hamas and Fatah since 2006, when Hamas won a surprise victory in legislative polls, an outcome that led to a rupture in Palestinian politics and laid the groundwork for the current impasse. While local elections were held in 2012, voting only took place in a fraction of the West Bank's 350 municipalities, and Hamas did not recognize the outcome. Fatah blamed Hamas for the legal dispute. "We hold Hamas fully responsible for foiling the election, starting with the unjustified petitions it filed," Fatah spokesman Osama Al-Qawasmi said, accusing Hamas of using "private courts" in Gaza to block Fatah's lists. Hamas said Fatah was responsible. "The high court decision is politically motivated and it came in order to rescue Fatah after its lists of candidates collapsed in a number of areas," said spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri. More than anything, the stand-off underscores just how divided Palestinian politics has become. Western-backed Abbas, who is 81 and 11 years into a four-year term, is an unpopular leader, according to opinion polls, but he has no clear successor and there has been no move toward holding new presidential elections. Some polls show that if parliamentary elections were held tomorrow, Hamas would win them in both Gaza and the West Bank. If Abbas were to die in office, it is unclear how Palestinian politics would proceed. While the Palestinian Authority, led by Fatah, has security forces working in urban areas of the West Bank, Gaza is entirely under the control of Hamas and its armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigade, which has fought several wars with Israel since 2006. (reporting by Ali Sawafta and Nidal al-Mughrabi; Writing by Luke Baker; Editing by Dominic Evans) By Piya Sinha-Roy TORONTO (Reuters) - A merry band of outlaws and hired hands kicks off the Toronto International Film Festival on Thursday in "The Magnificent Seven," leading a slew of action films and intimate true stories vying for early buzz leading into Hollywood's annual awards season. While the cast of Sony Pictures' remake of its 1960 namesake is far more ethnically diverse than the original, director Antoine Fuqua said he was not trying to make a statement on diversity when casting for the film. "I just wanted to see Denzel Washington on a horse," he said at a news conference. "We just made our film based on the world we live in right now." Washington also deflected questions about race, saying that "what people get from it depends on what they bring to it." The film once again pairs Washington with Fuqua after working on 2001's "Training Day," for which Washington won a best actor Oscar, and 2014's "The Equalizer." "Obviously it was a good story and a good script. But most importantly it was Antoine," Washington said, on what drew him to the project. The tale follows a band of outlaws who come together to defend a gold mining town from murderous baron Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard) after a widowed young woman vows revenge for her dead husband. The film is led by Washington's bounty hunter Sam Chisholm, who brings together alcoholic gambler Josh Farraday (Chris Pratt), sharpshooter Goodnight Robicheaux (Ethan Hawke) and his knife-throwing comrade Billy Rocks (Byung-hun Lee). They are joined by bear-like tracker Jack Horne (Vincent D'Onofrio), Mexican outlaw Vasquez (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) and Native American warrior Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier). The 10-day Toronto International Film Festival, now in its 41st year, has often been the launching pad for awards films such as "12 Years a Slave," "The King's Speech" and last year's "Spotlight" all gaining critical praise and momentum at the event before going on to win the Academy Award for best picture. Other awards contenders at TIFF this year include historical slavery drama "The Birth of a Nation," "Hidden Figure" about three female black mathematicians who help NASA in the space race, Canadian director Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi drama "Arrival" and "Queen of Katwe," based on the true story of Ugandan chess champion Phiona Mutesi. "The Magnificent Seven" will be in theaters on Sept. 22. (Additional reporting and writing by Alastair Sharp; editing by Alan Crosby and Diane Craft) Does your toothpaste contain the potentially harmful ingredient triclosan that the FDA recently banned from antibacterial hand soap? (Photo: Trunk Archive) Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned several key chemicals in antibacterial hand soap, one of them being triclosan. Then on Wednesday, the New York Times reported that Colgate Total toothpaste still contains this ingredient, and thats because the FDA states that triclosan-based toothpastes have been demonstrated to be effective at reducing plaque and gingivitis. The newspaper also quoted Richard Niederman, a dentist and the chairman of the epidemiology department at the New York University College of Dentistry, who stated that patients concerned about the potential hazards of triclosan can opt for a toothpaste containing stannous fluoride. The fact of the matter is were moving away from massive bug-killing, just like we are from massive use of hand sanitization, Susan Maples, a dentist and author of Blabber Mouth: 77 Secrets Only Your Mouth Can Tell You to Live a Healthier, Happier, Sexier Life, tells Yahoo Beauty. We notice that were lowering our immunity and creating superbugs bugs that are resistant to [these chemicals] so were creating more problems for bacterial infections and lessening the ability to combat them with antibiotic therapy. Maples explains that the American Dental Association and the FDA consider triclosan-based toothpaste safe because the product contains small amounts of it. For most people, they can probably handle it, says Maples. But the question is, would you want it in your mouth if youre concerned about it? The answer is probably not. She concurs with Niedermans recommendation for choosing a toothpaste with stannous fluoride. Stannous is usually the fluoride we see in the toothpaste itself and thats fine, she says. I think a lot patients are wigged out about fluoride in general. The addition of fluoride in water, Maples explains, is there for children to build stronger teeth for the rest of their lives, while the fluoride in toothpaste as well as the topical fluoride varnish that a dentist applies to your pearly whites during a routine visit is present to prevent tooth decay. Story continues Think of the tooth as an absorbent, like wood that has pores, says Maples. The molecules in the fluoride plugs those pores to help combat the acid environment those teeth live in. And, unfortunately, most of our food is acidified, and the beverages were consuming are about as acidic as stomach acid. So the fluoride becomes a really necessary component in that world. Its our best protection. As for how to go about finding the right toothpaste, check with your dentist or hygienist if you have specific needs, like if you have extra-sensitive teeth or youre a tartar builder. But as a general rule, I would keep it simple and go back to the Crest original, which is the basic fighting formula, suggests Maples. Its usually on the bottom shelf because it doesnt have all the bells and whistles. I tend to think less is more. Lets keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 39F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 39F. Winds light and variable. Williams Companies, Inc. WMB recently announced that it has introduced certain changes in the organization to simplify its structure as well as enhance direct operational alignment. The move is aimed at the development of the companys proven, natural gas-focused strategy and to retain focus on customer service and execution. Williams intends to consolidate the number of Operating Areas within the company to three Atlantic-Gulf, West and Northeast Gathering & Processing from five, by early 2017. According to the organizational changes, NGL & Petchem Services operations in the Gulf area, the Geismar olefins plant, the refinery grade propylene splitter and pipelines in the Gulf Coast region will be incorporated into the Atlantic-Gulf Operating Area. Atlantic-Gulf will retain the Transco interstate gas pipeline, which is the nations largest and fastest-growing interstate natural gas transmission pipeline system. Transco is a 10,200-mile network with a mainline that extends nearly 1,800 miles between South Texas and New York City. . Substantial natural gas gathering and processing, and crude oil production and handling and transportation in the Gulf Coast region will also be included under Atlantic-Gulf. Rory Miller, a 30-year energy industry veteran who has led the area since 2013, will continue to work in the same capacity. The West Operating Area will include all gathering systems, operations and commercial activities in the Barnett, Eagle Ford and Haynesville shales, the Mid-Continent region and Permian Basin. It will also comprise the Northwest Pipeline interstate gas pipeline system as well as gathering, processing and treating operations in Wyoming, the Piceance Basin and the Four Corners area. Moreover, an NGL fractionator and storage facilities near Conway, KS, a rail loading facility at Hutchinson, KS and a 50% equity-method interest in Overland Pass Pipeline will be operated within the West Operating Area. Also, included is a non-operated 50% interest in the Delaware Basin gas gathering system in the Permian Basin region. The consolidated West Operating Area will be headed by Walter Bennett, who has led the West Operating Area since joining Williams in 2014. Operations in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and New York will continue to remain under the Northeast Gathering & Processing Operating Area. The area comprises the Susquehanna Supply Hub and Ohio Valley Midstream. It also includes a 69% equity investment in Laurel Mountain Midstream and a 58.4% equity investment in Caiman Energy II, which owns a 50% interest in Blue Racer Midstream. Jim Scheel, who joined Williams in 1988, will continue to lead the Northeast Gathering & Processing Operating Area. Story continues WILLIAMS COS Price WILLIAMS COS Price | WILLIAMS COS Quote Financial reporting under the new organizational alignment is expected to be effective from early January, in concurrence with the implementation of related management changes. Notably, the company has announced a series of actions, including its strategic plan, since early July. Williams stock has also increased in value by about 42% since. Williams Companies currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked players from the energy sector are Matador Resources Company MTDR, NGL Energy Partners LP NGL and Enviva Partners L.P. EVA. All these stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Confidential from Zacks Beyond this Analyst Blog, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them 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 WILLIAMS COS (WMB): Free Stock Analysis Report NGL ENERGY PART (NGL): Free Stock Analysis Report MATADOR RESOURC (MTDR): Free Stock Analysis Report ENVIVA PARTNERS (EVA): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research After years of covering her vitiligo, Ashley Soto is done hiding. (Photo: Ashley Soto/Caters News) This woman has hid her body since she was 12 years old due to vitiligo, an autoimmune disease that causes areas of her skin to lose pigmentation. When I first got vitiligo it was just this little spot on my neck and I was at the age where I was still trying to figure out who I was, Ashley Soto told the Daily Mail. I got a lots of mean comments and people staring so it was really hard. Soto says that the worst comment she got was at a pool when she was 13 and a stranger said it looked like she had showered in bleach. I was in my swimming costume and I knew people were staring but I tried to not let it get to me, said Soto. I just ran into the bathroom and cried. It made me afraid after that and I didnt ever go swimming again. Soto wore long sleeves despite the hot Florida weather. I used to be a cheerleader and I was super outgoing. But after I got vitiligo I separated myself and I didnt want to make friends because I was so scared of being judge and not accepted, said Soto. There were so many days when I would just stay at home, all day, because of it. I had no friends and I would never want to go anywhere or do things without my mom. Vitiligo also effected Ashleys love life, as she tried to hide herself and felt that they would think it was gross. Ashley Soto says that vitiligo has damaged her confidence since she was just 12. (Photo: Ashley Soto/Caters News) But Ashley grew tired of hiding, and four months ago she shared her first photo showcasing the vitiligo on her body. Before my account was just about make-up and I would never show my body, just my face and selfies, she said. I was too scared to show my body; I learnt how to cover my face. But I had seen other girls putting themselves out there and I had read lots of positive comments. I was really afraid, I was preparing myself for nasty comments but it was really positive. The response inspired Soto to stop feeling ashamed of her skin. I started slowly I stopped wearing sweaters and I would go to the corner stop without long sleeve to see how I feel, said Soto. It went little by little and I went to wearing tank tops which was something I would never do. And recently I went to theme park and I forced myself to wear a swimsuit. It was so weird at first but I just dont want live to go back to what it was before. I realize that I may be different but I am unique and I should be proud of who I am. I have finally learnt to love myself. I am so much happy now I am able to do something or my own. Now I hope my Instagram page can help others too. Story continues In a series of photos on Instagram, Ashley Soto quit covering up. (Photo: Ashley Soto/Caters News) Former model Breanne Rice shares a similar story. At 19, I was diagnosed with vitiligo, and it spread rapidly causing me to lose over half of the pigment on my face. Yeah. Not the bottom of my foot or my arm..but ONLY on my face, Rice wrote on Instagram. I got really good at doing my makeup, and I didnt want anyone to know about it. I couldnt look in the mirror without crying, and feeling unattractive. Rice admits that vitiligo still takes digs at her confidence, and like Ashley Soto, she worries that people shes interested in will find her vitiligo unattractive. You know what though, I own it. Theres not much I can do about it. I can only love myself, and not let my circumstances define my value or self-worth. What is the definition of beautiful anyway? Is it being perfect? What do you see when you look in the mirror? Perhaps you have a circumstance or something about yourself that you are insecure about. Dont let it define you. You deserve love, and you are beautiful. Winnie Harlow, a Canadian model with vitiligo, is normalizing the condition and inspiring others to be confident in their skin. People sometimes ask when I learned to love myself. But that was not the issue. I didnt have a problem with myself or my skin, she wrote on Instagram. I had a problem with the way people treated me because of my skin. They tried to define me. I had to relearn how to love myself by forgetting the opinions of everyone else and focusing on my opinion of myself. Chill the fuck out ???????????? still love yall tho A photo posted by Winnie (@winnieharlow) on Feb 14, 2015 at 2:07am PST Critics say that Harlows career is a success because of her vitiligo, and she is not here for it. So many people comment everyday why Im celebrated just cause she has a skin condition, she wrote on Instagram. My point has never been to celebrate vitiligo, or that I have it. But to celebrate the confidence that everyone can have by believing in themselves. It's the first New York Fashion Week since street-style photographer Bill Cunningham's passing this summer at age 87, and the legendary lensman's presence is being remembered at the semi-annual event. On Thursday morning at the Nicholas K show at The Dock at Skylight Moynihan Station, 75 videographers and photographers wore replicas of the late photographer's signature, hard-to-miss coat, turning the photo pit into a sea of blue. IMG, the driving force behind NYFW, collaborated with Villency Design Group and Made to recreate the piece. IN HONOR OF BILL: Photographers at the Nicholas K show during New York Fashion Week on Sept. 8. (Photo: Getty Images) "Though he's no longer with us, Bill Cunningham's legacy lives on. We see his influence every day on the streets of New York, and we miss him. As New York Fashion Week kicks off, we acknowledge this incredible man through the individuals who will carry on his passion for life and love of fashion," said Catherine Bennett, senior vp and managing director IMG fashion events in an official statement. Elsewhere, in Bryant Park, one-time home of the fashion extravaganza, another tribute of sorts commemorating Cunningham popped up. A display of blue-backed chairs, each marked with a photo of Cunningham, paid homage to his status as a NYFW front-row fixture. On first NY fash week without the late great Bill Cunningham, a display of 'front row' seats for him in Bryant Park pic.twitter.com/EGVMmJov8W - Trip Gabriel (@tripgabriel) September 8, 2016 In July, New York City temporarily renamed the intersection of 57th Street and Fifth Avenue (where Cunningham often snapped his sartorial subjects) "Bill Cunningham Corner." New York (AFP) - The world's refugee crisis may sound far removed from fripperies of fashion, but one US designer used a New York catwalk Thursday to drive donations for the millions fleeing war and poverty. Ohio-born designer Johny Dar, mastermind of the global initiative "Jeans for Refugees," showcased a select number of hand-painted jeans at New York Fashion Week which are to be auctioned off for charity next month. A string of A-list models, actors and musicians have donated pairs of denim, which Dar has then fashioned into one-off couture pieces by painting them with a series of intricate, psychedelic designs. The show may have been sparsely attended, but a three-piece band whipped up passion and fervor as models sashayed down the runway, the women strapped into stilettos and the men sporting oiled torsos. In total 100 pairs of jeans are being sold online and proceeds donated to the International Rescue Committee, the New York-based charity headed by former British foreign minister David Miliband. All the jeans will be exhibited at London's Saatchi Gallery next month before the auction concludes. Among those to grace the New York catwalk were pants donated by Claudia Schiffer, Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Stone, the label said. Stone's jeans have already attracted a bid of $5,500 at catawiki.com with another 51 days before the auction closes. The world is in the grip of the worst refugee crisis since World War II with more than 65 million people fleeing wars and poverty. The UN Children's Fund also said Wednesday nearly 50 million children worldwide have been "uprooted" from their homes by war, violence or persecution. Europe's high-profile migrant crisis is just part of the growing tide of human misery led by Palestinians, Syrians and Afghans. Nearly five million Syrians have fled their country since war broke out in 2011. The United States has committed to resettling just 10,000 this year in an issue that has inflamed the US presidential election. By Dan Whitcomb LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Yosemite National Park on Wednesday announced its largest expansion in seven decades with the donation by a conservancy group of a large meadow surrounded by trees that will be home to dozens of endangered species. Ackerson Meadow at the western edge of the current park was purchased from a private couple earlier this year by the Trust for Public Land for $2.3 million and donated to the National Park Service, a Yosemite spokeswoman said. The gift of 400 acres (161.87 hectares) of land marks the largest expansion of Yosemite, which was first protected in 1864 and encompasses nearly 1,200 square miles (3,107.99 sq km) in central California, since 1949. "It's a big open meadow surrounded by forest land. We're very excited. This pristine meadow is going to provide habitat for a number of protected species," park spokeswoman Jamie Richards said. Among them are two endangered species of owls. Among the major contributors to the purchase were the nonprofit Yosemite Conservancy, the National Park Trust and American Rivers. According to the park, the land is especially important because it consists of a meadow. While just three percent of Yosemite National Park is meadows, they are home to some one-third of the plant species found there. Frank Dean, president of the Yosemite Conservancy, said in a statement that Ackerson Meadow had been included in the original boundary plans for the park, which was inspired by the advocacy of Scottish-American naturalist John Muir. "Donating the largest addition since 1949 to one of the world's most famous parks is a great way to celebrate the 100th birthday of our National Park Service -- and honor John Muir's original vision for the park," said Will Rogers, President of The Trust for Public Land. Yosemite, considered one of the crown jewels of America's national park system, regularly ranks among the top U.S. tourist attractions. The park saw a record 4.3 million visitors in 2015. (Reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Sandra Maler) For Immediate Release Chicago, IL September 08, 2016 Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include CONE Midstream Partners L.P. (CNNX), Midcoast Energy Partners L.P. (MEP), NGL Energy Partners L.P. ( NGL) and Archrock Partners L.P. (APLP). Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free. Here are highlights from Wednesdays Analyst Blog: 4 Best Small-Cap Value Stocks for Your Energy Portfolio So far, 2016 has not been smooth sailing for U.S. oil futures. The commodity has been very volatile this year with prices recovering from a 12-year low of $26.21 a barrel in February to $50/barrel mark in early June, slipping again to under $40 only to rally toward $50 once more. The Current Situation While factors like Canadian wildfires, Nigerian outages/disruptions, production issues in Venezuela and a strike by Kuwaiti oil workers contributed to jump in prices earlier this year that saw the benchmark recover significantly, these issues have largely vanished from the market. As of now, overproduction of crude and a glut of refined products keep the commodity under pressure. At over 525 million barrels, current crude supplies are up 15% from the year-ago period and are at the highest level during this time of the year. As it is, improvement in oil fundamentals remain fragile with the existing stocks of refined product inventories gasoline and distillate remaining at their maximum seasonal levels in at least 20 years despite healthy demand. Piling on the misery is the Baker Hughes report revealing a steady rise in the U.S. oil rig count and pointing to the resurgence in shale drilling activities. But over the past few trading days, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures have rallied to top $45-a-barrel after leading producers Saudi Arabia and Russia agreed to cooperate on measures to stabilize the oil market. However, the countries stopped short of pledging any kind of production freeze. Story continues How to Invest in Energy Stocks? While record high inventories and robust production could still push the commodity to the depths of multiyear lows, signs are emerging that oil prices are likely to stabilize and gradually pick up. Not only is global demand expanding but energy companies have significantly scaled back on plans to explore for and bring out more oil. This should lead to lower future production and supply/demand rebalancing. However, not all oil stocks are the same. In fact, one needs to have an appetite for risk in order to invest in the energy sector. For savvy investors though, there are opportunities to earn big returns. Value Investing to the Rescue Given this uncertainty, it will be wise for investors to apportion their funds in value stocks. Value investing has always been a popular strategy, and with good reason too. After all, who minds stocks that have solid outlooks and decent dividends? Specifically, for investors who are risk-averse, value investing offers an opportunity to enter the market and grab stocks that have otherwise been overlooked by a majority of investors, and are thus trading at cheap multiples. Thus, investing in small-cap value asset class might just fit the bill for such investors. The Small-Cap Advantage Owing to their significant growth potential, small-cap stocks (stocks with a market cap of around $1 billion or below) usually tend to outperform their large-cap peers over time. However, these can also be riskier than well-known large-cap companies. Nonetheless, the growth potential of small-caps given the current economic backdrop of continued strength in the U.S. dollar and oil price unpredictability is tempting. Moreover, over the long run, value stocks tend to outperform their growth-oriented counterparts. This is because growth stocks have a propensity of possessing high valuations fueled by positive outlook for future growth. Thus, it might become difficult for such a stock to grow as much as its undervalued counterpart. We thus believe investing in small-cap value stocks could actually be a safer bet as these stocks generally yield high returns and generate exponential gains over time. Moreover, taking into account that such stocks are far more volatile in nature, they possess far higher potential for price appreciation. However, most of these players are generally not industry giants and hence, a little extra effort must be put in to select the correct stocks. This is where the Zacks Rank, which justifies a companys strong fundamentals, can come in really handy. Here Are the Stocks With the help of our new style score system, we have picked four outstanding small-cap stocks that have excellent prospects and might offer solid investment returns. Our research shows that stocks with Value Style Scores of A or B when combined with Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) offer the great investment opportunities. Then, from among them, we selected those with dividend yield of over 2% and finally zeroed in on four stocks that have a market cap of under $2 billion. CONE Midstream Partners L.P. (CNNX) : Headquartered in Canonsburg, PA, CONE Midstream Partners is a master limited partnership focused on natural gas and condensate gathering in the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. Zacks Rank: #1 Value Score: A Dividend Yield: 5.2% Midcoast Energy Partners L.P. (MEP) : Formed by Enbridge Energy Partners L.P., Midcoast Energy is a master limited partnership with headquarters in Houston, Texas. It is in the business of owning and further developing Enbridges natural gas and natural gas liquids midstream business in the U.S. Zacks Rank: #1 Value Score: A Dividend Yield: 18.1% NGL Energy Partners L.P. (NGL) : It is a limited partnership operating a vertically integrated propane business with three operating segments: retail propane; wholesale supply and marketing; and midstream. Zacks Rank: #1 Value Score: B Dividend Yield: 8.6% Archrock Partners L.P. (APLP) : Houston, Texas-based Archrock Partners is a leading provider of natural gas contract compression services to clients spread all over U.S. Zacks Rank: #2 Value Score: B Dividend Yield: 7.6% Bottom Line If you are looking for fresh picks that have potential to move in the right direction, definitely keep the 4 abovementioned stocks on your list as these look well-positioned to soar in the near term. Looking for Ideas with Even Greater Upside? Today's investment ideas are short-term, directly based on our proven 1 to 3 month indicator. In addition, I invite you to consider our long-term opportunities. These rare trades look to start fast with strong Zacks Ranks, but carry through with double and triple-digit profit potential. Starting now, you can look inside our home run, value, and stocks under $10 portfolios, plus more. Click here for a peek at this private information >> Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free. About Zacks Equity Research Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term. Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons. Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today. 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! Register 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 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 CONE MIDSTREAM (CNNX): Free Stock Analysis Report MIDCOAST EN PTN (MEP): Free Stock Analysis Report NGL ENERGY PART (NGL): Free Stock Analysis Report ARCHROCK PTNRS (APLP): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. For Immediate Release Chicago, IL September 08, 2016 Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include Verizon (VZ), EOG Resources (EOG), Danaher ( DHR) and Spectra Energy (SPE). Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free. Here are highlights from Wednesdays Analyst Blog: Todays Top Zacks Research Reports Today's Research Daily features updated research reports on 16 major stocks, including reports on Verizon (VZ), EOG Resources ( EOG), Danaher (DHR) and Spectra Energy (SPE). Verizon shares have been weak lately, but they have been strong performers this year on investors' continued demand for yield. The company recently raised its dividend, which currently yields a very juicy and safe 4.4%. But Verizon is more than just a safe and stable dividend payer. They are actively investing into related spaces that add to their core telecom leadership. The move into online content delivery, mobile video and online advertising, with the recent Yahoo deal as part of that strategy. (You can read the full research report on Verizon here >>) EOG Resources shares have registered strong gains on recent deal to buy privately held Yates Petroleum for $2.5 billion. The analyst likes the deal will add more quality acreage in the Delaware and Powder River basins - some of the best resource plays in the country. Meanwhile, EOG has focused on reducing operational costs while achieving a strong return on capital invested to survive in this low commodity price environment. (You can read the full research report on EOG Resources here >>) Danaher shares have been laggards this year on the back of persistent weakness in key industrial markets and persistent currency headwinds. Despite these concerns, the analyst likes its diligent acquisition strategies. Danaher recently declared the buyout of California-based Cepheid to fortify its presence in the molecular diagnostics market. Also, the company has been witnessing core revenue growth, margin expansion and earnings improvement. (You can read the full research report on Danaher here >>) Story continues Spectra Energy, the operator of natural gas pipelines and other storage assets, is in the process of being acquired by Canada's Enbridge (ENB) that will result in the creation of a North American energy infrastructure leader. The analyst likes the deal as the combined operator's diverse asset base, including crude oil, liquids, and natural gas pipelines as well storage and other midstream assets will reach into all key producing and consuming regions. (You can read the full research report on Spectra Energy here >>) Today's Private Buys & Sells from Zacks Research While we share the above news with the public, our sensitive recommendations are hidden from everyone but selected members. Would you like to peek behind the curtain and view them? Starting today, for the next month, you can follow all Zacks' private buys and sells in real time from value to momentum . . . from stocks under $10 to ETF and option moves . . . from insider trades to companies that are about to report positive earnings surprises (we've called them with 80%+ accuracy). You can even look inside portfolios so exclusive that they are normally closed to new investors. Click here for Zacks' secret trades>> Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free. About Zacks Equity Research Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term. Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons. Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today. 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! Register 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 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 VERIZON COMM (VZ): Free Stock Analysis Report EOG RES INC (EOG): Free Stock Analysis Report DANAHER CORP (DHR): Free Stock Analysis Report SPECIAL OPP FD (SPE): ETF Research Reports To read this article on Zacks.com click here. For Immediate Release Chicago, IL September 08, 2016 - Stocks in this weeks article include: US Foods Holding Corp. (USFD), Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT), Urban Outfitters Inc. (URBN), Sotheby's ( BID) and China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (SNP). Screen of the Week of Zacks Investment Research: 5 Low PEG Stocks Ideal for Value Investors The Oracle of Omahas secret of success is based on the theory that The best thing that happens to us is when a great company gets into temporary trouble. Delving deeper into Warren Buffetts success story, we come across the term intrinsic value of a stock that mostly does the trick for investors. The process is apparently simple. Pick the stocks that are currently undervalued in the market. Yardsticks such as dividend yield, the ratio of price to earnings or to book value are most commonly used to calculate intrinsic value, which indicates whether a stock is trading at a discount. But will this alone ensure success? What if there is a dearth of catalysts to propel growth even though the stock is cheap? In such a case, if you buy a stock at less than its fair value, you might still end up paying more. To avoid such value traps, Buffett advises investors to focus on the earnings growth potential of a stock. Here lies the importance of a not-so-popular value investing metric, the PEG ratio. The PEG ratio is defined as: (Price/ Earnings)/Earnings Growth Rate A low PEG ratio is always better for value investors. While P/E alone fails to identify a true value stock, PEG helps to find the intrinsic value of a stock. Unfortunately, this ratio is often neglected due to investors limitation to calculate the future earnings growth rate of a stock. There are some drawbacks to using the PEG ratio though. It doesnt consider the very common situation of changing growth rates such as the forecast of the first three years at a very high growth rate followed by a sustainable but lower growth rate in the long term. Story continues Hence, PEG-based investing can turn out to be even more rewarding if some other relevant parameters are also taken into consideration. Here are some of the screening criteria for a winning strategy: PEG Ratio less than X Industry Median (P/E Ratio (using F1) less than X Industry Median (For more accurate valuation purpose.) Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) (whether good market conditions or bad, stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 and #2 have a proven history of success.) Market Capitalization greater than $1 Billion (This helps us to focus on companies that have strong liquidity) Average 20 Day Volume greater than 50,000 (A substantial trading volume ensures that the stock is easily tradable.) Percentage Change F1 Earnings Estimate Revisions (4 Weeks) greater than 5% (Upward estimate revisions add to the optimism, suggesting further bullishness.) Value Score of less than or equal to B : Our research shows that stocks with a Style Score of A or B when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 or 2 offer the best upside potential. Here are five of the 13 stocks that qualified the screening: US Foods Holding Corp. (USFD): This renowned food company and foodservice distributor currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 and a Value Style Score A. The company also has an impressive expected five-year growth rate of 18.6%. Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT): This popular name in the field of mobile voice related services, IP/packet communications services, telecommunication equipment, system integration, and other telecommunications-related services currently holds a Zacks Rank #1 and has a Value Style score A. The company also has an impressive expected five-year growth rate of 9.5%. Urban Outfitters Inc. (URBN): Based in Philadelphia, PA, this is a lifestyle specialty retailer that offers fashion apparel and accessories, footwear, home decor and gifts products in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Urban Outfitters is currently making all possible efforts to enhance the performance of its brands through store refurbishment and creation of compelling assortments. This stock can be an impressive value investment pick with its Zacks Rank #1 and Value Style Score A. Apart from a discounted PEG and P/E, the stock also has an impressive expected five-year growth rate of 15%. Sotheby's (BID): This company is an auctioneer of authenticated fine art, decorative art, jewelry, wine, and collectibles across the globe. It became the first international auction house when it expanded from London to New York. This Zacks Rank #1 and Value Style Score B company also has an impressive expected five-year growth rate of 15%. It delivered an earnings surprise of 43.8% in its last reported quarter. China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (SNP): This is one of the largest petroleum and petrochemical companies in Asia. This stock can also be an impressive value investment pick with its Zacks Rank #1 and Value Style Score B. The company has an expected five-year growth rate of 12.3%. Get the rest of the stocks on the list and start putting this and other ideas to the test. It can all be done with the Research Wizard stock picking and backtesting software. 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 US FOODS HLDG (USFD): Free Stock Analysis Report NIPPON TELE-ADR (NTT): Free Stock Analysis Report SOTHEBYS (BID): Free Stock Analysis Report URBAN OUTFITTER (URBN): Free Stock Analysis Report CHINA PETRO&CHM (SNP): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Harare (AFP) - Zimbabwe admitted Thursday it was struggling to pay civil servants, with government salaries eating a whopping 96.8 percent of the annual budget as a worsening economy fuels protests against President Robert Mugabe's rule. Presenting the mid-term budget to parliament, Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa revised the growth rate from the projected 2.7 percent to 1.2 percent, blaming the decline on an ongoing regional drought, investment shortfalls and a perennial cash crunch. "The economy is facing strong headwinds, with major challenges being experienced in the economy and business activity during the first half of the year than what the 2016 national budget anticipated," Chinamasa said. "The outlook, based on the status quo, points to a situation where projected revenues fall short of meeting employment costs, leaving no room for expenditure on operations and maintenance as well as capital projects." The budget deficit, he said, was expected to top $1 billion (900 million euros) by year's end if current trends persist. Zimbabwe's economic crisis has worsened this year. The cash-strapped government has been slow to pay the salaries of public sector workers,resorting to staggered pay dates for various departments. A string of protests has since erupted, despite Mugabe's record of deploying the ruthless security forces to crush public dissent. A one-day strike in July, called by trade unions and Christian pastor Evan Mawarire, shut down offices, schools and some government departments. Mugabe has repeatedly vowed to fight back, with threats of cracking down on protest leaders. Police last week banned protests in the capital for two weeks as a coalition of opposition parties planned street marches to press for reforms ahead of the next general election in 2018. A high court overturned the ban on Wednesday. Day 2 of New York Fashion Week got to a pretty start, thanks to Newport Beach-based husband and wife Kristopher Brock and Laura Vassar's latest Brock collection on Thursday morning. Brock's spring 2017 offering featured ladylike dresses in delicate stripes, floral and etoile prints, some sliding suggestively off the shoulders, as well as skirts with oversized pockets and playfully askew hemlines, worn with boxy, pajama-like jackets. Vassar says they looked at "pairing organic fabrics with the blue-and-white pajama look," driving home the notion of at-home elegance that the budding brand is known for. Read more: Kanye vs. Tom Ford: Clash of the Fashion Titans Though the colors were mostly subtle (save for a few pieces in burnt orange), it was the details that elevated the romantic collection - from the exaggerated ruffles at necklines and side-slit skirts, to hand pleating on a navy dress, to sprinklings of metallic embroidery on autumn-floral satin cocktail looks. #BROCKBABE: Zoe Saldana in a Brock resort 2017 look. (Photo: Victor Chavez/Getty Images) Brock's elegant creations are a favorite among the Hollywood set: Zoe Saldana most recently wore a black top and skirt from the resort 2017 collection to the Star Trek Beyond press conference in Mexico City; Margot Robbie was seen in their striped coat while promoting Suicide Squad; and Emma Watson wore one of the brand's fall 2016 looks while chatting with Derek Blasberg for CNN Style. "You know what's nice is we have a range of celebrities [wearing our clothes]. We want our brand to fit into her wardrobe, we want it to be ageless," says Vassar backstage post-show of how stars have helped the young label gain recognition since it was founded in 2013. FRONT-ROW FANS: Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber at the Brock spring 2017 show on Sept. 8. (Photo: Mireya Acierto/Getty Images) Among the brand's #BrockBabes on Instagram is Cindy Crawford, who was at the runway show with husband Rande Gerber after attending the star-studded Tom Ford show the night before. Models Jessica Hart and Toni Garrn, designer Wes Gordon and Man Repeller's Leandra Medine were also spotted front row. Story continues Crawford, who tells Pret-a-Reporter that she knew of the brand through being friends with Laura's dad, says the quality and fabrics are what make the collection stand out, adding, "I think they have a unique style that doesn't feel derivative. It feels like their own thing." Indeed the label's originality has not only earned them red-carpet recognition, but Vasser and Brock have also been selected as one of the 10 designers for this year's class of CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists. Read more: New York Fashion Week Shakeup: What Designers Are Doing Differently The tech world stood still on Wednesday as Apple (AAPL) unveiled the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Except for the missing headphone jack, the phone doesnt look wildly different. Still, there are some product improvements and new features that will certainly make the phone more convenient for consumers. One area where the iPhone 7 will have a huge impact is travel. From an extended battery life to an improved camera, here are some features of the new gadget available for purchase on Sept. 16 that will make your next trip easier. Water resistant Its the day weve all been waiting for the iPhone 7 is more splash and water resistant than previous models. Gone are the days of sticking your dead phone in a bag of rice after dropping it in the toilet and praying to the Apple gods to bring it back to life. Now you have nothing to fear if you get caught in the rain during a long hike. You might get waterlogged, but your iPhone 7 will be just fine (Apple said the iPhone 7 can withstand immersion in water to one meter, or 3.3 feet, for 30 minutes, tested in laboratory conditions.) Use Siri to book a travel In addition to giving you movie times and telling you how many ounces there are in a pound, Siri can now help you to book travel. During the most recent product announcement, Apple discussed how the new iOS 10 operating system will come equipped with SiriKit, an innovative way for users to interact with apps. In the US, it will be easier to order transportation. Users will be able to ask Siri to book a ride on Uber or Lyft without ever opening the apps. Instead, Siri is able to share where you are and where you want to go. In Europe, youll be able to get a taxi on demand. IPhone 7 users (or those with iOS 10) will be able to ask Siri to call a cab with mytaxi, the largest e-hailing app in Europe. In China, users can ask Siri to hail a ride on the rideshare app Didi Chuxing, which allows you to call a ride in more than 400 cities across the country. Story continues With third-party app extensions you can book travel without leaving the Maps app. Book travel through Apple Maps According to Apple CEO Tim Cook, consumers will now be able to use other app extensions within Maps. This means youll be able to make reservations at a restaurant via OpenTable or order a car on Uber or Lyft from one place. Apple has also improved the public transit feature within Maps. The signs on the screen will match the signs on streets; youll be able to find the nearest subway stations and with one tap you can pull up bus and train schedules. This improvement will make it easier for travelers to navigate public transportation in 31 cities around the world where the transit feature is available. Longer battery life Apple Maps is a great tool to have when navigating a new city. Its the perfect way to get accurate directions, but the GPS function also drains your phone and being in a foreign place with a dead phone is the last thing you want. The battery in the iPhone 7 provides for up to 14 hours of talktime on 3G, which is about two hours longer than the one in the iPhone 6s. With the 7 Plus, youll get up to 21 hours of talktime on 3G, or about an hour more compared to the iPhone 6s Plus. Take more beautiful images We all know that showing off your vacation photos on Instagram is nearly as fun as the vacation itself. Apple improved the camera on the iPhone 7 to make photos better and brighter. It has a 12-megapixel sensor that is more energy-efficient and the Quad-LED flash puts out 50% more light for taking photos in low-light conditions. The new and improved optical image stabilizer helps to reduce blur, which will come in handy as youre sightseeing and taking photos on the go. As for the iPhone 7 plus, it comes with two cameras, both working to create crisp images. The first lens is standard, but the second is a telephoto lens with a 2x optical zoom and a digital zoom up to 10x. This advancement means that you can zoom in closer closer without jeopardizing clarity or quality. Coming later this year: Shallow depth of field will soon be an option on the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. This will allow users to take photos where the object in the front is in focus, but the background is blurry. To use this feature, users would simply select portrait from the list of camera options. Apple Pay available in more countries Making payments while traveling abroad will also be easier. Apple reports that merchants in the US say 90% of all contactless transactions are made with Apple Pay. The secure payment system allows users to ditch their wallets and pay by tapping their iPhone or Apple Watch at the checkout counter. During the product announcement, Apple revealed that the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus will include FeliCa contactless technology. This allows Apple Pay to be used in Japan starting in October. In conjunction, iOS 10 will feature support for transit throughout Japan, making it easier for travelers to pay for public transportation with Apple Pay. In Japan, many travelers use Suica, a smartcard that can be used to to pay for subways, buses and trains. Currently, users tap their cards to gain access to public transportation. In October, users can add Suica to their Apple Pay and simply tap their phone on the turnstyle gate to gain entrance to trains on JR East, the worlds largest passenger railway company in the world. New Zealand will also start accepting Apple Pay in October. Russia will follow later in the fall. Brittany is a writer at Yahoo Finance. Read more: Is Chase Sapphire Reserve the best travel credit card ever? Low on cash? Now there is layaway for airline tickets They quit their jobs to visit all 59 National Parks in one year Online retail giant Amazon plans to open a new office in Vancouver in 2020 and increase its Canadian workforce to 6,000 (AFP Photo/DAVID MCNEW) (GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File) Washington (AFP) - US online giant Amazon announced Thursday a new small-format tablet that includes its digital assistant Alexa. The eight-inch (20-centimeter) display Fire HD tablet will start at $89 for US customers, making it one of the least expensive on the market. "We believe in a different approach to tablets -- providing premium products at non-premium prices -- and customers love it," said Kevin Keith, manager for Fire Tablets. "In fact, we've seen Fire tablet sales more than double year-over-year as a result. The all-new Fire HD 8 packs more battery life, more storage, faster performance, plus Alexa -- all for less than $90." Amazon has not release specific sales figures for its tablets. But a survey by research firm IDC estimated the online titan was the fifth largest vendor in the second quarter with global sales of 1.6 million units. Amazon also sells a seven-inch Fire tablet starting at $49 and a 10-inch device from $230. The global tablet market, led by Apple's iPad, has been declining over the past few quarters, with some consumers turning to slim PCs, some with detachable keyboards. Amazon's Alexa, which competes with Apple's Siri, Google Now and Microsoft's Cortana, is a key element of the company's strategy to move into the connected home and internet of things. Alexa's skills include selecting music, appointment reminders, checking bank balances, ordering food, summoning Uber rides and more. By Julia Love SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Apple Inc will not release first-weekend sales of its new iPhone 7, the company said on Thursday, making it harder for analysts to get a read on the product's prospects amid questions over whether its popularity has peaked. The company decided to stop the practice because the number of phones sold during the period has become more a reflection of Apples supply than demand, a company spokeswoman said, when asked whether Apple will be releasing the figure. As we have expanded our distribution through carriers and resellers to hundreds of thousands of locations around the world, we are now at a point where we know before taking the first customer pre-order that we will sell out of iPhone 7, Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet said. These initial sales will be governed by supply, not demand, and we have decided that it is no longer a representative metric for our investors and customers. The company reiterated its financial outlook for the quarter. Apple launched the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus at a San Francisco event on Wednesday. The new phones feature improved cameras and eliminate the traditional headphone jack in favor of new technology. Preorders will begin on Friday, and Apple will start shipping the devices on September 16. The stakes for the iPhone 7 are high after sales of the gadget dropped during two straight quarters this year, the first declines in its history. As they try to assess whether the iPhone has reached a plateau, investors will not be happy about losing a data point, said Colin Gillis, an analyst with BGC Partners. "Less data is never good, particularly given the question marks around this phone," he said. Apple shares fell 2.4 percent to $105.71 in mid-day trading. On Sept. 28, 2015, when Apple announced record first-weekend sales of its iPhone 6, its stock dropped 2 percent, reflecting Wall Street's worries about cooling demand. The iPhone is Apple's lifeblood, accounting for more than half of the company's revenue. In the most recent quarter, Apple recorded $42.4 billion in total revenue with $24 billion coming from the iPhone. Investors have grown accustomed to receiving early sales figures, and Apple's decision to hold back seems significant, said analyst John Jackson of IDC. "It reinforces, I think, the thesis that this product is mature," he said. Nevertheless, sales logged when the supply chain is ramping up only reveal so much about the gadget's ultimate trajectory, said analyst Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights Strategy. "What's meaningful to me are the first month of sales with full supply," he said. (Additional reporting by Noel Randewich; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe) By David Shepardson (Reuters) - The chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Thursday unveiled revised proposed rules to allow tens of millions of Americans to drop costly rented pay-TV set-top boxes for programing and get service through app-based software. The plan, first proposed in January and updated on Thursday, is aimed at ending the cable industry's long domination of the $20-billion-a-year set-top box market and lowering prices for consumers. Nearly all pay-TV subscribers lease set-top boxes from their cable, satellite or telecommunications providers at an average annual cost of $231. In recent months, the plan drew fierce opposition from television and content providers, including AT&T Inc, Comcast Corp and Twenty-First Century Fox Inc. AT&T criticized Wheeler's revised proposal as "overbroad" and "unnecessary." A vote by the five-member commission is expected on Sept. 29. The new rules would require companies covering 95 percent of U.S. TV subscribers to comply by September 2018. "If adopted, these consumer-first rules would pave the way for a competitive marketplace for new devices that enhance the TV-watching experience. Bottom line: consumers will no longer have to rent a set-top box just to watch the programing they already pay for," FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler wrote in a blog post. Wheeler initially proposed in January open standards for set-top boxes allowing tech companies to re-imagine the delivery of video content. The new proposal grants device makers the ability to integrate cable company apps. The plan would also include a licensing body to ensure that pay-TV companies do not enter into anti-competitive agreements and allow for "integrated search" of different content providers. Pay-TV providers would be required to provide their apps to platforms like Roku, Apple iOS, Windows and Android, the FCC said. Set-top box rental fees have jumped 185 percent since 1994, while the cost of televisions, computers and mobile phones has dropped 90 percent, the FCC has estimated. Comcast said in a statement that Wheeler's "latest tortured approach is equally flawed" as his initial plan, violates federal law and would harm consumers. Comcast added that the proposal would impose "an overly complicated government licensing regime and heavy-handed regulation in a fast-moving technological space." Cable companies have previously expressed concerns that rivals like Alphabet Inc or Apple Inccould create devices or apps and insert their own content or advertising in cable content. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal backed Wheeler's proposal. "Consumers dont have to rent computers from their broadband providers or DVD players from their cable companies set-top boxes should be no different," Blumenthal said in a statement. Chip Pickering, head of the trade group INCOMPAS that includes Amazon.com, Google, Facebook Inc and Netflix Inc, praised Wheeler's plan, saying it would allow for "lower prices, more choice and the freedom to discover new and exciting content streaming online." (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Will Dunham) - By Sangara Narayanan After going through a revenue dip in 2015 Intel (INTC) snapped out its negative revenue growth trend during the second half of last year, and the company now looks all set to post positive growth for the year. The chip-maker expects to post mid-single-digit growth for the year, but there are so many transformational things that are going on inside the company that its future is going to be a bit of a bumpy ride. Intel reported $13.533 billion in revenues during the second quarter this year with $7.338 billion coming from its client computing group, accounting for 54.22% of its total revenues. With more than half of its money coming from this segment, Intel's overall performance mirrors the direction in which its client computing group travels. This is the segment with which most of us have come into direct contact - it is the one that makes the chips that sit inside our PCs. Intel is still a dominant player in the PC market with more than 80% market share. Obviously, this segment has served it well for many years. Intel's biggest segment is now its biggest problem But the biggest problem the company faces today comes from the same quarter. The gradual shift from a PC-based world toward a mobile device world filled with tablets and smartphones is what is affecting it the most. The days of desktops in homes are numbered, and the gap between desktop-laptop-tablet and smartphone is thinning with each passing day. We still use desktops in enterprise environments, but even that market is racing toward laptops and tablets. Suffice it to say PCs are never going to return to their glory days. pTVm_mTgtu55fcIXWtIQ5BmEj5eez9VqpU3-7PsA Although the rate of PC shipments' decline went down in the first half of this year, it is still not completely out of the woods. We are still a few years away before we hit stability in this market. Don't get me wrong; PCs aren't going to disappear altogether, but they've definitely lost their former shine. Story continues "Worldwide PC shipments totaled 64.3 million units in the second quarter of 2016, a 5.2% decline from the second quarter of 2015, according to preliminary results by Gartner Inc. This was the seventh consecutive quarter of PC shipment declines, but Gartner analysts said the market is showing some signs of improvement." - Gartner The short- to medium-term fortunes of Intel are extremely dependent on the state of the PC market, which is still moving toward finding its bottom. Intel is well aware of this problem, judging from CEO Brian M. Krzanich's comment: "While we remain cautious about the PC segment and continue to expect a decline in the high single digits this year, we're expecting our businesses outside of CCG to collectively deliver double-digit growth in the third quarter." IoT and AI to the rescue? Clearly the company knows that PC segment sales are going to be soft moving forward, which translates to an unpredictable path for its No. 1 money spinner. Intel has already withdrawn itself from competing in the smartphone chip market, and the company is now pushing toward two growth areas - data center segment and Internet of Things. In the second quarter Internet of Things group had $572 million in revenues. The data center segment came in with $4.027 billion, registering a growth of 5% year over year. The best part, however, is that operating income from the data center group was $1.765 billion, a nearly 43% margin. This is the segment that has the potential to compensate for Intel's smartphone misadventures as well as sagging PC sales. With data consumption growing at breakneck speed all over the world there is increased need for high-performance computing. The growing adoption of cloud environments has further fueled the demand for robust data centers that need high-performance chips. Intel will be competing with NVIDIA (NVDA) in this market, and it will be a fascinating fight to watch. It is still too early to speculate about the eventual winner of this fight, but NVIDIA has already built some lead over other chip-makers in the deep learning segment. For its part, Intel seems to be pushing back with its Xeon Phi processor family. From an investor's point of view, Intel is clearly not out of trouble, but the company is indeed looking in the right direction. Its data center segment does have a formidable foe in NVIDIA. Innovation will be the key, and Intel cannot afford to fall back further in the race against NVIDIA. The market knows that there is still a lot Intel has to prove to it, and that's why the company is trading at three times sales and nearly 13 times forward earnings. Hold Intel for now until a clearer picture emerges around real-world performance of the Xeon Phi family. Disclosure: I have no positions in any of the stocks mentioned above and no intention to initiate a position in the next 72 hours. Start a free seven-day trial of Premium Membership to GuruFocus. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. When an agreement with the US Commerce Department runs out, ICANN will become a self-regulating non-profit international entity (AFP Photo/Andrew Cowie) (AFP/File) Washington (AFP) - Four Republican lawmakers called Thursday for a delay in implementing a plan to cede US oversight of the internet address system, saying it could give more power to "authoritarian regimes." The lawmakers said they have concerns over the plan to turn over to the broader online community oversight of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), set to take place October 1. The handover represents "a serious, groundbreaking, and potentially unalterable action," said the four, each of whom chairs a key committee: Senators John Thune of South Dakota and Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Representatives Fred Upton of Michigan and Bob Goodlatte of Virginia. In a letter to US Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, the lawmakers said they had "examined the arguments for and against the proposed transition, including concerns about whether the transition could enhance the role of authoritarian regimes in internet governance." They said witnesses at hearings have identified "concerns that important accountability measures have yet to be fully fleshed out, tested, or proven." Earlier this year, ICANN said it had worked out details of the plan that removes the symbolic US government oversight of the internet address system. US officials in June gave tentative approval to the plan, which enables a broad range of internet "stakeholders" to make policy and avoids direct government management of the internet. In August, officials said the US government contract with ICANN would expire as scheduled on September 30. Officials have said the plan to "privatize" this system has been in the works for some 18 years and would instill greater confidence in the independence of the internet from the US government. Some critics of the plan have argued that it would leave the internet accountable to no one and enable repressive regimes to exercise more control. "There is a broad range of important questions on both law and policy that remain outstanding with respect to the proposed transfer," the Republican lawmakers wrote. Galaxy Note 7 batteries keep exploding, pushing the tally well above the 35 incidents Samsung acknowledged in its global recall announcement. The company identified the batteries made by Samsung SDI as the cause of these explosions and decided to recall all 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7 units that were shipped to retail partners and consumers. If you have a Galaxy Note 7, this post will explain how to trade it in for a new model, a different model or a refund. Samsung has been fairly open throughout this process, but the company never really explained what exactly is causing its Note 7 batteries to explode. MUST READ: I already hate my new iPhone 7 and I dont even have it yet Now, Samsung has posted a Q&A section on its UK news portal where it announced the Galaxy Note 7 where it explained what the issue is. Based on our investigation, we learned that there was an issue with the battery cell, Samsung explained. An overheating of the battery cell occurred when the anode-to-cathode came into contact which is a very rare manufacturing process error. There you have it. It's not a detailed description of what happens, but if the anode and cathode come into direct contact, the results are not good. The company also said that this is a problem with the battery cell and it has nothing to do with the device. Furthermore, the problem only affects the Galaxy Note 7, and it doesnt affect other Samsung phones. This is only limited to the Galaxy Note7. Each model has a different design and manufacturing process, Samsung said. What Samsung failed to clarify is the company responsible for the entire mess. Some say that Samsung SDI is to blame for the exploding Galaxy Note 7 batteries, but Samsung would not confirm that. In order to meet market demands, we are working with multiple suppliers, Samsung said. Unfortunately, we will not be able to confirm this as we work with several suppliers. We are currently working with all of them to protect our customers safety first and foremost. Story continues Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com The FBI issued a warning this year about increased efforts by hackers to target those involvedin real estate transactions (AFP Photo/SAUL LOEB) (AFP/File) Washington (AFP) - Two men suspected of belonging to a network that hacked the emails of top American officials including CIA chief John Brennan were arrested Thursday in North Carolina, the authorities announced. Andrew Otto Boggs, 22, and Justin Gray Liverman, 24, are accused of taking part in a group of hackers nicknamed the "Crackas With Attitude," a Justice Department statement said. Members of the network illegally accessed the personal data of the officials and their families between October 2015 and February 2016, downloading private information and then publishing it on public sites or harassing their victims by telephone, according to the department. At least three members of the group reside in Britain, where they are under investigation, the department said. Boggs, who uses the alias "INCURSIO," and Liverman, who goes by "D3F4ULT," are to appear next week before a federal court in Virginia to answer to the charges. In October 2015, the WikiLeaks organization published documents drawn from Brennan's personal emails. He expressed "outrage" over the cyber-attack, saying he had not been irresponsible in his use of a personal email account. Police in Britain investigating the matter, in February arrested a 16-year-old student suspected of involvement. CNN and the technology website Motherboard reported at the time that the targets of "Crackas With Attitude" included top CIA officials like Brennan, as well as senior figures in the FBI, the Homeland Security Department, the White House and other federal agencies. In January, the US director of national intelligence James Clapper said that he, too, had been the victim of cyber pirates who had gained access to the personal account he used for internet and telephone service, managing even to intercept phone calls from his home, Motherboard reported. By Jim Finkle (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans a "thorough investigation" of allegations about vulnerabilities in cardiac devices made by St. Jude Medical Inc, the agency's official responsible for cyber security said on Thursday. The FDA began its investigation in late August after short-selling firm Muddy Waters and cyber security firm MedSec Holdings Inc said they were betting St. Jude shares would fall, making allegations that its pacemakers and defibrillators have cyber security flaws that hackers could exploit to harm patients. St. Jude responded by suing the companies, saying the allegations are defamatory and false. "Regardless of the way a vulnerability comes to our attention, we take those allegations very, very seriously," the FDA official, Suzanne Schwartz, said in a telephone interview. "We are putting all of our focus on making sure that we have an understanding of what these allegations are and do a thorough investigation of the claims." It was unprecedented for a cyber security researcher to publicize claims about cyber bugs as part of a short-selling strategy. The approach also violated advice that the FDA issued in January in draft guidelines for dealing with cyber security vulnerabilities in medical devices. They urge researchers to work directly with manufacturers when they uncover suspected security bugs. Schwartz said that vulnerabilities can typically be dealt with most efficiently when researchers work directly with manufacturers to address suspected problems. She said she hoped others would not follow the approach taken by Muddy Waters and MedSec. (Reporting by Jim Finkle in Miami; editing by Grant McCool) For Immediate Release Chicago, IL September 08, 2016 Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include Apple (AAPL), Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL), Nintendo (NTDOY), Nike ( NKE) and Facebook (FB). Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free. Here are highlights from Wednesdays Analyst Blog: Heres Everything We Learned from Wednesdays Apple Event When Apple (AAPL) talks, the world stops to listen. All eyes were on the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco today as Tim Cook and the rest of the Apple team hosted their September 2016 keynote. Rumors about a new Apple Watch and a new iPhone were swirling heading into the keynote, and the actual event certainly did not lack substance. Heres a complete list of everything we learned from Apple today: Apple Music has hit 17 million subscribers. Tim Cook started the keynote by boasting about the companys music streaming service and its impressive numbers. App Store has seen massive growth. Apple announced that its App Store saw 106% year-over-year growth in the months of July and August. Cook also mentioned that the App Store now brings in twice as much revenue as its closest competitor, Alphabet Inc.s ( GOOGL ) Google Play Store. Nintendo and Apple have partnered up. The keynote smoothly transitioned from a focus on the growth of the App Store to the specific applications and games that make up the marketplace. Tim Cook brought out Nintendo (NTDOY) inventor Shigeru Miyamoto to announce a new Mario game, Super Mario Run, which will hit the App Store this holiday season. Apple values education. Apple filled us in on its ConnectED program, which has provided schools across the country with over 50,000 free iPads and other Apple devices. Several schoolteachers were in the crowd at the keynote. Apple also talked about its Swift Playground application, which teaches kids to code in a fun way. Updates to iWork apps. Apple announced that all of its iWork apps will now feature real-time collaboration. Apple is a wristwatch giant. The company showed that in 2015, it was not included on the list of top watch-sellers in the world. In 2016, Apple now stands at #2 on that list. The Apple Watch is also apparently #1 in customer satisfaction and #1 in smartwatch sales. There is a new Apple Watch operating system. While talking about the Watch, Apple announced its Watch OS 3. The new OS will allow users to swipe the edge of their device to switch watch faces, and it will include new animated stickers, custom reply scribbling, improvements to typing, an activity sharing app, and an SOS app. There will be a Pokemon GO Watch app. Apple brought out the CEO and product manager from Niantic, the developers of Pokemon GO, to announce that a new version of the game will launch for the Watch. NEW APPLE WATCH. Confirming the rumors, Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 2. The new watch will be swim-proof and is water-resistant up to 50 meters. It will include a dual-core processor and promises to be 50% faster than the original. Its screen 2x brighter than the original, making it Apples brightest display to date. A built-in GPS has been added, and the new device will learn about you based on a new algorithm that tracks your daily activity. There will be new cases, including aluminum, stainless steel, and ceramic. There will also be new watch bands. Apple has partnered with Nike for a special Apple Watch. New Nike ( NKE ) President Trevor Edwards took the stage to announce the Apple Watch Nike + design. The new special version of the Apple Watch will be easy to incorporate into workouts and will encourage users to go on runs and be active. Preorders for Apple Watch Series 2 start on September 9. The new version will start at $369. The Apple Watch Series 1 will be a processor upgrade and now starts at $269. Over a billion iPhones have been sold. Tim Cook called the iPhone the best-selling product of its kind in the history of the world. IPHONE 7 ANNOUNCED. The new iPhone will be water-resistant and features major improvements to the camera. There is a new jet black color along with a second black color, as well as gold, rose gold, and silver. The new home button will be force sensitive and is powered by Apples new taptic engine, which will be accessible to third-party apps. The new device meets IP67 standards, meaning that it is completely protected from dust and is safe in water up to one meter deep for 30 minutes. The new camera will feature 3x longer exposure, a wider six-element lens, a new 12MP sensor, a new image signal processor, and a new facial detection system. The camera will also have improved image stabilization and noise reduction. The front-facing camera is now 7MP. The iPhone 7 Plus will feature dual 12MP cameras; one camera will be wide-angle while the other will be telephoto. Apple also brought out a representative from Facebooks ( FB ) Instagram to discuss its new filtering options. The iPhone 7 will also include new stereo speakers. Headphone jacks are gone. Confirming some rumors that have been spreading for some time now, Apple is removing the headphone jack from the iPhone 7. Headphones will now connect via the Lightning port on the phone. A Lightning adapter will be included in the box with the new phone. Apple senior vice president Phil Schiller claimed the decision to remove the headphone jack stemmed from the courage to move on. AirPods are coming. The AirPods are Apples new in-ear wireless headphones. They will feature sensor that detect when each AirPod is in your ear and will only play when inserted. The AirPods last five hours on a single charge. The AirPods will launch at $159 per pair in late October. Apple also announced a new version of its Beats Solo headphones. A new quad-core chip is coming. Apple also announced its new quad-core A10 Fusion chip, promising that it will be 50% faster than the Apple A9. Storage size updates to the iPhone. It looks like Apple has upped the storage capacity of the iPhone models, with the iPhone 7 coming in 32GB, 128GB, and 256GB sizes. The Jet Black version, however, is only available in 12GB and 256 GB capacities. iPhone 7 will start at $649. The iPhone 7 Plus is slightly more at $769. Preorders start on September 9, with shipments starting on September 16. iOS 10 will launch on September 13. The new mobile OS will launch a few days before iPhone 7 shipments begin. Story continues This was certainly one of Apples most important keynotes ever, and several of todays announcements promise to shake-up the industry in a big way. As reactions begin to pour in, remember to check back here for our full coverage of the latest from Apple! 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 >> Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free. About Zacks Equity Research Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term. Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons. Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today. 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! Register 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 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 APPLE INC (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report ALPHABET INC-A (GOOGL): Free Stock Analysis Report NINTENDO LTD (NTDOY): Free Stock Analysis Report NIKE INC-B (NKE): Free Stock Analysis Report FACEBOOK INC-A (FB): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Its budget review time for the Houston County Board of Commissioners, and at least an hour was spent reviewing the preliminary numbers at its meeting Aug. 30, a process that will be ongoing. Finance director Carol Lapham said all county budgets had been returned to her, and theyre now being reviewed by the county departments for accuracy and completeness. A summary of the budgets will begin next week. Those will include any requests for additional appropriations; there have been some requests for increases this year, she said. Commissioner Justin Zmyewski asked that the summary be made very, very simple to read. Something so we can just read it real quick, he said, versus, like, a whole budget thing, and then its confusing as to, well, this went up, you know, I mean, just real simple. Personnel and facilities director Tess Arrick-Kruger joined Lapham and said the good news, as far as county health benefits for employees go, theres a zero percent increase in rates for the third year in a row. We may even have a modest refund coming, Arrick-Kruger said, because of our history. Arrick-Kruger said the human resources department has $20,000 penciled in under contract services for comp worth work they will be doing. The county negotiated with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) to take a comprehensive review of job descriptions, as well as their banding, she said. All positions across the board will be reviewed. It is time now to do a comprehensive review, Arrick-Kruger said. The goal is to have the work done entirely by the end of 2017, she said, which is aggressive, but doable. Lapham said the board should be able to see a trend in employee salaries. This year, 2016, we have the 27 pay periods, Lapham said. In 2017, we will have 26. Not every department goes down, though, because we did have the 3 percent increase, and if there are still employees receiving step increases, this most likely increases. Where staff was added, she said, there will be larger increases. Health insurance changes, as well as the others shed mentioned, can add up to a decent amount. Under building maintenance, Arrick-Kruger said, the overall increase is down, but one of the changes is on the equipment side. That proposal calls for the purchase of a used lift, estimated at $6,000. The county currently contracts with the school district to use their lift four times per year, but Arrick-Kruger said the county needs a lift on hand full time. Quotes, as opposed to bids, will be sought for the used lift. The countys big riding mower needs replacement, too, she said, and the thought is the county can seek a used one. The current mower breaks down regularly, Arrick-Kruger said, and it was purchased used several years ago. Its estimated to cost $8,500 to $9,000. There is some new equipment slated for 2017. For an estimated $1,000, the county will be seeking clippers and shears, specifically ones that can trim and saw higher. This is the third year the staff has asked for such a piece of equipment. Quotes will also be sought. As a blanket statement regarding utilities, Arrick-Kruger said a colder winter is expected, and while utilities increases may seem like excesses, theyre hard to gauge. She was hesitant to back down from her proposed increases. Lapham said each department filled out a five-year capital improvement plan; for building maintenance, the amount was $130,000, and looked at security and various related items, but its not included in the budget anywhere at this time. Arrick-Kruger said the cost of having a camera-ed building is significant. Dick Walter, who recently retired, was on hand to review the county surveyor department budget. He said, though changes might be on the horizon, hed pretty much stuck to what had been done in previous years. Lapham said none of the salary or benefit information for Walter had yet to be changed in the budget, and it wouldnt be until such time as a decision is made as to how its going to go. Personnel Arrick-Kruger also came before the board with a few important personnel matters. Max Ekobena, an IT web technician, has resigned, she told the board, and she was looking for their acceptance of his resignation, as well as authorization to look for a replacement for help desk and intra and extra Internet support. Ekobenas resignation was effective on Aug. 26, Arrick-Kruger said. Didnt we just hire him a month ago? asked Commissioner Teresa Walter. Not too long ago, Arrick-Kruger said. Ekobena was hired by the board at its June 14 meeting, with an effective start date of July 5. No reason was given for his abrupt resignation. The board unanimously approved both motions, and there was no further discussion. Arrick-Kruger, along with Mark Schiltz, the countys jail administrator, brought forward the resignation of jailer/dispatcher Scott Jennings, effective Sept. 5. The board unanimously accepted the resignation. The board also gave its approval to move forward with the current pool theyve already approved advertising for, namely a female jailer/dispatcher. If hired, along with another female who is in the final stages of being hired, this newest female would give the jail a total of four female jailer/dispatchers, and Schiltz explained there is a need. Winona sends us all their females, Schiltz said. They dont house females in their jail anymore. If someone gets arrested at 1 a.m., we get them until the next morning when they go to court. The female jail population, he estimated, is about one-third. He speculated it would be increasing, possibly even up to half. The regulations require the female employees, Arrick-Kruger reminded the board, and the hiring of another would get the jail full-shift coverage. The jail now has a total of 18 jailer/dispatchers, Schiltz said, including himself. Arrick-Kruger said the county is cautious when employing under such circumstances, but she assured the board the reasons for another female jailer/dispatcher was a legitimate one. A total of four, Schiltz added, who put a female employee on each shift. He also pointed out that 90 percent of the females housed in the jail come from Winona County. The board gave its unanimous approval to look within the current pool of female jailer/dispatcher applicants to replace the resigning Jennings. The board also unanimously approved its updated drug-free workplace policy. Joint Powers Agreement County attorney Sam Jandt asked for another approval of the countys Joint Powers Agreement, a routine request ensuring the continued services of the countys electronic charging system, which Jandt said is data collection for juvenile, adult and child support matters that we get involved with. Basically, Jandt said, the way I understand it is, Minnesota Computer Cooperative allows us, us being this county, to access software at a lower price because we all work together on it. The agreement, he pointed out, is noted as amended and restated because its been amended. He did not elaborate on the changes or why it needed to be resigned by the board. It has to do with just our computer programs and how they interact with other counties, he said. The board unanimously approved the amended agreement. Estate collections process Jandt said, at the present, hes dealing with a rather large estate of almost $200,000, and as a refresher, he wanted to remind the board that, in April 2011, it granted the county attorneys office the authority to collect estate collections for Houston County Human Services, and to accept, monitor and sell assets relating to those collection efforts. Typically, as in the present case, someone has gone into a nursing home, and the county has a bill for medical assistance, he said. Its important to note, Jandt said, its not only my collecting on the countys behalf. Im collecting on the states behalf. Jandt said hes working with the auditors office, who is also working in conjunction with the state of Minnesota. Human services is also involved. Its a joint effort on that, he said. That might mean, he pointed out, settling on a bill. A settlement, he said, isnt always clear, but sometimes it is. When you probate something, he said, theres a statutory assignment of who gets the pieces of (the) pie first. To help the court get through these things, the attorneys that are working for the probate estate, they get the first piece of the pie of this. Houston County, he said, would be No. 4 in line of collections, following the attorneys, as well as state and federal taxes. In this particular case, he said, theyre seeking to settle for a lesser amount, although its not by much, and theres a reason for that. Even if we would win this, Jandt said, the attorney thats litigating it for the estate is probably going to roll up $15,000 to $20,000 worth of bills. Even if they lose. And they would get paid out of that estate pie that were looking at. His office would also have to litigate the matter, he said, and possibly hire an expert for help. Hes hoping an agreement and compromise will help all the way around. He wanted to apprise the board, he said, because its been awhile since the process had been in front of them. In case you ever get a question from a constituent why this is happening, Jandt said. Jandt also wanted to confirm his office still has the authority. The board confirmed that authority by consensus. Final out of projects County engineer Brian Pogodzinski requested board approval to final out two projects. The first was a bridge replacement, with a box culvert, on CTH 10. The original contract with Van Gundy Excavating was for $212,748, and the work certified totaled $200,722. The board unanimously approved the final contract. The crack sealing for various county roadways did not come in under original estimates. The work, contracted with Fahrner Asphalt Sealers, was estimated to cost $92,435, but the work certified totaled $123,202. The roadways did have quite a bit of cracks and stuff, Pogodzinski said. This type of work, he said, is always tough to estimate. The work was done on many different roadways, and Pogodzinski did not have a complete list on hand. The board unanimously approved the final contract amount. In other news Within the consent agenda, which the board unanimously approved to accept as a matter of course, was a proposal from Walter, offering to volunteer his time to create a document relating to Houston County stones and monuments, informing the public of their location, as well as interesting facts about them. He requested use of his work computer, as well as a place to work in the courthouse to be near reference material. I think its good that we acknowledge this proposal from Dick Walter, said chairman Judy Storlie, and thats what were doing, and then therell be some other further study done, as far as what kind of IT access, and stuff, can be had. Well have to follow up on that. A joint bid to be the countys legal paper of record came in from The Caledonia Argus and Spring Grove Herald. The board had previously rescinded the Houston County News as the paper of record due to its failure to have an office within the county. The joint bid submitted a rate of $6 per column inch, but Storlie asked for the matter to be tabled. The previous rate the Houston County News was paid $2 per column inch. County auditor Char Meiners said the county had asked for competitive bids, but the statute does allow joint bids (she also said a request for bids led the Herald to notify her of the intention of a joint bid, and that led Meiners to notify the county attorney). Jandt, who was consulted on the matter, said the statute is poorly written, but joint bids are allowed if, among other criteria, the bid isnt consider anti-competitive, or otherwise unlawful. All qualifying newspapers have to participate in the bid, he said, and the rate has to be disclosed to the governing body before, or at the time of the submission of the joint bid. If thats the statute, Storlie said, that means that they can pretty much name their price and we have to go with them? Jandt said the statute allows for the board to reject the bid, and if it does individual, qualified newspapers do not refuse to submit separate bids owing to the rejection of the joint bid. He said the matter was thrown at him 15 minutes before, but the statute is somewhat unclear to him, and hed have to get some further case law. Storlie asked him to further investigate the matter, and the board agreed, but not without Zmyewski offering his opinion. They did what legally they can do, Zmyewski said. For Immediate Release Chicago, IL September 08, 2016 Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses Telecom, part 3, including Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ), AT&T Inc. ( T), Sprint Corp. (S ) and T-Mobile US Inc. (TMUS). Industry: Telecom, part 3 Link: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/89973/us-telecom-pricing-war-regulatory-control-major-concerns Technological invention and innovation at a rapid pace have resulted in significant competition within the telecommunications industry. Product life-cycle and upgrade-cycle have gone down drastically with several firms coming out with new versions of products and services, back to back, within a short span of time. To combat competition, firms are thus increasingly looking at consolidation. This has resulted in an array of mergers and acquisitions in the telecom space. To add to that, the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) net neutrality laws have made matters worse for telecom operators. Besides, several ISPs (Internet Service Providers) are in a tight spot over the FCCs orders pertaining to increased upload and download speeds of Internet service termed broadband. Stiff Competition In the meantime, the U.S. telecom market continues to witness intense pricing competition. The two industry behemoths, namely,Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) and AT&T Inc. (T), at present, command around 68% of the U.S. wireless market whereas Sprint Corp. (S) and T-Mobile US Inc. (TMUS) jointly control the remaining 32%. These two relatively smaller firms are now bringing on board several low-priced value-added products to entice customers away from their larger peers. In 2015, both Sprint and T-Mobile US added a substantial number to its customer base. On the video services front, the pay-TV industry is facing severe competitive threats from low-cost online video streaming service providers. Cord-cutting has become a regular phenomenon in the country with over-the-top video operators offering smaller packages of channels, designed according to a customers need, at dirt cheap prices. Established pay-TV operators are now opting for the more customer-friendly Internet TV service in order to counter the threat. Story continues Net Neutrality: A Major Concern Net neutrality implies an open-Internet atmosphere which will prohibit ISPs, especially telecom and cable TV operators, from discriminating against applications. In order to control the flow of bandwidth-consuming applications such as video streaming, the ISPs have been discriminating against several web-based content and applications. Content developers thus have to pay heavy sums to ISPs for accelerated data transfer. Notably, the latest regulations will be applicable to both mobile and fixed broadband networks. The enforcement of the new law will ban common ISP malpractices such as data traffic blocking, slowing down data traffic and paid prioritization. Notably, paid prioritization is a method through which content developers strike deals with ISPs for quick and smooth transmission of their data traffic. The FCC will closely monitor and put a check on all such deals in the future. Moreover, the FCC will also supervise interconnection deals, in which content developers pay ISPs to connect to their networks. Notably, on Jan 29, 2015, the FCC increased the download and upload speeds of Internet services to be deemed as broadband (high-speed data). In a majority voting, the FCC raised the new threshold download speed to 25 Mbps from the existing 4 Mbps while the same for upload has been boosted to 3 Mbps from the current 1 Mbps. FCC to Control BDS Market Pricing The Business Data Services (BDS) market, where telecom and cable MSOs provide host of different network related services to business entities of different sizes, have been a lucrative source of revenues in the recent years for telecoms and cable MSOs. More significantly, these service providers have been making handsome revenues from the small and medium businesses by often charging them high price. As per Consumer Federation of America, such trend has led to overcharging of services to the tune of $75 billion in the past five years. Consequently, the FCC has proposed rules to regulate pricing in the market, citing low competition. However, such proposals have been criticized by the industry players and several industry organizations. Weaknesses In general, telecommunications companies under pressure have high debt levels and large financial leverage ratios. Moreover, they are often unable to cope with recent market trends. Other risks that pose threats are as follows: Potential Business Slowdown: Sales fluctuations of carriers are expected to continue to weigh on capital spending decisions -- a major problem faced by equipment vendors. The companies are expected to retain focus on improving their balance sheets, financial discipline and free cash-flow generation. Product Overlapping: We may see more product sharing deals between telecom, cable TV and satellite TV operators as each of these players are vying to grab a sizeable share in each others territory. Even pay-TV services, offerings to business enterprises, mobile backhaul and metro-Ethernet segments may observe more convergence. Mobile phone makers are now progressively offering tablets and chipset manufacturers are providing chips for personal computers as well as mobile devices thus frequently interchanging their areas of operations. Intensified Competition: Technological upgrades and breakthroughs have resulted in cutthroat price competition. Product life-cycle and upgrade-cycle have been reduced drastically as several firms are coming up with new products and services within a short span of time. Increasing competition is compelling players to offer heterogeneous and bundled services to retain their position in the space. 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Click to get this free report VERIZON COMM (VZ): Free Stock Analysis Report AT&T INC (T): Free Stock Analysis Report SPRINT CORP (S): Free Stock Analysis Report T-MOBILE US INC (TMUS): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. The Hokah Public Library has undergone a wide variety of changes since Shari Carlson took over as library director last year. Carlson became the librarian in 2015, 28 years after she was former library director Barb Bissens first library assistant. In her first year, Carlson has worked to make the library a more well-rounded place, focused on making it convenient and efficient for all generations of patrons. One of the most noticeable changes occurred in the flooring of the building, as the library received new carpeting, as well as a new floor for the bathroom. The library also acquired extra space in the lower level of the city hall and converted this space into the Hokah Heritage Rooma place where information about Minnesota and Hokah can be found. The room holds old newspapers, cemetery information, war registries and other information about surrounding communities. Carlson said shes interested in working with local children and supporting the community. I really have a lot of civic interest and pride in being from Hokah and the amenities that Hokah has, she said. Weve taken a holistic approach to the library. Carlson said the library has conventional library space for kids and families to sit and read, but also noted that its hoping to be more than the typical library. Hokah residents can check out items other than books, things such as cake pans and snowshoes, as well as use equipment such as a Nintendo Wii in the librarys new Heritage Room. We really like to open up a wide variety of opportunities for people beyond just books, Carlson said. The library hopes to continue creating more multi-use settings for technology, reading and other activities. One of these settings is a new loft being built in the library. One new thought she came up with is the idea of adding mobile technology such as Google Chromebooks to be borrowed and used, as students in the La Crescent-Hokah School District are required to have and use the Chromebooks in the school. The library also plans to keep desktop computers available as a way to make it accessible for people of all generations. Im really interested in providing structured after-school activities for students and families to spend time with peers in a supervised and structured way, to have access to cultural and literal resources available at the library, Carlson said. Library board president Patti Ziegler said Carlson has done a good job of keeping the community interested in the library through programs such as the Librarian on the Loose. Through a grant, Carlson and the library purchased a bike that she rides around during the summer that has books, toys, games and even a puppet kit to keep kids thinking of the library. Its something different that keeps kids interested, Ziegler said. From Librarian on the Loose, books, and Legos to video games and computers, the Hokah Library and Carlson hope to be able to provide the community a place where there is something for everyone. Carlson is proud of the library and is eager for the future. We are far more than youd expect, she said. MADISON Legislative leaders have formed a committee to consider sweeping changes to burial site protections after a Republican bill that would have allowed quarry owners to excavate Ho-Chunk Nation effigy mounds died last session. The committee's membership includes the president of the company that wants to excavate the mounds as well as a Ho-Chunk representative, which could translate to tense meetings as the panel considers whether to grant developers more leeway. "It's the fairest way to figure this out," said Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, who sits on the committee. "I'd rather do it this way than have some Republican put something in the budget that allows development of tribal mounds across the state. The answer isn't a one-sided piece of legislation." The Joint Legislative Council, a panel made up of legislative leaders from both parties, typically appoints study committees to research and develop legislation dealing with complex or sensitive issues. The move provides political cover for both sides and can blunt stakeholder criticism. Burial site protections have become one such charged topic. At the heart of the matter is Wingra Stone and Redi-Mix, a Madison-based construction and concrete company. Wingra has been locked in a legal fight with the Ho-Chunk since 2014 over burial mounds located within a Wingra quarry in Dane County. Wingra wants to extract minerals beneath the mounds, but they're in the state historical society's burial sites catalog, which means the company must obtain a permit. The Ho-Chunk are fighting the permit in court; the case is currently before a state appeals court. State Rep. Robert Brooks, R-Saukville, introduced a bill last year that would have allowed Wingra to excavate the mounds to determine whether human remains are present. Without any remains, the site would fall off the catalog, easing the path to excavation. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, scrapped the bill without a committee vote following intense pushback from the Ho-Chunk. The Joint Legislative Council formed the study committee in April, a month or so after the legislative session ended. The joint council named the committee members in June, picking Brooks as the vice chairman and tapping Wingra President Robert Shea and real estate attorney Justin Oeth, whose firm is representing Wingra against the Ho-Chunk. The joint council also named Bill Quackenbush, the Ho-Chunk's tribal heritage preservation officer to the panel. Brooks didn't immediately return a message left at his Capitol office. Shea said he thinks it's appropriate for him to serve on the committee even though it's considering rewriting the law at the center of his company's dispute with the Ho-Chunk. "I have a situation on one of our properties which pertains to the burial preservation law and I think I'm a valuable resource," Shea said. "We're going to come up with something that works for everybody." Quackenbush didn't immediately respond to an email. The committee hopes to develop a bill it can recommend to legislators when they return to Madison in January for the 2017-2019 session. Rep. Amy Loudenbeck, R-Clinton, insisted the committee wasn't formed to help Wingra gain an edge. The company and Ho-Chunk representatives can provide a real-life example of how current regulations aren't working, she said, but the panel includes others, including the historical society's board of curators president, an anthropologist and an archaeologist. "We are not trying to settle a court case in committee," Loudenbeck said. "I don't think the membership is skewed toward Wingra or developers over any other interest." The panel has met only once and hasn't firmed up its goals for legislation. The committee is set to meet for a second time Thursday. Committee members have talked about addressing during that meeting whether the historical society's practice of setting 15-foot no-development buffers around catalogued sites should be codified or scrapped and whether to authorize developers to disturb sites beyond the current one-year window if they're working on longer-term projects. They're also weighing whether to consider making burial site locations more accessible to developers. Right now, the historical society's list of burial sites isn't publicly searchable due to concerns about looting and vandalism. Other topics could include defining how much evidence is necessary to prove a site doesn't contain human remains, whether to compensate a landowner if the historical society catalogs a site on his or her property, deciding whether cremated remains qualify as remains and whether minor impacts such as replacing a sign qualifies as disturbing a site. Old Towne North will be revitalized as Uptowne, after La Crosses North Side stepped up to donate $22,000 Wednesday to fund a summit to rebrand and reinvest in the Caledonia Street business district. Urbanlocity and the North La Crosse Business Association launched a Kickstarter campaign that reached its $22,000 goal Wednesday afternoon. A three-day planning summit in October will bring in facilitators and community members to breathe new life into the North Side. The summit will work like a city strategic planning process in reverse, according to Urbanlocity co-founder Adrian Lipscombe. Lipscombe, a newcomer to La Crosse after working as an urban planner in Austin, Texas, said typically city planning departments and officials develop plans, then reach out to community members for their input. Here were asking, What do you want? before we even put pen to paper, Lipscombe said. We want to understand what was here before so we can understand how we can move forward. That approach really spoke to people on the North Side, who stepped up to fund the process. You can see that the community is so behind this and they see the potential here, Lipscombe said. Urbanlocitys other co-founder, Andrew Londre, added that a grassroots campaign really connects to what the people directly affected by the plans want, helping to ensure peoples efforts arent wasted on a plan that just sits on a shelf somewhere. From start to finish, its community-driven, Londre said. I think thats going to be a very transformative and new way of approaching planning in our community. NLBA President Nick Roush said the unique planning summit will embrace what people really want from their neighborhood. When you take a planning process thats driven by the community, then you know that the outcome is what people are actually asking for, Roush said. The three organizers decided to build up a grassroots campaign, reaching out to people in the community, rather than going straight to the city. We live in a city where there is a lot going on, and there is a lot that is being done and needs to be done by the city, Londre said. Londre said La Crosse residents cant ask the city to do everything. I think its really cool and a beautiful thing that the citizens, both business and community leaders of this uptown area, stepped up in this way, he said. I think that speaks to how important this project is going to be and what it means to the people who are here. Roush added that citizen-led efforts spark public investment, building on local revitalization efforts with municipal support. Revitalization helps every part of how a city functions; every part, Roush said. With the supporters stepping up, the organization of the summit, which will run Oct. 5-7, will begin in earnest. The group has already sketched out a basic schedule, but the funding will allow them to take it to the next level. Were going to bring in a bunch of the best urban innovators from across the country from many disciplines, and theyre going to be more or less facilitating and lending their expertise to the public so that the public can be the ones to generate a plan, Londre said. There will be a concentration on the people who live and work in the area and embracing the long history of the North Side as a commercial center. We are going to concentrate on this area, but were going to take them out, Lipscombe said. Were going to walk the block. Were going to ask residents who have been here a long time and residents who just moved here to walk with us and tell us what this block is to them. The summit will also work to combat negative stereotypes of the area as a place without a lot of new business or businesses that appeal to younger residents. There are viable and great businesses on the block. Weve just got to fill in the blanks, said Roush, who opened up Root Down Yoga with his wife in 2011. Pacesetter Companies for Great Rivers United Ways 2016-17 campaign set a torrid clip in raising more than half of the goal of $2.085 million, with the supersized checks presented at the kick-off breakfast and ceremony Wednesday totaled $1,077,040.91. That tally includes $999,727.91 from the 13 Pacesetters and their employees, as well as $77,313.00 in other donations, accounting for 51.7 percent of the campaign goal. It eclipsed the usual total of 45 percent of goal from that sector at this point. Representatives of the Pacesetter Companies carried checks measuring 16 by 32 inches into the room where the breakfast took place at the Radisson Center as each companys total was announced, ranging from $5,633.50 from Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance to $239,149.65 from Logistics Health Inc. We still have a lot of heavy lifting, campaign co-chairman Dave Ring said in an interview after the breakfast. Ring, community relations manager for Kwik Trip, one of the Pacesetters, had saluted employees of the 13 companies as servant leaders, game changers and difference makers during the ceremony. GRUW board chairwoman Megan Howard said, Its amazing, and wonderful, to see such strong support from a small group of companies. It starts the momentum off right, said Howard, employee relations/human resources manager at Dakota Supply Group in La Crosse, which also is a Pacesetter. Every gift will make life easier for somebody who is struggling and hope for somebody who didnt think it was possible, said campaign co-chair Steve Christiansen, president and CEO of Merchants Bank in Onalaska. The 2016-17 goal is slightly above last years $2.08 million target, which the drive surpassed by $3,000 in a down-to-the wire effort, and the 2014-15 mark of $2.065 million, also achieved. Great Rivers United Way plans to contribute to 78 education, income, health and community basics programs in the six counties it serves La Crosse, Buffalo, Monroe, Trempealeau and Vernon in Wisconsin and Houston in Minnesota. Programs seeking grants from United Way must address priorities listed in the agencys Compass report on community needs to receive a grant. United Way enlists volunteers after the campaign closes on Jan. 30 to review applications and decide who gets grants and the amounts. Respecting Choices, the end-of-life planning program incubated in La Crosse and nurtured into a highly regarded health care staple around the globe, is taking another leap onto the national stage in an alliance with a Washington, D.C.-based group. Its another example of how this thing that grew up in La Crosse is improving health across the world, said Bud Hammes, director of Medical Humanities and Respecting Choices at Gundersen Health System and one of the inventors of the advance-care planning program. Under a long-term agreement with the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care, Respecting Choices will transfer to the coalition, according to a coalition announcement Wednesday evening. Respecting Choices, which evolved from a task force of La Crosse health systems in 1986, has become the favored model of advance care planning for more than 130 health systems and medical centers. It has more than 10,000 trained facilitators worldwide, with programs in health systems in Australia and Singapore, as well as an $8.5 million research project in six European Union countries. The EU study, announced in March 2014, involves more than 1,200 advance-stage cancer patients in England, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Denmark and Slovenia. Since then, a similar research effort has begun in Germany, Hammes said. Our program has exceeded expectations, thanks to the incredible support of Gundersen and the Gundersen Medical Foundation, Hammes said. But it became clear that for Respecting Choices to continue to grow and to be sustained, it needed a new home. We are thrilled to be part of C-TAC and expand our reach, Hammes said. Most Americans will face advanced illness at some point their own or a loved ones. Yet our systems today tend not to support coordinated, person-centered care and conversations like these. We are changing that, he said. Founded in 2011, C-TAC is a nationally respected organization aiming to improve care for patients with advanced illness that will help expand the Respecting Choices model, Hammes said. C-TAC Board Chairman Bill Novelli said, Were taking a major step forward in the movement to do better by Americas seriously ill. This will strengthen the health care system and help patients and families receive care that matches their preferences and values. Patients, partners, staffers and the public in general will continue to receive core Respecting Choices services under the partnership, as well as realizing additional benefits from other opportunities, C-TAC and Gundersen officials said. One goal of the partnership is to integrate planning and decision-making into training for health professionals, they said. Our evidence-based model enhances the patient and family experience and the quality of medical care at Gundersen and at organizations where the model is used, said Dr. Sigurd Gundersen III, a Gundersen Health System physician who is chairman of the board of the Gundersen Medical Foundation. We have found the right partner in C-TAC to accelerate the distribution of this patient-centered service, Gundersen said. Almost all of Respecting Choices staffers and certain key leaders will move from offices on Gundersens La Crosse campus to another location in the city, Hammes said. The main office will remain in La Crosse and Respecting Choices will continue to operate out of La Crosse, although staffers will be C-TAC employees, he said. The mission and the content will be moving, but the program will remain the same, he said. The office location has not been finalized, although Respecting Choices is negotiating with the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce to lease office space in its headquarters at 601 N. Seventh St., Hammes said. This is going to move Respecting Choices from what other people consider a regional center to the national stage, he said. What is really important is that we must support huge health systems and small that have adopted Respecting Choices, he said. This is built as an aspect of health care, and we want to expand this as well. What is really important is that we must support huge health systems and small that have adopted Respecting Choices. This is built as an aspect of health care, and we want to expand this as well. Bud Hammes, Gundersen Health director of Medical Humanities and Respecting Choices MINNEAPOLIS A fresh look at an old case. Renewed publicity sparked by a curious blogger. An assault victim with the courage to come forward. And a DNA match in a decades-old crime. These were just some key factors as authorities worked to solve the Oct. 22, 1989, abduction of Jacob Wetterling, an 11-year-old boy who was kidnapped from a rural road near his home in St. Joseph, about 80 miles northwest of Minneapolis. On Tuesday, Danny Heinrich, 53, admitted he abducted, sexually assaulted and killed Jacob, burying the body and Heinrichs secret for nearly 27 years. Here are some key elements that unlocked a mystery that had haunted Minnesota for decades: A new look, and a DNA hit Jacob was biking with his brother and a friend when he was abducted by Heinrich, who was armed and wearing a mask, in October 1989. His whereabouts were unknown until last week, when Heinrich led authorities to his remains. Local, state and federal authorities kept Jacobs abduction a top priority for decades and chased more than 50,000 leads over the years. In 2014, nearly 25 years after the abduction, they agreed to launch what the FBI called a cold case review and a new investigator was assigned to the case. New advances in DNA technology provided the opportunity for authorities to retest some evidence including a sweatshirt worn by a then-12-year-old boy, Jared Scheierl, who was abducted and sexually assaulted in nearby Cold Spring just nine months before Jacobs abduction. The DNA on that sweatshirt was a match to Heinrich, who had provided a hair sample to authorities when he was questioned about Scheierls assault in 1990. The DNA: That really was the linchpin to propel this investigation forward, said FBI spokesman Kyle Loven. The positive match set in motion a series of events that culminated Tuesday with Heinrichs confession. The search The DNA match and other evidence gave authorities enough probable cause to search Heinrichs home in Annandale in July 2015. Instead of items that would tie Heinrich to Jacob, authorities found dozens of images of child pornography, including 19 3-ring binders that contained pictures of naked boys, court documents say. Stearns County Attorney Janelle Kendall said that after that discovery, authorities began figuring out how they could prosecute Heinrich and ultimately how they could find Jacob. They couldnt charge Heinrich with the assault of Scheierl because too much time had passed. And there was no body, so they couldnt bring a murder charge in Jacobs case. Authorities decided to pursue federal child pornography charges, and use the stiff sentence they would carry as leverage to try to get Heinrich to confess. On the radar Heinrich had been on authorities radar since Jacobs abduction, Loven said. Allen Garber, the FBI supervisor on the case at the time, said Heinrich came to authorities attention early on, and they put him under surveillance for several weeks. In 1990, Heinrich was arrested in the assault of Scheierl, but he was released without being charged. And while Heinrich was not charged in other cases, court documents outline multiple sexual assaults of boys in the Paynesville area that are similar to the attacks on Scheierl and Jacob. During a hearing last year, FBI Special Agent Shane Ball testified that Heinrich matched the general description of the suspect in the Paynesville assaults. In the months before authorities launched their cold case review, a local blogger who calls herself Joy the Curious began doing some research of her own, publishing details about the similarities between the Paynesville attacks, Scheierls assault and Jacobs abduction. Scheierl, meanwhile, went public with his assault, and also reached out to the Paynesville victims, bringing more attention to the case. The AP typically doesnt identify victims of sexual assault, but Scheierl has spoken publicly, saying he hoped it could help investigators find his attacker and Jacobs kidnapper. Robert Lowery, vice president of the Missing Childrens Division of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, said the blogger, Joy Baker, and Scheierl brought much needed attention to information that was becoming known. And their persistence, I think, caused law enforcement to at least pause and pay attention to what was going on. The supply of drug addicts exceeds the supply of treatment resources. That was the dominant message during a roundtable on opioid and and illegal drug abuse Tuesday at the Tomah Police Station. State Senators Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse, and Julie Lassa, D-Stevens Point, moderated a discussion that included law enforcement, elected officials, counselors and medical professionals. The biggest thing Ive heard is treatment, said Monroe County Sheriff Scott Perkins. Law enforcement can only do so much. Perkins and other law enforcement leaders said methamphetamine use is growing the fastest, although heroin and prescription drug abuse remain major problems. They said addicts are attracted to meth because of its price and availability. We still have a lot of heroin in our area, said Sparta police chief David Kuderer. A lot of people started with prescription drugs and were looking for something cheaper, and thats where the meth comes in. Its cheaper than heroin. Local law enforcement agreed that relatively little meth is being produced locally. They said shake-and-bake meth has been replaced by more organized operations. The meth is much higher quality than it was, and its cheaper than it was, Perkins said. Monroe County District Attorney Kevin Croninger said drug abuse is responsible for a big chunk of his workload. Almost every major property crime weve had in the past year or two has been drug-related, Croninger said. Several health professionals expressed frustration over the lack of treatment resources. They described a system in which treatment is either non-existent or insufficient. Lori Svendsen, a substance abuse counselor in Monroe County, said addicts who seek help often must wait a month before treatment is available. When people call, they want (treatment) now thats when theyre motivated, Svendsen said. By the time you can see them, theyre sinking back in again. She said prescription medicine that counters addiction carries an exorbitant cost up to $1,500 per shot. While Medicaid is starting to cover treatment, she said private insurance often has goofy loopholes that get them out of paying for things. Another barrier is transportation, said Tim Fuhrmann, behavioral health specialist for Gundersen Health System. There are no residential treatment facilities in Monroe County. Its tough for them to get out this way and get out-patient treatment, Fuhrmann said. Adequacy of treatment is another issue. Theresa Anderson of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections said treatment programs often arent long enough. Were seeing a lot of relapse, she said. Sometimes four months isnt enough. Natalie Carlisle, drug-free communities coordinator for Monroe County Safe Communities Coalition, said alcohol remains the most abused drug, followed by marijuana. She expressed concern about marijuana cultivated with significantly higher THC levels. Marijuana has changed tremendously, Carlisle said. Its not just your 60s and 70s marijuana anymore. Shilling said drug abuse is a major issue in the state legislature, and its one of the few issues that unites lawmakers. She said the legislature passed 17 bi-partisan bills last session designed to combat drug abuse. Its one of those (issues) that crosses party lines, Shilling said. Its rural, urban and suburban. Pacesetter Companies for Great Rivers United Ways 2016-17 campaign set a torrid clip in raising more than half of the agencys goal of $2.085 million, after toting up supersized checks presented at the campaign kick-off breakfast and ceremony Wednesday. The contributions of $ $1,077,040.91, including $999,727.91 from the 13 Pacesetters and their employees, as well as $77,313.00 in other donations, hit 51.7 percent of goal. That eclipsed the usual total of 45 percent of goal from that sector at this point. Representatives of the Pacesetter Companies carried checks measuring 16 by 32 inches into the room where the breakfast took place at the Radisson Center as each companys total was announced, ranging from $5,633.50 from Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance to $239,149.65 from Logistics Health Inc. We still have a lot of heavy lifting, campaign co-chair Dave Ring said in an interview after the breakfast. Ring, community relations manager for Kwik Trip, one of the Pacesetters, had saluted employees of the 13 companies as servant leaders, game changers and difference makers during the ceremony. GRUW board chairwoman Megan Howard said, Its amazing, and wonderful, to see such strong support from a small group of companies. It starts the momentum off right, said Howard, employee relations/human resources manager at Dakota Supply Group in La Crosse, which also is a Pacesetter. Every gift will make life easier for somebody who is struggling and hope for somebody who didnt think it was possible, said campaign co-chair Steve Christiansen, president and CEO of Merchants Bank in Onalaska, The goal is slightly above last years $2.08 million target, which the drive surpassed by $3,000 in a down-to-the wire effort, and the 2014-15 mark of $2.065 million, also achieved. Great Rivers United Way plans to contribute to 78 education, income, health and community basics programs in the six counties it serves La Crosse, Buffalo, Monroe, Trempealeau and Vernon in Wisconsin and Houston in Minnesota. Vernon Countys only circuit court judge, Michael Rosborough, plans to retire in July of 2017 after 31 years behind the bench. Rosborough informed the county board of his decision earlier this year. He reflected on his career in the law last week. A native of Elgin, Ill., Rosborough graduated from the University of Illinois with his undergraduate degree and received his law degree from that school in 1973. He then worked in the office of the state appellate defender in Mt. Vernon, Ill., and eventually became the supervising attorney in that office. Wisconsin went through court reform in the late 1970s. Rosborough and his wife had always been interested in gravitating to the upper Midwest, they liked the culture and the recreational opportunities. I became aware of the creation of this new state public defenders office and I knew some people who either had worked for me or with me in Illinois, who had moved up to this system, Rosborough said. They suggested If youre tired of doing appellate work why dont you consider applying up here? Rosborough did apply and was offered a position in La Crosse in 1979. In a few years, he was the supervising attorney in the La Crosse Public Defenders Office and he and his wife Ellen lived in northern Vernon County. Rosborough became circuit court judge by appointment of Wisconsin Gov. Tony Earl in 1986 after the retirement of Judge Walter Block. Rosborough successfully defended his appointment in the next election and has run uncontested ever since. When Judge Block decided to retire he spoke with me and said, If youre interested in this you can probably do it for the next 20 years he was wrong about that its going to be 31 by the time I give it up next year, Rosborough said. Rosborough said becoming a judge was an easy transition. I recall one individual lawyer who was kidding with me when he learned I had been appointed judge, Rosborough said. So now youre going to switch sides, he said. And I said, No, now Im going to climb up on the fence. And thats the way I looked at it and thats what I did. Rosborough said he believes a judge is a neutral arbiter who has to listen to both sides of everything. Because of the neutrality required, especially in a small community, Rosborough said that becoming a judge is an isolating job. You cant interact with the public in perhaps the same way that you did previously, Rosborough said. Thats probably the main thing that comes to mind. Over the years a lot of people know who you are, but you you either dont know or dont remember who they are. Rosborough said the situation plays itself out when he walks down the street in Viroqua and some people say, Hi Judge, how are you? ... and some people cross to the other side of the street. He said a judge often gets too much credit for good things and too much inappropriate blame for bad things. Rosborough said the fuel that has kept him going is that hes always found the job both interesting and challenging. If youre going to be a judge theres no better place to do it than in Vernon County in a one-judge county, Rosborough said. You have a tremendous amount of autonomy. Rosborough said hes been fortunate in the people he has worked with in the court system. That includes the people here in the courthouse, the people in law enforcement, the sheriffs and the county board, Rosborough said. I look around at other counties and see some of the difficulties other counties have had with working with their county boards on things like remodeling or creating new court facilities. When we identified the need to do that in this county back in the 1990s the county board was completely on board with it and made appropriate and cost-effective decisions. Rosborough said his interaction with the county board was one of the things, in addition to his courtroom work, that led him to believe in his job that from time-to-time you have a positive influence in the lives of people especially families and children. While Vernon County has all of the problems that any of the large cities have, major crimes are few here and there is an opportunity to have a greater positive role in the community as a judge, Rosborough said. I never set out to become a judge, but I never regretted becoming one and I certainly am glad that Ive done this for the time that Ive done it, Rosborough said. Rosborough has seen a number of technological improvements which have led to better uniformity and overall justice. He is an associate dean at the judicial college where he teaches case and calendar management. He has served terms as a regional chief judge and a regional assistant chief judge. While he has worked on numerous committees and helped with judicial reforms at the national level, he has seen dwindling funding at the national level for more judicial education. Rosborough and his wife, Ellen, have two children, Christofer and Megan, and three grandchildren. Both of their children are graduates of UW-Madison Law School and his oldest grandchild is beginning college this fall. Hes looking forward to spending more time with his family after retirement. Rosborough said he will miss the people he works with daily in the courthouse and he will miss the give-and-take in the courtroom. He wont miss having his schedule so regimented from day-to-day. Rosborough looks back on his judicial career and says hes left behind a culture of how cases efficiently move through the system. I let lawyers know, I wont waste your time if you dont waste mine, Rosborough said. ...I think myself, with the staff here and the attorneys that appear most often in our court system, have come to understand that I have expectations that things will move along. That they wont be rushed through, but well separate the wheat from the chaff and hear what really needs to be heard. We wont schedule jury trials just to schedule them and then inconvenience a bunch of jurors, Rosborough continued. Thats the kind of culture that Ive established here over 31 years and I would anticipate that someone who succeeds me would follow with something like that and its likely to continue. For a historian or genealogist, walking among the tombstones in Coon Prairie Cemetery is a part of exploring the history of the area. For those of us with ancestors buried here, it is a place to return and remember them. The dates on some of these stones go back to the early pioneers. Sometimes the stone is marked with tiny angels or a resting lamb indicating the short life of a child while others are large or ornate suggesting the decision to come to America had been rewarded with success. The stones can provide useful information for researchers giving dates or names of spouses or children. But, sometimes you find a stone with a family name or in the family plot and it adds another question to your list who was this person? One such stone is a very simple rectangle of granite. Engraved is the name George A. Finkle with the dates 1869-1892. Next to George is a simple upright stone that simply has the name Susie. Sophia Amalia Michelet, the second child of Jacob Post Michelet and Gregine Olsdatter Grythe, had immigrated with her parents and younger siblings in 1851 when she was seven years old. Her older brother, John, had arrived the year before to purchase land for the family. In 1864 Sophie married Tosten (Thurston) Finkle, another Norwegian immigrant. Tosten had arrived in Wisconsin in 1850 with his parents who purchased land in Manitowoc County. The Norwegian patronym, Finklesen, was shortened to Finkle in America. The next year the young couple purchased 40 acres on the north-west corner of Smith Road and Coon Prairie Road. As the railroad moved across the land, rail companies would purchase portions of farms on which to lay their tracks, eventually merging the larger firms. The Finkles sold to the Viroqua Railway Company for $400 a strip belt or piece of land 100 feet wide extending across 3 12/100 acres to use as a right of way. This company became part of the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad. They added additional acres to their farm, but in 1890 as Westby Station expanded into the village of Westby, the Finkles sold the farm and purchased a lot and built a home in town. Eventually their half acre lot would be divided into two parcels, 406 and 408 Main Street. The Finkles joined the United Methodist Church and it was there that their three children would be baptized: Christian Fredrik (who would change his name to Frederick Cecil), Theresa Amalie, and George Alfred. In addition to raising her own children, Sophia cared for her sisters child, George Solie. Her sister, Johanna Dorthea Michelet Solie died giving birth to her second child, a girl. Theresa or Thea and her daughter are interred at Pleasant View Methodist Cemetery in Westby. Little is known about George Finkle. His signature appears on documents as a witness for his parents, but nothing to indicate how he died or if he ever married. There is a picture of his sister, Theresa, standing next to a little girl. On the back is written, Susie Finkle and Theresa. Susie appears be around five or six. Is this the Susie interred next to George? And if so, how does she relate to the Finkles? Theresa became a school teacher and domestic. She married John O. Lovaas while in California. John, the son of Jacob Lovaas and Gertrude Hauge, was born in Coon Prairie. John and Theresa had come to San Bernardino with the hope of improving Johns health. Both he and his brother, Henry, had been sick for some time with pulmonary tuberculosis. John died in San Bernardino on February 24, 1888, five months after they arrived. Theresa returned to Westby where she gave birth to a stillborn child who was buried beside her young husband and his brother, Henry. Henry had died on November 4, 1887 at the age of 23 from consumption (pulmonary tuberculosis). Theresa moved to Chicago in 1891 where she worked as a nurse at The Womans Temperance Hospital. She developed peritonitis and died a week later on February 5, 1893. The death certificate states she was returned to Westby and church records indicate Theresa is buried in Coon Prairie Cemetery, although, cemetery records do not list her burial location. No tombstone could be located with her name. It is believed she is interred with John and their infant. The oldest brother, Frederick Cecil, taught school in the area for a short time and then left to attend the University of Wisconsin, Madison. From his letters, it appears he feared he had tuberculosis and moved to California in 1887 to recover. When he arrived in California, Frederick settled in San Bernardino. Soon after he became involved with various water projects. Frederick became one of Californias leading pioneer engineers specializing in geology, hydraulics and water. He was an expert in litigated cases relating to water rights, supply, and geology and was hired to appraise numerous water systems in not only California, but Oregon and Colorado. With the death of two of their children, the parents, Tosten and Amalie, moved to San Bernardino to be near their surviving son and grandchildren. Tosten died on December 15, 1920 in San Bernardino. The next day, the San Bernardino Daily Sun wrote, Thurston Finkle, well-known resident of this city, died at his home at the early hour of 12:30 a.m. yesterday. He was 82 years of age, having passed that birthday only last Saturday. He was a native of Norway, though had been a resident of the United States for the greater part of his life, having come to California and San Bernardino 23 years ago. He was a horticulturist by profession and the owner of a large orange grove. Sophia Amalia died on March 7, 1924. Both of their funerals were at St. Johns Episcopal Church in San Bernardino. They are entombed at Mountain View Mausoleum, San Bernardino, California. Frederick was fluent in seven languages. He became an extensive property owner in Southern California, San Bernardino and the vicinity. He belonged to many clubs and organizations. Frederick had three children by two of his wives. He died in 1949. He and his fourth wife, Henrietta are entombed in Calvary Cemetery, Los Angeles. Anyone with more information on who Susie was or on the Finkle family, please call Westby Area Historical Society at 608-634-4478 to leave a message or email westbywihistory@gmail.com. The next general meeting of WAHS is Monday, Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. All are invited. Dear reader, we're asking for your help to keep local reporting available for all today during our fall fundraiser. Your financial support keeps stories like this one free to read, instead of hidden behind paywalls. We believe when reliable local reporting is widely available, the entire community benefits. Thank you for investing in your neighborhood. Start your day with LAist Sign up for How To LA, delivered weekday mornings. Subscribe Artist Doug Aitken is going big for his homecoming. The Southern California native is not only getting a career-spanning exhibit at the MOCA, hes also going to put some new art in the Pacific Ocean. Aitken's art career to date has been nothing if not high profile. In 1999, he won the coveted International Prize at the Venice Biennale exhibition for his "electric earth" installation, which was comprised of a set of projected images. In 2007, four of his videos (starring luminaries such as Tilda Swinton) were splashed across the walls of the MoMA in Manhattan. Then, in 2013, he curated his "Station to Station" project, which included (among other things) a train that traveled from New York to California. The train was covered in lights that interacted with different variables, like the surrounding temperature and the speed of the train. So no, Aitken isn't the type to make paper mache fruit. He skews towards projects that are huge, not just in size, but also in the scope of their statements. Aitken will return to L.A. this weekend as MOCA unveils "Doug Aitken: Electric Earth," a survey of his life's work. The exhibit will include seven video installations dating back to 1997, collages, physical installations, graphic design, and more. But, true to Aitken form, the artist was not satisfied with just a retrospective review of his work. While curating "Electric Earth," he also conceived of an idea to to put some underwater installations off of Catalina Island, according to the New York Times (don't ask us how Aitken made that mental leap). Aitken plans to submerge three "pavilions" in the water by the town of Avalon on Catalina Island. The structures, suspended underwater, will be like mini caves that are plastered with mirrors and rocka juxtaposition of nature and technology. The caves will be submerged at five, 10 and 50 feet underwater. How are you supposed to experience these installations if they're in the ocean? You have to go in the water, of course. Visitors will don diving gear and do a bit of swimming to get into the pavilions. According to a document from the Avalon City Council, the installations will be free to the public and are "accessible to divers/swimmers of all skill levels." And, as reported at The Log, the source for all your boating and fishing news in California, the installations will be lit up at night and will have a three-month run. There'll also be a floating platform on the harbor to "serve as a staging area for divers or viewing of the underwater sculptures." We have yet to get word on when these underwater caves will be in the water, or when they'll be accessible to the public. The New York Times says that the caves will be installed next month. LAist has left messages for both MOCA and the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce. The Times adds that there'll be a "happening" at Catalina Casino (which is in Avalon) on the weekend of November 5. The party, which may include 24 hours of music and performances, will happen in conjunction with the underwater installations. So, at the very least, we can assume that the caves will be in the water by November 5. We'll keep you posted about the status of the Aitken's underwater project. Meanwhile, you can start saving up for a GoPro that takes underwater shots. Dear reader, we're asking for your help to keep local reporting available for all today during our fall fundraiser. Your financial support keeps stories like this one free to read, instead of hidden behind paywalls. We believe when reliable local reporting is widely available, the entire community benefits. Thank you for investing in your neighborhood. Start your day with LAist Sign up for How To LA, delivered weekday mornings. Subscribe Robert Padnick, an L.A.-based television writer, was on his way to a meeting when he saw "a line of what looked like desks and young people working on laptops" on a bridge over the 5 freeway. Wait, what? Yes, that's righta co-working space on a pedestrian bridge over the 5 Freeway in Atwater Village, with free wifi and a cooler full of La Croix. Because why not? Writer/artist/filmmaker Kailee McGee, who set up the pop-up space with her team at Sunnynook Drive, an Atwater-based content hub and lifestyle website, told LAist that she'd spent some time on the freeway pedestrian bridge and "I just thought this is such a weird, busy, chaotic energy. I wonder what it would be like to work here." McGee, who uses a school desk as her main space to write during the day, said she thought, "What if I just bring a bunch of school desks here and invite people to work and change up the coffee shop thing with this overpass?" She kept thinking about it, and ultimately teamed up with her friends YACHT, whose band members run the app "5 Every Day." The app posted a teaser last night, and dropped the full details in a post this morning: Padnick, a former writer for The Office, said he happened to check "5 Every Day" after his meeting, where he saw the event listed as a pop-up workspace over the freeway with free coffee and La Croix and WiFi. "It was like a sign, and I went after lunch. They said I was lucky because a desk had just freed up." "We didn't set up any signs like 'Welcome,' or 'Here's the WiFi,'" McGee said. "It's been pretty much a lawless thing, and it's beautiful how people who've found out about it just kind of show up, look around, and take a desk. People just figure it out, you don't need to tell them what to do." There are eight desks, which McGee says have been filled since they started at 11 a.m. this morning. "The funny thing is that everyone sits at their desk and opens their laptop and gets a La Croix, and then they get up from their desk, step back and take a picture. Literally everyone," McGee said with a laugh. If you want to head over, pop open your laptop, and Instagram the scene, you had better hurrythe pop-up will only last until 6 p.m. tonight. Over the past 25 years, women have made a lot of progress in getting jobs that have traditionally been held by men. But computer science is one area that has seen a drop in female workers during that time. Research suggests the percentage of computing jobs filled by women has fallen from 36 percent to 25 percent since 1991. Americas computing industry is experiencing fast growth. It is estimated that nearly 4.5 million jobs will be created in computing over the next 10 years. One group trying to make it easier for women to get these jobs is Girls Who Code, a not-for-profit group based in New York. The group partners with technology companies to get girls interested in computers at a young age. The free services are for students with little or no coding experience. More than 10,000 high school girls have attended Girls Who Code summer camps and after-school programs since 2012. Coding for the summer One of them is Nidhi Allani. She is now beginning her final year in high school. Allani says she got the chance to study a lot of different programming languages over the summer. We were able to create different computer games and that was really cool because it was a very immediate result. Once you created it, you saw a result and that was very gratifying. Girls Who Code partners with BSA/The Software Alliance in the Washington, D.C. area. That is where Allani signed up to learn coding. Along with a small team, she created a website called PoliTeens. The site provides a platform for young people to share their opinions about political issues. Allani said the program not only helped her learn computers, but also gave her life skills. I definitely have become more confident as a person and in my skills and computer science especially. Another student, Annie Gomez, said she was not sure what to expect when she began the program. I wasn't really saying I'm going into the technology field. But my mind has completely changed for the better. I found that I have a passion for robotics and coding. I just feel full of great ideas. High school student Phoebe Suh and her team also created their own website through the BSA/Girls Who Code partnership. She describes the website as a first-of-its-kind, online database of local crisis resources" in the Washington area. Filling the coding pipeline Organizers say the next step is for students to take their computer knowledge and skills into college. After that, it hopefully gives them a new career. Tina Furuki is with BSA. We're hoping that with Girls Who Code, we will be able to help fill that pipeline and close the gender gap in computing. Im Bryan Lynn. June Soh reported this story for VOA News. Bryan Lynn adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Why do you think more girls are not interested in computing jobs? Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story code v. to write a set of instructions for a computer gratifying adj. something pleasing or satisfying passion n. a strong belief in something database n. information stored in a computer in an organized structure pipeline n. a series of goods or information prepared in advance A leader of the student-led, pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong two years ago has won a seat in the territorys Legislative Council. Nathan Law was one of many pro-democracy candidates winning in the legislative elections last Sunday. The 23-year-old activist became the youngest person ever elected to the Council. Law was a candidate of the Demosisto party, which he launched with another protest leader, Joshua Wong. The party has called for a special citywide referendum to let voters decide the future of Hong Kong. The Chinese leadership has repeatedly stated that it is opposed to any form of independence for the territory. Several candidates were barred from taking part in the elections this week because of their support for independence. Final election results showed pro-democracy candidates won 30 of the 70 council seats. With this one-third margin, pro-democracy forces will have the power to veto bills approved by allies of the government in Beijing. An estimated 2.2 million Hong Kong residents or 58 percent of eligible voters took part in the elections. This was the highest voter turnout in Hong Kong since 1997, when the territory was returned to China from British rule. It was the first vote in Hong Kong since the 'Umbrella Revolution' protests that shut down parts of the city for 79 days beginning in September 2014. The protests started when student activists entered a fenced-off area around Hong Kongs government offices. They were protesting Chinese plans to restrict fully free elections in Hong Kong. The demonstrations, considered illegal by Chinese and Hong Kong government officials, were the first major test of Chinese rule in Hong Kong. Nathan Law and two other leaders of the Umbrella Revolution movement were sentenced last month for their involvement in the protests. But all of them avoided jail time and were ordered to perform community service. A few long-serving pro-democracy legislators lost their seats in the elections. Political observers and some candidates said the results clearly show that many Hong Kong voters want change. The pro-democracy movement has voiced concerns that China is moving to limit civil liberties in the territory. The agreement that gave China control of Hong Kong requires the government to permit these freedoms. It also states that Hong Kong must remain autonomous from China for at least 50 years. Im June Simms. Bryan Lynn adapted this report from VOA News. Additional information came from the Associated Press and Reuters. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story referendum n. a vote of a single political question margin n. a certain amount or degree of difference eligible adj. able to participate or do something autonomous adj. independent, having the right to self-govern You have permission to edit this collection. Edit Close Hillsborough County is doing several things to protect bees while it sprays for mosquitoes. Beekeepers say bees are a big part of the nation's food supply County is doing several things to protect bees while spraying but says it's a challenge Beekeepers have been buzzing with concern since millions of bees were killed during mosquito spraying in South Carolina. They say it's important to remember that a big part of the nation's food supply is directly linked to pollinators like bees. "Pretty much a third of everything you eat is because of bees and what they do for us, so obviously if they're not pollinating the plants and vegetables that we're eating, then the food source is going to decline," said Bryan Pedersen of Pedersen Apiaries. Mosquito Control workers said it's a challenge because they're responsible for protecting the public's health, but they can also catch the wrath of beekeepers if they kill the other insects. "You know that's one of the challenges we have is to balance, that public health need for mosquito control while demonstrating that we take environmental stewardship very seriously," said Ron Montgomery with Hillsborough County Mosquito Control. Hillsborough County does a number of things to protect the bees during spraying. The county sprays after dark when mosquitoes are active and bees are inactive and usually in their hives. Workers also use very low-volume pesticides so there aren't a lot of chemicals in the air. "We hold off aerial adult applications until it's absolutely necessary," said Montgomery. The state of Florida does have a Beekeeper's Registry, so it can keep track of where hives are and who owns them. County officials also said they attend beekeepers meetings regularly to talk to them about spraying and address any problems that may come up. "Last year at night we sprayed 300,000 acres for adult mosquito control. We have no concerns from beekeepers. We had no reports of any adverse effects for bees," said Montgomery. Local beekeepers said they understand that public health comes first. "The spraying has to happen in order to control the spread of the Zika virus. We just want to monitor how it's applied," said Pedersen. County officials said that when spraying is taking place, beekeepers can keep them covered with a wet breathable cloth or wet burlap to protect them. "We have a lot of confidence in our equipment, in our applicators and the product we use has a tremendous safety record," Montgomery said. An arrest has been made in the case of an Army veteran beaten with a walker and robbed, while $1,300 has been donated to the victim. Harold Stewart, 37, arrested in Tampa Jeffery Hardeman, 66, beaten with walker outside St. Pete Walmart Two people, one anonymously, donated $600 each to victim Another donated $100; walker also donated Money given to Hardeman at ceremony Harold Stewart, 37, was arrested in Tampa Thursday. Detectives also located the Dodge Durango seen in the surveillance video. Police were able to identify him through tips from the public. Investigators with the St. Petersburg Police Department believe the suspect used the Dodge Durango pictured above as his getaway vehicle. (Courtesy, SPPD) The attack happened Friday, September 2, in the parking lot of the Walmart at 201 34th Street North in broad daylight, shortly after 1 p.m. Police said the victim, 66-year-old Jeffery Hardeman, was approached by the 6-foot-1 suspect. After asking the victim for the time, the suspect reportedly put the man in a choke hold, threw him to the ground and began brutally beating him. His wallet which contained cash and other personal items was taken. After seeing the story, a man walked into the St. Petersburg Police Department Wednesday evening. The man, who identified himself as "Tom" but otherwise wished to remain anonymous, left an envelope with $600 in cash and this note: "From 1 vet to another hope this makes things better. A retired New York police officer, Joseph Abolafia, also come forward and wrote a personal check to Hardeman for another $600. Another donated $100. Police also said the community donated a new walker to Hardeman. Hardeman received the donations at a ceremony Thursday afternoon. (Trevor Pettiford, Staff) "It just goes to show that there are people who do care and they don't even know you and they care," Hardeman said. Authorities in Polk County said a suspect is in custody in connection with the fatal shooting of man outside a Lakeland business. First-degree murder charge for Victor Manns, 25 Jeffrey Morrow Jr., shot and killed in Sept. 4 incident Case still under investigation Victor Manns, 25, of Bartow, has been charged with first-degree murder, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office said Jeffrey Morrow Jr., 21, and a friend were at the Family Dollar on South Combee Road when the incident occurred Sept. 4. The friend, whose name wasn't released, drove to the store's parking lot to sell an item he had advertised online. After the seller parked his truck, a man approached the vehicle, took the item and took off running, authorities said. Morrow and the seller tried to catch the man and heard gunshots. Morrow was shot, and his friend went inside the store to call 911. Morrow was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Sheriff Grady Judd plans to release more information about the arrest at a Thursday news conference. With tough economic times and unemployment rising in an ever-changing world that is becoming more democratised, it is no surprise that there is a rise in black start-ups and social entrepreneurship. The reality for most black entrepreneurs is that they venture into entrepreneurship not of out career luxury, but rather out of the need to survive economically. Their long-term objective is not to create wealth, but merely to keep the business afloat while living off the profits. Thabang Tsotsotso On the other hand, there are a few fortunate entrepreneurs who are focused on growth and being revolutionary, who are driven by the competitive nature of the business and the ability to create long-term value they use the business as a platform to change the world. One might wonder, so who are these black start-ups and social entrepreneurs? The majority of start-up founders in South Africa are between the ages of 25-35, with most of them coming from corporate backgrounds. From a Ventureburn start-up survey there are 66% white founders, 17% black, and the remaining 17% are made up of other races. In terms of ownership by gender, 68% are male, 6% are female, and the remaining 27% are male/female partnerships. The start-up culture in South Africa is seen as a new form of social status, whereas the major global trend right now is all about entrepreneurship and start-ups. What caused the trend to get to this point is that the world is growing in pessimism, according to the World Economic Forum, and there is a general perception that the economy is not moving forward. It also seems that opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce when one takes the traditional corporate route. Due to this view, young people are starting to show a lack of interest in going the corporate route, because they see it as limiting their potential which creates a strong incentive for them to start something on their own, or become part of an organisation that is trying to benefit society. Black start-ups The home of start-up companies is currently in the Western Cape, also referred to as the Silicon Cape, which is the biggest, followed by the Gauteng region. The major start-up industries are computer and software services, as well as the media, education, retail and distribution sectors. Over the past few years there has been an upsurge in black entrepreneurs, of which the majority come from the Silicon Cape, and the number of black students interested in entrepreneurship has been growing in the region. Unfortunately, it is a fact of society that the potential entrepreneurs generally need a strong proficiency in English and are not able to present their credentials in their own home languages. However, there have recently been successful black start-ups, such as the South African-based Sendr, which is a courier service. Its on-demand service means that parcels can be delivered within an hour in short, they are the equivalent of Uber for parcels. Another example of a black-owned start-up is Mowallet, which is an app that allows customers in townships and rural areas to redeem vouchers from big FMCG brands. Mowallet, being the 2015 winners of the #HackJozi challenge, developed an app that serves as a digital marketing solution for township businesses (spaza shop owners) to connect and communicate better with their customers. The creators of the app are Desmond Mongwe, Thato Selau and Carol Dutton. Desmond Mongwe is a Pretoria-based tech entrepreneur with 14 years working experience in the ICT industry, working as a Java developer, whose interest lies in making sure that he adds value by using technology to improve peoples lives. In short, Mowallet is a white label app that allows a company to place its own branding in the app. What makes the Mowallet unique is that it caters for any type of phones through the use of a USSD platform that gives business owners a better chance to communicate with their target market, thereby enabling the business owner to promote social products, vouchers, deals and food parcels. Social entrepreneurship For those who might not have a clear understanding of what social entrepreneurship means: social entrepreneurship serves to connect income with impact in communities, by creating sustainable business models that benefit the community as a whole, while still making a profit. One great example of social entrepreneurship is an organisation called Local Green Economy Initiative (LGEi), which is an incubator for green skills, careers and start-ups in the water, food and energy space. Their mission is to build and scale innovative businesses that will shape tomorrows water, food and energy resource management systems. They do this by creating an environment for entrepreneurs to succeed in a fast-paced economy. Conclusion As mentioned in the beginning, with tough economic times, unemployment rising and an ever-changing world that is becoming more democratised, it is no surprise that there will be a rise in entrepreneurship. This, however, should not scare big brands away, it should be seen as an opportunity for them to collaborate with these smaller black start-ups and social entrepreneurs, to their mutual benefit and ultimately successful outcomes. About Mortimer Harvey Mortimer Harvey is an independent, OmniChannel, results-driven consulting, marketing and integrated communications company that delivers hard-working strategy, business, advertising and marketing solutions. Their regional offices in Johannesburg, South Africa and Cairo, Egypt are well placed to help their clients achieve the widest possible reach. The company delivers true OmniChannel solutions and a full go-to-market service to clients through their team of in-house industry specialists in all fields. Mortimer Harvey Advertising and communications, including above-the-line, below-the-line, promotions, shopper and retail marketing, digital, CRM and direct marketing. MH Africa Middle East OmniChannel services, plus go-to-market strategy development informed by data-driven insights operating across Africa and the Middle East. MH Digital Content development and implementation for online, social, mobile, app and digital platforms. MH Public Relations Public relations and media management. LM&P Brand promotions, events and experiential marketing. Boom.Studio A new record label that challenges traditional music marketing. Gravitate Multi Video Programming and content generation. Kulcha.Click Influential tastemakers creating authentic brand experiences at the intersection of culture and content. Loyal Solutions A state-of-the-art, Cloud-based loyalty programme management platform with real-time benefits. Stream.Digital Live and on-demand video streaming and content distribution. For further details, visit mortimerharvey.com For further information please contact: Jacques Verster at Mortimer Harvey Tel: +27 (0)11 996 2833 Cell: +27 (0)83 276 9009 Email: moc.yevrahremitrom@seuqcaj The potential gains to be made from the rapid growth of the African digital economy cannot be overstated. An estimated 360 million mobile devices, $75 billion in annual e-commerce sales and a $300 billion internet-driven boost to GDP is forecast by 2025. Brett Parker Yet conventional wisdom would dictate that the current lack of legacy Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure in Africa is a barrier to realising this enormous digital growth. While mobile internet access on the continent has been increasing rapidly, a recent report stated that fixed internet connections account for only about 10% of all internet connections in most African nations. And although recent years have seen advances in internet accessibility (such as undersea cabling connecting Africa to the rest of the world), there are still many parts of the continent that have no internet access whatsoever. However, instead of a barrier, IT providers entering African markets should instead see this as a significant opportunity. Many governments are recognising the important role that ICT infrastructure plays in economic growth and are explicitly promising to harness the power of modern technologies, such as high-speed internet access, to empower their citizens and boost their economies. Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Kenya, to name but a few, have developed ambitious ICT strategies and policies to achieve these high-level goals. There is certainly scope to gain project funding for expansive ICT projects across a multitude of countries and many foreign investors remain committed in the longer term. Furthermore, businesses that invest now to lay the groundwork for ICT infrastructure will undoubtedly reap the rewards as these markets reach maturity. Just think about those who invested in mobile infrastructure in Africa 10 or even 20 years ago and consider the massive returns they are seeing now. Innovative tech solutions In a sense, a lack of existing infrastructure can be seen as beneficial in so far as there is no need for ICT solutions to be constrained by old-fashioned ways of thinking about, and engaging with, technology. Without the burden of these embedded 'old school' approaches that plague many more mature markets, there is the opportunity for innovative technology providers to start with a clean slate and provide leading-edge solutions that directly address the communication needs and day-to-day realities of many Africans. The most well documented example of this willingness to "leapfrog" technologies is, of course, Kenya-based Safaricom's M-PESA mobile money solution. In a market with high mobile device penetration, but very little retail banking infrastructure, M-PESA gave millions of Africans their first bank accounts by turning virtually any mobile phone into a money transfer device. Since then, fuelled by burgeoning start-up hubs in Nigeria and Kenya, there has been a surge of African start-ups, covering everything from fashion to shipping and employment solutions. And, because these solutions specifically cater to markets that are encountering technology for the first time through a mobile device, they can bypass many of the intermediary technological steps and unlock true innovation more quickly. This means that many home-grown tech solutions are developing to tackle local issues, such as the video-on-demand platform iROKOtv, which was created to address piracy problems arising in relation to Nigerian films, or the BRCK portable Wi-fi hotspot and battery extender device used to address wireless internet dead zones. Seize the day There are two ways to look at the future of IT in the African continent. Either as a difficult and onerous job, because of a lack of legacy infrastructure and building block tech systems, or as a blank page, rich with opportunity in a set of nations intent on economic prosperity, digital expansion and citizen-empowerment. Providers that take the latter viewpoint stand to take advantage of huge financial rewards and significant growth. But perhaps the bigger incentive is extraordinary technological innovation, which will positively impact the lives of millions of Africans throughout the continent. Vikrams Iru Mugan is a stylish and racy entertainer. It works to a large extent due to the charismatic screen presence of Vikram in a dual role as the hero and the villain. However after an adrenaline pumping first half, the second half of Iru Mugan loses its way due to uneven pacing and no logic in the script. The story is wafer thin: A disgraced RAW agent Akilan (Vikram) is recalled by the agency to track down a crazy scientist and a cross dresser Love (also Vikram), who has discovered a deadly new drug Speed inhaler. The drug fixed to an asthma inhaler can make an ordinary person into a super killing machine for five minutes. This is a deadly weapon in the hands of a terrorist. Our hero Akilan has his own axe to grind against Love. He believes the scientist was behind an earlier operation in Kashmir, in which he lost his lady love Meera (Nayanthara). Akilan then flies off to Malaysia along with another agent Ayushi (Nithya Menen) to track him down. Iru Mugan is an out and out Vikram show. He plays the mean machine Akilan and the cunning, rogue scientist Love simultaneously with ease. Anand Shankar has written his script to suit Vikrams image of an actor who does macho action films and experiments with the characters as well. And Vikram convincingly pulls it off with elan. Nayanthara looks like a million bucks and is a definite highlight of the film. What is surprising, though, is that a fine actress like Nithya Menen has hardly anything to do in the film. The comedy scenes of Thambi Ramaiah are forced on you, while Nasser makes his presence as RAW chief. The characters of Rithvika (she had a crucial role in Kabali ) and Karunakaran are a letdown. Technically, the film is slick with great camerawork by RD Rajasekhar in exotic locales of Malaysia. The action scenes by Ravi Varma and Anbu are superbly choreographed and stunning. Harris Jayaraj makes a comeback as a music director, especially with the song 'Halena'. Bhuvan Sreenivasans editing makes Iru Mugan racy, though the film is almost 150 minutes. On the downside, it looks like the script was written by googling information, as the director has spent a lot of screen time trying to tell audiences what chemical warfare is and how Hitler used nerve gas during World War II. Iru Mugan is a one-time entertainer, and it has its moments. This week The Firstpost Show caught up with the impeccably talented Nawazuddin Siddiqui. The actor is known to be a true performer and has an immense body of films to his credit, such as Talaash, Gangs of Wasseypur, Badlapur, Bajrangi Bhaijaan to name a few. In this episode, he opens up about his initial struggle and re-collects the days when he was told 'Sir aap hero material nahi ho'. Nawaz is frank, and proved to be a sport. As his upcoming movie, Freaky Ali by Sohail Khan is all set to release tomorrow, Nawaz gets candid about his co-star from the film, Amy Jackson and praises the actress for her charm and bubbly nature. There is a reason why Nawaz is called a true performer and he proves this to us with his exceptional dialogue delivery skills. While he challenged our host with a dialogue from the film, we definitely couldn't match up to him. The actor confessed to being extremely nervous before shots, a secret he believes not many know of. As we were floored by the actor's down to earth nature, watch the entire show as Nawaz plays the rapid fire and discusses films, competition and life. Mumbai: Actress Taapsee Pannu has revealed she has been approached for a biopic on Irom Sharmila, the civil rights and political activist from Manipur. There were reports that she has been signed for the film, but the Baby star says she is yet to read the script. "I have been asked, but we are figuring out time when will I go and listen to the script because I've been running around with these things (promotions). Once Pink releases, I'll hear it and then see," Taapsee said in an interview. Manipur's 'Iron Lady' Irom Sharmila had last month broken her 16-year-old hunger strike, the world's longest, and declared that she wants to become the chief minister so that she could repeal the contentious Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). On the charge of attempting suicide by means of a fast unto death in 2006 at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, she has been arrested, released and then re-arrested from time to time. During her fast, the 44-year-old rights activist was force-fed through a nasal tube to keep her alive at a government hospital, a room of which was turned into a jail for her. She was also granted bail by a court in Imphal after she promised the magistrate to break her fast against AFSPA. Taapsee says it is a big responsibility to take on the role of Irom Sharmila as she may face some backlash too. "It is too big a responsibility in a lot of other ways. I have to analyse a lot of other things before I take that up. I don't want to face backlash, which I will get if I do that role. There are a lot of things I have to consider. So let's see," the 29-year-old actress said. Taapsee is currently awaiting the release of her next film Pink, also featuring megastar Amitabh Bachchan. The dramathriller, directed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury and produced by Rashmi Sharma and Shoojit Sircar, is scheduled to release on 16 September. Sia's back and how! Apart from hitting the billboard this time, she hard-hits the walls of your heart as well. Her latest release, 'The Greatest' featuring rapper Kendrick Lamar, not only has all the beats you'd expect from a Sia song, but also sends out a strong message. With her music video, Sia takes us back to the month of June, where she reminds us of the victims that were wronged in the Orlando mass shooting. The 49 dancers in the video deliver a powerful performance that's led by Sia's regular collaborator Maddie Ziegler. While Sia has not officially confirmed this yet, instagram posts from a few of the performers in the video clear the air. The video opens with Maddie Ziegler painting her face with rainbow colours and stumbling over bodies that lie on the floor. They eventually wake up and dance their aggression out. It ends with the performers lying motionless in a nightclub like set-up, revealing bullet-pierced walls in the background. Here's what typically defines a Sia video: Maddie Zeigler, Maddie Zeigler's expressions, Maddie Zeigler's dance moves, Maddie Zeigler's unbelievable stretches. To know that the blonde-haired Zeigler has been replaced by a black-haired Zeigler makes an instant connect with me. So what makes 'The Greatest' so great? To have Maddie lead a 49-member dance crew, while each one of them carry expressions that deliver pure magic and energy. Watch the video here: Andhra Pradesh's demand for special category status made in the Rajya Sabha while adopting the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill 2014 reinforced by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who insisted on the special package and "incentives for the economic growth and development of the state" was not wholly recognised. On Wednesday night, the Centre announced a financial package for Andhra Pradesh that includes full funding of the Polavaram irrigation project, tax concessions and special assistance. However, it stopped short of giving the state a special category status. This package is valid for five years that ends in 2020. In an earlier piece for Firstpost, TS Sudhir quoted Jayant Sinha (when he was MoS in the Finance ministry) as saying that "As per the 14th Finance Commission's recommendations, special status cannot be given to any State including Andhra Pradesh. There was no immediate proposal to amend relevant laws to give special status to AP. As per the provisions of Reorganisation Act, AP would get special package." The bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh or the creation of Telangana gave rise to a revenue deficit since Hyderabad (which was in AP), which housed several IT and pharmaceutical companies as well as PSUs, went to Telangana. The Finance Commission came out with some proposals to bridge it, such as a railway zone, an all-cost incurred on the irrigation part of Pollavaram project from the date it was declared a National Project on 1 April, to be funded by the Centre. Why has a special status been denied? As per the recommendations placed by the 14th Finance Commission, in the grant of special category status to Andhra Pradesh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said an amount equivalent to what that categorication would have fetched, would be given to the state in form of a Special Assistance Measure for five years. According to Jaitley, this will be in the form of an externally-aided project and the state will also receive two tax concessions, details of which will be notified by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) shortly. Jaitley said the 14th Finance Commission has raised the states' share of central taxes from 32 percent (in 13th Finance Commission recommendations) to 42 percent. The commission then stated that in the view of the increased devolution of central assistance, it did not make any sense to grant SCS. "Since the advantage of what they get by virtue of the former prime minister's statement is the monetary advantage, we have decided to give special assistance measure for Andhra Pradesh wherein an amount equivalent to what they would have got if that statement could have been implemented would be compensated to the state by virtue of externally-aided projects which otherwise state would have paid for," Jaitley said. Another important reason why Andhra Pradesh didn't receive its SCS was because a number of so-called "backward" states such as Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha have also been demanding the same status, and awarding the status to one state and denying the others of such a privilege can only prompt similar demands, reports The Hindu. Benefits of special status With a revenue deficit and no capital, the special status would have placed AP in a 'privileged' category, which would have helped in obtaining central funds assistance and tax breaks. The Centre has already released Rs 3,795 crore towards revenue deficit for year 2014-15 and the balance amount will reportedly be released in installment, according to Jaitley. "We have given a support of Rs 2,500 crore state capital and Rs 1,500 crore as backward area grant," he said. According to a report in The Times of India, the special package might include development of the Vizag-Chennai and Chennai-Bangalore industrial corridors, construction of government offices in Amaravati, the capital city, along with the Polavaram project. The handing out of the package is supposed to be done in a phased-out manner with most of projects aimed for completion by 2019. Demerits of special status As Srinivasa Prasad puts it "this 'special' category has ceased to be anything special". Echoing the earlier point of economic privileges and the raising of the states' share of central taxes, he writes, Till 2014-15, the SCS status indeed meant a bonanza of funds from the Centre. But the Centre virtually did away with the economic privileges attached to the SCSs from 2015-16, after the Fourteenth Finance Commission raised the share of states in central taxes from 32 percent to 42. Yet the Centre can now take a political decision by bestowing this privilege on AP and still find enough reasons to deny the state the economic benefits that supposedly go with it. According to earlier reports, Jaitley had referred to the continuation of "hand-holding" of Andhra Pradesh for some time before it could become self-sufficient. This could mean that the Centre can pull out prematurely of the deal. Further, Jaitley is said to have remarked: "The size of the cake is limited, the size of the pie is limited." Meanwhile, other reports suggest that some within the ruling establishment prefer to seek out a special package, as has been handed out, than a specific SCS as asked for by the state. This may be because it would come with huge funds to improve Amaravati and cover the gaping revenue deficit and that it will add the necessary incentives. A report in The New Indian Express says that Jaitley had actually "very little" to offer AP but a promise to compensate the revenue deficit that came up at the time of bifurcation. In fact, BJP's Sudeesh Rambhotla has gone on record saying that there is nothing special about the SCS. Chandrababu Naidu welcomes aid That Naidu has been pushing for a SCS since 2014 is well known: The AP chief minister has made several visits to Delhi to push for the status, which was not originally part of the AP Reorganisation Act, which was promised by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. BJP, seeing a way to score points, promised the special category status for a decade, as opposed to the Congress' promise of five years, although BJP has gone the way of the Congress: giving AP five years. Perhaps Naidu's visits have proven to be fruitful he welcomed the announcement of a financial package for Andhra Pradesh but said he would have been happier had the Centre granted special status to the state. "People of the state have been waiting for this for many days now... Had they granted special status, I would have been happier. In case they have some technical problems, they should do whatever is possible as per law," he told a press conference after midnight at Vijayawada. Naidu demanded that the Centre expedite the work on the Polavaram project and complete it in a time-bound manner. With respect to the construction of capital city Amaravati, he said Rs 2,500 crore already been sanctioned and another Rs 1,000 crore promised would not be in any way sufficient. With inputs from PTI Spike Jonze's vision of future might be upon us sooner than expected, thanks to Apple. Having an advanced wireless device plugged into your ear which helps you to handle all your communications, listen to good ol' music and talk to an AI? The future sounds exciting. Or at least, that's what Apple would have you believe. via GIPHY With the launch of Apple's iPhone 7, the company has decided to kill off the 3.5mm headphone jack. And although there are options to work around it, what Apple seems to be planning to push is something called an AirPods. Now let us explain what these AirPods are all about. The first thing to understand about technology designed for day to day use always sounds way more amazing when the seller's marketing team is gloating over it then what you finally end up inserting into your ear holes. The AirPods communicate with each other and with iDevices via a proprietary W1 chip that is supposedly a kind of ultra-low power Bluetooth standard. Yes, we don't understand Japanese either, but Apple is apparently calling the move "courageous". Let our tech team explain you all about that "courage" here. So the AirPods more or less look like what those friendly club bouncers' Bluetooth headsets would look like if they were designed by Apple. But let's just say the looks are not the only concerning factors here. The earphones of the future will cost you, wait for it... Rs 15,000. Yes, three zeros after 1 and a 5. The last time we spent anything close to that much on a set of earphones was... never. And did we stress enough on the fact that they could potentially fall out of your ear at any time if you took just a step or two too briskly, or if you dozed off on your way to work after being inquired by your about the missing Rs 15,000 of their hard earned money? via GIPHY So we here at FP Special Forces headquarters, have taken it on ourselves to make you understand the gravity of the situation you might soon be tempted to put yourself into. Here are all the things you could (or maybe should) buy instead of the AirPods and save yourself the embarrassment of looking like a cheap version of RoboCop on the streets. ENTIRE smartphone(s) Yes, those are all phones and pretty good ones if you believe our tech team (we do) for less than the price of these AirPods. Also, 59 not-so-recommended Freedom 251 phones, with some change to spare. via GIPHY Toilets How about starting your day by not walking a mile and taking a dump in a hole? Sounds pretty good to us. 15,000 will buy you four toilets under the Swachh Bharat scheme at 4,000 per toilet, with enough money left to buy a few exhaust fans to go with them. via GIPHY A living breathing companion How about a dog (or a cat, snake, rabbit, bird, tortoise, fish)? An actual animal who will love you with all its heart, wait for you to get home and not judge you when you eat noodles with your fingers. How about that? via GIPHY A (fancy) bike Want to listen to something that is not your mobile phone? What about the sound of the wind? 15,000 will buy you a Firefox Nitro bicycle which will help you get fit and live longer. So, long life versus earphones? You decide! via GIPHY Old timer earphones Rs 15,000 will buy you 50 Philips SHE1455BK earphones with a guarantee of not losing them just because you sneezed a bit too hard. Or one of these bad boys. via GIPHY Save your butt What about just putting that Rs 15,000 in a bank account and using it when you get arrested for drinking in the middle of the street at 1 am on a Wednesday. via GIPHY 15,000 Pulse candies Because each one of those will make you feel better about your life. via GIPHY Vientiane: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Myanmar's democracy icon and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday met here on the sidelines of the Asean-India and East Asia Summits and "positively assessed" bilateral security cooperation. "An icon of democracy, a partner for development. State Counsellor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted along with photos of the two leaders shaking hands and holding talks. Looking elegant in a peace sarong, blouse with a green stole with her trademark orchid flower pinned in her hair, 71-year-old Su Kyi briefed Modi on the progress in the peace and reconciliation process in Myanmar. Both sides "positively assessed" India-Myanmar security cooperation, Swarup said, in the backdrop of certain insurgent groups from northeastern states using the country for launching attacks. Last month, Myanmar had assured India that it will not allow any insurgent group to use its territory against New Delhi during the first high-level visit from India after the civilian government assumed office here when External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had called on President U Htin Kyaw and held extensive talks with Suu Kyi. Within a week, Myanmarese President Kyaw and Modi had also held wide-ranging talks in New Delhi during which the Prime Minister said India will stand by with Myanmar at "every step" of its new journey and that it wants to take the ties to "new heights". The two leaders on Thursday also discussed ways to boost cooperation in several areas including dairy farming, animal husbandry and agriculture besides discussing cooperation in the area of their shared Buddhist heritage. Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy brought down curtains on five decades of military rule, is the country's State Counsellor and Foreign Minister. During their talks, Modi also spoke about a possible agreement on pulses which had been discussed during Swaraj's visit to Myanmar, Swarup said. Modi complimented Suu Kyi on the victory of the NLD in the elections and welcomed her as an icon of democracy, he said. The Prime Minister assured the alumni of Delhi's Shri Ram College that India would always stand with the Government and people of Myanmar as the new government strived to fulfill the aspirations of the people. Modi said he was looking forward to receiving Suu Kyi in Goa for the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit. Cooperation in disaster manangement would be one of the important element of the Summit given that several countries in South Asia continued to face natural disasters, Modi said. Suu Kyi thanked the Prime Minister and said she was looking forward to visit India, where she had always felt at home. Tamil Nadu is eagerly waiting for the 16 September hearing of the Supreme Court: the state is hoping that the court will force Karnataka to release more water to start its summer paddy crop. Last Mondays ruling by the court ensured that Tamil Nadu only got 13.6 tmcft (thousand million cubic feet) of water over ten days, while it wants at least 35 more. But before 16 September, Karnataka will go to the Supreme Court, asking for a "modification" of its order to release 15,000 cusecs (cubic feet per second) of water which, over ten days, amounts to 13.6 tmcft. But what is of immediate concern to both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka is how the Cauvery Supervisory Committee will view the whole thing. The Supreme Court has asked this official committee to look into Tamil Nadus demand for more water before September 16. Both states are rushing to the committee with their own sets of statistics related to the availability of and their respective needs for the Cauvery water. Karnataka has an even bigger expectation on 18 October. Thats when the petitions filed by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and others, challenging the 2007 award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, are expected to come up for a final hearing. In fact, the Tribunals water allocations had fallen short of the expectations of both the important Cauvery basin states. Karnataka was awarded 270 tmcft against its demand for 465, and Tamil Nadu got 419 tmcft while it wanted 562. An important reason why Karnataka has decided not to defy the latest Supreme Court order to release water to Tamil Nadu is that it didnt want to spoil the bigger case coming up on 18 October. Karnataka defied directives twice before, once in 2002 and then in 2012. Both times, Tamil Nadu rushed to the Supreme Court with contempt petitions to get water. In the coming weeks, the apex court will also rule on other petitions including one from Tamil Nadu demanding the constitution of a Cauvery Management Board to execute water allocation. Clearly, bigger battles are ahead in the water war, and the indications are that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may find himself tossed into the crossfire between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu at some point. In the latest episode of the dispute, the Modi government has so far been a mute spectator, but that is likely to end soon. There are at least two ways this can happen. One depends on what the Cauvery Supervisory Committee will say. Headed by the Union Water Resources secretary, the committee consists of the Chief Secretaries of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry, besides officials of the Central Water Commission. It will be nowhere near finding a solution, but its observations will be a key input for judges for arriving at their final ruling on Tamil Nadus immediate demand on 16 September. The committees recommendations may not leave either of the states or even both of them happy. So either Karnataka or Tamil Nadu, ruled by the Congress and AIADMK respectively, or both will point accusing fingers at the CentreModi, in other words. Another development that could see Modi in a fix is Tamil Nadus petition demanding the constitution of the Cauvery Management Board. The Supreme Court refused to give this petition an urgent hearing and put it off to a later date. The Tribunal had recommended the setting up of this Board on the lines of Bhakra-Beas Management Board for implementation of the 2007 award. The Board, in turn, was expected to form a Cauvery Water Regulation Committee to assist it. Karnataka is dead set against constitution of such a board for fear that it will infringe on its freedom to manage its own water and dams, and the centre made no move to constitute it. The previous Congress regime, in fact, didnt even dare to gazette the Tribunals 2007 award, though Jayalalithaa went on a days fast to demand it. The award was notified for implementation only in 2013 when the Supreme Court forced the Centre to do it. The Congress evidently had no intention to risk the wrath of farmers in Karnataka, politically a key state for the party. And after Modi took over in 2014, the dispute hasnt ragedtill now. Clearly, Modi too faces a similar conundrum when it comes to the constitution of the board: Karnataka is an important state for the BJP as well. In fact, the party hopes to wrest the state from the Congress in the state assembly elections less than two years from now. The next twist in the Cauvery saga can also come, even before the Supreme Courts September 16 hearing, from an escalation of tension in Karnataka. Twice in the pastin 2002 and 2012Karnataka began releasing water under Supreme Court directives but suspended the supply following stepped-up violence. Here are the important dates to watch out for: During the 1995 anti-reservation upheaval and the communal riots in Gujarat, the Army had been called in to aid civil authorities. They were deployed, but not used. An incident was reported where nine people were burnt alive, just a few metres away from an Army picket. It was not the Army's fault, but the civil government's. Since the deployment was not under Afspa, executive magistrates, under the law, have to put it in writing to intervene on a case by case basis, which didnt happen. When the Centre realised that the awe of the olive green uniform was diminishing because the public saw them as mere spectators, Madhavsinh Solanki, who was then the chief minister of Gujarat, was told to either use them effectively, or send them back to the barracks. The clout of any uniformed force, including the police, emanates from its effectiveness, credibility and the ensuing willingness of the people to subject themselves to the law. If a constable raises his eyebrows at a transgression of rule, say traffic violation, the citizen should understand and comply. However, we have perpetuated a system where we cut corners, and seek abetment from the police. When the police become participants in crime, by either diluting the case, or by ineffective or missing forensic abilities and can make an innocent spew confessions of a crime that has not been committed because of the third degree, the force loses its usefulness. By accepting bribe, a constable brings disrepute to the entire force. Though there is the feeling that the police are corrupt by rule, honesty is an exception that deserves mention in the headlines. Mid-Day has reported instances of police being attacked by people, who were obviously in the wrong, leading, recently to the death of a traffic cop. Recently, a sub-inspector was thrown into a pond by four youths during Ganesh immersion. They tried to keep his head under water, but he managed to swim out, only to be beaten up later. Nitin Dhondu Dagles only fault was to monitor the immersion process. Mid-Days list includes only recent attacks Vilas Shinde, who succumbed to his injuries after a two-wheeler rider assaulted him, when he was asked to share his details; Priyanka Khot was attacked by a biker and the pillion-rider, when she stopped them for not wearing a helmet; a woman police officer was allegedly molested when she responded to a call from a pub where a bill-related brawl was on. A traffic warden not strictly police personnel, but assisting them Vishwanathan Rane was assaulted at a traffic junction. In June, in Thane, an infuriated Shiv Sena worker assaulted a woman constable when she stopped him for talking on the cell phone while driving. A traffic offence which could have been compounded on the spot that is pay the fine and let go turned into an ugly situation with the party disowning him. She was punched and suffered a bloody nose. This happened in broad daylight at a very busy traffic junction. These incidents speak ill of a society that the police are supposed to stand guard over and keep within the rules and laws, and the policemen who have begun to be assaulted. It may not be inappropriate to say "begun to invite the assaults," though that does not mean they should be treated that way. It is as if the people are beginning to stop respecting the police. That helps none not the people, not the police. Julio Rebeiro, a former top cop, told Loksatta that people are no longer in awe of the force. There are complaints against senior police officials, those who get violent with the police are also from the well-heeled and well-connected, political interference stops police from performing their duties and this malaise is being felt across the country. Politicians belonging to the ruling party are more assertive against the force. When a politician takes the law into his hands, it epitomises disregard for the law that he or she is encouraging the society to follow. Two MLAs had assaulted a policeman on duty when he tried to stop them from over-speeding on Mumbais iconic sea-link. There was a privilege motion against the policeman. This does not add to the morale of the force, which seems to have understood that they have to "adjust". Policemen, because of the loss of the respect they should inspire, cannot be asked to be withdrawn from deployment. They have to be protected from the people, which seems so ironic, from assaults which seems to be a trend now. They also need to be retrained to inspire respect among the public for both law and the uniform. Post-Independence, KF Rustomji onwards, every reform recommendation dwelt on the latter. The successful flight of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) on Thursday evening marks an important milestone in Indias journey towards achieving full capability to launch heavier satellites. With todays launch, GSLV has entered its operational phase giving Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) much needed lift power. It was the third consecutive successful flight of indigenously built rocket with the crucial cryogenic upper stage engine, and the first one officially described as operational as opposed to earlier developmental flights. Incidentally, it was seventh successful launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Station at Shriharikota this year. Designated as GSLV Mark II, the rocket propelled an advanced weather satellite, INSAT- 3DR, weighing 2,211 kg into its designated orbit at the end of the flight lasting a little over 17 minutes. The GSLV flown on Thursday was similar in configuration to the two developmental missions that took place in January 2014 and August 2015. This gives Indian space agency the capability to inject 2 ton to 2.5 ton class satellites into Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO). For launching satellites that weigh up to 4 tons, Isro is working on the next version GSLV Mark III, test flight of which is likely in a few months. GSLV Mark III will also be used for launching the lunar mission, Chandrayaan-2. Meanwhile, the agency plans more flights of GSLV II in order to establish this as a robust launcher. Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is capable of launching satellites weighing below 2 tons. With over 30 consecutive successful launches, PSLV is now a commercial launcher. From this point of view, GSLV has a long way to go. It has taken more than two decades for Isro to induct full-service GSLV into its fleet of rockets. Since 2001, the agency has launched a total of ten GSLVs six with cryogenic engine supplied by Russia and four with indigenously developed cryogenic engine. It has been a mixed bag of success. Two GSLV flights with Russian engine were unsuccessful while a third mission was partial success. Of the four GSLV flights with indigenous cryogenic stage (including the latest one), three have been successful. The first flight of GSLV with indigenous upper stage one in April 2010 had failed. The mission had failed even before ignition of the cryogenic stage. The efforts to develop a rocket with cryogenic propulsion began in the 1990s. Initially it was planned to procure cryogenic engines and technology from American aerospace firms. When this did not materialise for commercial and strategic reasons, India opted engines from Russian space agency Glavkosmos. Russians first agreed to supply cryogenic engines and transfer technology, but backed off under American pressure. Glavkosmos finally only supplied six cryogenic engines and the first flight of GSLV with Russian upper stage took place in 2001. Along with GSLV flights with Russian cryogenic engine, Isro has been developing its own cryogenic technology for rockets named GSLV Mark II and Mark III. Cryogenic propulsion is technically challenging and is considered a strategic technology. It is key to the success of any robust space programme because it allows heavier payloads to be carried into space more efficiently. A cryogenic rocket stage provides greater thrust for every kilogram of propellant it burns, compared to solid and liquid propellant rocket stages. It is strategic because it gives the space agency capability to be independent and also become a commercial player. Just a handful of countries possess this critical engine technology. A rocket with cryogenic engine is referred to as icy hot because when the lower stages of the rocket with solid and liquid fuels are igniting with temperature reaching 3,000 degrees and more, the upper cryogenic stage remains super cooled at -250 degrees and more. Thousands of liters of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen remain encased in massive chambers till the cryogenic stage gets ignited. Cryogenic stage in rocket is much more efficient and provides more thrust for every kilogram of propellant it burns compared to solid and liquid propellant stages. The INSAT-3DR launched by GSLV on Thursday has been designed to provide a variety of meteorological services to the country. It has several advanced payloads like Data Relay Transponder and Satellite Aided Search and Rescue Transponder. Its imager will generate images of the earth disk from altitude of 36,000 kilometers every 26 minutes and provide information on various parameters sea surface temperature, cloud motion winds, snow cover etc. Is the BJP's mission outreach toward Patels just failing? If the events of Thursday are anything to go by, then these are definitely warning signals for the ruling party in the state. What was being touted as a show of strength by the party, in the Patel stronghold of Surat, turned out to be a fiasco with slogans in favour of youth icon Hardik and against the BJP. And all this was in the presence of national party chief Amit Shah and newly-appointed CM Vijay Rupshi. The BJP is well aware of the community's strength and power. Hence, this was the second attempt by the BJP to reach out to the Patels in a matter of few days. Just the previous month, Prime Minister Nagendra Modi launched the SAUNI (Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation) Yojna in the Patel heartland of Saurashtra. And on Thursday, party president Amit Shah tried to reach out from another Patel stronghold of Surat. But, a rattled Shah wound up his speech in less than six minutes. A proposed show of strength at a place where Hardik had been jailed for more than six months on charges of sedition, will force the BJP to do a rethink of its strategy to reach out to the community that comprises of 18 percent of the population. A bus was burnt and chairs were thrown forcing everyone on the dias to cut short their speeches. While Shah might have to rethink his strategy, Thursday's development would definitely bring a smile on Hardik's face in Udaipur. Hardik, who is not only fighting a court case against the charges and his exile, is also trying to keep his flock together which is deserting him. Two members and Hardik aides of PAAS (Patidaar Anamat Andolan Samiti) have quit after levelling allegations that Hardik was busy earning money and deserting the cause. But Surat has ensured that Hardik remains an issue for the forthcoming assembly elections in the state. On Thursday, BJP president Amit Shah along with Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and other party leaders were booed off stage as the members of Hardik Patel's PAAS created ruckus and vanadalised furniture at a programme to felicitate Patel leaders. Chaos prevailed outside the venue as well as in Mota Varraccha area, where Patidar community members from the locality hurled stones at police. The function, supposed to be the show of strength of BJP in the Patidar stronghold, wound up hastily within minutes with Patel leaders cutting short their speeches while Shah could speak for hardly four minutes amid sloganeering. The ruckus started even before the commencement of the function with the Patel quota agitators raising slogans like "Jai Sardar, Jai Patidar" and hailing Hardik, even as they damaged furniture at the venue and flung chairs in air. The programme was organised by 'Patidar Abhivadan Samiti', an outfit floated by a local businessmen, to felicitate Patidar leaders including the newly-appointed state BJP chief Jitu Vaghani, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, Union ministers Purshottam Rupala and Manshukh Mandaviya. Though police detained several members of Patidar community, the protest continued. The slogan shouting continued even when top BJP leaders like Shah and Rupani started their respective address, forcing them to cut short their speech. While Shah wound up within four minutes, Rupani too could not speak for more than three minutes. The organisers abruptly declared the programme closed and the leaders were whisked away. The showdown was anticipated as the programme, viewed as BJP's outreach to Patels for 2017 Gujarat Assembly elections, was organised in the Patel-dominated Mota Varraccha area. Hardik-led PAAS and Sardar Patel Group (SPG) of Lalji Patel, who are spearheading the quota stir, had called upon their supporters on Wednesday to protest at the venue of Thursday's programme. With inputs from PTI Vientiane: Recognising terrorism as a significant threat to peace and stability in the region, India and the 10-member Asean on Thursday made a strong commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. "We express our determination to take concrete measures to step up cooperation and coordination among our law enforcement and security agencies," said a declaration at the end of the 14th ASEAN-India summit here, stressing that there can be no justification for acts of terror on any grounds. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the leaders attending the summit that "In the face of growing traditional and non-traditional challenges political security cooperation is a key emerging feeler of our relationships." Rising export of terror, growing radicalisation through ideology of hatred and spread of extreme violence defines landscape of common security threats to our societies, he said. "The threat is local, regional and transitional at the same time. Our partnership with Asean seeks to craft a response that relies on coordination cooperation at multiple levels," he noted. The countries recognised the need to counter and prevent the spread of violent extremism and radicalism that leads to acts of terrorism. Asean and India also supported the early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, currently under negotiation at the United Nations. "We agreed to cooperate towards addressing traditional and non-traditional security challenges, including in areas of deradicalization and prevention of violent extremism," the declaration added. The 10-member Asean includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. New Delhi: Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag will visit Jammu and Kashmir on Friday to review the security situation in the unrest-hit Valley. Suhag will undertake a one-day visit to Srinagar to review the security situation in the hinterland of the Valley and along the Line of Control, Army sources said. The Army chief will be briefed about the security grid along the Line of Control and anti-militancy operations in the hinterland by senior army officers and local formation commanders, the sources said. Over 70 people have died and more than 10,000 injured in the clashes followed by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on 8 July. Thiruvananthapuram: Moving ahead with its resolve to check the activities of the Sangh Parivar outfits at the temples of the state, the CPI(M)-led LDF government in Kerala is all set to come out with a circular banning any type of arms-training drills at the shrine complexes. The state Devaswom department has taken the initiative to issue the circular under relevant sections of the Kerala Police Act in the wake of complaints that the RSS was holding drills at the temple premises, office of the state Devaswom Minister, Kadakampally Surendran, said in Thiruvananthapuram. The circular, which has got the Law department's nod, has been sent to the Home department for its consideration, sources said. An order, banning any type of arms-training drills at the shrine complexes, would be issued after getting the consent of the Home department, they added. The order will not target any organisation. It will be a "general order" to put an end to any type of arms-training at the temple premises, sources said. Meanwhile, state BJP president Kummanom Rajasekharan criticised the move and claimed that the RSS conducted its 'shakhas' as per law and after getting due permission and sanction from the authorities concerned. "The Devaswom Minister, who says that arms training should not be allowed at the shrine complexes, should also reveal the names of the shrines where such training drills have been held," he said. "The objective of the move is to make temple complexes venues for the activities of CPI(M) workers. It is part of an attempt of the CPI(M) to silence all those who oppose the violent activities of the Communists," he alleged. "A law banning arms training is already in existence. We are not doing anything in violation of the temple traditions and customs," he claimed. Rajasekharan alleged that three CPI(M) workers were killed in an explosion while making bombs inside a temple at Thalassery in 2000. "Then, who is making temples storehouses of arms?" he asked. In an 29 August Facebook post, the Devaswom Minister had alleged that the RSS was trying to turn temples into "storehouses of arms" in Kerala and the government had been receiving a large number of complaints in this regard. He had also warned of stern action. Mumbai/Thane: In the latest in a series of incidents of attacks on policemen in Maharashtra, four youths of a Ganesh Utsav mandal allegedly tried to drown a sub-inspector in Kalyan township of Thane. Raising the safety of police personnel as a matter of serious concern, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday, seeking protection to law enforcers and strict punishment to attackers. Uddhav spelled out his concerns on a day when the purported video of a policeman being pushed into a lake and four youths of a local Ganesh Utsav mandal trying to drown him in Kalyan township of Thane district went viral. The youths had earlier objected to being disciplined by police sub-inspector Niteen Dondu Dagale. During immersion of the Ganpati idols last evening, Dagale (38), attached to Kolsewadi Police Station in Kalyan, was on bandobust duty at Teesgaon Talao of the town. As he was controlling the crowd assembled for the immersion, some members of Jari Mari Ganesh Utsav mandal, who were asked to follow the queue system, objected to being disciplined and picked up a quarrel with Dagale. Thane, Mumbai (06/07/16): Clash between police and Ganesh Mandal volunteer during #ganesh visarjan pic.twitter.com/z7jhQn1iZG ANI (@ANI_news) September 7, 2016 Later, the youths allegedly pushed him into the lake. When Dagale struggled to come out of the water, one of the youths jumped in and again allegedly tried to drown him, but he managed to save himself by swimming out of the lake, police said. The video also showed people indulging in revelry with no one coming to the rescue of the police officer. The Kolsewadi Police has registered offences against the four accused under IPC sections 307 (attempt to murder), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions) read with 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention). A manhunt has been launched to nab the youths. The Shiv Sena chief met Fadnavis at his official residence over the concerns harboured by families of policemen in wake of the recent attacks on police personnel. The Chief Minister said the government will consider all demands of the families of police personnel. The police families residing in Worli's BDD chawl had expressed their anger over the attack on traffic constable Vilas Shinde, who was allegedly beaten up by two youths following which he succumbed to his injuries on 31 August. Shinde was hit on head with a wooden plank allegedly by a juvenile after he asked the latter for vehicle documents at a petrol pump in suburban Khar. A day after he died, a helmet-less rider rammed into a traffic constable at Kurla in Mumbai when the policeman attempted to stop him at a nakabandi. In another incident, a traffic constable was injured at a traffic junction in Thane when he tried to stop a vehicle on 2 September. Uddhav, who was accompanied by a few Sena ministers, including Minister of State for Home Deepak Keskarkar, and the families of policemen, later told reporters that "I think the Home Department needs a separate minister to check attacks on police." "I demanded three things from the CM safety of cops in state, proper implementation of law, and strict punishment to attackers," he said. MNS chief Raj Thackeray had also recently spoken against the incident and met the families of policemen. Later, Fadnavis, who holds the Home portfolio, said the government will consider all demands of the families of police personnel. He informed them of various initiatives taken by the state government for police welfare, including full day salary for working on holiday, inclusion of police in PM Awas Yojna and provision of Rs 2,000 crore for police housing this year. He also assured them of setting up of a committee to address their issues and inclusion of their family members in the panel. Fadnavis also informed that the government is working on some unique initiatives for police health, and to increase interaction between police and public. A skill training programme for wives of policemen is also being planned. Meanwhile, taking serious note of increasing instances of attack on police personnel in Mumbai and neighbouring districts, Maharashtra Police appealed to people to refrain from such unprovoked behaviour and also warned them of consequences of indulging in such acts. "I want to clarify that such incidents would not be tolerated at all and stringent penal actions would be applied to those found accused of resorting to such unprovoked behaviour. I want to assert, especially to the youths, that if they resort to such unprovoked behaviour then it will be almost impossible for them to get a job anywhere and they won't be able to get even passport clearances," Director General of Police (DGP) of Maharashtra Police Satish Mathur said. He described the spate of attacks on policemen as unfortunate and appealed to the people to respect their work. "Our message is clear. We are not going to spare anyone involved in such cases. Attacking a policeman is equivalent to attacking whole society. Each policeman is like you and comes from you only. Hence respect their work as he is discharging his duties by setting aside or sacrificing his own commitments and social obligations," Mathur said. The top cop also denied allegations that the police force was not acting tough on perpetrators due to "political patronage". "There is no political pressure or political patronage at all on us. We deal such cases very firmly and as per the law. Even the Chief Minister has instructed me to take all possible measures against the accused in this case and all such cases," Mathur told reporters at a press conference. When asked about reasons of spurt in such cases, he said, "Largely it seems people are pissed with traffic enforcement due to rules imposed during congregational occasions. But people should think about it seriously and cooperate with the men in Khaki, rather venting out their aggression on them." To a question on unruly behaviour of cops, Mathur said, "If people find the behaviour of a policemen unruly or objectionable, then there are many channels through which they can file a complaint against such erring police officials. But taking law into their own hands is not acceptable at all." Srinagar: Militants attacked a police station in south Kashmir's Pulwama district on Thursday morning resulting in firing exchanges between the security forces and the militants. A senior police officer said militants attacked the Pulwama police station with grenades and automatic gunfire in the wee hours of Thursday morning. "Firing exchanges started immediately after the attack between the security forces and the militants. Further details are awaited," the officer said. Militants also snatched a weapon from the residential guard of a regional National Conference (NC) block president in DH Pora village of Kulgam district, the officer said. Passengers travelling by Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains will have to shell out between 10 and 50 percent more under a dynamic surge pricing system to be introduced from 9 September, aimed at raking in Rs 500 crore more during the current financial year. The flexi-fare system will be introduced on an experimental basis in II AC, III AC, Chair Car in the three trains, besides sleeper class in Duronto trains. First AC and Executive Class have been kept out of the new system of the already prevailing high tariffs. The passenger revenue target for the current fiscal is Rs 51,000 crore as against Rs 45,000 crore in the last fiscal, an increase of Rs 6000 cr for 2016-17. Needless to say, as soon as the official announcement was made, the government received a massive backlash from the Opposition. The Congress came down heavily on the Narendra Modi government, dubbing the surge pricing as "anti-people" and an "illegal" move aimed at "stealing" money from public pockets. Many people took to social media to express their discontent with the government's latest move. So surge pricing for Public sector Railways is ok but for private sector Uber is not? Veena Venugopal (@veenavenugopal) September 8, 2016 Already dealing with the high prices of essential commodities, Railway Surge pricing will hurt middle class heavily. #SurgePricing Raj Babbar (@RajBabbarMP) September 8, 2016 Surge pricing for trains also needs 1. Private train services as competition; 2. Unbundling premium & non-premium trains into separate corps Ashok Malik (@MalikAshok) September 8, 2016 Surge pricing in train travel exploits citizens' helplessness. Similar step by taxi aggregators, Uber and Ola, was frowned upon. Ashok Khemka, IAS (@AshokKhemka_IAS) September 8, 2016 Demand-supply argument valid in case of competition. Indian Railways is monopoly. Imagine surge pricing in other monopolies or basic needs. Ashok Khemka, IAS (@AshokKhemka_IAS) September 8, 2016 In a monopoly market with limited supply of seats, surge pricing is not "market economy". It is looting the user. #Railways Ankur Bhardwaj (@Bhayankur) September 7, 2016 Number of people travelling by train after recent surge in railway ticket price.(2016) pic.twitter.com/16bjr2t3vE History of India (@RealHistoryPic) September 7, 2016 Surge pricing will kill the railways. Already the fares are quite high. Many people have switched to flights because of that. Arv Vaish (@vaish52) September 7, 2016 Now they don't need a separate budget to increase the fares in railways. They'll do it by surge pricing itself. Whatay @sureshpprabhu !! Abhijeet (@abhic4ever) September 7, 2016 USP of Indian Railways is its low fares. Surge pricing will cause high revenue passengers to abandon it. @sureshpprabhu please reconsider. vadakkus (@vadakkus) September 7, 2016 Shameful for railways to introduce surge pricing for Shatabdi/Rajdhani etc given the shabby condition of many trains. Shabby is a mild word. Man Aman Chhina (@manaman_chhina) September 7, 2016 Before introducing dynamic pricing of Rajdhani, Shatabdi,&Duronto,Govt should have provided more dynamism to Railways, in terms of amneties? Uma Kant Singh (@umakantsingh_in) September 7, 2016 Surge pricing for trains also needs 1. Private train services as competition; 2. Unbundling premium & non-premium trains into separate corps Ashok Malik (@MalikAshok) September 8, 2016 There are total 42 Rajdhani, 46 Shatabdi and 54 Duronto trains and the Railways expect to garner about Rs 500 crore from the new fare structure in these trains. With inputs from agencies New Delhi: Activists of BJP Mahila Morcha on Thursday staged a protest against Arvind Kejriwal at the railway station in New Delhi, questioning his "silence" over expelled MLA Sandeep Kumar, with the AAP alleging that the Chief Minister was manhandled during the "pre-planned" protest. The activists led by Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha president Kamaljeet Sehrawat and party spokesman Praveen Kapoor raised slogans and waved bangles towards Kejriwal, who arrived at platform number 1 to board a train for Punjab at around 7 am. Some activists managed to come close to Kejriwal despite presence of policemen. They demanded that Kejriwal speak on the alleged "misconduct" of his MLAs and expel Ashutosh for his controversial blog defending Sandeep Kumar, who was sacked as minister over an alleged sex scandal. Blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Delhi Police for the alleged manhandling of the Chief Minister at the hands of women protesters of the BJP, the AAP said the law enforcing agency was a "mute spectator" during the "pre-planned" episode. BJP, however, denied any manhandling and said party activists resorted to political protest. "It is sad and shameful that people who once talked of daily dialogue with people today term political protest as an attack," Kapoor said. Sehrawat said the Mahila Morcha had recently met Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and warned him about the "gherao" of Kejriwal. The AAP on it part wondered whether this was a conspiracy against the Chief Minister with Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia questioning the reason behind the alleged lapse. "Is Modiji conspiring with the Delhi Police and the BJP to attack Arvind Kejriwal? Was the morning episode (manhandling of the CM) a rehearsal to it," Sisodia tweeted. Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh charged that the police first informed the BJP that Kejriwal would not be given any security cover and then got the Chief Minister attacked. "Modiji's police first told the BJP (about its inability) to provide security cover and then got Arvind Kejriwal attacked. Is any conspiracy brewing against the Chief Minister," Singh tweeted. The Delhi Police had on Wednesday turned down the request from Kejriwal's office to send security personnel to Punjab by road. Kejriwal is on a four-day visit to poll-bound Punjab beginning on Thursday. Bengaluru: A dawn-to-dusk Karnataka bandh called by pro-Kannada outfits on Friday to protest against the Supreme Court's direction to release Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu is likely to throw normal life out of gear. This is the second bandh that the state is bracing for in less than a week's time and the fourth this year. Officials said with the bandh on the emotive Cauvery issue is being supported by several organisations, unions and political parties. Public transport may be affected as state transport buses will stay off the roads, and autorickshaw and cab unions are extending their support to bandh. Metro service is also likely to be hit. Keeping security of students in mind, schools and colleges have declared a holiday on Friday and attendance at government offices will not be compulsory, according to officials. While some private companies have declared holiday, others are making alternative arrangements like 'work from home' for employees. Tamil channels will not be aired on Friday with Karnataka Cable Operators Association supporting the bandh. Shops and establishments, markets, petrol bunks, hotels and malls are likely to remain shut, besides banks. Elaborate security arrangements have been made to maintain law and order. Extra forces have been deployed with two companies each from Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, one from Maharashtra and 10 companies of central forces, police said. Chief Minister Siddaramiah made an appeal for peace and said there should be no damage to public property during the bandh. "We are making all required arrangements. Bandh should be peaceful and no untoward incident should happen. Those who have called for bandh should also take care," he added. The Chief Minister also held a meeting of senior officials of Home and police departments to review security measures. Seeking cooperation from public and organisations in maintaining peace, Home Minister G Parameshwara said the issue is of entire state and the government had to take certain decisions within the framework of law. In Bengaluru, more than 14,000 police personnel will be deployed. 36 Karnataka State Reserve Police, 30 City Armed Reserve platoons and one company Rapid Action Force have been deployed. 'Kannada Okkoota', led by Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha leader Vatal Nagaraj will be holding a "massive" protest march from Town hall to Freedom Park in city in the morning. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's tale of woes doesn't seem to be getting over anytime soon. Even as it grapples with issues in Punjab ahead of the highly crucial state elections next year, the Delhi High Court on Thursday revoked the appointment of 21 parliamentary secretaries, who were appointed by the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government. This is a major setback for the ruling AAP as it had appointed the MLAs as parliamentary secretaries on 13 March, 2015 and passed an amendment bill in this regard in June in the Assembly where it enjoys a majority. The High Court ruling also indicates that Kejriwal is yet to learn lessons in avoiding controversy by treading carefully on issues related to office of profit, which his predecessors such as Sheila Dikshit of Congress and Saheb Singh Verma of the BJP had earlier done successfully. The appointment of 21 MLAs as parliamentary secretaries had become a controversy as it was considered an office of profit. In July, the high court had deferred the hearing of a PIL challenging the AAP government's decision to appoint 21 legislators as parliamentary secretaries. Following Kejriwal governments petition that a plea would come up for hearing before the Election Commission on this issue, the court had posted the matter for 8 September. Had Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal taken a lesson from his predecessors from both his staunch opponent BJP and the Congress on appointment of parliamentary secretaries, it could have been a smooth ride for him. President Pranab Mukherjee had refused to give his assent to the proposed legislation that sought to protect with retrospective effect 21 AAP MLAs from disqualification for occupying additional posts that were deemed unconstitutional. The appointment of 21 MLAs as parliamentary secretaries became a controversy as it was considered an office of profit. There are several cases where right from Congress party president Sonia Gandhi to former Delhi chief ministers Sheila Dikshit and Saheb Singh Verma wisely avoided from being in a controversy on the issue of office of profit. Whats the issue all about? The AAP government on 13 March 2015 passed an order appointing 21 MLAs as parliamentary secretaries to its seven ministers. This was challenged by advocate Prashant Patel, who petitioned President Pranab Mukherjee on 19 June, 2015 that these MLAs were now holding 'office of profit' and therefore should be disqualified. Going a step further, NGO Rashtriya Mukti Morcha had challenged the move by filing a PIL in the Delhi High Court and sought scrapping of the appointments as these were "unconstitutional, illegal and without jurisdiction". The Delhi Legislative Assembly had then passed the Delhi Member of Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualification) Amendment Bill, 2015 excluding parliamentary secretaries from the office of profit with retrospective effect. President Pranab Mukherjee refused to give his assent to the proposed legislation that sought to protect with retrospective effect 21 AAP MLAs from disqualification for occupying additional posts that deemed unconstitutional. It was referred to the Election Commission (EC). Besides EC, the Delhi High Court was also hearing a writ petition challenging the very appointment of 21 parliamentary secretaries by Kejriwal. Controversy over office of profit The term 'office of profit' is used in Article 102 (1)(A) of the Indian Constitution which bars a member of the Indian Parliament from holding an office that would give its occupant the opportunity to gain a financial advantage or benefit. It refers to a post under central/state government which yields salaries, perks and other benefits. According to experts, the issue before the high court and the EC is whether the office of parliamentary secretary in the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) 1991 constitutes an office of profit or not. Article 191 of the Indian Constitution has not defined what an office of profit is. This has paved the way for the courts to lay down the law. The AAP government argues that the post of parliamentary secretary is not an office of profit, as the MLAs do not receive any financial benefit and not entitled to any perks. No MLA was given a single paisa, car or bungalow in their capacity as parliamentary secretary and they were giving the service free, Kejriwal had reportedly remarked, after Mukherjee refused to sign. However, earlier in a notification, the government had mentioned, They (parliamentary secretaries) may use government transport for official purposes and office space in the minister's office would be provided to them to facilitate their work." This is open to interpretation and could be interpreted as office of profit. The term office of profit is not defined anywhere in the Constitution and is left on the judiciary to interpret the term, the term profit means some pecuniary gain attached to the office. The Supreme Court of India, in a plethora of cases, gives guidelines to consider whether a given office is an office of profit or not. For constituting office of profit, it is not necessary that pecuniary benefit should be derived from it. The MLAs may be disqualified depending on what the EC says, observed constitutional expert and author, Subhash C Kashyap. Office of profit: A few cases in point In March 2006, actress-turned-politician Jaya Bachchan was disqualified as a member of Rajya Sabha with retrospective effect from 2004. The Supreme Court had dismissed Jaya Bachchan's petition challenging her disqualification as Rajya Sabha MP by the then President APJ Abdul Kalam on the recommendation of the EC for holding an office of profit. Her plea that she never made actual pecuniary gains from the alleged office of profit in her position as Chairperson of Uttar Pradesh Film Development Corporation (UPFDC) failed to convince the apex court. Besides Jaya Bachchan, Congress president Sonia Gandhi too got embroiled in an office of profit controversy. She immediately resigned and got re-elected as an MP from Rae Bareli. In 2012, the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal appointed 23 parliamentary secretaries. The appointment was challenged and in 2015, Calcutta High Court declared the appointments as illegal. Similarly, last year, the Telangana government was forced to scrap parliamentary secretary appointment after the Hyderabad High Court declared it as illegal. The TRS government had notified the appointment of six MLAs as parliamentary secretaries through a government order and had also passed an Act related to it, like the West Bengal government. Parliamentary secretary: A flashback 1996: The then Delhi CM Sahib Singh Verma from the BJP wanted to appoint Nand Kishore Garg as his parliamentary secretary, and for this, he sought permission from the then Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Jag Pravesh Chandra. Permission was given and Garg was appointed. 1998: Similarly, Congress CM Sheila Dikshit after assuming power wanted to appoint Ajay Maken as parliamentary secretary. She followed the steps of her predecessor, sought permission from the Opposition leader and got Maken appointed. There is no law made by the Parliament or Delhi assembly that would authorise appointment of a parliamentary secretary. It was mutually agreed both during Sahib Singh Verma and Sheila Dikshit on the appointment of parliamentary secretaries. No one objected to it. Even, former PM Rajiv Gandhi got Arun Nehru and Arun Singh as his secretaries. But, the way AAP government wants 21 MLAs to be appointed is illegal. These MLAs may get disqualified, said SK Sharma, constitutional expert and former secretary, Delhi Assembly. According to constitutional experts, the Presidents decision not to accord assent to the bill is final. The bill sought exemption and shielding 21 MLAs from getting disqualified under office of profit rules. The EC has reserved its order. As Kashmir enters the third month of unrest, in sharp contrast to its earlier stand, the government on Wednesday clarified that it has not turned the heat on separatist leaders in Kashmir. According to The Times of India report, Rajnath Singh had said that media reports of tough action against Hurriyat members was incorrect. According to an IANS report, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said on Wednesday all actions in Jammu and Kashmir, including steps against separatists, will be taken keeping "national interest" in mind. "Whatever actions ... will be taken in the national interest. All actions will be taken keeping national security and other issues in mind," Rijiju told reporters on the sidelines of a seminar here. Asked about the "harsh steps" in the event of non-cooperation from opposition parties, the minister said: "There is no need to make a major issue out of these. "This government is serious about national security as well as the welfare of the people across the country including in Jammu and Kashmir. Accordingly all steps will be taken," he said. Sitaram Yechury, General Secretary of CPM also said the home minister Rajnath Singh had said that a "crackdown on separatists is absolutely wrong," reported ANI. HM said in all party meet that reports of Govt deciding to crack down on separatists is absolutely wrong: Sitaram Yechury ANI (@ANI_news) September 7, 2016 Earlier media reports suggested that the Centre would scrutinise the bank accounts of the separatists, but also speed up pending investigations. Firstpost had reported that it was likely that the separatists would be banned from "making foreign trips and Z-scale security provided to them will be scaled down." IANS had also reported that the government felt that the Hurriyat and other separatist leaders need to be "ignored and exposed" at a time when the common people are generally concerned about the issues of governance, joblessness and children education. The news agency added: "Taking exception by the manner Hurriyat leaders declined to meet some opposition MPs who had tried to reach out to them, the Home Minister had said that their conduct was against "democracy and even 'Kashmiriyat' (traditional ethos)." Is there more to the Kashmir problem than the Hurriyat? No, if you go by the excitement in several circles over the possibility of the leaders of the separatists conglomerate being rendered ineffective in the Valleys developments. Cut the Hurriyat down to size and the Kashmir problem will take care of itself this appears to be the wisdom going around. This is the Central governments belief too. The media hullabaloo over the Centres muscular posturing suggests that we have finally nailed the root source of the problem in the Valley. Its time for action. Fine. Such understanding is bereft of nuance and reeks of oversimplification, but it is not entirely out of place. Theres a need to break free of the status quo if any progress on the vexed issue is to be made. This calls for another look at all players and changes in the existing arrangements among them. In the fresh government perspective, the significance of the Hurriyat to the Kashmiris is more hype than reality. The separatists carry only nuisance value and whether or not they represent the entire spectrum of Kashmiris is only a matter of conjecture. Moreover, given that they are not amenable to changing their stated position, they have nothing new to deliver in the new discourse. Thus any attempt at breaking the Kashmir logjam has to keep them out. The government has to find other stakeholders and discuss peace with them. Sounds logical, but the only problem is that logic can be a bad guide in matters where questions of identity, history, geopolitics, ethnicity and religion are terribly mixed up. There can be no one-size-fits-all formula here. Any rash move can only aggravate the existing situation. So, maintaining the status quo is a better policy option than adventurism. Here are some assumptions about the Hurriyat that have transformed into certitude by over-circulation. First, the Hurriyat leaders are the singular source of all of the Valleys troubles. They have been fanning anti-India sentiments relentlessly and instigating ordinary Kashmiris to turn rebels/militants/terrorists. Stop being indulgent towards them, show them their place, and the lay Kashmiri will be more than happy to embrace India. Second, the culture of stone-pelting which has taken a menacing shape now was encouraged by the Hurriyat leaders to harass Indian security agencies. If we noticed an exponentially high number of people pelting stones during the ongoing agitation,it is evidence enough that the Hurriyat has become more active and found more converts. Tough, preferably punitive, action against them will mean end of the pelting problem. Third, if there were no Hurriyat, there would be no interference from Pakistan. The separatists are Pakistans single-point contact in Kashmir. Pakistani money meant for fomenting anti-India activities in the Valley gets routed through them. This is also the money that helps perpetuate their influence among locals. Squashing them would mean curtailing Pakistans role to a big extent. The conclusion: Why treat this bunch with kid gloves when they show no inclination to revise their position on Kashmirs relationship with India and are working against our interest with no sense of guilt? While correct to some degree, these assumptions have flaws mostly to do with overestimating the strength and influence of the Hurriyat among Kashmiris. The separatists have been a constant in the Valleys developments over many decades and essentially been the face of the peoples quest for autonomy. But it is possible that they no longer dictate and control the new generation of young agitationists. Theres more to the Kashmir problem than the Hurriyat As the ongoing unrest suggests, the agitationists are self-motivated and have found ways of being inspired by each other the most important of these being through social media. Again, in spatial spread the agitation this time goes far beyond traditional Hurriyat strongholds. It is possible that new forces have emerged and they are taking the Kashmir battle out of the hands of the Hurriyat. News reports suggest the radical Islamic outfit Tablighi Jamaat has become active in South Kashmir. Theres a religious tinge to the agitations this time, according to some experts, and this is not the usual Hurriyat style. Moreover, Pakistan could not be investing all its energy and resources on a single set of people, knowing clearly that they are under the strict watch of Indian agencies. The bigger task on hand, thus, is to identify the new challenge, the new leaders. Flogging the Hurriyat may not take us anywhere. Theres more to the Kashmir problem than the Hurriyat. In an interview to CNN-News18, senior PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig asked for Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti's resignation, citing that she couldn't control the volatile situation in the state. Ever since Mufti came to power, Baig has had mixed views on the same. In an interview to The Times of India earlier this year, Baig claimed that Mufti "will do even better than her father", while calling himself "an insider critic", and not a dissenter. "Mehbooba deserves her father's shoes, she has worked for it," the report quoted him as saying. However, things do not appear smooth for Mehbooba now and whatever little faith Baig has on the Chief Minister is fast eroding. In his interview to CNN-News18, the senior PDP leader expressed disappointment with the functioning of the alliance between his party and the BJP in the state. Given the unrest in Kashmir, in an interview to The Economic Times in August 2016, Baig had mentioned that Mehbooba would not "crack under pressure" but at the same time said that the onus was on the Modi government at the Centre to help Mehbooba deliver "on the agreed Agenda of Governance of the coalition government". In a later report in The Economic Times, Baig hinted at PDP's withdrawal from the ruling coalition in the state, unless BJP fulfilled the signed terms of the alliance. Baig, at the all-party meeting in Srinagar, said that he reminded Prime Minister Narendra Modi of his five-point formula that would help in the restoration of peace in the state and a solution to the ongoing Kashmir problem, reported Kashmir Life. The same report quoted Baig telling Mufti that she has lost credibility due to "wrong policies" of the state and central government. What has alarmed Baig probably is the new found aggression in Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. Always accused of being soft on the hardliners, Mehbooba displayed incredible aggression when Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Valley last month. In no uncertain terms, the Chief Minister directly blamed the Hurriyat leaders for fuelling turmoil in Kashmir that claimed over 70 lives following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in July. Baig possibly fears that a tough stance against the Hurriyats will have "PDP being discredited in the Valley", according to a NDTV report. Chandigarh: Main opposition Congress on Thursday said it will bring a no-confidence motion against the Parkash Singh Badal government during the ongoing Punjab Assembly session for its alleged failure to protect the state's interests on the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue, law-and-order situation, emergence of the mafia and unemployment. Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Charanjit Singh Channi wrote a letter to the Secretary, Punjab Assembly on the issue after a CLP meeting here. It was also released to the media. "I would like to move a 'No-confidence Motion' against the present Council of Ministers under Rule 58 of Rules of procedure and conduct of business in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, to be taken up in the House in its business on 9 September," he said in his letter. Channi listed the grounds for moving the motion as the Council of Ministers had allegedly failed to protect the interests of the state in the matters of SYL canal and Chandigarh, the interests of farmers and to improve the condition of debt-ridden farmers of the state as a result of which, incidents of farmers' suicide are on the rise. He alleged that the government had also failed to give justice to the families of two young men of Behbal Kalan village in Faridkot district who were killed in police firing. "A number of MLAs of the ruling SAD-BJP combine in the state, namely Pargat Singh, Inderbir Singh Bularia and Navjot Kaur Sidhu, have openly rebelled against the government in public," Channi said. New Delhi: With Rahul Gandhi training his guns on Modi government during his UP campaign, BJP said on Thursday it was a case of one 'yuvraj' (prince) helping another, a reference to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, and accused him of trying to divert attention from the state's issues. The party alleged that it was the "mental bankruptcy" of the Congress Vice President that he was not highlighting the 15 years of misrule of the Samajwadi party and BSP in the state even though people were fed up with lack of water, power and roads besides the dismal state of education and health sectors. "This is an unsuccessful attempt of one yuvraj (Gandhi) to help another. The UPA government looted from farmers for 10 years and cheated farmers of their lands. Rahul Gandhi is himself out on a bail in a corruption case. "In UP, people had elected Akhilesh with high hopes after suffering under the misrule of Mayawati. Now they have been hit by poor law and order and corruption. Education and health facilities are non-existent and the common man lives in fear," its national secretary Shrikant Sharma said, alleging a tie-up between the two young leaders. He also took a dig at Gandhi saying Congress leaders were the ones who used terms like "chor" for those taking away cots from his rally but he was now blaming others. "People in Uttar Pradesh are wise. Polls will be held on the deteriorating conditions in the state and won't let this conspiracy of Congress to succeed. They have made up their mind for a change and will elect BJP," he said. Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the introduction of surge pricing in railways, Gandhi said his model is to rob the common man and provide relief to his industrialist friends. The Delhi High Court, on Thursday, revoked the appointment of 21 parliamentary secretaries who were appointed by the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government, reported Times Now. Since LG approval was not taken, so in light of HC judgement(on LG powers), Delhi Govt concedes appointments(parl secretaries) were illegal ANI (@ANI_news) September 8, 2016 In July, the HC had deferred the hearing of a PIL challenging the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's decision to appoint 21 Legislators as parliamentary secretaries. A division bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Sangita Dhingra Sehgal had posted the matter for 8 September, after Kejriwal's government said a plea will come up for hearing before the Election Commission on disqualification of these MLAs. President Pranab Mukherjee in June refused to sign a bill that allowed the 21 AAP MLAs to hold a second paying position as parliamentary secretary, leaving their fate hanging in balance. The Election Commission had summoned the legislators to clarify their position on 14 July. The AAP had earlier defended its decision in high court, saying the move does not amount to creation of a "public office". "The provision of parliamentary secretary is merely to assist the minister in connection with the public and the rest of the assembly and ensuring a harmonious functioning," it had said in an affidavit. After coming to power in February 2015, the AAP government appointed the parliamentary secretaries, saying this would facilitate smooth functioning but made it clear that they would not receive any remuneration or perk from the government, that is, no burden on the exchequer. The order, however, permitted them to use government transport for official purposes and earmarked space in the ministers' offices to help them in the official work. A public interest litigation filed by NGO Rashtriya Mukti Morcha had sought scrapping of the appointments as these were "unconstitutional, illegal and without jurisdiction". The PIL said Kejriwal had "no power, jurisdiction or authority" to administer the oath of office to parliamentary secretaries. The bench earlier refused to stay the government order, saying it required further consideration. With inputs from IANS "Tu maan ya na maan, ab ye waqt waqt ki baat hai; aaj ban gaya hoon khud sawal, kabhi har sawal ka jawab tha." In the present scenario, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal could find resonance in the appropriateness of these words. Till recently, Kejriwal was thundering that he and only he was the sole political challenger to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that he was to lead his party AAP to a thumping victory in Punjab, Goa and Gujarat. But suddenly, things have started to fall apart. Recent turn of events have made the Aam Aadmi Party's 'Three Cs - corruption, criminality and character', which he and his party leaders keep boasting about to place themselves on a moral high ground, an object of mockery. He preached the efficacy of sting operations to his party men and women, and now stings have started hurting him, be it in Delhi or Punjab. His Punjab dream is showing early crashing signs. His mentor Anna Hazare has questioned his politics and has even threatened to come to Delhi to pose certain questions to him. Even worse for Kejriwal, by the time he landed in Ludhiana in Punjab amid black flags, slogan shouting and protests apparently by his political rivals, a Delhi High Court order on Thursday revoked the appointment of 21 AAP MLAs as parliamentary secretaries in Delhi. The latest blow came as a rude shock for the Delhi government, in fact it served as a double whammy. As it is, these legislators are faced with the threat of disqualification by the Election Commission, on grounds of holding an office of profit. If the Commission too takes an adverse view of these appointments about one-third of the total strength of the Delhi Assembly then the capital would see a mini general election. Should that happen, the prospects for Kejriwal could be ominous. Secondly, in its ruling to set aside the appointment of the parliamentary secretaries, the Delhi High Court reiterated its earlier order that for matters concerning the Delhi government, the Lieutenant Governor is the ultimate boss. Nothing moves without his nod. The High Court gave its order after the Delhi government admitted that the appointments were made without the Lieutenant Governor's sanction. The matter was heard by the high court on a petition filed by an NGO, Rashtriya Mukti Morcha, which had claimed that the appointments made by the chief minister were "unconstitutional and illegal" and were in gross violation of the constitutional provisions and the Transaction of Business of the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi rules, 1993. On 4 August, the Delhi High Court had declared the Lieutenant Governor as the administrative head of the state and had stated that as such, all orders of the government would first require his approval. Kejriwal has had a running feud with Lieutenant Governor ever since the time he first became chief minister of Delhi on 28 December 2013, for 49 days, and then again when he assumed office in February 2015. The order served a body blow to his official position and his politics. That he is only half a chief minister of a half state, or just a glorified mayor of Delhi, does not serve his political purpose as challenger to PM Modi. The fact that three of his ministers, Sandeep Kumar, Aseem Ahmed Khan and Jitendra Singh, had to be removed on charges of the same 'Three Cs' that AAP had boasted about, speaks poorly of the kind of bench strength Kejriwal has in his party and of his poor judgement of people. A fourth minister, Gopal Rai, was also made to relinquish charge of the transport ministry amid speculations of corruption. Remember, Delhi can have only six ministers, excluding the chief minister. This means that over 50 percent of the ministers in Kejriwal's government have been tainted. Anna's expression of hurt and disillusionment against his protege, Kejriwal, couldn't have come at a worse time either. "I am very hurt...when he (Kejriwal) was with me, he wrote a book on gram swaraj...will we call this gram swaraj? That's why I am very sad. The hope with which I was looking at him is over...I am very saddened to see what his colleagues are doing. Some are going to jail, some are indulging in fraud," Hazare said. Unlike earlier occasions, when Anna's outbursts against Kejriwal were taken to be emotional rants of a marginalised old man, this time around his words have struck a chord with the emerging popular opinion and are being seen as genuine expression of hurt by a mentor. As it is, allegations of AAP tickets being on sale in Punjab have been doing the rounds. And if that wasn't bad enough for Kejriwal, the charge from his party's own MLA, Col Devender Sehrawat, that senior party leaders were asking for sexual gratification from female aspirants, has made things much worse. Now, a group of AAP volunteers led by youth wing in-charge in Sunam town in Sangrur district, Ravinder Singh Dhillon, have produced an audio clip to allege that a party observer had sexually exploited a housemaid. Kejriwal is going to stay away from Delhi for quite some time first spending some days in Punjab and then moving to Bengaluru for a throat surgery, to cure a chronic cough. He will be back in the capital only towards the end of this month. His critics now call him a 'non-resident chief minister'. His party leaders or volunteers, as they call themselves, and supporters would hope that by the time he returns to Delhi, this difficult time would be behind him. Till then, yeh waqt bada balwan re bhaiya. A British MP on Wednesday slammed Air China for alleged "racist" travel advice offered to clients visiting London. The airline's "Wings of China" magazine reportedly provides safety advice to travellers based on the race and nationality of local residents. "London is generally a safe place to travel, however precautions are needed when entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people," the magazine says, according to a photograph published by CNBC. "We advise tourists not to go out alone at night, and females always to be accompanied by another person when travelling," the magazine adds. The description prompted London MP Virendra Sharma, who emigrated from India to the UK in the 1960s, to complain to the Chinese government. "I am shocked and appalled that even today some people would see it as acceptable to write such blatantly untrue and racist statements," he said in an online statement. "I have raised this issue with the Chinese ambassador, and requested that he ensures an apology is swiftly forthcoming from Air China, and the magazine is removed from circulation immediately," Sharma said. Air China's director of publicity Xu Yuanchun told AFP they were making inquiries, saying, "Air China has dozens of magazines; it's difficult to know all of them." But on Chinese social media, most commenters expressed bafflement at the backlash. In a common refrain, one user of China's Twitter-like Weibo platform asked: "This is just stating the truth -- what is there to apologise about?" The report comes during a period of tension between Beijing and London. British Prime Minister Theresa May returned to London this week from the G20 summit hosted by China, where she defended her decision to delay giving the go-ahead to a nuclear power project in which Beijing has substantial investment. China has a one-third stake in the plan to build Britains first nuclear plant in decades at Hinkley Point in southwest England, along with French company EDF. May unexpectedly delayed the project in July after EDF gave it a green light, saying on Sunday she would make a decision this month. China's ambassador to Britain, Liu Xiaoming, warned last month relations were at a "crucial historical juncture" between the two countries. Vientiane: President Barack Obama and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte met informally on Wednesday in a holding room before attending a gala dinner at a regional summit, Philippine officials said. The brief meeting took a little sting out of the soured relations caused by Duterte's intemperate language in referring to Obama earlier this week. That had caused Obama to cancel a formal meeting scheduled for Tuesday. Philippine Foreign Secretary Pefecto Yasay told The Associated Press that the leaders had met. "They met at the holding room and they were the last persons to leave the holding room. I can't say how long they met. It all springs from the fact the relationship between the Philippines and the United States is firm, very strong. The basis for this relationship is historical and both leaders realize this. And I'm very happy that it happened." Obama and Duterte are in the Laotian capital along with other regional leaders for the summit. All of them made their way through the holding room before heading to the banquet hall. According to a White House official who would not be named discussing the private meeting: Obama had a brief discussion with Duterte before the ASEAN Gala Dinner in the leaders' holding space. The exchange consisted of pleasantries between the two. On Monday, hours before arriving in Laos, Duterte told Philippine reporters he wouldn't accept questions from Obama about extrajudicial killings that have occurred during his crackdown on suspected drug dealers and users. More than 2,000 people have been killed in the crackdown since he took office on 30 June. "I do not have any master except the Filipino people, nobody but nobody. You must be respectful. Do not just throw questions. Putang ina, I will swear at you in that forum," Duterte said, using the Tagalog phrase for "son of a bitch." On Tuesday, Duterte expressed regret over the remarks, but the damage was done. A Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Charles Joe, also said Obama and Duterte met in the holding room. He said it was a mutually agreed meeting, but that he had no details of what was discussed. Obama and Duterte entered the dinner venue separately, and were seated far apart and did not interact with each other during the dinner that lasted an hour and 20 minutes. US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump pledged on Wednesday to massively increase US military spending, and said he would ask his generals for a plan to defeat the Islamic State within 30 days of taking office. When a presidential candidate of one of the most powerful countries in the world who has earlier talked about building walls along the US border and imposing a ban on Muslims says that he plans to increase US military spending, you know it is time to take a look at the positions which the US presidential candidates have on defence spending. Trump's 'Make America Great Again' plan for US defence Speaking in Philadelphia, Trump told supporters that the US military had become "so depleted" that it required a large-scale build-up, including troop increases and larger numbers of aircrafts and ships. Taking a jab at Democratic rival Hillary Clinton ahead of their first joint event a Wednesday evening forum on the president's role as commander-in-chief Trump called the former secretary of state "trigger happy and very unstable." "Hillary Clinton's legacy in Iraq, Libya, Syria has produced only turmoil and suffering and death," he told the audience. "Immediately after taking office, I will ask my generals to present to me a plan within 30 days to defeat and destroy ISIS," Trump said, using an alternate acronym for the IS group. "This will require military warfare, but also cyber warfare, financial warfare, and ideological warfare," he said. Providing more nuanced detail than in the broad-brush rallies supporters have become accustomed to, Trump outlined proposals for an active army of around 540,000 troops, an air force of at least 1,200 fighter aircraft, a 36-battalion marine corps and a navy of 350 surface ships and submarines. "I will ask Congress to fully offset the cost of increased military spending. In the process, we will make government leaner and more responsive to the public," Trump pledged. "We will be defended because without defense, we don't have a country," he told the crowd. Trump's Union League address also included his plans to eliminate deep spending cuts, known as the "sequester," enacted when Congress failed to reach a budget compromise in 2011. Republicans and Democrats voted for the automatic, across-the board cuts that affected both military and domestic programs. As for how he would pay for it, Trump insisted on Wednesday that he would fully offset the costs of his new spending through savings and new revenue. He said he would make the government "leaner," in part by using attrition to shrink the workforce, and said he'd bring in new money by asking countries like Germany, Japan and Saudi Arabia to pay more for the security the US provides them. Hillary Clinton's defence plan has contradictions Clinton has often called her support for the US invasion of Iraq a mistake. In the first joint television forum with Trump on Thursday, Hillary Clinton pledged that the US was "not putting ground troops into Iraq ever again, and we are not putting ground troops into Syria". "I took responsibility for my decision," she said of her vote for the Iraq war. "My opponent has refused to take responsibility for his support." On the other hand, Clinton supported the coup against Muammar Gaddafi in Libya and has also said that she would take military action against Iran if it developed nuclear weapons. Clinton also pointed out there was "no difference" between her position on Libya and that of Trump. "He's on record extensively supporting intervention in Libya," she said. However, top defence contractors in the US seem to favour Clinton as they have given more donations to Clinton's campaign, reported Politico. Employees of 25 of the largest defence companies in the US have donated $93,000 to Clinton and just $46,000 to Trump. This is important because traditionally, US defence contractors have favoured Republicans. They have favoured Republican congressional and presidential candidates in eight of the past ten election cycles, with Democrats getting more donations only in 2008 and 2010. According to an article in BreakingDefense, Clinton will continue the major programmes of the Barack Obama government but adopt a tougher position on foreign policy. Clinton plans to "sustain a robust military presence in (West Asia)", start "an intelligence surge" and be more willing to use military force. All of this implies that she would actually spend more on defence than Obama. Obama's efforts to reduce military spending According to data from the US Department of Defense, the military spending of the country during the years under the Obama administration has seen a reduction. "The reason for this is two-fold. The Obama administrations decision to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq and Afghanistan caused defence spending to drop. The second reason has to do with sequestration, which refers to the automatic across-the-board cuts to both military and non-military spending that was originally designed to force bipartisan negotiations in Congress. It did not work and when negotiators failed to strike a deal in 2011, the cuts went into effect in 2013," says this article in Task & Purpose. In October 2015, Obama had vetoed a sweeping $612 billion defence policy bill, returning the measure to the Republican-controlled Congress because of the way it used money meant for war spending to avoid automatic budget cuts to military programs. "I'm going to be sending it back to Congress and my message to them is very simple: 'Let's do this right,'" Obama had told reporters. "We're in the midst of budget discussions. Let's have a budget that properly funds our national security as well as economic security," he had said. With inputs from agencies Philadelphia: Republican Donald Trump vowed Wednesday to boost defence spending and deploy more active troops, fighter planes, navy ships and submarines as he works to convince skeptics in both parties that he's ready to lead the world's most powerful military. The New York businessman, who has struggled at times to demonstrate a command of foreign policy, also seemed to acknowledge he does not currently have a plan to address cyber security or the Islamic State group. If elected, Trump said he would give military leaders 30 days to formulate a plan to defeat the group, commonly known as the Islamic State. He also said he would ask the joint chiefs of staff to conduct a review of the nation's cyber defences to determine all vulnerabilities. Trump's address came hours before his national security acumen is tested at a "commander in chief" forum on NBC. "We want to deter, avoid and prevent conflict through our unquestioned military strength," Trump declared of his Democratic opponent in his Wednesday speech, delivered inside the exclusive Union League of Philadelphia, which first allowed women in 1986. The appearances mark an intense, two-day focus on national security by Trump, who has offered tough rhetoric but few details on America's challenges abroad. Trump's rival, Democrat Hillary Clinton, has tried to paint the billionaire businessman as erratic, making the case that his disposition would be a major liability on the world stage. "They know they can count on me to be the kind of commander in chief who will protect our country and our troops, and they know they cannot count on Donald Trump," Clinton said Tuesday. "They view him as a danger and a risk." Trump's team has worked aggressively in recent days to turn deflect such criticism back at Clinton. "She's trigger-happy and very unstable," Trump said of his Democratic opponent, calling her use of a private email server while secretary of state "reckless." While Clinton and Trump will be featured at the Wednesday night forum, they will appear at separate times and will not face each other on stage. The forum could serve as a warm-up to their highly anticipated first presidential debate, scheduled for 26 September in New York. Trump's Union League address also included his plans to eliminate deep spending cuts, known as the "sequester," enacted when Congress failed to reach a budget compromise in 2011. Republicans and Democrats voted for the automatic, across-the board cuts that affected both military and domestic programs. Military leaders have said that they can live with an active duty army of 490,000 bolstered by nearly 500,000 soldiers in the National Guard and Reserves as long as Congress provides enough funding to support that troop level. General Mark Milley, the Army chief of staff, said last month that he is comfortable with a one million-soldier Army, and would welcome a larger force, only if Congress provides the money to maintain troop readiness. But questions remain, even in his party Increasing the size without increase other support, he said, will decrease readiness and hollow out the force. As for how he would pay for it, Trump insisted on Wednesday that he would fully offset the costs of his new spending through savings and new revenue. He said he would make the government "leaner," in part by using attrition to shrink the workforce, and said he'd bring in new money by asking countries like Germany, Japan and Saudi Arabia to pay more for the security the US provides them. Even before promising a huge boost in military spending, Trump's plans to cut taxes, expand infrastructure spending and leave untouched entitlement programs such as Social Security already threatened to add trillions of dollars to the federal deficit. Trying to emphasise his military support, Trump's campaign released a letter on Tuesday from 88 retired generals and admirals citing an urgent need for a "course correction" in America's national security policy. It was aimed at rebutting Clinton's arguments that she would be best positioned to lead the military and reassuring Republicans who have openly worried that his provocative statements might undermine US alliances. Trump's proposal to lift the sequester limits on military spending won praise from Republicans on Capitol Hill even as some acknowledged the reality that Democratic opposition might render it difficult to achieve. "Obviously it's not something that would get through this Congress, so that's something we'd have to look at the election next year. But I agree with him in terms of lifting the sequester on defence, he's absolutely correct about that," said Republican representative Tom Cole of Oklahoma, a high-level member of the Appropriations Committee. But questions remain, even in his party. Bob Corker, the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, repeatedly refused to say directly whether he had confidence in Trump as commander in chief when questioned on MSNBC's Morning Joe on Wednesday. "I do believe that Donald Trump is growing in his understanding of these issues and I think that he's beginning to get more and more people around him that have a depth of understanding as to the complexities and I'm watching this evolve," he said. New York: Russian President Vladimir Putin is "far more" of a leader than Barack Obama, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said Wednesday, echoing previous praise for the Kremlin strongman. Putin is "very much of a leader," Trump said in a televised interview, where he and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton were separately grilled over their national security and military credentials. Trump has made no secret of his admiration for Putin, who last year praised the US businessman as "very outstanding." Putin "has very strong control over a country," Trump said. "It's a very different system, and I don't happen to like the system. But certainly in that system he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader." Before Trump spoke, Clinton too was asked about her security smarts, but also faced questions on the sprawling email scandal that continues to overshadow her White House run. The interviewer, NBC's Matt Lauer, asked why it wasn't "disqualifying" for Clinton to have handled government emails on a private server while secretary of state. "It was a mistake to have a personal account. I would certainly not do it again. I make no excuses for it," Clinton responded, stressing she had not improperly handled classified information. The forum, held aboard historic aircraft carrier the USS Intrepid, docked off New York City, did not put the candidates head-to-head, and Lauer asked them not to waste time insulting each other. For the most part they refrained, though Clinton said Trump had refused to take responsibility for his initial support for the Iraq War. Trump went on to attack Clinton over her emails. The first debate between the one-time friends turned bitter rivals is scheduled for September 26. Trump's military plans Earlier Wednesday, Trump pledged to increase US military spending already at levels far higher than any other nation and to demand a plan to beat the Islamic State (IS) group if he becomes president. The Republican presidential candidate told supporters he would ask generals to craft a roadmap to the IS group's annihilation. Trump also outlined proposals for an active army of around 540,000 troops, an air force of at least 1,200 fighter aircraft, a 36-battalion marine corps and a navy of 350 surface ships and submarines though he provided no details on how he would persuade Congress to pay for it all. Apart from consulting with top generals, Trump remained vague on how he would defeat IS. "Is the plan you've been hiding this whole time asking someone else for their plan?" Lauer asked. Trump said he didn't "want to broadcast to the enemy what my plan is." The United States for more than two years has led a coalition bombing IS in Iraq and Syria, and training local partners on the ground to fight the jihadists. The air campaign started slowly, but IS now appears to be on a back foot, having suffered tens of thousands of casualties and losing many of the important towns it once controlled across its self-declared "caliphate." Clinton provided more specifics, stressing IS would be defeated without US ground troops being deployed. Currently, America has thousands of troops in Iraq and hundreds in Syria, but their mission is to train local forces and not engage in direct combat with IS. Attacking the generals In a move likely to enrage the brass in the Defense Department, Trump also blasted the current status of America's top officers, saying they had been hamstrung by Obama and Clinton. "The generals have been reduced to rubble," Trump said, before noting he had "faith in certain of the commanders." Trump, who has campaigned on a platform railing against illegal immigration, also said he had no problem with existing US policy of allowing undocumented immigrants to stay in America if they serve in the military. Most national polls show a tight race with Clinton in the lead as the US presidential race enters its home stretch with just nine weeks until the 8 November election. However, Trump is ahead by a wide margin of 19 percentage points among military and veteran voters, according to the latest NBC News/SurveyMonkey Weekly Election Tracking poll. His 55 to 36 percent lead with the group comes despite recent remarks against the parents of a Muslim-American soldier killed in Iraq, members of the so-called Gold Star families who have lost loved ones in military service. Trump also angered many in the military community with mocking remarks against US Senator and former prisoner of war John McCain for being captured in Vietnam. Kandahar: The Taliban stormed into Tarin Kot Thursday, triggering heavy fighting around government buildings as panicked residents scrambled to flee the capital of southern Uruzgan province, the latest city to be targeted by insurgents. Pitched battles prompted urgent calls from officials for reinforcements and air support after the militants toppled security posts on the outskirts to breach the city gates. Residents said senior officials were abandoning government buildings and fleeing to the airport on the outer edges of the city, which has practically been besieged by the Taliban for months. "If reinforcements do not arrive the city will collapse into the hands of the Taliban," Karim Khademzai, head of the provincial capital, told AFP. The fighting comes as the Taliban are threatening to capture Lashkar Gah in neighbouring Helmand province, and northern Kunduz, which the insurgents briefly seized last year in a stinging blow to Afghan forces. "The Taliban have entered the city and are fighting to take over police and NDS (intelligence agency) headquarters, and we fear they will storm the prison to free captured insurgents," Haji Bari Daad, a tribal elder in Tarin Kot, told AFP. Sabir Menawal, a city resident, said Taliban fighters entered his house near the police headquarters and took up positions inside to fire at government buildings. "The Taliban instructed us to leave the area immediately," Menawal told AFP. "I fled with my family to a safer area of Tarin Kot, but we fear fighting could spread to this area too." Tarin Kot's normally bustling streets were empty and shops closed as local residents sought to flee the city. Deteriorating security President Ashraf Ghani's office, meanwhile, said the government will not allow "Uruzgan to become a sanctuary for terrorists". "Reinforcements have reached the province, and the local police chief and provincial officials are on the frontline fighting the enemy," presidential spokesman Shahhussain Murtazawi said on Facebook. That claim was refuted by multiple Tarin Kot residents, who said senior officials had been seen fleeing to the airport. "Many provincial officials including the governor and other heads of government departments are at the airport," Khademzai told AFP. General Abdul Raziq, the powerful police chief of Kandahar, said he was personally leading a contingent of military reinforcements to Uruzgan. "We are on our way to Tarin Kot with hundreds of forces to repel the enemy attack," Raziq told AFP. Seen previously as a rural militant movement capable only of hit-and-run attacks on cities, the Taliban have demonstrated an alarming new push into urban centres in recent months. The deteriorating security highlights the struggle of Afghan forces, stretched on multiple fronts, to secure remote provinces such as Uruzgan, where Australian, Dutch and American troops fought for years. As the Taliban edged closer to Tarin Kot on Wednesday, they promised on social media to show leniency towards government forces who surrender unconditionally. Defence ministry spokesman Mohammad Radmanish, however, rejected what he called the Taliban's "propaganda campaign", saying Wednesday the Taliban would be flushed from the city's outskirts. Islamabad: Describing Pakistan as a "responsible" nuclear state, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry has said the country's nuclear assets are "safe" and it qualifies for NSG membership. Addressing a conference on "Assessing South Asia's Nuclear Security" organised by Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Chaudhry said, people of Pakistan are the owners of Pakistan's nuclear programne which is meant only for its defence as a sovereign nation. "Pakistan has always voiced its desire for strategic stability and urges all regional partners to utilise resources for economic development instead of furthering nuclearisation in the region that in turn usher insecurity in the region," he said. Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state and its nuclear assets are safe and regularised by an autonomous body which is Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Radio Pakistan quoted him as saying. He said Pakistan qualifies for the membership for Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and has mobilised the member countries for supporting the cause. The Foreign Secretary hoped that political and commercial motives will not hinder Pakistans membership for the NSG. Chaudhry said Pakistan has urged the international community and particularly the United States to shun discriminatory practices in the context of nuclear and defence ties as it jeopardizes the stability of the whole region. "Credible minimum deterrence remains our principle and as a sovereign country we take every step for the defence of our motherland if any strategic partnership or alliance threats our security and regional stability," he said. Referring to recent US-India defence deal, he said we have no comments for the bilateral relations of any country if "these do not undermine our security and stability of the region." He said Pakistan is a staunch advocate of nuclear non-proliferation at international level and believes in amicable solution of all disputes. In the context of India and Pakistan bilateral relations, he said both countries need to bolster the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to reach pragmatic solutions for their long standing disputes. He said dialogue is the only way possible to keep the relations at a positive trajectory. Taking a strong stand on terrorism fuelled by India's neighbour Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is attending the 14th India-Asean Summit and the 11th East Asia Summit in Laos, on Thursday said that there is "one country" in the neighbourhood "whose competitive advantage rests solely in producing and exporting terrorism". Terrorism is most serious challenge to open & pluralistic societies. Combating it requires collective effort: PM ANI (@ANI_news) September 8, 2016 We need to target not only the terrorists but also their entire supporting ecosystem: PM Modi ANI (@ANI_news) September 8, 2016 Our strongest action should be reserved for those state actors who employ terrorism as an instrument of State Policy: PM ANI (@ANI_news) September 8, 2016 "This export is reducing space for peace and increasing space for violence, and, putting at risk peace and prosperity of all," he told the gathering that had US President Barack Obama and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in attendance. According to CNN-News18, Modi is expected to discuss cross-border terrorism and proxy war fuelled by Pakistan at the summit. "There's one country in our neighbourhood whose competitive advantage rests solely in producing and exporting terrorism," he said in his address at the East Asia Summit, without naming Pakistan. "The time has come to isolate and sanction this instigator," Modi added. The Prime Minister's fresh jibe directed at Pakistan came four days after he called on other Brics members to intensify joint efforts to combat terrorism and sought "coordinated actions" by the grouping to "isolate supporters and sponsors of terror". PM @narendramodi :Happy to convey that Nalanda Univ.being inscribed as @UNESCO World Heritage site in July 2016 pic.twitter.com/k6Y8az8v68 Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) September 8, 2016 "The time has come for us to stop this global exporter of terror," Modi said at the 11th East Asia Summit (EAS). "We need to target not only the terrorists but also their entire supporting ecosystem. "And our strongest action should be reserved for those state actors who employ terrorism as an instrument of State policy," he added. Wearing a crisp white churidar, kurta and jacket, Modi warned that terrorism is the most serious challenge to open and pluralistic societies and underlined that combating the menace requires collective effort. He said India and most countries in South Asia were pursuing a peaceful path to economic prosperity, but singled out "one" neighbouring country. "Competing geo-politics, traditional and non-traditional challenges threaten peace, stability and prosperity of region," he said at the Summit, which he was attending for the third time. He expressed hope that Asean will continue to lead and remain central to efforts aimed at greater regional integration and cooperation. "Remain committed, including through membership of export control regimes and to pursuing total and verifiable elimination of weapons of mass destruction," he said. He added the EAS is adopting statement on non proliferation and that India remains committed to strengthening its objectives. "This underlines commonalities in approaches," Modi said. He also said India is committed to supporting realisation of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). India can also play an important role in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation for deepening ongoing economic integration in the region. He said he was "happy to convey that Nalanda University has been inscribed as Unesco World Heritage site in July 2016". India will remain steadfast in shared pursuit of regional, strategic political and economic priorities within EAS framework, he said. Modi on Thursday expressed deep concern at the rising "export of terror", in an apparent reference to Pakistan, saying it is a common security threat to the region as he sought a coordinated response from Asean member nations to combat the menace. While addressing the 14th India-Asean Summit in Laos, the prime minister also noted that growing radicalism through the ideology of hatred and spread of extreme violence are the other security threats. "Export of terror, growing radicalisation and spread of extreme violence are common security threats to our societies," he said in his second attack on Pakistan in two days amid escalating war of words between New Delhi and Islamabad. "The threat is local, regional, and transitional at the same time. Our partnership with Asean seeks to craft a response through coordination, cooperation at multiple levels," Modi said. He said that in the face of growing traditional and non traditional challenges, political cooperation has emerged as key in relations. "We are willing to take concrete steps to enhance cooperation in cyber security, de-radicalisation and counterterrorism," he added. On Monday, Modi made a sharp attack on Pakistan at the G20 summit, saying "one single nation" in South Asia is spreading "agents of terror" as he asserted that those who sponsor the menace must be sanctioned and isolated, not rewarded. In his remarks on Thursday, the Prime Minister said that Asean is central to India's Act East policy. "Our engagement driven by common priorities bringing peace, stability and prosperity to the region," he told the 10-member grouping attended by Heads of State. Obama-Modi meet: Eighth time in two years Modi and US President Barack Obama met on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit on Thursday. This is the eighth time in two years that the two leaders have met. They met for the first time at the White House in September 2014 when Modi travelled to Washington DC at the invitation of Obama. #WATCH PM Narendra Modi meets US President Barack Obama in Vientiane (Laos) pic.twitter.com/bzXLUVaLqk ANI (@ANI_news) September 8, 2016 They are expected to make brief statements before the meeting begins. Obama will hold a bilateral meeting with Modi on Thursday, the White House had said on Wednesday. "In the afternoon, the president will hold a bilateral meeting with (Modi)," the White House said in its daily guidance released to the press. Obama praised the prime minister's achievement in clearing the landmark tax reform of "GST" a national sales tax which unifies India into one market and does away with a jumble of complicated national and state tariffs. Modi-Obama meet comes in the backdrop of Washington's emphatic support to New Delhi in its demand that Pakistan should identify and punish the perpetrators of Mumbai terror attacks in 2008 and the Pathankot attack in 2016. 'Seamless digital connectivity' Modi said enhancing connectivity was central to India's partnership with Asean. Seamless digital connectivity between India and Southeast Asia is a shared objective. India committed to Master Plan on Asean Connectivity," Modi said. Securing seas was a shared responsibility, he said, adding that sea lanes are "life lines of global trade". India supports freedom of navigation based on United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), he added. He thanked the member countries for sharing their views on "nature, direction and priorities of our engagement". "All three pillars of our partnership security, economic and socio-cultural have registered good progress," he said, adding that engagement of India-Asean is of "economic optimism". "We continue to expand and deepen our economic engagements," Modi said. Laotian premier Thongloun Sisoulith complimented India's Act East policy and its contribution to Asean and hoped the summit will provide future direction. Addressing the summit for the third time, Modi said he was "delighted to renew close bonds of friendship" with Asean. "India is willing to march with Asean to fulfil promise and potential of our strategic engagement," said the prime minister. He invited Asean as the "Guest of Honour" for the International Buddhist Conclave to be held in India in October. The prime minister was addressing the 18-member exclusive East Asia Summit here. Besides founding member India, EAS includes the ten members from Asean and Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea and the US. The EAS, held annually by leaders of, initially, 16 countries in the East Asian, Southeast Asian and South Asian regions, had its membership expanded to 18 nations including the US and Russia at the Sixth EAS in 2011. EAS is held after annual Asean leaders' meetings. The first summit was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 14 December, 2005. With input from agencies Vientiane: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met US President Barack Obama here and discussed the immediate priorities in the strategic bilateral partnership, including strengthening the civil nuclear cooperation and combating climate change. "Had a great discussion with President of the US (POTUS) on India-USA relations," Modi tweeted after his meeting with Obama on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit here, their eighth in the last two years. "President Obama praised Prime Minister Modi's initiatives to reform the Indian economy. In particular, the US president expressed confidence that the passage of GST will unleash significant economic activity," sources said. During the meeting, Obama also praised Modi's vision of entrepreneurship and innovation, which he said would be "very important for a country like India". Obama said that he had always been a friend of India and would continue to be a "strong partner of India and help in any way I can," according to sources. Both leaders reviewed the immediate priorities in the strategic partnership. They discussed climate change issues and energy cooperation. The two leaders also reviewed progress on Indo-US collaboration in nuclear energy, solar energy and innovation, the sources said. The meeting was "very warm and friendly", they said. Modi praised President Obama for his contribution to the relationship and the growing trust between the two countries. He also invited the US President to visit India after demitting office to which Obama said he would welcome any opportunity to visit India. On a lighter note, Obama said he and his wife Michelle were yet to see the Taj Mahal. Last year, Obama had cancelled a planned trip to the Taj Mahal, cutting short his visit to India to travel to Saudi Arabia following King Abdullah's death. This could be the last meeting between Modi and Obama as leaders of the two countries with Obama's second term as US President coming to an end in January next year. They met for the first time at the White House in September 2014 when Modi travelled to Washington DC at the invitation of Obama. Modi had also exchanged views with Obama on the sidelines of the G20 summit in China's Hangzhou on Sunday, with the US President praising the "bold policy" move on GST reform in a "difficult" global economic scenario. Vientiane : Without naming Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that strongest action should be reserved for those states that use terrorism as an instrument of state policy. "We need to target not only the terrorists, but also their entire supporting ecosystem," Modi said while addressing the 11th East Asia Summit in Vientiane, the premier leaders-led forum of the Asia-Pacific region. "And, our strongest action should be reserved for those state actors who employ terrorism as an instruments of state policy," he said. Stating that most countries in the South Asian region were pursuing a peaceful path to economic prosperity, he said: "But, there is one country in India's neighbourhood whose competitive advantage rests solely in producing and exporting terrorism." India-Pakistan relations have soured in recent times following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani in Jammu and Kashmir in July. Pakistan described Wani as a "martyr". Over 70 people have died in large-scale violence in the state since then. Stating that terrorism was the most serious challenge to open and pluralistic societies, Modi called for collective efforts to combat the scourge. The Prime Minister said that India remained committed, including through membership of export control regimes, to pursuing total and verifiable elimination of weapons of mass destruction. Since its inception in 2005 India is a founding member the East Asia Summit has played a significant role in the strategic, geopolitical and economic evolution of East Asia. "India will remain steadfast in the shared pursuit of regional, strategic political and economic priorities within the East Asia Summit framework," Modi said. Earlier on Thursday, speaking at the 14th India-Asean Summit here, in an obvious reference to Pakistan, Modi said "export of terror" was a common threat to the region. "Export of terror, growing radicalisation and spread of extreme violence are common security threats to our societies," he said. He said Asean was central to India's Act East Policy while describing the ties with southeast Asia as a "source of harmony". On the sidelines of the two summits, Modi also held bilateral meetings with host and Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, South Korean President Park Geun-hye, and State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi. Vientiane: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday had a "pull aside" meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit, days after he held talks with President Xi Jinping in Hangzhou. "Moving forward with China. PM Narendra Modi has quick pull aside with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on sidelines of EAS," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted. Moving forward with China.PM @narendramodi has quick pull aside with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on sidelines of EAS pic.twitter.com/0O1sUPAV3Z Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) September 8, 2016 Earlier, Modi had bilateral parleys with Laotian Prime Minister Thongloun Sisolith, Myanmar Counsellor of State Aung San Suu Kyi and South Korea President Park Geun-hye. Modi's meeting with Li came just four days after he met Xi on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Hangzhou. In that meeting, Modi had told Xi that the two countries need to be "sensitive" to each other's strategic interests. Asserting that fight against terror should not be motivated by "political considerations", Modi had said it is of "paramount importance that we respect each other's aspirations, concerns and strategic interests" to ensure durable bilateral ties. Modi had also raised India's concerns over the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Vientiane: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed deep concern at the rising "export of terror", in an apparent reference to Pakistan, saying it is a common security threat to the region as he sought a coordinated response from Asean member nations to combat the menace. While addressing the 14th Asean-India summit, the Prime Minister also noted that growing radicalism through the ideology of hatred and spread of extreme violence are the other security threats. "Export of terror, growing radicalisation and spread of extreme violence are common security threats to our societies," he said in his second attack on Pakistan in two days amid escalating war of words between New Delhi and Islamabad. "The threat is local, regional, and transitional at the same time. Our partnership with Asean seeks to craft a response through coordination, cooperation at multiple levels," Modi said. He said that in the face of growing traditional and non-traditional challenges, political cooperation was a key emerging in our relations. "We are willing to take concrete steps to enhance cooperation in cyber security, de-radicalisation and counter-terrorism," he added. On Monday, Modi made a sharp attack on Pakistan at the G20 summit, saying "one single nation" in South Asia is spreading "agents of terror" as he asserted that those who sponsor the menace must be sanctioned and isolated, not rewarded. In his remarks on Thursday, the Prime Minister said that Asean is central to India's Act East policy. "Our engagement driven by common priorities bringing peace, stability and prosperity to the region," he told the 10-member grouping attended by heads of state. He said enhancing connectivity was central to India's partnership with Asean. Seamless digital connectivity between India and Southeast Asia is a shared objective. India committed to Master Plan on Asean Connectivity," Modi said. Securing seas was a shared responsibility, he said, adding that sea lanes are "life lines of global trade". India supports freedom of navigation based on United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), he added. He thanked the member countries for sharing their views on "nature, direction and priorities of our engagement". "All three pillars of our partnership security, economic and socio-cultural have registered good progress," he said, adding that engagement of India-Asean is of "economic optimism". "We continue to expand and deepen our economic engagements," Modi said. Laotian premier complimented India's Act East policy and its contribution to Asean and hoped the summit will provide future direction. Vientiane: In an obvious reference to Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said "export of terror" is a common threat to the region. "Export of terror, growing radicalisation and spread of extreme violence are common security threats to our societies," Modi said while addressing the 14th India-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit. He said Asean was central to India's Act East Policy while describing the ties with southeast Asia as a "source of harmony". The India-Asean Summit will be followed by the 11th East Asia Summit on Thursday. Earlier in the day, Modi held a bilateral meeting with host Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith. Modi is also scheduled to have meetings with South Korean President Park Geun-hye, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is the State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar, and US President Barack Obama later in the day. Washington: President Barack Obama has nominated a Washington DC attorney for the federal bench. If confirmed, he would be the first Muslim American to serve as a federal judge. Obama nominated Abid Riaz Qureshi of Maryland for the US district court for the District of Columbia. Qureshi's bio at Latham & Watkins LLP says he specialises in cases involving fraud and securities violations. He also has managed large, complex investigations on behalf of international companies. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1997 and Cornell University in 1993. An advocacy group called Muslim Advocates is applauding the nomination, saying that diversity helps ensure the fair administration of the law, and it is vital for Muslims to be included. The group said he had worked with the organization on a pro bono basis in two important civil rights cases. The White House has regularly cited Obama's efforts to bring diversity to the federal judiciary, noting he has appointed 120 minority federal judges and 138 female federal judges. However, Senate confirmation is uncertain. Congress is in an abbreviated session, and the Senate is scheduled to meet only until the first week in October. Colombo: A Sri Lankan court on Thursday gave permission to police to exhume the body of a high-profile newspaper editor whose murder under the previous Mahinda Rajapaksa regime remains unsolved. The Colombo suburban Mount Lavinia magistrate's court has issued the order on the killing of Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickrematunga in January 2009 following an application by the Police's Crime Investigation Department (CID). Editor Wickrematunga and his newspaper were staunch critics of Rajapaksa. He was a sharp critic of the then government's alleged human rights violations during a civil war with the ethnic Tamil rebels. The reason for exhumation is to determine the exact cause of his death. The original autopsy report on the death by the Judicial Medical Officer had been inconclusive. The officer who carried out the autopsy reported that the death occurred due to gunshot wounds while the surgeon said the wounds were not from bullets, the police said. The Sri Lankan government led by Maithripala Sirisena, who came to power in January 2015, had reopened investigations into Wickremetunga's murder, pledging to arrest all those involved in the killing. A number of journalists were killed, reported as missing after being abducted by government paramilitaries, or beaten up under Rajapaksa's administration. No one has been convicted. The exhumation is to take place on September 27 at the Colombo General cemetery. Texas: Police in the West Texas town of Alpine say there's an "active shooter" situation at a high school and schools have been locked down amid the search for a suspect. Elizabeth Carter, a lieutenant with the Texas Department of Public Safety, said someone brought a gun onto the Alpine High School campus Thursday morning. Ruth Hucke, a spokeswoman for Big Bend Regional Medical Center in Alpine, said hospital personnel were tending to three "victims." Hucke declined to say how the victims were injured or further identify them. When asked if the victims had been shot, Hucke said she "can't say anything further." Hucke said the hospital would provide a statement later Thursday. She had no additional details. Police dispatcher Scarlet Eldred said an unspecified incident took place at the high school shortly before 9 am Eldred says police were seeking an "active shooter." Eldred didn't immediately provide additional information, other than the person being sought was a male. The school district's website says the town of about 5,900 residents has three schools. Sul Ross State University in Alpine also was placed on lockdown. Alpine is 220 miles southeast of El Paso. Vientiane: Terming sea lanes passing through the strategic South China Sea as the "main arteries" of global trade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India supports freedom of navigation as he sought "utmost respect" for international law, amid China's muscle flexing in the region. While outlining India's principled position on the raging issue over the South China Sea, the Prime Minister in his address at the 11th East Asia Summit (EAS) said "the threat or use of force" to resolve would complicate matters affecting peace and stability. Earlier in the day, the issue cropped up during Modi's bilateral talks with his Laotian counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith during which the two sides shared the same perspective on South China Sea. The sea lanes of communication passing through the South China Sea are the "main arteries" of global merchandise trade, he said, adding the threat or use of force to resolve disputes would complicate matters affecting peace and stability. "India supports freedom of navigation based on international law, as reflected notably in the 1982 UN Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). "As a State party to the UNCLOS, India urges all parties to show utmost respect for the UNCLOS," Modi said. He added that India's "own track record in settling its maritime boundary with Bangladesh can serve as an example". The comments come amid China's muscle flexing in the disputed South China Sea and "emerging regional challenges". China is involved in a raging dispute with the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei over ownership of territory in the South China Sea (SCS), a busy waterway through which India's 50 percent trade passes. China has also objected in the past to India's Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) undertaking exploration at the invitation of Vietnam in the SCS, which is believed to be rich in undersea deposits of oil and gas. India and the US have been calling for freedom of passage in the international waters, much to the discomfort to Beijing, whose claim over SCS was recently struck down by an international tribunal in favour of the Philippines. In his address, Modi also said India can share experience and build partnerships for protection of marine resources, prevent environment degradation and tap blue economy. He added that the countries need to be mindful of common security challenges and India will organise the 2nd EAS on maritime security and cooperation later this year for this. Noting that natural disasters were a prime concern, the Prime Minister announced India's initiatives to help devise coordinated approaches and responses. GET OUR APP Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Download it here. South Koreas top economic policymaker said yesterday that he expected Hanjin Shipping vessels marooned offshore of Long Beach, California, will be able to offload cargo this week. Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho said at a government meeting that he expects the cargo crisis caused by Hanjins slide toward bankruptcy will begin to ease this week, according to a ministry statement. Local media reported that a South Korean court has asked Hanjin Shippings main creditor, the state-owned Korea Development Bank, for emergency funding. Port workers in Busan and Hanjin Shipping labor union officials also held rallies yesterday, urging the government, creditors and Hanjin Group to save the shipping company. Woman recovering in Thailand after cliff tumble An American tourist was recovering yesterday in a hospital in Thailand after breaking her spine while tumbling down a cliff trying to escape from a man who allegedly was molesting her. The 23-year-old woman was attacked last week in the southern seaside province of Krabi, a popular tourist destination, police said. The woman told police that a man who offered to help guide her back to her hotel at night took her down a remote path and tried to remove her clothes. She said she fought back, biting his ear before running away, only to plunge down a 45-meter cliff. She was found by rescuers the next morning and is now recovering after surgery. Shark attacks kitesurfing Aussie An Australian man has died after a large shark attacked him while he was kitesurfing in New Caledonia, a French island territory in the South Pacific, marine authorities said yesterday. The 50-year-old man had fallen from his board Tuesday in a large lagoon near the northwestern town of Koumac when the shark bit deep into his right thigh. The man, from near Perth in Western Australia, had arrived Sunday for a vacation that was due to last about 10 days and had booked a cruise on a sailing boat so he could do some kitesurfing. The boats crew was not able to identify the species of shark, but said it was very large. Police in Australia have stepped up investigations into alleged match-fixing in the National Rugby League. New South Wales state police yesterday said players and officials are among dozens of people expected to be interviewed in the coming months, adding that the strike force is likely to require protracted investigations. The NRL, which has 15 Australian-based teams and one in New Zealand, said it will support the investigation. NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg warned that thered be a life ban from any involvement in rugby league for anyone convicted of match-fixing. Chief Executive (CE) Chui Sai On will lead a delegation to Portugal for an official meeting from September 10 to 15. The delegation will include several local entrepreneurs but no government secretaries. This is the Chief Executives second visit to Portugal, the former administrator of Macau. The first such meeting occurred in 2010, with a delegation that included the secretaries for Economy and Finance and for Social Affairs and Culture; as well as several other Executive Council and Legislative Assembly members, including its president. According to a report from Radio Macau, the Legislative Assembly will not be represented in this delegation. As the Times previously reported, the CE will meet the President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and the Prime Minister, Antonio Costa; as well as co-chair the latest meeting of the Macau- Portugal Joint Committee with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, Augusto Santos Silva. They will address topics such as Portuguese-language teaching, education, culture, environmental protection and youth affairs More details about the program and its participants are expected to be released on Friday. RM The leaders of Poland and Hungary praised each others economic nationalism and Euroscepticism while calling for revolutionary changes in the European Union. Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who won the Person of the Year award at Polands biggest annual economic conference at Krynica, said late Tuesday that the two formerly communist nations were heading down the right path by questioning the role of Brussels following the U.K.s vote to leave the bloc and pursuing a patriotic economic agenda in the age of global capital flows. Economic patriotism is a valid topic to discuss. People say that money doesnt smell, but the owner of the money does, Orban told a gathering in Krynica, seated on stage along with Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of Polands ruling party and the power behind the government. The meeting comes less than two weeks before an EU summit where the blocs 27 leaders excluding the U.K. will discuss the way forward following the Brexit referendum. Both Poland and Hungary, two net beneficiaries of the EUs budget, support calls for looser oversight from Brussels and seek to shore up the blocs external borders to keep out migrants seeking refuge from conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa. Kaczynski, praising Orban for showing Poland how to pursue national interests in the EU, said Europe was suffering from a leadership crisis amid Brexit, the influx of immigrants as well as almost a decade of economic malaise. Is Germany ready to undertake a financial effort similar to one it took after reunification to revamp the EU economy, asked Kaczynski. All this means Europe needs deep changes, Id say it needs a revolution. Marek Strzelecki, Bloomberg Four years after they went into a nose dive, tense relations between China and Japan may finally be headed for a return to some semblance of normalcy. Those hopes rest largely on a meeting on Monday between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with Xi telling Abe that it was time to put aside disruptions and bring ties back on the normal track, according to Chinas official Xinhua News Agency. By all accounts, Abe responded positively at their closed-door session, held on the sidelines of the summit of Group of 20 industrialized nations in the Chinese city of Hangzhou. Following up, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida welcomed an agreement made at the meeting to speed up talks on an early implementation of a sea and air communication system aimed at avoiding mishaps. The two countries have also agreed to hold preparatory talks next week in Hiroshima on resuming discussions on the joint development of gas deposits beneath the East China Sea. While acknowledging movement on those issues, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said yesterday that Chinas approach remained unchanged. Japan should meet China halfway and strive to create the conditions and atmosphere for the resumption of negotiations, Hua told reporters at a regularly scheduled news conference. Optimism about relations comes despite ongoing rancor on the Chinese side, met by alarm and worsening public sentiment in Japan. Much of that revolves around a dispute over a chain of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea that are controlled by Japan but claimed by China. The dispute has elevated the islands to the status of sacred territory that must be recovered by China to erase a national shame. Tensions spiked in 2012 after Tokyo nationalized the islands known in Japan as the Senkaku and in China as the Diaoyu leading to violent anti-Japanese riots in China and a freeze in most official contacts. As Beijing fumed, Japanese businesses began reconsidering their massive investments in China, upping the ante for all concerned. Relations improved slightly in 2014, when the sides announced a four-point agreement on getting ties back on track, but exchanges have proceeded at a glacial pace since then. To a degree, Xis comments to Abe at the G-20 summit may also have been aimed at preventing tensions from overshadowing a prestigious gathering, said Shi Yinhong of Beijings Renmin University, one of Chinas best-known international relations scholars. China wanted to ease relations with Japan, while Japan wants to ease the pressure. As for how it will develop in the future, I cant draw any conclusions as yet, Shi said, emphasizing that there have been no shifts in their fundamental stances on the issues that divide them. Mondays remarks by Xi grew out of the momentum toward better ties that began in 2014, which, while offering much potential, remains very fragile, said Da Zhigang, director of the Center of East Asian Studies of the Heilongjiang Academy of Social Sciences in northern China. I think were seeing a new normal in China-Japan relations, wherein well see a long-term trend of co-existence, competition and communication, Da said. Both China and Japan admit the existence of differences, but hope to put them under control in a rational way. Managing, rather than resolving, tensions may be the only way forward. Much of Chinas displeasure with Japan is rooted in a sense that the country has never properly atoned for its brutal invasion and occupation of much of China during the World War II era. China has long fulminated over the portrayal of that history in school textbooks in Japan, and has lately expanded its list of complaints to the Japanese navys routine presence in the South China Sea, saying Tokyo was involving itself in a dispute between China and its neighbors over ownership of the strategic water body. Having broadened the mandate of the Japanese self-defense forces, Beijing sees the conservative Abe as pushing ahead with a militarist agenda. Japanese public opinion, meanwhile, remains highly critical of China, partly due to fears of Chinas economic rise, as well as its increasingly assertive military and diplomatic posture. Ultimately, the two nations and their current leaders will have to accommodate each other for years to come. Xi is expected to remain as Chinas president at least through 2023, while Abe will remain head of Japans ruling Liberal Democratic Party at least through 2018. The next major opportunity to test the state of relations will come in November at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Peru, when Abe and Xi will likely meet again. Christopher Bodeen, Beijing, MDT/AP Members of Myanmars Muslim Rohingya minority expressed hope yesterday that a visiting panel led by former U.N. chief Kofi Annan will help end the discrimination and violence they face at the hands of the countrys Buddhist majority. Annan is a member of an independent commission set up last month by State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyis government to help find solutions to a communal conflict in the western state of Rakhine that has seen widespread abuses and violence by Buddhists against Rohingya. Many Buddhists in Rakhine and across Myanmar consider Rohingya to be Bangladeshis living in the country illegally, though the ethnic group has been in Myanmar for generations. Hundreds of Rohingya were killed and tens of thousands forced to flee their homes in 2012 unrest in Rakhine state, and many continue to be confined to squalid camps there. Rohingya residents, including community leaders who met yesterday with Annan, said they have faith in the nine-member advisory commission headed by the former U.N. chief. Members of the Rakhine community, however, protested Annans arrival Tuesday, saying they oppose foreign meddling. Annan on yesterday visited the Rohingya community in the Aung Mingalar quarter of Sittwe, where Muslims are kept in a gated area and not allowed to go outside. Annan later visited Rakhine and Rohingya camps in Thetkabyin village outside of Sittwe. More than 100,000 people in Rakhine state live in displacement camps, the majority of them Rohingya who were forced to flee their homes after the 2012 rioting. Outbreaks of violence directed by Buddhists against Muslims later spread to some other areas of Myanmar, but were generally contained. One community leader, Hla Kyaw, said he believes Annans panel will be a fair commission because they have included Buddhists and Muslims in the commission. What we want is to live together as brothers and sisters in this community. We dont know if the Rakhine community will ever accept living together as before. In a six-day trip, the commission is supposed to address human rights, ensuring humanitarian assistance, rights and reconciliation, establishing basic infrastructure and promoting long-term development plans. MDT/AP The Philippine government yesterday released what it says are surveillance pictures of Chinese coast guard ships and barges at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, in an apparent diplomatic gambit to publicize its concerns at a regional summit being attended by Chinas premier and Southeast Asian leaders. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte plans to ask Premier Li Keqiang at the summit in the Laotian capital whether the vessels were on another island-making mission on the Scarborough Shoal. China has built seven such islands in the disputed, resource- rich sea, alarming neighbors and rival claimants. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said that China hadnt done anything to alter the circumstances in the waters surrounding the shoal. What I can tell you is that the situation in waters near Huangyan Island remains unchanged and China hasnt made any new moves, Hua said in Beijing, using the shoals Chinese name. We should be highly alert against the mischief-making intentions of people who spread such groundless information in such situations. Asked how disturbed the Philippines was by the presence of the Chinese ships, Dutertes spokesman Ernesto Abella told a news conference: Enough to announce it. He said that China and the Philippines were discussing the issue, but gave no details. There are talks at this stage, Abella said. He refused to comment if the Philippine policy was to prevent any country from constructing at or transforming Scarborough, a coral reef, into an island. If the Chinese government confirms the photos, the Philippines will lodge an official protest, said Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. Duterte has taken a more reconciliatory track to rebuild relations with China ad has said he would not raise the long-simmering territorial disputes in an adversarial manner that might upset Beijing. Relations were severely strained under Dutertes predecessor because of the conflict. However, Duterte expressed alarm after a Philippine surveillance plane recently spotted four Chinese coast guard ships, four suspected barges, including one equipped with what appeared to be a crane. The government released the photos with a diagram showing the vessels exact locations at the shoal, which the Chinese coast guard seized after a tense standoff with Philippine vessels in 2012. Hours after the Philippines released the pictures, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations met with Li and his aides. The South China Sea dispute was tackled at the closed-door meeting with some of the leaders, including Duterte, who reiterated calls for the conflicts to be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said. He quoted the Chinese premier as saying that there was now a positive direction in Beijings relations with ASEAN and that the disputes should not affect overall relations. The U.S. military has also expressed concerns over the possibility that China might turn Scarborough into another island, something that would give Beijings forces control over a swath of the South China Sea used as a passageway to the Taiwan Strait. Jim Gomez, Vientiane, AP Wilfred Wong assumed the role of president and chief operating officer (COO) of Sands China at the end of 2015. A week ahead of the opening of the fifth Sands China property in Macau, Mr Wong talks about the new elements that the Parisian will bring to Macau. Macau Daily Times The Parisian is about to open. What is your feeling about the new property? Wilfred Wong (WW) I think this is a really good addition to the family. We aim to create an integrated resort that would cater to different sectors of the market and create a theme that would attract more tourists to Macau. It is not about just one aspect of our development, it is about the total picture that we have in mind. How do you attract more visitors to Macau? That is why The Parisian is a themed development and we are attentive to the detail in everything we do. First of all, we have the replica of the Eiffel Tower. That is an attraction in itself and we have got a lot of attention from social media. There are hundreds of million hits for the Eiffel Tower. Inside the building, in all the public places, we copy famous tourist attractions in Paris. Basically, we are capturing Paris and the good thing is that we have all the shopping streets covered. You know, you are not subject to the rain, the sun and the weather; you are very confortable but you have the feeling [of being in Paris]. We have all kinds of facilities that would justify the size of the 3,000-room hotel. Why do we need such a big hotel? We have MICE facilities, we are adding 56,000 square feet of ballroom, function rooms, meeting rooms to the space. And the space is linked by a footbridge to the Venetian Convention Center. In addition we have 1.6 or 1.7 million square feet of convention space. MDT So MICE will be one of the segments to watch? WW Yes, we feel this is an important segment. The second segment would be the families, the middle class an affordable, luxury type of tourism so we have kids facilities (a kids club that is sized at 20,000 square feet) linked to an Aquaworld and for the parents, you have 170 retail shops. These are mid-priced, very good products, with some names that you recognize and others you dont recognize, because they are new in Macau. It is a very good mix, but we dont sell Hermes, we dont sell LV, because that is the Four Seasons shops. So we have a segmentation of our customers and that in itself is an attraction. Then we have a theater that can seat 1,200 [people]. That is a good size, musical, cabaret type of theater. MDT The debut show will be Thriller Live, scheduled to run from September 30 to November 13. Why was a Michael Jackson-inspired show chosen as the first resident show at The Parisian? WW We have been thinking what would be a good show to start off. It must be proven [to have] quality. Thriller Live has been eight years at the West End [in London], four million people watched it, and have confirmed that this is a good show. Secondly, the Chinese tourists would have to know him [the shows theme]. What is that show? Its Michael Jackson, more than the Beatles, because the younger people probably dont know enough about the Beatles, not to mention Elvis Presley. We had a choice at the beginning: Michael Jackson, Beatles, Carole King, all these names. But the one people said immediately I can associate with is Michael Jackson. [] We are going to run the show for six weeks. If the response is good, we can prolong it. Otherwise we will move on to another show. The idea is that we will move from one show to another. MDT Can you disclose some of those shows? WW We are looking at all sorts of possibilities. For example, we are talking about showcasing a cabaret style show, because this is Paris, we are looking at other shows, but you know, I dont want my competitor to steal the show from me [laughs]. The idea is that right now, Macau lacks resident shows. We do have concerts, we do have one-offs. But there are very few resident shows that hit the market and create awareness among our audience. MDT What will differentiate The Parisian from the other Sands China properties? WW The Venetian and The Parisian are the two brand names of our company. They are icons both have 3,000 rooms. But The Venetians room size is bigger, as every room is a suite. In The Parisian, we try to cater for the middle class, the MICE people. So we would want to cover the traveling public and the MICE people at the right price range. [] We are hitting a price point where it is the middle class segment that we want to have. That completes the range of segments that we are looking at in our portfolio, because we have St Regis, Four Seasons and Venetian at the five-star level, then we have the four-stars, like Conrad and Sheraton. Then we have the Holiday Inn. Now The Parisian. So basically we are covering the whole spectrum. MDT Is The Parisian only targeting tourists? WW No. And that is why we are going to offer discounts in many fronts of the property to local Macau people in the first two weeks of our opening. We want the Macau people to own this property, treat this as one of the places they would go over the weekend with their families. MDT What are the expectations in terms of visitor numbers to The Parisian? WW I would expect it to match The Venetian. MDT The resort has been authorized to hold a total of 150 new tables. Of those, only 100 will be available on September 13 opening. Are you satisfied with the table allocation? WW I never use the word satisfied. What I always said is that I respect and understand the governments decision, because they are subject to the three-percent annual cap and therefore there are certain limitations. [] What we are saying is: if in the future there is a chance that the government, together with the central peoples government, decides to uplift that three percent, therefore releasing more quota, we hope that consideration will be given to adjusting our table [allocation], because we only get 150 this time. MDT How many tables from other properties will be moved to The Parisian? WW We are moving 310 tables from all of our properties. So The Parisian will open with 410 tables, overwhelming majority mass market. MDT The Chief Executive (CE) will not attend the opening ceremony, since he will be in Portugal. Who will represent the government? WW They normally would send the acting CE. These things happen. When we decided on the date, we did consult the CE office and he said he may not be here. Due to the Mid-Autumn festival immediately after, followed by the October Golden Week, it is better for us to open before those holidays. MDT So you are expecting a strong start? WW I think so. The booking of the hotels looks very solid. The Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT) held a clarification session for the owners of the Wa Keong Building, affected by the August accident involving a tour bus at Rua da Entena, The crash was instigated by the driver, who left the vehicle to resolve a smaller traffic accident, before the bus, which did not have its brake applied properly, started to roll down the road. It left 32 passengers injured and seriously damaged the building that the bus struck. According to yesterdays Government Spokesperson Office statement, the session was called to deal with any concerns from the owners of the building units affected by the accident. DSSOPT representatives guaranteed the 20 owners or representatives who attended the meeting that the new pillar to be built will meet the exact same conditions of resistance and quality as the original one. They also assured those in attendance that the repair work will follow rigorous quality standards. DSSOPT also stressed that the government will inspect the ongoing works and the Civil Engineering Laboratory of Macau (LECM) will independently continue to monitor the buildings structure. As for those injured in the accident, DSSOPT noted that four of the victims are still under hospital care. The woman who was in the most serious condition has been transferred from the intensive care unit to the ward, registering an improvement in her state. President Barack Obama said yesterday that Republican Donald Trump proves he isnt qualified to be president every time he speaks, adding that he was confident Americans would ultimately reject the brash billionaire on Election Day. Obama, closing out his final presidential trip to Asia, said his meetings with foreign leaders during the trip had illustrated that governing is serious business requiring knowledge, preparation and thought-out policies that can actually be implemented. He urged Americans not to allow the outrageous behavior seen amid the campaign-season din to become the new normal. The most important thing for the public and the press is to just listen to what he says and follow up and ask questions to what appear to be either contradictory or uninformed or outright whacky ideas, Obama said. Throughout the campaign, Obama has repeatedly denounced Trump and deemed him unfit to serve as commander in chief, arguing that hes pulling the Republican Party in a dangerous and unprecedented direction. Obama has endorsed Hillary Clinton and has said he plans to campaign full-force for the Democrat ahead of the November election. Obamas remarks came at the end of a grueling nine-day trip that took him to Laos and China following U.S. stops in Nevada, Hawaii and Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. Its the last of 10 trips Obama paid as president to Asia, where Obama lived as a youngster with his mother in Indonesia. When I think back to the time I spent here as a boy, I cant help but be struck by the extraordinary progress thats been made by the region in the decades since, even if theres still a lot of work to be done, Obama said. At the top of the list of unfinished business is the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a 12-nation free trade deal Obama helped broker. That deal awaits ratification in the U.S. Congress, where there is opposition from both parties. But Obama said he planned to do everything possible to persuade lawmakers to approve it this year. With his presidency nearing an end, Obamas agenda has narrowed to a few key goals he hopes to complete before his successor takes over. Asked to acknowledge he wouldnt be able to fulfill his campaign promise to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center, Obama pushed back. I am not ready to concede, Obama said, adding that his administration was making progress in reducing the prisons population. He bristled at the suggestion hed been slighted in Asia or that leaders in the region were rejecting his leadership a criticism leveled by Trump, who said hed have picked up and left had he been treated the way Obama was in Asia. The start of the trip was overshadowed by tense moments on the tarmac when Chinese officials clashed with White House aides and appeared to have failed to secure a staircase for Obamas plane moments that exploded on social media. The awkwardness continued days later when Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte called Obama a son of a bitch and warned him not to challenge him in their planned meeting in Laos, leading Obama to call it off. The two did end up shaking hands during a brief interaction on the summits sidelines. Obama said hed told Duterte that their aides should confer on how to move forward, adding that the spat would have no effect on the close cooperation between the longtime treaty allies. I dont take these comments personally, because it seems as if this is a phrase hes used repeatedly, directed at the pope and others, Obama said of the slur. I think it seems to be just a, you know, a habit, a way of speaking for him. As an example of progress on his trip, Obama pointed to discussions with Southeast Asian leaders about disputes over Chinas territorial ambitions in the South China Sea. In a concluding joint statement, the leaders were expected to issue a mild rebuke to China without referencing it by name or mentioning a recent international arbitration ruling against Beijing. I realize this raises tensions, Obama said earlier Thursday about the ruling. But I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and regional stability. On his last day in Asia, Obama met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose help Obama is seeking to galvanize further action on climate change, especially among developing countries. The White House said Obama had affirmed his support for Indias participation in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, a consortium aimed at preventing civilian nuclear technology from diverted for military use. Pakistan, Indias longtime adversary, opposes Indias membership in the group. Josh Lederman & Kathleen Hennessey, Vientiane, AP ASEAN A summit of Southeast Asian countries issued a mild rebuke of China yesterday over its expansionist activities in the disputed South China Sea, and indirectly urged it to show restraint and not raise tensions. PHILIPPINES The Philippine government yesterday released what it says are surveillance pictures of Chinese coast guard ships and barges at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, in an apparent diplomatic gambit to publicize its concerns of Chinas growing territorial ambitions. RUSSIA The Russian interior ministry says six people have been killed in the restive region of Dagestan in clashes with security forces. The dead militants were suspected of various crimes including an attack on patrol officers and an attempt to blow up a railroad, the National Anti-Terrorism Committee said in a statement. IRANs president yesterday called on the Muslim world to punish Saudi Arabia following last years hajj crush and stampede that killed over 2,400 people sharp criticism as multitudes poured into the kingdom for this years pilgrimage. YEMEN A minister with the internationally recognized government on Tuesday accused the countrys Shiite rebels of forcing children to fight in Yemens civil war, saying the rebels have recruited as many as 4,800 boys over the past six months. TURKEY said yesterday it expelled 73 more personnel from its armed forces as part of an ongoing effort to rid the military of what it says are followers of the alleged mastermind of the failed July 15 coup. The Ministry of Defense said on its official Twitter account that the expelled personnel belonged to the air force. GREECE Floods caused by heavy overnight rain hit parts of southern and northern Greece yesterday, leaving four people dead in the southern Peloponnese region and a fifth person missing, authorities said. GERMANY Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday strongly defended her governments handling of migrants, but conceded that more still needs to be done and that concerns that have led to increasing support for an anti-immigrant nationalist party need to be taken seriously. BRAZIL Dilma Rousseff moved out of Brazils presidential palace on Tuesday, six days after senators voted to impeach and remove her from office. A crowd of supporters cheered the countrys first female president outside the Alvorada Palace in the capital of Brasilia, some giving her flowers and other gifts. TWIN FALLS With free breakfast and lunch at many Twin Falls schools, more children are opting to eat school meals. All 15 of the Twin Falls School Districts campuses offer free breakfast. And eight schools with high poverty rates offer free lunches through the U.S. Department of Agricultures Community Eligibility Provision. New this school year, students at I.B. Perrine and Morningside elementary schools can receive free lunches. As a result, more students are participating, food service director Lori Rieth said. Its a trend across the entire school district. A total of 3,059 more breakfasts and 1,160 more lunches were served during the first full week of school Aug. 22 to 26 compared with the same week last year. One change this year: two new elementary schools, Rock Creek and Pillar Falls, opened in August. Plus, the school district has added new menu items, such as a Santa Fe breakfast bowl. Weve added a lot more fresh things, Rieth said. And school cooks are using herbs like basil and cilantro. The school districts nutrition program conducts a survey every year to get feedback. One common comment was parents wanting to see more fresh ingredients incorporated into meals. It costs more to use fresh ingredients, Rieth said. But the hope is more children will eat school meals, leading to better revenue for the school district. Cafeteria workers are also using more seasoning to add flavor to food. Thats because federal school meal requirements have led to cuts in sodium levels. Food service employees tried out new recipes over the summer. And theyre getting help from the University of Idahos Twin Falls County extension office and Idaho Department of Education. To qualify for free lunches through the Community Eligibility Provision, a school must have at least 40 percent of its students directly certified for free meals under other programs. Even though more students are eating school lunches, some still opt to bring their own food. We still have quite a few who bring their own meal from home, Rieth said, adding children are becoming more discerning about what they eat. Sometimes, parents will pick out specific days their children will eat school-provided lunch, depending on whats on the menu. Rieth encourages parents to have lunch with their child to get a sense of what school cafeterias are serving. The school district also plans to launch a revamped website in late September. It will include a page for the child nutrition program with menus, photos of lunches, and free and reduced-price lunch applications. Heritage Academy a Jerome public charter school also offers free meals through the Community Eligibility Provision. Its the second year the school, with about 170 children, has participated. Theres a high percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, so participating makes sense, food service director Lacey Jacobsen said. We want to help as many kids as we can, she said. Now, at least 90 percent of students are eating school meals. In particular, our breakfast numbers have gone up a lot, Jacobson said. New this year, the school will serve fresh fruits and vegetables to students as an afternoon snack. Children do better academically and are better behaved when theyve eaten, Jacobson said. Plus, by offering free meals, I just think it makes it so much easier for parents. Idaho family offers $10,000 reward for info in shooting COEUR DALENE, Idaho (AP) An Idaho family is offering a reward for information that leads to the conviction of the person who shot their son to death. Dan and Patty Fowler of Athol, Idaho, along with Dans sister, Linda Wilson, are putting up a $10,000 reward for information about who shot 33-year-old Clifford Cory Fowler in his Spokane Valley apartment in February. The Coeur dAlene Press reports that Cory graduated from Timberlake High School in Spirit Lake, served in the Navy and later graduated from Portland State. He worked at Premera Blue Cross in Spokane, helping people find health insurance. The Fowlers found Cory dead in his apartment on Feb. 18. He had been shot several times. Cory left behind a 1-year-old daughter. Yellowstone allows campfires again YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) Campers in Yellowstone National Park can enjoy campfires again. The National Park Service on Wednesday lowered fire restrictions that prohibited campfires since last week because of extreme fire danger. However, the park has seen cooler temperatures and some rain this week. Campfires are now allowed in campgrounds, day-use areas and established fire rings. Charcoal and wood fires are still prohibited in backcountry campsites. Five fires are burning in Yellowstone. The biggest has burned about 64 square miles since it was started by lightning on Aug. 8. All Yellowstone entrances, roads and major attractions are open. Jerome County Historical Society plans meeting JEROME The Jerome County Historical Society will hold a general meeting at 6 p.m. today in the Canyonside building at the Idaho Farm and Ranch Museum, north of the U.S. 93 and Interstate 84 junction. The group will discuss the finalizing plans for Live History Days to be held Sept. 10 at the I-FARM. Twin Falls High School class of 1961 reunion TWIN FALLS The Twin Falls High School Class of 1961 is having its 55th class reunion Sept. 9-10 at the Turf Club. If anyone needs more information, contact Annette Skabronski, 208-735-8797; Georgina Wolverton, 208-731-6070; or John Jenkins, 208-733-6241. TF Senior Center plans fundraising breakfast TWIN FALLS The Twin Falls Senior Center will hold a fundraising breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at 530 Shoshone St. W. The menu will include stuffed French toast, ham, bacon, link sausage, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, pastry tray, fruit and beverages. Entertainment will be provided by Marla Garrett. Cost is $7 per person. Information: 208-734-5084. Jerome Civic Club Celebrations Jerome Civic Club will begin its 108th year on September 13 with a luncheon at 1 p.m. at the home of Kathy Bartholomew, 43 East 400 North, Jerome. All Jerome area ladies are welcome to attend. The Jerome Civic Club was started June 22, 1909 by ladies who wanted to socialize and create a better environment for the new community. The first and main project was to begin a public library for the citizens of the community. The cultural objectives set up at the time it was formed were as follows: to develop and foster the civic, educational, and social activities of the community and to provide suitable accommodations and projects. Over the ensuing years many of the Civic club presidents have been the wives of prominent Jerome city leaders, and the presidents in the recent years are women who feel the need of helping this organization continue with its many projects including funding some of the needs of the library, helping children in the CASA program, and funding young women in the American Legion auxiliary girls State program. They also sponsor Meet The Candidates forums for the community. The Civic Club meets in the library on the second Tuesday of each month from September (except this yearsee above) through May, and the June Rose Luncheon is held at a local area restaurant. For more information call the library, 208-324-5427 or Linda 208-421-6632. Burley High School 65th class reunion BURLEY Classmates of Burley High School class of 1951 will hold a class reunion on Sept. 16. A dinner meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Burley Best Western Inn. Free pictures for classmates will be taken at the reunion. Information: Durell Moon at 208-679-0637. Filer City Library storytime FILER Preschool storytime will resume September 15 at 10:30 a.m. and continue every Thursday morning except holidays. Ongoing book sale: Over 500 books are in our entry way in our ongoing book sale. Fill a bag for two dollars. Recent additions: Over 100 new books have been added to our new additions shelves, including the latest best sellers. Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead, Sting by SandraBrown, Damaged by Lisa Scottoline, Bullseye by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge, Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware , A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham, X by Sue Grafton, The Book Thief by Zusak Marcus, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by R. K. Rowling, Curious Minds by Janet Evanovich and Phoef Sutton, The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins El Korah offers free screening clinic for children TWIN FALLS The El Korah screening clinic will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at College of Southern Idahos Health Sciences and Human Services building on North College Road. The free screening is to identify children, from birth to age 18, who can benefit from orthopedic and burn/scar care. The Shriners Hospitals for Children treat problems with bones, joints or muscles; cerebral palsy, hip disorder, hand or foot disorder spina bifida, scoliosis, club foot, skeletal growth abnormalities, and cleft lip/palate. Expert care is provided regardless of the patients ability to pay. Volunteers Interlink Volunteer Caregivers (IVC) provides volunteers to help elderly, disabled and chronically ill people to live safely and independently at home. Volunteers are needed in the Mini Cassia area and Magic Valley to help build wheelchair ramps and install grab bars. Volunteers are also needed to help with light housekeeping. Volunteers are reimbursed for mileage and covered with excess auto liability insurance. Commitment is flexible with no minimum hours required. Information: Edie, 208-733-6333 or ivcofmv@gmail.com. Drivers The American Cancer Society is looking for volunteer drivers for its Road to Recovery program in Twin Falls. Volunteers will drive patients to and from medical treatments. Commitment is flexible. Information: Renae Delucia at renae.delucia@cancer.org or 702-891-9023. Volunteers Hospice Visions Inc. is looking for volunteers to visit with patients and their families, do minor home modifications such as grab bars, and also volunteer Light Touch Massage therapists, hair dressers, meal assist volunteers, and to play music and games with hospice patients. Volunteers are needed with licensed certified therapy animals to love our hospice patients in their own homes or assisted living centers. Hospice Visions is looking for volunteers interested in doing art projects with patients or filming and creating a Life Legacy Video, or to take someone to the store, run an errand or out for a drive. Veterans can become a Vet-to-Vet Volunteer and visit with other veterans. Volunteers are also needed to assist with fundraising events and provide office assistance. Information: Nora at 208-735-0121 or nwells@hospicevisions.org. Volunteers Idaho Home Health and Hospice needs volunteers who will bring compassion, support and dignity to those facing a serious, life-limiting illness and their families. Volunteers can choose between offering respite to family caregivers or provide support with administrative tasks. Information: Heidi Walker, 208-734-4064 or Heidi.Walker@LHCgroup.com. Volunteers The Twin Falls County Historical Society is seeking volunteers for various programs and general support. Volunteers are needed to paint, weed, clean or work on docent projects and fundraising. No minimum amount of hours, commitment is flexible. Fill out an application at the Twin Falls County Historical Museum (Union School at Curry), open noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Information: 208-736-4675. Volunteers St. Lukes Home Health and Hospice is looking for new volunteers to join its team to share compassion and care and increase the quality of life for patients and their families. The program is designed to offer companionship and socialization to patients as well as respite and support for the caregivers. Information: Marie Sharp, 208-814-7603 or sharpm@slhs.org. Drivers The Twin Falls Senior Center needs drivers to deliver meals to homebound seniors in Twin Falls Monday through Friday, and the routes take an hour or less to complete. Commitment is based on your availability. Volunteers must be 18 years of age with their own car, and have proof of liability insurance and a background check. Drivers receive 54 cents a mile fuel reimbursement. Information: 208-734-5084. Volunteers St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center is in need of volunteers for a variety of positions from shuttle drivers to care volunteers to gift shop volunteers and more. The medical center is looking for pleasant, and friendly individuals with a sincere interest in voluntary services offered to patients, visitors, employees and guests. Meet new people and learn new experiences and challenges. Information: Kim Patterson at 814-0861 or kimpa@slhs.org, or visit the Volunteer Services Office, lower level at St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center; 801 Pole Line Road W., Twin Falls. Applications are available at the Front Information Desk. TWIN FALLS Police have arrested two people they say are responsible for a string of burglaries throughout the Magic Valley. James Howard Arthurs Jr., 34, and Brezzy Ray Lemons, 38, both of Twin Falls, were arrested about 10 p.m. Wednesday, police said. The two admitted to 18 burglaries in Declo, Hansen, Shoshone, Lincoln County, Gooding County, Wendell, Hagerman, Castleford and Rogerson, court records said. Their first target was in Twin Falls at the Hideout Bar, 157 Washington St., police said. About 4 a.m. on Aug. 28, a witness saw a masked man trying to break the door open with a crowbar. The witness said a woman was sitting in a car behind the bar and both fled when they realized theyd been spotted. Then, on Sept. 4, an employee at the Dairy Queen on Addison Avenue West called police to report $215 was taken in the night. Someone had pried open the back door. The stores surveillance showed a man with a bandanna covering his face but with distinctive tattoos on his arms. Photos of the man were circulated to all patrol officers, and on Wednesday, an officer spotted Arthurs, whose tattoos matched the man in the photo. In an interview with police, Arthurs told officers he cut the power to the Dairy Queen and other businesses he burglarized and used a pry bar to open the back doors, court records said. He told police he usually also disabled the surveillance systems inside the businesses but missed the one at Dairy Queen. Arthurs told police another man, Danny Eggleston, was putting him up to the burglaries, court records said. Arthur said he and his wife, Lemons, were using the proceeds to buy methamphetamine. Eggleston has not been charged with a crime. After her arrest, Lemons admitted to participating in the burglaries but said she often stayed in the car. Lemons and Arthurs were arraigned on felony charges of burglary and attempted burglary Thursday afternoon in Twin Falls County Court. TWIN FALLS Kids Count Too! is organizing its second annual community education conference on bereavement and youth. Ethical Considerations in Bereavement: Providing Support to Grieving Children, Teenagers and their Families is slated for Sept. 30 at the Red Lion Hotels conference center, 1357 Blue Lakes Blvd. N. in Twin Falls. Six continuing education credits are available for professionals in the social work, counseling, public safety and mortuary fields. Lunch will be provided. Funding for the event is provided by St. Lukes community health grant and the Thrivent Fund community action grant. Andy McNiel, chief executive officer of the National Alliance for Grieving Children, will be the guest presenter. Hes a nationally-recognized leader in bereavement support. Hell present an overview of ethical considerations when providing bereavement services to children and teens, and will lead a breakout discussion about grief at various stages of development. Additional breakout sessions will be offered by professionals who work with Magic Valley youth. Perspectives on the needs of youth will be provided by young adults who have graduated from Kids Count Too! Tiffany Eckles from the College of Southern Idahos ropes course will lead activities to help conference attendees think in new ways. To register, call 208-352-2994, email kidscounttoo@ymail.com or visit http://kidscounttoo.org/register-for-community-education-seminar/. The cost is $30, with lunch included. Registration opens at 8 a.m. and the conference concludes at 4 p.m. TWIN FALLS The College of Southern Idaho will receive a $2.2 million federal grant for a five-year project to better serve low-income students. Money is from the U.S. Department of Education under the Title III Strengthening Institutions Program, CSI announced Tuesday. The first budget period begins Oct. 1. The purpose of the program is to help higher education institutions become self-sufficient and expand their capacity to serve low-income students by providing funds to improve and strengthen the academic quality, institutional management and fiscal stability. Developed through the CSI Office of Institutional Effectiveness, the projects first year of funding will be $444,786. Over five years, project activities will focus on fortifying dual credit enrollment and advising systems, increasing services to the Hispanic population, improving programs and systems for non-traditional students, and strengthening technology and communication access across all five campus locations. TWIN FALLS Students in the College of Southern Idahos emergency medical services program are planning a fundraiser for victims of recent flooding in Louisiana. Starting Monday through Sept. 16 is the toiletry truckload portion of the drive. Students are encouraging community members to donate toiletries of all kinds, including paper and hygiene products, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Sept. 19-23 is blanket blowout, with the goal of gathering as many fresh, clean blankets and other sleeping materials as possible. The final week, Sept. 26-30, is the food drive finale, where community members are encouraged to donate canned and other non-perishable food products. All donated goods can be brought to the lobby of the CSI Health Sciences & Human Services building on North College Road. Cash donations are also being accepted through the CSI Foundation. Donors are encouraged to go to the foundations home page at www.csi.edu/foundation. It is important for cash donors to stipulate they would like their gift to go to the CSI EMS Louisiana Relief Fund. For more information, contact organizer Gabriel Gutierrez at gabegutierrez92@gmail.com. TWIN FALLS High school juniors and seniors are invited to sign up for the College of Southern Idahos health occupations day. The free event is 9 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30 at the colleges Twin Falls campus. Its open to the first 150 students who pre-register. Spots usually fill up quickly. The third annual health occupations day sponsored by the CSI admissions department will showcase the colleges health sciences programs, including nursing, emergency services, surgical technology, and radiologic technology. The event will demonstrate how professionals respond to emergencies and work together. For more information, call the admissions office at 208-732-6221 or visit csi.edu/admissions/HealthOccDay. TWIN FALLS The Twin Falls Public Library is planning a five-part series of Lets Talk About It discussions celebrating Pulitzer Prize-winning fiction. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Pulitzer Prizes. The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction recognizes distinguished fiction by an American author preferably, works dealing with American life. Discussions are offered in conjunction with the Idaho Commission for Libraries, the Idaho Humanities Council and U.S. Bank. Presentations are free and open to the public beginning Sept. 21. Theyll continue every other Wednesday until the last discussion Nov. 16. All presentations start at 6:30 p.m. in the librarys program room. The Idaho Commission for Libraries also provides guest scholars from the College of Southern Idaho, Boise State University and Idaho State University to illustrate the central themes of each work and lead participants in an open discussion. The five books selected for this themes series are Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard, Honey in the Horn by H.L. Davis and The Old Man in the Sea by Ernest Hemingway. Sets of the five books are available for checkout from the Twin Falls Public Library. Participants do not need to be library cardholders, but attendees are encouraged to sign up for a card. For more information or to check out titles, contact the librarys reference desk at 208-733-2964 ext. 200. Heres your presidential election coverage in a nutshell. Last week Donald Trump delivered his big immigration speech in Phoenix, uttering this inflammatory claim: Hillary Clinton has pledged amnesty in her first 100 days, and her plan will provide Obamacare, Social Security and Medicare for illegal immigrants, breaking the federal budget. Suffice it to say that every word was categorically false. Clinton hasnt proposed amnesty. Undocumented aliens arent eligible for Social Security, Medicare or Obamacare. Period. Trumps statement is not merely a falsehood, but an inflammatory, hurtful one convincing low-information voters that their tax money is being misused. Something closer to the opposite is true. Many undocumented workers pay taxes without getting benefits. Nobody said boo. The big news was that Trump did a decent job reading the speech from a teleprompter. (A practice he once scorned, but never mind.) He also looked presidential standing tall next to Mexicos dapper little chief executive a visual worth the trip to Mexico City. Meanwhile, the Associated Press posted the following to its Twitter feed: BREAKING: AP analysis: More than half those who met Clinton as Cabinet secretary gave money to Clinton Foundation. That, too, is breathtakingly false. As James Fallows pointed out in The Atlantic, the AP came up with its claim that more than half the people Hillary Clinton met while Secretary were donors, only by deciding not to count the overwhelming majority of people she met.) Specifically, the AP ignored the literally thousands of U.S. and foreign government figures Clinton dealt with during her four-year term. Looked at another way, Clinton met with 54 of the foundations more than 7,000 donors (all publicly posted on its website). And who were they? The one the AP found most concerning was one Muhummad Yunus neglecting to mention (as Washington Monthly did) that the Bangladeshi economist won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2010. A philanthropist himself, Yunus has been a personal friend of Hillary Clintons since the 1980s. Another visitor the AP found notable was Crown Prince Salman of Bahrain, that Persian Gulf allys head of state. Reporters generated the appearance of scandal by trusting a shrill press release from Judicial Watch a secretly funded foundation that exists largely to file lawsuits and make bizarre allegations against the Clintons. But no, the prince never remitted a reported $32 million in what Trump called a pay to play donation to the Clinton Foundation. Hed actually announced a scholarship fund benefitting students in his own country at a 2005 meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative four years before Hillary Clinton became secretary of state. Any reporter who thinks the State Department should have stiffed the guy understands nothing about international affairs. Another shady Clinton visitor was acclaimed author and Holocaust survivor Elie Weisel. Unfortunately, Joe Conason notes with impressive understatement, many Washington reporters seem eager to repeat any accusation brandished against the Clintons, even from a dubious source, without rudimentary checking. But then what would an unscandal be without the New York Times, the fons et origo of bogus Clinton narratives? Reporter Eric Lichtblau went to town on Clinton Foundation aide Doug Bands request for a special diplomatic passport to enter North Korea. Short version: He didnt get one. Longer explanation: Band wanted to accompany the Big Cheese to the worlds craziest communist regime to negotiate the release of two wrongfully-imprisoned American journalists. A mission Bill Clinton accomplished in 2009 to near-universal acclaim. And this is suspicious how? Well, it raised new questions about whether people tied to the Clinton Foundation received special access at the department. And in the peculiar optics of Washington journalism, questions invariably generate shadows. Indeed, an enterprising search by Talking Points Memo found 20 Times-generated shadows looming over Hillarys campaign since last May shades cast by everything from Bill Clintons presidency to Anthony Weiners penis. Questions and shadows, of course, are journalistic shorthand for we cant prove anything, but we dont like her. Indeed, to anybody capable of close reading and critical thinking which excludes too many voters and most TV talking-heads Washington Monthlys Paul Glastris gets it right: Stories on the Clinton Foundation over the last two weeks fit the same basic pattern: the facts dug up by the investigation disprove the apparent thesis of the investigation ... . In virtually every case we know of, its clear that Hillary and her staff behaved appropriately. Politically, however, thats not how it plays on TV, where allegations often morph into verdicts with no intervening stages of proof. For a combination of reasons, Hillary has never dealt well with challenges to her integrity, although youd think shed be getting used to it. Like Al Gores in 2000, her campaign appears flatfooted, its pushback ineffectual and unheard. Theyd better wise up. And soon. The next U.S. president will face the challenge of bringing two parties together following a polarizing election campaign and years of partisan gridlock. It will be no easy task, but small victories are possible to achieve quickly, and our national parks offer a golden opportunity for the next president and Congress to get off on the right foot. The National Park Service just celebrated its 100th birthday last month. Democrats and Republicans alike extolled the virtues of our parks, which are in blue and red states, rural areas and big cities. But despite strong bipartisan public support, the parks are in trouble. They face two major challenges that both parties and the National Park Service itself have failed to address for too long. The first is funding. In 2015, the NPS employed fewer people than it did in 2000, even though Congress created more than two dozen new national parks and monuments during that time and the number of visitors increased by 21 million. The parks also face a $12 billion backlog in repairs. As many visitors can attest, roads and other critical infrastructure are crumbling, trails need maintenance, and facilities are neglected. Some say that Congress must open its purse strings a little wider to address these budget holes. Others say that the new revenue must come from the NPS itself. Both groups are correct. Additional congressional funding is necessary to address the parks basic maintenance needs, but the NPS must also creatively find new and innovative sources of funding. The Interior Department has begun this process by proposing legislation (the Centennial Act) which would establish a matching fund for private donations and provide for modest increases in some fees. Not all revenue ideas will be popular, but all should be on the table, including ensuring that all fees are set at appropriate levels. Such a review should consider asking international tourists to contribute more to our parks, which are taxpayer-financed. A family of four that spends thousands of dollars on a vacation to America pays only $30 dollars ($15 per adult) to visit the Grand Canyon. Theyd pay more to go to a movie theater. The NPS also has a pending proposal to allow for limited within parks and other minor changes with respect to private donations. That is a step in the right direction, but it misses the central problem. Currently, it is very difficult for public-private partnerships to raise money, because bureaucratic rules prevent them from managing projects more efficiently than the government can. I have seen too many prospective donors put their checkbooks away when they learn how much money will be wasted adhering to inflexible rules that guarantee duplication and delay. That leads us to the second major challenge facing the parks: streamlining the bureaucracy to allow public and private dollars to be spent more efficiently and effectively. For instance, unless a capital project is funded exclusively with private donations, parks may not use outside designers and architects even those that offer their services free of charge. Instead, parks must go through the agencys central planning office, costing unnecessary time and money. Park superintendents must be given more authority to form public-private partnerships that have the freedom to operate outside of the usual bureaucratic channels. A bipartisan bill that has languished in Congress, the Park Partner Enhancement Act, would begin to address some of these issues, but broader legislative changes are necessary, including expressly authorizing parks to combine federal and philanthropic funds in public-private partnerships. In addition, parks superintendents should have more flexibility in allocating resources, so they can stretch their dollars further. And the NPS should make it easier to hire temporary and part-time workers who are teachers, veterans, and young people. Each group can play an important role in securing the future of parks, and the parks can open new doors for them, too. Addressing these two main challenges raising revenue and improving efficiency is fully consistent with the National Park Services history and mission. The man who led the campaign 100 years ago to create the NPS and who served as its first director, Stephen Mather, made efficient management a top priority. He also introduced concessions to raise needed funds and worked closely with the railroad and automobile industries to promote access to the parks. In taking the job, Mather reportedly said, I will put the national parks on a business basis. They need it. They still do. Today, the National Park Service must rediscover Mathers entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to innovative management, in order to put the parks on a path to success for the next 100 years. Respectfully, Mr. Roger Paulson, your letter to the editor of the Times-News on Aug. 19 could have gone either way! Your choice left is our former first lady Hillary Clinton, who got her start representing the Black Panthers, crooked dealing in real estate, marrying a man who was content for her to have her dreams as long as it didn't interrupt his lustful interludes. It is entirely nurturing to want the best for your children. Trumps' father helped him out as a youth and then set him up because he had the means to do so. Surely that is something we all aspire to! Trump had some disappointment, but more accomplishment. There is the point to make that he was not unlike a lot of Americans in seeking achievement of his dreams. Now he has forgotten self. Now he has pledged to get America back where we were once proud. This is no small job. This is a big country and it takes a man with extensive experience to keep it all going. He did not have to volunteer to run for president, but he left his comfort zone and stepped forward. He is the choice of the Republican people, the true conservatives! Given the chance, he will do the job. He is a man that does not like to fail! Sue A. Child Rupert After the members of the Syrian High Negotiations Committee (HNC) held a meeting with their supporters in London, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the Vision for Syria plan unveiled by the opposition coalition is realistic, but countries that support Assad must see this too. Ankara has been insisting on the departure of Assad to end the war in Syria and Cavusoglu reiterated that to accept Assad means the continuation of conflict and chaos. HNCs plan calls for a six month temporary truce and humanitarian aid that would lead to an 18-month transitional government body and the end of Assads regime before constitutional reforms and UN-supervised elections take place. The HNC leader Riyad Hijab said if what the Russians and the Americans agree upon is very much different from what the Syrians aspire to, then we shall not accept it. He stressed that there cannot be a solution in Syria unless it is a solution that satisfies the aspirations of the Syrian people. Minister Cavusoglu said the important thing is that these plans can be implemented and that is why we cannot remain stuck upon one person and we must instead discuss Syrias future. Turkey has launched an offensive targeting Kurdish forces and the Islamic State in Syria close to its border. According to Cavusoglu, Ankara intends to extend its operation to Raqqa and Mosul; headquarters of the extremist group in Syria and Iraq respectively. He claimed that mounting such an operation is necessary if we want to cleanse Syria and Iraq of Deash.We have always said that if we do not support local forces on the ground, if there is no land operation, it will not be possible to eliminate or even stop Daesh exclusively from the air. Turkey is not part of the U.S.-led coalition but has been carrying out airstrikes on targets that it considers a threat to its national security. As the country increases its role in the Syrian and Iraqi war, the foreign minister called on other countries to help train and arm local forces. Member of Parliament Ammar Houry rung alarming bells that a cabinet row fueled by the Free Patriotic Movements criminal political activities could lead to another civil war because the partys action in defending Christian rights doesnt happen this way. Sources close to the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) said the boycott of cabinet meetings is due to the failure to reach an agreement on the appointments of military and security officials as well as the mechanisms being used to make decisions at the meetings while the country awaits a president for more than 2 years. Houry explained that the last cabinet meeting was held in the presence of four Maronite ministers but the head of FPM who also doubles as Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil alleged that the government is sidelining the National Pact by holding meetings in the presence of ministers representing only six percent of a main component of the country (Christians). Critics of the party claim that the boycott is aimed at garnering popular support as the stalemate for the presidency continues. The parliament was to elect a president on Wednesday but for the 44th consecutive time, the lawmakers left without accomplishing the task. As it has been the case in the majority of the sessions, the parliament failed to reach a quorum as only 41 of its 128 members were present. The next session is scheduled to be held on September 28 but it is expected to be a formality as the differences between political parties continue. As per the Lebanese National Pact, a Shia Speaker of parliament and Sunni Prime Minister have already taken up their respective posts but political parties are divided over which Christian Maronite to support for the presidency that has been vacant since May 2014 when Michel Suleimans term ended. Municipal elections that were to be held in the West Bank and Gaza early next month have been postponed by a Palestinian Authority Supreme Court decision but it is already being contested. The court that made the ruling is based in Ramallah which is a stronghold of Fatah. The postponement is said to be dictated by the contestations between the two parties over candidate lists and the non-participation of Jerusalem in the planned elections as well the presence of two courts in the fief of each of the parties. It has been almost a decade since Fatah and Hamas challenged each other in elections. The latest parliamentary elections in 2006 were won by Hamas, which boycotted the 2012 municipal elections. Israeli Hareetz newspaper quoted an anonymous Palestinian Authority (PA) legal analyst as acknowledging that its clear that the Palestinian split and the deep rift between Fatah and Hamas is the main cause of the harm to the election process. From the start it would have been difficult to hold the election given this situation and anyone who thought the local elections would help bring about reconciliation was evidently mistaken. The buildup to this years election has been tense as opinion polls hint that calls for President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority to step down are mounting. Palestinians expect the municipal elections would pave the way for the long awaited presidential elections. Earlier on Thursday, a court in Gaza invalidated five electoral lists belonging to Fatah. Some Fatah officials had asked that the vote be canceled, fearing large-scale gains by Hamas in the West Bank. The court ruling was dismissed by the PA legal analyst who said these are courts that are illegitimate and they made an illegitimate decision, and so the PA Supreme Court cannot accept a situation in which there are two separate court systems: one in the state of Gaza Strip and another in the state of the West Bank. The African Union announced Tuesday that it would send a team to settle the political standoff in Gabon that ensued the re-election of incumbent Ali Bongo, reports say. The Central African country slipped into political crisis, marked by riots and unrest following Wednesday release of last week presidential election. Opposition leader Jean Pings supporters were faced up with security forces in the main cities of Libreville and Port-Gentil. They also set fire to parts of the parliament. Jean Ping contests Ali Bongos re-election for another seven-year mandate. He demands re-counts of ballots and accuses Alis regime of violence against protestors. Speaking on Tuesday to French TV France 24, Ping, former African Union Commission chairman, indicated that 50 to 100 people had been killed since last week. The countrys Interior Minister rejects the claims. African Union spokesperson Jacob Enoh Eben told media the AU is sending a delegation to Libreville to ease the tension. It is an urgent matter and I expect the high-level delegation to be dispatched very soon, he said. AUs chairperson, Chadian President Idriss Deby, 26 years in power in his own country, is to head the delegation, reports say. Jean Ping has welcomed the Aus move though he formerly criticised African heads of state s silence on the Gabonese political crisis. We accept all mediation efforts, he said. We want democracy and peace to triumph. Deepening the crisis, Gabons Justice Minister Tuesday resigned from his position and from the ruling party as he also called for vote re-count. European Union election monitoring team in Gabon threw doubts on the election results as it revealed counting abnormalities in Ali Bongos stronghold of Haut-Ogooue where the re-elected president won a landslide victory with 95 per cent of the votes. The mission further noted that the results were not made public and were therefore lacking transparency. France, former colonial power has also called for re-count of the votes and urged Gabonese authorities to locate the whereabouts of 15 French nationals. Around 14,000 French nationals live in Gabon where Paris also operates a military base. The Catholic Church of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has threatened to withdraw from the national dialogue led by Edem Kodjo if the forum attempts to extend Kabilas constitutional mandate, which ends later this year. The National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) cannot continue to participate in this dialogue if the fulfillment of these basic requirements is no longer assured, if they ever begin to negotiate what may look like a disguised mandate, we leave the dialogue, Abbot Donatien Shole, CENCOs delegate at the dialogue said in a statement. The need for a dialogue was called by President Joseph Kabila whose constitutional second term comes to an end in December. A court has ruled that he can stay in power until the next elections are held. The national dialogue began on September 1 under the aegis of a facilitation of the African Union (AU) mediator, former Togolese Prime Minister, Edem Kodjo but according to political observers, it could not prove as effective with major players like Etienne Tshisekedi and Moise Katumbi opting out. The Lucha party also announced pulling out of the dialogue just when it was about to start. The Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon, on Tuesday, urged political groups in the copper-rich nation to join the national dialogue. Ban Ki-moon said he was convinced that only an inclusive political dialogue will pave the way for peaceful and credible elections, in accordance with resolution 2277 of the Security Council (2016.) Court hearing of ministers under former Burkinabe President Blaise Compaore officially began on Tuesday in the west-African nation. Eleven of the former government officials have already responded to the summons made by police at the Paspanga police base near the centre of the capital. In total, thirty-two ministers from the previous government including the former Prime Minister are expected to be heard for their alleged involvement in the 2014 short-lived coup. If convicted, they face charges of murder, injury, assassination attempts, and destruction of others property. Also, eight Compaore-era cabinet members and the transitional government officials are targeted by an investigation into alleged embezzlement of public finances and illicit enrichment. The countrys president last week said there may be criminal charges after an audit found the transitional government had improperly awarded land to government members and their families, and misspent $11 million. The Prime Minister of the transitional government, Yacouba Isaac Zida, and current Prime Minister Paul Kaba Thieba had both requested the audit, the report said. In total, 18 of 52 parcels of land in the upscale neighborhood of Ouaga 2000 were accorded to people close to the transitional government, including one plot that was given to Zida through his foundation, the audit said. Nearly half of the population of Burkina Faso, a producer of gold and cotton, live in poverty, according to the World Bank. We use cookies to improve your experience on our site and to show you personalised advertising. To find out more, read our privacy policy and cookie policy Credit: Florida International University Eleven-year-old Aylani Suazo has not spoken to anyone in school since age 7. Her mother, Aysel, knew there was a problem halfway through the school year when Aylani was in first grade. What seemed like just shyness was affecting her daughter's progress in school. Aylani went completely silent. It was only about a year ago that Aysel realized her daughter suffers from selective mutisman anxiety disorder that causes her to not utter a word in certain public places, like school, although she is otherwise talkative at home. More prevalent in girls than boys, selective mutism is two to three times more likely to affect bilingual children. The disorder can hinder academic achievement and socialization. It can cause a child to become isolated and withdrawn leading to missed birthday parties and less time in the playground. Most elementary schools have at least one child with selective mutism. The condition usually begins by age 5, but it is often mistaken for shyness and goes undiagnosed until it begins to interfere with a child's progress in school. "There are a number of factors that put a child at risk for selective mutism including anxiety in the family history, reinforcing avoidant behavior or allowing the child to escape speaking opportunities and modeling of anxious behavior," said FIU Center for Children and Families psychologist Jami Furr. "It is much less common for a trauma to be the trigger of selective mutism." Psychologist Jami Furr encourages Aylani Suazo to use her brave voice during Wacky Wednesday activities at the FIU Center for Children and Families Brave Bunch Camp. Credit: Florida International University Furr's training and research focuses on anxiety disorders. She decided to specialize in selective mutism after identifying a real need for effective treatment and a lack of available services. For a year, Aylani received therapy to treat her selective mutism in her home state of North Carolina with no success. This past summer, Aylani and her family traveled to South Florida to take part in FIU's Brave Bunch Program for Selective Mutism. "When I realized Aylani's anxiety was affecting her in and out of school, I began looking for local help but could not find people that specialized in selective mutism," Aysel said. "I found information on Brave Bunch online and decided to take the chance." One of only seven programs in the country and the only one in the Southeastern United States, Brave Bunch is a week-long program designed with a camp format for children ages 4 through 10. Directed by Furr, the program teaches coping skills, incorporates activities that encourage verbalization, social interaction and exposure to unfamiliar peers and adults to help children like Aylani find their "brave voice." The camp also incorporates daily two-hour parent training sessions and bi-monthly booster sessions for families after camp is over. "With six-hour days, they have time to process, adjust and practice multiple situations with repeated exposure," Furr told the New York Times. "The idea is to translate gains to a real school setting, where they have the most limited speech." For Aylani, the week she spent at FIU's Brave Bunch camp proved to be transformative. She now orders in restaurants and responds when spoken to. As she gets ready to start the 5th grade, Aylani is already communicating with her teachers and peers. "Brave Bunch has given us both my daughter and I strength and the tools we need to move forward," Aysel said. "I would definitely recommend this program. So far it has changed our lives." Explore further When anxiety silences a child More information: For information about services related to selective mutism and other anxiety disorders, contact FIU's Center for Children and Families at 305-348-0477 or visit ccf.fiu.edu Credit: University of Oxford Scrub typhus, a disease transmitted through 'chiggers' that kills at least 140,000 people a year in the Asia-Pacific region, may now be endemic in a part of South America, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers from Oxford University and the Pontificia Universidad Catolica and Universidad del Desarrollo in Chile confirmed a cluster of cases of the life-threatening tropical disease in a large island off of Chile, more than 12,000 kilometres from its usual range on the other side of the Pacific. Scrub typhus, caused by the bacteria, Orientia tsutsugamushi, is transmitted through the bite of an infective mite, and spreads through the lymphatic fluid and blood, causing fever, rash, and laboratory abnormalities such as elevated levels of C-reactive protein and liver enzymes. 'Scrub typhus is a common disease but a neglected one. Given that it is known to cause approximately a million clinical cases and kills at least 140,000 people each year, this evidence of an even bigger burden of disease in another part of the world highlights the need for more research and attention to it,' said Prof Paul Newton, Director of the LaoOxfordMahosot Hospital Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), which collaborated in the study. Credit: University of Oxford Scrub typhus has been known for years and the bacteria that causes it was first identified in Japan in 1930. It is spread by the larvae of mites commonly called chiggers. Until 2006 it was thought to be limited to an area called the 'tsutsugamushi triangle', which extends from Pakistan in the west to far eastern Russia in the east to northern Australia in the south. 'The cases of scrub typhus, found off of Chile's mainland, expand our understanding of the epidemiology of scrub typhus and suggest that there may be a much wider global distribution than previously understood,' said study author Dr Tom Weitzel, of the Universidad del Desarrollo in Chile. In 2006, two cases were identified outside the scrub typhus triangle. One, in the Middle East, was caused by a previously unrecorded bacteria related to tsutsugamushi and named Orientia Chuto. The second was found on Chiloe, a large island just off the coast of mainland Chile. In January 2015 and then in early 2016, three more cases were discovered by a hospital in Ancud, a town on the northern coast of Chiloe. The hospital was taking part in a study of infections by rickettsia bacteria, similar to the scrub typhus-causing Orientia. Samples from the three patients were initially processed in Chile by the original research team at Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. Once scrub typhus was suspected, samples from the first patient were flown to the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU) in Thailand and to LOMWRU, its Laos Unit in Vientiane. Part of Oxford's Tropical Medicine group, MORU and LOMWRU are in countries where scrub typhus is endemic and leaders in scrub typhus research in South-East Asia. Explore further Three new chigger mite species discovered in Taiwan More information: Thomas Weitzel et al. Endemic Scrub Typhus in South America, New England Journal of Medicine (2016). Journal information: New England Journal of Medicine Thomas Weitzel et al. Endemic Scrub Typhus in South America,(2016). DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1603657 Optical projection tomography of an E10.5 Nipbl+/- mouse embryo shows, on the left, a three-dimensional reconstruction of the embryo with heart highlighted in red; on the right is an optical section through the heart showing an abnormally small right ventricle. Credit: Benedikt Hallgrimsson/University of Calgary Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are a leading cause of birth defect-related deaths. Understanding how genetic alterations cause such defects is complicated by the fact that many of the critical genes are unknown, and those that are known often contribute only small increases in CHD risk. In new research publishing Sept. 8 in the Open Access journal PLOS Biology, University of California, Irvine biologists Anne Calof and Arthur Lander and colleagues report that the role of genes in CHD is more complex than previously realized and that overall risk is determined by a combination of gene effects both inside and outside of the heart itself. Normal heart formation depends on interactions of multiple types of cells that collaborate in precise times and places throughout development to build the heart's intricate structures. To figure out how these interactions can go awry, the Calof-Lander team studied atrial septal defects (ASDs, a common type of heart defect) in a mouse model of the developmental disorder Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS). Most cases of Cornelia de Lange Syndrome are caused by mutations that inactivate a single copy of Nipbl, a gene that directs the expression of many hundreds of other genes in tissues throughout the body. Just as people with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome have a high incidence of heart defects, 30 percent of mice that harbor similar Nipbl mutations exhibit atrial septal defects. Employing genetically modified mouse models, the researchers used a novel technology to selectively introduce or remove Nipbl mutations in different tissues during embryonic development. Unexpectedly, they found that no Nipbl deficiency in any single tissueincluding the tissue that forms the heart itselfcould singlehandedly account for the development of atrial septal defects. Rather, the development of heart defects was determined by interactions between heart-forming tissues and the rest of the body. In fact, Nipbl deficiency in some tissues even seemed to protect against the development of atrial septal defects, in certain situations. In a Primer article that accompanies this research, Bruce Gelb, MD, from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, explains why these were "mind-bending results" and writes that "this work provides novel insights into incomplete penetrance and oligogenic effects underlying CHD." He adds that the novel observations "add further complexity to the way in which we need to think about CHD pathogenesis". "Our results lead us to hypothesize that heart defects such as ASDs occur when the heart does not grow quickly enough to meet the demands of the developing body - in other words, that heart size and body size must be coordinated for the heart to develop without defects," said Calof, professor of anatomy & neurobiology and developmental & cell biology at UCI. "To our knowledge, this is the first genetic demonstration that major risk factors for heart defects are likely to lie outside of the heart itself." "When a single gene change causes a birth defect, we often assume that it's because one thing goes wrong in one cell type. The big difference in our studies may have to do with the fact that Nipbl controls a large number of other genes," said Lander, the Donald Bren Professor of Developmental & Cell Biology and director of UCI's Center for Complex Biological Systems. "Given that most human CHDs are now thought to be caused by gene variants acting in combination, what we learned from Nipbl-deficient mice may actually be more typical of the way most CHDs arise." Explore further Zebrafish study sheds new light on human heart defects A new type of vaccine against grass pollen allergies (BM32) might also offer an effective treatment for combating hepatitis B infection. This is the finding of a study conducted at MedUni Vienna's Institute for Pathophysiology and Allergy Research that has now been published in the leading journal EBioMedicine, with a commentary from international experts. The BM32 vaccine is based on an innovative recombinant peptide-carrier technology, which compared with other immunotherapies for allergy sufferers requires far fewer injections and has fewer side-effects. Recombinant peptide-carrier technology was developed at the Christian Doppler Laboratory for Allergy Research at MedUni Vienna, under the direction of Rudolf Valenta. BM32 was developed jointly with commercial partner Biomay AG. In a Phase IIb study conducted as part of her dissertation at the Institute for Pathophysiology and Allergy Research at MedUni Vienna, Carolin Cornelius discovered that BM32 is also a highly promising treatment option for combating hepatitis B infections. Cornelius: "We were able to show that, in people who had not previously been immunised with a conventional hepatitis B vaccine, vaccination with BM32 achieved an average inhibition of hepatitis B virus infection of 80%. According to the MedUni Vienna researcher, this suggests that the concept of peptide-carrier fusion proteins might also be a potential approach for improving hepatitis B immunisation. Hepatitis B: up to 10% of those vaccinated conventionally do not have effective antibodies Cornelius: "Ongoing investigations should help to produce a comprehensive characterisation of the HBV neutralisation capability of BM32. Apart from having a preventive effect, there might be additional benefits for patients suffering from chronic hepatitis B infection. Background: hepatitis B infection is still one of the most widespread health problems in the world. The virus is detectable in the blood of around 350 million people. However, around 5 to 10% of those who have been vaccinated using a conventional vaccine fail to build up an adequate antibody titer. "One can only assume that these people are not protected against infection." Explore further Researchers report innovative grass pollen allergy vaccine More information: Carolin Cornelius et al. Immunotherapy With the PreS-based Grass Pollen Allergy Vaccine BM32 Induces Antibody Responses Protecting Against Hepatitis B Infection, EBioMedicine (2016). Journal information: EBioMedicine Carolin Cornelius et al. Immunotherapy With the PreS-based Grass Pollen Allergy Vaccine BM32 Induces Antibody Responses Protecting Against Hepatitis B Infection,(2016). DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.07.023 Researchers at the University of Birmingham have found that the majority of over 65s admitted to hospital felt that it was the right choice for their health, while all GPs and hospital doctors who took part in the study said they felt there had been no inappropriate admissions. Of the 104 patients interviewed in three locations across the country, just under 9-percent felt that hospital was not the right place for them. The findings challenge current perceptions of large numbers of older people being inappropriately admitted into hospital. Professor Jon Glasby, from the University of Birmingham explained, 'There is an apparent perception that large numbers of older people are admitted to hospital when they don't really need the services provided there. We found that this wasn't the case with the older people in our study. A key difference with our research is that we engaged directly with older people who had personal experience of emergency hospital admissions, as well as with local practitioners. This gave us a much more rounded, and accurate, perspective.' The study, funded by the NIHR Research for Patient Benefit Programme, found that some older people delayed seeking help or went to significant lengths to avoid hospital unless it was absolutely necessary, which the researchers found could present a risk to the patient's health. Credit: University of Birmingham Professor Glasby added, 'There is an urgent need to halt the current tide of negative perception towards older people and hospital admissions. There is a danger with this perception that people who need to go to hospital don't go, or delay going in, and that adds a significant risk factor. Our health services, and indeed our headline writers, need to take note of this study.' No previous studies undertaken in the UK or internationally have engaged older people as a part of collecting data on admissions, despite recognition that older service users have the experience and expertise to help make improvements for the future. Professor Glasby said: 'Given the importance of user involvement and co-production in other areas of health and social care, this is a shocking finding. 'Although health and social care practitioners bring professional and technical expertise, it is only older people and their families who have experience of declining health, trying to seek help, exploring alternatives and the crisis that leads to admission. No one else, how well trained or qualified, can possibly have this same overview and expertise, which makes older people's input absolutely essential.' The Birmingham researchers have produced a set of recommendations ('ten top tips') from the study (based on insights from older people themselves), which will be sent to all hospital Trusts in England. These seek to help improve services for older people and influence current policy, and are jointly badged with a series of national health and social care bodies (Age UK, the Social Care Institute for Excellence, the NHS Confederation and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services). Explore further Patient knowledge is critical for solving hospital bed crisis Credit: Bill Kuffrey/public domain Being positive, marrying and getting a degree are each significantly associated with a lower chance of dying, a new study says Christopher Jacobi, of the University of Oxford, studied survey responses and medical records of 28,662 people in the U.K. to find out whether their chance of dying was associated with their mental health. Mr Jacobi told the British Sociological Association's Medical Sociology conference in Birmingham today [Thursday 8 September] that people with high positive mental health were less likely to die than average, though a longer follow-up period would be needed to see the long-term effects. Those in the top sixth group of scores for positive mental health experienced a relative risk of dying that was 18% lower in the four years after the survey, he found. Mr Jacobi, of Nuffield College, said that the strength of this effect was similar to the effect of having a degree or being married. In his research, he analysed people with similar physical health, income and other life characteristics to exclude the effects of these and isolate those of mental health, marriage and education. Other factors, such as religious belief and income, did not have a statistically significant role. Factors linked to a greater chance of dying were, as expected, being older and having physical health problems. "The results indicate that better positive mental health seems to have a somewhat protective effect against mortality," Mr Jacobi told the conference. "In research literature the most frequently stated ways in which positive mental health is likely to affect mortality are via direct physiological responses such as lowered blood pressure, capacity to cope with stress, less drinking and smoking, an active lifestyle, and better sleep quality. "Likewise, people with high positive mental health might not be affected as severely by potentially negative symptomatic and physiological effects of life events like divorce or unemployment." The interviewees' mental health was evaluated by scoring them for how optimistic they were about the future, how useful and relaxed they were, how close they felt to other people and how decisive they felt. Explore further Forcing unemployed to do voluntary work unlikely to improve their mental health, research says Spanish Jamon Ham to Be Produced in Georgia The Partnership Fund and a local Georgian company, Native Georgian, have signed a memorandum of mutual understanding. Under the memorandum, the production of Jamon, a world famous brand, will start in Georgia.Jamon is a pork made of a special breed of Spanish black pig. This product is made only in Spain and Portugal and is recognized worldwide.Under the memorandum, Native Georgian will create a pig farm jointly with local farmers in Kakheti and Racha. The output of the farms will be 9 000 pigs a year. The company plans to grow 1,200 best-bred pigs for 6 years. The company also plans to commercialize Georgia-produced pork on international markets.This is one of the worlds most renowned meat product manufacturers. In the 1920s, the company launched the production of delicious pork from Spanish black pigs which were on the verge of extinction. In this way, the company created one of the most in-demand and popular products in the world. Spanish businessmen have visited Georgia several times. They have visited all regions of the country and examined local breeds of pigs at a laboratory level. It is worth noting that Georgian domestic breeds of pigs identical to Spanish genotypes were found in the country. The project implementation makes us happier, because it works in various regions and develops them. The project will create additional job places, revive regional economies and increase revenues for our population. Successful implementation of the mentioned project will develop the Georgia cattle-breeding field and take meat products manufacturing onto European level. All these efforts will lead us to economic recovery, the Partnership Funds executive director, David Saganelidze, said.A group of Spanish businessmen recently founded Native Georgian, and they also own the Deraza Iberico company in Spain, which is recognized as one of the worlds major meat products manufacturers.Spanish businessmen led by Deraza Iberico founder Rejino Diaz Del Riosa, visited Georgia with specific investments proposals in May 2016. They are interested in finding Georgian pig breeds and making investments in pork production. By involving David Saganelidze, the company representatives visited regions of Georgia, met local farmers and conducted scientific research works on Georgian pig breeds.The visit of the Deraza Iberico delegation to Georgia was planned at a business meeting in Spain during a visit of Partnership Fund members. The Partnership Funds executive director David Saganelidze and the Investment Department director Giorgi Cherkezishvili met with the Deraza Iberico founder and received information on the production process. At the meeting, Deraza Iberico representatives expressed interest in visiting Georgia and making investments in our country, the Partnership Fund representatives noted. The News in Brief August 31 marked as Georgian Peacekeeper`s Day August 31 has been declared Georgian Peacekeeper`s Day. With regard to this day, Defence Minister Levan Izoria and Chief of the GS Major-General Vakhtang Kapanadze laid a wreath on the Memorial of the Heroes who died fighting for the territorial integrity of Georgia and while performing peacekeeping operations. Deputy Ministers Lela Chikovani, Zaal Kapanadze and Giorgi Butkhuzi as well as Deputy Chief of the GS Giorgi Surmava, paid tribute to the memory of the fallen soldiers. Georgian Peacekeeper`s Day was established by the decision of Defence Minister Levan Izoria. 17 years ago today the first Georgian Peacekeeping Platoon was deployed to Kosovo to perform a peace support mission there. Today we are celebrating Georgian Peacekeeper`s Day for the first time. Our military has been faithfully engaged in different international missions for 17 years led under the aegis of EU and NATO. I have just arrived from Afghanistan where I witnessed their professionalism and their international recognition. Each person in Georgia should know that they are fulfilling a very significant mission. It is the demonstration of the great trust in them and recognition of their professionalism. I am both happy and proud about this fact like any Georgian citizen, stated Minister Levan Izoria. Today, the Minister will also meet Georgian military peacekeepers who performed the first mission in Kosovo: We are marking this day together with our partners. We have invited the platoon that carried out the first peacekeeping mission in Kosovo 17 years ago to meet with us. First of all I would like to thank all of them and all the military personnel who participated in this important mission. The Georgian Armed Forces have been participating in the international missions led under the auspices of EU and NATO since 1999. At this moment, the Georgian military contingent is involved in peace support operation as part of the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. One Georgian officer is also engaged in the EU military-training mission in Mali. (mod.gov.ge) 2006 mass deportation: Georgia helps its citizens get compensation from Russia Georgias Justice Ministry has sent detailed information to the Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) about more than 1,700 Georgian nationals who were among the mass deportation of thousands of Georgians from Russia in 2006. Today a high official from Georgias Justice Ministry said the identities and documents that proved the deportation of 1,775 Georgian citizens 10 years ago had been sent to the ECHR to help the compensation process advance. The Ministrys announcement referred to an incident in 2006 when the mass deportation of thousands of Georgian citizens from Russia took place following Russia-Georgia espionage controversy. In 2014 the ECHR ruled these actions by Russia were unlawful and demanded Russia to pay compensation to the affected Georgian families. The mass deportation was preceded by the arrest of four Russian officers on charges of espionage by the previous government of Georgia in September 2006. In revenge, later in 2006 large numbers of Georgian nationals were mistreated in Russia. Within this mistreatment several thousand ethnic Georgians were unlawfully arrested in Russia and expelled, which the Georgian side assessed as a "mild form of ethnic cleansing. In 2007, Georgias previous government filed a complaint to the ECHR in the name of 4,634 Georgians who were victims of the 2006 mass deportation. At that time Georgia only sent documents relating to 118 victims to Strasbourg. The trial lasted for several years and in the meantime a new government formed in Georgia. The new Government intensified work for the ECHR so it could make a decision in favour of Georgia, not only for the initial 118 citizens but in all 4,634 cases. On July 3, 2014 the ECHR announced its long-awaited verdict in favour of all 4,634 Georgian citizens and said Russia and Georgia now needed to reach an agreement on compensation. To make the compensation possible Georgia needed to collect and send all information about the victims to Strasbourg. Today Georgias Justice Ministry said it took "immense efforts and "colossal work to find the victims of the incident that took place 10 years ago. After finding the citizens, the Ministry collected documents that proved their deportation and sent them to the European Court. The Ministry said it would be much easier and "logical if the previous government had done that work when they filed the initial complaint to the ECHR in 2007 shortly after the incident happened. The Justice Ministry also said it was ready to further cooperate with the European Court and provide any additional information or documentation needed for the affected Georgian citizen was to receive compensation from Russia. (agenda.ge) Georgian prisoner escapes by feigning illness It could have been a scene from a Hollywood movie, the moment when a prisoner escaped from Rustavi City Court on Wednesday. According to reports, the escapee was in the waiting room for defendants when he said he was feeling sick. An ambulance was called, but when the emergency crew arrived, he escaped while he was being tended to by medical personnel. The Ministry of Corrections confirmed the truth of the amazing escape in a short statement. The statement is accompanied by a photo of the escapee and a request that anyone who has information about this man should contact the ministry. In February, 2015, a prisoner escaped from a court building in Gurjaani, but was caught a few days later in Batumi, a city in the southwest of Georgia not far from the Turkish border. (dfwatch.net) Kendall Hauer with a fragment of the Canyon Diablo meteorite; Three Storms at the Art Museum and Sculpture Park; Steve Gordon with McGuffey's eight-sided desk; and a gallery at the Hefner Museum of Natural History. Six museums educate students and others about art, history, artifacts By Margo Kissell, university news and communications Want to see some cool meteorites? How about an eight-sided, revolving table where William Holmes McGuffey is thought to have designed lessons for his McGuffeys Eclectic Reader series? Perhaps you feel like strolling through a gallery admiring art or standing face-to-face with a Kodiak bear. You can do all of that, plus more, at Miami Universitys six museums. Five of them, inside traditional bricks-and-mortar buildings, are free and open to the public. The sixth is the department of anthropologys new virtual museum featuring a small but growing number of scanned three-dimensional artifacts that have long been part of the teaching collections. All six museums focus on educating Miami students as well as other visitors, including hundreds of K-12 students who explore them each year. Where else can you go and have that number of museums within walking distance, free of charge? said Steve Gordon (Miami 75, MA 81), administrator of the McGuffey Museum. Dining room, McGuffey Museum The museum began in the 1930s and moved in 1960 to the William Holmes McGuffey House, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966. Built in 1833, the two-story house is the second oldest building on Miamis Oxford campus. McGuffey, the universitys first librarian, was a Miami faculty member in 1836 when he compiled the first edition of the McGuffey Eclectic Reader. More than 100 million copies in the series were eventually printed, according to Gordon, who has enjoyed leading tours through the 401 E. Spring St. museum for the last 10 years. We get that whole spectrum of visitors, from parents of prospective students, tourists, alumni, staff and, obviously, students, he said of the museum, which offers a variety of collections related to McGuffey, his famous Readers and the history of Miami. Sarah Loomis ('16) photographs an object for the Anthropology 3-D Museum. Online visitors to this museum can journey back in time way back to ancient times from their computer keyboards. The museum showcases images of some of Miamis collection of more than 10,000 artifacts from around the world, including pottery, sculptures, tools and jewelry. Visitors can currently browse 14 downloadable 3-D models of artifacts, including ceramics from Chupicuaro, West Mexico, dating back to 300 B.C. We chose them because they are very visually interesting, said Sarah Loomis (Miami 16), who graduated with degrees in anthropology and English and is now pursuing a doctorate in archaeology at Harvard University. She was instrumental in building the Miami museums first gallery last year. At the museums core is an emphasis on teaching, said Mark Peterson, chair and professor of anthropology and professor of international studies who served as Loomis project adviser with Jeb Card, visiting assistant professor of anthropology. We dont have the space or the money to have a physical museum nor would it be in our interest to try to run one. It would take away from our teaching mission, Peterson said. At the same time, for archaeologists, these physical objects are an important part of the teaching. For Loomis, her experience working with ancient Chupicuaro ceramics for the virtual museum compelled her to focus on this area of study in graduate school and helped her obtain a new job as assistant to a Harvard professor who does 3-D scanning of archaeological artifacts. Students study a drawing at the art museum (photo courtesy of the museum). Five galleries of exhibitions (three new ones per semester) and a growing permanent collection of more than 17,000 works of art make up this museum. Completed in 1978 and accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1984, the museum is one of only three college/university museums accredited in Ohio and was the first university museum in the state to be accredited by the organization. It helps donors know that works that are given are going to be cared for in an appropriate manner. Part of it is to ensure that we have access for current students but also for future generations, said Robert Wicks, director of the museum and professor of art history. Staff at the 801 S. Patterson Ave. museum work with faculty and students, as well as the larger arts community, to provide engaging experiences. The museum has drawn up to 15,000 visitors annually, many of whom are school-age children. Many Miami students connect with the museum in several ways: Some have internships or jobs there; others have classes that hold some sessions there; and still others have their original works displayed during the annual juried Student Response Exhibition, which has a predetermined theme. Its essentially getting students to think a little bit differently about artistic problems and also to have the opportunity to exhibit in a real museum, an experience they wouldnt otherwise get, Wicks said. Steve Sullivan talks with museum volunteer Erin Dodd, junior biology major. New director Steve Sullivan, who started this summer, had worked as senior curator of Urban Ecology for the Chicago Academy of Sciences and its Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. He wants to increase student involvement at the museum, which has more than 53,000 specimens. Its collections, specimens and interactive programs teach visitors of all ages about animal biodiversity, conservation and ecology. A museum is a place where you can come in and you can ask the questions youve always wondered and youve never been able to find those answers, he said. We can give you the answers to those questions, but even more importantly, we can grab a specimen and put it in your hands and you can feel the answers, maybe be inspired to ask more questions. The museum, in Upham Hall, was established more than 60 years ago by Robert Hefner, then chair of the department of zoology, who wanted to display the departments many specimens and artifacts. It soon became an integral part of many college courses and a field trip destination for schoolchildren. These days, more than 5,000 visit annually, with the vast majority being schoolchildren. More than 1,500 Miami undergraduate students also come in contact with it. Erin Dodd, a junior biology major, is entering her second year as a museum volunteer. She has learned how to handle specimens, identify bones and write display signs. I think its impressive to have a museum this nice on campus, she said. Sullivan said he looks forward to developing relationships with professors and students to turn class projects into museum exhibits, including virtual and travelling exhibits that give students and Miami exposure beyond campus. The new OmniGlobe in the Limper Geology Museum Part of this museum will reopen later this semester in a more visible space on the first floor of the newly renovated Shideler Hall. The museum was located in the lower level from 1967 until the renovation began two years ago. Director Kendall Hauer (Miami Ph.D. 95) said the museum will open in two phases. A smaller room will be open by Thursday, Oct. 13, when a Shideler Hall ribbon-cutting is held. The rest of the museum will be ready by the start of spring semester in late January. The geology museum is home to a new 48-inch diameter OmniGlobe digital spherical display. It's up and running, and students are encouraged to use the interactive touch screen to explore the many maps and animations that it can show, Hauer said. The new white display cases will be filled with hundreds of specimens, such as fossils, rocks, minerals and meteorites including a small chunk of the Chelyabinsk meteorite that was filmed entering Earths atmosphere over Russia on Feb. 15, 2013. There are plenty of other things to see, including a rare, intact 13-and-a-half-inch trilobite discovered in Adams County. Thats just one example of the world famous southwest Ohio fossils that Hauer calls the heart and soul of the museum. The fossils are marine invertebrates that inhabited the shallow sea covering this area about 450 million years ago. As a result of that sea being here, we ended up with a tremendous amount of fossils in our local bedrock, he said. Debbie Baker in Patterson Place with a 19th century dresser used in Peabody Hall The two-story brick house on Miamis Western campus has been a museum since shortly after Miami acquired the Western College campus in 1974. The former home of the presidents of Western College became the office of the Western College Alumnae Association and the Patterson Place Museum. The seven-room house at 325 S. Patterson Ave. includes paintings, furniture and other memorabilia that are part of Western College history and were in Peabody Hall and other residence halls and buildings on campus. Debbie Baker, senior program assistant for the association, said that in eight years 2024 the association will be dissolved as a separate organization and Western alumnae will be supported as a group by the Miami Alumni Association. The Western College Alumnae Association trustees voted in 2010 to permanently close them on the 50th anniversary of the final graduating class (1974). Our board refers to it as a grand celebration and an organized ending, she said, noting they have begun relocating some memorabilia to other locations where they will be enjoyed for many years to come. One of our most prized possessions was the Harriet Beecher Stowe desk, which our trustees in the spring decided to transfer to the McGuffey Museum, she said. The desk had been donated to Western about 1862 by the family of Gabriel Tichenor, one of the early Western trustees who had once been a neighbor of Beecher Stowes. A Community Newsblog written by Community Members Middletown's a big place, with a lot going on. We need your help to keep your neighbors informed. Come write or just give us a tip on your news, sports, arts, politics or events at - middletowneye@gmail.com Help us to make the Middletown Eye the third eye people open every morning! On Saturday, Five Valleys Audubon will travel to the Ninepipe Reservoir and surrounding area in the Mission Valley to observe migrating birds. Meet at 7:50 a.m. in the northwest corner of University of Montanas Adams Center parking lot. Bring a lunch for this all-day trip. The group's first meeting of the fall, scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Monday, will be on the topic of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Gary Swant will share his photos of these special areas and birds in Room L14 in the Gallagher Business Building on the UM campus. He will describe Ecuadors unique birding opportunities, including birding for the rufous-bellied seedsnipe and the Andean condor at 17,000 feet. Dan Casey, Northern Great Plains Joint Venture coordinator for Ducks Unlimited, is scheduled to be the featured speaker at Flathead Audubons meeting Monday. Caseys program, "Montana Birds and Birders in the 21st Century Theres an App for That," will focus on eBird, an automated interactive data base launched by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology and National Audubon in 2002. Flathead Audubon is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. in the United Way Conference Room of the Gateway Community Center, off U.S. Highway 2 West in Kalispell. Casey will provide a summary of the latest and greatest in Montana bird conservation, including an update from his new position in eastern Montana, and a full demonstration of what eBird has to offer. This will include showing how by entering their own checklists into eBird, users can have a lasting influence on habitat conservation efforts in the Flathead and elsewhere. Missoulian Staff Archery hunting is in full swing now with the opening of deer and elk last Saturday. Thousands of archery hunters young and old took to the field over the long Labor Day weekend. A couple of those hunters were 16-year-old Zach Kinzler and his dad, Travis, from Bozeman. They headed east to hunt in the Larb Hills in Phillips County. Their destination this year, as it was last year, was the hunting camp of Burke Ranch Outfitters. I had a chance to meet Zach and his dad last year as I was also hunting with Burke Ranch Outfitters. Zach is just like most kids in Montana when it comes to hunting he could hardly wait for opening day to arrive. Zachs hunting story is one of both preparation and luck. The preparation consisted of shooting arrows at a target for days before opening day. The luck was created by Zach while he was in hunting camp last year. After a couple of days of hunting with Kelly Burke and his dad, Zach told me he was getting a little discouraged because they were seeing a lot of elk but when they planned their stalk, something always went haywire, as it normally does for archery hunters, like the wind shifting at the last minute. On his last day, while they were headed out for their evening hunt, Kelly said, Theres a rabbit! So Zach knocked an arrow with a blunt tip, pulled back and hit his release. He made a good shot at about 20 yards. Kelly gave him a high five and then he proceeded to clean it. Zach then asked Kelly if he could keep the rabbit's foot for good luck. Of course, said Kelly. So Kelly then cut off the rabbits foot and put it in a plastic bag and he placed it in Zachs hunting pack. About an hour later they spotted some elk about two miles away. Since it was Zachs last day of hunting they decided it was now or never, so they began walking toward the elk. It was midafternoon and the first part of September, so they felt they had plenty of light to make a stalk. Part of the stalk consisted of belly-crawling over 800 yards over the open prairie. After the crawl they were shielded by a hill, and sunset was near, so they jogged and then ran into position. As they peeked around and over a rock on the top of the knob, they could see that the elk were 45 yards away, and Kelly instructed Zach to knock an arrow. Zach slowly scooted forward on his knees drew back and focused his sights on the bull, which was 45 yards away. It was just like he had practiced hours before with the guys at camp, shooting from his knees at 45 yards. The arrow flew smoothly through the air with nothing in its path. As it struck the bull elk, the bull turned and ran. Zach had just stuck the lead bull of 200 elk. It was a 6x6 350-plus bull Zachs first elk and his dad, Travis, was by his side. Fast forward to 2016 and last Sunday. Zach got his bull elk at 1:30 in the afternoon with a 20-yard shot, not quite the monster he stuck in 2015, but a bull elk nonetheless, and just like last year, his dad was by his side and Kelly Burke was the guide. Oh, and one more thing was the same! The lucky rabbit foot was also in his hunting pack. You may view Zachs two bull elk on montanaoutdoor.com. Montanas prisons and jails are over capacity. What changes in statute and/or funding at the state level if any - do you think are necessary? If no changes, why not? The jail and prison population crisis can be partially attributed to the large number of inmates with mental health problems which is part of a larger issue of mental health in Montana. The fix will certainly not be quick or easy, but in the last legislative session we took great strides in dealing with the issue of mental health in Montana. We need to continue to move the pendulum to preventive rather than acute care in mental health care. Working with those in need at a community level will keep vulnerable Montanans at home, at work, and out of trouble. Has the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission adequately guided the states hunting and fishing concerns, or does the Legislature need to give the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks more specific direction regarding topics such as land acquisition, wildlife management, predator control, and bison? As a general rule, I am opposed to legislatively micro-managing FWP. I am a believer that their decision-making process with wildlife management, etc., should be grounded in science, rather than political promises and favors. However, there are certain areas where the Legislature has to be involved, as in land acquisitions. Even though many properties are purchased with license fees, etc., the future maintenance and upkeep of those properties will fall to the taxpayers of Montana. The Legislature must answer to the general public for those budget decisions, and therefore, must have a hand in the decisions to purchase more land. Many Montanans depend on the extraction of fossil fuels for jobs, yet there is a strong demand for clean and renewable energy in the region, especially since prices for the latter are falling. How do you propose to help workers in the coal, oil and natural gas industries find jobs in this new economic landscape? Currently there is a stronger demand in the region for low-cost and efficient energy sources and the high-paying jobs created by that industry. There is no doubt the new landscape for energy will include renewables, however, we cannot abandon our current infrastructure until those renewables are sufficient enough to carry the demand, and efficient enough to keep costs at a reasonable level. Renewables alone can do neither currently. I will continue to work hard to maintain those jobs currently in place with the coal, oil, and gas industries, all the while helping transition our economy and jobs toward renewables. According to Montana University System records, as recently as 1992, the stated funded 76 percent of the university system. Now, though, state support has fallen to 40 percent, which means tuition funds 60 percent of the system putting higher education out of reach for some Montana families. Do you as a legislator have a responsibility to help and if so, how? If not, why not? In the last session, I opposed the construction of building more unneeded institutional care facilities, and opposed items like the introduction of state-funded pre-kindergarten for this very reason. We can predict more shortfalls in funding our most basic services, like the universities, if we continue with an administration and its passion to grow state government. We have an obligation as taxpayers to fund public education in Montana and I will continue to work towards funding basic needs over the extravagant desires of growing government. What do you regard as the most urgent problem facing Montana, and how do you propose dealing with it? Our health and human services budget in Montana has climbed to over 40 percent of the total Montana budget. It is a problem that has not even risen to a level of recognition yet, and I believe it is a tsunami that is coming that will complicate our states economy. Those with mental health, developmental disabilities and Alzheimer's/dementia are the states most vulnerable population with needs that will have to be met. The Legislature has made huge steps in the last session and will be proposing more changes for the upcoming legislative session. Montana's prisons and jails are over capacity. What changes in statute and/or funding at the state level if any do you think are necessary? If no changes, why not? Abolishing mandatory minimum sentencing for nonviolent offenders and focusing more on education and rehabilitation programs in prison are both part of the solution to improving the status of our overcrowded prisons/jails. Strengthening re-entry programs such as those provided by Partners for Reintegration and Missoula Interfaith Collaborative will help reduce recidivism. There is a serious need for mental health and substance abuse help within the prison/jail system to help detainees reduce their chances of ending up back in the system when they get out. Has the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission adequately guided the states hunting and fishing concerns, or does the Legislature need to give the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks more specific direction regarding topics such as land acquisition, wildlife management, predator control, and bison? Our wildlife are public assets and everyone has the right to enjoy what they bring to our state. FWP serves a role for the citizens and public to have input in the decision-making process of implementing policy. The Fish and Wildlife Commission is appointed by the governor and approved by the Legislature. I do not think the Legislature should be allowed to overturn key decisions made by the commission. Many Montanans depend on the extraction of fossil fuels for jobs, yet there is a strong demand for clean and renewable energy in the region, especially since prices for the latter are falling. How do you propose to help workers in the coal, oil and natural gas industries find jobs in this new economic landscape? There have been many displaced workers in Montana due to changes in the logging industry as well as changes in the energy industry. I believe education is one answer to this challenge. We need to maintain training programs for workers who are changing careers. Creating diversity in our economy will help cities and towns that are dependent on a single industry. According to Montana University System records, as recently as 1992, the stated funded 76 percent of the university system. Now, though, state support has fallen to 40 percent, which means tuition funds 60 percent of the system putting higher education out of reach for some Montana families. Do you as a legislator have a responsibility to help and if so, how? If not, why not? Yes, I believe we have a responsibility to make higher education more affordable for all Montanans. As a recent graduate from Bitterroot College and a current enrollee at University of Montana, I believe education is vital to advancement in todays economy. Tuition costs have continued to rise while programs at universities have been reduced. It is important for the Legislature to find a way to better fund Montanans higher education system. Small colleges like Bitterroot College ae providing important core classes as well as valuable trades training. Unfortunately, despite their importance, our colleges and universities continue to struggle with funding. What do you regard as the most urgent problem facing Montana, and how do you propose dealing with it? In my opinion the first thing we need to work on is our states infrastructure. In the last Legislature, a bill to fund state infrastructure passed the Senate by a 47-3 vote. Then it moved to the House where it had majority support. Unfortunately, it failed to gain the required two-thirds support, in large part because of "no" votes by my opponent and other Bitterroot legislators. The states infrastructure is important for both the well-being of our states citizens and our states economy. The water projects this bill could have funded would have helped keep water sources safe. The attorney for Markus Kaarma, the Missoula man convicted of shooting and killing a German exchange student in 2014, said he expects the Montana Supreme Court to rule on a request for a new trial in the first few months of next year. In December 2014, a jury found Kaarma guilty of killing 17-year-old Diren Dede, who was shot after entering Kaarmas Grant Creek garage in April 2014, apparently looking to steal alcohol. In February 2015, Kaarma was sentenced to 70 years in prison, and wont be eligible for parole for 20 years. His attorney Nate Holloway filed an appeal in December seeking a new trial. Markus Kaarma was entitled to a fair trial, to fully and fairly present his occupied structure defense, unbiased jurors, and the exclusion of inadmissible evidence of which he was afforded none, Holloway wrote in a court brief last week. That brief is likely the last document attorneys on either side will file in the case, although the Montana Supreme Court could request oral arguments before ruling. *** Among the claims in Kaarmas appeal are that Missoula County District Court Judge Ed McLean gave unfair instructions to the jury on the use of force for self defense and did not ask them to consider burglary as a forcible felony. Holloway said Kaarma was defending his household and shouldnt have had to also prove he was defending himself against an attack. Under the law regarding the defense of an occupied structure, deadly force is allowed if the occupant is subject to bodily harm or believes they are in danger of harm, or to prevent a forcible felony. The statute regarding self defense only allows the response to be proportional to the harm or threat. The prosecution brief, written by Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Krauss, said Kaarma had implied he had shot into the garage to protect himself, not just his home. The truth though is that Kaarma was at home with his partner and infant son when an unknown intruder sparked an inherently dangerous circumstance by burglarizing Kaarmas pitch-black attached garage, Holloway wrote in his reply. He also said the denial of multiple requests to move the Kaarma trial, made following intense media coverage, should have been granted. Krauss, the states prosecutor, rejected the claim that news stories biased the jury pool against Kaarma, saying it was not substantially different from other high-profile cases that were held in Missoula. While lynch-mobs are a relic of the past, the media coverage of this case demonstrated that mentality, Holloway wrote in reply. As he did in his initial appeal, Holloway also argued that the court should have removed a prospective juror who was related to a former law enforcement officer and said she was more likely to believe the polices version of events than Kaarmas. The fact that a defendant stands accused of a crime is plainly not, in itself, a justification for characterizing the accused a liar, Holloway wrote. He also said two pieces of testimony should not have been allowed at the trial: testimony about a 2012 assault conviction for Kaarma's partner Janelle Pflager, and testimony about blood spatter from Missoula police detective Guy Baker. Holloway said Baker, who was not listed as an expert witness, recreated what he believed happened in the garage by talking about the pattern and shape of blood spatters. Because Baker wasn't listed as an expert witness, the defense team did not hire a rebuttal witness for his testimony. State prosecutors said Baker was simply testifying based on his experience as a police officer, not as an expert. Richard Raugust is officially a free man. The Sanders County Attorneys Office has dismissed its 1997 deliberate homicide case against him after a judge overturned Raugusts life sentence conviction last year. "I'm finally back as a free member of society," Raugust, 50, said Thursday at a news conference at the Montana Innocence Project, which took up his case in 2009. Raugust was convicted in 1998 of the Trout Creek death of his friend Joe Tash. In November 2015, after the Montana Innocence Project filed an appeal citing new evidence, District Court Judge James Wheelis overturned the conviction, freeing Raugust from prison and granting him a new trial. In late August the state, which had initially appealed Wheelis' decision, dropped the motion, an early indication of Wednesday's move by the county attorney's office to dismiss the case entirely. Missoula attorney Brett Schandelson, who worked pro bono with the Montana Innocence Project and who represented Raugust in his request for a new trial, said Raugust is the first, but will be not the last, client of the organization to be exonerated. The Montana Innocence Project found new evidence related to Raugusts case, including testimony that wasnt presented to the jury, and made that one of the claims they used to successfully petition for his conviction to be overturned. That evidence is why Richard is standing here today, Schandelson said. In July 1997 Tash's body was found inside a camp trailer near Trout Creek. He'd been shot in the head with a shotgun. Raugust, Tash and a man named Rory Ross had been drinking at the Naughty Pine Saloon the previous evening until bar time. Since being charged, Raugust has remained committed to his status as an innocent man, saying he'd stayed in town at another house so he could get to work in the morning while his best friend Tash and Ross returned to the camper to continue to party. During the trial in 1998, Ross said he never dropped Raugust off at the house, and that he saw the shooting happen. Spencer Veysey, an investigator who worked at the Montana Innocence Project until his death in 2015, found a conflicting viewpoint from Sanders County deputy Wayne Abbey, who said he saw the brake lights of Ross car go on at the intersection where Raugust said he was let out, and saw the interior dome light turn on. This information was suppressed by the prosecution and never presented to the defense team or told to the jury at the trial. During an evidentiary hearing on Raugusts petition for a new trial in December 2014, Ross refused to testify, agreeing with a question from the judge that he was worried he would say something incriminating. According to Judge Wheelis ruling from last year, Ross had made statements to other people that he was the one who killed Tash. Sanders County Attorney Robert Zimmerman did not return a request for comment on whether his office would pursue a homicide charge against Ross. In addition, two jurors from the trial later told the Montana Innocence Project they felt pressured to change their not-guilty votes after the trial judge asked for them to reach a unanimous conclusion, saying the state could not afford the cost of re-trying Raugusts case. Raugust said Thursday that now the case is fully behind him, he is ready to move forward with his life. Ill try to get my writing career off the ground, he said. In the spring, Raugust published a book of poetry he wrote during his more than 18 years in prison, entitled Fishers of Trout and Men: Protectors of the Realm. He said he also intends to continue working with the Montana Innocence Project, helping to screen potential cases and helping them generate more awareness for their work. A $38 million project that is expected to catalyze the transformation of the downtown area and ease some of the enormous pressure on Missoula's entire housing inventory has received the green light from city officials. A group of local developers have announced that they are hosting a groundbreaking ceremony Friday morning for a six-story, 488-bed student housing complex on East Front Street near Kiwanis Park. The project, which is expected to be completed in late spring 2018, will include two stories of parking and 6,200 square feet of commercial retail space for yet-to-be determined businesses. On Wednesday, the Missoula Redevelopment Agency's Board of Directors approved spending up to $3.2 million of Tax Increment Financing to purchase one entire floor of parking 150 spaces. The goal, according to city officials, is to use a public/private partnership to address the Downtown Master Plan's stated goals of both increased housing density and parking. The TIF money will eventually be paid back by $300,000 in annual property taxes that the project will generate for the citys coffers. The project, which includes $28 million of construction costs, could generate as much as $320,000 a year in property taxes. Basically what weve said to (the developers) is we will buy a floor of parking from you on Front Street for (the cost of construction) or $3.2 million, whichever is less, MRA executive director Ellen Buchanan told the board. We went back and forth on this, and finally a light bulb went off at MRA. Why dont we just buy a floor of parking? Buchanan said that there is a dire need for more parking in the downtown area, and the MRA and the Parking Commission didnt have enough money to build the nearby Park Place structure any larger. Someday we would like to get parking off the riverfront and turn it into something more than just storage for cars, and this is the first step in getting that done, she said. The developers, led by Farran Realty Partners of Missoula, have already started tearing down the old buildings at the site of the former First Interstate Bank drive-thru on the corner of East Front and Clay Street. Jim McLeod and Pat Corrick of Farran were at the meeting and told the board that the project will provide University of Montana and Missoula College students with secure, convenient housing near the two campuses. Were excited about what it does for the entire community because it frees up housing, McLeod said. Theres a lot of housing in Missoula that is currently taken up by university students that can now be fit in for workforce housing or converted back into primary residential. This project has a huge impact not just for the university, not just for downtown businesses, but for the entire community of Missoula. Although enrollment at the University of Montana has declined the past few years, there are still more than 11,000 students in town who need a place to live. Housing experts in Missoula all agree that a lack of inventory and a steadily increasing population is driving up real estate prices, decreasing affordability and frustrating would-be buyers. MRA assistant director Chris Behan said the project has been vetted by more than one national expert who looked at it in terms of how it would fit in with both the university and the entire community. Parking is going to be the key to opening the door to quality development and increased density in that district, Behan said. Parking also increases the customer base for retail businesses. And partnership with private entities is the key to creating parking. He noted that many downtown businesses are eager for increased customer traffic, as they have hung on with basically the same customer base since the 1970s. He added that the $3.2 million for 150 spaces translates into about $21,000 per spot, which is similar to how much it cost to build the Park Place structure. Some of the spaces would be leased, and up to 50 would be classified as short-term for people just going to shop downtown. The bottom floor of parking would be owned by the developers, but they are planning on aggressively encouraging most of the students to not own cars and instead take advantage of bicycles, Uber (a ride-hailing app), free Mountain Line buses and short walking distances to school. Dan Kemmis, a former mayor of Missoula and a board member, expressed concern about how the increased traffic in the area would affect the residential character of the neighborhood. He also noted that with the addition of a five-story hotel that will eventually replace the Missoula Mercantile building, there might not be enough places to park. Missoula Parking Commissioner Rod Austin said his agency is well-prepared to handle increased parking pressures. Austin said that any city that experiences economic development has to face challenges like parking, and Missoula is no different. Anything you do to change the status quo will impact parking in the area, he said. Missoula is on the cusp of really starting to explode and not just on Front Street. Board member Karl Englund reiterated his support for approving the TIF funding, saying it was a high quality project that addresses a market need by developers who have proven track record of success in Missoula. He also thought that parking shouldn't be something people fret over. There are places all over the world where people are living without a dedicated parking space right out front, and somehow they manage to prosper, he said. The Oregon model is to hell with parking, people should get out of their damn car and I dont know why we dont give a little bit of a nod to that. I think a lot can be done to preserve the residential character of that piece that is left. The groundbreaking ceremony will be at 10 a.m. Friday. Refreshments will be served and Mayor John Engen will speak. The integrity of elections is upheld by transparency, scrutiny and security. In recent weeks, one of these pillars has been under attack, as noted in national headlines. The Missoula County Elections Office takes the security of our elections and these recent events seriously. There are many protective measures in place at a statewide and county level to protect voter information and the election process. The Elections Office depends on computers to manage voter information on a daily basis. Through the Montana Secretary of States Office and the Missoula County Technology Department, there are many security layers in place to ensure voter information is safe and secure. For instance, the secretary of states voter registration system issues a secure access point to all users and activity is tracked carefully by the state. The statewide voter registration system follows the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) security guidelines. At a local level, Missoula County follows the Center for Internet Security (CIS) top 20 critical security controls. The county also requires unique logins and passwords for every user. Passwords have a minimum complexity requirement and change on a regular basis. In addition to maintaining the latest security patches from software companies, the technology department also employs the use of an advanced next-generation firewall and monitoring system to protect the network from outside intrusion, and to catch possible infiltration if it does occur. Lastly, all county employees must undergo regular cyber security awareness training. These are just a few of the many established protections that help build a defensible wall against malicious attacks. Pew Charitable Trusts ranks the state of Montana 12th in the nation for election processes and procedures. Part of this ranking is based on Montanas election security and auditing process. Montana requires a paper ballot system, as the paper ballot is a record to the tabulated results. The voting equipment Missoula County owns is certified by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission and approved by the secretary of state. At no point in time is our voting equipment ever wired or connected to the internet. This means it is impossible for our equipment to be hacked. Prior to an election, all of the machines used on Election Day are rigorously tested by Missoula County election judges representing all political parties. Following a federal election, our office is mandated to conduct a post-election audit, where election judges hand-count precincts assigned by the Secretary of States Office to ensure the hand counted results reflect the tabulated results. Election results are certified only after the post-election audit is conducted and after the canvass board has reviewed all of the results. In addition, Missoula County Technology provides a security surveillance camera system for all phases of the elections process. We take the responsibility of ensuring fair and accurate elections seriously. We proactively protect Missoula County voters and the voting process on which we all rely. Were always happy to answer questions about our processes and are grateful for additional local oversight provided the countys Elections Advisory Committee. To hear advocates tell it, not only will Syrian refugees fit right in, bringing a much-needed dash of diversity to our insular little town, but they will be better educated, will work harder, and are more kind and generous than we natives. Perhaps. But that would fly in the face of data and experience. According to the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement, 91 percent of recent Middle Eastern refugees end up on food stamps, and 68 percent avail themselves of cash welfare programs. Then there is the matter of cultural conflict. A Pew Charitable Foundation research poll finds that majorities or large pluralities of Muslims worldwide support many of same goals as Jihadi terrorists. Pew couldnt poll Syria, due to the war, but their results for neighboring Jordan are eye-opening. In Jordan, 71 percent of Muslims favor Sharia as the supreme law of the land. Of those supporting Sharia, 58 percent say it should apply to non-Muslims; 57 percent support amputation as punishment for theft; 67 percent support stoning as punishment for adultery. Eighty two percent favor the execution of people who convert from Islam to other religions. Our vaunted vetting process doesnt bar entry to people who hold these beliefs. In fact, it doesnt even ask about them. The Missoula City Council is so exquisitely attuned to hatred and bigotry among those of us expressing concerns about refugee resettlement that it feels the need to pass a resolution condemning it. Yet, according to Pew, a majority of the refugees the council wishes to resettle in Missoula have no problem with burying a woman up to her breasts, then having a group of men throw rocks at her head until her flesh is stripped away and she dies of shock, blood loss or blunt force trauma. Humanity doesnt get much more hateful than that. Michael A. Bennett, Missoula It is a pleasure for us to endorse and support Adam Hertz for Montana House District 96. Adam Hertz did an excellent job representing us on the city council, where he established a solid record of fighting for fiscal responsibility, voting against tax increases, and being both accountable and transparent. He was both respected by and respectful of those across the aisle. Hertz will be able to work with other representatives of both parties. As president of Habitat for Humanity and a real estate professional, he understands land use regulation and will fight for affordable housing and lower taxes. As an avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman he will fight to retain access to public lands. Adam Hertz will work hard to lower taxes for working families, small businesses and property owners. He deserves your vote on Election Day. Linda and Marsha Frey, Missoula I agree with a quote of a recent writer who said, Im baffled at the willful ignorance of Americans today (letter to the editor, Aug. 31). His letter reflects an example of one being their own worst enemy as the unsubstantiated and fearful rants toward the other side make stuff up about reality. And of course in doing so he left out all the presidential, congressional, judicial and world activity between Ronald Reagan and now. The writer suggests maybe Donald Trump can stop the rot in America. I am sorry he feels, as our nation moves from side to side on issues and policies that evolve, it is rotting. Unlike him I think our nation is flexible enough that no one person elected to office can seal the fate of our nation but then again, Trump is a first contender. In him I see the selfish bully who rather than be concerned with the welfare of others only takes what he can. His childlike bellowing without refined details as to how he would act and repudiation of his own previously stated ideas shows me an unstable pattern that makes me believe he represents the worst of what leadership can bring. His election, in my opinion, would be hurtful to our growth as a nation. Hillary Clinton is a politician and a lawyer, maybe not the best combination as history shows, but with a brain and ability strong enough to insure our path moves forward, not backward. Reality is reality, the worst of two evils for our nation is to elect Trump. Rich Bell, Polson With elections right around the corner, it might be wise to remember the past attempts by Republicans in the Montana legislature to cut funding to Planned Parenthood. We now have proof that when Republicans defund Planned Parenthood, women die. An under-publicized report in "Obstetrics and Gynecology" found that the already high maternal mortality rate in Texas doubled after Texas slashed funding to Planned Parenthood in 2011. The state of Texas now has the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world. One candidate for governor, Republican Greg Gianforte, when specifically asked if he would cut funding to Planned Parenthood, said, "I haven't put any specific proposals out." The translation from weasel speak is, "I will if I'm elected, but I don't want to admit it now." It is often said that elections have consequences. In this election those consequences may be deadly. Richard Buley, Missoula HELENA A Great Falls woman who talked to authorities on her cellphone after reporting she had been abducted and put in the trunk of her car north of Helena was found dead Wednesday in Spokane. Rita Maze, 47, told authorities a man had kidnapped her at a rest stop on Interstate 15 near Wolf Creek around 11 a.m. Tuesday after striking her on the head and forcing her into the trunk, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton said. Maze spoke with her husband and Helena police by cellphone before she died later that night, Dutton said. Her body was found in the trunk of her car around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. The cause of her death has not yet been released, but Dutton called it an "apparent homicide." Nobody has been taken into custody in connection with the case. Authorities are planning to release a photograph of a person of interest, Dutton said. Maze's husband reported her as missing Tuesday night. Authorities believe she was driving back to Great Falls after visiting relatives in Helena. Her black Pontiac Grand Prix was found by a license-plate reader in Post Falls, Idaho. Helena police told Spokane authorities she might be in the area, and investigators used her cellphone to trace her to the vehicle near Spokane International Airport. Dutton said he was unsure whether this was a random attack. "It's too early to tell," he said. "We would suspect now it's thought to be random." Dutton said Spokane officials would complete a search warrant on the car Wednesday. Local investigators closed off the rest area near Wolf Creek suspected of being the place where Maze was abducted, and another rest stop just north of that one on Wednesday morning. The FBI is serving as lead in the investigation alongside local and Spokane County officials. An FBI spokesperson confirmed the agency's role in the case but did not release any further information Wednesday afternoon. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the Maze family at gofundme.com/wu3fw5rg. About 100 guardsmen from the 191st Military Police Company also will be on standby alert, said Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann. This unit, which is based in Bismarck, Mayville and Fargo, has some law enforcement experience. Dohrmann said he is in discussions with tribal leaders to find a peaceful resolution to the protests. He said he believes there is a group of "agitators" at the site, some of whom have been asked to leave. A Whitefish man who threatened to kill law enforcement officers by "pumping as much lead at them as I can" is being held on $500,000 bail for felony intimidation pending a September 22 hearing in Flathead County District Court. Dale Hanson was convicted in 1995 of sexual assault and deviate sexual conduct, and he 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, and he refused to register as a sexual offender. Hanson's refusal to register triggered a warrant for his arrest, and he was detained last month and then charged with felony intimidation. The intimidation charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of as much as $50,000. In an affidavit, deputy county attorney Travis Ahner said Hanson threatened in a letter to the U.S. Marshal's Service in Missoula to inflict physical harm on court officers and other justice authorities. "The letter begins by stating that Hanson is 'writing this to inform forewarn you that there are going to be a bunch of dead people if your agency does not intervene on my behalf!!" said the affidavit. "The letter goes on to state that the author is Dale Hanson and that he has been fighting the 'Nazi bastards of Flathead County, Montana' for 22 years for crimes he asserts he did not commit. "Hanson states that he 'will start killing people to get public attention.' " In his letter, Hanson refers to justice employees in Flathead County as "thugs and thieves," and he lists 18 people as responsible including judges, attorneys, and other current and former staff, as well as his girlfriend and her son, according to the court document. "Towards the end of his letter, Hanson states, 'I will have my revenge!' " the affidavit stated. In another letter, Hanson again made threats against authorities and alleged Flathead County operated a "kangaroo court," the court document said. " 'When they send their Nazi bootjack death squad after me, it will be to execute me,' " stated the affidavit, citing Hanson. " 'All I need is to see them and I'll be pumping as much lead at them as I can before they kill me, and I will make them kill me! I'll take as many of them with me as I can.' " In June, Hanson lost his petition for post-conviction relief related to the sexual assault case at the Montana Supreme Court. The Montana Innocence Project had represented Hanson, and legal director Larry Mansch earlier said the organization believed in Hanson's innocence, but it had no other legal avenues to pursue. BUTTE After facing a grizzly bear on his first bow hunt for elk, 12-year-old Hunter Edens says he didnt know if the bear was going to play the Im going to kill you card. When Hunter and his father, Dan, met with the bear on a private ranch off Gibbonsville Road 10 miles west of Wisdom, Dan was fearful for his son, a seventh grader at Stevensville Middle School. Having only seen two black bears in the 25 years he's been hunting, Dan didn't think to bring either his pistol or bear spray on this hunt. The Stevensville pair had been out in the woods for about an hour and decided to take a break. Hunter tried out his brand new elk call and it brought an elk cow right to them. We made a nice shot. It went across the meadow and we let the elk lay down and do its thing. We started trailing the blood. Then we spotted something moving, Dan said Wednesday. Hunter saw the grizzly out of the corner of his eye. They thought it was a wolf. Dan used his binoculars and realized what it was just as Hunter said, "Dad, it's a grizzly." With silvery gray shoulders, the bear was about 150 yards from the two hunters. Dan described the bear as very large and beautiful. Dan and Hunter watched the wild animal for a minute or two. It was a cool thing to see, Dan said. But the two hunters were standing in the elk's blood trail. We got back into the willows. He did see us and ran over to where we were standing," Dan said. It came right for us," Hunter said. The two ran through the willows. By now the bear was only 70 yards away. Neither Dan nor Hunter knew what the grizzly was going to do. It was an eerie feeling, Dan said. Hunter called the experience nerve-wracking. "The bear stood up. I started yelling at the bear, making loud noises, Dan said. The bear got down on all fours and headed into the willows in the direction of the downed elk. Hunter and Dan ran for a fence and disturbed a few cattle to distract the bear in case it changed its mind and came back for them. When they got to Dans truck, he called his wife who called authorities. Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Beaverhead County Sheriffs department arrived. Dan wanted to go back out into the woods to collect his elk. But FWP game warden Regan Dean convinced Dan not to go back out there. I told him dont worry about that elk, you can find another one, Dean said. He wouldnt want that meat after the grizzly had been crawling around on it. Because Dan did not tag his elk, he did not lose his elk hunting tag. He would have lost it if he had tagged the elk before the bear arrived, Dean said. Undaunted by the bear experience, Dan and Hunter plan to head back out to look for another elk to hunt this coming weekend. But they will go to a different hunting spot for now. Educated in wilderness camp and having been a hunter since the age of 5, Hunter talked about the moment with the bear like it was something that had happened at school, Dan said. Copyright 2022 HT Digital Streams Ltd All Right Reserved In January 2016, I attended Tate Britains Artist and Empire: Facing Britains Imperial Past, a disappointing exhibition that in spite of its title did not face Britains past in any meaningful way. On the contrary, as I argued in my review, it shied away from this bloody history in favour of quasi-glorification, non-committal wording and vague descriptions that resulted in an exhibition sorely lacking any critical analysis of the realities of colonialism and imperial rule. A few days after I visited this exhibition, the results of a survey concerning the UK publics attitude towards the British Empire were announced. This survey found that 44 percent of the public were proud of their countrys colonial past and 43 percent believed that the British Empire was a good thing. A similar survey in 2014 discovered that a staggering 59 percent of the public believed that the Empire was something to be proud of and that 34 percent would like it if Britain still had one; a paltry 19 percent saw it as something to be ashamed of. With these statistics in mind, I began to think about how Britains violent past, as well as its present, is portrayed in other museums and cultural institutions around the country and how these depictions may have contributed to the public holding such ill-informed ideas about Britains history of imperialism. Aware that I had not visited the Imperial War Museum since a school trip there almost two decades ago, I decided to visit its main site in South London in order to discover how it depicts the violence of Britain and the British Empire. The IWM, as the museum is now known, re-opened in 2014 after an extensive 40m refurbishment funded by amongst others Lord Ashcroft, Sir David Barclay (owner of the Daily Telegraph), Lord Rothermere (owner of the Daily Mail) and Evgeny Lebedev (owner of the Evening Standard and the Independent). Spotting the names of this assortment of Conservative Party donors and media mogul billionaires listed prominently as funders of the museum did not serve to increase my expectations of how it would portray Britains role in the world. What I discovered upon my visit in April 2016 was a confusing mixture of typical at times blatant state-friendly propaganda in the museums permanent galleries, and something very different and unexpected in its temporary exhibition space. Imperial War Museum, London, April 2015. Photo by Louis Allday. A striking aspect of the IWM, particularly so given its name, is the glaring lack of references to British Imperial warfare it contains. Aside from a few cursory references to conflicts related to the end of Empire and the transition towards the Commonwealth, the British Empire is conspicuously absent from much of the museum. A notable exception to this tendency appears in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery, an eponymously named permanent exhibit on the museums top floor that was funded by a 5m donation from the Tory peer. The gallery houses Ashcrofts personal collection of Victoria Crosses, Britains highest military honour that is awarded for gallantry in the face of the enemy. As I made my way around the gallery, I noticed almost immediately that many of the medals were from the same two year period: 1857-58. It was in these two years that Britain crushed what was perhaps the greatest anti-colonial military rebellion in history, one conducted against the rule of the East India Company in India. Unfortunately, the descriptions of the extraordinary heroes who participated in brutally quelling this rebellion consist of entirely unapologetic celebrations of their supposed heroics, the mens respective body counts of rebel Indian soldiers are tacitly celebrated and their aggressive bravery is praised. The tone of the captions is regrettably similar to that of the Boys Own-style comics with which the gallery is oddly decorated. Usmirenie vozstaniia v Indii. V.V. Vereshchagina [Supression of Rebellion in India, Vasily Vereshchagin], Slavic and East European Collections, New York Public Library Digital Collections. Other medals contained in the gallery include one that was awarded to Lieutenant Robert Rogers for his actions at the Battle of Taku Forts in 1860. The caption for the medal provides no explanation or context regarding this battles exact location or its historical significance. From my own research, I discovered that it occurred in the North-East of China and was the last major engagement of the Second Opium War (1856-1860). The fact that Rogers bravery took place during an especially sordid war of aggression that was waged not only to enforce Britains sale of opium produced in India upon a beleaguered Chinese population against the wishes of the Chinese Government, but also to force the country open to British merchants and to make foreign importers exempt from internal transit dues, is left entirely unmentioned. During the First Opium War (1839-1842), Britains actions in China were described by Thomas Arnold as so wicked as to be a national sin of the greatest possible magnitude; the renowned educator and historian believed that in all of history, no war had been undertaken with such combined injustice and baseness.1 Yet in the Ashcroft Gallery, the Opium Wars only significance is to serve as the unacknowledged backdrop to the ostensibly heroic violence of a British military officer. British troops storm the Taku Forts, China, in 1860, in Second Opium War, 1860. Another medal contained in the gallery is one received by Lieutenant Augustus Agar for his role in a daring raid on a Russian cruiser near Kronstadt harbour in Russia in 1919. Once again, no historical context of the incident is provided in the caption. It is left unsaid that Agar was in fact fighting as part of a reactionary multi-national force (including the USA, France, Japan, Italy and Czechoslovakia) that had been sent to Russia in order to try and crush the Bolshevik Revolution. Another medal relates to the actions of Lieutenant-Colonel John McNeill in New Zealand in 1864, as a part of Britains brutal campaign of territorial expansion and suppression of the indigenous Maori population that is now referred to as the New Zealand Wars (1845-1872). In sum, the entire gallery openly and shamelessly celebrates Britains imperial violence and provides little or no historical context to it. The British Empires repressive, reactionary and frequently vicious role in the world is thus completely obscured. This celebratory stance is perfectly encapsulated in one of several large captions dotted around the exhibition that glorify the supposedly ideal characteristics of bravery and leadership; the caption is titled Aggression and reads as follows: Strike now while the irons hot. Use maximum force. For these people, killing is a means to an end. Its hot courage, adrenalin driven in the heat of the battle. If you dont get them theyll get you. Unfortunately, the Ashcroft Gallery is not unique on the contrary, although other exhibits in the museum provide more historical context, their portrayal of more recent conflicts is equally distorted. Perhaps the most chilling object on display in the entire museum is one of five shell casings that were constructed for Little Boy, the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima by the US Air Force on 6 August 1945. This item lent to the museum by the US Government forms part of an area of the museum that is dedicated to the history of nuclear weapons and the Cold War. The opening text of this area, entitled Shadow of the Bomb, is typical of much of what is wrong with the IWM and is so staggeringly misleading that it is worth analysing in detail. Tellingly, when this text describes the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it uses the passive voice, so that the two cities are described as simply having been destroyed by two atomic bombs; no perpetrator is identified at all. In fact, if a reader were somehow unaware that it was the USA that had actually destroyed these two Japanese cities, as a child might be for instance, it would not be clear from the IWMs choice of wording exactly who was responsible. The text goes on to state that [a]t first America and Britain saw this [the atomic bomb] as just a powerful weapon. But by 1949 a now hostile Soviet Union had its own bomb. The world faced the prospect of all-out nuclear war. The sub-text is obvious, in spite of the fact that the US military had already used nuclear weapons in 1945 and in so doing had slaughtered hundreds of thousands of Japanese civilians, the USA and Britain possessing them was seemingly not the problem; it was only in 1949 when the Soviet Union gained its own nuclear capability that the threat truly began and the atomic bomb was elevated from being just another weapon to the invention that made the prospect of global nuclear annihilation a reality. Bizarrely, the text then completely ignores the annihilation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki mentioned just two paragraphs earlier, and states If they [nuclear weapons] were ever used, the consequences could be devastating, as if the world had not already witnessed exactly how devastating the consequences were. Of course, the fact that there was no military need to drop the bombs, and a desire to demonstrate their awesome destructive power to the world especially the Soviet Union was actually a significant factor behind the USAs decision to use them at that juncture, is predictably left unsaid.2 The museum also contains other, more blatant, revisionist falsehoods related to this period, including the contention that the US had introduced democracy in the South of Korea after the Second World War and that the subsequent Korean War was a political war: communism v. democracy. The curators appear to have forgotten that free elections were not held in South Korea until many decades after the war, and that until 1960 the country was ruled by Syngman Rhee, an authoritarian, anti-Communist strongman who had been virtually handpicked by the US for the role. Mushroom cloud above Nagasaki after atomic bombing on August 9, 1945. Photo by Charles Levy from one of the B-29 Superfortresses used in the attack. National Archives. In a manner reminiscent of how the Artist and Empire exhibition portrayed violence committed by and against the British Empire in very different ways, it is revealing to compare how violence committed by and against the USA is described at the IWM. The museum has an area dedicated to the September 11 attacks that contains a steel window frame that was taken from the north tower of the World Trade Centre in New York. The text that appears next to this display is highly emotive in tone and replete with adjectives. The burnt and twisted metal of the window frame is said to graphically express the sickening violence that destroyed the buildings and the devastating nature of the attacks are stressed; it is explained that the violence of the assault and the vulnerability of ordinary people going about their lives shocked the world. This remarkably plaintive description stands in marked contrast to the matter-of-fact tone in which the nuclear devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is described: Fuelled by enriched uranium, the bomb resulted in a massive nuclear explosion that destroyed 90 percent of the city and killed 70,000 people. Three days later, a second plutonium fuelled bomb known as Fat Man was dropped on Nagasaki. A further 39,000 Japanese died. By virtually any measure imaginable, the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was significantly more shocking, unprecedented and bloody than the September 11 attacks, the respective death tolls of the two (c. 3,000 to c. 250,000 in total) are an indication of the scale of this disparity. This begs the question: why is only the more recent event denounced and depicted in such affecting terms? Battered religious figures stand watch on a hill above a tattered valley, Nagasaki, Japan, September 24, 1945, 6 weeks after the city was destroyed by the worlds second atomic bomb attack. Photo by Cpl. Lynn P. Walker, Jr. (Marine Corps). National Archives. Similarly, the US/UK invasion of Iraq in 2003 aptly described by Harold Pinter in 2005 as an act of blatant state terrorism, demonstrating absolute contempt for the concept of international law also receives remarkably light treatment at the IWM. The closest it comes to criticism is when the text below an anti-war poster depicting Tony Blair states millions of people across the world did not believe the American reasons for invading Iraq in 2003. They felt the action was wrong. However, no further context is given and the more prominent introductory text to the section states that the official aims of the 2003 war were to destroy any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, break Saddams links with global terrorism and to free the Iraqi people; the fact that these aims were all untrue is simply not commented upon. The broader context of the war, i.e. the UNs genocidal sanctions regime, which was imposed upon Iraq for over a decade before the invasion and the countrys enormous oil supplies, is also absent. Generally, the portrayal of both Britain and the USA throughout the museums permanent galleries reflects the ruling class consensus of these two states being responsible, well-intentioned global powers. For instance, Britain is said to have sent its military to Northern Ireland merely to help the police keep order and British soldiers are presented as innocent bystanders simply trying to keep the peace and strike a balance between the two fiercely divided communities. An area of the museum that discusses Britains role in the post Second World War era does acknowledge that it was determined to remain a world power, with a global empire and international responsibilities. However, the main blurb for the post-1945 section of the museum ignores this and instead offers the following ahistorical platitude as its solitary explanation for the worlds conflicts since the Second World War: The world is a violent place. Arguments about who people are, what they believe and how they should run their lives quickly spill over into direct confrontations. Within individual communities, friends and neighbours can become enemies. The resulting hatred often leads to bitter fighting, destruction and death. The concrete reasons behind conflicts since the Second World War namely the imperialistic impulse for the control of resources and territory and the intimately connected need to enforce the US-led capitalist system globally are thus buried behind a trite facade of arguments between individuals and a notion that the world is somehow inherently violent without identifiable causes. This apolitical and frequently misleading tone is demonstrated perfectly by the museums text regarding NATOs war against Serbia in 1999. This description makes no mention at all of the broader context and political motivations behind NATOs dismemberment of Yugoslavia, and instead explains the hostility between Kosovars and Serbs simply by reference to the Battle of Kosovo Polje in 1389 and the presumably primordial ethnic hatred that has existed between the two groups ever since. When NATO is briefly mentioned, it is presented as an altruistic saviour that created an area of safety for the people of Kosovo against Serbian aggression with no further details given. Unsurprisingly, the prominent role that Britains Special Forces and intelligence services played in arming and financing the Kosovo Liberation Army, an al-Qaeda linked terrorist organisation, is not discussed. In an area of the museum that details the development of MI5 (Britains internal intelligence service) a number of pamphlets, photographs and newspapers are displayed together in a large glass cabinet. These items ostensibly represent the various threats which Britain faced after the First World War that served to justify MI5s domestic espionage activities. As such, the cabinet contains the incongruous combination of photographs of Adolf Hitler and issues of the British Union of Fascists newspaper, Blackshirt, alongside a copy of the Communist Manifesto and leftist pamphlets with slogans including Londons millions against Londons millionaires. The message behind the curatorial decision to include these pamphlets immediately side by side is unambiguous; Nazism/Fascism and Communism are directly comparable and both were internal threats from which MI5 had to protect the British public. The display is a crude physical manifestation of the so-called Horseshoe Theory: the argument that the far-right and far-left, rather than being on opposite ends of the political spectrum, actually closely resemble one another (like the ends of a horseshoe). This dishonest conflation of two fundamentally different ideologies has been prominent in both US and UK political discourse of late, with numerous commentators directly conflating Jeremy Corbyn and Donald Trump, and explaining the popularity of both in identical terms. For good measure, the display case also contains items related to Sinn Fein and Irish Nationalism, thus tainting that cause by direct association with Nazism too. Unfortunately, this exhibits benign representation of MI5 and its tacit demonization of Communism and the Irish Nationalist cause are not unique. On the contrary, this attitude is representative of the tone of much of the content of the museums permanent galleries. C Squadron (Rhodesian) SAS in 1953, in Malaya, 1953 A section of the museum entitled Secret Soldiers that follows the MI5 display, unashamedly venerates Britains elite special forces unit, the Special Air Service (SAS), for its skill and determination in confront[ing] communist guerrillas in the so-called Malayan Emergency (1948-1960). This heroic picture hides a different reality: that Britains supposed anti-insurgency operation in Malaya was in fact a brutal war of mass murder, aerial bombardment (including the use of chemical weapons), torture and collective punishment, which was waged ruthlessly against the local population in order to ensure British companies maintained ownership and control of the regions natural resources, notably its rubber and tin. This shameful episode, though far from unique, is described in grim detail by the historian Mark Curtis in this piece, in which he quotes a British conscript who served in Malaya recalling that when we had an officer . . . out with us on patrol I realised that he was only interested in one thing: killing as many people as possible. The role of the SAS in Oman is similarly white-washed by the exhibits text, which describes the forces interventions in the Jabal al-Akhdar revolt in the 1950s and in the later Dhufar Revolution. According to the text, in 1970, the SAS helped to defend Dhufar against Yemeni-backed rebels and used its tried and trusted hearts and minds policy to win over the local population and defeat the rebels. According to Professor Abdel Razzaq Takriti, author of Monsoon Revolution: Republicans, Sultans, and Empires in Oman, 1965-1976, the notion that the SAS won over the local population in this manner is pure propaganda which ignores that the strategy it utilised was premised on augmenting and enhancing internal social divisions and fostering what amounted to an internal civil war within Dhufar. Takriti also comments that by reducing the Dhufari revolutionaries to Yemeni-backed rebels, the IWM text totally obscures the popular character of the revolution; the reader is not told that Dhufar was actually being defended against its own people on behalf of a pro-British monarchical regime that was becoming increasingly absolutist in character. Takriti concludes that ultimately the role of the SAS as a fundamentally colonial force is completely ignored by the text. On the day of my visit, the museums main galleries were crowded with families and I found myself depressed at the thought of the thousands of school children who visit the museum every year being exposed to such an inaccurate and manipulative depiction of Britains recent past. After all, ideas instilled in a persons mind at such a young age often become so deeply engrained as to become conceptualized merely as common sense as opposed to a specific and self-serving set of ideas propagated by the ruling class. Notwithstanding this depressing thought, on the museums third floor, I found something that served to complicate my impression of the institution as a whole and provided a small but welcome relief from the barrage of propaganda that I had faced elsewhere in the museum. At the time of my visit, the IWM was hosting a retrospective of the artist Peter Kennard entitled Unofficial War Artist. The exhibition which ran from May 2015 until May 2016 contained a wide selection of Kennards work dating from the 1960s to the present day. Ironically, Kennards retrospective confronted many of the themes that are so noticeably absent from the museums permanent galleries. Indeed, as Kennard told me in his North London studio in July 2016, the opening piece of his show, Decoration, was chosen by him as a direct riposte to the medals so uncritically displayed by the IWM in the Ashcroft Gallery. Details from Decoration by Peter Kennard (2003/4). Peter Kennard The six large paintings that form Decoration were created by Kennard between 2003 and 2004 as a direct response to the US/UK invasion of Iraq. Created through a combination of digital printing and oil painting, they show ripped and frayed flags and ribbons of British and American medals, with each medallion replaced with a different image. These images include a charred body amidst burnt out ruins, the bandaged faces of war victims, a military helmet with kill notches marked on it and in what is an obvious and potent reference to the US militarys sickening abuses at Abu Ghraib prison a hooded head and naked torso. Alongside numerous works produced by Kennard over the last five decades, including many powerful pieces that he made for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament during the 1970s and 1980s, his IWM retrospective also contained a newly-created installation named Boardroom. According to the exhibitions press release, Boardroom delivers a disturbing message about inequality, wealth disparity and skewed priorities in the twenty-first century as basic human compassion is routinely overshadowed by corporate interests and the rivalries of richer nations. The installation, more didactic and text-based than some of Kennards other work, makes very effective use of images and statistics. The statistics chosen by the artist not only juxtapose the enormous disparity in death tolls of various conflicts, but also make explicit the connections between hunger, inequality and war the nexus of capitalism and imperialism. It is interesting to note that the death toll of the bombing of Hiroshima used by Kennard (140,000 quoting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum) is double the unreferenced 70,000 figure given in the IWMs permanent exhibition. Detail from Boardroom by Peter Kennard (2015). Peter Kennard While reading these statistics, I overheard a middle-aged woman say to her friend this is the best thing in the building, a sentiment with which I agreed vocally. This positive reaction was heartening, but I could not help but notice that, on my visit at least, Kennards exhibition was sparsely attended in comparison to the museums other galleries. Regardless, Kennards work being displayed in an institution as prominent as the IWM undoubtedly opens it out to a broader audience, something which can only be positive. For Kennard, although conscious he does not want his work to become an establishment thing, the chance to display his work to such a large audience was an opportunity not to be missed. To do so in a museum, as opposed to in an art gallery, and therefore reach a different, non-art audience was also of particular appeal to Kennard, particularly as what he described as the insidious self-censorship of curators over the years has limited the number of galleries and institutions where he has been able to display his work. Kennard has also faced more overt censorship during his career, notably regarding one of his most widely known works, Photo Op, a 2005 photo-montage collaboration with Cat Phillips that depicts a manically grinning Tony Blair taking a photo of himself against a backdrop of a blazing oilfield. In 2013, IWM North, the museums branch in Manchester, chose Photo Op to illustrate a poster campaign for an exhibition about modern art and war. However, the advertising firms JCDecaux and CBS Outdoor, which between them control around 50-70% of outdoor advertising in the UK and the majority of sites in Manchester, refused to show the posters and IWM North was forced to entirely remove the image from its marketing plan. Photo Op by KennardPhillips (2005). KennardPhillips Kennard believes that being in a position to host his work so prominently is something that the IWMs Art Department has worked on for some time and would not have been possible a number of years ago. It appears that the presence of Kennards work in the museum is testament to Richard Slocombe, its Senior Curator of Art, and other members of this department who clearly envisage a role for the museum beyond merely projecting a sanitised, inaccurate narrative of Britains role in war. The inclusion of voices such as Kennards, undoubtedly overdue, provides an important contrast to the tone of the museums permanent exhibitions. However, Kennards work as the product of a single artist may wrongly be dismissed by some as simply art, or the partisan opinions of one man. By contrast, the texts in the permanent exhibitions will be taken by many as historical facts: ostensibly neutral, incontrovertible and authoritative. Another crucial difference of course is that Kennards exhibition was only temporary, whereas the permanent galleries are just that, and as a result will be seen by and will directly influence infinitely more of the public. More broadly, there is also a danger that the IWM could point to its hosting of Kennard as a means to deflect and ultimately shut down legitimate criticism of the museums contents as a whole. Winston Churchill As Prime Minister 1940-1945. Photo by War Office Official Photographer Captain W.T. Horton. IWM After I left Kennards retrospective, I walked out past the museums gift shop where, amongst numerous posters reflecting the ongoing and widespread nostalgia in Britain for an idealised 1940s, I saw one that depicted Winston Churchill a man who while serving in Sudan shot at least five men3 whom he described as simple-minded savages4 holding a Thompson submachine gun. Indeed, the IWMs online gift shop actually has an entire section devoted to Churchill-related paraphernalia. This deep-rooted veneration, not to mention monetisation, of Churchill, callous racist that he was, speaks to the heart of the problem in this country. It is a damning indictment of the UK that Churchill remains widely cherished and in 2002 was even voted the greatest Briton of all time. As I walked out of the museum, past the enormous naval guns that sit in front of its main entrance, it struck me that until it is completely unthinkable for Churchills image to be marketed in this way, Britain will not have sufficiently come to terms with the reality of the British Empire and the role that great men like Churchill played in the racist violence that was inherent to it. There is no doubt that a large and respected institution such as the IWM could play an important role in fostering this much needed shift in public consciousness. Although its inclusion of artists like Kennard is commendable, it is the museums larger permanent galleries that could have much more of an impact and are in such dire need of change; until this happens, the IWM will remain a part of the problem. To many living in contemporary Britain, the word propaganda immediately brings to mind the past, typically Nazi Germany or Soviet Russia. This narrow understanding of the word obscures the reality that propaganda in manifold forms remains all around us today, inside our museums and national institutions, within our educational curriculums, in our deceitful media and in corporate imagery that, in the words of Kennard, has slid off the billboards into every crack and crevice of public space.5 Therefore, as long as the IWM and other institutions remain intent on portraying such a sanitised and skewed history of Britains actions around the world, it is incumbent upon us to question and challenge their narratives. 1 Arthur Penrhyn Stanley, The Life and Correspondence of Thomas Arnold (1877) p. 376. 2 Gar Alperovitz, Atomic Diplomacy: Hiroshima and Potsdam The Use of the Atomic Bomb and the American Confrontation with Soviet Power (1994) 3 Norman Rose, Churchill: An Unruly Life (1994) p. 39. 4 Th. A. van Baarda and D.E.M. Verweij, The Moral Dimension of Asymmetrical Warfare: Counter-terrorism, Democratic Values and Military Ethics (2009) p. 2. 5 Peter Kennard, Unofficial War Artist (2015) Afterword. Louis Allday is a PhD candidate at SOAS based in London. Follow him on Twitter @Louis_Allday. : 9 2013 . 9 . . A 29-year-old Butte man facing 100 felony counts in a child pornography case pleaded guilty Thursday to one count in a plea deal with county prosecutors. J-Cee Felde entered an open plea before Butte district court Judge Brad Newman, who carefully explained to the defendant that both state and defense would be free to recommend any sentence. Each of the felony counts carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in the Montana State Prison. Felde had previously denied in March the charges alleged by prosecutors. The defense, according to Public Defender Ed Sheehy, is seeking a dismissal of 99 counts of felony sexual abuse of children (possession). Butte-Silver Bow Deputy County Attorney Ann Shea asked Newman for additional time to respond to the defenses motion, which he granted. Felde allegedly downloaded online child pornography from a file-sharing network. Prosecutors allege he procured 100 images and/or videos that showed children engaged in sexual conduct, actual or simulated. One of the videos involved bestiality or sexual contact with an animal, according to court documents. The investigation was led by a Kalispell-based investigator with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, who discovered an exchange of several pornographic files while monitoring file-sharing network Ephex, also known as Gnutella, court documents state. Felde was identified as the customer, and the ICAC investigator and a Department of Homeland Security agent assisted by Butte police searched his home in late January after obtaining a warrant. Documents state laptops, secure digital memory cards, phones, and flash drives were confiscated from Feldes residence. He was arrested by Butte police Jan. 27 and released on $100,000 bond March 9. Newman vacated the Sept. 19 trial and ordered a presentence investigation as well as a psychosexual offender evaluation. A sentencing date was not set. TWIN FALLS, Idaho That man staring at a patch of blooming goldenrod beside the road is wildlife biologist Ross Winton. His butterfly net and his sheet of tiny stickers are tools in a massive effort to map the flyways of the monarch on its spectacular, multi-generational migration between central Mexico and as far north as Canada. It seems like its boom or bust, Winton said recently, hoping to tag five monarchs that day among nectar-rich plants near Shoshone Falls Park in Twin Falls, Idaho. He might see 20 or 30 monarchs in a day, or perhaps just two. So if I spot one, Im just going to take off. The pollinators populations fell significantly over the past two decades, in part because of a decline in milkweed monarch caterpillars sole source of food. Environmental groups in August 2014 petitioned for the monarchs protection under the Endangered Species Act, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service launched a review of the butterflys status. The U.S. Department of Agriculture in November announced a $4 million conservation effort to help agricultural producers provide food and habitat for monarchs in 10 Midwest and southern Great Plains states. And the Center for Biological Diversity and Center for Food Safety in January filed a notice of intent to sue Fish and Wildlife, saying it wasnt moving quickly enough to protect the monarch. Its not just about milkweed. The most recent research, Winton said, points to other factors limiting the species population: nectar availability along the monarchs annual migration routes and illegal logging in the Mexican forests where it overwinters. Butterfly tagging efforts have documented those migration routes in the Eastern U.S., the Midwest and California. But anyone who watched Flight of the Butterflies at the Faulkner Planetarium or looked at the monarch migration map on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services website might conclude that monarchs bypass much of the Great Basin. The butterflies are here, but tagging efforts havent put their flyways on the map yet. Idaho and Nevada are kind of an unknown, said Winton, a Jerome-based regional nongame wildlife biologist for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The Idaho agency is participating in a Wisconsin State University study of Pacific Northwest flyways and survival. This summer it allotted Winton 75 white stickers each slightly larger than a hole punch and bearing a WSU email address and a unique number to affix to the right hind wings of monarchs emerging from their pupae and starting to migrate south. One or two generations of monarchs are produced in Idaho each year. Its the second one that heads south, Winton said, but scientists dont know how these monarchs cross the vast deserts and whether they migrate to Mexico or to Southern California. At hibernation sites in both places, people with binoculars will try to read the tiny numbers on those stickers and report the data. By lat August, Winton had been tagging monarchs off and on for a month, with help from relatives, colleagues and some Bureau of Land Management interns assigned to a botany project. And he still had 22 of his tags left. So he stationed himself beside blooming goldenrod and delicate purple asters both native nectar sources in Shoshone Falls Park and beside the canyon grade that leads to the park. He also had his eye on blooming tangles of Scotch thistle, an invasive plant which Idaho lists as a noxious weed, because hes found the monarchs like it, too. The newer the blooms, the better the nectar, he said. His technique: Dont take the first swipe with the net until the butterfly lands within range. Once they see you as a threat, they take off, he said. If he misses, hell be running. When Winton posted a slow-motion video of a tagged monarchs release on the regional Fish and Game offices Facebook page in early August, a couple of commenters complained about spending money on butterflies. The office posted a response: This project is primarily funded through the state Nongame trust fund which is possible through donations, tax checkoffs, and bluebird license plates not tax or license dollars, it wrote. Each state does also receive federal dollars state wildlife grants to work on species of greatest conservation need of which monarchs are one. And, the agency pointed out, many people involved in monarch tagging across the country are volunteers. The WSU project doesnt have any Magic Valley citizen scientists signed up to tag butterflies this summer, but Winton hopes to recruit some next year. With lovely nectar available, Wintons go-to spots near Shoshone Falls should have shown more flashes of orange-and-black wings on Monday morning. But after the first two hours effort, Winton still had those 22 unused tags. Where were the monarchs? We dont know enough about their biology, he said, to understand all those micro-decisions they make. After facing a grizzly bear on his first bow hunt for elk, 12-year-old Hunter Edens says he didnt know if the bear was going to play the Im going to kill you card. When Hunter and his father, Dan, met with the bear on a private ranch off Gibbonsville Road 10 miles west of Wisdom on Sunday, Dan was fearful for his son, a seventh grader at Stevensville Middle School. Having only seen two black bears in the 25 years he's been hunting, Dan didn't think to bring either his pistol or bear spray on this hunt. The Stevensville pair had been out in the woods for about an hour and had decided to take a break. Hunter tried out his new elk call and it brought an cow elk right to them. We made a nice shot. It went across the meadow and we let the elk lay down and do its thing. We started trailing the blood. Then we spotted something moving, Dan said in a phone interview with The Standard on Wednesday. Hunter saw the grizzly out of the corner of his eye. They thought it was a wolf. Dan used his binoculars and realized what it was just as Hunter said, "Dad, it's a grizzly." With silvery gray shoulders, the bear was about 150 yards from the two hunters. Dan described the bear as large and beautiful. Dan and Hunter watched the bear for a minute or two. It was a cool thing to see, Dan said. But the hunters were standing in the elk's blood trail. We got back into the willows. He did see us and ran over to where we were standing," Dan said. It came right for us," Hunter said. The two ran through the willows. By now the bear was only 70 yards away. Neither Dan nor Hunter knew what the grizzly was going to do. It was an eerie feeling, Dan said. Hunter called the experience nerve-wracking. "The bear stood up. I started yelling at the bear, making loud noises, Dan said. The bear then got down on all fours and headed into the willows in the direction of the downed elk. Hunter and Dan ran for a fence and disturbed a few cattle to distract the bear in case it changed its mind and came back for them. When they got to Dans truck, he called his wife who called authorities. People from the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Beaverhead County Sheriffs department arrived. Dan wanted to go back out into the woods to retrieve his elk. But FWP game warden Regan Dean convinced Dan otherwise. I told him dont worry about that elk, you can find another one, Dean said. He wouldnt want that meat after the grizzly had been crawling around on it. Because Dan did not tag his elk, he did not lose his elk hunting tag. He would have lost it if he had tagged the elk before the bear arrived, Dean said. Undaunted by the bear experience, Dan and Hunter plan to head back out to look for another elk this weekend. But they will go to a different hunting spot for now. Educated in wilderness camp and having been a hunter since the age of 5, Hunter talked about the moment with the bear like it was something that had happened at school, Dan said. Im not scared to go back out in the woods, Hunter said Wednesday. As for taking bear spray along, it's a done deal, Dan said. "We don't forget it next time.'' Leadership Montana will hold its annual statewide conference September 22 and 23 at the NorthWestern Energy building, Park and Main. Each year, this event attracts leaders from all corners of Montana who convene to discuss issues affecting businesses, higher education, government, non-profit organizations, the health care industry, and more. The conference theme this year is "Building the future on the foundations of the past." We are very excited to showcase this rich community and what it means to be Butte Tough, said Chantel Schieffer, President/CEO of Leadership Montana. This annual gathering of alumni and friends is a great opportunity for us to continue our Leadership Montana experience and training. We also highly encourage anyone who is interested in leadership training or learning more about Butte to join us. This event is open to all. Keynote Brigadier General (ret.) Colleen McGuire will share her lessons in leadership. McGuire served 32 years with the U.S. Army and was the first woman to hold several high-ranking positions including the Armys top law-enforcement position as Provost Marshal General of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command. Shes also a University of Montana graduate and recipient of the 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award. Then participants will hit the streets of Uptown Butte for an interactive leadership session that focuses on effective team-building within organizations. In between, community leaders will share examples of how Butte is leveraging its history to reinvent the city as a vibrant place to live, work, and play through community festivals, infrastructure improvements, and outdoor events. Participants will also celebrate Buttes rich cultural and ethnic heritage through sampling a wide variety of food that our city is known for. Registration is $100, and participants do not have to be a graduate of Leadership Montana to attend. To register, visit leadershipmontana.org. For student teacher Tyler Nicholls, the convenience of taking classes at Montana Tech has made all the difference. A soon-to-be University of Montana-Western graduate, Nicholls was assigned to Margaret Leary Elementary in Butte this fall. He is among a handful of local college students who take Montana Western education classes at Montana Tech or Highlands College. That way, in the dead of winter when Interstate 15 and the lonely, 130-mile round trip from Butte to Dillon has its share of icy or snow-packed roads, area students dont have to drive. I think a lot of people dont realize we do have teaching classes here in Butte, said Nicholls, who seems naturally at home in a grade school. Since 2005, Montana Western has offered education classes primarily for elementary ed majors in Butte. Secondary education courses are offered, but they are less popular. The extension program allows students from Clancy, Boulder, Helena and even Bozeman to travel to Butte for class once a week to better fit with life schedules. Most of my students are predominantly non-traditional, said Kathy Shipman, who coordinates the partnership among Montana Western, Tech and Highlands. These are non-traditional students as in older than the recent high school graduate and, more than likely, already working or raising a family, or a college returnee. A student may say, Im a single mom, and I can get a degree and not leave Butte? said Shipman. We serve a population who otherwise would not be able to get a degree from a Montana school. They are place-bound,' so it serves their lives so much better. Shipman reports that at least 35 former Montana Western students are employed in the Butte school district. Im proud of them theyve accomplished so much, Shipman said. Obviously theyre dedicated, because they did this program the alternative way. Nicholls, 26, and a 2009 Butte High graduate, is a non-traditional student because he had already received a bachelors degree in liberal studies from Tech in 2014 before enrolling in Montana Westerns well-regarded teaching program. At first I went for engineering, but I didnt like it, Nicholls said during a recent break from his third-grade students. I wanted to do something with kids. For the past three years, hes gotten his wish, logging 180 required service learning credits through Montana Western mainly by volunteering for Butte special ed teacher Laurie Herlson when she taught at Kennedy Elementary School on Buttes North Side. We just kind of hit it off, said Nicholls about his mentor. Now both are at Margaret Leary, where Herlson teaches third grade. At a towering 6-foot-5, Nicholls works as her student teacher in the regular classroom. Its great to have his help, said Herlson, a 2009 graduate of the first Montana Western elementary ed extension program class. Marley Hamblin, a Margaret Leary fifth-grader, remembers Nicholls when he volunteered in her third-grade class: Ever since I was in preschool, I always had a woman teacher, so Mr. Nicholls was a good change. When he taught math, he was really fun. Added Nicholls, who projects a calming influence: It makes you feel good that students remember you. He is one of four student teachers gaining experience in the Butte school district this fall. As his adviser and professor, Montana Westerns Kathy Shipman, said Nicholls is the complete package. Hes just one of those people, she said. Hes a problem-solver and critical thinker, and we need teachers to make (good) decisions. He really knows how to put all the pieces together. Hes a really smart guy. Engineerings loss is teachings gain, as Nicholls is a true scholar and researcher, too. Hes like E.F. Hutton when Tyler speaks, people listen, she added. About half of the required classes are face-to-face; the others are rigorous online courses, said Shipman. A Montana Western professor travels to Butte once a week to teach in person. The main Montana Western campus holds its signature block courses, but the extension classes are more traditional and semester-long. Block scheduling is shorter, intensive, one-class-at-a-time, hands-on learning in Dillon. The partnership is a win-win, said Highlands Dean John Garic, as his faculty hosts Montana Western education professors and teaches business courses at Helena College to save Helena business majors a trip. Its a nice collaboration, and taxpayers are benefitting from the collaboration, Garic said. Shipman estimates about half of the Butte special ed teachers earned their endorsement from Montana Western. Also a non-traditional student, Herlson was a paraprofessional and monitor in the Butte school district for seven years. While working in the district, she returned to college when her children attended Margaret Leary. I used to stand outside and stare in my daughters classroom, laughs Herlson. I couldnt wait to get back here. So she enrolled at Montana Western, took classes in Butte, and the rest is history. As the new school year unfolds, the former Montana Western student transforms her role to mentor. Tylers awesome hes really doing a great job, said Herlson. Hes a great resource, too, and an extra set of hands, too. SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) Homicide investigators say they suspect a nephew of Democratic Montana Sen. Jon Tester may have been killed with an ax in his home just outside Spokane. The Spokesman-Review reports (http://goo.gl/CBiQPx ) 35-year-old Bob Tester was found dead in his living room Tuesday morning. A wood-cutting ax was reportedly found near his body along with bags of marijuana. Court documents say Bob Tester's 8-year-old daughter was home at the time and told authorities a man entered the house wielding a sword and a knife. Documents say the child likely didn't see the killing but that she called her grandmother to report his death. The girl's grandmother told deputies her son grew marijuana for dispensaries. Jon Tester's press office confirmed the relationship to the paper and said "his family would prefer privacy during this difficult time." ___ Information from: The Spokesman-Review, http://www.spokesman.com The new restrictions on medical marijuana that went into effect last week will be devastating for patients. I know firsthand because I am a medical marijuana patient and have been for the past 10 years. Medical marijuana allows me to effectively treat my medical condition in a safer way and without the complications associated with the pharmaceuticals I would otherwise need to use. I have an incurable disease, Arnold Chiari Malformation and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. These ailments typically would cause my brain to herniate into my spinal cord. I had my first brain surgery when I was 14 and have undergone multiple brain and spinal procedures that have saved my life but have also caused me severe pain. RODS ATTACHED TO SKULL Two titanium rods are attached to my skull and 28 screws and plates hold my head up off my spine. The hardware allows me to live a functioning life but I live every day with immense pain. In order to treat my chronic pain, I became the first medical marijuana patient in the state of Montana under the age of 18. I know what it means to be a sick person and I have found the only medicine that works for me is medical marijuana. It allows me to live a full life. Last week, I traveled to Helena to stand with Bob Ream, who has called on Montana Attorney General Tim Fox to delay enforcement of the new restrictions because of the devastating effect they will have on sick and dying people. I joined two other medical marijuana patients in delivering comments from more than 1,000 Montanans calling on the attorney general to minimize the impact these new restrictions will have on patients like me. The new restrictions include limiting providers to only three patients, causing more than 12,000 Montanans to lose access to their medicine. I am one of thousands of Montanans who live with pain and deserve safe and legal access to medicine that offers relief. Without that access, patients face a choice of turning to the black market and becoming a criminal, moving to another state, or relying on dangerous and addictive opiate pain killers. MARIJUANA LESS ADDICTIVE These new restrictions put Montanans at risk for becoming dependent on opioids. The Centers for Disease Control have warned that our nation faces a prescription pain pill epidemic. Medical marijuana is far less addictive and has zero cases of death by overdose. It offers a safer alternative for pain patients, but that alternative is being taken away in Montana. As a patient, I cannot imagine going back to narcotics. While they may dull pain, they are a catch 22. If I take them, I have absolutely no appetite to eat due to nausea, and if I do not eat, I am unable to function and lead a fulfilling life as every person deserves. Pills drain my ambition and potential to live my life to the fullest. In 2004, Montana voters made a clear statement, voting to create the first medical marijuana program with 62 percent support. But the legislature went against the will of the voters, passing these new restrictions into law. With the new restrictions going into effect, I am scared scared for the almost three months of pain ahead of me without my medicine. But there is hope. Montanans will be voting on Initiative 182 in November. Voting yes on I-182 will create a workable, responsible and accountable medical marijuana program. I encourage all Montanans to turn out and vote yes on I-182 to ensure that I and all the other sick Montanans who benefit from medical marijuana have safe, legal access to their medicine. -- Kati Wetch is a medial marijuana patient in Billings and supporter of Montana Citizens for Initiative 182. By Jason Begay From the two-lane county road that cuts a ribbon through the smooth, dark green hills of southern North Dakota, the Standing Rock Sioux encampment sprawls into a massive community. Nestled between the asphalt on the west, the Missouri River on the east and the Cannonball River on the south sit hundreds of campsites, cars parked next to tents, canvas shelters and teepees. The main entrance to the controversial site is a stretch of packed solid earth, lined on both sides by dozens of tribal-nation flags that produce a steady, muted rumble in the prairie wind. The camp, where hundreds of people, representing more than 250 tribes from across the world, have gathered to oppose the construction of a nearly 1,200-mile oil pipeline, is now considered home for many of the people. This is not a powwow, said Angela Bibens, a Denver-based attorney at law, who is volunteering with a legal team based on the camp. The law tent sits next to the school, a large canvas tent housing stacks of childrens books where Bibens is working to ensure the curriculum meets educational standards so students get full credit. This is a powerful and profound expression of tribal sovereignty, the likes of which we have never seen before. Still, over Labor Day weekend, the camps population swelled with new, temporary visitors, supporters, most of whom brought donated supplies to keep the camp fed, hydrated and clean. We want the Standing Rock Sioux to know that we are serious about our support, said Mark Azure, president of the Fort Belknap Indian Community in central Montana. Azure arrived at the camp Friday evening with about 30 members of the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine tribes, which call Fort Belknap home, bringing with them truckloads of food and supplies collected in community donation drives. It was powerful, Azure said recalling his group arriving into the campground as supporters lined up on both sides of the entrance singing, drumming and cheering as the Fort Belknap vehicles drove between the corridor of flags in the evening light. It was a feeling I dont think will ever be duplicated. The camp has been building for a month, as the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe stands against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, which would pump nearly a half million barrels of crude oil daily from the Bakken region in northwestern North Dakota to southern Illinois. Although it would not enter reservation boundaries, the pipeline would run under the Missouri River, just upstream of Standing Sioux reservation and near where the Missouri meets the Cannonball River -- a confluence that once formed whirlpools that over time created spherical boulders, sacred to the Standing Rock and namesake to the first of the tribes opposition camps, Sacred Stone. The tribe opposed the pipeline immediately, fearing any kind of leak would not only further destroy the sacred site, but contaminate the Standing Rock water source. Standing Rock chairman Dave Archimbault II, demanding to be heard, protested at the site in August and was arrested for trespassing, prompting national attention. Many of the people at the camp say they intend to stay until the end, with only a smile and a nod to answer how long that could be. Bibens, the attorney, said plans are moving forward to start building winter housing at the site, despite the land being owned by the Army Corps of Engineers. So far, the camp has seen no pushback from local law enforcement or the Army Corps. In fact, along Morton County highway 1806, just to the north and south of the camps are new, gleaming road signs, announcing speed limit decreases, traffic entering and exiting the highway and the presence of pedestrians. The Standing Rock camp is deliberately peaceful. Security volunteers man the entrances to ensure no alcohol, drugs or intoxicated people enter the site. It is difficult, if not impossible, to find any camp inhabitant who would call the Standing Rock site a protest. Protest. Its a negative word, it brings negative thoughts, defiance. This is a peaceful gathering, Azure said. It should be called a movement to educate, because thats what were trying to do. I dont see anything wrong with everybody being here and wanting someone to listen. But later that Saturday afternoon, the Standing Rock camp found itself mired in headlines after an altercation with security agents representing Energy Transfer Partners, the Dallas-based firm behind the pipeline project. Workers had begun digging trenches on the pipeline that afternoon, prompting Standing Rock supporters to stop the machines from digging. The incident led to security guards intervening with dogs and mace before being driven away. The story broke headlines worldwide, citing key words violence and protest, and media swarmed the camp the rest of the weekend. The following day, security at the entrance asked visitors a few more questions, including what tribe visitors represented. New signs were posted, requiring all media to check in and clearly wear credentials. And Desiree Cole, a media representative at the camp, kept a close eye ensuring media representatives followed the guidelines. Still, the people at the site were as welcoming as ever, if fatigued. The new attention was twofold. It brought new eyes to the issue, but it also associated it with violence. Its almost as if Azure saw it coming. What does it take to get attention? he asked, only hours before Saturdays altercation. He questioned the lack of mainstream media coverage of the camp and the oil pipeline. Does something bad need to happen to get them here? The former Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. plant will be added to the federal Superfund list on Friday, renewing momentum to clean up decades of industrial waste along the Flathead River. Environmental Protection Agency officials proposed putting CFAC on the National Priorities List in March 2015. A remedial investigation managed by the aluminum smelters corporate owners is currently in progress, and demolition crews are dismantling much of what used to be Montanas largest single building. The addition of the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company site to the National Priorities List will ensure the comprehensive investigation and cleanup of contaminants and help secure future opportunities for the reuse of this prominent property along the Flathead River, EPA Region 8 Administrator Shaun McGrath wrote in an email on Wednesday. EPAs action is based on a thorough review of site data and input from the local community. The decision ends more than a year of public review and comment on what to do with the industrial site, which once employed nearly half the population of Columbia Falls. Columbia Falls Mayor Don Barnhart said the federal designation ensures the cleanup will take place even if the legally responsible parties cant or wont pay for the work. Weve accepted the fact that the plant was never going to go again, Barnhart said. This was the industrial hub of the Flathead Valley. We had the plant and four sawmills, and everybody who wanted a job got a great-paying job. Were just turning the page to another chapter. Theres a 15-year time-frame on this. Listing opens up the possibility of more resources for community involvement, said Joe Vranka, the EPAs Superfund unit supervisor for Columbia Falls. That could be used for technical assistance grants for citizens groups to interpret documents and disseminate information about the clean-up. It can also provide funds for counties and municipalities to get involved. It depends on what they want. Columbia Falls resident Chas Cartwright served on the Flathead Basin Commission, which recommended EPA involvement in the cleanup. But he acknowledged there was some resistance to that path locally and from Montana's lone member of Congress. The community has been split on whether going the federal route vs. an alternative route was the way to go, said Cartwright, who recently retired as superintendent of Glacier National Park. I understand the reticence of going the federal route. If you look at history, its proven they come up with a lot of successful products working through this. Its a very long and involved thing. But theres stuff in the ground and we want to make sure the waters of the Flathead River and Flathead Lake are protected. We dont want to be sending bad stuff downstream. Vranka said the CFAC site poses no immediate health or safety risks to Columbia Falls residents. But during the plants decades of operation, workers worked with toxic equipment, asbestos and other materials on many spots in the 960-acre industrial footprint of the site. Private investigators will spend the next three or four years analyzing the area and quantifying what and how much dangerous material needs to be taken care of. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, was a longtime advocate of getting Superfund listing for the Columbia Falls property. On Wednesday, he praised the announcement and criticized plant owner Glencore AG for delaying the process. Glencore can no longer try and turn their back on families in Columbia Falls, Tester wrote in an email. This decision guarantees that after seven years of broken promises and stonewalling, Glencore will finally be held accountable for the cleanup of CFAC. Today is a step in the right direction and I will continue to work with folks in Columbia Falls so we can strengthen the local economy, revitalize this site, and create jobs. Former CFAC workers Keith Haverfield and Mike Shepherd also backed the move. I am for CFAC becoming a Superfund site because after the 36-plus years working there, I saw a lot of materials dumped and buried on the site, Haverfield said in a statement provided by Tester. The site needs to be cleaned up properly and professionally. I also believe that Glencore should be responsible for the costs because they knew what they were getting from day one when purchasing the plant. This plant is located in the county, not Columba Falls, but the location of the problem materials that are buried jeopardizes the whole river and well system, Shepherd added. Now because of this listing, we will grow stronger and create more jobs in the region. Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Montana and a Whitefish resident, said he was disappointed with the EPA decision. EPA bureaucracy in Washington, D.C. is betting against Columbia Falls and taking away our local control, Zinke wrote in a statement. I stand with county commissioners who say we need to hold the company accountable but we also need to retain our right to do what we see is fit for the land. There's no need to do this at this time, Flathead County Commissioner Phil Mitchell wrote in a statement provided by Zinke. Glencore has completely funded all cleanup work for two years. The EPA negated all the cooperation to date, and essentially said big government knows best. CFAC opened in 1955 as the primary customer of hydroelectricity produced at Hungry Horse Dam, just up the Flathead River. At its height of activity, the plant consumed one-fifth of all the electricity used in Montana to produce 185,000 tons of aluminum a year. More than 1,200 workers in buildings covering 40 acres tended 10 pot lines of electrically powered cookers turning aluminum oxide into pure aluminum metal. Spent potliner, a federally listed hazardous waste, contains cyanide compounds that can leach into groundwater. Other contaminants at the site include various metals, organic compounds, hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyl compounds, and pesticides. The state Department of Environmental Quality listed the CFAC site as a large quantity hazardous waste generator and transporter in 1980, and placed it on its Hazardous Waste Program list in 1989. In 1993, DEQ ordered a groundwater investigation after cyanide started showing up in the Flathead River. Switzerland-based Glencore AG bought the CFAC plant in 1999. Glencore closed the plant in 2009, laying off about 200 employees. Acceptance to the National Priorities List means a Superfund site will get new funding to clean up contamination, along with an extensive community involvement process. Glencore is expected to be held accountable for the cost of the remediation. It is also paying for the $4 million remedial investigation on the 960-acre property. Vranka said there was no way to estimate what the actual cleanup costs would be until that remedial investigation finishes around 2020. Civil #: 16-001495 Special Execution U.S. Bank National Association, As Trustee For Residential Asset Mortgage Products, Inc., Mortgage Asset-Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-SP4 VS. Arturo C. Lopez; Maria G. Lopez A/K/A Maria Guadalupe Lopez; U.S. Bank NA S/B/M To U.S. Bancorp Consumer Finance Of Kentucky Inc S/B/M To Firstar Finance S/B/M Mercantile Consumer Loan Company; Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC; H & R Accounts; Ismael Lopez, ET AL. As a result of the judgment rendered in the above referenced court case, an execution was issued by the court to the Sheriff of this county. The execution ordered the sale of defendant(s) Real Estate Described Below. To satisfy the judgment. The property to be sold is The North 213.8 feet of Lot B, of Graham Subdivision of a Part of the Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of Section 28, in Township 76 North, Range 2 West of the 5th Principal Meridian, situated in the County of Muscatine, State of Iowa. Property Address: 2406 57th St., Muscatine, IA 52761 The described property will be offered for sale at public auction for cash only as follows: Sale Date: 10/04/2016 Sale Time: 9:30 am Place of Sale: Muscatine County Jail Lobby, 400 Walnut Street, Muscatine This sale not subject to redemption. Property exemption: Certain money or property may be exempt. Contact your attorney promptly to review specific provisions of the law and file appropriate notice, if applicable. Judgment Amount: $46,653.69 Costs: $9,377.62 Accruing Costs: Plus Interest: $13,270.61 Sheriffs Fees: Pending Date: 08/24/2016 Attorney: Hally Ryherd 1401 50th St., Ste. 100 West Des Moines, IA 50266 (515)223-7325 C.J. Ryan Muscatine County Sheriff Melissa Hurlbut Civil Deputy MUSCATINE, Iowa A crash that occurred last Saturday at Fruitland and Stewart Roads remains under investigation. At 5:46 p.m. last Saturday (Sept. 3), Muscatine County Sheriffs Deputies responded to the intersection of Fruitland and Stewart Roads for an accident involving two cars according to a press release from the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office. A Ford Mustang operated by Steven Netzlaw, 25, of Muscatine, was eastbound on Stewart Road and was turning left onto Fruitland Road. Renae Mickey Puckett, 43, of Davenport, was operating a Mazda MZ3 traveling west on Stewart Road when the Netzlaw vehicle began to turn left allegedly entering the path of Puckett's vehicle. Puckett's vehicle struck Netzlaw's vehicle in the rear quarter panel according to the press release. Although the drivers complained of minor injuries, neither party was transported to the hospital. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts. Investigation into the crash is ongoing by the Muscatine County Sheriffs Office. The Muscatine Ambulance, Fruitland Fire Department and Fruitland First Responders were also at the scene. Emily Wenger of the Muscatine Journal MUSCATINE Leonard Emil Kallio died Aug. 31, 2016, from complications of Alzheimers. Funeral services were held Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, at Tifereth Israel Synagogue in Des Moines. At a later date, gatherings to remember Leonard will be held in Muscatine and Iowa City. He was born April 20, 1943, in Sandusky, Ohio, to Rebecca (Deems) and Reino Emil Kallio. After World War II, the family moved to Iowa City. Leonard attended Iowa City Schools (City High), and earned degrees from the University of Iowa and Indiana University. Leonard and his future wife, Carolyn Levine, lived in New York City's Greenwich Village from 1967 to 1969, an experience that greatly influenced their lives. They returned to Iowa City and married in August 1969. Leonard studied for a Ph.D., and later worked for the University of Iowa as director of the university's Guided Independent (Correspondence) Study Program. He and Carolyn moved to Muscatine in 1975. Leonard's intelligence, gentleness and wit will always be appreciated by his wife, Carolyn Levine; sisters, Siska Kallio and Sandra (Leonard) White; niece, Sally (Brent) Pahl; brother-in-law, John (Jan) Levine; nephews Jeffrey Levine (Carmina Bernardo) and Andrew (Liz) Levine, and his friends and former colleagues. Carolyn asked for reflections about Leonard from his close friends: With his subtle sense of humor, Leonard was always alert to the absurdities of life, and at the same time, he was quietly indignant about unfair or unjust behavior. He loved nature, and deeply enjoyed the landscape and living creatures of Iowa and the Midwest. He loved art and New York City. Leonard and Carolyn were wonderful life partners and complemented each other marvelously Carolyn vivid and full of energy, Leonard laid-back and quietly observant. It was easy to see their relationship was one of mutual respect, love and admiration. Carolyn will be forever grateful to the aides of Good Samaritan Home Health Services, whose loving attention allowed Leonard to thrive for so long at home with Alzheimer's. They can attest, as can Carolyn, that despite the progress of his disease, Leonard never lost his ability to respond to his environment, especially to the humor in the life of his household. For memorial donation information, please contact Leonards wife at levinekallio@gmail.com. Les emplois a Rennes sont abondants et varies. Il y a quelque chose pour tout le monde. Que vous soyez a la recherche dun emploi [] Les blattes ou cafards (Blatta orientalis) sont des insectes qui appartiennent a la famille des Blattoptera. Ils se caracterisent par leur forme allongee, leurs ailes [] The latest MyBroadband speed test results show that RSAWEB had the fastest average ADSL download speed over the past month, while Axxess had the highest average VDSL download speed. MyBroadbands speed test servers use Ooklas platform and are hosted in Teracos vendor-neutral data centres in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Through NAPAfrica, all network operators at its peering points are provided with a free 1Gbps connection to the MyBroadband speed test platform. MyBroadband filters speed tests based on network information from Internet service providers to ensure accurate results which reflect real-world conditions. The tables below show the highest average ADSL and VDSL speeds by ISP. Top ADSL ISPs Rank ISP Download Speed Upload Speed 1 RSAWEB 6.6 Mbps 0.66 Mbps 2 Axxess 4.02 Mbps 0.54 Mbps 3 Afrihost 4.01 Mbps 0.53 Mbps 4 MTN 4.01 Mbps 0.53 Mbps 5 Internet Solutions 3.8 Mbps 0.51 Mbps 6 Vox Telecom 3.73 Mbps 1.29 Mbps 7 XDSL 3.66 Mbps 0.45 Mbps 8 Cybersmart 3.33 Mbps 0.47 Mbps 9 Telkom 3.15 Mbps 0.5 Mbps 10 MWEB 2.98 Mbps 0.44 Mbps Top VDSL ISPs Rank ISP Download Speed Upload Speed 1 Axxess 27.18 Mbps 2.44 Mbps 2 MWEB 17.28 Mbps 1.44 Mbps 3 Afrihost 13.92 Mbps 1.07 Mbps 4 Internet Solutions 11.93 Mbps 1.11 Mbps 5 Telkom 11.57 Mbps 1.57 Mbps More on ADSL Best capped ADSL prices in South Africa Best uncapped ADSL prices in South Africa The Johannesburg High Court recently ordered MTN to allow customers to keep their phone numbers when leaving the network. Cell C said it lodged the preceding court application because of ongoing problems affecting customers attempting to port from MTN to Cell C. Ports were being rejected by MTN for reasons not allowed in terms of the porting regulations, said Cell C. Cell C said the high court application followed attempts by the company to resolve the issue with MTN. The application dealt with MTNs introduction of an extra step in the porting process, making it extremely difficult for customers attempting to port to Cell C and resulting in a massive increase of rejected ports, said Cell C. What happened To understand the need for Cell Cs high court application, one has to look at what happened in April 2016. Before 18 April 2016, around 1.5% of porting requests from Vodacom to Cell C were rejected. On 18 April, Vodacom changed the SMS messaging it uses to communicate with subscribers who want to port to another network. Vodacoms new message read: Vodacom received a request to port [number] note that youll lose all airtime/bundles. Reply 1 to confirm within 40 minutes. Vodacom also changed from an opt-out process, where the subscriber could stop the porting process, to an opt-in process with a strict time frame. This process, said Cell C, was unlawful under the 2005 regulations which governed porting. Failed porting requests jumped from the usual 1.5% to over 60% a sign that Vodacoms new system prevented most porting requests. On 26 April, MTN followed Vodacoms lead and changed its porting system to opt-in with similar SMS messages. MTNs message read: Alert! MTN has received a Port Out Request from this number. You will lose all airtime/bundle SMSs. To proceed reply 1 to this SMS within 30 minutes. The result was the same as Vodacoms failed porting requests increased from the usual 7.5% to over 70%. Cell C stated that even when a subscriber selected to be ported within the time frame, the request would still be rejected in some cases. It was clear that Vodacom and MTNs new process prevented many of their subscribers who wanted to port to another provider from doing so. The charts below illustrate the impact of the new porting system which Vodacom and MTN implemented. Vodacom backs down, MTN fights on After Cell C failed to address the issue with Vodacom and MTN, the company approached ICASA and the high court to resolve the problem. Vodacom settled with Cell C to reinstate an opt-out system, where it uses two opt-out messages in which users are warned of the benefits which they may lose. MTN decided to fight the matter in court, and lost. MTN said it intends to have the matter heard by ICASA as soon as possible so as to get to a conclusion that is to the benefit of subscribers. More on porting MTN prevented customers from porting to us: Cell C MTN must allow departing customers to keep their numbers South Africas nuclear procurement programme will officially begin on September 30, amid a court case against the process and as rating agencies watch the countrys spending plans. Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson announced the latest milestone in Parliament on Wednesday, when asked for an update on the controversial 9.6 GW nuclear new build programme. South Africa currently has one nuclear power station Koeberg in Cape Town and this programme would effectively see another three or four power stations built either near Koeberg or near Jeffreys Bay in the Eastern Cape. Joemat-Pettersson told Parliament that the Department of Energy would release its request for proposals on September 30, which would test the market. It had originally planned to release this process at the end of March, after Cabinet published a Gazette in December 2015 to allow the process to proceed. Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute (Safcei) and Earthlife Africa are engaged in legal proceedings against the Department of Energy over agreements signed with Russias nuclear firm Rosatom ahead of the official procurement process. Legal documents indicate that South Africa did sign a nuclear deal with Russia, the group claims. They said the Russian agreement was entered into unlawfully, but makes (an) internationally binding commitment to buy a fleet of nuclear reactors from Russia. We from Safcei and in civil society have been trying to communicate with government for years about the best way ahead for South Africas energy future, Safceis Bishop Geoff Davies told Fin24 on Thursday. We have clear evidence that nuclear is now the most expensive and unwise form of energy, particularly in South Africa with the best of renewable energy resources in the world. For more than five years, our letters to President Jacob Zuma have been unanswered and unacknowledged. We are deeply suspicious of the motives behind the governments commitment to nuclear energy. Joemat-Petterssons announcement of the release of the request for proposals is ill advised, Gordon Mackay, the Democratic Alliance spokesperson on energy, told Fin24 on Thursday. He cited the above case of procedural irregularity, which is currently before the high court in the Western Cape. In addition, he said it was worrying as South Africa enters the so-called ratings season, which will determine SAs credit rating come year end. The move by the minister will surely undermine attempts by National Treasury to bolster confidence and maintain a stable credit rating. These issues would be made clearer if the Department of Energy updated its Integrated Resource Plan which has not been published since 2010. It should be published every two years. Professor Anton Eberhard, who advises government on energy policy, said the programme will be an unnecessary financial burden in the country. He has called for the power sector to be restructured, with a focus on independent power producers that includes renewables energy. We need to follow best international practice by separating state-owned power generation from transmission and system operations, so that the latter can procure and dispatch both state and private power in a fair and transparent manner, he told Fin24 recently. Fin24 More on South Africas nuclear plans The true cost of nuclear power in South Africa South Africa cant afford nuclear build on top of Medupi The case for nuclear energy in South Africa South African nuclear advisory rejects links to Rosatom Google released the top trending questions in South Africa, which include What time is it in South Africa? and How long does it take to get pregnant?. Flapjacks, white sauce and baking soda occupied South African minds this week, if the top ten trending questions on Google SA are any indicator, Google said. This information is gleaned from data collated by Google based on what South Africans have been searching for and asking Google this week. Google processes more than 40 000 search queries every second. This translates to more than a billion searches per day and 1.2 trillion searches per year worldwide. The top trending questions on Google SA the past week were: What time is it in South Africa? How long does it take to get pregnant? How to get rid of dark circles around eyes? How to make flapjacks What is the informal sector? How to make white sauce Is Michael Jackson still alive? How to get over someone you love Who founded Google? What is baking soda? More on Google What South Africans ask Google the most Google to drop Nexus brand: Report Three new updates for Google+ Update: Samsung has suspended pre-orders of the Galaxy Note 7 in South Africa. Inspections into the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 are continuing amid reports of exploding batteries, but the device is still available on pre-order in South Africa, a company executive has told Fin24. Samsung Electronics has not released the Note 7 in South Africa and is currently promoting pre-order sales via our network partners, Craige Fleisher, Samsung Electronics South Africas director for integrated mobility, told Fin24. Last week the global electronics giant halted global sales of the device amid 35 cases of product faults. The company also said that they would replace all Galaxy Note 7 devices for any customers who already have the handsets. However, the announcement may not have any effect on South African customers as the device is currently available for pre-order only and scheduled for release on September 23. We are aware of the issues raised within the media and in this regard Samsung Electronics Head Quarters is conducting a thorough inspection with regards to the concerns, he told Fin24. We will share the findings as soon as possible. Samsung is fully committed to providing the highest quality products to our consumers, he added. Initial reports suggested that charging the device without the original charger led to the damages. The highly anticipated phablet smartphone was launched in South Africa in early-August, boasting a major upgrade and newer features when compared to its predecessor. The Note 7 features a 5.7 inch display, a new iris scanner, a more powerful processor and a bigger battery than previous models. Fin24 More on the Galaxy Note 7 Samsung recalls Galaxy Note 7 due to exploding batteries Samsung Galaxy Note 7 delayed Where to register to buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 in South Africa Samsung Galaxy Note 7 delayed in South Africa Samsung has suspended all pre-orders of the Galaxy Note 7 in South Africa, the company has told MyBroadband. The news comes amid reports that the batteries of some Note 7 devices have exploded, and that Samsung is investigating a potential recall of stock that has already been shipped around the world. We have received several reports of battery explosion on the Note 7 that was officially launched on August 19 and it has been confirmed that it was a battery cell problem, said Samsung. The company said it will take about two weeks to prepare replacement devices, and that it was aware of 35 battery-problem cases worldwide. Sales of the device have been halted while Samsung inspects its suppliers. The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was originally set to launch in South Africa on 2 September, but was delayed to 23 September due to overwhelming global demand. Samsung South Africa said it is receiving regular updates from headquarters on the investigation into the battery issue, and will release information to customers as soon as it can. More on the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Samsung recalls Galaxy Note 7 due to exploding batteries Samsung Galaxy Note 7 delayed Samsung Galaxy Note 7 delayed in South Africa Samsung Galaxy Note 7s big price tag Samsung Galaxy Note 7 a big smartphone with the ultimate security Oops... This is embarrassing... We're Sorry, the page you're looking for may have been moved. Let's help you find the page you were looking for... First, try using the search form below. 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Contact us. MOSCOW Russias Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that the Israeli and the Palestinian leaders have agreed in principle to meet in Moscow for talks in what the Russians hope will relaunch the Mideast peace process after a more than two-year break. But the wide gaps between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas left it uncertain if or when the meeting will take place, and raised doubts about whether they would make any progress if they do get together. In another twist, an Israeli TV station reported that a document discovered by two Israeli researchers indicated that Abbas had worked for the Soviet intelligence agency, the KGB, while living in Syria in the early 1980s. The professors said they were coming forward with the information to discredit Moscow as an honest broker in peace talks. After years of taking a back seat to the U.S. in Mideast diplomacy, Russia has increasingly sought to take a leadership role in the region. It has developed close ties with Iran and sent fighter jets to Syria to back President Bashar Assad in his war against rebel groups. In Washington, a spokesman said the U.S. State Department is following the Russian efforts closely and would be supportive of any kind of effort to bring the parties together. Thursdays announcement in Moscow indicates that Russia is pushing forward with its attempt to become a peace broker after a setback earlier in the week. On Tuesday, Abbas said that a meeting scheduled in Moscow this week had been delayed at Israels request. While bringing the men together would represent an accomplishment for Moscow, a diplomatic breakthrough seems unlikely. Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remain far apart on key issues, and their differences have prevented meaningful talks since Netanyahu took office in 2009. The last round of peace talks broke down two and a half years ago, with no progress reported during months of U.S.-brokered negotiations. In Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Abbas and Netanyahu had accepted an invitation to meet in the Russian capital, but a date has not been set yet. There also was no word on whether the two had settled on an agenda for the meeting the key stumbling block in preparations. The most important thing is to pick the right timing, Zakharova told reporters. Intensive contacts on this are ongoing. Abbas and Netanyahu exchanged a brief handshake last year at a global climate change conference in Paris but have not held a public working meeting since 2010. Before returning to talks, the Palestinian leader has demanded that Israel halt settlement construction on occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians and carry out a prisoner release that was promised during the last round of talks. Netanyahu has rejected the terms and said the meeting should take place without conditions. If the Palestinian Authority can say with one voice that they are willing to meet without preconditions, then Prime Minister Netanyahu will meet President Abbas, said the Israeli leaders spokesman, David Keyes. Late Wednesday, Israel TV broadcast an interview with two Israeli researchers who said they had unearthed a document showing that Abbas served as a KGB agent in Syria in 1983. The program showed a document that listed Abbas name, said he was born in Palestine in 1935, and identified him by the codename Krotov, which roughly translates as mole. Abbas was born in what was British-administered Palestine that year. His hometown of Safed is now in northern Israel. The station said the information came from a trove of handwritten documents that Vasily Mitrokhin, a former KGB archivist, brought with him when he defected to the U.K. in 1992. Gideon Remez, one of the Hebrew University researchers, said the full archive was only opened to researchers by Cambridge University last year. He said the credibility was very high. In the 1980s, Abbas was a top official in the Palestine Liberation Organization. The Soviet Union had close ties with both the PLO and Syria at the time. The station said Abbas may have been recruited while earning his doctorate in the Soviet Union. Russian President Vladimir Putin was a senior KGB official around this time, and the Israeli station said that Russias Mideast envoy, Mikhail Bogdanov, was stationed in Damascus at the same time. In an interview, researcher Remez said he decided to release the information now because of the Russian diplomatic initiative. He said he supports peace with the Palestinians but does not believe Putin can be an honest broker given Russias history in the region and close ties with Israeli adversaries Syria and Iran. In the West Bank, Palestinian officials dismissed the report as an Israeli smear campaign. The Israeli government and its surrogates are using smoke and mirrors to confuse the public and deceive the international community in order to derail any efforts to revive the peace process, while appropriating more Palestinian land and building new illegal settlements, said Jamal Dajani, a government spokesman. If a meeting takes place, the chances for substantial progress would seem slim. The Palestinians seek to establish an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war. While the Palestinian claims have wide international backing, Netanyahu has refused to use Israels pre-1967 lines as a basis for border talks, retreating from positions adopted by his predecessors. The Palestinians have accused Israels hard-line government of seeking a peace process as a diplomatic shield against international criticism. The Netanyahu government has tried to discredit Abbas, accusing him of anti-Israel incitement and alleging he is not a partner for a peace deal. Russias offer in recent weeks to host the Israeli and Palestinian leaders is one of several international initiatives, including a French plan to hold an international peace conference and Egyptian offers to bring the sides together as well. Standing in a streetlights jaundice glow, just off the corner of Ringold and 8th streets in San Francisco, I found myself staring at asphalt and garbage. My eyes locked on the discarded wrappers occupying the space where my car was supposed to be. This was how my first experience with having a car stolen began. I went to the city on a Thursday night for a friends birthday party, a special event that drew me to make the unusual trip to San Francisco on a weeknight. It was nearly 1 a.m. when I left. I pondered getting something to eat, perhaps a late-night burrito or some donuts while walking back to my car. I turned the corner at Ringold and came to a dead halt. The Acura that had parked first was still there. But my car, the banged up, fading paint job of a 1998 Honda Civic, which had been second in line, wasnt second anymore. Nothing was. The first stage of personal auto theft is denial. Did I park on 9th? Folsom? 8th? I walked up Ringold, staring intently at the black 4-door a few cars up. Did I park there? Is that it? This cant be happening. I turned back and walked to the vacant spot I wanted nothing to do with. Without care who heard me, I screamed: WHERES MY CAR!!! I checked the street sign looming above. There were parking restrictions at this hour for street cleaning. But on Wednesdays. I pulled out my cell phone and dialed 911. The second stage of personal auto theft is prayer praying the cops have towed your car away, as opposed to, you know After being transferred to San Francisco Police, I kept hoping the female officer on the other end was going to tell me my car was in some impound lot. I was completely willing, and happily so, to pay whatever cost to get my car back. No, we dont have any record of it being towed, the officer informed me. The third stage of personal auto theft sends your stomach into your shoes. The officer informed me I could wait for a patrol car to be dispatched to my location to file a report. But, she warned, it might not be until the early morning hours. Its past 1 a.m. How more early morning does it have to be? My second option was to make my way to the nearest police station, which was on 3rd Street. I started to plug the address into Google Maps when I noticed a squad car heading in my direction. I waved my arms. I screamed. I did everything but throw my phone at the patrol car. It just cruised on by. I stared indignantly at the disappearing help. Do I look homeless? Is everyone invisible to you? Or just me? I returned to my phone and to mapping the police station on 3rd. Google Maps produced a jagged route reminiscent of an Etch A Sketch. It was a 10-minute trip. By car. Somehow I took it personally that Google Maps didnt know my predicament, that I was without my Honda. Dont you realize! I grabbed a cab, whose clueless driver dropped me two blocks shy of the precinct. I walked into the sparkling, modern Mission Bay station and told the officer behind the glassed-off front counter my car was stolen. She reacted as if I said the sky is blue. She pushed a form through the concave slot in the glass and told me to have a seat. Should I take a number as well? The lobby was completely vacant except for me. The fourth stage of personal auto theft is resignation. And forgetfulness. I sat on a slotted wood bench filling out the stolen vehicle form. I was now becoming a statistic. I struggled to remember things about my car. Like the license plate number. Even the year it was made. 98? 97? The officer was not happy that I didnt completely fill out the form. She pushed something else at me, a booklet: The Victims Bill of Rights Act of Marsys Card and Resources. It details 17 victims rights bestowed on me and all Californians under state law. Thanks, Sacramento. I feel much better. The officer also warned me. If you find your car yourself, contact us immediately. Dont drive it. Your car is now reported stolen. Anyone found driving it will be subject to a felony and officers will approach with guns drawn. She also said if they recovered my car, they would call me and that I would have only 20 minutes to meet them at the location of my vehicle. I live in Napa, so I probably wont make it, I replied. In that case, the officer said, my car would be taken to auto recovery and held until I could get it. Like youre going to find it. Im sure. The fifth stage of personal auto theft is bitterness. I started to turn away, shoulders slumped, when she added: We have a pretty good recovery rate. Was that a fact? Or was she just trying to be nice? Outside the station, I contemplated my next move. How the hell am I going to get home? Home was 50 miles away. BART wasnt running at that hour, now 2 a.m., and I wasnt up for Uber draining my bank account. Roger! One of my oldest and dearest friends lives in Richmond. The City of Pride and Purpose! I called, hoping he was home. He and his wife often spent time at their remote lakeside home in Butte County. Please be in Richmond! I got voicemail. The sixth stage of personal auto theft is isolation. 3rd Street was void of humanity. A chilling breeze was the only thing keeping me company. I looked up at the moonless sky. I want my car back. I hadnt just lost a car. It was much more than a mode of transportation. Another old friend had given me my Honda two years earlier as a gift during a difficult time in my life. It was one of the most magnificent gestures of kindness I had ever received. I wanted my gift back. This car was supposed to be with me for a long time. Not just two years. I knew Hondas were always at or near the top of the list for Most Stolen Vehicles. Mine and other late 90s models were prized by street racers and those providing them with parts. I imagined my car being dismantled. A victim of some shadowy black market chop shop. If I got it back, I expected it to be stripped. Nothing more than a chassis and frame. The seventh stage of personal auto theft is hopelessness. My phone beeped at me. There was a message from Roger. He was home after all and headed to pick me up. Hallelujah! I spent the night on Rogers sofa, curled up in a sleeping bag that his wife, Maia, had laid out for me. Sleep was fitful at best. Stewart, their puppy terrier mix, was nice enough to bark in my face for a 6 a.m. wake-up call. The next day Roger and Maia dropped me off at my house on their way to the lake. The rest of Friday and the following Saturday were a blur. I came down with a head cold, and teetered towards spiraling sadness. Sunday night I was puttering on Facebook. I had posted the news about my car, and friends were still responding, expressing condolences. I replied to one friend, writing: If I get the car or anything that was in it back Ill be pleasantly surprised. Moments after I posted these words, my cell phone lit up with a 415 area code. Swear to god, hand on Bible, this happened right after my Facebook reply. Is this Noelle Brickjertoff? Yes, I said with my usual patience for those challenged by pronunciation. This is San Francisco Police. We found your vehicle. My world stopped. Its at 364 Shotwell. Can you be here in 20 minutes? I explained I was in Napa. They said my car would be towed to Auto Return, and I could pick it up there. I couldnt quite believe what I was hearing. I was hesitant to ask the condition of my car, fearing the details. Its drivable, the male officer said flatly. Drivable? What does that mean? Drivable if you have four spare tires handy? Drivable if you dont mind the human excrement in the back seat? My brother and I left the next morning for San Francisco. I first had to revisit the police station to get a Vehicle Release Form so Auto Return would give me back my car. The officer on duty slipped me the form, and pointed to the stamp she had applied to it. This will waive most, if not all of the fees at Auto Return, she said. The eighth stage of personal auto theft is good fortune. That stamp was golden. It saved me paying a $261 administrative fee, a $208 towing charge, and $58.50 in storage fees. A total savings of $527.50. After checking in at Auto Return, located off 7th Street, I waited patiently at the locked gate for the security guard to let me into the yard. The minutes dragged. Once inside I scanned the lot, spotted my Honda, and nearly broke into a sprint. I couldnt see any damage. I expected my key to not unlock the door, figuring the thief busted it to get in. The key worked fine. I opened the drivers door and froze. My eyes dilated. A reddish hair extension with black spots occupied the drivers seat. The rest of the front area was strewn with garbage, mostly napkins from various fast food restaurants. Subway and Togos logos decorated the floor mat. I tossed the hair extension aside and went to check the ignition. Again, I expected it to be wrecked, with wires dangling from beneath the steering column. Everything was in place, including the ignition. The car started up just as always. My Alpine car stereo was still intact, as were the speakers. The backseat was excrement-free. How is this possible? I drove back to Napa, talking to my car, talking to the universe, thanking whomever or whatever had made this happen. The ninth stage of personal auto theft is amateur police work. In time I determined a few things about my cars journey and the person who stole it. It seemed my Honda spent a lot of time in the Mission District. I know it was at 23rd and Harrison on Friday. I know this because a good Samaritan eventually mailed me my car registration slip with a brief note saying it was found at this location on Aug. 26. Assuming the first order of business for a car thief is ransacking, I figured they went through my vehicle and trunk and disposed of or sold off whatever they could. I lost about $300 worth of stuff. Next, they had breakfast. I found a receipt from McDonalds, located at 345 Bayshore Blvd., that was time stamped 8:06 a.m., Aug. 26. They feasted on four sausage breakfast burritos (with hot picante sauce), one chocolate chip frappe, and a hash brown. The total: $11.62. They paid in cash. I have no idea where my car went on Saturday. But Sunday night it was in the Mission District. Police found it at 364 Shotwell, with someone it. They had told me a suspect was arrested. The tenth, and final, stage of personal auto theft is justice. 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 AMERICAN CANYON After nearly three years of negotiations, the Napa Valley Unified School District has reached an agreement with the proposed Watson Ranch development in American Canyon to help fund both a new elementary school and a middle school. The deal, which includes a commitment of more than $20 million and 10 acres of land, was approved Sept. 1 by the NVUSD Board of Trustees. Im not sure I would ever see this day, said Don Evans, head of school construction, in his opening remarks to the board. Evans was referring to the length of talks with representatives of McGrath Properties and the Newell Family before a deal was reached. He said the three years it took was noticeably longer than negotiations the school district has had with other developers, such as those for Napa Pipe and Vintage Ranch in American Canyon. Despite how long it took, Evans called the agreement with Watson Ranch a wonderful opportunity for the Napa Valley Unified because it secures funding and a site for a new elementary school that will be constructed amid 1,253 residential units, if the project moves ahead. Watson Ranch will provide a 10-acre parcel for the school in construction-ready condition, including building pads, utilities, curbs and gutters, said Superintendent Patrick Sweeney. For that, the district will pay fair market value at that point to purchase the land from the developer, said Sweeney elaborating what that price might be. Sweeney also said he wanted to thank the developers. We are in this together. Theyre going to build great homes, theyre going to provide a place where we can have a fantastic school, and they provided their fair share of the funding. Developer Terry McGrath said his group was completely satisfied with the agreement and the negotiations were never a struggle. We could have not asked for a better partner than the team at Napa Valley Unified School District to help fund much needed schools for the city of American Canyon, said McGrath. Under the approved terms, the project will pay $12,823,170 in developer fees for a 600-student elementary school projected to cost $21 million to construct. The $12.8 million figure is based on estimates that Watson Ranch will generate 374 elementary students, according to Sweeney. This money will be paid only after the city of American Canyon approves Watson Ranch, whose environmental impact report still must be reviewed by the citys planning commission and City Council, and home construction begins. Sweeney also expressed thanks to the city of American Canyon because they were supportive of us. They wanted to make sure the school agreement was in before the environmental impact report process started. As for the timing of the school agreement, City Manager Dana Shigley said it was in all parties best interest, not just the citys, that NVUSD and the developer have reached agreement on how they will partner to supply school facilities for the new families in Watson Ranch. Shigley said the deal assures the [City] Council and community, as everyone debates final approval, that the project will include appropriate schools. Watson Ranch has also agreed to pay another $8,063,481 in developer fees for a new middle school that will cost the district $37 million to build. American Canyon Middle School is overcrowded with students, prompting the need for a second campus in the city. You go on the American Canyon Middle School campus, and its just loaded, said Evans, referring to the 1,000-plus student population on the 9-acre site. Middle schools in the city of Napa, which have similar populations, operate on 30-acre parcels. The second American Canyon middle school would hold approximately 650 students, according to Sweeney and Evans. Watson Ranch is projected to generate 163 of those middle school students. The school district already has 17.5 acres of land for the new middle school, which would be adjacent to American Canyon High School and front American Canyon Road. Evans said NVUSD would build the middle school regardless of whether American Canyon approves Watson Ranch. The passage of Measure H, the $269 million school bond, provides the district with sufficient money to go it alone, if necessary, he said. We went to the voters on Measure H because the need for the middle school is here and now, said Evans. Whether a home gets built or not, he said, we will move forward. In fact, Evans intends to go before the school board at its next meeting on Sept. 15 with a recommendation for an architect to design the middle school. It will be a two-story school, no question about that, said Evans, because we have a relatively small footprint of only 17.5 acres. NVUSD has promised to open the second middle school by the fall of 2019. PARIS More arrests over gas canisters found near Notre Dame Frances interior minister says that three women have been detained in an anti-terror operation south of Paris in which one police officer sustained minor injuries by one of the women, who was also injured. Bernard Cazeneuve said Thursday night the detentions of the radicalized women aged 19, 23 and 39 in Essonne were linked to an investigation stemming from the discovery of a car parked near Paris Notre Dame Cathedral with six gas canisters inside. Paris prosecutors previously said that four other people were detained and they were suspected of being radical Islamists. Officials said that a 27-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman were detained Wednesday south of Paris, and that a second couple, a 34-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman, was detained in the same case on Tuesday. QUITO, Ecuador Nazi hand stamps used to mark visitors to Ecuadorean jail A prison warden in Ecuador is in hot water after it was discovered that security guards were marking visitors to the penitentiary with hand stamps featuring the Nazi swastika. Ecuadors government on Thursday immediately condemned the practice after photos of the hand stamps appeared on social media and caused an immediate uproar. The Justice Ministry in a statement said the warden of the prison in the capital Quito had been disciplined for negligence and the head of security fired for using a symbol associated with the Holocaust. The stamps featured the emblem of the Nazi Party with an eagle atop a swastika and the year 1939. PARIS 45 people stuck overnight in cable cars at Mont Blanc A series of cable cars stopped working at high altitude over the Mont Blanc massif in the Alps on Thursday, prompting a major rescue operation and leaving 45 people trapped in mid-air overnight, Frances interior minister said. Four helicopters were deployed after 110 people became stuck when the cable cars stalled because of a technical incident, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said. He said the helicopters rescued 65 people before the efforts were suspended for the night because of rough flight conditions. First aid workers were transported to the site and will be spending the night in the cable cars with those who are trapped, Cazeneuve said. Rescuers provided blankets, food and water. A local police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasnt authorized to speak the media, said that the incident happened in late afternoon in the panoramic Vallee Blanche Cable Car that rises to an altitude of 3,778 meters (12,395 feet). TERRACE BAY, Ontario Bears wander into Ontario restaurant Police say they had to put down a mother bear that wandered into a northern Ontario restaurant with her cubs and started knocking over products in a storage room. Ontario Provincial Police said Thursday that they were called to Station Two, a casual dining restaurant in Terrace Bay, Ontario, on Wednesday after the animals entered an open back door. They say the restaurant had a few customers at the time, but employees managed to close a door before the mother and her two cubs could approach them. Police say the mother bear had to be killed, while the cubs were captured by Ministry of Natural Resources officials and relocated to a bear sanctuary. They say all customers were safely evacuated from the restaurant and no one was injured. What if all Napa County children had the tools to tap their creative potential? What might we do to achieve that goal? Every educator knows you would need a plan. A framework. A guide for every class, every school day, every semester. As educators, we know there is more to life and education than tests and charts. There is creativity and critical thinking, theater and dance, arts and music. Giving students tangible creative skills means they become more employable, and are more likely to find a job post-graduation. In this way, the arts level the playing field. Regardless of financial background, race, or gender, arts education builds a unique set of transferable skills, giving all students a real chance to succeed. While arts classes have always been present within the Napa Valley Unified School District, we are now creating an organized effort to ensure that these classes are available to all students, at every point in their academic career. Produced in a public-private partnership with our community partners represented in the Arts Council Napa Valley Education Alliance, The Arts Education Master Plan will create a clear pathway for every pre-kindergarten-through-12th-grade student in Napa public schools to have a sequential, standards-based visual and performing arts education. In other words, children will have access to arts classes, no matter which school they attend or what grade theyre in. This consistency in curriculum means that creative knowledge will build over time, allowing for a deep, comprehensive skill set and a more well-rounded graduate to emerge from our school system. According to studies by Americans for the Arts, students who are given a sense of an artistic community are more likely to create and positively affect their surroundings. These same students will, on average, have superior academic performance, meaning lower dropout rates, improved memory skills, higher GPAs, and SAT scores that are generally 100 points higher in reading, writing, and mathematics. And the success continues beyond their high school years, contributing to the health and vibrancy of our community. So, where is the plan now, and where is it going? Programming and curriculum development will be overseen by Visual & Performing Arts Coordinator Chuck Neidhoefer. Appointed in May by NVUSD Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sweeney, Neidhoefer will serve as the lead in sustaining arts education and will work with a team of arts educators to reshape and grow the curriculum during the 2016/2017 school year and beyond. This month, NVUSD will be recognized by the California Alliance for Arts Education for our hard work and dedication. We are grateful for the support the Alliance provided through their Local Advocacy Network, which offers strategic assistance to 30 communities around the state. Now, the Alliance is bringing the world to Napa to hear our story as part of their ARTS NOW campaign. The Napa Summit will allow NVUSD to serve as an inspiration by sharing a day of learning, engaging and spotlighting how we continue to advance our arts education agenda. A highlight will be site visits, where we will take our colleagues from around the state to visit our dance, media, music and visual arts elementary and high school classrooms. They will be led through the schools by student leaders in order to see lesson plans unfold before their eyes. The visits will culminate with an open panel featuring students, administrators, and visitors. The timing couldnt be better. As we join our colleagues in celebrating National Arts in Education Week, we recognize that arts education is a core academic subject and an essential element of a complete and balanced education for all students. Arts have the power to transform lives by providing our youth with skills and experience that support collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity. In Napa, we have a lot to be proud of and more work to do. Heres to a bright and colorful future. Patrick Sweeney is superintendent of the Napa Valley Unified School District. Barbara Nemko is Superintendent of Schools for Napa County. At the end of a two-day visit to Tbilisi, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg encouraged Georgia to continue implementing fundamental reforms to prepare for NATO membership. He stressed that the bonds between NATO and Georgia are stronger than ever. Meeting with President Giorgi Margvelashvili on Thursday (8 September 2016), Mr. Stoltenberg praised Georgia for its important contributions to NATOs operations and activities. He noted that the Alliance is committed to helping Georgia move towards NATO membership, including through the NATO-Georgia Commission and the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package. NATO experts in Georgia are providing advice on defence planning, education and cyber security, while Allies have increased joint training and exercises with Georgian troops. The Secretary General also thanked Georgia for its steady progress on constitutional and electoral reforms. We look forward to the upcoming elections meeting the highest democratic standards, because, as a community of values, NATO puts a premium on democracy, human rights and the rule of law, he said. Mr. Stoltenberg added that the Alliance is closely following the security situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. At the Warsaw Summit, Allies reaffirmed NATOs full commitment to Georgias territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognised borders. (As prepared) Thank you for that very kind introduction. I appreciate this opportunity to share a few thoughts with you. About NATOs mission and evolution. And the close friendship between Georgia and NATO. *** I first visited your beautiful country in 1985. It was a very different time. When Europe was divided by armies, by walls and by values. Since then so much has changed. In 1985, you were a Soviet Republic. Now you are an independent state. A close partner of NATO, aspiring to membership. I join the people of Georgia in celebrating your many achievements over the past quarter of a century. Perhaps the most important change has been how Georgia has embraced the fundamental values which unite so many countries across Europe. Democracy. Freedom of speech. Freedom of the media. Independence of the judiciary. Protection of minorities. These are the values that unite us. They are the values NATO has defended since its foundation in 1949. We have had to defend those enduring values in very different ways. For our first 40 years, NATO was focused on collective defence. Defending ourselves back then meant lining up tanks along the West German border. Then suddenly, in 1989, the Berlin Wall came down. The Cold War ended. And the Soviet Union was dissolved. With the Cold War receding into the past, NATO entered a new phase. Our mission evolved from pure collective defence to include what we call crisis management. As violence disrupted the Balkans. And the threat of genocide erupted in Kosovo. For the first time, NATO sought to manage conflicts beyond our territory. To defend the lives of the people there. To prevent war from spreading in Europe. And to take a stand against massive abuses of human rights. This was a new role for NATO. But it was firmly in line with our commitment to universal values. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, NATO was called upon once again. NATO and our partners went into Afghanistan. To prevent that country from becoming a safe haven for terrorism. Since then, NATO with the help of Georgia has been supporting the Afghan armed forces. Which we have helped build from almost nothing to an effective force of more than 350,000. And here on behalf of all NATO members and partners I want to express my deep gratitude to Georgia. You have stood side-by-side with NATO in Afghanistan for many years. And we recognise and deeply appreciate the sacrifices made by Georgias soldiers and their families. Your troops have made a real contribution to helping the Afghan people find a safer future. And they have helped keep us safe as well. We are grateful for that. Now, we are in a third important phase of NATOs evolution. Which in some ways began to take shape when Russia used military force here in Georgia in 2008. Since then, Russia has kept unwanted troops in the Republic of Moldova. Illegally annexed Crimea. And is worrying the rest of Europe, for example, with the kind of massive, unannounced exercise we are seeing right now. At the same time, we also face big challenges to the South. With the emergence of the so-called Islamic State, we have seen a tragic escalation of the civil war in Syria. A series of brutal terrorist attacks in several NATO countries. And the biggest migrant and refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. NATO is adapting to these challenges from the east and south. We have bolstered NATOs ability and readiness to defend our territory and our citizens. We are strengthening our collective defence and deterrence. We are enhancing our forward presence in the east of the Alliance. In Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, we will deploy, by rotation, four robust, multinational battalions. One in each country. We will also strengthen our posture in the south-eastern part of the Alliance. Based around a Romanian framework brigade. This will be supplemented by steps to strengthen the readiness and interoperability of air and maritime forces here in the Black Sea region. NATO does not seek confrontation. All of our measures are defensive, transparent, and in line with our international obligations. We do not want a new Cold War. We will continue to seek constructive and meaningful dialogue with Russia. We will never compromise on our duty to protect our territories and citizens. We are also taking significant steps to increase stability in our eastern and southern neighbourhood. Because if our neighbours are more stable, we are more secure. In the east, we have reaffirmed our commitment to Ukraine, to the Republic of Moldova and to Georgia. To help these countries resist outside pressure and advance crucial defence and security reforms. In the case of your country, we agreed on the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package in 2014. This package was strengthened at our Summit in Warsaw this past July. Allies are determined to increase and intensify our level of support. NATO experts work with their counterparts here in Georgia on a day-to-day basis. To help strengthen your defence capabilities. And to provide advice on planning, education and cyber security. We have also increased training and exercises for troops from NATO, Georgia and other partners. Including through our new Joint Training Centre based right here in Tbilisi. These are significant, concrete measures that enhance Georgias security and defence capabilities. *** NATO was founded by twelve nations in the shadow of the horrors and devastation of World War II. Gradually, our membership has more than doubled. Today we have 28 members. Soon to be 29 with the expected addition of Montenegro. NATOs expansion over the years is the result of our Open Door policy. Georgia too has applied for NATO membership. And NATO agreed at our Summit in Bucharest in 2008 that Georgia will become a member of NATO. We always advise aspiring members that the process of joining NATO takes time and patience. NATO has been working very closely with Georgia to assist your country on the path to eventual membership. Over the years, Georgia has been one of the biggest contributors to NATO operations. And NATO has more initiatives and programmes here in Georgia than in any other partner country. So, today, there is more Georgia in NATO. And more NATO in Georgia. NATO Allies have been extremely impressed with the strides Georgia has made. We encourage Georgia to continue on the path toward economic, defence and democratic reforms. We look forward to your elections next month. And we trust they will meet the highest democratic standards. The current visit to Georgia of the North Atlantic Council sends an important message. The friendship between NATO and Georgia is stronger than ever. *** For nearly seven decades, NATO has helped to keep the peace in Europe. Allies have been united by a common set of values democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. And we have forged an unbreakable bond. Between Allies on both sides of the Atlantic. As the world has changed, NATO has changed. But we remain committed to our values. To our determination to defend one another. And to help promote peace and security for future generations. MODERATOR: Thank you Secretary General for your very detailed review of the challenges the whole international community is facing today and you also briefly provided the concrete steps which was taken by the alliance with the aim to overcome these challenges. Let me raise my first question and then I promise to limit myself to give more opportunities to Georgian students. Secretary General as you mentioned since the collapse of the Soviet Union and since the end of the Cold War many steps were taken and many agreements were achieved on international arena but concrete facts of drawing dividing lines in Europe and concrete efforts aimed at reasserting spheres of privilege [inaudible] in the region unfortunately still seriously challenge the strategic agenda of the west to achieve Europe whole, free and at peace. My question is how do you think, where do we stand in this regard? And how do you also see the role of international institutions and of course more specifically how do you see the role of NATO? JENS STOLTENBERG (NATO Secretary General): I think that what we have seen is that we have made a lot of progress. We have seen that there is more democracy in Europe now than it has been for ever before. There are more independent democratic states than we have seen ever before and we have seen the crucial role of both NATO and the European Union. So the end of the, after the end of the Cold War, after the end of the Soviet Union, after the end of the Warsaw Pact we have seen more democracy, more independence in Europe than we have seen ever before. And this has been great progress and NATO has been of course been key in that process with the enlargement, taking in many more members and by that also contributing to stability, to democracy and to freedom in Europe. So in one way we are really on the right track to a Europe whole, free and at peace but at the same time we see challenges like we for instance have seen in Georgia with the occupation of territories in Georgia, with the Russian aggression against Georgia and of course what you have seen in Ukraine. So the picture is mixed and we also see that Russia is trying to kind of re-establish spheres of influence along its borders and for me this just underlines the importance of strong NATO, of strong partnership with other countries in Europe that are not members of NATO and also the importance of underlining that every nation has the freedom to choose its own path including what kind of security arrangements it wants to be part of. So we are moving, we are moving in the right direction but we have seen some very disappointing development especially in Ukraine in the last couple of years. MODERATOR: Thank you Secretary General. Now we have time for questions, around 30 minutes and I would ask everybody to identify yourself and of course to keep your questions short in order to have more time for conversation. Please lady there, yeah. Q: Anna [inaudible], Caucasus University. My question is what would be your message to the part of our society pessimistic about Georgias NATO accession? Thank you. JENS STOLTENBERG: Sorry I didnt the message to? MODERATOR: To the Georgian society, to the part of society pessimistic ... JENS STOLTENBERG: Well my message is that Georgia should continue to do exactly what Georgia is doing and that is to implement reforms. Constitutional reforms, electoral reforms, economic reforms, judicial reforms, modernize Georgia. And there are many reasons why I believe that this is so important for Georgia. Of course it enables Georgia to move towards membership because these reforms are crucial, critical for Georgia being able, joining NATO. But in addition these reforms are important regardless of NATO because to have an independent judiciary, to have strong democratic institutions, to have freedom of press, to have the rule of law, to fight corruption, that is something which is important regardless of NATO. So even if NATO hadnt asked you to do it you should have done it anyway because it creates freedom, it creates the best possible framework for investments, for economic prosperity. So there are double reasons for you to pursue the path of reform modernizing the Georgian society because it provides freedom, it provides economic growth and it is the way towards NATO membership. Then it will take time and you need patience but you achieve a lot while you are moving, its not either nothing or full membership. You have already achieved a lot when it comes to modernizing the Georgian society and you have achieved a lot when it comes to building partnership with NATO. There are NATO advisors in Georgia, we are training your troops, we are increasing the ability of Georgian troops to work together with NATO troops, interoperability we call it in the NATO language, we have the NATO training centre, we are opening this school, defence institution building school, we have the NATO liaison office, we have advisors and so on. So I think yes I understand that you would like to see membership as soon as possible, I understand that you would like to see that I can give you an exact date that you will join next year, Im not able to do that but I can tell you that you are achieving a lot just by working towards membership because on that road you are modernizing Georgia and thats good for Georgia regardless of when you are able to join NATO. MODERATOR: Thank you. Thank you Secretary General and we have next question over there. Q: Hello Im Sophia from Sokhumi State University. First of all let me extend my appreciation for NATO for its support of Georgias territorial integrity and for pursuing the non-recognition policy. So my question is that in the environment where the modern Euro Atlantic security architecture including the principles, the principles of inviolability of state borders is being constantly undermined, whats the vision of NATO on how to deal this challenge? Thank you. JENS STOLTENBERG: It is a fundamental principle which the security order in Europe has been based on since the end of the Second World War that borders should be respected, the territorial integrity, the sovereignty of all nations should be respected and that has been the basis for peace in Europe. And the reason why we are so concerned by what we have seen in Georgia with the occupation of some regions in Georgia and also by what we have seen in the Crimea and Eastern Ukraine is that thats violating exactly those fundamental principles and that is serious for Georgia, its serious for Ukraine but its also serious for the whole of rest of Europe because it undermines the principles, the framework which peace and stability in Europe has to be based on. And that is also the reason why NATO has reacted so strongly and not only NATO but the whole Europe and NATO together. The European Union has implemented strong economic sanctions against Russia because they have violated the territorial integrity of Ukraine and NATO has implemented the biggest reinforcement to our collective defence and we have as I stated in my speech decided to also deploy forces in the eastern part of the alliance. So credible deterrence, strong defence to underline that NATO will never never accept that any NATO ally is attacked or that the territorial integrity of any NATO ally is violated is part of response to what we have seen in Georgia and Ukraine. On top of that of course we are also then stepping up our support, our cooperation with both Ukraine and Georgia also as a response to what we have seen of a more assertive Russian behaviour in Europe during the last years. MODERATOR: I cannot agree with you more Secretary General because we can speak about new realities in international relations, the most clear reality [inaudible] the indivisibility of security. Its really hard to achieve security on NATO territory without projecting stability and security in the region and it is really very important that concrete steps are being taken with the aim to strengthen the security of the partner and aspirant countries as well. Thank you for this answer and one more question over there. Q: Thank you. Taya Gregorava (sp?) from Tbilisi State University. While the opinion polls show that majority of Georgias population supports our countrys Euro Atlantic aspirations, however the anti-western propaganda efforts by Russian Federation are increasing not only in Georgia but also in other partner countries. NATO has taken certain steps to mitigate this challenge, Georgia also on its own has taken certain action by strengthening its strategic communication with NATO. What do you think would be the most efficient format of cooperation between Georgia and NATO to further mitigate this challenge? Thank you. JENS STOLTENBERG: I understand the concern you have about Russian propaganda and we have seen that in several countries including in Georgia. At the same time I think its very important for me to underline that for NATO it is not an option to meet propaganda with propaganda because we actually dont believe in propaganda. We believe that the people are as I say able to distinguish propaganda from facts and information. So for us the best possible response to propaganda is the truth, its facts and figures and documentation. So what NATO can do is to help you provide the facts and the truth because we believe that in the long run the truth will prevail over propaganda. Let me also add that of course NATO and all the people and all of us at the NATO headquarters in Brussels we can do a lot but in the long run it has to be the people in each and every member state or partner state like Georgia that has to stand up and to counter propaganda in each and every country. Because I trust myself a lot but I really believe that there are Georgians who are the best ones to counter propaganda in Georgia, not me and it has to be done by you in this country. What we can do is to help you with the facts, with the figures, with the analysis, but you have to stand there in the open free debate and thats also the reason why it is so important to have a free press, is that in the long run if you have a free press with different views, a variety of opinions, thats also the best way to counter propaganda and not to be vulnerable to propaganda. So we will help you but you have to do the job. MODERATOR: Exactly, I completely share your vision on our domestic homework in this respect and its really important that domestically we should achieve the consolidation of our efforts to the fullest possible extent in order to counter very well organized propaganda against Georgia. We have one question, the military guy there. Hes a student from Defence Academy I guess. Q: [Inaudible], Batumi State Maritime Academy, basic [inaudible]. My question, according to the issue of Black Sea region security enhancement on NATO Warsaw Summit, what kind of contribution can Georgia make as a country having strategic functions in this region? Thank you. JENS STOLTENBERG: I have problems with hearing the questions MODERATOR: This time me too as well, so you mean the strategic function of Georgia? Yeah, what is the strategic function of Georgia in preserving peace in the Black Sea area. JENS STOLTENBERG: I think that the strategic function of Georgia is to create a strong, modern, vibrant, democratic Georgian society. Because then you reduce your vulnerability from outside pressure and you are doing exactly that. So societies that are strong, that are democratic, that have some core values uniting them are much stronger than countries which are, you know, characterized by corruption, by weak institutions, by deep divisions and so on. So again the more you are able to modernize Georgia, the more you are able to create a really true open democratic society the stronger and more resilient you will be also from outside or against outside pressure and the more you will contribute to stability in this region. Of course strong defence, strong security institution will be part of that and thats also the reason why I welcome so much the way you are reforming and modernizing your armed forces and your security institutions. You have made impressive progress and thereby also contributed to stability in this region but to be a modern society is not something you achieve and then relax, you have to always continue to reform and modernize in a changing world. MODERATOR: Thank you. Next, next question over there. Q: Hello. Im Diana Homaricki (sp?) from International Black Sea University. My question is about terrorism. After G20 Summit President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that official Washington and Ankara will cooperate to clean Raqqa, the capital of so called Islamic State, from terrorists. So what is the position of NATO concerning this issue? And in general what is the current vision of NATO regarding combating terrorism? Thank you. JENS STOLTENBERG: To combat terrorism is a huge task where we need the contribution from many different countries and from many different international institutions and organizations. Its about police work, its about intelligence, its about a lot of civilian measures for instance countering the threats coming from returning foreign fighters. But NATO also has a key role to play in the fight against terrorism and I think that we have to remember that our biggest military operation ever, our operation in Afghanistan where Georgia has really contributed, that is an operation which is about fighting terrorism. The reason why we went into Afghanistan was a direct response to the terrorist attack 9/11 2001. And the reason why we stay in Afghanistan is to prevent Afghanistan becoming a safe haven for international terrorists. So NATO plays a key role in fighting terrorism by conducting our military operation, the train, assist and advise presence in Afghanistan. Then NATO also provides support to the international coalition, the US led international coalition against ISIL. We provide support in different ways, we will start to train Iraqi, we train Iraqi officers in Jordan, we will start to train more Iraqi officers in Iraq soon and we also provide AWACS surveillance planes, assistance from them to help the coalition fight ISIL in Syria. All NATO allies are part of the coalition and NATO supports the efforts of the coalition. I also welcome, and of course Turkey a NATO ally is perhaps or is the ally most affected by the turmoil, the violence and the presence of ISIL in Iraq and Syria, Turkey bordering both countries. So Turkey is a NATO ally and NATO has increased its military presence in Turkey to augment and to increase their capability to protect themselves against different kinds of attacks. I welcome closer cooperation between the different countries in the coalition fighting ISIL and especially because United States and Turkey because they are key in the fight against ISIL, two NATO allies, and I think it is of great importance that they work even closer together in the fight against ISIL also of course in Syria. MODERATOR: Thank you. I think the, one more question comes from the defence academy. Q: National Defence Academy of Georgia, [inaudible]. First of all thanks for your visit and thanks for your support. My question is that sir how would you assess the importance of NATO Georgia substantial package in terms of the development of the defensibility of our country and groups of interoperability with NATO countries? Thank you. JENS STOLTENBERG: The substantial package is a key tool in strengthening and modernizing the defence capabilities of Georgia and we decided in Warsaw in July to further strengthen this too. And of course everything we do when it comes to provide education, training, advice to your armed forces, to your defence and security institutions, help you to get stronger, help you to be more modern and help you to also become more interoperable which is this word describing the ability to work together with other forces, both NATO forces but also other forces from other NATO partner countries. This is good for Georgia that we are exercising together, that our soldiers, your soldiers, our soldiers can work together, learn from each other, train together. And so thats good for Georgia, it makes you a stronger, safer country that we have modern well equipped, well trained forces and good defence structures. But its also good for NATO because Georgia contributes to many NATO operations. So this is not only something we do because we would like to be kind to Georgia but its also because we understand that a strong Georgia, a well-trained armed forces of Georgia is also good for us. When you are together with us in Afghanistan of course that we are able to work together, that the Georgian soldiers are world, top class, is good for our operation in Afghanistan. You participate in the fight against terrorism in the Mediterranean, in our operation there, and you also participate in the NATO Response Force. So this shows how the partnership is of mutual benefit both for Georgia and NATO and therefore we have decided to strengthen the comprehensive package which is the main tool which we use to assist you in modernizing your forces. MODERATOR: Thank you Secretary General. I would add only one to this point that as a result of our joint effort, as a result of very effective military to military cooperation at the Wales Summit Georgia was already officially acknowledged as one of the most interoperable partner and we have already quite significantly benefitted from this cooperation. We hope that NATO Georgia substantial package will be additional benefit in this regard which will prepare Georgia for membership as well. So we have one more question over there, yeah. Q: [Speaking with Interpreter]. Greetings and warm welcome, my name is Luca Lauria (sp?). My question is bearing in mind that Georgia is placed in a non- stable region neighbouring Iran, Syria, Ukraine, North Caucasus, to what extent Georgia is important for the alliance? And how do you eye the Georgian role in terms of securing peace in the region? JENS STOLTENBERG: In one way it goes without saying that Georgia is important for NATO because Georgia is one of our most closest partners and you are a partner which we really support. And again we do that because we believe that the strong, stable, democratic Georgia is good for Georgia but its also good for the stability in the whole region and therefore also good for NATO. So everything we do with our presence here is a sign of that but just the fact that the North Atlantic Council which very seldom travels together, the 28 nations travelling together visiting another country, I think that happens once or twice a year, we are here again for the second time. MODERATOR: Exactly. JENS STOLTENBERG: So that, our presence here today with all the 28 and Montenegro is a strong expression of the importance we attach to Georgia and also the strong political support we provide to Georgia. MODERATOR: Thank you. We have just five, five minutes left for questions. I think that we can get two questions but I would suggest two collective questions in order to be in time. So one over there, yes, this lady, you, yeah, and one question over there. Q: Hello thank you for interesting speech. I am Tatria [inaudible], I am studying international relation and politics in Georgian University and my question is what do you think about Georgian political, about political situation in Georgia? And does Georgia has to join in NATO and what will, and what impact will they make on the relationship with Russia? Thank you. MODERATOR: And other question? Q: [Inaudible] State University. First of all thank you for your visiting and thank you for this meeting. How would you evaluate contribution of Georgia in strengthening international security and stability? Is the Resolute Support Mission successful in Afghanistan? Thank you. JENS STOLTENBERG: Okay. Thank you so much. First about the political situation in Georgia. Well I think that I should not have an opinion about the political situation in Georgia because thats for the people in Georgia to decide and you have different parties. I met many of them in the parliament this morning and I am in favour of democracy in Georgia. Im in favour of strong democratic institutions in Georgia, Im in favour of fair and free elections in Georgia but Im not going to have any opinion about what kind of parties are the best parties in Georgia because thats up to the people of Georgia to decide and to vote for different parties. And actually I welcome the fact that there are different opinions, in all democratic societies there are different opinions and thats part of being a democratic society is that people disagree. If people dont disagree, if there are not different opinions then you should be really concerned because then there is no real democracy. So yes I have an opinion about or as I say the democratic system in Georgia, it has to be a democratic, strong, transparent, robust democracy but how you in a way decide to use that democratic system its up to the people of Georgia to decide. And I look forward to the elections and I expect them to meet the highest standards of democratic elections. Then you asked me about Georgia and NATO, well I think I answered. We have reaffirmed the Bucharest Decision, I was actually in Bucharest back in 2008 when NATO decided that Georgia will become member. But to become member you have to meet the standards, you have to continue on the path of modernizing, reforming and let me also add that it may take time, it may require patience but as Ive stated and underlined many times what you do while you are moving towards NATO benefits Georgia. So the reforms are also in your benefit regardless of membership. Then Russia. So we see a more assertive Russia, we see a Russia which has implemented a substantial military buildup, which has been willing to use military force against neighbours, Georgia and Ukraine. But at the same time we underline strongly and that was also a clear message from Warsaw that we dont want a new cold war, we dont want to isolate Russia. Russia is our biggest neighbour and we have to manage our relationship with Russia and we have to also avoid that when we have more military activities, more military presence along our borders, we have to avoid accidents, incidents which can trigger really dangerous situations. And we just got reports from the Black Sea yesterday that we had a new incident with unsafe behaviour of Russian planes flying very close to an American plane in international air space. And these kind of incidents are dangerous because they can lead to really dangerous accidents, incidents and we have to avoid that they spiral out of the control and thats one of the reasons why we are looking into how we can develop mechanisms for risk reductions, for transparency, for predictability in our relationship with Russia to avoid these kind of incidents and accidents from happening and if they happen prevent them from spiralling out of control. Then what Georgia can do. I think I have already answered that question. You can do a lot and youre doing a lot and the best thing you can do is to continue to become a modern, democratic, strong, resilient society. Thats good for you and its good for the stability in the whole region. MODERATOR: Thank you Secretary General. Unfortunately I have to apologize whose questions we could not get, we dont have any more time. But I would say that todays meeting really reminded me Secretary General Lord Robertsons informal meeting 16 years ago in Tbilisi. I was one among the students who were raising questions on possible prospects of improving cooperation with NATO and partnership with NATO but the spirit of todays discussions and the topics raised by students really proved that since then NATO Georgia relations have improved significantly and really achieved very high standards. Because today Georgia provides significant contribution to international peace and stability, today Georgia is already formally acknowledged as one of the most interoperable partner of the alliance. Georgia today for NATO is not only a valuable partner but also an aspirant country irreversibly standing on NATO membership track and of course it is worth to mention how important is the Bucharest Summit decision which says that Georgia will become a member of NATO. So with your permission I would end this meeting on this very positive note. I would extend our gratitude once again for your very strong support and for your very interesting speech, remarks and for completeness of your answers and of course I would ask everybody to join me in applauding Secretary General. Thank you. [APPLAUSE] MODERATOR: And last but not least I have the great pleasure to invite to the podium Director General of National Library of Georgia who will be presenting the real masterpiece of Georgian literature, medieval epic poem Knight in the Panthers Skin. JENS STOLTENBERG: Thank you so much. 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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 WASHINGTON, DC Armenian National Committee of America Executive Director Aram Hamparian slammed U.S. policy on Middle East Christians as shortsighted, irresponsible and reckless, calling for a new strategy based on fundamental American values, at the opening press conference of the 2016 In Defense of Christians (IDC) National Advocacy Convention. Sadly, in place of a truly American approach, successive U.S. Administrations have pursued policies imposed by foreign interests; allowed vetoes exercised by corrupt dictators; even enforced gag-rules silencing our moral voice as a nation, said Hamparian. He went to offer three Armenian examples of failed U.S. policies, including U.S. complicity in Turkey's obstruction of justice for the Armenian Genocide; a U.S. green light on Turkey's destabilizing offensives into northern Syria; and U.S. backing for a peace plan that would force Christian Nagorno-Karabakh under the rule of an Azerbaijani dictatorship. Hamparian then praised In Defense of Christians for its progress against influential interests and the institutional inertia of more than a century of inaction, citing the unanimous passage of H.Con.Res. 75, spearheaded by Representatives Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA), which condemned ISIS actions against Christians and minorities as genocide; a joint Knights of Columbus / IDC report detailing the genocidal campaign against Christians and other minorities in the Middle East; and the ongoing advocacy efforts defending the rights and safety of Christian communities in the region. He went on to share the ANCA's support for the policy recommendations being advanced during the IDC convention: -- Securing a truthful and just international resolution to Turkey's still unpunished crime of genocide against Armenians, Assyrians, Greeks and other Christians through passage of H.Res.154. -- Establishing a province for the indigenous Christians (Assyrian, Chaldean and Syriac) and other peoples of the Nineveh Plain region. -- Generating U.S. support for security and stability in Lebanon and relief from the Syrian refugee crisis (including those who have reached Armenia). -- Encouraging reform of the legal regulations regarding the rebuilding and construction of churches in Egypt. These issues are all tied to one another, explained Hamparian. Progress on one reinforces progress on all. Justice for one represents a step toward justice for all. The resignation of the Armenian Prime Minister followed the political crisis and mass protests in the country. The worlds leading news agencies came to the aforementioned conclusion, commenting on PM Hovik Abrahamyans resignation, which was announced after the meeting of the Cabinet on Thursday. According to Associated Press, the Armenian Prime Minister announced his resignation to lead the way towards a coalition government. This was an expected step, which followed the police station takeover in Yerevan, the agency writes. However, it was not clear from his statement who would lead the new government. For its part, the German dpa agency also links the resignation with the series of opposition protests in the country. The authors write that the possible successor of Abrahamyan will be the ex-Mayor of Yerevan Karen Karapetyan, who has close links with the countrys leadership. British The Independent also refers to the recent protests held in Yerevan. This year was the fourth summer of mass protests in Yerevan, with demands for regime change overtaking previous issues of electricity bills, pension reform and public transport fare increases,the article reads. The Prime Ministers resignation followed an economic slowdown this year and outbreaks of violence, Reuters writes. Experts say the new government is likely to be temporary and the final configuration will emerge only after 2017 parliamentary election and the end of Sarksyan's second term in 2018, when the full transition from the semi-presidential form of government to a parliamentary republic will be completed, the article reads. YEREVAN. - The activity of the Armenian government for the previous period should be assessed as satisfactory. Chairman of the Armenian National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Foreign Relations, Artak Zakaryan, told the aforementioned on Thursday before the session of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Council. In the conditions of new challenges, the new government which is to be formed, should consider all the possible challenges and the demands of our society, which, obviously, change together with the progress of life. We must also prepare the new government for these new solutions, Zakaryan said. In his words, the government of national accord should be a government which will include the demands of all the strata of the society and provide plans for them. I think we will have a model of such government in future,he noted. Zakaryan also noted that the sessions of the RPA Executive Body and Council will address the candidacy of ex-Mayor of Yerevan Karen Karapetyan for the office of the new prime minister. There are no other candidates but for him, Zakaryan noted. Responding to the question on whether the fact that Karapetyan doesnt belong to the RPA isnt an obstacle, he said: He used to be included in the City Council list and cooperated with our party for many years. As you know, the RPA has always been able to pass a long way with its opponents and partners. Zakaryan explained the need to have an acting prime minister with the situation emerged. The change in the Government is based on the need to have new solutions and approaches by the society. The society needs new approaches and solutions. The old Government has an Action Plan, which should be updated, reviewed and be brought to conformity with the modern foreign and domestic policy, as well as public demands, he said. The Chief of the Armenian National Assembly (NA) staff Hrayr Tovmasyan doesnt see his membership to the government. He told the aforementioned to journalists on Thursday before the session of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Council and Executive Body. Tovmasyan declined to assess the work of the resigned PM Hovik Abrahamyan. Let me not give assessments. Mr Prime Minister has already given his assessment,he said. Asked how the changes, which have not been made in the recent years, should be carried out, Tovmasyan said: The political reforms were launched with the Constitution adopted last year. Besides subjective issues, our country also has objective ones, among which I have pointed out to the governmental system. Those issues are peculiar to all the countries with semi-presidential system. The Constitution adopted last year tries to solve those issues. In Tovmasyans words, the political reforms should lead to economic ones. Some time later, Armenia will have a different political culture, he added. Today we can already see its manifestations. For instance, during the elections in Vanadzor and Gyumri, you never saw a political struggle, which we can currently witness. This is an important issue: the local elections have never been political in nature in Armenia. And now we can see the first sprouts,he said. Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan announced his resignation following the meeting of the Cabinet on Thursday The Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) continues to remain the source of political fashion and pace, and responding to the coming impulses it has decided to go towards the parliamentary elections with new government. The RPA Vice President Armen Ashotyan told the aforementioned to journalists after the RPA Executive Body and Council sessions on Thursday. The governing bodies of the party were discussing the issue of guaranteeing the next prime minister. The political justifications which underlie the PMs change were presented in detail, Ashotyan said, adding that the Constitution adopted in 2015 has also opened the door to political reforms. Hovik Abrahamyans Government worked for two and a half years, and now the political changes are an imperative, he said. To the question as to why Karen Karapetyan was chosen as a candidate, Ashotyan said: Considering Karen Karapetyans activity, his awareness of the economic issues, area of electric power and political issues, as well as his management skills and a number of traits, the RPA gave its confidence mandate. According to Ashotyan, the Government will be formed within the period stipulated by the Constitution. Asked whether the Government composition will change, Ashotyan noted that he hadnt discussed the issue of the Cabinet portfolios, but it will be formed in the context of coalition memorandum. Serious changes will take place in the governmental system; no names were discussed,he added. YEREVAN. - The Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan made an address at the session of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Council on Thursday. Referring to the implementation of the constitutional reforms, which he had referred to on February 12, he noted: During the previous years, the economic reforms were in the center of our attention. But we had somehow left the political reforms for better times, thinking that the economic reforms would create more favorable conditions for the political reforms. However, it has long ago become apparent that without political reforms, the results of economic reforms will always be unsatisfying for us. Currently, already everyone sees the need for political reforms. According to him, the political reforms first of all imply political culture: new methods of solving the issues which the country faces, free entrance to the political system of purposeful people who are full of ideas, turning the parliament into the countrys No. 1 forum, possibility to unite the ideas of all the relevant forces round the issues the country faces, etc. These political reforms are not an end in themselves: they are not steps taken upon the urge, let alone, demand of international organizations. These are reforms aimed at having a good and secure homeland, as well as living and creating on our own land for millennia. I reiterate, the basis of all this is the newly adopted Constitution, he stressed. The Constitutional reforms were followed by a rather complex work of drafting the Electoral Code, which required professional solutions. The cooperation between the opposition and civil society round the Electoral Code was unprecedented, Sargsyan added, expressing hope that it will successfully end in the upcoming two-three days. The preparatory work was unfortunately slowed down after the Arpil War, he said. As usual, we are learning lessons from the war. The significant work, which is underway, will continue regardless of any other processes. The recent developments also certainly kept us back, but now we have no time to lag behind. Dear party members, dear friends, I reiterate we have neither a right nor time to lag behind, the President stressed. Referring to the changes in the political system, Sargsyan noted: You can expect significant changes in the future. [By this] I first of all mean the conducted policy, its priorities, signature and tasks also in terms of bringing them to conformity with the revised Constitution. As a consequence, there will certainly be changes in the staff. Changes will take place in almost all the areas, starting from the Presidents administration to the judicial system. Referring to the approval of Karen Karapetyans candidacy as a PM, Sargsyan said: We are all well aware of Mr Karapetyans skills and style. He can indeed lead the great wave of changes in Armenia, guiding the society though new economic and political freedoms, break the fixed stereotypes and inject new flexibility into the economic movement, etc. I am sure, through his effective work Karen Karapetyan will be able to become a unique symbol of changes in Armenia. He will be able to lead all the future developments by the path predetermined by the Constitution, that is the modern path. Using the entire potential of Armenians, the new government should restore the widest confidence towards the authorities and find non-standard solutions for our economy and public life, which will guarantee Armenias sustainable development, strengthening the countrys positions in the region, the President stressed. Serzh Sargsyan also thanked former Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan for heading the Armenian government during this responsible periodand the work carried out by him. I am [also]grateful to Karen Karapetyan for assuming the post of the head of the government. We are entering a decisive stage: the responsibility is great and the actions are significant. I am sure all of us will support his initiatives. I congratulate and wish success to all of us, the President concluded. YEREVAN. - The candidate for the Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan will in near future present the development plan of Armenia, which will consist of two stages. Karapetyan stated the aforementioned at the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Council session, during which his candidacy was discussed. He thanked the Armenian President and members of the RPA Council session for the confidence, assuring that he will do his best to justify that confidence. Karapetyan also thanked ex-PM Hovik Abrahamyan for his work. Referring to the two stages of the countrys development plan, the candidate for the Armenian Prime Minister noted that the first stage will include the possible quick changes and success, which can to some extent inspire confidence and trust towards the plan. According to him, the second stage will be the vision of Armenias long-term development. Karen Karapetyan noted that he would be grateful to all the partners, who will submit their proposals. He also informed that in the near future he is going to invite his colleagues, including economists, businessmen, heads of large businesses and all those concerned, to a round-table discussion to discuss all this. Ex-PM and RPA Vice President Hovik Abrahamyan also made an address. He noted that during his 2-year office, when the office of the prime minister was entrusted to him, he tried to do his best with his team to overcome the internal and external challenges, which he had referred to during todays session. In Abrahamyans words, he is confident of the experience, skills and capacities of Karen Karapetyan, whom he knows very well, and is sure that he will continue the governments activity doing his best to contribute to the progress of the country, development of economy and better life for the people. ROCKLEDGE, Florida A 73-year-old man is in the Brevard County Jail facing multiple felony charges following a shooting incident in a Rockledge, Florida neighborhood on Wednesday. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Around 4 p.m., Rockledge police responded to reports of shots being fired on Cara Circle. Police then set up a perimeter and closed nearby streets from Murell Road to Bell Aire Lane in the area of East Levitt Park. According to police, Robert Lynn fired several shots in the air, with at least one round striking a home. Despite the multiple shots in a residential neighborhood, no one suffered any injuries. Lynn was taken into custody and charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, discharging a firearm in public, using a firearm under the influence of alcohol, shooting into a dwelling, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill. Emory Dining has made some major changes to venues and dining options for the new semester. In addition, preparations are underway for an interim dining commons space in anticipation of the planned construction of the new Campus Life Center. Here's a rundown of new dining choices on the Emory campus: The Depot Dooleys Den at The Depot has now become Kaldis Coffee Roasting Co. A major renovation over the summer has created an entirely new interior featuring booths, traditional cafe seating and large communal tables. The new interior is online-friendly with amped-up power supplies and multiple access points throughout the dining area, including USB outlets and robust Wi-Fi service. Food service will be provided by Kaldis. In addition to coffees and teas, new hot and cold menu options include Chai French toast, BBQ nachos, pimento cheese soft pretzels, chilaquiles, salads and desserts. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free items will be available. Chad Sunstein, acting director of Campus Dining Services, says the varied and extensive menu and environment at The Depot may appeal to faculty and staff, as well as students particularly for weekday or business lunches with friends and colleagues. A Classics menu offers Monday through Friday lunch specials for $7.49. The Depot will continue to be open every day until 2 a.m. Food trucks A fourth night of food truck service is being offered this semester at the Clairmont Campus, the Freshman Quad and Harris Hall, in response to students requests. Food trucks will now come to these locations Wednesday through Saturday nights from 7 to 11 p.m. Strada Napoli Pizza will join the food trucks late nights five times a week on a rotating basis at Asbury Circle and at the Clairmont Campus. This new vendor offers wood-fired pizza. All food trucks and mobile vendors accept Dooley Dollars, Eagle Dollars, cash and credit cards. Farmers Market The Emory Farmers Market features several new vendors this semester. Honey Bubble will have bubble tea made with Fair Trade teas and local honey. Also new will be Revolution Gelato, producing dairy-free gelatos. The regular weekly schedule for the new academic year kicked off Aug. 23; weather permitting, the Farmers Market will be every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Cox Hall Bridge. More than 15 Farmers Market vendors now accept Dooley Dollars. Interim dining commons A number of the campus dining changes are being prompted by the planned construction of the new Campus Life Center. An interim dining commons, dubbed the "DUC-ling" since it will take the place of the Dobbs University Center for meal-plan dining, is being created while the new Campus Life Center is under development. The DUC-ling will be built in the courtyard area in front of the Woodruff PE Center across from the existing DUC building. It will be ready for use in the summer. School of Medicine Cafe To fill the "coffee gap" when the DUC closes after next spring, Kaldis has opened a small coffee kiosk inside the School of Medicine's James B. Williams Medical Education Building in the first floor lobby. This kiosk serves espresso beverages, drip coffee and pastries, along with a small variety of other grab-and-go sandwiches and salads. Dooley Dollars, Eagle Dollars, credit or debit can be used at this location. The National Council of State yesterday confirmed Mr. Ibrahim Idris as the substantive Inspector-General of Police (IGP) having found him to be honest, transparent and of impeccable character. At its meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, the Council also confirmed the appointment of six national commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and five for the National Population Commission (NPC). Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Jigawa State Governor, Badaru Abubakar, said that while considering the fate of Idris as IGP having been in acting capacity, "there was almost unanimous acceptance of his confirmation", which the Council endorsed. He explained that "most of the comments received proved to us that the IGP is of impeccable character and we expect him to conduct himself as such. We believe he is very honest and transparent. We also believe he will continue to be honest and do his best for the country," he said. Idris' confirmation by the Council of State will, however, be ratified by the Senate. The confirmation of six INEC commissioners - selected from each of the six geopolitical zones - brings to total the required 12 allowed by law and they will join the six earlier confirmed by the Council last year. The INEC officials whose appointments were confirmed were Mohammed Haruna (North Central), AVM Ahmed Tijani Mu'Azu rtd (North East); Abubakar Nahuca (North West), Professor Okechukwu Ibeanu (South East), May Agbamuche Mbu (South-South) and Dr. Adekunle Ladipo Ogumola (South West). The new NPC commissioners are: Dr. Eyitayo Oyetunji (Oyo), Barrister Patricia Iyaya (Benue), Engr. Benedict Ukpong (Akwa Ibom), Dr. Halu Bala (Kebbi) and Gloria Isofo (Bayelsa). After the meeting, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who briefed the press, said the Council discussed the prevalent economic recession afflicting the nation, and was confident of the measures being put in place by the Federal Government to address the situation. His words: "The Minister of State from the Ministry of Budget and Planning actually made a presentation to Council on the ways and manner in which the government is going to rescue the recession path that we are going through. SAN FRANCISCO: Google has started bringing online a new high-speed fibre optic undersea cable to speed up its services in Asia. A subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google is part of the six-member FASTER Consortium that began operating the world's fastest undersea cable to date in June this year between the US and Japan, Xinhua news agency reported. Yan Tang, Google Network Resource's Asia-Pacific regional head, posted a blog saying the company based in Mountain View, California, further extended the Trans-Pacific link from Japan to China's Taiwan province, where Google has its largest data centre in Asia. At speeds of up to 26 terabits per second, "this new cable should help Google products and services load more quickly across the region", Tang noted, adding that the experience should also be more reliable, as the cable was built outside of tsunami zones to help prevent network outages related to natural disasters. In addition to Google, China Mobile International, China Telecom Global, Global Transit of Malaysia, KDDI of Japan and SingTel of Singapore are members of the FASTER Consortium. Built with about $300 million and 100Gb/s x 100 wavelengths optical transmission technologies, the 6-fiber-pair cable system lands at Bandon, Oregon, in the US and Chikura and Shima in Japan. It reaches major data communications hubs on the US West Coast covering the Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle areas and connects many cable systems in Asian countries and regions neighbouring Japan. Read Also: DigiLocker To Digitally Store Vehicle Documents Launched Adobe Unveils VR, Character Animation Ahead Of 'IBC 2016' Award-winning journalist to speak on campus by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. Carol Marin, a Peabody and Emmy Award-winning investigative journalist, will visit Southern Illinois University Carbondale next week to share her views on national, state and local politics. Marin will present Confessions of a Diehard Political Reporter in an Apocalyptic Year, at 7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 12, in Student Center Ballroom B. The event is part of the Morton-Kenney Public Affairs Lecture Series. Media Availability Award-winning television journalist Carol Marin (pronounced Marine) will be available for interviews at 10 a.m., Monday, Sept. 12, at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, 1231 Lincoln Drive, in the Forestry Building. David Yepsen, institute director, will serve as moderator. Admission is free and open to the public. The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute and the Department of Political Science sponsor the lecture. Marins more than 40-year career includes reports for the CBS Evening News and 60 Minutes, and she is a contributor for WTTWs Chicago Tonight and a former Chicago Sun-Times columnist. She is co-director of DePaul Universitys Center for Journalism Integrity and Excellence, which launched in May. David Yepsen, institute director, anticipates Marin will discuss the upcoming presidential election, Illinois politics, and issues involving Chicago and its police department. This is a good way to kick off the political season, Yepsen said. She is a well-regarded political reporter and nationally recognized television journalist. Shes in a good position to comment about politics, the future of journalism and where the business is headed. Marin will meet with students in the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts while on campus, Yepsen said. Marin is the 40th lecturer in the series that began in 1995. The Morton-Kenney lecture series brings speakers to campus in the spring and fall of each year. Jerome Mileur, originally from Murphysboro, is a professor emeritus in political science at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, retiring in 2004 after a 37-year teaching career there. Mileur established the series in 1995 in honor of two of his political science professors -- Ward Morton and David Kenney -- who inspired him as a student. Mileur earned his bachelors degree in speech communication in 1955, and a doctorate in government in 1971, both from SIU Carbondale. For more information on the program, contact the institute at 618/453-4009 or visit paulsimoninstitute.siu.edu/. NSF grant funds biodiversity scholarship program by Tim Crosby CARBONDALE, Ill. -- A grant from the federal government will help natural history and biology students at Southern Illinois University Carbondale finish their educations. SIU, in cooperation with two other universities, will receive more than $1.7 million from the National Science Foundations S-STEM program for the Upper Delta Region Biodiversity Scholarship Program. The upper delta region refers to the Mississippi River drainage basin, including Southern Illinois, southeast Missouri, western Kentucky, northeastern Arkansas and western Tennessee. S-STEM refers to scholarships in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The five-year effort, which is funded by a nearly $5 million grant in total, is aimed not only at funding research, but also at helping two consecutive cohorts of undergraduate and graduate students pursue their degrees, said Kurt Neubig, assistant professor of plant biology at SIU. We hope to increase retention of majors in the biological sciences, especially from underrepresented groups and also create a collaborative learning environment across the three universities that are participating, Neubig said. Other goals include creating directed educational opportunities for participating students, engaging them in legitimate research experiences and increasing the quality of biodiversity science. SIU researchers Jessica Crowe, associate professor of sociology; Sedonia Sipes, associate professor of plant biology; Frank Anderson, associate professor of zoology; and F. Agustin Jimenez, associate professor of zoology, also will work on the project. Arkansas State University and Murray State University will coordinate with SIU to develop the scholarship program. About 120 students, about two-thirds of them undergraduates and one-third graduate students, will benefit from the scholarships and mentoring on the three campuses. The main goal of the project is providing economic aid to students in need, Neubig said. Many students never get the opportunity to pursue or finish their undergraduate or graduate career because of financial difficulty, he said. The grant will provide financial stability for students while they pursue their education and gain research experience in critically important concepts of evolution, biodiversity and organismal identification. Because this is a scholarship program in the sciences, research is a very important component of the learning experience for the students, Neubig said. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a huge breadth of study because of the number of participating researchers on the three campuses. The project also is geared toward assisting regions with a high relative number of first-generation college students. Researchers will work with other natural resource management professionals from state or natural resource conservation agencies to provide students with real-world experience in field work. The geographic region where they will be working is home to rich plant and animal species diversity and communities, including bottomland hardwood forests. Researchers anticipate learning a great deal about plant life and biological diversity and distribution in the area, Neubig said. Field experience and techniques generally will involve using DNA sequence data to address evolutionary patterns among organisms, as well as field studies documenting biodiversity in the upper delta region. Ultimately, the research conducted through the course of this grant will increase our knowledge about biodiversity, their relationships and their interactions and the biological importance of Southern Illinois, Neubig said. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China issued a statement here on Wednesday, calling for full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). In a chairman's statement issued at the 19th ASEAN-China Summit, the two sides underlined the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation in, and overflight above, the South China Sea, Xinhua news agency reported. "We welcomed the recent adoption of the Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN Member States and China on the Full and Effective Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). We stressed the importance of the full and effective implementation of the DOC in its entirety," read the document. Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said that China is willing to work with the ASEAN countries in dispelling interference, and properly handling the South China Sea issue according to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and dual-track approach. With the joint efforts from China and the ASEAN members, the situation in the South China Sea is moving towards a positive direction, and DOC has been proved an effective guideline in the region, Xinhua news agency quoted him as saying. Over the past more than a decade, the DOC principle of having direct talks between concerned parties over their disputes has been significant for China and the ASEAN nations to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, said the premier. Presently, China is working with the ASEAN nations to formulate a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC). The Chinese leader said the peace and stability in the South China Sea is highly related to the prosperity and development of countries in the region. --IANS lok/ ( 322 Words) 2016-09-08-03:43:55 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India will always stand by the new National League for Democracy (NLD) government in Myanmar. He said this during a meeting with State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi on the sidelines of the 14th India-Asean Summit and the 11th East Asia Summit here. This was the first meeting between the two leaders since the Nobel peace laureate's NLD assumed power in Myanmar in March this year. "Prime Minister complimented Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on the victory of the NLD in the elections," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson told media here after the meeting. Stating that Modi welcomed Suu Kyi as an icon of democracy, he said: "The Prime Minister said India would always stand with the government and people of Myanmar as the new government strives to fulfill the aspirations of the people." Modi also said that he was looking forward to receiving Suu Kyi in Goa next month for the BRICS-Bimstec Outreach Summit. India has assumed the chairmanship of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and has invited the leaders of the Bimstec (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) countries to the Goa summit. Modi said that cooperation in disaster management would be one of the important elements of the summit given that several countries in South Asia continue to face natural disasters, according to Swarup. "Daw Aung San Suu Kyi thanked Prime Minister and said she was looking forward to visiting India where she had always felt 'at home'," the spokesperson said. Suu Kyi spent a considerable part of her early life in India and was educated at Lady Shri Ram College in New Delhi. Last month, Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw was in New Delhi on his first official visit abroad after assuming charge. In Thursday's meeting, Suu Kyi briefed the Prime Minister on the progress in the peace and reconciliation process in Myanmar even as both the sides positively assessed India-Myanmar security cooperation. "They discussed further cooperation in areas such as dairy farming, animal husbandry and agriculture," Swarup said. "The Prime Minister spoke about a possible agreement on pulses which had been discussed during External Affairs Minister's visit to Myanmar." External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Nay Pyi Taw last month following which President Kyaw came on a four-day visit to India. Modi and Suu Kyi also discussed cooperation in the area of the countries' shared Buddhist heritage, according to Swarup. Earlier in the day, Modi also held bilateral meetings with host and Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and South Korean President Park Geun-hye. The India-Asean Summit is being attended by the leaders of India and 10 southeast Asian nations -- Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand. The East Summit is also being attended leaders of the 10 Asean nations and those of India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Russia. --IANS ab/dg ( 507 Words) 2016-09-08-12:51:57 (IANS) Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], Sept. 8 (ANI-Business Wire India): Labsystems Diagnostics, Helsinki, an enterprise of Trivitron Healthcare, the fast growing healthcare multinational headquartered in Chennai, entered into a joint association with Shimadzu Corporation, Japan, leader in analytical instruments, for clinical diagnostics in the area of Newborn Screening (NBS). NBS is a preventive pediatric screening service to assess the occurrence of genetic metabolic disorders. These disorders could lead to permanent neurological, cognitive, and physical damage in the child. When these disorders are detected early enough they can be easily treated. The companies will cooperate to leverage Labsystems reagent technology leadership and Shimadzu world class instrumentation to enable their global customer base to detect more disorders in newborns, more rapidly and with greater accuracy. Labsystems furthermore announces the availability of its new generation NeoMass AAAC assay fully validated on Shimadzu mass spectrometry platforms. NeoMass AACC enables investigators for the first time to detect the entire spectrum of Urea Cycle Metabolic Disorders (UCMD) in newborns. This assay detects the broadest range of non derivatized analytes available today. Dr. G.S.K. Velu, Chairman and Managing Director, Trivitron Group of Companies, said: "Two world leaders Shimadzu and Labsystems Diagnostics with several decades of expertise in their respective areas of instrumentation and diagnostic reagents will create a winning combination improving access and affordability for Newborn Screening solutions across the globe. We are very excited with this new global association in the New Born Screening area." Fabrizio Radice, Global Sales and Mktg Director, Labsystems Diagnostics, Helsinki, commented: "Our alliance with Shimadzu will enable us to develop unparalleled integrated solutions for NBS, of which NeoMass AACC is only the start. Co-development on this level allows us to leverage the impressive technology leadership of Shimadzu instrumentation to provide sensitivity to new disorders, and to provide faster throughput and greater accuracy, which is the key to investigators success in detecting disorders in babies. We believe our cooperation will have an impact on the suffering caused by these severe, yet eminently preventable diseases." Dr. Geraldine Carrard, CEO - Labsystems Diagnostics Oy, added: "The deliberations and discussions have paved the way of a trusted and solid partnership. Shimadzu Trivitron Labsystems Diagnostics combination will be an innovative driving force to reckon within the Newborn Screening." Shuzo Maruyama, General Manager, Analytical and Measuring Instruments Division Shimadzu Corporation, said: "The agreement between Shimadzu Corporation and Labsystems Diagnostics will help to change the way in new born screening programs can be better, expanding the screening capability with detailed analytics and actionable data creating a new solution for faster, confident diagnosis. Shimadzu is always exploring ways to find a solution that meets a real need and makes a difference to overcome real world challenges. We believe this collaboration with Labsystems Diagnostics will help make smart decisions quicker and will make clinical laboratories more efficient and effective in new born screening." Trivitron Healthcare is a globally acclaimed healthcare technology solution company headquartered in Chennai, India. Trivitron Healthcare strives to make healthcare technology accessible to all. Trivitron Healthcare offers solutions in laboratory medicine, Radiology, Radiology protection, Cardiology, OR, ICU, renal care, Newborn Screening. Labsystems Diagnostics is proud to be part of the Trivitron group of companies since 2012. Labsystems has been a forerunner in innovative diagnostic research and development for the last 30 years. Labsystems Diagnostics is committed to develop high quality diagnostic solutions for clinical and research laboratories, and for consumer use. The company is dedicated to R&D investment, developing highly qualified personnel and state of the art production. A highly rigorous quality system and CE-marked products ensure sustainable quality of the products. These assets combined with efficient customer support have meant long term customer satisfaction and a solid reputation for success. Within 30 years of experience, Labsystems Diagnostics has been a key pioneer in IVD space and Newborn screening. A track record of technology leadership: Labsystems has long been a pioneer in the Detection of Metabolic Diseases; first to develop fluorometric PKU (Phenylketonuria) tests for NBS, first to provide PKU assays in micro-plate format, and first to combine high throughput fluorescence tests for both PKU and TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). Labsystems' innovative NS2400 fully automated high throughout system for NBS has enabled fully automated screening in high-throughput laboratories, Labsystems Diagnostics has an extensive R&D pipeline of over 35 products under development. Founded in 1875, Shimadzu Corporation, a leader in the development of advanced technologies, has a distinguished history of innovation built on the foundation of contributing to society through science and technology. Shimadzu maintains a global network of sales, service, technical support and applications centers on six continents, and has established long-term relationships with a host of highly trained distributors located in over 100 countries. (ANI-Business Wire India) London [United Kingdom], Sept. 8 (ANI-Business Wire India): Leading forex broker Exness is pleased to announce that its UK entity, Exness Europe Limited, has received regulatory approval from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), under Register number 730729. With its newly acquired FCA license, Exness, an international broker whose main client base is currently in Asia, the Middle East and Africa is set on expanding its global reach in Europe. "This is a very important milestone in the global expansion of the group and reinforces Exness' unwavering commitment to adhere by the highest international regulatory standards and to protect its clients' best interests," commented David Morris, CEO of Exness Europe Limited. "There is currently an ever-growing scrutiny from regulators in the forex and CFD industry; Exness embraces this and sees it as fundamental to both the success and longevity of the industry," he added. Exness Europe Limited is expected to launch its operations by the end of 2016, building on Exness' already-extensive client base, entering new regions, and providing the opportunity to new clients to benefit from its superior customer service, pricing, and technology. Beyond just B2C plans, Exness Europe Limited is also looking into B2B opportunities and will be working closely with other businesses that wish to leverage on Exness' first-class technology and systems. In addition to the newly-acquired FCA license, Exness is authorized and regulated by CySEC, and complies with the standards of the European Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID), ensuring financial transparency and effective client protection. Additionally, as a pioneer of the transparency advocacy in the forex market, Exness initiated the regular publication of, and continues to publish, third-party verified performance indicators and auditors reports on financial performance. Exness Group is an international, award-winning retail forex broker founded by a group of like-minded finance and IT professionals in 2008. With a deep understanding of traders' needs, the modern forex company provides accessible, stable, and reliable brokerage services, boasting excellent execution and some of the tightest spreads in the market today. As confirmed by Deloitte, Exness Group recorded a trading volume exceeding USD 2.3 trillion in 2015, with June setting its new monthly record at USD 232 billion. (ANI-Business Wire India) This will mark the first global release of a Gujarati film, proving it to be a benchmark for the regional films who often struggle for screen numbers to showcase their work. Speaking on the same, Anurag Kashyap, co-founder of Phantom Films, said, "It's always a pleasure to back a good script, and we are happy with the way Wrong Side Raju has shaped up and also that we have found partners all over, to be able to release it worldwide simultaneously. I feel that will help the audience to watch the film at one go, and probably reduce the chances of piracy." 'Wrong side Raju' is a thriller-drama, inspired from 2013 BMW hit-and-run case of Vismay Shah in Ahmedabad. The trailer of the Mikhil Musale directed film has received an overwhelming response, with its song 'Satrangi Re' marking the first Gujarati track by Arijit Singh. On a related note, 'Satrangi Re' has become the first Gujarati song to cross the one million mark in merely two weeks. (ANI) 'Doctor Strange's UK release date has been changed from October 28 to October 25, reports the Independent. Though this seems like an unusual move on the part of the Marvel Studios, the announcement comes as an exciting news for the die-hard fans of Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays the character of Dr. Stephen Strange in the flick. This star studded American superhero movie, directed by Scott Derrickson, will see many of the reputed names in Hollywood playing other characters. The movie will see Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mordo, Michael Stuhlbarg as Nicodemus West, Benedict Wong as Wong, and Mads Mikkelsen as Kaecililius. In India, 'Doctor Strange' will release in November. (ANI) Dispelling the notion that transgender youth are less at risk for pregnancy, a new study has found that they have pregnancy rates similar to their non-transgender peers. "It's often assumed that trans youth don't get pregnant or get someone pregnant, perhaps because they're receiving hormones that tend to reduce fertility, or because people assume they aren't sexually active. This study shows otherwise," said lead author Jaimie Veale, who conducted the research as part of her postdoctoral fellowship at University of British Columbia in Canada. The researchers used data from the 2014 Canadian Transgender Youth Health Survey, focusing on a subset of 540 youth aged 14-25 who had previously had sex. They found that five per cent (26 youth) had been involved in a pregnancy at least once - comparable to British Columbia pregnancy rate of about five per cent among sexually active young people. "In other words, there is no evidence to support assumptions that pregnancy only occurs in those who are yet to transition," added Veale, currently a lecturer at the University of Waikato in New Zealand. The finding, published online in the International Journal of Transgenderism, highlights the need for more supportive sex education and sexual health care for transgender youth, study's senior author Elizabeth Saewyc, Professor at University of British Columbia. Clinicians "should ensure this group know how to protect themselves from unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections", Saewyc said. --IANS gb/pgh/ ( 246 Words) 2016-09-08-10:47:56 (IANS) A crude bomb was hurled at a BJP office here early today. Few days ago, a BJP worker was murdered in Kannur. Police said the BJP State Office at Kunnukuzhi was attacked by unidentified men and crude bombs were thrown shattering the glass panes of the office. The incident occurred soon after BJP President Kummanam Rajasekharan left the office. However, there was no casualty. In protest against the incident, the BJP called for a Secretariat march seeking the arrest of the culprits immediately. Meanwhile, the ruling CPI (M) said the party was not involved in the attack. Police also seized some CCTV visuals from the nearest house and trying to identify the culprits involved in it.UNI DS CS 1228 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0324-922393.Xml Udhampur (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], Sept. 8: Nabeel Ahmad Wani, a resident of Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, who topped Border Security Force's Assistant Commandant (Works) Examination, in a message to the youth of the state has said they should follow their dreams and fulfil the aim of their life by taking the right path. "I will urge you to take the right path; do something for your country and your motherland so that your country and motherland are recognised all over world. You all should follow your dreams and fulfil the aim of your life, but don't take any wrong path for that. Taking a wrong path is easier, but it's difficult to follow a right path. But, at the end, only those people are successful who take the right path," Wani told them. Speaking to ANI, he said his aim was to do something against terrorism and felt that he could fulfil him aim by being either with the army or the BSF and that was why he decided to join the paramilitary force. "My aim behind joining the force is to do well, and qualify for the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and become an important part of the NIA and to play an important role in our country's security," he added. Wani said he had given the examination in 2013, but lagged behind by some marks; however, he worked hard and bagged all-India first rank. "I want to serve the country, bring laurels for the nation, and work with 100 percent dedication and honesty," he added. "I belong to a lower middle-class family. My father was a school teacher, who died two years back. I studied in a normal school in the district and went Punjab to study engineering to fulfil my father's dream. Our economic condition was not such that I could go to a big college, but with the support of the government-sponsored minority scholarships that paved way for me to complete my engineering. I was a topper in my college that ensured scholarships for my studies," he recounted. "After finishing my college, I started focusing on my aim, which I had set much earlier that I would take up defence services, either the army or the BSF. I started preparing for defence service examination but, in the meantime, my father died and I took over the responsibilities of my family and a sister, and decided to take up a job. At present, I am working as a junior engineer with the water share department of the state government in Udhampur. "While working as a junior engineer, I never thought that I have to work close to my home, and always wanted to work for the country and join either the army or the BSF. I used college books and internet, and self study for the preparation of the exams," added Wani. Stating that terrorism has rotten J-K, Wani said, "I am a citizen of Jammu and Kashmir and have seen how terrorism has rotten our state. I want to fight against terrorism. We in the BSF know that the main reason of terrorism is terrorists supplied from across the border. "My suggestion is that we should launch open recruitments for the people of the state so that they join the army and the BSF, and they come to know that no terrorist is with India, and they just want to fulfil their aim and if any person of any force, even as he is a Kashmiri, they will not leave them." Asserting that J-K youth are immensely capable, he said, "There is nothing that the state youth cannot achieve, if they get guidance, cooperation and the feeling that they could be employed if they work hard. I understand that our government has started very good schemes like 'Beti Bachao' for the children to study and there are schemes for minority students, but most of them are not aware about it." "However, now students of the state are excelling top exams all over India and becoming IAS and IPS. Those who are lagging behind lack awareness, and thus, if they have right guidance they can achieve any heights. A J-K lad has recently secured second rank in the Civil Services Examination," he added. (ANI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday hailed Centre's step where it summoned Pakistani envoy Abdul Basit over the last-minute cancellation of an event of Indian high commissioner to Pakistan, Gautam Bambawale, in Karachi where he was scheduled to speak. BJP Spokesperson Shaina NC said that Pakistan owes an explanation as it cannot first invite a diplomat and then later on dis-invite him. "The Ministry of External Affair is absolutely entitled to ask Mr. Abdul Basit to come and give an explanation because you do not invite a foreign diplomat and then dis-invite him. This is a very humiliating , so I am glad that the government has taken this proactive step," said NC. A day after Indian envoy's event in Karachi was cancelled at the last minute, the Centre yesterday summoned Basit for the alleged 'discourtesy'. "Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit was summoned today to the Ministry of External Affairs and conveyed the concern of Government of India by Secretary (West) (Sujata Mehta) on discourtesy to Indian High Commissioner," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said. According to reports, Bambawale, who was visiting Karachi for the first time after assuming charge in January this year, was informed about the cancellation "just half an hour before the event. (ANI) "I have a deep bond with India; I feel it in my heart. My dream is to go there and inshallah I shall. Please grant me a visa, but even if you don't, I will reach India somehow". The local authorities at district Gujranwala, Punjab province of Pakistan had heard this ad infinitum from Nagina Akhtar, a young woman born and brought up in the region. The youngest of four children, Nagina grew up in an atmosphere of love and protection. Her father, Mohd. Hussain, who had made the journey from Poonch district, Jammu to Pakistan in 1965 -had struggled for years to make a life for himself in the country. In time he was allotted a small plot of land by the government and he settled there. Hearing her friends talk about their Dada-dadi' ( paternal grandparents), one day Nagina, at that time only three years old asked her father where her's were. Mohd Hussain's face became grave and in a voice choking with emotion, he said, "Beta woh hamse bahut door rehte hain aur hum unse mil nahin sakte'. (We cannot meet your Dada- dadi; they live far from us, in India). After this, a shadow of sadness seemed to come over Mohd Hussain who would fall silent at times, even weep. Then one day, he suddenly died. His death was inexplicable leaving behind a shattered family. Nagina only a small child at the time, missed her father terribly. Then to perhaps to fill the void, she began thinking about her 'Dada dadi'. Also, from her friends she had heard about their Taoji (father's elder brother) and Chachaji (father's younger brother). How she longed for a father figure now. A deep yearning grew within Nagina -to travel to India and meet the family, her father had left behind. And she began to talk about this to her people. Everyone was vehemently opposed to the idea but if anything, this only strengthened her resolve. Due to difficult circumstances at home, Nagina was unable to continue her schooling beyond Standard VIII. But by then, she knew how to go about giving flight to her dream. First she needed an identity proof, a certificate that she got from her school. Then came the passport application process for which she had to submit the form at a place a short distance from Gujranwala. Several months of waiting and then the authorities issued a passport to Nagina. The next step was the visa for which she went to Islamabad, a four -hour travel from Gujranwala. Then the big day dawned and Nagina got the news that her visa had been granted. Now that she was poised to embark on the journey, the voices opposing her move became even more vociferous. "The border is a dangerous zone; it is like war and you may get hit in the firing." She heard someone saying. Another said, "There are Hindus living there. They can even kill you." Only her sister, Safina was supportive. " Main tumhari himmat ko salaam karti hoon. Tum kitni khushnaseeb ho. Apno se milne Hindustan jaa rahi hon" (I salute your courage. How fortunate you are! Going to India to meet our family there.) ", said Safina. Nagina set off on the journey accompanied by her brother, Mohd Ashraf. They took the train from Lahore to Amritsar. Their first stop was Delhi where they had traced a relative, Salim Bhaijaan (brother), who showed them the sites in the city, to the utter delight of the duo. Nagina and Ashraf met several members of the extended family, who had settled in the capital. It was an occasion to celebrate but with its moments of poignancy. Then it was time for the onward journey to Jammu and thereafter to Poonch -where her real roots lay. This is where Mohd. Hussain had begun his journey, one that now his daughter and his son were retracing. In the period of over two months in the region, Nagina and Ashraf absorbed so much. They met family members, mingled freely with people and were enriched in unimaginable ways. Wherever they went, they were greeted with warmth. Being from Pakistan did not invite hostility, as they had been conditioned to believe. In fact their experience was to the contrary. On the return journey from Poonch, they met a Sardarji, at a vehicle check-post who was so delighted to hear that they had come from Pakistan that he insisted on serving them tea and snacks. In Mendhar town, Nagina drawn to a shop selling trinkets, chose a pair of bracelets. When the shopkeeper learned that they had come from across the border, he gifted the bracelets to her-as a token of his sentiment for the people of Pakistan. Nagina was moved by each of these people, she engaged with. At the same time, she could not help noticing that basically, the lives of people whether on this side of the border or the other was similar -the hardships, the concerns and aspirations for a better life, were all same. According to Charkha Communication Development network, Nagina felt she had strong roots in both countries; she had an intense love for both lands and its people. In her mind and in her being, there was no division. (ANI) The views expressed in the article are that of the author, who sent the article to the Charka features. (ANI) The Andhra Pradesh Assembly will discuss and ratify the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, 2014 during its three-day session beginning today. A decision was taken to introduce and discuss the Bill by the Cabinet, which met in Vijayawada under chairmanship of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday. It has been resolved by the Cabinet to table three other Bills, one relating to the Stamps and Registration Department, intended to curb double registrations. The other Bill is aimed at bringing about amendments to the Registration Act, 1908 to plug the loopholes, which have made the job of fraudsters easy. Another Bill is aimed at a downward revision of the Value Added Tax (VAT) payable by five and three star hotels located in tourist destinations and on mobile phones, to five per cent by making amendments to the AP VAT Act, 2005. The fourth Bill is on affiliation of private agriculture colleges and polytechnics to Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, making necessary changes to the Act of 1963 and scrapping away with the Ordinance, 2016. Likewise, private horticulture colleges and polytechnics will be given affiliation to Y.S.R. Horticulture University by bringing about amendments to Y.S.R. Horticulture University Act, 2007. It has also been decided in the Cabinet to construct IT Towers through public-private partnerships in 10 lakh square feet in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati and Anantapur in a year and merge the Internet of Things (IoT) Policy with the Electronics Policy. The Cabinet had assigned the task of establishing the iconic towers to the Andhra Pradesh Technology Services Limited (APTSL), which would henceforth promote information technology in the state. It would also participate in similar tasks in other States on behalf of Andhra Pradesh. The Cabinet had set the target of completing these towers in six months to one year. (ANI) The Janata Dal (United) on Thursday said the time to hold talks with the separatists has gone and now action should be taken against them. "Time has gone to talk to separatists. Now, it's time to take strict action against them," JD (U) leader Ajay Alok told ANI. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh yesterday chaired a follow-up meeting of the all-party delegation that visited Jammu and Kashmir on September 4-5, wgere the members of the delegation expressed serious concerns over the prevailing situation in the Valley. The members of the delegation are of the opinion that there is no place for violence in a civilised society, and there can be no compromises on the issue of national sovereignty. The members appealed to the people of the state to shun the path of violence and resolve all the issues through dialogue and discussion. The members requested the Central and state governments to take steps for a dialogue with all the stakeholders. The members also asked the Central and state government to take steps to ensure that educational institutions, government offices and commercial establishments start functioning normally at the earliest. They requested the government to take effective steps to ensure security for all citizens and provide medical treatment to citizens and security personnel injured in the agitation. The delegation was in Srinagar on Sunday and had visited Jammu before returning to Delhi. Before winding up the visit, the Home Minister sent out a clear message to separatists, asserting that Jammu and Kashmir will always remain an integral part of India. He, however, said as far as talks are concerned, doors are open to everyone who want peace and normalcy. (ANI) Meanwhile, working president of the NC and former Chief minister Omar Abdullah said ''it is the shortage of weapons as youths are willing to join the militancy in the valley.'' Sources said that a group of militants entered the house of NC leader Abdul Rashid Khandy at Damhal Hanji Pora in Kulgam and took away four automatic weapons from the guards. Mr Abdullah taking to micro blogging site twitter said ''I've been making the point time and again it's a shortage of weapons not of willingness to join militancy these days.'' He was reacting to reports that militants looted weapons from the NC leaders house. Attacks on mainstream political parties and police personnel have increases in Kashmir valley, particularly in south Kashmir, since the death of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani and two militants in an encounter in Anantnag on July 8 followed by massive violence in which 75 persons were killed and over 7000 others injured in security force firing.UNI BAS SDR ADG PM1046 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0153-923896.Xml Police source said today that the accident took place near Jasurgarh Chamba-Tissa road, about 400 km from here, last night. The deceased have been identified as Satish Kumar (40), Ajay Kumar (45) and driver Sanjay Kumar (36), all residents of Bhalai village in Chamba district while the injured Sushil Kumar (62) hails from Kandi village. The occupants of the ill-fated vehicles were returning from Chanjo. Hearing the sound of the falling vehicle, the local villagers reached the spot along with rescue teams of police and local administration and recovered the bodies which were later taken for post mortem to a nearby village, police said. The next of kin of the deceased have been given an interim relief of Rs 10,000 and a case has been registered.UNI ML GS SDR ADG PM1051 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-923882.Xml Advocate M.L. Sharma filed the plea and as per the plea, it seeks to stop funding on separatists for foreign travel and the government spends other expenses as more than 100 crore on them. The Supreme Court asked the petitioner to number his petition before mentioning. Justice Anil Dave observed, "We also share the same feelings. Everybody sitting here feels the same." The Supreme Couurt asked Sharma to number his petition, "To stop government funding of Jammu and Kashmir separatists and come back to mention it in court at 2 pm." Soon after the separatists leaders' refusal to hold talks with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh-led all-party delegation's to discuss on Kashmir unrest. After Singh's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, the Central government indicated that it would toughen its stand against the separatist leaders. According to the reports, the Centre will not only scrutinise the bank accounts of the separatists, but also speed up pending investigations in cases against them. They have also decided to keep an eye on activities of Kashmiri separatists, particularly Hurriyat leaders, and curtail their foreign travel by not issuing them passports.(ANI) The Zilla Parishad has geared up to implement measures against open defecation in rural areas to prevent outbreak of various diseases in the district. Deputy chief executive officer G L Ramod informed yesterday that, "for this purpose a target for constructing 48822 toilets in 408 villages in the district has been set up and tehsil level planning has been donefor the purpose." A state level conversation mission at the family level has been started from August 22 and the concerned officers have been asked to visit every household in all villages in the district to convince people for construction of toilets in their premises. For 408 village panchayats in the district a target of construction of 48822 toilets has been set, of which 8238 toilets have been constructed. "To increase awareness among the people, mediators have been operated on for 5 families. These mediators will visit every village and will interact with family members for constructing toilet in the premises of the residences so as to avoid defecating in open space. This will prove helpful to make up mind of the people for construction of toilet" Mr Ramod added.UNI XR NP SDR -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-923603.Xml The Government has decided to extend for two years the special dispensation scheme that provides facility to central government employees for travelling to Jammu and Kashmir by air to avail LTC benefits. According to an official spokesman the employees under the scheme can travel to the state by any airlines. The scheme that is aimed at promoting tourism in that state, was due to expire on September 25, later this month, the spokesman said.UNI SS -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0089-924086.Xml The Karaikal Government General Hospital (GGH) would be developed through ONGC at a cost of Rs 60 crore, Chief Minister V Narayanasamy told the Assembly today. Replying to a question, he said that steps would be taken to appoint a Neurologist in the hospital and added that the Jipmer Karaikal has to utilise the government hospital. He said specialists in Cardio,Ortho and Neurology would be appointed in the hospital. Mr Narayanasamy said said he had already met the ONGC Chairman in New Delhi and urged him to allot Rs.30 crore for the Karaikal GGH and another Rs.30 crore for the development of infrastructure including buildings. Once,again he will meet the Chairman and other officials on September 14, he added. The Chief Minister said the GGH will not be affected in any way due to the setting up of Jipmer in Karaikal. To another question, Welfare Minister M Kandasamy said the government will not divert the SCP fund for any other cause and will be spent for the welfare of the SC people. He said the previous congress government had obtained Rs.153 crore for SCP fund from HUDCO and utilized it fully. UNI PAB CS 1219 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-924059.Xml Situation in colleges of Tripura has turned volatile following strike called by Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) tomorrow protesting 'atrocities' on the students by police and Left backed student's wing SFI in MBB College of Agartala on September 6 last.While TMCP called for bandh only in MBB College, the SFI last night announced to go for strike tomorrow in three colleges of Agartala - MBB College, BBM College and Women's' College protesting chaos on false allegations in the colleges by TMCP.The TMCP leaders alleged that opposition supporters among the students have been terrorised and harassed by SFI cadres in the colleges since the schedule of student council election was announced."Since the beginning SFI and college authorities have openly been threatening the students not to oppose Left backed panel in the council. The SFI supporters with the patronage of college authority illegally threatening us to stop scholarship and prevent us in attending classes and exam," alleged Bapi Das, a leader of TMCP.He further alleged that SP of West Tripura Abhijit Saptarshi and Officer In-charge of College Tilla outpost Sukanta Sen Choudhury have beaten up TMCP students when they were protesting against manipulation of student council election in the college slated on September 21.He said TMCP had announced boycott of college council election protesting against election process and partial role of the college authority. In spite of repeated demands to clean up electoral roll, as a large number fake name was included in the list the college Principals have not been agreed to it because SFI opposed the demand.Mr Das, however, pointed out that four specific FIR have been lodged against the SFI cadres who had beaten up TMCP supporters in front of police but no action was taken. Meanwhile, SFI State Secretary Nabarun Deb alleged that TMCP supporters were found to involve in several mischief in the colleges and they have been welcomed to contest the election. But when they realised TMCP does not have any base in Tripura, they stepped back with malicious and baseless allegations."We have met police officers demanding enquiry into the incident and take action against the accused whosoever they are. But the way, TMCP blaming is SFI we thought to protest it in a democratic manner and called for strike tomorrow in three colleges of Agartala," Mr Deb added.UNI BB AD SDR ADG NS1230 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0108-923963.Xml During his two-day visit to the state, he will review the passing out parade of the summer term at Officers Training Academy, Chennai. On the same day, he will also attend the centenary celebrations of Karur Vysya Bank at Chennai, a President's Secretariat release here said.UNI SD AE SB 1425 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0005-924238.Xml The"Special package" for Andhra Pradesh, announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in New Delhi yesterday, in lieu of the promised Special Category Status has evoked a lukewarm response from the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the general public. The Opposition YSR Congress Party and the Congress Party have denounced it. On the long pending Polavaram Project, the Finance Minister made it clear that the Centre would bear the entire expenditure incurred on the mega Polavaram project on the river Godavari as it was included in the AP Reorganisation Act. The funds for the project, declared as a National project, would be made available through NABARD credit, even if there is no adequate budgetary allocation. The state government will construct the project. Chief Minister N Chandra Babu Naidu said in Vijayawada "it will bring some relief to the state but not enough, and the promised help should be timely and it should be implemented in a time-bound manner." The Centre has also promised to announce industrial incentives, bridge the revenue deficit, consider a special Railway Zone for Visakhapatnam and allocate more funds for the construction of the New state capital, Amaravati. Whatever benefits are due to the state under SCS for externally aided projects would also be compensated, Mr Jaitley said. He made it clear that it would not be possible for the Centre to grant SCS and all benefits would be given, Congress and the YSR Congress Parties condemned it "as an attempt by the BJP and the TDP to hoodwink the people of the State." The two Left Parties joined the Congress and the YSR Congress in protests against Mr Jaitley's statement. Sporadic protests were witnessed in the North Coastal Andhra Pradesh since this morning. There were Protests and Dharna's at Tirupati, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Guntur against the Finance Minister's statement. The YSR Congress and the Left parties also called for a State bandh on September 10.UNI BSR CS 1325 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-924142.Xml Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has contacted Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over phone and enquired the details about yesterday's bomb attack on the BJP State Office here. Talking to newspersons here, BJP State President Kummanam Rajasekharan said the Union Home Ministry sought a report from the Home Secretary of the state in connection with the political violence against BJP workers in Kannur and other parts of the State. "A delegation of BJP MPs will reach Kerala soon to know the ground level reality as CPI(M) is spreading political violence and killing their opponents. This is the first time in the State that the headquarters of the BJP is attacked. The CPI (M), which is in power, was deliberately attacking the BJP and RSS men to appease anti- social religious groups," he added. Following the crude bomb attack at the BJP office, Union Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitaraman alleged that Mr Rajasekharan was the target for the attackers. Meanwhile, Kerala Industry Minister EP Jayarajan pooh-poohed the Centre's decision to seek report from Kerala over the political violence against the BJP men.UNI DS CS 1350 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0324-924208.Xml The 651st urs of Urs of Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamdan, popularly known as Shah-e-Hamdan will be celebrated tomorrow in the Kashmir valley, where life remained crippled due to strike for the past 61st day today called by separatist, demanding right to self determination. However, the management of the urs and people have opted low key celebration this time due to unrest in the valley, where 75 people have been killed and over 7000 others injured in security force and police action since July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani and two other militants were killed in an encounter in Anantnag. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Farooq Ahmad Lone reviewed and finalise arrangements for celebration of Urs of Shah-e-Hamdan. The main congregations would be held at Khanqah Moulla on the bank of river Jehlum in the Shehar-e-Khas (SeK), where a large number of devotes, including Kashmiri pandits, from different parts of valley and outside were participating every year. The management has announced to celebrate the Urs in a very low key manner in view of the present unrest in the valley, where restrictions and strike continued since July 9. However, special prayers are being held in the Khankah daily though people from nearby localities are taking part. Similarly night-long prayers would be held today in the shrine. This time no vendor has put up any stall around the shrine due to unrest. Hundreds of vendors were putting up their stall in the adjoining area, selling their products. Many saints have graced the valley of Kashmir but no one is identified with Kashmir the way Sahah-e-Hamadan is. His real name was Ali and he was the descendent of Prophet Muhammad through Imam Zain-ul-Abideen. He was born in Central Asia around 1313. He arrived in Kashmir along with seven hundred Syeds and his followers. He had already sent two of his closest followers into Kashmir. By the time he arrived in Kashmir, the local ruler had already became the followers of one of his disciple. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also prayed for peace, progress and development of J&K state. The authorities had made all arrangements for the devotees. Large number of vendors had put up their stall, selling eatables and other articles.UNI BAS SDR ADG NS1321 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0153-924080.Xml The Thane police have arrested three people on the alleged charges of brutally killing a 29 year old man and burying his body on the outskirts of a village near Kalyan, police said today. Police PRO Sukhada Narkar today said that the Kahadkpada police under Kalyan had registered an offence ofabduction on August 25, last following which a search was carried out. During the probe the police suspected that the relative of the person abducted was involved in the offence and when detained and interrogated he gave it up and revaled the entire episode to the police following which the police arrested the trio. Police gave the name of the deceased as Vijay Kundalik Bhoir, 29 and said that it was on August 25, he was abducted by the trio in a bike and taken out of Kalyan and since then he was missing. The police who arrested the trio said that last night's murder was initially stated to be out of the property dispute between the main accused and the victims family and both were related as cousins. The police gave the names of the arrested as Rafique Yunus Shaikh, 27, of Murbad, Akshay Eknath Bhoir, 20, of Shiroshi in murbad and Ravindra Parshuram Thackeray, 40, of Kalyan. According to police it was on August 24, the trio had abducted the victim in the bike and beaten him to death and then buried his body with an intention to destroy evidence on the Vasundri-Kalyan road. The accused have been booked under sections 364, 302,201 rw 34 of the IPC the police added. UNI XR VS VS ADG NS1356 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-924099.Xml The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the Directions issued to the Indian Mercantile Co-operative Bank Ltd., Lucknow for a further period of six months from September 12, 2016to March 11, 2017, subject to review. The bank has been under directions since June 12, 2014 vide directive dated June 4, 2014 issued under sub-section (1) of Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (AACS).The aforesaid directive has been modified / its validity extended vide RBI directives dated July 30, 2014, December 8, 2014, June 2,2015, September 7, 2015, October 19, 2015, December 07, 2015 and March 04, 2016. The validity of the directive, which was last extended up to September 11, 2016 has further been extended for a period of six months from September 12, 2016 to March 11, 2017 vide modified directive dated September 02, 2016, subject to review. The other terms and conditions of the directive under reference shall remain unchanged. A copy of the directive dated September 02, 2016 is displayed at the bank's premises for the perusal of public.The modification of the directive by the Reserve Bank should per se not be construed as improvement or deterioration in the financial position of the bank. The Reserve Bank may consider modifications of the directive depending upon circumstances.UNI JS VS1335 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0171-924199.Xml With less than a week left for Eid-ul-Azha, normal life remained paralysed for the 62nd day today due to strike in Kashmir valley, where clashes between 'pro freedom' demonstrators and security forces also continued. Even though Eidul-Azha is just five days away, the usual festive mood is missing this time around in Kashmir in view of the ongoing unrest that has left 75 people, including two women, dead and over 7000 others injured in security force action since July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani and two other militants were killed in an encounter in Anantnag. However, shoppers could be seen thronging the city markets to buy essential commodities in the evenings, when there is a relaxation in strike between 1800 hrs to 0600 hrs. Meanwhile, restrictions on assembly of people under Section 144 CrPC continued in major towns and tehsil headquarters, including summer capital, Srinagar, in the valley, where separatists have today urged people to paint all roads, lanes, walls, post and polls with slogans. Both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), heading the present agitation since July 9, in its latest calendar besides extending the strike till September 16, have called for 'UN challo' on Eid-al-Adha, which will be celebrated on September 13. Shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the roads in Srinagar, including Lal Chowk, Residency road, Ghani Khan Market and Polo view Market and other markets in the civil lines. The work in government offices, banks and public sector undertakings also remained paralysed in Srinagar, where educational institutions still wore a deserted look as students stayed away. However, some private vehicles and two wheelers could be seen plying in the city. Some three wheelers were also seen plying on city routes before 0900 hrs. People were also facing problems as no cheques were being cleared in any of the banks leading to non-payments of thousands of cheques. Now the banks, functioning with very less staff in high security zone areas, are refusing to accept cheques.MORE UNI ABS SDR AS1411 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0433-924174.Xml Did you have any idea that Shakespearean phrase like "it's all Greek to me" from Julius Ceaser was actually not given by William Shakespeare? A leading scholar David McInnis recently claimed that Shakespeare did not come up with most of the famous phrases in his plays but was credited with them because of a fault with the Oxford English dictionary, reports the Daily Mail. Dr David McInnis said that internet searches reveal usage of many such phrases before the play was written. McInnis, a lecturer in Shakespeare Studies in Australia, argued that it is actually the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) that has attributed the phrases to Shakespeare, but it is 'biased'. He explained how the OED contains quotations when defining words and when looking for these, it 'preferred literary examples, and famous ones at that.' "The Complete Works of Shakespeare was frequently raided for early examples of word use, even though words or phrases might have been used earlier, by less famous or less literary people," he wrote in the University of Melbourne magazine. As a result more than 33,000 Shakespeare quotations have been found in the OED, including 1,500 listed as the first time a word was used, and 7,500 examples of it being the first evidence of usage. "A wild goose chase," is credited as first appearing in 'Romeo and Juliet' by the OED, but it had appeared at least six times in English poet Gervase Markham's book about horsemanship a few years earlier in 1593. "Eaten out of house and home" is thought to first appear in 'Henry IV' part two, written in the 1590s, but examples from as early as 1578 have been found. He did still invent most of his famous quotations, including "to make an ass of oneself," however, he would have risked alienating his audience if he had invented too many phrases and words. "His audiences had to understand at least the gist of what he meant, so his words were mostly in circulation already or were logical combinations of pre-existing concepts," wrote McInnis. "He invented some; more usually he came up with the most memorable combinations or uses; and frequently we can find earlier uses that the Oxford English Dictionary simply hasn't cited yet," he added.(ANI) "Rahul Gandhi is also a good boy and if he continues to come to UP then we can be friends. There should be no objection to anyone if good people meet,'' Mr Yadav commented while refusing that his statement has nothing to do with politics or the coming assembly elections. The Chief Minister's reaction comes in the wake of Mr Gandhi's comment on Mr Yadav here some days back when he called him a good person. Talking to reporters after the state cabinet meeting here, Mr Yadav said, "Had the khaats been looted after a Samajwadi Party programme, then the entire media would have said that the criminals and goons of SP had done it." Meanwhile, UP Urban Development Minister Mohammad Azam Khan condemned the BJP for demanding his resignation. "I don't expect anything better from them. First they should tell why they killed Bapu. They don't trust the Constitution and were dreaming of a united India," he told reporters while admitting that his popularity will grow much by such reactions by the BJP.UNI MB AE SB 1541 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-924277.Xml Ruling Samajwadi Party would launch its door-to-door campaign in a big way by initiating a Mulayam Singh Yadav yatra from September 10 to make the people aware of the achievements of the Akhilesh Yadav government and its pro-people schemes. The yatra-- to be organised by the Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha -- would be flagged off by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav from the state party office here, SP's national vice-president and Rajya Sabha member Kironmay Nanda said here today. The yatra would be in two phases, the first one will start from September 10 and end after ten days covering Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi and Allahabad divisions. The second phase would start from September 25 from the bungalow of party president in New Delhi and after covering 20 districts, will end at Sitapur in next ten days, Mr Nanda said. He said during the yatra, the activists and the leaders of the Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha would inform the masses about the 29 schemes of the state government which had been launched for their welfare. The SP leader, a close confidant of the party president, also denied possibility of a pre-poll alliance with the Congress. "There is no such move and SP will contest the elections alone and grab the power for the second time in a row," Mr Nanda, a former West Bengal minister, said. He also claimed that the Yatra and Khaat Sabhas of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi would yield no results and the Congress would witness the same fate as they did in 2012.UNI MB SW SB 1548 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-924361.Xml The Ayush Ministry is organising a two-day BRICS Wellness Workshop at Bengaluru in Karnataka from September 10 and a four-day AROGYA Fair, a comprehensive health and wellness fair showcasing strengths of traditional systems/wellness sector in India as well as other BRICS partner countries from September 10. Secretary-level officers and traditional medicine/wellness experts from the BRICS countries will participate in the BRICS Wellness Workshop. Briefing media persons here on the significance of the BRICS Wellness Workshop, Ayush Secretary Ajit M Sharan said traditional medicine has assumed an important role in contemporary community health care due to its health promotive, disease preventive, curative, rehabilitative and rejuvenation properties. The workshop has been organised to promote partnerships with BRICS nations, have knowledge sharing and push forward AYUSH initiatives in these countries which will further help in globalisation of AYUSH, he explained. Highlighting the growing importance of AYUSH in BRICS countries, Mr Sharan said many of these countries have already taken steps in this direction, citing the instance of China which has set up college of Yoga while Ayurveda is gaining popularity in Russia. The workshop, being held in Bengaluru, will have sessions related to traditional systems of Traditional Systems of Medicine, Trade and Economy, Wellness and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Wellness indicators for BRICS, Wellness and Tourism among others. It will also include a session on WHO strategy for Traditional Medicine. The Arogya fair to be organised simultaneously at Palace Grounds, Bengaluru will provide a good exposure for manufacturers/importers of Traditional Medicines/Raw Materials of the BRICS Countries to have first hand experience of Indian Traditional Medicinal products/manufacturing facilities. At the same time they will have the opportunity to showcase their products and services. Prior to the two-day workshop, site visits to traditional medicine institute/facilities for the delegates from the BRICS countries will be organised to provide on site exposure to the delegates. Yoga workshops and Ayurveda consultations with experts will also be organised for interested delegates from tomorrow tillSeptember 12, an official statement here said.UNI SD AE SB 1700 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0005-924660.Xml AIP chief Er Sheikh Abdul Rashid, MLA, and hundreds of protestors took to streets in Handwara against the killing of 75 civilians in security force firing since July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani and two other militants were killed in an encounter at Anantnag. Shouting 'anti-forces' and slogans, seeking plebiscite, the agitators took out rallies at various places in the district and later assembled at the main Handwara market. As the demonstrators were marching towards district headquarter Kupwara, security forces deployed in the area stopped them from moving ahead. However, when the protestors, including Er Rashid, didn't back down, security forces arrested the AIP chief and several of his supporters.UNI ABS RJ SB GC1746 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0433-924673.Xml Union Minister of State for RoadTransport, Highways and Shipping Pon Radhakrishnantoday called on Tamil Nadu Governor CH.Vidyasagar Raoat Raj Bhavan. The meeting was a Courtesy call, a Raj Bhavan communique said. Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu Governor Mr Vidyasagar Rao arrived in Chennai this afternoon and would beparticipating in various functions along with PresidentPranab Mukherjee on tomorrow and the day after. The Governor held discussions with Mr Ramesh Chand Meena, Principal Secretary to Governor, and other officials about the arrangements made for the President's stay at Raj Bhavan. The Governor will be leaving Chennai on the afternoon ofSeptember ten after seeing off the President at Chennai Airport.UNI GV CS 1858 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-925099.Xml A police spokesperson today said that following specific information about transportation of drugs, a checkpoint was established at Kakpora in Pulwama. He said police intercepted a vehicle at the checkpoint and during search recovered five cardboard boxes containing 26 kg of poppy straw. Two people, Farooq Ahmad Magray and Sajad Ahmad Bhat, onboard the vehicle were immediately taken into custody. Police have registered a case and initiated investigation to nab other people involved in the drug racket, he said.UNI ABS CJ AS1848 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0433-924843.Xml There was great enthusiasm among students of this small town, some 200 kms from Rajasthan capital Jaipur, as they got an opportunity on Thursday to directly interact with Union Minister for Human Resource Development Prakash Javdekar and pepper him with questions on a variety of issues. The interaction, under an initiative called "Sarthi", was officially launched on International Literacy Day at three centers -- Churu, Chaksu and Udaipur. In Churu, about 500 students directly communicated with the minister as well as counsellors present at the three locations. One student wanted the minister's views on the "controversy related to high scoring by some state boards... like Tamil Nadu", referring to students from the state getting admissions to prestigious Delhi University colleges because of their high grades. "Don't you think CBSE and state boards need a uniform syllabus," asked the student. The minister said the government is looking at instances such as these and was hoping to bring about some form of uniformity. There was a question that since education is generally regarded as a slow-moving sphere of social policy, why has the ministry not been more pro-active? "We are working towards bringing both qualitative and quantitative changes in education system," the minister said. This Sarthi initiative is expected to enable the youth gain the latest information on career opportunities and courses across the country to enable them exercise their options. In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Javadekar was also joined by eminent educational and career counsellors who tried to answer the queries of young students both on higher education and career opportunities. This one-to-one engagement was a rare opportunity for many young people of Churu, a town known for its extreme temperatures in both summer and winter. It was especially a boon for those who cannot afford to travel on their own to cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Jaipur. They could not have dreamt of such an exposure to eminent educationists and counsellors as was provided to them on this year's International Literacy Day through the joint efforts made by the Future Society, an NGO active in Churu since the last 8 years and the Vipra Foundation. "This initiative will help rural youth to join universities and will provide them a platform and a proper path to build carrier," Future Society vice president Sushil Sharma told IANS. The initiative will help and guide students from Churu and other remote parts of Rajasthan to make informed choices about their future -- be it higher studies or job opportunities, he said, adding: "Our effort will be to replicate this experiment on a larger scale both at the state and the national level." "Employment is a big problem for both rural and urban youth in the country. The reason for this is not only lack of opportunities but also lack of proper information. Sarthi hopes to bridge that gap," a statement said. Rajasthan Labour and Employment Minister Surender Pal Singh said this project will certainly help in promoting the Make in India and Skill India initiatives. (Anil Sharma can be contacted at anil.s@ians.in) --IANS as/vm ( 522 Words) 2016-09-08-20:15:58 (IANS) Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation, a body working in the welfare and betterment of Gujjars community, today said that Jammu and Kashmir government should launch innovative schemes to educate the nomadic Gujjars and Bakerwals children. Maintaining that only 'Forced Schools' can combat illiteracy among Gujjars and Bakerwals of state- Gujjar scholar Dr Javaid Rahi at a programme organised in connection with International Literacy Day at Rajouri said,"as per census report 2011, there was lowest literacy rate counting 37.4 pc and 25.4 pc in Gujjars and Bakerwals respectively as against the national rate of 74 p and State's literacy rate, presently 65.57 pc and termed the same extremely alarming." Dr Rahi stated that the School dropout rate is highest among nomadic Gujjars and Bakerwal children as the children of both the tribes left their studies at primary or middle level, due to low economy and migratory way of life. He said, Gujjar-Bakrwal women is worst sufferer which constitute 76.7 pc of total ST women population of the state are at the bottom as 82.2 pc Gujjars/ Bakerwal women are illiterate as said in 2011 census data. The speakers at the programme however, stated that on the prototype of pre-1947 'Forced Schools' started by the Maharaja in Kashmir, Ladakh and other parts of the State - the Government should started same type of compulsory free Education for the children of Gujjars and Bakerwals as the parents are deliberately denying education to their children and using them as human resource in their day to day work. They said that the National Literacy Mission launched by the Government in 1988 and SSA in 2001 with an objective to all-round development of poor of poorest Children of India but the fate of children belonging to Gujjar tribe is still in dark due to illiteracy.UNI VBH JW RSA 2144 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0364-925442.Xml Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) supporters created bedlam at a public meeting, compelling BJP national president Amit Shah to cut short his speech and the police to resort to lathi charge and bursting of teargas shells to quell violence. Despite large deployment of police and para military forces, PAAS supporters barged into the function venue where legislators of the Patel community were to be felicitated by Mr Shah and Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani. Belying the organisers' claim that over a lakh members of the Patel community would attend the function, the attendance turned out to be very thin as over 500 supporters of PAAS, led by BJP dissident MLA Nalin Kotadia prevented people from coming to the venue. Police resorted to lathi charge and burst teargas shells to disperse PAAS supporters. PAAS supporters started raising slogans like "Jai Sardar, Jai Patidar" and began to hurl chairs as soon as Mr Shah and Mr Rupani stood on the stage. Both the BJP leaders cut short their speeches to a couple of minutes as a result of the bedlam created by the PAAS supporters.A life-size cutout of Mr Shah, put up outside the venue, was 'beheaded' by the PAAS supporters. Police took into custody over 100 supporters of PAAS, including their district conveners. The felicitation of Patel community legislators was organised by some local businessmen to express confidence in the BJP government. MORE UNI ND JW RSA 2121 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0364-925462.Xml While 1,41,958 farmers were insured in Rajnandgaon District, 75,949 farmers were brought under the scheme in Raipur District, Agriculture Minister Brijmohan Agrawal said here today. Mr Agrawal said that farmers who avail agriculture credit automatically get insured under the crop insurance scheme.UNI SS BDG RSA BD2134 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0044-925209.Xml Punjab BJP has turned the heat on Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal over the recent accusations of sexual harassment levied against his party leaders Sandeep Kumar and Vijay Chauhan. Senior BJP leader and Punjab affairs incharge Prabhat Jha today said that before entering Punjab, Aam Aadmi Party would have to clarify whether it was AAP party or PAAP party. During an informal talk with media here, the BJP leader stated that earlier AAP had offended the youth of Punjab by terming them as drunkards, and now it was humiliating the women of the state. He said that first there was the incident of Delhi Minister Somnath Bharti being accused by his wife of domestic violence and now his another minister Sandeep Kumar had got embroiled in a sex scandal. Jha said that even as the voice raised by Kejriwal's own party MLA Devendra Sehrawat accusing AAP leaders of sexually exploiting women in Punjab was still afresh, accusations of money in exchange of tickets and sexual harassment of women in Punjab have surfaced against the AAP leadership. He stated that none other than party's former convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur had levied these accusations. Demanding probe into the accusations, the BJP leader said, "we have worshipped women for centuries and their dignity is supreme for us. The accusations against AAP are very serious. I ask the Punjab government and the state home minister to initiate a thorough investigation into the matter." He also urged Chhotepur and Sehrawat to come forward and register their complaints with the police so that truth comes out. Jha further stated that every political party had a right to democratically contest elections, but the means which AAP has resorted to are totally unacceptable to the people of Punjab. He expressed happiness over the fact that AAP's recent activities had opened the eyes of Punjab's electorate. Condemning AAP leader Ashutosh for commenting against women in his blog, the BJP leader said that he was saddened to hear such unacceptable remarks against women from such a senior leader. All these events made clear the intentions of Aam Aadmi Party, he added.UNI DB RSA VN2154 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-925246.Xml Taking on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on his Punjab visit, Union minister and Punjab BJP chief Vijay Sampla today accused him of fooling the farmers of the state.Sampla said that after bluffing the people of Delhi, Kejriwal has come to Punjab to fool the farmers here. He said that after the Delhi incident wherein farmer Gajendra Singh had committed suicide during his rally, how could Mr Kejriwal assure the farmers of Punjab of their well-being. He said that it was shocking to see that Mr Kejriwal continued with his drama on the stage, while Gajendra hung himself from a tree nearby.The BJP leader has urged the farmers of Punjab to be alert and not to fall into the trap of Kejriwal's Kisan manifesto.Terming AAP's Kisan manifesto a bundle of lies, Sampla questioned Mr Kejriwal that how could AAP leaders advocate Punjabiat, when they were resorting to double-standards on water issues. Lambasting Mr Kejriwal, he said that though Kejriwal claimed himself to be a champion of democratic rights, he had instead acted like a dictator and ousted many senior leaders from the party. Sampla said that Mr Kejriwal and his team preached ethics but names of AAP leaders and ministers are continuously cropping up in sex-scandals, fake degree scams and domestic violence. He said that Mr Kejriwal had claimed providing security to women but party's women workers have accused their leaders of sexual exploitation. He said that Kejriwal would repeat the same with farmers and betray them. Sampla said that the voters of Delhi had chosen Mr Kejriwal and expected a lot from him, but he failed on every front and that is why he had now turned to Punjab. He alleged that by mentioning that he was here to stay in Punjab, Mr Kejriwal has made his intentions clear that he is corrupt and power hungry. UNI DB RSA VN2153 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-925299.Xml A Woman special court today awarded death sentence to Ankur Panwar, convict in Preeti Rathi acid attack case. Panwar was convicted under Sections 302 (murder) and 326B (Voluntarily throwing acid) of the IPC.Preeti, who hailed from Delhi, had died of multiple organ failure after hotel management graduate Panwar threw acid on her in May 2013.While agreeing with the arguments made by prosecution the Special Judge A S Shende in his order said that accused deserve death for the inhuman crime committed by him.On May 2, 2013 Preeti got off Garib Rath Express at Bandra terminus in Mumbai with her father, aunt and uncle. Moments later, a masked man threw acid at her, inflicting severe burn injuries. From Narela, northwest of Delhi, it was Preeti's maiden visit to Mumbai, where she was to join the Indian Navy as a nurse. On May 10, the police arrested a B Tech student hailing from Rohtak, but later let him off for lack of evidence. Rathi died on June 1, 2013. On January 17, 2014, the crime branch arrested Panwar.According to police, Panwar had thrown acid on Preeti as he was jealous of her career growth and the fact that she had secured a nursing job with the Ministry of Defence at the INHS Asvini Hospital.Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam had sought death penalty for Ankur Panwar before the court yesterday, claiming that the fatal attack on Rathi had a larger impact on society. Nikam argued that the the young girl who was looking to join her job in the Indian Navy was killed mercilessly and this offence is a glaring case of such acid attacks on women. "This is a fit case for death penalty where the manner in which the offence was committed and the exceptional cruel attitude of the accused are aggravating circumstances," Nikam had said.UNI AAA RSA 2244 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0364-925506.Xml National Human Rights Commission chairperson Justice H L Duttu today expressed satisfaction over the action taken by the state government in cases related to human rights violation in the state, especially those related to the people belonging to the SC/ST and other weaker sections. Addressing a press conference at the Judicial Academy in Dhurwa, he said the commission was regularly taking cognisance over the cases related to violation of the human rights and is reviewing the steps taken by the state governments in such cases. He said 15 matters were brought before the full bench of the NHRC yesterday, in which six of the cases were settled and compensation order worth Rs 9 lakh was announced. In a separate case related to the problem of presence of arsenic and fluoride in drinking water, the state government has been asked to submit a district wise report alongwith plans to solve the problems in the next three months. In a case related to illegal mining of coal in the state the NHRC has sought a report from the Government in the next three months and has also directed to issue notice to Coal India CMD and a report has been sought from him also. He said the commission wants to know the present situation regarding the lands where the coal mining has been completed. Justice Duttu said over the encounter in Bakoria village of Palamu district in which 12 alleged Maoists were killed by the district police and Cobra, a report from the CID has been sought within three months. NHRC chairperson informed that during the open sitting 69 cases related to violation of human rights of the people belonging to SC/ST communities was taken up out of which 27 cases were settled and in the different cases the commission also announced to pay compensation. In three separate cases the officials were asked to inform the commission the compensation which can be awarded as per the provisions in the SC/ST act.MORE UNI AK BM RSA AN2246 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0214-925388.Xml A team of Nagaland State BJP unit has been camping at Delhi for the eighth day today and meeting central BJP leaders and various union ministries with regard to various issues pertinent to state party affairs and for the state development programmes.According to a statement issued by BJP Nagaland Spokesperson today, the State BJP delegation met Minister of DoNER and Department of Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh on Tuesday. While interacting, Dr Singh had assured all possible logistic assistance to the party. The statement stated it was decided that the DoNER Minister, Nagaland Chief Minister and state BJP team would meet soon to work out the programmes to strengthen the DAN.State BJP unit delegation led by its president Visasolie Lhongue also met Union Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Arun Singh, the National General Secretary (HQ) at the party head office in Delhi. The state team would continue to camp at Delhi for next couple of days to meet the Prime Minister, National President and some other Central leaders, the statement added.UNI AS BM RSA VN2247 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0214-925460.Xml The protestors first held a meeting in the municipal council office compound and then proceeded towards Tehsil Chowk raising anti government and anti administration slogans. The protestors were addressed by Kangra Bar Association President Aman Guleria and Beopar manadal President Anuj Garg who demanded the paid parking contract be scrapped. Guleria warned the administration that if the authorities did not scrap the paid parking contract by September 13, the agitation will be intensified. The shops and business establishments remained closed in the town till 1100 hrs as a mark of protest. Administration had made an elaborate police arrangements near the mini Secretariat to avoid any untoward incident. SDM Kangra Debasweta Banik said contract was accorded as per procedure, however, those visiting the mini secretariat for less than one hour, will not to pay any thing for their parked vehicle. She said that parking charges will be recovered only after one hour. UNI XC RSA AN2302 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-925193.Xml Obama made the remarks while meeting with young people from across Southeast Asia in a "town hall" exchange in the historical town of Luang Prabang in northern Laos, Xinhua news agency reported. He said green growth strategy will reduce poverty while addressing greenhouse gas emissions contributing to the climate change. The "town hall" exchange touched on a series of topics including climate change, health, environment, trade and economy. The US President called on young people of the region to actively contribute to solutions in the face of difficulties and challenges. He cited the example of Alibaba founder and chairman, China's Jack Ma as an example of the dynamism that could see individuals rise to their potential through innovation and enterprise. --IANS lok/ ( 159 Words) 2016-09-08-03:43:56 (IANS) Three Iranians and one Afghani citizen are among the dead workers who were busy doing construction activities in Kianshahr metro station in the capital, Xinhua news agency quoted the report as saying. In the accident that took place at 17.45 local time (1515 GMT), six other workers were injured, Morteza Moradipoor, deputy of Rescue Operation of Tehran's Red Crescent Society, told semi-official ISNA news agency. The cause of the accident is unknown so far; but the investigations are underway and the results will be announced soon, according to the news reports. --IANS lok/ ( 126 Words) 2016-09-08-03:57:56 (IANS) The United States has completely denied the statement made by Hafiz Saeed, founder of the banned terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), that the new pact between India and America against the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is "against the Muslim World and bulwark Pakistan". Speaking to media during the daily press briefing, the United States State Department Deputy Spokesperson, Mark C. Toner said, "I mean, I would dismiss it outright. We have a strong bilateral relationship with Pakistan, but one that is premised on counterterrorism cooperation and as - as part of that conversation, or that dialogue and that cooperation that we have on counterterrorism issues." Toner reiterated that Washington has made it clear to Islamabad that it has to go after terrorist groups who seek to harm neighbours. "We made it very clear that Pakistan can't pick and choose which terrorist groups it goes after, and it has to go after those groups that seek to do harm to its neighbours and may seek refuge on Pakistani soil," he added. Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed, who orchestrated the November 2008, Mumbai terror attack in which 166 people were killed is based in Pakistan, and yesterday in a seminar said that consensus between New Delhi and Washington D.C. is "frightening". "The new pact between India and America is against Pakistan, against CPEC; in fact, I believe it is against the Muslim World and its bulwark Pakistan. This is a very frightening pact. What America could not achieve while being in Afghanistan, where it faced a dishonourable defeat, it is now trying to complete its mission from India. It (U.S.) believes that since Afghanistan was a country of Muslims, they could not achieve their targets while being inside the country, all they could do was spreading Terrorism and unrest across Pakistan," said Saeed. He said that America's issue was China and Pakistan was India's issue and that their interest has become one because of CPEC, adding, "This is the basis of their new pact. This is the preparation of a terrifying war." "India and America are worried that if the CPEC project succeeded, the entire Muslim World would stand beside Pakistan. And, the (resultant) new defence and economic pacts that will take place will oust America not only from this region and the Middle East, but from all important places and waters of the world. America will have to get out of all these places. That is why today the biggest hurdle before them is Pakistan," he added. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had during the bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of G20 summit in Hangzhou, raised India's concern over the CPEC, saying the two countries need to be "sensitive" to each other's strategic interests. Emphasising that the fight against terror should not be motivated by "political considerations", Prime Minister Modi said it is of paramount importance that both countries respect each other's aspirations, concerns and strategic interests. Though the UN has declared JuD a terror organisation and individually designated Saeed as a terrorist in December 2008, he continues to live freely in Pakistan. (ANI) Ahead of the 14th India-Asean Summit and the 11th East Asia Summit here on Thursday, Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith said that his country supports a permanent seat for India in the UN Security Council (UNSC). "Laos PM said his country supported India as a permanent member of a reformed and expanded UNSC," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup informed the media after a bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sisoulith on Thursday morning. Stating that the two leaders discussed regional developments, Swarup said that "both countries shared the same perspective" on the South China Sea issue. An international arbitration tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in July ruled in favour of the Philippines in its dispute with China over the South China Sea. While the Philippines welcomed the ruling, China reacted angrily calling it "null and void". Several southeast Asian littoral nations have disputes with Beijing over the South China Sea. India has called for all parties concerned to respect the UN Convention for the Law of the Sea (Unclos). According to Swarup, during the meeting, Sisoulith appreciated India's consistent support for Laos since the country's independence "particularly in areas of human resources development, agriculture, irrigation and power". Modi said that he was especially happy to be in Vientiane at a time when India and Laos were celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. "Both Prime Ministers agreed to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in a befitting manner," Swarup stated. Modi is also scheduled to have meetings with South Korean President Park Geun-hye, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is the State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar, and US President Barack Obama later in the day. Soon after his arrival here on Wednesday, Modi held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The India-Asean Summit on Thursday will be attended by leaders of 10 southeast Asian nations - Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand. The East Asia Summit later in the day will be attended by leaders of the 10 Asean nations and those of India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Russia. --IANS ab/pgh/ ( 386 Words) 2016-09-08-09:27:55 (IANS) The Russian defence ministry said it had sent Su-24 fighter planes today to intercept a US aircraft approaching its border over the Black Sea because the American planes had turned off their transponders, which are needed for identification."After the Russian fighters approached the reconnaissance aircraft for visual inspection and identification of the aircraft registration numbers, the American planes abruptly changed course and flew in the opposite direction from the Russian border," a Russian Defence Ministry spokesman, Major-General Igor Konashenkov, said in a statement.Konashenkov said that the Russian pilots acted in a strict accordance with international rules. REUTERS JW AN2359 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-923781.Xml US President Barack Obama's administration has offered Saudi Arabia more than 115 billion dollars in weapons, other military equipment and training, the most of any US administration in the 71-year US-Saudi alliance, a report seen by Reuters has found.The report, authored by William Hartung of the US-based Center for International Policy, said the offers were made in 42 separate deals, and the majority of the equipment has yet to be delivered. Hartung told Reuters the report would be made available publicly on September 8.The report said US arms offers to Saudi Arabia since Obama took office in January 2009 have included everything from small arms and ammunition to tanks, attack helicopters, air-to-ground missiles, missile defense ships, and warships. Washington also provides maintenance and training to Saudi security forces.The Center's report is based on data from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, a Department of Defense body that provides figures on arms sales offers and Foreign Military Sales agreements. Most of the offers, which are reported to Congress, become formal agreements though some are abandoned or amended. The report did not disclose how many of the offers to Saudi Arabia were agreed.Washington's arms sales to Riyadh recently have come under fire from rights groups and some members of Congress are disturbed by the rising number of civilian casualties in the war in Yemen, where a coalition led by Saudi Arabia is fighting Iran-allied Houthi rebels.The conflict has killed at least 10,000 people. Last month the United Nations human rights office said that 3,799 civilians have died in the conflict, with coalition air strikes responsible for an estimated 60 per cent of the deaths.The coalition says it does not target civilians and accuses the Houthis of placing military targets in civilian areas. The coalition has created a body to investigate civilian casualties.The outcry over those casualties has led some members of Congress to push for restrictions on arms transfers, and amid the growing outcry, the Pentagon cautioned that its support for Saudi Arabia in its Yemen campaign was not "a blank check".The Control Arms coalition, a group that campaigns for stricter arms sales controls, said last month that Britain, France and the United States were flouting the 2014 Arms Trade treaty, which bans exports of conventional weapons that fuel human rights violations or war crimes.Nevertheless, the Obama administration last month approved a potential 1.15 billion dollars arms package for Saudi Arabia.Hartung said the level of US arms sales to Riyadh should give it leverage to pressure Saudi Arabia."It's time for the Obama administration to use the best leverage it has - Saudi Arabia's dependence on US weapons and support - to wage the war in Yemen in the first place," Hartung told Reuters."Pulling back the current offer of battle tanks or freezing some of the tens of billions in weapons and services in the pipeline would send a strong signal to the Saudi leadership that they need stop their indiscriminate bombing campaign and take real steps to prevent civilian casualties."Washington has been at pains to prove to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf allies that it remains committed to their defense against Iran in the wake of a multinational deal last year to restrict the Iranian nuclear program. Sunni Muslim Gulf states accuse Shi'ite Iran of fomenting instability in the region, which the Islamic Republic denies."The more recent deals that have involved resupplying Saudi Arabia with ammunition, bombs, and tanks to replace weaponry used up or damaged in the war in Yemen are no doubt driven in part by the effort to 'reassure' the Saudis that the US will not tilt towards Iran in the wake of the nuclear deal," Hartung said. REUTERS PS 0105 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-923786.Xml The United States and Russia have not reached a ceasefire deal for Syria, the US State Department said today, saying it could not confirm Moscow's announcement that the US and Russian foreign ministers would meet in Geneva tomorrow."We're not there yet," State Department spokesman Mark Toner told a briefing, after US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke for 45 minutes."The secretary remains committed to continuing efforts to try and resolve the outstanding issues in order to reach an arrangement on Syria ... but we won't agree to an arrangement that does not meet our core objectives," Toner said."We have not been able to reach a clear understanding on a way forward," Toner added. "I can't say there is a big hope for success, we're just continuing to work at it."Kerry and Lavrov have met twice in two weeks but have fallen short on reaching a broad understanding on how to proceed. The United States accused Russia last week after talks on the sidelines of the G20 leaders' summit in Hangzhou, China, of pulling back on issues that Washington thought had been resolved.Speaking in Hangzhou, US President Barack Obama said efforts to broker an agreement were complicated by "gaps of trust" between Washington and Moscow, which back opposite sides in the five-year Syrian war.Russian and American experts have worked since July to figure out ways to halt the violence in areas where moderate opposition groups, backed by the United States and Middle East allies, and Russian-backed Syrian government forces have been battling each other.Those efforts were complicated by a significant offensive in the southern part of the divided city of Aleppo where al-Qaeda- linked groups had become more intermingled with opposition fighters. Russia is insisting that opposition forces be separated from al-Qaeda-linked militants in Aleppo.Washington wants Syria's air force grounded, leaving air strikes to US and Russian jets that would focus on targeting Islamic State and other militant groups. An agreement hinges on Russia using its influence over Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.REUTERS PS 0206 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-923791.Xml President Enrique Pena Nieto has replaced his close ally and finance minister, Luis Videgaray, after the two were heavily criticized for Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump's controversial visit to Mexico last week.A somber-looking Pena Nieto told a news conference yesterday that Videgaray, who officials said was the architect of Trump's visit, would make way for former Finance Minister Jose Antonio Meade.Pena Nieto was widely pilloried for hosting Trump at short notice last Wednesday. The New York businessman has repeatedly vowed to build a border wall to keep out illegal immigrants - which he said Mexico would pay for.Trump has further infuriated Mexicans by threatening to carry out mass deportations and rewrite trade treaties crucial to their economy, and by referring to some immigrants from the United States' southern neighbor as rapists or drug runnersWith economic growth sluggish, the president's popularity at record lows and tensions palpable between the finance minister and other Cabinet members, rumors of Videgaray's impending departure had bubbled under the surface in Mexico for months."The proverbial last straw was the Trump visit," said Agustin Barrios Gomez, a politician from the opposition leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution, and a driving force behind a draft bill sent to Congress this week to empower the government to retaliate against Trump if he threatens Mexican interests."(It) was seen as such a fiasco that he no longer had the credibility necessary to do his immediate job," he added.Senior diplomats said Videgaray, 48, had been instrumental in arranging the American's visit, in which the government had hoped to impress upon Trump the need to moderate his tone and reconsider his more divisive campaign proposals.But within hours of leaving Mexico, Trump was telling a cheering crowd of supporters in Arizona that Mexico would pay for the border wall "100 per cent," prompting fresh ridicule of Pena Nieto at home.Instead of teaching Trump a lesson, the visit "legitimized him as a potential head of state," said Andres Rozental, a former deputy Mexican foreign minister. "It just shows how little thought went into it."Trump commented on the resignation during a forum with US veterans on NBC television when he was asked if the United States could take a chance with him as commander-in-chief."Well, I think absolutely," he said. "I think if you saw what happened in Mexico the other day...I let them know where the United States stands. I mean, we've been badly hurt by Mexico...And if you look at what happened, look at the aftermath today where the people that arranged the trip in Mexico have been forced out of government. That's how well we did."PRESIDENTIAL RACEVidegaray ran Pena Nieto's election campaign, and was long regarded as the most powerful Cabinet minister, with a huge influence on policy after orchestrating the country's landmark energy, telecommunications, tax and education reforms.Both men were embroiled in conflict-of-interest scandals in late 2014, after Pena Nieto's wife and Videgaray were found to have acquired property from a major government contractor. Pena Nieto ordered an inquiry, which cleared both of any wrongdoing.The respected new finance minister, Meade, is a friend of Videgaray and had started in the administration as foreign minister before moving to the social development ministry.Videgaray's departure from the Cabinet means Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong, on whose watch capo Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman escaped from prison before being recaptured, is now the most visible potential presidential candidate in 2018 for the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI.Polls show the main hopefuls for 2018 face a tough battle, with Osorio Chong leading prospective PRI contenders.Meade, who was also once energy minister, is among those hopefuls. He must now steer next year's budget through Congress, with the draft plan to be announced today. Senator Ernesto Cordero, a former finance minister from the center-right opposition, said he expected a smooth handover to Meade, whose experience in government he underlined."He's been a minister five times, and on those five occasions he's done a good job," Cordero said.The economy has consistently fallen short of government growth forecasts during Videgaray's tenure, and contracted in the second quarter for the first time in three years.The new budget will be under close scrutiny after rating agency Standard & Poor's last month said it could cut Mexico's credit rating following a marked increase in debt.Videgaray, who has also been rumored as a potential 2017 gubernatorial candidate for the PRI in the State of Mexico, a populous region next to the capital, will not take another public post, a finance ministry spokeswoman said. REUTERS SHS PM0909 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-923837.Xml In a statement, the ministry said recent remarks by British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on the situation in Syria reflects his "detachment from reality" and his government's "persistence and engagement in the aggression against Syria", Xinhua news agency reported. The Foreign Ministry statement was referring to an article on Wednesday by Johnson, who said Russia should halt its backing of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, describing the Syrian leader as a "killing machine". The Syrian ministry said Britain has a history of aggression against other peoples in the region and that the Syrian people will not allow Johnson or his peers to intervene in Syria's internal affairs. --IANS sm/dg ( 141 Words) 2016-09-08-13:45:56 (IANS) Two men were arrested in London today on suspicion of being involved in terrorism, the British capital's Metropolitan Police said in a statement.The men, who were not named, were arrested at an address in west London as part of a pre-planned, intelligence-led investigation by the force's Counter Terrorism Command.One of the men, aged 19, was arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts.The other, aged 20, was arrested on suspicion of funding terrorism and failure to disclose information regarding a terrorist act. He was also arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts under a separate investigation by the South East Counter Terrorism Unit.Officers were searching addresses and vehicles in west and southeast London and in the Thames Valley area. Both men, who are from London, remain in police custody.The current terrorist threat level in Britain is considered severe, meaning that an attack is highly likely. REUTERS VS NS1400 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0440-924240.Xml After his visit to the US, it was Mr Modi's first bilateral meeting with Mr Obama. Both the leaders had also met informally during the G-20 summit at Hangzhou, the eastern city of China on September 4-5. During the 14th India-ASEAN Summit and the 11th East Asia Summit, Mr Modi also had bilateral talks with South Korean President Park Geun-Hye and Premier of host of the summits Thongloun Sisolith. Myanmar's foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi also called on him. This was also the first meeting between Mr Modi and Mr Obama after the countries inked a landmark agreement on sharing each other's military logistics. More UNI MK AE SB 1446 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0090-924235.Xml ''There is one country in India's neighbourhood, whose competitive advantage rests solely on producing and exporting terrorism,'' the Prime Minister said, in an obvious reference to Pakistan. He also expressed grave concern over the growing threat of radicalisation and extremist violence, which he said, were a common threat to today's societies. Mr Modi's aired his views on these threats, while addressing the ASEAN and East Asia Summits today. He called for strongest action against such states, which ''employ terrorism as an instrument of state policy''. ''The time has come for us to stop this global exporter of terror. The time has come to isolate and sanction the instigator,'' Mr Modi said, while sharing stage with Chinese Premier Le Kekiang and US President Barack Obama. Terrorism was the most serious challenge to open and pluralistic societies and combating it required collective effort, he said. Earlier, speaking at the ASEAN-India Summit too, the Prime Minister called for enhancing cooperation with countries of the group in combating terror, ensuring cyber security and weaning away youth from radical ideologies. ''We are willing to take concrete steps to enhance cooperation in cyber security, de-radicalisation and counter Terrorism,'' Mr Modi said. The Prime Minister flagged the issue of maritime security, underlining the importance of freedom of navigation in international waters. He cautioned against any use of force to resolve the South China Sea dispute. More UNI XC NAZ RJ SB 1509 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0098-924305.Xml The Prime Minister also used the two regional fora to sent out a strong message to Pakistan against sponsoring terror, calling upon the international community to isolate the nation. He also made India's stand on the South China sea dispute very clear asking all the parties to follow the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and desist from using force to resolve the dispute. Under the politico-security component of India's strategic partnership, Mr Modi impressed upon ASEAN member states to enhance cooperation in the areas of cyber security, de-radicalisation and counter terrorism. The Prime Minister reemphasised India's steadfast support to ASEAN-centric initiatives such as the Initiative for ASEAN Integration: Narrowing the Development Gap and the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025. He announced enhancement of the ASEAN-India Fund with an additional US$ 50 million . The Prime Minister also had several bilateral meeting with participating leaders, including US President Barack Obama, Myanmar State Councillor Aung San Suu Kyi, Russian Premier Dmitry Medvev, Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, South Korean President Park Geun-Hye and Premier of host of the summits Thongloun Sisolith. In addition he had a pull aside with Chinese Premier Le Kekiang.UNI XC NAZ AE SB 1647 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0098-924621.Xml US President Barack Obama has complimented Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his initiatives in economic reforms, especially, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, which was cleared last month by Indian Parliament. According to sources, both the leaders met on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit where Mr Obama said the GST will unify India into a single market while doing away with a messy jumble of national and state tariffs. He said the passage of GST Bill will unleash significant economic activity. He also praised Mr Modi's vision of entrepreneurship and innovation, which would be "very important for a country like India." President Obama said he has always been a friend of India and will continue to be a "strong partner of India and help in any way I can." Sources said apart from this, discussions then focused around climate change issues and energy cooperation. The two leaders reviewed progress on Indo-US collaboration in nuclear energy, solar energy and innovation. During the meeting, Mr Modi praised President Obama for his contribution to the relationship and the growing trust between the two countries and invited President Obama to visit India after he demits office. Mr Obama said he would welcome any opportunity to visit India. He added that he and Michelle were yet to see the Taj Mahal! Both the leaders reviewed the immediate priorities in the strategic partnership. This was their eighth meeting in the last two years. They met for the first time at the White House in September 2014 when Mr Modi travelled to Washington DC at the invitation of Mr Obama. This could be their last meeting as leaders of the two countries with Mr Obama's second term as US President coming to an end in November. According to External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup, the meeting was "extremely warm and cordial." Mr Modi had also exchanged views with Mr Obama on the sidelines of the G20 summit in China's Hangzhou on Sunday, with the US president praising the "bold policy" move on GST reform in a "difficult" global economic scenario.UNI ADP AE SB 1657 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0429-924611.Xml Addressing the world leaders at 11th East Asia Summit, Mr Modi launched sharpest attack on Pakistan, saying that there was "one country in our neighbourhood whose competitive advantage rests solely in producing & exporting terrorism." Days after singling out Pakistan for spreading terrorism at the G-20 Summit in China, Mr Modi went a step further and asked for imposing sanctions. He said the time has come to isolate and sanction "this global instigator and exporter" of terror. Terrorism was the most serious challenge to open and pluralistic societies. Collective efforts were required to combat it, he said. "We are willing to take concrete steps to enhance cooperation in cyber security, de-radicalisation and counter terrorism," the Prime Minister said.More UNI MK-NAZ AE SB 1900 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0090-924833.Xml Serbia has appealed to Austria and France for help controlling its southern and eastern borders, the country's interior minister said today, as countries across the region braced for a possible surge in migrant flows as winter approaches.The country was at the centre of last year's migrant influx into Europe, when hundreds of thousands of people fleeing war in the Middle East journeyed up through the Balkans to reach sanctuary in the continent's heart.Over the summer, many migrants have attempted the sea crossing from North Africa to countries such as Italy. But as autumn brings more unsettled seas, the land route through the Balkans may see a revival of activity.Many fear that the European Union's deal to pay Turkey to harbour more refugees will collapse amid frosty relations between Brussels and Ankara, triggering a repeat of last year's flood, which gave a boost to far-right and anti-immigration parties across Europe.Serbia's request for technical assistance mirrors an earlier request to Hungary, which has agreed to send police officers with thermal imaging equipment to help patrol Serbia's border with Bulgaria and Macedonia.In July, Serbia formed a joint military and police task force to tighten its control over its southern and eastern borders."Our task is to prevent illegal border crossings," Serbian interior minister Nebojsa Stefanovic told Tanjug news agency. "To control borders we need more technical assets."More than 103,000 migrants have passed through Serbia so far in 2016, with most heading north towards Hungary. Over the past six weeks, the task force has foiled over 5,600 illegal crossing attempts, authorities said. Croatia has also seen the pace of illegal border crossings pick up over the past two months.Most of the 5,000 asylum seekers already in Serbia at present want to carry on to Germany or Sweden, where they expect a warmer reception, after crossing the Hungarian border into the EU's passport-free Schengen zone.Prompted by such concerns, Hungary has announced plans to build a second, more impenetrable fence along its border with Serbia to prevent "illegal" crossings, some 20,000 of which have taken place so far this year.REUTERS JW VN1924 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-925170.Xml The governor of the Turkish province of Diyarbakir today denied reports that government administrators had been appointed to run two of its municipalities, replacing a pro-Kurdish party."Reports on the taking over of two mayor's offices in Diyarbakir do not reflect the truth. There has not been such an appointment at this stage. If there is an appointment, a statement will be made," the governor's office said in a statement.Security officials, the private Dogan news agency, and the state-run Anadolu agency earlier said the government appointed the administrators to replace a pro-Kurdish party because of alleged support for Kurdish militants. Diyarbakir is a province in Turkey's largely Kurdish southeast. REUTERS JW BD2110 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-925449.Xml A Polish national was killed and five other people, including the pilot, were injured when a light aircraft they were flying in on a tour over Lake Naivasha crashed today, police said.The light aeroplane was flying across the lake, some 104 km (65 miles) northwest of the capital Nairobi, when the accident occurred at around midday.Civil aviation authority investigators were trying to establish the causes of the crash.Apart from the dead person, who was a woman, the other occupants were the Kenyan pilot and four passengers from Britain. REUTERS JW BD2144 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-925483.Xml Turkey's military said today it had taken control of four residential areas in northern Syria as it presses an offensive to sweep Islamic State out of a patch of border territory and prevent Kurdish militia fighters gaining ground in their wake.The military said it had taken control of the Kantara, Es Sehid, Al Humran and Taslihuyuk settlements. Turkish tanks and special forces, backed by fighter jets, entered Syria two weeks ago to support mostly Turkmen and Arab rebels in an operation which has secured some 90 km along the border.REUTERS JW AN2330 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-925509.Xml Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in Vientiane, Laos, Sept. 7, 2016. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) VIENTIANE, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said here Wednesday that China is ready to work with Malaysia to push bilateral relations and pragmatic cooperation in various fields to a higher level. Li made the remarks while meeting his Malaysian counterpart, Najib Razak, on the sidelines of East Asia leaders' meetings in the Laotian capital of Vientiane. China regards Malaysia as a friendly neighbor and a trustworthy partner, Li said, adding that bilateral relations have constantly made progress and cooperation in key areas has been developing smoothly. China highly values its relations with Malaysia and is willing to work with the country to take their relations and pragmatic cooperation to a new high, Li said. He also said that China is willing to join the efforts of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Malaysia is a member, to safeguard regional peace and stability and promote common development and prosperity. Razak said that Malaysia-China relations have solid foundations and good prospects and that Malaysia is pleased to see Chinese enterprises' participation in construction of Malaysian infrastructure and industrial parks. Malaysia supports financial cooperation between the two countries, he said, adding that Malaysia is willing to work with China to promote relations and cooperation between ASEAN and China. BRATISLAVA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- At the informal EU summit here on Sept. 16, the Slovak government should make maximum efforts to restart talks on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the EU and the United States, Slovak MEP Ivan Stefanec said on Wednesday. According to Stefanec, it is small and open economies in particular, including Slovakia's, which could profit most from TTIP. "In order for the EU economy to sustain and boost its competitiveness, it has to look for strategic partners whose economic, political, and legal environment is similar to ours. Such countries are mainly the United States, Canada, and certain countries in South East Asia," Stefanec emphasized. The TTIP would create the biggest free trade area in the world. "Along with the United States, we'll be setting the rules for global trade in terms of environmental, consumer, and intellectual property protection," pointed out Stefanec. "This is a chance for Europe, maybe its last one, to take part in creating the rules of global trade. If we don't take it, someone else will ... Negotiations are still under way, so there isn't any final text yet," stated Stefanec. It's been estimated that TTIP could boost Slovak exports by 116 percentage points and create as many as 27,000 new jobs, mainly in small and medium-sized enterprises. Slovakia's exports to the United States mostly consist of automobiles, machines, iron and steel. If and when the TTIP is signed, all traded products will be exempt from customs duty. As Brussels and Washington are struggling to conclude the landmark bilateral trade talks by the end of this year, recent intensified critique from European politicians, along with year-long protests, cast doubt and uncertainty over the deal's future. TTIP comprises of three main blocks, market access for EU and U.S. companies, cooperation on regulatory issues and global rules of trade such as sustainable development or competition policy. Since July 2013, when the EU and the United States started negotiations on the free trade deal, 14 rounds of talks have been held. Enditem DUBAI, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- A trade delegation from China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region started here Wednesday a multi-day visit to promote trade projects, according to its statement. The delegation plans to meet Dubai's trade and logistics community to promote Shizuishan logistics park in the north of Ningxia and the upcoming China Arab States Expo in 2017. Wang Yongyao, the mayor of Shizuishan and also the delegation's lead, said the visit "is a very important part of our strategy to promote the biennial expo that will take place in late 2017." "We want to build the best platform to make next year's forum a success," he added. Nadia Abdul Aziz, the president of the UAE's National Association of Freight and Logistics, welcomed the delegation and encouraged firms from Ningxia to do business with the Gulf state. "We have 38 free zones for different industries, all wide open to business at very competitive prices based on a one-stop-shop principle," Nadia said. Chinese consul general Li Lingbing highlighted the role of Ningxia as a very important place linking China and the Middle East through modern transportation. The delegation explained the potential of the region to become a logistics hub for halal products in particular, as over two million Muslims live in Ningxia. Bilateral trade between the UAE and China is expected to hit 60 billion U.S. dollars by the end of 2016, up from 54.8 billion dollars in 2014 when China became Dubai's biggest trade partner. The Gulf state now has 4,200 Chinese firms, 356 trade agencies and 2,500 Chinese trade labels, according to China Foreign Trade Center. DUBLIN, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said on Wednesday that the European Commission's tax ruling on U.S. tech firm Apple was damaging to Ireland and could not be allowed to stand. In a speech to the Dail Eireann, lower house of the Irish parliament, Kenny said the ruling is "so profoundly wrong and damaging that it demands an immediate, clear and strong response." The Dail Eireann was reconvened on Wednesday to debate on the government's motion on the European Commission's decision alleging state aid to Apple. Last week, the European Commission concluded that Ireland granted undue tax benefits of up to 13 billion euros to Apple in a way that transgressed European Union state aid rules. In response to the ruling, the Irish government decided to appeal to the Court of Justice of the European Union. "The picture of Ireland painted by the Commission in its decision, as a country prepared to play fast-and-loose with the law to gain unfair advantage, could not be more damaging or further from the truth. This is not a Commission finding that stands by a small country that has played by the rules," the Irish prime minister said. "It cannot be allowed to stand. We will, as the government has made clear, appeal it before the European Courts, with every expectation of success," he said. Kenny said his government does not accept the decision the European Commission has made. "We are determined to ensure that it does not stand. That's why we will appeal it to the European Courts," he said. He also said Ireland does not offer special favors or deals on tax. "Everyone is treated equally and according to the law," Kenny said. Regarding the country's controversial corporate tax, the prime minister said Ireland is "unshakably" committed to its 12.5 percent corporate tax rate. "We are determined to ensure the highest international standards in transparency in tax, and we will continue to work with others to advance reform at international level," he said. At the center of the Apple tax controversy are two of the company's subsidiaries, Apple Operations Europe and Apple Sales International. These firms were registered in Ireland, however, they were controlled in the United States where they held their board meetings. Revenue authorities taxed the companies on the basis of their activities in Ireland, however, the European Commission says both companies should have been taxed by Ireland on the basis of their worldwide income. NEW YORK, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices ended higher after a volatile session on Wednesday as investors were weighing the prospects of higher supplies against the possibility of an output freeze deal. Brent oil price rallied to one-week high on Monday after Russia and Saudi Arabia agreed to cooperate on stabilizing the oil market. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC producers such as Russia are expected to discuss an output freeze at informal talks in Algeria on Sept. 26-28. Brent Oil price declined on Tuesday after Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih said there is currently no need to limit oil output. "There is no need now to freeze production," said Al-Falih in an interview on Monday in Hangzhou, China. "It is among the preferred options, but it is not necessary today. The market is improving day by day." He said. Analysts said investors are trying to establish a balance with supply being relatively high internationally versus the prospect that OPEC and non-OPEC members might come to an agreement that would support markets. The West Texas Intermediate for October delivery added 0.67 U.S. dollars to settle at 45.50 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent crude for November delivery gained 0.72 U.S. dollars to close at 47.98 U.S. dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange. Enditem MEXICO CITY, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The death toll of an attack on a police helicopter in the Mexican state of Michoacan on Tuesday has risen to five, after a police officer died in hospital Wednesday, the state government announced on Wednesday. The attorney-general's office of Michoacan (PGJE) wrote on Twitter that the only surviving police officer after the crash had been receiving treatment for severe burns at a hospital in the state capital, Morelia, but unfortunately passed away. "The PGJE honors the memory of the four public agents and the pilot who gave their lives in the line of duty," it wrote on its official Twitter account. Suspected criminal elements shot at the helicopter with a .50 caliber rifle on Tuesday, causing it to crash in fields belonging to the municipality of La Huacana. According to the state government, an operation had been underway to seize the leaders of a gang accused of kidnapping a local farmer. On Wednesday, Silvano Aureoles, the governor of Michoacan, visited the scene of the attack, accompanied by army and police units. He later wrote on Twitter that the attack would not go unpunished and that actions had been taken to limit the operations of organized crime. U.S. President Barack Obama (Xinhua photo) by Xinhua writer Liu Chang VIENTIANE, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- As U.S. President Barack Obama attends his last East Asia Summit here Thursday, it is high time that Washington conducted some serious soul-searching over the outgoing administration's signature pivot to Asia policy. Unlike many of his predecessors who were inclined to take adventures in the Middle East, Obama dubbed himself the United States' first Pacific president, and has chosen to entrench and expand the U.S. presence in Asia. Yet the past few years have repeatedly proved that his overarching strategy, later labeled the U.S. rebalance to the Asia-Pacific, is just a narrow-minded scheme orchestrated to maintain his country's hegemony and corrosive to the region's peace and stability. It is an open secret that China -- a large country with steadily increasing national strength and international influence -- is the bull's-eye. The Obama administration has never said that, but it is trying to deploy an advanced missile defense system in South Korea that far exceeds Seoul's security needs, and its hand is behind the South China Sea arbitration farce staged by the former Philippine government. Although some nations in the region have been hoodwinked once in a while, most others are clear-eyed. In a July meeting in the Laotian capital of Vientiane in the wake of the arbitration horseplay, Southeast Asian foreign ministers rejected anti-China incitements and called for settling maritime disputes through negotiations. The self-command of most Asian countries is just part of the reason why Washington's enthrallment spell is losing its power. Besides that is the increasing difficulty for the United States to put the pieces together and pull off the trick. On the one hand, the economic pillar of the policy, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), is cracking. The Obama administration will be gone in less than five months, and Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, the White House contenders of the two major U.S. parties, are united in assaulting the deal, although they are at each other's throat. Even if the trade pact were approved and enacted, its potential would be very much in doubt, as the largest trader in the world and largest trading partner of many countries across the region - China -- is absent from the U.S.-pushed arrangement. On the other hand, the military pillar remains a plan. The Pentagon once publicly declared that it would transfer 60 percent of U.S. Air Force and Navy assets to the Asia-Pacific. Intentions aside, cross-the-board budget cuts and unfinished messes in the Middle East have had it mired and hamstrung. As regards intentions, the Obama administration's calculations behind the redeployment of military resources are as clear as daylight: Washington has to continue to call the shots in the world's most economically exuberant area. Such a hegemony-based Asia doctrine is doomed. It is incompatible with the defining features of today's world, namely peace, development and cooperation; it puts the region's bright prospects in jeopardy; and it will harm the United States' interests in the long run. The United States is an important player and stakeholder in the Asia-Pacific, yet the region belongs to all who inhabit it, and Beijing has every right to maintain that Washington should play a constructive role in it. If it truly wants a peaceful and prosperous Asia-Pacific, then it is time for the United States to come up with a new playbook, as well as an epitaph for the pivot policy. CANBERRA, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Australia's national airline Qantas has on Thursday banned passengers from charging their Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphones while onboard its aircraft, after the Korean company issued a worldwide recall for faulty batteries. Samsung issued the recall of the handsets on Sept. 2 after a number of phones reportedly burned while charging, and after an Australian man's phone "exploded" while he slept in a Perth hotel room earlier this week, Qantas made the decision to ban charging the Galaxy Note7 devices on board. Qantas passenger Dean Cabena told local media that Qantas crew members announced the ban to passengers on a flight from Perth to Sydney this week, while a spokesperson for the national airline confirmed the charging ban on Thursday. "Following the worldwide recall of the Samsung Galaxy Note7 Personal Electronic Device (PED), we are requesting that passengers do not charge them inflight," the Qantas spokesperson told Fairfax Media. The recall is expected to affect more than 50,000 phones in Australia and millions worldwide, and Samsung Australia said while the issue was not considered to be an immediate threat to health, it was being "voluntary and proactive" in recalling the products. The company said that so far, there had been just two reported instances of the Galaxy Note7 cell phones overheating in Australia and around 35 cases of burning phones reported worldwide. MEXICO CITY, Sept. 7 (Xinhua)-- Mexico's new finance minister Jose Antonio Meade, named on Wednesday after Luis Videgaray stepped down, is well regarded by former President Vicente Fox (2000-2006), businessmen and bankers. "I know Meade, he is a true person of money, finance, order, discipline, and government. He has the capacity. We have a great friend of mine here...I wish him the best," Fox told the press on Wednesday. Meade had already served as minister of finance (2011-2012) under former President Felipe Calderon and was previously minister of foreign affairs under President Enrique Pena Nieto (2012-2015). On Wednesday, Pena Nieto thanked Videgaray for his role in Mexico's economic reforms and for looking after the country's public finances. The Mexican press has attributed Videgaray's resignation to his support for U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent visit to Mexico, which sparked a hostile reaction in the country. However, this change in top financial officials may have come due to a run of recent bad news. In late August, Mexico revised its GDP forecast for 2016 from 2.2 to 3.2 percent to 2 to 2.6 percent, with a weak demand from the United States, low oil prices and a slumping global economy sharing the blame. The same month, Standard & Poor's lowered its rating for Mexico's sovereign credit outlook from stable to negative. This was sparked by the country's rising debt to GDP ratio, which reached 42 percent in 2015, is set to reach 45 percent this year before likely rising to 48 percent by 2018-2019. Meade's appointment also came just one day after the federal government presented its 2017 budget proposal to Congress, with the Finance Ministry expected to make swinging public spending cuts to try to end 2017 with a budget surplus. At the inauguration of an automotive plant on Wednesday, Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo said the president "is taking this decision...to support financial matters with someone who is already trusted." Other sectors also joined government figures to express their support. Carlos Serrano, chief economist at BBVA Bancomer, the largest financial insitution in Mexico, said that Meade's appointment was positive, "as someone who has already held the role, has deep knowledge of public finance, and will project a sense of calm to the markets." A senior automotive industry leader also said Videgaray's exit would not cause uncertainty among the private sector. "The Mexican private sector has an institutional agenda with the federal government, we will continue with that agenda. I do not see why a change of mandate would lead to any important changes in terms of economic proposals," Eduardo Solis, president of the Mexican Automotive Industry Association (Amia), said at another press conference. MOSCOW, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Russian Defense Ministry has signed long-term contracts worth over 130 billion rubles (2.03 billion U.S. dollars) at the International Military-Technical Forum "Army 2016," the Russian news Agency TASS reported Wednesday. "A total of 17 long-term contracts to the tune of more than 130 billion rubles have been signed," Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov was quoted as saying. The forum "Army 2016" on Sept. 6 - 11 in Kubinka, a town 63 km west of Moscow, has involved over 1,000 Russian enterprises and organizations, as well as delegations from 80 foreign countries. According to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, this large-scale event provides an excellent opportunity for direct communication between Russian and foreign developers, and manufacturers of military and dual-purpose products. Pavilions with a total exhibition space of 80,000 square meters, including 28 conference halls, have been built for the forum. The outdoor grounds area for the display of weapons, military and special equipment exceeds 100,000 square meters. MELBOURNE, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- An AirAsia flight bound for Malaysia landed in Melbourne due to a pilot's error, a report has found. Passengers on board AirAsia X flight XAX223 from Sydney on March 10, 2015, were left confused when their flight touched down 6,365 km off course - in Melbourne rather than Kuala Lumpur. A report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), released on Thursday, said a pair of faulty earmuffs set off a series of events that resulted in the plane's navigation system shutting down due to a coordinate input error. The ATSB report said that usually the captain would inspect the plane's exterior while the first officer stayed in the cockpit to complete position initialization and alignment protocols. However, due to his protective ear equipment being unavailable, the captain stayed in the cockpit to complete the procedures including inputting current coordinates into the navigation system. Instead of typing the correct longitude of 151, 9.8, which should have been entered into the system as 15109.8, the pilot entered 01519.8, the coordinates for Cape Town in South Africa. "The magnitude of this error adversely affected the aircraft's navigation functions, global positioning system (GPS) receivers and some electronic centralized aircraft monitoring alerts," the ATSB's report said. The ATSB said the crew had "a number of opportunities to identify and correct the error" but failed to heed a number of warning signs from the A330 plane's systems. The report said that efforts to rectify the issue upon discovery of the problem after takeoff only served to do more damage, further confusing guidance and control systems. With navigation systems sending the plane in the wrong direction the pilots requested a return to Sydney but with weather conditions worsening, compounded by systems that assist with landing malfunctioning, air traffic control advised they instead head to Melbourne. The flight reached Kuala Lumpur six hours behind schedule after spending three hours on the ground in Melbourne while the problem was fixed. The ATSB advised that AirAsia X should upgrade its flight systems so as to avoid a recurrence of the problem in the future. AirAsia X began direct flights to Australia in 2007, and currently flies between Kuala Lumpur and the Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. CARACAS, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- A week after mass protests in the Venezuelan capital Caracas, forces for and against the government staged fresh demonstrations across the country on Wednesday. Rallies held by supporters of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and the opposition coalition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) were both on smaller scales compared to the massive protests staged on Sept. 1. The MUD rallies, held in the country's 23 states and the capital district, sought to pressure the National Electoral Council (CNE) to speed up the procedure to call a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro. In response, the PSUV marched "in defense of peace" and against the MUD's moves which, according to the PSUV, were attempts to destabilize the country. Speaking ahead of the opposition march, Jesus Torrealba, executive secretary of the MUD, urged the CNE to rapidly provide a start date for the collection of signatures of 20 percent of the electorate -- around 4 million people -- needed to trigger the referendum. CNE Director Socorro Hernandez said the electoral authorities are due to provide details on Tuesday on the timeline of the referendum process, adding that the collection of signatures was being planned. Torrealba called on all machines to be working at all polling stations, so that all may have the opportunity to validate the signatures. Despite the MUD's pressure, the PSUV has stated that it would be technically unviable to hold the referendum this year and that the MUD is stirring up violence to attempt a coup against Maduro. CANBERRA, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has extended an invitation for the leaders of ASEAN nations to attend a leaders' summit in Canberra in 2018, as Australia aims to strengthen ties with its regional neighbors. Turnbull announced the summit in a statement on his website overnight, inviting leaders to Canberra to discuss a number of regional issues, such as the threat of terrorism and future of trade between Australia and nations in Southeast Asia. The Prime Minister said the summit would be the first opportunity for all ASEAN leaders to come together in Australia. "A special ASEAN-Australia Leaders' Summit in 2018 - bringing leaders of all South-East Asian nations to Australia together for the first time," Turnbull said. The PM had previously talked about the need to form strong counter-terror links with neighboring nations such as Indonesia, and he said the summit would serve to "bolster (Australia's) strategic partnership" with ASEAN nations. "In keeping with the two themes of today's ASEAN-Australia Summit, a special summit in Australia would deepen our economic partnership through closer links between ASEAN and Australian businesses and the private sector, and bolster our strategic partnership," Turnbull said. "We are proud to be ASEAN's Strategic Partner; a substantial economic partner; an advocate of a peaceful, rules-based neighborhood; and a highly engaged participant in ASEAN-led regional architecture." Turnbull said the summit would take place in Australia's capital city Canberra in 2018. HAVANA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Colombian government and the country's largest rebel group on Wednesday created a commission here to monitor the implementation of a definitive peace deal due to be signed later this month. In a joint statement, the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) said the Commission for the Implementation, Follow-Up and Verification of the Final Peace and Resolution of Differences Accord got underway in Havana, which hosted the peace talks over the past four years aimed at ending a half-century conflict between the two sides. The six-member commission comprises three representatives from the government of Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and three FARC representatives. The commission's task is expected to take some 10 years to finish, as both sides strive to fulfill the terms of the agreement, which, among other things, commits the government to investing in rural development and the rebels to abandoning armed insurrection. Both sides also said they met with Colombian and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), such as the Carter Center founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, which are to form a Special Electoral Mission comprising six experts. On Aug. 24, the government and the FARC announced in Havana that they finalized a peace agreement to end 52 years of fighting, which had claimed 220,000 lives, left 45,000 people missing and displaced millions of people. The government and the FARC are set to sign the final peace deal on Sept. 26 in Colombia's northern coastal city of Cartagena. Colombians will then be given a chance to support or reject the peace agreement in a national referendum on Oct. 2. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attends the 19th summit between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations, in Vientiane, Laos, Sept. 7, 2016. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) by Lin Hao, Zhang Ning VIENTIANE, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- As leaders from the the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states gather in the Lao capital of Vientiane for a summit this week, regional cooperation and development is high on their agenda. Facing with the anemic economic landscape and growing anti-globalization sentiment in parts of the world, analysts in Southeast Asia stress the importance of closer regional integration for the growth prospect, and expect China to play a positive and significant role. COMMON CHALLENGES In his keynote address, Lao President Bounnhang Vorachith, whose country holds the ASEAN chairmanship this year, identified the challenges faced by the region. "Regional and international environments have undergone rapid and complex challenges," he told leaders of his fellow ASEAN countries. "Although the global economy has gradually recovered, growth remains slow and fragile." He urged ASEAN to enhance cooperation and collaboration with its dialogue partners and the larger international community "in order to be able to respond to and address the said challenges in a timely manner." The weak global economic growth was aggregated by an emerging anti-globalization sentiment, notably in the Western countries, said Wang Jiangyu, associate professor at National University of Singapore. The trend was caused by the imbalance in distribution as well as the lack of solution to the internal income gap and the failure to compensate those lose out in globalization in major economies, Wang told Xinhua. It may lead to capital and industries reflow to the advanced economies, draining the benefit of globalization from Asia, he said. "The best solution is to return to the prospect of Asian integration," he said. "Asian countries may come to realize the necessity to speed up the integration and to build a common market." Those countries which have pin their hope on the U.S. -led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) are caught in a quandary as the trade pact may be blocked or shelved due to the rising populism and anti-globalization sentiment in the United State, Wang added. Wang said China could uphold the regional economic integration by playing a leading role in free trade negotiation, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and to build a common Asian market by reducing trade barriers and facilitating free movement of goods, services, capitals and people. "This will be something that could benefit the future," he said. Oh Ei Sun, a senior fellow with S. Rajaratnam School of Singapore Nanyang Technological University, said ASEAN countries hope the momentum of China's economic growth would boost regional development, therefore create the great opportunities for China-ASEAN cooperation. SOLID COOPERATION FOUNDATION The faith in China on its role to lead regional integration is built on the success of 25 years of China-ASEAN dialogue relations. ASEAN and China held a commemorative summit on Wednesday to mark the achievement since the establishment of dialogue relations. "On the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations, personally I think there are a lot of reasons to celebrate because this cooperation has been very successful in many ways," said Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, Former Malaysian ambassador to China. "First, the cooperation has benefited not only ASEAN and China, but also the region. With China's engagement with ASEAN, we have seen more peaceful, stabilized Southeast Asia," he told Xinhua. "Secondly, China's contribution has been surprising in terms of the programs, in terms of the activities and also in terms of the mechanisms that has been established." Insofar as concrete results, great achievements have been made in terms of trade, investment and other area, he said. China and ASEAN are now indispensable to each other economically, thanks to the steady growth of trade and investment in the past 25 years. China has been ASEAN's largest trading partner for seventh consecutive years, and ASEAN has been China's third largest trading partner for 5 years. "ASEAN and China have come a long way in building and strengthening their strategic relationship," said Teh Cheng Guan at University of Science, Malaysia. "As China grew and developed economically, economic ties between ASEAN member states and China have become stronger. This creates economic interdependence and encourages further cooperation, not only at the ASEAN-wide level but also at sub-regional levels such as the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS)," he said. GREATER REGIONAL INTEGRATION For ASEAN, analyst expects China to support its further community building and cement its ties with the 10-member bloc, as both sides joint hand to foster greater regional integration. "The past 25 years have proved China's significance and its role to the development of ASEAN," said Soukthavy Keola, a former counselor at the Lao embassy in China, adding that the solid foundation built in the 25 years will contribute to future ASEAN-China ties. ASEAN announced the establishment of ASEAN community in 2015, a milestone of its regional integration effort. Still, it faces the challenge to further reduce non-tariff barrier and the development gap among its members. Abdul Majid, the former Malaysian ambassador to China, said China could help narrow the development gap by investing and improving infrastructure in the less developed ASEAN members. China and ASEAN have moved beyond the burgeoning trade relations in recent years to broader economic relations, including investment and industrial capacity cooperation. For his part, Oh urged China and ASEAN countries to truly move to an economic community with common production base and common market. "This will not only necessarily bring China and ASEAN toward a true community of common destiny, but could also serve as shining example to other regional major economies," he said. MELBOURNE, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Australians have been warned to brace themselves for a month's rainfall to arrive in a 24-hour period. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said that two cold fronts moving across the southeastern states of Victoria and Tasmania on Thursday night and Friday would bring torrential rain and winds up to 96 kilometers per hour. It has issued flood warnings as a result. Senior BoM forecaster Rod Dixon said while the first front, coming in from the west, would deliver damaging winds and some rain, the second front was the one residents should worry about. Dixon said that Victorians should expect at least 30 to 40 millimeters of rain, with some parts expected to top 70 millimeters, more than the average rainfall for the entire month of September. "It's probably their monthly rainfall in about 24 hours," Dixon told the ABC on Thursday. The same weather systems prompted the BoM to issue a flood warning for northern Tasmania. In June, the region was hit by its worst floods since 1929 with two people being killed by the "catastrophic" disaster from which the region is still recovering. Brooke Oakley, a BoM forecaster, said much of Tasmania's northwest would receive more than 100 millimeters of rain on Friday. "Over 100 millimeters further inland over the Western Tiers. The river basins we're most concerned about are the Mersey and the Meander, but the North Esk is also a possibility for flood warning later today and tomorrow," Oakley told the ABC. Northern Tasmania's State Emergency Services (SES) regional manager, Mharie Revie, said it was essential that people be aware of the warnings in their area for their own safety. "We are certainly not worried that it's going to be anything of the magnitude of the floods that we had certainly in June or even in July," she told the ABC. "People need to be aware that (a) rain event is coming and some people who live in flash flood areas like the bottom of hills and so forth need to be particularly aware." SYDNEY, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- An Australian sushi chain in Queensland has been caught for the second time in two years underpaying its employees, local media reported on Thursday. Nine Japanese and South Korean nationals, some on 417 working holiday visas, employed across three Sushi Go Round outlets in southeast Queensland between April 2014 and August 2015, were underpaid more than 123,000 Australian dollars (94,427 U.S. dollars), the Fair Work Ombudsman said. It was reported that one individual alone was short-changed of about 25,000 Australian dollars (19,192 U.S. dollars). In 2014, the same Sushi Go Round was found to have underpaid 14 employees more than 2,200 Australian dollars (1,690 U.S. dollars). The minimum wage in Australia is 17.70 Australian dollars (13.59 U.S. dollars), however workers at the sushi chain were paid between 11 Australian dollars (8.44 U.S. dollars) and 13.50 Australian dollars (10.36 U.S. dollars) per hour. Foreign nationals who come to Australia on the working holiday visas are often undercut by Australian employers with numerous workers having complained to authorities and the media in the past. The underpayment is not only limited to the multinational companies but it has been reported that foreign nationals working in hospitality, retail and cleaning have received wages as low as 8 Australian dollars (6.5 U.S. dollar) an hour. Chui Sai On, chief executive of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), answers questions at a press conference in Macao, south China, Sept. 8, 2016. Macao unveiled its first five-year plan Thursday. The plan sets out comprehensive development targets for the SAR, focusing on citizen's livelihood and Macao's diversified economy. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) MACAO, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Macao unveils the final version of its first five-year plan on Thursday, after almost one year's preparation. The plan sets out comprehensive development targets for the special administrative region (SAR), focusing on citizen's livelihood and Macao's diversified economy. Macao SAR Chief Executive Chui Sai On and senior government officials held a press conference when publishing the final plan. Chui said the final version has 48,000 characters on the basis of a draft issued on April 26, 2016, and absorbed the suggestions from citizens and civil groups. The plan said the principle of making development targets, is to make the best use of "One Country Two System" policy and the advantage of Macao, to promote long-term stability and prosperity of Macao. The plan has 27 cessions to illustrate seven major targets, including maintaining stable economic growth, improving the structure of industries, improving its role as an international tourist city, raising the life quality of the residents and the quality of education, protecting environment, and strengthening the efficiency of the government and deepening the building of the legal system. The plan also prioritizes infrastructure projects for next five years, such as the construction of a light railway network, a fourth bridge between Macao and Taipa, expanding a waste incinerator, and building an electronic surveillance system. "The experience that the government has learned shows that short-term plans would not help us handle the changing situation, nor promote SAR's public governance", Chui Sai On said in a recent interview with Xinhua reporter. "The long-term plan made with higher standards and vision is necessary for Macao's future development. The plan is not made in haste, the SAR needs it, the people want it," he added. Yin Yifen, Associate Professor in Social, Economic and Public Policy Research Center of Macao Polytechnic Institute, said Macao's economy has undergone deep adjustment and some deep-rooted contradictions been emerged. To solve those problem, the SAR government should take the responsibility, respond actively, and strengthen the strategic planning for long-term development. Macao started drafting its first five-year plan in October 2015, when a special committee was appointed to research and make a plan for Macao to become a world leisure and tour center in the mid 2030's. The SAR government had held over 40 public meetings to collect civil opinions and suggestions to this plan. WELLINGTON, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's median household income rose by 3 percent a year since 2011, but gains are being eaten away by the country's housing crisis, according to a government report out Thursday. Median disposable household income after taxes and transfers was 73,500 NZ dollars (54,846 U.S. dollars) in 2015, the Household Economic Survey report from the Ministry for Social Development said. In real terms, it was 12 percent up on the pre-Global Financial Crisis median of 65,800 NZ dollars (49,100 U.S. dollars), said the report. Social Development Minister Anne Tolley said the figures showed New Zealand had experienced a stronger recovery than many OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries since the Global Financial Crisis in 2008. Net gains between 2009 and 2015 were better than for many OECD countries, such as Britain, Australia, Italy, Spain, France, Germany and the United States. The report found that income poverty was either flat or falling and that there was no evidence of any increasing depth of relative income poverty over the last two decades, Tolley said. However, the country's ongoing housing crisis, which has seen soaring home prices ripple out from the biggest city of Auckland - home to a third of the population - was having an impact on struggling households. While the report found no evidence of any sustained rise or fall in household income inequality in more than a decade, she said, there was evidence that income inequality after housing costs had risen in the last few years as compared with the mid-2000s and earlier. The main opposition Labour Party said the report made clear that New Zealanders were spending far too much money on housing costs as a proportion of their household incomes. "For the bottom 10 percent the share of housing costs to incomes has risen from 29 percent to 54 percent since the study began," Labour finance spokesperson Grant Robertson said. "Most New Zealanders aren't getting their fair share - the benefits of growth are clearly going to the top. This report shows that the incomes of the top 10 percent are now almost 10 times the amount of the bottom 10 percent." WELLINGTON, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Internet search giant Google has helped convict two New Zealand men on charges of possessing child pornography, New Zealand's Department of Internal Affairs said Thursday. Google detected the two men separately uploading objectionable images and reported them to New Zealand authorities, said a statement from the department. Inspectors traced the offenders and found incriminating material on their computer equipment. The men, aged 46 and 52, were sentenced in courts in Auckland this week to periods of home detention. Censorship compliance inspector Jon Peacock said the department was part of a worldwide network of law enforcement agencies committed to helping prevent the abuse of children. "We have the expertise to track down offenders who may think, quite wrongly, that they're safe in the confines of their own homes," Peacock said. "Trading or viewing these images is not passive offending because it condones the abuse children suffer. People, who look at this material, pass it on and use it, encourage those who actually photograph the children." The announcement came as the government said it would be establishing the country's first child sex offender register. "Children deserve to be kept safe from harm, which is why we are going to be more proactive in managing the risk of reoffending from child sex offenders," Social Development Minister Anne Tolley said in a statement Thursday. "Currently, these offenders can disappear back into communities when they have completed a sentence or order." Offenders would be required to be on the register for a term of life, 15 years or eight years depending on their offence and the sentence imposed. The register would include New Zealand offender and offenders who moved to New Zealand after being sentenced to imprisonment for a corresponding offence or subject to registration requirements for a corresponding offence in another country. Police estimated the register would initially list about 1,750 people in total. TRINKOT, Afghanistan, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Taliban militants entered Uruzgan's provincial capital Trinkot city in south Afghanistan Thursday morning, triggering heavy fighting which is going on, said spokesman for provincial governor, Dost Mohammad Nayab. "Taliban entered the city and presently firefight continues around the police department," Nayab told Xinhua. More details will be released later, the official added. WASHINGTON, Sept.8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Wednesday laid out his hawkish defense plan which would allow the spending of billions of extra U.S. dollars to expand every branch of the military, pledging an end to mandatory budget caps. "As soon as I take office, I will ask Congress to fully eliminate the defense sequester and will submit a new budget to rebuild our military," Trump said at a rally in Philadelphia. "This will increase certainty in the defense community as to funding, and will allow military leaders to plan for our future defense needs," he told the crowd, reading from a teleprompter. The sequestration measures that went into effect in 2013 affected both military and non-military spending. It is unclear whether Trump believes the cuts to non-military spending should remain. The latest remarks were seen as a sharp turn from his previous stand since the New York billionaire once repeatedly blasted the Capitol for excessive defense spending, calling for less buying of the newest fighter jets and other weapons and slamming the "special interests" behind military purchases. In 2013, Trump hailed the cuts, saying they did not go far enough to cut wasteful government spending, according to a Politico report. On Wednesday, Trump also said he would ask his generals within his first month in White House for a plan to defeat the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, though he claimed just several months ago that he knew more than the generals about the extreme group. The Republican candidate now advocated for an Army of about 540,000 troops, a Marine Corps of some 36 battalions, an Air Force of 1,200 fighter planes and a Navy with 350 warships. The current size of the Army is 475,000 and the current Navy fleet hovers under 280. His proposals resonate to many Republican lawmakers on defense issues and are seen as a signal that Trump might steer toward a more Republican mainstream position to push back Democratic attacks against his fitness to serve as commander-in-chief. However, many of Trump's defense plan would be difficult, if not impossible, to be executed, and would cost tens of billions of dollars, many local analysts said. In his speech, Trump outlined three major areas he would make savings to pay for his offsets -- cutting unauthorized appropriations, reducing improper payments and underpaid taxes, and shrinking the federal workforce through attrition. Later on Wednesday, the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget said Trump's defense plan would cost roughly 450 billion dollars over the next 10 years, but his cost offset plans would only cover two-thirds of that sum. Moreover, as a matter of fact, the goal to end the sequester for the Pentagon has been elusive for Republicans in Congress in the past five years, with the Budget Control Act spending caps still in place through the next president's first term, said the Politico report. Todd Harrison, a defense budget expert with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said it is highly unlikely the next president would be able to push through a defense spending increase of this magnitude given all the other pressures on the federal budget. "It would require some combination of more borrowing, offsetting spending cuts elsewhere, or tax increases -- none of which have been politically viable for the past five years," he said. Trump comfortably earns the support of military and veteran voters overall, leading Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state, by 19 points in the latest poll issued earlier Wednesday. They got 55 percent and 36 percent of support respectively. Fifty-three percent of voters who are currently serving or have previously served in the U.S. military said they would be confident in Trump's ability to serve as an effective commander-in-chief of the U.S. military, while 47 percent of these voters said No, the NBC News/SurveyMonkey Weekly Election Tracking Poll has found. However, among all registered voters, 59 percent would not be confident in his ability to serve as commander-in-chief of the military and just 39 percent would feel confident, the poll shows. Also on Wednesday, Clinton's campaign announced that 95 retired generals and admirals have endorsed her presidential bid, one day after a group of 88 retired generals and admirals signed an open letter backing Trump to reverse the "hollowing out" of the U.S. military. The Obama administration has been criticized for overseeing a shrinking of the Pentagon's budget, partly due to the removal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, and partly due to the mandatory budget caps. The latest NBC News/SurveyMonkey Weekly Election Tracking Poll was conducted online from Aug. 29 through Sept. 4 among 32,226 registered voters, including 3,358 who have previously served or are currently serving in the U.S. military. BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- As the relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) continue to grow, both sides envision further development in their ties, experts say. "If we say the past 25 years were a period of growth for China-ASEAN relations, the upcoming 25 years will be a period of maturity, facing new opportunities as well as new challenges," Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told the 19th China-ASEAN summit in the Laotian capital of Vientiane on Wednesday. Nguyen Thu My, former deputy director of the Institute for Southeast Asia Studies under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, echoed Premier Li's words, saying that "Just like human beings, as we reach our mature age, we will fully grow in all aspects." China established a dialogue relationship with ASEAN -- which groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam -- in 1991. The two sides forged a strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in 2003. CHINA-ASEAN TIES IN PAST 25 YEARS Sok Touch, vice president of the state-run Royal Academy of Cambodia, said that in the past 25 years, both sides have constantly deepened their ties in politics, economics, trade, investment, tourism and culture. Joseph Matthews, director of the ASEAN Education Center in Phnom Penh, said that the two sides have built and fostered their relations and cooperation based on the principle of mutual respect, understanding, trust and support. "The two sides understand each others' interests and concerns. The two sides are trying to harmonize their interests, further cooperation and bring the relations to a new height," My said. In economy and trade, China has been ASEAN's largest trade partner and ASEAN has been China's third largest partner since the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) was established in 2010. Mutual trade volume has added up to more than 370 billion U.S. dollars in the first 10 months of 2015, and the annual trade is expected to reach 1 trillion U.S. dollars by 2020. The two-way accumulative investment between China and ASEAN surpassed 130 billion U.S. dollars by the end of 2014. Economic relations have become more involved regarding regional trade agreements such as the ACFTA and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, said Bhima Yudhistira Adhinegara, a researcher at the Indonesia Institute for Development of Economics and Finance. "China's investment in ASEAN hopefully will trigger employment and business opportunities," Bhima said. "China has played and will continue to play a very important role in supporting ASEAN member states in their socio-economic development," Sok Touch told Xinhua. "Chinese investment and aid without strings attached are crucial for ASEAN's development," he said. At the summit, Li put forward a five-point proposal to further enhance ties, which prioritizes deepening cooperation in all areas within the 2+7 (two political consensus and seven areas of cooperation) Cooperation Framework and in accordance with the third action plan for their strategic partnership. The 2+7 Cooperation Framework proposed by China in 2013 is a starting point and also a trend, said Lee Chian Siong, senior advisor to Chairman of the China-ASEAN Business Association. China and ASEAN complement each other in many areas, Lee said, adding that both can enhance cooperation in production capacity. CHALLENGES, FURTHER DEVELOPMENT Yudhistira says regional stability is key to maintaining prosperous economic ties between China and ASEAN. "The current political situation between China and some ASEAN members may not benefit its trade cooperation. Thus, China and ASEAN need to find a long-term solution," he said. "The most they can do is to ask the (South China Sea) claimants to sit down and talk peacefully," said Benito Lim, a Philippine political expert. "The most important thing for ASEAN is peace and economic relationships. If there is peace and no conflict among the countries in the area, trade will improve. So it is to the benefit of all if there is peace," Lim said. My said China and ASEAN, having understood the need to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, will try to bring the region back to stability. "Irrespective of their nature and motives, both sides always resolve their disputes and conflicts through engagement and dialogues," Matthews said. At the summit, both China and ASEAN reaffirmed the need to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. Regarding the idea of building a community with shared destiny, My recalled that it was first proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his speech at the Indonesian parliament in October 2013. "If such community is realized, it will be great and desirable to both ASEAN and China," the expert said. "I'm very optimistic about the future of China-ASEAN relations," said Bhima. "It's been 25 years of cooperation and it has already been proven that China-ASEAN cooperation promotes economic growth and trade on both sides." DAMASCUS, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian Foreign Ministry said Thursday that the British government is directly responsible for the bloodshed in Syria, state news agency SANA reported. In a statement, the ministry said recent remarks by British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on the situation in Syria reflects his "detachment from reality" and his government's "persistence and engagement in the aggression against Syria." The Foreign Ministry statement was referring to an article Wednesday by Johnson, who said Russia should halt its backing of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, describing the Syrian leader as a "killing machine." The Syrian ministry said Britain has a history of aggression against other peoples in the region and that the Syrian people will not allow Johnson or his peers to intervene in Syria's internal affairs. SHANGHAI, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese university has announced an ambitious plan to build the largest database in Asia on the Japanese war criminal trials that followed World War II. Shanghai Jiaotong University, together with the National Library of China and The Second Historical Archives of China, will collect dossiers on Japanese war criminals excluding the 28 Class A criminals such as the former prime minister and army generals, according to the university on Thursday. Criminals with less serious crimes were tried in dozens of war criminal courts set up after the war in Asia-Pacific countries, including China, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. The project is challenging as research on trials has been fragmented and documents are scattered among different archives, universities and libraries across the region, said Cheng Zhaoqi, head of the Center for Tokyo Trial Studies at the university. The database will be compiled in the Chinese, English and Japanese languages and will be open for international research, said Cheng. JERUSALEM, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military said on Thursday that it struck Syrian army posts in retaliation for a mortar that fell in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights Wednesday. The overnight airstrike came after a Syrian mortar, apparently a spillover from the fighting in Syria, exploded in an open field in the Golan Heights. "In response to the projectile fired from Syria yesterday, IAF (Israeli Air Force) targeted Syrian Armed Forces mortar launcher in the northern Syrian Golan Heights," a military spokesperson said in a statement. A similar incident occurred on Sunday, with Israel firing back toward posts of the Syrian army. Errant fire from the fighting in Syria has occasionally been spilling over to Israel, usually causing no casualties or damage. Israel had occupied the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Middle East War and annexed the territory in 1981. In July, the Israeli army failed to intercept an unmanned aerial vehicle over the Golan Heights, despite launching two Patriot air defense missiles at it, the IDF spokesperson said. The drone had apparently returned to Syria. Israel had repeatedly declared it would not intervene in the internal fighting in Syria. It did provide medical treatment to hundreds of wounded Syrians who reached the border. Israel had also been responsible for several airstrikes in Syria in the past several years, allegedly targeting convoys carrying weapons from Iran and Syria to the Lebanese Hezbollah militant organization, a staunch enemy of Israel. The country had remained quiet on these attacks up until two months ago, when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted that Israel carried out "dozens" of attacks across the border. HEFEI, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Some provinces and cities in China are considering a holiday exclusively for busy people to spend more time with their parents. Beijing has proposed in its 2016-2020 development plan encouraging employers to grant days off to employees when their parents celebrate a birthday, need medical help, are seriously ill, or are dying. A similar document released by east China's Anhui Province encourages grown-up children to live near or with their parents, and asks employers to grant paid leave to those who take care of disabled parents. Some other provinces even allow an only child to take up to 20 days off each year to care for parents over 60 years old and in hospital. "Such time off is very precious to me," said Li Tingfei, an only child who works in Anhui with parents in Chongqing Municipality. "Calls and video chats, no matter how frequent, are no match for having a meal at the same table with them, or looking after them when they are ill in bed," Li said. But You Xiaoxu, an intern at a hospital,is more concerned about whether the holiday will ever materialize. She works in a city just two hours away from her hometown, but tight scheduling and work load make it impossible for her to go home much. One of her colleague's mothers did not feel well but chose to keep it from her busy daughter. She was later diagnosed with terminal cancer. "Doctors are so overwhelmed by work that they cannot even enjoy normal weekends or statutory holidays," You said. Chen Kaizi, a Shanghai journalist, questioned the actual effects of the policy. "Those who love their parents will always find time to go home and fulfil their filial duties, with or without holidays. But can you make sure that everyone will spend the new time off with their parents, rather than travelling or doing something else?" Chen added. According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, there are more than 220 million people of 60 years old or above in China, accounting for over 16percent of the population. The National Health and Family Planning Commission also warned in a 2015 report that the number of empty-nest families in the country is growing. "It is necessary for an aging China with a considerable number of one-child families to add a 'filial holiday', but effective execution will need the joint efforts on various parties," said Fan Hesheng, a sociologist at Anhui University. He said both employees and employers should already know that taking care of the elderly is both a legal responsibility and a moral obligation. However, Fan pointed out that the key to successful family life has always been love and devotion, not a holiday. "People who have no filial piety, even under the same roof as their parents, hardly care. Some even live off their parents," Fan said. VIENTIANE, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said here Wednesday that practical cooperation between ASEAN members and China, Japan and South Korea should be promoted steadily so as to safeguard regional peace and stability. Li made the remarks while attending a summit of ASEAN and the three countries (ASEAN+3). SIX-PRONGED PROPOSAL In view of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN+3 mechanism next year, Li made a six-pronged proposal on the mechanism's development to consolidate its role as the main channel of regional integration. Relevant countries should strengthen financial security cooperation, deepen trade and investment cooperation, promote cooperation in agriculture and poverty reduction, advance interconnectivity, innovate production capacity cooperation and increase people-to-people exchanges, Li said. As for financial security cooperation, Li said that countries should learn a lesson from financial crises. As to trade and investment cooperation, Li said China supports ASEAN's leading role in negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and hopes negotiations could be accelerated to promote free trade and trade facilitation. With regard to agricultural cooperation and poverty reduction, the premier said China supports the strengthening of an emergency rice storage mechanism. He proposed to build a modern agricultural cooperation base and an East Asian animal husbandry exchange platform. Concerning interconnectivity cooperation, Li called for more alignment between the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative with ASEAN's general guideline 2025 on interconnectivity, adding that China is willing to deepen project cooperation with ASEAN countries with the assistance of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and other financing tools. Relating to innovating production capacity cooperation, Li said China, Japan and South Korea have their respective advantages in equipment manufacturing, infrastructure construction, capital and human resources, which could be used in cooperating with ASEAN countries. China is also willing to work with Japan and South Korea to offer assistance to ASEAN nations in logistics and construction of supply chain to promote economic integration in East Asia, he noted. About people-to-people exchanges, Li said that China encourages its people to travel in ASEAN countries, calling for joint efforts to tackle the problem of aging. ASIAN SECURITY Asia's prosperity and development cannot do without regional peace and stability, Li said, calling for cherishing the current "generally stable" security situation in Asia. China advocates common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable Asian security, proposing to construct a security framework that benefits all sides so as to reduce repulsion, avoid confrontation and properly handle various sensitive issues to open a way of safe development that conforms to regional reality, the premier said. China is willing to join all parties to strengthen cooperation within the framework of ASEAN+3 in order for the region to become a new engine for regional economic development and make more contributions to world peace, Li said. On the issue of the Korean Peninsula, Li said China, as a close neighbor, adheres to the target of denuclearization of the peninsula and the efforts of safeguard the peninsula and the region's peace and stability. China will continue to solve problems through dialogue and consultation, oppose any acts that create tension in the peninsula and the region, and support all efforts that help ease tension and resume dialogue, the premier said. The ASEAN+3 framework began when Asian nations jointly combated the 1997 financial crisis. After almost 20 years and having withstood the test of the financial crisis, ASEAN+3 has become one of the most complete and fruitful cooperation mechanisms in Asia, bringing tangible benefits to regional residents and promoting East Asia to become a key engine for global economic recovery and growth, he said. At the meeting, leaders discussed cooperation between ASEAN and the three countries. Li said China's development has benefited from the stability in East Asia, and its development also brings new opportunities for other countries in the region. The Chinese premier is in Vientiane for a China-ASEAN leaders' meeting, an ASEAN+3 leaders' meeting, and an East Asia Summit. During his stay, Li will also pay an official visit to Laos. COLOMBO, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- A former Sri Lankan legislator was on Thursday sentenced to death over the murder of another politician in 2011. Former parliamentarian Duminda Silva was on Thursday sentenced to death over the murder of former Presidential advisor Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra. The Colombo High Court issued the death sentence on five convicts when the verdict over the death was announced. However, the fifth suspect was not in court when the verdict was issued as he was reported missing. Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra and his bodyguards were murdered in October 2011 ahead of elections at the time. Duminda Silva was also injured in the incident and he sought treatment overseas, but he was accused of being involved in the killing. COLOMBO, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Maldives government on Thursday said it hoped to broaden trade links with Sri Lanka and has invited Sri Lankan firms to invest in development projects in Maldives. "We are opening big projects for international bidding, such as airport development, housing, hospitals and renewable power projects," Maldivian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, Zahiya Zareer, said in a meeting with Sri Lanka's Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. "Even now there are big Sri Lankan companies operating in Maldives and we would like other interesting companies to bid for various projects," she added. Zareer was also of the view that Sri Lanka and Maldives should look to build more commercial ties, moving away from the traditionally traded goods between the two nations, such as fruits, vegetables and fisheries. Education and health services were discussed as potential areas that could be further developed. During discussions, it was revealed that more than 5,000 Sri Lankans are working in Maldives, mainly in the tourism sector, while over 10,000 Maldivian nationals are living in Sri Lanka for various purposes such as education. The first Central Asiacargo train departs from Nantong, east China's Jiangsu Province, Aug. 25, 2016. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) HAIRATAN, Afghanistan, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The first-ever cargo train from China, after some two weeks of journey, has arrived in Hairatan port, some 300 km north of Kabul, in the northern Balkh province. "The inauguration of cargo service train linking China to Afghanistan marks the revival of ancient Silk Road," Azarakhsh Hafizi, chairman of international relations of Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said at a ceremony on Wednesday to welcome the first Sino-Afghan freight train which had arrived a day earlier. Bearing a banner reading "Nantong - Afghan Hairatan" in the driver's wagon as the sign of China's commitment to help revive economy of the militancy- plagued nation, the cargo train was warmly welcomed by emotional Afghans. The railway route connecting China to Afghanistan will help traders to transport their goods in 15 days, while in the past it took two or three months for Afghan traders to ship their goods via sea transportation, Hafizi said, adding "It opens up new opportunities for Afghanistan's commerce and economic activities." Customs staff workers pass by the first Central Asia cargo train before it leaves Nantong, east China's Jiangsu Province, Aug. 25, 2016. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) At present, goods such as mechanical equipment, information technology products and clothes are transported by China-Afghanistan freight trains to the land-locked country, while returning to China with Afghan products such as marble stone, saffron, dry fruits and carpets. After the opening of the route, two trains are scheduled to run each month, as part of China's Belt and Road initiative to improve Asian connectivity. The cargo train service is expected to run weekly by the end of this year, according to officials. Hairatan port, a small but peaceful township bordering Uzbekistan and located in northern Balkh province, is a key commercial center connecting the national capital Kabul with nine northern provinces. by Xinhua writers Chenchen Shen, Huang Heng LOS ANGELES, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The mooncake, a traditional pastry special for the Mid-Autumn Festival, hit the shelves in many chain supermarkets in Los Angeles for the first time. "In recent days, I find out that many American supermarkets, like Costco, Von's, they start to sell Chinese mooncakes as well," Annie Zhang, an immigrant who has lived in LA County for seven years told Xinhua on Thursday. At an American supermarket filled with wines and chips, when she saw the mooncakes with Chinese characters on the square tin boxes, "it makes me feel very warm," Zhang added. The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Mooncake Festival, is the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, which falls on Sept. 15 this year. Costco, the largest membership-only warehouse club in the United States,began selling mooncakes a month ago. "We have to refill the shelves everyday here," a Costco staff said. Compared with Asian food retailers, American supermarkets only have limited flavors of mooncakes. Nevertheless, costumers said they tasted very authentic and the prices were acceptable. "This is the first time I am buying mooncakes from Costco," said Wang, a Chinese-American in his 70s. "They are bigger than the ones I used to get, I like these double-yolk ones. They also have those panda-shaped mooncakes for kids, very cute." Tomas Kotab, who lives in the east part of LA County, also noticed that many American supermarkets adapted to the demographic changes of his neighborhood, while many Asian grocery stores and businesses have existed in decades next to 7-Elevens and McDonald's. "You can notice a lot of different food when they try to cater for the immigrant communities. Now they have mooncakes on sale to celebrate the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival," he said. Although most of the American supermarkets that sell mooncakes are located at or near Chinese communities, it dose not mean their costumers are of Chinese origin only. Steve Newman, an Angeleno, told Xinhua that he learned about the Mid-Autumn Festival from his Chinese co-worker and egg yolk mooncakes is his favorite. Newman used to get mooncakes at an Asian food supermarket, which is half-an-hour's drive from his home. "Couple days ago, I found out that Costco sells mooncakes too, that is very convenient cos I live five minutes away." This year, major LA attractions, such as the Huntington Library, the LA County Arboretum, will hold events to celebrate the traditional Chinese festival. PYONGYANG, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Mi band 2, a wearable device designed by Chinese phone maker Xiaomi Inc., has become popular at a trade fair in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The smart wrist band, sold at 35 U.S. dollars, immediately became a best-selling product at the 12th Pyongyang Autumn International Trade Exhibition. "We have confidence in the release of the smart bands in the DPRK market, but we haven't expected them to be such best-sellers," Gong Yunhong, a salesperson in charge of the booth, told Xinhua. The Mi band 2 is currently out of stock at the trade fair as they only brought around 200 units, Gong said. "The people of the DPRK are pursuing high-quality life as much as anywhere else in the world, and that is why we come up with the idea of introducing some of the domestically popular smart hardware and electronics into the DPRK," she said. However, DPRK consumers are currently unable to connect the electronic device to their mobile phones, meaning that some functions are unavailable. Gong said that the DPRK side has been working on developing its own application suitable for domestic use and that those functions temporarily unusable can work normally by the time the new app is launched. Now DPRK consumers can use the band to read time, record walking distances and steps and measure instant heart rates. Consumers visiting the exhibit have also showed interest in other popular Xiaomi products, including air purifiers and digital weight scales. RAMALLAH, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian court ruled on Thursday to stop holding local elections in the Palestinian territories scheduled for Oct. 8. No new date has been set and the court is still waiting for a response from the Palestinian Elections Commission. The ruling came after a special session at the Ramallah High Court based on an appeal presented by Palestinian attorney Nael Al-Hooh. Al-Hooh told Xinhua that the court ordered the stop of elections "until it comes to a final decision regarding the motion presented to cancel elections." "The basis of the objection is against not including East Jerusalem in the call for elections and against the status of court houses in Gaza," he said. Since 2007, the Islamic Hamas movement has been in control of the Gaza Strip. The attorney said that the court will later determine hearing sessions regarding the motion presented to cancel local elections, and it is currently waiting for a response from the Palestinian Elections Commission. Palestinians were originally scheduled to cast their ballots on Oct. 8 to elect local governing bodies such as municipal, village or town councils. TRIPOLI, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Two car bombs hit the Libyan capital Tripoli on Thursday morning but no casualties were reported, according to local media outlets. One bomb exploded near the headquarters of the foreign ministry, while the other hit the naval base of Abu-Setta, the headquarters of the United Nations-backed unity government, local media reported. Some cars parked nearby were damaged in the explosions, said one Xinhua reporter. No group has claimed responsibility for the bombings. Over the past few years, similar attacks have hit Tripoli, where terrorist groups have capitalized on a security vacuum since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Meanwhile, government forces fighting Islamic State (IS) militants are reportedly gaining ground in Sirte, some 450 km east of Tripoli. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Wednesday that Libyan government forces are close to eliminating IS from Sirte. More than 400 government troops have been killed and over a thousand others injured in the latest anti-IS campaign, which started in May. TAIPEI, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- More than 6.28 million tourists from outside Taiwan visited the island from January to July, an increase of 7.93 percent from the same period last year, according to a report released by the island's tourism bureau on Thursday. According to the report, there were about 2.41 million tourists from the Chinese mainland during the period, 38 percent of all visitors from outside the island. The reading posted translates to 0.41 percent growth compared with the same period last year. The number of mainland tourists had been contracting since May. Although the number of individual visitors from the mainland rose slightly, the number of tourists visiting the island on group tours declined by about 30 percent over the three months since May, compared with the same period last year, according to the report. The number of tourists from the Republic of Korea grew by 29.01 percent in the period, the highest among all sources. Promotions contributed to an increase of 17.46 percent in the number of tourists from Japan in the seven months, according to the report, which added that the island aims to attract about 10 million tourists from outside the island this year. BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- China values Russian President Vladimir Putin's position on the South China Sea issue, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Thursday. Russia supports China's stance on the South China Sea issue and opposes any third-party interference, Putin told a news conference after the G20 summit in China. "President Putin's position shows Russia to be objective and fair, and represents the voices of justice from the international community," spokesperson Hua Chunying told a press conference. A tribunal in July issued an "award" on the South China Sea arbitration, which was unilaterally initiated by the former government of the Philippines. China has reiterated that it will not accept any proposition or action based on the decision. In fact, if a country is truly concerned about peace and stability in the South China Sea, it will support China to peacefully resolve the dispute with the countries directly concerned in accordance with international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), Hua said, adding that China also opposes any attempt by forces outside the region to manipulate the issue or stir up trouble. Related: ASEAN -China statement calls for effective implementation of DOC on South China Sea VIENTIANE, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China issued a statement here Wednesday, calling for full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). The two sides held the 19th ASEAN-China Summit and commemorated the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations in the Lao capital. In a chairman's statement issued at the summit, the two sides underlined the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation in, and overflight above, the South China Sea. Full story South China Sea issue should be resolved peacefully by parties directly concerned: Cambodian PM PHNOM PENH, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen reiterated late Friday that the South China Sea issue should be settled through peaceful negotiations by the parties directly concerned. WELLINGTON, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- A law to take the gloss off smoking and introduce standardized plain packages for tobacco products was passed overwhelmingly by the New Zealand Parliament Thursday. The Smoke-free Environments (Tobacco Standardised Packaging) Amendment Bill passed its final reading with a vote of 108 in favor to 13 against. "Around 13 people die prematurely every day from smoking related illnesses. That is nearly 5,000 people each year. We want smokers to quit and we want to stop other people from ever starting," Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga said in a statement. "Standardized packaging will make a measureable difference to smoking rates in New Zealand, just as it has done in Australia. It will make a difference to families and communities who see every day the harm smoking causes," he said. "The bland packs will maximise the impact of health warnings and cut out any false impression that smoking is cool or glamorous." The passing of this legislation sent a clear message that the government was serious about ending the unnecessary deaths from tobacco use. Under standardized packaging, all cigarettes and other tobacco products will be in brown-green colored packaging, with enlarged health warnings and tobacco company marketing imagery removed. Regulations, which are needed for the law to come in to force, are currently under development. Australia's plain packaging regime has been in place since December 2012 and tobacco sales have reportedly fallen by 14.4 percent since it was established. Tobacco companies criticized the proposals and disputed evidence they would cut smoking rates, but health groups and anti-smoking campaigners have welcomed them. The New Zealand government is also progressively ramping up tobacco taxes, which will raise the price of a packet of cigarettes by 50 percent over the next four years, as part of its campaign to make New Zealand smoke-free by 2025. YEREVAN, Armenia, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan announced his resignation Thursday, the Armenpress news agency reported. Abrahamyan said during a government meeting that his departure would enable President Serzh Sarksyan to form a new government. Abrahamyan had to quit as the country is facing sluggish economic growth and rising violence. Some 30 percent of Armenia's population lives below the official poverty line, according to the Asian Development Bank. To make matters worse, Armenian government's failure to quickly solve a hostage crisis sparked anti-government demonstrations this summer and the public's growing discontent with the government. Abrahamyan started his political career in 1995 when he was elected as a member of the National Assembly. After several high-level positions in government and chairman of the National Assembly, he became prime minister in April 2014. LONDON, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- A senior UN peacekeeping official said on Thursday that the organization is committed to increasing the number of female peacekeepers, urging worldwide efforts to make peacekeeping troops more gender-balanced. "We are recommit to the goal to double the total number of women troops in our missions by 2020," said Herve Ladsous, the UN under-secretary-general for peacekeeping operations. "Success for women in peacekeeping will rely on all member states to do their part and make a sustained effort." The UN official made the comments at the ongoing UN Peacekeeping Defense Ministerial 2016 in London, a follow-up event one year after the the Leaders' Summit on Peacekeeping was convened in the United States. Ladsous lauded the role women personnel plays in the UN peacekeeping missions worldwide, saying that they are critical in areas such as civilian military affairs, intelligence, community policing and raising awareness of gender issues. He said the efforts to make the UN peacekeeping troops more gender-balanced are long overdue and the ongoing meeting provides a fresh kick-off for the long-term efforts to make progress. "We have to make sure we prepare ourselves for the challenges ahead and are able to respond rapidly," Ladsous said. UN statistics showed that in 1993, women made up only 1 percent of deployed uniformed personnel. In 2014 , out of approximately 125,000 peacekeepers, women constitute 3 percent of military personnel and 10 percent of police personnel in UN peacekeeping missions. While the UN encourages and advocates for the deployment of women to uniformed functions, the responsibility for deployment of women in the police and military lies with members. BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao on Thursday called for science fiction writers to popularize scientific knowledge and contribute to the country's drive to become a world technology power. Li, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while attending an opening ceremony of a science fiction meeting hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology. Li said that writers of science fiction should take a lead in the drive and depict future worlds with unusual but wonderful thinking. They were encouraged to write quality works to inspire teenagers. GUANGZHOU, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- A former Communist Party of China village chief in the southern province of Guangdong was sentenced on Thursday to three years and one month in prison for accepting bribes. Lin Zulian was charged with accepting bribes totalling 593,000 yuan (89,000 U.S. dollars) from others to influence livelihood and economic projects in Wukan village when he headed the village committee. Chancheng District People's Court in Foshan City also fined Lin 200,000 yuan. Lin confessed to accepting the bribes at the trial and expressed deep remorse. He said he respected the court verdict and will not appeal. Home to 13,000 residents, Wukan was thrown into the international spotlight in 2011 when residents protested for months against the village committee for illegal land grabs, corruption, and violations of financing and election rules. Lin was appointed the new CPC chief of the village after the event. VIENTIANE, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday called for concerted efforts between China and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member states to push forward the Belt and Road initiative at the 19th China-ASEAN summit and the summit to commemorate the 25th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relations. China and Laos, one of the 10 member states of ASEAN, have already witnessed practical cooperation between the two sides, resulting in significant achievements in all fields. China's Belt and Road initiative has added fresh impetus to and broadened the prospect for their future cooperation, thus further improving the well-being of the Lao people and promoting the socio-economic development in the country. CHINA'S BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE HIGHLY COMPATIBLE WITH LAOS' NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Laos, the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, is seeking to be removed from a list of the least developed countries by 2020 and lay the foundation for industrialization and modernization. Faster development of transport infrastructure including road, water, air and railway, which is now lagging behind, is the key for Laos to realize the targets. The Lao government has unveiled a plan of transforming the country from a "landlocked country" to a "land-linked country." The plan has since been upgraded to a national strategy designed to change geographical disadvantages into advantages. The Belt and Road initiative refers to building a Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It aims at forging a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes. Under the initiative, the China-initiated Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) was formally established in Beijing in 2015. The Silk Road Fund with China's contribution of 40 billion U.S. dollars was announced in 2014, also in Beijing. The two sources of funding are aimed at providing the much needed capital to fund energy, power, transport and telecommunication infrastructure projects for countries including Laos and regions along the route, thus playing an important role in promoting Laos' socio-economic development. ECONOMIC ZONES HELP LAOS OPEN UP TO OUTSIDE WORLD China and Laos signed the Mohan-Boten Cross-border Economic Cooperation Zone Common General Plan in September last year, an important milestone in the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. The zone, focusing on agriculture, biological industries, processing, logistics and cultural-tourism, will help give full play to the complementary advantages of both economies, facilitate trade, investment and personnel exchanges, promote bilateral industrial cooperation, speed up the development of border areas and benefit the peoples of both countries. The Saysettha Development Zone (SDZ) is another key project jointly developed by the two countries. The development zone, which covers an area of 10 square kilometers, will carry out comprehensive development using the pattern of "industrial park plus new city area." Industries in the zone include energy and chemical, agricultural products processing, machinery manufacturing, food processing, tobacco processing, building materials and engineering, warehouse and logistics. The SDZ is expected to become a model of industrial zones in Laos, as well as a demonstration of Sino-Lao cooperation achievements. While inspecting the zone early this year, Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith said it will not only benefit local residents and promote socio-economic development of Vientiane, but also help facilitate the realization of Laos' target to graduate from the Least Developed Country status by 2020. CHINA-LAOS RAILWAY TO TURN LAOS FROM "LANDLOCKED" TO "LAND-LINKED" The China-Laos railway is the first overseas route that will connect Laos with the vast railway system in China, using Chinese technology, equipment and investment. The project has a total investment of 40 billion Chinese yuan (about 6 billion U.S. dollars), 70 percent of which comes from China, while 30 percent comes from Laos. Speaking to the press after the laying of the cornerstone of the railway, Lattanamany Khounnyvong, Lao vice minister of Public Works and Transport, said the China-Laos railway project marks an important milestone in socio--economic cooperation strategy of the two countries. Lattanamany, who is also China-Laos railway project working group task team leader, said the project is in line with Laos' strategy to turn from a land-locked country to a land-linked one, and is compatible with China's Belt and Road initiative. LANCANG-MEKONG COOPERATION OFFERS NEW DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR LAOS The Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) mechanism, proposed by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, is a subregional cooperation mechanism between China and the five Southeast Asian nations of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. The mechanism, initiated in accordance with the strong will of the six countries along the river for development and prosperity, is practical, effective and in line with people's aspirations. With the step-by-step implementation of the LMC mechanism, one-day rail travel along the Lancang-Mekong region will become reality as lines of the Pan-Asia Railway network are under construction. The mechanism will not only facilitate the movement of people and goods between those countries, but also speed up the region's development as a whole. Meetings of senior officials, working teams and foreign ministers have been held to launch the dialogue and cooperation. Agreement has been reached on dozens of early-harvest projects covering water resource management, poverty alleviation, public health, infrastructure, personnel exchanges, science and technology. The LMC mechanism has three pillars - political and security issues, economic and sustainable development, and social, cultural and people-to-people exchanges. With consensus and strong will of the six countries, the LMC mechanism is showing tremendous potential and will benefit the peoples of the six countries including Laos. by Zhou Yan, Li Keyong and Li Chunhui GUIYANG, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Like most women her age in China, Liu Fang has only one child. But at the rural school in southwest China's Guizhou Province where she teaches, students call her "mom" and share little secrets with her they would never tell their parents or friends. With her artistic talent and an innate love of teaching, Liu makes the classroom her stage. Her classes are like talk shows, triggering roars of laughter among her teenage audience. The fun approach to learning works -- her students often outperform their peers on exams. "Her writing on the chalkboard was always a highlight," one former student recalled more than 10 years after graduation. Actually, her writing was messy. She often overshot the chalkboard and scrawled on the wall. Liu Fang had completely lost her eyesight by the time she stopped teaching Chinese language classes. Liu has never given up hope. In addition to teaching Chinese, she has also been a campus counselor, a published author, and a role model whose story has featured in newspaper articles read by millions. In a country where job opportunities for blind people can be limited, her achievements are profound. Her novel, "Green Pomegranates," is largely auto-biographical. She has donated all the proceeds from the book to rural schools in Guizhou. Last year, Liu was recognized as one of the 10 most inspiring individuals or groups through an awards program sponsored by Xinhuanet.com and based on a public vote. On the eve of Chinese Teacher's Day on Sept. 10, Liu has received greetings from her former students, senior officials in Guizhou Province, as well as complete strangers who are moved by her experience. INTO THE DARKNESS Liu Fang was 26 when found out she was going blind. It was in 1997. Her son was eight months old and she was in her fourth year of teaching Chinese at No. 3 Middle School in the suburbs of the provincial capital Guiyang. She could not see properly at night, and in daylight she saw colorful ripples. Doctors said it was a rare retinal disease that would eventually lead to blindness. The diagnosis hit Liu like a thunderbolt. She spent many nights weeping. But when she appeared in front of her students and colleagues in the morning, she was the same cheerful woman whose laughter could be heard even before she entered a room. To prepare for total blindness, she learned every word in the school textbooks by heart. The children often saw her holding the textbook upside down while still reading the text out loud without any mistakes. In class, she told jokes, sang songs and mimicked the characters in the texts. "I had to make my classes lively and interesting so the children follow me, as I could not observe their reactions with my eyes," she says. Her colleagues would read out the children's writing assignments for her before she gave comments. She always drew a cartoon on their work: a smiling face for a good job, a teary one for sorrow or sympathy, and a confused one for something incomprehensible. Very often the eyes, noses and mouths were wonky, but she could always get the expressions right: she had taken art classes for two years before she went blind. One of her best paintings was an owl peering into the darkness, which was soon to become the view through her eyes. Liu read her last novel with her naked eyes in 2001. In 2003, her field of vision had become so narrow that she was almost knocked down by a car. She became totally blind in 2007. LIGHT OF HEART Liu's husband used to work away from home, and for many years Liu and her child took care of each other. He helped her with cooking and cleaning and she told him stories. He sang and she danced to the music. The boy, now away studying at university, began helping his mother cross the street when he was three. Throughout his school days, he escorted his mother to work before going to his own classroom. "My mother is an extraordinary woman in many ways," he wrote in an essay. "Her eyes cannot see, but there's light in her heart." Liu Fang appears healthy and robust. Standing 5 feet tall, she walks nimbly and talks fast. She loves dressing up and her favorite color is red. "I'm a Virgo and am meticulous with my work and my look," she says. After she completely lost her sight, she was advised to quit her job because teaching positions, like any on the official payroll, are highly coveted in the impoverished province. "I refused to leave, because that would mean my life had to end," she explained. The school principal let her stay and gave her a new job as a counselor. The rural school with more than 1,300 students badly needed someone in the role, as at least a quarter of the teenagers are "left-behind" children whose parents had moved to cities in search of work. Some children stay with relatives, while others are left to take care of themselves. Liu's new job involves giving about 100 psychological counseling classes a year and offering one-on-one counseling to those who need it. In 2009, a girl tried to commit suicide out of despair over her parents' separation. Liu covered the girl's eyes with a scarf and spent a whole day with her. At the end of day, she asked the girl how it was to be blind. "I've felt my way in the darkness every day for three years but still enjoy my life," said Liu. "You, with eyes to see and such a pretty face, can certainly have a much better life." The girl cried and promised never to give up again. Most of rural Guizhou is poor. Liu often faces students who want to drop out of school to join their parents as migrant laborers. One, Zeng Xianglei, dropped out in the eighth grade. Liu persuaded him to at least finish middle school. Zeng took heed, and even finished another three years of vocational training. "He had an aptitude for music and art and his writing was great," Liu recalls. But a few more years of education did little to change Zeng's fate. After graduation, he found a job on a construction site. He died at 21 after falling through loose scaffolding. In his bag, his parents found a letter to Liu Fang. "Every time I quit school, you came and called me back. You never scolded me -- you lit up my heart instead. I'm so happy to be able to work now, but my heart aches whenever I remember your eye disease. Please wait for me. I'll take you to the hospital when I'm rich. Remember, I'm just like your son. If there's anything I can do for you, please call me and I'll be there for you..." The two pages were written a week before Zeng died in 2011. (more) NAIROBI, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- There is need for African governments, multilateral agencies and private sector to prioritize investments in climate resilient farming that promise food security and higher incomes for rural people, officials said on Thursday. Speaking at a side event in the ongoing Africa Green Revolution Forum in Nairobi, the officials were emphatic that African states had no option but to adopt farming systems that can withstand climatic shocks that have escalated in the continent. Kenya's Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary, Eugene Wamalwa noted that strategic policy and funding interventions were an imperative to cushion African agriculture from adverse impacts of climate change. "African countries must adequately invest in food production systems that can resist the negative impacts of climate change that include droughts, flooding and virulent crop diseases," Wamalwa said. The sixth Africa Green Revolution Forum taking place in Nairobi has devoted significant attention to climate smart agriculture that would shield rural smallholders from food insecurity, poverty and environmental vagaries. Wamalwa said that African leaders, policymakers, researchers and farmers' organizations have endorsed a continental strategy to promote scaling up of climate smart agriculture. "What is required now is speedy implementation of national programs to promote climate resilient farming in this continent. It heralds food and nutritional security and higher incomes for rural farmers," said Wamalwa. Kenya has pioneered groundbreaking climate smart farming systems in different agro-ecological zones to enhance food security in the face of extreme weather events. Wamalwa noted that adoption of irrigated farming, agro-forestry and non tillage farming has boosted food security against a backdrop of climatic stresses. "We have leveraged on financing and technical capacity to expand irrigated farming in drought prone regions. Our smallholders are being encouraged to practice climate smart agriculture using locally available innovations," Wamalwa said. UNEP's Director, Regional office for Africa, Juliette Biao said that investment in ecosystems restoration, irrigation and modern weather forecast tools will shield African smallholders from hunger and water scarcity occasioned by climate change. "Some of the cost effective methods of scaling up climate smart agriculture in Africa include restoration of degraded ecosystems, organic farming, water harvesting and storage," Biao said. She added that UNEP is providing technical capacity to African countries to enable them scale up climate smart agriculture. African governments must create enabling policy and regulatory environment to facilitate adoption of technologies and innovations that promote climate resilient food production. VIENTIANE, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its partners pledged here Thursday to intensify their efforts in a cooperative manner for swift conclusion of the negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). ASEAN groups Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. After a closed door meeting, the 10 member states of ASEAN and China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand said in a statement that further progress has been made in negotiating the modern, comprehensive, high quality, and mutually beneficial economic partnership. While acknowledging the complexities of the RCEP negotiations and the diversity of the participating countries, including differences in the level of development, they said that they are resolved to find appropriate ways to address the interests of each participating country so as to hammer out balanced, high-quality and mutually-beneficial outcomes. In the statement, they stressed the potential of an RCEP agreement to boost business confidence, benefit consumers, reinforce the RCEP region's contribution to global growth and the deepening of regional economic integration and equitable economic development for all participating countries. RCEP is a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between the 10 member states of ASEAN, and the six countries mentioned above that have existing FTAs with the regional bloc. The RCEP potentially includes more than 3 billion people or 45 percent of the world's population, and a combined GDP of about 21.3 trillion U.S. dollars, accounting for about 40 percent of world trade. Once the agreement is nailed down, it will significantly optimize the production networks and value chains in the region and help Asia become a "world factory" in the world value chains. BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The State Council, China's cabinet, has appointed several new senior officials, according to a circular issued on Thursday. Li Shuming was named deputy head of the State Forestry Administration; Xuan Changneng was appointed China Securities Regulator Commission chairman's assistant; Zhou Changkui was nominated as deputy head of the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs. The State Council also named Shi Qingfeng and Lin Shanqing deputy heads of the State Oceanic Administration, replacing Chen Lianzeng and Zhang Hongsheng. Zhong Zhihua will replace Pei Gang as the president of Tongji University, Shanghai. Meanwhile, the cabinet decided that Feng Fei will no longer hold the post of vice minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and removed Xia Yong from the post of deputy head of the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council. LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL A typical workday for Liu starts at 6:30 a.m. After getting ready, she waits for her best friend and colleague Mao Yanhong to drive her to work. She spends her morning typing out lecture notes and the minutes from sessions with troubled students. With the help of talking software, she uses the computer expertly and can type more words per minute than most of her colleagues. Most of her classes are in the afternoon. She has three rules for her students: "Be relaxed, laugh a lot and learn something." After dinner, she listens to the news. "Sometimes I hear my name in the local news and soon enough, my mother will comment, 'Oh no, your pancake face is not so pretty on the screen.' She's always teasing me for my round face," Liu says. Then follows 40 minutes on the treadmill, after which she takes a shower and begins her evening writing session on her computer, which often lasts until 11 p.m. She wants to publish more books. Liu writes about herself, her colleagues and students. She remembers the distant past and clings to every detail. "Everything is so fine and life is beautiful," according to a passage in one of her books. "I remember the dust coming out from my bedspread and pillow. I used to complain about it but nowadays, every dust cloud seems like a dancing life, and how I long to see them dance in the sunshine again." A few months ago, Liu received a letter from a retiree in the central province of Hunan. The man, having read her story in a local newspaper, offered to donate one of his eyes so Liu could see again. She cried as her colleague read it to her. "The doctors say there's no hope for me to see again, but these loving people have made my life so beautiful." BUILDING SELF-WORTH, AND CARRYING ON In one of her latest poems, Liu wrote: "Disability is my permanent mark, but a smile is your gilded invitation. Give me a hug, and I'm the cloudless sky in your heart." Liu has worked hard to stay confident and sure of herself. "Many people are surprised that I'm so cheerful and confident," she says. "They may think a blind person is only entitled to sit on the street and play an instrument, with a bowl on the ground waiting for coins." Rather than taking early retirement and living on a pension, Liu insisted on staying in her job and working like a normal person. No one wants to pitied, Liu believes. "We should avoid excessive interference in other people's lives." Liu and her colleagues once raised money to buy socks for children who live in some of Guizhou's poorest villages. "We thought their families could not afford to buy them socks." The donations, however, were not well received. "We were told later the children were used to walking barefoot and everybody thought socks were a nuisance. Moreover, because water was so scarce in the mountain villages it was wasteful to wash them." Though poverty continues to hold back many parts of rural China, money and material objects are not the only solution, Liu insists. In a recent survey, she found 68 percent of the left-behind children in her school wanted their parents' company more than more pocket money. Seventy-seven percent of these children said they worried about their parents. When asked about their parents' expectations of them, however, 68 percent said they believed their report cards were more important than their health. Based on the results of the survey, Liu is analyzing the mental wellbeing of left-behind children, which she will share with schools and the local education authorities. The idea for the survey came from a counselling session with one of her most problematic groups of seventh-graders: of the 44 students in that class, 26 were left-behind children. "I handed out papers and envelopes and asked each of the 26 students to write a letter to their parents about their hopes and dreams," explains Liu. One boy wrote that he dreamed of becoming a lawyer, so that he could help his parents claim their unpaid wages. Another girl said she dreamed of becoming a doctor because her heart ached when her parents came home ill or injured. The most impressive letter was written by a boy who said he dreamed of being a migrant worker, just like his parents. "Dear Mom and Dad," he wrote. "My dream is so small that you may feel disappointed. But I just want to be a migrant worker because in this way, I can follow you wherever you go and our family will be together forever." Liu congratulated the children on their letters and showed them a scar on her thumbnail. "I had a lonely childhood just like you," she told them. "My father worked far from home and mother was not always around. I spent most of my preschool years sitting on the street waiting for them to come home." Once, her father gave her a beautiful glass ball. One day, it rolled away from her and into a pile of garbage. In her haste to find that token of fatherly love, she caught her thumb on some rusty wire, leaving a permanent scar. She also read to them some lines from one of her poems: "The tribulation in front of your eyes is not really tough, just conquer it; the tribulation your heart can hold is not a tribulation for real, just take it. The roaring water will wash away the sand, revealing pearls." DUBAI, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Several leaders of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have ordered the release of a total of 1,122 inmates on the occasion of the Islamic feast of sacrifice, or "Eid al-Adha," state news agency WAM reported Thursday. The leaders include the UAE president and the rulers of Dubai, Ajman and Ras Al-Khaima, three of the UAE's seven sheikhdoms. The Muslim world will observe the "Eid al-Adha" holiday this coming Sunday and Monday. On the occasion of the feast, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan pardoned 442 prisoners, reported Gulf News. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai who also serves as UAE vice president and prime minister, ordered the release of 488 inmates in Dubai, WAM said. Gulf News added that the ruler of Ajman, Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al-Nuaimi, ordered the release of 110 prisoners. Another 122 inmates were released according to an order issued by Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, emir of the Ras Al-Khaima sheikhdom, WAM reported. LONDON, Sept.8 (Xinhua) -- European Council President Donald Tusk on Thursday urged British Prime Minister Theresa May to start the process for her country to leave EU as soon as possible. Speaking at the start of their meeting at the No. 10 Downing Street, Tusk also said "the ball is now in your court" as they discussed the next steps on Brexit, according to British press reports. Tusk said the other EU members were waiting to see when May would trigger the Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty which formally launches Britain's exit from the EU. "I'm aware that it is not easy but I still hope you will be ready to start the process as soon as possible," he said. A spokeswoman for May said that the British prime minister stressed to work together with Tusk so that there was a "smooth process" for leaving EU. Up to now, May has refused to pin down a specific date to trigger the article 50, saying that her government needs time to prepare for negotiations. EU leaders, excluding Britain, will meet next week in Bratislava to sketch out the bloc's future strategy after Brexit. Related: No "running commentary" on Brexit negotiations: British PM by Larry Neild LONDON, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May told Members of Parliament in the House of Commons Wednesday of her approach to arranging Britain's exit from the European Union (EU). Making her first appearance in parliament since attending the G20 summit in China, May made it clear that Britain will not show its hand prematurely, or provide a running commentary on every twist and turn of the Brexit negotiations. Full story British PM has no legal obligation to consult parliament on triggering Brexit procedure: spokesman LONDON, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The British Prime Minister has no legal obligation to consult parliament on invoking Article 50 of the European Union's Lisbon Treaty to trigger the formal exit procedure from the bloc, a spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May said on Tuesday. YINCHUAN, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- China's Friendship City program, or the sister cities program, has boosted communication between China and the rest of the world, an official said at an ongoing forum Thursday. China has sister city relations with 134 countries, with 2,340 pairings formed so far, Xie Yuan, deputy head of the Chinese People' s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said at Ningxia Friendship City Forum in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The Friendship City program covers relations between provinces and states, cities and counties. The program was launched in 1973 with the partnership of Tianjin, China, and Kobe, Japan. It has pushed direct people-to-people communication and decreased prejudice, Xie said. "China is speeding up the Belt and Road Initiative and its urbanization drive, which means the Friendship City program will play a bigger role," Xie said. China will roll out more support measures to further encourage the development of twin cities." After signing a Friendship City agreement, governments of the signing parties will launch a variety of programs spanning politics, economics, science and technology, education, culture and environmental protection. As the host of the forum, which will conclude Saturday, Ningxia signed several relationship agreements. BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Insurance authorities now allow Chinese mainland insurance companies to invest in Hong Kong shares through a stock link program. Insurers have to launch wealth management products to make portfolio investments via the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect, the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) said in an online statement. The new access to the Hong Kong market will help them improve asset structures, minimize risk and increase returns, the CIRC said. Rules on opening accounts, trading and clearing were also clarified by the CIRC. The stock connect was launched in November 2014 for investors to trade selected stocks on each other's exchanges. A similar one between Shenzhen and Hong Kong bourses is expected to start in mid or late November. NAIROBI, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Kenya has launched a national forest and landscape restoration program aimed at restoring the degraded forests and landscapes, a senior government official has said. Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources Professor Judi Wakhungu said on Thursday that the program is also aimed at addressing climate change, conservation of biodiversity and improving food security. "We are driven by the urgent necessity to restore ecological integrity and functions of degraded forests and landscapes which has significantly lost their capacity to support livelihoods, environmental conservation and economic development," Wakhungu said. The launch makes Kenya the first African country to have comprehensive national restoration opportunity assessment. It is expected that the move will inform commitments to the Bonn Challenge that is aimed at restoring 150 million hectares of land around the world by 2020. Kenya's move is widely seen by experts as an opportunity towards meeting the African Resilient Landscapes Initiative, an initiative that targets to promote integrated landscape management by adapting to and mitigating climate change. According to Wakhungu, Kenya has already committed 5.1 million hectares of deforested and degraded forests and other landscape restorations by the year 2030. This target is expected to increase Kenya's total tree cover by nine percent, bringing the total tree cover of the country over the constitutional mandate. There are also plans for afforestration, rehabilitation of natural forests buffer zones along water bodies and wetlands and planting of commercial trees and bamboo plantations in unstocked forests that will be done on 7.6 million hectares of land. Under this scenario, carbon sequestration potential is expected to increase by more than 260 Mt CO2 by 2063. According to Dr. Kitty Van Der Heidjen, Africa Director of World Resources Institute, an independent think tank on environment, land degradation is hindering Africa's sustainable economic development and its resilience to climate change. He however said that the trend can be reversed since the continent has 700 million hectares of degraded land that is the largest restoration opportunity of any continent in the world. "We have to make decisions based on scientific evidence to help reverse and restore landscapes," she noted. Mohamed Sessay, senior programs officer at the United Nations Environment Programme disclosed that the Global Environmental Facility has earmarked 53 million U.S. dollars to support Africa's Sustainable Development Goals and environmental conservation efforts. He called on countries to honor their international environmental commitments to be able to attract additional funding. By Abdul Haleem KABUL, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Militancy and subversive activities have been constantly rising in Afghanistan since mid-April this year and the anti-government militants in their latest strikes conducted three deadly offensives in a single day on Monday in the fortified capital city of Kabul leaving Afghans in shock. The three bloody attacks, two of them which took place near the defense ministry, according to officials, claimed 41 lives and injured more than 100 others, have prompted observers and those with knowledge of the matter to evaluate and determine the reasons for the deteriorating security situation in the conflict-ridden country. Expressing concerns over increasing security incidents, Afghan analysts believed that security lapses have enabled the Taliban and associated hardliner groups to exploit the situation to further their own interests in destabilizing security and defaming the government. "No doubt, the main reasons for increasing security incidents and terrorist attacks in Afghanistan are security faults and poor management of those at the helm of affairs," a military analyst and retired army brigadier, Mahmoud Haidari, told Xinhua. Backing his notion, the analyst lambasted what he described as "internal differences over sharing of power" among the top leaders of the government, and asserted that persistent differences among top leaders of the National Unity Government have enabled the Taliban and other militant groups to avail the situation for their interests and speed up operations elsewhere in the country. The analyst asserted that the Taliban outfit is on the "payroll of foreign intelligence agencies" and their masters provide them funding and equipment to fight in Afghanistan, as well as seizing weapons from Afghan forces after overrunning military installations. Taliban militants, according to observers, are stronger than in any time since their regime collapse in late 2001 and have control over more regions mostly in rural areas. Fighters loyal to the hardliner Taliban outfit, according to local sources close to the matter, have been challenging the government forces in several provinces and have gained ground in the southern Helmand, western Farah, northern, Badakhshan, Kunduz, Baghlan, Faryab and Takhar provinces. The chain of terrorist attacks over the past couple of months for which Taliban outfit has claimed responsibility have killed countless innocent civilians and inflicted immeasurable economic losses and damage to property and infrastructure. In the capital city of Kabul alone, properties worth millions of U.S. dollars have been lost due to terrorist attacks. "The terrorist attack in Kabul on Monday night and Tuesday cost me around 2 million U.S. dollars in losses," the manager of a construction company, Abdul Basir Bina, told Xinhua. According to Bina, by attacking civilian areas and business centers the Taliban militants want to terrorize people and discourage investment in the country. Bina also warned that the "continued failure of government to check terrorist activities, especially in the capital city of Kabul would discourage business community to invest here." He added that continued subversive activities, shrinking investment and capital flight would eventually increase poverty and ultimately pave the way for recruitment of unemployed people by militants. "A lack of coordination among concerned entities, poorly equipped security forces and security lapses, have catalyzed the Taliban and terrorists into intensifying their activities and even launch deadly attacks at the heart of Kabul," another political observer, Koka Jan Niazi, told local media. ANKARA, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- A total of 11,285 teachers were suspended over alleged links with the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK), Turkish Education Ministry announced on Thursday. The announcement came after Prime Minister Binali Yildirim's remarks last Monday that all teachers having links to the PKK terrorist organization will be suspended. Speaking in the southeastern city of Diyarbakir, which has been repeatedly targeted by PKK terrorist attacks, Yildirim said an estimated 14,000 teachers in the region are somehow associated with terrorism. Also on Thursday, Yildirim called on provincial governors to take steps against elements in eastern and southeastern Turkish municipalities "that are linked to terrorism." At a governors' meeting in the capital Ankara, Yildirim, citing a recent statutory decree, said governors "have been fully authorized" to do what is necessary in the case of "municipalities that are linked to terrorism," according to Anadolu Agency. The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union and Turkey. BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The fledgling Southeast Asian nation of Timor-Leste has taken its big neighbor Australia to a UN conciliation commission at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague in a bid to settle their maritime boundary dispute. Canberra, brandishing existing treaties it signed with Dili, has refused to engage in bilateral talks for the demarcation of a permanent boundary in the Timor Sea, and argued that the conciliation commission handling the case has no jurisdiction. Yet Dili called the validity of the treaties in question, noting that the Australians played dirty tricks and gained unfair advantages in the negotiations. It urged Canberra not to turn its back on the law. TIMOR-LESTE: NOT ASKING FOR FAVORS At the opening session of the compulsory conciliation on Aug. 29 in The Hague, Timor-Leste insisted that it only wants what rightfully belongs to it. "We have not come to The Hague to ask for favors or special treatment. We have come to seek our rights under international law," Xanana Gusmao, Timor-Leste's independence hero and first president, told the five-member commission, which was formed under the auspices of the PCA. Gusmao, who also served as Timor-Leste prime minister, said his country is willing to negotiate with Australia, but the latter "turns its back on the law" by having refused to do so. In March, more than 1,000 people gathered in front of the Australian embassy in Dili, protesting Canberra's refusal to hold bilateral discussions over the maritime boundary. To further strengthen its position in the hearing, the Timor-Leste government has also launched a Policy Paper on Maritime Boundaries, which reiterates its stand that the maritime boundary should be a median line equidistant between the two countries, which would give Dili much larger oil- and gas-rich areas of the Timor Sea. If Timor-Leste and Australia cannot reach any agreement, the conciliation commission will provide a report to the UN secretary general with recommendations to assist resolution, and the two sides will then be obliged to negotiate in good faith on the basis of the commission's report, according to the Maritime Boarder Office of Timor-Leste. AUSTRALIA: PCA DECISION NOT BINDING Australia, however, insists that the PCA commission has no jurisdiction over the case, and that even if it rules it has, its decision will not be binding. "The Commission does not have jurisdiction to conduct hearings on maritime boundaries," said a joint statement of Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Attorney-General George Brandis issued on Aug. 29. "If the Commission ultimately finds that it does have jurisdiction to hear matters on maritime boundaries, then its final report on that matter is not binding," they added. Australia claims that the existing treaties between Canberra and Dili are reasonable and should be respected. Some have also alleged that a formal demarcation would not be as generous to Timor-Leste as the existing deal. A treaty in particular is the 2006 Certain Maritime Arrangements in the Timor Sea (CMATS), which provides for an equal distribution of revenues from the Greater Sunrise oil and gas deposits, a joint development area in the Timor Sea where the two sides have overlapping claims. It also imposes a 50-year moratorium on claims to sovereign rights and demarcation of maritime boundaries. Canberra has fixed its eyes on Timor Sea oil and gas resources for long. It endorsed Indonesia's 1975-1999 occupation of Timor-Leste to facilitate its exploitation. It was the only Western nation to recognize Indonesia's annexation of Timor-Leste. BUGGING, BULLYING, CHEATING Yet the validity of the CMATS is now under question, after revelations in 2012 that Australian agents, posing as aid workers, bugged Timor-Leste's cabinet room and gained unfair advantages in the negotiation process that led to the 2006 treaty. "When this came to light, we were shocked and appalled," said Gusmao, who now serves as a minister in the Timor-Leste government, at the PCA hearing. In an article published on Aug. 28 on British daily The Guardian, Ben Saul, an international law professor at the University of Sydney, noted that the espionage claims have painted Australia "as the neighborhood cheat and bully." Two months before Timor-Leste's independence, Australia cunningly excluded itself from the compulsory settlement of maritime boundary disputes at the International Court of Justice and under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. On the very day of Timor-Leste's independence on May 20, 2002, Canberra and Dili signed the Timor Sea Treaty, which largely inherited a 1989 treaty between Australia and Indonesia and set the temporary sea boundary line much closer to Timor-Leste than to Australia. After Timor-Leste initiated an arbitration in 2013 following the bugging revelations, Australian agents raided the office in suburban Canberra of a lawyer representing Dili in the case and seized a trove of documents. The lawyer is a former Australian Secret Intelligence Service officer. Such sly and high-handed behavior has prompted accusations that Canberra exploited its small neighbor's most vulnerable times to gain self-interests. Speaking at the PCA hearing of the Timor Sea Treaty, Gusmao said, "on the very day of the restoration of our independence, we were faced with the indignity of having to sign" the deal. "At the time Timor had nothing. Our land was scorched, our people killed... We had no money, forcing us to beg," he added. NAIROBI, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Approximately 70,000 Somalia refugees based at Kenya's Dabaab refugee camp are willing to return to their home country by the end of the year, the UN refugee agency said on Thursday. UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Kenya Assistant Representative in Charge of Protection Catherine Hamon Sharpe said that this figure represents approximately 25 percent of Somalia refugees in Kenya. "We therefore think that the deadline given by the Kenya government to close the Dabaab camp in Nov. is not realistic if the refugees are to be repatriated voluntarily in a dignified and humane manner," Sharpe said during a panel discussion on refugee issues in Nairobi. Sharpe said that they have urged the Kenyan government to reconsider its decision to close the Dabaab camp. "We are therefore engaging the Kenyan authorities so that they extend the voluntary repatriation agreement that expires in November," she added. The UN official said that currently 2,000 Somali refugees at the Dabaab transition camp have signed for voluntary repatriations. "However, they can't leave the camp because the Jubaland (in southern Somalia) officials have refused to receive them," she said. In 2013, the UNHCR, Kenya and Somalia signed a tripartite agreement for the voluntary repatriation of Kenya-based Somali refugees back to Somalia. In 2011 during the Horn of Africa drought, Kenya hosted over 500,000 Somalia refugees, however by December 2014, the figure had reduced by 100,000. Sharpe said that since 2014, UNHCR has assisted in the voluntary repatriation of 28,000 back to Somalia. Chinese Enterprises Association in Nepal (CEAN), an organization of Chinese entrepreneurs having business in Nepal, and the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) members, interact for the mutual trade program during an interaction program in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, on Sept. 8, 2016. The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) on Thursday encouraged Chinese entrepreneurs to participate actively in "Nepal Infrastructure Summit" which will be held in November or December. During their meeting, CNI leaders asked Chinese entrepreneurs to participate in the event organized by the private sector body in collaboration with the Nepalese government. (Xinhua/Pratap Thapa) KATHMANDU, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) on Thursday encouraged Chinese entrepreneurs to participate actively in "Nepal Infrastructure Summit" which will be held in November or December. During their meeting, CNI leaders asked Chinese entrepreneurs to participate in the event organized by the private sector body in collaboration with the Nepalese government. The CNI has been organizing the event for the last few years to attract more domestic and foreign investment in Nepal's infrastructure sector, one of the poorest in the world. According to CNI, the theme of the planned summit will be "Private Sector Participation in Infrastructure." On Thursday, a team of the Chinese Enterprises Association in Nepal (CEAN), an organization of Chinese entrepreneurs having business in Nepal, interacted with the CNI discussing about CEAN's institutional participation in the event. CNI Vice President Vishnu K. Agrawal said they encouraged the CEAN to participate in the event as partner organization and proposed a long-term association between the CNI and CEAN. "The event is not only to explore business opportunities in Nepal's infrastructure sector, but also to create awareness among the policy makers for bigger focus in the sector," he said. Yuan Zhixiong, President of CEAN said that they wanted to participate in the event for greater exposure of CEAN and explore the right projects in which they could invest. "We also want to remain in close contact with Nepali companies," he said. By Shristi Kafle KATHMANDU, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Owing to the active surveillance of National Park authorities and with cooperation from security forces and conservation partners, the population of one-horned rhinos had risen to 645 marking the highest number on record of this endangered species in the Himalayan country. But the Nepalese government's remarkable achievement of having stamped out poaching for two straight years, came crashing to a brutal halt after a rhino was found peppered with bullets in a forest. Despite all the effective anti-poaching activities instituted, a one-horned rhino was found injured with six bullets in the forest of Rautahat, an eastern district in Narayani zone, on August 20. The injured 15-year-old male rhino was immediately rescued and transferred to a community forest in Sauraha by the Chitwan National Park. The bullet-ridden beast, eventually succumbed to the poacher's attack, however, and the animal could not be saved, drawing its last gasp on Tuesday afternoon. "Right after the rescue, we had mobilized a health and security team around the injured rhino. We were successful in removing one bullet after a few days and used all the available resources to increase its immunity," Narendra Aryal, information officer at Chitwan National Park, told Xinhua by phone on Wednesday. "Its condition was significantly improving, but unfortunately it took a turn for the worst," the officer said. The health condition of the injured rhino was critical as it had received five bullets near its head and one more in its back. According to the officials at National Park, the wounded rhino couldn't even lift its head and graze in the initial days following the dramatic rescue. However, its condition gradually improved after being monitored for 24 hours by a medical team, while the Nepal Army stood guard. The rhino was receiving emergency treatment under the leadership of Dr. Kamal Gaire, a senior doctor in the national park. Prior to its death, the rhino had started moving slightly as it showed initial signs of recovering. But 17 days into its rescue and recovery treatment, it was found slumped on the ground and was subsequently declared dead. "On Monday evening, two rhinos were seen fighting with each other near the wounded rhino. The scene must have caused him anxiety and may have stressed him out," Aryal added. The injured rhino was receiving antibiotics and saline water in the last few days. And while one of the bullets had been removed, five others were wreaking havoc inside its giant body. Some claim that the life of the magnificent animal could have been saved with the provision of better medical equipment. Narayan Dhungana, a senior journalist based near Chitwan National Park, told Xinhua, "I visited the park right after the rescue and was very close to the injured rhino several times. Its health was definitely improving. But the doctors failed to remove all the bullets. If we had modern equipment to treat the wounds as in foreign countries, including the latest x-ray machines, its life would be saved." However, the Chitwan National Park, which is home for more than 600 rhinos in the country, claimed that it used all possible resources to try and save the rhinos life. Information Officer Aryal told Xinhua, "The medical team that treated the rhino are experts not only in Nepal but across the whole of Asia and tried every option and technique available." "We have been treating other injured rhinos, tigers and elephants using the same equipment so there is no question about a lack of technology. The injuries sustained were huge so the chance of life became low," Aryal said, adding that rhinos can weigh as much as 2,500 kilograms. The national park has formed a team to probe the incident, comprised of its officials and those of the Central Bureau of Investigation. Rhinos are regularly killed by poachers for their body parts and skin, especially for their one-horn, which are worth thousands of dollars on some black markets. Their horn is also regarded as a traditional medicine in some countries. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which supports rhino conservation in Nepal, had mentioned earlier on its website, "Nepal achieved its first 365 days of zero poaching for rhinos in 2011. Three times since then it has not lost a single rhino to poachers over the course of 365 days." The last one-horned rhino poached in Nepal was on May 2, 2014 as per the records. The records also showed in fiscal year beginning in 2001, 37 rhinos were killed in a single year. Basu Bidari, a wildlife conservationist told Xinhua, "It is unfortunate that the record of zero-poaching years ends with this incident. But the latest efforts of the government are truly praiseworthy. There are lessons to be learned, I am sure it will put a whole lot more effort to maintain its zero-poaching status in the coming days." GUANGZHOU, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ma Kai has called for greater efforts to boost the country's intelligent manufacturing and improve competitiveness in the manufacturing industry. During a tour to southern China's Guangdong Province Wednesday to Thursday, Ma visited a series of high-end manufacturers, information technology businesses, and intelligent equipment manufacturers. He said significant progress had been made since the introduction of the "Made in China 2025" initiative last year. The "Made in China 2025" initiative is a 10-year national plan designed to transform China from a manufacturing giant into a high-tech manufacturing power. Robots and high-end computer controlled machine tools are among 10 key fields listed in the initiative. Ma stressed innovation and cooperation in the industry, stating that firms and universities should make breakthroughs in core technology as soon as possible. He called for the building of a standardized intelligent manufacturing system, developing of software and hardware, and training of personnel. Greater efforts should be made to upgrade traditional manufacturing and to establish smart factories, he said. Ma also called for integration of the Internet and the manufacturing industry, to move the sector up the value chain. by Naim-Ul-Karim, Liu Chuntao DHAKA, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- A youth-focused foundation dedicated to further strengthening ties of friendship between Bangladesh and China was officially launched Thursday in the capital Dhaka. Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Bangladesh Awami League (AL) party lawmaker Saber Hossain Chowdhury is the man behind the initiative. "Bangladesh China Foundation for Future" is also headed by Chowdhury, an elected president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), an international organization of parliaments of 164 countries. The foundation has seven board members including Raimah Chowdhury, a young professional, who as a director is tasked with its operational responsibility. The foundation was launched at a ceremony at Pan Pacific Sonargaon, a hotel in Dhaka, on Thursday in presence of hundreds of guests including many dignitaries. Extending his best wishes for "Bangladesh China Foundation for Future," Gowher Rizvi, international affairs adviser to the Bangladesh prime minister, said this will be one of the bridges in which relationship between Bangladesh and China will be further strengthened. "There are several things that excite me about this foundation. First of course it excites me because this is a foundation with China." Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ma Mingqiang spoke highly of the initiative, saying that the foundation would further strengthen the ties between Bangladesh and China. Saber Hossain Chowdhury, chairman of Bangladesh China Foundation for Future, on the sidelines of the launching ceremony told Xinhua that "What I think is the connection, the link and interaction between people of two countries. So that's what we are trying to promote." He further said, "It's a platform; It is an initiative to promote people to people connect, people to people dialogue, people to people collaboration between China and Bangladesh. And this is going to be promoted by the young people from both sides." "It's really the young people who are going to drive agenda for the future," he added. Echoing almost similar views, Director of Bangladesh China Foundation for Future Raima Chowdhury said the foundation is focused on programs that help young people to link education goals with leadership skills training and professional network as well as building friendship. "We really want to contribute to building a further strong relationship between people of China and Bangladesh through educational, cultural, sporting, media and professional activities by increasing the engagement of young people in both the countries," she said. KUNMING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- China and five other countries launched a joint three-month drug crackdown along the Lancang-Mekong region on Thursday. A coordinating command center was unveiled in Jinghong city, southwest China's Yunnan Province at a ceremony marking the start of the joint action. Chinese senior anti-drug officials and representatives from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam attended the ceremony. Anti-drug liaison staff from the six countries will pool information,share experiences and coordinate to ensure the action a success, said China's Ministry of Public Security. Lancang is the Chinese name for the upper reaches of the Mekong River. The Lancang-Mekong stream stretches nearly 5,000 km through the six countries. The drug control task in the Mekong River area remains difficult due to the resurfacing of opium poppy cultivation in the Golden Triangle region, the growth of synthetic drugs and more hidden drug trafficking in recent years. Since the China-proposed joint drug control efforts in the region began in 2013, a series of cross-border drug cases were solved, said the ministry. The joint drug crackdown started in 2015. Thailand hosted the first phase of the joint action in early 2016. NAIVASHA, Kenya, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- A Polish tourist died and her four British counterparts were seriously injured on Thursday after a six-sitter plane they were flying in crash-landed in Naivasha, about 90 kms northwest of capital city Nairobi. Naivasha police commander Titus Munyoki who arrived at the scene soon after the accident confirmed that one middle aged woman had died after the plane crash. Munyoki said the pilot from Kenya was seriously injured following the midday accident in Sanctuary farm in Naivasha. He said that the cause of the accident was not immediately known adding that they were waiting for officers from the aviation department to visit the scene and start their investigations. A distraught relative who declined to be named said that the six-sitter plane had taken off from an airstrip in Kijabe farm when the accident occurred five minutes later. The relative said that the plane started spinning in the sky and crushed at Sanctuary farm a few kilometers from the airstrip before bursting into flames. According to Dr Oren Ombiro from the hospital, the pilot was in critical condition after he received 60 percent artificial burns and had been referred to Nairobi for specialized treatment. Ombiro said the other four all from Britain had received minor injuries on their heads, legs and hands but they were in stable condition. Enditem VIENTIANE, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The 11th East Asia Summit (EAS), which was held here Thursday as part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits and related leaders' meetings, focused on infrastructure development cooperation. At the EAS, leaders of ASEAN and its dialogue partners (China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Russia) reviewed the cooperation over the past years, especially the implementation of the six priority areas of the EAS, namely finance, education, energy and environment, global health and communication diseases, disaster management and ASEAN connectivity as well as the decisions and outcome documents of previous summits. The leaders reiterated the importance of the EAS as a leaders-led forum for dialogue on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern, and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing the said mechanism with a view to contributing to the promotion of peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia and the world at large. The EAS leaders adopted the Vientiane Declaration on Promoting Infrastructure Development Cooperation in East Asia proposed by Laos, EAS Declaration on Strengthening Responses to Migrants in Crisis and Trafficking in Persons, and EAS Statement on Non-proliferation. Laos, ASEAN's 2016 rotating chair, hosted the 28th and 29th ASEAN summits and related leaders' meetings here from Tuesday through Thursday. The related meetings include the ASEAN+1 Summits, Summit on Commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, ASEAN+3 (China, Japan and South Korea) Summit, and the East Asia Summit. TAIPEI, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan's labor department announced on Thursday that it will raise the monthly minimum wage from 20,008 new Taiwan dollars (about 640 U.S. dollars) to 21,009 from Jan. 1, 2017. If approved, the decision will benefit more than 1.62 million workers on the island, the department said. Meanwhile, the hourly minimum wage will increase from 120 new Taiwan dollars to 126, starting October 1. According to the decision, the hourly minimum wage will be raised again on January 1, to 133 new Taiwan dollars. About 390,000 workers will benefit, the department said. The island's current minimum wage was set July last year. Enditem NAROBI, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Food imports into Africa is set to increase to 110 billion U.S. dollars in the next nine years, a situation agriculture experts warned on Thursday. African Development Bank (AfDB) President Akinwumi Adesina told the ongoing African Green Revolution Forum in Nairobi that the increase in food bill will have serious consequences to the African economies and consumers as well. "Africa is spending 35 billion dollars on food imports which is a huge burden, worsening current account and fiscal deficits and creating macroeconomic instability, while post-harvest loses stands at 4 billion dollars. If the current trend continues, Africa will spend 110 billion dollars on food imports by 2025," said Adesina. To ensure the trend is tamed, Adesina advised value chain players to fast track policies geared towards diversifying the African economies. "The diversification model of the agriculture sector has to encompass the increasing population of the youth...enticing youth into farming will save the continent against food crisis in the next 10 to 15 years," he said. Adesina advised African governments to accelerate agricultural production in order to reduce food import bills, revive the rural economies, slow down rural to urban migration, expand foreign exchange earnings and create jobs, especially for the youth. Increasing investments, he said, will equally hasten agriculture transformation. He confirmed that the AfDB is implementing the 24 billion dollars Feed Africa Strategy to unlock the African agriculture. Ousmane Badiane, director for Africa International Food Policy Research Institute warned that food consumers in Africa over and above grappling with decreased food production will further incur high cost of food as prices skyrocket in the global market. "For Africa to get out of the food crisis, deliberate efforts need to be employed to boost production and diversification of the sector. If we produce more, it will stabilize prices and thus enhance consumers' ability to acquire. But reduced production means tough times for the farmers and consumers," Badiane said. "Realizing the promise of African agriculture will not be cheap. It could require 15 billion to 400 billion dollars over the next ten years in public and private sector investments in all aspects of food production, processing, marketing and transport," added Badiane. International Fund for Agricultural Development President Kanayo Nwanze said the continent has continued to rely on international market despite being endowed with 60 percent of the global arable land. Countries like India, Brazil, Vietnam and Cambodia in 1970s were undergoing serious food crisis while Africa was experiencing high production. But over the years, the situation has changed and the said countries are now able to feed their population and export while Africa is now facing a food crisis, according to Kanayo. Enditem BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- China has shown strong climate leadership by incorporating green finance into the agenda of G20, and the outcome of the summit will further push the Paris Agreement to come into force, climate experts said. China proposed the G20 Green Finance Study Group, led by the central banks of China and the U.K, which developed a report on green finance for the Hangzhou summit. The report clarifies the definition and scope of green finance and identifies challenges and options for countries to move towards a greener economy. Ahead of the G20 summit, Chinese authorities unveiled guidelines for establishing a green finance mechanism to facilitate the economy's transition to sustainable growth, making China the first country with a complete green finance system in the world. "Following the G20, China will continue to lead green finance development and it will also start more international cooperation in green finance," said Wang Yao, director of the the Climate and Energy Finance Research Center of the Central University of Finance and Economics. Before the G20 summit, legislative authorities in China and the United States ratified the Paris Agreement. Formally joining the agreement is in line with China's domestic aim to clean up pollution and attain green growth, Wang said. Li Junfeng, director of the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, said the ratification was a big step towards bringing the climate agreement into effect. It will bring the contracting parties' shares of global emissions from 1.08 percent to 39.06 percent, he said. Green finance can turn environmental burdens into assets and will mobilize the fund many countries need to cut emissions, especially in times of economic hardship, Li said. On Dec. 12, 2015, 196 parties to the UN conference on climate change in Paris reached agreement to hold the average global rise in temperatures at below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and preferably below 1.5 degrees. Li said that besides the voluntary options of contracting parties, a further 12 billion tons of emissions needed to be cut, which requires more forceful measures around the globe. In the first seven months of 2016, China's green bond issues hit about 18 billion U.S. dollars, about 40 percent of the world total during the period. Analysts say the green finance sector is a promising area for global investors. Liu Qiang, director of the strategic planning department of the climate change center said China will build a national carbon trade market in 2017, and by 2020 it plans to build 1,000 low-carbon communities. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (5th L) attends the 19th summit between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations, in Vientiane, Laos, Sept. 7, 2016. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) VIENTIANE, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) concluded its 28th and 29th Summits and related leaders' meeting here on Thursday, with pledges to strengthen the regional bloc's internal cooperation as well as external coordination with partners. ASEAN's cooperation with its most active partner China took center stage at a series of meetings. The two sides agreed to add people-to-people exchanges as a new pillar for cooperation, and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). MAPPING OUT BLUEPRINT FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING ASEAN leaders gathered here from Tuesday to Thursday for their 28th and 29th Summits with the theme "Turning Vision into Reality for a Dynamic ASEAN Community." Through constructive and cordial discussions, they mapped out the blueprint for the future development for a politically cohesive, economically integrated, socially responsible and a truly rules-based, people-oriented and people-centered ASEAN Community. The future development the ASEAN Community will focus on the priorities such as implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, narrowing development gap among member states, facilitating trade, developing micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), promoting tourism and connectivity and reinforcing cultural heritage cooperation. While hailing the positive progress on the implementation of the ASEAN Political-Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community, and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprints 2025 towards realizing the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, the ASEAN member states emphasized the importance of the full and effective implementation of this forward-looking road-map that will continue to guide them in charting their path over the next decade. In this regard, they adopted the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan III and the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025, an integral part of the ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together, in a bid to strengthen the determination in advancing ASEANs community building process. They also reaffirmed their shared commitment to maintaining and promoting peace, security and stability in the region, as well as to the peaceful resolution of disputes, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with the universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). While stressing the importance of maintaining ASEAN centrality and unity in evolving regional architecture and in its engagement with external parties, the member states highlighted the need for the bloc to play a central role in developing a rules-based regional architecture. IMPLEMENTING DOC ON SOUTH CHINA SEA ASEAN and China held the 19th ASEAN-China Summit and commemorated the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations in Vientiane on Wednesday. A series of statements were issued at the summit, with the two sides vowing to further enhance cooperation and maintain regional peace and security. In their statements, ASEAN and China called for effective implementation of DOC on South China Sea. The two sides underlined the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation in, and overflight above the South China Sea. "We welcomed the recent adoption of the Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN Member States and China on the Full and Effective Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. We stressed the importance of the full and effective implementation of the DOC in its entirety," read a chairman statement issued by ASEAN and China. In another statement, the two sides reaffirmed their respect of freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea under principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). ASEAN and China agreed to resolve the territorial and jurisdictional disputes by peaceful means, without resorting to the threat or use of force, through friendly consultations and negotiations by sovereign states directly concerned. On economic issues, the two sides agreed to further deepen and expand mutually-beneficial economic cooperation, including through the full and effective implementation of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area, to work towards the early and successful conclusion of "a modern, comprehensive, high-quality and mutually beneficial Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership." ASEAN and China will continue to strengthen cooperation in the area of connectivity that will bring mutual benefits, including through capacity building and resource mobilization for the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025, to explore ways to improve connectivity between both sides by synergizing common priorities identified in the master plan and China's Belt and Road Initiative, and encourage the active involvement of relevant multilateral financial institutions. The two sides encouraged the active role of research institutions, including think-tanks, and other knowledge partners through, among others, to joint research on production capacity cooperation and offer policy recommendations. In their statements, ASEAN and Chinese leaders welcomed the designation of 2017 as the ASEAN-China Year of Tourism Cooperation and looked forward to enhancing cooperation and activities with a view to boosting two-way tourist visits and promoting greater people-to-people exchanges. Addressing the closing ceremony of the 28th and 29th ASEAN summits and related leaders' meetings, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said that his country, as next year's rotating chair, will highlight ASEAN as a model of regionalism and a global player with the interests of the people of the bloc. Duterte said the next round of ASEAN summits will be under the theme of "Partnering for Changes, Engaging the World." Photo taken on March 6, 2016 shows a wine farm near Cape Town, South Africa. (Xinhua/Willem Van der Merwe) NAIROBI, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- African leaders, donors and major multilateral firms have pledged more than 30 billion U.S. dollars to help transform Africa's agriculture from subsistence farming to agribusiness in the next ten years, officials said on Thursday. The collective pledges made during the sixth African Green Revolution Forum are believed to represent the largest package of financial commitments to the African agricultural sector to date, backed by the broadest coalitions ever assembled in support of food production on the continent. A joint statement issued in Nairobi said the pledges were in investments to increase production, income and employment for smallholder farmers and local African agriculture businesses over the next ten years. Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) president Agnes Kalibata said agriculture can indeed transform the continent. "This transformation never happens if we did not take the coming ten years seriously," Kalibata said. President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday announced that Kenya is looking to provide 200 million U.S. dollars funding in the coming five years while the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) also expressed its plan to avail 350 million dollars in loans for agriculture. Kenyatta also called for integration of Africa's agriculture policies because without unity no one country or region can make progress. "It is clear that without integrating our shared continental vision into our respective domestic policies, we will not only hold back one another, more significantly, we will keep our citizens from experiencing a range of benefits," said the President. He called for streamlining of national plans and strategies so that they align with the 2014 Malabo commitments which agreed on a comprehensive development of African agriculture. The sixth African Green Revolution Forum has attracted more than 1,500 influential figures from 40 countries for three days of brokering new agricultural initiatives. The historic investments represent just the first wave of support for the new "Seize the Moment" campaign, one backed by the African Union Commission, the New Partnership for Africa's Development, the African Development Bank, AGRA, key NGOs, companies and donor countries. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which is one of the development partners supporting the initiative to modernize farming in Africa, has also promised to extend its support and plans to commit 5 billion dollars in the next five years. The Foundation expressed interest in expanding its crop and livestock research programs aimed at helping the region's farmers. While African agriculture has seen significant progress in the last ten years, the "Seize the Moment" officials said the campaign is a frank acknowledgment that much more is needed for African countries to achieve inclusive economic development, and ultimately realize the international community's Sustainable Development Goals. The campaign is a decisive push for the political, policy, and financial commitments essential to transforming Africa's agricultural sector. BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- A senior official on Thursday called for varied funding models for urban rail infrastructure projects to ease the financial burden on local governments. "It's an irresistible trend to diversify funding sources for these projects," Hu Zucai, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, said at a forum. Until now, 43 rail infrastructure projects have been approved with a total length of 8,600 kilometers. It is estimated that investment in such projects will exceed 300 billion yuan (around 45 billion U.S. dollars) annually, which will be a heavy burden on local government budgets. Hu noted that positive changes have taken place in recent years, as a variety of fundraising models emerged, including "rail plus property," "rail plus community" and "rail plus town" development models. He said mainland cities should learn from Hong Kong's experience in the field, where the "rail plus property" development model has proved successful. The "rail plus property" model means one entity develops both rail and property. Future revenues from property compensate for the construction costs of building rail. by Xinhua writers Xia Fan, Zhan Yan HONG KONG, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Belt and Road Initiative is a "game changer" for Pakistan, a former Pakistani prime minister told Xinhua during an exclusive interview on Thursday. Shaukat Aziz, an economist who served as prime minister of Pakistan from 2004 to 2007, made the comments on the sidelines of the "Belt and Road Summit -- Financing Through Silk Road Bond" held in Hong Kong. Proposed by China in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative refers to building a Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It is aimed at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along ancient trade routes. Infrastructure construction along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major and pilot project between the two countries under the Belt and Road Initiative, enables economic growth for Pakistan, he said. "The main areas of finance are drivers of economic growth -- roads, electricity generation, ports, railways etc." A host of projects focusing on energy and transport infrastructure have been launched in Pakistan under CPEC, which Aziz said lead to job creation in both Pakistan and China. Incomplete statistics show that CPEC projects under construction have employed more than 6,000 Pakistani workers by the end of March, not to mention the employment indirectly created and driven by the projects. "People having jobs and getting income from economic activities is where prosperity and development lies," he said. Aziz said projects under CPEC also means more employment and growth opportunities for China, as it gives Chinese enterprises a market of some 200 million people. "That's why we call it a win-win for both." The excitement over CPEC in Pakistan is also because China is putting up power plants, which Aziz said will significantly ease the power shortage in Pakistan. Sixteen projects have been sorted out in the energy sector to be implemented first, which can generate 10.4 million kilowatts of electricity in total, said Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong during an interview with Xinhua in June. A solar power plant in the city of Bahawalpur, built by Chinese company ZTE Energy, has recently installed a 300-megawatt generator unit, which can produce electricity enough for the daily power consumption of at least 200,000 Pakistani families, according to the ambassador. Aziz said the Belt and Road Initiative will take China-Pakistan relationship to the next level. "Our relationship with China is deep, historic and multi-faceted, and increasing physical linkages will further enrich the relationship," he said. In a broader sense, the former Pakistani prime minister said the Belt and Road Initiative is a driver for growth, prosperity, peace and better understanding between nations in the entire world. The connectivity brought by the initiative would create linkages and interdependency between regions and countries, which is a great driver of peace, he said. "If economies get a little more linked, I believe you will see improvement of the peace paradigm and people will find more positive approaches from countries in the region." Connectivity is also a driver of economic growth, as it leads to more trade and travel that creates economic activities, according to Aziz. "Once you do that, there is a common interest for both sides to do well, as you depend on your neighbor and your neighbor depends on you. That also leads to better understanding, and it leads to peace." Referring to the role of China's Hong Kong in the initiative, Aziz said Hong Kong has a clear advantage to contribute as an international financial center and a "super connector" between the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world. "Hong Kong, with its special expertise in the service sector and being a part of China, has an edge over any other place." Hong Kong's financial sector should look at Belt and Road Initiative and other similar initiatives and be the conduit of funds and linkages between countries along the Belt and Road and China, he added. XI'AN, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Over 40 business associations from "Belt and Road" countries issued the Xi'an Declaration on Wednesday at the Xi'an Silk Road Business Summit, held in northwest China's Shaanxi Province Tuesday through Wednesday. The 2016 Xi'an Declaration was issued by the Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce (SRCIC), which was established in December 2015. In the declaration, representatives of the SRCIC agree that implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative requires the joint forces of social sectors and NGOs, as well as government and official organs. Joint government-society-enterprises have become an effective political structure in today's global governance system. The SRCIC will spare no efforts to take the lead in building bridges with governments, national chambers and federations, and enterprises to help members cooperate on the Belt and Road Initiative, the declaration said. During the summit, representatives also signed a series of framework agreements such as the e-Silk Road, the Silk Road International Development Fund, and the Silk Road International Commodity Exchanges, to boost pragmatic cooperation and sustainable development among "Belt and Road" countries. Proposed in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative -- the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road -- works for improved cooperation between China and countries in vast parts of Asia, Europe and Africa. DAMASCUS, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army and allied fighters recaptured a key town in the northern province of Aleppo on Thursday, a military source told Xinhua. After recapturing al-Ramouseh, a southern suburb of Aleppo, the army has seized back all the territories lost to the rebels in August, and controlled the old road leading to the city of Aleppo, the source said on condition of anonymity. The military units are currently removing roadside bombs and other explosives planted by the rebels to secure their positions in the area. Earlier this week, the army wrested control over all military bases taken by the rebels in August, as part of a counter-offensive the army and its allied fighters from the Lebanese Hezbollah recently launched. In August, Jaish al-Fateh, or the Army of Conquest, a coalition of rebel factions, mounted a major attack on government forces' positions in southern Aleppo, capturing a series of key military colleges, which serve as army bases, and breaking a siege laid to the areas it held in eastern Aleppo. The military effort to retake fallen areas in southern Aleppo came as the world powers, such as Russia and the United States, were working to establish a broad ceasefire in Syria, despite no breakthrough yet. Strategically located near the Syria's borders with Turkey, Aleppo was the country's largest city and its economic hub before the civil war. It has been a focal point of clashes between the Syrian army and rebels. In the summer of 2012, thousands of armed militants stormed residential districts of Aleppo from its countryside, hitting the economic nerve of the Syrian government, which has repeatedly accused Turkey of supporting the rebels for undeclared interests in Aleppo. The rebels captured several districts in eastern Aleppo and kept trying to expand their presence to government-controlled areas in the west. They surrounded the western Aleppo after cutting the international road to the city in 2014, a siege broken later by the Syrian army, with the help of Hezbollah. Military experts say the initial aim of the Syrian army's new battles in Aleppo is to besiege the rebel-held areas and cut off their supply lines to force a surrender. Another aim is to ensure the security of government-controlled areas and to prevent the militant groups from blocking the main road connecting Aleppo with the Syrian coast and provinces in central and southern Syria. However, observers say the Syrian military's campaign also aims to recapture areas in the northern and southern countryside of Aleppo in the face of Turkey's perceived attempts to establish a safe zone in northern Syria. Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad walk at a military complex, after they recaptured areas in southwestern Aleppo that rebels had seized last month, Syria.(SANA/Handout via REUTERS) DAMASCUS, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army and allied fighters recaptured a key town in the northern province of Aleppo on Thursday, a military source told Xinhua. After recapturing al-Ramouseh, a southern suburb of Aleppo, the army has seized back all the territories lost to the rebels in August, and controlled the old road leading to the city of Aleppo, the source said on condition of anonymity. The military units are currently removing roadside bombs and other explosives planted by the rebels to secure their positions in the area. Earlier this week, the army wrested control over all military bases taken by the rebels in August, as part of a counter-offensive the army and its allied fighters from the Lebanese Hezbollah recently launched. In August, Jaish al-Fateh, or the Army of Conquest, a coalition of rebel factions, mounted a major attack on government forces' positions in southern Aleppo, capturing a series of key military colleges, which serve as army bases, and breaking a siege laid to the areas it held in eastern Aleppo. The military effort to retake fallen areas in southern Aleppo came as the world powers, such as Russia and the United States, were working to establish a broad ceasefire in Syria, despite no breakthrough yet. Strategically located near the Syria's borders with Turkey, Aleppo was the country's largest city and its economic hub before the civil war. It has been a focal point of clashes between the Syrian army and rebels. In the summer of 2012, thousands of armed militants stormed residential districts of Aleppo from its countryside, hitting the economic nerve of the Syrian government, which has repeatedly accused Turkey of supporting the rebels for undeclared interests in Aleppo. The rebels captured several districts in eastern Aleppo and kept trying to expand their presence to government-controlled areas in the west. They surrounded the western Aleppo after cutting the international road to the city in 2014, a siege broken later by the Syrian army, with the help of Hezbollah. Military experts say the initial aim of the Syrian army's new battles in Aleppo is to besiege the rebel-held areas and cut off their supply lines to force a surrender. Another aim is to ensure the security of government-controlled areas and to prevent the militant groups from blocking the main road connecting Aleppo with the Syrian coast and provinces in central and southern Syria. However, observers say the Syrian military's campaign also aims to recapture areas in the northern and southern countryside of Aleppo in the face of Turkey's perceived attempts to establish a safe zone in northern Syria. PYONGYANG, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday slammed the remarks made by U.S. President Barack Obama at the 11th East Asia Summit about its ballistic missile launches and urged Washington to exercise "self-prudence." Obama vowed on Tuesday to work with the United Nations to tighten sanctions against the DPRK when he attended the meeting of the East Asian leaders. These remarks "are nothing but last-ditch efforts to dodge the criticism of the hostile policy toward the DPRK ... and give a further boost to the international atmosphere of pressure on the DPRK," said a statement issued by a spokesman for the DPRK foreign ministry. "The only way of averting a war and defending peace in Korea is to increase in every way the military capabilities for self-defense with the nuclear deterrence as a pivot," said the statement, which was carried by the state media KCNA. The statement urged the United States to exercise self-restraint and not to infringe on the sovereignty and dignity of the DPRK. The UN Security Council on Tuesday condemned its Monday missile launches in a press statement and reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. On Monday, the DPRK fired three ballistic missiles into eastern waters. These launches are in grave violation of the DPRK's international obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions, said the UN press statement. The DPRK state media described the test-firing of the missiles as "perfect" and said the missile launches have proved that the strategic force of the military is "capable of mounting a preemptive attack on the enemies any time and from any place." The missile launches came less than two weeks after Pyongyang test-fired a ballistic missile from a submarine off its east coastal town of Sinpo, where a submarine base is known to be located, on Aug. 24. U.S. Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton gestures to spectators on the last day of the 2016 U.S. Democratic National Convention at Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the United States , on July 28, 2016. Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has formally accepted the U.S. Democratic Party' s nomination for president and pledged more economic opportunities for Americans and "steady leadership". (Xinhua/Li Muzi) WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is going after rival Donald Trump hard, breaking out of her shell and throwing bombs at the Republican nominee in a bid to distract voters' attention on her scandals. Experts have said that each candidate needs to make the election a referendum on the other, as each is deeply unpopular. Clinton has done this in recent days, throwing jab after jab at Trump in a relentless effort to take voters' eyes off her many scandals and get the public to focus on Trump. "I think it is a good strategy -- provided she combines those attacks with her alternative, more optimistic vision," Dan Mahaffee, an analyst with the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, told Xinhua. Many have criticized Clinton for losing momentum in August following the conventions, and the Clinton campaign for "seemingly trying to run out the clock rather than attack Trump," Mahaffee said. "Clinton needs to directly address Trump and his positions to regain some of her momentum leading up to the first debate," he said, referring to the first presidential debate scheduled on Sept. 26 in New York. Trump's poll numbers have come up in the last couple of weeks, given all the negative media attention on Clinton and her scandals, including giving donors to the Clinton Foundation special access to her while she was secretary of state in an alleged pay-for-play scheme. And that has motivated Clinton to strike hard at Trump. "(Clinton) has increased her attacks on (Trump) and pointed out he has his own foundation improprieties. He gave a contribution to the Florida Attorney General who was thinking about investigating Trump University," Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua. West was referring to the allegations that Trump University, a school for entrepreneurs run by Trump, was a scam. Clinton's strategy could be effective if she sticks with it. There hasn't been good follow-up on several of the issues that already have been raised, such as with Trump University. That issue got considerable attention earlier in the summer, but then faded away. "She needs to push harder to make sure her major themes come through to voters. Trump definitely will come hard at her. That is his style and he is very good at counter-punching," West said. Some experts have questioned whether the strategy could backfire, for any number of reasons, such as motivating Trump to hit back twice as hard. But Christopher Galdieri, assistant professor at Saint Anselm College, told Xinhua that the plan is unlikely to go wrong. "I don't think it backfires, because she can assume that he's going to hit her as hard or harder throughout the campaign," he said. Earlier this week, Clinton lambasted Trump's recent visit to neighboring Mexico, saying on social media that "Trump just failed his first foreign test. Diplomacy isn't as easy as it looks." During a speech in the state of Florida this week, Clinton said Trump is "temperamentally unfit and totally unqualified to be President of the U.S." She added that Trump lacks a plan to fight the terror group Islamic State. Speaking to reporters in New York Thursday morning, Clinton repeated that Trump "is temperamentally unfit and totally unqualified to be commander in chief." In Wednesday's Real Clear Politics poll average, Trump trailed Clinton by 3.3 percentage points. Trump's outlandish comments and bombastic bravado have gotten him into hot water with moderate voters. But he has been trying hard recently to refrain from making over-the-top comments in an attempt to appear more "presidential." While experts look at the average of many polls to determine which candidate is in the lead, some individual polls have Trump leading Clinton by a small margin. Indeed, a new CNN/ORC poll released Tuesday found that 45 percent of likely voters back Trump, two points ahead of Clinton, with the rest supporting a couple of independent party candidates. Photo taken on June 9, 2015 shows an aerial view of traffic along Waiyaki Way at Westlands in Nairobi, Kenya.(Xinhua/John Okoyo) KAMPALA, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has called for increased investment in Africa, calling it the next center for the world's economic growth. In a State House press statement issued on Monday, Museveni described the economic situation in Africa as "very good" despite some bottlenecks while speaking at the third edition of the two-day Global African Investment Summit held in the Rwandan capital, Kigali. "There are high growth rates and many countries have been growing despite bottlenecks both hardware and software," said Museveni. During an interactive session moderated by CNN Money Africa Correspondent Eleni Giukos, under the theme "Accelerating African Economic Integration through trade and investment," Museveni encouraged investors to invest in Africa since it is on the right trajectory of development. "I would inform investors that Africa is the right place to come. Africa is the next pusher for the global economy. We have a bit of bottlenecks, which we are handling," the president said. "There are investment opportunities in electricity sector, value addition for agriculture products and minerals, human resource development. In Uganda the private sector solved the issue of communication because more people have access to phones in the whole country," he said. Museveni, however, also warned against greedy investors who charge high tariffs for quick gains at the expense of the people. Rwandan President Paul Kagame also commented at the event that stability is one of the prerequisites for sustainable economic growth, coupled with human resource development and improving infrastructure and services. "Postponing our priorities and delaying our commitments are the most expensive mistakes that Africa can make. Africa should not just remain a big story where nothing materializes," Kagame said. Kagame said there is more trade going on between African and the world, but less between Africans. He called for more trade between countries and free movement of people and labour. The summit is organized by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and the government of Rwanda. It is aimed at promoting investment in various sectors including education, information, communications and technology and economy. VIENTIANE, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday voiced his hope that China and the Philippines will work together to bring bilateral ties back on the normal track so as to realize their healthy and stable development. Li made the remarks during his talks with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on the sidelines of the East Asia leaders' meetings in the Laotian capital of Vientiane. Duterte, for his part, expressed his aspiration for better Philippines-China relations, saying that Li's remarks represent one of his principles. UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday welcomed the successful removal of all chemical weapons from Libya in an operation facilitated by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Libya's remaining chemical weapons were shipped out of the country to Germany for destruction by Danish ships on Aug. 27. Ban welcomed financial, equipment and personnel contribution made by countries including Canada, Finland and Denmark, according to a statement delivered by his spokesperson. In July, the OPCW made its decision to help Libya develop a plan on chemical weapon destruction at the request for assistance from Libya. Later, the UN Security Council has authorized the international community to assist Libya in destroying its chemical weapons to keep them off the hands of terrorist groups. Libya's remaining chemical weapons belong to Muammar Gaddafi's regime, which was toppled during the 2011 uprising. Since the 2011 turmoil, Libya has been beset by chaos. Terrorist groups like the Islamic State have continued to exploit the country's political divisions to assert control over territories in Libya. Members of China's peacekeeping infantry battalion stand in formation for inspection by representatives of the Untied Nations at their camp in South Sudan on May 26, 2015.(Xinhua/Li Ziheng) LONDON, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday said that UN peacekeeping should be improved with better guidance and coordination as the second largest peacekeeping funding contributor of UN peacekeeping renewed its support and commitment. China is devoted to improving its peacekeeping capabilities and developing international cooperation, visiting Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan told the ongoing UN peacekeeping defense ministerial meeting. "In support of UN's initiative of setting up a 'vanguard brigade' of 4,000 rapid deployable troops, China will make part of its 8,000 rapid deployable troops meet the Level II readiness requirement of 60 days," he told the one-day meeting. Last September, Chinese President Xi Jinping made an array of commitments to the international community at the leaders' summit on peacekeeping. Speaking at the one-day meeting, Chang reaffirmed the commitment of his country, the largest troop contributor among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, to participating in and supporting UN peacekeeping operations. But the senior officer also stressed that to meet new challenges arising in changing conditions, it is imperative that UN should provide better guidance to improve peacekeeping and all parties concerned should enhance coordination to make peacekeeping more effective. Chang called on all parties concerned to strengthen capacity building to improve peacekeeping. The minister stressed that in carrying out rapid deployment of peacekeeping operations, the UN and related parties "should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as the main role of host countries concerned." He also underscored that it should be reaffirmed that protection of civilians is the primary responsibility of governments and parties to conflict of host countries, and countries refrain from conducting peacekeeping in an abusive way. The UN should continue to pursue peacekeeping reform, streamline deployment procedures, increase efficiency, improve field and logistic support and enhance safety and security of peacekeepers, he told the meeting. The defense ministerial meeting is a follow-up event of the the leaders' summit on peacekeeping which was convened in the United States last year. Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan delivers a speech at the UN peacekeeping defense ministerial meeting in London, Britain on Sept. 8, 2016. China is devoted to improving its peacekeeping capabilities and developing international cooperation, visiting Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan told the ongoing UN peacekeeping defense ministerial meeting. (Xinhua) by Xinhua writer Gui Tao LONDON, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday said that UN peacekeeping should be improved with better guidance and coordination as the second largest peacekeeping funding contributor of UN peacekeeping renewed its commitment and pledges. FRESH PLEDGES China is devoted to improving its peacekeeping capabilities and developing international cooperation, visiting Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan told the UN peacekeeping defense ministerial meeting in London. "In support of UN's initiative of setting up a 'vanguard brigade' of 4,000 rapid deployable troops, China will make part of its 8,000 rapid deployable troops meet the Level II readiness requirement of 60 days," he told the one-day meeting. Last September, Chinese President Xi Jinping made an array of commitments to the international community at the leaders' summit on peacekeeping. Speaking at the one-day meeting, Chang reaffirmed the commitment of his country, the largest troop contributor among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, to participating in and supporting UN peacekeeping operations. Over the past 26 years, China has sent over 33,000 officers and soldiers to UN peacekeeping missions. Around 2,500 Chinese peacekeepers are conducting peacekeeping missions in South Sudan, Mali and seven other task zones around the world. Three Chinese UN peacekeepers were killed in peacekeeping missions earlier this year in Mali and South Sudan with a few others wounded. "There is no better way for us to honor their memory than to support and improve peacekeeping efforts so as to uphold jointly world peace," Chang said. Addressing a press conference after the meeting, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Herve Ladsous lauded the commitment of the Chinese peacekeeping troops. "They are deployed in very difficult environment, they have suffered tragic casualties in Mali and South Sudan not so long ago, and I think China is demonstrating courage and commitment to the international community," he said. British Secretary of State for Defense Michael Fallon told the press conference that China's announcements on Thursday marked "a watershed in China's evolution in playing a greater international role." GUIDANCE, EFFICIENCY, CAPACITY BUILDING Chang also stressed that to meet new challenges arising in changing conditions, it is imperative that the UN should provide better guidance to improve peacekeeping and all parties concerned should enhance coordination to make peacekeeping more effective. "The Security Council should build consensus before authorizing peacekeeping mandate, be practical and pragmatic in its approach to peacekeeping and ensure that related resolutions are fully implemented," he said. Chang called on all parties concerned to strengthen capacity building to improve peacekeeping. The minister stressed that in carrying out rapid deployment of peacekeeping operations, the UN and related parties "should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as the main role of host countries concerned." He also underscored that it should be reaffirmed that the protection of civilians is the primary responsibility of governments and parties to conflict of host countries, and countries refrain from "conducting peacekeeping in an abusive way." The UN should continue to pursue peacekeeping reform, streamline deployment procedures, increase efficiency, improve field and logistic support and enhance safety and security of peacekeepers, he told the meeting. The defense ministerial meeting is a follow-up event of the the leaders' summit on peacekeeping which was convened in the United States last year. The meeting, with the themes being planning, pledges and performance in UN peacekeeping missions, is expected to improve the planning of peacekeeping operations, implement the pledges made back in last year's summit and better the performance of peacekeepers to make them better led, trained and balanced. "We have to make sure we prepare ourselves for the challenges ahead and are able to respond rapidly," Ladsous told the meeting. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) holds talks with his Laotian counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith in Vientiane, Laos, Sept. 8, 2016. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) VIENTIANE, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday called for promoting comprehensive strategic partnership with Laos by maintaining close high-level contact, strengthening dialogue and coordination and promoting practical cooperation in various fields. Li made the remarks while meeting with his Laotian counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith after the East Asia leaders' meetings in the Laotian capital of Vientiane. This year marks the 55th anniversary of bilateral relations. Li said that China and Laos enjoy a high degree of political mutual trust, comprehensive economic cooperation and extensive people-to-people exchanges, which benefit people from two sides and helps maintain regional peace, stability and development. The Chinese premier said that China is willing to align its 13th Five-Year Plan with Laos' 8th Five-Year Plan to promote production capacity and investment cooperation and ensure the launch of the flagship project of a high-speed railway before the end of this year. The construction of an economic cooperation zone at the Mohan-Boten border crossing point and a comprehensive development zone in Vientiane should proceed, Li said, adding that large projects should play a leading role in trade cooperation and regional inter-connectivity. The border areas of the crossing point connect Mohan in southwest China's Yunnan Province with Boten in Laos. China is willing to share experience with Laos in fields such as drawing development blueprints, tourism development and agricultural disaster prevention, Li said. He also pointed out that the two countries should strengthen customs and quality control so as to increase convenience of port customs clearance, improve people-to-people exchanges in cultural, media and educational fields, and promote cooperation in defense and law enforcement in order to maintain regional security and stability. China is willing to keep close coordination with Laos on international and regional issues, firmly support each other, strengthen close cooperation under multilateral frameworks such as East Asia cooperation and the Lancang-Mekong River Cooperation, so as to bring benefit to people of the two countries and the region, Li said. For his part, Thongloun said that Li's visit is significant as the two countries are celebrating the 55th anniversary of the bilateral ties and Li's attendance at the East Asia leaders' meetings shows great encouragement and support for Laos' rotating presidency. Congratulating China on the successful hosting of the G20 Hangzhou Summit, Thongloun said that the two countries have made great achievements in political, economic, trade and investment cooperation. On people-to-people exchanges, the Laotian prime minister noted that more than 1 million Chinese tourists have visited Laos. Meanwhile, bilateral cooperation in defense, law enforcement and regional cooperation has been making steady progress, he said. By participating in Laos' infrastructure construction and helping with personnel training, China has made great contribution to Laos' economic and social development, Thongloun said, adding that Laos will accelerate railway cooperation and continue to create sound conditions for bilateral investment and cooperation. After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of 20 cooperation documents in such fields as trade, investment, economy, technology and education. U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at a campaign voter registration event at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States September 8, 2016. (Xinhua/REUTERS) WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is going after rival Donald Trump hard, breaking out of her shell and throwing bombs at the Republican nominee in a bid to distract voters' attention on her scandals. Experts have said that each candidate needs to make the election a referendum on the other, as each is deeply unpopular. Clinton has done this in recent days, throwing jab after jab at Trump in a relentless effort to take voters' eyes off her many scandals and get the public to focus on Trump. "I think it is a good strategy -- provided she combines those attacks with her alternative, more optimistic vision," Dan Mahaffee, an analyst with the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, told Xinhua. Many have criticized Clinton for losing momentum in August following the conventions, and the Clinton campaign for "seemingly trying to run out the clock rather than attack Trump," Mahaffee said. "Clinton needs to directly address Trump and his positions to regain some of her momentum leading up to the first debate," he said, referring to the first presidential debate scheduled on Sept. 26 in New York. Trump's poll numbers have come up in the last couple of weeks, given all the negative media attention on Clinton and her scandals, including giving donors to the Clinton Foundation special access to her while she was secretary of state in an alleged pay-for-play scheme. And that has motivated Clinton to strike hard at Trump. "(Clinton) has increased her attacks on (Trump) and pointed out he has his own foundation improprieties. He gave a contribution to the Florida Attorney General who was thinking about investigating Trump University," Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua. West was referring to the allegations that Trump University, a school for entrepreneurs run by Trump, was a scam. Clinton's strategy could be effective if she sticks with it. There hasn't been good follow-up on several of the issues that already have been raised, such as with Trump University. That issue got considerable attention earlier in the summer, but then faded away. "She needs to push harder to make sure her major themes come through to voters. Trump definitely will come hard at her. That is his style and he is very good at counter-punching," West said. Some experts have questioned whether the strategy could backfire, for any number of reasons, such as motivating Trump to hit back twice as hard. But Christopher Galdieri, assistant professor at Saint Anselm College, told Xinhua that the plan is unlikely to go wrong. "I don't think it backfires, because she can assume that he's going to hit her as hard or harder throughout the campaign," he said. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks at the Cleveland Arts and Social Sciences Academy in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S., September 8, 2016. (Xinhua/REUTERS) Earlier this week, Clinton lambasted Trump's recent visit to neighboring Mexico, saying on social media that "Trump just failed his first foreign test. Diplomacy isn't as easy as it looks." During a speech in the state of Florida this week, Clinton said Trump is "temperamentally unfit and totally unqualified to be President of the U.S." She added that Trump lacks a plan to fight the terror group Islamic State. Speaking to reporters in New York Thursday morning, Clinton repeated that Trump "is temperamentally unfit and totally unqualified to be commander in chief." In Wednesday's Real Clear Politics poll average, Trump trailed Clinton by 3.3 percentage points. Trump's outlandish comments and bombastic bravado have gotten him into hot water with moderate voters. But he has been trying hard recently to refrain from making over-the-top comments in an attempt to appear more "presidential." While experts look at the average of many polls to determine which candidate is in the lead, some individual polls have Trump leading Clinton by a small margin. Indeed, a new CNN/ORC poll released Tuesday found that 45 percent of likely voters back Trump, two points ahead of Clinton, with the rest supporting a couple of independent party candidates. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (9th R) attends the 11th East Asia Summit in Vientiane, Laos, Sept. 8, 2016. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) VIENTIANE, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday spelled out China's stance on the South China Sea issue in his speech at the 11th East Asia Summit, calling for concerted efforts of all relevant parties to properly handle disputes. Li reaffirmed China's objection to the South China Sea arbitration, citing China's right under United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to settle disputes primarily through dialogue and consultation. CONSULTATION AS PRIORITY Li owed peace and stability in that area over the past more than a decade to "effective regional rules" set in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) agreed by China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in which concerned parties in any dispute should negotiate to settle it. Noting that "we are neighbors, thus hard to avoid clashing with each other like tongue and teeth," Li said the move to initiate an arbitration unilaterally and introduce a third party could only make things more complex and thus undermine the rule-based regional order. Li called for bringing sea disputes under control before they are settled. "China and ASEAN nations have the full wisdom and ability to manage the South China Sea issue," Li said, adding that nations outside the region should "understand and support" the efforts made by nations within it, rather than "overstating differences or even sowing the discord." On the "freedom of navigation and overflight" in the region, Li said it has never been a problem. China and ASEAN on Wednesday issued a joint statement on the application of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) in the South China Sea as well as a guideline on senior diplomat hot line to cope with maritime emergencies. Li stressed that China has always managed the South China Sea issue with a constructive attitude in order to guarantee regional peace and stability. He expressed China's readiness to work with other parties to translate challenges in East Asia into an opportunity for stability and sustained prosperity. TWO-PRONGED SUMMIT GOAL In his speech, Li lauded the role of the East Asia Summit in advancing understanding and mutual trust of all parties and promoting regional stability and prosperity in East Asia, which he described as a land "far from conflicts and a bonanza for trade and investment." Li also urged efforts to put ASEAN in a central position in East Asia cooperation and follow the "ASEAN model" which emphasizes consensus by taking into account the interests of all parties. Li reaffirmed the two-pronged goal of economic development and political security for such a "strategic forum led by leaders." On economic development, Li said all parties should place regional connectivity high on the agenda, step up building a free trade area, and cooperate more on social undertakings. On political security, Li called for formulating a new Asian security concept, which are "common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable." Li reiterated China's diplomatic principles that all countries, big or small, are all equal, should respect each other, and seek common ground and shelve differences. NON-TRADITIONAL SECURITY Li also urged closer cooperation on non-traditional security issues including terrorism, natural disasters, trans-national crime and infectious diseases. For their parts, the summit leaders agreed on establishing a framework that can effectively meet non-traditional challenges. They agreed to settle South China Sea disputes by peaceful and diplomatic means based on the DOC and the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) and look forward to strengthening economic partnership and deepening economic integration. ANKARA, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held a phone call late Thursday, and agreed to continue efforts to achieve a truce in Aleppo, Syria, the Turkish Presidency said in a statement. The two leaders discussed Turkish-Russia bilateral ties as well as the latest developments in Syria, state-run Anadolu Agency reported. Erdogan reiterated the importance of achieving ceasefire as soon as possible in the northern city of Aleppo, a rebel-held city under a devastating siege. The Operation Euphrates Shield was also one of the major topics of discussion, the presidency said. "The importance of the fact that Turkey's border with Syria is now completely free of the Islamic State (IS) terrorists was emphasized in the call," the statement added. Meanwhile, the Kremlin also released a statement to confirm the telephone conversation between the two leaders. The Turkish military launched the cross-border Operation Euphrates Shield on Aug. 24 along with the U.S.-led coalition in Syria's northern border city of Jarablus to clear the area from the IS. DAMASCUS, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Syria's Jaish al-Fateh rebel coalition announced the death of its general commander in an airstrike in northern Syria on Thursday, pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV said. The group's general commander in the Aleppo province, known as Abu Omar Saraqeb, was killed among other rebel commanders when an airstrike targeted their gathering place in the countryside of the northern province of Aleppo. Meanwhile, a military source told Xinhua that an unidentified warplane struck a meeting of top rebel commanders in Aleppo Thursday. The airstrike killed a number of leaders of the Jaish al-Fateh, or Army of Conquest, including one of its founders, as well as a commander of the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, previously known as the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, the source said on condition of anonymity. Among those killed is also the head of the military operations of the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, known as Abu Omar al-Homsi. The rebel commanders were meeting in the countryside of the northern province of Aleppo when the strike hit, the source added, stopping short of giving details about the identity of the warplane. Meanwhile, the Qatari-based al-Jazeera reportedly said the U.S.-led anti-terror coalition was behind the strike, making it the first U.S.-led airstrike to target Jaish al-Fateh. Still, the airstrike comes as the Syrian army on Thursday recaptured the key town of al-Ramouseh in the southern countryside of Aleppo, further tightening the noose on the rebels in the eastern side of Aleppo 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. BUENOS AIRES, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Argentine and Brazilian industrialists gathered in Buenos Aires Thursday agreed that trade ties with China were "central" to their participation in the global economy. Members of the Argentine Industrial Union (UIA) and its Brazilian counterpart, the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), met to discuss "the regional industrial situation" and "future outlook" for their respective industrial sectors. Both countries are members of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), a South American trade bloc that also includes Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela. Following their work luncheon, the UIA issued a statement saying, "Mercosur's ties with China and the European Union were defined as central to designing a strategy for intelligent international insertion." In addition, the two industry groups "underscored the need to avoid letting current issues affect the (bloc's) long-term strategic focus for industrial development and the strengthening of the regional market." By "current issues" the UIA is apparently referring to political differences with bloc member Venezuela. Brazil and Argentina recently objected to Venezuela taking over the rotating presidency of Mercosur, as it was scheduled to do, citing alleged violations of democratic rule by its socialist government. The UIA and CNI also signed a joint declaration on the creation of an Argentina-Brazil Business Council. "This framework agreement deepens our commitment to work to expand trade and investment ties between Argentina and Brazil," the statement said. UIA President Adrian Kaufmann Brea and his CNI counterpart Robson Braga de Andrade headed the encounter. Xu Qiliang (L, front), vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission (CMC) meets with Myanmar's First Vice President U Myint Swe (R, front) in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, Sept. 7, 2016. (Xinhua/U Aung) Costa Rica Embassy hosts photo exhibition The exhibition, We Are All Costa Rica the movies will be shown over a roughly two-week period, starting in Trinidad at the Port-of-Spain head office of the National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) from last Tuesday to September 19. The photo exhibit and movie screenings will then be held in Tobago from September 22 to October 6 at the Scarborough Library Facility, Scarborough. The public is invited to attend the exhibitions and to watch the three movies; A ojos cerrados, Dos Aguas and The Return, to get a better understanding and appreciation of Costa Ricas history and culture. As explained by the Embassy, Costa Ricas independence from Spain was gained on September 15, 1821. Before it became independent, Costa Rica was a Spanish territory and Guatemala was the centre of the regional government. In honour of the people who gathered with lamps at sunset on September 14, 1821 in anticipation of their independence, a lamp parade at sunset has become an integral part of the celebration of Independence in Costa Rica. This fervour is conducive to reinforce the values of the Costa Rican: peace, service, freedom, strengthening of democracy and undoubtedly the establishment of good relations with states, the Embassy stated. Sando business association tells Govt cut wastage In a telephone interview yesterday, Bartlett also weighed in on the performance of the Dr Keith Rowley administration saying government should present a plan of action similar to the previous Vision 2020 which had been a cornerstone of the former Patrick Manning administration. Bartlett also recommended that the prime minister initiate moves to bring in suitably qualified people in such areas as finance and economics following his admission that the present cabinet was not very strong. And regarding the budget, she said with a $50 billion budget, there would still be a shortfall but one that is manageable. Bartlett continued, We are saying that wastage has to be cut off. We have a lot of wastage and we can say that because you can look at the other islands, and there are islands in the Caribbean where they run the whole country on less the amount than we allocate to the Ministry to National Security. Look at Barbados, their budget is smaller than the budget for Tobago and they have a bigger population than Tobago, but their crime detection rate is so much better than us. What are they doing right that we are not doing right? Total expenditure of the 2016 Barbados budget, according to Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Chris Sinckler, was expected and projected to be $4.239 billion Barbados dollars. Meanwhile, WTI crude oil was trading at US $44.83 per barrel while Brent crude was US $47.26 per barrel. Sangre Grande man shot The victim, Ronald Sampson, was rushed to the Sangre Grande Hospital where he was expected to undergo emergency surgery. A party of officers including Sgt Christopher Fuentes, Cpl Randolph Castillo and PC Amit Bucket Samuel visited the scene and are conducting enquiries. Police said yesterday they are following several leads. Casino worker robbed and raped The incident is said to have occurred shortly after 3 am after the victim completed her duties at the casino. She reported to the police that she observed a man dressed in a jersey and three-quarter pants following her. She began walking faster but the man was able to grab her and announced a hold-up. 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His eyes were red, the girl recalled as she recounted how the 42-year-old man turned on her as she tried to stop him from further chopping the hapless Heeralal. When I was running, he was still pelting shots. He tried to hold my hair, but I managed to shake him off and run down by the neighbours screaming for help. The teenager, a standard five student of one of the schools in the area, wept as she openly spoke to the media about the tragic incident. Reports are that the man became incensed over Heeralals use of Facebook on her mobile phone early yesterday morning. A police report stated that at about one oclock yesterday Heeralal, a doubles vendor of Dindial Trace, Piparo, and the man, a close male relative, had an argument during which time she was fatally chopped. Her body was discovered lying in the yard. Police have since mounted a search for the suspect, a handy man and father of two, of Borde Narve, Princes Town. Two empty bottles believed to have contained a poisonous liquid were seized by investigators. They are however yet to determine if the suspect had consumed any of the contents. The girl who survived the fatal cutlass attack when she went to Heeralals assistance, sustained chop wounds to both arms and her left ear. She was treated and later discharged from the Princes Town District Health Facility. She received 16 stitches to her right arm, two to her left arm and one to her ear. The shaken teenager spoke to reporters in the presence of Heeralals parents, Dipchan Heeralal and Taramatee Bridgelal at their home in Piparo, as they struggled to come to terms with the brutal death of the last of their six children. The suspect had reportedly chased after the young girl along the lonely road. She is said to have run about 200 feet away to a neighbours house where she begged for help. By that time the assailant had given up the chase. Saddened relatives of Heeralal yesterday blamed jealousy for the death of their loved one. They said her male friend, whom she knew for over four years, reached a point where he had stopped her from selling doubles and forced her to stay at home with no money to take care of her children. Relatives said he often threatened Heeralals life. It was reported that yesterday morning the enraged suspect took the cutlass out of his car, that was parked under the house, and planassed (beat with the flat side of cutlass) Heeralal, before chopping her to death. Earlier in the day, relatives said Heeralal and the suspect were seen liming and returned home late that evening. Reporters were told that Heeralal and her male companion were normal when they went home and during the night, an argument flared when he saw her on the phone using social media. She was on her phone going through her Facebook, the girl said. He hit her head and knocked the phone out of her hand. They argued and they cool down for a second. She continued her chores, boiling macaroni. Then he took the phone and took out the battery and pelt it outside. She went downstairs looking for the battery and after she find it went back upstairs, the teen continued. He come upstairs and take the phone battery again and put it somewhere where she cannot find it. The girl said it was when Heeralal went back downstairs and asked the man for the battery for her phone that he took the cutlass out of his car and began planassing her. She step back and he start hitting her with the cutlass, she added. He then start chopping her. She walked back a few steps and she fall down and he went over her and continued chopping her more. The teenaged girl said that it was after Heeralal fell, and she began screaming for him to stop, that he turned the blade on her. She continued: When he done chop her, he came after me and start chopping me, the girl related, showing the injuries to her arms and ear. I ran by my neighbour and he call the police, the teenager said as she wept. They went up the road to find him but he gone in hiding and leave her body right there. Remembering the good times she shared with Heeralal, the teenager recalled recently downloading a game the suspect liked. The girl had not been to school since it re-opened on Monday because she did not get all her books and uniform as yet, relatives stated. Heeralals father, Dipchan, said one month ago his daughter had told him how her lover had threatened to chop her up and both he and her mother advised her to report the matter to police. I know he was real jealous of her and it was for that reason he stop her from selling doubles, Dipchan said. He always feel something would happen but if he was the right person to start with, she would not have to go and sell doubles. Dipchan said his last daughter had no financial support and that is why she went out to work. He further said his daughter was not allowed to attend his birthday party two weeks ago at his home. Taramatee then added, She have two children to mind so I tell her go and make doubles and go and sell. This mister she with, sometimes he support she, sometimes he dont support she. He never want she to go nowhere, so he stop she from selling doubles. They always quarrelling but they does quarrel and make back up. She tell we he always threatening to chop she, she father tell she to go and make a report in the station. We cant do nothing, all we could do is talk and hope she listen. The couple said Heeralal had told them she reported the matter to the Princes Town Police Station but Newsday was unable to confirm this. Woman dies after 40ft fall When Newsday spoke with a nurse at the Scarborough General Hospital in Tobago yesterday, she said although the hospital received the call to prepare for an incoming urgent Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patient, a decision was made to send her to Trinidad. Abigails sister, Charlotte Young Sing, had started a social media campaign on Facebook urging friends, family and well-wishers to pray for her. Charlotte did not detail the full extent of the circumstances surrounding the incident but did allude to her sister possibly suffering from post-partum depression which is a state of clinical depression after giving birth to a baby. In her posting Charlotte said, The perks of being a mom is tangible beautiful kids that love us unconditionally. But what many people dont tell you is that post-partum depression is real and its side effects can be devastating and its symptoms can be easily missed. Anyone who knows Abby knows that she lives for her children and would never do anything to hurt herself or the ones she loves. But her disillusioned state left her vulnerable to danger. Charlotte explained that the loss of Abigails grandfather-in-law and grandfather in the past few months led them to identify her symptoms as grief. We hope that by sharing this post we are able to make others more aware of post-partum depression and that awareness will save lives. Words cannot describe what it was like finding her body nestled in a lemon tree. But after saying the Our Father out loud, God gave me the strength to pull her out while her husband and my mom stood at my side holding up the branches of thorns. Charlotte had stated that her sisters condition was critical and that she was fighting for her life. She had appealed to Facebook users to share the post if they were touched by Abigails life and if they or someone they love has suffered from post-partum depression. The post was shared about 2,000 times. Charlotte said, We love you Abby and may God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can and the wisdom to know the difference. God continue to guide us. Kumar: Govt has made strides in first year Kumar was speaking to reporters yesterday following the graduation ceremony for 83 candidates at the 19th edition of the Jump- Start Programme. The event was held at the TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce Columbus Circle, Westmoorings. Kumar indicated that she was very pleased to hear the Prime Minister and the government talk about crime being their number one issue and to see the Opposition and the government working together to try and solve the problem. At times it probably sounds just like a recurring decimal, crime is a number one issue, crime is a number one issue, we are going to put all our attention to it, Kumar said. Whether it is the previous government or this government, we continue to see murders escalate. She continued, We see some basic things not being put in place - proper technology for all security forces. I really think that, perhaps, some of the matters needed to be attended to will be greeted with a lot more urgency. To point an initiative that was indicated in the 2015/2016 National Budget, some are still pending. Kumar indicated that some of the issues have been a challenge for the government, and also feels more things could be done that may be not necessarily required money. For instance, the list of legislation is an area the Attorney General did say what legislation he wanted to see past within this year and in the medium and long term. I think that needs to move ahead faster so I still believe that there could be a little more urgency in some of these things. When asked if she can rate the governments performance within its first year in office, Kumar said, The government came into power in a very difficult situation. By the time they came into power the word recession was already circulating and the money just has not been there in the treasury, the way they would have liked it, to be able to spend, to make investments and to do certain things. Asked about the Chambers budget wish list, Kumar told reporters it included several previously submitted recommendations, from more Public Private Partnerships (PPP) to privatisation of some State entities and, of course, the further reduction or even removal of the fuel subsidy. A lot of what we have in our budget recommendat ions really has a lot to do with how we encourage business growth, Kumar added. The government is heavily involved in business because they own so many agencies and we keep saying we need to see the government get out of that and really be more aligned to a policy formulation and direction of the country and allow businesses to do what they do best. Rowley: No pay hike for MPs, ministers Otherwise he welcomed the populations verdict that his Government is honest, as it marked its first anniversary in office yesterday. I dont want the populations sentiment to be that this is a corrupt Government. You have to enforce accountability, or else it turns into a free-forall. He lamented that based on TTs extremely poor track record in punishing white-collar criminals, some people could soon think they are immune from the law. The police, Judiciary and Government must each play their role to prevent such a case, he urged. Rowley said the fact of investigations that seem to never conclude is having a debilitating effect on the country, instilling a feeling in the population that nothing will happen to hold wrongdoers accountable. A society with no consequences will encourage wrongdoers, he warned. This country needs a stocktaking, Rowley said. This Government will call people to account. Regarding homicides, he urged better detection and conviction rates, and opined that the penalty for murder right now is just where it should be, alluding to support for the death penalty. Its an honour to serve Olivierre made the comment as the Peoples National Movement (PNM) marked its first year in office and against the background of Rowleys announcement that Cabinet adjustments will take place following the 2016/2017 Budget. The Budget must be passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate before October 31. She told Newsday, The Prime Minister has full discretion to pick his team and to make adjustments as he sees fit. She added, Being asked to be part of the team is an honour and all contributions are valuable. On her ministerial portfolio, Olivierre described the last year as a mixture of challenges and exciting new developments, with far-reaching implications for the local industry. She identified the ministrys main challenge as the continuing fall in oil and gas production, with a requirement to manage the gas supply to industries to ensure an equitable distribution of available volumes. Olivierre identified the start of construction of the Caribbean Gas Chemical Ltd petrochemical plant in La Brea, completion of a national facilities audit of oil and gas infrastructure, and the execution of an MOU with Venezuela for a supply of gas from the Dragon Field as some of the ministrys accomplishments under her tenure. As La Brea MP, Olivierre said her biggest challenge has been meeting the expectations of her constituents for jobs and services, after La Brea residents were neglected for so many years. Rambharat: Reshuffles hurt agriculture He said that Kamaluddin Mohammed was the last Agriculture Minister to serve a full term, from 1981 to 1986, adding that this frequent shuffling of ministers has put farmers at a tremendous disadvantage. With expectations high of a Cabinet reshuffle after the presentation of the 2016-2017 Budget, Rambharat hastened to add that he was not campaigning to keep the agriculture portfolio, pointing out that he was a senator and I serve at the behest of the Prime Minister. Nevertheless, he said that continuity is critical to building the foundation and sustaining the work we have to do in agriculture. Rambharat made the comments as he delivered the feature address during a Hot Pepper Field Tour organised by the Agricultural Society at the farm of Nawaz Karim in Maloney. He said the ministry required consistency and focus and that these transfers of ministers was responsible for many of the challenges faced by farmers over the last 30 years. The field tour was intended to encourage farmers growing hot peppers to adopt technology developed by the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute which has been proven to increase yield. The technology involves the use of limestone and manure as well as other organic materials. Meanwhile, with the next budget due to be presented within a few weeks, Rambharat said he had asked the University of the West Indies to review the range of agricultural incentives offered by Government to farmers to find out whether they are effective. Rambharat said in requesting the review he wanted to know which of the incentives had been used, which are not heavily used and if the grant of the incentives had really led to an increase in food production. He said he also hoped to learn from the review whether the sector needed new incentives which it did not have at present. Rambharat said, Weve spent close to a half a billion dollars in just over five years on agricultural incentives and subsidies. Thats a significant amount. During that time agricultures contribution to gross domestic product has actually declined and in some scale after that stalled at four percent. I want to make sure that we are getting value for money, I want to make sure that the money is spent in the right places to help the farmers. President of the Agricultural Society, Dhano Sookhoo, reminded the farmers that since last year the society had begun a series of training programmes in hot pepper production with the final one scheduled for next Tuesday at the Williamsville Community Centre. Sookhoo said that when the programme is completed it would have trained 265 people in hot pepper production under the Agricultural Policy Programme which is funded by the European Union. She said yesterdays event was attended by five of the countrys top producers of hot peppers and singled out Nazimool Karim, the father of Nawaz Karim, on whose farm the meeting was held, as the hot pepper king despite the achievements of his son, who is also into the production of hot peppers. Sookhoo and other speakers said there is a huge and growing market for hot peppers in Florida and it was important that farmers learn the proper way of packing their peppers for export to minimise damage in transit and extend the shelf life of the peppers AMERICA LOST A GREAT PATRIOT By Chuck Baldwin September 8, 2016 NewsWithViews.com [ NOTE: The opinion in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the opinion of NewsWithViews.com, it's employees, representatives, or other contributing writers.] Phyllis Schlafly passed away this week at the age of 92. She was the matriarch of the pro-life movement. It might be safe to say that the national Republican Party would not even have a pro-life plank in its platform without the influence of Phyllis Schlafly. Founder of Eagle Forum, Phyllis was possibly the most influential woman of her era. She was a modern-day Abigail Adams. Our paths crossed several times. I never knew her to be anything but the perfect lady. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, scholar, freedom fighter, and role model. Sadly, the last few months of her life were enmeshed in betrayal and attack--not from her enemies, but from her so-called friends and even from a family member. They were angry with Phyllis because she publicly supported Donald Trump for President and not Ted Cruz. They were so vindictive and hateful that they attempted to wrestle control of Eagle Forum away from her over it--even to the point of taking Phyllis to court. In my way of thinking, the attacks against Phyllis from her so-called friends--especially at her age--may have directly contributed to her sudden demise. No one but God will ever really know. It is my personal (and I do mean personal) experience that Christian-Zionists--which is what Ted Cruz's campaign mostly attracted--can be among the most mean-spirited, hateful, and vindictive people on the planet. They swarmed on Phyllis like sharks in a feeding frenzy. Of all of Phyllis Schlafly's bravest and most courageous acts (which were very many--including the way she recently urged Wisconsin voters to reject Neocon House Speaker Paul Ryan in his primary election), her decision to NOT support the Christian-Zionist, Ted Cruz, may have been her most heroic. And she may have paid for that decision with her life. Back in April of this year, I wrote this about Phyllis and the attacks against her: The matriarch of the pro-life, pro-family, Christian Right movement is the elegant stateswoman Phyllis Schlafly. She has no peer; there is no close second. At age 91, she remains the icon of Americas pro-life community. Phyllis received her B.A. from Washington University, her J.D. from Washington University Law School, and her Masters in Government from Harvard University. She worked her way through college on the night shift at the St. Louis Ordnance Plant testing .30 and .50 caliber ammunition by firing rifles and machine guns and as a laboratory technician investigating misfires and photographing tracer bullets in flight. Mrs. Schlafly is an attorney admitted to the practice of law in Illinois, Missouri, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Supreme Court. She and her late husband are the parents of 6 children and the grandparents of 14 grandchildren. Phyllis personally taught all of her children to read before they started school. It is no exaggeration to say that Phyllis is the single person most responsible for defeating the Equal Rights Amendment and has been one of the most influential personalities in politics over the last half-century. She founded her Eagle Forum organization in 1972, and today over 80,000 people claim membership. See this Breitbart report on Phyllis: Conservative Legend Phyllis Schlafly Dies At 92 One would think that the pedigree, accomplishments, and lifetime efforts of Mrs. Schlafly would speak so loudly and clearly that no one--not even her political adversaries--could question her sterling character and steadfast convictions. At age 91, and after all of her hard work, Phyllis should be enjoying the most happy fruits of her labor and the most heartfelt appreciation and respect of everyone who knows her--and especially of the Christian conservative community throughout this country. Guess again. As we speak, Phyllis Schlafly is the target of a hostile takeover by people within her own organization. They want Phyllis OUT. After all of these years, after all she has done, after a lifetime of Herculean effort, they want Phyllis Schlafly GONE. What, you ask, could be the awful sin, the horrific iniquity, the egregious act of malfeasance Phyllis could have committed to warrant such an attack? Answer: she endorsed Donald Trump for president. Mind you, these attacks are not coming from the political left. They are coming from Christian conservatives within Eagle Forum. And from a political perspective, the people who mostly want to destroy Mrs. Schlafly are, guess who: the Ted Cruz supporters, thats who. See this report: Phyllis Schlafly's Eagle Forum Torn Apart By Cruz Supporters Ted Cruzs base of support is comprised mostly of Israel-First evangelical Christians. Prophecy preachers from all over America have declared Ted to be Gods anointed presidential candidate. These end-time evangelicals see Ted Cruz as their Elijah or John the Baptist to usher in the Millennial Kingdom. However, the fact that Cruzs supporters are attacking Mrs. Schlafly in such a vile and vicious manner, shows that hell, not heaven, is in their hearts. I am reminded of the words of King David: I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war. (Psalms 120:7 KJV) Whether people agree with Schlaflys decision to endorse Donald Trump is NOT the issue. To target Phyllis as an enemy because of her endorsement is the grossest and most vile attempt at character assassination that I can possibly imagine. Agree with her or not, Phyllis Schlafly is a paragon of integrity. This leads to a very serious and all-too-common current reality: a sizeable percentage of our so-called Christian community is filled with a heart of hatred and war. They like to talk about peace and love, but what they are really about is war and hate. I cant keep from saying I told you so at this point. When G.W. Bush and Dick Cheney began their propaganda war against Iraq and Afghanistan, I told my radio audience, Because G.W. Bush professes to be a Christian, and because he has so much support from within the Christian community, Bush is going to change the definition and character of the word Christian in this country forever. And that is EXACTLY what has happened. And Ted Cruz is picking up right where G.W. Bush left off. The Christian standard used to be Blessed are the peacemakers. Today the standard is Blessed are the warmongers. These Bush/Cruz, Israel-First cultists are prepared to not only blow up the entire Arab world, they are prepared to blow up Eagle Forum or any other organization or personality that does not subscribe to their brand of Israel-First obsession. Believe me, if these divisive, hate-filled Christians could get away with it, they would be as bloodthirsty and violent as any Muslim terrorist. But since they are unable to behead people such as Phyllis Schlafly or Chuck Baldwin (so far), they set out with all malice to destroy our work and reputations. Yes, I am dealing with many of these same hate-filled Christians too. And I know that many of my brethren will recoil when they hear me say what Im going to say, but I have analyzed and studied this phenomenon for many years now, and there is a definite common denominator. Im talking about decades of church splits; pastors being savagely and mercilessly attacked from inside the church; pastors families being destroyed by members of their own congregations; and the most bitter, divisive, backstabbing, meddlesome, tale-bearing, discordant, mean-spirited actions and attitudes on the planet. What is the common denominator? Almost without exception these haters and destroyers are Israel-First, end-time prophecy zealots. I cannot imagine another presidential candidates supporters attacking someone such as Phyllis Schlafly like the Cruz supporters are now doing. It is Ted Cruzs supporters who are engaging in this attempted destruction of Americas First Lady Of The Pro-Life Movement, Phyllis Schlafly. And again, Ted Cruz is Mr. Christian-Zionist. Cruz is to politics what John Hagee is to religion. Ted Cruz claims to be pro-life, but he is allowing his supporters to crucify the most influential pro-life American of the last half-century, Phyllis Schlafly. After over 40 years of labor and leadership in the liberty and Christian movements, and having personally witnessed the massive amount of death and destruction inflicted upon untold thousands of good and honorable men and women at the hands of these calloused and calculating beasts of prey, it is now apparent to me what is behind all of this devastation. It is the same enemy that is trying to destroy Phyllis Schlafly: Israel-First Christian-Zionists. And the thing about it is Phyllis was never Anti-Israel. But she wasnt Israel-First either; she was America-First. For Christian-Zionists, that warrants death. Their loyalty is to the modern Zionist State of Israel, NOT the United States of America. So, Phyllis had to go. Well, now Phyllis is gone. Her epitaph should read: Here Lies Phyllis Schlafly Devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother Courageous Defender Of Unborn Babies, Champion Of Liberty, Scholar, And Patriot Killed By Christian-Zionists Because She Believed In America-First P.S. I invite readers to obtain my seven-message series on two DVDs entitled The Church And Israel. Titles include: The Presentation And Rejection of The King "An High Priest For Ever After The Order of Melchisedec" Jesus: The Seed of David, The Seed of Abraham Christs Last Words To Israel "Not Of Works" "Is He The God Of The Jews Only?" "The Children Of Promise" This series of messages will help people understand why the modern Zionist State of Israel can hold no claim to the promise given to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 and why the Israel-First theology of John Hagee, Ted Cruz, and so many others is egregious Biblical error. And readers should also understand that I came to these conclusions after being trained in Israel-First theology and believing and preaching it for most of my life. But the longer I preached it, the more dissatisfied I became with it. I knew something wasnt right. And the more I studied the matter, the more I came to repudiate what I now know is patently false doctrine. To order The Church And Israel, two-DVD combo package, click here. [If you appreciate this column and want to help me distribute these editorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may now be made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link.] [I also have many books and DVDs available for purchase online. Go to Chuck Baldwin Live Store] 2016 Chuck Baldwin - All Rights Reserved Related Article: 1- Phyllis Schlafly, Founder of Eagle Forum, Dies at 92 Share This Article Click Here For Mass E-mailing Chuck Baldwin is a syndicated columnist, radio broadcaster, author, and pastor dedicated to preserving the historic principles upon which America was founded. He was the 2008 Presidential candidate for the Constitution Party. He and his wife, Connie, have 3 children and 9 grandchildren. Chuck and his family reside in the Flathead Valley of Montana. See Chuck's complete bio here. E-mail: chuck@chuckbaldwinlive.com Website: ChuckBaldwinLive.com Home Phyllis Schlafly passed away this week at the age of 92. She was the matriarch of the pro-life movement. It might be safe to say that the national Republican Party would not even have a pro-life plank in its platform without the influence of Phyllis Schlafly. Nickelodeon Turkey has announced the exciting news in their latest cover photo and a series of posts on their official Facebook profile page, Facebook.com/NickelodeonTurkey , that Nickelodeon Turkey (Turkiye) will be premiering, Nickelodeon's brand-new three-part original TV movie, locally titled, about two time-traveling stepbrothers who saddle up for a crazy Wild West adventure after they get transported back in time to 1885 when one of them accidentally invents a time machine, over three weeks in September 2016!Nickelodeon Turkey will debut"Part 1" on Friday 16th September 2016 (16 Eylul Cuma) at 17.45. Following the premiere ofpart one, Nick Turkiye will premiere"Part 2" on Friday 23rd September 2016 at 17.45. Nickelodeon Turkey will then debut the concluding part of Nickelodeon's brand-new Wild West adventure, "Part 3", on Friday 30th September 2016 at 17.45.Saddle up for a Wild West adventure in Nickelodeon's all-new three-part original TV movie,! The film centres on polar opposite stepbrothers, Chip, an all-around tech genius who lacks self-confidence, and Dave, a charismatic ladies' man with more brawn than brains. Their otherwise ordinary lives take an extraordinary turn when Chip's latest invention accidently lands them back in time to 1885 - the Wild West - the age of cowboys, cattle ranching and evil outlaws. The duo soon become entangled in a thrilling adventure as they fight off evil outlaws to save their hometown. When their actions in the past have time-altering repercussions, Chip and Dave enlist the help of friends from both time periods, including Luna, Lisa and Texas Jane, so they can avoid changing the future and make it back to the present in time for their school's Homecoming Dance. The boys will need to master the ways of the west, from horse riding to lassoing, to find their way back home!stars Caleb Thomas () as Chip, Niko Guardado () as Dave, Fallon Smythe as Lisa and Morgan Higgins as Texas Jane, and features an appearance bystar Alex Sawyer.is produced by Galdo Media and directed by Carlos Gonzalez (). The TV movie is written by Kevin M. Brennan and Doug Manley. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. "This is my 15th Booster, hopefully this is it." Les Brummett was this week's winner. The winner's name will be put into a drawing for a free month subscription or extension. Look for a new photo Monday. Last night, Al Jazeera aired a documentary exposing corruption by Maldives President Abdulla Yameen. In retaliation, he raided the offices of local media and human rights organisations and had people cooperating with the documentary arrested for terrorism: Authorities in the Maldives have raided the offices of a newspaper and a human rights NGO and cancelled the passports of fugitive opposition figures after an al-Jazeera documentary aired corruption allegations against the countrys president, Abdulla Yameen. Local journalists involved with the documentary, broadcast by the Qatari news network on Wednesday evening, had already left the country in anticipation of a backlash, amid warnings by senior MPs that contributors risked jail under defamation laws. Hours after the documentary was posted online on Wednesday, police raided a building in the capital, Male, housing the Maldivian Independent, a newspaper accused of links to the former president Mohamed Nasheeds Maldivian Democratic party (MDP). [...] The Guardian understands that two men, neither of them employed by the newspaper, were arrested and accused of terrorism and plotting to the topple the government. They were released but will be questioned on Thursday. The police warrant also listed possible charges of inciting discord and threatening public order. And that's the problem with authoritarian states: if the interests of the state are identified with the private interests of those holding power, then any criticism or attempt at reform becomes subversion. If the Maldives had a robust democratic culture, this wouldn't happen. But the whole problem is that it doesn't, and any attempt to create one is criminalised.As for Yameen, it really sounds like he should be in jail. But that won't be happening as long as he is in power - and the prospect of it happening is a reason for him never to peacefully surrender power. And so corruption feeds authoritarianism in a vicious circle.And for a local angle, this seems to be the direction Nauru is heading in, thanks to a never-ending stream of Australian gulag money. If we don't want Australia to destroy one of our neighbours and turn it into the Maldives, that money needs to be cut off. Morocco and Sweden are mending their strained relations after a row over a failed attempt last year in Stockholm to recognize the Algerian-based auto-proclaimed SADR republic. In a sign of easing tensions between the two countries, Swedish Foreign Minister, Margot Wallstrom, who is visiting Morocco, met on Wednesday her Moroccan counterpart Salaheddine Mezouar to discuss the means to boost bilateral relations. Relations between Rabat and Stockholm have been strained since 2015, when Sweden was considering the possibility of recognizing the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, auto-proclaimed by the separatist Polisario Front. Swedens centre-left government, which came to power in 2014, abandoned the idea in January 2016. The Social Democrats, who voted to recognize the SADR as a free and independent state while in opposition in 2012, had held an internal consultation on the issue after taking office in 2014. Last January, Wallstrom announced Sweden would not recognize the Algerian-based separatist entity as an independent state because it lacked key criteria for being a state. She said that Sweden would support UN-led negotiations on the issue. The United States has warned Moroccan and Spanish authorities of eminent terror attack plans floating over Spain-ruled enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, reports say. The US intelligence services warnings, according to Moroccan Arabic Al Massae newspaper, indicate that a cell of the Islamic State group is secretly operating on the two enclaves and is proceeding to the recruitment of elements for the planned attacks. According to Al Massae, the attacks will target foreign embassies and shops. IS reportedly urged its active cells in the region to attack Moroccan and Spanish strategic positions. Morocco has been on the IS shortlist of targets since the North African country emerged as a leading global country in the fight against terrorism. Moroccan authorities have busted several IS active and sleeper cells and arrested hundreds of the terrorist groups sympathizers. On Wednesday, Moroccan authorities announced the arrest of three members of a terrorist cell who were planning to carry out attacks in several cities across the country. The busted cell was according to authorities active in the cities of Oujda, Casablanca and Fez. The cell, the interior ministry noted hired a house in the outskirts of the eastern city of Oujda. The police found in this home chemical material for explosives making, sharp weapons and ISIS flags. The UN has voiced fears over a full-blown war in the Sahara after the Polisario sent armed militiamen to the buffer zone in the border area of Guergarat standing at a distance of 120 meters from Moroccan forces near the border area of Guerguarat. Tensions have flared in the area after the Polisario sent troops to the buffer strip near Guerguarat where Morocco was paving a road after a police operation against smugglers in the area. The situation remains tense in the Guergarat area said the UN Spokersman Stephane Dujarric, adding that any resumption of hostilities, with the potential to have wider regional implications, remains of significant concern to the UN. The UN is actively engaging with the parties and key member states to urge restraint and identify options for an acceptable solution to the current crisis, Dujarric said. The Polisario protested against the security operation launched by the Moroccan police and customs authorities against smugglers who turned the area of Guergarat to a venue for engaging in all sorts of illegal cross-border commercial activities. Moroccos crackdown on smugglers came after reports of a potential trafficking by separatists of an arms cargo into the southern provinces where they intended to undermine public order. Hence the fury of the Polisario leaders who have been accused by several international reports of connivance with trafficking networks and terrorist organizations in the region as well as embezzling humanitarian aid. Earlier in August, the UN mission to the Sahara, MINURSO, has refuted the Polisarios failed attempt to portray Moroccos security operation as a breach of the ceasefire saying that the anti-smuggling operation in Guergarat had a police character and was undertaken in coordination with the UN. MINURSO was established in 1991 after a ceasefire ended a war that broke out in a Cold War context when Morocco retrieved the southern provinces from Spanish colonialism in 1975. A number of communist countries supported the separatist Polisario front, which has been using Algerian territories as a rear base for its guerilla warfare against Morocco. In 2007, Morocco put forward the autonomy initiative after the organization of a referendum proved to be unfeasible in view of disagreements over who is eligible to vote. Morocco offers the autonomy initiative, which has been internationally endorsed as a credible solution, as a basis for negotiations. The autonomy plan offers the Sahara exclusive powers with regards to managing local affairs within the framework of Moroccos sovereignty and territorial integrity. You hear the one about the ISIS fighter who wants to Make America Hate Again? Photo: David Becker/Getty Images Democrats and Republicans have radically different views of Hillary Clinton. But if theres one thing all Americans agree on, its that the former secretary of State is extremely funny. No matter what you think of Clintons policies, you have to admit, her riff on the Pokemon Go craze was spot-on: But on Thursday, Clinton revealed that she saves her best material for Israel, offering this impression of a pro-Trump ISIS militant: "They are saying, Oh please, Allah, make Trump president of America. https://t.co/yQlbKZTMSS Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) September 8, 2016 To be fair, Clinton was actually making a substantive point. Asked why she does not refer to the fight against ISIS as a war on radical Islam, Clinton argued that linking the militants murderous creed with the faith tradition of 2 billion people actually serves the purpose of the radical jihadists. To support that claim, the Democratic nominee cited a report from Time magazines Matthew Olsen. Here is the full context of the remark: I found it even surprising how clear and compelling the case was where he quoted ISIS spokespeople rooting for Donald Trumps victory because Trump has made Islam and Muslims a part of his campaign and basically Matt Olsen argues that the jihadists see this as a great gift, Mrs. Clinton said. They are saying, Oh, please Allah, make Trump president of America. And, in fact, that is basically what ISIS militants say in Olsens article: In August, one ISIS spokesman wrote: I ask Allah to deliver America to Trump. Another supporter declared: The facilitation of Trumps arrival in the White House must be a priority for jihadists at any cost!!! ISIS is working to drum up support for the candidate it has called the perfect enemy. Its hard to imagine a better set of quotes for establishing that Islamophobic rhetoric is not tough, but, rather, counterproductive. So, it makes total sense that Clinton would deploy them, especially when speaking before an audience thats sensitive to threats of terrorism. But as the New York Times Emma Roller suggests, its hard to see how uttering the phrase war on radical Islam recklessly links ISIS with the Muslim faith, but quoting ISIS militants praying to Allah does not. This sounds like a line from Ted Cruz's stump speech https://t.co/Y57UpwDDiH pic.twitter.com/Ns2ozQpQoe Emma Roller (@emmaroller) September 8, 2016 Nonetheless, Clintons underlying argument is an important one even if its unlikely to win her votes in the crucial swing districts of the occupied West Bank. What did you say? Photo: AFP/KCNA VIA KNS In an effort to stop citizens from snarking on him and his regime, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has outlawed the use of sarcasm when discussing the governance of the country. Or else, well, its not entirely clear, but he did just execute a senior government official for slouching at a meeting, so who knows? The unofficial ban was communicated by representatives of the state to North Koreans throughout the nation beginning last month, according to Radio Free Asia. The main point of the lecture was Keep your mouths shut, one source told the news agency. The national mood seems to be like that of a barely contained classroom: Expressions of public discontent with the North Korean regime have spread widely in the tightly controlled state this year, with graffiti mocking production slogans appearing at a construction site in Pyongyang and more serious scrawlings attacking Kim Jong Un personally found in areas near China, sources told RFA in earlier reports. Along with the blanket ban on sarcasm comes the prohibition of a few specific phrases. This is all Americas fault is one Dear Leader would prefer to never hear again. The phrase, delivered in a mocking tone, has apparently become a common way to ridicule the regimes habit of blaming the U.S. for all of its problems. Now that its been banned, though, Kim Jong-un can be certain no one in North Korea will ever say it again. Matt Lauer looks on during the NBC News Commander-in-Chief Forum. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Most weeks, New York Magazine writer-at-large Frank Rich speaks with contributor Alex Carp about the biggest stories in politics and culture. Today: NBCs disastrous presidential forum, allegations of a Trump pay-to-play, and Fox News without Roger Ailes. Before Wednesday nights presidential forum had even ended, reporters and fact-checkers were picking apart Matt Lauers failure to challenge Donald Trumps false statements and attacking the parity of his questions. What should the moderators of the upcoming debates take from this? The moderator of the first presidential debate on September 26 is Lester Holt like Matt Lauer, an NBC News anchor. If he arrives onstage as poorly prepared as Lauer, and behaves as boorishly toward Hillary Clinton as Lauer, the first debate, likely to be the most-watched presidential debate in the history of broadcasting, is going to be a debacle for the country. Much ridicule, all deserved, has been aimed at Lauers laughably empty reservoir of facts, particularly when questioning the fact-free Trump. (Questioning may be an overstatement in this context; Lauer didnt question Trump so much as feed him anodyne cues to spew any hooey he wanted.) The most widely panned example of the moderators failure is particularly galling: Clinton herself said in the forums opening round that Trump was initially in favor of the Iraq War, having said so on Howard Sterns radio show in 2002. But Lauer didnt even listen to her. When Trump said just minutes later that he had been against the war from the start and cited a 2004 Esquire article as proof Lauer not only failed to challenge the conflict between what he said and the truth cited by Clinton but seemed oblivious to the fact that the Iraq War began in 2003. And lets not forget that interlude when Trump was claiming that Vladimir Putin is a superior leader to Barack Obama an outrageous argument that Lauer never challenged. To prove his point, Trump cited polls that give Putin an 82 percent approval rating. What polls? Lauer didnt ask. I dare say Trump could have cited Chinese polls from the 1960s that gave Mao a 100 percent approval rating, and this moderator would have just nodded and moved on to the next topic on his crib sheet. Lauer came armed with a lot of follow-up questions about Clintons email server fair enough, if he had also brought along follow-up questions for Trump. But he didnt. When the former Marine officer and National Book Awardwinning author Phil Klay (Redeployment) asked Trump how hed handle the postwar aftermath of deploying American troops overseas, Lauer (who seemed to have no idea who Klay was) let Trump skate off with a bunch of nonsense about grabbing Iraqs oil rather than ask a follow-up or permit one from the better-informed Klay. But the problem here wasnt just that Clinton was grilled and Trump was not. There was a rudeness to Clinton on Lauers part reminiscent of Rick Lazios paper-waving performance in his debate with Clinton during the 2000 Senate race in New York. Repeatedly, Lauer nagged Clinton to speed up and keep her answers short a demand he never made of Trump. And during much of Clintons half of the program there was the added distraction of people roaming around in the back of the shot while she was speaking. In Trumps half, the room seemed still, the visual framing of Trump tightly focused. This subtle shift in presentation was an implicit endorsement of the strategy of Trumps candidacy: that by acting the role of commander-in-chief with alpha-dog bluster and cartoonish command, he can bamboozle voters into believing that there is some content to go with his performance of leadership. Is Lauer a Trump supporter? I doubt it. But his incompetence and double standard have handed Trump a big postLabor Day gift just as the polls are tightening. Trump is fighting allegations that a decision by Florida attorney general Pam Bondi not to pursue an investigation into Trump University had anything to do with a 2013 donation he made to her campaign (or the fundraiser he hosted for her later, at Mar-a-Lago). Trump has been gloating about buying political influence since the early days of his campaign does this change anything for his supporters? Of course not. As Ive said before, there is one thing Donald Trump has said that I firmly believe is true: I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldnt lose voters. If Trumps base has remained faithful to him through every other scandal that has surfaced over the past year, this one is hardly going to make a difference even though hes been caught lying about it. (He had said hed never spoken to Bondi about a contribution; Bondis own adviser told the AP in June that he did.) Besides, Trump has already implicitly admitted guilt by repeatedly bragging since the start of his campaign that he has used donations to buy off politicians (the Clintons included). His partisans, in any event, believe Clinton is the more corrupt no matter what he says or does. While thats not true, the Clinton Foundation keeps providing embarrassments Trump and his backers can point to. Just as the Bondi pay-for-play story broke, the Washington Post reported that Bill Clinton had received $17.6 million from 2010 to 2015 as honorary chancellor of a for-profit college company called Laureate International Universities, a more legit operation than Trump University but not exactly an altruistic or significant educational institution. Laureate also gave millions to both the Clinton Foundation and through the Clinton Global Initiative. None of this is illegal; all of it smells of buying influence. One may believe that the debate over the Clinton Foundations transactions with corporations and potentates seeking entree to a Clinton State Department or White House is overblown. One may feel the same about the questions surrounding Clintons unprofessional and irresponsible handling of her emails. But what is not ambiguous is this: Most Americans, including many Democrats and independents, dont trust Clinton, and no matter how many examples surface of Trumps bottomless record of scams and corruption, his malfeasance is not going to translate into more trust for Clinton. Shes going to have to improve her standing by making herself more available to the press and public in unscripted settings and by taking responsibility for her mistakes in human language rather than the lawyerly boilerplate she used again in last nights forum. In the coming battle over whose supporters turn out on Election Day, she needs voters to feel motivated to vote for her, not just against Trump. Fox has not only settled the lawsuit brought against Roger Ailes by Gretchen Carlson, but it has also settled with a handful of other accusers, and none of the $20 million going to Carlson will come from Ailess pocket. How much will this saga change Fox News? Very little, it seems, given that Bill Shine, Ailess top lieutenant, has now been put in charge of the network despite the evidence, as reported by Gabriel Sherman, that he at the very least looked the other way at Ailess sexual thuggery and possibly enabled it. But, as I first argued in 2014, liberals and Democrats should stop worrying so much about Fox News; its monochromatically white and increasingly geriatric viewership is large (by cable news standards, not overall television standards) but dying off. It is the GOP base, and it will remain loyal to the party even if Fox News were to change its ideological stripes tomorrow or vanish altogether. Its not too likely that many Americans who dont watch Fox News might stumble innocently into its confines, watch Sean Hannity, and suddenly become right-wing zealots. Fox is far better at preaching to the converted than making converts out of nonbelievers. Fox News cant tilt the 2016 election toward Trump. But as we saw in last nights farcical forum, NBC News, parent of the liberal-leaning MSNBC, just might do so if it doesnt get its act together by September 26. Photo: News West 9 In 2016, the surest sign that school is back in session is news of a shooting, and thats just what we have out of Texas today. According to the local sheriff, a female student at Alpine High School in West Texas shot another student in the legs and then shot and killed herself. A federal officer was also shot on the scene, when a marshall accidentally fired on him. The conditions of the two injured people was not immediately clear. The sheriff told a local news station that a semiautomatic pistol was found next to the shooter along with plenty of ammunition. Photo: Ye Aung Thu/AFP/Getty Images President Obama shook hands with Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte today, and he probably squeezed really hard. The brief interaction comes two days after a meeting between the two was canceled following Duterte calling Obama a son of a bitch, or son of a whore, depending on whom you ask. Wednesdays interaction was brief and came as a group of world leaders were waiting to enter a dinner at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting in Laos. The exchange consisted of pleasantries between the two, according to a White House official. Duterte has apologized for the insult he lobbed at Obama, which came as he was discussing the possibility of the president pressing him on the issue of extrajudicial killings, a key part of Dutertes violent drug war. Wow, thanks Mitt. Photo: George Frey/Getty Images Mitt Romney hasnt said anything on Twitter in two months, but on Wednesday night he reemerged to share this wistful thought about the Libertarian ticket: I hope voters get to see former GOP Governors Gary Johnson and Bill Weld on the debate stages this fall. Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) September 7, 2016 Last spring, Romney made a last-ditch effort to save the Republican establishment by aiding the campaign of every candidate who was not Donald Trump. Then, following a failed effort to recruit a like-minded Republican to run as a third-party candidate, Romney suggested in June that he was toying with the idea of voting Libertarian though he told CNN hed have an easier time if Johnsons running mate, former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld, were the nominee. If Bill Weld were at the top of the ticket, it would be very easy for me to vote for Bill Weld for president, Romney said. So Ill get to know Gary Johnson better and see if hes someone who I could end up voting for. Thats something which Ill evaluate over the coming weeks and months. In late July, Johnson and Weld said theyd been talking with Romney, and it seemed that he may be close to an endorsement but apparently hes still deciding whether hed rather vote Libertarian or be the only person in America writing in Ann Romneys name. A Romney spokesman confirmed to the Washington Post that his tweet was not a Johnson endorsement. In a recent poll, 52 percent of respondents said that they would like Johnson to be included in the first debate on September 26, but thats irrelevant. In 2000, the Commission on Presidential Debates adopted a rule that candidates must have an average of at least 15 percent in an average of five recent national polls to be eligible for the debates. The current RealClearPolitics polling average has Johnson at 8.6 percent. Johnson has said his campaign is doomed if he doesnt qualify for the debates, and this week he began airing his first TV ads in an effort to reach 15 percent. Picking up seven points in two weeks would be a tall order for any candidate, and Politico notes that Johnsons path is about to get even tougher: Johnsons 9-point-plus standing came through polls of registered voters, but in the coming weeks, many of the five network pollsters are switching to polls of likely voters, a smaller subset of the population among whom Johnson has thus far scored slightly worse. In the three August polls that included results for both registered and likely voters, Johnson scored a point worse among likely voters in two of them, and his share was unchanged in the third. In order to achieve such a miraculous bump in the polls, Johnson would have to score a major coup maybe something like the endorsement of a well-respected Republican who would make it socially acceptable for other Never Trumpers to abandon the GOP. If Mitt Romney can think of someone who fits that description, he should definitely tweet out his idea. Buckle in, guys. Photo: Heidi Gutman/NBC It is hard to admit after suffering through all those two- and three-hour debates in the primary season, but the Commander-in-Chief Forum sponsored by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans was too brief to be very illuminating about the national security views of the major-party candidates. Worse yet, the fast pace seemed to have emptied moderator Matt Lauers brain of any goal other than asking hard-hitting questions and moving on, providing the impression that the two candidates answers were equivalent expressions of reasonable approaches to U.S. security challenges. A cursory look at what they said shows otherwise. Hillary Clinton spent most of her time answering hostile questions about her use of emails as secretary of state and her vote to authorize the Iraq War. She really did not need to present a national security philosophy, because she has been doing that regularly ever since her first race for the Senate in 2000. When finally allowed to escape her defensive crouch via a question about her process for deciding when to use military force to defeat ISIS, she gave a classic Democratic Goldilocks answer, eschewing too hot (ground troops) and too cold (disengagement) responses. Donald Trump, however, is another matter. He has typically offered impulsive answers to sporadic questions about national security policy, and has occasionally viz., his cluelessness in a primary debate about the strategic triad of air, land, and sea delivery systems for nuclear weapons looked like someone who should be kept far from the levers of power. In this forum, he did not sound clueless, which was a small triumph. But two strange aspects of his approach to national security became clear. First, when challenged by moderator Matt Lauer to reconcile his talk of a plan for defeating ISIS with his boast that he would be unpredictable to confuse Americas enemies, Trump came down squarely on the side of unpredictability, criticizing Barack Obama for telling the world what he would do. The idea of a president deliberately pursuing an erratic course of action and refusing to articulate policies is certainly new. Second, when asked about his expressions of admiration of Vladimir Putin, Trump doubled down, calling Putin a better leader than Obama and touting Putins domestic poll ratings as a validator of Vlads sterling qualities. This was cold comfort to Americans concerned that Trump might emulate his Russian friend in uniting his country and Making It Great Again via radical curbs on dissent and diversity. More generally, Trump is drifting toward a truly Jacksonian national security posture, which can be described as a philosophy of peace through strength and craziness! He has taken to calling Hillary Clinton trigger happy (as he did tonight), even as he calls for much higher defense spending, a larger military, and the elimination of any restraints of use of military force against civilians. The idea seems to be to maintain a credible threat of insane, massively destructive overreaction to any friend or foe who messes with Uncle Sam. This winning through intimidation approach helps explain why Putin is a role model for the candidate. Even though this global, nuclear-armed version of the motto Dont tread on me has been a subcurrent of American popular culture for decades, we have never had a commander-in-chief so irresponsible as to make it the touchstone of actual U.S. policy. Hillary Clinton can be accused of a lot of mistakes and misjudgments over the years, but she has never entertained the idea that America should protect its interests by inspiring sheer terror and emulating despots. Trump says it will shock people when he carries New York. That part of his boast is true. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images In a career and a campaign sagging with the weight of serial mendacity, it hardly stands out that Donald Trump makes empty boasts about his popularity and the likelihood he will win the presidency. But there are examples of this braggadocio that are borderline pathological, notably Trumps insistence that he is going to carry New York in November. The Empire State was on the Trump campaigns original general-election target list back in May. He and his surrogates made happy talk about a New York win during the convention, too. And Trump repeated this assertion at the New York Conservative Party convention this week: We are going to play so hard and win. We are going to win this state Its going to shock people, and by the way, you know if we win this state, its over. It would shock people, all right, to the point of making a good prima facie case that Trumps Russian buddies have indeed hacked the election. The last time New York went Republican in a presidential contest was during the 49-state Reagan reelection landslide of 1984. Since 1992 Democrats have carried the state by a minimum of 16 points and a maximum of 29; Obama won by 28 points in 2012. There are 16 Trump-versus-Clinton head-to-head polls of New York taken this year in the RealClearPolitics database. Hillary Clinton has led all of them, by margins ranging from 12 points (a Quinnipiac poll in July) to 30 points (a Siena poll in August). The RCP average gives Clinton a 19-point lead. That is not close. Clinton leads by 17 points in the average of four-way polls that include Gary Johnson and Jill Stein. That is not close, either. No one, but no one, discussing battleground states includes New York except for Trump. You have to figure he knows all this. Perhaps someone in his entourage has even advised him to stop predicting that he is going to win a state he is manifestly going to lose. Is it just a home-state-pride thing? Maybe, but you dont hear Hillary Clinton predicting shes going to win her adopted state of Arkansas, do you? If Trump wins the presidency, it will likely be forgotten that he lost New York after all. If he is defeated on November 8, New York will be just another state in a long losing column, and not even close enough to become the object of the inevitable Trump campaign claims of a rigged election. Perhaps if Trump somehow becomes president, he can carry his home state in his reelection bid. You know, like hes going to win 95 percent of the African-American vote: in his dreams. Kendall + Kylie. Photo: Benjamin Lozovsky/BFA.com By some email glitch or overzealous publicist, I was invited to the Kendall + Kylie New York Fashion Week event no less than three times. Each invite contained the exact same limited amount of information: Youre Invited. Kendall + Kylie. September 7, 2016, 68 p.m. Samsung. I guess that was all I needed to know, because I showed up at the event having gathered no more intel about what I was there to see. Kendall + Kylie, yes, but what was Kendall + Kylie going to do? Fashion? Phones? A dramatic reading of the Vagina Monologues? Unfortunately, I still dont know. I arrived at the event, hosted at the multilevel Samsung store in the Meatpacking District, a little after 6 p.m., and Kendall + Kylie was not there. Instead, there were a couple hundred grown adults walking around, absentmindedly tapping at Samsung tablets that displayed the words Kendall + Kylie. At first, I thought that everyone knew what they were doing there except for me the attendees were all supposed to be VIP and media. Now I am convinced that nobody on this Earth knows anything at all except: Kendall + Kylie. After completing two laps around the main level of the store and discovering only tablets, I approached a Samsung employee who was guarding an area behind a staircase that had several plush chairs. Maybe this is VIP, I thought, knowing that I would never be invited to such a section but praying for its existence as a sign of order. The employee told me that it was actually a place to try on virtual-reality headsets. We let you fly through the Swiss Alps, he said, shaking floppy brown bangs out of his eyes. Its, like, 360 degrees. You should try it. So this has nothing to do with Kendall and Kylie? I asked. Uhh, no, he replied. Then I asked him, politely, whether this was a fashion event or an interactive advertisement for Samsung. He explained that it was both. We put their clothes on the phones, he said, gesturing to the devices that lined the walls. And then, you know, they take pictures with them or whatever. I decided to get a drink. Kendall + Kylie tablet. Kendall + Kylie is not legal to consume alcohol, but everyone at the Kendall + Kylie event was well over 21. At the bar on the upper level of the store, three tall, heavily eyebrowed 30-somethings with the unmistakable aura of YouTube beauty-guru fame ordered Tokyos, the signature cocktail of the evening. I got a white wine and started a lap around the upper level, searching for the clothes on the phones. In the southeast corner, I found three small racks of Kendall + Kylie leather jackets, asymmetrical T-shirts, and ripped sweatshirts. Each item had a price tag ($295! said one), but there was no cash register or place to buy anything, unless it was hidden in a tablet. On a table next to the racks, a sturdy man dressed in all black was offering to monogram Kendall + Kylie items with what looked like neon-colored Sharpies. I walked back downstairs and discovered a large crowd of men and women pushing toward a roped-off step-and-repeat at the front of the store. The step-and-repeat said Kendall + Kylie, but I could not see if Kendall + Kylie was standing on it. The crowd, in thrall to a teenage Kardashian brand, continued to mash forward. I approached the edge of the pit and asked one of the women jockeying for position what everybody was trying to see. Kendall + Kylie? I dont know, she said. I cant see anything. So why is everyone pushing forward? I asked, beginning to think this was some sort of Asch conformity experiment. I dont know, she repeated, hoisting her iPhone above the crowd in an attempt to take a photo of nothing. Hell. Several minutes later, Kendall + Kylie appeared, perhaps from a trap door in the floor it was impossible to see the arrival or anything besides the armpits of the attendees on either side of me. After a few photos, Kendall + Kylie moved toward a glass-walled room adjacent to the step-and-repeat, where the Kardashians preferred media outlet, E!, was waiting for an on-camera interview. Security guards physically restrained guests from reaching out to the unit during the ten-foot journey. Oh, my God, people are going to put their faces up against the glass, I joked to a reporter next to me. Then people actually did. As I left through the front entrance, I watched a tall, brunette 20-something smash her body against the wall and lift her iPhone above her head to take a selfie with Kendall + Kylie through the glass. In Both Sides of a Breakup, the Cut talks to exes about how they got together and why they split up. Alan is a 27-year old film producer, Carrie is a 27-year old TV producer. They met in college, dated for three years in college and almost four after, and fought almost the entire way through. This is their story. Alan: We met our first year of college. We lived in the same dorm it was the most insane party environment. No one cared about school. And it was a very incestuous group of friends. At some point everyone made out. By the second year, I began turning to Carrie for romantic advice and we started getting serious. Carrie: He was the funniest one of all my friends. Really outgoing, funny, handsome, and smart. Wed become each others better halves: very close, best friends. We fought a lot, but it was always impossible to cut him out completely. Alan: The problems really started after college. Carrie: Post college, it was hard from the start. The relationship now required more effort. We broke up again and again. We were growing up and figuring out what we wanted. Alan: The stress of real life hit. All of a sudden there were just tons of issues. She didnt want to stay at my place, or I didnt want to stay at hers, and we could just tally that kind of stuff up, nonstop. Carrie: We both kept tabs of everything. It was enraging at times. Alan: I got a job and left it, then had a period of bouncing around. Then I traveled, exhausted my bank account, and had to move in with my parents. She had a solid job and a schedule. Carrie: I got into adulthood faster than he did. Hes had six different jobs all in different industries. I found something and stuck to it. I wasnt annoyed by it though; I got it. Alan: There was the whole family aspect of it, too. Her family is really Wasp-y and proper. They set a place at the dinner table; they drink the right wine with food. If there is a holiday, like Christmas, there are six nights of events around it. I come from a loud, Jewish family. My parents are divorced; we occasionally have holidays together for one night, but thats it. Id always make excuses to get out of her familys parties, because it was just too much! Carrie: My family thought he was nuts, but they liked him. Hes a very hyperactive guy they thought he brought stress to social situations, but not in a bad way. Plus, they knew we were so on and off. I remember my mom would always be like, This isnt for real. You would stick it out if it were real. Alan: Carrie will say ramen destroyed our relationship. I love Asian food; she doesnt. Cuisine was always a conflict between us. And shes lactose intolerant. Everything I liked, she couldnt eat. Carrie: One of the things that would get me so lit with anger was that the only thing he ever, ever wanted to eat was some form of Asian soup. Even if we woke up super early, he wanted ramen or pho and I refuse to eat soup for breakfast. It sounds insane the amount of conflict this caused. Even if Id suggest some trendy new spot I read about, hed say he didnt want to visit a douchey place with tiny portions where hed wind up needing to grab ramen afterward! I was like, YOU DONT HAVE TO SOLVE EVERYTHING WITH RAMEN. Alan: For these reasons and more, when she brought up moving in together, I flat-out turned it down. Carrie: Not only did we never move in together, but we didnt take our first trip together until about five years in. We went to Tel Aviv for 11 days. Night one, I cant even remember what we fought about, but I wanted out of the hotel. It was our first vacation ever and I was just so pissed at him probably over nothing. Alan: At this point she accused me of not liking kissing. But I was just so burnt out on the relationship. Foreplay just lost its value. Hand-holding, all that stuff it lost its value. Carrie: For the next year, things slowly dissolved, at least for me. Alan: The big blowout at the end was around Christmas. I hadnt gone to one of her family events. I told her it was because I was with my mom, but I wound up going to a casino with my friend. Somehow it got back to her. She found it unacceptable. She said that after six years, she was sick of making excuses for me. Carrie: In my mind, we were actively breaking up over this whole time. Alan: Then New Years came and we all went to a friends chalet in Montreal. We wound up with the master suite with this huge king-size bed. We argued the entire time. No sex. We didnt touch each other once. I was like, This is insane! Carrie: It was a seven-hour drive, and, again, for some mundane reason, I was just so angry the entire time. I was stewing and brooding with hatred for him. No idea why! Knowing me, it was probably over him playing music I didnt like. Alan: A few days later, I got to her place and she had written me a note. It said, I cant say this in person but I want you to read this. I didnt fight it. I was so on the same page. We slept in the same bed that night. But we didnt even have breakup sex. Carrie: It took an entire year, but finally, it was done. We were sad and holding each other. He doesnt cry. But I did. Alan: We made a pact not to relapse no matter what. Carrie: I threw myself back out there because why not. I had been in a relationship for so long; I was excited to check things out. Its cruel to say, but yeah, I was relieved. That was a year and nine months ago. I recently become boyfriend-girlfriend with someone new. Alan: We had one relapse and slept together. Everything felt wrong. I dont see us ever getting back together. Everything needs to move forward. Want to tell us both sides of a breakup? Email sexdiaries@nymag.com Drake can rest easy now. Photo: Getty Images The suspect who allegedly swiped about $3 million in jewelry from Drakes tour bus on Tuesday night apparently didnt get too far. He was already in jail for trespassing elsewhere in Arizona. Police identified Travion King, 21, from surveillance footage at the Talking Stick Arena in downtown Phoenix, where Drakes tour buses were parked outside during the night of the crime. By the time police figured out who King was from the security footage, he was already in jail for trespassing at Arizona State University. Go figure. Hes since been booked on a burglary charge, and the jewelry has been returned. The crime also appears to have occurred during a short window of time. The man was in and out in 15 minutes, police told the Associated Press. King had done some contract work for the arena and other local venues, Sgt. Vince Lewis of Maricopa County told the Associated Press. Police also confirmed that the suitcase filled with jewelry wasnt Drakes it belonged to his DJ, Future The Prince. That didnt stop Drake from freaking out in the morning when he was alerted to the burglary. What an emotional 24-hour roller coaster this must have been for Drake and Future The Prince. written by the Black Magic, Wings and Hair songwriters. Well if the name wasn't enough of a downer this information has me going nope. Weren't they supposed to be channeling grime and r&b or something this go round? I can't handle another Get Weird. Edited at 2016-09-08 02:19 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link Nah, that was just a rumor. LM4 is supposed to be more pop-oriented, but they've been meeting with a lot of electronic producers so... who knows. They say this album will be more ~mature~ so hopefully it's great. Have faith! Reply Parent Thread Link Idk, I feel like I was also promised a more mature album with Get Weird and then we got that so it's hard to be optimistic. Reply Parent Thread Link They have been working with a lot of kinda EDM producers, so who knows. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link lmao ONTD needs to tone down the 'why do they keep making shitty Radio Disney shit no wonder they're flops!' um no, GW is their most popular album and my lil sister loves the sound so much. Ofc I prefer their gritty RnB experimentals in Salute but they're never going back to that again. Well, at least fully. The leotards and sexy dance moves in the GW tour indicates that they want to mature things up but still with a family friendly vibe. I have a feeling LM4 will be a good mix of Salute and GW Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Hating exes means that they still are a part of your life and thoughts. So nah. Reply Thread Link i don't think anyone can blame perrie for being mad at her ex given that she forgave him after the cheating, and then he cheated again and broke off their engagement by text idk was leigh-anne's bf bad? idk him Reply Thread Link ALLEGEDLY, Leigh's ex also cheated on her. Reply Parent Thread Link Jordan sucked, man. He'd post all this shit on insta calling Leigh a gold digger while they were together. Smh Reply Parent Thread Link Nope, goodbye fuck him. Reply Parent Thread Link funny since im sure she was the one bringing in the income lol Reply Parent Thread Link What the... literally who he is thinking he is? Dudes straight trippin Reply Parent Thread Link Like why would you cheat on either of those ladies? You're dating/engaged to this stunning, adorable, talented woman with a really great attitude and positive vibe, so...you cheat on her? I know people say it's like, grass is greener on the other side bullshit, but seriously...why? If I had Perrie or Leigh to come home to every night you better bet I wouldn't be thinking of cheating. My crush level on all of LM is out of control bye Reply Parent Thread Link are they recreating the 'case of the ex' vid Reply Thread Link I'D DIE Reply Parent Thread Link Now if this doesn't happen I'll be so disappointed. Reply Parent Thread Link The only way to go. If they can dance Reply Parent Thread Link this would be MAYJAH! Reply Parent Thread Link I'm down for another track from this writing team (Black Magic is catchy af) as long as it's a bit more ~mature. People seem to love, love, love Hair so this doesn't seem like a bad idea. Reply Thread Link I fucking hope they do. call them out. Reply Thread Link ONTD, do you hate your ex? Most of them, yes. They were pretty awful. I'm friends with like 2 or 3 of them, and we get along fine. But most of them were awful, and like one was too good for me. But thankfully I've recovered from them enough to where I don't think about much anymore. I'm more just mad at myself for putting up with their bullshit. Reply Thread Link How many exes do you have?? Reply Parent Thread Link I have about 8 5 I hate. 3 I sorta talk to. Reply Parent Thread Link one was too good for me Never! Don't let anyone think that they're better than you. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I only hate one but regret dating most of them Reply Parent Thread Link Your vagine must be super. Something like a gridlock Reply Parent Thread Link Yikes. I would change my number if I were you. Reply Parent Thread Link You poor thing your exes sound kind of scary tbh! I hope they get it through their heads and leave you alone. <3 Reply Parent Thread Link Is his star sign Cancer? Many of them are like that. Nice at first then treats you like shit. When you finally have had enough and left them, they blow up your phone/facebook timestamps but don't have the balls to actually show up and apologize. Reply Parent Thread Link my last ex was a creep. Excited for moar Little Mix stuff. Can we have an a capella Christmas album tho? Reply Thread Link This would be nice but I want it to be like Boy; a song by all means directed towards a fuckboi but never talks about them at all. I want Leigh and Pez drifting down the desert Mad Max style 'thanking' their exes for the ride. Reply Thread Link Didn't Zayn have a song about Perrie? It's only fair she has one about him. I'm sure she has plenty of material to work with Reply Thread Link yeah he shittily let his team imply "it's you" was about Perrie, which is slightly shady but also super vague. so basically just an attempt for a PR boost. dude knows better than to try anything considering she has all the dirt on him Reply Parent Thread Link I just looked up the lyrics and dear lord that's like me in 7th grade songwriting level. Yikes. Reply Parent Thread Link It's you is amazing Reply Parent Thread Link here for this. at least there's not as long of a wait as there was for GW. do I hate my ex? I've been told you shouldn't hate the dead. Reply Thread Link I thought I saw one of my exes in a Walmart and when I tell you I instantly turned into Jason Bourne... I was bobbing and weaving over tomato displays, hiding behind potatoe buckets, all of that. I think I still hate that ex. Reply Thread Link Lmfao I do this with everyone I hate. Reply Parent Thread Link Lord, I do this with people I know/don't hate when I spot them in stores Reply Parent Thread Link i don't know how to feel about this Reply Thread Link this is probably an asshole opinion, but I think she should care first and foremost about the people in her own country rather than dogs in other countries... although I don't know which charities she's involved in, so idk if that argument holds water. other than that it's kinda uncomfortable to see her criticizing the eating habits of poc? and I don't know what she expects the congress to do, like there aren't more pressing issues when it comes to the American-Chinese relations... Reply Parent Thread Link yeah as someone who chomps on chicken and cow meat it would be pretty hypocritical for me to protest dog meat consumption Reply Parent Thread Expand Link This is what I was thinking...like this is really sticking your nose into another country's business when it has nothing to do with you or your cow and chicken eating land. Reply Parent Thread Link "I think she should care first and foremost about the people in her own country rather than dogs in other countries." THIS!!! She's rich as fuck and bored with her life so I guess she thinks this gives her purpose. Like how about helping out with the high poverty levels in Los Angeles? Reply Parent Thread Link Absolutely not an asshole opinion. Reply Parent Thread Link not an asshole opinion at all. she is making it worse by interfering Reply Parent Thread Link This is modern day colonialism. Like, how can you really try and impose a certain countries perspective or food culture on another country, ya know? The most Congress can do is not buy dog meat. Which I'm sure it has already done. She should probably speak to delegates for the UN instead. tldr; she's promoting white supremacy Reply Parent Thread Link Can they also talk about the brutal cow/pig/chicken meat trade pretty much everywhere? Reply Thread Link Pretty much this. She's not okay with the large scale slaughter of dogs in China, but she's probs serving up hundreds of beef steaks weekly at her shitty restaurants. I'm not a vegetarian/vegan, but I am legit interested in and wonder why people don't get upset and up in arms about the way we treat livestock in this country (USA). Reply Parent Thread Link I'm not a vegetarian/vegan, but I am legit interested in and wonder why people don't get upset and up in arms about the way we treat livestock in this country (USA). Cognitive dissonance 4real Reply Parent Thread Link Or how indigenous communities are being moved off of their land for it to be cleared for animal agriculture? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link this Reply Parent Thread Link those animals are not as cute as dogs which is why most people dgaf :/ it's also why people get all up in arms about marine mammal captivity and don't say a word about factory farming Reply Parent Thread Link THANK YOU The entire meat/dairy industry is just ....nope. Can't do it. Dogs are viewed as lovable pets but no one cares are farm animals at all. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link yup Reply Parent Thread Link Seriously Reply Parent Thread Link thank you! cows and pigs are just as intelligent (if not more so) than dogs. barring the intelligence debate, every animal can feel happiness, sadness, pain... the meat industry is incredibly fucked up. Reply Parent Thread Link Why. Just why. Reply Thread Link i find the obsession with dog meat mind-boggling Reply Thread Link I agree. I'm a vegan/animal rights supporter, so I find the entire meat industry disgusting and barbaric. Even as a dog lover (as you can probably tell from my icon), I don't find dog meat inherently more cruel than pig meat, cow meat, chicken meat, etc. It's all equally wrong in my opinion. Personally, I'm far more disgusted by the foie gras industry than I am by dog meat. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link It absolutely is. Reply Parent Thread Link it is. Reply Parent Thread Link this, and this one dumbass guy in my group of friends makes the same stupid cat/dog chow mein joke every time we get chinese food, as if his standards are so much higher that dem Asians because he eats beef or chicken or pork. Reply Parent Thread Link it absolutely is. thank you for pointing this out. Reply Parent Thread Link I agree. Reply Parent Thread Link Ummmmm ..ok. Reply Thread Link Why don't we address the brutal meat industry (to both animals and workers) in the USA tho Reply Thread Link Because then people would have to actually make changes to their lives, and that requires efforts. The average American doesn't eat dog meat to begin with, so they can easily profess outrage over it and delude themselves into believing they're a really compassionate person who loves animals. Reply Parent Thread Link ia. ppl here forget about the workers and how much they suffer, too. this is well documented. so many abuses taking place, and the animal industry has been linked to human trafficking as well. Reply Parent Thread Link I dont watch the show, i have no idea who she is, but good on her. Its makes me sick hearing about the stories and what they do. It needs to end. Edited at 2016-09-08 09:47 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link She has shetland ponies in her backyard in Beverly Hills. They just wonder around the grounds come inside if the door is left open only to be shooed out, naturally the decor is all white they will get dirt everywhere darling. yeah I think the over climate for this practice is shifting in those countries but yeah this is good. Reply Parent Thread Link Well, she sounds...different lol. I work with dogs and cats, its my career so its always good to hear others want to help, even those with a possible screw loose. Reply Parent Thread Link omg if I had the money to properly care for them I would love some little shetland ponies Reply Parent Thread Link Yea, she's an animal collector and gets her animals from breeders. Reply Parent Thread Link am i a terrible person for not caring about this? i love dogs but they are animals and what's the difference between eating a dog and a pig? Reply Thread Link squick warning: first off, the animals aren't farm raised. they are stealing people's pets. then they get shaved and boiled alive. it's an excruciating thing for the animals. then again, I doubt the process is quicker or more humane for the pigs. Reply Parent Thread Link My mom's cats were always getting stolen in the Philippines to be eaten. >> Kevins Troubles Continue Kevin informs Mike that Cahill has been seizing his and Jills assets. Mike points out the government wouldnt let them keep the direct proceeds from insider trading, but Kevin says theyre taking everything, including money Jill earned before she got wrapped up in her fathers illegal business. Kevin expects Mike to put a stop to it since hes the one who convinced them to take the deal. Mike calls Cahill, questioning why hes seizing all of Jills assets. Cahill may not exactly be playing fair, but hes getting a little payback for all the people who lost everything they had, including his mother, thanks to Sutters shady trading. Hes not going to let Jill live high on the hog while working peoples lives were ruined. Threats, Threats and More Threats Harvey has held up his end of his bargain with Gallo and gotten him a parole hearing. Harvey reminds Gallo that hes obligated to have Mikes back for as long as the two remain at Danbury together. Gallo swears hes a man of his word which isnt exactly comforting. Hes made a lot of nasty threats, and its possible hell still feel obligated to screw Harvey over even if things go his way. Jessica meets with Georgina Casey, the public offender who defended Leonard Bailey. Georgina points out that she tried to be polite when Rachel insinuated she didnt do her job with Bailey, but shes not about to be told by someone who harbored a fraud what a bad lawyer she is. Jessica clarifies that she doesnt think Georgina is a bad lawyer, just a good lawyer who made a mistake, and Jessica is there to give her a chance to fix it. Leonard Baileys alibi witness may be dead but her testimony isnt. Jessica wants Georgina to testify to what Maria Lopez told her. But Georgina isnt going to pretend she let a solid witness disappear when she believes Maria was a junkie with an inconsistent story at best. Georgina knows Jessica took this case to try and repair her firms reputation, but shes not about to smear her own in the process. Jessica reminds Georgina that a mans life is on the line, but Georgina did her best to defend him, but shes under no obligation to do it again. Jessica isnt taking no for an answer. She hands Georgina a sworn affidavit which states that Gomez told Georgina Leonard couldnt have murdered that couple because he was with her at the time. Georgina can either sign it, or lie under oath to a jury that it isnt true and face Jessicas wrath. Jessica and Rachel go before the judge along with the prosecutor who argues the affidavit isnt enough to reopen the case. Rachel gets heated and makes the accusation that Georgina didnt do an adequate job representing her client. The judge questions if Jessica and Rachel want to re-open the case because Georgina failed to do her job. Thats a serious allegation to make against another attorney. Since the affidavit doesnt seem to be enough, Jessica states that wasnt their plan, but if thats what it takes to give Bailey a chance to prove his innocence, its their plan now. Since the affidavit basically is an admission of a big blunder, the judge plans to rule that the case should be reopened after all. A Change of Plans Mike may not be able to stop Cahill from taking Jills money, but he thinks he might be able to get Kevin out so at least the family can be together. Kevin doesnt want to rock the boat, worried that Cahill could rescind her deal. Mike assures Kevin the deal is airtight, and Cahill cant take it back. Mike needs to know what Cahill said to Kevin when he told him to turn on Sutter. Kevin reveals Cahill didnt say anything, he never spoke to Sean Cahill in his life. Harveys having a hard enough time reconciling his conscience by trying to get Gallo out, but things get worse when his former boss, Cameron Dennis, finds out. He cant believe Harvey is trying to get a murderer who should have been put away for life out of jail. Harvey explains the Mike situation, but Cameron doesnt care. Harvey wont break the deal but Cameron will. Cameron plans to play a tape for the parole board that has Gallo admitting to murder. Harvey argues the tape wasnt admissible in court, so if Cameron tries to even hit the play button, Harvey will get him thrown out. Cameron isnt ruffled by Harveys threats. He is going to do whatever it takes to keep Gallo behind bars. Mike is approached by a guard who calls him out for being a rat. Word is spreading, and the guard warns Mike there will come a time when Mike needs his protection and he wont be there. This is obviously the pitch for some sort of shakedown, but Gallo intervenes. He tells Mike hes got his back, but Mike isnt buying it. Guards are the last ones to find out anything, so if word about Mike informing is spreading, he wouldnt be finding out about it from one. This is a play by Gallo to remind Mike of what will happen if Harvey lets Gallo down. Everything Implodes As Harvey and Gallo go before the parole board, Mike is butting heads with Cahill. Mikes drafted a lawsuit against him, claiming Cahill abused his power when he went after Kevin. Kevin lives in New Jersey which was also the sight of his car accident and that would put it out of Cahills jurisdiction. Mike promises not to file the suit, if Cahill agrees to get Kevin out. Cahill isnt about to be bullied by Mike, who at this point, is seriously pushing his luck. His arrogance is off the charts. Mike believes Cahill crossed a line when he took all of Jills money, but Cahill doesnt see it that way. However, if Mike thinks Cahills capable of abusing his power, hes about to prove him right. Cahill tells Mike his deal is gone. Cahill gave Mike immunity for the crimes he committed before he got caught. Mikes plea agreement specifies hell never practice law again without a license, something Mikes been doing while in jail. Mike calls B.S. since Kevin and Jill both know he isnt a lawyer. Cahill says he knows that and Mike knows that, but if Mike fights it, Cahill will argue it in court for the next two years. So, if Mike doesnt back down, hell be lucky to get a day out before hes supposed to anyway. Gallo swears to the board hes a changed man and swears hell never do anything naughty again. Cameron makes good on his threat to sabotage Gallos hearing. He doesnt play the tape, but Cameron reads the transcript of Harveys own words from Gallos sentencing hearing. Among other things, Harvey called Gallo a sociopath with no remorse for the things hed done who should be locked up for his miserable life. Harvey tries to convince the board that he believes Gallo has changed, but Cameron tells the board Gallo hasnt changed and is blackmailing Harvey. Harvey denies it, but the board decides theyre going to swear Harvey in the following day. One of the members urges Harvey to reconsider what hell be saying then because hell be saying it under oath. Who Will Back Down First? After all the dust clears, Mike and Harvey compare notes. Mike is annoyingly self-righteous about his actions, and Harvey makes it clear that Mike doesnt have that luxury. Harvey also has to relive the disastrous events that unfolded at Gallos parole hearing. This news only strengthens Mikes resolve not to leave Kevin behind. If Mike gets out and Gallo doesnt, the first person Gallo will go after is Mikes cellmate. Harvey wants Mike to drop the suit before Cahill pulls the deal, but Mike tells him its too late. Now hes got no choice to move forward with his threat because its the only card Mike has left to play. If Harvey want Mike to drop it, he needs to get Cahill to do the right thing and get Kevin out. Mike isnt the only one pushing his luck. The prosecutor in Baileys case comes to Jessica with a deal. It isnt good enough for Jessica. She may not have DNA evidence or an alibi and not much else. What she does have is a case that will embarrass him every day it drags on since he was the one who prosecuted it in the first place. He offers up 10 years and Jessica counters with five. Even better, if he lets Bailey walk now, she promises to not reopen the case at all. Seven is as low as the opposing counsel will go, claiming she can take it or leave it. Jessica brings down that hammer, promising shell get Bailey exonerated and make the prosecutor look like a fool. Jessica tells Rachel about the deal. Jessica thinks she can get it down to five, but Rachel believes thats five too long for a crime Bailey didnt commit. Jessica points out that losing at retrial and dying in prison isnt fair either. Rachel doesnt believe theyll lose, but Jessica tells her that juries are unpredictable. This is a chance for Leonard to get his life back. Still not good enough for Rachel. Leonard will still be seen as a murderer, even by his family. Jessica gets frustrated by Rachels untested idealism. This is a win, and Rachel needs to get on board, so they can walk into that prison and present a united front. But this guy is used to dropping some hammers himself. He tells Jessica to bring it on. But shes obligated to present his offer to Leonard Bailey, and if he loses again, in 60 days, hell be executed. Harvey tries to reason with Cahill, but Cahill wont budge until Mike drops the suit and walks away. Harvey promises that if Cahill lets the deal go through theres no way Mike will follow through once he gets out. Cahill doesnt trust Harvey or Mike enough to agree. Both men argue theyve held up their ends of their deal. Cahill is livid that Mikes trying to bite the hand that feeds him, so in retaliation, hes going to take away Mikes dinner. Harvey voices his concern about Mike being trapped in prison with Gallo, and Cahill sees that as all the more incentive for Mike to back off. Best Suits Quotes from Borrowed Time >>> Mike Goes Behind Harveys Back Harvey continues to scramble to save Mike who, by this point, Im not certain deserves it. Harvey tells Cameron hell have Gallo under surveillance for three years following his release. Thats not enough for Cameron, so Harvey pulls the Mike card. Cameron is under the impression Mike is getting out, so Harvey has to reveal the SECs shady dealings, and Mikes determination to best Cahill in a legal game of chicken. This revelation only serves to infuriate Cameron further. Why should he perjure himself and put a monster on the street so that Mike can fight his little crusade. Cameron confronts Harvey that he knows what hes doing with Gallo with wrong, and Harvey has to convince Mike to veer off the road before he and Cahill collide. Before Harvey can testify, Cameron arrives with Mike. Mike blows Gallo out of the water, recounting all of Gallos threats against him. He also reveals that Harvey was aware of the threats, and its the only reason hes trying to get Gallo parole. Harvey doesnt refute Mikes testimony. Gallo promises to come after both Mike and Harvey, but Mike informs Gallo hes getting out ASAP, and theres nothing that Gallo can do about it. Harvey learns that Mike cut a deal with Cameron. Cameron doesnt work for the SEC, and he was able to convince someone that it was better to let a drunk driver out if it meant keeping Gallo in. He doesnt see the big deal since Mikes getting out, but Harvey knows Gallos reach stretches beyond the prison. Matters of Life and Death Leonard doesnt want to take the deal. For him, its not about living or dying, its about proving his innocence. Leonard asks Rachel for her opinion, and Rachel urges him to fight, so thats what he decides to do. Rachel and Jessica go toe-to-toe, and Rachel accuses Jessica of not caring, but Jessica says playing the odds isnt the same thing as not caring. Rachel has never seen Jessica back down from a fight, but she also hasnt seen Jessica in a position where a mans life is at stake. Jessicas been down this road before, and the outcome wasnt good. Rachel still doesnt think they should convince Leonard to take a deal he cant live with. They need to fight to give him something worth living for. Kevin and Mike prepare to leave, but when the guard arrives, hes only taking Kevin. Harvey thinks Cahill went back on his word to reinstate the deal if Mike dropped the suit. Cahill swears the deal is in play. Mike called Cahill and told him to hold off on the paperwork until morning. It seems Mikeys got a plan, and he couldnt let Harvey know about it. But now, Mike needs Cahill and Harveys help to bring it home. Mike sits in his cell and receives a visit from Gallo. Gallo goes after Mike but learns Mike is recording the whole scene which includes Gallo bragging about having guards in his pocket. Its a pretty unimaginative sting operation. The good guards come to save the day, and Im guessing Mikes hoping Gallos actions send him back to maximum where it will make it impossible for him to get out or get to Mike in anyway. Harvey offers Gallo a deal. He gets five years tacked on to his sentence and stays at Danbury as long as he drops his vendetta against Mike. After nine tedious episodes, endless covert cell phone calls and deals being made and unmade faster than hotel room beds, Mike finally walks out of jail a free man. Sadly, they couldnt even pull together a Cool Hand Luke or Escape from Alcatraz or even The Rock, Mikes incarceration comes to an anti-climactic end. Suits airs Wednesdays at 9pm on USA. (Photo courtesy of USA) For the fourth consecutive year, banks and schools in Beatrice are teaming up to teach young students about banking from both sides of the counter. Its a great community partnership, said Betty Replogle, principal of Stoddard and Paddock Lane elementary schools. Seven Stoddard fifth graders were trained as tellers at Pinnacle Bank on Thursday, a job theyll take on every Friday morning at Stoddard this school year with their peers as their customers. Every Friday is Stoddards bank day, Replogle explained. These students will come in a little before 8 a.m. and be divided into two teams. In the library, we set up a bank. With help from Pinnacle Bank employees, the students will act as tellers and deposit their peers money into new or existing accounts. Several banks in town do the same thing with students at the Beatrice public and parochial elementary schools, as well as Beatrice Middle School. This is a big deal for them, Replogle said of the students. Its a big honor for them to get to do this. Replogle said its a challenge for teachers to choose just seven or eight children from about 50 in one grade to be the tellers for the following year. Their fourth grade teachers chose them based on math skills, social skills they have to be polite and have good manners to be a teller and trustworthiness, Replogle said. "They have to keep things confidential." Pinnacle Bank employees echoed those remarks on Thursday while training the children. Tellers need to be able to count money, have good manners and keep all information confidential, they said. Congratulations, said Jill Zimmerman, branch manager of the North Sixth St. Pinnacle Bank. Your teachers and your principal chose you because you have great character and great math skills. Just as several elementary students are doing in Beatrice banks, the Stoddard students were given cash, coins and checks to count and record on deposit slips using fake names, such as Mickey Mouse. They also learned customer service techniques and how to accept a check from a customer. I think this is really cool because my grandpa was a banker for Pinnacle Bank in Colorado, said fifth grader Jude Tomlinson. I learned how to deposit checks and how to bank with money. I think (being a teller at school) will be great. The group also talked about saving money. Students said that with leftover money, they should save it for things such as a car, a house and college. Pinnacle Bank employees said they enjoy visiting the schools during their weekly bank hours and that it also provides students opportunities to ask the employees about their careers. Stoddards bank hours are from 8 to 8:30 a.m. every Friday starting Sept. 16. Each school has different bank hours and different local bank branches are partners. Guilty plea on tax charges for aide to NJ Senate president Tony Teixeira was listed in a September 2021 state subpoena seeking details on payments from Sean Caddle, the man at the center of a murder-for-hire plot. This Saturday, Sept. 10, come out to the Los Ranchos Growers Market to support the Lap Dog Rescue of New Mexico, a non-profit dog rescue that re-homes dogs without placing them in a shelter. You can buy local produce, honey and baked goods, then hang out with some awesome pooches who would love to be a new part of your family. There will also be a raffle of some handmade jewelry and a doggie doorcomplete with installation. All of their dogs are vaccinated, fixed and microchipped. This adoption event is from 9am-1pm at the Community Barn in the Village of Los Ranchos. Alfredo Garcia Community Barns, Los Ranchos Sat Sep 10 9am-1pm View on Alibi calendar Home, Private Schools Saved Taxpayers Between $1.35 and $1.58 Billion Last week, the Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE) released the 2015-16 enrollment totals for private and home schools.Home school growth has been phenomenal for years, but the last two have been nothing short of amazing. In 2015, home school enrollment eclipsed the 100,000-student mark after adding nearly 8,700 students, compared to the prior year estimate.This year, North Carolina had an estimated 118,268 home school students, a staggering increase of 11,415 students or nearly 11 percent.So, why is home schooling growing faster than Taylor Swift's Girl Squad? It depends on the values and circumstances of each family. Some are not satisfied with the academic quality or social environment of their assigned public schools. Others object to the inculcation of secular values embedded in the public school curriculum. Still others seek an alternative to the homogenization, regimentation, and depersonalization that typify modern public schooling.Parents send their children to private schools for many of the same reasons.Private school enrollment inched up by roughly 500 students to 97,721. After years of enrollment declines and only negligible increases over the past two years, private school enrollment finally exceeded the pre-recession enrollment peak of 97,656 students.It is likely that the Opportunity Scholarship and Disability Grant programs, which provide private school vouchers to eligible low-income and special needs students, are responsible for some of the recent growth in the private school population. The N.C. General Assembly just approved substantial funding increases for both programs, so total private school enrollment may soon surpass the 100,000 student threshold.While home and private schooling certainly benefit the families that choose those options, the real winner is the North Carolina taxpayer. Home and private school families pay taxes to support public school systems that they have every right to use but don't.I'm often asked to calculate the savings realized by keeping over 200,000 children out of public system. But it is not as easy as multiplying the total number of students by the district or state's average per-student expenditure. Why?To get the most accurate figure, one would need to account for the location, grade level, educational needs, access to public charter schools, and the capacity of schools assigned to home and private students. It is possible, for example, that school districts could absorb a number of incoming students without affecting facilities, staffing levels, and other fixed costs. In those cases, the cost of adding one additional student to the system, which nerdy researchers call the " marginal cost ," would be relatively low.On the other hand, some school districts would find that number of incoming students would exceed what they, using existing resources, could provide. In these cases, districts would need to build schools and hire additional teachers and staff, thereby raising the marginal cost of educating those children. Theoretically, our fastest growing and largest school districts would have the toughest time accommodating an influx of home and private school students. Their marginal costs, and thus savings to taxpayers, would be much higher.In separate studies, Alex Grecu, Cotton Lindsay, and Andrew Coulson argue that the marginal cost of educating a student is between 80 and 85 percent of average per-student spending. In other words, between 15 and 20 percent of the costs of educating a student are fixed. The remaining costs are variable. Please note that there are disagreements about the marginal cost calculation. In a 2012 study published by the Friedman Foundation, for example, Ben Scafidi found that the short-term variable cost for North Carolina was 67.6 percent. Some researchers argue that the percentage of fixed costs are much higher, even constituting the majority of the marginal cost. For now, I will calculate the marginal cost using both the 67.6 percent and the 80 percent figures.North Carolina's 2014-15 per-student expenditure (latest available) was $9,235 for both operating and capital expenditures. The marginal cost would be between $6,242,86 (67.6 percent) and $7,388 (80 percent) per student. Using this rough estimate to create another rough estimate and ignoring the many methodological issues involved in such an exercise, home and private schools saved taxpayers an estimated $1.35 t0 $1.58 billion last year.So, there you have it. Home and private school students save taxpayers between $1.35 and $1.6 billion last year. This taxpayer really appreciates it! German luxury car maker Audi on Thursday launched the new generation A4 sedan priced at Rs 38.1 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi and Maharashtra). The vehicle, launched only in petrol variant as of now, promises a fuel efficiency of 18 km per litre. The top variant is priced at Rs 41.2 lakh. Bhavnagar-based herbal lifestyle products maker Sheth Brothers, which had grabbed eyeballs with its in-film branding of in Piku, is planning to focus on its oldest product Komla Gutika. The weight-loss pill was relaunched last year and is now selling in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Komla Gutika was the first product of Sheth Brothers, launched when the company was founded in 1978. The domestic market, which has seen stable growth in recent years, is declining this year due to uncertainties on diesel vehicles and a sudden shift in buyers preference towards petrol cars. 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. Furniture and home marketplace .com has said that the company is looking at break even of its business by the first quarter of year 2018-19. The company is planning to enter into services business, launching furniture service business early next year, and may look at acquisition if some opportunity emerges in services and logistics businesses. "We are well on our path to profitability. We would have improved our margin by 13-15 per cent in the last one year. We plan to break even by the first quarter of 2018," said Ashish Shah, founder and COO of .com. Reliance Jio would generate a very "healthy return" on capital, despite the 2.5-lakh-crore investment and the lowest tariff rates for data in the Indian market, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani told The Economic Times in an interview. Steel Authority of Indias net loss for the June quarter widened to Rs 535 crore, mainly on account of an exceptional item after the company paid Rs 54.2 crore towards voluntary retirement compensation during the period. This is the fourth consecutive quarter when the maharatna firm has posted a loss. The sugar industry has urged the Centre to direct the Reserve Bank of India to restructure bank loans of mills, like they were in 2007. Concerns of slowdown in the Indian information technology sector came to the fore on Thursday when Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) said it was expecting a "sequential loss of momentum" as clients, especially in the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) segment, are putting discretionary spends on hold. 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." With Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India's largest IT services provider, sounding the warning bells of a sequential loss of momentum as clients, especially in the banking and financial services segment, hold discretionary spends, it has yet again raised concern of a slowdown in the Indian IT sector. TCS, in a filing to the BSE, said: "Based on the data at the end of August 2016, the company has characetrised customer outlook as one marked by 'abundant caution', with some holding back of discretionary spending-particularly BFSI vertical in the US, resulting in sequential loss of momentum." Ratan Tata-backed online furniture mart has sought approval to open offline stores as it gears to take on larger competition from Swedish furniture maker IKEA, which is setting up stores across India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed deep concern at the rising "export of terror", in an apparent reference to Pakistan, saying it is a common security threat to the region as he sought a coordinated response from member nations to combat the menace. While addressing the 14th ASEAN-India summit here, the Prime Minister also noted that growing radicalism through the ideology of hatred and spread of extreme violence are the other security threats. "Export of terror, growing radicalisation and spread of extreme violence are common security threats to our societies," he said in his second attack on Pakistan in two days amid escalating war of words between New Delhi and Islamabad. "The threat is local, regional, and transitional at the same time. Our partnership with seeks to craft a response through coordination, cooperation at multiple levels," Modi said. He said that in the face of growing traditional and non traditional challenges, political cooperation was a key emerging in our relations. "We are willing to take concrete steps to enhance cooperation in cyber security, de-radicalisation and counterterrorism," he added. On Monday, Modi made a sharp attack on Pakistan at the G20 summit, saying "one single nation" in South Asia is spreading "agents of terror" as he asserted that those who sponsor the menace must be sanctioned and isolated, not rewarded. In his remarks on Thursday, the Prime Minister said that is central to India's Act East policy. "Our engagement driven by common priorities bringing peace, stability and prosperity to the region," he told the 10-member grouping attended by Heads of state. He said enhancing connectivity was central to India's partnership with ASEAN. Seamless digital connectivity between India and Southeast Asia is a shared objective. India committed to Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity," Modi said. Securing seas was a shared responsibility, he said, adding that sea lanes are "life lines of global trade". India supports freedom of navigation based on United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), he added. He thanked the member countries for sharing their views on "nature, direction and priorities of our engagement". "All three pillars of our partnership - security, economic and socio-cultural have registered good progress," he said, adding that engagement of India-ASEAN is of "economic optimism". "We continue to expand and deepen our economic engagements," Modi said. Laotian premier complimented India's Act East policy and its contribution to ASEAN and hoped the summit will provide future direction. Indias geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV-MkII) completed its first operational flight on Thursday, hurling a two-tonne weather communication satellite into space.The textbook launch will put Indian Space research Organisation (Isro) among a small group of nations with proven capability to put communication satellites into orbit and also help the space agency to hurl heavier satellites for local needs and global customers.So far, Isro had only launched experimental GSLV launchers to prove the technology to carry two-tonne satellites into geostationary transit orbit or GTO, where communication satellites are parked.Isros success in operationalising the GSLV-Mk-II,is being watched globally by communication satellite makers, as there is a shortage of reliable launchers globally. It would emerge a competitor to private launch companies such as SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, and Blue Origin, a firm owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, to hurl two-tonne communication satellites.We have limited capability for GSLV. But, we have begun exploring opportunities to launch communication satellites in the international market, said Rakesh Sasibhushan, chairman and managing director of Antrix Corp, last month.Global analysts have said earlier that a successful launch of the operational GSLV Mk-II rocket will first reduce dependency of Isro on foreign launchers and could be a potential disruptor in pricing for launching foreign satellites on Indian soil. Both (GSLV) Mk-II and III launches, if successful, could partially reduce Isros dependency on foreign launchers, recently said Maxime Puteaux, a space industry policy consultant at Euroconsult, the Paris-based space research agency. Although for commercial launches, GSLV Mark III is too small for most of the satellites, that are more than four tonnes. For satellites less than four tonnes, it could be competitive on price, provided it is available (i.e. not booked by the satellites of the Indian government).The first launch of GSLV-MkIII, Isros heaviest rocket, will be in December.Since its first launch in 2001 using a Russian cryogenic upper stage, Isro has so far done nine launches, including two with a cryogenic stage that it built on its own. The space agency has also successfully launched a smaller version of GSLV-MkIII, a rocket with a newer design that can eventually carry four-tonne communication satellites or for Indias manned space mission in the lower orbit.Currently, Isro uses the Ariane space rocket of the European Space Agency to hurl its commercial communication satellites into space.So far, Isro has leveraged its workhorse, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), to serve global customers to hurl smaller satellites on the lower earth orbit. Since two decades of its first launch, it has done 35 flights, hurling 86 satellites, including 45 foreign small and medium satellites. Now, Isro plans to outsource the entire rocket integration to an industry consortium, which includes Hindustan Aeronautics, Larsen and Toubro, Godrej Aerospace, Avasarala Technologies and Walchandnagar Industries. It is looking to triple launch capacity in a year to 18 with this approach.If you are able to build on top of what weve built PSLV commercialisation and make it more attractive, there is a possibility that the Indian industry can also gain in this global opportunity, said Isro chairman A S Kiran Kumar, in a recent interview. " We are looking at the possibility of whether that Indian industry plus Isro, whether they can launch the first vehicle in 2020. Beyond that, they can not only provide satellite launches for us, they can also market outside." Isro's commercial arm Antrix Corporation markets these services to customers globally. The outsourcing effort would also help Isro drive costs down to make the rocket launch more affordable as global competition catches up. More than 25 new space companies are attempting to build rockets, most of them in the United States, eyeing the global satellite opportunity. In the backdrop of rising and cyber domain frauds globally, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K) is eyeing the top slot in cyber security research and services in India. A civil society group in Jammu and Kashmir has written to President Pranab Mukherjee, seeking a "direct dialogue" with all stakeholders, including separatists, besides advocating repeal of laws like AFSPA and ban on use of pellet guns as confidence building measures for starting talks. While advocating direct dialogue, the group has dismissed Track II initiatives, saying such processes have rarely yielded any results. In a five-page letter to the President, the group comprising former bureaucrats, judges, top police officials, journalists and educationists sought his intervention to impress upon the Centre to hold talks for resolution of the "Kashmir dispute". "We...Implore and beseech Your Excellency, to impress upon the Government of India to initiate and announce direct, immediate, purposeful and result oriented dialogue with all the stakeholders especially those with whom such dialogue has been held in 2004 and 2007 for a lasting solution of 'Kashmir Dispute' within a reasonable time frame," the group said in the letter sent to the President on Wednesday. "We sincerely believe that a lasting solution of the dispute through dialogue with all the stakeholders would be in the interest of people of the subcontinent in general and people of Jammu and Kashmir in particular," they said. The group also said that Track II initiative have rarely yielded any results. "The experience teaches us that, Track II initiatives are time consuming, rarely yield any results and therefore not an option. Direct dialogue is the only way forward.An open dialogue with the representatives of those leading the ongoing movement and overall struggle for realisation of political aspirations, without questioning the legitimacy of the leadership, is imperative. "A confusion, grossly misplaced, is being created regarding the identity of those leading the ongoing movement and overall struggle for realisation of political aspirations and therefore required to be associated with the proposed talks," they said. The civil society members said previous central governments headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh had held dialogue at the highest level with important stakeholders. "The Government of India should resume that process by restarting dialogue at that level and follow it up by broad based institutional mechanisms for a holistic and lasting solution," they said while seeking a dialogue with all the stakeholders without any preconditions. "Once the Prime Minister has signified his intention to initiate dialogue within the ambit of Insaniyat, a concept higher than any law and even Constitution, for a lasting solution of the dispute, there is no reason to make dialogue subject to any conditions," it said. The civil society said "a meaningful dialogue" will also help in moving towards a "harmonious and dignified return of all the persons displaced because of conflict, to their native places". While making an effort to settle the dispute, they said the focus should not remain merely on financial packages or administrative interventions. The 'Kashmir dispute', the group said is a political dispute. "The dispute has its roots also in failure of India and Pakistan to carry forward dialogue contemplated under Tashkent Declaration of 1966, Shimla Agreement 1972, and bilateral talks held from time to time.The dispute, over the years, has consumed lives of thousands of people, left thousands orphans and widows, without a source of sustenance. Thousands have disappeared leaving behind, old aged parents, half widows and half orphans," they said. The group highlighted that the Government of India has been spending billions of rupees on acquisition of military hardware and maintenance of more than half a million troops and para-military forces in the State. "The dispute has, triggered arms race and, lately, nuclear proliferation in the subcontinent, making the State a nuclear flash point, threatening the security of the entire sub-continent. This leads to misallocation of precious and scarce resources, and perpetuates the state of poverty for the teeming millions, living below the poverty line. "India and Pakistan have fought four wars over the dispute and the two countries, with nuclear arsenal, cannot any more afford to get entangled in an armed conflict," they said. In an apparent snub to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, the group said the impression sought to be created that only five per cent of the population is associated with the movement is "misleading" and "belied" by the situation on ground. "The current movement is a mass uprising and not the handiwork of a few people," the group felt. The civil society suggested a few measures to be taken for creating an atmosphere conducive for a successful dialogue including repeal of laws like AFSPA, Public Safety Act and Disturbed Areas Act. They also called for reducing the footprints of army, para-military forces and security forces, especially, in civilian areas. "Relocate such forces and make Jammu and Kashmir Police and Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police responsible for maintenance of law and order," the group said. They also demanded an immediate ban on the use of pellet guns. The signatories to the letter include former chairman of Public Service Commission Muhammad Shafi Pandit, former judge of J&K High Court Hasnain Masoodi, former Chief Information Commissioner G R Sufi, former Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University Abdul Wahid, founder Vice Chancellor of SKUAST Hashmatullah Khan. Other signatories include Editor-in-Chief of Greater Kashmir Fayaz A Kaloo, artist Masood Hussain, former Chairman J&K Bank Munshi Ghulam Hassan, former Advocate General Reyaz A Jan, and Executive Editor of Kashmir Times Anuradha Bhasin. The group also demanded appointment of a Commission of Enquiry headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court to enquire into all civilian killings, "grievous hurt" caused by security forces and police firing, other crowd control measures, and nocturnal raids, damage to movable and immovable property during raids, on and after July 8 till the Commission initiates its proceedings, and to fix responsibility. The enquiry Commission should also determine compensation to be paid to the dependants of the deceased and each of the victims, and the persons whose property was damaged during nocturnal, they said. Top government sources on Thursday said the latest protests in Kashmir pose an unprecedented challenge, as they were no longer for azadi, or separatism, but were inspired by religious extremism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held bilateral talks with his Laotian counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith and discussed regional developments including the South China Sea issue. The two sides shared the same perspective on South China Sea, a foreign ministry spokesperson said. In his address to the ASEAN-India Summit, Modi called sea lanes as "life lines of global trade" and said securing seas was a shared responsibility. He added that India supports freedom of navigation based on United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The comments come amid China's muscle flexing in the disputed South China Sea and "emerging regional challenges" as Beijing is involved in a raging dispute with the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei over ownership of territory in the South China Sea (SCS), a busy waterway through which India's 50 per cent trade passes. China has also objected in the past to India's Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) undertaking exploration at the invitation of Vietnam in the SCS, which is believed to be rich in undersea deposits of oil and gas. India and the US have been calling for freedom of passage in the international waters, much to the discomfort to Beijing, whose claim over SCS was recently struck down by an international tribunal in favour of the Philippines. Modi, who is here to attend the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits, held parleys with the Laos premier on the sidelines of the meetings. Sisoulith said his country supported India as a permanent member of a reformed and expanded United Nations Security Council. The two leaders agreed to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in a befitting manner. Modi said he was especially happy to be in Vientiane at a time when India and Laos are celebrating the anniversary. He said India and Laos shared ancient linkages going back more than 2,000 years. The Laotian premier appreciated India's consistent support to Laos, particularly in areas of human resources development, agriculture, irrigation and power. Modi is scheduled to hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Summits during his two-day visit, including with US President Barack Obama, South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung Sang Suu Kyi. In his talks with Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe on Wednesday, India and Japan pledged to strengthen ties in the key areas of counterterrorism, civil nuclear cooperation, trade and investment. The government on Thursday said it has made no decision as yet on ratifying the Paris Climate Change Agreement even as the issue found a mention during Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama's meeting on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit today in Vientiane, Laos. The government on Thursday said it has made no decision as yet on ratifying the Paris Climate Change Agreement, even as the issue found mention during Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obamas meeting on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit on Thursday in Vientiane, Laos. Terry Graham: Above. WASHINGTON, NC The family environment provided by Beaufort County Community College helped Terry Graham, a local business owner, build the skills he needed to set out on his own. Graham, 47, founded and owns EZ Janitorial, a professional residential and commercial cleaning company. While the path to success has had some obstacles, Graham is ready to take the business to the next level.Graham actually got an Associate of Arts in Computer Technology in May of 2016, but it was a business class that sparked his decision to run his own business. In the past he had worked for the Beaufort County Sherriff's Department for four years, having graduated from the basic law enforcement training program in 1997. He later went into the United States Army, eventually retiring and looking around for the next step in his life.He returned to BCCC, where his military service helped him get four credit hours for a health and physical education requirement. As he progressed through his degree program, he took a business class with Cynthia King, and started thinking about what it would take to start his own business. Since graduating he has built a successful company.EZ Janitorial now employs ten part-time staff and provides regular services to ten businesses, alongside special services to others. It services medical, dental and other offices from Wilmington to Roanoke Rapids, and cleans up after construction for new businesses. Graham started the business while attending BCCC after learning about logos, licensing, insurance and marketing during a business class.he thought while taking the class. He realized that a good business starts by isolating a niche that no one else was servicing. The lack of professional cleaning companies locally provided a great opening for his company.Graham had attended different colleges, including ECU and Pitt Community College, but found the family-style atmosphere at BCCC best suited for him.says Graham.He was struggling with math and went to seek help from his instructor, who gave him pointers on where to focus.he recalls.Starting a business was not easy. He tried selling all sorts of products: tires, rims, furniture and cars. He briefly ran a landscaping company. When his ideas fell flat, his determination helped him reformulate his business.he says.Now that he has succeeded he wants to take it to the next level. He wants to see if he can line up some contracts with state agencies. No matter what Graham does, it is likely he will succeed. Special public prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case, Ujjwal Nikam has asserted that the notice by the anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi against LeT commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi is a complete sham. on Wednesday issued notices to seven accused of 2008 Mumbai attack case, including mastermind LeT commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, on a plea to examine the Al-fauz boat used by the 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists to reach the Indian coast. Speaking to ANI here, Nikam called the whole exercise a sham and pointed out the fact that is doing this in light of the SAARC summit which they're hosting later this year, where they want to "pretend to be against terrorists". He also said that this was just a routine court procedure and not a win. "The Prosecuting Agency had filed the same appeal earlier and it was rejected. It was only after they appealed to the Islamabad High Court that the appeal was approved and the High Court asked the Rawalpindi Anti Terrorism Court to hear afresh. The only thing that will be decided in this hearing is whether they will appoint a commission to inspect the boat or not", he said. The 10 LeT militants had left Karachi on the boat on November 23, 2008. En route, they hijacked another boat, killing four of its crew. They forced the vessel's captain to take them close to the India shores. The captain was killed when the vessel reached Mumbai's coast. The boat they used from Karachi is currently at a port there. Nikam further stated that if Pakistan was so serious about the perpetrators of the attacks of 26/11, they could have examined David Headley, who was one of the key conspirators and tendered much valuable evidence in the Mumbai court which included oral testimony and email correspondence. "All Headley's confessions clearly indicate connections between Lashkar-e-Taiba, ISI, Headley, ISI and Hafiz Saeed. If the Pakistan Prosecuting Agency actually wants to do something, why don't they take these proofs into account?" he added. LeT operations commander 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 of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. The case has been underway for more than six years. The United States and the United Nations have both recently pressurized Pakistan to stop differentiating between good and bad terrorists. They have also been asked to stop sponsoring terrorists or harbouring them. Prime Minister today met US President Barack Obama here and discussed the immediate priorities in the strategic bilateral partnership, including strengthening the civil nuclear cooperation and combating climate change. Modi after his meeting with Obama on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit here, their eighth in the last two years, tweeted: "President Obama praised Prime Minister Modi's initiatives to reform the Indian economy. In particular, the US president expressed confidence that the passage of GST will unleash significant economic activity," sources said. During the meeting, Obama also praised Modi's vision of entrepreneurship and innovation, which he said would be "very important for a country like India". Obama said that he had always been a friend of India and would continue to be a "strong partner of India and help in any way I can," according to sources. Both leaders reviewed the immediate priorities in the strategic partnership. They discussed climate change issues and energy cooperation. The two leaders also reviewed progress on Indo-US collaboration in nuclear energy, solar energy and innovation, the sources said. The meeting was "very warm and friendly", they said. Modi praised President Obama for his contribution to the relationship and the growing trust between the two countries. He also invited the US President to visit India after demitting office to which Obama said he would welcome any opportunity to visit India. On a lighter note, Obama said he and his wife Michelle were yet to see the Taj Mahal. Last year, Obama had cancelled a planned trip to the Taj Mahal, cutting short his visit to India to travel to Saudi Arabia following King Abdullah's death. This could be the last meeting between Modi and Obama as leaders of the two countries with Obama's second term as US President coming to an end in January next year. They met for the first time at the White House in September 2014 when Modi travelled to Washington DC at the invitation of Obama. Modi had also exchanged views with Obama on the sidelines of the G20 summit in China's Hangzhou on Sunday, with the US President praising the "bold policy" move on GST reform in a "difficult" global economic scenario. Prime Minister on Thursday had a "pull aside" meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit, days after he held talks with President Xi Jinping in Hangzhou. "Moving forward with China. PM has quick pull aside with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on sidelines of EAS," External Affairs Ministry Vikas Swarup tweeted. Earlier, Modi had bilateral parleys with Laotian Prime Minister Thongloun Sisolith, Myanmar Counsellor of State Aung San Suu Kyi and South Korea President Park Geun-hye. Modi's meeting with Li came just four days after he met Xi on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Hangzhou. In that meeting, Modi had told Xi that the two countries need to be "sensitive" to each other's strategic interests. Asserting that fight against terror should not be motivated by "political considerations", Modi had said it is of "paramount importance that we respect each other's aspirations, concerns and strategic interests" to ensure durable bilateral ties. Modi had also raised India's concerns over the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Indian Prime Minister on Thursday met US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the 14th India-Asean Summit and the 11th East Asia Summit in Vientiane, their eighth meeting in the last two years. "Two democracies and a defining partnership of our era! PM meets President Obama," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted with pictures of the two leaders. Two democracies and a defining partnership of our era! PM meets President Obama @POTUS on sidelines of EAS pic.twitter.com/FixOF027sF Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) September 8, 2016 The second India-US Strategic and Commercial Dialogue was held in New Delhi last month. The meeting was "extremely warm and cordial", Swarup said after the meeting. This could be their last meeting as leaders of the two countries with Obama's second term as US President coming to an end in November. They met for the first time at the White House in September 2014 when Modi travelled to Washington DC at the invitation of Obama. Modi had also exchanged views with Obama on the sidelines of the G20 summit in China's Hangzhou on Sunday, with the US president praising the "bold policy" move on GST reform in a "difficult" global economic scenario. Also Thursday, he met Laotian Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, South Korean President Park Geun-hye and State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi. Saakshar Bharat and Swachh Bharat are two sides of the same coin and there cannot be one without the other, President Pranab Mukherjee said on Thursday, as he called for joint action by government and private bodies to achieve 100 per cent literacy in the country. "Swachh Bharat, Saakshar Bharat are the two sides of the same coin. I cannot have Swachh Bharat (Clean India) without Saakshar Bharat (Literate India)," he said at an event on the occasion of . While emphasising on literacy, he said certain other things - cleanliness, environmental consciousness, responsibility to the neighbours, inculcating core civilisational values - are closely related and run parallel. He said many a times it is seen that people who are not literate show more dedication than those having formal education. In his speech, Mukherjee said though much progress has been made, still the country has a "substantial" number of illiterate population of the world. He mentioned the passing of the Right to Education Act a "crucial" step. Taking note that a large number of people are still illiterate in the country, the President called for a "joint action" involving government, NGOs, local bodies, volunteers etc so that "tremendous momentum" can be generated and 100 per cent literacy can be achieved. Agreeing with HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar, who had spoken before him, Mukherjee said that 'each one, teach one' can go a long way in achieving this goal. The President said apart from being a teacher, he has also been a literacy activist. Earlier Javadekar said the Narendra Modi government's mantra is "reaching the unreached" and added that literacy is a great step towards empowerment. He said financial, legal and electoral literacy are also of key importance. Javadekar observed that for housing schemes, it has been seen that involving the local communities brought significantly better results as people contribute and give their best and does not complain. "Otherwise, we created a country which keeps complaining," he said, emphasising on the importance of involving community in efforts to create literacy to attain better results. At the event, the President also conferred Saakshar Bharat Awards - 2016, for contributions to the "literacy movement". The Supreme Court today lifted the stay on CBI investigation in the sensational gang rape case after modifying its earlier order and asked the agency to proceed according to law. A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and C Nagappan also stayed the proceedings before the Allahabad High Court saying this was because the apex court was now dealing with the entire controversy. It allowed the plea of CBI to be impleaded in the matter as a party to the petition filed by the husband and father of the rape survivors a mother-daughter duo. The bench said the court would later deal with other aspects like transfer of trial of the case outside Uttar Pradesh and the opinion of jurist and senior lawyer F S Nariman on whether statements by a public authority, not connected with the case, was justified or not. "That the petitioner has no objection to the probe being conducted by CBI but he has other grievances like transfer of the case outside the state and whether statement by public authority not connected with the case is justified or not. "The prayer for modification of the order is allowed and CBI is directed to continue with the investigation," the bench said, adding that remaining issues raised by the petitioner would be dealt with on the next date of hearing. Earlier this week, CBI had moved the apex court seeking modification of an order staying its ongoing probe in the sensational gang rape case, saying it may cause "disappearance of material evidences" besides enabling six accused to seek statutory bail. The apex court had on August 29 taken note of the controversial remarks of UP Minister Azam Khan that the gang rape case was a "political conspiracy", while staying the CBI probe in the case. It had also asked whether the State should stop people holding high offices from making such comments on heinous crimes. The FIR initially was lodged by the Uttar Pradesh police under various provisions on July 30. CBI had re-registered the offence on August 18 in pursuance of the Allahabad High Court's interim order. The brutal incident had happened on the night of July 29 when a group of highway robbers stopped the car of a Noida- based family and sexually assaulted the woman and her daughter after dragging them out of the vehicle at gun-point. As the security vacuum in South Kashmir deepens and azaadi (freedom) appears to be a real possibility to giddy crowds of stone-pelting youngsters, security establishments in Srinagar and New Delhi have begun contemplating the use of armed force to regain control of the Valley. Ahead of the goods and services tax (GST) rollout on April 1, 2017, the GST-Network (GSTN) a private body for information technology (IT) infrastructure - will take a Rs 550-crore loan from IDFC Bank till the expected rollout date. This, after the initial proposal of government funding was resisted by the finance ministry. However, the government will be the guarantor for the loan it takes from the bank. We have decided to take a Rs 550 crore loan from IDFC Bank for the period till April 1, 2017. The government has given a guarantee for that. This will be used towards expenditure on salaries and payment to Infosys, our IT partner, said a GSTN official. IDFC Bank won the bid from among 26 banks that applied to offer loans. The expenditure department, backed by the Central Board of Excise and Customs, had objected to government funding for a private body like the GSTN. According to a finance ministry official, the initial proposal was of Rs 3,000 crore, which had to be funded by the government. However, the GSTN official clarified that the Rs 3,000 crore is the total cost of the project, which includes the salaries, interest cost, security operations for five years of operation and the ongoing development period of one-and-a-half years. Whereas, the private company for GST IT platform requires a loan only till the roll-out. "We need loan money only till the time we are developing the service and hardware. We will start getting money from April 1, once we start providing the service," he said. The GSTN is a non-government, private limited company incorporated on March 28, 2013, with a government shareholding of 49 per cent and private shareholding of 51 per cent. ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, LIC Housing and NSE Strategic Investment Corporation hold at least 10 per cent stake each in the entity. The rest 49 per cent is held by the Centre and state governments, along with the empowered committee of state finance ministers, each holding 24.5 per cent. The GSTN will provide a common platform for registration, filing returns and e-payment. It will also integrate the common GST portal, with the tax administration systems of the Centre and states. The GSTN is pinning hopes on an April 1 roll-out. A delay could affect its functioning, given the loan raised will only suffice for expenditure till April 1. If the April 1 deadline is missed, it may pose a problem for the GSTN functioning. Until the roll-out happens, we will not have revenue flow, said another official. The GSTN awarded a contract worth Rs 1,320 crore to Infosys to build and maintain the technology network, crucial for implementing the proposed GST system across the country for five years. It has so far paid Rs 28 crore to Infosys and will pay a large chunk, once the hardware are delivered by next month. About 6.5 million taxpayers will be moved to the GST IT portal. According to the current contract with Infosys, the taxpayers can potentially go up to 13 million, going ahead. Since the launch in 2013, it has so far spent Rs 134 crore from the government allocation, against the claims by Bharatiya Janata Party Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy that the body has spent Rs 4,000 crore so far. We have spent much less than what was allocated by the government to us. These claims of Rs 4,000 crore have no basis, argued the official. The GSTN, though private, has itself offered to be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). In fact, the GSTN has had three audits done by the CAG. The GSTN has been framed very effectively. While it is a private company, it also has effective government control. So, you could hire people from the market at competitive salaries. As far as private parties are concened, how can one not trust Life Insurance Corporation and National Stock Exchange? Besides, HDFC and ICICI are one of the two most credible banks of India, argued a senior government official. It will be compulsory for dealers, with a turnover of more than Rs 10 lakh, to register with the GSTN. Dealers can register on the portal within three days, after applying for registration sans any verification by the state government. The financial package announced for (AP) in lieu of special category status (SCS) by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday promises to extend the monetary advantages of the special status on top of the measures already incorporated in the AP Reorganisation Act. Activists have claimed that the environment safety assessment of the genetically modified (GM) variety of mustard, recently cleared as safe by a technical panel of the government, involved significantly fewer tests than had been done for the last such food crop, BT brinjal. on Thursday said it has deferred its $1 billion equity raising plan because of misinterpretation of guidelines amid sharp drop in its stock price. The private sector lender on Thursday launched its qualified institutional placement (QIP) to raise up to Rs 6,700 crore in the price range of Rs 1,350-Rs 1,410. In the secondary market trading, however, shares of dropped over 5 per cent to below the QIP price at Rs 1,330. Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum and Natural Gas, will be making official visits to Singapore and United Kingdom from 9-14 September, 2016. During these visits, he will take part in Road Shows at Singapore and London for the 67 Discovered Small Fields (DSF). Both places have been chosen for organising the Road Shows as they are key financial centres for global oil and gas community, to publicize and attract investments. . . During his visit to Singapore from 9-10 September, Sh Pradhan will inaugurate the Road Show and address the representatives of oil and gas industry, followed by a Roundtable interaction. He is scheduled to meet equity investors and leaders of hydrocarbon industry and speak on Oil and Gas Sector in India: Changing Landscape". He will also interact with eminent personalities working in the sector in Singapore. Sh Pradhan will visit Floating Production Storing Offshore (FPSO) Conversion Facility at Keppel Shipyard and Jurong Refinery and Petrochemical hub. . . Sh Pradhan, during his visit to the UK, will be inaugurating the Road Show and a data room relating to the DSF bid round. He will interact with the leaders of UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) on the hydrocarbon sector reforms taking place in India and have one-to-one meeting with prospective bidders, representatives of commodity exchange market and regulators. A Roundtable with UK financial institutions has also been scheduled where Sh Pradhan will discuss recent policy initiatives taken in the oil and gas sector in India. While in the UK, Sh Pradhan will meet his British counterpart Rt Hon Greg Clark, MP in London and also Scottish Energy Minister in Aberdeen. He will address a gathering at the Somerville College, Oxford University on Policy Initiatives in India to increase access to Clean Energy followed by an interaction with leading scientists. . . Earlier, in July 2016, Sh Pradhan had launched the Discovered Small Fields Bid Round-2016 at Houston, USA. In India, DSF bidding was launched in New Delhi on 25th May, 2016 by Sh Pradhan. Under this bid round, 67 DSF are being offered for international bidding. These fields are spread over 9 sedimentary basins and will be offered in 46 contract areas. These fields are projected to yield 625 million barrels of oil and oil equivalent gas and spread over 1,500 sq kms in onland, shallow water and deep water areas. . . The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has introduced progressive administrative and fiscal procedures in the bidding process in sync with international best practices. The DSF policy provides for single uniform license for producing all kinds of hydrocarbons in place and other resources to be identified in future. Other incentives offered under this policy include no cess on the oil production, upto 100% participation by foreign companies, moderate royalty structure, customs duty exemptions and complete marketing and pricing freedom for the sale of produced crude oil and natural gas, no mandatory work program or relinquishment of contract area, operational autonomy and limited regulatory burden enabling provision for sharing of infrastructure and flexibility for unit development in case of reservoirs extending beyond contract area for joint development. . . On hearing the problems of non-disbursement of scholarships to students from Jammu and Kashmir in some institutions at Jaipur through media on September 03, 2016, the Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh at his own initiative had spoken to the Education Minister of Rajasthan and obtained the phone numbers of some of the students. On talking to them, he learnt that the students had some difficulties in getting their scholarship under the Prime Minister Special Scholarship Scheme. . . The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh had asked the Education Minister of Rajasthan to sort out the operational difficulty by Monday (5th September, 2016), and had invited the students to meet him in Delhi, immediately on return from his J&K tour of September 4 5, 2016, if the problem still persists. . . A delegation of over 30 students representating all the three regions of Jammu & Kashmir i.e. Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh met and had discussions with the Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh and Human Resource Development Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar, here yesterday. . . These students studying in Rajasthan, Haryana and other states presented their issues. As advised in the meeting yesterday, the students today had detailed discussion with Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Prof. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe. Some of their problems were resolved instantaneously and some that need to be taken to the Inter Ministerial Committee (IMC), will be put up to the Committee. Even for those students whose issues need to be taken to IMC, letters have been issued to the institutes stating that their studies should not be discontinued for want of scholarship money. . . The students after meeting the Union Home Minister and HRD Minister yesterday and Chairman, AICTE today were fully satisfied with approach adopted by the Central Government. They profusely expressed their sincere gratitude to the initiative taken by the Home Minister, concern of all to their problem and extra ordinary approach for solving them. . . briefly met with Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte today, Manila said, two days after the firebrand politician branded the US president a "son of a whore". The encounter took place just before a dinner during a summit of regional leaders in Laos, according to the Philippine delegation. "They met at the holding room and they were the last people to leave the holding room. I can't say how long they met," Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay, travelling with Duterte, told reporters shortly afterwards. "I'm very happy that it happened." Senator Alan Cayetano, one of Duterte's close aides travelling with him, also said the meeting took place. However the White House had no immediate comment and the Philippines did not elaborate on what was said. Obama cancelled yesterday's planned meeting with Duterte on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-hosted summit after the notoriously acid-tongued Philippine president launched a barrage of insults the previous day. His outburst was in response to comments by Obama's aides that the US president planned to raise concerns about Duterte's war on crime that has claimed 3,000 lives in just over two months. "You must be respectful. Do not just throw away questions and statements. Son of a whore, I will curse you in that forum," Duterte told reporters when asked about his message for Obama. "We will be wallowing in the mud like pigs if you do that to me." Obama initially responded by calling Duterte a "colourful guy", but then called off the meeting after the media reported heavily on the issue. The snub was a spectacular setback for relations between the United States and Philippines, which are longtime allies and are bound by a mutual defence treaty to help each other in times of war. Yasay sought to characterise Wednesday's meeting as proof the alliance was strong enough to withstand such hiccups. "It all springs from the fact that the relationship between the Philippines and the United States is firm, very strong," Yasay said. Nevertheless, Duterte's office earlier today released a statement saying he would sit next to Obama at the gala dinner. "The media from all over the world, including from the Philippines, are up in excitement as each await the event where the two leaders will possibly say something positive," the statement from the presidential palace said. However Obama did not sit next to Duterte. Republican presidential candidate today vowed to strengthen US armed forces by increasing military spending by tens of billions of dollars, and said he would ask his generals for a plan to defeat and destroy the ISIS within 30 days of taking office. In a major foreign policy speech in Pennsylvania, Trump said he will ask the US Congress to fully eliminate defence sequester and will submit a new budget to rebuild the military as soon as he assumes office. Trump outlined proposals for an active army of around 540,000 troops, an air force of at least 1,200 fighter aircraft, a 36-battalion marine corps and a navy of 350 surface ships and submarines. Trump also announced that he will seek to develop a state-of-the-art-missile defence system; will modernise naval cruisers to provide Ballistic Missile Defence capabilities and will enforce all classification rules. Describing the motto of his foreign policy "Peace Through Strength", Trump said he wants to achieve a stable, peaceful world with less conflict and more common ground. "I am proposing a new foreign policy focused on advancing America's core national interests, promoting regional stability, and producing an easing of tensions in the world. This will require rethinking the failed policies of the past," he said. "We can make new friends, rebuild old alliances, and bring new allies into the fold. I am proud to have the support of warfighting generals, active duty military, and the top experts who know both how to win - and how to avoid the endless wars we are caught in now. Just yesterday, 88 top Generals and Admirals endorsed my campaign," said the GOP nominee. Arguing that in a Trump Administration, US actions in the Middle East will be tempered by realism, he said the current strategy of toppling regimes, with no plan for what to do the day after, only produces power vacuums that are filled by terrorists. "We should work with any country that shares our goal of destroying ISIS and defeating radical Islamic terrorism, and form new friendships and partnerships based on this mission. We now have an Administration, and a former Secretary of State, who refuse to say radical Islamic terrorism," he said. "Immediately after taking office, I will ask my generals to present to me a plan within 30 days to defeat and destroy ISIS. This will require military warfare, but also cyber warfare, financial warfare, and ideological warfare - as I laid out in my speech on defeating Radical Islamic terrorism several weeks ago," he said. "Instead of an apology tour, I will proudly promote our system of government and our way of life as the best in the world - just like we did in our campaign against communism during the Cold War. We will show the whole world how proud we are to be American," Trump said. Attacking Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, Trump said her policies as Secretary of State left the Middle East in more disarray than ever before. "...Sometimes it has seemed like there wasn't a country in the Middle East that Hillary Clinton didn't want to invade, intervene or topple. She is trigger-happy and unstable when it comes to war," he said. Trump said early in his term, he will be requesting that all NATO nations promptly pay their bills, which many are not doing right now. Only five NATO countries, including the US, are currently meeting the minimum requirement to spend two per cent of GDP on defence. "Additionally, I will be respectfully asking countries such as Germany, Japan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia to pay more for the tremendous security we provide them. Finally, we will have at our disposal additional revenues from unleashing American energy," he said. Trump proposed to rebuild the key tools of missile defence, starting with the Navy cruisers that are the foundation of missile defence capabilities in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The Obama-Clinton administration tried repeatedly to remove our cruisers from service, then refused to modernise these aging ships, he said. "We will start by modernising our cruisers to provide the Ballistic Missile Defense capability our nation needs; this will cost around $220 million per modernisation as we seek to modernise a significant portion of these 22 ships," he said. European Council President Donald Tusk on Thursday urged British Prime Minister Theresa May to begin negotiations as soon as possible. Tusk, who met May ahead of the upcoming European Union Summit on September 16, stressed on the need for an immediate start to official discussions, EFE news reported. "I'm aware that it is not easy but I still hope you will be ready to start the process as soon as possible," Tusk said, adding that the decision to move the process forward was now in "the UK's court". Tusk tweeted that a quick initiation of negotiations was in "everyone's interest", and maintained that the EU's goal was to establish the closest possible relations with Britain. Since the June 23 referendum result that saw British voters opt to leave the 28-member bloc, European officials have called on May to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which would trigger the two-year negotiation process. May, in turn, said she wanted a "smooth" exit from the EU, but warned that Britain would not trigger the article this year. In the upcoming EU Summit in the Slovakian capital Bratislava, European leaders are expected to discuss the EU's post- future. Britain is not scheduled to attend the summit. Tusk told May that the summit members would not discuss future relations with the seceding island-nation and reiterated that Britain would need to submit its official request to exit. This was the first bilateral meeting between May and Tusk since the British PM took office after the Brexit triumph led to David Cameron's resignation. Tusk arrived in the UK from Ireland as part of a series of conversations with European leaders before the Summit. Thousands of Venezuelans staged rival demonstrations for and against President Nicolas Maduro in a new test of strength as the opposition pushes for a vote on driving him from power. A week after a mass protest in the capital Caracas, Maduro opponents yesterday rallied near offices of the electoral authorities nationwide, demanding a recall referendum in the crisis-stricken country by the end of the year. The leftist leader's supporters held rallies of their own nearby, but the rival demos -- far smaller than last week's -- went off with no reports of major clashes. Oil giant Venezuela's once-booming economy has gone into meltdown as crude prices have crashed since mid-2014. Outrage is mounting over shortages of food and medicine, threatening Maduro and the socialist "revolution" his late predecessor, Hugo Chavez, launched in 1999. "We have to do something. Voting and peaceful protest are the only weapons we have," said Rosmina Castillo, 52, demonstrating against Maduro in the town of Los Teques, just southwest of the capital. She was among a crowd of some 1,500 opposition protesters who gathered a block away from roughly the same number of Maduro supporters. A metal barrier and lines of police kept them apart. "We're here defending the revolution against an attack by this unpatriotic right," said state oil company employee Alexander Rangel at a pro-government demo in Caracas. The protests' target, the electoral authorities' 24 regional offices, were closed and tightly guarded by police. Maduro accuses his opponents of plotting protest violence in a bid to oust him. "No one will bring fascist violence to Venezuela, nor coup-mongering, nor hate," he told a crowd of supporters Wednesday. The center-right opposition, for its part, accuses the government of waging an authoritarian crackdown. Dozens of protesters were arrested in the aftermath of last Thursday's rally, human rights groups say. The opposition says around one million people flooded the streets of Caracas that day, the biggest protest in decades. Maduro put the turnout at a maximum of 30,000 people. But the massive crowds, dressed in white and venting months of pent-up anger, gave the opposition new momentum. "The opposition's roadmap is to try to keep people participating," political analyst Luis Vicente Leon said. "The challenge is to stay active and peaceful in the street while pushing a referendum. US President on Thursday expressed confidence that the Goods and Services Tax (GST), passed by the Indian parliament last month, will unleash significant economic activity. He said this during a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 11th East Asia Summit here. This could well be the last bilateral meeting between Modi and Obama before the latter demits office in January next year. The two last met in June when Modi visited Washington. According to sources, during Thursday's meeting, both leaders reviewed the immediate priorities in the strategic partnership between the two countries. "President Obama praised Prime Minister Modi's initiatives to reform the Indian economy," the sources said. "In particular, he said that the passage of GST will unleash significant economic activity." Obama also praised Modi's vision of entrepreneurship and innovation, saying it would be "very important for a country like India", it is learnt. On his part, the Prime Minister praised the President for his contribution to the India-US relationship and the growing trust between the two sides. The Second India-US Strategic and Commercial Dialogue was held in New Delhi last month. Obama, according to the sources said, said that he has always been a friend of India and would continue to be a "strong partner of India and help in any way I can". "Discussions then focused around climate change issues and energy cooperation," the sources said. "The two leaders reviewed progress on Indo US collaboration in nuclear energy, solar energy and innovation." Both Modi and Obama had played crucial roles in the signing of the agreement at the Conference of Parties (CoP)-21 Paris climate summit. According to the sources, when Modi invited President Obama to visit India after he demits office, the latter said that he would welcome any opportunity to visit India. "As an aside, he added that he and (wife) Michelle were yet to see the Taj Mahal," the sources said. On Thursday, Modi attended the 14th India-Asean Summit and the 11th East Summit here. He also held bilateral meetings with South Korean President Park Geun-hye, State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi and Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith. From trade dependence to money from workers abroad, the Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte can hardly afford to pick a fight with the US, given his country's ties to the world's largest economy. Duterte made headlines this week for all the wrong reasons. In his debut on the international stage and just days before he was due to meet President Barack Obama at a regional summit in Laos, Duterte made offensive comments aimed at the US leader that prompted Washington to cancel the meeting. Here is a chart that demostrates the Philippines'economic relations with the US: Protests against new Brazilian President Michel Temer are taking place in several dozen cities across the country. The news portal G1 has reported demonstrations in 40 cities yesterday, which is Brazil's Independence Day. It is also the opening of the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The biggest protest is in Sao Paulo, the country's financial capital. Organisers claim tens of thousands are walking down Paulista Avenue in the heart of the city. Police haven't provided estimates. Most of the other demonstrations have been much smaller. Temer took power last week after President Dilma Rousseff was removed from office by the Senate for breaking fiscal responsibility laws in her management of the budget. Rousseff denied the accusations. Praising Vladimir Putin, Republican presidential candidate has said the Russian President was "far more"of a leader than US President Barack Obama and asserted that he would have a "very good relationship" with the Kremlin strongman if he comes to power. "I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Putin. " Trump said at a 'commander in chief' forum on the decommissioned USS Intrepid, now a floating museum, here on Wednesday. The forum hosted by NBC brought Trump and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton together just weeks before they square off at the first presidential debate on September 26. However Clinton and Trump did not come face to face at the forum as they were grilled back-to-back by the anchor. Trump asserted that he would have a very good relationship with many foreign leaders, unlike President Obama, who he said was not accorded a red carpet welcome when he went to China recently. "I think it's very sad, when you look at Barack Obama, as an example, lands Air Force One in China, and they don't want to put out stairs to get off the plane. And he has to use the stairs that mechanics use to get up and down to fix the plane. They wouldn't give him stairs," the 70-year-old real estate tycoon said. "I think it's very sad, when he lands in Saudi Arabia, and he lands in Cuba, and there aren't high officials to even greet him. This is the first time in the history the storied history of Air Force One," Trump said. Trump said while Obama and Putin do not get along, he will have very good relations with the Russian leader. "And I saw, just two or three days ago, they looked like they were not exactly getting along, but I looked at President Obama and Putin staring at each other. These were not two people that were getting along," he said. "And, you know, the beautiful part of getting along, Russia wants to defeat ISIS as badly as we do. If we had a relationship with Russia, wouldn't it be wonderful if we could work on it together and knock the hell out of ISIS? Wouldn't that be a wonderful thing," Trump asserted. Asked if he would like to be complimented by a leader who "annexed Crimea, invaded Ukraine, supports (President Bashar) Assad in Syria, Trump said if Putin "says great things about me, I'm going to say great things about him." "I've already said, he is really very much of a leader. I mean, you can say, oh, isn't that a terrible thing the man has very strong control over a country," he said. Trump has made no secret of his admiration for Putin, who last year praised the US businessman as "very outstanding." Putin "has very strong control over a country," Trump said. "It's a very different system, and I don't happen to like the system. But certainly in that system he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader. The US "strongly supports" India's NSG membership bid, President on Thursday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi here as they discussed the immediate priorities in the strategic partnership, including deepening the civil nuclear cooperation and combating climate change. "Had a great discussion with President of the US (POTUS) on India-USA relations," Modi tweeted after his meeting with Obama on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit here, their eighth in the last two years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and US President share a toast at the ASEAN Summit gala dinner in Vientiane, Laos. Photo: Reuters A White House official, giving details of the meeting, said, "Reaffirming the strong bonds of friendship between the United States and India, the President underscored that the United States strongly supports India's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)." The US has been playing a lead role in supporting India's bid in the 48-member elite group. China had scuttled New Delhi's bid at the Plenary Session of NSG in June. The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of the deepening partnership between the US and India and the value of their shared engagement in the region, including through the East Asia Summit, the official said. "President Obama praised Prime Minister Modi's initiatives to reform the Indian economy. In particular, the US President expressed confidence that the passage of GST will unleash significant economic activity," sources said. During the meeting, Obama also praised Modi's vision of entrepreneurship and innovation, which he said would be "very important for a country like India". Obama said that he had always been a friend of India and would continue to be a "strong partner of India and help in any way I can," according to sources. Both leaders reviewed the immediate priorities in the strategic partnership. They discussed climate change issues and energy cooperation. The two leaders also reviewed progress on Indo-US collaboration in nuclear energy, solar energy and innovation, the sources said. "President Obama thanked Prime Minister Modi for his cooperation on a broad range of global and bilateral issues and commended Prime Minister Modi's leadership in addressing the urgent threats posed by climate change," the White House official said. "The leaders noted our joint commitment, fulfilled by the United States in advance of the G20 Leaders' Summit, to join the Paris Agreement this year as well as our resolve to adopt an ambitious HFC amendment to the Montreal Protocol this year," the official added. has said the US will go after ISIS terror group and its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi the same way America had focussed on defeating al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden if she is elected as the next president. "We have to defeat ISIS. That is my highest counterterrorism goal and we have got to do it with air power. We have got to do it with much more support for the Arabs and the Kurds who will fight on the ground against ISIS. We have to squeeze them by continuing to support the Iraqi military," Democratic presidential candidate Clinton said here yesterday. A 'commander in chief' forum, hosted by NBC on the decommissioned USS Intrepid which is now a floating museum, brought Clinton, 68, and her Republican rival Donald Trump, 70, together just weeks before they square off at the first presidential debate on September 26. While Clinton and Trump did not come face to face at the forum, they were questioned one after the other by Today show anchor Matt Lauer, who moderated the forum. Clinton vowed that under her presidency, she will not send ground troops into war-ravaged Iraq or Syria, but said the White House will ensure that the Iraqi military has all the support, including special forces, surveillance, intelligence, reconnaissance help. "They are not going to get ground troops. We are not putting ground troops into Iraq ever again and we are not putting ground troops into Syria. We are going to defeat ISIS without committing American ground troops. So those are the kinds of decisions we have to make on a case-by-case basis," Clinton said as she assured that it is in America's national security interest to defeat ISIS. "I intend to make that happen. And as part of it, we are going after Baghdadi, the leader, because it will help us focus our attention, just like going after bin Laden helped us focus our attention in the fight against al-Qaida in the Afghanistan-Pakistan theater," she added. A team of market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) will visit Gujarat to inspect quality of cottonseed oil cake stock in warehouses of the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX). Cotton seed crushers from Kadi in Gujarat have filed a complaint with the Sebi against NCDEX, alleging the quality of cotton seed oil cake (cocud) stock is not up to the mark. We have filed a complaint to the market regulator over the lower quality of cottonseed oil cake stock and a Sebi team is coming to inspect the quality of the stock," Kadi Cotton Crushers Association committee member Pratik Patel said. Kadi is the leading cocud and other oil cakes market in India. Patel alleged that NCDEX has not invited the association members for inspection. NCDEX warehouse at present has total stock of approximately 15,000 tonnes, which is equal to 3 lakh bags of cocud. This is 30-35 per cent of the total stock available in Indian market, he said. Information technology (IT) stocks took a hit in trade on Thursday, after warned of a slowdown in discretionary spending in the BFSI (banking and financial services) vertical. The stock lost 6% in morning trade to hit a low of Rs 2,284 levels on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). The vertical contributed nearly 40% to the companys revenues in the first quarter ended June 2016, reports suggest. fell 5.22% to Rs 2,319.15 at 10:05 IST on BSE after the company warned of a slowdown in discretionary spending in its banking and financial services vertical by its US clients. The Andhra Pradesh Assembly will discuss and ratify the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, 2014, during its three-day session beginning Thursday. A decision was taken to introduce and discuss the Bill by the Cabinet, which met in Vijayawada under chairmanship of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday. It has been resolved by the Cabinet to table three other Bills, one relating to the Stamps and Registration Department, intended to curb double registrations. The other Bill is aimed at bringing about amendments to the Registration Act, 1908 to plug the loopholes, which have made the job of fraudsters easy. Another Bill is aimed at a downward revision of the Value Added Tax (VAT) payable by five and three star hotels located in tourist destinations and on mobile phones, to five per cent by making amendments to the AP VAT Act, 2005. The fourth Bill is on affiliation of private agriculture colleges and polytechnics to Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, making necessary changes to the Act of 1963 and scrapping away with the Ordinance, 2016. Likewise, private horticulture colleges and polytechnics will be given affiliation to Y S R Horticulture University by bringing about amendments to Y S R Horticulture University Act, 2007. It has also been decided in the Cabinet to construct information technology towers through public-private partnerships in 10 lakh square feet in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati and Anantapur in a year and merge the Internet of Things (IoT) Policy with the Electronics Policy. The Cabinet had assigned the task of establishing the iconic towers to the Andhra Pradesh Technology Services Limited, which would henceforth promote information technology in the state. It would also participate in similar tasks in other States on behalf of Andhra Pradesh. The Cabinet had set the target of completing these towers in six months to one year. An almost 800-year-old temple has been dug out by a team of Archaeologists in Kaharol which displays unique architecture along with a distinctive idol of Mohini, the avatar of Hindu deity Vishnu. According to the Dhaka Tribune, the find of the temple and the idol may change predominant ideas about the region's history and traditions. A Jahangirnagar University archaeology team began the survey in Madhabgaon of Dabor Union in April this year and found the temple. A full-scale excavation funded by the Cultural Affairs Ministry and the University Grants Commission has been going on for the last three months. The team stated that this is the only such temple in Bangladesh, with characteristic of Kalinga architecture of the 11th and 12th century eastern India. The excavators also found a Shankha, a Sudarshana Chakra, a mace and a part of the idol's foot adorned in garland. Excavation team chief JU Assistant Professor Dr Shadhin Sen said the temple is divided into two parts, adding that "This is the first Navarath temple in Bangladesh. Earlier a Pancharath [five-faceted] temple was found in Dinajpur's Nababganj," The team had spoken to Indian archaeologist Dipak Ranjan Das who had remarked that the upper portion of the temple was similar to the Siddheswara Shiva temple in Bankura, West Bengal. Das claimed that Claudine Bautze-Picron, an expert of East Indian iconography, has identified the idol recovered from the eastern part of the temple as that of Mohini, the Vishnu Avatar. "According to her this is the first stone-made Mohini idol in the eastern subcontinent, which leads us to reconsider the history of this region." In Hindu mythology, Mohini is the only female Avatar of the god Vishnu, who appears in the Samudra Manthan myth. The goddess is worshiped widely in South and West India. Even though the team is planning to cover the temple with soil for its preservation, as it is a standard practice for archaeological preservation, the locals are demanding that the temple be open to the public for worship. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday ridiculed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal saying before dreaming of ruling Punjab he must not forget what his leaders have done in Delhi. SAD leader Manjeet Singh GK said Kejriwal cannot run away from the reality, and he needs to get a reality check. "In the past one year, people have come to know about the character of AAP leaders whom Kejriwal has selected. He cannot get away by blaming the Badals. I would like to urge Kejriwal that he should face the reality and stop the blame game, as he cannot run away from the reality. He wants to rule Punjab, but how will he hide what has been done by his leaders in Delhi," said GK. Earlier today, Kejriwal was heckled by activists of the BJP and Akali Dal and the Congress, who staged protests at the railway station over allegations of misconduct against AAP leaders. Kejriwal started his four-day visit to Punjab to boost the party's poll campaign in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday hailed Centre's step where it summoned Pakistani envoy Abdul Basit over the last-minute cancellation of an event of Indian high commissioner to Pakistan, Gautam Bambawale, in Karachi where he was scheduled to speak. BJP Spokesperson Shaina NC said that Pakistan owes an explanation as it cannot first invite a diplomat and then later on dis-invite him. "The Ministry of External Affair is absolutely entitled to ask Mr. Abdul Basit to come and give an explanation because you do not invite a foreign diplomat and then dis-invite him. This is a very humiliating , so I am glad that the government has taken this proactive step," said NC. A day after Indian envoy's event in Karachi was cancelled at the last minute, the Centre yesterday summoned Basit for the alleged 'discourtesy'. "Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit was summoned today to the Ministry of External Affairs and conveyed the concern of Government of India by Secretary (West) (Sujata Mehta) on discourtesy to Indian High Commissioner," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said. According to reports, Bambawale, who was visiting Karachi for the first time after assuming charge in January this year, was informed about the cancellation "just half an hour before the event. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in its latest report has pointed out that children make up 58 per cent of all refugees from Pakistan, the highest proportion in the South Asian region. The UN agency said there were close to 300,000 refugees originating from Pakistan last year and children accounted for 58 percent of them. The report highlighted that insecurity and conflicts in various parts of the country have forced the children leave, although the country also continues to host a substantial number of refugees - nearly 1.6 million from other countries, reports Dawn. Entitled "Uprooted", the report said that conflicts in many Asian countries, high susceptibility to natural hazards and a large population all contribute to the huge toll of internal displacement within the continent. So far, about 19.2 million people across Asia are internally displaced due to violence. With Asia as the birthplace of 43 percent of the world's migrants - around 104 million people as of 2015, it said that majority of Asian migrants move within the region. Considerable amount of movement was seen between sub-regions, with the largest single movement of people within the continent moving from Southern Asia to Western Asia. More than 40 million Asian migrants have found new homes outside the continent, the reports pointed. The reports said that a total of 12million child migrants live in Asia, which accounts for 16 percent of all migrants in the region and make up 39 percent of the world's child migrants. This proportion is notably below Asia's 56 percent share of the global child population. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ahead of the eighth edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, a Singaporean delegation led by Ajit Singh, Consul General of the Republic of Singapore, today, met with Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and senior bureaucrats from the state government. Prior to meeting the Chief Minister, the Consul General met P.K. Taneja, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary (Industries and Mines). The meeting was also attended by Raj Kumar Beniwal, Managing Director, iNDEXTb. Speaking on the interactions, Ajit Singh, Consul General of Republic of Singapore, said: "It was a pleasure meeting the Vibrant Gujarat team and we are looking forward to welcoming the Indian delegation at Singapore. In the last summit, Singapore had a delegation of 120 members and that says a lot about our interests in Gujarat." The Singaporean delegation showed interest in understanding the format of the summit and complimented the team on its progressive approach. Explaining the summit, P K Taneja, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary (Industries and Mines), said: "We have moved from calling the event an investment summit and are calling it 'Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit'. The idea is to expand the scope to include ideation and vision creation. It's an important and progressive shift in crafting the nation's biggest global summit. We can expect a more intense edition of the Global CEO Conclave, we are working on it and shall share the details in due course." The Vibrant Gujarat Summit is historically a three-day summit. However, the eighth edition of the summit will be a four-day event to ensure the attendees have enough time to ideate and work on potential collaborations using the summit as the platform. The Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, which started in 2003 to rekindle the pace of investments in the state, has since established itself as one of the most important international business events in the country. Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit is an example of the visionary approach of the Government of Gujarat towards inclusive and sustainable development by ensuring policy coherence and effective investment promotion. Far from the regional investment fair that characterized the first Summit in 2003, the biennial Summit has today become a unique forum for idea exchange, knowledge sharing, networking, explore business opportunities, sign cooperation agreements and partnerships, while setting the policy agenda to meet some of the current global challenges. Having successfully organized seven constructive summits, the Gujarat Government as part of its journey towards sustainable long-term growth and inclusive development is organizing the eighth edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit from the 10th to 13th of January, 2017, at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar. The central focus of the eighth edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit is "Sustainable Economic and Social Development". The Summit will bring together Heads of States and Governments, Ministers, leaders from the corporate world, senior policy makers, heads of international institutions and academia from around the world to further the cause of development and promote cooperation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A conference held under the aegis of Jammu Kashmir International People's Alliance (JKIPA) passed resolutions demanding declaration of Jammu and Kashmir as indispensable political entity, while also pointing out that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has detrimental effects on Gilgit Baltistan environment. The JKIPA in a statement revealed the resolutions that were passed during the meeting held on September 6 in Brussels, Belgium. Declare that state of Jammu and Kashmir is indispensable political entity that comprises the areas of Gilgit Baltistan, Jammu, Ladakh , Kashmir valley and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) including the area which is handed over to the People's Republic of China by Pakistan, the statement said. During the meeting, the alliance endorsed that only institutions of dialogue can pitch an amicable solution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue. Asserting that the CPEC has detrimental effects on Gilgit Baltistan environment, the meeting also highlighted that neighboring countries are colonizing natural resources of Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). "Herald both Pakistan and China that the project of their geo strategic interest is destroying ecosystem and livelihood of vulnerable communities," the statement said. The JKIPA also demanded that a provision should be incorporated in the agreement that future government of the state of Jammu and Kashmir shall have a right to negotiate new terms with the respective governments of Pakistan and China on the CPEC. "Demand that since the China, Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is being built through a disputed region, therefore, a provision should be incorporated in the agreement that future government of the state of Jammu and Kashmir shall have a right to negotiate new terms with the respective governments of Pakistan and China," the statement said. The resolution also demanded that fabricated charges of sedition against political leaders of Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir must be withdrawn. "All political prisoners including Baba Jan and his colleagues should release unconditionally," the statement said. The statement also criticized the extension of Protection of Pakistan Ordinance and National Action Plan (NAP) in Pakistani peripheries which they said are in principal contradiction of the United Nations Commission for India Pakistan (UNCIP) resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir. During the meeting, it was also decided to give emphasis on the revival of state subject rule in Gilgit Baltistan with clear reiteration that any demographic change in these areas would be rejected. Asking the community to focus on constitutional restraints and democratic dispensation in Pakistan occupied Kashmir region, the JKIPA said that Islamabad must fulfill its commitment with regard to the Truce Agreement of 1948. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The rescue team has recovered eight bodies, out of the 12 people that drowned yesterday while immersing a Ganesh idol, in the Tungabhadra river in Karnataka's Shivamogga district as search operations are still underway. At least 12 devotees, who were immersing a Ganesh idol after Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations, fell into the Tungabhadra river. The incident occurred when a boat carrying a group of 30-35 youths turned turtle in the river. Many among the group are still missing. Five of the boat's occupants managed to swim back to shore. Ganesh Chaturthi, a Hindu festival celebrated, in which Ganesha idols are brought home and installed with great ceremony (sthapna) on a decorated platform. The idol is offered pure water along with libations such as honey and milk. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday hit back at Congress Vice-President for attempting to brand the NDA government as anti-poor and said those born with golden spoon are not able to digest the fact that a poor man's son is today the country's Prime Minister. Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said an ignorant Gandhi is not aware about the initiatives taken by the BJP-led government for the betterment of farmers and weaker sections of the society. "If a person is born with a golden spoon and has just entered . How will he understand about what all have we done for the poor and farmers," said Naqvi. "How will he understand that the son of a poor family is the Prime Minister of our country and has done a lot for ordinary poor people, farmers as well as for the weaker sections of the society," he added. Naqvi further said the Congress vice-president is making baseless statements, as he has no major issues to highlight before the nation. Taking a jibe at Gandhi's 'Khat Sabha' in Uttar Pradesh, Naqvi sarcastically said that cots would create trouble for him in future. The Congress vice-president on Wednesday took on the government while defending the farmers who walked away with cots at the end of his maiden 'Khaat Sabha' in Deoria earlier on Tuesday. Referring to liquor baron Vijay Mallya, Gandhi on Wednesday said that farmers were being branded 'thieves' for taking away cots while an industrialist, who has escaped from the country, is called a 'defaulter'. Eyeing upon the throne of Lucknow, the Congress vice-president began his 2,500 km-long 'kisan yatra' earlier on Tuesday. Gandhi, who is accompanied by senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, is meeting the farmers, promising loan waiver and reduction in power tariff by 50 percent if the grand old party is voted to power in the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. Ace Indian shuttler Ajay Jayaram displayed a resilient performance to progress through to the quarterfinals of the Indonesia Grand Prix Gold here on Wednesday. Despite losing the closely-fought opening game, the third seeded Indian kept his momentum going and went on to defeat local favourite Reksy Aureza Megananda 18-21, 21-12, 21-19 in the third round men's singles contest that lasted 54 minutes. Jayaram is the lone Indian to remain in contention in the tournament and will next face 11th seed Yuqi Shi from China. Earlier in the day, Jayaram trounced compatriot Parupalli Kashyap 21-7, 21-12 in a lopsided second round contest that lasted just 27 minutes. Kashyap, whose Rio Olympics dream was derailed by a string of injuries, was playing in his first competitive tournament since March when he suffered a knee injury at German Open. HS Prannoy, the 2014 champion, was also imperious in his second round victory over Joo Ven Soong. He defeated the Malaysian opponent 21-17, 21-9. However, the seventh seeded Indian lost to Huang Yuxiang from China 21-19, 19-21, 21-23 in a gruelling pre-quarterfinal round that lasted 45 minutes. B. Sai Praneeth also failed to reach the quarterfinals after suffering a 14-21, 13-21 defeat against fifth-seeded Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk in the third round. 10th seeded Praneeth had earlier produced a spirited performance, bagging an 18-21, 21-14, 21-15 win over Thailand's Kantaphon Wangcharoen in the second round. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Massimiliano Latorre, one of the Italian Marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen in 2012, moved the Supreme Court on Thursday seeking an extension of his stay in Italy till the end of his arbitration. The apex court is set to hear the case on September 20. Latorre wants to stay in Italy till international arbitration tribunal decides over which country has the right to try the case. This development comes after Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) yesterday clarified that no assurances between two countries took place and added that the marines would remain under the jurisdiction of Supreme Court of India. Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, who were on duty as security guards on-board Italian-flagged commercial oil tanker MV Enrica Lexie, were arrested by the Indian authorities on February 2012 after they shot dead the fishermen off the coast of Kerala. During meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Italian counterpart Paolo Gentiloni held on September 4 in Rome, Italy reportedly, urged India to allow the two marines to stay back home. "The Italian side conveyed that the presence of the two marines in Italy was conducive to restarting high level exchanges in all fields," the Hindu quoted a Diplomat. Following the report, a twitter user posed a question to Swarup, saying "Is it true that Italyhas asked Marines to remain in Italy to boost bilateral ties?Ref. today's report in @the_hindu (sic)." In his reply he said, "No such assurance was sought or given. Marines remain under jurisdiction of Supreme Court of India. Matter is under arbitration." Lattore is presently in Italy on medical grounds after he suffered heart stroke in 2014 and Girone, on the other hand, was also allowed to return on 'humanitarian grounds' in May this year. The case is presently pending in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague to adjudicate on whether India or Italy has the jurisdiction to extradite the accused marines after Italy approached on December 11, 2015 asking the tribunal to prescribe that "India shall take such measures as are necessary to relax the bail conditions on Sergeant Girone in order to enable him to return to Italy under the responsibility of the Italian authorities, pending the final determination of the Tribunal". The Tribunal on April 29, this year, ruled that Italy and India shall cooperate, including in proceedings before the Supreme Court of India, to achieve a relaxation of Girone's bail conditions "to give effect to the concept of considerations of humanity", so that Girone, while remaining under the authority of the Supreme Court of India, may return to Italy during the ongoing arbitration. However differences emerged between two countries following the verdict as India claimed that the verdict upholds the Supreme Court's Authority, while Italy believes that it vindicates their stand that India has no jurisdiction. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A PIL was filed in the Supreme Court today against government funding to Kashmiri separatists, alleging that they are misusing the money for anti-India activities. Advocate M.L. Sharma filed the plea and as per the plea, it seeks to stop funding on separatists for foreign travel and the government spends other expenses as more than 100 crore on them. The Supreme Court asked the petitioner to number his petition before mentioning. Justice Anil Dave observed, "We also share the same feelings. Everybody sitting here feels the same." The Supreme Couurt asked Sharma to number his petition, "To stop government funding of Jammu and Kashmir separatists and come back to mention it in court at 2 pm." Soon after the separatists leaders' refusal to hold talks with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh-led all-party delegation's to discuss on Kashmir unrest. After Singh's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, the Central government indicated that it would toughen its stand against the separatist leaders. According to the reports, the Centre will not only scrutinise the bank accounts of the separatists, but also speed up pending investigations in cases against them. They have also decided to keep an eye on activities of Kashmiri separatists, particularly Hurriyat leaders, and curtail their foreign travel by not issuing them passports. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) women wing staged a protest on Thursday against Delhi Chief Minister at the New Delhi Railway Station here, demanding him to speak on the misconduct of his MLAs against women and seeking expulsion of Ashutosh from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Chief Minister began his four-day Punjab tour with an itinerary focused mostly on the state's Malwa region. The tour comes at a time when the party is trying to keep its flock together amid various issues that have plagued it in recent weeks. "We came here to talk to him very politely, along with a bouquet. Is he a thief that he is running and not facing us? We are women from educated families and came here for a solution," said an agitated protester. "Kejriwal is least concerned about the Delhi government. He promised to develop Delhi and protect it from all the odds. But, how will he do this, when his own ministers are involved in crime against women. Tell me, he cannot protect Delhi, can he save Punjab from these crimes?" said another protestor. This Punjab protest came to light after recent incidents in Punjab. A group of volunteers from Barnala had on Wednesday, in a press conference, accused the AAP Punjab observer Vijay Chauhan in Barnala, of allegedly sexually exploiting his maid servant and later giving her Rs 1 lakh to keep the matter under wraps. However, Chauhan has denied the allegation saying the group had earlier also circulated a certain audio recording of the maid servant in which the false allegation had been made. AAP's former Punjab convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur was removed from his post after a video clip surfaced allegedly showing him taking bribe for giving tickets in a purported sting operation. Former state minister Sandeep Kumar, who was sacked from the Cabinet after an alleged sex tape surfaced. Earlier, he cried that he was being targeted for being Dalit. Kumar, who was arrested following a complaint by a woman who figured in the video clip with him in an objectionable position, will remain in police custody till 8 September. Labsystems Diagnostics, Helsinki, an enterprise of Trivitron Healthcare, the fast growing healthcare multinational headquartered in Chennai, entered into a joint association with Shimadzu Corporation, Japan, leader in analytical instruments, for clinical diagnostics in the area of Newborn Screening (NBS). NBS is a preventive pediatric screening service to assess the occurrence of genetic metabolic disorders. These disorders could lead to permanent neurological, cognitive, and physical damage in the child. When these disorders are detected early enough they can be easily treated. The companies will cooperate to leverage Labsystems reagent technology leadership and Shimadzu world class instrumentation to enable their global customer base to detect more disorders in newborns, more rapidly and with greater accuracy. Labsystems furthermore announces the availability of its new generation NeoMass AAAC assay fully validated on Shimadzu mass spectrometry platforms. NeoMass AACC enables investigators for the first time to detect the entire spectrum of Urea Cycle Metabolic Disorders (UCMD) in newborns. This assay detects the broadest range of non derivatized analytes available today. Dr. G.S.K. Velu, Chairman and Managing Director, Trivitron Group of Companies, said: "Two world leaders Shimadzu and Labsystems Diagnostics with several decades of expertise in their respective areas of instrumentation and diagnostic reagents will create a winning combination improving access and affordability for Newborn Screening solutions across the globe. We are very excited with this new global association in the New Born Screening area." Fabrizio Radice, Global Sales and Mktg Director, Labsystems Diagnostics, Helsinki, commented: "Our alliance with Shimadzu will enable us to develop unparalleled integrated solutions for NBS, of which NeoMass AACC is only the start. Co-development on this level allows us to leverage the impressive technology leadership of Shimadzu instrumentation to provide sensitivity to new disorders, and to provide faster throughput and greater accuracy, which is the key to investigators success in detecting disorders in babies. We believe our cooperation will have an impact on the suffering caused by these severe, yet eminently preventable diseases." Dr. Geraldine Carrard, CEO - Labsystems Diagnostics Oy, added: "The deliberations and discussions have paved the way of a trusted and solid partnership. Shimadzu Trivitron Labsystems Diagnostics combination will be an innovative driving force to reckon within the Newborn Screening." Shuzo Maruyama, General Manager, Analytical and Measuring Instruments Division Shimadzu Corporation, said: "The agreement between Shimadzu Corporation and Labsystems Diagnostics will help to change the way in new born screening programs can be better, expanding the screening capability with detailed analytics and actionable data creating a new solution for faster, confident diagnosis. Shimadzu is always exploring ways to find a solution that meets a real need and makes a difference to overcome real world challenges. We believe this collaboration with Labsystems Diagnostics will help make smart decisions quicker and will make clinical laboratories more efficient and effective in new born screening." Trivitron Healthcare is a globally acclaimed healthcare technology solution company headquartered in Chennai, India. Trivitron Healthcare strives to make healthcare technology accessible to all. Trivitron Healthcare offers solutions in laboratory medicine, Radiology, Radiology protection, Cardiology, OR, ICU, renal care, Newborn Screening. Labsystems Diagnostics is proud to be part of the Trivitron group of companies since 2012. Labsystems has been a forerunner in innovative diagnostic research and development for the last 30 years. Labsystems Diagnostics is committed to develop high quality diagnostic solutions for clinical and research laboratories, and for consumer use. The company is dedicated to R&D investment, developing highly qualified personnel and state of the art production. A highly rigorous quality system and CE-marked products ensure sustainable quality of the products. These assets combined with efficient customer support have meant long term customer satisfaction and a solid reputation for success. Within 30 years of experience, Labsystems Diagnostics has been a key pioneer in IVD space and Newborn screening. A track record of technology leadership: Labsystems has long been a pioneer in the Detection of Metabolic Diseases; first to develop fluorometric PKU (Phenylketonuria) tests for NBS, first to provide PKU assays in micro-plate format, and first to combine high throughput fluorescence tests for both PKU and TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). Labsystems' innovative NS2400 fully automated high throughout system for NBS has enabled fully automated screening in high-throughput laboratories, Labsystems Diagnostics has an extensive R&D pipeline of over 35 products under development. Founded in 1875, Shimadzu Corporation, a leader in the development of advanced technologies, has a distinguished history of innovation built on the foundation of contributing to society through science and technology. Shimadzu maintains a global network of sales, service, technical support and applications centers on six continents, and has established long-term relationships with a host of highly trained distributors located in over 100 countries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met State Counsellor of Myanmar and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi and President of Republic of Korea, Park Geun-hye on the sidelines of the 14th India-ASEAN Summit and the 11th East Asia Summit in Vientiane. Ministry of External affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup in a series of tweets confirmed the meeting. "An icon of democracy, a partner for development. State Counsellor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi meets PM," Swarup said. During the meeting Prime Minister Modi complimented Suu Kyi on the victory of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in the elections and welcomed her as an icon of democracy. He also asserted that India would always stand with the Government and people of Myanmar as the new government strives to fulfill the aspirations of the people. The meeting between the two is the first one after the Nobel peace laureate assumed assumed power in Myanmar in March. Prime Minister Modi said that he was looking forward to receiving Suu Kyi in Goa for the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit, while asserting that cooperation in disaster manangement would be one of the important element of the Summit given that several countries in South Asia continue to face natural disasters. Suu Kyi in return thanked Prime Minister Modi and said that she was looking forward to visiting India where she had always felt "at home". She also briefed him on the progress in the peace and reconciliation process in Myanmar. Both sides positively assessed India Myanmar security cooperation. The two leaders also discussed cooperation in areas such as dairy farming, animal husbandry and agriculture. Prime Minister Modi then spoke about a possible agreement on pulses which had been discussed during External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's visit to Myanmar. Both leaders also discussed cooperation in the area of their shared Buddhist heritage. Swaraj on August 22 had visited Myanmar and had bilateral engagements with Suu Kyi in Naypyitaw. Swaraj's visit to the country is the first major political exchange between India and Myanmar following the swearing in of new government. Prime Minister Modi had earlier met President of Republic of Korea, Park Geun-hye. "Engagement beyond the ASEAN too!PM @narendramodi meets ROK President @GH_PARK to further enhance strategic partnership," tweeted Swarup. Prime Minister Modi arrived on a two-day visit to Vientiane to attend the 14th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India Summit yesterday. He is scheduled meet and U.S. President Barack Obama today. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After the Pakistani court reportedly issued notice against 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Union Minister of Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Thursday showed doubts on the Pak's intention to take action in this matter and said that they have to take some serious step. "Pakistan is being cornered across the world. It is viewed as a country that promotes terrorism. The entire world thinks that Pakistan is becoming a safe haven to terrorists. So, it might happen that they are just trying to pretend that they are taking action. This will not work they have to take some action serious against him," Naqvi told ANI. Further commenting on U.S. stand on terrorism Naqvi said Pakistan is getting pressure from the entire world to eliminate terrorism, adding that the combination of Pakistan and terrorism is causing problems for Islamabad itself. As per reports, an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has issued notices to seven accused of 2008 Mumbai attack case, including LeT commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi. It is said that the prosecution and defence lawyers would present their arguments on September 22. LeT operations commander 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 of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prominent Patel businessmen in the city have decided to felicitate Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders of their community in the presence of party chief Amit Shah here today. This felicitation comes in the wake of the upcoming Gujarat assembly polls. While Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) has asked the community to oppose the felicitation programme, city-based prominent businessmen have formed a group called the 'Patidar Abhivadan Samiti' to honour the new state BJP chief Jitu Vaghani, deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel and union ministers of the Patel community. Apart from Shah, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and former chief minister Anandiben Patel will also be present at the event. Shah is also scheduled to address the BJP workers in Vyara town of Tapi district and inaugurate state party office in Surat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Phantom Films' first Gujarati venture, 'Wrong side Raju,' in collaboration with Cineman Productions, is all set to hit the theatres worldwide on September 9. This will mark the first global release of a Gujarati film, proving it to be a benchmark for the regional films who often struggle for screen numbers to showcase their work. Speaking on the same, Anurag Kashyap, co-founder of Phantom Films, said, "It's always a pleasure to back a good script, and we are happy with the way Wrong Side Raju has shaped up and also that we have found partners all over, to be able to release it worldwide simultaneously. I feel that will help the audience to watch the film at one go, and probably reduce the chances of piracy." 'Wrong side Raju' is a thriller-drama, inspired from 2013 BMW hit-and-run case of Vismay Shah in Ahmedabad. The trailer of the Mikhil Musale directed film has received an overwhelming response, with its song 'Satrangi Re' marking the first Gujarati track by Arijit Singh. On a related note, 'Satrangi Re' has become the first Gujarati song to cross the one million mark in merely two weeks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi emplaned for India after the completion of his two-day visit to Laos to attend the 14th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - India Summit where he also held bilateral talks with many leaders here. "The Prime Minister emplanes for Delhi after productive multilateral and bilateral engagements," tweeted Prime Minister's Office (PMO). "Thank you gracious host Lao PDR. A short and substantial visit ends as PM @narendramodi emplanes for New Delhi," tweeted Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Vikas Swarup. Before leaving, he held bilateral talks with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. "PM @MedvedevRussia interacts with PM @narendramodi on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit. @MedvedevRussiaE," tweeted PMO. Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi also met United States President Barack Obama. Today's meeting is said to be the eighth meeting between the two leaders in the last two years. The meeting is a significant one as it is likely to be their last official engagement together with Obama's presidency set to end next year. On the sidelines of the Summit, Prime Minister Modi also met State Counsellor of Myanmar and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi and President of Republic of Korea, Park Geun-hye. During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi complimented Suu Kyi on the victory of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in the elections and welcomed her as an icon of democracy. He also asserted that India would always stand with the Government and people of Myanmar as the new government strives to fulfill the aspirations of the people. The meeting between the two is the first one after the Nobel peace laureate assumed power in Myanmar in March. Prime Minister Modi said that he was looking forward to receiving Suu Kyi in Goa for the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit, while asserting that cooperation in disaster manangement would be one of the important element of the Summit given that several countries in South Asia continue to face natural disasters. Suu Kyi in return thanked Prime Minister Modi and said that she was looking forward to visiting India where she had always felt "at home". She also briefed him on the progress in the peace and reconciliation process in Myanmar. Both sides positively assessed India Myanmar security cooperation. The two leaders also discussed cooperation in areas such as dairy farming, animal husbandry and agriculture. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Thursday evening after concluding his two-day visit to Lao capital city Vientiane where he attended the 14th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and the 11th East Asia Summit (EAS) on September 7-8. Before leaving Vientiane, Prime Minister Modi held talks with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. "PM @MedvedevRussia interacts with PM @narendramodi on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit," tweeted PMO. Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi also met United States President Barack Obama, which is said to be the eighth meeting between the two leaders in the last two years. The meeting is a significant one as it is likely to be their last official engagement together with Obama's presidency set to end next year. On the sidelines of the Summit, Prime Minister Modi also met State Counsellor of Myanmar and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi and President of Republic of Korea Park Geun-hye. During a meeting, Prime Minister Modi complimented Aung San Suu Kyi on the victory of the League for Democracy (NLD) in the elections and welcomed her as "an icon of democracy". He also asserted that India would always stand with the Government and people of Myanmar as the new government strives to fulfil the aspirations of the people. The meeting between the two is the first one after the Nobel peace laureate assumed power in Myanmar in March. Prime Minister Modi said that he was looking forward to receiving Suu Kyi in Goa for the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit, while asserting that cooperation in disaster management would be one of the important elements of the Summit given that several countries in South Asia continue to face natural disasters. Suu Kyi in return thanked Prime Minister Modi, and said that she was looking forward to visiting India where she had always felt "at home". She also briefed him on the progress in the peace and reconciliation process in Myanmar. Both sides positively assessed India Myanmar security cooperation. The two leaders also discussed cooperation in areas such as dairy farming, animal husbandry and agriculture. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a major setback to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi High Court on Thursday set aside the appointment of 21 Aam Admi Party MLAs as Parliament Secretaries. The AAP had appointed the Parliament Secretaries to assist its ministers in the capital. A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal pronounced the judgement after the Delhi Government's counsel accepted that the Delhi Members of Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualification Amendment) Bill- 2015, was passed without the concurrence of the Lieutenant Governor. In May 2015, Rashtriya Mukti Morcha, an NGO, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the court stating that the appointment of Parliamentary secretaries was 'unconstitutional,' as per the provisions of Article 239AA, section(4). "The Delhi government conceded their mistake and the HC acknowledging their mistake, set aside their appointment order," Ravindra Kuamr, Counsel for Rashtriya Mukti Morcha, told ANI. Earlier in June, President Pranab Mukherjee rejected the Bill passed by the Delhi Government in 2015 to exempt the post of Parliamentary Secretary from the purview of office-for-profit. Kejriwal had passed an order appointing the 21 MLAs, including Alka Lamba, Jarnail Singh, Adarsh Shastri and Rajesh Gupta, as Parliamentary Secretaries on March 13, 2015. Attempting to save from disqualification provisions for holding two offices of profit at one time, the Delhi Government then sought to amend the Delhi Members of Legislative Assembly (Removal of the Disqualification) Act, 1997. The Bill was forwarded by Lieutenant Governor to the Centre, which in turn sent it to the President with its comments. BJP and Congress have been repeatedly demanding disqualification of the 21 MLAs for holding dual posts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Telangana government has launched a new offer called 'Feel the Jail' giving tourists in the locale a chance to visit the colonial-era jail that was built in the year 1796 under the Nizam rule in Hyderabad. The government now allows any person to spend the night in the jail to gain a once-in-a-lifetime experience of being under detention. During the stay, 'inmates' will be provided with uniform, a mug, mattress and soap, the 220-year-old prison aims to give you the feel of what the prisoners in the colonial era felt in the 24 hour confinement. Vinoy Kumar Singh, Director General of prisons said this initiative is done to promote tourism. "When I took charge this jail was in dilapidated condition. So, I thought this is a really historical monument for the district and for the state. We can change this jail into heritage jail and museum which will depict the history of jail in this state..I thought that the citizens should get a feel of the jail how it is inside. For that reason we have used certain cells to be let out for 500 rupees and live like a prisoner for 24 hours," he told ANI here. He said the Prison department Telangana state has initiated many innovations for reformation and rehabilitation of the prisoners and their welfare and revenue generation for the department. "In this regard we have returned the 220 years old Sangareddy district jail into a heritage jail and museum. First in 1796 it was built by the Nizams for use of the stable of the horses which afterwards was used as a jail and continued as a district jail till 2012 when new district jail Sangareddy was constructed," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a veiled attack on Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that rising export of terror, growing radicalization through ideology of hatred and spread of extreme violence define the landscape of common security threats to our societies. Speaking at the 14th ASEAN India Summit in Vientiane, Loas , Prime Minister Modi emphasized that in the phase of growing traditional and non-traditional challenges- politico-security cooperation is the key emerging pillar of Asean countries relationship. Highlighting about the rising terrorism and its others aspects, Prime Minister Modi said that India's partnership with ASEAN seeks to craft a response that realize on coordination, cooperation and sharing of experiences. "Rising export of terror, growing radicalization through ideology of hatred and spread of extreme violence define the landscape of common security threats to our societies. The threat is local, regional and transitional at the same time. Our partnership with ASEAN seeks to craft a response that realizes coordination, cooperation and sharing of experiences as multiple levels," he said. He reiterated that ASEAN is central to India's 'Act East Policy' and the ties are a source of balance and harmony in the region. "The substance of our strategic partnership covers all major substance of our strategic partnership covers security, economic and socio-culture," he added. Talking about the ASEAN-India plan of action for the period 2016 to 2020, he said that it has served India well in fulfilling its objectives. "We have already implemented 54/130 activities, identified in plan of action," he added. Prime Minister Modi reiterated that enhancing connectivity in all its dimensions is at the heart of India's strategic partnership with ASEAN. "Enhancing connectivity in its entire dimension physical, digital, economic, institutional and cultural is at the heart of India's strategic partnership with ASEAN and readiness to link our economic success and share development experiences with ASEAN nations," he added. Pointing out that 2017 will be historic milestone in ASEAN-India ties, he said that, "Next year we will celebrate 25th year of our dialogue partnership, 15 years of our summit level interaction and five year of our strategic partnership." He added that the celebration will be launched at the ASEAN - Indian foreign ministers meeting. Prime Minister Modi emphasized that India will also host a commemorative summit on the theme of Shared values, common destiny, a host of other events, a business summit, CEO forums, a car rally and a sailing expedition and cultural festivals. Prime Minister Modi arrived on a two-day visit to Vientiane to attend the 14th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India Summit yesterday. Earlier in the day he met his Laos counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith. "Taking forward a valued p'ship. Day 2 in Vientiane begins w/meeting the host, PM of Lao PDR HE Thongloun Sisoulith," Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted. He is also scheduled meet Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is the State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar, and U.S. President Barack Obama today. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nabeel Ahmad Wani, a resident of Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, who topped Border Security Force's Assistant Commandant (Works) Examination, in a message to the youth of the state has said they should follow their dreams and fulfil the aim of their life by taking the right path. "I will urge you to take the right path; do something for your country and your motherland so that your country and motherland are recognised all over world. You all should follow your dreams and fulfil the aim of your life, but don't take any wrong path for that. Taking a wrong path is easier, but it's difficult to follow a right path. But, at the end, only those people are successful who take the right path," Wani told them. Speaking to ANI, he said his aim was to do something against terrorism and felt that he could fulfil him aim by being either with the army or the BSF and that was why he decided to join the paramilitary force. "My aim behind joining the force is to do well, and qualify for the Investigation Agency (NIA) and become an important part of the NIA and to play an important role in our country's security," he added. Wani said he had given the examination in 2013, but lagged behind by some marks; however, he worked hard and bagged all-India first rank. "I want to serve the country, bring laurels for the nation, and work with 100 percent dedication and honesty," he added. "I belong to a lower middle-class family. My father was a school teacher, who died two years back. I studied in a normal school in the district and went Punjab to study engineering to fulfil my father's dream. Our economic condition was not such that I could go to a big college, but with the support of the government-sponsored minority scholarships that paved way for me to complete my engineering. I was a topper in my college that ensured scholarships for my studies," he recounted. "After finishing my college, I started focusing on my aim, which I had set much earlier that I would take up defence services, either the army or the BSF. I started preparing for defence service examination but, in the meantime, my father died and I took over the responsibilities of my family and a sister, and decided to take up a job. At present, I am working as a junior engineer with the water share department of the state government in Udhampur. "While working as a junior engineer, I never thought that I have to work close to my home, and always wanted to work for the country and join either the army or the BSF. I used college books and internet, and self study for the preparation of the exams," added Wani. Stating that terrorism has rotten J-K, Wani said, "I am a citizen of Jammu and Kashmir and have seen how terrorism has rotten our state. I want to fight against terrorism. We in the BSF know that the main reason of terrorism is terrorists supplied from across the border. "My suggestion is that we should launch open recruitments for the people of the state so that they join the army and the BSF, and they come to know that no terrorist is with India, and they just want to fulfil their aim and if any person of any force, even as he is a Kashmiri, they will not leave them." Asserting that J-K youth are immensely capable, he said, "There is nothing that the state youth cannot achieve, if they get guidance, cooperation and the feeling that they could be employed if they work hard. I understand that our government has started very good schemes like 'Beti Bachao' for the children to study and there are schemes for minority students, but most of them are not aware about it." "However, now students of the state are excelling top exams all over India and becoming IAS and IPS. Those who are lagging behind lack awareness, and thus, if they have right guidance they can achieve any heights. A J-K lad has recently secured second rank in the Civil Services Examination," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari will reach Patna this afternoon on a two-day tour to Bihar. Soon after his arrival, Ansari will leave for Rajgir where he will interact with teachers and students of Nalanda University and he will also visit the ruins of ancient Nalanda University. Before returning to Delhi tomorrow, the Vice President will participate in the 90th foundation day of Bihar Chamber of Commerce in Patna. Tight security arrangements have been made in view of Ansari's visit. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lava International India and Easy Group of Egypt, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of a joint venture between the two companies for marketing mobile phones and other IT related equipment in Egypt initially and subsequently manufacturing the same and catering to the whole North African and MENA region markets . The MoU was signed during the 4th India-Egypt Business Council meeting organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) which was attended by Eng. Khaled Abu Elmakarem, Co-Chair of the India-Egypt Business Council from the Egyptian side, HE Mr Hatem Tageldin, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to India, Mr Sanjay Bhattacharya, Indian Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt and leading Egyptian and Indian businessmen. The MoU follows a FICCI initiative to cultivate strong business linkages between Indian companies and their Egyptian counterparts during a delegation visit to Cairo, Egypt, in March, 2016. India and Egypt have witnessed enhanced engagement following Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September 2015 and later during the Third India-Africa Forum Summit at New Delhi in October 2015. India and Egypt are looking at intensification of dialogue between the two countries and enhanced trade and investment. India and Egypt have a trade volume of $ 3 billion -- which both sides are keen to upgrade to $ 8 billion -- and there are currently 52 Indian companies operating in Egypt of which 25 are joint ventures with a total investment of $ 3 billion across a wide range of sectors. As a US $ 286 billion economy with around 89 million consumers -- the second largest in Africa -- that Egypt represents, the potential and scope is immense. Addressing the Business Council meeting which also coincides with the first official visit of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to India, Ambassador of Egypt to India HE Mr Hatem Tageldin said that the Indian and Egyptian leadership were committed to enhance cooperation in all sectors - political, cultural, economic and Defence. Mr Tageldin called upon entrepreneurs to tap the opportunities in chemicals, petrochemicals, textiles, autos and auto components, mining and renewable energy as well as those in the Suez Economic Corridor. Describing the India-Egypt bilateral relations as poised at an important juncture, Mr Sanjay Bhattacharya called upon Egyptian businesses to work closely with Indian industry to bring to fruition the shared vision of creating a new partnership in a new era. There are both opportunities and challenges and also a broad understanding between the two sides of the need to take things forward, Mr Bhattacharya said, highlighting opportunities of expanding economic cooperation in hydrocarbons and development projects that the Egyptian Government had launched. Mr Vijay Sankar, Chairman of the India-Egypt Business Council from the India side highlighted the increased frequency of interactions between Indian and Egyptian businesses as sign of good times to come between the two partners. Mr Sankar said that while India Egypt cooperation has expanded to cover diverse areas, there was a need to correct the slowdown in trade. Urging Indian industry to explore the potential in Egypt, members of the Business Council from the Egyptian side offered incentives to Indian business like allocation of land for free in upper Egypt, employment incentives, laws for protection of Intellectual property and exemption from tax for 10 years. Indian and Egyptian Business Council members also discussed possbilities of luring Bollywood to shoot in Egypt and big companies to hold annual meetings to promote corporate tourism. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) for the Swadesh Darshan Scheme in Ministry of Tourism has approved projects to the tune of Rs. 450 Crore for development of Heritage circuit in Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand, Ramayana Circuit in Uttar Pradesh, North East Circuit in Sikkim and Coastal Circuit of Tamil Nadu. The Heritage Circuit in state of Madhya Pradesh, covers Gwalior- Orchha- Khajuraho-Chanderi-Bhimbetka-Mandu with total project cost of approximately Rs. 100.00 Crore. The project envisages world class infrastructural development of the sites which includes developing a Theme Park and Convention centre in Khajuraho, Sound and Light Show in Mandu. Site Illumination, Construction of Tourist Facilitation Centres and parking area are other intervention proposed in the circuit. The Heritage Circuit in Uttarakhand is on developing Tourism Infrastructure in Jageshwar-Devidhura-Katarmal-Baijnath sites with total project cost of approximately Rs.83 Crore. The highlights of project in Uttarakhand are development of Eco Log Huts, Sound and Light Show and Upgradation of Temple Pathways. Coastal circuit in State of Tamil Nadu envisages development Chennai- Mamamallapuram-Rameshwaram-Manpadu-Kanyakumari with total project cost of approximately Rs.100 Crore has been approved. Sound and Light Show, development of Beach amenities, Construction of Pedestrian Bridge connecting Vivekanand memorial with Tiruvalluvar Statue are major highlights of project. Ramayana Circuit in State of Uttar Pradesh envisages development of two destinations viz. Chitrakoot and Shringverpur. The Project cost for this circuit is approximately Rs.70 Crore for development of Parikrama marg, food Plaza, Laser Show, Foot Over Bridge connecting MP and UP part of Chitrakoot. Development of Ghats, Tourist Facilitation Centre and Parking area. Ramayana Circuit in Uttar Pradesh also includes Ayodhya for which the State Tourism Department of Uttar Pradesh is preparing Detailed Project Report (DPR). North East circuit in State of Sikkim with approximate project cost of Rs.95.50 Crore includes development of eco log huts, cultural centre, paragliding centre, craft bazaar, base camp for mountaineering and meditation hall. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Giving a fillip to the ongoing drive for rehabilitation of Maoists, 72 of the Left extremists, including two women, surrendered before the district authorities in Chhattisgarh's Bastar area on Thursday, a senior police officer said. SP-Narayanpur, Abhishek Meena, said that 70 male and two female Maoists left their outfits and have decided to get absorbed into mainstream society. "Out of those who surrendered, 45 are of the Jan Militia and one a Party Committee President," Meena said. Meena said a warrant was also issued by a Court against 18 Maoists who have surrendered. Three Local Guerrilla Squad members were rewarded Rs 1 lakh each, while others were also rewarded. --IANS hindi-sanjeev/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) leader Ashutosh on Thursday told the Commission for Women (NCW) that it should also probe the case of snooping on a woman in Gujarat allegedly by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while he was the Gujarat Chief Minister, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah. Ashutosh, who appeared before the NCW in compliance with its summons of September 5, told reporters later, "I appeared before them because I have faith in the Constitution of this country and the institutions established by it." "I told them that your letter is in violation of my fundamental rights. If I have done something wrong, you can hang me. But the Constitution of India gives me freedom of expression and I wrote that blog under this right," he said. The NCW had summoned Ashutosh for writing an article in defence of sacked Delhi Minister Sandeep Kumar, which the women panel found insulting and demeaning towards women. Sandeep Kumar was sacked from the cabinet by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after a sex tape featuring him surfaced last month. "I told them that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is a married person, but it has been alleged that he was harassing a woman half his age when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat. In this connection, IAS officer Pradeep Sharma has given an affidavit in the Supreme Court for which he was victimised," Ashutosh said. He said that a tape of this matter is also in the public domain in which BJP President Amit Shah is supervising and monitoring intelligence agencies, but no action has been taken in this matter to this day. Ashutosh attached a copy of Sharma's affidavit as well as the audio clip along with his written reply. "I have complained how a woman was harassed by men occupying constitutional positions, how the Gujarat police/intelligence machinery snooped on that woman," he said. Ashutosh said that if such a serious matter is not probed by the NCW, the women of the country would lose faith in the body. "(NCW Chairperson) Lalitha Kumaramangalam was gracious enough to accept that complaint and asked her office to register a complaint and initiate action against snooping," he said. "Now I am sure that the snooping matter would be investigated impartially and Modi ji and Amit Shah ji would be summoned to the Commission and questioned by it the way I have been," Ashutosh said. However, Kumaramangalam said she would not indulge in a war of words with AAP leader when asked about the latter's claim that she had promised action in the snoopgate. "I don't want to be drawn into a war of words with Ashutosh. I have got nothing to say beyond that the Commission is not satisfied with his response and would look into the matter according to its mandate," Kumaramangalam told IANS. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said he will soon be announcing more schemes like the distribution of free laptops and smart phones to the people of his state. Speaking at a function of the Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy, Yadav said he has been told that the Bharatiya Janata Party was rattled about the scheme and was planning to petition the Election Commission of India (ECI) alleging that the state government was bribing people. He, however, asserted that he was not shaken by the charge. "I am committed to the people of the state and their welfare and would do everything that can be done in this direction," he said while brushing aside charges that the smart phones were to lure people into voting for the ruling Samajwadi Party. "We are rolling out this scheme to empower people and assimilate information technology into governance," the 43-year-old Chief Minister said while dropping hints that many more such schemes were on the anvil. He also said that traffic management in cities could well be part of the Samajwadi Party (SP) poll manifesto for the Assembly polls in 2017. At this point, Urban Development Minister Mohd Azam Khan intervened and said that he should rather not spill the beans as the BJP might copy them. Yadav later laid the foundation of an 'Urdu Darwaza' to be built at Deoband and six hospitals which would be built across the state. Saying that his government was for all-round welfare of the people, irrespective of their caste or religion, Yadav cited examples of the Haj houses built at Ghaziabad and Lucknow and the Bhajan centres at Chitrakoot and Faizabad. "I am of the firm belief that the society, the state and the nation can only grow when there is peace, harmony and love for each other" the Chief Minister further stated. He also took a dig at the Bahujan Samaj Party government from which he took over, saying that while they were wasting precious public money in building monuments and parks, his government was spending the money on infrastructure, power and health sectors. --IANS md/sm/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Computer Class Series Coming Up Locating and Opening Folders and Programs Basic Microsoft Office Introduction to Computers (Windows 10): Safely Navigating the Internet Introduction to Computers (Windows 10): Getting to Know Email Contact: Attila Nemecz Attila Nemecz (252)-940-6387 The following computer class series is available at the Washington County Center in Roper through the Continuing Education Department at BCCC. To register, call 252-940-6375 or email continuingeducation@beaufortccc.edu.Students will learn how to locate, open, and save files and folders for storing of information. This workshop will also explore how to open programs, make shortcuts, and delete files, folders, and shortcuts. Students will need to bring with them their laptops or tablets with Windows 10 installed. This $25 class takes place on Tuesday, September 20 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.This workshop introduces students to the programs included in Microsoft Office as well as basic navigation through the more popular programs, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint as time permits. Students should have Microsoft Office already installed on their PC, as well as some proficiency in using the mouse or touchpad to manipulate the cursor. Students will need to have a basic understanding of Microsoft Office as this workshop serves as a review to enhance the student's knowledge. They will need to bring with them their laptops or tablets with Windows 10 installed. This $25 class will take place on Tuesday, September 27 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.The internet can be a scary place. In this workshop, students will learn how to safely navigate the internet and gain a better understanding of the basic settings that can help safe guard against unwanted information. Students will also have the opportunity to gain basic knowledge concerning safely purchasing items from the internet. Students will need to bring with them their laptops or tablets with Windows 10 installed. This $25 class will take place on Tuesday, October 4 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.With most of today's communication taking place over email, individuals need to know how to create, send, and save email. In this workshop, students will cover the basics of email and learn how to create a free account and learn how to navigate and communicate through it. Students will need to bring with them their laptops or tablets with Windows 10 installed. This $25 class will take place on Tuesday, October 11 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. While negotiating with or on behalf of friends, women at workplace achieve better results than their male counterparts, finds a study. "What's important for women is the sense of fighting for others, for their friends, for something bigger than themselves," said Hilla Dotan from the Tel Aviv University in Israel. For the study, the team paired 216 MBA students in single-gender teams, some of whom were friends and some of whom were not. The teams engaged in several multi-issue negotiations -- concerning pesticide products in one scenario, and airplane engines and parts in another. "When we looked at the negotiation tactics and outcomes of these young professionals, we found several differences between men and women," Dotan added. "However, the one condition under which we found no difference between men and women was when women negotiated in teams of friends," she said. The study found that women negotiate better outcomes when negotiating on behalf of others whom they care about, while men do not exhibit a difference in this respect. But, the existing research is "disheartening," the researchers rued, adding that they show that women negotiating have lower outcomes than men. According to Dotan, the existing research shows that men initiate negotiations four times as often as women. While women negotiators generally achieve 30 per cent less than their male counterparts, 20 per cent of women do not negotiate at all even when they believe they ought to. Women also consider negotiations a chore rather than a pleasure. "We consistently read that women negotiate lower outcomes than men. But is this really true?" asked Uta Herbst, Professor at the Potsdam University in Germany. "We know that women generally behave differently in the workplace. They focus on maintaining relationships and cooperation and fostering harmony, which are ripe circumstances for negotiations. This behavioural aspect and the process of negotiations have commonly been overlooked in existing research," Herbst stated. In addition, Dotan believes that company management would benefit from fostering and encouraging personal relationships at work. "Women naturally form relationships and these organic friendships shouldn't be touched, because they ultimately prove profitable for the company," Dotan concluded. The study is forthcoming in the Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing. --IANS rt/ask/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has extended an invitation to the leaders of Asean nations to attend a summit in Canberra in 2018, according to an official statement. Turnbull announced the summit in a statement on his website late on Wednesday, inviting leaders to Canberra to discuss a number of regional issues as Australia aims to strengthen ties with its regional neighbours, Xinhua news agency reported. "A special Asean-Australia Leaders' Summit in 2018 -- bringing leaders of all South-East Asian nations to Australia together for the first time," Turnbull said. He said the summit would be the first opportunity for all ASEAN leaders to come together in Australia and address issues such as the threat of terrorism and future of trade between Australia and nations in Southeast Asia. The Prime Minister had previously talked about the need to form strong counter-terror links with neighbouring nations, and said the summit would serve to "bolster (Australia's) strategic partnership" with Asean nations. "In keeping with the two themes of today's Asean-Australia Summit, a special summit in Australia would deepen our economic partnership through closer links between Asean and Australian businesses and the private sector, and bolster our strategic partnership," he said. "We are proud to be Asean's Strategic Partner, a substantial economic partner, an advocate of a peaceful, rules-based neighbourhood, and a highly engaged participant in Asean-led regional architecture." Turnbull foreshadowed the summit that is to take place in Australia's capital city Canberra in 2018. --IANS ss/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Presidential nominees Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton addressed topics ranging from national security to veteran affairs in their first television forum here. The two struck a pointed contrast on deploying ground troops to Iraq during the town hall held in New York on Wednesday by NBC News and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Democratic presidentaial nominee Clinton pledged that the US was "not putting ground troops into Iraq ever again, and we are not putting ground troops into Syria", while the Republican nominee disagreed, reported the Guardian. Trump, who has long talked about the importance of "taking the oil" in the Middle East, said: "We would leave a certain group behind and they would take the various sections where they have the oil." The forum came hours after Trump laid into Clinton as "trigger happy". During an address on defence spending in Philadelphia earlier in the day, the former reality TV star suggested there wasn't a country in the Middle East that Clinton did not want to invade -- an assertion he repeated on Wednesday evening. The US currently has roughly 5,000 troops deployed in Iraq, mostly as official non-combat advisers for the Iraqi military, along with special operations forces. Navy and Air Force pilots also participate daily in air attacks on the Islamic State terrorist group. The discussion took place a little under three weeks before the first Presidential debate on September 26. In response to a question from the audience on military sexual assault, Trump cited his tweet from 2013 in which he suggested that the epidemic was a consequence of allowing women to serve in the military. Trump also called for "a court system within the military", seemingly unaware that the military has always been governed by a court system separate from civilians. When asked what he would do, if elected as President, to curb military sexual assault, Trump remained vague. "We have to come down very hard on that and do something about that," he said. Trump also touched his bumpy relationship with various foreign leaders. He further talked about his so-called "bromance" with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he repeatedly praised and cast as a better leader than Barack Obama. Trump went on to characterise his relationship with Putin as mutually beneficial. "If he says great things about me, I'm gonna say great things about him," he said. "I think when he calls me brilliant, I'll take the compliment. OK? "I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Putin and a very good relationship with Russia." Clinton, by contrast, sought to re-emphasise her foreign policy expertise while defending her legacy as Obama's Secretary of State. The Democratic nominee repeated once more that it was "a mistake" for her to use a private email server while at the helm of the State Department. "I have made no excuses for it. It was something that should not have been done," Clinton said. Clinton struck a similar tone when discussing her support for the Iraq war, although not without pointing out that Trump also backed the invasion but has refused to acknowledge his support. "I took responsibility for my decision," she said of her vote for the Iraq war. "My opponent has refused to take responsibility for his support." However, Trump asserted that he had been against the war all along. Clinton also pointed out there was "no difference" between her position on Libya and that of Trump. "He's on record extensively supporting intervention in Libya," she said. Trump, in turn, criticised the Obama administration as pursuing "the dumbest foreign policy" he had ever seen. "The Generals have been reduced to rubble," Trump said, when pressed on the assertion he made during his campaign that he knows more about Islamic State than military Generals. Asked what his own strategy would look like against the militant group, Trump declined to comment. "I have a substantial chance of winning -- make America great again," he said. "If I win, I don't want to broadcast to the enemy what my plan is." --IANS ss/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) It was brief and it was only pleasantries, but President Obama and President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines spoke to each other on Wednesday, just two days after Dutertes insulting remark prompted Obama to cancel their first meeting. The two men spoke while they were waiting with other world leaders to enter a gala dinner at a summit meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations here, according to a White House official. The official did not say what the two men discussed, except to suggest that it was not substantive, the New York Times reported. Obama cancelled a formal meeting with Duterte after the Philippine leader called him a "son of a whore" and threatened to repeat it in person, if he raised the issue of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. Duterte later said he regretted the comments, which he described as an overreaction to news media reports he had read about Obama's plans to press him on his tactics for combating drug trafficking. --IANS lok/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Wednesday rejected a press statement issued by the UN Security Council condemning its latest ballistic missile launches. "This is an intolerable act of encroaching upon its (the DPRK) dignity, right to existence, sovereignty and right to self-defence," said a spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry in response to a question from the press, according to the official KCNA news agency. The spokesman stressed that the DPRK will continue to bolster its nuclear force in a phased manner in 2016, when the DPRK had conducted a purported H-bomb test in January, Xinhua news agency reported. In the statement, the Security Council members also reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia at large and expressed their commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the situation. On Monday, the DPRK fired three ballistic missiles into eastern waters. Those launches are in grave violation of the DPRK's international obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions, said the 15-nation council on Tuesday. The DPRK state media described the test-firing of the missiles as "perfect" and said the missile launches have proved that the strategic force of the military is "capable of mounting a pre-emptive attack on the enemies any time and from any place." The missile launches came less than two weeks after Pyongyang test-fired a ballistic missile from a submarine off its east coastal town of Sinpo, where a submarine base is known to be located. --IANS lok/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actress Esha Gupta will turn showstopper for designer Yoshita Yadav at the Indian runway week Autum/Winter 2016. Yadav is set to make her debut at the fashion week with her label Yoshita Couture. The designer will showcase her collection inspired by the city of Lucknow which remains the fashion capital of Northern India. "In this season's collection, we at Yoshita Couture have used 100 per cent. Indian woven Raw Silks, woven in Varanasi and Bengaluru, depending on colour specifications. "In this collection, one can see a vivid representation of motifs taken from most famous Mughal monuments of Bara Imambara, Chhota Imambara, and the Rumi Darwaza," said the designer in a statement. She alo feels that Esha perfectly epitomizes her brand aesthetics. "I think her aura is undeniably something to watch out for. Being a diva herself, I think she can pull off anything and everything fabulously. Our aesthetics definitely match and I am sure she would definitely set the ramp ablaze," she said Yoshita Yadav started with her label in 2012 in Lucknow. She is a graduate from the National Institute of Fashion Technology and completed her further education from Italy. --IANS nv/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In an obvious reference to Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said "export of terror" is a common threat to the region. "Export of terror, growing radicalisation and spread of extreme violence are common security threats to our societies," Modi said while addressing the 14th India-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit here. He said Asean was central to India's Act East Policy while describing the ties with southeast Asia as a "source of harmony". The India-Asean Summit will be followed by the 11th East Asia Summit on Thursday. Earlier in the day, Modi held a bilateral meeting with host Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith. Modi is also scheduled to have meetings with South Korean President Park Geun-hye, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is the State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar, and US President Barack Obama later in the day. --IANS ab/pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four police officers at Oakland in US will be fired and seven others suspended without pay for their roles in a sexual misconduct scandal that sparked national outrage earlier this year, an official said here. The officers were found guilty of administrative charges of attempted sexual assault, engaging in lewd conduct, assisting in prostitution and accessing law enforcement databases for personal gain, among other offenses, said Mayor Libby Schaaf late Wednesday. Seven others were suspended without pay for failing to report the sexual misconduct, and other crimes, Los Angeles Times reported. "I want to send a clear message to the victims of sexual abuse and exploitation... We see you. We hear you, and we are here to help you," Schaaf said, adding "And to those who exploit these victims...take pleasure in their pain, we see you too." Police have been investigating allegations that officers were having sexual contact with a self-described teenage sex worker for nearly a year. The woman told authorities that she first met an Oakland officer for the sex trafficking of underage girls. The scandal exploded in June, when the woman claimed in a televised interview to have had sexual interaction with more than a dozen city police officers. She said some of the interactions happened when she was underage, and also claimed to have hadsex with some officers in exchange for information about planned prostitution raids. The scandal included members of four other East Bay law enforcement agencies were also accused of either having sex with the woman or engaging in other inappropriate conduct with her. Two Oakland police officers resigned, and three others were placed on administrative leave, the officials said. Schaaf refused to identify any of the officers. The East Bay Express, that broke many of the early details of the scandal, reported that the Richmond Police Department obtained funding to send the woman to rehabilitation in Florida. The fallout of the scandal earlier this year also led to a major shake-up in the Police Department's command staff. Police Chief Sean Whent resigned the same weekend the woman gave her televised interview. --IANS ss/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a setback to the Arvind Kejriwal government, the Delhi High Court on Thursday quashed the appointment of 21 parliamentary secretaries after the AAP government conceded that the Lt Governor's approval was not taken in the matter. Following the submission of the government and in light of its recent judgement giving primacy to the LG in administrative control of the capital, a bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal quashed the appointments. The AAP government told the court that the appointment of 21 parliamentary secretaries was made without approval of the Lieutenant Governor. The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the AAP government's decision to appoint 21 party legislators as parliamentary secretaries. Earlier, the government had defended its decision to appoint the party MLAs as parliamentary secretaries, saying the move does not amount to creation of a "public office". After coming to power in February 2015, the Arvind Kejriwal government appointed the parliamentary secretaries, saying this would facilitate smooth functioning but made it clear that they won't receive any remuneration or perk of any kind from the government, that is, no burden on the exchequer. The order, however, permitted them to use government transport for official purposes and earmarked space in the ministers' offices to help them in the official work. Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain for the Centre had said that even if you are using a driver, it is an office of profit. NGO Rashtriya Mukti Morcha had sought scrapping of the appointments as these were "unconstitutional, illegal and without jurisdiction". The PIL said the Chief Minister had "no power, jurisdiction or authority" to administer the oath of office to parliamentary secretaries. --IANS gt/rn/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a historic verdict, a Mumbai Special Court on Thursday awarded death penalty to a Delhi man, Ankur Narayanlal Panwar, for hurling acid at Preeti A. Rathi, leading to her death in 2013. "This is the first case of death penalty in an acid attack case in the country after the amendment to the relevant laws in 2013. It will serve as a major deterrent to potential offenders," Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told IANS, hailing the judgement. Special Women's Court Special Judge A.S. Shende, who on Tuesday found the accused guilty, pronounced the death sentence after hearing the defence and prosecution on the quantum of punishment. During the arguments, Nikam sought death for the convict on grounds that this case fell in "the rarest of rare" category. It is the 38th case in his legal career in which Nikam has secured death sentence. Defence lawyer Apeksha Vora argued for life sentence citing the hotel management graduate Panwar's young age, his poor family background and lack of any past criminal record. The Special Women's Court found him guilty under Indian Penal Code Section 324B and Section 302 for causing grievous hurt by acid attack and murder. The 23-year old victim, Rathi was a nurse and had arrived in Mumbai to join the Indian Navy's INS Asvini Hospital as a nurse when the incident cut short her life and career. "The fatal attack on Rathi has a larger impact on society. She was looking forward to her job in Indian Navy but was killed mercilessly. The offence is a glaring case of such acid attacks on women," Nikam argued. "The convict had a one-sided love for the victim. He asked her not to travel to Mumbai and wanted to marry her, but the girl had rejected his marriage proposal," Nikam told the media after the verdict. Out of sheer jealousy he planned her murder, followed her all the way to Mumbai and then threw acid on her at Bandra Terminus station, he added. The incident occurred on the morning of May 2, 2013 when Preeti, accompanied by her father Amar Singh Rathi, an aunt and an uncle alighted from the Garib Rath Express at Bandra. Minutes later, an unknown person with his face covered hurled nearly two litres of sulphuric acid at Rathi and disappeared in seconds. The severely injured and profusely bleeding girl was rushed to a hospital for treatment but succumbed to multiple organ failure arising out of the acid burns on June 1. "I am fully satisfied by the verdict. Justice has been done to our daughter," said the victim's father Rathi. Rathi said if the convict challenged it in the Supreme Court, he would fight the case there too. The Special Court relied on eyewitness accounts of other passengers at the railway station, the accounts of witnesses who saw him buying the acid from a New Delhi shop and his (Panwar's) own injuries while hurling the acid. Without solid leads, the Mumbai Police had arrested an engineering student from Rohtak, Haryana, but he was let off due to lack of evidence. Since Panwar had covered his face, it became practically impossible for the investigators to identify him though Rathi had named him as one of the possible suspects. It was only some 45 days after the Mumbai Crime Branch took over the case that Panwar was finally nabbed from his Delhi home on January 17 - around eight months after the incident. Panwar claimed he was taunted and insulted by his own family members and neighbours for his inability to get employment while Rathi had secured a prestigious assignment with the Indian Navy. Both the victim and the accused were neighbours and family friends in Bhakra Beas Management Board Colony. During the trial, call data records of Panwar when tallied with the railway time tables showed that he had travelled on the same train as the victim. It proved Panwar was present at the spot at the time of the crime in Mumbai though his family had earlier claimed he had gone to Haridwar and the Rathi family said they had not seen him on the train. Earlier, a Rs 200,000 compensation was given to the victim's parents by the District Legal Services Authority's Victim Compensation Committee. --IANS qn/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Contact: McCrory Communications McCrory Communications govpress@nc.gov Raleigh, N.C. State Board of Education Chairman Emeritus Phil Kirk set the record straight about education funding in North Carolina in a recent opinion piece.By Phil KirkSeptember 6, 2016It has been my privilege to be involved in education for more than a half century as a teacher, chairman of the State Board of Education, vice-chair of the State Board of Community Colleges, chair of the Public School Forum, member of the Meredith College and Catawba College boards of trustees, as well as being a member of countless local, state and regional education boards, task forces and committees. I hope no one will question my support for education at every level. However, in today's toxic political environment, anything is possible!While I realize we are in the midst of some highly competitive campaigns, I have never before seen as much outlandish, misleading, inaccurate and often completely untrue rhetoric about Republicans and public education.Myth: Teachers are leaving North Carolina in record numbers. The truth is that last year, 6.8 percent left teaching to pursue a different career and only 1.1 percent left to teach in a different state. Some undoubtedly left because their spouses found jobs in other professions. In fact, between 2010 and 2014, 8,500 out-of-state teachers moved to North Carolina to teach while only 2,200 teachers left.Myth: Republicans are cutting textbook funding. Since Gov. Pat McCrory was elected, spending on textbooks has tripled from $23 million to $72 million per year. In fact, it was the Democrats who cut textbook funding from $111 million to $2.5 million seven years ago. This GOP increase is in addition to $143 million in state and federal funds to transition classrooms to digital and wi-fi connectivity. In less than two years, N.C. will be one of a few states where all classrooms are connected.Myth: Spending on K-12 spending has been cut. Since Republicans assumed power, spending on K-12 has increased by 18 percent, including a $700 million increase in this year alone. North Carolina is unique in the level of state funding it provides for K-12 public schools with 64 percent of funding coming from the state compared with the national average of only 46 percent. Education receives the largest share of the state budget, and K-12 receives by far the largest chunk of those dollars. Only in government can increases be called reductions!Myth: Teacher salaries are being increased only because this is an election year. Two years ago, North Carolina raised teacher's salaries more than any other state in the nation. Teacher salaries were increased by 14 percent for beginning teachers. Last year teachers with six through 10 years experience received raises between 6 and 17 percent. This year teachers received pay increases averaging 4.7 percent, and those experienced teachers between eight and 19 years on the pay scale received raises of 10 to 13 percent!Myth: Principals have been left behind as teacher pay has been steadily increased under the Republicans. That has been true for the past eight years when they received a total of 1.2 percent increased pay. This year the Republicans granted 2 percent raises with a study approved for administrator compensation. Small, yes, but a recognition of the problem and a step in the right direction.Myth: North Carolina's pay for teachers compared with other states is slipping. As McCrory took office, pay had slipped to 47th. We will move to at least 41 this year and to a projected 34th next year. Total compensation, including fringe benefits, now averages $66,000 for 10 months' employment. Is that enough for the tough job teachers face every day? Not for the effective teachers, but the trend has certainly been reversed and is headed toward our paying our teachers the most in the Southeast.Myth: Class size has been increased. The truth is that kindergarten is capped at 18 students, first grade at 16 and second and third grades at no more than 17.It is true that the Republicans are moving away from paying teachers based on longevity, degrees and certifications. Now that they have dramatically improved the base salaries in addition to reducing the number of years it takes for a teacher to reach the top of the pay scale, they are looking for ways to reward performance, leadership, extra work. I have been unable to find credible research that says the "old way" of paying based on degrees and seat time was effective.So Republicans have dramatically increased teacher compensation (and will continue to do so), offered more parental choice and options for students, stressed the importance of reading, given additional funding for STEM programs, reduced class size and increased funding for technology and textbooks.Does all that and more justify the political rhetoric that Republicans don't care or fund education?Phil Kirk is chairman emeritus of the State Board of Education and a resident of Raleigh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India will always stand by the new National League for Democracy (NLD) government in Myanmar. He said this during a meeting with State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi on the sidelines of the 14th India-Asean Summit and the 11th East Asia Summit here. This was the first meeting between the two leaders since the Nobel peace laureate's NLD assumed power in Myanmar in March this year. "Prime Minister complimented Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on the victory of the NLD in the elections," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson told media here after the meeting. Stating that Modi welcomed Suu Kyi as an icon of democracy, he said: "The Prime Minister said India would always stand with the government and people of Myanmar as the new government strives to fulfill the aspirations of the people." Modi also said that he was looking forward to receiving Suu Kyi in Goa next month for the BRICS-Bimstec Outreach Summit. India has assumed the chairmanship of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and has invited the leaders of the Bimstec (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) countries to the Goa summit. Modi said that cooperation in disaster management would be one of the important elements of the summit given that several countries in South Asia continue to face natural disasters, according to Swarup. "Daw Aung San Suu Kyi thanked Prime Minister and said she was looking forward to visiting India where she had always felt 'at home'," the spokesperson said. Suu Kyi spent a considerable part of her early life in India and was educated at Lady Shri Ram College in New Delhi. Last month, Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw was in New Delhi on his first official visit abroad after assuming charge. In Thursday's meeting, Suu Kyi briefed the Prime Minister on the progress in the peace and reconciliation process in Myanmar even as both the sides positively assessed India-Myanmar security cooperation. "They discussed further cooperation in areas such as dairy farming, animal husbandry and agriculture," Swarup said. "The Prime Minister spoke about a possible agreement on pulses which had been discussed during External Affairs Minister's visit to Myanmar." External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Nay Pyi Taw last month following which President Kyaw came on a four-day visit to India. Modi and Suu Kyi also discussed cooperation in the area of the countries' shared Buddhist heritage, according to Swarup. Earlier in the day, Modi also held bilateral meetings with host and Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and South Korean President Park Geun-hye. The India-Asean Summit is being attended by the leaders of India and 10 southeast Asian nations -- Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand. The East Summit is also being attended leaders of the 10 Asean nations and those of India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Russia. --IANS ab/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Home Secretary G.K. Pillai has said Omar Abdullah didn't empower local bodies when he was Jammu and Chief Minister as he did not want to risk his chair and introduce the reforms that would have brought about drastic socio-political change in the troubled state and spawned a new generation of grassroots leaders. In an interview to IANS, Pillai said empowering the local administrative bodies was crucial to improving the situation in the state, particularly the Valley where an ongoing unrest has left 76 people dead and thousands injured in an unending cycle of stone-pelting protests and counter-violence by security forces. "In 2010, over 75 per cent of Kashmiris had voted during the panchayat elections. There were overwhelming expectations. But these local bodies did not have much power and nothing much really happened. Currently, in Jammu and Kashmir, local panchayats do not have any power and steps should be taken by both the Centre and the state government to empower them," Pillai said. He said in 2010, during Omar Abdullah's meeting with then Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Pillai (then Home Secretary), the Chief Minister was "advised" to work to empower the panchayats in the state. "Omar said that he would try. But he got back to the Centre stating that there were hurdles as the MLAs were not allowing this to happen. If I take a sanguine stand, my chair will be at risk, Omar had then informed the central government," Pillai said. The 73rd constitution amendment that gave immense functional autonomy and financial powers to the panchayats in other parts of India could not automatically become applicable in Jammu and because the state has its "own Constitution". Pillai said empowering the local panchayat bodies can go a long way in bringing about drastic socio-political changes in Jammu and Kashmir as it will give village-level leaders the power to work on developmental works and also end the "monopoly" of the existing leaders. "Local people in Jammu and Kashmir expect the panchayats to work on drainage and village roads. But in the absence of power and money, nothing can be achieved," the former bureaucrat said. "In the rest of India, we have seen panchayat leaders coming to Delhi as parliamentarians. This is perhaps not possible in Jammu and Kashmir," Pillai said. He urged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership to impress upon the PDP-BJP government headed by Mehbooba Mufti in the state to bring necessary changes in law to empower the panchayats. "BJP is in power in Jammu and Kashmir; they must do it. They must ask the PDP leadership to give powers to the panchayats for tangible results," he said. Pillai also said that over the years "undue importance" has been given to the Hurriyat leaders even by the central government agencies. "I have said that the Hurriyat can be ignored. The Hurriyat leadership can be ignored at least for two years if they are not interested in talks. We must help create a new set of leaders in panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir," he said. When asked whether the Hurriyat has "mishandled" the situation by declining to meet an all-party delegation as was being suggested by official sources in Delhi, Pillai said: "These issues are peripheral and minor. We should work to empower the local people." Pillai maintained that even the separatist leaders understood that "India is running a democratic set-up and they need not be afraid of us". He recalled that around 2010-2011, separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had told the Home ministry top guns that he is "not afraid" of the Indian establishment as it will "not exceed limits" unlike miscreants in Pakistan. Pillai maintained that in states like Kerala, the monopoly of the MLAs and state-level leaders is discarded completely. "Considering the lack of powers of the panchayat leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, the rest of India seems a paradise. In my native state Kerala, though the state assembly passes the budget, nearly 40 per cent of the developmental works and social welfare schemes are implemented by the panchayats. Hence there is no monopoly. That model is worth emulating," he said. Pillai hoped that there will be improvement in the situation in Kashmir Valley in the next two months or so when the apple harvest season sets in. "Common people are more interested about day-to-day affairs, jobs and children's education. Once economic activities gain speed, things will hopefully improve," Pillai asserted. (Nirendra Dev can be contacted at nirendra.n@ians.in) --IANS nd/bim/sar/sac/tb (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The mobbing of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at the New Delhi railway station was "pre-planned" by the BJP and police did nothing to prevent it, AAP leader Manish Sisodia said on Thursday. "The manner in which the attack occurred in the morning, Arvindji was mobbed, BJP women workers were present, TV crew were invited and cameras were present," the Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi said. "The police were present but they didn't stop anything. They did not even stop. Therefore, it appears pre-planned," Sisodia told reporters on the sidelines of a conference in a city resort. Kejriwal was mobbed by women BJP members who demanded an answer from the Delhi Chief Minister over allegations that women had been exploited in exchange for election tickets to the upcoming assembly polls in Punjab. Kejriwal was on way to Ludhiana to start a four-day tour of Punjab. Sisodia said though the police had been informed of a possible law and order situation, not much was done to prevent the mobbing. "Since yesterday police had been requested to remain present because there was a possibility of something untoward happening, please be alert. But the police was not even alert," Sisodia said. --IANS maya/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan met Myanmar President Htin Kyaw at the Presidential Palace in the capital on Thursday -- the third day of his six-day visit to the country, a media report said. Annan, the chair of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, has travelled to the southeast Asian country to investigate human rights violations against ethnic minorities in the western state, in particular the Rohingya Muslims. The Ghanaian diplomat on Wednesday visited camps in Sittwe housing thousands of refugees, and met local community leaders to discuss their struggles and living situation, EFE news reported. However, upon his arrival in Sittwe, Annan was greeted by angry Rakhine nationalists who said they opposed outside interference in internal affairs. Over the next 12 months, members of the Commission will travel frequently across Rakhine to consult with local communities, leaders and experts to develop solutions to promote peace, reconciliation and economic development, Annan said. "We will consider how communities across the state can come together and work to improve security, basic rights and ensure a future that is free from conflict and violence," he said. The diplomat will later during the day also meet military leader Min Aung Hlaing in Nay Pyi Daw before flying to Yangon. --IANS ss/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) President Kanhaiya Kumar on Thursday asserted that it is wrong to take away land from farmers without their consent. Kanhaiya's comments come in the wake of a recent ruling of the Supreme Court striking down the acquisition of 997.11 acres of land by the then CPI(M)-led Left Front government in Bengal's Singur (in Hooghly district) for setting up the small car factory of Tata Motors. "As far as the question of taking away land goes, I am not totally against it because if land is not given then factories will not be built but the question is without farmers' consent their land should not be acquired," Kumar told a TV channel here when asked about the Singur land movement and the CPI(M) forcibly acquiring land. "It was indeed (wrong)," he said, explaining, "If you do anything without the consent of the community (whether it is the farming or tribal community) which has ownership over it, then it is wrong." Asked about West Bengal Chief Minister Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee's support to the movement (then the state's principal opposition leader) and on her stint as the state chief minister, Kanhaiya maintained he does not support a specific person. "The ownership of a revolution and struggle is dangerous. Only the public (the janta) has the ownership over the revolution, not a leader or an individual. Changes in society are brought about through a collective effort so I do not support a specific individual," he added. Banerjee had undertaken a 26-day hunger strike in Kolkata in December 2006, against the "forcible land acquisition" in Singur, and demanding 400 acres taken from farmers unwilling to part with their land be returned to them. She later travelled to the rural pocket and laid siege to the factory for 14 days in 2008. The Tata group then moved the project out of the state and finally set it up in Sanand in Gujarat, on land assigned to them by the state's then investor-friendly Chief Minister Narendra Modi. --IANS sgh/ssp/ask/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ahead of the 14th India-Asean Summit and the 11th East Asia Summit here on Thursday, Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith said that his country supports a permanent seat for India in the UN Security Council (UNSC). "Laos PM said his country supported India as a permanent member of a reformed and expanded UNSC," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup informed the media after a bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sisoulith on Thursday morning. Stating that the two leaders discussed regional developments, Swarup said that "both countries shared the same perspective" on the South China Sea issue. An international arbitration tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in July ruled in favour of the Philippines in its dispute with China over the South China Sea. While the Philippines welcomed the ruling, China reacted angrily calling it "null and void". Several southeast Asian littoral nations have disputes with Beijing over the South China Sea. India has called for all parties concerned to respect the UN Convention for the Law of the Sea (Unclos). According to Swarup, during the meeting, Sisoulith appreciated India's consistent support for Laos since the country's independence "particularly in areas of human resources development, agriculture, irrigation and power". Modi said that he was especially happy to be in Vientiane at a time when India and Laos were celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. "Both Prime Ministers agreed to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in a befitting manner," Swarup stated. Modi is also scheduled to have meetings with South Korean President Park Geun-hye, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is the State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar, and US President Barack Obama later in the day. Soon after his arrival here on Wednesday, Modi held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The India-Asean Summit on Thursday will be attended by leaders of 10 southeast Asian nations - Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand. The East Asia Summit later in the day will be attended by leaders of the 10 Asean nations and those of India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Russia. --IANS ab/pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A man named Travion King was arrested on campus at Arizona State University after he reportedly stole about $3 million worth of jewellery from rapper Drake's tour bus. The man was arrested on Wednesday afternoon, reports tmz.com. King, whom police have described as a transient, was found with a briefcase that contained all of the jewellery belonging to Drake's DJ Future the Prince. The man was later booked for felony burglary. As previously reported, the incident took place when Drake and his "Summer Sixteen" tourmate Future were playing the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona on Tuesday night. During the show, the thief boarded the two rappers' tour bus parked outside the venue and ran off with the jewellery-filled briefcase. --IANS sas/nv/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Without naming Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that strongest action should be reserved for those states that use terrorism as an instrument of state policy. "We need to target not only the terrorists, but also their entire supporting ecosystem," Modi said while addressing the 11th East Asia Summit here, te premier leaders-led forum of the Asia-Pacific region. "And, our strongest action should be reserved for those state actors who employ terrorism as an instruments of state policy," he said. Stating that most countries in the South Asian region were pursuing a peaceful path to economic prosperity, he said: "But, there is one country in India's neighbourhood whose competitive advantage rests solely in producing and exporting terrorism." India-Pakistan relations have soured in recent times following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani in Jammu and Kashmir in July. Pakistan described Wani as a "martyr". Over 70 people have died in large-scale violence in the state since then. Stating that terrorism was the most serious challenge to open and pluralistic societies, Modi called for collective efforts to combat the scourge. The Prime Minister said that India remained committed, including through membership of export control regimes, to pursuing total and verifiable elimination of weapons of mass destruction. Since its inception in 2005 -- India is a founding member -- the East Asia Summit has played a significant role in the strategic, geopolitical and economic evolution of East Asia. "India will remain steadfast in the shared pursuit of regional, strategic political and economic priorities within the East Asia Summit framework," Modi said. Earlier on Thursday, speaking at the 14th India-Asean Summit here, in an obvious reference to Pakistan, Modi said "export of terror" was a common threat to the region. "Export of terror, growing radicalisation and spread of extreme violence are common security threats to our societies," he said. He said Asean was central to India's Act East Policy while describing the ties with southeast Asia as a "source of harmony". On the sidelines of the two summits, Modi also held bilateral meetings with host and Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, South Korean President Park Geun-hye, and State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi. --IANS ab/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Completing a series of multilateral and bilateral engagements here, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi left Laos for New Delhi on Thursday. "The Prime Minister emplanes for Delhi after productive multilateral and bilateral engagements," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted. On Thursday, Modi attended the 14th India-Asean Summit and the 11th East Asia Summit here. During the course of the day, he also held bilateral meetings with US President Barack Obama, South Korean President Park Geun-hye, State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi and Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith. Soon after his arrival here on Wednesday, he met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. --IANS ab/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker's latest Bollywood film "Mohenjo Daro", starring Hrithik Roshan in the lead, will be screened at the 45th Annual Conference on South Asia in Wisconsin, US. The annual conference that invites scholars, students, professionals and anyone interested in research on the region to Madison, Wisconsin, is a four-day event starting on October 20. The film will be screened on October 23. The conference is the leading annual meeting in the US for scholars of South Asian studies, attracting over 700 participants from around the world, to participate in various panels on archaeology. "When the conference chair Mitra Sharafi connected with me requesting permission to screen 'Mohenjo Daro' at their Annual Conference, I felt honoured and humbled," Gowariker said in a statement. He added: "I thank Jonathan Mark Kenoyer, a leading archaeologist who has spent over 30 years studying the Mohenjo Daro and Harappa sites for supporting the film and sharing his knowledge." Released in India on August 12, the film marks the debut of Pooja Hegde. It brings an epic adventure-romance story on the silver screen, and is set in the city of Mohenjo Daro in the era of the Indus Valley civilisation which dates back to 2,600 BC. Kenoyer and his team had visited Mumbai to provide Gowariker with all the archaeological findings in the early stages of pre-production of the film. They even visited the set in Bhuj to see its construction and look at all the props that would be used in the film. --IANS sug/rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Professor Aguilera-Barchet discusses the implications of Britain's vote to leave the European Union. Wednesday, September 7, 2016, 4:30 6:30pm Join us for a relevant talk on Brexit - a topic that affects us all. This talk will be given by Professor Bruno Aguilera-Barchet, Professor of Comparative Legal History and Director of the Institute for International Law Studies at King Juan Carlos University of Madrid. Prof. Aguilera-Barchet also teaches at the UNM Law School Madrid Summer Law Institute Professor Aguilera-Barchet discusses the implications of Britain's vote to leave the European Union an unexpected decision that shocked the world, caused the British pound to rapidly lose value and threw the stock exchange into a panic. He'll shed light on the political, legal and economic consequences in a fascinating talk about a matter that affects us all. This program has been approved by the New Mexico Minimum Continuing Legal Education Board for 1.0 General hours of credit. Although millennial voters are seen as a key demographic factor for a political victory in the US, their political views differ significantly from their parents or young people of previous generations, finds a recent research. In an increasingly individualistic culture, large groups such as political parties are getting less popular among American millennials -- people born between the early 1980s and 2000, the study said. "Americans, especially young people, are abandoning the two major political parties to declare themselves politically independent," said lead researcher Jean Twenge, Professor at the San Diego State University, in California, in the US. "Independent" doesn't necessarily translate into politically moderate, he said. The study found that as of 2014, nearly half (46 per cent) of adult Americans identified as political independents, including 59 per cent of millennials aged 18 to 29. Both of these numbers are record highs. Further, political views have also become more polarised in recent years, with twice as many adults in the 2010s describing themselves as either extremely liberal or conservative than adults in the early 1970s. Those who do claim allegiance to one of the two major political parties in the US are more homogenous in their views. These were once liberal and conservative members of both parties, however, today the vast majority of those who identify as Republicans hold conservative views and those who identify as Democrats hold liberal views, the study noted. In addition, there has also been an uptick in conservatism among young people, in recent years. High school seniors in the 2010s were 38 per cent more likely to identify as conservatives than their age-matched peers in the 1970s. It is surprising because these same young people disagree with many traditionally conservative view points like same-sex marriage and legalising marijuana, indicating a potential overhaul of the definition of conservatism, Twenge observed. "It may be that the definition of what they consider conservative is changing. Overall, millennials may not be as reliably liberal and Democrat as many had predicted, especially as they are likely to grow more conservative as they get older," Twenge noted. For the study, the team examined data from three large, nationally representative surveys of high school seniors, entering college students and adults in the US administered since the 1970s. The surveys included responses to a variety of political questions from 10 million participants. The findings were published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. --IANS rt/ask/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) North Korea on Thursday strongly criticised the UN Security Council's condemnation of its latest ballistic missiles test. Kim Jong-un's regime said it "categorically rejects" the declaration and considers it "an intolerable act of encroaching upon its dignity, right to existence, sovereignty and right to self defence", EFE news cited KCNA as saying. The UN executive body on Tuesday released a unanimous declaration by all member countries, strongly condemning the latest ballistic missile tests by North Korea. It also urged Pyongyang to stop violating UN resolutions that prohibit the country from developing or testing ballistic missile technology. North Korea on Monday test-fired three ballistic missiles from Hwangju in North Hwanghae province at around 12.14 p.m. The launch was the first since the successful firing of a submarine-launched missile on August 24. It said the recent launch was conducted successfully without harming the security of neighbouring countries or the international waters. In its declaration, the UN also urged all countries to "redouble their efforts" to ensure that the existing sanctions against North Korea are fully implemented and warned of the possibility of fresh sanctions against Pyongyang. The UN Security Council imposed strong sanctions against North Korea in March, following nuclear and long-range missile tests by the country in January and February, respectively. --IANS ss/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The northeastern states of Nagaland and Tripura have topped among the small states in India in reducing Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), an official said here on Thursday. According to latest official data, the IMR in Nagaland is 17 per 1,000 live births (0-1 years) while in Tripura it is 21 against the national average of 40 deaths per 1,000 live births. "The best performing large states for decline in IMR award was given to Haryana and West Bengal. In this category the best performing small states were Nagaland and Tripura," Tripura's National Health Mission (NHM) director Shailesh Kumar Yadav told reporters. Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda gave away the awards to the best performing states at the third National Summit on "Good and Replicable Practices and Innovations in Public Health Facilities" at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh last week. The official said that to further reduce the IMR, the Tripura government has adopted 13-point steps. These include, 60 delivery centres were made into ideal delivery centres with upgraded labour rooms, new born care corners established in all 102 delivery centres and eight new born stabilisation units set up in sub-divisional hospitals. Yadav said that a special scheme "Mayer Ghar" (mother's house), under which the labour rooms will be equipped with all facilities, are being operationalised to reduce home deliveries in selected interior and tribal areas and thereby cut down on maternal and infant deaths. "The percentage of institutional delivery (delivery in hospitals and health centres) in Tripura is 89 per cent against the national average of 80," he said quoting the data of Health Management Information System under the union Health and Family Welfare Ministry. Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry Secretary Bhanu Pratap Sharma in a letter to Tripura Chief Secretary Yashpal Singh informed that the state government would be given one per cent incentive over and above the stipulated resource envelope for performing well in the last financial year (2015-16) in timely utilisation of central funds and in undertaking health sector reforms. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) 2015-16 report, IMR of less than 51 deaths per 1,000 live births took place in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Nagaland, Uttarakhand, West Bengal and Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Puducherry, with Andaman recording the lowest of 10 deaths and Madhya Pradesh recording 51. --IANS sc/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bolted to the top of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will lift off on Thursday to study an asteroid and return to Earth seven years later with a sample for first-hand analysis. The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is scheduled to orbit, map and collect samples from near-Earth asteroid Bennu. The spacecraft will be boosted into orbit from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 7.05 p.m. ET (4.35 a.m. Friday India time). After arriving at Bennu in 2018, the 2,110-kg fully-fuelled spacecraft will spend over a year exploring the asteroid before approaching its surface to grab a sample. This pristine material, formed at the dawn of the solar system, will be brought to the Earth in 2023, providing clues to Bennu's origins and our own. NASA, the US space agency is set to launch its first mission to return a sample of an asteroid to Earth on September 8 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The mission will help scientists investigate how planets formed and how life began, as well as improve our understanding of asteroids that could impact Earth, "The launch of OSIRIS-REx is the beginning of a seven-year journey to return pristine samples from asteroid Bennu," said OSIRIS-REx Principal Investigator Dante Lauretta of the University of Arizona, Tucson. "The team has built an amazing spacecraft, and we are well-equipped to investigate Bennu and return with our scientific treasure," Lauretta said in an earlier statement. After a careful survey of Bennu, OSIRIS-REx will collect between 60 to 2,000 grams of surface material with its robotic arm and return the sample to Earth. OSIRIS-REx stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer. --IANS na/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Barack Obama on Thursday emphasised the "binding" nature of the July ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration over Beijing's claims in the South China Sea after China rejected the verdict as null and void. Obama's statement came at the beginning of a bilateral meeting with Asean member nations, held on the sidelines of the three-day Asean summit in Laos that began on Tuesday, EFE news reported. Obama stressed that the US will continue working with Asean to ensure peaceful resolution of these territorial disputes, keeping in mind the international tribunal's verdict that favoured Manila and rejected China's historical claims in the region. "The landmark arbitration ruling in July, which is binding, helped clarify maritime rights in the region," Obama told reporters. "I recognise this raises tensions, but I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and stability," he added. In recent years, the region has witnessed frequent clashes between coast guards and fishermen, as well as growing militarisation by China, which has been building military facilities on various islets. A separate Asean-China meeting held on Wednesday saw Chinese Premier Li Keqiang announce Beijing's willingness to work with the bloc to dispel interference -- a reference to the US -- and address the issues bilaterally. Meanwhile, Obama also reiterated Washington's desire to deepen cooperation with the ten-member group on issues, including climate change, development, and promotion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. On July 12, the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague ruled against China's historic claims in South China Sea, backing a case brought in by the Philippines in 2013. The tribunal also said that China violated the Philippines' sovereign rights and had caused "severe harm to the coral reef environment" by building artificial islands. --IANS ss/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Himachal Pradesh on Thursday signed a preliminary pact with Singapore for developing a smart integrated township on the outskirts of Shimla town to decongest it, Urban Development Minister Sudhir Sharma said. A memorandum of understanding was signed between state-run Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA) and Asian Pacific Singapore Enterprise here. The minister said the development of the integrated township at Jathiadevi near the Jubbarhatti airport, some 20 km from here, is an ambitious project which would go a long way in decongesting this highly populated city. An official statement quoting the minister said there has been 10-fold increase in the population of Shimla that has resulted in congestion and over utilisation of infrastructure. Initially, Shimla was developed by the British colonial rulers for 25,000 people. "This is high time for development of a smart integrated township outside the city having state-of-art social, physical, institutional and economic infrastructure," he said. He said HIMUDA has acquired 32 hectares of land for developing the township at Jathiadevi, which is connected by three national highways. The state would utilise the expertise of Singapore which has huge experience in urban planning. "The preliminary pact was signed for this project which will be expanded soon after detailed discussions between the two governments. The state is also looking forward to explore possibilities for expanding it for more housing projects in the state as well," the minister said. Sharma said with a view to enhance the quality of life of the citizens and ensure social inclusion, boosting economic and environmental impact, the state government was working towards developing smart integrated townships with futuristic planning apart from modernising and rejuvenating the existing mid-sized cities. Asian Pacific Singapore Enterprise Director Kevin Chong said the new township would be developed smartly in a cost effective manner. --IANS vg/ask/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hundreds of Patidars on Thursday kicked up a ruckus in Surat at a public meeting meant to showcase the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) support of the Patel community, compelling BJP President to cut short his speech. Police used lathis and tear gas to quell violence. Despite large deployment of police and paramilitary forces, Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) supporters sported saffron caps and barged into the venue where legislators of the Patel community were to be felicitated by Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Belying the organizers' claim that lakhs of Patels would attend the function, hardly about 10,000 turned up amid heavy police deployment while over 500 supporters of PAAS, led by BJP dissident MLA Nalin Kotadia, laid virtual siege of the place and prevented people from reaching it. Police used lathis and burst tear gas shells to disperse the PAAS supporters. The PAAS supporters started raising slogans like "Jai Sardar, Jai Patidar" and hurled chairs as soon as and Rupani stood on the stage. Both the BJP leaders cut short their speeches to a couple of minutes as a result of the bedlam. Amit Shah, ironically, said, "The Patidars were the backbone of the growth of Gujarat and the BJP." Earlier, a life-size cutout of Amit Shah, put up outside the venue, was damaged by the PAAS supporters. Police took into custody over 100 people, including PAAS district convenors. The felicitation of Patel community legislators was organised by some local businessmen to express confidence in the BJP government. PAAS supporters, who roamed around the venue preventing people from attending the function, pelted stones at the policemen deployed to provide security to Shah and other leaders of the BJP. The PAAS protesters also damaged a couple of state transport buses in the Patel-dominated Varachha Road area. State transport buses were withdrawn and diverted to other routes. The Surat Collector ordered the closure of mobile Internet service in and around the city as a precaution to prevent the spread of rumours through social media. Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte did not attend any meetings at the ASEAN in Laos on Thursday, reportedly owing to a migraine, official sources reported. Duterte sent his Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay to lead the Filipino delegation in ASEAN's meetings with India and the US and in the East Asia Summit, EFE news reported. In the ASEAN-US meet and the East Asia Summit, Duterte was scheduled to share space with Obama, for whom he used obscene remarks on Monday, which led to the suspension of a bilateral meet between the two on Tuesday. However, during the ASEAN dinner, the two leaders were seen having a brief chat to clear the air, according to Manila, while Washington termed it as an exchange of formal pleasantries. Before the East Asia Summit - which brings together leaders from Japan, South Korea, China, Russia, India, Australia and New Zealand - Filipino Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar attributed Duterte's absence to a headache. The Filipino media had earlier speculated that the President's absence was because his daughter, who was pregnant with triplets and had to undergo an unwanted abortion. Duterte is expected to participate in the summit's closing ceremony, during which Laos will pass on the rotational presidency to the Philippines, which will be in charge in in 2017 as ASEAN will mark its 50th anniversary then. --IANS ss/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An AirAsia flight bound for Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia landed in Melbourne last year in March due to pilot error, investigators reported on Thursday. Passengers onboard AirAsia X flight XAX223 from Sydney on March 10, 2015, were left confused when their flight touched down at Melbourne rather than Kuala Lumpur, Xinhua news agency reported. A report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), released on Thursday, said a pair of faulty earmuffs set off a series of events that resulted in the plane's navigation system shutting down due to a coordinate input error. The ATSB report said that usually the captain would inspect the plane's exterior while the first officer stayed in the cockpit to complete position initialisation and alignment protocols. However, due to his protective ear equipment being unavailable, the captain stayed in the cockpit to complete the procedures including inputting current coordinates into the navigation system. Instead of typing the correct longitude of 151, 9.8, which should have been entered into the system as 15109.8, the pilot entered 01519.8, the coordinates for Cape Town in South Africa. "The magnitude of this error adversely affected the aircraft's navigation functions, global positioning system (GPS) receivers and some electronic centralised aircraft monitoring alerts," the ATSB's report said. The ATSB said the crew had "a number of opportunities to identify and correct the error" but failed to heed a number of warning signs from the A330 plane's systems. The report said that efforts to rectify the issue upon discovery of the problem after takeoff only served to do more damage, further confusing guidance and control systems. With navigation systems sending the plane in the wrong direction the pilots requested a return to Sydney but with weather conditions worsening, compounded by systems that assist with landing malfunctioning, air traffic control advised they instead head to Melbourne, Xinhua news agency added. The flight reached Kuala Lumpur six hours behind schedule after spending three hours on the ground in Melbourne while the problem was fixed. The ATSB advised that AirAsia X should upgrade its flight systems so as to avoid a recurrence of the problem in the future. AirAsia X began direct flights to Australia in 2007, and currently flies between Kuala Lumpur and the Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. --IANS lok/pgh/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Israel-based rabbi and his accomplice were arrested in New York in connection with a plot to kidnap and murder a man whose wife wanted to divorce him, police officials said. Rabbi Aharon Goldberg, 55, and Shimen Liebowitz, 25, were taken into custody in Central Valley, New York, while meeting to discuss the plot on Tuesday, the Manhattan US Attorney's Office said in a statement on Wednesday. The prosecutors said that Liebowitz and Goldberg recruited an individual to carry out the crimes and force the man to issue a document called a "get" to allow his wife to divorce him, the Jerusalem Post reported. The group discussed kidnapping, torturing and forcing the "get" from the target while the intended victim was in the US or on a planned trip to Ukraine, prosecutors said. As the plotting continued, the group decided they wanted the victim murdered as well. In total, the pair paid the informant around $60,000 to carry out the kidnapping and murder. They were charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, and conspiracy to commit murder for hire. According to prosecutors, a Jewish woman cannot get a religious divorce unless her husband consents through a "get". Without the document, a separation can only occur if the husband dies. Prosecutors also said that the recruit contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation in July about the plot and began recording their conversations. --IANS ask/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The opening ceremony of the first Paralympics on South American soil was a tropical celebration full of colours and Samba music, filling the famous Maracana Stadium for almost four hours in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The ceremony on Wednesday began with a video which starred Philip Craven, a British wheelchair athlete who competed in five Paralympic games from 1972 to 1988. He later waved from one of the stands as the president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), reports Efe. Aaron Wheelz, an American wheelchair athlete, delighted the audience with an impressive jump from a steep ramp on one of the highest stands of the stadium. After that moment, music took a leading role. With rhythms such as Samba, Tropical and Bossa Nova, performances with colours, lights and sounds illuminated the night here. With a single piano, the maestro Joao Carlos Martins was in charge of adding music to the anthem of Brazil and the hoisting of the flag of the country. Then, one by one, representatives from the 164 participating countries paraded around the stadium, including Ibrahim Al Hussein, a Syrian refugee who joins the Paralympics as an independent athlete. The entrance of the Brazilian team, the last one in the parade, led the audience to rejoice and completed the unfinished heart-shaped puzzle on the stadium floor, illuminating a metaphor of life. That moment was the prelude to the official speech from Carlos Arthur Nuzman, president of the organising committee for the Rio 2016 Paralympics, who was the first to speak. "We celebrate a great challenge, the challenge to build a new world with is more accessible to all, fairer, more fraternal where everyone can walk unhindered. The athletes inspire us with their passion. You all are super human, you do not know the impossible. Let's build a new world together", said Nuzman. Philip Craven, the IPC president, later spoke, highlighting the "true meaning of sport" for athletes with disabilities. "You all have the power to change communities, countries and cities. You are the heroes of today's sport. You have the opportunity to make the world a better place. Hope always defeats fear and we are all part of one world," said Craven. After this, Brazilian President Michel Temer declared the Paralympic Games open. Created by three directors, designer Fred Gelli, writer Marcelo Rubens Paiva and artist Vik Muniz, the ceremony aimed to reflect the human condition of athletes, their feelings, difficulties and their solidarity. One of the stars of the ceremony was American athlete Amy Purdy, a Paralympic medallist in snowboarding at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympics. Purdy, who lost both legs when she was 19 years old, performed a Samba dance. The most emotional moment of the ceremony came near the end with the lighting of the Paralympic cauldron. Having travelled across the five regions of Brazil over seven days with 500 carriers, the flame arrived at the stadium in the hands of four Brazilian athletes with disabilities: Antonio Delfino, Marcia Malsar, Adria Rocha and Clodoaldo Silva. Clodoaldo was in charge of carrying the torch to the cauldron, where he had to overcome three slopes which were wet due to rain earlier in the day. Reflecting the four Paralympic values: courage, determination, inspiration and equality, the colourful quadrangular torch did not burn out and gave way to the final show. Seu Jorge, who was in charge of wrapping up the ceremony, was accompanied by musicians Circle Samba and made the Maracana audience move their bodies. The Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro has participants from 159 countries and 4,432 athletes who will compete in 22 categories, two more categories than in the London 2012 Paralympics due to the inclusion of triathlon and canoeing. --IANS sam/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Russian fighter jet came within 10 feet of a US Navy surveillance plane on Wednesday during its routine operations in international airspace over the Black Sea, the Pentagon said. "We have deep concerns when there is an unsafe manoeuvre," Xinhua news agency quoted Pentagon as saying in a statement. According to the statement, a Russian SU-27 Flanker first maintained a distance of 30 feet, then closed to within 10 feet of the US P-8A Poseidon electronic signals aircraft. The intercept occurred at 11.20 a.m. and lasted approximately 19 minutes. "These actions have the potential to unnecessarily escalate tensions between countries, and could result in a miscalculation or accident which results in serious injury or death," said the Pentagon. In response, Russian Defence Ministry said Russia had to scramble Crimea-based SU-27 fighter jets to intercept US spy planes making attempts to approach the Russian airspace over the Black Sea while flying with switched-off transponders, according to a Sputnik report. "On Sep 7, 2016, US Navy P8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft made two attempts to approach the Russian airspace over the Black Sea while flying with switched off transponders," the report quoted Russian Defence Ministry's spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov as saying. It was not the first time for such encounters between Russian and US warplanes or ships in 2016. In June, the two countries traded accusations over who was to blame for ships from each country getting dangerously close to each other in the Mediterranean Sea. In January, the Pentagon accused a Russian fighter jet flew within 15 feet of a US reconnaissance plane over the Black Sea. --IANS lok/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 60-year-old school janitor in Scotland, who was engaged to an 18-year-old former pupil, was sacked "on the spot" when his employer learned about the relationship. Lisa Miller, 18, reportedly proposed to Jim Kerr while visiting a Scottish airshow last Friday, The Telegraph reported on Thursday. The couple said that they have been together since November last year and live together in Thornliebank, East Renfrewshire, Scotland. The teenager was a student at Woodfarm High, East Renfrewshire, where Kerr worked as the caretaker until earlier this year. "We were informed about this in March and suspended him the same day. The school is fully aware and was informed over an email. He had worked at the school for ten years. The pupil had left the school and was over the age of consent when we became aware of it," a spokesman for his employer was quoted as saying. "At the time we became aware of this, the girl was over the age of consent so legally they had not done anything wrong but professionally we did what we had to do. The investigation has now concluded," he added. The relationship has caused prompted widespread condemnation on social media. Kerr's daughter Allison has expressed surprise, saying: "It's my dad and I'm 32 so imagine how me and my family feel seeing that." She added yesterday that the family now had "nothing to do with him anymore". --IANS sku/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Shia LaBeouf has slammed legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg as he felt the reality of working with the "Transformers" director was much different than he had imagined. "You get there (on set), and you realise you're not meeting the Spielberg you dream of," LaBeouf told variety.com. "You're meeting a different Spielberg, who is in a different stage in his career. He's less a director than he is a f*****g company," he added. LeBeouf went on to slam Spielberg for what he described as disregard for artistic integrity, saying his experiences on Spielberg's sets felt mechanical and contrived. "Spielberg's sets are very different. Everything has been so meticulously planned. You got to get this line out in 37 seconds. You do that for five years, you start to feel like not knowing what you're doing for a living," he said. LaBeouf and Spielberg have worked together in films like "Disturbia", "Transformers" and "Eagle Eye". "I don't like the movies that I made with Spielberg," he said. "The only movie that I liked that we made together was 'Transformers'," he said. --IANS sas/rb/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Posting personal experiences on Facebook and Twitter may make those events much easier to recall, suggests a study that examined social media's effect on human memory. Events posted online were more likely than those not posted online to be remembered over time, regardless of the characteristics of the events, the study said. "If people want to remember personal experiences, the best way is to put them online," said lead author Qi Wang, Professor at Cornell University at New York, in the US. Memory researchers have long known that when people write about personal experiences, reflect on them or talk about them with others, they tend to remember those events much better. However, "the process of writing about one's experiences in the public sphere, often sustained by subsequent social feedback, may allow people to reflect on the experiences and their personal relevance", Wang added. Further, the act of posting on social media also plays a role in the construction of the self, Wang said pointing out that people create a sense of self in the process of recalling, evaluating and sharing with others memories of personal experiences in their lives. In addition, these memories often gets facilitated by the interactive functions on many social media sites. For example, Facebook periodically shows users photos and posts from previous years to remind them of those events, prompting users to revisit those experiences. "Memory is often selective. But in this case, the selection is not done by our own mind. It is done by an outside resource," Wang stated, adding "so interactive functions on social networking sites can also shape how we view our experiences, how we view ourselves." For the study, the team asked 66 undergraduates students at the Cornell University to keep a daily diary for a week. The study participants briefly described the events that happened to them each day. For each event, they recorded whether they had posted the event on social media. And they rated the event's personal importance and emotional intensity on five-point scales. At the end of the week and a week later, the students took surprise quizzes on how many events they could recall. The researchers found that the online status of each event significantly predicted the likelihood of it being recalled at the end of both the first and second weeks. The study sheds new light on memory theories and have important implications for the construction of "the autobiographical self" in the internet era where the virtual externalisation of personal memories has become commonplace", the authors maintained in the paper that appeared in the journal Memory. --IANS rt/pgh/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An 18-year-old youth has been detained by the Australian police after he was seen acting suspiciously outside the Sydney Opera House. He was reportedly wearing a backpack and making extremist remarks when he was approached by local police and security in the Opera House forecourt at 11.20 a.m. (local time) on Thursday, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. The teen remained in custody on Thursday evening. Police would only say that their inquiries into the incident were continuing. It is understood that the teen has a history of mental illness. The incident occurred two days after the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group issued a vicious and detailed call to "lone wolf" followers to stab, shoot, poison and run over Australians at iconic attractions. The Sydney Opera House was one of those attractions mentioned in the first edition of the new IS terrorist group magazine Rumiyah. --IANS ask/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The number of hate crimes reported in Britain have dropped from the sudden post-Brexit surge, the British National Police Chiefs' Council said on Thursday. Following the June 23 Brexit referendum, crimes motivated by the victims' social position, nationality, ethnicity, or religion increased by 58 per cent, urging police to record weekly data on these attacks. "We have seen continued decreases in reports of hate crimes to forces and these reports have now returned to formerly seen levels for 2016," said NPCC Lead for Hate Crime, Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton, adding that the weekly updates would now stop. He said the end of weekly updates did not mean hate crimes were not a priority and urged people to continue reporting them. "Police forces will continue with their robust response and we will react swiftly to any future signs of tension," he said. On August 27, a Polish man was killed by a group of youths in Essex, east of London. --IANS ss/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) became the first state in the country on Thursday to roll out the "Twitter Seva" project, when in one go 122 Twitter handles were unveiled in the state capital. The live customer services resolution solution, senior officials of the micro-blogging site said, was by far the biggest engagement by them with any department of any government in India. "The idea behind the service was to provide the UP police, among other things, strengthening of its primary relationship with the citizens by providing fast, efficient and real time response to complaints and SoS's raised by the 220 plus million population in the state," Head of News, Government and Politics Partnerships, Twitter India, Raheel Khursheed told IANS. "It is the next level of public engagement wherein we have facilities like time stamping so that the whole process is not only transparent but also accountable," Khursheed pointed out. Director General of UP police Javeed Ahmad added that in the coming days, this service would be integrated with the Dial-100 project which is slated to be launched in October. Elaborating on the services, Rishi Jaitly, vice president of Twitter in Asia-Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, informed that before the UP Police, this service was being used by the Ministry of Railways, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Telecom, Corporate Affairs Ministry and the telecom industry. It is also being used by the Bengaluru police. "Its a great feeling to be in UP for the launch of this ambitious service and I am sure down the line, some years later, we all will be talking about its success," Jaitly said. While inaugurating the service, the state police chief said police personnel should now be more conscious of their responsibilities as everything would be under real time watch and that the process was going to be a mammoth exercise owing to the level of engagement with over 20 crore people. The UP police so far had just a Twitter handle which was activated a few months back and has some 46,000 followers. The state police force, which is the biggest in the world, has been at the receiving end for spiralling crime and poor law and order but the police has received some good reviews for its proactive action on complaints that were posted on its Twitter handle. Officials explained that from now on, with the launch of the Twitter Seva, citizens can simply tweet their query, complaint to the police account (@uppolice) and the request will be tackled real time by the concerned district or other officials according to the issue raised. The state government wants to showcase the launch as an example of its seriousness about curbing crime, which has become its biggest bane, specially as it goes to seek a mandate again in the state assembly polls scheduled for early 2017. Facing allegations of corruption, Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal has said she has been victimised because the Commission under her stewardship has been working hard to resolve issues pertaining to women. Maliwal denied the charges levelled by former DCW chief Barkha Singh that Aam Admi Pary activists are being hired for the Commission. She also questioned the role of the National Commission for Women in dealing with issues facing women. "We are being questioned because we work so much. We are being asked how we have increased the amount of work. I'm getting feelers that many people are unhappy with the work we are doing," Maliwal told IANS in an interview. Incidentally, on August 18, the Anti-Corruption Branch raided the DCW office on the basis of a complaint filed by Barkha Singh. However, the ACB sleuths didn't find anything incriminating after their four-hour-long raid. "If you look at the allegations, they are by a Congress politician (Barkha Singh), and by a BJP politician (Vijender Gupta). The other allegation levelled against us is by a former Chief Secretary of Delhi who himself is accused of molestation. The DCW has helped a lady to file an FIR against him. So the complaint filed against us is bizarre. There's no ground for a criminal case," Maliwal said. She said the Commission now acts promptly once a complaint is received. She also said that it was not the case earlier during the tenure of former Commission chief Barkha Singh. "This year we have acted on 12,000 cases as compared to 3,500 handled during the tenure of the previous Commission chief. We have put in place a system wherein the moment a complaint is received, we act within 48 to 72 hours," Maliwal said. "Earlier, these complaints remained pending for over six months. Now we send notices to the Delhi government and the central government," the DCW chief stressed, adding that the Commission is a neutral body with no political affiliation. Harping on the achievements of the Commission under her watch, Maliwal said: "We made 50 recommendations to the government in the span of one year. But during the eight-year span of our previous chairperson, she made only one recommendation, and that too a very flimsy one." Mincing no words, Maliwal said Barkha Singh visited the DCW office only once a week and yet received the salary of an MLA as well as that for being the Commission's chief. "It was highly unethical. But see now they are hounding us for hiring more people. Is the security of women not important? We need these people because we work," Maliwal said. When asked about former Delhi minister Sandeep Kumar who is embroiled in an alleged sex scandal, Maliwal said the "strictest and strongest action" must be taken against him if found guilty. "I believe public personalities should follow a certain standard of morality and the action taken by the Aam Aadmi Party was right," Maliwal said. Referring to AAP leader Ashutosh's blog defending Sandeep Kumar, Maliwal said: "I have read Ashutosh's blog and I completely disagree with his stand. I think he reached the conclusion too early. The lady in the video has also alleged that the sex with Sandeep Kumar was non-consensual. I also disagree with Ashutosh for comparing Sandeep Kumar with great figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Nehru." However, she said the National Commission for Women's notice to Ashutosh was the result of media frenzy. "The NCW acts only when there's a media frenzy, and never otherwise," Maliwal said. "Why didn't NCW serve a notice against Union minister Mahesh Sharma for making the 'skirt' comment? Why not serve a notice against Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan who had said that the Bulandshahr gang rape was a political conspiracy?" Maliwal asked. She also accused the NCW of undermining the Commission's credibility and giving an impression that it is a "toothless body". "What was the need to go after actor Salman Khan? What was the result... Khan refused to appear before the NCW, let alone apologise. There are many more pressing issues than just dealing with Salman Khan," Maliwal said. When asked about the possibility of being removed from the DCW post, Maliwal said she has Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's "sources" as information and did not receive any official intimation. Incidentally, on August 26, the Delhi Chief Minister had tweeted that Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and the Prime Minister's Office were planning to remove Maliwal as she was doing a "good job". Kejriwal had also said that Maliwal could be arrested. However, Maliwal sounded unfazed. "I don't fear anyone. I am answerable only to my conscience. There shouldn't be over crimes against women. That's unethical," she said. (Vishal Narayan cane be contacted at vishal.n@ians.in) -- IANS vn/bim/ky/tb/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) ZF Friedrichshafen AG, a global leader in driveline and chassis technology, on Thursday announced that it will set up its first India Technology Centre (ITC) in Hyderabad. The technology centre, coming up with an investment of 20-30 million euros, will be dedicated to embedded and electronic systems software development and mechanical engineering. It will support ZF's global development teams while enabling the company to accelerate local product development, the company officials said. The German major on Thursday signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the Telangana government for setting up ITC, which is expected to be operational by January 1, next year. It will have a workforce of 2,500 including 1,000 engineers currently working for TCS, Tech Mahindra and other partners. Minister for Information Technology K. Tarakarama Rao described the development as a big breakthrough for Hyderabad. He noted that the city had so far been attracting pure tech players and hoped that with automotive engineering services company like ZF setting up its centre, this will create an eco-system for this space. He hoped that ZF will come up with a large campus in the city with inbuilt race track for driverless cars. Jayesh Ranjan, secretary, information technology, said Hyderabad had become go-to destination for any marquee name looking to have presence here. Mamatha Chamarthi, senior vice president and executive lead for ITC told reporters that the centre will start operations from 1,000 square feet leased premises in Gachibowli. The company also has plans to develop its own campus in Hyderabad in future. ZF currently has 12,000 employees at 26 plants in India catering automotive and non-automotive sectors. She said efficiency, safety and automated driving were the three key areas of focus of ZF's corporate strategy 2025. ZF company acquired TRW Automotive last year, which was then integrated within the organization as the Active & Passive Safety Technology Division. The combined company reported sales of 29.2 billion euros in 2015 and now has a global workforce of around 135,000 with approximately 230 locations in 40 countries. It has 100 technology centres globally. --IANS ms/pgh/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tom Campbell This strange election cycle has focused too much on personalities and too little on issues, but sooner or later we have to believe the campaigns will shift to a real discussion about issues.Bill Clinton's campaign guru, James Carville, had a sign on his wall that said, "The Economy Stupid," forcing him and the campaign to remember that the number one issue on voters' minds when they go to the polls is the economy. What was true in 1992 is true today. Voters inevitably select candidates based on which ones they perceive will benefit their pocketbooks.America is still dealing with the aftershocks of The Great Recession. The stock market has recovered, consumer spending has increased and the number of jobs has reached pre-recession levels, creating as many as 200,000 jobs each month. North Carolina has experienced some 300,000 new jobs, however both figures are misleading.An improved economy demands not only putting more people to work but also that those workers can earn living wages. Too many who have found work have discovered too often the jobs they can get are not high paying positions. To accomplish both goals requires a workforce better trained to fill the needs of today's marketplace.Industry recognized the way to improve productivity and profitability was through increased use of automation and robotics, not in hiring more people. Today's environment reveals a huge gap between those seeking work and the skills employers require. We're told as many as one million jobs go unfilled nationally because employers cannot find workers with the skillsets needed.The secret to tomorrow's better economy demands that we must retool education much as industry has retooled, both for current jobseekers as well as students in our schools.Many of today's workers require retraining to fill the jobs employers want to fill. Students currently in school need revamped instruction to prepare them for the changing workforce. The good news is that most students already have their hands on new technologies; they walk around with more computer power in their handhelds than was available a generation ago and they know how to use it. Smartphones and laptops provide the ability to communicate, search the Internet and download the information students need, but our schools have been too slow to transition and adapt to teaching methods suitable to this new environment.We must also acknowledge that not every child can or even wants a four-year baccalaureate degree. North Carolina's 58 community colleges can train both current and future workers for the job skills they need for good paying jobs, but to fulfill this role they need increased funding for instructors, curriculum and facilities.Colleges and universities must also change. UNC President Margaret Spellings correctly says the emphasis must be on accessibility, affordability and accountability. This includes restructuring curriculums and counseling programs so students can graduate in a reasonable timeframe. The costs of an undergraduate degree must be reduced because many can't afford college or else they go into debt. When graduates begin their work lives with the reported $25,000 of debt so many experience it hampers both the graduate and the economy.The economy and improved education are the top two issues facing our state and nation. Both deserve honest, intelligent and relevant discussion in this election cycle. The much-awaited Goods and Services Tax (GST) finally became a law on Thursday, with President Pranab Mukherjee signing the Bill after 17 states ratified it. Its a significant development because the GST, which was in the making for over a decade, is the biggest tax reform since Independence and will create a uniform market for the seamless movement of goods and services with one tax rate. But the government now faces a task that is no less onerous than building a consensus around the fundamental idea of a GST itself. Activists of BJP Mahila Morcha today staged a protest against at the railway station here, questioning his "silence" over expelled MLA Sandeep Kumar, with the AAP alleging that the Chief Minister was manhandled during the "pre-planned" protest. The activists led by Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha president Kamaljeet Sehrawat and party spokesman Praveen Kapoor raised slogans and waved bangles towards Kejriwal, who arrived at platform number 1 to board a train for Punjab at around 7 AM. Some activists managed to come close to Kejriwal despite presence of policemen. They demanded that Kejriwal speak on the alleged "misconduct" of his MLAs and expel Ashutosh for his controversial blog defending Sandeep Kumar, who was sacked as minister over an alleged sex scandal. Blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Delhi Police for the alleged manhandling of the Chief Minister at the hands of women protesters of the BJP, the AAP said the law enforcing agency was a "mute spectator" during the "pre-planned" episode. BJP, however, denied any manhandling and said party activists resorted to political protest. "It is sad and shameful that people who once talked of daily dialogue with people today term political protest as an attack," Kapoor said. Sehrawat said the Mahila Morcha had recently met Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and warned him about the "gherao" of Kejriwal. The AAP on it part wondered whether this was a conspiracy against the Chief Minister with Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia questioning the reason behind the alleged lapse. "Is Modi ji conspiring with the Delhi Police and the BJP to attack Was the morning episode (manhandling of the CM) a rehearsal to it," Sisodia tweeted. Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh charged that the police first informed the BJP that Kejriwal would not be given any security cover and then got the Chief Minister attacked. "Modiji's police first told the BJP (about its inability) to provide security cover and then got attacked. Is any conspiracy brewing against the Chief Minister," Singh tweeted. The Delhi Police had yesterday turned down the request from Kejriwal's office to send security personnel to Punjab by road. Kejriwal is on a four-day visit to poll-bound Punjab beginning today. Deflecting the Opposition's charges that his free smartphone scheme was a poll sop, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday termed it is an effort to bridge the gap between government and people with the help of technology. The Bharatiya Janata Party had on Wednesday moved the Election Commission against Yadav's announcement of free smart phones for the poor, claiming it violates the Model Code of Conduct. It claimed the scheme was an attempt to be-fool people by offering allurements before the elections. "We are not bribing people through the smartphone scheme. I have heard, they (the Opposition) are going to the Election Commission over it. Some even say we have a slogan 'We will give you mobile, you give us votes',"Yadav said at an official function in Lucknow. His remarks come days after he announced the Samajwadi Smartphone scheme aimed at helping communication between the government and people, and eliciting direct feedback on government schemes. Yadav clarified, "The intention is to give as much facilities as possible. The biggest challenge before the government is how to take schemes to masses. Even they want to know what the government is doing for them. We are trying to bridge this gap with the help of smart phone technology." An app on the smartphone will provide people information about the state government's schemes through audio-visual and text. Registration for smartphones will begin in a month's time and distribution will start in the latter half of 2017, if the Samajwadi Party wins the elections due early next year. "Some said laptops (distributed as part of SP's poll promise in 2012) have not benefited anyone. I am going to hold a function and invite children who were the first to get it. I will ask them how it has benefitted them,"he said. Yadav laid the foundation stone for six hospitals, the Urdu Darwaza in Saharanpur and Agra Inner Ring Road (Phase-II). He said his government has tried to connect people and helped all sections of society. "If we have helped Hindi Sansthan, we have also helped the Urdu Sansthan and the Urdu Akademi. If we made a Haj House, we have also made 'bhajan sthals' in Faizabad and Chitrakoot," he said, adding people must have faith and love for each other. "Samajwadis have worked for literatures of all languages and given them proper respect and honour. There were governments which stopped awards meant for them," he said without mentioning the previous Bahujan Samaj Party government. The chief minister also hinted at bringing a scheme for easing traffic in cities. On the occasion, Yadav also praised senior minister Azam Khan for starting a school and a university in Rampur. Incidentally, Payagpur Congress MLA Mukesh Srivastava was also present at the function. Yadav indicated that Mukesh and some other legislators will soon join the Samajwadi Party. China today said it has secured the deportation from Armenia of 51 Chinese and 78 Taiwanese nationals, who were involved in telecom frauds worth over USD 1 million. The 129 suspects were arrested when local police raided six dens on August 20, Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said. A large amount of equipment, including computers and smart phones, were found on the spot. China already has a number of Taiwanese nationals alleged to have involved in such frauds from different countries. Taiwan has been protesting over the deportation of its nationals to China for trial and punishment. China, however, argues that they committed crimes against Beijing and are, therefore, entitled to be punished in the mainland. The MPS dispatched a working team to Armenia to deal with the issue on August 26. Investigation found that the syndicate based in Armenia had been falsely presenting themselves as law enforcement officers to extort money from people on the Chinese mainland through telephone calls, state-run Xinhua agency reported. They were found to have cheated people involved in about 50 cases, worth more than 7 million yuan (USD 1.2 million). The MPS has designated police from Guangdong Province to investigate the case, as all victims are from the mainland. Mainland police have informed Taiwan authorities of the cases. Telecom fraud has caused grave harm, said the MPS, vowing to continue the fight against telecom fraud. Public Security Minister Guo Shengkun calld for efforts to enhance public awareness of such crimes and firmly curb on telecom fraud to protect people's legitimate rights and interests in Shanghai on Tuesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police today seized 168kg of dry ganja and arrested four persons in this district of Andhra Pradesh. Acting on a tip-off, rural police apprehended the four smugglers when they were making arrangements to transport the contraband weighing 168kg in a van at Pallavuru under KD Peta Police Station limits, said Circle Inspector R Mallikarjuna Rao. The arrested were identified as Reddy Narasimha Murthy (28), Singampalli Sattibabu (50), Datla Ramaraju (56), all native of Visakhapatnam district, and D Sandeep Kumar Khatik (28), a resident of Bhopal. Murthy and Sattibabu were earlier, too, involved in ganja smuggling cases, Rao said. The Inspector said the four-member gang had procured the ganja from parts of Chintapalle and stored at Pallavuru. Police also seized the van, besides five mobile phones and Rs 1,500 in cash from the arrested persons. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 80 authors from across the globe including Pulitzer prize-winner Viet Thanh Nguyen, Suketu Mehta and American comic writer G Willow Wilson will attend the second Jaipur Literature Festival at Boulder, US. The three-day-long festival scheduled to be held from September 23-25 in Colorado, US will feature 50 sessions with world-renowned authors, speakers and musicians from across the globe, the organisers announced today. "In these critical times, the penetrating, intercultural dialogue exchanged at this festival of ideas speaks deeply to individuals and gives rise to the joy of community," organisers said. The literary festival will be hosted by the Main Boulder Public Library and will be open to public free of cost. The opening act, which will be held at the Canyon Theatre, will see a musical performance by London based sarangi player and vocalist Amrit Kaur Lohia followed by a solo theater performance. The range of discussions will include 'Treasures of the Dragon Kingdom' by the Queen of Bhutan, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck; how the language of digital image in the form of graphic novels is challenging letters and text giving rise to "a new democracy of expression". Wilson will touch upon themes of feminism and Islam through her graphic novel 'Ms Marvel' about a female superhero among others. A conversation on democracy, the electoral process and political choice from the forthcoming US presidential elections, the recent Brexit referendum to the complex voting patterns in India will feature renowned economists Robert Blackwill, Nassim Nicholas Taleb and Rajya Sabha MP and economist Jairam Ramesh. A session recounting the victories and horrors of the Vietnam War will be presided over by the 2016 Pulitzer Prize winner Viet Thanh Nguyen. He will discuss its consequences with Vietnamese-American writer Andrew Lam. African American Marcia Douglas and American poet Jovan Mays will talk about persistent undercurrents of racism in the US that have surfaced consistently in disturbing and heartbreaking ways over the past two years. "The session 'Black Lives: A Dream Deferred?' will look at these issues, choices and the struggle for equality faced by the community," organisers said. Nicholas Carr, who writes on technology and Gopi Kallayil from Google will speak on the use of technology to expand the human experience. A session on women at war, the environmental consequences of diminishing bee population and workshops for children and families will also be part of the festival. Weekend programs address topics including 'Engaging with the Arts and Storytelling,' 'Stories My Grandmother Told Me, Whats your Story?', 'Creating Collage Art That Tells A Story,' 'The Sound of Music/Sunaad,' 'Stories in Motion,' and 'The Resistance and Resilience of Heartwork'". A host of ancillary events will also be organised running up to the final festival. Kolkata police today arrested three directors of a jewellery shop for their alleged involvement in cheating people to the tune of over Rs 17 crore. Anirban Sen, Arjun Sen and Aniruddha Sen -- co-owners of Senco Jewellery Palace Abhusan Pvt Ltd -- were nabbed from their New Alipore residence in the wee hours, police said, adding that the three were hiding in cupboards. Acting on the complaint of one Krishnendu Bose of Bijoygarh within Jadavpur police station limits, police personnel from New Alipore and Tollygunge police stations conducted a raid at the trio's residence at New Alipore. They were running two profitable schemes -- Dhanbridhi and Swarnatrisha -- for the last four years, promising the investors money or gold on maturity. "Investigations revealed that the schemes were running since November, 2012 but there were complaints that those who had invested money in them were neither delivered the gold nor the money as promised. This way, the owners cheated several people and accumulated a huge amount of over Rs 17 crore," a senior officer of Kolkata Police said. The police had raided at least three residences of the trio. Finally, they went to the New Alipore building where they were initially prevented by the servants from entering the house, saying the "owners were not home", the officer said. "Our officers searched the entire house but could not find them. As they were about to come out, one of the policemen heard a sound from a cupboard. When they tried to open it, the servants again tried to prevent them. Our officers then broke open the cupboard and found one of the accused hiding inside. They then broke open two other cupboards to find the other two," the officer said. All the three have been booked under sections 420, 406 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code and were remanded to police custody till September 17. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As many as 62 Naxals hailing from the insurgency hub of Abujmarh in Chhattisgarh and 10 of their supporters surrendered before police in Narayanpur today. "The cadres, including two women,belonging to remote villages of Abujmarh, turned themselves in before senior police and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) officials at Kurushnar police station as they were disappointed with the emptyideology of the Maoists," Narayanpur Additional Superintendent of Police Anil Soni told PTI. Among them, three were active as LocalGuerillaSquad (LGS) members, eight as members of 'Chetna Natya Manch', a cultural wing of the Maoists and four as 'Janatana Sarkar' group members, he said. Besides, 45 were associated with the outlawed movement as the members of 'JanMilitia', and 10 assympathisers. Describing the move as a good sign in the Naxal hotbed of Abhujmarh, Soni said the ultras now want to see development in their areas and are joining the mainstream as they are fed up with violence. Abujmarh, known as "liberated-zone", is an alleged hub of Naxalite-Maoist insurgency. "Those who surrendered stated thattheydecided to quit the movement due to growing pressure onNaxalsfrom security personnel and the emptyideology ofNaxals," he said, adding they are also impressed with the provisions of the surrender policy of the government. The officer said the surrendered ultras were involved in severalNaxal-related incidents like murder, arson, loot and attacks on police party and camps. "They will be ensured facilities as per the surrender and rehabilitationpolicy of the state government," Soni said. The development comes close on the heels of surrender by 38Maoists,including seven women,at Narayanpur on September 4. According to police statistics, so far 987Naxals and their supporters have laid down arms in Bastar division this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seven Chinese citizens were arrested in a raid on a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory inside a pig farm north of Manila, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said today. The agency said nearly half a kilogram of methamphetamine with a street value of around 2.5 million pesos (USD 5,400), about 20 kilograms of the drug ingredient ephedrine, laboratory equipment and various chemicals were confiscated in the raid Wednesday in Pampanga province. Charges of illegal drug possession and manufacturing are being prepared against the six men and one woman, it said. The drug laboratory in the basement of a stockroom was able to produce up to 50 kilograms pounds) of methamphetamine a week and may have been built in the hog farm to mask the foul smell from drug production, officials said. President Rodrigo Duterte, who has launched a massive crackdown on illegal drugs, has said Chinese citizens are involved in the drug trade in the Philippines and that drugs have been smuggled from China to the Philippines. More than 2,800 suspected drug dealers and users have been killed and nearly 700,000 others have surrendered out of fear of being killed since Duterte took office on June 30, according to police. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) WASHINGTON, N.C. Duke Energy and Beaufort County Community College today announced a $215,474 investment from the Duke Energy Foundation. The funds will be used to equip a simulation lab that will integrate mechatronics into existing engineering programs. This sum follows a donation in April of $221,111 from Duke Energy for welding and fabrication equipment.The college will purchase equipment directly tied to training requested by North State Steel as they prepare to start up a second shift. Flanders Filters and Rob's Hydraulics also have positions they need filled by candidates who are trained on their equipment. The simulation lab will help fill about 38 positions. BCCC students will be taught on the new machines using nonferrous materials. The specific training that will accompany the machines is not available at other area colleges. Students will learn fabrication, robotic automation technology and touchscreen computer design skills.The new equipment will allow instructors to simulate reprogramming machines to operate using different materials. While students may learn how to engineer products and how to program equipment, employers seek candidates who can design parts, and use and program equipment at their facilities.said John Urton, vice-president of operations at Flanders Filters.Of BCCC's May graduates from the mechanical engineering program, two are already employed at Oakridge Metal Works and one is employed at Flanders Filters. Another is continuing his education at East Carolina University.said Duke Energy District Manager Millie Chalk.This grant is part of Duke Energy's $30 million investment in North Carolina's Community Colleges' focus on technical education and support of business and industry. Individual community colleges can apply for funds through the NC Community Foundation. Applications will be reviewed by a committee of representatives from Duke Energy, NC Community College System and NC Department of Commerce.Beaufort County Community College provides accessible and affordable quality education, effective teaching, relevant training and lifelong learning opportunities to the people of Beaufort, Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington Counties. Its machining and welding instructors are often able to place students with local companies even before they have finished their certification. To learn more about BCCC, visit www.beaufortccc.edu/ Duke Energy Foundation makes charitable investments on behalf of Duke Energy, the largest electric power holding company in the United States with 7.2 million customers in six states. Over the foundation's long history in local communities, it has identified focus areas that maximize the foundation's dollars and guide the foundation's giving. In North Carolina, Duke Energy Foundation invests $16 million annually for community support and charitable contributions. To learn more about Duke Energy Foundation, visit www.duke-energy.com/community The Arunachal Pradesh Assembly today unanimously elected Alo Libang as the Deputy Speaker, a post which was vacant since Tenzing Norbu Thongdok was elected as the Speaker on July 20. Congress member Libang, who was the lone candidate to file nomination for the post, was supported by all the 11 BJP members and two Independents. His name was proposed by Tapuk Taku and seconded by Tatung Jamoh. Congratulating Libang, the Speaker exuded confidence that he would discharge his duties according to the best Parliamentary traditions. Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who escorted Libang to his chair, said his name was proposed at the recent Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting. "He (Libang) is the fittest man for the post. He is a grassroot leader and was elected twice from the Tuting-Yingkiong constituency defeating former chief minister Gegong Apang," Khandu said. Taking part in the discussion, senior BJP member Japu Deru said Libang, who represents the constituency bordering the Tibet region of China, would fulfil the aspirations of the people living in the border areas. Besides Taku and Jamoh, state Industries Minister Tapang Taloh also spoke on the occasion. Addressing the House, Libang said he would adhere to all the Constitutional procedures while discharging his duties by winning the confidence of all the members irrespective of party affiliations. Born on March 1, 1964 at Simong village in Upper Siang district, Libang hails from the Adi community. An arts graduate from Jawaharlal Nehru College, Pasighat in East Siang district, Libang is married with a son and a daughter. Interested in travelling and social activities, he was first elected an MLA, representing the NCP, in 2009 from the constituency. He later joined the Congress in 2012. In 2014, he was elected from the same constituency on a Congress ticket. He also served as the Parliamentary Secretary in the Nabam Tuki and Kalikho Pul governments. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly today unanimously passed a resolution ratifying the proposed Constitution amendment bill which paves way for the introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST) across the country. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu moved the resolution which stated that "this House ratifies the amendment to the Constitution of India falling within the purview of clauses (b) and (c) of the proviso to clause (2) of Article 368, proposed to be made by the Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014, as passed by both the Houses of Parliament". The House, however, witnessed unruly scenes as members of the lone opposition, YSR Congress, climbed onto the Speaker's podium and surrounded his chair, holding placards and raising slogans demanding that the Centre grant special category status to the state. Amid the din, no further discussion could be taken up on GST and Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao announced that the resolution was adopted unanimously. The Chief Minister said GST would strengthen the Indian economy in the future. "GST will prevent double taxation, eliminate indirect taxes and ease the tax burden on the people. It will also lead to reduction in prices," Chandrababu pointed out. The Value-Added Tax (VAT) system ensured an effective tax regime to an extent, but GST would make it more effective, he said. Though the states might face some problems initially upon the implementation of GST, the Centre has assured to provide adequate compensation, the Chief Minister said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Denial of special category status to Andhra Pradesh by the Centre rocked the Legislative Assembly on first day of the monsoon session, with Opposition YSR Congress forcing an abrupt adjournment of the House for the day, but only after a resolution ratifying the proposed constitutional amendment paving way for GST was passed. The Y S Jaganmohan Reddy-led party forced at least two adjournments before House proceedings were terminated for the day. Unruly scenes were witnessed in the House as the YSRC members, donning black robes, climbed onto the Speaker's podium and surrounded his chair holding placards and raising slogans against the Centre's announcement late last night. The Centre announced a financial package for Andhra Pradesh that includes full funding of Pollavaram irrigation project, tax concessions and a special assistance, but stopped short of giving the state special category status. The YSRC legislators tore placards and other papers and threw the pieces in the air even as Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao warned them to "avoid unruly behaviour". YSRC members, who came into the House 20 minutes after the proceedings began this morning, stormed the Speaker's podium, holding placards and raising slogans like "Pratyeka Hoda Andhrula Hakku" (special status is Andhra's right). They were critical of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for "compromising" on the state's interests. Legislative Affairs Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said surrounding the Speaker's chair was improper and cautioned the House would have to take action against the errant members. BJP floor leader P Vishnukumar Raju also found fault with members of YSRC, the only Opposition party in the Assembly, and said they would have to be suspended if they persisted with the unruly behaviour. Midway through the Question Hour, the Speaker had to adjourn the House for ten minutes but order was not restored when the proceedings resumed after over an hour. The Speaker then adjourned the proceedings for the second time "for a few minutes" but the House resumed only after over two-and-a-half hours. Amid the din, Naidu moved a resolution for ratifying the proposed amendment to the Constitution that paves way for introduction of Goods and Services Tax across the country. As no discussion could be taken up on the GST because of the noisy protest, the Speaker announced the resolution was adopted unanimously. The Chief Minister then rose to make a statement on the Centre's special economic package for the state but the opposition members did not allow him to speak. Leader of Opposition Jaganmohan Reddy said the House had previously passed two unanimous resolutions demanding that special status be granted to the state. (Reopens BOM20) "Last night, (Union Finance Minister Arun) Jaitley categorically ruled out special status. When the Chief Minister himself welcomed this announcement, what should we discuss?" Jagan wondered. Minutes earlier, five Bills were also moved by respective Ministers in the House. Though the House was to break for lunch at 2 pm and sit for the evening session at 4 pm, as decided in the Business Advisory Committee meeting, the Speaker abruptly adjourned the House for the day as the YSRC MLAs continued with their protest. Two suspected operatives of Al Qaida in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), arrested for allegedly radicalising youths and propagating the terror agenda of the output, have refused to give their voice samples to the police saying there was no law to compel them to do so. Mohammed Asif and Mohd Abdul Rehman made the submission in their reply filed before Additional Sessions Judge Reetesh Singh. Advocate M S Khan, appearing for the accused persons, told the court that "there is no provision in law to compel the accused to give voice sample. Neither can the court direct the accused for the same". The accused, along with others, were arrested between December 2015 and January 2016 from different parts of the country. Special Cell of Delhi Police have charged 17 accused for alleged offences under the provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). They have been chargesheeted for alleged offences under sections 18 (punishment for conspiracy), 18-B (punishment for recruiting of any person or persons for terrorist act) and 20 (punishment for being member of terrorist gang or organisation) of the UAPA. The probe agency has alleged that a terror outfit was trying to set up its base in India under the banner of AQIS and some youths from districts of western Uttar Pradesh had already left India and joined its cadre in Pakistan. It had claimed that one of the modules of the outfit was active in Sambhal district in Uttar Pradesh. It alleged that the accused were in touch with terrorists from Pakistan, Iran and Turkey via social media and mobile phones, and they had visited these countries, financed AQIS and motivated the youths for 'jihad'. The FIR in the present case was registered after the arrest of Asif on December 14 last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India today said armed groups and non-state actors were playing 'spoilers' to peace efforts globally and sought qualitative improvement in the performance of UN peacekeeping contingents, staff and mission leadership. Addressing the Defence Ministers' meeting in London, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre referred to the pledge of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York last year that India will provide troops for UN peacekeeping purposes. He drew attention to the challenges being faced by UN peacekeeping operations with armed groups and non-state actors playing 'spoilers' to peace efforts, an official statement here said. United Nations peacekeeping missions are no longer benign and humanitarian tasks are a major facet of current missions, he said. Bhamre exhorted the UN to work in sync with host governments as otherwise it could lead to greater turbulence. He also stressed the need of bringing about qualitative improvement in the performance of United Nations contingents, staff and mission leadership. The minister made a mention of the issues raised by the Prime Minister Modi last year during the Leaders' Summit on Peacekeeping, including the necessity of involving Troop Contributing Nations in mandate formulation, representation in key leadership positions in mission areas and above all the requirement of a more representative Security Council. He recalled India's consistent and substantive response over the past seven decades of United Nations peacekeeping operations. More than 2,30,000 Indian troops have participated in 50 of the 71 United Nations peacekeeping operations mandated by the UNSC so far. India has also aided in capacity building of many countries, training 114 prospective peacekeepers from 35 countries this year itself with a special course each for African countries and for female peacekeepers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Army will host the annual Combined Commanders Conference in October, most likely outside the national capital following a suggestion by Prime Minister Narendra Modi two years ago The Navy had last year organised the conference on board India's aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya at Sea, off the coast of Kochi. While the dates and location of this year's conference are yet to be finalised, sources said it could be held under the aegis of the Eastern Army Command which is involved in anti-insurgency operations in the northeast and a major part of the borders with China. Interestingly, Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi, who is slated to be the next Army Chief, heads the Eastern Command. Modi had in 2014 suggested that the armed forces could organise such conferences on ships at sea, or in forward area cantonments or air-bases, instead of New Delhi. The conference is attended by Prime Minister, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and other senior members of the Cabinet. The Combined Commanders' Conference, also known as the Unified Commanders' Conference, is crucial as national defence policy, doctrine and operational challenges are discussed in detail. ISKCON spiritual leader and founder of Govardhan Eco Village, Maharaj Radhanath Swami advocated holistic use of water for human survival, saying every drop of water is precious and should not be wasted. Water, he said, was one of the basic necessities of life and the people are dependent on it spiritually, emotionally and physically. "We must use water with respect, gratitude and compassion as it was a God's gift to the people," he said. ISKCON's Govardhan Eco-village at Wada near Mumbai, has undertaken a water resources programme which focusses on planning, developing, distributing and managing the optimum use of water resources, Swami added. Director of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) Dr Rakesh Kumar said water in the soil nourishes crops so even a small patch of grass holds moisture and equally important for the people would be to conserve invisible water in the air. Kumar said he was happy to note that Maharashtra government has not allowed industries in water catchment areas so there was no water contamination. "The municipal corporation in the city supplies 3,700 million litres of water every day to households and 80 per cent of this goes into the drains. We need to preserve this water," he said. The conference concluded with a panel discussion on 'Integrated Water Resource Management and Sustainable Development'. Experts also participated in another panel discussion - 'Protecting our water future'. The Centre today sought a report from the Kerala government on the attack on a BJP office in the state. In a communication, the Union Home Ministry asked the state government to provide details of the incident and action taken on it, official sources said. The Centre's missive came hours after Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Kerala Chief Minister, expressing concern over the Tuesday night's incident. No one was injured in the incident which occurred around midnight shortly after BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan had left the office for Kozhikode, where preparations are on for a three-day National Executive and Council meeting from September 23. The BJP state unit alleged that CPI(M) workers were behind the attack. CPI(M) has denied BJP's charge and condemned the attack and wanted the government to arrest the "anti-social" elements behind the attack. The incident comes close on the heels of a series of sporadic clashes between CPI(M) and BJP workers in the past few months in Kerala's northern Kannur district. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) German luxury car maker Audi today launched its all new A4 sedan in India priced at Rs 38.1 lakh to Rs 41.2 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) as it looks to cash in on the upcoming festive season. "The Audi A4 has been among the volume drivers for us and we expect the all new A4 sedan to account for one-sixth of our total sales," Audi India Head Joe King told PTI. The new car powered by a 1.4 litre petrol engine with a new 7 Speed transmission has a top speed of 210 km/h. He said the Audi A4 has been a leader across the world and the all new version has been redeveloped and yet again defines the benchmark in the segment. Commenting on the festive season, King said with an overall positive sentiment in the market the company expects to do well. "There is also pent up demand in the Delhi-NCR for our products like the Q7. So we are expecting good sales right across the segments," he said. Audi India is planning to launch petrol versions of all its existing models in India by the first quarter of next year as it tries to adapt to changing market demand due to pollution concerns over diesel vehicles. The Supreme Court had imposed an eight months ban on diesel cars and SUVs with engine capacity of 2,000 cc and above in Delhi-NCR, which has not been lifted. After the entry level A3 and A8 sedans, the new A4 is the other model to have a petrol variant. The company's popular Q series SUVs are available only in diesel options. Audi sold 11,192 units in India last year with 3.14 per cent growth over 2014 and it lost leadership position in the Indian luxury car space to rival Mercedes-Benz. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Aviva Life Insurance today said it has appointed Karni S Arha as its chief financial officer. Arha will be based out of Aviva Life Insurance's head office in Gurgaon, the company said in a release issued here. "We are very excited to have Arha on board. Arha is a seasoned finance professional, having wide ranging experience in both, life and health insurance," Aviva India Managing Director and CEO Trevor Bull said. Arha has an experience of 17 years of working across geographies including India and the USA and prior to Aviva, he was the Executive Vice President with Anand Rathi Insurance brokers. "I know the industry well and I have always seen Aviva as a leading global brand in the insurance industry. In my view, Aviva India has a strong positive reputation with high potential for future growth and success. I am looking forward to joining the Aviva India leadership team and playing my part in shaping the future success of the company," Arha said. Aviva India is a joint venture between Dabur Invest Corp (DIC) and Aviva International holdings (AIH) - a UK based insurance group. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In the wake of a row over Cauvery water, Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan today underscored the need for evolving a consensus to bring the subject of water in Concurrent List. "There is a need to discuss whether this subject can be brought under Concurrent List in view of water crisis. Several problems can be solved if the subject is brought in the Concurrent List, for Centre can do something in case of disputes then. Right now, water is a state subject and we can't do much about it," he said while speaking about the row. The Minister of State for Water Resources, who had spoken on the issue during the last Monsoon session of Parliament as well, claimed that several Parliamentarians share his view and stressed on the need to evolve the consensus cutting party lines. "An initiative in this regard though should come from within the Parliament first. An environment in this regard should evolve first," he added. In the past, Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti and a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources too have stated the need for bringing the subject in the Concurrent List. In December last year, the Standing Committee had urged the Centre to initiate "earnest" efforts to build a national consensus for bringing water in the Concurrent List of Constitution so that a comprehensive plan can be prepared for water conservation. The Panel had said water needs to be dealt within a consultative manner, taking into consideration the overall national perspective and given the fact that country will face acute water crisis in near future, especially ground water. Water supplies, irrigation and canals, drainage and embankments and storage fall in the state list. The Supreme Court had on September 5 directed Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to Tamil Nadu for 10 days to ameliorate plight of the farmers there. Noting that the samba crops in Tamil Nadu would be adversely affected, a bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and U U Lalit directed Karnataka to ensure supply of water to Tamil Nadu. Following the decision, farmers and pro-Kannada outfit activists hit the streets and observed bandh in Karnataka's Mandya district, considered as the hotbed of Cauvery politics. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A book, which tells the story of the Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh during British India, has bagged the M M Bennetts Award for Historical Fiction 2016 in the UK. Stuart Blackburn was presented the award at the HNS Conference in Oxford for his novel "Into the Hidden Valley". The book, published by Speaking Tiger, looks into a little-known episode in the colonial history of British India. Blackburn vividly brings alive the world of the Apatanis. His exploration of what happens when this settled civilisation forcibly collides with British Empire sensitively portrays the impact of the forces of colonialism on both sides. "Into the Hidden Valley" was chosen for the award ahead of Helena Page Schrader's "Defender of Jerusalem" and "Allegiance" by Kermit Roosevelt. The award is named in memory of writer-historian Bennetts who was a specialist in early 19th century British history and the Napoleonic wars. The novel dramatises the colonial encounter with tribes by telling two stories, one of a British official and the other of a tribesman. Blackburn says he first became interested in the Tibeto-Burman-speaking tribes of northeast India when he went to Arunachal Pradesh in 1999. "I spent a large part of the next decade researching the cultures and oral traditions of one particular group, the Apatanis, who live in the 'hidden valley' of the story. Two of my monographs document their storytelling arts." US-born Blackburn spent two and a half years in the rice fields and villages of south India, where he learned to speak Tamil. He is the author or editor of 16 books on Indian culture and folklore, mainly in south India (where his first novel "Murder in Melur" is set) and northeast India. One book, a study of shadow puppet theatre in Kerala, won the runner-up prize for the UK Folklore Book of the Year, while a translation of an early Tamil novel won the A K Ramanujan Prize in the US. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Online education start-up BYJU's has raised USD 50 million (about USD 332.3 crore) from a clutch of investors, led by Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) and Sequoia Capital. Other participants in the series D funding included Sofina, Lightspeed Ventures and Times Internet Ltd. The new round, which comes within months of a USD 75 million fund raise from Sequoia Capital and Sofina, will be deployed to fuel international expansion in countries like the US and the UK. It already has a presence in the Middle East. This is the first investment of CZI, which was founded by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, in Asia. "The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative supports innovative models of learning wherever they are around the world," said CZI's Vivian Wu, who will join BYJU's board. BYJU's represents an opportunity to help even more students develop a love for learning and unlock their potential, he added. The company had raised USD 9 million from Aarin Capital in 2013, followed by Series B funding of USD 25 million from Sequoia Capital last year. The company is profitable in India with an month-on-month growth of 15 per cent. "Revenues in the first five months of this financial year (FY2017) has already crossed the FY16 revenue of Rs 120 crore," the company said. The company delivers original content, video lessons and interactive activities for students in classes 4-12 (K-12) and competitive exams like JEE, NEET, CAT, IAS, GRE and GMAT. Its app has been downloaded over 5.5 million times and has reached 2.5 lakh annual subscribers across India. "Our vision closely aligns with their vision of advancing human potential and promoting equality," BYJU's founder and CEO Byju Raveendran said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A car bearing a Home Ministry sticker was stolen from east Delhi's Shakarpur area, police said today. Balwan Singh, a UDC (upper division clerk) in Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had gone to Shakarpur for some work yesterday afternoon and parked his WagonR car, bearing the sticker, on Vikas Marg, police said. When he returned, he found the vehicle missing and informed the police. A complaint has been registered at the Shakarpur police station, they said. Police are examining the CCTV footage of the area and talking to locals to gain clues about the theft. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A dawn-to-dusk Karnataka bandh called by pro-Kannada outfits on Friday to protest against the Supreme Court's direction to release Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu is likely to throw normal life out of gear. This is the second bandh that the state is bracing for in less than a week's time and the fourth this year. Officials said with the bandh on the emotive Cauvery issue is being supported by several organisations, unions and political parties. Public transport may be affected as state transport buses will stay off the roads, and autorickshaw and cab unions are extending their support to bandh. Metro services is also likely to be hit. Keeping security of students in mind, schools and colleges have declared a holiday on Friday and attendance at government offices will not be compulsory, according to officials. While some private companies have declared holiday, others are making alternative arrangements like work from home for employees. Tamil channels will not be aired on Friday with Karnataka Cable Operators Association supporting the bandh. Shops and establishments, markets, petrol bunks, hotels and malls are likley to remain shut, besides banks. Elaborate security arrangements have been made to maintain law and order. Extra forces have been deployed with two companies each from Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, one from Maharashtra and 10 companies of central forces, police said. Chief Minister Siddaramiah made an appeal for peace and said there should be no damage to public property during the bandh. "We are making all required arrangements. Bandh should be peaceful and no untoward incident should happen. Those who have called for bandh should also take care," he added. The Chief Minister also held a meeting of senior officials of Home and police departments to review security measures. Seeking cooperation from public and organisations in maintaining peace, Home Minister G Parameshwara said the issue is of entire state and the government had to take certain decisions within the framework of law. In Bengaluru, more than 14,000 police personnel will be deployed. 36 Karnataka State Reserve Police, 30 City Armed Reserve platoons and one company Rapid Action Force have been deployed. 'Kannada Okkoota', led by Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha leader Vatal Nagaraj will be holding a massive protest march from Town hall to Freedom Park in city in the morning. The Cauvery row erupted after the Supreme Court on Monday directed Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs to Tamil Nadu for the next 10 days to address the plight of farmers there. Protests continued for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday in Mandya district in the Cauvery heartland and several parts of southern Karnataka. Vehicular movement between Bengaluru and Mysuru was hit on Thursday as well as the highway was blocked at several places in Mandya district, the epicentre of the stir. Few film stars also joined the protest. In Bengaluru, BJP corporators led by former Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka and 'Kannada Okkoota' held demonstrations. The state's principal opposition BJP has also supported Karnataka bandh. The Cauvery Supervisory Committee will meet here on Monday to decide on the quantum of the river's water to be released to Tamil Nadu and other states. The Committee, headed by Union Water Resources Secretary Shashi Shekhar, will meet on September 12 to decide on the quantum of Cauvery water to be released to Tamil Nadu and other states. The Chief Secretaries of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry besides officials of the Central Water Commission will attend the meeting, official sources said. While the Tamil Nadu government had approached the Committee yesterday with its demand for more water, the Karnataka government too wrote to the panel with its grievances on releases of water. The Supreme Court had on Monday directed the Karnataka government to release 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery river water every day to Tamil Nadu for next 10 days to meet the demands of the summer crop in the state. The bench also said that Tamil Nadu in turn would proportionately give water to Puducherry and gave Tamil Nadu three days' time to approach the Committee with its claim of 35 tmcft of water from Karnataka. The court gave three days' time to Karnataka to respond to the plea by Tamil Nadu, while asking the Cauvery Supervisory Committee to examine the matter in four days and pass appropriate directions. The apex court will hear the matter again on September 16. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secretary H Raja on Thursday suggested a discussion between Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to resolve the Cauvery water relase issue in an amicable manner. Talking to reporters in Ramanathapuram, he said Karnataka government should implement the Supreme Court directive asking it to release 15,000 cusecs water per day to Tamil Nadu. Strongly condemning the recent attack on BJP office in Kerala, he said it was shocking that the incident happened ahead of the party's thre day council meeting at Kozhikode from September 23. A special CBI court has convicted an official of Andhra Bank and director of a fashion studio in Bangalore for cheating and sentenced them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for causing a loss of Rs 1.44 crore to the bank. CBI spokesperson said here today that Special Judge for CBI cases, Bangalore (Karnataka) has convicted A E Devandranath, then Branch Manager, Andhra Bank, Chamrajpet Branch, Bangalore and F Don Bosco, then Director of J.J. Fashion Studio Pvt Ltd, Bangalore and sentenced them to undergo four years rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs 50,000 each for cheating. She said Devandranath was also sentenced to undergo two years rigorous imprisonment with fine of Rs 25,000 under provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act. The spokesperson said case was registered on December 27, 1999 against Devandranath and JJ Fashion Studio represented by its Director Bosco and others alleging that the Branch Manager cheated the bank by allowing various packing credit facilities to the fashion studio in gross violation of the Bank's laid down procedure and guidelines. "Further, the accused accepted the foreign export bills of J J Fashion and gave credit facilities to the company without waiting for the realisation of bills and obtaining required information. He did not conduct periodical inspection and accepted false and inflated stock statements and also allowed packing credit against fax copies of the order in the name of sister concerns of the borrower," the spokesperson said. She said loss to the tune of Rs 1.44 crore inclusive of interest was caused to Andhra Bank. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Emphasising on the use of Information Technology, a senior government functionary today said change in mindset was needed to move from manual to electronic system in governance. E-governance needs to be given more importance and the first step towards its implementation is e-office, C Viswanath, Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) said at a workshop on e-office. The e-office means computerisation of government work through digitisation of files and other such initiatives. Mindset needs to be changed to switch over from old system to the new, an official release said quoting Viswanath. Asserting that e-office is a safe, secure and easily accessible store system, he said a cut off date need to be defined for the implementation of e-office. While giving presentation on the successful implementation of e-office in the Ministry of Rural Development, Santosh Mathew, Joint Secretary of the ministry said the secretaries of all the ministries should be enthusiastic about the utility of the implementation of e-office. The workshop was organised in the light of the fact that the e-office is an important tool of e-governance for bringing efficiency and quality in public service delivery. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Under pressure after an international tribunal struck down its claim over the disputed South China Sea (SCS), China today welcomed President Vladimir Putin's remarks that Russia supports Beijing's stance on the issue and opposes any third-party interference. "China values President Putin's position on the South China Sea issue," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said today. "President Putin's position shows Russia to be objective and fair, and represents the voices of justice from the international community," Hua said. In fact, if a country is truly concerned about peace and stability in the SCS, it will support China to peacefully resolve the dispute with the countries directly concerned in accordance with international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the SCS (DOC), she said. She said that China also opposes any attempt by forces outside the region to manipulate the issue or stir up trouble, in an apparent reference to the US which has termed the verdict of the tribunal as legally binding. Talking to reporters after the G20 Summit in Chinese city Hangzhou, Putin said Russia supports China's stance on the SCS issue and opposes any third-party interference. "We stand insolidarity and support ofChina's position onthis issue - not torecognise the decision ofthis court. This is not a political position, butpurely legal," Putin was quoted as saying by Russia's Sputnik agency. China has rejected the decision questioning the legality of the tribunal. China is involved in a raging dispute with the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei over ownership of territory in the SCS, a busy waterway through which India's 50 per cent trade passes. India and the US have been calling for freedom of passage in the international waters, much to the discomfort to Beijing, whose claim over SCS was recently struck down by the international tribunal in favour of the Philippines. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A protest leader from a Chinese village which became a symbol of resistance against corruption was sentenced to three years in prison for bribery today, state media said. Lin Zulian, elected head of the village of Wukan in rare open polls after residents expelled local officials in a mass 2011 uprising which drew global attention, was convicted of corruption, the official Xinhua agency said. The 70-year-old confessed to accepting bribes worth some USD 590,000 yuan (USD 90,000) at his trial in the nearby city of Foshan and vowed not to appeal the verdict, it added. Lin was detained in June and was shown on state TV admitting to taking bribes in a video recorded while he was under interrogation and released by prosecutors. "Due to my lack of understanding of law, in many projects related to people's livelihoods... And in some collective purchases I took huge kickbacks," state-media quoted Lin as saying. Dozens of Wukan locals marched in front of ranks of security officers after Lin was arrested, waving red flags and protesting his innocence, videos posted online showed. Local authorities have warned villagers to stop protesting, the South China Morning Post newspaper reported. The newspaper added security was "ultra-tight" outside the court in Foshan, with uniformed officers patrolling around a 1 kilometre radius. Residents of the 13,000-strong fishing village in the southern province of Guangdong began protesting against what they called illegal land-grabs in 2011 in what was then seen as just another bout of social unrest in China, where tens of thousands of such incidents occur each year. But when a protest leader died in police custody, villagers took their demonstration a step further, barricading roads leading into Wukan, and effectively expelling security forces for more than a week. Communist Party authorities unexpectedly backed down and promised rare concessions, including pledges to investigate the land dispute and allow village polls to be held in an open manner -- a first in Wukan. Lin -- who also led the protests -- was one of the successful contenders. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China is shunning a security dialogue in Seoul amid an ongoing row over South Korea's decision to deploy a powerful US missile defense system. The official newspaper Global Times today quoted an unidentified Defense Ministry spokesman as saying China was not sending a delegation to this week's Seoul Defense Dialogue because of "reasons of work arrangement." It offered no other details. China has angrily denounced plans for the deployment of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD system, whose radars it says will allow the US military to peer deep into northeastern China. Seoul and Washington say the system is intended solely to defend against North Korea's missile threat. China elevated the issue on Monday, with President Xi Jinping expressing China's opposition directly in a meeting with his South Korean counterpart Park Geun-hye. Xi said that "mishandling the issue is not conducive to strategic stability in the region, and could intensify disputes." Beijing's reaction has also stoked public outrage, threatening everything from tourism exchanges to appearances by K-pop stars in China. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Community participation and support is vital in the field of education, HRD Minister on Thursday said as he launched an initiative by a private body to start libraries in 5,000 schools. Lauding the initiative of the Rotary India Literacy mission to start libraries in 5,000 government schools in a phased manner, he said the HRD Ministry is considering launching competitions for students to encourage reading habit. "According to this initiative, libraries will come up in phased manner in a couple of years. This is an important step. I got an opportunity to inaugurate this initiative on National Literacy day. I welcome such initiatives," Javadekar said. He said at least 300 books each would be contributed to schools to encourage reading habit among students. He said the Narendra Modi government has also taken the initiative of 'Padhe Bharat and Badhe Bharat'. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today if his party forms government in Uttar Pradesh it will representation from all section of society in the state. "Though Sheila Dikshit is the chief ministerial candidate of the party in the state, I can assure you that when Congress party distributes tickets for the Assembly polls, people from all religion and castes will find a place", Rahul Gandhi said in a "khaat sabha" here on the third day of his 'Deoria to Dilli" yatra. "We will not form the government of any one caste but that of all the castes ..It will be a government which is that of farmers, labourers and all those who have problems in life, don't forget this fact", Gandhi assured. Running late, Gandhi asked the people to have faith in the Congress which had waived off loans of farmers in the past. "If the farmers of Uttar Pradesh rise up and stand with the Congress and send this demand to Narendra Modi for waiver of loans we will ensure that this happens", he said. Earlier Rahul held road show in Basti and held a one to one contact with locals and farmers. During the roadshow, Rahul paid floral tributes to former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri besides renowned litterateur Ram Chandra Shukla. Rahul is undertaking about a month-long 2500-km mahayatra from Deoria to Delhi to highlight the plight of farmers. As part of the yatra, "Khaat Sabha" (Charpoy meetings) are being organised for Rahul to interact with farmers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Internal bickering in Gujarat Congress came to the fore today when party's national spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil asked state leadership to relieve him of the responsibilities given to him with regard to the 2017 state polls. In a letter to Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Bharatsinh Solanki, Gohil advised party members to "shed their ego" for the benefit of the party ahead of the next year's state elections. His move comes a couple of days after Patan's ex-MP Jagdish Thakor submitted his resignation from all posts of state party unit. Gohil was given the responsibility by Solanki of deciding poll candidates from districts like Rajkot, Kutch and a couple of others for the 2017 state Assembly elections. "I request you to accept my resignation from special responsibilities given to me. I believe that it would be better for the party if the election is fought under the leadership of state party unit president and leader of opposition," Gohil said in the letter. It is learnt that Gohil took the step as his meddling in poll affairs was opposed by local leaders of Rajkot and former MP Kuverji Bavalia. "At a time when people of the state are fed up of BJP government and are looking with hope towards Congress, it is important that all leaders, workers and well-wishers of Congress in Gujarat should shed their egos and work together for defeating the BJP," Gohil said in his letter. He also mentioned that he is ready to do any work as the party worker but will not take up any special responsibility regarding the elections. The state polls are slated to be held in the later part of 2017. The stae Congress has started preparing for it. The party leaders have so far refused to comment on Gohil's resignation. On last Tuesday, former Congress MP from Gujarat Jagdish Thakor resigned from all party positions owing to his differences with the party's state leadership. Thakor, who represented Patan seat from 2009 to 2014 in Lok Sabha, sent the resignation letter to Gujarat Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki and Leader of Opposition in state Assembly Shankersinh Vaghela. "I have resigned from all the posts (that) I was holding in Congress. However, I have not resigned as party worker. I have conveyed my decision to Solanki and Vaghela through a letter containing reasons behind my decision," Thakor had said. His supporters had yesterday staged a protest in front of the state party headquarters here. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) VHP today accused the Congress, Left parties and JD-U of openly working for separatists in Jammu & Kashmir who were "betraying" the country for "so many years" despite public money being spent on them by previous governments at the Centre and the state. VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain said the all-party delegation that recently visited the state "has not failed but has many achievements" as it cleared the air on "all those who are with the separatists - CPI, CPI-M, Congress and JD-U". "These four parties openly work with separatists, promote them and even go to the extent of offering them advice. Probably the separatists work at their behest. "It also came out that how much money is being given to separatists. They were betraying the country for so many years and the Congress and Kashmir governments were doling out public money to them. Thus, when the issue of stopping aid to them came, the Congress was most disturbed and that is why the Centre softened its stand on separatists," he said. Referring to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti's statement that separatists comprise only 5 per cent of the state's population and that the remaining people are patriotic, Jain said, "She openly said that the facilities and aid being given to separatists be stopped. This is also an achievement of the all-party delegation." The VHP leader also appealed to the Modi government to come out with a reply before the Supreme Court that would pave the way for introduction of a uniform civil code in the country. "The affidavit filed by Muslim Personal Law Board depicts their perverted mindset against which the Muslim women have now come out in the open. "The Centre should come out with its reply in the form of an affidavit before the Supreme Court. We appeal to the Centre to come forward with its old commitment of bringing in a common civil code," he said. Jain also criticised the Kerala government for the proposed ban on holding RSS shakhas in temple premises, saying "the state government should not interfere in religious affairs and tell who will enter temples and who not". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress General SecretaryDigvijay Singh today said the party solidly stands behindthe Karnataka government's decision to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu as per the directions of the Supreme Court. Stating that there was not much of an option left after the apex court gave an interim order, Singh said, "Congress party stands solidly behind the decision of the government of Karnataka on the issue of Cauvery water." Speaking to reporters after holding the first coordination committee meeting of the state Congress, Singhcomplimented Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for consistently taking the opposition on board regarding the issue. "We have made our case very clear to the Supreme Court," he said. Cauvery row has hotted up in the state after the Supreme Court on Monday directed to Karnataka to release15,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for the next 10 days to address the plight of the farmers there. Siddaramaiah, who was also present, said there was a "confusion" among people that because of the offer to release 10,000 cusecs made by state's senior counsel F S Nariman during the recent hearing, the Supreme Court directed release of 15,000 cusecs for 10 days. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A couple, facing social boycott in their village in coastal Konkan, today performed puja of the Ganesh idol installed at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' official residence Varsha in south Mumbai. The couple, Parmanand Hewalekar and wife Preetam, had reached the main gate of Mantralaya, the state Secretariat, yesterday, with an idol of Ganesh, after residents of their village barred them from celebrating Ganesh puja. Hearing their plight, Fadnavis invited them to Varsha, an official said. The couple was on a dharna at Mantralaya last night to seek justice against their social boycott. The Hewalekars have been ostracised by the 'jaat panchayat' of their village Mahadevache Kerwade in Kudal tehsil of Sindhudurg district. The ugly spectre of caste panchayats in Maharashtra resurfaced last month when a 45-year-old autorickshaw driver in Pune was allegedly driven to commit suicide after suffering sustained humiliation at the hands of an illicit caste tribunal. Arun Kisan Naikunji, who belonged to the Lingayat Gawli caste, allegedly took his own life at his home in Pune's Wadgaon Sheri area by hanging himself after he and his family were boycotted relentlessly for two years by the caste tribunal. He had suffered social exclusion for reportedly supporting an inter-caste marriage, which was attended by the victim's brother. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A global trade organisation for derivatives, has asked regulator Sebi to reconsider proposed curbs on superfast algorithmic trading, saying such measures could be detrimental to market liquidity and increase costs for investors. In a letter to Sebi, Futures Industry Association (FIA) said it is concerned that some of the proposals of the regulator may not necessarily achieve the regulatory objectives. "Instead the proposals may lead to unintended consequences for India's markets including potentially detrimental impacts to market liquidity, increased risk and increased trading costs for investors which outweigh potential regulatory benefits," it added. Algorithmic trading or 'algo' in market parlance refers to orders generated at a superfast speed by use of advanced mathematical models that involve automated execution of trade, while co-location involves setting up servers on the exchange premises. The response comes after Sebi last month proposed to introduce resting time for orders, random delays and random speed bumps, separate queues for co-location and non co-location orders for strengthening the regulatory framework for algo trading and co-location facility. The regulator has sought public comments on the proposal till August 31. Besides, stock brokers' forum Association of National Stock Exchanges Members of India (ANMI) has also opposed the idea of any restrictions on algo trade, while BSE Brokers Forum has supported the idea. Regarding the proposal of minimum resting time for orders, FIA urged Sebi to reconsider any possible for introduction of such plan to minimise increased market risk. "Imposing such a requirement would have considerable detrimental impacts on market structure and the natural price discovery process as a result of increasing the cost and risks associated with providing liquidity to the marketplace. "This may lead to wider spreads, decreases in market liquidity and increased trading costs for underlying investors," it said in a letter written late last month. With regards co-location, FIA said if it is not permitted, there could be a rush to acquire real estate in and around exchange data centres. Ownership of and access to those sites could then potentially yield unequal outcomes. A global trade organisation for futures and options said introduction of separate queues and order-validation processes for co-located and non co-located orders would introduce an unnecessarily level of complexity to the trade matching process as well as exchange systems "We encourage Sebi to undertake further detailed analysis into any proposed market structure changes and potentially implement pilot programs for any proposed measures," FIA said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Commission of Women (DCW) today issued a notice to a school in Kalkaji area here after a girl student was allegedly forced to drink acid by unidentified stalkers. The girl, who is in critical care unit in Safdarjung hospital, told DCW chief Swati Maliwal that she had informed her school teacher almost a week ago about being harassed by some persons. "I met the girl in hospital today. She is in a very critical condition. DCW has issued a notice to the school," Maliwal said. The commission has asked the school to explain what action was taken by the victim's teacher after the incident of harassment or stalking was reported to her by the minor girl. DCW has also sought to know whether the school authorities were informed by the said teacher about the incident and if so, whether the school authorities informed the police. Maliwal said the school authorities have been asked to respond within 48 hours, failing which appropriate action as per law will be initiated against them. A case has been registered based on a complaint by the girl's mother, with the police saying she might have consumed something herself "under depression". "Prima facie, it doesn't look like a case where the girl was forced to drink acid. There were no external injuries on the girl's body and she is fully conscious and is talking with her mother," a senior police official said. The police have not ruled out the possibility of a "suicide bid" by the girl. "The girl's parents are going through a divorce and she was allegedly depressed about her parents' separation. She could have consumed something under depression. It cannot be said with surety whether she attempted suicide," the official added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Henry Winkler, best known as The Fonz in the 1970s sitcom Happy Days, will keynote the Oct. 11 induction of the 2016 class of the Montana Business Hall of Fame in Billings. Officials at Montana State University-Billings and the MSUB Foundation announced Wednesday the three newest members of the College of Business Hall of Fame who will be honored at the event. They are Dr. Nicholas Wolter, CEO of Billings Clinic, Karen Fagg, majority owner of Billings-based HKM Engineering Inc., and Terry Payne of Missoula, founder of PayneWest Insurance. The three were chosen from a list of 17 nominees, based on their level of business leadership, impact on the local economy and community, willingness to take risks and concern for employees. They and those inductees who have preceded them represent the best in business that impacts Montana and beyond. Their lives and careers have had a tremendous influence on business within the state and their communities, and have inspired others to do the same, Barbara Wheeling, dean of the College of Business said in a written statement. The inductees will be recognized during a dinner event at 5:45 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Radisson Hotel, 5500 Midland Road. The ceremony will include the unveiling of their watercolor portraits painted by Joe Heins and a talk by Winkler, an actor, writer and director. In addition to Happy Days and other film and television roles, Winkler began writing a series of childrens books in 2003 inspired by his own early struggles with a learning disability. And, he played Happy Herb in "A Plumm Summer," a movie about Froggy Doo, a popular childrens television show produced in Billings during the 1960s and 70s. Officials from the college and MSUB Foundation did not release Winklers speaking fee. According to a British booking site, NMP Live, Winklers fees typically range between $20,000 and $30,000. Tickets for the dinner are $100. Those who donate $1,000 to the MSUB Foundation Chancellors Circle can meet and be photographed with Winkler, college officials said. This is the third class for the Hall of Fame. In 2015, inductees were Billings real estate brokers Don and Marilyn Floberg, Greg Gianforte, founder of Bozeman-based RightNow Technologies and current Republican gubernatorial candidate, and Tom Scott, a pioneer of First Interstate Bank. The inaugural class of 2014 had five members: Ian Davidson, founder of investment firm D.A. Davidson, Chris Nelson of Zoot Enterprises, Mike Schaer of Computers Unlimited in Billings, Bill Oftedahl of Oftedahl Construction in Miles City and the late Sam McDonald, founder of Wendys of Montana. Public sector Dena Bank today said it is looking to expand its network in Uttar Pradesh by opening more branches in the state in the near future. At present, Dena Bank has 83 branches in 33 districts of Uttar Pradesh, and it will be able to provide better and excellent customer services by opening more branches in the state in financial year 2016-17, its CMD Ashwani Kumar told reporters here. As per government directives, the bank has provided on-site ATM is most of the branches, he said, adding that for the convenience of customers, the bank has operationalised E-smarts with self-service kiosks. In terms of credit monitoring, the bank is observing 2016-17 fiscal as "Recovery Year". As an innovative experiment for NPA recovery, Lucknow Zone has formed a "Women Recovery Brigade" whose purpose will be to ensure effective recovery in NPA accounts, a press note issued on behalf of the bank said but did not elaborate. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Austria's state prosecutor said today it had charged a Moroccan and an Algerian with intent to take part in the November 13 Paris attacks which left 130 people dead. The prosecutor's office in the western city of Salzburg said the unnamed pair, aged 26 and 40, were presumed accomplices of the Islamic State (IS) cell behind the coordinated killings. He added the men were arrested at a refugee centre in Salzburg near the German border on December 18 over suspected membership of IS and have been charged with "participation in a terrorist organisation, IS." The pair are thought to have provided logistical assistance and "information on establishing contacts" to two other suspected members of the Paris cell, 29-year-old Algerian Adel Haddadi and Mohamad Usman, a 35-year-old Pakistani. The latter pair were arrested at the same refugee centre on December 10 and extradited to France in July. Investigators believe Haddadi and Usman travelled to the Greek island of Leros on October 3 on the same boat full of refugees with two men who took part in the November 13 attacks. Those two, thought to be Iraqis, blew themselves up outside the Stade de France, one of a series of assaults by around 10 people in the French capital. Haddadi and Usman were held up, detained by Greek authorities for 25 days because they had falsified Syrian passports. Once let go, they followed the main migrant trail and eventually made it to Austria some days after the Paris attacks. Another man, Moroccan Abid Tabaouni, arrested in Belgium in July and believed linked to Haddadi and Usman -- allegedly refugee centre roommates -- was extradited to Austria last month. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A delegate to the Democratic National Convention is accused of assaulting a fellow delegate at a hotel bar during the convention in Philadelphia. The district attorney's office yesterday charged Walter Weeks, of Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania, with a second-degree misdemeanor of indecent assault. Authorities said the alleged assault took place at the downtown DoubleTree hotel in the early morning hours of July 27. The accuser told The Philadelphia Inquirer that Weeks appeared to be intoxicated and told her that she looked like she could use a hug. When she reluctantly agreed, she said he gave her a big bear hug and buried his head in her chest. The woman said she reported the incident to police and Democratic Party officials. In a statement, the DA's office said it initially declined to bring charges in the case based on an "incomplete investigation." "But, after further investigation by the (office) including a review of additional video and eyewitness testimony," officials decided to charge Weeks, prosecutors said. Weeks turned himself in to the Philadelphia Police Department's Special Victims Unit yesterday. "Mr. Weeks maintains his innocence in the face of this accusation, which was clearly rejected by the Philadelphia police and the District Attorney's Office, attorney Michael J Engle said in a statement to The Philadelphia Inquirer. "Political and media pressure placed on the DA is the sole reason there is any case against Walter Weeks at this time." The Democratic National Convention was held in Philadelphia from July 25 to 28. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dalit leader and Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale today said the alleged atrocities against Dalits in several parts of the country should not be politicised. Asserting that these incidents existed only due to casteism and not because of any particular regime, he said that there was no need for a CBI probe into the flogging of Dalit youths by cow vigilantes in July at Una in Gujarat as appropriate action had already been taken against the perpetrators by the state police. Attacks against Dalits take place because of "casteism" and not due to any particular regime in any state, be it AIADMK-led by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu, BJP or Congress party elsewhere in the country, he told reporters at a press conference here. "This issue should not be politicised," he said, adding that Jayalalithaa will take strong action against those attacking Dalits in Tamil Nadu. He said AIADMK returned to power due to Dalit votes in the May 16 Assembly election. Atrocities happened in several states against Dalits in places, including Una in Gujarat and Sambalpur in Uttar Pradesh, he said. "Dalits and non-Dalits will come together by following the Constitution," he hoped while adding that every person does not attack Dalits and only some fringe elements were behind them. On the demand for a CBI probe into the Una incident, he said there was no need for it and added that then Chief Minister Anandiben Patel had visited the area and victims. Stating that the demand for reservation had been growing, including the one by Patels of Gujarat, Athawale said, "I will discuss the issue with Prime Minister. We will take a decision in Parliament". The issue should be resolved and there should be no "quarrel" between people who get reservation benefits and those who did not, he said. To a question on the need for new laws to tackle honour killings in inter-caste marriages, he said though the present laws were not sufficient, the people and society at large should change the present "mindset" which would help tackle such issues. To encourage inter-caste marriages, he said his ministry was taking steps to hike the monetary aid being given for such marriages to Rs five lakh from Rs 2.5 lakh. He said his ministry was contemplating supporting NGOs engaged in eradicating casteism by providing them grants. (REOPEN MDS19) Athawale asked Jayalalithaa to provide government jobs to one of the couples who go in for inter-caste marriages. He also said there was no chance for the Congress to come to power in Uttar Pradesh. "In U.P Congress party is not very strong," he said, adding that it had just two (Lok Sabha) MPs, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi from the state. Athawale said his party the RPI(A) and BJP will join hands for the 2017 Assembly election in Uttar Pradesh and exuded confidence that the combine will capture power. He rubbished charges of Congress that Modi-led BJP would tamper with the Constitution, adding that such a thing cannot happen as "nobody can change the Constitution." On the Cauvery River water issue, he said the Apex Court directive should be followed. The Supreme Court had on September 5 directed Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for the next 10 days to address the plight of farmers there. Athawale also blamed Pakistan on the Kashmir issue and said the state is an integral part of India. Smuggled gold bars worth Rs 2.5 crore were today seized from two persons travelling in a car near here, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) said. The duo - Krunal Soni and Nalin Soni - was arrested from near a toll plaza on the Ahmedabad-Vadodara expressway, DRI said in a release here. DRI sleuths recovered eight gold bars weighing 1 kg each from their possession, it said. Acting on a tip-off, the sleuths intercepted the Maruti car in which three persons were travelling. "The three persons and the vehicle were searched. During the search of Krunal Soni and Nalin Soni, eight gold bars weighing 1kg were recovered from them. The officers asked them to produce bills/invoices/bill of entry in support of the gold they were carrying but they failed to provide any such document," the release said. "Therefore, the said eight gold bars weighing 8kg and valued at Rs 2.5 crore approximately were seized under the reasonable belief the same were smuggled as they had foreign markings engraved on them," it said. The DRI arrested the duo and seized the car used for transporting the smuggled gold, the release said, adding further investigation was on. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The special investigation team (SIT) of Maharashtra police probing CPI leader Govind Pansare murder case, today told a court here that it has during a search at the ashram of Panvel-based Sanatan Sanstha found some drugs which could affect the nervous system. It also said that Vinay Pawar, an absconding accused who the CBI has said was the shooter in Narendra Dabholkar murder case, was a suspect in this case too. The SIT produced ENT doctor Virendra Tawde, earlier arrested by the CBI in the Dabholkar case, before Kolhapur magistrate V B Kalpagar who extended his custody till September 16. The CBI had yesterday filed a charge sheet in a Pune court against Tawde, alleging that he was a main conspirator in the 2013 murder of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar. It has already arrested Sameer Gaikwad, a Sanatan Sanstha 'disciple', in the case. Seeking Tawde's further custody in Pansare case, the SIT said that Pawar is a third suspect. Pansare, a rationalist, and his wife were shot while on morning walk in Kolhapur on February 16, 2015. Pansare died four days later while his wife survived. "Pawar conducted a recce in Kolhapur, and he used to be with Tawde. A witness who was shown Pawar's picture, confirmed that it was Pawar who used to conduct recce prior to Pansare's murder," said Special Public prosecutor Shivajirao Rane. The prosecution told the court that during a raid at Panvel ashram of Sanatan Sanstha (of which Tawde was a member), police found some drugs which can affect the nervous system. The SIT wanted to probe why these drugs were stored there, he said. The SIT also wanted to recover a four-wheeler used by Tawde, he said. Advocate Virendra Ichalkaranjikar, Tawde's lawyer, questioned the genuineness of the witness who allegedly identified Pawar, and opposed extension of Tawde's custody. Ichalkaranjikar later said the recovery of medicinal drugs from Sanstha's ashram was not surprising, because some doctors lived on the premises. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A former Sri Lankan MP and four others were today sentenced to death by the High Court here after being found guilty in the murder of an ex-MP and former president Mahinda Rajapaksa's advisor. Seven others were acquitted during the trial which began in 2012. The accused were charged of murdering Bharatha Laxman Premachandra in October 2011 ahead of the elections. Duminda Silva and Premachandra had exchanged blows and Premachandra was subsequently gunned down. Rajapaksa government was accused of covering up and protecting Silva who was closed to him and his brother Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, a top civil servant in the defence ministry at that time. The murder soon became a political issue in the presidential election of January 2015 when Rajapaksa was defeated. Premachandra's daughter Hirunika seeking justice for her father's murder backed the current President Sirisena against Rajapaksa. She is now a parliamentarian in the current unity government. A 3 member bench was divided 2-1 on the ruling. The death penalty is commuted to a life term imprisonment in Sri Lanka where none of the condemned were hanged since May of 1976. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Election Commission today said it will examine the verdict of the Delhi High Court setting aside an order appointing 21 AAP MLAs as parliamentary secretaries to ascertain whether it will have an impact on a case being heard by it seeking the disqualification of the lawmakers for allegedly holding office of profit. "We will have to study whether the high court order has been issued on a retrospective basis. Only then can the commission decide whether it will have an impact on the ongoing cases of disqualification against the MLAs," a senior functionary said. But one view in the commission is that the proceedings in the Delhi High Court and the EC are on different issues -- the first dealing with appointment of MLAs as parliamentary secretaries and other seeking their disqualification for allegedly holding office of profit. Experts said in that case, the high court verdict will have no impact on the case being heard by the EC. But the commission is yet to take a call on it. The high court order came around a month after it held that the LG was the administrative head of the Union Territory of Delhi and his concurrence was "mandatory" in administrative issues. A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal set aside the March 13, 2015 order after the counsel appearing for the Delhi government "conceded" that it was issued without taking concurrence or views of the LG. Senior advocate Sudhir Nandrajog, appearing for the Delhi government, referred to the August 4 verdict and said, "Today, I have to concede that the judgement stands against me (the Delhi government)." He said that the March 13, 2015 order, appointing 21 legislators as parliamentary secretaries, was issued without taking the concurrence or view of the LG. The Election Commission had on August 29 reserved its order on a plea by 21 AAP legislators, who had questioned the maintainability of a petition seeking their disqualification for holding the post of parliamentary secretaries which was alleged to be an office of profit. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two men have been arrested in southeast Delhi for allegedly duping 20 persons of Rs 20 lakh on the pretext of providing them work visa, police said today. Kamal Ahmed Khan and his son Sarfaraz Ahmed Khan were arrested from their office in Sarai Julena village on September 6, DCP (Southeast) Mandeep Singh Randhawa said. Dhirender Kumar Yadav and three others filed a complaint at New Friends Colony police station alleging they along with 16 others were duped of Rs 20 lakh by Khan and his son who ran a placement agency named Globe Placement and Hospitality Services, he said. The accused had allegedly lured the complainants and their family members with the promise of arranging a work visa for Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia along with air tickets, Randhawa said, adding the victims were asked to deposit Rs 1 lakh per person. After they paid Rs 20 lakh to the accused, they were sent abroad on tourist visas, but had to return to India after the visa expired, the DCP said. When they contacted Khan and his son asking refunding of their money, they allegedly refused. Police has obtained details of the five bank accounts opened by the father-sun duo for the transactions and are trying to find details of other people who were duped by them, Randhawa said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Worldwide, the American Association of Suicidology estimates there is one suicide every 40 seconds. Montana has the unfortunate distinction of the highest suicide rate in the nation, almost double the average 23.9 per 100,000 people as compared to the average of 12.9. States in the Rocky Mountain region south of Montana and Alaska also have much higher rates of suicide than the West Coast and East Coast. Causes leading to suicide vary with the individual, but there are some common themes. States with high suicide rates tend to have limited access to mental health services and use of those services is more stigmatized. In Montana, 63 percent of suicides are completed with firearms. The combination of alcohol use and easier access to unlocked firearms is a factor. So what are we doing to counter this preventable loss of life? Clearly, not enough. However, many people across the state recognize suicide as a community scourge and are working to prevent further deaths. RiverStone Health partners with the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Yellowstone Valley, local school districts and medical education programs to try to make an impact. Both the Montana Family Medicine Residency at RiverStone Health and the Rocky Mountain College Physician Assistant programs are training primary care providers to be more aware and proactive in recognizing mental illness and the risk of suicide. Since many of the new physicians and mid-level providers will stay in Montana and the surrounding states, we will increase the number of health care providers who have learned more about how to address mental and emotional health needs. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services provides free Signs of Suicide (SOS) training to schools and has distributed it to 160 schools across Montana. SOS aims at middle and high school students and includes depression screening. The SOS curriculum helps make students more aware of their own mental health and that of peers. It also teaches the ACT acronym: Acknowledge, Care, Tell. The tell portion of the training encourages involving a trusted adult. In Billings, Shaun Harrington, the president of Billings Catholic Schools, said that adopting the SOS training was an important step for the Catholic schools. We feel it is important to inform our students and families and to move forward with training, he said. Terry Bouck, Superintendent of Billings Public Schools, intends to implement the SOS curriculum soon. In addition, the school district partners with Rimrock Foundation, Juvenile Probation Services and the Yellowstone Youth Crisis Network. The public schools also send counseling staff to suicide prevention training. For the past 40 years, Montana has had one of the highest rates of suicide among the 50 states. The problem is not an easy one to solve, but there are some things that you can do: Unload and lock all firearms when not in use. Request a gunlock from RiverStone Health Population Health Services if you cannot afford to buy a good-quality gunlock. Sponsor the free, one-hour suicide prevention class, Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) by contacting Population Health Services. Take one of the More Than Sad: Teen Depression programs through the Montana Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The series has individualized programs geared to parents, teachers or students. To schedule a free program or for more info, contact Montana@afsp.org or call Joan Nye 406-321-0591. Support prevention efforts through the Out of Darkness Community Walk on Sept. 18 at Veterans Park Learn more about the warning signs of suicide from suicidology.org. Those signs include: Having or expressing thoughts of suicide, substance abuse, mood changes or withdrawal from activities, feeling anxiety, purposelessness, trapped, angry, hopeless or reckless. Maharashtra's Hingoli district has been chosen for carrying out experiments on the ambitious Ligo project that proved existence of gravitational waves, a major breakthrough in science. It would be third such laboratory in the world, first outside the United States. The existing labarotaries are located in Hanford, Washington, and in Livingston, Louisiana. A senior scientist with the Department of Science and Technology said, "Aundh in Hingoli district is a preferred site for the Ligo project. We've begun work on it, which includes setting up committees to start the preliminary work." He said a strip of four km on both sides of a 150-metre wide area is needed to carry out the experiments. "So we would not be needing much land," he said. Apart from the Aundh, the government was also looking at another site near Rajasthan's Udaipur, which was initially short listed. "We needed a flat site to carry out the experiments, the four kms strips that would require an unhindered straight and flat site for studying the lasers. The Aundh site fits the bill," said a senior Department of Atomic Energy official. Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory- India (LIGO-India) will also bring considerable opportunities in cutting edge technology for Indian industries as they will be engaged in the construction of 8 km-long beam tube at ultra- high vaccuum on a levelled terrain. An agreement to set up the LIGO project was recently signed between the scientists from the US' National Science Foundation (NSF) with the India's DAE and the DST. On February 17, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given in-principle approval to the LIGO-India mega science proposal for research on gravitational waves. The project would cost up to Rs 1200-1300 crore. Indian scientists had played a crucial role in the recent detection of gravitational waves. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China today executed five mine workers who killed their four colleagues and then faked accidents to claim compensation. The men were convicted of running a 21-member gang that bludgeoned the victims to death with hammers at an iron mine in Wu'an, Handan city of north China's Hebei, from July 2011 to June 2012, according to the Supreme People's Court in the province. They attempted to cover up the murders and make them appear as accidents and claimed 1.8 million yuan (USD 270,190) in compensation from the mine, posing as family of the men they had murdered. The case was reviewed by the Higher People's Court of Hebei Province, which upheld the death sentence for the men in May 2015. Zhang Weilan, Zhao Jun, Zhang Chengyong, Xu Chengde and Yan Shiyong lodged an appeal against the death sentence given by the Intermediate People's Court of Handan city two years ago. The case is eerily similar to the movie Blind Shaft. Other members of the gang were all jailed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rajasthani folk songs, contemporary instrumental music from Brazil, African slave chants and tunes from communities of Croatia will be among the major highlights at the annual Jodhpur Riff festival this year. Scheduled to be held from October 13 to 17 at Jodhpur's Mehrangarh Fort, the festival will bring the rarest and best music of Rajasthan and from across the globe on a single platform. "We aim to showcase Rajasthan's amazing music and musicianship. Presenting the artistes with respect and dignity is a central aspect of the ethos of the festival. "While there is a lot that remains to be done in the villages of Rajasthan, we try to contribute to the general awareness of Rajasthani folk music, in order to positively impact the livelihood of some of the artists," says Divya Bhatia, festival director. The five-day-long festival which has previously hosted Grammy awardees like Wouter Kellerman, this year will showcase performances by over a hundred Rajasthani artistes including stalwarts like - Lakha Khan Mangainyar and Kadar Khan Langa (Sindhi Sarangi and vocals), Pempa Khan Manganiyar (Shehnai and Murli) and Sawan Khan Manganiyar (Sufi). Chiranji Lalji and Shamsuddin (Maand), vocalist Anwar Khan Manganiyar, master musicians of the Kamaycha Ghewar and Darra Khan Manganiyar will also be performing. Jodhpur RIFF, a not-for-profit project, seeks to offer patronage and encouragement to the often neglected Rajasthani Folk music. "Even though more and more people are now willing to pay to hear good traditional music, it is still not enough. Hence, there is a continued need for patronage for music that may be less in the pop mould," Bhatia says. Among the major attractions will be a mix of Australian and Rajasthani music where Jeff Lang and Bobby Singh from Australia will collaborate with Bhungar Manganiyar to belt out Rajasthani compositions on "love and loss. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A tunnel collapse killed four workers building a new station on Tehran's metro network, Iran's state broadcaster reported today. Another 11 workers were injured, some of them Afghan refugees, when the concrete cladding on the tunnel fell on the construction crew yesterday evening, the broadcaster said. Deputy mayor for traffic and transport Maziar Hosseini said the accident was the result of "human error". Iran began building its metro system in 1977. The Islamic revolution of 1979 and the Iran-Iraq war of 1980-88 caused a decade-long delay before construction resumed in the 1990s. Tehran now has around 100 metro stations and work is ongoing on its sixth line. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Alleged gangster Neeraj Bawana, arrested in connection with various cases, was today awarded seven year jail term and a Rs 25,000 fine by a court here for illegally possessing arms. Additional Sessions Judge Reetesh Singh had acquitted Bawana of the charge of trying to kill policemen in a 2015 shootout in the case. The court had held him guilty of some provisions of the Arms Act. On August 31, the court had acquitted Bawana of several charges of IPC including attempt to murder and obstructing and assaulting public servants while discharging duty. According to the prosecution, Bawana was arrested after he allegedly tried to escape by opening fire at a police team but was overpowered. Bawana, allegedly involved in more than 40 cases of murder, attempt to murder and extortion, was arrested in April last year after a brief encounter with the Special Cell of Delhi Police. He is currently lodged in Tihar central jail. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Natural gas price paid to producers, including state-owned ONGC, will be cut by 20 per cent to USD 2.5 per million British thermal unit in October, in line with a softening global trend, CMD D K Sarraf said today. This will be the fourth reduction in the last 18 months following the formula approved by the government in October 2014. Price of natural gas produced from the existing fields of ONGC and RIL is likely to fall to USD 2.5 per mmBtu with effect from October 1 as opposed to USD 3.06 currently, he said. "The price of normal domestic gas has been coming down because it is linked to gas price in certain markets. We have Canadian and the US price. They have been coming down," he told reporters here. "We had started from USD 5.05, which used to be earlier USD 4.2 mmBtu. The current price is USD 3.06. As per the workings (calculations) which we have made, which will be effective October 1, it is going to be somewhere around or even less than USD 2.5 per mmBtu." As per the new gas pricing formula approved by the NDA- government in October 2014, gas prices are to be revised every six months and the next change is due on October 1. The gas price was last slashed on April 1 to USD 3.06, from USD 3.82. On October 1 last year, the price of natural gas was lowered to USD 3.82, from USD 4.66. A price reduction on October 1 this year will put further pressure on finances of upstream producers that do not find the current rate higher enough to invest more in oil and gas hunt. "In terms of revenue, there will be a reduction of Rs 4,200 crore per dollar in a year. It translates into Rs 2,400 crore on the bottom line and Rs 4,200 crore on top line, Sarraf said. He went on to add that the government will support explorers if price is unremunerative. "I have full confidence that if our exploration or exploitation is not viable at USD 2.5 per mmBtu, then the government would definitely consider increase in price like they did for difficult fields," he said. The government had earlier this year approved marketing and pricing freedom for all undeveloped discoveries in difficult areas subject to a cap. The limit for April 1 to September 30 was USD 6.61 per mmBtu. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) One of the main accused and "muscleman" of the GB Road prostitution and human trafficking racket surrendered before the Crime Branch today. "Sarfaraz came to the Crime Branch office today around 2pm and surrendered. We were on the lookout for him ever since the racket was busted and Afaq and Saira Begum were arrested," said a senior Crime Branch officer. A team led by DCP (Crime) Bhisham Singh had been conducting raids across Bulandshahar where Sarfaraz alias Billi was suspected to be hiding. The police is also conducting raids in various cities of Uttar Pradesh to arrest other accused. Last month, Delhi Police had arrested a couple and their six associates for running a vast network of human trafficking and prostitution racket in the red light area of GB Road in the heart of national capital, booking them under provisions of the stringent MCOCA Act. Police had unearthed properties and bank deposits to the tune of several crores besides four luxury cars owned by the couple. They possessed four properties in Delhi and two in Bangalore apart from indirectly owning portions of half-a-dozen Kothas on G B Road. It was revealed that Sarfaraz was the muscleman of the racket and used to coordinate with other henchmen from other cities, the officer said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Central government employees can claim LTC if they travel to Jammu & Kashmir by any airline for two more years till September 25, 2018. "To boost tourism in Jammu & Kashmir, the government has decided to extend the facility to travel by any airline to visit Jammu & Kashmir on LTC under the Special Dispensation Scheme for central government employees for a period of two years beyond September 25, 2016," an official statement said. Earlier in June, the government had permitted its employees to travel to Jammu & Kashmir by private airlines till September 2016. Rules till then allowed government employees to travel by Air India only. A government employee gets to and fro journey cost reimbursed when he avails of LTC. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gujarat Governor O P Kohli today took over the additional charge as Governor of Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh High Court Acting Chief Justice Rajendra Menon administered the oath of office to Kohli at Raj Bhawan, which was attended by a battery of dignitaries including the State Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. With this, Kohli has become the 26th Governor of Madhya Pradesh. He has assumed the charge of office a day after Ram Naresh Yadav (89) demitted the office of MP Governor after completing his full five-year term. Yadav, a UPA appointee came under scanner after he was accused of rigging a forest guard recruitment test conducted by the infamous Vyavsayik Pariksha Mandal (Vyapam) in 2015. MP Special Task Force earlier probing Vyapam scam had booked the Governor for fraud and other sections of IPC. Thereafter, he moved the MP High Court for quashing the FIR against him. In May 2015, the High Court quashed the FIR against him, holding that he enjoyed immunity against prosecution while in office. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A man arrested for robbing a Heights credit union with a semiautomatic handgun on Wednesday has been charged with armed robbery and evidence tampering. David Lee Brown Jr., 39, is accused of using a gun to rob Valley Federal Credit Union, 1445 Main St., according to Yellowstone County Justice Court documents. He is being held at the Yellowstone County Detention Facility. Brown appeared Thursday in Yellowstone County Justice Court in front of Yellowstone County Justice of the Peace Pedro Hernandez who ordered Brown held in lieu of $100,000 bond. The robbery took place a little before 2:35 p.m. on Wednesday. Credit union employees told police a man walked in wearing dark clothing, gloves and a dark bandanna over his face, while holding a semiautomatic handgun, according to charging documents. Brown pointed the gun at an employee and told her to, "Fill the bag and no bait." The employee put $2,750 in the bag and handed it back to Brown, court documents state. Witnesses told law enforcement the suspect then ran into the Arby's parking lot and got into the passenger seat of a gray Ford Taurus while a blonde woman waited in the driver's seat. Credit union employees said a blonde woman had been in the bank earlier that day and left abruptly. The woman had written her name on some paperwork and officers tracked the woman and Brown to their home address. Brown and the woman, identified as Brown's wife, consented to a search of their gray Ford Taurus and their home. Officers found a $20 "bait bill" on the floor of the Taurus. A bait bill has a serial number that the bank keeps on file to track bills that may be stolen. Brown's wife told police she had gone to pick up her child from school and that was why she had left the bank so fast. She said that after she picked up her child, Brown had told her to drive to the Arby's parking lot by the credit union and wait there. A few minutes later, Brown came running to the car and told his wife to drive. Brown's wife told detectives she thought he might have robbed the bank, court documents state. Brown said he stole the money because he was using meth, and he owed money for drugs. He said a co-worker gave him a handgun, and the two had tried to rob some drug dealers earlier Wednesday but it hadn't worked, court documents state. The beleaguered Gupta family in South Africa has publicly released the annual revenue results of its company Oakbay in an attempt to dispel widespread views that they have benefited unduly from their close relationship to President Jacob Zuma. Announcing the unprecedented step of publicly releasing the results of a private company, Oakbay chief executive Nazeem Howa said government business made up only about eight per cent of the company's business. "I hope this will help audiences understand our operations and dispel some of the myths that have been built up about our Group - especially the myth that we are heavily reliant on Government business, when nothing could be further from the truth," Howa said. "We've been around for 20 years now in South Africa and in that time have grown from just eight employees to almost 8,000 today. We also paid R141 million as corporate income tax for the financial year." Howa said the Gupta company had created jobs and contributed to the South African economy through its taxes. "I honestly believe that we are a force for good in this country and we look forward to continuing to grow our business and create more jobs for our country - it is what South Africa desperately needs." The announcement came in the wake of a decision a fortnight ago by the three Gupta brothers, originally from India, that they would sell all their interests in the company by the end of the year. Earlier this year, all major South African banks and auditing firms withdrew their services from Oakbay. "Our South African bank accounts remain closed and we remain none the wiser as to why that is the case, despite asking the four relevant banks multiple times, for reasons. "In the light of the majority shareholders' announcement on 27 August regarding their intention to dispose of their Oakbay shareholdings, we intend to reach out in the coming weeks, again, to the four banks, and implore them to reopen our accounts," Howa said. The Guptas started their South African business operations with the IT company Sahara Computers and eventually branched out into mining and media as well. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Patna High Court today granted anticipatory bail to IPS officer Pushkar Anand who is facing the charge of sexual harassment of a woman deputy superintendent of police. The order was passed by Justice Anjana Mishra on his pre-arrest bail plea. Anand's counsel submitted that there was no medical evidence to substantiate the charge and asserted that the allegations were false and baseless. The Bihar police had issued an order for Anand's arrest on April 8, 2016 as the charge of sexual exploitation levelled against him by the woman police officer was prima facie found to be correct by a probe team. The woman police officer had lodged an FIR on December 29, 2014 against Anand for allegedly sexually harassing her on the pretext of marrying her when he was posted in Kaimur. Anand was posted as SP in Kaimur and the woman too was posted in the same district. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi High Court on Thursday set aside the Arvind Kejriwal-led government's order appointing 21 MLAs as parliamentary secretaries. A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal passed the order after the counsel appearing for Delhi government "conceded" that the March 13, 2015 order was issued without taking concurrence or views of Lieutenant Governor. Senior advocate Sudhir Nandrajog, who appeared for Delhi government, referred to the August 4 judgement passed by the High Court which had quashed several notifications issued by government on the ground that they were issued without taking concurrence of the LG. "Today I have to concede that the judgement (of August 4) stands against me (Delhi government)," Nandrajog told the bench. Taking into consideration the submissions advanced by the Delhi government, the bench said, "the impugned order of the GNCTD is set aside." During the brief hearing, Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain told the bench that the Election Commission was also seized of the matter pertaining to the appointment of 21 legislators as parliamentary secretaries. In its August 4 judgement, the High Court had held that Delhi was a Union Territory and LG remained its administrative head. The Centre had on July 13 opposed the appointment of 21 parliamentary secretaries by the Aam Aadmi Party government, saying the post neither finds place in the Constitution, nor does it find a place in the Delhi Members of Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualification) Act of 1997, except for the post of Parliamentary Secretary to the Chief Minister. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had told the court that such an appointment was "not covered by the law." The MHA had made the submission in an affidavit filed in response to the court's notice to the Centre on an NGO's PIL seeking quashing of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's order appointing 21 MLAs as Parliamentary Secretaries. In its affidavit, MHA had also said that Delhi government had tried to legalise the appointment of the 21 parliamentary secretaries by amending the Delhi Members of Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualification) Act, but the President has withheld his assent to the measure. On the last date, the high court had fixed the matter for hearing today after the Delhi government said that a petition has been moved before Election Commission for disqualification of the 21 MLAs and the poll panel has issued notice in that. On October 7 last year, the AAP government had defended its order appointing the parliamentary secretaries, saying this was done to assist the ministers and ensure its harmonious functioning. The AAP government had told the court that no office akin to the Council of Ministers has been created and no additional hierarchy was being imposed upon the legislative assembly. It had also stated that the parliamentary secretaries were not given any access to confidential documents which are exclusively within the domain of the Minister. The NGO Rashtriya Mukti Morcha had claimed in its plea that the Chief Minister had issued "unconstitutional and illegal order" in gross violation of the constitutional provisions and the Transaction of Business of the Government of the Capital Territory of Delhi rules, 1993. Denying the NGO's allegation, the Delhi government had said it was not bypassing the statutory functions of the LG. In a fresh jolt to the Arvind Kejriwal government, Delhi High Court today set aside its order appointing 21 AAP MLAs as parliamentary secretaries on the ground that it was issued without the concurrence of the Lieutenant Governor (LG). The order came around a month after the high court on August 4 held that the LG was the administrative head of the union territory of Delhi and his concurrence was "mandatory" in administrative issues. A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal set aside the March 13, 2015 order after the counsel appearing for the Delhi government "conceded" that it was issued without taking concurrence or views of the LG. Senior advocate Sudhir Nandrajog, appearing for the Delhi government, referred to the August 4 verdict and said, "Today, I have to concede that the judgement stands against me (Delhi government)." He said that the March 13, 2015 order, appointing 21 legislators as parliamentary secretaries, was issued without taking the concurrence or view of the LG. Taking note of the submissions, the bench said, "it has been conceded by the GNCTD that order dated March 13, 2015 was issued without seeking concurrence/view of the LG. The impugned order of the GNCTD is set aside following the ratio laid down (in the August 4 verdict)." The high court had passed the August 4 verdict on a batch of petitions arising out of the tussle between the Centre and the AAP government over LG's administrative powers on governance of the national capital. During the hearing today, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain told the bench that the Election Commission was also seized of the matter pertaining to appointment of these legislators as parliamentary secretaries. The court's order came on a petition by an NGO, Rashtriya Mukti Morcha, seeking quashing of the order. The Election Commission had on August 29 reserved its order on a plea by 21 AAP legislators, who had questioned the maintainability of a petition seeking their disqualification for holding the post of parliamentary secretaries which was alleged to be an office of profit. The Centre had on July 13 opposed the appointment of 21 parliamentary secretaries by the AAP government, saying the post neither finds place in the Constitution, nor does it find a place in the Delhi Members of Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualification) Act of 1997, except for the post of Parliamentary Secretary to the Chief Minister. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had told the court that such an appointment was "not covered by the law." The MHA had made the submission in an affidavit filed in response to the court's notice to the Centre on an NGO's plea. In its affidavit, MHA had also said that Delhi government had tried to legalise the appointment of the 21 parliamentary secretaries by amending the Delhi Members of Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualification) Act, but the President has withheld his assent to the measure. The Aam Aadmi Party government had earlier defended its order appointing the parliamentary secretaries, saying this was done to assist the ministers and ensure its harmonious functioning. The AAP government had told the court that no office akin to the Council of Ministers has been created and no additional hierarchy was being imposed upon the legislative assembly. It had also stated that the parliamentary secretaries were not given any access to confidential documents which are exclusively within the domain of the Minister. The NGO had claimed in its plea that the Chief Minister had issued "unconstitutional and illegal order" in gross violation of the constitutional provisions and the Transaction of Business of Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi rules, 1993. Denying the NGO's allegation, the Delhi government had said it was not bypassing the statutory functions of the LG. Himachal Pradesh government today signed a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore government for developing a smart integrated township in Jathiadevi near Shimla airport. The MoU was signed between Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA) and Asian Pacific Singapore Enterprise in the presence of Urban Development and Town and Country Planning and Housing minister Sudhir Sharma during a meeting here. Presiding over the meeting of delegates of the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE), government of Singapore and senior officers of the HIMUDA, Sharma said development of a smart integrated township near the state capital was an ambitious project of the government which would go a long way in decongesting the highly populated city. He said the population of Shimla has increased 10 times, which was initially developed for 25 thousand people only, resulting in congestion and over utilisation of infrastructure and it was high time for development of a smart integrated township outside the city with a state-of-the-art social, physical, institutional and economic infrastructure. He said HIMUDA has acquired 32 hectare land for developing this township at Jatiadevi which was connected by three national highways. "The preliminary MoU has been signed today for this project which will be expanded soon after detailed discussions between the two governments and the state is also looking forward to explore possibilities for expanding this MoU for more housing projects in the state as well", the minister said. He said a working group has been constituted with representatives from both the governments to chalk out plan, exchange of ideas and working on key factors for this new township, adding in order to enhance quality of life of the citizens and ensure social inclusion, boosting economic and environmental impact, the state government was working for developing smart integrated townships with futuristic planning. Kevin Chong, Director, Asia Pacific said SCE was very keen to assist HIMUDA in the project and the new township would be developed in a cost effective manner, smartly with Asian concept. He said the township would be developed as per the expectations of the state government and taking into consideration the topography and other conditions of this hilly state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Recognising terrorism as a significant threat to peace and stability in the region, India and the 10-member ASEAN today made a strong commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. "We express our determination to take concrete measures to step up cooperation and coordination among our law enforcement and security agencies," said a declaration at the end of the 14th ASEAN-India summit here, stressing that there can be no justification for acts of terror on any grounds. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the leaders attending the summit that "In the face of growing traditional and non-traditional challenges political security cooperation is a key emerging feeler of our relationships." Rising export of terror, growing radicalisation through ideology of hatred and spread of extreme violence defines landscape of common security threats to our societies, he said. "The threat is local, regional and transitional at the same time. Our partnership with ASEAN seeks to craft a response that relies on coordination cooperation at multiple levels," he noted. The countries recognised the need to counter and prevent the spread of violent extremism and radicalism that leads to acts of terrorism. ASEAN and India also supported the early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, currently under negotiation at the United Nations. "We agreed to cooperate towards addressing traditional and non-traditional security challenges, including in areas of deradicalization and prevention of violent extremism," the declaration added. The 10-member ASEAN includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and Canada have discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including the civil-nuclear cooperation between the two countries. The discussion was held during a meeting between Union minister Jitendra Singh and visiting Canada Minister for Natural Resources, James Gordon Carr, in New Delhi on Wednesday. The two leaders discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including civil-nuclear cooperation between the two countries, an official release issued said on Thursday. As a country with large energy requirements, India looks forward to promoting nuclear energy production at a significant scale and the two nations can jointly work to achieve this, said Singh, Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office. He referred to a common technological base of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor in which India and Canada are global leaders and it is an area offering opportunity of potential bilateral cooperation between the two countries. While recalling the traditional friendly relations between the two countries, Singh said the most distinctive feature of Indo-Canadian relations was that these had been consistently compatible, without even a single intervening phase of bitterness or unpleasantness. "This has helped the two countries to achieve positive collaboration in various sectors, including in the area of nuclear energy which is a success story," he said. Singh referred to the visit of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Canada in April 2015 during which a long term uranium procurement contract was signed by the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, with the Canadian Uranium producer CAMECO. Thereafter, the first consignment of Canadian uranium reached India in December 2015 and the second consignment is expected by November this year, he said. Singh expressed satisfaction over the Canadian delegation planning a visit to Mumbai where it will get an opportunity to interact with the scientists at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and the Department of Atomic Energy, the release said. Carr said that he looks forward to greater growth in Indo-Canadian cooperation during the years ahead. He also extended invitation to Singh to visit Canada at a time of his convenience. Pakistan today accused India of "destabilising" it by financing terrorism and supporting militancy, in a fresh rhetoric after Prime Minister Narendra Modi rapped Islamabad for producing and exporting terror. Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria at a weekly briefing here said, "India is a country destabilising Pakistan through its support for militancy". Responding to Modi's veiled reference towards Pakistan at international fora this week that "one single nation in South Asia is spreading agents of terror in countries of our region", Zakaria said: "India is in fact that single nation". "Confessional statement by Kulbhushan (Jadav) is open evidence to show which country is involved in subversive activities in Pakistan," he said, referring to an alleged Indian spy claimed by Pakistan to be arrested in Balochistan. To a question whether Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would raise Kulbhushan issues at UN General Assembly session, he said that issue of Indian involvement and its "atrocities" in Kashmir would be highlighted. "The issue (of Kulbhushan) will be raised because of its direct links with incidents of terrorism in Pakistan," he said. He expressed deep concern over the alleged human rights violations by Indian forces in Kashmir, saying several youths were killed and over 10,000 injured in the ongoing tension. He said Pakistan started briefing the world about Kashmir issue as 22 parliamentarians started visiting various countries as Prime Minister's envoys to highlight "barbarism and worst kind of human rights violations" in Kashmir. Replying to a question regarding India's stand that UN resolutions on Kashmir have become inapplicable after Shimla agreement, Zakaria said Shimla Agreement cannot overrule the UN resolutions. He alleged that India violated UN resolutions and also the Shimla Agreement. He also said India launched Balochi language services to divert world attention from the Kashmir issue. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India today said it was committed to the UN peacekeeping operations and provide troops for the UN missions as pledged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at the UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial summit, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Ramrao Bhamre highlighted India's "consistent and substantive response" over the past seven decades of peacekeeping operations. "More than 230,000 Indian troops have participated in 50 of the 71 UN peacekeeping operations mandated by the UN Security Council so far," the minister said here. "India has also aided in capacity building of many countries, training 114 prospective peacekeepers from 35 countries this year itself; with a special course each for African countries and for female peacekeepers," he said. Bhamre drew attention to the challenges being faced by UN peacekeeping, with armed groups and non-state actors playing "spoilers" to peace efforts. He said the Peacekeeping Missions are no longer "benign and humanitarian tasks" but a major facet of current UN missions. He exhorted the United Nations to work in sync with host governments to avoid "turbulence". He also voiced the need to bring about qualitative improvements in the performance of UN contingents, UN staff and mission leadership. The minister reiterated the issues raised by Modi in New York last year during the Leaders' Summit on Peacekeeping, including the necessity to involve Troop Contributing Nations in mandate formulation, representation in key leadership positions in mission areas; and above all, the requirement of a more representative Security Council. The London ministerial meeting, hosted by UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, is a follow-up to the Leaders' Summit in New York in 2015. Its agenda involved following up on the peacekeeping commitments made by countries during the US summit. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Air connectivity between major tourist destinations in Rajasthan will be enhanced from next week as the state government today signed an air services operations agreement with a private operator. The agreement was signed between the civil aviation department of the state government and Supreme Air Lines at state secretariat. In the first phase, flights would start from Jaipur to Jodhpur and Udaipur next week. Thereafter, flights would operate from other cities as well at cheaper rates, a government release said. The company would operate intra-state flights for six days a week with 9-seater plane Sesana Caravan-C 208B. The minimum airfare has been fixed at Rs 3,499. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) MISSOULA Richard Raugust is a free man. The Sanders County Attorneys Office has dismissed its 1997 deliberate homicide case against him after a judge overturned Raugusts life sentence conviction last year. "I'm finally back as a free member of society," Raugust, 50, said Thursday at a news conference at the Montana Innocence Project, which took up his case in 2009. Raugust was convicted in 1998 of the Trout Creek death of his friend Joe Tash. In November 2015, after the Montana Innocence Project filed an appeal citing new evidence, District Court Judge James Wheelis overturned the conviction, freeing Raugust from prison and granting him a new trial. In late August the state, which had initially appealed Wheelis' decision, dropped the motion, an early indication of Wednesday's move by the county attorney's office to dismiss the case entirely. Missoula attorney Brett Schandelson, who worked pro bono with the Montana Innocence Project and who represented Raugust in his request for a new trial, said Raugust is the first, but will be not the last, client of the organization to be exonerated. The Montana Innocence Project found new evidence related to Raugusts case, including testimony that wasnt presented to the jury, and made that one of the claims they used to successfully petition for his conviction to be overturned. That evidence is why Richard is standing here today, Schandelson said. In July 1997 Tash's body was found inside a camp trailer near Trout Creek. He'd been shot in the head with a shotgun. Raugust, Tash and a man named Rory Ross had been drinking at the Naughty Pine Saloon the previous evening until bar time. Since being charged, Raugust has remained committed to his status as an innocent man, saying he'd stayed in town at another house so he could get to work in the morning while his best friend Tash and Ross returned to the camper to continue to party. During the trial in 1998, Ross said he never dropped Raugust off at the house, and that he saw the shooting happen. Spencer Veysey, an investigator who worked at the Montana Innocence Project until his death in 2015, found a conflicting viewpoint from Sanders County deputy Wayne Abbey, who said he saw the brake lights of Ross car go on at the intersection where Raugust said he was let out, and saw the interior dome light turn on. This information was suppressed by the prosecution and never presented to the defense team or told to the jury at the trial. During an evidentiary hearing on Raugusts petition for a new trial in December 2014, Ross refused to testify, agreeing with a question from the judge that he was worried he would say something incriminating. According to Judge Wheelis ruling from last year, Ross had made statements to other people that he was the one who killed Tash. Sanders County Attorney Robert Zimmerman did not return a request for comment on whether his office would pursue a homicide charge against Ross. In addition, two jurors from the trial later told the Montana Innocence Project they felt pressured to change their not-guilty votes after the trial judge asked for them to reach a unanimous conclusion, saying the state could not afford the cost of re-trying Raugusts case. Raugust said Thursday that now the case is fully behind him, he is ready to move forward with his life. Ill try to get my writing career off the ground, he said. In the spring, Raugust published a book of poetry he wrote during his more than 18 years in prison, entitled Fishers of Trout and Men: Protectors of the Realm. He said he also intends to continue working with the Montana Innocence Project, helping to screen potential cases and helping them generate more awareness for their work. Ireland's Parliament battled through an ill-tempered debate to vote in favour of appealing a European Commission ruling ordering the country to collect billions of euros in unpaid taxes from tech giant . Parliament voted 93-36 yesterday to support the appeal against the ruling that Ireland must collect 13 billion euros ($15 billion) from . The decision followed a heated debate in Dublin during which Prime Minister Enda Kenny asserted the EU ruling "could not be allowed to stand", insisting Ireland had "played by the rules" when it came to its tax treatment of . The Commission ruled last week that Apple had received favourable tax terms that amounted to state aid -- illegal under its rules. Ireland's decision to challenge the ruling reflects fears that accepting the windfall could scare away investment, undermining a reputation for business-friendliness that is a cornerstone of the country's economy. Kenny has refused to distribute the 150-page European Commission report to lawmakers, citing "commercial sensitivities". Gerry Adams, leader of opposition party Sinn Fein, spoke out against the appeal. "We want like Apple in Ireland," he said. "But this doesn't mean one should turn a blind eye to tax evasion or avoidance." The Commission's ruling against Apple was met with a warning from Washington that the move could damage hugely important transatlantic economic ties. Ireland's two main parties, Kenny's Fine Gael and the opposition Fianna Fail, which supports the minority government, backed the appeal. But Sinn Fein, which increased its support in elections earlier this year on an anti-austerity platform, vehemently argued that to do so meant "defending the indefensible". The party's finance spokesman Pearse Doherty said Apple had operated "a sort of untaxed Bermuda Triangle" facilitated by Ireland. Opinion polls reflected the divisive nature of the ruling with many people arguing in favour of Apple paying the back taxes. The government claims Apple has paid the full amount due to the Irish state from 2004 to 2014 and denies it gave it "selective treatment". The European Commission meanwhile says Apple paid an effective corporate tax rate of just 0.005 per cent on its European profits in 2014 -- equivalent to just 50 euros for every million. President Francois Hollande said today that Islam could co-exist with secularism, warning in a key speech seen as preparing the ground for a re-election bid that the anti-terror fight should not undermine French values. The deeply unpopular Hollande has yet to announce whether he will run for a second term next year, but is widely expected to be a candidate. In a speech on terrorism and democracy in Paris he defended the country's Muslim minority following a vitriolic debate on the banning of the Islamic burkini swimsuit. "Nothing in the idea of secularism opposes the practice of Islam in France, provided it respects the law," Hollande said. Secularism was not a "state religion" to be used against other religions, he said, denouncing the "stigmatisation of Muslims." Mayors in around 30 French towns this summer cited the country's century-old secular laws in banning head-to-toe swimwear on their beaches, unleashing a furore. Several of the towns later revoked the bans after France's highest administrative court ruled they were a "serious" violation of basic freedoms. Hollande rejected calls by conservatives, including his arch-rival, former president Nicolas Sarkozy, for a ban on the burkini, saying it would be "unconstitutional". As to whether Islam can co-exist with a secular French state, like Christianity and Judaism do, he insisted: "My answer is yes, certainly." "The question the Republic must answer is: Is it really ready to embrace a religion that it did not expect to be this big over a century ago. There too, my answer is yes, certainly. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairman Justice H L Dattu today expressed satisfaction about Jharkhand government being vigilant in disposing off issues related to human rights pertaining to SC/ST and other the weaker sections. The NHRC continuously takes note of such issues and reviews action taken by the governments, an official release said quoting H L Dattu. Talking to reporters after an open camp at Dhurwa in Ranchi today, Dattu said the Commission heard 15 matters on the first day with six of them being disposed off with the direction to give the victims Rs nine lakh as compensation. During a hearing of people coming from fluoride and arsenic-hit places, the Commission asked the state government to provide district-wise report and an action taken report within three months of the problem. The Commission also asked to pay compensation to the family a person who died of Silicosis disease, the release said. The NHRC sought a report from the state government on illegal coal mining and issued notices to Coal India Chairman-cum-Managing Director asking to send reports in this connection, the release said. The Commission evinced interest to know the condition of land after completion of coal mining. The other members of the Commission were Justice C Joseph, Murugesan and S C Sinha. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Jeremy Renner has settled another dispute with his ex-wife Sonni Pacheo over child support. The 45-year-old actor and Pacheco have been at loggerheads since they divorced in 2015 after spending just 10 months as a married couple. In the latest dispute, Pacheo claimed that the "Avengers" actor was behind in child support payments for their three-year-old daughter Ava but he has now settled the issue by agreeing to pay USD 16,000 in child support as well as USD 24,000 for her lawyer and accountant. Pacheo has also claimed that "American Hustle" actor has been posting too many pictures of their daughter on social media, despite Renner previously stating that he doesn't show Ava's face in order to "protect" her. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) JNU students guilty of violating varsity norms in connection with the controversial February 9 incident have been granted permission by the varsity to cast vote in the student union polls scheduled tomorrow. The names of the 21 students, who have been imposed varied penalty for their alleged role in the sedition row, were earlier dropped from the voter list for the JNUSU polls with the administration claiming that they need to pay their fine in order to be eligible to cast their franchise. However, with the Delhi High Court ordering a stay on the punishments, the varsity has included their name in the list. "The proctor's office has given permission to all of us to cast our votes in the union elections," Rama Naga, former JNUSU General Secretary said. Ishita Mana, the Election Commissioner for the JNUSU polls said the administrative officer of the respective schools of these students have granted permission to them and hence their names have been included in the voters list. The appellate authority, which heard the pleas of the 21 JNU students who were penalised in connection with the controversial February 9 event, had found all of them guilty of indiscipline even as the financial penalty imposed on some of them has been reduced. The 21 students were slapped with varied punishments ranging from rustication, hostel debarment to financial penalty on basis of the probe by the HLEC which found them guilty of violation of disciplinary norms. Three students including JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar were arrested in a sedition case filed over the event on campus against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru during which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised. Delhi High Court had directed JNU to keep the punishments on hold until next hearing of the petition filed by the students. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Johnny Depp has joined the the cast of upcoming crime thriller "Labyrinth", which follows the investigation into the murders of rappers Tupac Shakur and Notorious BIG. The 53-year-old star has signed on to play real-life Los Angeles police detective Russell Poole, who was responsible for investigating the deaths of the rap icons, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "Labyrinth" will be directed by Brad Furman, who also helmed films like "Lincoln Letter" and "The Infiltrator". The movie is an adaptation of "Labyrinth: A Detective Investigates the Murders of Tupac Shakur and Notorious BIG". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Television journalist Sachin Kheda today died at a private hospital here where he was undergoing treatment after which his relatives alleged that medical negligence was responsbile for his death. Sachin's brother Ashish has complained against one doctor and other doctors of ICU who were treating him, police said. "According to Ashish's complaint, Sachin was admitted to the hospital on August 29 due to stomach ache. He was discharged on September 1. However, his condition deteriorated and he was again admitted on September 2," a police spokesperson said. "He was being treated by Dr Amit Miglani. At the request of the relatives, Miglani was replaced by another doctor who diagnosed Sachin with chikungunya. On September 7, Sachin had trouble breathing after which he was admitted to ICU where he died this morning," he added. Sachin's relatives are alleging that the doctors either gave him wrong medicine or overdose of some medicine leading to his death. They are also alleging the doctors of witholding Sachin's actual situation from them and misleading them. "The postmortem has been done. Any further action will be taken on the basis of the postmortem report," ACP Mujesar Rajesh Chechi said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Government will use both firmness and compassion in dealing with the unrest in Kashmir even as it appears not averse to talks with separatists but not before violence comes to an end. As Eid-ul Azha, slated for September 13, is approaching, the government expects the situation to improve as it has a feeling that people would like to celebrate the occasion, despite the strike call extended by separatists till September 16. As the violence has still not abated, top government sources say that the state will assert itself against trouble makers while civilians will be treated with "compassion". In this regard, the government is willing to provide the best medical care even to those injured in clashes with security forces. It also refuses to buy the theory of victim hood by trouble makers who first instigate violence and then claim sufferings because of retaliatory action by the security forces. The dual strategy appears to be the government's approach amid demands for initiating a dialogue process with all stakeholders in the state. On the external front, the government appears to be in no mood for a dialogue with Pakistan which, it is convinced, is "100 per cent" behind the current unrest in Kashmir and has taken a "complete U-turn" by injecting bitterness in the relations. There is also no clarity on whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Pakistan to attend the SAARC Summit in November, with the sources saying there is still time to decide on it. There is an assessment in the government that Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who had been cordial and warm in relations with Modi since his swearing-in two years back, has been weakened after Panama papers expose and increasing pressure from the all-powerful military. This, they said, has compelled him to spew venom against India, which has come as a complete surprise. As far as raking up of Balochistan is concerned, the sources said it was a deliberate policy of India to hit back at Pakistan over human rights issues. India, they made it clear, has no intention of spreading terrorism there and its policy is limited to highlighting the human rights problems in the region where Pakistan is using tanks and air raids against its own people. Seeking to give a perspective to the current situation in Kashmir, the sources in the government said there has to be a distinction between trouble makers and common civilians. But the problem is that in a complete change from the earlier phases of trouble like in 2008 and 2010, there has been a transition from sufism to wahabi Islam, giving rise to fundamental elements. The sources said the argument that stone pelters, who instigate violence, are not wrong but those trying to control the situation are in the wrong, a reference to security forces. About separatists, who had a political constituency, the sources said there is a question mark now on their own space and politics. The government, however, is not averse to talking to the separatists, including Hurriyat Conference, once the cycle of violence ends and they show inclination towards dialogue, unlike the rebuff given to some MPs who recently tried to reach out to them by visiting them. With regard to demands from even mainstream national political parties for dilution of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), the sources said there cannot be any compromise on this aspect as terrorists do not respect geography when it comes to their actions. The state has to assert and cannot be seen as weak when it comes to the question of security, sovereignty and integrity, they said. In this context, the sources noted that Burhan Wani, whose killing on July 8 triggered the current unrest, was a declared Hizbul Mujahideen commander carrying a reward announced by the previous UPA government. The government cannot countenance the argument that he should not be killed because he was a big militant. The sources noted that it has made repeated attempts for outreach, with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh travelling thrice and the all-party delegation once to Kashmir. A Kerala-based NGO working under HRD Ministry today bagged the UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy for its literacy-linked skill development activities. The Jan Sikshan Sansthan (JSS), based in Malappuram, won the award for its activities in the field of lifelong education and skill development programme in rural areas, aiming to help underprivileged individuals achieve better livelihood. JSS Malappuram chairman and Rajya Sabha member P V Abdul Wahab and the unit's director V Ummerkoya received the award at a ceremony in Paris that marked 50th anniversary celebrations of UNESCO's literacy programmes. A panel discussion was held to identify inter-relations between literacy and other sustainable development goals. According to a statement by Wahab, he presented his views about implementing a programme adopting an inter-sectoral approach linking literacy with agriculture and other livelihoods. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) This Thursday, Sept. 8, marks the 50th anniversary of the airing of the very first episode of Star Trek on NBC. At the time, movie and TV industry bible Variety called it an incredible and dreary mess of confusion and complexities. Confusing and complex as the show might have been for certain audiences in 1966, it paved the way for serious sci-fi in popular culture and proved to have just a bit of staying power of its own. Despite lasting a mere two and three-quarters seasons before being canceled for low ratings, Star Trek went on to spawn five more TV series, 13 films, a dedicated fan base around the world and a merchandising empire that shows no sign of slowing even after five decades. Given the hoopla over the fan-faves golden anniversary, this Thursday seems like perfect (and none too coincidental) timing to check out the new documentary For the Love of Spock. It is, as the title suggests, a warm paean to late Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy and the character he created and embodied, perfectly logical Vulcan science officer Mr. Spock. The film is the work of director Adam Nimoy, who you can probably guess with little effort is the son of Leonard Nimoy. The film was started as a collaboration between father and son, but the elder Nimoy became ill and passed away suddenly in February of 2015. That left Adam with little choice but to turn his film into a sort of cinematic memorium to an actor and a character that spent the better part of five decades more or less inseparable. Adams knowledge of Star Trek appears encyclopedic, and he puts it to good use here, offering up a wealth of well-chosen footage from the original series. Naturally, nearly all of the original actors are interviewed (William Shatner, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols), singing the praises of Mr. Nimoy. The rebooted cast from J.J. Abrams Kelvin Timeline films (Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness, Star Trek Beyond) also shows up in droves (Chris Pine, Simon Pegg, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana) to say how much they liked the guy. And its not idle fanboy praise either. Nimoy was the only original castmember they worked with. (Pegg gets particularly excited, but the most emotional moments are saved for Quinto, who inherited the role of Spock for a new generation.) Even tangential Hollywood figures (Jim Parsons from the Star Trek-worshipping series Big Bang Theory) get to reminisce about their experiences with the generous actor. Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) offers up his spot-on Shatner imitation. Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson even finds time to drop by and gush. Adams knowledge of Star Trek appears encyclopedic, and he puts it to good use here, offering up a wealth of well-chosen footage from the original series. If this all sounds like too much hagiography, it isnt. The film is touching without being cloying. Nimoy was beloved even outside the universe of Star Trek. (He was a renowned photographer, a director, a stage actor.) Nobody has a bad word to say about the guy. (Lest you think this is simply a function of blind fan worship, look at the sort of things that have been said about William Shatner over the years.) Nimoy isnt portrayed as a total saint, either. The film touches on his drinking problems, which led to a stint in rehab and formed another (less positive) connection between father and son. Clearly, this is an act of mourning on the part of the filmmaker. But its a joyful one, focussed on love and healing. In addition to all the public praise of Nimoy, theres a lot of talk on Adams part about the private Nimoy. The two werent always on the best of terms. Nimoys career kept him away from family for most of his life. We hear how the father-and-son relationship evolved over the years. Obviously, in making this deeply personal tribute, Adam Nimoy has few regrets or hard feelings. He wants people to know how much his father was loved in life and beyond. The praise is both heartfelt and infectious. Obviously, this film is aimed hardest at hardcore Star Trek fans. Given their obsessive nature, there isnt much new or revelatory that this film is likely to spring on them about either Nimoy or the creation of his indelible character. But thats fine. Such people dont watch The Corbomite Maneuver for the 13th time for the surprise factor. On the other hand, Nimoys Mr. Spock is such an icon that this film could (and should) appeal to casual viewers curious about a major moment in pop cultural history. For 50 years Star Trek, its storylines and the characters within it have been part of our nations film and TV heritage. For the love of Spock, lets all celebrate it. Marsy's Law would be redundant in Yellowstone County, where the county attorney's office already works to balance the needs of the victim with justice. The law, a Montana constitutional amendment proposed by an initiative petition, would add a new section to the Montana Constitution outlying the rights of crime victims. The law would hit Billings and Laurel city attorneys harder than Yellowstone County attorneys, where many of the notification requirements are already in place. Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito has made communication with victims a priority in his office. Twito's office employs seven victim-witness coordinators who focus on helping victims through the criminal justice system. Twito said his office could do a better job beefing up its web presence to help victims understand their rights. California has its police officers provide Marsy's Law cards to victims that detail their rights. Cards would relieve some of the burden from city attorneys' offices, whose cases move much faster than in state court. Kings County, Calif., District Attorney Keith Fagundes said the implementation of Marsy's Law hasn't been a burden to his office. He said good prosecutors know speaking with a victim regularly helps a case. He said Marsy's Law did help to make the experience for victims more uniform across the state, since not all prosecutors think the way he does about calling victims. "If it means a little more work for the prosecutor, good," Fagundes said. Madera County Supervising District Attorney John Baker has been a prosecutor in California for almost 17 years. Madera County has the same population as Yellowstone County with a higher crime rate. Baker said a county the size of Yellowstone is doing well if they have seven victim-witness coordinators. Baker said after the implementation of Marsy's Law a lot of the work fell on the victim-witness advocates. They need to be proactive about finding victims and standing up to prosecutors who try to plead out cases. Victim-witness Coordinator Angie Fox handles on average anywhere from 180 to 200 felony cases involving victims. Victim-witness coordinators are not in the prosecutor's office to make sure victims get justice, they are there to make sure victims have access to justice. In addition to informing victims, the coordinators issue subpoenas, organize video testimony and keep statistical data on victims. In 2015, the Yellowstone County Commissioners said the County Attorneys office could replace a legal assistant with a victim-witness coordinator. Several years ago, Fox said, the coordinators were drowning. Now, the workload can be challenging, but it's more manageable. It isn't clear what effect Marsy's Law would have on staffing levels in Twito's office, he said. Seven victim-witness coordinators are employed by the Yellowstone County Attorney's office. One coordinator handles cases in Yellowstone County Justice Court and one handles juvenile cases. The five others split the county's felony case load of about 1,500 cases between them. About 500 of those cases were drug possession cases, which is a crime where "society" is considered the victim. When the county attorney's office gets a new case, Fox calls the victim in the case and introduces herself. From there, Fox offers to help the victim meet with the prosecutor assigned to the case. If the charges are later filed in District Court, Fox will mail the victim information, including a claim form for the crime victim compensation fund. Benefits may be awarded whether or not the offender was apprehended or prosecuted. Victims may request a weekly call from Fox. Fox tries to call victims prior to a plea deal being offered by a prosecutor, but prosecutors sometimes move quicker than Fox can get in touch with a victim. If that happens, a victim will be told after the offer is made. Baker said this an area that will change for prosecutors if Marsy's law is passed, requiring they speak with the victim prior to offering a plea deal. The victim must be informed of the terms of the deal, though the prosecutor does not need to follow the victim's recommendation. Every victim is given a chance to be heard by the judge in their case at sentencing, Fox said. "Not everything they want done is going to happen, but they are at least going to get a chance to say what they want done," Fox said. After sentencing, Fox sends victims what she refers to as a "final notice." In it, victims will receive information signing up for victim notification from the Montana Department of Corrections. After that, Fox's involvement with the case ends. The teenage son of a minister in Pakistan's troubled Balochistan province, who was abducted by unknown armed men in May this year, was recovered near the Pak-Afghan border. Asad Tareen who was kidnapped while returning home from college in Pishin district on May 20 was recovered from the Dolangi area in Killa Abdullah district yesterday. Tareen is the son of Balochistan's local government minister Sardar Mustafa Tareen. According to Deputy Commissioner Pishin Abdul Wahid Kakar, Asad Tareen had been shifted to Quetta under tight security. It is not yet clear whether Asad was recovered as a result of a security forces operation or after the payment of ransom. Shahbaz Taseer, the son of former slain Punjab governor, Salman Taseer was recovered in March from the Balochistan province after spending five years in captivity. He was kidnapped by militants and kept in Afghanistan. In May, Ali Haider the son of former Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani who was kidnapped from Multan was recovered from Afghanistan after three years in captivity of militant outfits. The son of Chief Justice of Sindh High Court was also recovered in July. Karachi which is Pakistan's economic hub and biggest city has for years been a hotbed for criminals, gangsters and militants who are involved in kidnapping for ransom, target killings, sectarian violence, terrorism, bank robberies and other crimes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Ministry of Labour and Employment will celebrate September 17 as 'Vishwakarma Dinotsav' in commemoration of Vishwakarma and the role of handicrafts men, toolmen, labourers and industrialists, Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said today. He said on the eve of the Vishwakarma Dinotsav (on September 16), the best workmen and industrialists will be given awards in New Delhi, according to an official release. On Vishwakarma Day, three aspects - on minimum wage of Rs 10,500, revision of Maternity Benefit Act and revision of Bonus Act - will be given emphasis to bring about awareness among the workmen, the minister said. The government has recently enhanced the minimum wages for the workmen to Rs 10,500 per month in C category areas for unskilled worker. Also, the minimum wage has been revised for semi-skilled, skilled, highly skilled Workmen. "To this extent, notification was issued and all the state governments have been addressed to implement the minimum wage of Rs 10,500. About 85 lakh contract workers would be benefited through this Central government measure," he said. The revision of Maternity Benefit Act and enhancement of maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks and as paid leave, is applicable in all establishments, both public and private. About 35 lakh will be benefited through this Central government measure, he said adding "the state governments have been told to implement this welfare measure". He further said that revision of Bonus Act and enhancement of eligibility limit from Rs 10,000 to Rs 21,000 per month will benefit about 50 lakh labourers. "The enhancement of wage ceiling for the coverage of employees under ESI Act, 1948 has been done and the same is from Rs 15,000 to Rs 21,000 per month and those employees whose wage is more than Rs 21,000 and upto Rs 25,000 can exercise option for coverage under ESI Act," Dattatreya said. He also announced that new Sub-Regional Provident Fund Offices will be opened at Khammam (in Telangana), Vijayawada and Kurnool (in Andhra Pradesh) as a part of extension of Provident Fund facilities to more persons. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Minister Pema Khandu today virtually conceded in the Assembly that law and order in Arunachal Pradesh was deteriorating and said it would have an adverse impact on the state in the long run. During short duration discussion on the subject, the Chief Minister told the Assembly, "Law and order is not related to police department alone ... All sections of the society are equal stakeholders." Unemployment is the major cause behind in the rise in crime in the state, Khandu said, adding that the government has adopted various measures for creating self-employment avenues for youth through skill development. The lawmakers expressed grave concern over the situation and urged the government to take immediate corrective measures. Accordingly, the government had discussed the issue with National Investment Council recently, he added. "Growing numbers of educated youth have no jobs. For this a policy will be evolved soon to generate employment in various potential sectors to address the problems of the youth," Khandu, who is also the home minister, said. Responding to various suggestions by the legislators, Khandu assured them of convening a special meeting soon involving community based organisations (CBOs) and legislators to discuss the issue. He accepted lacunae in police department and said recruitments for 1170 sanctioned posts for it under various categories could not be made so far. "The morale of police is down due to lack of promotion," he said and cited time-bound promotion in Delhi Police for uniform recruitment rule which is different for civil police and IRBn in the state. Khandu said though police modernisation process was on, lack of resources were hindering the process and urged the civil society to stand united to contain crimes. There is no dearth of laws to contain crimes but for its implementation, it was essential for all CBOs and youth leaders to work in close coordination with police, he said. (REOPENS CAL 3) The law and order issue was raised in the house by ruling Congress MLA Pani Taram during a short duration discussion. He referred to a memorandum submitted to Speaker Tenzing Norbu Thongdok by various CBOs pleading him to convene a special session of the assembly to discuss the situation. The situation in the state is alarming with reports of rape, extortion, murder increasing with every passing day, he said adding that until police department has adequate manpower and sophisticated arms, the crime rate would continue to rise. "Efforts should be made to bring the public close to police and people should be made aware on the dos and don'ts of unlawful activities to bring crime under control," Taram suggested, adding that police officers who were not performing should be given voluntary retirement. Interference of politicians in police, magistrate and judicial actions should be totally stopped, he said and urged the chief minister to draw up an effective policy to curb it. A week after formulating stringent guidelines for granting parole to the convicts, Maharashtra government appears to be in a dilemma with reports of some convicts at Yerwada central prison near Pune threatening to launch a protest. After Sajjad Moghul, convicted for murder of Mumbai-based lawyer Pallavi Purkayastha, jumped parole, the government came up with new guidelines based on the Centre's 'model prison manual'. Under the new rules, convicts, in the cases of extreme emergency, can apply for parole of 45 days without any further extension. Speaking to reporters, Principal Secretary (Appeals and Security, Home) Vijay Satbir Singh said the new rules are applicable to only two per cent of the convicts, those who are convicted for serious crimes like rape and murder. "There is a reddressal mechanism in the form of a high- powered committee set up by the Bombay High Court to deal with practical difficulties," he said. "If the problems are genuine, required action can be taken." Justifying the stringent rules, he said the government could not imperil the safety of ordinary citizens. "The government needs to ensure that the convicts, while out on parole, do not disturb the peace in the society," he said. Singh also clarified that the new guidelines were not applicable to undertrials. "The guidelines were made stringent so as to prevent convicts like Moghul from jumping the parole," Singh said. Attempts to dilute the guidelines will be counter-productive, he said, adding that "basic architecture" of the new policy and its "core" will remain the same, even if there is some tinkering. Tracing Moghul was becoming difficult due to the current unrest in Jammu and Kashmir from where he hails, Singh said. Earlier parole was granted for 30 days with provision of further extensions. "If the convicts face any problems these can be looked into by the grievance redressal mechanism set up by the HC," Singh said. He said there are 54 prisons in Maharashtra which have about 30,000 inmates. Of these, 70 per cent are undertrials. Nashik central jail, where Moghul was lodged, is the largest one and can accommodate 2,000 convicts. Singh said 41 convicts lodged in this prison have jumped parole since 2014. Cab aggregator Ola today partnered with the Mahindra group that will help foster entrepreneurship among drivers as well as boost the latter's earnings by around Rs 2,600 crore over the next two years. While Mahindra follows its rival Tata Motors which has joined hands with Uber, for Ola this is the second such alliance having been tied up with Nissan India to buy and lend cars to its drivers. These alliances come on the heels of a string of tie-ups between online taxi services and automakers both globally as well as here, to cash in on the rising demand and popularity of these services. The domestic taxi market is worth nearly around Rs 80,000 crore or around USD 12 billion. Under the alliance, M&M and its group companies in the financial insurance and its used car/bike arm Mahindra First Choice, will sell products (its sole car brand Verito to begin with) and services to Ola. With this, it will earn an additional Rs 2,600 crore over the next two years when it hopes to sell around 40,000 units, Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra told reporters here announcing the tie-up. If the alliance works out as planned, it will give be a big boost to Mahindra, as it has been struggling with its only car model Verito, managing to sell around 200 units a month. The Verito has originally come from its erstwhile French partner Renault. Asked whether the tie-up is only for Verito, the company officials did not offer a clear answer. Mahindra said the company has set a target of selling 20,000 units this year through this alliance and double it over the next two years. Ola, on the other hand will get access to a one-stop-shop for vehicles and services for its drivers under which the company hopes to foster entrepreneurship. The alliance will provide 100 per cent financing to buy Mahindra cars or used card through its platform Mahindra First Choice, apart from providing parts and after sales at discounts. Earlier this year, Mahindra had expressed concern over the growth of ride-sharing and cab aggregators, terming them as disruptors detrimental to automakers as this will lead to lower car/vehicle ownerships. However, clarifying the statement, Mahindra today said what he meant was going forward both will have to work together to create a shared ecosystem for mobility and this demand for shared ecosystem will only increase, which will also see faster adoption of electric vehicles following the massive drop in battery prices. Globally also, auto companies are sewing up such alliances. In May this year, the world's largest auto maker Toyota had said it would invest in Uber Inc to create flexible vehicle leasing terms. The second largest auto major Volkswagen had signed a USD 300-million agreement with Gett to develop self-driving cars apart from boosting car-sharing, limo rides and taxi services. General Motors had also pumped in USD 500 million in Lyft to develop self-driving cars. Ola co-founder and chief executive Bhavish Aggarwal said going forward electric vehicles will drive the urban markets as cheaper batteries can bring down prices massively. Aggarwal said this alliance is not exclusive and that his company will look at more such alliances to attain its goal of over a million drivers under its platform. The Bombay High Court today asked the Maharashtra government to undertake measures on a warfooting to keep the beaches safe as immersion of Ganesh idols in Arabian sea is on. The measures should include deployment of sufficient number of lifeguards on beaches, said a division bench headed by Justice Abhay Oka while hearing a public interest litigation. The bench said the government resolution (GR) of September 8, 2006 on measures to ensure safety of people on beaches in the state should be implemented. The court directed the state to file a compliance report by October 10. The judges said that several people had drowned as the government had not complied with its own resolution pertaining to beach security. It asked the government to comply with its GR and implement the measures listed therein to ensure safety on beaches. The resolution was issued by the Maharashtra government on September 8, 2006 but till date it has not been implemented, it noted. "According to the resolution, numerous measures have to be taken, which include appointment of lifeguards as per requirement and putting up safety nets on beaches frequented by the people. However, till date the state government has not ascertained how many lifeguards are required per beach. Beaches which require safety nets have also not been identified," the judges said. The Maharashtra chief secretary had held a meeting on March 3, 2016, for implementation of the GR and had directed that safety measures such as lifeguards, watchtowers, lifeboats, life jackets be put into operation within three months. While that period has lapsed, nothing has been done by the state to ensure safety of tourists on beaches, the court said. The bench was hearing a PIL filed by Janhit Manch, an NGO, on the issue of beach safety in the wake of the incident off Murud Janjira beach near Alibaug, in which 14 students, ten of them girls, drowned earlier this year. One of the lawyers had on the previous hearing submitted that only 62 lifeguards had been appointed in 45 beaches while Goa had managed to hire 600. Acting Advocate General Rohit Deo had said that Maharashtra's case could not be compared to Goa which had "outsourced safety." Deo had also referred to a case where people drowned due to their own fault despite the lifeguards on the beach asking them to move away. The court had then said, "Even if people died due to their own fault, the state's obligation cannot be forgotten. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police in the Maldives raided the offices of a local media organisation just hours after a documentary aired accusing President Abdulla Yameen and his government of corruption, journalists said today. Police searched the seven-storey building housing the Maldives Independent website whose editor was quoted in the Al Jazeera documentary aired last night detailing high-level graft allegations. "We believe the search was part of an attempt at intimidation," a Maldives Independent journalist told AFP. "They looked at rooms and even the toilets, but took only a broken CCTV unit." There was no immediate comment from the police. The documentary is the latest twist in a protracted political crisis that has dented the Indian Ocean archipelago's reputation as an upmarket holiday destination and raised international alarm about an erosion of democracy. Al Jazeera said the documentary was based on data including emails and text messages it had obtained between key officials of Yameen's administration allegedly implicating them in graft and other criminal activity. The editor of the Maldives Independent left the country before the documentary aired, fearing the government would slap charges against her under a tough defamation law. Former Maldives auditor-general Niyaz Ibrahim, who alleged in the documentary financial irregularities under the Yameen regime, also reportedly left the country on Wednesday night fearing persecution. Yameen's government labelled the documentary disappointing, saying it mostly contained allegations revealed in an official report by Ibrahim that were already being probed by Maldives' authorities. "The Maldives government would request that all evidence obtained by Al Jazeera be handed to the Maldives Police Services or the Anti-Corruption Commission so as to assist it with their own investigations," the foreign ministry said in a statement posted on its website today. The "Stealing Paradise" documentary, by Al Jazeera journalist Will Jordon, a former editor of the Maldives Independent, shows what it says are leaked messages from former vice-president Ahmed Adeeb's phone to various officials discussing payments. In June, Adeeb was jailed for 15 years on a charge of plotting to assassinate Yameen -- part of a sweeping crackdown on opponents, most of whom are in jail or exile. Yameen's administration faces international criticism over the crackdown along with the jailing last year of the country's first democratically elected president, Mohamed Nasheed who has since obtained asylum in Britain. The Maldives last week issued an arrest warrant for Nasheed for failing to return to the nation to complete his jail sentence after receiving medical care in Britain. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With a number of shareholders asking for a stock-split, country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) today said it will put the matter before the company's board for taking it forward. "A common demand or request I think of all shareholders was about share split and certainly I can assure that we will put this matter before board for consideration as what should be done in this matter," MSI's Chairman R C Bhargava said while responding to the shareholders during Annual General Meeting (AGM) here. Shareholders of the company have been demanding for stock-split saying that such a move would increase retail participation in MSI's scrip. The company's shares are trading at an all-time high, and was up by 1.61 per cent to Rs 5,422 on BSE in the afternoon trade today. Bhargava said the company's board has approved a dividend of Rs 35 per share for the current fiscal up from Rs 25 last year. Answering queries of shareholders on volatility in the yen and its impact on the company, Bhargava said MSI has been working on mitigating the impact by localising the production of imported components. "Yen is somewhat a volatile currency, not only does it becomes strong but sometimes it weakens also. But what we have doing in the past 5-6 years is to increasingly localise the inner components because that is the largest part of the import and there has been substantial amount of progress in that direction and because of that the import content has reduced," Bhargava said. He further added: "We cannot control the volatility of the Yen but can mitigate most of its impact partly by hedging and partly by reducing the import content and we are doing both these things." On capex for research and development during the year, Bhargava said the company will invest Rs 900 crore during the current year. "The capital budget for R&D is Rs 900 crore for the year. This is in addition to R&D centre, which is almost complete in Rohtak. With Rohtak included, the total capex stood at over Rs 2,000 crore," he added. On royalty payment to parent Suzuki Motor Corp, Bhargava said the basis rate remains at 5 per cent of the net sales. "A decision has been taken that for all new models including the Vitara Brezza the royalty will be 5 per cent in Indian rupee and not yen and based on factory price of the product," he said. Suzuki Motor Corp Chairman Osamu Suzuki, who attended all previous AGMs of the company, could not attend this time due to "urgent and important business commitments" in Japan. "Osamu Suzuki has not been able to attend this AGM because of very urgent and important business commitments in Japan which required him to stay back. He has been attending all the AGMs and this is the first time he has missed. He has also expressed his regret for not been able to attend this meeting," Bhargava said. He also directed the company secretary to look into problems faced by some of the shareholders in entering the premises. "I am very sorry that there were problems with some of the shareholders while entering the premises and certainly the company secretary will see what improvements can be made in the system. I can assure this kind of problem will not arise in future," Bhargava said. He was responding to a shareholder who raised the issue during the AGM. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today called on Governor N N Vohra and discussed the internal security situation in the state which has been witnessing trouble for the last two months. "Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti reviewed the internal security situation in a meeting held at the Raj Bhavan today afternoon," an official spokesman said here. Earlier in the day, the Governor also had meetings with Director General Police K Rajendra Kumar and General Officer Commanding of Srinagar-based Corps Lt Gen Satish Dua to discuss issues related to the restoration of normalcy in the valley, the spokesman said. Kashmir has been witnessing unrest since July 8, triggered by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Troops and police hunted for gang suspects who shot down a police helicopter in western Mexico, killing five aboard in a clash highlighting the government's struggle to quell violence in the region. The suspects apparently used a high-powered 50-caliber Barrett rifle to bring down the helicopter chasing them in Michoacan state on Tuesday, said National Security Commissioner Renato Sales. "It was indeed shot down," Sales told Radio Formula, adding that authorities were "working to capture those responsible." The pilot and three state police officers died at the site. The state prosecutor's office said a fourth agent succumbed to his injuries yesterday. The helicopter's charred wreckage lay amid high grass and bushes, according to AFP journalists who visited the crash site yesterday. It is the second time since 2015 that a gang has downed a helicopter. Last year, the powerful Jalisco New Generation drug cartel in neighboring Jalisco state used a rocket launcher to hit a military helicopter, killing seven soldiers and a policewoman. A federal government source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak publicly, told AFP that there is "suspicion that this cartel" also downed the aircraft in Michoacan. The deadly incident near the village of El Chauz happened amid a resurgence of violence in Michoacan, a state once dominated by New Generation's rivals, the pseudo-religious Knights Templar drug cartel. Michoacan Governor Silvano Aureoles said Tuesday the helicopter had backed an operation to capture leaders of an unidentified gang after the suspects tried to abduct a farmer in La Huacana. The confrontation took place in Michoacan's Tierra Caliente (Hot Land), a region that has endured years of drug violence and vigilante justice. The helicopter crashed in a mountainous area where local farmers grow lime and mango. Authorities manned checkpoints leading to the area of the incident, which was cordoned off with some 200 soldiers and police keeping guard. The federal source said soldiers, marines and state police were hunting for suspects. Aureoles said Tuesday's incident followed a series of operations to capture gang leaders in Tierra Caliente and Sierra Costa that, since August 30, had netted a dozen arrests and several weapons, including two rocket launchers. The Knights Templar terrorized Tierra Caliente until lime growers formed vigilante forces in 2013 to fight back against the gang, which murdered, kidnapped and charged the population protection taxes. The cartel was weakened as authorities deployed troops and arrested or killed its top leaders, but smaller criminal groups have since emerged. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SPOKANE, Wash. Homicide investigators suspect a nephew of U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, may have been killed with a wood-splitting maul in his home near Spangle as his young daughter was told to stay in a bedroom. Robert Tester, 35, was found dead Tuesday morning at 16109 S. Keeney Road. Sen. Testers press office confirmed the relationship and said his family would prefer privacy during this difficult time. Robert Testers 8-year-old daughter told Spokane County sheriffs deputies she was in bed with her father when a man entered the home and awakened them, wielding what she described as a sword and a knife, according to court documents. The man told her to stay in bed because he was going to kill her dad, court documents state. The girl likely didnt witness the killing, but court documents state that she called her grandmother to report his death. Deputies found Robert Testers body on the living room floor, and a wood-splitting ax lay nearby, according to court documents. Deputies also found bags of marijuana near the body, and the home reportedly smelled of pot. The girls grandmother told deputies her son grew marijuana for some dispensaries. Robert Tester and his daughter had lived at the home for several years, said the property owner, Myron Iseminger, who lives in Maryland. Several neighbors said Tuesday they hadnt met Robert Tester. Court documents dont mention a person of interest. But a detective included the full text of Robert Testers last Facebook post, dated Aug. 25. Robert Tester wrote in part, I stick to myself for a reason. Dont do family bbqs for a reason Theres gonna be some hard days ahead of us, but i want you all to know that I was victimized by someone close to me. He took my best friend from me and turned her life into darkness, thru drugs and manipulation Just understand why I roar when i do. Understand my agony. Robert Testers Facebook page says he graduated from Charles M. Russel High School in Great Falls in 2000. He was divorced from an Idaho woman and appears to have lived in several towns in Kootenai County in Idaho. The county seat and largest city in Kootenai County is Coeur d'Alene. The sheriffs office said the daughter is staying with family. Attempts to reach other relatives Wednesday were unsuccessful. Militants attacked the guard post at the residence of a Conference leader in Kulgam district of Kashmir and decamped with rifles of policemen, police said on Thursday. The ultras barged into the residential compound of NC block president Abdul Rashid Khan at Begom in Kulgam late last night and took away four service rifles of the cops posted on guard duty of the political leader, a police official said. He said the militants decamped with two INSAS rifles, one SLR rifle and a 303 rifle from the the cops. While a departmental enquiry has been set up to probe the incident, security forces have been put on alert in south Kashmir to track the militants who carried out the incident, he said. Meanwhile, militants also fired a few rounds towards police station Pulwama last night but there was no damage due to the incident, the official said. : A model agricultural research station is likely to be set up at Karunya University on the outskirts for semi-arid zones in India with support of experts from Israel. A consultation meeting to this effect was held at the University yesterday with former Agricultural Attache to the Embassy of Israel in India, Avri Bar Zur highlighting the importance of precision farming for food security and livelihood of farmers' community in India. Based on his experience in the Agricultural Research Organization of the Government of Israel, Avri brought out the importance of poly-houses, sensors and remote control for enhancing the yield and productivity, thereby improving the plight of farmers, a university release said today. Avri was instrumental in establishing the first Center of Excellence in Agriculture at Karnal ni Haryana on the Israeli model with the support of MASHAV, the Israeli International Agency for Development Cooperation. The need for establishing a model agricultural station was pointed out by Avri and lauded the University for taking initiative to establish one such station in their campus, aiming at inter-disciplinary research, demonstration and extension purposes. A cafeteria of crops to be initially included in the ambit of the research station was finalized and modern technologies to be adopted for these crops identified,it said. Experts from academic institutions,research organizations and NGOs from Tamil Nadu and Kerala, besides,Director of Water Technology Centre in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Dr J B Pandian and Karunya University Vice Chancellor, M J Xavier, participated in the one-day deliberations and farm visits, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister and Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi met here on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit. "An icon of democracy, a partner for development. State Counsellor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted along with photos of the two leaders shaking hands and holding talks. Earlier, Modi also held bilateral talks with South Korean president Park Geun-hye. 71-year-old leader Suu Kyi, whose League for Democracy brought down curtains on five decades of military rule, is also the country's Foreign Minister. Last month, Myanmar assured India that it will not allow any insurgent group to use its territory against New Delhi, in the backdrop of certain insurgent groups from northeastern states using the country for launching attacks. The assurance was given during the first high-level visit from India after the civilian government assumed office here when External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on President U Htin Kyaw and held extensive talks with Suu Kyi. Within a week, Myanmarese President Kyaw and Modi held wide-ranging talks in New Delhi during which the Prime Minister said India will stand by with Myanmar at "every step" of its new journey and that it wants to take the ties to "new heights". Prime Minister Narendra Modi today left for home after a two-day visit to Laos during which he attended ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits and held five bilateral meetings including one with US President Barack Obama. "Thank you gracious host Lao PDR. A short and substantial visit ends as PM @narendramodi emplanes for New Delhi," External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted. During his stay here, the Prime Minister also held bilateral talks with leaders of Japan, South Korea, Laos, Myanmar and had pull aside meetings with his Chinese and Russian counterparts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and South Korea today reviewed their bilateral strategic partnership and discussed ways to boost cooperation in key areas including counter- terrorism and maritime security in the region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who met South Korean President Park Geun-Hye here on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit, together reviewed the Strategic Partnership which had been upgraded to a Special Strategic Partnership during the his visit to South Korea last year. President Park appreciated the Korea Plus programme initiated by Modi and said it would lead to further investments in India by Korean firms, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said. The two leaders reviewed progress in the negotiations to improve India-ROK Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) besides discussing the USD 10 billion financial package announced by South Korea for India's infrastructure development. EXIM Banks of the two countries are discussing modalities for the utilisation of the package, Swarup said. The two leaders agreed that their shared commitment to democracy and free market economy, and complementary strengths made India and South Korea ideal partners. President Park complimented Modi, saying the profile of India was rising due to the Prime Minister's proactive leadership. She also complimented him on the success of India's economic development strategy, which had led to 7 per cent plus growth rate despite the global slowdown, Swarup said. Modi described his visit to South Korea as "memorable" and invited President Park to visit India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Myanmar's democracy icon and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi today met here on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits and "positively assessed" bilateral security cooperation. "An icon of democracy, a partner for development. State Counsellor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted along with photos of the two leaders shaking hands and holding talks. Looking elegant in a peace sarong, blouse with a green stole with her trademark orchid flower pinned in her hair, 71-year-old Su Kyi briefed Modi on the progress in the peace and reconciliation process in Myanmar. Both sides "positively assessed" India-Myanmar security cooperation, Swarup said, in the backdrop of certain insurgent groups from northeastern states using the country for launching attacks. Last month, Myanmar had assured India that it will not allow any insurgent group to use its territory against New Delhi during the first high-level visit from India after the civilian government assumed office here when External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had called on President U Htin Kyaw and held extensive talks with Suu Kyi. Within a week, Myanmarese President Kyaw and Modi had also held wide-ranging talks in New Delhi during which the Prime Minister said India will stand by with Myanmar at "every step" of its new journey and that it wants to take the ties to "new heights". The two leaders today also discussed ways to boost cooperation in several areas including dairy farming, animal husbandry and agriculture besides discussing cooperation in the area of their shared Buddhist heritage. Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy brought down curtains on five decades of military rule, is the country's State Counsellor and Foreign Minister. During their talks, Modi also spoke about a possible agreement on pulses which had been discussed during Swaraj's visit to Myanmar, Swarup said. Modi complimented Suu Kyi on the victory of the NLD in the elections and welcomed her as an icon of democracy, he said. The Prime Minister assured the alumni of Delhi's Shri Ram College that India would always stand with the Government and people of Myanmar as the new government strived to fulfill the aspirations of the people. Modi said he was looking forward to receiving Suu Kyi in Goa for the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit. Cooperation in disaster manangement would be one of the important element of the Summit given that several countries in South Asia continued to face natural disasters, Modi said. Suu Kyi thanked the Prime Minister and said she was looking forward to visit India, where she had always felt at home. (Reopens FGN 11) Later, Prime Minister Modi also met Russian Premier Dmitry Medvedev. "Glad to have met PM @MedvedevRussiaE & discuss India-Russia relations during our interaction," Modi tweeted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the year-long birth centenary celebrations of late Jan Sangh president Deendayal Upadhyaya on September 25 during a three-day BJP national council meeting scheduled to start from September 23 at Kozhikode. Modi would also address a public meeting organised in connection with the meet on September 24, BJP state President Kummanom Rajasekharan said here. The Prime Minister would attend the meet on September 24 and 25. All arrangements for the conduct of the meet, in which party national leaders, Union ministers, chief ministers of BJP-ruled states and party MPs will take part, is progressing well, Rajasekharan said. "We are expecting around 3000 delegates for the meet", he said. The meet will discuss and evaluate the political situation in the country and work out the strategy to be adopted for the general election in 2019, he said. Rajasekharan said Kozhikode has been chosen for the national council meeting as Deendayal Upadhyaya was elected Jan Sangh president at the party's conclave in that city in December 1967. An exhibition showcasing various aspects of the party has been arranged as part of the celebrations, he said. History of the party and also the social culture of Kerala will be part of the exhibition, he said. A ceremonial torches for the meet will start its journey from three centres -- Kannur, Mananthavady and Mallapuram -- and these will converge at Kozhikode on September 21, he said. Cultural programmes have also been organised as part of the celebrations, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Israeli researchers say they have uncovered a document showing Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas was a Soviet agent in the 1980s, but his office called it a smear campaign and pointed to suspicious timing. The claim first emerged in a report by Israeli public television yesterday night citing two researchers studying documents from the so-called Mitrokhin papers stored in Britain at Cambridge University's Churchill Archives Centre. The researchers, Gideon Remez and Isabella Ginor of the Truman Institute at Jerusalem's Hebrew University, said he was named as a KGB agent in Damascus in 1983 under the codename "Mole". Remez said Abbas was not simply labelled a "source or collaborator." "It says explicitly regarding Abbas that he was a KGB agent," said Remez. Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh told AFP it "falls under the framework of Israeli absurdities which we have got used to," calling it a "smear campaign." He also alleged it was an attempt to derail a Russian peace initiative. "It is clear Israel is troubled by the (Palestinians') strategic relationship with Russia and by the clear and announced Russian position, which is to solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis on an independent Palestinian state and the right of self-determination for our people," Abu Rudeineh said. Abbas was born in what was then British mandate Palestine, but his family fled to Syria during the 1948 war surrounding the creation of Israel. In 1980, Abbas was selected to sit on the Palestine Liberation Organisation executive committee. He had been in Moscow in 1982, where he studied for his doctorate, according to his online biography. The Mitrokhin Archive, where the document was said to have been found, is based on files of the Soviet spy agency KGB that were smuggled to Britain. Major Vasili Mitrokhin was a senior archivist in the KGB's foreign intelligence archive from 1972 until his retirement in 1984, and, disillusioned with domestic Soviet oppression, secretly copied information by hand, before defecting to Britain with it in 1992. An Israeli specialist in Soviet history said the claim regarding Abbas was plausible. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A bill to overturn a temporary ban on federal coal leases while also giving state and local governments a bigger say in leasing was approved Thursday by the House Natural Resources Committee. Western lawmakers have been demanding for months that federal officials end the coal-leasing ban, which Department of Interior officials imposed last spring while they tried to determine whether the public is getting a fair royalty payment on federal coal. U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., authored the bill, which added a twist to the leasing ban debate by creating a royalty policy committee from which state, tribal and energy interests consult the Department of Interior. A state would need to have $10 million in leasing royalties annually to be considered for the committee. The bill seeks to end the leasing ban in 2019. States and tribes possess critical local knowledge that should help mitigate the impact of federal regulation, and I think their voices need to be heard, Zinke told Natural Resource Committee members Thursday. There were opponents. Rep. Alan Lowenthal, D-Calif., cited the conclusions of the White House Council of Economic Advisors, which indicate the public is not getting a fair price for federal coal. A review of the coal leasing program indicates that programs have been structured in a way that misaligns incentives going back decades, resulting in a distorted coal market with an artificially low price for most federal coal and unnecessarily low government revenue from the leasing program, Lowenthal said. Coal state lawmakers bristled at the suggestion that royalties were set too low, given that mining companies have gone bankrupt and the amount of coal mined has dropped sharply. The Department of Interior has recommended a royalty increase to 18 percent from the current 12 percent. If the royalties were so low from federal lands, we wouldnt have this massive reduction in employment, massive reduction in the amount of coal produced, massive layoffs in the railroad industry that hauls the coal out of my state, said Rep. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo. Thursday afternoon, Zinke and Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said the ban on new federal coal leases has added uncertainty to the Powder River Basin coal economy, and thats stifled investment. In the Senate, Daines and Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., have both attempted to put stop dates on the Department of Interiors coal leasing ban. Tester has proposed Interior take no longer than 5 years to study the royalty issue. Daines is pushing for 3 years. My concern is that if we wait five years, were not going to have any coal jobs left, Daines said. Getting the coal advisory committee formed should also bring some pressure on Interior to the respond to the consequences of federal coal policy on local economies, Daines said. There was previously a coal advisory board that was allowed to expire, Zinke said. The new board will function the same way, advising Interior, but giving orders with which the department must comply. Interior official disagree with concerns by lawmakers that the leasing ban is driving the mining industry into the ground. The department estimates theres a 20-year coal supply available now without new leases. Its expected to take several years to establish a more equitable royalty rate, Interior estimates. Even with coal to mine, coal communities are struggling as power plants switch to cheaper natural gas and global prices for coal slump because of oversupply. Montana's Musselshell County faces a $300,000 shortfall because of slumping coal taxes and the local school district is paying a $9.8 million construction bond as Signal Peak Mine, its largest taxpayer, falters. The Crow Tribe has cited lost coal revenue at its southeast Montana mine for a multimillion deficit in the tribal budget. Quarterly payments from the Absaloka Mine, operated by Westmoreland Coal Co., were off $1.2 million in 2015. The tribal government furloughed a quarter of its workers in January. Coal production in Montana is down a third from last year. In Wyoming, the state government is bracing for a $250 million to $500 million cut in state spending because of declining coal production, expected to be off 100 million tons from 2015. Madhya Pradesh Government has allotted 40 acres of land to Yoga guru Ramdev-promoted Patanjali Ayurved in Pithampur industrial area for setting up a food processing unit, at the cost of Rs 10 crore. "We have allotted 40 acres of land to Patanjali Ayurved at Rs 25 lakh per acre. We have sent a letter to the company, asking them to deposit Rs 10 crore in government exchequer for the land," said Kumar Purshottam, MD, Madhya Pradesh Audyogik Kendra Vikas Nigam, Indore. He said the company plans to invest Rs 500 crore in the proposed unit in the next three years. Around 5000 people will get direct and indirect employment through this unit. "Government is providing all those facilities to Patanjali Ayurved as per its policies for food processing units," the MD said. Besides allotting land at concessional rates to food processing industry, the government also provides them various facilities, including reduced taxes. Meanwhile, state unit Congress spokesperson Narendra Saluja said that it seems the BJP government is "particularly favourable" to Patanjali Ayurved. "We are not against the companies investing in Madhya Pradesh getting concessions. But, why the government does not show the same promptness in allotting facilities to other companies, which it has shown in the case of Patanjali Ayurved? Is government favourable to this company because its promoter Baba Ramdev is often seen supporting the BJP," he asked. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An NDFB(S) insurgent and four of its linkmen were arrested today in Chirang district of Assam for extorting and transferring money to the underground outfit based in Myanmar, a senior police official said. Acting on specific information that some cadres of the outfit were carrying out a massive extortion drive in Chirang and transferring money to their camps in the neighbouring country, an NDFB(S) cadre Daukha Narzary alias Dopthai was picked up at Sundari yesterday, Additional Director General of Police Dr L R Bishnoi told PTI. Following his interrogation, two of his linkmen - Kwmtha Basumatary and Swrangsar Basumatary were apprehended from Rangsaidam at Gossaigaon and Rs 40,000 in cash was seized from their possession last night, he said. Further interrogation revealed the names of more accomplices and thereafter multiple raids were conducted at various locations. Today NDFB-S linkman Bhim Basumatary was apprehended from Khungring, while another linkman Jwngdao Basumatary was picked up from Kashikotra, the ADGP said. The five were arrested today, Bishnoi said adding that besides cash, five mobile handsets were also recovered. Interrogation of the militant and the four linkmen is on, he said. NDFB(S) was directly involved in an attack in Kokrajhar district on August 5 that claimed 14 lives. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Green Tribunal has sought information on various orders passed by high courts and notifications issued by state governments on banning or restricting the use of glass-coated 'manja' (strings) for flying kites across the country. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Swatanter Kumar issued notices to all the state governments and sought their response on the plea of animal rights body People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) on the matter. "After having heard the counsel appearing for the parties, we direct that notice be issued to all the state governments through their resident commissioners at New Delhi. "Let orders passed by various High Courts of the country and notification issued by the respective state governments if any, be placed on record," the bench said and posted the matter for further hearing on October 20. In its petition, PETA has contended that 'manja', sharp string coated with glass and metals used to fly kites, posed a grave threat to humans and animals as every year a number of deaths were caused by it. "To increase the chances of being able to cut as many kites as possible, kite-strings are made deliberately sharp with churned glass, metals and other materials in order to make them razor sharp to cut through other persons' kite strings. "These strings not only cut through other kite strings when in the air, but are also quite capable of cutting through the skin of animals and human beings, thereby severely injuring and even killing them," PETA had alleged. The petition had said 'manja' posed a huge threat when it came into contact with live overhead electric wires, leading to grid failure. "Due to 'manja' being coated with glass, metals and other sharp material, these strings act as good conductors of electricity, increasing the probability of detached strings stuck in power lines, electrocuting kite flyers and passers-by coming into contact with these strings," it said. PETA had also said minor children were engaged by the cottage industry for the manufacture of 'manja' which caused respiratory problems among them as they inhaled harmful substances which were extremely detrimental to their health. The plea had also referred to various orders, including the November 2015 order of the Allahabad High Court which banned the use of Chinese in entire Uttar Pradesh and sought ban on "manufacture, import, sale and use" of these strings. The National Green Tribunal has sought response from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) on the issue of providing funds for rehabilitating the residents from colonies of Kalagarh, which lies within the most sensitive core area of the Corbett Tiger Reserve. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar expressed concern over delay in non-compliance of the Supreme Court order directing eviction of residents from colonies of Kalagarh and asked the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to expeditiously implement the order. "Counsel appearing on behalf of the MoEF would take clear instructions and particularly in relation to providing finances to the State of Uttarakhand for settlement of persons who are going to be removed from Jim Corbett National Park," the bench said. The green panel also directed Uttarakhand government to file a detailed affidavit giving complete details about the resettlement plan for these residents and posted the matter for hearing on October 20. UP government had earlier told the bench that it has demolished three buildings in Kalagarh and assured the NGT that it would take further action in the matter. The tribunal had taken strong exception to UP government's non-compliance of the Supreme Court order directing eviction of residents from colonies located inside the sensitive core area of the Corbett Tiger Reserve. The apex court, in December 2013, had directed the UP irrigation department to vacate residential colonies and hand them over to Uttarakhand government within six months. The green panel had also constituted a committee comprising Director, Tiger Corbett Reserve, senior officials from environment ministry, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board and irrigation department of UP and Uttarakhand. It had directed the panel to conduct a survey in the area and submit report within two weeks. It had asked the committee to indicate in its report the number of existing structures in the Corbett Tiger Reserve in Kalagarh, status of these structures and the area which is to be marked as ecosensitive zone beyond the limits of the park. In its December 2013 judgement, the Supreme Court had upheld the 2004 report of its Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to return the encroached New Kalagarh irrigation colony to the Corbett Tiger Reserve and set a six-month deadline for the state government to ensure compliance. In August 1966, the Forest Department of undivided Uttar Pradesh had handed over around 9,000 hectares of Corbett National Park land to the Irrigation Department for the Ramganga hydel project. The houses were built for people at the site during the construction of the Ram Ganga Dam also known as the Kalagarh Dam, which was completed in 1974. The Supreme Court has now handed this case over to the National Green Tribunal. Amid speculation of a tie-up with Congress for the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, Samajwadi Party today said it would contest the polls "on its own" and would not go for an alliance with that party. "We will contest the Assembly polls on our own. We will not go for an alliance with the Congress which has no base in Uttar Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi's Kisan Yatra will not have any impact. People of the state want development and they know that Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is working hard towards that," SP vice-president Kironmay Nanda told reporters replying to a query on his party's stance regarding an alliance with the Congress. "The SP will form a majority government in Uttar Pradesh in 2017 as it did in 2012. We have Akhilesh whose image is clean and who is the youth face of the party," he added. Nanda announced that the party's youth wing, SP Yuvjan Sabha, will take out the 'Mulayam Sandesh Yatra' on September 10 and in the first phase, it will go to Kanpur, Jhansi, Chitrakut divisions and pass through 19 Assembly constituencies. "The second phase will begin from September 25 from (SP supremo) Mulayam Singh Yadav's residence in Delhi and it will go to Sitapur," he said, adding that the achievements of the SP government in Uttar Pradesh will be highlighted during the yatra. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India today made it clear that no decision to ratify the Paris climate change agreement has been taken so far as its domestic processes in this regard were still underway. "Government has made no decision as yet on ratifying the Paris Agreement. Domestic processes in this regard are still underway. A decision will be taken only when they are completed," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said. His remarks came amidst reports quoting the White House as saying that India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi today pledged to formally join the Paris climate change agreement this year, a potentially major step toward the pact entering into force. The report came after Modi's meeting with President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit in Vientiane. During the Paris climate meet last year, more than 190 nations had agreed on setting ambitious goals for capping global warming and funnelling trillions of dollars to poor countries facing climate catastrophe. The pact will come into force after it is ratified by at least 55 countries that account for 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. While Western countries including the US has been supporting an early ratification of the pact, India has been seeking more time to complete its national processes as it fears that any hasty decision may impact its developmental projects. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With only three MLAs in the opposition in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, the voting process there would not be affected if one of them was kept out, Delhi High Court said today. Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva observed this when BJP MLA O P Sharma, who was suspended from the Assembly on March 31 for two sessions, urged the court to allow him to attend the one- day special session of the assembly scheduled tomorrow to discuss a number of issues concerning the national capital. "What benefit will be gained by this (AAP) government in keeping these three (opposition) MLAs or one member of the opposition out of the Assembly sessions. It will not even have any effect on the voting process of the House," the court observed orally. There are three BJP members in the 70-member House, with all the remaining legislators belonging to the AAP. The court refrained from passing an interim order to allow Sharma, suspended from the Assembly for two sessions for allegedly making derogatory remarks against AAP legislator Alka Lamba, from attending the House tomorrow. It said the matter required consideration and order cannot be passed without hearing the Assembly. "We gave you (Sharma) four days to put your arguments to satisfy us. I cannot do much at this stage," the court said. However, Sharma's counsel said "Let me sit in the assembly during the session. I will not even open my mouth. I am ready to vouch for him and even give an undertaking." To this, the Delhi government counsel said it was a fact that Sharma has been suspended for two sessions. "It is immaterial that, into how many parts, each session is divided as this prerogative is of the Delhi Assembly. The scope of judicial intervention is very limited here," the counsel said. Sharma's counsel, however, said that in an unprecendented manner, the Delhi government has split the sessions into six parts. "This has never happened in the history of the Delhi Assembly," he submitted during the arguments which would continue on September 16. Sharma's request to allow him to attend the session tomorrow came during the brief hearing on his plea challenging his suspension. His lawyer contended that Sharma has already apologised to Lamba. Sharma had earlier said "my intention was not to hurt Lamba as she is like my sister, but if she felt offended, I express regret over it". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Five workers of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena were arrested today for allegedly assaulting a north-Indian fruit seller in suburban Ghatkopar after a video of the incident went viral on social media. "We arrested five people in connection with beating up of a fruit seller yesterday," a senior police official said. In the video circulated on social media, a group of six to seven activists were purportedly seen slapping and abusing the vendor in Amrut Nagar area of the suburb. They also upturned his cart. However, the Raj Thackeray-led party said that it was just a "coincident" that the vendor turned out to be a north Indian. "We have arrested the accused and the preliminary investigation is going on," the official said. The party workers had warned the vendor not to sell fruits at the spot a day before the incident. The incident drew sharp reactions from BJP and Congress, with both parties demanding a stern action against the MNS workers for trying to "vitiate" the atmosphere through their anti-north Indian agenda. Former minister and state Congress vice-president Naseem Khan slammed the Raj Thackeray-led party over the incident. "This party has lost relevance in state and in city. Now seeing that the BMC elections are round the corner, MNS is trying to create a venomous environment in name of language and the place of origin, which is neither accepted and nor would be tolerated," he said. Khan said he had spoken to DCP of the area, who has assured him to deal sternly against the attackers. The ruling BJP also condemned the incident, with a delegation of north Indian leaders meeting DCP Rajesh Pradhan. Mumbai BJP general secretary Amarjeet Mishra, who led the delegation, said, "We have demanded that senior police officers take most possible strict action to send a strong signal against such hate-mongers so that no one would dare to repeat such an act". MNS, however, debunked the accusation that the vendor was attacked because he is north Indian. "The fact is that our party has launched a campaign to promote local farmers to sell their fruits because they have the first and foremost right to sell their products," MNS vice-president and spokesperson Vageesh Saraswat, a north Indian himself, said. "It was merely a coincident that the vendor was an north Indian. Despite the fact, our party workers are ready to face cases for the sake of promoting local farmers," he said. MNS was formed in 2006 by Raj Thackeray, the estranged cousin of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, on the sons-of-the-soil agenda which was originally nurtured by Sena supremo late Bal Thackeray. In October 2008, MNS activists beat up North Indian candidates appearing for the all-India Railway Recruitment Board entrance exam for the Western region in Mumbai, drawing sharp reactions from across the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who literally shut the doors of his residence on a group of MPs few days back, today said he was not against dialogue but will not participate in any "meaningless exercise" which is not aimed at solving the Kashmir issue. The separatist hawk said the Kashmir issue needs to be addressed through dialogue. "We were never against dialogue in the past nor will be in future. However, we do not want to be part of any meaningless exercise which is not aimed at finding a solution to the Kashmir issue," Geelani said addressing public gatherings at Panzan-Chadoora and Nasrullahpora in Budgam district by telephone from his Hyderpora residence where he is under house arrest. Only four days back, he had literally shut the door of his residence to four MPs who wanted to meet him and have talks on how to end the ongoing unrest in Kashmir. "..Home Minister visited Kashmir twice (before leading an all party delegation) but did not talk about the steps for resolution of Kashmir issue," he said while terming the visit of Rajnath Singh as an exercise to pass the time. He accused the Centre and the PDP-BJP government of unleashing a "rein of terror" on the people instead of taking into account the "unmatched sacrifices" rendered by them. "The government says help us in restoring peace but the fact of the matter is that it is the government which is responsible for deteriorating the situation," he said, adding "the peace will restore automatically when the government stops brutalities on the people... Those who are disturbing the peace are seeking help for restoration of peace." Geelani talked about the historic background of the Kashmir issue and said "we want fulfillment of the promises made by Indian leaders to the people of Kashmir and the world. "India and Pakistan are signatories to the 18 resolutions passed at the UN on Kashmir but the world is witness that India did not keep its promises and are holding the state through its military might," Geelani said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Not every youth in Kashmir wants to pick up a gun and only a minuscule number is in favour of secession from India, a group of students from the Valley said here. The students, who are studying outside their home state, shared their views about the ongoing unrest in Kashmir following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter on July 8. Since then, the Valley has witnessed worst of unrest with violent clashes erupting between protesters and security forces. A group of six students, who are currently studying in Pune for the last 13 years were invited by the Mumbai Press Club in association with organisation Sarhad. "Not every Kashmiri is Burhan Wani. May be only 10 per cent of them want to get 'Aazadi'. Rest 90 per cent people are concerned about development, employment, education for their children, industrialisation. Unfortunately, nothing of that sort has happened which has resulted in the unrest," said Javed Ahmad, who is pursuing Masters. Zahid Bhatt, a resident of Badgam district in Kashmir, said that it was the students who bear the burnt of the violence. "Since last 20 to 30 years, we have lost our near and dear ones at the hands of either militants or security forces or some other agencies. And the most sad part is that no serious efforts have been made to resolve the issue amicably," said Bhatt, who is also general secretary of initiative Jago Bharat. "In our childhood, as a Kashmiri, we had an impression that India is only about Army. But when we came to Pune and received affection from people, our viewpoint about India changed," he said. Bhatt said that people of the country also needed to change their perception towards Kashmiris and that Kashmir did not only mean the land of militancy. "One of the root causes of unrest persistent in the Valley is unemployment. If the youth get job, they would get engaged in routine affairs. They would not take to streets and pelt stones at the army," said Mushtaque Ahmad, a student who hails from Kupwara district. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Drought is still a reality for Montana, and the state is looking at changing how it's handled. Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney and staff members from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation addressed a crowd of about 20 that gathered on Wednesday afternoon at the Billings Public Library to talk about drought. Water-related issues have continued in recent months, including a massive fish kill and unprecedented closures on the Yellowstone River thought to be related to warmer water temperatures; the continued shrinking of Glacier National Park's glaciers; and snow melt that began in some areas weeks ahead of schedule. In July, nine counties reached severe drought conditions, including Yellowstone, Carbon, Stillwater and Sweet Grass counties, according to Montana DNRC. The forum was intended to start local conversations and provide feedback and ideas for updates to the state's Drought Management Plan, Cooney said. "It's not (a question of) if it's going to happen," Cooney said of drought. "It's going to happen." "You don't want to be addressing these issues in the middle of a crisis." The gradual development of drought conditions still has a way of surprising people. "The real good word here is 'sneak,'" said Stillwater County Commissioner, rancher and farmer Maureen Davey. "The drought does sneak up on you." There was some conversation about how water users can work together to mitigate drought circumstances. Fish Wildlife and Parks fisheries manager Ken Frazier said in the 26 years he's worked with the Musselshell River system, he's seen a huge change in how those water users work together. They measure their water and have hired a commissioner to manage their water, he said. "It's made a huge difference on that river," he said. "I think it's a great example." Frazier said in the Upper Missouri River watershed, irrigating water users have had success cutting back when water levels reach a certain threshold. This also triggers a shutdown of fisheries programs, he said. Establishing similar coordination and cooperation across agencies and water users is part of the broader plan for building drought resilience in Montana, according to DNRC Upper Missouri Basin water planner Ann Schwend. The loss of water rights due to decreased usage is a potential issue that could arise from such a system. There are plans to bring a bill before the upcoming state Legislature that would protect water users' rights under such circumstances, said DNRC water planning section supervisor Michael Downey. The Montana Community Drought forum will continue over the next week with stops in Bozeman and Missoula. Ideas and topics from the meetings will be available for more public feedback around the end of October at drought.mt.gov. US President Barack Obama warned today an international tribunal's ruling that China's sweeping claims to the South China Sea had no legal basis was "binding", after Beijing vowed to ignore the verdict. "The landmark arbitration ruling in July, which is binding, helped clarify maritime rights in the region," Obama told a summit of Asian leaders in Laos. The comments are sure to draw ire from Beijing, which has taken an increasingly belligerent stance on claims in the strategically important waterway. Obama has urged China to adhere to the rule of law and not take unilateral measures that could raise tensions. China in turn accuses the United States of interference and using the ruling to stoke confrontation. "I recognise this raises tensions," Obama said referring to the ruling "but I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and stability." Even before Obama's comments, a dispute between the Philippines and China has overshadowed East and Southeast Asian summits in Laos. Manila produced photos it said showed fresh construction activity at the flashpoint Scarborough Shoal, an accusation that was denied by Beijing and played down by Washington. The area is just 230 kilometres from the main island of the Philippines, where US forces are stationed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Stepping up his attack on Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said there is "one country in our neighbourhood" which "produces and exports" terror as he pressed the international community to isolate and sanction "this" instigator. "There's one country in our neighbourhood whose competitive advantage rests solely in producing and exporting terrorism," he said in his address at the East Asia Summit, without naming Pakistan. "The time has come for us to stop this global exporter of terror," Modi said. Earlier, while addressing the 14th ASEAN-India Summit here, Modi expressed deep concern at the rising "export of terror", in an apparent reference to Pakistan, saying it is a common security threat to the region. The Prime Minister also noted that growing radicalism through the ideology of hatred and spread of extreme violence are the other security threats. "Export of terror, growing radicalisation and spread of extreme violence are common security threats to our societies," he said in his attack on Pakistan amid escalating war of words between New Delhi and Islamabad. Speaking at the East Asia Summit with US President Barack Obama and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in attendance, Modi said, "This (terrorism) export is reducing space for peace and increasing space for violence and putting at risk peace and prosperity of all." "The time has come to isolate and sanction this instigator," Modi said. The Prime Minister's fresh jibes directed at Pakistan came three days after he launched a sharp attack on Pakistan, saying that "one single nation" in South Asia is spreading the "agents of terror". He had told the G20 leaders in Hangzhou on Monday that those who sponsor the menace must be sanctioned and isolated, not rewarded. In his address at the EAS, Modi said, "We need to target not only the terrorists but also their entire supporting ecosystem. And our strongest action should be reserved for those state actors who employ terrorism as an instrument of State policy." Modi warned that terrorism is the most serious challenge to open and pluralistic societies and underlined that combating the menace requires collective effort. He said India and most countries in South Asia were pursuing a peaceful path to economic prosperity, but singled out "one" neighbouring country. "Competing geo-politics, traditional and non-traditional challenges threaten peace, stability and prosperity of region," he said at the summit. He expressed hope that ASEAN will continue to lead and remain central to efforts aimed at greater regional integration and cooperation. In his remarks at ASEAN-India Summit, the Prime Minister also said that ASEAN is central to India's Act East policy. "Our engagement driven by common priorities bringing peace, stability and prosperity to the region," he told the 10-member grouping attended by Heads of state. "Remain committed, including through membership of export control regimes and to pursuing total and verifiable elimination of weapons of mass destruction," Modi said. He noted that the EAS is adopting statement on non proliferation and that India remains committed to strengthening its objectives. "This underlines commonalities in approaches," Modi said. He also said India is committed to supporting realisation of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). India can also play an important role in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation for deepening ongoing economic integration in the region. Modi said he was "happy to convey that Nalanda University has been inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage site in July 2016". India will remain steadfast in shared pursuit of regional, strategic, political and economic priorities within the EAS framework, he said. The Prime Minister was addressing the 18-member exclusive East Asia Summit here. Besides founding member India, EAS includes the ten members from ASEAN and Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea and the US. The EAS, held annually by leaders of, initially, 16 countries in the East Asian, Southeast Asian and South Asian regions, had its membership expanded to 18 nations including the US and Russia at the sixth EAS in 2011. EAS is held after annual ASEAN leaders' meetings. The first summit was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 14 December, 2005. In his remarks at the ASEAN-India summit, he said, "The threat is local, regional, and transitional at the same time. Our partnership with ASEAN seeks to craft a response through coordination, cooperation at multiple levels." He said that in the face of growing traditional and non traditional challenges, political cooperation has emerged as key in relations. "We are willing to take concrete steps to enhance cooperation in cyber security, de-radicalisation and counterterrorism," Modi said. He said enhancing connectivity was central to India's partnership with ASEAN. The one-day special session of Delhi Assembly starting tomorrow is likely to be stormy as AAP legislators will target the Centre and Lt Governor Najeeb Jung over numbers of issues while the Opposition will seek to corner the Kejriwal government over objectionable CD involving its former minister Sandeep Kumar. Opposition will also target the AAP government over the High Court order quashing the appointment 21 AAP lawmakers as parliamentary secretaries. The government is likely to get sanction of the Assembly on the revised estimates even as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and two other ministers including Gopal Rai and Imran Hussain, will not attend the proceedings as all three are away from the national capital. Sources in the Aam Aadmi Party alleged that party legislators will raise the issue of "breach of security" of CM at New Delhi Railway Station in the morning. The ruling party MLAs are expected to draw the attention of the House on a numbers of issues including breach of CM's security, interference of the Lt Governor in the functioning of government and infringement on independence of the legislature, party sources said. The issue of repatriation order of Assembly Secretary Prasanna Kumar by LG will also be raised on floor of the House tomorrow. All three BJP legislators including suspended party MLA Om Prakash Sharma today met and made a strategy to corner the government. Opposition leader in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta said that he will expose how the AAP Government, Speaker and the secretary have a "hidden agenda" to defend "unconstitutional and illegal activities" of the government. Gupta said he will also raise the issue of Chief Minister's absence from the Vidhan Sabha session. "CM does not seem to be interested in functioning of the assembly. During the last session, out of four days, he was present only for few hours on the last day during which he did not speak at all," the BJP leader said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A couple facing social boycott, imposed by a 'caste panchayat' in a village in coastal Konkan, today performed puja of the Ganesh idol installed at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's official residence here after he intervened on knowing about their plight. The middle-aged couple, Parmanand Hewalekar and Preetam, had reached the main gate of the state Government Secretariat here yesterday, carrying an idol of Ganesh, after people of their village barred them from celebrating the puja. Hearing their plight, Fadnavis invited them to his official residence 'Varsha' to perform the puja. The Chief Minister later directed Collector and Superintendent of Police of Sindhudurg to look into the grievance of the couple and take necessary action. He also asked the senior bureaucrats to conduct a probe into the boycott and provide relief to the man and his wife. The couple was on dharna at Mantralaya last night to seek justice against their social boycott. The Hewalekars have allegedly been ostracised by the 'jaat panchayat' of their village Mahadevache Kerwade in Kudal tehsil of Sindhudurg district. The spectre of caste panchayats in Maharashtra resurfaced last month when a 45-year-old autorickshaw driver in Pune was allegedly driven to suicide after suffering sustained humiliation at the hands of an illicit caste tribunal. Arun Kisan Naikunji, who belonged to the Lingayat Gawli caste, allegedly took his own life at his home in Pune's Wadgaon Sheri area by hanging himself after he and his family were boycotted relentlessly for two years by the caste tribunal. He had suffered social exclusion for reportedly supporting an inter-caste marriage, which was attended by the victim's brother. (Reopens BOM 8) Minister of State for Home Deepak Kesarkar said the Hewalekars' boycott issue has "many angles" to it. "There are many angles to it. There are cases filed against Hewalekar," he said. The government is firm that there should be no social boycott, the minister added. Pakistan today said Karachi Chambers of Commerce and Industries, which cancelled Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale's public engagement at the last minute, is an independent body, a day after India summoned Pakistani envoy to lodge a strong protest over the incident. Asked about Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit being summoned by Ministry of External Affairs, Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said, "Yes, he was called in by the Indian Foreign Office and given a demarche. We are gathering more information related to this episode. However, let me point out that Karachi Chambers of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) is an independent body." Basit was called to the South Block by MEA Secretary Sujata Mehta, who conveyed government's concern over discourtesy shown to Bambawale, whose address at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce was called off without any reason being given. Bambawale was told about the cancellation just half an hour before the event, invite for which was received and accepted by him a couple of weeks ago. India and Pakistan are engaged in a fierce verbal battle over terrorism and the situation in Kashmir. While India has accused Pakistan of supporting cross border terrorism, Pakistan, on its part, has been trying to internationalise Kashmir, alleging New Delhi of human rights violations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Describing Pakistan as a "responsible" nuclear state, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry has said the country's nuclear assets are "safe" and it qualifies for NSG membership. Addressing a conference on "Assessing South Asia's Nuclear Security" organised by Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) here, Chaudhry said, people of Pakistan are the owners of Pakistan's nuclear programne which is meant only for its defence as a sovereign nation. "Pakistan has always voiced its desire for strategic stability and urges all regional partners to utilise resources for economic development instead of furthering nuclearisation in the region that in turn usher insecurity in the region," he said. Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state and its nuclear assets are safe and regularised by an autonomous body which is Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Radio Pakistan quoted him as saying. He said Pakistan qualifies for the membership for Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and has mobilised the member countries for supporting the cause. The Foreign Secretary hoped that political and commercial motives will not hinder Pakistan's membership for the NSG. Chaudhry said Pakistan has urged the international community and particularly the United States to shun discriminatory practices in the context of nuclear and defence ties as it jeopardizes the stability of whole region. "Credible minimum deterrence remains our principle and as a sovereign country we take every step for the defence of our motherland if any strategic partnership or alliance threats our security and regional stability," he said. Referring to recent US-India defence deal, he said we have no comments for the bilateral relations of any country if "these do not undermine our security and stability of the region." He said Pakistan is a staunch advocate of nuclear non- proliferation at international level and believes in amicable solution of all disputes. In the context of India and Pakistan bilateral relations, he said both countries need to bolster the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to reach pragmatic solutions for their long standing disputes. He said dialogue is the only way possible to keep the relations at a positive trajectory. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistani maritime authorities today apprehended six Indian fishermen and seized their boat in the Arabian sea off Jakhau coast in Kutch district, a senior official of a fishermen association said. The fishermen, who had set sail from Okha coast, were captured by Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) from near the international maritime border, Secretary of the National Fishworkers' Forum (NFF) Manish Lodhari said. They were on a boat named "Nav Durga" and belonged to Mangrol in Junagadh district, he said. The boat was also seized by the PMSA personnel. "The Indian Coast Guard officials have been informed about the incident," Lodhari said. This was the first such action by the PMSA after the new fishing season began on August 15, he said. Around 465 fishermen, mostly from Gujarat, are languishing in Pakistan jails, Lodhari said. Indian and Pakistani coastal security agencies often capture fishing boats for crossing the poorly-defined maritime border into each others' territory. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a blunt message, the US today told Pakistan it cannot "pick and choose" the terrorist groups it goes after and has to target militants who seek to harm its neighbours, taking refuge on its territory. The US also rejected 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's remarks that America and India have joined hands against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which runs through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The remarks by Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner in his daily press briefing were in response to a question seeking his reaction on Saeed's remarks in the wake of India asking Pakistan to hand him over or do something about these attacks. "... I would dismiss it (Saeed's comments) outright. "We have a strong bilateral relationship with Pakistan, but one that is premised on counterterrorism cooperation and as - as part of that conversation, or that dialogue and that cooperation that we have on counterterrorism issues, we made it very clear that Pakistan can't pick and choose which terrorist groups it goes after and it has to go after those groups that seek to do harm to its neighbours and may seek refuge on Pakistani soil," he said. The US earlier said it is in constant "conversation" with the Pakistani leadership on the threats posed by terror organisations like the Haqqani network and LeT operating in the region. The dreaded Haqqani network, which is blamed for several deadly attacks against Indian interests in Afghanistan including the 2008 bombing of the Indian mission in Kabul that killed 58 people, has also carried out a number of kidnappings and attacks against US interests in Afghanistan, the Afghan government and other civilian targets. US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter had refused to give the necessary Congressional certification to Pakistan and had blocked military aid worth USD 300 million to Islamabad for not taking sufficient action against the Haqqani network. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A special women's court here on Thursday awarded capital punishment to 26-year-old Ankur Lal Panwar in the 2013 acid attack case on nurse Preeti Rathi, who died of multiple organ failure after suffering deep internal injuries. Special Judge A S Shende pronounced the death penalty for the convict, a day after prosecution sought the exemplary punishment for him saying acid attack is a crime against women and Panwar did not commit the crime on the spur of the moment but it was a pre-planned attack. On Wednesday, Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam termed the case fit for death sentence, saying that it falls in the "rarest of the rare" category while Panwar's lawyer Apeksha Vora had pleaded leniency for her client, citing his young age and stating that he was the sole breadwinner for his family. "If he is given a lesser punishment and if he is released after completing the sentence, other girls would not be safe," Nikam had submitted. Objective of the sentencing is to deter criminals and like-minded persons from committing such crime, he had said, contending that "the court would be failing in its duty if a just and appropriate punishment was not awarded." Panwar is accused of murdering Delhi native in 2013 by throwing acid at her after he allegedly grew jealous of the nurse who had come to Mumbai to pursue a career in a defence hospital here. On Tuesday, Panwar was convicted under Sections 302 (murder) and 326 B (Voluntarily throwing acid) of the IPC. Rathi, then 24, had died of multiple organ failure after she developed severe health issues on account of swallowing the acid which Panwar threw on her on May 2, 2013 at the Bandra Railway Station here. Rathi, who had come to Mumbai join as nurse in a defence hospital, succumbed to injuries at a private hospital here on June 1, 2013. Panwar was Rathi's neighbour in Bhakra Beas Management Board Colony in Delhi. Mumbai Police filed a 1332-page charge sheet against Panwar, a hotel management graduate in April 2014 and also submitted a list of 98 witnesses after he was arrested from the capital in January. As per the charge sheet, Panwar, threw concentrated sulfuric acid on Preeti at Bandra station here, as he envied her career growth. According to police, Rathi had secured a nursing job with the Ministry of Defence at the INHS Ashvini Hospital. Also, Panwar's parents often told him about his failure to get a job despite completing his education and would praise Preeti, who landed the job at the Navy hospital in Colaba. Panwar wanted to disfigure her face so as to destroy her career. He procured the acid on April 2 and boarded the same train taken by Preeti and her family to Mumbai. After his conviction two days ago, Panwar's mother Kailash had demanded a CBI enquiry claiming her son had been falsely implicated while Rathi's father Amar Singh Rathi had sought death penalty for the accused. Panwar allegedly flung the bottle of acid on Preeti when she got down from Garib Rath Express at the Bandra Terminus and took the same train back home. The gruesome incident had set the local police on a wild goose chase as Panwar had covered his face at the time of the attack. The Railway Police, which initially probed the case, had arrested another neighbour of Rathi, Pawankumar Gahalon, but set him free as there was no evidence against him. Later, based on a Bombay High Court direction, the case was handed over to Mumbai Crime Branch, whose investigation led to Panwar and arrested him. The only surviving suspect in last November's attack on Paris refused to speak to a judge today for a third time, in frustration at 24-hour video surveillance of his prison cell. Salah Abdeslam's lawyer, Frank Berton, said the judge repeatedly asked questions to no avail today. Berton said Abdeslam was not obligated to explain his silence but "obviously" it's linked to the constant surveillance. Authorities hope Abdeslam can provide information about the Islamic State group's strategies and networks, and identify others who might have had a connection to the Nov 13 attacks, which killed 130 people. The same network that attacked Paris struck again in Abdeslam's hometown of Brussels in March, days after he was tracked down in his hideout and arrested. His Brussels lawyer was present at today's hearing in Paris. Abdeslam kept silent at a hearing in May, and refused to attend a hearing in July. Berton argued that two round-the- clock video cameras in Abdeslam's cell in Fleury-Merogis prison could cause psychological damage, but France's top administrative authority struck down the lawyer's request to remove them. Judicial authorities argue the surveillance is needed to ensure he doesn't commit suicide. Abdeslam, 26, initially said he wanted to explain his path to radicalization and his role in the Nov 13 attacks on the Bataclan concert hall, cafes and the national stadium. The other attackers died in suicide bombings or under police fire. Abdeslam's precise role in the attacks has never been clear. The Paris prosecutor has said he was equipped as a suicide bomber that night, but abandoned his plans and fled. Abdeslam evaded police for four months, but was arrested in March in the Brussels neighborhood where he grew up. He was later extradited to France and handed several preliminary terrorism charges. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rattlesnakes have bitten at least two two dogs at High Sierra Dog Park in the Billings Heights in the past two weeks. Both incidents involved larger dogs, and they were given an anti-venom within three hours of the bites. Those two factors are critical for pets to survive snake bites, said Dr. Lisa Galvin, veterinarian at Best Friends Animal Hospital. Best Friends treated both animals, Galvin said. The dogs were held overnight and released the next day. The anti-venom runs about $400 a dose, but fast treatment shortens hospital stays and reduces the cost of care. Rattlesnake bites are not uncommon in the Billings area, Galvin said. Veterinarians at Best Friends see a case about every two weeks. Cases from High Sierra Dog Park arent frequent, but the park encompasses prime rattlesnake habitat. Eradicating the venomous snakes is unlikely as more will move into the area as quickly as theyre removed. To keep animals safe, Galvin suggests pet owners watch for rattlesnakes during warmer months, starting in about April. Owners can reduce the risk of bites by keeping dogs leashed and planning morning or evening visits to sunny, rocky areas like High Sierra, Phipps and Zimmerman parks. Rattlesnakes are less active in the cooler hours of the day. Last Friday, Christine Mueller treated her yellow Lab, Copper, to a romp in the Heights-area dog park. The pair frequent the park daily but had never encountered snakes before. Copper wandered about a dozen feet from Mueller, off the parks trimmed yard grass and into its natural, rocky lower half. The dog investigated a patch of tall grass while she looked on. I thought maybe she stuck her nose in a cactus or something because she jumped back, Mueller said. Then I saw it rattling. She said the rattlesnake was quiet until after the strike. It left Copper with two puncture wounds on her nose, which soon began to swell, and Mueller rushed her pet to the nearby Best Friends Animal Hospital. Copper received treatment and was sent home the next day with more medication. Mueller said the emergency hospital visit totaled about $1,200. She wont be taking Copper to the dog park until the weather cools and the snakes hide for the winter. She also posted signs at High Sierra to let other dog owners know of the recent activity. The snakes wont stop many other dog lovers from enjoying the park. Jasmine Burns takes Griffa, her German shepherd, to High Sierra about five times a week. She always keeps Griffa away from certain areas to avoid snake confrontations and will continue to be careful. Im not going to stop bringing her because she enjoys it. As long as she knows not to go near the rocks, I think shell be OK, Burns said. Salah Abdeslam, the man thought to be the sole surviving member of the jihadist team that attacked Paris in November last year, arrived today for questioning at Paris's main court. Abdeslam, 26, who has twice refused to answer anti-terror judges' questions since he was transferred to France from Belgium in April, was brought to the court in a heavily guarded convoy. He has refused to answer questions since being transferred to France in April and is believed to be angry at round-the- clock surveillance in jail. On July 7 his lawyer Frank Berton sought unsuccessfully to get authorities to halt the surveillance, a source close to the case told AFP. Abdeslam refused to answer questions in his first interview with a French anti-terror judge on May 20. After four months on the run, Abdeslam was arrested on March 18 in Molenbeek, a Brussels neighbourhood notorious for being a hotbed of Islamic extremism, where he grew up. He was brought to France to face terror charges on April 27. Investigators have yet to pin down Abdeslam's exact role in the November 13, 2015, attacks on Paris bars, restaurants, a concert hall and the national stadium in which 130 people were killed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nearly 300 people today had a lucky escape when a Dragonair plane collied with a maintenance van while taxiing on the tarmac at Hong Kong International Airport. Flight KA691 which was due to fly to Penang in Malaysia, collided with the maintenance van while taxiing on the tarmac. "While the aircraft was taxiing away from the departure bay, one of the engines was hit by a maintenance vehicle operated by another company," a Dragonair spokesperson told CNN. "The aircraft is now being inspected by our engineers and our maintenance service provider," the spokesperson said. Dramatic footage shows the A330 passenger plane's engine crushing the van's roof, just inches from the driver's head. He was later taken to hospital, a Hong Kong International Airport spokesman said. There were no injuries to the 295 passengers or crew on board, a Dragonair spokesman said, adding that another aircraft was arranged to carry out the flight. But reports said the driver of the van suffered head and shoulder injuries. He was conscious when rescued from the vehicle and taken to North Lantau Hospital, South China Morning Post quoted police as saying. Five fire engines and two ambulances were called to the scene. "Our plane was about to go into the runway when the van hit the engine and got stuck inside," said witness Toshiro Kobayashi, who filmed dozens of emergency staff attending the scene. "Passengers were also stuck inside the plane for about an hour before evacuated back to terminal," Kobayashi said. Passengers were asked to disembark and the flight finally departed at 7.44pm local time according to Hong Kong International Airport's website. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China's military has equipped all of its ground forces with advanced WZ-10 combat helicopters which will be used to target battle tanks and air-to-air combat missions, a strategic move which could have implications for India. Several WZ-10s have been delivered to an aviation brigade of the PLA's 13th Group Army under the Western Theatre Command, the People's Liberation Army's TV channel reported. This means that all of the Army's aviation units now have this advanced attack helicopter, state-run China Daily reported. Senior Colonel Xu Guolin, deputy chief of the PLA Army's Aviation Equipment Bureau, told the channel that all of the group armies will have at least one aviation brigade or regiment. The helicopter was designed primarily for anti-tank missions, but now has a secondary air-to-air combat capability. Wu Peixin, an aviation analyst in Beijing, said the PLA Army now has a strong force of dedicated combat helicopters thanks to the service of the WZ-10 and WZ-19, another attack helicopter that is less powerful than the WZ-10. "The Army now needs more medium-lift, multipurpose helicopters such as the US Army's Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk," he said. "This helicopter is capable of performing both combat operations and transport tasks." Gao Zhuo, a military observer in Shanghai, said the PLA Army needs at least 3,000 helicopters, especially heavy-lift transport types and multipurpose models. Meanwhile, the Chinese military has discounted media reports that China's stealth fighter J-20, currently undergoing trials, will be deployed in Tibet along the India-China border. Reacting to reports that J-20 spotted at the Daocheng Yading Airport in Tibet, an article in the PLA website said that J-20 will be put into service soon but the 'China-India border is apparently not the ideal place for its deployment'. "In addition, the world's highest airport there does not have a complete set of supporting facilities and such shortage will impede the function of J-20," it said. "J-20 will not be deployed in Daocheng Yading airport as the airport is too close to the border, and it is vulnerable to India's first wave hit. If India is to deploy BrahMos missile on the China-India border, then the Daocheng Yading airport will likely to become its target," it said. "Experts pointed out that for India, China is undoubtedly its largest opponent and therefore every move of the Chinese military will touch the nerve of Indian media," it said. "India is not yet the biggest threat for China and though confrontation events along the border would occur from time to time, the overall situation is rather stable," it said. "In this way, China does not put too much emphasis and focus targeting India. Chinese equipment deployment and drills along the border are mostly confirmatory, mainly to gain experience, improve high-altitude combat capability, and form deterrent ability," it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With Kolkata yet to be 100 per cent literate, a West Bengal minister today said the state government is in talks with the city mayor and other leaders to devise a strategy to increase the literacy rate. Speaking at a programme on the International Literacy Day, Mass Education Minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury said, "Kolkata is not 100 lietrate as some other districts. We have spoken to Mayor Sovan Chatterjee and other leaders to formulate a strategy to reduce the illiteracy rate in the city". Literacy rate is lowest in Purulia and nine other districts of the state, he said. "We are planning to reduce it by 10 per cent in five years. Our target is 10 lakh each year," Chowdhury said. This year around 11,27,000 male and female (from 15 years and above) sat for the literacy test and around 60 per cent of them were mothers, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today applauded the ISRO scientists for the launch of advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR onboard GSLV-F05, terming it as an exemplary achievement which made India proud. "Congratulations to @isro scientists for time and again demonstrating top-notch skill, unparalleled dedication & remarkable determination," Modi tweeted. "Our space programme keeps making us proud with the exemplary achievements. Successful launch of INSAT-3DR is a moment of immense joy," he added. Today's mission, the 10th flight of GSLV, assumes significance for the Indian Space Research Organisation as it is the first operational flight of the rocket fitted with the indigenous cryogenic upper stage. INSAT-3DR, with a designed mission life of ten years, will provide service continuity to earlier meteorological missions and further augment the capability to provide various meteorological, search and rescue services. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After it received complaint that beef was being added to biryani, police and cow vigilantes in in Mundaka village here are keeping close vigil to avoid any such incident in view of Eid al-Adha to be celebrated next week. Police had received a complaint on August 24 on beef being added to biryani in Mundaka village following which seven samples were collected and sent to laboratory in Hisar for testing, Mewat SP Kuldeep Singh said here today. Deputy Director of Mewat Animal Husbandry Department Narender Kumar said more samples will be collected if such complaints were received. "We collected the samples and handed them over to the police. More samples will be collected in the coming days only if complaint pours in," said Kumar. The police's Cow Protection Task Force (CPTF) has spruced up its network of informers in areas where beef consumption is suspected to be high, official sources said. Bharti Arora, CPTF's nodal officer and the deputy inspector general of police, said they are yet to receive the report on the seven samples taken from Mundaka. Arora, who was appointed the nodal officer on July 5, added that checking biryanis is a part of other measures taken by the task force to curb beef consumption. Arora held a meeting with Mewat superintendent of police Kuldeep Singh and chairperson of Haryana Gau Seva Aayog Bhani Ram Mangla at Nuh on Tuesday and directed officials to be on their toes in the wake of complaints about the usage of beef in biryani. "There have been complaints of beef consumption and it cannot not be detected easily. Religious leaders in the area will urged to stop usage of beef," said Mangla. Meanwhile, Haryana Congress vice-president Aftab Ahmed said the measures were a "humiliation to the minority community and the particular area". Earlier in March, the Haryana government enforced Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gau Samvardhan Act 2015 making cow slaughter punishable with rigorous imprisonment up to 10 years and a fine of Rs 1 lakh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) High Court on Thursday granted exemption to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from appearing in person before a trial court here in a criminal defamation case, saying the presence of high dignitaries "creates a nuisance" in the courtroom. "I can understand that on a specific date he (Kejriwal) is required, but it should not be for every date. Presence of high dignatries creates a nuisance in the courtroom," Justice Mukta Gupta said. The court's oral observation came on Kejriwal's plea seeking permanent exemption from personal appearance before a trial court in the defamation case filed against him by Amit Sibal, lawyer son of former union minster Kapil Sibal. The high court exempted Kejriwal from appearing before the trial court on September 17, the next date of hearing. It, however, clarified that Kejriwal will have to appear if specifically directed by the trial court. It also said that the matter before the trial court should not be adjourned "due to non-appearance of petitioner". The high court also sought Amit Sibal's response on Kejriwal's plea by December 6. Senior advocate Sudhir Nandrajog, appearing for Kejriwal, submitted that it was not possible for his client to appear on each and every date before a trial court as he being the Chief Minister of Delhi, had many other things to look after. "Notice has been framed in the matter. Cross examination is going on," the counsel said and asked why his client was required on each and every date. Kejriwal's contention was countered by senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, appearing for Amit Sibal, saying the Chief Minister has been seeking exemption on simple grounds like going for 'vipasana'. He cannot get exemption on such grounds and will have to appear before the trial court in the matter, the counsel said. Besides Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia Sisodia, complainant Amit Sibal had also named former AAP members Prashant Bhushan and Shazia Ilmi as accused in the case. The lower court on September 20, 2014, had put all the four accused on trial for the charge under section 500 (defamation) of the IPC. The accused had pleaded not guilty to the offence and claimed trial. The court had on July 24, 2014, summoned Kejriwal, Sisodia, Bhushan and Ilmi in the criminal defamation case filed by Amit Sibal, who is a senior lawyer. Sibal had alleged that the accused had said he had taken advantage of his father's position to represent a telecom company in the court cases here. Punjab Assembly's monsoon session began today with the House paying tributes to 16 eminent personalities who passed away recently, including the wife of senior BJP leader LK Advani. As the House assembled on the opening day, Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal mentioned about the deaths of Kamla Advani, eight freedom fighters, two former MLAs among others. "Kamla lived her life for the uplift of poor," the Speaker said. Among the freedom fighters included Karta Ram, Gurcharan Singh, Gurdial Singh, Babu Singh and Sant Singh Patanga. The House also paid tributes to Chand Kaur, wife of the former head of Namdhari sect Jagjit Singh, former MLAs Swaran Singh and Ram Lal. Meanwhile, the Speaker denied request of Congress Legislature Party leader Charanjit Singh Channi, who wished to include few other names who died in the recent past and asked him to maintain the sanctity of the occasion. Later, Assembly observed two-minute silence following which the Speaker adjourned the House for the day as a mark of respect to the departed souls. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief negotiators of 16 countries, including India and Australia, will meet next month in China to iron out issues related with the proposed mega trade deal - the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). This meeting is crucial as the members have now agreed for a single tier system of tariff relaxation from the earlier three-tier system, sources said. "The meeting will start from October 13 in Beijing. This will be the 15th round of negotiations," they added. The RCEP is a mega trade deal which aims to cover goods, services, investments, economic and technical cooperation, competition and intellectual property rights. The one-week long meeting is also likely to deliberate on issues related to services and investments. Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently stated that the deadline of concluding the talks by December this year would be missed. Talks for the pact started in Phnom Penh in November 2012. The 16 countries account for over a quarter of the world's economy, estimated to be more than USD 75 trillion. The 16-member bloc RCEP comprises 10 ASEAN members (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam) and their six FTA partners -- India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Staff at ZooMontana didnt realize how difficult getting around the grounds can be for people with disabilities until they hired a man in a wheelchair for a front office job. We learned a lot about how noncompliant we were with the (Americans with Disabilities Act), the zoos executive director, Jeff Ewelt, told the Job Services Employer Council on Wednesday. A telephone was mounted too high, and some zoo paths and bridges were difficult for the employee to negotiate. We wouldnt have gotten that education if we hadnt had him as an employee, Ewelt said. Hiring employees with disabilities and providing high school students with disabilities with job shadowing opportunities has not only boosted morale among employees, but its also been good for business, Ewelt said. We have found that a lot of individuals like to visit organizations that utilize services provided by people with disabilities, he said. We all tout that we are equal-opportunity employers, and we need to stand behind that. Joining Ewelt during a noon panel discussion at Job Service Billings was Paula Miller, training coordinator at RiverStone Health. From ages 12-18, Miller suffered debilitating juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. With help from vocational rehabilitation providers, Miller completed college. She worked part-time jobs along the way and was aided by employers who provided accommodations and colleagues who did what she could not in exchange for Miller covering some of their tasks. There was no embarrassment when I was asked if I needed accommodations, she said. It put a smile on my face to learn that I could be a productive citizen. During those early jobs, I was always trying to make sure I wasnt being an added burden, Miller said. If they didnt bring up (accommodating her needs), I didnt either. But then theyd ask me how can we help you make this better? Ewelt said that on occasion, parents ask him or other zoo staff to allow their child with autism, for example, to shadow zookeepers for a few hours to learn more about their job. Those opportunities give our staff a sense of purpose, he said. Theyre already caregivers to animals, so they have a caring side anyway. We are adamant about giving people those experiences, and were fortunate to have a platform where we can do that. Ewelt said his only original hesitation in hiring people with disabilities and offering job shadow experiences was how it might deter him from his main task running the zoo. At first I was hesitant. What kind of time would it take away from our employees? he said. But once everyones comfortable, its amazing how well it goes. So many people want to be a part of what were doing. Why not give them the opportunity? We havent seen too many challenges, he added. Every now and then we have an individual who is screaming at a public venue, and that can turn heads. We thought about it, but at the end of the day who cares? People will get over it, and the animals certainly dont care. He said his favorite workday is Monday, the day COR Enterprises, a janitorial service that employs people with disabilities, comes to clean ZooMontanas main building. I have come to love my Mondays. I get hugs from all the COR folks, he said. We can all make a difference, and its pretty darn simple to do. People like me with a disability appreciate it when you give us a shot, Miller said. Retired Pope Benedict XVI has acknowledged that governing the church wasn't his strong suit but says he doesn't see his papacy as a failure and that he succeeded at least in breaking up the Vatican's so-called "gay lobby." In a first-ever book by a retired pope reflecting on his papacy, Benedict also says he was shocked, and initially uncertain, about the election of Pope Francis as his successor. But he said he immediately realized the significance of electing a Latin American pope and has been very happy with Francis' papacy. Excerpts of the book, titled "The Last Conversations," were published today in Italian daily Corriere della Sera and German weekly Die Zeit and daily Bild. The book was prepared as a long interview with German journalist Peter Seewald, who has conducted several interviews with Benedict from the time he was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. It is being published just weeks after a major biography of Benedict that included a foreward written by Francis was released, suggesting something of a lifetime bookend for the German theologian, who will turn 90 in April. In the excerpts, Benedict acknowledges the "difficult moments" of his papacy the sex abuse scandal which reignited in 2010, the scandal over his exoneration of a Holocaust-denying bishop, and finally the leaks of his personal papers by his own butler. "Practical governance is not a strong point, and this certainly is a weakness," Benedict told Seewald. "But I don't see myself as a failure. For eight years I did my service" and many people found a new path to their faith, he said. One governance success was the dissolution of the so-called "gay lobby" in the Vatican, Benedict said. The existence of this group of gay prelates who purportedly used blackmail to promote and preserve their interests has been mythologized in Italian media, particularly after Benedict named a commission of three cardinals to investigate the leaks of his papers in 2012. Seewald asked if such a clique existed. "Indeed a group was pointed out to me, in the meantime we have dissolved it," Benedict said. "This was mentioned in the report by the commission (of three cardinals), who were able to nail down a small group of four or five people maybe, which we dissolved. I don't know whether something new will form again. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In two separate robberies, Rs 63 lakh was looted from a Chartered Accountant and a collection agent in different parts of the city today. The CA was looted of Rs 40 lakh cash he was carrying from his one office to other in Daryaganj area in central Delhi around 12:30 pm, police said. "He was intercepted by three bikers who snatched the money from him. A case has been registered and investigation has been taken up," a police spokesperson said. In the other incident, a collection agent working with a mobile recharge trader at Azadpur market in north Delhi's Bara Hindurao area was robbed off Rs 23 lakh around 8 pm. "Sanjay was returning to Azadpur market after collecting the officer money from Chandni Chowk area when his motorcycle collided with another bike near Bara Hindurao Chowk," a police spokesperson said. "The two men riding the other bike picked up a fight with him and snatched his bag containing Rs 23 lakh," he added. Police have started investigation and screening CCTV footage for leads in the case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions has adopted six villages in and around the city to extend education and also women's empowerment as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, a top official said here today. The unit, which has completed 10 years of operations in the city, an important innovation hub for RBEI, selected six villages in and around Saravanampatti, which would be developed as model villages, its president and Managing Director Vijay Ratnaparkhe told reporters here. The company will provide educational facilities to the villagers, occupational and vocational training, besides steps for women empowerment by various training facilities,he said. Depending on the success, the company would adopt another 14 villages to help the needy, CSR Manager Anita said. On the company's plans for the coming 10 years, Rathnaparkhe said it would focus on innovative technology for its customer oriented solutions. 'Coimbatore Research and Development Centre is already a powerhouse of technology and innovation now, he said it has grown to 6,000 associates from 125 in 2006 and provides world-class solutions to global customers,' he said. The Centre has 10 advanced research facilities that caters to topics which include connectivity, sensors, electrification and emerging markets, Rathnapakhe said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP today lashed out at the LDF government over reports claiming that it was mulling banning RSS drill in shrines in Kerala and alleged that the step was aimed at using temple complexes for CPI(M) workers' activities. BJP state president Kummanom Rajasekharan said the RSS conducts its 'shakhas' as per law and after getting due permission from authorities concerned. "Devaswom Minister who says that arms training should not be allowed in shrines also should reveal in which shrines arms training is being held. "The objective of the move is to make temple complexes a venue for CPI(M) party workers' activities. It is part of an attempt of CPI(M) to silence all those who oppose the violent activities of communists," he alleged. The RSS conducts its shakhas as per law and after getting due permission and sanction from authorities concerned. "The law banning arms training is already there. We are not doing anything in violation of temple traditions and customs inside temple complexes," the BJP leader said. He alleged that three CPI(M) workers were killed in an explosion when they were making bombs inside a temple at Thalassery in 2000. "Then who is making temples a storehouse of arms?" he asked. The friction between the Left parties and the RSS has intensified in the aftermath of the May Assembly polls, with both the sides accusing each other of unleashing political violence. A crude bomb was hurled at a BJP office in the heart of the city on September 6 midnight. The incident occurred shortly after BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan had left the office for Kozhikode, where preparations are on for the three-day National Executive and Council meeting from September 23 which is being attended by senior party leaders and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A BJP worker was attacked allegedly by CPI(M) workers in Kannur district last night. Police also seized two bombs at Pallikunnu in the heart of Kannur, which has been witnessing sporadic clashes between CPI(M) and BJP workers since the assembly polls. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nearly 35 per cent of rural households across the country are still bereft of electricity mainly due to lack of effective monitoring and co-ordination between the Centre and state governments, a recent report has said. "Access to electricity is a key socio-economic development indicator - an area where there is still a significant gap in India. As of May 2016, 35 per cent of rural households are bereft of electricity with sharp variation across the country," as per a study by financial services firm JM Financial. While 87 and 71 per cent household in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, respectively, have no reported access, there is universal electricity access in states such as Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, it added. "As electricity is a concurrent subject, lack of effective monitoring and co-ordination can be attributed to the wide variance across states," the brokerage firm noted. It pointed out that there has been a delay in execution of projects and was evident from the low actual spend in past programmes. By May 2016, only 25 per cent of the 12th Plan's amount allocated to rural electrification programme has been spent and 81 per cent for the 10th-11th Plan has been spent. The Narendra Modi government has launched the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) as the flagship rural electrification programme. "DDUGJY incorporates real-time monitoring of work progress, independent verifications through Gram Vidyut Abhiyanta (GVA) engineers and is likely to see improved execution," the firm said. As per the report, rural electrification, along with the urban T&D development plan, is expected to drive massive spending of Rs 1.6 trillion (USD 24 billion) over FY16-22; benefiting companies across the electricity chain. According to the study, five states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Assam, account for 80 per cent of un-electrified households. These states account for 38 per cent of total population, are economically weaker (GDP/capita at 55 per cent of the national average) and also have inferior power generation infrastructure (18 per cent of national installed power capacity). "However, due to the way village electrification is currently defined, even Bihar and UP report 98 per cent of villages as electrified, even though only 13 per cent and 29 per cent, respectively, of rural households have electricity access in these states," it said. JM Financial, therefore, noted that the criteria for declaring a village as electrified should be relooked and focus should be on monitoring household electrification more than village electrification. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Italy on Thursday made a fresh plea in the Supreme Court for modification of bail conditions of marine Massimiliano Latorre to enable him remain in Italy till an international tribunal decides on which country has the right to trial the case of killing of Indian fishermen. The apex court agreed to hear on September 20 the plea in which Latorre has sought imposition of same bail conditions that were made applicable to marine Salvatore Girone, his co- accused in killing of two fishermen off Kerala coast in 2012. A bench comprising Justices A R Dave and L Nageswara Rao decided to hear the plea filed by Italy on behalf of Latorre after a batch of senior lawyers, including K T S Tulsi, mentioned the matter and sought an urgent hearing on the ground that an earlier apex court order in the matter was valid till September 30 this year. "Modify the bail conditions of chief master sergeant Massimiliano Latorre in the same terms as those prescribed for sergeant major Salvator Girone by this court's order dated May 26 this year... To enable Latorre to remain in Italy until a final decision by the Annex VIII Arbitral Tribunal on the merits of the case that finds India may exercise jurisdiction over him in respect of the Enrica Lexie incident," the plea said. While relaxing Girone's bail conditions on May 26, the apex court had allowed him to go to his country till the jurisdictional issue between India and Italy was decided in an international arbitral tribunal. The apex court had imposed four conditions on Girone including that he has to report to police station in Italy on first Wednesday of every month and the Italian authorities have to inform the Indian Embassy in Rome about it. The second condition was that he will not tamper with any evidence, nor influence any witness in the case. The third condition was that Girone will give an undertaking that he will remain under the jurisdiction of Supreme Court and lastly, if found violating any of the conditions, his bail will be cancelled, the court had said. The marines, who were on board ship 'Enrica Lexie', are accused of killing two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast on February 15, 2012. The complaint against the marines was lodged by Freddy, the owner of fishing boat 'St Antony', in which the two Indian fishermen were killed when the marines opened fire on them allegedly under the misconception that they were pirates. On April 26, the apex court had extended till September 30 the stay of Latorre in Italy after it was informed that the international arbitral proceedings would be completed by December 2018 before International Tribunal for Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Germany. The court had also asked the Italian Embassy here to give an undertaking to abide by the conditions under which Latorre was allowed to leave India. The court had earlier stayed all criminal proceedings, including the trial of the two marines. While allowing the joint request of India and Italy, the apex court had said the proceedings would remain stalled till the jurisdictional issue about which country has the right to conduct trial was decided through international arbitration. The apex court had on August 26, 2015 suspended all court proceedings here in pursuance of an interim order of the ITLOS asking India to maintain "status quo" in the case. The Indian government had then said a five-member tribunal (ITLOS Annex VII arbitral tribunal) would be set up, probably to decide the issue of jurisdiction. The court, in August last year, had extended the stay of Latorre, who had undergone a heart surgery in Italy, by six months while asking him to file an undertaking that he would abide by its conditions. Latorre, who had also suffered a brain stroke on August 31, 2014, was allowed by the apex court on September 12, 2014 to go to Italy for four months and after that, extensions have been granted to him. The benchmark BSE Sensex closed above 29,000-mark for the first in 17 months after rising 119 points today on buying in auto and realty sectors, while IT stocks took a heavy beating following TCS' outlook warning. This triggered selling in IT counters with the country's largest software services firm TCS' falling by 5.14 per cent to Rs 2,321.15. Wipro plunged 1.77 per cent Rs 473.60 and Infosys tanked 1.62 per cent to Rs 1,037.90. Among gainers, auto stocks were in limelight, after Siam raised growth guidance for the industry. Sector leader Maruti Suzuki hit an all-time high after rising 2.71 per cent to Rs 5,482.40. Bajaj Auto soared 3.55 per cent to Rs 3,091.95. Tracking gains in bluechip stocks, investors were also seen building up position in broader markets, lifting the small-cap and mid-cap indices by 0.83 and 0.15 per cent. "Market turned positive with continued liquidity while IT bellwethers were the laggards today due to reduction in revenue estimate, which capped the upside," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services. With the US data continuing to diminish chances of a September rate hike by the Federal Reserve, domestic equities continued to attract interest. The 30-share BSE barometer after a slightly better start, quickly slipped into the negative zone and touched a low of 28,854.56 on profit-booking in select scrips. However, on emergence of buying it staged a strong comeback to hit a high of 29,077.28 before finally settling 118.92 points or 0.41 per cent higher at 29,045.28, its highest closing since April 13, last year. The 50-share index ended up by 34.55 points to finish the day at 8,952.50 after shuttling between 8,896 and 8,960.35. Sentiment also got a boost after domestic passenger vehicle sales grew for a 14th straight month in August with a 16.68 per cent increase, triggering buying activity in select auto sector stocks. Globally, Asian markets mostly ended mixed with Hong Kong and Shanghai rising as investors cheered data showing Chinese imports rose in August for the first time in almost two years. Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.75 per cent, while Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.13 per cent. However, Japan's Nikkei fell 0.32 per cent. Europe was also mixed with the UK's FTSE higher by 0.35 per cent, however, Germany's DAX was down 0.19 per cent, while France's CAC 40 was 0.06 per cent lower. In the domestic market, 18 scrips out of 30 ended higher while 12 closed lower. Tata Motors emerged as the top gainer among Sensex constituents by rising 6.49 per cent to Rs 540.20 after reports that Credit Suisse has upgraded its shares to "outperform" from "neutral". Shares of ICICI Bank rose nearly 2 per cent today after the company reported a net profit of Rs 3,102 crore for the quarter ended September as against Rs 3,030 crore in the corresponding period a year ago. State-run power equipment maker BHEL's shares advanced by 2.87 per cent to Rs 143.15 after the company reported a net profit of Rs 109 crore in the second quarter. Other big gainers that supported the key indices included GAIL, Asian Paint, Power Grid, Bajaj Auto, Axis Bank, ONGC, HDFC Ltd, M&M, Dr Reddy's, Wipro and Infosys, rising by up to 2.94 per cent. However, Sun Pharma fell by 3.35 per cent, followed by Cipla 1.74 per cent, Maruti 1.03 per cent, Adani Ports 0.94 per cent, NTPC 0.71 per cent and Tata Steel 0.70 per cent. The market breadth turned negative as 1,528 stocks ended lower, 1,354 finished in green while 128 ruled steady. The total turnover on BSE amounted to Rs 3,142.77 crore, lower than turnover of Rs 3,203.53 crore registered during the previous trading session. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 311.18 crore yesterday, as per provisional data. The much acclaimed biography of Bollywood actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha titled 'Anything but Khamosh' was launched in Nepal today. Vice President of Nepal was the chief guest at the function. Earlier, Sinha attended the 'LG Film Awards function' as a guest of honour in the capital city Kathmandu. The book on Sinha written by journalist Bharti Pradhan highlights life and struggle of the actor-turned BJP MP in the field of film as well politics. It also brings to light interesting though unheard details about him. 'Anything but Khamosh' was launched by veteran BJP leader L K Advani in Delhi. A release function of the book was later held at the Jaipur literacy festival, then in Pune and recently in Sinha's home town Patna where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD president Lalu Prasad were present. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rain triggered by the south-west monsoon active over Bihar kept temperatures at comfortable level in Patna and other parts of the state during the past 24 hours, MeT department said. Light to moderate rainfall occurred at most places in south west, south central and north west parts of Bihar while one or two places of south west, south central and north west parts of the state were lashed by heavy rainfall. The weather remained pleasant in Patna for the second consecutive day as the state capital witnessed a good morning showers today. Patna registered 40.8 mm of rainfall, Met office said. While Gaya registered the highest amount of rainfall among the major cities at 107.9 mm, Purnea recorded 1.3 mm and Bhagalpur received nil rainfall, it said. In its forecast for the next 24 hours for the state, the MeT department predicted that generally cloudy sky with light rain for major cities of Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur and Purnea. The light to moderate rainfall brought the temperature down across the major cities of the state. Bhagalpur recorded the highest maximum temperature at 34.7 degrees Celsius followed by 33.8 degrees Celsius in Purnea, 31.6 degrees Celsius in Patna and 30.3 degrees Celsius in Gaya, Met office said. Due to heavy rainfall, Gaya remained the most humid place with 98 per cent followed by 97 per cent of humidity level in Patna, 93 per cent in Bhagalpur and 80 per cent in Purnea. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Average Montana wages are increasing faster than the nations, unemployment is low overall and productivity has increased, according to the 2016 Labor Day Report authored by economists in the state Department of Labor and Industry. Those current statistics are very positive, but a potential crisis looms. Worker demand is expected to keep growing faster than its worker supply. This isnt news to Montanans who have been alert to demographic trends that began before the turn of the century. Montanas population is aging faster than most states and older workers are retiring faster than younger workers are joining the labor market. Montana already has the 20th highest labor market participation among the 50 states. But we must go higher to keep our economy growing. Already, about 4,000 workers migrate into Montana annually; we will need more migrants. Montana needs more of its citizens to be well educated and prepared to work. More than 10 years ago, economist Larry Swanson from the OConnor Center for the Rocky Mountain West at the University of Montana advised Billings business leaders to prepare for the baby boomer retirement wave by attracting 20-something and 30-something workers. In March 2006, The Gazette reported on Swansons talk: Projections indicate that the county's population will grow to 150,000 by 2015. However, the baby boomers will be leaving the work force. This significant demographic shift will affect everything from housing to health care to the job market, Yellowstone Countys population now is 150,000 and Billings has surpassed 110,000. The county has virtually full employment, and many employers struggle to find skilled workers and even entry-level unskilled workers. With 6 percent of its labor force older than age 65, Montana has the second highest share of older workers in the nation. If Montanas job growth continues, unemployment rates could dip below 2 percent in the coming decade, the DLI economists reported. They also wrote about solutions for the worker shortage: Attract more workers from outside Montana. Persuade more part time workers to increase their hours. Twenty-one percent of Montana workers ages 16 to 64 worker fewer than 35 hours per week, the seventh highest part-time rate among the states. Better wages and benefits would attract more full time workers. Encourage paid family leave to retain child and elder caregivers in the workforce. The DLI economists said that access to paid family leave after the birth of a child significantly increases the likelihood that workers will return to work, with most employers reporting positive or neutral costs because the reduced turnover costs compensated for the costs of the leave. Address gender pay disparity to attract more women to the workforce. Focus on employing U.S. military veterans, who are less likely than the general population to be working. Offer supports for workers with disabilities to succeed in the workplace. Improve worker education to increase productivity. Increasing high school graduation rates, especially among Native American students, will greatly enhance Montanas workforce. Its no coincidence that reservation communities have some of the highest high school dropout rates and high unemployment rates. The more education people have, the more likely they are to be working. Higher education generally means higher compensation, which benefits the state economy and the individual worker. Montana must step up efforts to train workers thoroughly and more quickly. That includes offering more apprenticeships for skilled trades and streamlining degree programs for nurses and other in-demand health care professionals. Even elementary students must be encouraged to start thinking about careers and post-secondary education. Alignment for K-14 and K-16 education has become essential. Montana needs to emphasize (and sufficiently fund) career and technical education, expand dual college-high school credit courses and create meaningful opportunities for all high school students to be job shadows. As the Montana economists said in the 2016 Labor Day Report: With workers in short supply, each individual worker is valuable to our economy. Delhi Congress has demanded that Vidhan Sabha Speaker "debar" the 21 legislators of ruling party from the special session of the Assembly in view of High Court decision "quashing" their appointment as Parliamentary Secretaries by the AAP government. Party president Ajay Maken has written a letter to Assembly speaker Ram Niwas Goel to "debar" the 21 MLAs from the 'special session' and all future sessions in view of the Delhi High Court quashing the order of the Delhi Government, appointing them as Parliamentary secretaries. A bench of Delhi High Court comprising Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal today set aside the Arvind Kejriwal-led government's order appointing 21 AAP MLAs as parliamentary secretaries. The special session of Delhi Assembly called by AAP government will be held tomorrow. "The 21 MLAs appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries should not be allowed to attend the special session and all future sessions of the Assembly as the High Court has quashed the Delhi Government's order of their appointment and the Election Commission's verdict on the issue is awaited," Maken said. Maken has also sought "termination of membership" of three ex ministers of AAP government for facing "serious charges". "There are serious charges against the three former AAP ministers--Jitender Singh Tomar, Asim Ahmed Khan and Sandeep Kumar--and therefore, a resolution should be introduced to terminate their membership from the Assembly in the special session," he said. Questioning relevance of "special session", he said it was a "betrayal" with people of Delhi as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and most of his ministers would be skipping it as they would be away in Punjab, Gujarat and Goa. Delhi Congress will launch a series of dharnas in all the 70 Assembly constituencies of Delhi from September 14 to protest against AAP government's alleged "betrayal" of people. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seeking to put a lid on the debate in Andhra Pradesh, the Government today said the system of according Special Category Status for states has gone out of vogue following the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission. The central government, however, has agreed to give special assistance to Andhra Pradesh for five years which would make up for the additional funds the state might have received between 2015-16 and 2019-20 in pursuance of the promise made by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the time of bifurcation, an official release said. Meanwhile, not satisfied by the financial package announced by the Centre last night, Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly in Hyderabad today witnessed an uproar with Opposition YSR Congress stalling proceedings over denial of special category status to the state. On the promise of former Prime Minister to accord special category status to Andhra Pradesh, the Finance Ministry release said, "...Following the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission, the class of special category states ceases to exist." It further said that the additional assistance "will be in the form of central government funding for externally added projects for Andhra Pradesh signed and disbursed during these years." Referring to the financial package announced yesterday, the ministry said: "The government of India is thus honouring and shall honour all commitments made under the AP Reorganisation Act. The package includes full funding of Pollavaram irrigation project, tax concessions and a special assistance. Andhra Pradesh, which financially suffered because of creation of separate state of Telangana in June 2014, will get a railway zone as also all cost incurred on the irrigation part of Polavaram project from the date it was declared a National Project on April 1, 2014, will be funded by the Centre. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Sri Lankan court today gave permission to police to exhume the body of a high-profile newspaper editor whose murder under the previous Mahinda Rajapaksa regime remains unsolved. The Colombo suburban Mount Lavinia magistrate's court has issued the order on the killing of Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickrematunga in January 2009 following an application by the Police's Crime Investigation Department (CID). Editor Wickrematunga and his newspaper were staunch critics of Rajapaksa. He was a sharp critic of the then government's alleged human rights violations during a civil war with the ethnic Tamil rebels. The reason for exhumation is to determine the exact cause of his death. The original autopsy report on the death by the Judicial Medical Officer had been inconclusive. The officer who carried out the autopsy reported that the death occurred due to gunshot wounds while the surgeon said the wounds were not from bullets, the police said. The Sri Lankan government led by Maithripala Sirisena, who came to power in January 2015, had reopened investigations into Wickremetunga's murder, pledging to arrest all those involved in the killing. A number of journalists were killed, reported as missing after being abducted by government paramilitaries, or beaten up under Rajapaksa's administration. No one has been convicted. The exhumation is to take place on September 27 at the Colombo General cemetery. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Veteran filmmaker Clint Eastwood says he decided to take up the story of pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger as he founded it uplifting. The 86-year-old director said the captain handled the situation well as he landed his plane safely on Hudson river and protected what could have been one of the biggest tragedies, reported E! online. "It was a very uplifting story. It could have been a terrible tragedy and it turned out to be uplifting. There was some conflict as to how Sully handled the situation, but he handled it great," Eastwood said. Asked if he would prefer his lead actor Tom Hanks as his pilot the veteran actor-filmmaker said he would any day prefer the real captain Sully, but would choose Hanks to play the role. "Sully" is an biographical drama, about US Airways Flight 1549 and its pilot, Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, based on the autobiography 'Highest Duty' by Sullenberger and Jeffrey Zaslow. The incident on January 15, 2009, known as the 'Miracle on the Hudson' saw Sullenberger glide his disabled plane onto the frigid waters of the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 aboard. Jamey Sheridan, Aaron Eckhart and Laura Linney also star in the Todd Komarnicki-written film. Besides directing the movie, Eastwood is also producing it. "Sully" is set to hit the theaters this Friday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A final year polytechnic student died today after being allegedly thrashed by a fellow student following an argument at his institute's hostel in Sonepat, police said. Pushpendra, a resident of Faridabad, died after being thrashed by Deepak Kund. He was found dead inside the hostel premises, said Civil Lines police in-charge Virendra. The clash broke out after a heated argument between the two over a tape, he said, adding family members have alleged negligence on part of college authorities. Kund has been booked under relevant sections of IPC. He is absconding, Virendra said. The body after postmortem has been handed over to family members. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Summoned by NCW for his remarks defending sacked Delhi Minister Sandeep Kumar, AAP leader Ashutosh today chose to rake up the 2009 Gujarat snooping row demanding that the rights body first probe the alleged role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. Ashutosh, who is AAP spokesperson, today met National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam, who had summoned him over his controversial blog in which he came out in support of Kumar who was sacked over an alleged sex scandal. He submitted a written complaint to the Chairperson about the alleged snooping incident in 2009, which he later shared on twitter. "If you want to hang me, hang me. But let me bring to your attention a far serious allegation." "...A woman was harassed by men occupying constitutional posts. If it goes without being investigated and persons being unpunished, if found guilty, then the women of this country will lose faith in NCW in particular and in justice in general," he said. "...The demand of justice is that NCW under your august leadership should take cognisance of this matter seriously, send notice to both- Mr Amit Shah and Mr Modi- summon them to the NCW office for an explanation and further investigation just as you have sent a notice to me," Ashutosh wrote in his letter. The snooping controversy erupted after claims by two investigative portals in 2013 that former Gujarat Home Minister Amit Shah had ordered illegal surveillance of a woman at the behest of one "Saheb", alleged to be Modi. The BJP had trashed the allegations, calling it a handiwork of "dirty tricks" department of rivals. Ashutosh today tweeted, "NCW chairperson has promised to register a complaint against Narendra Modi/Amit Shah and initiate action on snooping of a woman. Thanks Mam (sic)." Kumaramangalam, however, denied it and said she had merely received the complaint. "In the so called reply, he also made allegations against BJP President Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Commission has received the letter and we have informed him that we will process the letter and give him our answer in a couple of days." "...We have said that we will process the letter according to our mandate. What we can do further will only be decided when I sit with my legal team," Kumaramangalam said. She also said that NCW didn't find AAP leader's reply "satisfactory". Ashutosh later told the media, "I have clearly said that the NCW letter summoning me is a violation of my fundamental right to freedom of speech." NCW had summoned Ashutosh earlier this week objecting to "his reprehensible and demeaning blog...Which reeks of patriarchy and misogyny". Ashutosh had written a blog for NDTV website on the sex CD row in which former Delhi Minister Sandeep Kumar figured. Ashutosh's blog asked, "The question is that if two consenting adults are physically involved with each other is it a crime?" The woman in the CD, however, later filed a police complaint against Kumar following which he surrendered before police. A trial court today extended his police custody by a day. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP today alleged that the Bihar government in a systematic manner paved the way for the release of RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin from jail. "The state government in a systematic manner paved the way for release of Mohammad Shahabuddin, who is part of the RJD top policy-making body, from jail," senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said in a statement here. The Patna High Court had yesterday granted bail to controversial RJD leader Mohammad Shahbuddin in a case of murder of a witness in the killing of two brothers in Siwan by bathing them in acid. The bail would mean Shahabuddin would come out of jail after a gap of 11 years. He has acquired bail in other cases against him too. "When the court had on February 2016 ordered to complete trial in the murder case of Rajiv Roshan, the state government as part of thoughful planning did not allow trial to take place so as to pave the way for him to get bail," Sushil alleged. "Will Shahabuddin, a symbol of 'jungle raj' of the past, share dias with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD president Lalu Prasad?" he asked. "Unlike in cases related to prohibition in which the state government hired senior lawyers of Supreme Court, in case related to Shahabuddin why the matter was entrusted to a junior legal officer and not Advocate General or Additional Advocate General?" he asked. Sushil Modi, who is leader of Opposition in the state Legislative Council, sought to know "if the state government planned to impose Crime Control Act (CCA) on Shahabuddin like the one done on expelled JD(U) MLA Anant Singh". "The way Shahabuddin sustained his rein of terror in Siwan despite being behind the bars, the very of his coming out of jail is instilling fear among citizens," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pro-regime forces overran a strategically important district on the southern outskirts of Syria's Aleppo today, a monitor said, rolling back nearly every gain from a major month-long rebel offensive there. The government advance in Ramussa further seals off Aleppo's opposition-held eastern districts, under renewed siege since Sunday by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. Government forces and allied fighters "retook full control of the Ramussa district after ferocious clashes with rebels, Islamist fighters, and jihadist groups," said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said the capture came after reinforcements of Iraqi and Iranian pro-government militiamen arrived south of the city earlier this week. "The regime could not afford to lose this battle, otherwise it would have lost everything," he told AFP. Rebels and their jihadist allies had launched a major assault in Aleppo's southern outskirts on July 31 in a bid to break the government's encirclement of the eastern neighbourhoods. They successfully opened a route into those districts a week later via Ramussa, but regime forces have managed to recapture nearly all that territory. Abdel Rahman told AFP on Thursday that rebels still hold marginal positions in a residential complex and a school. An AFP correspondent in the city's east said shops had been struggling since Sunday to secure goods to sell and that prices were skyrocketing. State agency SANA also reported that the government's armed forces advanced south of Aleppo today. Once Syria's commercial powerhouse, Aleppo is now a divided city, with rebel groups firing into the government-held west and regime and allied Russian warcraft pounding the opposition-controlled east. On Wednesday, strikes by unidentified aircraft on the eastern Sukkari district left 11 civilians dead, according to the Observatory. Aleppo province, which borders Turkey to the north, is a patchwork of territory held by competing forces in Syria's war: rebels, the regime, Kurdish fighters, and jihadists. The Islamic State group's last major position in the province is Al-Bab, eyed by rival Kurdish and Arab fighters backed by the US-led coalition and Ankara respectively. At least 10 civilians were killed in the IS-held town of Taduf, near Al-Bab, in air strikes by unidentified aircraft on Wednesday, the Observatory said. Four IS fighters were also killed in the raids and another four bodies have yet to be identified, according to the monitor. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) More than 70 Syrian aid groups are suspending cooperation with the United Nations, accusing UN humanitarian agencies and their partners of being manipulated by the regime, according to a letter released today. In the letter to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the 73 signatories demanded an investigation of the UN agencies' work in Syria and called for a monitoring body to be set up to oversee the relief effort. "It has become clear to many organizations that the Syrian government in Damascus has a significant and substantial influence on the performance of UN agencies based in Damascus as well as their partners," including the Syrian Arab Red Cross, said the letter. Among the signatories were the Syrian American Medical Society and the Syrian Civil Defense, known as the White Helmets, who are active in opposition-held areas. The groups announced they were pulling out of a UN information-sharing program for aid deliveries and would propose a new mechanism "where there is no political influence in any aspect of it." "The Syrian government has interfered with the delivery of humanitarian assistance in multiple instances," the aid groups wrote. They took aim at the failure of the United Nations to deliver aid to nearly 600,000 people living in besieged areas, most of which are surrounded by President Bashar al-Assad's forces. British newspaper The Guardian last month reported that UN aid contracts worth tens of millions of dollars have gone to people closely associated with Assad despite US and European Union sanctions. The newspaper's analysis of hundreds of UN contracts granted since the Syrian conflict began in 2011 showed many awarded to companies run by or linked to regime players who are under US and EU sanctions. But the United Nations defended its actions, saying it had to work with the Syrian government to ensure aid deliveries. The Guardian found that two UN agencies had partnered with the Syria Trust charity, an organization started and chaired by Assad's wife Asma, spending a total of $8.5 million. It also said the UN had given money to the state-owned fuel supplier, which is under EU sanctions, and to Syria's national blood bank, which is controlled by Assad's defense ministry. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Teenagers are less likely to purchase soft drinks and other sugary beverages that include health warning labels, according to a new study. The study led by researchers at University of Pennsylvania in the US is among the first to examine how warning labels on sugary drinks influence teens. The study builds upon earlier research which showed that parents were less likely to select sugary beverages for their kids when labels warning about the dangers of added sugar - which can contribute to obesity, diabetes and tooth decay - were present. Researchers used an online survey to gauge the beverage selections of more than 2,000 participants aged 12-18 and from diverse backgrounds. The beverages included either no label at all, or one of five warning labels - one featuring calorie content, and four displaying a variation of warning text. Overall, 77 per cent of participants who saw no label said they would select a sugary drink in a hypothetical choice task. Warning labels indicated that consumption of sugary drinks contributes to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay, with slight variations in wording - such as emphasising that these conditions are "preventable diseases" or clarifying that consuming sugary drinks contributes to "type 2 diabetes." Depending on the specific phrasing of the warning labels, participants were 8 to 16 per cent less likely to select sugary beverages when health warning labels were present compared to no label. The researchers note that the warning labels also contributed to teenagers' understanding of the potentially negative effects on health of regularly consuming sugary beverages, with participants viewing the labels indicating they were more likely to understand that these drinks do not contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, the majority of participants (62 per cent) said they would support a warning label policy for sugary drinks. "The influence of warning labels on the purchasing intentions of teenagers in this study highlights the need for nutrition information at the point of purchase to help people make healthier choices," said Eric M VanEpps, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pennsylvania. The study was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) I am saddened to write this opinion piece, but after much thought, I must. In my long life I have never voted for a Democrat for president. That will change this year. The country can survive Hillarys chronic deceptiveness. It might not survive Trumps erratic, ego-driven recklessness. Trump is an egomaniac conman who poses the greatest threat to our country of any presidential candidate in history. His instability is demonstrated by the fact that he has changed his party registration at least five times. He was a registered Democrat as recently as 2009. By his rhetoric Trump is not a conservative. By the gullibility of the modern Republican Party, he is their candidate for president. His only true loyalty is to himself. He boasts that he would strengthen the U.S. military, and then signaled that he might not keep our commitments to NATO, which is practically an invitation to Putin to pounce. Trump says he looks forward to an improved relationship with the Russian dictator. Small wonder. He brags that he knows more about ISIS than our generals, but is ignorant of fundamental facts about the Middle East. He ridicules the military service of U.S. Sen. John McCain, but obtained five military deferments while McCain was being tortured as a prisoner of war. Trump brags his success in business qualifies him to be a successful president. Since he wont release his tax returns we dont know how successful he has been either in making money or avoiding paying taxes. We do know that his companies have declared bankruptcy at least four times. Trump brags that he doesnt need to read, that he follows his own intuition, and makes decisions according to his consistently good judgment. Is government by Trumps gut something were willing to risk? Trump loyalists argue that conservatives must support Trump to keep Clinton from making liberal appointments to the Supreme Court. The truth is that presidential nominations to the Supreme Court are subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate, and must receive the support of a super-majority of 60 senators before even reaching a final vote. Unless Republicans suffer a huge loss of Senate seats, they can, as they are doing now, prevent confirmation of a nominee they consider too liberal. No similar checks exist on the president in terms of foreign policy and the critical questions of war and peace. China has expansionistic designs in the South China Sea and Russia in Europe. Who knows about North Korea? When recently asked for his reaction to a possible Trump presidency, President Reagans Secretary of State George Schultz responded, God help us. He (or She) might have to. In his 1935 novel It Cant Happen Here Sinclair Lewis shows how a dictatorial demagogue running as a Democrat could seize control of the country. Radical takeover of the staid and grounded old Republican Party seemed unbelievable, even for a novel, back in 1935. Eighty years later, in a very different Republican Party, we saw it happen. The Donald, a real life equivalent of Lewiss fictional character Buzz Windrip, has hijacked the Republican Party. In elections during unsettled times, people generally favor change. Foul-mouthed and big-talking Trump certainly is a change from all previous presidential candidates, and he has a real chance to win. For me the choice is painful, but not difficult. Out of respect for my partys heritage, and concern for my countrys future, Ill be voting for the only candidate with a realistic chance of stopping Trump. Ill be voting for Hillary. Telangana Government today sought Rs 50 crore financial assistance from Union Finance Ministry per year for five years for each of the backward districts in the State. Minister for IT and Industries K T Rama Rao put forth the demand during his meeting with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in New Delhi, according to an official statement here. The State, which came into existence in June 2014, has 10 districts, but the statement did not say how many of them fall under the backward category. Rao also requested Jaitley to release Rs 24,500 crore for Mission Bhagiratha and Mission Kakatiya projects (related to irrigation and rural development) as they had been already cleared by NITI Aayog, it said. "The Minister requested Arun Jaitley to help Telangana on lines with Andhra Pradesh. Not doing so would otherwise send wrong signals to public (that the Centre is helping only AP)," it said. He requested the Centre to implement all promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act in letter and spirit, the statement added. The Rao-Jaitley meeting came a day after the Centre announced a financial package for Andhra Pradesh that includes full funding of Pollavaram irrigation project, tax concessions and a special assistance, but stopped short of giving the state a special category status. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police in the West Texas town of Alpine say there's an "active shooter" situation at a high school and schools have been locked down amid the search for a suspect. Elizabeth Carter, a lieutenant with the Texas Department of Public Safety, said someone brought a gun onto the Alpine High School campus today morning. Ruth Hucke (HOOK'-ee), a spokeswoman for Big Bend Regional Medical Center in Alpine, said hospital personnel were tending to three "victims." Hucke declined to say how the victims were injured or further identify them. When asked if the victims had been shot, Hucke said she "can't say anything further." Hucke said the hospital would provide a statement later today. She had no additional details. Police dispatcher Scarlet Eldred said an unspecified incident took place at the high school shortly before 9:00 AM Eldred says police were seeking an "active shooter." Eldred didn't immediately provide additional information, other than the person being sought was a male. The school district's website says the town of about 5,900 residents has three schools. Sul Ross State University in Alpine also was placed on lockdown. Alpine is 220 miles southeast of El Paso. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Thane District Consumer Redressal Forum has ordered a doctor running a hospital at Sahad here to pay a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to a patient for a botched surgery which left him disabled for life. Forum President Sneha Mhatre and members Madhuri Vishwarupe and ND Kadam also directed Dr Shree Vivek Malvi to pay an additional Rs 5,000 to complainant Digambar Vittal Rathod towards legal expenses. According to the complainant, a resident of Ambivili in Kalyan, he met with a accident on July 31, 2013 near the Vittalwadi Railway Station injuring his right leg. He then went to the Central Hospital at Ulhasnagar where one person referred him to Dr Malvi stating that he was a good surgeon. He went to Malvi's Mathoshri Kesarben Mohanlal Dedai Hospital where the doctor operated him following which he was discharged on August 13, Rathod told the Forum. Thereafter he began suffering pain in his right leg which continued for long. When informed, the doctor put him on painkillers. The complainant further stated that as the pain continued he went for a second opinion and was told that the operation carried out on his right has not been successful. Rathod was advised removal of the screw in his leg and go for an implant once again which would cost him around Rs 2.5-3 lakh. He then brought this to the notice of the respondent (doctor) who simply gave him a disability (partial) certificate and asked him to continue with medicines. As a result of the failed operation, Rathod told the Forum that he has been suffering excruciating pain as a result of which he cannot get up and move around. Moreover, due to his condition, he also lost his job and claimed a compensation of Rs 4 lakh from the doctor. The complainant who worked as a Area Sales Manager with Swastik Tiles said that he was earning a salary of Rs 27,500 per month. The Forum said that it had sent a notice to the respondent which was returned unclaimed after which it decided to conduct the case ex-parte against the respondent. The doctor opposed this decision but Forum went ahead with the case. The order said that by carrying out a faulty operation and by not getting the same rectified by another operation as suggested by the experts, besides asking the complainant to continue with the medicine amounts to deficiency in services. Also, by only giving the patient a disability certificate the respondent had shirked his responsibility, the Forum noted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Eighteen-year-old Rizwan Saifi still shudders at the very thought of the 2013 riots in this Uttar Pradesh district in which five members of his family were "brutally killed and burnt". A native of Lisad village in the district, which bore a heavy brunt of the communal violence, Rizwan hasn't returned home since the tragedy struck and lives with his family at Kandhla, about 10 km out of his village. "Five of my family members including my over 80-year-old grandfather were shot, hacked to death with sharp-edged weapons and then burnt. We never even found their bodies," he claims. "From our village, 13 people were killed and burnt. Two bodies, in decayed condition, were later found from Baraut in Baghpat district. Since bodies of our family members were never found, we never could claim any compensation," he rues. Rizwan is among hundreds of people who are still internally displaced even three years after the riots. The deadly communal violence in western Uttar Pradesh had claimed over 60 lives and displaced 40,000 people. Describing the situation in resettlement colonies after three years, a Delhi-based NGO has claimed that these internal refugees in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts are battling "poor health and sanitation" conditions and "unscrupulous" real estate developers, who are preying on their misfortune. A survey conducted by Aman Biradari and Afkar India and 'Living Apart: Communal Violence and Forced Displacement in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli' was officially released today in Delhi to mark the third anniversary of the riots. "Mostly self-settled, these colonies are very poorly provisioned without even elementary public services, and the internally-displaced persons lack basic entitlements, like drinking water and sanitation," says Harsh Mander of Aman Biradari. One of the co-authors Akram Akhtar Chaudhary, quoting the report, claims, "There are 65 refugee colonies, 28 in Muzaffarnagar and 37 in Shamli, housing 29,328 residents." He says Aman Biradari is trying to raise awareness about people's condition in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli three years hence, while alleging that "even local media is not raising the issue". Rizwan travelled with the Aman Biradari team to Lucknow to share his post-riots experiences after the report was released there yesterday. Mander says the confidence of survivors to return to homes was "further shaken" because of the "very low numbers" of arrests and convictions of the men accused of murder, rape, arson and looting. The communal riots that broke out in Muzaffarnagar in September 2013 later spread to neighbouring Shamli. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Asserting that Donald Trump is "temperamentally unfit" to be the US commander-in-chief, Democratic Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton today said her Republican rival has no plan to defeat ISIS that makes him not only "dangerous" but "disqualifying". Clinton also slammed Trump for heaping praise on Russian President Vladimir Putin during an appearance at a commander in chief forum in the city yesterday, saying lauding Putin is "unpatriotic". "Last night was yet another test and Trump failed yet again," Clinton told reporters during a press conference on the tarmac of the White Plains Airport here today, referring to the forum moderated by NBC. "We saw more evidence that he is temperamentally unfit and totally unqualified to be commander in chief. He trashed talked American generals saying they have been reduced to rubble." During the forum, when pressed on what his plans are about defeating ISIS, Trump said he has a plan but he will not reveal it. "One thing you didn't hear from Trump is any plan to take on ISIS, one of the biggest threats facing our country. He said his plan is still a secret but the truth is he simply does not have one. That's not only dangerous but it should be disqualifying," Clinton said. She also strongly criticised Trump for "bizarrely" praising Putin and taking the "astonishing step" of suggesting that he prefers the Russian leader over Obama. On Trump's suggestion that the US should "take the oil" to defeat ISIS, Clinton smirked saying that is not how the fight against global terrorism will be fought and won. She said the US does not "invade" other countries to "plunder and pillage" and she will not send America's brave soldiers to "steal oil". She said Trump has not thought about what kind of infrastructure and strategic planning such an operation will require. Citing an article written by former director of the National Counter-terrorism Centre Matt Olsen, Clinton said the security expert draws from various sources in the article to suggest that ISIS leaders are "essentially throwing whatever support they have to Donald Trump". "They have, as Matt Olsen pointed out, said they hoped that Allah delivers America to Trump. They have said that they hoped that he is the President because it would give even more motivation to every jihadi, someone who has insulted Muslims," she said. Clinton said she will convene tomorrow a meeting of bipartisan national security leaders, former secretaries of homeland security Janet Napolitano and General John Allen to discus how to intensify efforts to defeat ISIS. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkey today lifted a months-long ban on German lawmakers visiting a NATO airbase near Syria, easing a bitter row sparked by a Bundestag vote labelling the Ottomans' World War I-era massacre of Armenians a "genocide". The foreign ministers of both countries confirmed German lawmakers would be allowed next month to visit their nation's troops, who are stationed at the Incirlik base as part of the multinational coalition fighting the Islamic State group. But Turkey's top diplomat made clear Ankara had only given the green light after Chancellor Angela Merkel's government last week met its demand and publicly clarified that the Armenia resolution from June was "not legally binding". "To give these visas, we made it obvious to Germany what the requirements were," said Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. "Germany fulfilled these conditions... By explaining it was not legally binding," he said, in comments embarrassing to Merkel amid domestic criticism she is kowtowing to Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. As the EU's top destination for refugees last year, Germany has relied on an EU-Turkey agreement designed to stop the massive influx of people fleeing war and poverty. "They understand that they cannot treat Turkey as they wish," added Cavusoglu, speaking in Ankara. In Berlin, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he welcomed as a "a step forward" the go-ahead for the October 4-6 visit by the parliament's defence committee. The defence expert of the far-left Linke party, Alexander Neu, however, said he wasn't sure he would join the trip. It was "a difficult decision because the government bought this travel permit by distancing itself from the Armenia resolution," he told AFP. Germany has around 240 troops stationed at the base in southern Turkey, from where it flies Tornado surveillance missions over Syria and refuelling flights as part of the campaign against IS. Germany hopes to invest 58 million euros (USD 65 million) in mobile barracks and other facilities in Incirlik, Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday. The bitter row over the visit started when the German parliament in June joined more than 20 countries in recognising the massacre of Armenians as a genocide. Armenians say up to 1.5 million were killed between 1915 and 1917 as the Ottoman Empire was falling apart. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed on the need for a ceasefire in "as soon as possible", state media reported. Ankara is hoping a ceasefire will be implemented in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo for the Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) Islamic holiday which in Turkey begins around September 12. Erdogan told Putin by phone on Thursday that it was essential to agree to a ceasefire in Aleppo "as soon as possible," the agency Anadolu reported. Both leaders agreed to intensify efforts to this end, it added. Turkey and Russia remain on the two opposite ends of the Syrian conflict, with Moscow backing Assad and Ankara supporting the opposition fighting for his ouster. The Turkish leader had met separately with Putin and US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the recent G-20 meeting in China, telling them both that it was essential to agree to a truce for Aleppo. Russia and the United States were believed to have been close to an agreement at the G20 but Washington then admitted no deal could be announced for the moment. Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for Erdogan, said Tuesday that the ceasefire could begin with a 48-hour-truce that would then be lengthened and would see both the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and opposition fighters halt fire. A Turkish court today ordered the arrest of the chairman of a famed pastry manufacturer and the CEO of a clothing company as well two dozen other businessmen for alleged links to the failed July 15 coup. Faruk Gullu, the chairman of the Faruk Gulluoglu chain of sweet shops and restaurants, was remanded in custody by an Istanbul court on charges of being a member of the group of US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen which is blamed for the failed coup, the state-run Anadolu agency said. Faruk Gulluoglu is one of Turkey's best known suppliers of baklava, the traditional sweet pastry that rounds off meals, and its main shop is a magnet for tourists in Istanbul. Nejat Gullu, Faruk's brother and the chairman of the similarly-named but rival Gulluoglu baklava firm, had also been detained but was ordered to be released by the court, the agency added. But the court also remanded in custody Omer Faruk Kavurmaci, CEO of the Aydinli Group clothing retailer, one of the most prominent business figures detained after the coup. Kavurmaci is the son-in-law of Istanbul mayor Kadir Topbas, a ruling party member and close associate of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The company owns the rights to the brands US Polo Assn, Cacharel and Pierre Cardin in Turkey and across the region. Kavurmaci is charged with "membership of a terror group", Anadolu said. Twenty-five other suspects linked to the business world were also placed under arrest ahead of trial, the agency said, without giving their names. Thirty-seven suspects were released under judicial control. All had been detained in raids in mid-August with their detention periods prolonged in line with the three-month state of emergency imposed after the coup. Turkey has pressed a relentless crackdown after the coup, with some 20,000 people from all professions including the military, education and journalism detained. In a separate development, Istanbul prosecutors issued arrest warrants for 92 more people, including six generals, on suspicion of links to Gulen and the coup, Turkish media said. Gulen has ridiculed the accusations that he masterminded the coup bid aimed at toppling President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. But Ankara is pressing Washington for his extradition, accusing Gulen of leading a "terror" group. Meanwhile two fugitive Turkish admirals were detained late on Wednesday after almost two months on the run, the Dogan agency said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Heavy Turkish shelling across the border into Syria killed six US-backed Kurdish fighters and wounded several civilians, a monitoring group said today. The artillery fire struck the Kurdish-controlled Afrin area in the northwest late yesterday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. A Syrian Kurdish website reported the same death toll. The majority-Kurdish Afrin area has been under the control of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) since government forces pulled out in 2012. It has come under intermittent artillery fire by Ankara which regards the YPG as an extension of the outlawed rebel Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) that has been waging an insurgency in southeastern Turkey for three decades. But it has not been a direct target of the unprecedented ground incursion which Ankara launched on August 24 targeting both the YPG and the Islamic State jihadist group. Turkish leaders have said a major goal of the intervention was to prevent the YPG and their allies from joining up the Afrin enclave with the large swathe of territory they control in northeastern Syria to create a contiguous autonomous region along much of the border. A total of 19 Kurdish and allied fighters have been killed since the incursion began, according to the Observatory. Turkish troops and their Syrian rebel allies have now occupied a border strip stretching from the Euphrates River to the Afrin enclave, after ousting the last IS fighters last weekend. Turkish operations against the YPG have drawn criticism from Washington which has urged both sides to focus their sights on IS. Washington regards the Kurdish militia as the most effective force fighting IS on the ground in Syria and has provided it with weapons and military advisers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today met Uber India President Amit Jain and discussed ways through which the cab aggregator can help in strengthening the ecosystem for startups. In the meeting, the cab aggregator expresses its intention to contribute in the development of startup ecosystem. The ministry suggested the company to do something meaningfull in terms of providing mentorship and connecting venture capital funds to budding entrepreneurs in small cities, an official said. The ministry is taking several steps to promote these entrepreneurs. Under the 'Start Up India Action Plan', the government has announced incentives including tax holiday and Inspector Raj- free regime besides capital gains tax exemption and Rs 10,000 crore corpus to fund them. Sitharaman had also demanded from the Finance Ministry to consider raising tax holiday for startups to 7 years from the current 3 years to encourage budding entrepreneurs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The U.S. government was wrong to exclude large areas of the Rocky Mountains when it designated almost 40,000 square miles of habitat as critical to the survival of imperiled Canada lynx, a federal judge ruled Wednesday. U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen in Montana ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to consider adding more habitat for the wild cats in several states. The judge cited the presence of a reproducing lynx population in the southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Agency officials had earlier concluded that area was "not essential" for the recovery of the species, pointing in part to low population densities of snowshoe hares that lynx eat. "The (Fish and Wildlife) Service's own representations suggest that parts of Colorado constitute suitable critical habitat," Christensen wrote. He added that snowshoe hares are "certainly present" in the southern Rockies at densities "at or near" the level needed to support lynx. "In such a close call....the (Endangered Species Act) demands that the tie go to the species," the judge said. Lynx are elusive, forest-dwelling animals. There is no reliable population estimate for the species. It was listed as threatened in 2000, but a dispute lingers as to where lynx should receive the strongest protections. Christensen also ruled that officials had failed to analyze the potential for lynx to thrive in portions of Montana and Idaho when they made their critical habitat designation in 2014. But the judge agreed with the government that a critical habitat designation wasn't needed in Oregon and the Kettle mountain range in Washington state, where there has been little evidence of lynx. That means lynx in those areas will be protected from hunting and trapping, but there will be less stringent reviews of human activities that could affect the dense forests they need to survive. Wildlife advocates sued the government following the 2014 habitat designation. They said Wednesday's ruling could mark a "turning point" in lynx recovery. "The species really now has a fighting chance," said attorney Matt Bishop with the Western Environmental Law Center, who represented some of the plaintiffs in the case. "The feds can no longer discard the southern Rockies or its importance for lynx." Fish and Wildlife Service spokeswoman Serena Baker said the agency was disappointed with the ruling on the southern Rockies, Montana and Idaho but pleased that aspects of the 2014 habitat designation were left in place. She declined to say if the agency would appeal Christensen's ruling or how long it would take to comply. The American Petroleum Institute and Washington State Snowmobile Association sided with the government in the case. They had asked Christensen to reject the lawsuits from Wildearth Guardians, Cascadia Wildlands and the other plaintiffs. British Prime Minister Theresa May and European Union (EU) President Donald Tusk on Thursday held their first formal bilateral meeting on the country's exit from the bloc, with the UK leader reaffirming she will not launch talks this year. During the meeting at Downing Street, May said the exit procedure following the June 23 referendum on EU membership would not begin before 2017. "She said the UK would take time to prepare for the negotiations, reiterating that Article 50 will not be triggered before the end of the year," a government spokesperson said. The timing of Britain's EU departure which will follow a two-year negotiation period sparked by Article 50 has been a key point of tension between London and Brussels. Speaking in the Latvian capital Riga following the meeting with May, Tusk reasserted EU rules that formal negotiations on Britain leaving the EU cannot begin until the British government formally triggers procedures. "Article 50 of the Treaty is very clear. In fact it is there to protect the interests of the countries remaining in the EU," he said. "I told Prime Minister May that I am convinced that it is in everyone's best interests that we start the negotiations soon to reduce and eventually end the uncertainty," said Tusk. The EU President said he aimed to establish the "best possible relations" with the UK. Tusk is touring European capitals ahead of a summit in Slovakia this month where the 27 EU leaders the entire bloc, except Britain will gather to discuss the fallout from Britain's EU referendum. "It doesn't mean that we are going to discuss our future relations with the UK in Bratislava, because for this... We need the formal notification, I mean triggering Article 50" of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, Tusk said at the start of the Downing Street meeting. A visiting delegation of UK based Cranswick Foods company, accompanied by British Deputy High Commissioner David Lelliott, met Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here today for setting up a modern pork processing plant in the state. Interacting with the delegation, Badal assured them that the state government would extend all possible support and cooperation to implement the project, which would act as a catalyst to hasten the process of value addition in Animal Husbandry sector on one hand and give boost to the farm diversification on the other. The Chief Minister also requested Lelliott to help the state Animal Husbandry department in capacity building. Discussions were held on how consumption of pork was gradually picking up, especially amongst the middle class, and how the setting up of a pork processing plant could help the pig farmers, besides providing high quality pork to the consumers across the state. Lauding the state government's initiatives for development of piggery, Chief Operating Officer of Cranswick Chris Aldersley promised to provide all technical support and expertise to progressive pig farmers to further consolidate their economic position. Aldersley said Cranswick would provide live pigs and frozen semen to the animal husbandry department for high quality breeding at government pig farms, which in turn would supply the best quality piglets to the local pig farmers. He also apprised Badal that the British pig industry was highly competitive and produces outstanding breeding stock. The delegation also visited the modern pig breeding farm, Nabha (Patiala district) besides two private pig farms at village Kisanpura near Kurali and village Khasi in Ludhiana district and witnessed the advanced pig rearing practices followed there. The delegation also held an interactive session with the pig farmers from the state at the Centre of Excellence on Cattle Breeding Farm at village Rauni in Patiala district. Earlier, the delegation held detailed discussions with Additional Chief Secretary, Investment Promotion, Karan Avtar Singh and CEO of Invest Punjab Bureau, Anirudh Tiwari, on the various facets of industrial policy of the state while investing on the pork plant. Aldersley told the Chief Minister that Cranswick has an annual turnover of over one billion pounds and it exports 56 pork products and chicken meat to Europe, South East Asia and China. The Chief Minister also directed the Additional Chief Secretary, Advisor and Director of Animal Husbandry to visit Cranswick in UK along with a delegation of progressive pig farmers from the state to study and finalize the modalities in order to fast track the entire process of importing live animals and frozen semen so that the ambitious project could take off at the earliest. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Britain has set up a trade working group with India to press ahead with its post-Brexit negotiations, UK minister for international trade Liam Fox said today. Fox, who had returned from a visit to India last week, told Parliament that he had held discussions with the Indian government on removing trade barriers. "We have now concluded a deal to set up a trade working group with India to look at how we will remove barriers to trade before we negotiate a free trade agreement on our exit from the European Union (EU)," Fox said. "There is nothing to stop us having discussions and scoping out future agreements," he noted in reference to formal proceedings for Britain's exit from the EU yet to be finalised. His intervention came a day after British Prime Minister Theresa May had told the House of Commons that India would be one of the key countries of focus in a post-Brexit trade scenario for the UK. "As we leave the EU we will forge our own trade deals. The leaders from India, Mexico, South Korea and Singapore said they would welcome talks to remove trade barriers. President Xi (Jinping) also made clear that China would welcome discussions about trade with the UK," she said. She hosted European Council president Donald Tusk at her Downing Street office today to discuss the next steps after Britain voted to leave the EU in a referendum on June 23. Tusk made it clear that it was now for the UK to take things forward as soon as possible. He said: "For the start of the negotiations - we need the formal notification, I mean triggering Article 50. This is the position shared by all 27 member states. To put it simply, the ball is now in your court. "I'm aware that it is not easy but I still hope you will be ready to start the process as soon as possible. I have no doubt that at the end of the day our common strategic goal is to establish the closest possible relations." The crucial meeting between the two was billed as an attempt for the two leaders to get to know each other ahead of those talks. Britain will trigger a two-year time-frame for concluding a fresh deal with the EU as a non-member as soon as it launches Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. May has indicated plans for its launch in early 2017. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 24-year-old British Sikh model-cum- campaigner sporting a six-inch-long facial hair today entered the Guinness World Records as the youngest female with a beard. Harnaam Kaur from Slough in Berkshire in south-east England, described her entry as "absolutely humbling". "Now with a beard measuring as long as six inches in places, she overcame years of bullying to take ownership of her appearance and achieve this record title at the age of 24 years 282 days," her record citation reads. "She describes her place in the 'Guinness World Records' book as 'absolutely humbling' and hopes it will help her to impart her empowering message. 2016 has been a huge year for Harnaam, having become the first female with a beard to walk the runway at London Fashion Week in March," it adds. Kaur has polycystic ovary syndrome, a hormonal condition that can result in the growth of excess facial hair. She describes herself on social media as "Bearded Dame, Body confidence activist, Anti Bully Activist, Plus Size Model" and dresses in a Sikh turban. "I can now proudly announce that I am a 'Guinness World Record' book holder. I have been wanting to publish this for absolutely ages, but I had to keep things under wrap until the book launched," she said in a social media post. She added: "I am super proud to hold this record, the inner child in me is so pleased. I grew up reading this book, I even tried breaking some of my own records wanting to be in this book. It is amazing to be valued and celebrated being a Bearded Lady. I am proud to hold this amazing record." She said, "I hope those who read or see my record can take away positivity, inspiration and realise that no matter who you are or what you look like, you are officially amazing!" Kaur, who was bullied as a child, has gone on to model forUrban Bridesmaid Photography and made her debut on the catwalk by opening the Marianna Harutunian Royal Fashion Day show in March, wearing her traditional Sikh turban, a navy dress and black heels. The longest pet cat and a llama who has made the highest jump are among the other stand-out entries this year. "The 2017 edition teems with fun and educational content that will fascinate, entertain and educate knowledge-seekers of all ages and interests," 'Guinness World Records' said in a statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UN says more than 100 opposition fighters from South Sudan have crossed the border into Congo "in extremely bad shape" and were evacuated to health facilities for medical treatment. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters yesterday that the United Nations is consulting with the governments of Congo and South Sudan "with a view of finding solutions for these combatants." Dujarric said the supporters of opposition leader Riek Machar were found in the area around Garamba and evacuated by the U.N. Peacekeeping mission in Congo to "receive urgent medical assistance, pending their voluntary disarmament." Machar, who was vice-president in South Sudan's unity government, fled the capital, Juba, in July after fighting with forces loyal to President Salva Kiir left hundreds dead. He crossed into Congo and then to Sudan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's assertion that granting the special category status to was "not possible" sparked off widespread protests across the state on Thursday with the opposition YSR Congress calling for a state-wide bandh on September 10. Congress also called for laying siege to all highways in the state on Saturday. The Centre last night announced a financial package for Andhra Pradesh, but stopped short of giving the state a special category status. "BJP poured cold water on the aspirations of the people of AP," state Congress chief N Raghuveera Reddy said. The Left parties extended support to the YSRC's bandh call. In Vijayawada, the Pratyeka Hoda Saadhana Samiti (council for securing special status) organised a massive protest. YSRC, CPM and CPI extended support to the Samiti and called upon everyone to join hands to press for the special category status to the state. Protests were also organised separately by YSRC and the Samiti in Guntur, Eluru, Anantapuramu, Srikalahasti, Srikakulam, Ongole and Kadapa. The protesters denounced Jaitley's claim that granting special status to AP was not possible because of the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission. "The BJP has grossly betrayed the people of AP after promising special status. TDP is equally culpable in this regard," Samiti leaders said. In yet another controversial remarks, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has said US generals under Obama administration have been "reduced to rubble" and suggested that he if elected would remove some top military officers to usher in a new upper echelon. "I think under the leadership of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton; the generals have been reduced to rubble. They have been reduced to a point where it's embarrassing for our country," Trump alleged during a presidential candidate forum town hall organised by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Trump said this responding to a question on his remarks that he knows about ISIS more than the American generals. "The generals under Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have not been successful," he said. However, in a follow up question, Trump said he has full faith in the military. "I have great faith in the military. I have great faith in certain of the commanders, certainly. But I have no faith in Hillary Clinton or the leadership. You look at what's happened. And, you know, when she comes in and starts saying, oh, I would have done this, I would have -- she's been there for 30 years. I mean, we need change. We have to have it, and we have to have it fast," Trump said. Trump pledged to launch a new US military buildup, saying America was under threat like never before from foes like Islamist extremists, North Korea and China. Earlier, Trump had compared his business success to those who have sacrificed their lives in battle for their country, He had also criticised the parents of a slain Muslim soldier who had strongly denounced the real estate tycoon during the Democratic National Convention. During Obama's first term, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton served as his Secretary of State. The Democratic Party and the Clinton Campaign criticised Trump's remarks and claimed by saying so, Trump has "failed" the commander-in -chief test. "Tonight, Donald Trump confirmed what we have known since the moment he declared his candidacy: he is dangerously unstable, temperamentally unfit, and totally unqualified to serve as Commander-in-Chief and President of the United States," the Democratic National Committee (DNC) said. "It was abundantly clear tonight that Trump is in over his head and unprepared to deal with the complex challenges facing our nation and the world," said the DNC statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Republican lawmaker caused a stir in the US House of Representatives after bringing a jar containing about 100 mosquitoes to the floor to criticise the Congress for failing to pass legislation to combat the mosquito-borne Zika virus in Florida state. Florida Republican Representative David Jolly brought a container of mosquitoes onto the House floor yesterday. "I rise with about 100 mosquitoes straight from Florida... mosquitoes capable of carrying the Zika virus," Jolly said, holding the container. "This is the reason for the urgency, this is the reason for the fear," he was quoted as saying by NBC Miami. The bill, providing USD 1.1 billion to help combat the virus, is stalled in the Senate, where Democrats are blocking it in a dispute over restrictions the bill would place on funding for Planned Parenthood clinics. Jolly, who represents the 13th District in Pinellas County, said the mosquitoes, still in their larval stage, came from researchers at the University of South Florida and are not active carriers. He brought them to the House to criticise Congress for failing to pass legislation to combat the mosquito-borne Zika virus in the Sunshine State. There have been 56 non-travel related Zika cases in Florida, many of them in Miami-Dade's "Zika zones" in Wynwood and Miami Beach, according to the Florida Department of Health. Additionally, some 577 travel-related Zika cases have been reported throughout Florida. Jolly said he brought the mosquitoes to the House to convey the fear Floridians are feeling. "It is our job to respond to the fear and the anxiety and the anger of a population concerned about a pending public health crisis, concerned about mosquitoes," he was quoted as saying. "You see, I brought these mosquitoes here today to convey that fear and that anxiety of millions of Americans and Floridians," he said. "Can you imagine, colleagues, the fear and anxiety in this chamber if these 100 mosquitoes were outside this jar, not inside this jar? Members of Congress would run down the hall to the physician's office to be tested, they would spray themselves before coming down here. This is the fear of Floridians right here," Jolly said. Jolly is locked in a tough race in a redrawn congressional district against former Republican Governor Charlie Crist, who has since changed his affiliation to Democrat. The congressman said Floridians are angry. He said it is too bad that candidates are going to spend money on campaign commercials about Zika, instead of responding together to solve the public health crisis. "The time for politics of Zika is over. The politics of Zika are garbage right now," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US military has closed a maximum-security detention center at Guantanamo Bay, an official said today, as the controversial military prison's population continues to shrink. Guantanamo's Camp 5 lockup, which was opened in 2004, will be converted into a medical facility for detainees, facility spokesman Navy Captain John Filostrat said in a statement. The detainees formerly housed there have been moved to another prison camp in the Cuba-based facility. "Camp 5 at Guantanamo Bay has been closed as a detention facility and repurposed into another function and the detainees consolidated," Filostrat said. Camp 5 once housed non-compliant inmates and had special equipment in place to protect jailors from "splashing" -- the grim practice of hurling bodily fluids and excrement at guards. Last month, 15 Guantanamo detainees were transferred to the United Arab Emirates, bringing Guantanamo's remaining population down to 61. Since the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, about 780 inmates have been housed in the US military-run facility which President Barack Obama has repeatedly tried to close. In recent months, he has authorized a flurry of transfers of prisoners to other countries. According to the Miami Herald newspaper, Filostrat told reporters at Guantanamo Bay yesterday that Camp 5's closure would shrink the number of troops needed to run and guard the facility by about 400. Currently, about 1,950 troops and civilians operate the prison centers, the Herald said. Guantanamo is a US naval base carved out of a remote chunk of land on the tip of southeastern Cuba. The administration of George W Bush opened a prison there to hold terror suspects. The riskiest remaining detainees, including the five men accused of plotting the September 11, 2001 attacks, are incarcerated at another, secret prison camp elsewhere on the base. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US pressed Russia today for a "true cessation of hostilities" in Syria ahead of expected high-level peace talks in Geneva, warning that its patience is running thin. Foreign ministers from the two powers, which support opposite sides in the five-year conflict, were poised to hold a "personal meeting" in the Swiss city to push for a peace agreement, according to the Russian side. However, Washington did not confirm the face-to-face talks, with a spokesman for US Secretary of State John Kerry saying that negotiations were still ongoing. And US Defense Secretary Ash Carter told BBC radio today there was "quite a long way to go" before a final deal could be struck. He called for "a true cessation of hostilities -- not what you've seen, which is a partial cessation of hostilities", adding: "Our patience is not unlimited." Both sides have agreed that a deal would involve a durable ceasefire, humanitarian access to conflict-wracked areas and a resumption of peace talks. The Syria war has pitted the old Cold War rivals against each other, with Russia flying a bombing campaign in support of Syrian strongman leader Bashar al-Assad and the United States backing rebel groups fighting to oust him from power. US President Barack Obama held talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit in China but failed to bridge their differences. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that new US sanctions over the Ukraine crisis have hampered joint efforts by both sides to resolve "regional conflicts" -- a reference to the Syria war. And Carter noted: "We have our differences, serious differences, with Russia elsewhere, especially here in Europe with Ukraine and elsewhere Russia has been acting in an aggressive manner." As diplomatic efforts intensified, fighting in the complex war continued to claim lives, with Turkish shelling over the border into Syria killing six US-backed Kurdish fighters. Pro-regime forces also overran a strategically important district on the southern outskirts of Aleppo today, rolling back nearly every gain from a major month-long rebel offensive there, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The government advance in Ramussa further seals off Aleppo's opposition-held eastern districts, where regime forces backed by the Russian air force have completely encircled opposition-held neighbourhoods. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Expressing frustration in Pakistan's selective nature in taking actions against terrorist networks, top US lawmakers today said that there exists "duplicity" in America's relations with Pakistan. "The Government of Pakistan knows where the leaders of the Haqqani network live...The Pakistan Army knows exactly where these Haqqani networks and their families are," Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senator Bob Corker said during a Congressional hearing. In his remarks, Corker alleged that the Pakistani Army is not willing to take out terrorist networks the Haqqani network in particular, who have now moved to the suburban areas. Now that they have moved to the suburban areas, the US can not use drones to kill them as it did when they lived in the tribal areas of FATA. Corker, who had successfully put a hold on sale of F-16 to Pakistan, said that the terrorist safe havens continued to exists in Pakistan with the connivance of the establishment. "They have safe havens there. They are the number one killers of US and Afghan forces... Extreme duplicity exists with this relationship," he said, alleging that Pakistan is harboring people and terrorist networks, and the US has paid USD 43 billion in aid to Islamabad since 2001. "This is a very frustrating relationship. We all are more and more frustrated with the relationship," Corker said. Senator Ben Cardin, Ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the US ties with Pakistan is very challenging. "They have been very selective in going after terrorist networks in particular the Haqqani network and LeT. We have problems with Pakistan," Cardin said. Testifying before the Congressional Committee, Daniel Markey, Senior Research Professor, International Relations; Academic Director, Global Policy Program School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, said that the US should "limit its expectations" in ties with Pakistan. A former CIA official and the agencies Station Chief in Islamabad in late 90s, Robert L Grenier said that over the past few decades, the US has "overlooked" Pakistan's support to terrorist networks including "its support to militancy in Kashmir" and its clandestine nuclear policy. "Pakistan, for its part, has clung stubbornly to its own perceptions of national interest, and has generally refused to compromise those perceived interests, even when their pursuit has seemed irrational or self-defeating to US eyes - whether in the context of nuclear weapons doctrine, in its assessment of the threat from India, or in its calculus regarding both foreign and domestic militant groups," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US has not yet taken a final decision to become the partner country for Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor Summit to be held next year, US Consul General Thomas Vajda said today. The mega business event is coinciding with the US presidential elections scheduled next year. However, the US has assured that it will give a serious consideration to the invitation by Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani yesterday. "Gujarat CM has extended the invitation to US to be the partner country this year, for which we are grateful to him. We will take it back and give a serious consideration," Vajda told reporters here. He said the timing of the event was "challenging". "One thing I pointed out to the CM (is) that the event takes place roughly one week before the inauguration of the new US President," he added. The biennial event is scheduled to be held at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar from January 10 to 13. The US was the partner country of the summit in 2015 and was attended by US secretary of State John Kerry. "The Vibrant Summit is right before the new US President takes office. So, the timing is bit challenging in that respect. But again, we will give a serious consideration to the invitation," he said. "I should say that regardless of government representations because of the timing, we can expect a large and active business delegation. Vibrant Summit is a great platform for the US companies to hold BtoB and BtoC meetings," Vajda added. Canada and the UK have confirmed their participation for the summit this year as partner countries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Alipore court is expected to deliver its verdict on former TMC minister Madan Mitra's bail plea in the Saradha chit fund scam case tomorrow having heard arguments from his counsel and the CBI. Tenth Additional District Judge, Alipore, Uttam Kumar Nandy today reserved his judgement after hearing the lawyers. Mitra's counsel appealed for his bail, claiming that the former minister was no more influential after losing this year's Assembly polls. The CBI's counsel objected the bail plea, saying that "Mitra still has access to the witnesses in the case and if granted bail he will try to influence them". Mitra was arrested on December 12, 2014. Investigation into the ponzi scam, which came to light in 2013, revealed that the Saradha Group had allegedly cheated investors of Rs 1,200 crore in mainly rural areas, as per an official estimate. Former Union minister Matang Sinh is among those arrested in the case, while several TMC functionaries, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's close aide Mukul Roy, have been questioned. The CBI took over the investigation in June 2014 on following an order of the Supreme Court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Vigilance Investigation Bureau today lodged an FIR with the Vigilance police station against Vikram Kumar Jha, District Cooperative Officer (DCO), Nawada, for allegedly amassing disproportionate assets of Rs 63.16 crore. The Bureau lodged an FIR against Jha under section 13 (2) read with 13(1) under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, a Vigilance Department release said. Jha joined government service on November 30, 1975. During investigation, four teams of the Bureau conducted raids at Jha's residence at Purnea, Patna and Nawada, besides his office in Nawada. The team recovered Rs 1.25 crore cash, 859 gm gold, one kg and 894 gm silver jewellery, documents related to 16 plots in the name of Jha and his relatives and documents of a flat whose deed value together was estimated at Rs 1.40 crore, the release said adding all these were recovered during the raid at Jha's Purnea residence. A total of 11 passbooks of various banks of Jha's relatives were also recovered, it said adding two passbooks of two other banks were recovered from Nawada. Documents seized were being scrutinised and investigations were on, the release said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vigilance sleuths today arrested an Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of Nawada while accepting a bribe of Rs 4 lakh from Nawada district, a Vigilance department release said. The Vigilance Investigation Bureau caught Maharshi Ram, an Additional District Magistrate, Nawada, red handed while accepting a bribe of Rs four lakh for allegedly favouring the complainant in a mutation case. One Hiralal, a resident of Hisua village under Hisua police station of Nawada district, had lodged a complaint with the Vigilance department that ADM Maharshi Ram was demanding a bribe of Rs five lakh from him for giving an order in his (complainant's) favour in a mutation dispute case. The allegations were found to be correct during the verification carried out by the Bureau. A flying squad team was constituted under Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohammad Zamiruddin who raided and caught Maharshi Ram, the ADM, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs f9our lakh from his official residence at Nawada. The accused would be produced before the Special Vigilance Court(I) at Patna after interrogation, the release said. Altogether 79 persons have been arrested in 72 trap cases laid by the Bureau so far in 2016. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In keeping with the tradition set by social reformer Lokmanya Tilak of organising a public Ganpati celebration instead of a individual ones, a village in Navi Mumbai township here has set an example of unity by following 'one village-one Ganpati' festival for over 50 years now. The concept, conceived by a group of residents of Agroli village, was started in 1961 and is still celebrated in the manner as the villagers are in no mood to shift to individual celebrations which have now become a usual practice. The villagers of Agroli are proud of setting an example by such a practice. The joint celebration of such festivals not only brings villagers together during these ten days but also helps build a stronger bond among them. "I have seen terrific enthusiasm among the villagers who come together for the festival and this enables me to provide them the best of civic services," local corporator Saroj Patil said. She said when the festival was started in the 60s, there were only 20 families in the village. Today there are around 150 families. The contribution by each family then was Rs 15, but now due to price rise and the expenses involved, the cost has gone up to Rs 1,000 per family which the villagers happily contribute, she said. The collective celebration has numerous benefits like huge expenses by individual households and the time taken for organising the event can be reduced, the Shiv Sena leader said. About 10-15 families undertake the task to supervise the arrangements on each of the ten days and ensure that the celebrations are grand. During the ten days, various cultural programmes are organised in which the villagers participate enthusiastically, she said. Patil said other villages in the state should also follow Agroli. "One more benefit that we have from such celebrations is that when the villagers come together during the festival, they discuss various issues and decisions are taken collectively which benefit all and our task becomes easy," the corporator said. She said they also ensure that meritorious students from the village are felicitated during the festival, which prompts youngsters to take a keen interest in the celebration. "We do not forget the elders who were responsible for taking the initiative of such a festival and also ensure that they are duly honoured," she said. The corporator's husband, Rohidas Patil, who also supports the public Ganesh Utsav mandal in Agroli, said a few villagers had in the 60s decided to construct a temple in the village. They built the temple after getting wood from forest and collecting cement, iron and other material required from donors. The 10-day Ganpati festival is now celebrated by the villagers with traditional gaiety every year in this temple's premises. In 1893, Tilak had praised the celebration of a 'Sarvajanik Ganesha Utsav' in his newspaper Kesari. The following year, he installed a Ganesh idol in Kesari office. His efforts transformed the annual domestic festival into a large, well-organised public event to bridge gap among the people in society and to promote unity among them. A woman who tried to set fire to a plane using a lighter while flying on a jetBlue flight to Puerto Rico has been arrested and faces a jail term of 25 years. Idializ Gomez had boarded the jetBlue flight 745 at the John F Kennedy International Airport in New York in the early hours of September 6 before going on her arsonist rampage. Having boarded the aircraft, chaos broke out when the woman grabbed a lighter and successfully set fire to two blankets and an in-flight control panel. She was arrested by the FBI when the plane landed in the southern coastal town of Pone, at the Mercedita International Airport. It is unclear why she wanted to set fire to the plane. The FBI released a statement after the incident, saying she had been arrested and charged with the destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities. During the flight, Gomez utilised a lighter to ignite and successfully damage two blankets and a portion of the in- flight control panel of the seat next to hers, the FBI said. The FBI statement said: "If convicted, the defendant faces up to 25 years' imprisonment. US federal regulations allow passengers to carry one lighter in their carry-on baggage, media reports said. Jet Blue Airways has said the incident is under investigation. The airline said they were currently cooperating with law enforcement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) German car parts maker ZF Friedrichshafen AG today said it has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with the Telangana government for setting up a new technical centre here. The LoI was signed between state IT and Industries & Commerce minster K T Rama Rao and ZF senior executives, a statement from the German company said. The new technology centre, which will be dedicated to electronics-embedded software and mechanical engineering, will support ZF's global development teams while enabling the company to accelerate local product development supporting ZF automotive and non-automotive operations and customers in India, it said. "The technology centre will be fully operational by January 1, 2017, and is expected to have a workforce of 2,500 engineers by 2020, including the 1,000 engineers who are currently working with ZF," it said. The company also has an existing team of mechanical engineers based in Pune and Coimbatore to address the local market requirements of automotive and non-automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Welcoming the new investment by ZF, Rama Rao said, "We look at this investment by ZF as an ecosystem builder for Hyderabad. We unveiled our IT Policy-2016... Along with sectoral policies earlier this year and our government will be working with ZF to evolve a comprehensive Engineering Services Policy for aggressively promoting the sector." Mamatha Chamarthi, Senior Vice-President and Executive Lead for the new India Technology Centre (ITC), said India offers a huge, technologically competent talent pool which aligns with the growing demand from customers for advanced software, electronics and mechanical engineering. "Access to this diverse talent base coupled with a progressive local government and robust infrastructure has made Hyderabad favourable for setting up the first technology centre for ZF in India," Chamarthi said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The war of words between Reliance Jio (RJio) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) shows no signs of ebbing. Reacting to Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambanis (pictured) comments on the lack of democracy in the functioning of the COAI, Rajan S Mathews, director-general of the industry body, hit back saying: The comments made with reference to the functioning of COAI are absolutely incorrect and misleading. COAI is a fully democratic association and takes into account the views of all its member operators. On all policy matters, the views of COAI are fully endorsed by all or majority of its member operators. Courtesy of the artist Zoltan Szekely has been writing and playing gypsy-flavored tunes for more than a decade in our little Southwest music community. As for the last name: Szekely is a Transylvanian-born, Albuquerque-based musician who has also lived in Hungary and Toronto. Interestingly, he shares his family name with comedian Louis C.K. who shortened Szekely to a phonetic, two letter version of a difficult to pronounce family name. Zoltan, however, will likely remain mononymously named as the musician who previously led the prolific Albuquerque group Zoltan Orkestar. While many musicians have taken inspiration from old Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli recordings, Szekely was raised within the gypsy culture, listening to music that originally informed the Belgian-born Django. Those regional rhythms and traditional instruments are the sounds he hears in his head. While many musicians have taken inspiration from old Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli recordings, Szekely was raised within the gypsy culture, listening to music that originally informed the Belgian-born Django. Those regional rhythms and traditional instruments are the sounds he hears in his head. The well received Zoltan Orkestar thrilled accordion and hot-jazz guitar fans for many years. His latest ensemble, The Fortune Tellers, features more accomplished Django-influenced guitar, beautiful upright bass and rhythms from another land, places where folks still use horses for work and occasionally sing lovingly about sausages and cheese. This latest collection of tunes by Zoltan, Zoltan and the Fortune Tellers, has more than just the occasional culinary theme. It's fair to say that the recording focuses on two main subjects: women and food. In this latest work, it's important to add that Zoltan and company embrace these subjects in a family-friendly way but without sounding plain goofy. The Cheese Song, for example, is a result of Zoltan's confrontation with his kids' cheese-eating obssession, day in and day out, for an extended period of time. Zoltan writes what he knows, telling Weekly Alibi, I have food and a woman in my life. I usually write these songs early in the morning, I wake up at five and I either go back to sleep or have a song, especially lately. I get the ideas for the lyrics before I put the music and the melody to it. I get the lyrics worked out and that drives the music later on. I write all the songs, then show them to Terry Bluhm and Nick Bakerthe bass player and drummerand after a few performances we figure out what works best as far as the bass and drum parts. It's a formula that provides for fun live performances that celebrate the good things in life, as well as a recording that represents a fairly unique sound in Albuquerque's music scene. The Fortune Tellers recorded their new album at KUNM's Studio A. The process involved a lot of nice equipment being made available to the band, lending this recording a more grounded and professional sound than their previous 2014 release. That record was recordedin solidarity with so many other notable weirdo recording artists like Jandek and Sebadohin a bedroom. Comparing the two albums, Zoltan said, The songs may have gotten a little more lighthearted, and I wrote everything on the new record in less than a year, with the exception of one I worked on with James Whiton, Ballad of the Beauty Queen, that's an older song. On that note, this piece, the only instrumental track on the new album, is one of the strongest tunes in this collection. Its melancholy combination of Zoltan's nylon string guitar finger-picking and James Whiton's string bass makes this particular CD worth picking up. Also worth noting is the mucho talented accordion and piano work of Carlos Ruiz de la Torreaka Carlosauron a couple of tracks, as well as the brilliant saxophone playing of his son Mateo, the youngest member of the ensemble at age 14. Back to that food theme: Zoltan will be traveling to Wisconsin soon to play a very large cheese festival. That gig is a direct result of The Cheese Song. They're going to bring me up and we'll do a two-piece with accordion player John Kieth, AKA Johnny Accordion. It's a town called Monroe, a little bit south of Madison ... the festival is called the Green County Cheese Days Festival. Should be a lot of fun. In all seriousness, being asked to play one of Wisconsin's premiere cheese festivals must surely portend that the sky's the limit for Zoltan; it certainly helps get word out on one of our towns most accomplished players and composers. Zoltan and The Fortune Tellers will be headlining the Off Center Folk Art Festival in Albuquerque on Sunday, Sept. 11. The festival happens from 10am-4pm at 808 Park Ave. SW. Authorities are still trying to unlock the mystery of how a Great Falls woman ended up shot to death in the trunk of her car earlier this month. A spokeswoman with the FBI said officials are awaiting lab testing results before they reveal any more information about Rita Maze's death. Maze was found dead on Sept. 7 in her closed trunk with a 9mm handgun and two spent shell casings at her side, according to court documents. She died of a single gunshot wound.Before she died, Maze allegedly called her family and said she had been struck on the head at a Wolf Creek-area rest stop and stuffed into the trunk of a car. An officer who later called Maze's cellphone said someone answered, and then the officer heard gunshots, then silence, court documents say. Authorities found her body more than 300 miles away outside of Spokane. Reports of the alleged abduction made headlines internationally, though officials later indicated they were skeptical of that narrativeAuthorities are calling the incident a death investigation, not a homicide. Authorities ruled out a person of interest who was initially being sought in connection with the case. The over 100-year-old health and wellness company Hamdard India has entered the ready-to-serve beverage segment with the launch of RoohAfza Fusion to extend the product portfolio of its flagship brand RoohAfza. RoohAfza Fusion is a blend of pure fruit juice with the traditional RoohAfza that is available in five different flavours such as lemon, orange, mango, pineapple and orange, and litchi. The drink, the company said, will retain the strong taste, all the 14 herbal ingredients and colour of RoohAfza with only a dash of fruit blends for an additional twist in flavour. RoohAfza Fusion will be available in Tetra packaging, which is known to preserve the taste and flavour of the product and will be offered at the price point of Rs 20 for a 200-ml pack. "There has been a perceivable change in consumption patterns, especially in the youth who are now turning to natural, herbal products, which are perceived as more healthy. RoohAfza sits naturally on this positioning, and Fusion is hence a natural extension in the format that connects with the youth and the upwardly mobile. Fusion extends the brand to new consumers, while retaining our existing users and offering them an exciting variation of their favourite RoohAfza in fruit flavours," Mansoor Ali, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Hamdard said at the launch event. RoohAfza is generally an in-house consumption drink but with this new product it will be available to consumers on the go in ready-to-drink format. The company has currently launched in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh to test the market during festive season for these new products. They aim to be available in 30,000 outlets in modern trade, convenience stores and paan plus shops in these two northern states. They will do an elaborate national launch next year in February along with a 360 degree marketing campaign, said Ali. "Juice-based drinks happen to be the fastest growing segment under the soft drinks category and are projected to grow by 2.5 times the current size by 2020. So with RoohAfza Fusion we are entering the right segment at the right time," said Amit Aneja, AGM Marketing, Hamdard. The company first launched RoohAfza in the year 1907, which came to be known as a summer drink for its nutritional and therapeutic value as the product claims to help in maintaining the body's water level. The company said they are also working to re-launch their energy drink Cinkara in a new modern format and a sugar-free version of RoohAfza. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold several bilateral parleys on Thursday including a meeting with US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the 14th ASEAN-India and the 11th East Asia Summit. Regional and multilateral issues are likely to be discussed by the two leaders. Modi will also meet host-nation premier Thongloun Sisoulith, South Korean president Park Geun-hye and Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung Sang Suu Kyi. Modi held extensive bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on Wednesday. India and Japan pledged to further strengthen cooperation in the area of counter terrorism, trade and investments. He also conveyed his condolences to Abe for the Japanese lives lost in the recent terror attack in Bangladesh in which 22 people were killed after Islamist militants stormed a cafe popular with foreigners. Abe said Japan was not going to succumb to terrorism and expressed the desire to further strengthen cooperation with India in the area of counter terrorism. A gala lunch will be hosted by the Laotian premier. Modi leaves for New Delhi in the evening. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Apple founder Steve Jobs were born thousands of miles away from one another, but the trajectory of their lives had some peculiar similarities. As Apple revels in the launch of iPhone 7, the rest of the world continues to remember Jobs for pioneering change in the world of technology with his out-of-the-box thinking. Jobs has a huge fan base in India, a country with growing number of start ups. But there are very few iconic personalities, here at home, with commonalities to the iPhone creator. Surprisingly enough, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite belonging to a completely different profession, comes closest to Jobs. Born in the 50s While Prime Minister Narendra Modi was born on September 17, 1950 in Mehsana district of Gujarat, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was born on February 24, 1955 in San Francisco. Jobs, who was born to a Syrian father, referred to his biological parents as "my sperm and egg bank." He was adopted shortly after his birth by a couple named Clara and Paul Jobs. Humble background Both had humble beginnings. Steve Jobs started working on his first computer in a garage at his parent's house. In his famous 2005 commencement speech to Stanford University, Jobs spoke about his time in college, "It wasn't all romantic. I didn't have a dorm room, so I slept on the floor in friends' rooms, I returned coke bottles for the 5 cent deposits to buy food with, and I would walk the seven miles across town every Sunday night to get one good meal a week at the Hare Krishna temple." Prime Minister Narendra Modi's father sold tea at a tea stall he set up at the local railway station. In his early years, Narendra Modi helped his father at this tea stall. Troubled personal lives: Narendra Modi, who was 18 when he married Jashodaben Chimanlal Modi in 1968, left after three years of the marriage to travel across the country. Later, Modi started working as a RSS pracharak. Jobs too had a turbulent personal life. Chrisann Brennan, the mother of Jobs' first daughter Lisa, wrote to Jobs in 2005 asking him to compensate her for not taking care of their daughter. Travel Jobs, who had an eye for the detail when it came to designing, traveled extensively in India when he was just 19. In his early years, Narendra Modi too traveled across the country. Both of them seem to be on a quest to self-discovery. Early setback Both Jobs and Modi stumbled before they could become successful. For Jobs, it was when he was forced out of the company he had built from scratch. For Modi, it was when he was reportedly reprimanded by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for failing to control post-Godhra riots in 2002. Hard taskmasters Prime Minister Narendra Modi is believed to have set high standards of performance for his ministers while taking under-performers to task. Steve Jobs also had a reputation for being a hard task master. When he left Apple to start NeXT Computer, Jobs micro-managed almost everything. However, after his return to Apple, Jobs delegated his work to people he trusted for better efficiency. Influence of spiritual gurus Steve Jobs is said to have the vision for creating Apple after he visited the Neeb Karori Baba's Kainchi Dham ashram in Uttarakhand. Ramakrishna Mission's president Swami Atmasthananda is believed to have advised a young Narendra Modi to join politics, when Modi wanted to become a monk. Just like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Steve Jobs took huge interest in yoga. After his death in 2011, guests who came to his memorial service were given a copy of the classic book 'Autobiography of a Yogi' by Paramahansa Yogananda. Oratory skills Steve Jobs was one of the most successful marketers of the 21st century. He had a flair of presenting Apple's new innovations to his millions of fans. Ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took up the top job, he has been lauded for his speeches both in India and abroad. Success Steve Jobs is credited with creating the most valuable company on the planet. Prime Minister Narendra Modi successfully brought BJP to power in 2014 with an absolute majority to become the leader of world's largest democracy. When mall developer Phoenix Mills Co set up the Palladium Mall in 2010, the intention clearly was to position it as a luxury mall. With high-end brands such as Gucci, Tag Heuer, Michael Kors and The Collective setting up stores, the Palladium Mall promised to be the destination for high-end luxury shopping in Mumbai. However, luxury brands today probably occupy just a fraction of the retail space spread over 400,000 sq. ft. In fact, the financial capital of the country is yet to see a luxury mall. The country has just two luxury malls - DLF Emporio in Delhi and The Collection (UB City) in Bangalore. How long will it take for India to create a luxury high-street like Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue in New York? It is definitely a distant dream at the moment. Arvind Singhal, Chairman of management consulting firm Technopak, says that India doesn't have the culture of luxury brands on high streets because of safety and security issues. That's the reason why most luxury brands in India are housed in the shopping arcades of five-star hotels. The monthly rent of these outlets would be Rs 600 to Rs 1,000 per sq. ft, say industry sources. With Indians increasingly travelling abroad, their awareness about luxury brands is on the rise. So, luxury shopping logically should happen at least in the metros. This means that luxury malls as a concept should work. So, why does India have just two luxury malls? "The luxury consumers are frequent overseas flyers and they really don't care about buying here," points out Rajneesh Mahajan, Executive Director, Inorbit Malls. Indians do indulge in luxury shopping, but it's mostly overseas as it's 30-40 per cent cheaper, largely because the import duties on luxury items are very high. Moreover, luxury shopping in India until recently was fuelled by black money. Sales were affected after the government started monitoring expensive transactions, says Singhal of Technopak. In fact, a bulk of the luxury shoppers, according to a senior luxury branding consultant, prefers shopping for luxury brands in the comfort of their homes in order to avoid paying taxes. However, considering the country's projected GDP growth and rise in disposable incomes, mall developers are hopeful that the luxury market will also evolve. Retail industry consultants say that the Mukesh Ambani-controlled Reliance Industries plans to enter the luxury mall space either in Mumbai or Delhi. There were also reports that Mumbai-based Oberoi Realty and Maker Group were looking to build luxury malls in the city. But there is no clarity on when these will happen, if ever. With growth of legitimate wealth in the country, Singhal of Technopak is optimistic about a robust luxury mall culture in the country. Still, setting up luxury malls isn't going to be easy in an emerging economy like India. The cost of construction of a luxury mall is almost three times more than a regular mall, and while the returns are also higher, the fact remains that most Indians prefer doing luxury shopping abroad. It takes three to five years to build a luxury mall and the average cost for overall development (excluding the land cost) in Mumbai and Delhi is in the range of Rs 7,000-9,000 per sq. ft, compared with Rs 4,000-5,000 a sq. ft for a normal mall, say real estate developers. The rental for a luxury mall ranges from Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 a sq. ft per month, while regular malls charge much lower. Devangshu Dutta, CEO of Third Eyesight, says that developers have to ensure a holistic experience for customers at luxury malls. "The collections should be the latest and the service should be ultra-premium. Pricing should be competitive, considering the higher import duty on luxury products." The difficulty is in finding real estate at an ultra-posh locality for building the mall, he adds. Today, most luxury stores in a mall like Palladium in Mumbai often look deserted. Clearly, given the challenges, developers will definitely think twice before launching luxury malls. In April, about three months prior to its launch, Tata Motors started taking pre-launch orders for its much-hyped Nano, the world's cheapest car that was priced at Rs 1 lakh. Some people booked the car thinking that they would sell it in the black market for a premium, expecting a huge demand-supply mismatch in the months after the launch. But that never happened. A similar story seems to be playing out in the telecom sector, where Reliance Jio has taken the country by storm. There are long queues at Reliance Digital stores to buy new connections. The waiting period is long because there are fewer SIM cards on sale than the demand from users. Those who cannot wait are buying SIMs in the black market for Rs 500-1,000. The pull, of course, is the world's cheapest data plans and free voice calling for lifetime. Soon after its launch, Nano ran into a series of problems, including incidents of the car catching fire on more than one occasion. The experience with Jio is also far from seamless till now. People who are given connections are facing issues with activating them. Those who have got it activated are not able to make calls because of major connectivity issues. The only saving grace seems to be data, which is working fine in most locations. In his launch speech, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani had grudged the lack of support from incumbent telecom operators. He mentioned that Jio customers suffered from 5 crore call failures to other networks in just one week due to insufficient interconnectivity capacity. If this continues for long, it would lead to irreversible damage to the users' perception. Over the years, Nano's sales have gone through several dips and surges. At its peak, the previous version of Nano - the current version is GenX Nano - hit sales of 10,475 units in March 2012. In recent years, sales have been going only southwards. For instance, the sales in July 2016 stood at a dismal 701 units compared to 2,120 units in July 2015 even though the base variant of the car still costs Rs 2.06 lakh, the lowest ex-showroom price for any car in the country. The slightly-higher priced Renault Kwid had sold 9,897 units in July this year. Reliance Jio has set for itself a target of 100 million customers in the shortest possible time. Earlier, there were reports that it targets to reach 100 million subscribers in one year. Let's assume that the shortest possible time is one year. That translates into selling a whopping 273,000 connections every day, or about 8.22 million connections a month. That looks daunting because with their established retail and distribution network, the top six telcos - Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India, Idea Cellular, Aircel, Telenor and MTNL - could add just 2.1 million subscribers this July. Bharti Airtel alone could add just 1.07 million in July, which is roughly one-eighth of Jio's target. In the case of Nano, only 100,000 cars were sold at Rs 1 lakh, the price at which the car was supposed to be sold, as was thought by its Tata Sons' chairman emeritus Ratan Tata. The later models were priced much higher. The consumers don't have to pay anything to use Jio's services for now. Its welcome offer gives unlimited access to its bouquet of services till December 31, 2016. Experts say that more clarity on tariffs is likely to emerge after this largesse ends. Like any other business, Jio's profitability will be keenly watched by market analysts. With its aggressive pricing, Jio's financial performance is expected to be under duress. Indicating strong sales ahead after hitting a straight 14th month growth streak in August, passenger vehicle sales firmed up to a 16.68 per cent gain over last year. Consumer sentiment is expected to hit the roof with two wheelers - the other key segment in the domestic automobile industry - also posting strong double-digit growth in August. According to data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam), passenger vehicle sales in August stood at 258,722 units against 221,743 units sold in the same month last year. The sales trend indicated a strong revival in demand backed by improved rural sentiments and charged urban market on higher payout due to new pay commission to the government employees. SIAM Director General Vishnu Mathur told reporters in New Delhi that the coming months are expected to be the best ever on extremely euphoric consumer sentiments. "We had anticipated this and auto sector is witnessing a stronger revival across all vehicle segments. Besides the buoyant rural market on the back of good monsoon and the high payouts from the pay commission have contributed in better sales." Higher sales helped by strong performance by Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, M&M, Toyota and Renault is likely to improve further as companies have already stepped up wholesale dispatches to stock dealerships to meet increased festive demand. Sales in the fiscal year for the April-August period improved by 11 per cent, SIAM said. Sales of two wheelers rose over 26 per cent as motorcycles volume grew 22 per cent, while scooters surged 34 per cent last month. A normal rainfall is helping the volumes, especially in motorcycles which had declined for last two fiscals. All the top three two wheeler companies - Hero MotoCorp, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India and TVS Motor - reported double digit growth in volumes. Industry sales to dealers have increased significantly to cater to increased consumer demand for passenger vehicles and two wheelers in the upcoming festival seasons over the next three months. "The growth in segments like cars and two wheelers is backed by many positive factors such as good monsoon which will result in increased rural demand, overall positive customer sentiment, better cash flows in the hand of the consumers such as government employees due to pay commission hike and some new launches," said Abdul Majeed, partner at Price Waterhouse. On buoyant demand Siam will revise upward its growth estimate for passenger vehicles during the ongoing fiscal to 10-12 per cent from the earlier forecast of 6-8 per cent. "Originally we have estimated the growth of the PVs to be 11-13 per cent which was later revised downward to 6-8 per cent. Looking at what is happening and after speaking to our members, it is now felt that the growth should be hitting 10-12 per cent mark," Siam's deputy director general Sugato Sen said. Despite the gains, there were some cautious signs. The decline in sales of medium and commercial vehicles continued. The goods carrier declined 18 per cent to 16,437 units while the buses segment grew 35 per cent to 4,100 units in August. Sales of light commercial vehicles grew over 11 per cent in August to 32,459 units with commercial goods carrier grew 12 per cent to 28,635 units while passenger carriers grew by a lower 6 per cent to 3,824 units. World food prices rose in August to their highest since May 2015, as increases in dairy, oils and sugar offset a drop in cereal prices, the United Nations food agency said on Thursday. The rise in the Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) index puts food prices back on an upward path after dropping slightly in July. The index hit a seven-year low in January. "We seem to have reached the bottom for food prices in general some months back, and I think what we are seeing goes some way to confirm that," said FAO senior economist Abdolreza Abbassian. Abbassian said a drop back to January's levels was unlikely but he did not expect a return to historic highs either. In July, FAO forecast broadly stable prices over the next decade. Food prices on global markets were almost 7% higher in August than in the same month last year. The index measures a basket of cereals, oilseeds, dairy products, meat and sugar. Only cereals dropped in value in August, weighed down by prospects for a bumper harvest. Abbassian said confusion over an Egyptian ban on wheat containing a certain fungus was also having an impact. "These things are probably going to keep cereals in check," Abbassian said, adding, "the United States seems to be heading for quite an amazing, big crop but this is not the situation with any of the other crops." FAO raised its forecast for world cereal production in the 2016-17 season to nearly 2.566 billion tonnes, 1.6% higher than in 2015. It forecast both world wheat and rice output hitting new records. The overall food price index averaged 165.6 points in August, 1.9% above the month before. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie About us It was announced today that the construction of The Reflector' a 125,000 square foot Grade A office building on Hanover Quay and Grand Canal Dock has commenced. The 100m Reflector will be a landmark office and residential building with impressive water frontage spanning almost 75 metres. Situated in the heart of Dublins central business district, it is due for completion in the third quarter of 2018 and is being developed by Park Developments Group, who were one of the original Grand Canal Dock developers over 10 years ago with the highly successful Hanover Quay scheme. Upon completion of The Reflector, the office element of the scheme could comfortably accommodate in excess of 1,000 employees. The development will also incorporate 40 exclusive 1-3 bedroom luxury apartments and a single 3,500 sq.ft retail/restaurant unit all of which is due for completion in 2018. Andrew Cunningham from Savills commented, "The integration of The Reflector with the existing dock-front buildings will create dynamic new relationships between old and new within the waterfront context. The Reflector offers Grade A sustainable and energy efficient office space, fantastic natural light, and great views, making it a top class working environment." Source: www.businessworld.ie About us Irish people need to save an additional 27.8bn a year to close the gap between current pension savings and the income needed to provide an adequate standard of living in retirement. This is among the findings of Avivas landmark Mind the Gap analysis of the pension savings gap across Europe, published today. In Ireland, the gap has increased from 20.2bn in 2010 when Aviva first measured pension savings against adequacy for retirement. The size of the gap means the current generation of retirees those due to retire between 2017 and 2057- will have to save, on average, an additional 12,200 (gross) per annum or 1,017 (gross) per month. This takes account of the State Pension but excludes tax relief on pension savings. This is the second largest savings gap per head of population in the 8 EU countries included in the Report: the UKs gap is the highest at 13,200 and Germanys, at 11,600, ranks in third place. The size of the gap depends on a persons age. Younger workers face a smaller gap because they have more time to save for retirement but the gap has widened for all age cohorts over the last 6 years. Those in their sixties face the largest gap: an average of 28,000 per year, up from 21,100 in 2010. For this group, many of whom are still feeling the financial impacts of the recession, the gap between their savings and the retirement income they had hoped for may be insurmountable. It is clear from the findings of the Mind the Gap Report that some in this age group will have little option but to continue to work to supplement their pension income. The Report found that while postponing the retirement age and increasing the State Pension would help reduce the gap somewhat; these efforts will be fruitless unless the decline in the numbers saving into a private pension is reversed. The latest CSO data show that the number of workers with pensions now stands at 46.7% compared to 51.2% in 2009. Aviva believes the answer to the problem of poor pension coverage is the speedy introduction of a universal pension system under which all workers would automatically be enrolled in a pension scheme by their employers. This system, which was introduced in the UK in 2012, has been among the factors that contributed to a fall of 4% in that countrys savings gap. Managing Director of Aviva Ireland Life & Pensions, Gary Marshall said, "Despite the pressure on the public finances throughout the crisis, the government, to its credit, maintained the tax relief on pension saving. Nonetheless, pension coverage has fallen by 4.5% over the last 6 years. Our report shows that the introduction of auto-enrolment has been an important factor in the bridging the gap in the UK." He added, "We believe a similar system would have the same beneficial impact in Ireland but it needs to be introduced without any further delay." Source: www.businessworld.ie Ireland's Government won strong backing from parliament for its appeal against a 13-billion-euro back tax bill the European Commission ordered it to collect from Apple, following 12 hours of debate on Wednesday. Ireland's fragile coalition overcame initial misgivings from independent members of cabinet to join Apple last week in fighting the ruling that Ireland granted state aid to the company through undue and selective tax benefit. The Government says Ireland did not give favourable tax treatment to Apple and that no state aid was provided, and it won a motion to endorse its position in parliament by 93 votes to 36. "The picture of Ireland painted by the Commission in its decision, as a country prepared to play fast and loose with the law to gain unfair advantage, could not be more damaging or further from the truth," Taoiseach Enda Kenny told lawmakers. "This is not a Commission finding that stands by a small country that has played by the rules. It cannot be allowed to stand." (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie Students at the old Roundup Central Elementary building used to walk a few blocks to the district building to attend gym class. Rain, shine or snow, they would also go across the street for music class. That building used to be a grocery store before the school district acquired it. Other buildings popped up on the kindergarten through sixth-grade campus. "We bought a modular unit a few years ago to put the library there," said Chad Sealey, Central School superintendent. But after a successful bond campaign two years ago, the district began work on a new building. On Aug. 31, students attended their first day of class in the new school on Roundup's east side. School Principal Rick Griffith said they were just handed the keys on Aug. 19. There was an accelerated prep week for faculty, and officials held an open house on Aug. 30. The main corridor of the building juts out from the cafeteria and office area. It has high ceilings and a row of colored room units, which sit in front of the main classrooms. Natural light pours in from the large windows on the second floor. There's more space per classroom, Sealey said. And there's additional space to handle fluctuating enrollment, which hovers around 315 students. It's a big change from the old sandstone school building, which was built in 1911. School officials sought a centralized location with better amenities the old school building had a single basement bathroom. The district originally sought a $13.5 million bond in 2011 for the central and high schools. Ballots went out amid a massive flood that hit the area, and the ballot failed. There were two more efforts to pass the measure, and each time it failed. Sealey said that the district decided to take time and amend the approach. They settled on a $9.8 million measure to build a K-6 building and renovate the high school. It passed in 2014. "Most in the community knew it was time for that to happen," Sealey said. "But also it was a financial burden." Questions still linger about the burden average residents will shoulder to pay off the bonds. Signal Peak, the county's largest taxpayer, has taken hits from a downward coal market. The company's mine operates 20 miles south of town. Sealey said that there is concern about the coal business, but he's confident that the market will make a turn for the better. For now, students and faculty are getting used to the new building, Griffith said. Last week, workers were still installing mats on the walls of the gymnasium while students ran around on the floor. Griffith said he was heartened to see the community turn out for the open house. But the next day, it was back to work for a new year. "Everyone in our building has put in a tremendous amount of hours to get things going," he said. Many accounts allege that the terrorist organization known as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has expanded to northern Afghanistan and intends to infiltrate Central Asia from there. Taking a closer look, however, it becomes apparent that virtually all such claims lack a sound foundation and that the remaining, more specific hints like reported sightings of black flags also stand on shaky ground. Consequentially, and contrary to the eastern parts of Afghanistan, there is no compelling evidence of a presence of the self-styled Caliphate in northern Afghanistan and, hence, also no immediate threat to Central Asia. BACKGROUND: Initial reports of an actual ISIS presence in Afghanistan emerged in late 2014 and early 2015 and Abu Muhammad al-Adnani, an official spokesman of ISIS, announced on January 26, 2015 the establishment of the province of Khorasan, an ancient name referring to a region encompassing Afghanistan, Pakistan and other nearby areas, including parts of Central Asia. Afterwards, several accounts claimed that, during late 2015 and 2016, ISIS has expanded its presence that has so far been limited to eastern Afghanistan to the north of the country with the goal to infiltrate Central Asia from there. Such reports came, for example, from the northern Afghan provinces of Kunduz, Baghlan and, more recently, also from the northeastern province of Badakhshan, which shares a long border with Tajikistan. However, on July 25, 2016, U.S. Army Brigadier General Charles Cleveland, Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications of the international coalition in Afghanistan, stated that Daesh, the Arabic acronym for ISIS, is still believed to be primarily present in Afghanistans eastern province of Nangarhar with some presence in the neighboring province of Kunar and a couple of other smaller locations, but that there is no spread to the northeast and that Daesh is under pressure from Afghan security forces, U.S. airstrikes and even the Taliban who reject and fight the so-called Islamic State. During this authors visit to the remote district of Raghistan in Badakhshan in early August, locals nevertheless contradicted this assessment. All the Taliban are in reality Daesh, a man from an insurgent-controlled village in Raghistan said. On the surface, local residents and officials as well as soldiers and pro-government vigilantes in Raghistan all confirmed that ISIS is present in that district. They only disagreed on whether all the insurgents are ISIS or only a part of them, while the rest remain loyal to the Taliban movement. Some even asserted that ISIS intends to transform Raghistan, which directly borders Tajikistan on a small stretch, into a hub and warned that this would not only threaten Afghanistan, but Central Asia as a whole. On a more specific note, locals in Raghistan claimed in conversations with this author that black flags have been sighted in two locations in their district. This followed media reports from early July about black flags in Jurm and Yamgon, two other districts of Badakhshan. In addition, Raghistanis recounted that an insurgent who defected to the local armed civil uprising had two black headbands with the shahada, the Islamic creed, written on them that would prove the presence of ISIS there. IMPLICATIONS: The situation in Badakhshan is, however, far less clear than these accounts suggest. It turns out that, under scrutiny, nearly all claims of an alleged ISIS presence in Raghistan lack any sound foundation. In fact, when this author asked the locals why they are certain that the insurgents are indeed members of ISIS, most did not have a clear answer. Many, among them also the district governor of Raghistan, apparently base their assertion that the insurgents are ISIS solely on the unprecedented violence in the area the insurgents in Raghistan reportedly beheaded people and beheadings are a hallmark of ISIS, after all. But while the Taliban indeed officially condemn beheadings, they themselves acknowledge that in some instances Taliban fighters beheaded government forces, for example in Jurm in April 2015. So the unprecedented violence alone hardly makes ISIS responsible. An old man with a close-cropped white beard in Ziraki, the district center of Raghistan, gave another explanation with a similar problem: Mullah Najib, the leader of the insurgents in the district who is himself from Raghistan, is a follower of the Salafist interpretation of Islam. And as the Taliban adhere to the Hanafi school of Islam and this school contrasts with the Salafist movement followed by ISIS as well as Mullah Najib, the latter must consequentially be ISIS. The fact that not every Salafist by far is a member of ISIS, did not seem to have occurred to the old man. Furthermore, while the Taliban are nominally Hanafi, they are strongly influenced by the ultra-Orthodox Deobandi movement. It should also be noted that all accounts of an alleged ISIS presence in Raghistan agreed that, so far, the insurgents do not openly acknowledge their allegiance to the self-styled Caliphate but keep it a secret, even still hoisting the white flag of the Taliban, as they fear infighting with their current Taliban allies that reject ISIS. Given that apparently every villager in Raghistan knows about this, it would hardly be a secret anymore and such an explanation does not make sense. Furthermore, also the more specific hints to ISIS in Raghistan turn out to be shaky. The reported sightings of two black flags in, even for a remote district like Raghistan, forlorn areas are based on hearsay that one local himself described as unconfirmed to this author. And even if there were indeed black flags flying in the skies of Raghistan, this would not suffice as proof. There are at least five to six extremist groups in Badakhshan, among them the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), which use a black flag, explains Borhan Osman, a researcher with the Kabul-based Afghanistan Analysts Network and an expert on ISIS in Afghanistan, so a black flag in Badakhshan would say nothing definitive about the Islamic State. Similarly, the alleged black headbands of the defector could also have been misidentified. As the locals could not display the black headbands to this author and the defector died fighting for the vigilantes against his erstwhile insurgent allies, this could not be verified. The only remaining and most direct indication for the claimed ISIS presence in Raghistan therefore is an old man who recounted having overheard some insurgents calling themselves members of ISIS. However, as this could not be corroborated, it remains a very thin lead. Finally, the possibility that assertions about ISIS fighters are misused for propaganda purposes cannot be discarded. One Talib fighting in Raghistan claimed in a telephone conversation with this author on August 10 that all allegations of an ISIS presence are false government propaganda. While the Talib could well be biased, it is interesting to note that a commander of the local armed uprising against the insurgency at one point asked this author: Who are the Americans more interested in, the Taliban or Daesh?, and was probably just looking for a confirmation that the answer is Daesh. And in view of the constant cry for U.S. air support, it is not a far stretch to imagine that someone could claim an ISIS presence, simply hoping to attract more attention from the U.S. forces. CONCLUSIONS: In the end, and although it cannot be ruled out completely that ISIS sympathizers are located in Raghistan, there is no compelling evidence of an ISIS presence there and the self-styled Caliphate remains a mere phantom menace. The same applies to Badakhshan as a whole and to northern Afghanistan, where many stories circulate, but lack hard facts. Perhaps the clearest sign of this is that even locals question the claims about ISIS. Two residents of Raghistan separately asked this author, nota bene a foreign journalist, in private conversations: Are the reports about Daesh true? Are there really black flags flying in our district? AUTHORS BIO: Franz J. Marty is a freelance journalist, currently based in Afghanistan. He covers a broad range of topics, but focuses on security and military issues. He can be followed @franzjmarty on Twitter. KALISPELL Two Kalispell women have pleaded guilty to locking two young boys in their basement bedrooms at night, reportedly because they frequently tried to set fires and one had tried to choke his sister. Amy Lynn Newman and Crystal Marie Mears each pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of criminal endangerment. Court records say Child and Family Services removed four children from the house in March after hearing reports that Newman and Mears were regularly locking three of them in the basement. Kalispell police said the basement windows were boarded up, and the children used a bucket as a toilet. Newman said her adopted sons, ages 9 and 11, were locked in the basement to keep the rest of the family safe. She said a 12-year-old girl was not locked in her basement bedroom. Calais: another brick in the wall of Fortress Britain Published on September 8, 2016 Story by euro topics Translation by: euro topics en de pl fr es it The UK government has announced plans to build a wall in Calais to prevent refugees from crossing the Channel using the Eurotunnel, as part of a 20 million euro plan to protect British and French borders. Some commentators see it as a necessary evil, others as evidence of the EU's failure to handle the migrant crisis. No solution without borders and walls - The Daily Telegraph, UK There's no alternative to building new barriers in view of the massive influx of refugees and immigrants for which Europe itself is to blame, says the Daily Telegraph: "Across the continent of Europe borders are going up everywhere, from the Greek-Macedonian border, all the way along what used to be the migrant route up through the Balkans into northern Europe. Every country that has criticised every other country for doing so has ended up doing the thing it has criticised within weeks. This is not a failing. Rather, it would be a failing to do anything otherwise. The mass migration which Europe has encouraged in recent years is making itself felt. And one of the political consequences is the re-erection of borders." (08/09/2016) First the Eurotunnel, now the Eurowall - Il Sole 24 Ore, Italy The wall of Calais is a symbol of failure, the business daily Il Sole 24 Ore comments: "First we had the Eurotunnel, now we have the Eurowall. A devastating symbol of these changing times, of a Europe that is falling apart instead of growing together. A Europe that is unable to face challenges for which it wasn't prepared and to which it doesn't know how to respond. The problem starts with the fact that we clearly no longer want to differentiate between 'economic refugees' and 'asylum seekers'. We remain incapable of applying existing laws and signed treaties... The wall is effectively a further step in the process of pushing the problem southwards: any wall or barrier that is constructed in the North inevitably shifts the burden to the South. The reason for this is the EU's complete inability to find joint solutions to a problem that threatens to break up the entire community structure." (08/09/2016) The disgrace on the English Channel - De Standaard, Belgium The planned wall in Calais won't solve the problem, De Standaard complains: "The so-called Jungle of Calais is a disgrace for Europe. The way in which the French state has let the problem get out of hand is difficult to reconcile with the values that the Republique so dearly loves to evoke... The Brits aren't innocent either, incidentally. On the contrary... And after the Brexit they'll be in even less of a hurry to solve the problem... Perhaps Europe should demand that a decent solution for Calais should be part of the Brexit agreement. The disgrace of Calais shows once again that only broad-based European cooperation and solidarity can solve the refugee and migration problem. But this solidarity does not exist. Too many member countries only pass the buck on to others." (08/09/2016) Refugees not to blame for the decline of Calais - Mediapart, France Residents and truck drivers have been demonstrating in Calais since the start of the week against the refugees living in the camp known as the "Jungle", blaming the migrants for the city's decline. Nonsense, writes Calais resident Nancy Belart on her blog with Mediapart: "Calais is a port city and has always been dangerous at night... For 30 years the downtown area has always been like a ghost town as of 7pm. And 20 years ago the construction of the tunnel and the opening of the huge shopping centre Cite Europe sounded the death knell for the city and its shops... So the refugees have nothing to do with the death of Calais! On the contrary: if the city's residents had given them a chance they would have liked nothing better than to drink a tea or coffee and have a bite to eat in the city centre - and thus participate in the city's economic life. Even with the little money they have at their disposal." (06/09/2016) --- 30 Countries, 300 Media Outlets, 1 Press Review. The euro|topics press review presents the issues affecting Europe and reflects the continent's diverse opinions, ideas and moods. Story by euro topics Translated from London baut Euromauer am Eurotunnel As authorities gradually reopen the Yellowstone River after an unnerving fish-kill, anglers across Montana share the same thought: Weve been here before. The parasite that killed more than 4,000 mountain whitefish and prompted the closure of 183 miles of the Yellowstone (and all its tributaries) between Gardiner and Laurel is related to another scourge of the fishing world whirling disease. While the present outbreak of proliferative kidney disease appears on the wane, nobody wants a repeat of the infestation 20 years ago that killed up to 90 percent of the rainbow trout in several of Montanas most popular trout streams and devastated rainbow populations statewide. At first, there was a lot of fear among fisheries professionals that this (PKD outbreak) would end up being like whirling disease, said Travis Horton, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks fisheries manager for the Yellowstone area. Were not taking a sky-is-falling perspective," he said. "Whirling disease was serious, but fish figured out how to get around it. It just takes some time. That experience gave us some perspective on what to anticipate this time around. Whirling disease appeared in Montana rivers around 1991, although it took several years for biologists to realize the magnitude of the threat. The Madison River near Ennis was one of the first trouble spots. Rainbow trout populations in a 50-mile reach above Ennis Lake tumbled from 3,300 fish per mile in 1991 to 300 per mile in 1994. Whirling disease had been prevalent in Europe for decades, and was detected in the United States first in 1956. Eighteen states soon reported the parasite, generally associated with hatchery-bred fish and stream-stocking programs. But the Madison never had a hatchery program, although biologists suspected some illegal stocking of fish with hatchery connections may have occurred in the 1980s. By 2004, whirling disease was collapsing rainbow trout numbers in more than 100 Montana rivers. There was no cure, no vaccine and no certainty about how to stop the spread. The disease still exists, but has decreased significantly as the rainbow population, the most vulnerable species of trout to the parasite, has crashed. FWP biologists first found traces of the PKD parasite in tributaries to the Smith and Ruby rivers while searching for clues to whirling disease 20 years ago. But PKD was not infecting significant numbers of fish at the time and the momentum to solve whirling disease pushed the other parasite out of the picture. The current outbreak of PKD started on August 12 on the Yellowstone, when reports of belly-up whitefish started pouring into FWP offices in Livingston. Whitefish, like the rainbow trout, were the favorite target of the new parasite. Lab tests confirmed PKD on August 18, and the FWP Board of Commissioners ordered immediate closure of all fishing, floating and even wading along 180 miles of the river through the Paradise Valley and along Interstate 90. The closure did not extend into Yellowstone National Park. Park spokeswoman Charissa Reid cited two reasons. First, the Yellowstone River above Gardiner is much colder than the Paradise Valley reach, and the disease appears to depend on warm, low water conditions. And second, Knowles Waterfall in the Black Canyon of the Yellowstone just east of Gardiner forms a natural fish barrier that should prevent any spread into the interior of the park. The hugely lucrative fish-guiding business downstream of Gardiner wasnt so lucky. Livingston boat-builder Jason Cajune said guides were scrambling to reschedule clients on the Missouri, Big Horn or Madison rivers. Everybody thats working on the river is doing something else, Cajune said Wednesday, just before some portions of the Paradise Valley Yellowstone reopened. A lot of people lost their trips or had to cancel a lot of bookings. But the river needs a rest. Its been loved to death for a lot of years. At the Rock Creek Mercantile, an angling store on the blue-ribbon trout stream 25 miles east of Missoula, manager John Staats was preparing for his September clients with a wary eye toward the Yellowstone. Theres one big bug hatch left that connects anglers to guides in fall, providing the last economic boost before business goes dormant for the winter. I was just talking to the guys at Yellowstone Fly Goods in Billings, Staats said. Were trying to give them some business, ordering stuff from them. Theyre hunkering down, waiting for this to pass. Rock Creek went through a similar collapse two decades ago, when whirling disease got in its water. In 1993, a fish census of its upper section counted 344 rainbows and 59 brown trout per mile larger than 13 inches. By 2004, that had reversed: 300 browns and 57 rainbows in that size category. Rainbows in the 6- to 13-inch class went from 695 per mile in 1996 to almost non-existent in 2004. Theres still a lot of fish there, FWP Region 2 Fisheries Manager Pat Saffel said. But the change of species had an effect on anglers. Rainbows are easier to catch than brown trout. Rock Creek was a unique blue-ribbon rainbow fishery. The brown trout tend to be smaller, overpopulated, and by nature more difficult to catch. Microscopic Myxosporean parasites cause PKD after a long and complicated life cycle. Another species of Myxosporea causes whirling disease. At various stages, they move from bryozoan moss-animals (which look kind of like spider webs) to aquatic worms and then to fish. However, the PKD parasites arent built as tough as their whirling disease cousins, and arent expected to spread with such plague-like ease. However, no one has a test or detection kit for PKD spores. While Montanas aquatic invasive species check-points have ways of spotting zebra and quagga mussels, milfoil and other dangerous pests, they have no definite protocol for blocking Myxosporeans. The bryzoan is the host for the dormant form of the parasite, which can live out of water for a long time, said Caryn Miske, executive director of the Flathead Basin Commission which partners with state officials on the boat check point program. In a 1999 study, they soaked bryzoans in lots of compounds, including ammonia, and found it was highly resistant to everything. Two hours in silver nitrate eventually killed it. The Flathead Basin Commission is already seeking an administrative rule change to start inspecting fishing gear as well as boats for the parasite and its host. However, it's a much bigger ask on the traveling angler public to submit every tackle box and wader boot for a cleaning check. Plus, inspectors cant spot gear in a trunk the way they see boats strapped to rooftops. Were just reminding everyone to drain, clean and dry, Saffel said, referring to the aquatic invasive species defense slogan. We should treat all our gear that way. We hope for voluntary compliance. I think when people see the effects on our fisheries, theyll be very willing to cooperate. COURTNEY SACCO/CALLER-TIMES A crossing guard stops traffic along Grenoble Drive for students on their way to Mireles Elementary School on the first day of school on Monday. SHARE By Fares Sabawi of the Caller-Times Some of the healthiest schools in the country are in Corpus Christi. Eleven Corpus Christi ISD schools were named to the 2016 list of "America's Healthiest Schools" according to a news release from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. In total, 328 schools across the nation met the criteria, which included availability of nutritious food and access to physical education opportunities. The full list can be found at www.healthiergeneration.org. The CCISD schools that made the list include Dawson, Evans, Galvan, Mireles, Montclair, Sanders, Smith and Travis elementary schools, Baker Middle School, and Los Encinos and Shaw special emphasis schools. Twitter: @Caller_Fares COURTNEY SACCO/CALLER-TIMES Callers phone CCISD students who have not re-enrolled to ask them to come back to school Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, during the 9th Annual Operation K.E.Y.S pre-event phone bank at the CCISD Administrative Building in Corpus Christi. SHARE COURTNEY SACCO/CALLER-TIMES Toni Moynihan-McCoy talks on the phone to a student who has not re-enrolled this year Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, during the 9th Annual Operation K.E.Y.S pre-event phone bank at the CCISD Administrative Building in Corpus Christi. COURTNEY SACCO/CALLER-TIMES Marisol Izaguirre talks on the phone to a student who has not re-enrolled this year Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, during the 9th Annual Operation K.E.Y.S pre-event phone bank at the CCISD Administrative Building in Corpus Christi. COURTNEY SACCO/CALLER-TIMES Isabel Salinas talks on the phone to a student who has not re-enrolled this year Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, during the 9th Annual Operation K.E.Y.S pre-event phone bank at the CCISD Administrative Building in Corpus Christi. Caller-Times File The Miller High School band plays music as the KEYS volunteers are sent out into the communities to talk students into coming back to school. By Beatriz Alvarado of the Caller-Times Life can get in the way of getting an education for some students, said Marci Fischer, CCISD's coordinator for the Office of High School Completion. "I think all kids want to be successful," Fischer said. "A lot of them have 100 percent potential ... they just sometimes don't know hot to get past life to focus on education." Fischer coordinates Operation K.E.Y.S. Keeping Every Youth In School. A phone bank, during which volunteers called students and asked them to re-enroll in school, kicked off the annual event Wednesday. Besides reaching students and parents via phone, Operation K.E.Y.S. also will host a community walk Saturday. Volunteers will personally encourage students to return to school by visiting them at home. The initiative, in its ninth year, is a partnership between the CCISD, the Diocese of Corpus Christi and the city of Corpus Christi. In the past five years, more than 1,600 homes have been visited by volunteers and 1,044 students have returned to school, according to district data. Fischer said the district works to prevent dropouts through the school year, but Operation K.E.Y.S. gives residents an opportunity to get involved. "It takes the community as a whole to be stakeholders in educating the children in our community," Fischer said. "The effort also brings awareness to the challenges our young people face." About 66 percent of students in Corpus Christi ISD are economically disadvantaged, or eligible for free or reduced-price meals, and about 56 percent are at risk of dropping out of school, according to data reported to the Texas Education Agency for the 2014-15 school year. The state averages are about 58 percent and 51 percent, respectively. A student's justification for not re-enrolling in school range from struggles with drug use to having a displaced parent, said Justice of the Peace for Precinct One, Place One Judge Joe Benavides. Since the program's inception he's helped with contacting homes via phone as well as the personal door-to-door component of Operation K.E.Y.S. because he's seen where it can ultimately lead, he said. "I've seen kids graduate," he said. "I believe it works." CCISD information systems administrative officer Toni Moynihan-McCoy also is a longtime participant. She said students are not to blame for the social ills that keep them from completing their education, such as hunger, lack of direction and lack of opportunity. "It's our responsibility to bring them back to school," she said. "We have to believe we know how to educate and have the political will to do it. We have to face the challenge together." Twitter: @CallerBetty SHARE Filamir Gomez Jr. Jeremiah Jenkins Darien Marshall Truanser Hughes By Julie Garcia of the Caller-Times A second suspect has been arrested in connection to the shooting death of a gun shop owner. On Wednesday, the United States Marshals Gulf Coast Fugitives and Violent Offenders Task Force arrested Filamir Gomez, 20, on suspicion of capital murder in San Diego. After an investigation by the Corpus Christi police gang unit, Gomez's location on West Dix Street in San Diego was given to marshals. Corpus Christi police believe he is one of four people who robbed the Shooters Depot on Sept. 1 on Leopard Street. The incident left store owner George Koumbis, 62, dead and one of his employees in serious condition. The employee is recovering in the hospital. Koumbis' vehicle and guns were stolen during the shooting and later recovered that night in the 900 block of Corn Products Road, police said. Lt. Chris Hooper said police believe they have recovered all the items stolen from the store. Truanser Hughes, 19, was arrested Sept. 2 by U.S. Marshals on an unrelated aggravated robbery warrant, the release stated. During his interview, detectives decided to charge him on suspicion of capital murder and learned about three other suspects in the slaying. Detectives obtained murder warrants for Jeremiah Jenkins, 28, and Darien Marshall, 22, police said. Investigators continue to search for Jenkins and Marshall. Hughes remains in Nueces County Jail on charges of capital murder and aggravated robbery, according to jail officials. His combined bail was set at $1,050,000. Gomez was processed in Nueces County Jail Thursday afternoon on charges of capital murder. His bail was set at $1,000,000. In Koumbis' obituary, his wife Kiriaki "Kiki" Koumbis detailed her thoughts when she heard her husband was killed. "In a split second, life as I knew it, changed. My life was torn in half; my body, my mind, my heart, all of it was cut away right in the middle," Kiriaki Koumbis wrote. "And yet, I have no fear, no regrets and above all, no hate. Rather, I feel blessed that God used a man as an instrument to take the love of my life away instead of him feeling any sort of pain and suffering from a sickness. George was taken standing tall and healthy." Services are planned Friday for Koumbis. Visitation will begin at 6 p.m. at Maxwell P. Dunne Funeral Chapel, and services will follow at 7 p.m. Staff writers Esther Hackleman and Fares Sabawi contributed to this report. Twitter: @Caller_Jules SHARE By Fares Sabawi of the Caller-Times Driscoll Children's Hospital may receive $100,000, but not without help from the public. The hospital is one of three finalists in Reliant Gives, a charity program created by Reliant and NRG Retail Charitable Foundation. Voting is open to the public until Sept. 16. People can cast an unlimited number of votes by visiting www.reliant.com/vote. Driscoll Children's Hospital is the only finalist of South Texas. If the hospital receives the money, it will be used to help fund a new pediatric intensive care unit. Twitter: @Caller_Fares COURTNEY SACCO/CALLER-TIMES FILE PHOTO A vote here sign sits outside the Grace Presbyterian Church polling location on election day in 2015. SHARE By Krista M. Torralva Texas is refusing to correct misinformation about voter eligibility that could keep many potential voters from the polls, the U.S. Department of Justice declared in court filings. Under an agreement reached last month, the state allocated $2.5 million to educate Texas voters on the new ID law modifications in time for the November election. But the federal government argues in a motion this week that the state is actually publicizing misinformation on its websites and educational and training materials. Now a federal judge in Corpus Christi must decide whether the state has failed to comply with the agreement meant to allow voters without photo IDs to cast their ballots. The agreement requires those without photo ID to sign a declaration stating they have a reasonable impediment to obtaining one of the types of photo identification required in Texas voter ID law. But the lawyers for the federal government and civil rights groups say Texas officials have narrowed the scope of who would be eligible to sign those declarations. A spokesman for Attorney General Ken Paxtons office told the Texas Tribune the office was reviewing the filings and would respond this week. On Wednesday, a motion also was filed by several plaintiffs including Hidalgo and Dallas counties, the Texas State Conference of NAACP Branches, the League of Young Voters Education Fund, and the League of United Latin American Citizens, among others. That motion argues that statements made by Paxton, Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart and other state officials about plans to investigate voters who sign declarations of reasonable impediment contradict the terms of the order and are intimidating to the very persons that the order is intended to protect. Texass public officials are singling out for wholesale criminal investigation the disproportionately African American and Hispanic class of voters who were discriminated against by SB 14, the motion states. U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos gave the state until Friday to respond to the allegations. A hearing in the case is set for Monday. Texas voter ID law was enacted in 2011 and went into effect in 2013. The law required voters to show one of six types of a government-issued photo ID such as a drivers license or passport and could have left up to 600,000 Texas voters without the proper identification in this falls presidential election, opponents claimed. In 2014, Ramos ruled the law creates an unconstitutional burden on the right to vote, has an impermissible discriminatory effect against Hispanics and African-Americans, and was imposed with an unconstitutional discriminatory purpose. Earlier this year, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed finding the law unconstitutionally restricts voting rights. Besides signing the declaration, voters who dont have a photo ID may show an alternative form of identification, such as a utility bill or government check, that displays the voters name and address. The agreement also allows voters to use photo IDs such as a drivers license or personal ID card from any state, expired or not. However, voters who have one of the six types of government-issued photo IDs, or are able to get one, are still required to use those. Twitter: @CallerKMT NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE? To vote in Texas, you must be registered. You are eligible to register to vote if: You are a United States citizen; You are a resident of the county where you submit the application; You will be at least 18 years old on Election Day; You are not a convicted felon (you may be eligible to vote if you have completed your sentence, probation, and parole); and You have not been declared by a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be either totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote. Source: Texas Secretary of State GET REGISTERED Nueces County Voter Registrars Office Where: 901 Leopard St., Suite 102, Corpus Christi Information: 361-888-0404 or visit http://www.votetexas.gov/ for an application. ELECTION KEY DATES Last Day to Register to Vote Oct. 11 (First business day after Columbus Day). Early Voting 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 24 Nov. 4 Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail Oct. 28 (Received, not Postmarked) Last Day to Receive Ballot by Mail 7 p.m. Nov. 8 (election day; unless overseas deadline applies) Election Day Nov. 8 SHARE A major state agency is proposing a massive increase in spending despite providing little if any evidence that its current spending is effective or needed. That scenario would normally bring accusations of bloated government from Texas' conservative leadership. But not when the subject is border security. The Texas Department of Public Safety is proposing a 39 percent increase in border security spending for the next biennium. That comes on top of a doubling in border security spending approved in the 2015 legislative session. If the Legislature approves the increase in spending next year and history suggests that it will state spending on border security will have grown from $120 million in 2010 to $1 billion. And it's entirely unclear what Texas is getting for all that money, other than a shift in where DPS troopers are writing traffic warnings and citations. The idea of the border as a war zone has been popular in Republican circles for years, despite repeated evidence that illegal immigration is on the decline and border communities have much lower crime rates than comparable communities across the country. When the Rio Grande Valley was the site in 2014 of a mass migration of mostly women and children fleeing violence and poverty in Central America, state leadership pounced. They sent in the National Guard and additional DPS troopers. The mission was extended in 2015, with DPS hiring an additional 250 troopers for the border region. The influx of Central American migrants had dissipated by then, but the anti-border rhetoric had continued to boil in the 2014 Texas elections. The rhetoric has grown even angrier thanks to Donald Trump's presidential campaign. So Texas leadership continues to push more and more law enforcement spending along the border, even though they can't really tell Texans what all the money has bought. DPS will trot out statistics on arrests, drug seizures and the like, but they generally are statistics documenting activity of the very federal agencies that Texas leaders have decried as ineffective. And the statistics often are cherry picked or inconclusive at best. In July, DPS Director Steve McCraw gave a presentation on proposed border security performance measures to the House Appropriations Committee. One slide noted that crime in Hidalgo County had declined by 12.6 percent since the state began its border security efforts in the Rio Grande Valley. The report doesn't mention that crime has been on a sharp decline in Hidalgo County since at least 2009, long before the state's efforts. The presentation also showed that drug seizures and apprehensions of suspected undocumented immigrants have declined since the state began pouring manpower and money into the region. But those stats track activity by federal agencies, and there's no way of knowing what impact all the state money is having. Border area lawmakers such as Rep. Cesar Blanco and Sen. Jose Rodriguez of El Paso have been lonely voices for accountability on border security spending. Other Texas elected officials must follow their lead and ensure that spending decisions, regardless of program, are based on data and not rhetoric. BUTTE After facing a grizzly bear on his first bow hunt for elk, 12-year-old Hunter Edens says he didnt know if the bear was going to play the Im going to kill you card. When Hunter and his father, Dan, met with the bear on a private ranch off Gibbonsville Road 10 miles west of Wisdom, Dan was fearful for his son, a seventh grader at Stevensville Middle School. Having only seen two black bears in the 25 years he's been hunting, Dan didn't think to bring either his pistol or bear spray on this hunt. The Stevensville pair had been out in the woods for about an hour and decided to take a break. Hunter tried out his brand new elk call and it brought an elk cow right to them. We made a nice shot. It went across the meadow and we let the elk lay down and do its thing. We started trailing the blood. Then we spotted something moving, Dan said Wednesday. Hunter saw the grizzly out of the corner of his eye. They thought it was a wolf. Dan used his binoculars and realized what it was just as Hunter said, "Dad, it's a grizzly." With silvery gray shoulders, the bear was about 150 yards from the two hunters. Dan described the bear as very large and beautiful. Dan and Hunter watched the wild animal for a minute or two. It was a cool thing to see, Dan said. But the two hunters were standing in the elk's blood trail. We got back into the willows. He did see us and ran over to where we were standing," Dan said. It came right for us," Hunter said. The two ran through the willows. By now the bear was only 70 yards away. Neither Dan nor Hunter knew what the grizzly was going to do. It was an eerie feeling, Dan said. Hunter called the experience nerve-wracking. "The bear stood up. I started yelling at the bear, making loud noises, Dan said. The bear got down on all fours and headed into the willows in the direction of the downed elk. Hunter and Dan ran for a fence and disturbed a few cattle to distract the bear in case it changed its mind and came back for them. When they got to Dans truck, he called his wife who called authorities. Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Beaverhead County Sheriffs department arrived. Dan wanted to go back out into the woods to collect his elk. But FWP game warden Regan Dean convinced Dan not to go back out there. I told him dont worry about that elk, you can find another one, Dean said. He wouldnt want that meat after the grizzly had been crawling around on it. Because Dan did not tag his elk, he did not lose his elk hunting tag. He would have lost it if he had tagged the elk before the bear arrived, Dean said. Undaunted by the bear experience, Dan and Hunter plan to head back out to look for another elk to hunt this coming weekend. But they will go to a different hunting spot for now. Educated in wilderness camp and having been a hunter since the age of 5, Hunter talked about the moment with the bear like it was something that had happened at school, Dan said. Im not scared to go back out in the woods, Hunter said Wednesday. | BY Ricki Green | A new campaign announcing Australian Unitys offering to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) market has launched in NSW and Victoria this week. The campaign was created by DPR&Co and will be activated by partner media agency Slingshot. Launching on free-to-air TV and digital during the Rio Paralympics, the campaign features a cast of people with disability, who interview Australian Unity for the role of NDIS service provider. Says Kellie Johnston, head of marketing for independent and assisted living, Australian Unity: We want to support and enable our clients, not lead and direct them. So, we needed an idea that would enable the power balance to sit squarely with our clients. In this commercial, it is clear that our clients are in charge of the critical decision of who will support them on their NDIS journey. DPR&Co founder and executive creative director Richard Ralphsmith said that it was a privilege to work with Australian Unity on the campaign. Says Ralphsmith: The media rarely shows people with disability in positions of power. This campaign does that, bringing to life our message that Australian Unity puts people with disability in control of their choices so that they can live the life they want to lead. Slingshot CEO, Simon Rutherford, reinforced the importance of the campaign media placement. Says Rutherford: We wanted to anchor the launch of this campaign in a way that honored its purpose. And what better property to leverage than the Rio Paralympics. After that, the campaign targeting becomes increasingly focused. Lead actor in the TV advertisement Chris Van Ingen a vocal advocate for actors with disability described the campaign as a breakthrough in its portrayal of people with disabilities. Says Van Ingen: Too often, the only roles I come across have me typecast either as a victim or an inspiration, simply as a result of my physical condition never in a position of power. This role is different. It depicts me, along with others who live with disability, being firmly in charge of our own destiny. It dares to confront social stereotypes we live with every day why should it be abnormal to see a boardroom filled with diverse Australians including those living with a disability? People with disability participate in all walks of life, including running successful businesses and sitting on corporate boards. Appropriately, the last word goes to cast member and Australian Unity client, Dean Leggett. | BY Ricki Green | As part of its global strategy to be the leading SUV brand, Mitsubishi and its new agency partner Richards Rose, have developed a vibrant, feel good campaign celebrating the experiences Mitsubishi SUVs facilitate. By demonstrating the functional and emotional benefits drivers experience everyday, the campaign seeks to position Mitsubishi as the SUV/4WD expert that gives customers lasting good times. Under the new positioning Built for the time of your life the campaign builds on Mitsubishis proven 4WD credentials whilst demonstrating the comprehensive range of SUVs for every stage of life. Says Darrell Jacobs, head of marketing communications: The simple fact is we build superbly engineered, dependable SUVs that open up wonderful possibilities for our customers. This is an opportunity to remind people what the Mitsubishi brand stands for and cement the emotional connections between our SUVs and car buyers. Says Adam Rose, executive creative director / founding partner, Richards Rose: Mitsubishi has a strong, proud history in Australia and were excited to embark on this new chapter. Their SUVs arent just designed to look pretty in a driveway, theyre designed to be enjoyed. Built for the time of your life celebrates the positive feeling that over a million Mitsubishi owners experience every week. Id like to thank all our valued partners who contributed so much in a short space of time to make this launch possible. The new brand idea encompasses the whole of business and will be launched using all mainstream channels as well as narrow cast media. Impacting across dealerships through point-of-sale, product brochures and sales collateral. Agency: Richards Rose Executive Creative Director: Adam Rose Creative Director: Chris Johnson Creative Group Head: Paris Giannakis Head of TV/Content: Tanya Hairman Group Account Director: David Hallett Account Director: Kristen Sandberg Head of Strategy: Jody Elston Client: Mitsubishi Motors Australia Deputy Director, Marketing: Taichi Nakajima Head of Marketing Communications: Darrell Jacobs Marketing Manager: Daniela Querzoli Production Company: Goodoil Films Director: Justin McMillan Producer: Catherine Warner DOP: Stefan Duscio Aerial: Heliguy Editor: Simon Njoo Post Production: Alt VFX Post Production: Kojo | BY Ricki Green | Digital agency Frank Digital, together with Regional Australia Bank has launched its new site revealing a new brand (formerly Community Mutual) and web site. Frank Digital was presented with the opportunity to re-create the digital presence of the Regional Australia Bank. Underpinned by the core values of Regional Australia Bank, the site focuses on ensuring that real world experiences connect with the online digital environment. Frank Digitals goal was to position Regional Australia Bank at the heart of the community and demonstrate the integral role the bank plays in Regional Australia by its support of local initiatives and causes. Says Darren Schaefer, chief marketing officer at Regional Australia Bank: There is a tangible community spirit underpinning the economic prosperity and quality of life in Regional Australia be it a small town or major Regional centre. To be Regional is about to be connected with your communities. The site had to capture this connection and it needed to make the complex financial aspects of our brand simple. After all, things are easier in Regional Australia thats why we live here. So this connection and simplicity was critical for our site and we truly believe Frank Digital delivered on this. Built on the back of the Sitecore Experience Platform means that compelling personalised and immersive digital experiences can be delivered to their customers ensuring their experience is seamless. The platform enables the site to track user behaviours and serve them relevant content based on their previous actions. Some key features include life stage grouping of products, a quick and easy comparison tool, and a search function enabling users to quickly locate contextual results. Says Alex Moyse, strategy director, Frank Digital: Clients often talk about wanting to make digital experiences feel more human. But to truly deliver a human digital experience, there needs to be customer empathy holistically across an organisation, not just in a singular digital touch-point. Regional Australia Bank is a business that can truly deliver this through their entire customer experience. With the user remaining the key focus, the site was designed for Regional Australians to be totally connected. The new website is fully responsive across desktop, tablet, and mobile whilst also conforming to AA Accessibility standards providing equal access and equal opportunities for all users. | BY Lynchy | Edelman China has hired Shijun Ma in the newly created position of Shanghai Corporate Reputation senior vice president, effective immediately. Ma (pictured left) will lead senior counsel to major corporate and healthcare clients in the Shanghai region and reports to Sonny Shen, Shanghai managing director, who was also recently appointed as senior vice president of China. Shijuns arrival is a key step in further strengthening our leading corporate and healthcare businesses, said Shen. He is a true industry veteran with significant domestic and international experience. With his specialist and sector expertise, we will enhance our Corporate Reputation offering for our clients, particularly in the areas of corporate strategy and crisis management. Ma is no stranger to Edelman, having started his communications career at the agency 14 years ago. Prior to his most recent appointment, Ma served as China senior vice president for Racepoint Global, leading operations and key client services across its two China offices. Ma has served in various leadership roles over the course of his career including at MSLGroup and FleishmanHillard, the latter of which involved two years at the agencys Vancouver office. During this time he has worked with clients such as AT&T, Coca-Cola, Cook Medical, Philips China and General Motors. At least 149 dead in crowd surge, South Korean officials say The deaths and injuries occurred after a large crowd pushed forward on a narrow street during Halloween festivities in Seoul, officials said. The epic nature of Canberra playwright Tom Davis' plays, spanning as they do several decades and crossing continents, paints a rich canvas of intellectual ideas and complex moral dilemmas. In his play The Chain Bridge, performed at The Street Theatre last year, Davis examined the enduring influence of a history that never leaves us. In The Faithful Servant, Davis once again probes the life of his central character, Dr Raymond Gerrard (P.J. Williams), over 51 years as a doctor working in poverty-stricken and war-torn Mozambique. Drawing on the biblical parable of the faithful servant, this play asks the question, "What does it mean to be good?" In his desire to perform good works, Gerrard has established Australians For Hope, an NGO to heal, offer hope and bring communities together. His right-hand man, Coetano Perreira (Dorian Nkono), seeks goodness in faith and the education of his people. Gerrard's adopted daughter, Caroline Gerrard (Tariro Mavondo), rejects her father's wish for her to follow in his footsteps, placing the good of family and her practice in Australia as the more worthy pursuit. [Your Business Name] Contact Info Phone: Fax: Email: Web: CAPITOLHILLCUBANS.COM Business Overview Geographic Area Line of Business Brands We Carry Products and Services Discounts Offered Additional Information Business Hours Timezone We Accept Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact. Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. You are our people. You Care. We Care2. Members of the newly formed North Dakota Native Tourism Alliance shared their progress in trying to develop more tourism on American Indian reservations at the United Tribes Technical College Tribal Leaders Summit on Wednesday. UTTC President Russ McDonald commended the alliance on its establishment of bylaws and policy. He foresees the possibility of one day adding a tourism-related area of study at the college. Theyve made a lot of progress getting higher-level (leadership) support, said North Dakota Tourism Director Sara Otte Coleman. Their chances of success are a lot higher because theyre doing what they need to to develop a support base. Having the resource of a George Washington University partnership and the formation of the alliance have elevated the cause, according to Otte Coleman. The alliance has received 501(c)3 nonprofit status, and Chairman Les Thomas said the group next will put bylaws together. After that, they will develop five- and 10-year plans for what amenities to develop. Its about planning, communication, participation and execution of that plan, Thomas said. Otte Coleman said she is excited about the prospect of having a new experience to market, but work is still needed to build visitor amenities. I think its a huge opportunity, she said. People want the unique, to do what not everybody else is doing. And the reservations are some of the most scenic places in North Dakota. But with North Dakotas budget woes, finding funding for tourism-related projects is going to be a battle. The states Tourism Division is already underfunded compared with neighboring states, and budgets are getting tighter. Otte Coleman said she is hopeful legislators will turn to tourism, the states third largest industry, as an economic beacon. The beauty of it is, its statewide, she said. And everything we do improves the quality of life for residents as well, because they get to enjoy it, too. Otte Coleman said the North Dakota Tourism Alliance has met with Gov. Jack Dalrymple and is prepared to lobby hard to keep things such as a $750,000 grant program for tourism-related improvements. Its goal is to hold funding steady, not go backward, she said. Thomas said the tribes will be working with what amenities they have at this point, setting events such as powwows, story telling and festivals on a steady schedule so tours can be planned around them. Websites will be further developed to highlight sites such as the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa's heritage center, which will be opening soon, and the MHA Nation's earth lodge with a drum group available to perform when requested. "It takes planning," he said. With an aim to ease the burden of high cut-offs in university admissions across various colleges in the country, the HRD Ministry has come up with a new idea of implementing a common entrance examination for all central universities. This attempt comes with a hope of providing equal opportunities to students seeking university admissions despite the differences in the qualifying scores of the students. Regarding the implementation of the new admission procedure, the HRD Ministry will convene a meeting with the central universities on October 6, 2016. "A number of issues have been brought to our notice, including the common entrance test. We will draw up the agenda of the meeting soon," said HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar. The attempt for a single entrance test for central universities was brought into consideration owing to various complains about students having an advantage in getting admission through the cut-off system because of lenient marking from state boards. 129 seats of the 188 in the Shri Ram College of Commerce went to students from Tamil Nadu as universities in Tamil Nadu are quite generous in awarding marks to students. Of the 129 students who enrolled in Shri Ram College this year, 33 of them were from one particular school. The common entrance examination would do justice to students securing admission across the universities and also students need not bear the travel expenses of visiting different places seeking admissions. Other problems that will be discussed in the convention of HRD Ministry with the vice-chancellors of Central universities apart from the implementation of common entrance test include issues of shortage of staff. Another problem is with awarding marks where some universities are quite lenient in marking students leading to a huge gap among students seeking admissions. Speaking about the common entrance test, Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Dinesh Singh said that the entrance examination is competitive and it will elevate the burden of students applying in various colleges across the universities along with the pressure of another exam right after the 12th exam examination. Medical admissions and the NEET saga seems to be a unending process in the country. In a recent development, the Bombay High Court has directed the state government of Maharashtra to prepare a additional merit list of medical admissions based on all-India applications to be called online. The additional merit list for MBBS and BDS courses in private, unaided colleges will be as per the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) scores. Maharashtra has already prepared a selection list based on the NEET scores and the state rules, which do not allow students from other states to apply for admissions to these courses. The list that will be finalised by the state shall be published after the court passes orders in a matter challenging the validity of the state rules. Students and institutions including Mahatma Gandhi Vidyamandir's KBH Dental College & Hospital have challenged the state's rules which allow for regional reservations and reservations in favour of local students, questioning how such domicile rules could especially be applied to private unaided colleges. According to reports, the authorities are directed to prepare a merit list based on NEET scores. The list will not be announced until the matter is cleared at the court. The list prepared based on the present rules of the state is yet to be published. Both the lists will be kept ready till the outcome of the matter. Admissions to private unaided medical and dental colleges in Maharashtra is based on the candidates performance in NEET and the scores of HSC from Maharashtra. The court asked the government to explain in clear terms what they meant by domicile. "For the purpose of admission, what is the criterion? Parents and students should not be in a dilemma about domicile. You should clearly lay down the guidelines and procedures," said the Chief Justice. Senior advocate Shrihari Aney informed the court that the new rules have been brought into effect this year and the state had the authority to make reservations based on regional basis. He added that the domicile position could be included in the rules. "Every year, parents and students are under stress even after studying well," pointed out the court questioning the rationale behind such a rule. "Every state has a right to bring about its policy. This year, students are in a dilemma on what is happening. It is a cumbersome situation with NEET being accepted this year," added Chellur. The petitioners will start arguments from Thursday on rules imposing restrictions on students from outside the state. Collaboration with IIM Bangalore and Department of Science & Technology to support the winning teams with funding close to Rs 3.5 crores Bangalore, September 8, 2016: Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI), along with Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), announced that the registration for the challenge is going live for the 2016 India Innovation Challenge on mygov.in portal, https://mygov.in. Registrations will close on September 30, 2016. Registrations for India Innovation Challenge are open to engineering students across all recognized institutes of India. This platform allows engineering students from colleges and universities across the country to display their ideas and concepts that have the potential to solve pressing problems across various sectors and to help bring positive change to the lives of millions of people. This contest aims to propel the government's 'Make in India' initiative through student start-ups and contribute to the country's manufacturing ecosystem. Texas Instruments has been organizing Innovation Challenge since 2009. The last six editions of the contest have witnessed innovative and out-of-the-box thinking from participants to create cutting-edge solutions to real-world problems. The challenge, which lasts for ten months, will include the top teams who will be able to get their start-ups incubated at IIMB's reputed incubation center, the Nadathur S. Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL). TI will provide technical resources and guidance throughout the challenge, including tool support and mentoring to design, make prototypes and to create the final product. DST will provide funding of INR 3.5 crore to the student start-ups, which will go toward the product development fund of INR 1.5 crore and seed fund of INR 2 crore for the top teams to incubate their start-ups. The Challenge will be provided a platform through MyGov, which can reach out to large number of citizens. The contest follows TI's efforts toward industry-oriented and hands-on engineering education to foster innovation in students. Annually, TI trains a large number of engineering students on state-of-the-art technologies through labs, workshops and integration of TI technology into engineering coursework and curriculum. "At Texas Instruments India, we believe in fostering student innovations through our university programs. These programs strive toward inculcating experiential learning amongst engineering students and help strengthen the education community as a whole. TI has seen great talent in the past six years through our design contests. We are proud to host it this year along with our associations with IIMB, DST and MyGov. We are thankful to each of our partners to make this a collaborative and resourceful platform to mentor young engineering minds, helping them incubate and build their start-ups in the manufacturing ecosystem," said Sanjay Srivastava, Director - University Program, Texas Instruments India. Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO, MyGov, said, "MyGov is excited to partner with DST and TI India to help bring talented minds to one platform and be part of mentoring sessions with IIMB and DST to encourage government's Make in India program. MyGov will help connecting with the best minds from the engineering colleges across India to present their start-up ideas and help them make their dreams to reality by nurturing the best idea that has the potential to bring a change in the lives of millions." Professor Suresh Bhagavatula, Chairperson, Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development, at IIM Bangalore, said, "IIMB sees an exciting opportunity through this collaboration with TI on the Innovation Challenge by coming across unique entrepreneurial ideas from the best talents of the country and helping them incubate the ideas and transform them into successful enterprises. We would like to welcome the students to register and experience the entire process of helping them make their dream a reality." "DST plays a pivotal role in promoting science and technology in the country. Collaborating with TI and its India Innovation Challenge provides tremendous thrust to the development of technology among young engineering students. With IIMB offering their expertise with business mentoring and incubation support, we aim to take another step forward to encourage students, to bring fresh ideas, solutions to one table. Considering the association with MyGov will also help take the challenge to next level", said Mr. H.K. Mittal, Advisor and Head, NSTEDB, DST, GOI. About Texas Instruments Texas Instruments semiconductor innovations help 100,000 customers unlock the possibilities of the world as it could be - smarter, safer, greener, healthier and more fun. Our commitment to building a better future is ingrained in everything we do - from the responsible manufacturing of our semiconductors, to caring for our employees, to giving back inside our communities. This is just the beginning of our story. Learn more at www.ti.com. About IIMB & NSRCEL The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) builds leaders and entrepreneurs through holistic, transformative and innovative education. An EQUIS accredit school, IIMB is an acknowledged hub of academic activity in India and globally. IIMB's research centers include the Centre for Public Policy, the Nadathur S Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning, the Centre for Financial Markets & Risk Management, the Centre for Corporate Governance & Citizenship, the Centre for Software & IT Management, and the Centre for Supply Chain Management. The N S Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL) incubates start-ups and provides free mentoring for budding entrepreneurs. NSRCEL currently incubates 18 start-ups - perhaps the largest number for an incubation center in an academic institution. In 2015-16, NSRCEL conducted 400 mentoring sessions and 34 events. Through its rapidly growing open mentoring initiatives, it is conservatively estimated that NSRCEL may have directly impacted in excess of 10,000 entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs or other participants in the ecosystem since it was established in 2000. About DST The Department of Science and Technology (DST), set up in 1971 by the Government of India plays a pivotal role in promotion of science & technology in the country. The department has wide ranging activities ranging from promoting high end basic research and development of cutting edge technologies on one hand to service the technological requirements of the common man through development of appropriate skills and technologies on the other. One of the mandates of DST is to support innovations, science and technology based entrepreneurship development and technology business incubation activity through National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (https://www.nstedb.com/). The board engages with academic and R&D institutions and also partners with leading industries to promote entrepreneurship across the country. About MyGov MyGov is a novel initiative taken by the Government of India to build a crucial partnership between Citizens and Government with the help of technology for materialising the real potential of India. Through this platform, the Government encourages public participation towards Good Governance by seeking ideas, suggestion and creative talent of citizens. MyGov's focus is to empower citizens to work hand in hand with government to channelize their collective energy into constructive nation building. Dateline: Thailand A 41-year-old monk living on the outskirts of Bangkok won nearly $175,000 after he says a tree gave him the winning lottery number. Phra Prawit Techapalo, of Cheepakhao Temple in Samut Sakhon, claims he interpreted the lucky number from the textures of a teak tree at his temple. Phra Prawit, who has been a monk for 10 years, told Bangkoks Morning News he has had a longtime habit of buying multiple lottery tickets a month. The monk said he would use his 6 million baht ($173,410) prize to buy his mother a house, pay for his childs tuition and help cover the cost of a funeral for the temples abbot who recently passed away. Dateline: South Carolina Police in Myrtle Beach are on the lookout for a naked man who held up a convenience store at gunpoint and got away with some Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. According to a Horry County Police Department report, the unclothed candy bandit walked into a Scotchman store just before midnight on Aug. 22. An officer responding to the 911 call spoke to a 51-year-old clerk who states an unknown black male came into the store naked with a gun and stole candy. The victim told the officer that the suspect pointed the gun at him while he was running toward the candy. The employee said the robber was naked except for a bandana over his face and a pair of black shoes. The robber said nothing and took only an unspecified amount of Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. Police have been unable to identify or locate the man in question. Dateline: Rhode Island A 50-year-old man has been arrested for shooting corncobs at his neighbors house. The Westerly Sun reports that Jeffrey M. Osella was taken into custody on charges of disorderly conduct and firing in a compact area. Officers were called to a home along Wompag Road in Westerly around 7pm on the night of Aug. 30 after a neighbor reported Osella was shooting corncobs at his house with a potato gun following a yelling match. Another neighbor said Osellas daughter was nearly struck by a corncob while she was walking home. Police went to Osellas home, and he reportedly came to the door shirtless with multiple corn kernels stuck to his chest. He admitted firing the potato gun toward the neighbors house, but denied shooting at the neighbor. Interim Westerly Police Chief Shawn Lacey told the Sun that the two men have had disputes regularly over the past 13 years. Dateline: Florida Police easily identified and arrested a fugitive after he used a wanted poster for his Facebook profile picture. Officers responded to a disturbance call on the night of Monday, Aug. 29, at a home in Stuart, located just south of Port St. Lucie along Floridas Treasure Coast. According to the Palm Beach Post, one of the officers who responded informed the other investigators that 42-year-old Mack Yearwood had two warrants out of Citrus County. In order to determine if they had the right man, one of the officers checked Facebook, hoping to find a photo of Yearwood. What they found was that Yearwood had recently replaced his profile pic with an image of his Wanted of the Week poster, which had been issued by the Citrus County Sheriffs Department. While he was being arrested on the two outstanding warrants for violation of probation on two counts of battery, Yearwood asked officers if he could put on some pants. While he dressed in the pair of jeans that was lying on the floor near his bed, a bag of marijuana fell out of his pocket. A charge of possession of cannabis under 20 grams was added at the jail. Dateline: Texas According to Hustonia magazine, a Houston man came up with an excuse for a potentially embarrassing Google Street View photo a full two months before it hit the internet. Joshua Justice, the manager of Flying Saucer Draught Emporium in downtown Houston, posted a message to his Facebook page two months ago. It read, I just poured half a cleaning keg all over my pants. Went outside to stand in the sun ... as a Google maps car drove by. Look for me on Street View soon. Ill be the guy that looks like he pissed himself. Sure enough, when the new Google Maps images went live late last month, Justice could be seen standing at the intersection of Capitol and Main with a dark stain running down his crotch. Speaking to the Houston Chronicle after the photos appeared online, Justice reiterated that the stain was beer keg line cleaner composed of warm water and mild acid. I do a lot of the social media for Flying Saucer, he told the newspaper. So seeing something like this blow up on Reddit and Houstonia and all over the place has been pretty funny. The North Dakota National Guard will be activated to assist local law enforcement responding to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests south of Mandan, according to an announcement on Thursday by Gov. Jack Dalrymple. Dalrymple said the decision was made "out of an abundance of caution" in order to free up law enforcement to patrol Morton County and the Bismarck-Mandan area. Several armed guardsmen will be posted at a checkpoint along Highway 1806 south of Mandan, which has been reopened. They will provide information about road hazards to drivers passing through. About 100 guardsmen from the 191st Military Police Company also will be on standby alert, said Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann. This unit, which is based in Bismarck, Mayville and Fargo, has some law enforcement experience. Meanwhile, as the annual powwow takes place in Bismarck and a federal court decision is expected today on the tribe's request for an injunction to stop construction on the pipeline, additional law enforcement officers will patrol the area this weekend. Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said he wanted to be able to respond more quickly to situations that arise at the protest camps and for residents nearby. Deputies will not be stationed at the camps. Thirty-seven people have been arrested in connection with the protests for trespassing on private property, refusing to stay in boundaries set by police and chaining themselves to construction equipment. With the resources he had available Saturday, when a clash broke out between protesters and private pipeline security, Kirchmeier said he did not have the manpower needed to go in and make arrests. "We want people to have a safe weekend," he said. In a statement, Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Dave Archambault II asked protesters to remain peaceful following the judge's decision Friday. "Any act of violence hurts our cause and is not welcome here," he said. "Even if the outcome of the courts ruling is not in our favor, we will continue to explore every lawful option and fight against the construction of the pipeline." Dohrmann said he is in discussions with tribal leaders to find a peaceful resolution to the protests. He said he believes there is a group of "agitators" at the site, some of whom have been asked to leave. Highway 1806 was closed Aug. 17 by Highway Patrol and the Department of Transportation for safety concerns. Tribal members and civil rights groups called for its reopening, citing economic impacts on the tribe and hindrance to First Amendment rights. "We want to make sure that everybody that is going down on Highway 1806 can get where they're going with families," said Kirchmeier, explaining the reason for reopening the road. "We have had many conversations with tribal leaders trying to keep the roadway open." The parks in the area will remain closed. North Dakota Highway Patrol Col. Mike Gerhardt said measures have been taken to make Highway 1806 safer for drivers. The speed limit around the protest sites has been reduced to 25 mph, new signs have been posted and troopers will be patrolling the area. Dalrymple said anyone who has cost the government money during the pipeline protest may be asked for reimbursement, including the pipeline company. Since a state not federal emergency declaration has been issued, federal funds are not available, Dalrymple said. Dallas Goldtooth, a protest organizer with the Indigenous Environmental Network, said Dalrymple is sending a disturbing message by bringing in the National Guard. I think its deeply concerning to see this escalation from the governor of North Dakota," he said. Goldtooth applauded the removal of the Highway 1806 barricade, a move he called "two weeks overdue." Still, he said he's not sure what will happen after the federal judge issues his ruling. Theres a general anxiety or uncertainty about (Friday)," he said. The North Dakota National Guard was last deployed at airports after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In 1969, it was called to respond to the Zip to Zap rioting. Bridge traffic to be restricted for light maintenance From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Mandan will be doing maintenance on the bridge lighting system on the Memorial Bridge between Bismarck and Mandan. During this time, the eastbound lane will be reduced to one lane. Traffic will be maintained in both directions. For more information about construction projects and road conditions throughout North Dakota, call 511 or visit the Travel Information Map on the NDDOT website at www.dot.nd.gov/travel-info-v2. Massive fish kill investigated in Des Lacs River BURLINGTON (AP) State health and wildlife officials are investigating a fish kill in the Des Lacs River in northern North Dakota. Walleye, northern pike, perch, white suckers and numerous smaller fish are floating in the water and strewn along the riverbank in the Burlington area, the Minot Daily News reported. There have been no reports of dead fish at the Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge upstream, according to Mike Ell, a water quality expert with the state Health Department. A lack of oxygen in the water due to low river levels this summer might be the cause, according to Jason Lee, a district fisheries supervisor with the state Game and Fish Department. "Normally it's a dissolved oxygen problem in shallow areas like that," he said. "I suspect that's what it is." Burlington Public Works Director Jack Anderson has the same theory. "It's been a pretty dry year," he said. "I heard the water was kind of lousy, kind of low. There's a couple of spots out here where the Des Lacs is only a foot or two deep." Officials want to know for certain whether that's the reason. A Health Department crew is being sent to the area to do testing in coordination with Game and Fish. Restraining order extended on Sacagawea Pipeline A temporary restraining order against the Three Affiliated Tribes has been extended until Sept. 19, preventing the tribe from blocking construction of the Sacagawea Pipeline. U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland extended the order that was requested by Paradigm Energy Partners, which is constructing two pipelines under Lake Sakakawea to transport oil and natural gas. The Three Affiliated Tribes issued a cease and desist order to halt construction under the lake, which tribal leaders say required permission from the tribe. Paradigm then sued Chairman Mark Fox and Tribal Police Chief Nelson Heart in federal court, arguing the tribe has no authority to halt construction. Hovland granted Paradigms request for a temporary restraining order on Aug. 23 and construction on the pipeline resumed. In extending the order through Sept. 19, Hovland wrote that he needs additional time to fully consider the complex legal issues that are under consideration. -- Forum News Service International drug ring member enters guilty plea FARGO -- A Washington state man who was arrested during an international drug investigation has pleaded guilty to a federal charge. Braden James Foley, 29, changed his plea last month in federal court for his part in possessing and distributing fentanyl in January 2013 in at least five states. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and controlled substance analogues resulting in serious bodily injury and death, along with aiding and abetting. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and analogues resulting in serious bodily injury and death, along with aiding and abetting. As part of a plea agreement, a second similar charge was dismissed. Foley, who is from Olympia, Wash., was arrested after investigators said he took part in an international drug ring that officials began investigating after Bailey Henke, 18, of Grand Forks died in January 2015 from a fentanyl overdose. The investigation has led to the arrest of multiple suspects on state and federal charges. Foley faces up to 20 years in prison and $1 million in fines, but the plea agreement did not specify a sentence. A sentencing hearing is set for Nov. 2. -- Forum News Service Though were a couple of months away from the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show, carmakers are already lining up to publicize their plans. On Thursday, the shows organizers announced that theyre expecting well over 50 vehicle debuts, of which more than 20 will be world premieres, including from Alfa Romeo that will introduce a new SUV, Mazda, MINI, Subaru, Volkswagen (expected to bring the Teramont), Jeep that will present its new compact SUV, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover and Smart. Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche (five premieres) and GM will all have multiple reveals, with the latter confirming two Chevrolet debuts and the Cadillac Escala Concept that has only been seen at the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours dElegance. Evidently, some of the world debuts planned for the Paris Auto Show in November will come to the LA event as North American premieres. This year marks the first time that LA Auto Show organizers will merge the traditional new vehicle press days with the affiliated Connected Car Expo that focuses on technology, resulting in a four-day single entity rebranded as AutoMobility LA from November 14 to 17, before the show opens its doors to the public on November 18 through 27. Photo Gallery Next year, Dodge is set to introduce a facelifted version of the Durango SUV and, with it, a performance-oriented SRT variant. Word about a facelifted Dodge Durango arriving in 2017 first emerged from the companys future product plans some two and a half years ago. At the time, however, there was no mention of an SRT, suggesting that the automaker has only relatively recently opted to develop it, tapping into the booming SUV market. Automotive News says that the Durango SRT will be powered by the firms 6.4-liter V8 engine, so no SRT Hellcat is on the cards. Nevertheless, the potent powertrain should be enough to satisfy buyers. When installed into the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, this engine pumps out 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque so identical figures can be expected for the Durango. When coupled with an all-wheel drive system and an eight speed automatic transmission, it should be able to accelerate the SUV to 62 mph (100 km/h) in less than five seconds. As for the changes set to be adopted by the entire facelifted range, expect to see tweaked front and rear fascias, redesigned wheels and a freshened-up interior. PHOTO GALLERY A 53-year-old man has died after crashing his Tesla Model S at high speed in the town of Baarn in the Netherlands. According to local Dutch media outlet RTV NH, the electric sedan caught fire immediately after the impact and by the time fire crews arrived on the scene, the driver is believed to have already been killed. Due to the severity of the crash, local firefighters had difficulty in initially extinguishing the fire without being electrocuted. According to firefighter spokesman Ronald Boer, If the car was on four wheels, the fire brigade normally has no difficulty to turn off the batteries. However, this car is completely destroyed, hampering the recovery. In this situation, you never know what can happen. It is thought that some of the battery modules from the vehicles floor pan fell from the battery pack and caught fire, thus causing the aforementioned difficulties. Consequently, employees from Tesla were dispatched to the scene and advised the fire department how to salvage the body without being electrocuted. Tesla has confirmed that it has launched an investigation into the accident and will release further information when it discovers all the facts. Dodelijke crash met Tesla Model S in Baarn https://t.co/tGamc3cC4X pic.twitter.com/90SketilZP Autoblog (@autoblog) September 7, 2016 Images via Autoblog and Chris Ververs PHOTO GALLERY Over the course of three days, producers ranging from small shops to major studios will pitch 80 different animated series, representing 482 hours of programming with production budgets totalling over 300 million euros. Even within the world of TV markets, Cartoon Forum manages to distinguish itself. Cartoon Forum started 27 years as an alternative to bigger TV markets in Europe, like MIPTV, where producers typically had to be recognized names before having an opportunity to pitch to broadcasters, investors, and distributors, Cartoon Forum director Annick Maes told Cartoon Brew. The event provides a platform for younger creators and smaller studios to put their work directly in front of buyers and decision makers based purely on the merit of the project, and the strictly regimented pitching format gives everyone, experienced and inexperienced, equal footing. Many success stories have come out of Cartoon Forum througout the years, and small indie shops, like the U.K.s Karrot Animation, producer of the CBeebies series Sarah and Duck, have become series producers overnight following stand-out presentations at the event. Cartoon Forum is also the ideal place to see a capsule view of the evolving TV industry in Europe. For starters, a lot of TV animation is moving to the internet as a result of SVOD models, and a growing number of SVOD companies attend Cartoon Forum nowadays. This year, the SVOD behemoth Netflix will attend the event for the first time. Another broad shift currently underway is the boom in series production throughout Europe. For example, all three Baltic statesEstonia, Latvia, and Lithuaniawill be pitching projects this year, as will Greece, which hasnt presented a project at Cartoon Forum since 2007. Further, Hungary and Poland will be pitching three series apiece, and Bulgaria will have two series. The event is also broadening its reach beyond Europe; three projects from South Korea and one from Canada will also be pitched. Its not just where the projects are being created, but also the type of projects that producers are bringing to Cartoon Forum. It is certainly a new tendency that we are seeing young adult projects, which we didnt have much five or six years ago, said Maes. The majority of the projects being pitched next week are still aimed at preschool (26%) and children (58%), but alongside those are a growing number of animated series aimed at teenagers and young adults (10%) and families (6%). Maes said that while the U.K. and Ireland still request primarily preschool and childrens content, the Franco-German channel Arte and Eastern European broadcasters are expressing a desire for a broader range of content. On the technique side, 2D animation remains the preferred production method for European producers, much like American producers. Fifty-six per cent of the 80 projects being pitched employ 2D animation, while 20% use CGI, 19% combine 2D and 3D, and 5% use other techniques like stop motion or cut-out. Cartoon Forum will also debut the concept of a spotlight country during this edition, with the honor going to Ireland. The idea of spotlighting a country used to not be necessary because the market would take place in a different country each year, but the economic crisis in Europe forced Cartoon Forum to settle down in a single locationToulousein 2012. Ireland was chosen as the inaugural spotlight country due to its vibrant, expanding animation scene. The country, which is roughly the same size of (and has a similar population to) South Carolina, generated $124 million worth of animation production in 2011, accounting for around one-third of the countrys audiovisual sector. In terms of production expenditure, between just 2009 and 2011, Irelands animation industry has nearly doubled in value. Cartoon Brew will report from the event next week. (Image at top: A pitching session at last years edition of Cartoon Forum. CARTOON.) Ottawa 98 Winner: The Night of the Carrots Essay by Chris Robinson: Do The Collapse I love blackouts. There was a pretty sizeable one back in Ottawa (and other parts of Canada and the Eastern U.S.) in August 2003. No internet. No TV. Minimal radio. No video games. Kids played freely in the streets. Neighbors sat out front on their lawn chairs and spoke, drank, and ate with each other. Life slowed down, became quieter. It helped that it was summer, but even when we were hit with an ice storm that crippled power during the winter of 1998, there was a certain peace of mind and being that came with it. Life was already noisy back then and its grown even louder now, louder than bombs as the Manchester wit said. I crave more blackouts and suspect that given our drunklike thirst for energy, well start enduring more sooner rather than later. Surewe could choose to have our own blackouts but lets face it were weakwere all plugged in, attached to devices, junkies, the lot of us. Facebook, when Im calm, detached, and objective, offers my life very little yet I check in constantlyalmost mechanicallyjust to see if someone liked something I saidif even thatIm not even sure just why I check inmaybe its just to avoid real connectionit really has just become a bad habitlike fondling your balls (granted, if I hadnt I wouldnt have caught my ball cancer early, so thats not the best example)every so often I want to cancel my account yet always find myself sticking with itthis fear maybe that I might miss something or be forgotten. Silly, cause well all be forgotten one day. I just paused to check Facebook. And of course were missing nothing. Sure it brings us in contact with international friends or family members living in other cities and countriesbut its pretty scant contactand hellthese days long distance calls can easily be made for freeyet go and get off Facebook and see how quiet it getsits like youve gone into exileyou realize that no one emails or calls these daysbut Ive seen my productivity decrease since the rise of the internet and specifically FB. I wrote a pile of books between 2003-2010. Nothing since. Surepart of that is because of changes in my personal life, but some of it is due to procrastinating online. Remember when we used to read magazines on the toilet? All the while time is tick tick ticking away. Life is getting shorter. Im approaching 50 and wondering where the fuck some of my life has gone. OkayIm being a tad overdramatic cause Im a bit burnt out and its hot outside, and I think too much, usually about myself. TruthfullyI travel a lot and do a chunk of outdoor activities but take this FB stuff away and I bet life tastes even betterFB is like a fucking TV dinner of life: instant, tasteless gratification that fleetingly fulfills your appetite only to leave it feeling empty or nauseous soon after. Lifeor realityor direct contactwell thats like a carefully, lovingly prepared multi-course meal. Which brings me at long last to Priit Parns hilarious dose of absurdity, The Night of the Carrots, which was made right around the time of the Y2K panic. The Y2K stuff started because computer programmers identified years using only the last two numbers. This meant that when the clock hit midnight to ring in 2000, computers would be so confused (possibly thinking wed all taken a ride in the Tardis back to 1900which, would have been pretty cooldepending on which Doctor you were saddled with) that theyd shut down, taking the world with it. Planes would fall from the sky; financial systems would collapse; dogs barking, babies screaming, men crying, windows breaking. Full on apocalypse. Sadly, none of that happened though apparently some slot machines stopped working in Delaware. Now where were we? Ah, yes, The Night of the Carrots. You can read the film in many ways. Perhaps its a commentary on the facile essence of the cult of celebrity (Diego Maradona, Michael Jackson, Mikhail Gorbachev, Helmut Kohl, and Steffi Graf are among those referenced in the film) or is it a cautionary tale about the false allure of free market economies and the European Union (echoing Parns earlier classic, Hotel E, which, made as the Soviet Union was crumbling, suggested that life might be different in capitalist countries but not necessarily better). Estonia had only been independent for a few years and there were many debates about whether the country would be best served by joining the E.U. or not (they finally did, after much debate, in 2004). All these interpretationsand there must be othersare valid, but I always see The Night of the Carrots as a likeminded spirit aching for the self-destruction of computers and with it the internet and all the other damn things we have hooked up to us like a fucking IV bag. At the core of The Night of the Carrots is a sanitarium-like place called PGI. Crowds of people are aching for their chance to get in. Its not entirely clear just why they want in though. The narrator suggests that, being contenders was their real aim because once they were in they would have nothing to do. In each of PGIs rooms we meet a variety of bizarre characters (including Michael the Zebra, a thin, fragile white creaturehence nothing like a zebraclearly modelled on Michael Jackson who dreams of marrying a hefty lass) who want only to escape. The occupants each have a personal dream that, they soon discover, they cannot realize because they are literally plugged into their rooms. There is hope though. During a random night once a year all the rabbits (who control the world through computers) inexplicably turn into carrots and liberate the occupants of PGI. Certainly, when read in the context of the Y2K panic, The Night of the Carrots seems to celebrate the possibility of temporary liberation from computer systems. Yet, there is much more here. Parn also voices a prescient commentary on the dangers of allowing technology, internet, and social media to saturate our existence. While they lure you in with the promise of instant, virtual interaction and experiences, they ultimately leave you lonely, longing, and disconnected or something like that. Photo: The Ulfhenar The vikings are coming! In the past, such an announcement would be cause for concern but in the Okanagan in 2016, the pillaging will hopefully be kept to a minimum. The Ulfhenar (Ulf-heth-nar), a group of viking re-enactors in the Okanagan, will be raiding the Fintry Fall Fair on Sept. 18, showing off traditional viking combat skills. Pierre Delionnet has been reenacting viking life for over a decade and now leads the Kelowna-based Ulfhenar as the Jarl, or chief, of the group. He says he has viking blood in his family on his mother's side, and he's always taken an interest in things like this. He's lived in the area for six years, but only put together his roving band of warriors last summer. He posted some signs at Muninn's Post, Kelowna's norse-inspired pub, and soon had a group of like-minded people. The Ulfhenar had their first performance at the medieval festival in Kimberley in July, but for several members of the eight-person group, the Fintry festival will be their first performance. Those at the Fintry festival can expect to see all sorts of one-on-one combat from the Ulfhenar, using axes, spears, swords and knives known as a seaxes. While armed combat may seem dangerous, Delionnet says their weapons are blunted, and they take precautions before entering battle. Before we go into the fight field, everybody has to be ... assessed for the weapon they're using, to know that they're able to handle that weapon safely, he said. All weapons are checked before going on the field, and also the mindset of the warrior is checked before they go onto the field. In addition to the combat exhibitions, the group plans to put on an archery demonstration, as well as educational talks about their weapons and how they're used. The Fintry Fall Fair takes place on Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Manor House. The Kalamalka Pipe Band will be playing at 11 a.m. Admission to the fair is by donation. In a matter of hours, two dilapidated buildings in downtown Kelowna were demolished, leaving room for the new face of Castanet. The two buildings at 451-455 Lawrence Ave. a home constructed in 1915 and a commercial addition built in 1951, were demolished on Wednesday making room for a new brick building that will be erected in its place. It is a pretty exciting day for Castanet Kelowna as this old building on Lawrence comes crumbling down, said director of content Jon Manchester from the demolition site. We are going to build up a brand new high-tech centre, with a full studio for live video production and a much larger newsroom. I am just pumped to see this happening today. Worman Homes will spend the next two days cleaning up the demolition rubble before it begins construction on the new Castanet Studios. We are relieved that everything came down nicely and it is good to see it getting cleaned up, said Worman site foreman Ben Bruch. The age of the two buildings left the demolition crew with a trickier-than-normal demo, but the building came down with no issues, and no damage to the Blue Gator just a few feet away. There were some hazardous materials that had to be removed and then you just break the building down, cut walls so that they don't fall on neighbouring buildings and parking lots, said Bruch. It was a challenge, there were a few obstacles, but we were able to keep clear. The entire building break down and demolition took Worman about a month, before the big finale on Wednesday. The downtown demolition saw many stopping to watch, even offering cheers when entire sections of the building would come down. It is satisfying once everything is done, said Bruch. While Castanet will occupy much of the new building, two additional retail spaces will open out to the parking lot at the corner of Lawrence Avenue and Ellis Street. A third-storey penthouse is also included in the design, although it would be set back so as not to be be seen from street level. A rooftop patio is also part of the design. You can watch the progress of the building by checking out our Cam page and clicking on Castanet Rising. Photo: CTV A pair of stolen dirt bikes were recovered after one of them was spotted in a yard in Penticton last week. Local RCMP received information that a Yamaha dirt bike that was reported stolen the day before from Summerland was seen on Wiltse Drive. Upon investigating, officers found a second Honda dirt bike that was also reported stolen from Penticton, which had been spray painted over the plastic. Residents of the home were arrested on charges of possession of stolen property. In a separate incident on Saturday, MotoMotion reported a break in overnight, in which a $10,000 dirt bike and a $500 helmet were stolen. Later that day, the bike was found tucked into a bush along the Channel Parkway. Every month the Central Okanagan Community Food Bank helps 4000 people less fortunate - a staggering number that continues to grow. Despite continuing public engagement and Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran's successful One Bag Challenge campaign, which brought in more than 40,000 pounds of food at a critical time, donations haven't lasted. OKC Food Bank executive director Lenetta Parry says when the campaign started the organization was at its lowest levels of inventory ever. We distribute 7000 pounds of food a day, so this campaign brought in about six days worth of food, said Parry. Our shelves are still low and demand is high. Basran says he is pleased with the results of the One Bag Challenge, but is surprised with how much food is needed on a daily bases. The One Bag Challenge really only provided enough food for six days and that to me is shocking to hear, he said. It just goes to show that we really need to continue to donate and do what we can to help people in our community. With summer coming to an end the busiest season is upon the food bank yet. Soon the organization will launch its largest single day food drive and is looking to the community for its support. The B.C. Thanksgiving Food Drive day, which collected more than 46,000 pounds of food in Kelowna last year, will take place Sept. 17, where hundreds of volunteers will descend on the community to collect bags of food left of neighbourhood door steps destined for the OKC Food Bank. Area residents are encouraged to fill bags with non-perishable food items for the drive. The donations from the drive will remain at the local food bank. Currently the OKC Food Bank is looking for Chunky Soup, canned meat/fish, canned fruit and vegetables, peanut butter, baby formula, dried pasta and sauce, and rice. Those unable to donate on the day of the drive can drop off donations during the week of Sept. 12th at either the Kelowna or West Kelowna Food Banks. Visit bctfooddrive.org for more information. Photo: Nicholas Johansen The Gebert brothers moved from Switzerland to Kelowna and bought St. Hubertus & Oak Bay Winery over 30 years ago. Andy was only 21 at the time, Leo just a few years older. Since then, the brothers, along with their wives as well as their sisters, Barb and Susanne, have strived to keep a healthy balance of work and fun. That balance has appeared to pay off, as the winery was awarded their second Lieutenant Governor's Award of Excellence in British Columbia Wines Wednesday. Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon, along with a group of dignitaries from several countries, visited the winery on Lakeshore Road Wednesday afternoon and presented the award for St. Hubertus's 2014 Riesling. The awards were given to just 12 B.C. wineries, chosen from 504 wines submitted by 135 wineries. All winners this year were from the Okanagan. St. Hubertus won their first Lieutenant Governor's Award, also for a Riesling, in 2009. Andy Gebert says they have some of the oldest Riesling vines in the Okanagan dating back to the 1970s. It is definitely one of the wines we do very, very well, Andy said. It's the right place, the Lakeshore Road wineries ... the four of us, we're all very focused on rieslings and pinot noirs. When the brothers first bought the place in the 1980s, Andy says the property was nothing special, and, in hindsight, they really didn't know what they were getting into. It was the right time and right place, and probably not knowing how difficult it is to do ... sometimes ignorance is total bliss, Andy said. And you look back and you're like, that was lucky. With the two couples living on the property, Andy says it allows them to take trips all over the world, and still know the business is in good hands. We travel all over the world, like we backpacked to India or to all these places, so a little bit of adventure spirit is still there, Andy said. We could be a much flashier winery here, but you've got to do your own thing too. DES MOINES Iowa opponents of the Dakota Access pipeline got a long-awaited reply from President Obama this week, but it wasnt the response they wanted. Ed Fallon, a former state legislator and leader of Bold Iowa -- one of the coalition groups that is seeking to halt the pipelines construction in that state -- had joined other opponents in asking the president to order the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to order an environmental impact statement for the entire 1,134-mile pipeline route, from North Dakota through South Dakota and Iowa to a shipping hub in Illinois. In their two letters to Obama, Fallon and others had praised the president for his bold act of foresight and leadership in rejecting the proposed Keystone pipeline and urged him to take similar action to halt the Bakken pipeline traversing 18 counties in Iowa. In his Aug. 31 letter, Obama noted that his administration has made great strides in confronting climate change and noted that the federal government has strengthening fracking regulations to protect public and American Indian lands. When it comes to protecting our planet, we have a responsibility to make smart, forward-thinking decisions that put our childrens future first, the president said in his letter. Obama went on to say that we cannot complete the transition to a clean-energy economy overnight. We will continue to rely partly on fossil fuels -- and while we do, safety must be our first priority. He made no specific mention of the Dakota Access pipeline or taking any steps to intervene in the project. His response is disappointing to say the least, Fallon said of the presidents letter. He didnt say anything about (the Dakota Acccess project), Fallon added. Im kind of sad to see somebody who claims to get the climate crisis and understands the importance of protecting the land and the water of our native people, and who professes to care about our farmers and landowners -- its sad to see that there seems to be a complete disconnect. Dakota Access has begun placing some of the 346 miles of pipeline slated to cross 18 Iowa counties on a diagonal from northwest to southeast. The $3.8 billion project slated for completion yet this year will transport up to 570,000 barrels of crude oil daily from North Dakota's Bakken oil fields through Iowa to a distribution hub at Patoka, Ill. Last month, 30 people were arrested at a construction staging area in Boone County as they protested the pipeline being built in Iowa. A woman also was arrested in Lee County for protesting the project, and organizers say they expect more demonstrations to occur. A federal court hearing is slated next week on Dakota Access request for a restraining order to keep protesters away from construction zones. Before then, Fallon expects a larger number of pipeline opponents to stage a protest on Saturday with the potential for more arrests. He said he still holds out hope that the president will intervene. The issue is becoming more and more prominent and more and more front and center in the national discussion about climate, about treaty rights, about eminent domain, he said. I think its becoming such a hot potato, hes going to have to address it. Take down the zombies Penticton - 6:45 pm Photo: The Canadian Press By Derek James From The health care trial of a generation has started in Vancouver. Four private plaintiffs are joined by Dr. Brian Day of the Cambie Surgical Centre in a constitutional challenge of British Columbia's laws. If they are successful, B.C. residents will be freed from suffering and languishing on ever-growing public health-care waiting lists. And B.C.'s health-care system will modernize to the standard of timeliness in every other Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nation with a public health-care system. What's not at stake is public health care. Anyone saying that public health care is in jeopardy is grossly misleading the public. This trial cannot, and will not, lead to any "Americanization" of Canadian health care. Here's the problem. The cost of maintaining B.C.'s public health system has outgrown the province's funding capacity and the only solutions available are politically undesirable. A 2011 C.D. Howe report said the choices are to sharply reduce the availability of public services, increase taxation, allow for extra billing or set lower standards of care for those within the public health system. So B.C. capped annual spending increases at 2.6 per cent and cut costs by reducing operating room time and hospital beds. According to the OECD, the solution to the budgetary pressures created by rising costs in a closed system like B.C.'s "has been to ration [health care] by means of long waits for treatment." This problem is entirely of the province's making. B.C. law prohibits doctors from working simultaneously in the public and private health-care systems. It also prohibits residents from accessing private insurance to pay for medically necessary treatment in B.C. These prohibitions together with the province's rationing of health services has resulted in long waiting lists, and many residents in urgent need of medical interventions are unable to receive timely treatment before suffering irreparable harm and risking death. In the 2005 Chaoulli decision, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down similar laws in Quebec. That put the B.C. government on notice that if it could not provide timely medical services for all residents, it could no longer legally prevent them from accessing those services privately. After all, access to a waiting list is not access to health care. Freeing patients from waiting lists will mean that young mothers, like plaintiff Mandy Marten, will not be forced to wait. Mandy noticed blood and mucus in her stool and immediately sought medical attention. She was understandably worried. After seeing her doctor, she was put on a seven-month waiting list for a colonoscopy. Fortunately, Mandy didn't wait. She paid out-of-pocket for the test, and found she had stage-four cancer and would likely have died within seven months. Mandy avoided tragedy because she could afford to pay. Most B.C. residents cannot but private insurance would make it affordable. By prohibiting private insurance, B.C. is consigning mothers with fewer resources than Mandy to die. But tragedy is not always avoided. In 2004, eight-year-old Walid Khalfallah of Kelowna was diagnosed with a degenerative spinal condition. His family trusted that B.C.'s health system would provide the treatment Walid needed in a timely fashion. But after waiting for more than two years as his health deteriorated, Walid's family sought medical attention in the U.S. Treatment came too late and Walid is now permanently paralyzed. Stories like these are far too common. B.C. is unable to provide the medical services that residents require, but Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms prohibits the province from forcing any mother or child to suffer on a public waiting list. It's a tragedy that the B.C. government is going to court to keep them there. The cost of this endeavour is enormous. The trial is expected to take 26 weeks, and will include the testimony of experts from across Canada and around the world. Aside from the federal and B.C. governments, the list of opposing parties is a who's who of well-funded interest groups. Without the support of the Canadian Constitution Foundation and donations, none of the plaintiffs could afford to defend their constitutional rights in court. All parties expect this to end up at the Supreme Court of Canada. Derek James From is a lawyer with the Canadian Constitution Foundation. Troy Media Photo: The Canadian Press FBI Director James Comey told FBI employees Wednesday that the decision to forgo criminal charges in the Hillary Clinton email investigation was not a close call. "At the end of the day, the case itself was not a cliff-hanger; despite all the chest-beating by people no longer in government, there really wasn't a prosecutable case," Comey wrote in an internal memo. "The hard part was whether to offer unprecedented transparency about our thinking." He also struck back against criticism that the FBI had intentionally timed its release of investigative documents related to the case last Friday, just ahead of the Labor Day weekend. Those documents included a summary of Clinton's July interview with the FBI about her private email server, as well as a detailed investigative summary of the case. Comey said the documents were made public as soon as they had been cleared for release, were processed under the Freedom of Information Act and had received the "necessary sign-offs from other agencies with interest in the information." "I almost ordered the material held until Tuesday because I knew we would take all kinds of grief for releasing it before a holiday weekend, but my judgment was that we had promised transparency and it would be game-playing to withhold it from the public just to avoid folks saying stuff about us. We don't play games," Comey said. The FBI is continuing to process additional documents and more will be released, "no matter the day of the week," he added. Comey in July announced the FBI's recommendation against criminal charges for Clinton and her aides following a yearlong investigation into the potential mishandling of classified information on the private email server she used as secretary of state. Later Wednesday, the top Democrat on the House Oversight committee released an email exchange between Clinton and former Secretary of State Colin Powell in which the Republican appointee advised her on the use of personal email. The exchange occurred two days after Clinton was sworn in. Powell said he had "a personal computer that was hooked up to a private phone line ... so I could communicate with a wide range of friends directly without it going through the State Department servers. I even used it to do business with some foreign leaders and some of the senior folks in the Department on their personal email accounts." The release of the email by Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., came on the eve of a House Oversight hearing in which Republicans are expected to focus on Clinton's use of a private email server and whether the State Department has been forthcoming with Freedom of Information requests. Republicans, frustrated with the FBI's decision not to recommend charges against Clinton, plan several hearings before Election Day to examine the Democratic presidential nominee's actions. Photo: The Canadian Press The Smithsonian Institution says President Barack Obama will speak at the opening ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture this month. First Lady Michelle Obama, former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, and Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will also be attending the Sept. 24 ceremony. Civil rights icon John Lewis, now a Georgia congressman, will also be there. Jazz musician Wynton Marsalis will perform a special composition he created for the event at the new museum on the National Mall in Washington. The Smithsonian says the event will also include readings of African-American literature. Photo: Google Maps Turkey's state-run news agency says authorities have issued detention warrants for six generals and scores of other military personnel as part of an ongoing investigation into the July 15 failed coup. Anadolu Agency says the warrants were issued by the Istanbul chief prosecutor's office on Thursday. Turkey accuses U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen of orchestrating the coup attempt that led to more than 270 deaths and has launched a sweeping crackdown on his followers. Close to 5,000 military personnel have been dismissed since the coup, including 151 generals and admirals. Nearly 43,000 people overall have been dismissed from government jobs. Tens of thousands of people have been detained for questioning and more than 17,000 including soldiers, police, judges and journalists have been formally arrested to face trial. Photo: The Canadian Press A teenager rode her bicycle through a mall parking lot when an off-duty officer working for a private security company pulled her down, threw her to the ground and shocked her with a stun gun. Caught on surveillance video , the 2014 encounter with the girl, who is black, drew outrage. She initially was charged with assaulting an officer before the case was dropped. Now, she's targeting his Washington state police department in a newly expanded lawsuit. It claims the Tacoma department's policies lead officers to attack residents, including minors such Monique Tillman, then 15, and violate their civil rights. Police supervisors routinely approve "abusive, excessive and unnecessary uses of force" and retain abusive officers, according to the expanded suit filed last week. The original claim targeted Officer Jared Williams, who is white; the mall's owner; and the security company. It grew to include the department after it acknowledged that the officer acted within the scope of his police duties despite being paid by a private employer, said Tillman's lawyer, Vito de la Cruz. The lawsuit has not affected the department's policy of allowing officers to work for outside companies, a police spokeswoman said Tuesday. Off-duty officers wear their uniforms on those jobs and are officially police while they work private security or an event, she said. The girl's attorney said they believe the officer's actions were racially motivated that she now fears law enforcement. Officer Williams still works for the department, but it does not comment on pending litigation, said Officer Loretta Cool, a spokeswoman. Tillman, then a 10th-grader, and her brother, Eric Branch, 16, were heading home from a fast food restaurant and cut across the Tacoma Mall parking lot on their bicycles on May 24, 2014. Williams, who was working for mall security, pulled up behind them in his police cruiser with lights flashing and an air horn blasting. Another security officer pulled up. Tillman asked Williams why they were being stopped, and he said they were "causing a disturbance" and trespassing, the complaint said. Police have since declined to clarify what that disturbance entailed. As Williams took out a pad of paper, Tillman started to pedal away. "Williams erupted and began brutalizing this 15-year-old girl," the complaint said. Photo: Newsworks Authorities in Delaware say a tractor-trailer carrying 40,000 pounds of unstamped pennies overturned on northbound Interstate 95, spilling its load and jamming traffic. Delaware State Police Master Cpl. Jeffrey Hale said by telephone that the big rig overturned and caught fire early Thursday at the split for eastbound Interstate 295, but the driver escaped with minor injuries. He says the load of blank metal disks spilled onto the roadway. Department of Transportation spokesman Bud Freel says they've dealt with spills before, but this is the first involving 40,000 pounds of coins. The crash and cleanup closed northbound I-95 for hours through the morning rush, caused delays as traffic was diverted. Officials say the tractor trailer has been towed and at least one lane reopened late Thursday morning. UPDATE: 10 a.m. A female student has died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after shooting and injuring another female student at a high school in the West Texas town of Alpine, the Brewster County sheriff said. "The shooter appears to have shot herself," Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson told radio station KVLF. A law enforcement officer was also injured during the incident, which began shortly before 9 a.m. at Alpine High School in the town of 5,900 in Texas' Big Bend region. Further details about the officer's and injured student's conditions were not available. The shooting prompted a lockdown at Alpine's three public schools. Dodson said the shooting at the high school was part of a chaotic series of events that included a bomb threat called in at nearby Sul Ross State University, which required law enforcement personnel to rush there from the high school. "That's ridiculous for someone to call in something like this when we've got this situation going on," Dodson said. "This community does not expect this, we don't want this, and we can't explain it yet." Alpine is 220 miles southeast of El Paso and 110 miles north of Big Bend National Park. ORIGINAL Police in the West Texas town of Alpine say there's an "active shooter" situation at a high school and schools have been locked down amid the search for a suspect. Elizabeth Carter, a lieutenant with the Texas Department of Public Safety, said someone brought a gun onto the Alpine High School campus Thursday morning. Ruth Hucke, a spokeswoman for Big Bend Regional Medical Center in Alpine, said hospital personnel were tending to three "victims." Hucke declined to say how the victims were injured or further identify them. When asked if the victims had been shot, Hucke said she "can't say anything further." Hucke said the hospital would provide a statement later Thursday. She had no additional details. Police dispatcher Scarlet Eldred said an unspecified incident took place at the high school shortly before 9 a.m. Eldred says police were seeking an "active shooter." Eldred didn't immediately provide additional information, other than the person being sought was a male. The school district's website says the town of about 5,900 residents has three schools. Sul Ross State University in Alpine also was placed on lockdown. Alpine is 220 miles southeast of El Paso. Photo: Angela Thiessen A bear was spotted walking along Webber Road in West Kelowna at 7:30 a.m. Thursday. UPDATE: 5:30 p.m. Another bear warning is being issued to Glenrosa residents after a bear and cub were spotted Thursday afternoon. Dianne said she was sitting on her deck when she saw a bear, with a cub frolicking behind it, walking along Glen Eagles Drive. The bear duo were headed west towards Gates Road. She said the presence of a cub is even more reason for residents to leave the bears alone and stay out of their way. UPDATE: 2:10 p.m. Conservation officers were called to West Kelowna's Glenrosa neighbourhood Thursday morning, after several reported bear sightings near Webber Road. However, Jim Beck with the Conservation Service says the bear was gone on his arrival. There has been an issue with a bear in this neighbourhood for the last several months. We think it is the same bear, Beck explained. Its a small to medium sized black bear that is active in the area and garbage habituated. Beck was concerned to hear how some residents in the Glenrosa area have been dealing with the bear, after reports people were treating it like a pet. People really need to take a look at their selves, this mirrors part of the problem, said a disheartened Beck. He says West Kelowna has been working with WildSafe BC to spread the message about becoming a Bear Safe community, like Kamloops or Naramata. We have been making some headway with West Kelowna when it comes to storing garbage and being smart about bears. It really helps us. Residents can and will be ticketed if caught feeding bears or improperly storing garbage. Garbage is the major issue for a bear like this. Its now habituated and not afraid of humans. It will start coming up on peoples doorsteps and patios looking for garbage. Its already made a connection with people. There have been several calls over the last few days to conservation about a bear eating fruit and walnuts from trees and even a squash from a garden. While the bear in West Kelowna is causing issues on and off for residents there, the biggest problem area currently for Conservation is Peachland. ORIGINAL Students at Glenrosa Elementary School in West Kelowna were warned this morning about a black bear lumbering around the area. An announcement was made over the PA system to be "bear aware" after a bear was spotted a few blocks away from the school. Students are being told to walk in groups and make lots of noise. "They're out all the time," said a school official. "And it's garbage day." This sighting took place before school. If a bear is spotted after classes are done for the day, a ride is arranged for students who are uncomfortable walking home. There is concern among some residents in the area that people are to blame for the potentially dangerous situation. One area resident said locals are coddling one bear that regularly returns. "Residents of Glenrosa have named this bear 'Yogi' and seem to be treating it more like their pet. I think people need to be reminded that bears are not pets. They are wild animals," said the resident. "If this bear 'Yogi' has been getting into garbage, is not afraid of people and has been hanging around this long, maybe unfortunately this bear needs to be euthanized, or relocated far far away. Why isn't anyone doing anything about this?" Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet Christine Clift casts her ballot during Wednesday's advance poll. More than six per cent of eligible voters in West Kelowna cast ballots on the first day of advance polling in the city hall referendum. Officials at the polling station in the Westbank Lions Hall reported activity was steady all day. In all, 1,597 ballots were cast Wednesday. About 26,000 people are eligible to vote. In comparison, 401 votes were cast on the first day of advance polling during the 2014 municipal election, while 920 people voted during the first day of advance polling in the 2007 governance referendum. A second advance poll in the city hall referendum will be held next Tuesday, also at the Lions Hall. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Electors are being asked, Are you in favour of the City of West Kelowna adopting the City of West Kelowna City Hall Project Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 0234, 2016 to authorize the borrowing of up to Seven Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($7,700,000.00) to be repaid over a period not exceeding 20 years, for the construction of a new City Hall and related project work? General election day is Saturday, Sept. 17. Photo: Contributed Residents with a bird's eye view of Westlake Paving's aggregate facility on McDougall Road in West Kelowna were treated to a bit of a smoke show Thursday morning. There was really nothing to worry about, according to plant general manager Ryan Moe. He said the asphalt plant got a little hotter than it should have, causing the smoke. In about a half hour, all was back to normal. Moe said he does understand people's concern when they see smoke, but in this case, there was no cause for alarm. Photo: Contributed Delinquent parkers in Lexington, Kentucky are helping to feed the less fortunate and one Vernon city councillor is wondering if the same can be done here. The American city introduced a system where people can pay their parking tickets by donating items to the local food bank. Motorists will have the option until Dec. 18 and Coun. Scott Anderson said it is something he would like Vernon council to look at. It's a good idea, but we will have to look at the revenue. The problem with meters is the city counts on them for a portion of its revenue, said Anderson, adding he will bring the idea up with council. If his fellow councillors like the idea, then staff will be instructed to review it and provide a report. On the face of it, it looks good, but we have to see what the pros and cons are, said Anderson Thursday. The idea is gaining support on the Vernon Community Forum Facebook page, with numerous people encouraging the idea. Photo: Contributed Check your tickets. Someone in Vernon is the Okanagan's newest millionaire. According to the BC Lottery Corporation website, someone has won $1 million on the 6-49 guaranteed prize draw. The exact match winning number is 11942971-01. The guaranteed prize draw is held every week in addition to the regular 6-49 draw. Photo: Contributed The San Francisco home featured in television's "Full House" is now available to rent for $13,950 a month. The San Francisco Chronicle reports the 1883 villa was put on the market in May with a $4.15 million price tag, but it didn't sell. The home's exterior, then painted white, was used as the Tanner family's residence in the original show. Inside scenes were filmed on a set in Burbank, California. The shots were used again in the recent "Fuller House" reboot of the show on Netflix, the newspaper reported. The home is listed at 2,985 square feet, and has three bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. If you have just started your journey in an online casino or are looking for a new site to play,... This resource is no longer available This resource is no longer available. Return to previous page. PRINT | EMAIL | PERMALINK Newscity Father and Daughter Drown Saving Dog Robert Maestas Two members of the Navajo Nationa father and daughterdied last Friday trying to save their dog from a flooded arroyo in Tohatchi. Witnesses say the family's dog jumped into the arroyo during heavy rains, and the daughter, 21-year-old Aschley Levier, jumped in to save it. But the water was moving too swiftly, and she was having trouble fighting it when her father, 46-year-old Jay Levier, went in after her. Both of them were swept away with the current. More than one hundred volunteers searched the arroyo Friday night. The bodies of Aschley and Jay were eventually found, as well as the dog, who was discovered alive. Family members took the time Saturday to remind the community that arroyos are dangerous and should never be entered. SWAT Team Called to Southeast Apartments A SWAT team was sent to a southeast Albuquerque apartment Saturday morning after 911 dispatchers received a call from its occupant who had allegedly been threatened with a knife by a visiting friend. According to police, Brandon Smith and a woman were visiting a friend at the apartment when a fight between Smith and the friend began. Police say Smith then drew a knife and pointed it at the friend, who ran from the apartment and made the 911 call. Smith then reportedly barricaded himself in the apartment and would not allow the woman with him to leave. Police called SWAT in response to the situation, but the woman was able to escape and Smith eventually surrendered to officers on the scene. Smith is being charged with aggravated assault and kidnapping. Suspect in Martens Murder Should Have Been Under Supervision According to court officials, Fabian Gonzalesone of three suspects tied to the rape and murder of 10-year-old Victoria Martensshould have been under the supervision of a probation officer for a domestic violence and child abuse charge at the time of the murder. Gonzales was never assigned an officer, because he never checked in with the probation and parole officea violation which could also have put him in jail. Officials from the 2nd Judicial District Court claimed they sent the proper paperwork to the state Corrections Department, who contend the Court sent it to outdated or invalid email addresses. According to court documents, Gonzales had been sentenced to two years of supervision and drug tests as well as counseling and drug-abuse treatment. Alex Sanchez, deputy secretary of administration for the Department of Corrections, told the Albuquerque Journal that the murder could still have happened, even if the suspect had been under supervision. Governor Susana Martinez has publicly called for a review of probation procedure to see how the error occurred. Details of Hatch Officer Shooting Revealed by Hitchhiker A hitchhiker who was traveling with two suspects in an Ohio homicide case claims he was unaware that they were on the run when they became involved in the murder of a Hatch Police officer last month. Tony Jones told the Las Cruces Sun-News that he had just been released from jail and was homeless and unemployed when he first met Jesse Denver Hanes, 38, and James Nelson, 36, in a parking lot in Santa Clara, Calif. He said he needed a ride to Missourito visit his mother, who had recently been diagnosed with breast cancerand the two men wanted help seeing the sights. Jones said that at no time during the following tour of California did he know that Hanes and Nelson were wanted for the aggravated murder of a 62-year-old man in Ohio. Jones described one incident to the Sun-News, though, where he claimed Hanes approached him with the prospect of robbing a bank, which Jones said he turned down. According to his statements, Jones was asleep in the backseat when Hatch Police Officer Jose Chavez pulled the trio's car over on a traffic stop. Jones said he woke up as Chavez approached the car and heard him ask Hanes, What's that in your hand? before Hanes shot the officer and sped off. Jones said he tried to look back and see if Chavez was alright, but had to duck as another officer fired shots at the vehicle. Hanes then drove onto I-25 at speeds of up to 120mph before exiting at Rincon, where Jones said he pulled into a yard and all three men exited the vehicle. Jones reported that, while facing away from Hanes, he heard a gunshot, which turned out to be fired by Hanes, who had accidentally shot himself in the leg. Hanes reportedly entered the vehicle once more and drove away, leaving Jones and Nelson. Police say Hanes continued on I-25, stopping at a rest area near Radium Springs, where he carjacked and shot a driver before being stopped and arrested by police. Initially, police were not looking to charge Jones with anything, but Jones was indicted by a 3rd Judicial District grand jury on Aug. 25 on a possession of a controlled substance count because of 1.2 grams of methamphetamine found in his suitcasewhich he claims is not actually his, but was put there by Nelson, who wanted to hide it from Hanes. Note: This is the fifth in a series examining the positions of several minor party and independent presidential candidates on issues covered by the Acton Institute. A previous series covered the Democratic Party platform (see here and here) and the Republican Party Platform (see here and here). Although minor partiesoften called third parties to distinguish them from the dominant twohave always been a part of American politics, the dissatisfaction with the Republican and Democratic parties in the current election season has led some Christians to give them more consideration. The intention of this series is to provide some basic information on where some of these parties stand on issues covered by the Acton Institute. A couple of caveats are thus in order. 1. Because there are roughly 50 minor political parties in America this series will not be able to cover them all. The choice of what will be included is undeniably arbitrary and subjective. My intention is to highlight the four or five parties (or individual presidential candidacies) that would be of most interest to our readers. Currently, the plan is to include Evan McMullin (a conservative independent candidate), the Libertarian Party, the American Solidarity Party, the Green Party, and the Constitution Party. (Others will be added if there is sufficient interest/demand.) 2. In general, the PowerBlog covers issues related to economics and individual liberty, particularly religious freedom. For this reason some social issues of concern to Christians are not included. This is not because they are unimportant or because those of us at Acton do not care about the issues. Its merely because they are outside the focus of this blog. 3. For the sake of simplicity, this series will highlight the position listed in a partys platform or, if they are a non-aligned independent candidate, the positions listed on their website. Unlike with the two major parties, the nominees of the minor parties often have no direct control over their partys platform. For this reason, the positions held by the particular presidential candidates may differ radically from the positions held by the party. 4. Minor parties tend to focus more on broad principles than specific policy prescriptions. Wherever possible, Ill try to highlight the direct policy positions. Otherwise Ill attempt to summarize their underlying philosophy on a public policy area. Here are the positions of the Constitution Party as outlined in their 2016 Platform: General Principles The goal of the Constitution Party is to restore American jurisprudence to its Biblical foundations and to limit the federal government to its Constitutional boundaries. The Constitution Party gratefully acknowledges the blessing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as Creator, Preserver and Ruler of the Universe and of these United States. We hereby appeal to Him for mercy, aid, comfort, guidance and the protection of His Providence as we work to restore and preserve these United States. This great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions but on a foundation of Christian principles and values. For this very reason peoples of all faiths have been and are afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here. The Constitution of the United States provides that no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States. The Constitution Party supports the original intent of this language. Therefore, the Constitution Party calls on all those who love liberty and value their inherent rights to join with us in the pursuit of these goals and in the restoration of these founding principles. The U.S. Constitution established a Republic rooted in Biblical law, administered by representatives who are constitutionally elected by the citizens. In such a Republic all Life, Liberty and Property are protected because law rules. We affirm the principles of inherent individual rights upon which these United States of America were founded: That each individual is endowed by his Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are the rights to life, liberty, property and the pursuit of happiness; That the freedom to own, use, exchange, control, protect, and freely dispose of property is a natural, necessary and inseparable extension of the individuals unalienable rights; That the legitimate function of government is to secure these rights through the preservation of domestic tranquility, the maintenance of a strong national defense, and the promotion of equal justice for all; That history makes clear that left unchecked, it is the nature of government to usurp the liberty of its citizens and eventually become a major violator of the peoples rights; and That, therefore, it is essential to bind government with the chains of the Constitution and carefully divide and jealously limit government powers to those assigned by the consent of the governed. Character and Moral Conduct Maintains that members and nominated candidates representing the Constitution Party and its state affiliates recognize the importance of demonstrating good character in their own lives. Conscription (Military draft) Opposes imposition of the draft, the registration law, compulsory military training, or any other form of compulsory government service. Supports a well-trained and highly organized volunteer state home militia, and voluntary Reserve Officer Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) military training in schools, colleges, and universities. Copyrights and Patents Opposes transfer of authority over copyright and patent policy from Congress to other agencies, domestic or foreign. Supports more vigorous efforts in both domestic and foreign markets to protect the interests of owners in their copyrights and patents. Criminal justice Supports limiting federal involvement in state and local criminal justice processes to what is Constitutionally permitted. Supports trial by jury upon request for all accusations of crimes. Supports jury nullification. Opposes defendants being charged and tried by both state and federal jurisdictions under different laws for the same alleged criminal act, thus violating the constitutionally secured prohibition against double jeopardy. Opposes hate crime legislation and to enhanced penalties for so called hate crimes. Education Supports the unimpeded right of parents to provide for the education of their children in the manner they deem best, including home, private, or religious. Opposes all legislation from any level of government that would interfere with a parents right to educate their children. Opposes compulsory attendance laws. Supports the free market principles which drive improvement of education through non-traditional options such as internet-based schools, charter schools, Christian and private schools, as well as home schooling options. Supports the elimination of the federal Department of Education. Supports the repeal of all current federal legislation related to education. Opposes new federal laws subsidizing or regulating education. Opposes any federal agency, department, board, or other entity having jurisdiction over any aspect of childrens upbringing, education, training, or discipline. Opposes all federal government involvement in national teacher certification, educational curricula, textbook selection, learning standards, comprehensive sex education, psychological and psychiatric research testing programs, and personnel. Supports repeal of NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT (NCLB Act) and RACE TO THE TOP Environment Supports returning to the states and to the people all lands which are held by the federal government without authorization by the Constitution. Supports repeal of federal wetlands legislation. Supports repeal of the federal Endangered Species Act. Opposes U.S. participation in UN programs such as UNESCO, Man and the Biosphere, and the UN Council on Sustainable Development. Opposes any attempt to designate private or public property as United Nations World Heritage sites or Biosphere reserves. Opposes environmental treaties and conventions such as the Biodiversity Treaty, the Convention on Climate Control, and Agenda 21, which destroy our sovereignty and right to private property. Federal Budget and Debt Supports funding only those duties, functions, and programs specifically assigned to the federal government by the Constitution Supports restricting federal expenditures to no more than collected revenues. Supports paying interest on federal debt as it accrues and making annual reductions in the principal. Supports selling certain lands and other federal assets, including foreign military bases, and applying the proceeds exclusively to debt reduction. Oppose dishonest accounting practices such as off-budget items used to hide unconstitutional spending practices. Gambling Opposed to government sponsorship, involvement in, or promotion of gambling such as lotteries, casinos or subsidization of Native American casinos. Government Supports restoring to the States and to the people control over legislative, judicial, executive, and regulatory functions that are not constitutionally delegated to the federal government. Opposes any regionalization of governments, at any level, which results in removal of decision-making powers from the people or those directly elected by the people. Supports privatization of the Social Security system. Supports eliminating the Civil Service system. Opposes states accepting all monies from the federal government for any purpose not specifically and clearly articulated in the Constitution. Opposes all federal mandates and regulations that are unconstitutional. Opposed to public-private partnerships and is for a return to the true free enterprise system that once made our nation great and economically prosperous. Healthcare Opposes the governmentalization and bureaucratization of American medicine Supports elimination of the federal Food and Drug Administration. Supports freedom of choice of practitioner and treatment for all citizens for their health care. Support the right of patients to seek redress of their grievances through the courts against insurers and/or HMOs. Money and banking Supports return to the principle of coin money as defined by the U.S. Constitution and the Mint Act of 1792 Supports repeal of the Federal Reserve Act. Supports a prohibition on fractional reserve banking. Private Property Supports the common-law rule that protects the people from any search or seizure whatsoever when that search or seizure violates the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Opposes legislation and executive action that deprive the people of Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights under claims of necessity to combat terrorism or to protect national security. Opposes legislation and administrative action utilizing asset forfeiture laws. Opposes laws that allow for the monitoring and controlling of financial transactions. Supports privacy legislation that prohibits private parties from discriminating against individuals who refuse to disclose or obtain a Social Security number. Supports prohibiting all governmental entities from requiring the use of the Social Security number except for Social Security transactions. Supports the repeal of all laws, regulations, and statutes that require the use of the Social Security number for any purpose other than Social Security transactions. Religious Freedom Opposes any form of taxation on churches and other religious organizations Supports allowing private organizations to determine their own membership, volunteers, and employment based on their oaths and creeds. Tariffs and Trade Opposes the transfer of authority over U.S. trade policy from Congress to agencies, domestic or foreign, which improperly exercise policy-setting functions with respect to U.S. trade policy. Support the abolition of the Office of Special Trade Representative. Supports the withdrawal of the United States from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and all other agreements wherein agencies other than the Congress of the United States improperly assume responsibility for establishing American trade policies. Supports a tariff based revenue system. Support increasing U.S. tariffs on any foreign import to prevent them from being less than the difference between the foreign items cost of production and the cost of production of a similar item produced in the United States. (The cost of production of a U.S. product shall include, but not be limited to, all compensation, including fringe benefits, paid to American workers, and environmental costs of doing business imposed on business by federal, state, and local governments.) Opposes all international trade agreements which have the effect of diminishing Americas economic self-sufficiency and of exporting jobs, the loss of which impoverishes American families, undermines American communities, and diminishes Americas capacity for economic self-reliance, and the provision of national defense. Opposes the trade concept of normal trade relations (Most Favored Nation status). Opposes Trade Promotion Authority, which transfers the establishment of trade policy from Congress to the Executive branch of government. Taxation Supports abolishing the Internal Revenue Service. Supports repeal of the Sixteenth Amendment. Supports an end to all taxation and economic formulas that discourage marriage, incentivize co-habitation and child bearing outside of marriage or authorize or provide government funding for policies and programs that further erode the jurisdiction of the family or parental rights. Opposes all flat-rate tax, national sales tax, and value added tax proposals. Supports replacing including income taxes, payroll taxes, and estate taxes with a tariff based revenue system supplemented by excise taxes. Supports an apportioned state-rate tax in which the responsibility for covering the cost of unmet obligations will be divided among the several states in accordance with their proportion of the total population of the United States, excluding the District of Columbia. (Thus, if a state contains 10 percent of the nations citizens, it will be responsible for assuming payment of 10 percent of the annual deficit.) Supports motor fuel excise taxes, at rates not in excess of those currently imposed, to be used exclusively for the erection, maintenance, and administration of Federal highways. Supports taxation of corporations. Wages and price controls Opposes allowing the civil government to have any authority to set wages and prices Welfare Under no circumstances should the taxpayers of the United States be obligated, under penalty of law through forced taxation, to assume the cost of providing welfare for other citizens. Neither should taxpayers be indentured to subsidize welfare for persons who enter the United States illegally. [] :2016 20160908 16:47:07 Stock Code: 000530; 200530 Notice No: 2016-065 Short Form of the Stock: Daleng Gufen; Daleng B Dalian Refrigeration Co., Ltd. Precautions Notice on Holding the 3rd Extraordinary Shareholders General Meeting of 2016 The Company and its whole members of Board of Directors ensure that the public notice is real, accurate and complete, and there are no any fictitious statements, serious misleading or important omissions carried in this notice. The company has published the notice on holding the 2016 3rd extraordinary Shareholders Meeting in China Securities, Hong Kong Commercial Daily and http://www.cninfo.com.cn on August 26,2016 ( Notice No:2016-062).The Shareholders Meeting was convened by the Board of Directors of the Company, and would be held by the way of on-site votes plus network polling. In order to protect the lawful right and interests of investors, and make a convenient way of shareholders to exercise the right to vote, the Company notified the relevant issues as follows again: I. Particulars about holding the meeting 1. The period of board session: The 2016 3rd extraordinary shareholders meeting 2. Convener: The Board of Directors of the Company, holding the Shareholders General Meeting after the deliberation of 8th Meeting of 7th Session of the Board. 3. The meeting is in line with the relevant laws and administrative regulations, departmental rules and regulations, regulatory documents and relevant provisions of articles of association of the Company 4. Date of the meeting: (1) On-site meeting: 3:00 pm, 13 September 2016 (2) Internet polling: the poll through network via trading system of SZSE will be at 9:3011:30 am and 1:00-3:00 pm dated 13 September 2016; any time from 3:00 pm 12 September 2016 to 3:00 pm 13 September 2016 will available for polling through internet poll system of SZSE. 5. Way of holding: On-site votes plus network polling .The Company will provide a voting as an internet form to whole shareholders through the trading system and internet poll system (http://wltp.cninfo.com.cn) of SZSE. Shareholders should participate in voting any time in the network polling during the above mentioned time period. According to the Listed Company Equity Incentive Management Measures from CSRC, before the Shareholders General Meeting of the listed company exams the equity incentive plan, the independent director of the Company should solicit voting right from all shareholders of the Company. So, Mr. Liu Jiwei, the independent director of the Company, has published the Statement for Independent Directors to solicit voting right, to solicit voting rights from all shareholders of the Company, which was published in China Securities and http://www.cninfo.com.cn/ on the same day. 6. Attendance (1) All shareholders of the Company whose names appear on the register of the Shenzhen Branch of China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation Limited while the close of trading at noon on 6 September 2016. The above mentioned shareholders of the Company have the right to attend the meeting, they can attend the meeting through proxy by trust deed and shareholder of the Company wouldnt be necessary as the proxy. (2) Directors, supervisors and senior executives of the Company (3) Attorney engaged by the Company (4) Other people the Board of Directors of the Company agreed to attend 7. Place of the meeting The conference room on 8/F of the Company (No. 888 Southwest Road, Shahekou District, Dalian City) 8. The way of attending the meeting One of the polling ways between on-site voting and internet polling is available for the same share only. If repeat votes occurred in the same voting, the first valid voting result shall prevail. II. Particulars about examination of the meeting 1. Name of proposal serial The content of proposals Proposal 1 The 2016 Restricted Stock Incentive Plan Draft of the Company 1.1 The conditions and scope for the incentive objects 1.2 The source, quantity and distribution of the restricted stock 1.3 The valid period, grant day, lock-up period, unlock period and blackout period of the incentive plan 1.4 The grant price of the restricted stock and its determining method 1.5 The conditions of granting and unlocking the restricted stock 1.6 The procedure and method of adjustment for the restricted stock incentive plan 1.7 The accounting treatment of the restricted stock 1.8 The procedure of implementing of the restricted stock incentive plan 1.9 The right and obligations of incentive objects and the Company 1.10 The dispose method while changes occur to incentive objects and the Company 1.11 The principle of buying back and writing off of the restricted stock Proposal 2 The Assessment and Management Measures for 2016 Restricted Stock Incentive Plan of the Company Proposal 3 The proposal on summiting to the shareholders general meeting of the Company for authorizing the board of directors to handle related matters of 2016 Restricted Stock Incentive Plan of the Company. The proposal 1, 2, 3 must be adopted by shareholders present at the meeting representing more 2/3 of the voting right. 2. Particulars about information disclosure Details of the proposal could be found in the notice on resolution of the Board of Directors published in China Securities, Hong Kong Commercial Daily and http://www.cninfo.com.cn/ on 5 August, 2016, and 26 August, 2016. III. Registration way of spot meeting 1. Registration way: (1) Personal ID card accompanied by the shareholding certificates and stock account card must be taken for individual shareholders. If attended the meeting by proxy, the attendant must hold the ID copy of the client, power of attorney, shareholding certificates, stock account card along with agents ID card for registration; (2) For corporate shareholders, the copy of the business license, certificate of identity of the legal representative, power of attorney, shareholding certificates along with ID of proxy must be necessary. (3) The shareholders in other places can register in way of letter, fax or e-mail. 2. Registration time From 7 September 2016 to 13 September 2016, until the host announced the end of the meeting registration on the spot meeting. 3. Place of registration The Securities and Legal Affairs Department of the Company IV. Operational process of network polling In the shareholders general meeting, shareholders can participate in voting through the trading system and internet polling system (http://wltp.cninfo.com.cn) of Shenzhen Stock Exchange. 1. Voting code: 360530 Voting abbreviation: Daleng voting 2.Serial Setting and Voting (1)Serial Setting serial The content of proposal Serial code general proposal All of the following proposals 100.00 Proposal 1 The 2016 Restricted Stock Incentive Plan Draft of the Company 1.00 1.1 The conditions and scope for the incentive objects 1.01 1.2 The source, quantity and distribution of the restricted stock 1.02 1.3 The valid period, grant day, lock-up period, unlock period and blackout period of the incentive plan 1.03 1.4 The grant price of the restricted stock and its determining method 1.04 1.5 The conditions of granting and unlocking the restricted stock 1.05 1.6 The procedure and method of adjustment for the restricted stock incentive plan 1.06 1.7 The accounting treatment of the restricted stock 1.07 1.8 The procedure of implementing of the restricted stock incentive plan 1.08 1.9 The right and obligations of incentive objects and the Company 1.09 1.10 The dispose method while changes occur to incentive objects and the Company 1.10 1.11 The principle of buying back and writing off of the restricted stock 1.11 Proposal 2 The Assessment and Management Measures for 2016 Restricted Stock Incentive Plan of the Company 2.00 Proposal 3 The proposal on summiting to the shareholders general meeting of the Company for authorizing the board of directors to handle related matters of 2016 restricted stock incentive plan of the Company. 3.00 RMB 100.00 represents the general proposal, RMB 1.00 represents proposal 1, RMB 2.00 represents proposal 2, and so on. Every proposal should be declared with the entrustment price. For the No.1 proposal, there are many sub-proposals under it.The 1.00RMB represents all the sub- proposals under the No.1 proposal,and the 1.01 RMB represents the No.1 sub-proposal of the No. 1 proposal, and the 1.02 RMB represents the No.2 sub-proposal of the No.1 proposal, and so on. (2)Fill the voting opinion The Proposals are not cumulative voting, Fill the voting opinion with ForAgainst or Abstention (3) The shareholder vote for general proposal means the same voting result for all proposals If the shareholder voted for general proposal and for individual proposal at the same time, the first effective voting should prevail. If the shareholder voted for general proposal after relevant proposal voting, the voting result for relevant proposal should prevail, and other un-voted proposals would base on the result voting for general proposal. If voted for relevant proposal after voting for general proposal, the result voting for general proposal should prevail. (4) The first declaration for the same proposal shall prevail . (I) Vote via trading system of SZSE 1.Voting period: 9:30-11:30 am, 1:00-3:00 pm 13 September 2016 2.Shareholders can log in Securities Company trading client to vote through trading system. (II) Voting via internet poll system 1. Voting period: The voting via internet poll system will start at 3:00 pm 12 September 2016, and close at 3:00 pm 13 September 2016. 2. Shareholders voting via internet poll system, according to the regulation of Business Implementation of Network Service Identity Verification for Investors of SZSE, shareholders must choose the digital certificate or service password for identity verification. 3. The shareholders may vote on-line via logging in http://wltp.cninfo.com.cn with service password or digital certificate. V. Other business 1. Contact way of the meeting Contact telephone number: ( 86-411)-86538822 Fax: (86-411)-86654530 Contact Person: Ms. Du Yu Contact Address: No. 888, Southwest Road, Shahekou District, Dalian City Securities and Legal Affairs Department, Dalian Refrigeration Co., Ltd. Post Code: 116033 2. Conference expenses: The spot meeting will be a period of half a day. Transportation and boarding expenses for attendance shall be paid by the participants themselves. VI. Documents available for reference 1. Resolution and Announcement documents of the 8th Session of the 7th Board of Directors of the Company; 2. Other relevant documents according to the SZSE. Board of Directors of Dalian Refrigeration Co., Ltd. 9 September, 2016 Enclosed: Authorized Letter of Attorney Authorized Letter of Attorney Hereby entrust Mr. /Ms. to attend the 3rd Extraordinary Shareholders General Meeting of 2016 of Dalian Refrigeration Co., Ltd. on behalf of himself or herself and execute vote rights on behalf. Consigner (signature): ID No. of consigner: Shareholder account No. of consigner: Amount of shares held by consigner: A/B Consignee: ID No. of consignee: Date of entrustment: The term of validity for the entrustment: Consigner (signature or seal): Consignee (signature): The exercise of voting rights are as follows The attorney should be filled by in the voting result Serial The content of proposals Type of voting result For Against Abstention general proposal All of the following proposals Proposal 1 The 2016 Restricted Stock Incentive Plan Draft of the Company 1.1 The conditions and scope for the incentive objects 1.2 The source, quantity and distribution of the restricted stock 1.3 The valid period, grant day, lock-up period, unlock period and blackout period of the incentive plan 1.4 The grant price of the restricted stock and its determining method 1.5 The conditions of granting and unlocking the restricted stock 1.6 The procedure and method of adjustment for the restricted stock incentive plan 1.7 The accounting treatment of the restricted stock 1.8 The procedure of implementing of the restricted stock incentive plan 1.9 The right and obligations of incentive objects and the Company 1.10 The dispose method while changes occur to incentive objects and the Company 1.11 The principle of buying back and writing off of the restricted stock Proposal 2 The Assessment and Management Measures for 2016 Restricted Stock Incentive Plan of the Company Proposal 3 The proposal on summiting to the shareholders general meeting of the Company for authorizing the board of directors to handle related matters of 2016 restricted stock incentive plan of the Company. Stock Code: 000530; 200530 Notice No: 2016-065Short Form of the Stock: Daleng Gufen; Daleng BDalian Refrigeration Co., Ltd.Precautions Notice on Holding the 3rd Extraordinary ShareholdersGeneral Meeting of 2016The Company and its whole members of Board of Directors ensure that the public notice is real,accurate and complete, and there are no any fictitious statements, serious misleading or importantomissions carried in this notice.The company has published the notice on holding the 2016 3rd extraordinary ShareholdersMeeting in China Securities, Hong Kong Commercial Daily and http://www.cninfo.com.cn onAugust 26,2016 ( Notice No:2016-062).The Shareholders Meeting was convened by the Board ofDirectors of the Company, and would be held by the way of on-site votes plus network polling. Inorder to protect the lawful right and interests of investors, and make a convenient way ofshareholders to exercise the right to vote, the Company notified the relevant issues as followsagain:I. Particulars about holding the meeting1. The period of board session: The 2016 3rd extraordinary shareholders meeting2. Convener: The Board of Directors of the Company, holding the Shareholders General Meetingafter the deliberation of 8th Meeting of 7th Session of the Board.3. The meeting is in line with the relevant laws and administrative regulations, departmental rulesand regulations, regulatory documents and relevant provisions of articles of association of theCompany4. Date of the meeting:(1) On-site meeting: 3:00 pm, 13 September 2016(2) Internet polling: the poll through network via trading system of SZSE will be at 9:3011:30am and 1:00-3:00 pm dated 13 September 2016; any time from 3:00 pm 12 September 2016 to3:00 pm 13 September 2016 will available for polling through internet poll system of SZSE.5. Way of holding: On-site votes plus network polling .The Company will provide a voting as aninternet form to whole shareholders through the trading system and internet poll system(http://wltp.cninfo.com.cn) of SZSE. Shareholders should participate in voting any time in thenetwork polling during the above mentioned time period.According to the Listed Company Equity Incentive Management Measures from CSRC, beforethe Shareholders General Meeting of the listed company exams the equity incentive plan, theindependent director of the Company should solicit voting right from all shareholders of theCompany. So, Mr. Liu Jiwei, the independent director of the Company, has published theStatement for Independent Directors to solicit voting right, to solicit voting rights from allshareholders of the Company, which was published in China Securities andhttp://www.cninfo.com.cn/ on the same day.6. Attendance(1) All shareholders of the Company whose names appear on the register of the Shenzhen Branchof China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation Limited while the close of trading atnoon on 6 September 2016. The above mentioned shareholders of the Company have the right toattend the meeting, they can attend the meeting through proxy by trust deed and shareholder of theCompany wouldnt be necessary as the proxy.(2) Directors, supervisors and senior executives of the Company(3) Attorney engaged by the Company(4) Other people the Board of Directors of the Company agreed to attend7. Place of the meetingThe conference room on 8/F of the Company (No. 888 Southwest Road, Shahekou District, DalianCity)8. The way of attending the meetingOne of the polling ways between on-site voting and internet polling is available for the same shareonly. If repeat votes occurred in the same voting, the first valid voting result shall prevail.II. Particulars about examination of the meeting1. Name of proposalserialThe content of proposalsProposal 1The 2016 Restricted Stock Incentive Plan Draft of the Company1.1The conditions and scope for the incentive objects1.2The source, quantity and distribution of the restricted stock1.3The valid period, grant day, lock-up period, unlock period and blackout period of theincentive plan1.4The grant price of the restricted stock and its determining method1.5The conditions of granting and unlocking the restricted stock1.6The procedure and method of adjustment for the restricted stock incentive plan1.7The accounting treatment of the restricted stock1.8The procedure of implementing of the restricted stock incentive plan1.9The right and obligations of incentive objects and the Company1.10The dispose method while changes occur to incentive objects and the Company1.11The principle of buying back and writing off of the restricted stockProposal 2The Assessment and Management Measures for 2016 Restricted Stock Incentive Planof the CompanyProposal 3The proposal on summiting to the shareholders general meeting of the Company forauthorizing the board of directors to handle related matters of 2016 Restricted StockIncentive Plan of the Company.The proposal 1, 2, 3 must be adopted by shareholders present at the meeting representing more 2/3of the voting right.2. Particulars about information disclosureDetails of the proposal could be found in the notice on resolution of the Board of Directorspublished in China Securities, Hong Kong Commercial Daily and http://www.cninfo.com.cn/ on 5August, 2016, and 26 August, 2016.III. Registration way of spot meeting1. Registration way:(1) Personal ID card accompanied by the shareholding certificates and stock account card must betaken for individual shareholders. If attended the meeting by proxy, the attendant must hold the IDcopy of the client, power of attorney, shareholding certificates, stock account card along withagents ID card for registration;(2) For corporate shareholders, the copy of the business license, certificate of identity of the legalrepresentative, power of attorney, shareholding certificates along with ID of proxy must benecessary.(3) The shareholders in other places can register in way of letter, fax or e-mail.2. Registration timeFrom 7 September 2016 to 13 September 2016, until the host announced the end of the meetingregistration on the spot meeting.3. Place of registrationThe Securities and Legal Affairs Department of the CompanyIV. Operational process of network pollingIn the shareholders general meeting, shareholders can participate in voting through the tradingsystem and internet polling system (http://wltp.cninfo.com.cn) of Shenzhen Stock Exchange.1. Voting code: 360530 Voting abbreviation: Daleng voting2.Serial Setting and Voting(1)Serial SettingserialThe content of proposalSerial codegeneral proposalAll of the following proposals100.00Proposal 1The 2016 Restricted Stock Incentive Plan Draft of the Company1.001.1The conditions and scope for the incentive objects1.011.2The source, quantity and distribution of the restricted stock1.021.3The valid period, grant day, lock-up period, unlock period and blackoutperiod of the incentive plan1.031.4The grant price of the restricted stock and its determining method1.041.5The conditions of granting and unlocking the restricted stock1.051.6The procedure and method of adjustment for the restricted stockincentive plan1.061.7The accounting treatment of the restricted stock1.071.8The procedure of implementing of the restricted stock incentive plan1.081.9The right and obligations of incentive objects and the Company1.091.10The dispose method while changes occur to incentive objects and theCompany1.101.11The principle of buying back and writing off of the restricted stock1.11Proposal 2The Assessment and Management Measures for 2016 Restricted StockIncentive Plan of the Company2.00Proposal 3The proposal on summiting to the shareholders general meeting of theCompany for authorizing the board of directors to handle relatedmatters of 2016 restricted stock incentive plan of the Company.3.00RMB 100.00 represents the general proposal, RMB 1.00 represents proposal 1, RMB 2.00represents proposal 2, and so on. Every proposal should be declared with the entrustment price.For the No.1 proposal, there are many sub-proposals under it.The 1.00RMB represents all the sub-proposals under the No.1 proposal,and the 1.01 RMB represents the No.1 sub-proposal of the No.1 proposal, and the 1.02 RMB represents the No.2 sub-proposal of the No.1 proposal, and so on.(2)Fill the voting opinionThe Proposals are not cumulative voting, Fill the voting opinion with ForAgainst or Abstention(3) The shareholder vote for general proposal means the same voting result for all proposalsIf the shareholder voted for general proposal and for individual proposal at the same time, the firsteffective voting should prevail. If the shareholder voted for general proposal after relevantproposal voting, the voting result for relevant proposal should prevail, and other un-votedproposals would base on the result voting for general proposal. If voted for relevant proposal aftervoting for general proposal, the result voting for general proposal should prevail.(4) The first declaration for the same proposal shall prevail .(I) Vote via trading system of SZSE1.Voting period: 9:30-11:30 am, 1:00-3:00 pm 13 September 20162.Shareholders can log in Securities Company trading client to vote through trading system.(II) Voting via internet poll system1. Voting period: The voting via internet poll system will start at 3:00 pm 12 September 2016, andclose at 3:00 pm 13 September 2016.2. Shareholders voting via internet poll system, according to the regulation of BusinessImplementation of Network Service Identity Verification for Investors of SZSE, shareholders mustchoose the digital certificate or service password for identity verification.3. The shareholders may vote on-line via logging in http://wltp.cninfo.com.cn with servicepassword or digital certificate.V. Other business1. Contact way of the meetingContact telephone number: ( 86-411)-86538822Fax: (86-411)-86654530Contact Person: Ms. Du YuContact Address: No. 888, Southwest Road, Shahekou District, Dalian CitySecurities and Legal Affairs Department, Dalian Refrigeration Co., Ltd.Post Code: 1160332. Conference expenses: The spot meeting will be a period of half a day. Transportation andboarding expenses for attendance shall be paid by the participants themselves.VI. Documents available for reference1. Resolution and Announcement documents of the 8th Session of the 7th Board of Directors ofthe Company;2. Other relevant documents according to the SZSE.Board of Directors of Dalian Refrigeration Co., Ltd.9 September, 2016Enclosed: Authorized Letter of AttorneyAuthorized Letter of AttorneyHereby entrust Mr. /Ms. to attend the 3rd Extraordinary Shareholders GeneralMeeting of 2016 of Dalian Refrigeration Co., Ltd. on behalf of himself or herself and execute voterights on behalf.Consigner (signature): ID No. of consigner:Shareholder account No. of consigner:Amount of shares held by consigner: A/BConsignee: ID No. of consignee:Date of entrustment:The term of validity for the entrustment:Consigner (signature or seal):Consignee (signature):The exercise of voting rights are as followsThe attorney should be filled by in the voting resultSerialThe content of proposalsType of voting resultForAgainstAbstentiongeneral proposalAll of the following proposalsProposal 1The 2016 Restricted Stock Incentive Plan Draft of the Company1.1The conditions and scope for the incentive objects1.2The source, quantity and distribution of the restricted stock1.3The valid period, grant day, lock-up period, unlock period andblackout period of the incentive plan1.4The grant price of the restricted stock and its determining method1.5The conditions of granting and unlocking the restricted stock1.6The procedure and method of adjustment for the restricted stockincentive plan1.7The accounting treatment of the restricted stock1.8The procedure of implementing of the restricted stock incentiveplan1.9The right and obligations of incentive objects and the Company1.10The dispose method while changes occur to incentive objects andthe Company1.11The principle of buying back and writing off of the restrictedstockProposal 2The Assessment and Management Measures for 2016 RestrictedStock Incentive Plan of the CompanyProposal 3The proposal on summiting to the shareholders general meetingof the Company for authorizing the board of directors to handlerelated matters of 2016 restricted stock incentive plan of theCompany. Harrison G. Dyar, Jr., third from right, with Entomology staff of the U.S. National Museum in 1905. Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution Archives. If you have ever heard of entomologist Harrison Dyar, theres a good chance that it was in relation to a series of tunnels that he dug beneath Washington, D.C. Or it may have been in relation to his bigamy. But if thats all you know about Dyar, then you only know the tabloid tales. Harrison Dyar was Honorary Custodian of Lepidoptera at the United States National Museum for over 30 years. He studied sawflies, moths, butterflies and mosquitos and described hundreds of species and genera. He also contributed significantly to the study of insect development by formulating Dyars Law of Geometric Growth. By observing that the width of caterpillar heads was fixed within each stage of development, Dyar realized that he could use a ratio to predict the width of the head at various stages of development, and that this ratio could in turn be used to differentiate insect instars. By using this law, entomologists can identify the developmental stage of an immature insect. Dyars field notebooks, including his blue books and catalogue as theyre called, contain valuable information both on Dyars scientific research and aspects of his personal life. For instance, they include his scientific observations made while rearing specimens, head width data used to formulate Dyars Law, and, on a more personal note, the identity of relatives who helped Dyar collect and rear insects. Dyars field notebooks, which are held by the Smithsonian Institution Archives, have been digitized as part of The Field Book Project and are available in BHL, making it much easier for researchers around the world to access and study Dyars work. Drawing from a Dyar blue book. H. G. Dyar bluebook 575 625. 1896-1898. Digitized by Smithsonian Institution Archives. http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/46194051. One such researcher that has benefited from online access to this materials is Dr. Marc Epstein, Research Associate at the National Museum of Natural History and Senior Insect Biosystematist (Lepidoptera) at the Plant Pest Diagnostics Center of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Dr. Epstein has studied Dyars work and legacy extensively and has authored a biography on this remarkable entomologist entitled Moths, Myths and Mosquitos:The Eccentric Life of Harrison G. Dyar, Jr.. Marc discovered BHL, thanks to recommendations from his colleagues, around the time that our online library launched. Since then, BHLs collections have had an immense impact on Marcs research. Even though Im fortunate to have a good entomology library at the Plant Pest Diagnostics Center in Sacramento, CA, BHL has provided me access to so many journals that I havent had easy access to in California since with my move here in 2003, asserts Marc. In fact BHL has often provided me with the very copies I used to refer to in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) libraries! BHL has greatly facilitated Marcs research on Lepidoptera and more specifically on Harrison Dyar. Day to day BHL has helped me do my job to identify Lepidoptera that threaten California agriculture, while providing a tremendous boost to my research projects, explains Marc. These have included the completion of Moths, Myths, and Mosquitoes: the Eccentric Life of Harrison G. Dyar, Jr. as well as studies on Costa Rican moths and the evolution of Lepidoptera and their caterpillars. Related to the Moths, Myths, and Mosquitoes, it enabled me to much more efficiently transcribe portions of Dyars hand-written notebooks, once in my office at NMNH. Prior to the availability of these notebooks on BHL, The Field Book Project at the Smithsonian provided me with electronic files of all of the notebooks, which are now becoming available along with transcriptions made by a corps of volunteers. Having both BHL and the notebooks on my [computer] desktop in Sacramento has enabled me to transcribe portions needed for my research while in Sacramento and saved me valuable time to focus on specimens during my visits to the NMNH entomology collections. The volunteer transcriptions that Marc refers to were the result of the May 2016 #DigIntoDyar campaign, which challenged volunteers to help transcribe five of Dyars blue books within the Smithsonian Transcription Center. The five blue books constituted a total of 169 pages, 60% of which were fully transcribed by over 60 volunteers by the end of May. Today, all 169 pages have been fully transcribed (thank you, citizen science volunteers!). You can browse the transcriptions in the Smithsonian Transcription Center at the links below: H. G. Dyar Bluebook 401- 414, 1893-1894 | https://transcription.si.edu/project/8144 H. G. Dyar Bluebook 415-435, 1893-1894 | https://transcription.si.edu/project/8145 H. G. Dyar Bluebook 436-450, 1893-1894 | https://transcription.si.edu/project/8146 H. G. Dyar Bluebook 451-473, 1894 | https://transcription.si.edu/project/8147 H. G. Dyar, Bluebook 474-491, 1894-1897 | https://transcription.si.edu/project/8148 Interested in learning more about Harrison Dyars work and contributions? Then check out this Google Hangout from Smithsonian Libraries with Dr. Epstein. You can also learn more in this series of blog posts that Dr. Epstein wrote for Smithsonian Libraries as part of #DigIntoDyar. Harrison Dyars contributions to science may often be overshadowed by his intriguing personal life, but hopefully the efforts of Dr. Epstein and others will ensure that his entire legacy is appreciated and remembered. Were proud to be able to provide free, online access to materials, like the blue books and catalogue, that make it easier for researchers to study Dyars work. ______________________________________ This post may contain the personal opinions of BHL users or affiliated staff and does not necessarily represent the official Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL) position on these matters. New York Times Covers Anti-Coptic Violence Admirably | Main | UCC Peacemakers Promote Antisemitic Organization September 08, 2016 NYT's Peter Baker: Word Choices and Attitudes NYT Jerusalem Bureau Chief Peter Baker Following Peter Baker's debut as the New York Times Jerusalem bureau chief, CAMERA noted that his first article was disappointing to readers looking for informative and balanced pieces from the region. His article in today's print edition of the Times is about Soviet documents that indicate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was once a KGB agent in Damascus, known as Krotov,? meaning 'the mole". Informative and interesting, but Baker injects a note of unjournalistic snarkiness directed at Israel as he introduces the story: The possibility [of Abbas' role as a KGB agent], trumpeted by the Israeli media on Wednesday night and just as quickly dismissed by Palestinian officials, emerged from a document in a British archive listing Soviet agents from 1983.[emphasis added] When does reporting a story become "trumpeting"? And what does this word choice imply, if anything, about Baker's attitude toward his subject matter? Posted by RH at September 8, 2016 12:01 PM I looked for information about this reporter and did not find an educational background indicating any expertise on the Arab-Israeli conflict. The New York Times should be able to find an expert to report on such an important issue in the world. Posted by: K Gilden at September 9, 2016 01:36 PM Now, if Mr. Baker had referred to, say, the Palestinians as "trumpeting" their narrative, then I might find his reporting balanced and perhaps even objective. But his writing reflects a one sided judgment and yes,it IS snide. Posted by: lisa reik at September 9, 2016 02:15 PM Guidelines for posting This is a moderated blog. We will not post comments that include racism, bigotry, threats, or factually inaccurate material. Post a comment This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions Robert Maestas Newscity Father and Daughter Drown Saving Dog We're 2.5 million strongmore than 1.7 million girls and 750,000 adults who believe in the power of every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) to change the world. Since 1912, weve built girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Since its inception in 1981 by Michael Bloomberg, Bloomberg L.P. has established an authoritative footprint in the world of data, financial software and media. According to GlobalJournalist.org, in 2013, Bloomberg had over 150,000 employees worldwide and produced more than 5,000 stories a day from 146 bureaus in 72 countries. Bloomberg provides real-time financial information to more than 325,000 subscribers globally. On June 13th, Bloombergs Content Service, which provides news, photos, videos, and data to publishers and broadcasters across the globe, announced it is expanding its Spanish-language text news licensing offering. By doing so, the company says it will more than triple its professionally-translated news stories. The service will provide Spanish versions of Bloomberg News global coverage including output from bureaus in Santiago, Mexico City, Bogota, Buenos Aires, Lima, Caracas and Madrid. The service will feature: 80+ Spanish-language stories per day Exclusive local stories from Latin America and Spain Global business, finance, economic and political news impacting Spanish-speaking markets Feature stories on lifestyle, luxury, technology and automotive industries Exclusive interviews with presidents, ministries and top executives Forecasts and analysis of key commodities, currencies, markets and stocks Economic forecasts on Latin America, the United States and Europe Bloomberg View opinion columns from market influencers Josh Rucci, General Manager and Global Head of Bloombergs Content Service, said in a press release that the demand for news in Spanish is growing and Bloomberg aims to be the leading provider of quality Spanish-language business news. We have experienced translators working side-by-side with reporters in our extensive network of bureaus throughout Latin America and Spain, allowing coverage from several key markets across seven time zones, he said, adding that the expansion is an important part of their strategy to extend their reach to a growing Spanish-speaking business community around the world. To read more, please see: Bloomberg Content Service Expands Spanish-Language News Licensing. OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- Arnold "Jack" Rosen, husband of Ocean Springs Mayor Connie Moran, did not appear in Ocean Springs Municipal Court Wednesday afternoon to answer to a public drunkenness charge, instead sending an attorney to enter a no contest plea on his behalf. Judge Matthew Mestayer accepted the plea from attorney Adam Miller and fined Rosen $330, plus a $30 state assessment -- the standard fine for public intoxication. Miller indicated Rosen had already paid the fine. A no contest plea, or "nolo contendere," is a plea with which the defendant neither admits nor disputes his or her guilt, but generally results in the same penalties as a guilty plea. Rosen was arrested July 22 after jumping on the hood of a moving vehicle and riding there for more than a block along Washington Avenue before falling off, according to the Ocean Springs police report. Police were dispatched to the scene after witnesses reported seeing a man jump on the hood of a female's car as she attempted drive away. Neither the identity of the driver nor a vehicle description were included in the report. Police officials explained sections of the report were redacted prior to its release to The Mississippi Press because some of the information was considered evidence. The officers made contact with the suspect, later identified as the 56-year-old Rosen, shortly after 11 p.m. Rosen was leaning on a truck near 416 Washington Avenue -- a residential address across from the Knights of Columbus Hall. The officers' report states that there was an "intoxicating odor" coming from Rosen's breath and when the officers attempted to speak with Rosen about the incident, he became "very uncooperative and belligerent" towards the officers. Rosen refused medical treatment, was placed into "double locked handcuffs" and transported to the Ocean Springs Police Department for booking. He remained in the municipal jail overnight and was released on his own recognizance the next morning after posting bond. OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- Businessman and longtime YMCA advocate Mickey Williams will be honored with the John R. Blossman Humanitarian Award during the YMCA's 8th annual charity banquet Nov. 1. The event will be hosted by the Beau Rivage Casino & Resort. A reception and charity auction are set for 5:30 p.m., with the dinner and program to begin at 6:30 p.m. The award is named for John Blossman -- one of the Ocean Springs YMCA's biggest benefactors. According to a release from the YMCA, Blossman's "life was spent in service to organizations that positively impacted the lives of others." The award was created to recognize others who have had such an impact. "Mickey believes in the Y and it's mission," the YMCA said in a release. "He is deep in his faith, character and love for his community." Williams has been involved with the YMCA since 1987 and has served as it's president and treasurer, as well as a member of the board of directors. He was instrumental in the Membership Marketing Committee, Strong Kids Campaign, and various capital campaigns. He began his professional career as a human resources manger for DuPont, but spent the bulk of his career -- more than 30 years -- in the banking and financial services industry, including his tenure as a senior vice president for Merchant & Marine Bank. Williams is a longtime, active member of St. Paul United Methodist Church. In addition to his work on behalf of the YMCA, Williams has been president of the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce, treasurer of the Walter Anderson Museum, and treasurer of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. He is a co-founder of the Ocean Springs Education Foundation and played an instrumental role in the passage of two major bond issues for the Ocean Springs school district. Williams also worked tirelessly for the renovation of the 1927 high school building and its conversion into the Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Arts Center. His other community involvements include leadership positions in the Gulf Coast Symphony, United Way of South Mississippi, United Way of Jackson/George Counties and the Pascagoula River Audubon Center Advisory Board. Various sponsorship levels for the banquet are available, ranging from $1,000 for a silver sponsor to $10,000 for a presenting sponsor. Individual tickets can be purchased for $100 each. Contact the YMCA at 228-875-5050 for more information. All proceeds from the banquet go to support the YMCA's Financial Assistance Program through which children and families in need receive discounted memberships and access to programs. During 2015, $156,800 in scholarships were awarded to 406 people across the Mississippi coast. Chipotle is partnering with Google's parent company, Alphabet, to deliver burritos by drone at Virginia Tech. (Keith Srakocic / AP) In what's sure to be a college student's dream come true, drones will soon be delivering burritos on the campus of Virginia Tech. The experimental service, to begin this month and last just a few weeks, is a test by Project Wing, a unit of Google's parent company Alphabet, Chipotle Mexican Grill and the Blacksburg, Va., university have agreed to participate. Advertisement The Federal Aviation Administration approved the venture, the most extensive test yet in the U.S. of what many companies including Amazon.com and Wal-Mart Stores hope will eventually become routine drone deliveries of products. Amazon has begun a round of trials at a location in the U.K. "It's the first time that we're actually out there delivering stuff to people who want that stuff," said Dave Vos, who heads Project Wing. Advertisement Project Wing will use self-guided hybrids that can fly like a plane or hover like a helicopter. They will make deliveries from a Chipotle food truck to assess the accuracy of navigation systems and how people respond. The devices will hover overhead and lower the Chipotle edibles with a winch. Part of the experiment will be to see how well the packaging protects the chow and keeps it warm. Food was selected as the demonstration cargo because it's a challenge. The company is already at work on a more sophisticated second version of the aircraft that won't be used in the tests, Vos said. Before widespread deliveries can occur, companies will have to convince the FAA that drones can avoid each other and safely navigate to drop spots using robotic technology. The agency on Aug. 29 instituted broad new regulations for commercial drones. While companies hope the rules will clear the way for drone deliveries, they didn't permit such flights initially. The burrito-bearing aircraft will be flown by automation, but human pilots will be standing by to take control if necessary to comply with FAA rules, he said. Because regulations also don't allow drones to fly over people, participants will be shielded, according to the company. Vos said the experiment will not assess one of the major technology hurdles facing drone deliveries: creation of a low-level air-traffic system that can maintain order as the skies become more crowded with unmanned vehicles. NASA is working with Project Wing and other companies to develop the framework for such a system. Data from the tests will be provided to the FAA to help the agency develop new rules allowing deliveries, Vos said. Alphabet sees the technology as potentially creating sweeping changes to society and the economy, it said in a statement. It would not only reduce carbon emissions, but may change the way consumers shop, the company said. Advertisement The project is part of Virginia Tech's efforts to become a leader in new transportation technology, school President Timothy Sands said in an interview. "It sounds simple, but it's not," Sands said. "There are a lot of things to work out from a safety point of view and a policy point of view." The university is part of the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership, one of six groups chosen as unmanned test beds by the FAA. The volunteers ordering drone-delivery food will be made up of a mix of Virginia Tech employees, students and possibly other recruits, Mark Blanks, director of the partnership, said. "This is the most complex delivery flight operation that I am aware of that's occurred on U.S. soil," Blanks said. Onions sprout in 2014 at an urban farming facility in the Back of the Yards neighborhood of Chicago. The city of Chicago has received a $1 million federal grant to support urban farming. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune) Chicago will receive a $1 million federal grant to boost and coordinate urban farming in the city, particularly on land near the long-awaited Englewood Line rail trail, city and federal officials announced Thursday. Chicago's new "Growing for Chicago" initiative is one of 45 projects to be awarded a total of $26.6 million this year through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's annual Conservation Innovation Grants. The city project aims to prepare land and recruit farmers for urban farming near the planned Englewood rail trail, among other objectives. Two other Illinois entities will also receive funding Evanston-based Iroquois Valley Farms and Fresh Coast Capital, a Chicago-based company that's launching a new program in Peoria. Advertisement Urban farming has gained momentum in Chicago in recent years with the increased popularity of locally sourced food. Chicago's project will provide "microgrants" and technical assistance to farmers, while also recruiting and training new farmers from neighborhoods, such as Englewood, where there's a dearth of jobs and few healthy food options, said Chris Wheat, chief sustainability officer of Chicago. The project aims to develop a "critical mass of people" to expand urban farming in Chicago, partnering with existing nonprofits and businesses to achieve its goals, Wheat said. Advertisement "We know urban farming has the potential to be a significant driver of economic development and produce much-needed jobs in these communities, but it will take time to figure out what that looks like," Wheat said. Repurposing the abandoned railway through Englewood into a recreational nature trail has been discussed for years. The well-received unveiling of The 606 trail on the Northwest Side last year reignited calls for the city to move forward with the Englewood project. More announcements likely will come on that project next year, Wheat said. The city will provide its share of the matching grant through "in-kind staff time" and through the continued environmental remediation of land near the Englewood Line that's owned or in the process of being acquired by the city, Wheat said. The city also will hire a full-time urban agriculture coordinator to shepherd the project. Once the land near the Englewood Line is prepared for farming, Wheat said, it could be placed into trust through an entity like NeighborSpace, a Chicago-based nonprofit urban land trust. While most of the conservation grants are awarded to projects in rural areas, urban farming projects such as Chicago's have potential to address both social and environmental challenges, said Jason Weller, chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the USDA agency that administers the grants. "Obviously, they have big goals, but they're going about in a very systematic way," Weller said of the Chicago project. "I'm very excited about what they've put together." The other two Illinois projects to receive grants through the USDA include: A $944,715 grant for Evanston-based Iroquois Valley Farms, a farmland financing company, that will help offset the onerous cost of transitioning farmland from conventional to organic. The project "expands our ability to tap into private markets to finance this expansion and restoration of our organic soil," said CEO Dave Miller. Advertisement A $940,800 grant for Fresh Coast Capital, a Chicago-based company that plans to "pilot an innovative approach to financing green infrastructure through impact investing in agroforestry and vegetable farming" in Peoria, according to the USDA release. The matching federal grant program is expected to yield $59.1 million in total investment, according to the USDA. gtrotter@chicagotribune.com Twitter @GregTrotterTrib Jimmy John's founder and chairman of the board Jimmy John Liautaud will "continue to help shape the company's high-level strategic direction," according to a news release issued Sept. 8, 2016, when the sandwich chain sold a majority stake to a private equity group. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune 2015) Jimmy John's said yes this week to a capital infusion from an Atlanta-based private equity group, a deal that could position the Champaign-based sandwich chain for expansion into global markets. The company said Thursday it sold a majority stake to an affiliate of Roark Capital Group, an investor in such big-name fast-food chains such as Carl's Jr., Hardee's and Arby's. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Advertisement The deal, according to industry watchers, is likely positioning Jimmy John's to expand into global markets. "There are certainly opportunities outside of the U.S., starting with Canada and then you look at London, South America and Mexico," said Darren Tristano, president of Technomic, a food and beverage consultancy. Advertisement No changes to management are planned and founder Jimmy John Liautaud, who serves as chairman of the board, will "continue to help shape the company's high-level strategic direction," according to a news release. President and CEO James North will continue to head day-to-day operations of the sandwich chain. Investment group Weston Presidio, which has held a minority stake in the business for 10 years, will exit. Champaign-based sandwich chain Jimmy John's has sold a majority stake to Atlanta-based private equity group Roark Capital Group. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune 2014) Roark focuses on franchised and multiunit business models in the retail, restaurant, consumer and business services sectors. It also is an investor in Anytime Fitness, Arby's, Atkins Nutritionals, Corner Bakery and CKE Restaurants, owner of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's. In 2014, founder and managing director Neal K. Aronson was ranked fourth on a Nation's Restaurant News list of the 50 most influential people in the U.S. restaurant industry. In an interview with the Tribune, Liautaud said that he and Aronson got to know each other over a couple of years and came to an agreement. "I'm still the single individual largest (noninstitutional) shareholder,' he said, adding that Jimmy John's was ready for a "nonentrepreneur" to step in. "I'm a good operator, good with food and good with math," said Liautaud. "I'm not a strategist and the company deserved that." Roark is known for helping once-struggling sandwich chain Arby's shore up its image and bottom line. With Roark at the helm, Arby's has had a "tremendous turnaround," said Tristano, updating stores, strengthening the brand and luring back customers. "It's making more money," he said. Jimmy John's is still a good fit for the private equity firm, Tristano added, since it is a successful brand in need of an extra push (and money) to expand. The sandwich chain, which is a leader in its category, compliments Roark's portfolio, which also includes McAlister's Deli. This isn't Roark's first investment in an Illinois restaurant business. Last year, it took minority stake in Naf Naf Grill for an undisclosed amount. The restaurant company said it planned to use the money to double its 13-location footprint in a year. Aronson did not return requests for comment. Advertisement As for Jimmy John's, Liautaud canceled plans to take the company public last year, which made a lot of business sense, according to Tristano. "When you go public, you have a whole new set of rules, you operate in a different way," Tristano said. "In fact, many public chains are struggling," he added. In addition to honing its growth strategy, Jimmy John's has another challenge to tackle a lawsuit. In June, the Illinois attorney general's office filed a lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court against Jimmy John's, alleging the company imposes "highly restrictive non-compete agreements on its employees." The suit is pending. Liautaud in 1983 opened the first Jimmy John's in Charleston, in east-central Illinois, after high school, with $25,000 from his father. He enrolled at Eastern Illinois University, only to drop out before finishing the first semester to grow his business. Jimmy John's has more than 2,500 locations in 43 states and $2 billion in systemwide sales, according to a company statement. crshropshire@chicagotribune.com Advertisement Twitter @Corilyns Life seemed like a breeze for sisters Linda Puffer and Lisa Winters Cox, who played the Doublemint Twins in commercials for the Wrigley gum that aired in the '80s and '90s. But Puffer, 53, said she has struggled with anxiety, which affected her confidence, self-esteem and relationship with Cox. The pair, who spent part of their childhood in Palatine, discuss how they got through tough times on an episode of "Oprah: Where Are They Now?" set to air 9 p.m. Saturday on Winfrey's network. Advertisement "I was glad to share," Puffer told the Tribune by phone. "My hope is that people will take (anxiety) seriously, not be afraid of any label and really get the help they need." MOST READ ENTERTAINMENT NEWS THIS HOUR Advertisement Puffer said one of her two bouts of anxiety stemmed from moving from the Northwest suburbs to Georgia a decade ago. She said she didn't realize how much of her identity was tied to the Chicago area, where she lived for more than 30 years. Puffer said her family moved to Palatine when she and Cox were 11 years old. They modeled and danced as teenagers before starring in six Doublemint commercials that aired from 1985-95. They wore matching outfits and hairstyles to play the characters, which included figure skaters who share their gum with clumsy guys on the ice in Calgary; Sea World visitors who share their gum with male tourists while catching balls tossed from dolphins; and pool-goers who share their gum with male sunbathers after the guys retrieve the sun hats that fly off their heads. Puffer said the commercial by the pool -- the first one they filmed -- was her favorite. She said it was difficult to replicate the magic from that first spot. Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., which is based in Chicago and now operates as a subsidiary of candy giant Mars, launched the Doublemint brand in 1914. The company featured various sets of Doublemint Twins in campaigns dating back to the 1930s. A pair of twins promoted the gum as recent as 2005. Since their commercials aired, Cox has continued to find work as an actress, while Puffer has focused on her interior design business. They filmed the piece for "Where Are They Now?" a few months ago over video conference. Saturday's episode is also set to include a segment featuring South Side native Marla Gibbs, who starred on "The Jeffersons." Gibbs said she was working at United Airlines when she got the role of maid Florence Johnston on the CBS sitcom, which aired from 1975-85. South Side native Marla Gibbs filmed a segment for Saturday's episode of "Oprah: Where Are They Now?" (Oprah Winfrey Network) (Handout) RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Roosevelt University alum lands starring role in Oprah's 'Greenleaf' Oprah Winfrey stuns audience at charity luncheon with $1 million pledge for homeless women First lady Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey talk about life after White House Watch the latest movie trailers. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox) On Thursday, opening day of the terrifying cine-blob known as the Toronto International Film Festival, 37-year-old Minnesota native Chris Pratt ("Parks and Recreation," "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Jurassic World," not to mention "Moneyball" and "Zero Dark Thirty") talked to me about all the jerk-boyfriend roles played en route to movie stardom, and what making his first Western was like. He's a nice guy with a firm handshake. We met at the Four Seasons, a couple of hours before the first Toronto festival media and industry screening of director Antoine Fuqua's remake of "The Magnificent Seven." First-wave reviews are chilly, but Pratt's career will be fine, thanks. Advertisement MOST READ ENTERTANMENT NEWS AT THIS HOUR Opening Sept. 23, the movie stars Denzel Washington and, second-billed, Pratt as the gambler, shootist and scoundrel Josh Farraday. He's enlisted, for a fee, to clean up the dirty town in the grip of a bad rich man played by Peter Saarsgard. Advertisement Pratt wasn't into Westerns growing up; he'd watch them on TV, semi-to-moderately reluctantly, with his father. Then, years later, there he was in London, shooting "Guardians of the Galaxy," and the 1940 William Wyler film "The Westerner" with Gary Cooper and Walter Brennan came on. "I loved it. I couldn't believe how much I loved it," he said. "That was the first movie I saw that really drew me into Westerns." Cooper's rugged minimalism set the bait. "Galaxy" director James Gunn, a huge Western fan, provided a long list of must-sees for Pratt's continuing education, "High Noon," "Rio Bravo" and "The Wild Bunch" among them. In "Magnificent Seven," Chris Pratt gambler, shootist and scoundrel Josh Farraday. (Sam Emerson/MGM/Columbia Pictures ) And then, Pratt said, "I realized how much I wanted to do one." His laconic but wisecracking role in "The Magnificent Seven" invites a certain amount of comedy in between killings. Director Fuqua, he said, "definitely reined me in. He'd never over-explain things, but he'd come over and say just a couple of words to keep me in line: 'Remember, this guy is dangerous.' It's more in my natural instincts to do something comedic, but I try to remember there are real moments at stake, real drama, real emotions. All I'm trying to do is make whatever choice I make real. Most of the time I'm completely wrong, but that's why I try different things. And that allows a director to find the right tone in the edit." Seven TV seasons on the high-quality medium-hit "Parks and Recreation" provided droll, steady training for all sorts of later work, Pratt said. Plus it meant a seminormal actor's life. "Being home, in LA, working seven minutes from my house nine months out of the year ... that was just fantastic. The gig kept me home, and that was really cool, the practicality of it. I loved all the friendships I made, lifelong friends." Pratt thought a second, and then continued: "That show was, for me, the chance to do something really character-y. I'd been going out for all the jerk-boyfriend roles before that, the guys the leading guys beat up at the end of the movie." With "Parks and Recreation," he said, "I got to find my clown. A really important thing." Then he went about figuring out how, and to what degree, to retain that clown within action-hero roles in massively successful blockbusters beginning with "Guardians of the Galaxy," the sequel to which is forthcoming. Did it get to be a drag, I wondered, playing all those guys the audience was supposed to dislike for all those years? It would have been, he said, laughing, "if I didn't have an impenetrable ego." Advertisement RELATED STORIES Venice audiences enchanted by 'La La Land' 10 movies we might fall for this season Can 'Hacksaw Ridge' redeem Mel Gibson? Watch the latest movie trailers. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox) Mayor Blevins and Steve Jordan.jpg Steve Jordan of Turf Masters Lawn Care, Inc. and Mayor Jim Blevins pose for a photo after Blevins officially enacted a proclamation naming the month of September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Because of the proclamation. the Round Island Lighthouse will shine gold throughout the month in support of bringing awareness to this cause. (City of Pascagoula) PASCAGOULA, Miss. -- At Tuesday's city council meeting, Mayor Jim Blevins presented the city with a proclamation naming the month of September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Beginning Sept. 1, the Round Island Lighthouse will glow gold to honor and remember children and families affected by rare diseases, and help rally support to give kids with cancer better outcomes by supporting research. The lighthouse will remain gold through the month of September. Pascagoula Community and Economic Development Director Jen Dearman said she enjoys looking forward to the lighthouse glowing different colors throughout the year. "It is nice to have a landmark right at the City's gateway that shows what we are honoring and supporting," Dearman said. Steve Jordan, of Turf Masters Lawn Care Inc., said he is elated that Pascagoula will have a major landmark illuminated in gold in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The Children's Cancer Research Fund encourages the public to spread the word by sharing a statistic, story or photo on social media and use the hashtag #GoGold. "We are just delighted at this show of support," Jordan said. "I am proud of my town for standing with us in the fight against childhood cancer, and hope that other cities on the Mississippi Gulf Coast will join Pascagoula in lighting up some of their landmarks. Our 45 employees at Turf Masters will be wearing gold shirts all month long to help bring awareness." The Round Island Lighthouse is located at the foot of the Pascagoula River Bridge, and is open for tours every Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children. Round Island Lighthouse sponsorships are still available and may be purchased at the lighthouse during tour hours or during regular business hours from the Department of Community & Economic Development at 630 Delmas Avenue. For more information about tours or sponsorships, citizens are encouraged to call 228-938-6639. War movies generally divide their psychological card-dealing along standard lines: Frontline stories handle the knife's-edge survival tension, while postwar tales confront the mental fallout. What makes French filmmaker Clement Cogitore's feature debut "Neither Heaven Nor Earth" so striking is how it fuses the two together, giving a haunted, metaphysical dusting to the day-in/day-out pressure of active-duty lives. The result is one of the more unusual and effective explorations of modern war and its capacity for bewilderment and piercing damage. Few would argue that the 21st century Afghanistan conflict, as waged in its most secluded regions, is a singular mix of cultural isolation, ancient tradition and ingenious technological connectedness. In a remote valley sparsely populated by hillside shepherds, French army Capt. Antares Bonassieu (Jeremie Renier) and his men monitor the area for Taliban encroachment from a base and a pair of tiny outposts. The terrain is unforgiving, the locals can be both accommodating and a nuisance, but faith in the squad's state-of-the-art heat-detecting night-vision goggles give the men a sense of watchful superiority in their task. With troop withdrawal fast approaching, it feels more like a waiting game than a mission. Advertisement MOST READ ENTERTAINMENT NEWS THIS HOUR First, a friendly wandering dog goes missing, which spurs a brief but lax search among the men. But then two soldiers disappear from their post overnight, and suddenly Bonassieu is faced with the possibility of either a hostage situation or a pair of AWOL men. Tensions escalate with the villagers, and after another of Bonassieu's men vanishes in broad daylight no less the squad's investigation turns toward areas of speculation that lead them to question everything about their presence and purpose there. Even the other side's men are disappearing, it seems, which sparks an unusual cease-fire negotiation with the enemy so each can search the other's sectors. Advertisement "Neither Heaven Nor Earth" is a case of the inexplicable rendered without forced mysticism or explanation, but rather explored with a clinical dramatic focus that somehow boosts the eeriness. Cogitore and co-screenwriter Thomas Bidegain (a frequent collaborator of Jacques Audiard's) routinely upend our notion of where danger lies in a combat film. A soldier steps outside the confines of his dark post to urinate. We watch him, thinking the open air is where someone is most vulnerable, but it's the drowsy colleague he briefly left behind inside who isn't there upon return. Later, an interrogated village boy spins his trust in Allah into an explanation for the disappearances that quietly unnerves with the force of handed-down lore. Even shots taken from the point of view of a soldier's precious night-vision headgear the "cool" images of countless rah-rah action flicks take on an unreliably otherworldly quality as the men realize how ineffective these gadgets are at fully detailing their surroundings. What's an army captain to do, presented with the unbelievable and unexplainable in a land of usually stark reality? As briskly paced as "Neither Heaven Nor Earth" is, the questions it asks and theoretical links it makes to so many distressing issues regarding the waging of war mainly about engagement and loss are at times breathtaking. But the metaphysical punch also threatens to overwhelm the characterizations, which outside of Renier's embattled, confused and ultimately desperate Bonassieu, aren't terribly thorough. Still, a movie this confident in its blend of the supernatural, the philosophical and the grounded without telling us what to think is rare indeed, especially in a first film. "Neither Heaven Nor Earth" is a war movie that eschews body count for a more inward crumbling of belief, like a mournful dispatch from the unruly realm between faith and certainty. "Neither Heaven Nor Earth" 3 stars No MPAA rating Running time: 1:44 Opens: Friday at Facets, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave., www.facets.org Advertisement RELATED STORIES: 'Sully' review: Tom Hanks and crew soar 'Other People' review: Jesse Plemons, Molly Shannon take on death with humor and grace 'Complete Unknown' review: Rachel Weisz weaves a tale of multiple identities Watch the latest movie trailers. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox) Say you find yourself as a character in a Tom Hanks movie plot. Congratulations! What an opportunity. But just be careful to steer clear of all modes of transportation. Advertisement Tom Hanks is a great actor and seems like a swell guy, but Tom Hanks in movies does not have a safe track record when it comes to travel. The latest installment in the "maybe don't go anywhere with Tom Hanks" list is "Sully," which opens Friday. In the movie, Hanks is a pilot whose plane is disabled after it strikes a flock of geese. The lesson: Don't get onto a plane piloted by Tom Hanks. That's something we should have learned long ago. We had plenty of opportunities, and here they are. (Warning, a bunch of spoilers ahead): Advertisement "Apollo 13 (1995) Hanks, an astronaut with dreams of walking on the moon, goes into space with two crew members. But after an explosion, they abort the mission and spend the rest of the movie just trying to make it home alive. Don't get onto a spacecraft with Tom Hanks. Tom Hanks stars as Chuck in "Cast Away." (Francois Duhamel/Associated Press) "Cast Away" (2000) Hanks boards a FedEx plane that crashes into the Pacific Ocean during a violent storm. He hangs out on a remote island for four years and passes the time by growing a beard, catching fish and developing a close bond with a volleyball. Don't get on a FedEx plane headed for Malaysia with Tom Hanks. "Road to Perdition" (2002) Hanks is in the mob, and his son hides in his car and witnesses another mobster kill a guy. The son is now a murder witness, and the mobster spends the movie going after him. Don't get into a car with Tom Hanks. MOST READ ENTERTAINMENT NEWS THIS HOUR "Catch Me If You Can" (2002) Advertisement Hanks chases Leonardo DiCaprio, a con artist, and when he finally catches Leo in France, he extradites him back to the United States. While they're aboard the plane, Hanks breaks the news to Leo that his dad died the previous year. Don't have Tom Hanks escort you on a plane home. He'll probably tell you bad news. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Tom Hanks star in "The Terminal." (Dreamworks / TNS) "The Terminal" (2004) Hanks arrives at New York's JFK airport from his country, Krakozhia. Upon arrival, he discovers civil war has broken out in his homeland, and the United States doesn't recognize Hanks' passport. Hanks, now stateless, has to live in the airport terminal for nine months. Don't travel from a fictional former Soviet country to the United States with Tom Hanks. - "Cloud Atlas" (2012) Hanks plays a bunch of different roles. In the 1800s, he is a doctor who slowly poisons an American lawyer while they're traveling on a ship. In the 1970s, Hanks is a nuclear power plant scientist whose plane gets blown up. Don't get onto a ship or on a plane (you should know this by now) with Tom Hanks. Tom Hanks stars in Columbia Pictures' movie "Captain Phillips." (Hopper Stone / Columbia Pictures) "Captain Phillips" (2013) Hanks is the captain of an unarmed container ship. The ship gets hijacked by Somali pirates. Don't travel off the eastern coast of Africa on a ship with Tom Hanks. Advertisement RELATED STORIES: 'Sully' review: Tom Hanks and crew soar 'Complete Unknown' review: Rachel Weisz weaves a tale of multiple identities Watch the latest movie trailers. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox) Chicagoans had cause to celebrate when the University of Chicago's Logan Center for the Arts opened in the fall of 2012. A decade in the making, the multifaceted venue would feature several performance spaces, a state-of-the-art screening room, an art gallery, a penthouse, studios, classrooms and more in an ingeniously designed cultural complex. Advertisement What many observers might not have expected, however, was that the place would evolve into an increasingly important nexus for jazz. Since launching in 2013, the Jazz at the Logan series has grown steadily in attendance and stature, this year reaching critical mass with promising concerts by leading musicians. Advertisement Amy Iwano, executive director of University of Chicago Presents, has booked a high-powered lineup for the upcoming Jazz at the Logan series at the Logan Centers intimate Performance Hall. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune) And no one has done more to build Jazz at the Logan into a blue-chip offering than Amy Iwano, executive director of University of Chicago Presents, which produces the series. For this fourth season, Iwano has managed to book Freddy Cole with Rene Marie (Oct. 21), Paquito D'Rivera Quintet (Nov. 4), Terri Lyne Carrington (Jan. 26, 2017), Fred Hersch Trio (Feb. 10) and Vijay Iyer Sextet (May 19). MOST READ ENTERTAINMENT NEWS THIS HOUR It's a high-powered lineup worthy of Orchestra Hall downtown but presented in the Logan Center's intimate Performance Hall, which seats 474. So how did Iwano and colleagues get to this point? "It was leaping into the great unknown," she says, speaking of the Logan's first jazz performances. "When we started, the Logan Center was new." But Iwano and friends got out the word quickly, first by hosting Hyde Park Jazz Festival events in 2012. Once the Jazz at the Logan season began, Iwano forged media partnerships to trumpet the series and programming collaborations with the Hyde Park Jazz Festival and the Jazz Institute of Chicago to enrich it. Advertisement The Hyde Park Jazz Festival, for instance, has presented listening sessions with Jazz at the Logan headliners conducted by festival executive and artistic director Kate Dumbleton. And the Jazz Institute has arranged pre-concert performances by up-and-coming Chicago musicians in Cafe Logan. Last May, the Jazz at the Logan series outdid itself, presenting MacArthur Fellow Miguel Zenon in a three-day residency that included a workshop with Chicago musicians at the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center on West Armitage Avenue, a listening session in the Logan's Performance Penthouse, interactions with U. of C. faculty and students and the Chicago premiere of the complete, multimedia staging of a Zenon magnum opus, "Identities Are Changeable." The new season will continue this multidimensional approach, with pianist Hersch's appearance, for instance, twinned with a screening of the documentary film "The Ballad of Fred Hersch." What does Iwano envision for the future? "Bill Michel is my partner on this," she says, referring to the Logan Center's executive director, "and we've talked about commissioning new work. "I would love for that to be an annual project. I'd love to have more residencies where the artist comes in and works with our faculty and students and the community as well. Advertisement "I'd love for (the series) to be about discovery." Actually, it already is. For details on Jazz at the Logan, call 773-702-2787 or visit chicagopresents.uchicago.edu. Howard Reich is a Chicago Tribune critic. hreich@chicagotribune.com Twitter @howardreich Advertisement RELATED STORIES: Redman, Mehldau, Glasper and Ulery among new fall jazz releases From Freddy Cole to Omara Portuondo to Vijay Iyer, a robust Chicago jazz season Full coverage: Fall Arts Preview Rescue workers, who had been clearing debris, remove their hats and bow their heads Sept. 28, 2001, at the site of the Sept. 11 World Trade Center attacks in New York. (Shawn Baldwin / AP) Making the decision to help 15 years ago might end Garrett Goodwin's life early. Goodwin, 39, was one of tens of thousands of people at Ground Zero right after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Advertisement A trained medic, he traveled from Tampa to New York to volunteer. But now, his lungs are failing him, and doctors say that will lead to his death. Goodwin is one of many volunteers who spent long hours toiling in the World Trade Center ruins, where toxic fumes have left many sick or dead. Advertisement Most of the 9/11 responders were from the New York area. But about 9,500 responders came from across the country, according to July statistics from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. "People really did come from all over," said Dr. Michael Crane, medical director of the World Trade Center Health Program at Manhattan's Mount Sinai hospital. Some of them might not be aware that cancer or a cough, diagnosed by a doctor in Ohio or California, could be connected to that work 15 years ago. Crane estimates 90,000 people helped in the area after the attacks. Right now, about 65,000 responders are in the WTC Health Program, run by NIOSH to track and treat them. "There's still a good chunk of folks out there who responded to the event and most likely have not been seen by anybody yet," Crane said. Federal officials are hoping to reach them. A continuing public awareness campaign includes a May video with comedian Jon Stewart and a Nationwide Provider Network to connect responders to help wherever they might be. Their message? Sign up for the program, which provides medical care and monitoring through the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, named for a detective who became fatally ill after working at Ground Zero. In December, President Barack Obama signed a law extending funding through 2090. Advertisement More than 5,000 people in the program have 9/11-related cancer, Crane said. About 40 percent have a respiratory or gastrointestinal problem, said Crane. Studies are regularly released monitoring 9/11-related health issues. Goodwin remembers frantically trying to find anyone alive in the smoldering ruins. "You charge hard, and you don't quit," he said. "You try to cover as many voids and spaces and move as much debris and get as deep as you can to try and save people." But now, years later, his lungs aren't working properly. He said doctors explained to him last September that because of heart and lung issues, they estimate, he has one to seven years to live. "I'm not even 40 yet," he said, chuckling, then coughing. Advertisement He's not alone. John Feal, founder of the FealGood Foundation that advocates for responders like himself, said he knows many affected by Ground Zero toxins in various states but many with symptoms don't even realize there's a link. "Take into effect people from Illinois or other parts of the country that went to Ground Zero in the early weeks or months and went home and got sick," he said. "Nobody knew why they got sick." About 1,500 registry members live in Florida, where New York police and firefighters often retire. In Illinois, 170 people are enrolled, according to the office of Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, who helped push for reauthorization of the Zadroga Act. Doctors have connected a plethora of illnesses, from asthma to debilitating cancers, to the World Trade Center catastrophe. The most common ailments include respiration issues and cancers such as lymphoma and thyroid cancer. Arthur Noonan got cancer. Advertisement He and fellow Chicago firefighters flew to New York days after the attacks. In Manhattan, they joined the line of workers clearing dust and debris on "the pile." He remembers the smell of fuel. And the dust. "It was all pulverized," he said. "It was like a powder you were digging through, and it would clog the face pieces up almost immediately." He has since been diagnosed with leukemia. In remission, he's thankful for extra years others did not get and the time to enjoy his eight grandchildren and children's weddings. "It's like living with a hand grenade under your belt," he said. Noonan, like many responders, does not want attention for his illness. He and Goodwin spoke about their experiences in hopes it would prompt other responders to see a doctor. Advertisement Even among those who are healthy, cancer is a constant fear. Mental issues are an enormous, enduring obstacle too. Some who were there still suffer from nightmares or anxiety near a city skyline. Terrorism headlines also are triggers. According to registry statistics, 1 in 5 responders suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. About 8 percent reported binge drinking in the past month. "These guys were really, really exposed to some horrifying sights," Crane said, adding that depression rates are similar to those of young war veterans. "It left an impact." Doctors are only now beginning to understand how these various illnesses influence one another, Crane said. Struggling with depression might affect treatment for something else. "It's very bleak, and you're having these memories," he said. "Think about being that person and then having to take asthma medications up to five, six times a day. You're not going to do it." Advertisement Doctors continue to prepare for what lies ahead. Part of that means trying to make it easier to monitor far-flung patients. Crane is thinking of responders who retire elsewhere; video checkups would be less burdensome than a trip to New York for care, for instance. And some illnesses may occur years from now. For example, Ground Zero dust contained asbestos, which Crane said can create lung problems and, in some cases, cancer as many as 40 years later. Hence, the importance of monitoring as many people as possible. "We don't want this exposure to come and grab them at the back of the neck at some point," he said. Some research will inevitably come too late. More than 50 New York City police officers have died from 9/11-related illnesses, and that is more than twice the number (23) who died on Sept. 11. Advertisement For Goodwin, life is changing. This summer is his last in his Tampa home his doctors say the air is too humid for his damaged lungs. He's focusing on his bucket list and the nonprofit he runs, the American Heroes Foundation. And for the first time, he's planning to return to New York, for the 15th anniversary. He plans to walk the perimeter and stand by the memorial's waterfalls. And he will pay his respects at a separate memorial for responders who have since died. "I may not get another opportunity," he said. abowen@chicagotribune.com Twitter @byalisonbowen Advertisement RELATED STORIES: Moms who were pregnant during 9/11 share their stories Uncertainty reigns over possible end of 9/11 health programs Jon Stewart returns to 'Daily Show' to push 9/11 health act "Eat, Pray, Love" author Elizabeth Gilbert shared some personal news Wednesday that left many cheering and a handful jeering not unlike her book. In a Facebook post that was shared close to 4,000 times by Thursday morning and commented on by more than 8,000 readers, Gilbert announced that she's in love with her best friend of 15 years, Rayya Elias, and that their partnership is the reason she's divorcing her husband, Brazilian businessman Jose Nunes. (He was Felipe in her 2006 best-seller.) Advertisement Gilbert first announced her split from Nunes in July (also on Facebook) and asked for privacy. "Our split is very amicable. Our reasons are very personal," she wrote at the time. "At this time of transition, I hope you will respect our privacy. In my heart, I know that you will do so, because I trust that you understand how this is a story that I am living not a story that I am telling." Advertisement On Wednesday, she was ready to tell. Elias, a Syrian-born American musician and filmmaker, was diagnosed with incurable liver and pancreatic cancer this spring, Gilbert wrote Wednesday, and the news shook Gilbert to her core. "Death or the prospect of death has a way of clearing away everything that is not real, and in that space of stark and utter realness, I was faced with this truth: I do not merely love Rayya; I am in love with Rayya," she wrote. "And I have no more time for denying that truth." She continued: "For those of you who are doing the math here, and who are wondering if this situation is why my marriage came to an end this spring, the simple answer is yes." Any of us who've loved, of course, know the answer is never simple. I admire Gilbert for going public with the second half of her story the one she's now living and telling. It would have been relatively easy for her to continue describing Elias simply as her best friend, and even to tell herself (as we do in matters of love) that she was mostly telling the truth. But she chose the more honest path. Advertisement "For reasons of my own integrity and sanity, I need to be able to walk into any room in the world with Rayya on my arm, feeling relaxed enough to stand comfortably in simple openness about who we actually are to each other," she wrote. "Pretending is demeaning, and it makes you weak and confused, and it's also a lot of work. I don't do that kind of work anymore. "Here's what it comes down to for me. I need to live my life in truth and transparency, even more than I need privacy, or good publicity, or prudence, or other people's approval or understanding, or just about anything else. Truth and transparency not only make my life more ethical, but also easier. (Why easier? Because untruth is always complicating, and truth no matter what the consequences is always strangely simplifying.) So that is why Rayya and I have decided together to speak up publicly now both about her cancer and about our love for each other. It's for the sake of our own integrity, but it's also intended to make our lives simpler." For those who received Gilbert's announcement as self-aggrandizing or calculated (I saw a lot of social media eye rolling Wednesday, mostly accompanied by "There's her next mediocre book" predictions): Consider how difficult it must be to invite the public to dissect your life and your art as one intertwined thing, as memoirists do. It's self-centered, in a way. But it's also brave and generous, in that it offers the rest of us a chance to recognize and understand ourselves through someone else's story. Memoirs open up a tangled mess of questions, including how much to reveal outside of the art. You've welcomed the public into your life. Now how much transparency do you owe them? Gilbert decided she owed quite a bit to the public, and to her partnership. I applaud her honesty, and I hope it gives others the strength to live out their own truth. Advertisement hstevens@chicagotribune.com Twitter @heidistevens13 RELATED STORIES: 'Eat, Pray, Love's' new surprise ending: another woman That new Oprah Book Club pick, 'Love Warrior?' It's really good One woman's quiet revolution, cloaked in a tulle skirt A 71-year-old man was shot in Marquette Park after he refused to give up his wallet, according to Chicago police. Sept. 7, 2016. (Surveillance video provided by Willie Askew) (Chicago Tribune) Chicago hit 500 homicides the other day, with more killings this year than in New York and Los Angeles combined. So the magic number made national and international news. Even the BBC dropped in to tell the tale of Chicago violence, of nihilistic feral boys, brandishing their guns in cars, waving their death sticks in rap videos, young African-American men who believe they have no future, waiting to die. Advertisement But the number 500 isn't special. All it tells us is that Chicago has surpassed the number of last year's dead at the beginning of September. If you want a number that really speaks to the violence in Chicago, then don't look to murders, look at shootings. Advertisement And by shootings I don't mean thugs shooting off guns in the air. I mean shootings where bullets pierce human skin, destroying flesh, bones, organs and lives. On average, 12 people are shot in Chicago every day. "Shootings are really attempted murders. These are shootings not to scare but to kill, these are bullets hitting bodies," Dr. Arthur Lurigio, a professor of psychology and criminology at Loyola University Chicago, told me. "And that's what we should be calling them: attempted murders." In 2015 there were 2,988 human beings shot in Chicago, according to statistics compiled by the Chicago Tribune. So far in 2016, there have been 2,949 people shot, according to the Tribune. The shootings tell the story, like the one caught on video from the Southwest Side the other day, in the Marquette Park neighborhood, near 71st and California, a corner I've passed thousands of times in my life going between my parents' home and our family's supermarket. It was there that a 71-year-old man was shot while watering his lawn. There's a thing about lawns in Chicago, even the small, postage stamp-sized lawns of many city lots. Lawns are a marker, they speak of pride. Advertisement Some lawns are left to go dormant, to dry up and fill with weeds, with beer bottles and paper scraps and what the dogs leave. That's a marker of a different kind. But a homeowner with a neat lawn is telling his neighbors something. He's telling them that he cares about his property, his block, his neighborhood. That's what taking care of your lawn means in Chicago. And so that old man was watering his lawn, when teenagers on bicycles rode past on the sidewalk. One turned back and, according to police, demanded the man's wallet. When he refused, the kid reached into his waistband, pulled out a gun and shot the old guy. The shooter reached down, rifled through the man's pockets, took the wallet and rode away. Advertisement It was all captured on the security camera of a neighbor, Willie Askew, and many have seen it. "For some kids to do this ... I don't know how old they was, but they look like teenagers. It's a damn shame," Askew told the Tribune. "It's just a gamble that they get a few dollars; your life isn't worth more than a few dollars to them," he said. "The most you looking at getting is 10, 20 dollars, something like that, and you don't value a human life more than that?" If he valued the old man's life, he wouldn't have put a bullet in his stomach. But that's what he did, calmly, as if he'd done it before. The victim was taken to the hospital and underwent surgery. He survived but not because the kid didn't want to kill him. He survived because technology and luck saved him, so he wasn't one of the more than 500 homicides tallied this year by the Tribune. But he very well could have been. If Chicago Fire Department paramedics and trauma center surgeons weren't so skilled, there would be more than 500 dead so far this year. Advertisement "The response to gunshot wounds has been honed, considerably, and Chicago unfortunately has led the way in this," Lurigio said. "A Chicago Fire ambulance is more advanced than emergency rooms of years ago, when there were 900 or so murders in the city. "And those ambulance techs are communicating with the doctors as they roll, giving precise details, so once they get to the hospital, the physician is ready with the gloves on. "Without the technology, we'd have many more dead. That's why shootings are the number that tells you of violence." The shooters, these feral young men, aren't an accident. They are the direct product of the Democratic welfare state that helped destroy families. The government became the father, the fathers became irrelevant or were driven off, and black families that had withstood decades of Jim Crow segregation began to collapse. And that was generations ago. Now, there aren't enough jobs for unskilled labor. There aren't enough cops. City Hall's disastrous handling of the Laquan McDonald case left police unwilling to engage, as they fear appearing in videos. Advertisement Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson has asked for tougher laws to keep shooters behind bars. But Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and her allies in the Black Caucus in Springfield keep dragging their feet. There is an obvious disconnect between the needs of the poor in violent neighborhoods and the agenda of the elite African-American political class. The politicians will make fine speeches. And more will be shot. And the numbers of the dead in Chicago grow. The Chicago Way podcast radio-free Chicago in podcast form with John Kass and Jeff Carlin. Guests: Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, asking for tougher gun laws for felons. Listen here: www.chicagotribune.com/kasspodcast. jskass@chicagotribune.com Twitter @John_Kass James Eric Degorski, 29, center, is led to a squad car for transport as he leaves the Palatine police station May 18, 2002, in Palatine. Degorski is one of two men charged with the Jan. 8, 1993, killing of seven people at a Brown's Chicken restaurant in Palatine. Also charged is Juan A. Luna, Jr., 28. They will be tried separately. (John Dziekan / Chicago Tribune) A man convicted of one of the Chicago area's most infamous crimes the 1993 massacre at a Brown's Chicken restaurant in Palatine is seeking a court hearing into allegedly newly discovered evidence, saying a star prosecution witness repeatedly lied in order to obtain a reward worth tens of thousands of dollars. The petition on behalf of James Degorski slammed the key witness, Anne Lockett, as "a troubled woman, prone to dishonesty," and alleged that she had implicated another former boyfriend in addition to Degorski in the killings of seven workers. Advertisement The Cook County jury was never told that Lockett would split a nearly $100,000 reward with a friend if Degorski was convicted, according to Degorski's lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean. Anne England, formerly Anne Lockett, gets emotional on the witness stand, admitting that James Degorski told her that he and Juan Luna killed 7 people at a Brown's Chicken restaurant in Palatine. (Courtroom drawing by Carol Renaud) Bonjean also accused Palatine police of coercing Degorski's confession and alleged that the department had "a long track record" of forcing false statements from several suspects during the yearslong investigation. Advertisement The petition made much of the fact that not a single piece of physical evidence connected Degorski to the murders of restaurant owners Richard Ehlenfeldt and his wife, Lynn, and employees Thomas Mennes, Marcus Nellsen, Guadalupe Maldonado, Rico Solis and Michael Castro. The jury took only 90 minutes in 2009 to convict Degorski of all seven slayings but then spared him the death penalty. Now 44, he is serving a life sentence at Menard Correctional Center in southern Illinois. Two years earlier, his co-defendant, Juan Luna, who was linked to the murders through DNA, a palm print and a lengthy video confession, was convicted. He is also serving a life sentence. Juan Luna, left, and James Eric Degorski were arrested and charged with murder in the 1993 killings of seven at a Brown's Chicken restaurant in Palatine. (Palatine Police Department) A member of a police task force that investigated the murders as well as a prosecutor both testified at trial that Degorski had confessed to investigators in 2002 to killing two of the victims, but the prosecution didn't play the short videotaped statement for jurors. Prosecutors made that decision because, Bonjean said, the videotaped statement clearly showed Degorski parroting what investigators wanted him to say. Furthermore, Bonjean alleged, the Palatine Police Department had obtained confessions to the slayings from at least five others who were never charged. "The tactics used by this Police Department were producing false confessions left and right," Bonjean told the Tribune. Telephone messages left for a Palatine police spokesman in recent days have not been returned. Advertisement Seven people were slain at Brown's Chicken on Northwest Highway in Palatine on Jan. 8, 1993. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune) The defense had raised the issue of false confessions at Degorski's trial, calling at least two witnesses who said they had been hounded by investigators into confessing to the murders. John Simonek even provided details that seemingly only someone at the murder scene would know, telling detectives he'd fired a shot into a silver pan above the restaurant fryers, according to the petition. Simonek eventually confessed to killing two of the victims, saying he had kept changing his story until detectives stopped telling him, "That's not what happened," he testified. Judge Vincent Gaughan, who presided over Degorski's trial at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, will decide whether the evidence is newly discovered and if an evidentiary hearing is needed. Prosecutors have yet to file a written response to the request. Without any physical evidence, the prosecution case against Degorski largely hinged on the credibility of Lockett and Eileen Bakalla, her friend from high school. In 2002, the women had broken the case that had stymied police for nearly a decade by alleging that Degorski had confessed in the days after the murders. Restaurant owners Richard Ehlenfeldt, 50, and Lynn Ehlenfeldt, 49, were two of seven people killed Jan. 8, 1993, at a Brown's Chicken in Palatine. (Family photo) At trial, the defense had attacked Lockett's credibility, saying her drug use clouded her memory and pointing to her history of psychiatric troubles. But the petition filed last month in Circuit Court alleged more sinister motives, saying Lockett misled jurors into believing she had a much closer relationship with Degorski at the time of the crime than she actually did. Not only was she not dating Degorski at the time, but she was then involved in a relationship with a man she met while both were hospitalized for psychiatric issues, Bonjean said. Advertisement In a sworn statement filed as part of Degorski's petition, that man, Richard Bilik, said Lockett never mentioned Degorski or his involvement in the Brown's Chicken murders during their relationship. Instead, Bilik said Lockett called him a few months after their own breakup asking if he knew anything about the slayings. "She told me that whoever came forward with information would be entitled to reward money and that if I heard who might have done the murders, I should contact her," Bilik said in his affidavit. Soon after their conversation, Bilik was "inexplicably questioned" three separate times about whether he was involved in the murders by Des Plaines and Palatine cops, according to his affidavit. Five of the seven victims of the 1993 massacre at a Brown's Chicago restaurant in Palatine: Guadalupe Maldonado, 46, from left; Rico Solis, 17; Michael C. Castro, 16; Thomas Mennes, 32; and Marcus Nellsen, 31. (handouts ) Bilik was convicted of aggravated arson in 2012 and is serving a 15-year prison sentence, according to state prison records. He wrote Degorski a letter in 2009 laying out his claims but was never contacted by Degorski's trial lawyer, Bilik said in his affidavit. Lockett testified at Degorski's trial that she had been hospitalized two days before the slayings after attempting to kill herself. She claimed to be dating Degorski at the time and said he called her the day of the slayings and told her to watch the news that night because he had "done something big." Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > The lead story on the evening news that night was the Brown's Chicken murders, she testified. Advertisement But Lockett's roommate at Forest Hospital in 1993 said in a sworn statement also attached to the petition that patients on suicide watch were unable to receive phone calls from anyone other than family members and were also not allowed to watch television. The jury was never told that Lockett had been promised half of the reward if her testimony led to Degorski's conviction, according to the petition. After the conviction, Lockett split the $98,000 reward with a friend who had urged her to tell police her story in 2002. Bonjean also argued in the 46-page petition that Degorski's trial lawyer was ineffective on some key issues. Jurors never should have been told of the confession because, she said, Degorski didn't voluntarily agree to go with Palatine officers who confronted him in Indianapolis and then drove him four hours back to the Chicago area. In addition, Degorski's lawyer didn't object to "highly prejudicial" DNA evidence being aired at Degorski's trial that linked Luna to the crime scene, bolstering Lockett's testimony, the petition alleged. sschmadeke@chicagotribune.com Twitter @SteveSchmadeke Does Lake County need a convention center? The Lake County Council plans to ask the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority to answer that question. Advertisement "Is there a need for this? Asking this is the first step," Council President Ted Bilski said Thursday. The council will introduce the resolution at its Tuesday meeting seeking an economic analysis and feasibility study from the development authority. If the authority agrees to conduct the study, the agency would cover the cost and perform the work. Advertisement Bilski said with the recent announcement that the owners of the Radisson and Star Plaza in Merrillville plan to demolish the current building and put a newer, smaller facility in its place, people have said that will leave a void. If the development authority agrees to conduct the study, Bilski said that will first assess the level of need and what opportunities are available for conference facilities. He said that information will begin to inform what the additional steps can be taken. "It's a healthy thing that they're discussing that," said Bill Hanna, president and CEO of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority. Hanna said when the authority receives request, such as the one the county is considering, it reviews the information and presents it to the organization's board. He said proposals are reviewed to see how they fit with the development authority's mission. Speros Batistatos, president and CEO of the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority, said the closing of the Radisson changed the perception that the private sector is solely responsible for providing conference facilities in the county. "This has been a wake-up call," Batistatos said. Historically, the private sector first saw the opportunity to capture the suburban conference market and lure regional groups and state associations to hotels and conference facilities. He said during the last 16 years, that strategy stopped being effective. Northwest Indiana is losing a lot of associations and groups to larger facilities in South Bend and Fort Wayne, Batistatos said. Advertisement "Lake County is no longer competing," he said. Places need to have a "demand generator" to attract groups' attention, Batistatos said, and that's lacking right now. When a conference facility exists, Batistatos said it attracts new businesses, new restaurants and spurs other hotels to invest in their properties. He said with better businesses, the county will have better jobs for people. "This is very appropriate for the County Council to do," Batistatos said. Bilski said the county isn't in a position to talk about what a convention center would look like, how it would be funded, if it'd be a private-public partnership or pure publicly funded effort yet. "We just have to get the feasibility study done," Bilski said. Advertisement clyons@post-trib.com Twitter: @craigalyons University of Illinois trustees on Thursday approved $175,000 in performance bonuses for two of its top administrators, an amount that is part of their employment agreements but could rankle some during a time of financial uncertainty. President Timothy Killeen will receive $100,000, while University of Illinois at Chicago Chancellor Michael Amiridis will get $75,000, the maximum amounts stipulated in their contracts. The bonus wages are based on their performance during their first year at the university. Advertisement "President Killeen's leadership has been terrific, and this just reinforces how much we appreciate his leadership," trustee Patrick Fitzgerald said. "At least from my perspective, he has earned every dollar of it. When you look at the leadership he has shown and each of the chancellors this year ... we are headed in the right direction." In recent years, the university has moved away from retention bonuses for top administrators and instead to a system that emphasizes performance over longevity. Killeen has a base salary of $600,000, while Amiridis' base salary is $400,000. Advertisement The potential to earn bonus wages was included in both their contracts when they took over last year. The bonuses are to be paid within 90 days. The decision to award bonuses could face criticism as the university grapples with uncertain state funding and as state lawmakers have been scrutinizing the pay and perks provided to college and university presidents following several high-profile scandals in the state. With that environment in mind, trustees last year eliminated other lucrative perks from the president's and chancellor's compensation packages. They removed a $225,000 retention bonus that Killeen, who took over in May 2015, would have received after five years in the job. Amiridis gave up a $50,000 annual housing allowance because he decided to live in a university-owned house. In deciding to award Killeen the maximum bonus, trustees evaluated his performance in nine areas, including his leadership during the state fiscal crisis and increasing the enrollment of undergraduate students from Illinois. Former U. of I. President Robert Easter was the first university leader to have performance bonuses included in his compensation package, beginning in 2013. He received three bonuses during his tenure, ranging from $90,000 to $180,000. Former UIC Chancellor Paula Allen-Meares was awarded a nearly $100,000 performance bonus before she left last year. jscohen@chicagotribune.com Twitter @higherednews The scene of a crash in the 4500 block of West Montrose Avenue early on Sept. 8, 2016. (WGN-TV) (Chicago Tribune) A 35-year-old man was critically injured after crashing the car he was driving into a building on the Northwest Side early Thursday, police said. The crash occurred at 4:15 a.m. in the 4500 block of West Montrose Avenue. The man was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in critical condition. Advertisement No other injuries were reported. The cause of the crash is still being investigated, police said. In conjunction with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Blues & Heritage Festival's 25th year, the Mississippi Blues Trail will honor the festival with a marker unveiling at noon on Friday, Sept. 9, at the Jackson County Fairgrounds in Pascagoula. The festival will follow on Saturday. "The Mississippi Gulf Coast Blues & Heritage Festival has the distinction of expanding our musical legacy and using it to give back to the Gulf Coast community by benefitting coastal county youth organizations with festival proceeds. We are honored to celebrate this particular Mississippi Gulf Coast contribution to the state's esteemed blues history with this 191st Mississippi Blues Trail marker," said Visit Mississippi Director Craig Ray. The festival has presented a wide variety of blues and blues-related music, including southern soul, gospel, zydeco and blues-rock, to enthusiastic audiences over the years. This year's lineup includes Eddie Cotton Jr., Kent Burnside, Nikki DeMarks, Simone De, Mark Muleman Massey, Lil Jimmie and the Yazoo Bayou Band. The festival was founded in 1991 by the newly formed Mississippi Gulf Coast Blues Commission under the guidance of Winston Smith, a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy. When he arrived in Mississippi, he found there was no blues festival on the coast. To fill the void, Smith and a core group of supporters from the African American community pledged their own funds to co-sponsor the first Mississippi Gulf Coast Blues Festival. This blues trail marker is the sixth on the Mississippi Coast and the first in Jackson County, with a second county marker soon to follow in Moss Point. For more information about the Mississippi Blues Trail, visit www.msbluestrail.org, explore the state's official tourism website at www.VisitMississippi.org, or contact Mary Margaret Miller White, Visit Mississippi's bureau manager for Tourism Development at 601-213-7300 or mmmiller@mississippi.org. For further information on the festival visit www.msgulfcoastbluesfest.com or call Phyllis Owens at (228) 282-0951. ### Whether you're exploring the nation's history or looking for an authentic cultural experience, Visit Mississippi is here to help. Come see us at www.visitmississippi.org. Top row, from left: Lydell Strickland, Dennis Perez, Samantha Hughes. Bottom row from left: Inalia Rolldan, David Alcaraz-Ubiles, Leah Gigliotti. The six have been charged with various crimes in the kidnapping of two Chicago-area college students at the University of Rochester in New York. (Rochester Police Department) Six people accused of abducting and torturing two University of Rochester students until a SWAT team stormed in have been charged in a 32-count indictment that adds charges of sexual assault and weapons counts. The grand jury indictment unsealed Wednesday shows the "extreme torture" the two young men endured during the 40-hour ordeal inside a Rochester, New York, house early last month, Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley said. She declined to comment on a possible motive, saying the continuing investigation could lead to more arrests and charges. "As far as the victims are concerned," Doorley said in a news release, "we know they are both very fortunate in that they were located by the good work of the (Rochester Police Department) SWAT team." The three men and three women named in the indictment, all in their late teens or 20s, were arrested in December and pleaded not guilty to initial kidnapping charges. The grand jury indictment adds varying counts of assault, gang assault, sexual assault and weapons charges. The victims, both college seniors from the Chicago area, were reported missing Dec. 5, hours after they were last seen near the University of Rochester campus. The incident ended Dec. 6 when police determined they were being held in a house four miles away and sent in a SWAT team to rescue them. One of the victims had been shot in the leg. The Associated Press is no longer identifying the students because it does not disclose the names of victims of sexual assault. The indictment includes nine counts of predatory sexual assault against Dennis Perez and Lydell Strickland, who also are charged with multiple counts of gang assault, robbery, weapons possession and criminal use of a firearm. Leah Gigliotti and Samantha Hughes are charged with kidnapping, assault and gang assault. Inalia Rolldan and David Alcaraz-Ubiles are charged with kidnapping and weapons counts. Alcaraz-Ubiles also is charged with assault. Arrested last, he is scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 20. The others are due in state Supreme Court in March. Information about whether the suspects had retained lawyers who could comment on their behalf was unavailable from the court Wednesday. ROCHESTER, N.Y. Associated Press At least four people were shot in Chicago from Wednesday morning through early Thursday, according to police. About 3:10 a.m. Thursday, a 55-year-old man walked into MetroSouth Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the right foot. He told investigators he was shot in the 11000 block of South Racine Avenue in the Morgan Park neighborhood by someone who walked up, showed a gun and took his gold chain. The man said he struggled with the robber over the gun, which went off and hit him in the foot. Police believe he actually may have shot himself. Around 5:25 p.m., two men were on the street in the 1400 block of North Lawler Avenue in the Austin neighborhood when they were shot, said Officer Michelle Tannehill, a police spokeswoman. The men, 25 and 28, were each shot in the left leg, Tannehill said. Both were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they were in good condition. Around 7:55 a.m., a 27-year-old man was grazed in the right foot in the 700 block of North Kilbourn Avenue in the West Garfield Park neighborhood, Tannehill said. He declined to be taken to a hospital, police said. Top row, from left: Lydell Strickland, Dennis Perez, Samantha Hughes. Bottom row from left: Inalia Rolldan, David Alcaraz-Ubiles, Leah Gigliotti. The six have been charged with various crimes in the kidnapping of two Chicago-area college students at the University of Rochester in New York. (Rochester Police Department) A third defendant has pleaded guilty to being part of a plot to kidnap and terrorize two New York college students. Twenty-year-old Samantha Hughes is one of nine people charged after the abduction and torture of the two University of Rochester seniors in December. Advertisement The victims, both from the Chicago area, were reported missing Dec. 5, hours after they were last seen near the university's campus. The incident ended Dec. 6 when police determined they were being held in a house four miles away and sent in a SWAT team to rescue them. Hughes pleaded guilty Wednesday to kidnapping. Advertisement Monroe County prosecutors said Hughes, during a Supreme Court hearing, described using text messages to entice the male victims to attend what they thought would be an off-campus party. Instead, they were beaten, sexually assaulted and held against their will inside a Rochester house for 40 hours. One of them was shot. Under a plea agreement, Hughes will spend 15 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 23. Associated Press Former Chicago police Cmdr. Glenn Evans talks to the press at St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Chicago on Sept. 8, 2016. Evans recently filed a lawsuit against IPRA. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune) With his reputation on the line, embattled former Chicago police Cmdr. Glenn Evans took his case to the public Thursday, saying he can no longer stand by quietly as others "malign" him. Surrounded by supporters at a South Side church, Evans defended a reputation he says was marred by criminal charges that he shoved a gun down a suspect's throat as well as the Independent Police Review Authority's attempt to fire him over separate allegations that he broke another suspect's nose. Advertisement He was acquitted in the criminal case, and the bid to fire him failed, in part, because of a missed deadline. In the end, he said, he had no choice but to file a federal lawsuit in July against IPRA, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and others he says undermined his career by painting him as a rogue cop. "This isn't just police work to me," Evans told reporters after a series of supporters from residents to a Roman Catholic priest offered up their own stories about how Evans had helped clean up their South Side neighborhoods when few others had. Advertisement "These are people, these are families, and I'm here to protect them," Evans said to a chorus of "Amens" and applause during the news conference at St. Columbanus parish, near 71st Street and Prairie Avenue. Evans briefly paused after making the statement. "Take your time," said a female supporter. But Evans, who had been stoic and standing with his arms crossed for most of the event, cracked a joke to break the tension. "I need my glasses," he joked before pulling out a pair of eyeglasses. The 30-year police veteran didn't take any questions from reporters gathered, instead leaving them to his attorney, Victor Henderson. Prior to Evans' comments, Henderson described Evans as a street-smart cop who "had been done wrong" by city officials eager to distance themselves from scandal in a city still reeling from the Laquan McDonald case. "He's somebody who knows how to walk down the line and walk down the middle, which is all any of us want in (a) democracy. Just be fair, just be honest, just play it straight, just play it down the middle," Henderson said. "That's what this city needs." The rec room in the Park Manor church buzzed with the energy of a pulpit as more than a dozen of Evans' supporters who'd been asked to attend the press event nodded and muttered in unified support of the former police commander, once even breaking into chants of "Bring him back." After Henderson's remarks, several South Side residents spoke about how Evans personally got involved when their communities were troubled by crime or quality-of-life issues. Advertisement Pam Shannon said Evans achieved after one conversation what multiple calls to her local police station couldn't accomplish clearing her 74-year-old mother's block of outdoor dice games and people drinking alcohol and playing loud music. James Norris III who lives in the tiny Jackson Park Highlands enclave within South Shore, said Evans not only attended resident meetings, but also shared information about gang factions and activity, which he said helped keep residents safe. "I've never, ever had a commander up to this point ... that was this involved in the community this deeply and as heavily as Cmdr. Evans was," said Norris, who later handed Evans an outstanding service award on behalf of the Jackson Park Highlands Association. According to the suit, the investigator held a grudge against Evans because he had written her up for insubordination years earlier when she worked at the Wentworth District police station while he was a sergeant. A highly decorated officer and most recently a police commander for the gang and poverty-plagued Harrison District on the West Side, Evans was charged in August 2014 with aggravated battery and official misconduct for allegedly shoving his gun down Rickey Williams' throat. Despite evidence showing the alleged victim's DNA was on Evans' gun, a Cook County judge acquitted him of all charges. Earlier in the summer, Evans filed a nine-count lawsuit tied to the criminal case, claiming that a disgruntled IPRA investigator leaked key information about the DNA tests on the gun to a radio reporter who used it in a series of reports on the investigation. The suit is pending in federal court. Advertisement Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > Evans, who was demoted to lieutenant after he was charged in the criminal case, remains on the job. Praised by former police Superintendent Garry McCarthy for his no-nonsense approach to battling crime prior to being charged, Evans has been the subject of at least a combined 50 complaints since 2001. He had amassed 36 complaints from January 2006 through July 2014 alone a period in which he was promoted to lieutenant and then named one of 22 district commanders. Over that 8 1/2-year period, Evans had far more complaints than any other commander and topped all but 34 officers for the entire 12,000-strong department. He continued to pile up complaints nine in all even after he was promoted to commander of the South Side's Grand Crossing District in August 2012 by McCarthy, according to a Tribune analysis. Evans has been disciplined only on rare occasions despite his lengthy history of complaints. wlee@chicagotribune.com Advertisement Twitter @MidNoirCowboy A former executive for the company that runs Chicago's parking meters was sentenced Thursday to six months in prison for taking kickbacks to steer a multimillion-dollar contract to install the privately owned meters to a Tampa-based company. The sentence for Philip "Felipe" Oropesa, of Marietta, Ga., was handed down in federal court in Atlanta, where his case was transferred after he was indicted in Chicago last year, according to Bob Page, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in Atlanta. In addition to the prison term, Oropesa must serve six months of home confinement and forfeit $90,000 in bribes. Advertisement Oropesa, 57, who was vice president of government relations for LAZ Parking, pleaded guilty in April to one count of wire fraud, admitting he pocketed the $90,000 in bribes in exchange for steering a $22 million contract to supply and install the parking meters to Cale Parking Systems USA. Authorities have confirmed in court filings that Oropesa agreed to the kickback scheme while meeting with George Levey, Cale's CEO, at a Florida restaurant in late 2008 as the deal to lease the meters for 75 years was being completed. The two also made a "side agreement" for additional bribes if other business was given to the company in the future. Advertisement Oropesa, who was part of a three-member panel assembled to find a vendor, later gave Levey inside information about the bidding requirements and helped select Cale, according to the affidavit. Levey told the FBI that the contract was not nearly as lucrative as he expected because of unforeseen costs imposed by a business consortium that hired LAZ Parking to manage the privatized meters in Chicago. In 2011, he balked when Oropesa appeared to be hitting him up for more money. Later that year, he wrote an email to provide Oropesa with a "reality update" on the request for more kickbacks, according to the affidavit. Shortly after the email was sent in July 2011, federal agents raided Levey's office in connection with an unrelated parking meter bribe scheme, authorities said. Levey ended up cooperating with investigators and revealing his bribe to Oropesa years earlier. Levey pleaded guilty last April to bribing a Portland, Ore., official in return for help in landing parking meter deals there, court records show. Oropesa, meanwhile, resigned from LAZ shortly after the investigation was made public. The Connecticut-based company later issued a statement saying it was cooperating with authorities and that its own internal investigation had shown it was "an isolated case involving one employee." In asking the judge for leniency, Oropesa's attorney Paul Kish wrote in a recent court filing that taking the bribe was a "boneheaded decision" in Oropesa's otherwise law-abiding life. The crime has cost him his job, brought shame to his family and left him struggling to support his wife and three children, the filing stated. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > "The parking industry is a relatively small community," Kish wrote. "Word quickly spread about Mr. Oropesa's foolish decision to take George Levey's money, and that (he) had been fired by LAZ. As a result, (Oropesa's) reputation in this small community is destroyed. Obviously, he has no one to blame but himself." Advertisement Kish did not immediately respond Thursday to a request for comment. Oropesa was the latest figure to be convicted of charges of graft and corruption involving a high-profile city deal. In January, a federal jury found former top city transportation official John Bills guilty of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, vacation trips and personal gifts to steer the city's lucrative red-light camera contract to an Arizona company beginning in 2003. Bills was sentenced last month to 10 years in prison. Last year, former Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett pleaded guilty to wire fraud for steering multimillion-dollar no-bid contracts to a former employer in exchange for the promise of up to $2.3 million in kickbacks. One of her co-defendants, Thomas Vranas, a co-owner of SUPES Academy, has also pleaded guilty. jmeisner@chicagotribune.com Twitter @jmetr22b A man shot to death in the Uptown neighborhood Tuesday has been identified by authorities. Gregory Sims, 25, was pronounced dead at 4:35 p.m. Tuesday at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center after the shooting near Wilson and Kenmore avenues, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. Sims was one of at least 12 people shot, three of them fatally, between Tuesday afternoon and early Wednesday in Chicago. Advertisement Sims was shot about 2:45 p.m. Tuesday in the 4500 block of North Kenmore, police said at the time. The man was arguing with an unknown male assailant who shot him in the chest and leg, police said. Advertisement The medical examiner's office determined after an autopsy Wednesday that Sims, of the 7800 block of South May Street in the Gresham neighborhood, died of multiple gunshot wounds. Some court records give Sims' age as 22 and indicate he also used the first name Jabri. Valerie Percy, daughter of longtime U.S. Sen. Charles Percy, was slain at the family's Kenilworth home on Sept. 18, 1966. The case remains unsolved. (Associated Press ) Fifty years after Valerie Percy was killed in her North Shore home in what has become one of the Chicago area's most notorious unsolved cases, Kenilworth police are fighting the release of documents, arguing the investigation remains active. But Wednesday, a Cook County judge ordered Kenilworth officials to hand over some of the paperwork so she can determine whether the voluminous case file should be allowed to remain under wraps as the murder mystery enters its sixth decade. Advertisement The question has come up now days before the 50th anniversary of the crime, which occurred Sept. 18, 1966 because a New York lawyer who grew up in nearby Glencoe sued Kenilworth after it denied his request under the Freedom of Information Act to view the documents. Percy, the daughter of prominent businessman and Republican politician Charles "Chuck" Percy, was 21 when she was stabbed and beaten to death in the bedroom of the family's lakefront home before dawn, amid indications of a break-in. The horrific crime made national news, but no one was ever caught. Advertisement Weeks later, Chuck Percy was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served for 18 years. He died in 2011. Valerie's twin sister, Sharon, is married to Jay Rockefeller, the former governor and U.S. senator from West Virginia. Over the years, amateur sleuths have advanced numerous theories as to who might have committed the infamous slaying. In 1974, the Chicago Sun-Times uncovered evidence that implicated a convicted robber in the case. More recently, author Glenn Wall, in his 2013 book "Sympathy Vote," raised the possibility that a disturbed man who lived within walking distance of the home might have been responsible. Both suspects were already dead by the time they were publicly identified. John Kelly, the lawyer who is behind the fight over the records, said in a sworn statement that he does not represent any potential party in the case but is pursing his own inquiry as a former prosecutor who is now a civil litigator. He wrote that he suspects Kenilworth officials do not want to release the files because they fear second-guessing of their police work and that the documents could reveal that the Percy family was shown deference by law enforcement that was detrimental to the investigation. On Wednesday, Judge Anna Helen Demacopoulos ordered investigators to publicly produce a redacted copy of Police Chief David Miller's sealed statement intended to explain why the investigation is still active, and why it would be harmed by public disclosure. Kelly's attorney, Matthew Topic, argued at the hearing that it is "not very plausible" that, after almost 50 years, the investigation is still ongoing and active. He also has argued that even if some documents related to the probe are kept private, the rest of the file should be released, following court opinions in other cases. In a series of statements questioning the legal authority to release the case file, the judge countered that Topic's own law firm, Loevy & Loevy, had represented clients who were shown to be innocent of crimes years after their conviction. Advertisement Still, she said that Kelly should be allowed to see a redacted copy of the police statement so he can argue why the file should be released. The judge emphasized that access to public records is important for public accountability, but added that it must be balanced with the needs of law enforcement. But the attorney for the village, Chris Murdoch, argued that releasing of any part of the records could jeopardize efforts to identify or rule out suspects. In court documents, Kenilworth attorneys wrote that the investigation remained "very active" from 1966 through about 1969, "after which it began to taper." Illinois State Police led the investigation until 2002, when it handed over responsibility and its case file to Kenilworth and the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force. The investigation file contains about 20,000 pages of records, including investigative reports, crime scene photos, thousands of pages of interview notes, witness statements, letters providing tips and evidence, lead investigation summaries and correspondence with other law enforcement agencies. Advertisement Releasing it could require hundreds of hours to review and analyze, village attorneys wrote. "Some may assert that there cannot be an ongoing investigation because no grand jury was convened, there have been no arrests and the village has not publicly identified a suspect or a person of interest," the village attorneys argued. "The length of an investigation, however, is not determinative of whether a case is ongoing. Numerous courts have confirmed that the ongoing investigation exemption applies even when the investigation lasts for decades." Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > In arguing for release of the records, Kelly cited numerous "facts" of the case that authorities have previously made public, such as how the killer entered, a description of the intruder and the victim's wounds. Murdoch asserted that many details reported in the press were wrong, and said that police prefer it that way because it helps them figure out who knows the truth about the case. In such cases, the courts have considered whether there was an "at-large perpetrator" under investigation, village attorneys wrote, but they did not state whether that was the case with the Percy slaying. By state law, Topic argued, the village must provide an index of each document withheld, and prove why it should be exempt. Advertisement Demacopoulos gave the village seven days to produce the redacted statement and scheduled a ruling for Oct. 17. rmccoppin@tribpub.com Twitter @RobertMcCoppin Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein said Thursday that her attorneys are working with North Dakota officials to arrange a court date after an arrest warrant was issued over her actions during a protest. Speaking to the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board, Stein defended supporting the Standing Rock Sioux Nation at their reservation in protesting the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline, which would run from North Dakota to Illinois. Advertisement Stein and running mate Amaju Baraka were charged with criminal trespass and criminal mischief for venturing onto private property and spray-painting graffiti on a bulldozer, Bismarck's KFYR-TV reported. The charges were Class B misdemeanors, the TV station said. Stein acknowledged she spray-painted the words, "I approve this message" onto the blade of a bulldozer that she said had been used to destroy sacred burial sites of the Standing Rock Sioux. Hundreds of Native Americans have joined the protest against what the Standing Rock Sioux fears is a pipeline that could leak into its water supply. Advertisement "In my view it is not appropriate for a citizen of the planet to stand by while sacred sites were being desecrated, while protectors of the water had vicious dogs loosed upon them, attack dogs, (and were) pepper-sprayed in the face," Stein said Thursday. "And, people who were protecting their water supply, our water supply and a climate that is teetering on the brink." "I think it would have been inappropriate for me not to have done my small part to support the incredible courage and sacrifice that's going on right now at the Standing Rock Sioux," she said. Stein, who was born in Chicago and raised in Highland Park, contrasted her legal plight with Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican contender Donald Trump. "You know, Hillary and Donald could both get indicted for something much bigger than participating in a protest to protect the water supply. They could get indicted for something very big or they could be exposed for something which is not illegal but very problematic, which is actually already occurring plenty," she said. Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, left, talks with resident Darius Johnson, right, during a walking tour of Chicago's South Austin neighborhood during a campaign stop Sept. 8, 2016. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune) Stein, who is receiving 3.3 percent support nationally based on polling averages compiled by RealClear Politics, contended that dissatisfaction with Clinton and Trump could lead to a "voter revolt." Stein said voters are "clamoring for solutions that are transformative, that address the crisis of our economy, our climate, the expanding wars and the corruption of our democracy." At the same time, she characterized her candidacy as one to both "advance the issues and to throw that 'Hail Mary' pass." "Who knows? It just might get caught this time in time to prevent further expansion of the war, the potential nuclear war, which we could be careening toward right now, the meltdown of the climate. We're facing some very serious stuff, all of which demands solutions," she said. Stein, a physician, said, "I feel sort of like a medical doctor looking at a nation on life support, democracy on life support, a budget that is going bankrupt, a generation that does not have a future, a climate that's melting down." Advertisement The Green Party's unsuccessful 2012 candidate, who also has lost in previous tries at the ballot box in Massachusetts, said she expects her name to appear before voters in "45 to 47 states," including Illinois. In an effort to appeal to youthful dissatisfied backers of Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who lost the Democratic nomination to Clinton, Stein is proposing a plan to wipe out student loan debt at a cost of $1.5 trillion. She also has proposed a plan to leverage $500 billion in federal funding to make the country self-sustaining with renewable fuels instead of dependence on carbon-based energy. She proposed paying for her agenda by making cuts in "bloated" military budgets, pushing nuclear disarmament, a "steeply graduated" income tax and a sales tax on Wall Street transactions. "The differences (between Trump and Clinton), unfortunately, are not great enough to save your job. They're not great enough to save your life because you won't get the health care you need. And they're not great enough to save the planet," Stein said. "All kinds of possibilities are open if the American public actually has the ability to be informed about what their real choices are," she said. While in Chicago, Stein also planned to tour the South Austin neighborhood and rally supporters in Uptown. Advertisement rap30@aol.com Twitter @rap30 Mayor Rahm Emanuel, seen at Brunson Elementary School on Sept. 7, 2016, is preparing for a preliminary vote on his water tax plan Sept. 8. (Nancy Stone / 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 Mayor Rahm Emanuel's new water and sewer tax for city worker pensions faces a key test vote on Thursday when the City Council Finance Committee takes up the plan. Advertisement Aldermen were anticipating a close vote, with many concerned that the tax won't be enough over the long run to make sufficient contributions to the Municipal Employees' Annuity and Benefit Fund. The city does, after all, owe the retirement fund a whopping $18.6 billion. Whether that's enough to derail the mayor's latest tax hike will be determined at the meeting, which starts at 10 a.m. in City Council chambers. If aldermen recommend passage, the full council could vote on it next week. Advertisement On Wednesday, the Emanuel administration conceded taxes might have to again be increased in 2023. That's when the city would have to kick in more than $300 million extra. It also would be well past the expiration date of Emanuel's current term as mayor, meaning there's some backloading of payments. Emanuel's new water and sewer tax would start out relatively small, amounting to 7.7 percent of bimonthly water-and-sewer fees for meter homes, and a similar percentage on semi-yearly bills for nonmetered homes. By year four, the tax would climb by about 33 percent. According to new data the city released Wednesday less than 24 hours before the vote, nonmetered homes and businesses would tend to pay more than metered buildings. For example, a home with median water usage would pay $31.57 a year in taxes next year, and $134.29 in 2021, when the tax would level off. A nonmetered home would pay $64.61 next year and $274.85 in 2021. Aldermen also are concerned that the pension fund's assumed rate of 7.5 percent in annual investment returns was too high, given recent fund performance. If it is, contributions would have to increase even more starting in year six. But Ald. Ameya Pawar, 47th, who supports the new tax, said aldermen who want assurances that more tax increases won't be needed in the future aren't dealing with reality. "That's not how life works," Pawar said. "You don't get to make a decision today and be done with it forever. "It may mean that we have to come back in four or five years and enact an incremental increase," Pawar added. "I think that's OK. (The new tax) is a meaningful step toward adequate funding." (Hal Dardick) What's on tap *Mayor Emanuel will attend a ribbon-cutting for a new annex at Jamieson Elementary School and, later, will join the Chicago Architecture Foundation to announce the 2016 Open House Chicago neighborhoods and sites. Advertisement *Gov. Bruce Rauner is scheduled to attend an evening barbecue benefiting a housing program for injured military veterans in southwest suburban Frankfort. *Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein campaigns in Chicago. She's got a morning visit to the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board, an afternoon "reality walk" in South Austin and an evening rally in Uptown. She might be on the lam, according to one published report. What we're writing *Chicago Teachers Union to vote (again) on strike authorization Sept. 21-23. *Emanuel lobbies aldermen on water tax ahead of key test vote. *Ald. Burke wants Chicago cops to get standard-issue combat gauze. *Ex-Harvey comptroller linked to failed hotel deal found dead. Advertisement What we're reading *A look at the Chicago Police Department and foot chases. *How to get a chance at buying Cubs playoff tickets. *Famous phone maker hates earbuds. From the notebook *Judge tosses campaign finance lawsuit: A federal judge has tossed a lawsuit challenging the state's campaign finance laws that allow legislative caucuses to contribute more money than political action committees or individuals. U.S. District Judge Gary Feinerman issued the ruling against Illinois Liberty PAC, Republican state Sen. Kyle McCarter of Downstate Lebanon, and campaign donor Edgar Bachrach. Their lawyers, the Liberty Justice Center, said they would file an appeal. Advertisement At issue in the case was Illinois' system of campaign donation limits affecting various political committees and candidates. While individuals, corporations and PACs are limited in the amount that can be given to a candidate, political parties and legislative caucus committees can give unlimited amounts to a candidate in the general election. The group and individuals challenging the lawsuit contended the limitations were unconstitutional because legislative caucus campaign committees, run by the top legislative leaders, were being given favorable treatment over other donors. The opponents of the limits contended that "by combining the policy-making function of the legislative leaders with the extraordinary fundraising power of the legislative caucus committees, Illinois has created novel opportunities for corruption," Feinerman said. But the judge upheld the state law and rejected the opposing arguments, and notably found lacking the so-called expert testimony they presented. That testimony focused on legislative caucus funds controlled by Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton. "Legislative caucus committees have very little in common with PACs or individual contributors, and function largely as political parties do. Therefore, there is no basis to conclude that the act's true purpose is to provide preferential treatment to certain political speakers," Feinerman said in his ruling. "Illinois reasonably concluded that corruption (or the appearance thereof) by private individuals and non-legislative entities poses a far more serious risk to the democratic process than does a legislative leader contributing to another legislator or electoral candidate in that leader's own caucus. Accordingly, the act's contribution limits do not run afoul of the First Amendment," he wrote. Advertisement For some background, the Liberty Justice Center originally filed the case prior to the November 2012 elections. The center was started by the Illinois Policy Institute, a tax-exempt foundation that has embraced much of Republican Gov. Rauner's agenda. Rauner previously donated more than $500,000 to the institute. The institute's CEO is John Tillman. Tillman was the original chairman of the Illinois Liberty PAC in June 2011, followed months later by conservative radio talk show host and unsuccessful GOP primary governor candidate Dan Proft. Proft also has been listed as a senior fellow at the policy institute. In September 2012, Matthew Besler became chairman of the Illinois Liberty PAC. Besler also is president of the Illinois Opportunity Project, a Rauner-aligned organization, which Proft co-founded and where he still plays a role. The Illinois Opportunity Project is a tax-exempt organization that has given political donations but does not have to disclose its donors. It also has given nearly $100,000 in donations and loans to the Illinois Liberty PAC, state records show. The opportunity project also has given $225,000 in loans this year to Liberty Principles PAC, records show. Liberty Principles PAC, which also received $2.5 million personally from Rauner in June, is chaired by Proft. (Rick Pearson) *Wooing women for Hillary Clinton: Former Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis will host a meet and greet for women Thursday afternoon in downtown Chicago on behalf of presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Davis rose to prominence in liberal circles in 2013 for her 11-hour filibuster of Republican-backed legislation to curb access to abortion statewide. She wore her trademark pink sneakers during the epic speechifying but stumbled badly in a 2014 run for Texas governor against Republican Greg Abbott. Advertisement Davis will tout Clinton's work for women and families and urge supporters to get involved in the race, Clinton's campaign said. The event is at 2:45 p.m. Thursday at Clinton's Chicago headquarters, 316 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 200. It's one of more than 150 events across the U.S. during a weeklong Women for Hillary voter mobilization effort, the campaign said. It comes on a day when Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein campaigns in Chicago. (Katherine Skiba) *The broken bell: Ever wanted to see Mayor Emanuel break a bell on the first day of class? Today, as they say, is your lucky day. After allowing a 737 to clear school airspace today, Mayor Emanuel broke the bell he used to ring in the new year. pic.twitter.com/BLWsiYPScK Juan Perez Jr. (@PerezJr) September 7, 2016 Follow the money *The Illinois Republican Party, which is primarily funded by Gov. Rauner, transferred $500,000 to the Senate Republicans' fund. *The Senate Democrats poured more than $130,000 into the campaign of Christine Benson of Ottawa, who is challenging Republican Sen. Sue Rezin of Morris. Advertisement *Track Illinois campaign contributions in real time here and here. Beyond Chicago *Mexican finance minister out after arranging Trump visit. *Team Trump pushes back on Florida AG donation flap. *Pence says Obama was, in fact, born in Hawaii. *Aleppo bombed as U.S., Russia plan Syrian talks. Nine chimpanzees from the New Iberia Research Center in Louisiana have safely arrived at the nations newest chimp sanctuary, Project Chimps. Photo by Project Chimps 2.1K shares I am so pleased to share the latest news in a series of actions taken over the last seven years to help chimps in laboratories nine chimpanzees from the New Iberia Research Center in Louisiana have safely arrived at the nations newest chimp sanctuary, Project Chimps. I want to congratulate Project Chimps on welcoming Buttercup, Charisse, Emma, Genesis, Gertrude, Gracie, Jennifer, Latricia, and Samira to its north Georgia facility. Project Chimps worked with New Iberia (a facility The HSUS investigated in 2009 an event that triggered a national reexamination of Americas responsibilities to chimps used in laboratories) on an agreement to transfer its entire population of 220 chimpanzees to lifetime sanctuary care. Todays transport starts the process of moving those 220 chimps from laboratories to sanctuaries. The HSUS is extremely proud to be a founding financial supporter of Project Chimps, having provided the capital to purchase the Georgia property, which was originally created to be a gorilla sanctuary (and thus already had some of the needed infrastructure). The HSUS is also pleased to provide our expertise and assistance to the sanctuary, with our staff members serving on the board of directors and working with the accomplished professionals of the Project Chimps team to help them with this major endeavor. The HSUS has led a decades-long fight to end the use of chimpanzees in laboratory research, with so much help from the Arcus Foundation and others, and helping this new sanctuary is part of our commitment to see the task to its logical conclusion. The end of the use of chimps in invasive experiments came after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acted on a petition from The HSUS to declare captive chimpanzees as endangered. That action followed on the heels of the National Institutes of Healths announcement that it would no longer fund invasive chimpanzee research and would instead retire all 400 or so government-owned and -supported chimpanzees. With these enormous gains, helped along so meaningfully by NIH director Francis Collins, all of us at The HSUS felt strongly that we should play a role in securing sanctuary retirement for those chimpanzees remaining in laboratories through government and private actions. Save the Chimps and Chimp Haven are the two biggest and most established sanctuaries caring for more than 400 chimps between them but they alone cannot handle the influx of the animals from labs. An additional facility would help address that capacity problem. We hope and believe that Project Chimps will be a part of the answer to that dilemma, and a strong contributor to the long-term care needs of these deserving chimps. The Project Chimps team got to meet the new residents while the chimps were still at New Iberia. They also learned a bit about each individual: Jennifer, Gracie, and Genesis are fun-loving and eager for attention while Emma and Samira are shy and prefer to hang back and observe; Charisse and Buttercup are identical twins who can only be differentiated by one freckle; Gertrude is very mischievous and playful; and Latricia is the steady leader of the group. Itll be so exciting to see how they do once they are flourishing in their new home. The sanctuary will rely primarily on donations from the public to care for their new residents and to make retirement a reality for many othersso this is just a start, and much more heavy lifting remains. But today, lets celebrate Project Chimps exciting milestone and congratulate the sanctuary on welcoming its first residents! We feel confident theyll be most excited about their new home. Donald Trump defended his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin at a forum Wednesday focused on national security issues, even suggesting that Putin is more worthy of his praise than President Barack Obama. "Certainly, in that system, he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader," Trump said. "We have a divided country." The Republican presidential nominee said that an alliance with Russia would help defeat the Islamic State, and when asked to defend some of Putin's aggressions on the world stage, he asked, "Do you want me to start naming some of the things Obama does at the same time?" Trump also said he appreciated some of the kind words Putin has had for him. "Well, I think when he calls me brilliant, I think I'll take the compliment, OK?" Trump and Democratic rival Hillary Clinton made back-to-back appearances at an event that sounded the starting gun for the final stretch of the presidential race and offered a potential preview of what are expected to be rollicking debates in the weeks to come. Clinton offered herself as a model of "absolute rock steadiness" on foreign policy, and Trump promised to be a disruptive force for improvement, saying that under Obama even the military's generals have been "reduced to rubble." Clinton appeared guarded, even stilted, as she navigated tough questions about her use of a private email server as secretary of state and her vote for the Iraq war in the Senate, but Trump showed no such restraint with a series of controversial statements. He reaffirmed his view that having men and women serve alongside one another is the root of the military's sexual-assault problem. He said recent intelligence briefings have convinced him that Clinton and other Obama administration officials did not heed the advice of experts. And he praised Putin, noting among other things the Russian president's "82 percent approval rating." Ahead of Wednesday's forum, Trump delivered a speech in Philadelphia in which he called for a robust expansion of U.S. military capabilities and an end to budget sequestration on defense spending. "As soon as I take office, I will ask Congress to fully eliminate the defense sequester and will submit a new budget to rebuild our military. It is so depleted. We will rebuild our military," Trump said during the speech at the Union League of Philadelphia. "This will increase certainty in the defense community as to funding and will allow military leaders to plan for our future defense needs." Trump's address represented his most substantive and comprehensive plan on national security to date - part of an ongoing effort to assuage doubts that he lacks a sufficient understanding of policy issues to assume the presidency. Reading from prepared remarks, Trump spoke about modernizing the military's equipment and increasing the size of the armed forces. Clinton, who has also advocated ending the defense sequester, spent the earlier part of her segment of the forum defending herself regarding the email controversy and her handling of classified material, which she insisted she did responsibly. And she acknowledged that her vote as a senator from New York to authorize the use of military force in Iraq was a mistake. But Clinton said she had learned from the decision and chided Trump for saying he had opposed the war from the outset despite statements to the contrary. "I have taken responsibility for my decision," Clinton said. "He refuses to take responsible for his support." The forum, broadcast by MSNBC and NBC stations and hosted by Matt Lauer of the "Today" show, was billed as a discussion of the most important issues facing the nation's next commander in chief. Clinton and Trump appeared separately before a live audience of active-duty military personnel and veterans - a group that traditionally skews Republican - at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York. The event was hosted by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. The forum was scheduled ahead of three standard debates between the two major-party presidential nominees, the first of which is scheduled for Sept. 26 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. Clinton and Trump were asked early in their segments not to attack each other - and both drew admonishments from Lauer for ignoring his request. Clinton, for example, chided Trump for proposing a ban on Muslims entering the country, saying, "That is not going to help us succeed in defeating ISIS." And Trump accused Clinton of having a "happy trigger," a suggestion that she is too eager to insert the United States into international conflicts. The United States's involvement in Iraq was a prominent part of both segments. Clinton argued that the war was one area where she and Trump shared positions. "I think that the decision to go to war in Iraq was a mistake, and I have said that my voting to give President Bush that authority was, from my perspective, my mistake," Clinton said. "There was a mistake. My opponent was for the war in Iraq. He says he wasn't; you can go back and look at the record. He supported it." As he has in the past, Trump insisted that he did not support President Bush's invasion in 2003, despite evidence to the contrary. The businessman also argued that taking Iraq's oil would have prevented the rise of the Islamic State terrorist group in the Middle East. "I've always said, shouldn't be there, but if we're going to get out, take the oil," he said. "If we would have taken the oil, you wouldn't have ISIS, because ISIS formed with the power and the wealth of that oil. " During his segment, Trump also defended a Twitter message he posted three years ago that stated the estimated number of unreported sexual assaults in the military and then mused: "What did these geniuses expect when they put men & women together?" "Well, it is, it is a correct tweet," Trump said when asked about the tweet by Lauer. "There are many people that think that that's absolutely correct. . . . Well, well, it's happening, right? And, by the way, since then, it's gotten worse." When asked what he had learned from his intelligence briefings since becoming the Republican nominee, Trump said that Obama and others have not done "what our experts said to do." "And I was very, very surprised," he said. "In almost every instance, and I could tell, I'm pretty good with the body language. I could tell, they were not happy. Our leaders did not follow what they were recommending." Trump said he was not a fan of the Russian system of government but predicted continued good relations with Putin, saying: "I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Putin, and I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Russia." Trump denied that mutual admiration between him and the Russian leader would benefit Russia in its dealings with the United States. "It's not going to get him anything," Trump said. "I'm a negotiator." During her segment, Clinton defended her handling of classified information, insisting that she never sent or received any documents on her private email server that were properly marked as classified. Clinton was pressed with questions on the issue almost as soon as the forum began. "Classified material has a header that says 'top secret,' 'secret,' 'confidential,' " Clinton said. "None of the emails sent or received by me had such a header." The issue has bedeviled her campaign from the start, and one of the questions about it came from a veteran, who noted that if he had handled classified information in a way that was not permitted, he would have been prosecuted and jailed. "I communicated about classified material on a wholly separate system," Clinton said. "I took it very seriously." A poll released Wednesday showed Trump with a sizable lead among active-duty personnel and veterans. Trump leads Clinton by 19 points - 55 percent to 36 percent - among voters who are serving or have served in the U.S. military, according to the NBC News/SurveyMonkey tracking poll. That's a somewhat larger margin that two other recent national polls of military veterans since the Democratic convention. Trump led Clinton by 14 points in a Fox News poll and 11 points in a McClatchy-Marist poll. The demographics of military veterans align closely with Trump's strongest sources of support. More than 9 in 10 are men, and about 8 in 10 are white. In 2012, among military veterans, Republican Mitt Romney bested Obama by about 20 points, according to exit polls. The run-up to Wednesday's forum featured intense jockeying between Clinton and Trump over which candidate is better suited to lead the military - with each sharply questioning the other's temperament and judgment. During a campaign stop Tuesday in Tampa, Clinton said Trump had "no clue" about national security issues. Just minutes before the forum was to begin, Clinton tweeted, "Donald Trump has proven over and over again that he's unfit to be our Commander-in-Chief." On Tuesday, Trump announced that he has been endorsed by 88 retired senior military officials. Not to be outdone, Clinton released a list Wednesday showing the support of 95 retired generals and admirals, more than any recent nonincumbent Democrat, her campaign said. Meanwhile, Clinton noted that Trump's endorsement figure was more than 400 shy of the last Republican nominee, Mitt Romney. Shortly after drafting the Massachusetts Constitution, John Adams expressed his greatest fear for the nation: "There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader ... This ... is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil." He wasn't alone. James Madison warned against the dangers of factionalism. And in his farewell address, George Washington called "party dissension" a kind of "frightful despotism," warning that a party leader would be prone to pursue his own agenda "to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty." Advertisement Almost in spite of themselves, the founders allied themselves into political parties: First the Federalists against the Democratic-Republicans, then the Whigs against the Democrats. That second party alignment collapsed under the weight of slavery when a third party, the Republican Party, rose up with a fresh message unencumbered by the past. Has the two-party division that the founders railed against become today's political status quo? Advertisement It doesn't have to be. With the Republicans and the Democrats having nominated their most polarizing presidential candidates in more than a generation, now is the moment for a third way. My running mate, Bill Weld, and I were both two-term Republican governors in heavily Democratic states. Both of us won re-election overwhelmingly. We did this by governing as fiscal conservatives and social liberals. That's where most Americans want their government to be. Political parties aren't necessarily evil unless they lead to the level of dysfunction that we have today. Elected officials in Washington cannot even agree on a real budget and haven't for years. That's their most straightforward responsibility. These partisans place loyalty to their team over loyalty to the nation's needs. It's eerie to see Republicans under Donald Trump denounce free trade and limited government. It's unsettling to see how comfortable Democrats have gotten with Hillary Clinton's approach to Middle East regime change as secretary of state. Fortunately, most Americans aren't buying it. More people consider themselves "independents" than are aligned with either of the two largest political parties. They want an alternative: a common-sense approach that combines fiscal discipline with social inclusion. As presidential and vice-presidential candidates, that's our message. A nonpartisan approach in the Oval Office would do wonders to defuse the harsh partisanship that we've seen develop in recent years. Think of it as a new form of checks and balances, with different parties controlling the executive and legislative branches. In the Federalist Papers, James Madison warned about the dangers of factionalism. His proposed solution was to divide power within the government. That can be frustrating to some because it makes the federal government inefficient by design. It keeps one person, or one party, from accumulating absolute power. Yet the two larger political parties have worked hard to try to create their own tyrannical majorities. The majorities alternate, but the basic premise doesn't change. Advertisement So consider a system in which a president from a bona fide third party enters the mix. With a chief executive free of any obligation to either party, the focus will be on the business of the nation, not on propping up a crumbling party apparatus. The first priority of the Johnson-Weld administration will be submitting to Congress a balanced budget. As governors, we held true to promising that taxes would go down, not up. We'll end up cutting spending by roughly 20 percent in order to match it to current tax receipts. Gary Johnson, Libertarian candidate for president, arrives to speak at the University of Utah Student Union, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (Scott Sommerdorf / AP) My default is to question federal spending and to require every year that each agency justify its budget anew. As governor, I vetoed more than 750 bills, often special-interest payoffs, and I won't hesitate to veto such bills from Congress. That said, Bill and I are reasonable and realistic executives. We will accomplish the free-market, fiscally conservative agenda of limiting government and increasing trade, while pursuing long-overdue immigration and criminal-justice reform. We'll do this through having both Republicans and Democrats in the Cabinet and working simultaneously with the leaders of those parties. Seeing that, by working together, the best ideas of each party will receive a fair hearing, both will see real movement toward addressing challenges they care about, not just winner-take-all partisan gridlock. A great deal could be accomplished by having third-party leadership dedicated to finding the common ground that has so often eluded the parties in recent years: on balancing the budget, curbing taxes, protecting our privacy and reforming our criminal-justice system. Advertisement The fact that the founders anticipated our two-party morass and warned against it ought to be enough incentive to look beyond it. The two major parties have failed to meet the needs of the nation. It's time to try something different. Washington Post Gary Johnson is the Libertarian Party's nominee for president. Pop quiz: Are the Obamacare exchanges a success? Your answer should take into account three recent pieces of news about the online marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act: - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's latest report on the uninsured shows that 8.6 percent of the population was uninsured in the first three months of 2016. This is a record low. Advertisement - A survey of Blue Cross/Blue Shield companies, the backbone of the exchanges, indicates that about half their customers in the individual market are buying insurance without subsidies. - Arizona has managed to persuade its Blue to sell insurance in Pinal County. That was one of a handful of localities nationwide that faced the possibility of losing all the providers in their Obamacare marketplaces after insurance giants like Aetna announced in August that they were pulling out. Advertisement You may be wondering what these three seemingly disparate facts have to do with each other. The answer is, quite a lot. Let me explain. Conservatives should acknowledge that the coverage expansion is real, it is large (though not as large as we were led to expect), and that while it is not necessarily going to make people much healthier, it is probably going to reduce financial hardship among at least some of the people who have gained coverage. That's significant, though we can still argue about whether the benefit was worth the cost. (If Obamacare were being voted on today, I would still oppose it). Liberals, however, should also acknowledge uncomfortable facts. The first is that most of the decrease in the uninsured population came in 2014 and 2015, and is now leveling off. Unless younger and healthier people start buying insurance in much larger numbers, we're probably not going to see huge improvement. The fact that so few young, healthy people are buying insurance may not only mean that the number of uninsured people stops going down. It could mean that that figure starts going up again. Why? Because outside of the near-poor, uptake of Obamacare policies is not as high as we'd like. As health insurance consultant Bob Laszewski has written, "Historically, insurers want to see a 75-percent participation rate." In other words, they want to see three-fourths of the eligible people sign up. That's because insurers can predict their costs when a representative cross-section of people buys their plans. But when too few sign up, the insurer has to ask, "Who's declining to buy insurance?" and the most likely answer is, "Healthy people who don't expect to use it much." The remaining pool, then, will be sicker. The lower the participation rate, the more likely it is that you've got a small group of people who are going to make expensive claims. This is a phenomenon known as "adverse selection." And it tends to get worse as premiums rise to reflect the cost of covering this sicker pool, because more people start dropping the ever-costlier insurance, and usually the folks who drop out are the healthiest ones. Obamacare's individual mandate was supposed to prevent this death spiral by levying a tax penalty on those who refused to sign up. But the fine appears to be too small to get young folks to buy in. And that brings us to our second point: the split between subsidized and unsubsidized patients. The main thing standing between Obamacare and a death spiral is the fact that subsidies shield customers from the true cost of their plans. So the law's supporters hope that the second, really vicious part of the death spiral, where rising premiums produce even more adverse selection, will never kick in. Advertisement Most of the exchange customers are subsidized; the off-exchange customers are not. But that doesn't matter, because under Obamacare, insurers have to treat their exchange policies and their off-exchange policies as a single actuarial risk pool, rather than adjusting for the different risks in the different markets. If the exchanges have too many old, sick people on them, and not enough young, healthy ones, those costs will leak over to the unsubsidized off-exchange policies in the form of premium hikes. That may explain why we've seen some insurers pull out of the exchanges while continuing to offer individual policies. That means the older, sicker exchange customers don't show up in their pools. However, that obviously creates a problem when the number of plans available on the exchanges dwindles. Which brings us to our third data point. Regulators have tools to combat this sort of strategic withdrawal. They can force all individual policies to be sold through the exchanges, for example, as my own home city has done. But that creates the risk that insurers will simply exit the individual market entirely. Alternatively, the regulators can beg insurers to do them a favor, possibly offering sweeteners in the form of leeway on premium-setting, or favorable treatment in other insurance markets. But it's questionable whether this is a viable long-term solution. How many favors can insurance regulators give companies to get them to keep taking losses, year after year? And if the favors come in the form of, "We're not going to quibble over how much you want to charge people for the insurance you offer on the exchanges," this will translate into big premium hikes that the subsidized buyers don't see, but that deliver a nasty shock to the folks in the unsubsidized market. At some point, adverse selection seems likely to set in once again, threatening the gains that reduced the number of uninsured Americans. The correct answer to the pop quiz, therefore, is "We don't know yet." While Obamacare's grander claims about lowering health-care costs and rationalizing our crazy health-care system have mostly failed to come to pass, the one thing supporters have been able to point to is the falling number of uninsured people. If that number starts to rise again, that argument will become harder to make. Bloomberg View columnist Megan McArdle writes on economics, business and public policy. This 11 September 2001 file photo shows a man standing in the rubble, and calling out asking if anyone needs help, after the collapse of the first World Trade Center Tower in New York City. (Doug Kanter / AFP) "There is an instant, before the grief sets in, when shock carries us from one moment to the next. It is our bridge, our momentary defense against the unimaginable." Tribune editorial, "From the dust will come justice," evening extra edition, Sept. 11, 2001. Fifteen Septembers ago on a bright-blue Tuesday morning, a string of alarming and confusing news alerts began to emerge first from New York, then Washington, D.C., and then southwestern Pennsylvania. As a stunned nation absorbed the shock of al-Qaida's attack on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, newsrooms rushed to report and deliver updates to readers. The Chicago Tribune produced two extra editions that Tuesday, while preparing a full newspaper for publication Sept. 12. On its editorial pages, the Tribune reached for themes of American prosperity and freedom as comfort to its readers and as a way to begin making sense of an attack that would take years to fully understand, and that would change this nation and its people so much. Advertisement Excerpts from the Tribune's editorial on Sept. 12, "The vulnerabilities we cherish": Woven through this country's history is a psychic demon we rarely acknowledge. Advertisement Our crises are not just of the purely external sort, the oncoming threats that prompt our fight-or-flight responses. Our most recurrent crisis comes from deep within us: We have chosen to be vulnerable. Boast as we do about living in a free society, we often are tragically reminded as we are in the wake of Tuesday's cataclysm of a free society's costs. Nowhere are we more exposed than in the great cities of this land. We have laced them with mighty arteries water lines, communications cables, electrical wires, mass transit routes and we have built tall structures to hold their workers by the thousands. The sights and sounds of this day in 2001, when America suffered the worst terrorist attack on its soil. (AP) (Chicago Tribune) And then, come a Tuesday in September, we realize that for all our progress, all our technology, our cities are infinitely more vulnerable to attack than were the coarse, walled cities of medieval Europe. ... So, today, we will arise. Shopkeepers will turn the locks and open for business. Children will walk to school. Farmers will return to the preparations for harvest. In small towns and big towns people will regain the energy and ingenuity and resolve of the freest nation on Earth. Terrorists have assaulted the symbols of America's economic and military might. They have taken countless lives. But like the others who challenged this country, they will not shake America's spirit. These will not be easy days. Images of buildings billowing smoke will give way to stories of thousands of personal tragedies. There will be sorrow and rage. We will hear tales of profound heroism. We will understand public spirit in a way that may have slipped our nation's consciousness in recent years. Our sense of sanctuary and isolation will be tested. There will be restless moments as we attempt to fully comprehend the enormity of what has happened. We can build on these sober moments. Give blood. Volunteer our time. Respond to calls for financial relief. We should not stand still. Advertisement Within days our state of siege will loosen. Our routines will return. Some of our customs inevitably will change. Expect to see heightened security in train stations, government offices, financial institutions, court systems, national monuments any place where people can gather. Any place that symbolizes U.S. power and prestige. How dramatically are we willing to curtail our liberties to protect our security? It has been assumed, for example, that American citizens would never tolerate the delays and inconvenience required to make air travel secure. We are about to find out. ..." As a nation, we've made our choices. We accept vulnerability as a price of freedom. We prize justice above vengeance. But justice demands punishment commensurate to the crime. The terrorists who orchestrated these acts have blood on their hands. Soon enough, it may be their own. A demonstrator confronts police officers during a protest for the fatal police shooting of Paul O'Neal on Aug. 5, 2016 in Chicago. O'Neal, an unarmed 18-year-old man was shot and fatally wounded July 28, when Chicago Police officers tried to arrest him for allegedly stealing a Jaguar car from the suburbs. (Joshua Lott, Getty Images) For those who served in municipal government over the last few decades, the backlash against police violence comes as no surprise. I became the city of Chicago's deputy corporation counsel for counseling, appeals and legal policy in 1990, in the midst of an unprecedented crime wave, spurred by the introduction of crack cocaine into urban drug markets. The public was screaming for more effective policing nowhere louder than in disadvantaged, high-crime, predominantly African-American communities. Advertisement Back then, high-ranking officials of the demoralized Chicago Police Department patiently explained to me that there was little they could do. Didn't I know that the root causes of crime were poverty and racism problems beyond the ken of the police? Key numbers: A look at Chicago police shooting data from 2010 through 2015. (Jemal R. Brinson / Chicago Tribune) (Jemal R. Brinson/Chicago Tribune) What police executives came to learn in the 1990s was that police could reduce crime, if they acted proactively. Waiting until someone got shot and then trying to convince witnesses to testify was hopeless. Targeting hot spots with aggressive patrol, and utilizing stop-and-frisk tactics to get guns and drugs off the street, did not require civilian witnesses to put themselves in harm's way, but they made it risky to carry guns and drugs. When guns and drugs move off the streetscape, in turn, the risk of violent confrontations declines. Advertisement By the new millennium, violent crime had declined to levels unseen for decades. Researchers have linked those declines to more and better policing in particular, aggressive patrol targeting statistical hot spots of crime. The era of intense political pressure to drive down crime rewarded aggressive policing. This often led police to push stop-and-frisk past the point of diminishing returns. Backlash was inevitable. Moreover, when police are asked to intervene proactively in high-crime communities, the rate of police shootings predictably rises. Officers in these areas cannot help but be concerned for their safety. They also tend to err on the side of caution when confronting potential danger. The result is a spate of questionable shootings and, as crime declined, the public's concerns shifted, catching police in the crosswind. Officers have another protective instinct as well. A code of silence has long operated among police, who sympathize with colleagues who make understandable, if tragic, errors. Officers who testify against colleagues are ostracized. In the roughly 15 years that I occupied a senior position in municipal government, I never encountered a case in which an officer testified in disciplinary proceedings against another officer accused of misconduct. The only reliable "tell" was when an officer, asked whether he had witnessed alleged misconduct by another officer, denied seeing anything. That told us two things: The allegation was true, and the police suspect was regarded by his colleagues as a jerk. Even so, these insights supplied no evidence usable in disciplinary proceedings. The upshot is that it is often difficult to build solid cases against accused officers, insulating misconduct. Video helps, but it often leaves room for doubt. Reforms that lead officers to believe that their superiors will not back them make things worse. If officers come to believe that proactive policing is all too likely to lead to career-ending sanctions, then they will do what they regard as necessary to stay safe, hot-spot policing will decline and offenders will be emboldened. Indeed, there is mounting evidence of escalating crime rates that reflect the chilling effects of criticism of aggressive policing. We can dramatically lower the rate of police shootings if officers never leave the doughnut shops, but this turns high-crime communities over to criminals. That will produce the next round of backlash. Advertisement Urban police are in a tough spot. They are attacked if they are too aggressive, or not aggressive enough, and they know it. What to do? There are two guideposts for a path forward. First, aggressive patrol should be confined to statistical hot spots. Too often, aggressive patrol migrates, if not citywide, at least throughout impoverished neighborhoods, rather than focusing on the discrete locations where aggressive tactics are justified. Police should use statistics to drive policing strategies, and share them with the community, so that all can understand where and why aggressive tactics are utilized. Outside of hot spots, police should exercise restraint and face discipline if tactics appropriate in hot spots migrate elsewhere. In recent years, New York has dramatically reduced stop-and-frisk, without producing a crime wave. Many other cities could do the same. Second, the police disciplinary system should encourage candor, not demand perfection. Officers who acknowledge misconduct should face limited sanctions perhaps no more than a six-month suspension, coupled with retraining and added supervision. But officers who knowingly make false reports to protect themselves or others should face automatic termination. Under this system, the code of silence would take a body blow. This approach would also leverage the value of video evidence. A video will often be ambiguous about whether an officer used excessive force, but if it shows that an officer's report was false, it would lead to career-ending sanctions. When officers know that they have to tell the truth, in turn, they will take greater care to conform to policy. Advertisement Police have a tough job. They are expected to keep people safe and respect their liberty no easy task. We should not insist on perfection, but we can insist on the truth. Lawrence Rosenthal is a professor of law at Chapman University Fowler School of Law in Orange, Calif., and a former assistant U.S. attorney from the Northern District of Illinois, Criminal Division. Principal Beulah McLoyd greets students going back to class Sept. 6, 2016, at Dyett High School for the Arts. Community activist Jitu Brown was there to meet the students and give them school supplies. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune) At a time when Chicago Public Schools is neck-deep in debt and bracing for the possibility of a teachers' strike, the story of the Dyett High School for the Arts has potential to inspire. Not long ago, Dyett was an underperforming neighborhood school in Washington Park with dwindling enrollment. In 2011, CPS decided to phase out the school over three years and send its students to nearby Phillips High School. Advertisement By 2014, Dyett had only 13 seniors. Instead of gym class, students took physical education instruction online, answering multiple choice questions about fitness. Yes, a school is where the next generation learns about cytoplasm and Harry Truman. But like a church or corner store, it's one face of a community. And it's a means for parents to involve themselves in something outside home and work. Advertisement Dyett's Bronzeville and Washington Park parents reeled at the thought of losing their school. They fought back. Last year they embarked on a hunger strike that lasted 34 days. At a forum attended by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, they got loud and angry enough to prompt the mayor's security detail to usher him off the stage and out the door. That approach was controversial, but it had impact: CPS dropped plans to shut down the school, and instead invested $14 million in a revamp. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 8 Walter H. Dyett High School for the Arts' Principal Beulah McLoyd, in white, welcomes Sayisha Lloyd, in blue, and her daughter Chloe Williams, 14, right, to school on the first day of classes for Chicago Public Schools on Sept. 6, 2016. Lloyd's son Devin Williams, 11, left, came along to help drop his sister off for school. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune) On Tuesday, Dyett reopened as an open-enrollment, arts-focused school specializing in visual arts, dance and digital media programs. The school now has an innovation technology lab that's getting a helping hand from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Dyett is also teaming up with the Chicago Park District to open the school's pool and gymnasium to the public when students aren't using them. Bria Safforld, a 14-year-old intrigued with the notion of studying dance, was struck by the school's dance studio, complete with mirrored walls and barres. "It had peace to it," she told the Tribune on Tuesday. Well said, Bria. We hope Dyett's transformation also, in some way, transforms its surrounding blocks by giving the community a new identity and purpose. Imagine if Dyett becomes an arts success story year after year, kids using their Dyett experience to launch lives in jazz or watercolors, film or ballet. That's a wellspring of pride in the making that most neighborhoods crave. Neighborhood change sometimes happens with a jolt or a spark why can't Dyett be that spark? We'll be watching closely, and not just to make sure $14 million in taxpayer money goes well spent. If Dyett does indeed catalyze dreams of arts careers on one hand and neighborhood change on the other, the school could become a formidable argument for repeating the endeavor in other troubled Chicago neighborhoods. CPS has too many neighborhood schools languishing with dismal enrollment and feeble academic performance. That's why so many students choose charter schools. Dyett has a second chance. We hope it performs brilliantly. Advertisement Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook. Jill Stein, the Green Party nominee for president, met Thursday with the Tribune Editorial Board and shared a few ideas you might typically associate with a fringe, environment-focused candidate: She spoke of nuclear disarmament, abandoning fossil fuels, etc. But darned if Stein, a physician who was raised in Highland Park, didn't also articulate a frustration expressed this September by the majority of American voters, who seem restless over the country's direction yet don't like either major party candidate for president. Voters are "clamoring" for other choices, Stein tells us. They want "something else." Advertisement Yes, for her it's a self-serving observation, but it happens to be accurate. Polls show a majority of voters have an unfavorable view of both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Americans also say they'd be interested in considering a third-party candidate, even without knowing much about Stein or Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson. That dissatisfaction has squirted out in other ways. Consider that Stein's national support runs at a minimal 3 or 4 percent, but her ultraliberal politics are closest in color to Bernie Sanders, who gave Clinton a tough fight in the primaries. Sanders voters aren't running in Stein's direction, and she believes they probably won't come back toward the center to support Clinton, either. They are more likely to skip this election to protect their integrity, or simply out of disgust. "People will stop coming out to vote for people who threw them under the bus," is how she puts it. Advertisement Funny, we've seen a similar phenomenon on the Republican side. Even some big Republican names are so opposed to the idea of a Trump presidency that they'll abandon their party on Election Day and either write in some other name, vote Libertarian or stay home with their neighbors, the Sanders people. All of this is not to say that a vote for Stein is the answer. Her far-left politics are not our politics. She's a protest candidate. But we found ourselves agreeing with her on a basic point: This historic, confounding election looks like a battle between Clinton and Trump to determine who is the lesser evil. Consider: Republicans rose in revolt against the status quo in their party by embracing Trump, the ultimate outsider. But now that he's the nominee, he appears to be doing everything in his power to further fracture the country's politics rather than homing in on a unifying message. Talk about being the candidate of "something else." Nearly all of Trump's moves have alienated or mystified voters beyond his solid base of dissatisfied blue collar Republicans, independents and even some Democrats. The majority of voters, ourselves included, think he's a hothead without the experience and maturity to be commander in chief. Clinton, meanwhile, has failed a basic test of political leadership. Dragged to the left by Sanders and dogged by the email scandal, her integrity is now so suspect that her reputation may not recover by Election Day. A majority of voters find her qualified to be president but not trustworthy. Her lead in the polls continues to shrink. We've called for Johnson, as the candidate with the best chance to break out of fringe status, to be included in this fall's presidential debates. A two-term Republican governor from New Mexico, his mix of socially liberal and fiscally conservative views puts him, interestingly, smack-dab between Clinton and Trump. His participation in the debates would add a dimension to the discourse on stage while providing voters with an alternative to supporting the candidate they loathe less. Johnson's path to the stage, per the nonpartisan commission in charge of the events, is to reach 15 percent in five major polls before the first debate on Sept. 26. He's not there, but it's tough for a candidate to reach that high a number before most voters get to know him or her. Not surprisingly, Stein thinks she should be on that stage, too, arguing with relish that 15 percent is an arbitrary number that amounts to "two-party tyranny" Republicans and Democrats conspiring to squeeze out any potential opposition. Stein says the criteria for inclusion should be that a candidate is on the ballot on enough states to actually win the electoral college vote. That would get Stein and Johnson invitations, and make for a real debate. "With the two that we've got, it will be nitpicking on steroids," Stein argues. And like we said, she's got a point. Advertisement Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook. 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. Looking for a chic way to tote your freshly baked baguette around the city? Perhaps you're tired of the Whole Foods sales person's judgmental scowl when you forget to bring your reusable bags to the store again? Well, Los Angeles-based brand Apolis, founded in 2004 by brother Shea and Raan Parton, has got you covered. The label's Market Tote bag is the new must-have accessory for grocery shopping celebs like Gisele Bundchen and pretty much every fashion blogger on your Pinterest page. Handmade by working moms in Bangladesh who are paid fair trade wages, the bags are crafted out of sustainable natural jute fiber and feature a waterproof inner lining and genuine leather straps fastened with antique nickel rivets so they're definitely sturdy enough to carry a bottle (or three) of wine. And just when you thought they couldn't get anymore Instagrammable, Apolis announced that the uber popular market totes are now customizable. That's right, shoppers can rep their hometown in big, sans serif font emblazoned on the outside of the tote. If hometown-repping is not your cup of tea, customers can also request any three lines of text on the bag. The custom totes, which run $68 a pop, were so popular upon their initial release that the flood of requests actually broke the system. But don't worry, Apolis' website is totes back up and running. navy blue bridesmaid dresses | http://www.queeniebridesmaid.co.uk/green-bridesmaid-dresses In an effort to protect students civil rights and limit unnecessarily harsh school discipline, the Obama administration on Thursday released new resources related to the hiring and training of school resource officers. They come amid national discussions about appropriate school discipline and the role of law enforcement officers, both in communities and in schools, following several high-profile student arrests. They are the latest efforts by the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice to reshape school discipline by pushing back against zero-tolerance policies. The resources include guidelines created for local schools and state policymakers that outline best practices for creating agreements between schools and local law enforcement agencies, monitoring the actions of school-based police officers, and training police in areas like child development and de-escalating conflict. Those best practices will now serve as requirements for school resource officers hired through U.S. Department of Justice grants, said Ronald L. Davis, the director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services at the agency. Local law enforcement agencies around the country use those grants, administered on a three-year cycle, to hire between 100 and 150 school resource officers every year, which means there are about 450 positions funded by the grants at a given time, Davis said. But the agency hopes the use of heightened requirements will serve as an example to all schools with on-campus law enforcement, whether or not they use federal grants to hire them. The new grant requirements build on a requirement the Justice Department introduced in 2014 that police agencies receiving the federal grants must have clear agreements that outline their responsibilities within schools. Federal officials said they are concerned about violations of students civil rights and overuse of school arrests. While school resource officers can help provide a positive and safe learning environment and build trust between students and law enforcement officials in some situations, I am concerned about the potential for violations of students civil rights and unnecessary citations or arrests of students in schools, all of which can lead to the unnecessary and harmful introduction of children and young adults into a school-to-prison pipeline, U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. wrote in a letter to states and districts. As education leaders, you can empower schools, educators, and staff with the skills and capacity to avoid relying on SROs in the first place, and also eliminate SRO-related school discipline policies and practices that may harm young people and needlessly contribute to their involvement with the juvenile and criminal justice systems. Thirty percent of U.S. public schools reported having at least one resource officer in 2013-14, according to the most recent federal data, and 11 percent reported the presence of at least one sworn law enforcement officer that is not designated as a school resource officer. Guidelines for Hiring, Training School Police The presence of school-based law enforcement has grown alongside concerns about student safety, but some civil rights groups have said officers often threaten students civil rights by being involved in routine disciplinary matters that would better be handled by school personnel. The problem disproportionately affects students of color, who are more likely to be arrested or referred to law enforcement at school, they note. Black students were more than twice as likely to be referred to law enforcement or arrested at school than their white peers in 2013-14, according to the latest data from the Education Departments office for civil rights. Contributing to those arrest rates are policies and practices that hustle kids out of school and into the court system for minor infractions, said Karol Mason, Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs at the Justice Department. Among the recommended actions outlined in the rubric released Thursday : Seek community input when creating agreements with law enforcement agencies that detail officers roles in schools and limit their involvement in disciplinary issues. Incorporate local, state, and federal civil rights laws into those agreements and establish processes for monitoring compliance and receiving complaints about potential violations. Create policies for hiring and training school resource officers on issues like appropriate use of restraints, child development, and the effects of youth involvement with the justice system. Train teachers and staff not to call on school officers to assist with non-violent disciplinary issues. Establish a process for evaluating school resource officers. A similar document for local and state policymakers , also released Thursday includes examples of state statutes that require schools to take such actions. Just 12 states have special training requirements for school resource officers , according to a 2015 report by the American Institutes for Research. In addition to training requirements, some states have worked to amend laws that contribute to high student arrest rates for vague and subjective infractions like disturbing a school. Even if school-based officers are employed by an outside law enforcement agency, schools are responsible for ensuring that they do not violate students civil rights, the Justice and Education departments said in 2014 civil rights guidance on school discipline. The agencies have enforced that position through investigations and complaint resolutions, including a recent agreement with the Richland County, S.C., sheriffs department, which came under fire after one of its officers violently arrested a girl after she refused to put away her cell phone in math class. A video of that arrest spread quickly online, drawing new attention to concerns about school police. Use of School Resources Some civil rights groups have suggested schools shouldnt have police at all. King stressed in a call with reporters Wednesday that such decisions are made at the local level. If police are in schools, they should operate under carefully crafted policies, he said. He also said schools should weigh how to appropriately spend resources so that students feel both safe and supported. He noted federal civil rights data that showed that, in 2013-14, 1.6 million students attended a school that had a law-enforcement officer but no school counselor. Davis said that school resource officers can live up to the ideal of community policing by forming positive relationships with students so that when there is a need for law enforcement to respond to a school, they are officers who are familiar with the unique needs of students. If an outside officer responds to a school call, you dont have an officer who has a relationship, you have an officer who is taking a call, he said. Photo: Joseph Fox, a school resource officer in the Shelby County Sheriffs Department walks through a hallway at Southwind High School in Memphis, Tenn. --Stan Carroll/The Commercial Appeal/Zuma Further reading about school police and school resource officers: Follow @evieblad on Twitter or subscribe to Rules for Engagement to get blog posts delivered directly to your inbox. By Joseph Fatheree Maryland Governor Larry Hogan recently signed an executive order that requires schools in the state to start after Labor Day. His reasoning is simple: students need more time with their families and the extended vacation will boost the economy. The idea appears to be a no-brainer. Who would be against supporting families and growing the economy? However, Hogans ideas have been criticized by some teachers and education advocates who are concerned that summer has a negative effect on children. I wish we would all take a deep breath and agree to leave summer vacation alone. I am not sure what we are trying to gain by ensuring that so much of a childs life from age five until adulthood is spent inside the walls of a school. Children need quality time to bond with their families and make lasting memories. Summer vacation gives children time to explore, learn and create. They should not have to sacrifice their childhoods to be successful. We do not want to return to a time in our history when children were forced to work long hours in dangerous conditions in sweat shops, nor do we want our compulsory education system to chip away at their opportunity to be children. I understand the reasoning behind arguments to shorten summer vacation or get rid of it altogether. The school calendar is antiquated, based on an agrarian system that no longer applies. During summer, students--especially those most at risk--often lose academic ground. However, forcing our children to go to school for more days is not the answer. There other solutions available to supplement a childs education while still providing them time to explore the world outside of the school year. Summer offers parents a large block of uninterrupted time to schedule family book reads or explore geocaching. The Maker Movement provides parents with a number of unique strategies to encourage learning and challenge creative thinking at practically no cost. Increasing the number of days in school does not adequately address the larger educational challenges we face. Adding time to the school calendar will not alone remedy systemic inequity present in American public education. Nor will extending the school year change the fact that a large percentage of the children in the United States live in poverty. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , one in five do. Solving this problem has more to do with creating well-paying jobs and social programs that address issues of poverty. Instead of adding time to the school calendar, we should be investing in programs and opportunities to help families grow together as a unit and cultivate communities that take care of one another. The prevalence of childhood poverty should also challenge us to vote for policymakers who have the courage to tackle these issues head on with the help the people living in those communities. The trouble is that making a real difference, doing the real work of closing gaps and reducing poverty, is hard work. We need commitment, sacrifice, empathy and a willingness to care for others that this country has long neglected. Instead of shortening summer, we need to muster the intestinal fortitude to address the glaring problems that this nation faces. Summer vacation is a magical time in the life of a child. Lets think long and hard before we ask our children to pay this price so that they can grow up a little quicker and enter the workforce ahead of the competition. Joe Fatheree is an award winning author, educator, and filmmaker. He has received numerous educational awards, including being recognized as a Top 10 Finalist for the 2016 Global Teacher Prize, Illinois Teacher of the Year, and the NEAs National Award for Teaching Excellence. He currently serves as the Director of Strategic Projects for the National Network of State Teachers of the Year in Washington, D.C. and is the instructor of creativity and innovation at Effingham High School in Illinois. Bullet Control: What Types of Ammunition Are Illegal? Gun control laws are a controversial topic that generally focus on the possession and sale of the guns themselves. But what about the bullets the guns fire? Proponents for stricter gun control laws also support regulating the types of ammunition available to the public, as well as who can sell and purchase ammunition. The idea of bullet control has been around since at least Chris Rock explained his solution to the gun violence problem (WARNING: linked video contains Adult Language). Across the United States, each state is free to regulate guns and ammunition, as long as they don't run afoul of federal laws and the Second Amendment. Certain types of ammunition have been made illegal by several states as these types are seen as having no "sporting" value. What Bullets Are Actually Illegal? One type of bullet that over 20 states have outright prohibitions against are "armor piercing" bullets. These are even illegal in Texas. The states that have banned these types of bullets recognize that no "sport" hunter or marksmen needs to pierce armor. The only people that need bullets that pierce armor are members of the military. Armor piercing bullets are commonly regarded as only having the purpose of killing police officers. Certain states, such as California and Connecticut, also ban the sale, purchase, or possession of "large caliber" ammunition. Even more states have a ban on "exploding" ammunition. While some types of bullets are self explanatory based on their names, other prohibited types of ammunition require some explanation. Apart from regulating bullets, states are taking aggressive measures to control things like magazine size. A Bullet by Any Other Name... Besides the armor piercing bullets mentioned above, the following types are also illegal: Flechette bullets, illegal in California, Florida, and Illinois, shoot two or more metal wires or dart-style bullets. Dragon's breath, illegal in Florida, Illinois, and Iowa, is a type of ammunition for shot guns that shoots out sparks and flames up to about 100 feet or further. Bolo ammunition, illegal in Florida and Illinois, consists of two or more projectiles connected by a wire, which when fired can wrap around the target. Hollow nose or dum-dum ammunition, illegal in New Jersey, is designed to expand on impact. While this list is not exhaustive, you should be aware that local ordinances may also prohibit these or other types of ammunition from being possessed, sold, bought, or used. Additionally, local ordinances can also require vendors to keep records of all bullet sales. Related Resources: World leaders, international institutions, and company representatives attending the 2nd "Investing in Africa Forum" are calling for innovative ways to rejuvenate economic growth, which coincides with China's "prescription" for the world at the recent G20 summit. "I think innovation and making better use of technology is going to be very helpful. I've seen it in Africa," said Haleh Bridi, director of external communications and partnerships at the World Bank Africa region, at the forum taking place on Wednesday in China's southern city Guangzhou. Bridi said because of innovation, Africa has moved from being a continent where nobody has a phone to one where almost everybody uses a cell phone. "This telephone revolution has really changed the face of Africa, and this can happen in so many other sectors, including in education, as you can get the top notch education online today," Bridi said. To facilitate the growth of both China and Africa, the World Bank has been actively engaging in forming partnerships between the two parties, and will continue to use its convening power to create a more open environment for both, Bridi said. As the world economy remains sluggish, leaders worldwide are looking for ways to boost growth. At the recent G20 summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping gave China's "prescription" for the world economy. "We will continue to reinforce macro-policy dialogue and coordination, work in the spirit of partnership to promote mutual help and win-win cooperation, and focus our minds and energy to pursue strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth," Xi said. Among the suggestions Xi gave to world leaders, innovation, openness, global economic governance and inclusiveness are the key. To make economic globalization more inclusive, the Hangzhou summit has put the issue of development front and center in the global macro policy framework. The first action plan has been formulated for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Cooperation is in place to support Africa and the least developed countries in their industrialization. "The China-Africa collaboration is moving beyond infrastructure development to more at the industrial development. We are looking at how Chinese entities may begin to put industrial facilities and help Africa develop its own production capacity, which is very important," said Oluniyi Robbin-Coker, Chairman of the Board at Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency. Robbin-Coker said that Sierra Leone can learn from China's successful experience in transforming from a labor-intensive processing model to more industrial kind of processing model, and the transfer of technology, skills, and knowledge from China to Africa is a win-win. "Innovation needs to take place on the continent, it's critical to borrow best practices and technology from other countries," said Robbin-Coker. For Robbin-Coker, the Investing in Africa Forum itself is a sign of openness and inclusiveness that China tries to promote. At the forum, leaders from African countries are sending a collective message to their Chinese friends. "Our message is clear: Africa is open for business. Africa is open to China in many ways," said Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa. Endi Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new iPhone 7 during an Apple special event in San Francisco, the United States, Sept. 7, 2016. [Xinhua] Apple has unveiled its newest iPhone, with the tech giant suggesting it took significant "courage" to take the technological steps forward it has, as the new phone does not include traditional headphone socket. "It's the best iPhone we have ever created, this is iPhone7." And with that Apple CEO Tim Cook answered the question iPhone enthusiasts have been asking, what exactly will Apple put in the box with the new iPhone 7? People who use wired headphones will plug them into Apple's lightning connector, which makes room for other components, and apple will be promoting wireless earphones, which it's calling Airpods. Technalysis Research Chief Analyst Bob O'Donnell says consumers will get used to it. "Some people going to be angry about losing the headphone jack because they've invested in very high quality headphones a lot of people will get over it, a lot of people will use stock earpods, and my understanding is they'll use the standard headpods which will plug into the lighting jack." The iPhone also has a souped-up camera and the iPhone 7 plus will feature two cameras with a choice of focal lengths. The other big announcement, Apple Watch Series 2 with some enhancements for people who love to exercise GPS so you can figure out where you are and where you're going when you're out on a run and for swimmers, the new Apple watch will be waterproof. There are lots of new apps for the watch. John Hanker from Niantic Labs who developed Pokemon Go is excited about one app in particular. "It's designed to seamlessly blend Pokemon Go game play with your daily walk or run while enabling you to focus on what's important all the cool stuff around you." Apple says in just 18 months Apple watch has become the 2nd top selling watch in the world, and in ten years, Apple has sold more than a billion iPhones. Tech analyst Bob O'Donnell says the Apple is hoping its new products will appeal especially to Asian consumers. "The Asian market is incredibly important for Apple. Apple has talked about how much they expect China in particular to account for a much larger percentage of its revenue over time. But the bottom line is Apple is doing things to make sure Asia is relevant." It's too early to tell just how the marketing strategy is working for this latest batch of Apple products. It's a safe bet the company is already working on something to make a big splash this time next year, when the iPhone turns 10 years old. An employee helps a guest with his bags at the Waldorf Astoria, Anbang's New York hotel. [China Daily] Anbang Insurance Group Co will focus on integrating its overseas purchases such as South Korea's Tongyang Life Insurance Co as it continues to seek acquisitions, Vice-Chairman Yao Dafeng said in an interview on Tuesday. The acquisitions will mostly cover insurers and banks, Yao said. "We want to build up the existing synergies a bit first, and consider new deals when appropriate opportunities emerge," Yao said. "You can't just keep buying everyday. You need to also digest and absorb." Anbang, founded in 2004, has been at the forefront of a record wave of overseas acquisitions by Chinese companies as the world's second-largest economy cools. The insurer, which has amassed assets across the US, Europe and Asia, is now preparing an initial public offering in Hong Kong of its life insurance operations. The proposed IPO is part of efforts by Anbang to better integrate itself into the global community as an "open and transparent" player, said Yao. Anbang folded four of the companies it acquired into the life unit last year. They include Tongyang Life, Dutch insurer Vivat, Belgium lender Nagelmackers and insurer Fidea NV, according to the unit's 2015 annual report. Net income at the consolidated division more than doubled from the previous year to 19.6 billion yuan ($2.9 billion), while assets surged more than sevenfold to 921.6 billion yuan, according to the report. "Those consolidated numbers are just the technical aspect, and a very small part" of benefits such acquisitions have brought Anbang, Yao said. "From the strategic and market competition point of view, our global deployment is taking shape." Some of the acquired companies are already benefiting as Anbang has started started integrating them. Tongyang Life posted its best results since its establishment in 1989 in the first half of this year, with premiums income jumping 91 percent mainly thanks to a new pension insurance product designed with Anbang's help, Yao said. Vivat reported a tenfold profit jump for the same period, after management strategies "exported" from Anbang helped reduce costs and improve efficiency, he added. Appellate Decision Could Roll Back California Pension Rights A recent decision out of California's First Appellate District could open the door for benefit reductions for public sector pensions, Bloomberg reports. In that case, the court upheld a 2013 law changing pension benefits calculated in an effort to prevent "pension spiking," or gaming the system in order to retire with an inflated pension. But, Bloomberg's Romy Varghese notes, the court's decision could open the door for other rollbacks, so long as the pension remains "reasonable" for workers. The Pension Reform Act and Pension Spiking California's public pensions are vastly underfunded -- by approximately $475 billion in 2009, according to the court. In 2013, the state legislature passed the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act, an attempt to reduce some public pension obligations through altering how pensions are calculated. One of the main targets of the legislation was pension spiking, or boosting compensation during the last years of one's career in order to walk away with a higher pension. To fight pension spiking, the Pension Reform Act made changes to how final compensation was calculated, removing factors such as payments for unused vacation days, payments for waiving health insurance, and any compensation "determined by the board to have been paid to enhance a member's retirement benefit under that system." Retreating From the California Rule? Public employees in Marin County sued, arguing that the county had deprived them of bargained for benefits and violated the so-called "California rule." The California Supreme Court clarified that rule in Allen v. Board of Administration. There, the state Supreme Court addressed the constitutional bar against the destruction of vested pension rights for active employees and held that: any modification of vested pension rights must be reasonable, must bear a material relation to the theory and successful operation of a pension system, and, when resulting in disadvantage to employees, must be accompanied by comparable new advantages. "Must" was not meant to be given "the literal and inflexible meaning attributed to it by plaintiffs," the appellate court ruled. The Supreme Court was not establishing a mandatory quid pro quo standard, but emphasizing that losses can be offset by reasonable new benefits. And in the Pension Reform Act, that benefit came in the form of increased net monthly compensation through reduced pension contributions. The employees are planning on appealing the case to the state Supreme Court. In the meantime, however, it could become a model for other states, Bloomberg reports. "Going from an absolute 'no' to a 'yes, if it's reasonable' is a huge shift in the political debate as well as the legal debate," former San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed told Bloomberg. "In order to save their jurisdictions from insolvency, some systems will be motivated to try to make some changes." Related Resources: Qian Jing, vice president of Jinko Solar [Photo provided to China.org.cn] When addressing the opening ceremony of the G20 Hangzhou summit a few days ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed China should fully leverage the radiation effect and the leading role of infrastructure connectivity so as to help developing countries and small and medium-sized companies integrate into global value chains, and make the global economy more open, interconnected and integrated. Xi's speech impressed Qian Jing, vice president of Jinko Solar, the only representative of a new energy enterprise to attend the Business 20 (B20) summit. She believes development of a country is fueled by infrastructure construction, to which electricity supply holds the key. "If we want to develop, we must build roads first. If we want to achieve prosperity, we must generate power first," she said during an interview with china.org.cn on the sidelines of the B20 meeting. China.org.cn: As an industry leader in the solar sector, in what way has your company contributed its wisdom to the B20 summit? Qian Jing: Energy power is the key to infrastructure construction. Jinko Solar, the only representative of the new energy enterprises to attend the infrastructure group meeting at the B20 summit, has explained the current situation of the solar power industry. For example, the cost of photovoltaic power in many countries is lower and sometimes far lower than thermal power. Jinko Solar has also pointed out the vital role that the solar power industry plays in various aspects, such as world economic growth, the energy revolution, [energy industry] restructuring, balanced and sustainable economic development and the possibility for cooperation among different companies in the industrial chain. Moreover, on behalf of the solar industry, Jinko Solar has discussed green finance, the necessary requirement for further industry development to expand the financing channels and reduce financing costs, and attract more private and social capital to participate in green infrastructure investment. China.org.cn: The infrastructure and industry development in the countries along the Belt and Road are lagging behind, and the level of their opening-up to the outside world are relatively low. How to carry out infrastructure construction in such countries? What opportunities will be brought to the new energy companies? Qian Jing: The development of a country must start from infrastructure construction. If we want to develop, we must build roads first. If we want to achieve prosperity, we must generate power first. Therefore, infrastructure construction should be the first priority when we help these countries to develop industry, especially the supply of power. For example, many manufacturing industries are reluctant to set up factories in India due to its lack of electricity, as its thermal power is heavily dependent on imported coal that leads to high electricity prices. The cost of power generation will be significantly reduced by using economical solar power. India will definitely see robust development in its industry as long as there is a guarantee of sufficient power supply. So the green infrastructure investment in the countries along the "Belt and Road" is promising. China.org.cn: The EU slapped anti-dumping duties on three Chinese solar companies recently. In fact, the dispute over solar panels between China and Europe has been a long-term issue. How should Chinese solar companies deal with frequent anti-dumping charges? How to maintain their competitive edges? Qian Jing: The outstanding ability of every economy that has remarkable productivity is based on free trade. The development of the United States and China serve two examples. Every economy will pay a higher price if it cuts off trade with other economies deliberately. Customers and investors will never turn to domestic companies even without trade. Instead, they will reduce consumption and halt investment. Under the circumstances, domestic companies can't be protected while the unemployment issue will become more serious. There certainly are some stubborn politicians who would like to continue to build higher barriers. In face of the current situation, Jinko Solar will improve its products' efficiency in a bid to reduce costs and increase their reliability and long-term performance, which makes Jinko's products to be more competitive. China.org.cn: The green finance issue formed part of the G20 summit for the first time. What do you think of green finance? What influences will green finance have on the photovoltaic industry? Qian Jing: Green finance advocates low-carbon and environmentally-friendly finance. Finance should make full use of its role as a leverage of resource distribution, redistributing various resources and channeling more capital into green industries. Moreover, green finance should prevent polluting companies from investing through financial measures. The finance industry should innovate tools to serve green industries, and attract more private and social capital into green industry investment so as to provide financial support for long-term development of green industries. The photovoltaic generation industry is a capita-intensive sector. Upstream manufacturing enterprises and downstream power-generating companies are all heavily dependent on enormous and sustainable financial support. Consequently, green finance plays a crucial part in the development of the solar photovoltaic industry. You are here: Home Chinese police have brought 129 telecom fraud suspects back from Armenia, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) announced on Wednesday. The suspects include 51 from the Chinese mainland and 78 from Taiwan. They are suspected of involvement in fraud cases in over 10 provincial-level regions on the Chinese mainland. Armenian law enforcement detected suspicious activity by the suspects this year and reported their findings to Chinese police. The suspects were seized when local law enforcement raided six dens on Aug. 20, said the MPS, adding that a large amount of equipment including computers and smart phones were found on site. The MPS dispatched a working team to Armenia to deal with the case on Aug. 26. An investigation found that members of the Armenia-based syndicate had been falsely presenting themselves as law enforcement officials to cheat people on the Chinese mainland through telephone calls. They were found to have defrauded people in more than 50 cases, conning them out of more than 7 million yuan (1.2 million U.S. dollars). As all victims involved are on the Chinese mainland, the 129 suspects were brought back to the mainland to facilitate further investigation and ensure justice, the MPS said. The MPS has designated police from Guangdong Province to investigate the case. Mainland police have also informed Taiwan authorities of the cases according to relevant agreements between the two sides. Telecom fraud has caused serious harm, said the MPS, vowing to continue the fight against the scams. Public Security Minister Guo Shengkun on Tuesday urged efforts to enhance public awareness of such crimes and firmly curb telecom fraud to protect people's legitimate rights and interests. Torrential rain is forecast to sweep China's northeast and southern regions over the next few days, the country's meteorological authority said Wednesday. Parts of Chongqing, Fujian, Guangxi, Guangdong and Taiwan will be hit by downpours in the coming three days, with the rainfall reaching up to 90 millimeters, according to a statement on the website of the National Meteorological Center (NMC). Strong rain, accompanied by winds, are also expected in Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia and Liaoning from Wednesday night through Friday. The northeast, Yunnan Province and areas south to the Yangtze River are expected to receive 30-60 percent more rain than average over the next ten days, the statement said. The NMC recommended that authorities in these regions should take action to prevent natural disasters such as floods and landslides, and minimize the effects on agricultural production. Flash Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday launched a new strategy to help in the fighting against extremism and terrorism in the East African nation. Kenyatta said the National Strategy to Counter Violent Extremism articulates Kenya's efforts to prevent terrorism and violent extremism. "This has resulted in a sharp increase in operational tempo, coordination and equipment aimed at detecting, deterring and disrupting the activities of terrorists," he said during the launch of the strategy in Nairobi. The strategy, which will be implemented by the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, will rally all sections of government, communities, civil society, the private sector and international partners in the war against terror. Kenyatta said the launch of the strategy comes on the back of increased investments by the government in technology, skills and innovative approaches to countering terrorism. He said the new strategy will add prevention and counter radicalization to the more traditional security approaches to fight the vice. He said rehabilitation of foreign terrorist fighters who completely disavow the use of violence and adherence to the ideology and aims of terrorist groups is one of the crucial tasks being addressed by the new strategy. Kenyatta also appointed Ambassador Martin Kimani, who heads the National Counter Terrorism Centre, as Special Envoy for Countering Violent Extremism. The National Counter Terrorism Centre is the focal point and coordination centre for the anti-terror strategy. Kenyatta urged all Kenyans to work together to deny violent extremists the room to radicalize their compatriots. "Together, in coordinated fashion, we must as a people drain the swamp of violent extremism and deny it room to radicalize Kenyans," said the President when he launched the report during a live media briefing. President Kenyatta said he was confident that the new strategy was a critical step in protecting and advancing liberty and prosperity of Kenyans. "Its lessons will be visible to all, and I look forward to their being shared with the region and the world as we look to build a just and peaceful international order," he said. Flash The Syrian army killed 150 rebels during battles in the country's central province of Hama on Wednesday, state-run SANA news agency said, as activists reported an imminent release of prisoners from Hama's central prison, a monitor group reported. The military forces killed the rebels near the town of Maardis in the northern countryside of Hama, said SANA. The Syrian army lost control of Maardis a week ago, following a wide-scale rebel offensive in northern Hama, in a bid to attract the attention of the Syrian army to that area and lower the pressure on the rebels in the northern city of Aleppo. A day earlier, SANA said the army units succeeded to wrest control over the western neighborhood in the town. Meanwhile, the activists Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said as many as 85 prisoners are set to be released from Hama central prison within the next hours in exchange for the bodies of Russian pilots, whose aircraft was downed by the rebels in August in the countryside of the northwestern province of Idlib. A second batch of prisoners will be released later, as part of the exchange deal, the UK-based watchdog added. The northern countryside of Hama has returned under the spotlight after the rebels carried out repetitive attacks on government positions in that area. The attacks are part of their efforts to get the army busy with more than one front to reduce the pressure on rebels in other parts of northern Syria. Recent reports said the rebels in the northern province of Aleppo are reeling under fresh pressure by the Syrian army, which has recently closed the routes to the besieged rebel-held areas in the eastern part of Aleppo city. The northern region in Hama is also close to the northwestern province of Idlib, a key stronghold for the rebels' Jaish al-Fateh, or the Army of Conquest. SANA said the rebels there unleashed their attacks on Hama from areas close to Idlib. Flash Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto on Wednesday announced a cabinet shakeup, just days after the much-criticized visit of U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Pena Nieto named Jose Antonio Meade to be his new Finance minister, after Luis Videgaray -- said to have been behind the invitations to Trump and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton -- handed in his resignation. As Finance Minister, Meade's first task will be to present the 2017 budget to Congress for approval in coming days. Meade, who had been at the helm of the Social Development Ministry, has served as head of finance before, namely during the presidential term of Felipe Calderon (2006-20012), and has also served as minister of foreign affairs (under Pena Nieto) and energy (under Calderon). Pena Nieto called on Meade to continue the government's policy of fiscal responsibility "to contain and stabilize the growth of the public-sector debt as a share of the gross domestic product (GDP)." He indicated Meade will have to make cuts in 2017 public spending to ensure macroeconomic stability. However, "it is up to the government to tighten its belt, without affecting the people," said Pena Nieto, adding "there will be no new taxes nor increases to existing ones." Meade must also "give priority to investment projects and social programs that have been most effective in fighting poverty," said the president. Taking over for Meade at Social Development will be Luis Enrique Miranda, formerly deputy minister at the Ministry of the Interior. According to news reports, Trump's lightning visit to Mexico was widely seen as a diplomatic failure that only served to strengthen the candidate's standing among potential voters by making him seem more presidential. Meanwhile, Mexico was criticized for appearing to meddle in the U.S. election process, and Pena Nieto was forced to repeatedly defend the decision to invite the candidates. In a recent interview with a U.S. news network, Clinton said she would not accept the invitation, dealing another blow to Mexico. Flash A mortar from Syria hit the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on Wednesday, causing no injuries, the Israeli army said. "Moments ago, a projectile hit an open area in the northern Golan Heights," a statement by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson read. No injuries or damages were reported, the army said, adding that it is looking into the circumstances of the fire. Errant fire from the fighting in Syria has occasionally been spilling over to Israel, usually causing no casualties or damages. On Sunday, the Israeli military struck Syria in retaliation to a mortar that landed in an open field in the Golan Heights. "The IDF holds the Syrian government accountable for this blatant breach of Israel sovereignty, and will continue to act in order to safeguard Israel," the army said following the strike. Israel occupied the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast War and annexed the territory in 1981. Israel had repeatedly declared it would not intervene in the internal fighting in Syria, amid the civil war that broke out in 2011. It did deliver medical treatment to hundreds of wounded Syrians who reached the border. Israel had also been responsible for several airstrikes in Syria in the past several years, allegedly targeting convoys carrying weapons from Iran and Syria to the Lebanese Hezbollah militant organization, a staunch enemy of Israel. The Jewish state remained quiet on its part on these attacks up until three months ago, when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted that Israel carried out "dozens" of attacks across the border with Syria. Endit Flash Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Wednesday decided to release all children who have been detained among the rebel groups and pledged to consider the files of other prisoners. The released children will be handed over to the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security for rehabilitation, al-Bashir said at a ceremony in El-Fashir town to declare the end of 13 years of conflict in Darfur. He called on the armed movements to return to peace in the country, announcing a pardon for rebel movements if they opt for peace. "We welcome whoever lay down their weapons -- those who fought in South Sudan and Libya. I agreed with the Chadian president to work for achieving security and peace in Central Republic of Africa," he added. He hailed the efforts of the Regional Authority to implement Doha Document for Peace in Darfur. He further commended the Qatari government's efforts to achieve peace in Darfur. Earlier in the day, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in El-Fashir to participate in the celebrations marking the implementation of the Doha-brokered peace deal signed in 2011. The Darfur peace deal, known as Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD), was signed on July 14, 2011 between the government and the Liberation and Justice (LJM) led by El Tijani al-Sisi. However, major movements such as Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Sudan Liberation movements, led by Abdul-Wahid Nur and Mini Arku Minawi, have not joined the agreement as yet. Going Digital? Don't Forget an Invention Assignment Agreement In today's modern era of the internet and energy drinks, small businesses come in all shapes, forms, and types of tangibility. Businesses today can exist solely in the digital sphere, selling digital products that people only use in digital worlds. Businesses that don't have a presence in the digital world want in. But before businesses hire that pricey developer to start developing, an Invention Assignment Agreement should be signed. Developing code is not just a science, it's an art. Like photographers, developers and coders are the copyright holders and owners of their code. So before your business hires on that coder to build the next revolutionary Thneed, make sure you know who owns what from the outset. What Is an Invention Assignment Agreement? Basically, an IAA is an agreement between employer and employee (or contractor), that provides that all inventions made by an employee/contractor while working for the employer belong to the employer (sample agreement). These agreements are also commonly referred to as an Assignment of Proprietary Rights or just simply a Developer Agreement. In the world of coding, programming, web building, and so forth, an IAA is required in order to prevent problems down the road. The most common example is when a business hires a developer without having them sign an IAA first. After building something great for the company, the developer then leaves. A year later, investors are looking at putting money into the company, but find out that the developer and not the company own the rights, or perhaps both have equal rights, to the invention. Investors must take into consideration that the now-gone developer could just sell his rights to the competition, or even give it away for free. Clearly, not getting that assignment of rights at the outset can create big time problems down the road. When to Sign an IAA? Employers should seek to have all employees sign an IAA upon hire. If employers seek to have employees sign an IAA after employment has commenced or after a product, invention, or program has been produced, then the company better be ready to pay. All contracts require consideration (a.k.a. money), and asking an employee to sign a new contract requires providing consideration. An IAA is one of the few things more important than a raincoat in San Francisco. Don't hire developers without protection. Your business's future depends on it. Related Resources: Flash At least eight people were killed in a road accident involving two buses along a highway in South Sudan on Wednesday. South Sudan's deputy police spokesperson, Colonel Kwaicjok Dominic Amondot, told Xinhua that the head-on collision between two buses travelling to Uganda and South Sudan respectively injured 37 others. The fatal accident occurred along the Juba-Kampala highway in an area called Pageri. Amondot said among the dead are four Ugandans, three South Sudanese and one Somali national, adding 37 others are receiving treatment at the border town of Nimule. "Eight people died in the accident which occurred at around 9 a.m. in Pageri village. Some 37 others are also receiving treatment at Nimule Hospital," Amondot said. He said the investigators have not established the cause of the accident. Gregory David, a passenger involved in the accident, told Xinhua that the two buses collided while attempting to dodge a pothole in high speed. The Juba-Kampala highway is one of the most important trade route for landlocked South Sudan as it remained the only open road linking the young nation to other East African countries such as Uganda and Kenya. But recent increase in gun attacks and looting along the road has reduced traffic. Unknown gunmen on Monday killed one person and injured four others on the same road following an attack on a Uganda bound bus. Flash NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday that Georgia will become a member of NATO if all the requirements for membership were fulfilled. Speaking at a joint press conference with the Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili after the NATO-Georgia Commission meeting here, the NATO chief said that the alliance has a "remarkable, mutually supportive relationship" with Georgia and "the partnership is getting even stronger." "We decided at the NATO Warsaw summit to reaffirm the decision we made in Bucharest that Georgia will become a member of NATO. But to become a member of NATO, Georgia has to meet the standards, requirements for membership," Stoltenberg said when asked about the timetable of Georgia's NATO accession. "No one else has the right to interfere or try to veto that process and NATO will continue to enlarge," he said. Georgia has great prospect for joining NATO, he said, adding that Georgia has all the necessary tools to move towards NATO membership, including the NATO-Georgia Commission, the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package,Joint Training and Evaluation Centre and presence of NATO experts in Tbilisi to help promote Georgia's defense reforms. For his part, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili reiterated Georgia will continue its "consistent" reform efforts and "wait patiently" for the window of opportunity for joining NATO. "Majority of Georgian population supports NATO membership. I want to reassure our partners that dynamic of this progress will be maintained and Georgia will achieve its eventual goal of joining NATO" , said the Prime Minister. The North Atlantic Council led by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg started a three-day visit to Tbilisi on Wednesday. On Thursday, Jens Stoltenberg will meet President Giorgi Margvelashvili and visit the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Centre outside Tbilisi, which was inaugurated in August 2015. Can I Get Evicted Over Marijuana? What If It's Medicinal? Short answer: Yes. Especially if you live in Washington, DC. Renters across the country, even in states that provide for legal recreational or medicinal use of marijuana, can be evicted because of the drug. However, in places were marijuana is legal for recreational usage and medical usage, it requires more than a simple "no illegal activity" clause in your lease. Even where pot is legal, if you are selling it, growing it, processing it, and smoking it indoors or in the common areas, you can potentially get evicted. However, in Washington, DC, just a little bit of marijuana can lead to a nuisance abatement letter to your landlord, which can lead to an eviction. When your landlord receives a nuisance abatement letter, they are under threat of property seizure and you can bet your last month's rent on the fact that your landlord will want you out fast. What Is a Nuisance Abatement Letter? According to the Washington Post, the Nuisance Abatement Letter is a product of a 1999 law giving officials in Washington D.C. the authority to sue property owners that don't stop illegal activity from happening at their properties after they have been made aware of the activity. While the D.C. Attorney General is looking to revamp these practices, the office already issued several hundred letters, and many to people that no one would characterize as a nuisance. The Post explains that a Southwest Washington grandmother was forced out of her home after her landlord received a Nuisance Abatement Letter over less than 1 gram of marijuana (which is a legal amount for D.C. residents to possess). While these letters have ousted many people who were creating a nuisance, there are too many cases where better oversight could have prevented regular folk from being evicted. The D.C. A.G. office is currently reviewing how the process can be made better. Fortunately, until the review is completed, the AG has issued a moratorium on issuing Nuisance Abatement Letters. Can I Get Evicted for Medical Marijuana? Regardless of where you live, read your lease agreement. A "no drug" policy is legal in Colorado and still applies to marijuana. Due to the conflict between state and federal law, most states with medical marijuana laws allow a landlord to evict a tenant who uses marijuana for medicinal reasons, under certain circumstances. Colorado's law allows landlords to prohibit or regulate consumption, use and growth on the property. Landlord/tenant laws vary from state to state. Also, this issue will be heavily dependent on what it says in your lease. If you are concerned, it is always best to confirm with a local attorney to be on the safe side. Related Resources: NAIROBI - China's ratification of Paris climate deal on Sept 3 marked a historic milestone in global efforts to lower green house gas emissions and hasten green and inclusive growth, a World Bank official said on Wednesday. Ademola Braimoh, coordinator for climate smart agriculture at the World Bank Africa region hailed Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Barack Obama for ratifying a deal that outlines ambitious targets to limit emission of climate altering gases. "The ratification of Paris Climate Agreement by China and the United States is a welcome development because it requires collective effort especially from big players in the world stage to solve the challenge of climate change," Braimoh remarked. He spoke to Xinhua on the sidelines of the ongoing Africa green revolution forum taking place in Nairobi. China announced ratification of Paris climate deal ahead of the G20 Summit that took place in East China's city of Hangzhou on Sept 4-5. President Xi and his US counterpart Obama during their meeting on Sept 4 issued a joint statement reaffirming their countries' unwavering commitment to implementation of Paris climate deal. Braimoh noted that political commitment from China and the United States has inspired nations to take robust measures to enhance climate resilient economic development. "We expect countries to back their commitment with actions, allocate more resources towards climate change mitigation and adaptation," Braimoh said. He added that African states can borrow lessons from China that include adoption of clean technologies to strengthen their resilience to climate change. China has led global efforts to revitalize the war against climate change through increased funding for adaptation and mitigation, technology transfer and political commitment. President Xi in his address to the just concluded G20 Summit stressed that China's pursuit of green and inclusive development had not faltered. An employee helps a guest with his bags at the Waldorf Astoria, Anbang's New York hotel. [Photo provided to China Daily] Anbang Insurance Group Co will focus on integrating its overseas purchases such as South Korea's Tongyang Life Insurance Co as it continues to seek acquisitions, Vice-Chairman Yao Dafeng said in an interview on Tuesday. The acquisitions will mostly cover insurers and banks, Yao said. "We want to build up the existing synergies a bit first, and consider new deals when appropriate opportunities emerge," Yao said. "You can't just keep buying everyday. You need to also digest and absorb." Anbang, founded in 2004, has been at the forefront of a record wave of overseas acquisitions by Chinese companies as the world's second-largest economy cools. The insurer, which has amassed assets across the US, Europe and Asia, is now preparing an initial public offering in Hong Kong of its life insurance operations. The proposed IPO is part of efforts by Anbang to better integrate itself into the global community as an "open and transparent" player, said Yao. Anbang folded four of the companies it acquired into the life unit last year. They include Tongyang Life, Dutch insurer Vivat, Belgium lender Nagelmackers and insurer Fidea NV, according to the unit's 2015 annual report. Net income at the consolidated division more than doubled from the previous year to 19.6 billion yuan ($2.9 billion), while assets surged more than sevenfold to 921.6 billion yuan, according to the report. "Those consolidated numbers are just the technical aspect, and a very small part" of benefits such acquisitions have brought Anbang, Yao said. "From the strategic and market competition point of view, our global deployment is taking shape." Some of the acquired companies are already benefiting as Anbang has started started integrating them. Tongyang Life posted its best results since its establishment in 1989 in the first half of this year, with premiums income jumping 91 percent mainly thanks to a new pension insurance product designed with Anbang's help, Yao said. Vivat reported a tenfold profit jump for the same period, after management strategies "exported" from Anbang helped reduce costs and improve efficiency, he added. Bloomberg As back to school shopping is officially underway, tens of millions of college students have become the driving force in the expanding shopping market, especially the online one. Liu Yang, a senior at Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, recently bought a new iPhone 6s from JD.com Inc's e-shop, China's second largest B2C online platform. "I need to be better prepared for the new semester. And a brand new smartphone will be a perfect bonus for my next journey, like looking for jobs." said the 22-year-old Liu. For Liu Yujing, a 20-year-old junior at the North China University of Technology, back to school season is one of the best times for shopping. "My parents gave me more money for the new semester. So, I bought coats, T-shirts, trousers, shoes, make-up and other personal stuff, totaling nearly 11,000 yuan ($1650). As an integral participant in the back to school shopping season, e-commerce platforms have become the "main battlefield" for online shopping. JD.com launched a one-month promotional festival, from Aug 11 to Sept 12, for the back-to-school season, including cellphones, digital products, computer office supplies, books, audio and video products, plus items for travel and daily life China's biggest e-commerce platform, Taobao, and other online platforms also offer various promotional activities, such as providing discounts or free maintenance for the purchased goods. "Compared to previous years, college students' current online spending has increased a lot, and there will be a peak of consumption before the 'Double Eleven' online shopping festival," said Chu Shiyuan, marketing general manager of 3C (computer, communications and consumer electronics) business department at JD.com Inc. Chu added that, among the 3C category of commodities, students usually bought computer office supplies, mobile phones, digital products and books. According to JD's statistics, during its "618" online shopping festival, the number of purchased goods by college students on JD's e-shop grew 300 percent from last year, with the sales value up by 500 percent. The data also show that college students prefer to purchase commodities in the categories of beauty & health, food & drinks, computer office supplies, books and mobile phones. Xiang Ligang, telecom expert and CEO of the industry website cctime.com, said that September and October are peak seasons for sales, and the total sales for cellphones and computers will grow significantly higher during that time, due to the back to school spending. An employee works on a component for a Phenom 300 jet on the assembly line at the Embraer SA manufacturing plant in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil. [Photo/Agencies] Brazil's Ibovespa equity market index rose as investors piled into local planemaker Embraer SA after it announced orders from Chinese carriersand amid speculation that supply-chain issues at its biggest rival would benefit the Brazilian group. Embraer advanced for the eighth straight session, putting in the longest winning streak since December 2005, in the process helping push the country's benchmark stock index to a two-year high. Analysts and investors are now reappraising the Brazilian planemaker. After Embraer lost more than half its market value in the first eight months of the year amid a surge in Brazil's currencywhich made the country's exports less competitiveinvestors are now seeing value in the company, according to analyst Adeodato Volpi Netto. "Embraer is a great and efficient manufacturer, with a very solid story," said Netto, head of capital markets at Eleven Financial Research in Sao Paulo, who recommends buying the stock and has set a target price almost 50 percent above the current level. "It suffered exaggeratedly a couple of months ago," he added. The planemaker announced sales agreements with China Colorful Guizhou Airlines and Colorful Yunnan on Sept 2. Embraer and Colorful Guizhou Airlines signed a supply contract for up to five E190s. The deal comprises two firm orders and three purchase rights and has an estimated value of $249 million at list prices if all rights are exercised. The firm order for two aircraft, to be delivered in 2017, complements an initial order placed at the 2015 Paris Air Show for seven E190s. Embraer is also seen less affected by supplier problems than rival Bombardier Inc, so its competitor's delays may be beneficial, according to Nick Heymann, an analyst at William Blair in New York who rates the shares the equivalent of hold. Bombardier slashed its 2016 forecast for its C Series jetliner deliveries on Tuesday because of delays in shipments of Pratt & Whitney engines. "You're trying in essence to get a new supply chain for a new engine at the peak of the cycle," Heymann said. "It's proven to be challenging, and Embraer is now likely to be perceived as less adversely affected than Bombardier." Bloomberg Companies plan to accelerate 5G network innovation, help realize its commercialization China Mobile Communications Corp, the world's biggest wireless telecom operator by subscribers, said last week that so far 42 companies from various related sectors have become the latest partners of its global 5G Innovation Center. Those companies include Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, Nokia Technologies, Intel Corp and Audi AG. Together they plan to step up the innovation of 5G and help to realize its commercialization in 2020, China Mobile said. Currently, the core technologies of 5G are clear and the industry has reached a consensus, according to an official from China Mobile's think tank. The strong demand for a faster network is driving the development of 5G network globally. China Mobile and other major telecom players are rushing to form partnerships with cutting-edge sectors like the internet of things, the internet of vehicles, virtual reality, augmented reality, and big data-based sectors like cloud computing, robots and artificial intelligence. "The 5G technology can execute tasks that were impossible using 4G or earlier technologies, because it has ultrahigh capacity and ultralow latency. It will also combine with cloud technology, and become more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly," said Huang Yuhong, deputy general manager of China Mobile Research Institute. "The commercialization of 5G will benefit many related high-end technology sectors, as 4G can't meet the demand of sectors like virtual reality and augmented reality. We are cooperating with telecommunication and internet enterprises, and other vertical industry partners, to innovate applications and products and build an ecosystem," she said. With about 1.3 million 4G base stations across the country, China Mobile operates the world's largest 4G network. As of May, the company had more than 400 million 4G subscribers, more than that of smaller rivals China United Telecommunications Corp Ltd and Telecommunications Corporation combined. Officials from China Mobile's think tank said it would focus on the development and application of 5G on smart city, smart home and industrial internet. It also plans to cooperate with Huawei and Swedish tech giant Ericsson to build laboratories in Chengdu, Sichuan province and Stockholm, Sweden. The company hopes to take a lead in the development of the next-generation of communication technology, and it will soon start test verifications on key technologies such as large-scale antenna and high-frequency prototype. BEIJING - China's economic transition offers many investment opportunities and will drive technology and business model innovation, according to the head of a foreign private equity fund. Economic restructuring and industrial upgrading will foster renewed demand for innovation in technology, media and telecommunication (TMT), education, health care and higher-quality consumer goods, James Yang, Managing Partner and Chairman of Pagoda Investment, told Xinhua in an exclusive interview. Since it opened in 2015, Pagoda Investment, whose major investors include Australia's Queensland Investment Corporation and some large European pension funds, has focused on investing in China's new consumption-centered economy. It has invested in several business giants including ride-sharing firm Didi, online-to-offline business platform Meituan & Dazhongdianping and on-demand personalized radio app Ximalaya FM, according to Yang. "The downward economic pressure might also have some silver linings, as it could squeeze out the hype bubble and push for real innovation in new technology and sustainable business models," Yang said. He said there are still many investment opportunities in the TMT sector as China is the world's second largest technology innovation market and has been a pioneer in Internet technology and application with strong government support. "For example, Didi is not an on-demand mobility firm, but essentially a big data platform that matches demand and supply via data analysis," he said. Yang is also upbeat about business opportunities to cooperate between the domestic and overseas market, such as logistics services for the Belt and Road Initiative and the rising demand of the Chinese middle class for safer food, better health care and consumer products. China's outbound investment reached more than $102.7 billion in the first seven months of this year, up 61.8 percent year on year, and Chinese enterprises have been active in overseas mergers and acquisitions (M&A). "Many Chinese firms are becoming increasingly international with market expansion via M&A. Foreign funds can help bridge overseas technology and products with the Chinese market and help cultural integration and compliance with local laws, which are crucial to M&A success," Yang said. Shanghai is keen to deepen the reform of becoming a global shipping hub with continuous higher throughput capacity of cargos, upgraded airport construction and comprehensive shipping services in the Yangtze River Delta. According to the 13th Five-Year Plan on forming Shanghai to be a global shipping center, released today by the municipal government, Shanghai port is expected to remain the leading global pivotal port, with an annual throughput capacity of containers for 42 million TEUs. The annual throughput capacity of passengers' visits in airports is expected to reach 120 million. "The under construction of the fourth phase of Yangshan Deep-water Port is an automated terminal project, which will be put in trial production by next year, with an extra 4 million TEUs," said Zhang Lin, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission. In the cruise industry, Shanghai port is planned to become one of the largest cruise ports in the Asia Pacific region and the home port of more than 12 to 15 cruise ships, with a total number of 1.5 to 2 million visits by tourists. By the year of 2020, the city aims to become a global shipping hub gathering high-level shipping resources, offering comprehensive shipping services and efficient logistics, and having the capability of resource allocation. MOSCOW - The just concluded Group of 20 (G20) Summit in China was held at the highest level of competency, the Russian G20 Sherpa Svetlana Lukash said Wednesday. Speaking at a news briefing, Lukash noted that the most important result of the summit was that it embarked on encouraging the world economy development in the long run for the first time, instead of paying a lot of attention to "short- and medium-term incentives." In this regard, the summit under China's presidency decided to focus on choosing the most effective ways of carrying out structural reforms and identifying new sources of economic growth, she said. According to Lukash, the main success of the summit was the adoption of the Blueprint on Innovative Growth, a framework document, which defines the work plan of the G20 over the long term in terms of innovation, the potentials of the new industrial revolution and the digital economy. The summit also stressed the importance of connecting developing countries and small and medium-sized enterprises to the existing and new global and regional trade associations, she noted. The alignment of China's Belt and Road Initiative with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union is now a priority of bilateral relations, she said, adding that the cooperation between the two sides is consistent with the interconnectivity of infrastructure, one of the main themes of the G20 Summit. She also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin met with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, on the sidelines of the summit in a very warm and frank atmosphere. BEIJING - The giant digital billboards that lit up Hangzhou during the just-concluded G20 Summit have been seen as a symbol of China's booming innovative prowess. The video displays, which are made up of 700,000 LED lights, were installed on over 30 skyscrapers in the eastern city. They featured images of paintings, landscapes and information about the G20 Summit. "These China-made LEDs consume 50 percent less electricity than traditional lighting," said Shu Xiao, from Hangzhou Urban Management Committee, on Wednesday. The summit offered "Made in China" companies the perfect opportunity to showcase some of the nation's exciting projects. The high-powered silicon substrate-based LED chips, used for the display screens, saw China become the third country after Japan and the United States to secure intellectual property rights for blue LEDs, said Chen Zhen, vice president of Lattice Power Corp, which produces the LED chips. He said the company applied the LED technology developed by Jiang Fengyi, vice president of Nanchang University, and his research team, and began to mass produce it in 2012. The luminous efficiency is equivalent to sapphire substrate LED developed by Japanese firms and silicon carbide substrate-based LED developed in the United States. The China-developed LED has the edge on pricing as it uses cheaper materials, said Chen. The company, based in east China's Jiangxi province, has developed an industrial cluster to produce the LED screens, with a total annual output value of 5 billion yuan ($763 million). The LED example is typical of China's innovation-driven economic growth. The government understands that innovation holds the key to unlocking the potential for medium- and long-term growth. The LED industry has won support from the government of Jiangxi, which issued a blueprint on making the provincial capital, Nanchang, into China's "LED valley" with an annual business revenue of 100 billion yuan by 2020. Through supporting innovative industries, Jiangxi, which is a comparatively less developed province along China's economic powerhouse the Yangtze River Delta, recorded the added value of the high-tech industry exceeding 100 billion yuan in the first seven months, up 10.4 percent year-on-year. In the first half of 2016, the GDP growth rate of Jiangxi was 9.1 percent, fifth out of all the provincial level economies. The speech was made at the 21st Panglong Conference in Naypyidaw, which had a series of high-profile international guests including U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. General Min Aung Hlaing said in his opening speech that the armed struggle of ethnic groups was against democratic principles. Ethnic leaders have voiced strong disagreement. Naing Hantha, Vice Chairman of the New Mon State Party, argued that the current political situation was not yet stable enough to justify the disarmament of ethnic groups. As for ethnic armed organizations, this situation has not convinced us to believe that we dont need to continue the armed struggle, he said in an interview with Karen News. Naing Hantha hold a key position in the ethnic armed organisation alliance, the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC). Naing Hantha said it was ironic for the Burma Army to make calls on democratic principle when it itself did not have civilian oversight. General Imbanla, chairman of the UNFC also criticized the speech by General Min Aung Hlaing: Youd like to ask why we, non-Burman ethnic nationals, have taken to armed struggle? Its because the promises and agreements made from 1947 havent been completely implemented yet. We still do not have the democracy, national equality and self-determination which we have longed for. A citizen walks past a flower bed in the shape of the logo of G20 summit in Binjiang district of Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang province, August 25, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua] Workers on the production line at Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co in Hefei, Anhui province. [Photo/China Daily] Chinese auto firm to establish new-energy vehicle joint venture with the German automobile giant German carmaker Volkswagen AG is to set up a 50:50 joint venture on new-energy vehicles with China's Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co, according to a memorandum of understanding the two signed in Germany on Wednesday. The two have agreed to enter into discussions to evaluate the perspectives and feasibility of a new joint venture that will focus on research, manufacturing and sales of new-energy vehicles and spare parts, said Volkswagen in an e-mail to China Daily. Details such as the timeframe have yet to be specified but the two automakers aim to sign a formal agreement on their partnership within five months, as laid down in the MOU. JAC is one of the major Chinese carmakers without a foreign partner. It delivered 333,639 vehicles and chassis in the first six months of 2016, 14.15 percent growth year-on-year. The initial contact between the two carmakers started after Premier Li Keqiang's visit to JAC in October 2015. Chinese media reported that JAC told Li of its intention to work with Volkswagen, and Li agreed to convey the message. Zhang Zhiyong, an independent auto analyst in Beijing, said JAC will gain from the move. "JAC is betting big on new-energy vehicles to boost its performance, so it has long shown a strong intention to join forces with international automakers so that it can gain financial and technological support." JAC sold 9,720 new energy vehicles in the first half of the year, surging 261 percent year-on-year, according to its mid-year financial report. Experts believe the move will also help to promote Volkswagen's e-mobility strategy, as China has become the world's largest new-energy vehicle market. The automaker said in June that it intends to develop more than 30 new, purely battery-powered electric vehicle models by 2025 worldwide, with annual sales reaching two to three million units. Matthias Muller, Volkswagen's CEO, told China Daily in an earlier interview that "China will be the fastest-growing market for NEVs worldwide, and Volkswagen aims to be at the forefront of electrifying China". However, John Zeng, managing director of LMC Automotive Consulting Shanghai, said setting up a new joint venture is "not that necessary". He said it can arrange new-energy vehicle production in its existing facilities, but he admitted that a new partnership dedicated to purely electric cars would be easier to manage. Volkswagen now has two joint ventures in China, one with FAW Group and the other with SAIC Motor, and both of them specialize in passenger cars. The fact raises the concern of how Volkswagen and JAC would specify the nature of their cooperation as one international automaker is now allowed to have no more than two partners in the same category in China. Zhang said if the deal gains the nod from the authorities, it may signal a change in automotive policies, including whether China should allow international carmakers to have more partners and whether it should lift the 50 percent cap on foreign ownership. The Ministry of Finance exposed the names of five new-energy vehicle producers that swindled subsidies from the central government on Thursday following an investigation of 90 such manufacturers in the country from early 2016. The five companies - Suzhou Gemsea, Higer Bus, Wuzhoulong Motors, Mychery Bus and Shaolin Bus - illegally obtained a total 1.01 billion yuan in subsidies in 2015 and claimed to have sold 3,547 vehicles that were actually either unfinished or unsold. The ministry said the five companies are to return the illegally gained subsidies, fined and will be disqualified for subsidies from 2016. Gemsea, which had the severest violations, will be removed from the country's list of automakers. In 2009 the central government started offering subsidies to stimulate the new-energy vehicle sector and 33.4 billion yuan had been earmarked by the end of 2015, the ministry said. Late last month, Song Qiuling, an official with the ministry, said that it is considering raising the threshold at which carmakers qualify to receive subsidies from the central government. "The 'one-size-fits-all' subsidy scheme was effective in the early stages, and it is what is done internationally, but it may result in carmakers being over-reliant on financial stimuli, making them reluctant to do research and development, which would lead to poorer-quality products," Song said. Chen Qingtai, director of China EV 100, said that Chinese carmakers and the Chinese government must address the critical question of how the industry stays competitive. This is especially important, he stressed, as international rivals are introducing an increasing number of products into the market, while the government is curtailing stimulus measures for the new-energy vehicle sector. From this year, China is gradually cutting subsidies to the new energy auto sector, and will cease all subsidies at the end of 2020. "A key to meet the challenge (facing the domestic industry) is to make further breakthroughs in core technologies and substantially improve our competitive edge," Chen said. Last year, around 350,000 new energy vehicles were sold. Through the first seven months of this year, 207,000 new energy vehicles were sold, up 122.8 percent year-on-year. The iPhone 7 is shown on display during an Apple media event in San Francisco, California, US, September 7, 2016. [Photo/Agencies] Due to the limited improvements seen in successive iPhone models and a wider range of alternatives from domestic smartphone makers, Chinese consumers are less enthusiastic about the upcoming iPhone, which will be unveiled on Thursday Beijing Time, experts said. Sina Weibo, the Chinese counterpart of Twitter, shows that in the month before this year's launch, the new iPhone has only attracted one fifteenth as many comments as the iPhone 6 managed to generate during the same period last year. This is echoed by the latest data from China's biggest search engine Baidu Inc. In July, there were only 96.8 million iPhone-related searches, marking a 27 percent drop from last year's figure. James Yan, research director at Counterpoint Technology Market Research, said that as Chinese firms make big improvements on hardware components, consumers become less eager to talk about Apple Inc's new products. "Smartphone hardware is no longer Apple's edge, because the market is now very mature and it is highly difficult to come up with innovative products that can thrill everyone," Yan said. According to him, local vendors such as Huawei Technologies Co Ltd are catching up quickly, and even outdoing Apple hardware. The declining popularity of iPhones highlights the challenges Apple is facing in China, which was once the firm's fastest-growing market, but has recently become a source of disappointments. In the quarter ended in June, Apple saw a 33 percent drop in sales in China. Wang Wanli, a 26-year-old sales manager in Beijing, said he has been using iPhones for three years and now is considering whether to buy an iPhone 7 or Moto Z, the latest handset released by the Chinese vendor Lenovo Group Ltd. "I don't expect a big improvement in the iPhone 7. But, I am quite familiar with Apple's operating system," he added. "At the same time, Moto Z is the world's first modular handset and sounds very interesting. I want to have a try." Wang is not alone. Of five consumers China Daily randomly interviewed on the street on Wednesday, not one of them is ready to buy the new iPhone, citing the expensive price tag and limited improvements as major concern. Nicole Peng, research director at Shanghai-based consultancy Canalys, said Apple still dominates the above-3,000 yuan ($450) handset market where most consumers remain loyal to the brand. China is moving quickly to implement the anti-corruption consensus reached at the G20 Summit, which ended on Monday in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, by setting up the group's first anti-graft research center in Beijing. The center will provide intelligence support in the hunt for economic fugitives and confiscation of their ill-gotten assets. The center, based at Beijing Normal University, will officially begin operations in a few months. Dozens of experts and professionals who specialize in graft-related studies from China and other G20 economies will be recruited, according to the Communist Party of China's Central Commission of Discipline Inspection, the country's top discipline watchdog. "The establishment of such a center will lay a solid foundation for studies of cross-border corruption crimes and offer intelligence support to fight corruption globally," said Cai Wei, deputy director general of the CCDI's Department of International Cooperation. He said the center will conduct in-depth research among G20 members on corruption crimes, including comparing domestic and foreign laws, procedures for confiscating illegal assets and extradition and judicial assistance. Transnational commercial bribery will also be studied. The center will also set up a database of experts and lawyers from G20 members with knowledge of anti-corruption law enforcement, criminal law and asset recovery. These experts will conduct research and training and will share their experiences in tackling such problems, according to the CCDI. To enhance international law enforcement cooperation, members of the G20 decided at the summit to set up an anti-corruption research center. Additionally, they adopted the G20 2017-18 Anti-Corruption Action Plan. Cai said establishing the anti-graft center in Beijing has won the support of the G20 economies. "Western countries are willing to offer intelligence support and technical assistance to hunt the fugitives, and the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa)...are looking forward to having such a center." In recent years, many G20 economies, such as the United States, Canada and Australia, have become popular destinations for fleeing corrupt officials, due to a lack of bilateral extradition treaties and differences in laws, according to the Ministry of Public Security. Since 2014, when China initiated Skynet operations to target the fugitives, 2,020 economic fugitives, including 342 corrupt officials, have been brought back to face trial from more than 70 countries and regions. Additionally, 7.62 billion yuan ($1.14 billion) in illegal funds has been seized, CCDI data show. Huang Feng, an international criminal law professor from Beijing Normal University, said political and legal differences, as well as technological and investigative shortcomings, have hindered the progress in capturing China's fugitives and seizing their ill-gotten assets. "Setting up such a center is considered an innovation under the current anti-graft cooperative mechanism, and it will serve as a platform to communicate with the Western countries and enables China to participate in drawing up international anti-graft rules," he said. Evelyn Mantoiu, a policy analyst from the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom who attended the Business 20 Summit on Saturday in Hangzhou, said the establishment of such a research center shows strong commitment from global leaders to tackle corruption. But the center will only be useful if research is carried out independently and is peer-reviewed, in order to minimize the potential of research bias, Mantoiu added. China will continue to fully support Kyrgyzstan as it investigates the terrorist attack on the Chinese embassy there and arrests the perpetrators, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Wednesday. Kyrgyzstan's National Security Committee has said that the suicide bomb attack in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek last week was ordered by Uyghur militants active in Syria and carried out by a member of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement. Three embassy staff members suffered minor injuries in the attack and were taken to a hospital; the attacker died. China has condemned the attack and urged Kyrgyzstan authorities to quickly and thoroughly investigate the incident. "I want to stress that the East Turkestan terrorist forces representing the (East Turkestan Islamic Movement) have planned and carried out many terrorist incidents targeting China inside and outside the country and committed bloody crimes," Hua said at a regular news conference in Beijing. Since the attack, Chinese law enforcement departments have closely followed Kyrgyzstan's investigation process and provided necessary assistance as required, she said. The suicide bomber, whose car rammed the gate of the embassy on Aug 30, was an ethnic Uyghur who held a Tajikistan passport under the name of Zoir Khalilov, the Kyrgyzstan security service said. Five Kyrgyzstan citizens suspected of complicity in the bomb attack have been detained, and an international arrest warrant has been issued for two other Kyrgyzstan citizens living in Turkey, it said. The East Turkestan Islamic Movement is a terrorist group that constitutes a serious threat to China, Syria, Central Asia and many other countries and regions, Hua said. The group has been listed by the United Nations and the United Kingdom as a terrorist group. "We will continue to keep in close communication with Kyrgyzstan and enhance anti-terrorism cooperation to firmly safeguard the safety of China, Kyrgyzstan and other countries in the region," Hua added. Reuters contributed to this story. The United States' "obsession with special privileges" lies behind several US media organization's accusation that China treated US reporters rudely during the G20 Leaders Summit in Hangzhou, sources said. The sources, who are close to the matter, responded on condition of anonymity to news reports and opinion pieces in some US newspapers that accused China of failing to meet the US media demands. They faulted China first with not allowing some US reporters to be close to President Barack Obama as he got off Air Force One in Hangzhou on Saturday. Obama said on Sunday, however, that his talks on Saturday with President Xi Jinping had been "extremely productive" and that he "wouldn't overcrank the significance" of arguments that took place at the airport upon his arrival. The Wall Street Journal complained that on Saturday "the Chinese barred Mr Obama from including his traveling press contingent in his motorcade". The New York Times said on Tuesday that "The White House press corps, which normally has access to the president's public events wherever he travels, has been sequestered in buses 200 yards from the site of the Group of 20, without access to food or toilets." In response, a Chinese source told China Daily that the US, brushing aside common journalistic practice in multilateral meetings, insisted on having a bus carrying about 20 US reporters follow Obama's motorcade directly to summit hall where closed-door meetings were held. Normally, however, host countries of major multilateral meetings have journalists gather as a pool in the news center and have them go through routine security checks before they are led to the meeting hall. Another source at the scene told China Daily that "the bus was of course not allowed to join the motorcade, according to press rules, and we arranged for the reporters to go to the news center. But some of them chose to stay on the bus, while some went to the bathrooms or the press center at the summit." The New York Times reported that when Xi and Obama took a leisurely stroll after dinner on Saturday, "Chinese security cut the number of US journalists allowed to witness it to three from the original six, then ultimately to a single reporter". But a second Chinese source said China "had never promised to allow six reporters". "Because the lakeside path was too narrow for that many reporters, we proposed one on one - one reporter from the US and the other from China. Later, the US agreed it was a good arrangement," the source said. When asked about the meeting between Xi and Obama and the so-called incidents, Mark Toner, deputy US State Department spokesman said at a news briefing on Tuesday that the "small incidents that took place on the periphery" do not take away from "the strong cooperation that we've had with China on a number of fronts over the past several years of this administration". A Chinese source said: "It is common to make some demands, but the demands should not cross the line. The US should not be an exception." The sources added that no other country demanded the privileges that the US sought, and "China had every reason to provide convenient arrangements to foreign reporters" because it wished to successfully host the summit. A quarantine officer sprays pesticide to kill mosquitoes on a cargo ship that arrived in Yantai, Shangdong province, in August, from Brazil, where the Zika virus has been detected. [Photo/Xinhua] Authorities and experts warned of the risks of the Zika virus spreading in China and urged precautionary measures, as the number of cases in Southeast Asia increases. Authorities responsible for entry and exit inspection and quarantine across China are urged to intensify monitoring and cooperation in the prevention and control of the virus, according to a warning released on Wednesday by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. Visitors to countries and regions with a Zika outbreak should take precautionary measures, such as wearing long-sleeve clothes and long pants, and should see doctors quickly if they are bitten by mosquitoes and display symptoms such as fever and rash, it said. Those who plan to return from such countries should make declarations to the exit-entry inspection and quarantine authorities, it said. Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, and many South American countries, have reported Zika cases, according to the World Health Organization. More than 2 billion people living in Asia, Africa and the Pacific could be at risk, according to a recent study published in The Lancet. Tests by the National Public Health Laboratory in Singapore show that the virus that caused the outbreak likely evolved from a strain circulating in Southeast Asia, the WHO's China office said. The risks for China will depend on importation of the disease, the presence of a suitable host and the country's capacity to detect and respond to its spread, it said. As the mosquito is the same type that spreads dengue, the most at-risk areas are in the southern part of China, where dengue outbreaks have occurred in the past, it said. "China has made substantial progress and will be better prepared, compared to a decade ago, to respond should an imported case occur here," it said. "For instance, China has taken active steps to strengthen its surveillance and lab diagnostic capacity." Some countries, including China, are researching vaccines, but drugs are still unavailable. The Zika virus is primarily spread through mosquitoes, and about 20 percent of those infected could display symptoms such as fever, rash or headache. Death may occur in rare cases, according to the National Health and Family Planning Commission. An isolated island, a limited number of tourists and elegantly decorated guesthouses sounds like a paradise for a weekend getaway from metropolitan madness, which is exactly what Huaniao Island, in Shengsi, Zhejiang province, offers, thanks to residents' efforts to restore the ecosystem. Located at the mouth of the Yangtze River, a few hours away from the metropolises of Shanghai and Hangzhou, Huaniao and other islands in Shengsi have been a fishermen's paradise for centuries. It's the core area of the Zhoushan fishing ground, long considered the largest of its kind in China and one of the biggest worldwide. According to local yearbooks, the annual harvest accounted for 20 percent of China's total fishery yield at its peak. But due to overfishing, as well as pollution from the Yangtze River and the coastal shore, yields have plunged since the 1980s. Almost all pine trees on the island were wiped out by parasites present in furniture from the mainland, with the forest coverage rate plunging by more than 20 percent at the start of the 21st century. The government has since invested 10 million yuan ($1.5 million) annually to address the issue. "The ecosystem is always so fragile on islands like ours," said Tang Jinji, deputy head of Shengsi county. Locals began to realize the need to take better care of their environment. For better regulation, small wooden fishing boats have been replaced by big steel ships. Small fish have been released into the ocean and harvesting has been banned during spawning season. Thousands of hectares of mussel farms have become a major source of income, while mussels also help to clean the water. Conservation zones and reef restoration programs have been adopted, and authorities have started monitoring poachers, who face strict fines if caught. In addition to the transformation of the fishing industry, tourism has played a key role. Once a boat captain, Hong Yongjun is now the owner of an ocean-themed guesthouse. Visitors can enjoy the ocean view and murals made by fishermen's wives, as well as go on fishing trips. "We've been developing this industry since 2006," said Zhang Zhiyan, head of Tian'ao village. The "Five Fishing Villages of the East Sea", which includes Tian'ao and four neighboring villages, provide fishing experience, each with a unique style. About 30 kilometers to the northeast lies Huaniao Island, where the Huaniao Lighthouse has been guiding ships since 1870. The island now offers tours for a limited number of guests centered at the lighthouse. The tour limits visitors to one boat - holding 280 people at most - and includes a two-night stay in guesthouses on the island. "We're very cautious when it comes to the environmental capacity of the island, plus we don't plan to build any big, fancy hotels," Wang said. "So it's actually difficult to make a booking during the summer." "This fits our idea of high-end tourism, as we are building China's first high-end micro-resort on an outlying island," said Cao Jiayan, head of the Huaniao Tourism Development Company. The meeting took place at Thumaydar Yama Kyartawya Monastery in Hpa-an, Karen State on the evening of 4 September. Pado Saw Hla Tun, the head of the KNU Information Department talked about the paper by three Karen ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) on the topic of reforms in Burma that they presented to the Union Peace Conference. He said: The paper we submitted was based on the outcomes of the Karen National Conference. We will move towards national-level political dialogue based on this paper. A total of 62 papers were recorded at this conference and political dialogue will be based on these papers. He said that some ethnic representatives had been worried that the conference would be like the discredited, long-running military organised Nyaung Hna Pin National Conference but, according to Pado Saw Hla Tun, this was not the case with the Union Peace Conference, which ran smoothly except for some weaknesses in the conferences organisation. He said: Overall, the conference ran smoothly but we need to wait and see what Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will do with this issue. Many steps need to be carried out in order to include the voices and desires of everyone. Saw KyawMoe, a local youth, said to KIC News: After attending the [KNU organised] meeting I [now] understand that the EAOs submitted a paper to the 21st Century Panglong Conference. I believe that [the paper] didnt represent all the people living in the state. If possible I want [the paper] to represent everyone. The KNU told those attending the meeting that various types of meetings would need to be held to find out all the needs of the people in Karen State and it asked Karen State residents to support the outcomes of the Karen National Conference when they are submitted to the national-level political dialogue. After the meeting the KNU representatives met the prominent monk Sayadaw Taung Ka Lay and other religious leaders. Reporting by Saw Nyunt Thaung for KIC News Translated by Thida Linn Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI Items documenting the Jewish experience in Shanghai during the 1930s and 1940s are exhibited on Tuesday. [Photo/ Xinhua] The Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum hopes that documents about Jewish refugees' life experience in Shanghai during World War II will eventually be listed in China's national legacy archives. The museum said it will continue enriching and improving its collection of historical materials and make them part of the national legacy archives, and then global archives. It revealed the plan at the third Jewish Studies Youth Forum on Tuesday. At least 20,000 Jewish people sought shelter in Shanghai during the war, or used the city as a jumping-off point for other safe destinations. Documents related to Jewish refugees' lives in Shanghai during the 1930s and 1940s were listed in the municipality's legacy archives last year. The museum has registered 549 items documenting the Jewish experience so far, including tickets for the voyage from Europe to Shanghai, certificates for job applications and audio and video recordings of interviews with former refugees. The materials capture the chain of life of Jewish refugees, but they are insufficient to qualify for the national archives, said Liao Guangjun, a senior adviser for the museum. "We hope to work with the municipal archives and other institutions to access more official documents. We also hope to collect more materials from the surviving refugees, who are passing away because of old age. We are running out of time," Liao said. Hongkou district was Shanghai's Jewish quarter in the 1940s, when a large number of Jewish refugees poured from Europe into the open harbor of Shanghai, which didn't require a visa for entrance. The city had a Jewish community as early as the late 19th century whose members started businesses, created architecture and resumed a normal living environment, with cafeterias, clubs, photography studios and many other elements. Shanghai was known as the "Noah's Ark of the East" for refugees. "We have received donations not only from former refugees and their families but also from Shanghai residents who lived next door to Jewish neighbors," said Zhou Xiaoxia, deputy director of the museum. The museum has received a collection of books in Hebrew and other foreign languages that were left behind in a local household, as well as antique furniture pieces and a vintage sewing machine. "The donors often have touching stories to share - of the friendships between Chinese and Jewish families and the mutual help in hard times." It's a pity though, insufficient documents have survived the historical turbulence through the past decades, she said. The country's top anti-graft department has published a stern warning about the illegal use of public money for personal benefits and reiterated its determination to press ahead with the fight against violations of austerity rules. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection earlier this week listed five incidents of senior officials who ignored the eight-point austerity rules and continued to use public money to pursue luxury lifestyles. A nationwide campaign against corruption and the "eight-point rules", usually referred to as austerity rules, were introduced on Dec 4, 2012. The rules aim to reduce bureaucracy, extravagance and undesirable work practices of Party members. With clauses focusing on various forms of corruption, such as banquets at public expense, unnecessary travel and meetings, and unauthorized use of government cars, the rules have played a significant role in the anti-corruption campaign. Among the five senior government officials who violated the Party's request for austerity, Lu Ziyue, former mayor of Ningbo, Zhejiang province, used public vehicles to bring a hairdresser from Jinhua - a city 500 kilometers from Ningbo - to his place for haircuts since August 2014. Gu Chunli, former deputy governor in Jilin province, lived in a hotel in Changchun, capital of the province, from January 2014 to July 2015, spending 343,800 yuan ($51,600) in public money. He was said to have attended three banquets for business people from October 2013 to July 2015. An official with the CCDI, who asked not to be identified, said that the five officials have been removed from their posts or expelled from the Party. The CCDI said it will dig into any case that involves violation of the rules and make public each of the violations, no matter who the high-ranking officials are. More than 20 officials at or above vice-minister level have been disciplined for such violations since the beginning of this year, according to public information on the CCDI website. zhang_yi@chinadaily.com.cn Research center aids fugitive hunt Cai Wei, deputy director general of the Department of International Cooperation under the Communist Party of China's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection What's the role and significance of the anti-corruption research center? It's the first anti-corruption research institute among the G20 economies to capture the economic fugitives and confiscate their ill-gotten assets. The center will not only serve as the communication platform for the G20 members, but offer intelligence support for setting down the international rules for anti-corruption Many G20 countries have become popular destinations for corrupt fugitives to flee due to lack of signed extradition treaties and legal differences. After setting up the research center, they will focus on researching the laws and legal procedures in G20 economies and effectively use their expert resources. Why will the center be set up at Beijing Normal University? Beijing Normal University is playing a leading role in researching anti-corruption subjects and international criminal laws, both of which are involved with the pursuit of fugitives and recovery of their assets. The university has cultivated a number of academics and experts specializing in researching international criminal laws and anti-corruption law enforcement. The university has also established close academic exchange relationships with the top anti-graft watchdog and judicial authorities, as well as overseas academic institutions, including the Center of Criminology under Oxford University in the UK and the United Nations Office on Crimes and Drugs. What's the current status of the new anti-corruption center? The center will be officially set up in the coming months and will attract dozens of scholars and experts from G20 economies. The center will grasp and timely update a database of professional personnel recommended by Chinese authorities, including judicial departments, the Bank of China and other G20 members. They will work either full-time or part-time. Peng Xinlin, secretary-general of the international anti-corruption research center at Beijing Normal University What's the difference between the G20 anti-corruption research center and the international anti-corruption education and research center? The international anti-corruption education and research center, based at Beijing Normal University, was established last August and conducts extensive research into anti-corruption with other countries. The G20 anti-corruption research center will focus on researching important issues concerning hunting down the fugitives and recovering illegal assets in G20 economies. My wife died of acute leukemia in December 2012. It was a few days from the diagnosis to her death. Everything happened so suddenly and I was really crushed. We were schoolmates and had been married for 50 years. Actually, her death just came a few days after our 50th wedding anniversary. I really wasn't anticipating it. I couldn't face the reality of it all and was crying a lot. At some points, I thought it would be better to be with her rather than stay in this world alone. Every time I saw a couple walking on the street, holding each other, I missed her so much. The widowed elderly are always very lonely and keen to chat. But it's not easy to find someone who wants to share. I have three daughters and a son and they don't live with me. They can't truly understand how I feel because they haven't reached my age yet and the younger generation have their own interests. Fortunately, after a couple of weeks, I saw an advertisement on TV for the "Love Elderly Hotline" and made a call. Through the hotline, I got to know many friends who have had similar experiences. I live in a rural area of Fangshan district and it takes me two hours just to reach the center, but I enjoy it very much. At first, my children were suspicious. They didn't believe such an organization could exist, providing a service to the elderly free of charge. I am the only one from the countryside here. Most villagers still don't know about the service at all and might feel ashamed to admit they have suicidal thoughts or psychological problems. In the past, some old people took their own lives after being mistreated by their children. Now we can receive a 400 yuan pension ($60) per month, with which we can survive even without the support of children. It has been almost four years since my wife passed away. I've adjusted to this new life now and I believe it would bring my wife comfort to see me happy. 73-year-old in Beijing Xu Kun (second from left) plays a game with elderly residents at the Beijing office of "Love Elderly Hotline" that she founded a decade ago to provide psychological counseling service to seniors. [Photo by Zou Hong/China Daily] Editor's note: This is the last in a recent series of reports by China Daily looking at the lives of elderly people, the problems they face and ongoing efforts to improve their standards of living. Also, the story aims to raise awareness about suicide prevention among seniors as Sept 10 is the annual World Suicide Prevention Day. Fang Fengying lost her only child in 2002, when her 19-year-old daughter fell to her death from a four-meter high ledge in the suburbs of Beijing. Less than a decade later, in 2011, Fang's husband died of esophageal cancer. "It was even more difficult than losing my daughter because I was left totally alone in the world," the 63-year-old recalled. "I was fully prepared. I was ready to jump to my death at any time." Fang began to see things that weren't there. Once, in a confused state, she mistook a woman on the street for her daughter and tried to convince the stranger to come home with her. She was depressed, but fortunately two of her friends noticed her behavior and took her to a hospital for treatment. Though still on medication, Fang said she has found a new partner and can enjoy life again now. But not everyone is so lucky. According to the World Health Organization, China's suicide rate dropped from 19.4 per 100,000 in 2000 to 7.8 per 100,000 in 2012, when the global average was 11.4 suicides per 100,000. Yet figures from the China Public Health Statistical Yearbook suggest that suicide rates are much higher among the older generation, especially in the countryside. According to the data, in 2014, the suicide rate among 55 to 59-year-olds living in urban areas was 5.53 per 100,000, rising to 41.2 per 100,000 for those age 85 and older. In rural areas, meanwhile, the rates for the two age groups were 11.2 per 100,000 and 70.3 per 100,000, respectively. However, high suicide rates among the elderly are not unique to China, according to the WHO report. Li Xianyun, deputy director of the Beijing Suicide Research and Prevention Center, attributed the phenomenon to multiple factors such as deteriorating health, loneliness and low self-worth. According to Mu Guangzong, a demographics professor at Peking University, seniors in China are particularly vulnerable due to the former one-child policy, which led to families with fewer children, and the limited scope of social services that cannot keep pace with a rapidly aging society. Statistics published by the National Health and Family Planning Commission in 2015 showed that half of China's senior population, or more than 100 million people age 60 or older, were classified as "empty nesters" as their children had left home. "The whole of society largely ignores the elderly. Textbooks have 200 to 300 pages on child psychology and only two or three pages when it comes to the elderly," said Lin Xue, who majored in psychology and is now a psychological consultant with the Beijing-based "Love Elderly Hotline". The service was launched a decade ago after its founder, Xu Kun, prevented a desperate widower from committing suicide and realized the scale of the problem. "For those who lose their partners, the first 18 months are pretty dangerous and for those who lose their only child, they need attention and care for their entire life," she said. In addition to the hotline service, which the government funds, Xu also organizes meetings and outings for those who have lost loved ones, sponsored by US multinational Johnson and Johnson. "We escape the festivals together. Those times when families would usually be gathering are always the hardest time for them. Instead of indulging in sadness, why not go on a trip?" she said. Almost 100 internet enterprises home and abroad have been selected to participate in a cybersecurity exhibition, which will run from Sept 19 to 25 in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province, China's internet watchdog said on Wednesday. The exhibition aims to focus on how to prevent online threats posed by technical services or products, the Cyberspace Administration of China said during a news conference. The administration said that the enterprises will help educate residents on cybersecurity and how to prevent cyberattacks during the "cybersecurity week". The administration will hold a cybersecurity technical summit which will focus on several hot Web issues, including how to educate cybersecurity talents and keep big data safe. Security specialists and internet executives from foreign countries, such as Russia, the United States, South Africa and New Zealand, will deliver speeches on these issues at the summit, the administration said. In addition, people who contributed to the protection of cyberspace over the past year will be rewarded, it added. China has held the cybersecurity week twice before. Last time, the theme was to protect youngsters who surf the internet. SHANGHAI -- A Chinese university has announced an ambitious plan to build the largest database in Asia on the Japanese war criminal trials that followed World War II. Shanghai Jiaotong University, together with the National Library of China and The Second Historical Archives of China, will collect dossiers on Japanese war criminals excluding the 28 Class A criminals such as the former prime minister and army generals, according to the university on Thursday. Criminals with less serious crimes were tried in dozens of war criminal courts set up after the war in Asia-Pacific countries, including China, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. The project is challenging as research on trials has been fragmented and documents are scattered among different archives, universities and libraries across the region, said Cheng Zhaoqi, head of the Center for Tokyo Trial Studies at the university. The database will be compiled in the Chinese, English and Japanese languages and will be open for international research, said Cheng. Luo Jiamei does interviews with reporters on her career creation. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] Fancy a free Kindle? Take this Long March quiz. To many Singaporeans, her name is not that strange. Playing the pipa, or Chinese lute, while performing traditional dance and wearing Dong-style clothes, she likes to keep her traditional lifestyle even outside her hometown. And she is proud to do so. Her name is Luo Jiamei, a standard post-80 overseas returnee living in Zhaoxing within Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture in Southwest China's Guizhou province. Three years ago, she gave up a decent job in Singapore and decided to go back home and created a business there. She honed in on the chance of commercial use of Guiyang-Guangzhou High-speed Railway on December 26, 2014 and rented a 60- square-meter house near the Zhaoxing Drum Tower, a popular scenic spot in her hometown. She rebuilt the house into a hotel, integrating leisure and residence titled Cape of Good Hope Post and put it into operation in June, 2014. At first, the business did not run as smoothly as she expected. She devoted much of her time and energy to her career but gained little, leading to a slack business. She once wanted to quit but persisted in her business. After careful thought, she decided to make her post become more special. Under the theme of turning a post into a Dong culture museum, she hopes to make visitors experience Dong culture in all aspects from tasting food, performing embroidery to learning dialect and singing songs. This time she is right. Many people have come to her post after online promotion or word of mouth. Now, people have to order in advance before living in her post. The turnover of her post reached more than 150,000 yuan ($2,225) in 2015. "I love Dong culture and this is my hometown. Since I can make a pretty good business just in my hometown, why should I keep working at abroad," Luo said in face of doubt and puzzle from others. "I am confident about Li culture and will tap more related cultural resources in the future. China has entered the era of mass tourism. Therefore, I will take the advantage of the golden opportunity to make money on one hand, and to promote Dong culture on the other." As a matter of fact, Luo is not the only one. Many Chinese young people with well-educated backgrounds decide to start their businesses in their hometowns. Chinese premier Li Keqiang has said on many occasions he encourages people to start their own businesses and to make innovations, which will not only create more jobs and increase personal incomes, but also improve social mobility and social equity and justice. Luo is just the epitome of Liping. In recent years, Liping grasps the red and folk culture to boost its tourism industry. By the end of 2015, more than 140 village hotels had been built in Zhaoxing. And as the infrastructure of the whole county had changed with each passing day, hotels here can accommodate more than 500 people a day. According to the latest government report, during the Twelfth Five Year Plan (2011- 2015) period, the overall GDP in Liping increased from 3.16 billion to 6.73 billion yuan, with an average annual growth rate of 16.3 percent; tourist arrivals increased by 26.2 percent year-on-year, from 1.28 million to 2.63 million. Also, it is worthwhile noting that tourism has gained considerable momentum in the first half of this year, increasing 43.9 percent in tourist receipts over the same period last year. Liping, the first leg of Red Army Guizhou tour, is taking action to turn cultural resources into economic development. And more stories will come. Let's just watch and see. Wanna a free Kindle? Take this Long March quiz. Wang Shufang, 76, views a painting at the site of the Zunyi Meeting, Guizhou province on Sept 8, 2016. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn] Wang Shufang, 76, is a retired librarian in Chongqing, and recently, she paid a special visit to Zunyi, Guizhou province. She said this year was the 80th anniversary of the end of the Long March, and she visited Zunyi to view its meeting site. As a Liberian, Wang said she used to read many books about the Long March. But, during the field visit, she was still shocked at the real scene of the meeting restored by 3D technology, knowing much more of the great history. There are only two months to go before the final vote in the 2016 US presidential election, and with polls so close, most people cannot wait until the results are known. The American Chamber of Commerce in South China, known as AmCham South China, will host a US presidential election party for its members in Guangzhou this November. The Party will coincide with the closing of polls in the United States and will feature broadcasts detailing election results as they are reported. This is not the first time the chamber has hosted an election party for its members. The last one was held in 2012 at the Grand Hyatt in Guangzhou. It began at 8:00 am and lasted until 1:00 pm when the results of the election became known. The party was a great success. Besides the election party, the chamber has hosted hundreds of events of various types for its business community. They include round tables and forums, academic workshops and seminars, balls and parties, investment delegations, and much more. Since its establishment in 1995, the chamber has striven hard to promote the continuous development of trade, commerce and investment between the United States and China, with a special focus on South China. With headquar ters in Guangzhou and three service centers in Shenzhen, Shunde and Xiamen, its membership has grown by leaps and bounds to exceed 2,300, accounting for nearly 40 percent of US-China business, trade and investments. In 2015 members of AmCham South China reinvested more than $12 billion in new projects and hired 940,000 new employees as their existing businesses grew. The chamber's 2016 study, The Special Report on the State of Business in South China, found that budgeted reinvestment in 2016 exceeds $13 billion. The chamber holds a US presidential election party in 2012.Provided to China Daily (China Daily 09/08/2016 page10) White and Black, by Ding Fang. [Photo/Chinaculture.org] An exhibition titled "Beyond Image: the Oil Paintings from China", was held in Stockholm, Sweden, on Sept 1. Ending on Oct 9, the event is a special event to celebrate the opening of the China Cultural Center in the city. 28 pieces of works from eight contemporary Chinese painters in different ages will be showcased at the painting exhibition. Recently the Myanmar Media Lawyers Network (MMLN), the Centre for Law and Democracy (CLD), FOJO Media Institute and International Media Support hosted an event for lawyers to discuss ongoing challenges to digital freedom in Myanmar. Todays policies are setting a tone for online speech that will be increasingly important as more people connect, said Michael Karanicolas, Senior Legal Officer of CLD, said at the September 3 event. It is important to have a regulatory structure in place which promotes a vibrant online discourse, with all the human rights benefits that bestows. The workshop, which was attended by 45 lawyers, featured a presentation from Robert Sann Aung, a well-respected human rights defender who has represented defendants charged under the countrys problematic Electronic Transactions Law for statements made online. YadanarTun, of the Myanmar ICT Development Organisation, followed with a discussion about digital security, introducing participants to the basics of how to stay safe online. Myanmars lawyers have an important role to play in the discussion about regulating freedom of expression online, said Than Zaw, Secretary of the MMLN. However, as human rights advocates, we are also potential targets for online attack. It is important for lawyers to understand how to protect themselves. L.O.R.D: Legend of Ravaging Dynasties' cast members (from left to right) Chen Xuedong, Lin Yun and Wang Duo attend a Beijing media event. [Photo provided to China Daily] Last Thursday, hundreds of fans were anxiously waiting to get into a media event of L.O.R.D: Legend of Ravaging Dynasties in Beijing. But their enthusiasm seemed to wane after the upcoming fantasy film's latest trailer was screened at the Wanda CBD cinema. There was scattered applause at first. But the screams came only when the star-studded cast appeared onstage. Its makers say the film, which depicts a fictional wonderland, is an unprecedented Chinese-language title when it comes to computer-generated imagery, as all the sets and characters are the result of digital technology. Guo Jingming, director and writer of the namesake novel on which the film is based, says the big-budget movie has used motion-capture technology to record facial expressions and moves, which are then converted into virtual images on screen. When the movie's first trailer was released more than two months ago, it caused a controversy: It was criticized for looking like a videogame or an animated film. The second trailer, which was screened at the event, however, seems better, with the moves looking a lot less rigid and fake. In China's booming movie market, the number of such ambitious fantasy productions that stumble in the visual-effects game is not insignificant. The tablewares are glazed in "West Lake blue" and decorated with yellow floral patterns. [Photo/IC] The tablewares used by G20 leaders' wives at a luncheon during the recently-concluded summit are on display in Hangzhou city, becoming an immediate hit among visitors and locals. The tablewares, called "West Lake Prosperous Blue Peony" ("" in Chinese), consist of 35 items for each set, including cold-dish plate, soup cup and bowls. With delicate yellow floral patterns painted on the light blue background, the porcelain wares deliver a strong sense of elegance and grace. Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan held a luncheon for her counterparts from G20 member countries at Lou Wai Lou, a well-known restaurant with 160 years of history in Hangzhou, on September 5. The porcelain tablewares were tailor-made for the event. An exhibition featuring 120 pieces of cultural relics from the Palace Museum was held in Santiago, Chile, Sept 2, 2016. [Photo/Chinaculture.org] An exhibition featuring 120 pieces of cultural relics from the Palace Museum was held in Santiago, Chile, on September 2. The showpieces included paintings, porcelain, jade and bronze wares and embroidery, which fully present the great richness of China during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Lou Wei, deputy-director of the Place Museum, Li Baorong, Chinese ambassador to Chile, Cai Wu, director-general of China's National Arts Fund, Ernesto Ottone, Chile cultural minister and around 400 representatives attended the opening ceremony. As an important project in the "2016 China-Latin America Cultural Year", the event debuted the Place Museum's relics in Latin America after three years of preparation. A series of traditional Chinese music performances were also featured at the ceremony. There will be a Chinese film week, cultural lectures and children's games during the exhibition, which will end on November 27. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. License for publishing multimedia online 0108263 10120170006 Registration Number: 130349 11010502032503 [2011]0283-097 ICP13028878-6 A consumer searches dairy products in a supermarket in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, in June. [Photo by Zhen Huai/For China Daily] More than half of China's dairy farms are reportedly incurring losses. Some dairy farmers have killed their cows or fed unsold fresh milk to pigs to cut their losses. China Youth Daily commented on Tuesday: The oversupply of milk seems to be an unlikely scenario for a country where the per capita consumption of dairy products is only one-third of the world's average. But it does seem to be the case. On the one hand, imported dairy products are cheaper than their overstocked Chinese counterparts. The former are reportedly priced at 18,000 yuan ($2,700) per ton, while the latter can be as high as 30,000 yuan per ton. Should such a price gap continue to widen in favor of foreign dairies, it will be just a matter of time before small Chinese dairies that only own a limited number free-range cows quit the business for good. On the other hand, the Chinese dairy industry remains very disorderly with inefficient division of labor and poor integration between dairy farming and production. Dairy enterprises, for example, have often focused too much on expansion rather than improving their operations and management. Besides, a lack of faith in domestic dairy products is still common among Chinese people, after the 2008 scandal involving milk and infant formula adulterated with melamine, which left at least six babies dead and thousands seriously ill. That complaints about the poor quality of domestic dairy products can still be heard from time to time indicates that Chinese dairy companies still haven't fully regained the public's trust. They should make quality supervision their priority and respond in a timely manner to public doubts about their products. The Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in 2013 called for reform of the selection and management system of academicians to root out corruption and unethical behavior, and allow new blood to enter. Since being an academician is a great honor in the academic circle, the title comes with interests attached. Some local authorities and institutions provide extremely preferential treatment to academicians. But with no mechanism for relinquishing or revoking the title, some holders of the title who prove to be unqualified academicians or who fail to meet the required ethical standards still hold the title. The Chinese Academy of Sciences recently released its newly revised regulations, which include amendments allowing academicians to renounce their title and the academy to revoke the title. Before the revision, there was no exit mechanism for academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering. But in reality, reform of the exit mechanism faces great obstacles from vested interests. Even if academicians are willing to voluntarily give up the title, local authorities and institutions that regard academicians as a source of prestige will be reluctant to allow them to do so. Therefore, the reform of academician system demands detailed design and strict implementation. Taiwan's main opposition Democratic Progressive Party, DPP, Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen speaks during a press conference in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, April 15, 2015. [Photo/IC] As many as 150,000 retired military personnel, civil servants and public school teachers took to the streets in Taipei on Sept 3 to protest against the government's pension reform plans, which they said were an insult to their professions. The massive demonstration, arguably the first by Taiwan's public sector workers, is the latest challenge to the island's new administration led by Tsai Ing-wen, also chairwoman of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. Previous reports suggested Tsai's approval rating fell below 50 percentfrom more than 70 percenton her 100th day in office. The crisis was triggered by the authorities' attempt to slash the generous pensions for retired public sector employees, whom they accused of stealing from society. Given that the three groups are traditional supporters of the opposition Kuomintang, such reform plans appear suspicious under the name of promoting social justice. It is unfair to blame retired public sector employees for the island's debts and financial crisis. It would be even more outrageous for the Tsai administration to make light of the losses it caused to the exchequer by using pension funds to bail out the stock market. Irrespective of what the plans' purposes are, Tsai has to take the public opposition seriously, instead of pursuing her political ambitions at the cost of retirees. In fact, it is not surprising that Tsai has encountered a wave of problems just three months after taking office after the DPP swept the leadership election in January. Starting with her inauguration speech on May 20, Tsai has been keeping her vague attitude on 1992 Consensus, forging closer ties with the United States and Japan, and distancing Taiwan from the Chinese mainland. Tsai's administration has done little to improve the economy and people's livelihoods, but exploited all possible resources to challenge the Kuomintang's legitimacy in order to strengthen its own. Believing that once the largest opposition party is on the ropes it will pose no threat to its governance, the DPP, which controls the executive and legislative powers on the island, might not think twice before pressing ahead with its reforms. But not just the public sector, Taiwan's tourism, fishery and agricultural sectors, too, are unhappy with Tsai's assertive proposals and very likely to voice their protest like the 150,000 retirees. As one of the policy priorities, cross-Straits relations also demand Tsai's sincere efforts to get back on the right track. However, promising to "maintain the status quo", she has only undermined cross-Straits ties by refusing to acknowledge the 1992 Consensus, which stresses that the mainland and Taiwan both are parts of one China. The suspension of communication and consultation mechanisms between the two sides has dealt a blow to Taiwan's tourism, fishery and agricultural sectors, adding weight to the fact that marginalizing political dissent at the cost of people's legal interests will be counter-productive, and that both sides of the Straits are interdependent in many ways. What Tsai and her DPP should do now is to acknowledge the 1992 Consensus and recalibrate cross-Straits relations toward peaceful development. The author is a professor at the Institute of Taiwan Studies, Beijing Union University. The Huaniao Lighthouse.[Photo/IC] An isolated island, a limited number of tourists and elegantly decorated guesthouses sounds like a paradise for a weekend getaway from metropolitan madness, which is exactly what Huaniao Island, in Shengsi, Zhejiang province, offers, thanks to residents' efforts to restore the ecosystem. Located at the mouth of the Yangtze River, a few hours away from the metropolises of Shanghai and Hangzhou, Huaniao and other islands in Shengsi have been a fishermen's paradise for centuries. It's the core area of the Zhoushan fishing ground, long considered the largest of its kind in China and one of the biggest worldwide. According to local yearbooks, the annual harvest accounted for 20 percent of China's total fishery yield at its peak. But due to overfishing, as well as pollution from the Yangtze River and the coastal shore, yields have plunged since the 1980s. Almost all pine trees on the island were wiped out by parasites present in furniture from the mainland, with the forest coverage rate plunging by more than 20 percent at the start of the 21st century. The government has since invested 10 million yuan ($1.5 million) annually to address the issue. "The ecosystem is always so fragile on islands like ours," said Tang Jinji, deputy head of Shengsi county. Locals began to realize the need to take better care of their environment. For better regulation, small wooden fishing boats have been replaced by big steel ships. Small fish have been released into the ocean and harvesting has been banned during spawning season. Thousands of hectares of mussel farms have become a major source of income, while mussels also help to clean the water. A woman views pictures at Charming Beijing Photo Exhibition at the main hall of the Union Station of Washington DC, the United States, Sept 6, 2016. The exhibition called Charming Beijing, which will last for four days, was held by the Beijing municipal government to celebrate "China-US Tourism Year" and to introduce Beijing's tourist attractions to local people.[Photo/Xinhua] A photo exhibition showing brilliant heritages and beautiful sceneries of Beijing, China's capital, was staged on Tuesday at the main hall of the Union Station of Washington DC, a main traffic hub in the US northeast corridor. The exhibition called Charming Beijing, which will last for four days, was held by the Beijing municipal government to celebrate "China-US Tourism Year" and to introduce Beijing's tourist attractions to local people. "China and the United States have good cooperation in developing tourism. Holding 'China-U.S. Tourism Year' gives a strong push for Chinese local governments to introduce their tourist attractions in the United States," said Wang Yue, vice chairwoman of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development (BMCTD). The United States has become the largest foreign tourist source for Beijing in recent years. Over 800,000 US visitors come to Beijing every year, about one fifth of the total foreign tourists received in Beijing. The emotionally charged proposal was the demand for self-rule and autonomous states by several ethnic sub-group or minorities, particularly in Shan State. The ethnic groups that demanded their own self-administered states include: the United Wa State Army (UWSA), arguably Burmas strongest ethnic armed group, which does at present fall within a self-administered division; the Taang (Palaung) National Liberation Army (TNLA); the Pa-oh; and Tai Leng group. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) based in Mong La demanded a self-administered zone for ethnic Akha people. Danu, Kokang, Pa-Oh, Palaung self-administerd zones and Wa self-administered division are in Shan State; only Naga self-administered zone is within the Sagaing Region. The Shan were already feeling the pinch when almost all self-administered zones and a division were carved out of Shan State and now the Wa, Pa-Oh and Palaung are demanding national-level state status, which literally would mean the loss of territories for the majority Shan population. And to exacerbate the problem, UWSA and TNLA were demanding more territories than have been demarcated by the existing present, political country map. UWSA moved down to south of Shan State with its hundreds of Wa population, during the late eighties to fight with the Shan Mong Tai Army (MTA) of Khun Sa, on the side of the Burma Army, and have never returned back ever since. And now the Wa wanted to claim the territories that are normally inhabited by the Shan. The Wa were said to be given verbal promises that if it could drive out the MTA, the conquered territories would be allotted to them, by the then military intelligence chief General Khin Nyunt. However, the new military regime that followed didnt honour the verbal promises of Khin Nyunt and started to demand the Wa to move back to their original stomping ground in the north, close to the Chinese border, but refused and have been at odds with the military and government ever since. The same is also true with the TNLA claims of more territories to be incorporated into its demanded state-level administration, when it troops expanded into the majority Shan settlement, which incites animosity among the two ethnic groups, which have for immemorial time lived harmoniously together. Since last year, shortly after the signing of Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), the signatory Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) went up to the northern part of Shan State to reinforce its troops (at the military base along the Chinese border in Namkham township) and reportedly also to defend the Shan population from the TNLA riding roughshod on the population. The armed conflict between the RCSS and TNLA ensued, resulting in huge exodus and producing thousands of refugees until today, with no end in sight. The UWSA in its position paper tabled at the 21CPC also reveal some of its thinking, regarding this issue. The paper said that the present establishment of administrative region procedure gives more rights to the larger ethnic population and could even decide the fate of the lesser minority groups, which is not in line with the notion of national equality. Thus it suggested that if an ethnic group is 100,000 living in the same region, it could apply for autonomous region; if 200,000 autonomous prefecture/district; and if 300,000 a national-level state. But regardless of such enthusiastically thought out inputs, according to Maj. Sai Nguen, the spokesperson for the RCSS/SSA, said that it is every ethnic groups right to make such a request. However, he said that these matters are directly concerned with the central government, and therefore fall under the 2008 constitution. He explained that several stages must be met in order to form an autonomous state. Gen. Hso Ten, a veteran of the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA), said that in order to establish a new state, a detailed process must be followed. It does not depend on us [SSPP/SSA], he said. It needs to pass through parliament and the Shan State people. It is not so easy just to establish a new state. He added that such a new state would have to depend on ethnic population, as well as language and literature, which should be historically sound and traceable. Its their [ethnic minorities] right and we cannot stop that, said Khuensai, the director of the Pyidaungsu Institute for Peace and Dialogue. Khuensai continued: What we have to consider is the loss we are facing as the majority group. But whatever we lose, they will also lose. We all faced with losses. Still another input that has been making the round, since the demand of the ethnic sub-groups or minorities become louder, especially in Shan State, is that invoking the Federated Shan States structure of 1922, where some 30 or so administrative states were diversified, each with its traditional ruler, called Saohpa. Of course, the Federated States would be led by democratically elected peoples representatives, rather than the traditional rulers. Accordingly, the political system of Federated Shan States, made use of in pre-War days were said to be satisfactory, for the Wa, Pa-Oh, Palaung, Danu and the likes were ruled by their own traditional rulers and not by anyone else. One couldnt agree more, when Khuensai said: What we have to do now is establish equal rights. And the best way to do that is to sit together and discuss the issues until we have solutions. Whatever it is, since the ethnic upsurge and identity consciousness are international trend, they are to be encouraged. The decentralization and devolution of power to address the demand should also be done sequentially in a row. And this is none other than going through the existing administrative procedure, with a lot of democratically charged discussions to determine a set of criteria that all could live with, on how different level of administrative zone, division and up to national-level state administration could be meted out. It is hoped that cooler heads would prevail and this seemingly hard to crack nut could be overcome through mutual understanding and benefit. US President Barack Obama and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte met informally on Wednesday in a holding room before attending a gala dinner at a regional summit in Laos, White House and Philippine officials said. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte arrives at the ASEAN Summit family photo while US President Barack Obama chats with the Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah in Vientiane, Laos Sept 7. [Photo/Agencies] The meeting came after Duterte on Monday called Obama a "son of a b----" and, while speaking to reporters, warned Obama not to question killings that have occurred during his crackdown on suspected drug dealers and users. More than 2,000 people have been killed in the crackdown since he took office on June 30. That caused Obama to cancel a formal meeting scheduled for Tuesday. Obama, in turn, called Duterte "a colorful guy". On Tuesday, Duterte expressed regret over the remarks. A Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Charles Joe, said it was a mutually agreed meeting, but that he had no details of what was discussed. Philippine Foreign Secretary Pefecto Yasay told The Associated Press that the leaders had met: "They met at the holding room and they were the last persons to leave the holding room. I can't say how long they met. It all springs from the fact the relationship between the Philippines and the United States is firm, very strong. The basis for this relationship is historical and both leaders realize this. And I'm very happy that it happened" Obama and Duterte entered the dinner venue separately, and were seated far apart and did not interact with each other during the dinner that lasted an hour and 20 minutes. Isabelle Dinoire in February 2006 (left) and November that year after the operation Denis Charlet / Agence France-presse Isabelle Dinoire, a Frenchwoman who received the world's first partial face transplant, has died 11 years after the surgery that set the stage for dozens of other transplants worldwide. She was 49. The Amiens University Hospital in northern France said in a statement Tuesday that Dinoire died in April after a long illness. The hospital didn't release any further details and it wasn't clear if her illness was related to the transplant. Her family wanted her death kept private. But the hospital went public with the death after Le Figaro reported on it. After being severely disfigured by her pet Labrador, Dinoire was given a new nose, chin and lips in a groundbreaking, 15-hour operation in 2005 led by doctors Bernard Devauchelle and Jean-Michel Dubernard in the Amiens hospital. When she first appeared in public with her new face four months later, her speech was slurred and a scar clearly visible - but the fact that she could speak to reporters of having a "face like everyone else" and almost smile was seen as a medical breakthrough. The operation changed Dinoire's life and drew international attention. There have been nearly 40 face transplant surgeries around the world since 2005, including one last year in New York that was the first to include a scalp and functioning eyelids. However, medications that patients must take to prevent their bodies from rejecting the new organs can cause other illnesses and have severe side effects. Le Figaro newspaper, which first reported Dinoire's death Tuesday, said she had suffered two cancers linked to the transplant and lost partial use of her transplanted lips last year. Dinoire, a divorced mother of two teenage daughters, said she was wrestling with personal problems at the time of the 2005 dog attack and "took some drugs to forget." She said she was passed out when the dog bit her. Disabled by her disfigurement, she welcomed the opportunity for a transplant from a brain dead woman. Her doctors said they repeatedly warned her of the risks involved. A 16-year-old has made $64,100 from a website she made to give Chinese babies English names. Beau Jessup, a British A-level student from Gloucestershire, came up with the idea after a family visit to China. They were out for a meal with friends when she was asked to give an English name to a newborn baby. 'Special Name' requires the user to pick five of the 12 personality traits which they most hope their baby will grow into. In China they name their child based on the elements and Beau wanted a similarity between how they pick their Chinese name and how they pick their English name. And she does this by assigning personality traits to each English name. The three chosen names are then shared with family and friends on We-Chat, China's WhatsApp equivalent, to help make the final decision. Each suggestion is printed on a certificate with its meaning and an example of a famous person with that name. Beau says that when she was first asked to name her father's friend's baby, she was surprised. "I'm not really qualified or relevant enough in that baby's life to be the person to give it a name." But after hearing of some of the "embarrassing" names, Beau decided she needed to act. Amelia and Oliver were the most popular baby names in England and Wales in 2015. That's according to the Office for National Statistics which released the complete set of data last week. Beau says it's quite strange to know she's named more than 200,000 babies. "It's nice to be a part of such a happy experience and be a part of those young stages in a baby's life." The site's success has been a pleasant surprise. "I wanted to do it just to see if an idea could turn into more than just simply an idea. It is obviously a nice surprise, but it is definitely a surprise." NA TO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg (R) and Georgia's Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili attend a NATO-Georgia Commission meeting in Tbilisi, Georgia September 7, 2016. [Photo/Agencies] TBILISI -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday that Georgia will become a member of NATO if all the requirements for membership were fulfilled. Speaking at a joint press conference with the Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili after the NATO-Georgia Commission meeting here, the NATO chief said that the alliance has a "remarkable, mutually supportive relationship" with Georgia and "the partnership is getting even stronger." "We decided at the NATO Warsaw summit to reaffirm the decision we made in Bucharest that Georgia will become a member of NATO. But to become a member of NATO, Georgia has to meet the standards, requirements for membership," Stoltenberg said when asked about the timetable of Georgia's NATO accession. "No one else has the right to interfere or try to veto that process and NATO will continue to enlarge," he said. Georgia has great prospect for joining NATO, he said, adding that Georgia has all the necessary tools to move towards NATO membership, including the NATO-Georgia Commission, the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package,Joint Training and Evaluation Centre and presence of NATO experts in Tbilisi to help promote Georgia's defense reforms. For his part, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili reiterated Georgia will continue its "consistent" reform efforts and "wait patiently" for the window of opportunity for joining NATO. "Majority of Georgian population supports NATO membership. I want to reassure our partners that dynamic of this progress will be maintained and Georgia will achieve its eventual goal of joining NATO" , said the Prime Minister. The North Atlantic Council led by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg started a three-day visit to Tbilisi on Wednesday. On Thursday, Jens Stoltenberg will meet President Giorgi Margvelashvili and visit the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Centre outside Tbilisi, which was inaugurated in August 2015. World leading healthcare companies Sanofi and Servier launched a joint project to collaborate in medical care and treatment promotion of Parkinson disease in China on Wednesday in Beijing. From October 1st, Sanofi will take over the distribution business of Trastal, an anti-Parkinson tablet produced by Servier, in China and the two companies will establish an anti-Parkinson expert alliance to help Chinese Parkinson sufferers with easier access to more standardized medical care. Parkinson is one of the top killers of elderly people and China is home to 2 million patients of the disease who suffers from dyskinesia symptom like muscular tremors and rigidity and bradykinesia. A survey says the average annual medical expenditure of a Parkinson patient accounts as much as 44.8% of the family's annual income. "Underdeveloped medical condition and poor public knowledge to Parkinson in China are the main reasons to low treatment rate and low diagnostic rate," said Jiang Yuping, professor of Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University. According to Jiang, only 40% of the Parkinson patients go to see the doctor and 45% of them are diagnosed. Chen Biao, professor of Xuanwu Hospital, Captial Medical University said dopamine agonists treatment could be recommended as top choice for early patients. Hugues Renaut, Managing Director of International Operations China, Northern Europe, Western Europe at Servier said the joint project is aimed to provided easier access to high end medicine like Trastal and promote the country's medical level. Jean-Christophe Pointeau, General Manager of Pharma for Sanofi China said Sanofi had established a CNS (central nervous system) business working group to tackle the challenges from CNS diseases and help accelerate China's Parkinson treatment standardization. Didier Dargent, General Manager of Servier China said the company will be committed to providing more medical solutions to doctors and patients with more high end medicine and disease management resources. Chinese workers who served on the Western Front during World War I are to be remembered through a new performance production in London that opens on Thursday. The one-hour show, Project New Earth, is being presented by the London-based British East Asian performance company Chinese Arts Space and consists of two short films, a dance and a play. It seeks to celebrate the history of the Chinese Labour Corps within the context of World War I. The show is being staged against the backdrop of Britain's huge war centenary art commissions, collectively known as 14-18NOW. These are a collective effort to remember the war through various artworks and are being staged until 2018. David Tse, creative director of Chinese Arts Space, said, "I came up with the production idea because so many other ethnic groups' contributions to World War I are being remembered through projects in 14-18 NOW. I want British Chinese culture to be remembered, as it shapes the roots of the UK's Chinese community." During World War I, 140,000 Chinese workers served on the Western Front. Most were volunteersoften farmers looking for better wages. The Chinese Labour Corps was formed by 100,000 Chinese workers operating under British forces, and 40,000 were employed by French factories and farms. After the war, their contributions were largely forgotten by both Chinese and Europeans. However, in recent years academic interest in the Chinese Labour Corps has grown, with Project New Earth becoming the latest artwork to highlight the workers in a series of lectures, films and exhibitions. The In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres, Belgium, organized an exhibition in 2010 that told the story of the Chinese workers' arrival in Europe, their lives there and what happened to them after the war. The exhibition space spanned 450 square meters and it attracted 70,000 visitors. Independent film producer Helen Fitzwilliam wrote an article and made a short film on the topic, which was presented at London think tank Chatham House in 2014. After the show is staged at London's China Exchange, it will visit Liverpool, Plymouth and Folkestone before returning to London at the South bank Centre in December. Premier Li (front C) checks the time during his fast lunch. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] A sandwich and a cup of coffee were Premier Li's lunch and drink of choice on Thursday before attending the 11th East Asia meeting. Li arrived in Vientiane on Tuesday to start his four-day trip to Laos, which chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this year and will host a series of leaders meetings on East Asia cooperation. While in Vientiane, the Chinese premier held a slew of bilateral meetings with leaders from other countries including Singapore, Malaysia and Cambodia on Tuesday night and Wednesday. It was already 1 pm when bilateral meeting concluded on Thursday and the premier had to attend the meeting. Hence the fast lunch. Leaders from the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as well as from China, South Korea and Japan pose in a group photo session in Vientiane, the capital city in Laos on September 8, 2016. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] After attending the 11th East Asia Summit on Thursday, Premier Li Keqiang participated in a ceremony around the issuance of the Joint Leaders' Statement on the Regional Economic Comprehensive Partnership at the National Conference Center in Vientiane, the capital and largest city in Laos. He took part in a group photo session along with other leaders from the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as well as from South Korea and Japan. China strongly opposes that some regional outsiders were "sowing discord" over the South China Sea issue during the East Asia Summit, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Thursday in Laos. Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters that, during the summit, all of the ASEAN countries have supported the positive progress made by China and ASEAN on the South China Sea issue. "Most of the countries, 16 of the total 18 nations, have mentioned the maritime safety issue in a positive manner," Liu said, adding that Chinas stance of solving disputes through dialogue and negotiation has been widely recognized and supported. However, Liu said only two extraterritorial countries out of the summits 18 countries mentioned the arbitral ruling of the South China Sea at the summit, which Liu described as an act of "self-isolation". The diplomat made the remarks after the two-and-a-half-hour East Asia Summit, which was held in Vientiane. The summit was attended by 18 countries: the 10 ASEAN member states, six dialogue partners China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand and the United States and Russia as newcomers. In his opening remarks, Obama said the recent arbitration ruling on the South China Sea was "binding" and "helped to clarify maritime rights in the region". Obama said he realized the ruling raised tensions. The Arbitral Tribunal of The Hague ruled in July on the South China Sea dispute in a case against China that was unilaterally initiated by the Philippines under the administration of former president Benigno Aquino III. China has reiterated that the ruling was illegal and said it will not accept any proposition or action based on the decision. Manila, under new leadership that took office in July, supports direct talks with China to solve the dispute. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Thursday that China opposes any attempt by forces outside the region to stir up trouble on the South China Sea issue. Su Hao, a professor of Asia-Pacific studies at China Foreign Affairs University, said that as the South China Sea situation is improving, "some regional outsiders are still reluctant to stop stirring up the waters there". Zhu Feng, executive director of the China Center for Collaborative Studies of the South China Sea at Nanjing University, said that "the intervention by countries outside the region is turning the South China Sea disputes into a geopolitical confrontation". Leaders from the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as well as from China, South Korea and Japan pose in a group photo session in Vientiane, the capital city in Laos on September 8, 2016. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] Premier Li Keqiang made reference to traditional Laotian sayings while talking about the significance of cooperation between East Asia countries during his attendance at the 11th East Asia Summit on Thursday in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. The premier said Laos has a saying; that one stump cannot make a fence while noting that residents cannot build a good village without concerted efforts. Li said he hopes all parties at the summit will continue to work together in cooperation for the benefit of all in East Asia, contributing their strengths toward promoting regional peace, stability and enduring prosperity, as well as bringing real benefits to the people of all countries in the region. Astronomers at Caltech have created the most detailed computer simulation yet of how our Milky Way galaxy was formed, from inception billions of years ago as a loose collection of matter to its modern state as a massive, spiral disk of stars. From Caltech: The simulation solves a decades-old mystery surrounding the tiny galaxies that swarm around the outside of our much larger Milky Way. Previous simulations predicted that thousands of these satellite, or dwarf, galaxies should exist. However, only about 30 of the small galaxies have ever been observed. Astronomers have been tinkering with the simulations, trying to understand this "missing satellites" problem to no avail. Now, with the new simulationwhich used a network of thousands of computers running in parallel for 700,000 central processing unit (CPU) hoursCaltech astronomers have created a galaxy that looks like the one we live in today, with the correct, smaller number of dwarf galaxies. "That was the aha moment, when I saw that the simulation can finally produce a population of dwarf galaxies like the ones we observe around the Milky Way," says Andrew Wetzel, postdoctoral fellow at Caltech and Carnegie Observatories in Pasadena, and lead author of a paper about the new research, published Aug. 20 in Astrophysical Journal Letters. One of the main updates to the new simulation relates to how supernovae, explosions of massive stars, affect their surrounding environments. In particular, the simulation incorporated detailed formulas that describe the dramatic effects that winds from these explosions can have on star-forming material and dwarf galaxies. These winds, which reach speeds up to thousands of kilometers per second, "can blow gas and stars out of a small galaxy," says Wetzel. Indeed, the new simulation showed the winds can blow apart young dwarf galaxies, preventing them from reaching maturity. Previous simulations that were producing thousands of dwarf galaxies weren't taking the full effects of supernovae into account. "We had thought before that perhaps our understanding of dark matter was incorrect in these simulations, but these new results show we don't have to tinker with dark matter," says Wetzel. "When we more precisely model supernovae, we get the right answer." Astronomers simulate our galaxy to understand how the Milky Way, and our solar system within it, came to be. To do this, the researchers tell a computer what our universe was like in the early cosmos. They write complex codes for the basic laws of physics and describe the ingredients of the universe, including everyday matter like hydrogen gas as well as dark matter, which, while invisible, exerts gravitational tugs on other matter. The computers then go to work, playing out all the possible interactions between particles, gas, and stars over billions of years. "In a galaxy, you have 100 billion stars, all pulling on each other, not to mention other components we don't see like dark matter," says Caltech's Phil Hopkins, associate professor of theoretical astrophysics and principal scientist for the new research. "To simulate this, we give a supercomputer equations describing those interactions and then let it crank through those equations repeatedly and see what comes out at the end." The researchers are not done simulating our Milky Way. They plan to use even more computing time, up to 20 million CPU hours, in their next rounds. This should lead to predictions about the very faintest and smallest of dwarf galaxies yet to be discovered. Not a lot of these faint galaxies are expected to exist, but the more advanced simulations should be able to predict how many are left to find. The study, titled "Reconciling Dwarf Galaxies with CDM Cosmology: Simulating A Realistic Population of Satellites Around a Milky Way-Mass Galaxy," was funded by Caltech, a Sloan Research Fellowship, the National Science Foundation, NASA, an Einstein Postdoctoral Fellowship, the Space Telescope Science Institute, UC San Diego, and the Simons Foundation. Other coauthors on the study are: Ji-Hoon Kim of Stanford University, Claude-Andre Faucher-Giguere of Northwestern University, Dusan Keres of UC San Diego, and Eliot Quataert of UC Berkeley. Most countries at Laos gathering had positive attitude toward maritime safety, Beijing says China strongly opposes that some regional outsiders were "sowing discord" over the South China Sea issue during the 11th East Asia Summit, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Thursday in Laos. Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters that, during the summit, all of the ASEAN countries supported the positive progress made by China and ASEAN on the South China Sea issue. "Most of the countries, 16 of the total 18 nations, have mentioned the maritime safety issue in a positive manner," Liu said, adding that China's stance of solving disputes through dialogue and negotiation has been widely recognized and supported. However, Liu said only two extraterritorial countries out of the summit's 18 countries mentioned the arbitral ruling of the South China Sea at the summit, which Liu described as an act of "self-isolation". The diplomat made the remarks after the two-and-a-half-hour East Asia Summit, which was held in Vientiane. The summit was attended by 18 countries: the 10 ASEAN member states, six dialogue partners China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand and the United States and Russia as newcomers. Premier Li Keqiang attended the summit and discussed key regional issues with other leaders. In his opening remarks, US President Barack Obama said the recent arbitration ruling on the South China Sea was "binding" and "helped to clarify maritime rights in the region". Obama said he realized the ruling raised tensions. The Arbitral Tribunal of The Hague ruled in July on the South China Sea dispute in a case against China that was unilaterally initiated by the Philippines under the administration of former president Benigno Aquino III. China has reiterated that the ruling was illegal and said it will not accept any proposition or action based on the decision. Manila, under new leadership that took office in July, supports direct talks with China to solve the dispute. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Thursday that China opposes any attempt by forces outside the region to stir up trouble on the South China Sea issue. Zhu Feng, executive director of the China Center for Collaborative Studies of the South China Sea at Nanjing University, said that "the intervention by countries outside the region is turning the South China Sea disputes into a geopolitical confrontation". Zhang Yunbi contributed to this story. Contact the writers at anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn and huyongqi@chinadaily.com.cn It's hard to be disturbed by this week's tabloid revelations that Hillary Clinton is dying, Robert Wagner has been arrested for murdering Natalie Wood, and Tom Hanks' marriage is imploding in a $355 million divorce battle, when the 'National Examiner' reveals that a "phantom planet" is heading our way and will "destroy Earth." You'd think that might be big news, but the end of the world doesn't even merit a mention on the Examiner's own cover, instead devoted to "The Royals Nobody Knows," with the revelation that Prince William and wife Kate will "drag the dusty old royals into the modern world." Not that there will be a world left for the royals to enjoy, if the Examiner's crack scientific reporting team is correct in its analysis of a "new video of a rare blood moon" which supposedly shows that "a rogue planet is hurtling toward a collision with Earth." The 'Examiner' seems unconcerned that the video doesn't show a hidden planet, which doesn't exist in reality and has been widely debunked in all but the most paranoid corners of the interwebs. It's about as realistic as everything else in this week's tabloids, however, which seem to have given up even attempting a semblance of accuracy. "Robert Wagner Murder Arrest!" screams the 'Globe' cover, with a photo of the actor in handcuffs. Search hard, and you'll find in tiny print the word: "Dramatization." Search within, and you'll find that Wagner has not even been arrested that's simply what the 'Globe' believes should happen, as it refuses to stop beating this long-dead horse. There's no new evidence in the case, but the 'Globe' claims investigators have reviewed decades-old evidence and concluded that Wagner had at least one affair "possibly two" while married to 'West Side Story' star Wood. If true, that would tell any rational reader that Wagner had cheated on his wife. But to the insightful 'Globe' crime reporters such allegations of infidelity can mean only one thing: he killed his wife. Seems logical. The 'National Enquirer' doesn't even give Hillary Clinton the benefit of a "dramatization" caption when its cover photo features a disturbing shot of the presidential candidate Photoshopped with dark wrinkled bags beneath both hollowed eyes, deep wrinkles across her jowls and above her lip, and ancient folds of skin carved into her sagging neck. The doctored photo accompanies the 'Enquirer' medical team exposing "Hillary's full medical file," and though they haven't actually got their hands on so much as Hillary's nail file, they've discussed it among themselves and concluded that she suffers pretty much every ailment imaginable: Alzheimer's disease, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, brain damage, three strokes, alcoholism, liver damage, violent rages and memory loss. This is the same crack 'Enquirer' medical team that tells us "acting legend Al Pacino has undergone life-or-death cataract surgery" because every medical reporter knows that cataracts left untreated can lead to blindness, which as we all know is a fatal condition. The most bizarre story of the week is the 'Enquirer' "world exclusive" interview with John Mark Carr, secreted away in Thailand, who claims that he witnessed the death of child beauty pageant queen JonBenet Ramsey in 1996, and helped move her body and "stage" the murder scene that police subsequently found. But Carr "refused to name the killer or be more specific about the 'accident." Even the 'Enquirer' is at a loss to explain why Carr "oddly" insisted that DNA evidence found by police at the murder scene "has absolutely no connection to that little girl's death." It's a story lacking all credibility, but that never troubles the 'Enquirer.' Tom Hanks's alleged impending divorce has been a 'Globe' obsession for months, but nobody seems to have told Hanks, who tells 'Us' magazine that he's the biggest supporter of wife Rita Wilson's singing career, insisting: "I'm the biggest groupie." 'Us' mag devotes its cover to the heartbreaking news that Taylor Swift and actor Tom Hiddleston have called it quits after a three-month fling which seemed designed to titilate tabloid editors while annoying the heck out of the rest of the world. Fortunately we have the crack investigative team at 'Us' mag to tell us that Olivia Culpo (Who she, Ed?) wore it best, rapper Trina carries lip gloss and lollipops in her Chanel satchel, Harry Connick Jr. "once ate 19 Krispy Kreme doughnuts in one sitting," and that the stars are just like us: they go shopping, wear hats, play with their dogs and pump their own gas. 'People' magazine devotes its cover to 'Bridget Jones's Baby' actor Patrick Dempsey revealing how he saved his marriage and found new joy in fatherhood. Why did Dempsey walk out on his wife of 22 years in January 2015? "I became frustrated with the lack of quality of experience in my life," he explains. "I wanted to get to that deeper level, and not just skirt the surface." I hope Mrs. Dempsey had a better time understanding that than I did. News hounds can rejoice that this week 'People' mag gives us its 2016 "Style Issue!' devoting 30 vacuous pages to celebrity fashions. This fall's top fashion tip: fill your closet with leopard prints and velvet. Will do! There are always gems to be found among the advertisements run in the tabloids, and amid this week's ads for miracle anti-wrinkle pills, "love bug" pendants for "your special granddaughter," Thomas Kinkade's frosted glass snowman, a Snoopy porcelain music box, nail fungus therapy and a Star Trek 50th anniversary glass sculpture, there's the impossible-to-resist 12-inch "Mother Teresa Canonization Collector's Edition" statuette complete with tiny crucifix, rosary, and her trademark blue-trimmed white sari. Best of all, it comes with a "free rosary for personal use," all for only "five easy payments of $25.99 each." Or you could just send the money to starving children in India. Onwards and downwards . . . (Photo : Getty Images) Japan has expressed support for the Philippines in its maritime territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea. Advertisement The Philippines is set to receive patrol boats and aircraft from Japan in the latest attempt from world powers to counter China's expansion in the South China Sea. Leaders from the two countries struck a deal on Tuesday for Tokyo to furnish Manila with two large patrol vessels and loan the Philippines five used TC-90 surveillance aircraft. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement This latest development comes as countries such as India and the United States have increased security co-operations with Southeast Asian nations. The deal outlines a plan by Japan and other powers to step up efforts to curb China's growing strength by creating a chain of regional allies committed to the status quo. In May, the United States lifted its 50-year-old arms embargo on Vietnam during a visit by President Barack Obama. Last week, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Hanoi on a tour of co-operation and goodwill where he revealed plans for India to sell missiles, base Indian ships in Vietnam, and set up a satellite tracking and imaging station in the country. The move comes as a diplomatic spat between the Philippines and the United States dominated the news on the opening day of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. A planned meeting between U.S. President Obama and his Philippines counterpart Rodrigo Duterte was scrapped after the latter's remarks about the U.S leader. Although Japan has no direct stake in the South China Sea, most of its trade passes through the strategic waterpark. Advertisement TagsPhillippines, china, Japan Tens of millions of unionized public sector workers walked off the job last Friday in a one-day strike against PM Modi's plan to privatise public industries and increase foreign investment. It was one of the largest strikes in human history, if not the largest, and took place over Labour Day weekend. With the exception of a short notice by a guest on a CNN show, not one of the US networks ran a single story on the strike. The strike came after Modi began a push for increased foreign investment and privatization of some state-run industries. Unions fear these policies will undermine both wages and employment. The size of the strike alone forced the government to offer concessions prior to Friday in an attempt to avert it, offering a boost in the minimum wage for some non-skilled workers and the unfreezing of some public employee bonuses. The unions were not persuaded by this offer. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his fight is with poverty, but it seems his fight is with the poor in this country," Indian National Trade Union Congress Vice President Ashok Singh said prior to the strike. Indians Staged One of the Largest Strikes in History, But No One on U.S. Cable News Covered It [Zaid Jilani/The Intercept] (Photo : CNSA) Tiangong-2 being assembled. Advertisement China tries to make-up for the loss of the Tiangong-1 space station with a successful launch of the successor Tiangong-2 space station on Sept. 15. Tiangong-2 will be China's second space station after Tiangong-1, which is in an uncontrolled freefall that will see it burn-up in the atmosphere, threatening people and infrastructure on the ground. Media reports last June described the fall of Tiangong-1 as "out of control." Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The Chinese government, however, has yet to issue a statement as to when the derelict space station will burn-up. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) also hasn't commented on the status of Tiangong-1 for the past several months. Tiangong-1 was launched in 2011. Tiangong-2, originally built as a back-up to Tiangong-1, has a length of 14 meters and a diameter of 3.4 meters. It weighs 8,500 kilograms. The new station has a larger payload capacity, allowing improved living conditions for its crew of three "yuhangyuans" (astronauts). The crew will be able to survive for 20 days without resupply. Tiangong-1 will be resupplied by the new Tianzhou logistics vehicle. Aboard Tiangong-2, Chinese astronauts will conduct space science experiments on a relatively large scale compared to the previous efforts on Tiangong-1. Tiangong-2, which is essentially an orbital laboratory, will also be equipped with a new robotic arm. it will be accompanied by a small Banxing-2 satellite for technology demonstrations. Banxing-2 (the word means Companion Satellite) is a small technology development satellite that will capture images of the new station in orbit. Its predecessor, Banxing-1, accomplished the same mission for the Shenzhou 7 in September 2008. Tiangong-2 will be launched by the Chang Zheng (Long March) 2F/T2 rocket, a variant of the launch vehicle used for the manned Shenzhou program. Engineers at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center are busy preparing the rocket for launch. Advertisement Tagschina, Tiangong-1, Tiangong-2, China National Space Administration, Banxing-2, Chang Zheng (Long March) 2F/T2 rocket (Photo : PLA) HQ-16 SAM battery. Advertisement China has announced improvements to its HQ-16 surface-to-air missile, its version of the missile fired by the notorious Russian 9K37 Buk missile system that shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) over Ukraine on July 17, 2014, killing all 298 innocent civilians on board. The upgrades by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) include an improved motor to increase range; active and semi-active radar guidance and the addition of fins mounted near the center of the SAM. The resulting missile given the designation HQ-16B also has a far longer range than its predecessor, the HQ-16A. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The improvements allow the HQ-16B to hit aircraft out to some 69 kilometers compared to the 40 km range of the HQ-16A. The HQ-16A, unveiled in 2011, was built by China and Russia, and is similar to the Russian 9M38 missiles, a variant of which destroyed Flight 17. The 9M38 missile that blew MH 17 out of the sky is 5.55 meters long and weighs 690 kilograms. It carries a massive 70 kilogram warhead triggered by a radar proximity fuze that detonates a short distance from its target aircraft. It has a range of 72,000 feet. Russian commentators said a key Chinese concern that led to the upgrades of the HQ-16B is the coming deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system to South Korean starting 2017. They claim THAAD has the range that will allow it to strike the Chinese mainland. "To develop suitable capabilities of missile defense is necessary for China to maintain national security and improve defense capabilities," said Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Sr. Col. Yang Yujun. "It is not targeting any other country or target, nor is it jeopardizing the international strategic equilibrium." A navalized version of the HQ-16, the HHQ-16, was recently installed aboard the Shenzhen, the only Type 051B Luhai-class destroyer of the People's Liberation Army Navy. The refurbished Shenzhen is armed with a 32-cell vertical launch system capable of firing HHQ-16s with a range of 30 kilometers and a maximum speed of 3,460 km/h. Advertisement TagsHQ-16 surface-to-air missile, china, Russian 9K37 Buk missile system, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, Ukraine, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, HQ-16B, Russia (Photo : Getty Images) Air China has been accused of racial bias after it published an article in its in-flight magazine warning travelers against visiting communities populated by ethnic minorities in Britain. Advertisement Chinese carrier Air China on Thursday sparked a major racial controversy with an article published in its in-flight magazine that warned travelers to London not to visit ethnic minority areas. The article titled "Tips from Air China" said that the London city was safe. However, it warned that "precautions are needed when entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis, and black people." Like Us on Facebook Advertisement One paragraph warned females against venturing alone into areas dominated by ethnic minorities. "We advise tourists not to go out alone at night, and females always to be accompanied by another person when traveling," it said. The Telegraph reported that the article was first noticed by local Chinese journalist Haze Fan, who immediately tweeted a screenshot of it to the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. The tweet unleashed a flurry of angry responses from Londoners including MPs (Member of Parliament) representing city's ethnic minority groups. MPs Dr. Rosena Allin-Khan and Virendra Sharma have said that they would write a letter to the Chinese ambassador Liu Xiaoming about the issue. "I am shocked and appalled that even today some people would see it as acceptable to write such blatantly untrue and racist statements," r Sharma, the Labour MP for Ealing Southall, said. This is not the first racial controversy from China this year. A few months ago, a Chinese laundry detergent ad caused an uproar as it showed a black man being miraculously transformed into white Chinese man after being cleansed with a detergent. Several psychologists and social experts have stated that a huge racial bias exists in the Chinese society. Many have noted that lack of open discussion on the issue has led to more racial discrimination. Advertisement Tagschins, Air China, London, China and Great Britain (Photo : Getty Images) China and ASEAN countries have created a telephone hotline to prevent chances of military clashes in the disputed South China Sea. Advertisement In a bid to avoid accidental military clashes in the South China Sea, China, and Southeast Asian nations on Wednesday agreed to set up a communications hotline that would be operational soon, Xinhua reported. Political observers said the agreement, which was reached during the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting hosted by Laos this week, emphasized the difficulty in resolving the maritime territorial dispute among the organization's member-countries and China. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The pact did not mention the Hague-based arbitration court ruling that rejected Beijing's claims to the strategic waterway. China has repeatedly said it that does not recognize the court's jurisdiction and had dismissed the verdict as "null and void." Statement The 10-member ASEAN nations, along with the Philippines and claimant-countries Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei, have issued a statement affirming their respect for international law. Observers said the statement was crafted in a way that it would not provoke dissent or offense against China. The decision to omit any discussion of the recent Hague court ruling during the summit reportedly pleased Beijing, but it dealt a setback for Japan and the United States who both have called on China to abide by the ruling. Outcome "China will be satisfied with the outcome, as will ASEAN," said Ian Storey, Southeast Asia political expert at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. Storey said the limited coverage of the agreement reflects the claimant-countries' shift in interest from upholding the arbitration court ruling to maintaining regional stability in the disputed area. A spokesperson for Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said that he raised some points on matters related to the South China Sea to his regional counterparts during the meeting but did not touch on the international tribunal ruling. The summit was the first international gathering of world leaders attended by Duterte since assuming the presidency on June 30. Arbitration court ruling "The Philippines, we are a smaller country, a poorer country. You have to be conservative. And now we're in a position of strength because of the arbitral ruling," said Martin Andanar, spokesman for the Duterte administration. He, however, pointed out that Duterte insists on holding bilateral talks with China as well as working amicably with everyone to resolve the dispute. Duterte has vowed not to bring up the court ruling before any international forum saying he wants to invoke the legality of the ruling once he comes face-to-face with Chinese negotiators. War He also said that war was not an option to settle the maritime claims to the disputed sea with China. Last month, Duterte sent his special envoy, Fidel Ramos, to negotiate with China to pave the way for possible formal talks to begin between the two sides. Although the president said he hoped the formal talks would commence within this year, Chinese authorities said they would prefer for the talks to start earlier. Advertisement TagsASEAN, South China Sea, arbitral court ruling, President Rodrigo Duterte, President Xi Jinping, Philippines, china (Photo : Antonov State Company ) The world's only operational Antonov An-225. Advertisement China will resume production of the world's longest and heaviest aircraft -- the Antonov An-225 "Mriya" made by Ukraine's Antonov State Company -- in a deal worth $300 million. Antonov said it had signed an agreement with state-owned Aerospace Industry Corporation of China to finish building the second and last An-225 that has been gathering dust inside a Ukrainian aircraft hangar over 20 years. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement China will also build a third An-225, this one from scratch, with the assistance of Ukrainian engineers and experts. China intends to fly the home grown An-225 by 2020. It is also expected to give the aircraft a Chinese designation. There appears to be no plan to build a fourth aircraft but China might choose to do that at a later date once it's gained enough experience. "The parties expressed their intentions as for long-term cooperation," said Antonov. The Chinese An-225 will enter service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) as a super heavy cargo lifter and will give the PLAAF the worldwide reach it currently lacks. Heavy and outsized military hardware such as tanks, helicopters and artillery can be carried on this aircraft. Antonov will transfer technological knowhow for the plane and its engines to the Chinese, allowing them to build a new, modernized version of the plane on their own. China has always been weak at building high-performance jet engines and the deal with Antonov should help them overcome this failing. Only one complete An-225 was ever built and this flew in 1988. The second one, which China will inherit, is a partially completed airframe the Soviet Union never finished because of lack of funding and interest. The one airworthy An-225 was developed for the task of transporting the Soviet Union's Buran space shuttle that was destroyed in 2002 when the roof of the hangar housing it collapsed onto it. Buran never made it to space. After the Buran disaster, the lone An-225 served in the Soviet air force and was put in storage for eight years. It was later refurbished as a commercial heavyweight cargo lifter. It currently flies for Antonov Airlines carrying oversized payloads. The existing An-225 can haul 250 tons of cargo powered by its six ZMKB Progress D-18 turbofans, each delivering 229.5 kN (51,600 lbf) of thrust. This strategic airlift cargo aircraft holds the absolute world records for an airlifted single item payload of 189,980 kg and an airlifted total payload of 253,820 kg. It has also transported a payload of 247,000 kg on a commercial flight. Advertisement Tagschina, Antonov An-225, Ukraine, Antonov State Company, People's Liberation Army Air Force (Photo : Getty Images) China and the US have clashed over the South China Sea dispute at a recent ASEAN summit in Laos. Advertisement China has sent a veiled warning to the United States to stay out of the South China Sea dispute. Speaking after talks with rival nations at a summit in Laos, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said that Beijing wants to work with other claimant countries to end interference in the contested maritime region. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement However, United States President Barack Obama responded to Li's remarks by warning that Beijing must abide by an international tribunal ruling that dismissed China's broad claim to the disputed South China Sea as having no legal basis. "The landmark ruling in July, which is binding, helped clarify maritime rights in the region," Obama said during a summit of Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) leaders. Beijing, however, has vowed to ignore the verdict. Obama said that he recognizes that the ruling raises tensions, but added that he looks forward to discussing how the concerned parties can constructively move forward to lower tensions while promoting democracy and stability. China's Premier Li insisted that with joint efforts from ASEAN members, the situation was moving in a more positive direction. Hours before the meeting, the Philippines defense ministry released photos and a map showing that there was an increase in the number of Chinese sea vessels near the Scarborough Shoal, which was seized by Beijing in 2012. Beijing is laying claims to a large portion of the South China Sea. Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines have competing stakes in the disputed region. More than $5 trillion worth of trade passes through the disputed South China Sea annually. Advertisement Tagschina, South China Sea SPOILERS BELOW: YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. (previously) Hastur will sear your soul if you spill the beans! But you may want to send that same can of legumes to a friend and give them a good case of the heebie-jeebies by ordering the experience "The K*i*n*g in Yellow" from The Mysterious Package Company and ensnaring them without warning. Here's what will befall them. The first arrival is a size of envelope not often seen. It is otherwise ordinary and addressed to me in a feminine hand. Inside is found a smaller beat-up envelope which the post office had attempted but failed to deliver 15 years ago. It contains a letter from a desperate soul (now probably deceased) about the government censorship of a play and various artifacts. No longer able to keep these items safe, I am informed they are being sent to me. All of this in a most urgent tone, and water damage obscures the signature of the sender. Accompanying the missive are three pages ripped from a script of the play, The K*i*n*g in Yellow. The language of the play is flowery and obtuse. It's oddly intriguing. At this point, I didn't quite get that one is supposed to do something with this information (damn Asperger'sI'm always the last person to figure this stuff out). These pages of the play, should you dare to read them, may cause a shiver if the lights are low, the hour is late, and you're in the mood: Camilla You, sir, should unmask. Stranger Indeed. Cassilda Indeed, it's time. We all have laid aside disguise but you. Stranger I wear no mask. You know something creepy is in the offing, and it's not Rondo Hatton. A few weeks later a larger envelope arrived containing a strange amulet bearing an arcane symbol, a letter-press printed broadside from the only known performance of the play The K*i*n*g in Yellow in London in the 19th century, and a newspaper clipping from a curious journalist. He should have stopped before it was too late, but alas. Some weeks later, a wooden crate arrives. Soundly nailed shut, it takes considerable effort to open and yields more newspaper clippings from the unfortunate journalist, now confined to an insane asylum for seeing the unseeable and writing what is forbidden. A postcard and photo accompany; one appears to bear relevance, the other doesn't. And then there's that enormous and heavy statue of the Stranger who wears no mask. It's a story told in real bits of paper, wood, metal, twine, and statuary. A tactile tale of insanity. But what is it all about? You get only clues and cool stuff from the adventure, but you must find the meaningwhich enhances the "experience"on your own, for in reality it's a puzzle which points you in a direction you will feel compelled to follow. Who, then, is the K*i*n*g in Yellow? It's not so simple. Ostensibly The K*i*n*g in Yellow is a play in book form that is guaranteed to drive anyone who reads it bonkers. It exists only as a series of stories in the book of the same title written by Robert Chambers and published in 1895. He wrote nothing else of note other than this collection, which greatly inspired H.P. Lovecraft. To make your experience of "The K*i*n*g in Yellow" from The Mysterious Package Company whole, you must read the book. Alone. At night. And allow the feeling of dread to settle over you until you are completely enveloped. I took a different approach. On a flight to Tokyo, a great part of which takes place when people who are sleeping in the dark surround you, and your body is cocooned beneath a blanket with only a small light for illumination, I experienced an excellent graphic novel of The K*i*n*g in Yellow by the UK's I.N.J. Culbard. No stranger to visualizing tales of dread and horror with several graphic adaptations of Lovecraft to his credit, Culbard interprets Chamber's prose in a chilling manner while maintaining the morbid feeling of awful underlying terror especially for those who come face to face with the King himself. The tattered Stranger who wears no mask. Tomorrow we'll dissect the inscrutable bifurcation of the fans of The Mysterious Package Company. (If you're wondering why certain words appear written in an odd manner with asterisks between the letters throughout this and the previous piece, it's to prevent unsuspecting recipients of these experiences from successfully finding this article through Google and ruining the surprise for themselves, as well as the person who sent it to them. This has become an increasing problem because those recipients with good "Google Fu" often search the web when the first mailing appears and the experience is thereafter not all it should be. As a member of the MPC, I'm trying to balance writing about the experiences without spoiling them for future recipients.) Mother Teresa a criminal, not a saint, according to Hindu nationalist 08 September, 2016 by Gregory Tomlin , | NEW DEHLI, India (Christian Examiner) Days after the canonization of Mother Teresa by Pope Francis, the Catholic saint is under fire from a member of India's Hindu nationalist party for attempting to convert unsuspecting children to Christianity. India's Daily Pioneer reports Mandsaur Sudhir Gupta, a member of parliament with the Bharatiya Janata Party, said Mother Teresa's work among the poor of Calcutta was only a cover for her plans to convert "innocent children." "When a saint gives something, he doesn't take anything in return. Why then did Mother Teresa accept so many awards?" Gupta asked. She gets credit for [helping the poor]. Many social reformers don't even get named, or fame. But after helping the poor, she took their religion from them. In fact, Gupta who represents a party that seeks to limit the influence of all religions in India except for Hinduism said Mother Teresa was not a saint at all. She was, in his estimation, a criminal. "She gets credit for [helping the poor]. Many social reformers don't even get named, or fame. But after helping the poor, she took their religion from them," Gupta said. He said that made her guilty of bada apradh or "a big crime." Gupta said his anger wouldn't be justified if the people Mother Teresa helped were over the age of 18 and could have made an adult decision to change their religion. However, it is unlikely many would have survived to that age had she not intervened. Mother Teresa worked among the sick, lepers and orphans of Calcutta, many of whom were abandoned by their families or the society at large. The Daily Pioneer said as much, claiming others in India "didn't feed [them] or avoided going close to them." In his homily for the canonization of Mother Teresa Sept. 4 in Rome, Pope Francis said the nun was a "dispenser of divine mercy, making herself available for everyone through her welcome and defense of human life, those unborn and those abandoned and discarded." "She bowed down before those who were spent, left to die on the side of the road, seeing in them their God-given dignity; she made her voice heard before the powers of this world, so that they might recognize their guilt for the crime of poverty they created. For Mother Teresa, mercy was the 'salt' which gave flavor to her work, it was the 'light' which shone in the darkness of the many who no longer had tears to shed for their poverty and suffering," Francis said. Francis also said Mother Teresa demonstrated "gratuitous love, free from every ideology and all obligations." He said her ministry was not changed by the culture, race or religion of those to whom she ministered. Born Anjeze Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in Albania in 1910, Mother Teresa left home at age 18 to pursue work as a missionary. She taught school in Calcutta for several years, and it was during India's 1943 famine in the midst of World War II that she took on her work with the poor. It became her singular focus. She founded the order known as Missionaries of Charity, which still works among the poor in the slums of Calcutta, India. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in 1979, but only saw the prize's financial benefit as another opportunity to help the poor. "The poor must know that we love them," she told a reporter who informed her of the Nobel award. As more reporters arrived to cover the award, she said she needed to "go hide somewhere." States say churches (and church childcare centers) must open bathrooms to transgenders (at times) 08 September, 2016 by Gregory Tomlin , | BOSTON (Christian Examiner) The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) has issued guidelines on new state regulations concerning "public accommodation" that will likely place churches in the uncomfortable position of opening their restrooms to transgenders at certain times. While the regulation supposedly does not affect churches during their normal religious functions, any time a church is used for a secular purpose such as when it operates as a polling place it must allow a person to choose the restroom based on his or her perceived "gender identity." The law defines a place of public accommodation as any place, licensed or unlicensed, which is "open to and accepts or solicits the patronage of the general public." It also claims that such places may not restrict access or deny services to a person because of gender identity. Even a church could be seen as a place of public accommodation if it holds a secular event, such as a spaghetti supper, that is open to the general public. "For example, a hotel or motel may not refuse to book a room for a person because of the person's gender identity. Even a church could be seen as a place of public accommodation if it holds a secular event, such as a spaghetti supper, that is open to the general public," the MCAD guidelines say. Presumably, that also means that church outreach events open to the general public, such as a dual-purpose function (such as a combined concert and evangelistic event) would fall under the public accommodation rules. Any violation of the rules on the part of the church, however, will not automatically result in a fine for the church. Though in a footnote in the guidelines, the MCAD notes "all charges, including those involving religious institutions or religious exemptions, are reviewed on a case-by-case basis." The guidelines issued by Massachusetts Sept. 1 are not all that different from those recently published by the Iowa Civil Rights Commission (ICRC). Those rules claimed churches have to accommodate transgender access to bathrooms "sometimes." They also placed restrictions on what a pastor could say when speaking on the topic of homosexuality and the Bible, if the content of the sermon makes a guest feel unwelcome. "Iowa law provides that these protections do not apply to religious institutions with respect to any religion-based qualifications when such qualifications are related to a bona fide religious purpose. Where qualifications are not related to a bona fide religious purpose, churches are still subject to the law's provisions (e.g., child care facility operated at a church or a church service open to the public)," a brochure explaining public accommodation in the Hawkeye State said. The wording of the brochure from the Iowa Civil Rights Commission showed a striking level of unfamiliarity with the role of churches in the community and the First Amendment, attorneys with Alliance Defending Freedom claimed in a lawsuit on behalf of one Iowa church. Many churches offer childcare programs based on the idea of religious instruction for the young and all church services are open to the general public. Churches also preach biblical doctrine on human sexuality, the Bible being at odds with the modern gender identity movement, the attorneys said. Iowa's guidelines were so threatening to churches that the publication of the brochure drew a rebuke from the U.S. Civil Rights Commission. In a letter to the chair of the ICRC, U.S. Commissioner Peter Kirsanow said the churches are open to the public at all times because they offer worship and instruction in the faith to both congregants and any guests that come. "The ICRC's apparent misunderstanding of religious belief and practice is a many-splendored thing .... [T]he ICRC states that a child care facility operated at a church is subject to the public accommodation nondiscrimination provisions. Again, the ICRC appears to fundamentally misunderstand life in a religious community. One reason churches have child care facilities is so the faithful can have their children cared for in an environment that reflects and supports their religious beliefs. Any parent who takes his or her child to a preschool run by a church has to expect that the preschool will reflect the church's beliefs. A mere nondiscrimination statute cannot trump the First Amendment," Kirsanow wrote. The letter and the public outcry over the regulations eventually led the ICRC to revise its brochure. It now claims that places of worship are "generally exempt" from Iowa's anti-discrimination laws, "unless the place of worship engages in non-religious activities which are open to the public. For example, the law may apply to an independent day care or polling place located on the premises of the place of worship." The "cosmetic changes" to the language of the brochure don't fix the constitutional violation, ADF's Christiana Holcomb has claimed. She said ADF will continue to pursue its lawsuit against the ICRC. The U.S. is threatening to take away the tax exempt status from Pastors for Peace, a Christian humanitarian group that delivers aid to Cuba. Pastors for Peace, which has been in operation since 1992, collects donations in the U.S. and then sends school buses, computers, medicine and other products to Cuba, but by traveling to Cuba, the organization has defied the U.S.s restrictions against traveling to the country. "We act not just in defiance of our government, but in obedience to our conscience," said Rev Lucius Walker, the founder of Pastors for Peace. Then in August, the Internal Revenue Service discovered that the parent organization for Pastors for Peace, the Inter-religious Foundation for Community Organization, had never requested permission from the U.S. Treasury Department to send aid to Cuba. The U.S. Treasury Department has been investigating the group since 2009, according to ChristianToday.com. "I do not understand how at this moment, when the Obama Administration's policy is to seek understanding, that on the other hand they are taking these types of measures against institutions that have created an understanding between our peoples," Joel Ortega Dopico, President of the Cuban Council of Churches, said at a press conference in Havana. Said Monolo de los Santo, of Pastors for Peace in Cuba: "It is not up to the IRS to decide what we can bring to Cuba and in what way. Publication date: September 8, 2016 Persecution charity Open Doors has opened a first-of-its-kind trauma center in Nigeria to support the victims of terrorist attacks across the country. The charity stated on its website that the trauma center will "accommodate up to 30 trauma victims at one time, and will have a training annexe to help equip church leaders whose congregations have suffered terrible atrocities. It will be staffed by qualified people, skilled in dealing with post-traumatic stress and all of its associated conditions." The families will stay at the center for about six weeks to receive healing and comfort before returning to their homes. The church leaders will also be trained to provide post-traumatic stress healing to those who have suffered persecution. Open Doors UK and Ireland president Eddie Lyle visited Nigeria and met with the parents of the abducted Chibok girls, and witnessed their agony. "Meeting four of the fathers of the Chibok girls encapsulated for me the agony of this tragic incident," Lyle recounted. "Jonah, one of the fathers, asked me how he can stop his wife from screaming at night because of the sense of loss. She's missing her daughter and doesn't know how to live life again. 'What would Jesus do, Brother Eddie?' he asked." "There are no easy answers to that most searching question, beyond the fact that God grieves with his suffering family," said Lyle. The charity is keeping in touch with the parents of around 200 girls who were abducted by Boko Haram in April 2014. Many of the fathers whom Open Doors team spoke with were concerned about their wives and children. They visited hospitals frequently but the hospital does not have trauma care to support them. Some of the parents told Open Doors that they knew Christians who had gone back to rely on witchcraft to bring their daughters back, but others remained firm in faith, and many others started attending church when they had not done so in a long time. "The fathers we spent time with said they do not see the persecution they are facing as something extraordinary, but as a natural part of being a Christian and walking in the footsteps of Jesus. They expressed hope that they will yet see the faces of their daughters in this life -- and if not in this life, then in heaven. They also expressed trust that the Lord will use their suffering for their good," Open Doors stated. At a seminar organized by Open Doors, parents were encouraged to give all their burdens to the cross. "The participants penned down their pains on paper and took it to a cross placed at the front. Then they burnt it. This painted a picture to them of a step they were taking in faith -- handing over their burden to God," one Open Door member reported. "I find it very difficult to forgive the people who abducted my daughter. I felt a heavy pain in my heart. But today I have forgiven them. I rely on God and His power to heal my wounds," said Ruth, one of the seminar participants. Between 2006 and 2014, up to 11,500 Christians were killed, 13,000 churches destroyed, and over 1 million people persecuted among whom many were forced to flee from their homes, according to Open Doors UK. From a numbers perspective, for every American church, there are about two people returning home from incarceration annually. Yet, just 1 in 5 churches (22%) that average 250 or more attendees have formal ministries for people leaving correctional facilities according to a LifeWay Research survey of 1,000 evangelical and mainline pastors conducted earlier this year. Many pastors just arent aware of how dramatically incarceration affects their congregation, says Dominique Gilliard, a pastor at Convergence Covenant Church in Oakland, California. Churches have created a cone of silence around this issue. It becomes so stigmatized. I cant tell you all the times I go and preach or teach at a church and the pastor is completely unaware that people are dealing with this, said Gilliard, who is writing a book about restorative justice. People are lined up after service to come to talk to me because this is the first time that they heard their church talk about this. Once church leadership and attendees decide they do want to address the issue, they should start by educating themselves. I always tell people that they have to examine their internal biases because we all have them, said Miea Walker, the Second Chance Alliance outreach coordinator for the North Carolina Justice Center. It starts with understanding the landscape of mass incarceration. Often times people will want to just come in and help, Oh those poor souls, they need us. We really miss the big picture. We are not reading and learning how we got here. (CT told Walkers story in its September cover story.) Gilliard and Walker join Morgan and Katelyn to discuss the nitty gritty of supporting families ... 1 On Thursday, January 15, 2009, Twitter wasn't the virtual water cooler it is now, so when New Yorkers heard that a plane had landed in the icy Hudson River, we had to go to actual news sites to calm our nerves. When it became clear that there was no foul play on US Airways Flight 1549, the pilot, Captain Chesley Sully Sullenberger, became an American hero overnight, feted in the national press and the streets. Of the 155 people on board, he didn't lose one. Miracle on the Hudson, indeed. But no story of an American hero is as simple as it seems on the evening news. In the moving and remarkably restrained Sully, director Clint Eastwood digs into the reality behind the hagiography and presents a challenge to our collective tendency to make hero and celebrity interchangeable termsall without discrediting Sully himself. This isn't the untold story, the way we usually think about it: it's just a straightforward examination of what heroism really is. Not that Sully (played here by the only movie star I can imagine in the role, America's genial uncle Tom Hanks, with his hair dyed white) didn't deserve the accolades. As the film makes clear, his decades of flying planesmilitary planes and, eventually, commercial jetswas the key factor in his safe, almost unimaginable landing. All the safety training and computerized flight simulators in the world can't compare to actual cockpit experience. And the movie's aim is to show you why that's true. It also makes for a tremendous, taut viewing experience. In some ways this is the ideal dad movie, and I mean that in the best way: a story about a guy who leaned on his years of ... 1 The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources convenes its World Conservation Congress every four years. So this years gathering in Honolulu, Hawaii, which continues through Saturday, September 10, is held in the shadow of the World Wildlife Funds 2014 report claiming that in just 40 years, over half of the worlds wildlife has been lost. Until recently, the conservation movement has been overwhelmingly secular. But the sense here is that this is a moral and even a spiritual crisis. As Gus Speth, who helped found the Natural Resources Defense Council and was dean of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, told a British radio presenter in 2013: I used to think that top global environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and climate change. I thought that with 30 years of good science we could address these proble ms, but I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed, and apathy, and to deal with these we need a spiritual and cultural transformation. And we scientists dont know how to do that. Reflecting this shift in emphasis, a Spirituality Journey is included in this years conference program for the first time. The conferences location in the Pacific region, where spiritual life is less segregated from public life than in Europe, may also make a difference. At the opening ceremony, in language that differed markedly from previous Congresses, Our heavenly Father was thanked for his creation. Indeed, many conservation professionals and scientists, particularly but not at all exclusively from the Global South, have a living Christian faith. Integrating it into ... 1 I had the privilege or reading a pre-release version of "God Shines Forth: How the Nature of God Shapes and Drives the Mission of the Church." Here are 20 quotes from the book, which you should pick up. However, survey finds they also don't want pastors who do campaign to be punished. | Since the 1950s, the IRS has banned preachers from endorsing candidates during church services. Donald Trump has pledged to eliminate the ban, calling it his greatest contribution to Christianity if he is elected president. However, most Americansincluding evangelicalsseem to like the status quo. Four out of five Americans say it is inappropriate for pastors to endorse a candidate in church, according to a newly released report from LifeWay Research. Three-quarters say churches should steer clear of endorsements. For the most part, Americans with evangelical beliefs agree that pastors and churches should abstain from using their resourcesincluding the pulpitto campaign for a particular candidate. Seventy-three percent say pastors should abstain, while about 65 percent say churches should abstain. Americans already argue about politics enough outside the church, said LifeWay executive director Scott McConnell. They dont want pastors bringing those arguments into worship. Yet fewer than half of Americansand just 33 percent of evangelicalswant churches to be punished if they do endorse candidates. The ban on endorsements, known as the Johnson Amendment, dates back to a conflict between thenUS Senator Lyndon Johnson and a Texas nonprofit, which opposed his re-election bid. Approved in 1954, the IRS rule bans all 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including churches, from active involvement in political campaigns. Since 2008, a group of mostly Protestant pastors has challenged the ban each year by endorsing candidates in an event called Pulpit Freedom Sunday. Recent polling shows few churchgoers have heard their pastor endorse a candidate. [Editors note: Trump, who helped make repealing the Johnson Amendment a plank in the GOP platform, has received fewer sermon endorsements than rival Hillary Clinton, according to the Pew Research Center. While some atheists have pushed for the punishment of pastors who participate in Pulpit Freedom Sunday, support for the freedom of pastors to publicly endorse candidates is on the riseeven among religious nones.] The new LifeWay report, which compares results from surveys of 1,000 Americans in 2008 and 2015, found that disapproval of endorsements, while a little lower, remains high overall. In both surveys, LifeWay asked Americans to respond to the following statement: I believe it is appropriate for pastors to publicly endorse candidates for public office during a church service. In 2008, 86 percent of Americans disagreed, a number that dropped to 79 percent in 2015. The 13 percent that agreed with the statement in 2008 grew to 19 percent in 2015. Support for endorsements, while tepid across denominational lines, was stronger among Protestants (20% agreed) than Catholics (13%). Those with evangelical beliefs (25%) were more likely to agree than other Americans (16%). [Editors note: This summer, Pew found that a minority of white evangelicals (37%) and black Protestants (45%) want pastors to endorse candidates during elections. Among pastors themselves, Lifeway found in 2012 that 9 in 10 Protestant pastors believe that the government shouldn't prohibit pastors from preaching politics, but that 9 in 10 also believe pastors shouldnt do it.] But while approval for pulpit endorsements has grown, approval for personal endorsements has dropped. In 2008, about half of Americans (53%) said it was appropriate for pastors to endorse candidates outside of their role at church. In 2015, that dropped to 43 percent. Americans also want churches to steer clear of endorsements and campaign involvement. Both in 2008 and 2015, about three-quarters disagreed that it is appropriate for churches to publicly endorse candidates for public office. Even more (85% in 2008, 81% in 2015) said it was not appropriate for churches to use their resources to campaign for candidates for public office. Three in 10 of those with evangelical beliefs (29%) said endorsements by churches are appropriate, more than those without evangelical beliefs (21%). Protestants were more likely (27%) to approve of endorsements than Catholics (18%), and those who attend church once a week or more (29%) were more likely to approve of endorsements than those who rarely or never attend (18%). But while Americans dont want their pastors or churches endorsing candidates or getting involved in campaigns, neither do they think churches should be punished if they do. In 2008, more than half of Americans (52%) said churches should lose their tax exemption for publicly endorsing candidates. That number dropped to 42 percent in 2015. Still, there are some demographic differences. Men (47%), those who live in the Northeast (46%), and those who live in the West (48%) were more likely to say that churches should lose their tax exemption. Women (38%) and Southerners (37%) were less likely to approve of the punishment. Those from non-Christian religions (56%), religious nones (53%), and those who rarely or never go to church (52%) were more likely to agree that churches should lose their tax exemptions. Christians (37%), those with evangelical beliefs (33%), and those who go to church at least once or twice monthly (35%) were less likely to agree. Endorsements from the pulpit are unpopular and most Americans say they are inappropriate, McConnell said. But they dont want churches to be punished for something a pastor said. Methodology: The phone survey of Americans was conducted Sept. 1428, 2015. The calling utilized Random Digit Dialing. Fifty percent of completes were among landlines and 50 percent among cell phones. Maximum quotas and slight weights were used for gender, region, age, ethnicity, and education to more accurately reflect the population. The completed sample is 1,000 surveys. The sample provides 95 percent confidence that the sampling error does not exceed plus or minus 3.6 percent. Margins of error are higher in sub-groups. Comparisons are also made to a LifeWay Research telephone survey of Americans June 1214, 2008, using randomly dialed listed landlines. LifeWay Research is a Nashville-based, evangelical research firm that specializes in surveys about faith in culture and matters that affect churches. Looking at the world through the eyes of the Web The American pastime of church shopping finally has some solid stats: how many Christians do it (and how often), why they left their last church, and why they picked their current one. The Pew Research Center's new study, which categorizes respondents according to their denomination, also looked at who is attending church more often and whether their reasons are more theological or practical. Overall, more than two out of five churchgoing evangelicals say they are attending worship services more often than they used to. Of the 75 percent of evangelicals who attend church at least once a month, 44 percent said theyre going more often than they did before. About a third said theyve always attended regularly (31%). Evangelicals are a little more likely to attend regularly than historically black Protestants, two-thirds of whom identify as evangelical. About two-thirds of historically black Protestants attend church at least monthly (68%); of those, half have always attended regularly (34% overall) and half are going more often now (33% overall). The biggest reason evangelicals are attending more often is a change in their beliefs (54%), Pew told CT. Those who have increased their attendance reported that its because theyre becoming more religious (29%), realizing they need God or church in their lives (13%), or becoming older or more mature (12%). About a quarter of evangelicals said they attend more now for practical reasonsbecause they have the time in their schedule (11%) or found a congregation they like (6%). Still others began attending more often for social reasons, like starting a family or wanting the fellowship of a church family. Historically black Protestants were more likely than evangelicals to be attending more often because of changing beliefs (61%), about as likely to have increased their attendance because of social factors (17%), and far less likely to have increased their attendance because of practical issues (10%). Of those who attend only a few times a year, 15 percent of both evangelicals and historically black Protestants said theyre attending less often than they did previously. The majority of evangelicals said their lack of attendance was due to practical issues (57%), like being too busy (20%) or too ill (13%). Fewer are pulled away by social factors like family changes (5%) or no longer attending with someone (5%). About one in five of those who attend less frequently said it was because their beliefs changed (10%), they disagreed with church teachings (8%), or their church has changed (4%). In fact, disagreements with pastors or other congregants caused 18 percent of evangelicals to look for a new church, according to the study. While that was slightly more than the number of those who left because they got married or divorced (16%), it was less than those who left because they moved (49%). Overall, 67 percent of evangelicals have looked for a new congregation. Fewer historically black Protestants have searched for a new church home (46%), whether because they were moving (29%), had disagreements with pastors or other church members (11%), or changed their marital status (7%). Of the countrys largest religious traditions, evangelical Protestants are among the most likely to say they have looked for a new congregation, Pew wrote. For Catholics, this may reflect that choosing a new congregation (after a move, for example) can be as straightforward as determining which Catholic parish they reside in, removing the need for a more extensive search. Members of the historically black Protestant tradition move to new communities less often than other Protestants, which may be one reason they also are less likely to have ever looked for a new congregation. When evaluating a new church, top-quality sermons are the most important thing both evangelicals (94%) and historically black Protestants (92%) are looking for. They also want to feel welcomed by leaders (82%). Evangelicals put slightly more emphasis than historically black Protestants in the style of worship services (80% vs. 76%) and location (69% vs. 62%). Historically black Protestants, on the other hand, were more likely than evangelicals to value opportunities to volunteer (59% vs. 49%), religious education for children (69% vs. 64%), and having family or friends in the congregation (52% vs. 49%). About 9 out of 10 evangelicals and historically black Protestants attended a worship service at a prospective church before making the switch, while about 7 out of 10 talked to members of the congregation, friends, or colleagues about their decision. Evangelicals were a little more likely than historically black Protestants to talk with a minister about switching (64% vs. 58%) or to look online for information (36% vs. 30%). Evangelicals were more open than historically black Protestants to considering a different denomination (47% vs. 31%), who were more likely to consider only new churches within the same denomination (66% vs. 49%). Most respondents said that finding a new place to worship was easy, though it was easier for evangelicals (69% said it was very or somewhat easy, compared to 59% of historically black Protestants). Evangelicals also looked more oftenabout 4 in 10 have looked for a new church home within the last five years, compared to 3 in 10 historically black Protestants. More than half of historically black Protestants have never looked for a new church home (54%), compared to a third of evangelicals (33%). Half of evangelicals said finding their new church was easy because it was convenient (49%) or because they felt at home there (42%). Historically black Protestants were less likely to say their new church was convenient (38%) but more likely to say they found a good community there (53%). Evangelicals who had a hard time finding a new church said it was because they disagreed with the theology of the places they tried out (27%) or because the location or logistics were inconvenient (22%). A quarter said that prospective churches lacked fellowship (26%). Finding a church to attend regularly is a good move for your mental health and happiness, two new studies show. People who go to church feel happier both on Sunday and throughout the week, and gain both meaning and good coping skills, University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found. [Editor's note: Out of a sample of 5,000 Americans, Pew surveyed 1,043 members of evangelical churches and 335 members of historically black Protestant churches. Within these two groups, 67 percent of evangelicals and 46 percent of black Protestants have looked for a new congregation.] Most people cant say their town was simultaneously put on the map and almost wiped off it in the same day. Yet thats just what happened to the tiny community of West, Texas, a little more than three years ago, when a local fertilizer plant exploded and shook the town with the force of a 2.1 magnitude earthquake, destroying a good chunk of the towns infrastructure. April 17, 2013 will be forever remembered by the 2,800 or so residents of West as the day when their lives were turned completely upside down. Fifteen dead. Two hundred injured. Schools, apartments, businesses, a nursing homeall gone. Five hundred homes leveled to the ground. Today, however, as the town reaches an important milestone of recoverythe destroyed schools are just now reopeninga pastor is looking back and seeing how God used the church to rebuild West from the ground up. Referring to himself as the Disaster Pastor, First Baptist Church of Wests Senior Pastor John Crowder has played a unique role in helping his community recover. In addition to pastoring one of the larger churches in West, he also serves on the board of the West Ministerial Alliance and the West, Texas Foundation. After the explosion, his church became a hub of activity. Crowder explained that while FEMA is set up for long-term recovery after a disaster, they are not equipped to handle short-term relief. Even secular organizations are bound to rules that keep them from being able to work as quickly and effectively as churches can, he said. Its popular these days for people to put on spiritual airs and look down on organized religion, Crowder continued. But in a disaster, you better hope organized religion ... 1 Pro-Life Centers Fight Against California Forced Speech Law SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 8, 2016 / Christian Newswire / -- Liberty Counsel has filed its opening brief with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Mountain Right to Life v. Kamala Harris that challenges California's Assembly Bill 775, which imposes onerous notification and disclosure requirements on pro-life crisis pregnancy centers. Liberty Counsel represents three pro-life crisis pregnancy centers in Southern California, all of which offer women experiencing crisis pregnancies resources, counseling, advice and alternatives to abortion. All of the centers are faith-based and will not refer women for abortions. Under the California law, His Nesting Place (Long Beach), Pregnancy and Family Resource Center (San Bernardino), Birth Choice of the Desert (La Quinta), and all licensed and unlicensed pregnancy counseling centers in the state are required to post the following government-prescribed message in their facilities and in their advertising or be fined $500 for the first violation and $1,000 for each additional violation: California has public programs that provide immediate free or low-cost access to comprehensive family planning services (including all FDA-approved methods of contraception), prenatal care and abortion for eligible women. Centers not licensed by the State of California must post a notice that they are not a licensed medical facility. Liberty Counsel filed a lawsuit in the Central District of California on behalf of the three crisis pregnancy centers, alleging that the law violates their First Amendment rights of free speech and freedom of religion. Liberty Counsel asked the district court for a preliminary injunction to stop implementation of the law pending the outcome of the lawsuit. The district court denied the motion for a preliminary injunction and Liberty Counsel filed an appeal of that denial with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. "AB 775 requires that these faith-based, crisis pregnancy centers utter a state-drafted, pro-abortion message and encourage women to commit human genocide," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. "This unbelievable government mandate is an example of the evolution of political correctness. This law forces pregnancy help centers and staff to be puppets of the state and channel the state's abortion message. This forced speech violates the First Amendment," said Staver. Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics. Judicial Watch Files Freedom of Information Act Lawsuit Seeking Documents Cited in OIG Report '[O]ne email exchange occurring shortly before Secretary Clinton joined the Department [of State] that demonstrated a reluctance to communicate the requirement [of printing and filing email records] to incoming staff.' Office of Inspector General Report Contact: Jill Farrell, Judicial Watch, 202-646-5172 WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2016 /Christian Newswire/ -- Judicial Watch announced today that it has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit to obtain records regarding an email exchange that took place before former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took office citing a "reluctance to communicate the requirement [of printing and filing email records] to incoming staff." The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of State (No. 1:16-cv-01592)). The Judicial Watch lawsuit was filed on August 25, 2016, after the Department of State failed to comply with a June 7, 2016, FOIA request seeking access to the following: An email exchange mentioned on page 14 of an Office of Inspector General (OIG) report entitled "Office of the Secretary: Evaluation of Email Records Management and Cybersecurity Requirements." All records concerning, regarding the January 2009 memorandum from Undersecretary for Management Patrick F. Kennedy entitled "Memorandum for All Under Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries, Executive Directors and Post Management Officers: Preserving Electronically the Email of Senior Officials Upon Their Departure." The Inspector General report evaluated the security of email records at the State Department and cybersecurity risks from any mishandling of those records. The report recorded the investigation of the email communication from every Secretary of State since Madeline Albright. The email exchange of the report, as referenced in the lawsuit, stated: "OIG identified one email exchange occurring shortly before Secretary Clinton joined the Department [of State] that demonstrated a reluctance to communicate the requirement [of printing and filing email records] to incoming staff." The State Department has not produced this email exchange. The Inspector General report states that only three State Department officials relied exclusively on private email servers to conduct official businessClinton being one of them. The report also states that other State Department employees were aware of Clinton's use of private email servers to conduct official Department business. The report concludes with recommendations from various officials offering their suggestions about how to fix the State Department's flawed system of recording official email communique. "The State Department has a duty to the American people to produce these records," said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. "This is further proof that the State Department is covering up for Hillary Clinton's deliberate decision to hide her emails from public scrutiny even before she assumed office." MORE: www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-files-freedom-information-act-lawsuit-seeking-documents-cited-oig-report Sunday's 9-11 Event at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena to Show the Limitless Strength of Faith, Thanks and God Contact: Sheila Davis, 615-822-2359 NASHVILLE, Sept. 7, 2016 / With special guests Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee; New York Times Best Selling Author Eric Metaxas; World Outreach Church of Murfreesboro, TN's Senior Pastor Allen Jackson; Billboard Magazine Hot 100 Artist Michael W. Smith and Percussionists in Motion Stikyard plus a recorded video message from Dr. Ben Carson and a few surprise guests, Give Thanks will be full of inspirational messages and music. "We all respond automatically to September 11th because it will always be a dynamic moment of reflection, belief and honor. This event reflects a passion and unending thankfulness to God, to those who bravely turned dark days into hope, and it still brings us courage as a people. Give Thanks is an opportunity to stand and pray for God's hope for today and for our future as a nation," said Pastor Allen Jackson. Tickets and information can be found at Event sponsor, World Outreach Church, Murfreesboro, TN, is a congregation of more than 20,000 people with interdenominational Christian backgrounds. To the Nashville community, World Outreach Church is seen two times weekly on local Channel 2, WKRN, and on WHTN and NRB networks. Jackson has been senior pastor of WOC for more than 25 years. Over the last five, consecutive years World Outreach Church has held faith initiatives in Nashville, including a Christian men's conference, bringing together more than 45,000 attendees. Share Tweet Contact: Sheila Davis, 615-822-2359NASHVILLE, Sept. 7, 2016 / Christian Newswire / -- Middle Tennessee is commemorating the 15th anniversary of 9-11 with a major event at Bridgestone Arena called Give Thanks. This one-of-a-kind event is designed to give people from all walks of life the opportunity to stand up and give thanks to God for the hope, revitalization and coming together He continues to bring to America.With special guests Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee; New York Times Best Selling Author Eric Metaxas; World Outreach Church of Murfreesboro, TN's Senior Pastor Allen Jackson; Billboard Magazine Hot 100 Artist Michael W. Smith and Percussionists in Motion Stikyard plus a recorded video message from Dr. Ben Carson and a few surprise guests, Give Thanks will be full of inspirational messages and music."We all respond automatically to September 11th because it will always be a dynamic moment of reflection, belief and honor. This event reflects a passion and unending thankfulness to God, to those who bravely turned dark days into hope, and it still brings us courage as a people. Give Thanks is an opportunity to stand and pray for God's hope for today and for our future as a nation," said Pastor Allen Jackson.Tickets and information can be found at givethanksnashville.com Event sponsor, World Outreach Church, Murfreesboro, TN, is a congregation of more than 20,000 people with interdenominational Christian backgrounds. To the Nashville community, World Outreach Church is seen two times weekly on local Channel 2, WKRN, and on WHTN and NRB networks. Jackson has been senior pastor of WOC for more than 25 years. Over the last five, consecutive years World Outreach Church has held faith initiatives in Nashville, including a Christian men's conference, bringing together more than 45,000 attendees. home World A record number of Danes are leaving the church amid atheist campaign About 10,360 people have reportedly filed their applications to leave the Church of Denmark in the second quarter of 2016. A campaign by the Danish Atheist Society has been credited for the withdrawals. The atheist group has been displaying large banners on buses asking questions such as "Why believe in a god?" and "Why should faith cost something?" The banners also direct people to visit the group's official website which provides instructions on how to leave the Church. Those who want to withdraw their membership must submit a written application to their respective parishes. Anders Stjernholm, the chairman of the society, stated that he is happy with the results of the campaign. "We have long seen in surveys that there aren't that many Danes who are devout Christians. So I view [the withdrawals] as an expression of the fact that people can't really see why we should have an institution like the Church of Denmark that has such incredible influence and that takes one's money," Stjernholm said to Politiken, a local Danish publication. Anders Gadegaard, the dean of Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen, acknowledged that the atheist campaign might have led to the large number of withdrawals. However, Gadegaard doubts whether the effects of the campaign will last. In an interview with Politiken, Gadegaard said, "I think the number is a reflection of a very special situation created by the atheists' campaign. We're not talking about a whole new trend that will continue." He noted further that the number of baptisms are rising despite the withdrawals. The Norwegian Church also reported a record number of withdrawals in August. About 25,000 have left the Lutheran Church in Norway in less than a month when it introduced a website that makes it easier for members to withdraw their membership. Only 1,177 people used the website to register as members. home World Christian gets 3-year jail sentence for insulting Islam on Facebook A Christian convert has been sentenced three years in prison for allegedly insulting Islam on social media. Slimane Bouhafs' sentence was lowered by Algeria's appeals court from the original five-year sentence given by a lower court last August. Last May, the electronic crimes brigade at the rural police force headquarters in Algiers launched an investigation after seeing Bouhafs' Facebook page. Bouhafs allegedly posted "four distorted Koranic verses and photos offensive to the Prophet, as well as articles denigrating the Islamic religion," Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported. On July 31, Bouhafs reportedly received a phone call and was instructed to report to the headquarters in Bouslam where he was arrested. His lawyer, Salah Debbouz, said Bouhafs was tried in a late-night court session wherein he was immediately sentenced with five years of imprisonment. The written judgment stated that Bouhafs waived his right to a lawyer and the right to postpone the trial. Bouhafs however, told his lawyer on Aug. 8 that he did not give any waiver and added that he was not informed of the said rights. Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director of HRW, urged the Algerian government to reconsider its laws regarding freedom of expression. "Algerian courts have no business judging people's religious beliefs and opinions," she said. "Algeria should urgently revise its penal code to stop criminalizing peaceful free expression, including views that may insult Islam and the prophet," she continued. Following the reduced sentence, the Algerian League for Human Rights (LADDH) has declared that it will now take Bouhafs' case to the Supreme Court. "Although the sentence has been reduced, LADDH considers imprisonment for this accusation a serious precedent and this is inconsistent with the Constitution and the universal declaration of human rights," wrote SaAd Salhi, vice president of LADDH. Salhi stated that LADDH will keep on working to free Bouhafs because his health may be at risk while he remains in prison. home World Priest launches campaign to rehabilitate drug users in the Philippines Fr. Luciano Feloni, a priest from Argentina, has started a program called "Healing, not killing" to rehabilitate drug users and prevent unnecessary deaths resulting from the Philippine government's war against drugs. Feloni, the pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Caloocan City, has organized a mass surrender of drug users to the police. There were 20 people who have already surrendered to the police on Sept. 1 under the priest's watch, Catholic News Service (CNS) reported. More than 2,000 people have been killed since Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte took office and began his war on illegal drugs last July. Feloni revealed that about three to five members of his parish are killed every week since the crackdown started. One victim was gunned down in front of his parish after a mass. "I know the numbers because we said the funeral mass for them. Almost all were killed in the same way: A motorcycle would come up with two people, and one would get off and pull a gun and kill the person, then they would ride away. No one ever gets caught or convicted," Feloni told CNS. Feloni and the local government are overseeing the rehabilitation and detoxification of the people who have surrendered. Food is also provided for those who choose to work in the community. Feloni maintained that he supports the campaign against drugs but reiterated that he is against the killings. "I come from Latin America and I know how it looks when drugs destroy a place," he said. About 1,400 drug-related killings have been reported as "deaths under investigation." Many are believed to be the results of tensions within drug gangs. Senior Supt. Joel Napoleon Coronel of the Manila Police District told CNS that some members of the police force are also under investigation. Some rogue policemen are believed to be involved in the elimination of drug runners who once worked for them. Feloni expressed his concern about the effects of the killings. "We are becoming a much more violent society. And that can easily spiral out of control. As the Church we have to do something," he said to CNS. home World Christian warns Iran of God's judgment before his execution An Iranian Christian recorded a video before his execution, declaring that he is not afraid of his impending death. The man identified as Ali Asadi warned corrupt Iranian leaders who execute people to fear the judgment of God. His video was posted on Facebook and shared by American-Iranian pastor Saeed Abedini. Two men appeared to be saying their farewells to the other inmates. One of the prisoners was heard crying in the background. According to Abedini, Asadi was executed last week in Rajaeeshahr Prison. The pastor indicated that it was the same prison where he was incarcerated for more than two years. "We rejoice with him because we know he is with [the] Lord Jesus Christ today and we know [the] Lord will punish evils but we pray that [the] Lord [will] forgive them and save them from their evil ways," Abedini wrote. He continued, "Ali's testimony who turned to Christ in prison, is amazing! His body is dead today but his testimony is ALIVE! He is with [the] King now and He has been receiving his crown of Glory from [the] King of Kings and [the] Lord of Lords!" Abedini shared another message containing a conversation that occurred between Asadi and his brother Mohsen a day before the execution. In their conversation, Asadi told his brother that he asked the other prisoners to get to know Jesus and urged them to read the Bible. Abedini mentioned that he will be speaking at the United Nation's headquarters in New York about the executions in Iran on Tuesday, Sept. 20. The Iranian regime is continuing its crackdown on Christians. Last month, five Christian men were arrested during a picnic. One of the men who asked for the police for an arrest warrant was allegedly beaten by an official. home US Hillary Clinton to address largest African-American Baptist convention Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in scheduled to speak at the National Baptist Convention (NBC, USA, Inc.) in Kansas, Missouri, on Thursday, Sept. 8. The convention is the largest African-American religious organization in the U.S. with an estimated 7.5 million members. Clinton will be welcomed by the chairperson of social, civic and political commissions, Dr. Amos Brown. The NBC, USA, Inc. announced last Sunday that Clinton will address the delegates at the Kansas City Convention Center at 5:00 p.m. after a lecture on voter registration. On the same day of the announcement, the New York Times reported that there is a growing number of young black voters who are skeptical of Clinton's candidacy. A black millenial from Ohio disclosed her dislike of Donald Trump and immediately followed up with her distrust of Clinton. She exclaimed: "What am I supposed to do if I don't like him and I don't trust her? Choose between being stabbed and being shot? No way!" Another young black voter from Ohio voiced out a similar sentiment: "He's a racist, and she is a liar, so really what's the difference in choosing both or choosing neither?" Democrats are reportedly concerned by the lack of enthusiasm among black voters for Clinton's candidacy. To regain their interest, Symone Sanders, a former aide to Sen. Bernie Sanders, is organizing a millenial mobilization tour in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. "Black churches and an H.B.C.U. (historically black colleges and universities) tour is just not going to cut it in 2016," said Ms. Sanders. She added that to be effective, Clinton must get out of her comfort zone and "get on the streets." According to Brittany Packnett, an activist from St. Louis, young black voters are less likely to be in churches. She stated that they are more likely to be found online or in schools and activist groups. Interview results reportedly revealed that many young black activists do not know how Clinton plans to address issues such as police conduct, mass incarceration and structural racism. home World Evangelical Lutheran Church blocks pastors officiating gay weddings despite new law in Finland The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland will not allow pastors to officiate same-sex weddings regardless of the new gender-neutral marriage law that will take effect in March 2017. The Bishops' Conference produced a set of guidelines to address the revisions that will be introduced to the Marriage Act, the Helsinki Times reported. "It can be concluded that the changes to be introduced to the Marriage Act on 1 March, 2017, will have no effect on the rights of pastors to officiate church weddings," the report stated. While the Church Handbook forbids pastors to officiate same-sex weddings, they are still allowed to pray for all couples who had a civil marriage. The Bishops' Conference maintained same-sex couples are still welcomed by the Church. "Same-sex couples are welcome to all church activities and shall be treated as families, even though they have not entered into marriage in accordance with the Church Act," wrote the bishops. According to a survey conducted by LAnnen Media in 2014, 40 percent of Finnish pastors are willing to perform same-sex marriages. Two such pastors have already declared their intention to defy the controversial Church policy. Liinamaria Roos and Toni Fagerholm announced that they will be performing same-sex marriage rites when the new Marriage Act takes effect in March. Fagerholm expressed his intent to film a ceremony and upload the video to Youtube. He has previously gone against the Church when he blessed a lesbian couple during the Helsinki Pride march. The two pastors said that they are not worried about any disciplinary measures resulting from their actions. "It is a dialogue that we simply must have. We will discuss all of this in our cathedral chapter," Fagerholm said. Same-sex unions were legalized in Finland in 2002. The amendments to the Marriage Act will allow the unions to be converted into full-fledged marriages. home World Terror attack on Christian university in Tanzania A mob attacked and burned Sebastian Kolowa Memorial University (SEKOMU) in Tanzania last Saturday, Sept. 2, resulting in the death of a security guard and the serious injury of two others. A witness reportedly heard the attackers planning ways to kill the students. Another witness said that there was banging on the doors before the attackers forcibly entered her room and started a fire. "In the room next to us we heard a group of people banging on the door, demanding it be opened," a witness told Capital TV. "We thought it was something normal, until they came and broke down our door. Then we realized that it was not. As I wanted to get out, they told us not to and took a can of petrol and poured it on the floor and told each other to light it," the witness added. Some of the students escaped through the windows and ran to the forest. The attackers immediately left after starting the fire. The university, located near the Kenyan border, is owned by the North Eastern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania. It was named after Rev. Sebastian Kolowa who was the diocese's first African bishop. Just weeks before the attack, the Intergovernmental Authority of Development held a series of consultations to address violent extremism in Tanzania and other eastern African countries. The endeavor was supported by the government of Japan and the United Nations Develpment Programme (UNDP). Rosa Malango, a representative of the UNDP, believes that measures to counter such atrocities should be a priority for everyone. "At UNDP and the UN, we recognize that while the battle for violent extremism needs to be won at the local and national level it requires a regional response to be sustained," she said. She noted that the youth in Africa are vulnerable to be recruited by extremist groups if they are not properly informed. Christian missionaries targeted by new government legislation in Nicaragua Evangelical missionaries are being restricted under new laws in Nicaragua, which has seen hundreds of Christian missionaries affected. Legislation brought in last month stipulates that missionaries must inform the Nicaraguan government prior to entering the country, and receive official permission to work. President of the Assemblies of God denomination, Rafael Arista, told Evangelical Focus that the regulation is "affecting the life of the Church". "The pastoral and social work should not be hindered just because of a regulation," he said. "Our calls to President Ortega is definitely to revoke this legislation". The Nicaraguan Evangelical Alliance has also urged the government to repeal the laws. So far, concessions have been made by the government but Church representatives say it is not enough. They have warned that more than 200 missionaries have been affected, including two Catholic missionaries from El Salvador who were deported. Around 300 missionaries from Mexico and Central America were forced to cancel their visit to an evangelical gathering at the end of August. "The Church has always been free to act and help, and Nicaragua has so far been the safest place to do so, compared to other countries in the region. But suddenly this regulation appears and we do not understand it," said Mario Espinoza, president of the National Council of Nicaraguan Evangelical pastors. "This norm is not real and we hope to reach an agreement that allows us to operate as usual." Evangelical leaders are in dialogue with the government about the laws, and will next meet on September 20. According to Evangelical Focus, there are approximately 3,600 evangelical churches in Nicaragua, which are attended by around 15 per cent of the population. The majority of Nicaraguans are Roman Catholic. Christians in America making resettled Syrian refugees feel at home Some conservative politicians with ties to Christian religious groups have been very vocal about keeping Syrian refugees out of the United States, fearing that some of them might reveal themselves someday as terrorists. This political issue, however, is not stopping some Church groups from helping Syrian migrants already in the U.S. to feel at home. The Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia, for instance, has been reaching out to refugees in their area and assisting them in adapting to their new home. Twenty-year-old William Stocks, a member of the Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, shared to The New York Times how he has been offering free English lessons to Syrian refugees to help them communicate better as they set up their new lives in the U.S. Stocks said he chose to set aside some politicians' adverse views about refugees from the Middle East, and instead chose to follow Jesus Christ's example of service to others. "My job is to serve these people," he told The New York Times, "because they need to be served." Among those who have benefited from Stocks' free English lessons are Anwar and Daleen, two of the 10,000 Syrian refugees who have arrived in the United States in the past year. Through the free lessons, Anwar and Daleen can now say and understand simple sentences in English. "I have been here for four months, and I have seen nothing except goodness," Anwar also told The New York Times. The Johnson Ferry Baptist Church is not alone in its efforts to help Syrian refugees. Some 1,055 other churches have also tied up with World Relief, an evangelical resettlement organisation seeking to assist migrants in the U.S. Rev. Bryant Wright, the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry, for his part, said while there is indeed a possibility that admitting migrants from the Middle East can cause danger to the U.S., it is still better to treat them with kindness and generosity. "Would it be better for these people to see Americans reaching out with love, and showing them all of the blessings Americans can have? Or do we turn our backs on them, and make them more sympathetic to Islamic terrorism?" Wright asked. Church of England synod members call for 'greater clarity' around status of LGBT people More than 130 lay and clergy members of the governing body of the Church of Engand are appealing to bishops to recognise that lesbian and gay people are essential to the health and future of the Church. In an open letter sent to bishops before their meeting later this month, synod members call for "greater clarity and consistency" in the Church's approach to the LGBT community. "In particular, we are keen that the College of Bishops is unequivocal in its acknowledgement that all, including those who identify as LGBTI, are essential to the health and future of our church and mission to the wider world," the letter says. The bishops are meeting to discuss the next steps after the completion of the two-year "shared conversations", a process of meetings around the dioceses and at synod where church members tried to move towards some form of consensus on the divisive issue of sexuality. Letter organisers include Jayne Ozanne, a gay member of the House of Laity, and the Dean of St Paul's Dr David Ison, and has been signed by synod members from 37 of the Church's 42 dioceses. Conservatives fear that there will soon be a shift towards acceptance in Church liturgy of some form of same-sex blessing. Ozanne said: "The response to the letter has been overwhelming, it definitely seems that the tide is now finally turning. From conversations I have had, many synod members were deeply challenged and moved by the discussions in July, and it seems that many now are keen for the Church to take active steps towards ensuring it is welcoming and inclusive of all." Canon Giles Goddard, chair of the human sexuality group in Synod and the other lead co-ordinator of the letter, said that the breadth of support was important. "The broad consensus across the church traditions is extremely encouraging," he said. "We hope it will help the C of E to find ways to heal the deep level of pain felt by many of us within the LGBTI community, by becoming genuinely welcoming and affirming." Dr Ison said: "I believe that there's a growing consciousness across the Church that our response to lay and ordained LGBTI Christians cannot stay as it is. We need far greater honesty and transparency with one another, and to ensure that all LGBTI people are welcomed and affirmed by a Church called to share the redeeming love of Christ with all." The 127 signatories include 68 members of the House of Clergy, including three deans and eight archdeacons and 59 members of the House of Laity. Cuban churches condemn US threat to Christian humanitarian group A Christian humanitarian group that has for decades delivered aid to Cuba has been threatened with having its US tax exempt status stripped. in a move that has been condemned by . The Cuban Council of Churches has condemned the move against Pastors for Peace, which has defied Washington's sanctions by travelling to Cuba to deliver aid from the US since 1992. The organisation collects donations from across America and sends school buses, computers, medicine and other goods to Cuba. It describes itself as an "interfaith organisation to assist oppressed peoples in their fight for justice and self-determination". Its Cuba deliveries are a "nonviolent direct challenge to the brutal US economic blockade of Cuba", it says. "We act not just in defiance of our government, but in obedience to our conscience," said Rev Lucius Walker, the founder Pastors for Peace. Last month, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) notified the group's parent organisation, the Inter-religious Foundation for Community Organization, that its status was in jeopardy because it had never requested permission from the US Treasury Department to send aid. The IRS said it had been investigating the group since 2009. "I do not understand how at this moment, when the Obama Administration's policy is to seek understanding, that on the other hand they are taking these types of measures against institutions that have created an understanding between our peoples," Joel Ortega Dopico, President of the Cuban Council of Churches, said at a press conference in Havana. Cuba and the United States began normalising relations in December 2014 after 18 months of secret talks and have since restored full diplomatic ties. The countries had been hostile for more than five decades, since Fidel Castro ousted US-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista in a 1959 revolution that steered the island on a communist course and made it a close ally of the Soviet Union during the Cold War. There have been numerous skirmishes between Pastors for Peace and US authorities at the border, temporary detentions and confiscations of aid over the years, but never prosecutions or other legal actions taken against the group or its members. "It is not up to the IRS to decide what we can bring to Cuba and in what way," Manolo de los Santos, in charge of Cuba for Pastors for Peace, said in Havana. Additional reporting by Reuters. Europe close to its limits in accepting Mideast refugees who continue to pour in, says European Council president Europe is at bursting point as an apparently unending stream of migrants fleeing war and terrorism in the Middle East continues to fill the continent. This was the stark message delivered by European Council President Donald Tusk before the leaders of the world's major powers at the end of the G20 summit in China on Monday, The Christian Post reports. "The practical capability of Europe to host new waves of refugees, not to mention irregular economic migrants, is close to limits," Agence France Presse quoted Tusk as saying. Noting that some 65 million people have been displaced from their homes worldwide, Tusk urged world leaders to take responsibility and help those who are most in need. He called for financial assistance and development aid for the countries where these migrants originally came from, pointing out that "only global efforts will be able to bear fruits." Meanwhile, U.S. President Barack Obama supported Tusk's call for global cooperation to deal with the refugee crisis, saying that the global community, including America, will have to step up and help Europe deal with this crisis. He also made special mention of Turkey which, he said, is playing a major role in easing the crisis. "Turkey hosts more refugees than any country in the world, and it has been a key partner in providing aid and assistance to vulnerable citizens that have poured out of Syria as well as Iraq," Obama said during his meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "This is not an issue in which Turkey should be carrying the burden alone," the American president added. "It needs support from all of us, and we intend to provide it." The G20 group later released a statement declaring that the world leaders have agreed on the need to share the burden in dealing with the refugee crisis. "Worldwide massive forced displacement of people, unprecedented since the Second World War, especially those generated from violent conflicts, is a global concern," the leaders said at the end of the gathering in the Chinese city of Hangzhou. The group also reiterated the call from last year's summit in Turkey for "global concerted efforts in addressing the effects, protection need and root causes of refugee crisis to share in the burden associated with it." Give Christians in Iraq a say in their future after Islamic State, urges Church leader Christians in Iraq should be given independent rule or allowed to join a region of their choice in a post-war settlement, the leader of the country's largest Church has suggested. The Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Louis Raphael I says in a report this week that should Iraq be reclaimed from Islamic State, there should be an interim political settlement allowing Christian villages in the Nineveh Plain to become "self-administrative". Many of the Christians who have been forced to flee could return to their homes if Islamic State is defeated, he says. He calls for a referendum to give Christians a choice on whether they want to be governed from Baghdad, to be part of the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan or even place themselves under a "Sunni state". The patriarch, releasing his conclusions to Agenzia Fides, said that democracy has had no chance to be established properly since the fall of Saddam Hussein. The number of Christians in Iraq has fallen sharply. Iraq is at number two on the Open Doors world watch persecution list and Christians now number just 250,000 out of a population of 37.5 million, down from 4.7 million in 1947, 1.4 million in 1987 and 450,000 in 2013. Patriarch Louis Raphael I says there are "signals" of a "pre-arranged plan to secure the political structure of Iraq" but in this plan, he fears the rights of Christians and other minorities are not guaranteed. He wants the security and continuity of presence at least to be ensured. He acknowledged the widespread sympathy the suffering of Iraq's Christians has led to. But he warned of "political hunters" trying to use Christians to obtain certain advantages. He predicted that "Christians are likely to become a token of exchange" for the stability and the future structure of the region. While the liberation of Mosul and the Nineveh Plain from Islamic State might hold a glimmer of hope for Christians, it will take time to rebuild trust with other ethnic and religious groups of the region, otherwise "the haemorrhage outflow of migration will continue, even from safe areas". Further, he warns that a military victory over the ISIS jihadists does not mean solving the problem of terror group's extremist ideology, which he said must be dismantled. Hajj 2016: 10 things you should know about the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca On Friday, Hajj begins in Mecca. Each year, more than 3 million Muslims visit the desert valley in western Saudi Arabia for what has become one of the world's largest religious pilgrimages. Here are 10 things you should know before it begins: 1. The pilgrimage lasts for six days, and occurs during the Dhu Al-Hijjah, the 12th month in the Muslim calendar. This year it falls on September 9-14. 2. Performing the Hajj is one of the 'Five Pillars', or more important practices, of Islam. The others are the shahadah, the declaration of faith; salat, the five daily prayers; zakat, or almsgiving; and sawm, fasting during the month of Ramadan. 3. Because it is one of the Five Pillars, all able-bodied Muslims who can afford it are expected to make the journey at least once in their lifetime. 4. Mecca is regarded as the holiest city in Islam, as it is believed to be the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the site of his first revelation of the Qur'an. When Muslims pray, they do so in the direction of Mecca. 5. The Al-Masjid Al-Haram mosque in Mecca contains the Kaaba, a black box-shaped building built around a black stone. During the Hajj, Muslims walk around it seven times anti-clockwise. 6. There are a number of other ritual acts during Hajj, including 'the stoning of the devil'. Pilgrims travel to Mina, a small village about 5km from Mecca where they throw pebbles at stone pillars which represent the devil. 7. Both men and women dress in white, a symbol of the state of purity they are entering. Changing their clothes is part of the process known as 'assuming Ihram', a sacred state that pilgrims adopt at the beginning of the Hajj. Pilgrims also refrain from wearing perfumes, men must not wear any sewn garments and women do not cover their faces. 8. Pilgrims drink the water of the Zamzam well, located 20m east of the Kaaba, as it is thought to have special properties. The water is believed to come from the same source as the spring which provided water for Ishmael and his mother Hagar a story which is told both in the Qur'an and the Bible. 9. The Eid Al-Adha is a feast marking the end of the pilgrimage. It is known as the feast of sacrifice, in remembrance of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Ishmael, as the story is recorded in Islamic tradition. 10. This year, extra security measures are being taken after more than 2,000 people died in a crush during the pilgrimage in 2015. Every pilgrim will be given an electronic bracelet containing the individual's address and passport number, as well as medical information. More than 1,000 security cameras have also been installed at the Grand Mosque to help monitor overcrowding. Featured Post MNN: 'Mohawk Mothers -- Excavation Stops and Injunction Starts' Post navigation Previous MOHAWK MOTHERS: EXCAVATION STOPS & INJUNCTION STARTS Posted on October 28, 2022 Mohawk Nation News https:/... White Mesa Ute Spiritual March to Shut Down Uranium Mill Mohawk Warrior Society Book Launch Lakota Jean Roach: The True Story of Leonard Peltier Justice for Dad: Taylor Dewey Shares the Harsh Road to Justice Justice Dept Files Lawsuit Against Rapid City Hotel Western Shoshone Ian Zabarte Speaks on Radiation Archive Search This Blog About Censored News Censored News is published by Brenda Norrell. Since 2006, Censored News has received more than 20 million pageviews. As a collective of writers, photographers and broadcasters, we publish news of Indigenous Peoples and human rights. Contact publisher Brenda Norrell: brendanorrell@gmail.com From the publisher Censored News is published by Brenda Norrell, a journalist in Indian country for 40 years. Norrell created Censored News after she was censored and terminated as a staff reporter at Indian Country Today in 2006. She began as a reporter at Navajo Times during the 18 years that she lived on the Navajo Nation. She was a stringer for AP and USA Today and later traveled with the Zapatistas through Mexico. She has been blacklisted by all the mainstream media for 14 years. Contact brendanorrell@gmail.com Translate Hundreds of thousands sexually trafficked every year in Africa - Archbishop of Jos Hundreds of thousands of people are trafficked every year in Nigeria, and the majority of them sexually exploited, a senior church cleric has warned. "A disturbing fact is that in parts of West Africa the majority of those trafficked are children below the age of 18," the Archbishop of Jos, Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, told delegates at the International Conference against Human Trafficking in Africa, in Abuja. He urged the conference to "find ways of ending child labour in all its forms". He warned that of those trafficked in Africa, 79 per cent are sexually exploited the majority of them women. A fifth are forced into labour. The Archbishop urged the Nigerian government "to look at the issue of trafficking in persons as a national disgrace and take urgent and lasting steps to deal with the root causes", including by allocating more resources to the cause. The conference was organised by the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Migrants, and attended by more than 130 human trafficking experts and representatives from faith organisations. According to a representative from Caritas, the UN's former special rapporteur on trafficking, Professor Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, told the conference: "The scale of trafficking is huge. People have a desire to improve their lives. I say trafficking is migration gone wrong". Cardinal Luis Tagle, president of Caritas Internationalis, warned that victims of human trafficking are "hiding in plain sight" in countries all around the world, including Europe. "Slavery starts when people do not respect their own humanity, their bodies and their spiritual potential. They see themselves and consequently other persons as mere instruments or objects to attain some goal, especially money, profit, influence or power," he said. The UK's anti-slavery comissioner, Kevin Hyland, said: "One victim is one victim too many." Hungary sets example for other European nations on caring for persecuted Christians In various parts of the world, including the Middle East and China, it is well known that Christians are being abused and persecuted for their faith. The good news is that some countries are beginning to pay more attention to the plight of these persecuted Christians. Hungary recently became the first country to take concrete steps to rescue and protect persecuted Christians around the world, with its government creating and funding a department for this particular purpose. Eduard von Habsburg, the ambassador of Hungary to the Holy See, confirmed to the Crux news website that the European nation indeed created the agency with a budget of $3.35 million to assist persecuted Christians worldwide. Habsburg said Hungary has long been assisting persecuted Christians in the Middle East. The Hungarian government will spend the coming weeks ironing out the exact duties of the new department for these victimised believers. "Hungary has been silently working in the Middle East for years in the danger spots," the ambassador said. "This is the prolongation of a policy that's been in place for a long time." He also shared that Hungary's Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, and its Minister of Human Resources, Zoltan Balog, came to the decision to create and fund the department for persecuted Christians after meeting with Pope Francis last month. "What's interesting is that these are both Calvinists," Habsburg said, "and both are people of faith." He added that government officials' interactions with leading European churchmen, such as Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna, Austria, and with the patriarchs of the Middle East, also contributed to the decision to form the agency. "Hungary considers itself Christian, and is interested in the situation of Christians all around the world," the ambassador said. "It wants to extend a helping hand." Habsburg also expressed hopes that other European nations will follow Hungary's lead in caring for the hundreds of thousands of persecuted Christians around the world. "Somehow the idea of defending Christians has acquired a bad taste in Europe, as if it means excluding other people," the ambassador lamented. 'Indiana Jones 5' release date: Shia LaBeouf not likely to return after slamming Steven Spielberg The "Indiana Jones" franchise is moving forward with a fifth film, but while Harrison Ford has been confirmed to reprise his iconic role in "Indiana Jones 5," it is speculated that Shia LaBeouf will not following a recent interview with Variety in which the latter slammed director Steven Spielberg. "You're meeting a different Spielberg, who is in a different stage in his career. He's less a director than he is a [expletive] company," the actor stated. "Everything has been so meticulously planned. You got to get this line out in 37 seconds. You do that for five years, you start to feel like not knowing what you're doing for a living." He also explained that he did not like any of the movies he made with Spielberg except for the first "Transformers" movie. It is pointed out that in all of these films Spielberg only served as an executive producer for them except for one, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." Spielberg is a producer for the "Transformers" films and for LaBeouf's other projects such as "Eagle Eye" and "Disturbia." LaBeouf portrayed Indiana Jones' (Harrison Ford) son, Mutt, in "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" and it was hinted back then that the franchise might move on and focus on Mutt as the main character. However, the film was poorly received and any plans for an immediate sequel with Shia LaBeouf were canned. Should LaBeouf be absent from the next film it is possible that he will be referenced but not shown or the studios may simply opt to recast the character with a different actor. It is also in the realm of possibilities that LaBeouf will still be hired to work with Spielberg and reprise his role in the film. "Indiana Jones 5" will release on July 19, 2019. Iraq: US pastor spends $4,000 buying weapons for Christian militia A US pastor has spent $4,000 of his own money buying weapons for a Christian militia engaging ISIS forces in Iraq. William Devlin is a pastor at Infinity Bible Church in the Bronx, New York City. He has supplied the Nineveh Plain Protection Units (NPU) with a selection of AK-47 assault rifles, grenades, and rocket-propelled grenade launchers. The NPU consists mainly of Assyrian Christians attempting to defend their region from ISIS. However, it frequently finds itself outmatched and outgunned. Speaking to the Christian Post last week, Devlin said he had gone to speak to NPU leader General Behnam Aboosh to offer his support, but the general had responded that what was needed was quality weapons. He told Devlin: 'Look, I am dealing with a major military force that has United States weapons that they got from the Iraqi Army. ISIS has all these heavy weapons, all these armoured vehicles, and I am sitting here in the Nineveh Protection Unit with the equivalent of bows and arrows.'" Devlin said he then offered to buy weapons for the NPU. The next day, weapons were delivered from an Assyrian arms dealer. The militia has previously received training from US military personnel, but Devlin says they have not received any actual weapons. He said: "I was not going to go away from the general without helping him in some practical, demonstrable way." Last week, Devlin posted pictures to Facebook of the weapons he acquired. He wrote in his post: "[I'm] grateful that, with personal money, I can purchase items that can assist and protect the Christians and their cities in the Nineveh Plain of Iraq from ISIS." Devlin said that the US State Department is aware of his dealings: "They know the type of stuff I do. As far as I know, other than the big organizations, I don't know of any other American Christian pastor that is going in the refugee camps to help the Yazidi people and help the Christian people there. I don't know of anybody else that is going in." It was reported last week that the NPU won a victory against ISIS forces when they liberated the Iraqi town of Badanah, assisted by airstrikes from a US-led international coalition. After its initial dramatic successes in Iraq and Syria, ISIS has come under increasing pressure in both countries and is losing territory to both government and rebel forces. In what may prove to be a decisive move, Turkey has signalled its willingness to join the US in attacking the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa in Syria. ISIS on a mission to wipe out Christians, says former Muslim extremist Despite all the reported gains being made by the U.S.-led coalition in the war against the Islamic State (ISIS), a former Islamic extremist who is now working in counter-terrorism says the West is actually losing the war. "We're losing," said Shiraz Maher, a former member of Islamist group Hizbut Tahrir, speaking last week in London while promoting his book, "Salafi-Jihadism: The History of an Idea," according to World Watch Monitor. "The Syrian crisis is a huge disaster for everybody. Only the jihadists are winning. These groups are very entrenched, they aren't going anywhere. ISIS is not suffering any kind of existential threat," said Maher, a senior research fellow at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation at King's College, London. He said ISIS will not stop its global campaign of terror until it has "exterminated" all Christians and other religious groups in the world. "They're on a missiona programme of exterminationto wipe out everyone else," Maher said, adding that wiping out Christians is particularly "very important" for ISIS. Maher said the jihadist group's greatest strength is its ability to easily attract people to its cause even with just a "token" understanding of its theology. He thinks ISIS will continue to hold on to the city of Mosul in Syria "for some time yet," noting that "for the past year Iraq's army has been saying they'll recapture it in three months' time" to no avail. He said the same stalemate is true in the de facto ISIS capital of Raqqa. To lose either of these bases would constitute an "existential threat" to the jihadist group, but this is not happening. Maher said the other territories recaptured from ISIS are actually expendable. He said ISIS is much more powerful than Al-Qaeda, which he said has changed its tactics to a "more pragmatic" approach aimed at gaining public support. He noted Al-Qaeda's recent suspension of Islamic punishments in the areas it governs in Syria's north-western Idlib province. This is in stark contrast with the continued brutality in ISIS-ruled territories. Al-Qaeda, Maher said, is able to justify its relative leniency by citing an Islamic doctrine that says punishments can be suspended "in times of calamity." He said unlike Al-Qaeda, which produced "hundreds of pages of booklets to explain or justify its actions," ISIS can simply boast about its actions with a short video or one-paragraph press release to be able to generate more support. Maher warned that the "genuine public support" that exists for both ISIS and al-Qaeda will make them "much more intractable in the long run." Israel: Archaeologists restore Temple floor where Jesus walked Fragments of the floor of the Temple on which Jesus once walked have been restored to their original condition. Israeli archaeologists have restored floor tile fragments they believe originally stood in Jerusalem's Second Temple. The temple was destroyed in AD 70, with its ruins now known as the Temple Mount to Jews, and the Noble Sanctuary to Muslims. For Gabriel Barkay, an archaeologist who has excavated in Jerusalem for over 50 years, the restoration is profoundly significant. Speaking to Media Line, he said, "It is very touching for me to realise that these are the actual floors upon which our forefathers walked and sacrificed as they were active on the Temple Mount 2,000 years ago." The reconstructed tiles are part of the Temple Mount sifting project, an Israeli endeavour which began in 2005. The intiative commenced after the Muslim Waqf, a religious trust which controls the holy site, removed 400 truckloads of artefact-saturated soil from the holy site for the expansion of nearby mosque. The extraction of the soil was an opportunity for excavating a site previously untouched because of the sensitivity surrounding the site, which is significant to both Muslims and Jews and has frequently been a flashpoint of controversy. The finds that were discovered have ushered in an unprecedented level of archaeological research. Since it started 200,000 people have participated in the project, and there are half a million objects still requiring research. As for the temple floor restoration, about 600 coloured stone tile segments have been uncovered, more than 100 of which date back to the Herodian Second Temple period. Frankie Snyder, an expert in ancient Herodian style flooring said: "We didn't expect something like this...These are the tiles that the pilgrims who came to Jerusalem for the festivals walked on. These are tiles that Jesus walked on. I love that I get to hold this piece of history in my hand." A volunteer at the site said: "The work here gives you a sense of what happened on the Temple Mount and who was there. It's the best treasure hunt in the world." Mel Gibson's Resurrection film will be more than a Passion sequel A sequel to Mel Gibson's 2004 blockbuster movie The Passion of the Christ will feature Christ's Resurrection and will be a huge undertaking, the actor says. The Passion of the Christ shocked Hollywood with its success as a religious film using the Aramaic language spoken by Jesus. While it was widely praised for its historical accuracy and faithfulness to the biblical text, it was also controversial for the graphic violence of the scourging and crucifixion scenes. In an interview with Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship during the SoCal Harvest event, Gibson told the 36,000-strong gathering that the new film would not be entitled The Passion 2 but The Resurrection. However, he stressed the concept was in its early stages. "We're talking about that. Of course, that is a huge undertaking," he said. He added: "That's a very big subject, and it needs to be looked at, because we don't want to just do a simple rendering of it. I mean, we can all read what happened, but in order to really experience and explore probably deeper meanings of what it's about, it's gonna take some doing." The script for The Passion of the Christ was written by Randall Wallace, who is expected to write The Resurrection as well. Gibson himself is expected to direct it. The actor is a committed Christian and traditionalist Roman Catholic. Muslim-turned-Christian apologist Nabeel Qureshi says there's no basis for claiming Muhammad is a prophet Is Muhammad really a Muslim prophet? A former believer who converted to Christianity does not think so, based on a careful study of both religions. Global speaker and best-selling author Nabeel Qureshi grew up believing in Islam. It was not until his college years when he was exposed to Christianity through one of his friends, David Wood, whom he credits for challenging his faith. "This friend, instead of just playing dead, like most Christians did, he actually tried to defend Christianity and show me the issues with Islam. It is real easy to do once you try, but no one else had," Qureshi explained in an interview with The Christian Post. Because of Wood, Qureshi said he "was ultimately opened to a lot of evidence" about Islam and Christianity. He studied the Christian faith for three years, and then Islam for one year. After scrutinising these religions, Qureshi was convinced that the factual evidence for Christianity was strong. He could not, however, say the same for Islam. In fact, Qureshi thinks the claims about the Muslim prophet Muhammad are incompatible with historical truths. "When it comes to Muhammad, there is this whole edifice built on the character of Muhammad what he taught, what he was like, how he lived his life and that is the foundation of Islam," Qureshi explained. "The way an average Muslim lives is all based on the hadiths, the traditions. Muhammad was supposedly born in Mecca and Islam supposedly sprung out of Medina in the seventh century. But the problem is ... there is no reason to think that Muhammad is actually like what the hadiths say," he added. Qureshi, who finished further studies in religion at Duke University, said Muhammad has long been dead when the hadiths, known as the foundations of Islam, first came out. He also refuted the belief that Muhammad was born in Mecca, as believed by Muslims, based on archaeological findings. "There is no trade routes that talk about the existence of Mecca before the eighth century. The early Muslim conquerors never referred to themselves as Muslim. They always had other names," Qureshi explained. "They never talked about Muhammad. They never talked about the Quran. When you look at the records of history that are contemporary with the seventh century, you don't find much to confirm the Islamic narratives," he added. Son of radical imam reveals ISIS plot to murder Christians using chainsaws ISIS reportedly has a dastardly plot to murder Christians. The radical terrorist group often kills Christians through bombings and public beheadings, but this time, they plan to eliminate the followers of Christ using chainsaws. The plan was bared by the teenage son of a radical imam, according to The Mirror. The teenager, who cannot be named, informed the police of the plot after he was arrested for walking down a street in Verviers, Belgium and calling in Arabic for the murder of Christians. He is the son of radical imam Shayh Alami, also from Verviers, which is described by Belgian media as "one of the most important breeding grounds for Islamists in Belgium." The teenager was caught in the short video walking in the streets of Verviers, all the while cursing Christians and calling for their deaths. After he was arrested, he revealed that the terror group is already busy recruiting people to conduct a mass attack on a shopping centre using chainsaws. Alarmed by the news, Belgian Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration Theo Francken moved to deport the imam tagged in the alleged terror plot together with his son. "I already signed the order to remove the Imam from Belgian soil. But he appealed the decision, so I can only hope for a quick sentence," he said. "Clearly radicalism runs in the family." Meanwhile, Chuck Chadwick of the National Organisation of Church Security & Safety Management told One News Now that U.S. and U.K. churches must be ready for lone wolf attacks that may be carried out in the name of ISIS. "What we over here can expect is the lone wolf attack," he said, "[and] it looks like bombing is becoming popular again." Chadwick suggested that armed security should always be around churches in order to prepare for these attacks. "Having a person who is armed and can respond in deadly force may be an option. If it does happen, we're prepared; if it doesn't happen, all glory to God," he added. United Methodist pastor keeps job after defying Church rules over same-sex wedding A United Methodist Church (UMC) pastor faced with dismissal after conducting a same-sex wedding is to keep her job after an intervention by her bishop. UMC rules currently forbid pastors from performing same-sex marriages, with the threat of firing, trial, and the stripping of credentials for clergy who defy the policy. Rev Val Rosenquist married John Romana and Jim Wimborne on April 23, in the first public same-sex wedding in a United Methodist church. She officiated at the wedding with retired Bishop Melvin Talbert, who called their stance a stand against discrimination and an act of "biblical obedience". Just days after the wedding, several complaints were filed against Rosenquist, of Charlotte, North Carolina for her public flouting of the denomination's rules. According to the Charlotte Observer, Bishop Larry Goodpaster met with Rosenquist and the complainants in the hope of reaching a "just resolution". The Church defines such as resolution as "one that focuses on repairing any harm to people and communities, achieving real accountability by making things right so far as possible and bringing healing to all parties." In Rosenquist's situation the Western North Carolina Conference of the UMC said that a "just ruling" had been reached. However, the terms of the agreement are sealed until 2018 and neither Rosenquist nor the complainants are allowed to discuss the resolution till then. The incident comes at a time of increasing tensions in the UMC over issues of sexuality, particularly between North American Methodists, many of whom are liberal in outlook, and conservatives from other countries including some in Africa. In July, the UMC consecrated its first openly lesbian bishop, despite the denomination technically forbidding the ordination of "self-avowed practising gay people". Last week the UMC delayed the implementation of a "Commission on a Way Forward", a panel which would review the Church's position on homosexuality and same-sex marriage. A special General Conference aimed at deciding a position on the issue could take place in 2018. Westminster launch for God's Justice Bible Bible publishers Biblica Europe welcomed church leaders to the launch of the new God's Justice Bible at the Jubilee Room in the Palace of Westminster yesterday. Hosted by executive director Lindsey Holley, the event featured contributions from Fiona Bruce MP, Langham Partnership director Dr Chris Wright and Dr Krish Kandiah, Founding Director of Home for Good. God's Justice: The Holy Bible includes contributions from more than 50 scholars and theologians from all corners of the world. It provides commentary about how every book of the Bible speaks to God desire for justice. Each book of the Bible includes the complete text, along with helpful book introductions, notes, and a final page with questions for reflection or conversation and a closing prayer. Most of the writers from the international team are from the Global South. Speaking at the launch, Dr Kandiah said: "Justice is woven all the way through the Bible, but for many who have read it, they have missed that theme. Getting involved in justice is not a hobby. God's justice permeates the whole of scripture, and it should therefore permeate the whole of us too. My hope for this Bible is that justice would once again become the passion of God's Church." The launch also featured the ministry edition that Compassion UK has commissioned with Biblica Europe. The ministry edition is available to any Christian organisation that would like a custom version for their ministry purposes and features a bespoke cover design and content. Fiona Bruce MP said: "There's guidance in this book about themes important to us as MPs in this House, themes of family, modern day slavery, international aid, and supporting children." The Hodder Faith edition is available now through all good Christian bookshops and online through eden.co.uk and Amazon. Holley concluded, "When you read the Bible, God's justice is clearly at the very heart of who He is. We believe that this new Bible will help readers to not only engage in a fresh way with the biblical text, but understand at an even more profound level how God's justice can transform their lives." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Yosemite National Park added 400 acres of lush, mountain meadow to its western edge Wednesday, the parks largest expansion in 70 years. The new terrain, which is near San Franciscos Camp Mather east of Groveland (Tuolumne County), was a donation from the Trust for Public Land, a conservation group that bought the private property earlier this year to ensure that it would remain undeveloped. The land is dotted with pine trees and hosts the sprawling Ackerson Meadow, which feeds into the Tuolumne River and San Franciscos water system. At least two endangered species, the great gray owl and willow flycatcher, are found at the site. Its a really important acquisition, said Yosemite spokesman Scott Gediman. Youve got the critical habitat for the birds and reptiles, and youve got the wetlands. Park officials say theyve been eyeing the land for three decades. The owners, Robin and Nancy Wainwright, sold the property to the Trust for Public Land for $2.3 million after the group came up with funding with help from the Yosemite Conservancy, National Park Trust and American Rivers. The property, which houses a small wooden barn that can be seen from Evergreen Road between Highway 120 and Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, is now used for cattle grazing. Under the terms of the purchase, ranching will cease on the property in two years and the land will be managed as wilderness. There are no plans to add trails through the site. This meadow is a remarkable gift to the American people, coming at a historic time as we celebrate the centennial of the National Park Service, Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher said in a statement. Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate United Airlines on Wednesday showed off its Polaris-branded features during a media event at Bush Intercontinental Airport. The new onboard amenities, which debut to the public Dec. 1, include forward-facing seats that recline into 6-foot, 6-inch flat beds; direct aisle access; a do-not disturb signal; Saks Fifth Avenue-designed bedding; and more. The carrier will build nine Polaris lounges at major airport hubs, including Bush Intercontinental in 2017. READ MORE: United CEO cites Farmers' Almanac in winter plans "We are reinventing and redesigning the business class experience from A to Z," senior manager of brand identity Nick Depner said. Garcia, who is based in Houston, said United suffered in the eyes of many business fliers when operational problems related to its 2010 merger with Continental Airlines hurt its on-time record. READ MORE: United Airlines tickets from Houston to Havana go on sale "When you're traveling for business, you need to be on time," he said. Garcia described the investment of billions of dollars into the Polaris program as a good step toward regaining the trust of the international business traveler. Read more about why United was catching up with some of its competitors, as well as the impact the airline is expecting this move to have on Houston Chronicle.com. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate New data from Houston-based consulting firm Longnecker & Associates show which executives are rolling in the most dough. Unsurprisingly, nearly all the names on the list are related to energy, oil and gas and very few are women. While the tech industry may steal headlines for its lack of diversity, oil and gas have even lower percentages of women. RELATED: The top-paid female CEOs in America According to Ernst and Young, only 5 percent of top global utilities in the U.S. have women as board members. Women also feel they have less influence. According to an NES Global Talent survey, 45 percent of women said they do not feel like they get the same recognition as their male colleagues do. But things are slowly changing. Each year, more women make the list of top-paid executives. "Many in the current population of petroleum engineers are going to retire soon, and diversity will play a major role in how we are going to find talent," Julie DeWane, vice president of Global Supply Chain for GE Oil & Gas Measurement & Control, told Fortune. RELATED: See the highest paid CEO in every state At an oil and gas conference, Sara Akbar, CEO and co-founder of Kuwait Energy, talked to women about the importance of diversity in the field. "There is no shortage of obstacles facing women in the oil and gas industry, and this remains a global issue that all companies in the sector should work toward addressing, if not already," Akbar said. "But, we are certainly seeing a shift in the paradigm with more and more successful women forging a path as industry leaders, and the transfer of their knowledge and insights is invaluable in order to continue this trend." Click through the slideshow above to see the highest-paid women in Houston. Conn's on Thursday reported a net loss for the second quarter. The Woodlands-based company reported a net loss of $11.9 million, or 39 cents per diluted share. That is down from a net gain of $16.5 million and 45 cents per diluted share one year ago. Same-store sales were down 4.6 percent and though sales rose in categories such as furniture and mattress and home appliances, all of its categories performed negatively on a same-store basis. The company continues to focus on improving its consumer credit performance with changes implemented earlier this year, CEO Norm Miller said in a statement. During the second quarter, Conn's received approval in Texas to begin offering direct loans at higher rates to the customers the company finances. Conn's opened four new stores during the second quarter and plans to open one more store this fiscal year. The company plans to add three more stores in fiscal year 2018. The company's outlook for the rest of the fiscal year calls for an overall decrease in same-store sales. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The Montrose Mining Company, one of Houston's longest-running gay bars, has closed its doors. Owner Charles Armstrong announced the news Thursday afternoon via social media. He pointed to "changing times" and said "the concept is gone." CLOSING TIME: Meteor turns off the showers The bar opened in 1978 and was known for its cheap drinks, large patio, barrels of peanuts and male dancers on boxes. DJ's regularly played retro dance and disco music. Armstrong says he will be working with architects and designers to create "a new concept at 805 Pacific Street that we're really excited about in the upcoming 18 months." Meteor, another Armstrong location, closed in July. Ukrainian is a word that seldom if ever pops up in the publicity for a Houston restaurant. Yet there it was, in a press release touting a November opening date for chef Ryan Lachaine's highly anticipated new restaurant, Riel. MORE RESTAURANT NEWS: Cooking Girl owner opening second restaurant When I spoke to Lachaine back in May about his plans to open his first restaurant, we talked about the ways it might connect his Manitoba roots to his adult cooking life in Houston, where he has worked the stoves at such high-profile spots as Gravitas, Stella Sola, Reef and Underbelly. His Ukrainian background didn't come up, although the tough northern winters and hard-working, blue-collar ethos of his native Winnipeg figured in. It turns out Lachaine's mother and maternal grandmother are of Ukrainian descent, and that treasured family recipes will inspire such dishes as pierogies and borscht when Riel debuts this fall. That's exciting news for Houston, a city where Middle and Eastern European cuisines are severely underrepresented. It's an interesting twist for a concise, 15-item menu that will tilt mainly to the kind of Asian-inflected modern American fare which Lachaine and his tribe of young-Turk peers tend to favor. Riel is currently under construction at the former House of Te location, at 1927 Fairview in Montrose. It will offer table seating for 65, plus 9 seats at a chef's counter and 8 seats at the bar where cocktails and an international wine list featuring small producers are promised. Lachaine's partners in the restaurant in which he has an ownership stake are Mechelle Tran of Pho Saigon and Jason Poon of the Houston food service distributorship Marine Foods Express, a sister business to Lafitte Frozen Foods, the shrimp processing company founded by Poon's father. When you think about it, it's kind of perfect. Agents with the FBI Houston field office are searching for a man who attempted to rob a bank in Midtown Houston Thursday morning. According to the FBI, a man entered the Wells Fargo Bank at 2714 Smith at about 10:12 a.m. and handed a teller a threatening note demanding cash. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A Houston man who pleaded guilty to robbing a Crosby bank with a firearm is headed to federal prison. Dominic Renard Lindsey, 32, previously admitted to robbing the BBVA Compass Bank at 6011 FM 2100 in Crosby on May 18, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. READ MORE: Bank robbery suspect: Incarceration beats living with wife Prosecutors say Lindsey pointed a firearm at customers and employees and forced them to the ground while he demanded money from the teller. A witness told authorities Lindsey placed two duffle bags inside the jeep he was driving. The witness also said Lindsey took the bags from the jeep and went into a foliage-laden area nearby, according to the Department of Justice. He was driving a CenterPoint Energy vehicle and told authorities he had a work order near the bank and was checking a gas line. Lindsey was confirmed as a contractor for the company but his supervisor told authorities he had no reason to be in the area, according to officials. READ MORE: Police detain two people after bank robbery, chase in NE Houston Police found the clothes Lindsey wore during the robbery and the money he took to the foliage. His unloaded .357 revolver used in the robbery was also found by police. He was sentenced in federal court in Houston on Tuesday to four years and three months for an aggravated bank robbery charge. He was also sentenced to seven years in prison for a firearm charge, upping his sentence to seven years and three months. The FBI, Houston Police Department and Harris County Sheriff's Office assisted in the investigation. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A Houston-area smoke shop and adult novelty business has agreed to pay more than $1 million after an undercover sting operation showed the chain of stores sold synthetic marijuana. Katz Boutique stores and their owner, Bao Quoc Nguyen, entered into a $1.175 million settlement with the state's Office of the Attorney General and the Harris County Attorney's Office, Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Thursday in a news release. Along with the settlement, the release states, Nguyen and his companies entered into an agreed final judgment and permanent injunction that prohibits Nguyen and the Katz Boutique stores from selling synthetic drugs and controlled substances. The settlement stems from a lawsuit filed in 2015 against Nguyen and his stores for violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Texas nuisance law by selling synthetic marijuana. READ MORE: Business owner faces $60 million in penalties in synthetic marijuana case During the four-month investigation in 2015 that led to the lawsuit, the release states, undercover deputies bought packets of synthetic cannabinoids labeled as "Kush" from Katz Boutique. The packets deceptively labeled the main ingredients to be innocuous-sounding legal plant substances such as "lemon balm," "passion flower" and "wild lettuce." But the illegal and dangerous cannabinoids that were in the packets, according to the news release, can cause severe paranoia, psychotic episodes, violent delusions, kidney damage, suicidal thoughts and self-mutilation. According to the new release, Katz Boutique, which has stores throughout Harris County, sold more than 90,000 packets of the synthetic drugs since 2013 and made millions of dollars from sales. The Drug Enforcement Administration has determined synthetic cannabinoids are the most abused substance among high school seniors. Overdoses from the products are increasing in Texas. In June, 16 people who appeared to be homeless were rushed to Houston hospitals when they were overcome after taking Kush in a section of Hemann Park known as Kush Corner. READ MORE: Austin police bust three who may be linked to K2 sales Also in June, a version of the substance called K2 caused adverse reactions in more than 200 individuals in the Austin-Travis County area, including violent behavior, seizures, low heart rates and low blood pressure, emergency officials there said. The Katz Boutique lawsuit was the first synthetic cannabinoid lawsuit filed jointly by the state and Harris County. Police are searching for a driver who fatally struck a man Wednesday in southwest Houston. The victim, believed to be 33, was hit about 10:45 a.m. while he was walking along the service road of the 6900 block of the Southwest Freeway. The driver was in a silver Toyota Tacoma pickup truck and fled the scene without helping the man, Houston police said. The injured man was taken to Ben Taub General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy has been ordered to confirm his identity, officials said. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. Police are investigating a fatal shooting in east Houston. According to initial reports, one person was shot and killed shortly before 8 p.m. Wednesday in the 400 block of Cartersville, officials said. The motive for the fatal shooting wasn't immediately known. Police have not identified any possible suspects in the slaying. Anyone with information is asked to contact Houston police at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. Believe it or not, grocery stores as we know them were born on Sept. 9, 1916. Since then, they've become a staple of American life. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Former ITT Technical Institute students are still looking for answers in the days after their college abruptly closed Tuesday. The students here who were taking classes at three ITT campuses face a tough choice. They can apply for a discharge of their loans, effectively erasing progress toward a degree, or they can transfer their credits to institutions that accept them. ITT Tech has listed potential programs offered by institutions near its shuttered campuses. Lone Star College set up itthelp.com and plans to host transfer fairs on Friday. Vice chancellor of external affairs Amos McDonald said 160 students have completed online submission forms, and the website received 2,500 unique views in the first 36 hours. Houston Community College had received 65 inquiries via a website form and its call center from former ITT tech students as of Wednesday night, spokesman Paul DuPlantis said. The Education Department is hosting webinars for ITT students to answer questions about their options. Philip Dean, 24, said he is considering enrolling in Houston Community College, even though the college does not offer exactly the program he studied at ITT's Houston West campus. HCC classes begin Sept. 19. "It has been a mad scramble," Dean said, adding that about 10 Houston West students have gathered to discuss options at his house each night since ITT Educational Services announced that campuses nationwide would close. ITT Educational Services, the parent company of ITT Technical Institute which ran 130 schools in 38 states, blamed federal authorities for its decision to close. ITT's 10 campuses in Texas had more than 3,200 students enrolled as of last month. From Tuesday's report in the Houston Chronicle: The closure is the latest in a series of for-profit colleges shutting down campuses as U.S. officials heighten scrutiny of these institutions' advertising practices, costs, graduation rates and high levels of debt shouldered by students. The Obama administration stiffened regulation of for-profit academic institutions in 2014, tying their participation in federal student aid programs to graduates' ability to find jobs in their field with high enough salaries so that loan payments would not exceed 8 percent of their earnings... In August, the U.S. Department of Education blocked Indiana-based ITT from enrolling new students using federal financial aid and required the institution to pay $152.9 million to increase its reserves to cover student refunds and other liabilities in case the chain closed. In June, the department had forced the company to set aside $44 million to offset its liabilities. Some students are still looking for answers. Junior Benitez, 20, of Houston had completed courses toward his associate's degree in network administration after two years of classes at the North Houston campus. He had already distributed graduation invitations for the upcoming Sept. 23 ceremony at Harvest Time Church. Benitez said Thursday that he still hasn't heard how to proceed after contacting former teachers, career services and visiting the campus. "I just want to know what's happening," Benitez said. A teacher and an office staffer filed a lawsuit on behalf of ITT Technical Institute's 8,000 employees who, they said, did not receive 60-days notice of their termination, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday. Two Texas Democratic members of Congress said Thursday that they would co-sponsor legislation that would allow the Veterans Administration to continue GI Bill payments for up to four weeks and, in some cases, continue to pay a monthly housing stipend in the event of a sudden school closure. U.S. Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston said in a statement that ITT Tech's closure left about 12,500 veterans and their dependents without benefits. "It is my hope that student veterans do not give up on their education. Restarting or continuing one's education at a high-quality, reputable institution may feel like a setback today, but it is a decision that will pay off in the long run," U.S. Democratic Congressman Gene Green of Houston said in a statement. If you're an ITT Tech student in the Houston area actively considering your options to transfer and discharge your federal student aid, send me an email at lindsay.ellis@chron.com, or reach out over Twitter @LindsayAEllis. I'd love to hear more about your progress. A state administrative judge has recommended permanently revoking the license of a Houston dentist whose care culminated in a 4-year-old girl being brain damaged. In a strongly worded opinion, Holly Vandrovec ruled that Dr. Bethaniel Jefferson failed to meet a minimum standard of care in her treatment of Navaeh Hall, including not "recognizing and responding to the emergency situation," when the girl experienced a seizure and went into shock. Jefferson "fell below the minimum standard of care, failed to uphold the duty of fair dealing and committed dishonorable conduct when providing dental care" to Hall, wrote Vandrovec, an administrative law judge at the State Office of Administrative Hearings, where the case was heard. She described Jefferson as negligent. Vandrovec also wrote that Jefferson misled the Hall family about the gravity of Navaeh's dental needs and engaged in unnecessary treatment that constituted "overtreatment and overcharging." The Chronicle first reported about the case in March, when the Hall family went public about a seemingly routine dental appointment that went awry. Overmedicated for the treatment of some decaying teeth, Navaeh suffered brain injury due to oxygen deprivation and dystonia, a movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions. She spent three months in a rehabilitation hospital, unable to walk, talk or respond to instructions, before being discharged to home care. Jefferson's Houston dental practice, shut down after the incident, catered to Medicaid patients, a phenomenon that has exploded around the country in recent years and that the Chronicle explored in this article after the case surfaced. Critics allege such clinics overtreat and overcharge patients, the conclusion Vandrovec reached in Navaeh's case. The state administrative judge heard the case in May but only made the ruling public in August. The recommendation must still be approved the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners at its Nov. 18 meeting. The board temporarily suspended Jefferson's license in January. In July, the Hall family filed a civil lawsuit in state district court. No criminal charges have been filed in the matter. The administrative judge noted that Jefferson acknowledged wrongdoing in treating Naveah Hall, a potential mitigating factor, but said that was not sufficient to overcome the seriousness of the injury and other aggravating factors. News / Africa by SABC The governments of Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)for the construction of a regional railway line to link Francistown in Botswana to the Mozambican port of Techobanine, through Bulawayo, in Zimbabwe.Once completed, the Port Techobanine Inter-Regional Heavy Haul Railway Project would facilitate inter-regional trade through the movement of passenger rail traffic and up to 12 million tonnes of goods per annum through the three countries.Botswana's Minister of Minerals, Water and Energy, Kitso Mokaila, said the MoU that was signed in Bulawayo last Friday, committed each country to contribute $200 million towards the cost of the project. The rest of the work would be done through Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs), with the private sector taking the lead."The expectation is for the private sector to carry out the project. From now, the private sector will conduct a feasibility study and come up with something that can be bankable. The MoU will also help us regularise laws, as the railway line will pass through three countries," Mokaila said.The State-owned railway operators from the three countries would also take part. Mokaila represented Botswana at the signing ceremony.Mozambique and Zimbabwe were represented by Transport Ministers Carlos Alberto Mesquita and Joram Gumbo respectively. The new project would upgrade an existing railway line which has an annual cargo handling capacity of 2 million tonnes.As part of the project, the small Mozambican port of Techobanine, which lies 70km south of Maputo, would be upgraded to handle up to 200 million tonnes of diversified cargo, including passengers, annually. The railway corridor is expected to haul goods, which include fresh produce, fertilisers, crude oil and minerals. The 6 most haunted places all across Texas Texas is home to a handful of haunted houses, hotels, hospitals and more. Cleveland Advocate A photo of five Liberty County sheriff's deputies is making its way through social media after it was posted online recently by Beverly Kellis-Richard of Victoria. On Sept. 2, Richard and her neighbor traveled to Cleveland to pick up a boat. While hauling it, the trailer hitch came unlatched from her vehicle. Richmond voters will head to the polls Saturday to elect two new city commissioners, increasing the number of elected officials in the city from three to five. The election is the first in Fort Bend County since a change in Texas' voter ID requirements, so elections administrator John Oldham has been increasing signage and providing new instructions for poll workers as they prepare for Richmond's Sept. 10 election. More forms of voter ID Before the law change, voters had to provide one of seven forms of photo ID. In July, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found Texas' law discriminated against low-income and minority residents. Now, the types of documents voters can present include voter registration cards, birth certificates, utility bills, paycheck stubs and government documents with the voter's name and address, according to an Aug. 19 press release from the Texas Secretary of State. Along with one of the documents, voters will also have to sign an affidavit and check a box saying why they were unable to obtain one of the required identifications. The change comes as some Richmond residents hope to diversity their elected officials. More diverse representation Most of Richmond's elected officials have been white, despite nearly three quarters of its current population is black or Hispanic. Many of the city's representatives, including current Mayor Evalyn Moore and current Commissioner Barry Beard, have also lived on or near affluent Hillcrest Drive. Richmond resident Tres Davis wanted that to change. He got a proposition on the ballot in May to increase the number of city commissioners, in an attempt to increase representation of low-income and minority populations in Richmond. Davis had registered to run for Place 4, but withdrew in July. A total of six residents are running for the two new positions, called Places 3 and 4, both of which are elected at-large. Author and retired physician Charles Wilbur Yates Jr., 76, engineer Ben Mund, small business owner Carlos Garcia, 58, and retired military veteran Carl Drozd, 53, are running for Place 3. Candidates for Place 4 are retired hair stylist Alice Bijarro, 68, and Josh Lockhart, 40, who is a sales manager, partner in a livestock company and rancher. Of the candidates running, Drozd and Lockhart live on or near Hillcrest Drive. Current elected representatives have supported several of the candidates in the past. Commissioner Jesse Torres recommended Yates in May to fill a vacancy, which Beard later won in a three-way race on May 7. Moore recommended Drozd, among other Richmond residents, to fill the vacated seat. Effect on voter turnout Neither the law change nor the new commissioner seats have seemed to alter early voting much. As of Aug. 31, 142 Richmond residents had voted early at the city's sole polling place: the Richmond water facility. That's on par with a total of 279 people who voted in person at the same facility in the most recent election, which was May of 2016, Oldham said. A total of 425 Richmond ballots were cast early in the May election, including mail-in, Oldham said; 219 were cast on May's election day. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Embattled state Rep. Ron Reynolds has filed for personal bankruptcy following a judge's order to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to a former client. The filing comes as Reynolds, the Democratic whip in the House, is also appealing a conviction last year in Montgomery County on barratry charges, commonly known as ambulance chasing. He has also been suspended by the state bar. Despite the legal troubles, the Fort Bend County Democrat remains the heavy favorite to win re-election in November in the solidly blue district. In April, a Harris County judge ordered Reynolds to pay $504,000 to a former client, Nancy Ann Calloway, because he failed to pass along her share of a $250,000 settlement stemming from a car crash that killed Calloway's daughter. The 55-year-old flight attendant said she had earmarked some of that money for her daughter's tombstone. 'Campaign rhetoric' Reynolds filed for Chapter 7 personal bankruptcy on July 14, federal court records show. Legal experts said Texas law allows filers to keep their homes while selling other assets to pay their debts. In his filings, Reynolds listed $580,000 in assets against more than $1.3 million in liabilities, including the debt to Calloway. He also listed $3,000 in unpaid Houston-area tolls and $15,000 in fines owed to the Texas Ethics Commissions for failing to file financial disclosure forms. Reynolds was convicted of barratry last year in Montgomery County after jurors agreed he paid a middleman to approach recent accident victims within 30 days of accidents, which Texas law forbids in an effort to fight fraud and keep mourning relatives from being swarmed by personal injury lawyers. He said his legal troubles are personal issues that "won't have any impact" on his work for the district, which includes Missouri City, Stafford, Sienna Plantation and parts of Houston and Sugar Land. Questions about his ability to effectively legislate are "just campaign rhetoric," he said. "It's easy to say it from afar, and maybe someone else would be distracted but for me I've been very focused," Reynolds said in a phone interview. He said his office helps constituents with issues ranging from air quality to road construction and child support. Pastors have told him that he has shown faith and perseverance, he added. The conviction, suspension and bankruptcy have left a "stain" on Reynold's candidacy, according to University of Houston political scientist Brandon Rottinghaus. However, House District 27 has been drawn in such a way that a Republican has little chance of winning, especially in a year when Donald Trump's candidacy may motivate more Democrats to head to the polls. 'Very optimistic' Reynolds beat back several serious Democratic primary challengers this year and survived a low-turnout runoff election by 225 votes. The legislator has won each of the past three general elections by carrying more than 65 percent of the vote. Reynolds said he feels "very optimistic" about his chances in November. "We just really have a pulse on a real wide gamut of issues and people from different ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds. That's why I feel very good, because I'm pretty hands-on and in the trenches." His Republican challenger, criminal defense attorney Ken Bryant, has solid credentials like serving as a Fort Bend ISD trustee but, according to Rottinghaus, is unlikely to unseat Reynolds. Bryant could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A Fort Bend County school administrator is accused of being sexist after blaming low grades on the way girls dress. Phil Morgante, assistant principal at Clements High School in Sugar Land, told students at an assembly late last week that boys are getting low grades because they're distracted by the way girls dress. READ MORE: Harlandale ISD elementary teacher arrested on 2nd DWI, drug possession charges "Ladies, I know you've been working on your abs since the Olympics, right?" said Morgante in a recording uploaded on Soundcloud. "But your shirts can't be up here. It's gotta cover the whole gut. Ladies, I still blame you all for boys' low grades because of tight clothing." Females students reacted negatively to Morgante's comments, telling KTRK and KPRC that they don't believe they're responsible for the test scores of boys. Some saw Morgante's comments as an attempt at humor, but a majority of students overall feel his words were inappropriate. Fort Bend ISD issued a statement, apologizing for Morgante's comments. READ MORE: ITT Technical Institutes closes U.S. campuses, including 3 in Houston "During assemblies last week, when speaking about the dress code, a Clements High School administrator made comments that were inappropriate and offensive to students," the statement reads. "These comments should not have been made, and do not represent the beliefs of Fort Bend ISD or the Clements administrative team or faculty. The comments were a failed attempt at humor and inappropriate." According to the statement, Morgante apologized to students and his comments are being addressed by school officials. The website The Odyssey reports Morgante has been part of the Fort Bend ISD for 25 years and that Clements High School is one of the top 100 high schools in Texas. News / National by ANA THE almost 200 000 Zimbabweans currently on permits issued under the Zimbabwean Special Permit (ZSP) project have to seek alternative permits if they wish to extend their work, study or stay in South Africa beyond 2017, Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba said on Wednesday."Those from Zimbabwe, as we announced last year when we announced the extension until December 2017, will, in the meantime, between now and December 31st of 2017, have to regularise themselves in South Africa by applying for other permits and visas which are provided for in the Immigration Act," Gigaba told reporters in Rustenburg."The special Zimbabwe dispensation cannot exist forever. We, therefore, have to move towards a phase where we regularise them by ensuring that we provide them with visas in terms of the Immigration Act, and not through special arrangements."Asked what would happen to the Zimbabweans based in South Africa if they have not attained other permits by December 2017, when they special dispensation permits expire, Gigaba said he wouldn't speculate on the matter."Should the end of December 2017 and we have people who have not yet regularised themselves differently, out of the Zimbabwe special dispensation, I think we will look at the matter then. I don't want to speculate about what will happen at that time but obviously, we will look at the Immigration Act, the new international migration white paper that will have been adopted by then and we will see how we deal with those situations," said Gigaba."Quite clearly, what we would like to do, to the best extent possible, is to regularise the stay of foreign nationals in our country, to documents those that qualify for documentation but otherwise the provisions of the Immigration Act will have to kick in. Those who are not properly documented will now face deportation, but it's not something we are thinking about at the present moment."He said the Pretoria authorities would also look into "personal circumstances of the holders of those permits when the end of December 2017 comes."In 2009, the South African Cabinet approved the Zimbabwe Dispensation Project (DZP) which gave Zimbabweans working, studying or running businesses across South Africa an opportunity to regulate their stay with five-year permits. When the DZP ran it's course, with just over 245 000 permits issued, Pretoria introduced the three-year permits under the ZSP."We are appreciative of the many contributions made by Zimbabweans in our society and economy. Zimbabweans have made notable contributions in our education and health sectors for example as teachers and health professionals, and in many other sectors," Gigaba said while introducing the ZSP in 2014."In general, we appreciate the contribution of the immigrants in our country in terms of enhancing our social, cultural and economic life."Stringent application conditions for the ZSP permit applications, however, included that the applicant must have a valid Zimbabwean passport; evidence of employment, business or accredited study; and a clear criminal record.Gigaba indicated in 2014 that ZSP permit-holders who wish to stay in South Africa after the expiry of the permits in 2017, must return to Zimbabwe to apply for mainstream visas and permits provided for, under the South African Immigration Act.By December 2014, home affairs had received more than 207 000 ZSP applications, with the department subsequently rejecting 12,228 of the applications and approving 185 075 permits. News / National by Thobekile Zhou State prosecutors have allegedly been infiltrated by unknown elements resulting in displaying 'shocking incompetence', state-controlled Herald has claimed.Herald Editor Caesar Zwayi said in an article today that the amateurish show from the prosecution led to High Court judge Justice Priscilla Chigumba declaring Statutory Instrument 101A of 2016 that banned demonstrations in Harare's CBD invalid and ultra vires the Public Order and Security Act and hence the Constitution."Repeated bungling by the Government's prosecuting arm has raised the spectre of serious infiltration of the prosecution,, " he wrote.He added "This means the ban on demonstrations will be allowed to operate for the next seven days, if the seven days lapse without the State acting on its defective case, the provisional order will be confirmed and the ban voided.Zimbabwe's High Court struck down on Wednesday a two-week ban on public protests issued by the police, a ruling hailed as a brave stand by the courts in the face of threats to the judiciary from President Robert Mugabe.Quoting an unnamed lawyer, Zwayi's article suggested that state prosecutor Happy Magadure is incompetent."The Judge noticed that in so far as the Statutory Instrument is concerned there was only the affidavit of the Police Commissioner General, and not the first respondent."The judge then told the State that the papers were defective and directed the State counsel to put his house in order by bringing an affidavit done by the Officer Commanding Harare District because he was responsible for issuing the Statutory Instrument. The Commissioner General's affidavit would be a supporting affidavit."It was a directive from the Judge that the affidavit should be included. So when they reconvened today (yesterday), State Counsel did not bring the required affidavit from the Officer Commanding Harare, which meant that the State papers were defective. They had not been corrected as directed by the judge. And the legal implication of that is the State papers became inconsistent with Posa and thus unconstitutional to the extent of that inconsistency."You do not just publish the ban and say that is the order. You must first publish the draft order to all stakeholders so that you hear their inputs and concerns for a certain period. After that, if you still want to publish the order you then gazette it. Now with this ban, all this was not done."The reason why all this was not done is that there is a provision for publishing if it's not expedient to publish and consult stakeholders you can still publish without consultation but then you must give evidence why it was not expedient, and why you are proceeding like that. You must justify it by way of evidence and in an application, it normally means an affidavit by the person ordering the action and in this case the Officer Commanding Harare."What the First respondent's affidavit should have done is provide justification why it was not expedient for him to follow all those procedures outlined in Section 27 of Posa. If it was because of the urgency of the matter, he would have explained the urgency, and offered the situational report and all that. That is the affidavit that would have justified the ban.''"There is no explanation yaapa. He was asked why he did not bring the affidavit and said I have no submissions to make. He didn't even say the Officer Commander Harare is out of town, he will be found tomorrow. He didn't even say I thought the Comm Gen's affidavit was sufficient, he couldn't have said so because on Monday he had been told that the Comm Gen's affidavit was insufficient, the Officer Commanding Harare's affidavit was needed,'' the lawyer said. We're getting closer to a world full of sex robots. According to certain experts, by the year 2050, sex robot tourism, marriage, and prostitution will be commonplace. Robotics expert John Snell of Iowa's Kirkwood College suggests that sex robots, which are robots with which one can presumably have intercourse, will be better in the sack than humans. "'Because they would be programmable," Snell explained to Metro UK, "sexbots would meet each individual user's needs." Concerned about the human condition, Snell notes a possible downside, saying, "Robotic sex may become addictive. Sexbots would always be available and could never say no, so addictions would be easy to feed." Need more expert sexbot predictions? The University of Victoria Management School's Ian Yeoman and Michelle Mars wrote a paper entitled, "Robots, Men, and Sex Tourism" which suggested that sex robots would be used as high-end prostitutes by the year 2050. Yeoman, a scientist and Mars, a sexologist, envision a futuristic brothel staffed with sexbots. In their report, Yeoman and Mars hypothesize that, "In 2050, Amsterdam's red light district will all be about android prostitutes who are clean of sexual transmitted infections (STIs), not smuggled in from Eastern Europe and forced into slavery, the city council will have direct control over android sex workers controlling prices, hours of operations and sexual services." Prostitution is legal and unionized in Amsterdam, where over 1,000 human sex workers currently make their living. Yeoman and Mars' paper claims that, "All androids are made of bacteria resistant fiber and are flushed for human fluids, therefore guaranteeing no Sexual Transmitted Diseases are transferred between consumers." Meanwhile, artificial intelligence expert David Levy thinks that humans will be marrying robots within the 21st century. "My forecast is that around 2050, the state of Massachusetts will be the first jurisdiction to legalize marriages with robots," Levy told Live Science. Massachusetts was the first state to legalize gay marriage (between humans) in the United States. "It may sound a little weird, but it isn't," Levy explained. "Love and sex with robots are inevitable." News / National by Thobekile Zhou Minister of Policy Coordination and Promotion of Socio-Economic Ventures in the President's Office Simon Khaya-Moyo is reportedly battling hypertension-related illnesses in South Africa.Khaya-Moyo, the ruling party's secretary for information and publicity, has not been reporting for duty for the past three months and has also been conspicuous by his absence at many government and ZANU-PF functions.According to the Financial Gazette, Khaya-Moyo has been unable to attend the last four Politburo meetings, resulting in Ignatius Chombo, the party's secretary for administration, assuming some of his responsibilities, including making important public announcements.He has also missed important national events such as the Heroes and Defence Forces days, amid reports that he is spending much of his time in a South African hospital, although he often flies back home."Speculation is rife that Khaya-Moyo could have succumbed to the energy-supping hard politics playing out in ZANU-PF.His political fortunes took a knock in 2014 after he was accused of being part of a faction led by Joice Mujuru, who was President Robert Mugabe's deputy back then' the publication said.Presidential spokesman, George Charamba said he would not publicly discuss someone's health issues."I am not competent to talk about someone's personal health issue," said Charamba.However, an unnamed family source said: "He spent about three weeks in a South African hospital last month and came back at the end of the month. He flew back to South Africa last week as his condition deteriorated. As of now, I am not sure if he is back in the country. He is battling hypertension". News / National by Thobekile Zhou The government is planning to launch a micro-finance institution- Empower Bank to cater for unbanked masses.The majority of Zimbabweans don't have bank accounts, various surveys say."Government is also considering the establishment of a microfinance institution, to be called Empower Bank, to facilitate financial inclusion of the unbanked, as part of the implementation of our National Financial Inclusion Strategy," Chinamasa said while presenting his mid-term fiscal policy review statement in parliament today."The modalities for the establishment of the proposed Empower Bank, including capitalisation, are being developed in consultation with all the relevant authorities, including the Monetary Authorities."Given the constrained fiscal space Government is currently operating under, the establishment of Empower Bank will not be seeking funding from the fiscus" he said.In addition to the Empower Bank, Chinamasa said a $5 million has being set aside for a Women's Bank."In the same vein, in fulfilment of my proposal in the 2016 National Budget for capitalisation of the Women's Bank, Treasury is also mobilising US$5 million, which will be disbursed to the proposed micro-finance institution before year end."This institution is very important for supporting various women and youth projects as a way of promoting their economic empowerment". News / National by Staff reporter The Zimbabwe Republic Police say they are baffled as to why the state counsel, Mr Happy Magadure, did not submit all the relevant affidavits that the police had furnished him within the case regarding why the police banned the holding of demonstrations in Harare's CBD.In a statement, the ZRP national spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said they provided affidavits to Mr Magadure from Chief Superintendent Newbert Saunyama and Nhamo Mbeure a manager at Choppies Supermarket which was looted.Affidavits were also provided from Alexio Mudzengerere chairman of Grassroots Flea Markets where goods were burnt, Bhuabhai Bhagai owner of Nargaji shop which was destroyed and goods worth $76 000 looted and a police officer who was driving a ford ranger which was burnt.Police say the attorney general's office is in the best position to explain why the affidavits provided were not filed in court.They say Mr Magadure indicated to their legal officer that he was going to file only the affidavit from Chief Superintendent Saunyama without stating the reason.However, this affidavit was not part of the court record, an issue queried by the judge.Analysts have also questioned whether the government lawyer did not deliberately sabotage the state which resulted in the outcome of the case turning against the government.The reaction by the ZRP follows yesterday's ruling by High Court judge, Justice Priscilla Chigumba that Statutory Instrument 101- A was not procedurally proclaimed. News / Regional by Thobekiel Zhou State Security minister, Kembo Mohadi Mohadi has passionately appealed to Venda people in Beitbridge to steadfastly shun intrusion by Shonas and Ndebeles.Mohadi is Venda.In recent years, Beitbridge has been invaded by Shona speaking people due to roaring business at the border town.Most government departments are staffed with Shona speaking people.However, Mohadi who is the Member of Parliament for Beitbridge East said the intrusion must be resisted."We, the Vendas, are closer to God than they are and we should not allow them to destroy our culture," he told mourners on Sunday. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Beaumont City Council soon could add almost 78 acres at the southwest corner of Folsom and Major drives to the city's existing 87 square miles. The contemplated addition is bounded by Folsom on the north, Dishman Road on the south and Keith Road on the west, parallel with Major. City Council still must vote to annex the 77.7 acres, but no one spoke against the proposal at public hearings Tuesday. The only development on the west side of Major Drive at its southwestern corner with Folsom Road is the new Beaumont First Baptist Church and the Providence apartments for senior citizens, plus an under-construction strip center-convenience store. Although much of the city's growth has been westward in recent years, the new tract isn't likely to touch off an immediate blaze of development, said Ryan Harrington, a Re/Max commercial real estate agent whose office is on Major Drive at Gladys Avenue. "I think it was more attractive when it was outside the city limits," Harrington said. "City zoning didn't apply." Once absorbed into Beaumont proper, the area will be under police jurisdiction, and fire and emergency service formally will be extended, even though EMS makes calls at the Providence, which is reserved for lower-income people at least 55 years old. While the annexation would "square off" the city's limits along the west side of Major, the acquisition doesn't affect agricultural property farther to the south. The agricultural landowners already have said they intend to file for an exemption that will keep their land out of the city limits for a 15-year period, renewable for at least two more 15-year terms. In an explanation of the zoning, city staff said an extended Folsom Road is planned, but it isn't a "designated" construction project in "the near future." An extended Folsom could be built by the city or by a developer, who also could build residential streets in a future subdivision. The area already is served by water and sewer service, for which users had to pay extra since their properties lay outside the city limits. Fire service is within the area covered by Fire Station No. 9 on Gladys Avenue. Even though this would be the city's first annexation since at least the late 1980s, the likeliest area for development would be the corridor where the new Northwest Parkway linking Major to Old Dowlen Road would be built. A contract for that will be offered to bidders after the city awards a contract for the second phase of the Washington Boulevard reconstruction. Both projects are financed through the city's oil and gas royalty earnings from the wells at the Beaumont Municipal Airport. DWallach@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/dwallach A former professor at Texas A&M University in Galveston was sentenced to federal prison Thursday for admitting he visited a dark website that featured pornographic images and videos of young children and possessing similar content on devices at his home. In another federal case, involving a former MD Anderson pediatrician who had also admitted to visiting the illegal website, Playpen, the same judge rejected the cancer specialist's request to withdraw his guilty plea. Both cases resulted from an unusual FBI sting in early 2015 in which agents took control of a dark website, inaccessible via traditional search engines, and kept it running while they monitored and tracked the encrypted user profiles of site visitors through hacking software. The effort, dubbed Operation Pacifier, resulted in over 100 federal cases around the country, although defendants in several of those cases have begun to challenge the evidence as being improperly obtained by federal agents. In the cases against the ex-professor, U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. reviewed victim impact statements and ordered Matthew Irwin, 47, to serve just over eight years in federal prison, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Ken Magidson. Irwin was given 10 years of supervised release. He will have restricted access to children and the Internet and will be required to register as a sex offender. The judge said he "needed to protect the members of society who could not protect themselves," according to the press release. His attorney Mark Diaz had asked the judge for a reduced sentence of five years, which was still within the guidelines. He cited statistics which showed that individuals convicted of possessing child pornography but not acting on it have a very low rate of re-offending. The judge gave Irwin a steeper sentence at the top of the sentencing range. Irwin pleaded guilty on March 22 to receipt and possession of child pornography. Moments after his plea, before the same Galveston judge, a former pediatrician from MD Anderson, Dennis P.M. Hughes, pleaded guilty to similar child pornography charges that also stemmed from Operation Pacifier. Before he could proceed to sentencing, however, Hughes asked to withdraw his guilty plea, citing cases around the county in which defendants had argued that the FBI search warrant for hacking into the Playpen site was too broad. The judge denied Hughes' request Aug. 30, stating the defendant did not establish a "fair and just" reason to withdraw his plea. Irwin, who did not retract his plea, worked as an associate professor of liberal arts for Texas A&M Galveston at the time of his arrest. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at his home on Aug. 6, 2015, and ultimately identified 4,000 images and two videos of clearly young children in sexually explicit situations on his laptop and other devices. Some of the children depicted were known victims as identified through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, according to the news release. Irwin was permitted to remain on bond and agreed to voluntarily surrender to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. After deliberating for 15 hours, the jury could not reach a verdict in the case of a Houston ISD bus driver charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child, and a mistrial was declared for the second time. Jonathan Palmares, 46, was facing life in prison for allegedly molesting elementary school aged girls on a bus during the 2014-2015 school year. He faced trial earlier this year but that jury was unable to reach a verdict, too. BACKGROUND: Driver allegedly fondled a girl several times Jurors began deliberating on Wednesday afternoon and sent a note to the judge, that they were deadlocked, according to defense attorney Sam Cammack. Judge Susan Brown told the jury to continue to deliberate, but the jury still could not reach a decision by Thursday afternoon. "It's been a tremendous financial burden on him, but he 100 percent believes in his innocence," Cammack said on Thursday. Cammack expressed frustration at the two mistrials. He said the two trials have been both financially and emotionally draining on Palmares. "This the second mistrial in the last six months," Cammack said. "At some point in time, they just need to cut their losses and move on." Palmares, originally from the Phillipines, took a job as a bus driver with HISD in 2014. His bus route took him through Southwest Houston, allowing him to pass by elementary schools Red, Kolter and Gross, according to prosecutors. During the trial, jurors watched several videos of Palmares sitting next to and touching an elementary school girl. Cammack said he is unsure if another trial will occur, but is ready if it happens. He has not heard one way or another from the district attorney's office, which was unavailable for comment Thursday evening. "If the district attorney continues to come at him, we'll continue to be here," Cammack said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Harris County District Attorney candidate Kim Ogg is calling for a special prosecutor to investigate "possible civil rights violations" in the scandal involving disclosures that thousands of pieces of evidence was wrongly destroyed by the Precinct 4 constable's office. Ogg, a Democrat who is facing Republican incumbent District Attorney Devon Anderson in the November general election, questioned why Anderson waited more than six months to notify trial prosecutors that the evidence may be missing. "It's time we asked for an independent prosecutor to investigate not just the actions of Precinct 4, which are going to be reviewed by the Justice Department, but of this district attorney and her assistant district attorneys," Ogg said Thursday during a press conference. "For every person who as convicted where evidence had already been destroyed, they're entitled - in all likelihood - to a new trial." Anderson fired back, saying she has been open with the public about how she came to learn of the property room debacle in Precinct 4 and said Ogg is politicizing the issue. "I have spoken at length with the media on this situation," Anderson said in a written statement released Thursday. "I have given them all the details and all the facts. If there are any questions on specifics I am happy to answer those, but Kim Ogg's attempt to politicize this and make it a DA campaign issue is desperate." Because Anderson's public integrity unit has been aware of the discrepancy since February, other prosecutors should also have known, Ogg said. Failure to disclose that information to defense attorneys was prosecutorial misconduct, she said. FBI officials have indicated they are working with local officials as well. The dozens of prosecutors who handle cases at the trial level were notified to stop work on Precinct 4 cases on Aug. 19, after a defense attorney questioned evidence that was missing in his client's case. The public integrity unit continues to investigate the destruction of evidence, and FBI officials have indicated they are working with local officials as well. At the center of her argument, Ogg is spotlighting the constitutional duty of prosecutors to notify suspects about evidence that could help them - exculpatory evidence known as "Brady material" that was named after a U.S. Supreme Court case that codified the rule. The rule says in part that if any law enforcement agency or prosecutor in a district attorney's office knows about Brady material, every prosecutor is assumed to know it. Failure to reveal that information is a basis for a new trial under Texas law. The Harris County District Attorney's Office is the largest in Texas, with about 250 prosecutors spread across 38 felony and misdemeanor courts and more than a dozen special divisions. brian.rogers@chron.com twitter.com/brianjrogers Tip: If you're going to stash more than 25 pounds of cocaine in your vehicle, don't violate traffic. Cosme Cisneros, 32, and Uriel Nunez Hernandez, 27, learned this lesson after a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper found $1.5 million worth of cocaine in false compartments of their 2013 BMW. News / Regional by Thobekile Zhou Letter from ZRP Ndabazinduna letter, denying @ZimPeopleFirst permission to hold a rally. pic.twitter.com/Aj8xxE0yZS zenzele (@zenzele) 8 September 2016 Police have blocked Joyce Mujuru led Zimbabwe People First party from holding a rally on Friday in Ntabazinduna.Shortage of manpower and clash of events was cited by the police.Below is the police letter to ZimPF : Imagine a war raging in central Texas, stretching eastward. San Antonio lies in the southwest of our fictional battlefield, Austin is 80 miles to the north, and Dallas sits 200 miles farther along the same highway, near the northwestern border. Houston does not exist as part of the conflict, lying just outside the southeastern border, and the northeastern edge of this war-torn country peeks into Louisiana and Mississippi. During this devastating conflict, many areas have fallen outside the government's control. Rebel groups have seized huge swaths of territory starting a few miles east of Dallas and progressing all the way to our country's eastern border. The rebels hold sway over dozens of towns, from Greenville, Texas (population: 25,557), all the way to their de facto capital in Shreveport, Louisiana (population: 200,327). With insurgents also seizing many villages to the west and south of Dallas, the government has lost control of roughly 75 percent of the country's territory. READ MORE: Gary Johnson just has one simple question: 'And what is Aleppo?' Most Americans would understand intuitively how to win this war. The key is to capture the cities spread across the country's western spine: The metropolitan areas of San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas are home to over 10 million people, dwarfing the villages in east Texas and the scrub brush hinterlands of the Deep South. Control those three cities, and you can muster the resources to beat back a rural insurgency - or hold enough leverage to negotiate an end to the conflict on your terms. President Bashar al-Assad has grasped this strategy and is using it to thwart those who seek to topple him. Our fictional battlefield is, of course, a map of Syria grafted onto an American landscape: San Antonio lies roughly where Damascus would be, Austin stands in for Homs, and Dallas is Aleppo - the three largest, most prosperous Syrian cities before the war. The war has particularly devastated Homs and Aleppo, with many of the cities' residents fleeing abroad or to government-held areas around the capital or the coastal districts. But these urban centers still remain vital to Syria - and Assad has made significant progress in securing them, as his opponents squabble among themselves on the country's fringes. READ MORE: Clinton blasts Trump's comments on military generals, Putin International attention on Syria - along with Western coalition airstrikes - is now focused on the struggle for a string of small cities northeast of Aleppo. Assad's enemies in the region - the Islamic State, the pro-Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and Turkey-backed rebels - are fighting one another on a battlefield extending from the town of al-Bab to the Euphrates River. Major news outlets have taken to describing the SDF-held town of Manbij as "strategic" during this new wave of fighting. Manbij - which boasted a prewar population of 75,000, similar to Longview, Texas - had never before been described as strategic in the five-year course of the Syrian war, according to a Nexis search. Perhaps journalists have awoken to the town's importance, or perhaps they have manufactured its "strategic" nature to convince readers of their article's significance. READ MORE: US officials say IS losses on battlefield won't end threat If you happen to be a resident of Manbij or a neighboring village, of course, the town is indeed strategic. The area is also significant to the Islamic State due to the border with Turkey, and to the Kurds as a pathway to unite the areas under their control. In terms of determining who wins the larger struggle for control of Syria, however, its importance is marginal. In our American battlefield, it corresponds roughly to the area between the Texas towns of Farmersville and Cooper - a 45-mile stretch of land that traverses a few small villages, much like its Syrian counterpart. Assad long ago relinquished control over many of the Syrian equivalents of Farmersville and Cooper. Instead, he has poured his resources into shoring up his position in Damascus, Homs, and Aleppo. The stretch of land connecting these three cities, and running through the predominantly Alawite coastal areas that constitute Assad's strongest base of support, forms what some analysts have termed "useful Syria." READ MORE: Syrian government forces capture more areas in Aleppo It's not only Syria's population center, it's the country's economic engine. Fabrice Balanche, a visiting fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, estimates that 10 million of the 16 million Syrians still in the country reside in government-controlled areas centered on this stretch of land. Most of the power stations that supply the country with electricity are between Damascus and Aleppo, as Chatham House analyst David Butter helpfully points out, while the refineries that supply fuel to government-controlled areas are around Homs. Good province-level data on the Syrian economy is hard to come by, but the Syrian Bureau of Statistics does have prewar statistics that suggest the majority of the country's private industrial facilities also existed in this area. Assad's strategy is beginning to bear fruit. The loyalists' most notable success has been in Damascus, where pro-government forces have combined a massive barrel-bombing campaign with starvation sieges to beat rebel groups in the capital's suburbs into submission. Two weeks ago, the rebel-held suburb of Daraya surrendered to the government after a punishing four-year siege. In May, loyalist fighters capitalized on rebel infighting to capture key agricultural land in East Ghouta - potentially paving the way for even worse starvation when winter comes. The government also appears to have successfully contained any threat from Yarmouk Camp, a settlement for Palestinian refugees near the capital, which has been racked by the Islamic State's infiltration and a stifling government siege. The trends in Syria's other main cities are also moving in the loyalists' direction. Pro-government forces, which long ago forced the rebels' surrender in Homs, this week resumed their bombing of the city's besieged suburb of al-Waer. The opposition fighters there are negotiating a deal that would see them withdraw from the area. The coastal governorates of Tartous and Latakia remain firmly in the government's hands, and the rebel offensive in the south has faltered badly. The news from Aleppo is also bad for the anti-Assad fighters: On Sunday, loyalist forces re-imposed a siege on rebel-held areas of the northern city. None of this is to suggest that Assad should rest easy. These gains have been possible only with massive Russian and Iranian intervention, and there is every reason to believe Assad could fall if Moscow or Tehran were to dial back their support. Assad also risks Russia and Iran taking steps in Syria that are beneficial to their own strategic interests but harmful to his authority - as arguably just occurred when President Vladimir Putin neglected to use his air defenses in Syria to thwart Turkey's incursion in the north. Assad should also be concerned about his faltering grip over the Syrian forces fighting on his side. Tobias Schneider, in a persuasive article for War on the Rocks, details how the long war has eaten away at Syria's state institutions. The armed forces have crumbled, he argues, replaced by local militias that engage in criminal enterprises, smuggling, and destructive infighting on a scale that the government is too weak to control. It is these armed thugs, Schneider argues, who truly hold sway in "government-held" Syria - not Assad himself. Assad faces increasing threats to his authority from his domestic and international allies, even as the constellation of "pro-Assad" forces makes progress in beating back the armed insurgency. Translated to our imaginary Texas battlefield, he has increasingly succeeded in securing San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas and transforming the conflict into a struggle for ancillary towns like Greenville or Longview. It is possible that Kurdish or Turkey-backed forces will hold on to these outlying towns and villages, even as their ability to threaten Assad's grip over the rest of the country grows increasingly illusory. The Syrian president could well lose this war, but he is making it very difficult for rebel forces to win. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate First there were the reports in Greenville County, S.C., of creepy clowns offering children money to come into the woods. There was also the mysterious late-night sighting of a clown waving under a streetlight. That caused alarm and prompted police to increase patrols. 50 BIZARRE PHOBIAS: That sound make up Now, two weeks later and 180 miles away, separate tales of clowns trying to lure children into wooded areas in Winston-Salem, N.C., have set off concerns in that city. Stoked by media? None of this sits well with clowns. Mike Becvar, a professional clown who goes by the name Sir Toony Van Dukes and who runs the website Just For Clowns, said anxiety about the incidents has been stoked by media coverage. "I wonder how the reporting on the story would go if instead of clowns, people were dressing up as aliens, witches, zombies or doctors?" he asked in an email. "What if they were wearing hospital scrubs, lab coats and a stethoscope around their neck. Would the news report that doctors were hiding in the woods trying to lure kids with candy?" Nevertheless, police in two states are responding aggressively to reports of costumed strangers. The Winston-Salem Police Department said officers responded to a call around 8:30 p.m. Sunday of a person dressed in a clown costume offering treats to children. The person was seen by two children and heard, but not seen, by an adult, according to a police report. The report said the person - wearing white overalls and red shoes, with red bushy hair, a white face and a red nose - fled once officers arrived. About four hours later on a street two miles from the original call, police received another report of a person in a clown costume. Efforts to find the person were unsuccessful. The panic has not abated. In nearby Greensboro, N.C., the local paper carried a report of a man chasing a clown into the woods Tuesday. Police could not locate the clown, described as having red curly hair, wearing a mask, a yellow dotted shirt and blue pants. More sightings Meanwhile, in South Carolina, police in Greenville said they had responded to four clown sightings in late August. On Aug. 29, a boy reported that two people dressed as clowns were standing near an apartment complex. The next day, a woman said she saw two others close to a playground at the complex, police said. On Aug. 31, a boy spotted a person dressed in black, wearing a clown mask and walking toward the backyard of a home. On the same day, a 45-year-old woman said that a middle-age man, wearing clownlike face makeup and red hair, "was standing outside the laundromat, and stared at her as she exited," the report said. Police were unable to locate the people in the costumes. It is a fad to describe clowns as scary, Becvar said, which he and his fellow clowns find vexing. "I am not sure if you have ever been to the mall after Thanksgiving and watched the kids' reaction to being placed on Santa's lap," he wrote. "There will be some kids who cry and scream. Should we all assume that Santa is scary, too?" The Texas Supreme Court has declined to hear a case challenging Houston's extension of health and life-insurance benefits to same-sex spouses of married employees, calling an apparent end to three years of legal battles over the policy change. Houston began offering employment benefits to spouses of all married couples in November 2013, following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned the federal Defense of Marriage Act. With a nonstop flight to Cuba coming to Bush Intercontinental Airport in late November, Mayor Sylvester Turner is leading a trade mission to the island nation later this month. The trip, organized by the Greater Houston Partnership, is Turner's first trade mission since taking office in January. AUSTIN Hillary Clintons campaign arm in Texas will open a party headquarters in downtown Houston this weekend meant to energize and organize the areas Democrats with about two months until Election Day. The office will serve as a hub for organizing activity in Houston to help elect Hillary Clinton and Democrats up and down the ballot in November, according to a Thursday news release from Hillary for Texas. Organizers and volunteers will host phone banks, organizing meetings, and canvasses from the office, as well as from supporters homes across the state. Opinion / Columnist Progressive individuals will prefer sitting down to discuss issues and find solutions, a move recently taken by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) when it made overtures towards National Electoral Reforms Agenda (NERA) to discuss electoral issues which have seen them demonstrating in the streets, protests which have turned violent destroying thousands worth of property.By the looks of things, NERA leaders are not open to this liberal approach preferring to go in the streets anywhere. NERA convener, Didymus Mutasa has already gave a verdict on the scheduled 15 September 2016 meeting with ZEC dubbing it, " a futile meeting on their ZEC part". By this response it seems NERA has no interest in resolving their purported "reforms" as the organisation has another agenda which is beyond the scope of ZEC, the electoral mother board.It's an open secret that NERA is a guise of the regime change agenda hence it's not surprising that Mutasa believe Nera " are going to express their views through demonstrations".Which all prove the well-orchestrated endeavours to ratchet up pressure on government by making the country ungovernable with a regime change as the ultimate goal.The path that Nera is preferring is flaunted with unpleasantness and no government is going to allow mayhem in its corridors, it will take all necessary precautionary measures to ensure the safety and security of its citizenry.People of Zimbabwe should not be fooled by this bravery being exhibited by Nera leadership as the only people who are arrested are their foot soldiers, who having nothing to show for but are made sacrificial lambs.As much as NERA is rubbishing dialogue, nothing will be achieved by demonstrations but increase the antagonism between the organisation and government. If Nera are genuine my humble advice is sit down and have constructive dialogue with ZEC. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has a loyal and loud fan club. Some portions of that group are so eager for the Texas Republican to make another bid for the White House that at least a half-dozen groups touting Cruz for president in 2020 have popped up. "If the Delegates had been allowed to vote their Conscience, the whole #NeverTrump movement might have been put aside. As it is, we are going to move Heaven and Earth to stop Trump. So would you rather have the delegates vote their conscience or get President Hillary?" the organizer of the "Preppers for Ted Cruz" page, identified as Ernest Madden, wrote last week. READ MORE: Cruz eyeing 2020, but must get past Rick Perry, others in re-election Attempts to reach Madden via the email address listed on the Facebook page were unsuccessful. Cruz unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination this year, losing out to New York businessman Donald Trump in a primary that turned increasingly nasty - even by 2016's ugly standards. While it appears that Cruz has no official attachment to any of the Facebook pages, there has been much speculation that he's gearing up for another presidential bid in four years. READ MORE: Cruz made career out of throwing elbows While other potential 2020 candidates have inspired social media pages - New Jersey Sen. Corey Booker and Ohio Gov. John Kasich among them - as well as fantastical candidates such as Kanye West, Cruz appears to have more groups and pages than other presidential prospects. The pages vary in intensity, ranging from fan-boy gushing to open screeds against Trump or Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and praise for Cruz. "The only way to save this country from the destruction of Trump and Hillary is for the Republican delegates to vote "NO CONFIDENCE" and reject Trump outright at the Convention," a moderator wrote on the page "Ted Cruz46: Ted Cruz for President in 2020." READ MORE: Cornyn: Ted Cruz came to Senate to run for president One page even pitches the idea of a ticket of Cruz and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky. Paul, a Texas native and son of former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, also unsuccessfully ran for president this year but has been the center of speculation about another run in 2020. Another page, simply titled "Ted Cruz for President 2020," is filled with posts touting Cruz's accomplishments and anti-Trump pronouncements. Whether Facebook enthusiasm turns into votes in four years remains to be seen. First, voters must choose between Clinton and Trump on Nov. 8 and Cruz must get through a re-election bid in 2018. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate AUSTIN -- Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his family members will return to Texas in the next two weeks to raise campaign cash for the final stretch to the November general election. GOP officials confirmed Thursday that Trump will attend a private event in Houston on Saturday, Sept. 17, where requested donations range from $2,700 per person to $250,000 a couple. Donald Trump Jr. will appear at Midland fundraiser on Monday, Sept. 12, and at fundraisers in Longview and San Antonio the next day. Ivanka Trump will appear at a Dallas fundraiser on Monday, Sept. 21. Requested donations at the Midland and San Antonio events range from $1,000 a person to $25,000, $1,000 to $100,000 in Longview, and $2,700 to $100,000 at the Dallas event. Trump campaign officials would not confirm any details, but invitees shared the details from their invitations. Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus and Ray Washburne, a prominent Dallas GOP contributor and fundraiser, are listed as hosts of the private events. No public Trump events in Texas have been announced. Texas long has been a profitable fundraising venue for candidates of both parties, and both the Trump and Hillary Clinton campaigns have made swings in recent months to help fill their campaign war chests. By several reports, Trump raised more than $2 million during his last campaign visit to Texas in late August. Opinion / Columnist The demand by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) to be given prosecutorial powers is prudent idea which stands to enhance the statutory body's mandate to execute its duties effectively and efficiently.Meanwhile, ZACC says it is dependent on the Zimbabwe Republic Police, and the Prosecutor General's office for processing corruption cases. More oftenly, ZACC claims that most cases have been compromised due to the long pipeline which involves other agencies. Therefore, gaining both arresting and prosecutorial powers would certainly shorten the process and improve on service delivery.Studies have revealed that agencies possessing both prosecutorial power and enhanced investigative power, like in Georgia, USA, emerged to be extremely powerful agency which can fight corruption efficiently.In Georgia, the Investigative Division of the Prosecution has the power to investigate and prosecute corruption. The only limitation to this power is the ability of the Minister of Justice to intervene where high level officials have been implicated. However, the minister's power has not hampered the effectiveness of the agency owing to the strong political will to fight corruption in the country.At the time of starting the anti-corruption reform agenda in 2003, Georgia was ranked 124 out of 133 countries on the Corruption Perception Index, but is now ranked 51 out of 174 countries.One of the main reasons policymakers cite for establishing a stand-alone, independent anti-corruption agency is the need to strengthen the enforcement of their nation's laws against bribery, conflict of interest, and other corruption crimes. But while a broad international consensus exists on the value of creating a new agency with investigative powers, opinion remains sharply divided on whether these agencies should also have the power to prosecute the crimes it uncovers.No matter the country, debate about whether a single agency should have the power to both investigate and prosecute corruption cases inevitably comes down to a small set of conflicting claims. Those who oppose giving a single agency both powers raise an argument at the centre of the older debate about the relative responsibilities of police and prosecutors - investigator bias.In the words of a British Royal Commission that studied the relationship between English police and prosecutors, an investigator "without any improper motive, may be inclined to shut his mind to other evidence telling against the guilt of the suspect or to over-estimate the strength of the evidence he has assembled." That is, once an investigator hones in on a suspect, confirmation bias sets in, and he or she will interpret all evidence as supporting the suspect's guilt.Putting the decision about whether to prosecute a case in an agency wholly separate from the one that investigates provides a strong check against such bias, reducing the chances that the innocent will be put to a trial or weak cases brought to court.Ideally, studies have indicated that anti-corruption agencies with both responsibilities for both investigating and prosecuting corruption are likely to be more effective in enforcing the anti-corruption laws.It is however, worth noting that, some anti-corruption agencies have succeeded without having prosecutorial powers. For instance, the Hong Kong and Singapore agencies being notable examples were infamous agencies which possessed both investigative and prosecutorial power, but have been ineffective in their public mandate to fight corruption. But by and large dividing the powers between two agencies makes the effective enforcement of the anti-corruption laws all the more difficult to achieve.Effective enforcement of all laws demands, a close, professional, and robust relationship between investigators and prosecutors. But again, if the two are in separate agencies, this goal is all the harder to achieve. When prosecutors decline to prosecute a case an investigator has worked long and hard developing, it is easy for the investigator to treat it as a personal slight.Furthermore, prosecutors often need a good deal of time to review a lengthy file, but delays are commonly seen by civil society as a lack of commitment to prosecuting corruption case or, when after a delay the file is rejected, that corruption has have infected the review process.Identifying who is accountable for weak enforcement of the anti-corruption laws is virtually impossible when responsibility is split between two agencies. Investigators say weak enforcement is the prosecutors' fault; they are refusing to prosecute solid cases. Prosecutors point the finger at the investigators, saying the cases they present are weak.So there is need to establish an independent committee to re-look into the best international practices which can be adopted and implemented to fortify the ZACC so as to foster their duty execution in curtailing corruption. -- Abbott looking for next district attorney of Dallas County: Abbott is looking for an experienced prosecutor to lead a district attorneys office thats endured turmoil at the top. That person has to have the ability to transform into a legitimate Republican contender who will hold the seat when Democrats come to take it in 2018, per The Dallas Morning News Gromer Jeffers Jr. and Jennifer Emily. >> Quote to note: Ive heard hes trying to find somebody who can win the election in two years. Thats not going to happen, said defense attorney George Milner III, a Hawk supporter and Libertarian. Jesus Christ himself couldnt get elected as a Republican in Dallas County. >> Cornyn declines to back Cruz ahead of Senate primary, CNN -- Oil and gas dragging down state revenues, by the San Antonio Express-News Peggy Fikac. The state still has enough money to support the current two-year state budget, which passed its halfway point when the state closed the books on the 2016 fiscal year Aug. 31, Hegar said. That's because lawmakers last year left several billion dollars unspent when they crafted the spending plan. The savings proved fortuitous when Hegar revised his revenue estimate last October, predicting that tax collections over the two-year budget period would be $4.6 billion less than his original forecast at the start of 2015. But tax receipts and other revenues combined in fiscal year 2016 fell $960 million more than even that revised estimate, Hegar said. -- New round of controversy raises profile of vaccine legislation, by Quorum Reports Kimberly Reeves. ($) Bexar County District Attorney Nico Lahoods appearance in an anti-vaccine documentary has lit a new fire under the non-medical opt out option for childhood vaccinations and a fight is brewing at the Texas Capitol. Lahood posted about his appearance in Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Controversy on his own Facebook page and advocated for vaccine choice while dismissing current medical studies. He called for a frank discussion of the vast influx of children into the foster care system with developmental and behavior challenges, possibly due to vaccines. That has not deterred Rep. J.D. Sheffield, R-Gatesville, from his support of vaccine legislation. Sheffield, a doctor, carriedHouse Bill 2474, which would have helped parents know if particular classes in school have a preponderance of unvaccinated children. Thats critical information for parents of children who may be taking immunosuppressive drugs during treatment for diseases like cancer. -- Does Trumps Texas ground game exist? Nationally, Clinton is reported to have more than three times the number of campaign offices in critical battleground states than Trump 291 in 15 battleground states compared to 88, including both Trump offices and Republican National Committee offices. In public statements, Trump officials have said they will have 132 offices within a matter of weeks. They insisted that Trump does not need traditional tactics to win, noting his overwhelming nomination victory was achieved with a relatively small team and limited spending, writes the Houston Chronicles Mike Ward. >> Paul Ryan says Trump is much more disciplined, AP -- My latest for Texas Take: Textbook fight gives Abbott an opportunity: For a governor, however, who has not made it a secret that he wants to build on progress the Texas Republican Party has made with Latino voters most of whom vote Democratic in places like the Rio Grande Valley and El Paso there could be an upside here. He is, after all, up for re-election in 2018, and he most certainly will travel to those parts of the state to campaign. A Fox News Latino article called the first lady deeply private despite living in a fishbowl political world with her husband, who has held elected office in Texas since 1995. It may not be a comfortable place for her, as she has decided to focus her efforts on philanthropic causes. For her husband, the politician, though, it could be an opportunity that pays dividends on his terms. CAPITOL DAYBOOK - no meetings SPEED READ UTSA President Romo has mixed emotions about retirement, San Antonio Express-News Trump Jr. set for campaign fundraiser in Gregg County, Longview News-Journal Apache CEO Crashes Permian Party With Giant Onion Oil Find, Bloomberg State Rep. Ron Reynolds files for bankruptcy, Houston Chronicle Mexican finance minister steps down after helping arrange Trump visit, The Washington Post State revenues take $1 billion hit due to oil and gas industry, Houston Chronicle Senate panel cracks down on logjam in shortage of federal judges in Texas, Houston Chronicle State Supreme Court declines to review city same-sex benefits case, Houston Chronicle Poe, battling leukemia, returns to Congress, Houston Chronicle Texas found 276 cases of groundwater contamination last year, The Texas Tribune Tiguas want state to file new case in bingo fight, El Paso Times Ethics agency ends lawsuit seeking 'dark money' subpoenas against conservative powerbroker, Houston Chronicle RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE >> Matt Lauer field storm of criticism over Clinton-Trump forum, NYT -- Fact-checking Clinton and Trump in NBCs commander-in-chief forum, WashPost -- Green Party's Jill Stein charged with trespassing, mischief: Activists invited Stein to leave a message at the protest site near the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's reservation on Tuesday, Figueroa said, and Stein sprayed "I approve this message" in red paint on the blade of a bulldozer. A court document shows Baraka painted the word "decolonization" on a piece of construction equipment, per the Houston Chronicle. 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. Opinion / Columnist The relationship between People's Democratic Party leader, Tendai Biti, Movement for Democratic Change leader, Morgan Tsvangirai and Zimbabwe People First leader, Joice Mujuru is a reflection of marriage of convenience by the three parties, and machination of the private media.It is common knowledge that Tsvangirai and Biti have failed to work together long back. Tsvangirai's dictatorial tendencies forced Biti and allies to part ways with their form boss. It is surprising to hear that the two had mended their relations. Honestly, this relationship will never materialize by any chance. Reuniting Tsvangirai to Biti is just a forced marriage which most people believe will suffer growth.Although Tsvangirai, Biti and Mujuru constitutes part of the opposition forces, their political background are totally different making it very difficult for the three to coalesce.The very unfortunate thing of a union of political parties is that all the leaders of different parties would be craving for power. Who would want to be behind someone? The reason that forced Biti to call it quits with Tsvangirai is that he wanted power. Also, Mujuru was expelled from the ruling party because she wanted to unconstitutionally remove President Mugabe from power so that she will take over. This explains why the union of the three parties is just a fallacy.Early this year, Tsvangirai mentioned at rally in Masvingo that his party was not interested in working with other opposition outfits. Additionally, Tsvangirai declared that his party was going fight the 2018 election battle as a stand-alone party. However, two months down the line, MDC-T made a u-turn on this decision and started calling for coalition with other opposition parties. Tsvangirai's inconsistencies in decision making depicts that he is confused. Biti and Mujuru should not bank their hopes on this opposition veteran. Remember there are close to fifteen (15) months before the 2018 harmonised elections, anything can happen within that period. Tsvangirai is a political chameleon who is capable of changing his political views depending on a situation that works in his favour. So Biti and Mujuru must risk being used by Tsvangirai and join him at their own peril.Biti has exposed himself that he is not a presidential material. Recently, Biti endorsed Mai Mujuru as the opposition candidate for 2018. Will Tsvangirai buy such a decision since he was in the opposition politics for close to two decades? One really wonders if Tsvangirai will permit himself to be under the leadership of Mafikizilo.Biti, in trying to reunite with Tsvangirai, invited him to the PDP's first anniversary celebrations which will be held in Bulawayo over the weekend. Biti is trying to find a better position where he can stay in the event that a coalition has been formed, hence pretending to be too good to both Tsvangirai and Mujuru.A coalition of opposition parties is next to impossible especially in Zimbabwe and Africa as whole. Remember in Kenya, a coalition of opposition parties in Kenya, Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD), crumbled soon after elections. It is worth noting that there were simmering supremacy battles in that CORD after Moses Wetangula launched his presidential bid. Most political analysts had even claimed and warned that the coalition will struggle to arrive at a presidential flag-bearer and this would be the end of it.In the Zimbabwean context, the same is expected in the opposition politics. Marrying Tsvangirai to Mujuru and Biti has more demerits and less merits. Also, in coalitions each party member has his or her certain constraints, which often force him/her to ignore their partners' anti-democratic activities. Usually, party members deliberately try not to criticise their partners because if they do so, the union would become null and void.Already, there are reports that most top officials in opposition parties under National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA) are in fear of losing their positions in the event that a coalition of thirteen (13) parties is formed. As it stands, reports have it that MDC-T senior members who are likely to be affected by the coalition are trying by any means possible to suppress the fruition of NERA as they will risk losing their top positions. Kautman-Jones endorses Davis Please support Meredith Davis in her re-election to the Genesee County Board of Commissioners - 8th District. I have had... Writer recommend Delor, Jones for GB school board I have met heard April Delor and Patricia Jones for the Grand Blanc School Board. They both have many years... Chairman Matt Smith reminds you to vote It is important that the voters of Genesee County show up and cast their ballot on Tuesday, November 8th, 2022.... On a clear summer day, Lieutenant Isa Abbassi and Officer Jamal Kilkenny are taking in the sights, NYPD-style. Their Agusta A119 helicopter, bearing the NYPDs distinctive blue and white markings, soars 700 feet above the East River, its single engine purring at top speed. Heading north at 70 miles per hour, the chopper whirls by the Brooklyn and Williamsburg Bridges as Kilkenny points its L-3 Wescam multisensor camera at various tourist destinations: the South Street Seaport, the United Nations headquarters, the 59th Street Bridge. Fifteen minutes later, the chopper circles the Staten Island Ferry and the Statue of Liberty, scanning the statues base for anything suspiciousfor example, the wrong boat in the wrong place or scuba divers off Lady Libertys dock. Abbassi and Kilkenny also check out sites that the public doesnt visitthe army base at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn; the alleys, warehouses, and storage areas near LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy Airports; a power plant in Queens; the giant ventilator shafts that aerate the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels; and the entrance in Queens to the Buckeye Pipelinewhich carries millions of gallons of jet fuel to JFK and which was the target of a foiled Islamist terrorist attack in 2007. From time to time, Kilkenny monitors his radiation detectors, technology so sensitive that it sometimes mistakes crates of potassium-rich bananas for nuclear material. It takes just 25 minutes for the chopper to circumnavigate the five boroughs of New York and the more than 100 critical locations that the 62-person aviation unit patrols day and night. The NYPDs fleet now has seven helicopters: four Agusta A119s and three Bell 412s, larger twin-engine choppers that can transport 15 SWAT-team members to a rescue scene. The aircraft contain an arsenal of monitoring equipment powerful enough to read a license plate or the name of a book in a pedestrians hand almost a mile away. Their satellite navigation system lets pilots zoom in on any location simply by typing in an address on a keyboard, while their giant strobe lights can turn night into day on dark rooftops or bridges. The choppers also have compartments for .50 caliber swiveling machine guns and other heavy weapons. Such capability isnt cheap: the Agustas cost $4.5 million apiece, and the Bells $14 million. But Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly says that the aviation unit is vital to protecting New York City from terrorism. We could not cover this much territory in such depth so quickly and thoroughly any other way, Kelly says. The fleets size, activity, and capabilities make it a good symbol of the NYPDs relentless focus on counterterrorism since the attacks of September 11, 2001. No other city in America has a comparable fleet; then again, no other city faces comparable danger. Since 2001, at least 11 serious plots against New York have failed or been thwarted, police say. Preventing another terrorist catastrophe is Kellys paramount mission. A decade after 9/11, the NYPD has adapted to the challenge and become not just the nations most highly regarded police department but the nations most effective counterterrorism force. The extent of the NYPDs fight against terrorism is enormous. Few New Yorkers know that each of the departments 76 precincts dedicates at least one patrol car to routine checks on houses of worship and other sites that terrorists might try to strike. Or that Kelly allocates some $330 million of his $4.6 billion annual budget to counterterrorism-related activities, with 1,200 of his 50,000 employees assigned to the war on terror. Or that he has continued to give priority to counterterrorism during the budget-mandated shrinkage of his force, which now has about 10 percent fewer officers than it did in 2001. (The force has still achieved a 40 percent drop in serious crime since Kelly returned to the commissioners job in 2002.) A recent demonstration of the NYPDs ongoing engagement with terrorism came on May 1, after Navy SEALs killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. The audacious raid, Kelly told his top aides, was good newswith complications. Those complications included the possibility that some of bin Ladens followers would seek to avenge his death by attacking the global jihads top target: New York. By the time President Obama made the late-night announcement that bin Laden was dead, a message instructing police officers to prepare for trouble had already gone out to all commands, and precincts were heightening security around station houses and the citys iconic sites. A midnight tour of cops working transit hubs was held over, almost doubling the number of officers deployed in subways and around the citys train and ferry stations. The next morning, New Yorkers on their way to work found extra police, bomb-sniffing dogs, and bag-check posts in subway and train stations; a similar increase was ordered for the evening rush hour. Some of those emergency measures remained in force weeks later, as the heat of summer began. While Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano stressed that her agency had received no warnings that would elevate its now colorless alert system to a higher level, Kelly continued to believe that the threat to New York had increased, at least in the short run. Threats to New York keep coming out in bin Ladens notes, Kelly tells me. So far, the material that the SEALs plucked from bin Ladens Abbottabad compound has not revealed the existence of a specific plot aimed at New York, a senior official in Washington says. But the material apparently does show that bin Laden kept thinking about how to attack Gotham. References to New Yorkas well as to Chicago, Los Angeles, and other leading American destinationsshow up repeatedly in the documents, photos, e-mails, and other material that the CIA and other intelligence agencies are currently analyzing. Ray Kelly begins each working day with a briefing on terrorist trends from two top aides: David Cohen, his chief of intelligence and a former chief of the CIAs operations division; and Richard Daddario, his deputy for counterterrorism. Since early June, the sessions have taken place in Kellys sleek new Executive Command Center on the 11th floor of One Police Plaza, the departments dilapidated 1970s-era headquarters overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge. From 9 to 10 am, the three men sit at the centers long oval table and pore over reports of terrorism incidents at home and abroad; ongoing investigations; splits and internal ideological shifts in militant jihadist groups; and developments in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. As they talk, television broadcasts fill the giant wall-to-wall screens that surround themAl Jazeera in English and Arabic; New York One, which monitors developments in the city; breaking news from Fox, MSNBC, and CNN; and alerts from the all-important Weather Channel. The screens can also display live video feeds from some 200 subway cameras and from the NYPDs helicopters. The windowless room, which can seat up to 40, is secure: with its own independent air and electrical supply, officials can seal it off in an emergency. On a typical morning, a police source says, Cohen outlines reports from the departments 11 overseas liaisonsdetectives embedded in local police forces in London, Lyons, Jerusalem, Amman, Singapore, and other terrorist hot spots. The presence of the departments eyes and ears abroad has occasionally rankled the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which has its own extensive network of overseas agents. But Kelly insists on receiving terrorism-related information in a timely manner. This was our way of ensuring that the New York question in any terror investigation is always asked, says Paul Browne, the deputy commissioner for public information and Kellys long-standing confidant. One morning in June, the official says, the trio discussed the commissioners plans for the NYPDs World Trade Center Command, a temporary post of 200 to 240 cops and support staff assigned to protect the new memorial at Ground Zero, which is scheduled to open on the tenth anniversary of 9/11. Eventually, says Kelly, as many as 700 officers may be assigned to secure the 16-acre World Trade Center site, which, as currently configured, will house the 9/11 memorial, five towers, an arts center, and a transit hub that the NYPD will police in cooperation with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns much of the land. Terrorists have already attacked the World Trade Center twice, of course, and in 2006, the police disrupted a plot to bomb a train tunnel and a retaining wall at Ground Zero. Browne calls the site the Number One target in the city that remains the nations top target. Unsurprisingly, many of the departments most ambitious counterterrorism undertakings aim to enhance security in lower Manhattan. In November 2008, Kelly quietly opened a high-tech command center in a nondescript downtown office building to monitor 150 closed-circuit cameras, 30 license-plate readers, and other sensors operating around Wall Street; within a year, there may be as many as 1,500 public- and private-sector cameras in operation downtown, Kelly says, all of which the NYPD can access. This is the Lower Manhattan Security Initiative, modeled in part on the Ring of Steel, a surveillance system set up in Londons financial district after terrorists there killed 56 people and wounded more than 700 in 2005. But New Yorks version exceeds Londons in sophistication and scope. The New York cameras, for instance, are programmed with an algorithm that instructs them to send an alert when a package or briefcase is left unattended for too long or when people make certain physical movements, which the NYPD declines to discuss. Last September, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that the NYPD and the Metropolitan Transit Authority were extending the Lower Manhattan Security Initiative into midtown Manhattan. Ultimately, some 1,500 more cameras, license-plate readers, and environmental monitors will be integrated into the system. The cameras are now installed in some of the citys busiest transport hubsGrand Central Terminal, Penn Station, and the subway station at Times Square. Washington will pick up virtually all of the security initiatives $200 million tab. These projects have alarmed some civil libertarians. Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, has wrangled with Kellys NYPD over a myriad of issues, including its stop and frisk policies; spot checks of backpacks, handbags, and briefcases in subways; and surveillance tactics used to protect the Republican National Convention in 2004. She accuses the department of trying to turn New York into a surveillance society in which every move you make is recorded by the police department and no one knows if there are rules in place to protect privacy or sufficient independent oversight of the system. In September 2008, the NYCLU sued the police in the states supreme court for refusing to disclose information about how the Lower Manhattan Security Initiative would safeguard privacy. In June of the following year, it filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security, seeking to learn, among other things, how the police and Washington planned to use the information and with whom they planned to share it. Both lawsuits are still pending. Browne says that the surveillance system has strict privacy safeguards. The pictures and data collected wont be stored for longer than 30 days unless theyre part of an ongoing investigation, he notes. Further, he says, several agencies and individuals have the authority to investigate potential wrongdoing in the camera project and in the NYPDs other counterterrorism programs: five district attorneys, two U.S. attorneys, and an independent Civilian Complaint Review Board, not to mention the city councils oversight committees on finance and public safety. Cohen says that similar safeguards apply to the deployment of undercover cops who infiltrate suspected terrorist groupsthe heart of the NYPDs intelligence-collection effort. At virtually every meeting, we have a legal counsel who oversees ongoing investigations, he says. Both deputies deny the assertions of some Muslim activists, who have charged that the department discriminates against Muslims by performing undercover surveillance in mosques when not pursuing particular leads in an investigation. We dont target mosques, says Browne. We follow leads. However, two recently published reports have raised questions about whether the NYPDs surveillance of Muslim individuals and groups violates federal civil liberties and privacy laws. Last month, the Associated Press reported that the NYPD had targeted ethnic communities in ways that would run afoul of civil liberties rules if practiced by the federal government. It also questioned the departments relationship with the CIA, alleging that the NYPDs intelligence divisions employment of CIA officials, as well as its undercover activities, had blurred the line between foreign and domestic spying. The NYPD strongly denied the reports, saying that no spying had occurred without a criminal lead. But this week, NYPD Confidential, a well-read blog among law enforcement officials, published an internal NYPD intelligence-division report challenging the NYPDs assertion that it only follows tips. The 2006 document, according to the blog, showed that the police had compiled information on 250 mosques; 12 Islamic schools; 31 Muslim student associations; 263 places called ethnic hotspots, such as businesses and restaurants; and 138 persons of interest. Together, the reports could prompt more calls for federal and independent oversight of the NYPDs counterterrorism activities. While much of the press coverage of the NYPD has focused on the departments cutting-edge technologyKelly is a self-confessed gadget guyhe and other senior officials insist that the departments true strength in fighting terrorism is its people. The continuity of leadership is key, says Cohen. Im in my tenth year in this job, he says; so are at least half of the counterterrorism divisions employees. There is no supervisor who doesnt understand the mission; they are expert at what they do. Another personnel advantage is the NYPDs diverse makeup, which mirrors the citys own. Kelly points out that the departments recruits over the past five years were born in 88 different countries. The chopper pilots who flew me around the city are a case in point: Abbassi, head of the departments aviation unit, is of Arab descent; Kilkennys family, despite his Irish surname, is from Guyana. This diversity gives the NYPD an enviable language capability and an edge in its undercover work, recruitment of informants, informal neighborhood surveys, and cyber-unit, which monitors radical websites in several languages. Not even the FBIs linguistic depth and range are as great, Kelly asserts. The terrorism threat has evolved sharply since early 2002, when Kelly first sketched out his plan for countering it on a piece of paper for Mayor Bloomberg. Al-Qaidas core, as counterterrorism experts call the organization that bin Laden headed, does remain a threat. U.S. intelligence officials guess that more than two-thirds of its leadership cadre have been killed or jailed during the past decade, but underestimating the organization could still be disastrous. Last May, Steve Kappes, a former deputy CIA director, told an NYPD gathering of public and private security professionals that al-Qaida was the most adaptive terrorist entity he had encountered in his 30-year intelligence career. Even without bin Laden, he said, its threat might not be significantly diminished for years to come. Another danger is the expansion of what Bruce Hoffman, a terrorism analyst at Georgetown University, calls the al-Qaida universe. In 2008, there were seven al-Qaida networks or theaters of operation; last year, there were 11. Such groups find political vacuums in failed and failing states very attractive. Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP, has grown increasingly lethal and ambitious in Yemen; in Somalia, al-Shabaab has attracted several young Somali-Americans to its ranks from Minnesota, of all places. Among the most ominous recent trends is the surge in homegrown terrorism, which was initially identified in 2007 by NYPD analysts Arvin Bhatt and Mitchell Silber. That threat came home dramatically to the NYPD in 2004, when it arrested two immigrants, Shahawar Matin Siraj and James Elshafay, for planning to bomb the Herald Square subway station during the 2004 Republican National Convention. Elshafay cooperated with prosecutors and got a plea deal; Siraj was convicted on four counts of conspiracy and received a 30-year prison sentence. The fact that Siraj had emigrated as a child from Pakistan, had grown up in the United States, but still wanted to kill Americans made a strong impression on the police department, Cohen recalls: It was the first homegrown case against a U.S. target that resonated so deeply. Homegrown terrorism captured headlines again in May 2010, when Faisal Shahzad, a naturalized Pakistani-American and middle-class Connecticut resident, tried to blow up his SUV in Times Square. Only luck and his insufficient training kept Shahzad from carrying out his martyrdom mission, the police concede. The homegrown trend has severely complicated counterterrorism efforts. In 2009, at least 43 American citizens or residents were charged with terrorism crimes, according to Hoffmans count; last year, the number was at least two dozen. At a counterterrorism meeting in New York last winter, Silber warned that more homegrown plots would be likely in the near future, not just in the United States but in Europe, Canada, and Australia as well. In fact, he said, the preponderance of major terrorist plots against Americans since 9/11 have been homegrown, and between 2004 and 2009, 90 percent of the core conspirators of jihadist plots against the West were radicalized in the West. While al-Qaida remains a serious problem, Silber argues, the threat today comes mainly from younger Muslim men between the ages of 15 and 35 who are middle-class and have no direct al-Qaida connection but have been radicalized by an extreme and minority interpretation of Islam. Brian Jenkins, a veteran counterterrorism guru at the RAND Corporation, says that a related problem is the emergence of do-it-yourself terrorism, more diffuse and less predictable than centrally directed plots. What keeps Kelly and his team awake at night? Not the historical rivalries and resentments between the FBI and the NYPD, they say. Kelly maintains that the two organizations now work together well. The police department once had only 12 detectives on the FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Forces; today, it has 120. The major source of information for us is the JTTF, Kelly says. Cohen agrees: Cooperation today between the police and the JTTF is standard operating procedure. Of course, the department still gets annoyed when the FBI decides not to pursue an investigation developed by the NYPD or asserts jurisdiction over one that the NYPD wants to lead. The NYPD has also negotiated protocols with other city agencies that often figure in terror investigationsNew Yorks vast public-health service, for instance, the police departments partner in efforts to hunt down pathogens and viruses that could be used in a terrorism attack. But Kelly does worry about what he and his counterterrorism division cannot control unilaterallyfor instance, the policing and protection of bridges, tunnels, and the Hudson River, whose surveillance is shared with the Port Authority and the Metropolitan Transit Authority. A related concern is the inability or unwillingness of neighboring jurisdictions to implement counterterrorism measures similar to New Yorksone reason for the NYPDs Sentry program, which trains cops in the tristate area in counterterrorism techniques in order to foster intelligence-sharing. And, of course, Kelly worries about an attack using nuclear weapons or other WMDs. Daddario, the counterterrorism division chief, has thought long and hard about how New Yorkers would evacuate the city in the event of a widespread biological or nuclear attack. The NYPD has drawn up evacuation plans, but theyre of limited value, he says; in such an emergency, the police department would have to rely on self-evacuationindividual decisions by hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers to leave the city, even on foot and across bridges. Daddario also admits that the state-of-the-art air sniffers that are supposed to detect anomalous airborne pathogens need improvement. The technology is not there yet, he says. Another terrorism-related anxiety for Kelly, aides say, is that the governments visa policies and the countrys easily penetrable borders mean that he doesnt know whos living in New York. In 2005, Congress passed the REAL ID act, requiring states to issue drivers licenses that could be readily authenticated through encryption and biometrics after a background check. But many states have rebelled against implementing it, citing cost, privacy, and other concerns. Its hard to protect the nation, warned former White House terrorism advisor Richard Clarke in his 2008 book Your Government Failed You, if the government doesnt know who is in it. Perhaps the greatest challenge to the NYPDs efforts, however, is the way we think about terrorism. Americans like to see conflicts as finite, with a beginning and an end, says Jenkins. But that will not be the case in the struggle against terrorism. This challenge adapts and morphs and is constantly evolving. It wont end. Its hard for any individual or government agency to accept that. Even in New York. Photo by Jose Jimenez/Primera Hora/Getty Images New York City mayor Bill de Blasios new streetcar czar, Adam Giambrone, calls subways a twentieth-century technology. Given the reactionary nostalgia at the core of progressivism, its no surprise that Giambrone is leading the charge for nineteenth-century transportation technology. Giambrone is pushing the $2.5 billion Brooklyn-Queens Connector (BQX), a light-rail project running near the East River shoreline from Astoria, Queens to Sunset Park, Brooklyn. While this fast-growing strip of New York needs more mass transit, the BQX would be financiallyand, sometimes, literallyunderwater. For a fraction of the cost, these neighborhoods could be better served through improved bus service and direct subway access to Manhattan. Streetcars went extinct because they snarled traffic. This was problematic by the 1920s even in low-density Los Angeles, which began junking its Pacific Electric Railway Red Cars because of rising automobile congestion. Unlike balmy L.A., a grade-level streetcar system in New York City would face winter snowdrifts and intermittent torrential rainsnot to mention hurricanes and noreasters that could fry the entire system with seawater. Much of the proposed route runs through flood zones. The New York region should avoid building major new mass-transit projects unless they are absolutely necessary, given the heavy capital demands for already-planned projects and a poor management record. Recent projectssuch as the Fulton Transit Hub, Calatrava PATH Terminal, LIRR East Side Access, and Flushing 7 line extensionhave featured huge overruns and extensive delays, while critical upgrades such as a new Hudson River rail tunnel have been put off. Once built, publicly owned projects become eternal, sucking up capital and operating expenses. Thus, the Roosevelt Island Tramway, scheduled to be retired after the opening of the F line 63rd Street Tunneland far past the end of its useful lifereceived a $25 million overhaul (representing a 66 percent cost overrun), despite carrying only about 8,000 passengers each weekday. BQX will be the first transit system run by New York City since the state-created Metropolitan Transit Authority took over operation of the citys subways in 1968. The city faces daunting planning, engineering, and environmental challenges that it may not be up to. BQX will need to insert tracks and electrical equipment into 16 miles of nineteenth century streets. Running through six community-planning districts, it will require two entirely new bridges across Newtown Creek and Gowanus Canalboth navigable waterways that are Superfund sites located in wetlands. While the Port Authoritys Bayonne Bridge project, which merely raises the bridge deck, required four years of expedited environmental review before court challenges, the BQX will face a battery of city, state, and federal permitting requirements. Its timeline would resemble the Second Avenue subways 90-year Phase I, or that of a medieval cathedral. BQX is unnecessary. Its proposed route parallels the routes of nearby subwaysand the de Blasio administrations planned ferriesbut mostly doesnt connect with them. Its appeal will be limited to people travelling along the corridor, a strip with few destination amenities (save the modest exception of the Williamsburg core). The de Blasio administration has made inflated claims that the BQX would serve almost 50,000 passengers per weekday. Yet, a 2013 city study indicates that a maximum of 100,000 people live in the waterfront neighborhoods along the route. Many already use MTA mass transit, such as the G line, which runs about a half-mile from the BQX along much of its route and connects to the rest of the subway system (the G has only 125,000 daily weekday riders). Inhabitants of housing projects near BQX, whom the administration claims will be primary beneficiaries, will prefer MTA routes that access a wide range of New York City neighborhoods, jobs, and amenities. Light rail projects invariably have light ridership and high costs. New Jerseys Hudson-Bergen Light Rail cost $2.2 billion, without ever managing to reach Bergen County. Though running 18 miles through some of the densest urban neighborhoods in America, it serves just 46,800 riders per weekday. Using reasonable assumptions, each ride costs $20; the fare is just $2.25. At least Hudson-Bergen, unlike BQX, largely runs on existing rail rights-of-way and connects to PATH, NJ Transit, and the Hudson River ferries. Washington, D.C.s $200 million H Street line, which carries 2,625 passengers along its 1.9-mile route each weekday, opened after a decade of delays without ever reaching low-income, transit-starved Anacostia. (On the first day, the Washington Post reports, riding the H Street line was just a minute faster than walking.) H Street passengers ride free; for the lines capital cost, you could buy each of them 38 years of Uber rides along the length of the route. Atlanta spent $98 million on a streetcar running just 2.7 miles. Once a $1 fare was introduced, ridership dropped by 48 percent, with a 50 percent fare-evasion rate. Instead of BQX, New York could fund MTA upgrades to the bus connections between waterfront neighborhoods and nearby subway stops, and increase G line frequency. With 76 percent of G line rides requiring transfers, a subway upgrade may be in order. The tracks could possibly be reconfigured to create direct G service to Manhattan via the Jay St.-Metrotech and Court Square stations. This is likely to be less costly than either BQX or the 1.5 mile 7 train extension to Hudson Yards. If a land-based public-transportation line is truly needed along the waterfront, the city could inexpensively provide select-bus service along the BQX route, and, as with current MTA bus routes, use existing bridges to cross Newtown Creek and the Gowanus Canal. This fast-growing corner of New York City needs improved mass transit. A cost-effective upgrade would free up resources for truly underserved middle- and working-class neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens. Photo by Friends of the Brooklyn Queens Connector Achizitie de Servicii Tehnice de creare a plantatiilor forestiere de protectie din cadrul primariei Andrusul de Jos si a primariei Vadul lui Isac, r. Cahul What does it mean to be a Republican? Variations of the question have been posed ad nauseum over the past year as reality TV star and Twitter personality Donald Trump insulted his way to the partys presidential nomination. For The Dallas Morning News, a newspaper that has backed the GOP candidate in every election since 1964, it was a fitting start to its anti-endorsement of Trump published Tuesday. Trump doesnt reflect Republican ideals of the past, the conservative editorial board wrote. We are certain he shouldnt reflect the GOP of the future. On Wednesday, the Morning-News went a step further by recommending Hillary Clinton for the White House. It is the first time the paper has supported a Democratic candidate since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936. With respect to our institutions history and our vision for the future, we felt the need to explain to our constituency why this particular Republican candidate doesnt measure up, Editorial Page Editor Keven Ann Willey tells CJR of the two-day package. Hillary Clinton is not our favorite, and weve been very critical [of her]. But the bottom line is Donald Trumps mistakes and errors are just in a different universe than Hillary Clintons. Willey might as well be speaking for all journalists this year. This seemingly never-ending presidential campaign has forced media outlets to rip up their traditional playbooks for election-year news coverage, and many publications have responded with institutional political statements they wouldnt make in any typical election year. The vast majority of newspapers have yet to publish presidential endorsements, which typically come the week or two before the November election. Still, editorial boards across the country have denounced Trump early and often, portraying the GOP as a threat to national security and American values such as free speech and political pluralism. While many opinion writers likewise have dim views of Clintona few have instead gravitated toward Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnsonthe GOP nominee remains the driving force behind the unusual outpouring of editorials. Trumps disregard for truth and any semblance of intellectual honesty sting journalists nostrils unlike any nominee in recent memory. And opinion writers, unbridled by journalistic norms that are arguably unsuitable for this asymmetrical political matchup, say so in plain language as news reporters cannot. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Must Read by The Dallas Morning News Editorial Board: 'Donald Trump is no Republican' pic.twitter.com/KVY0EDbZdU Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) September 7, 2016 In June, The San Diego Union-Tribune suggested former President Ronald Reagan, who died in 2004, as a write-in candidate for the California GOP primary. The Tulsa World more recently bucked its tradition of backing Republican candidates in the general election, which it has done since 1940, in favor of backing no one. Wired, a magazine that admits it has never made a practice of endorsing candidates, felt so strongly about Trump that it proclaimed full-throated support of Clinton in an unexpected column by its editor. A few other major newspapers, including The Washington Post, published endorsements or anti-endorsements weeks or even months earlier than usual during election season. We prefer waiting for the campaign to play out and for issues to emerge and be addressed, reads a July endorsement of Clinton by The Houston Chronicle, which has backed just two other Democrats since 1960. We make an exception in the 2016 presidential race, because the choice between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump is not merely political.He is, we believe, a danger to the Republic. Adds Willey, whose Dallas Morning News moved its pro-Clinton piece to the front end of a lineup of recommendations to run between Labor Day and the start of early voting in late October: Weve just grown increasingly concerned about the tenor of the presidential campaign and decided there was no sense in delaying a couple of weeks. Thats also the case in Virginia, where the Richmond Times-Dispatch published its endorsement of Johnson, the leading third-party candidate, last weekend. Its the first time the paper didnt endorse a Republican since at least 1980. Theres massive dissatisfaction with the major party candidates, says Editorial Page Editor Todd Culbertson. And by going early, we hope to legitimize [Johnson] as a person who deserves to be in the debates.We wanted to get in front on this and just let people know that theres an alternativeand to let other newspapers know that theres an alternative. The Times-Dispatchs editorial board took a similarly unusual step in February, when it endorsed Florida Senator Marco Rubio in the states GOP primary. The newspaper typically holds its opinion till the general election. It seems odd to endorse [in the primary] because the candidate you choose might not end up as one of the options in the general, Culbertson says. But this year, we just couldnt do Trump. We thought it was necessary to defeat him in the primary season.Hes not a president. Of course, Trump defeated Rubio in the Virginia primary, and it likewise seems dubious that print publications endorsements could move the needle during the general election. Republican also-rans Rubio and John Kasich drew the vast majority of newspaper endorsements during the GOP primary season. Trumps media endorsers will likely continue their apologia for his racism, sexism, conspiracy theories, and general incompetence as the general election looms. Trumps media endorsers during the nominating contests included the tabloid New York Post, the tabloid-ier National Enquirer, and the New York Observer, which is published by his son-in-law. Hes drawn additional supportboth implicit and explicitfrom the likes of Breitbart News, right-wing talk radio, and some Fox News hosts, particularly frequent water-carrier Sean Hannity. Those actors will likely continue their apologia for Trumps racism, sexism, conspiracy theories, and general incompetence as the general election looms. Anti-Trump publications will meanwhile attempt to influence their own audiences on the opinion pages. Perhaps more importantly, theres a feeling among many news organizations that they must plant an institutional flag in the ground to show where they stand in an election that holds particular danger for the American idea. There was a feeling around the room [during an editors meeting] that we needed to weigh in on this, says Fred Guterl, executive editor of Scientific American. We needed to do this for the record. Guterl cant recall Scientific American officially backing a presidential candidate at any point during its 171-year history. Yet it essentially endorsed science, reason, and logic in an editorial for its September issue, rebuking Trump without mentioning Clinton by name. We encourage the nations political leaders to demonstrate a respect for scientific truths in word and deed, the piece reads. And we urge the people who vote to hold them to that standard. We werent sitting around thinking, Who should we endorse? Guterl adds in an interview. The thing that we really stand up for is this idea that public discourse should consider evidence and should be done in the spirit of science.We put our brand behind thisthis is our reputation. And we feel it makes a stronger statement coming from all of us, rather than just one of us. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today David Uberti is a writer in New York. He was previously a media reporter for Gizmodo Media Group and a staff writer for CJR. Follow him on Twitter @DavidUberti. More than 3.5 million workplace injuries and illnesses occur each year in the United States, costing an estimated $250 billion annually. A new study from the University of Texas at Dallas examined how financing constraints impact workplace safety and the implications for firm value and employee welfare. Dr. Malcolm Wardlaw, assistant professor of finance and managerial economics in the Naveen Jindal School of Management, recently published his findings in the Journal of Finance. A huge part of the labor force has significant exposure to injury risk, Wardlaw said. For these workers, getting injured can radically impact their overall welfare. Moreover, the costs of these injuries are borne by both the employees and the companies they work for. He noted that while many people may not think about the issue on a day-to-day basis, blue-collar jobs are everywhere, including in warehouse management, shipping and transportation, resource management, construction and small-scale manufacturing. Using injury data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, the researchers examined the sensitivity of workplace injury rates to a firms available financial resources. The study found that: Injury rates increase after debt increases and increase with negative cash flow shocks. Injury rates decrease with positive cash flow shocks. Firm value decreases substantially with an increase in injury rates. When youre having issues in cash flow, you often end up servicing the debt at the expense of softer claims that are more difficult to value or have values that are realized over the long term, Wardlaw said. There are costs associated with workplace injuries its harder to find and retain employees, youre more subject to lawsuits and injuries have a long-term effect on productivity but on a quarter-to-quarter basis, those debts have to be paid. Wardlaw said this paper is one of the first to recognize that the financial condition of a firm affects employees well-being, which could have implications for policymakers. When youre thinking about OSHA inspections and thinking about issues you should keep your eye on, this is certainly one of the dimensions to consider: What is the financial condition of this firm? Wardlaw said. Its also worth thinking about how financing impacts these kinds of hidden investments. In recent years, there has been a broad recognition that investments in safety are important for the employees and the shareholders. Finding the best way to finance that investment is not always easy. Firms invest resources in a number of different activities that reduce the risk of on-the-job injury, including maintaining equipment, replacing old parts and machines, buying equipment with better safety features and automating dangerous tasks, Wardlaw said. Firms also expend resources on less tangible activities that affect safety, such as training and supervision. Dr. Jonathan B. Cohn, associate professor of finance at The University of Texas at Austin, is co-author of the paper. The researchers are working on a related study regarding private equity buyouts and injury rates. Source: University of Texas at Dallas Lloyds of London has kept its lawsuit against New Dominion LLC over fracking out of the state where the ground is shaking. A federal judge in New York agreed Wednesday to decide the lawsuit by Lloyds seeking to be released from liability for earthquake damage in Oklahoma blamed on fracking. U.S. District Judge Denise Cote in Manhattan said a clause in the Lloyds insurance policies requires disputes to be resolved in New York. New Dominion had hoped to litigate the insurance question in its home state of Oklahoma, where it sued in June to try to force Lloyds to provide coverage for earthquake claims. The decision comes as Oklahoma drillers are being ordered to shut more fracking wastewater wells and the U.S. Geological Survey upgraded an earthquake last weekend to 5.8 in magnitude, a record for the state. Lloyd's insists its pollution insurance policies do not cover earthquakes. The Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday it has ordered the closure of 17 additional disposal sites under its jurisdiction in Osage County in Oklahoma. The move follows the suspension of 37 wells by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Oklahoma regulators had already been limiting the disposal of oilfield wastewater, which scientists have linked to seismic activity, before the tremor that was felt from Texas to Illinois on Saturday. The number of earthquakes measuring 3.0 or higher reached at least 890 last year, up from just two in 2008, before the states fracking boom started. The USGS hasnt determined an official cause for the earthquake. Arguments in the Lloyds case focus on whether pollution insurance policies it sold to the oil company in 2014 cover earthquakes. This year, New Dominion was hit with five lawsuits seeking compensation for damage caused by earthquakes in Oklahoma. The suits blamed the earthquakes on the companys injection well operations. Injected Chemicals Lloyds declined to pay for the damages, saying its insurance only covered the company for injuries caused by pollutants and that the water and chemicals injected into the wells as part of the fracking process didnt qualify as pollution under the policy. Andrew Jayne, a lawyer for New Dominion, didnt immediately respond to phone and e-mail messages after regular business hours seeking comment on the ruling. Cotes decision Wednesday addressed only where the dispute should be decided. It didnt consider the underlying arguments over whether earthquakes were covered by the insurance. The case is Certain Underwriters at Lloyds London Subscribing to Policy Number PGIARK03959 v. New Dominion LLC, 16-cv-05005, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan). Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Oklahoma drillers are being ordered to shut more fracking wastewater wells just as the U.S. Geological Survey is upgrading last weekends earthquake to a record magnitude. The Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday it has ordered the closure of 17 additional disposal sites under its jurisdiction in Osage County. The move follows the suspension of 37 wells by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and comes on the same day the USGS upgraded the tremor to 5.8 in magnitude, the highest ever for the state, from 5.6 previously estimated. Oklahoma regulators had already been limiting the disposal of oilfield wastewater, which scientists have linked to seismic activity, before the tremor that was felt from Texas to Illinois on Saturday. The number of earthquakes measuring 3.0 or higher reached at least 890 last year, up from just two in 2008, before the states fracking boom started. The USGS has not determined an official cause for the earthquake. At this point, we dont want to attribute it specifically to any phenomena, George Choy, seismologist at the U.S. Geological Survey, said Wednesday in a phone interview. We need to get more data to make sure everything is lined up before we say anything definitive. Higher Costs Fracked wells produce large quantities of wastewater, which drilling companies inject into ultra-deep disposal wells. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which regulates oil and gas activity in the state, has been issuing restrictions for more than a year aimed at cutting down on the amount of wastewater injected into disposal wells. The measures may raise costs for drillers. In $45 oil, every little bit of cost increase makes a difference, Chad Warmington, President of the Oklahoma Oil & Gas Association, said Wednesday in an e-mail. It becomes prohibitively more expensive when you have to truck water for any significant distance versus disposal on the site of your oil and gas production. Related: Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. AKRON, Ohio - Akron has won $5 million to revitalize and connect public spaces along three miles of the Ohio & Erie Towpath Trail. The Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition received the grant through national initiative Reimagine the Civic Commons, a partnership between the JPB Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Kresge Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation. Chicago, Detroit and Memphis also won a grant. So did Philadelphia, where the pilot for the initiative took place. Here's where the money will go: The Civic Gateway Park East Summit Lake Applying cities were challenged to find ways to bring people of all walks of life together to experience spaces in the same way. "This is to lift them up together as places where the billionaire and the person making minimum wage can access the place in the exact same way and causes that civic mixing that makes city life different from everything else," said Kyle Kutuchief, Akron program director for the Knight Foundation. To win the award, the Canalway Coalition put together a team that went into the neighborhoods and interviewed residents before planning events. "As much as trying to change the physical landscape, it addresses programming and our approach to doing it," said Dan Rice, president and CEO of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition. "It's actually changing the way we do business. When people ask, what have you got planned, we want to ask the community what their needs and priorities are." A few past programs: Summit Lake: Residents said they were afraid of the water because of the lake's ill-defined edges, so the Canalway planned a community day in April with pontoon boats rides and a fishing derby. Many of the 300 residents who came earned water safety certificates issued by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Downtown Akron: A cabin was placed in Cascade Plaza for two weeks, with a campfire, to bring people out of office buildings. Some came to make s'mores. "The concept there was, if people think of it as the gateway to the national park, why not bring a little bit the national park into downtown Akron and give people a reason to come out of those buildings," Rice said. The Civic Commons money will dovetail with the $5 million TIGER grant the city was awarded in July to complete the downtown promenade. The city will work on the Main Street side, the Canalway Coalition will focus on the trail. One project that's already under way is to improve Route 59 pedestrian bridge connecting to Lock 4. Groundswell Design Group is working on a design that will use landscaping, lighting and music to draw people across the bridge and into the city. Locally, the Canalway Coalition will work with the city of Akron, Akron Civic Theatre, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, Downtown Akron Partnership, Summit County Government and Summit Metro Parks to reimagine the chosen sites. To gather information from residents, initial community engagement meetings will take place. 6-8 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Akron Civic Theater 6-8 p.m. Sept. 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Reach Opportunity Center "The main part of design thinking is prototyping and continuing the feedback process from community," said Katelyn Freil, communications coordinator for the Canalway Coalition. "We'll be taking the feedback, evaluating it and seeing how it can be applied to the community. We don't know exactly what's coming next." This post has been updated. AKRON, Ohio -- The Akron Community Foundation has named Jim and Vanita Oelschlager recipients of the 2016 Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian Award. Each year the Akron Community Foundation recognizes an individual or couple who best exemplifies leadership and community service as set forth by Polsky, a founding trustee. This year's dinner will take place Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn. Jim Oelschlager is the founder of Oak Associates Ltd., an investment firm in Bath Township, and the founder of the Oak Clinic, a nonprofit facility in Uniontown that treats patients with multiple sclerosis, regardless of their ability to pay. His wife, Vanita Oelschlager, is a children's book author and publisher who donates a percentage of her revenue to the clinic and other related charities. In addition to their own endeavors, The Oelschlagers' philanthropy has benefited health care organizations throughout the region. For over three decades they have donated more than $12 million and created three charitable funds at Akron Children's Hospital: the Oelschlager Center for Child Advocacy Endowment Fund, the Adoption Advocacy Center Fund, and the Global Health Fund, which provides health care resources to children in disadvantaged locations throughout the world. The Oelschlager's are also members of Summa Health System's Cornell Society of donors who have given more than $1 million. Their generosity to the Akron community extends to higher education as well. The Oelschlagers have donated more than $19 million to the University of Akron, founding the Oelschlager Leadership Awards scholarships, as well as the Oelschlager Summer Leadership Institute, a seven-day, on-campus experience for high school seniors who are recommended by their guidance counselors because they might otherwise fall through the cracks. The Polsky Humanitarian Award event begins with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Dinner guests will enjoy a program led by former Akron Deputy Mayor Dave Lieberth, followed by the presentation of the award. Tickets start at $150 per person and are available online at www.regonline.com/Polsky or by contacting De Shawn Pickett at 330-376-8522. Akron Community Foundation's Polsky Award is presented this year in partnership with Oak Associates. For more information, contact Margaret Medzie, vice president and chief development officer, at 330-436-5610. The event proceeds benefit Akron Community Foundation, a charity that improves the quality of life in Greater Akron by building community philanthropy. akron police.jpg One person was hurt Wednesday afternoon in a shooting just outside of the University of Akron campus, according to a university alert. (File photo) AKRON, Ohio -- One person was injured Wednesday afternoon in a shooting near the University of Akron main campus. The shooting happened about 2:40 p.m. near Power and Renschler streets, just south of campus, according to a University of Akron campus alert. The victim was taken to Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital in unknown condition. The victim is not believed to be a university student, the alert states. A witness said the shooter was wearing a blue hoodie and gray sweatpants, and he was with two other men -- one wearing a red shirt and the other in a black and yellow hooded sweatshirt. The trio was seen on video in a silver car heading north on Rentschler Street University of Akron police said they did not have any surveillance images of the shooting suspect. Messages left for an Akron police spokesman were not immediately returned Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call University of Akron campus police at 330-972-2911, or tips can be sent to police by texting them to 274637 and starting the text with "ZIPTIP." If you'd like to comment on this post, please visit the cleveland.com crime and courts comments section. Content Marketing World 2016 Lars Silberbauer, senior global director of social media and search for the LEGO Company Ltd., shares some of the secrets to LEGO's success at Content Marketing World 2016 at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016. The 6th annual #CMWorld conference has drawn more than 3,500 people from 74 countries. (Lisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer) CLEVELAND, Ohio -- How tough is it to be the senior global director of social media and video for LEGO Group, the world's No. 1 toy brand? How hard can it be to create content marketing around one of the most-recognizable brands across all industries? Well, as Lars Silberbauer, LEGO's London-based senior global director of social media and search told the Content Marketing World conference in Cleveland, LEGO's are a pretty generic product. "The patent on producing Lego bricks ran out years ago," he said, so that other than the trademarked logo, anyone with a plastic printer can make their own colorful little bricks. What makes LEGO's different and desirable -- and ultimately preferred over other building toys -- are the ways LEGO connects with people around their bricks and inspires fans to create content about their creations. "We have 20 times more content being generated by users than we do ourselves," Silberbauer said. "That is what makes a ton of difference." Lars Silberbauer, addressing the Content Marketing World 2016 conference in Cleveland on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, oversees LEGO Group's global social media, online videos, and search strategy. When Silberbauer joined LEGO in 2011, the company didn't have a Facebook page or a YouTube channel. But now, LEGO's Facebook page has 11.6 million fans, and its LEGO YouTube channel gets more than 1 billion views a year. LEGO's also get huge traffic on foreign social media such as Youku.com and Tudou.com Content Marketing World founder Joe Pulizzi called LEGO one of the greatest brands in the world. "I received Brick Kicks magazine when I was a kid," and now 35 years later, his sons pore over their issues of Lego Club magazine the same way he did. LEGO was recently ranked No. 1 among the 15 most engaging brands, as well as the top most-watched brand on YouTube. "On a good day, up to 26 years worth of video are being watched per day," Silberbauer said. He oversees LEGO's social media, online videos, and search strategy. His team members, based in Los Angeles; Enfield, Connecticut; London; Billund, Denmark; Shanghai, China; and Singapore, together speak more than 25 languages. And because consumers tend to play with LEGOs outside of regular business hours, "we need to have 24/7 engagement across all platforms," he said. Whenever users upload images or videos of their LEGO creations, "we need to make sure it's appropriate, and engage with that consumer in real time. We can talk about content and technology, but what's more important is the [connection with] people." Related Plain Dealer stories: #CMWorld 2016: Nine things to know about the Content Marketing World conference in Cleveland this week (photos, video) LEGO knows its consumers have two core needs: The desire to build together, and the pride in their creations. Social media is full of people sharing "cute kids building cute things," even if nobody quite knows what those kids are making. He showed a picture of one boy holding a fanciful LEGO shape, and said: "I'm sure he could give us a great story about what this is about." Listening to a child talking to himself while he's building something with LEGOs under the coffee table, you get a glimpse into his imagination. "Have an idea for a LEGO set?" LEGO asks its users. "Share your ideas, and if you get 10,000 supporters, we might make that product." If enough people rally around a particular idea, they will wait for that product to come to market without LEGO having to create any advertising for it, because people already want it. Because people love to build together and share what they've created, "We have 20 times more content being generated by users than we do ourselves," said Lars Silberbauer, LEGO Group's senior global director of social media and search, at Content Marketing World 2016. The first campaign he did for LEGO cost $100, because that's all the money the people in the room had in their wallets. So they created a campaign around a funny LEGO figure named George, asking people to create their own versions and post pictures of themselves with George on vacation. Within 20 minutes, people shared pictures of George in Rome, in Spain, in front of the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and in Hawaii. One bridesmaid brought George to her friend's wedding, prompting someone else to create a LEGO bride for George. Then George's LEGO ex-girlfriend showed up, even though George's bride was by this point visibly pregnant. "It's amazing how much you can actually do if you listen to the social media of your consumers, and what they do," he said. Another time, LEGO teamed up with Facebook, which has the greatest reach among parents, to launch the #Kronkiwongi project. Silberbauer said 98 percent of us are creative geniuses at 3 years old, but by the time we are grownups, only 2 percent of us have retained that level of creativity. When children all over the world were invited to build a kronkiwongi, adults immediately asked, "A what?" but the children knew exactly what that was, even if they didn't all have the same idea. LEGO also sent kronkiwongi-building sets to 200 influential parent bloggers to share the news across social media. Engagement rose 61 percent on LEGO's Facebook page, as parents submitted pictures of their children's creations. The kronkiwongi campaign ultimately reached 80 percent of the moms LEGO had targeted on Facebook, or 27 million people. What is a Kronkiwongi? What's a Kronkiwongi? Well, its anything a child can imagine! We're asking children everywhere to build one. Share your childs #Kronkiwongi with us Posted by LEGO on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 Follow @janetcho cleveland police car.jpg A team monitoring the Cleveland police department put forth a proposed use-of-force policy on Thursday. (File photo) CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A proposed use-of-force policy the Cleveland police monitoring team put forth on Thursday is designed to be a stepping stone on which all other departmental reforms can be built, the head monitor said. Matthew Barge said the proposed policy, mandated in a settlement the city entered into with the U.S. Justice Department, is designed to be more streamlined, after receiving complaints from officers that the old one was wonky and unclear. Barge said the policy would be "a road map to a different organization and a new approach to force." The proposed policy was made public following input from the Justice Department, the city and other stakeholders. The monitoring team is seeking public input on the policy. A final version will go before Chief U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver Jr. for approval. Barge said the team would accept suggestions for at least a few weeks, and that the monitoring team will hold community forums on the city's east and west sides. (To provide feedback, visit the monitoring team's website.) The city's policy must be changed because the Justice Department said Cleveland officers too often use force. Under a plan approved by the judge, it must be approved and in place, complete with additional training for officers, by the end of the year. Barge said that not everything included in the proposed policy can be tied to specific instances in Cleveland police history. Some are, while others are tied to issues that happened in other parts of the country. Here are a few key portions of the proposed use-of-force policies, and why they were included. Reasonable and proportional force The proposed new policy says, like the current one, that officers can use force when it is "objectionably reasonable" -- a legal standard that means an average officer would have made the same decision. This takes into account the fact that officers often have to make split-second decisions. They must also take into account the totality of the circumstances. It also says an officer can use force "only as necessary, meaning only when no reasonably effective alternative to the use of force appears to exist." If an officer must use force, it can only be enough to fulfill a lawful duty, such as subduing a violent suspect, and must be proportional to how much a subject is resisting. Barge said it was designed to have a clear set of guidelines that officers should be thinking through before he or she uses force. The policy clarification was necessary because of a myriad of instances where officers used force against a suspect, even when the suspect was not resisting or violent. The Justice Department cited multiple cases as examples for the clarification. Most notable was the 22-mile police chase in November 2012 that ended in police firing 137 shots and killing Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams. Police began the chase because they thought they heard a gunshot from the speeding vehicle, and the shooting began when the car almost hit an officer who was standing outside his cruiser. Several officers also reported seeing a gun, but investigators did not find a weapon in the car. De-escalation techniques Under the proposed policy, officers must take every step possible to de-escalate situations before resorting to force. This can be as small of a task as moving to escape danger. Or officers can act to slow down a confrontation to allow for more time, options and resources to be brought to bear. They should also question whether a person isn't complying with an officer's orders because of a medical condition, mental illness, a language barrier or drug use. If a person is experiencing a mental health crisis, a specialized officer should be called to the scene, according to the proposed policy. Don'ts The proposed policy also has a page-long section of prohibitions on how and when officers can use force. These include: * Using force to subdue subjects who are not suspected of any criminal conduct, other than to ensure the safety of an officer or other person. * Using force in retaliation. * Using force against people who yell at officers and are not committing a crime. * Using force against somebody exercising their First Amendment rights. * Using neck holds. * Firing warning shots. The proposed policy acknowledges that there are "rare and exceptional circumstances" that may lead to use of force in these situations. Medical attention Under the proposed policy, officers must provide medical care to anybody injured after he or she used force. The current policy only requires officers to request a supervisor go to the scene and call for medical assistance if someone appeared to be or said they were injured. This policy change is likely necessary for several instances, including the case of 12-year-old Tamir Rice. Officer Timothy Loehmann shot Tamir in November 2014. After Loehmann shot Rice, Loehmann and his partner Frank Garmback stood around, presumably waiting until an ambulance arrived. An FBI agent who heard about the shooting over a scanner arrived soon after and gave the boy help. Duty to intervene Under the new provisions, officers would be required to intervene and stop use of force abuses carried out by their fellow officers. A sense of loyalty among officers is believed to have caused some internal and criminal investigations into officer conduct to implode. This includes the case of Edward Henderson, whom police officer kicked on Jan. 1, 2011 as he lay on the ground, subdued following a car chase on the Detroit Shoreway. Four officers were charged in state court but their charges were dropped when federal prosecutors picked up the case. The investigation stalled after federal authorities were unable to identify the officers shown on the video. None of the officers involved in Henderson's arrest filed reports that indicated they used force. Henderson was convicted of felonious assault of a peace officer, after police said he tried to run an officer over at the beginning of the chase. He served three years in prison. The city agreed to pay Henderson $600,000 to settle an excessive force lawsuit. Barge said it is going to take a long time to have this type of duty baked into the police culture, but that it is important. This article has been updated to correct the events that led up to a November 2012 police shooting. If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Thursday's crime and courts comments section. CAMEROUN :: Cameroon: Over 100 kg of giant pangolins scales seized, two arrested The two suspects were arrested during an operation carried out in Ngaoundal by wildlife officials from the Djerem Divisional Delegation of Forestry with support from the Judiciary and administrative officials. The operation that led to the arrest was carried out with the technical assistance of an international NGO called LAGA and the arresting team comprised elements from the gendarmerie territorial brigade in Ngaoundal. The two were arrested for illegal possession of 128 kg of scales from the giant pangolin which is listed in class A of the wildlife law giving the species total protection . When information on the arrest of the 46-year-old man and his 35-year-old co-offender was received by the DO for Ngaoundal, he immediately went to the gendarmerie territorial brigade where he held a brief discussion with the Chief of Brigade and promised support from his office to the legal proceedings against the traffickers.. Sources close to the case say the main trafficker had transported the scales from Tibati were he resides to Ngaoundal where he planned to do business and shortly before his arrest he hired a car that transported the scales and stopped in front of a bar where the driver and his assistant off loaded the scales stocked in used rice bags. They deposited the bags in front of the bar that was considered to be the place of transaction and before he could proceed to do business, the arresting team got them.. The driver who was also stopped pleaded with the team saying he had simply been hired to transport the stuff and had no part to play in the deal. The team believed him and accompanied by his assistant, they were allowed to leave. The traffickers had made several observation rounds around the area to ensure it was suitable for business before embarking on getting the car to transport the products. A payment receipt recovered from of one of traffickers indicated a payment of 114 000 francs for a wildlife trafficking offense given by a ruling of the Tibati courf of first instance, indicating he is a repeat offender and prior investigations revealed he is part of a network of giant pangolin scales trafficking that is a rampant in the area is close to the Mbam Djerem National Park that was classified in 2000 to protect the several wildlife species and their habitat. Tibati serves as his base which is not far from the park and his activities extend to far off commercial centres of Yaounde and Bertoua. A house search was conducted later in the day at the premises of a concubine of one of the ttraffickers. Several parts of other primate species including the chimpanzee where found at the womans house. Pangolin scales are fast becoming a commodity of choice for wildlife traffickers who have the necessary organizational skills and logistics to handle because they are bulky. Recently online reports say over 4 tons of pangolin scales were seized in Hong Kong. It was shipped from Cameroon. The rising scale of the trade is obliging some conservationists to call for a destruction of scales stocks pilled from seizures. This is the case with ivory stocks that have been destroyed by several nations, weary of the plummeting population of elephant that are killed for ivory. The pangolin is gradually making its name in conservation circles. A few years back very few talked about this species that is mainly nocturnal and was barely studied. Sadly, it is the trafficking in its scales that is raising awareness and although some argue it is nevertheless coming out from oblivion with many measures now targeting the animal, many fear that it may be too little or too late, while concluding that time may be running out fast for the scaly anteater. Arizona's Pinal county will not go down as the nation's first region to have zero Obamacare plans next year. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona said Wednesday it will now offer Obamacare plans for individuals and families in Pinal county next year, out of concern that some 10,000 exchange plan customers would have faced the prospect of having no health insurance options come January. "We are committed to serving these areas in 2017," said Rich Boals, Blue Cross president and CEO, in a statement. It's a big reversal for Arizona's largest insurer in a year that has seen dramatic twists and turns by insurers exiting the Obamacare exchanges nationally. Blue Cross had previously announced it would drop Obamacare coverage in both Pinal and neighboring Maricopa county, after losing more than $185 million on Affordable Care Act exchange plans between 2014 and 2015. State and federal insurance regulators signed off on the insurer's proposed new rate request late Wednesday after weeks of discussions. The insurer plans to increase rates by more than 50 percent, but said that for many Pinal residents, much of the increase will be offset by Obamacare subsidies. The company said officials need to do more to make the ACA marketplaces viable. "Regulators and policy makers must find a way to stabilize the market and put long-term fixes in place," said Boals. "In the meantime, [Blue Cross] is trying hard to balance the company's financial losses from the ACA with the very real concerns of Arizonans." Blue Cross said it will still drop Obamacare coverage for Arizona's metropolitan Phoenix market: Maricopa County. This year the area had eight insurers, and after the exit last week of local insurer Phoenix Health, Cigna will be the only insurer offering plans for the area's 125,000 Obamacare plan customers in 2017. "There's not any obvious reason for this, I think it's more a chain of events that occurred," said Jim Hammond, publisher of the Hertel Report insurance newsletter in Phoenix. "It all started early in the year with United Health leaving. Then, we had Health Choice leave, we had Humana leave, and Aetna," he explained. "The only ones left standing were Phoenix Health Plan and Cigna. And Phoenix Health Plan is a very small plan." He believed the small insurer was not in a position to scale up its business to meet the greater demand in January. "That's a scary prospect for a health plan to get that big that fast." Pinal was the only county in the state and the nation that faced the prospect of having zero Obamacare plans next year. Obama officials had said all along that they were working to find a solution. Health Human services spokesman Ben Wakana said, "We remain confident that all Arizona residents will continue to have access to coverage next year." Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook. U.S. President Barack Obama (C) attends a meeting with Laos President Bounnhang Vorachith (not pictured) at the Presidential Palace in Vientiane on September 6, 2016. U.S. President Barack Obama and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte shook hands and had a brief chat on Wednesday, officials said, easing a standoff after Duterte called Obama a "son of a bitch" ahead of a summit of Asian leaders in Laos. The presidents of the two longtime allies were due to hold talks on Tuesday but the White House cancelled the meeting after Duterte's insult. "I'm very happy that it happened," Philippines' foreign minister, Perfecto Yasay, said of their short meeting. "It all springs from the fact that the relationship between the Philippines and the United States is firm, very strong." Duterte had his outburst on Monday when he was defending his war on drugs that has killed at least 2,400 Filipinos. Notorious for his tirades and for cursing during interviews and speeches, he later expressed regret for offending Obama. Christmas shoppers and Korean correspondents were among the likely victims of the collapse of South Korean container shipper Hanjin Shipping . Hanjin, which filed for court receivership on August 31, was no minor industry player; industry data provider Alphaliner placed Hanjin at the seventh largest globally, with 98 ships and a 2.9 percent market share. That compared with the largest, APM-Maersk, with around 622 ships and a 15.4 percent market share. Banks stopped providing financial support to Hanjin, which has been bleeding red ink, last week. That spurred the shipping line to file for court receivership on August 31. As a result, as many as 66 of Hanjin's container ships were denied access to ports around the world and at least one ship was seized, according to media reports. Hanjin Shipping's lead creditor bank, Korea Development Bank, balked on Wednesday at a South Korean court request to provide the shipper with additional funds to resolve issues with an estimated $14 billion worth of stranded cargo, amid expectations the company would likely end up being liquidated, Reuters reported. Hanjin's parent company, Hanjin Group, planned to raise around $90 million to help cover the cost of unloading cargo, but the court said the amount was inadequate and that it wasn't clear when that plan would be executed, the report said. That has left a lot of uncertainty over how long Hanjin's ships will sit idle. It might be too early to know yet what this Christmas' "it" toy will be, but there's a good chance that Hanjin's standstill means it might be even more scarce than usual this year. Analysts at Citigroup said that toys were likely to be the product most impacted as retailers awaited their shipments of Christmas goodies. In a research note on Tuesday, Citi analysts said "softlines," or retail inventory that doesn't usually come in a box, such as linens or personal items such as gloves, were also likely to be impacted, although department stores appeared to have been reducing their exposure to Hanjin over the past few months. But they added, "There may be some exposure for branded goods that the department stores purchase as they are unsure at this point which of their vendors may use Hanjin." Starbucks unveiled its first original content series entitled "Upstanders" on Wednesday. It aims to highlight stories of humanity through compassion, citizenship and civility. Schultz and his team sought to find just 10 to 15 stories, and instead found hundreds. "I think as Americans unfortunately, we have been witnessing the very worst of a terrible political season, which has been such hatred and vitriol and divisiveness in view of that, so many Americans have been led to believe that the story of America is just that," Schultz said. Schultz told the " Mad Money " host Jim Cramer "I strongly believe that Hillary Clinton is the best choice for the country and the rest of the world." While Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz still says he is not running for president, he did take sides for the 2016 presidential election on Wednesday when he endorsed Democrat Hillary Clinton . I think at a time in America we are witnessing such a dispirited level of divisiveness in terms of political situation let's find the true American story. "This is not about marketing, it's not about PR. It's certainly not a branded series," Schultz said. "This is just sharing these kinds of stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things, and this is about citizenry. I think at a time in America we are witnessing such a dispirited level of divisiveness in terms of political situation let's find the true American story." The original content kicked off as 10 stories in written, video and podcast form produced by Schultz and Rajiv Chandrasekaran. Schultz says it is just one of the ways to leverage the Starbucks experience to enhance the experience with customers. "In many ways we are not a tech company, but we have invested heavily in tech. We are never going to be a media company, but we are going to invest in content. And this is all part of leveraging the experience in our stores," he said. Schultz said he saw a robust response to "Upstanders," and thinks it is because people are "so hungry and longing for truth, authenticity, and aspiration and to be reminded of the true promise of America." Schultz is optimistic about the future of the company, thanks to a strong core business, relationships with customers and looking for new ways to advance the brand. He says the company recognized early on that building long-term value for the company relied on investing in people and customers and taking care of its communities. "I feel so strongly about the promise of America and the American dream," Schultz said. "And these 10 stories which are people not being bystanders, but people being 'upstanders' is emblematic of the true American story and the American people." The "Fast Money" traders debated whether there may be opportunities in the grocers after Sprouts Farmers Market issued disappointing guidance, dragging down other names in the space. Sprouts said in a statement that industry-wide promotions have negatively affected retail deflation and traffic generation, amid a "prolonged deflationary environment" and "competitive landscape." The stock fell more than 13 percent on Wednesday. Shares of Kroger and Whole Foods Market fell about 4 percent and 5 percent, respectively. Sprouts said it now expects third-quarter sales growth to be roughly flat. Wall Street had previously expected Sprouts to grow sales by about 2.2 percent during the quarter, according to a FactSet consensus estimate. Trader Brian Kelly said he isn't interested in the grocers and would rather own something like sugar. He pointed to the Barclays Bank iPath Bloomberg Sugar Subindex Total Return , which has surged more than 33 percent this year. Even though the whole industry felt the pressure on Wednesday, trader Pete Najarian said that companies like Target , Wal-Mart and Kroger can better compete in the long run. Trader Steve Grasso said that he is more interested in the producers like Tyson Foods than the grocers. Trader Guy Adami said he actually likes Whole Foods because of the risk and reward. He said that while this is "a challenged story at best," the stock closed at $29.08 on Wednesday, about a dollar above its 52-week low of $28.07. This year's contentious presidential election may be affecting Donald Trump's hotel business, the Boston Globe reported. Booking site Hipmunk reported that its reservations for Trump hotels are down nearly 60 percent over this time last year, the Globe said, while a survey of more than 2,000 Americans by travel trend tracking website Skift found 56.9 percent of respondents said they were less likely to stay in a Trump hotel because of his campaign. "We don't ask what political party our employees or guests belong to,'' Mickael Damelincourt, managing director of the Trump International Washington location, said in the Globe article. "What I do know is that our bookings are strong." Indeed, experts told the Globe, Trump supporters might seek out the Republican nominee's properties as a show of support. After all, Trump Hotels are highly rated in industry publications like Travel + Leisure magazine's annual World's Best Awards, the Globe reports. CNBC has reached out for the Trump campaign for comment. For the full story, see the Boston Globe's article here. In a military speech this week, Trump said he would ask generals to give him a plan within 30 days to defeat ISIS. Trump said Wednesday he would consider using a combination of his own plan and proposals from the generals to fight the terror group. "I have a substantial chance of winning. If I win, I don't want to broadcast to the enemy exactly what my plan is," the Republican nominee said at an NBC-hosted commander-in-chief forum in New York. The gathering was the first time both Trump and his rival Hillary Clinton have shared the same stage in this election, albeit at separate times. Donald Trump brushed off his lack of a specific policy to defeat the Islamic State terror group on Wednesday night, claiming he had a plan but did not want to broadcast it to the United States' enemies. Trump has taken a decidedly hawkish tone on terror, once pledging to "bomb the hell" out of ISIS and repeatedly pledging to keep American safe from terror attacks at home. But he has so far given few details about he would do that and seems reluctant to do so. Trump has never held elected office, and questions about his preparation and temperament have trailed him so far in the election. Trump, when asked about his claim that he knows more than U.S. generals about ISIS, said they had been "reduced to rubble" under President Barack Obama. Trump also had few specifics to offer when asked by a veteran about what he would do in the Middle East once ISIS was defeated. After a rambling answer about what he deemed the Obama administration's failures in the Middle East, he pledged to "take the oil" to prevent groups like ISIS gaining control of the resource. "You would leave a certain group behind and you would take various sections where they have the oil," he said, not specifying if that group would consist of American troops. During her time, Clinton also addressed ISIS during the event on Wednesday night, calling it her "highest counter-terrorism goal." Clinton said she wanted to maintain air strikes and support local troops on the ground in their fight. "We are not putting ground troops into Iraq ever again. And we are not putting ground troops into Syria," she said. Clinton declined to say outright that the country would be safer under her administration than when she took office. After the conclusion of the event on Wednesday, Clinton's campaign put out this statement: "The difference tonight could not have been more clear. Hillary Clinton showed a firm command of the issues and the qualifications, experience and judgment to be commander in chief. "In contrast, the nominee of the party of Ronald Reagan just attacked America's generals and showered praise on Russia's president. Trump sputtered his way through the forum, making clear his secret ISIS plan is no plan at all, doubling down on the idea that the military should have known better than to have men and women serve together and lying yet again about his early support for the war in Iraq." Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said: "Hillary Clinton is the wrong choice to lead America as commander-in-chief, repeatedly showing poor judgment and failed leadership on critical issues like foreign affairs and the growth of radical Islamic terrorism, and an utter tone deafness on the catastrophe at the VA. "Americans need a strong leader who will keep our country safe and secure, not a politician who can't even say she will make the country safer from terrorist threats. And her shocking claim that not a single American has died in Libya ignores the four brave Americans who fell victim to a terrorist attack on her watch." Trump and Clinton will square off directly at the first presidential debate on Sept. 26 at Hofstra University. UPDATED: This story was updated to include comments from the Clinton campaign and from RNC Chair Reince Priebus. Donald Trump tossed more praise to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday night, saying he has been a better leader than U.S. President Barack Obama. "(Putin) has very strong control over a country. Now, it's a very different system and I don't happen to like that system. But certainly in that system he's been a leader far more than our president has been a leader," the Republican presidential nominee said at NBC's commander-in-chief forum in New York. Some, including Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, have criticized Trump for past statements praising Putin even as he appears to exercise more power. Previously in this campaign cycle, Trump has stumbled over questions about Russia's annexation of Ukrainian territory Crimea and called for Russians to find missing emails from Clinton's time as secretary of state. Air China's inflight magazine pinned the blame on "misinterpretations among media and readers" for outrage over its advice to travelers to avoid multi-racial areas of London. In a Chinese-language statement, translated by CNBC, the in-house "Wings of China Office," apologized to Air China, the Chinese flagship carrier, for "some improper expressions" that had hurt the airline's brand. "This is at odds with our original purpose of promoting the beautiful scenery of London, further triggering misinterpretations among media and readers and creating significantly negative impact on your company's operation and brand image," the magazine's team said. "The inappropriate expressions in the article are merely the mistakes made by the editors, but in no means represent the views of the magazine," the statement continued. "We will immediately withdraw all the publications, carefully learn this lesson, improve our management to make sure there will be no more similar mistakes. We also would love to send sincere apologies via Air China to all the readers and passengers who felt uncomfortable because of this." The statement came after CNBC drew attention to a special feature on London travel in the September edition of Wings of China, which warned tourists, "London is generally a safe place to travel, however precautions are needed when entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people. "We advise tourists not to go out alone at night, and females always to be accompanied by another person when traveling," the magazine said in a section called "Tips from Air China." The travel advice caused outrage in London, where lawmakers called for an apology from the company and was picked up by media outlets as far away as Australia and India. Virendra Sharma, the Labor Member of Parliament for Ealing Southall, which has a big Indian population, told the BBC on Wednesday that he was appalled that "blatantly untrue and racist statements" were considered fit for publication by Air China. "I have invited representatives of Air China to visit my constituency of Ealing Southall to see that a very multi-cultural area is safe, and would be of great value for those visiting London to see," he said. watch now A Donald Trump presidency might be not be so nice but it might be more fun, conservative writer Milo Yiannopoulos told CNBC's "Power Lunch" on Thursday. "We could do with a bit of meanness in American society," said Yiannopoulos, who writes for Breitbart.com and is a former self-proclaimed Twitter "super villain." "This cult of being nice all the time and not saying what we really think, not saying what's actually happening. ... It results in horrible things happening." Milo Yiannopoulos Getty Images Yiannopoulos is no stranger to controversy: He has argued that provocative social media personalities, or trolls, will save the world, calling out crime and dangers that others are scared to address. His critics on both sides of the aisle, however, have called him a "monster" and a "bully." "The press seems determined to label the 'alt-right' as a misogynist, hateful, racist, homophobic, anti-Semitic movement," Yiannopoulos said. "Yet at the same time tries to crown a gay Jew who never shuts up about his black boyfriends as the leader of it," he said, referring to himself. Yiannopoulos said that a candidate like Trump, who also touts his honesty, has tapped into a larger trend in society widely called the "alt-right." "People are getting a little sick, on all sides of the political divide, of the nannying, safe-space culture from the left," Yiannopoulos said. "Of the language policing: 'Everything is racist, everything is homophobic.' That kind of chilling effect, on culture, on freedom of expression, even on journalism, has started to become very obvious, and I don't think voters like it." Apple CEO Tim Cook announces the new iPhone 7 during an event to announce new products Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. Shares of Apple dropped more than 2.5 percent Thursday after the tech giant said it would not disclose first weekend pre-order numbers for the iPhone 7. The stock was on track for its worst trading day since June 24, the day after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, when it fell 2.81 percent. In a statement to CNBC, Apple said: "These initial sales will be governed by supply, not demand, and we have decided that it is no longer a representative metric for our investors and our customers." Apple unveiled the iPhone 7 on Wednesday. The new phone will hit stores Sept. 16. "The numbers should be strong, why hide it," Colin Gillis, an analyst at BGC Partners, told CNBC in an email. "Supply constrained? This phone should be the easiest ever to roll out it's basically the third generation." "Next year I can understand build concerns. The only reason other than concern on consumer demand for iPhone 7 is they might be concerned about setting a difficult compare for the 2017 10th anniversary iPhone," he said. The tech giant's stock was among the most traded as of Thursday afternoon, with a cumulative volume of more than 52.6 million. AAPL intraday Source: FactSet Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan spoke with CNBC about a range of topics, including what higher rates could mean for the lender, the bank's exposure to bad loans, as well as the overall state of the bull market. "We had a war to fight that few other people had between cleaning up the mortgage mess, the cost structure and the litigation," said Moynihan in defense of why the stock has lagged behind its peers in the past five years. "That war is over, and we can declare that, but we learned the lessons from that war and that's what we keep applying," the chief executive added, claiming that at the current stock prices, management would keep buying back BofA shares "all day long." Year to date, Bank of America's stock is down nearly 7 percent compared with a gain of 2.5 percent for the S & P financial sector . Since hitting a recent low in June, however, the shares have surged 30 percent. Only PRO subscribers have access to the full interview, which was originally broadcast on " Squawk Box ." Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan spoke with CNBC about a range of topics, including what higher rates could mean for the lender, the bank's exposure to bad loans, as well as the overall state of the bull market. "We had a war to fight that few other people had between cleaning up the mortgage mess, the cost structure and the litigation," said Moynihan in defense of why the stock has lagged behind its peers in the past five years. "That war is over, and we can declare that, but we learned the lessons from that war and that's what we keep applying," the chief executive added, claiming that at the current stock prices, management would keep buying back BofA shares "all day long." Year to date, Bank of America's stock is down nearly 7 percent compared with a gain of 2.5 percent for the S&P financial sector . Since hitting a recent low in June, however, the shares have surged 30 percent. Only PRO subscribers have access to the full interview, which was originally broadcast on "Squawk Box." Billionaire Republican businesswoman Meg Whitman told CNBC on Thursday she's gotten a lot of positive feedback for coming out in support of Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump. "I had to put country before party," the CEO of Hewlett Packard Enterprise said on "Squawk on the Street." She said a common refrain from supporters have been: "Thank you for the courage to stand up." In a LinkedIn post last month, Whitman announced her support of Clinton, writing: "Donald Trump's demagoguery has undermined the fabric of our national character." Whitman, who ran an unsuccessful 2010 GOP gubernatorial bid in California, believes Democrat Clinton is better for the country and the economy. On Thursday, Whitman cited Clinton's infrastructure plans, focus on small business, and skills training program, while slamming Trump's candidacy. "When I travel outside the United States heads of state, business leaders they actually are terribly, terribly worried about Donald Trump as a president," she said. Another business leader threw his support behind Clinton on Wednesday evening. Starbucks Chairman and CEO Howard Schultz endorsed Clinton for president on CNBC's Schultz, who had once been seen as a possible candidate himself, also said he's still not running for the White House. Trump does have his deep-pocketed supporters. For example, billionaire Wilbur Ross, a senior policy advisor to the Trump campaign, told CNBC's "Squawk Box" last month the real estate mogul has the right idea on trade, and his economic plan would help stem the overseas exodus of American jobs. U.S. government debt prices were lower on Thursday as investors eyed developments in Europe, where the latest monetary policy meeting of the European Central Bank (ECB) took place. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note sat higher at 1.6145 percent, while the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was also higher, at 2.3209 percent. The ECB kept benchmark interest rates unchanged at zero and maintained its quantitative easing program at its current levels. President Mario Draghi said in a news conference the central bank did not discuss extending its asset purchase program. NBC News took a look at the facts behind each candidate's claims from who supported which military interventions over the last decade to reforming the Department of Veterans Affairs. Here's how they stacked up to the facts: In Wednesday night's NBC News Commander-in-Chief forum, both candidates offered up a series of inaccuracies and half-truths to national security questions. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaks during a veterans forum at the air and space museum aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid on September 7, 2016 in New York, New York. CLINTON CLAIM: "Classified material has a header top secret, secret, confidential and nothing, I will repeat, this is verified in the report by Department Of Justice, none of the emails sent or received by me had that header," Clinton said. THE FACTS: Header aside, Clinton is dodging the question. According to the FBI Director James Comey, his agency found that 110 emails in 52 email chains contained classified information at the time they were sent or received. Another 2,000 emails were later "up-classified" to make them confidential after the time they were sent, Comey added. CLINTON CLAIM: "I took it very seriously," Clinton said during the forum highlighting her use of a separate server for classified information and other precautions she took to protect national security. "I did exactly what I should have done, and I take it very seriously." THE FACTS: Comey disagrees. "Although we did not find clear evidence that Secretary Clinton or her colleagues intended to violate laws governing the handling of classified information, there is evidence that they were extremely careless in their handling of very sensitive, highly classified information," he said of his review of her. More from NBC News: How Did The Clinton-Trump Forum Play in Ohio? FBI Director Comey Defends Clinton Decision House Democrats Release Emails Between Colin Powell and Hillary Clinton Showing Advice He Gave Her CLINTON CLAIM: "There is no evidence my system was hacked," she said of her private email server. FACTS: True, as the FBI said it's unlikely hackers would leave such evidence. Comey said the FBI "did not find direct evidence" because it's "unlikely" that it would be possible to "see such direct evidence." Comey added that the FBI did "assess that hostile actors gained access" to email accounts that Clinton communicated with via email. "Given that combination of factors, we assess it is possible that hostile actors gained access to Secretary Clinton's personal e-mail account," Comey said. CLINTON CLAIM: "With respect to Libya, there's no difference between my opponent and myself." THE FACTS: Back in 2011, Trump and Clinton were on the same page Trump recorded a video supporting the kind of intervention Clinton advocated while Secretary of State but Trump later tried to rewrite his past statements in a February debate by insisting he "never discussed that subject" and that "we would be so much better off if Gadhafi were in charge right now." Later, Trump acknowledged his past support and said he didn't like the results. "I was for something, but I wasn't for what we have right now," he said. CLINTON CLAIM [ON IRAQ WAR]: "He supported it. He told Howard Stern he supported it. So he supported it before it happened, he supported it as it was happening and he is on record as supporting it after it happened." THE FACTS: She's technically correct Trump supported the war before, and 48 hours after the invasion although he began questioning it within a week and has been steadfast in his opposition since. "Yeah, I guess so," Trump said in a 2002 Howard Stern interview. "I wish the first time [the first Gulf War] it was done correctly." He reiterated this support two days after the invasion on March 21, 2003, saying that it "looks like a tremendous success from a military standpoint." But six days after the invasion, he told the Washington Post that he thought the war was "a mess." The former New Mexico governor has garnered about 9 percent support in recent four-way polls involving Democrat Clinton, Republican Trump and the Green Party's Jill Stein, according to Real Clear Politics . Clinton generally fares worse in polls that include Johnson, or both Johnson and Stein, than in those tracking her versus only Trump. Johnson, the Libertarian presidential candidate, was asked about Aleppo, a Syrian city hit hard by the country's civil war, during an interview on MSNBC's "Morning Joe." "What is Aleppo?" Johnson responded, prompting criticism and a pledge by Johnson to "get smarter." There is no guarantee that support for Johnson will fall significantly after the gaffe, especially in a race where most voters hold unfavorable views of both Clinton and Trump. But if Johnson's polling standing should drop in response to the blunder, Clinton may sap more of that support in a tightening race. "His presence in the race in a small way has hurt Hillary more than it hurts Trump. You have to assume that any ground he loses will help Clinton," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University poll, which last month showed Clinton with a narrower lead when the third-party candidates were included. While he draws considerably less support than Clinton or Trump, the backing of Johnson voters could prove even more crucial to Clinton and Trump, who are now in a close contest. Clinton's lead has narrowed to only 2.1 points in an average of recent four-way polls, versus nearly 4 points a week ago. She holds a slightly larger 2.8-point lead in recent polls tracking a head-to-head matchup with Trump. Her lead has consistently been smaller in four-way surveys than in those gauging support for just Clinton and Trump. Johnson has garnered roughly three times more support than Stein. Still, it remains to be seen whether the Aleppo confusion will drive voters away from Johnson at all. In addition, even if support for him does fall, there is no guarantee it will shift votes to the major party candidates in a meaningful way. It's a bird, it's a plane ... no, it's a flying burrito. Chipotle and Google parent Alphabet 's Project Wing are launching a pilot program that will deliver burritos via drones to starving Virginia Tech students in Blacksburg, VA. Bloomberg's Alan Levin was first to uncover the story. "It's the first time that we're actually out there delivering stuff to people who want that stuff," Dave Vos, who heads Project Wing, told Bloomberg. The experimental service the most comprehensive test yet of what companies like Amazon and Walmart hope will become normal delivery protocol has the full approval of the Federal Aviation Administration. watch now Europe is starting to get twitchy about the "bromance" between Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, especially after U.S. politician heaped more praise on the Russian president Wednesday. Speaking at the televised Commander-in-Chief Forum hosted by NBC News on Wednesday, Trump said the Putin, who he has praised several times in the past, was a "far more" capable leader that U.S. President Barack Obama. He also defended Putin's leadership style, support for the Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad and the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. "The man has very strong control over a country," Trump said of Putin. "It's a very different system and I don't happen to like the system, but certainly, in that system, he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader." A woman walks past a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP/Getty Images The comments caused a stir both in the U.S. and Europe. Russia and its leader are still viewed warily in both regions despite an awkward military alliance trying to combat the militant group calling itself Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. Putin's decision in 2014 to annex Crimea from Ukraine and its role in a pro-Russian uprising in Ukraine prompted the U.S. and Europe to impose economic sanctions on Russia which are still in place. NATO has also deployed troops to the Baltic region and Eastern Europe to deter Russia from further military provocations (which have included intrusions into European waters and airspace) or, in the unlikely and worst case scenario, invasions. Blossoming "bromance" In NBC's forum, Trump said that he'd fire current generals if he becomes president, as they had been "reduced to a point where it's embarrassing for our country." "Last night was yet another test, and Donald Trump failed yet again," Clinton said. "We saw more evidence that he is temperamentally unfit and totally unqualified to be commander in chief. He trash-talked American generals, saying they've been 'reduced to rubble.' " The news conference, which focused on international and military affairs, came a day after NBC News' "Commander-in-Chief Forum," where both candidates were asked about foreign policy and veterans' issues. Hillary Clinton lashed out at Donald Trump at a her first formal news conference in months, saying Thursday he is "totally unqualified" to be president. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks to members of the media before boarding her campaign plane at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, N.Y., Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. Clinton said Trump disparaged the sacrifices of distinguished service members. She also homed in on Trump's position on Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that past presidents, including Republican Ronald Reagan, would be astonished at the Republican candidate's comments. Trump on Wednesday pointed to Putin's 82 percent approval rating, calling him more of a leader than President Barack Obama. "That is not just unpatriotic and insulting to the people of our country, as well as our commander in chief it is scary," Clinton said. "Because it suggests he will let Putin do whatever Putin wants to do, and then make excuses for him." Trump has said he doesn't want to give details on his specific plan to defeat ISIS because he doesn't want to broadcast it to America's enemies, a strategy Clinton called "dangerous" and "disqualifying." "We would leave a certain group behind and you would take various sections where they have the oil," Trump said, to prevent groups like ISIS gaining control of the resource. Clinton on Thursday reiterated her opposition to sending a big contingent of troops on the ground in Iraq and Syria, saying it would fulfill ISIS' wish for a ground war with America. She also called Trump's rhetoric a "gift for ISIS," in reference to the Time article, "Why ISIS supports Trump." "The United States of America does not invade other countries to plunder and pillage," Clinton said. "We don't send our brave men and women around the world to steal oil. And that's not even getting into the absurdity of what it would involve massive infrastructure, large numbers of troops, many years on the ground of course, Trump hasn't thought through any of that." Clinton also chastised Trump for hinting about things he learned in classified intelligence briefings he has received as the nominee. "I would never comment on any aspect of an intelligence briefing I received," she said. Trump's campaign responded to Clinton's criticisms, calling the attacks dishonest, desperate, and "unhinged." "Last night Hillary Clinton again failed the commander-in-chief test, where she was unable to answer for her terrible foreign policy judgment, mishandling of classified information and claims that the VA wait time scandal was overblown," said Jason Miller, Trump's senior communications advisor. "Her claim that no lives were lost in Libya was an insult to the memory of the four brave Americans who died in Benghazi." Trump tweet: 'Hillary just gave a disastrous news conference on the tarmac to make up for poor performance last night. She's being decimated by the media!' The Democratic nominee said she will convene a meeting on Friday of bipartisan national security leaders and experts, including Michael Chertoff, former secretary of homeland security, in an effort to send a message to those who would wage attacks on the U.S. "We should make it a top priority to hunt down the leader of ISIS and bring him to justice, just as we did with Osama Bin Laden," Clinton said. Clinton, who had been criticized by Trump for not holding a news conference since Dec. 5, also took reporters' questions in an informal session on her plane on Tuesday. Reuters contributed to this report. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton responded to frequent criticism that she is too "aloof or cold" in a caption under her portrait on Humans of New York, a viral portrait photography page. Clinton shared a story about how she was heckled before taking a law school admissions test. She said one man told her, "If you take my spot, I'll get drafted, and I'll go to Vietnam, and I'll die." Clinton said, however, that she didn't respond because she "couldn't afford to get distracted because [she] didn't want to mess up the test." Young women have a tough task of learning to control their responses without coming off as aloof, she said. "And that's a hard path to walk. Because you need to protect yourself, you need to keep steady, but at the same time you don't want to seem 'walled off.' And sometimes I think I come across more in the 'walled off' arena," Clinton said. Shoppers stand in line to enter during the grand opening of the Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M) flagship store in New York, Fast-fashion powerhouse H&M has built its business on an ability to identify the biggest runway trends, and quickly produce its own versions to sell at a lower price. But for a company that's renowned for speed, there's one area in which some think H&M may be moving too fast its rapidly expanding real estate footprint. Already boasting more than 4,000 shops around the globe, the Swedish retailer has plans to boost its store count between 10 percent and 15 percent annually. That includes roughly 425 net new stores in 2016. Yet at the same time, H&M's sales growth and profitability per square meter are slowing. And elsewhere in the industry, retailers who years ago expanded overzealously are now dialing back their store fleets, in an attempt to revive their own store productivity. During the quarter ended in May, H&M's sales excluding value-added tax grew just 2 percent. That's despite it adding more than 400 stores from the prior-year period. It also marked a substantial slowdown from the previous year's growth, when sales rose 21 percent using that same metric. Though currency swings have recently taken their toll, this type of disconnect is nothing new to Morgan Stanley analyst Geoff Ruddell. In a note to investors earlier this year, the veteran analyst said 2016 may be a tipping point for H&M, whose profit densities have been on the decline since 2007. Based on Ruddell's analysis, H&M's 15 percent annual-square-footage expansion has allowed its operating profits to move higher effectively concealing its slipping store productivity. But Ruddell argues this trend cannot go on forever, and this will likely be the year when H&M's profits start to contract. Not everyone is concerned about H&M's expansion plans. Given the retailer's global footprint, multiple brands and experience operating international stores, Stifel analyst Richard Jaffe told CNBC he doesn't consider H&M's growth either "dangerous" or "risky." "H&M is well-suited and pretty disciplined about [their] growth," Jaffe said. "This is not frivolous growth." Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge Getty Images For Lisa Shaller-Goldberg, the founder of luxe goods maker Minnie Rose, exclusivity is a secret sauce. That's how the fashion guru snagged Kate Middleton. The Duchess of Cambridge has been spotted wearing a Minnie Rose cashmere shawl bought from exclusive London stores, like Donna Ida and Harvey Nichols. "We look for high-profile stores everywhere," explained Shaller-Goldberg, who has been in the fashion business since she was 18. "Handpicking stores creates demand. We're very exclusive with them." Shaller-Goldberg launched her own luxury brand, called Minnie Rose, 10 years ago, after her success propelling Juicy Couture into pop culture. Her brand now has a strong cult following. Besides the Duchess of Cambridge, customers include Charlize Theron, Jessica Alba and Oprah Winfrey. Revenues have grown 30 percent per year for the past 10 years. And Minnie Rose's 2015 revenues topped $10 million; she hopes to triple revenues by 2021. More than 800 retailers, including ones in Asia and Europe, sell her wares. The designer landed on the fashion map after she designed the now-iconic Juicy Couture tracksuit back in the 1990s. The California-based company initially sold just T-shirts on the West Coast. So she became the East Coast representative eventually getting the T-shirt into 600 key retail stores. Lisa Shaller-Goldberg, creative director and founder of Minnie Rose Scott Goldberg | Couturegraphy "I've been with the hottest brands my whole career," she said. "It's not the drug; it's the pusher. Every town has a key store." Her next big idea was offering a Juicy Couture fitted, sexy tracksuit that didn't yet exist. "Let's look sexy and hot," she remembers saying. It fit one of her merchandising principles: looking for a void in the market. So Shaller-Goldberg wrote a five-page letter detailing the tracksuit: fitted jacket, flared pants with a drawstring. Voila. The iconic tracksuit was born, first in terry cloth and then in velour. It came in 18 colors and looked like a candy suit, she said. "Buyers were storming the booth," she remembers. And even today the Juicy tracksuit is still popular. Going to market is the best test. Don't worry about being ahead of the curve. You can backtrack when the trend swings around again. Lisa Shaller-Goldberg creative director and founder of Minnie Rose The fashion maven also had built a handpicked retail network at Juicy Couture, which she ended up leaning on later. Buyers like to do business with people they know, she explains. "If you also have a great product, it's win-win," she added. "I've always made my stores money." But by 2003, Juicy Couture was sold to Liz Claiborne for $53 million. "That was a bad day," she said. So Shaller-Goldberg had to turn around and start from the bottom again. Fortunately, the answer came fairly quickly. A factory in China that made Juicy Couture apparel asked her to create her own clothing line. Then she remembered one of her favorite sweaters: a cashmere duster she bought one day and never took off. That sweater became a core part of her new cashmere-and-cotton apparel company, called Minnie Rose. Her audience was the grown-up Juicy Couture buyer who wanted pieces that could fit any size or shape, like a hooded duster. "Developing a product that anyone can wear is what's most lucrative," she said, "and that's true over and over." Cashmere was used since it's soft, cuddly and luxurious, she explained. Shaller-Goldberg credits her success to learning that merchandising is key. "We have seven salesgirls who check out stores to see how it's merchandised," she said. "You have to always be out in the stores building relationships. I make sure that everything on the floor is selling." Minnie Rose goods are rarely marked down. If a piece doesn't sell, she buys it back. "Retailers can't get stuck with stuff that doesn't sell," she explained. "The goal is that retailers always have to make money. So I bend over backwards." Exclusivity is built by putting core, basic styles on the website, and not the whole collection. Second, if you have a dream, go for it. Start small, with three styles, such as basic with a twist. Juicy Couture, for example, offered a plunging V-neck T-shirt that no one else was doing, she said. Next, get a reaction by taking a piece to a handful of the best retail stores and testing it. Beijing pulled out all of the stops to ensure smooth and pleasant G20 proceedings in the eastern city of Huangzhou. Security was reportedly tight as a drum. The locals were given a "seven-day public holiday" and encouraged to clear out of town, and factories in the vicinity were temporarily shuttered to improve air quality during the summit. Reportedly among those factories were a few dozen regional steel mills. Oddly enough, permanently closing steel mills in China is exactly what many G20 states would welcome, particularly after a meeting that bore few significant policy developments. The massive Chinese steel industry has been the target of a lot of scrutiny in recent years. It has experienced a breakneck expansion since 2000 when it had an annual production capacity of 150 metric tons (MT). By 2015 it had grown to 1,140 MT. That capacity expansion and China's tendency to use it, regardless of market direction, has made it responsible for the lion's share of the world's steel overcapacity problem. A lot of bankruptcies and layoffs around the world have their roots in recent waves of artificially cheap steel from China. The numbers are truly staggering. A new paper from the Duke University Center on Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness notes China's production capacity increase since 2007 is equivalent to seven times the United States' total steel production in 2015. Some of this Chinese production has fed into its massive infrastructure and construction projects. But let's get real; most of it has been led along by a system of state capitalism that provides mills with free land, low-cost loans, and sometimes outright subsidization, among other forms of financial support. Nearly all of the Chinese steel industry's major players are state-owned enterprises. That state-owned reality means production doesn't slow down as much as it should when the economy cools, often despite financial losses. Mills continue to pay their taxes, and millions of Chinese workers stay employed, which is important for the country's internal stability. But this has left the world awash in steel that no one asked for, and steelworkers everywhere out of jobs nearly 15,000 of them in America alone. All attention is focused on Nov. 8, but election 2016 really gets underway shortly. Early voting is set to start in coming weeks in such key states as North Carolina, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona and Georgia, and in other states after. As with those trekking to the polls in November, early voters will be confronted with selecting one of the most disliked presidential candidates in recent history. With the mudslinging overshadowing issues, policy experts say the challenge for voters this election is to sift through the promises and rhetoric and drill to the reality of the candidate's policies. "Here in Arizona our polls open October 12th," said Matt Roberts, communications director for the Arizona secretary of state, who handles elections. "At the end of the first two weeks, 80 percent of all of the state's votes are in." Paul J. Richards | AFP | Getty Images Arizona's early voter participation is not out of the ordinary. According to Associated Press 2012 election data, early voting from those six states will make up between 50 to 75 percent of total ballots cast in those states for the general election. Such high percentages make the impact of a potential "October surprise," a political phrase for late breaking news on a candidate that could impact voters in the last weeks before Election Day, less great, with so many votes locked in earlier. A total of 37 states and the District of Columbia offer eligible voters the ability to cast a ballot before Election Day. Voters can cast their ballots either during a state's designated early voting period by mail, physically voting at an early voting site or by requesting an absentee ballot, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Thirteen states do not allow early voting unless there is an approved excuse. Source: NCSL: National Conference of State Legislatures Early voting is becoming increasingly important as many states are making it easier to cast ballots before Election Day, said Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics. "Roughly a third of ballots will be cast before Election Day, so the potential for some late development really changing the race could be lessened by the fact that so many are voting, in some cases, well in advance of the end of the campaign." Kondik explained while Hillary Clinton clearly has an organizational edge over Donald Trump, the Democratic electorate may need more prodding than the Republican base. "Republican voters are generally older and whiter, and ... more reliable, while Democratic voters tend to be younger and more diverse, and not as reliable. Still, Trump is hoping to expand turnout amongst less reliable white voters, and if he had more money invested in a turnout machine he might have a better opportunity to do that and get his voters to the polls earlier." The percentage of voters who participate in early voting is expected to go up, according to the analysis of the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey. In the 2012 election, a quarter of the votes cast was by early ballot. (The Census Bureau said the gap between 1980 and 1992 is because the early voting question was not asked in all years). Once the early polls open you will see media reports and "experts" trying to read the tea leaves of the polls predicting a winner but there are many pitfalls, said voting turnout specialist Michael McDonald, associate professor of political science at the University of Florida and a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. "There are a lot of nuances in early balloting and you will see a lot of ebb and flows," said McDonald, who runs the United States Election Project. "The early part of balloting is by mail-in votes which Republican early voters prefer so you will see Trump supporters saying the media polls are wrong and Trump is winning. But then you'll have the physical polls open (which) the Democrats prefer and Clinton will then catch up. Bottom line you will get the clearest picture a week before the election on who is ahead in the general election." The lack of clarity has a least one CEO in no rush to vote early. Mike Jackson, chairman, and CEO of AutoNation , said he will not be casting his vote early because the campaign policies and rhetoric have left him somewhere between depressed and despondent. "The one word that sums up this election is never. Voters say they will never vote for Clinton, or they will never vote for Trump. There is little enthusiasm as to who they will vote for." Jackson said. "Based on his temperament, I will never vote for Trump. Down ticket, I will split my vote which will be mainly Republican. As to who I vote for president, well if this was the Clintons of the '90s then I would say I would vote Hillary. But based on her rhetoric, just how far left has she gone? So while I've decided who I will NEVER vote for, ... it's still to be determined who I will vote for." Barry Jackson, managing director of The Lindsey Group who advises clients on the impact of existing and potential policies on business, told CNBC the campaigns for Clinton and Trump are the least substantive campaigns he has ever seen in addressing fiscal policy, and it's unknown if it will have an impact on early voting. "There is no simple answer on that enthusiasm versus ground game versus unknown actions of the anti-Hillary crowd on the Dem side and the 'never Trump' crowd on GOP side." The lawsuit further said that "ITT credits were typically not transferable to other post-secondary institutions." In a 2014 lawsuit filed against ITT's parent company , the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau alleged that "Federal aid, mostly loans taken out by consumers, comprises the overwhelming majority of ITT's revenue" and when that funding wasn't enough to cover the full cost of tuition, the CFPB accused the company of "Pushing students into expensive, high-risk loans that ITT knew were likely to default." The closure of 137 campuses in 39 states comes after the career-oriented school has been the subject of several state and federal investigations. The shuttering of all ITT Technical Institute locations is leaving its 43,000 students with an unexpected lesson in harsh realities and unanswered questions about what will happen to their credits and tuition fees. In April, ITT's accrediting agency said ITT Technical Institute hadn't shown itself to be in compliance with all its standards. Last week, the Department of Education announced it was no longer allowing ITT to enroll students receiving financial aid. This week ITT announced it would be shutting down, saying, "The actions of and sanctions from the U.S. Department of Education have forced us to cease operations ... and we will not be offering our September quarter." Students in a bind Anthony Carrube, a 30-year-old former Coast Guard petty officer was one semester short of graduating from ITT Tech with an associate's degree in computer networking when he got the news. He's worried about whether any schools will take his 12 credit hours for his classes which he took three nights a week at ITT's location in Wilmington, Massachusetts. Classes were on the second floor of a rented office building in converted meeting rooms. He paid for them using the GI Bill. "It was stuff you could have done by yourself at home," he said of the classroom experience. "You go to class, bring your books, and they tell you to do your work out of the books." Teachers, he said, were largely there to "babysit" and answer the occasional question. Sometimes the classes were "overbooked," he said, and there would be a second class of 30 students and their teacher sharing the same space. "I'm scrambling to find something to do with these credits," Carrube told NBC News by phone. "I don't want to waste two years of school." The Department of Education published a blog post detailing options for former ITT Tech students and a landing page at studentaid.gov/ITT for forthcoming information. "The school's decisions have put its students and millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded federal student aid at risk," it read. "One possible outcome of oversight actions is that a school may choose to close rather than take corrective actions, which can cause disruption and disappointment for current students." The post outlined the two options students have: Apply for a discharge and possibly get some of your money back, or transfer your credits to another "comparable" school. A tough lesson But there's a catch. If you transfer your credits, you're not eligible for a discharge. And it's not clear how many credits a reputable school will accept, if any. Advocates say students should just try to cash out and start over or otherwise move on with their lives. "It's best for folks to cut their losses," Alexis Goldstein, a senior policy analyst at Americans for Financial Reform, told NBC News in a phone interview. She said students have had a lot of problems getting good schools to accept ITT credits. "Get that debt canceled and get that weight lifted," said Goldstein. "Otherwise you might not be able to transfer that many credits and still have to pay tens of thousands of dollars in loans to a school that no longer exists." A selection of a blank student loan discharge form.Source: Department of Education China considers Singapore a key partner for cooperation in the region, while close communications between the two nations' leaders can help keep the development of China-Singapore ties on the right track, boost pragmatic cooperation and deepen the friendship of the two peoples, Li was quoted by Xinhua as saying. "China hopes for Singapore, as a China-Asean coordinator, to play a constructive role in deepening China's relations with Asean," Li said. Li made the remarks while meeting his Singaporean counterpart, Lee Hsien Loong, on Tuesday on the sidelines of the East Asia leaders' meetings in the Laotian capital of Vientiane. Premier Li Keqiang has called on Singapore to play a constructive role in forging ties between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations . The premier's remarks came as the relationship between China and Singapore faces uncertainty over South China Sea disputes in recent months. Singapore is not a claimant state of the disputed waters, but Lee said during a visit to the United States last month that the South China Sea ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which rejected Beijing's claims over the water, was much better than seeing "whose guns are more powerful". He also said that Singapore welcomed US engagement in the region. In his talks with Li, the Singapore Prime Minister said the strained relations between Asean member countries and China because of the maritime disputes could be harnessed into continued economic growth. More from the South China Morning Post : China expected to push for maritime code to cover South China Sea at Asean talks Straight from G20 to Asean: issues to watch as Asia's leaders gather in Laos Is unpredictable Duterte a liability to his own economy? "One such issue is the South China Sea. However, every crisis presents an opportunity," he was quoted by Channel News Asia as saying. "This issue can be turned to our advantage in pursuit of the common goal of regional peace and stability, which are essential prerequisites for continued economic growth." Lee said Singapore as a coordinator of Asean-China relations would work with Beijing to "fast-track negotiations" to formulate a framework for a Code of Conduct for rules of engagement in the South China Sea. "Therefore, let us keep our overall relations in the proper perspective. Our relations are much broader than any one issue," Lee said. "We can continue to chart positive trajectory for ASEAN-China relations." Hewlett Packard Enterprise CEO Meg Whitman, making a case for slimming down, told CNBC on Thursday that technology is moving at "lightning speed," and the winning companies are going to be "the nimble, the fast, and the focused." Appearing on "Squawk on the Street" a day after announcing another shakeup, Whitman used a comparison to Dell to drive her point on being nimble. Dell on Wednesday completed its $67 billion acquisition of EMC, forming the world's largest privately controlled tech company. "They are getting bigger. We're getting smaller. They are leveraging up," she said. "We delevered. We're leaning in to new technology. They're doubling down on old technology." HPE said Wednesday it plans to spin off its noncore software assets and merge them with Britain's Micro Focus International in an $8.8 billion transaction. Micro Focus shares in London were surging about 17 percent. "Our shareholders will have a chance to ride the upside. Our shareholders will own 50 percent of this new company." Whitman said. "I'm a holder." Separately, HPE missed forecasts on quarterly revenue, but beat estimates on earnings and issued upbeat forward guidance. In early trading Thursday, HPE's share price was down 1.5 percent but was up more than 40 percent this year. Whitman blamed, in part, Britain's June vote to leave the European Union. "We saw a slowdown in the U.K. after Brexit. It was like a bit of a pause. Now we're starting to see the orders flow again." In a CNBC appearance in May, Whitman touted another company-slimming deal, an $8.5 billion spinoff of its enterprise services unit and merger with Computer Sciences . The new overhaul marks another step in Whitman's effort to transform the once-mighty technology conglomerate into a leaner, more efficient company. Mexico is set for major budget cuts that may drag on growth, despite the resignation of Finance Minister Luis Videgaray, who was the driving force behind the 2017 fiscal plan. His resignation was confirmed on Wednesday and came after the unpopular visit of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to Mexico, for which Videgaray was seen as to blame. "Donald's Trump meeting with the Mexican president last week, which has widely been seen as a PR disaster, was reportedly Mr. Videgaray's idea," Adam Collins, Latin America economist at Capital Economics, said in a report on Wednesday. Videgaray was well respected and had served as finance minister since the installment of President Enrique Pena Nieto in December 2012. His departure came at an inopportune time, with the 2017 budget due to be introduced to Mexico's congress later on Thursday. He had pushed for fiscal consolidation in the wake of a hit to public finances from lower oil prices. After decades of wrangling, governments around the world are beginning to take the issues of climate change and sustainability seriously. Last year, at the COP21 summit in Paris, world leaders agreed to make sure global warming stayed "well below" 2 degrees Celsius and to "pursue efforts" to limit the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. And last weekend, the U.S. and China two of the world's biggest polluters formally entered that agreement. But what is needed as a next step is bright minds to come up with ideas to help society make the leap to a more sustainable future. At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the MIT Energy Initiative is looking to harness the world's brightest minds to develop technology and ideas to provide "clean, affordable and plentiful sources of energy." And far from being based in theory, the results from the research taking place at MIT have practical, real world applications. "In our lab here we are producing biofuels as part of student projects, which are being sponsored in part the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, based in Colorado," Jean Francois Hamel, research engineer and director of the undergraduate teaching laboratories at MIT, told Sustainable Energy. As a result, there was also a sharp decline of 1.8 million barrels a day in U.S. imports oil that comes from places like Saudi Arabia and Nigeria. Gasoline stocks also fell by 4.2 million barrels. While the storms threatened the Gulf of Mexico, 12 percent of U.S. oil drilling in the Gulf was temporarily shut in. In the past week, the industry used 14.5 million barrels in storage, largely from the East Coast and Gulf Coast, according to government data. Analysts blamed wind and rough seas resulting from Gaston, Hermine and other storms that have impeded ships with cargoes headed for U.S. refineries. Tropical storms and Hurricane Hermine combined to slow the movement of oil tankers and shut in offshore drilling, forcing the U.S. oil industry to dip into its massive oversupply at the highest rate for this time of year. Oil prices jumped on the weekly Energy Information Administration report, adding to gains made late Wednesday on similar data from the American Petroleum Institute. West Texas Intermediate futures for October settled at $47.62 per barrel, a gain of more than 4.6 percent. "This is an aberrant report of the first order," said John Kilduff of Again Capital. "I think the East Coast shipments were probably affected by Gaston earlier. There was also a barge that got sunk in the Houston Ship Channel. That also affected the ability of ships to move in and out of the channel." Kilduff said the runup in oil prices is overdone though there could be further impacts in next week's data from Hermine which swirled off the East Coast. A positive for prices was the fact that oil production declined last week, instead of rising as it has lately. The U.S. produced 8.46 million barrels last week, down from 8.49 million. Gene McGillian, Tradition Energy manager market research, said prices also appear to be rising, as traders with short positions are forced to buy. "I think that's what's happening since it looks like the drop in crude imports takes a lot of mystery out of why we see this massive drop in inventories," he said. The draw in oil inventories last week amounted to 2.8 percent of the total crude in U.S. storage, outside of the government's Strategic Petroleum Reserve. "It chips away a little bit," said Andrew Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates. Even with the storms, U.S. refiners increased the amount of oil they process to over 17 million, the highest level since 1990, said Lipow. "It continues to turn the crude oil surplus into a product surplus," he said. According to EIA data, oil inventories across the nation drew the most for this time of year since records were kept starting in 1982. There was one other larger draw in January 1999 of 15.2 million barrels which Lipow said was likely was related to possible end-of-year inventory considerations. "I suspect over the next few weeks we're going to see inventories recover to a certain extent, as the imports catch up," said Lipow. "There's still plenty of oil out there. What we're seeing is the result of storm impacts on vessel shipping at the same time we still see members of OPEC to increase their oil production." The cartel meets at the end of the month in Algeria with Russia and other producers. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met on the sidelines of the G-20 meeting, and the two countries issued a statement of cooperation which also helped lift prices this week. "I think we'll see more volatile trading ahead of the OPEC meeting," said McGillian. Natural gas futures also rose nearly 5 percent Thursday on the government report of a smaller-than-expected injection of gas into storage. "That looks to be disrupted by the storms as well," Kilduff said. watch now Sony has unveiled two new versions of the PlayStation 4 console in an unprecedented move that points to console makers' increasing focus on software and services. The slimmer PS4 and PS4 Pro were unveiled at an event on Wednesday. It comes just three years after the original PS4 was released and marks a major departure from the typically longer refresh cycles for consoles. Microsoft has also released a mid-cycle refresh console called the Xbox One S and is planning a higher spec product next year named "Project Scorpio". Gaming has been a major success for Sony and one that is becoming increasingly important to the business as areas such as smartphones struggle. The PlayStation 4 is the top-selling console with an install base of over 40 million. "Consoles are not only seeing pressure just from mobile gaming, but also PC gaming," George Jijiashvili, analyst at CCS Insight, told CNBC by phone on Thursday. "So the requirements for the latest games in terms of graphics and processors are growing exponentially and in order to deliver the latest gaming experiences, Microsoft and Sony have felt they needed to keep up with the latest developments and deliver hardware that can deliver this content." First mover advantage versus Xbox? The slimmer PS4 will cost $299 when it is released next week. The PlayStation 4 Pro will cost $399 and will be available in November. The thinner PS4 has a new design and its internal system is faster. But it's the PS4 Pro where most of the upgrades can be seen with its ability to support 4K images. Sony said that all PS4 consoles will support high dynamic range (HDR) content via a system software update. Images shot in HDR essentially make the contrast between light and dark colors even more prominent so the white highlights are even brighter. The purpose is to make the image on screen look more realistic. The new Sony Playstation 4 and Playstation 4 Pro are unveiled at the Playstation Theater on September 7, 2016 in New York. Bryan R. Smith | AFP | Getty Images Sony's slim PS4 matches the Xbox One S in price, so the two are competing directly. But Sony has released the Pro version ahead of Microsoft's "Project Scorpio" a higher spec console and this could give the Japanese firm a head start. "They have taken the opportunity to move first and that gives it a chance to maintain that momentum," Piers Harding-Rolls, head of games at IHS, told CNBC by phone. Gaming as a service The mid-cycle release of the consoles also points to a major shift happening in the gaming industry. Instead of companies relying on revenue from just hardware sales and game sales, they are trying to use the consoles as a hub to sell users more services, something one analyst describes as the "gaming as a service" (GAAS) model. Sony's network revenues grew 36.7 percent year-on-year in the three months ended June 30. This relates to game, music and movie sales it makes. It has its own online store on the PlayStation for people to buy games, runs a TV streaming service called PlayStation Vue, and has a product called PlayStation Now which lets users stream games on the PS4 or Windows PC. watch now Being home to Silicon Valley gets California the reputation as a dreamland for start-ups. But it's a big state with lots of cities, and outside of the San Francisco Bay area and the Los AngelesSan Diego entrepreneurial region California is pretty harsh territory for business owners. CNBC's recent ranking of entrepreneurial hot spots, the CNBC Metro 20: America's Best Places to Start a Business, evaluated the likelihood of start-up success in 107 metro areas across the United States, taking into account factors including tax rates, regulatory environment, cost of living, cost of labor, unemployment level and population growth. No California city made the top 20. But five California towns were among the 10 worst metro areas among all 107 to launch a business. That's a noteworthy corrective for a state synonymous with start-up star power. "There are big gaps in many parts of the country and also within many states," said entrepreneur and AOL co-founder Steve Case in an email to CNBC. "Yes, the U.S. continues to be the most entrepreneurial country in the world, but there are some pockets where there is momentum and many places that are lagging. ... California is the classic example," Case said. In 2005, Case co-founded investment firm Revolution, which focuses on start-up activity outside of Silicon Valley and other nationally known start-up hubs. California start-up dead zones The five California metro areas that fell within the bottom 10 nationally: Fresno, Santa Rosa, San Bernardino, Modesto and Stockton. U.S. venture capital investment is heavily concentrated in three states: California, New York and Massachusetts. Those three states receive more than three-quarters of the nation's venture capital dollars, according to the National Venture Capital Association. On its own, California receives more than half of the nation's venture capital dollars. But overwhelmingly, those funds go to start-ups in either Silicon Valley and San Francisco or Los Angeles and San Diego, Case said, adding, "Most of California is in fact not getting much investment." And without access to capital, entrepreneurship communities stagnate. One reason the smaller cities in California fell to the bottom of the CNBC Metro 20 ranking is because of the elevated cost of living. By contrast, in Austin, Texas, the No. 1 city, the cost of living was cited as very low. Anna Mason is director of Revolution's investment campaign, called Rise of the Rest, which focuses on start-ups outside Silicon Valley and New York. She claimed that cost of living is the one data point that jumped out at her. "High costs of living can impact a founder's (and early employees') desire and ability to stay in/move to a region to start a business," Mason said via email. Yes, the U.S. continues to be the most entrepreneurial country in the world, but there are some pockets where there is momentum and many places that are lagging. ... California is the classic example. Steve Case founder of Revolution and co-founder of AOL Another factor that affects a city's appeal to start-ups is the tax burden. In Texas, there is no state income tax. That's great news for entrepreneurs, many of whom are operating on bootstrapping budgets, particularly in the early days. Meanwhile, the Sunshine State has some of the highest income-tax rates in the country, according to The Tax Foundation. That means that all of the metro areas in California were penalized across the board for their state tax rates. Further, the five California cities cited are all experiencing population growth that is sluggish compared to the best business cities, ranging from 3.78 percent in Santa Rosa to 5.95 percent in Stockton. Austin is seeing 16.58 percent population growth. Start-up activity not only depends on low cost of living and a healthy pipeline of capital but also on companies having access to talent. Provo, Utah, No. 2 on the Metro 20 list, has a population growth of 11.2 percent Provo also has one of the lowest unemployment rates among all U.S. cities. Much of the top from smaller towns in California heads to San Francisco. Mid-size cities in other states can keep some of their talent, while California towns, like San Bernardino and Modesto, don't have enough to keep talent rooted. "No question, there is clustering happening around cities. The second-tier cities are rising (more than most realize), but the third and fourth tiers are struggling, and that may continue. For example, cities like Atlanta, Nashville and Raleigh-Durham are showing strong momentum, in part because they are regional talent magnets. But some of the smaller cities in those states/regions suffer," Case said. A pedestrian walks by vacant buildings in Stockton, California. Getty Images Ray McKenzie grew up in Atwater, California, which is right between Modesto and Fresno. He went to San Diego State for college, where he majored in management information systems. And then he moved to Silicon Valley. "Upon getting my degree, I didn't want to really move back to where I was from, because there were no jobs in the tech industry, and this is during the first boom," said McKenzie, who moved to the San Francisco Bay area in 2001, where he stayed for the next dozen-plus years. Among people McKenzie grew up with who still live in Atwater, most work in agriculture, medicine, education or public services, as either police or firemen. McKenzie is representative of many young college grads from small-town California. Being from a town a few hours' drive from San Francisco is an Achilles' heel. McKenzie was close enough to Silicon Valley to have easy access, but far enough away that he had to relocate to live and work there when he graduated from college. Today McKenzie is the founder of the management and business consulting group Red Beach Advisors, located in Los Angeles. Looking back, McKenzie said he never considered moving back to Atwater after graduating. "There really is no culture for technology," he said, adding that the same logic would apply to young Californians from any lower-tier city. "You want to be visible in the location of all the other companies that are around you that are possibly your customers. And if there are no customers in Stockton, then why are you there?" With effort, some signs of hope Despite the sluggish start-up culture in small California cities, there are efforts to spark entrepreneurial activity. Fresno hosted a conference at the end of July this summer discussing agriculture issues and potential technological solutions. "The conference helped two agricultural software start-ups receive funding. We also advanced the conversation on how to complete the local capital structure for ag technology start-ups," said Pete Weber in an email with CNBC. Weber is a retired CEO and currently an advisor to Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin, serving on multiple nonprofit boards working to promote the regional ecosystem. Irma Olguin Jr. and Jake Soberal, the co-founders of entrepreneurship center Bitwise Industries, have invested heavily in downtown Fresno, building two technology hubs, one of which is a sprawling 50,000-square-foot "geek palace" for innovation. And they are undaunted by the negative take on their town: In the next five years, they plan to build a 2.5-million-square-foot campus that will house 1,000 tech companies and create 250,000 new tech jobs. Those are lofty goals, to be sure, but they are exactly the sort of shot in the arm some of these small California towns need to hold water in the Sunshine State alongside the start-up juggernaut that is Silicon Valley. I believe so deeply in Fresno because of its people; we are a city of gritty and capable people. If only we can give those individuals access to meaningful opportunity, all of the success that we hope for as a city follows on from there. Jake Soberal co-founder of entrepreneurship center Bitwise Industries Donald Trump's campaign raised $5 million on Aug. 31, the day of the Republican nominee's whirlwind trip to Mexico, the campaign said Thursday. That marks about 5 percent of the $90 million raised by the campaign and its joint fundraising arm with the Republican Party during August. It was unclear if that sum was the campaign's biggest for a single day, but it has previously sent emails to supporters with fundraising goals of up to $2 million in a day. A Trump campaign spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether the $5 million was its biggest single-day haul. Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. U.S. stock index futures traded lower on Thursday as traders digested developments in Europe, where the latest monetary policy meeting of the European Central Bank (ECB) took place. The ECB kept benchmark interest rates unchanged at zero and maintained its quantitative easing program at its current levels. President Mario Draghi said in a news conference the central bank did not discuss extending its asset purchase program. The pan-European Stoxx 600 Index was down 0.04 percent. On the data front in the U.S., initial jobless claims fell 4,000 to 259,000, with consumer credit due at 3:00 p.m. ET. In oil markets, Brent crude traded at $48.60 a barrel on Thursday, up 1.29 percent, while U.S. crude rose 1.56 percent to $46.25 a barrel. In Asia, Japan's Nikkei closed 0.32 percent lower on Thursday, while in China the Shanghai composite closed 0.15 percent higher. CNBC's Arjun Kharpal and Holly Ellyatt contributed to this report Wednesday night's Commander-in-Chief forum on NBC featuring townhall style questions for both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump was as close as we've come to seeing a direct debate between the two leading presidential candidates. It also left Americans with some very clear takeaways. Here are the top five: 1) Clinton can't squash the email scandal The leading topic during the forum and in the media coverage afterwards was the continued issue of Clinton's use of a private email server while she was Secretary of State. Based on the reaction on social media, moderator Matt Lauer enraged Clinton supporters and surprised Trump backers with his pointed questions to Clinton about the email scandal. The quality of Clinton's responses to those questions are not as important as the fact that the email story still has legs. And every time the story gets mentioned and mentioned prominently, Clinton's poll numbers suffer. Remember, she hit a nadir in the polls in reaction to FBI Director James Comey's news conference announcing why he chose not to indict her. Those poll numbers rebounded and seemed extremely safe until the email story came back into the news before Labor Day when the FBI released the transcripts of Clinton's email questioning. For a forum that was supposed to be dedicated to military and veterans' issues, such a focus on the email story is a big negative for the Clinton campaign. I suspect her advisers recognized this bad result and that's why her campaign hastily arranged her first press conference in almost a year for Thursday morning. In other words, there's been a big shift in this election over the last week or so. Now Hillary needs to whip up a quick news conference to tell us Trump is unqualified, as opposed to Trump constantly telling us that himself. 2) Trump still doesn't sound "presidential" Donald Trump scored unexpected points late last month when he quickly accepted Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto's invitation to meet him in Mexico City. Most of those points were scored based on the visual image of Trump looking like a world leader on the international stage. A few days later he actually sounded presidential when he made his speech at an African American church in Detroit. But Wednesday night he returned to his general pattern of making too many ambiguous statements that sound half baked. He talked about getting "different generals," and went too far by describing the current state of the U.S. military as being "reduced to rubble." And most foolishly, he unnecessarily praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and continued to encourage the generally ridiculous chatter about a possible secret connection between the two of them. 3) Neither candidate has a real plan on terrorism If you were looking for some reason to feel a lot better about either of these presidential candidates Wednesday night, you were disappointed. Neither Clinton nor Trump spoke of any real new or clear plan to defeat America's violent enemies. And neither seems to understand that to defeat those enemies, we need to win an ideological war just as much as a military one. Neither of them sounds at all like an FDR during World War II or a Reagan during the end of the Cold War. And neither of them seem capable of ever doing so. 4) Trump was on to something when discussing troop levels and naval strength He waited too long to address this issue, but Trump hit on a winning issue when he quoted the very reduced numbers of our active duty troops and naval ships. If he can somehow tie that issue to the need for more manufacturing jobs and the push for better military pay and benefits, he would have a potent campaign issue going into the final stretch. 5) Everyone was a loser in this forum, even the voters Campaign strategies and punditry aside, America remains at war today. The last two years have also seen an incredible spike in terrorism both abroad and our own shores. Any soldier or concerned civilian family watching the candidates at that forum just cannot have much confidence in either one of them when it comes to serious leadership in the face of this lethal threat. Even Lauer didn't seem to fully grasp the severity of the situation our troops face as he clearly focused much more on Clinton's email woes and trying to trip up Trump with some of his past statements. Even with a room filled with heroic soldiers and veterans, we were still witnessing a game of political "gotcha." And if you think this forum was heated, get ready for the debates. Even though Clinton and Trump were never on stage at the same time, the tension between the two candidates was more than evident. Imagine what it will be like when they are indeed head-to-head in the three debates beginning on September 26th. Expect Trump to come up with some one-liner responses to Clinton's continued assertions that he is unqualified for the presidency. Expect Clinton to bring up some more eye opening doomsday scenario accusations against Trump. And if the polls stay this close, we might as well bet on the debates being R-rated along the lines of the raucous GOP debates during the primary season. Stay tuned. watch now The residents of the Russian city of Norilsk, inside the Arctic Circle, have been posting photos on social media of an alarming sight: a bright red river. Is it the End Times, a chemical leak, or something else? The Russian authorities have already started an investigation into the matter, and they're looking at a local metals plant as the possible culprit. Norilsk is a heavily polluted industrial city and it's home to Norilsk Nickel, a mining giant that has a nickel smelting plant upstream. Russia's natural resources and environment ministry said that the blood red color was possibly caused by a "break in a Norilsk Nickel slurry pipe," according to The Guardian's translation of the Russian press release. And experts say the Russian authorities are probably looking in the right direction. "That's a very typical color for a mine waste," says David Chambers, the president of the Center for Science in Public Participation and a mining expert. He hasn't visited or tested the site himself, but he has seen the same photos that have taken the internet by storm. The bright red color is probably due to the oxidized iron contained in the waste, says Chambers. It's not clear what kind of nickel processing was used at the metals plant, Chambers says, but it's known that some types of high-temperature or pressure oxidation processes turn any sulfide minerals into iron oxide. If mixed with water, the waste turns it bright red. It's also possible that the ore processed for the nickel also contains high amounts of iron, which is then discarded as waste. In this case, the iron-rich waste could have ended up in the river, turning it red, says Ronald Cohen, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. The same has happened multiple times in Sudbury, Ontario, Cohen says, where a local nickel factory has sometimes turned a nearby river a very similar bright red. Oleg Nikishin | Getty Images If it really is a chemical leak, the town is in danger. Water with high concentrations of mine waste can be toxic, depending on what types of chemicals seep into the water and at what concentrations. "When that color is that red, then that isn't water that you want to drink and that is not water you want to use for irrigational water, and you don't want your livestock to drink it either," Cohen says. There won't be much authorities will be able to do in terms of cleaning the river either, experts say. They will just have to wait for it to clear out, so that the metals dilute enough to make the water safe again. That could take hours or days, depending on the concentrations of metals, Cohen says. This is not the first time that the city of Norilsk sees its river run red. Some social media users commented that the same had happened in June, according to The Guardian. And some point to the metals plant as the likely culprit, ABC News reports. Norilsk Nickel has denied any wrongdoing and has stated that the color of the Daldykan river doesn't look different from "its usual condition," according to Russian news agency RIA Novosti (by way of The Guardian's translation). However, the company said it was going to slow down manufacturing at the plant, The Guardian reports. Photo credit: SOS DeWITT, N.Y. Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists (SOS) announced it recently hired Dr. Michael G. Fitzgerald to its hand & wrist and shoulder teams. He is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the upper extremity including trauma, arthritis, tendinopathies, soft tissue disorders, nerve compression disorders, and ligamentous injuries, according to a news release from SOS. Prior to joining SOS, Dr. Fitzgerald completed a fellowship at the Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center in Indianapolis. Before that, he completed his orthopedic residency at the University of Vermont Medical Center. Fitzgerald earned a bachelors degree in science from Le Moyne College and his medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University. Contact The Business Journal News Network at news@cnybj.com CARTHAGE, N.Y. Carthage Area Hospital and McCue Dental have reached an agreement to transition ownership of the Carthage Community Dental Clinic to McCue Dental, effective Sept. 19. McCue Dental purchased usable dental equipment from Carthage Area Hospital and will rent the space from the hospital, Taylour Lynn Scanlin, the hospitals marketing director, said in an email response to a BJNN inquiry. All staff remain, Scanlin added. No financial terms of the deal were announced. Carthage Area Hospital said in a recent news release that the ever-changing landscape of healthcare prompted the health-care organization to evaluate its operations to ensure the community is receiving essential services and that the hospital remains financially strong. This mutually-beneficial acquisition allows for dental services to be continually provided to the local community, Rich Duvall, CEO of Carthage Area Hospital, said in the release. Dr. Thomas McCue IV, owner of McCue Dental, said he believes the transition is a positive alternative. There are so many people that need help. With this acquisition, we are improving access to care, McCue said. McCue Dental offers general dentistry and provides a full range of dental services for adults and children starting at age 2. It operates dental offices in Carthage, Watertown, Philadelphia (a Jefferson County village), Pulaski, and Brewerton, according to its website. McCue acquired its locations in Watertown, Philadelphia, Pulaski, and Brewerton from former dental providers, according to the Carthage Area Hospital release. Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com Olamide is definitely keeping true to his dreams of making Kings from everyday people whove got unique talent. The YBNL Boss revealed that he will always sign new artistes and would do his best to make superstars out of them. Olamide recently showed off his new signeee, Davolee who is a fierce rapper just like the YBNL boss. 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 Missouri football's Brady Cook 'deserves to be praised' after upset win Missouri quarterback Brady Cook has taken criticism all season. On Saturday night, he led the Tigers to an upset road win at South Carolina. Baptist Memorial Health Care Corp. provided this rendering of a new Crittenden County hospital that Baptist will operate in West Memphis. SHARE By Kevin McKenzie of The Commercial Appeal Crittenden County and Baptist Memorial Health Care officials on Wednesday held a ground-breaking ceremony for a $25 million hospital in West Memphis. Here are five things to know: The hospital is forecast to open in early to mid-2018. Crittenden County voters in March approved using a 1-cent sales tax for five years to finance construction. Baptist will operate the hospital and employ its staff. With about 50,000 square feet, the hospital site is at 2100 N. Seventh Street in West Memphis, south of Interstate 40. The hospital services will include an emergency room, cancer care, imaging and diagnostics. SHARE Raymond Kelly By Kayleigh Skinner of The Commercial Appeal Controversy over the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission's hiring of former New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly continued Wednesday when a petition was created demanding that the group sever its ties with him. Community activist Tami Sawyer said she created the petition to respond to what she believes is a "troublesome hire." "I took what I felt was the community's reaction and put it on paper," Sawyer said. By Thursday afternoon, the petition had 220 signatures. The Crime Commission hired Kelly and his consulting firm K2 Intelligence in July. The news became public last week when commission president Bill Gibbons confirmed the hire to The Commercial Appeal. "We demand that the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission and the City of Memphis sever ties with Raymond Kelly and that no recommendations from him or his firm are implemented by the city or the police department," the petition reads. During his tenure in New York, Kelly used data-driven policing and the broken windows concept, in which officers targeted small crimes to help neighborhoods. But it was his use of use of the stop-and-frisk method, which gives officers authority to stop people they consider suspicious and frisk them for weapons or contraband, drew the most controversy during his time as commissioner. In a podcast with The Commercial Appeal last month, Police Director Michael Rallings said all avenues would be considered, but later said the department was not considering stop and frisk as a tactic. "I think it's a discriminatory practice," Sawyer said. "We are at a time where a relationship needs to be built between the community and police." On Wednesday, Gibbons told reporters that the practice was "misapplied and misunderstood" and the tactic had yet to even come up in conversation with Kelly. A statement posted to the Operation Safe Community Facebook page on behalf of the commission stated members will continue to discuss best practices with Kelly and other experts. "It is the mission of the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission to review best practices regarding the violent crime challenges we face as a community. That includes having discussions with experts from all over the country, including Ray Kelly and his team," the post read. Gibbons echoed that sentiment when reached by phone Thursday afternoon. "What we're trying to do is identify best practices to reduce crime in our community, especially given the fact that we're trying to develop a new plan," Gibbons said. "New York City is an example of a success story in reducing crime and we very much appreciate any insight that Ray Kelly can give us. We're seeking advice from others as well." "Bringing the outside policies of Raymond Kelly, a man known to have racial bias in his policing tactics ... is not the holistic approach that Memphis needs to tackle its issues," the petition reads. The petition, listed on change.org, states it will be delivered to Gibbons and commission vice president of community engagement Harold Collins, commission chair Ben Adams, Rallings, Mayor Jim Strickland, and Blair Taylor, executive director of Memphis Tomorrow. "I'm sure that you really do want to make Memphis a safer place, but this isn't the way to do that," Sawyer said, referring to Rallings. "Who are you making this safer for? It's not safer for the kids and adults who will be profiled." Noura Jackson, seen here in May 2015, is seeking her mother's estate. Jackson was released from prison in August after entering an Alford Plea of guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the 2005 stabbing death of her mother. (Mark Weber/The Commercial Appeal) By Marc Perrusquia of The Commercial Appeal A month after her release from prison, Noura Jackson is locked in another legal fight a battle for her mother's $1.5 million estate. The woman prosecutors accused in a sensational trial of stabbing her mother to death now is wrangling in Shelby County Probate Court with an uncle and two aunts who say she should get nothing. The trio of relatives argues in court papers that Tennessee's "Slayer Statute'' disqualifies Jackson, an only child, from inheriting the money, which they contend should pass to them. Yet Jackson maintains as she has from the start in 2005 as an 18-year-old murder defendant that she's innocent. Her attorneys say this isn't a fight over money as much Jackson's hope to finally get the fair trial she was denied in Criminal Court. "Our interest is restoring Noura's reputation,'' attorney Michael R. Working said of the case before Probate Court Judge Kathleen N. Gomes. Working says his client was wrongfully prosecuted for the killing of mother Jennifer S. Jackson and he aims to prove it. "Somebody else's blood, somebody else's DNA, was on Jennifer Jackson's body The only way we're going to know who that was is if the TBI (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation) decides to identify that person,'' said Working, asserting he will subpoena such details if needed. Legal papers filed since Jackson's Aug. 7 release show both sides are gearing up for what essentially amounts to a civil retrial of the woman prosecutors say stabbed her mother more than 50 times in a rage after she was told to rein in her partying and finish high school. "It is requested that Noura Grace Jackson admit the truth,'' reads the start of a series of formal questions, called interrogatories, put to Jackson. In a sworn answer filed Aug. 16 nine days after her release from prison Jackson admits buying wound-treatment products at Walgreen's in the hours after her mother's death but denies other assertions, including giving conflicting stories about a cut on her hand. Asked to produce photographs and a video from that night, Jackson's attorneys wrote, "All of her possessions fit in a small cardboard box about the size of a shoe box, and small trash bag as of one week ago. Photographs and video of June 5, 2005 were not among her possessions.'' The probate case has been open for years pending criminal appeals by Jackson but it intensified last year after the Tennessee Supreme Court vacated Jackson's 2009 conviction for second-degree murder. The high court found prosecutors omitted evidence and that Dist. Atty. Amy Weirich made impermissible comments to the jury in closing arguments. The decision led to Jackson's May 2015 plea to voluntary manslaughter, a move that shaved seven years off her expected jail time. A month after the plea, uncle Eric Sherwood and aunts Cynthia J. Eidson and Grace J. France filed a motion in Probate Court to foreclose Jackson's interest and distribute the estate's assets to them. "As a result of pleading guilty to killing her mother, Noura Jackson forfeited her inheritance,'' the siblings said in a pleading filed by attorneys Beth W. Bradley, Joe M. Duncan and Eric Plumley. The siblings and their attorneys could not be immediately reached for comment Thursday. Jennifer Jackson died without a will. Her siblings argue state law bars Noura Jackson from an inheritance and that the estate should pass to them. But Jackson, 29, countered by saying she only pleaded guilty because it was in her best interest, not because she is in fact guilty. She argues in court papers she entered her so-called Alford plea after prosecutors telegraphed they would "indefinitely delay'' a second trial, keeping her behind bars as they pursued appeals. Judge Gomes denied the siblings' motion last fall, finding that such a ruling couldn't be made without a full hearing in which evidence from both sides is weighed. A scheduling order entered by Gomes gives both parties until Oct. 31 to designate expert witnesses they intend to call at trial and until Nov. 15 to identify rebuttal witnesses. A tentative trial date is set for Jan. 23. September 8, 2016 - Memphis' Fourth Bluff was selected for a $5 million grant, foreshadowing a $10 million investment in the area between the Mississippi River and Court Square in Downtown. Along the riverfront, the historic Cossitt Library, Memphis Park, and Mississippi River Park will be revitalized and transformed through a grant by the National Initiative to Reimagine the Civic Commons. (Stan Carroll/The Commercial Appeal) SHARE September 8, 2016 - The promenade along the Memphis' Fourth Bluff offers up a scenic vista for everyone to enjoy. The Fourth Bluff project received a $5 million grant from Reimagining the Civic Commons, a partnership of four national foundations. (Stan Carroll/The Commercial Appeal) September 8, 2016 - A visitor to Memphis Park enjoys a moment of solitude Thursday afternoon. (Stan Carroll/The Commercial Appeal) By Ryan Poe of The Commercial Appeal An underused stretch of public land in the heart of Downtown Memphis could get new life thanks in part to a private grant announced by the city Thursday. Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and grants administrator Maria Fuhrmann were in Philadelphia to accept a $5 million grant that will help launch a project to connect the city's riverfront to the rest of Downtown. Over the next three years, a public-private partnership will revitalize and better connect the public spaces in a small but highly visible area they call the "Fourth Bluff" referring to the Chickasaw Bluffs that overlook the Mississippi River in West Tennessee bordered by the riverfront, Monroe, Jefferson and Court Square, and including the Cossitt Library and University of Memphis law school. "That's a great opportunity for us to connect the riverfront with the rest of Downtown," said Downtown Memphis Commission President Terence Patterson. The city, private sources and nonprofits will match the $5 million grant administered by Innovate Memphis, a privately funded group that partners with the city. Innovate Memphis will work with University of Memphis law school, Riverfront Development Corp. and Downtown Memphis Commission, among others, on the project. The grant is one of three awarded by a partnership of The JPB Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation as part of a program called Reimagining the Civic Commons. Other cities to receive grants were Chicago, Detroit and Akron, Ohio. A big piece of the project will be attracting residents from across Memphis' neighborhoods and economic circumstances to foster new and creative ideas for the city, Strickland said in a statement Thursday. New signage and public events at the Cossitt Library which is in use but partially vacant and Memphis Park a blufftop collection of monuments formerly known as Confederate Park began popping up in April. Megan Higgins, Innovate Memphis project manager, said the programming that will accompany the revitalization hasn't been decided yet, but will be "free or affordable," and family-friendly, like the free-to-enter pop-up beer garden event Fourth Bluff Fridays, happening again at 4:30 p.m. Friday in Memphis Park. Some of the ideas that could be implemented are grilling stations, a playground and an outdoor recreation area at Mississippi River Park; reading gardens, a cafe, public art, and workforce and social service stations at Cossitt Library; more outdoor furniture and public art on the Promenade and at Memphis Park; and art and retail along a redesigned path between Memphis Park and Court Square. Memphis hasn't capitalized on its riverfronts the way other cities have, but when it has like at Tom Lee Park the economic development swiftly followed, said Riverfront Development Corp. President Benny Lendermon. Especially on the northern end of Downtown, the riverfront is cut off from the central business district by rows of old, often unattractive buildings, many of which are parking garages. But that could change after the Fourth Bluff project, he said. "It's no longer a black hole," Lendermon said, envisioning the finished project. "Now, it's a people-attractor." Editor and columnist Chris Herrington contributed to this story. SHARE Steve McManus By Joel Ebert, USA TODAY NETWORK Tennessee Shortly after state lawmakers officially reconvene for a special legislative session on Monday, a small group of officials will continue their discussions with health care experts as they work on a Medicaid expansion plan. Members of the the 3-Star Healthy Task Force, which formed in June, will meet with officials from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine on Monday, Rep. Steve McManus, R-Cordova, told members of a legislative committee meeting on Wednesday, McManus fielded questions from Reps. David Shepard, D-Dickson, and Ron Travis, R-Dayton, before praising the work of the task force. "I think it's coming along pretty well," said McManus, who added that there are several unanswered questions about the proposed health care plan, including how much funding the state would receive from the federal government. "That's going to be answered specifically," he said. On Thursday, Rep. Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, who serves as chair of the health care committee, confirmed the upcoming meeting, which he said is scheduled to take place at Tennessee Tower at 3:30 p.m. Sexton said the gathering is contingent on whether the House takes up a resolution to expel Rep. Jeremy Durham, R-Franklin. Lawmakers will return to Nashville on Monday for a three-day legislative session in an effort to undo a DUI law that threatened to prevent Tennessee from receiving $60 million in federal highway funding. During the session, the House is expected to vote on ousting Durham, who has been the subject of investigations by The Tennessean and the state attorney general and is accused of inappropriate sexual contact with at least 22 women. The health care task force last met in mid-August, when lawmakers heard from TennCare chief Dr. Wendy Long and Melinda Buntin, chair of the Department of Health Policy at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Their discussion largely focused on solidifying the exact types of "circuit breakers," or enrollment thresholds, and components, that they want to play a major role in the plan, which was presented to officials from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services officials in June. The overall plan calls for a two-phase approach that would begin with providing free health care throughout the state for those with "a qualifying diagnosis of a mental illness" or proof of honorable discharge from the U.S. military and making up to 138 percent over the poverty level roughly $16,000 for an individual and $27,000 for a family of three. The second phase would be open to anyone making up to 138 percent of the poverty level and would only begin if an analysis of the first phase was deemed a success. The analysis could include costs per member, the number of enrollees and health outcomes, as well as the utilization of emergency rooms and primary care physicians. Federal officials must approve the state's plan before lawmakers will be given an opportunity to vote on it, which Sexton and others have said could come as soon as next year. Despite the ongoing effort, Rep. Craig Fitzhugh, D-Ripley, told a legislative committee on Wednesday that he would prefer to stick to Insure Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam's plan to use federal funds to expand health insurance access to hundreds of thousands of low-income Tennesseans, which failed to generate support in the legislature last year. Fitzhugh, who was trying to advance a bill he introduced during the 2016 session that would have allowed a question about Medicaid expansion on the November general election ballot, said one of the major problems with the 3-Star Healthy Task Force's plan is that, from what he understood, federal authorities could only give the state a two-to-one funding match. By contrast, Fitzhugh said Insure Tennessee would have had the federal government provide the state a nine-to-one funding match. Although the legislative committee discussed Fitzhugh's bill, which was sent to summer study earlier this year, no action was taken on it. SHARE David Caywood By Jody Callahan of The Commercial Appeal By Jody Callahan callahan@commercialappeal.com 901-529-6531 One of his earliest cases in Memphis had such a profound effect on David Caywood that it changed the course of the attorneys life, family members said Thursday. Mr. Caywood was a young lawyer with the Burch, Porter and Johnson firm them, having moved to Memphis after graduating from Vanderbilt law school. Noted attorney Lucius Burch also Mr. Caywoods father-in-law was working closely with the local civil-rights movement in the midst of the sanitation strike in 1968. Burch drafted his son-in-law to help, and the pair met with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his room at the Lorraine Motel the day before King was assassinated in 1968. Sometimes the things early in your career have the greatest effect on your life down the road. Being a young man from Central Kentucky dropped in the civil-rights cauldron of Memphis, Tennessee, would have an effect on you, said his son, David Caywood Jr. He made good on it. He loved people. He was a big defender of right and wrong. He didnt care what side of the tracks you came from. He cared about right and wrong. Mr. Caywood, who practiced law for more than 50 years, died Wednesday after suffering a stroke a few weeks earlier. He was 79. He just commanded respect. When he talked in the courtroom, he got everybodys attention. He said things with conviction and was honest, said Leslie Ballin, who faced off against Mr. Caywood in one of his early cases. Great lawyer. After that early involvement in the civil-rights movement, Mr. Caywood worked his way into what is now called family law. Back then, though, he and others who practiced that were simply called divorce lawyers. Mr. Caywood didnt always like the path hed chosen, though, his son said. It was very lucrative, and he was good at it, Caywood Jr. said. He got the reputation of being good. There were times when I think he wished he had a practice outside family law. Later in life he was proud of the road he took. But early on, there were times of doubt. Doubts or no, Mr. Caywood was one of the best in the city at it. He took part in numerous high-profile cases, including those involving former state senator John Ford. He was also the lawyer for Holly Mullins, who was attempting to divorce her husband, FedEx pilot Mike Mullins. In 1991, Holly Mullins was found in a burning van in DeSoto County. She had been beaten to death. Her husband was charged in the killing, but was ultimately acquitted. Attorney-client privilege no longer exists after the client passes away, Mr. Caywoods son said. So Dad was able to testify for the prosecution. He was able to admit in court that Holly feared for her life. Another attorney who squared off with Mr. Caywood in the courtroom chose to remember him another way Wednesday, one that might bring a smile to those who remember the old divorce lawyer. He was a presence in the courtroom, Randy Fishman said. He was a guys guy outside the courtroom, so to speak. He enjoyed the outdoors. He liked to fish. He liked to hunt. He didnt mind having a drink every once in a while, on days that end in Y. Hell be missed by the bar. Funeral arrangements were incomplete Wednesday. One of his earliest cases in Memphis had such a profound effect on David Caywood that it changed the course of the attorneys life, family members said Thursday. Mr. Caywood was a young lawyer with the Burch, Porter and Johnson firm them, having moved to Memphis after graduating from Vanderbilt law school. Noted attorney Lucius Burch also Mr. Caywoods father-in-law was working closely with the local civil-rights movement in the midst of the sanitation strike in 1968. Burch drafted his son-in-law to help, and the pair met with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his room at the Lorraine Motel the day before King was assassinated in 1968. Sometimes the things early in your career have the greatest effect on your life down the road. Being a young man from Central Kentucky dropped in the civil-rights cauldron of Memphis, Tennessee, would have an effect on you, said his son, David Caywood Jr. He made good on it. He loved people. He was a big defender of right and wrong. He didnt care what side of the tracks you came from. He cared about right and wrong. Mr. Caywood, who practiced law for more than 50 years, died Wednesday after suffering a stroke a few weeks earlier. He was 79. He just commanded respect. When he talked in the courtroom, he got everybodys attention. He said things with conviction and was honest, said Leslie Ballin, who faced off against Mr. Caywood in one of his early cases. Great lawyer. After that early involvement in the civil-rights movement, Mr. Caywood worked his way into what is now called family law. Back then, though, he and others who practiced that were simply called divorce lawyers. Mr. Caywood didnt always like the path hed chosen, though, his son said. It was very lucrative, and he was good at it, Caywood Jr. said. He got the reputation of being good. There were times when I think he wished he had a practice outside family law. Later in life he was proud of the road he took. But early on, there were times of doubt. Doubts or no, Mr. Caywood was one of the best in the city at it. He took part in numerous high-profile cases, including those involving former state senator John Ford. He was also the lawyer for Holly Mullins, who was attempting to divorce her husband, FedEx pilot Mike Mullins. In 1991, Holly Mullins was found in a burning van in DeSoto County. She had been beaten to death. Her husband was charged in the killing, but was ultimately acquitted. Attorney-client privilege no longer exists after the client passes away, Mr. Caywoods son said. So Dad was able to testify for the prosecution. He was able to admit in court that Holly feared for her life. Another attorney who squared off with Mr. Caywood in the courtroom chose to remember him another way Wednesday, one that might bring a smile to those who remember the old divorce lawyer. He was a presence in the courtroom, Randy Fishman said. He was a guys guy outside the courtroom, so to speak. He enjoyed the outdoors. He liked to fish. He liked to hunt. He didnt mind having a drink every once in a while, on days that end in Y. Hell be missed by the bar. Funeral arrangements were incomplete Wednesday. SHARE By Noah Feldman The defamation lawsuit that Roger Ailes' lawyer is threatening against New York magazine would seem to have no chance of legal success. So why has the former chairman of Fox News bothered to hire the lawyer who brought down Gawker on behalf of Hulk Hogan? The answer is that the threat puts the magazine on the defensive and that's a problem for free speech. The First Amendment has been interpreted to protect even defamatory speech against public figures. But as the Hogan case shows, not every court applies the constitutional standard correctly. In that environment, even legally empty threats have a chilling effect. First, the law: Under the landmark 1964 New York Times v. Sullivan decision, a libel case against a public figure can only succeed if the defamatory statements are both false and made with actual malice. Malice means that either the publication knew the statements were false or else recklessly disregarded the truth. There's no way Ailes can satisfy this standard. New York magazine's reporting on his involvement in sexual harassment has already been validated by multiple on-the-record sources, including, most prominently, Gretchen Carlson, who just got a $20 million settlement from Fox. In other words, the reporting is true. And even if some details turned out to be inaccurate, they won't have been fabricated or published with reckless disregard for their falsehood, since they would be part of the pattern of harassment that the magazine set out to document. On the surface, then, the magazine is precisely the kind of media defendant supposed to be protected by the Sullivan precedent. Strictly speaking, there's no successful lawsuit possible. Thus, whatever the explanation for Ailes retaining the attorney Charles Harder, it isn't that Ailes expects to win his case in court. Harder, who has written to the magazine to ask it to preserve correspondence relevant to Ailes in anticipation of a future suit, is unlikely to be worried about wasting his time. Simply being mentioned in connection with Ailes has garnered major publicity for the lawyer. Ask yourself, did you remember the name of the lawyer who represented Hulk Hogan before now? I didn't, and I've written about the case a couple of times. Nor is Harder likely to be worried about harming his reputation by hinting at a lawsuit he couldn't possibly win. All he's done so far is send a letter that says a lawsuit is possible. If and when that suit ever materializes, there won't be any consequences for him. Ailes, of course, is trying to change the subject from his misdeeds to the magazine's decision to write about them. There's nothing inherently wrong with that trick, cheap though it may be. What's worrisome is that Ailes is also trying to put New York magazine on the defensive by making its editors and executives worry that they might become vulnerable in the same way that Gawker did. The case against Gawker should never have made it to a jury. Yet the trial judge allowed the case to reach a verdict, which an intermediate Florida appellate court declined to strike down. Technically, Hogan sued for breach of privacy, not defamation. He can't deny that he appeared in the sex tape that was made public by Gawker. The reason the verdict hasn't yet been struck down is that the Supreme Court hasn't directly held that the New York Times v. Sullivan standard applies to lawsuits for public disclosure of private facts. The Florida judges must know this; but they're exploiting the temporary gap in Supreme Court precedent to punish online media because they prefer a climate of greater privacy. Ailes' threatened lawsuit is an excellent piece of evidence as to why the Gawker verdict was not simply wrong, but also highly dangerous. It's no coincidence that Ailes hired the same lawyer Hogan used. The association is intentional. That's the essence of a chilling effect on free speech. Every media outlet that wants to bring a public figure into disrepute however accurately must now stop and think about whether it's worth it to face the risk of a lawsuit. Ailes can't put the genie back in the bottle in his own case. But by his maneuver, intended in his own case only to change the subject and shift the strategic balance, he's doing damage to free speech. You might be sympathetic to Hogan on the plausible theory that what you do in the bedroom should be private. But Ailes' possible suit shows why free speech must outweigh Hogan's privacy interests. When courts tolerate severe limits on what the media can say about public figures, the free press itself is threatened. Noah Feldman is a Bloomberg View columnist. Ireland will join Apple in appealing the European Commissions finding that Apple owes the country more than US$14 billion in back taxes. The Dail, Irelands parliament, voted 93 to 36 late Wednesday night to file an appeal against the ruling, which came out last week. The government is now set to ask the EC to reverse its ruling, which said Irelands tax treatment of Apple from 2003 to 2014 was illegal and distorted competition. Ireland could stand to gain 13 billion ($14.5 billion) in tax revenue from the ruling, but government officials and lawmakers said imposing the tax would hurt the countrys reputation as a good place to do business. After a two-year investigation, the EC concluded that Apple paid just 500 per million euros in profit in 2003 and that rate fell to 50 per million in 2014. Apple is one of the most prominent multinational companies operating in Ireland, a country that has done much to attract foreign direct investment in recent decades. Apple has about 6,000 employees in the country and has vowed not to stop or reduce its investment there as a result of the tax ruling. Georges Boulougouris/EU Margrethe Vestager, Europe's Competition commissioner, speaks at a Brussels press conference on August 30, 2016, held to announce the results of an investigation into tax breaks between Ireland and Apple. After an hours-long debate on Wednesday, monitored via webcast, lawmakers voted down several amendments that would have halted or delayed the appeal. The final vote was finished around 10 p.m. local time, shortly after Apple had wrapped up its iPhone 7 launch event in San Francisco. Irish leaders who pushed for the appeal said that going back on the tax treatment Apple received in past years would scare off other foreign employers. The ECs decision was based on rules that didnt even exist at the time, they said. Uncertainty frightens investors and delays investment, said Mary Mitchell OConnor, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and a member of the Dail. Opponents objected to the country fighting a ruling that could add billions to the governments coffers. "None of that is going to be made available to the poor, hard-pressed citizens of this country, but instead you choose to don the green jersey, roll your sleeves up, and go out to bat for a multinational corporation," said Dail member Louise OReilly. Apple CEO Tim Cook last week called the EC decision "total political crap," saying both Apple and Ireland had played by the rules. The ECs decision has come under fire in the U.S. as well as in Ireland. If Apple has to pay the back taxes to Ireland, it could deduct those payments from what it owes in U.S. taxes, meaning Americans would pay the price, the Obama administration said last week. To the old legal presumption of innocence until proven guilty, the European Union's highest court has added another: innocence until proven profitable. It's OK for websites to hyperlink to an image published elsewhere without the rights holder's permission -- as long as they don't know that, and don't make a profit from it, the Court of Justice of the EU ruled on Thursday. The ruling concerned Dutch website GeenStijl, accused by Playboy of linking to an Australian website that published, without the magazine's permission, a photoshoot it had commissioned with Dutch TV personality Britt Dekker. Playboy's lawyers wrote to GeenStijl asking it to remove the link, but it refused -- and published a new link to another website hosting the photos without permission when they were removed from the Australian site. When the pictures disappeared from that site too, GeenStijl allowed its forum users to link to the photos on other sites. Playboy took its accusation that GeenStijl infringed its copyright all the way to the Supreme Court of the Netherlands, which in turn called on the CJEU to rule on a number of legal questions. The Dutch court asked whether hyperlinking to copyright-protected material published without permission of the rights holder is the same as publishing the material -- a "communication to the public" in the words of the EU's 2001 Copyright Directive -- and whether it made a difference if the material in question had not previously been published by the rights holder. It also wanted to know whether knowing the material had not previously been published by the rights holder or was published without the rights holder's permission made a difference to the legality of the hyperlinker's actions. In April, the CJEU's Advocate General, Melchior Wathelet, opined that hyperlinking was legal in all the situations raised by the Dutch court, whether or not the images were published without permission -- but his view was only advisory, and not binding on the CJEU. Thursday's ruling from the CJEU is more nuanced. It concluded that hyperlinks to images published without permission should be considered a communication to the public "when those links are provided without the pursuit of financial gain by a person who did not know or could not reasonably have known the illegal nature of the publication of those works on that other website." On the other hand, when the links are provided for financial gain, it must be assumed that the linker knew or could reasonably have known of the illegal nature of the linked images, the CJEU concluded. That's good news for hobby bloggers across the EU, who won't need to consult a lawyer before hyperlinking unless they profit from ads on their websites. And it's good news for the lawyers, who can expect a little extra business from the likes of GeenStijl. The Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA), on the other hand, saw only bad news in the ruling. The lobby group, which counts Amazon.com, eBay, Google, Microsoft and Yahoo among its members, said the ruling was an attack on the freedom to hyperlink. "Copyright has to be protected online. However, the Court's attempt to punish bad actors has made copyright law more complicated for everyone. In tune with the opinion of the Advocate General, we remain convinced that hyperlinks are better understood as mere road signs on our Internet highways. They should have nothing to do with copyright law. The Court missed the opportunity to clarify that once and for all," said Jakob Kucharczyk, director of CCIA Europe. Meanwhile, the ball is back in the Dutch Supreme Court to make the final ruling in the case, based on the CJEU's judgment. IBM is making headlines with its quantum computing research and brain-like chip called TrueNorth, but it also is bringing interesting technologies to its current Power server lineup. Inside IBM's new S822LC server for high-performance computing is a new interconnect that gives a five-fold speed boost to communication between a CPU and graphics processor. The interconnect is based on Nvidia's homegrown NVLink technology, which has been in the works for years. IBM's two-socket server, which is based on Power8 CPUs, is among the first available with the interconnect. NVLink is essentially an upgrade to PCI-Express 3.0, which has been used for communication between a GPU and other components in a system. Nvidia has built GPUs based on its new Pascal architecture that support NVLink, while IBM has added support for the NVLink I/O bus, called NVBus, in its chip. IBM is among the first hardware vendors to ship an NVLink-compatible server. Nvidia has said x86 servers from companies like Dell, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Cray will ship next year. Nvidia is already shipping a homegrown server called DGX-1 -- which has eight Tesla P100 GPUs -- with the NVLink interface. It is priced at a whopping $129,000. Servers are using GPUs as co-processors to speed up applications, and a faster pipe to the CPU speeds up processing. Faster processing helps run databases, as well as fraud detection and engineering-related applications, said Dylan Boday, senior offering manager for Linux on Power infrastructures at IBM. A good example of an application that will benefit is Kinetica, an in-memory database application that harnesses the computing power of GPUs. The application is designed to work with the NVLink interconnect, Boday said. For now, only the Tesla P100 GPU will take advantage of the screaming NVLink data transfer speeds, and up to four GPUs can be plugged in the 2U server. The Linux server also has a PCI-Express 3.0 interconnect for other GPUs. The two-socket Power server supports up to 20 CPU cores and 1TB of memory, and it has storage slots for hard drives and SSDs. It also has three PCI-Express slots. It has another interface called CAPI (coherent accelerator processor interface) for attaching custom chips like FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays) and custom chips. IBM didn't provide a price for the server. The server will ship worldwide this month. The Power8 server has the first version of NVLink. IBM plans to release Power9 chips and servers next year with support for NVLink 2.0, which will be significantly faster. IBM on Thursday also announced the two-socket S822LC for Big Data server, which doesn't have the NVLink interface, but supports up to Nvidia K80 GPUs based on the older Kepler architecture. It supports up to 20 CPU cores, up to 512GB of memory, and 96TB storage in multiple slots. It also has five PCI-Express 3.0 and four CAPI slots. Florida man Nathan Dornacher, who had his Galaxy Note 7 for only four days, didnt know Samsung had issued a recall until his phone exploded and the resulting fire totaled his Jeep Grand Cherokee. Fox 13 reported that while the family unloaded a desk from the Jeep and carried it inside, Dornacher left his Note 7 charging in the SUV when it blew up like a ticking time bomb. The beloved and heavily modified Jeep was roasted toasty as in completely totaled. Insurance will reportedly cover the vehicle but not the thousands of dollars in modifications put into the SUV. Dornacher, formerly an Apple fanboy, said he switched from iPhones to Note smartphones and has had every new Note since then. He didnt know about the battery-fire risk, saying he had been enjoying the phone without any issues for four days. He told Fox, The last thought in my head is that a brand new device something as simple as a phone is going to burn down my car or my house or hurt a family member. Now that his ride is trashed, he said he doesnt feel inclined to let another Samsung product into his home. Exploding Note 7 in Australian hotel room Samsung claimed that just 24 in every one million units are at risk of catching fire and that, as of September 1, there had been 35 phones with battery cell issues. However, a burning Note 7 in an Australian hotel room, which caused nearly $1,400 in damages, makes at least 36 cases. The phones owner said, My brand new Note 7 exploded this morning while I was still asleep; it was plugged in and charging. The phone was fried and the hotel room bed sheets and carpet were charred as the owner whacked the burning phone to the floor, burning a finger while doing so. Another exploding Note 7 in Florida home Another exploding Note 7, also in Florida, reportedly burned the owners hand before he dropped the phone on a nearby table as it finished burning. The owners friend, who posted images of the destroyed phone and partially melted tabletop, said he didnt believe the phone was charging at the time. If true, that makes 37 times a Note 7 has caught fire and the totaled Jeep makes at least 38. Regarding the totaled Jeep, a Samsung spokesperson told Fox 13 News: We are aware of the incident and we are working with Mr. Dornacher to investigate his case and ensure we do everything we can for him. Consumer safety is Samsung's highest priority. With regard to the Galaxy Note7, we are asking owners to take advantage of the Product Exchange Program announced on Friday of last week. The program offers Note7 owners the opportunity to exchange the phone for a new one. More details on the program can be found at http://www.samsung.com/us/note7exchange/. 3 airlines ban Galaxy Note 7 usage; FAA considering ban Notice that Samsung talks about an exchange, not a recall. That lack of a proper and official recall has caused problems for the FAA; Gizmodo reported that the agency would have banned the Note 7 if Samsung had recalled the phones the right way. The FAA and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration are working on guidance related to this issue, an FAA spokesperson told Gizmodo. If the device is recalled by the manufacturer, airline crew and passengers will not be able to bring recalled batteries or electronics that contain recalled batteries in the cabin of an aircraft, or in carry-on and checked baggage. If banned, will the TSA start inspecting each persons phone to determine if it is a Note 7? Meanwhile, three Australian airlines are not waiting on Samsung to officially recall the phones; Reuters reported, Qantas, its budget unit Jetstar and Virgin Australia have banned passengers from using or charging Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Note 7 smartphones during flights due to concerns over the phone's fire-prone batteries. Warning signs before Note 7 catches fire? For Note 7 owners worried about spontaneous combustion, a discussion on Reddit pointed out that none of the phones are actually exploding when the battery catches fire. As for warning signs before the Note blows up, one commenter claimed owners allegedly might first hear a popping sound almost like popcorn in a microwave; but many phones may not even do that before fizzling and starting to burn. For Robert Hurt, some of his earliest memories are of sitting with his dad in their den watching the original Star Trek and dreaming of space travel and astronomy. Now 50 years later, Hurt is a physicist working at the California Institute of Technology on NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, peering deep into areas of space that have always been hidden from us. Like Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the starship USS Enterprise, Hurt is a space explorer. After Star Trek first aired - 50 years ago today - on Sept. 8, 1966, people could envision a time when the human race would explore space and "boldly go where no man (or woman) has gone before." The show, which ran for three seasons, also began to inspire those kids in PJs or hanging out with friends watching Kirk and Mr. Spock meet aliens and explore distant planets. For many researchers today, their passion for science was fed by the original series, along with the later spin-offs and movies that followed. Robert Hurt Robert Hurt, a physicist working at the California Institute of Technology. "It really fueled our interests," said Hurt, adding that there's a good chance he wouldn't be a scientist today without Star Trek's inspiration. "One of the things that was most formative for me as a child was that...with Star Trek, science isn't something we fear. The second in command of the Enterprise was the science officer. That was a really powerful symbol growing up. Science doesn't create monsters. Science is what we use to face problems and solve problems." That original show has been followed by five more TV series, including The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager. And the franchise isn't dormant. A seventh television series, Discovery, is expected to begin airing on CBS All Access in January. There also have been 13 Star Trek films, including this year's latest movie Star Trek Beyond. All served to create a mythology around space exploration, multi-cultural diversity and cooperation and an optimism around science. John Smith, who does trajectory design for outer planets missions at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said Star Trek was one of the very first shows he can remember watching as a kid. It influenced his career, as well as his outlook on life. John Smith John Smith, who does trajectory design for outer planets missions at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. "It drove me towards aerospace engineering," Smith said, noting that he's seen each of the original episodes at least a dozen times. "For that time period, there were few shows that reflected the optimism and the acceptance that was present in that show.... It was very revolutionary for the day and it was present throughout Star Trek." For Lee Sheldon, who today is a professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) but was a writer and producer on the fourth season of The Next Generation, it was important to carry the message that science is cool and important throughout the different series. Lee Sheldon Lee Sheldon, a WPI professor who was a writer/producer on the fourth season of "Star Trek: The Next Generation." He also noted that in his conversations with Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, the people involved in the shows were conscious of the influence the series and movies had on kids and on the scientific community. "Oh, I think we were all very aware," Sheldon said. "Even though it's set centuries in the future, we were very aware that the science should be as good as it could be. If we were going to speculate, it should be an extrapolation of science. It set goals for scientists today." Star Trek writers and actors even went out to talk to students about the importance of science. "Everyone was very aware that we had something important to say and that we could affect the future," said Sheldon. "I think a lot of kids were incredibly inspired." Seeing that you could have an exciting job working in science was an 'Aha' kind of moment for Emily L. Howard, a senior technical fellow with The Boeing Company. "Many of the women were scientists on the show," she said. "I don't know that I knew I was destined for a future in science, but seeing women who were solving problems and using their creativity absolutely inspired me." The real-life Apollo space program, the first moon landing in 1969 and physicist Sally Ride's becoming the first female NASA astronaut, offered a lot of positive scientific influences for Howard. But the fictional world of Star Trek carried its own importance. "I can't give all that power to a single show, but it certainly helped fuel my interest," she said. "There were other things happening at the time, but at that young [age] to be exposed to these amazing possibilities about the future, planted a seed very deeply in me." It planted a similar seed in Marc Rayman, the director and chief engineer of NASA's Dawn mission. Marc Rayman, director and chief engineer of NASA's Dawn mission. Rayman has been a serious Trekkie since the original show began when he was in the seventh grade. The first class he ever skipped in his life was when a Star Trek movie was opening at same time as his graduate class in statistical mechanics. He would not only go on to himself be involved with spacecraft that explore alien worlds. And when he worked on NASA's Deep Space 1 program, the first interplanetary mission to use low-thrust propulsion technology, Rayman began calling it ion propulsion -- in honor of Star Trek. "Star Trek didn't so much inspire me, but it fueled the passions that were already burning within me," he said. "Star Trek showed the future I wanted to be a part of.... It would never have occurred to me that in the year 2016 -- 50 years after the first show was on -- that the show would have that kind of longevity. That's a testament to how powerful it was and how much it meant to so many people." Rayman said he found out a few years ago that he was working with a colleague who didn't know the original series or the spinoffs. "You kind of wonder how JPL could even hire a guy like that," he said, laughing. "You'd think NASA would be a little more discriminating. Apart from that he's a good guy, but this major deficiency in his education was troubling." Rayman has set about "rectifying this major flaw." Robert Federking Robert Frederking, an associate dean for Carnegie Mellon University's school of computer science. That kind of education wouldn't have been an issue for Mike Ciaraldi, a professor of computer science and robotics engineering at WPI. Ciaraldi still remembers watching the first episode of Star Trek, "The Man Trap," when it premiered. For him, science fiction in general, and Star Trek in particular, is all about using your brain to solve problems and how a hero avoids a fight or outright calamity by out-thinking an opponent. Star Trek also let kids know there were other people interested in science. Robert Frederking, an associate dean for Carnegie Mellon University's school of computer science, had a fan club membership -- and he still owns a set of blueprints of the starship enterprise. "It made me think about things like were would warp drives really be possible and would transporters work. It made me think," he said. "It certainly encouraged me. I think it's safe to say I still think it's interesting. Like Spock, I would say it's fascinating." U.S. authorities have arrested two suspects allegedly involved in dumping details on 29,000 officials with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. Andrew Otto Boggs and Justin Gray Liverman have been charged with hacking into the internet accounts of senior U.S. government officials and breaking into government computer systems. Both suspects were arrested on Thursday, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Boggs, age 22, and Liverman, 24, are from North Carolina and are allegedly part of a hacking group called Crackas With Attitude. From October 215 until February, they used hacking techniques, including "victim impersonation" to trick internet service providers and a government help desk into giving up access to the accounts, the DOJ alleged. After gaining access, they stole personal information and uploaded it to Twitter. In addition, they defaced their victims social media accounts and harassed the government officials and their families through phone calls. FBI The suspects' Twitter handles. The FBIs affidavit of the case doesnt name the government officials involved, but they're believed to include CIA Director John Brennan. The document mentions five victims. Three other hackers located in the U.K. are also suspects in the case, and local authorities there are investigating. All three are male teenagers, two of which are 17, another 15. The suspects first targeted the accounts of the government officials internet service providers, including AOL, Comcast, and Verizon. In one instance, they made phone calls to Verizon, pretending to be an employee or the government official to gain access. The FBI's affidavit suggests that the suspects used Social Security numbers, addresses, and other personal information from their victims to pull off their scheme. The suspects also broke into government sites, including the DOJ management system. To gain access, one of the suspects tricked the department's help desk into giving him the login credentials simply by making a phone call. In February, the group then used Twitter to post details on 29,000 FBI and Department of Homeland Security officials, including their phone numbers and email addresses. Both Boggs and Liverman will appear in a federal court in Virginia next week. As John Glen wrote on this site yesterday, our education system is pluriform: we now have free schools, faith schools, academies, University Technical Colleges, comprehensives, studio schools, and City Technology Colleges. It has become more so over time. Tony Blair allowed more school specialisation. Michael Gove developed his academies idea, and introduced free schools. This is the context in which to place Theresa Mays support for lifting the ban that Blair introduced on new grammar schools. There are good reasons not to want to return to the sheep-and-goats system that existed before comprehensivisation (an ugly word for an ugly thing). Those who wish to do so are confusing selection with the eleven plus: the two may overlap, but they arent identical. There are big questions about its fairness as a test. And, in any event, eleven is a young age to use as a norm for separating pupils into academic and non-academic streams. During the last Parliament, Welsh Conservatives supported a process leading to selection at 14, based on the preferences of the child and parents in the light of recommendations from teachers. This would be a more sensible route for people who want grammar schools in their areas to take, and whether an area has them or not should be a local decision. The best model for new ones would be for them that draw widely in their recruitment of pupils, which would minimise the danger of local sink schools, and aim in particular to admit bright pupils from poorer backgrounds who get a raw deal from the present system. They would be ConservativeHome has called meritocracy schools. Glens article was the fifth guest article on grammar schools that this site has run in scarcely more than a month. All of them have something valuable to say. Some of them have not supported more selective schools or have at least expressed reservations about the idea. But, either way, this profusion of articles is a sign of the interest that grammars excite within the Conservative family. We were offered another only yesterday. Another Conservative MP also wants to write on the subject. By contrast, the editors arent swamped with offerings of pieces about the merits and demerits of opening new technical schools. But, in the mixed system that now exists, having good technical schools is just as important as having good selective schools: arguably more so, since the former have so often been neglected. The failure of Butlers tripartite system to develop the technical colleges it envisaged is a matter of Tory legend and of fact. This reflected a deep bias in the commanding heights of our culture for the academic over the vocational. Little wonder that over half a century on we have some of the best Universities in the world, but lag behind many other countries on skills. ConservativeHome has argued for a major resource shift to vocational education, and a succession of Ministers have worked hard to improve and extend apprenticeships. One model for the future is the University Technical Colleges that Glen mentioned yesterday the network of schools set up by Kenneth Baker, once Margaret Thatchers Education Secretary. These UTCs provide vocational training for nearly 10,000 pupils who, as a recent report for the Financial Times put it, find the standard curriculum a poor fit for their proclivities and ambitions.at Sheffields UTC, boys and girls of startling maturity are learning robotics from a technician seconded here by Siemens, in a mini-factory sponsored by Festo. The subjects may be hard maths, physics and engineering but in the lab they have a clear, practical use. We need more of such projects, and more debate about them in the Conservative family, than we get at present amidst a mixed system in which academies will remain the norm. Close Congress has already returned from the seven-week vacation on Tuesday but once again failed to pass the Zika bill three times in a row now. Presently the virus has spread across the country while an outraged Floridian representative stepped into the House holding a Zika container. A Recent report from Florida Health Office revealed seven new Zika cases; six of them result of the outbreak in Miami Beach. Florida already documented 56 locally transmitted infections, NBC reported. Additionally, 35 cases of Zika infections were reported in the continental state, too, while the congress went on vacation. In addition, 14,000 cases more in U.S. territories in Puerto Rico cited from another report. Meanwhile, the $1.1 billion federal research-funding bill failed to pass legislation in the Senate when the pair of parties only voted 52-46, cutting 60 votes short for Congress to advance forward. A heated battle ensued once recess was taken. The $1.1 billion Zika bill which has failed to pass since June was offered by the Republican-dominated Congress when President Obama asked for $1.9 billion emergency funding to combat Zika back in February. In outrage, Republican Rep. David Jolly from Florida created headlines when he brought a Zika filled container inside the Senate floor on Wednesday alarming the entire House of the seriousness of the situation. "Members of Congress would run down the hall to the physician's office to be tested, they would spray themselves before coming down here. This is the fear of Floridians, right here," said Jolly, according to Fox News. Notably, the Senate Democrats blocked the Zika funding package, which accompanied Veterans Administration spending bill for the third time on Tuesday. Reportedly, the budget for Zika is a part of the Planned Parenthood and is the leftover of the Ebola epidemic. Perhaps, this is the reason the budget for health crisis has narrowed. On the other hand, National Institute for Health was set to move Zika vaccine trial to the next stage, a crucial time with at least 5,000 participants but may have to delay if Congress fails to approve the research funds this month. HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell mentioned in August while planning for the second NIH study of infants and pregnant women with Zika but anticipated delay if Congress fails to do the job and provide new funding. The Congress needs to take action now because every day counts for another possible Zika cases and everyone awaits for the funding of the outrageous Zika plague. See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare Continue Reading Below Advertisement Why It's Bullshit: Say, have you seen many solar panels laid out flat on the ground? Probably not, because those suckers need to be angled to face the sun directly in order to feed off its light-blood with any kind of efficiency. So for them to produce meaningful power, all of our roads would have to bank, sometimes sharply. And we're not saying we personally don't want that; it would be awesome! But some buzzkills would probably complain about the drastic uptick in fatalities that resulted from us turning every freeway into a NASCAR track. Furthermore, according to British scientist Phil Mason, if we were to cover all roads in the U.S. with solar panels, the cost of the glass alone, without all the electronics and labor, would be $2 trillion. Solar Roadways "What if we skip the shitty states?" Continue Reading Below Advertisement We also have to consider the fact that, unless you politely take your tires off before driving on them, roads get dirty. Dirty solar panels are as good at producing sustainable energy as hamster wheels. Put it all together and it becomes clear the solar roadways will never be as good as asphalt, which, by the way, is also 99 percent recyclable. Solar roadway tiles are not. Continue Reading Below Advertisement The amount and importance of standardized testing have become so bad that teachers often have to cut actual lessons in order to teach students how to pass those tests. In 2015, President Obama even made a public plea to reduce the amount of time kids spend in school sitting down and coloring in a bunch of bubbles that supposedly prove how smart they are. However, since then, the government hasn't really stopped pushing standardized testing down the school system's throat. In fact, only months after Obama's plea, the Education Department started to threaten to cut federal funding to states who dared to opt out of these tests. But it turns out the tests themselves may not be the problem. The same year Obama made his plea (2015, for those of you who can't remember all the way back to the beginning of this paragraph), Germany enacted its own standardized testing program and steadily raised its schools' scores. They did especially well at closing the achievement gap for the most disadvantaged students, to the tune of a whopping 15 points. Studio-Annika/iStock "Wow, that's almost 100 percent!" -American student Continue Reading Below Advertisement Exactly what kind of test was this? Were wizards involved? German wizards? The most efficient of all magi? In fact, there's nothing special about these standardized tests compared with the ones used in the United States. The only thing Germany did differently was not cutting funding for low-performing schools. In fact, they actually gave more support to these "bad schools" because, amazingly, giving a school more resources as opposed to taking them away actually helps them teach better. They also didn't make the schools' scores publicly available, which makes it harder for parents to herd their smart kids to good schools and create little elite alcoves of education. Simply by not punishing and embarrassing underperforming schools, Germany turned standardized testing into a system that bridged the gap in education inequality, raising its global schooling rank by leaps and bounds. Furthermore, Germany was one of only three countries to raise its national math scores in the last 15 years, catapulting them to the top 20 in the world for math proficiency. In that same year, the U.S. slid down to 49th. That's several hands of fingers worse than Germany. Sussex News Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Networking News Partners: Verizon's New CFO Could Open New Opportunities For The Channel Gina Narcisi Share this A new CFO at telecom giant Verizon could help the carrier maintain its position in the wireless market and continue to make headway in new areas such as the Internet of Things. But while industry analysts don't expect Verizon's overall financial strategy to change, new leadership could present more opportunities for the channel, according to Verizon partners. Verizon last week said CFO and Executive Vice President Fran Shammo will retire by the end of 2016 after 27 years at the carrier. On the same day, Verizon announced that Matthew Ellis, the carrier's current senior vice president and CFO of operations and finance for its wireless and wireline division, will succeed Shammo Nov. 1. "This is a complex business and Mr. Ellis is assuming the helm at an interesting time, so he'll have some challenges on his hands," said Adam Edwards, CEO of Sandy, Utah-based master agent Telarus, a Verizon partner. "To sit in the seat of CFO at Verizon today, you'll have to understand new business [units], and I really hope they embrace the channel." [Related: Verizon CFO Shammo Announces Retirement, Will Be Succeeded By Wireless, Wireline Unit CFO Matthew Ellis ] As of late, the Basking Ridge, N.J.-based carrier has been heavily focused on new revenue streams, including the Internet of Things and digital media, as evidenced by its recent acquisitions, including its $4.8 billion purchase of Yahoo and a $2.4 billion deal to buy Fleetmatics. Combining those businesses won't be easy, according to Telarus' Edwards. "This is a lot to take on, especially with companies that are not thriving and are actually in decline, like Yahoo," he said. "It's going to take a lot of skill in an area that is foreign to Verizon." According to Verizon, Shammo was responsible for the carrier's strategic planning and financial transaction services, among other things. He was instrumental in building up Verizon's focus on network investment, as well as its acquisition strategy, which included the recent AOL, Fleetmatics and Yahoo transactions that Verizon hopes will position it for growth in mobile video and IoT. Upon the announcement of his retirement and the elevation of Ellis, Shammo said in a statement: "For Verizon, 2016 has been a significant transformational year, and I will leave knowing that the company is well-positioned to deliver on its strategic initiatives." In addition to new areas such as IoT and mobile video, Verizon also must continue to stay competitive in the wireless market -- an area in which more solution providers are starting to show interest as well as the wireline market. Verizon has been losing ground in the wireline space, a core revenue driver for the carrier, Edwards said. The carrier's CFO and financial team must figure out how to replace revenues in these stagnant areas, he added. "As TDM (time-division multiplexing) products are retiring, revenues are in decline right now, which will be another challenge for Verizon," he said. An executive with Atrion Networking, a Warwick, R.I.-based IT solution provider and longtime Verizon partner, agreed that it's important for Verizon to remain a leader in the wireless and wireline market, and he believes the carrier will continue to innovate. "Id love to see Verizon Wireless and Verizon Business come closer together, where there would be an environment that business customers could leverage their wireline and wireless spend together to gain better discounts and perhaps obtain more services," said Darryl Senese, vice president of carrier services for Atrion. An important weapon in Verizon's arsenal is its channel program, and to help new executives grow the company in new ways, Verizon should tap its partner community, Telarus' Edwards said. Some carriers have attempted to "cut out the middle man" by working directly with business customers instead of paying a channel partner a commission. But businesses like having a relationship with a trusted adviser -- the solution provider so carriers like Verizon have warmed to the channel, but there is still more work to be done, he said. Atrion's Senese believes any new CFO should welcome the influence partners have had on Verizon's top-line revenue. "I think Verizons strategy and positive perspective around the partner program will only increase, as the results the partners have driven over the last [three] years have been strong," he said. Rotaract Club of Chattanooga, a Rotary-sponsored service club for young professionals ages 22 to 35, is hosting a fundraiser benefiting Lookout Mountain Conservancys Howard Intern Leadership Program. The event Lookout for Leaders seeks to raise money for additional funding for LMCs Howard Intern and Leadership Program. The event will take place Sept. 22 from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Waterhouse Pavilion, 850 Market Street. It will be a fun evening celebrating the interns with music, cocktails, appetizers and a silent auction Tickets are $40/person or $75/couple and can be purchased at the door, via Facebook at Lookout for Leaders 2016 or at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lookout-for-leaders-tickets-26228657621. Rotaracts President Stephen Ratterman of First Tennessee Bank said, We are very excited for our second Lookout for Leaders fundraiser to benefit the Lookout Mountain Conservancy. Our partnership with the Conservancy and the interns has continued to strengthen, and we are inspired by the meaningful work they do every day to improve the lives of their families and local community. The proceeds raised through this event go directly to support the endless efforts made by Robyn Carlton and her team at the Lookout Mountain Conservancy to provide every opportunity and resource earned by these students to continue to grow both academically and socially. We encourage everyone that can make it to please join us at Miller Plaza on September 22 to meet the interns and learn more about this amazing program. On behalf of the entire Rotaract Club of Chattanooga, I would also like to give a special thank you to our corporate sponsors and recognize those who have contributed at the Presenting and Graduate levels: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga College of Business, BlueCross BlueShield Community Foundation, Jones Raulston Title, and Grace Healthcare. The Lookout Mountain Conservancy (LMC) employs students from Howard High School to preserve and protect Chattanoogas natural resources. The students learn about nature, conservation, teamwork and trust by establishing lasting relationships with LMCs leaders and other students in the program. More importantly, the program provides a unique opportunity for inner city students to have a safe work environment, provide supportive income for their families, and learn social and professional skills needed to succeed in life. Since the creation of the internship program in 2013, Howard High School reports that participating students have become leaders in their class and set examples for other students. Their grades and attendance are improving with promising plans for attending secondary education upon graduating, a first in the family for many. Additionally, LMC is receiving national attention from land trusts for establishing a unique program that connects inner city youth with a communitys natural resources - a program that many land trusts hope to replicate. Rotaract has formed a strategic partnership with LMCs Howard Intern Leadership Program as mentors for these students. Connecting with the interns through land conservation creates a perfect opportunity for building relationships and ultimately establishing mutual trust, respect and cooperation. Rotaracts intention is to show the interns that life outside of their neighborhood not only exists but is within their grasp so students can reach their fullest potential. P&O Cruises has launched its summer 2018 cruises that can be secured for a deposit of less than 30 pounds per person. This is the earliest we have ever launched our summer holiday collection, commented senior vice president Paul Ludlow. The cruises go on general sale Sept. 19. The new program features more of P&Os traditional itineraries including the biggest selection of year-round cruises from Southampton, seven and 14-night fly-Med cruises from Malta with an optional city stay extension, cruises to the Fjords, Northern Lights, Greek Islands, Food Heroes cruises, Strictly Come Dancing themed cruises and Music Festivals at Sea. A seven-night Western Mediterranean cruise starts at 599 pounds per person and can be booked with a deposit of 28.50 pounds per person. P&O said it is also offering 36 family holidays during Easter, summer and May or October half-term available across five ships with destination options including the Canary Islands, Iberia, Mediterranean (ex-UK or fly-cruise), short city breaks and the Norwegian Fjords. Itineraries vary between two and 17 nights. The summer 2018 deliver seven new ports across five cruises. New destinations include Capri and Rapallo in Italy, Rovini in Croatia, Kristiansund in Norway and Gaspe, Sept Iles and Iles de la Madeleine in Canada. The Arcadia will offer a new 30-night Canadian itinerary departing Sept. 3, 2018. The focus will be on lesser frequented ports such Saguenay, Sept Iles and Corner Brook, and the cruise will feature three maiden calls, two nights in New York and an overnight in Quebec. P&O is also introducing 15 new so-called discovery cruises next year ranging from 14 to 19 nights. Discovery cruises are described as providing guests with the chance to explore lesser-known destinations and ports said to be packed with local charm along with a few classic cities all in the same holiday. These are available on mid-sized ships Oriana, Arcadia and Aurora. Discovery cruises include: a 16-night Scandinavia & Russia voyage on the Aurora departing May 19, 2018, calling at Gdansk in Poland (tours from Gdynia), Visby, Klaipeda in Lithuania and Riga in Latvia. A 14-night Mediterranean cruise on Arcadia departing July 22, 2018, calling at Elba, Toulon and Ceuta. And a 9-night Central Mediterranean cruise on Oriana, departing October 5, 2018, calling at Corigliano Calabro and Catania in Italy and Kotor P&O has increased its longer 12-night Norway Fjords cruises in 2018. Two options are available: a 12-night Fjords cruise on adult-only Arcadia, departing August 5, 2018, and a 12-night Fjords cruise on family-friendly Aurora departing June 4, 2018. In addition, a 12-day Northern Lights cruise to Norway is offered in March. More events cruises are also part of the program, including three programs taking in the Monaco Grand Prix in May. Theme cruises include food, music and dancing. With an impressive orderbook stretching through 2026, STX France could be sold in the near future as French media reports claim there are two bidders vying for the facility in Saint-Nazaire. STX Offshore and Shipbuilding, the majority shareholder in the yard, has already exited its position in Meyer Turku (formerly STX Finland) and has known to be looking to get out of the cruise ship building business. French sources said two buyers have come forward, but no agreement has been reached. The French government owns a minority interest in the shipyard and can veto a sale. Intel is selling off a majority stake in its McAfee unit and turning it back into an independent security company. Intel made the deal with investment firm TPG, which will own a 51 percent stake in the new McAfee company. Intel will own the remainder. As part of the deal, Intel is receiving $3.1 billion in cash. It originally bought McAfee back in 2011 for $7.7 billion -- a deal that caused some industry watchers to scratch their heads. Intel is best known as a chipmaker, but at the time it was also hoping to improve security around its products. PC security was a major concern back then, said Nathan Brookwood, principal analyst at Insight 64. But now cyberthreats are moving to target the cloud and servers. "McAfee had relatively little to do in cloud security. While Intel didn't lose a lot of money, it never was a huge win," he said. In 2014, the chipmaker rebranded its McAfee business as Intel Security. However, reports about a possible McAfee sale circulated earlier this year as Intel worked to restructure its business amid lagging PC sales. In April, the company announced it would cut 12,000 jobs. On Wednesday, Intel said the new McAfee will be one of the largest pure-play cybersecurity companies in the world. The new company will be valued at $4.2 billion. In addition, TPG is making a $1.1 billion equity investment in its new McAfee property to drive growth. Intel will continue partnering with the McAfee unit on security. Chris Young, the general manager for Intel Security, will be head of the new company. In a letter to stakeholders, Young said the company is still committed to delivering on its product roadmap, but that it can execute its plans even faster. "Our customers want the reassurance that our strategy has not changed. It hasnt," he added. The deal is expected to close in next years second quarter. Agam Shah contributed to this report. In late August, the FBI warned state election officials about an attack on voter registration databases from Illinois and Arizona. "According to the FBIs alert, 'an unknown actor' attacked a state election database by using widely available penetrating testing tools, including Acunetix, SQLMap, and DirBuster," reported IDG's Michael Kan. "The hackers then found an SQL injection vulnerability a common attack point in websites and exploited it to steal the data. The FBI has traced the attacks to eight IP addresses, which appear to be hosted from companies based in Bulgaria, the Netherlands, and Russia." It isn't known whether these election database hacks are tied either to the DNC hack or other recent breaches, but Amit Ashbel, director of product marketing at Checkmarx believes it wasn't part of a state-sponsored attack. One of the interesting things about these attacks which came to light is that the attackers were using a commercial grade vulnerability scanner rather than a self-built or an open source tool," says Ashbel. "Not only does it not align with most hacker techniques, it also increases the chance of exposing the attacker. That in itself indicates that the attacker was probably not part of a well-organized hacking team and it also seems that it was not part of a state grade attack but rather someone who had access to a tool and wanted to try it out. The following infographic from application security provider Checkmarx offers an overview of the election breaches, including how the attackers got in and what they stole. As quantum computers inch closer to reality, experts are sweating over their potential to render many of today's cybersecurity technologies useless. Earlier this year the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology issued a call for help on the matter, and this week the Global Risk Institute added its voice to the mix. Because of quantum computing, there's a one-in-seven chance that fundamental public-key cryptography tools used today will be broken by 2026, warned Michele Mosca, co-founder of the University of Waterloo's Institute for Quantum Computing and special advisor on cybersecurity to the Global Risk Institute. By 2031, that chance jumps to 50 percent, Mosca wrote in a report published Monday. "Although the quantum attacks are not happening yet, critical decisions need to be taken today in order to be able to respond to these threats in the future," he added. Such threats stem from the fact that quantum computers work in a fundamentally different way than traditional computers do. In traditional computing, numbers are represented by either 0s or 1s, but quantum computing relies on atomic-scale units called quantum bits, or "qubits," that can be simultaneously 0 and 1 through a state known as superposition. Far greater performance and efficiency are among the benefits, but there's also a downside. "One unintended consequence of quantum computation is breaking some of the cryptographic tools currently underpinning cybersecurity," Mosca wrote. Encryption, for example, often relies on the challenge of factoring large numbers, but researchers recently demonstrated what they said is the first five-atom quantum computer capable of cracking such encryption schemes. "When the cryptographic foundations upon which a cyber system is built are fundamentally broken, unless a failover replacement (which generally takes years to develop) is in place, the system will crumble with no quick fixes," Mosca wrote. "Right now, our cyber immune system is not ready for the quantum threat. There is a pending lethal attack, and the clock is ticking to design and deploy the cure before the threat is realized." In the short term, work needs to be done to design systems that are "cryptographically agile," Mosca said, and can quickly swap one cryptographic tool for another. In the longer run, we'll need "quantum-safe" cryptography tools, he said, including protocols that can run on conventional technologies and resist quantum attacks. Part of the NIST's effort will be a competition in which members of the public will devise and test promising new cryptographic methods. Meanwhile, private security firms are working on the problem as well. KryptAll, for example, recently launched an independent effort of its own, with the goal of having a product available by 2021. Barbara Gaunt, a unit secretary/certified nursing assistant with The Health Center at Standifer Place in Chattanooga, was honored as the Tennessee Health Care Associations (THCA) Chattanooga District Caregiver of the Year. She received the award Aug. 29 during THCAs Convention & Trade Show in Knoxville. Ms. Gaunt has worked at the facility for 24 years. THCAs membership is divided into six districts Memphis, Jackson, Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville and East Tennessee. THCAs Chattanooga District is made up of 24 facilities in 12 counties. Ms. Gaunts name, along with the other five district winners, will be placed in the running for the statewide honor of Caregiver of the Year. The honoree will be recognized at a special ceremony on Nursing Home Caregiver Appreciation Day Nov. 18. The Caregiver of the Year program provides THCA member facilities with the opportunity to reward those who have made it their missions to care for those who cannot care for themselves, said Jesse Samples, THCAs executive director. We are very proud of our district winners. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON Poppys Cheesecake produces a line of four cheesecakes at an industrial kitchen in Bridgeport, an ambitious start-up based upon recipes of the original Harry Poppy Ginis who worked 37 years as the Maitre d at the once-renowned Barbizon Plaza on Central Park South in Manhattan. Westport-based Newmans Own is a world famous brand of salad dressings, pasta sauces and salsa picante named after the late Academy Award-winning actor Paul Newman, with $470 million in profits going to charity. What these small and large neighbors had in common Wednesday were booths at the third annual Discover Connecticut expo on Capitol Hill, sponsored by the Connecticut Society of Washington D.C., and Connecticut Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy. Come to Connecticut, Blumenthal humorously implored the throngs who flocked to the Russell Senate buildings historic caucus room to sample the states delicacies, from pizza to Pez and beyond. Spend money in it! What united the Poppys and the Newmans and the other 24 participants was a great marketing opportunity of course and pride in Connecticut. We are very happy to support Connecticut, even if we are a national and international brand, said Jeffrey Brown, the Newmans Own chief administrative officer. You never forget your roots. On the other side of the room, Poppys co-founders Katie and Alex Ginis, plus their dad, Tom, recalled how back in the day the original Poppy was always baking cheesecake and other goodies at the family home in Queens, N.Y. The recipe worked its way from generation to generation until grandchildren Katie and Alex started the company in 2014, eventually moving it from Milford to Bridgeport. Now they produce a standard cheesecake and a chocolate cheesecake, and alternate between seasonal specialties of key lime (spring, summer) and pumpkin (fall, winter). They distribute to restaurants, hotels and country clubs, and hope one day to expand their offerings and open a retail outlet. Its great to be here with the other great businesses of Connecticut, said Alex Ginis. Were a small state, but we pack quite a punch. There were non-food businesses represented, including those from Lego Systems Inc., a Danish company with its American headquarters in Enfield, and the Mystic aquarium and seaport. But the food offerings were the main draw, and also included Tea-rriffic! Ice Cream of Bridgeport and Copps Island Oysters & Clams, based in Norwalk. In short remarks to the crowd, Murphy mentioned his recent walk of 128 miles across the state, from east to west. Because of all the food he sampled along the way, he was heavier at the end of the trip than at the beginning. I ate my way across the state! he said. dan@hearstdc.com 14 Polish companies explore investment opportunities in Cuba Submitted by: Juana Europe Havana Business and Economy 09 / 08 / 2016 A Polish trade mission made up of 14 companies and headed by Polands undersecretary for Economic Development, Pawel Chorazy is holding a business forum on Wednesday in Havana to identify investment opportunities in the areas of pharmaceuticals, food, renewable energy and agricultural machinery. According to the Cuban Chamber of Commerce, during the forum underway at Havanas National Hotel, Cuban and Polish companies are presenting their products and services in bilateral meetings. Cuba is now involved in diversifying its trade relations and attracting foreign investment to particularly develop 12 key economic sectors, as part of the ongoing update of Cuban economy. In this regard, the island has launched a business portfolio offering 326 projects estimated at an 8 billion-dollar investment. A major attraction for foreign investors is the Special Development Zone in the western Mariel Harbor, which is expected to become the islands main door to foreign trade. Cuba the fastest-growing market for Airbnb Cuba has been the fastest-growing market in the history of the US Airbnb company, which is currently offering over 8 thousand rented-homes in Cuba, said Mikel Freemon, Airbnb regional manager for the Caribbean. In statements to Caribbean News Digital website, Freemon said that the Cuban provinces most visited by travelers through its platform are Havana, western Vinales town and central Trinidad city. As to the US travelers, Freemon explained that citizens from all 50 US states have rented Airbnb homes in Cuba, particularly those from California, New York and Texas. As to the presence of Airbnb in Cuba, the executive said that first the renting of houses in Cuba provides cultural exchange and relations of friendship, while the US company has been helping the Cuban private house-rental sector to connect with the international community. The executive added that Cuban hosts earn an average 250-dollar per reservation, which is good income that can help keeping investing in their homes. As to the ongoing process of relations between Cuba and the United states and particularly the opening of direct commercial US flights, Freemon said they are very happy with the new flights, because tourism may be a very strong development force for the good and Cuban hosts can make connections with international tourists by renting their homes at a larger scale. On August 31, the first US commercial flight operated by JetBlue arrived in central Santa Clara city, followed by a second one by Silver Airways on September 1 and on September 7 American Airlines is arriving in the South-Central city of Cienfuegos, in what will be a progressive establishment of US commercial flights to different Cuban cities. US citizens are still banned from travelling to Cuba as tourists, they can only come under a limited group of licenses; however, the number of US visitors has made a peak this year in the overall table of visits to Cuba. Airbnb, founded in 2008, received a special license by the US Treasury to begin promoting in April 2015, since then the company has rapidly increased its offer of Cuban rented-homes. The rental of private homes and apartments in Cuba is part of the growing non-state sector, which complements the Tourist field, which offers hotel rooms throughout the island. The non-state sector in Cuba also includes cooperatives in other economic areas, such as the services and transportation. In july 2016, Airbnb reported 100 million guests in its digital platform, which offers over 2.3 million accommodation options around the world. The US company promotes and reserves homes in 33 thousand cities of 192 countries. (acn) CHI Memorial announces it has received a four star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. "The most common overall hospital quality star rating is three stars. Only 20 percent of the 4,599 hospitals included in the survey received a four star rating. CHI Memorial scored above the national average in mortality, safety of care, readmission, and patient experience," officials said. Our physicians and associates are committed to providing the best care everyone who comes through our doors expects and deserves, said Larry Schumacher, CEO, CHI Memorial and senior vice president, operations, East/Southeast division, Catholic Health Initiatives. This four star rating validates our commitment to providing excellent and compassionate care every day."The overall rating shows how well an individual hospital is performing compared to other hospitals in the U.S., on average. CMS uses data regularly reported by hospitals and summarizes up to 64 quality measures into a star rating. This rating is designed to help individuals, family members and care givers compare hospitals and easily understand complex quality information," officials said.CMS released the overall hospital quality ratings in July. STORY LINK Pound Sterling Exchange Rate Forecast: GBP Lower on BoE Commentary Mixed Pound Sterling (GBP) Exchange Rates Following GBP/EUR, GBP/USD Best Levels BoE Expected to Cut Rates Again, Pound Could Fall Vs Euro, US Dollar If the economy evolves as set out in the August forecast, I would expect to vote for another cut in Bank Rate this year as highlighted in the Minutes of the MPC's August meeting. Pound Sterling to US Dollar (GBP/USD) Exchange Rate Below 1.34, GBP/USD Hits 1.18 Like this piece? Please share with your friends and colleagues: Yesterdays afternoon session in the global currency markets brought decidedly mixed messages for Pound Sterling (GBP) exchange rates with real data releases painting a markedly different picture of the domestic economy to the one described by policymakers.The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) published its latest monthly UK Gross Domestic Product Estimate a release which is always eagerly awaited by FX market insiders by dint of the fact that that the leading think tank compiles it using the governments own modelling software. The headline NIESR statistic revealed that domestic economic activity increased by 0.3% during the three months to the end of last month. This result suggests that the UK economy has singularly failed to grind to a halt in the weeks either side of Junes UK European Union Referendum vote in the way that many analysts had predicted.However, almost as the NIESR data was published, leading rate-setters from the Bank of England (BoE) issued a very different message and triggered a decline in Pound Sterling to Euro (GBP/EUR) and Pound Sterling to US Dollar (GBP/USD) exchange rates. The Banks Deputy Governor Jon Cunliffe predicted in a report issued yesterday that,Cunliffe went on to assert that,If demand slows more significantly than expected, and the output gap is correspondingly larger, I would be willing to vote for further monetary stimulus.Other BoE comments also kept the Pound (GBP) trending in a weaker position against both the Euro (EUR) and US Dollar (USD).The Banks Governor Mark Carney and policy committee member Kristin Forbes struck a more downbeat tone when addressing the UK Parliaments Treasury Select Committee. Carney told the assembled parliamentarians that the slightly firmer tone of UK data releases in the last week had been largely anticipated and went on to suggest that, growth is running at about half the rate of before the referendum.However, when asked a direct question, Governor Carney emphatically responded that the probability weighted average of a technical recession had decreased since the Brexit vote; he went on to claim the credit for this, stating that the reason for this was his Banks swift response in loosening domestic monetary policy.Rate-setter Kirsten Forbes added to the Pounds woes by confirming that the Banks current set of monetary policy tools was not limitless and suggesting that there could be further policy loosening to come.The Pound Sterling US Dollar exchange rate slipped back below the 1.3400 GBP USD threshold following Carneys words, while the GBP EUR exchange rate tracked lower into the 1.1800s having threatened to break back above the psychologically key 1.2000 level earlier in the day. 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: Dollar Pound Forecasts Euro Pound Forecasts Pound Sterling Forecasts As the 2016 Presidential campaign swings into its final two months, Chief John Ross Chapter, DAR Regent Jessica Dumitru announces a partnership between the chapter and Tennessee Secretary of State, Tre Hargett, in support of the Honor Vote program. The Honor Vote program allows each Tennessee citizen to dedicate his/her vote to a veteran or a current active duty military member. While we often talk about the price of freedom and cite voting as one of our most important rights as U. S. citizens, Secretary Hargetts program allows us to take those words and translate them into action. The process is simple. Go on-line at GoVoteTN.com/honor and dedicate your vote to an individual whose service has earned that right for you. Then, you can go to your local precinct and cast your vote. We are encouraging all members of the DAR and all Hamilton County citizens to take one minute and consider the price of a vote, and then honor those who have paid that price. If registered Tennessee voters join the Honor Vote program within the next month, each will receive a packet of information along with a button that can be worn when voting. When asked about her favorite veteran, Regent Dumitru replied, My Dad, Tony Mines, is a Vietnam combat veteran. While Im always proud of his service, this Nov. 8, I can officially say Thank You, Dad for my rights and responsibilities as a citizen. Ill be casting my vote in his honor. These real PA creatures could become cryptids if we don't save them Check it out: Fun things to do this weekend in Lake County entertainment Southern Adventist University is holding a dedication ceremony for the Sabbath Trail, a 1.5-mile walking loop in the campus Fenton Forest, on Saturday, at 5:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend. Southern was recently gifted 250 acres adjoining campus on Bauxite Ridge, opposite of White Oak Mountain. More than 12 miles of new paths have been created and are available for both students and community use. The donation, made by an alumni family, was part of a land trust ensuring new green spaces and a continued emphasis by the university on environmental stewardship. A highlight of these new paths is the Sabbath Trail. Plaques and stones containing both biblical and historical insights have been integrated along the loop, inviting participants to ponder God's great love. Southern has 800 forested acres on its 1,300-acre campus and several park-like settings for students and the greater Chattanooga community to enjoy. In total, there are approximately 30 miles of hiking and biking paths on Southerns Bauxite Ridge and White Oak Mountain trails that stretch from the lowest point of the valley to the ridge tops overlooking the university. Hikers, mountain bikers, and cross-country trail runners enjoy sections of varying difficulty. The pine and hardwood forest through which the trails wind is also a paradise for the nature enthusiast, with wildflowers, birds, and a creek habitat. Parking for the Sabbath Trail dedication ceremony, or future use of the Bauxite Ridge trails, is available at 4883 Sunkist Terrace. Signs will direct participants from there. Southern is a private institution run by the Seventh-day Adventist Church and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Founded in 1892, the university is located in Collegedale, Tennessee, and currently enrolls 3,000 students pursuing a variety of undergraduate and graduate level degrees. Its mission is to nurtures Christlikeness, academic excellence, and a lifelong pursuit of truth, wholeness, and service. The recent marijuana decriminalization debate was, again, discussed at a Memphis City Council meeting Tuesday. Councilman Berlin Boyd had previously proposed the ordinance for the decriminalization of marijuana for those who are caught with 14 grams or less on their first offense. Boyds motion for the ordinance changes the current laws pertaining to marijuana offenses, which are that first time offenders are issued a citation that requires booking and processing, fined $250 to $2,500 and can end with a sentence of up to a year in jail, to a less significant consequence of a $50 fine and possible community service. Boyds argument is that the current punishment is too strict, and if this ordinance is passed, the positive outcome would be that there will be more room in our jails for more severe crimes. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, four African Americans are arrested for marijuana possession to every one white, despite the fact both races consume marijuana at the same rate. There were over 20,000 marijuana cases entered into the Shelby County system last year resulting in arrests. Money saved on arrests and the number of people jailed could be the most immediate effect to take place if the ordinance was to be implemented. The Federal Register states that it costs the city $83.89 per day, or $30,619.85 per inmate, to spend a year in jail. Memphis spends over $9.5 million in enforcing marijuana laws. The decriminalization ordinance could save tons of money in the long run. Boyds argument is that these offenses are extremely minor but still have a negative impact on the families of those charged and many futures are jeopardized. If passed, the ordinance would help each member of the Memphis community caught possessing small amounts of marijuana by protecting the futures of the younger demographic from petty misdemeanor charges being attached to his or her record. Atarrah Jones, University of Memphis senior economics major said she thinks lessening the penalty for simple marijuana would help the city of Memphis more than hurt it. This ordinance could help open more space in the jails for people who need to be jailed for worse crimes, Jones said. This saves the city millions of dollars. The ordinance was motioned by the council to move forward Aug. 23 and has raised concern of public leaders. Boyd took notice to these concerns and tried to amend the ordinance by making revisions to give police the discretion to enforce the current criminal laws or charge the new $50 fine and possible community service, to exempt offenders younger than 18 of the new ordinance, to move charges from criminal courts to civil courts and to scale the fine from $75 for the first violation up to $450 for the fourth and subsequent violations. However, there is a state constitution that puts a cap on fines the city can charge at $50 for a civil charge. There is currently research being done for possibilities of additional penalties the constitution may allow, but city courts will be allowed to waive the fee and order 10 hours of community service for violation up to 40 hours. District Attorney Amy Weirich claims the ordinance is not necessary, and the current laws need no changing. Weirich said her office only dealt with about 300 pot-only cases last year, and most cases involve some other offense with a marijuana offense. Those charged with more than one criminal charge at a time are the ones who receive jail time. Police director Michael Rallings told city council members the ordinance would create a loophole for drug dealers and encourage pot smoking, which could ultimately increase joblessness. Mayor of Memphis Jim Strickland is open to the discussion of the ordinance but hasnt taken the position yet, stating he wants to learn more from the experts about potential benefits of the proposed ordinance. Still there are some who feel that people would not take this ordinance seriously by brushing off the severity of the situation because it is just a $50 fine. Boyd argues that any punishment would be taken seriously and lessening the punishment of possible jail time will save the city money for inmates jail and time for petty possession charges. Sophomore criminal justice major at the U of M Jason Dixon thinks possession of 14 grams or less is not such a big deal. The plant has been proven to help treat mental and physical medical conditions, Dixon said. It has also been legalized in several states. Lessening the penalty in Memphis is a great idea. Its not like people are going to stop smoking, why waste money penalizing so harshly over something so minor. The city council is set to vote on this ordinance Oct. 4. In 2015, more than 20,000 students attended the University of Memphis. Only 320 of these students studied abroad. The Study Abroad Fair Friday is an effort to give students information on different programs and scholarships that would allow them to study abroad. Rebecca Laumann, program director of the Global Learning Office, said she would like every student on campus to attend, so they can take advantage of the world while learning about it at the same time. The more students who go to the fair, the more we could educate each one about the benefits we have to offer, she said. According to Laumann, those who go the event will be given important information by some of the U of Ms partner schools, which are schools overseas that the U of M cooperates with in different programs for their students studying abroad. Students who attend will be able to speak to those who are at our partner schools and get substantial information, Laumann said. Brenda Cowans, administrative associate of international students, said the international students she administrates quickly adjust to living in the United States. My students come from all parts of the world and adapt quickly because they take advantage of what is on campus, Cowans said. Most work on campus and have a clear focus of why they came here. Cowans also serves as an advisor to these international students and helps them adapt to the country. She said her students frequently attend events like the Study Abroad Fair. Not only will students from partner schools be present, but also numerous U of M faculty members and students will be at panels to inform fair attendees. Students who have gone abroad will be answering any questions that other students might have, Laumann said. This year, two student panels are new to the fair: short- and long-term panels. Long-term panels are designed for those who want to go abroad for an entire semester, while short-term panels focus on those who would like to stay only half a semester. These panels will give attendees the opportunity to listen to students who have gone abroad and are willing share their international experiences. Laumann said these panels would be essential in making students more comfortable. She said one-on-one conversations are an easier way for people to open up and share experiences at the Study Abroad Fair. Laumann said Costa Rica, Italy and Japan are the most demanded countries to visit, and events like the fair are vital because students can get firsthand accounts of how certain programs could benefit them. The fair will be Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rose Theatre. There will also be a performance by Francisco Lara, a U of M music professor. There will also be food, and the first 100 attendees will be given a free T-shirt. We judge people within seven seconds of meeting them and so only have one chance to make a good first impression. With holidays now over, schools returning, and those in higher education thinking about the new academic year ahead, it is perhaps as good time as any to have a refresher session and ensure we don't make silly mistakes that many do. Ready to return to charm school? Scroll down for video We judge people within seven seconds of meeting them and so only have one chance to make a good first impression. A firm and confident handshake is vital William Hanson advises on how to properly greet someone - and thinks you should always stand up to shake hands HANDSHAKE A good handshake is key and the first step up the professional and social ladder. Too firm perhaps you're compensating for something? Too weak you're probably a drip. Make eye contact for a few seconds and speak clearly so people get your name and don't have to ask again for it. Your left hand should remain by your side. Don't place it over the other person's right hand. HOW DO YOU DO? So many people inadvertently lie when meeting strangers. Are you *really* pleased to meet them? Is it *actually* nice to meet them? Probably, but how do you know? You've only just been introduced. Avoid lying and being insincere (we can leave that to the 'Have A Nice Day' clan across the Atlantic) and stick with a good old-fashioned 'how do you do?' It's rhetorical so don't actually answer it, reply instead with the same, 'how do you do?' For those too egalitarian to use 'how do you do', stick to just 'good morning' and then your first and last name. The old rules of avoiding discussing sex, money, politics, health and religion do still apply when in polite company - so keep quiet about them REMOVE ACCESSORIES There's no need to doff your hat (if you're wearing one), gentlemen, but do remove your right glove if you are wearing one when greeting someone outside. Years ago, a lady could shake hands with her gloves on but today it's better practice to remove before the handshaking commences. Maintain eye contact when you meet someone new Sunglasses (for men and women) should also be removed when introducing yourself and carrying a conversation outdoors. EYE CONTACT Eye contact is so important, which is why we remove sunglasses. But it has to be maintained. We've all chatted to that person who glances over our shoulder at parties and I am sure we have all wanted to slap them or kick them in the shins. BEING TOO FORWARD Off for a job interview? First time meeting the boss? If you're the 'junior' then leave your hand by your side and wait for their hand to extend. Although we're are relaxing as a nation, in some more corporate settings it matters whose hand goes out first to who. Better to be safe than sorry. Unless you are on familiar terms with someone, resist the urge to social kiss. In Britain today it's two kisses (although used to just be one) COMING ROUND TO THE OTHER SIDE Never shake hands across a desk. If you're welcoming a client, parent or colleague into your office then walk around the desk to shake their hand before returning to your seat. It's bad body language to have something between two people when shaking hands. STAND UP Never sit down to shake hands. It is a bit cliched to discuss the weather Regardless of your gender, always stand up to shake someone's hand. KISSY KISSY Everyone wants to lunge at you these days and give you a kiss on the cheek. GET AWAY FROM ME! Unless you are on familiar terms with someone, resist the urge to social kiss. In Britain today it's two kisses (although used to just be one). In parts of Europe it's also two but in Holland it's three. YOU DON'T HAVE TO CHAT WEATHER We Brits are known for our love of discussing the weather. It's because as a nation we are good at making small talk: conversation that is inoffensive and builds easily to more interesting chat. But it is a bit cliched to discuss the weather and foreigners do think we're all mad when we do, so instead ask about their journey. Did they come from far? How did they get here? Do they come here often? Perhaps, if at a party, enquire as to how they know your hosts? Or comment on the venue the food, the decor, the view. Or discuss news and current affairs that aren't offensive. The Olympics or a royal milestone perhaps two good go-to topics. DON'T MENTION THE WAR! The old rules of avoiding discussing sex, money, politics, health and religion do still apply when in polite company. Linked to the taboo of money is asking what someone does for their job. So many use this as their stock opening question socially, but it's wrong; we should not be defined by our jobs and we are all entitled to a social life away and free from the shackles of the workplace. Of course, in a business setting it's fine to ask. USING FIRST NAMES Many will be totally happy with you using their first names. But if they have said both their names when greeting you, and they look to be your social better or the older person then pay them the respect of calling them 'Mr. Bucket' and 'Mrs Leadbetter' they will probably very quickly say you may call them 'Richard' or 'Margot', but will appreciate the courtesy. Familiarity breeds contempt. APPEARANCE However good your handshake or small talk may be, if you look like a sack of potatoes, have that unshaved 'trendy' stubble, bag-woman hair or unpolished shoes then you're undermining everything and doing yourself no favours. Work on the whole introduction, verbally, physically and visually. Alexia's mum has taken her to Germany for treatment Australian doctors say they can only give her Most four-year-olds are concerned with preparing for Kindergarten, playing with their siblings and watching Frozen. But for Alexia Keeping, half her life has been filled with hospital, tests, medications and treatments to fight her brain tumour. The four-year-old from Paralowie, South Australia, was diagnosed with a Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a type of brain tumour that is very aggressive and extremely difficult to treat. Alexia Keeping (above) was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour two years ago Her only symptom at the time was a crooked eye, and her parents had to go to three hospitals before she was diagnosed Despite the fact that many children diagnosed with DIPG die within months of diagnosis, Alexia has survived much longer, something less than 10 per cent of people with the tumour do. The first indication something was wrong came two years ago, when Alexia's mother, Hayley, noticed her eye looked wonky. 'We went to three different hospitals and they all said it was a squint and not to worry about it,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'They ordered MRIs but it was taking too long, so we payed privately for our own.' 'The MRI showed it was a brain tumour. The doctors said that her days were numbered from the moment she was diagnosed.' The doctors tried everything to they could to fight the cancer, and against all odds the little girl stayed alive. After two years, Australian doctors say they can only offer palliative care options and that Alexia will die Alexia's mother Hayley Keeping (left) has been raising money to take the little girl to Germany for alternative treatment When doctors said there's no more treatments they can try, Ms Keeping found Dr Alexander Herzog, who runs a hospital in Nidda, Germany, that uses hyperthermia - a type of treatment in which body tissue is exposed to higher temperatures to damage and kill cancer cells. The treatment isn't available in Australia, so the family sought to raise money so that they could travel across the world, with the estimated cost to them being more than $100,000. 'The Australian doctor said theres nothing they can do. They gave us palliative care options. Its not an option for any parent in their right mind would consider,' Ms Keeping said. Run by Dr Alexander Herzog, the hospital in Germany treats cancer with hyperthermia therapy and vitamin drips Alexia also eats a strict diet at the hospital and does a personal training session every day (above) Alexia has now visited Germany once for treatment, which involves both hyperthermia therapy, alternative medicine and lifestyle changes as part of the treatment. 'There's an antioxidant and vitamin drip shes on for two hours a day, then hyperthermia two hours a day,' Ms Keeping explained. 'She has a massage, that's about calming the body. 'It's also a lifestyle change. We live in the hospital there, it's a secluded area with no shops, it's a strip of just hospitals. There's no car pollution, it's all clean air. 'You don't eat anything that you bring, they feed you. And Alexia does a personal training session every day.' The treatment also involves taking homoeopathic medications, ozone and oxygen therapy, and magnetic field therapy. However it is controversial because it's a trial and the treatment hasn't been peer-reviewed or proven to work. The treatment is controversial because it is a trial, and hasn't been peer reviewed or proven to work Recent MRI results have shown the tumour growing, so Ms Keeping is looking to take Alexia back to Germany for more treatment Unfortunately, more recent MRI results show growth on the tumour, so now Ms Keeping is looking to head back to Germany, or possibly to Bristol, England, where another trial treatment is being offered. This does mean the family needs to try and raise more money. They have already raised $35,000 but only $9,000 of that is left after the first visit to Nidda for treatment. Thankfully, through all of this Alexia hasn't had any symptoms pain except for her crooked eye. She is, Ms Keeping says, still the same bubbly child she was before. No matter what, now the mother will do anything to ensure her little girl lives as long as possible. When I was a fashion model in the Sixties and Seventies, women would often tell me they were envious of my thick, blonde hair. In shoot after shoot it would be piled up on my head or tousled by the photographer to look gloriously natural. But if only those women knew my guilty little secret: that the hair was, in fact, a clip-in wig, as I have very fine locks. I would take a bag of hairpieces to auditions and photoshoots, eager to create the impression of having the sort of thick tresses. We Sixties models all had to work with hair pieces, but I needed them more than most and I so envied contemporaries such as Jean Shrimpton and Celia Hammond who had such hair. Sandra before the treatment. Sandra Howard always used to be complimented on her hair But as she's aged it's got thinner and limper - like Mary Berry's Sadly, with every decade that's passed, my hair has become limper and thinner. In my 60s, it fell out in clumps. Whether it was due to hormonal changes or stress, I don't know. But now, at 75, I still look longingly at women with good, thick hair and think: 'If only.' I recently read in this paper that Mary Berry may have suffered similarly and, before the latest series of the BBC's Great British Bake Off began, just might have given Mother Nature a little helping hand in the form of small, delicate hair extensions called Medi Connections. Rather than creating flowing locks, these 'baby extensions' are far subtler and designed to make thinning hair appear fuller rather than longer. I was so impressed with the natural-looking results that, a couple of days after seeing Bake Off, I found myself at Lucinda Ellery's hair salon in London, which specialises in Medi Connections. Lucinda described my hair as 'baby fine'. She recommended 60 extensions, at a cost of 300, to be bonded - or glued - in a semi-circle around my scalp, underneath my natural hair, a couple of inches from the crown. The difference between Medi Connections and other hair extensions is the delicacy of the tiny bonds used to attach them to the hair, which makes them more suited to women at my stage of life, when hair becomes thinner and easily breaks under too much weight. Sandra after the treatment. Despite being apprehensive about having hair extensions put in, she loves the result Nevertheless, I was very apprehensive as I sat down in the hair technician's chair. While I've always envied women with thick, lustrous hair, you have to be Dolly Parton to carry off that look in your eighth decade. The first part of the process was finding a good colour match for my hair, which is highlighted and low-lighted. They decided on a 'virgin' - previously untreated - ash blonde. The locks are imported from Russia, Brazil and India, where 86,000 people a day have their hair shorn and donated to monks. It is then sold and, according to Lucinda, the money made is used to provide health and education services for the poorest people in those communities. Mary Berry may have suffered similarly to Sandra and, before the latest series of the BBC's Great British Bake Off began, just might have given Mother Nature a little helping hand in the form of small, delicate hair extensions called Medi Connections Back in London, long, inch-wide blonde strips were bonded on to my own hair using a heat-gun filled with polymer resin, a substance which is sticky until it dries and sets the extensions in place. While I felt them being attached, only one of them was uncomfortably tight and tugged on my scalp. Thankfully, the tightness eased when the hair naturally dropped after 20 minutes or so. Once all 60 extensions were in place, a stylist trimmed them to the same bob length and blow-dried my hair. I could barely believe my eyes; suddenly I had a full head of hair. The weight of it bouncing around my shoulders made me feel perky, not to mention decades younger. It looked as it does after a professional shampoo and set, which usually lasts only matter of minutes Still, at first I hated it. It felt too bouffant and groomed. However, as the afternoon wore on and it dropped a little, I began to fall in love with my new style. The weight of it bouncing around my shoulders made me feel perky, not to mention decades younger. It looked as it does after a professional shampoo and set, which usually lasts only matter of minutes. But this time the fullness is here to stay (at least for three months, after which it will need re-doing). My husband, Michael, is utterly thrilled. He makes no secret of the fact that he loves 'big hair' on a woman. For 40 years he's had to put up with me complaining about my fine flimsy tresses. Now, as silly as it might sound, we're both excited to know that, for the next 12 weeks when we are travelling around the Mediterranean doing talks on a cruise ship, I'll be strutting about like a slightly over-the-hill Charlie's Angel. Sandra pre-treatment. While she's always envied women with thick, lustrous hair, she thought you have to be Dolly Parton to carry off that look in your eighth decade The back of Sandra's head before the extensions. When the extensions were being attached, only one of them was uncomfortably tight and tugged on Sandra's scalp. Thankfully, the tightness eased when the hair naturally dropped after 20 minutes or so I have slipped up a couple of times and, instead of a soft-bristled brush, used a comb - a definite no-no as it could yank out the extensions and my natural hair if it gets stuck in the bonds. I can wash my hair normally, but I have to remind myself not to direct the heat from the hairdryer straight on to the bonds, as it could melt them. There is no describing the joy I feel waking up without hair flattened to my scalp. I don't even need rollers to add bounce. Long, inch-wide blonde strips were bonded on to the hair using a heat-gun filled with polymer resin, a substance which is sticky until it dries and sets the extensions in place (posed by model) My neighbour can vouch for this. She visited first thing one morning and squealed: 'Your hair looks lovely, what have you done?' She was visibly surprised when I told her I'd had hair extensions - after all, they're more commonly associated with orange-hued reality TV stars rather than those of pensionable age. When I Skype my son's family in New York, they notice the change immediately. Everyone is in agreement that the extensions take years off me, but for some, as I discovered at the salon, they can be literally life-changing. Once all 60 extensions were in place, a stylist trimmed them to the same bob length and blow-dried her hair. She could barely believe it when she saw how much volume she had (the Freshwater Pearl and Sterling Silver Necklace available in silver finish or 18ct gold-plated is from Heavenly Necklaces, 65) Those with alopecia, trichotillomania (where sufferers obsessively pull out strands at the roots) and female pattern hair loss, as well as women who have lost hair while undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, can be suicidal by the time they discover extensions are possible - even on the wispiest of heads. 'It has a massive psychological impact on women, far more than men who usually have role models with little or no hair,' says Lucinda, who herself suffers hair loss and wore wigs for many years before starting her business in 1984. She can wash my hair normally, but has to remind myself not to direct the heat from the hairdryer straight on to the bonds, as it could melt them 'Some have, very sadly, already attempted to take their own lives by the time they come to us. Leaving the salon with a full head of hair that looks very real transforms their lives.' I'll see how I get on with mine before deciding if I'd like to repeat the experience. But it felt more than worthwhile when I walked out on my husband's arm for a black-tie dinner, dressed in an ancient Bruce Oldfield white halterneck dress, my hair bouncing girlishly around my shoulders as it has never done before. A former heroin user who shot-up while carrying her son says pregnant addicts should be given access to safe drug injecting rooms. Dr Mary Harrod is now a drug policy expert who is pushing for pregnant women to be let into Sydney's Medically Supervised Injecting Centre. Her views on the controversial topic are coloured by her own experience as a heroin addict who was weaned off the drug at seven months' pregnant, the ABC reported. Scroll down for video Reducing harm: Dr Mary Harrod is calling for pregnant women to be able to use Sydney's supervised drug injecting centre (stock photo) Safe space: Dr Harrod says that if women have safe areas to wean off drugs, it will benefit their children in the long term (stock photo) 'I started injecting heroin about a year before I found out I was pregnant and I didn't realise I was pregnant for a while,' Dr Harrod said. Rather than giving up heroin the instant she realised she was carrying a baby, she was slowly weaned off it before she gave birth. This is because it is more harmful to the child if the mother goes cold turkey and shocks the body into acute withdrawal. Despite worrying that her child would be born with disabilities or defects, Dr Harrod gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Since then she has risen to become the CEO of the NSW Users and Aids Association an organisation that works to reduce the harm of drug use - and her son has graduated from Harvard University. Dr Harrod is now advocating for pregnant women to be legally allowed into the Medically Supervised Injection Centre in Sydney's Kings Cross. The MSIC is a safe space where addicts can inject drugs with the help of medical professionals. Despite a rise in the number of pregnant women seeking its services, it is currently illegal for medics at the centre to admit them and treat them. 'Not an encouragement': Dr Marianne Jauncey says the policy does not encourage drug use, rather, it reduces the risk of harm to unborn children (stock photo) Personal experience: Dr Harrod was herself addicted to heroin at seven months' pregnant. She was able to wean off the drug and gave birth to a healthy boy (stock photo) Dr Marianne Jauncey has run the MSIC for almost eight years and also supports a law change to allow pregnant women to use its services. 'It's not about encouraging drug use by any stretch,' Dr Jauncey told the ABC. 'In that case where a woman is pregnant [and addicted to drugs] the danger comes from her stopping suddenly. 'That will cause her body to go into acute withdrawal and that has the most negative effect on a pregnancy.' Dr Jauncey and Dr Harrod are calling on the NSW Government to overturn laws that bar pregnant women and children under 18 from using the MSIC facility. In July, acting Premier Troy Grant described the proposals as 'ridiculous' and 'offensive'. 'These people are absolutely off their rockers,' he told The Daily Telegraph. Georg Jensen also helped with the campaign, and have released jewellery Ovarian cancer kills one woman every 10 hours and is called a 'silent killer' Jessica Gomes, Samantha Harris and more have spoken to the magazine The magazine and foundation aim to raise awareness with celebrity help Marie Claire Australia have teamed up with OCRF for ovarian cancer Samantha Harris and Jessica Gomes are just two of the Australian celebrities who have come together for a very important cause in Marie Claire Australia magazine this month - ovarian cancer. Captured in starkly beautiful black-and-white photographs, all wearing limited-edition Georg Jensen earrings, Sam, Jess and 10 other celebrity faces aim to raise awareness about the 'silent killer' that kills one woman every 10 hours. 'My mum and sister are both nurses, so I've always heard stories about how lives are torn apart by cancer,' Jess Gomes told Marie Claire. Silent killer: Jessica Gomes (pictured) is just one Australian celebrity face who has joined up with a very important cause in Marie Claire Australia magazine this month - ovarian cancer Knowledge: 26-year-old model Samantha Harris (pictured) has also joined forces with the campaign in association with Georg Jensen 'The fundamental thing people need to know about ovarian cancer is that if you detect it early, you can save lives. 'Knowledge is key - it's really important to be aware of this disease and how quietly it can operate 'Knowledge is key - it's really important to be aware of this disease and how quietly it can operate; it really is a silent killer.' The 29-year-old model and actress isn't the only one partnering up with the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) and Marie Claire Australia in honour of their joint new #researchiskey campaign, or the only woman praising the campaign's admirable aims. Campaign: The partnership is in association with the the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF), and it is in honour of the magazine and foundation's joint #researchiskey campaign Change: 26-year-old model and social media star, Samantha Harris (pictured) also talked to the magazine about her feelings towards ovarian cancer 26-year-old model and social media star, Samantha Harris, also talked to the magazine about her feelings towards the heartbreaking disease: 'It's such an aggressive cancer and it's heartbreaking knowing that if you don't detect it in time you don't have a great chance of beating it. 'Most people dont know that ovarian cancer can target young women as well. 'The more we talk about it and raise funds to help research, the better chance women have of beating it. 'If I can even help one person beat ovarian cancer my job is done.' Joined forces: Delta Goodrem, Tessa James, Sam Frost and Samantha Armytage are other Australian household names that feature in the campaign Delta Goodrem, Tessa James, Sam Frost and Samantha Armytage also feature in the campaign. Meanwhile, Georg Jensen have released a special, limited-edition pendant and earrings at AUD $195 each, from which a percentage of the proceeds will be directly donated to OCRF. To find out more about ovarian cancer, or to donate money, click here. The Marie Claire Australia October edition is on sale now. This is the touching moment a Londoner brought all his girlfriend's favourite romantic comedies to life to surprise her with a secret cinema-themed marriage proposal. Part-time actor James Barton, 32, from Sussex, told partner of six years Lianne Carter, 30, he had bought her a ticket to an interactive secret cinema event at the Asylum exhibition space in Peckham, London. But recruitment officer James, who performs on stage in his spare time, had actually planned a private showing of clips from all the couple's favourite romcoms set to the song Come What May from Moulin Rouge. James Barton, 32, told partner of six years Lianne Carter, 30, (pictured above) he had bought her a ticket to an interactive secret cinema event James planned a private showing of clips from all the couple's favourite romcoms set to the song Come What May from Moulin Rouge After the film, which left Lianne in tears, two dancers performed to her favourite song, Kissing You by Des'ree The personalised video included scenes from Moulin Rouge and other British classics such as Notting Hill and Love Actually - as well as Hollywood hit Romeo and Juliet, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. And after the heart-warming film - which left tap dance teacher Lianne in tears - two dancers performed to her favourite song, Kissing You by Des'ree, before James emerged ready to propose. There was not a dry eye in the house as James told Lianne he had 'only one question' as he got down on bended knee - and luckily his bride-to-be said yes. James said: 'I was so nervous right up until the last second, just wondering how it was all going to go and if she'd like it. James said: 'I was so nervous right up until the last second, just wondering how it was all going to go and if she'd like it' 'Looking back now it was all just one big blur of emotions - and relief. I was on cloud nine when she said yes - I still am' 'I just wanted to do something that would be really special and different for Lianne so she'd have a story to tell. 'Looking back now it was all just one big blur of emotions - and relief. I was on cloud nine when she said yes - I still am. 'I was trying to be as smooth and cool and calm as possible but I was just an excitable wreck through the whole thing. 'Even though Lianne had been going on trying to get me to propose for ages, you do still worry. Lianne had hinted that she wanted James to propose to her for a while but he was still worried about her response After planning a proposal, The Proposers put the groom-to-be in touch with bespoke wedding ring designers Purely Diamonds James wanted a platinum ring with a round-cut central diamond surrounded by an inner halo of yellow diamonds - a family tradition dating back generations - and an outer halo of colourless diamonds 'I'm so happy she agreed to marry me. I get to spend the rest of my life with this beautiful woman who I have such an incredible connection with.' I get to spend the rest of my life with this beautiful woman who I have such an incredible connection with James admitted he had 'dragged his heels' over proposing for years because he wanted it to be something personalised, so got stuck in a rut over-thinking it. But after coming up with the secret cinema theme - inspired by his and Lianne's shared love of films and the arts - James approached The Proposers, who create unique proposals for couples. After planning a proposal to reflect James' and Lianne's love, The Proposers put the groom-to-be in touch with ring designers Purely Diamonds. James wanted a platinum ring with a round-cut central diamond surrounded by an inner halo of yellow diamonds - a family tradition dating back generations - and an outer halo of colourless diamonds. And the bride-to-be was absolutely thrilled with both the proposal and the ring. Pictured above is the beautiful setting at the Asylum exhibition space in Peckham, London Lianne said: 'I am so gullible I just went along with the whole thing. I was completely clueless' 'When the penny dropped I was just in flood of tears. I couldn't hold it in and when I said yes to James I was looking down at him with massive panda eyes' Lianne said: 'I am so gullible I just went along with the whole thing. I was completely clueless. 'Even when the romcom clips started playing I was thinking 'oh how nice, these are all my favourite films'. 'When the penny dropped I was just in floods of tears. I couldn't hold it in and when I said yes to James I was looking down at him with massive panda eyes. 'The whole experience was just absolutely perfect. The room was beautifully decorated and even though there were a few extras and a cameraman it felt really intimate and special. 'The time and the thought that went into every detail is so overwhelming. And my ring is so gorgeous, I can't stop looking at it.' She describes the whole experience as 'absolutely perfect' and said the 'ring is so gorgeous, I can't stop looking at it' The couple, pictured above, met in 2010 when they were both working at the same school and James says 'I am so happy just to be with her' James and Lianne met in 2010 while both working at the same school and due to this the lovebirds were forced to keep the first year of their relationship a secret. The couple, who now own a house together in Sussex, reached a 'crossroads' at the end of that year where they had to decide if their relationship was serious enough to risk coming clean to colleagues. But James said there was not a doubt in his mind as he had never felt that way before. James said: 'Every relationship starts in a similar way where you're dating and it's all new and exciting getting to know each other and developing a connection. 'But with Lianne there came a time when I realised our bond was so strong I couldn't imagine ever being with anyone else and I didn't want to imagine it. Dressed in a shimmering silk dress, the Duchess of Cornwall couldn't wipe the smile from her face as she enjoyed a dinner date with her husband and son. Camilla, 69, joined Prince Charles and Tom Parker Bowles for a meal at trendy London restaurant Scott's on Wednesday night. She opted for an A-line dress which she paired with an elegant string of pearls and a brown leather clutch - while her dining companions both looked dapper in navy. Scroll down for video Camilla joined Prince Charles and Tom Parker Bowles for a meal at trendy London restaurant Scott's on Wednesday night Camilla plants a kiss on her son Tom's cheek as they part ways following dinner at Scott's Charles, 67, was suited and booted with a tailored suit and a pocket square. The Mayfair eaterie favoured by celebrities charges around 100 a head, and is famed for its oysters and champagne. As the trio left the venue, Camilla was seen planting a kiss on her son's cheek before leaving with Charles. It has been a busy week for the royal couple, with Camilla making a visit to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home yesterday. Charles, 67, looks suited and booted with a sharply-tailored suit and a pocket square The trio leave Scott's. The Mayfair eaterie favoured by celebrities charges around 100 a head, and is famed for its oysters and champagne Much-needed break: It has been a busy week for the royal couple, with Camilla making a visit to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home yesterday The Duchess also met three Chelsea Pensioners, who get to visit the dogs and cats as part of an outreach programme. They talked of their shared love of canines, with Camilla telling them 'stroking dogs always makes me feel better'. Elsewhere in the capital Camilla's husband Prince Charles was celebrating 150 years of the London Fire Brigade at Shadwell Fire Station. The heir to the throne met children from nearby Blue Gate Fields Junior School who were learning about the importance of smoke alarms from education officer Ruth Lawrence. Earlier in the week, the pair attended a reception celebrating 500 years of Royal Mail at Merchant Taylor's Hall. Camilla oped for an A-line dress which she paired with an elegant string of pearls and a brown leather clutch - while her dining companions both looked dapper in navy The Duchess couldn't wipe the smile from her face as she enjoyed a dinner date with her husband and son The Duchess gets into a waiting car following dinner at the exclusive eaterie The event commemorated 500 years since Henry VIII knighted Brian Tuke, the first Master of the Posts, in 1516. The pair then met with long serving postal workers who stood in front of a display of the Queen's 90th birthday commemorative stamps, in which Prince Charles features. Meanwhile food writer Tom, 41, has been busy preparing for the launch of his upcoming book, Fortnum and Mason - The Cook Book, which comes out in October 2016. The author appeared to be clutching a Waterstone's bag as he left the restaurant on Wednesday night. But surgeons on Botched By Nature gave her the breasts she'd dreamed of She hated social situations as she was so self-conscious of her breasts The condition stopped her right breast from A young woman with a rare condition that left her with uneven breasts finally has the chest of her dreams after undergoing surgery. Taylor Prestidge, from Virginia, has amastia, an extremely rare problem occurring in less than on per cent of women, that means that only one breast develops in puberty. For years she felt self-conscious about her cleavage and uncomfortable in social settings. Scroll down for video Taylor before and after the surgery which increased her bosoms to a D cup When Botched By Nature's doctors, Terry Dubrow and Paul Nassif, visited Taylor, she explained that she doesn't feel 'comfortable' in social settings because of her underdeveloped right breast Appearing on E! reality series Botched By Nature, doctors, Terry Dubrow and Paul Nassif, Taylor explained that she didn't feel 'comfortable' in social settings because of her underdeveloped right breast. Taylor admitted that she would 'hide in the showers' during gym class at school so her classmates wouldn't notice the size of her breasts. She even quit the swim team because she was so self-conscious about her body. Dr Dubrow told her he wanted to wait to decide how large he could make her breasts until he was in surgery - even though Taylor told him she would like to be a D cup. 'I want to make you happy,' he told Taylor before surgery. 'What I want to do is I want to end this problem for you, I want to undo what nature did to you.' Experts from Botched By Nature carried out the surgery which included implants in both breasts Taylor's right breast didn't develop when she went through puberty He talked about what would happen in Taylor's surgery, explaining: 'I'm going to start by making an incision under Taylor's areola on her smaller right side and manipulate the pocket in order to fit an implant. 'I'll then put in sizer implants in both breasts to get a sense for how big of an implant her chest can safely accommodate and insert appropriately sized implants. 'Next I'll evaluate the droopiness of the left side and weigh whether or not I need to perform a lift. In the end Taylor should have the full symmetrical breasts she's waited so long for.' Dr Dubrow didn't think he would be able to put size D implants that Taylor wanted in her chest, but he was able to do it in the end. Taylor couldn't wait to show her new breasts to her friends after the operation Six weeks after her surgery, Taylor met up with her friends on the beach to show them the results. When Taylor arrived wearing a bikini top, her friends immediately told her she looked 'awesome.' 'My breasts look fantastic,' said a delighted Taylor. The Duchess of Cornwall vowed today to do 'everything in her power' to help victims of domestic violence after meeting the family of a mother brutally murdered alongside her toddler son by her ex-partner. Camilla, who spoke to the Mail earlier this year about her determination to break the shaming national 'silence' around the issue, praised the campaigning brother and sister-in-law of pregnant Rachel Slack, who was stabbed to death alongside her 23-month-old son, Auden, in 2010. She died not even knowing that police had classed them both as being at 'high risk of homicide' from her former boyfriend, Andrew Cairns. The Duchess of Cornwall addressed members of Refuge and women the charity has helped in central London today Rachel Slack was stabbed to death alongside her 23-month-old son, Auden, in 2010 (right) 'I can't even begin to understand what you have been through but what happened to Rachel makes it even more important that we make a change in the way this issue is viewed and dealt with,' she said. The royal - the first to speak out over the issue of domestic violence, which has been described as a national epidemic - met the Slacks at the offices of Refuge, the largest provider of specialist services to victims in the country. Shockingly, two women are murdered each week by their partners or ex-partners and Refuge supports 3,800 women and children on any given day. Mr and Mrs Slack told the visibly moved duchess about Rachel, 38, whom they later described as a beautiful, vivacious young women who could 'turn even the dullest event into ball'. Although she had split with Auden's father, Andrew Cairns, a manipulative and deceitful man who had a history of mental health problems, the 'kind-hearted and warm' woman insisted on maintaining a good relationship with him for the sake of their young son. She spoke to Melanie Clarke (right), who said the charity had helped her 'see a future' after enduring 15 years of abuse from her ex-husband, as the CEO Sandra Horley listened in Melanie Clarke (right) was there to prove how charities like Refuge are invaluable to women trapped in brutal and nightmarish relationships Cairns, it seems, could not come to terms with her determination to create a new life for herself, however, which included a new partner. The news that she was three-months pregnant apparently triggered an explosive rage in Cairns, 44, who threatened to kill her and take their son away. He told her: 'You have no idea what I'm capable of. I will kill you and take him [Auden] with me. Rachel reported Cairns to the police and he was arrested for threats to kill but released on bail five days before the murders, having denied the charge. A neighbour also separately reported Cairns to officers after he threatened to grab the young child. On June 2 2010 Cairns who went to Rachel's cottage and stabbed her and Auden 48 times, in what police described as a particularly brutal attack, before committing suicide himself. It later emerged that officers had catastrophically failed to warn Rachel that she and her son were considered by the police to be at high risk of homicide. Domestic abuse victim Melanie Clarke met actor Sir Patrick Stewart who is the charity's patron Mrs Slack said: 'One of the first things that came to us was that surely there should have been a risk assessment done? 'We found out subsequently that one had been done and that Rachel and Auden were not just classed as being high risk, but at a high risk of homicide. But they [Derbyshire Police] didn't do anything about it. They didn't tell her that. All they asked was whether she felt safe and she told them that she would keep the door locked. 'They could have given her Refuge's number, she could have been given a panic alarm. If she had known that she might have gone away. 'She was denied the chance to be given an informed choice about her and Auden's safety. As as mother myself, you'd do anything to protect your child.' An initial report by the Independent Police Commission initially cleared officers of any blame but after an inquest found there had been significant failings in police procedure a second report was commissioned which found that serious errors had been made. Mr Slack said: 'The space that has been left in out lives by the tragic loss of Rachel and Auden will never be filled and never should be. 'Rachel was a devoted mother, an intelligent, trusting and truly caring young woman. 'The jury inquest found that police failings contributed to the deaths of Rachel and Auden. We hope...the police will learn lessons and instigate necessary changes to their approach and procedures in order to protect the lives of other women and children deemed to be at risk of domestic violence - a problem the Coroner described as an 'epidemic'. 'We also want to raise awareness of what domestic violence is and provide information of how those suffering from it can get help. 'To be honest, I never realised that domestic violence could take so many forms. That it didn't necessarily have to be physical but that it also included emotional abuse, controlling behaviour. If I'm honest I just didn't think it happen to normal, middle class people like us. 'The last few years have been a long battle to highlight the failings that came out at the inquest into Rachel and Auden's deaths and as to whether have they been addressed. 'That's why we are so grateful that the Duchess of Cornwall is lending her support to this issue. You just can't let them die in vain, can you?' Sir Patrick Stewart, the patron of Refuge, reassured Camilla that she was making a difference Camilla told the Star Trek star that she 'shall keep on trying' to make a difference to the lives of women affected by domestic violence According to the couple Derbyshire Police have now conducted a root and branch review and reorganisation of their domestic violence procedures. Refuge's chief executive, Sandra Horley, told the Duchess yesterday that the prevalence of domestic violence 'thrived on secrecy'. She said: 'Hundreds of thousands of women and children in this country are living in fear for their lives. Fear in the knowledge that a violent attacker has the key to their front door. Fear that they will not be believed and that nobody will help them. 'Domestic violence is a crime it takes lives and ruins lives. Your presence Maam is helping Refuge to bring domestic violence out of the shadows. 'We need a change in social attitudes. Refuges wants to send a strong public message: domestic violence is a an insidious crime which must no longer be tolerated or ignored. We need to end the silence. ' Before she left Camilla also chatted with guests which included Star Trek actor Sir Patrick Stewart, an ambassador for Refuge, who watched his late mother suffer the almost appealing violence at the hands of his father after the Second World War. He told her: 'For the first five years of my life I was blissfully happy and then my father returned from the war with PTSD, an angry and unhappy man, and made us all angry and unhappy. It's the shame I recall most. And the fear. I heard a policeman said 'well it takes two to make an argument, Mrs Stewart you know'.' Before she left Camilla told the Mail: 'I heave heard some appalling, emotional stories - they just bring you to tears - but also some very positive ones that show us there is life after domestic abuse. We need people to go out and spread the word. The silence has got to stop.' The Duchess spoke to Haydon and Melony Slack, the brother and sister-in-law of tragic Rachael Slack who, along with her son Auden, was stabbed to death by her ex-partner in 2010 Melony Slack has experienced the horror of domestic abuse up close after the stabbing of her sister-in-law Rachael who lost her life at the hands of her ex, along with her son The day of meetings followed a busy day yesterday for Camilla who enjoyed a rare night out with her son Tom Parker Bowles and husband Charles. She started her day at a visit to the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine in central London where she met with podiatrists and patients. Dressed in a chic blue dress emblazoned with yellow flowers, the Duchess, who is Patron of the College of Podiatry, was treated to a guided tour of the hospital. MELANIE CLARKE'S STORY Melanie Clarke first met her former partner, Jack*, when she was 14-years-old. They were together for almost 15 years and have three children together. Jack was controlling from the very beginning. He didn't like her to have male friends and he was constantly suspicious. He systematically isolated her, stopping her from seeing friends. His verbal and emotional abuse became constant he would tell her she was stupid and belittle her opinions. He would tell her that he couldn't stand her and that she should kill herself. Jack didn't want Melanie to have any contact with other men, even men who were serving her in shops. He would constantly accuse her of cheating on him and told her she shouldn't wear make-up or fitted clothes. He first showed signs of violence when he smashed a hammer into a mirror because he was frustrated about something. After this, it wasn't long before Jack physically attacked her. He would push her into furniture, try to strangle her, kick her and slam her head into the wall. He would also throw objects around and break household items that she couldn't replace. He would even punch holes in doors. The violence became more frequent, but Jack told Melanie he would kill himself if she left. He would always apologise profusely after the violence, telling her he didn't mean it and he loved her. The emotional abuse and controlling behaviour continued. When Melanie was pregnant with their third child, Jack attempted to strangle her. She remembers thinking that this was the moment he would kill her. At this point, Melanie reported Jack to the police. Melanie testified against Jack when she was eight months pregnant. He was convicted of ABH and served with a restraining order. Although Melanie was now safe, she struggled to move on from her abuse. She felt guilty about the impact witnessing the abuse might have had on her children. She began attending a local Refuge support group. Her keyworker supported her to regain her confidence and begin to move on from her experiences. The women she met through Refuge also inspired her. Melanie says: 'One woman started talking about what had happened to her kids, and that was the breakthrough for me. This woman was still standing strong 'that's what I can do', I thought. It is about saying, 'Who am I? What do I like to do?' When you're with an abusive partner, you forget who you are.' Melanie is now happily married. She also volunteers for Refuge, helping to run a coffee morning where women who have experienced domestic violence meet up and share how they are moving on. She says: 'I am now loving my life, thanks to Refuge.' *The perpetrator's name has been changed Advertisement The Duchess of Cornwall, Patron of the College of Podiatry, looked elegant during her visit to the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine in central London where she met with podiatrists and patients During her day out, she met with Dr. Tariq Khan, who examined a young patient alongside the royal, as well as showing her the benefits of therapeutic insoles. She also met with six-month-old Noah Jay and his parents Sarah Saville and Tom Jay during her visit. The day out came after a late night dinner on Wednesday with her husband and son. Camilla, 69, joined Prince Charles and Tom Parker Bowles for a meal at trendy London restaurant Scott's on Wednesday night. It has been a busy week for the royal couple, with Camilla making a visit to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home yesterday. The Duchess of Cornwall met six-month-old Noah Jay and his parents Sarah Saville and Tom Jay during her visit The Duchess of Cornwall (centre) meets three-year-old Alisha Khan at the hospital, where she was gifted with a posy of flowers Dr. Tariq Khan examines a young patient alongside the Duchess of Cornwall, Patron of the College of Podiatry Dressed in a chic blue dress emblazoned with yellow flowers, the Duchess was treated to a guided tour of the hospital Dr. Tariq Khan (left) demonstrates a selection of therapeutic insoles to the Duchess of Cornwall The Duchess also met three Chelsea Pensioners, who get to visit the dogs and cats as part of an outreach programme. They talked of their shared love of canines, with Camilla telling them 'stroking dogs always makes me feel better'. Elsewhere in the capital Camilla's husband Prince Charles was celebrating 150 years of the London Fire Brigade at Shadwell Fire Station. The heir to the throne met children from nearby Blue Gate Fields Junior School who were learning about the importance of smoke alarms from education officer Ruth Lawrence. Earlier in the week, the pair attended a reception celebrating 500 years of Royal Mail at Merchant Taylor's Hall. Prince Harry has reason to pop open the bubbly tonight, after being voted the world's hottest male royal. The 31-year-old heartthrob easily beat his big brother Prince William, who came ninth in the ranking. In second place was Prince Carl Philip, 37, who is fourth in line to the Swedish throne and married to model Sofia Hellqvist. Top proze: Prince Harry, sporting a new beard, has been voted the world's hottest male royal Rugged royal: The 31-year-old blue-blooded heartthrob was described as 'fun' and considered a great ambassador for Britain and the royal family, according to the poll of 1,000 women Prince William, in ninth place, came below his brother but above his cousin Peter Phillips Third place went to Andrea Casiraghi, fourth in line to the throne of Monaco and married to the heiress Tatiana Santo Domingo. The only other British royal to join the princes in the top ten was Princess Anne's son Peter Phillips, 38, the Queen's oldest grandchild, who came tenth. The results are from a new poll of 1,000 women, by Crown Clinic in Manchester, a leading hair transplant centre. The survey also found that it was more than Harry's good looks that won him the hearts of the female population. In second place was Prince Carl Philip, 37, who is fourth in line to the Swedish throne Hats off to Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, 33, the Crown Prince of Dubai, who came in fourth place in the survey. He is single and also writes poetry under the name Fazza Dishy royal: Third place went to Andrea Casiraghi, fourth in line to the throne of Monaco Fifth was Prince Felix, 32, who is second in line for the throne of Luxembourg. The European royal speaks seven languages and is married to German scientist Claire Lademacher Women described the prince as 'fun' but also considered him a great ambassador for Britain and the royal family. In fourth place in the survey was Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, 33, the Crown Prince of Dubai, who is single and writes poetry under the name Fazza. TOP 10 HOTTEST ROYALS 1. Prince Harry 2. Prince Carl Philip - third in line to the throne of Sweden 3. Andrea Casiraghi - second in line to the throne of Monaco 4. Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum - first in line to the throne of Dubai 5. Prince Felix - second in line for the throne of Luxembourg. 6. Prince Wenzeslaus of Liechtenstein 7. King Felipe VI of Spain 8. Prince Amedeo of Belgium 9. Duke of Cambridge - Prince William 10. Peter Phillips Advertisement Fifth was Prince Felix, 32, who is second in line for the throne of Luxembourg. The European royal speaks seven languages and is married to German scientist Claire Lademacher. Sixth place went to 42-year-old Prince Wenzeslaus of Liechtenstein who used to date the Victoria's Secret model Adriana Lima. Despite having his winning royal status, King Felipe VI of Spain only came in seventh place. The eighth place went to 30-year-old Prince Amedeo, sixth in line to the Belgian throne. Hair transplant surgeon Asim Shahmalak from Crown Clinic, who ran the survey said: 'Prince Harry is our most popular young royal and it is great to see that he has now been voted the world's number one Prince Charming, too. 'He is a fun guy and is great at selling Britain all over the world. Dr Shahmalak added: 'The other fun finding from the poll is that it was won by a ginger-haired man. You don't find many Hollywood leading men who are redheads but Harry shows that it is a very attractive hair colour. 'I think Harry's whole look has been enhanced by his recent beard which really suits him.' Despite having his winning royal status, King Felipe VI of Spain only came in seventh place Flying the British flag: The only other British royal to join the princes in the top ten was Princess Anne's son Peter Phillips, 38, the Queen's oldest grandchild, who came tenth An author and fashion stylist said he was sacked from his internship at Vogue because colleagues found his high-heeled shoes and experimentation with clothing 'distracting'. R.J. Hernandez, now 27, said that when he was offered an internship at the fashion magazine he was elated and saw it as an opportunity to 'reinvent' himself and explore his identity through fashion. But the writer, who recently released his debut novel, An Innocent Fashion, was surprised to learn that his choice to wear four-inch-heels and his experimentation with androgyny were not appreciated by the style bible - which promptly fired him because of his 'distracting' clothing. 'Eccentric': Author and stylist R.J. Hernandez, 27, pictured, claims his experimentation with high-heeled shoes and womenswear was not appreciated as an intern at Vogue Fired: The debut novelist, who lives in New York, said the fashion magazine sacked him after just two months Experimentation: He said his clothes were too 'distracting' for the magazine He told Daily Mail Online: 'My clothes were the main thing, that they were distracting and inappropriate for me as an intern to dress so eccentrically.' After years of reading fashion magazines and as a lover of art and fashion, he had dreamed about working in a creative environment. But R.J., who is originally from Miami and studied at Yale, said he was disillusioned to find that in reality, working at a magazine was 'as corporate as working on Wall Street'. He said: 'When I graduated a few years ago in 2011 I was pretty naive about what I would find in that environment. 'I had always been interested in fashion so getting an internship at Vogue was really exciting for me so I dove full-force into that. 'I reinvented myself really, part of that involved changing my name. I had a new eccentric wardrobe, I was expressing myself in a way I been able to in Miami or at Yale.' Inspired by the space 'in-between womenswear and menswear', he would combine three-piece suits with high-heeled shoes, high-waisted shorts with a blouse and T-shirts with 'statement' necklaces. R.J. said five years ago men experimenting with traditionally women's clothing was far less accepted than it is now. He said: 'I would wear a suit with high heels, I loved wearing heels, I thought it was really avant-garde. 'It was a really exciting adventure for me, pushing boundaries and I thought a fashion magazine would spread this idea of risk-taking, or encourage this idea of risk-taking.' After two months he said he was taken aside and asked not to come back the following day. He said: 'At first it was you can't wear shorts in the office, even though I had seen women in the office wearing dresses and shorts, it really was that I was a man... Inspiration: R.J., who was an intern in 2011, said the experience was 'heartbreaking' but prompted him to write his debut novel Journey: His book, An Innocent Fashion, tells the story of a boy from childhood through to college and trying to make it in the fashion industry 'People thought I was acting inappropriately and part of that was my self presentation.' R.J. said the experience was 'heartbreaking' but that his disillusionment prompted him to start working on what would become An Innocent Fashion, his first published novel. The book, which is fiction but in part inspired by his own life experiences, tells the story of a boy from childhood through to attending an Ivy League college and later trying to make it in the fashion world. R.J. said: 'Ultimately I wrote book because I was incredibly depressed having thought for all that time that once I reached this place I would be happy and the kind of people who would love the values that I hold deeply.' Although it has drawn some comparisons to The Devil Wears Prada, he said he wanted to portray a more truthful representation of the fashion world than the 2003 hit novel. He said people in the industry are not 'mean, superficial and dumb' like he finds they are often represented in books and films. He added: 'I feel like books and films and fiction about fashion tend to exist on this very one-dimensional plane with these characters that don't represent at all the experience of working in this world. 'Fashion is a really interesting backdrop for issues of our time: sexuality, race, class.' R.J. said he is now 'at peace' with the fashion industry, in which he is still involved, and is currently working on his second novel which explores the subject of religion. Casil opened up about the difficulties of transitioning and learning to model A Colorado teenager who started modeling as a little girl is now finding real success in the fashion world as a young man. Transgender fashion star Casil McArthur, 17, has booked gigs for Calvin Klein, Milk Makeup, and Saint-Laurent since his transition, and hopes to one day be able to call himself a supermodel. The Estes Park, Colorado, native told the Denver Post all about his budding career, and how he hopes to use his platform to reach other LGBTQ kids. High fashion guy: Casil McArthur, 17, has found success in the modeling world as a young man Busy: He's done work for Calvin Klein, Milk Makeup, and Saint-Laurent Making moves: However, he grew up female and decided to start transitioning last year Casil started modeling as a female at age 10, and then went under the name Dani Rose. But he struggled with gender dysphoria for a long time, something he only felt able to address as he got older. Last year, he decided he no longer wanted to model as a female. Instead, the teen decided to transition, and began taking testosterone in December. 'When it comes to your identity, you know when you know,' he said. 'I would not have gone through what I have gone through for something I was not sure about. Im simply telling people that in my opinion, you will only get the highest quality out of life if you are who you are.' Of course, it wasn't an easy road. Casil suddenly had acne for the first time in his life because of his new facial hair, and he experienced menopause. Even when it came to modeling, there were challenges. That's new: He started taking testosterone, which gave him acne for the first time and facial hair Adapting: Casil said he's had to learn how to model differently as a man, since the poses are different 'Its not difficult, but guys pose differently, and they have to do different things,' he explained in an interview with W magazine this summer. He's since gotten the hang of it, though, and feels more comfortable in his new body. Casil has even found further success as a model. Luckily, when he first told his agency at the time about his plan, they were supportive and helped him sign with another agency that represented men. He has since gone on to land a 16-page spread for W magazine for the September issue, shot by photographer Steven Meisel and another shoot for Re-Edition Magazine. Changes: When he was younger, he went by the name Dani Rose (left) Dani Rose was signed to several agencies (pictured at Fashion Week in September 2013) For the better: However, Casil said he feels more comfortable in his body as a male 'Male modeling is a lot simpler because you dont have to try as hard, but its definitely difficult for male models because theyre always expected to have such strong, muscular and sculpted bodies. 'Personally for me, it takes a lot of dedication,' he told the Denver Post. For now, though, Casil is still balancing the modeling world with the 'real' world, and still lives in his hometown in Colorado, where he is homeschooled. When he books a gig in New York City, he flies out. And while the modeling world has been mostly accepting, he still deals with some of the challenges facing anyone who is transgender. Get it right: He said that some people still misgender him, which he finds frustrating Standing up: Casil also hopes to be a role model for LGBTQ kids and thinks it's unfair that they often have to hide 'It's super difficult for me not to shake people sometimes,' he said. 'While I have patience, it doesnt give people permission to misgender me or throw my identity under the bus. 'Because that still happens people will misgender me and I'll correct them, and they'll be like, "Well, I'm still getting used to it." And it's like, "No, I've been this way for awhile."' He hopes, too, to be a role model and provide a voice for those who don't feel they have one. The Queen has been hailed as a beacon of global style and one of the best dressed women in the world. Vanity Fair awarded Her Majesty a special commendation for her steadfastness in dress - the first such award in its history. The magazine said that The Queen said had a resolute sense of style across a century of rapid change that was inspiring to all who saw her. Scroll down for video The Queen has been hailed as a beacon of global style and one of the best dressed women in the world Scottish Actress Tilda Swinton was also inducted into the Vanity Fair fashion hall of fame whilst Idris Elba and Helen Mirren were honoured. The International Best Dressed List was drawn up by Vanity Fair special correspondent Amy Fine Collins, the magazines editor Graydon Carter and other editors based on the votes of fashionistas around the world. Miss Collins said that The Queen, Britains longest serving sovereign, deserved the special citation because of her unwavering sense of style. Vanity Fair said The Queens most notable ensemble last year was the lime green Stewart Parvin coat she wore at Trooping the Colour in June as she celebrated her 90th birthday Miss Collins said that The Queen, Britains longest serving sovereign, deserved the special citation because of her unwavering sense of style Vanity Fair awarded Her Majesty a special commendation for her steadfastness in dress - the first such award in its history She said: She has consistently represented who she is and what she stands for, without wavering from a standard she set a long time ago. Politics, culture, and class structure in the empire - all of that shifts constantly, but she doesnt. Shes a beacon. Vanity Fair said The Queens most notable ensemble last year was the lime green Stewart Parvin coat she wore at Trooping the Colour in June as she celebrated her 90th birthday. Vanity Fair singled out a 1961 photo showing her looking resplendent in the mantle and robes of the order of St Michael and St Peter at a service at St Pauls Cathedral as an example of her enduring sense of style The magazine said that The Queen said had a resolute sense of style across a century of rapid change that was inspiring to all who saw her The International Best Dressed List was drawn up by Vanity Fair special correspondent Amy Fine Collins, the magazines editor Graydon Carter and other editors based on the votes of fashionistas around the world The bold outfit had divided opinion with some thinking that it was too close to the colour used on the iPhone text messages - but Vanity Fair was full of praise. Vanity Fair also singled out a number of The Queens outfits over the years as proof of her enduring fashion sense. They included a 1961 photo showing her looking resplendent in the mantle and robes of the order of St Michael and St Peter at a service at St Pauls Cathedral. In her profile Miss Swinton named her kilt as her favourite item of clothing and said her favourite shoes were her Manolos BB in all colours. Of Miss Swinton, Miss Collins wrote: There are very few movie stars in our world right now who understand clothes as she does, and are as beloved by the industry. She really lives it, and understands it, and believes it, and enjoys it. British actor Idris Elba, 44, known for looking dapper in sharply tailored suits, was honoured on the list alongside Helen Mirren Scottish Actress Tilda Swinton was also inducted into the Vanity Fair fashion hall Miss Mirren jokingly listed her occupation as pretender rather than Oscar-winning actress who played Her Majesty in the film The Queen. Asked by Vanity Fair what inspired her style, Miss Mirren said: Helena Bonham Carter and people on the streets of St. Marks Place, New York, and Spitalfields, London. Mr Elba cited his father as his style icon and said that he liked to shop at Gucci, Burberry and Ozwald Boateng. Among the other Brits on the list was Eddie Redmayne who also cited his father as a style icon. The rest of the list which is not ranked, included US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama along with Vice President Joe Biden The rest of the list which is not ranked, included US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama along with Vice President Joe Biden. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that, left to his own devices, his style icon would be Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean film series. British writer Zadie Smith, who was named on the list, said her favourite designers included Miuccia Prada, and her favorite places to shop were Housing Works, the Internet and Zara. The Vanity Fair Best Dressed list was established in 1940 and, according to Miss Collins, those who feature on it must have individuality, imagination, and discipline. There's one contestant who divides Great British Bake Off fans more than any other this year: glamorous PE teacher Candice Brown. The 31-year-old sported a bright red lipstick this week and is fast becoming known for her bold lip shades after wearing a striking dark plum in the first episode and a shocking pink last Wednesday. While the matte lip colour wowed Candice fans, it wasn't enough to win over others - especially when she burst into tears after judge Paul Hollywood slated her chocolate bread. GBBO contestant Candice Brown, pictured, burst into tears this week after Paul Hollywood slated her chocolate bread creation. The outburst divided Bake Off fans on Twitter Candice couldn't hold back the tears but her fellow Bake Off contestants were there to comfort her, while some fans on Twitter rushed to tweet their support RheaAsfaw wrote on Twitter: 'Nahhhh Candice needs to go now. Inappropriate lipstick for the daytime and that horrid pursed mouth. Can't stand her.' And Yanny added: 'Getting ****** off with #Candice & her ME ME ME ways #GBBO. Drama Queen.' She later tweeted: 'She needs to get over herself and her lipstick.' Meanwhile, Faye Wills teased the Essex girl for her pursed expressions. She wrote: 'Don't get me wrong, I love her ideas, but what is with Candice's duck face?! #GBBO #duckface #GreatBritishBakeOff.' Candice's choice of lip colour wasn't enough to win over some Bake Off fans, who criticised the PE teacher on Twitter And Sammy commented: 'Seriously how on earth is #Candice still in #GBBO stop pouting and don't wear so much bloody lipstick.' This week saw Candice fall from grace after being crowned star baker for her gingerbread creation last week. She came dangerously close to being eliminated and suffering from the dreaded 'Star Baker curse' after her chocolate, salted caramel and pecan brittle brioche did not turn out as planned. Candice came dangerously close to being eliminated and suffering from the dreaded 'Star Baker curse' after her chocolate, salted caramel and pecan brittle brioche did not turn out as planned This week, Candice wore red lipstick for break week, after wearing a shocking dark pink last week In the first episode of Bake Off, Candice's dark plum lipstick made sure all eyes were on her Despite finishing third in a tricky technical challenge, which required the ten bakers to make a German dish of steamed dough balls, called Dampfnudel, Candice looked bound to leave after struggling with her two-tier bread showstopper. Her plaited rye loaves, which were filled with mozzarella and olives, were criticised as the pattern was not distinct enough and the bread was too close-textured. But for fans commenting online as they watched, all eyes were on her choice of lipstick. After declaring last week she would wear 'red for bread week,' some Bake Off viewers were ecstatic to see she had kept to her word. All eyes were on her choice of lipstick after Candice declared last week that she would wear 'red for bread week Holly wrote: 'And yes, Candice's "red for bread" lipcolor is as amazing as I'd hoped. #GBBO.' And journalist @scottygb observed: 'Candice said that last week she was going to wear red lipstick for bread week. And she is. She keeps her word. #gbbo.' Anne-Marie Evans joked: 'Forget the baking. If Candice doesn't get her own lipstick line after being on this show, there is no justice in the world.' Cazzle meanwhile praised the show's other contestants for helping her as she struggled to take her brioche out of the tin. 'The way other bakers rushed to Candice's aid is EXACTLY why I love this show. #wibble,' she wrote. It wasn't the first time someone has shed a few tears in the tent but Candice's breakdown after Paul slated her 'raw' brioche left GBBO fans divided. Candice fans rushed to tweet their support after she shed a few tears when her salted caramel and pecan brittle brioche did not turn out as planned Candice advocates rushed to tweet their support. Brydie Lee-Kennedy wrote: 'HOW DARE YOU MAKE CANDICE AND HER PERFECT LIPSTICK CRY.' While Gemma Styles commented: 'Does candice not get extra points for doing everything in lipstick and heels? come on, paul, be fair.' Jen was very empathetic. She wrote: ' Anyone else tear up when Candice's signature bake was underdone and she started crying in front of Paul? Just me? ....Ok then #GBBO.' Some on Twitter compared Candice to previous teary-eyed Bake Off contestants, Ruby Tandoh, from series four, and Flora Shedden, from series six, and criticised her for crying But others compared her to previous teary-eyed Bake Off contestants, Ruby Tandoh, from series four, and Flora Shedden, from series six. ZEE+D GURL TALK wrote on Twitter: 'Candice: This series' designated cry baby #GBBO.' Another, Chrono, commented: 'Candice was just another Ruby. Eurgh. Surprised Val lasted this long #GBBO.' While Jenn was kinder, and wrote: 'Damn, my girl Candice has got a bit of a Flora problem. Keep strong! #GBBO.' Lois spoke for all Candice fans (not to mention those enamoured with series heartthrob Selasi Gbormittah) when she tweeted her praise of the PE teacher's lipstick and fashion choices Lois, however, spoke for all Candice fans (not to mention those enamoured with series heartthrob Selasi Gbormittah) when she wrote on Twitter: 'Can you believe we have to wait a whole week to see Candice's next lipstick/outfit choice and Selasi flipping pancakes.' Hospitals are on the cusp of being 'fully overwhelmed' with soaring numbers of patients pushing health services to the brink. Millions of patients are being seen in A&Es and hospital bed capacities are running at dangerously high levels, latest figures have revealed. Relentless demand for services are driving up waiting times in the NHS in England and leaving over-stretched staff on the brink, according to health experts. Today's stark warning comes as a new report by The King's Fund highlights that hospitals in England are busier than ever before. The number of people attending A&E soared to nearly six million during the first quarter of 2016/17 The Quarterly Monitoring Report states that in June, more than 300,000 people were still waiting to begin their treatment more than 18 weeks after they were referred. This includes 940 patients who have been on the waiting list for more than a year. Other key findings of the report include: A&E attendances soared to nearly six million during the first quarter of 2016/17 - an additional 54,000 every month compared to the same period last year Number of patients left waiting on trolleys for more than four hours rose by 41,000 patients from last year Hospitals are experiencing 90 per cent occupancy of hospital beds - above the 85 per cent considered safe by health experts Delayed discharges are the highest since records began in 2007 with 6,100 patients medically fit to leave but awaiting discharge from hospital at the end of June Richard Murray, director of policy at The King's Fund, said hospitals are treating more patients than ever before. But he added the figures are particularly concerning as targets are now 'being missed all year round'. 'This reflects the impossible task of continuing to meet rising demand for services and maintain standards of care within current funding constraints,' he said. Commenting on the report, Lara Carmona, associate director of policy for the Royal College of Nursing, warned hospitals are at breaking point. 'It is a pressure cooker and with bed occupancy at such constantly high levels and community services stretched, there is nowhere for the pressure to escape to. 'Frontline staff are working hard to deal with these challenges to provide the very best patient care they can. 'It would now take very little for hospitals to be fully overwhelmed.' NHS frontline staff are struggling to treat thousands more patients as a health think tank warns they are on the cusp of being overwhelmed (file image) Dr Mark Porter, chair of the British Medical Association's council, said: 'The NHS needs a long-term plan and enough funding to deliver care for everybody in the country. 'Until this happens, we'll continue to see hospitals without enough beds, patients wait longer for treatment and some medically fit patients unable to leave hospital because their social care needs cannot be met.' A Department of Health spokesman said: 'Since 2010 the NHS has dealt with significantly rising demand from our ageing population while improving the quality of care. '5.8 million people were seen in A&E in the first three months of this year and the number treated within the four-hour target continues to rise in the thousands. Mosquito spraying has been stalled in Zika-plagued Florida amid fears about toxins in the repellent. Scores of people in gas masks staged a protest outside the town hall in Miami this week, forcing officials to postpone Thursday's spraying until Friday - at the earliest. The protesters claim naled could pave the way to another heap of illnesses aside from Zika - and some insist they already feel the affects. It leaves the region in an uncomfortable position as lawmakers attempt to wipe out the seemingly multiplying population of Zika-infected mosquitoes. But the question is: do the protesters have a point? The protesters outside Miami's town hall (pictured on Wednesday) claimed naled could pave the way to other illnesses aside from Zika - and some insist they already feel the affects 'My tongue for four hours felt so tight, and shaky, I was about to go to the emergency room,' one woman told CBS outside the town hall on Wednesday. Indeed, environmental activists and some scientists say naled damages the nervous system and respiratory tract, and might be linked to leukemia in children. It was banned in the European Union in 2012 because of its potential risk for human health and the environment. But Miami-Dade County is using it with the blessing of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency. They say it is safe when used in small doses. But 'if it's not safe to use in Europe, why is it safe to use in Miami?' asks Michelle Harriott, science and regulatory director of a Washington-based NGO called Beyond Pesticides. Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez addressed the crowds on Wednesday with a nurse, Dr Christine Curry, who has treated microcephaly, to emphasize the importance of blitzing Zika however possible. 'Zika is real, and while we don't understand it fully that is not a reason to dismiss its impact,' Dr Curry said. Mayor Gimenez added: 'I have to be consistent in application of spraying. 'We cannot just pick and choose where to spray, there's a science.' CDC director Tom Frieden has said that naled, which has been used in the United States since 1959 to combat mosquitos, is not harmful at the low concentrations in which it is used in America. The EPA website says 'people aren't likely to breathe or touch anything that has enough insecticide on it to harm them. Direct exposure to naled during or immediately after application should not occur.' But it also cautions people sensitive to chemical products to stay inside with the windows closed during fumigation with naled. Harriott said, 'They use small doses at a time, but over several months that adds up. It depends on how long it will be sprayed. It could be for the rest of the year. If that is the case, we should be concerned about that.' In experiments with animals, exposure to naled at high concentrations has been shown to cause nausea, weakness, paralysis, convulsions and other problems including respiratory failure and even death, said Elvia Melendez Ackerman, a professor of environmental science at the University of Puerto Rico. Naled breaks down into something called dichlorvos, which in 1991 the World Health Organization labeled as a possible carcinogen for humans. Naled not only kills mosquitoes but is also toxic for bees, butterflies, fish and other aquatic species. Melendez was active in the fight against using naled in Puerto Rico. Fumigations with it were halted in July on orders from Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla. Now the US territory is being sprayed with an organic product that kills mosquito larvae. No vaccine or treatment has been approved for Zika. The virus, first detected in Brazil last year, has rapidly spread across the Americas and parts of Asia. In recent weeks, U.S. authorities determined that local mosquitoes were transmitting Zika in an area of south Florida. The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico has also experienced a widespread outbreak. U.S. health regulators cleared the way last month for a trial in Key Haven, Florida to assess the effectiveness of Intrexon's GM mosquitoes to reduce levels of the aedes aegypti mosquito population, which is known to carry Zika, dengue and chikungunya. There is vote scheduled in November seeking community approval for the trial, as the use of Intrexon's mosquitoes have raised concerns among the locals about its safety. Naled not only kills mosquitoes but is also toxic for bees, butterflies, fish and aquatic species In the letter, the politicians said that delaying Florida's access to Intrexon's technology posed 'an unnecessary health risk' to the people of Florida, the company said. The mosquitoes are genetically altered so their offspring die before they can reproduce. Trials in Brazil, Panama and the Cayman Islands have shown that the GM mosquitoes can reduce localized Aedes aegypti populations by more than 90 percent. The GM mosquito strain is made by Oxitec, an Oxford University spin-off company that is now a UK subsidiary of U.S.-based Intrexon. While most people experience mild symptoms, Zika infections in pregnant women have been shown to cause microcephaly, a severe birth defect in which the head and brain are undersized. In adults, it can cause a rare neurological syndrome called Guillain-Barre. It is the most magical moment for all new mothers - when their newborn is placed in their arms for the very first time. But while smitten with love during their first embrace, it was when Guadalupe Martinez noticed there was something wrong with her daughter's eye. Tests revealed Kimberly had a cherry-sized cyst growing where her left eye should have been - a condition called anophthalmia. Mrs Martinez, 33, and husband Roger, 35, were further shocked when medics said they would have to wait six months to remove it for fear it could cause her skull to collapse. Guadalupe Martinez cuddles her newborn daughter Kimberly and immediately notices there is something wrong with her left eye A scan photo reveals the cyst in place of her eye, left, and after she had it removed 'I couldn't believe a tumour was holding my baby's head in place,' said Mrs Martinez. 'She was placed in my arms and looked like she'd been punched. 'Her face was swollen. She didn't look right.' Mrs Martinez, of Portland, Oregon, had a normal pregnancy and a gave birth via a Caesarean section. But as she held little Kimberly for the first time on 24 August 2014, she immediately realised something was wrong. A nurse examined her and said Kimberly's eyelids hadn't separated correctly, but a procedure would resolve this. Doctors at Providence Hospital ran an ultrasound to investigate further and discovered there was no eye growing in her left socket. 'Instead there was a cyst,' she said. 'The doctors couldn't tell when it had first started growing, but it had grown over Kimberly's eye, so that hadn't developed properly. 'They said the eye was there, it was just under-developed - the size of a pepper seed. Kimberly was six months old before her skull was strong enough to have the cyst removed without risk of the socket collapsing She was six months old when she underwent surgery to remove the cyst and needs to be fitted with different prosthetic eyes as she grows She has since been fitted with a prosthetic eye but her parents say she will often take it out and even pop it in her mouth 'After we left the hospital everything started to sink in.' Kimberly was diagnosed with anophthalmia, a rare condition whereby one or both eyes are missing. WHAT IS ANOPTHALMIA? Anophthalmia means an absence of the eye. A child may be born with one, or both eyes, missing from the eye socket. The rare disorder develops during pregnancy and can be associated with other birth defects. The condition may be caused by genetic mutations and abnormal chromosomes. Researchers also believe that environmental factors, such as exposure to X-rays, chemicals, drugs, pesticides, toxins, radiation, or viruses, increase the risk of anophthalmia, but research is not conclusive. Unfortunately, there is no treatment that will restore vision in children affected by Anophthalmia. Children will need to undergo repeated hospital visits and many have prosthetic eyes to ensure that the bone and soft tissue around the eye socket grows properly and to improve appearance. Source: The Micro and Anopthalmic Children's Society Advertisement Within a month of her birth, Kimberly's eyelids separated naturally. Rather than removing the cyst, surgeons decided it should remain to prevent Kimberly's eye socket closing in while her skull was still forming. Normally, children who are missing an eye are fitted with increasingly bigger expanders. These are clear balls that absorb bodily fluid from the surrounding tissue after implantation in the socket, causing them to slowly grow in size. This stretches the eye socket until it's big enough to hold an artificial eye. But, in Kimberly's case, doctors decided the cyst would act as a natural expander, so it was left alone for six months. During that time, Kimberly wore protective goggle-like glasses. Then, on February 7 last year, surgeons removed the cyst during a three-hour operation at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital. A month later, she was fitted with a prosthetic eye which she enjoys taking out herself. 'Sometimes she'll wear an expander. We'll put it in at night. During the day she takes it out and puts it in her mouth,' she said. The now bright and bubbly two-year-old is getting by with one eye, although her parents admit it has made her more accident prone. Now a healthy two-year-old, Kimberly has to turn her head fully in order to see things but does not let it stop her from being an active toddler Her brothers, David, Alan, and Kevin and protective of their little sister, pictured here at Christmas last year 'It causes her some difficulty walking too, and earlier this year she fell from some playground equipment and needed stitches.' Now the sight in her right eye is perfect, but she will never see out of her life. Her brothers, David, 13, Alan, 10, and Kevin, seven, are protective of their sister as well and if someone stares at her, they confront them. 'They ask them why they're staring and say ''she's not an alien''. When she was born her entire foot was the size of a fingernail and she weighed no more than a bell pepper. Nine months later, the world's smallest baby Emilia Grabarczyk has defied expectations and continues to make giant leaps. Born in the Witten, west Germany, measuring just 22 centimetres and weighing a mere eight ounces, it was feared she would not survive. But the girl, labelled 'the little fighter' by doctors treating her, astonished everyone and is thriving. Emila's foot was no bigger than an thumbnail when she was born in Germany nine months ago She now weighs in at 7lb 2oz - a healthy weight for a newborn. Local reports say it makes her the lightest premature baby in the world to survive. The previous record is thought to be held by Rumaisa Rahman, who was born in the Loyola University Medical Centre in of Chicago when her mother was 25 weeks pregnant. At birth, she was eight inches tall and weighed 8.6 ounces. Dr Bahman Gharavi, head of children and youth clinic at St Mary's hospital in Germany, said Emilia's survival was miraculous. He said the joint effort of paediatricians, gynaecologists and paediatric surgeons - as well as Emilia - had made it possible. 'Even children with a birth weight of 14 ounces rarely survive. We have to thank Emilia as well for her own survival,' he said. 'She is a little fighter. 'For more than six months, it was unclear whether she would survive. Only in recent weeks she is getting more robust.' She measured just 22cm and weighed 8 ounces when she was born prematurely last year At the beginning of the 26th week of pregnancy Prof Dr Sven Schiermeier, chief physician of obstetrics, decided together with the parents to deliver the baby by Caesarean section. He said that otherwise Emilia would have died in the womb as there was a problem with the placenta meaning she was not getting the nutrition needed to survive. Usually, a foetus in the 26th week of pregnancy would have weighed around 21 ounces but the problem meant Emilia was well underweight. Parents Lukas and Sabine Grabarczyk said there was no question as to whether they would give the child a chance even if the odds for survival were low. But naturally, her early arrival and low birth weight was followed by a period of uncertainty. Dr Gharavi explained complications including an increased risk of hyperactivity and learning difficulties. Yet luckily for the girl, there are no signs of serious disability. Emilia was initially fed with a tiny tube and nurses would use a cotton bud soaked in sugar water to soothe her and relieve pains. The tiny tot even survived an abdominal surgery at a weight of just 12 ounces. Grandma's advice to 'feed a cold and starve a fever' might have an element of truth, scientists claim. New research shows that the old adage appears to be based on sound science when a fever is caused by bacterial infection. Scientists put the folk wisdom to the test using laboratory mice with bacterial and viral infections. Feed a cold, starve a fever? The adage appears to be based on sound science, research says COLD AND FEVER MEAL PLAN COLD You want to consume plenty of liquid and nutrients. Drink: water, decaffeinated tea, fresh juice, lemon and ginger in hot water The key is to replenish the fluid in your body as the infection will leave you dehydrated. Ginger and lemon do wonders to reboot the immune system Eat: chicken soup, spicy food Chicken contains an amino acid called cysteine which helps dilute mucus, while spice helps with decongestion FEVER When you need food, you should still eat. Just don't eat your way through your sickness. Most important: avoid sugary foods. Drink: water, water, and more water Eat: small portions of chicken, probiotics like yogurt, and fresh fruit Advertisement They found that mice with flu - like the common cold, caused by a virus - were helped to recover and survive when they were fed. In contrast, feeding animals infected by bacteria only hastened their death. Lead researcher Professor Ruslan Medzhitov, from the Yale School of Medicine in the US, said: 'We were surprised at how profound the effects of feeding were, both positive and negative. 'Anorexia - not eating - is a common behavior during sickness that is seen in people and all kinds of animals. 'Our findings show that it has a strong protective effect with certain infections, but not with others.' In the first of a series of experiments, mice were infected with Listeria bacteria - a common cause of food poisoning. The animals stopped eating naturally, and eventually recovered. However, when they were made to eat, they died. Sugary food was the culprit, the researchers discovered - the mice survived when they were fed protein and fats but no glucose. A similar study of mice infected with the flu virus showed an opposite effect. In this case, the mice lived when they were force-fed glucose, but died when they were denied food. Giving the animals a drug called 2-DG, which prevents glucose metabolism, saved the Listeria-infected mice but proved fatal to those with flu. Further research indicated that the different outcomes related to an interplay between metabolism and the immune system. 'Almost everything we know about infection is based on immune response studies and looking at how the immune system eliminates pathogens (harmful agents),' said Prof Medzhitov. 'But that's not the only way we defend ourselves. There are also cases where we change and adapt so that microbes don't cause harm. 'Our study manipulated the ability of these mice to tolerate and survive infection without doing anything that had an effect on the pathogens themselves.' His team is now looking at how changes in sleep behaviour during illness influence the way the immune system fights infection. The researchers also want to investigate why people sometimes display food cravings when they are sick. The new findings, published in the journal Cell, have implications for the design of clinical trials evaluating the benefits of nutrition to patients with sepsis, say the scientists. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by a response to infection that damages the body's tissues and organs. When you have a fever, you should eat less - and cut out all sugary foods, the study shows Prof Medzhitov added: 'Sepsis is a critical problem in hospital ICUs (Intensive Care Units) that defies most modern medical approaches. 'A number of studies have looked at nutrition in patients with sepsis, and the results have been mixed. 'But these studies didn't segregate patients based on whether their sepsis was bacterial or viral. 8 Lessons On Food And Life That I Learned From The Parthenon By Anthony Todd in Food on Sep 8, 2016 2:25PM Photo via Facebook. On Wednesday, I learned that one of the most iconic restaurants in my life, The Parthenon, closed after 48 years in business. Anytime a restaurant that venerable closes its doors, it's something of a tragedy, but this particular closing had a very personal impact on me. Without the Parthenon, I might not be alive. I certainly wouldn't be the person I am today. Sadly, this isn't a story of a dramatic rescue from choking by a waiter or a miracle cure for cancer developed from leftover gyros. It's much simpler: My parents had their first date at this Greektown restaurant more than 40 years ago. My father called me last night after he heard the news, joking that I needed to look at photographs or gaze into the mirror, just in case some retroactive version of the Back to the Future fading effect began, since the Parthenon was no more. Luckily, I'm still here. I've been going to that restaurant for almost 30 years, and it's not an exaggeration to say that most of my restaurant memories from childhood (and therefore, many of my formative experiences as a pre-food writer) had something to do with the Parthenon. How to order dinner, what foods I wanted to eat and what atmosphere I wanted to eat them in; all of these preferences were shaped by this one, single restaurant filled with warm feelings, loud cries of "opa!" and cheese-scented fireballs reaching toward the ceiling. So to memorialize the place, and its impact on at least one Chicagoan, here's my list of the eight life lessons I learned from The Parthenon. 1) If you love something other people think is silly, embrace it. Just like normal Chicagoans compare favorite deep dish pizza spots, some of us (including some food writers) compare favorite Greek restaurants. I can't tell you the sheer amount of mockery I've been subjected to over the years for glorifying this place. I've gotten disdainful looks, complaints about how it's like a Greek food theme park and loud insistence that other restaurants are better. I think I may have lost a freelance assignment once by suggesting a listicle include The Parthenon. But here's the thing: I loved it anyway, and so did many other people. Be a snob all you want, but when that table was filled with gyros and everyone was talking and laughing, there's just about no place better to be in the world. In the end, it doesn't really matter whether a restaurant is "good" or "correct" or "authentic." All that matters is that you love it and it makes you happy. 2) Your food preferences are shaped pretty early, and sometimes you should revel in them. I told a story yesterday about how my parents would order me plate after plate of olives when I was three years old, because I, inexplicably, wanted to eat them even at that age. Since I am now a passionate defender, in print and in person, of the olive-tastic dirty martini, clearly it made an impact. Lots of other food preferences were formed during my early Parthenon years. To this day, I can eat a literally infinite amount of salad, and have downed entire Greek salads for 4, dripping with oil, by myself. I have a persistent love of iceberg lettuce and bad out-of-season cucumbers. I have always, and will always, prefer lamb to beef. I can't stand anything wrapped in grape leaves, no matter how many times you try to convince me I'm wrong. And that strange Greek egg/lemon soup? It's awful, and I don't want to hear otherwise. 3) Go at your own pace. Anyone who dined regularly at the Parthenon knew the legendary speed with which their kitchen would spit out dishes. The cynics might say it's because the food was, shall we say, mass produced. No matter what, if you gave a server your entire order at once, you were guaranteed to be out the door within 40 minutes. Not exactly a relaxing dining experience. My family developed secret strategies to cope with this (almost amounting to hand signals) and would always insist that we had absolutely no idea what we might want to order beyond the first course, forcing the restaurant to pace itself. That was the key to a pleasant meal. I encounter this issue in new restaurants almost every week. It's become de rigueur for a server at a nice restaurant to insist you spit out an entire order of 15 small plates all at once at the beginning of the night, accompanied by a promise that they (or the kitchen) will "course them out" for you. Yeah right. More often than not, everything hits at once and the only apology you get is a shrug. Take a lesson from the Parthenon, and insist on going at your own pace. 4) Better to ask forgiveness than permission. This is one of my most ridiculous memories. The Parthenon was having a rare off night, and they'd forgotten to bring several dishes to our table. When the server brought the traditional Saganaki (flaming cheese) to the table after a long wait, they left a shot glass filled with brandy sitting at the table next to my father's seat. He assumed that it was a gift from the server, a minor recompense for the mix up, and knocked it back. When the server returned, he was utterly confused. Where was his brandy, he asked? Without this shot of utter rotgut poured, it turned out, from a bottom-of-the-bottom shelf plastic handle of booze, he couldn't set the neighboring table's cheese on fire. I was utterly horrified and honestly scared that we'd be tossed out on our ears. But with a few gregarious words, the problem was solved and everyone laughed. It's a rare occasion when something can't be fixed when you're nice and genuine, and sometimes, especially when booze is already on the table, it's better to forge ahead and deal with the consequences afterwards. 5) Good company is more important than fine wine. The Parthenon was famous for serving liter bottles of roditis (a Greek rose) for under $20 in un-labeled, clearly refilled wine bottles. My family used to joke that they got the wine in 100-gallon oil drums that they kept somewhere in the alley, and it pretty much tasted that way. Any wine expert would be utterly horrified. But here's the thing: I don't regret a single roditis hangover. When that bottle started pouring, I was inevitably with good friends or family, and the common, lowbrow experience helped everyone to open up. You can keep your $1000 Napa Cab; when I'm low, I'll forever dream of unmarked bottles of bad rose. 6) Always associate with unabashedly enthusiastic people. The Parthenon literally became a litmus test for people in my life. Could you toss off your cynicism and revel in the ridiculousness? You're probably someone I want to have around. Too cool to enjoy yourself at a restaurant with bad murals of Greek landmarks on the walls? You're probably not someone I'm gonna be close to. All of my best friends (and my successful dating partners) have loved the place, and it's taught me that I have no patience for people who can't openly express enthusiasm about things. Too cool for school (or for cheesy Greek spots)? You're probably too cool for me. 7) Everything tastes better after it's been on fire. It's just true. Whether it be bananas foster, cherries jubilee, steak diane or, yes, saganaki, everything is better flambeed. Because of a combination of changing trends and, I suspect, insurance regulations, the number of restaurants that flame anything tableside decreases every year, and this was one of the most notable. But I dare you to watch a waiter flame five giant platers of cheese running up and down his arm all at once, and not be moved to applaud. Restauranteurs of Chicago, a promise to you: if you set things on fire, I'll show up. 8) Never assume something will last forever. Even when it's been open for 48 years. Shares in a British pharmaceutical company have surged after successful trials for its fast acting gel to combat erectile dysfunction. Trials with 232 men found the gel had the desired effect with the vast majority - 82 per cent - within ten minutes. That makes the gel a serious rival to Viagra, which generally takes 30 minutes to work. As such, the British manufacturer, Futuru Medical, could be line to grab a share of a global market for erectile dysfunction treatments worth $5billion a year. Shares in the Guildford based company more than doubled on Wednesday after it revealed details of the successful trial of the gel, which is known as MED2002 and branded as Eroxon. Trials with 232 men found the gel had the desired effect with the vast majority - 82per cent - within ten minutes (file photo) The firm said: The speed of onset of action of MED2002 was rapid, partly reflecting the method of application with the gel being applied directly to the penis. 82per cent of patients with mild erectile dysfunction(ED) had an onset of action within 10 minutes and in 54per cent of mild ED patients onset was within 5 minutes. This rapid onset of action means that MED2002 has the potential of being the worlds fastest-acting treatment for ED. It said: No major safety concerns were identified. No serious adverse events or serious adverse reactions were recorded and there were no drop-outs from the study owing to side-effect issues. As a result, it said the gel could be sold as an over the counter product as well as being offered through prescription. Chief executive James Barder said: We certainly think its a breakthrough product. The key issues with the other products are speed of onset, all the other products require pre-planning and offer no spontaneity. Eroxon, however, can form part of sexual foreplay, which is very important for men. We also have a very safe product, with no serious adverse events or effects occurring during the study. We believe this could become a first-line therapy for physicians, as topical treatments will often be the preferred first choice product for doctors. The new gel works in about 10 minutes which is faster than viagra which takes half an hour He added: This is a game-changer for us. If and when we get global approval, a 20pc market share is not unreasonable, which could lead to $1bn in annual sales. The active ingredient in the gel is Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN) a drug that has been used to treat angina sufferers in the past and has the effect of dilating blood vessels. The GTN dilates the arteries in the penis, allowing them to fill with blood. The firm said: Following sexual stimulation, a natural erection occurs. The company is in talks with regulators in the UK and the US to bring the product to the market. British men could be the first to buy it over the counter. It is thought the company will sell the product to a third party big brand consumer care firm, which will pay a royalty for each tube sold. The company already has one product on the market - a condom that uses the Eroxon gel in a different formulation to help maintain an erection. It is being sold in Holland under the Blue Diamond brand and is due to launch in the UK and the rest of northern Europe in the next 12 to 18 months. More American college students are smoking marijuana - but other drugs are becoming less and less popular. New research reveals 38 per cent of students admitted to eating, smoking, or drinking cannabis at some point in 2015 - eight per cent more than in 2006. Nearly six per cent of students use cannabis every day - the highest level in 34 years. And the number of young people who think weed is dangerous has dropped from 58 per cent to 33 per cent. Meanwhile, prescription opioid abuse and narcotic drug use have fallen out of favor in campus settings. More American college students are smoking marijuana - but shunning other drugs The research is the 42nd annual report by the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research, surveying 1,500 students a year. The authors warn college and public health officials should look seriously at the steady climb in cannabis use. 'This increase in use and decrease in perceived risk of harm regarding marijuana use should be taken seriously by college administrators, parents and students themselves,' said study co-lead researcher John Schulenberg, a research professor at the institute. 'We know through other research that frequent marijuana use can adversely affect academic performance and college completion.' In contrast to the story for marijuana use, other types of drug use are declining among college students. In 2006 nearly nine per cent of students admitted to using drugs like amphetamines. By 2015 that figure had dropped to three per cent. Use of heroin, another narcotic drug, has been low among college students for many years. While the use of MDMA (ecstasy and more recently 'Molly') had made a bit of a comeback among college students between 2007 and 2012, it has been in decline since then The highest annual prevalence recorded since 1980 was in 1998 at 0.6 per cent, but the rate has been at or under 0.3 per cent since 2005 and was down to 0.1 pe rcent in 2015. And while the use of MDMA (ecstasy and more recently 'Molly') had made a bit of a comeback among college students between 2007 and 2012, it has been in decline since then. Annual prevalence in 2015 was 4.2 per cent. 'It appears that college students, at least, are hearing and heeding the warnings about the very considerable dangers of using narcotic drugs,' said study principal investigator Lloyd Johnston, a senior research scientist and research professor at the institute. Certain drugs have declined in popularity quite rapidly among the nation's college students. For example, past-year use of synthetic marijuana, which is usually sold over the counter under such brand names as 'K-2' and 'Spice,' dropped from 8.5 per cent when first measured in 2011 to just 1.5 per cent in 2015 - a decline of about 80 per cent. Statins prevent at least 80,000 heart attacks and strokes in the UK every year. File image The benefits of statins are hugely underestimated and far outweigh any harm, the biggest ever review into their use finds today. According to Oxford University researchers, the cheap daily pills prevent at least 80,000 heart attacks and strokes in the UK every year. But tens of thousands more could be avoided if a greater number of patients were persuaded to take them, they say. The lead researcher said he believed the number taking the drugs should be doubled to 12million. Currently, an estimated six million adults in the UK are prescribed the pills. Professor Sir Rory Collins, head of Oxfords Nuffield Department of Population Health said: Our review shows that the numbers of people who avoid heart attacks and strokes by taking statin therapy are very much larger than the numbers who have side-effects with it. Weve had an underestimation of the benefits, and a massive overestimation of the harms. Professor Liam Smeeth, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who was also involved in the study, said there was overwhelming scientific evidence of the benefits of statins. He said: The best available scientific evidence tells us that statins are effective, safe drugs that have a crucial role in helping prevent cardiovascular disease. This is the leading cause of morbidity [illness] and mortality worldwide. The pills cost less than 6p a day and reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, which in turn trigger heart attacks and strokes. Tens of thousands more heart attacks and strokes could be avoided if a greater number of patients were persuaded to take them, researchers say But a series of studies in the past three years have linked them to severe muscle pain, type 2 diabetes, kidney damage, liver failure and even death. Todays study, which is published in the Lancet, examined more than 300 trials carried out since 1990 involving more than 240,000 patients. The review is the largest and most comprehensive so far to weigh up the benefits against the risks. Although the authors have previously had research funded by drugs companies making statins, they insist this has not swayed their conclusions. The researchers calculated that statins are currently preventing 80,000 heart attacks and strokes in the UK a year. They estimated that for every 10,000 patients taking statins for at least five years, a total of 1,500 strokes and heart attacks would be prevented annually. By comparison, a maximum of 215 patients would be expected to suffer side effects. Q&A: THE STATE OF STATINS IN BRITAIN How many patients currently take statins? An estimated six million adults in the UK take statins but researchers say another six million would benefit from taking them. What do they do? They lower levels of bad cholesterol in the blood. This prevents the build-up of fatty deposits in arteries which lead to heart attacks and strokes. How do GPs decide if patients need them? Doctors are told to offer statins to any patient who is at 10 per cent risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next decade. They work this out using a computer system which asks patients age, weight and family history as well as their smoking, drinking and exercise habits. Patients are normally assessed during NHS Health Checks, which happen every five years after the age of 40. Are there side effects? Yes. They include muscle pain, diabetes, and rare types of strokes. However todays study calculates that for 10,000 patients taking statins, only 200 will have side effects. This is a tiny fraction of those taking the pill and most cases will involve less severe muscle pain. Why arent more patients taking them? Some GPs are reluctant to prescribe statins as they worry about the side effects and are wary of over-medicalising, when advising patients to lose weight would also be beneficial. Many patients are also reluctant to take them having heard about potential side effects. Do researchers all have financial ties to drugs firms? The scientists behind this study have all had research funded by firms making statins at some point. They insist this has not influenced their findings, and say most medical studies are paid for by drugs firms as no one else can afford to pay. Advertisement These include five with muscle pain, 100 with diabetes, ten with rare strokes into the brain and the remainder with other milder symptoms not including kidney failure or liver damage. Professor Collins said that the side-effects could easily be halted by stopping taking them. But suffering a heart attack or stroke by not taking the pills was irreversible, and devastating; he added. Consequently, there is a serious cost to public health from making misleading claims about high side effect rates, he said. The researchers argued that many patients wrongly blamed their statins for side effects which were not caused by the medication and would have occurred anyway. These include muscular pain which is commonly caused by exercise. A study earlier this summer estimated that 200,000 adults stopped their statins in 2013 and 2014 following a series of negative studies in the British Medical Journal. Although most resumed them, researchers said the short period without the pills could lead to 500 deaths by 2024. Jules Payne, Chief Executive of the charity Heart UK, said todays study will give patients and doctors the confidence in statins as a life-saving medication. Professor Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said: This comprehensive review reiterates the life saving benefits of statins, which vastly outweigh the rare side effects associated with the medicine. Evidence, from many objective clinical trials, shows that statins are a safe and effective way of reducing heart attack and stroke risk. The number of children being prescribed antidepressant drugs has shot up 28 per cent in a decade The number of children being prescribed antidepressant drugs has shot up 28 per cent in a decade, a study has found. Experts fear in some cases children are being treated with powerful pills as a 'first line' of treatment instead of being given counselling. The findings also add to fears that children are increasingly suffering from depression and distress, after a report from Childline yesterday revealed that the number of children calling its helpline who were considering suicide has doubled in the past five years. The study, by Swansea University, looked at 360,000 Welsh children aged six to 18 between 2003 and 2013 and found that prescriptions for antidepressants rose 28 per cent. Among its 'concerning' findings are that doctors are frequently prescribing drugs not authorised by health watchdog NICE to treat young people. The only drug recommended for children suffering from depression is Prozac, but the figures show the majority of new prescriptions were for citalopram, also known as cipramil, which has been linked to an increase in suicides. Professor Ann John of Swansea University Medical School told the British Science Festival yesterday that the rise in prescribing could mean society is 'overmedicalising' young people. She said: 'Ten years ago people didn't even seek help, but now there is increased awareness and my results show kids and families are seeking help more, and GPs are prescribing more and treating more. 'People could be getting what they need or it could reflect poor access to therapy. Or it could be an actual increase in depression symptoms. The reality is we don't know what the answer is.' Professor John said she was concerned that citalopram was being given 'as the first line of defence' to 40 per cent of children suspected of suffering depression. Poor access to therapy Dr Michael Bloomfield, clinical lecturer in psychiatry at University College London, said: 'Children suffering mental distress deserve rapid access to psychiatric care, which includes psychological support alongside careful treatment with medicines where appropriate. In the UK, this can be difficult to access.' Nick Harrop, campaigns manager at mental health charity YoungMinds, said: 'Antidepressants can have a place in treating some mental health conditions among young people, but they should never be the only course of action.' A rise in teenage obesity rates may be down to a sharp drop in the calories they burn during puberty, British scientists claim. Her work is to be admired - but chapter on SCIENCE GRUNT by Mary Roach (Oneworld 12.99) Some of Mary Roachs previous books were called Gulp, Bonk, Spook and Stiff. With her latest, Grunt, a theme seems to be emerging. I can think of a few possibles for her next book, but none, sadly, that can be printed in these august pages. Grunt is about the curious science of humans at war, and its droll, often deeply strange and sometimes rather disturbing. Roach is American and a comically inclined journalist who likes peeking at stuff that no one else has peeked at. Grunt, by Mary Roach, is about the curious science of humans at war, and its droll, often deeply strange and sometimes rather disturbing (pictured, Goldie Hawn in Private Benjamin) Sometimes you simply have to marvel at her ability to get behind the press release and into the laboratory. Occasionally - in particular, the diarrhoea chapter - you might begin to wish she hadnt bothered. Crucially, though, she isnt interested in guns or weaponry or fighting at all. (This was a relief to me - Im not interested in these things either.) What attracts her to military science are the quiet, esoteric battles with less considered adversaries: exhaustion, shock, bacteria, panic. Shes interested in the parts no one makes films about: not the killing, but the keeping alive. At a military lab in Massachusetts, for instance, everything a soldier wears, eats, sleeps on or lives in is developed or tested. This includes self-heating parkas, concealable armour, synthetic goose down and restructured steaks. Also, if youre a priest, extended-shelf-life communion wafers. And a sandwich that keeps for three years. Roach meets Peggy, the flame goddess who tests new fabrics at the highest temperatures. With protective clothing, theres always a trade-off. Polyester is strong, cheap and doesnt ignite, but it melts. What you dont want to be wearing inside a burning army tank is polyester tights. The current Flame Resistant Army Combat Uniform (FRACU, pronounced frack you) is made of something called Defender M, which balloons away from the body as it burns, but tears easily. Theyre still working on it. GRUNT by Mary Roach Elsewhere, she discusses the importance of earplugs, which reduce noise by some 320 decibels, essential in the deafening theatre of modern warfare; and the danger of earplugs, which is that when you wear them, you cant hear anything. Theres often scepticism among Army leadership. Senior NCOs will flat-out tell you: Dont give me more s*** thats supposed to be the next high-tech wonder but thats going to break or the batteries are going to go dead and Ive got to carry it , says one boffin. Roach has a wonderful way of describing people. One marine has muscles so big that when he walks in front of the slide projector, entire images can be viewed on his forearm. There is, one should say, an entire chapter about penile reconstructive surgery, followed by one about penile transplant surgery. I read both of these with my legs crossed. The first ever transplanted hand had to be removed later, after its recipient decided that it was evil. Roach visits a fort in Florida where scientists try to counter heat-stroke. You can sweat up to 2kg an hour in combat, and up to 10kg of water in a day. There are about 3,500 cases of heat illness among active U.S. Armed Forces personnel every year. Fainting is both symptom and cure . . . heatstroke, however, can kill. Going shirtless in the sun, it turns out, makes you hotter, not cooler. You can imagine how heat illness experts feel about sunbathing: people who willingly lie in direct sun, on hot sand, nearly nude. The flies of the Gulf War operated as an unpleasant but effective alarm clock. Youd be asleep with your mouth open, said one soldier, soon as dawn came, the flies would be out, looking for food and moisture. Theyd fly right in your mouth. Youd wake up to the sound of marines coughing and cursing. Its all completely fascinating, even the chapter about diarrhoea, of which we shall say no more. Roach writes with great verve, and if she overreaches sometimes, well, I think we forgive her. THE ICE BENEATH HER by Camilla Grebe THE ICE BENEATH HER by Camilla Grebe (Zaffre 12.99) A high-profile Swedish novel thats been sold to ten countries with film rights going to the makers of The Lord Of The Rings - this is the debut from Stockholm-born Grebe and it lives up to its reputation. Opening with a gruesome murder in a sleek home in the capitals suburbs, where a young woman has been decapitated and her head posed for effect, it then quickly introduces homicide detectives Peter Lindgren and Manfred Olsson, who remember a similar murder ten years previously - though of a young man - that was never solved. Enter criminal profiler Hanne Lagerlind-Schon, who had a relationship with Lindgren that turned sour and who is now suffering early onset dementia. But who is the victim? And where is the celebrated owner of the house, the rich and controversial clothing tycoon Jesper Orre? Is he the murderer? Cross-cutting between the characters at an ever-increasing pace, this is Scandi-noir at its powerful bleakest. NONE BUT THE DEAD by Lin Anderson NONE BUT THE DEAD by Lin Anderson (Macmillan 12.99) This 11th novel featuring Scottish forensic scientist Dr Rhona MacLeod fully lives up to the exceptional standard of its predecessors. Anderson is a fine storyteller, providing rounded characters - people with pasts they want to conceal - intricate plots and, above all, ravishing locations. This story is set on Sanday, one of the most northern of the Orkney Islands, where the wind blows at gale force almost all the time and the weather can turn into an enemy within an instant. Human remains are discovered under the tarmac playground of what was once a primary school, which is now being renovated by a newcomer who then finds 13 magic flowers symbolising the souls of dead children who may have attended the school. Meanwhile, in a Glasgow tenement a decomposed body is discovered, which may also have a link to the island. MacLeod finds herself caught up in the locals evil past and present. Shades of The Wicker Man, with a touch of Agatha Christie. Superb. COLD KILLERS by Lee Weeks COLD KILLERS by Lee Weeks (Simon & Schuster 20) British gangster stories tend to leave me cold. They lack the glamour of their U.S. counterparts, and everyone here seems obsessed with the legends of the Krays and the Richardsons. But this one defeats my natural scepticism, for it is told with an icy eye for violence, and a telling ear for the depravity of 21st-century hard men. Yet it is written by a married former English teacher who lives in Devon. Eddie, one of four brothers in a notorious East End crime family, is tortured and murdered while visiting London from his home in Marbella, Spain. His vicious elder brother Tony also lives there, all but imprisoned in his lavish villa, as he is wanted for murder and drug trafficking. DI Dan Carter and female DS Eb Willis launch an investigation at the gangsters funeral, but it emerges that Carter has history with the murdered mans widow. Prominent civil society members including high court judges, former IAS officers and leading editors of the state have written to the President calling for dialogue to find a lasting solution to the Kashmir crisis. In the letter, they have suggested confidence-building measures (CBMs) to create a conducive atmosphere for talks to find peace in the region, as well as an immediate ban on pellet guns and an inquiry into civilian deaths and injuries. A protester throws a stone towards Indian police during a protest in Srinagar against the recent killings in Kashmir The letter read: Jammu and Kashmir has been on the boil for eight weeks. "The discontent and discord in the state may not be new. Its history is replete with umpteen incidents of mass uprising after brief intervals of lull against the suppression of political aspirations. "The spread and magnitude of public anger this time, however, is without parallel in its strife-torn history." It continues: At no stage of political struggle spread over seven decades have been such a large number of people killed, maimed and blinded in various crowd control measures by security forces and police within a few weeks. Srinagar: Security personnel patrolling a deserted street after curfew was re-imposed following fresh clashes, at Batamallo in Srinagar last month "The unrest has spread to Pir Panjal region, Chenab Valley and Kargil region. There is no sign of an early respite. The CBMs they have asked for include repealing or withdrawing laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act to reduce the security force's footprint in civilian areas. They also want the relocation of such forces, making way for Jammu and Kashmir Police and Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police to be responsible for maintaining law and order. Indian policemen patrol a street following a protest in Srinagar, against the recent killings in Kashmir, last month The group allege that Central Armed Police Forces and Jammu and Kashmir Police have been wantonly firing pellet guns above the waists, resulting in eye injuries to most victims. They have called for an immediate ban on pellet guns and the appointment of an inquiry commission headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India to inquire into all civilian killings, blindings (total and partial), maiming, grievous hurt caused by security forces and police firing and through other crowd-control measures. The letter was written by former IAS officer Muhammad Shafi Pandit; former HC judge Hasnain Masoodi; former Chief Information Commissioner, G R Sufi; former vice-chancellor of Kashmir University Abdul Wahid, editor-in-chief of Greater Kashmir Fayaz A Kaloo and others. 'Government free to withdraw security,' says Abdul Gani Bhat By Naseer Ganal As the Centre considers scaling down security cover to separatist leaders - seizing their passports and scrutinising their bank accounts - prominent separatist leader Abdul Gani Bhat challenged the government to prove it has paid for his protection. He also said that the government is at liberty to withdraw his security any time as he had never asked for it. Why dont they withdraw my security? I never asked for it, Bhat told Mail Today. He had met some members of the All-Party delegation, which visited him on Sunday. I gave them respect, but did not talk to them as the collective leadership had decided not to talk on Kashmir, he added. Hurriyat leader Prof Abdul Gani Bhat said the government was free to withdraw his security The separatist leader said that the delegation met Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik, but did not talk to them. He said only Geelani slammed the door on them, but refused to comment on whether the decision to deny them entry was right or wrong. I have been in only two countries, India and Pakistan. I have not even visited Saudi Arabia. I have never known any foreign country. Give me a passport and I will settle somewhere else, Bhat said. Meanwhile, a spokesman of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that his passport and that of JKLF leader Yasin Malik had been impounded four years ago. the devoting of its profit or products 'in charity of the poor' Wakf land dates back to Partition when Muslim families moved across the border and left their properties to wakf boards or trusts The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs is planning to develop prime wakf land for commercial use, and utilise the proceeds to fund welfare projects for the Muslim community. Wakf land comes under the concept of charity or inalienable religious endowment in Islamic belief. The move may face opposition from the various wakf boards acting as the guardian of these properties but the government appears firm in its intent. The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs is planning to develop prime wakf land for commercial use, and utilise the proceeds to fund welfare projects for the Muslim community Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told Mail Today: They have the potential of generating an income of over Rs 10,000 crore per year. What is wakf land? Wakf land is an inalienable religious endowment in Islamic law. The legal meaning of 'waqf' according to Imam Abu Hanifa, is the detention of a specific thing in the ownership of waqf and the devoting of its profit or products "in charity of poors or other good objects". Typically a donation of a building or plot of land or even cash for Muslim religious or charitable purposes with no intention of reclaiming the assets. During Partition, families moved across the border, leaving a large number of Muslim properties under various wakf boards or charitable trusts. Advertisement There are nearly as many as 5 lakh registered wakf properties in the country while the current annual income from these properties is roughly about 150 crore". According to the minister the total area under wakf properties is close to six lakh acre, the market value of which runs into lakhs of crores. Even the Sachar Committee had suggested that these be made profitable. Under the proposal, the idle land will be turned into complexes such as shopping malls and cinema halls to generate revenue, Naqvi said. The identified land can also be used to construct buildings to house educational institutions such as an engineering college, especially for girl students, and students hostels or skill training centres for the minority community. Naqvi said that his ministry was in the process of identifying such plots which have high commercial value. Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told Mail Today: They (the lands) have the potential of generating an income of over Rs 10,000 crore per year We have already identified over 2,000 such wakf properties that can be made into mixed use commercial complexes which can partly house both educational as well as commercial establishments. "There are many more to be identified, but the task will be completed soon. The minister claimed that the Centres move had the backing of state governments. The entire revenue accruing from such commercial establishments will go to the state governments, Naqvi said. Sources in the ministry told Mail Today that Haryana chief minister Manoharlal recently met Naqvi and proposed sites at Palwal and Faridabad in Gurugram that could be utilised for the purpose. Bihars minority affairs minister had met Naqvi to deliberate on the feasibility of the scheme in the state and identify wakf properties for commercial use. The idle land will be turned into complexes such as shopping malls and cinema halls to generate revenue According to ministry officials, the idea would not just generate vital resources to augment the grants already given by the Centre to the state governments for the betterment of the minority communities, but would also put paid to the activities of what Naqvi described as wakf mafia that has emerged in the past several decades. At the time of Partition of the country, a large number of families moved across the border from both sides, leaving a large number of properties of Muslims that are under various wakf boards. "Some of these properties are prime real estate but are just lying idle, Naqvi said. Meanwhile, the ministry is also in the process of digitising the land records of all the wakf properties so as to curb any misuse of swindling of these properties. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said that tax rates will come down with the Goods and Services tax (GST), and the government is working flat-out to meet the 'stiff' April 1 deadline for the new regime. Regarding the implementation of Goods and Services Tax from April next year, the Finance Minister said: "We look ahead, it's a very stiff target, we are running against time. I would certainly like to give it a try. It (GST) will the plug the leakages." Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said that tax rates will fall with the GST bill and the government is working flat-out to meet the 'stiff' April 1 deadline for the new regime Goods and Services Tax Bill The Goods and Services Tax Bill or GST Bill proposes a national to be implemented in from 1 April 2017. The "Goods and Services Tax" will be on manufacture, sale and consumption of goods and services throughout India, to replace taxes levied by the central and state governments. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said the GST, once implemented, will have a "transformational" impact by creating a common market in India for the first time, while also acting as a transfer mechanism that would aid poorer states. Advertisement In the long run it will stabilise the tax rate and move them down once effectively implemented, he added. The procedural formalities of collecting proceedings of all the states and sending it to the President for ratification are ongoing. Once the assent is granted by President Pranab Mukherjee, the constitution amendment bill will have to be notified, he disclosed at the The Economist - India summit. After notification and constitution of the GST Council, he said, there are obviously some pending issues, which the council will have to resolve. Jaitley said the new GST, once implemented, will have a "transformational" impact by creating a common market in India for the first time, while also acting as a transfer mechanism that would aid poorer states. The goal of the Central and state governments would be for the tax to be revenue-neutral and as the tax becomes established, for its rate to come down over time, Jaitley said. Once the assent is granted by President Pranab Mukherjee, the constitution amendment bill will have to be notified A revenue-neutral tax changes a country's tax structure but is not intended to increase the overall amount of tax levied. Jaitley did not say what rate he preferred, but the finance ministrys economic adviser has pegged a revenue-neutral rate at about 18 per cent. "If you ask me in terms of economic priorities, I would say that certainly implementation of GST is the top priority, putting banks on track is a very important priority and so is reviving stalled projects; a lot of them have been cleared and this process must continuously go on, he said. Talking about state-owned banks, he said, India is not ready for their privatisation and present characteristics of public sector banks will continue except for IDBI Bank. "We are trying to consolidate some of the banks, which may otherwise find it difficult in a competitive environment," he said. Asked why privatisation in financial space is not taking place, Jaitley said: "I don't think that public or political opinion has converged to the point where we can think of privatisation in the banking sector," Jaitley told The Economist India Summit. The government is consolidating some of the public sector banks to strengthen them, but does not plan to reduce the state's share below a threshold of 52 per cent, the finance minister said. "Some selective reforms do take place, for instance, we have announced a policy that government holdings (in banks) to be brought down to 52 per cent," he added. On stressed assets, he said the Centre has initiated a large number of steps to reduce NPAs. A mother has alleged that her daughter, a minor, was forced by a number of unknown persons to drink acid in south-east Delhi. A case has been registered, but the police suspect that it is a case of suicide, as it is thought that the girl might have been suffering from depression before she consumed the substance. According to a senior police officer, she complained of severe stomach pain as soon as she reached school on Wednesday morning. A mother claims that her daughter was forced to drink acid by unknown persons. (Photo for representation only) The school authorities immediately informed her mother and took her to a hospital. However, two hours after she was discharged from the hospital, her mother took her to Safdarjung Hospital and told the hospital authorities that she was forced to drink acid by unidentified men near her school on Wednesday The mother also complained that these unidentified men had been harassing and stalking her for the past month, the police official said. When contacted by Mail Today the Safdarung Hospital authorities said that the girl has been kept in the critical care unit. It does not appear as if she was forced to drink acid. There were no external injuries on the girls body and she is fully conscious and is talking to her mother, the official said. While the police suspects it was a case of suicide attempt, but the woman insists that she was being followed. (File photo for representation only) The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), however, has taken up the matter seriously. They have served a notice to the school for suspected dereliction of duty. A police official investigating the case, said: We havent ruled out the possibility of a suicide bid by the girl. The girls parents are going through a divorce and she was allegedly depressed about her parents separation. "She could have consumed something under depression. However, it cant be said with certainty if it was actually a suicide attempt. A case has been registered at Kalkaji Police Station under Section 326-A (voluntary causing grievous hurt by use of acid)) of India Penal Code (IPC) against unknown persons. A case has been registered at Kalkaji Police Station under Section 326-A. (File photo of acid attack survivors at a convention) We havent been able to corroborate the details. The auto rickshaw driver who dropped her to school didnt mention about the girl being followed or being forced to drink anything. "The CCTV footage from the area also didnt show the girl being stalked or forced to consume something. We are investigating the matter, a police officer said. Activist Sues Chicago Public Schools For Records Of Troy LaRaviere's Ouster By aaroncynic in News on Sep 8, 2016 7:11PM Demonstrators in front of Chicago Public Schools headquarters on Madison Street during the Chicago Teachers Union "day of action" on April 1, 2016. Photo by Aaron Cynic. A local activist has filed a lawsuit against the Chicago Public Schools, claiming the District has dodged Freedom of Information Act requests for records related to the ouster of former Blaine Elementary School Principal Troy LaRaviere. Government agencies stonewall the public because they think they can get away with it. They can't, said Nick Burt, the plaintiff in the suit. If CPS is terminating educators because they are critical of the mayor's wasteful and ineffective school privatization agenda, the public has the right to know. LaRaviere, an oft vocal and fiery critic of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, was removed from his position as Principal of Blaine elementary in April one month after appearing in an ad for former Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. He was later named President of the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association in May, but continued to contest his dismissal at Blaine until the end of August when he resigned. The flimsy charges youve leveled against me-combined with the recent elevation of my school as the #1 neighborhood school in Chicago-makes it obvious that your actions against me have everything to do with politics and nothing to do with whats good for students and families, LaRaviere wrote in his resignation letter, which he posted publicly on his blog. Therefore the point that I wished to make in the hearing process, has already been made-loudly and clearly. Burt filed the FOIA requests for records in April, which were first denied by CPSs FOIA officer for being unduely burdensome. According to emails from the District, the broad initial request wouldve encompassed its more than 30,000 employees. Burt then narrowed his request to 18 specific employees with a handful of search terms related to LaRaviere and Bernie Sanders, which the District contended was still too burdensome, as it alleged the narrowed request wouldve yielded more than 6,000 results. Burt further narrowed the request, but CPS simply stopped responding. According to Dan Massoglia of MK Law, the firm representing Burt, a June letter from the Office of the Attorney General to the District demanding an official response also went unanswered. CPS has willfully and intentionally violated the law by its serially uncommunicative pattern of conduct related to requests for information about Principal Troy LaRaviere and Senator Bernie Sanders, reads the complaint. Whether CPS' repeatedly ignoring communications from a member of the public and from government oversight bodies is a product of the actions of individual employees or a result of budgetary priority, it is, under the act, willful and intentional. Burt says while he wouldn't speculate as to what, if anything, CPS might be trying to conceal, its non-compliance with laws regarding FOIA doesn't dampen his curiosity. "When an institution as mired in conflict and controversy as CPS ousts one of its highest-profile critics, it can't help but look suspicious," said Burt. "Politically motivated firings, if that's what it was, can have a chilling effect on educator activism and outspokenness, at a time when such dissent is necessary to save our city's schools." Weve reached out to CPS for comment and will update when they respond. Just when you thought Deepika Padukone couldnt get any more amazing, she landed herself the cover of New York City-based Paper Magazine. For the uninitiated, the independent publication was on the same platform on which Kim Kardashian exposed her derriere to break the internet, Miley Cyrus posed nude with a pig, and Chloe Sevigny modeled in a while dress with what looked like a bucket of blood on it. So while international celebs have been trying hard to catch its attention, Ms Padukone has scored the most striking cover wearing a regal Fendi dress with a sexy neckline. Bollywood icon Deepika Padukone follows Kim Kardashian as the cover star of the infamous New York fashion Magazine The accompanying article describes her as The Bollywood mega-star about to conquer America as well as the stunning 30-year-old, who gets mobbed wherever she goes in India - an underestimation, really. She speaks of her upcoming movie with Vin Diesel, Return of Xander Cage, and when asked about whom she would like to do a rom-com with, she replied,As cliche as it may sound, for now, I would have to stick with Bradley Cooper or Ryan Gosling. Deepika was also seen in a Gucci skirt and shirt, with an elaborate chandelier pearl necklace worn around a ruffled neckline In the accompanying shoot, she is also seen in a Gucci skirt and shirt, with an elaborate chandelier pearl necklace worn around a ruffled neckline. With her hair tossed to one side and a deep plum lipstick (one of the hottest trends this season), Padukone looks on-point and we couldnt be more proud! Bridal wear gets a stylish runway The fourth edition of Runway Bridal hosted by entrepreneur Ramola Bachchan saw a bevy of designers participating, with beautiful lehenga choli sets and saris for women, and bandhagala suits for men. A preview fashion show took place at the Roseate House in the Capital in association with Sunar Jewellers, and saw the collections of couturiers Rohit Bal, Ashima Leena, Anju Modi, JJ Valaya, Rina Dhaka and Manish Arora on the runway. Models donned embellished creations by Ashima Leena (left) and JJ Valaya (right) at fourth edition of Runway Bridal Meanwhile, the models sported jewellery brands like by Pooja Juneja, Shri Hari Diagems, Shrians Jewels and S2R Jewels and Jewellery. Speaking on the occasion, Bachchan shared: It is a privilege to showcase the works of both established and upcoming designers. "The show gets bigger and bigger each year, and we are pleased to bring the best in ensembles and jewellery for young brides and grooms, as well as their families and friends. The fashion event saw collections of couturiers Rohit Bal, Ashima Leena, Anju Modi, JJ Valaya, Rina Dhaka and Manish Arora on the runway Reinventing Carma One of the first multi-designer stores in the city, Carma is celebrating 25 years in the industry by reinventing itself. The pretty brick-laid boutique in Mehrauli that was once the exclusive home to Sayasachis elaborate collection has opened its doors to a circle of fine designers, both veterans and upcoming. Malvika Poddar said: We felt the need to launch our flagship store keeping in mind fashionistas of all age groups, with all kinds of aesthetics. Malvika (left) and Leka Poddar (right) are keen to reinvent first multi designer stores Carma The hand-picked roster includes celebrated designers like Suneet Varma, Payal Singhal, Vineet Bahl, Jade by Monica and Karishma and more. She reveals: For instance, Anushree Reddy is a favourite of young girls with her fresh, wearable and romantic Indian wear, while Pallavi Jaikishen is great for bridal wear. Designers Swati & Sunaina bring to the table handloom saris, while Suneet Varma and Dolly J have a stunning range of gowns. Some of the designers and their collections will be available on the brands online portal Carmaonlineshop.com, but the flagship store will also host the extended lines. A model flaunts a colourful saree by Swati and Sunaina We have taken quite a lot of pain in making sure all the merchandise is beautiful, its a very nice assortment of designers, she states. The festive and bridal ensembles start at Rs 20,000 and can go up to Rs 1 lakh for heavy designs. Those artistically-inclined will be happy to know that the store has been renovated by Anupam Poddar of Devi Design fame, marrying traditional Indian fabrics with a modern sensibility. Buyers will be pleasantly surprised to find many copper and brass utensils under metallic arches while browsing through the curated collections. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti continues her tough position over the unrest in the Valley saying that only five per cent of its people are creating havoc. However voices within her own party are now asking her to call off the unnatural alliance with the BJP. A Senior PDP leader and Srinagar MP Tariq Hamid Karra told Mail Today: For the past 16 months, I have been asking for course correction. It is and it was an unnatural alliance with the BJP and it should have broken long long ago. Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu beat empty plates to protest clashes taking place in the Valley Muzaffer Baig, People's Democratic Party (PDP) MP from north Kashmir, had told news channels in Delhi that Mehbooba should step down as chief minister if she feels she cannot control the situation. He said that the alliance with the BJP has failed as it has not worked for the PDP. Karra, however, said that unlike other leaders of his party, he had been consistently consistent in his opposition to the PDPs alliance with BJP. He said that the present anger in the Valley was because of this alliance. PDP leaders feel that the growing anger is because of BJP alliance. (File picture of protest by Kashmiri pandits) To my understanding, todays anger is basically against the alliance. Other things accumulated in the past 16 months leading to the present situation, Karra said. The Srinagar MP said that the day PDP joined hands with BJP, it was a betrayal of the mandate given to the party. And people feel it, he said. He also pointed at the protests which broke out after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffer Wani, whereafter at least 75 people were killed and around 10,000 were wounded. Protests erupted immediately after the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani Karra said that the alliance with BJP was temperamentally unacceptable and antithesis to what the PDP had been promoting over the years. WHO WAS BURHAN WANI? Burhan Muzaffar Wani, popularly known as Burhan Wani, was a commander of the Azad Kashmir-based Hizbul Mujahideen. He was popular among the Kashmiris due to his activity on social media and posted many photos and videos against Indian rule in Kashmir. Born in Dadsara village, Burhan was the son of a Muzaffar Wani, a school principal and Maimoona Muzaffar, who gives Quran lessons in her village. Burhan fled from his home on 16 October 2010 and became a militant at the age of 15. He was killed in an encounter with the Indian security forces on 8 July 2016, which triggered widespread protests in the Kashmir valley. The protests following Burhan Wani death led to killing of more than 70 people while over 7,000 civilians and more than 4,000 security personnel were injured, which was believed to be the worst in the Valley. Burhan is considered a 'martyr' who laid his life for Kashmir's independence. Advertisement He rubbished the argument that the alliance would bring Kashmir and Jammu together. It has divided the regions further, Karra said, adding that the alliance should have gone in the first stint of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. In the second spell of Mehbooba Mufti, the alliance should not have been there at the first place, Karra said, arguing that other parties were then ready to support it. He said that PDP did not get anything through this alliance, except for broken promises. Meanwhile, on Wednesday night, militants snatched four assault rifles from policemen guarding a political leader in south Kashmirs Kulgam district. The militants barged into the residential compound of Abdul Rashid Khanday, who was earlier associated with National Conference, at Begom in Kulgam late Wednesday night and took away four service rifles of the cops posted on guard duty of the political leader, a police official said. Former CM Omar Abdullah said the incident is an indicator of the serious situation in south Kashmir. Police said they had retaliated, but the militants managed to escape. The snatched weapons include one SLR, one 303 Rifle and two INSAS. In another incident in South Kashmir, militants attacked a police station on Wednesday midnight. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was an active participant during the eleventh G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China. In addition to attending different segments of the Summit and making focused interventions, Prime Minister Modi met and held talks on key bilateral issues with the host, President Xi Jinping of China as well as Presidents of Russia, Turkey and Argentina, Prime Ministers of UK and Australia and deputy Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. He informally interacted with US President Obama and French President Hollande on margins of official deliberations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was an active participant during the eleventh G20 Summit in China telling world leaders to be wary of Pakistani terror and the problem of 'black money' Significance The importance of G20 has grown over recent years. It was initially established in 1999 and comprised of Finance Ministers and Heads of Central Banks of 20 major economies of the world who would meet annually to discuss issues of global economic governance. This was upgraded to Summit level in 2008 to deal with the international financial and economic crisis that year. G20 represents 85% of world GDP, 80% of world trade and two thirds of the world population. It is a forum in which worlds major economies, both developed and developing are represented. Handshake: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was an active participant during the eleventh G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China With passage of time Agenda of G20 summits has continued to expand so that in addition to macro aspects of trade, finance and economy, the forum also debates political and social issues including terrorism, terror financing, health, education, water, agriculture and several more. However, the record for implementation the decisions taken is not very inspiring. All work is accomplished by the country that holds the Chair for that year. The Hangzhou Summit was the first G20 Summit organised by China and also the first such high level Summit to take place in that country. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping In logistics, facilities and arrangements, China acquitted itself creditably barring the snafu at the airport when President Obamas Air Force One was not provided a regular stair-case on arrival and the heated altercation between US and Chinese officials. Solutions This was the last major international Summit that Obama attended barring the East Asia Summit in Laos, Vientiane, before he demits office in January 2017. The significance of the Summit was enhanced as it was the first G20 gathering after the Brexit vote and took place just before the US Presidential elections, both of which will have a significant impact on the international economy and trade in the coming years. At the end of the Summit, the assembled leaders agreed to coordinate their macroeconomic policies, oppose protectionism and promote growth and demand. However few concrete proposals emerged to meet the growing challenges to globalisation and free trade. Prime Minister Theresa May holds a meeting with her Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi Discussions at the Summit were jolted by test-firing of 3 medium-range ballistic missiles by North Korea. Russian and US leaders met on sidelines of the Summit to find a solution to Syria but failed to reach a deal. Discussions are expected to continue. USA and China jointly affirmed that they will ratify the COP 21 declaration on Climate Change that provided a big morale booster. Message In his Address at the Summit, Modi exhorted the G20 countries to isolate and sanction countries which sponsor terrorism and not reward them. Without naming Pakistan he said that a single country in South Asia is spreading agents of terror in India and the region. He referred to the urgent need to curb black money; to forsake protectionism; to promote growth and demand; to safeguard climate justice and uphold principles of equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibility (CBDR). Prime Minister Modis message on terror is a clear, cautionary advice to the international community that they should not expect any elasticity from India if Pakistan continues its nefarious activities in carrying out terror attacks in India. Modis message at G20 was also directed at China which has continued to blindly support Pakistan on this vital issue. World Leaders: The G20 represents 85% of world GDP, 80% of world trade and two thirds of the world population In his bilateral meeting with Xi also, Modi had said that terrorism should not be viewed through the prism of politics as it is a scourge that afflicts the whole world. In his bilateral conversation with President Xi, Modi underlined that both India and China need to be sensitive to each others strategic interests, concerns and aspirations to realise the full potential of their bilateral partnership. In the first few years of its establishment, G20 discussions had produced tangible results in coordinated policy making and follow up action but it has since meandered and lost focus. Its significance has however continued to grow because of the opportunity it provides to world leaders to meet bilaterally with their major partners to discuss and resolve urgent issues of concern and interest. Those who ploughed money into supercars and the top of the classic car market have made handsome returns in recent years, but insiders now say the collectible car market is coming off the boil. Russell Bray looks at what's going on Pensions minister Steve Webb famously said people could cash in their pensions and buy a Lamborghini if they wished after rule changes in the Budget two years ago and was accused of encouraging them to waste their cash. But if you had put your pension money in one of the rare Italian supercars 14 or 15 years ago you could have done better than if you put it in a pension in the first place. Bob Forstner, the owner of an exotic car showroom in Park Lane, London, poses next to a Lamborghini Miura from his fleet of exotica In 2002 just 65,000 would have bought you one of the legendary Miuras, the car that shot to fame after being 'destroyed' in an incident with a bulldozer in the Michael Caine film The Italian Job. Today the car used in the action sequences is for sale at Cheshire Classic Cars and you would probably need 3 million to buy it. And several Miuras have changed hands in the UK this year for north of 1.25 million but as with any market prices can go down as well as up. More than 450 of the world's most desirable supercars were seen in action or on static display and attracting big crowds at the first Beaulieu Supercar Weekend (Aug 20/21) in the grounds of the National Motor Museum. Dealers at the event were still relentlessly optimistic and reluctant to move on prices but sources in the trade say prices for many models are currently a downward trend. 'The froth has gone off the top of the supercar business,' said an investment fund manager who has been building a portfolio of cars for clients. He estimated some prices had risen by 40 per cent or more in 2013 and by up to 15 per cent in 2015. The drop has been as much as 20 per cent for some cars, but one investor said that was better than putting your money in a bank and losing the lot. 'People don't trust banks anymore,' he said. A 1995 Lamborghini Diablo, admittedly in a challenging colour, estimated at 130,000 to 150,000 failed to sell at the Historics at Brooklands auction in June and several of the ultra rare 'periscope' Lamborghini Countach models remain unsold on dealer websites as potential buyers try to work out if they are worth 1 million or 'only' 850,000. But for a change, Brexit is not getting the blame as the drop in the value of sterling has made such cars in the UK more affordable and some dealers have predicted a surge in sales as with top Swiss watches where people have been cashing in badly performing ISAs to buy them. So what's going on with the classic and supercar market and is it at risk of another 1990s moment? The classic car market famously collapsed in the early 1990s, allegedly linked to a 'bubble' breaking in Japanese real estate and saw cars like the Ferrari F40 fall in value from near a million pounds down to as low as 150,000 to 180,000. But long term they have still been a good buy if you bought at the right time. New in 1987 they cost 193,000 and today you would pay 700,000 to 900,000 for a mint example. No-one is predicting a market collapse this time saying prices were inflated before because the cars were bought with borrowed money but today it is mainly cleared funds. The Countach (left) and Diablo (right) are both highly regarded Lamborghinis that have been bounding in value. However, insiders have said the collectible car market is now going through a period of readjusting prices after years of rises Is it worth investing in a modern-day Lamborghini in hope that it will rocket in value at a later date? Built in much higher volumes, it's unlikely this will happen to the same degree as the Miura - unless you buy limited-edition versions 'The market has been very strong for the last ten or 15 years but at the moment there is a quieter period,' says Bob Forstner, who was responsible for much of the display at Beaulieu for the Lamborghini Club UK. Forstner is well known in Lamborghini circles for his unusual role of being both a collector and a dealer through his premises in Park Lane, London and Stuttgart, Germany. He is the third generation of a family that has been selling cars for more than 90 years and in 1993 became an official Lamborghini dealer in Germany. If you were to buy in now it would have to be for at least five years - don't touch the car and keep it stored 'If you were to buy in now it would have to be for at least five years. 'Don't touch the car. Keep it stored and then you would have to evaluate the strength of the market and perhaps still hold until it is the right time to sell. 'A lot of people are still interested in buying but are saying they do not want to buy at the highest point of the market.' 'You do not need cars like a Diablo GT,' he says with a twinkle in his eye. 'They are not a necessity. 'Even special low volume cars like the LaFerrari are not as strong as they were last year. 'I think crazy prices for some cars have peaked. The market has reached saturation for cars like air-cooled Porsche 911s. 'A 964 (the 911 models made between 1989 and 1994) was 50,000 or 60,000 but now is back around 45,000. 'A Porsche Carrera RS though still brings in the money and the red Miura P400 we have in the museum will certainly come up.' So is it for sale then? The answer appears to be a definite maybe. The Miura is an iconic model in the Lamborghini ranks. It's fondly remembered for its appearance, though short-lived, in the original 1969 film The Italian Job Iain Tyrrell tracked down the Lamborghini Miura used in the iconic bulldozer scene at the start of the original Italian Job film Founder and managing director of Cheshire Classic Cars, Iain Tyrrell, who 'found' the long missing Italian Job Miura, said: 'Top quality cars have gone up a lot over the last two years but that ended six, or even nine months ago, and now there is a readjustment taking place. 'The market had become overblown, too frothy. It had risen too quickly.' Tyrrell's advice is don't expect to make a killing. 'Maybe four or five years ago you could have. Or even until two years ago, but that opportunity has gone. 'Of course it all depends. There are some cars that have not come to market so you can't write these things in stone.' There are a lot of cars that are being passed off as good examples when they are not Buyers needed to be very careful and take independent expert advice. 'There are a lot of cars that are being passed off as good examples when they are not. 'The cars need to be faithful to the factory specification. As an extreme example you don't want a car where the 1960s door panels have been drilled through to put in more modern radio speakers.' Prices in general, he estimated, are down ten to 15 per cent from their recent peak. 'The Lamborghini Miura P400 is still going up but Miura SVs have sold for 2 million but have now stabilised around 1.5 million. 'Early low body Countachs from 1979 to 1981 continue to appreciate. They have risen from around 400,000 to 500,000 over the past year.' Around 40 million British credit card users could be handed 450 each as legal action has been taken against MasterCard over 14billion of 'unfair charges' to customers. A collective action was launched today that accuses the company of setting punitive transaction fees for retailers from 1992 to 2008, which were passed on to shoppers in the shape of higher prices. All UK consumers who used MasterCard credit cards, or even cash, cheque, or any other payment method, for their purchases during that period and are currently living in the UK will automatically become part of the claim. They will, therefore, potentially benefit from any payout - unless they explicitly opt out. Filing: MasterCard is facing a 14billion claim against it in a collective action over card charges passed on to shoppers over 16 years between 1992 and 2008 WHAT THE MASTERCARD LEGAL BATTLE COULD MEAN TO YOU WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE POTENTIAL PAYOUT? All UK consumers who used MasterCard credit cards, or even cash, cheque, or any other payment method, for their purchases between 1992 and 2008. DO I HAVE TO DO ANYTHING NOW? No, everyone who fits the above criteria will automatically become part of the claim unless they opt out. WHEN CAN I CLAIM FOR MY SHARE? If it is successful, two or three years after the trial in 2018, compensation will be paid out. This can be claimed within a time period which will be set. Walter Merricks says this can be done without the use of claims companies. Consumers no longer living in the UK, but who were here between 1992 and 2008 will have the opportunity to opt in to the collective claim. The claim, led by former financial services ombudsman Walter Merricks, and aided by US law firm Quinn Emanuel, was filed today at the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. MasterCard said: 'Now that the claim has been filed, we will take time to review it in detail, however we continue to firmly disagree with the basis of this claim and we intend to oppose it vigorously. 'We deliver real value through the benefits of security, convenience and consumer protection, and we are committed to investing in our payment services in order to continue to meet the rapidly evolving needs of all our customers.' Former financial services ombudsman Walter Merricks The claimants allege MasterCard set unlawfully high interchange fees - charged to stores when shoppers swipe their debit or credit cards for payments - for 16 years, which were passed on to consumers in the form of inflated prices for goods and services. The European Court of Justice declared that such fees were a violation of EU anti-trust rules in 2014. Mr Merricks said: 'MasterCard charged billions of pounds of unlawfully high fees for its sole benefit and to the detriment of consumers. It has already been found to have broken competition law, the basis of which was to protect consumers, and that cannot be disputed. 'The filing of this claim is the first step towards consumers obtaining compensation for what MasterCard did. 'I am confident that the CAT will authorise the claim to go forward, and I look forward to the opportunity to present our case. 'This is a watershed moment for consumer redress in this country.' Collective claim: All UK consumers who paid the charges and are currently living in the UK will automatically become part of the group of claimants unless they explicitly opt out Boris Bronfentrinker, a partner at Quinn Emanuel, said: 'MasterCard has itself argued before English courts that any unlawful charges were passed on to consumers by retailers when trying to defend itself in cases brought against it by retailers. 'Despite arguing that consumers bore the cost of its illegal fees, MasterCard has made no efforts to try to compensate consumers through new voluntary compensation mechanisms.' MasterCard currently has 57.9million cards in circulation across the UK and is the second-largest credit and debit card provider after Visa. Any hearing on the case is not expected until early 2018, following a trial, unless MasterCard settle it out of court. If the claim is successful, it could be up to two to three years before compensation is paid out and customers will have to make a claim within a set time period. 36 of the claims were unfounded, proving there was no attack, while 54 lacked enough evidence to prove Illegal immigrants awaiting deportation are making up rape claims to stay in the country for longer, DailyMail.com can reveal. Thirty-six claims were found to be false in just one year, according to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The scale of the false allegations was described as a concern by a watchdog group, who said it raised questions over whether illegal immigrants were trying to delay or dodge deportation by making untrue rape or sexual assault claims. The allegations proven to be false were all made to Immigration and Customs Enforcement by people held in their detention facilities. They were part of 273 allegations of rape made in 2015. Inside a detention center: Immigrants awaiting deportation at a center in Otay Mesa, California. DailyMail.com has obtained figures which suggest some are falsely claiming to be raped or sexually assaulted, possibly to avoid deportation One of the untrue reports: A detainee at the Otay Detention Facility near San Diego, California, (pictured) fabricated a claim a guard raped them An investigation by DailyMail.com has found a sexual assault allegation is made in an immigration detention center every two days. One incident involved a boy complaining about a group of minors in Karne County Residential Center in Texas (pictured) who inappropriately exposed themselves and tried to have him touch their genitals THE FALSE SEX-CLAIM FILES January 2, 2015: Detainee at the Otay Detention Facility near San Diego, California, told officials a guard raped them. An investigation later found the claim was fabricated. February 1: Female detainee in Los Fresnos, Texas, lied about another detainee sexually assaulting her. February 3: In Dilley, Texas, a woman falsely claimed a supervisor was making lewd comments to her. March 3: Detainee in El Paso, Texas, claimed she was being harassed by Muslims. Officers later found she was lying. March 31: Detainee in Bakersfield, California, claimed a guard inappropriately touched 17 women during a pat down after dinner. Investigators later found her claims were fabricated. April 9: Woman falsely claimed a detainee in Bakersfield, California, was touching another females breast. April 21: In Eloy, Arizona, a detainee reported that a woman was being sexually assaulted by guards because of a conversation he heard. His claim was later found to be false. May 26: A detainee at the Houston Contract Detention Facility said they were raped by an unknown suspect. Investigators could not identify who it was so closed the investigation June 22: An illegal immigrant in the Adelanto Detention Center in San Bernardino, California, falsely claimed she was sexually harassed by another inmate July 10: An ICE detainee claimed he was touched on the buttocks while sleeping in his bunk July 30: A detainee claimed they were sexually assaulted by a Department for Homeland Security contractor in Sierra Blanca, Texas. Investigators later found the claim was fabricated August 7: In Calexico, California, a man falsely claimed she was receiving threats of violence from a fellow detainee to perform sex acts. On August 25, 2015, a male detainee at the South Texas Detention Complex said a contracted officer inappropriately stared at him while he was using the toilet September 29: An immigration officer at the Yuba County Jail in California sent an email to senior officials saying a detainee had been involved in an inappropriate relationship with a contract officer. The claim was found to be false. October 1: An officer reported rumors a contractor engaged in a sex act with another staff member at the Otay Detention Facility near San Diego, California. The report was later found to be untrue December 11: A senior ICE official reported an allegation that a guard had sexually assaulted a detainee in San Bernardino, California. Investigators found the incident did not take place. Advertisement A breakdown of the rape allegations shows that 90 were unsubstantiated, meaning there was not sufficient evidence to prove the incident occurred. There was evidence proving the attack did not take place in 36 of the cases. Only 30 of the claims were substantiated by ICE officials, while decisions are still pending in 104 cases. Five of the substantiated claims were attacks on children. None of 31 allegations against guards or contractors have been substantiated. Five were found to be false. Thirteen were 'referred to management'. The records would not elaborate on what that meant. The allegations proven to be false included claims by a detainee at Otay Detention Facility near San Diego, California, that a guard raped them. A detainee in El Paso, Texas, claimed she was being harassed by Muslims. Officers later found she was lying, and a detainee in Bakersfield, California, claimed a guard inappropriately touched 17 women during a pat down after dinner. Detainees are aware that they can postpone being sent home if they file a complaint - even if it might turn out to be a lie. They are normally placed inside solitary confinement - or administrative segregation - for five days after they make a complaint, but some can chose to stay longer if they feel they may be at risk of further attacks. A watchdog group warned that false accusations could be used by detainees to extend their stay in the U.S. Jessica Vaughn from the Center for Immigration Studies told Daily Mail Online: 'Of course any allegations of misconduct or abuse in a detention center must be taken seriously, and investigated. 'Unfortunately, it happens occasionally, despite efforts to prevent it. ICE has very detailed protocols and regulations to follow, and the agency appears to make every effort to ensure that its contractors also operate with the appropriate standards and safeguards. 'It is important to remember that not all allegations against detention officers or fellow detainees are true. 'I don't wish to downplay the seriousness of this issue, but one has to acknowledge that detainees have some strong incentives to file frivolous allegations. 'I have been told by different sources that these allegations have increased lately because the detainees know that they can avoid or postpone deportation by accusing an ICE deportation officer or detention center guard of abusive behavior.' There is, however, little doubt that a series of sex attacks have taken place in the detention centers. Among the cases revealed to DailyMail.com was one at the The South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, where a 14-year-old boy from El Salvador attacked a helpless girl from Honduras as she lay in her bed. The complaint was substantiated, but it's not known what action was taken against the youngster. Another boy complained that a group of minors in Karne County Residential Center inappropriately exposed themselves and tried to have him touch their genitals. That claim was substantiated after an investigation. On the April 29, 2015, a detainee from Guatemala was arrested after 'inappropriately touching' another immigrant in Cameron, Texas. He was then processed in local courts, but he has not been identified. In Orange County, California, a group of detainees were found to have been involved in sexual abuse. A substantiated incident involved a shocking case at the The South Texas Family Residential Center Dilley, Texas, (pictured) where a 14-year-old boy from El Salvador attacked a helpless girl from Honduras as she lay in her bed And in Karnes, Texas, an underage girl was found to have a sexually transmitted disease. When border officers conducted a medical exam, they also found 'vaginal scarring', prompting suggestions she was sexually assaulted. However the allegation was 'unfounded', but the girl and her father were put on 'expedited removal proceedings' for their own safety. On October 23, 2015, a Management and Training Cooperation officer sexually harassed a detainee in Otero, Minnesota. Jesse Lerner-Kinglake, the Communications Director at Just Detention International, told DailyMail.com that there was a 'major problem' about sexual assault in detention centers. 'I think it's important to draw a distinction between sexual abuse allegations that are unfounded and those that are unsubstantiated,' she said. 'Unfounded reports have been proven false, whereas unsubstantiated reports lack sufficient evidence to show definitively that the assault occurred. 'In other words, when a rape allegation is unsubstantiated, that does not mean it was made up. Immigration detainees have many reasons not to come forward to report sexual assault. Detainees who speak out often face retaliation including being placed in solitary confinement Jesse Lerner-Kinglake, the Communications Director at Just Detention International 'Further, false rape allegations are incredibly rare in any setting and, besides, immigration detainees have little incentive to lie about abuse. 'To the contrary, immigration detainees have many reasons not to come forward to report sexual assault. Detainees who speak out often face retaliation including being placed in solitary confinement, a practice that is known to have a devastating psychological impact. 'Official reports of sexual abuse in immigration detention almost certainly represent just a fraction of the true number of assaults. 'That's because many detainees who have been sexually abused haven't been told how to file a report and that it is their right to do so; others are afraid of being punished, and with good reason. 'But, even if we were to take the numbers of official reports at face value, it would still show evidence of a major problem. 'Any incident of sexual abuse is unacceptable and utterly preventable.' A spokesman for ICE told Daily Mail Online: 'ICE is committed to ensuring all individuals in the agency's custody are treated in a safe, secure and humane manner. 'Accusations of alleged unlawful conduct are investigated thoroughly and appropriate action is taken to ensure the safety and security of those involved and the others in ICE custody.' Of the 273 allegations made by foreigners awaiting deportation, six involved suspected attacks on children. Five of these cases were substantiated. Neither of the children pictured in this center in Dilley, Texas, are believed to have been harmed It is the latest controversy involving ICE. The agency which overseas the detention and deportation of illegal immigrants has an annual budget of $989million. In April, Daily Mail Online revealed that American taxpayers are forking out more than $300,000 every day to deport illegal immigrants on commercial flights and even on private jets, Daily Mail Online can exclusively reveal. The government agency spent $116m in 2015 to transport 235,413 people in the United States illegally back to their home countries. More than 40 per cent of those who had violated visa restrictions were convicted criminals while more than 1,000 were identified as gang members. The ICE revealed to Daily Mail Online that the average cost of every immigrant in 2015 was $12,213. The cost includes identifying the immigrant, apprehending them, placing them in a detention center, their process through immigration court and their subsequent removal. In July 2015, Daily Mail Online revealed that a night's stay for an illegal immigrant in the country's largest taxpayer-funded detention center costs more than a room at the nearest Hilton Hotel. The government shells out $231 every 24 hours to house just one of the 2,105 foreign detainees at The South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley. That is more than a double room at the four-star Hilton Palacio del Rio 70 miles away in San Antonio, which costs $169. A male inmate at a Missouri jail was charged on Wednesday with raping a female inmate after another inmate freed him from his cell using a key that a guard mistakenly left in a door. Dontae Jefferson, 29, of Kansas City, is also charged with burglary and sexual abuse in connection with the August 26 attack, the Jackson County prosecutor's office said. Last month, another female inmate alleged that she was assaulted in her cell at the Jackson County Regional Correctional Center, leading to an investigation into reports that three inmates had been wandering freely inside the jail. Dontae Jefferson, 29, of Kansas City (pictured), is also charged with burglary and sexual abuse in connection with the August 26 attack, the Jackson County prosecutor's office said Due to those reports, nearly two dozen female inmates were removed from the county-run facility, which houses adults who have been charged with Kansas City municipal violations. An independent audit also has been ordered. Surveillance video shows an inmate obtaining the keys that had been mistakenly left in a cell door lock, a Kansas City police detective said in the probable cause statement. The inmate said he returned the keys to the guard, minus a cell key, and that two days later, he let himself and Jefferson out of their cells. The guard admitted losing control of her keys but said they all were accounted for when they were returned, the statement said. Last month, another female inmate alleged that she was assaulted in her cell at the Jackson County Regional Correctional Center (pictured), leading to an investigation into reports that three inmates had been wandering freely inside the jail The detective wrote that the victim initially said a man had entered her cell and fondled her before he punched and strangled her when she pushed him away. She said he then assaulted her before fleeing when he heard a whistle, though the statement did not say whether the stolen key had been used. The woman told police that she believed the man was a guard. When officers spoke to the victim again the next day at a hospital, she said she also had been raped and identified Jefferson as her attacker through a photo lineup. Some of Jefferson's movements were captured on video, the probable cause statement said. The victim, who has since been released, said in a statement released through the prosecutor's office that her life has been 'in turmoil' and that she is 'praying those responsible will be held to a measure of justice.' The prosecutor's office did not identify the woman because she is a sexual assault victim. She also said in the statement that she would does not want to speak to the press. At the time of the attack, Jefferson was being held in jail while awaiting trial for charges including first-degree murder and five other felonies in connection to an April 2014 attack, according to The Kansas City Star. At the time of the attack, Jefferson was being held in jail while awaiting trial for charges including first-degree murder in connection to an April 2014 attack in which he allegedly shot KaVyea Curry and paralyzed his 10-year-old son KaVyea Tyson-Curry (the pair above) In that incident, Jefferson is accused of shooting 34-year-old father KaVyea Curry and paralyzing his 10-year-old son KaVyea Tyson-Curry at a Missouri gas station. In connection to the alleged rape, Jefferson has been charged with first-degree rape, first-degree burglary and two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. No one else has been charged and the investigation is ongoing. An Oklahoma teen who stabbed his parents and three siblings to death escaped execution Wednesday after accepting a plea agreement. Robert Bever was sentenced in Tulsa County District Court after pleading guilty to the July 2015 killings, which he is alleged to have committed with his brother Michael, 17. Prosecutors gave him the chance to plead guilty and accept life without parole in the hope that it would spare his surviving sister Crystal, 13, from being forced to relive the horror in court, The Tulsa World reported. Scroll down for video Killer: Robert Bever (seen second from left in February), 19, pleaded guilty to killing his parents and three siblings Wednesday, and will escape the death penalty per a plea agreement Family: Robert (seen in red shirt) killed Daniel, 12 (far right); Christopher, 7 (far left); and Victoria, 5 (center, in pink). His 13-year-old sister Crystal (second left) survived, and two-year-old sister Autumn was not harmed in the attack Tulsa County district attorney Steve Kunzweiler said Bever's actions were 'savage' and that he 'deserves the death penalty.' But, he said, 'a death penalty prosecution would result in his teenage sister being forced to recount and relive the brutal details of the carnage that her brothers wrought again and again.' He also said that the plea deal meant that the second survivor - Autumn, aged two - would be able to grow up free of the shadow of the killings. 'The toddler sister, who mercifully was asleep and did not witness the horror, would grow up learning details of the carnage in repeated court hearings that could easily stretch into her teen years or beyond,' Kunzweiler said. Michael Bever, who is alleged to have helped his brother carry out the killings, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. His trial is scheduled to begin next year. Victims: Parents David and April were also killed. Prosecutors offered the life imprisonment plea agreement so that Crystal would not be made to relive the attacks repeatedly in court The Bevers were accused of killing their parents, David Bever, 52, and April Bever, 44, and their siblings Daniel, 12; Christopher, 7, and Victoria, 5, in a middle-of-the-night rampage in suburban Tulsa. Detectives who testified at a preliminary hearing in February said the brothers detailed to officers a gruesome plot to carry out further mass killings across the country after killing their family. 'They wanted to kill at least 50 people, they wanted to be famous. They wanted a Wikipedia page. They wanted media coverage,' said Detective Rhianna Russell, who had interviewed Michael Bever, in that hearing. Detective Eric Bentz testified that Robert Bever lamented that their plan failed and 'everyone didn't die like they were supposed to.' He also said Bever was 'laughing or chuckling on several occasions' as he described their plans. The detective said that Robert Bever expressed a desire for notoriety for being a serial killer, and that he'd planned to kill the family, cut up the bodies and store them in bins in the attic. More to come: Michael Bever (left), 17, is accused of helping Robert (right) in the attacks, but pleaded not guilty. His trial is scheduled to begin next year The duo then planned to west in the family SUV armed with guns, ammunition and makeshift bombs to randomly attack other locations and kill ten people at each place, he said. There was also a plan to make a pair of videos - one with bodies visible for the police and prosecutors, and a second one without the bodies that would be shared online. 'If he killed one person he was one person, that evened it out,' Bentz said of Robert's motivations, while 'if he killed one more than one person, that would make him like a god.' By many neighbors' accounts, the Bevers kept to themselves - the siblings played alone in the backyard and walked down neighborhood streets bunched together, and their parents didn't socialize much. David Bever's former co-workers at a local IT department described him as a quiet man. Hacksaw Ridge is the unflinching new movie about a conscientious objector who refused to wield a gun during WWII but was awarded the Medal of Honor for saving 75 men. It may also be the film that resurrects scandal-plagued Mel Gibson's career and ends his ten-year Hollywood exile. But while Gibson could not be more unlike the film's devout protagonist Desmond Doss, the soldier's last living relation insists he was the perfect choice to tell his pacifist father's story. 'Of course I am very proud of my dad, who seemed to get it right the first time,' Desmond Doss Jr. exclusively told Daily Mail Online. My hero father: Desmond Doss Jr holds his father's Medal of Honor. The Seventh Day Adventist was credited with saving at least 75 lives on Okinawa, where he served despite refusing to bear arms. He was the only WWII conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor Family pride: Desmond Doss, his wife Dorothy and mother-in-law Elsie Schutte with his son, Desmond Jr, after he received the Medal of Honor from Harry Truman In Hacksaw Ridge, Doss is played by actor Andrew Garfield, who rose to fame for his role in The Amazing Spider-Man Mel Gibson's Hacksaw Ridge tells the true story of World War II medic and Seventh Day Adventist Desmond Doss, who was awarded a Medal of Honor in 1945 (pictured) 'But I am just as proud of folks like Mel and others that have perhaps faltered along the way, but made the choices necessary to reorder their lives and come back stronger.' Doss was a Seventh Day Adventist who enlisted in the US Army despite his refusal to bear arms and was determined to save lives as a medic. In 1945 he became the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor for single-handedly saving the lives of dozens of comrades during the Battle of Okinawa. During the bloody fighting, the Army's 1st Battalion was assaulted on top of a towering 400-foot cliff which gives the film its title. The US soldiers scaled the escarpment only to be met by Japanese machine gun fire and flamethrowers. As others retreated, Doss - a Private First Class medic played by Andrew Garfield in the film - refused to seek cover and instead took care of the wounded. One by one, he carried men to the edge of the cliff and lowered them to safety on a make-shift rope-supported litter. Returning to the battlefield days later, he was badly injured by a grenade but tended to his own injuries for five hours to avoid putting another medic at risk. And when help finally arrived, Doss dragged himself off the stretcher and insisted it was used for a soldier with more severe wounds. Gibson's portrayal has been hailed as brutal yet 'deeply moving'. It drew a ten-minute standing ovation when the movie debuted this week at the Venice International Film Festival to rave reviews. It was the 60-year-old's first offering since he directed 'Apocalypto' a decade ago - a film he shot before he was arrested in a drunk-driving incident in Malibu, California and launched into a shocking anti-Semitic tirade. The Braveheart actor was also accused of assaulting his ex-partner Oksana Grigorieva in 2010 and would later plead no contest to a misdemeanor battery charge despite maintaining his innocence. But in a review for Hacksaw Ridge, industry website Variety was willing to look beyond his indiscretions, describing the movie as Gibson's 'act of atonement'. Others have tipped it for an Oscar. Hacksaw Ridge will be released in theaters on November 4. Garfield applauded Doss's character as he prepared for the role In April 1942, Doss was 23 years old and working at a shipyard when he was called to the draft. But after conscientiously objecting on religious grounds, Doss enlisted as a medic determined to save lives on the front line, but refusing to carry a gun on moral grounds Doss saved the lives of more than 75 of his comrades who were stranded on a cliff - called Hacksaw Ridge - in the Battle of Okinawa (pictured) Doss (pictured with his Medal of Honor in 1966) faced harassment from other soldiers while training in the states, due to his devotion to prayer, refusal to handle weapons and eat meat and his observation of the Sabbath. Honoring the legacy: Desmond Doss Jr at the opening of Doss Hall in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, named after his father Doss Jr, 69, who lives in Ilwaco, Washington, said his father would approve of both the film and its controversial director. 'I don't know Mr Gibson personally but it seems to me that he too has come back from a period of adversity,' he said. 'And which one of us has not had our dark times? 'I've developed a respect for him because he has come from a rather dark place but his motives are good. 'Everybody gets down but to get back up, as he has done, is inspiring in itself. I'd love to shake the hand of someone that can do that.' Desmond Doss was inspired by a framed poster of the Ten Commandments that his dad purchased at an auction when he was growing up in Lynchburg, Virginia. Hacksaw Ridge also depicts an incident from his childhood, in which Doss got into a fight with his brother and hit him in the head with a brick. Repulsed by his own actions, he later declared himself a pacifist and developed an interest in medicine. In April 1942, Doss was 23 and working at a shipyard when he was called to the draft. He was given conscientious objector status after declining to bear arms due to religious principles but enlisted as a medic so he could serve while adhering to 'Thou shalt not kill.' After his heroics at Okinawa, President Harry S. Truman presented Doss with the Medal of Honor for 'outstanding gallantry far above and beyond the call of duty.' Doss spent five years recovering in hospital from various injuries before devoting himself to religion and helping young people. He had his only son with his first wife Dorothy, who was killed in a 1991 car accident, but two years later remarried Frances May Doman, a widow with three adult children. Doss died aged 86, in March 2006, after suffering a respiratory ailment. 'To me he was just my dad but I also understand that how he lived and what he did in WWII was extraordinary, it really was,' said Doss Jr. 'As far as I know, of all the hundreds and hundreds of citations that were awarded, his was the only one that said 'far' above the call the duty. I've never seen anyone pick up on that but I think it says something. 'He was very well known, almost an icon, within the circles of his church and also in military circles. Doss married his girlfriend, Dorothy, in August 1942, just before going into active duty. He first went overseas with the 307th Infantry, 77th Infantry Division in 1944, where he served as a combat medic in Guam and at Leyte in the Philippines Because of his ailments, he was unable to find steady work and instead devoted himself to his religion and worked with youth groups. In the 1950s, Doss and his wife, Dorothy, then moved to Georgia, where he built a home and they raised their son, Desmond Jr Doss died, aged 86, in March 2006, after suffering a respiratory ailment. He was buried in the Chattanooga National Cemetery in Tennessee 'But he was not well-known among the general public. There were the occasional short blurbs or articles in newspapers but his story has not really been told in a public venue very well. 'I think his story is much bigger than his religious life and I'm thrilled it will be told in a secular venue.' Although he left the Seventh Day Adventist church as an adult, Doss Jr followed in his father's footsteps when he too joined the Army as a medic and conscientious objector during the Vietnam War. As a sole surviving son he never saw combat but instead left the military to become a firefighter. While he knew years ago that a Hollywood movie was in the works, he had no idea that Hacksaw Ridge had been finished until its Venice debut and now he cannot wait to watch it. 'I have not seen the film yet but I imagine I'll go see it at the theatre in town,' he told Daily Mail Online. 'I was totally surprised that I didn't hear anything about this movie until it was done with. I feel like a boy looking through the knot hole of the fence to see the ball game. 'But I don't want this to sound like sour grapes. This film is huge, the story has changed ownership, it's been around the block. They just have bigger fish to fry than worrying about me. 'I just really hope that it is instrumental is having people take more time to think about what's right and wrong in the world. 'The story is one that should inspire people to follow their conscience and their hearts to do the right thing.' A British woman allegedly murdered in a Pakistani honour killing texted a friend hours before boarding a flight fearing she would not return alive. Samia Shahid, 28, was brutally raped and murdered days after she arrived in Pakistan in what local police are calling 'a premeditated and cold-blooded honour-killing'. A month-long investigation found that Ms Shahid was killed in the village of Dhok Khinger in northern Punjab during a week-long visit to Pakistan. Samia Shahid, pictured, was allegedly raped and murdered after she flew to Pakistan to mourn her aunt who had died and meet her first cousin whom she had divorced in 2014 Pakistani police claim Ms Shahid was raped by her ex-husband in this room hours before she was due to fly out to Dubai to join her second husband Mukhtar Kazim on July 21, 2016 Samia Shahid, left, was allegedly raped and murdered in a so-called honour killing in Punjab in July by her cousin Muhammad Shakeel, right, who was her first husband Pakistani police said Ms Shahid had been murdered in this house, which had been given by her father Muhammad Shahid to her ex-husband Muhammad Shakeel who was also his nephew Pakistani police claim Ms Shahid's ex-husband Muhammad Shakeel raped the 28-year-old Bradford woman, before strangling her with her scarf. A 43-page police report on the murder given to MailOnline by an official working on the case concluded Ms Shahid's father Muhammad Shahid held down her daughter's legs while Shakeel carried out the honour killing. The Pakistani police investigation was launched after Ms Shahid's second husband Mukhtar Kazim had been told his wife had died from a 'heart attack'. In shocking photographs within the Pakistani Police file, investigators photographed Ms Shahid's remains at the foot of a stairwell Mukhtar Kazim, pictured here marrying Samia Shahid in London in 2014 was afraid when his wife said she must travel to Pakistan after her aunt, who was also her ex mother-in-law died Mr Kazim immediately contacted Pakistani authorities and made an official complaint seeking a full investigation into his wife's death. A day before boarding her flight to Islamabad on July 14, Ms Shahid sent a text message to her friend Laila where she said she was in fear for her life. In the message, she said - referring to her cousin and former husband -: 'Pray I come bk alive on 21jult my psyco cuzzan u see.' Pakistani authorities believe the victim's father called local police at 1.32pm on July 21 to claim his daughter had died of natural causes. Initially, Shahid allegedly attempted to cover up the cause of his daughter's death and claimed she was still married to his nephew. The first officer on the scene, despite having 30 years experience, failed to notice Ms Shahid had a 19cm scar on her neck from where she was strangled. Arrested: Ms Shahid's father Mohammed, whom Samia had been visiting in Pakistan, has been charged and has appeared in court Shocking: Samia Shahid, 28, from Bradford, suffered a 7.5ins gash to her neck in her ancestral Punjab village Grief: Syed Mukhtar Kazam, pictured, said he wanted to release the shocking photograph to prove that she had been strangled and was the victim of an honour killing. He married Samia in Leeds in 2014 According to the police report, Shahid could have 'pardoned' his nephew if he had been charged with Ms Shahid's murder under Pakistan's 'blood money' laws, which allow grieving relatives to accept cash from a perpetrator instead of demanding a prison term. The report claimed: 'This way, he could have hidden this gory crime in almost a perfect plot.' According to Pakistani police, Shakeel was disappointed by his ex-wife because 'she had divorced him ex parte in the UK'. The prime suspect in the murder said this had 'dishonoured him and his family', the report said. Grave: Samia's relatives reportedly said she died from a heart or asthma attack and buried her in the village (pictured). But her local MP wants her body exhumed if necessary Shakeel also said the divorce had cost him the opportunity of immigrating to the UK and becoming a British citizen. He also admitted that his family had been further dishonoured by his ex-wife marrying outside the family 'especially to a Shia'. The investigative team found Shakeel had a 'criminal record' and had been charged in 2010 with attempted murder. According to the police report, Ms Shahid had taken several precautions to ensure her safety during her visit to Pakistan. Ms Shahid's father and ex-husband have been taken into custody to appear in court She refused to supply her family with details of her flights and arranged to meet a friend in Islamabad airport to take custody of her passport and return tickets. The father and the ex-husband appeared in a court on Monday in the eastern Pakistani city of Jhelum, after the police investigation was completed, and were ordered to be held for 14 days pending charges and trial. The Pakistani police report concluded that Shahid was strangled to death. It says that Shahid's father, Muhammad Shahid, stood guard while her ex-husband, Muhammad Shakeel, raped her. After that, they killed her together. Police Deputy Inspector General Abu Bakar Khuda Bux, the chief investigator in the case, said the evidence was strong. Forensic and DNA tests confirmed the rape by the ex-husband, who apparently had never accepted that Ms Shahid divorced him, he said. According to the report: 'The result indicated a perfect match, thereby establishing that the victim was raped by accused Shakeel before she was murdered.' Lawyers for Shakeel and Shahid said the men will plead not guilty at their next court appearance on September 17. Police in Pakistan also want to speak to Ms Shahid's mother, Imtiaz Bibi, and sister Madiha Shahid who were in the country at the time but returned to the UK. Ms Shahid married her first husband in February 2012 but stayed only briefly in Pakistan before returning to England where she obtained a divorce two years later. Photo: The Milwaukee CTA Bus Did Not Stop At Burning Man By Rachel Cromidas in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 8, 2016 3:25PM Photo c/o Adan Sandoval The Milwaukee Avenue CTA Bus did not stop at Burning Man (as far as we know). But amid the desert festival's acres of installation art, sculptures and "art cars," someone built a make-shift CTA bus stop, complete with a bench and a CTA sign. As if we needed more reasons to call it "the hipster highway." First-time burner and Chicago native Adan Sandoval caught a photo of the bus stop, which he said was cheekily adorned with a large, lit-up snowflake and a bench behind it marked "BUTT STOP." Its Burning Man address was 4:30 and Esplanade (Burning Man has a special system for addressing locations in Black Rock City, its temporary, annual home), but the bus stop's origins are a mystery. "There wasn't much else around it to indicate who or which camp put it up," Sandoval told Chicagoist. "I didn't get to meet any other Chicagoans at Burning Man, so this was a lovely reminder of home while camping out in the Nevada desert." It's illegal to tamper with or steal working CTA signs, but the CTA periodically auctions off retired train and bus stop signs, so it's possible this sign was obtained through legal means. Do you know more of the story behind Burning Man's Milwaukee Bus sign? Email tips@chicagoist.com, please. And what's up with the giant snowflake? Yes, sometimes it's cold in Chicago, we get it. Uma Thurmans on-again-off-again ex-fiance Arpad Busson has demanded more visitation with the couples three-year-old daughter, less than a year after they reached an initial settlement over the custody of their child. Busson filed a motion for temporary visitation rights on August 31. He first filed a custody lawsuit against Thurman in New York in 2014. Busson - a London-based French multimillionaire - has had a rocky relationship with Thurman since they first started dating in 2007. Scroll down for video Uma Thurmans (pictured left on Wednesday) on-again-off-again ex-fiance Arpad Busson (pictured right) filed a motion for more visitation rights on August 31, a year after the couple reached a custody settlement over their three-year-old daughter Busson filed a motion for temporary visitation rights on August 31. He first filed a custody lawsuit against Thurman (pictured with daughter Luna in 2014) in New York in 2014 Thurman (center, holding Luna and son with Ethan Hawke Levon Roan Thurman Hawke far left and a friend in St Barts this summer) called off her engagement to Busson twice, but a judge said that they both put aside their issues for the benefit of their daughter The investor and actress were originally set to be married in 2009, but the wedding was called off, and Thurman returned her eight-carat diamond ring. In 2011, the couple reconciled and shortly thereafter Thurman became pregnant with their daughter, Luna Thurman-Busson, who she gave birth to in 2012. Thurman and Busson then were set to get married again, but Thurman called off the engagement and the couple again parted ways. Shortly following their breakup, Busson slapped Thurman with a lawsuit demanding more custody of their daughter. He also demanded the power to make important life decisions for their daughter. Thurmans representative released a statement after the lawsuit was filed: It is unfortunate that this very private discussion regarding Mr. Busson's visitation rights and his participation in decision making has been made public. Busson - a London-based French multimillionaire - has had a rocky relationship with Thurman since the couple (pictured together in 2007) first started dating in 2007 In 2015, Thurman, who often posts loving photos with her daughter on Instagram (above), and Busson signed a three-year plan on how they agreed to co-parent their daughter However, we are optimistic that a fair agreement for both sides will be reached out of court. In September 2015, the couple finally reached a settlement, and the judge praised them for putting aside their issues aside for the benefit of their daughter. At the time, the judge was quoted saying both parties had compromised very little to reach the settlement. The terms of the deal, however, were sealed from the public and the terms remain confidential. It was reported at the time that Thurman and Busson signed a three-year plan on how they agreed to co-parent their daughter. But after Busson headed back to court on August 31, it appears that he wants more custody. After being engaged twice and splitting after Thurman gave birth to their daughter, the couple (pictured together in 2009) went to court to battle for custody of their young daughter He filed a Pendente Lite Visitation, which is usually only filed during an on-going battle, with one person seeking to have the judge award temporary visitation until the outcome of the case. Once the final order on custody and support is issued by the judge, the temporary decision is voided. It is unclear why he filed for temporary visitation rights if the couple reached a settlement last year. The heavily tattooed man behind a men's only barber shop in Sydney's inner-west has defended his decision to ban women from the store. Julian Wallace, who has the words 'Hood' and 'Rich' inked above his eyebrows, is the owner of Hawleywood's Barbershop at Newtown. This week he came under fire for the 'sexist' policy which bans females from his shop, however he has since defended the rules claiming 'it's not about discrimination'. Scroll down for video Julian Wallace is the manager of Hawleywood's Barber shop in Newtown, in Sydney's inner west His store has come under fire this week for their 'no women' policy 'No women can come into the premises because we only cater to men,' Mr Wallace told Sunrise on Thursday morning. 'It is not a discrimination thing, it is something that we provide a service for men, we protect their comfort, we protect their insecurities. We protect their privacy.' The barber shop manager was then asked by Kochie whether women who dropped their boyfriends or son's off were allowed wait in the shop, while 'reading a magazine'. 'Look. I wish we had magazines here for women, but we don't,' Mr Wallace replied. He then suggested the women instead go to a nearby cafe and get a coffee, or 'go shopping'. 'We have catered to something from a bygone era, providing a service and most importantly an experience. Mr Wallace appeared on Sunrise on Thursday morning to defend the policy 'It is not a discrimination thing... we provide a service for men' he told the program Wallace is a XFC mixed martial arts fighter, pictured here with other fighters Hawleywood's Barbershop was first criticised on social media after a woman was told to wait outside for her boyfriend while he got a haircut 'You come here to experience a bygone era,' Mr Wallace said. 'It is like when the women go and get their nails done. It is not catered for men, that kind of environment,' he added. Earlier in the week the barber shop faced fierce backlash on social media after a woman was told to wait outside for her boyfriend while he got a haircut. 'My friend was saying he was at Hawleywoods barber shop in Newtown on the weekend and when a guy came in for a cut,' musician Kelly Jeanious posted on Facebook. 'He was told his girlfriend could not wait cause it is a men's only space. Okay get it fair enough... but then the guy proceeded to talk about the inequalities of men for the next half an hour and how unfair Fernwood gym is.' The barbershop, which has been running with its male only policy for about five years, is used to defending its male only policy and claims they are not discriminating against women by not allowing them in the shop. Musician Kelly Jeanious posted on Facebook saying a friend was told his girlfriend had to wait outside while he got a haircut at Hawleywood's Barbershop 'Hawleywood's Barbershop and shave parlour is a traditional men's barber shop, catering to the grooming needs of men,' the business said on its Facebook page. They claim some of the customers feel 'uncomfortable' receiving some services, including removal of nasal and ear hair, in a salon that it targeted towards women. 'What Hawleywoods is doing here is no different to a number of existing businesses targeted to women only catering to there (sic) needs and insecurities that exclude men for there personal comfort, confidence and privacy. 'Businesses and places include Fernwood, Curves, Coogee ladies pool to name a few. 'We do not exclude women in order to discriminate against them, as transexuals are able to receive services from us in any stage of transition.' Some are slamming them on social media for their 'ridiculous' policy. 'Yeah my guy mate went in, and his wife came to meet/pick him up and she was told she had to wait outside #getoveryourselves,' one person wrote. 'What's with all these dudes being so obsessed about not being able to go to a female only gym? If that's your only defense to a ridiculous barber shop policy, you gotta do better than that.' Others were quick to defend the barber shop. 'There are hundreds of female only businesses and noone bats an eye.. Anyone dares to try and have anything male only and it's the end of the world,' one person wrote. A U.S. flag that turned up in Washington state in 2014 is believed to be the flag that was raised by firefighters above the site of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York. The finding comes after a two-year investigation by the Everett Police Department, with assistance from forensic experts. Former Everett Police Detective Jim Massingale, one of the investigators who worked on the case, told The Daily Herald 'the flag is likely the same flag.' It will be donated to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, and is set to be unveiled at the museum on Thursday during a ceremony in New York. A replica of a U.S. postage stamp shows the iconic photo of three firemen raising the U.S. flag at ground zero in New York City. A U.S. flag that turned up in Washington state in 2014 is believed to be that flag which disappeared during the site cleanup 15 years ago Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson (right) and Deputy Police Chief Mark St. Clair display the flag that is believed to be linked to the famous photo taken by photojournalist Thomas Franklin after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks Exactly how the three-foot by five-foot flag wound up in Everett, a city about 30 miles north of Seattle, is still a mystery. On September 11, 2001, the flag was captured in an iconic photo taken by photojournalist Thomas Franklin as three New York City firefighters held the banner above the rubble of where the World Trade Center twin towers once stood. The firefighters had taken the flag from the Star of America, a nearby yacht moored in the Hudson River, owned by Shirley Dreifus and her husband Spiros Kopelakis, according to The Daily Herald. Using electrical tape to bind together two lengths of rope, the firefighters raised the flag in what would later become an image of hope following the terrorist attacks. The photo was printed around the world, was turned into a stamp and won several awards including 2002 Pulitzer Prize Finalist, Breaking News Photography. But within five hours of the flag and its halyard being raised and captured in the mage by Franklin, it disappeared from ground zero during the site cleanup. At the time, no one at the scene had known it had gone missing, and another flag had surfaced that was believed to be the one from the Star of America. The ropes and hardware attached to the flag also underwent a lengthy forensic analysis during Everett Police Department's two-year investigation The diagram above was made by a forensic detective who compared the flag that turned up in Everett with digital photographs of the flag raised over ground zero in New York That flag was taken on the USS Theodore Roosevelt through a tour of the Middle East, and on April 1, 2002 was raised formally in front of New York's City Hall. However, when it was returned to the yacht's owners in the summer of 2002, Dreifus along with crew members realized it was not the original flag. The flag returned to Dreifus measured three feet by eight feet, but the one from her yacht measured three feet by five feet - and the start of the mystery began, according to Gothamist. The police investigation began in November 2014, when a man who said he was a former Marine who served in Iraq had dropped off a flag at an Everett fire station. The man, who only identified himself as Brian, handed a plastic shopping bag to firefighters, telling them he had watched an episode of Lost History on the History Channel. During the show, host Brad Meltzer had detailed the disappearance of the flag at ground zero. Thomas E. Franklin, the news photographer for The Record of Hackensack, New Jersey who took the iconic photo of the three firemen, is pictured in 2002. The photo was turned into a stamp and won several awards including 2002 Pulitzer Prize Finalist Brian claimed he had the flag and halyard, which he said was given to him by an employee of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He said the employee had received the flag from the widow of a 9/11 victim, according to the Daily Herald. Brian said he was given the flag from the employee in honor of his military service on Veterans Day in 2007, and hoped the flag would be returned to New York. However, with the flag still having some of its equipment and rope attached to it, a detective told the History Channel he had doubts the flag had originally come from the widow of a 9/11 victim, according to Gothamist. In the meantime, the flag was stored in a separate evidence room with stricter protocols and was kept secret by Everett police while forensics experts tested it for its authenticity. Over a two-year period, the detectives' investigation included DNA analysis, photographic comparisons and eyewitness identification. Among tests for authenticity included a chemical analysis of trace evidence from the flag and halyard. The police investigation began in November 2014, when a man dropped off a flag at an Everett fire station who identified himself as Brian and who said he was a former Marine (a police sketch of the man is shown above) Brian told firefighters at the fire station (pictured) that November that he was given the flag by an employee of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The New York City fire also department provided DNA from the three firefighters who raised the flag, but DNA found on the flag did not match those snapped in the photo. Investigators had also made an attempt to compare the DNA of others who might have handled the flag, including Monica Rosero who worked on the yacht. Rosero and Dreifus also sent personal items that belonged to their late husbands for testing, but nothing definite came back. Rosero, who was flown to Everett by The History Channel, said she was 80 per cent sure the flag was from the yacht, noting she was more certain about the halyard. Detectives also studied hundreds of photos of the flag for any similarities between it and the flag in Everett. The flag will be donated to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum (pictured) where it is set to be unveiled on Thursday at a ceremony in New York Investigators also tried to locate Brian, releasing a sketch of him in the hopes of finding him. It has finally been determined after two years that there is enough evidence from the witness reports to trace evidence that proved the flag was the one from the yacht. 'I feel very strongly that's the halyard in the photograph,' Massingale told The Daily Herald, with his former partner Everett Police detectives Mike Atwood adding 'I'm even more confident.' 'It all just lines up,' Deputy Police Chief Mark St Clair said. A lucky gambler who'd just turned a $10 hand into $2.7 million after drawing a royal flush at Perth's Crown Casino has revealed his wife's surprising reaction to his incredibly lucky win. Father-of-two Nigel Williams, 45, 'screamed like an African lion' when his multi-million-dollar win was certified by the casino at 2.30pm last Thursday. However, his wife had other concerns beyond his incredible win when he rang her to tell her the life-changing news. 'She said, 'What are you doing at the casino?' Mr Williams told The West Australian. 'And I said, 'Did you hear what I just said?' and she said, 'What are you doing at the casino?' Scroll down for video Nigel Williams is celebrating following a $2.7 million win after drawing a royal flush at Perth's Crown Casino last Thursday when he entered a $10 poker jackpot The 45-year-old immigrant to Australia from Zimbabwe said that he was looking forward to being able to spend more time with his children but would keep working five days a week. The jackpot was won when Mr Williams, who gambles at Crown twice a week, turned over a king and 10 of diamonds after the dealer had drawn an ace, queen and jack. A royal flush is the highest ranked hand in a game of poker and is very difficult to be dealt. The player needs to have a 10, jack, queen, king and ace all of the same suit. The jackpot was won when Mr Williams turned over a king and 10 of diamonds after the dealer had flopped an ace, queen and jack. An emotional Mr Williams said that the first call he made after winning the jackpot his wife but he didn't get the reaction to the life changing news that he was expecting Mr Williams' wife when told of the news first question was 'What are you doing at the casino?' ODDS OF A ROYAL FLUSH There is only a four in 2.6 million chance of being dealt a royal flush. Player needs to have a 10, jack, queen, king and ace all of the same suit. There are only four suits in a deck so there is only four chances to be dealt a royal flush. Advertisement Of the nearly 2.6 million poker hands, only four of them are royal flushes given there are only four suits. Crown's Chief Operating Officer, Lonnie Bossi, said he was absolutely thrilled with Nigel's win. 'To have a record breaking $2.7 million won at Crown Perth is fantastic,' he said. 'I am so excited to see this jackpot go off in what has been an already significant period of winning here at Crown Perth. 'This year our customers have won over $9 million on table games alone.' To obtain a royal flush a player needs to have a 10, jack, queen, king and ace all of the same suit. Mr Williams snagged the million dollar winnings in a game of progressive poker at Perth's Crown Casino last Thursday But huntsmen also have uses as they kill cockroaches in people's homes It may send shivers down people's spines but an arachnid expert has revealed that by the time you're 35-years-old several huntsman spiders will have taken a stroll across your face as you sleep. The chilling comment was made by Michael Tate, known as 'Ranger Mick', from the Australian Reptile Park on the NSW Central Coast, to presenters John Stanley and Garry Linnell on their 2UE radio show. 'It's very likely that someone may have had prey caught on their face by a huntsman. Bushy eyebrows are the perfect hunting ground for a spider,' Mr Tate said. Scroll down for video An arachnid expert said that huntsman spiders (pictured) regularly crawl over people's faces as they sleep (stock image) 'By the time you're 35 years old, and if you're living in Sydney, several huntsmen will have walked across your face during your sleep. 'Huntsmen can walk across you and you wouldn't know.' However Mr Tate also emphasised that huntsman spiders were not venomous, and were actually beneficial to have in your home. 'If you can cope with them, they are actually an asset in your home, and beneficial for taking care of the environment,' he said. 'Bushy eyebrows are the perfect hunting ground,' spider expert Michael Tate told 2UE radio show (stock image) A Sydney teenager jumped from her car after a huntsman spider fell onto her lap, and the vehicle rolled off the boat ramp and into the river 'They can eat quite large food items so they can tackle a cockroach.' However accidents do happen when it comes to huntsman spiders as one teenage driver found out last weekend when her fear of them saw her car end up in the river. An 18-year-old Sydney woman jumped from her car after a huntsman spider fell from under the car visor on her while she was on a boat ramp. She jumped out of her car but failed to pull the handbrake up properly and it rolled into the water where it was submerged in seconds. The captain of Malaysia Airlines airplane MH370 planned to migrate to Australia with his wife before the ill-fated flight vanished with 239 people aboard, relatives have revealed. The Australian reports Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah wanted to retire at age 60 in Geelong, Victoria, where his daughter Aishah was working. 'He [Zaharie] wanted to migrate to Australia. He even asked his daughter to buy a house there and gave her money to do it. The moment he disappeared, that plan ended,' the pilot's brother-in-law Asuad Khan Mustafa told the paper. Scroll down for video MH370 Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah wanted to retire at age 60 in Victoria, according to relatives Zaharie was captain when the jetliner disappeared in March 2014 while on a flight from the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Pieces of aircraft wreckage have washed up on beaches in Africa and been positively identified as coming from MH370 but they shed little light on the mystery. A range of theories have been offered as to why the airplane vanished, including a deliberate murder-suicide plot by one of the pilots, to a hijacking, to a mechanical failure. In July, investigators found a home flight simulator owned by Zaharie which showed someone had used the device to plot a course to the southern Indian Ocean where the aircraft is believed to have gone missing. Australia's Joint Agency Coordination Center (JACC), which is overseeing the search for the plane off Australia's west coast, said that evidence of the route did not prove that Zaharie deliberately crashed it. Zaharie was captain when the jetliner disappeared in March 2014 with 239 people onboard MH370 vanished while on a flight from the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur to Beijing (stock image) More than 110,000 square kilometres of seafloor has been searched for the plane, according to JACC. At a meeting on July 22, Ministers from Malaysia, Australia and China agreed if the aircraft was not found in the current search area, and without credible new evidence, the search would be suspended upon completion of the 120,000 square kilometre search area. The current search operation has cost Australia $160 million, The Guardian reported last month. The flight path of the missing plane. More than 110,000 square kilometres of Indian seafloor has been searched for the plane so far Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump repeated his vow to compete in New York and said he'd 'shock' people with a win as he ran down rival Hillary Clinton as a carpet bagger. Trump told a few hundred members of the New York Conservative Party he was being '100 per cent serious' about winning the Empire State. 'Dont forget. Hillary - shes not a New Yorker,' Trump said. 'And by the way, in Arkansas and shes really not from Arkansas either ...' Trump continued, speaking without a teleprompter to the crowd. 'In Arkansas were at a 25-point lead. She is from Arkansas, but shes really from Illinois. Im a real New Yorker, folks. I will say this: You will never get more of a New Yorker if you want a president than youre getting with me.' Republican Donald Trump told the state's Conservative Party he'd 'play' in New York and knocked Hillary Clinton as 'not from New York' Trump didn't mention that Clinton led him by 57 to 35 per cent in the state in a Washington Post 50-state poll. It was Trump's most direct appeal to his hometown status since he destroyed rival Ted Cruz in the state's primary, after Cruz had campaigned against 'New York values.' Trump stressed his commitment to competing the heavily Democratic state. Trump gave his remarks to the state Conservative Party in New York Hillary Clinton represtented New York in the Senate but was born in Illinois 'Everybody would say, 'Oh why bother with New York because Republicans dont win New York. I dont think were going to be in that position. I think were gonna win New York. I think were gonna do great in New York,' he said. 'I just want to say to you we are going to play so hard. Were going to play so hard and win. Were going to win this state. Its going to shock people,' Trump said. 'And by the way if we win this state, its over, we win.' 'Just so you know we are going to play New York,' Trump told the crowd, in one of numerous reassurances to the public. Clinton, shown here at the New York Stock Exchange, served in the Senate from 2001 to 2009 but she was born in Park Ridge, Illinois Clinton keeps homes in Chappaqua and Washington, and dropped in on the cast of Hamilton in July along with President Bill Clinton Conservative Party Chair Mike Long told DailyMail.com Trump gave him the same assurance in private. 'He's gonna play in new York. he believes he can win New York. I believe he can win new york. It's an uphill battle. But clearly his numbers are moving, he's got the enthusiasm, the wheels are coming off his wagon. He said Trump didnt' give any commitments about financing or staff in the state, saying: 'We didn't go down that road yet.' 'On the way in here he said, Mike, we're gonna play here We're gonna go after this.' Trump indicated he'll invest in Republican areas north of New York City. 'Well make a very heavy play upstate,' he said. A couple have claimed their flight crew acted 'over the top' after they were fined $1200 for sharing a beer they had smuggled on board. The Melbourne couple, who declined to be named, were travelling on an Air New Zealand flight from Wellington to Dunedin on Tuesday night. They said they were sharing a single drink, but the flight attendant confiscated the bottle saying the intoxicated pair were 'creating a disturbance'. A police spokesperson confirmed to Daily Mail Australia the pilot himself requested officers meet the couple at the Dunedin arrival gate where they were each issued an infringement notice. A couple have claimed their flight crew acted 'over the top' after they were fined $1200 for sharing a beer they had smuggled on board an Air New Zealand flight (stock image) Police said they failed to 'comply with crew and pilot orders,' but the couple claimed it was huge misunderstanding as the flight attendant mistakenly believed they had consumed a second unopened bottle, The NZ Herald reported. The woman said the two police officers who met them at the gate 'screamed in her face' after she requested a breath-test. 'He screamed in my face and told me to shut up otherwise 'I will pull you in and arrest you',' she said. 'His intimidation tactics were so over the top'. The Melbourne couple said they will appeal the fines in court. The woman denied being intoxicated and said they were not aware it was prohibited to drink a beer brought on board. The couple said they were sharing a single drink, but the flight attendant confiscated the bottle saying the intoxicated pair were 'creating a disturbance' (stock image) The Melbourne couple, who declined to be named, were travelling on an Air New Zealand flight from Wellington to Dunedin on Tuesday night (stock image) A police spokesperson said the couple displayed a 'range of behaviours and physical symptoms' that indicated they were drunk. 'Police actions were consistent with how similar incidents of this nature are managed and the actions of the officers were influenced by the pairs level of intoxication,' the spokesperson said. 'The notices were issued under the Civil Aviation Act after the passengers failed to comply with crew and pilot orders. 'The pilot of the flight requested Police meet the flight on arrival in Dunedin.' Air New Zealand state on its website alcoholic beverages are only permitted on board if purchased from duty free, but most of the beverages must remain secured on the flight. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Air New Zealand for comment. Britain's most powerful trade union boss was last night accused of dismissing the misery inflicted on commuters and patients by recent strikes. Frances OGrady denied militancy was on the rise despite another walkout hitting Southern rail yesterday and a planned strike by junior doctors next month. The TUC general secretary insisted there was no evidence of unions becoming more hardline even as train workers leaders threatened to continue disruption on Southern until Christmas. TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady, centre, has denied militancy was on the rise O'Connor denied unions were working together to create 'an Autumn of discontent' She also denied unions representing teachers, junior doctors and rail workers had been working together to co-ordinate an autumn of discontent. Miss OGrady claimed the number of strikes had been very, very low. Speaking ahead of next weeks annual TUC conference in Brighton, she said: On a more general point, there is no evidence of increased industrial action anywhere. If you look at the strike figures, they are very, very low. Asked if unions have become more hardline, she said: I dont think there is any evidence of that. I think as always what would be more helpful is people addressing the substance of the concerns that people have. Official figures published earlier this year show that strike action by transport and storage workers has risen dramatically. These sectors lost 60,700 days to disputes in the year to October 2015, the most of any part of the economy. This is up from 23,600 in the previous year, said the Office for National Statistics. Passengers have endured the worst wave of railway strikes for 30 years, hitting ScotRail, Euro-star and Virgin Trains East Coast as well as Southern. Sian Phipps, a designer who commutes on Southern, said Miss OGradys comments showed how far removed some of these union bosses have got from the dispute in which they claim to have the moral high ground. Will Quince, a Tory member of the Commons transport committee, added: Its completely unacceptable to make comments of this nature and to disregard the impact these strikes are having on everyday hard-working people. The Southern walkouts are over plans to give drivers, not guards, responsibility for closing doors. Garry Hassell, of the RMT union, said the dispute could last until Christmas if the company is not to listen to what we have to say. More than 900 Southern services were axed yesterday, roughly 40 per cent of the total, in the first part of a 48-hour walkout. Trade unions have openly admitted to plotting co-ordinated strikes this autumn in a bid to topple the Government. Leaders of strikes by junior doctors, rail guards and teachers have joined the National Shop Stewards Network for talks over linked action to increase chaos. More than 5,000 state secondary school pupils will learn Mandarin in a 10million government scheme. Students in England will intensively study the language for eight hours a week over the next four years. The Mandarin excellence programme designed to make teenagers fluent by 2020 - will initially be launched in 15 secondaries before being rolled out. More than 5,000 state secondary school pupils will learn Mandarin in a 10million government scheme The Department for Education initiative is supported by the UCL Institute of Education, in partnership with the British Council. School Standards Minister Nick Gibb said: A high level of fluency in Mandarin Chinese will become increasingly important in our globally competitive economy. As part of our drive to extend opportunity, we want to give young people the opportunity to study the language and to acquire fluency in both spoken and written Mandarin. The Mandarin excellence programme helps us achieve this, offering intensive study in the language which will not only be personally enriching for students, but will also give them a significant advantage when they enter the world of work. The UCL Institute of Education plans to train 100 new qualified Chinese teachers by the end of the programme. Mark Herbert, Head of Schools Programmes at the British Council, said: If the UK is to remain competitive on the world stage, we need far more of our young people leaving school with a good grasp of Mandarin in order to successfully work abroad or for businesses here in the UK. You are here: Home Taiwan Director Midi Z' film "The Road to Mandalay" is showing for the first time at Venice Film Festival. The film follows two Myanmarese illegal immigrants who escape to Thailand in search for a better future. Instead, they find work in a local factory and they also find companionship and love in each other. The stars of the film include Taiwan actors Kai Ko and Wu Ke-xi. The film is Ko's return to the big screen after a long break, and he is grateful to the director for taking a chance on him. "There is bound to be pressure because the director dared to cast me. I've never worked with him, I've never worked in this kind of shooting style. I'm afraid to screw up the director's first big budget movie. We all worked very hard to complete this film." "The Road to Mandalay" hits theaters in Taiwan on December 9th. Also at Venice, Natalie Portman's latest movie, "Jackie" has premiered. "Jackie" tells the story of Jacqueline Kennedy during her time as First Lady and after the assassination of her husband President John F Kennedy in 1963. The film shows the two sides of Jackie - her public and private personas. It's one of 20 films showing in competition for the Golden Lion trophy at this year's festival. The winner will be announced this weekend. A sailor has ended his three-year-long world circumnavigation seeking refuge in a cave after his $100,000 yacht washed up onto rocks at Percy Island, a remote island off the coast of Queensland. James Swan, 68, lost everything he owned in the wreckage walking away with no money to his name and only a garbage bag full of personal belongings. The Sydney native was sailing from Airlie Beach to Brisbane on Tuesday when a sail rope wrapped around the propeller, ultimately leaving him with no engine to steer away from oncoming rocks. James Swan (pictured left) with RACQ CQ Rescue crewman Justin Craib (right) after he was rescued from the remote Queensland island. The sailor activated his EPIRB about 10pm on Tuesday when his 12-metre sailing boat nicknamed 'Banshe' crashed into the rocks, about 130 kilometres from the Mackay coastline. He said he was forced to abandon his prized possession, and home of three years, and seek refuge in a cave overnight. With only a jumper, his passport, car keys and reading glasses, Mr Swan said he 'spent the night 20m away from the crash under an overhanging ledge which protected me from the rain and wind'. 'If someone wants to salvage the boat (pictured), they can keep it' Mr Swan said Mr Swan told the Daily Mercury the weather was so bad at the time of the crash, he feared for his life. 'I sat in a cave and watched my boat being smashed to bits' James Swan 'I feared the boat might smash or a mast might fall on me,' he said. 'The weather was terrible, it was raining and blowing a gale'. Mr Swan (centre left) with the RACQ rescue crew after he was flown to safety on Wednesday But Mr Swan said the worst part of the ordeal was watching on as his boat was reduced to wreckage. 'I sat in a cave and watched my boat being smashed to bits,' he said. 'All I was thinking is it's time to give this away.' The Percy Group Islands are a scattered chain about 130km from the Queensland coastline After a long night sheltering from the storm, the visibly shaken sailor was rescued at 8am the following morning by an RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter. Rescue Crewman Justin Craiv said the yacht was 'torn to shreds' when he arrived but Mr Swan was unharmed. 'We saw James come out of his cave and wave at us,' he said. Mr Swan was rescued from the island where he was forced to spend the night after the crash 'After landing, a paramedic and I started walking to meet him and when we got up to him I said, 'g'day James, I'm Justin, how are you going?' 'He just said 'I've been better'. While Mr Swan was taken back to the mainland, his $100,000 sailing boat remained on Pine Islet, a small island belonging to the Percy Group Islands. The RACQ helicopter went out in search of the sailor on Tuesday night, but due to bad weather only found him Wednesday morning 8am Uninsured, Mr Swan said he simply did not have the money to salvage the wreckage. 'If someone wants to salvage the boat, they can keep it, I just want my belongings back,' he told the Daily Mercury. 'But this is it now, this is the end.' Over 1000 animals have been culled on the popular Queensland destination of Hamilton Island because they can be 'aggressive' towards humans and damage properties. The famous resort island was granted permission to cull wallabies, possums and native birds by the Queensland Department Environment and Heritage protection after applications by the resort's managers. The permit allowed 393 wallabies, 599 common brushtail possums, 35 sulphur crested cockatoos, 36 pied currawongs, three torresian crows, and one kookaburra to be killed from November 2014 to May 2016. However, the large-scale culling has caused an uproar on social media, with tourists threatening to boycott the luxury resort. Scroll down for video Over 1000 animals have been killed on the Hamilton Island including 35 sulphur crested cockatoos (pictured). Taylor Swift (above) visited the Island in December captioning the image 'Making friends on Hamilton Island' A Damage Mitigation Permit issued by the Department Environment and Heritage protection allows the islands resort managers to cull the animals if they deem necessary The culling was permitted as a last resort when no other method proved to be efficient, a statement from Hamilton Island Enterprises said. 'There are certain animals, particularly introduced species which are not native to the Island, like Agile Wallabies and Brush-Tail Possums, that multiply beyond sustainable levels for the natural environment, particularly given the island environment with its lack of predators and other population controls that occur naturally on the mainland, the statement said. '[They] can cause unsustainable damage to the natural environment, including erosion of the under-story vegetation which leads to sediment runoff into the Reef precinct. 'Agile Wallabies are also a traffic hazard and an extreme hazard to aircraft.' Native birds including 36 pied currawongs (left), three torresian crows, and one kookaburra (right) were killed A further 393 agile wallabies (right) and 599 common brushtail possums (left) were killed Sulphur crested cockatoos constantly flock to The Beach Club (pictured), Hamilton Island's five-start resort with some birds turning aggressive after becoming used to human contact A number of deterrents were put in place to discourage birds and animals from destroying property but they did not prove to be successful. 'These include installing physical barriers around bins and netting or deterrents in high level roosting areas above restaurants,' the statement continued. 'Sulphur crested cockatoos are resident on the Island but some birds become used to human contact and scavenge for human food and becoming aggressive. 'They can bite and scratch and have the potential to pass diseases like giardia and psittacosis to people.' The cockatoos enter restaurants and pick at human food (left) until ushered away by workers (right) Oprah Winfrey visited the island in December 2010 and took a number of photos at the Island's Wildlife Park (Koalas are not culled) The animals were deemed a hazard to humans and properties. Culling was permitted after all other methods were deemed insufficient but the decision caused a backlash on social media Many social media users have promised to boycott visiting the island if the killing continues Some social media users pointed out that the animals they were killing is what attracts tourists to the area But social media users did not believe enough methods were trialled before a culling permit was granted and noted the native animals attracted tourists, including celebrities such as Taylor Swift to the island. 'If the hundreds of wallabies are getting culled because they are a hazard on the island's airport runway, then isn't there a security issue with your airport? Should the Australian Federal Police be advised that your perimeter measures are poor - I mean, if a dumb wallaby (or hundreds) can get in and run amok, what else can?' Mr Budge said on Facebook. 'Shame on you Hamilton Island. Your huge cull of native Australian animals is a disgrace. Cull your animal management policy and implementation, and get into the 21st century,' Mr Buch said. 'Tourists come to see our iconic native animals. Please Hamilton Island Resort stop killing our native animals for spurious reasons. At the very least, try and relocate the animals if you don't get what a tourist attraction they are,' Ms Armitage said. Swift captioned a photo with a Kangaroo: 'I didn't know kangaroo selfies were a thing. But they are and this is one' Many users on social media noted that the Island's wildlife is why tourists including celebrities visit the island. Pictures is Taylor Swift with a Kangaroo The RSPCA said they are concerned about the practice and more needs to be done in educating the staff rather than culling the animals Other users have asked tourists to think twice about visiting the island as they promise to boycott the popular destination. 'What a disgusting place will never ever go there for killing off your wild life,' Ms Higgs said. The RSPCA has also spoken out against the practice of killing the animals, the Daily Mercury reported. 'We believe you have to learn to live with native wildlife,' spokesman Michael Beatty said. Arek Jozwik, above, died after he was attacked by a gang of boys and girls in Essex A Polish police officer is set to patrol the streets of a town rocked by 'tragic and brutal' hate crimes. They will work with British officers in the wake of the killing of Arek Jozwik who was attacked in Harlow, Essex. The beloved uncle was assaulted outside a pizza restaurant by a gang of youths after they heard him speaking in his mother tongue with pals. An eyewitnesses described the youths as 'hyenas' after the late night attack on August 27, which also hospitalised one of his friends. And just hours after more than 700 people marched through the town in a silent vigil for the tragic factory worker two Poles were battered. Cops are not linking the assault - which took place in the early hours of Sunday morning - and the killing. Now officials have revealed an Eastern European officer will work with Essex Police to help its investigation. The news comes after one of the nation's top cop's flew to Britain for crunch talks with Essex Police's Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh. Colonel Rafa Batkowski had a crisis meeting with Mr Kavanagh, and the pair pledged to bring the thugs to justice. The visiting officer will speak to Harlow's Polish community - but will not have the power of arrest. An Essex police spokesman said: 'A Polish officer will work with Essex Police's Community Policing Team in Harlow for a week. The officer will be in uniform, but will have no police powers. 'The officer's job will be to support our engagement with the Polish community in Harlow. ' Police have released CCTV images of potential witnesses after a man was murdered reportedly because he spoke in Polish Arkadiusz Jozwik, 37, was beaten up by a group of thugs outside shops in The Stow, Essex, at around 11.35pm on August 27. Pictured, still images from the CCTV footage Arkadiusz Jozwik, 37, was beaten up by a group of thugs outside shops in The Stow, Essex, at around 11.35pm on August 27. Pictured, still images from the CCTV footage The news comes after officers released grainy CCTV images of the scene of the killing. Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore has called for witnesses to come forward for the killing and the later assault. Mr Jozwik, who moved to the UK four years ago, was assaulted outside the TGF Pizza and Mr Luigi's takeaway shops in The Stow shopping district. He was taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, before being transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital, in Cambridge, where he died last Monday evening. Arkadiusz Jozwik, 37, was beaten up by a group of thugs outside shops in The Stow, Essex, at around 11.35pm on August 27. Pictured, still images from the CCTV footage The gang, made up of boys and girls, are understood to have hurled abuse men before launching the 'brutal attack', leaving the victim and another man unconscious. Pictured above, images from the CCTV footage Police reportedly told Mr Jozwik's family that he had been attacked 'for speaking the Polish language'. Pictured above, further potential witnesses being sought by police His friend - a 43-year-old man from Harlow was also taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital - with suspected fractures to his hands and bruising to his stomach. He has since been discharged from hospital. Dt Chf Insp Pasmore said: 'It is a hate crime and the incident we are also investigating on September 4 is. They are both hate crimes by definition.' Recalling the events before the fatal attack he said: 'We can see from CCTV there's some interaction between Arek and his two friends and the group of youths on their bikes. During the course of police enquiries, a third man, aged 40, was also found to have been assaulted. Above, more potential witnesses being sought by police A 43-year-old man from Harlow, Essex, was taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital with suspected fractures to his hands and bruising to his stomach. Shown above, further images from the CCTV The much-loved factory worker, who moved to the UK four years ago, suffered head injuries and was taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital. Pictured, more potential witnesses Detective Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore, of Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: 'Arek Jozwik was a hard working family man who lost his life in a most tragic and brutal way'. Pictured, more potential witnesses police would like to speak to 'On the CCTV you can see they are face to face talking, but after about 20 minutes the CCTV suggests things have changed and there's an argument going on between them. 'It's during that argument Arek sustains one punch to the head which knocks him backwards and causes him a serious head injury. 'This sadly takes his life and we can also see from the CCTV i over a one hour period there are a lot of people in the area and it's those people we need to come forward.' He added: 'Arek Jozwik was a hard working family man who lost his life in a most tragic and brutal way, and my thoughts are very much with his family and friends as they grieve his loss.' Home Secretary Amber Rudd yesterday defended spending 2million of taxpayers money on a huge wall in Calais to prevent migrants sneaking into the UK. In her first appearance before the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, she said it was in Britains interest to foot the bill to help bolster security. But hauliers and local people reacted with anger over the 13ft concrete wall dubbed the Great Wall Of Calais which will stretch nearly a mile along the main motorway to the port. Home Secretary Amber Rudd, second right, yesterday tried to defend building a 2 million wall in Calais in a bid to prevent migrants from making their way across the English Channel The wall is intended to stop migrants in The Jungle, pictured, from sneaking on board trucks queuing to cross the English Channel and make their to Dover in Kent The aim is to stop stowaways from targeting lorries attempts to attack UK-bound vehicles in a bid to scramble aboard. But critics said the barrier, which will replace fencing that has failed, would do little to deter migrants who have used rocks, chainsaws, shopping trolleys and tree trunks to try to halt trucks. Questioned about the wall by MPs, Miss Rudd said: It is about making sure that the French have the right amount of security to prevent illegals trying to get to the UK. We support the French with money to help them do that because it is in our interest. It is up to them how they decide to secure their borders in Calais and around it. Its up to them to decide where they are going to build a wall, a fence, whatever it is they want. But Vikki Woodfine, of law firm DWF, which works with many hauliers affected by Calais, said: It is simply a knee-jerk reaction that is unlikely to make a difference in the long run - particularly since the route to the Calais port is already surrounded by fences and barbed wire. Critics claim the migrants will find their way around the wall, while some French politicians believe Calais would no longer be a bottle neck if the migrants continued to Dover The migrant community are increasingly desperate to cross the border and will undoubtedly find a way past it, pushing the death toll even higher in the process. The real problem lies with the lack of policing and security at the border, which is falling unfairly to the hands of the hauliers. Francois Guennoc, of the France-based charity Migrants Shelter, said: When you build a wall, people try to find ways to get round it. Its a waste of money. The only consequence is that the crossing will be more dangerous for migrants, and the people smugglers will increase their rates. People will just take more risks. A petition has already been started saying French frontier controls should simply be moved to the south coast of England, along with all the refugees who want to go there. It echoed calls by former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who last month AUG said the the controversial Jungle migrant camp in Calais should be shut down and shifted to Britain. Mr Sarkozy, who is trying to make a political comeback, said the UK should be forced to deal with thousands of asylum seekers living in the shanty town. Up to 10,000 migrants, some with children and babies, are holed up in makeshift shacks near Calais known as the Jungle using it as a springboard for illegal entry to the UK. Many are fleeing humanitarian disasters but often they are economic migrants attracted by jobs, lavish benefits and free accommodation in the UK. Migrants and people-smuggling gangs are becoming increasingly violent in a bid to board UK-bound trucks. In the summer, holidaymakers were warned to avoid Calais after motorists were targeted by gangs with chainsaws and metal bars near the Jungle migrant camp. Meanwhile, ferry operators running cross-Channel routes away from Calais say they have experienced a boom as passengers try to avoid the crisis-hit French port. Brittany Ferries, which runs services from Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth to France and Spain said its users had surged in the three months to August. It carried 392,446 cars, a 4.4 per cent rise on the same period last year, as Calais struggles to stop attempts by migrants from the squalid Jungle camp to smuggle themselves onto vehicles. Mike Bevens, group commercial director for Brittany Ferries, said: Weve been lucky with great weather on the continent and our ships have run smoothly throughout the summer season. However, on days when passengers have faced significant disruption at other ports, airports or when travelling via the tunnel, we have definitely seen a spike in demand for sailings on the Western Channel. Brittany Ferries says as many as 500 to 1,000 extra passengers have booked on its ships each day during periods of disruption at Calais. Ferry companies on the Calais route, including P&O and DFDS, have all been hit by disruption at Calais. People smugglers have reportedly ambushed cars and lorries with tree branches to bring traffic to a half so they can smuggle into and under vehicles, and onto ferries. Last summer, the Channel Tunnel entrance next to Calais was also a target, bringing Eurostar and Eurotunnel trains to a halt. Migrants scaled fences to try and board trains - or even walk the 31 miles underground to Kent, a feat achieved by Sudanese asylum seeker Abdul Rahman Haroun, who has since been allowed to stay in Britain. A convenience store employee has claimed North Queensland Cowboys players bought 60 eggs from the store where he works - before they allegedly threw eggs on parked cars in Townsville on Wednesday night. The player allegedly entered a Night Owl convenience store on Hugh Street, Currajong at around 10pm on Wednesday night. He then walked outside the shop and met up with four other Cowboys' teammates in the car park of a Reece Plumbing store across the road, the employee claimed. Under-20s star Kalyn Ponga and Holden Cup teammate Jake Clifford, as well as Braden Uele and Tautau Moga were the other four involved in the incident, Townsville Bulletin reports. All five were charged with two counts of willful damage over the egging incident, which comes just days out from the Cowboys' NRL finals clash with the Melbourne Storm. Scroll down for video Jason Taumalolo (pictured) was among the group charged with willful damage for throwing eggs after he was arrested on the streets of Townsville on Wednesday night After the group met up in the Reece car park they then began hurling the eggs back across Hugh Street into cars parked outside the Night Owl. The employee at the Night Owl said it wasn't the first time the player had come into the convenience store. 'Last time about a week ago there was about five of them and they bought about five or six cartons of eggs too,' Ben Kropp told Daily Mail Australia. 'It didn't look suspicious last time because they bought a heap of chips and everything as well. 'I said "You guys a bit hungry?" And they said "We're just having a bit of a cook up in the morning" and I thought nothing off it. 'It kind of makes me wonder if theyve done this before?' 'I even said to him last night, "You having another big feed?" and he said 'Oh, yeah yeah'.' The eggs - which reportedly cost a total of $25 - caused minor damage to the cars. However Cowboys' coach Paul Green has downplayed the incident, saying it was important to keep it in context and promising to address it after this weekend's match. Just days before the incident Taumololo appeared alongside Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith for the launch of the NRL Finals 'We will be conducting a full investigation, but nothing will change for this weekend and the club, once we get to the bottom of the facts, will make some decisions about what happens when we get back next week,' Green told media. 'The club has been in contact with the integrity unit ... I've also personally spoken to Todd Greenberg this morning, he's aware of it. 'We are focused on getting the game out of the way and we will sort it out next week. 'In the whole scheme of things though, lets keep it in context, we are talking about an egging here, whilst the club don't condone that sort of behaviour, it's certainly not what we expect from our players.' The five men were allegedly caught when they were pulled over by police for a random breath test at 11.30pm, before a passerby reportedly informed officers their vehicle had been involved in the egging incident an hour and a half earlier. They will all appear in Townsville Magistrate's Court on October 11. The incident comes just days after Taumololo appeared alongside Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith for the launch of the NRL finals series. Police in the UKs largest force expect their careers to be destroyed if they complain about racism, a report claimed last night. Officers fear putting their heads above the parapet because they will be denied promotion and suffer other reprisals, it was found. Scotland Yard was accused of failing to admit to mistakes and apologise for them after complaints from ethnic minority, gay and women employees. Scotland Yard is facing calls to overhaul the way it handles complaints amid concerns about a culture of fear within the Metropolitan Police In a strongly-worded report, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) called on the force to overhaul the way it handles internal complaints. It criticised poor record-keeping that prevents repeated discrimination being spotted, misplaced loyalty by officers and the weak way it handles allegations. Officials quoted anonymous staff complaining of a culture of fear and saying they would only ever blow the whistle on racism as a last resort. The report makes for uncomfortable reading more than 17 years after Sir William Macpherson dubbed the Met institutionally racist in his report on the forces investigation into Stephen Lawrences murder. Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey has hit back at the findings, saying the force has a strong code of ethics But senior Scotland Yard officers came out fighting yesterday, accusing the EHRC of failing to represent its very real progress on tackling discrimination and misrepresenting the facts. Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey said: Policing has a strong code of ethics which makes it a duty to report wrong-doing and behave with integrity at all times. Firearms officer Carol Howard was awarded 37,000 after being hounded by her boss The EHRC carried out its research following an employment tribunal that awarded firearms officer Carol Howard 37,000 after she was hounded by her boss for being a black woman. The Met came under heavy criticism for the case, in part after it revealed Mrs Howard had been arrested over a row with her estranged partner. In a second case, where a PC was taunted for being gay, a tribunal found the force had either set out to, or were reckless about destroying the claimants character. PC Daniel Lichters faced baseless gross misconduct and criminal claims after his police dog bit a member of the public who attacked it. The EHRC spent two years examining similar complaints, hundreds of internal documents and hearing from officers of all ranks about their experiences. Focussing on internal grievance and misconduct procedures, it did not find any breach of equality legislation. But officials did single out examples of poor practice, particularly inconsistent data which prevented the identification of systemic problems. The Met was branded 'institutionally racist' 17 years ago in a report by Sir William Macpherson in his report on the forces investigation into Stephen Lawrences murder. They also highlighted a general reluctance within the force to take responsibility for mistakes and apologise for them, something it blamed on Home Office regulations. The Commission called on the Met to lobby for changes so that officers could apologise without fear of facing a further misconduct case. Individuals are living, if you like, in a culture of fear of raising their head above the parapet because if they do then they might as well consider leaving their career behind. Metropolitan Police officer One officer told investigators: Individuals are living, if you like, in a culture of fear of raising their head above the parapet because if they do then they might as well consider leaving their career behind. Discussing bringing a racism complaint, a senior ethnic minority officer added: It would be virtually impossible to prove and all it does is worsens the situation. And its really an issue of last resort for most officers. In the report, one of the Mets most senior officers said managing discrimination is riven through everything because of the Mets painful history. Assistant Commissioner Martin Hewitt added: That is the reality. Openly and publicly, we have had a very painful history, and I cannot think of any other organisation that has been in such a positon. Laura Carstensen, of the EHRC, said: It is unacceptable that police officers and staff often expect to be victimised if they complain about discrimination, and particularly so when this is the organisation to which all Londoners look for protection and fair treatment. We share the Mets ambition that no member of staff should feel unfairly treated because of their gender, race or sexual orientation and have made recommendations to help them achieve this. Mr Mackey said many of the reports conclusions were identical to those uncovered by the force itself last year. In a detailed rebuttal, he said the force utterly rejects any suggestion a lack of data has hampered claims or changed their outcome. And he said the force started lobbying the Home Office to change the way grievances are dealt with many months ago. A British tech giant is planning a daring 7bn takeover bid for the software arm of US rival Hewlett Packard Enterprise in a move that would be a major boost for the economy. FTSE 100 firm Micro Focus was last night revealed to be on the brink of making one of the largest overseas takeovers by a UK company for several years. It comes just days after rival ARM Holdings was sold to Japanese firm SoftBank, and reverses the trend of Britain's tech start-ups falling into foreign hands. A British tech giant is planning a daring 7bn takeover bid for the software arm of US rival Hewlett Packard Enterprise in a move that would be a major boost for the economy (File photo) Laith Khalaf, investment expert at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'If this deal happens it would be a major shot in the arm for the UK economy and reverses the trend of British technology companies being snapped up by overseas firms. 'It goes against the trend of typical trans-Atlantic takeovers and firmly cements Micro Focus' place as one of the major players in the country.' Micro Focus, based in Newbury, Berkshire, is worth about 4.4bn and has been tipped to become one of the globe's leading technology companies. It makes sophisticated software for major companies, and has 20,000 customers across the globe. The firm has a history of snapping up rivals in Silicon Valley, having bought Serena Software in March this year for 405m. As part of the deal which was expected to be announced on Wall Street last night - it is understood Hewlett Packard Enterprises will take some shares in Micro Focus. Hewlett Packard Enterprise, based in California, makes servers and software for businesses. It was formed after being split from the main business of Hewlett Packard, which makes computers. As part of the deal, Micro Focus will also take on some of the assets of the former British software firm Autonomy. This was bought by Hewlett Packard in 2011 and is widely regarded as one of the most disastrous takeover in corporate history as it resulted in law suits and the break-up of the computing giant. FTSE 100 firm Micro Focus was last night revealed to be on the brink of making one of the largest overseas takeovers by a UK company for several years Founded 40 years ago, Micro Focus employs more than 4,500 people across 80 locations around the world. It is one of the tech jewels in Britain's crown, many of which have been slowly sold off to foreign investors. London-based artificial technology firm DeepMind was sold to Google in 2014 for 300m. And Leeds-based Premier Farnell maker of the Raspberry Pi mini-computer - has been at the centre of a bidding war between American and Swiss firms. More are expected to follow with a fall in sterling since the Brexit vote making British firms attractive to overseas investors. An Oklahoma mother and daughter are behind bars after it was revealed they had an incestuous marriage. Patricia Ann Spann, 43, and Misty Velvet Dawn Spann, 25, were married in March 2016 in Comanche County. It has since been revealed that Patricia Spann, also known as Patricia Clayton, was previously married to one of her sons, Jody Calvin Spann, in 2008. Mother and daughter Patricia Spann, 43, and Misty Spann, 25, have been arrested after it was revealed they had an incestuous marriage in Okahoma Patricia and Misty's relationship was discovered by the Department of Human Services in August during a child welfare investigation inside their home in Duncan That marriage was annulled by Jody Spann in March 2010 for reasons of 'incest', according to reports. Patricia and Misty's relationship was discovered by the Department of Human Services in August during a child welfare investigation inside their home in Duncan, according to KFOR. KSWO reports that Patricia told investigators her relationship with her son was not sexual and she married him to prevent him being deployed to the military. However, she told investigators that she 'hit it off' with her daughter when they were reunited two years ago and they married in the hopes of adopting a child. Under Oklahoma law, marrying a close relative is considered incest whether or not a sexual relationship exists. Those found guilty can face up to ten years in jail. A warrant was issued for the arrest of mother and daughter on Friday and they were both charged with incest and booked into the Stephens County Jail. On Wednesday, the two women appeared before Judge Ken Graham, according to the Duncan Banner. Both pleaded not guilty. Authorities said Patricia Spann told investigators she had lost custody of her daughter and two sons, who were adopted and raised by their paternal grandmother Misty and Jody's brother Cody Spann said his mother manipulated both his sister and brother into marriage Authorities said Patricia Spann told investigators she had lost custody of her daughter and two sons, who were adopted and raised by their paternal grandmother. The mother told police she didn't believe she was breaking any laws by marrying her daughter because her name is no longer listed on Misty's birth certificate. Misty and Jody's brother Cody Spann told KSWO that his mother manipulated both his sister and brother into marriage. 'I think she's worthless she put my sister into this. She forced my sister into this, there's a lot of people that know it,' he said. 'For you to want to put your own daughter through this, what kind of person are you? If that's what you want that's on you, but none of us kids want that, and now you got my sister behind bars because of your choices, why don't you let that sit on you as a mom.' A thug launches a ferocious attack on two police officers one a woman in a busy street in broad daylight. A crowd quickly gathers around the horrifying scene. But instead of stepping in to help the two constables, some begin filming the attack on mobile phones. In a sickening portrait of modern Scotland, onlookers jeer as the two helpless officers are beaten to the ground after an onslaught of blows. Scroll down for video Sickening: A man films on a mobile phone as thug Stuart McCourt attacks two police officers in Glasgow. McCourt escaped jail Two men film as McCourt grapples with PCs Paula Lamont and Gordon Innes Turning violent: McCourt delivers a kick to one officer as they try to handcuff him, attacking Now, in a final insult, their brutal attacker Stuart McCourt has escaped a jail sentence and been given only a community service sentence. Last night, Scottish Police Federation (SPF) chairman Brian Docherty condemned the attack and the bystanders who filmed it saying: 'An attack on a police officer is an attack on broader society. 'It is also an appalling indictment of our society that some people chose to stand with smartphones taking pictures, or making videos, laughing as they did so, when officers were being subjected to this appalling violence.' A spokesman for the SPF said that it 'had no hesitation in condemning the sentence because it is impossible to see what the mitigating factors might be'. The assault happened on August 6 at 7.30pm on Saracen Street in Glasgow's Possilpark, when PCs Paula Lamont and Gordon Innes investigated a strong smell of cannabis coming from a group of men standing outside a solicitor's office and pub. Online footage showed McCourt initially agreeing to be body-searched but within seconds he launches a brutal assault on the pair, which sees all three on the ground as they attempt to restrain him. McCourt punches PC Innes in the head as bystanders continue to watch the attack McCourt lashes out, punching first PC Innes then raining blows and kicks on him and his female colleague who is knocked to the ground. The two-minute clip shows the assault continuing as passers-by jeer and film the incident on their phones until back-up arrives and McCourt is taken away in a police van. McCourt, 24, was charged with resisting arrest and assaulting the two constables. Another man, also 24, was charged with resisting arrest, fleeing from the officers and stealing handcuffs, while a 25-year-old man was charged with aiding the 24-year-old in the attempted escape. These two men cannot be named for legal reasons. At Glasgow Sheriff Court yesterday, McCourt was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and placed under supervision for 18 months. He was also ordered to pay the officers 500 each in compensation. But the maximum punishment for anyone who assaults an emergency worker is nine months in jail, a 5,000 fine or both. Police Scotland declined to comment on the incident or McCourt's sentence. Last night, Gordon Crossan, president of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents, said: 'Whilst we don't want members of the public to come to any harm, it's always disappointing to see people standing by with smartphones rather than actually calling the police for more back-up. 'We do rely on public spiritedness; it's also disappointing when the punishments handed down by the courts don't seem to fit the crime that has been committed. 'The people who carry out these assaults forget the human factor that the people they are attacking have families to go home to, who will be fearful every time they go to work in case it happens again.' More officers arrive and McCourt is handcuffed and taken into custody Tory MSP Alex Johnstone said: 'The public would expect anyone who attacks a police officer to receive a stiffer punishment than this. 'He's a dangerous individual but clearly the courts thought otherwise. 'To compound the horrible experience for the officers, much of this incident was filmed by passers-by too.' Scottish Labour justice spokesman Claire Baker said: 'Police officers put their personal safety on the line every single day these scenes are absolutely shameful. People will be shocked that being found guilty of attacking police officers does not necessarily mean a jail sentence.' Writing in today's Mail, SPF general secretary Calum Steele says he had 'no hesitation in condemning the sentence because it is impossible to see what the mitigating factors might be'. He adds: 'The least the police service can ask of the courts is that they punish those who do us harm. 'The most we would ask of the public is that they help us when they can, rather than looking on smartphones in hand as officers are beaten in the street.' Mr Steele said that filming an assault on a police officer while 'sniggering, enjoying every second, is a different order of human behaviour that I for one cannot comprehend'. Figures published last month showed an epidemic of violence among emergency workers, with police officers, paramedics and firefighters punched, threatened and spat on while trying to do their frontline jobs. A staff survey across the three 'blue light' services found alcohol misuse was a contributory factor in half of the incidents to which 999 workers responded. Nearly one in three workers 30 per cent said they had been subjected to physical abuse while attending an alcohol-related incident in the month before the survey. More than two-thirds 68 per cent said they had experienced verbal abuse from drinkers, while 63 per cent said they had faced difficulties in securing urgent information because of victims or callers being drunk. Whilst we don't want members of the public to come to any harm, it's always disappointing to see people standing by with smartphones rather than actually calling the police for more back-up Gordon Crossan, president of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents The three services are now campaigning for an end to such 'unacceptable' behaviour. Commenting on that campaign last month, Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams said: 'The demands being placed on the emergency services by people who are drunk are huge. 'On many occasions, it delays police officers, firefighters and para-medics from getting to members of the public who do need our protection and help.' Daren Mochrie, Scottish Ambulance Service director of service delivery, said: 'Our staff should not have to fear for their own safety when treating patients, but alcohol is a key factor in most assaults. 'However, at times they are verbally abused and have to put up with being pushed and spat on, as well as being kicked, punched and in some extreme cases assaulted with a variety of weapons. 'Instances of this kind of behaviour would fall dramatically if people learned to drink responsibly.' The Scottish Government has extended the Emergency Workers Act 2005 to give additional legal protection to those who often have to work in difficult or dangerous situations. Under the Act, someone who attacks an emergency worker can face nine months in jail, a 5,000 fine or both which ministers claim 'sends out a strong message that violence against such workers will not go unpunished'. Justice Robin Camp asked an alleged sexual assault victim why she could not 'just keep her knees together' A judge is facing a disciplinary hearing over controversial comments he made while presiding over a sexual assault case in Canada. Justice Robin Camp asked an alleged sexual assault victim why she could not 'just keep her knees together'. Mr Camp, a provincial judge in Calgary, acquitted the accused man in 2014 but the verdict was overturned on appeal. The Canadian Judicial Council will now decide whether Mr Camp should be removed over his remarks. Disciplinary hearings for judges are not common in Canada, where there have only been 11 such inquiries since the national council of senior judges was created in 1971. Mr Camp sparked outrage during the 2014 case, when he asked a 19-year-old woman, 'Why couldn't you just keep your knees together?' He also said, 'pain and sex sometimes go together' and had referred to the complainant as 'the accused,' court records show. Mr Camp plans to appear before the panel, which comprises three judges, who are council members, and two senior lawyers. He is expected to apologise for his comments and say he has participated in training and counselling with a superior court judge, a psychologist and a sexual assault legal expert. 'He believes he can make a positive contribution as a member of the Canadian judiciary,' a notice of response on Mr Camp's position said on the council's website. A judge is facing a disciplinary hearing over controversial comments he made while presiding over a sexual assault case in Canada 'He will strive to keep improving and to keep learning.' The inquiry is expected to last several days and the panel will then make a recommendation to the full Canadian Judicial Council. You are here: Home South China's Guangdong Province has tightened quarantine and inspections to prevent the entry of Zika virus which has spread in some Southeast Asian countries. Since the beginning of August, the inspection and quarantine bureau of the Guangzhou Baiyun Airport has carried out checks on 74 passengers with symptoms from Zika-hit countries or regions. No Zika infection cases have been found, said the Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau. The airport alone has a daily average of 14 flights to and from Singapore, about 2,500 entry or exit passengers. Current high temperatures and humid weather in Guangdong increased the likelihood of a Zika epidemic, said the provincial bureau. Singapore had confirmed 17 new cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infection as of Tuesday, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 275. Other Southeast Asian countries, such as Malaysia and Thailand, have also reported Zika cases. The Baiyun Airport inspection and quarantine personnel provide free tests of Zika virus for passengers. It advised citizens to be cautious of travelling to affected countries or regions. Zika virus is acquired through bites from infected Aedes aegypti mosquitos. Common symptoms include fever, skin rash and joint pains. Australian airlines Qantas and Jetstar have banned passengers from turning on or charging the new Samsung Galaxy Note7 phone on all flights over fears the device could burst into flames. Samsung announced a global recall of the phone, which was only released weeks ago, after incidents of devices with faulty batteries catching fire while charging. On Wednesday Qantas passenger Dean Cabena, who was travelling from Perth to Sydney, tweeted: 'Qantas made announcement on flight today no charging Samsung Note7 on plane.' Scroll down for video Several people posted images and videos of charred Samsung Galaxy Note7s online and said their phones had caught on fire (pictured) On Wednesday Qantas passenger Dean Cabena, who was travelling from Perth to Sydney, tweeted: 'Qantas made announcement on flight today no charging Samsung Note7 on plane' A Qantas spokesperson confirmed to Daily Mail Australia passengers will not be able to charge the device on all Qantas and Jetstar flights (stock image) A Qantas spokesperson confirmed to Daily Mail Australia passengers will not be able to charge the device on all Qantas and Jetstar flights (Jetstar is part of Qantas Group). 'Following Samsung Australia's recall of the Samsung Galaxy Note7 Personal Electronic Device (PED), we are requesting that passengers who own them do not switch on or charge them inflight,' the spokesperson said. Samsung issued the recall after it announced there had been 35 incidents relating to faulty batteries. On Monday Victorian man Tham Hua, who was visiting Perth, woke to the sound of his Samsung Galaxy Note7 bursting into flames. The incident caused $1800 dollars damage to his hotel room, which Hua says will be covered by Samsung. In a statement posted to their site, Samsung Australia said concerned customers should return the phone to the outlet where they purchased it. 'The safety and ongoing satisfaction of our customers is our top priority,' said Richard Fink, Vice President IT & Mobile, Samsung Electronics Australia. 'We know our Galaxy Note7 customers are our most loyal customers and we are taking a proactive approach to support them. We are asking customers to contact Samsung or their place of purchase to arrange a suitable courtesy smartphone or refund.' On Monday Victorian man Tham Hua, who was visiting Perth, woke to the sound of his Samsung Galaxy Note7 bursting into flames (pictured) The incident caused $1800 dollars damage to his hotel room, which Hua says will be covered by Samsung A Tasmanian devil has met a tragic end after it was hit and killed by a car after it was recently released back into the wild from a vaccination trial at Stony Head. The unfortunate marsupial was one of 33 devils vaccinated against the lethal facial tumour disease that has eradicated more than 80 per cent of the population since it appeared in 1996. It was released into the wild last week at Stony Head, north Tasmania, and travelled around 20km to East Tamar Highway where the Environment Department found it dead. One of the 33 Tasmanian devils immunised from a lethal cancer was tragically found dead (Stock image) The Environment Department found the devil around 20km from where it was released in Stony Head, north Tasmania (File image) The Tasmanian devil is the largest carnivorous marsupial in the world and is wholly protected since its spiral into near extinction (File image) The devil killed was one of the eight without a satellite tracking collar, according to the ABC. The idea of the Save the Tasmanian Devil program is for the vaccinated devils to build up resistance and interact with the diseased population at Stony Head military training area. The disease, which has wiped out most of the population, has a close to 100 per cent fatality rate. However, a new study published found the endangered species has started to build up a resistance to the deadly disease. The lethal facial tumour disease that has eradicated more than 80 per cent of the Tasmanian devil population since it emerged in 1996 (File image) Dr Andrew Storfer, an evolutionary geneticist at Washington State University who was one of the authors of the study, said some populations of the devil were becoming immune. 'Epidemiological models indicated some of these populations the earliest infected should already be extinct. But they are currently surviving,' he said. Dr Storfer said he hopes the research into the immunisation of the Tasmanian devil could provide an insight into human cancer. The immunisation trials are designed for the vaccinated devils to build up resistance to the disease and interact with the general population at Stony Head military area (File image) 'The broad implications gives us hope for the survival of the Tasmanian devil. They are evolving genes that may be associated with resistance to the disease,' he said. 'We are also interested in the implications in wildlife diseases in general and in human cancer. 'This disease moves from host to host, it is like a very long lived human tumour. It may give us insights into cancer remission and recurrence.' The Tromp family are returning to the patterns of normal life after their ill-fated road trip, with youngest daughter Ella returning to the family farmhouse to tend to her horses. Ms Tromp, who allegedly stole a ute to return home to 'feed her horses', was pictured on Thursday morning walking a happy steed around the yard of the family's red currant farm in Silvan, east of Melbourne. The return to farm duties comes as Daily Mail Australia revealed police investigators will recommend the car theft charges against Ms Tromp be withdrawn. Scroll down for video The Tromp family are returning to the patterns of normal life after their ill-fated road trip, with youngest daughter Ella returning to the family farmhouse to tend to her horses Ms Tromp, who allegedly stole a ute to return home to 'feed her horses', was pictured on Thursday morning walking a happy steed around the yard of the red currant farm in Silvan As the family recover from their meltdown, new details have emerged of the investigation into the family where all five members were found in different parts of Australia. The 22-year-old returned home from the trip on August 30 in a ute she had allegedly stolen. Investigators questioned her for hours - including at the family's idyllic country home - from about 8.30pm until about midnight where she even made police a cup of tea. She was asked several times, 'What happened?', with investigators examining everything from her behaviour making the drink to the consistency of her answers. 'What we do is we want to see a bit of normality from her,' Sergeant Mark Knight, who ran the investigation and knows the family personally, said. 'She got home and she was presenting in a way and we wanted to see what she was like. The Tromp family (from left - Riana, Mark, Jacoba, Mitchell and Ella) were involved in a mysterious missing person saga The return to farm duties at the family home (pictured) comes as Daily Mail Australia revealed police investigators will recommend the car theft charges against Ms Tromp be withdrawn The 22-year-old returned home from the trip on August 30 in a ute she had allegedly stolen. Pictured is an aerial view of the property 'So she offered a cup of tea so we thought, "we'll see". 'We're looking at things, how long it takes her to make a cup of tea, how she makes it.' Under questioning, Ms Tromp offered answers that were consistent to those her sister, Riana, 29, had given New South Wales police investigators, Sgt Knight said. Riana was found in the back of a ute by a Goulburn man on August 30. Ella was charged that evening with theft of a motor vehicle and possessing the proceeds of crime and released into the care of her uncle. Investigators are compiling a report which will recommend prosecutors withdraw the charges, Sgt Knight told Daily Mail Australia. The decision will rest with them, with Ms Tromp listed to face Ringwood Magistrates Court next April. Local police have not spoken to her father Mark Tromp yet, with investigators saying they are giving him and his family a break to recover from their ordeal. Mitchell Tromp, Ms Tromp's 25-year-old brother, has said the family were under mounting 'family and business pressures'. The sergeant could not say for certain what triggered their meltdown. He had not yet spoken to Mark or family matriarch Jacoba 'Coby' Tromp. THE TROMP SAGA SO FAR The Tromp family abandon their redcurrant farm in Victoria and flee the town in their family station wagon without any bank cards or mobile phones on August 29. Son Mitchell, 25, becomes concerned with his parent's 'delusional' behaviour and leaves the family trip at Bathurst before boarding public transport home the next day. The rest of his family continue on to Jenolan Caves. On the same day, his sisters, Ella and Riana, allegedly steal a ute and leave their parents in Goulburn. Later Riana, 29, is found in a catatonic state hiding in the back of local man's ute and is taken to hospital. Ella continues her journey back home to the family farm in Silvan, east of Melbourne. On August 31, Ella and Mitchell both arrive home at different times and are spoken to by police. The family's station wagon is then spotted in Victoria's north-east and a man believed to be their father, Mark, is seen fleeing the vehicle into a nearby park. On September 1, matriarch Jacoba - also known as Coby - is found 'dazed and confused' in Yass in NSW after she was separated from her husband. She is taken to the local hospital to be treated before she was transferred to Goulburn Hospital, the same one where her daughter, Riana, is receiving treatment. Mark Tromp is then found wandering down the road near Wangaratta Airport, also in NSW, in 'good health' and is taken into police custody on Saturday. Two days later, Ella is charged with theft of a motor vehicle and possessing the proceeds of a crime. Her sister will not face similar charges under under the Mental Health Act. The next day, Mark released a statement apologising for the drain on resources caused by the family's week. He did not reveal what caused them to become distressed. Investigators reveal they will now call for charges against Ella Tromp to be dropped. Speculation about what happened to the Tromp family have sparked many theories such as the suggestion they had consumed water tainted with drugs, poisons, heavy metals or coal sea gasses. Another theory is the family was poisoned by by-products of farming or that they all fell ill to shared delusional psychosis. It has also been widely speculated that the family could have been suffering from a shared mental disorder leading up to their off-grid holiday. Neighbours suggest daily struggles including renovations on the family home could be to blame after Mitchell Tromp continued to claim the family derailed after a build up of normal pressures. Other theories include an elaborate money-making hoax, people were sent to hurt the family and even an alien abduction. Advertisement Mitchell Tromp (left) was first to leave the family as they travelled interstate. Riana Tromp is still in Goulburn Hospital with her mother, Jacoba Inside the Tromp home located in Silva where they run a red currant farm Investigators questioned her for hours - including at the family's idyllic country home (pictured is the kitchen) - from about 8.30pm until about midnight Mark Tromp was released by police on Saturday night after being found on the side of the road near Wangarratta. He was accompanied by his Monbulk police officer brother, Ken. On Sunday, he was taken to hospital for a medical assessment. Mr Tromp is now understood to be in the care of his family - but police said he was not in Melbourne. Sgt Knight, who knows Mr Tromp, was one of the first people to be called out to the home in Silvan more than a week ago. 'It was probably the most bizarre, most unusual situation I've walked into,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'Picture this - keys in the cars, front door wide open, passports, telephones, business papers everywhere. Sgt Knight said they found the family home with business papers everywhere Keys were still in the cars and the front door was wide open when police arrived 'It wasn't ransacked it was orderly but there were business papers everywhere.' Sgt Knight said he expected Mr Tromp will call him. 'He'll ring me because he knows I want to speak to him,' the police sergeant said. 'He said to his brothers the other day to say hello, to thank Mark [Sgt Knight] and his team.' Mr Tromp is expected to be asked key questions - like where, why, who, how and when. He is said to be 'progressing well now'. Coby and daughter Riana remained at Goulburn Hospital on Wednesday, a NSW Health spokeswoman confirmed. Donald Trump praised Russian President Vladimir Putin's 'strong control' over Russia and said he was 'far more' of a leader than President Obama. 'The man has very strong control over a country,' Trump said when asked about Putin's past praise for him at a commander in chief forum on NBC Wednesday night. He spoke moments after Hillary Clinton left the stage in a setting that amounted to a scrimmage before the high stakes presidential debates that start later this month. 'I think when he calls me brilliant I'll take the compliment, okay?' Trump said when pressed about Putin, whose regime is under U.S. and international sanctions over Russia's incursion into Ukraine. 'The fact is, look, its not gonna get him anywhere,' he added. 'If he says great things about me, I'm going to say great things about him.' Trump continued: 'Now It's a very different system and I don't happen to like the system, but certainly in that system, he's been a leader. Far more than our president has been a leader.' Scroll down for video Republican Donald Trump praised the 'strong control' Russian President Vladimir Putin has in Russia, and even cited his public approval ratings 'If he says great things about me, I'm going to say great things about him' Rival Hillary Clinton has been hammering Trump for his views on Putin and Russia, though the issue has subsided somewhat since the departure of Trump's former campaign chair Paul Manafort, who had ties to the former pro-Moscow Ukrainian regime. But under repeated questions from host Matt Lauer, Trump stood by his earlier claims that he would 'get along' with Putin and forge constructive relations with the nation that has become a top rival to U.S. interests in various trouble spots. 'Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could work on it together and knock the hell out of ISIS?' Trump said. When Lauer noted reports that Russia was considered behind the hacking of the Democratic National Committee, Trump interjected: 'Nobody knows that for a fact.' Trump took heat in July when he spoke about encouraging Russia try to uncover Hillary Clinton's emails. 'Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing,' Trump said. Trump fielded questions from NBC 'Today Show' host Matt Lauer, as well as audience members Wednesday night in a practice run for presidential debates Trump got to speak after Hillary Clinton, whom he blasted for her support of the Iraq war Trump said the generals have been 'reduced to rubble' under President Obama Clinton fielded a series of questions about her emails during the forum Asked about Putin's prior comment hailing Trump, the candidate responded: 'Well, he does have an 82 per cent approval rating.' Lauer countered: 'Look, hes also a guy who annexed Crimea, invaded Ukraine ... supports Iran, is trying to undermine our influence in key regions of the world. And according to our intelligence community, probably is the main suspect of the hacking of the DNC computers. 'Well, nobody knows that for a fact. But do you want me to start naming some of the things that President Obama does?' Trump responded. Before a crowd including military members and veterans on the decommissioned carrier Intrepid in New York Trump said the generals under President Obama and Clinton have 'not been successful.' 'I think under the leadership of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton the generals have been reduced to rubble they have been reduced to a point where its embarrassing for our country,' Trump said. Trump on Wednesday said he would ask generals to produce a plan to defeat ISIS within 30 days of taking office after saying he already had a plan and earlier saying he knew more about ISIS than the generals. 'If like maybe a combination of my plan and the generals plan or the generals plan. If I like their plan, Matt Im not going to call you up and say, "Matt we have a great plan." This is what Obama does,' Trump said. Trump kept his poise as Lauer pressed him on his temperament and on global hot spots. Earlier, Clinton raised her voice at times as Lauer tried to cut off some of her answers. Trump had been publicly doubting whether Lauer would be 'fair in the run up to the forum. Trump also got asked about the top level security briefings he is now receiving. He claimed what he learned 'is that our leadership, Barack Obama, did not follow what our experts ... said to do.' 'And I was very surprised in almost every instance,' Trump said. 'I could tell Im pretty good with the body language I could tell they were not happy. Our leaders did not follow what they were recommending,' he said. In response to an audience question, he said he could 'absolutely' see himself working out a situation where an undocumented immigrant gained status by serving in the armed forces. 'It would be a very special circumstance, yes,' said Trump, who has said people who came here illegally should otherwise have to return home. Trump said of Clinton: 'She has a happy trigger,' as he hammered her vote for the Iraq war. The mother of tragic Cherie Vize wept openly outside court on Thursday after the man who brutally killed her daughter was found guilty of her murder. Evansueda Vize sobbed after Michael James Quinn was found guilty of murdering her daughter Cherie Vize, 25, in a jealous rage - stabbing his on-off girlfriend five times in the neck and leaving her to die in a 'scene of carnage'. Quinn attacked Vize in the front yard of his Wollongong family home before turning the knife on himself, in July 2013, leaving him quadriplegic. Scroll down for video Evansueda Vize sobbed after Michael James Quinn was found guilty of murdering her daughter Cherie Vize Cherie Vize was tragically murdered 'Ms Vize was a peaceful person. Her passing has caused much sadness to her family and friends,' NSW Supreme Court Justice Robert Beech-Jones said following a month-long, judge-alone trial. Quinn became enraged after finding out Ms Vize was seeing another man she had met on an online dating site. He killed her in the front yard of the home he shared with his family in Farmborough Heights, Wollongong, in 2013. The Crown alleged he deliberately tried to cause Ms Vize at least grievous bodily harm after seeing a message she sent to the another man about the morning after pill. Quinn was left a quadriplegic after he turned the knife on himself after the murder 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. An artist's sketch shows Quinn (left) in NSW Supreme Court during the verdict It was an emotional day for Mrs Vize after Quinn was found guilty of murdering her daughter Mrs Vize leaves NSW Supreme Court in Sydney with other family members on Thursday Quinn became enraged after finding out Ms Vize was seeing another man she had met on an online dating site, the court heard 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 took place) The defence argued that 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 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. This is New York man accused of shooting a graduate student dead on Monday because she objected to him grinding on her at a Caribbean culture carnival. Reginald Moise, seen here being walked to his arraignment at Brooklyn Central Booking Wednesday, is alleged to have gunned down 22-year-old Tiarah Poyau at Brooklyn's J'Ouvert festival. Poyau was shot through the eye after telling a man 'Get off me,' while walking with friends, cops said. Moise, 20, has been charged with her murder. Reginald Moise, 20, is pictured here being walked to his arraignment at Brooklyn Central Booking on Wednesday in connection with the fatal shooting of Tiarah Poyau, 22, Monday Moise allegedly told a friend that he shot someone at Brooklyn's J'Ouvert festival, and that he didn't realize the gun he had was loaded Tiarah Poyau, 22, was gunned down during the festival, allegedly after she told a man to stop grinding against her Moise is alleged to have made statement implicating himself to other people prior to his arrest. He has been charged with second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment. Poyau had been walking with three friends early Monday morning when she was shot in the eye 'at close range' around 4.15am, according to the New York Post. Authorities said Moise was driving drunk and had a Caribbean flag wrapped around a bloodied hand when he was arrested on Tuesday morning. Moise, who has five prior sealed arrests, allegedly called a friend after the shooting and told them: 'Would you mind if I put my gun into your apartment?' Poyau, 22, was shot in the face after she told the man 'Get off me,' police sources said He then told another friend: 'I think I shot somebody on the parade route. I didn't know the gun was loaded,' according to police sources. Moise allegedly fled to to his girlfriend's apartment following the shooting. It was there he drunkenly fired two shots into a mirror, which caused the injury to his hand. One of the bullets entered the home of a neighbor, who then notified authorities. Moise then fled into his car and crashed into several parked vehicles, losing one of his tires, before he was stopped by police around 8am on Tuesday. Police said they discovered the gun that killed Poyau at Moise's girlfriend's apartment, with tests confirming it matched to a shell found at the murder site. Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said Moise told investigators he thought he shot somebody, saying: 'The gun went off, I'm not sure.' Reginald Moise, 20 of Brooklyn, was arrested in connection with the Labor Day fatal shooting of Poyau. Bronx teenager Tyreke Borel, 17, (right) was also killed on that violent morning Meanwhile, no arrests have been made in the murder of 17-year-old Tyreke Borel. Borel, of the Bronx, was shot in the chest about 3:50am near Empire Boulevard and Flatbush Avenue durin the festival. He was taken to the hospital, where he died. Poyau was shot just a block away 30 minutes after Borel was shot, police said. She died at the hospital. The aspiring accountant and was interning at top-five firm PwC in New York and getting her Master's of Science at St John's University, according to her LinkedIn profile. Online, Poyau talked about her drive to become an accomplished professional as well as her passion for traveling. 'This young lady is just a stellar person,' Boyce said. 'No issues in her life whatsoever, and none before either.' Moise, who has five prior sealed arrests, apparently made statements that implicated himself in the shooting (crime scene pictured) to two people The bloodshed happened during a a carnival celebrating Caribbean culture held before dawn each Labor Day This year, the JOuvert parade cemented its reputation for violence and bloodshed. The shootings came amid unprecedented precautions taken by police to ensure safety a year after Governor Andrew Cuomo's aide was killed by a stray bullet at the early-morning celebration. In a news conference on Monday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said that 'all options are on the table' when answering questions concerning the future of J'Ouvert and if it might be canceled following the two tragic deaths, the New York Post reported. 'Im not going to go into detail until we do a full review,' he said. 'Were going to look at the whole situation with the NYPD and community,' de Blasio added. People on a parade float play music during J'Ouvert, ahead of the annual West Indian-American Carnival Day Parade in Brooklyn A man holds up a fake rifle during J'Ouvert, ahead of the annual West Indian-American Parade City Councilman Brad Lander said that it's 'pretty clear that big changes are needed'. 'Im open to canceling it next year,' he added. Police say they're investigating whether the shootings are related. No arrests have been made on Borel's shooting. A 23-year-old woman was also stabbed in the area, but police said she refused medical attention. A 72-year-old woman was shot in the hand and the arm at the same location and was taken to a hospital in stable condition, police said. The NYPD had planned to double the number of officers patrolling the neighborhood where a procession of steel drums and costumed revelers was set to kick off at 4am for J'Ouvert. The tradition originated in the Caribbean and is celebrated in several North American cities with West Indian communities, including Boston and Toronto. The name, J'Ouvert, means daybreak, put together from the French words 'jour' and 'Ouvert' Police arrived at the scene where Poyau and Borel were gunned down Monday celebrating Caribbean culture in the hours before the city's annual West Indian Day Parade The department also added 42 new security cameras to watch over an estimated 250,000 revelers and illuminated this year's celebration with 200 light towers. For the first time, organizers of the parade were required to get a permit. Police, in conjunction with community groups, also distributed fliers with a blunt message. 'This community will no longer tolerate this violence. Do not shoot anyone. Do not stab anyone,' the leaflets said. The changes come a year after Cuomo's aide Carey Gabay, 43, was shot in the head as two street gangs exchanged gunshots during J'Ouvert festivities. He was immediately placed in a medically induced coma but eight days after the shooting, doctors declared him brain dead. Borel was shot in the chest at around 3.50am Monday in Brooklyn during J'Ouvert, the New York Police Department said The bloodshed came amid unprecedented precautions taken by police to ensure safety at an event routinely marred by violence Leaflets were released reading: 'This community will no longer tolerate this violence. Do not shoot anyone. Do not stab anyone' The changes come a year after Carey Gabay, a 43-year-old lawyer who had worked for Gov Andrew Cuomo Gabay was a lawyer who had worked for Cuomo and was deputy counsel of the state's economic development agency. Earlier the same morning, a Bronx man, Denentro Josiah, was stabbed to death during festivities. In 2014, a man was fatally shot and two people wounded during the celebration. Organizers say the early morning festivities that led to what is now J'Ouvert started in the 1980s. The tradition originated in the Caribbean and is celebrated in several North American cities with West Indian communities, including Boston and Toronto. The name, J'Ouvert, means daybreak, put together from the French words 'jour' and 'Ouvert.' Russian President Vladimir Putin has questioned Australia's military involvement in the Syrian conflict during a heated discussion with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Mr Putin accused Australia and the United States of supporting radical Islamic forces during talks at the G20 Summit in Hangzhou earlier this week, the ABC reported. 'I'm fighting for the legitimate Government of Syria,' Mr Putin said to Mr Turnbull. 'Who are you fighting for?' Russian President Vladimir Putin has questioned Australia's involvement in the Syrian conflict and accused Malcolm Turnbull of playing into the hands of the Islamic State (pictured together at G20 Summit in November, 2015) Mr Putin, a firm ally of the Assad regime, asked Mr Turnbull who he was fighting for in the war Mr Putin is opposed to the Islamic State and extremist rebels operating out of Syria, but is a close ally of Bashar al-Assad, the current President of Syria. Australia is assisting the United States in their strategic fight against ISIS in Syria, but is firmly against the Assad regime. Mr Putin also told Mr Turnbull that the crisis in Syria was a result of US' controversial invasion of Iraq in 2003. 'George W Bush should never have unsettled the region,' the Russian strongman claimed. Australia is assisting the United States in their strategic fight against ISIS in Syria, but is firmly against the Assad regime. Russia is also against the Islamic State and extremist rebels, but supports the Assad Government Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull reviews Lao honour guards as he arrives at Wattay international airport the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summits in Vientiane, Laos It comes after Mr Turnbull warned that Australia and the wider Southeast Asia was at risk of an ISIS expansion. On Wednesday, Malcolm Turnbull said because the terror group had been suffering losses in the Middle East it would look to Australia and surrounding nations to attack. He has been in Laos for the East Asia Summit and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations [ASEAN] summit, where he called for improved co-operation and intelligence sharing in the region, the Courier Mail reported. '[ISIS] wants to expand its presence in Southeast Asia, and that is of concern to all of us ... they will attempt to seed fear and division in our communities.' He also said the nature of threats had changed, 'not least online propaganda and encryption'. Mr Turnbull warned of ISIS turning its attention to Australia and Southeast Asia At the summit, an updated ASEAN-Australia Joint Declaration on terrorism was adopted, it was reported. As global leaders met in Laos' capital for further talks, Mr Turnbull said 'peace and stability' were essential for continued economic growth for developing countries such as Laos. The Australian Prime Minister warned ISIS would 'attempt to seed fear and division in our communities' He also discussed territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Reiterating that Australia was not a claimant, Mr Turnbull said it was nevertheless playing a role in encouraging all parties to create a Code of Conduct in the waters - something that has remained elusive for more than a decade. 'Our interests are wholly and solely with tensions be allayed, disputes being resolved and tensions being settled,' he told reporters in Vientiane, Laos. 'There's no doubt that we're living in an increasingly complex and dynamic region, as we can see from developments in the South China Sea,' he said. He proposed a special ASEAN-Australia Leaders' Summit for 2018. The summit, which would bring together leaders from South-East Asia, would aim to deepen economic ties through closer links between ASEAN and Australian businesses, and bolster strategic partnership on issues such as counter-terrorism. Malcolm Turnbull arrives at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane on September 6 A Las Vegas man suspected of murder has been captured after he broke out of a set of handcuffs, climbed onto a chair and escaped from a police department through a ceiling tile. Alonso Perez, 25, was re-arrested on Tuesday, five days after he escaped from the North Las Vegas Detective Bureau. Las Vegas Police Chief Alexander Perez, who is not related to the suspect, admitted it took police nearly 40 minutes to realize he was gone on Friday. Murder suspect Alonso Perez, 25, broke out of a set of handcuffs and escaped an interrogation room at a Las Vegas prison on Friday Perez can be seen in the video feed twisting and muscling the hinge of the handcuffs attaching his right wrist to a metal bar on a table bolted to the floor before the hinges snap Perez crashes into the chair after the hinges snap and he is released from the cuffs The police chief also admitted that detectives were not watching the live feed while Perez escaped, according to KSNV. In the video feed, Perez can be seen twisting and muscling the hinge of the handcuffs attaching his right wrist to a metal bar on a table that is bolted to the floor. 'He torques it to the point, using some of his body weight, that it snaps the hinges,' Alexander Perez said. Perez allegedly murdered Mohammed Robinson, 31, on August 27 Perez crashes into the chair after the hinges snap and he is released from the cuffs, then unsuccessfully tries to slide the other cuff off his hand. He then places both hands together before resting his head over them, seemingly to hide the free hand, as he sat calmly while a police detective checked on him. When he was alone again, Perez climbed through a ceiling tile to make his escape. Perez was still wearing ankle chains and the broken cuff on his right wrist when he dropped back down from the ceiling into a hallway. He then exited a door and stole a work truck that had been left idling in a nearby parking lot, the police chief revealed. Authorities said a witness told investigators he thought the truck thief was limping. The truck, emblazoned with a rental company name, was recovered a few hours later abandoned in a neighborhood several miles east of downtown Las Vegas. Perez then then unsuccessfully tries to slide the other cuff off his hand after he breaks free He then places one hand over the other and acts calm before a police detective checks on him After he is left alone again, Perez steps on a chair and escapes the room through a ceiling tile That wasn't far from where Perez was re-arrested late Tuesday, when police and FBI agents arrived at an apartment not far from where the truck had been found. Perez didn't resist arrest, and the police chief said another person in the apartment wasn't charged with a crime. He also wasn't armed at the time of his re-arrest and was no longer wearing the handcuffs and ankle chains. Perez allegedly killed Mohammed Robinson, 31, when an argument broke out in front of a McDonald's in North Las Vegas around 11.45pm on August 27. Robinson's best friend witnessed the shooting and told his family members a woman was upset that Robinson did not hold the door open for her, KSNV reported. The woman then turned to a man she was with, and he took out a gun and shot Robinson before the two fled the scene, the witness said. Robinson was taken to university Medical Center in critical condition, and died on Sunday morning, according to police. His girlfriend said the 31-year-old was a respectful man who shied away from confrontation. Robinson's best friend witnessed the shooting and told his family members a woman was upset the 31-year-old did not hold the door open for her The police chief said detectives are still looking for the weapon believed to have been used in the slaying. Perez was held overnight at the Clark County Jail in Las Vegas pending court appearances Thursday on use of a firearm, assault and domestic battery charges in a separate case, according to court records. Murder, use of a firearm, escape and auto theft charges were added Wednesday. Chief Perez said the escape involving broken handcuffs from a police interview room was the first in his 25 years as an officer in North Las Vegas. He said an internal investigation is looking at mistakes made. 'We're not perfect. The police are simply not perfect,' Chief Perez said. 'However, we will learn from our mistakes so they are not repeated and that's the goal.' Chief Perez said he has already ordered one policy change for when detainees are left alone in interview rooms. 'Someone will monitor the video at all times,' he revealed. The escape was the second reported this year from a police station in the Las Vegas area. Advertisement Matt Lauer has been labeled a 'morning show lightweight' by furious political pundits after he failed to grill Donald Trump on his claim he never supported the Iraq War during a Commander in Chief Forum on Wednesday night - but relentlessly questioned Hillary over her private email scandal. The NBC Today show host was accused of going too easy on Trump when the Republican candidate repeated his claim to have always 'totally opposed the Iraq war', when in fact he supported an invasion during a 2002 Howard Stern interview. Instead of stopping Trump in his tracks during the session at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in Manhattan, Lauer accepted his answer and immediately moved onto the next question - even though Clinton had told him during her interview beforehand that Trump had backed the war. Lauer questioned Clinton for almost seven minutes of a 30 minute segment over her emails, many times talking over before demanding she only briefly touch on other important topics such as ISIS. 'Lauer interrupted Clinton's answers repeatedly to move on. Not once for Trump,' wrote respected Capitol Hill watcher Norman Ornstein on Twitter, adding: 'Tough to be a woman running for president.' Indeed, the problem for many was that while Lauer seemed to aggressively question Clinton during the first segment of the forum, his questions to Trump were softer, weaker and open-ended, allowing Trump to ignore them or power through unscathed. Matt Lauer has been accused of anti-Clinton bias during NBC's Commander in Chief Forum on Wednesday night after failing to challenge Trump on claims he 'totally opposed' the Iraq war During her own answer on her support for the Iraq war, Clinton pointed out that Trump has not acknowledged the fact he once supported it during a 2002 interview, a fact that Lauer did not pick up later in the interview NBC News later republished a fact-checking article on Trump's claim, pointing out that he supported the war in a 2002 interview with Howard Stern before changing his position Lauer's insistence on pressing and interrupting Clinton on her email debacle while breezing through Trump's answers led to some accusing him of trying to prove his journalistic chops. 'I think Matt Lauer was trying desperately to impress others in the press to prove he's not just a morning show lightweight. Failed. Democrats accused Lauer of 'wasting time' on a topic that has been discussed throughout the election, and then attempting to hurry Clinton along on later topics, insisting there was not enough time. Matthew Gertz wrote on Twitter: 'Maybe if Matt Lauer hadn't spent 13 minutes on emails there'd be more time for ISIS.' Commentator Guy Cecil added: 'I take no issue with asking Hillary tough questions, but with all of the global challenges, this is a waste of time.' Tommy Vietor, a former aide to President Obama, noted: 'How in the hell does Lauer not factcheck Trump lying about Iraq? This is embarrassingly bad.' 'Seriously everyone, and I mean everyone, knew this would happen. And Matt Lauer didn't have a followup planned?' wrote political columnist Paul Krugman. Glenn Kessler, the chief fact checker at The Washington Post, posted a link to NBC's check of Trump's claim and wrote: 'Matt Lauer should have been prepared to do this.' Matthew Yglesias wrote on Twitter: 'So Matt Lauer's plan is just to let Trump lie about his past statements on Iraq?' Journalist Jonathan Chait observed: 'Trump lies about opposing Iraq war. Lauer lets it go. No follow up. Unreal.' In an article for New York Magazine he wrote: 'Lauer's performance was not merely a failure, it was horrifying and shocking.' Democrats felt Lauer spent too long questioning Clinton over her emails while giving Trump a free pass on his support for the war Clinton's campaign spokesman was eager to point out that, had Clinton not mentioned Trump's support in her earlier answer about Iraq, his comment would have gone unnoticed Commentators criticized the broadcaster's approach while interviewing both Trump and Clinton Commentators said the interview focused too much on Clinton's emails rather than addressing global issues During her answers, Clinton repeated claims that she did not knowingly handle confidential information on her private server. She said: 'Classified material has a header, which says 'top secret', 'secret', 'confidential'. Nothing, and I have repeatedly said this, and this is verified in the report by the Department of Justice. None of the emails sent or received by me had such a header.' Clinton went on to say that whenever she was sent such an email, on a separate system, she always viewed it in private, even going into tents set up for such a purpose so the messages couldn't be spied on. She added: 'So I did exactly what I should have done. And I take it very seriously. Always have, always will.' She also said in her defense that 'hundreds of experienced foreign policy experts, diplomats, defense officials' communicated sensitive information over an unclassified system 'because it was necessary to answer questions and to be able publicly to go as far as we could, which was not acknowledging the program.' Even if she had used the State Department's email system, her communications may still have been compromised, she argued after Lauer asked her about the possibility of a hack on her secret server. Trump has repeatedly stated on the campaign trail that he has always opposed the conflict in Iraq, but in fact he once told Howard Stern that he supported it, before later modifying his position 'Matt, there is no evidence of course anything is possible. But what is factual is the State Department system was hacked,' she declared. 'Most of the government's systems are way behind the curve. We've had hacking repeatedly, even in the White House. There is no evidence my system was hacked.' Lauer's frequent interruptions of Clinton later on in the interview also drew allegations of sexism from some, who suggested he allowed Trump far more freedom to talk. It was left to Hillary herself to point out that Trump initially said he was in favor of the conflict before modifying his position after the war had started. She said: 'My opponent was for the war in Iraq. He says he wasn't. You can go back and look at the record. He supported it. He told Howard Stern he supported it. 'So he supported it before it happened, he supported it as it was happening, and he is on record as supporting it after it happened.' In total Clinton spent almost 12 minutes of a 30 minute segment answering questions on her emails, a fact the Democrats later criticized as biased and said detracted from more important issues such as ISIS Asked about her own support for military intervention in Iraq, Clinton says she now accepts that it was 'a mistake', adding that voting to give Bush the authority to take troops into the Middle East was 'my mistake'. But, she added: 'I have taken my responsibility for my decision. He [Trump] refuses to take responsibility for his support.' Meanwhile, during an answer on how he would combat ISIS, Trump said 'I was totally against the war in Iraq', a statement that Lauer let slide. On the campaign trail Trump has repeatedly stated that he opposed the Iraq war from the very beginning while attacking Clinton and Obama's foreign policy which he blames for the rise of ISIS. But asked whether he supported George Bush's decision to go to war in 2002, before the conflict started, Trump told Howard Stern: 'Yeah. I guess so. I wish the first time it was done correctly.' It was only later the the Republican nominee modified his position, describing the conflict as a 'mess' and a failure. NBC did reprise a fact-checking article they previously published on Trump's claim following the show, but some viewers were not appeased. Posting a link to the fact-checking story on Twitter, Isaac Wright, director of Correct The Record, wrote: 'Too bad they didn't WHEN HE WAS BEING INTERVIEWED.' Meanwhile Hillary's campaign press secretary Brian Fallon wrote: 'At least Hillary Clinton rebutted him on this lie, or else it would go unchecked.' MATT LAUER QUESTIONS HILLARY CLINTON OVER HER EMAILS: IN FULL Lauer: The word judgement has been used a lot around you in the last year and a half, in particular the use of your own personal email and server to communicate while you were Secretary of State. You said it was a mistake, you said it was not the best choice. You were communicating on highly sensitive topics. Why wasn't it more than a mistake, why wasn't it disqualifying if you want to be Commander in Chief? Clinton: Well Matt, I have said repeatedly it was a mistake to have a personal account, I would certainly not do it again. I make no excuses for it. It was something that should not have been done. But the real implication is the handling of classified material, which is what I think the implication of your question was. I have a lot of experience dealing with classified material, starting when I was on the Senate Armed Services Committee going into the four years as Secretary of State. Classified material has a header, which says 'top secret', 'secret', 'confidential'. Nothing, and I have repeatedly said this, and this is verified in the report by the Department of Justice. None of the emails sent or received by me had such a header. Lauer: Were some of the emails sent or received by you referring to our drone program? Our covert drone program? Clinton: Yes, because, of course there were no discussions of the covert actions in progress, being determined, about whether or not to go forward. But every part of our government had to deal with questions and the Secretary of State's office first and foremost. So there are ways of talking about the drone program... Lauer (interrupting): You said you thought your communications on that were fairly routine? Clinton: Well let me say the FBI just released their report about their investigation, they discussed drone matters in the unconfidential section of that report. Lauer: But Director Comey also said this after reviewing all the information. He said there is evidence to support a conclusion that any reasonable person in Secretary Clinton's position should have known that an unclassified system was no place for that conversation. Clinton: Well, Matt, I just respectfully point to the hundreds of experienced foreign policy experts, diplomats, defense officials who were communicating information on the unclassified system because it was necessary to answer questions and to be able publicly to go as far as we could, which was not acknowledging the program. But I would be in Pakistan, as I was on several occasions. There might very well have been a strike. I would be asked in a public setting, in an interview, about it. It was known to have happened. We had to have an answer that did not move into classified area. And I think we handled that appropriately. Lauer: You mentioned you're in Pakistan. Some of the e-mails you sent and received happened while you were overseas. And Director Comey also said that while they have no proof, we assessed that it is possible that hostile actors gained access to Secretary Clinton's personal e-mail accounts. Clinton: Matt, there is no evidence. Of course anything is possible. But what is factual is the State Department system was hacked. Most of the government systems are way behind the curve. We've had hacking repeatedly, even in the White House. There is no evidence my system was hacked. Lauer: Let us bring in Hallie Jackson of NBC News who's been covering this campaign. She's getting questions from our veterans. Hallie, who are you with? Jackson: Hi, Matt. I'm with Lieutenant Jon Lester (ph), who will stand with me here. He began his military career by enlisting in the Air Force and then switched over to the Navy before he retired, where he flew P-3 Orions in Desert Storm and in Desert Shield. He's a Republican, and he has this question for you, Secretary Clinton. Clinton: Thank you. Lester: Secretary Clinton, thank you very much for coming tonight. As a naval flight officer, I held a top secret sensitive compartmentalized information clearance. And that provided me access to materials and information highly sensitive to our warfighting capabilities. Had I communicated this information not following prescribed protocols, I would have been prosecuted and imprisoned. Secretary Clinton, how can you expect those such as myself who were and are entrusted with America's most sensitive information to have any confidence in your leadership as president when you clearly corrupted our national security? Clinton: Well, I appreciate your concern and also your experience. But let me try to make the distinctions that I think are important for me to answer your question. First, as I said to Matt, you know and I know classified material is designated. It is marked. There is a header so that there is no dispute at all that what is being communicated to or from someone who has that access is marked classified. And what we have here is the use of an unclassified system by hundreds of people in our government to send information that was not marked, there were no headers, there was no statement, top secret, secret, or confidential. I communicated about classified material on a wholly separate system. I took it very seriously. When I traveled, I went into one of those little tents that I'm sure you've seen around the world because we didn't want there to be any potential for someone to have embedded a camera to try to see whatever it is that I was seeing that was designated, marked, and headed as classified. So I did exactly what I should have done and I take it very seriously, always have, always will. Advertisement Advertisement President Obama has warned China to give up its claim to the resource-rich South China sea during his historic visit to Laos. He said an international arbitration ruling on July 12 against China was 'binding' and 'helped to clarify maritime rights in the region'. The dispute has raised fears of military confrontation between the powers, with China claiming the verdict had no legal basis - and dismissing it as 'waste paper'. Speaking at a summit of South-East Asian leaders, Obama said: 'I recognize this raises tensions but I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and stability.' Scroll down for video Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, President Obama and Laos' Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith link hands The president shares a toast with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the ASEAN Summit gala dinner in Laos Obama smilies as he greets Myanmar's Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi during the summit in Laos China claims almost all of the South China Sea, including reefs and islands, based on a vaguely defined 'nine-dash-line' found on Chinese maps from the 1940s. It has also caused dismay in the region by building artificial islands and restricting access. Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei all have conflicting claims over territory in the region. The verdict by an international tribunal in The Hague said China's claims to most of the waters - through which $5 trillion in global shipping trade passes annually - had no legal basis. Making the first trip to Laos as a sitting president, Obama met leaders from South-East Asian nations Obama put the dispute in the South China Sea front and center on the agenda at a regional summit as it became clear most of the other leaders gathered in the Laotian capital were going to let China off with a mild rebuke over its territorial expansion Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, US President Barack Obama, Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith congregate at the summit meeting India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, and Obama shake hands during their meeting in Laos today Despite the US's objections, the summit is expected to let China off with a muted reprimand over its expansionist activities, according to a draft of their joint statement. It said the ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations) and its partners 'reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability and security and freedom of navigation in and over-flight in the South China Sea.' 'Several Leaders remained seriously concerned over recent developments in the South China Sea... we stressed the importance for the parties concerned to resolve their disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international laws,' it said. The use of the phrase 'some leaders' shows how not all its members are willing to scold Beijing. Cambodia largely remains in China's camp, as does Laos, preventing any robust statement from the consensus-bound ASEAN group. Obama said an international arbitration ruling on July 12 against China was 'binding' and 'helped to clarify maritime rights in the region' The US has repeatedly expressed concern over Beijing's actions in the resource-rich sea Obama said the US will stand with allies and partners in upholding freedom of navigation and flights in international spaces Obama wrapped up his last trip in Southeast Asia as president by describing it as an opportunity to deepen connections with the world's fastest-growing region and he hopes his successor will sustain America's engagement Speaking at a news conference, Obama also said Republican nominee Donald Trump isn't qualified to be president and that 'every time he speaks, that opinion is confirmed.' The president said Trump's ideas are often 'contradictory' and 'outright wacky'. He also said he was not ready to concede that Guantanamo Bay will remain open when he leaves office. He said aides are 'working diligently' to shrink the prisoner population, which currently stands at about 60. Obama set a goal early in his presidency of closing the prison, but has been blocked by Congress. This combination of photos provided by the Philippine Government shows what it claims are surveillance pictures of Chinese coast guard ships and barges at the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea Elsewhere, Obama and Rodrigo Duterte had a brief face-to-face encounter, days after the 'colorful' Philippine leader referred to the president as a 'son of a bitch'. Following the controversial comments Obama cancelled planned talks with the firebrand leader. Wednesday's informal meeting took place at a gala dinner. A White House official said the pair exchanged 'pleasantries' in a 'brief discussion' before the meal. The People's Liberation Army has equipped all of its ground force aviation units with advanced WZ-10 combat helicopters, according to PLA media. Several WZ-10s have been delivered to an aviation brigade of the PLA 13th Group Army under the Western Theater Command, the military's TV news channel reported. This means that all of the Army's aviation units now have this advanced attack helicopter, the report said. The deliveries also marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Army's aviation force and opened a new chapter in the force's development, it added. The Army's aviation wing was formed in October 1986 with a regiment equipped with a combination of domestically manufactured helicopters with old technologies and a few imported advanced ones. For more than two decades, the backbone of the PLA's attack helicopter teams was formed by the WZ-9, which was developed based on the French Eurocopter Dolphin. The Army did not have a dedicated combat helicopter until 2011, when the first WZ-10s were believed to have entered service with the PLA. Senior Colonel Xu Guolin, deputy chief of the PLA Army's Aviation Equipment Bureau, told the news channel all of the group armies will have at least one aviation brigade or regiment. According to a military white paper released in 2013, the PLA Army had 18 group armies at the time, but it is unclear if some of these have been merged or disbanded during troop cuts introduced at the start of this year. The WZ-10 is developed and produced by Changhe Aircraft Industries Group, a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corp of China, the country's leading aircraft manufacturer. It made its public debut in November 2012 at the 9th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as the Zhuhai Air Show. Aviation industry sources said the helicopter was designed primarily for anti-tank missions, but now has a secondary air-to-air combat capability. Wu Ximing, chief designer of the helicopter at Changhe Aircraft Industries, said the WZ-10 has superior maneuverability and combat compatibility compared with the WZ-9, although it is a little bit weaker in terms of engine capacity, ammunition-carrying ability and firepower. Wu Peixin, an aviation analyst in Beijing, said the PLA Army now has a strong force of dedicated combat helicopters thanks to the service of the WZ-10 and WZ-19, another attack helicopter that is less powerful than the WZ-10. "The Army now needs more medium-lift, multipurpose helicopters such as the US Army's Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk," he said. "This helicopter is capable of performing both combat operations and transport tasks." Gao Zhuo, a military observer in Shanghai, said the PLA Army needs at least 3,000 helicopters, especially heavy-lift transport types and multipurpose models. Western defense publications speculate that the PLA Army's aviation force has nearly 1,000 helicopters. Thousands of unionists have blocked the streets of central Melbourne in a show of support of 55 sacked Carlton brewery maintenance workers. Huge sections of the city have been shut down due to the huge number of protesting unionists - carrying Southern Cross flags - some who showed up for the rally. Protesting unionists carry Southern Cross flags in support of sacked workers The rally, which began at the AFL House, made its way to Parliament House, where the protest to reinstate the workers' jobs has continued. Motorists attempting to drive through the rally have been backed up on Bourke St, and some have spoken out in their frustrations. Following months of failed pay negotiations, the 55 workers were eventually sacked in June, before they were offered their jobs back at reduced pay and conditions. The rally began at the AFL House and made its way to Parliament House The unionists want the AFL to urge major sponsor CUB to reinstate the sacked workers. If the jobs are not reinstated, unionists have said there's a risk there could be a shortage of beer at upcoming finals matches. A union spokesman told AAP all members sought leave to attend the rally in support of the 55 fitters and electricians - members of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and the Electrical Trades Union. Unionists want CUB to reinstate the 55 workers on their original terms and conditions AMWU official Rohan Webb wants CUB to reinstate the 55 workers on their original terms and conditions. 'Until such time as that happens we are calling on every Australian who believes in a decent wage for a fair day's work to avoid buying any CUB products,' Mr Webb said. ACTU secretary Dave Oliver has said the enterprise agreement that sparked the industrial dispute was voted on by just three casuals working in Perth two years ago. Motorists attempting to drive through the rally have been backed up on Bourke St CUB spokeswoman Jennifer Howard said claims that CUB sacked the workers 'were rubbish' CUB spokeswoman Jennifer Howard said the workers' contract roles were above the award. She also said claims CUB sacked the workers 'were rubbish' because they were from an external company. The owner had left on a holiday to Bali and will not return until next week Mother left fuming after a car was parked blocking her driveway for a week A single-mother was left infuriated after her driveway was blocked by a parked car for a week while the owner holidayed in Bali. Katrina Gulabovski, contacted both the police and her local council after she found a Holden Astra blocking access to her home in St Peters, in Sydney's inner west, on Thursday last week. The owner, Lora Chevkenova, 24, who does not return from her holiday until next week has apologised for the inconvenience but says it is not her fault. A single-mother was unable to access her driveway for a week after the owner of a vehicle parked in front of her driveway was holidaying in Bali Ms Chevenko asked a friend to use her car to drive her to the airport and requested the vehicle be parked in Ms Gulabovski's street. 'I only wish I'd been contacted as soon as this happened - eight days ago - so I could have asked my friend to move it elsewhere then,' Ms Chevenko told Daily Mail Australia. 'Now, my car has been towed and the family has suffered for a whole week. 'I accept full responsibility for the incident but simply want to point out that I never received a call or message from the police, the council, the towing company or anyone else for that matter.' St Peters, a suburb within ten minutes drive of Sydney Airport, is a hotspot for travellers who wish to park their cars in a public street to escape hefty prices from using the airport's car park. Parking a vehicle at the airport's international car park for two weeks can cost more than $800 unless a ticket is purchased online which may drop the total cost. Lora Chevkenova (above) has said sorry but says it was not her fault as it was friend who parked her car after dropping her off at the airport The 24-year-old does not return from her Bali holiday until next week Ms Gulabovski was left battling with the authorities as police and council rangers struggled to agree whose responsibility it was to remove the car. 'Everybody was playing ping pong passing the responsibility...they didn't seem to know what the legislation was and whose responsibility it was,' Ms Gulabovski told Daily Mail Australia. 'I didn't even know what rights I had to get the car moved and it didn't help when I spoke to people who didn't know either. 'I even contacted the tow track company but they said they can only remove the car by police request or if they receive a request from the owner. I had done everything.' Ms Gulabovski said the authorities were playing 'ping pong' after she contacted her local council and police as no one appeared to know whose responsibility it was to remove the car Ms Gulabovski was left battling with the authorities as police and council rangers struggled to come to a decision as to whose responsibility it was to remove the car International parking rates at Sydney Airport 0 to 15 min Free 15 to 30 min $8.00 30 to 60 min $17.00 1 to 2 hrs $25.00 2 to 3 hrs $33.00 3 to 24 hrs $59.50 Each additional 24 hour period or part thereof is $59.50 Source: Sydney Airport Advertisement As the car was left in front of the drive way for a number of days Ms Gulabovski couldn't help but think of the worst case scenario. 'As a mother I thought of the worst case scenario... [I] thought this could be a missing person's case and their car was left in the driveway,' she said. 'If my children did this Id like the person to contact me and let me know, I just couldn't help but think about all the negative things that could have happened.' It wasn't until Wednesday evening that the car was towed away. 'I just wanted an effective strategy to move the car, without the frustration, without the delay,' Ms Gulabovski said, 'There was a domino effect on my whole family, we were left frustrated. 'The system is wrong on so many levels and I want to be the voice for the people I want things changed I want the strategy shifted so we can all park here in some sort of harmony,' she said. The local council has since contacted Ms Gulabovski and apologised for the delay. A Melbourne university student has been saved from expulsion and possible deportation after raising $20,000 from crowdfunding by kindhearted strangers. Struggling international economics student Sanduni Sulochana became buried in debt after her family in Sri Lanka found themselves unable to support her. Unable to cover $4,500 in overdue fees and an $8,000 upcoming payment, close friend Thavisha Rambukwella started a campaign on GoFundMe. In less than two weeks over $19,000 was raised by almost 150 people, more than covering her outstanding debt and catering for the rest of her semester's expenses. But the crowdfunding campaign has prompted some social media users to question whether the financial support was warranted or deserved in the first place. Sanduni Sulochana became buried in debt at her Melbourne university, but her struggles were solved after a crowdfunding campaign raised almost $20,000 to help pay overdue fees A glimpse at Ms Sulochana's Instagram account reveals regular night out on the town dining at fancy restaurants, such as Oriental Spoon (above) where a main can cost upwards of $50 'Look, while I don't want to see her kicked out in her final semester, I don't like the precedent that these stories set,' wrote one man. 'Let's not give to homeless people, or charities, or cancer research. Let's give to a uni student so she can go off and get a high paying job. It encourages people to not have to work harder, but just to aim for a handout.' While some argued it was a case of undeserved charity, others still suggested it was a 'disgrace' that Australian universities were taking in students unable to provide proof they could financially support themselves for the duration of their degree. A glance at Ms Sulochana's Instagram account reveals she still manages to eat out at restaurants for dinner, regularly uploading photos from nights out on the town. The cash-strapped student appears to be a regular customer at Oriental Spoon, a Korean BBQ restaurant where a main meal can set you back $50. Divided opinion: While some social media users said it was great to see the public get behind a struggling student, others argued it only encouraged young people to look for a handout The GoFundMe campaign raised over $19,000 with 145 donations in less than two weeks On the GoFundMe campaign description, Ms Rambukwella said Ms Sulochana was unable to pay off her university debt because of her rent. 'She is working at the moment but everything she earns goes towards paying her rent. She can't come up with it on her own and her parents are at a place where they are unable to settle this amount,' she wrote. But Ms Rambukwella stands by the decision to start the campaign. 'It was hard for me to see her in this situation and listen to her be so negative about most things about her life,' she said. 'She had asked a few people for help but no one responded and her deadline was so soon that I decided to do something about it.' 'Sanduni is over the moon and in shock at how many people got behind her. It restored her faith in people and she is so happy right now, which is so nice to see.' They're a summer must-have and a staple of Australian fashion. But it seems that a pair of thongs - also known as flip flops - can be used for more than just protecting your feet from searing hot sand. Dave Beasant from Redcliffe, Queensland is a tradesman and regular thong wearer. But after 'blowing out' a number of left thongs, and with multiple spares lying around, he eventually found an incredibly Australian alternative use for them - as mud flaps on his ute. Queensland man Dave Beasant (pictured) began wearing through his thongs too quickly and was left with spares around the house - so he found an alternative use for them as mud flaps 'My left thong kept blowing out to the point where I was going through a pair every few weeks,' Mr Beasant told Daily Mail Australia. 'I thought 'I'm not going to throw them out anymore' and so I bolted them to my mud flaps for something different.' The 42-year-old made headlines this week after local police took a photo of his vehicle and shared it to local media. Mr Beasant, who recently started a new glass glazing business, said his unique vehicle had quickly become a hit among locals. According to Mr Beasant his unique ute has become a hit among locals who often give him thumbs up as they drive past or take photos of his vehicle and share them to Facebook And he admits it's also uniquely Australian. 'Every time I pull up at a set of lights I look in my rear view mirror and they're taking photos and sharing them on Facebook,' he said. 'I've had people pull their thongs out and wave them at me and slap them out the window, which you'd only get in Australia. An irate passerby allegedly spat on a woman who was parked across a Melbourne footpath in her car. Police say the man appeared upset at the woman when he approached her on Sackville Street in Kew about 12.30pm last Wednesday. After the woman, who was on her phone, wound down her window to speak with him he allegedly spat at her. Police want to speak with this man over an incident in which a woman was allegedly spat on The offender was last seen running into nearby Daniell Place. A photo of a man wearing a black hoodie, black pants and black and orange trainers was taken at the scene. Police are appealing for help to identify him. Judge Tim Pontius (pictured), 68, who has worked as a Crown Court judge for more than 20 years, said it is now 'commonplace' to see 'more Polish, Romanian, Albanian and Russian defendants' in British courts An influx of Eastern European criminals in the UK is putting a huge financial burden on Britain's courts, a well-respected senior judge has warned. Judge Tim Pontius, who has worked as a Crown Court judge for more than 20 years, said it is now 'commonplace' to see 'more Polish, Romanian, Albanian and Russian defendants' in court. The 68-year-old said crimes committed by foreign defendants range from murder to large-scale frauds and violent assaults and said the increase was 'inevitable' given the number of migrants who have come to Britain in recent years. Among those to have committed a serious crime in the UK in the last few years are Arnis Zalkalns the convicted Latvian killer who abducted and murdered schoolgirl Alice Gross in west London, Dawid Tychon the Polish burglar who was part of a gang that brutally assaulted father-of-four professor Paul Kohler during a raid on his 2million Wimbledon home and Victor Akulic the Lithuanian who raped a woman within a year of entering the UK. During an interview given this week to mark his retirement, Judge Pontius said the rise of foreign defendants was placing an enormous pressure on the Ministry of Justice. He told The Telegraph: 'It is an extra financial burden, not least because where you have foreign defendants that means foreign witnesses as well and you need interpreters and they don't come cheap. 'That has been a significant increase in expenditure for the Ministry of Justice. It also means the trials take longer, not least because suddenly everything must be translated verbatim for the witnesses and defendants involved.' The judge, the son of an RAF pilot, said there had been a number of times throughout his successful career where he had questioned why a foreign defendant, who had lived in Britain for several years, still needed a translator. He told the newspaper: 'I sometimes ask: "How long have you been in this country?" and sometimes they say 20 years and I am amazed they have not learnt better English.' Among those foreign criminals are Arnis Zalkalns (left) the convicted Latvian killer who abducted and murdered schoolgirl Alice Gross and Dawid Tychon (right) the Polish burglar who brutally assaulted father-of-four Paul Kohler during a gang raid at his 2million home Judge Pontius, who has presided over more than 50 murder cases, is well-known within the justice system for his 'no-nonsense' approach to handing out sentences. He has previously warned that he is 'not a soft touch' and will not allow foreign criminals to come to the UK, commit a crime and receive a lenient sentence. Jailing a Romanian gang for a 1million theft campaign in May 2013, he said: 'Anyone who comes to the UK irrespective of what part of the world wanting to commit serious crime, must clearly understand such abuse of the hospitality of this country and its people must be seriously punished. 'No one should think for a moment that courts in the UK will be a soft touch. Sentences such as these must be seen as a powerful and effective deterrent not only to home-grown but also imported criminals.' In his latest interview, the judge also expressed concerns about the rise in historic sex abuse cases, describing it as 'troubling'. He has now retired from his role as a senior judge at the Old Bailey, being given a huge send-off in Court One on Tuesday. He now plans to take up playing the piano. Salim Mehajer will now be able to speak to his wife after the apprehended violence order taken out on Aysha and her brother-in-law's behalf was changed. The former Auburn deputy mayor is also permitted to approach Ms Learmonth, who reverted back to her maiden name following their estrangement, in person, The Daily Telegraph reported. Mehajer, who was banned by ASIC from managing a corporation for three years to protect 'others from his incompetence', did not front Wollongong Local Court in person but instead was represented by his lawyer, Matt Ward. Scroll down for video Salim Mehajer will now be able to speak to his wife after the apprehended violence order taken out on Aysha and her brother-in-law's behalf was changed The nine-month order was taken out by police on Ms Learmonth and Ben Miller's behalf after she left the couple's marital home earlier this year. Thursday's alteration to the order meant Mehajer could contact her but he was barred from stalking, making threats or assaulting Ms Learmonth. It also protected any who was in a relationship with Mehajer's estranged wife. The controversial property developer is also not allowed to walk into an address in Sydney Ms Learmonth often goes to. Mehajer did not front Wollongong Local Court in person but instead was represented by his lawyer, Matt Ward (left). The nine-month order was taken out by police on Ms Learmonth and brother-in-law Ben Miller's behalf after she left the couple's marital home earlier this year Ms Learmonth is pictured left here with one of Mehajer's sister, Kat This order also applies to his contact with Mr Miller and Mehajer is stay at least 100 metres away from his wife's brother-in-law's home in the Illawarra area. Thursday's hearing comes after Mehajer threatened to rape the parents of Ms Learmonth in a vicious and expletive-ridden video message. The shocking video aired on Channel Nine's A Current Affair last month showed the embattled property developer screaming into the camera. 'Aysha you've got five minutes to give me a call,' Mr Mehajer said. Thursday's hearing comes after Mehajer threatened to rape the parents of Ms Learmonth in a vicious and expletive-ridden video message 'I'm going to rape your mum. Your mum and your f****** dad'. The videos were reportedly sent after the former beauty therapist moved out of the estranged couple's marital home earlier this year and refused to talk to him. In a series of threatening videos, Mr Mehajer also accuses his estranged wife of sleeping with 12 men. 'I hope you die you f****** sl**,' he screams, his voice cracking from the exertion. Mr Mehajer also switches briefly to Arabic in the short clip. 'I swear on the Koran, I swear to God, I'm not leaving today,' he says. 'You f***ed f***ing twelve guys you sl**.' The first ever openly lesbian Miss America contestant took the stage for the first time during the second night of the preliminary competition on Wednesday. Miss Missouri Erin O'Flaherty, 23, strutted her stuff during the swimsuit competition and spoke about National Suicide Prevention Week during her on stage question. Miss Maryland Hannah Brewer and Miss Arkansas Savvy Shields won the night's preliminary contests in the swimsuit and talent portion. Scroll down for video Miss Missouri Erin O'Flaherty, 23, the first openly lesbian Miss America contestant, took the stage for the first time during the second night of the preliminary competition on Wednesday O'Flaherty strutted her stuff during the swimsuit competition and spoke about National Suicide Prevention Week during her on stage question Brewer won the swimsuit competition, while Shields nabbed the talent portion after jazz dancing to They Just Keep Moving The Line, a song from former NBC show Smash. 'We were just whispering to each other that it's so unreal,' Shields told reporters afterward. 'Every girl here is so talented.' 'And fit and beautiful,' added Brewer. Shields said she thinks she made a connection with the judges during her dance performance to the 'Smash' song - a television show about a Broadway production that was canceled after two seasons, leaving many fans, including her, in mourning. 'One of my favorite things about dance is connecting with the audience,' she said. 'Hopefully we got to tell our story a bit.' It was the second of three nights of preliminary competition at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall. The new Miss America will be crowned during Sunday night's nationally televised finale. Miss Maryland Hannah Brewer and Miss Arkansas Savvy Shields won the night's preliminary contests in the swimsuit and talent portion. Shields nabbed the talent portion after jazz dancing to They Just Keep Moving The Line, a song from former NBC show Smash. Miss North Dakota Macy Christianson performed a ballet to showcase her talent With 52 women vying for the crown, finding a way to stand out from the crowd is imperative, and contestants traditionally incorporate their home state into a humorous introduction of themselves. 'The city of North Pole is in my state, so now you know where your letters to Santa go!' announced Miss Alaska Kendall Bautista. 'From the Mile High state, home of the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos, I'm here to keep the winning streak going!' said Miss Colorado Shannon Patilla. 'From the only place in America close to paying women equally, catch up, America!' said Miss District of Columbia Cierra Jackson, who won Tuesday night's swimsuit competition. 'From the home of Nelly!' said O'Flaherty, referencing the popular rapper. And Miss Nevada Bailey Gumm offered, 'Over 80 percent of my state is owned by the federal government, so America, you might as well have me, too!' Contestants take the stage for the swimsuit competition during the second night of preliminary competition in the Miss America pageant Miss Utah Lauren Wilson (left) and Miss Puerto Rico Carole Rigual (right) walk during the swimsuit portion of the competition Jackson, Miss District of Columbia, got a rousing ovation for her rendition of 'Natural Woman,' the Carole King song made most famous by Aretha Franklin. Miss New Jersey Brenna Weick sang Someone Like You from' Jekyll & Hyde, Miss Minnesota Madeline Van Ert sang and played the piano on What a Wonderful World. Meanwhile, Miss New Mexico Stephanie Chavez went all-Jersey with a version of Frank Sinatra's That's Life. Supporting the military, helping children and seniors figured prominently in the onstage interviews some of the contestants gave. Miss Nebraska Aleah Peters spoke of combating cyberbullying by thinking twice before reposting something potentially hurtful to someone. 'We need to become aware of what's happening to that person behind the screen who's hurting every time we share that cruel content,' she said. The contestants wave to the crowd during the opening of the second night It was the second of three nights of preliminary competition at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall. The Miss New America will be crowned on Sunday night Miss Iowa Kelly Koch spoke of her group Pinky Swear that raises money for the families of kids with cancer. 'It pays for those mortgages and car payments so all their attention is on these children who have cancer,' she said. Miss Oklahoma Sarah Klein's platform is helping military service members 'from deployment through employment.' 'The greatest casualty is being forgotten,' she said. 'They have done their part and now it's time to do ours.' The competition was held at Boardwalk Hall in the city where the pageant began in 1921 as a way to extend the summer tourist season beyond Labor Day weekend. It includes contestants from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The first mass tank attack in history was severely compromised because British Army prisoners of war disclosed vital information to their German captors, it was revealed today. The October edition of the BBC History Magazine suggests soldiers from the 36th (Ulster) Division handed over details about the British Army's attack after being captured. Six soldiers from the unit were held by German forces following a night raid on November 18, 1917. They were captured in a section of northern France where British Empire forces were preparing for the Battle of Cambrai, during the First World War. A Mark IV (Male) tank (picutred) was ditched in a German trench during the Battle of Cambrai Until then the British had kept the offensive a secret, but during questioning some of the prisoners divulged details of the attack, including the presence of tanks and the planned date and time of the attack. Historian and author John Taylor made the discovery while researching German records relating to the battle for his new book, Deborah and the War of the Tanks. Mr Taylor found the betrayal - which cost human lives - was due to growing hostility to the British rule in Ireland at the time of the Easter Rising. As a result, members of the captured unit revealed the British Army's secret plans during questioning. Mr Taylor added that the details which were handed over may have changed the course of history. The historian found no evidence for the information being extracted under duress, instead the German interrogation report indicates the betrayal was the result of bitterness towards their superiors and the British in general. The PoWs were angry at being stationed in a vulnerable part of no man's land and at least for some of the PoWs about the political situation in Ireland, following the Easter Rising in the previous year. The interrogation report notes: 'A great animosity prevails towards England, with no interest whatever in her war aims. 'They [prisoners] say if an uprising takes place in Ireland, they would take up arms against England without more ado.' Taylor stresses it cannot be proven which of the six PoWs made these claims but he has identified two likely candidates, both Irish Catholics who may have harboured resentment about events in Ireland. The other four captives were either English or Irish Protestant loyalists. In light of the information, the Germans reinforced their defensive positions prior to the British attack on November 20 the first ever to be spearheaded by hundreds of tanks and critically stalled it at the hilltop village of Flesquieres. Despite the setback, the battle succeeded in proving the effectiveness of tanks, first used exactly a century ago on September 15 1916. Mr Taylor said: 'Because Flesquieres wasn't taken, the cavalry couldn't go through there, the key Bourlon ridge wasn't taken on the first day, and the whole operation eventually ran out of steam. Four of the captured soldiers from the 36th (Ulster) Division, along with two of their captors 'It wasn't the only setback, but what happened at Flesquieres was crucial and I've been able to show that the betrayal of information was key to the Germans being able to repel that attack. It really did change the course of history.' Mr Taylor added there was also a human cost to the prisoners' revelations. He said: 'They endangered their comrades. Some people were undoubtedly killed, and many tanks destroyed, as a direct result of the information they gave away.' While the full details of the betrayal have only just come to light, the British authorities were aware at the time that the prisoners had passed information to the Germans. Yet after the war, no action was taken against the men, all of whom survived the conflict. Mr Taylor thinks that this may be due to the 'enormous demobilisation' that had to be negotiated by the authorities, meaning 'there may not have been an appetite or the facility' to punish the former PoWs. A tree that was arrested by a drunk British officer more than 100 years ago has become a star attraction in Pakistan. The banyan tree is still tied down by chains in Peshawar having been arrested back in 1898 by James Squid, who was so inebriated he thought it was trying to run away from him. Despite it being mistaken for a symbol of slavery or oppression, a plaque nailed to the tree reveals its hilarious back story. Please release tree, let tree go: The banyan tree is still tied down by chains in Peshawar having been arrested back in 1898 by James Squid, who was so inebriated he thought it was trying to run away from him The plaque reads: I AM UNDER ARREST. 'One evening a British officer, heavily drunk, thought that I was moving from my original location and ordered Mess Sergeant to arrest me. 'Since then I am under arrest The tree has not been released, and remains at the Khyber Rifles Officers Mess at Landi Kotal Way. The tree under arrest for allegedly moving from its place in Khyber Rifles Mess at Landi Kotal #FATA Pakistan pic.twitter.com/TQAbphS3R5 Zahid Naseem (@znakbar) March 14, 2015 The bizarre attraction has become a hotspot for tourists to the disdain of some locals. One resident blasted it, and told the Express Tribune: Through this act, the British basically implied to the tribesmen that if they dared act against the Raj, they too would be punished in a similar fashion.' Police detain Gao Chengyong, a suspected serial killer, in Baiyin, Gansu province, on Aug. 26. [File photo] Gao Chengyong, dubbed "China's Jack the Ripper," raped and killed 11 women and girls between 1988 and 2002 at his victims' homes in Baiyin, Gansu Province and Baotou, Inner Mongolia. He often mutilated his victims, cutting off their breasts, ears, vagina and hands. The youngest victim was only 8 years old. But Gao, now 52, managed to evade justice until Aug. 26, when he was arrested at a retail store at a local school in Baiyin. He tried to escape, but police captured him. When officers asked him if he knew why he was arrested, he said it was because he'd killed people. Then he tried to kill himself in the interrogation room, banging his head against the bump positions of his chair. He needed three stitches for the wounds. After the alleged killer calmed down, he confessed all the details of the 11 cases with a blank expression. He could even remember the precise time of each murder case. When asked if he ever felt regret and remorse for victims and families, he shook his head. The only emotional moment was when he asked, "My cases, will they affect my children?" The city of Baiyin has been immersed in the shadow of these murder cases for 28 years. When Gao was arrested, citizens started to talk on the street and firecrackers were set off in celebration. The first victim, 23, a worker at the Baiyin Non-Ferrous Metal Company, was killed on a May afternoon in 1988. Gao said he was caught during a theft and decided to kill the homeowner. In that year, Gao's first son was born. In 1994, another victim, 19, was killed at a power supply bureau in Baiyin. A policeman said the victim was stabbed 43 times and that a whole wall was covered in blood. The killer even washed his body in a public laundry room in the staff dorm before he left. Four years later, an 8-year-old girl was killed in the same dormitory and her body was thrown into the cabinet, her parents said. Gao said he even drank a cup of tea at her home after the killing. In 1998, Gao killed a woman he met at a dancehall. Police began investigating local criminals, but came away with nothing. Gao said in his interrogation that he felt a desperate need to kill in 1998. In that single year, he killed four people, often mutilating their bodies afterwards. The suspect said he threw all the organs into the Yellow River. A rumor spread that there was a serial killer in Baiyin who killed women with long hair wearing red clothes. Shortly after, there were few local women with long hair or red clothes. The most regrettable moment was in 2001 when the police almost captured the suspect. On May 22, the police received a call from a victim saying she was being murdered. Her murmur before death didn't give specific details of her addresses, so police could not get there. Later the policemen found out that the crime scene was just a block away from their police station and only had one exit. If the police had moved in after the call, they could have caught the murderer. The killer killed his last victim in 2002 and then stopped for 14 years. Gao explained that he grew old and found himself physically not strong enough to kill people. Another reason was his two children were at school, and he went to Inner Mongolia to be a construction worker to earn money for them. But everything he did had become part of the collective memory of the city of Baiyin. The police tracked Gao through DNA tests and fingerprints after a relative of Gao was arrested for a separate bribe case. The policemen found the relative's DNA was similar to the suspect's in the murder cases, so they collected evidence and pinpointed the killer. "If you saw what the bodies looked like, you would want to catch the guy and put him in jail," said a policeman who had pursued the case for two decades. "I felt ashamed rather than happy," another retired policeman said. "I can't believe the real killer has been living under our nose for so long while we targeted other groups of people. The cases confused me and colleagues for so many years. " Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation. A hashtag calling for the end to oppressive laws in Saudi Arabia that allow men to control the lives of women has been sweeping Twitter. The tag #StopEnslavingSaudiWomen and its Arabic translation, has been posted thousands of times in a bid to speak out about male guardianship laws. In the Islamic nation, women must have an appointed male guardian, usually their father or husband, who are given legal control over their lives. A hashtag calling for the end to oppressive laws in Saudi Arabia that allow men to control the lives of women has been sweeping Twitter They must seek permission from their guardians to carry out certain activities including travelling, studying, marrying or even having surgery. But now women in Saudi Arabia and across the world are using social media to call for an end to the laws, as protests and rallies in the country are banned and can carry prison sentences. In one tweet, a Saudi woman posted a picture of herself in traditional Islamic dress, while holding a sign reading: 'I can't study... he said no.' Another wrote: 'Women can't drive, can't travel or study without a male guardian's permission. Women don't have basic human rights #StopEnslavingSaudiWomen.' While another said: '#StopEnslavingSaudiWomen with all that restriction towards women, there is not a single rule to control men of animalistic behaviour.' Kristine Beckerle, from New York-based Human Rights Watch said she has been flabbergasted by the social media campaign, which has shown solidarity among Saudi Women. The tag #StopEnslavingSaudiWomen and its Arabic translation has been posted thousands of times in a bid to speak out about male guardianship laws Women in Saudi Arabia and across the world are using social media to call for an end to the laws, as protests and rallies in the country are banned and can carry prison sentences She told the Jerusalem Post: 'The media is not free and Saudi women themselves face many levels of difficulty. To see women take up the call and demand their rights has been incredible. 'Basically, from when they are born to when they die, Saudi women require male guardians, who are given legal control over their lives. 'Male guardianship is the most significant impediment to womens rights in Saudi Arabia today.' Saudi Arabia has long been seen as an ultra-conservative society, where there are many restrictions placed on the lives of women. However, there have been campaigns in the past to change this and in 2013, women tried to overturn a law which sees them banned from driving. Several Saudi women have driven in protest against the rules against driving and have been jailed as a result (file picture) Women driving in Saudi Arabia is not technically against the law, but is banned in practice because women are not able to obtain driving licences. But Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman refused to end the ban, saying he was 'not convinced about women driving' and sees negative consequences if it is allowed. It came after Saudi Arabias top cleric defended the ban on women driving, claiming it would expose them to evil. The two 'radicalised' daughters of an Islamist preacher are being hunted by police after a car packed full of gas cylinders was left near Notre Dame in Paris. A Peugeot 607 was found with its lights flashing in a no-parking zone in Paris's Rue du Petit-Point, across the River Seine from Notre Dame, at 7.30am on Sunday. The car's owner, known to authorities for spreading Islamist ideas, was released on Tuesday evening. But his two daughters, described as having been 'radicalised', are wanted for questioning, police said, adding that one of them, a 19-year-old, was known for having the intention of leaving for Syria. A Peugeot 607 (pictured) was found with its lights flashing in a no-parking zone in Paris's Rue du Petit-Point, across the River Seine from Notre Dame, at 7.30am on Sunday It comes as it emerged a second couple had been arrested over the incident, which sources say may have been a 'test run' for a terror attack. The pair were picked up near Montargis, about 65 miles south of the French capital bringing to four the number of people held in connection with the abandoned vehicle. A source close to the case said that those involved may have been rolling out a 'test run'. Police arrested a first couple at a service station on a road in southern France and said they were known to the security services for having links to radical Islamists. Yesterday, it was reported that a radicalised French woman who wanted to run away and join ISIS was among those in custody in Paris. The suspect - 29 and on a terror watch list - disappeared with her boyfriend, aged 34, early on Sunday morning. Pictures show a row of houses in the neighbourhood where police picked up a second couple overnight in Chalette sur Loing, near Montargis, about 65 miles south of Paris This was when her Peugeot 607 was found after a bar worker alerted police to the vehicle. There were seven gas canisters inside - promoting fears of a terrorist attack on the ancient place of worship, which is high on a list of ISIS targets. Despite being in the heart of tourist Paris, the suspect vehicle had been left untouched in the no-parking zone for a full two hours before the alarm was raised by someone living nearby. 'It may have been that they were on a test run,' said a source close to the case, who added: 'There was nobody in the car, and the cannisters were not connected to any detonator or explosives.' He said six full cannisters were in the boot of the Peugeot, and an empty one was on the back seat. Documents written in Arabic were also found in the car. The Peugeot had no number plate, but forensics experts managed to find DNA belonging to the couple, who were both well known to police. The couple were finally caught close to the southern city of Orange on Tuesday, while 'trying to escape to Spain,' said a source close to the case. A car packed with gas cylinders was discovered close to the Notre-Dame cathedral in central Paris, it has emerged. Armed police are pictured guarding the building earlier this year The vehicle, a Peugot 607 without a licence plate, was found with its hazard lights flashing close to the landmark building (file picture) in the heart of the French capital They were interviewed at length by police in Avignon, before being transferred to Paris in an armed convoy. Investigators have spent the past four days raiding the homes of anybody who might be linked to them. Six people were originally arrested, with the woman and her boyfriend remaining in custody in a high-security police station. All the others have been released. The woman now lives in the Loiret department, south of Paris, but she originally comes from the northern Paris of suburbs, in the Seine-Saint-Denis department. Her father has told officers that she was 'radicalised as a teenager', and had expressed the wish to go and fight with ISIS abroad. The suspect had told her parents that she was 'going away with a friend' at the weekend, and that her parents had not heard from her since. ISIS has threatened Notre Dame as part of its violent campaign against France for sending war planes to bomb terror bases in countries including Syria and Iraq. In May, Patrick Calvar, the head of France's DGSI internal security agency, said he was confident ISIS would 'reach the stage of car bombs'. So far the terrorist organisation has used AK47s and suicide vests to murder and maim in the French capital. But Mr Calvar told a committee of MPs that car bombs were used during terrorist attacks between the 1970s and 1990s. Many were placed by Israeli and Arab operatives who effectively bought the Israel-Palestine war on to the streets of Paris. On Tuesday, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the 'terrorist menace has never been so high'. On November 13 last year, an ISIS suicide unit carried out a series of attacks that left 137 dead, including the perpetrators. Prosecutors have told a court that Marcus Rappel, who pleaded guilty to the murder of his ex-partner Tara Costigan, should receive a life sentence for the crime. Rappel killed 28-year-old Ms Costigan in Canberra in February 2015, striking her with an axe while she held their daughter in her arms. It was described in court as 'one of the must brutal murders imaginable', reported the Canberra Times. Scroll down for video Prosecutors have told a court that Marcus Rappel (pictured), who pleaded guilty to the murder of his ex-partner Tara Costigan, should receive a life sentence for the crime Rappel (left) killed 28-year-old Ms Costigan (right) in February 2015, striking her with an axe while she held their daughter in her arms Rappel has pleaded guilty to her death, breaching a protection order, assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and assault occasioning actual bodily harm stemming from the domestic violence attack. On Thursday in the Supreme Court of the ACT prosecutor Shane Drumgold said the murder was a 'heinous, pitiless slaughter of a loving, caring mother'. Mr Drumgold told the court Rappel deserved the maximum penalty. 'Life sentences are reserved for the worst category of cases. It's extremely difficult, if not impossible, to conjure up a worse case of murder than this one,' he told the court. Barrister Steven Whybrow, instructed by Ben Aulich and Associates, acknowledged the crime warrants a lengthy sentence but it arguing against Rappel being handed a life sentence. It comes as Ms Costigan's grief-stricken family told the court this month of the pain they have endured since her murder Ms Costigan had given birth to her and Rappel's daughter just a week before she was murdered (Ms Costigan pictured with their baby daughter and her two older sons) She was killed after seeking an interim domestic violence order against Rappel and just one week after she gave birth to their daughter - Ms Costigan's third child. Ms Costigan's aunt, Maria Costigan, told a sentencing hearing at the ACT Supreme Court in Canberra how this 'one act of rage' had 'changed everything' for the family, the Canberra Times reported. 'You were the love of her life Marcus. She adored you. Would have done anything for you. You took advantage of her beautiful nature and you tortured her,' she said. Tara Costigan, 28, was killed in February last year by Marcus Rappel at her Canberra home in February last year (Ms Costigan and Rappel pictured together) 'Your filthy, jealous temper has destroyed more than one life, it has created an avalanche of destruction for many, many people.' She also spoke of the enormous toll the murder had taken on Tara Costigan's two young sons. 'Imagine your protective mother being murdered with an axe by a raging, out-of-control monster, then watching her die right in front of your eyes,' she said. 'They have a life sentence.' Rappel also took to the stand and said that the break-up sent him into despair. Her sister Rikki Schmidt (pictured) made the triple-0 call when Rappel murdered Ms Costigan He denied he planned the murder, saying he bought the axe to chop up their furniture not to harm Ms Costigan with. 'I'm so sorry and I tell Tara that every day,' he said. 'I just lose it, I went like a zombie. I'd been dumped and I'd just lost my family.' It has so far been a harrowing ordeal for the Costigan family members who wailed in court last month as the triple-0 call her sister made after the attack was played. The harrowing triple-0 call her sister Rikki Schmidt made was played in the ACT Supreme Court as the family cried, Canberra Times reported. Ms Schmidt was also injured in the February 28 attack last year at Ms Costigan's Calwell home in south Canberra. In the triple-0 call, Ms Schmidt can be heard pleading the operator to hurry up when he asked what had happened. 'My sister's ex-boyfriend came into the house with an axe.' Rappel has pleaded guilty to the violent death of Ms Costigan. He denied he planned the murder and bought axe to cut up their furniture Ms Costigan is pictured with her two young sons while she was pregnant with her third child - whom she gave birth to just a week before she was murdered When the operator asked for more details about her injuries, Ms Schmidt frantically screamed: 'She's got an axe wound on her neck.' He again asked for more details, to which she said: 'No I don't she's hardly breathing,' audio played by ABC revealed. 'She's going to die, can you please hurry up.' Family at the home at the time of the attack held a towel to her neck in an attempt to stem the bleeding. The case continues before Justice John Burns. Theresa May met Donald Tusk today to lay the groundwork for her first EU summit next week Theresa May was today told the 'ball is in the UK's court' on Brexit as she was urged to start official negotiations. Mrs May welcomed European Council president Donald Tusk to Downing Street for a working breakfast of scrambled eggs and smoked salmon today ahead of next week's talks among the other 27 EU nations. Mr Tusk insisted as his meeting with Mrs May began it was in 'everyone's interests' for the official Brexit talks to begin as soon as possible. Mrs May has refused to trigger Article 50, the treaty clause outlining how to quit the EU, before the end of the year. Officials from the 27 states are meeting in Bratislava without Britain for the first time next week and Mrs May will attend her first summit as Prime Minister in October. Today's meeting came as ministers were warned against being overly optimistic about negotiating trade deals as a former chief of UK Trade and Investment said new agreements could take a decade. In a sign that Brussels was waiting for Mrs May to clarify when she will trigger Article 50, Mr Tusk said it was a 'crucial time' for the UK and for the EU and he wanted the process to start 'as soon as possible'. EU 'FANATIC' WILL TACKLE BREXIT FOR BRUSSELS The European Parliament today appointed former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt as its lead Brexit negotiator. Mr Verhofstadt, who leads the liberal grouping in the parliament, is a strident federalist. It is understood that he will lead moves to block the appointment of Britains new European Commissioner Sir Julian King at a European Parliament meeting in Strasbourg next week in a bid to force Theresa May to start formal Brexit negotiations. Ukip MEP Nigel Farage yesterday said: Mr Verhofstadt is a fanatical supporter of EU federalism even by the standards of the European Parliament. This appointment will no doubt speed up the UK's exit from the European Union. Advertisement The leaders of the other 27 EU nations will hold talks in Bratislava next week and Mr Tusk said they would 'discuss the political consequences of Brexit' for Europe. But he told Mrs May: 'It doesn't mean that we are going to discuss our future relations with the UK in Bratislava, because for this - and especially for the start of the negotiations - we need the formal notification, I mean triggering Article 50. 'This is the position shared by all 27 member states. To put it simply, the ball is now in your court. 'I'm aware that it is not easy but I still hope you will be ready to start the process as soon as possible. 'I have no doubt that at the end of the day our common strategic goal is to establish the closest possible relations.' Mrs May said she wanted a 'smooth' Brexit process and told Mr Tusk they had 'serious issues' to discuss. After the meeting, Mrs May's official spokeswoman said it had been a cordial first formal discussion between the pair, who met briefly at the G20 summit earlier this week. Mrs May met Mr Tusk on the steps of Downing Street this morning before a working breakfast a week before the next EU summit Mrs May on Wednesday told MPs she was seeking 'the right deal' on trade in goods and services after Britain withdraws from the EU before meeting with Mr Tusk today The spokeswoman said: 'It was a good meeting. The majority of the discussion was around Brexit and the process moving forward, the decision of the British people in the referendum, and the views expressed in the European Union. 'The main points the Prime Minister made were about working together so there is a smooth process for the UK leaving the European Union. That is why we are taking time for the negotiations.' The Prime Minister accepts the 'ball is in Britain's court', as indicated by Mr Tusk, because triggering an exit from the EU is the responsibility of the member state. Mrs May's spokeswoman said Britain's timetable of using the trigger in 2017 was accepted as necessary to allow proper preparations for the negotiations. Mr Tusk tweeted as the meeting began that the balls was 'in UK court' and urged a swift start to negotiations on Brexit Mrs May's talks took place after she slapped down Brexit Secretary David Davis for suggesting that continued membership of the single market was 'very improbable'. Mr Davis's comment appeared to play into the hands of EU countries who have insisted that Britain cannot have full control over its borders and remain a member of the free trade zone. The talks will also touch on migration, trade and Ukraine, but observers will be keen to see if they yield any more details on Brexit. Mr Tusk today said: 'Our goal to establish closest possible EU-UK relations. Ball in UK court to start negotiations. 'In everybody's best interest to start asap.' Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was also in Downing Street this morning (pictured) as Mrs May met with Mr Tusk Mrs May on Wednesday told MPs she was seeking 'the right deal' on trade in goods and services after Britain withdraws from the EU. She added: 'We will not take decisions until we are ready, we will not reveal our hand prematurely and we will not provide a running commentary on every twist and turn of the negotiations.' Former UKTI chief Sir Andrew Cahn today warned swift trade deals were 'highly unrealistic' She refused to say whether she wanted the UK to remain in the European single market. Former UKTI chief Sir Andrew Cahn today warned swift trade deals were 'highly unrealistic'. The intervention comes days after Australia warned it would take at least two and a half years to make an agreement with Britain as it was impossible for the UK to sign before completing Brexit. Sir Andrew said: 'Trade deals are unsentimental instruments of real world economic and political reality. 'The more economic weight you have the better deal you get. 'We've been out there shouting from the rooftops saying, 'We want a trade deal'. It is not hard to see that that puts us in a weaker position. ' 'We might be able to get a couple of trade deals with friendly countries like Australia within the government's timescale but any trade deal of scale will take a decade or more at least.' Brexit means we need a government of 'national unity', Nick Clegg claims 18 months after leading his party to electoral disaster - and even hints HE could run it Mr Clegg, whose book Politics: Between the Extremes is published this month, said that the UK was currently in 'a lull, a calm before the storm' Britain's vote to leave the European Union will lead to 'serious economic ructions and political gridlock' which could require the creation of a government of national unity, Nick Clegg has suggested. The former Liberal Democrat leader said that a 'rethink' of Britain's politics will be needed to restore a culture of reason and compromise. But he played down the prospect of a new centre-left party taking in Lib Dems along with moderate Labour supporters and some Tories. Mr Clegg - who stepped down as his party's leader after seeing the Lib Dems reduced from 57 to eight seats in last year's election - indicated that he does not believe his own political career is over, telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme that his passion for politics is as strong as ever. Mr Clegg, whose book Politics: Between the Extremes is published this month, said that the UK was currently in 'a lull, a calm before the storm'. 'I think the consequences of the vote on June 23 and the inability of this Government to decide what to do about it will lead to real serious economic ructions and political gridlock over the coming years,' he said. 'I think the appetite from the British public for people to put country rather than narrow party advantage first will return and in a sense the reassurance that Theresa May is seeking to give by taking things very steadily hides a very perilous position that this country is going to head into in the next few years.' The Sheffield Hallam MP told Today: 'I think people haven't entirely yet appreciated how much the pendulum of our democracy has just stopped. The system has broken down. 'We've got an unelected new Government in power with the backing of 24% of eligible voters. Scotland is now a one-party fiefdom in the hands of the nationalists. Labour can never win again. 'The central transmission mechanism of a democracy - that the people in power worry that someone else might take power away from them - has stopped. We need to rethink how we do politics in this country. A 10-year-old North Florida boy has been arrested on a manslaughter charge in connection with the death of his two-year-old cousin. The young boy was booked into a juvenile detention center on Wednesday morning, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office. His cousin, Journee Blyden, was injured in her home on Hemlock Course Run in Ocala - about 80 miles northwest of Orlando - on June 21. Two-year-old Journee Blyden (pictured) was injured in her home on June 21 and later died in hospital from severe head trauma She later died in hospital from severe head trauma. The 10-year-old told police they had been playing and she fell out of a playpen, and stopped breathing. A medical examiner determined the playpen story didn't add up and ruled the death a homicide. The suspect's sister later told authorities her brother had regularly hit her and Blyden. Journee Blyden was injured in her home on Hemlock Course Run in Ocala (pictured) - about 80 miles northwest of Orlando After further questioning, the boy told deputies he fell while holding Blyden and then accidentally pushed her off a counter. A former beauty queen who suffered third-degree burns after a grenade blew up in her face will stand trial on ice trafficking charges. In February, Felicia Djamirze, 29, was sleeping inside a Susan River home, north of Brisbane, with then boyfriend Dean O'Donnell, 35, when she says officers threw 'flash' grenades into the bedroom during a drug raid. The former Miss Australia International and Miss Tourism Queen Australia was later charged as part of a police operation targeting large scale ice trafficking, The Courier Mail reports. Former beauty queen Felicia Djamirze, 29, will stand trial for ice trafficking charges The former Miss Australia International and Miss Tourism Queen Australia says officers threw 'flash' grenades into the bedroom of her Queensland home during a drug raid in February In an interview with A Current Affair earlier this year, Djamirze said she will plead not guilty and had 'nothing to hide'. During the early morning raids on a handful of homes earlier this year, which included the house the couple were sleeping in, police found 2kg of the drug ice, meth oil and steroids, according to a Queensland Police statement at the time. Police also uncovered seven high-powered illegal weapons and two silencers. The model was charged with drug trafficking and her boyfriend, who is allegedly linked to the Rebels bikie club, was charged with both drug and weapons offences. Djamirze denied the charges and her lawyer Chris Ford added police had not allowed her to see to her injuries and paramedics did not show up at the scene for 40 minutes. The case will now be transferred to the Supreme Court. In an interview with A Current Affair earlier this year, Djamirze said she will plead not guilty and had 'nothing to hide' The model was charged with drug trafficking and her then boyfriend, Dean O'Donnell, 35, (left) who is allegedly linked to the Rebels bikie club, was charged with both drug and weapons offences A catalogue of missed opportunities from the authorities allowed a mentally ill man to stab a much-loved academic on his way to post cards. Femi Nandap, 23, has pleaded guilty to knifing Dr Jeroen Ensink, 41, who suffered catastrophic injuries after he was repeatedly stabbed in the back outside his Islington home on December 29 last year. Today, it emerged the academic's killer was caught with two kitchen knives after assaulting a policeman but the case was dropped because the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) claimed they did not have enough evidence to prosecute him. Guilty: Femi Nandap, 23, left, has admitted the killing of Dr Jeroen Ensink, 41, pictured, who was repeatedly stabbed in the back outside his Islington home Family: Dr Ensink's wife holds the couple's daughter Fleur - who was 11 days old when her father died Tragedy: Dr Ensink was off to post cards to tell loved ones about the birth of his beloved daughter Fleur Nandap, of Woolwich, south east London, was arrested in May last year and charged with wielding knives in public and assaulting a police officer. He later flew back to Nigeria in June for three months, missing his bail appointment in August. He finally appeared in court in October, but was granted bail by magistrates - despite objections from the prosecutor. The prosecutor at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court on October 12 objected to Nandap being granted bail after he previously failed to surrender. But bail was still granted following representations from the defence. The CPS dropped the knife and assault charges on December 23 after deciding their was 'insufficient evidence' to obtain a conviction. Six days later he stabbed Dr Ensink to death in the street. Dr Ensink was killed 11 days after he became a father for the first time and he had gone out to post new baby cards to inform friends and family of the arrival of his daughter Fleur. Much-loved: Dr Ensink had just had his first child with wife Nadja Ensink Teich, who walked outside to find her husband fatally injured Nandap approached Dr Ensink in the street and straddled him while stabbing him repeatedly and when witnesses rushed to protect him the killer stood nearby still clutching a large kitchen knife. The new baby cards were strewn on the pavement around him and splattered with the much-loved academic's blood. Nandap had launched his ferocious random attack while Dr Ensink's wife Nadja was at home with the baby awaiting his return. When he failed to arrive, she went outside to find police had cordoned off the street and the cards her husband had been carrying strewn on the pavement splattered in blood. HOW CPS DUMPED KILLER'S CASE EVEN THOUGH HE HAD TWO KNIVES AND HIT A PC The academic's killer was caught with two kitchen knives after assaulting a policeman but the case was dropped because the CPS claimed they did not have enough evidence to prosecute him. Nandap, of Woolwich, south east London, was arrested in May last year and charged with wielding knives in public and assaulting a police officer. Nandap later flew back to Nigeria in June for three months, missing his bail appointment in August. He finally appeared in court in October, but was granted bail by magistrates - despite objections from the prosecutor. The prosecutor at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court on October 12 objected to Nandap being granted bail after he previously failed to surrender. But bail was still granted following representations from the defence. The CPS dropped the knife and assault charges on December 23 after deciding their was 'insufficient evidence' to obtain a conviction. Six days later he stabbed Dr Ensink to death in the street. Advertisement Friends said he had been overjoyed to have become a father and had 'doted' on his child. Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Piscopo, of the Met's Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: 'Dr Jeroen Ensink left his home that lunchtime to post a number of cards to friends and family to inform them of the recent birth of his daughter. What should have been the happiest time of Jeroen's life was ended by the violent and unprovoked actions of Nandap. 'Jeroen had only walked a short distance when he was approached by Nandap, who launched into a vicious attack with a knife. He did not stand a chance, and now, sadly, his daughter will grow up without her father in her life.' It can revealed today that the killer had knife and assault charges against a policeman dropped just days before the fatal stabbing. At an earlier hearing now retired Judge Charles Wide QC demanded prosecutors find out why and said: 'I imagine a judge might be concerned about the discontinuance of three charges in the five days before this incident.' 'I've no idea of the circumstances, but I could see there may be some public concern about that.' The Crown Prosecution Service said today it dropped Nandap's knife and police assault charges because of a 'lack of evidence' - but said even if he was prosecuted he would still be free on bail. A spokesman said: 'This was a tragic case and our sympathies are with Mr Ensink's family. 'The case against Timchang Nandap was discontinued on 23 December following a review that determined there was insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction. 'Even if the case had proceeded, the bail conditions he was subject to until his scheduled trial would not have prevented him being at the location of the incident on December 29 2015.' Julian Hendy, of charity Hundredfamilies, said: 'This is another deeply distressing case of an innocent man and young family destroyed by the violent actions of a seriously mentally ill offender. 'These cases are happening now far too often and we await with interest the results of the psychiatric investigations to see if there were opportunities that could have prevented this terrible tragedy.' Dr Ensink, who is originally from the Netherlands, was a lecturer in public health at the London university since 2008. He was an expert in sanitation and water management, and worked in developing countries including Ethiopia, Senegal, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. Scene: Police standing guard near Dr Ensink's home in Holloway after he was killed by the mentally ill knifeman The lecturer had just become a father and was working on a study in the Democratic Republic of Congo to help prevent cholera at the time of his death. The 41-year-old, a biologist, suffered multiple stab wounds after being attacked at around 1.50pm. Nandap, of Pett Street, Woolwich, southeast London, denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. Court records show he was at Highbury Corner Magistrates' court on 12 October last year accused of possession of a knife and assaulting a police officer. It was alleged he had two kitchen knives with him in Primrose Gardens, Edmonton, on May 22, 2015, and that he assaulted PC Wellings on the same day. Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson QC said Nandap had skipped bail on the previous matters when he was allowed to fly to Nigeria, returning in October instead of August as agreed. But the court heard he was not prosecuted for a bail offence. Shocking: Nandap had skipped bail on the previous matters when he was allowed to fly to Nigeria, returning in October instead of August as agreed. But the court heard he was not prosecuted for a bail offence. But when the charges were dropped he knifed Dr Ensink in an apparently motiveless attack. At a brief hearing at the Old Bailey on Thursday, Nandap, of Woolwich, south-east London, admitted the manslaughter of Dr Ensink by reason of diminished responsibility and the case was adjourned until October 10 for sentencing. Dr Ensink, originally from Holland, was a renowned water engineer and a dedicated humanitarian who was committed to improving access to water and sanitation in deprived countries. At the time of the killing, Professor Peter Piot, director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: 'Dr Ensink joined the school almost a decade ago, and at the time of his death he was leading a large study in the Democratic Republic of Congo to understand how improvements in water supply could control and prevent cholera outbreaks.' A memorial fund set up in the wake of Dr Ensink's killing has raised more than 20,000, with donations from friends and former students alike. Lauren D'Mello-Guyett wrote: 'Always in my thoughts! Jeroen was a great friend, mentor, laugher (sic) and could always make you feel great. I owe so much to him and his guidance. Remembered and never forgotten.' Dorica Boyee's message stated: 'Jeroen was a blessing to this world. May his light continue to shine through his legacy.' The twin brother of Paige Doherty's killer was a registered sex offender who evaded a prison term after he dragged a woman into a bush and assaulted her. John Leathem, 32, admitted killing 15-year-old Paige in a 'savage and frenzied attack' at his deli in Clydebank which left her with nearly 150 wounds, including 61 stab wounds, 43 of which were to her head and neck. As Leathem awaits sentencing, it has been revealed his twin brother George pounced on a woman in Glasgow in 2003 before sexually assaulting her. George Leathem pleaded guilty to sexual assault in 2004. He was 19 when he pounced on the woman in Glasgow's Linkwood Road in September 2003 John Leathem faces a life sentence after he admitted repeatedly stabbing the schoolgirl Glasgow's High Court heard Leathem attacked Paige after she threatened to say he'd 'touched her' if he did not give her a job. The court was told Paige's reaction hit a nerve and he was afraid of being wrongly branded a pervert due to his brothers previous conviction. George Leathem pleaded guilty to sexual assault in 2004. He was 19 when he pounced on the woman in Glasgow's Linkwood Road in September 2003, the Daily Record revealed. Paige went missing in Dunbartonshire in March. Her body was found two days later The investigation into her death focused on the Delicious Deli, where she was last seen He grabbed her by the hair and dragged her through bushes before carrying out a sexual assault. He pleaded guilty to the attack at Glasgow Sheriff Court the following year and was sentenced to a three-year probation order, along with 200 hours of community service. He was also placed on the sex offenders' register for three years and ordered to take part in a programme that manages sex offender cases. When approached about his brother's arrest earlier this year, George Leathem insisted John 'never did anything'. Police at the scene where Paige's body was found following a huge search in March this year Hundreds turned out for the schoolgirl's funeral after her killing shocked the Scottish town On Monday, John Leathem pleaded guilty to murdering Paige Doherty after Glasgow's High Court. A search was launched for the Scottish schoolgirl after she failed to arrive at her weekend hairdressing job in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire in March. Chilling CCTV footage from neighbouring shops shows Paige arriving at Leathem's deli around 8.15am on March 19. It is understood she was killed around 10 minutes later and her body was found three days later in bushes. Leathem is understood to have stored Paige's body in a shed at his home before driving to a wooded area off and dumping her body before opening for business on the morning of Monday, March 21. The court heard Paige died from a neck wound some four inches long and nearly two inches deep. A huge argument over school uniform has gone into its third day as a 'Gestapo' headteacher refused to back down and continued to turn children away at the gates. Hartsdown Academy has become a battleground between parents and staff, with headteacher Matthew Tate refusing to let pupils into school for flouting the strict dress code. For the third day, four teachers locked the gates and individually inspected pupils as they arrived, letting them in one by one. Father Dave Hopper, 38, has blasted Mr Tate for his strict enforcement of the school's uniform policy and for refusing to let some students in. Scroll down for video Headteacher Matthew Tate (pictured today) continued to refuse to let pupils into school for flouting the strict dress code Mr Tate (pictured) talked to parents outside the school this morning as he continued to turn children away His daughter Kim, 13, was not allowed entry to school on Tuesday because she didn't have her blazer - which she had left in the school over summer. When she returned on Wednesday, the school decided her shoes were a problem too - leaving Mr Hopper at the end of his tether. And today, Mr Hopper has decided not to take Kim to school, fearing she would be turned away again. The two waited outside the school, but were blanked by teachers. Mr Hopper said: 'We went and waited at the school, but we were totally ignored by her head of year. 'The gates are locked up again, with four teachers waiting for pupils. 'The fact that he's relented to some parents sets a precedent - if he's relenting to one, he should relent to all. 'I didn't want for any of this, I'm not trying to attract attention, but I'm not going to back down. 'It's just dragging on and on.' Father-of-seven Dave Hopper (with his daughter Kim) said that he was unhappy with the ambiguity of the policy, and the school's hypocrisy in who they're letting in Father-of-seven Mr Hopper said that he was unhappy with the ambiguity of the policy, and the school's hypocrisy in who they're letting in. He claims that one parent had her daughter let in, despite her skirt being too short, after drafting in a TV crew to interrogate the headteacher. Mr Hopper said: 'Her shoes are suede, but apparently the head will only allow leather. 'I was unaware of this - we were just told plain black shoes. 'I'm all for rules, uniform, and conforming, but the policy was too open to interpretation and ambiguity. 'It's become a matter of principle now because he changed his mind on one parent and child. 'Her skirt was too short because she's tall, but once Good Morning Britain challenged him, he decided to let her in. 'Why say yes to her and no to us? It's set a precedent.' Mr Hopper has informed the local education authority of his plans to withdraw Kim from Hartsdown Academy, and is looking for another school for his daughter. He said he would be willing to work with the school moving forward if they apologised and cleared up the ambiguity of the current code. Mr Hopper added: 'I will remain steadfast and resolute in my action. 'It's these shoes or no school. I'm not afraid to speak my mind, and I will stay it out, I'm stubborn. 'Kim has been really pragmatic about the whole thing. 'She understands the uniform policy, but she's quite angry and upset. 'She wants to see her friends who she hasn't seen for 6 weeks, and she wants to be at school. Teachers were stopping children at the gate and made a decision whether to let them in based on their uniform Teachers were spotted examining the children's uniform before they let them into the school 'She's also angry at the headteacher for the way he's spoken to her.' The family have received criticism online from people who believe their efforts have been misguided, and who believe Mr Hopper should simply replace Kim's shoes. But Mr Hopper believes those criticising the family are keyboard warriors, and that anyone would do the same if it was their child. He said: 'I genuinely think people aren't looking at the bigger picture. 'I did question whether I was doing the right thing. 'But I have a valid point here. 'If she had turned up in stilettos, I'd understand, but those shoes could barely be more plain.' New mothers will have their breasts examined by the Egyptian government to prove they need baby formula in an attempt to save money. Women will need to prove they cannot breastfeed before being supplied with subsidised manufactured milk. As of Monday, women will have to undergo tests on their breasts and obtain a doctor's note to be eligible for the formula. Women will have to undergo tests on their breasts and obtain a doctor's note to be eligible for the formula (picture posed by models) The Egyptian Health Ministry supply around $51million worth of baby formula to families every year, according to Middle East Eye. But with a recent price hike of 40 percent, government officials have said the department needs to make the eligibility criteria more stringent. Among those who will be priorities, will be women who have more than one child, full-time workers and those suffering health complications such as diabetes and high blood pressure. From Monday, mothers will first be forced to undergo a medical examination and asked to provide written confirmation from a doctor they are eligible if they want the formula. The move has been criticised by protesters and Egyptian mothers demonstrated in Cairo last Thursday. They slammed the baby formula shortages and blocked traffic on a main road in the capital outside one of the country's main pharmaceutical companies. One mother blasted the government, telling a local news source: 'Everything is expensive, electricity, water, gas - we are talking about milk for these children. 'They are going to grow up hating their country.' In a bid to help combat the shortages, the IMF has agreed to a $12billion loan, the details of which are still being trashed out. A Chinese university has announced an ambitious plan to build the largest database in Asia on the Japanese war criminal trials that followed World War II. Shanghai Jiaotong University, together with the National Library of China and The Second Historical Archives of China, will collect dossiers on Japanese war criminals excluding the 28 Class A criminals such as the former prime minister and army generals, according to the university on Thursday. Criminals with less serious crimes were tried in dozens of war criminal courts set up after the war in Asia-Pacific countries, including China, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. The project is challenging as research on trials has been fragmented and documents are scattered among different archives, universities and libraries across the region, said Cheng Zhaoqi, head of the Center for Tokyo Trial Studies at the university. The database will be compiled in the Chinese, English and Japanese languages and will be open for international research, said Cheng. Porsche uses roads in the state to test its cars and film European car brand Porsche has criticised the Northern Territory government after they removed open speed limits on some roads in the state. Parts of the Stuart Highway, a major highway in the Northern Territory, between Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, allow drivers to travel as fast as they like. But new Chief Minister of the state, Michael Gunner, plans to change the unrestricted speed zones by the end of 2016, reported the ABC. Scroll down for video European car brand Porsche (pictured) has criticised the Northern Territory government after they removed open speed limits on some roads in the state Parts of the Stuart Highway (pictured), a major highway in the Northern Territory, between Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, allow drivers to travel as fast as they like Porsche, which uses roads in the NT to test its cars and film advertisements, has told the ABC the NT is being a 'nanny state'. Porsche's director of public relations Paul Ellis said it was a blow to the company. He said Australia had done a 'pretty good job' of killing off the local car industry and the manufacturing of local cars in Australia. He added that the NT government's decision would deter international car companies from coming to Australia and investing in the local economy. 'Speed does not kill, bad driving kills. And it's just a shame we've taken a nanny state approach,' Mr Ellis said. Scrapping the open speed limits is supported by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACP), who said higher speeds carry a greater risk of road accidents. Porsche's head of public relations Paul Ellis said speed doesn't kill, bad driving does - and said it was a NT state had taken a 'nanny state' approach Mr Gunner said car companies could still apply to do testing at any speed, via the Control of Roads Act. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Porsche for a comment. Daily Mail Australia has also contacted Northern Territory transport minister Peter Chandler for a comment regarding the speed limits. He believes bread making was wiped out when the first Europeans arrived The award- winning author says it's the start of a truly Australian cuisine Bruce Pascoe says a grain grinding dish was dated to be 34,000 years old Indigenous Australians could have been the first bakers, making loaves 15,000 years before the Egyptians. Australian author Bruce Pascoe claims Aboriginal people were not only hunter gatherers as commonly portrayed after European colonisation in his book 'Dark Emu, Black Seeds: Agriculture or Accident?' 'Yes, we were the first to invent bread by 15,000 years. The Egyptians began cooking bread 17,000 years ago and one Australian grain grinding dish has been dated at least 34,000 years of age,' he said. Research by Australian author Bruce Pascoe (pictured) indicates indigenous Australians could have been the first bakers, making loaves 15,000 years before the Egyptians In his book, Bruce reveals European explorer Charles Sturt was saved from starvation by Aboriginal people who gave him cake. Pictured a camp cook, making damper in 1955 His research reveals an ill-fated expedition by European explorer Charles Sturt in the South Australian desert which saw him and his party saved from starvation by a village of Aboriginal people who gave them water, roast duck and cake. Bruce who himself is of Bunurong, Tasmanian and Yuin ancestry points to often-overlooked white settler references to fields cultivated for crops by the native population. It's thought the people of the village were probably cultivating and grinding the seeds of a type of yam, or yam daisy, called murrnong, which was once common in Australasia before European settlement. Bruce, who won the Australian Literature Prize in 2000, helped start a project last year with other native people called Gurandgi Munjie. A farm in New South Wales growing traditional yams, grains, vegetables, fruits and herbs. 'I think Australia is undergoing a re-assessment of its history. The next decade will be interesting,' he said. 'I'm hoping Australians will learn about the sophistication of the culture they supplanted but also learn that some of the crops domesticated by Aborigines have adapted to Australian conditions and are important in a time of reduced rainfall. 'They don't need fertiliser of pesticides and use far less water. This is the start of a truly Australian cuisine.' The ancient bread is not to be confused with damper, a traditional Australian soda bread, prepared by swagmen, drovers, stockmen and other travellers. Bruce, who won the Australian Literature Prize in 2000,believes 'Australia is undergoing a re-assessment of its history'. Pictured, an Outback ranch learns the intricacies of making damper bread from an expert It's thought indigenous Australians were probably cultivating and grinding the seeds of a type of yam, or yam daisy, (pictured) called murrnong Bruce believes the bread making techniques and growing areas of indigenous Australians were wiped out when the first Europeans arrived. Pictured is Damper being prepared over hot coals One Australian grain grinding dish has been dated at least 34,000 years of age, according to Bruce. Pictured is an Aboriginal millstone which is vital in making flour or pastes for bread Bruce said he believes the bread making techniques and growing areas were wiped out when the first Europeans arrived. He said: 'The houses were burnt down, almost every explorer and settler refers to the practice. 'The crops were grazed flat by stock which simply walked onto the land and began to systematically eat through the grasses and root crops. 'The soil was so friable and well tilled that many settlers remark that their sheep could nose tubers out of the ground. Settlers and Aboriginal Protectors comment on the shooting of Aborigines who tried to return to harvest their crops. It became too dangerous.' President Barack Obama said Thursday that Republican Donald Trump proves he isn't qualified to be president 'every time he speaks,' adding that he was confident Americans would ultimately reject the brash billionaire and his 'wacky' ideas on Election Day. Obama, closing out his final presidential trip to Asia, said his meetings with foreign leaders during the trip had illustrated that governing is 'serious business' requiring knowledge, preparation and thought-out policies that can actually be implemented. He urged Americans not to allow what he called Trump's 'outrageous behavior' to become the new normal. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO 'WACKY': President Barack Obama blasted Republican nominee Donald Trump during a Thursday press conference in Laos, unleashing an unusual level of overseas criticism NO FILTER: Trump has a brash, take-no-prisoners speaking style that makes much of the Washington, D.C. establishment nervous including the president 'The most important thing for the public and the press is to just listen to what he says and follow up and ask questions to what appear to be either contradictory or uninformed or outright wacky ideas.' The president suggested that in a non-election year, Trump would be laughed out of the room. 'There is this process that seems to take place over the course of the election season,' he said, 'where somehow behavior that in normal times we would consider completely unacceptable and outrageous becomes normalized.' 'And people start thinking that we should be grading on a curve.' 'I can tell you from the interactions I have had over the last eight or nine days with foreign leaders that this is serious business,' Obama said. 'You actually have to know what you are talking about and you actually have to have done your homework. When you speak, it should actually reflect thought-out policy you can implement.' GRADING ON A CURVE?' Obama seemed to be saying Americans should judge Trump on his own merits, not on how he compares with Democratic rival Hillary Clinton NO MO GITMO: Obama said he's still hopeful the Guantanamo Bay military prison will be shuttered by the time his term of office ends next January Throughout the campaign, Obama has repeatedly denounced Trump and deemed him 'unfit' to serve as commander in chief, arguing that he's pulling the Republican Party in a dangerous and unprecedented direction. Obama has endorsed fellow Democrat Hillary Clinton, his former secretary of state, and has said he plans to campaign full-force for her ahead of the November election. Obama's remarks came at the end of a grueling nine-day trip that took him to Laos and China following U.S. stops in Nevada, Hawaii and Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. It's the last of 10 trips Obama paid as president to Asia, where Obama lived as a youngster with his mother in Indonesia. With his presidency nearing an end, Obama's agenda has narrowed to a few key goals he hopes to complete before his successor takes over. Asked to acknowledge he wouldn't be able to fulfill his campaign promise to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center, Obama pushed back. 'I am not ready to concede that it may still remain open, because we're still working diligently to continue to shrink the population,' he said. 'I continue to believe that Guantanamo is a recruitment tool for terrorist organizations, and it clouds and sours some of the counterterrorism cooperation that we need to engage in. And it's not necessary, and it's hugely expensive for U.S. taxpayers. Obama said that as his administration releases all but '40 or 50 people' from the military prison, it will be harder for Republicans in Congress to defend. He bristled at the suggestion he'd been slighted in Asia or that leaders in the region were rejecting his leadership a criticism leveled by Trump, who said he'd have picked up and left had he been treated the way Obama was in Asia. The start of the trip was overshadowed by tense moments on the tarmac when Chinese officials clashed with White House aides and appeared to have failed to secure a staircase for Obama's plane moments that exploded on social media. The awkwardness continued days later when Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte called Obama a 'son of a bitch' and warned him not to challenge him in their planned meeting in Laos, leading Obama to call it off. The two did end up shaking hands during a brief interaction on the summit's sidelines. Obama said he'd told Duterte that their aides should confer on how to move forward, adding that the spat would have no effect on the close cooperation between the longtime treaty allies. Worker claimed that 'everyone had it' and then 'giggled and walked away' Eight-year-old Ruby Doolan told she would 'grow out of' her cerebral palsy. The youngster had to ask her mother, Danielle, whether it was true she would outgrow the life-long condition A young girl suffering from cerebral palsy was left devastated after a shop worker told her mum that she would simply 'grow out of it'. Eight-year-old Ruby Doolan suffers from paralysis on her left side and visited Clarks shoe shop in Redhill, Surrey, to find shoes with her mum Danielle Donaldson. The left the store after the insensitive comment by a member of staff who then 'giggled and walked away'. Danielle, 28, is so disgusted by the comments she has refused to visit her local Clarks, in Redhill, Surrey, again. Danielle said: 'The shop worker kind of giggled and walked away. 'My daughter, when we got out of the shop, said "I didn't think you could grow out of it" and I said "no you can't grow out of it". 'It's a conversation I shouldn't have to have with my daughter. 'I don't expect everyone to know everything about cerebral palsy, I didn't before I had my daughter, but at the same time I know how to talk to people and just don't think that it is how you talk to people. 'I'm more angry now than before, I think that is because of the lack of resolution I got out of it as well.' Danielle, from Redhill, and Ruby entered the store last Tuesday and were first served by a member of staff who listened to Ruby's requirements and retrieved several styles of shoes. But the furious mum claims a senior member of staff interrupted the sale made the astounding claim that 'everyone' has cerebral palsy. Danielle, right, was shocked by the insensitive comments made to her duagher by the worker at Clarks shoe shop in Redhill, and the manner in which the shoe salesperson 'giggled and walked off' after making the remarks The shop worker allegedly said: 'That cerebral palsy, everyone has it, don't worry though, she will grow out of it.' The member of staff has since resigned from the store, after management investigated the incident and found it to be a 'miscommunication'. They claim the staff member had misunderstood the cause of Ruby's high instep - the arched part of the top of the foot between the toes and the ankle. Clarks have since apologised to the pair, but Danielle says it took the firm more than 24 hours to respond to her initial complaint. To add insult to injury, an area manager then told the mum that she shouldn't visit her convenient store because she will get better customer service in Dorking, Surrey - almost ten miles further to travel. CEREBRAL PALSY FACTS Cerebral palsy is a life-long affliction. 1,800 children are diagnosed with the condition in the UK every year. There are currently around 30,000 UK children with cerebral palsy. Visible signs are usually spotted early in a child's life. One in three children with cerebral palsy is unable to walk. Common symptoms are muscle weakness, random and uncontrolled body movements, and problems with balance and co-ordination. Some people with the condition may have communication and learning difficulties. The more severe the condition, the lower the life expectancy. Advertisement She said: 'It was in front of a packed shop and it's just really ignorant. I find it really strange that she thinks it's acceptable to say that. 'I buy a lot of shoes from them because of the cerebral palsy. I live and work in Redhill so it's really convenient for me to go in there. 'I feel like I can't go back there anymore because of the situation and his answer to that was, "No I don't think you should go back there, you should go to Dorking because you will get good customer service". 'I just don't see why I should have to go to a different store.' A Clarks spokesperson said: 'Clarks is disappointed to hear of Danielle Donaldson's experience. 'Following the incident the member of staff involved has resigned from her position with immediate effect. 'We have investigated the incident as fully as possible and found that it resulted from a miscommunication between the former staff member concerned and Danielle Donaldson regarding her daughter's high instep requirements which children ordinarily grow out of, not cerebral palsy. A homeless paedophile who arranged to meet an 11-year-old girl was set up by vigilante pervert hunters - but when confronted insisted he is still a 'good person'. Nathan Watson, 43, of Bristol, lured his young target with online messages and sent her a photo of his penis before calling her 'baby' when she told him she was 11. But on the day he was meant to meet the 'girl' - who was actually a decoy - Watson was spooked and did not show up to the meeting place, prompting the female paedophile hunters to knock on his door and confront him. Nathan Watson, 43, (pictured) of Bristol, lured his young target with online messages and sent her a photo of his penis before calling her 'baby' when she told him she was 11 The clip shows the moment the 'investigators' approach him in Bristol where he agrees to go outside to discuss the photos and messages he sent the 'girl'. After confirming his name he claims he wasn't going to meet the girl because he 'had a feeling it was a bit dodge'. He goes on to tell the two women from 'Internet Interceptors' he thought the girl he was messaging was 'quite young - 16 or 17'. But they then appear to show him messages where the decoy tells him she is aged 11 and a reply where he wrote: 'That's ok baby'. They then go on to accuse him of arranging to meet a 13-year-old in London previously and he replies: 'S***.' The clip shows the moment the 'investigators' approach him in Bristol where he agrees to go outside to discuss the photos and messages he sent the 'girl' One woman then tells him: 'It's a bit ironic that you live across from a play park'. But he answers 'I'm not a - ' before he stops short. The woman replies: 'Go on, say the words 'I'm not a paedophile'. Go on make my day.' Watson repeats 'I'm not, I'm not' before calling himself 'pathetic' when he admits the photos he sent were of his penis. He then tells them he was planning to do 'charity work' in Calais in the coming days and tries to convince the women he is 'a good person'. He adds: 'I'm a good person believe it or not. I understand what you're looking at. 'Sometimes I don't realise the age of people of people online. I should be a bit more savvy.' The footage filmed at the hostel where Watson worked and lived was passed on to the police, who arrested him. Watson pleaded guilty to attempting to sexually communicate with a child between July 14 and August 9, for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification. Judge Michael Roach at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday adjourned the case pending a 'vital' report, for sentence on September 28. He told Bristol Crown Court: 'A report is ordered with no indication as to the sentence that he might receive. Obviously custody is an obvious option.' Edward Hetherington, defending, told the court: 'A meeting was arranged. 'The decoy went but Mr Watson didn't go, he stayed at home. 'The decoy person obtained the defendant's details online, went to his home and confronted him. He admitted to her he sent messages.' Watson had been staying at a community building run by a homelessness charity near Bristol's Temple Meads Station at the time of the sting. Thousands of Post Office workers will stage a 24-hour strike next week in an increasingly bitter dispute over branch closures, jobs and pensions. Members of the Communication Workers Union will walk out on September 15 after voting overwhelmingly for industrial action. The union warned that the service was at 'crisis point' over cuts to jobs, services and pensions. The CWU warned that the Post Office is at 'crisis point' amid the increasingly bitter dispute Dave Ward, general secretary of the CWU said: 'The Post Office is relentlessly pursuing a programme of cuts that will mean a further 2,000 job losses, staff being left tens of thousands of pounds worse off in retirement and the privatisation of its flagship branches. 'The Post Office is at crisis point and the Government has to step in. 'We are making a simple demand. The Government needs to pause the cuts, convene a summit of key stakeholders in the industry and work out a strategy that gives employees and the public confidence that the Post Office has a future. 'The Post Office has pointed to the bottom line in making these cuts, but it cannot pretend that using public money to pay off staff so they can be replaced with part-time jobs on the minimum wage is a success story or that closing down its flagship branches is a defence of the service. 'The Post Office has got to get out of the cycle of closures, job losses and attacks on staff terms and conditions. It needs a serious plan to grow revenues in areas like financial services. 'Other countries have brought in hugely successful Post Banks. There is no reason why our Post Office should be the world leader in managed decline.' Italy's highest court has legalised masturbating in public after a 69-year-old's sentence was overturned when he argued 'he only does it occasionally'. The man, named only as Pietro L, was caught holding his penis outside the University of Catania in Sicily in front of female students and was jailed for three years. His lawyers took the case all the way to the Supreme Court in Rome where his appeal was upheld citing a law introduced last year which decriminalised masturbating in public in front of women. The man, named only as Pietro L, was caught holding his penis outside the University of Catania (pictured) in Sicily in front of female students and was jailed for three years Pietro L argued he only 'occasionally' masturbated publicly and told the court it would have been hard to see him because he did it around dusk when there was 'reduced visibility', according to the. His initial indecent behaviour sentence for taking out his penis and engaging in 'auto-eroticism' was a three-month jail sentence and a 3,420 fine, which was upheld initially by the Court of Appeal in Catania. But the Supreme Court in the capital ruled: 'The act is no longer regarded as a crime by the law.' The move has been slammed by politicians, who accused Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's government of being pervert sympathisers. Elvira Savino, an MP from the Forza Italia party, told the Telegraph: 'The Renzi government has never given equal opportunities much notice, but to save from the prison cells people who commit obscene acts in front of women is really unjustifiable. 'The government's law is an invitation to every maniac to molest women.' Turkish soldiers have shot dead two women and two children from one family as they tried to cross the border from Syria, it has been claimed. The family had fled from the village of Abu Khashab in the countryside to the east of the ISIS-held Syrian province of Deir Ezzor. But after reaching the border with Turkey at Ras al-Ayn, in the province of Hasaka, they were gunned down by Turkish guards, it has been reported. Turkish border guards shot dead two women and two children from one family as they tried to cross the border from Syria, it has been claimed. Turkish soldiers are pictured standing guard as Syrian refugees sit with their belongings after crossing into Turkey from the borderline in Akcakale district of Sanliurfa in June, 2015 After reaching the border with Turkey at Ras al-Ayn, in the province of Hasaka, the family was gunned down by Turkish guards, it has been claimed. The alleged incident was reported by the respected British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The identities and ages of those involved are not yet known and the reports have yet to be independently verified. It is not the first time such reports have surfaced. In April, eight Syrians including women and young children were reportedly shot dead by Turkish guards while trying to flee their war-torn homeland. The group of refugees were trying to cross into Turkey via a mountain smuggling route when they were gunned down by Turkish forces patrolling the border. As well as those killed, many others are said to have been injured including one man who was shot in both of his legs while carrying his young son and another who was shot in the arm. The family had fled from the village of Abu Khashab in the countryside to the east of the ISIS-held Syrian province of Deir Ezzor The deaths came a week after the Human Rights Watch claimed Turkish guards had opened fire on civilians as they approached the country's border wall with Syria. At the time, the Turkish Government insisted that it was maintaining the same open-door policy at the frontier that it has since 2011, with free access for all Syrians whose lives were in imminent danger. Gerry Simpson, senior refugee researcher at Human Rights Watch, later said: 'While senior Turkish officials claim they are welcoming Syrian refugees with open borders and open arms, their border guards are killing and beating them. 'Firing at traumatised men, women, and children fleeing fighting and indiscriminate warfare is truly appalling.' A mother has described the heartbreaking moment her 17-year-old son lay dying in her arms after he was stabbed to death just 200 yards away from her workplace. Sharon Fearon told how she watched her son Shaquans eyes going over while he was covered in blood on the ground in Brockley, South East London. She screamed as she held him after he was stabbed six times and left fatally wounded in an area of the capital which is suffering from spiralling gang violence. Tears: Sharon Fearon, the mother of murdered 17-year-old Shaquan Fearon, was extremely emotional at his funeral at Grove Park Cemetery in South East London, crying: 'My son, my son' Murder victim: Shaquan was stabbed six times and left fatally wounded in the Brockley area of Lewisham in South East London, which is suffering from spiralling gang violence Horrific: Ms Fearon told how she watched her son Shaquans eyes going over while he was covered in blood on the ground near her hair salon in Brockley Ms Fearon spoke out in the final episode of Channel 5 documentary Gangland, which claims to give unprecedented access to Londons most notorious gangs. Her sons life was taken away in September 2015, but nobody has been convicted of his killing with two teenagers cleared of murder following three trials. Ms Fearon, who rushed to his side from her hair salon after the stabbing, said: It was so bad. It wasn't a nice thing to see him on the floor in so much blood. When I saw his eyes going over, that's when I started to scream. I know my son heard when I cried out - that cry will never go in vain. Shaquan, who died six weeks before his 18th birthday, was not in a gang but became a victim of the spiralling problem of knife crime in his local area of the capital. Brockley is particularly affected by street gangs, with 16 said to be active across the borough of Lewisham - and Shaquan was killed on his way to a youth club. Speaking of his funeral at Grove Park Cemetery, Ms Fearon said: 'At the funeral it was like I was literally speaking to him and he was speaking to me. When it (his coffin) was going down, he was saying to me, Mum, this is it, let go, I'm going, saying to me, Mum, let go. Funeral: Shaquans life was taken away in September 2015, but nobody has been convicted of his killing with two teenagers cleared of murder following three trials Trafic: Speaking of his funeral at Grove Park Cemetery, Ms Fearon told Channel 5 documentary Gangland it was 'like I was literally speaking to him and he was speaking to me' It was like he was saying, Let it go, I'm gone. Such a good child. For you to (have) lost a good child, it's really hard - really, really hard.' Chilling videos broadcast in the programme - which started last week and finishes tonight from 10pm - show Ms Fearon crying my son as his coffin was taken down. In 2015 there were 81 incidents of knife crime involving young people in Lewisham alone, and Ms Fearon still has a memorial to her son in his bedroom at home. She told how she wants to keep his presence close to her at all times and wears a T-Shirt with his face on the front and the words 'Psalm 91 on the back. She said: 'This is my temple - this is where I come and pray. I just surprised me myself to know that my son is gone and I'm standing here, think he's coming back. And he's not coming back. Oh, Jesus. Why? Oh God. It just happened just like that.' The boys accused of killing him first stood trial in January, but there was a hung jury - and a second trial in May collapsed because of defence evidence issues. A third trial later that month also resulted in a hung jury. The prosecution then offered no evidence and both defendants were found not guilty of murder. Flowers: In 2015 there were 81 incidents of knife crime involving young people in Lewisham alone, and Ms Fearon still has a memorial to her son in his bedroom at home Memorial: Shaquan, who died six weeks before his 18th birthday, was not in a gang but became a victim of the spiralling problem of knife crime in his local area of the capital Speaking after seeing the defendants in court, she said: They come out like really cocky, they was laughing. They come in like they're a bully. You could see it on them they're a troublemaker. When I look at them, see these two boys, yeah, two child, when I look at them properly. As a mum I feel so bad to know that two child charged for murder and just coming out like it's a fun, it's a joke. She added: 'I've looked at the knife and I've cried, I've cried and I've said "why", when I saw that knife, and I was telling myself "Why is it Im shaking"? My body is just literally shaking and I'm trying to calm myself and I'm just imagining the knife going inside my son. For a child to be carrying a knife like that, oh, that's just like a gun.' Ms Fearon is pushing for a fourth trial, but is facing a tough battle because guidelines call for proof of jury interference or new evidence. She continued: I can't live with it. Where is the justice? Is that the law? Is that the rule? I am here and i will fight for my son. I need justice, it has to happen for my son, for Shaquan. All of the problems its about gangs and drugs, so it will continue if it doesnt have a solution. If you ever have kids, you will never want your kids to die in vain just like that. Come on, enough is enough. Last week: A scene from last Thursday's Gangland episode featuring gang members in London Former life: Jordy, once a member of the Woolwich Boys gang, used to live a glamorous life similar to that of a top footballer - but had been arrested by the end of the filming of the show Jordy said: 'Everything got achieved. The cars got achieved. The b****es got achieved. I had everything you could want. I'm talking penthouses, Range Rovers, Mercs' Last week the documentary showed how gangsters making more than 2,000 a day dealing drugs spend their money on penthouses and luxury cars. Jordy, a former member of the Woolwich Boys gang, was once living a glamorous life - but had been arrested by the end of the filming of the new documentary. He said: 'Everything got achieved. The cars got achieved. The b****es got achieved. I had everything you could want. I'm talking penthouses, Range Rovers, Mercs.' Shockingly, two youths involved have been murdered since the show was filmed. The producers managed to do a dead drop of ten GoPro cameras away from CCTV coverage that a group of gang members then used to film themselves. The first footage they received was of drugs and someone loading a Smith & Wesson revolver, before producers started leaving instructions and questions for them. Producer Paul Blake of Maroon Productions said his first attempt at the film had to be abandoned when a gang member was seriously wounded in a shooting. Producers were given footage of some drugs and someone loading a Smith & Wesson revolver Two youths involved in the Channel 5 documentary have been murdered since it was filmed Gangland claims to give unprecedented access to Londons most notorious young gangs And Mr Blake, who had a gun pulled on him during filming, told the Guardian he decided to give them cameras because they were so reluctant to be filmed. He said: They said: We cant show you stuff, we cant sit down with a gun and show you that. And then it just came to me that they could film it themselves. 'Ive always been a big fan of all the James Bond stuff, so we arranged a dead drop. We would leave the (GoPro) cameras there and then pick them up later. 'The first thing we got back was footage of someone loading a Smith & Wesson revolver and some drugs. I thought thats quite good. The documentary followed young people exposed to murder, drugs, guns and knives on a daily basis - and spoke to some of them about their experiences. The film also heard from a masked member of a London crew who told the camera: My trigger fingers got chicken pox its itching, jumping, you get me? And there is also an explanation of plugging, which involves people stuffing drug-filled condoms into their bottom, plus close-up footage of the act. Sephton Henry, a former gang member who now works with police officers and young people with the charity Gangsline, told MailOnline about the crazy lifestyle. The film follows young people exposed to murder, drugs, guns and knives on a daily basis The producer said his first attempt at the film was abandoned when a gang member was shot Producers left instructions and questions for the gang members during the making of the film He said: If youre 15 years old and you've got 500 in each pocket a day, you think you're a man before your time. Theyre the supplier even for their mum. Its a flashy lifestyle in the sense of when theyre driving all these top cars and that sort of thing, that would keep them kind of grounded in that sort of lifestyle. So it's very hard for someone like me to tell a young man whose earning thousands of pounds a day to stop it without something to fall back on. He added that the gang members motivation behind taking part in the documentary could be twofold, saying: One thing would be to promote their gang. To be the hardest gang and to scare people away from them. The other one would be for somebody to really realise how hard it is out here. Even though theyd be glamorising it, to show you how it is. A lot of these young youth, they can't articulate whats going on. What tends to happen is other people will (say) what they think is happening and it won't be from the mouths of young men. They know its getting worse. Worrying photos of leaking ceilings and collapsed walls at US nuclear security facilities have emerged as officials beg for money to upgrade the sites. Congress has been urged to back the administration to invest in $3.7billion worth of maintenance to repair crumbling old laboratories and power plants which are 'vital to national security missions'. More than half of the National Nuclear Security Administration's 6,000 properties are over 70 years old, Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz told the House Subcommittee on Strategic Forces yesterday according to CNN. Many of the buildings were built in World War II as part of the Manhattan Project - a research and development drive that produced the first nuclear weapons during the war - and were only designed to run for a decade. Scroll down for video At the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, a collapsed ceiling is pictured The paint on a wall at the Y-12 facility has rotted away to leave exposed bricks in one building Charles McMillan, director of Los Alamos National Laboratory, said: 'Because it is more difficult to bring new facilities online, we are continuing to operate these facilities longer than we anticipated when they were originally built.' Photos from the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico show tarps strung to the ceiling to catch water from leaking roofs. 'In Los Alamos today, we have trailers that were put into place 30 years ago. In some of those trailers we have leaking ceilings and water damage, we have problems with rodents,' Mr McMillan said. More than 10,000 employees work at the site - the birthplace of the US nuclear weapons program. After the end of the Cold War, Los Alamos's primary mission shifted from developing new warheads to maintaining the safety, security and reliability of the existing nuclear stockpile. At the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, a white foam appears to be leaking around a door (left) and a metal frame is corroding (right) The floor of one room in the Pantex Plant - built in 1942 - appears to be rotting away A ceiling at the Pantex Plant is pictured collapsing in an image released by Congress Pantex is the United States' only nuclear weapons assembly and disassembly facility and is charged with maintaining the security of the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile At the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, there are collapsed ceilings and rotting floors. At the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, which is the United States' only nuclear weapons assembly and disassembly facility and is charged with maintaining the security of the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile, there are also rotting ceilings and walls. Morgan Smith, president and CEO of Consolidated Nuclear Security, said: 'The primary concern with knowingly deferring maintenance is that a major, unforeseen failure could occur.' During the hearing on Wednesday it was pointed out that Russia has been upgrading their nuclear capabilities and making 'provocative' statements about using nuclear weapons. The Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico was founded during World War II as a secret, centralized facility to develop the first nuclear weapons High explosives from a B53 nuclear weapon are detonated at the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, in 2011. The Cold War relic 600 times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, was dismantled as part of Obama's mission to rid the world of nuclear weapons Meanwhile, at a speech at Oxford University, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter accused Russia of sowing seeds of global instability. 'Despite the progress that we made together in the aftermath of the Cold War, Russia's actions in recent years - with its violations of Ukrainian and Georgian territorial integrity, its unprofessional behavior in the air, in space, and in cyberspace, as well as its nuclear saber rattling - all have demonstrated that Russia has clear ambition to erode the principled international order,' Carter said. Carter accused Russia of being driven by 'misguided ambition and misplaced fear.' He said Moscow understandably wants to be seen as an important world power, but is undercutting its case by undercutting the work of others. More than half of the National Nuclear Security Administration's 6,000 properties are over 40 years old, NNSA Administrator Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz (right) told Congress 'It lashes out, alleging that it fears for its own viability and future,' even though it should know that no country, including the US, is trying to constrain its potential. He seemed to allude also to suspected Russian involvement in hacking Democratic National Committee computers in the United States and otherwise trying to influence the American presidential election. 'Let me be clear, the United States does not seek a cold, let alone a hot war with Russia. We don't seek an enemy in Russia. But make no mistake - we will defend our allies, the principled international order, and the positive future it affords all of us. A member of the 'Evil 8' pedophile ring who raped a girl pimped out by her own father will stay behind bars until he is sentenced. Ryan Trevor Clegg, 43, pleaded guilty last month in the Perth Magistrates Court to 61 charges, including four counts of sexual penetration of the girl when she was aged between 11 and 13. His bail was renewed until sentencing later this year but he sparked outrage when it emerged last month he was living just 60 metres from a child care centre and near a primary school. Ryan Trevor Clegg, 43, will stay in jail after it was revealed he was living metres from a childcare centre and abandoned attempts to change his bail conditions Neighbours in North Fremantle said neither they nor the school and daycare centre were notified Clegg would be living nearby. They even posted a photograph of him on the gate of the daycare centre. Clegg was quickly sent back to jail after his father revoked his surety amidst the controversy, and it was revealed his bail conditions said he was not to live within 100 metres of a school. He on Thursday abandoned an application to change his bail conditions and will instead remain in jail until his next court date on September 30. His other crimes include indecent dealings and possessing child pornography. He pleaded guilty last month to 61 charges, including four counts of sexual penetration of the girl when she was aged between 11 and 13. He fled the media after securing bail on August 4 It comes after Daily Mail Australia last month revealed another of the Evil 8 who abused the girl was also living across the road from a high school while on bail. Dawid Volmer, a pastor, was living opposite Joseph Banks Secondary College in Banksia Grove for up to four months until he was sentenced to 10.5 years last November. The girl's father, who cannot be named, was in June sentenced to 22.5 years jail for drugging his daughter with the muscle relaxant amyl nitrate, raping her and arranging online for six other men to abuse her. It comes after Daily Mail Australia last month revealed another of the Evil 8 who abused the girl was also living across the road from a high school while on bail The father has lodged an appeal against his sentence, claiming it is too harsh. Photographer Benjamin Simon Clarke was jailed for three years over his involvement in the girl's abuse, while Nicholas Adam Beer was on bail awaiting sentence this month. Alfred John Impicciatore was also on bail ahead of his next court appearance on Friday when he was expected to enter pleas for his charges, and Troy Phillip Milbourne was in custody awaiting a trial of issues. Amal Clooney has pulled out of a 'Women World Changers' speaking tour in Australia and punters are annoyed they'll be seeing Waleed Aly instead. The human rights lawyer - whose husband is actor George Clooney - was due to speak at events in Melbourne and Sydney in October, but can no longer attend due to legal commitments. The news has left at least one attendee, who paid $825 for a general attendance ticket to see Mrs Clooney, frustrated, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. Amal Clooney will no longer attend a speaking tour in Australia in October The host at the Melbourne event is television news presenter Waleedy Aly - and some aren't happy they'll be seeing him instead of Mrs Clooney 'I paid $825 to see Amal, not Waleed Aly.' Aly, a television news presenter, will host the Melbourne event. It's not yet clear if those who paid $2200 to 'Meet Amal' will be given refunds. And despite other high-profile speakers in the line up for the events, they don't have the clout Mrs Clooney does, according to Fairfax. Despite other high-profile speakers being in the line up for the events, they don't have the clout Mrs Clooney (pictured with husband George) does Waleed Aly and wife Susan Carland arrive at the 58th Annual Logie Awards in May 2016 An email on Thursday broke the news to the 1000 women signed up to attend the Women World Changers Summits organised by The Growth Faculty. It read: 'We are writing to advise that The Growth Faculty has received notice that Amal Clooney has been called to hearings at The Hague over the conference dates and will not be available to attend the Women World Changers Summit in October'. The organiser, Karen Beattie said: 'As soon as we have a new keynote speaker confirmed, you will be notified,' it was reported. Indira Naidoo is set to host the event in Sydney. It's not yet clear if those who paid $2200 to 'Meet Amal' will be given refunds A man has been given a life sentence in jail for raping and murdering a woman in far North Queensland in April 2014. Musa Brandon Ngwira, 33, pleaded not guilty to rape, murder and interfering with a corpse. He was sentenced to life in prison in the Cairns Supreme Court on Friday, reported Perth Now. Musa Brandon Ngwira, 33, has been given a life sentence in jail for raping and murdering Jo La Spina, 28, (pictured) in far North Queensland in April 2014 The court heard Ms La Spina (pictured) who worked as a photographer for a local white water rafting company, was found naked in a shower at a friend's house in Mission Beach Ms La Spina was found by a friend naked in a shower with a cord around her neck in a Bingil Bay Road townhouse about 5pm on April 19, 2014, with the water still running, reported the Cairns Post. The court heard Ngwira was working as a tour guide in Mission Beach and Ms La Spina, 26, was working as a photographer for a local white water rafting company. The night before the incident, the pair had been partying with friends at a local hostel. Friends reportedly said Ms La Spina rejected Ngwira's advances, before they went with a group of others to Ms La Spina's friend's house later that night. Ms La Spina slept in an empty room upstairs, while Ngwira slept on a downstairs couch. The friend who lived at the house and discovered Ms La Spina's body later that day, Warrick Daniels, left for work early on Saturday morning. Ngwira (pictured) pleaded not guilty to rape, murder and interfering with a corpse. He was sentenced to life in prison in the Cairns Supreme Court on Friday The court heard Ngwira (pictured) tried to make it appear as if Ms La Spina had taken her own life The court heard Ngwira made the scene appear as if Ms La Spina had taken her own life, leaving a note near her body. Ngwira said he staged her death to look like a suicide because he was scared no-one would believe what had happened. He claimed he choked Ms La Spina but did it in self-defence. He also denied the rape charge and said the pair started having consensual sex, but Ms La Spina suddenly became angry and attacked him. Ms La Spina's body was discovered by her friend Warrick Daniel (pictured) when he got home from work about 5pm on April 19, 2014 Ms La Spina had 52 injuries to her body and Ngwira's DNA was found on her, on her clothes and on a pillowcase in the room she had slept in. A search of his laptop also uncovered that he had Google searched the penalty for killing a person in Australia. Justice Henry said the finger imprints on Ms La Spinas throat pointed to him taking her life with his hands. Justice Henry said the finger imprints on Ms La Spinas throat pointed to Ngwira taking her life with his hands. Pictured is the beachfront of South Mission Beach 'All of that evidence, that circumstantial evidence, tells the obvious story that you allowed your sexual interest, your desire to sexually dominate Ms La Spina ... to overwhelm your behaviour ... to focus solely on your own self indulgent desires and needs and persist with them in the face of her resistance to the point where you throttled her to death,' Justice Henry said. 'You have taken a human life. You have devastated the lives of Ms La Spina's loved ones, many of whom have sat stoically throughout this trial. 'She was a young lady with her whole adult life ahead of her ... instead her parents had to attend her funeral,' he said. Two scuba divers who were swept out to shark-infested seas have opened up on their ordeal having spent 48 hours adrift. Jorge Morales and Dario Rodriguez were part of a group of five recreational divers in the sea near the Colombian island of Malpelo last Wednesday when a current swept them out into the open Pacific. The Columbian pair huddled together and urinated on each other to keep stay warm until rescuers on a plane spotted them who called in a boat to scoop them out of the water. Two scuba divers who were swept out to shark-infested seas have opened up on their ordeal having spent 48 hours adrift The Columbian pair huddled together and urinated on each other to keep stay warm until rescuers on a plane spotted them who called in a boat to scoop them out of the water Jorge Morales and Dario Rodriguez were part of a group of five recreational divers in the sea near the Colombian island of Malpelo last Wednesday when a current swept them out into the open Pacific Mr Morales said the first nightfall was one of the hardest moments. But he said it made them realise they had to stick to their survival training, tying themselves together with special cords to avoid being separated and floating in the fetal position. Soon after being separated from the rest of the group, sharks began circling them, as well as jellyfish - which turned out to be worse. 'They attacked us,' said Mr Morales. 'What pain. Very intense. 'I don't know how many jellyfish there were, but it was a very tough moment.' He said by the second day they were delirious and shivering with cold as the sun burned their faces with their heads bobbing just above the surface. 'Thinking about our families kept our hope alive,' he said. The were in the Pacific where groups of hammerhead sharks swim in the waters surrounding the islet of Malpelo, a Colombian wildlife sanctuary and usually a gem for scuba divers Help finally arrived in the form of a search plane and after hearing its engine, they saw it approach. As it closed in on them, they saw the crew waving to them and a navy boat dispatched to rescue them. They were plucked from the water last Friday and spent the next four days aboard the boat recovering and trying unsuccessfully to help rescuers locate the remaining two divers, fellow Colombians Erika Diaz and Carlos Jimenez. The fifth member of the group, Australian Peter Morse, was rescued last Thursday. Mr Morales said he had no plans to return to Malpelo to dive. Rescuers were still searching for the two remaining Colombian divers near the uninhabited Malpelo island, about 320 miles off Colombia's coast. It draws diving aficionados from around the world, many of whom come to swim with a colony of hammerhead sharks. The missing divers disappeared last Wednesday, but authorities said Tuesday that they are experienced and it's still possible they survived. German chancellor Angela Merkel's political allies have called for Christian migrants to be given priority in moving to the country and for Islamic face veils to be banned. The CSU, which works alongside Merkel's Christian Democratic Union party, has demanded the tougher immigration rules and also said that new arrivals must socially integrate and learn German. The German chancellor has long advocated an open doors policy to migrants with her country welcoming more than one million asylum seekers last year. German chancellor Angela Merkel's political allies have called for Christian migrants to be given a priority in moving to the country But the CSU, which has long and feverently attacked her liberal stance, plan to present their proposals for new migrants at a meeting tomorrow. 'Germany must stay Germany,' declared the five page paper, which pulls no punches, seen by AFP. 'We are against our welcoming country being changed through migration and waves of refugees.' A mass influx like the one seen a year ago, when tens of thousands of refugees a day entered Germany through Bavaria, 'must under no circumstances be repeated,' it argued. The CSU say that Islamic face veils should be banned and that migrants should socially integrate The CSU, which has long and feverently attacked her liberal stance, plan to present their proposals for new migrants at a meeting tomorrow The CSU, based in the deeply conservative and mainly Catholic south Bavaria, said Germany must set an upper limit of accepting 200,000 refugees a year and otherwise give preference to migrants 'from our Christian-occidental cultural sphere'. It added that 'a state must decide by itself whom it accepts - it's not the migrants who decide'. It also wants to ban the full-face covering burqa, calling it 'a uniform of Islamism, a huge barrier to integration and a symbol of the repression of women that is unacceptable in our culture'. 'Those who don't want to live without the burqa and niqab should find another country.' The German chancellor has long advocated an open doors policy to migrants with her country welcoming more than one million asylum seekers last year The party also reiterated its long-standing opposition to admitting Turkey to the EU, or granting its citizens eased visa conditions to the bloc as part of a deal to halt the refugee flows to Europe. The move comes days after the right-wing populist and anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) beat Merkel's party in a state vote. Advertisement New images of the Jungle refugee camp have revealed the scale of the Calais migrant crisis as Britain prepares to build a 13ft wall to stop migrants jumping on to UK-bound trucks. Aerial photos show a sprawling area of makeshift shelters, tents and containers where thousands of migrants live near the northern French port. They emerged as officials confirmed plans to construct a 13ft high and 0.6mile long barrier on a port approach road. New images of the Jungle refugee camp have revealed the scale of the Calais migrant crisis as Britain prepares to build a 13ft wall to stop migrants jumping on to UK-bound trucks Pictures of hundreds of tents and shelters emerged as officials confirmed plans to construct a 13ft high and 0.6mile long barrier on a port approach road Work on the wall will start this month and should be completed by the end of this year under a deal agreed earlier this year Work on the wall will start this month and should be completed by the end of this year. The barrier, funded by the British government, will complement a security fence already put up around the port and entrance to the Channel Tunnel. 'We are going to start building this big new wall very soon. We've done the fence, now we are doing a wall,' junior minister Robert Goodwill told a parliamentary committee on Tuesday. Aerial photos show a sprawling area of makeshift shelters, tents and containers where thousands of migrants live near the northern French port The wall, which is expected to cost 1.9 million and is being built as part of a 17 million package of measures, will be the latest barrier to go up around Europe as the continent struggles with its biggest migrant influx in decades The Jungle, a squalid camp of tents and makeshift shelters, is home to some 7,000 migrants but charities say the number might be as high as 10,000 after an influx this summer Migrants from the camp sometimes use tree branches to create roadblocks to slow trucks heading for Britain, their destination of choice. Green Party MP Caroline Lucas called the wall 'monstrous' while campaign group Citizens UK asked Britain to use the money instead to transfer child migrants with families in Britain from Calais. Richard Burnett, chief executive of Britain's Road Haulage Association also told the BBC the plan was a 'poor use of taxpayers' money'. He said funding for a wall 'would be much better spent on increasing security along the approach roads'. The wall, which is expected to cost 1.9 million and is being built as part of a 17 million package of measures, will be the latest barrier to go up around Europe as the continent struggles with its biggest migrant influx in decades. Hungary has built a reinforced fence on its frontier with Serbia and Austria has announced plans for a massive new fence along its border with Hungary in a bid to shut down the Balkan migrant route. The French government is facing pressure to dismantle the swollen shanty town dubbed the 'jungle' near the port of Calais Aerial pictures show tents and shelters built up along the coastline close to the northern port city of Calais Republican White House hopeful Donald Trump has said he plans to build a wall along the border with Mexico funded by the Mexican government if he is elected. The wall in Calais was agreed following tens of thousands of attempted Channel crossings last year by migrants sneaking onto lorries boarding ferries and the Eurotunnel. Angry French truckers and farmers blocked the main routes in and out of Calais on Monday to call for the closure of the sprawling 'Jungle' migrant camp. The Jungle, a squalid camp of tents and makeshift shelters, is home to some 7,000 migrants but charities say the number might be as high as 10,000 after an influx this summer. Migrants from the camp sometimes use tree branches to create roadblocks to slow trucks heading for Britain, their destination of choice. Angry French truckers and farmers blocked the main routes in and out of Calais on Monday to call for the closure of the sprawling 'Jungle' migrant camp (pictured from above) The wall will complement a security fence already put up around the port and entrance to the Channel Tunnel Dramatic aerial pictures show the scale of the migrant camp, situated close to the coastline and an industrial area Refugees can be seen walking past a pile of burning rubbish close to a fence running alongside a road in Calais When the trucks slow down, migrants try to clamber into the trailers to stow away aboard. Drivers say migrants and people trafficking gangs have attacked their vehicles with metal bars. The drivers say despite the deployment of 2,100 officers around the port, the police are overstretched and unable to secure the roads. A pensioner was fined 100 after he mistyped his car number plate into a car park payment machine by two digits because he wasn't wearing his glasses. Brian Hewlett, 69, of Yeovil, Somerset, was shocked to receive the penalty notice one month after paying 3 to park for two hours at the car park in Poole, Dorset. He paid before driving his Volkswagen Passat away with time to spare, but had mistakenly entered his registration as EK002EEUV and not the correct EK02EEU. Surprised: Brian Hewlett, 69, of Yeovil, Somerset, was shocked to receive the penalty notice one month after paying 3 to park for two hours at the car park in Poole, Dorset Error: He paid before driving his Volkswagen Passat away from the car park in Poole (above) with time to spare, but had entered his registration as EK002EEUV instead of EK02EEU The retired lorry driver said he made the error he was not wearing his glasses as he typed, but it still should have been valid as his number plate was included. He wrote to car park owners Britannia Parking to explain without success before his appeal was dismissed by ombudsman Parking on Private Land Appeals (Popla). Popla said that this was in part because the unmanned car park uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras. The ombudsman added that there is sufficient signage explaining that fines will be issued if mistakes are made. Mr Hewletts refusal to pay prompted Britannia to now hire debt collectors to pursue him for 160, an increased fee to include their administrative costs. But after being contacted by MailOnline, the company's managing director Brian Parker said the firm had 'reviewed our procedures and also cancelled the notice'. Mr Hewlett said: I couldnt believe it when I saw I was being fined because I remembered asking my wife for the number plate as I typed it in and paid the 3. Mistake: The retired lorry driver said he made the error he was not wearing his glasses as he typed, but it still should have been valid as his number plate was included Instruction: Ombudsman Parking on Private Land Appeals said there is sufficient signage explaining that fines will be issued if mistakes are made I thought it must have been a mistake and asked for photographic evidence, which they couldnt supply. But they did have video of my car entering and leaving the car park. I wasnt wearing my glasses, which was my mistake, but when you look at the number I entered and the number plate of my car you dont have to be Einstein to work out what I have done. When you look at the number I entered and the number plate of my car you dont have to be Einstein to work out what I have done Brian Hewlett They initially offered to reduce the fine to 20, which they said was needed to cover their administrative costs. But I had already paid for the parking so why should I have to pay more? I just feel they are nit-picking, and it made me want to dig my heels in. It is intimidating getting letters from debt collectors telling me they are going to take me to court. It is just ridiculous. Britannia appeared to accept that he had entered an incorrect number plate by accident when Mr Hewlett made the initial appeal, offering to let him pay a reduced 20 if received within 14 days. The Popla ruling said: The operator has provided a system print out, which does not show the appellants vehicle registration EK02 EEU has been entered. Payment requested: Mr Hewletts refusal to pay has prompted Britannia to now hire debt collectors to pursue him for 160, an increased fee to include their administrative costs I do note, however, that a similar vehicle registration has been entered, which was EK002EEUV, which corroborates with the appellants version of events. But the ruling concluded that the signs warning of such fines complied with the standards required by the British Parking Association. Brian Parker, managing director of Britannia Parking, told MailOnline today: At the site in question, automatic number plate recognition technology is in place, providing security and evidence should there be any parking enforcement issues. Although we have tried to make the system as user-friendly as possible, we do have problems from time to time with motorists wrongly typing in their vehicles registration number. In this case, the ombudsman found in our favour following the appeal; we had acted with complete propriety. Refusal to pay a parking charge generates a debt recovery process, as it does with non-payment of debts in other areas of life. Police tracked his cellphone to a motel in Columbia, South Carolina Valentine confessed in Facebook video saying his wife 'had it coming' The 15-year-old boy died; his ex-wife survived but was critically wounded Earl Valentine shot his ex-wife and teenage son at home on Tuesday A man who killed his son and critically wounded his ex-wife before confessing on a Facebook Live video has been found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Earl Valentine kicked in the door of Keisha Valentine's home in Norlina, North Carolina on Tuesday and shot her before killing his son Earl Jr., police chief Taylor Bartholomew said. Valentine posted a video on his Facebook page, confessing to the horrific crime and saying his ex-wife 'deserved what she had coming.' Scroll down for video Valentine posted a video on his Facebook page admitting to his ex-wife's shooting. A still from the video is seen above North Carolina police traced Valentine's cellphone to Richmond, Virginia, on Wednesday morning where police say the killer was visiting his father's grave. Officers then tracked Valentine to Columbia, South Carolina, where U.S. Marshals found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a motel. Police Chief Taylor Bartholomew believe that Valentine shot his 15-year-old son when the boy tried to protect his mother Keisha who remains in critical condition in hospital. Victims: Earl Valentine killed his son, Earl Valentine Jr. (left) and injured his ex-wife Keisha Valentine (right) Earl Valentine kicked in the door of his ex-wife's home (pictured) in Norlina, North Carolina on Tuesday and shot her before killing his son, police chief Taylor Bartholomew said Earl Valentine kicked in the door of Keisha Valentine's home in Norlina, North Carolina on Tuesday and shot her before killing his son Earl Jr., police chief Taylor Bartholomew said The chief said he talked to Valentine on the phone and described him as 'cold and callous' and showing no remorse for the shootings. 'We actually got a call from the young victim with a dying declaration that his father had shot him and his father also shot his mother,' Bartholomew said according to WTVR. Valentine had also posted a video on his Facebook page admitting to his ex-wife's shooting, Bartholomew added. 'What's up everybody? I just killed my f***ing wife,' Valentine said. 'I loved my wife, but she deserved what she had coming.' Authorities are looking for Earl Valentine (pictured in an old mugshot), who is accused of shooting his ex-wife and his 15-year-old son, killing the boy, before recording a confession on Facebook Live 'I've been very sick for months and this is something that I could not help,' he added. Police say Valentine showed no remorse for the shooting. 'His main focus was to make sure his ex-wife was dead,' Bartholomew said. In his Facebook video, Valentine continued: 'She lied on me, had warrants taken out on me. She drug me all the way down to nothing. 'I know a lot of y'all are going to be disappointed in me, but it was something that had to be done. The post has since been removed. Keisha Valentine and her son had fled to Norlina nine months ago to escape her abusive ex-husband, Bartholomew said. She'd been granted a year-long domestic violence restraining order that had just expired last month. Bartholomew said there was evidence Valentine had argued with the victim's family on Facebook shortly before the attack. But police are still unsure what prompting the shooting in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Valentine told police he was on his way to Richmond, Virginia, to kill other family members, according to Bartholomew. three month suspension and has a new job A lecturer who had a secret year-long affair with a teenage pupil has been given a three-month teaching ban after telling the court how she 'led him on for sex'. Russell Oakley, 38, was sacked by his college in South Wales after having sex with the 18-year-old girl. The sixth form IT teacher avoided being struck off after telling a disciplinary panel how the 'funny and intelligent' girl pupil found him on an online dating site. Father-of-two Oakley told how their affair began when the girl, identified only as Learner A, contacted him on a dating website after he split from his wife, and admitted he was flattered by her attention. Russell Oakley, 38, was sacked by his college in South Wales after having a year-long sexual relationship with the 18-year-old He said: 'It was the most stressful time of my life. I was going through a divorce, trying to buy a house and worrying about my children. 'It was during this period Learner A made contact with me via a dating website. 'It lifted my spirits and made me feel good about myself. She was a funny and intelligent person and the relationship was a welcome distraction from my problems. 'I made a poor decision to make contact.' Oakley failed to tell his managers at the Cardiff and Vale College in Barry, South Wales, about his affair with the girl. The relationship eventually ended after the teenager discovered he was in a relationship with another lecturer. A disciplinary hearing heard the relationship was revealed when her father saw him call at their house in the early hours of the morning, and recognised him as his daughter's teacher. Cardiff and Vale College, where Oakley and Learner A begun their year-long relationship Oakley said the affair started as a 'healthy, happy relationship' but said he became concerned about the age difference. He told the Education Workforce Council panel: 'She said that she had told her mother and grandmother about the relationship and they did not mind. THIRD DISCIPLINARY HEARING AT COLLEGE This is the third disciplinary hearing this year involving male lecturers at the college. In February, outdoor pursuits lecturer Lee Lewis, 33, was banned from teaching after having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl student. Lewis took the girls virginity after seducing her in a cave on a school rock climbing trip. He was struck off the teaching register after seven allegations against him, amounting to a gross abuse of trust, were found to have been proved. In June teacher Ian Dickie was given a reprimand after being found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct. Dickie invited two female students to London, offering to pay for their hotel. Advertisement 'She said her mother did not mind as long as I treated her right but she was unsure how her father would take it. 'I became stressed about the relationship and no longer wanted it. 'Leaner A put pressure on me to continue the relationship and said she could cause problems for me at work.' Oakley said he 'reluctantly' continued to see Learner A despite starting a new relationship with another lecturer. During his evidence Oakley became tearful and begged the disciplinary panel not to strike him from the teaching register - because he has since been offered another job. He said: 'I hope all of my good work and effort will not be tarnished by one poor decision.' Presenting officer Melinka Berridge said: 'Oakley's decision to form a relationship was motivated by his sexual desires to fulfil his own sexual gratification. 'He became involved in a romantic relationship which developed into a sexual relationship. 'But it was terminated by Learner A when she realised he was in another relationship with another woman. 'He shared personal information with her and provided her with his personal phone meeting.' He faced five charges including the 'inappropriate relationship' including 'engaging in sexual intercourse'. Oakley was given a three month suspension, with the panel saying it was 'in the public interest to maintain public confidence in the industry' Oakley was also accused of 'failing to notify his manager of his relationship' and breached the College's Code of Conduct. The hearing was told his conduct 'sexually motivated' and that he was 'dishonest' about the affair by sending decoy emails. But the panel said Oakley's behaviour 'fell well short' of that expected of a lecturer - and banned him for teaching for three months. Panel chair Sheila Drayton said: 'Mr Oakley engaged in a personal relationship with a learner that he was also teaching and he continue that for over a year. 'He also tried to conceal that relationship. 'This was a serious instance of unacceptable professional conduct.' Mrs Drayton said the only way of dealing with Mr Oakley was through the three month suspension - but said he will be allowed to return. Malcolm Turnbull looks like he could use a nap, after he was caught yawning during a gala dinner at the ASEAN summit. The Australian Prime Minister is currently at the G20 summit in the south east Asian country of Laos, meeting with country leaders from around the world. But it appears some leaders aren't so impressed with meeting Mr Turnbull, with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key posting a photo with the caption: 'Great to catch up with @POTUS President Obama at the East Asia Summit dinner last night,' neglecting to mention the Australian Prime Minister also featured. Malcolm Turnbull looks like he could use a nap, after he was caught yawning during a gala dinner at the ASEAN summit 'Oh, and what's Malcolm Turnbull. Chopped liver?' One user quipped in response to the Twitter snub Still friends? New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key sits alongside Mr Turnbull at a G20 gala dinner Gala dinners and four day negations can be tiring for a Prime Minister, but the long hours might be worthwhile after Mr Turnbull says he has a sense of 'cautious optimism' on some agreement surrounding tensions in the South China Sea. The July decision in the Hague - which rejected China's claims to large swathes of the waters - is 'a reality' Mr Turnbull said on Thursday. But a draft statement from the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) circulating on Thursday looks set to avoid reference to it once more. It will be the second time since the decision that ASEAN has failed to explicitly point to the decision following talks. But Mr Turnbull said there was a sense of 'cautious optimism' that an agreement could be reached over the long sought after Code of Conduct - which would govern behaviour in the waters. Throughout his trip to Laos, Mr Turnbull has been promoting Australia as a peace maker in the region - emphasising the importance of stability and security as a basis for economic growth. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull meets Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the ASEAN summit. He is also hoping to speak with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Mr Turnbull says he has a sense of 'cautious optimism' on some agreement surrounding tensions in the South China Sea Pictured together left is Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (left), US President Barack Obama (centre) and New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key (right). Pictured right meeting Indonesian President Joko Widodo Throughout his trip to Laos, Mr Turnbull has been promoting Australia as a peace maker in the region The message of 'restraint' and 'stability' has also been sent by other non-claimant nations, such as the US and Indonesia throughout the summit. Mr Turnbull said China's ongoing development activities at Scarborough Shoal and other sites in the South China Sea would 'no doubt be on the agenda' when he met the country's Premier Le Kequiang on Thursday. He is also hoping to speak further with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on the topic before leaving Laos, saying as a newly elected leader it was 'very important for us to hear what his views are (on the South China Sea) and what his perspective is firsthand.' The Prime Minister will travel Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia for the Pacific Islands Forum on Thursday night where he will announce a 'substantial package of assistance to Pacific Island countries to address the impacts of climate change and improve disaster risk reduction'. Maritime security and trade will also be on the agenda before he departs for Australia on Saturday. Maritime security and trade will also be on the agenda before Mr Turnbull departs for Australia on Saturday. Mr Turnbull is pictured fifth from the left with 10 ASEAN members Myanmar's State Councellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi (right) talks to Australia Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during the ASEAN-Australia Biennial Summit Wrong route: Ellie Rogers, 18, and her two friends (pictured together) were taken to a prison rather than a nightclub called Pryzm A group of young women had a shock when they asked a taxi driver to take them to a nightclub called Pryzm but ended up outside a prison. Student Ellie Rogers, 18, and two friends booked a car to take them to the club in Birmingham city centre, but the driver took them outside HMP Birmingham. After the girls laughed off the mistake last Thursday, the taxi driver took them on the 25-minute journey from the prison to Pryzm nightclub. Miss Rogers, of Tipton, West Midlands, said: I hopped on a cab in Tipton at around 10pm for a night out in Birmingham with two friends. 'We wanted to go to Pryzm, but he took us to prison. When we realised we'd arrived at Winson Green, I did a double-take. We were all shocked. 'We were like: Oh my God. What have we done? It was so funny. We were all dressed up for night out, sitting outside the prison. I turned round to my friend and said: Is he joking? But the cab driver didn't know what to say, he went very quiet. Scroll down for video Hilarious: Miss Rogers, of Tipton, West Midlands, said the incident last Thursday was 'so funny' Final destination: The friends wanted to go to Pryzm nightclub on Broad Street in Birmingham Oops: The group were taken outside HMP Birmingham, a category B prison built in 1849 Costa Coffee worker Miss Rogers then had another surprise when they realised the driver had kept the meter on for their journey from the prison to the club. She added: On the way back, he kept the meter on. We paid 15. He charged us extra to take us somewhere we didn't ask to go. It was so funny. We were all dressed up for night out, sitting outside the prison Ellie Rogers Next time I might have to explain where we want to go very carefully. I will have to ask the cab driver to take me to Gatecrasher, which is what the club used to be called. Family are devastated he will never get to see his first child come February A New York father-to-be may never get to see his baby girl after a thug's single punch left him in a coma and most likely blind. Arber Bruncaj was left fighting for his life after he was assaulted by ex-con Shu (Richie) Ng, 40, in a random attack at a Manhattan restaurant, NY Daily News reports. Bruncaj, also known as Ben or Benny, was rushed to hospital where doctors were forced to removed part of his skull to relieve pressure on his brain. He remains unconscious and in a critical condition. Arber Bruncaj (pictured with his wife) was left fighting for his life after he was assault in an unprovoked attack Tragically, even if the 42-year-old wakes up from his coma, he is likely to be left blind and will never walk again, sources claim. It means that the father-to-be will never set eyes on his first born child who is due to arrive in February. His pregnant wife Arieta, who was with him during the unprovoked assault at Empire Steakhouse on August 26, has been left devastated by the vicious attack shortly before their wedding anniversary. Police say Bruncaj had been enjoying a few drinks at the restaurant with his family and the group had been preparing to leave at around 11pm when Ng approached the victim. Bruncaj (right) was out with family at a Manhattan restaurant when he was punched by ex-con Shu Ng (left) Ng allegedly approached Bruncaj and began yelling at him before landing the punch It does not appear that Ng had any earlier interaction with Bruncaj as he had been at a birthday party on another floor, but sources say a video shows him yelling at the victim. Onlookers attempted to intervene but Ng landed a punch which knocked out the father-to-be, before fleeing the scene. Ng, who was on parole after a manslaughter conviction, was arrested Tuesday and charged with felony assault. Those charges will likely be upgraded if the victim dies. Bruncaj's cousin Faton Brucaj, who was also with the couple during the attack, has set up a GoFundMe to help cover medical bills. It has already raised almost half its $50,000 goal in just 24 hours. 'This coming February, Benny will become a father for the very first time,' he wrote. 'With their two year anniversary only days away, his wife Arieta is holding up as best she can. Family are devastated that Bruncaj (pictured with his wife Arieta) will be unlikely to ever set eyes on his first born child after sources say he will be left blind His wife Arieta (left), who is four months pregnant, has been devastated by the attack on her husband (right) 'We know that if he is able to, he will be worried sick about his beloved wife and the baby they wanted so badly. He has been so excited to meet his baby girl and we want to do everything we can to make sure that it happens.' Friends and family describe Bruncaj, a resident manager at a downtown Brooklyn condominium, as 'funny and kind' and 'loved by everyone he meets.' 'He's the smartest guy I know,' his cousin wrote. 'And always accepts people with open arms. He is an essential part of the family and we can't imagine a world without him.' Family describe Bruncaj's condition still as very 'touch-and-go' as they pray for recovery. However, they say they accept there will be permanent damage and 'a very long and slow recovery.' Another relative, Liridona Bruncaj-Sheholli , said the family are 'praying for a miracle.' Bruncaj (with wife Arieta) currently remains unconscious and in a critical condition 'His wife is expecting their first child early next year. He is one of 6 children and one of 41 first cousins. We need him to pull thru. We need him to come back to us.' Ng, a part-time actor from Queens, was arrested at a New York hospital, where he'd sought treatment for an injury to the same hand he allegedly used to punch Bruncaj. The Hong-Kong born ex-convict had been out on parole at the time of the assault after serving 16 years for manslaughter. Caught red-handed: Ian Skittlethorpe, from Gosport, Hampshire, told paedophile hunters Dark Justice that he had access to children Vigilantes posing as a 13-year-old girl caught a paedophile red-handed when he admitted to abuse on WhatsApp. Paedophile hunters Dark Justice tipped off police when 58-year-old Ian Skittlethorpe, from Gosport, Hampshire, told them he had access to two children. Skittlethorpe - who avoided jail when sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court - boasted that he had travelled abroad to abuse children and said he was interested in girls as young as ten. He made contact with Dark Justice through an account that he believed belonged to a 13-year-old girl called Amy, said prosecutor Tom Wright. Mr Wright added: In all the contact she was at pains to say she was 13 and living alone in Newcastle.Ian Skittlethorpe was lured into a very sexualised contact with her over a period of days. 'In very short terms, he was discussing with Amy very sexual matters. He expressed to her his wish to have sex with her. Sentenced: Skittlethorpe was handed an 80-week prison term suspended for two years at Portsmouth Crown Court (file picture), which heard that the case was troubling 'He talks about how it was a long time since he had taken the virginity of a 13-year-old girl. He talked about having consensual intercourse with other young people. In the messages, Skittlethorpe asked for naked photos of Amy and urged her to remove her underwear. He also spoke about having sex with a dog. Skittlethorpe admitted two counts of attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity and further admitted ten counts of possessing indecent images. He also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of extreme pornography and one of distributing one indecent image. Some of the images were under category A, which includes the worst abuse. He had deleted WhatsApp from his phone, but police found 13 indecent images. Daniel Reilly, defending, said that Skittlethorpe felt shame and deep regret at his behaviour and said he had got rid of all of his internet devices. Recorder Anne Arnold said the case was troubling and handed Skittlethorpe an 80-week prison term suspended for two years. He talks about how it was a long time since he had taken the virginity of a 13-year-old girl Tom Wright, prosecuting He must sign the sex offenders register for ten years, and a sexual harm prevention order means he must not contact children or for ten years or use internet devices without making them available to police. Skittlethorpe was further ordered to complete 25 hours of rehabilitation and a sex offenders group programme. Libertarian Party presidential candidate Gary Johnson tried to explain away a mortifying gaffe about the Syrian city of Aleppo on Thursday as having 'blanked'. He was given a brutal education on the Middle East as he was asked on MSNBC's Morning Joe: 'What would you do, if you were elected, about Aleppo?' Johnson, a former governor of New Mexico, first asked 'about?' then stared ahead silently but his deer-in-headlights expression spoke volumes. 'And what is Aleppo?' he finally asked. 'You're kidding,' MSNBC contributor Mike Barnicle deadpanned. 'No,' came a reply from Johnson. THIRD-PARTY FAIL: Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson stared into space when an MSNBC political panelist asked him what he would do about Aleppo, without telling him what it was ahead of time 'YOU'RE KIDDING': Journalist Mike Barnicle couldn't believe a presidential candidate didn't know the significance of Aleppo, the epicenter of the Syrian refugee crisis 'WHAT IS ALEPPO?' An elderly Syrian man and a child walk through a field of debris in what was once a residential neighborhood after a government-dropped barrel bomb hit it in 2014 Barnicle had asked Johnson what he would do about Aleppo if he were elected, but didn't offer any context that might help the long-shot candidate decipher what was being asked. Eventually, he needed some help. 'Aleppo is in Syria. It's the epicenter of the refugee crisis,' Barnicle offered. 'Okay, got it. Got it,' Johnson said. In a hallway interview with Bloomberg Politics following his cringe-worthy 'Morning Joe' moment,' Johnson said he was 'incredibly frustrated with myself.' 'I have to get smarter,' he said. 'That's just part of the process.' 'WHAT IS ALEPPO?' This photo from Aug. 31 shows children in the Syrian city swimming in a hole made by a missile attack In a statement, the Libertarian Party nominee said: 'This morning, I began my day by setting aside any doubt that I'm human.' 'Yes, I understand the dynamics of the Syrian conflict I talk about them every day. But hit with "What about Aleppo?", I immediately was thinking about an acronym, not the Syrian conflict.' 'I blanked,' Johnson added. 'It happens, and it will happen again during the course of this campaign.' He also suggested that he would rely on aides and advisers to keep him current on world affairs, if he should win the White House. 'As Governor, there were many things I didn't know off the top of my head. But I succeeded by surrounding myself with the right people, getting to the bottom of important issues, and making principled decisions. It worked,' he said. He then went on The View on ABC and was questioned again on the gaffe, repeating his claim: 'I was thinking in terms of acronym Aleppo.' Hillary Clinton chuckled about Johnson's gaffe a few hours later during a brief media availability on an upstate New York airplane tarmac. 'Well, you can look on the map and find Aleppo!' she said. 'WHAT IS ALEPPO?' This mid-August image of a five-year-old boy in Aleppo shows him shell-shocked after he was pulled out of a building's rubble following a Syrian government airstrike 'WHAT IS ALEPPO?' Soldiers belonging to the Free Syrian Army are seen during an anti-ISIS operation last week Johnson has been polling in the high single-digits in most national election surveys but a few polls have him reaching as high as 12 per cent. He is running with former Massachusetts governor William Weld. Johnson finally pronounced Syria's protracted and violent civil war 'a mess.' 'And I think the only way that we deal with Syria is to join hands with Russia to diplomatically bring that at an end,' he said. 'But when we've aligned ourselves with, when we've supported the opposition, the Free Syrian Army the Free Syrian Army is also coupled with the Islamists and then the fact that we're also supporting the Kurds, and this is, it's just a mess.' 'And this is the result of regime change that we end up supporting and, inevitably, these regime changes have led to a less safe world.' 'DEPRESSING Barnicle's full question was: 'What would you do, if you were elected, about Aleppo?' MSNBC co-host Joe Scarborough was flabbergasted at the answer and asked Johnson if he believed 'foreign policy is so insignificant that somebody running for president of the United States shouldnt even know what Aleppo is, where Aleppo is, why Aleppo is so important?' Johnson tried to salvage a rapidly deteriorating situation. 'I do understand Aleppo and I understand the crisis that is going on,' he said. 'But when we involve ourselves militarily, when we involve ourselves in these humanitarian issues, issues, we end up with a situation that in most cases is not better, and in many cases ends up being worse.' 'And we find ourselves always politicians are up against the wall, and ask what to do about these things, and this is why we end up committing military force in areas that, like I say, at the end of the day have an unintended consequence of making things worse.' MAYBE NOT: 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney said Wednesday on Twitter that Johnson should have a more visible role in the election 'Boy, thats depressing,' Scarborough said later. 'It is staggering that somebody would run for President of the United States, get 14 per cent, 15 per cent in polls, and be so ignorant on foreign policy they would ask the question "what is Aleppo?" on national television.' 'I was stunned,' Barnicle offered. 'It's been on the front page of every newspaper for months.' Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney tweeted on Wednesday that Johnson and his running mate should be given greater visibility during the final months of the election season. Lt. General Mike Flynn is backing Donald Trump's assertion that military generals have been 'reduced to rubble' under President Obama and cited himself and fired Gen. Stanley McChrystal among those moved out over 'disagreements.' 'There is a severe disconnect between this White House and frankly the president and our military,' Flynn told 'Fox and Friends' on Thursday. 'I mean theres a lot of frustration within the ranks and theres a lot of frustration, I know, in the senior leadership. You look over the past eight years of generals that have been moved out of the service for disagreements or just the lack of being able to push a particular strategy that we know that can lead us to victory,' Flynn said. Asked by host Steve Doocy to 'give us some names,' Flynn who Trump considered as a running mate mentioned retired Gens. David McKiernen, Stanley McChrystal, James Mattis and himself. 'There are others,' he said. Scroll down for video Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, is backing Donald Trump's assertion that military generals have been turned to 'rubble' under President Obama Flynn was asked about the issue after GOP nominee Donald Trump said at a 'commander in chief forum' on NBC Wednesday blasted 'embarasing' leadership under President Obama. 'I think under the leadership of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton the generals have been reduced to rubble they have been reduced to a point where its embarrassing for our country,' Trump said. Trump on Wednesday said he would ask generals to produce a plan to defeat ISIS within 30 days of taking office after saying he already had a plan and earlier saying he knew more about ISIS than the generals. 'If like maybe a combination of my plan and the generals plan or the generals plan. If I like their plan, Matt Im not going to call you up and say, "Matt we have a great plan." This is what Obama does,' Trump said. Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who led forces in Afghanistan as is considered a top military strategist and resigned after publication of a Rolling Stone feature about him Flynn also cited retired Marine Corps General James Mattis, who was commander of U.S. Central Command under President Obama Hillary Clinton hit back at Trump on Thursday, telling reporters he 'trash-talked American generals.' Trump and Clinton have been engaged in a battle of brass, after Trump rolled out 88 generals and admirals supporting him, and Clinton countered the following day with 95 flag officers who support her. The Clinton camp said she got more brass than any recent non-incumbent Democrat, whereas Trump was 400 behind 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney. Flynn has said he got pushed out after questioning Obama's strategy to defeat ISIS. McChrystal resigned after publication of a Rolling Stone magazine feature about him called 'The Runaway General' where McChrystal and his staff were quoted speaking derisively about top civilian leaders. The Clinton camp hit back at Trump following Wednesday's forum. 'Trump's unpresidential trifecta tonight: 1. Attack our generals 2. Praise Putin 3. Blame women in combat for sexual assault,' tweeted Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon. 'Trump thinks our nation's military leaders are contestants on The Apprentice,' Fallon said in another tweet. Former House speaker Newt Gingrich, another Romney supporter, blasted Romney in his own appearance, after the former Massachusetts governor sent out a tweet saying third party candidates should get to participate in debates. 'I feel sad for Mitt Romney,' Gingrich said. 'This is a guy who for a long time in Massachusetts claimed to not really be a Republican He said he wasnt for Bush and Reagan in the 1980s,' then became the GOP nominee for a 'brief shining moment.' Two elderly drivers have caused a traffic jam on a single lane bridge in a small town. A man, 80, and a woman, 80, have refused to give the other driver way, believing they had the right of way because they were on the bridge first on the single lane Picton, south-west of Sydney. Daniel Valenzi, from Yerrinbool, recorded the bizarre incident, which caused traffic delays of 30 minutes, and told Daily Mail Australia that he had never witnessed anything like it in his life. Scroll down for video An elderly man and woman have stubbornly refused to move out of each others way on a single lane bridge in Picton 'I thought maybe someone was going to jump off or someone had an accident, so I got out to go see what happened,' Mr Valenzi said. In the video, he says: 'this is hilarious, here we are on the Picton Bridge, and they've come on at the same time and are refusing to move,' he added. Mr Valenzi said the disagreement was between a woman who looked 80 and a man about 70-80 years-old who was with his son. 'Both of them bluntly refused to move, saying "they need to move",' he said. Mr Valenzi said that he even argued with both senior drivers to try to get either to move. 'Both drivers called the police, when the police showed up, the female was made to reverse back off the bridge and both were given tickets,' he added. Both senior drivers were called the police to the scene, but each ended up with fines of $253 for 'unreasonably obstructing a path of a vehicle' Their stubborn deadlock caused traffic for 30 minutes on the two busy main roads that lead to the bridge. Police were eventually called to the scene and booked both drivers $253 for 'unreasonably obstructing a path of a vehicle'. He claims she lashed out when he said he wanted to break off contact But the shamed politician says she was the one who reacted badly Travis claimed Spitzer got angry after saying she was returning to Moscow His lawyers say they 'discontinued' any action 'without Eliot Spitzer has dropped the lawsuit against the $5,000-a-night Russian prostitute who said he choked her at the Plaza Hotel. The disgraced former New York Governor accused 25-year-old Svetlana Travis of fraud and extortion after she said he attacked her in a $1,000-a-night suite in February. The divorced woman called 911 and told cops that Spitzer, 57, had gotten physically abusive with her after revealing her plans to return to Moscow. He filed court papers against her in July, but less than two months later he has withdrawn the claims. His legal team told the New York Post: 'Eliot Spitzer, by and through his attorneys, hereby discontinues the above-entitled action without prejudice and without costs to either party as against the other.' Eliot Spitzer has dropped the lawsuit against $5,000-a-night Russian prostitute Svettlana Travis (pictured) who said he choked her at the Plaza Hotel Spitzer still could file another lawsuit in the future. The shamed politician admitted to having a 'relationship' with Travis in the lawsuit, despite previously denying the pair were romantically involved. He also admitted making 'certain payments' to prevent her from making their trysts public. Spitzer says in court papers that Travis 'demanded' the meeting on February 13 in New York. He claims she then 'became enraged when [he] told her that he did not wish to maintain any relationship with her, that he did not intend to give her more property, and that he intended to end all contact.' The disgraced former New York Governor (left) accused Travis (right) of fraud and extortion after she said he attacked her in a $1,000-a-night suite in February Travis had also cut herself with glass, but when she was hospitalized for her wounds, she changed her story and became 'totally uncooperative' with police. The lawsuit claims Travis inflicted the wounds on herself, and cited psychological issues in the past. DailyMail.com has contacted Travis for comment. Travis reportedly split from her husband Michael in 2013, but kept his last name as her initial 'Z' for the article. In it she states: 'I'm a businesswoman. I did what politicians in this country are always encouraging immigrants to do: work hard, seize opportunity, maximize your talents. In the article, she boasts that she came to New York with just $300 but became successful after building a stable of clients. 'I turned 24 in March and have managed to save $200,000, by f****** for money,' reads the piece. Spitzer says in court papers that Travis (pictured) 'demanded' the meeting on February 13 in New York. He claims she then 'became enraged when [he] told her that he did not wish to maintain any relationship with her' Spitzer, the multi-millionaire son of real estate tycoon Bernard Spitzer, studied at Princeton before graduating Harvard Law school and going on to become a lawyer. While at Harvard he met his former wife, Silda, who he has three children with. After graduating Spitzer then went on to make a name for himself as the 'Sheriff of Wall Street' by chasing down corrupt financiers, and was even considered presidential material. In 2007 he became the 54th governor of New York, but was forced to quit the following year amid a prostitution scandal. He reportedly had at least seven meetings with high-end prostitutes over a six-month period, and is believed to have spent up to $80,000 on hookers over many years. Infamous as Client 9 of the Emperors Club VIP call-girl ring, he resigned at a public press conference along with Silda, who elected to stand by him. After his resignation, Spitzer attempted to rehabilitate his public image with a stint presenting a CNN news show which failed and then eventually made his way back to work for his father who passed away last year, leaving Spitzer $16million. However, his marriage finally fell apart after he was pictured sneaking into the Soho apartment of political spin doctor Lis Smith in December 2013. The affair is widely believed to have been behind Spitzer's split from Silda, which was eventually agreed in February 2014. As part of the settlement, she was granted $7.5million, $240,000-a-year for life, and the couple's luxury Fifth Avenue apartment. Meanwhile Smith, who had just become part of Mayor Bill de Blasio's team and was widely tipped to become his press secretary, was dropped from his office. After the affair was made public, Spitzer appeared to have no qualms about hiding his new relationship with a much younger woman. A 71-year-old man was shot in Chicago this week while watering his lawn as two men attempted to rob him. It was a little after 11 a.m. on Tuesday when the victim, Fred Laguardia, was approached by two suspects on bikes outside his home in Marquette Park. Home surveillance video taken from a neighbor's house shows the two men attempting to rob Laguardia, however he refused to give in to them. A struggle ensued and the senior citizen was thrown to the ground, where he was shot once in the abdomen by one of the men, according to WGNTV. Surveillance footage from a neighbors house shows the moment Fred Laguardia (white shirt) was approached by a man on a bike, while another waited nearby (left) Fight: A struggle ensued, with the elderly victim refusing to give in to the robber The 71-year-old was thrown to the ground and shot once in the abdomen by the suspect. He survived the shooting and was taken to hospital After shooting Laguardia, one of the men searches his pockets and takes his wallet. Laguardia was taken to Holy Cross Hospital and then transferred to Mount Sinai Hospital where he underwent surgery. Police said he is in fair condition. 'It's just absolutely ridiculous, you're not even safe in your own yard,' neighbor Teryeyah Griggs told ABC 7. The shooting followed what was the deadliest holiday weekend in Chicago's history. Thirteen people were shot to death in 43 shootings over the Labor Day weekend. There have been nearly 500 murders in Chicago so far in 2016. Scene: It was a little after 11 a.m. on Tuesday when the victim, 71-year-old Fred Laguardia, was approached by two suspects on bikes outside is home in Marquette Park There is a $1000 reward being offered to anyone who can provide information that leads to an arrest and charges in this case Anyone with any information is asked to call 1-800-UTellUs (1-800-883-5587) We've all done it - taking selfies with a famous attraction then sharing them with our friends. One tourist in a Japanese city got a bit of a shock when she took a selfie with a deer, an iconic symbol of Nara. In the picture, the animal appeared to be fed up with being included in photographs, casting a despising look at the woman. Where is my food? A deer from Japan has become famous online after appearing to despise a Taiwanese tourist for taking a selfie with it The selfie was posted to the internet yesterday by a user, known by her screen name of Hong Qiqi, to Taiwan member-only Facebook community 'Baoliao Commune'. It is thought that Hong Qiqi is the woman in the picture, which had been taken at Nara Park. Along with the picture, Hong posted: 'Am I not good at taking selfies? 'It's essential to take pictures with deer since [I am] in Nara. However, this deer did not cooperate.' Sacred: Deer, considered to be sacred by the locals, are a popular tourist attraction in Nara The picture was then re-shared by Baoliao Commune to its public page and has since gathered around 12,000 reactions. An editor from the online community, known by her screen name 'huang jin mei li hao', told MailOnline that she found the picture extremely funny. She said she and her co-workers discussed the picture and decided to share it on the community's public page for more people to enjoy. She added: 'I feel like the deer was saying: "How dare you didn't bring food to me?"' Many of the community's fans were amused by the deer's look, claiming the animal must have got bored of being used as the background for selfies. A user named 'Elbert Lin' wrote: 'The deer must be thinking: "Here comes another tourist who wants a selfie but doesn't feed me."' While user 'Chuan Bo' said the animal was fed up with all the tourists as each of them seemed to want a selfie. 'Junhao Huang' commented: 'It's common sense that treats must be offered first.' Tourist attraction: Many of them can be seen frolicking in the spacious Nara Park Situated in the west central section of Honshu, the largest island of Japan, Nara was the capital of the country from 710 to 784, witnessing seven successive Emperors over the Nara Period. Deer, considered to be sacred by the locals, are a popular tourist attraction in the Nara Park. A gay man who lived a stereotypical 'straight' life playing footy and pouring beers in a small country town has revealed how he turned to the drug ice as a way to cope with his own self-loathing after coming out at 33. Dave Oliver, now 35, was dabbling with ice, as meth is known in Australia, when he came out as being gay to his close friends and family after moving back to his home town of Cowra in central New South Wales to become a publican. 'It was in way a relief to come out but I was never 100 per cent sure about it, I was always self-conscious about who was in the bar and it became easy for me to use to escape it,' he told Daily Mail Australia. Dave Oliver, centre, grew up on the football field playing ruby union and was petrified of what his mates would think if they knew he was gay He turned to drugs to escape those fears and fell into a rapid downward spiral with ice after coming out to his parents at 33 (pictured here high at Christmas time) The publican first felt the drug helped him with his work but as he fell deeper and deeper into use found it controlled his life As his fear of being stigmatised for his homosexuality grew he started using more frequently until his whole life became about when he could get his next hit. 'I don't think I ever recovered from coming out and the fear of being gay in a small town, so I used more of the drug. 'It made me feel good and I looked around and it seemed like the people I did it with were having a good time. 'I avoided socialising with people at work and just waited to after hours so I could use again. He now looks at the desperate lengths he went to for a high and cringes. 'I remember driving to Young (an hour away) to score.. On dusk, and I swerved off the road to miss a kangaroo and I was more angry that my pipe had rolled across the seat and smashed against the far door. 'Then I looked up and I was about five metres from a tree, I just sat their shaking and crying.' Dave said he was always self-conscious being a gay publican in a small country town He had hidden from his sexuality his whole life so he could focus on the sport he loved Paranoid and constantly fearing people would 'get the wrong idea' in social situations Dave started to withdraw from the sporting activities he once put first. 'It is a drug that tells you that nothing matters outside of using it. 'Everything else took a back seat. I lost interest in rugby (union) and my family which were two of the things I had always loved most.' He heard rumours about himself which slashed his self-confidence and made his dissent into drugs harder and faster. 'One particular rumour I heard was that I had been engaging in sexual acts with men in turn for me to provide them with drugs. After he came out he started using ice more to hide his self-loathing soon he stopped participating in the game at all 'That was vicious and it still tears me apart just to think that anyone would believe that I had engaged in that kind of behaviour.' He admits for the most part the town was supportive about his homosexuality, but his low-self-esteem meant he couldn't appreciate it. 'The rugby club embraced me and my family were very supportive about it. 'But I was still unsure because although I think the community has moved forward with accepting homosexuals I think male sport has a long way to go.' But casual homophobia rife in the 'men's club' he had always surrounded himself with hurt him so he went further into his shell. He hit rock bottom after his personal life and business fell apart while he was using 'I couldn't surround myself with people who had been drinking, especially if I hadn't because they would use terms like fag and faggot. 'I didn't want to find myself in those social situations.' Then his life-long struggle with sexual abuse he experienced as a nine year-old came to the forefront of his mind. 'I didn't know what to call it or what it was,' Dave said of his abuse. 'Because it was a boy a few years older than me, and I wasn't sure if he was gay or not, so I didn't know if it was experimentation or abuse and that made me feel confused and ashamed of myself for most of my life.' Before ice, and coming out, Dave appeared confident and happy despite facing inner demons He suffered from mental health issues following a sexual assault when he was a child - this followed him throughout his life even when he went to coach overseas, pictured The older boy was a teenager but the acts left Dave confused about what he had actually been through. 'When I went into rehab I was finally told I should call it what it was abuse.' As his anxiety and ever increasing drug use sky rocketed Dave found himself losing control of the business he had proudly entered two years earlier. 'When I first started using I found it as a way to run the pub by myself. 'I could work all day, close up, clean up and get a head start on the next day. 'But everything started being about the drug toward the end.' The publican felt safe to come out when he moved back to Cowra but faced more issues His two sisters, pictured left, and parents supported him when he told them he was gay And although he was confident no patrons knew he was using his relationship with the building owners lifelong family friends became strained. 'I started fighting with my dad (who was a silent business partner) and the family who owned the building. 'It was a pretty bad time.' When it came to renewing the lease on the property he found his business hadn't been as successful as he had hoped. It was the week before he had to hand his business over that three of his friends knocked on the door to help him out. A stint in rehab in Sydney showed Dave how much burying his past sexual abuse and homosexuality hurt him A stint in rehab in Sydney showed Dave how much burying his past sexual abuse and homosexuality hurt him and lead to his low self-esteem and poor mental health. He is now looking to share his story on an online platform so other people don't fall into a poor state of mental health and substance abuse like he did. 'I am hoping to tell my story and want to see it snowball with other people sharing theirs. 'I think people who have reached the other end of the tunnel have so much to offer. 'If I had read about someone in a similar situation as me then maybe I would have been able to get the help I needed sooner. Dave doesn't think he will ever touch drugs again but said he had tried others before becoming addicted to ice 'I thought I was mach enough and enough of a man to deal with it myself, but I wasn't. 'I needed help I just didn't know how to find a safe place to get it.' He hopes to be able to have survivor's stories as well as links to professional resources all in one place. Dave admitted he had also used party drugs such as ecstasy and cocaine throughout his late teens and twenties to hide from his sexuality and history of sexual abuse. He said ice was the worst drug he had tried and caused him to spiral out of control because it was so easily available in Cowra and surrounding areas. He has now moved to Perth and is working toward becoming a teacher. Dave decided to tell his story in time with R U OK Day. If you or someone you know needs support contact Lifeline on 131114. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (C, front) attends the 19th summit between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations, in Vientiane, Laos, Sept. 7, 2016. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) Chinese Premier Li Keqiang was quoted by Xinhua on Wednesday as saying that relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have matured over the last 25 years, since the organization's founding. This comes as Li arrives in Vientiane for his first official visit to Laos, where he will attend the East Asia Summit. During the visit, Li will also attend the 19th China-ASEAN leaders' meeting. Incidentally, China is the ASEAN's most active people-to-people cooperation partner, as well as ASEAN's largest trading partner. ASEAN is also China's third largest trading partner. This comes after a visit by U.S. President Obama as well, where he apologized for the covert bombing campaign in Laos during the Vietnam War. Obama said that the U.S. dropped more ammunition in Laos via bombing than on Japan and Germany combined during the Second World War. He said that given U.S. history, it is America's duty to let Laos heal the scourge of war. Obviously that's hyperbole. One might wonder why now. Part of the reason is that Laos is the chair of ASEAN, and therefore it was required diplomacy. More cynical analysts would point out that it is part of a general pivot to Asia. Laos is still haunted by the war. The Philippines is now a loose cannon and a meeting was cancelled between Filipino President Duterte and Obama over the use of undiplomatic language by the former. And finally, according to bandwagoning behavior in international relations, smaller states usually gravitate towards their giant neighbors; that giant neighbor is also a huge economic power, and the giant neighbor is more pragmatic in foreign policy and doesn't raise much concern about values and the internal dynamics of the smaller states. All that leads to ASEAN pivoting towards China. China on the other hand has shown a fresh willingness to talk to the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam, knowing that the Obama presidency is in its final stages. The Southeast Asian countries know that economics are more important to them than geopolitics, and they are willing to accept trade acceleration and direct Chinese investment. It is admittedly a boon to Asian economic development, and it cuts down conflict risks as well. China's Belt and Road initiative is already connecting Asia to Europe. China manages the Sino-ASEAN Investment Cooperation Fund, which funds infrastructure projects and energy projects in Southeast Asia. Laos and Cambodia already have friendly relations with China, the Philippines have finally realized that they need to negotiate with China, and Thailand is steadily shifting towards Beijing economically as well. In this time, China and ASEAN are steadily approaching detente with regards to the South China Sea issue. As I mentioned in my previous column, there are chances of conflict only when communication breaks down between states. Apparently, the ASEAN and the Chinese government understand that as well. Both sides are planning to set up a communication hotline for unplanned maritime encounters, as well as for foreign ministries to respond during emergencies. Since 2010, ASEAN and China have been negotiating a legally binding code of maritime conduct in the South China Sea, but progress has been slow. However, more focus should be on regional cooperation, and an effort should be made so as to ensure that the South China Sea issue doesn't eclipse everything else on the table. 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 They were invited to beach party in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland Group of burkini-clad Syrian refugees were given a police escort to beach A group of burkini-clad Syrian refugees had to be given a police escort to a beach party after 'concerning' comments that were strongly opinionated emerged on Facebook. Police said they escorted the refugees to the beach barbecue in Benone, Magilligan, County Londonderry Northern Ireland last Saturday as part of their 'keeping people safe' role. The migrants had been invited to the event by organisers North West Migrants Forum as part of the CARE (Community and Refugee Encounter) Project. North West Migrants Forum organised a burkini beach barbecue in Benone, Magilligan County, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, and it was intended to be a 'relaxed beach experience' The migrants had been invited to the event as part of the CARE (Community and Refugee Encounter) Project run by the Forum and despite the weather it looked like it was great fun But the group had faced criticism after asking people to show their support for other Muslim women, around the world and particularly in France, by wearing burkinis The party was billed as a 'relaxed beach experience' but the group is said to have faced criticism after asking people to 'wear burkinis to show support to our Muslim women'. They are believed to have been on the receiving end of negative comments posted on Facebook. One project co-ordinator explained: 'After very strong opinions expressed through our Facebook account and the ongoing Burkini debate, we were concerned that the event may be disrupted.' The group were given a police escort as a result of 'concerning' and 'strongly opinionated comments' about the event which appeared on Facebook However, despite police attending the event, the party is believed to have gone off without a hitch. The North West Migrants Forum added: 'We felt very relaxed and free to enjoy the barbecue and the beautiful beach experience without any interference.' And a police spokesman said: 'The event provided the opportunity to engage with a cross section of the local community in a very positive way.' Pictures show the refugees in full Muslim dress enjoying themselves on the beach and playing around in the surf. Organisers said it had been a well-attended and positive experience and thanked police 'for keeping us safe'. A spokesman told the Derry Journal: 'We had two police officers who spent the whole day with us, they even let the children explore and play with their van. The party went off without a hitch and families were able to enjoy themselves and enjoy the barbecue in its beautiful surroundings Organisers said it had been a well-attended and positive experience and thanked police 'for keeping them safe' 'The families were very grateful to have them there. They felt supported and that they belong. 'We hope that we will be able to organise another event next summer.' The police escort came after the furore surrounding controversial bans in some French communities which saw women forced to remove their burkinis. The first ban was introduced by the Mayor of Cannes, David Lisnard, on August 12. Controversial bans in coastal towns across France had seen women forced to remove their burkini. Photos of officers forcing women to remove burkinis were met with condemnation It was brought in, the local council said, to prohibit 'beachwear ostentatiously showing a religious affiliation while France and places of religious significance are the targets of terror attacks'. After the move in Cannes, a string of French resort towns introduced similar bans, sparking protests across the world. Preeti Rathi died following the acid attack at a Mumbai train station A man who killed a woman by hurling acid in her face when she rejected his marriage proposal has been sentenced to death in India in what is being seen as a legal landmark. Preeti Rathi, who was 23 when she was murdered, had just arrived from Delhi to join the Indian navy as a nurse. Her neighbour Ankur Panwar attacked her after she rejected a marriage proposal. Her threw sulphuric acid on her in a fit of jealously outside a railway station in Mumbai in May 2013. She died in hospital of multiple organ failure the next month. 'The court has awarded the death penalty to Ankur Panwar. I convinced the court that the acid attack belonged to the rarest of rare cases, public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told AFP. About 300 acid attacks were reported in India in 2015, according to the latest official crime figures Nikam added: 'This is a landmark judgement for such crimes. This is the first time that such a judgement has been passed for an acid attack-related case against a woman.' Police said Panwar, a hotel management graduate, had committed the heinous crime out of jealously when she rejected his marriage proposal. He had wanted to disfigure her face to destroy her career. The victim's family welcome today's decision and said the death penalty should now be swiftly carried out. 'We had sought the death penalty since the beginning so the verdict is good. Now, we want it to be carried out without any delay,' Hitesh Rathi, Preeti's brother, told AFP. Deaths from acid attacks are rare but scores of survivors face lifelong scars and social stigma Activists welcomed the sentence which they said would go a long way to preventing future attacks, but criticised the length of time taken to bring the offender to justice. Sonali Mukherjee, whose own face was severely disfigured in 2003 by a group of men who have been convicted but are on bail pending an appeal, said: 'It is a welcome judgement but it has come too late. It took a fast-track court three years to punish the guilty.' About 300 acid attacks were reported in India in 2015, according to the latest official crime figures. Experts said these figures and similar ones in other South Asian countries are likely to represent only the tip of the iceberg. Deaths are rare but scores of survivors face lifelong scars and social stigma. India's Supreme Court ordered states in 2013 to enforce restrictions on the sale of acid to try and curb attacks, but Mukherjee and other campaigners claim that it remains easy to purchase. Panwar's lawyer said she would appeal the verdict - delivered at a special court dealing with crimes against women - to the Bombay High Court, Mumbai's highest. 'We are moving the case to the high court. There is no second thought about it,' Apeksha Vora told AFP. The EU's top court has come under fire after backing Playboy's fight to stop a website posting links to images published without permission. Playboy's Dutch publisher, Sanoma, had sought to force website GeenStijl to remove a hyperlink to photos of television celebrity, Britt Dekker, which were posted illegally. In a decision which could have far wider consequences across the internet, the European Court of Justice decided that posting such links infringes copyright - when the website doing it is seeking to profit from pictures published without permission. The EU's top court has come under fire after backing Playboy's fight to stop a website posting links to images published without permission (file picture) GS Media, the company that owns GeenStijl, described the decision as a blow to press freedom. 'It is undisputed that GS Media provided the hyperlinks to the files containing the photos for profit and that Sanoma had not authorised the publication of those photos on the internet,' the Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice (ECJ) said in a statement. 'When hyperlinks are posted for profit, it may be expected that the person who posted such a link should carry out the checks necessary to ensure that the work concerned is not illegally published.' GS Media said after the ruling: 'If commercial media companies - such as GeenStijl - can no longer freely and fearlessly hyperlink it will be difficult to report on newsworthy new questions, leaked information and internal struggles and unsecure networks in large companies.' The issue of hyperlinking to photos and articles has become a divisive issue with the spread of the internet. In a decision which could have far wider consequences across the internet, the European Court of Justice (pictured) decided that posting such links infringes copyright - when the website doing it is seeking to profit from pictures published without permission Content owners argue that the ease with which people can post links to copyrighted material on the internet infringes their rights while internet users say restricting people's ability to post links goes against the principle of freedom of information. The ECJ recognised that the internet 'is of particular importance to freedom of expression and of information and that hyperlinks contribute to its sound operation and to the exchange of opinions and information as well.' Therefore it could be difficult for individuals posting such links to know if they are doing it legally, the court said. However, if a person should have been aware because the owner informed him or he is doing it for profit, then the posting of a link infringes copyright law, the court said. breasts and reached into her underwear A woman has been given a suspended jail sentence for indecently assaulting a 15-year-old girl whom she was a mentor to. The assault occurred one evening after the 51-year-old woman had been drinking heavily with the teenager's mother, the Western Australia District Court heard. She then climbed into bed with the teenager and proceeding to reach under her t-shirt and touch her breasts and put her hand in her underwear, the West Australian reports. The 15-year-old girl was indecently assaulted by the woman who touched her breasts and reached into her underwear (stock image) The teenager had been struggling with her mental health and had recently come out as gay, the court heard. Her mother had asked the accused, who is also gay, to act as a mentor to her daughter. Judge Anthony Derrick said the 51-year-old's risk of reoffending was low but said her actions were serious and 'a significant breach of the trust of an emotionally vulnerable young girl' according to the West Australian The court heard how the pair were 'flirtatious' to one another in the weeks following the incident and Judge Derrick accepted that the offences didn't have a 'significant adverse impact' on the teenager. The accused had denied indecently touching the 15-year-old but said she may have cuddled the girl. The 51-year-old was given a year-long suspended sentence on Thursday to 16 months prison. A jury found her guilty of two counts of indecent assault. The 51-year-old woman was found guilty on Thursday of indecently assaulting the girl by Western Australia's District Court (pictured) Austrian prosecutors have charged two terror suspects over links to last year's Paris attacks that killed 130 people. They are accused of helping two other suspects who Austria extradited to France earlier this year through 'logistics as well as through gathering information and arranging contacts.' The two men are identified by officials in Salzburg as a 26-year old Moroccan and a 40-year old Algerian but are not named in keeping with Austrian privacy laws. Austrian prosecutors have charged two terror suspects over links to last year's Paris attacks that killed 130 people. Revellers are pictured fleeing from the Bataclan theatre during November's atrocity They also are charged with belonging to a criminal organisation. The two extradited in July were a 35-year old Pakistani and a 29-year old Algerian. All four are believed to have come to Europe last year and shared the same Salzburg refugee shelter. ISIS claimed responsibility for the November 13 atrocity in the French capital, which included suicide bomb blasts at the Stade de France, gun attacks on restaurants and bars and a massacre inside the Bataclan music hall. ISIS claimed responsibility for the November 13 atrocity in the French capital, which included suicide bomb blasts at the Stade de France, gun attacks on restaurants and bars and a massacre inside the Bataclan music hall It comes as France remains on high alert following a series of ISIS-related attacks this year. A deadly summer in France saw 86 people killed when a truck ploughed into a Bastille Day crowd in the southern resort of Nice. ISIS said the truck was driven by one of its followers. Charges against her were upgraded to manslaughter An MMA fighter and his partner have made an emotional plea for people to stop drinking and driving as charges were upgraded against the woman who allegedly mowed down and killed their infant son. Marcus Kowal and his girlfriend Mishel Eder broke down in tears as they spoke about their 15-month-old son Liam who was declared brain dead on Sunday after the hit-and-run. Donna Marie Higgins, 72, who was caught trying to flee the scene, was rearrested yesterday on vehicular manslaughter charges after the boy's parents made the heartbreaking decision to switch off life-support. Scroll down for video Marcus Kowal and his girlfriend Mishel Eder have made an emotional plea to stop drinking and driving as charges are upgraded against the woman who allegedly mowed down and killed their infant son 'Yesterday my son was taken off life support and his organs were donated,' said Kowal at a fundraiser calling for stricter laws on drinking and driving. 'H e was the happiest baby and to have him ripped away from us is so cruel,' said Eder. ' Speaking here today is the hardest thing for me to do but I need to do it for my baby, so other babies are safe.' 'Please don't drink and drive, ever.' Koval, who is originally from Sweden, called the US's legal 0.8 alcohol limit 'absolutely ridiculous' as he pleaded for a zero tolerance policy on drinking and driving. Kowal's 15-month-old son Liam (pictured with him) was declared brain dead on Sunday after the hit-and-run Loved: MMA fighter Marcus Kowal posted this on his Facebook page Tuesday. It reads: 'Good night bebisen (baby), you'll always be with us. Pappa alskar dig (Daddy loves you)' 'His death will not go in vain,' Eder added, tears rolling down her face. 'We are going to fight, fight and fight for Liam. Liam and his 15-year-old aunt were within the boundaries of a crosswalk in Hawthorne, California, on Saturday when they were mowed down by an allegedly drunk Higgins. The teen received serious injuries but survived the smash. Kowal said he ran to the roadside to be confronted with the sight of his son's stroller torn in two. Numerous police cars were already at the scene. Liam, who was found not breathing and without a pulse, was rushed to Harbor UCLA Medical Center with internal injuries. The following day, he was declared brain dead. Kowal and his girlfriend Mishel Eder (pictured left and with Kowal right) broke down in tears at a fundraiser calling for stricter laws on drinking and driving The MMA fighter said that he had arrived at the road after the crash to find his son's stroller in two pieces (pictured) Donna Marie Higgins (left), 72, has had her charges upgraded to manslaughter after Liam's life support was switched off.' Kowal (right) said there was now 'a void' in his 'soul' On Sunday Kowal wrote on Facebook: 'About an hour ago, our baby was declared brain dead. He tried to fight so hard. He even died at one point but they brought him back. He's a little fighter.' 'His heart is still beating but his brain is no longer working,' Kowal continued. 'Our hearts are broken and there's a void in my soul but we will get through this.' Yesterday, Kowal posted a final photograph on Facebook showing his son's tiny, scratched hand with the caption, 'Good night bebisen (baby), you'll always be with us. Pappa alskar dig (Daddy loves you).' Eder also shared a snap showing her holding her son's hand next to a soft toy and said: 'Saying good bye to my light, my love before he goes to save lives. This pain is unbearable. Liam, I love you. Hug your children, kiss them always. Don't lose patience. Laugh with them often. Get off your phones and play games. #rememberliam.' Heartbroken: MMA fighter Marcus Kowal has been left 'heartbroken' after his 15-month-old son Liam (both pictured) was killed in an alleged drunk-driving incident on Saturday Killed: Liam suffered internal injuries and was not breathing and had no pulse when paramedics arrived. He was later declared dead at Harbor UCLA Medical Center Brain dead: In this Facebook post, Kowal (pictured with Liam and partner Mishel Eder) announced that his son was declared brain dead on Sunday Witnesses say the driver of the car tried to flee, but they followed Higgins in their own cars then blocked off her escape routes until cops arrived, Hawthorne Police said. She was given an on-the-spot sobriety test and was arrested on suspicion of felony hit and run and felony drunk driving. Higgins posted bail, but was rearrested yesterday at 3pm on the upgraded charges of vehicular manslaughter charges after Liam's parents switched off his life support. In the early hours of yesterday, just a few hours after saying his final farewell to his son, Kowal posted a video on Facebook again pleading for people not to drink and drive. 'It's been about four hours since I left the hospital where I said goodbye to my 15-month-old baby for the last time. Three days ago he got hit by a drunk driver. 'I'm not a paid actor, this is not a commercial, this is reality. 'All I can say is, don't drink and drive. Don't let a friend drink or drive. Please.' In another post, he said he's been overwhelmed by the support from friends, family and the public. Hundreds turned out for the the fundraiser for his campaign against drink-driving yesterday where he also spoke passionately about the importance of organ donation. The couple have donated Liam's organs to help other babies in need and encouraged everyone, regardless of culture or religion, to donate. Fighter: Kowal has fought five matches, of which he won three and drew one. He works as the CEO of a fight training school 'To see hundreds and hundreds of people show up to show their support - many people we have never met - was amazing,' he said. 'We have received so much support via social media but to actually see so many people come out was truly a humbling experience. A GoFundMe page set up to raise money for the Kowals has already raised more than $123,000, already surpassing it's $100,000 goal. Marcus Kowal, who is from Sweden, has five fights on his record according to Sherdog.com, scoring three wins and a draw since 2009. Calls for deal that allows UK to tackle migration while keeping trade links Urges Europe to be more lenient by offering freedom of movement opt-out Norbert Roettgen, chair of German parliament's foreign affairs committee, calls for deal that keeps UK 'as Norbert Roettgen, right, a senior member of Angela Merkel's party, urged Brussels to be 'flexible' in its Brexit negotiations to ensure Britain remains close to the EU The EU should offer Britain a deal that allows it to restrict freedom of movement but remain in Europe's single market, a top German politician has said. Norbert Roettgen, chair of the German parliament's influential foreign affairs committee, urged Brussels to be 'flexible' in its Brexit negotiations. It signals a solution could be found to the British Government's dilemma of trying to limit the economic damage of leaving the EU but introducing immigration controls. He also said Germany should seek to remain 'as close as possible' with the UK after Brexit and urged negotiators on both sides to 'think out of the box'. Mr Roettgen, a member of Angela Merkel's party, said freedom of movement was a political principle that should be up for negotiation and separate from the economic principles of free movement of capital, goods and services. His approach is much more lenient than Mrs Merkel and other EU leaders, who have ruled out an opt-out to freedom of movement rules for Britain to stay in the single market. But he warned Britain that any deal that keeps them a member of the single market - which allows UK businesses to trade tariff free across 28 EU member states and access to around 500million customers - would require it to continue complying with European Court of Justice rulings - another key factor that swayed voters towards backing Brexit in the June 23 referendum. Mr Roettgen told Bloomberg: 'We can separate the economic project of the single market consisting of the freedoms of capital, of goods and of services and that the fourth freedom, the freedom of workers, makes this project to a political project. Norbert Roettgen (pictured speaking to Bloomberg) said Germany should seek to remain 'as close as possible' with the UK after Brexit and urged negotiators on both sides to 'think out of the box' Theresa May (pictured with European Council president Donald Tusk in Downing Street today) has refused to say whether she wants Britain to remain in the single market but she has said controlling immigration and reducing inflows will be a priority for the UK Government in Brexit negotiations 'So we can separate that. This is possible and to have Britain inside the economic single market would be a good situation, I think it is valuable to achieve. 'But the Britons also have to decide that the single market of goods, services and capital also requires of course rules and rules have to be enforced and there is a judiciary that makes rulings and judgements and this has to be accepted. 'The price Britons would have to pay is that they would be inside this market but they would at the end have to take the rules decided upon by others because they have withdrawn.' Mr Roettgen is the latest German figure to argue that it is in their interests to maintain business ties as a punitive deal would end up hurting their own economy. 'They should take the time they want to take - they should prepare. I think they aren't really sufficiently prepared up to now,' he said. However, the European Commission's vice president for financial markets, Valdis Dombrovskis, warned that Brexit will damage the City of London if it leaves the single market. He told German newspaper Handelsblatt, that the EU would not allow Britain to 'cherry pick' by abandoning the free movement of workers while keeping free access to EU financial markets. Asked if Brexit would hurt the financial sector, he said: 'It all depends on the British government. If it decides not only to leave the EU but also to leave the European single market, that will have serious consequences for the City of London.' Theresa May has refused to say whether she wants Britain to remain in the single market but she has said controlling immigration and reducing inflows will be a priority for the UK Government in Brexit negotiations. But Brexit Secretary David Davis was more candid when outlining the Government's dilemma on the issue. 'This government is looking at every option but the simple truth is that if a requirement of membership is giving up control of our borders, I think that makes it very improbable,' he said. 'The ball is in your court!' EU chief Donald Tusk tells Theresa May it's in 'everyone's interests' to get on with Brexit as soon as possible Theresa May met Donald Tusk today to lay the groundwork for her first EU summit next week Theresa May was today told the 'ball is in the UK's court' on Brexit as she was urged to start official negotiations. Mrs May welcomed European Council president Donald Tusk to Downing Street for a working breakfast of scrambled eggs and smoked salmon today ahead of next week's talks among the other 27 EU nations. Mr Tusk insisted as his meeting with Mrs May began it was in 'everyone's interests' for the official Brexit talks to begin as soon as possible. Mrs May has refused to trigger Article 50, the treaty clause outlining how to quit the EU, before the end of the year. Officials from the 27 states are meeting in Bratislava without Britain for the first time next week and Mrs May will attend her first summit as Prime Minister in October. Today's meeting came as ministers were warned against being overly optimistic about negotiating trade deals as a former chief of UK Trade and Investment said new agreements could take a decade. In a sign that Brussels was waiting for Mrs May to clarify when she will trigger Article 50, Mr Tusk said it was a 'crucial time' for the UK and for the EU and he wanted the process to start 'as soon as possible'. The leaders of the other 27 EU nations will hold talks in Bratislava next week and Mr Tusk said they would 'discuss the political consequences of Brexit' for Europe. But he told Mrs May: 'It doesn't mean that we are going to discuss our future relations with the UK in Bratislava, because for this - and especially for the start of the negotiations - we need the formal notification, I mean triggering Article 50. 'This is the position shared by all 27 member states. To put it simply, the ball is now in your court. 'I'm aware that it is not easy but I still hope you will be ready to start the process as soon as possible. 'I have no doubt that at the end of the day our common strategic goal is to establish the closest possible relations.' Mrs May said she wanted a 'smooth' Brexit process and told Mr Tusk they had 'serious issues' to discuss. Mrs May met Mr Tusk on the steps of Downing Street this morning before a working breakfast a week before the next EU summit After the meeting, Mrs May's official spokeswoman said it had been a cordial first formal discussion between the pair, who met briefly at the G20 summit earlier this week. The spokeswoman said: 'It was a good meeting. The majority of the discussion was around Brexit and the process moving forward, the decision of the British people in the referendum, and the views expressed in the European Union. 'The main points the Prime Minister made were about working together so there is a smooth process for the UK leaving the European Union. That is why we are taking time for the negotiations.' The Prime Minister accepts the 'ball is in Britain's court', as indicated by Mr Tusk, because triggering an exit from the EU is the responsibility of the member state. Mrs May's spokeswoman said Britain's timetable of using the trigger in 2017 was accepted as necessary to allow proper preparations for the negotiations. Mr Tusk tweeted as the meeting began that the balls was 'in UK court' and urged a swift start to negotiations on Brexit Mrs May's talks took place after she slapped down Brexit Secretary David Davis for suggesting that continued membership of the single market was 'very improbable'. Mr Davis's comment appeared to play into the hands of EU countries who have insisted that Britain cannot have full control over its borders and remain a member of the free trade zone. The talks will also touch on migration, trade and Ukraine, but observers will be keen to see if they yield any more details on Brexit. Mr Tusk today said: 'Our goal to establish closest possible EU-UK relations. Ball in UK court to start negotiations. 'In everybody's best interest to start asap.' Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was also in Downing Street this morning (pictured) as Mrs May met with Mr Tusk Mrs May on Wednesday told MPs she was seeking 'the right deal' on trade in goods and services after Britain withdraws from the EU. She added: 'We will not take decisions until we are ready, we will not reveal our hand prematurely and we will not provide a running commentary on every twist and turn of the negotiations.' Former UKTI chief Sir Andrew Cahn today warned swift trade deals were 'highly unrealistic' She refused to say whether she wanted the UK to remain in the European single market. Former UKTI chief Sir Andrew Cahn today warned swift trade deals were 'highly unrealistic'. The intervention comes days after Australia warned it would take at least two and a half years to make an agreement with Britain as it was impossible for the UK to sign before completing Brexit. Sir Andrew said: 'Trade deals are unsentimental instruments of real world economic and political reality. 'The more economic weight you have the better deal you get. 'We've been out there shouting from the rooftops saying, 'We want a trade deal'. It is not hard to see that that puts us in a weaker position. ' 'We might be able to get a couple of trade deals with friendly countries like Australia within the government's timescale but any trade deal of scale will take a decade or more at least.' Brexit means we need a government of 'national unity', Nick Clegg claims 18 months after leading his party to electoral disaster - and even hints HE could run it Mr Clegg, whose book Politics: Between the Extremes is published this month, said that the UK was currently in 'a lull, a calm before the storm' Britain's vote to leave the European Union will lead to 'serious economic ructions and political gridlock' which could require the creation of a government of national unity, Nick Clegg has suggested. The former Liberal Democrat leader said that a 'rethink' of Britain's politics will be needed to restore a culture of reason and compromise. But he played down the prospect of a new centre-left party taking in Lib Dems along with moderate Labour supporters and some Tories. Mr Clegg - who stepped down as his party's leader after seeing the Lib Dems reduced from 57 to eight seats in last year's election - indicated that he does not believe his own political career is over, telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme that his passion for politics is as strong as ever. Mr Clegg, whose book Politics: Between the Extremes is published this month, said that the UK was currently in 'a lull, a calm before the storm'. 'I think the consequences of the vote on June 23 and the inability of this Government to decide what to do about it will lead to real serious economic ructions and political gridlock over the coming years,' he said. 'I think the appetite from the British public for people to put country rather than narrow party advantage first will return and in a sense the reassurance that Theresa May is seeking to give by taking things very steadily hides a very perilous position that this country is going to head into in the next few years.' The Sheffield Hallam MP told Today: 'I think people haven't entirely yet appreciated how much the pendulum of our democracy has just stopped. The system has broken down. 'We've got an unelected new Government in power with the backing of 24% of eligible voters. Scotland is now a one-party fiefdom in the hands of the nationalists. Labour can never win again. 'The central transmission mechanism of a democracy - that the people in power worry that someone else might take power away from them - has stopped. We need to rethink how we do politics in this country. The fingerprints of a man accused of murdering a Brisbane socialite were 'nowhere' on a knife found fully embedded in her stomach, a court has heard. Thomas Chris Lang has been charged with the murder of his former partner, Maureen Boyce, after she was found dead in her Kangaroo Point penthouse in the early hours of October 22 in 2015. Defence lawyer Terry O'Gorman summarised the prosecution case against his client at the start of a committal hearing in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday. The fingerprints of a man accused of murdering Brisbane socialite and former model Maureen Boyce (pictured) were 'nowhere' on a knife found fully embedded in her stomach, a court has heard Ms Boyce (pictured) was found dead in her Kangaroo Point penthouse in the early hours of October 22 in 2015 The court heard Lang told police Ms Boyce had asked him to sleep in another room because of 'snoring issues' and went to check on her when he rose at about 5.30am. 'The prosecution case is that Ms Boyce was found by Mr Lang in bed, deceased ... with a knife fully embedded in her stomach,' he said. 'The prosecution case is that Mr Lang's fingerprints are nowhere on that knife.' Analysis of post-mortem evidence suggested the wound could have been self-inflicted or the result of someone else stabbing Ms Boyce, he said. Lang later told police Ms Boyce had high expectations she would find a buyer for the spacious unit after an inspection on October 21 and was 'considerably upset' when it failed to sell, it was heard. There was also evidence she'd had phone conversations with two friends and told them she was depressed, Mr O'Gorman said. Thomas Chris Lang (pictured) has been charged with the murder of his former partner. Mr Lang and Ms Boyce reportedly met in the US 30 years ago and had a relationship, and are said to have reconnected in the past few years He said one was high-profile Brisbane businesswoman Sarina Russo with whom Ms Boyce spoke the night before her body was discovered. Ms Russo is expected to be called as a witness in October. Lang and Ms Boyce first met in the US about 30 years ago and began a relationship, but 'resumed contact' in 2013 when Lang was living in New Zealand and they would take trips to visit each other. The court heard a key issue would be differing opinions held about Ms Boyce's mental health around the time of her death. Defence lawyer Terry O'Gorman said post-mortem evidence suggested the wound could have been self-inflicted or the result of someone else stabbing Ms Boyce. Pictured is Ms Boyce (second from right) with her daughter Angelique (right), husband Graham (centre) and son Zachary (left) The court heard a key issue would be differing opinions held about Ms Boyce's (right) mental health around the time of her death Ms Boyce's former acquaintance Kenneth McAlpine also gave evidence that he recalled getting a voicemail on October 21. He said she said she had friends visiting from New Zealand but one man wouldn't leave and she didn't know what to do about it. 'And, in a light-hearted manner, said maybe I need you to come over and get rid of him?' Mr O'Gorman asked, drawing from the man's police statement. Ms Boyce was a former international model (pictured) who walked catwalks in London and New York and reportedly captured the attention of fashion designer Valentino Ms Boyce's (pictured) husband and son are expected to appear in court on Friday 'Correct,' Mr McAlpine said. Mr O'Gorman quizzed Detective Sergeant Sean Webster about topics including the duration of Lang's interview with police, which lasted eight hours, and his access to a lawyer. The 30-year-old cannot move his limbs, has no sensation from the neck down and is breathing through a tube, but can talk by whispering Accident that left Droter paralyzed from neck down took place on last day of the trip, just as he and Lovas were getting ready to leave the beach Droter had planned the Hawaii vacation as a surprise early birthday present for his girlfriend, Jordan Lovas Mike Droter, from California, suffered severe injuries to his spinal cord and neck What started out as a romantic vacation in Hawaii for a young California couple ended with the boyfriend paralyzed from the neck down after a horrific body surfing accident on a notorious beach. Mike Droter, 30, has spent the past 12 days in a Honolulu hospital unable to move and breathing through a tube, having suffered a catastrophic spinal injury on the last day of his trip. Droter, of Citrus Heights, California, whisked his girlfriend, Jordan Lovas, to Oahu last month as an early birthday present. Scroll down for video Vacation nightmare: Mike Droter, 30, is pictured in a Honolulu hospital after breaking his neck in a body surfing accident on Oahu Surprise trip: Droter had planned the Hawaii vacation as an early birthday present for his girlfriend, Jordan Lovas (pictured left and right) Dangerous beach: Droter and Lovas were spending the last day of their trip on Oahu's Sandy Beach, which is known among locals as 'Broke Neck Beach' (pictured) On August 28, Droter and Lovas were spending the last day of their summer getaway with friends on Sandy Beach, which is popular among body surfers for its powerful waves, according to Sacramento Bee. The group were getting ready to leave when Lovas says her boyfriend decided to get back in the ocean one last time - a decision that would prove fateful within minutes. As Droter was body-surfing in the ocean, a massive wave knocked him over and snapped his neck. It was the scariest thing I've ever seen in my life. He had absolutely no color in his body, no color in his fingertips, toes, his eyes were completely rolled back, Lovas told the station Fox40 by phone from Hawaii. Lifeguards pulled the 30-year-old out of the water and he was rushed by ambulance to The Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu, were doctors determined that Droter had suffered severe injuries to his spinal cord and two vertebrae in his neck. It was not until Droter was brought to the hospital that Lovas says she learned that the area where he was injured was known among locals as 'Broke Neck Beach.' Catastrophic injury: As Droter was body-surfing in the ocean, a massive wave knocked him over and snapped his neck Paralyzed: The 30-year-old has very little chance to regain mobility or feeling from his neck down According to a GoFundMe page that has been set up by a friend to help with Droter's mounting medical expenses, the 30-year-old has very little chance to regain mobility or feeling from his neck down, and most likely he will be relying on a breathing machine for the rest of his life. Though Droter cannot breathe on his own and has no sensation in his limbs, he is conscious and alert, and he is able to communicate by whispering. His family say they are planning to seek a second opinion about his condition and find a rehabilitation facility in California. Once Droter is discharged from ICU in Honolulu, he would require a speciality equipped plane to transport him home. Roxy Jacenko hasn't visited her imprisoned husband in jail once since he was transferred to a new prison a month ago. And it's been reported the PR maven hasn't appeared to have been wearing her wedding ring in recent sightings in Sydney. According to The Daily Telegraph, Jacenko, 36, hasn't made the five-hour trip from her beachside Bondi home to Cooma prison in southern New South Wales. Scroll down for video PR queen Roxy Jacenko hasn't been to visit her husband in jail for a month, it has been reported Oliver Curtis is imprisoned in Cooma jail (pictured), about five hours south of Sydney in New South Wales A handcuffed Curtis is led away by police earlier in 2016. He was originally incarcerated in Parklea prison but was moved A source at the prison was quoted as saying: 'She has never once been to visit (Curtis) in Cooma'. She spent Father's Day at the beach with her children, Pixie, five, and Hunter, two, The Daily Telegraph reported. Curtis is serving a two-year sentence with a minimum of one year in jail after being convicted for a $1.43 million insider trading scam. He was initially imprisoned at Parklea prison near Sydney, where Jacenko, who owns Sweaty Betty PR, visited him at least twice. Curtis and Jacenko on their way to court for Curtis' insider trading trial earlier in 2016 Jacenko picture at Bondi Beach with her children Pixie, five, and Hunter, two, recently Jacenko was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery to remove a tumour. She's also been denying a dispute with her estranged father, Nick Jacenko, which is alleged to have occurred in May. According to The Daily Telegraph, Jacenko and his fiancee, fashion designer Lisa Ho, claimed the PR queen verbally and physically assaulted her father on the streets of Sydney, hitting him around the head But she denied the allegations to Daily Mail Australia, after it was revealed police were investigating the incident. Curtis, Jacenko, Pixie and Hunter pictured together before he was imprisoned Jacenko appeared on 60 minutes after receiving her cancer diagnosis You are here: Home Flash China remains the largest tourist source market of Sri Lanka, with over 27,000 tourists arriving in the island country in August, statistics from the country's Tourism Ministry showed here on Wednesday. Nearly 200,000 Chinese tourists have arrived in Sri Lanka from January to August this year, a 32 percent increase from the same period last year. Overall, tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka rose 11.8 percent from a year earlier to 186,288 in August 2016, with total visitors up 16 percent to 1.3 million. Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka hit an all-time high in July with the number of arrivals exceeding 200,000 in one month alone. This is the moment the tables were turned on RNLI crew who rushed onto the beach to warn beach goers - then had to be rescued by members of the public. The crew had gone out in their truck to warn people on the Devon beach of a fierce swell, just weeks after six people died in a single weekend around British shores. But their vehicle got stuck, prompting people to dash over and help push it out of the wet sand. This is the moment the tables were turned on RNLI crew who rushed onto the beach to warn beach goers - then had to be rescued by members of the public The crew had gone out in their truck to warn people on the Devon beach of a fierce swell, just weeks after six people died in a single weekend around British shores But their vehicle got stuck, prompting people to dash over and help push it out of the wet sand Holidaymaker Barney Barnett, 36, captured the scene at Croyde Bay, Devon, on camera Crowds of people rushed to the aid of the truck, which was firmly stuck in the wet sand There were two RNLI trucks on the scene at Croyd Bay, with just a handful of people enjoying the beach afterwards Dozens gathered on the beach to help the RNLI truck, which had arrived to try and help them The tide was coming in when the truck got stuck and it was a race against time to save it The lifeboat crew attacked the sand with shovels in order to try and force something under the tyres that might help free it The truck was eventually attached to another truck via a red line and pulled away from the shore on bank holiday Monday, after a busy week on the remote beach Holidaymaker Barney Barnett, 36, captured the scene at Croyde Bay, Devon, on camera. He said: 'The tide was coming in really quickly,' he said. 'Had the public not got involved I don't think they would have made it. 'It was nice that everybody, without asking, just helped. The good old British people just all came together and pushed the vehicle free.' The incident took place on Bank Holiday Monday after a busy week in the which the RNLI crew had rescued a stranded yacht and helped a woman from a remote beach. Barney added: 'Those RNLI lifeguards are trying to protect and save lives. Advertisement A man crouches on a dirty tiled floor, naked and emaciated with his wrists shackled to a concrete pillar as he struggles to drink from a small cup. Others are chained up and sprawled across the floor, huddled in cramped cells with dozens of others, or eating meager meals of rice and vegetables from plastic bowls through yellow, rotted teeth. They are just some of the 18,800 people forced to live in the deplorable conditions of Indonesian mental asylums where malnutrition and disease are a way of life. Scroll down for video A mentally ill man is chained to a pillar at Yayasan Al-Fajar Berseri Rehabilitation Center in Bekasi, Indonesia. He is one of 18,800 people forced to live in the deplorable conditions of Indonesian mental asylums He crouches on a dirty tiled floor, naked and emaciated with his wrists chained as he struggles to drink from a small cup Dumped there by usually poor and low-status families with little education about dealing with mental illness, they may even face gruelling electric shock therapy, or even sexual abuse and violence. Others are taken off the street by police after they proved unable to adjust to life in society and were unable to find the help they needed in a chronically under-funded health system. The harrowing photos taken by Edi Ismail of patients in Yayasan Al-Fajar Berseri Rehabilitation Center in Bekasi, just east of the capital Jakarta, paint a horrifying picture of the hell they are routinely subjected to. The shambolic facility could be mistaken as abandoned with its decaying walls, tiles and supports covered in green mould and grime with glum-faced patients secured with rusting chains and padlocks. Others are chained up and sprawled across the floor in cells covered in green mould and grime Dumped there by usually poor and low-status families with little education about dealing with mental illness, they may even face gruelling electric shock therapy, or even sexual abuse and violence The shambolic facility could be mistaken as abandoned with its decaying walls, tiles and supports Others lie dejected across degraded couches in courtyards strewn with rubble with just a cup of water to drink, and other beg for nourishment behind iron bars. Despite the horrors of Indonesia's mental health system being laid bare in a shocking report by Human Rights Watch in March, the photos, taken on Wednesday, show little has changed. The study said that the sprawling archipelago country of 250 million people has only about 800 psychiatrists and 48 mental hospitals, more than half of which are in just four of its 34 provinces. A female patient eats a meager meal of rice and vegetables from a plastic bowl through yellow, rotted teeth Others are huddled in cramped cells with dozens of others A woman begs for nourishment behind iron bars The ministry of healths budget was just 1.5 per cent of government expenditure in 2015, with mental health spending below one per cent - meaning almost 90 per cent of those who may need help can't get it. At least 14 million people in Indonesia aged 15 and over are thought to be suffering from some form of mental illness, according to health ministry data. In July the Indonesian Parliament passed a new mental health law that created a legal obligation for the government to protect people with mental disorders and regulated health promotion - but did not include substantial new funding. Many are chained up in a practice known as pasung, despite in being outlawed for 40 years, forced to urinate, defecate, eat, and sleep in a radius of no more than one to two meters Glum-faced patients are secured with rusting chains and padlocks There is still a widespread belief that mental health conditions are the result of possession by evil spirits or the devil, having sinned, displayed immoral behavior, or lacking faith. As a result, families typically first consult faith or traditional healers, many of which work in facilities like Yayasan Al-Fajar, and often only seek medical advice as a last resort. They are 'treated' with alternative remedies such as concoctions of 'magical' herbs, vigorous massages by traditional healers, Quranic recitation in the persons ear, and baths. Many are chained up in a practice known as pasung, despite in being outlawed for 40 years, forced to urinate, defecate, eat, and sleep in a radius of no more than one to two meters. They are 'treated' with alternative remedies such as concoctions of 'magical' herbs, vigorous massages by traditional healers like Marshan (right), 50, Quranic recitation in the persons ear, and baths A patient lies dejected across a degraded couch in a courtyard strewn with rubble with just a cup of water to drink The study said that the sprawling archipelago country of 250 million people has only about 800 psychiatrists and 48 mental hospitals, more than half of which are in just four of its 34 provinces Shackling of mentally ill people happens across Asia but is particularly common in Indonesia, with studies showing that it is due to poor mental health services in rural areas and a lack of knowledge about suitable treatments. The Human Rights Watch report estimates that as many as 57,000 people in Indonesia nearly 15 per cent of all seriously mentally ill people in the country, by some estimates have been subjected to it at least once. 'Shackling people with mental health conditions is illegal in Indonesia, yet it remains a widespread and brutal practice,' said Kriti Sharma, disability rights researcher at Human Rights Watch and the author of the report. 'People spend years locked up in chains, wooden stocks, or goat sheds because families dont know what else to do and the government doesnt do a good job of offering humane alternatives. 'Nobody should have to be shackled in Indonesia in 2016 - people told us again and again that it's like living in hell.' An elderly man, with severe hoarding problems, has been rescued from his burning unit. The 72-year-old man was evacuated out his fourth floor, housing commission apartment by firefighters who are believed to have found him asleep at the time. Victorian metropolitan firefighters were called the unit block in Carlton, Melbourne, when a fire broke on the fourth floor, arriving shortly after 2.30pm. A 72-year-old man (pictured) with severe hoarding problems was rescued from his burning housing commission unit Victorian metropolitan firefighters arrived at the Carlton unit block just after 2.30pm They struggled to get the 72-year-old man out of his unit which had plumes of black smoke coming out of it. Firefighters struggled to move around the unit because of the vast amounts of items in the small space, it took them 30 minutes to control the fire. The elderly man was treated at the scene by paramedics for smoke inhalation. 'He's very, very lucky to be alive. He wasn't aware of the danger he was in, so crews had to quickly get him out of the apartment,' Metropolitan fire brigade commander Rick Gili said in a report by Nine News. Investigators say the blaze may have been caused by a cigarette butt that flicked on to the elderly man's balcony where there was plenty of clutter (messy toilet room pictured) Paramedics treated the 72-year-old at the scene for smoke inhalation (cluttered hallway pictured) Investigators believe that the fire was caused by a cigarette butt that may have flicked onto his balcony. Lisa Froling, a resident of the building said she was terrified and thought of getting her children out right away. Affluent tourists from across the world are visiting Britain in their droves to buy designer goods at a knockdown rate because of the weakened pound post-Brexit. Following the referendum which saw Britons vote to leave the European Union, ultra-wealthy tourists are flocking to the UK to take advantage of the weak pound fuelling a spending boom. Customers from China, Russia, the United States and Japan are descending on London's finest department stores and boutiques to buy designer goods with a 13 per cent reduction following Brexit. Customers from China, Russia, the United States and Japan are descending on London's finest department stores to buy designer goods with a 13 per cent reduction following Brexit (Pictured: Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge) In July Michael Ward, the managing director of Harrods, said the luxury store experienced brisk trading in the weeks immediately after the Brexit vote. Ian Hughes, chief executive of Consumer Intelligence, told MailOnline: 'The costs of high-end brands like Chanel, Hermes and Prada in countries like China is astronomic. 'Even so, if you travel to Hong Kong, Shanghai or Beijing you will see queues outside of the shops of people trying to buy. 'The UK was already seen as a much cheaper place to buy those goods and the post-Brexit deflation has made us 13 per cent cheaper.' Following the Brexit vote one Chinese shopper posted on Weibo: My first thought was that the Harrods summer sale kicks off tomorrow. This means discount after discount! A Bvlgari 18ct rose gold watch costs 6,400 in Selfridges. But if you are buying - even directly from the brand - in the US, the watch will set you back $10,100 - which coverts to 7,580. By buying from the British department store instead in the UK instead savvy foreign buyer could save 1,180. On luxury fashion site Net-A-Porter a new season leather-trimmed painted wood clutch from Dolce & Gabbana is 3,150. But if you want to buy the exact same bag from the same website but pay in US dollars it costs $4,995 - which converts to 3,745, an increase of over 500 The savings even extend online. On luxury fashion site Net-A-Porter a new season leather-trimmed painted wood clutch from Dolce & Gabbana is 3,150. But if you want to buy the exact same bag from the same website but pay in US dollars it costs $4,995 - which converts to 3,745, an increase of over 500. Similarly a pair of Isabel Marant boots on the site retail for 680 - but if you pay in dollars they cost $1,160 - which is the equivalent of 870. It had been hoped the fall in the pound will help cushion the blow of Brexit by boosting exports and making the UK more attractive to foreign businesses and visitors. This pair of Isabel Marant boots (pictured) on the site retail for 680 - but if you pay in dollars they cost $1,160 - which is the equivalent of 870 Tourism analyst Global Blue reports that spending from overseas tourists was up 7 per cent in July, the first month after the referendum. The group, which tracks international tax free shopping, said the UK has enjoyed a wave of income from tourists spending money on holidays here. Japan, Indonesia and the US were the visiting nations that accounted for the biggest increase in spending in the UK in July. Spending by Japanese visitors was up 96 per cent in the UK compared to July the previous year, while travellers from Indonesia spent 88 per cent more than last year. Chinese tourists' account for 32 per cent of the total spent with the average spend for July up by 13 per cent to 840 per transaction. Travellers from the US were the second largest nationality shopping tax free in the UK in July and recorded a 22 per cent increase in average spend to 734. Gordon Clark, managing director UK and Ireland for Global Blue, told This Is Money: 'Though the weaker pound following the referendum was initially unwelcome news, it has proved perfect timing for tourists visiting the UK, enjoying our British leisure, luxury and cultural offering during the summer season.' Recently released government data reveals UK retail sales increased 1.4 per cent in July - and one of the biggest jumps in sales was for watches and jewellery underlining how the weaker pound is encouraging overseas visitors to spend. A Harvey Nichols spokesman said: 'London is always buzzing with tourists in the summer but we've noticed an increase in international spend in the last few weeks - some of this can be credited to the fall of the pound. 'There has been increased buzz and footfall in our flagship Knightsbridge store.' Tourism analyst Global Blue reports that spending from overseas tourists was up 7 per cent in July, the first month after the referendum (Pictured: Shoppers outside the Liberty store) Lee Goggin spent most of his banking career specialising in foreign exchange trading before co-founding findawealthmanager.com, a service helping affluent individuals find the right investment professionals to manage their money. He said: 'Wealthy individuals from Europe and the US already visited London in their droves prior to the EU referendum. The weaker pound will swell their number on the streets of the capital but the real impact will be felt as a result of their higher per-capita spending. 'In reality, the savings they might make on high-end goods will probably be no more than about 10 per cent after factoring in international transaction fees and commission charged on changing euros, dollars or yen or into pounds. A pharmacist has admitted importing 2,000 glass meth pipes, claiming he thought they were used for smoking tobacco. Hoang Nam Nguyen, who owns a chain of smokes shops in Perth, was due to stand trial on Thursday but pleaded guilty to three counts of importing prohibited products. Mr Nguyen reportedly ordered the Sweet Puff Holland glass pipes from China and India on three occasions in 2014, reported The West Australian. Pharmacist Hoang Nam Nguyen (pictured) has admitted importing 2,000 glass meth pipes, claiming he thought they were used for smoking tobacco The boxes were intercepted by customs officials and found to contain the pipes. Mr Nguyen's defence lawyer Darryl Ryan said the items were described as glass tobacco pipes online and his client was not familiar with the way people smoked meth. Magistrate Elizabeth Woods said it was naive to suggest a pharmacist was unaware of how people consumed illicit drugs. During a search of Mr Nguyen's home and northern suburbs business, police found ice pipes on display, which Mr Nguyen said he thought could be used as candle holders, kerosene lamps or for smoking tobacco. Emails from Mr Nguyen to the Chinese seller reportedly suggested the man put a flower in the box of pipes to stop it being checked by customs. Mr Nguyen, who owns a chain of smokes shops in Perth (pictured) , was due to stand trial on Thursday but pleaded guilty to three counts of importing prohibited products Prosecutor Anthony Willinge and Mr Nguyens lawyer said the three charges represented a more broad course of conduct. Mr Nguyen applied for a spent conviction but Mr Willinge urged Ms Woods to deny it and said a message had to be sent that this behaviour wouldn't be tolerated by the court. Russian president Vladimir Putin has axed a number of his top team in a bid to groom his successor. The 63-year-old leader is casting aside some longtime allies as the next generation of political powerhouses, made up from several of his former bodyguards, is put together. In an interview, Putin talked about needing a 'young but mature' successor, and although he refused to comment on whether or not he would run for another six-year term in 2018, many in Moscow believe he will. Russian president Vladimir Putin has axed a number of his top team in a bid to groom his successor After 16 years in charge, it appears the shake-up is a move to cement his control over the next decade. Talking about his eventual successor, he said Russia needed 'a young person' but a 'mature person', in an interview with Bloomberg. Following on from the removal of Vladimir Yakunin, 68, as head of national railways - the country's largest employer - Viktor Ivanov, 66, was sacked as head of anti-drug police. The latest, 63-year-old Sergei Ivanov, had his working relationship with Putin which stretches back decades terminated after he was dropped as Kremlin chief of staff last month. Olga Kryshtanovskaya, a specialist on the Kremlin at the Russian Academy of Sciences, said the original politburo - Russia's governmental executive committee - had now been almost completely depleted. 'The demands for efficiency are now higher. The survival of the system is at stake,' Alexei Makarkin, deputy head of the Center for Political Technologies, a Moscow political consultancy, told Bloomberg. Following on from the removal of Vladimir Yakunin (pictured, left) , 68, as head of national railways - the country's largest employer - Viktor Ivanov, 66, was sacked as head of anti-drug police In place of the old guard, Putin has brought in a younger crop of officials. New Kremlin chief of staff Anton Vaino, 44, started his political career as a low-level protocol official back in 2002. Former boduguard Alexei Dyumin, 44, has been installed as a regional governor, as well as other ex-personal security staff. Dyumin's political career has soared after Putin enlisted him as deputy defense minister for a few months, and the president said: 'The most important thing is that the right person wants to grow, is capable of growing, and wants to serve the country. 'If he wants it, and I can see that the person has potential, then why not let him work?' Although the re-shuffle is seen as dramatic, with Putin renowned for sticking by his senior officials, many of the top brass remains. He was full of praise for head of state gas at Gazprom Alexei Miller, 54, who has retained his title in spite of an 80 percent drop in the company's market value. 'This absolutely doesn't worry or bother us,' Putin told Bloomberg. 'We know what Gazprom is, what it's worth, and what it will be worth in the coming years.' Putin put Miller, an associate from the 1990s in St Petersburg, in as chief executive officer in 2001. Many of the new generation started out in politics with Putin already in office as president, and have only ever known his state-controlled system. Putin was full of praise for head of state gas at Gazprom Alexei Miller (pictured), 54, who has retained his title in spite of an 80 percent drop in the company's market value Former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin, still a Putin adviser, said last year stagnation would shrink Russia's share of world output to the lowest in 20 years. But, for now, it doesn't seem to be threatening a breach of confidence in the leader. Poll ratings for the government may have dropped despite the Kremlin's tight grip on media coverage, Putin remains unchallenged as president. Evgeny Minchenko, a Moscow political consultant, told Bloomberg, that with no signs of major health problems or serious political threats, Putin will be able to stay in charge of the country for a long time. Should Putin be reelected in 2018, he would break the postwar record for years in charge, set by Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, if he stayed in office until 2024 as would be planned. A Mexican restaurant witnessed a Mexican standoff after diners complained after 'awful' service and demanded the bill be reduced by half. Police intervened on the phone after the eight diners at Zapatas in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, complained following a two-hour wait for their meals to arrive. The two parties could not come to an agreement over the bill, after diner Sam Halliday, 27, told staff that none of the group would pay for their main meals. Complaint: Diner Sam Halliday, pictured with his wife Jemma, told staff that none of the group would pay for their main meals, and the two parties could not come to an agreement AXA PPP Healthcare worker Mr Halliday said he was with a group of people including his wife Jemma, celebrating their friend Sam Medlins 30th birthday. He said: We waited 15 minutes for the menu, 25 minutes for drinks, 40 minutes for starters and another 40 minutes for the mains. We didnt eat together because they all came out at different times and with each one there was something wrong. They completely forgot the one whose birthday it was and had to start all over again with him. We left most of our main courses. Mr Halliday says bosses at the restaurant offered him a free bottle of wine, but he refused - saying the group would pay for drinks and starters, but not the mains. Police received a report of a dispute and officers said an agreement was made between the two parties while the informant was on the phone. Mr Halliday claimed he spoke to the police worker and told them about the situation. He said: When the police were called, we didnt want to leave as we didnt know if we were committing a crime and didnt want to create a further situation. Disagreement: Police intervened on the phone after the eight diners at Zapatas (pictured) in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, complained following a two-hour wait for their meals to arrive We were sort of hostage and the man wed been talking to refused to come out. After a long conversation with police, Mr Halliday and the restaurant boss eventually agreed to a 20 per cent discount on the total bill. Writing on the TripAdvisor website, Sam Medlin wrote: We arrived for my 30th birthday meal as a table of eight and were seated. 15 to 20 minutes later we have to ask for a drinks menu. It was busy so this can be forgiven. I ordered a jug of traditional Sangria. Ten minutes later I was informed the restaurant has no fruit. So I order wine instead. We eventually had to request food menus. Now, if you are like me and looked online at the menu, the question you would ask is Where is the rest of the food? Limited is an understatement. Half the menu advertised online is not present, with chilli, burrito, steak, seafood pasta, or fajitas being the whole menu. I was hoping for a gorgeous paella but it no longer exists. We order regardless. Maybe the kitchen couldnt cope with a big menu. About an hour plus later the food comes out here are our thoughts: Chorizo starter a little tough, not rendered enough to caramelise. TripAdvisor review: Mr Halliday says bosses at the restaurant offered him a free bottle of wine, but he refused - saying the group would pay for drinks and starters, but not the mains Gambas starter - frozen prawns, lots of peppers in lots of oil. Nachos I think were good, yay! Beef chilli advertised as super hot - its sweet with no heat whatsoever! Burrito - apparently its chicken as we informed they dont do beef burritos, and this arrived 15 minutes after everyone elses was served Seafood fajitas - its just prawn and definitely frozen ones. So much for fresh produce and served cold, so much for sizzle! Steak and peppercorn sauce - steak average, sauce pretty much cream not much flavour. We decided to talk to the manager and we offered to pay for drinks and 50 per cent of the food bill... After more deliberation we came to an agreement. Im tired, hungry and we want to leave. All in all save yourself the hassle. You will get more authentic Mexican in a box of old El Paso. A spokesman for Kent Police said: We received a report of a dispute taking place at a restaurant in Tunbridge Wells, at 10.11pm on Saturday, August 27. Police attendance was not required as an agreement was made between the two parties while the informant was on the phone. Janette Harvey, the owner of Zapatas restaurant, told MailOnline: It was nothing to do with the food etc. One of the party acted aggressive to my manager pointing his finger between his eyes. So my manager said "do that again and I'll call the police". (But) he never did call the police. Secondly the food did not come out at different times, nor did they have such a long wait. Somebody asked for a seafood fajita and it came out as a prawn fajita which was a mistake. That was rectified but was also taken off the bill. The other complaint was chilli not being spicy enough but was eaten first before mentioning it, that also was taken off the bill. At the end my manager took the two meals off plus 20 per cent. That still wasn't enough for them. It was an extremely busy night with a very popular band. Everywhere was packed and the other restaurants struggled with the volume of people. The party did not want to pay a penny. When it came to having to pay nobody seemed to have money and one of the girls seemingly called her mum and she came and paid. Other people in the restaurant were appalled at their behaviour and people remarked that they set out for a free meal. A far-right mayor has been described as 'stupid' for claiming that being French means being 'European, white and Catholic'. In the wake of the comments by Robert Menard, anti-racism group LICRA said it was taking legal action against the outspoken politician. He went on to complain that 91 per cent of children in some French schools were Muslim. In the interview with French news channel LCI, he said: 'Naturally that is a problem.' Robert Menard has claimed that being French means being 'European, white and Catholic' Responding to the comments, president of LICRA Alain Jakubowicz said the mayor's latest outburst 'beat the record of shame and stupidity'. He announced on Twitter that he had submitted a complaint to the prosecutor's office, accusing Menard of hate speech. This is not the first time the firebrand mayor has landed himself in hot water with his anti-Muslim rhetoric. Mr Menard told a family of Syrian refugees they were not welcome in Beziers last year Opponents branded the mayor's intervention as brutal and insensitive because the refugees had no money and nowhere to go Last year he stormed into a squat in Beziers and told a family of Syrian refugees that they were not welcome. Angry the refugees had allegedly broken in, the 62-year-old used a translator to tell them: 'You are not welcome in this town. You came in this apartment breaking the door.' He added: 'You are stealing the water. People are paying for the water, but you are stealing electricity and water. 'I'm saying it again: you are not welcome in this town. If you behave correctly, you are welcome, but not if you behave like this.' Months later, the former journalist criticised Muslims who gathered for Catholic Mass in churches and cathedrals across France in a show of unity following the murder of priest Jacques Hamel by two ISIS thugs. Speaking at the time he said: 'It is like letting the fire-starters extinguish the flames' and described the Muslims as 'predators' and 'pyromaniacs.' The Chipotle executive accused of buying cocaine and having it delivered to his apartment looked glum as he returned to court. Mark Crumpacker, the fast food chain's former Chief Marketing Officer, tried to hide behind his sunglasses as he entered the courtroom. The 53-year-old was then threatened with prison time and mocked by the judge with a series of food puns. The businessman asked for cocaine to be delivered 13 times to his $2.5million apartment on West 13th Street near Union Square, and spent $3,000 according to the district attorney. He was one of 18 New Yorkers who were caught up in a massive drugs sting earlier this summer. Chipotle placed him on administrative leave as a result. Crumpacker was surrounded by his legal team in New York's Supreme Court on Thursday as Judge Edward McLaughlin warned him it could become a 'jail case' and then made food jokes at his expense. After adjourning the case for six weeks, Judge McLaughlin told Crumpacker he wanted to give him 'food for thought' and 'something to chew on'. Mark Crumpacker, Chipotle's former Chief Marketing Officer looked glum as he returned to court facing charges he had cocaine delivered 13 times to his $2.5million New York apartment The fast food executive was also threatened with prison time after the judge said it could become a 'jail case' The 53-year-old arrived in court hiding behind his sunglasses and surrounded by his legal team for his first hearing in the case, two months after he was identified as one of the 18 New Yorkers caught up in a drug sting The businessman was silent as he left the courtroom in sunglasses. His attorney Gerald Lefcourt said he had no comment as he walked into the elevators. Crumpacker is set to appear back in court on October 18, after his attorneys and the New York District Attorney failed to come to an agreement. He was fired in July after he was named on a list of alleged drug buyers accused of using a livery service to routinely get cocaine. Crumpacker was named Chipotle's first Chief Marketing Officer in January 2009, and according to his LinkedIn page he oversees all of the company's marketing functions including advertising, design, events, public relations, social media, and research. In 2013, Crumpacker was named Chipotle's Chief Development Officer and now leads the company's real estate, design, construction and facilities functions worldwide. He crossed his arms as he made his way into court alongside his attorney Gerald Lefcourt (left) Crumpacker (pictured right walking into court) was fired in July after he was named on a list of alleged drug buyers accused of using a livery service to routinely get cocaine He kept his sunglasses on as he was led into the courtroom to face the drug charges Crumpacker is seen walking away from court and is set to return in six weeks Roman Yoffe, 36, (left) also appeared in court to face similar charges. The tax accountant made repeated orders of cocaine to his work, according to the indictment. Kyle Holmes (right) was warned he could be jailed for at least two years for his alleged part in the scheme Crumpacker has been accused of getting cocaine delivered to his apartment 13 times at his apartment in this building near Union Square in New York City Prior to joining Chipotle, he was the founder, CEO and Creative Director at Sequence, a San Francisco-based branding and interactive agency. Roman Yoffe, 36, also appeared in court to face similar charges. The tax accountant made repeated orders of cocaine to his work, according to the indictment. Marwood Group senior associate Kyle Holmes, 27, was warned he could face two years behind bars if he is found guilty of the charges. They have all been charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, according to court documents seen by Daily Mail Online. Former Fox Business producer Katie Welnhofer and Cushman and Wakefield associate Austin Dodson were also arrested in the sting. But they both agreed to a deal that involved admitting disorderly conduct. They both had to perform community service. Welnhofer was fired from her job as a result. Former Fox Business producer Katie Welnhofer (left and right during her court appearance in July) was also arrested in the drug bust, but agreed on a disorderly conduct plea deal involving community service A female police officer has been sacked after she was caught on CCTV brutally attacking her mother's love rival in a busy Asda supermarket. Beth Walker, 40, a serving officer with West Midlands Police, used her elbow with such force that the victim was 'knocked flying' near the reduced meat section. Footage showed PC Walker stick out her elbow and step into the victim, sending the woman stumbling into a 180-degree spin. Her shoe went flying off in one direction, and a pack of meat she was holding, in the other as she was standing in the chiller aisle at the store in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. West Midlands Police constable Beth Walker (second left) has been sacked after she was caught on CCTV attacking her mother's love rival The officer, who was off-duty at the time, carried out a 'gratuitous, violent act' on a member of the public, a misconduct hearing was told. After finding the officer guilty of gross misconduct on Thursday, the panel also found her apology to the victim was 'too little too late'. During a two-day hearing, panel members were told of a long-standing and bitter family feud in the run-up to the in-store incident. PC Walker's mother had been previously married to the man who had gone on to wed the victim, leaving a history of bad feeling. By coincidence, that victim and her husband were chanced upon by PC Walker in the supermarket aisles at around 7.20pm on June 24, 2014. In shocking footage shown to the panel during the two-day hearing in Birmingham, PC Walker could be seen approaching the couple swinging an empty shopping basket as she closed in. Giving her account of what happened next, the victim, who cannot be named, said she initially did not recognise PC Walker. She said: 'I was in Asda looking into the chiller for meat and Beth had just come up. 'I said "oh sorry love, do you want to have a look?" And she said "don't love me". 'She barged me and then said "that was a long time coming". She said "it's not over yet".' Afterwards the victim, in her 50s, spoke to a store manager who confirmed the incident had been caught on CCTV and an investigation was launched resulting in the disciplinary action. PC Walker and the victim had only briefly met once before, more than a year prior to the incident, when there had been no trouble. For her part, PC Walker claimed she only went to say hello, and put her elbow out in what she described as a 'friendly' greeting. Giving her version of events, PC Walker said: 'I would say it was perhaps ill-timed and somewhat clumsy but due to the confined space and my basket, it just comes over as awkward and a little clumsy.' But presenting the case against PC Walker, Matthew Holdcroft said the officer had employed a 'direct, violent elbow strike' on her victim. The victim's shoe went flying off in one direction, and a pack of meat she was holding, in the other as she was standing in the chiller aisle at the store in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire (pictured) Examining the constable's evidence in front of the panel, he asked the officer of 13 years: 'This is your last chance to say this was a moment of madness, stupidity, and should never have happened. 'Do you understand that? Your career is on the line, yes?' Pc Walker denied she had maliciously hit out at the victim and replied that the elbow was 'an acknowledgement of somebody's presence'. Concluding his case, Mr Holdcroft said: 'What that video shows is a direct, violent elbow strike to a member of the public and it was motivated by your recognition of the couple. 'The reason we see no attempt to apologise or assist her, is you knew exactly what you were doing and it had exactly the effect you intended didn't it?' He added that 'considerably bigger' and 'stronger' Ms Walker struck the victim with such force it sent one of her shoes flying off in one direction and a packet of meat she was holding in the other. Mr Holdcroft said: 'You must have realised at that point she was being knocked flying by you, mustn't you?' Pc Walker replied: 'I was aware I'd made contact,' adding 'it's just a mannerism I use'. Barrister Kevin Baumber representing Pc Walker said the incident 'was a supermarket tiff', and 'more a storm in a teacup than an attack on an innocent member of the public'. Flash China has vowed to form a closer community of shared future with Southeast Asian nations while commemorating the 25th anniversary of their dialogue relationship. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (5th L) attends the 19th summit between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations, in Vientiane, Laos, Sept. 7, 2016. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) "If we say the past 25 years were a period of growth for the China-ASEAN relations, the upcoming 25 years will be a period of maturity, facing new opportunities as well as new challenges," Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told the 19th summit between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the Laotian capital of Vientiane. China, which established a dialogue relationship with ASEAN in 1991, was the first to ink the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and the first to become ASEAN's strategic partner. In addition, China was the first country to voice support for the protocol of the treaty of Southeast Asia nuclear weapon free zone, while being the first to start free trade area negotiations with ASEAN. "All these showcase China's steady resolution to develop relations with ASEAN" and "the two sides' strong will of cooperation and their vision to lead regional cooperation," Li said. The Chinese premier lauded the development of the China-ASEAN relations in the past 25 years. Mutual respect for each other's development path, consideration of each other's major concern, joint efforts to cope with difficulties and challenges, reciprocal trade relationship, principle of inclusiveness and disputes settlement through dialogue and consultation are experience and treasury the two sides have gained and should continue to cherish and carry forward, Li suggested. FIVE-POINT PROPOSAL The premier put forward a five-point proposals to further enhance China-ASEAN relations: First, to better coordinate development strategies between the two sides, deepen cooperation in all areas within the 2+7 Cooperation Framework and in accordance with the third action plan for their strategic partnership, Li said. Second, to establish a new platform for political and security cooperation. China is willing to discuss to sign a treaty of good-neighborly friendship and cooperation as early as possible, so as to provide legal protection for a long-term friendship, Li said, adding that China supports ASEAN's efforts to establish a nuclear weapon-free zone in Southeast Asia. The two sides should also have regular unofficial meetings between defense ministers to promote defense cooperation and promote a more substantial progress in the ministerial dialogue mechanism on law enforcement and security, he said. Third, to further enhance and facilitate free trade and investment, jointly promote the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative and interconnectivity, and deepen industrial cooperation. Fourth, to make cultural and people-to-people exchanges a third pillar for China-ASEAN cooperation, further enhance cooperation in this regard with education and tourism as two priority areas, said Li. China hopes the total number of exchange students could reach 300,000 in 2025 through a student exchange plan, he added. Fifth, to jointly enhance regional cooperation, Li said, noting that the special fund for Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, which involves China, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar, has been launched to support cooperation projects among sub-regional countries. The Chinese premier also said that China stands ready to work with ASEAN to promote the comprehensive and in-depth development of their bilateral relations, and to make greater contribution to the lasting peace and common prosperity of the region and the world. Calling China the most important cooperative partner, ASEAN leaders expressed gratitude for the positive role China has played in building ASEAN community and managing international affairs. They voiced support for China's proposals in Belt and Road Initiative construction, production capacity cooperation and interconnection. The leaders also hoped to speed up the implementation of an upgraded China-ASEAN free trade agreement and the negotiation process of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. FOUR DOCUMENTS After the meeting, the two sides issued four documents, including a joint statement of the meeting, a joint statement on production capacity cooperation, a joint statement on the application of the code for unplanned encounters at sea in the South China Sea, as well as a guideline on senior diplomat hot line to cope with maritime emergencies. In the joint statement of the meeting, the two sides reaffirm their mutual respect for each other's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with international law and the principle of non- interference in the internal affairs of other states, and their commitment to promoting regional peace and stability. China reaffirms continued support for ASEAN's integration process and ASEAN centrality, while ASEAN reaffirms that China's development is an important opportunity for the region, and supports China's pursuit of peaceful development. ASEAN countries also reaffirm adherence to the one-China policy. The two sides agree to continue to promote cooperation in areas including defense and security, connectivity, environmental protection, sustainable development, management of land and water resources, and bio-diversity conservation, while addressing trans-boundary challenges. In the joint statement on production capacity cooperation, the two sides emphasize cooperation in highly-complementary sectors based on their respective priorities, comparative advantages, and levels of development, and recognize the importance of capacity building, taking into account the different needs of ASEAN members on production capacity practices. The two sides will support the cooperation by facilitating exchange of information on relevant policies so as to create a favorable business and investment environment for production capacity cooperation. The guideline on senior diplomat hot line to cope with maritime emergencies stipulates the purpose, application scope and procedure of the hotline platform. It will provide an instant and effective communication channel for direct discussion and coordination among senior diplomats from related countries. SOUTH CHINA SEA ISSUE Both China and ASEAN reaffirmed a full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and agreed to work substantively toward the early adoption of a code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea based on consensus. The two sides reaffirmed their respect of freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea under principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. According to the joint statement on the application of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) in the South China Sea issued after the meeting, the two sides recognized that Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and China are members of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) and have adopted the CUES. The CUES, as a coordinated means of communication to maximize safety at sea, offers a means by which navies may develop mutually rewarding international cooperation and transparency, according to the document. The leaders agreed to use the safety and communication procedures for the safety of all their naval ships and naval aircraft, as set out in the CUES. China is willing to work with the ASEAN countries in dispelling interference, and properly handling the South China Sea issue according to the DOC and dual-track approach, Li said. History and the facts have repeatedly showed that the South China Sea can only be peaceful and stable so long as the regional countries themselves get hold of the key to fixing the problems, he added. For their part, the ASEAN leaders expressed appreciation for China's efforts in promoting the COC talks. They also insist on solving the differences over the South China Sea through dialogues so as not to allow these spats to overshadow the relations between the two sides. Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation. Advertisement As migrants stormed the perimeter fence at the notorious Calais Jungle camp this afternoon, police surrounded the desperate mob and fired tear gas at MailOnline columnist Katie Hopkins. In the violent scenes that followed, MailOnline photographer Roland Hoskins was attacked by migrants and subjected to a vicious assault. Here is her story. Taki! Taki! Truck Truck! The cries went up, men shouting, running towards us. Hundreds of men, young men, running, running, towards the security fence that keeps the migrants penned inside the Jungle camp at Calais. The lorries at the port were backed up, one after the other. The truckers' least favourite position as targets, sitting ducks - vulnerable to attack. Hundreds massed at the line of fences. Pulling at them, ripping at metal, desperate to get a head start on the police with their tear gas, dogs and guns. Scroll down for video Katie Hopkins was caught up in violent scenes just hours after arriving at the Jungle migrant camp near the Port of Calais. Migrants who had stormed the metal fence can be seen fleeing the area as police fire tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd Hundreds of migrants charge towards the Calais Port fence as they attempt to climb on to lorries queuing on the motorway Armed police bundle out of vans as they prepare to fire tear gas canisters into a crowd of migrants charging the fence Even those most determined to continue the siege were eventually forced to turn away, covering their heads and eyes Photographer Roland Hoskins was capturing the action when he was kicked by men who pulled his cameras away from him But soon it came. The first wave of smoke - stinging the air. Some took to higher ground - watching, wise. They'd seen it all before. Others determined to make it. To be smarter than the smoke. Heads wrapped, eyes covered. Shrouded in acrid stinging stuff, eyes streaming, still shouting each other on. Taking the pain. It would go. And hope along with it. Suddenly, the noise of more shots fired, shouting, men running suddenly excited. Something, anything happening in camp. A chance. Hope at last of the possibility of getting out of the cage. One man bends down and grabs a tear gas canister, spewing its poison, throwing it back over the fence, right back at the police. Still defiant, refusing to be beaten back. Later our photographer, Roland Hoskins, blinded by the gas, was suddenly split from our group, busy capturing the commotion. Three or four men pulling his cameras away from him. Another with a knife, cutting the straps. A bigger guy kicking him in the back to get the kit away. Kicking until he let his camera fall. His phone. Gone. His wallet. Disappeared. Hundreds of men massed at the fence line, pulling and ripping at metal in a bid to get a head start on the police with tear gas Many the men cover their eyes and run back towards their tents as the police fire the first canisters of tear gas Armed police officers are deployed to the scene after migrants from the Jungle camp tried to storm the Calais Port fence Residents of the migrant Jungle camp flee the area around the metal fence after police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd A streaming canister of tear gas is catapulted into the the middle of a group of migrants trying to penetrate the fence Migrants are overcome by the tear gas, forcing them to back away from the fence and the lorries they were trying to board Even with their eyes streaming from the stinging tear gas, some men continue to try and topple the barbed wire fencing A group of migrants huddle near the fence, covering their faces in an apparent attempt to reduce the effects of tear gas The stinging gas soon becomes too much and the men break apart, apparently sprinting back towards the camp Men coming now to help him, three or four migrants working to help their fellow adventurers, volunteering for charity groups, earning status as French citizens, trying to create a sense of right in the midst of wrong. Roland, saved by these forces of good, was bundled into the shipping container of Care4Calais, separating him from the mob, gathering at the door - wanting to get at him, still hungry for the taste of their captive with his cash. Finding him at last, at the back of the container in the heat and the dark, eyes red and raw, I wondered how quickly all that had happened. Less than two hours after entering the Jungle, to search out the good, meet the children in need of help, to understand why tensions are rising - the reinforced fencing was torn apart. We were tear-gassed amongst the excitable mob and our cameraman was left shaking in the back of a shipping container stripped of his kit. Katie Hopkins stands in front of a wall covered in graffiti reading 'London Calling' near the Jungle migrant camp in Calais Lorry drivers wait like sitting ducks as they queue along the motorway. The trucks are often targeted by migrants Migrants trip and stumble as they race down the mound back towards the Jungle migrant camp where they live Trails of what appear to be tear gas canisters streak the air as police crackdown on the latest attempt to charge the fence Hundreds of men filled with hatred still attempt to reach the fence caging them in, even as tear gas hangs heavy in the air The hundreds of men charging the fence call to each other as their eyes begin to sting from the tear gas fired by police The air thick with tear gas, a small group of migrants still try to tear apart the metal fence, desperate to reach the motorway A pair of police officers, seen right, aim what appears to be a tear gas gun as others carrying riot shields line up near the fence Clouds of tear gas rise above the makeshift tents of the Jungle migrant camp as migrants flee from the metal fence I wondered what has happened in this place to make people behave this way. Every man for himself. Taking trust easier than earning respect. Every man for himself. No women in sight. There are forces for good. They came to Roland's defence. They returned his phone. They found a van in which to bundle us out of camp, sitting in the dark, out to safety. The police now there to protect us, a moment before running amongst the mob, a target for stinging tears. But the good is up against it here in the Jungle. The excitable mob is highly charged. Tinder dry - waiting for a single spark to set a wild fire of rebellion ripping across camp. Taki! Taki! Truck! Truck! And the camp rages into life. Men running filled with hatred for the cage which traps them, hatred for the police who patrol it. Hatred for a life without hope stuck the wrong side of a fence and the wrong side of a Chanel they are desperate to cross. And not a wave of tear gas, a reinforced security fence, nor the pleas of those trying to maintain some sense of civility can stop them. I came here looking for good. Looking at our cameraman Roland, a bit broken now, I accept I am going to have to search a great deal harder to find it. Excited and desperate for a way out of the camp, hundreds of migrants race towards the metal fence that cages them in A mob of migrants begins to gather at the metal fence which borders the Jungle camp as they try to reach the waiting lorries The men start to grapple and pull each other as they try to flee the area before the tear gas canisters are fired Streams of what appears to be tear gas smoke rise above the tents of the migrant Jungle camp as the police move in Wrapping their faces with scarves and cloths, migrants flee from the fence as tear gas canisters are fired into the crowd A group of men look relaxed as they sprayed each other with a hose in one corner of the Jungle, just hours before the violence The migrants, among the thousands who live in the Jungle camp, were seen washing themselves and their clothing today A group of migrants seen taking a stroll along the fence earlier today, hours before tear gas was fired into a crowd Men were seen washing in a communal area of the camp just hours before hundreds of migrants stormed the fence These peaceful scenes in the Jungle earlier today are far removed from the highly charged clash witnessed by Katie Hopkins Migrants queued up for supplies in one corner of the vast camp earlier today, hours before violence erupted Angela Merkels open door migration policy will cost Germany at least 17billion this year, it has been revealed. Economic advisors working for the government in Berlin calculated 8billion has been spent already this year on providing benefits for more than a million newcomers including accommodation and healthcare. German police have also had to employ more officers and the countrys asylum office has had to boost staff numbers to cope with the influx of asylum claims. Angela Merkels open door migration policy will cost Germany at least 17billion this year, it has been revealed Meanwhile, the European Commission today unveiled a plan to spend 294million on giving migrants in Turkey cash cards to pay for living essentials. EU officials said around one million of the most vulnerable migrants in the country would be given the cards that will be topped up monthly. They argued that it is better to hand over cash rather than food to give the recipients the dignity of choice. The scheme is being funded as part of the EUs 5billion deal with Turkey to curb the influx of people into the Europe. Britain has pledged to contribute 500million towards the agreement. Monthly top-ups for the cash cards will be calculated according to the size of the families and their needs. It is hoped that they will use the money to feed and house their families and to send their children to school rather than to work. Christos Stylianides, the EUs Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid, said: We have developed an innovative system that can deliver what people need, where it is needed most, and in the most effective way possible. Our contribution will be more effectively directed to vulnerable refugees. This is a game changer in the delivery of international humanitarian aid. Turkey is currently hosting at least three million refugees, with more than ninety percent of them living outside refugee camps. More than 1.1million asylum seekers were registered in the country last year after the German Chancellor threw open the borders to migrants, leading to hundreds of thousands trying to cross European countries such as Hungary (pictured) towards Germany More than 1.1million asylum seekers were registered in Germany last year after Mrs Merkel threw open the borders to migrants. In the first six months of this year a further 220,000 have arrived. The Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW) said the 17billion cost for 2016 could rise even further if there is another sudden influx of people in the coming months. The think tank is part of a group of economic advisors to the German government. Dr Jens Boysen-Hogrefes said: This is a substantial sum, but given that it makes up around 1.4 per cent of the total national budget, it will be manageable. The report predicted that the migration increase would lead to a 12.7billion boost to the economy. Numbers of people arriving into Germany have fallen sharply, but Mrs Merkel is still facing a mounting revolt over her migration policies. The influx dropped from 91,700 in January to 16,300 in June. In regional elections on Sunday, Mrs Merkels Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party finished third in her home state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, falling behind the anti-immigration AfD party for the first time. A homeless man last month walked into an Iowa police station and confessed to killing an elderly man in South Florida 14 years ago. The Broward Sheriff's Office said in a news release Thursday that 38-year-old Joshua Odom has been charged with first-degree murder and theft in the 2002 slaying of 70-year-old Richard Busey in Wilton Manors. Investigators say on April 4, 2002, Odom, who was about 24 years old at the time and living as a transient in Florida, agreed to go to Busey's apartment at 3000 Northeast Fifth Terrace for drinks and sex. Killer's confession: Joshua Odom, 38 (left), in August walked into a police station in Iowa and admitted to killing 70-year-old Richard Busey in 2002 in South Florida Instead, police say the drifter decided to kill and Rob Busey, a US Army veteran, in order to buy drugs. A friend who went to check on the elderly man discovered his lifeless body on the living room floor, covered with a blanket. The Sun-Sentinel reported at the time that the victim had been beaten to death. Local police zeroed in on a person of interest - a transient in his 20s with long blonde hair known only as Josh. They released a sketch of the potential suspect but were unable to track him down. The homicide went unsolved until August 11, 2016, when Odom walked into a police station in Des Moines and came clean about the murder to Detective Brad Youngblut. Crime of opportunity: Busey invited Odom to his condominium in Wilton Manors (pictured) for drinks and sex, but the homeless man instead killed the senior for drug money The detective contacted South Florida authorities, and the details Odom provided matched the crime. More than 40 Nigerian students are suing Alabama State University for allegedly incorrectly using millions of dollars in scholarship funds provided by their country's government and discriminating against them. Godsgift Moses, Promise Owei, Savior Samuel, Success Jumbo, Thankgod Harold, and 36 other students filed their claim in federal court, alleging the school took advantage of them because they were 'black foreigners', according to the Daily Beast. The group of exchange students say the school purposefully overcharged them by making them pay more for meals and books, while also signing them up for classes they never took. Alabama State University, one of America's 100 historic black colleges and universities, took on the students after the Nigerian government forked over millions of dollars upfront in 2013 to fund the exchange program. More than 40 Nigerian students are suing Alabama State University (pictured) for allegedly taking millions in scholarship funds and discriminating against them A group of the students suing the school are seen with their lawyer outside the federal courthouse in Montgomery, Alabama Each student was also allocated $32,000 per semester to cover costs. Any money left over was meant to be refunded to them, but students claim they never saw the excess cash, according to the Montgomery Advertiser. The newspaper also claims the plaintiffs believe they are owed about $865,000. Jimmy Iwezu, a former student at ASU, says it was clear 'they wanted our money'. 'They called us cash cows,' Iwezu told the Daily Beast. 'The school compelled us to buy books from the book store and eat only at the cafeteria. 'I tried to make them understand, "Hey, we dont want to live in the dorms anymore, and we dont want to eat our entire meals at the dorms." 'They make us pay $3,000 [a semester] to live in the dorms, and that is more than a mortgage on homes in this area. Success Edward Jumbo (pictured), one of the students suing the school, says he was charged living expenses by the school for more than a year after he moved to an apartment off-campus Promise Owei (pictured) is one of the 41 students who say the excess cash from the $32,000 per semester to cover costs was not refunded to them by the university 'Im a black man and Im proud to be black, but I felt discriminated against... enough is enough.' Another former student, Kehinde Batife, said he was furious the school tried to take advantage of him and others. 'Ive been here three years and Im a super intelligent person... Im not nosy, but I ask questions, and this school thought we dont know anything and they could do whatever they want to us,' he told the Daily Beast. 'They tell me, "Youre a resident of the scholarship." So they think they can do whatever they want with the money [Nigeria] gives them Im not going to let them treat us like animals.' Saviour Samuel (pictured) is also suing the school. The lawyer representing them, Julian McPhillips, said the school had taken money that was meant to go into his clients' pockets The lawyer representing the group of students, Julian McPhillips, said the school had taken money that was meant to go into his clients' pockets. 'The Nigerian government paid a whole bunch of money, well over a million dollars, for their educations here, and it specified that the money not only go for tuition,' McPhillips told WSFA earlier this year. 'Alabama State is taking that, but also some extra monies that were supposed to go to them for living expenses, and these living expenses amounted to money that was supposed to go to them directly in pocket for expenses that they encountered.' Success Jumbo, another student in the complaint, said he had not been living on campus since 2014 but still had costs taken out of his allotted funds for it. Thankgod Harold (pictured) is suing Alabama State University. Another former student, Kehinde Batife, said the school tried to treat them like animals 'I've suffered a lot,' Jumbo told the Montgomery Advertiser. 'I got married May 2014. Ive approached ASU on several occasions, I even took my wife and my baby to them and said, "Look, I no longer live on campus. I believe you guys understand the importance of being married. I need to get this money so I can use it to pay for my housing elsewhere.".' In 2015, ASU reportedly denied a request from McPhillips to refund: 'tuition, books, room and board, especially for the summer semesters of 2015 and 2016, and all personal expenses not used'. The school denied, according to the Daily Beast, with general counsel Kenneth Thomas saying: 'There is no financial agreement between the University and the individual Nigerian students.' It also claimed the Nigerian government told the school to: 'Hold on to the funds until instructions are given on the process of refunds.' A full-size replica Spitfire has been built as a thank-you gift for a tiny African kingdom for its generosity during the Battle of Britain. The Spitfire Heritage Trust is putting the finishing touches to a stunningly authentic-looking recreation of the legendary fighter in a small Cornish shed. It will begin its journey via land and sea to Lesotho in southern Africa next week where it will be received by King Letsie III. A full-size replica Spitfire has been built as a thank-you gift for a tiny African kingdom for its generosity during the Battle of Britain The Spitfire Heritage Trust is putting the finishing touches to a stunningly authentic-looking recreation of the legendary fighter in a small Cornish shed David Spencer Evans, the former RAF intelligence officer behind the project, said he made moulds from a real Spitfire to ensure that every detail was correct The plane will begin its journey via land and sea to Lesotho in southern Africa next week where it will be received by King Letsie III (pictured) The gift - which has been six years in the making - is in recognition of the kingdom's role as one of the unsung heroes of the Second World War. The country, formerly known as Basutoland, presented Britain with 24 Spitfire fighter aircraft - enough to equip two entire RAF squadrons - during the Battle of Britain. That was a disproportionately generous contribution from a Commonwealth country the size of Wales with a population of only 400,000 people. The fibreglass replica will start its long journey to Lesotho from the small industrial unit in Withiel, Cornwall. The gift - which has been six years in the making - is in recognition of the kingdom's role as one of the unsung heroes of the Second World War The aircraft has been made by a small team of volunteers, working from drawings, photographs and models to get everything right The initial proposal for the project was put to His Royal Highness Prince Seeiso in 2010 (pictured above with the Queen in 2005) It will be unveiled in the capital of Maseru on November 11 - Remembrance Day - as part of the 50th anniversary of the tiny landlocked country's independence from Britain. David Spencer Evans, the former RAF intelligence officer behind the project, said he made moulds from a real Spitfire to ensure that every detail was correct. He said: 'The full-size replica Spitfire monument will be mounted for public display in the capital of Lesotho, Maseru. 'It is a Mk Vb, and will be carrying the code letters of No.72 (Basutoland) Squadron. 'The people of Lesotho were incredibly generous to Britain at the height of the Battle of Britain in 1940 - and this is our way of saying thank you.' Next week, the wings will be 'unplugged' to get the aircraft out of its makeshift hangar The fibreglass replica will start its long journey to Lesotho from the small industrial unit in Withiel, Cornwall The initial proposal for the project was put to His Royal Highness Prince Seeiso in 2010. With his support, the project won backing from the Ministry of Defence, which helped arrange a visit to the RAF at Linton-on-Ouse. The aircraft has been made by a small team of volunteers, working from drawings, photographs and models to get everything right. 'It is a Mk Vb, and will be carrying the code letters of No.72 (Basutoland) Squadron,' said Mr Evans Next week, the wings will be 'unplugged' to get the aircraft out of its makeshift hangar. It will be loaded onto a lorry, taken to Bristol and put aboard a ship bound for southern Africa. Mr Evans added: 'Although I was in the RAF, I've never flown a real Spitfire. 'I'd love to have a go but so far I haven't found anybody willing to lend me one. 'The Spitfire is much more than a vintage aircraft. In a presidential campaign turnabout, Hillary Clinton accused Donald Trump on Thursday of failing to keep classified information close enough to his vest. Trump said Wednesday evening during an NBC News candidate forum that experts at his two intelligence briefings communicated with their 'body language' that President Barack Obama routinely ignores their advice. 'I could tell they were not happy. Our leaders did not follow what they were recommending,' the Republican presidential nominee said. Clinton fired back during a brief Q-and-A with reports on an upstate New York airport tarmac, calling his comment 'totally inappropriate and undisciplined.' 'I would never comment on any aspect of an intelligence briefing that I received,' she stated. Hillary Clinton told reporters during a brief Q&A on Thursday that Trump's decision to answer a question about a classified intelligence briefing showed he was 'undisciplined' Trump said Wednesday night during an NBC News military-issues forum that his intelligence briefings were conducted by experts whose 'body language' suggested President Obama seldom if ever follows through on their advice Clinton's campaign manager Robby Mook drew attention to the disclosure earlier on 'Good Morning America.' 'It's concerning that Donald Trump was potentially sharing information that he learned in his briefing,' Mook said. Trump senior communications adviser Jason Miller said in a statement Thursday that Clinton's attacks were 'unhinged and dishonest.' 'These are the desperate attacks of a flailing campaign sinking in the polls, and characteristics of someone woefully unfit for the presidency of the United States.' Miller added. Trump did not describe on Wednesday the content of what he learned at the two classified briefings he has received since becoming the Republican presidential nominee. Prompted to say whether anything he learned caused him 'shock or alarm,' Trump said Clinton, her successor at the State Department John Kerry, and President Barack Obama routinely 'did exactly the opposite' of what the intelligence officials with expertise in Iraq, Iran and Russia suggested. Nothing he was told made him reconsider his position on the ISIS terror army, however. 'What I did learn is that our leadership, Barack Obama, did not follow what our experts and our truly when they call it "intelligence," it's there for a reason what our experts said to do,' Trump said Wednesday night. 'I was very, very surprised. In almost every instance. And I could tell. I'm pretty good with the body language. I could tell they were not happy. Our leaders did not follow what they were recommending.' Sources with knowledge of the briefing have begun to talk, separately from Trump's disclosures. Tensions reportedly heated up during a Trump intelligence briefing when Gen. Mike Flynn (right) interrupted briefers and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (left) had to calm him down NBC News reported Thursday that Trump adviser Gen. Mike Flynn became so animated during the briefing, and interrupted the briefers so frequently, that New jersey Gov. Chris Christie had to calm him down. Michael Morell, a former acting CIA chief who once delivered President George W. Bush's daily intelligence briefings and now backs Clinton told NBC that Trump's interpretation of his briefing couldn't possibly be correct. 'Intelligence officers do not make policy recommendations. It's not their job and anyone running for president should know that,' Morell said. 'The people who briefed him, I'm pretty sure were career analysts senior intel professionals. There is no way that they would in any way signal displeasure with the policies of the president.' Clinton has had one briefing so far this year, at the FBI field office in White Plains, New York, near her home in Chappaqua, on Aug. 27. was found in a pool of his own blood the next morning The nephew of a Montana senator has been found dead in a pool of his own blood after being attacked my a man wielding a sword who burst into his home. Robert Tester, 35, nephew of Democratic Senator Jon Tester was found dead in Spokane, Washington on Tuesday after a mysterious man broke into the house during the night. The victim's eight-year-old daughter told the Spokane Country Sheriff that she was half asleep in bed with Robert when a man charged in the room with a 'a sword and a knife.' Slain in his own home. Robert Tester was the nephew of Democratic Senator Jon Tester who confirmed the relationship and asked for privacy after the news was announced Victim: Tester's eight-year-old daughter told the Spokane country sheriff that she was half asleep in bed with Robert when a man charged in the room with a 'a sword and a knife.' 'The man told her to stay in bed because he was going to kill her dad,' court documents state. Initial talks with authorities suggest the girl probably didn't witness the slaying of her father but court documents say that she called her grandmother to report his death. Jon Tester (above) has been a Montana senator since January 2007; he is pictured with his wife Sharla at the White House for a state dinner in March The girl was not injured in the attack. An ax like maul and bags of cannabis were found next to Tester's corpse which was discovered in 'a large pool of blood' in the living room at 7:30 am in the morning. Investigators also said the rural home smelled of marijuana. Police have not named a suspect but said the brutal attack did not appear to be a random incident. The police report also included a full text of Tester's last Facebook post from August 25, which suggested he was going through some emotional turmoil. In the post, Tester said: 'There's gonna be some hard days ahead of us but I want you all to know that I was victimized by someone close to me. Someone I treated like a brother and trust. I love you all and hope you can understand my never-ending pain. 'He took my best friend from me and turned her life into darkness, thru drugs and manipulation.' His Facebook profile said he graduated from Charles M. Russel High School in Montana in 2000, is divorced and lived in several towns in Kootenai County in Idaho-where his ex-wife is from. Sen. Tester's press office confirmed the relationship and said 'his family would prefer privacy during this difficult time.' Clue? The police report also included a full text of Tester's last Facebook post from August 25, which suggested he was going through some emotional turmoil Family man: Bob Tester is pictured with his daughter left, while right he is pictured with an unknown woman who he refers to as 'the absolute love of my life' Cynthia Ann Frierson (pictured) is accused of drunkenly crashing a funeral and trying to remove the body from a casket A Tennessee woman allegedly crashed a funeral while drunk and tried to remove the body from a casket. Cynthia Ann Frierson, 36, of Columbia, is charged with disrupting a funeral, public intoxication, unlawful drug paraphernalia and driving on a revoked or suspended license, according to WTVF. Frierson crashed her truck into a parked car on South Glade Street before hitting another down the road on Monday. But she fled the scene before arriving at a funeral home, according to a police report. Witnesses there say she entered the service, approached the casket and started to grab at the dead body inside at one stage, trying to remove it. A number of people removed her from the building. Witnesses at the Roundtree Napier Funeral Home (above, file photo) say she entered the service, approached the casket and started to grab at the dead body inside Police officers arrived at the Roundtree Napier Funeral Home and arrested her. According to police, Frierson smelled of alcohol and had a small glass pipe in her possession. And neighbors say the charges against her are not that surprising. Gary Stovall says hes known Frierson since they were children and he lives across the street from a place he says she stays regularly. It really wasnt shocking because I knew her capability, what she might do, he told the local news station. He added: But you want to think that she wouldnt do anything like that. Frierson told WKRN that she didnt do anything wrong. Donald Trumps latest bear hug of Russian President Vladimir Putin is unpatriotic and insulting, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton asserted this morning. Clinton mused that Republican hero Ronald Reagan and other past presidents would have looked at each other in astonishment. Trump on Wednesday heaped praise on Putin for his 'strong control' over Russia and said he was 'far more' of a leader than President Obama. The GOP White House nominee said hes not in favor of Putins heavy-handed governing but at least he acts like a leader - unlike U.S. President Barack Obama. Scroll down for video Donald Trumps latest bear hug of Russian President Vladimir Putin is unpatriotic and insulting, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton asserted this morning The loaded compliment of the foreign leader whose country was for many years Americas direct adversary and 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney labeled the nations greatest threat created new fodder for Clinton, who frequently claims Trumps foreign policies would benefit Russia more than they would the U.S. She told reporters on Monday that Trump has generally parroted what is a Putin-Kremlin line. He seems to have this bizarre attraction to dictators, including Putin, she said at the media avail. She further suggested that a cyber hack on the Democratic National Committees email system that intelligence officials are blaming on Russia is part of a Kremlin-endorsed plot to help Trump win the election. Without provocation on Thursday, Clinton delved into an assault on Trump over his commentary on Putin at NBCs Commander in Chief forum the previous evening. Meanwhile, bizarrely, once again, he praised Russia's strongman, Vladimir Putin, even taking the astonishing step of suggesting that he prefers the Russian president to our American president, Clinton said her opening remarks at a news conference in White Plains, New York. The former secretary of state said, Now that is not just unpatriotic and insulting to the people of our country, as well as to our commander in chief, it is scary, because it suggests hell let Putin do whatever Putin wants to do and then make excuses for him. She threw the same grenade in Trump's direction at a rally in Charlotte hours later. Clinton said her rival's statement is not just insulting 'to the office and the man who holds the office' - it's 'dangerous.' Trump told NBC's Matt Lauer that Putin's 'strong control' over Russia and said he was 'far more' of a leader than President Obama. 'The man has very strong control over a country,' Trump said when asked about Putin's past praise for him at a commander in chief forum on NBC Wednesday night. He spoke moments after Hillary Clinton left the stage in a setting that amounted to a scrimmage before the high stakes presidential debates that start later this month. 'I think when he calls me brilliant I'll take the compliment, okay?' Trump said when pressed about Putin, whose regime is under U.S. and international sanctions over Russia's incursion into Ukraine. 'The fact is, look, its not gonna get him anywhere,' he added. 'If he says great things about me, I'm going to say great things about him.' Trump continued: 'Now It's a very different system and I don't happen to like the system, but certainly in that system, he's been a leader. Far more than our president has been a leader.' Trump praised the 'strong control' Putin has in Russia, and even cited his public approval ratings 'If he says great things about me, I'm going to say great things about him,' Trump said of the Russian leader, who called him 'brilliant' Rival Hillary Clinton has been hammering Trump for his views on Putin and Russia, though the issue has subsided somewhat since the departure of Trump's former campaign chair Paul Manafort, who had ties to the former pro-Moscow Ukrainian regime. But under repeated questions from host Matt Lauer, Trump stood by his earlier claims that he would 'get along' with Putin and forge constructive relations with the nation that has become a top rival to U.S. interests in various trouble spots. 'Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could work on it together and knock the hell out of ISIS?' Trump said. When Lauer noted reports that Russia was considered behind the hacking of the Democratic National Committee, Trump interjected: 'Nobody knows that for a fact.' Asked about Putin's prior comment hailing Trump, the candidate responded: 'Well, he does have an 82 percent approval rating.' Lauer countered: 'Look, hes also a guy who annexed Crimea, invaded Ukraine ... supports Iran, is trying to undermine our influence in key regions of the world. And according to our intelligence community, probably is the main suspect of the hacking of the DNC computers. 'Well, nobody knows that for a fact. But do you want me to start naming some of the things that President Obama does?' Trump responded. Before a crowd including military members and veterans on the decommissioned carrier Intrepid in New York Trump said the generals under President Obama and Clinton have 'not been successful.' 'I think under the leadership of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton the generals have been reduced to rubble they have been reduced to a point where its embarrassing for our country,' Trump said. Trump on Wednesday said he would ask generals to produce a plan to defeat ISIS within 30 days of taking office after saying he already had a plan and earlier saying he knew more about ISIS than the generals. 'If like maybe a combination of my plan and the generals plan or the generals plan. If I like their plan, Matt Im not going to call you up and say, "Matt we have a great plan." This is what Obama does,' Trump said. Trump fielded questions from NBC 'Today Show' host Matt Lauer, as well as audience members Wednesday night in a practice run for presidential debates Trump got to speak after Hillary Clinton, whom he blasted for her support of the Iraq war. She fired back at a news conference this morning in New York Trump said the generals have been 'reduced to rubble' under President Obama. Clinton mocked him Thursday at a rally and said he has no idea what it's like to be a general Trump later said of Clinton: 'She has a happy trigger,' as he hammered her vote for the Iraq war. 'I was totally against the war in Iraq,' Trump said. He told Lauer, I've always said, shouldnt be there. But if were gonna get out, take the oil. If we wouldve taken the oil, you wouldnt have ISIS. Because ISIS formed with the power and the wealth of that oil.' Trump said in a 2002 Howard Stern interview, 'Yeah, I guess so,' when asked if he was in favor of the invasion - a point Clinton brought up earlier in the evening -though he turned against it soon afterward. Clinton was also asked about her support for the war during the forum. She stated unequivocally that she now believes it was a mistake and wouldn't order troops into the country as president. 'We are not putting ground troops into Iraq ever again. And were not putting ground troops into Syria. Were to defeat ISIS without committing American ground troop, she said. At her Thursday morning news conference Clinton mocked Trump for his comments on the oil. 'The United States of America does not invade other countries, plunder and pillage. We don't send our great men ans women around the world to steal oil. And that's not even getting into the absurdity of what it would involve,' she stated. The ex-cabinet official said that would require a large number of troops and involve many years on the ground. 'Of course Trump hasn't thought through any of that,' she said. She tweaked his comments on the generals being reduced 'to rubble' in a statement and at the rally in Charlotte. 'Because he knows so much about what it takes to be a general,' she snarked at the rally. Clinton said the forum 'was a test and he failed it.' A uniformed Brazilian officer is nursing a bullet wound after shooting himself in the leg as he played with a loaded gun. The hapless man is captured on CCTV sitting on a chair fiddling with the handgun before he pulls the trigger. The bullet is fired into the inside of his left thigh and he leaps out of his chair before the video is cut short just as blood begins to pour onto the floor. The hapless man is captured on CCTV sitting on a chair fiddling with the handgun before he pulls the trigger He fires a bullet into his leg causing him to leap to his feet while clutching the fresh wound The bullet is fired into the inside of his left thigh and he leaps out of his chair before the video is cut short just as blood begins to pour onto the floor With blood pouring from the inside of his left thigh, the video is cut short with the uniformed man on his haunches The video, which was leaked late last night, has already garnered reaction from online users, who say he is lucky to have only hit his given the proximity to his groin. While the video has him labelled as a military police officer, many believe he may be a security guard or an off-duty policeman. Some have speculated the man was attempting to release the hammer of the gun without firing, but failed. Do you know the man in this video? Flash Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Wednesday that practical cooperation between ASEAN members and China, Japan and South Korea should be promoted steadily so as to safeguard regional peace and stability. Li made the remarks while attending the 19th summit of ASEAN+3 (China, Japan and South Korea). ASEAN leaders as well as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Park Geun-hye attended the meeting. While embracing the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN+3 mechanism next year, Li made a six-pronged proposal on the mechanism's development to consolidate its role as the main channel of regional integration. Relevant countries should strengthen financial security cooperation, deepen trade and investment cooperation, promote cooperation in agriculture and poverty reduction, advance inter-connectivity, innovate production capacity cooperation mode and increase people-to-people exchanges, Li said. As for financial security cooperation, Li said that countries should learn a lesson from financial crises in order to maintain financial stability. As to trade and investment cooperation, Li said China supports ASEAN's leading role in negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and hopes negotiations could be accelerated to promote free trade and convenience. Regarding agricultural and poverty reduction cooperation, the premier said China supports the strengthening of an emergency mechanism on rice storage and proposes to build a modern agricultural cooperation base and an East Asian animal husbandry exchange platform. Concerning the inter-connectivity cooperation, Li called for more alignment between China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative with ASEAN's general guideline 2025 on inter-connectivity, adding that China is willing to deepen project cooperation with ASEAN countries with the assistance of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and other financing platforms. Relating to innovating production capacity cooperation mode, Li said China, Japan and South Korea have their respective advantages in equipment manufacturing, infrastructure construction, capital and human resources, which could be used in cooperating with ASEAN countries. China is also willing to work with Japan and South Korea to offer assistance to ASEAN nations on such fields as logistics and construction of supply chain to promote the economic integration in East Asia, he noted. About people-to-people exchanges, Li said that China encourages its people to travel in ASEAN countries, calling for joint efforts to tackle the problem of aging population. The Chinese premier arrived in Vientiane late Tuesday to attend the 19th China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting, the 19th meeting of the leaders of ASEAN-China, Japan and South Korea (10+3), and the 11th East Asia Summit. During his stay, Li will also pay an official visit to Laos. A Turkish tourist on his honeymoon was killed early Thursday during an armed robbery in front of his wife in the heart of Orlando's tourist district. Osman Darcan, 52, died from multiple gunshots fired by a robber who was trying to steal his wife's purse by their car in the parking lot of the hotel resort where they were staying, authorities said. At the time he was shot, Darcan stepped in to help his 44-year-old wife in a struggle with the robber, who fled without the purse into a waiting car. Scroll down for video Osman Darcan, 52, died from multiple gunshots fired by a robber who was trying to steal his wife's purse early Thursday Osman Darcan, 52, died from multiple gunshots fired by a robber who was trying to steal his wife's purse in the parking lot of the Wyndham Orlando Resort early Thursday, authorities said Scene from the shooting pictured above. At the time he was shot, Darcan stepped in to help his 44-year-old wife in a struggle with the robber, who fled without the purse into a waiting car It was the first killing of a tourist in Orlando's tourism district in recent memory, Orange County Sheriff's Office Capt. Angelo Nieves said at a news conference. The couple was on their honeymoon and had driven up from Miami on Wednesday afternoon. It is not known where they were returning from early Thursday when they arrived back at their hotel, the Wyndham Orlando Resort on International Drive at about 1.45am. As they got out of their car, an armed man approached them and attempted to steal the wife's bag, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Darcan intervened and a struggle ensued during which the suspect opened fire several times, striking Darcan, authorities said. The suspect then fled without the bag in a reddish-orange car with a black stripe that headed east, possibly toward Kirkman Road, according to authorities. Deputies arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting where they said they found Darcan on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene and his wife was not injured in the incident. It was the first killing of a tourist in Orlando's tourism district in recent memory, Orange County Sheriff's Office Capt. Angelo Nieves said at a news conference (pictured) Deputies arrived at the scene (shown on a map) shortly after the shooting where they said they found Darcan on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds Authorities said the suspect is described as a heavy-set male with dark skin and bushy eyebrows. Nieves said he did not know where in Turkey the couple was from, but the wife was in contact with the Turkish consulate. The wife 'was in a very fragile, traumatic state,' he said. Wyndham released a statement concerning the shooting, saying they are shocked and saddened by the incident, according to Click Orlando. 'Our thoughts are with the victim and his family during this devastating time, the resort said. 'The safety and security of our associates and guests is our top priority and please know that we are cooperating with the authorities on their investigation. 'Given that this is an active investigation, were unable to provide any details or comment further and ask that you direct all questions to the local authorities.' The district around International Drive, or 'I-Drive' as locals call it, is among the safest areas in Orlando. Officers responded to Darcan's shooting within two minutes of getting a 911 call, and patrols will be increased in the district for the near future, Nieves said. Wyndham released a statement concerning the shooting, saying they are shocked and saddened by the incident 'Patrols have always been stepped up on the I-Drive corridor,' he said. 'It's one of the safest areas, one of the tourism areas, and we constantly patrol.' Orlando has been the top tourist destination in the United States for the past two years, with 66 million visitors last year, and the killing was only the latest troubling headline coming out of tourism-dependent metro area. This past summer, a former contestant from The Voice television show was fatally shot after a concert, 49 patrons of a gay nightclub were massacred in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history and a toddler was killed by an alligator at Walt Disney World. Some tourists also have grown nervous about coming to Florida because of reports of the Zika virus in South Florida. A 24-year-old former substitute teacher from Iowa who was arrested in July after admitting to a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student says he swept her off her feet with love notes scribbled on Post-Its. Mary Beth Haglin, of Cedar Rapids, has been charged with misdemeanor sexual exploitation by a school employee in connection to her six-month tryst with a male student at Washington High School. On Wednesday, Haglin pleaded not guilty to the charge in writing, and her trial date has been set for November 14. If convicted, she could face up to two years in prison and be required to register as a sex offender for 10 years. Scroll down for video Bad teacher: Mary Beth Haglin (left and right), a 24-year-old former substitute teacher from Iowa, has been charged with sexual exploitation for having an affair with a male student Haglin met the 17-year-old boy at Washington High School in Cedar Rapids in January Haglin was hired as a substitute teacher in January and was terminated in May at the conclusion of an internal investigation by school administrators. An earlier probe conducted in February had failed to prove any wrongdoing on Haglins part. Both investigations have since been labelled as ineffective by the school district and led to the resignations of three high-ranking officials, according to The Gazette. It is believed that Haglin and the victim had been in a sexual relationship for almost the entire duration of her tenure at Washington High School. Speaking to Inside Edition this week, the 24-year-old woman apologized for the hurt she has caused, but claimed that it was her underage lover who seduced her. He would come into my classroom, grab a Post-It, write something and stick it to my desk on his way out, she said. One note read: I love you so much, my empress. Teen Casanova: Haglin says it was the boy (seen right) who seduced her with love letters Sticky love notes: Haglin shows the Post-It notes that her underage lover would leave on her desk after class Regal moniker: One note allegedly penned by the victim read, I love you so much, my empress' In return, the statuesque brunette sent the high-schooler risque selfies showing her posing in sexy lingerie. Haglin says the teen once called her 'Mrs Robinson,' in a reference to Anne Bancrofts iconic character from the movie The Graduate, in which a middle-aged woman seduces a recent college graduate, played by Dustin Hoffman. By her own admission, Haglin fell 'completely head over heels' for the boy, and before long the pair began having sex almost daily in her car at a public park. Haglin says that after a while, she allowed herself to think that she was in a 'real relationship,' but it all came to an end when another student spotted her and the 17-year-old and went to the authorities. In retrospect, Haglin says it was 'stupid' to think that their forbidden liaison, which she described as 'a terrible mistake', could be kept a secret. Raunchy snapshots: In exchange for the notes, the brunette beauty sent the high-schooler risque selfies showing wearing lingerie Outdoor romps: Haglin says she and the boy had sex almost every day in her car at this public park Regrets: Haglin says it was 'stupid' to think that their forbidden liaison was a real relationship. The 24-year-old described what happened as 'a terrible mistake' I want to go back and smack myself and ask, What were you thinking Mary Beth?" she tells the site. In an interview with The Gazette after her release from jail on bail, Haglin claimed school administrators were aware of the affair and told her to keep it hush-hush. In the wake of this bombshell revelation, a trio of long-time school officials, including Washington High Principal Dr Ralph Plagman, opted for an early retirement. Hillary Clinton sought to assure Israelis that she would be a stronger ally than her rival Donald Trump by claiming the Islamic State militant group is praying to let Trump win the presidency. 'They are saying, 'Please Allah. Make Trump president of America,' she said in excerpts of an interview with Israeli Channel 2 today. The Democratic nominee took aim at Trump's critical comments about Muslims, saying he has played into the hands of ISIS supporters. She referred to an essay written by Matt Olsen, the former National Counterterrorism Center director, who has argued that by making the Muslim religion a campaign issue, Trump has given jihadists a great gift. Hillary Clinton sought to assure Israelis that she would be a stronger ally than her rival Donald Trump by claiming the Islamic State militant group is praying to let Trump win the presidency House Speaker Paul Ryan accused Clinton of 'fear mongering.' Clinton defended herself Thursday morning at a news conference 'So, I am not interested in giving aid and comfort to their evil ambitions,' Clinton said in the interview, vowing to defeat the extremist group. 'I don't want them to feel as if though they can be getting more recruits because of our politics.' House Speaker Paul Ryan accused Clinton of 'fear mongering.' 'That's demagogic scare tactics. I don't even know how you can credibly make the claim to begin with,' the Wisconsin Republican said during an interview on 'The Hugh Hewitt Show,' a conservative talk radio program. Clinton said Thursday morning at a news conference that, 'Republicans are just in a terrible dilemma trying support a totally unqualified nominee. 'I have no sympathy for them. It's their nominee. But I'm not gonna tolerate them continuing to make misleading, inaccurate accusations and putting out misinformation about me,' she said. The Democratic candidate invoked Olsen, who she said is a 'distinguished couterterrorism expert' and said the extremists 'hope that Allah delivers America to Trump. 'The have said that they hope that he is the president because it would give even more motivation to every jihadi,' Clinton contended. Olsen 'knows more about this,' she said, 'than the Republicans trying to somehow muddy the waters.' The interview, set to air Thursday night on Israeli Channel 2 TV, comes as both candidates worked to tout their national security credentials just two months ahead of the election. Clinton also defended President Barack Obama's nuclear deal with Iran as one that is good for the Jewish state. Clinton has said in the past that the ISIS terrorist group has used footage of Trump in its recruitment efforts. Trump has previously said Clinton and President Barack Obama were 'founders' of ISIS.' After seven years of rocky relations between Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Clinton took the opportunity to reach out to the Israeli public. She said the US-led international nuclear deal with Iran will serve to ensure Israel's safety. Netanyahu bitterly opposed the deal, even traveling to Washington to lobby Congress to oppose it. He says it leaves too much of Iran's nuclear program intact and will pave the way for the Islamic Republic to develop the capability to make a nuclear bomb in the coming years. Trump has vowed to 'dismantle' the deal. 'I believe with all my heart that putting a lid on Iran's nuclear weapons program has made Israel safer; has made the region safer; prevented a nuclear arms race,' Clinton said. 'They are saying, 'Please Allah. Make Trump president of America,' she said in excerpts of an interview with Israeli Channel 2 today. Trump is pictured today in Cleveland, Ohio The Democratic White House candidate said the deal 'does not in any way' excuse Iranian behavior, such as its support for militant groups like Hezbollah and Hamas and development of long-range ballistic missiles. 'But we are in a stronger position than we would have been to deal with this other malicious behavior because of the nuclear agreement,' she said. Clinton also took a jab at Trump, who has said she doesn't look presidential. 'He looks at a judge and doesn't see a distinguished federal judge, but the son of Mexican immigrants,' she said. 'He looks at an anchor woman and thinks 'bimbo'. He looks at a reporter with a disability and mocks him. So, the only person he thinks looks presidential is the person he sees in the mirror every day.' She expressed concerns that his rhetoric could encourage violence. Advertisement Tourists, including at least one Briton and four children, trapped overnight in cable cars suspended at an altitude of more than 3000 metres in the French Alps have been rescued. Some were too traumatised to speak about their ordeal publicly, including a couple from Korea and their two young children aged under 10. Others spoke of the 'bitter cold'. A total of 33 people, from the UK, France, the US, Italy and Korea, were trapped overnight in freezing conditions. There were two Korean children and a French child aged under 10 and an American child of 13. One rescued tourist revealed how they kept going with a 'salad baguette' while others described how they shivered without coats in -10C temperatures. Scroll down for video Dozens of tourists have spent the night trapped in cable cars suspended in the French Alps after high winds caused a mechanical failure. The rescue operation restarted this morning Terrifying pictures show sightseers being winched up to a helicopter hovering above their cable car high up in the French Alps A ten-year-old child was among the many tourists trapped over night. Italian police are pictured escorting a boy trapped in the cable car Terrified passengers were pictured arriving at a cable car station in Courmayeur, Italy last night Rescue operations continued into the night but eventually had to be postponed until the morning Antoine Burnet, a spokesman for the Compagnie Du Mont Blanc lift company, said: 'Everyone is safely back down. 'There were medics who checked that everyone was ok. The Korean family was distressed and the children were shocked but they were checked over and all was good. No one needed hospital treatment.' Student Jules Blanc, 25, from Aix-En-Provence, in the south of France, was one of those stranded for the night. He told of his concern for the children. He said: 'We were worried about the people in the other cabins. Two cabins away there was a family from Korea. We had seen them getting on. 'In the cabin next to us there were experienced mountain people and they managed to communicate with the family. They managed to indicate to them that there were survival blankets under the seats. But they were scared. One of the 33 tourists who spent a night in cable cars in the French Alps, is escorted by rescuers and police officers after being brought to the ground A woman wrapped in a blanket is led to safety after spending the night trapped in a cable car in the French Alps Pictures show the stranded cable cars at the centre of a major rescue operation. Technicians were trying to untangle the cable cars this morning by loosening the tension of cables holding them A French rescue helicopter hovers near three cars of the Panoramic Mont Blanc cable car that stalled around 4 pm yesterday after its cables reportedly tangled Rescuers worked on the ground and in the air at high altitude as they tried to rescue more than 100 people stuck in the cable cars A tourist is dramatically taken to safety in a rescue operation which was praised by France's Interior Minister after 110 people were trapped in 36 cable cars Police confirmed 110 people were trapped due to a mechanical problem with 36 cable cars in the French Alps Four helicopters were used to take 65 people to safety, and emergency crews were praised for their response Ambulances were stationed close to terminals as a precaution this morning after dozens spent the night in cable cars 'We saw the family this morning and they were in shock. Traumatised I'd say. We were lucky because we had a lot of information. We were in contact with the police. We had two mobile phones between us with good battery power. And we were told we were secure and not in danger. 'We saw the helicopter at about 6pm. But we could see the fog coming in and we were told a few hours later that we would be spending the night up there. 'We just sat there in the little cable car. It's pretty tiny in there. We played a few silly games and chatted. Then this morning they managed to get it working really slowly so we didn't need to be winched out. We got to the station at Helbronner and then we were taken by helicopter to Chamonix.' Survivors emerge after being taken to safety in Chamonix, but 33, including a child aged 10, had to spend the night in cable cars 65 tourists were taken to safety by rescue teams in the Alps after 110 were trapped after a mechanical failure Authorities called a halt to efforts to bring the tourists to safety at around 9pm, with the rescue operation set to resume on Friday morning Rescuers were able to take 65 people to safety after the cable cars became stuck in Chamonix, but another 33 people are being rescued this morning Rescuers gathered at the Mont Blanc cable station before sunlight as they prepared to rescue the remaining passengers This was the scene early on Friday morning as a rescue mission got underway from the cable car 'Skyway' terminal in Courmayeur Jules was in a cabin with brothers Louis Delisle, 20, and Clement, 24, and their father Valerie, 52. Louis, on a mountaineering holiday in Chamonix from Aix-en-Provence, said: 'It was so cold. Too cold to sleep. We were saying that we feel like we have been up all night partying, we are that tired. 'We played games word games to try and occupy our time. We were trapped for 15 hours. But I was never actually scared. 'I had a salad baguette in my bag and we had three litres of water so that was good. It must have been minus 10 degrees. We were not so well equipped. We just had these light clothes.' 'We are pretty relieved it's all over. I don't think we will be rushing to go in a cable car today but it's certainly not put us off too much.' Relieved: Young tourists were taken to safety in an operation which has been praised by senior officials in France Four helicopters were used to get people out of the pods, with strong winds thought to be responsible for the mechanical failure Relief: A woman smiles after being taken to safety after the dramatic mountain rescue on Thursday night Rescuers were still endeavouring to free the people trapped in cable cars late into the night, and helicopters brought 65 tourists down to land A total of 110 tourists were trapped in 36 Panoramic Mont Blanc pods, which seat a maximum of four people each. They were on a spectacular 35-minute 5km cable car trip over the Vallee Blanche glacier and Glacier du Geant when suddenly the cable cars stopped. The journey links the Aiguille du Midi, a 3842 metre peak above Chamonix, France, to the Point Helbronner, a 3462 metre peak in Italy. The price for a family pass is 259.50; an adult 86.50 and a child 73.50. Rescuers deployed four helicopters to free the 110 tourists. They managed to rescue 65 people before night fell. Then a further 12 people were rescued before midnight. The lift system broke down at 5.25pm. At 11pm a helicopter could still be seen above the site. Technician Cyril Viallard, 47, from Grenoble, France, who was one of the 33 people trapped overnight, said: 'It had been a hot day and so we weren't wearing too many layers. We had only intended on being up there for the day. French Police confirmed that the operation had been suspended for the night, but said food and blankets had been distributed to those stuck in cabins 'We were in the cable car and it suddenly started swinging. We thought it was a bit odd and then it stopped. We waited for a couple of hours and then thought maybe we should call the police. They told us there was a mechanical failure. We never worried that it was a terror attack or anything like that. 'I live in the mountains so I am used to this environment. I was with a friend and a guide whom we had hired. There was an older man in the cabin with us too. 'We got no sleep at all. And we were hungry. We shared what food we had between us. I had a cereal bar, not much else because it was the end of the day. 'It was pitch black up there. But I had a head torch. Once night fell it got so bitterly cold. That was the worst thing. And at 3am it started swaying with the wind. 'We were not frightened because we had information. It was an experience.' An elderly British couple told how they narrowly escaped being trapped over night. Margaret and William Hamilton, from Fife, were next in the queue to board a cable car when suddenly it stopped. Mr Hamilton, 86, said: 'We are staying in Chamonix and decided to make a day-trip of it and go over to Italy. We went up and had lunch up at the Pointe Helbronner. 'We then went to the waiting room and queued up to get into the next cabin. Luckily for us we were not a few minutes sooner.' The mayor of Chamonix said French and Italian rescuers are working together to bring sightseers to safety. Relieved passengers were filmed as they were being brought to safety Passengers tell of their relief after being brought to safety last night. Others were forced to spend the night in a cable car after the rescue mission was abandoned for the night A helicopter hovers near three cars of the Panoramic Mont Blanc cable car that stalled yesterday. The mechanism has been successfully restarted this morning Mrs Hamilton, 82, said: 'Those poor people. 'We waited up there for a while and then the lift company took us back down to the valley floor in Italy and then they bussed us back to Chamonix. 'We are now trying to get our money back or go back up there again today to have the day we had intended.' An investigation is underway to establish the cause of the breakdown. A spokesperson from the Compagnie du Mont Blanc which operates the lift said: 'As a result of cables being crossed in the three areas along the 5km of the Panoramic Mont-Blanc gondola linking the Aiguille du Midi in France to the Pointe Helbronner in Italy, 110 persons were blocked in their cabins. 'Crossed cables is when the haulage cable crosses the cable on which the cabins are suspended. This may happen in the event of a sudden stop during the trip or strong gusty winds. 'A procedure to uncross the cables exists which was immediately put into operation as soon as the problem was discovered. 110 people were stuck in cable cars close to the town of Chamonix this afternoon 'Two of the crossed cables were successfully unknotted but, unfortunately, the third knot could not be unraveled within a reasonable delay. 'Due to compulsory delays to launch rescue procedures, at 5pm the Compagnie du mont Blanc called on the resources of the mountain rescue teams.' The tourists had accessed the Panoramic Mont Blanc cable cabins, open from June to September, from either the Helbronner in Italy or the Aiguille du Midi in France. The two peaks have their own cable car system connecting them to their nearby villages. The French Telepherique de l'Aiguille du Midi connects the peak of Aiguille du Midi to the village of Chamonix, while the Italian Skyway Monte Bianco connects the peak of Pointe Helbronner to the village of La Palud, just north of Courmayeur near the Mont Blanc Tunnel. The Panoramic Mont Blanc cable car tourist attraction linking the two countries was opened in 1958. There are 12 groups of three cabins which seat four people each. They are pulled by a haulage rope of 10,200 metres in a single loop. The cabins run from the Aiguille du Midi station over the Vallee Blanche glacier and the Glacier du Geant glacier to the Helbronner station. Although the cables sag by some 255 m, the cabins still have a clearance of some 300 m to the glacier underneath. Spine-shuddering footage of an SUV smashing through a convenience store wall and ramming into the clerk has been released by police. The Clinton Police Department in Connecticut released the video on Thursday, a week after the shocking crash at a Shell gas station. CCTV footage from the store shows the shop worker standing by a computer at the counter. Out of nowhere: An SUV smashes through the wall of a convenience store into the clerk Suddenly a vehicle bursts through the wall leaving him no time to avoid the collision. Although the bonnet catches him in the side amazingly he is not run over by the vehicle. Instead he is shunted off to the side, where he can be seen clutching his leg in agony. The SUV carries on into the store, only stopping when it hits the back wall. The shop is then a scene of total devastation after the crash, which occurred on September 1 on 196 East Main St by Beach Park Road, at around 6pm. Unavoidable: On the clerk's end he has no time to dodge out the way as the SUV rams into him Police suggested the vehicle was parked in the lot and made a sudden shock maneuver Clinton police Sgt. Jeremiah Dunn said: 'The vehicle, which was in the parking lot, made a sudden maneuver and we think the operator inadvertently pushed the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal,' reports NBC News. Police added the clerk was alert and fully conscious when they arrived. He was swiftly taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital for treatment. Owners of the store said the man was seriously injured, but added he is expected to recover An owner of the store said the clerk was an extended family member and was left seriously injured, although they added he is expected to recover. Netflix have released the first two trailers; Believe Her and Suspect Her Knox and Sollecito were accused of murdering her British roommate Meredith Kercher in Italy in 2007 but had cases overturned Film promises interviews with Knox, her co-defendant and then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito and Italian prosecutor Giuliano Mignini Documentary 'Amanda Knox' looks at life of the 29-year-old American student twice convicted and twice acquitted of Twice convicted of murder and twice acquitted by Italian courts, the past decade has seen global speculation over whether Amanda Knox was guilty or not. Now a brand new Netflix documentary sees Knox break down in tears as she discusses being accused of killing her British roommate Meredith Kercher - and her eventual release from jail after years of battling the courts. 'That's everyone's nightmare,' says Knox in the first of two trailers, titled Suspect Her and Believe Her. 'Either I'm a psychopath in sheep's clothing, or I am you.' Scroll down for video The first trailers have been released for Netflix's highly-anticipated Amanda Knox documentary have been released and the film is set to come out later this month. The highly anticipated documentary, 'Amanda Knox', delves into the life of the 29-year-old American student whose world was turned upside down when she was accused of brutally killing Kercher in 2007. Now, the Netflix original documentary promises 'unprecedented access to key people involved and never-before-seen archival material.' Knox has also given interviews alongside her ex-boyfriend and fellow co-defendant Raffaele Sollecito and Italian prosecutor Giuliano Mignini. So far, two trailers have been released titled: Believe Her and Suspect Her. 'Amanda Knox' delves into the life of the 29-year-old American student whose world was turned upside down when she was accused of brutally killing Kercher in 2007 (above in 2007) Tragedy: It has been almost a decade since Knox and then boyfriend Raffaelle Sollecito (left) were accused of murdering Meredith Kercher (right) 'Suddenly, I found myself tossed into this dark place,' the voice-over of Knox begins in Believe Her. 'I was so scared,' she said, her voice breaking. Knox described her carefree life before Italy, before she was accused of murder and locked up in an Italian jail. 'I was a kid,' she says crying. Knox was initially convicted of murder alongside her then boyfriend Sollecito, before they were both finally acquitted and released from jail after battling the courts for years. Sollecito also speaks in the trailer, speaking of happier times with Amanda while former Daily Mail reporter Nick Pisa comments on the media circus that surrounded the case. Sollecito (left) also appears in the trailer, speaking of happier times with Amanda (right) Knox appeared to be overcome with emotion at one point in the trailer and breaks down in tears Knox described her carefree life before Italy, before she was accused of murder, before she was locked up in an Italian jail (pictured before she was accused in 2007) The Suspect Her trailer questions Knox' response after Kercher was killed, saying she did not have a typical response to grief after she was seen kissing her boyfriend and doing cartwheels The Suspect Her trailer has a darker tone. Beginning with the interrogation questions she was asked during the investigation. It also questions Knox' response after Kercher was killed. 'The friends were telling us how Amanda was behaving, performing cartwheels and kissing each other,' Pisa tells the camera. 'I mean, who behaves like that? Of course she did it, she's mad.' The film poses the question: 'As a hunger for salacious and exciting news stories grows, what role do we all play in the perpetuation and the creation of 'front page'-ready narratives?' Amanda Knox will be available for streaming on Netflix on September 30 The case began back in November 2007 when Kercher, 21, was discovered in a pool of blood in the house she shared with Knox in Perugia. The British student had been stabbed four times and her throat slit in what the Italian courts claimed was a sex-game gone wrong. Knox and her boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were found guilty of murder and sentenced to 26 years in jail in 2009. However, they were acquitted in 2011 after evidence used against the pair was found to be flawed. Knox immediately returned to the United States protesting her innocence, but in January 2014, the Italian courts overturned that acquittal and reinstated the guilty verdict. However, the case ultimately went to the Supreme Court and their conviction was overturned in March 2015. Six months later, the Court of Cassation issued a formal explanation of why the pair had been cleared, saying there was an 'absolute lack of biological traces' of Knox or Sollecito in the room or on Miss Kercher's body. The documentary explores the turmoil Knox faced as she she battled with the courts for almost a decade Knox, pictured in March 27, 2015 in Seattle, after finally being acquitted of all charges 'The international spotlight on the case in fact resulted in the investigation undergoing a sudden acceleration, that, in the frantic search for one or more guilty parties to consign to international public opinion, certainly didn't help the search for substantial truth,' judges wrote. Today Knox, who returned to the U.S. after her successful appeal, is working as a journalist in Seattle, said she was 'very happy with the acquittal'. But she has spoken about her struggle to begin leading a normal life now that all charges have officially been dropped against her. 'Slowly, bit by bit, Im recovering. It may still be the case that, when I call Puget Sound Energy to set up a new utility account, Im reminded that Im That girl in Italy?! That Amanda Knox?!" Yeah, Im her,' wrote Knox. 'Im also the Amanda Knox who is so excited to be living my life alongside people I love and respect, lugging furniture, scooping cat poop, paying the bills, moving on.' His parents were told the school was investigating as consensual sex between minors was a violation of school rule A New Hampshire prep school is facing a federal lawsuit from the parents of a 15-year-old boy, who say it was wrong to kick their son out after he had sex with a female student - who allegedly harassed him but wasn't investigated or punished. 'Father and Mother Doe' filed the lawsuit against Phillips Exeter Academy on August 30, saying school administrators at first told them their son, identified only as John Doe, would be placed on leave in the spring semester. But they were told he could return this fall after meeting certain conditions, including seeking therapy. The parents say they were stunned when administrators changed their minds and decided to withdraw him altogether. They allege the decision was because the school had been criticized for how it has handled other sexual misconduct and assault cases involving staff and students. Phillips Exeter Academy (above) is facing a federal lawsuit from the parents of a 15-year-old boy, who say it was wrong to kick their son out after he had sex with a female student According to the lawsuit, the boy returned to school from Christmas break in January and went to a dance, where 'Jane Doe' flirted with him and the pair had sex the following day. John and his parents believed the school was investigating John for breaking a rule about having sex on campus but claim that only after they had given their permission for their son to be interviewed did they learn that the girl alleged that one sex act was not consensual. In an email to the principal, the parents said they only learned on March 18 that the schools view was that [John] had fingered [Jane] without her consent. This was the first time we were ever told there was any allegation of non-consensual sexual activity, and this was communicated to us by the school after [John] was interviewed, after Dean [Melissa] Mischke, and after we were notified orally that [John] wa being given Deans leave for a semester. The plaintiffs allege that the schools failure to be forthcoming with the allegations tainted the entire process. This combined with the fact the investigator asked closed/leading questions and never asked John simply to describe, in his own words, the interaction from start to finish, resulted in an investigation that was incomplete, biased, and unfair, it added. And after John learned of the allegation, he emailed Dean Mischke to respond to the accusation, the lawsuit says. He told her that the encounter was consensual because Jane had voluntarily removed her clothes, assisted in removing Johns clothes and was simultaneously performing a sexual act on him while he performed the act that she was not claiming had been non-consensual. In an email to Principal Lisa Macfarlane (above), the parents said they only learned on March 18 that the schools view was that [John] had fingered [Jane] without her consent The lawsuit also alleges that even after John informed school officials that he felt pressured by Jane and that she did not seek or obtain consent to certain sexual acts, the school never investigated or considered disciplinary action for her. Exeter failed to consider Janes conduct as harassing or a violation of policy based on gender stereotypes and biases, namely, that boys always consent to or want sexual contact and do not fall victim to pressure from girls to engage in unwanted sexual contact, it says. According to the lawsuit, Jane pursued John on the night of the dance, asking twice if John wanted her to return to his dorm room that night - but he put her off. The following morning, she sent him a Snapchat asking if he wanted to hang out in his dorm with her. The lawsuit says he agreed. When she arrived, they went into an empty, single room belonging to a friend of Johns and after watching television, he fell asleep. He woke to Jane lying next to him, with her body close to his. She was kissing his face and touching him in a sexual manner, the lawsuit says. It adds that the pair continued to make out and Jane removed her clothes herself and helped John remove his before the pair performed sex acts on each other simultaneously. The lawsuit says the pair briefly engaged in sexual intercourse, which Jane ended. As they had both been virgins, neither understood the source of the blood they saw but John later told Jane that he had learned from a friend that it was likely due to a ruptured hymen. The lawsuit also alleges that Jane had asked one of her best friends to find out if she had been good at performing sexual acts on John. The lawsuit alleges that the decisions about guilt and sanction were made entirely in secret by Dean Mischke (and later, evidently, by Principal MacFarlane) without convening the Discipline Committee.' Above, Dean Mischke But in February, a dean contacted the boy's father about reports of a consensual encounter between the two students. An investigator interviewed the boy and a dean later told the father the girl 'felt pressured' to have sex, the lawsuit said. Exeter placed the boy on leave for the semester and wrote to the parents that the deans would review his case and determine whether he would be permitted to return in the fall, the suit said. But by June 22, the father learned that his son would be placed on permanent leave. However, the boy has not been charged with a crime. In August, the schools principal reportedly notified the boys parents recommending that they voluntarily withdraw their son from school or he would be involuntarily withdrawn for engaging in sexual harassment of Jane. The lawsuit adds: The decisions about guilt and sanction were made entirely in secret by Dean Mischke (and later, evidently, by Principal MacFarlane) without convening the Discipline Committee the EBook required and without disclosing the allegations made by Jane, what alleged rule violation Exeter was investigating, or what evidence Exeter was relying upon to reach its decisions. Their lawsuit cites two articles run by The Boston Globes Spotlight team, which allegedly were the reason for the decision to punish a male student for sexual misconduct against a female. One was published on July 13 that was critical of the schools handling of another case where a female student complained of sexual harassment by another male student, the lawsuit said. In this article, a recent graduate of the school was quoted as saying that the story exposed that the schools senior administrative team lacks the training, empathy and skill to address sexual misconduct on campus. The lawsuit says Johns case highlights this ineptitude. The Globe ran another article a day later and reported that alumni were threatening to withhold their financial support for the school due to the mishandling of a female students complaint of sexual misconduct. In response to the lawsuit, Phillips Exeter said there wasn't any 'contractual promise' that John would be allowed to return. In a court document filed on Wednesday, the school said the other student, a 15-year-old girl, is still a student at Phillips Exeter and the boy is enrolled in a public school in his home state. The Academy made 'a difficult, but principled determination' that the boy violated its sexual misconduct and harassment policies,' the school filing said. A school spokeswoman did not immediately return a message on Thursday seeking comment. The case is the latest to beset the elite private school, where tuition and mandatory fees for boarding students costs $48,550 a year. Earlier this year, two teachers who worked at Phillips Exeter acknowledged sexual misconduct and a former admissions officer pleaded not guilty to sexual abuse charges. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump blasted Hillary Clinton's 'lies' about her email scandal and 'criminal enterprise,' while saying he opposed the Iraq war from the beginning before an audience that included fifth graders brought in for a speech about education. Trump first met with kids, teachers and administrators at the Cleveland Arts and Social Sciences Academy, mostly black charter school serving grades K through 8 in East Cleveland on Thursday. But when he strolled into the school cafeteria to give a speech, he went hard after his opponent. 'I see the lies last night, Donald Trump was always in favor of the war in Iraq. Thats why I had to do this. Because the media is so dishonest,' Trump said, referencing Wednesday night's forum on NBC. Trump blasted Hillary Clinton's 'lies' as he said he opposed the Iraq war 'from the beginning' during a visit to a charter school in Cleveland 'I did oppose it, despite the media saying oh, yes, no. I opposed going in. And I opposed the reckless way Hillary Clinton took us out,' Trump said. Trump went through the tic-toc of many of his quotes about the war. 'I said in an interview with Neil Cavuto that perhaps we shouldnt be doing it yet, the economy is a much bigger problem as far as the president is concerned,' Trump said. 'Had I been in congress at the time of the invasion I would have cast a vote in opposition,' Trump said. Trump had said at the NBC forum Wednesday that 'I was totally against the war in Iraq.' When interviewer Matt Lauer failed to press him on it, he took heat on line. Trump said in a 2002 Howard Stern interview, 'Yeah, I guess so,' when asked about the invasion, though he turned against it soon afterward. He told Fox News host Neil Cavuto in January 2003, 'Well, he has either got to do something or not do something, perhaps, because perhaps shouldn't be doing it yet and perhaps we should be waiting for the United Nations, you know.' HISTORY LESSON: Trump meets with students and educators before going through some of his statements about the Iraq War Students from the K-8 private charter school got a lesson in brass-knuckle politics as Trump blasted his opponents 'lies' at an event in Cleveland shakes hands with 12 year old student Egunjobi Songofunmi during a campaign visit to Cleveland Arts and Social Sciences Academy in Cleveland, Ohio Trump spoke at a private charter school in Cleveland Trump continued then, referring to then President George W. Bush: 'He's under a lot of pressure. I think he's doing a very good job. But, of course, if you look at the polls, a lot of people are getting a little tired. I think the Iraqi situation is a problem. And I think the economy is a much bigger problem as far as the president is concerned.' As he spoke to meet a crowd of students, administrators, and supporters, he went after Clinton for her 'horrible' performance in an NBC forum Wednesday, and stated emphatically that he opposed the Iraq war from the beginning and referenced a Howard Stern interview where he expressed consent for the invasion. 'I see the lies last night 'Donald Trump was always in favor of the war in Iraq.' Thats why I had to do this. Because the media is so dishonest,' Trump said. 'She put the country and I mean the entire country at risk in order to cover up her pay to play scandals as secretary of state,' Trump said to a crowd of several dozen inside a school cafeteria. 'Hillary Clinton is always complaining about whats wrong. I just watched her on the tarmac,' Trump said, mentioning Clinton's press conference this morning where she called Trump 'temperamentally unfit' to be president. 'She tried to make up for her horrible performance last night. So she went on the tarmac and told more lies.' 'Shes always talking about things that shes gonna do but shes been there for more than 30 years but shes never done anything about it,' Trump said. 'I was opposed to the war from the beginning, long after my interview with Howard Stern' Hillary Clinton said at the NBC forum that Trump 'was for the war in Iraq' Trump said Clinton 'unleashed horror of Islamic terrorism' with her policies in Iraq and Syria. After referencing reports about Clinton Foundation donors and favors, Trump said, 'Its all about hiding criminal enterprise. Thats what its about.' Trump spoke at the Cleveland Arts and Social Sciences Academy, mostly black charter school serving grades K through 8. It is operated by the for-profit Accel Schools. The school has been found chronically deficient by the state. It got an F overall, and a 'D' for progress by the bottom 20 percent of students, according to a state report card. On a performance index for achievement, it got a 'D' on one combined score based on how many students passed two tests, and and 'F' on a measure of how students performed on the tests. At the tail end of his remarks, Trump proposed $20 billion in spending on charter schools, which he said would be paid for by reprogramming existing funds. He also called for merit pay, and said school choice should include religious schools. Clinton trashed Trump on Thursday. 'It is a game to him. Everything is a game. It is like he is living in his own celebrity reality TV program,' Clinton said campaigning in Charlotte, North Carolina. 'You know what Donald, this is real reality, this is real people, these are real decisions that have to be made for our country.' Clinton, who appeared before Trump Wednesday night so didn't get the chance to respond on stage, said Thursday, 'Last night was yet another test and Donald Trump failed yet again. We saw more evidence that he is temperamentally unfit and totally unqualified to be commander in chief. He trash talked American generals,' she said. Speaking before Trump at the Wednesday forum, Clinton again called her own vote for the Iraq war a 'misake.' Hitting a target with a bow and arrow is no easy task at the best of times, but imagine trying it with your feet. For one talented girl from Pennsylvania, it's a simple task. Bella Gantt, a young contortionist who performs under the name BoBella, posted a video online showing how she is able to hold a bow and arrow with her feet while performing a handstand. Unusual skill: Bella Gantt, a young contortionist from Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, posted a video showing how she is able to fire a bow and arrow with her feet The video shows Bella doing a handstand on a platform and then firing off the arrow at a target The keen gymnast, who describes herself as a 'foot archer', then shows how she is able to effortless fire off an arrow. The arrow then goes to the target, which is a collection of balloons. Bella misses only one shot, which strikes directly between two balloons,UPI reported. The video appeared on LiveLeak as well as Bella's Instagram page, where she documents her many skills of contortion. After hitting the target - a bunch of balloons - Bella then simply flips back down Bella, from Canonsburg, describes herself on the page as a contortionist, hand balancer, foot archerer, dancer and model. 'Dance is my love, contortion is my life,' the tag line says. White House bureaucracy delayed an ultimately unsuccessful attempt by US special forces to free two professors kidnapped in Kabul last month, it has been alleged. The professors - one American, one Australian - were taken during an August 7 raid on the American University in Afghanistan by attackers believed to belong to the Haqqani Network. Special forces were in position and ready to go just days after the attack, but their initial raid was cancelled pending presidential permission, an unnamed source told Fox News. And when they did go in, the hostages were not there. Kidnapped: Two professors from the American University in Afghanistan (pictured) were kidnapped on August 7. An attempt to free them by US special forces failed days later The special forces team was flying to the target location outside Jalalabad, around 93 miles from Kabul, when it was told to turn back. The operation was cancelled because President Obama had not signed off on it - something that one source blamed on 'bureaucracy,' according to Fox News. However, other sources said that the mission was cancelled because the intel was not strong enough. 'I have not heard any of that,' the second official said when questioned about bureaucracy. 'For this operation, we didn't get the president's authority in time because the intelligence was not firm.' 'Not firm' in this case meaning that the various government agencies could not agree on the intelligence. The source added that the raid would have occurred without the President's permission if the hostages were in 'imminent danger.' Delay: An initial raid was delayed pending approval by President Obama. One official blamed 'White House bureaucracy' while another said the intelligence was too weak to act on 'That was not the case this time,' the source said, 'so we went the next day.' That second attempt on the enemy compound saw seven insurgents killed without harm to the US forces - but once inside, the hostages were nowhere to be seen. It's not known whether they were ever at the location, or if they had been moved just before the second attempt. Fox claims 'multiple officials' say the intelligence community is 'not confident' about the location of the hostages now. 'Military hostage-rescue operations are inherently sensitive and dangerous and careful deliberation went into this mission,' said Pentagon press spokesman Peter Cook. 'The United States military remains fully prepared to take extraordinary steps to protect American citizens anywhere in the world.' Gone: Special forces (pictured; file image) raided the compound but the hostages were not there. It's not known if they were moved before the raid or if they were never in the location The two academics were seized from their vehicle August 7 by gunmen wearing police uniforms, who smashed the passenger window and hauled them away. Neither professor has been named by authorities. The Haqqani Network, which is believed to have conducted the attack - though nothing is confirmed - is currently fighting NATO and the Afghanistan government. Flash Russia has officially informed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that its efforts to arrange a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will continue, a senior official said on Wednesday. The Palestinian Minister for Foreign Affairs Reyad al-Malki said during an interview with the Ramallah-based "Voice of Palestine" Radio station that Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia's peace envoy had a telephone conversation with President Abbas. On Tuesday, Abbas's office criticized Netanyahu's request from Russia to postpone a three-way meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which was scheduled in Moscow next week. Abbas's office said in an official statement that Netanyahu's request to postpone the meeting "assures that he (Netanyahu) is evading from any international initiative to rescue the stalled peace process." Russian President Vladimir Putin had proposed a three-way meeting with both Abbas and Netanyahu in Moscow next week. Abbas had stated earlier in Poland that he does not object meeting Netanyahu anywhere. According to WAFA, the state-run news agency of the Palestinian National Authority, Abbas received a phone call form Bogdanov on Tuesday, saying that Netanyahu asked to postpone the scheduled meeting. WAFA's report said that Bogdanov briefed Abbas on his earlier meeting with Netanyahu in Jerusalem, adding that Bogdanov informed President Abbas that Netanyahu asked to postpone the meeting in Moscow. "Bogdanov conveyed to President Putin, the positive role of President Abbas in pushing forward towards making peace," said the report. It added that both Abbas and Bogdanov agreed to keep in touch between the two sides to arrange a bilateral meeting between President Abbas and President Putin in New York next month." "Bogdanov informed President Abbas on Tuesday that the Palestinian position is fully clear and that the problem comes from Israel's side," Al-Malki said, adding "the Russian efforts focus on setting up a new date and a place for the meeting." Meanwhile, Nabil Abu Rdineh, aide to President Abbas, said that the Israeli rejection of the meeting shows once more that the Israeli government is not serious in looking for a just peace based upon the two-state solution along the 1967 borders. Abu Rdineh informed WAFA that the Israeli government wants to maintain settlement activities, assaults against Palestinians and their lands and evade any commitment towards implementing the agreements. "Israel always escapes from any international initiative to rescue the stalled peace process in the Middle East," said Abu Rdineh. The last direct peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians, sponsored by the United States, stopped in April 2014, after nine months without progress, due to critical differences regarding settlements and security. Earlier on Tuesday, Tayeb Abdul Rahim, another aide to President Abbas, held talks with Bogdanov in Ramallah, after the latter met with Netanyahu. Abdul Rahim reiterated to Bogdanov that Palestinians support president Putin's initiative. "Pushing peace forward needs full Israeli commitment to halting settlements, release prisoners arrested before signing Oslo peace accords in 1994 and ending the Israeli occupation and establishing a Palestinian state," said Abdul Rahim. A man accused of murdering an imam was in Syria when aid worker Alan Henning was kidnapped by Islamic State extremists but denied that he had a 'deep interest' in the terror group at the time. Former Manchester United steward Mohammed Hussain Syeedy, 21, is on trial accused of bludgeoning Jalal Uddin to death after stalking him in his car. Mr Uddin, 71, was battered to death in February this year in a children's park as he walked home after prayers at his mosque in Rochdale, Lancashire. Former Manchester United steward Mohammed Hussain Syeedy, 21, left, is on trial accused of bludgeoning Jalal Uddin, right, to death after stalking him in his car The prosecution claims Syeedy helped his friend, Mohammed Kadir, 24, kill Mr Uddin because they believed he was practising 'black magic'. After Syeedy's arrest, police allegedly found a large volume of ISIS-related material on his phone and other devices. Among these were photographs of Syeedy and his associates raising index figure salutes, which are said to signify an allegiance to ISIS, it is claimed. Cross-examining Syeedy today, Paul Greaney QC, suggested that the recovered images indicated 'for many years you have had a deep interest in Islamic State'. Syeedy replied: 'I have not.' Manchester Crown Court heard how Syeedy travelled in a Human Aid convoy to Syria in December 2013, shortly after his elder brother left with Mr Henning, 47, on a similar mission. Syeedy said his convoy stayed near the border with Turkey for 'two or three days'. Manchester Crown Court heard how Syeedy travelled in a convoy to Syria in December 2013, shortly after his elder brother left with Alan Henning, 47, pictured, on a similar mission Under cross-examination today, Syeedy said he 'thought' he was in Syria when Mr Henning, a taxi driver, was kidnapped on December 26, 2013. Mr Henning was beheaded at some point before October 3, 2014, when a video of his murder was posted online. When asked whether he learned that Mr Henning had been kidnapped while he was still in Syria, Syeedy said: 'I think I did hear about him being kidnapped when we came back. I am not 100% sure.' Syeedy has previously told the court that he was 'disgusted' by the murder and said Mr Henning, a father of two, had been a 'really close' friend of his brother. Syeedy and Kadir allegedly developed a hatred of Mr Uddin because he used a form of healing involving amulets, known as taweez, which are said to bring good fortune. The jury has heard ISIS disapproves of the practice and believes those who regularly engage in it should be killed. The prosecution says Syeedy had been radicalised and 'perhaps' it happened when he travelled on the Syria convoy. Kadir, of Oldham, boarded a flight three days later from Manchester to Copenhagen in Denmark followed by a connecting flight to Istanbul. His whereabouts are unknown although it is thought he could have travelled to Syria. A police officer was stabbed and suspect shot in arrests during terror raid A female ISIS recruiter who planned to blow up a French train station was engaged to a jihadist who beheaded a Catholic priest and the terrorist who murdered a police couple. French police believe one of the gang, known only as Sarah H., 23, was due to marry Larossi Aballa, 25. Aballa murdered a police man and his officer wife outside Paris in June before he was himself shot dead. Scroll down for video This is the moment elite French police busted an all-female ISIS terror cell in Paris The gang were hours away from launching a deadly attack on a Paris mainline train station Two of the ISIS suspects have been named as Sarah H., 23, and 19-year-old Ines Madani Sarah H. was then engaged to Adel Kermich, 19, who murdered a Catholic priest in Normandy in July, before he and an accomplice were gunned down. Ines Madani, 19, was shot and wounded as police raided her apartment in Boussy-Saint-Antoine, south of the French capital. Paris prosecutor Francois Molins says one of the women detained in a police raid over a failed attack near Notre Dame Cathedral was engaged separately to two French extremists who themselves carried out deadly attacks this year. A handcuffed man (hooded, left) is taken out of a building in Boussy-Saint-Antoine south of Paris on September 8, 2016 where female suspects, said to have been planning new acts of violence, were arrested The flat the women were sharing was raided on Thursday evening, when Ines Madani, 19, wounded an officer with a kitchen knife Paris prosecutor Francois Molins, pictured, admitted one of the women arrested was engaged to two separate ISIS terrorists linked to attacks, including the murder of a Catholic priest A French teenager gunned down after stabbing an officer was a sworn ISIS fanatic who wanted to attack a mainline station in Paris, it emerged today. Police officers stand guard after last night's raid Molins said the woman was engaged to Larossi Abballa, who killed two police officials in Magnanville in June and filmed the aftermath on Facebook Live before dying in a police raid. He said she was also betrothed to Adel Kermiche, who slit the throat of an elderly French priest during morning Mass in July. Her current fiance was arrested on Thursday, Molins said. He added: 'In the last few days and hours a terrorist cell was dismantled, composed of young women totally receptive to the deadly Daesh ideology.' The flat they were sharing was raided on Thursday evening, when Madani, 19, wounded an officer with a kitchen knife. He is said to have suffered 'a light shoulder wound', while Ines Madani was shot repeatedly before being evacuated to hospital, where her condition was said to be stable. Belgian TV station RTBF reported that Madani was the prime suspect within the all-female terror cell. 'According to our information, Ines Madani had contacts with Belgian radicals from the Charleroi region.'; 'The names of the radicals appeared on a list from (Belgium's national crisis centre) OCAM as potential candidates departing for Syria,' the station said. 'Some of them have since been arrested,' it added. 'There is no question here (in Belgium) of a planned attack but Ines Madani seemed to fullfil a role of recruiter and facilitator for these departures,' it said. Prosecutors believe they have foiled a major attack on Paris following last night's raids Three women have been arrested following a police operation in Boussy-Saint-Antoine last night (pictured) French President Francois Hollande said an attack had been foiled and a terror cell 'destroyed' but warned 'there are others'. It comes as it emerged that French police have also arrested the boyfriend of one of three women. The man, arrested late Thursday, was known to intelligence services for links to radical Islam, the sources said. His brother is in custody over suspected links to Larossi Abballa, a jihadist who killed a police officer and his girlfriend in a Paris suburb in June, the sources said. Today it emerged that the female jihadi cell - the first of its kind in France - had wanted to attack the Gare du Lyon in Paris, which is one of the busiest rail stations in Europe. Police and officers from the DGSI, France's counter terrorism intelligence agency, had been on the trail of the trio since Sunday, when a car full of gas cannisters was found parked in Paris. In a briefing after the raid, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said: 'These three young, radicalised women were preparing an imminent and violent attack.' Forensics are now at an apartment targeted during the raid where one officer was stabbed and a suspect was shot in the head There were fears it was going to be used in a terrorist attack on the nearby Notre Dame Cathedral, which ISIS has regularly threatened. The Peugeot 607 belonged to Ines Madani's father, and sources close to the case said Ines Madani and her accomplices, aged 23 and 39, had tried to set it on fire, before fleeing. Ines Madani was carrying a 'last testament' letter in which she swore allegiance to ISIS and pledged to avenge the death of Abu Muhammad al-Adnani, the 'ISIS spokesman' killed by a US drone last month. The elite group of special forces moved in at around 8pm and armed police and forensics remain on the scene In a briefing afterwards, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said: 'These three young, radicalised women were preparing an imminent and violent attack' Another radicalised Frenchwoman who wanted to run away and join ISIS is in custody in Paris after abandoning the car packed with gas cylinders close to Notre Dame Phone tapping by the French authorities had also revealed that the three women were planning to attack the Gare du Lyon, along with Boussy-Saint-Antoine station. They also wanted to target police officers. The two older women were today being questioned in a high security police station in Paris, while Ines M. is expected to be interviewed when her health improves. Four other suspects - two brothers and their girlfriends - also remain in custody over the alleged Notre Dame plot. A 34-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman have been held since Tuesday after being caught at a motorway service station close to the southern city of Orange. The officer was stabbed in the shoulder but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening as colleagues stand at the road closures around the scene (pictured) The three women aged 19, 23, and 39 have not yet been identified by French officials Forensics are now looking for clues in the apartment after a source has claimed this may have been a test run and attacks could have been planned The Peugeot had no number plate, but forensics experts managed to find DNA belonging to a couple, who were both well known to police and add to the number arrested The man's brother and his girlfriend, both aged 26, were arrested late on Wednesday. There were seven gas canisters inside the Peugeot, as well as three containers full of petrol, which might have been used to set the car on fire. The Peugeot had no number plate, but forensics experts managed to find DNA belonging to the suspects. Three women have been arrested in Boussy-Saint-Antoine, in the Essonne following the finding, and an officer was stabbed by a suspect who was then shot in the head Investigators have spent the past week raiding the homes of anybody who might be linked to them. ISIS has threatened Notre Dame as part of its violent campaign against France for sending warplanes to bomb Isis bases in countries including Syria and Iraq. In May, Patrick Calvar, the head of France's DGSI internal security agency, said he was confident Isis would 'reach the stage of car bombs'. The vehicle, a Peugot 607 without a licence plate, was found with its hazard lights flashing close to the landmark building (file picture) in the heart of the French capital So far the terrorist organisation has used AK47s and suicide vests to murder and maim in the French capital. But Mr Calvar told a committee of MPs that car bombs were used during terrorist attacks between the 1970s and 1990s. Many were placed by Israeli and Arab operatives who effectively bought the Israel-Palestine war on to the streets of Paris. On Tuesday, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the 'terrorist menace has never been so high'. On November 13th last year, an ISIS suicide unit carried out a series of attacks that left 137 dead, including the perpetrators. Paris prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into terrorist acts, and are being assisted by the anti-terrorist unit of the Paris criminal brigade. Smith had served two tours of duty in Afghanistan; he had returned from a Officials in North Carolina say a woman fatally shot her estranged Marine husband after the man killed her boyfriend and set her home on fire. District Attorney Ernie Lee announced during a press conference Thursday that 32-year-old Monica Rose Smith will not be charged in the killing of 33-year-old Staff Sgt Cody Smith. Officials say Monica Smith shot and killed her husband in an act of self-defense after the serviceman gunned down her boyfriend, 43-year-old Jacksonville therapist Gregory Pearce. Scroll down for video Love triangle: Officials in North Carolina say Monica Smith, 32, will not be charged in the August 27 killing of her husband, 33-year-old Staff Sgt Cody Smith (pictured left together), who shot and killed the woman's 43-year-old boyfriend, Gregory Pearce (right) Crime scene: Investigators say Cody Smith arrived at his wife's home in Richland (pictured), tied her up, then used her phone to lure Pearce to his death Major Chris Thomas says Cody Smith went to his wifes Richland home at around 5pm on August 27, where he tied her up and used her phone to send Pearce a text message inviting him over. When the 43-year-old man arrived at the home in the 1800 block of Haw Branch Road, investigators say Smith shot him four times. 'He arrived with the intent to commit serious crime,' said Onslow County Sheriff Hans Miller, according to Marine Corps Times. Investigators say the 33-year-old Marine brought two loaded guns and a backpack containing handcuffs, rope, duct tape, lighter fluid and matches, reported the station WNCT. After shooting Pearce, Smith poured the lighter fluid inside a second-floor closet and set it on fire. As the flames spread, he untied his wife, who was then able to grab one of her husband's guns and shoot him with it. 'She was distraught, and she knew what her estranged husband had just done,' Miller said. 'She knew that she was going to be next.' Married on the rocks: Cody (left) and Monica (right) were married for 15 years and had two children. The couple were in the process of getting a divorce at the time of the fatal incident District Attorney Lee says state law allows for the use of deadly force when the individual believes they are at risk of death. Firefighters who were called to the scene of the crime at around 9pm quickly extinguished the flames, which by that point had spread to the attic. Sheriff's deputies later entered the house and found the bodies of Cody Smith and Gregory Pearce, who both died of gunshot wounds. Smith was based at Camp Lejeune with the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. He joined the Marine Corps in 2001 and had served two tours of duty in Afghanistan and two deployments to Iraq, earning multiple commendations. Smith's older sister, Toni Wilson, and his long-time friend Tiffany Karnes described the veteran as a wonderful and caring father, brother and friend to The Jacksonville Daily News. According to Wilson, Cody and Monica were married for 15 years and had two children together, a son and daughter. Smith returned from his latest deployment to Bulgaria on July 31, and his wife moved out of their home and into the Richland residence a short time later. The couple were in the process of getting a divorce at the time of deadly shooting. Furious flood victims have blasted Government plans to invest just 12.5million on temporary flood defences while spending 12billion on foreign aid each year. The cash equivalent to just 0.1 per cent of the overseas aid budget was revealed yesterday by Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom. Critics described the amount as an elastoplast and shockingly disappointing, with one MP saying flood defences for his town alone had cost twice that amount. The announcement comes despite warnings that winter rainfall could be up 30 per cent on the deludes in recent years that helped December become the wettest UK month since 1910. Furious flood victims have blasted Government plans to invest just 12.5m on temporary flood defences while spending 12bn on foreign aid each year. Above, rescue teams in Carlisle help people from their homes after Storm Desmond caused widespread flooding in December After floods devastated parts of the South West in 2014, then Prime Minister David Cameron promised to spend whatever was needed to beef up defences. After floods devastated parts of the South West in 2014, then Prime Minister David Cameron promised to spend whatever was needed to beef up defences. Above, Cameron greets British soldiers working on flood relief after the River Ouse burst its banks in York city centre last year He said: Money is no object in this relief effort, whatever money is needed for it will be spent. We will take whatever steps are necessary. But again at Christmas, Storm Desmond inflicted misery on Yorkshire and Cumbria, where water breached flood defences and forced thousands from their homes. Some have still not been able to return. According to the National Flood Resilience Review, set up by Mr Cameron after last years floods to examine how the country could be better protected in future, up to 530 important infrastructure sites across England water supplies, telecommunications, sewage, electricity networks and power stations are still vulnerable. After a nine-month inquiry, Ms Leadsom yesterday outlined the 12.5million package of measures, including investment in temporary defences such as barriers and high-volume water pumps. Much of this money will come from utility companies which will build their own defences. Ms Leadsom said: Last winter we saw just how devastating flooding can be. This review sets out clear actions so we are better prepared to respond quickly in the event of future flooding and can strengthen the nations flood defences. But critics pointed out that the investment in temporary flood defences promised by the review represents just over one thousandth of Britains 12billion annual foreign aid budget. This includes 1billion for 20 of the worlds most corrupt nations, including Syria and Sierra Leone. The Waterside pub (above) in Summerseat, Lancs, partially collapsed due to flooding in the River Irwell in December 2015. At the height of the disaster, with hundreds of properties still under water over Christmas, it emerged British taxpayers had funded 1m flood defences in the well-off Serbian city of Lazarevac Retired engineer John Findlay, 67, and his wife Janice, 57, were flooded out of their home in York in December despite living just 50 yards from the citys multi-million-pound flood defence barrier, which failed and caused hundreds of supposedly safe houses to be swamped. Both were furious at the degree of flood funding compared to the foreign aid budget. Mr Findlay said: Its obscene. Its an insult to people who have been flooded, particularly in York where there was a cock-up and houses that had been protected for decades were flooded. 'We should be looking after the people at home first. It makes me mad we spend so much money on foreign aid and so little on flood defences. It makes my blood boil; Im livid. Its an insult to people who have been flooded, particularly in York where there was a cock-up and houses that had been protected for decades were flooded. Retired engineer John Findlay The couple are still living in rented accommodation after water caused 100,000 of damage to their home. Mrs Findlay added: The minister who is spending so much money on foreign aid should be out of a job. We should be spending more on this country, and proper flood defences should be a priority. At the height of the disaster, with hundreds of properties still under water over Christmas, it emerged that British taxpayers had funded 1million flood defences in the well-off Serbian city of Lazarevac. At the time, Lazarevacs thankful deputy mayor, Bojan Stevic, said: Were grateful to Great Britain and to the British people. It does seem strange they spent so much money in our country on flood defences yet apparently were not investing enough in their own. Its terrible to see the people of Britain suffering. Prime Minister Theresa May last night faced fresh calls to divert the foreign aid budget to protect British households against flooding. Prime Minister Theresa May last night faced fresh calls to divert the foreign aid budget to protect British households against flooding. Pictured, a local carries a bag as he wades through flood water on a residential street in Carlisle at the end of last year Debbie Porter, the proprietor of the Mr Fish takeaway on Kirkstall Road, Leeds, for 25 years, was forced to close her business for three months after being hit by the December floods. She said: What the Government announced is disgusting, absolutely disgusting. I cant get insurance and if this area floods again my business will go with it. They spend money willy nilly everywhere else. Too much goes abroad. They should be looking after us. Bob Deacon, chairman of a partnership set up in Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire in the wake of the devastating floods, described the outcome of the review as shockingly disappointing. Officials last night stressed that the Government has already committed 2.5billion to strengthening permanent flood and coastal defences between 2015 and 2021 to protect 300,000 homes at high risk. It is also spending 1billion on maintaining defences. Last night, Philip Davies, the Tory MP for Shipley in West Yorkshire, said: My constituency was devastated by floods over Christmas. Given the largesse there is with foreign aid, surely money should be diverted to help people in the UK. The first priority of the Government should be the British public. Casino mogul James Packer's hefty $250,000 cheque to the Australian Republican Movement is the second biggest donation in the organisation's history. Following in the footsteps of father Kerry, Mr Packer is also a supporter of an Australian republic. The donation, which was just shy of $250,000, was made up of two parts with $50,000 coming from a company run by the billionaire and another $200,000 from his own pocket, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. Casino mogul James Packer's (pictured right with Mariah Carey $250,000 cheque to the Australian Republican Movement is the second biggest donation in the organisation's history Mr Packer's pledge is second only to a massive $3 million donation made by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in 1999, just before the Republican referendum. ARM chairman Peter FitzSimons told the Herald the movement was 'going bloody well'. In a statement, he thanked Mr Packer for his generosity and said it was one of 'a number of significant donations' made to ARM. 'We warmly thank James Packer for his generosity. It is one of many donations we have received from Australians, the smallest of which was $2, and was very touching,' Mr FitzSimons said. 'Another donor, who chooses to remain anonymous, has given a very hefty sum, and we warmly thank him, too.' The push for Australia becoming a republic was renewed following Britain voting to exit the European Union. ARM chairman Peter FitzSimons did not confirm the donation but did say the movement was 'going bloody well' In the wake of Brexit, republicans urged Australians to have another look at their own independence and social media has been flooded with support for the so-called 'AusExit'. Mr FitzSimons led the charge on Twitter, changing his social media handle to '#AusExit Fitzsimons'. Others followed suit, with one user writing: 'Time for Australia to exit from Britain and the Queen. 'Don't want to be associated with those morons from England.' ARM is an organisation that supports Australia forming an independent republic and replacing the Monarch with an Australian head of state. Wells Fargo has been ordered to pay a record-breaking $190million and has fired 5,300 employees after a huge customer fraud probe. Investigators from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found staff signing customers up to additional bank accounts and credit cards without their knowledge. While bankers used the extra accounts to hit sales targets and secure bonuses, customers found themselves hit with charges and fees for the ghost accounts. Wells Fargo has been fined $185million, told to repay $5million to customers, and has fired 5,300 staff after they were caught creating phony accounts to fix sales figures In total, a consulting firm hired by Wells Fargo to investigate the fraud found more than 2million deposit accounts that may not have been authorized. The CFPB has fined the bank $185million, the largest penalty levied since the organization was created in 2011 in the wake of the financial crash. The bank has also agreed to pay more than $5million in restitution to customers. Of that money, $2.6million is in refunds for fees applied to products that customers may not have requested, according to the bank. The staff have been fired over the past few years as the shady behavior was uncovered, CNN Money reports. According to a criminal complaint filed in California, the bank largely targeted checking account customers, pushing them into taking savings, online or credit accounts which would charge fees. Bank employees were told that the average customer tapped six financial tools but that they should push households to use eight products, according to the complaint. On some occasions, when customers could not be persuaded to sign up for the additional accounts, they were created anyway without the knowledge. Up to 2million deposit accounts were created for customers who didn't want or request them, an investigation found, while thousands more were hit with unnecessary fees and charges Staff moved funds from customers' existing accounts into new accounts that they had not asked for. The 'widespread' practice led to customers being charged overdraft fees or fined for having insufficient funds after the money was moved from their initial account. The bank said that the deal this week settles the 'allegations that some of its retail customers received products and services that they did not request. 'Wells Fargo reached these agreements consistent with our commitment to customers and in the interest of putting this matter behind us. 'We regret and take responsibility for any instances where customers may have received a product that they did not request.' CFPB Director Richard Cordray said: 'Today's action should serve notice to the entire industry that financial incentive programs, if not monitored carefully, carry serious risks that can have serious legal consequences.' Every school in England will be free to convert to a grammar or selective school under the biggest education revolution in decades. Theresa May will today promise to allow the opening of new grammar schools for the first time since 1998 in a bonfire of ideology and dogma. But in a shock move, the Prime Minister will also allow existing State comprehensives and academies to convert to grammars if there is local demand. In a shock move, Prime Minister Theresa May will also allow existing State comprehensives and academies to convert to grammars if there is local demand Officials believe it could lead to hundreds of grammars and selective schools springing up across the country, but the plans are sure to trigger a huge political row. Under the plans, Mrs May will: - Allow the opening of new grammar schools provided they take a quota of pupils from poor backgrounds or open a non-selective school to run alongside; - Scrap a rule which bans the Catholic Church and other faiths from opening new free schools or academies which can select children entirely on the basis of faith; - Force any university which wants to charge fees of 6,000 or more to open and run a school locally or take over an existing school which is under-performing. Mrs May last night launched a passionate defence of the reforms, which will be fiercely opposed by opposition MPs and peers and face a huge battle to become law. She said: For too long we have tolerated a system that contains an arbitrary rule preventing selective schools from being established sacrificing childrens potential because of dogma and ideology. The truth is that we already have selection in our school system and its selection by house price, selection by wealth. That is simply unfair,' said Mrs May. (Picture posed by models) Labour vowed to bitterly contest the reforms despite leader Jeremy Corbyn and his most senior allies attending grammars The truth is that we already have selection in our school system and its selection by house price, selection by wealth. That is simply unfair. That is why I am announcing an ambitious package of education reforms to ensure that every child has the chance to go to a good school. She added: This is about being unapologetic for our belief in social mobility and making this country a true meritocracy a country that works for everyone. Mrs Mays revolution goes far further than expected, by also allowing existing State schools from comprehensives to academies to apply to become grammars. To do so, there must be a demand for good places locally and they must meet one of four strict rules. UNIVERSITIES HAVE TO SET UP SCHOOLS IF THEY RAISE FEES Universities will be forced to set up new schools or take over ones which are failing to help drive up standards. The new requirement will be imposed on any university which wants to charge annual tuition fees of 6,000 or more. With most establishments now charging 9,000 per student, almost every university in the country will be dragged into the net. It will mean some of the worlds most successful universities being directly involved in teaching local children. Number Ten said that prior attainment is one of the biggest factors determining access to university. One official said: Under the new arrangements, universities would be expected to use their educational expertise to do more to raise standards in schools. The universities would run the schools, but would not pay for their establishment or annual costs. Universities can either open a new school or sponsor an existing one which Ofsted considers to be underperforming. The regime will be enforced via the the independent Director for Fair Access, which polices university admissions. Advertisement The same rules apply to new grammars and existing schools wishing to expand. One option is that they must take a fixed quota of poorer pupils, such as those receiving free school meals. All pupils would have to pass the selection test then, of those who did so, a proportion would have to be from lower-income backgrounds. Officials said this would ensure that selective education was not reserved for those with the means to move into a catchment area or pay for tuition to pass the test. The three alternatives are to establish a new, high-quality, non-selective free school nearby for those who do not pass; set up or sponsor a primary feeder school in an area with a high density of lower-income households; or sponsor a currently under-performing non-selective academy. In a speech in London today, Mrs May will praise the education reforms of David Camerons Government. She will say there are 1.4 million more children in good or outstanding schools since 2010. However, the PM will add that despite progress made, there are currently 1.25 million children in failing schools and for too many children a good school place remains out of reach. She will describe this as an injustice which she is committed to eradicating. Mrs May is braced for a ferocious backlash from the Left-wing teaching establishment. She will also face a battle to get the legislation through the Commons and the Lords where peers have vowed to kill it stone dead. Yesterday, several senior Tories voiced concern. Desmond Swayne, a minister under David Cameron, said: 'I would not relish the prospect of telling parents that their child having not been able to get into the grammar school would have to be bussed elsewhere. The Governments social mobility tsar, Alan Milburn, warned that a return to grammars could be a social mobility disaster, telling The Guardian: This is not selection educationally, it is selection socially. This is not selection educationally, it is selection socially. Governments social mobility tsar, Alan Milburn, on return to grammars Labour vowed to bitterly contest the reforms despite leader Jeremy Corbyn and his most senior allies attending grammars. The Association of School and College Leaders, which represents secondary heads, said increased selection was education policy by nostalgia that would not help social mobility. The National Union of Teachers described it as a regressive move and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers said it would be a massive distraction. Andrew Copson, chief executive of the British Humanist Association, said: If the Government moves to scrap the requirement that religious-free schools must keep at least half their places open to local children, regardless of the religion or beliefs of their parents, they will be sending a very damaging message: that an integrated society is not worth striving for, and that the will of the religious lobby trumps the best interests of our and children and our country. Religious selection in schools the process by which children as young as four are defined and divided by their parents religious beliefs has been and continues to be a significant barrier to fostering that mutual understanding and respect. If the proposals are as reported, we will do everything we can to oppose them and ensure the progress we have made towards a move inclusive education system is not so catastrophically set back. Hillary Clinton's campaign is cashing in on 'Today Show' host Matt Lauer's widely panned performance interviewing Donald Trump in a new fundraising email. Lauer has been been excoriated in the media for failing to challenge Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump when he said he was 'always' against the Iraq war. Adding to the sting for Clinton partisans, Lauer had grilled Clinton for 15 minutes at the top of NBC's 'Commander in Chief' forum, which was watched by an estimated 15 million people in prime time. 'Last night, during the Commander-in-Chief Forum on live national television, Donald Trump kicked off his evening by lying to the American people about his position on the Iraq War and no one stopped to call him on it,' says the fundraising email. 'Not only did the moderator, Matt Lauer, fail to fact-check Trump he then kept the conversation moving,' the cash plea continued. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is now fundraising off 'Today Show' host Matt Lauer's interview of Donald Trump and herself at an NBC forum 'The worst part is, there's nothing new about this happening. We all know that Trump lies a lot. And we all know that many outlets in the press apparently lack the wherewithal to call him out and help voters understand that what they're hearing from Trump isn't just normal political talk, but an unprecedented descent into unqualified nonsense from a major-party presidential nominee.' People on Clinton's extensive mailing list are asked to 'step up' and contribute. 'At this point, we should understand that we just can't sit around and wait for fact checkers in the media to keep Trump honest. We have to step up and do it ourselves. No one will do it for us. And the outcome of the election could hang in the balance,' the appeal ends. As recently as Wednesday early evening, Trump was publicly questioning whether Lauer would be 'fair' to him. Clinton's fundraising appeal says Donald Trump 'lies a lot' and bashes Matt Lauer for failing to fact-check the candidate THIS COULD WORK OUT FOR BOTH OF US: The Clinton campaign is now raising money off Matt Lauer's failure to 'fact-check' Trump Trump responded Thursday to the Clinton camp's attach on his record on the issue, saying he opposed the Iraq war 'from the beginning' Although both camps reportedly agreed to Lauer as the moderator for the debate, the Trump camp was concerned about one of Lauer's Clinton associations. He is listed as a 'notable past member' of the Clinton Global Initiative, although the Clinton Foundation says journalist members such as Lauer weren't asked to make the $20,000 membership contribution. And it is usually Trump who rails against the 'dishonest' media, as he did Thursday when he insisted he was against the Iraq war from the 'beginning' and moaned about the media. Trump spent several minutes during what was billed as an education speech running through his 2003 and 2004 Iraq war statements. 'The media is so terribly dishonest, so I had to do this,' Trump said. 'I was opposed to the war from the beginning,' he said. Lauer focused on the email scandal for about half his interview with the former secretary of state, asking whether it was 'disqualifying' to be president. 'Why wasnt it more than a mistake? Why wasnt it disqualifying, if you want to be commander-in- chief?' he asked. Lauer has been labeled a 'morning show lightweight' by furious political pundits after he failed to grill Donald Trump on his claim he never supported the Iraq War during a Commander in Chief Forum on Wednesday night - but relentlessly questioned Hillary over her private email scandal. The NBC Today show host was accused of going too easy on Trump when the Republican candidate repeated his claim to have always 'totally opposed the Iraq war', when in fact he supported an invasion during a 2002 Howard Stern interview. Instead of stopping Trump in his tracks during the session at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in Manhattan, Lauer accepted his answer and immediately moved onto the next question - even though Clinton had told him during her interview beforehand that Trump had backed the war. Matt Lauer has been accused of anti-Clinton bias during NBC's Commander in Chief Forum on Wednesday night after failing to challenge Trump on claims he 'totally opposed' the Iraq war Lauer questioned Clinton for almost seven minutes of a 30 minute segment over her emails, many times talking over before demanding she only briefly touch on other important topics such as ISIS. 'Lauer interrupted Clinton's answers repeatedly to move on. Not once for Trump,' wrote respected Capitol Hill watcher Norman Ornstein on Twitter, adding: 'Tough to be a woman running for president.' Indeed, the problem for many was that while Lauer seemed to aggressively question Clinton during the first segment of the forum, his questions to Trump were softer, weaker and open-ended, allowing Trump to ignore them or power through unscathed. During her own answer on her support for the Iraq war, Clinton pointed out that Trump has not acknowledged the fact he once supported it during a 2002 interview, a fact that Lauer did not pick up later in the interview NBC News later republished a fact-checking article on Trump's claim, pointing out that he supported the war in a 2002 interview with Howard Stern before changing his position Lauer's insistence on pressing and interrupting Clinton on her email debacle while breezing through Trump's answers led to some accusing him of trying to prove his journalistic chops. 'I think Matt Lauer was trying desperately to impress others in the press to prove he's not just a morning show lightweight. Failed. Democrats accused Lauer of 'wasting time' on a topic that has been discussed throughout the election, and then attempting to hurry Clinton along on later topics, insisting there was not enough time. Matthew Gertz wrote on Twitter: 'Maybe if Matt Lauer hadn't spent 13 minutes on emails there'd be more time for ISIS.' Commentator Guy Cecil added: 'I take no issue with asking Hillary tough questions, but with all of the global challenges, this is a waste of time.' Tommy Vietor, a former aide to President Obama, noted: 'How in the hell does Lauer not factcheck Trump lying about Iraq? This is embarrassingly bad.' 'Seriously everyone, and I mean everyone, knew this would happen. And Matt Lauer didn't have a followup planned?' wrote political columnist Paul Krugman. Glenn Kessler, the chief fact checker at The Washington Post, posted a link to NBC's check of Trump's claim and wrote: 'Matt Lauer should have been prepared to do this.' Matthew Yglesias wrote on Twitter: 'So Matt Lauer's plan is just to let Trump lie about his past statements on Iraq?' Journalist Jonathan Chait observed: 'Trump lies about opposing Iraq war. Lauer lets it go. No follow up. Unreal.' In an article for New York Magazine he wrote: 'Lauer's performance was not merely a failure, it was horrifying and shocking.' Democrats felt Lauer spent too long questioning Clinton over her emails while giving Trump a free pass on his support for the war Clinton's campaign spokesman was eager to point out that, had Clinton not mentioned Trump's support in her earlier answer about Iraq, his comment would have gone unnoticed Commentators criticized the broadcaster's approach while interviewing both Trump and Clinton Commentators said the interview focused too much on Clinton's emails rather than addressing global issues During her answers, Clinton repeated claims that she did not knowingly handle confidential information on her private server. She said: 'Classified material has a header, which says 'top secret', 'secret', 'confidential'. Nothing, and I have repeatedly said this, and this is verified in the report by the Department of Justice. None of the emails sent or received by me had such a header.' Clinton went on to say that whenever she was sent such an email, on a separate system, she always viewed it in private, even going into tents set up for such a purpose so the messages couldn't be spied on. She added: 'So I did exactly what I should have done. And I take it very seriously. Always have, always will.' She also said in her defense that 'hundreds of experienced foreign policy experts, diplomats, defense officials' communicated sensitive information over an unclassified system 'because it was necessary to answer questions and to be able publicly to go as far as we could, which was not acknowledging the program.' Even if she had used the State Department's email system, her communications may still have been compromised, she argued after Lauer asked her about the possibility of a hack on her secret server. Trump has repeatedly stated on the campaign trail that he has always opposed the conflict in Iraq, but in fact he once told Howard Stern that he supported it, before later modifying his position 'Matt, there is no evidence of course anything is possible. But what is factual is the State Department system was hacked,' she declared. 'Most of the government's systems are way behind the curve. We've had hacking repeatedly, even in the White House. There is no evidence my system was hacked.' Lauer's frequent interruptions of Clinton later on in the interview also drew allegations of sexism from some, who suggested he allowed Trump far more freedom to talk. It was left to Hillary herself to point out that Trump initially said he was in favor of the conflict before modifying his position after the war had started. She said: 'My opponent was for the war in Iraq. He says he wasn't. You can go back and look at the record. He supported it. He told Howard Stern he supported it. 'So he supported it before it happened, he supported it as it was happening, and he is on record as supporting it after it happened.' In total Clinton spent almost 12 minutes of a 30 minute segment answering questions on her emails, a fact the Democrats later criticized as biased and said detracted from more important issues such as ISIS Asked about her own support for military intervention in Iraq, Clinton says she now accepts that it was 'a mistake', adding that voting to give Bush the authority to take troops into the Middle East was 'my mistake'. But, she added: 'I have taken my responsibility for my decision. He [Trump] refuses to take responsibility for his support.' Meanwhile, during an answer on how he would combat ISIS, Trump said 'I was totally against the war in Iraq', a statement that Lauer let slide. On the campaign trail Trump has repeatedly stated that he opposed the Iraq war from the very beginning while attacking Clinton and Obama's foreign policy which he blames for the rise of ISIS. But asked whether he supported George Bush's decision to go to war in 2002, before the conflict started, Trump told Howard Stern: 'Yeah. I guess so. I wish the first time it was done correctly.' It was only later the the Republican nominee modified his position, describing the conflict as a 'mess' and a failure. NBC did reprise a fact-checking article they previously published on Trump's claim following the show, but some viewers were not appeased. Posting a link to the fact-checking story on Twitter, Isaac Wright, director of Correct The Record, wrote: 'Too bad they didn't WHEN HE WAS BEING INTERVIEWED.' Meanwhile Hillary's campaign press secretary Brian Fallon wrote: 'At least Hillary Clinton rebutted him on this lie, or else it would go unchecked.' MATT LAUER QUESTIONS HILLARY CLINTON OVER HER EMAILS: IN FULL Lauer: The word judgement has been used a lot around you in the last year and a half, in particular the use of your own personal email and server to communicate while you were Secretary of State. You said it was a mistake, you said it was not the best choice. You were communicating on highly sensitive topics. Why wasn't it more than a mistake, why wasn't it disqualifying if you want to be Commander in Chief? Clinton: Well Matt, I have said repeatedly it was a mistake to have a personal account, I would certainly not do it again. I make no excuses for it. It was something that should not have been done. But the real implication is the handling of classified material, which is what I think the implication of your question was. I have a lot of experience dealing with classified material, starting when I was on the Senate Armed Services Committee going into the four years as Secretary of State. Classified material has a header, which says 'top secret', 'secret', 'confidential'. Nothing, and I have repeatedly said this, and this is verified in the report by the Department of Justice. None of the emails sent or received by me had such a header. Lauer: Were some of the emails sent or received by you referring to our drone program? Our covert drone program? Clinton: Yes, because, of course there were no discussions of the covert actions in progress, being determined, about whether or not to go forward. But every part of our government had to deal with questions and the Secretary of State's office first and foremost. So there are ways of talking about the drone program... Lauer (interrupting): You said you thought your communications on that were fairly routine? Clinton: Well let me say the FBI just released their report about their investigation, they discussed drone matters in the unconfidential section of that report. Lauer: But Director Comey also said this after reviewing all the information. He said there is evidence to support a conclusion that any reasonable person in Secretary Clinton's position should have known that an unclassified system was no place for that conversation. Clinton: Well, Matt, I just respectfully point to the hundreds of experienced foreign policy experts, diplomats, defense officials who were communicating information on the unclassified system because it was necessary to answer questions and to be able publicly to go as far as we could, which was not acknowledging the program. But I would be in Pakistan, as I was on several occasions. There might very well have been a strike. I would be asked in a public setting, in an interview, about it. It was known to have happened. We had to have an answer that did not move into classified area. And I think we handled that appropriately. Lauer: You mentioned you're in Pakistan. Some of the e-mails you sent and received happened while you were overseas. And Director Comey also said that while they have no proof, we assessed that it is possible that hostile actors gained access to Secretary Clinton's personal e-mail accounts. Clinton: Matt, there is no evidence. Of course anything is possible. But what is factual is the State Department system was hacked. Most of the government systems are way behind the curve. We've had hacking repeatedly, even in the White House. There is no evidence my system was hacked. Lauer: Let us bring in Hallie Jackson of NBC News who's been covering this campaign. She's getting questions from our veterans. Hallie, who are you with? Jackson: Hi, Matt. I'm with Lieutenant Jon Lester (ph), who will stand with me here. He began his military career by enlisting in the Air Force and then switched over to the Navy before he retired, where he flew P-3 Orions in Desert Storm and in Desert Shield. He's a Republican, and he has this question for you, Secretary Clinton. Clinton: Thank you. Lester: Secretary Clinton, thank you very much for coming tonight. As a naval flight officer, I held a top secret sensitive compartmentalized information clearance. And that provided me access to materials and information highly sensitive to our warfighting capabilities. Had I communicated this information not following prescribed protocols, I would have been prosecuted and imprisoned. Secretary Clinton, how can you expect those such as myself who were and are entrusted with America's most sensitive information to have any confidence in your leadership as president when you clearly corrupted our national security? Clinton: Well, I appreciate your concern and also your experience. But let me try to make the distinctions that I think are important for me to answer your question. First, as I said to Matt, you know and I know classified material is designated. It is marked. There is a header so that there is no dispute at all that what is being communicated to or from someone who has that access is marked classified. And what we have here is the use of an unclassified system by hundreds of people in our government to send information that was not marked, there were no headers, there was no statement, top secret, secret, or confidential. I communicated about classified material on a wholly separate system. I took it very seriously. When I traveled, I went into one of those little tents that I'm sure you've seen around the world because we didn't want there to be any potential for someone to have embedded a camera to try to see whatever it is that I was seeing that was designated, marked, and headed as classified. So I did exactly what I should have done and I take it very seriously, always have, always will. Advertisement Ms Tudorovic estimates the damage from painting to be worth $3,000 His parents Andrea and Paul Tudorovic were able to see the ' he was left alone for 10 minutes A toddler's creative streak ran wild as he took to painting his curtains, carpet and bed sheets as his parents hosted a dinner party. Andrea and Paul Tudorovic from Ballarat, west of Melbourne, found their son Archie, three, giving his room a complete makeover after they left him alone for just 10 minutes. The Picasso in-the-making splashed blues, greens and pinks using his walls and cupboards as a canvas- leaving his parents with a $3,000 clean-up bill. A toddler's creative streak ran wild as he took to painting his curtains, carpet and bed sheets as his parents hosted a dinner party (pictured) Andrea and Paul Tudorovic from Ballarat, west of Melbourne, found their son Archie, three, (pictured at kindergarten on 'crazy hair day') giving his room a complete makeover after they left him alone for just 10 minutes The toddler's carpet was given a fresh shade of purple, and his wardrobe brightened up with a lick of green paint (pictured) The toddler's carpet was given a fresh shade of purple, and his wardrobe brightened up with a lick of green paint. Mum and dad were shocked when they found the 'artwork' but Ms Tudorovic said the couple were able to see the 'brighter' side of the creative mess. 'I had people over for my birthday and when we saw the door closed when knew he was up to something,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'He did a good job of it... paint was all over the door, carpet, walls, doona and himself.' Ms Tudorovic said her son had to go climb up a laundry cupboard to find the paint, before taking it back into his room. After claiming for the damage, the couple's insurance company has agreed to pay for the cost of new carpets. The Picasso in-the-making splashed blues, greens and pinks using his walls and cupboards as a canvas Andrea and Paul Tudorovic (pictured) were shocked when they found the 'artwork', which they won't be able to profit off- instead it left them with a hefty clean-up bill Archie, 3, from Ballarat splashed green, blue and pink paint over his room (pictured) She realized this protection now might make her seem 'walled off', adding that women are 'seen through a different lens' then men That was one of the moments Clinton realized she needed to control her emotions so she could focus on the test The men said 'You don't need to be here, there's plenty else you can do' Clinton revealed she was one of the few women in the room that day It was as she sat in a large classroom, awaiting to take the admissions test that would allow her to attend law school, that Hillary Clinton learned to control her emotions. The future Secretary of State would attend Yale Law School the next year, but on that day all she knew was this: a room full mostly of men were screaming at her. 'You don't need to be here,' they told her. 'There's plenty else you can do.' Scroll down for video In a revealing Humans of New York interview, Hillary Clinton shared the moment men yelled at her as she prepared to take her law school admissions test The future Secretary of State would attend Yale Law School the next year, but on that day the men tried to tell her that she didn't belong there, that she shouldn't take their spot 'It turned into a real "pile on"', Clinton said in her revealing interview with Humans of New York. 'One of them even said: "If you take my spot, I'll get drafted, and I'll go to Vietnam, and I'll die." And they weren't kidding around. It was intense. It got very personal.' Clinton recalled noticing she was one of the few women in the room, remembered how nervous she already felt for the rest, how she 'wasn't sure how well I'd do'. 'But I couldn't respond,' she said of the men. 'I couldn't afford to get distracted because I didn't want to mess up the test.' 'So I just kept looking down, hoping that the proctor would walk in the room.' Clinton knows both the press and public often perceive her to be 'aloof, or cold, or unemotional', she said. On Wednesday the Democratic presidential candidate was criticized by GOP chairman Reince Priebus for not smiling enough during an NBC town hall. 'Hillary Clinton was angry + defensive the entire time,' Priebus wrote in the since deleted tweet. 'No smile and uncomfortable.' But Clinton said she quickly learned as a young woman 'to control my emotions'. 'That's a hard path to walk,' she said. 'Because you need to protect yourself, you need to keep steady, but at the same time you don't want to seem "walled off"'. Clinton said she quickly learned as a young woman 'to control my emotions' as a way to protect herself, but recognizes that same protection sometimes makes her seem 'walled off' Clinton's interview with HONY, a blog by photographer Brandon Stanton, has already been shared more than 100,000 times on Facebook just five hours after being posted 'And sometimes I think I come across more in the "walled off" arena.' 'And if I create that perception, then I take responsibility. I don't view myself as cold or unemotional. And neither do my friends. And neither does my family.' 'But if that sometimes is the perception I create, then I can't blame people for thinking that.' Clinton's interview with HONY, a blog by photographer Brandon Stanton that began with interview New Yorkers on the street, has already been shared more than 100,000 times on Facebook just five hours after being posted. In a second post shared by the blog, Clinton opened up about how it is more difficult for a woman to carry herself with the kind of 'naturalness' attributed to Barack Obama or her husband Bill. 'I know how hard they work at being natural,' she said of the two men. 'It's not something they just dial in. They work and they practice what they're going to say.' 'It's hard work to present yourself in the best possible way. You have to communicate in a way that people say: "Okay, I get her.'" 'And that can be more difficult for a woman. Because who are your models? If you want to run for the Senate, or run for the Presidency, most of your role models are going to be men.' Clinton (pictured Thursday) was criticized just a day before the HONY interview by the RNC chairman for not smiling as she talked about national security during an NBC town hall 'And what works for them won't work for you. Women are seen through a different lens. It's not bad. It's just a fact.' Clinton said she learned that as she watched how men seemed to a lot certain emotional reactions behind the podium that she was not. 'I'll go to these events and there will be men speaking before me, and they'll be pounding the message, and screaming about how we need to win the election.' 'And people will love it. And I want to do the same thing. Because I care about this stuff.' But Clinton soon realized she wasn't allotted the same time of outbursts. 'I've learned that I can't quite be so passionate in my presentation,' she said. 'I love to wave my arms, but apparently that's a little bit scary to people.' 'And I can't yell too much. It comes across as "too loud" or "too shrill" or "too this" or "too that"'. 'Which is funny, because I'm always convinced the front row are loving it.' What was clear that people immediately loved her interview, and many women related to it - and even saw how they themselves had fallen into the same traps. 'Women all over the world know this as fact, all too much,' commented Michelle Jenkins on the post about the law school test. 'Be quiet, but not too quiet. Be smart, but not too smart... it goes on and on.' 'Watching the address last night I found myself taken back by her tone,' admitted Brittany Fletcher. 'About 10 minutes in I realized I was conditioned to feel that way.' You are here: Home Flash Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan announced his resignation Thursday, the Armenpress news agency reported. Abrahamyan said during a government meeting that his departure would enable President Serzh Sarksyan to form a new government. Abrahamyan had to quit as the country is facing sluggish economic growth and rising violence. Some 30 percent of Armenia's population lives below the official poverty line, according to the Asian Development Bank. To make matters worse, Armenian government's failure to quickly solve a hostage crisis sparked anti-government demonstrations this summer and the public's growing discontent with the government. Abrahamyan started his political career in 1995 when he was elected as a member of the National Assembly. After several high-level positions in government and chairman of the National Assembly, he became prime minister in April 2014. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said Brexit has removed the last obstacle to forming a European Army The Brexit vote has removed the last obstacle to forming a European Army, said the chief of Brussels foreign policy yesterday. Federica Mogherini said the EU could storm 'one of the last bastions of national sovereignty' because of the Leave victory. The Italian, a former communist, said Britain leaving the EU meant there were no more excuses not to push ahead with closer defence co-operation. However, former communist states in Eastern Europe are likely to be nervous about how the plan could undermine Nato. They have warned that they are preparing a post-Brexit 'counter-revolution' to assert the power of national governments in Brussels. Miss Mogherini insisted that EU leaders should exploit the 'window of opportunity' opened by Brexit to revive plans for a joint European military force based in Brussels that were shelved more than 60 years ago. 'For the first time since the death of the European Defence Community in 1954, I believe a window of opportunity has been opened to give life to a European defence,' she told Italian newspaper La Repubblica. Miss Mogherini, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said her timing was deliberate to 'send the message that, despite the British defection, Europe can and must move forward with integration'. She added: 'I see this as a sea change. After the EDC failed in the 1950s, many governments were convinced that the military was one of the last bastions of national sovereignty. 'Many people thought that the prospect of Brexit offered an opportunity not to be slowed by the country that was always most determinedly opposed to the idea of pooling the instruments of defence. My feeling is that the future exit of Great Britain from the EU has removed a convenient alibi behind which many hid.' Miss Mogherini, who is also vice-president of the European Commission, refused to use the term 'EU army' but her plans reveal it is that in all but name. NAVY KEEPS WATCH ON RUSSIANS IN CHANNEL A Royal Navy warship has been scrambled twice in a month to escort Russian warships through the Channel monitoring them for more than 500 miles each time. Patrol ship HMS Tyne oversaw military transporters Minsk and Alexander Shabalin, pictured, as they passed by Britain. The Portsmouth-based vessel used sophisticated navigation software and radars to locate and track the Russian landing ships, which are used to move equipment from its northern ports to bases in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. Advertisement Troops from different EU members have already started training together in combined 'battle groups' but have not so far been deployed. 'We can and we must decide to make them an asset to be used when we need a rapid European intervention,' said the former Italian foreign minister. She pledged to create 'a common headquarters in Brussels that would run all present and future military and civilian operations'. The former communist said Brexit meant there were no more excuses not to push ahead with closer defence co-operation Miss Mogherini said: 'This could become the nucleus around which a common European defence structure could be built.' She added that European governments should also start 'pooling resources for the gigantic investments needed in defence'. Miss Mogherini claimed there was a post-Brexit 'general consensus on the need to move forward in this field'. She added: 'If you look at opinion polls, the principal concerns of Europeans are the economy and security. Internal security implies also an external dimension, a defence capacity. Let's start now.' European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker will formally announce the plans to MEPs in Strasbourg next Wednesday. This will be followed by a meeting of the 27 EU leaders who will remain after Brexit in the Slovakian capital Bratislava on Friday. At this summit, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, an influential bloc known as the Visegrad Group, will lobby for national governments to be put back in the EU's driving seat. This is the shocking moment a pedestrian sitting next to a motorway had a narrow escape as an out-of-control tanker swerved past him. The clip from the incident was filmed on September 7 in Huaian City, China's Jiangsu province, the People's Daily Online reports. The truck was swerving to avoid hitting a sedan at a three-way junction. Unable to slow down, the truck was seen hurtling towards the pedestrian. A pedestrian was sitting next to the motorway when the truck swerved to avoid hitting a car The man can be seen 'calmly' taking a few steps towards his left to escape from the path of the oncoming truck. The driver of the truck sees the champagne-coloured vehicle at the last minute and swerves to avoid hitting it. As it swerves, it smashes through the crash barrier and flopped onto its side. A 32-foot-long tire mark is left on the motorway. Both the pedestrian and the truck driver were not injured in the accident. A government official said the sedan was responsible for not looking out for traffic turning into the road. Shocking moment: He then stood up and moved back to avoid the truck hurtling towards him Narrow escape: The heavy vehicle overturned leaving a ten-meter long tire mark Road accidents are common in China while pedestrians are most at risk in the country. A recent study by UK medical journal The Lancet shows that traffic accidents have become a top ten cause of death in all Chinese provinces. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 260,000 people in China die in road accidents each year. Six out of ten are vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and people on motorcycles, according to a release in May 2016. Scientists studying fossils from a 'mass grave' some 360 million years ago have provided new insight into a group of strange fish-like creatures. Known as Acanthostega, they are believed to be a key evolutionary link in the move of backboned animals from the seas onto the land. New analysis suggests that all of the fossils belong to young animals which died while living exclusively in the water in a region now belonging to Greenland. The researchers say their surprise findings provide new insight into the lives of these mysterious animals, which may have waited until their adult years to leave the water. Fossils of these early tetrapods, called Acanthostega, come from a group believed to have died in a river bed more than 360 million years ago TETRAPODS AND THE TRANSITION TO LAND Tetrapods were believed to have made the transition to land more than 300 million years ago, giving rise to all modern vertebrates on land. Fossils from one of these creatures, the fish-like Acanthostega from 365 million years ago, have been analysed by researchers. By using high energy X-rays they were able to look at microscopic growth structures in their front legs. The findings suggest that all of the specimens were juveniles and spent their lives in the water. Their forelimbs were mainly cartilage and would have been unable to bear their weight out of the water. But the team notes that there is evidence of ossification the laying down of hard minerals which make up bone suggesting they could potentially have spent the first stage of their life in the water, before moving onto land after they mature. Scientists say this remains the big unanswered question, with no adult fossils available, they are unable to know for sure. Advertisement The point at which the first tetrapods ventured onto land is seen as an evolutionary turning point, eventually giving rise to all modern backboned creatures on the land - including mammals, reptiles and birds. But such a shift would have required some physiological adjustment, with animals having to move their own body weight without the helpful buoyancy of water. By blasting fossilised limbs of the creatures with high energy X-rays at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in France, researchers have been able to see tiny developmental markers, revealing that at least in the first part of their lives, the animals never left the water. A team led by researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden and the University of Cambridge were able to build up this picture of the animal's life cycle by analysing growth rings in their front legs. Like a growing tree, a limb bone is marked by seasonal rhythms and lays down annual growth rings, explained Dr Sophie Sanchez, a researcher at Uppsala University and the ESRF, who lead the study. These growth rings, which can be seen in both fossil and living tetrapods, are informative about the development and age of the individual. Microscopic structures in the legs of ancient fish-like creatures, believed to have been a crucial link in the transition to land, show the creature were juveniles which spent their lives in the water Their analysis revealed that all of the Acanthostega individuals which died were juveniles, aged around six. But the growth rings of their upper front limbs suggest the legs were still largely made of cartilage when the animals died. 'In contrast to bone, cartilage is a non-mineralised tissue, elastic and far too weak to allow the forelegs to sustain the weight of the animals body out of the water,' explained Dr Sanchez. Researchers say that the animals are not the only class of tetrapods whose bones apparently formed late. They suggest that the onset of ossification - the laying down of hard bone-forming minerals - is delayed in giant salamanders as well (pictured) It is thought that those early tetrapods which made the move to land would likely have a similar life cycle to amphibians - where the eggs are laid in water and juveniles mature before moving onto the land. Analysis of the juvenile Acanthostega fossils may rule them out as the first tetrapods to head for land, but the latter half of their lives remains a mystery. One tantalising nugget remains in that the animals are not the only class of tetrapods whose bones apparently form late in their life cycle. The researchers suggest that the onset of ossification - the laying down of hard bone-forming minerals - is also delayed in giant salamanders, which spend parts of their adult life on land. With no adult Acanthostega fossils on record, the findings paint a picture of an aquatic animal which spent the first stage of its life in the water, with bone growth in the legs coming later in life, closer to sexual maturity. Whether or not the bones of juvenile Acanthostega would have toughened up enough by the time it reached maturity remains a mystery. When members of the BaYaka Pygmies living in the northern Republic of Congo get sick, they don't just go to the doctor for a prescription. Instead, they rely on their shared knowledge of medicinal plants to help them get well again. Now researchers have revealed how Pygmies have passed their extensive plant knowledge along from one person to the next, and it includes marriage. They have also exposed an arguably darker use for the hunter gatherers prized plants they can be used to detect and punish cheaters. When members of the BaYaka Pygmies (pictured foraging) living in the northern Republic of Congo get sick, they don't just go to the doctor for a prescription, but instead rely on their shared knowledge of medicinal plants to help them get well again DO THE PLANTS REALLY HAVE MEDICINAL PROPERTIES? The study was designed to investigate how Pygmy populations accumulated a vast repertoire of plant uses, rather than to shed light on drug discovery, Ms Salali told MailOnline. She explained that all of the plants in the study are already known species. Ethnopharmacology [study of ethnic groups and their use of drugs] is not my field of study, but my literature research showed that the majority of the study species (77 per cent) had known bioactive compounds, she said. There is much research on the anti-malarial activity of African medicinal plants, but they are recent studies that need further development. For instance, one of the most commonly used medicinal species in my research, Alstonia boonei, is found to have moderate to weak anti-plasmodial activity by researchers from the University of Kinshasa. Advertisement Gul Deniz Salali, a PhD student at University College London (UCL) was interested in exploring how hunter-gatherers accumulated the vast repertoire of plant uses that have helped them to survive in tropical rainforests. So to find out, her team examined common plants used by pairs of BaYaka Pygmy individuals. Their study, published in the journal Current Biology, included reported uses of 33 different plants by 219 individuals living in four camps. For example, BaYaka hunter-gatherers of Congo-Brazzaville grate the bark of Entandrophragma cylindricum and stuff it into cone-shaped leaves to make nose and eye drops. Ms Salali told MailOnline: For digestion and respiration, Alstonia boonei is commonly used- 93 per cent of the participants told me that they use it for those medicinal purposes. She added: I wasn't expecting that plant use would be so diverse. The researchers found plants are used for a variety of medicinal purposes, including used healing wounds, treating infections, easing pregnancy pains and as skin treatments, as well as to increase the chances of finding a partner, boosting a hunter's luck and making him or her better at fighting, working or even singing. This photo shows the bark of Entandrophragma cylindricum, grated and put into a cone-shaped leaf to be used as medicine by the hunter-gatherers. These leaves are used to make nose and eye drops WHAT PLANTS ARE USED FOR Plants are used for a variety of medicinal purposes, including used healing wounds, treating infections, easing pregnancy pains and as skin treatments, as well as to increase the chances of finding a partner, boosting a hunter's luck and making him or her better at fighting, working or even singing. The plant Ricinodendron heudelotii is used as a kind of lucky dating drug. Other plants were used to regulate social life, including matters concerning lying or sexual taboos. As an example, Ms Salani said some Pygmies use the juice extracted from a particular type of tree bark to detect and punish cheaters. Piptadeniastrum africanum (BaYaka name: Kungu) and Erythrophleum ivorense (BaYaka name: Imbanda) are used for this purpose, she explained. If someone cheated their partner, camp members would squeeze the poisonous [Kungu] juice into the person's eyes which could affect his or her vision. Advertisement Ms Salali said the plant Ricinodendron heudelotii is used as a kind of lucky dating drug. The study shows the importance of marital bonds in passing information about medicinal plants to other families. We found that long-term pair bonds between men and women allowed otherwise distant families to combine information on medicinal uses of plants Ms Salali said. Living in multi-family camps, on the other hand, enabled Pygmies to exchange and accumulate plant knowledge related to cooperative foraging and social beliefs. The experts found knowledge of medicinal plants is mainly shared between spouses and other relatives. But plant uses associated with foraging and social norms were often shared more widely among campmates, regardless of whether they are related or not, playing an important role in camp-wide activities that require cooperation. The researchers also found that BaYaka mothers who used more plants for treating certain diseases had healthier children. The most commonly reported medicinal uses of plants were for treating digestive and respiratory disorders. The most commonly reported medicinal uses of plants were for treating digestive and respiratory disorders. A BaYaka hunter-gatherer woman cuts the leaves of wild plant koko to be cooked with meat, pictured The BaYaka also use some plants for collecting caterpillars or honey and as a poison for killing monkeys or fish. Other plants were used to regulate social life, including matters concerning lying or sexual taboos. As an example, Ms Salani said some Pygmies use the juice extracted from a particular type of tree bark to detect and punish cheaters. Piptadeniastrum africanum (BaYaka name: Kungu) and Erythrophleum ivorense (BaYaka name: Imbanda) are used for this purpose, she explained. If someone cheated their partner, camp members would squeeze the poisonous [Kungu] juice into the person's eyes which could affect his or her vision. If his or her vision was affected, then people thought the person was guilty. I found that the knowledge on this type of plant use was widely shared among the campmates. Ms Salali told MailOnline she had not witnessed this use herself when she was living with the people. It is what I was told when I asked how they used the plant. I know that the bark of the Piptadeniastrum africanum has toxic properties and is known to be used as ordeal poison in Africa, she added. Ms Salali said her next step is to compare plant knowledge and use in hunter-gatherers living in varying proximity to market towns in Congo. I have lived in some Pygmy camps that were located in the forest, and some larger ones that were located in a logging town, she explained. Michigan already has a hand in self-driving technology, but a motion from the senate may take the Great Lake State one-step further. The state senate unanimously voted to let firms and researches test self-driving cars on Michigan roads without a person at the wheel. The new bill explains humans would 'promptly' take control of the vehicle's movements remotely or the vehicle must be designed to stop or slow on its own. Scroll down for video Michigan already has a hand in self-driving technology, but a motion from the senate may take the Great Lake State one-step further. The state senate unanimously voted to let researchers test self-driving cars on Michigan roads without a person at the wheel. Google (pictured) is opening a self-driving tech development in the Detroit suburb of Novi DETAILS OF THE BILL The Michigan state senate unanimously voted to allow researches and firms test their self-driving vehicles on state roads and without a human seated at the wheel. Instead, a human will 'promptly' take control of the vehicles' movements remotely if necessary or the vehicle would have to be able to stop or slow on its own. If the self-driving car is involved in an accident, the carmaker is liable for damage. Many of the big players in self-driving technology have facilities in the Great Lake State - GM, Toyota and Ford. Supporters are handling this bill as an economic development measure to keep and attract researchers and establish more jobs in the state. Advertisement The legislation is being handled as an economic development measure to keep and attract researchers and establish more jobs in the state an area that has suffered from an economic downfall. Republican Senator Mike Kowall of White Lake in suburban Detroit, said driverless car technology could be as big for Michigan as Henry Ford's creation of the assembly line, reports DAVID EGGERT, Associated Press. 'I want to make sure we plant the flag here and we maintain the lead in terms of automotive research and development,' Kowall told CNN Money. This bill would also let self-driving cars test on all roads within state lines, including interstates and US highways, he continued. Kowall also explained that there are no federal law prohibiting these cars, but at the moment every state requires them to have a human driver at the wheel. If the self-driving car is involved in an accident, the bills also explains that its maker is liable for damage. The state has also made it very clear that any company that adds an aftermarket autonomous system to a vehicle is also assuming the risk that the car will get into an accident. And every company that wants to test their driverless cars without a human at the wheel is required to prove that the vehicle is not a major threat to its surroundings. Not only will this help boost Michigan's economy, this bill is also a nod to carmakers that aim to transform their businesses into 'mobility' companies. GM, located in Detroit, announced a $500 million in Lyfte as a joint effort to develop a fleet of self-driving taxis. The expansive bills states humans would 'promptly' take control of the vehicles' movements remotely or the vehicle would have to be able to stop or slow on its own. The bills are set for their final legislative approval by the end of the year. Toyota, which has technical centers in the Ann Arbor area, also joined the ride-sharing rush with Uber (pictured) The testing program is set to use Chevrolet Bolt electric taxis and 'include real customers in a yet-to-be disclosed city'. Toyota, which has technical centers in the Ann Arbor area, also joined the ride-sharing rush with Uber. Google is opening a self-driving tech development in the Detroit suburb of Novi and partnering with Fiat Chrysler to develop a new design for its self-driving technology. And Ford recently said it aims to offer autonomous vehicles to taxi companies or other shared-car services by 2021. 'We're moving into the next century,' Kowall said told senators, while contending that the technology could prove safer than human drivers. THE RACE TO SELF DRIVING TAXIS: LYFT VS. UBER General Motors & Lyft's autonomous Taxis General Motors announced a $500 million investment in Lyft earlier this year as a joint effort to develop a fleet of self-driving taxis. Although the idea seemed like a distant dream, the duo has announced plans for a testing program on public roads by 2017. General Motors announced a $500 million investment in Lyft earlier this year, as a joint effort to develop a fleet of self-driving taxis. GM and Lyft plans for a testing program on public roads by 2017. The program will use Chevrolet Bolt electric taxis and 'included customers in a yet-to-be disclosed city' The program will use Chevrolet Bolt electric taxis and 'include real customers in a yet-to-be disclosed city'. In addition to the testing program, Lyft is working on a new app that will be used for the autonomous cars. The app is still a prototype, but will list the option for an autonomous car and there is a GM OnStar assistant to answer questions or report issues while you're en route to your destination. Uber's self-driving car Uber says the self-driving Volvo XC90 cars will have human backup drivers to begin with, but the move will surely worry the country's 327,000 Uber drivers who will eventually be replaced by autonomous vehicles. Uber co-founder and chief executive officer Travis Kalanick has said that the company's goal is to replace human drivers with driverless vehicles as 'quickly as possible'. The $300million Volvo deal will provide SUVs to Uber and see vehicles outfitted with cameras, lasers and sensors to help them navigate the city's streets. An unspecified number of autonomous Ford Fusions will also pick up passengers. The Volvo has 22 camera lenses, a laser on the roof and laser sensors at the corners. Its cameras, sensors and laser can see more than 100 meters in all directions. Advertisement 'With your assistance, we're going to secure Michigan's place ... as the center of the universe for autonomous vehicle studies, research, development and manufacturing.' The bills are set for their final legislative approval by the end of the year. Michigan is one of eight states that have laws for autonomous vehicles, while Arizona's governor has issued an executive order, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Nevada was the first state to allow self-driving cars to cruise around their streets in 2011, then California, Florida, Louisiana, North Dakota, Tennessee and Utah followed. Advertisement Nasas Cassini spacecraft has sent back stunning new photos of Saturns largest moon, Titan. The images reveal a close-up look at the frigid alien landscape, from hundreds of sand dunes to the rugged mountainous areas of what could be the Titans oldest terrain. Cassini captured the remarkable views during a close flyby on July 25, passing within just 607 miles of the massive moon. Scroll down for video The recent images reveal the linear dunes which line the moons surface, pictured. Astronomers say these dunes are likely made up of grains from hydrocarbons that settled from Titans atmosphere and, they encircle most of its equator To obtain such detailed images, the spacecrafts radar must penetrate the dense global haze around Titan, Nasa explains. This has revealed the linear dunes which line the moons surface. Astronomers say these dunes are likely made up of grains from hydrocarbons that settled from Titans atmosphere and, they encircle most of its equator. By studying the dunes, scientists can learn new information on Titans winds, the sands, and highs and lows in the landscape. Dunes are dynamic features, says Jani Radebaugh, a Cassini radar team associate at Brigham Young University. Theyre deflected by obstacles along the downwind path, often making beautiful, undulating patterns. The spacecraft also revealed an area nicknamed the Xanadu annex. Nasas Cassini spacecraft has sent back stunning new photos of Saturns largest moon, Titan. The images reveal a close-up look at the frigid alien landscape, from hundreds of sand dunes to the rugged mountainous areas of what could be the Titans oldest terrain This is the first time Cassini has captured footage of this region, but previous measurements suggested its terrain may be similar to a much larger area of Titan named Xanadu, prompting its nickname. As thought, the researchers found the annex is comprised of the same type of mountainous terrains seen in Xanadu and on other parts of Titan. This annex looks quite similar to Xanadu using our radar, but there seems to be something different about the surface there that masks this similarity when observing at other wavelengths, as with Hubble, says Mike Jannsen, a JPL member of the radar team. Its an interesting puzzle. TITAN: EARTH'S TOXIC TWIN? Aside from Earth, Titan is the only place in the solar system known to have rivers, rainfall and seas - and possibly even waterfalls. Of course, in the case of Titan these are liquid methane rather than water on Earth. Scientists are not positive to how such deep cuts were created on the surface, but they do know that the process was active for a long time or eroded down much faster than other areas on Titan's surface. The researchers have proposed scenarios about what occurred on Saturn's moon, such as an uplift of the terrain or changes in sea level or perhaps both Regular Earth-water, H2O, would be frozen solid on Titan where the surface temperature is -180C (-292F). With its thick atmosphere and organic-rich chemistry, Titan resembles a frozen version of Earth several billion years ago, before life began pumping oxygen into our atmosphere. Because Titan is smaller than Earth, its gravity does not hold onto its gaseous envelope as tightly, so the atmosphere extends 370 miles (595km) into space. With Titan's low gravity and dense atmosphere, methane raindrops could grow twice as large as Earth's raindrops. Advertisement Researchers say Xanadu is still partially a mystery, as unlike other parts of Titan where mountainous terrain occurs in isolated patches, it covers a much larger area. The craft has four remaining flybys with the large moon, focusing on the far north area. Titan is pictured But, they have many theories to explain why this may be. These mountainous areas appear to be the oldest terrains on Titan, probably remnants of the icy crust before it was covered by organic sediments from the atmosphere, said Rosaly Lopes, Cassini radar team member at JPL. Hiking in these rugged landscapes would likely be similar to hiking in the Badlands of South Dakota. Cassinis July 25th pass marked the last time Cassini will capture footage of the far southern latitudes of Titan. If Cassini were orbiting Earth instead of Saturn, this would be like getting our last close view of Australia, says Stephen Wall, deputy lead of the Cassini radar team at the JPL. In the crafts final four Titan flybys, it will focus on the liquid-filled lakes and seas at the far north of the massive moon. For its last mission, beginning April 2017, the craft will conduct 22 orbits beneath Saturn and its rings. in kind words using an exclusively Christian title An ancient obituary for a woman who died 1,700 years ago has finally been translated, revealing her name, faith and good character. The iPad-sized limestone epitaph is believed to have originated in Egypt, and has sat in a library in a university library collection in Utah since it was donated in 1989. Now researchers working to translate the inscription from its original ancient Greek, have said it is unlike any they have seen before. The iPad-sized limestone epitaph is believed to have originated in Egypt, and has sat in a library in a university library collection in Utah since it was donated in 1989. Translated from ancient Greek it reveals the obituary of a Jewish woman named Helene OBITUARY OF HELENE The translation of the Egyptian limestone epitaph describes Helene. She died around the age of 60 and is described as someone 'who loved the orphans'. Helene was a Jew but was memorialised using an exclusively Christian title. In addition, her age is an anomaly, given that the average life expectancy for women in ancient Egypt was 30-years-old. Advertisement According to Dr Lincoln Blumell, a researcher in ancient scripture at Brigham Young University, the inscription commemorates a woman called Helene. It pays respect to a woman who loved orphaned children and who died around the aged of 60. But what makes the memorial unique is the description of her faith. While the woman is identified as a Jew, she is given the title Ama, which experts say is almost exclusively reserved for Christians. Ive looked at hundreds of ancient Jewish epitaphs, and there is nothing quite like this, said Dr Blumell. The full translated inscription reads: In peace and blessing Ama Helene, a Jew, who loves the orphans, [died]. 'For about 60 years her path was one of mercy and blessing; on it she prospered. According to experts, the title Ama was reserved for nuns and other Christian women in Egypt at the time. Referring to her in this way is a rare occurrence, especially considering the time period when this was composed. The obituary also comes after a period of instability for the Jewish community in Egypt. Written sometime in the 3rd Century, it follows in the wake of the Jewish revolt of 115117 CE, a period when the Jews were decimated after rising up against Roman rule. It was thought the inscription was an example of Coptic text, dating to the advent of the Greek alphabet in Egypt. But translating the text has brought the memory of Helene back to life As well as the title, the researchers say the womans age is also unusual. In ancient Egypt, the average life expectancy for a woman was around 30 years, but the inscription details how Helene far outstripped this, living to the age of 60. Prior to the translation, it was thought that the inscription was an example of Coptic text, dating to the advent of the Greek alphabet in Egypt. But translating the text has brought the memory of Helene back to life. Managing curator of rare books at the University of Utah library where the epitaph resides, said: Dr Blumell not only brought fact to surmisal regarding the piece, he has given us a very personal story to put to cold stone. Dr Blumell added: This is a beautiful remembrance and tribute to this woman. The researcher told MailOnline: 'Beyond the inscription we know nothing else about this particular woman. 'While it states that she loved orphans, there is no indication of how this occurred.' He added: 'Orphanages are unheard of in the ancient word prior to the fourth century AD, but there was of course much people would do for orphans on an individual basis. Since it was reportedly unearthed in the 1960s, the 13th century Grolier Codex one of the rarest books in the world has been regarded with scepticism. Some people have questioned the authenticity of the book, suggesting that it was forged by modern writers. However, a new study has reviewed all known research on the manuscript, and suggests that the Grolier Codex is both genuine, and likely the oldest of all surviving manuscripts from ancient America. Since it was reportedly unearthed in the 1960s, The Grolier Codex one of the rarest books in the world has been regarded with scepticism THE GROLIER CODEX The Grolier Codex was discovered in 1965 by Josue Saenz in a cave in in the highlands of Chiapas near Tortuguero, Mexico and is thought to date back to around 1230. The book consists of 10 painted pages decorated with ritual Mayan iconography and a calendar that charts the movement of the planet Venus. The Venus calendars counted the number of days that lapsed between one rising of Venus and the next, or days when Venus, the morning star, appeared in the sky before the sun rose. This was important because measuring the planet's cycles could help Mayan people create ritual cycles based on astronomical phenomena. According to the researchers, the book is not markedly beautiful, and is more focused on images than being literate. Advertisement The book consists of 10 painted pages decorated with ritual Mayan iconography and a calendar that charts the movement of the planet Venus. Researchers from Brown University in Rhode Island looked at previous studies on the document, analysing it 'without regard to the politics, academic and otherwise that have enveloped the Grolier', according to the study. Stephen Houston, Professor of Social Science at Brown University, who led the study, said that the research is 'a confirmation that the manuscript, counter to some claims is quite real. The Grolier Codex was found by Josue Saenz in a cave in Mexico in 1965, before it was sent to New York and displayed at the Grolier Club, the private society of bibliophiles that gives the codex its name. For years, people have argued about the legitimacy of the book, suggesting that modern forgers had enough knowledge of Mayan writing to create a fake codex. The book was found in a cave along with six other items, including a small wooden mask and knife, which some critics have said were fake. However, in recent years, the items have been proven to be authentic. Other sceptics ridiculed Mr Saenz's account of finding the book after being tipped off by two looters. Mr Houston said: 'It became a kind of dogma that this was a fake. 'We decided to return and look at it very carefully, to check criticisms one at a time. The Grolier Codex was discovered in 1965 by Josue Saenz in a cave in in the highlands of Chiapas near Tortuguero, Mexico and is thought to date back to around 1230 BC The book consists of 10 painted pages decorated with ritual Maya iconography and a calendar that charts the movement of the planet Venus THE ANCIENT MAYA AND THE STARS Mayan civilisation thrived for more than 2,000 years with its heyday being 300 to 900 AD. During that time, the ancient people built incredible cities using advanced machinery and gained an understanding of astronomy, as well as developing advanced agricultural methods and accurate calendars. The Maya believed the cosmos shaped their everyday lives and they used astrological cycles to tell when to plant crops and set their calendars. It's therefore likely the Maya may have chosen to locate their cities in line with the stars. It's already known that the pyramid at Chichen Itza was built according to the sun's location during the spring and autumn equinoxes. When the sun sets on these two days, the pyramid casts a shadow on itself that aligns with a carving of the head of the Mayan serpent god. The shadow makes the serpent's body so that as the sun sets, the terrifying god appears to slide towards the earth. Source: History.com Advertisement 'Now we are issuing a definitive [reproduction] of the book. There can't be the slightest doubt that the Grolier is genuine.' The researchers analysed the 50-page book, looking at the origins of the manuscript, the nature of its style, and how it was created. Analysis of the composition, including thin red sketch lines and blue pigments strongly suggested that The Grolier was in fact authentic. It wiped out nearly a quarter of London's population and was one of the triggers for the scientific renaissance that swept England in the 17th Century. Now the bacteria that caused the Great Plague of London between 1665 and 1666 has been definitively identified as the bug that causes bubonic plague - Yersinia pestis. Archaeologists used DNA testing on skeletons found in a mass grave in a churchyard uncovered during the construction of the new Crossrail Elizabeth that will run through the city's Liverpool Street Station. Scroll down for video DNA analysis of samples taken from skeletons discovered in a mass grave in Liverpool Street, London (pictured), have identified the bacteria that caused the Great Plague of London in 1665 for the first time. Traces of DNA from Yersinia pestis were found trapped in their teeth YERSINIA PESTIS: THE DEADLIEST BUG IN HISTORY A single strain of Yersinia pestis, the bacterium that causes bubonic plague, may have caused the plagues that devastated Europe in the 14th and 17th centuries. Diseases are often caused by different strains of bacteria as populations can develop immunity against them, forcing the bugs to evolve. But genetic analysis of remains from plague-infected sites in Europe, has suggested the bacterium behind the Black Death in 1348 and the Great Plague of 1665 were the same strain. Researchers focused on three sites of historical outbreak of plague, from two mass graves in Spain and Germany and a single grave in Germany While the disease is widely though tto have arrived in Europe after being transported from Asia, the research was also able to link the bacterium to more recent outbreaks in China and India during the 1900s, suggesting the it spread from Europe to Asia. Advertisement Around 42 bodies were discovered in the pit, where they had been stacked up to eight deep and once would have been in coffins and wrapped in shrouds. It is thought the pit may have contained up to 100 individuals although some of the pit had been disturbed by building work during the 19th and 20th Century. Scientists took samples from the teeth 20 of the skeletons to search for traces of the plague pathogen. They found five appear to have been exposed to it before they died and the researchers believe this is most likely to be the cause of death. Scientists now hope to sequence the whole genome of the plague bacteria in the hope of comparing it to those responsible for the Black Death epidemic in 1348. The research could help provide new insights into the evolution of the disease as it spread around Europe over several centuries. Professor Vanessa Harding, an expert in London history at Birkbeck, University of London, said: 'This is a very exciting finding, for the history of London, the history of disease, and the history of burial. 'It confirms that Yersinia pestis was present in early modern London plague epidemics, and links them epidemiologically with the 14th-Century Black Death and the 1720 Marseille plague. 'We still need, however, to understand why the disease manifested itself in so many different ways, and whether other pathogens made a significant contribution to these epidemics.' The researchers took samples from 20 skeletons found in the mass grave and found five of them (pictured) contained DNA from the plague bacteria The burial pit (left), which measured 7.5 feet wide, was found to contain around 42 individuals, although archaeologists believe it may have been part of a wider mass grave. Researchers searched for DNA in the teeth of the skeletons where genetic material can be preserved (right) Pulp from inside the teeth was extracted and anaslysed for traces of bacterial DNA (pictured) While Yersinia pestis has long been suspected as the cause of the Great Plague in the 17th Century, the new findings are the first to confirm it definitively. It was the last major bubonic plague epidemic to have hit Britain and killed around 100,000 people in London. The total death toll is likely to have been far higher, however, as many town and cities around England were hit far worse than London. An account by Thomas Vincent in God's Terrible Voice in the City by Plague and Fire, describes London in August 1665. He said: 'Now the cloud is very black, and the storm comes down upon us very sharp. Archaeologists (pictured left studying the skeletons) hope to unravel whether the plague in 1665 was caused by the same strain of bacteria that caused the Black Death in the 14th Century. The mass grave at Liverpool street contained mainly children and teenagers (right) The bodies (pictured) are thought to have originally been in coffins and fabric shrouds that have since rotted away 'Now Death rides triumphantly upon his pale Horse through our streets, and breaks into every house almost, where any inhabitants are to be found. 'Now people fall as thick as leaves from the Trees in Autumn, when they are shaken by a mighty wind. 'Now there is a dismal solitude in London-streetsNow we could hardly go forth, but we should meet with many Coffins, and see many with sores, and limping in the streets.' Burial registers show there was a dramatic increase in burials at the New Churchyard, also called the Bedlam burial ground, in Liverpool Street in 1665. Scientists hope further research on the remains (pictured) will help to unravel whether the disease that killed them was the same strain of bacteria that caused the Black Death 300 years earlier Archaeologist shave unearthed around 3,300 human remains during excavations of the New Churchyard at Liverpool Street ahead of the construction work on the train line Last year archaeologists unearthed a 7.5 feet wide pit at the site filled with bodies. Samples were taken from the teeth of some of those found there because the enamel of teeth helps to protect DNA after death. This means they can serve as time capsules, preserving genetic information that was circulating in an individual's blood stream at the time of death. The DNA was sent to experts at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Jena, Germany. In 2014 skeletons excavated during the construction of another part of the Elizabeth line at Farringdon were found to contain traces of DNA from Yersnia pestis. The bodies appear to have been stacked up to eight deep in the mass grave (pictured) These individuals are though to have died in Europe's first major plague epidemic in 1348. Around 100,000 people died during the Great Plague of London in 1665 (illustrated) Researchers hope that further analysis of the new DNA may be able to answer questions about the relationship between the 17th Century Great Plague and the 14th Century Black Death. They say it could also help to reveal whether these plague outbreaks, and other smaller ones around the same time, were part of a single wave or several as a result of trade from Asia. Previous work on victims in Germany, Spain and Russia has suggested the Black Death and the Great Plague was caused by a single strain of bacterium. Professor Harding added: 'The excavation also underlines the strength of custom and order in time of crisis, showing that plague burial, even in mass graves, could be controlled and orderly, with bodies in coffins laid neatly on each other not quite the shambolic 'plague pit' of popular discourse.' Among the other items found at the site of the mass grave were a headstone, reused in a wall later, which belonged to a plague victim named Mary Godfrey, who died in 1665. THE HUMAN REMAINS UNEARTHED BY CROSSRAIL Human remains have been discovered during the construction of two Elizabeth line stations: Farringdon March 2013 - 25 skeletons excavated from a construction shaft in Charterhouse Square, alongside pottery dated to the mid-14th Century March 2014 forensic analysis confirms that the Charterhouse Square skeletons contain traces of the Yersinia pestis bacteria from the first major plague epidemic in Europe, the 1348 Black Death Liverpool Street October 2013 20 skulls from the Roman period found during construction of a utility tunnel for Liverpool Street station March 2015 excavation of the 17th Century Bedlam Burial Ground reveals over 3,300 burials August 2015 mass grave containing 42 individuals, suspected of being victims of the Great Plague of 1665, discovered within the Bedlam Burial Ground October 2015 20 disembodied skulls found distributed in regular intervals alongside a Roman road, in the final phase of the excavation at Liverpool Street August 2016 DNA of 1665 Great Plague bacteria Yersinia pestis bacteria identified in skeletons excavated from the mass grave in Bedlam Burial Ground Advertisement The mass grave is one of around 3,300 burials that have been uncovered during excavations at the New Churchyard. Most of those who were found in the mass burial pit, however, were young people under the age of 17-years-old. Don Walker, senior osteologist at the Museum of London Archaeology, which as been leading the excavations, said identifying the bacteria responsible for the deaths was a major step forward in understanding the disease. He said: 'This discovery has the potential to greatly enhance scientist's understanding of the disease and coupled with detailed research of the skeletons reveal more about this devastating epidemic and the lives of its victims.' Crossrail says it has uncovered more than 10,000 artefacts and fossils (mass grave pictured) during its archaeological excavations ahead of the construction of the Elizabeth Line Crossrail has conducted an extensive archaeology programme during the construction of the new line. To date it has found more than 10,000 artefacts and fossils spanning 55 million years of London's past. Jay Carver, Crossrail lead archaeologist, said: 'The Crossrail project has given archaeologists a rare opportunity to study previously inaccessible areas of London. A 10th of the world's unspoiled wilderness areas have been lost since the 1990s, experts have said. The new findings, from a global ecosystem study, show 'staggering' declines affecting the last bastions of undisturbed nature. The researchers are calling for urgent action to preserve biodiversity on Earth. In the last 20 years, wilderness regions amounting to an area twice the size of Alaska have vanished, the research reveals. Map pictured, with red areas showing the wilderness that has disappeared THE DISAPPEARING WILDERNESS A total of 11.6 million square miles (30.1 million square km) now remains as wilderness. This is around 20 per cent of the world's land area. The majority of this is located in North America, North Asia, North Africa, and the Australian continent. But comparisons between the two maps show an estimated 1.3 million square miles (3.3 million square km) of wilderness area has been lost in the intervening years. This is almost 10 per cent of the land area covered by wilderness in 1990. Those losses have occurred primarily in South America, which has experienced a 30 per cent decline in wilderness, and Africa, which has experienced a 14 percent loss. Advertisement In the last 20 years, wilderness regions amounting to an area twice the size of Alaska have vanished, the research reveals. The Amazon basin and central Africa have been hit the hardest. The scientists, from the University of Queensland in Australia, mapped wilderness areas around the world and compared the results with a previous similar map produced in the 1990s. 'Wilderness' is defined as a biologically and ecologically intact landscape free of any significant human disturbance. Their findings are reported in the journal Current Biology. 'Globally important wilderness areas, despite being strongholds for endangered biodiversity, for buffering and regulating local climates, and for supporting many of the world's most politically and economically marginalised communities, are completely ignored in environmental policy,' said lead researcher Dr James Watson. A 10th of the world's unspoiled wilderness areas have been lost since the 1990s, experts have said. The new findings, from a global ecosystem study, show 'staggering' declines affecting the last bastions of undisturbed nature. Photo shows Danum Valley (Borneo) at dawn An estimated 1.3 million square miles (3.3 million square km), almost 10 per cent, of wilderness has disappeared since the 1990s, the research showed. The most affected continents were South America, which lost 30 per cent, and Africa, where 14 per cent had gone CALLING FOR ACTION The researchers are calling for urgent action to preserve the world's biodiversity. 'The amount of wilderness loss in just two decades is staggering' Dr Oscar Venter of the University of Northern British Colombia said. 'We need to recognize that wilderness areas, which we've foolishly considered to be de-facto protected due to their remoteness, is actually being dramatically lost around the world. 'Without proactive global interventions we could lose the last jewels in nature's crown. 'You cannot restore wilderness, once it is gone, and the ecological process that underpin these ecosystems are gone, and it never comes back to the state it was. 'The only option is to proactively protect what is left'. Dr Watson said the United Nations and others have ignored globally significant wilderness areas in key multilateral environmental agreements and this must change. 'If we don't act soon, there will only be tiny remnants of wilderness around the planet, and this is a disaster for conservation, for climate change, and for some of the most vulnerable human communities on the planet,' he said. 'We have a duty to act for our children and their children.' Advertisement 'International policy mechanisms must recognise the actions needed to maintain wilderness areas before it is too late. We probably have one to two decades to turn this around.' The updated map shows a total of 11.6 million square miles (30.1 million square km) of the Earth - more than a fifth of the world's land area - now remains as wilderness. Although that might sound like a large amount of land, the proportion of surviving wilderness in the world has fallen alarmingly in the last two decades, say the authors. An estimated 1.3 million square miles (3.3 million square km), almost 10 per cent, of wilderness has disappeared since the 1990s, the research showed. The most affected continents were South America, which had lost 30 per cent of its wilderness, and Africa, where 14 per cent had gone. The majority of wilderness areas today were located in North America, North Asia, North Africa, and Australia. The researchers are calling for urgent action to preserve the world's biodiversity. 'The amount of wilderness loss in just two decades is staggering' Dr Oscar Venter of the University of Northern British Colombia said. 'We need to recognize that wilderness areas, which we've foolishly considered to be de-facto protected due to their remoteness, is actually being dramatically lost around the world. 'Without proactive global interventions we could lose the last jewels in nature's crown. The researchers are calling for urgent action to preserve the world's biodiversity. Dr Watson said the United Nations and others have ignored globally significant wilderness areas in key multilateral environmental agreements and this must change 'You cannot restore wilderness, once it is gone, and the ecological process that underpin these ecosystems are gone, and it never comes back to the state it was. 'The only option is to proactively protect what is left'. Dr Watson said the United Nations and others have ignored globally significant wilderness areas in key multilateral environmental agreements and this must change. 'If we don't act soon, there will only be tiny remnants of wilderness around the planet, and this is a disaster for conservation, for climate change, and for some of the most vulnerable human communities on the planet,' he said. Flash European Council President Donald Tusk on Thursday urged British Prime Minister Theresa May to start the process for her country to leave EU as soon as possible. Speaking at the start of their meeting at the No. 10 Downing Street, Tusk also said "the ball is now in your court" as they discussed the next steps on Brexit, according to British press reports. Tusk said the other EU members were waiting to see when May would trigger the Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty which formally launches Britain's exit from the EU. "I'm aware that it is not easy but I still hope you will be ready to start the process as soon as possible," he said. A spokeswoman for May said that the British prime minister stressed to work together with Tusk so that there was a "smooth process" for leaving EU. Up to now, May has refused to pin down a specific date to trigger the article 50, saying that her government needs time to prepare for negotiations. EU leaders, excluding Britain, will meet next week in Bratislava to sketch out the bloc's future strategy after Brexit. You may not have given industrial yeast strains much thought, but they are used to make biofuels, bread, wine, and most famously, beer. But their evolutionary history is not well known. Now researchers have created a family tree of the microbes focusing on beer yeast revealing the first brewers domesticated yeasts in the 1500s and their actions led to the tasty drinks we enjoy today. You may not have given industrial yeast strains much thought, but they are used to make biofuels, bread, wine, and most famously, beer. But their evolutionary history is not well known. Now researchers have created a family tree of the microbes focusing on beer yeast A HISTORY OF BEER BREWING Beer brewing dates back to at least 7,000 Kevin Verstrepen, a yeast geneticist at the University of Leuven told MailOnline. Some ancient recipes have been found in Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. 'Until early medieval times, it was really a part of household chores. Beer was prepared in many households for personal consumption,' he explained. 'In the last part of medieval times, some early commercial breweries started emerging, and monasteries also started selling beer to the public. 'According to our findings, it is in these times - the late 16th century - that the first specialised beer yeasts started emerging. Advertisement The flavour of the beer we drink largely depends on yeast, said Kevin Verstrepen, a yeast geneticist at the University of Leuven and VIB Lab for Systems Biology in Belgium. We're drinking the best beers now because ancient brewers were smart enough to start breeding yeast before they knew what they were doing. It was really an art. Beer brewing dates back to at least 7,000 BC Dr Verstrepen told MailOnline. Some ancient recipes have been found in Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. In this way, the yeasts the team analysed are 'modern'. But by reading their DNA and comparing it to DNA of wild yeasts, 'we can travel back in time and investigate when the industrial yeasts started diverging from their feral relatives, and also unravel what the industrial yeasts were selected for by the medieval brewers,' he said. Until early medieval times, making beer was considered a household chore because it was prepared at home for personal consumption and was often safer than water. 'In the last part of medieval times, some early commercial breweries started emerging, and monasteries also started selling beer to the public,' Dr Verstrepen said. 'According to our findings, it is in these times - the late 16th century - that the first specialised beer yeasts started emerging. The team, which also included bioinformaticians at VIB and Ghent University, as well as beer scientists from White Labs in California, sequenced the genomes of 157 different strains of yeast used to make beer, wine, spirits, sake, bread, and bioethanol, in order to explore the species' evolutionary history. They discovered the industrial yeast used today came from only a few ancestral strains. Brewers use the same yeast to make different types of beer, so ales or stouts didn't generally have separate strains associated with them. However, a few distinct strains were associated with beers that have very specific traits, such as the smoky clove-like flavor of German Hefeweizen beer. Using the genomic data, described in the journal Cell , the researchers traced the common ancestor of the industrial beer and wild yeasts to the 1500s - before the formal discovery of microbes. Pictured is a basic family tree Using the genomic data, described in the journal Cell, the researchers traced the common ancestor of the industrial beer and wild yeasts to the 1500s - before the formal discovery of microbes. Yeasts were probably selected from some brews that went particularly well, Dr Verstrepen explained. Brewers had the habit to save some of the sediment (containing yeast, but they did not know this) and use this to re-inoculate a next batch. So, the more commercial brewers likely started collecting sediments from various households to select the best ones, and then started re-using these on larger scales. Reusing the microbes to make beer completely separated them from nature. The yeasts were evolving in the brewery. They also started travelling round Europe, as they were passed between breweries or were stolen to give competitors an edge in beer production. 'Since these yeasts were used year-round to produce beer, they started adapting more and more to their man-made environments, Dr Verstrepen said. The research team uncovered a number of genetic patterns related to the domestication process. For example, we noticed in our DNA sequences that the genes involved in fermentation of maltose - the main sugar in beer - have been duplicated in beer yeasts, allowing them to ferment more rapidly, so that brewers could make more beer in a shorter time, he said. 'We also noticed that some genes involved in the production of unwanted aroma's show defects. Industrial yeast used today came from only a few ancestral strains. Brewers use the same yeast to make different types of beer, so ales or stouts didn't generally have separate strains associated with them We believe that these defects occurred spontaneously, but these spontaneous mutants must have been selected by the early brewers because they liked the aroma of the resulting beers. 'So, while microbes were still unknown to man, there clearly was human-driven selection, much like what early farmers did with livestock and crops.' He believes the evolution of useful industrial yeasts used to make tasty pints was not a happy accident. 'It is more accurate to say that we owe the great-tasting beers of today to the craftsmanship and instruct of early brewers, who, without knowing about the existence of microbes, were smart enough to figure out that using the sediment of one beer batch to inoculate a new one enabled them to produce better and more consistent beers, he said. Wine yeasts also displayed a genetic resistance to copper, which is used to fight fungal infections in the vineyard and can end up in the grape juices. Dr Verstrepen's team is working to breed new yeast strains with characteristics useful to industry, and will soon be adding a brewery to the lab to conduct further experiments. The USS Zumwalt left Bath Iron Works in Maine headed to its Advertisement The nation's largest and most technologically sophisticated destroyer is set to finally join the Navy with a crew that's the smallest of any destroyer built since the 1930s - and a familiar sounding captain. The stealthy Zumwalt is heading to its commissioning ceremony with a crew of 147 officers and sailors that was praised by their skipper, Captain James Kirk for their preparation over the past three years to get the first-in-class warship ready for duty. He admitted his name has caused much hilarity - admitting 'certainly I have been ribbed every now and then with someone saying, 'You're going where no man has gone before, on this class of ship.'' Scroll down for video The future USS Zumwalt heads down the Kennebec River after leaving Bath Iron Works Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in Bath, Maine. The nation's biggest and most technologically sophisticated destroyer is going to join the Navy with half the normal crew size thanks to unprecedented automation. 50 YEARS OF STAR TREK The legendary sci-fi TV series was first broadcast on NBC Thursday 8 September, 1966 and has since been expanded to include a wide variety of spin-off series and films. It has had many incarnations over the yearsthere have been six television shows, 726 total episodes, 13 movies, and one reboot. Advertisement The bridge also looks like something from 'Star Trek' with two chairs surrounded by nearly 360 degrees of video monitors, with inevitable comparisons of the Zumwalt to the Starship Enterprise and the skipper to the fictional Captain Kirk. 'The three things this crew exemplifies is high level of technical expertise, great teamwork and then the toughness to get done what needs to get done,' Navy Capt. James Kirk said before the ship manoeuvred down the Kennebec River to sea as it headed to Baltimore for its commissioning ceremony on 15th October.. 'On this ship, teamwork is at a premium.' The 610-foot destroyer once headed out for sea trials in a snowstorm, and hundreds of people gathered to watch Wednesday as it headed into the remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine while leaving Maine for good. The churning ocean with seas up to 14 feet high near Cape Cod won't prevent the Zumwalt from paying a visit Thursday to Newport, Rhode Island. The sleek warship will turn heads, no doubt. It features an angular shape to minimize its radar signature, an unconventional wave-piercing hull and a composite deckhouse that hides radar and other sensors. Capt. James Kirk, skipper of the future USS Zumwalt, stands in front of the destroyer at Bath Iron Works on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016, in Bath, Maine. The ship is due to depart the shipyard on Wednesday to be commissioned in Baltimore. Right, William Shatner as Captain James Kirk in the hit TV show Star Trek. It boasts a powerful new gun system that can unload 600 rocket-powered projectiles on targets more than 70 miles away. It weighs in at nearly 15,000 tons, about 50 percent heavier than current destroyers. But the crew size is half of the 300 personnel of those destroyers. Heavy automation of fire suppression, flood control and other systems means fewer sailors are required, part of a trend in the Navy. The new Ford-class aircraft carriers will sail with several hundred fewer crew members. The future USS Zumwalt heads down the Kennebec River after leaving Bath Iron Works Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in Bath, Maine. The nation's biggest and most technologically sophisticated destroyer is going to join the Navy with half the normal crew size thanks to unprecedented automation. The future USS Zumwalt heads down the Kennebec River after leaving Bath Iron Works Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in Bath, Maine. The nation's biggest and most technologically sophisticated destroyer is going to join the Navy with half the normal crew size thanks to unprecedented automation. David Aitken, the Zumwalt's fire control chief, said all sailors are cross-trained, but there's more sharing of tasks on the Zumwalt. 'We all work together because there are fewer of us,' said the chief petty officer, who's the primary supervisor for sailors who operate the ship's weapon systems. He said he prefers the arrangement because there's more work to do and more systems to learn. But some are concerned that the Navy could be going too far in reducing the number of sailors. Commanding officers like to have an 'extra margin' to account for injuries or missions that could leave the crew depleted, said retired Vice Adm. Pete Daly, CEO of the U.S. Naval Institute. The Zumwalt, Daly said, has the smallest crew size since the Farragut-class built in the 1930s, which featured a similar complement of sailors. And those ships were tiny in comparison to the Zumwalt, he added. USS ZUMWALT: EQUIPPED TO DOMINATE THE SEAS FOR DECADES A model of the Zumwalt Class destroyer built by Bath Iron Works and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding is seen displayed during a contract signing ceremony at the Pentagon Displacement: 14,564 long tons (14,798 t) Length: 600 ft (180 m) Beam: 80.7 ft (24.6 m) Draft: 27.6 ft (8.4 m) Propulsion: Two Rolls-Royce Marine Trent-30 gas turbines driving Curtiss-Wright generators and emergency diesel generators, 78 MW (105,000 shp); two propellers driven by electric motors Speed: Over 30 kn (56 km/h; 35 mph) Weapons: 20 MK 57 VLS modules, with a total of 80 launch cells RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM), four per cell Tactical Tomahawk, one per cell Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rocket (ASROC), one per cell Two 155 mm/62 caliber Advanced Gun System 920 155 mm rounds total; 600 in automated store with Auxiliary store room with up to 320 rounds (non-automatic) as of April 2005 70100 LRLAP rounds planned as of 2005 of total Two Mk 110 57 mm gun (CIGS) Warship of the future: Future versions of the radical design are expected to be used to test a futuristic 'Star Wars' railgun (advanced gun system) that uses electromagnetic energy to fire a shell weighing 10kg at up to 5,400mph over 100 miles Advertisement The Zumwalt's crew is constantly talked up by Kirk, who wants to make sure the highly trained sailors are not overshadowed by the vessel's technology. But it's hard to escape the ship's gee-whiz factor. The future USS Zumwalt is so stealthy that it'll go to sea with reflective material that can be hoisted to make it more visible to other ships. The Navy destroyer is designed to look like a much smaller vessel on radar, and it lived up to its billing during recent builder trials. Lawrence Pye, a lobsterman, told The Associated Press that on his radar screen the 610-foot ship looked like a 40- to 50-foot fishing boat. He watched as the behemoth came within a half-mile while returning to shipbuilder Bath Iron Works. 'It's pretty mammoth when it's that close to you,' Pye said. Despite its size, the warship is 50 times harder to detect than current destroyers thanks to its angular shape and other design features, and its stealth could improve even more once testing equipment is removed, said Capt. James Downey, program manager. During sea trials last month, the Navy tested Zumwalt's radar signature with and without reflective material hoisted on its halyard, he said. The goal was to get a better idea of exactly how stealthy the ship really is, Downey said from Washington, D.C. FILE - In this March 21, 2016 file photo, Dave Cleaveland and his son, Cody, photograph the USS Zumwalt as it passes Fort Popham at the mouth of the Kennebec River in Phippsburg, Maine, as it heads to sea for final builder trials. The ship is so stealthy that the U.S. Navy resorted to putting reflective material on its halyard to make it visible to mariners during the trials. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File) The reflectors, which look like metal cylinders, have been used on other warships and will be standard issue on the Zumwalt and two sister ships for times when stealth becomes a liability and they want to be visible on radar, like times of fog or heavy ship traffic, he said. The possibility of a collision is remote. The Zumwalt has sophisticated radar to detect vessels from miles away, allowing plenty of time for evasive action. But there is a concern that civilian mariners might not see it during bad weather or at night, and the reflective material could save them from being startled. The destroyer is unlike anything ever built for the Navy. Besides a shape designed to deflect enemy radar, it features a wave-piercing 'tumblehome' hull, composite deckhouse, electric propulsion and new guns. More tests will be conducted when the ship returns to sea later this month for final trials before being delivered to the Navy. The warship is due to be commissioned in October in Baltimore, and will undergo more testing before becoming fully operational in 2018. Future version of the radical design are expected to be used to test a futuristic 'Star Wars' railgun that uses electromagnetic energy to fire a shell weighing 10kg at up to 5,400mph over 100 miles with such force and accuracy it penetrates three concrete walls or six half-inch thick steel plates. The largest destroyer ever built for the U.S. Navy is currently undergoing sea trials. Future versions of the radical design will be fitted with 'star wars' railguns, if tests go according to plan. More than 200 shipbuilders, sailors and residents gathered to watch as the futuristic 600-foot, 15,000-ton USS Zumwalt glided past Fort Popham, accompanied by tugboats on Monday. The $4.3bn ship departed from shipbuilder Bath Iron Works in Maine and carefully navigating the winding Kennebec River before reaching the open ocean where the ship will undergo sea trials. Kelley Campana, a Bath Iron Works employee, said she had goose bumps and tears in her eyes. 'This is pretty exciting. It's a great day to be a shipbuilder and to be an American,' she said. 'It's the first in its class. There's never been anything like it. It looks like the future.' Larry Harris, a retired Raytheon employee who worked on the ship, watched it depart from Bath. 'It's as cool as can be. It's nice to see it underway,' he said. 'Hopefully, it will perform as advertised.' Bath Iron Works will be testing the ship's performance and making tweaks this winter. For the crew and all those involved in designing, building, and readying this fantastic ship, this is a huge milestone,' the ship's skipper, Navy Capt. James Kirk, said before the ship departed. Advanced automation will allow the warship to operate with a much smaller crew size than current destroyers. The ship has electric propulsion, new radar and sonar, powerful missiles and guns, and a stealthy design to reduce its radar signature. Advanced automation will allow the warship to operate with a much smaller crew size than current destroyers. All of that innovation has led to construction delays and a growing price tag. The Zumwalt, the first of three ships in the class, will cost at least $4.4 billion. The ship looks like nothing ever built at Bath Iron Works. The inverse bow juts forward to slice through the waves. Sharp angles deflect enemy radar signals. Radar and antennas are hidden in a composite deckhouse. The builder sea trials will answer any questions of seaworthiness for a ship that utilizes a type of hull associated with pre-dreadnought battleships from a century ago. Critics say the 'tumblehome' hull's sloping shape makes it less stable than conventional hulls, but it contributes to the ship's stealth and the Navy is confident in the design. Eric Wertheim, author and editor of the U.S. Naval Institute's 'Guide to Combat Fleets of the World,' said there's no question the integration of so many new systems from the electric drive to the tumblehome hull carries some level of risk. Operational concerns, growing costs and fleet makeup led the Navy to truncate the 32-ship program to three ships, he said. Heading out to sea: The 600-foot-long destroyer cruised along the Kennebec River to the Atlantic on its maiden voyage With only three ships, the class of destroyers could become something of a technology demonstration project, he said. The goal is to deliver it to the Navy sometime next year. 'We are absolutely fired up to see Zumwalt get underway. The Zumwalt looks like no other U.S. warship, with an angular profile and clean carbon fiber superstructure that hides antennas and radar masts. But by allowing more gas in without traffic jams, they become very bright It was thought neutron stars are faint to produce Ultra Luminous X-rays But, the new simulations show how a system can avoid these traffic jams The mysterious origin of an impossibly bright, blinking celestial object has long baffled astrophysicists. While its been thought that Ultra Luminous X-ray sources are powered by black holes, this explanation does not account for the pulsed emissions observed in an entity named M82 X-2. And, while pulsars are known to produce such emissions, these types of neutron stars are much fainter than ULXs. New simulations from the Aterui supercomputer in Japan, however, now suggest the ULX-pulsar is in fact powered by a neutron star, which has become hundreds of times brighter than normal in a 'lighthouse' effect as it avoids accretion traffic jams. Scroll down for video New simulations from the Aterui supercomputer suggest the ULX-pulsar is powered by a neutron star, which has become hundreds of times brighter than normal as it avoids accretion traffic jams. An artist's impression of the 'new lighthouse model' is pictured WHAT THE STUDY FOUND Traffic jams limit how much gas can be added to the system, establishing a luminosity upper limit known as the Eddington luminosity. But, the researchers found that it is possible for a traffic jam to be avoided. Instead, the gas forms a shock front near the neutron star, where kinetic energy is converted to thermal energy. Below this barrier, the gas is rapidly heated, giving off a massive amount of photons. Rather than resisting the influx of gas, these photons are directed out through the sidewalls, allowing more gas to come in. This model explains both the brightness and blinking beams of the rotating neutron star. Advertisement Researchers at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan conducted numerical simulations to determine the central energy source of the mysterious 'ULX-pulsar,' M82 X-2, revealing the new cosmic lighthouse model that could explain the bizarre phenomenon. Typically, researchers use an accretion columns model, in which incoming gas lands on the magnetic poles. But if the poles are misaligned with the neutron stars rotation axis, it will revolve around this axis as the star spins, creating an optical phenomenon similar to a lighthouse beam that appears to blink. In the new study, the team investigated whether the accretion columns of gas could avoid what's known as a traffic jam by allowing incoming gas to flow smoothly. ULXs are thought to be produced by an object that accretes gas from a companion star, which collides with other gas as it is pulled in by gravity. These collisions cause the gas to become extremely hot, until it starts to glow, emitting photons that can be observed by astronomers. The is also known to produce traffic jams, as photons travelling away from the center push against the influx of gas and cause the radiation pressure force to slow when the object becomes too bright. Traffic jams limit how much gas can be added to the system, establishing a luminosity upper limit known as the Eddington luminosity. But, the Eddington luminosity is determined by mass, and the relatively small mass of pulsars relative to black holes dictates they should be much fainter. The astrophysicists have been so puzzled, says Tomohisa Kawashima, who led the research group at NAOJ. It may be difficult to sustain super-critical accretion onto neutron stars because neutron stars have solid surface, unlike black holes. It was a grand challenge to elucidate how to realize super-critical accretion onto neutron stars exhibiting pulsed emissions. WHAT IS A PULSAR? Pulsars are essentially rotating, highly magnatised neutron stars. These stars are made of matter much more densely packed than normal and which give the entire star a density comparable to an atomic nucleus. The diameter of our sun would shrink to less than 18 miles if it was that dense. These neutron stars also have extremely strong magnetic fields which accelerate charged particles. These give off radiation in a cone shaped beam which sweep across the sky like the light from a lighthouse as the star rotates. When the beam sweeps over earth, it becomes visible as a pulsar, producing light that cycles every few seconds to just a few milliseconds. Their rotational period is so stable that some astronomers use it to calibrate instruments and have proposed using it to synchronise clocks. British astronomer Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell was the first person to discover a pulsar in 1967 when she spotted a radio pulsar. Since then other types of pulsars that emit x-rays and gamma rays have also been spotted. Advertisement Based on their simulations, the researchers found that it is possible for a traffic jam to be avoided. Instead, the gas forms a shock front near the neutron star, where kinetic energy is converted to thermal energy. Below this barrier, the gas is rapidly heated, giving off a massive amount of photons. The gas forms a shock front near the neutron star, where kinetic energy is converted to thermal energy. Below this barrier, the gas is rapidly heated, giving off a massive amount of photons. photons are directed out through the sidewalls, allowing more gas to come in Rather than resisting the influx of gas, these photons are directed out through the sidewalls, allowing more gas to come in. This model explains both the brightness and blinking beams of the rotating neutron star, demonstrating how a 'ULX-pulsar' could be driven by a neutron star, in contrast to earlier assumptions. No one knew if super-critical column accretion could actually be realized on a neutron star, explains Shun Mineshige at Kyoto University. It was a tough problem because we needed to simultaneously solve the equations of hydrodynamics and radiative transfer, which required advanced numerical techniques and computational power. Elon Musk's SpaceX likely will be grounded for nine to 12 months while it investigates the cause of last week's launch pad accident and makes any repairs, the chief executive of SpaceX's prime U.S. competitor said. 'It typically takes nine to 12 months for people to return to flight. That's what the history is,' Tory Bruno, chief executive of United Launch Alliance, told Reuters. A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster exploded on the launch pad on Sept. 1 as it was being fueled for a routine pre-launch test. The AMOS-6 communications satellite was aboard a Falcon 9 rocket which exploded during a test fire in Florida last week, destroying the rocket and its cargo (pictured left to right) SATELLITE FIRM CLAIMING DAMAGES FROM SPACEX The Israeli owners of the destroyed AMOS-6 satellite have reportedly been hard hit by the loss. In a press conference on Sunday, Spacecom said it could seek $50m from SpaceX following the explosion on the launch pad last week. AMOS-6 was supposed to provide home internet for Africa and the Middle East. In addition, Facebook had signed a deal with Eutelsat to lease broadband capacity from the satellite as part of its efforts to increase internet connectivity across the African continent. Advertisement A $200 million Israeli communications satellite was destroyed in the blast, the second failed mission for technology entrepreneur Elon Musk's privately owned SpaceX in 14 months. The cause of the accident is under investigation. SpaceX has not publicly disclosed the extent of damage to its launch pad. Bruno said the main issue after accidents involving space launches has 'always been figuring out what went wrong on the rocket, being confident that you know ... how to fix it and then actually getting that fix in place.' Repairing damage to the launch pad is usually not a significant issue, he said. 'Historically, it had never been the pad that's taken the longest time,' he said. Bruno spoke with Reuters a few hours before ULA, a partnership of Lockheed-Martin Corp and Boeing Co , was preparing to launch its 111th rocket, so far all successfully. An Atlas 5 rocket, carrying a NASA asteroid sample-return spacecraft, was poised for liftoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida about 1.2 miles (2 km) away from the SpaceX launch site. Bruno said he called SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell shortly after the accident to extend sympathies and offer help. 'It's a small community and issues especially around safety - but even mission success - kind of transcend the competitive piece of this,' Bruno added. ULA and SpaceX are rivals for private space missions and launches by U.S. government agencies. Musk's company in May broke ULA's monopoly on flying U.S. military and national security satellites, winning an $83 million Air Force contract to launch a Global Positioning System satellite in 2018. The two firms are expected to square off over a second satellite launch services bid, which closes on Sept. 19. Elon Musk's private space venture could face a bill of 37m following the explosion, however, the private firm has said it will not disclose terms of its contracts or insurance Bruno declined to say specifically if ULA would submit a proposal. Bruno said factors that prevented ULA from competing for an earlier military launch, including a trade ban that stymied imports of Russian rocket engines, are no longer obstacles. But ULA will still have to compete with SpaceX on price. Berlin's chequered history is integral to its appeal. And, for the discerning traveller, nowhere is that encapsulated more than the city's Soho House, which has become a cornerstone of the capital's cool scene since opening in 2010. Occupying a building once sold to the Reich Youth Leadership in 1933, it's now the perfect collision of history and hipster - conveniently available to all, whether you're a member or not. The place to be: For the discerning traveller, Soho House Berlin is at the epicentre of cool I spent three luxurious nights there earlier this summer and as a result, got to experience a landmark in all its modern glory while also living as a local creative. Interestingly, like many addresses in the metropolitan Mitte district, the Grade II-listed building at 1 Torstrasse has a complex past. But what elevates it above the others is how its shape-shifted from a near-derelict shell - a relic of the Reich, you might say - to the Swiss Army Knife of destination points: nightclub, bar, spa, hotel, coffice, shop and restaurant in one. It is, quite frankly, Berlin's coolest place to be - and be seen. Art attack: The lobby boasts a bespoke Damien Hirst creation, which reads 'Soho Haus Berlin' in spray-painted letters on exposed stone Now that's a view: Guests can soak up the skyline - after taking a dip in the private pool The Club Room: Hotel guests also get access to the popular Club Room, plus the gym and pool Located near Rosa Luxemborg Platz and Alexanderplatz stations - the latter being a main artery in the city's travel network - SH Group directors certainly believe the 'location, location, location' maxim. Impressively, it took just 45 minutes to get from Schonefeld Airport to the SH check-in desk, where I'm flanked by the only piece of obvious branding - a one-off Damien Hirst creation, which reads 'Soho Haus Berlin' in spray-painted letters on exposed stone. Huge velvet sofas and brass workstations populate the central layout, while a spiral staircase acts like the building's brushed metal backbone. Travel in style: Soho House Berlin is the city's coolest place for travellers to be - and be seen Eat your heart out: Peter's suite was bigger than his north London apartment and even boasted a dining table, kitchen and lounge Sumptuous: The suites offer 1,076 square-foot of space featuring extra-large beds with Egyptian cotton sheets and oversized bathrooms Boasting 65 bedrooms of varying sizes, plus 20 apartments and four lofts, I find myself in one of the venue's bigger suites - a 1,076 square-foot of space featuring extra-large beds with Egyptian cotton sheets and oversized bathrooms (each generously stocked with products from the organic Cowshed range). It's then I realise that this place is bigger than my north London apartment. As I inspect it, all I can think is: 'Why would anybody want to stay in a mere hotel when there's this?'. Especially as guests also have access to the club floor, the gym and the rooftop pool. Occupying a building once sold to the Reich Youth Leadership in 1933, Soho House Berlin is now the perfect collision of history and hipster - whether you're a member or not As it is now: Although it stood empty for ten years, the Soho House group has revitalised the double-fronted space at 1 Torstrasse, Mitte As a result, I resolve to make the next 72 hours count. This, I decide, means staying up as late as possible and waking early for maximum experience. Usually an unrealistic plan, it's made workable by the fact Soho House Berlin is a self-contained metropolis in itself. A space to work, meet, shop, socialise and relax, while rubbing shoulders with the like-minded - and, I won't lie, the occasional celebrity, it offers a cross-section of fellow left-brainers. Everyone from fashionistas to film directors. Many of whom have followed the Soho House brand across the world (they have venues in New York, Malibu, Chicago, Istanbul, Toronto and West Hollywood - not to mention the cluster in London and the surrounds). Man about town: Peter stayed in one of the venue's bigger suites and loved every second Landmark: The venue sits in the shadow of Berlin's famous Fernsehturm television tower My daily wake-up call is realised with a gym and spa session, followed by a caffeine hit in The Store - the building's very own record exchange, cafe, designer clothes boutique and book shop. By the afternoon I'm ready for lunch, which I enjoy in the club room - but don't expect to be hit by an extortionate menu. They have a lunch offer which provides two dishes for 10 (I recommend the sour cream soup). Bargain. That said, when it comes to dining there is only one real choice - be it in Soho House or Berlin itself - and that's their own branch of Mayfair eatery Cecconi's: the first-ever in Germany. First choice: When it comes to dining, there is only one choice - be it in Soho House or Berlin itself - and that's their own branch of Mayfair eatery Cecconi's: the first-ever in Germany Tasty: The Cecconi's menu is packed with fresh ingredients and gives the German capital's dining scene a welcome jolt Originating in Venice, fellow Londoners worth their salt will already know it's a classic Italian with high celebrity quota. And this incarnation is no different. But, thankfully, because of the club rules, it all unfolds with discretion and class. Sexy and stylish, its rich design - featuring an open-plan kitchen, wood oven, marble floor, red leather booths and crisp white tablecloths - effortlessly complements the clientele, whom I notice are equally sexy and stylish. Meanwhile, the menu is packed with fresh ingredients and gives the German capital's dining scene a welcome jolt. Treat yourself to the veal cannelloni and beef carpaccio. Handsome: Sexy and stylish, its rich design - featuring an open-plan kitchen, wood oven, marble floor, red leather booths and crisp white tablecloths - oozes class Guests don't need to be members of Soho House to enjoy their incredible restaurant Once you've finished eating, if you listen closely, you'll be able to hear a small buzz from beneath the floor - thanks to basement club The Red Room, which houses a private cinema and cocktail lounge. As I venture downstairs, the space is a hive of activity that's only privy to those in the know. Just like those opulent, underground parties Berlin was so famous for back in the pre-War 1930s - the city's so-called hey-day. History, it seems, has a way of repeating itself. And, thanks to Soho House Berlin, it's even better the second-time around. Those who think local councillors lack a sense of humour should look no further than traditional twinnings between British towns and exotic locations. While many villages are matched with run-of-the-mill locales, some pairings show a spark of genius, like the decision to link the towns of Dull, Boring and Bland in the UK, US and Australia. Since the 1940s, Brits have been pairing towns with fellow counterparts worldwide in order to encourage trade relations and tourism. The Scottish town of Dull and a town called Boring in Oregon forged links in 2012 in what was billed as 'a pair of the ages' They originally started as a way to build relations between France, Germany and Britain after the end of World War Two, but the links have become increasingly imaginative in the decades since. The money saving website Voucherbox.co.uk has now listed some of the best pairings between UK places and their foreign counterparts. For instance, rural Dull in Scotland is twinned with Boring in the States and Bland in Australia. Scottish Dull and a town called Boring in Oregon forged links in 2012 in what was billed as 'a pair of the ages' due to their less-than-glamorous names. In Somerset, the town of Wincanton has been twinned with the fictional city of Ankh-Morpork from Sir Terry Pratchett's famous fantasy series Discworld since 2002 Afterwards, the duo saw rise in visitor numbers, with Boring businesses cashing in on the quirky partnership with events like the Not So Boring Bar & Grill, and a Boring and Dull Day. Then in 2014, Bland Shire in Australia received confirmation that it would join Dull and Boring in their 'league of extraordinary communities'. Each town often holds annual twinned city days, celebrating each others name sake and designing souvenirs that poke fun at their mediocre names. Meanwhile, in Somerset, the town of Wincanton has been twinned with the fictional city of Ankh-Morpork from Sir Terry Pratchett's famous fantasy series Discworld since 2002. It was the first UK town to link with a fictional place and according to councillors, the association has helped to boost the local economy. While Wincanton's benefits from the twinnings are clear, it was less obvious what the reasons were behind the twinning of Swindon with Walt Disney World in Florida, which happened for a 12-month period in 2009. The twinning of Swindon (right) with Walt Disney World in Florida (left) happened for a 12-month period in 2009 Swindon is a small town in Wiltshire that boasts an average temperature of 10 degrees Celsius and 1,600 hours of annual sunshine, compared with Walt Disney World's temperatures of up to 43 degrees Celsius, with 3,200 hours of sunshine. Walt Disney World is home to the Magic Kingdom and Disneys Cinderella Castle, while Swindon boasts a health centre where in 1892 a doctor could prescribe a haircut or a bath to a patient, which interestingly went on to become a blueprint for the NHS. The Sri Lankan capital Colombo, right, with its average temperate of 28 degrees, is paired with the city of Leeds, left, whose residents experience on average a temperature of eight degrees A similarly unlikely pairing when considering the local climate was the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, with its average temperate of 28 degrees, and the city of Leeds, whose residents experience on average a temperature of eight degrees. An equally baffling pairing is the match of Bolton, a working class town in the north of England located near the M61 motorway, with Le Mans, France the home of the prestigious 24-hour car endurance race and exciting Bugatti Circuit. An edition of a Chinese airline's inflight magazine that warned passengers that 'precautions are needed' when entering ethnic minority areas of London will be withdrawn, its publisher said. The advice was included in a feature on visiting London in Wings of China, a publication distributed on board Air China flights. A statement from the in-house Wings of China Office, obtained and translated by US news channel CNBC, whose Beijing-based producer first reported the controversial excerpt, read: 'The inappropriate expressions in the article are merely the mistakes made by the editors, but in no means represent the views of the magazine. The article in the latest issue of Wings of China magazine was printed in both English and Chinese as pictured above Chinese journalist Haze Fan tweeted a picture of the advice after reading the magazine while travelling with colleagues on Tuesday 'We will immediately withdraw all the publications, carefully learn this lesson, improve our management to make sure there will be no more similar mistakes. We also would love to send sincere apologies via Air China to all the readers and passengers who felt uncomfortable because of this.' The magazine article stated: 'London is generally a safe place to travel, however precautions are needed when entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people. 'We advise tourists not to go out alone at night, and females always to be accompanied by another person when travelling.' Wings of China, the in-flight magazine for Air China, made the 'racist' comment in a travel article on the UK capital (file photo) Virendra Sharma, Labour MP for Ealing Southall, said on Wednesday that he has written to the Chinese ambassador to the UK demanding an apology for what he described as blatant racism. He said: 'I am shocked and appalled that even today some people would see it as acceptable to write such blatantly untrue and racist statements. 'I have raised this issue with the Chinese ambassador, and requested that he ensures an apology is swiftly forthcoming from Air China, and the magazine is removed from circulation immediately. 'I have invited representatives of Air China to visit my constituency of Ealing Southall to see that a very multi-cultural area is safe, and would be of great value for those visiting London to see. 'I will await their response, and if an appropriate one is not forthcoming I shall feel forced to question whether Air China is a fit company to operate in the UK.' Air China is the country's flag carrier and has two flights per day from Beijing to London Heathrow. It operates a total of 98 international routes. The late father of London Mayor Sadiq Khan was an immigrant from Pakistan. Figures from VisitBritain show the number of trips to the UK from China rose by 46% last year to 270,000. He's known for his outgoing personality. So it's no surprise that Dannii Minogue's ex Kris Smith attended the Burning Man festival in the US last week. The 38-year-old went all out for the annual event, going shirtless to show off his black panther back tattoo, while sporting just a pair of very tight gold leggings. Scroll down for video Not shy: Kris Smith revealed his back tattoo as he frolicked around the desert at Burning Man wearing just a pair of tight gold tights last week 'We danced in the dust, laughed, cried and I even wore sparkly tights,' the 38-year-old captioned a photo of himself that he posted to Instagram on Thursday. 'Burning Man You did not disappoint,' Kris added. The image saw the Myer ambassador frolicking around the desert in a pair of skin-tight metallic pants while also drawing attention to his much slimmer frame. Teaming the outlandish look with a pair of neutral-hued combat boots, tool belt and a top hat, Kris also drew attention to what looked to be either a real or temporary tattoo on his right shoulder blade. Sharp: The colourful attire is a far cry from Kris' latest media appearance, that saw him cutting a suave figure at the Myer Spring 16 Fashion Show in Sydney, last month Loved up: Accompanying him to the event was girlfriend Maddy King, who stunned in a two-toned figure-hugging frock The colourful attire is a far cry from Kris' latest media appearance that saw him cutting a suave figure at the Myer Spring 16 Fashion Show in Sydney, last month. Kris donned a tailored charcoal suit which he paired with a black tie, white shirt and suede shoes. Accompanying him to the event was girlfriend Maddy King, who stunned in a two-toned figure-hugging frock. Kris seemed relaxed and happy as he spoke to Daily Mail Australia about the couple's plans for marriage and children. Kris, a Myer brand ambassador of more than seven years, confirmed the couple discuss marriage 'now and again'. Familiar face: Kris has been a Myer brand ambassador for more than seven years 'It's not a no, it's not a yes,' he added. 'We're in no absolute rush yet. 'Maddy's still studying and we're working out what we're going to do living-wise... My son's in Melbourne and we're here (in Sydney)'. Kris shares six-year-old Ethan, born in July 2010, with his former partner Dannii Minogue. But he will not rule out having more children with Maddy - who he began dating in 2012, just months after separating from Dannii. 'That all comes in time, when everything else is settled,' he revealed. 'When the studying's finished and the careers are going in the right direction and we've got our heads screwed on in that way. 'It's not a no,' he added. 'I've got a keeper!' Future: Kris confirmed to Daily Mail Australia last month, that he and girlfriend Maddy discuss marriage 'now and again' She nabbed the highly coveted Model Of The Year gong at the GQ Awards on Tuesday night. And Bella Hadid marked the prestigious occasion by taking to Instagram to show off her sizzling magazine cover for the October issue of British GQ on Wednesday. The gorgeous model, 19, oozed seduction in a tiny figure-hugging black dress which showed off her lithe legs as she got comfortable on a sofa. Scroll down for video Gorgeous: Bella Hadid, 19, stunned in a tiny LBD on the October issue of British GQ after picking up the Model Of The Year gong at the GQ Awards on Tuesday night With her brunette locks parted down the middle and slicked in to a bun, Bella looked reminiscent of an original nineties supermodel. Her cheeks were chiselled to perfection and she sported a deep plum pout as she stared down the barrel of the lens. Clearly thrilled over the cover, she shared it on Instagram with the caption: 'British GQ October issue! By the great @kegrand @philpoynter @patmcgrathreal @sydhayeshair. THANK YOU!!'. The star-studded GQ Men Of The Year Awards also marked another special occasion for the gorgeous star as she was accompanied by her mother Yolanda Foster, who has been battling Lyme disease since 2012. Tribute: Bella was accompanied by her mother Yolanda at the GQ Men Of The Year Awards on Tuesday night at the Tate Modern 'This is the first time my mum has been out of bed in four years and got her hair and make up done and I'm so happy she's here', she told the audience about the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, after scooping the coveted award. Clearly very nervous, Bella addressed the glittering audience, who included Ellie Goulding, Daisy Lowe, Chris Pine and Ricky Gervais. 'I'm having a heart attack a little bit,' she said. 'This is crazy. I've worked really hard - it's crazy to be recognised.' Proud Yolanda, 52, looked stunning in a chic one-shouldered jumpsuit with gold zip detail, contrasting with her daughter's off-the-shoulder dusky peach gown. Close bond: Both mother and daughter shared Bella's victorious moment together Victory speech: Bella has also suffered from the disease for several years Slim and trim: Bella's dress served to highlight her incredible figure Lyme disease is an infection caused by bacteria spread by the bite of an infected deer tick. Symptoms include pain in the muscles or joints, fever, malaise, and chronic fatigue. No definitive treatment or cure for the illness has been found - and last year Yolanda revealed that Bella and her younger brother Anwar also have the condition. Bella's older sister Gigi is the only member of the family who hasn't been affected by it Smiling through it: Bella also suffers from the debilitating effects of the disease Beauty: Bella showed off her stunning figure in the floor length gown So proud: Yolanda kissed her daughter on the red carpet before the show Yolanda recently underwent surgery in a bid to finally conquer the debilitating disease, having what is known as a Transvascular Autonomic Modulation procedure. TVAM is a relatively new procedure which has been suggested as a treatment for those suffering Multiple Sclerosis and other autoimmune disorders. Yolanda recently revealed in a Bravo blog that Bella had to give up her dream of competing in the Olympics due to symptoms of the disease. 'Bella had to give up her lifelong dream of having a professional riding career and a shot at the Olympics due to her severe symptoms and inability to ride,' she wrote. Excited: Bella told the audience she felt like she was having a heart attack after accepting the award Elegant: The young model looked divine in her off the shoulder dress on Tuesday evening Meet and greet: Bella and Yolanda rubbed shoulders with Lewis Hamilton at the event Grand exit: Bella proved to an eye-catching sight as she left the GQ Men of the Year Awards The simple things: The American model accessorized tastefully, opting for a single choker necklace and a selection of rings Hard to miss: The rising catwalk queen flashed a hint of her tanned skin thanks to the wraparound number's fitted cut, while a thigh-high slash in the gown ensured that her endless legs also took a share of the limelight Finishing touches: She rounded her look off with a pair of complementary strappy heels 'This was the biggest heartbreak of her life and an extremely sensitive subject for her. She is resilient and focused on a new direction--she's made a name for herself in the modeling industry while she struggles with symptoms of chronic Lyme every day.' Bella, 19, arrived at last night's awards looking stunning in a nude gown which featured a thigh-high slit and flesh-flashing sweetheart neckline. The rising catwalk queen flashed a hint of her tanned skin thanks to the wraparound number's fitted cut, while a thigh-high slash in the gown ensured that her endless legs also took a share of the limelight. She rounded her look off with a pair of complementary strappy heels and a smattering of glittering jewellery. She has been forced to deny claims that she attacked her estranged father and his fiancee on the street in a violent dispute earlier this year. And it seems the stress of the allegations, along with her breast cancer treatment and her husband's incarceration may be taking its toll on Roxy Jacenko. The PR maven looked noticeably slimmer in an elevator selfie posted on Thursday to mark the fourth day of her radiation treatment. Scroll down for video Slender frame: Roxy Jacenko displayed her noticeably slimmer figure in an elevator selfie posted on Thursday to mark the fourth day of her radiation treatment Roxy looked slightly gaunt as she posed in a figure-hugging black sleeveless dress with a tie-belt detail. 'Day 4,' she captioned the snap. She carried her trusty Hermes Birkin bag in the snap and emphasised her full pout with pink lipstick. Hot water: Roxy has denied claims she was involved in a public dispute with her businessman father, Nick Jacenko in May Claims: Nick Jacenko and his fiancee, fashion designer Lisa Ho (both pictured), claim the PR Queen verbally and physically assaulted her father on the streets of Sydney The founder of Sweaty Betty PR refused to answer questions about the alleged dispute when she left her home in Sydney's Bondi, according to the Daily Telegraph. According to the publication, Roxy's estranged father Nick and his fashion designer fiancee Lisa Ho, claimed the PR maven started 'raining blows on them' in the street. Roxy was accused of verbally assaulted her father before hitting him around the head. Lisa Ho claimed that Roxy repeatedly screamed: 'You should be ashamed of yourself'. Roxy has firmly denied the allegations to Daily Mail Australia, after it was revealed that police are investigating the incident. 'There is no basis for these allegations. I can only attribute such comments to a sad quest for public notoriety by my father Nick Jacenko and Lisa Ho,' she told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday. Rival: According to the Daily Telegraph , the PR Queen verbally abused her estranged dad in the streets of Sydney (pictured with granddaughter Pixie) Mr Jacenko, who is engaged to Ho, said he crossed paths with his daughter while out to dinner Mr Jacenko, who is engaged to Ho, told the Telegraph he crossed paths with his daughter, her now jailed husband Oliver Curtis and his ex-wife Doreen Davis, while out to dinner in the upscale suburb of Woollahra. Curtis, who is now jailed for insider trading, reportedly told Mr Jacenko and Ms Ho to 'just keep walking' when the two parties walked passed each other on the street. The couple claim Roxy then grabbed the collar of Mr Jacenko's T-shirt and hit him around the head as she verbally abused him. 'She was screaming, 'You should be ashamed of yourself' over and over,' Mr Jacenko said, explaining he was unsure what his daughter was referring to. Ms. Ho also claims the mother-of-two repeatedly struck her in the head and neck with her fist. Mr Jacenko's ex wife Doreen Davis (pictured with Roxy in March) was also reportedly involved in incident, knocking her former husband's glasses off his face The moment: Mr Jacenko told the publication he cross paths with his daughter and her husband Oliver Curtis as he headed out to dinner at nearby Pizza Moncur 'I asked Ollie (Curtis) to tell Roxy to let go of my scarf so we could move on. I told him 'I can't move - she has a hold of my scarf',' she said. According to the Telegraph, Mr Jacenko's ex wife Ms Davis was also involved in incident, reportedly knocking her former husband's glasses off his face while striking him around his head. Ms Ho also alleges that Ms Davis physically attacked her too. Ms Davis has also denied the claims. A police spokesperson confirmed to the Daily Telegraph that an incident occurred in Woollahra and because both Mr Jacenko and Ms Ho submitted written statements, an investigation is ongoing. Shortly after the allegations emerged, Roxy shared a sweet snap with her two young children - Pixie and Hunter. 'She said she's tired. Tired? She's in for a biggggggg night,' Roxy captioned the sweet snap. Mr Jacenko was out to dinner with partner Lisa Ho (pictured) when the couple ran into Roxy and her husband Oliver Curtis in Sydney's east In December, Ms Ho was pictured with a brand new white Bentley from bespoke car dealer Trivett Bespoke in Alexandria, said to be a gift from Mr Jacenko The latest incident isn't the first family feud Roxy has faced. In 2008, police took out an Apprehended Violence Order against her then-schoolgirl sister Ruby after she allegedly slapped her in a Kings Cross nightclub. The sisters are estranged and have not been in contact since. The latest family feud is part of a series of unfortunate events that have made for a challenging year for Roxy. In June, her husband Oliver was sentenced to two-years jail in the NSW Supreme Court after he was convicted of conspiracy to commit insider trading. The following month, Roxy revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and she recently underwent surgery. Speaking out: The Sweaty Betty owner (right) said the claims against her and her mother (left) were 'inaccurate and defamatory' Ms Ho has also faced her own share of heartache after her fashion empire collapsed in 2014, reportedly leaving her $17 million in debt. But in December, the 53-year-old was pictured with a brand new white Bentley from bespoke car dealer Trivett Bespoke in Alexandria, said to be a gift from Mr Jacenko. On 18 June 2013, administrators confirmed Lisa Ho Group, including all Lisa Ho stores across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, were pulling down the shutters for the last time. Following Tuesday's Yeezy Season 4 presentation, Kanye West has revealed he'll open 200 clothing stores in the next year. 'I believe the first one will be in California, since that's where I stay now,' the 39-year-old designer/rapper told Vogue on Monday. 'I can go by there most often, check in, get the vibe. But I want to do 200 stores in the next year. That's just me saying what I want. I'm not saying what can definitely happen but you might as well just state out loud what you want.' Scroll down for video Branching out! Following Tuesday's Yeezy Season 4 presentation, Kanye West has revealed he'll open 200 clothing stores in the next year The 39-year-old designer/rapper told Vogue on Monday: 'I believe the first one will be in California, since that's where I stay now. I can go by there most often, check in, get the vibe' Temporary: Last month, the 21-time Grammy winner opened 21 pop-up shops worldwide selling merchandise associated with his The Life of Pablo album Last month, the 21-time Grammy winner opened 21 pop-up shops worldwide selling merchandise associated with his The Life of Pablo album. As for Kanye's customers of the proposed 200 boutiques, the hot-tempered hip-hop star vowed to lower his eye-popping prices. 'I'm very focused on trying to make things far more affordable, far more beautiful, and for far more people,' West noted. The Fade hitmaker defended the casting of 100 'multiracial' models for his Roosevelt Island fashion show, which was staged and choreographed by Vanessa Beecroft. 'I'm very focused on trying to make things far more affordable': As for Kanye's customers of the proposed 200 boutiques, the hot-tempered hip-hop star vowed to lower his prices Discriminatory? The Fade hitmaker defended the casting of 100 'multiracial' models for his Roosevelt Island fashion show, which was staged and choreographed by Vanessa Beecroft West snapped: 'The ten thousand people that showed up didn't have a problem with it. How do you word the idea that you want all variations of black? How do you word that exactly?' 'The ten thousand people that showed up didn't have a problem with it,' West snapped. 'How do you word the idea that you want all variations of black? How do you word that exactly?' Kanye also confirmed that a children's clothing collection is in the works with his wife of two years Kim Kardashian. Expanding their empire: Kanye also confirmed that a children's clothing collection is in the works with his wife of two years Kim Kardashian The Atlanta- born, Chicago-raised star said: 'We've had to make all these clothes from scratch for [our children North, 3, and Saint, 9 months] and in the process it was just inevitable that we make kids' clothes' The Wolves rapper continued: 'With me and my wife, we have a different perspective on the way that kids swag out. And it's all just slowly coming together' 'We've had to make all these clothes from scratch for [our children North, 3, and Saint, 9 months],' explained the Atlanta-born, Chicago-raised star. 'And in the process it was just inevitable that we make kids' clothes. With me and my wife, we have a different perspective on the way that kids swag out. And it's all just slowly coming together.' The Famous rapper also confirmed that the mysterious Los Angeles billboard featuring his and Drake's label logos is, in fact, about a collaborative album. 'Calabasas is the new Abu Dhabi': The Famous rapper also confirmed that the mysterious Los Angeles billboard featuring his and Drake's label logos is, in fact, about a collaborative album West said of the 29-year-old Canadian crooner (born Aubrey Graham): 'We're just working on music, working on a bunch of music together, just having fun going into the studio' Yeezy added: 'We're working on an album, so there's some exciting things coming up soon' 'We're just working on music, working on a bunch of music together, just having fun going into the studio,' West said of the 29-year-old Canadian crooner (born Aubrey Graham). 'We're working on an album, so there's some exciting things coming up soon.' The Chicago State University drop-out will next take his 39-date Saint Pablo Tour to the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. this Thursday. She underwent a breast enlargement surgery to triple the size of her bust in August. And now it seems Geoffrey Edelsten's former wife Gabi Grecko is ready to show off her newly amplified assets. The Maxim model put her 'new body' on display in a provocative video on Monday after waist training and a boob job which tripled the size of her chest. Top heavy: Gabi has showed off her boob job for the first time after undergoing a breast enlargement to triple her chest in size Posing provocatively in two very racy swimsuits on Thursday, the Maxim model gave her 42,000 Instagram followers a clear look at her new chest. In the first video, where she showed off her trim pins in a yellow one-piece with a very high cut leg, Gabi addressed the camera. She pulled her hair back in rollers and accessorised with pearl earrings for the video, which she called a 'public service announcement'. 'I'm telling you, to never give a s***,' she told the camera as she moved from pose to pose, accentuating her enlarged chest. Showing off her new look: Gabi danced and posed with a retro telephone as she showed off her new breasts in a plunging red swimsuit Showing off her assets: The Maxim model addressed fans in a very high-cut yellow swimsuit on Thursday - with a much bigger chest than she displayed at the Brownlow Medal awards in 2014 Post surgery: The 27-year-old had her breast enhancement surgery early last month, but has been uncharacteristically quiet on social media since Now and then: Gabi also undergone 'waist training' to transform her look 'Why? Because it's too damn hard and it's too damn stupid. That's why.' After her impassioned speech, the cover girl danced to the vintage backing track before ending the video. In a second clip, Gabi donned a bright red swimsuit with a deep plunging neckline to give viewers a clearer view of her enhanced cleavage. She matched the racy outfit with a red retro corded phone. The blonde bombshell kept the vintage jazz track running as she posed provocatively - and at one point, licked the phone. Is that edible? Gabi licked the retro telephone she was posing with during one provocative video 'I've got a new body': Gabi Grecko showed off her 'new body' in a provocative video after waist training and a boob job which tripled the size of her chest Pouting: Gabi was seen posing up a storm in the very high-cut swimsuit Cheeky: The socialite was not shy of flaunting her derriere to social media Her hair was swept back off her face, and the former prostitute finished her look off with a string of pearls around her neck. In the third video, Gabi tells her Instagram followers she has been 'waist training' and spins to show off her 'new body'. It's been a tumultuous year for the , who called it quits with her much older husband after four months of marriage in September. In June, she was outed as the high-class call girl at the centre of the NYPD in-flight orgy scandal, according to the New York Post. She's known for her outlandish statements on her radio show and social media accounts. And Sophie Monk did not disappoint on Wednesday when she joked that she changes her hair more than her underwear. The model and media personality made the hilarious claim when she debuted her new bob cut on Instagram. Scroll down for video 'I change my hair more than my underwear': Sophie wrote a comical caption on her latest Instagram post showing off her bob cut on Wednesday while on the Gold Coast 'I change my hair more than my underwear...That's not a metaphor,' the 36-year-old captioned the photo. Her hair now has been chopped to just above her shoulders. It previously fell just below her shoulders. The blonde beauty received the chop from Jo at Bird and Boulogne, located at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast. Scissor happy: Sophie always posts Instagrams of her latest haircuts Jo told Daily Mail Australia that she has been cutting Sophie's hair 'for a while now.' Sophie's hairdresser also added that on Wednesday, Sophie received a restyle, colour and cut. Last week, the presenter visited the hair salon to have extensions put in for a shoot with Gold Coast Magazine. In the Instagram picture of Sophie with her new bob, the Australian celeb is wearing a homebodii Sofia Flutter robe. The robe - a new arrival for the brand - is priced at $79.99. Rocking the length: The radio presenter regularly is seen wearing long platinum blonde extensions For the snap, she kept her make-up natural. The radio presenter has undergone a lot of hair transformations over past year. Prior to Wednesday, Sophie's most recent haircut was in May. She captioned the picture 'Back to short.' However, while her natural hair has fallen just below her shoulders, she is regularly seen wearing hair extensions. The long extensions fall way down her back and match her platinum blonde hair. Now back in the Gold Coast, the pretty Australian personality been flying between Sydney and the Sunshine State after reportedly dropping $1.1 million on a 4,000 square metre mansion back in April. Sophie is already clocking up the frequent flyer miles, having hosted a media event in Sydney last weekend with the actors of film Bridget Jones's Baby, Patrick Dempsey and Renee Zellweger. He was said to have been 'humiliated' after being dumped in the midst of their very public love affair. But now friends of Tom Hiddleston have come forward to claim it was in fact he who decided to give Taylor Swift the boot as he had grown 'tired of her.' T he 35-year-old Thor star is said to be so fickle with women that he dumps them all with monotonous regularity, a development which led his associates christening the time frame as 'the three month rule.' Scroll down for video And it's goodbye from him: Friends of Tom Hiddleston claim he was the one who bid adieu to Taylor Swift A theatre producer who worked with the wannabe James Bond on Coriolanus told Heat Street: 'The reports are wide of the mark and come as news to all Toms friends. 'He grew tired of Taylor, it wasnt the other way round.' Team Taylor had mooted the idea that she decided to get rid of Tom after he demanded she walk the Emmys red carpet with him, in what would appear to be a transparent attempt to boost his career. But the friend said: 'Tom drifted from her and it had nothing to do with her being put off by the publicity. 'Its more to do with the fact hes a commitment-phobe who gets bored very easily.' The end of his tether: Tom is said to have 'grown tired' of his younger lover As if that was not enough, the footloose and fancy free star is supposedly noted by friends for a 'three month rule' which dictates when he gets sick of his latest romantic partner. His pal said: 'Even his sisters affectionately chide him on his lack of relationship staying power.' Despite his decision, Tom was looking miserable as he went for a coffee with some friends in Australia on Wednesday. He is in the Gold Coast as he is filming Thor: Ragnarok. What have I done? Perhaps he was regretting his decision as he looked miserable in Australia on Wednesday What a contrast: Taylor meanwhile was all smiles as she left a gym in New York that same day A TIMELINE OF TAYLOR AND TOM'S WHIRLWIND ROMANCE May 2, 2016: Taylor and Tom Hiddleston are spotted dancing with each other at the 2016 Met Gala in New York, before the star's split from Calvin Harris. June 1: It emerges that Taylor and Calvin have broken up after 15 months of dating. They were last pictured together, kissing on May 20. June 14: Taylor and Tom pictured kissing on the beach in Rhode Island June 16: Tom and Taylor are pictured boarding the singer's private jet in Rhode Island. June 21: The couple are spotted dancing with each other at Selena Gomez's concert in Nashville, Tennessee. June 23: Taylor and Tom have a dinner date with the pop star's friends in Nashville. June 23: Calvin allegedly responds to fans on his Instagram account after he is asked by social media users what happened between him and Taylor. A rep for Calvin tells Entertainment Tonight that the DJ did not write the comments. June 24: People reports that Taylor has introduced Tom to her parents, Andrea and Scott Swift, in Nashville. July 4: The couple spend July 4 with a host of celebrity friends at her Rhode Island vacation home July 7: The duo touch down in Australia, where Tom was filming Thor: Ragnarok July 22: Pair return to Los Angeles together July 28: The pair look happy as they go hand-in-hand to dinner together in Santa Monica August 17: Tom jets solo to Australia to resume filming August 28: Taylor goes solo as she attends BFF Blake Lively's dual baby shower and 29th birthday party in Westchester, New York Advertisement By way of contrast, Taylor was pictured grinning and holding her head up high as she headed to the gym in New York that same day. It was previously reported she had been the one to put the brakes on the relationship after having regrets about how public the first few weeks were and getting the impression that Tom liked the limelight. A source told Us Weekly: 'Taylor knew the backlash that comes with public displays of affection but Tom didn't listen to her concerns when she brought them up. 'I think she feels a little embarrassed that the whole world saw them so serious and now it's over.' According to the publication, the pair were also struggling maintain a long-distance relationship, and met up in her Rhode Island home just last month in a bid to work through their problems. Unforgettable: Tom will never live down the moment he frolicked in the surf with Taylor while wearing a vest emblazoned with the message 'I heart TS' back in July Mr Slippery: Terrified Tom was also pictured careering down an inflatable moistened chute with Taylor and her friends during the holiday The split came after a source exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com that Taylor was unsure about whether Tom's feelings for her were genuine. The insider said that the British star had asked Taylor to the upcoming Emmy Awards, however, she began questioning whether he was with her for 'the right reasons' and ultimately decided to call off the romance. 'She tried to be OK with it in the beginning but fears he is in love with the idea of her and not falling in love with her for the right reasons.' The source added: 'Taylor is an independent young woman and doesn't feel like she needs a boyfriend to make her complete.' Single and stunning: Taylor didn't seem to have a care in the world as she stepped out for dinner on Wednesday in a thigh skimming white skirt Single lady: The starlet cut a solitary figure as she grabbed dinner but did not seem upset The couple - formerly known as Hiddleswift - became infamous due to their enthusiastic public displays of affection. They shocked fans around the world after they were spotted locking lips on a beach in June - marking the beginning of their romance. But the most infamous moment occurred during their July 4th weekend break in Rhode Island, where Tom was photographed frolicking in the surf with his lover while wearing a vest that was emblazoned with the message 'I heart TS'. Heading out: Taylor wowed in her chic and classic ensemble as she stepped out in her towering black heels with an Aspinal of London box bag in hand Blonde beauty: Newly-single Taylor looked ready to mingle as she stepped out We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together: Taylor Swift's dating history Joe Jonas (2008): Taylor 's first high-profile relationship came with the Jonas Brothers member as they were spotted together for a few months including at the MTV Video Music Awards Lucas Till (2009): She was romantically linked to her love-interest in her video for You Belong With Me as he once commented: 'We just really both liked each other' John Mayer (2009 - 2010): The blonde beauty was linked to the talented guitarist and singer and they later both reportedly wrote songs about one another Taylor Lautner (2010): The two Taylors were spotted out on a few dates together and the Twilight actor even performed in a sketch on SNL about the country singer Jake Gyllenhaal (2010 - 2011): They were spotted together on a few outings at the end of 2010 and reportedly even spent Thanksgiving weekend together Conor Kennedy (2012): Taylor may have been four years older than him but that didn't stop her from reportedly enjoying a summer fling with the son of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Harry Styles (2012 - 2013): She romanced the One Direction star for a few months and recently revealed that she had not even gone on a date for over a year after splitting with Harry Calvin Harris (2015 - 2016): It seemed this time Taylor had found the one, but after fifteen months the two shocked fans when they parted, albeit on supposedly friendly terms. But that didn't last long - with Calvin sharing his angst over social media when it emerged his ex had Swiftly moved on. Advertisement The relationship was a controversial one as Taylor had broken up with her boyfriend of 15 months, Calvin Harris, just weeks before she was seen getting cosy with Tom. Whilst some Twitter users questioned whether Taylor had cheated on her ex, others claimed her relationship with Tom must be fake. However, in July, Tom insisted that their relationship wasn't a 'showmance' when talking to The Hollywood Reporter. 'The truth is that Taylor Swift and I are together, and we're very happy,' he said. 'That's the truth. It's not a publicity stunt.' The couple even took the huge step of meeting one another's parents, with Taylor jetting to the UK to spend time with Tom's mother in Suffolk, while he went to her adopted home town of Nashville. First Kanye West stole the show to unveil his new Yeezy collection for New York Fashion Week. And now every celebrity under the sun is turning up for Tom Ford's cocktail party. The illustrious and exclusive event took place at the Four Seasons hotel in Manhattan, New York on Wednesday evening. One of the many celebrities that walked the carpet before the show was Naomi Campbell. Star studded event: Naomi Campbell attended Tom Ford's party at the Four Seasons hotel in Manhattan, New York on Wednesday The legendary model stunned in a very risque sparkly number. The floor length gown was mesh from the neck to her navel and the colours differentiated between crimson, green, charcoal and brown. She styled her long raven locks in a center part as the rest cascaded behind her shoulders. Sleek: The dress skimmed over her lithe model frame Taking the plunge: The brunette looked especially busty with the sheer fabric Simply stunning: The floor length gown was mesh from the neck to her navel and the colours differentiated between crimson, green, charcoal and brown True model: She styled her long raven locks in a center part as the rest cascaded behind her shoulders The star studded guest list also included Neil Patrick Harris, Julianne Moore, Zayn Malik, Karlie Kloss, Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson, Jon Hamm, Uma Thurman and Cindy Crawford. Zayn's girlfriend Gigi Hadid was one of the models for the evening. Ford returned with full force to the fashion game after a one season hiatus. Pose game strong: Naomi smouldered like any top model would Long hair, don't care: Naomi's tresses cascaded down her back in loose waves Do your thing honey! Naomi's dress shimmered and dazzled with every swish of her gown The designer and filmmaker really pulled out all the stops for the evening, enlisting a Golden Globes cameraman and is filming the event with 22 cameras. He spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about the show: 'I've got to create something online that's interesting.' He also said there would be a short red carpet and a ten minute arrival show prior to the runway. The famous designer is trying a new strategy for his new collection, like so many of his contemporaries, by releasing the line immediately, meaning it will be available in stores. The elaborate evening was complete with cocktails and a live performance by Leon Bridges. It may be Fashion Week but this style star skipped the catwalk - and the front row - as she took her posing to the streets. Elsa Hosk was busy at work on Wednesday, modelling some sporty style pieces in New York. The 27-year-old posed up a storm - and showed off her heavenly physique while doing so - in in Manhattan's Hudson River Park. Working it: Elsa Hosk was busy at work on Wednesday, modelling some sporty style pieces in New York The Victoria's Secret Angel gave fans of the lingerie and sporting wear label a sneak peek of the latest upcoming gym-ready range. The Swedish beauty wowed in a number of ensembles that were both perfect for a sweat session but ultra-sexy too. Leading the saucy sports bra charge was a strappy yet supportive number that had a purple underwire bra with pink straps criss-crossing over her chest. The bra was paired with long black leggings with a pink pattern down each side of her slender legs. Ready for the gym: Leading the saucy sports bra charge was a strappy yet supportive number that had a purple underwire bra with pink straps criss-crossing over her chest Elsa also wore a more traditional sports bra with a constellation-like pattern around it. Earlier in the shot, the model had worn a more covered up look which still allowed her to show off her impressive physique. The Victoria's Secret Angel modelled a simple look - which she managed to still sizzle in. Classic support: Elsa also wore a more traditional sports bra with a constellation-like pattern around it Spots style: Earlier in the shot, the model had worn a more covered up look which still allowed her to show off her impressive physique Model perfection: The 27-year-old posed up a storm - and showed off her heavenly physique while doing so - in in Manhattan's Hudson River Park For the shoot, the Swedish stunner donned a pair of three-quarter pink with black geometric pattern leggings and a loose fit black turtleneck. Manoeuvering her body in different directions to best show off the athleisure wear, the model pulled up the loose to reveal just a hint of her stomach. But just the tiny sneak peek was enough to impress, with the blonde beauty possessing an incredible flat and toned tummy. Ready to workout: For the shoot, the Swedish stunner donned a pair of three-quarter pink with black geometric pattern leggings and a loose fit black turtleneck Ab-tastic: Manoeuvering her body in different directions to best show off the athleisure wear, the model pulled up the loose to reveal just a hint of her stomach Simply slick: Keeping with the outfit's low key theme, the model's hair was worn slicked back into a bun Elsa's look was accessorized with some classic basics namely a pair of all black Nike sneakers and some black Wayfarer-style sunglasses. Keeping with the outfit's low key theme, the model's hair was worn slicked back into a bun. It is rare to see Elsa on her own these days as, when she's not working, she is joined at the hip to beau and sunglasses label owner Tom Daly. The couple just marked their anniversary last week - believed to be their one year. Play time: After the shoot, the Angel mustered some energy to head to the E! & IMG New York Fashion Week kick-off: The Shows Celebration She may not be sauntering down the catwalk at New York Fashion Week just yet. But Nicole Trunfio was still turning heads as she attended one of the many parties during the annual event on Wednesday evening, slipping into a sexy leather little black dress for the E! + ELLE + IMG bash. The soiree was held at chic eatery Santina in the Big Apple to kick off the celebrations. Scroll down for video Rocking the red carpet: Nicole Trunfio, 30, donned a racy patent leather LBD at chic eatery Santina in New York for the E! + Elle + IMG party on Wednesday night On the red carpet, Nicole showed off her ample cleavage in her shiny, patent leather LBD, designed by Bally. The racy frock had several holes cut out of it, exposing the skin on her torso and thighs. The model added a rock-chic edge to her sexy ensemble by donning a metallic leopard print handbag. Ample: Nicole showed off her ample cleavage in her shiny, patent leather Bally LBD Holy moly: The racy frock had several holes cut out of it, exposing the model's skin on her torso and thighs For footwear, she slipped on strappy black stilettos. Nicole opted for simple jewellery, including gold drop earrings, a thin necklace, a single gold bracelet, and several thin rings. The in-demand Australian model accentuated her edgy look with a slightly smokey eye, yet she left her pout lipstick-free. Bits and pieces: She added a rock-chic edge to her sexy ensemble by donning a metallic leopard print handbag Natural: The mother-of-one showed off her unique balayage as she kept her makeup natural As for Nicole's hair, the mother-of-one showed off her unique balayage. Her roots were a natural dark brown hue, while the ends were a slighter hue. The Australian beauty later left the event to attend The Shop Opening Toast in New York. Party hopping: The Australian beauty later left the event to attend The Shop Opening Toast in New York Who's that? She happily posed next to a large mural, which featured colourful skeletons depicting famous fashion icons She happily posed next to a large mural, which featured colourful skeletons depicting famous fashion icons. The skeletons appeared to be sitting in the front row of a fashion show, and included the likes of Anna Wintour and Karl Lagerfeld. The wife of musician Gary Clark Jr. has been a social butterfly ever since the start of New York Fashion Week. On Wednesday it was Tom Hanks' turn to support his second wife of 28 years, Rita Wilson, at the Manhattan premiere of her film Brother Nature. The two-time Oscar winner - who turned 60 in July - joked about what he was planning for the My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 actress, who reaches the same milestone on October 26. 'Oh, I have a magical thing that's all set. They're assembling the amusement park rides even as we speak,' the A Hologram for a King actor sarcastically quipped to ET on Tuesday. Scroll down for video Arm candy: On Wednesday it was Tom Hanks' turn to support his second wife of 28 years, Rita Wilson, at the Manhattan premiere of her film Brother Nature 'Boy, are you going to have a [great] 39th birthday, my love!' Wilson - born Margarita Ibrahimova - replied: 'I do think it's good to celebrate though. We must celebrate all these wonderful things. Celebrate being here. Celebrate each other. Why not?' The breast cancer survivor sparkled in a sequinned tank top over a black pencil skirt, matching court shoes, and leather trench coat. And on August 29, Tom gushed about Rita to Extra: 'We get along, I must say. [The secret is] picking the right person, you know? I got lucky, she could have done better.' Her turn: The two-time Oscar winner - who turned 60 in July - joked about what he was planning for the My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 actress, who reaches the same milestone on October 26 The A Hologram for a King actor sarcastically quipped to ET on Tuesday: 'Oh, I have a magical thing that's all set. They're assembling the amusement park rides even as we speak. Boy, are you going to have a [great] 39th birthday, my love!' Wilson - born Margarita Ibrahimova - replied: 'I do think it's good to celebrate though. We must celebrate all these wonderful things. Celebrate being here. Celebrate each other. Why not?' Fierce after 50! The breast cancer survivor sparkled in a sequinned tank top over a black pencil skirt, matching court shoes, and leather trench coat Together, the California-born showbiz couple have two sons Chester, 26, and Truman, 20. The four-time Golden Globe winner is also father to son Colin, 38, and daughter Elizabeth, 34, with ex-wife Samantha Lewes. While at Regal E-Walk Stadium 13 & RPX, the Girls funnywoman posed in front of the poster for Brother Nature, which hits US theaters on Friday. And on August 29, Tom gushed about Rita to Extra: 'We get along, I must say. [The secret is] picking the right person, you know? I got lucky, she could have done better' Chet Haze in the house! Together, the California-born showbiz couple have two sons Chester (L), 26, and Truman, 20 Blended brood! The four-time Golden Globe winner is also father to son Colin, 38, (L sitting beside Truman) and daughter Elizabeth (3-R), 34, with ex-wife Samantha Lewes (2-R) 'We had such a blast making #BrotherNature!' Wilson captioned the silly snap to her 529K social media followers. In the lake house comedy, the Full Circle star plays Cathy Turley, the mother of Gwen (Gillian Jacobs) and the wife of Jerry (Bill Pullman). SNL creator Lorne Michaels produced the outdoorsy flick, which also features Taran Killam, Bobby Moynihan, Giancarlo Esposito, Kenan Thompson, and Aidy Bryant. 'We had such a blast making #BrotherNature!' While at Regal E-Walk Stadium 13 & RPX, the Girls funnywoman posed in front of the poster for Brother Nature Hitting US theaters on Friday! In the lake house comedy, the Full Circle star plays Cathy Turley, the mother of Gwen (Gillian Jacobs, R) and the wife of Jerry (Bill Pullman) Meet the parents: SNL creator Lorne Michaels produced the flick, which also features Taran Killam (L), Bobby Moynihan, Giancarlo Esposito, Kenan Thompson, and Aidy Bryant Glammed up! Brother Nature's Rachael Harris - who plays Aunt Pam - looked chic in a black striped pencil dress, matching spectacles, and court shoes The 48-year-old comedian captioned a car selfie: 'On my way to #BrotherNature premiere with these nerds. @tarzannoz @bibbymoynihan @sarahburnsme @ritawilson @davidwain @gillianjacobs #brothernaturemovie opens this FRIDAY!' Brother Nature's Rachael Harris - who plays Aunt Pam - looked chic in a black striped pencil dress, matching spectacles, and court shoes. The 48-year-old comedian captioned a car selfie: 'On my way to #BrotherNature premiere with these nerds. @tarzannoz @bibbymoynihan @sarahburnsme @ritawilson @davidwain @gillianjacobs #brothernaturemovie opens this FRIDAY!' Meanwhile, Hanks has received rave reviews as real-life hero Chesley Sullenberger, who safely landed US Airways flight 1549 on the Hudson River back in 2009. Clint Eastwood's miraculous drama Sully - also starring Aaron Eckhart, Laura Linney, and Anna Gunn - hits US theaters on Friday and UK theaters on December 2. Miraculous: Meanwhile, Hanks has received rave reviews as real-life hero Chesley Sullenberger, who safely landed US Airways flight 1549 on the Hudson River back in 2009 'The untold story': Clint Eastwood's miraculous drama Sully - also starring Aaron Eckhart, Laura Linney, and Anna Gunn - hits US theaters on Friday and UK theaters on December 2 The man behind the controls: On Thursday, the real Chesley Sullenberger attended the LA screening of his biopic at the DGA Theater They are two of the most in demand models in the industry. And Doutzen Kroes and Joan Smalls proved exactly why that is when they arrived at the Samsung Store in New York on Wednesday. The models turned up in very similar ensembles as they posed alongside one another. Matching! Doutzen Kroes and Joan Smalls stunned at the Samsung Store in New York on Wednesday Doutzen wore a pair of low rise skinny black jeans, an off the shoulder frilly crop top along with a pair of strapped, pointed sandals. The Dutch beauty kept her simple but stylish as she went for a messy center part and opted for natural looking make-up. She added a dash of highlighter, some bronzer and a slick of lip gloss. Lookalikes: The models turned up in very similar ensembles as they posed alongside one another Smokin': The raven haired beauty went for a more smouldering look as she wore a dark smokey eye and nude lipstick Joan looked equally stylish in a pair of low rise navy blue flared trousers and a long sleeve maroon cutout crop top. The raven haired beauty went for a more smouldering look as she wore a dark smokey eye and nude lipstick. Both of them gave their fiercest pout as they posed for the cameras outside the venue. The models were also joined by the Kardashian family. Model pose: Both of them gave their fiercest pout as they posed for the cameras outside the venue Kylie Jenner showed up wearing a new outfit. It was a monochrome striped pajama style two piece. Her boyfriend Tyga followed closely behind. Fellow model Kendall Jenner was also there wearing an all black outfit and a bold red lip. Kendall Jenner's modelling career may be rising into the stratosphere but she had to be content to take a back seat to her little sister on Wednesday night. Kylie was far the more striking of the pair at the sisters' pop up launch at New York Fashion Week as she arrived sporting a white bralet and a matching shirt and trousers ensemble. Her platinum blonde hair was worn in loose waves around her shoulders, while dark brown eye make-up and pale pink lipstick added to the look. Scroll down for video Sister act: Kylie and Kendall Jenner arrived at the launch of their pop up shop in New York on Wednesday night sporting two very different ensembles The tiny crop top showed off the 19-year-old's toned tummy, while perspex heels completed the unusual look. Kendall, 20, looked chic in a matching zip up top and trousers teamed with pointed suede boots. Her raven-coloured locks were tucked behind her ear as she had natural make-up on her face topped off with a swipe of bright red lip. Star in stripes: Kylie was clearly excited about Fashion Week's forthcoming events Chic out: Kendall looked striking in her all-black ensemble and bright red lipstick Top of the crops: Kylie sported a bralet which showed off her toned tummy Phoning it in: Kendall chatted on her mobile while fans took snaps Baggy trousers: Kylie was sporting a loose fitting ensemble and perspex heels The sisters were clearly in professional mode at the Kendall + Kylie Samsung event, conducting interviews and posing for pictures together. As if that wasn't enough star power, the pair were also joined by big sister Kim Kardashian at the gathering celebrating the launch of their collection. Kim was dressed comfortably in a sheer top, slouchy trousers, and leather boots. Opposites attract: Kendall and Kylie wore opposite colour schemes at the Kendall + Kylie Samsung event event Three's a crowd: The two starlets were also joined by big sister Kim Kardashian Tired out? After the two events Kylie was seen heading to her hotel Just us: The two hit the party for their Kendall + Kylie collection On-the-go: Kendall wore all black including blouse and trousers During the Kendall + Kylie collection party they each took to Snapchat to share video from inside of an installation which featured pictures from the Instagram accounts of the sisters. After the two events, Kylie was spotted heading to her hotel with boyfriend Tyga. The 26-year-old rapper was dressed casually in a denim button-down, plain white shirt, brown trousers and beige high-top trainers. Showing off: Kylie sported a white crop top with a baggy grey and white striped shirt and trousers combination Tripod: Their older sister Kim met them up at the Samsung event Pals: Her BFF Jonathan Cheban was also at the event Three of a kind: Kendall and Kylie seemed in great spirits as they cosied up to Kim who wowed in a sheer mesh turtle neck layered over a white crop top similar to Kylie's Sisterly support: The stars seemed delighted that Kim had turned out to join them No rest for the wicked: The sisters were pouring over the exhibit Two of a kind: Kendall and Kylie's outfits popped against the white floral backdrop Beautiful in black: Kendall proved that less is more in her blouse and trousers combination Taking it all in: Kendall seemed overwhelmed by the display at the pop up Exclusive: Outside of the event featured a Samsung phone with Kendall + Kylie on the screen= In demand: Kylie, 19, took to social media to share videos of them posing on the red carpet The sisters also chatted with Vogue Runway about their new collection and their style inspiration, as well as Kylie's blonde new look. 'I didn't even plan on going platinum,' she told the website. 'I just wanted a nice honey blonde and then when we started bleaching, it just started getting lighter and lighter so fast. 'I haven't dyed my hair in a year, I've been saving it for this moment and it got really lights - I was like - I'm going to go with it - it's Fashion Week.' All about them: There was an installation at the event with their Instagram posts Feeling herself: Kendall, 20, couldn't help but snap a selfie from the inside of it Runway ready: Kylie seemed to enjoy being inside the installation Busy day: Kylie shared a video of them getting interviewed at the gala No sibling rivalry here: The two starlets seemed to have a good time with one another Keeping it comfortable: Kylie also shared this snap of Kim at the event Colourful: Kendall also shared this art at the event And as for their style inspiration - the sisters don't usually look further than their own famous family when it comes to designing their own line. 'My family has always been a big inspiration to me back to my grandmother who has amazing style,' said Kylie. 'My mom has the coolest style. Kim and Kanye are always so inspirational. I was just at a fitting with them last night and it got me so inspired.' On-the-move: Her striped look made for a dizzying display Loved up: She was followed to the place of lodging by boyfriend Tyga Comfortable customer: The 26-year-old rapper rocked a denim button-down over a plain white shirt, brown pants and beige high-tops Wait for me: She was accompanied by gal pal Hailey Baldwin Showing her style: The 19-year-old model sported a black top and tiny shorts combination with matching suede booties along with a long teal and brown coat Heading home: The two models arrived back at Kendall's apartment It was quite an eventful day for the Kim, Kendall and Kylie as earlier in the day they attended Kanye West's Yeezy Season 4 presentation. The show certainly did not go as well as the rapper had hoped, with models fainting after standing in the 83 F heat for several hours. Kim modelled some pieces from the new collection as she was spotted leaving her New York City apartment and making her way to the show in a long-sleeved knitted white turtleneck dress. Lots to do: Earlier in the day Kylie, Kim and Kendall were seen at Kanye West's Yeezy Season 4 fashion show Fantastic four: The sisters were joined by Tyga in the front row of the event She would certainly be justified in feeling blue after her split from Brooklyn Beckham. But on Wednesday Chloe Moretz wore a bright shade of blue eye makeup as she turned up at the Cartier Cocktail Party to kick off New York Fashion Week. The 19-year-old took the plunge at the event in a collared dress and classy heels. The eyes betray you! Chloe Moretz wore a bright shade of blue eye makeup as she turned up at the Cartier Cocktail Party to kick off New York Fashion Week on Wednesday The outing comes after she reignited her feud with reality television personality Kim Kardashian. Speaking about their infamous social media conflict, she told the Hollywood Reporter: 'I think I gave my attention to people who dont deserve my attention. 'In some ways I think I regret giving them the attention, (though) I dont regret what I said.' Dress for success: The 19-year-old took the plunge at the event in a collared dress and classy heels Later that night: The star was seen headed to dinner Oh brother: The star's sibling led her by the hand A grey day: On Thursday, Chloe was pictured heading out in New York wearing casual attire The pair got into a bitter spat in social media after Chloe poured scorn Kanye West's 35-year-old wife after she posted a racy naked snap on Instagram, piling on from a much more amusing earlier verbal assault from noted wit Bette Midler. She tweeted: ''@KimKardashian I truly hope you realize how important setting goals are for young women, teaching them we have so much more to offer than... our bodies.' The shameless name-dropper then boasted about her friendship with Hillary Clinton as she reflected on the incident, saying: 'I realised that being the most opinionated and loud person in the room is not always the most impactful. I learned that from Hillary. "Its great to be feisty," those were her exact words. But sometimes the smartest way to get into the psyche of people is to be the quietest person in the room. Bare faced cheek: Chloe fumed after classy Kim Kardashian posted a nude photo on Instagram She's been living it up in Mexico for the last few days. And it seems Sam Armytage's extended birthday celebrations are continuing, with the news presenter now posting pictures from Mykonos. Looking glamorous alongside two well-dressed friends, Sam shared a picture from the Greek Island with her 149,000 Instagram followers. Scroll down for video Birthday bonanza: Sam Armytage has been travelling to tropical locations to celebrate her 40th birthday and recently posted a glamorous photo from Mykonos The Sunrise host had pulled her hair back off her face, but gave the plain hairstyle a fashionable twist by coiffing her bangs. She wore delicate gold hoop earrings with a pearl detail and oversized leopard-print earrings. A simple black singlet sat over her sun-kissed skin, and she wore bright red nail polish. More cake! Sam has been spoilt by friends as she travels to picturesque locations to celebrate 'That's what friends are for,' Sam captioned the picture. 'Helping you turn 40. Love you two to the other side of the world... and back!' The Sunrise presenter has been celebrating her 40th birthday - which was on September 4 - for more than a week, starting with cake at the office. Birthday beginnings: Sam began to celebrate her birthday a few days before the actual date with a giant cake brought in by her colleagues on Sunrise (pictured) She then headed out to lunch in Rose Bay with her colleagues, before taking a few weeks off on holiday. Her Instagram account has been filling up with pictures of pools, hanging baskets, mojitos and fresh fish. So far, the journalist has spent time with friends in Mexico, and is expected to continue travelling for a few more weeks. She's the artist formerly known as Scary Spice. But Spice Girl Mel B, 41, proved that not much scares her, this week, after she was filmed urinating on British adventurer Bear Grylls, 42, when he sustained a jellyfish sting on his hand during their Welsh adventure. The tables turned for Bear on Wednesday's episode of his NBC show Running Wild With Bear Grylls, when Mel's survival instincts had to be called into action. In the wild: Mel B had quite the adventure on Wednesday's episode of Running Wild With Bear Grylls when she was forced to urinate on the survival expert following his jellyfish injury Bear sustained the injury when he dropped the jellyfish as he tried to show the Spice Girl how it can be boiled up for a protein-rich meal. Mel immediately recalled what she'd so-far only seen in movies and asked the injured adventurer: 'Do you need me to pee on you?' The musician refused to let Bear pee in front of her and instead offered 'two or three times' to provide some urine. A reluctant Bear was forced to take Mel up on the offer since he had relieved himself on the rocks, just 10 minutes before. Jellyfish sting: Bear was stung by a jellyfish and accepted Mel's offer to pee on his finger Medical aid: Mel guided Bear's hand as she helped him with his sting Joking that it was 'so inappropriate,' Mel's modesty was blurred out as she pulled down her trousers with Bear looking away and advising her: 'Take my hand and guide it.' She was shown smiling awkwardly as she struggled with her task, saying she had 'stage fright' and crying at first: 'I can't do it - it's not coming!' Later, she told the camera: 'To pee on demand, when someone's in pain, is very difficult.' Their faces finally showed that she managed, with Mel smiling at Bear: 'There you go. Don't say I don't do anything for you.' Then the fun-loving popstar added: 'Don't tell your wife' before agreeing to 'keep that one between the two of us' - despite the irony of the public broadcast. That's gross: The former Spice Girls star said the jellyfish tasted like 'biting into skin' That was weird: The British adventurer took Mel up on the offer as his hand started to swell 'Mel B, she saved my life,' Bear smiled, insisting: 'It still stings, but it's better'. He then admitted: 'I must say, that is a first. All in the name of survival.' 'I have no words for it, I have no words for the day,' Mel said later, finally pulling her face in disgust when she had to eat the offending jellyfish, saying it tasted like 'biting into skin.' Mel's part in the celebrity-based reality show was revealed at the end of August and she confessed that it was not all her idea. Big ring: Bear was also worried about Mel's huge diamond wedding ring She's game: Mel was put through several tough challenges 'It was all my daughter Phoenix's idea that I do the show,' she told E! news. 'She convinced me it would be good for me to challenge myself inside and out. 'Phoenix knows I don't even like going on roller coasters, I'm not an adrenaline rush kind of girl and most things I do I'm totally in control So to do this show was a big leap of faith in my daughter, and of course in Bear! 'Giving your trust, control and life to someone else is daunting but it was truly a life changing experience. I did things I never thought were possible.' Others stars who have their own, dedicated episode of the show include Zac Efron, Ben Stiller, Channing Tatum and Today anchor Tamron Hall. Sheer wall: The singer climbed up a sheer rock face with Bear's help Predictably, Mel screamed throughout much of the show as she was put through terrifying survival skills, including twice repelling down sheer rock faces that left her repeatedly crying 'Oh my God!' and swimming in the Irish sea after Bear admitted there might be sharks. 'I haven't been abused verbally for a long time,' Bear teased her, before they finished their adventure by swimming out to a jetski that was carried in under a helicopter. Bear, however, insisted his biggest fear was her destroying her huge diamond wedding ring, saying: 'I just see disaster written all over it, and if she loses that I think the bill's going to get sent to me.' When she failed to get the ring off, Bear told her: 'Normally the mission is to keep the guest safe. With this one, it's keep the guest safe and also with the million dollar diamond ring still intact.' Opening up: The singer talked about seeing her mother for the first time in years Despite her screams, Mel called it an 'exhilarating' experience, adding: 'Words can't even really describe. The best part of this experience is it's real.' As well as wild adventures, Bear once again managed to get his celebrity guest to really open up to him, with Mel revealing that the previous day she saw her mother for the first time in years while back home in the UK for the show. 'Me and my mom have a difficult relationship,' she told him. 'Moms know how to pinpoint those buttons in their daughters and I just, I'm the kind of girl that's a bit of a fighter. And it was just that one argument that went a little bit too far over the edge. Nice fire: Bear and Mel talked around a roaring fire She cheated: Mel was tasked with starting the fire but she brought a torch to help That was easy: Bear didn't think Mel could start the fire but she certainly did 'It's a shame really, because if my kids didn't speak to me for years I would be devastated.' Saying she 'just thought it was the right time' to finally reconnect, she said: 'It was weird seeing her because I haven't seen her for so long. And I used to have a very close relationship with my mom, talked to her every single day 'So it's been a strange one, but it was nice to say hi. I didn't really have very much else to say apart from hi. I just gave her a big hug and we had about three or four hours together, which was lovely.' She told him that she 'came from nothing,' explaining: 'My mom worked three jobs, my dad worked 12-hour shifts. I'm from a regular, normal, working class background.' Dinner time: Mel and Bear settled down to eat their jellyfish As for finding fame, she said: 'I think for my parents it was probably a bit of a relief, ''Oh she's finally off our hands! Go off and do something, do your thing.'' She described the Spice Girls as 'four girls who we all had the same drive, the same passion, the same ambition.' 'We were all kind of rejects. We didn't really get much work individually but together we were so powerful,' she said proudly, adding: 'We had no idea what we would become - we kind of hoped.' Looking back: Mel reflected on her early days with the Spice Girls while out with Bear At one point, Bear tried to get her to recall her nerves getting onstage the first time with her band to help her cope with his adventures with her, but she insisted: 'I had four people beside me and I knew what I was getting into and it was exciting. This was not exciting.' She recalled their early days begging record companies to sign them - including a run-in with Simon Cowell, now her fellow judge on America's Got Talent. 'We ended up in a carpark with Simon Cowell auditioning for him,' she smiled. Good times: Bear and Mel joked as they settled down to sleep 'He said, ''You girls are great but not for right now.'' 'We used to wait outside record companies' front doors and just sing. And then finally Simon Fuller said, ''You know what, you're that persistent I guess I'll give it a go with you, I'll manage you.'' As for judging on America's Got Talent, she admitted it was hard at first 'because I've always been on the other side of it' as the act looking for help. Hit show: Mel talked about judging entertainers on America's Got Talent 'I learned to like being in that position,' she said. 'It took me a minute to kind of get used to it.' She also talked about the biggest challenge in raising three daughters being 'balancing being a mom and working and making sure they get enough of your individual time.' When Bear brought up that all three had different dads, she joked about how proud she was that her first husband was a dancer for the Spice Girls, saying she started the trend. Family life: Bear asked Mel about raising three daughters 'J-Lo then did it, Britney did it - but I was first,' she laughed. She also said her time with Eddie Murphy - father to her middle daughter Angel - was an 'interesting relationship to say the least.' 'He's a comedian, a very interesting guy,' she said, adding he was older, too. Fan favourite: Mel showed her outgoing personality throughout the show 'I didn't really know him as The Eddie Murphy that everyone knows - he was just a nice, interesting guy.' Bear ended the day clearly impressed with his guest, saying: 'She's had to fight for everything in her life. Really that's where her punchiness comes from.' Saying she also had 'a big heart and persistence to never to give up,' he added: 'And those are two of the best weapons a girl can have.' The new series of Our Girl opened with the character played by Michelle Keegan being stood up at the altar. Not very likely admittedly - but still arguably more realistic that most of what followed. After this, things became really implausible, albeit irresistibly enjoyable. The lustrous former Corrie belle was making her debut as Lacey Turners replacement and the Our Girl poster girl, starring as Lance Corporal Georgie Lane, a British military medic leaving her life (and love) in Manchester for a six-week humanitarian tour on the border between Kenya and Somalia. Powerful: Actress Michelle Keegan made her debut in Our Girl on Wednesday night I thought after Sierra Leone you were going to be based in the UK, sighed her fiance Jamie (Royce Pierreson). You wont even know that Ive gone ! Georgie claimed, suggesting she hadnt looked in the mirror lately or had Issues with self-esteem. He definitely would. It cant be as bad as Afghanistan can it? he maintained after shed arrived (via Skype). Its... different, she summarised. Jilted: The former Coronation Street actress was jilted at the altar, sexually harassed by squaddies and abducted by Jihadist terrorists This was at this point we knew that it would be probably worse. Mind you it was some time before the first explosion hit as the beatific Georgie mingled among the refugees she had gone to help at least twenty seconds. An extra ran around carefully on fire and she instantly tended to several mangled bodies. Then she was shot at and told off by Kicki, the aid worker running the camp. When sympathisers with the terrorist group Al-Shabaab later stormed the makeshift hospital and kidnapped Kicki, it capped off a difficult day - for poor Georgie rather than Kicki judging by the sweeping, sad, violins that accompanied Michelle Keegans tearful doe-eyed expression. Unfortunate turn of events: The brunette didn't manage to make it down the aisle Beautiful: She made a gorgeous bride, outside of her camouflage Throw in some token examples of squaddie sexism (give us a shout if you get lonely Sugar T*ts) and it was all going swimmingly. Of course, it went without saying that Georgie could Look After Herself. One more comment from you and Ill inject you with a serum to make your c*ck the size of your brain ! she promised one Neanderthal soldier, Monk. This was Michelle Keegan in her element the sort of gobby, foxy, Northern tyro that she had made her name as in Coronation Street, Tina McIntyre. Keegan did a pretty good job in what Georgies posh Captain would have called tricky circs. Stripped back: Michelle was less orange than usual but still wore more make-up than most army personnel Dressing Michelle Keegan in army uniform was definitely a case of hiding her light(s) not so much in camouflage as under a bushel but she still didnt strike you as a gal you would be likely to find in the military. She was less orange than usual but still wore more make-up than most army personnel (particularly the women). Apart from the unwanted attentions of Monk and his mate Fingers though she barely turned any heads. She had already endured the unlikely humiliation of Georgie being stood up at her wedding by Elvis Harte, a fellow soldier and supposedly the love of her life a charmer who was so popular with her family her parents sat in bed happily listening to them have sex (or bonk as the writer Tony Grounds put it). He said that he cant go through with it, his mate Captain James (Ben Aldridge) told her in the church. Emotional: To the roles of tragic beauty and devoted medic, Georgie quickly added that of intrepid detective And thats it? she stuttered over the cascading violins. Why has he done this to me? It was a good question given how gorgeous she looked one so hard to fathom Grounds didnt bother to try and answer. We cut to two years later and the Kenyan-Somali border where Keegan, Aldridge and their co-stars had to overcome not just the Al-Shabaab insurgents and a heartbreaking lack of medical supplies but some appalling dialogue spelling out the plot. This is effectively a war zone, the local captain informed Lane and the new arrivals. Their men with guns hate our men with guns, confirmed Captain James, who knew Captain Osman from Sandhurst. Medic: This was Michelle Keegan in her element the sort of gobby, foxy, Northern tyro that she had made her name as in Coronation Street, Tina McIntyre Inevitably, it was left to Georgie to be The Compassionate One and act as the shows conscience. Kicki would be looking at you to carry on, she urged her devoted, distraught, colleague Nafula. Every minute of every day she was saving lives. Were not just going to let her lifes work go to waste. Strictly speaking it was only ten years work but still... Weve got to get this facility up and running today boss, she stressed to Captain James. People will die. Pretty soon with Nafulas help Georgie was handing out Tic Tacs to the refugees (they seem to keep them quiet and make them feel better) and saving a boy with an infected tooth rather worse than you or I have probably had. Ill try and get as many of the maggots out as I can OK? she reassured him. In character: She was a bona fide angel Certainly a start... If you had to have a mouthful of maggots and a tooth that needed yanking out, it would be worth it if it meant you were looked after by Michelle Keegan. She was a bona fide angel. Thank you ! Georgie said to Nafula. No, thank you ! Nafula corrected her. True, Our Girl wasnt The Hurt Locker but it was less earnest and more engaging than Silent Witness episodes in war zones. To the roles of tragic beauty and devoted medic, Georgie quickly added that of intrepid detective when she worked out the identity of the man behind Kickis abduction, despite the obstacles put in front of her by The Powers That Be. As Ive already said Lane were here to do a job, Captain James barked. As opposed to solving kidnaps of their fellow aid workers... The captain soon changed his tune though after an exciting shoot-out, bizarrely telling the troop he was naming her his Man Of The Match because Lanes intervention led to the arrest of several Al-Shabaab figures. But not Kickis rescue though... Georgies valiant insistence on travelling to the hospital with Kickis kidnapper to keep him alive and glean information on her whereabouts duly proved her downfall when the ambulance was ambushed and Georgie herself was abducted by a shady individual who appeared to be British dressed in black to show what a truly evil villain he was. A glimpse of the next instalment showed our heroine being held hostage and forced to make a video by the terrorists demanding release our fighters or we cut off her head and placing Georgie firmly into Carrie Mathison territory. It was entirely thanks to Keegans appeal and her endeavours that the concept of Our Girl as Coronation Street meets Homeland was an appealing equation, ensuring Episode Two was something you wanted to see. Fans were quick to praise Michelle Keegan on Wednesday evening following a triumphant return to terrestrial television in Our Girl. But while the opening episode of her gritty new drama attracted considerable attention from viewers keen to see the actress take another step away from her Coronation Street roots, sister-in-law Jessica Wright had other things on her mind. With Michelle making her debut in the BBC show, Jessica Wright was making her own special appearance at an awards ceremony in central London. Scroll down for video Our girls: While Michelle Keegan was making her debut in her gritty new army drama, sister in law Jessica Wrigtht and mother in law Carol were making a guest appearance at the St. John's Ambulance Everyday Heroes Awards The TOWIE star, 30, caught the eye in a sweeping halterneck dress as she made a glamorous entrance at the citys Grange St. Paul Hotel ahead of the St. John's Ambulance Everyday Heroes Awards. A cinched waistline drew attention to Jessicas curvy physique and ensured she stood out as she took to the stage to present an award at the event, which celebrates the efforts of life savers and fundraisers across the United Kingdom. Smoky contoured make-up accentuated her features, while her brunette locks were teased into a stylish side braid. A vision in black: Jessica, 30, caught the eye in a sweeping halterneck dress as she made a glamorous entrance at London's Grange St. Paul Hotel Hard to miss: A cinched waistline drew attention to Jessicas curvy physique and ensured she stood out on Wednesday evening Keeping it in the family: Wright matriarch Carol opted for an off-the-shoulder monochrome dress The TV personality was joined by her mother Carol, who opted for an off-the-shoulder monochrome dress. Other guests on the night included Myleene Klass, who was chosen to host the event after using her own lifesaving skills to save her daughter from choking. Despite enjoying an eventful night, Jessica revealed she still found time to watch Michelle in her new show. 'Sooooo excited to finally watch #OurGirl tonight @michkeegan is going to be amazing in it I'm sure!' she tweeted. In good company: Bubbly presenter Myleene Klass joined Jessica at the central London event Finishing touches: Smoky contoured make-up accentuated Jessica's features, while her brunette locks were teased into a stylish side braid Say cheese: The reality TV star posed for a snap with Kevin Lamb, winner of the Fundraiser of the Year Award Michelle blew everyone away with her acting skills and powerful performance in Wednesday night's debut episode of the war drama, which has been branded 'gripping' by hundreds of enthusiastic fans on Twitter. Viewers praised both her talent and her beauty, with one enthusing, '#OurGirl loved loved loved it! And @michkeegan proved she isn't just a pretty face... Amazing!!'. Another enthused, '#OurGirl was sooooo much better than I thought it would be is there ever gonna be a time @michkeegan doesn't look beaut?!' Twitter went wild for the programme as #OurGirl began trending on the social media site, with TV fans expressing how amazed they were by the opening episode. '#OurGirl loved it... Well done @michkeegan superb performance... Can't wait till next week xxxx', one fan enthused. Special appearance: Jessica later took to the stage for an awards presentation alongside host Myleene Hugs all round: Myleene warmly embraced Jessica during an awards presentation at the event And the award goes to... The TV personality commanded attention after taking to the podium on Wednesday evening Eye-catching: Jessica showed off her curvy figure as she posed for photos One cheeky social media user was mostly interested in the steamy sex scene that kicked off the episode. 'Face it folks . You are watching #OurGirl purely to see Michelle Keegan in a shagging scene :)', they posted. 'I can't wait a WHOLE week for the next episode of @OurGirlWatch , couldn't of picked a better actress! @michkeegan #ourgirl #hooked', another posted. Winning over the nation: Michelle Keegan's latest role in BBC drama Our Girl has scored rave reviews from viewers following Wednesday night's debut episode Social media sensation: Twitter went wild for the programme as #OurGirl began trending Positive reaction: Viewers branded Michelle's powerful performance 'superb' Captivating: Viewers praised both her talent and her beauty, with one enthusing, '#OurGirl loved loved loved it! And @michkeegan proved she isn't just a pretty face... Amazing!!' Leading lady: Michelle's role as Corporal Georgie Lane in the new series takes over the lead role from Lacey Turner, who will reprise her character of Molly Dawes but in a minor capacity Exceeding expectations: Many fans were impressed by the quality of the drama Hooked: Numerous viewers joined in the online conversation by using the hashtag 'hooked' Ooer: There was also some romantic action to kick off the episode Subtitles needed: There was very little negative reaction on social media, but one disgruntled viewer did however complain there was 'too much mumbling' Michelle's role as Corporal Georgie Lane in the new series takes over the lead role from Lacey Turner, who will reprise her character of Molly Dawes but in a minor capacity due to her hectic filming schedule with EastEnders. Several viewers admitted that while they had been nervous to see Michelle take over the role from talented Lacey, their fears had been unfounded. One fan wrote,'Why compare @michkeegan & lacey. Different character therefore different actresses..be boring if both the same. #OurGirl'. Another shared, 'Loved Lacey Turner in Our Girl was a little apprehensive to watch tonight but @michkeegan did a great job, gripping ending #hooked #OurGirl'. Impressed: Several viewers admitted that while they had been nervous to see Michelle take over the role from talented Lacey, their fears had been unfounded Still in the show: Lacey reprises her character of Molly Dawes but in a minor capacity due to her hectic filming schedule with EastEnders Setting pulses racing: One cheeky social media user was mostly interested in the steamy sex scene with Luke Pasqualino that kicked off the episode Overwhelmingly positive: There was very little negative reaction on social media, but one disgruntled viewer did however complain there was 'too much mumbling' There was very little negative reaction on social media, but one disgruntled viewer did however complain there was 'too much mumbling'. Michelle plays an Army medic caught in a love triangle with Luke Pasqualino's character Elvis, while being engaged to Royce Pierreson's character Doctor Jamie Cole. Speaking about the second season of Our Girl, a BBC spokesperson announced: 'It won't be an easy posting as [Georgie] has to earn the love and trust of her fellow soldiers, and the greater respect of her commanding officer, while working alongside aid workers in the world's biggest refugee camp. 'Kenya will be full of surprises that will challenge Georgie professionally and personally.' She is known for her larger-than-life personality and wacky fashion sense. And My Kitchen Rules' Ash Pollard remained true to form as she attended the annual Myer Spring Fashion Lunch in Melbourne dressed in an ensemble that channelled Little Bow Peep on Thursday. Clad in a white lace frock with flared sleeves and an oversized gold hair bow, the sassy blonde perched on a wooden swing that had been festooned with spring blooms on the red carpet. Scroll down for video Nursery rhyme-inspired ensemble: Ash Pollard remained true to form as she attended the annual Myer Spring Fashion Lunch in Melbourne dressed in an ensemble that channelled Little Bow Peep on Thursday Also attending the festive do was Myer ambassador Jennifer Hawkins, who was also seen posing on the wooden swing in a white frock with long sleeves and choker detailing. The lofty 32-year-old showed off a glimpse of her cleavage as she slipped into a plunging neckline gown. The floor length ensemble hugged tightly around the model's slender frame and featured long sleeves and cut-outs down the front of the garment. Trendy: Also attending the festive do was Myer ambassador Jennifer Hawkins, who was also seen posing on the wooden swing in a daringly-plunging white frock with long sleeves and choker detailing Wearing her golden locks out with a curl, Jennifer accessorised with a red and white floral headpiece. Later in the proceedings, the blonde beauty took to the catwalk to model the latest spring trends, including a canary-yellow gown with one shoulder. Presenter Edwina Bartholomew also made an appearance on the catwalk as she hosted the proceedings in a black midi-dress with unusual flare detailing at the bottom. Fresh as a daisy! Later in the proceedings, the blonde beauty took to the catwalk to model the latest spring trends, including a canary-yellow gown with one shoulder Black on black: Presenter Edwina Bartholomew also made an appearance on the catwalk as she hosted the proceedings in a black midi-dress with unusual flare detailing at the bottom The stylish glamazon completed her ensemble with a purple fascinator with leaf-detailing and a pair of black open-toe heels. Meanwhile, Myer ambassador Stephanie Claire Smith also put on a glamorous display as she strutted down the red carpet in a fitted black-and-white knit gown with a daring plunge neckline. She completed her look with a floral fascinator by Natalie Bikicki. She is no stranger to the runway as one of the hottest models of the moment. And Jourdan Dunn certainly worked the camera on Thursday, as she made her stylish arrival at the Cartier Fifth Avenue Mansion Reopening Party in New York. The 26-year-old looked fierce as ever as she posed in a slinky black lace co-ord, showing off her enviable figure and gorgeous glowing skin. Scroll down for video That's how its Dunn! Jourdan, 26, looked fierce in a slinky black co-ord as she headed to the Cartier Fifth Avenue Mansion Reopening Party in New York on Thursday The British beauty sizzled in the racy matching top and skirt, which were made of delicate black lace. The strapless top featured a sweetheart neckline, enhancing her ample bust and showing off her incredible glowing skin. While the skirt was of respectable midi length, its semi-sheer material still gave all in attendance a cheeky flash of her famously long and slender pins. Stunning: The British beauty sizzled in the racy matching top and skirt, which were made of delicate black lace Leggy: The outfit's semi-sheer material still gave all in attendance a cheeky flash of her famously long and slender pins Jourdan co-ordinated her outfit perfectly with a pair of black heeled sandals and a tiny silver box bag. Keeping her look trendy, the model also sported a simple black choker, which was decorated with a silver gem for added glitz. Leaving her hair in natural waves, the London born beauty looked gorgeous as she naturally posed for the cameras - proving why she nabbed the Model of the Year gong last November. Model material: Leaving her hair in natural waves, the beauty looked gorgeous as she naturally posed for the cameras - proving why she nabbed the Model of the Year gong last November Fierce: Jourdan, who is no stranger to the camera or runway as a top model of the moment, posed up a storm at the event The event, which celebrated the re-opening of the famous Cartier Mansion after a two-year renovation, was attended by a whole host of names from the fashion world, including Olivia Palermo, Toni Garrn and Hailey Clauson. Jourdan happily posed beside American model Hailey as they chatted together during the event. The event sees the British model fly out to New York for the glamorous appearance, after enjoying a relaxing break away from work in the Austrian Alps last week. Chic: Keeping her look trendy, the model also sported a simple black choker, which was decorated with a silver gem for added glitz Gal pals: Jourdan happily posed beside American model Hailey Clauson as they chatted together during the event However, the model has expressed in the past that she doesn't always love her international, jet-set life. Speaking in an issue of British Vogue last year, of which she was the cover star, Jourdan said that she became jealous of her own mother who looks after her six-year-old son Riley when she works internationally. 'They are so close I was kind of jealous of their relationship in the beginning. But it works for me. Happy and healthy: The event sees the British model fly out to New York for the glamorous appearance, after enjoying a relaxing break away from work in the Austrian Alps last week 'You can find the balance of being a working mother, but I couldn't do it without my mum. She is the one who allowed me to go and do my thing,' she added. Dunn most recently showed off her modelling chops for the Alexandre Vauthier Autumn/Winter 2016 catwalk event during Haute Couture Fashion Week in Paris, alongside Bella Hadid. The model has also turned her hand to designing, releasing a children's collection for Marks and Spencer called 'Lil' LonDunn by Jourdan Dunn', in April this year. The so-called 'Strictly curse' has seen the end of many relationships. Yet defiant professional Pasha Kovalev insists his relationship with Countdown beauty Rachel Riley will not be affected by the foreboding prophecy cast upon each season. Speaking to Daily Mirror, the 36-year-old dancer, who is paired with broadcaster Naga Munchetty this year, was adamant nothing could affect his relationship with 'the most beautiful woman in the world.' Scroll down for video Better than ever! Defiant professional Pasha Kovalev insists his relationship with Countdown beauty Rachel Riley will not be affected by the foreboding prophecy cast upon each season Rachel and Pasha met when they were paired together on the 2013 series of the show, while she was still married to her university sweetheart Jamie Gilbert, who she wed in August 2012. Following her stint on Strictly she announced in November that year that the duo were separating although she has always remained defiant that her romance with Pasha was not the reason for the split - insisting her marriage was disintegrating already. After three years as a couple, the Russian-born hunk is insistent their relationship will not fall short of the fabled 'curse' during his dancing stint with married Naga. He said: 'Rachel is incredible. She is the most beautiful woman in the world. Nothing could come between with what we have. The pairing! Speaking to Daily Mirror , the 36-year-old dancer, who is paired with broadcaster Naga Munchetty this year, was adamant nothing could affect his relationship with 'the most beautiful woman in the world' Happier than anything: Rachel and Pasha met when they were paired together on the 2013 series of the show, when she was still married to her university sweetheart Jamie Gilbert, who she was married to since August 2012 'I dont even think about things like that. I dont want to be with anyone else. I dont worry about these things.' In 2014, Rachel also weighed in on the theory that the pairings on the show lead to relationship woes as she told The Telegraph: 'I dont think theres a Strictly curse, but it does serve as a magnifying glass that shows up pre-existing fault lines. 'Jamie and I had been with one another since I was 19, and we are still good friends, it was all amicable and hes been brilliant.' She has always maintained there was no infidelity as she hit back at the idea that she "ran off" was Pasha, instead pointing out and maintaining that long hours on Strictly alongside other work commitments was the beginning of the end. No curse here! In 2014, Rachel also weighed in on the theory that the pairings on the show lead to relationship woes as she told The Telegraph: 'I dont think theres a Strictly curse, but it does serve as a magnifying glass that shows up pre-existing fault lines' Good pair! Naga and Pasha look to have great chemistry on the dance floor Way back when: Rachel was married to her university sweetheart Jamie Gilbert, who she was married to since August 2012 Since the very first season of Strictly, romance rumours have sparked among the cast starting off with Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole. Their dances were blighted with rumours of an affair. BBC presenter Natasha soon split from long-term partner Mike Barnard while Brendan dumped his fiancee and fellow dancer Camilla Dallerup. In 2007, Flavia Cacace was in a long-term relationship with her dance partner Vincent Simone when she was partnered with Matt Di Angelo. He was eight years her junior. Having a laugh! Rachel was a forerunner when she appeared on the show Before long gossip was raging about how Flavia and Matt, then 19, were secretly in love. Shortly after the show finished she called time on her romance with Vincent and went public with Matt. Their romance ended in 2010, and a few weeks later Flavia admitted she was dating her latest dance partner, actor Jimi Mistry, who she went on to marry. Former boxer Joe Calzaghe split with his girlfriend of five years Jo-Emma Larvin just a week into the show in 2009 after which he began a relationship with Russian dancer Kristina Rihanoff soon afterwards. Way back when: Since the very first season of Strictly, romance rumours have sparked among the cast starting off with Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole Oh dear! In 2007, Flavia Cacace was in a long-term relationship with her dance partner Vincent Simone when she was partnered with Matt Di Angelo. He was eight years her junior The pair enjoyed a four-year romance but parted ways after Joe reportedly asked Kristina not to accept a role dancing in a stage production. Kristina went on to enjoy a romance with Ben Cohen, who was previously married Abby Blayney, who he shares twins with, while he and Kristina welcomed their first child earlier this year. He appeared rather taken with tattooed model Arabella Drummond on Tuesday evening. But despite labelling his date a work of art during their joint appearance at the GQ Men of the Year Awards, Professor Green admits he was distracted by another, equally ravishing guest on the night. The British rapper, 32, enjoyed an unexpected encounter with model and actress Kelly Rohrbach, a former girlfriend of Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, after she approached him backstage. Scroll down for video Pleased to meet you: Professor enjoyed an unexpected encounter with model and actress Kelly Rohrbach, a former girlfriend of Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, after she approached him backstage Speaking to The Sun, Green says he was rather taken by the American star whose profile will soon be elevated by her appearance in a forthcoming feature length Baywatch remake as they posed for a series of photos. This really, really fit blonde woman came up to me, he told The Sun. I had absolutely no idea who she was but obviously I went in the photobooth with her when she asked me. Then she told me she was the new Baywatch girl. She was lovely. The rapper - real name Stephen Manderson - looked like something of a ladies' man when he arrived on the arm of not just one but two beauties; Katie Eary to his left and Arabella to his right. Good times: The pair posed for a series of snaps after taking to a Photo booth at the annual event Cutting the dapper, Greenwas dressed sharply in a tuxedo, complete with bow tie. His red carpet date looked similarly slick in a long black dress, that was open at the back to tease her toned figure. He too, admired her image when he posted a picture of the elegant model on Instagram that night, captioned: 'A work of art'. Irresistible: Green says he was rather taken by the American star whose profile will soon be elevated by her appearance in a forthcoming feature length Baywatch remake Dating duo: Green took tattooed model Arabella Drummond as his date to GQ Awards on Tuesday night She was captured in black and white, staring at a blank screen inside the Tate Modern venue; a stance that he later recreated by himself and tagged: 'Busy' The handsome pair shared a table with catwalk royalty Erin O'Connor on Tuesday, excitedly snapping selfies for their collective audience of 800k followers. Elsewhere on social media this week, Green's ex-wife Millie Mackintosh was captured desperately leaping to catch the bridal bouquet at a wedding in Italy. A work of art: Snapping the brunette inside the Tate Modern on Tuesday night, Pro Green dubbed Arabella 'a work of art' Mirror image: Later, he recreated the stance with a contemplative picture of himself The custom suggests that the guest who catches the bouquet should be the next person to get married. Shortly after her marriage to Pro Green ended in February, it quickly emerged that Millie had rekindled the flame with an ex-love. She now says she is 'so happy' with former Made In Chelsea co-star and ex-love Hugo Taylor and they have been seemingly inseparable since May. Three's a crowd: Millie Mackintosh's ex-husband looked like quite the ladies' man on the red carpet as he posed with Katie Eary too She has modelled in lingerie for Victoria's Secrets for four years. And on Wednesday, Shanina Shaik slipped back into her underwear and posed up a storm for a photoshoot with department store, H&M. Taking to social media, the 25-year-old showed off her toned torso as she modelled in the mirror while dressed in green hipster briefs and black tank top. Scroll down for video Showing off: Shanina Shaik showed off her toned torso on Wednesday as she modelled in green hipster briefs and a black tank top She covered her shoulders with a light blue dressing gown which fell freely beside her slender frame. In the captured frame, Shanina wore her brunette locks out and styled with a natural wave as she pinned the sides back away from her way. She showed off her natural complexion with a nude-base makeup that included a tanned lipstick and a brush of black mascara. Cheeky! Over the weekend, Shanina was videoed giving fellow model Jasmine Sanders a helping hand with her racy thigh-high, lace up boots The Australian stunner captioned the image: 'On set chillin with @hm.' Over the weekend, Shanina was videoed giving fellow model Jasmine Sanders a helping hand with her racy thigh-high, lace up boots. The short film showed Jasmine bent over a metal pole, baring her pert posterior to Shanina, who squatted down on the sidewalk to tie up the boot. Party goer: Days earlier, Shanina took time off from the fashion world and attended the Made In America music festival in Philadelphia Attire: She dressed in skinny jeans and a white tank top as well as a light blue denim jacket For a moment, the international runway model shook her derriere at Shanina, as the person behind the camera circled the pair to get a better view. Days earlier, Shanina took time off from the fashion world and attended the Made In America music festival in Philadelphia. For the outdoors party, the cover girl stunned as she dressed in denim skinny jeans and a white tank top. She also sported a light blue denim jacket later in the night. They are three of the biggest actresses in Britain. And now Kate Winslet, Keira Knightley and Helen Mirren are joining forces to help Will Smith through personal tragedy in forthcoming film Collateral Beauty. A new trailer for the movie shows the actresses in rather different guises, with Kate starring as a friend of the actor's character Howard, while Keira plays the embodiment of 'love', and Helen Mirren, 'death'. Scroll down for video Emotional: Keira Knightley gives an emotional turn as 'love' in the Collateral Damage trailer Pleased to meet you: Helen Mirren looks striking in her beret and feathered collar for her appearance as 'death' They rally around Howard - a New York advertising executive who is in a deep depression following the death of his young daughter. To cope with her loss, he begins writing letters to the elements, which in his view connect the universe - time, love, and death. 'These three things connect every single human being on earth,' he says in a voiceover. 'We long for love, we wish we had more time but we fear death.' A friend in need: Kate plays Howard's concerned pal Claire Depression: Edward Norton plays a friend of Will Smith's Howard helping him in the movie I don't want this: Howard isn't too keen on meeting 'death' Howard's friends, Whit (Edward Norton), Simon (Michael Pena), Madeline (Naomie Harris) and Claire (Kate Winslet) are worried about their friend, and conceive a plan to try to help him through. 'Howard used to love life,' says Claire. 'Right now he hates it.' Enter Helen Mirren, who looks striking in beret and feathered collar as a representative of death. Intense: Keira's interaction with Will proves the most intense moment of the trailer A gift: Jacob Latimore plays Time, telling Will: 'I'm a gift and you're wasting it.' Smooch: Michael Pena also appears in the dramatic film which is released later this year 'Who did you write the letter to?' she asks Howard who responds: 'I wrote the letter to death.' 'Nice to meet you. Charmed I'm sure,' she replies, unusually in an American accent. 'People write letters to the universe all the time. Most don't get a personal response. But you are.' Howard doesn't appear too keen on this turn of events, telling 'death' - 'I don't want this.' A shoulder to cry on: Naomie Harris is among the star-studded cast Heart to heart: Will and Naomie share several scenes in the movie Riding through life: Will's Howard finds himself considering how all things relate through his unusual encounters Soon enough though, he has to face 'time' played by Jacob Latimore and who tells him: 'I'm a gift and you're wasting it.' Most poignant however, is Keira's emotional take on love, appearing in a red outfit and warning Howard not to live without her. 'I saw you in her eyes when she called me daddy and you betrayed me,' he shouts angrily at Keira. 'I'm the reason for everything,' she tearfully replies. 'If you can accept that then maybe you get to live again.' Love and loss: The movie deals with the death of Howard's daughter and how he copes with life in the aftermath of the tragedy Flashback scenes: The trailer sees Howard's happier times with his little girl The film is directed by David Frankel whose credits include 21, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps and Rock Of Ages and will be released in the UK on December 30. Shot this year in New York City, the film's stars appeared to have enjoyed making it, despite its sombre theme. What shall we do? The friends are at a loss to know how to bring Howard out of his depression so end up hatching an unusual plan Taking a gamble: Will is seen describing how the world connects through dominoes Ethereal: At 71-years-old Helen shows off her stunning good looks Helen Mirren was particularly impressed by her Independence Day co-star, saying in an interview this year: 'I had the advantage of working with a true angel sent to this earth, an actor called Will Smith, who is the most unbelievably kind, gentle, generous, good-hearted person.' Meanwhile Will shared a selfie of the cast including Kate and Helen, taken back in April during filming. 'I think I'm going to need a longer arm soon!' he wrote alongside the Facebook snap. 'Honored to be working with the amazing group of actors! #CollateralBeauty. She is the half sister of Jessie Wallace and starred in My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. But despite formerly being part of a show that is famed for its outlandish costumes, Danielle Mason was caught looking less than glamorous as she returned home from a night away on Thursday. The 33-year-old mother-of-two appeared red-faced as she emerged from her car wearing nothing but a shirt and skimpy underwear. Scroll down for video Awks! Despite formerly being part of a show that is famed for its outlandish costumes, Danielle Mason was caught looking less than glamorous as she returned home from a night away on Thursday Shuffling out of the car wearing black sliders, the mother-of-two sheepishly held her shirt down in the breeze. Despite her attempt at modesty, her shirt was partially unbuttoned revealing a glimpse of her bra. Wearing what appeared to be her wedding ring, she accessorised with a delicate ankle bracelet. Oops! The 33-year-old mother-of-two appeared red-faced as she emerged from her car wearing nothing but a shirt and skimpy underwear And pulling her blonde waves into a half bun, Danielle appeared to wear a full face of make-up. Sporting bold brows, lashings of mascara and a dab of lipgloss, she attempted to maintain her modesty as she pulled her suitcase into the house. However in an apparent moment of forgetfulness the blonde beauty accidentally exposed her rear as she retrieved something from her boot. Flashing the flesh! Despite her attempt at modesty, her shirt was partially unbuttoned revealing a glimpse of her bra Earlier in the year on-off beau Tony Giles -the father of her two children Rudy and Delilah Rose, was rushed to hospital after he was shot in the face. At the time he told The Sun: 'I was at my mum's [on the site] getting my gym stuff as I've been filming for London Live about my big comeback fight and heard this screaming. 'I was half way towards helping him when I got shot in the face and my finger was chopped off. Watch out! In an apparent moment of forgetfulness the blonde beauty accidentally exposed her rear as she bent over 'The bullet got lodged underneath my eye socket and I had to have an operation to get it out.' Tony served eight months behind bars last year facing trial charges of GBH and firearms offences but was later acquitted. Danielle and Tony first met in 2009 and following Rudy's birth in August 2011 the couple got engaged on a rollercoaster in Thorpe Park in Surrey in March 2012. It would appear that the romance between Skye Wheatley and on-again-off-again boyfriend Cameron McCristal is nothing short of steamy after the pair shared a snap kissing on a beach on Thursday. In a post shared to Skye's Instagram the former Big Brother star flaunted her ample assets while embracing beau Cameron as they stood pashing in front of a picturesque beach. The post comes as a call out to the blonde bombshells 270,000 followers in search for 'cute boutiques' to help buy some 'nice summer outfits' for an upcoming trip to Bali with her partner. Scroll down for videos Steamy! Skye Wheatley and on-again-off-again boyfriend Cameron McCristal's relationship is nothing short of sizzling after the pair shared a snap kissing on a beach ahead of their Bali trip The sizzling selfie was captioned: 'Myself and Cam are off to Bali on the 14th September and I'm looking for some cute boutiques that have some nice summer outfits already in stock ready to go for summer.' Wearing her hair down straight the platinum blond beauty appeared to be all loved up in wake of the couple's departure to Indonesia. The post comes just a day after the body confident 22-year-old showcased her half-dressed figure in scant lace lingerie on Instagram. While fans of the reality star showered Skye with compliments in the comments section, Cameron was less than impressed asking her to 'put some clothes on'. Body confident blonde: The post comes just a day after the body confident 22-year-old showcased her half-dressed figure in scant lace lingerie on Instagram Unimpressed: While fans of the reality star showered Skye (L) with compliments in the comments section of her Instagram, Cameron (R) asked her to 'put some clothes on' He then added: 'Why, why, why'. But despite the disgruntled request it would appear that Skye has no penchant to remove her racy pictures which remain plastered across her Instagram account. Skye, who rose to fame after appearing on Big Brother in 2014, has spoken at large about going under the knife and recently revealed that she has paid a Sydney surgeon a whopping $28K to fix the botched Thailand chest enhancement. Blonde bombshell! Skye rose to fame after appearing on Big Brother in 2014 and has spoken at large about going under the knife Botched: The Gold Coast native previously revealed to Daily Mail Australia that she was left with a 'double bubble' in her right breast after going to Bangkok for a cheap surgery 'I'm having to fork out a lot of money to fix my boobs; they're too big and fake and are still wonky,' she told the Daily Telegraph in August. The Gold Coast native previously revealed to Daily Mail Australia that she was left with a 'double bubble' in her right breast after going to Bangkok for a cheap surgery to correct her asymmetrical chest. Along with the obvious physical effects, Skye confessed she's also suffered from a complete collapse in self-confidence. 'I'll never be able to get my t*ts out with a boy again...I've got less self-confidence than ever,' revealed the social media model. 'My boobs are still wonky but where before my left one was bigger, this time it's my right.' Stunner: Skye has no penchant to remove her racy pictures which remain plastered across her Instagram account such as one showing off her pert derriere in Cairns on Tuesday For years, she'd felt unhappy with an A-cup right breast two sizes smaller than her C-cup left. She had hoped the augmentation would fix her asymmetrical chest - but after waking up the next day with D-cups, she complained of puckering in the crease below the right breast. Meanwhile, Skye has revealed her plans to undergo rhinoplasty surgery in a bid to refine the silhouette of her nose. Skye is also a fan of hair extensions, teeth whiteners, laser hair removal, and collagen lip fillers. They've just returned from the Venice Film Festival where Aaron Taylor-Johnson was promoting his latest flick, Nocturnal Animals. But the 26-year-old actor and his wife Sam, 49, were keen to throw themselves straight back into the action as they headed to Tom Ford's New York Fashion Week party on Wednesday. Surrounded by the style elite, the couple only had eyes for each other, however, as Sam perched herself on top of Aaron's love. Scroll down for video Cute couple: Sam and Aaron Taylor-Johnson were keen to throw themselves straight back into the action as they headed to Tom Ford's New York Fashion Week party on Wednesday Cuddling up close, Aaron couldn't seem to take his hands off his wife of four years as he rested his head on her shoulder. It was no wonder Sam had caught his attention as she wowed in a white midi dress that clung to her incredible figure. Clinging to the contours of her body, the dress also offered a glimpse at her tanned and toned arms and shapely pins. Man of the hour: The couple have just returned from the Venice Film Festival where Aaron Taylor-Johnson was promoting his latest flick, Nocturnal Animals Wearing her golden locks loose and tousled, she styled her tresses in a centre parting that framed her pretty face. Sporting a neutral make-up palette, Sam allowed her natural beauty to shine through by highlighting her stunning features. Meanwhile, Aaron cut a dapper figure in a fitted black suit with a checkered pocket square. Loved-up: The couple were last seen at Venice Film Festival where they walked the red carpet together. Clad in a floor length velvet gown, Sam looked uber glamorous Sam began a relationship with Aaron, after meeting on the set of the 2009 film she directed - Nowhere Boy - when he was 19 and she was 42. They tied the knot in June 2012 in an intimate ceremony in Somerset. The couple have two daughters, Wylda Rae, six, and Romy Hero, four, whilst Sam also two daughters from her previous marriage to art dealer Jay Jopling. Farrah Abraham has sparked speculation she is gearing up for yet more surgery. The 25-year-old was spotted heading into plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew Ordon's office in Beverly Hills this week. The MTV Teen Mom OG star wore a skintight black mini dress and Christian Louboutin for her appointment with Dr Ordon, who co-hosts the syndicated daytime show The Doctors. Yet MORE plastic surgery? Farrah Abraham visited Dr. Andrew Ordon, the syndicated daytime show The Doctors, in Beverly Hills on Wednesday Another operation? The 25-year-old was spotted heading into the famed plastic surgeon's facility so it's likely she was there for an additional procedure Farrah has had numerous procedures in recent years that have drastically altered her appearance. The adult film star made a very public appearance on E!'s Botched last year after receiving lip injections which resulted in an allergic reaction. The Nebraska native was left in the emergency room with a painfully swollen pout and slammed her doctor on social media for her lips - even though it wasn't his fault. Fancy footwear! Farrah stepped out in a pair of sky high Christian Louboutin stilettos while proudly making her way into the surgeon's suite Before that visit, she had two breast augmentations, rhinoplasty and a chin implant; she also relies heavily on lip fillers, but wanted doctors to offer her a more permanent alternative. And Farrah had a third breast augmentation earlier this year, as she underwent surgery to increase her implant size from a 650CC to a 800CC. She allowed cameras in the operating room and claimed the surgery was to fix 'horrible burning and pain issues' although she managed to include a boost in size alongside resolving her issues. Busted out! Farrah had a third breast augmentation earlier this year, as she underwent surgery and increased her implant size from a 650CC to a 800CC; she is pictured in May 2016 (L) compared to her more modest look in June 2012 (R) She was rather pleased with the result and told MailOnline: 'I'm thankful to have the best reconstructive breast surgeon in the Beverly Hills area fix the burning and pain issues that were horrible.' Meanwhile, Farrah ruffled some feathers on Monday night's episode of her MTV reality show, when her seven-year-old daughter Sophia was sick and refused to get ready for an Easter party. The frustrated mom pushed her daughter up the stairs and griped: 'I dont know why Sophia needs to act like a heathen, get up there.' 'Sophia is too stupid to get ready. Its not my issue right now,' she moaned. Farrah's mom, Debra Danielson, explained her daughter was ill and to be gentle with the little girl. Who's that girl? The reality star was nearly unrecognisable in an Instagram snapshot from April 'I gave her medicine, I already did that stuff,' the porn star cried. 'Its ridiculous how shes acting. Between the two of you I dont know whats more irritating.' After being slammed by viewers, Farrah reached out to Radar Online to explain her comments, although it lacked a specific apology. 'I can be stupid, anyone can act stupid,' she explained. 'I keep it real. I'm not allowing my daughter to be spoiled or not responsible for her actions. It's difficult with grandparents and cameras around for my daughter,' Farrah continued. She added: 'My daughter is very bright and wonderful and I keep it real on Teen Mom OG with real feelings and thoughts in my every day life.' Farrah has been raising Sophia as a single parent after the death of her Derek Underwood in a 2008 car crash when she was eight months pregnant. Teen Mom OG airs Mondays (10 p.m. ET) on MTV. Lewis Hamilton partied into the early hours with rumoured girlfriend Winnie Harlow on Wednesday evening following claims they have been dating in secret for three months. The pair partied up a storm at New Yorks Up and Down nightclub after arriving separately in the early hours of the morning. Canadian model Winnie, 22, caught the eye in an edgy Bob Seger T-shirt and thigh-skimming leather skirt as she entered the popular nightspot with a group of girlfriends shortly after the Formula 1 ace. Scroll down for video Night out: Lewis Hamilton partied into the early hours with rumoured girlfriend Winnie Harlow on Wednesday evening following claims the pair have been dating in secret for three months Together: The pair partied up a storm at New Yorks Up and Down nightclub after arriving in the early hours of the morning Lewis, who sported a colourful bomber jacket and black jeans, is believed to have parted with the up and coming star before leaving together at 4am. The pair were seen making their way onto the sidewalk, with Winnie walking two paces behind the racing driver as they climbed into the rear of a waiting car. It's understood that the couple made a beeline for 1OAK, staying for one hour before calling it a night at 5am. A spokesperson has since insisted the couple are not romantically involved, telling MailOnline: 'Lewis and Winnie are just friends.' Let's go: Winnie was close behind rumoured boyfriend Lewis during a late night out on Wednesday evening Stylish: Winnie, 22, caught the eye in an edgy Bob Seger T-shirt and thigh-skimming leather skirt as she entered the popular nightspot shortly after the Formula 1 ace Side by side: Despite arriving separately, Lewis and Winnie were seen leaving the club together after partying with a group of friends The pair - who are both Fashion Week front row regulars and run in the same circles on the red carpet - are thought to be struggling to keep the fledgling romance under wraps,The Sun reports. The rumoured couple both attended Tuesday's GQ Men Of The Year Awards, held at Tate Modern in London, but deliberately avoided each other to reduce suspicion. According to The Sun, Winnie - who suffers from skin condition vitiligo - struck up a bond with Lewis in July but their relationship has recently 'stepped up a notch'. Safe distance: Winnie remained two steps behind Lewis as they made their way towards a waiting car Late night out: The rumoured couple were making an appearance at the venue shortly after attending the Good Music Pop Up Concert at Highland Ballroom They're off: The couple left in the same car as the made their way to New York's 1OAK A source close to the couple told the paper: 'Lewis and Winnie have known each other for a while and partied together in New York last year, but things have stepped up a notch recently. 'They didnt want to fuel any suspicion at the awards on Tuesday so agreed to stay apart from each other and avoided getting pictured together.' The two stars made separate exits but he was pictured walking towards a car not far behind her. Talking point: Formula 1 ace Lewis chatted on his phone while idling on the sidewalk Blossoming romance: According to The Sun , Winnie - who suffers from skin condition vitiligo - struck up a bond with Lewis in July but their relationship has recently 'stepped up a notch' In good company: Winnie was joined by a group of pals at the New York after arriving shortly after Lewis Low key: Lewis sported a colourful bomber jacket and black jeans for his evening out with the up and coming star Good times: The insider claimed that 'Lewis is just playing the field, but he really likes Winnie' After her car pulled away from the event, Lewis took only a matter of seconds to hop in his own motor, which seemed to head after Winnie's. The insider added to the newspaper: 'Its nothing serious at the moment and Lewis is just playing the field, but he really likes Winnie.' MailOnline has contacted representatives of both Winnie and Lewis for comment. Keeping her distance: Winnie Harlow and Lewis Hamilton were at pains to keep any signs of romance under wraps at Tuesday's GQ Men Of The Year Awards, held at London's Tate Modern Playing it cool: The 22-year-old model (left) and the F1 Champion, 31 (right) made sure to keep well clear of each other on arrival at the star-studded bash, and upon their exits Follow that car! After her car pulled away from the event at the end of the night, Lewis 'took only a matter of seconds to hop in his own motor, which promptly headed after Winnie's' A wide berth: Another reason for her quick strut to the vehicle may have been the proximity of Lewis, who was only yards behind her Hop in! Lewis quickly made his way to his own car, jumping in with gusto Of course, Winnie wouldn't be the first model that Lewis has been linked to since he and X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger put an end to their eight-year on-again/off-again relationship in February 2015. Last summer, Lewis was thought to be at the centre of a love triangle between model BFFs Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid, who were reportedly to be 'fighting over him'. He has most recently been linked to L'OREAL beauty Barbara Palvin, who is an ex-girlfriend of Justin Bieber. Taking things up a notch? Lewis and Winnie (seen together here in New York) run in a lot of the same circles Flirty display: Lewis and Winnie were seen putting on a flirtatious display on Snapchat Making it official? The pair had no qualms about sharing their outing on social media Fashion-savvy: The stylish sportsman will no doubt have plenty to talk about with Winnie Pair of posers: The rumoured lovebirds seemed totally at ease with each other Barbara and Lewis are thought to have met at Cannes Film Festival this year and she has since supported him at the trackside during the European Grand Prix, Monaco Grand Prix and Hungarian Grand Prix. However a representative for Lewis has since insisted that the two are just 'good friends'. Weeks before his tryst with Barbara, Lewis set tongues wagging when he was seen leaving British musician Rita Ora's London hotel. They then reunited in New York after he enjoyed a wild summer holiday in Barbados with scantily-clad carnival revelers. Lost love: Winnie previously dated Mariah Carey's ex Nick Cannon last year WHAT IS VITILIGO? Vitiligo is a long-term condition that causes pale, white patches to develop on the skin due to the lack of a chemical called melanin. Melanin, which is produced by specialised skin cells called melanocytes, gives the skin its colour and protects it from the sun. It's not clear exactly what causes this lack of melanin, but it has been linked to problems with the immune system and nerve endings in the skin. Vitiligo can affect any area of the skin, but most commonly occurs on skin exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck and hands. The condition varies from person to person. Some people only get a few small, white patches, but others get bigger white patches that join up across large areas of their skin. There is no way of predicting how much skin will be affected. The white patches are usually permanent. Certain things can increase the chance of developing vitiligo, such as a family history of the condition or having another autoimmune problem, like an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). Vitiligo is not caused by an infection and it cannot be caught from contact with someone who has it. In around half of people affected it starts before the age of 20, although it can occur at any age. Men and women are equally affected, as are people of different ethnicities. Source: NHS Choices Advertisement Meanwhile, Winnie was linked Mariah Carey's ex-husband Nick Cannon, 35, last October. Canadian-born Winnie was discovered on the 21st cycle of America's Next Top Model in 2014 after being discovered on Instagram by the host herself, Tyra Banks. Winnie's distinctive skin condition, which is characterised by pale patches of white on the skin, was diagnosed at the age of four. She has gone on to become a brand ambassador for casual clothing brand Desigual, alongside Victoria's Secret model Adriana Lima and last year starred in Beyonce's visual album for Lemonade. Like fashion fan Lewis, she is regularly seen on the front row at shows for the world's most famous fashion houses. Both Lewis and Winnie are expected to be in attendance at Kanye West's New York Fashion Week show this weekend. Former flames? Lewis set tongues wagging during a series of sightings with Rita Ora this year (here in November 2015) Love triangle? Lewis is thought to have found himself at the centre of a love triangle between Kendall Jenner (left) and Gigi Hadid (right) last summer Just friends? Lewis and model Barbara Palvin (left, here in May 2016) are thought to have been seeing a lot of each other recently Getting close: Sources close to the pair have insisted that they're just good friends Fashion fan: Lewis is now in New York for Fashion Week, where it's thought Winnie will be too Party hard star: The duo will no doubt run into each other during their time in NYC He made quite a splash at the Rio Olympics after winning a bronze medal. And swimming champion Cameron McEvoy ditched his speedos in the name of fashion on Thursday, as he attended the Margaret Zhang launch In The Youth Of Our Fury at Eastland shopping centre in Melbourne. The 22-year-old athlete looked suave in a cream-coloured jacket paired with rolled-up black pants and gold sneakers. Making a splash: Cameron McEvoy ditched his speedos in the name of fashion on Thursday, as he attended the Margaret Zhang launch In The Youth Of Our Fury at Eastland shopping centre in Melbourne With one hand in his jacket pocket and his legs slightly apart, the Olympic swimmer looked every inch the stylish celebrity as he posed for photographers. At one point, Cameron posed alongside the lady of the hour, Maragaret Zhang. The fashion blogger and stylist kept it simple in head-to-toe black and minimal makeup. Style: The 22-year-old athlete looked suave in a cream-coloured jacket paired with rolled-up black pants and gold sneakers Cameron has been enjoying the fashion scene recently as just a few days prior, he joined model Jennifer Hawkins on the Myer runway at the Myer Spring Racing Lunch, also in Melbourne. He returns to training next week in preparation for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. 'I've been on a break and I think I'll go back next week,' he told the Daily Telegraph. Support: At one point, Cameron posed alongside the lady of the hour, Maragaret Zhang 'It's been good and bad to have a break. I've definitely noticed my fitness go a bit down hill, you really notice it which is surprising. He added: 'But it's the first time I've ever had a swim break with no study, as I've deferred this semester.' Jennifer and Cameron modeled several looks as part of a campaign for department store Myer. Advertisement She shares a five-year-old son with her French husband, Benjamin Millepied. And on Thursday, Natalie Portman, 35, unveiled her baby bump in a figure-hugging white gown at the Planetarium movie premiere at the Venice Film Festival, on Thursday as it was reported she is expecting a second child. Several sources confirmed the happy news to US Weekly and E! News and Natalie appeared in high spirits as she posed for snaps alongside Lily Rose Depp whilst radiating with a healthy glow. Scroll down for video A new arrivals on its way: Pregnant Natalie Portman unveiled her baby bump in a figure-hugging white gown that drew extra attention to her tummy at the Planetarium premiere at the Venice Film Festival, on Thursday Natalie is yet to comment publicly on the news but MailOnline has contacted representatives for Natalie for further information. Clinging to her figure, the floor length gown was off the shoulder in design, whilst a train that billowed behind her gave the dress an almost bridal feel. Sweeping her chestnut coloured locks back into a chic chignon bun, the star painted her plump pout a rich shade of red, whilst her defined cheekbones were lined with rouge. Preparing for motherhood again: According to US Weekly the actress, 35, is pregnant, and she certainly seemed in great spirits at the premiere for Planetarium as she posed for snaps alongside Lily Rose Depp whilst radiating with a healthy glow A vision in white: Clinging to her figure, the floor length gown was off the shoulder in design, whilst a train that billowed behind her gave the dress an almost bridal feel as she posed with Lily Rose Depp Natalie is already the proud parent to son Aleph, who she welcomed in 2011 with Benjamin - her husband of two years, who she met whilst filming Black Swan in 2009. In 2012, the pair tied the knot in an intimate Jewish ceremony, and Benjamin announced he was in the process of converting to Judaism before they moved to Paris. Despite seeming to live a glamorous life, Natalie recently revealed she was very down to earth as she described herself to Modern Luxury magazine as just a 'harried working mom'. Sheer star power: Natalie paired the dress with a simple pair of small white heels, which complemented her dress and kept the actress comfortable yet effortlessly chic Elegant: Sweeping her chestnut coloured locks back into a chic chignon bun, the star painted her plump pout a rich shade of red, whilst her defined cheekbones were lined with rouge Ethereal: Natalie looked positively radiant as she flashed a winning smile whilst taking a solo spin on the red carpet All eyes on her: She was certainly the star attraction, befitting for her status as one of Hollywood's most famous leading women The V for Vendetta star relocated her family to France in 2014 after Benjamin was made the Paris Opera Ballet's director of dance - but admitted she had struggled to adjust to the culture change. The Israeli born star but Los Angeles native moved back to the States earlier this year, and said on Jimmy Kimmel Live: 'Everyone smiles a lot here. It's so nice. They're more cool in France. I didn't realise I got used to it until I got here and I was so surprised.' Natalie previously told The Telegraph that she 'loves being a mum,' and added that becoming a parent had made her more accepting of people around her. Proud parent: Natalie is already the proud parent to son Aleph, who she welcomed in 2011 with Benjamin (Pictured with Natalie in May 2015) - her husband of two years, who she met whilst filming Black Swan in 2009 She explained: Im less judgmental than before I had a kid. The biggest thing Ive learnt is that parenting is a totally different experience for every person. 'Everything is cool, there are no rules I mean, apart from not hurting your kid. Some people breast-feed until their babies are five, and some dont breast-feed at all. 'There are no rules about what it means to be a feminist, or a good mother. For some its going to be right to go back to work, for others its going to be right to stop working completely.' She's no diva: Despite seeming to live a glamorous life, Natalie recently revealed she was very down to earth as she described herself to Modern Luxury magazine as just a 'harried working mom' Star's arrived: The actress was joined on the red by (L-R) Lily, director Rebecca Zlotowski and leading man Emmanuel Salinger Bring it in: The group were very upbeat as they cosied up to each other on the red carpet Centre stage: Lily-Rose Depp looked every inch the Hollywood starlet as she graced the red carpet at the Planetarium premiere during the 73rd Venice Film Festival on Thursday evening Elegant: The talented teen looked older than her years in the sophisticated dress, which she paired with chic Chanel heels A new twist: Natalie has been in Venice preparing for the launch of Planetarium, which sees her star alongside Lily-Rose and Emmanuel Salinger Natalie has been in Venice preparing for the launch of Planetarium, which sees her star alongside Lily-Rose and Emmanuel Salinger. The film follows the journey of two sisters who are believed to possess the supernatural ability to connect with ghosts, during which they cross paths with a visionary French producer while performing in Paris. And Lily, the 17-year-old daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis, is proving to be a star in her own right, as she almost stole the show when she arrived at the Lido in a glamorous, vintage inspired dress. A-list co-star: Starring alongside Oscar-winner Natalie Portman, the film follows two sisters who tour 1930s France as mediums All eyes on her: Lily-Rose posed like a complete pro as she made her way along the red carpet Quirky twist: The starlet's dress was embellished with a giant silk bow and a white tulle pom pom Chic: Lily-Rose's dark blonde locks were styled in old school Hollywood curls framing her face The teen exuded elegance in the black velvet number, featuring a halterneck style and white pom pom detailing at the bust. The talented teen looked older than her years in the sophisticated dress, which she paired with chic Chanel heels. The model and actress upped the glamour with glittering silver earrings and styled her blonde locks in perfect curls. Sister act: Planetarium follows the journey of two sisters who are believed to possess the supernatural ability to connect with ghosts; during their travels they cross paths with a visionary French producer while performing in Paris Flying high: Natalie hasn't been afraid to strut her stuff on the red carpet at the Lido this week, with the striking actress donning an array of fashionable frocks She's a style siren: She arrived at the Planetarium photo call in a chic and summery mini dress, which featured a bright pattern of birds The film, directed by French cinematic scribe, Rebecca Zlotowski, marks Natalie's first project with a French director since her role in Luc Bessons Leon in 1994. The actress has also been making the rounds at the festival to promote another less fanciful tale, Jackie. The film is set in the aftermath of President Kennedy's death, and sees Natalie take on the role of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, who fights through grief and trauma to regain her faith, console her children, and define her husband's historic legacy. A subtle choice? At the Jackie premiere on Wednesday night, the star chose to subtly obscure her midriff in an intricate monochrome gown Simply stunning: She made a head-turning display at the premiere, although it seemed she was taking extra care to draw attention away from her torso Natalie has more recently become famous for her role as Chris Hemsworth's love-interest in the Marvel's Thor series, however, she will not be appearing in the third film Ragnarok (currently shooting in Australia). It's not known exactly why she decided to quit the series, but in August she confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that she will not return to the role in any up-coming Marvel projects. She told the paper: 'As far as I know, Im done. I mean, I dont know if maybe one day theyll ask for an Avengers 7 or whatever, I have no idea. But as far as I know, Im done. It was a great thing to be a part of.' Advertisement She's following in her famous father's footsteps by carving out a career as an actress. And Lily-Rose Depp looked every inch the Hollywood starlet as she graced the red carpet at the Planetarium premiere during the 73rd Venice Film Festival. The 17-year-old daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis stole the show when she arrived at the Venice Lido on Thursday in a glamorous, vintage inspired dress. Scroll down for video Centre stage: Lily-Rose Depp looked every inch the Hollywood starlet as she graced the red carpet at the Planetarium premiere during the 73rd Venice Film Festival on Thursday evening Statement: The striking stilettos boasted a pearl emblazoned with the luxury French fashion house's logo, with a silver serpent coiling along the spike Lily-Rose exuded elegance in the black velvet number, featuring a halterneck style and white pom pom detailing at the bust. The talented teen looked older than her years in the sophisticated dress, which she paired with chic Chanel heels. A similar style last season retailed for a whopping $1,200. The striking stilettos boasted a pearl emblazoned with the luxury French fashion house's logo, with a silver serpent coiling along the spike. The model and actress upped the glamour with glittering silver earrings and styled her blonde locks in perfect curls. Elegant: The talented teen looked older than her years in the sophisticated dress, which she paired with chic Chanel heels Rising star: The 17-year-old daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis stole the show Latest project: The Venice Film Festival sees the premiere of Lily's new film Planetarium outside of competition A-list co-star: Starring alongside Oscar-winner Natalie Portman, the film follows two sisters who tour 1930s France as mediums The Venice Film Festival sees the premiere of Lily's new film Planetarium outside of competition. Starring alongside Oscar-winner Natalie Portman, the film follows two sisters who tour 1930s France as mediums. They cross paths with a visionary French producer while performing in Paris, who is keen to caputure them on film - but trouble ensues. All eyes on her: Lily-Rose posed like a complete pro as she made her way along the red carpet Quirky twist: The starlet's dress was embellished with a giant silk bow and a white tulle pom pom Classic beauty: It wasn't hard to see why the teen has become the latest darling of the fashion world and a muse to Chanel boss Karl Lagerfeld Chic: Lily-Rose's dark blonde locks were styled in old school Hollywood curls framing her face Smoking: Earlier in the day, Lily Rose shared this sultry picture of herself on Instagram Rebecca Zlotowski (Grand Central, Belle Epine) helmed Planetarium, which has no US/UK release date. The glamorous flick premieres September 8 at the Venice Film Festival, and then screens September 10 at the Toronto Film Festival. Despite attracting attention in the fashion world, Lily Rose appears to be carving out a successful path as an actress, with the project marking her fourth major movie in two years. The Chanel muse also featured in French musical drama The Dancer, which premiered at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival in May. She also starred Kevin Smith's comedy-horror films Tusk and Yoga Hosers, alongside her acting father. She's also a huge hit on Instagram and earlier on in the day, shared a black and white image of herself smoking a cigarette on the social media site. Drama: Rebecca Zlotowski (Grand Central, Belle Epine) helmed Planetarium, which has no US/UK release date Cosy co-stars: After playing sisters in the drama, Lily-Rose and Natalie put on a very friendly display Strike a pose: The pair went arm-in-arm as they graced the red carpet to promote their new drama Striking: Natalie opted for a white Grecian gown for the big premiere, looking beautiful as ever Meanwhile, her famous father Johnny is will reportedly be playing the late detective Russell Poole in a thriller about the unsolved murders of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.. According to Screen Daily, Good Films producer Miriam Segal will introduce an adaptation of Randall Sullivan's 2003 book LAbyrinth to buyers at this week's Toronto Film Festival. The who-done-it flick is the 53-year-old Oscar nominee's first casting since his abuse allegations and divorce from Amber Heard. Nina Agdal looked just radiant as she enjoyed the honour of lighting up the Empire State Building on Thursday. The 24-year-old, who is dating Oscar-winner Leonardo DiCaprio, showed off her toned legs in a metallic, floral-patterned dress, which complimented her sun-kissed complexion. Scroll down for video Role model! Nina Agdal lit up the Empire State Building on Thursday Glamorous in green: The 24-year-old model wowed in an olive zip-up dress that was adorned with metallic beige floral patterns Proud moment: The Danish beauty also wore her blonde tresses down, over her shoulders, and natural looking make-up Standing tall: The 5ft9in star wore towering black lace heels The Victoria's Secret model was promoting the charity Pencils of Promise, which helps build education and schools in developing countries. She has also been busy with New York Fashion Week of course. On Tuesday she attended an event to launch the fashion extravaganza hosted by IMG and Target. Poised: She spoke on behalf of the charity, which works to build education programs in developing countries Nina is fresh from a long weekend away at the annual desert gathering, Burning Man. It's not known if her boyfriend Leo DiCaprio joined in on the festival fun. The pair, who were first spotted together in 2014, rekindled their romance earlier this year. Fashion awards: Nina later attended The Daily Front Row's Fashion Media Awards He hits the big screen in a powerful performance for his latest drama Mr. Church. But Eddie Murphy couldn't help but breaking into hysterics while visiting The Ellen DeGeneres Show after the talk show host surprised him with a shirtless throwback Thursday photo of himself. 'Is that me? Is that my head on someone?,' the 55-year-old star asked the daytime host of where she came across the 'funny a** picture.' Scroll down for video 'Is that me?': Eddie Murphy, 55, broke into hysterics while visiting The Ellen DeGeneres Show after the talk show host surprised him with a shirtless throwback Thursday photo of himself The Academy Award-nominated actor was surprised with the black and white snapshot of his much younger self. 'Do you know about throwback Thursday?' DeGeneres inquired. 'Where you show a picture, like people post pictures of themselves early on in careers?' Murphy hesitated and responded in a serious tone, as if anxious of what was yet to come: 'No.' 'Where did you find that funny a** picture?': The Oscar-nominated actor was surprised with the black and white snapshot of his much younger self The Emmy Award-winning host chuckled as she nodded towards a large screen projected on the wall behind them, 'Like that.' 'Now where did you find that funny a** picture?' That is hysterical! That is hysterically funny!' The Golden Globe winner welcomed his daughter Izzy Oona Murphy on May 3 with girlfriend Paige Butcher. The Beverly Hills Cop actor and Australian model have been dating for four years but have known each other since 2006 after meeting on the set of Big Momma's House 2. 'That is hysterically funny!': Murphy couldn't help but crack up over the image of himself flexing his biceps 'Is that my head on someone?': The Beverly Hills Cop star joked with the daytime talk show host Little four-month-old Izzy is the blonde stunner's first child, and Eddie's ninth. The SNL alum and his former wife, Nicole Mitchell, 47, have five children together - Bria, 25, Myles, 22, Shayne, 21, Zola, 15, and Bella, 13. He also has a 26-year-old son, Eric, with his ex-girlfriend Paulette McNeely and a 25-year-old son Christian, from a previous relationship with Tamara Hood. Additionally, the comedian has an eight-year-old daughter, Angel, with Spice Girls star Mel B. Red carpet romance! The Golden Globe winner welcomed his daughter Izzy Oona Murphy on May 3 with girlfriend Paige Butcher; here they are pictured at the premiere of his drama Mr. Church on Tuesday And while the star is typically known for his comedic roles, his latest film will see the actor in a dramatic appearance in Mr. Church. The film tells the story of a unique friendship that develops when a little girl and her dying mother inherit a cook - Mr. Church, played by Murphy. What begins as an arrangement that should only last six months, instead turns into a lifelong friendship. Britt Robertson co-stars in the film which is set to hit theatres on September 16. It's only a matter of weeks till Benedict Cumberbatch makes his highly-anticipated entrance into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And as Doctor Strange's release date looms closer a new promotional poster for the comic-book flick has appeared - showing the Doctor's reality-bending powers. Seen in the titular hero's iconic robes and cloak, the 40-year-old actor is pictured walking through a kaleidoscope image of the world's cities. Scroll down for video The Doctor will see you now: As Doctor Strange's release date looms closer a new promotional poster for the comic-book flick has appeared - showing his reality-bending powers Wearing the mystical amulet, The Eye of Agamotto, Doctor Stephen Strange is seen using the full extent of his mind-boggling powers as the sorcerer supreme. With a magic orb of light emanating from his hand, and a steely stare set on his face, the doctor looks to be using his powers to bend time and space. As the city's frame him and a cosmic backdrop, Benedict looks the exact image of Marvel's most mystical hero - from his silver-tinged hair and signature beard to his monkish garments. Hinting again at the mind-boggling scenes which will unfold as Strange discovers his destiny, the poster tagline reads: 'The impossibilities are endless.' A real transformation: Seen in the titular hero's iconic robes and cloak, the 40-year-old actor is worlds away from his day-to-day look And as the film's release date looms ever closer, Benedict has also opened up on how the role is one of the most demanding he's ever taken on. Speaking to The Sun, he explained: 'It was very, very physically demanding.' He continued: 'Not just getting all hench, as they say in Wales, the buffness you need for the superhero stuff. Musclebound: Benedict Cumberbatch, 40, recently revealed Doctor Stephen Strange is one of his most demanding characters he has taken on, as he had to bulk up for the Marvel film 'But also just day-to-day fitness and the stamina to do 14-15 hour days with very little turnaround and very little sleep and a baby at home and all the rest of it.' He added: 'No pain, no gain!' Filming wrapped on the superhero movie in April, but Benedict was still rocking a toned physique as he headed flew out of LA a few weeks ago. 'It was very, very physically demanding': Speaking to The Sun, he revealed it was a mantra of 'no pain, no gain' that got him into shape Suave: Filming wrapped on the superhero movie in April, but Benedict was still rocking a toned physique as he headed flew out of LA a few weeks ago Clad in a tailored grey blazer, the Oscar-nominated actor looked dapper as he strolled through the terminal. Rocking skinny jeans and a plain white T-short he also donned a pair of navy canvas shoes. Keeping his accessories simple he wore a black trilby and sunglasses as he prepared to catch his flight. All about the accessories: Rocking skinny jeans and a plain white T-short he also donned a pair of navy canvas shoes Finishing touches: Keeping his accessories simple he wore a black trilby and sunglasses as he prepared to catch his flight Benedict is no stranger to getting in shape for a role, and previously revealed he ate 4000 calories a day to transform himself into an intimidating villain for his role on Star Trek. But the pressure was no doubt on for the upcoming Marvel Flick which is based on the comic book series. Benedict plays Stephen Strange, the world's top neurosurgeon who goes on a journey of healing after suffering life altering injuries in a car accident, and begins to work as the Ancient One. The up-coming film, directed by Scott Derrickson, also stars Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One and Rachel McAdams and Mads Mikkelsen in unknown roles. Although it has now been confirmed that Danish actor Mads, best known for his starring role in Hannibal, is set to take on the role of the main villain. The two have been spending lots of quality time together this week. And on Thursday sisters-in-law Cameron Diaz and Nicole Richie visited a nail salon together in the Studio City neighborhood of Los Angeles. They were seen leaving the establishment together after indulging in manicures and pedicures. Scroll down for video Getting some 'us' time: Sisters-in-law Cameron Diaz and Nicole Richie were spotted Thursday leaving a nail salon in LA where they treated themselves to manicures and pedicures The blondes were both dressed down for their runaround that comes a few days after they were seen with their husbands Joel and Benji Madden, taking Nicole and Joel's kids Harlow and Sparrow out for a Labor day holiday lunch. Cameron, 44, who wed rocker Benji in 2015, looked happy and relaxed as she chatted away on her cell phone. The Shrek star wore her hair tied back into a ponytail and paired a blue denim jacket with cropped and loose-fitting black pants. Taking a break: The actress, 44, looked happy and relaxed as she chatted away on her cell phone. She was casually dressed in a denim jacket with loose-fitting black pants and sandals Her beige slides revealed her newly painted pedicure and she walked with a large suede gray bag slung across her body. The Longevity Book author also went make-up free showcasing her flawless and natural complexion. Sister-in-law Nicole, 34, looked stylish in a black duster with a paisley scarf and rolled-up jeans. Low-key style: Nicole, 34, paired a black duster with rolled up jeans and orange flip flops and carried a large glass bottle of water with a stopper top She opted for orange flip flops and also carried a large bag over her shoulder. Her hair was tied up into a tiny topknot and she added a pair of gold-rimmed sunglasses. Nicole, who wed good Charlotte frontman Joel in 2010, held a large glass bottle of water with a stopper top. Wed twins: Cameron married rocker Benji Madden, 37, in 2015 while Nicole tied the knot with his twin brother Joel, the frontman for their band Good Charlotte, in 2010 Twins Benji and Joel, 37, have been working on music for their band Good Charlotte. Earlier this year they completed some tour dates. Meanwhile, Cameron has been taking a break from Hollywood and spending time with her gal pals that include not just Nicole but also Gwyneth Paltrow and Drew Barrymore. The multi-millionaire actress who starred in such films as The Mask, There's Something About Mary and Charlie' Angels said in the documentary Human last year that fame is not important. 'Fame does not define me. If you are looking for fame to define you, then you will never be happy and youll always be searching for happiness, and you will never find it in fame,' she said. A mystery woman caused many of Aidan Turner's fans to simmer with jealous anger earlier this month when the pair were spotted kissing. But the woman spotted enjoying the steamy clinch with the actor, 33, is no wallflower herself, but high-flying executive Tara Derakshan. The Mirror claims the brunette beauty who Aidan seemed so enamored with in London is the Persian-Swede marketing manager who refers to herself as a 'badass'. Scroll down for video Poldark's girl? The woman recently spotted enjoying a steamy clinch with Poldark's Aidan Turner is reportedly high-flying marketing executive Tara Derakshan Don't look Demelza! This brunette beauty and lucky lady was pictured smooching the actor last week in London MailOnline has contacted a representative of Aidan for comment, and has also reached out to Tara. According to her LinkedIn page Tara is a marketing executive who until last year worked in New York for World Childhood Foundation USA, a non-profit organisation. The high-flying businesswoman can speak Swedish, English and Farsi fluently, and also has a commendable grasp of French. In 2015 Tara moved back to the UK to work for an online advertising company, relocating to London for the role. High-flyer: Tara is a marketing executive who until last year worked in New York for World Childhood Foundation USA, before moving onto a new role in London Tara has also set up a global network for 'young and badass women' with a view to discuss topics such as 'leadership, entrepreneurship and equal rights'. According to the website, when Tara was approached for comment she at first declined to comment, but later said it was not her in photos with Aidan. When the site approached a spokesperson for Aidan they declined to comment on his personal life. Last weekend The Hobbit star was seen locking lips with a pretty brunette, believed to be Tara, after the pair had enjoyed lunch together in London's West End. A real mover and shaker: The high-flying businesswoman (picture in July in New York) can speak Swedish, English and Farsi fluently, and also has a commendable grasp of French A glamorous life: In 2015 Tara (pictured R in October 2015) moved back to the UK to work for an online advertising company, relocating to London for her new job Smitten? Last weekend The Hobbit star was seen locking lips with a pretty brunette, believed to be Tara, after the pair had enjoyed lunch together in London's West End Off the market: The hunky actor was seen locking lips with the pretty brunette after the pair had enjoyed lunch together in London's West End Aidan looked completely smitten with the lucky lady, smiling constantly and laughing with her as they mooched around the streets of London. Wasting no time spent together, the pair shared a sweet kiss as they stopped at a crossing before continuing with their date. According to website, an onlooker said of the new couple: 'He was really into her. He didnt care who saw them. Loved-up: Wasting no time spent together, the pair shared a sweet kiss as they stopped at a crossing before continuing with their date Smitten: Aidan looked completely smitten with the lucky lady, smiling constantly 'They had a natural rapport and were having a great time.' The new romance comes just days after the BBC heartthrob made a dig at his former flame Sarah Greene, 32, as he vowed to avoid dating a fellow actor in the future. Having now clearly moved on from his acting ex, he said: 'If you're in my business and you find somebody who does exactly what you do and you're living with them, then you're in the business all the time. Chemistry: An onlooker commented that Aidan and the mystery woman 'had a natural rapport and were having a great time' 'You go home, talk about casting directors, you talk about the press, you talk about the next job you're doing - it can become quite dull and taxing.' He added: 'There's nothing like going out with somebody who doesn't even care what you're doing, let alone have anything to say about it. Because then it boils down to what the real things are, you know?' Aidan and Sarah dated for almost five years, with the Poldark star even hinting at a move to New York to be closer to the actress. However the pair split in November 2015, with the Being Human star refusing to offer any details of the split or the reasons behind it. Date day: The pair enjoyed a low-key date together, grabbing some lunch before wandering the streets and browsing shops together Proving there was no hard feelings between the two, the Burnt star previously told Goss.ie that she 'would love to work' with the Aidan earlier this year. The very public display of affection in London also comes as a surprise after The Hobbit star admitted he likes to keep his personal life out of the public eye, in order to be taken seriously as an actor. He explained to the Daily Telegraph earlier this year: I like to keep my private life private for my own head. Moving on: The PDA comes after Aidan split from long-term actress girlfriend Sarah Greene last November 'It's important to me that people dont know too much about me because I'm trying to play characters. Sometimes you see actors who are really good, but you have trouble separating that actor from the celebrity profile.' Aidan's day off with his female companion was no doubt relaxing for the actor, who has been incredibly busy promoting the new series of Poldark this week. The highly-anticipated second season of the hit BBC show returns on Sunday night, after the drama amassed a whopping 5.9 million viewers for its season finale. Aidan has starred as the lead alongside redheaded actress Eleanor Tomlinson since its first season began March 2015. Let's hope she's not on TV! The kiss comes just days after Aidan's recent confession that he does not wish to date another actress, saying the relationship can become 'dull and taxing' Talking with Sara Cox in a Radio 2 interview about the show's huge success on Friday, Aidan admitted he had an inkling early on that they were on to something good. He said: 'By the second or third episode we knew. People were tuning in and enjoying it, and it was hitting the tabloids so we knew early on.' After its initial intrigue the show only went from strength to strength - rising in popularity particularly after Aidan's infamous topless appearance. Off-duty: Aidan's day off with his female companion was no doubt relaxing for the actor, who has been incredibly busy promoting the new series of Poldark this week Stripping off while labouring in the fields as his soldier character Ross, Aidan exhibited his impressively ripped torso - with a picture of his muscles soon going viral after the episode. However Turner himself admitted that his character's baring of skin was not intentional, but was actually his own idea for practicality. Speaking to The Mirror, the star, admitted: 'It was probably a huge mistake. But Poldark's out in the fields, it's a really hot day, there's a lot of work, and it wouldn't have made sense with a top on.' 'It was never supposed to be sexually provocative.' As her contentious divorce proceedings continue, Real Housewives of New York star Jules Wainstein got some good news this week. The star's estranged husband Michael was ordered to pay her $10,000 per month as temporary spousal and child support in a divorce court on Thursday. However, according to TMZ the businessman immediately challenged the ruling, claiming he can't afford the payments. Divorce proceedings: Jules Wainstein was awarded $10,000 a month in spousal support from estranged husband Michael in a divorce hearing on Thursday Michael's lawyer told the judge he has no income and his credit cards are frozen. Michael - who Jules married in 2008 - is the owner and founder of Private Capital Group, a venture capitalist firm, and his net worth has previously been reported as $25 million. His attorney says his business has suffered due to negative publicity surrounding the case. Jules had originally requested $25,000 in support ($16,000 a month in spousal support and $9,000 a month in tax-free child support). According to E! the judge reportedly requested documentation regarding income and net worth to be able to make a final decision on monthly payments. Despite his plea of poverty, the judge ordered the first payment by made to Jules September 30. Not happy: Michael - who Jules married in 2008 - is claiming he can't afford the payments because he currently has no income and his credit cards are frozen No money? Michael is the owner and founder of Private Capital Group, a venture capitalist firm, and his net worth has previously been reported as $25 million. He is pictured with their children on August 7 Her children Jagger, five and Rio, three, will stay with her for the time being. She will use the third and fourth floors of their New York home while Michael will be allowed to use the second floor office. Each will have exclusive access to those parts of the home for now so the judge removed the temporary restraining order filed against Michael. Last month Jules obtained the restraining order against Michael after she called police to her apartment following a heated argument with the 44-year-old. Around the same time it emerged Michael was planning on filing for full custody of both the former couple's kids. Battling it out: The duo's children are to stay with Jules for now despite Michael requesting custody. They are seen with their children on June 18 shortly before Michael filed for divorce TMZ reported Michael was seeking an order limiting the 35-year-old to supervised visitations with their children claiming she is 'just too erratic' to care for them. Jules has been filmed on RHONY complaining several times about how little Michael cared for the youngsters while he was caught up in what she later confirmed to be an affair. After last month's fight, the NYPD told E! News: 'When officers showed up they spoke to both parties and advised for each, if they felt threatened by the other, to file a restraining order.' The end: Michael, 44, filed divorce papers against the Real Housewives Of New York star on July 15 There was no evidence of injury, and no arrests were made. It wasn't the first time police have been called to their former home, in a split that has seen both side accuse the other of physical assault. Michael filed divorce papers against the reality star on July 15. Just days later, Daily Mail Online published pictures of him walking hand in hand with psychologist Elyse Bensusan, with whom he had denied having an affair. Public eye: Fans of RHONY have witnessed the deterioration of the Wainsteins's relationship play out on screen Fans of RHONY have witnessed the deterioration of the Wainsteins's relationship play out on screen. In an episode filmed back in January, Jules was seen voicing her suspicions about Michael's behavior after he returned home late for a double date night and still insisted on taking a shower before spending all evening on his phone. Jules complained to friend and co-star Dorinda Medley about how little her husband of eight years helped with their children. She claimed that he put the children to bed in their school uniform, expected her to tend to their every demand and on one occasion did not change his daughter's diaper, leaving it 'full' until her mother got home. Touchy subject: Last month Jules appeared on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live with co-star Dorinda Medley, looking visibly uncomfortable as she answered questions on the divorce Marc Jacobs is known for roping in some of the industry's most high profile celebrities for his edgy fashion campaigns. And model of the moment Cara Delevingne leads the star studded line-up alongside her stunning girlfriend St.Vincent for the 'acid-trip' video for his fall fashion campaign. Setting the mood in a dark room overshadowed with strategically placed neon lights, a whole host of celebrities such as Missy Elliott, Kendall Jenner, Courtney Love, Marilyn Manson, Susan Sarandon and Sissy Spacek made their mark. Scroll down for video The model look: Cara Delevingne, 24, leads the star studded line-up in the video for the Marc Jacobs fall fashion campaign Cara in particular stole the spotlight as she smouldered down the barrel of the lens- her smokey eyes giving off a much more intense feel. As she shimmied along to the faint music in the background, in another still her gorgeous other half looked sensational in a statement Victorian inspired number as she crouched on the floor. Elsewhere, KUWTK star Kendall emulated her Gothic ensemble well, which complemented her glamorous corkscrew curls. All eyes on her: Cara in particular stole the spotlight as she smouldered down the barrel of the lens The other half: Cara was joined by her girlfriend St.Vincent who looked sensational in a statement Victorian inspired number as she crouched on the floor Making an impact: Cara's smokey eye make-up added to the intense feel And while some decided to pose in a single position while covered in an array of sequins and dramatic feathers, others cut loose with a series of quirky dance steps. The line-up was well and truly filled with familiar faces with Marc himself making an appearance as he puffed away on a cigarette, however it was St.Vincent who gushed about the fashion project. '(It) was like an acid-trip Fellini film, 8 or Satyricon, she revealed to Billboard. Edgy: KUWTK star Kendall Jenner emulated her Gothic ensemble well Mane attraction: She looked the part as her glamorous corkscrew curls which were teased to perfection The man behind it all: Marc Jacobs himself made an appearance as he puffed away on a cigarette while clad in dramatic feathers Making an appearance: Sissy Spacek looked sensational Red hot: The star-studded cast donned teased red-haired wigs while striking a fierce pose together Standing out: Missy Elliot matched her purple do to her plump pout 'Genesis P-Orridge was on one side of me, Susan Sarandon on the other, and all these gorgeous, statuesque redheads milling round. It was lovely to be in the company of real artists and genuine, beautiful freaks.' She will also join forces with Jacobs, as well as the rest of his star cast to curate playlists for Apple Music that will be released throughout September. Alternative: Marilyn Manson seemed right at home Talented: Susan Sarandon put her acting skills to great use for the video Familiar surroundings: Courtney Love also put on her signature rock-chic display Meanwhile Cara is obviously smitten with her curly haired girlfriend as she admitted to British Vogue in July: 'I'm completely in love. Before, I didn't know what love was - real love. I didn't understand the depth of it. I always used to think it was you against the world. 'Now I know the meaning of life is love. Whether that's for yourself or for the world or your partner.' In 2005, Renee Zellweger tied the knot with country star Kenny Chesney following a whirlwind romance. But just four months later she filed for an annulment citing 'fraud,' leading to widespread speculation that the marriage failed because Chesney was 'gay'. 'That made me sad,' she tells The Advocate in an interview to promote her new film Bridget Jones's Baby. 'It made me sad that somehow people were using that as a way to be cruel and calling someone gay as a pejorative, which has fateful consequences. ' 'Unnecessary ugliness': Renee Zellweger has spoken of her sadness about gay rumors that plagued country star Kenny Chesney after she filed to annul their marriage, pictured, in 2005 As for why she remained silent as the allegations swirled, the actress, 47, responded that she wasn't in the habit of pouring her heart out to the tabloids. 'Id said all I needed to say on that subject. Im an old-fashioned gal who doesnt feel its appropriate to hang out your laundry on the lawn,' she told the publication. 'I feel you devalue yourself as a human being when you share very personal things with a bajillion strangers who are making fun of you. I just dont see that theres any dignity in that.' She did go on to acknowledge, though, that 'sometimes it is difficult to just let something be what it is, especially when its unnecessary ugliness.' Back in the spotlight: The actress, 47, who stars in Bridget Jones's Baby released next week, said she didn't come to Chesney's defense because she keeps her private life private Like it never happened; Zellweger and Chesney, pictured jogging in May 2005, met in January 2005 and wed in the Virgin Islands. She cited 'fraud' in seeking an annulment in September Zellweger, who has been dating blues musician Doyle Bramhall II since 2012, is back in the media spotlight after a five year hiatus from movie making. And while she has a couple of movies in the can, it's her return as Britain's best loved singleton that has everyone talking. And her character continues to lean on her best friend Tom, a gay man, played by actor James Callis, who she describes as Bridget's 'go-to wingman.' In the Bridget Jones movies, Bridget has a gay friend Tom, played by James Challis, whom Zellweger calls her character's 'go-to wingman.' In real life too her closest pals are gay In her interview with The Advocate, Zellweger reveals that in real life too, the majority of her closest friends are gay and she, in fact, actually dated a gay man 'for a minute.' 'I knew he was gay or had been gay. But he wasnt gay that day!' she said with a laugh. She also recalled the time she spent a new year's Eve in Miami with her gay friend and his boyfriend and they got spotted on the beach by the paparazzi. 'We had a very Bridget Jones moment: He had no desire to be photographed in his trunks, so he told me, Y'ou need to get out of here and go for a run right now!' Some tabloid ran the photos and wrote, 'Has Renee finally found her pearl?' 'I was like, 'Aww, hes my pearl!', she said. 'Hes family to me.' In the third Bridget Jones film, that opens September 16, Bridget is pregnant and caught between Mark, played again by Colin Firth, and new beau Jack, played by Patrick Dempsey. Air China magazine apologises over 'racist' article The publisher of Chinese national carrier Air China's in-flight magazine apologised Thursday for allegedly "racist" travel advice offered to passengers visiting London, as mainland social media users rushed to defend the controversial tips. The latest issue of "Wings of China" ran an article detailing safety tips for travellers based on the race and nationality of local residents. "London is generally a safe place to travel, however precautions are needed when entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people," the article said in English translation below a Chinese text, according to a photograph published by CNBC. Air China's in-flight magazine ran an article detailing safety tips for travellers based on the race and nationality of residents in London Wang Zhao (AFP/File) "We advise tourists not to go out alone at night, and females always to be accompanied by another person when travelling," it added. The Chinese version was worded slightly differently, stating that such neighbourhoods were "comparatively more chaotic" -- an adjective often used to describe dangerous areas. The English translation prompted London MP Virendra Sharma, who emigrated from India to Britain in the 1960s, to complain to the Chinese government. "I am shocked and appalled that even today some people would see it as acceptable to write such blatantly untrue and racist statements," he said in an online statement. "I have raised this issue with the Chinese ambassador, and requested that he ensures an apology is swiftly forthcoming from Air China, and the magazine is removed from circulation immediately," Sharma said. In a Chinese-language statement Thursday, the publisher attributed the "inappropriate descriptions" to editorial errors, stating that they were at odds with the "original intention to actively promote the beautiful scenery of London". It described itself as a third-party organisation, although Air China's own website describes the magazine as "an authoritative information resource of Air China Group and Air China". The publisher apologised that the text had "misled" a number of media outlets and readers and damaged Air China's brand image. But on Chinese social media, most commenters expressed bafflement at the backlash. In a common refrain, one user of China's Twitter-like Weibo platform asked: "This is just stating the truth -- what is there to apologise about?" Another queried: "There are more rapists and robbers there anyway -- why is saying this discriminatory?" Many said they felt the advice was valuable. "We can't satisfy everyone, but we certainly must put Chinese people's safety first," one user stated. Discussion and public awareness of racism in China is notoriously low -- often resulting in viral scandals that spark global outrage beyond the Great Firewall but cause nary a whimper of concern within the mainland. In May, an ad by a Chinese detergent maker depicting a black man stuffed into a washing machine and transformed into a fair-skinned Asian stoked outcry abroad, initially dismissed by the company as overly sensitive. - 'Politically correct' - China often portrays itself as the victim of discrimination at the hands of foreign media, and many on Weibo expressed indignation at what they saw as hypocritical finger-pointing from those in the West. "We don't owe black people, Indians or Pakistanis anything; we never trafficked slaves or colonised India and Pakistan," wrote one user, adding: "So go die, all you politically correct people." The controversy comes during a period of tension between Beijing and London. British Prime Minister Theresa May returned to London this week from the G20 summit hosted by China, where she defended her decision to delay giving the go-ahead to a nuclear power project in which Beijing has substantial investment. China has a one-third stake in the plan to build Britain's first nuclear plant in decades at Hinkley Point in southwest England, along with French company EDF. May unexpectedly delayed the project in July after EDF gave it a green light, saying on Sunday she would make a decision this month. China's ambassador to Britain, Liu Xiaoming, warned last month relations were at a "crucial historical juncture" between the two countries. One commenter on the Air China magazine incident had their own solution to the controversy, saying: "In the future, just don't translate this stuff into English. It's enough that we get the message amongst ourselves -- foreigners wouldn't understand." Hollywood diversity: all talk, little change, says report Diversity may be the mantra at well-meaning movie production workshops, studio execs' away days and awards ceremonies but inequality in Hollywood is as bad as ever, a new report suggests. The study, by the University of Southern California, examined the 100 top films in each year from 2007 to 2015 -- apart from 2011 -- analyzing more than 35,000 characters for gender, ethnicity, LGBT status and disability. Fewer than a third of speaking characters across the 100 top films from 2015 were female, a figure that has not changed since 2007, the university's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism found. Fewer than a third of speaking characters across the 100 top films from 2015 were female, a figure that has not changed since 2007, a reprot found Georges Gobet (AFP/File) Just 26 percent of characters from 2015 films analysed by the school's Media, Diversity and Social Change Initiative were from underrepresented ethnic groups. LGBT characters represented less than one percent of all speaking parts. There was no change at all between 2007 and 2015 in the percentage of black, hispanic, Asian or other races/ethnicities in top films. Diversity has been a major focus in Hollywood since the industry was rocked by the #OscarsSoWhite online campaign railing against the lack of ethnic minority nominees in the acting categories for the last two Academy Awards ceremonies. But Stacy Smith, founding director of the initiative, said the study's findings laid bare Hollywood as "an epicenter of cultural inequality." "While the voices calling for change have escalated in number and volume, there is little evidence that this has transformed the movies that we see and the people hired to create them," she added. Behind the camera, female directors made up just 4.1 percent of those hired on the 800 films evaluated. "Despite the advocacy surrounding female directors, film is a representational wasteland for women of color in this key role," said Smith. Obama focuses on Asia security threats North Korea's defiant missile testing and the South China Sea territorial row were among a barrage of security threats in focus Thursday as US President Barack Obama gathered with East Asian leaders in Laos. The annual event this year comes at a time of heightened tensions on a wide range of fronts across the region, with terrorism also a concern after deadly bomb blasts in Thailand and the Philippines in recent weeks. Obama was due to meet on Thursday morning with the leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc, pitting him against firebrand Filipino leader Rodrigo Duterte who this week branded him a "son of a whore". US President Barack Obama toasts with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) and Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah (C) at the gala dinner during the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane on September 7, 2016 Noel Celis (AFP) The expanded East Asia summit will then take place, which involves members of the long-running and increasingly fraught six-nation talks aimed at convincing North Korea to give up its nuclear ambitions. Defying the international community and UN sanctions, North Korea on Monday conducted the latest in a series of ballistic missile tests that have rattled nerves across the region. Obama warned on Monday shortly after arriving in Laos that Kim Jong-Un's regime was dooming itself to further isolation, and the UN Security Council condemned the tests. But North Korea responded in typically bellicose fashion, threatening on Wednesday to take "further significant measures". - 'Serious concern' - The 18 East Asia summit nations will voice "serious concern" over the latest North Korean tests, according to a draft of their end-of-meeting statement obtained by AFP. "We reaffirmed the importance of peace and security in this region and reiterated support for the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner," the statement said. The statement will also emphasise the importance of maintaining peace in the South China Sea, the other major regional flashpoint. China came under pressure at ASEAN's standalone summit on Tuesday and Wednesday over its land reclamation efforts in the sea, which are aimed at cementing control over the strategically vital waters. An international tribunal ruled in July that Beijing's claims to nearly all of the sea had no legal basis, and its artificial island-building activities were illegal. - Muted statement expected - China insists it has sovereign rights to most of the sea -- through which $5 trillion in global shipping trade passes annually -- even waters close to Southeast Asian nations. But it has vowed to ignore the ruling and the Philippines released photos on Wednesday claiming to show that Beijing was continuing with its island-building campaign. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has been in Laos this week and faced questioning over the issue, with ASEAN leaders voicing alarm. "We remain seriously concerned over recent and ongoing developments and took note of the concerns expressed by some leaders on the land reclamations," said a joint statement at the end of their summit on Wednesday. Nevertheless, intensive Chinese lobbying helped to ensure there was no mention of the July ruling in the ASEAN statement. The East Asia bloc was expected to urge all parties to follow international law, but otherwise release a muted statement on the South China Sea. "We reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation in and over-flight in the South China Sea," the draft of its post-summit statement said. A spectacular sideshow to this week's diplomacy in Laos has been the spat between the acid-tongued Duterte and Obama, leaders of nations that have been longtime allies. Duterte launched a barrage of insults against Obama after being told the US president planned to raise concerns about a war on crime in the Philippines that has claimed 3,000 lives in just over two months. "You must be respectful. Do not just throw away questions and statements. Son of a whore, I will curse you in that forum," Duterte told reporters. Obama cancelled a meeting with Duterte scheduled for Tuesday because of the outburst. They met briefly on Wednesday night before a leaders' dinner, but only exchanged "pleasantries", according to the White House. Disputed claims in the South China Sea Adrian LEUNG, Gal ROMA (AFP) North Korea is shown test-firing a strategic submarine-launched ballistic missile at an undisclosed location on August 25, 2016 Trump says Putin is 'far more' of a leader than Obama Russian President Vladimir Putin is "far more" of a leader than Barack Obama, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said Wednesday, echoing previous praise for the Kremlin strongman. Putin is "very much of a leader," Trump said in a televised interview, where he and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton were separately grilled over their national security and military credentials. Trump has made no secret of his admiration for Putin, who last year praised the US businessman as "very outstanding." Donald Trump has made no secret of his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who last year praised the US businessman as "very outstanding" Bryan R. Smith (AFP) Putin "has very strong control over a country," Trump said. "It's a very different system, and I don't happen to like the system. But certainly in that system he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader." Before Trump spoke, Clinton too was asked about her security smarts, but also faced questions on the sprawling email scandal that continues to overshadow her White House run. The interviewer, NBC's Matt Lauer, asked why it wasn't "disqualifying" for Clinton to have handled government emails on a private server while secretary of state. "It was a mistake to have a personal account. I would certainly not do it again. I make no excuses for it," Clinton responded, stressing she had not improperly handled classified information. The forum, held aboard historic aircraft carrier the USS Intrepid, docked off New York City, did not put the candidates head-to-head, and Lauer asked them not to waste time insulting each other. For the most part they refrained, though Clinton said Trump had refused to take responsibility for his initial support for the Iraq War. Trump went on to attack Clinton over her emails. The first debate between the one-time friends turned bitter rivals is scheduled for September 26. - Trump's military plans - Earlier Wednesday, Trump pledged to increase US military spending -- already at levels far higher than any other nation -- and to demand a plan to beat the Islamic State (IS) group if he becomes president. The Republican presidential candidate told supporters he would ask generals to craft a roadmap to the IS group's annihilation. Trump also outlined proposals for an active army of around 540,000 troops, an air force of at least 1,200 fighter aircraft, a 36-battalion marine corps and a navy of 350 surface ships and submarines -- though he provided no details on how he would persuade Congress to pay for it all. Apart from consulting with top generals, Trump remained vague on how he would defeat IS. "Is the plan you've been hiding this whole time asking someone else for their plan?" Lauer asked. Trump said he didn't "want to broadcast to the enemy what my plan is." The United States for more than two years has led a coalition bombing IS in Iraq and Syria, and training local partners on the ground to fight the jihadists. The air campaign started slowly, but IS now appears to be on a back foot, having suffered tens of thousands of casualties and losing many of the important towns it once controlled across its self-declared "caliphate." Clinton provided more specifics, stressing IS would be defeated without US ground troops being deployed. Currently, America has thousands of troops in Iraq and hundreds in Syria, but their mission is to train local forces and not engage in direct combat with IS. - Attacking the generals - In a move likely to enrage the brass in the Defense Department, Trump also blasted the current status of America's top officers, saying they had been hamstrung by Obama and Clinton. "The generals have been reduced to rubble," Trump said, before noting he had "faith in certain of the commanders." Trump, who has campaigned on a platform railing against illegal immigration, also said he had no problem with existing US policy of allowing undocumented immigrants to stay in America if they serve in the military. Most national polls show a tight race with Clinton in the lead as the US presidential race enters its home stretch with just nine weeks until the November 8 election. However, Trump is ahead by a wide margin of 19 percentage points among military and veteran voters, according to the latest NBC News/SurveyMonkey Weekly Election Tracking poll. His 55 to 36 percent lead with the group comes despite recent remarks against the parents of a Muslim-American soldier killed in Iraq, members of the so-called Gold Star families who have lost loved ones in military service. Trump also angered many in the military community with mocking remarks against US Senator and former prisoner of war John McCain for being captured in Vietnam. Hillary Clinton said handling government emails on a private server was "a mistake," but stressed she had not improperly handled classified information Brendan Smialowski (AFP) Donald Trump pledged to increase US military spending and to demand a plan to beat the Islamic State (IS) group if he becomes president Bryan R. Smith (AFP) S.Africa's ANC faces deep crisis after vote defeat Record electoral losses and deep internal divisions are threatening both the long hold on power enjoyed by South Africa's ruling ANC party and the political future of President Jacob Zuma. Since 1994, the African National Congress -- once led by Nelson Mandela -- has comfortably swept to victory in elections, and remains the largest party in the country. But in last month's municipal elections, the loss of control of the capital city Pretoria, economic hub Johannesburg and port city Port Elizabeth point to the party's new fragility. Disgruntled members of South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) party demonstrate demanding the resignation of President Jacob Zuma Gianluigi Guercia (AFP/File) "The ANC is being consumed by three demons -- corruption, factionalism and a leadership without credibility," Prince Mashele, analyst and co-author of "The Fall of the ANC: What Next?", told AFP. The party has always bred factions and divisions, but its dismal showing during the August 3 local elections has brought tensions to the surface. On Monday, activists from rival party factions scuffled in downtown Johannesburg as anti-Zuma members threatened to occupy the party's headquarters. "This is certainly the first time it has come to the fore in such a widely expressed way," said Mari Harris, an analyst and director of Ipsos pollsters in South Africa. Despite the increasingly vocal calls for Zuma to step down, many experts caution that he retains a strong grip on the party's power structure and draws loyalty from his extensive patronage network. "There are two extremes within the party -- pro and anti Zuma -- but in between there are other people who tolerate the president for now," said Harris. The party is due to choose a new leader at the end of next year, with the selected name then running as president in national elections in 2019 when Zuma cannot stand for a third term in office. "What we are witnessing now is not the end, it's part of a downward spiral to the bottom," said Mashele. "The bottom eventually will be when the ANC is totally removed from power and we are not yet there." - Public anger grows - Several analysts forecast support for the ANC -- the celebrated party that freed the country from apartheid -- dipping below 50 percent in the 2019 election. Public frustration has grown over its failure to tackle the country's modern problems of soaring unemployment, low growth and little real change for many of the poorest since the end of white-minority rule. "President Jacob Zuma is an embodiment of all (the) wrong things in (the) ANC. Let's not be intimidated," said Ronald Lamola, a former youth leader in the party. Zuma, 74, who under apartheid was jailed on Robben Island with Mandela, has been dogged by a litany of scandals, including being found guilty of violating the constitution after he refused to repay taxpayers money used to refurbish his private rural house. One explosive tug-of-war being fought within the ANC is over Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan. Gordhan, who for months has been targeted by a special police investigating unit, represents a faction seen as standing up against Zuma's corrupt associates. "He is standing at the door of the treasury, which is where the money is. (Attempts to remove him) are so that the thieves can enter unhindered," said Mashele. Long-term political allies of the ANC are also starting to push for change. The Communist Party has been a trusted partner for more than two decades, but last month it accused the ANC leadership of being "arrogant and aloof". The turmoil is working to the advantage of opposition parties, including the radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters, formed three years ago by former ANC youth leader Julius Malema. The ANC is conducting itself "so badly that the opposition actually looked good," said Harris. Activists from rival factions of South Africa's ruling Africa National Congress (ANC) faced off in central Johannesburg, highlighting deep divisions in the party Gianluigi Guercia (AFP/File) Mao concerts split Australian Chinese community Concerts planned to honour Mao Zedong in Australia on the 40th anniversary of his death have been cancelled amid warnings they could spark disturbances, illustrating a generational divide in the Chinese community over the Communist icon's legacy. Despite Chinese government recriminations over the brutal decade of mayhem he unleashed, Mao's appeal has not diminished among diehard loyalists both at home and among migrant communities. But authorities in Australia's two biggest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, axed the "Glory and Dreams" concerts scheduled for this week in the face of criticism it would have praised "the worst mass murderer in human history". September 9, 2016 marks the 40th anniversary of the death of Communist China's founding father Mao Zedong Fred Dufour (AFP) The City of Sydney said the September 6 event planned at the grand Town Hall to honour the anniversary raised the "potential for civil disturbance, patron to patron conflict and staff to patron conflict". It said the organisers themselves identified the event, billed as a cultural concert, as being at "high risk of disruption" and that the distribution of free tickets only added to concerns. Australia is home to some 866,000 ethnic Chinese among a population of 24 million -- with half born in mainland China. High emotion over the Mao commemorations exposes a schism largely between older emigres who witnessed the catastrophic Cultural Revolution and the bloody Tiananmen crackdown, and more recent arrivals who know a richer, more confident modern China. Flyers for the concerts described Mao as "a national leader forever in the hearts of Chinese people and a hero in the eyes of people all over the world", according to Chongyi Feng from the University of Technology in Sydney. For those who blame him for the deaths of tens of millions of people in famine and purges in the decade from 1966, this was "too much", the associate professor in China studies wrote in a commentary. To many Australians "Mao or Maoism is a symbol of violence, dictatorship, intolerance, political persecution and cultural repression", he added. The Communist Party's official verdict on Mao in 1981 declared he had been "a great....strategist and theorist" but acknowledged he made "gross mistakes", an indictment over his reign which left chaos in its wake and transformed the political landscape. But one concert organiser, Yang Xi, said in a television interview that while Mao's mistakes had been recognised, his legacy, including his contribution to the Chinese Revolution, was more important. - 'He's not gone yet ' - Leading the backlash has been the Embracing Australian Values Alliance group which launched an online petition that attracted thousands of signatures. The concerts had "triggered the trauma of many Chinese victims of Mao's revolution" and went against Australian values, it said. John Hugh, one of those behind the petition, said Mao's legacy remained painful for many Chinese. "He is not gone yet," he said of Mao who still commands a powerful personality cult in some quarters. "These kind of concerts just refreshed their wounds," he said. Hugh said Mao's supporters in Australia included young people who haven't experienced China's convulsions, hardline Communists and those disenchanted with Beijing's current leadership after decades of market-based reforms. But he said many in the Chinese community felt disgusted when they heard about the concerts "because many of their fathers and grandparents had been persecuted by the Maoist people". Peter Cai, a research fellow at Sydney-based foreign policy think-tank the Lowy Institute, said the concerts had been a disastrous idea. "Even in China I think the current leadership... don't really want to talk about Mao," he told AFP. "They still revere him as the founder of the party-state... but they would rather not talk about his disastrous policies." He said that while organisers may have been trying to demonstrate their loyalty to Beijing, "it really backfired". It may even have damaged "brand China", as the Asian superpower seeks to solidify business links with trade partner Australia via soft diplomacy focussed on business, history and culture, he said. Despite Chinese government recriminations over the brutal decade of mayhem he unleashed, Mao Zedong'ss appeal has not diminished among diehard loyalists both at home and among migrant communities Nicolas Asfouri (AFP/File) Many blame Mao Zedong for the deaths of tens of millions of people in famine and purges in the decade from 1966 Maldives' police raid media offices after graft claims Police in the Maldives raided the offices of a local media organisation just hours after a documentary aired accusing President Abdulla Yameen and his government of corruption, journalists said Thursday. Police searched the seven-storey building housing the Maldives Independent website whose editor was quoted in the Al Jazeera documentary aired on Wednesday night detailing high-level graft allegations. "We believe the search was part of an attempt at intimidation," a Maldives Independent journalist told AFP. "They looked at rooms and even the toilets, but took only a broken CCTV unit." Maldives is facing a protracted political crisis that has dented the Indian Ocean archipelago's reputation as an upmarket holiday destination Ishara S.Kodikara (AFP/File) There was no immediate comment from the police. The documentary is the latest twist in a protracted political crisis that has dented the Indian Ocean archipelago's reputation as an upmarket holiday destination and raised international alarm about an erosion of democracy. Al Jazeera said the documentary was based on data including emails and text messages it had obtained between key officials of Yameen's administration allegedly implicating them in graft and other criminal activity. The editor of the Maldives Independent left the country before the documentary aired, fearing the government would slap charges against her under a tough defamation law. Former Maldives auditor-general Niyaz Ibrahim, who alleged in the documentary financial irregularities under the Yameen regime, also reportedly left the country on Wednesday night fearing persecution. Yameen's government labelled the documentary disappointing, saying it mostly contained allegations revealed in an official report by Ibrahim that were already being probed by Maldives' authorities. "The Maldives government would request that all evidence obtained by Al Jazeera be handed to the Maldives Police Services or the Anti-Corruption Commission so as to assist it with their own investigations," the foreign ministry said in a statement posted on its website Thursday. The "Stealing Paradise" documentary, by Al Jazeera journalist Will Jordan, a former editor of the Maldives Independent, shows what it says are leaked messages from former vice-president Ahmed Adeeb's phone to various officials discussing payments. In June, Adeeb was jailed for 15 years on a charge of plotting to assassinate Yameen -- part of a sweeping crackdown on opponents, most of whom are in jail or exile. Yameen's administration faces international criticism over the crackdown along with the jailing last year of the country's first democratically elected president, Mohamed Nasheed who has since obtained asylum in Britain. The Maldives last week issued an arrest warrant for Nasheed for failing to return to the nation to complete his jail sentence after receiving medical care in Britain. Nasheed was among members of several exiled opposition groups meeting in Colombo last week to plot a strategy to topple Yameen, according to sources. He returned to London earlier this week, sources told AFP. Turkish shelling kills six Syrian Kurd fighters Heavy Turkish shelling across the border into Syria killed six US-backed Kurdish fighters and wounded several civilians, a monitoring group said on Thursday. The artillery fire struck the Kurdish-controlled Afrin area in the northwest late on Wednesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. A Syrian Kurdish news website reported the same death toll. Turkish military column drives past shepherds near the Syrian village of Tuwairan, close to Al-Rai, the small border town with Turkey Nazeer al-Khatib (AFP/File) The majority-Kurdish Afrin area has been under the control of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) since government forces pulled out in 2012. It has come under intermittent artillery fire by Ankara which regards the YPG as an extension of the outlawed rebel Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) that has been waging an insurgency in southeastern Turkey for three decades. But it has not been a direct target of the unprecedented ground incursion which Ankara launched on August 24 targeting both the YPG and the Islamic State jihadist group. Turkish leaders have said a major goal of the intervention was to prevent the YPG and their allies from joining up the Afrin enclave with the large swathe of territory they control in northeastern Syria to create a contiguous autonomous region along much of the border. A total of 19 Kurdish and allied fighters have been killed since the incursion began, according to the Observatory. Turkish troops and their Syrian rebel allies have now occupied a border strip stretching from the Euphrates River to the Afrin enclave, after ousting the last IS fighters last weekend. Turkish operations against the YPG have drawn criticism from Washington which has urged both sides to focus their sights on IS. Palestinians dismiss report Abbas was KGB agent as 'smear' A spokesman for Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Thursday dismissed a claim by researchers that he worked as a Soviet agent in Damascus in the 1980s, calling it a smear intended to derail a Russian peace initiative. The claim emerged in a report by Israeli public television on Wednesday night citing two researchers who were studying the so-called Mitrokhin papers stored in Britain at Cambridge University's Churchill Archives Centre. "In 1983, he (Abbas) is listed as being groomed by the KGB under the codename Krotov, the mole," one of the Israeli researchers, Isabella Ginor, told the programme. Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas was born in what was then British mandate Palestine, but his family fled to Syria during the 1948 war surrounding the creation of Israel Ashraf Shazly (AFP/File) Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh told AFP it "falls under the framework of Israeli absurdities which we have got used to," calling it a "smear campaign." Abbas was born in what was then British mandate Palestine, but his family fled to Syria during the 1948 war surrounding the creation of Israel. The report did not make clear what Abbas is alleged to have done for the Soviets. "It is clear Israel is troubled by the (Palestinians') strategic relationship with Russia and by the clear and announced Russian position, which is to solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis on an independent Palestinian state and the right of self-determination for our people," Abu Rudeineh said. The Mitrokhin Archive, where the document was said to have been found, is based on files of the Soviet spy agency KGB that were smuggled to Britain. Major Vasili Mitrokhin was a senior archivist in the KGB's foreign intelligence archive from 1972 until his retirement in 1984, and, disillusioned with domestic Soviet oppression, secretly copied information by hand, before defecting to Britain with it in 1992. The report comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks to organise a face-to-face meeting between Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Putin's Middle East envoy Mikhail Bogdanov met with both Netanyahu and Palestinian officials this week. The television report recalled that the Russian envoy, Bogdanov, was stationed in Damascus in 1983. His official CV online shows that he was in Syria between 1983 and 1989. Abbas claimed earlier this week that a meeting with Netanyahu had been set for Friday, but he said that an aide to the Israeli premier proposed delaying it and it was called off. Netanyahu has repeated his position -- he is ready to meet Abbas anytime, anywhere, as long as it is without preconditions. Palestinian leaders have previously called for the release of prisoners, a deadline for the end of the occupation of the West Bank and a halt to Israeli settlement building as conditions for talks. Taliban storm into southern Afghan city The Taliban stormed into Tarin Kot Thursday, triggering heavy fighting around government buildings as panicked residents scrambled to flee the capital of southern Uruzgan province, the latest city to be targeted by insurgents. Hundreds of militants battled to overrun the local prison, police headquarters and the governor's compound after breaching the city, but hours later Afghan forces bolstered by reinforcements and air support repelled them from Tarin Kot, officials said. The attack highlights the once rural insurgency's aggressive push to capture big cities, from Kunduz in the north to Lashkar Gah in the south, leaving Afghan forces fighting without full NATO support thinly stretched across multiple fronts. Afghan National Army personnel patrol in the Tarin Kot district of Uruzgan province on September 8, 2016 The Taliban onslaught in Tarin Kot prompted senior officials to retreat to the airport, home to a military base on the outer fringes of the city, which has been besieged by the Taliban for months. Tarin Kot's normally bustling streets were deserted and shops closed as civilians sought to escape from the city. Sabir Menawal, a Tarin Kot resident, said Taliban fighters entered his house near the police headquarters and took up positions inside to fire at government buildings. "The Taliban instructed us to leave the area immediately," Menawal told AFP. "I fled with my family to a safer area of Tarin Kot, but we fear fighting could spread to this area too." In a sobering admission, Uruzgan's police chief Wais Samim said many of the city's outer defences had fallen to the Taliban without a fight. "Some policemen made deals with the Taliban and retreated from their posts. Some people here deliberately want the enemy to succeed," he told AFP. "We will address this issue once we push back the enemy." - Deteriorating security - Tarin Kot is the third provincial capital that has come under Taliban attack in recent weeks, after Lashkar Gah and Kunduz, which the insurgents briefly seized last year in a stinging blow to Afghan forces. The Taliban said they broke into Tarin Kot's prison, but Samim rejected the claim and said many of the inmates had been transferred to the airport. Boosting morale for government troops, General Abdul Raziq, the powerful police chief of Kandahar province with a fierce reputation for brutality, arrived in Uruzgan with hundreds of reinforcements. Samim said 79 insurgents had been killed in Thursday's fighting, but declined to give a specific number of casualties for Afghan forces. He added that troops were preparing for another assault to flush out Taliban insurgents from the outskirts of Tarin Kot. President Ashraf Ghani's office said the government will not allow "Uruzgan to become a sanctuary for terrorists". "Reinforcements have reached the province, and the local police chief and provincial officials are on the frontline fighting the enemy," presidential spokesman Shahhussain Murtazawi said on Facebook. NATO forces, which ended their combat mission in Afghanistan in 2014, said they were providing assistance to Afghan forces in Uruzgan but declined to provide any specifics. Since being toppled by a US invasion in 2001, the Taliban have been seen as a rural militant movement capable only of hit-and-run attacks on cities. But they have demonstrated an alarming push into urban population centres over the last year. The deteriorating security highlights the struggle of overstretched Afghan forces to secure remote provinces such as Uruzgan, a top poppy-growing region where Australian, Dutch and American troops fought for years. Afghanistan AFP (AFP) Newly elected Hong Kong lawmaker reports 'death threats' A Hong Kong lawmaker advocating more autonomy from China who won a seat in landmark elections last weekend said Thursday he had received "death threats" before and since the polls as he reported them to police. Eddie Chu was one of at least five candidates in the semi-autonomous city pushing for more distance or even an outright break from Beijing who took seats for the first time in the Legislative Council assembly Sunday amid fears of China tightening its grip. Chu, 38, is also an environmentalist who has campaigned against the destruction of heritage properties to make way for newer developments. Newly elected Hong Kong lawmaker Eddie Chu says he is unable to go home because he is being stalked and the safety of his family threatened Anthony Wallace (AFP) He said he was unable to go home because he was being stalked and the safety of his family threatened. "I received death threats...because of my political views," Chu told reporters. "The threat to my personal safety is imminent...it has drastically worsened in the past two to three days," he said before going into the city's Wan Chai police station with his lawyer. He did not give any detail on who had made the threats and how they reached him. Michael Vidler, a lawyer assisting Chu, urged police to take the case seriously. "Politically motivated threats or violence against elected representatives of the people is a direct attack on the rule of law and democracy," Vidler told reporters. "The Hong Kong police are duty bound to uphold the rule of law and everybody's constitutional rights, including Mr. Chu's," he said. Sunday's election saw a record turnout with more than two million residents casting their votes in the city of seven million. It was the first major poll since the 2014 "Umbrella Movement" protests, with the anti-establishment camp increasing its share of the legislature, which is still weighted towards Beijing. Chu, standing as an independent, emerged as winner in his constituency with more than 80,000 votes -- the most of any candidate in the polls. His allegations mark the latest controversy to hit the election. Several pro-independence activists were banned from standing and two say they will now appeal their disqualification, according to media reports. Pro-establishment candidate Ken Chow, of the Liberal Party, has also complained of interference, saying he was told to quit the race to make way for other pro-Beijing candidates. Independent candidate Eddie Chu speaks to the press following his win in the Legislative Council election in Hong Kong on September 5, 2016 Anthony Wallace (AFP) Palestinian court suspends local elections set for October A Palestinian court Thursday suspended municipal elections set for October 8 following disputes between the rival Fatah and Hamas movements over candidate lists, jeopardising the first vote since 2006 to involve both parties. "The court decided in a meeting on Thursday to stop the elections planned for October 8," Hisham al-Hatoo, head of the Palestinian high court in the Fatah-led West Bank, explained. The Fatah website said a second hearing would be held on December 21, though it was not immediately clear whether the elections could then be rescheduled. Palestinians cast their votes in the municipal elections in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip on January 27, 2005 Pedro Ugarte (AFP/File) Islamist movement Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip, boycotted the last Palestinian municipal elections in 2012, but it was due to participate this year. A Hamas spokesman said it rejected the decision. "This is a political decision," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said. "We reject the decision to cancel the election and call on everyone to reject it." Fatah and Hamas have not contested an election since 2006 parliamentary polls, which Hamas won -- sparking a conflict that led to near civil war in Gaza the following year. This year's vote was planned with 81-year-old president Mahmud Abbas under heavy political pressure as opinion polls have suggested most Palestinians would like him to step down. There has been no Palestinian presidential election since 2005 and Abbas has remained in office despite the expiry of his term. The court issued Thursday's ruling in response to a challenge by a lawyer, Nael al-Houh. Houh said his appeal was based on the fact that the elections were not being held in Jerusalem and over concerns related to polling in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinians see east Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in 1967 and later annexed, as the capital of a future state of their own. In Gaza, a court run by Hamas cancelled lists of Fatah candidates in a number of municipalities for "violating the election law", according to a judicial source and a spokesman for Fatah. The judicial source said five lists in the Khan Yunis area were cancelled for "violating the law and not meeting the necessary conditions". - Failed unity efforts - Despite repeated reconciliation attempts, Hamas and Fatah have failed to bridge their differences and form a unified administration for the Palestinian territories. The October vote was to choose municipal councils in some 416 cities and towns in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank. It was being seen by some analysts as a sign of whether Hamas and Fatah could take a significant step towards reconciliation. Their divisions are viewed as among the key obstacles in efforts to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts, at a standstill for more than two years. Some analysts saw Abbas's decision to call for the elections as a failed gambit since he may have been hoping Hamas would again sit out as it did in 2012. The Palestinian parliament has not met since 2007, the year Hamas, buoyed by its 2006 election victory, seized the Gaza Strip by force, driving out Fatah in a week of deadly clashes. Hamas caused a shock by winning the majority of seats in the 2006 polls, which were seen by some as the most transparent to be held in the Palestinian territories. But the international community refused to accept a Hamas government, demanding the Islamist group first renounce violence, recognise Israel and respect agreements signed between Palestinian and Israeli leaders. The European Union and the United States have blacklisted Hamas as a terrorist organisation. Israeli security analysts have expressed fear the Islamist movement could eventually also come to power in the West Bank. Fatah and Hamas have not contested an election since 2006 parliamentary polls, which Hamas won -- sparking a conflict that led to near civil war in Gaza the following year hazem Bader (AFP) Obama, Duterte clash over brutal crime war US President Barack Obama urged Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte Thursday to conduct his crime war "the right way", as the pair clashed at an Asian summit over the crackdown that has claimed 3,000 lives. The showdown was a fitting climax to a brutal few days of diplomacy that began with the famously acid-tongued Duterte branding Obama a "son of a whore". After warnings from Duterte that he would not be lectured on his crime war -- which is seeing police and shadowy assassins kill an average of 44 people a day -- Obama urged the Philippine leader to respect the rule of law. US President Barack Obama (left) and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte Saul Loeb, Manman Dejeto (AFP) "As despicable as these (crime) networks may be and as much damage as they do, it is important from our perspective to make sure that we do it the right way," Obama told reporters when asked about his conversation with Duterte on the sidelines of Laos meetings. "Because the consequences of when you do it the wrong way are innocent people get hurt and you have a bunch of unintended consequences that don't solve the problem." Obama's call came shortly after Duterte gave what diplomats said was a "fiery" address to leaders of the 18-nation East Asia group, including Obama. Veering off his prepared speech, Duterte launched into a tirade about US military killings in the Philippines when it was an American colony from 1898 to 1946, according to three diplomats AFP spoke with who were in the room. "The Philippine president showed a picture of the killings of American soldiers in the past and the president said: 'This is my ancestor they killed. Why now we are talking about human rights?'" an Indonesian delegate said. The delegate described the atmosphere in the room as "quiet and shocked". - 'Normal Duterte' - Another diplomat described the speech as "normal Duterte". Duterte set the tone for the week when, just before flying to Laos on Monday, he launched a barrage of insults at Obama in response to the US president's plans to question him over his war on drugs. "You must be respectful. Do not just throw away questions and statements. Son of a whore, I will curse you in that forum," Duterte told reporters shortly before flying to Laos. At the press conference marking the end of his trip to Laos, Obama said he was unfazed by Duterte's slur. "I don't take these comments personally because it seems as if this is a phrase he's used repeatedly including directed at the pope and others," Obama said. He added that such choice words were "a habit, a way of speaking for him". Duterte has branded Pope Francis, the US ambassador to Manila and the United Nations as "sons of whores". However, Obama cancelled a meeting with Duterte scheduled for Tuesday because of the outburst. They met on Wednesday night before a leaders' dinner in what Obama described as "not a long interaction". - 'More will be killed' - Duterte has said the Philippines is in danger of becoming a "narco state", and eliminating drugs in society is the top priority of his administration. Duterte was elected to office in a landslide this year after pledging to kill 100,000 people in an unprecedented war on crime. He vowed in the campaign that so many bodies would be dumped in Manila Bay that the fish there would grow fat from feeding on them. Duterte has also repeatedly promised to protect police from prosecution if they are charged over the deaths and insisted human rights cannot get in the way of his war. On the day he was sworn into office, June 30, Duterte urged people living in a Manila slum to kill drug addicts in their community. His handpicked police chief, Ronald dela Rosa, last month called for drug addicts to kill traffickers and burn down their homes. The United Nations special rapporteur on summary executions has warned incitement to kill is a crime under international law. However Duterte has remained unrepentant. "More people will be killed, plenty will be killed until the last pusher is out of the streets," Duterte said on Monday. US President Barack Obama holds a press conference following the conclusion of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Laos on September 8, 2016 Saul Loeb (AFP) Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte was elected to office in a landslide this year after pledging to kill 100,000 people in an unprecedented war on crime Ye Aung Thu (AFP) Mao's long shadow: a difficult discussion for China Forty years after his death, Mao Zedong's presence remains impossible to escape in China, yet difficult to discuss. His corpse still lies in state in the centre of Beijing, watched over by a giant portrait hanging on the Forbidden City in Tiananmen Square. His face peers out of every wallet, emblazoned on the bank notes that have powered his country's rise to the world's second largest economy. Mao Zedong, the son of a wealthy farmer, dreamed of transforming China into a communist paradise and stopped at nothing to achieve his vision Yet his legacy remains problematic for China, the Communist Party, and its current chairman Xi Jinping, according to Frank Dikotter, a Mao expert at Hong Kong University, describing him as "both the Lenin and the Stalin" of the ruling party. "He's both the one who like Lenin brought the Communist Party to power and he's the one who like Stalin committed horrendous crimes against humanity," he said. The son of a wealthy farmer, Mao dreamed of transforming the nation into a communist paradise and stopped at nothing to achieve his vision. He was among the Chinese Communist Party's founders in 1921, and fought for 28 years against his own countrymen and the Japanese. Finally on October 1, 1949 he declared the People's Republic in Tiananmen Square, but his dream quickly turned into a nightmare. He ordered multiple purges to fight "counter-revolutionary" influence in the party, which are believed to have killed hundreds of thousands of people. Tens of millions starved to death in the late 1950s during his Great Leap Forward, an ill-conceived attempt to force the country into communes. And in the decade leading up to his death, he unleashed the Cultural Revolution, an orgy of spiritual and physical violence that deeply scarred the national psyche. Looking back on that history, the ruling party issued a 23,000-word resolution describing Mao as "a great Marxist and a great proletarian revolutionary, strategist and theorist" who made "gross mistakes". The verdict is often summarised as "70 percent right and 30 percent wrong", a stance that hasn't really shifted even as the reforms instituted by Mao's successor Deng Xiaoping transformed the country, Dikotter said. "You can't really touch upon the whole credibility, reputation, image of Mao, without undermining the foundation of the Communist Party of China." - 'Sanctioned amnesia' - Under President Xi, the government has gone to ever greater lengths to make sure everyone says the same thing when they talk about Mao. The most powerful leader since the Great Helmsman himself, Xi has cautioned against both "historical nihilism" and "neo-liberalism", an implicit warning to bury both praise and criticism of Mao's era. "There is an officially-induced and sanctioned amnesia about Mao's true record," said Fei-Ling Wang, a China expert at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Criticism of his failures may undermine the government's legitimacy, and last year a Chinese television anchor was suspended after a video surfaced of him criticising the dead leader at a private gathering. But praising his ideology can also be seen as a lament to how far down the capitalist road the country has gone: Chinese officials in January ordered the demolition of a giant, golden statue of the Chairman just days after pictures of its construction appeared online. "Citizens, artists, and activists all have to navigate the grey and shifting boundaries of what's politically permissible," said Jessica Chen Weiss, an expert on Chinese politics at New York's Cornell University. - Better than Jesus - For many, Mao's legacy remains highly subjective, said Jeff Wasserstrom, editor of the Oxford Illustrated History of Modern China. An unemployed steelworker might think of "a more heroic, to him, Mao of the mid-1950s who spoke of labourers being the natural 'masters' of society and promised men like him... jobs for life", he said. Meanwhile, victims of the Cultural Revolution would see "a doddering figure who made bad decisions that plunged the country into chaos", Wasserstrom said. Some Chinese retain an almost God-like reverence for Mao, similar to the cult of personality that once surrounded him, said Li Yaxing, a professor of Mao Zedong Thought at Xiangtan University in the ruler's home town. "No one is perfect. Even the Cultural Revolution was a mistake he made while discovering the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics," she said. It was hard to find anyone comparable, she said, adding: "Even Jesus didn't enjoy such a high reputation." For Dikotter, China's top leaders' relationship to Mao is more personal than reverential. For them, the chaos of his era is akin to a family secret: "Most of the leaders and their families were involved in it, including the family of Xi Jinping," he said. "All party members have a stake in making sure that history is rarely scrutinised," he added. "All of them have a stake in making sure Mao's portrait stays up there." Mao Zedong on October 1, 1949, declared the foundation of the People's Republic of China in Beijing's Tiananmen Square China's Mao Zedong ordered multiple purges to fight "counter-revolutionary" influence in the party, which are believed to have killed hundreds of thousands of people Mao Zedong's corpse still lies in state in the centre of Beijing, watched over by a giant portrait hanging on the Forbidden City in Tiananmen Square Fred Dufour (AFP/File) Some Chinese retain an almost God-like reverence for Mao Zedong, similar to the cult of personality that once surrounded him Greg Baker (AFP) Sri Lankan court orders new autopsy on slain editor A Sri Lankan court Thursday ordered a new autopsy on the body of a high-profile anti-establishment newspaper editor whose 2009 murder under the previous regime remains unsolved. A magistrate agreed to a police criminal investigation unit's request for the fresh forensic report on the killing of Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickrematunga, a police official said. "We are guarding the grave site pending the exhumation," the unnamed official at Colombo's main cemetery told AFP. "The court order to carry out the exhumation on September 27 has just been issued." A candlelit vigil is held for the murdered editor of Sri Lanka's Sunday Leader newspaper, Lasantha Wickrematunga, in Colombo on January 15, 2009 Lakruwan Wanniarachchi (AFP/File) President Maithripala Sirisena came to power at 2015 elections pledging action against criminal and corrupt individuals under former ruler Mahinda Rajapakse's regime. A former minister in Rajapakse's government has publicly accused the autocrat's brother Gotabhaya Rajapakse of ordering Wickrematunga's murder. Gotabhaya, then secretary to the ministry of defence, has denied involvement, but rights groups say there is strong evidence the military played a role. An army intelligence officer was arrested in July in connection with the killing. Rajapakse has faced wide criticism of his government's dismal rights record. More than a dozen reporters and other media persons were killed during his decade-long rule. Gunmen shot dead Wickrematunga in his car in Colombo in January 2009, according to police at the time, with the crime sparking international outrage. But a police source said on Thursday that there was also a "suggestion that he was stabbed in the head with a very sharp instrument". "We need to establish how he was killed," the source said asking not to be named, "before we can start a prosecution". Editor Wickrematunga and his newspaper were staunch critics of Rajapakse and his family who are accused of illegally amassing huge wealth during their rule. The paper had accused Gotabhaya of corruption over the purchase of second-hand aircraft and arms for the military. Separately on Thursday, a close aide of Gotabhaya was sentenced to death by the Colombo High Court, along with four others, over the 2011 killing of a politician from their own party. US pushes Russia on 'true' Syria deal ahead of talks US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet in Geneva Friday for high-level peace talks on Syria, with Washington warning its patience is wearing thin. The top diplomats from the two powers, which support opposite sides in the five-year conflict, will meet in the Swiss city to push for a peace agreement, Russia said. Washington later confirmed Kerry was leaving for face-to-face talks with Lavrov. Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) meets with his US counterpart Barack Obama on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders Summit in Hangzhou on September 5, 2016 Alexei Druzhinin (SPUTNIK/AFP/File) The diplomatic news came after the US pressed Russia on Thursday for a "true cessation of hostilities" against a backdrop of continued military turmoil. Coalition-backed forces were continuing to push the Islamic State group away from the Turkish border, an Islamist rebel leader died in a bombing attack and pro-regime forces made major gains on the outskirts of the ravaged city of Aleppo. The talks "will focus on reducing violence, expanding humanitarian assistance for the Syrian people, and moving toward a political solution needed to end the civil war," State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement. US Defense Secretary Ash Carter told BBC radio that there was "quite a long way to go" before a final peace deal could be struck. He called for "a true cessation of hostilities -- not what you've seen, which is a partial cessation of hostilities," adding: "Our patience is not unlimited." Both sides have agreed that a deal must involve a durable ceasefire, humanitarian access to conflict-wracked areas and a resumption of peace talks. Amid a flurry of diplomatic efforts, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed to intensify efforts for a ceasefire "as soon as possible" in Aleppo, the Turkish news agency Anadolu reported. Moscow backs the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Ankara supports the opposition seeking his ouster. US President Barack Obama earlier held talks with Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit in China but the two failed to bridge their differences. Lavrov suggested that problems in another part of the world -- namely, US sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine crisis -- may be hampering efforts between the former Cold War rivals to resolve "regional conflicts," a reference to the Syrian war. And Carter noted: "We have our differences, serious differences, with Russia elsewhere, especially here in Europe with Ukraine." - 18-month transition - Fighting in the complex war continued to claim lives, with Turkish shelling over the border into Syria killing six Kurdish fighters aligned with US forces on Thursday. Syrian rebels supported by Turkish and coalition air strikes pushed further west into areas held by the Islamic State group in northern Syria. The top military commander of the Army of Conquest, the largest Syrian rebel alliance, was killed in an air strike during a meeting of the leaders of the anti-government group, Islamist sources said Thursday. The former Al-Nusra Front, renamed Fateh al-Sham Front, announced on Twitter "the martyrdom" of commander Abu Omar Sarakeb. Pro-regime forces meanwhile overran a strategically important district on the southern outskirts of Aleppo, rolling back nearly every gain from a major month-long rebel offensive there, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Thursday. The government advance further seals off Aleppo's opposition-held eastern districts. Regime forces backed by the Russian air force have completely encircled opposition-held neighbourhoods. "Rebels are now back to square one, under an even more ruthless siege," Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the observatory, told AFP. Shops in the city's east have been struggling since Sunday to secure goods and prices are skyrocketing. "The price of a kilo of meat rose from 3,000 pounds ($6) to 6,000," complained Ahmad, a father of three, in the Bustan al-Qasr district, ravaged by air strikes. In London on Wednesday, the Syria opposition, under pressure, fleshed out a proposal for a transition to democracy without Assad after a six-month negotiating phase with the regime. The opposition hopes new talks would result in an 18-month transition that would see Syria governed by an interim body made up of opposition figures, current government representatives and members of civil society, according to a 25-page blueprint. The Syrian war -- which began as a pro-democracy revolt in 2011 but morphed into a multi-front conflict after the regime unleashed a crackdown -- has killed more than 290,000 people and forced more than half the population to flee their homes. The Islamic State group has used the chaos to spread throughout the country and into Iraq. But it has lost ground in recent weeks. Turkey said Wednesday that it favoured a joint operation with the US to oust the jihadists from their de facto capital of Raqa in northern Syria. Erdogan said he had agreed with Obama to do "what is necessary." Russia and the US -- on opposite sides in the five-year conflict in Syria -- have been trying to thrash out a deal in recent weeks to revive a ceasefire on the ground Louai Beshara (AFP/File) A Russian Sukhoi Su-35 bomber lands at the Russian Hmeimim military base in Latakia province, in the northwest of Syria Vasily Maximov (AFP/File) US-Russia deal on Syria needs 'true' ceasefire: Carter Washington is willing to cooperate with Moscow to end the Syrian conflict but only if there is first a "true cessation" of hostilities, US Defence Secretary Ash Carter said Thursday. Ahead of an expected meeting in Geneva between US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Carter told BBC radio there was "quite a long way to go" before a deal could be struck. "If an agreement was reached it would result in a number of steps, importantly including a cessation of hostilities that could ultimately lead to greater cooperation between the United States and the Russian military," he said. US Defense Secretary Ash Carter arrives for the UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial meetings at Lancaster House in London on September 8, 2016 Daniel Leal-Olivas (AFP/File) Carter added: "It is possible. However in the current circumstance, it is not possible for the United States to associate itself with -- let alone to cooperate in -- a venture that is only fuelling violence and civil war." He said Washington wanted Assad gone "as soon as possible", adding: "We realise there'll be a transition in order to make this orderly, but that's what the Russians are supposed to be arranging." He noted that when Russia entered the conflict in Syria, it said that it intended to fight terrorism and try to end the civil war through a political transition. "That's not what it has done," said the defence secretary, who is in London for a UN peacekeeping conference. "It has fuelled the civil war and the violence there and has not helped us progress to a political solution that would have (President) Bashar al-Assad step aside and have a new government including the moderate opposition take over." He called for "a true cessation of hostilities -- not what you've seen, which is a partial cessation of hostilities", adding: "Our patience is not unlimited." "We have our differences, serious differences, with Russia elsewhere, especially here in Europe with Ukraine and elsewhere Russia has been acting in an aggressive manner," he said. However, he noted that Russia and the US had also worked together to secure a deal on Iran's nuclear programme. In a speech in Oxford on Wednesday evening, Carter said the US "does not seek a cold, let alone a hot war with Russia". But he warned: "We will counter attempts to undermine our collective security. And we will not ignore attempts to interfere with our democratic processes." Four years on, lives of Myanmar's Rohingya still on hold Four years after fleeing religious riots that emptied her Muslim Rohingya neighbourhood in Myanmar's Rakhine State, Myee Shay yearns for the trappings of a normal life: a job, a school for her children and the chance to buy her own food. But the 35-year-old, like tens of thousands of others displaced by the violence, remains trapped in a displacement camp, unable to return home in a region ruptured by conflict between Muslims and a majority-Buddhist population. "We eat when we get our quota," Myee Shay told AFP, referring to monthly rations of food, mostly rice, that families receive from aid groups in the camps. A minority Muslim Rohingya child wearing traditional facial paste is seen in a shelter at the Thet Kal Pyin displacement camp in Sittwe on September 7, 2016 Romeo Gacad (AFP) "If we do not get it, we cannot eat," the mother-of-four added. She spoke while frying plant stalks collected from the outskirts of the Thet Kae Pyin camp -- an attempt to enrich the meagre meals as well as do something productive to break the tedium of days spent waiting for change that never seems to come. Flooded during the monsoon and dust-choked in the hot season, the camps are clustered on the outskirts of the state capital Sittwe. They mostly hold Rohingya, a stateless group that became the target of riots after long-running discrimination against Muslims boiled over in 2012 -- although several thousand ethnic Rakhine Buddhists also lost their homes in the violence. That bloodshed left more than 100 people dead and saw thousands of homes torched by mobs. Anti-Muslim sentiment runs high in the impoverished region, fanned by hardline Buddhist nationalists who revile the Rohingya and are viscerally opposed to any move to grant them citizenship. They insist the roughly one-million strong group are intruders from neighbouring Bangladesh, even though many can trace their ancestry in Myanmar back generations. Today the state is effectively segregated on religious grounds, with no major moves to see the displaced return home. International rights groups have urged Myanmar's democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi to grant the Rohingya citizenship. But the Nobel Laureate has shied away from coming to their defence, wary of the dangers of a Buddhist backlash. Last week she appointed former UN chief Kofi Annan to advise her government on how to heal the state's caustic divides. This week he visited internally displaced people from both communities in Rakhine where he was jeered by angry Buddhist protesters on his arrival. - Stuck in limbo - "Security is everywhere, we cannot go anywhere," said Shwe Sin, Myee Shay's mother, of a web of government restrictions that heap misery on daily life. Their family of 14 lives in a cramped hut made of thatched bamboo and plastic scraps. The family can not leave the camp to work and they are almost entirely dependent on humanitarian aid. "Without freedom of movement, farmers can't go to their fields, fishermen can't go to the sea, traders can't go to the market," said Pierre Peron, a spokesperson for UNOCHA in Myanmar. Most of the barracks-style shelters in the camps were only built to last three years and now, battered by annual deluges of rain, need to be rebuilt. Healthcare and education is at best patchy inside the camps, with aid groups desperately plugging the yawning gaps in the system that see frequent outbreaks of sickness. While aid groups say the ultimate goal is for displaced people to go home, the immediate priority must be to ensure "minimum living standards are met," Peron added. Myee Shay laments the grinding reality of her family's life, one that means her children go without medical care when they are sick. "I have no money... My husband doesn't work as we have no job here. What can we do?" Healthcare and education is at best patchy inside the camps housing Myanmar's minority Muslim Rohingya Romep Gacad (AFP) A minority Muslim Rohingya woman wearing traditional facial paste is seen at the Thet Kal Pyin displacement camp in Sittwe Romeo Gacad (AFP) Trump not qualified to be president: Obama Outgoing President Barack Obama condemned Donald Trump as unsuitable to be commander-in-chief Thursday, after the Republican nominee blasted US military brass and praised Vladimir Putin. "I don't think the guy's qualified to be president of the United States, and every time he speaks, that opinion is confirmed," Obama said in unusually caustic language while overseas. Obama, who was in Laos for a summit with South East Asia leaders and his final trip to east Asia, said that Trump holds contradictory and "outright wacky ideas" and is "uninformed". Donald Trump raised eyebrows recently by saying that Russia's Vladimir Putin was "far more" of a leader than Obama Spencer Platt (GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File) "I can tell you from the interactions I have had over the last eight or nine days with foreign leaders that this is serious business," Obama added. "You actually have to know what you are talking about and you actually have to have done your homework. When you speak, it should actually reflect thought out policy you can implement." Trump on Wednesday raised eyebrows by saying that Russia's president was "far more" of a leader than Obama. Putin is "very much of a leader," Trump said in a televised interview. "It's a very different system, and I don't happen to like the system. But certainly in that system he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader." Trump also drew fire for criticising the military. "The generals have been reduced to rubble," Trump said, before noting he had "faith in certain of the commanders". The bombastic mogul will face Hillary Clinton in November's election, which the Democratic former first lady is tipped to win. Trump has previously angered many in the military community with mocking remarks against US Senator and former prisoner of war John McCain for being captured in Vietnam. Speaking in Laos about Trump's unsuitability for office, Obama observed that over the course of the election season "people start thinking behaviour that in normal times we would consider completely unacceptable and outrageous becomes normalised". Obama is expected to hit the campaign trail with Clinton when he returns to the United States, with voter turnout likely to be a key theme. Obama won the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections handily by mustering large numbers of young, black, Latino and Asian voters to go to the polls. China jails anti-corruption protest leader for bribery A protest leader from a Chinese village which became a symbol of resistance against corruption was sentenced to three years in prison for bribery Thursday, state media said. Lin Zulian, elected head of the village of Wukan in rare open polls after residents expelled local officials in a mass 2011 uprising which drew global attention, was convicted of corruption, the official Xinhua news agency said. The 70-year-old confessed to accepting bribes worth some $590,000 yuan ($90,000 USD) at his trial in the nearby city of Foshan and vowed not to appeal the verdict, it added. Lin Zulian pictured in Guangdong province in December 2011 Mark Ralston (AFP/File) Lin was detained in June and was shown on state TV admitting to taking bribes in a video recorded while he was under interrogation and released by prosecutors. "Due to my lack of understanding of law, in many projects related to people's livelihoods... and in some collective purchases I took huge kickbacks," state-media quoted Lin as saying. Dozens of Wukan locals marched in front of ranks of security officers after Lin was arrested, waving red flags and protesting his innocence, videos posted online showed. Local authorities have warned villagers to stop protesting, the South China Morning Post newspaper reported. The newspaper added security was "ultra-tight" outside the court in Foshan, with uniformed officers patrolling around a 1 kilometre radius. Residents of the 13,000-strong fishing village in the southern province of Guangdong began protesting against what they called illegal land-grabs in 2011 in what was then seen as just another bout of social unrest in China, where tens of thousands of such incidents occur each year. But when a protest leader died in police custody, villagers took their demonstration a step further, barricading roads leading into Wukan, and effectively expelling security forces for more than a week. Communist Party authorities unexpectedly backed down and promised rare concessions, including pledges to investigate the land dispute and allow village polls to be held in an open manner -- a first in Wukan. Buhari tells Nigerians to change for a better future President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday set out his vision for a better Nigeria, imagining an incorruptible paradise where drivers do not run red lights and internet scams are a thing of the past. In Buhari's Nigeria, police turn down bribes from rich men driving SUVs, militants in the oil-rich Niger delta lay down their arms, rubbish is thrown in bins, not the street, and workers are on time. "I won't sell my body for marks," a student is quoted as saying in a promotional video to launch the initiative before a gathering of high-profile politicians in the presidential villa in Abuja. Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari was voted into power in 2015 on an anti-corruption platform Sunday Aghaze (AFP/File) "I no go do Yahoo Yahoo or 419 again," says another in pidgin English, referring to the online scams originating from Nigeria that have snared victims around the world. The "re-orientation campaign" conjures up images of social engineering and Big Brother-style state control but Buhari maintained it was first and foremost about a change in "mindset". "We must resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship, pettiness and immaturity that have poisoned our country for so long," he told delegates. "You must first ask how far have I changed my ways? What have I done to be part of the change?" The campaign, set to an infectious jingle with the lyrics "change begins with me", appears to be a gentler revamp of the "war on indiscipline" Buhari introduced as military ruler in the 1980s. Then, soldiers in his regime enforced orderly queues for buses and fair prices in markets, while tardy civil servants were made to do star jumps if ever they arrived late for work. More than 30 years on, the issues are the same: police and public sector workers still solicit bribes, while stopping at traffic lights remains more of a suggestion than the law. Buhari was voted into power in 2015 on an anti-corruption platform and Nigerians have largely praised the retired general for his commitment to restoring order and accountability. The straight-laced president has before criticised Nigerians for being "unruly" and urged people to reform their "lawless habits" while embarking on a wide-ranging corruption crackdown. Yet then, as now, his social crusade risks being undermined by the country's dismal economic performance. This month Nigeria reported that it had entered a recession, with the oil sector reporting a double-digit decline following a wave of attacks by rebels in the oil-producing south. Still, Buhari emphasised that by changing "personal behaviour" the country can overcome hard times. 'What is Aleppo?' US presidential candidate Johnson asks stunned media Presidential candidate Gary Johnson floored the hosts of a US news show Thursday when he asked "What is Aleppo?" in response to a question about the battlefront Syrian city. Journalist Mike Barnicle, who asked the Libertarian White House contender what he would do about the Aleppo crisis if elected, replied with an incredulous "you're kidding me," to Johnson's professed ignorance on the subject. "Aleppo is in Syria," Barnicle explained to Johnson, in seeming disbelief. "It's the epicenter of the refugee crisis." Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson talks to a crowd of supporters at a rally in Salt Lake City, Utah in August 2015 GEORGE FREY (GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP) After the clarification, the candidate offered that "with regard to Syria, I do think it's a mess." He added: "I think that the only way that we deal with Syria is to join hands with Russia to diplomatically bring that at an end." Once Syria's economic powerhouse, Aleppo has been ravaged by the war that began in the country in March 2011. Johnson, a former two-term governor of New Mexico, is seeking inclusion in upcoming presidential debates against Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump, which require a candidate receive 15 percent in polls to participate. A Washington Post-Survey Monkey poll released Wednesday found that Johnson, who is hardly ever included in presidential polling, is supported by an average of 13 percent across all states. The hashtag #WhatIsAleppo began trending on Twitter soon after Johnson's comment, as people weighed in with sarcasm and disbelief. "You hear that? That's the sound of Gary Johnson's campaign coming to a crashing halt," one user posted as another speculated that Aleppo "was one of the Marx Brothers, right?" 100,000 Afghan refugees return from Pakistan: UNHCR More than 100,000 Afghan refugees have been repatriated from Pakistan since July, UNHCR officials said Thursday, the highest number since the fall of the Taliban saw a flood of people cross the border in 2002. The majority of the refugees crossed in July and August, Qaisar Khan Afridi, spokesman UNHCR at the Voluntary Repatriation Centre outside the northwestern city of Peshawar, near the Afghan border, told AFP. In the six months prior to that just 7,000 refugees crossed back into Afghanistan, according to UNHCR figures. Afghan refugee families board a truck as they cross the Pakistan border to return to Afghanistan on August 6, 2016 Jawed Tanveer (AFP/File) Pakistani officials said the increase came after they vowed to tighten border controls, particularly at the porous Torkham Gate crossing. However UNHCR cited an array of other reasons that could be helping drive the rush back into war-torn Afghanistan, including increasing anxiety and insecurity for refugees about life in Pakistan. Pakistan is home to 1.5 million registered and about as many undocumented Afghan refugees, with growing insecurity in Afghanistan impeding voluntary return programmes. But UNHCR said refugees are increasingly anxious about their future in Pakistan. In June, Islamabad granted Afghan refugees an extra six months to remain in Pakistan as authorities stepped up efforts to work with the UN and Kabul to relocate camps to Afghanistan. Fears are growing that the December deadline will be final. A security crackdown against undocumented foreigners has also contributed to the decision to leave, despite assurances from Pakistani authorities that refugees with the correct documents will not be subject to arrest or deportation. Other factors include the UNHCR decision to double its cash grant for voluntary returnees from $200 to $400 per individual in June, and a campaign by the Afghan government to lure its citizens back with the slogan "My country, my beautiful country". An AFP team in Peshawar saw thousands of men, women and children waiting their turn for verification at UNHCR's Voluntary Repatriation Centre in the suburbs of Peshawar this week. Afridi said they expect even more after the religious feast of Eid al-Adha next week, adding that UNHCR plans to open another repatriation centre in Peshawar to cope. The vast majority of those returning had been living in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, of which Peshawar is the capital. The rest were repatriated from southwestern Balochistan province. Amazon launches low-cost tablet with Alexa assistant US online giant Amazon announced Thursday a new small-format tablet that includes its digital assistant Alexa. The eight-inch (20-centimeter) display Fire HD tablet will start at $89 for US customers, making it one of the least expensive on the market. "We believe in a different approach to tablets -- providing premium products at non-premium prices -- and customers love it," said Kevin Keith, manager for Fire Tablets. Online giant Amazon's Fire HD tablet will start at $89 for US customers, making it one of the least expensive on the market David McNew (Getty/AFP/File) "In fact, we've seen Fire tablet sales more than double year-over-year as a result. The all-new Fire HD 8 packs more battery life, more storage, faster performance, plus Alexa -- all for less than $90." Amazon has not release specific sales figures for its tablets. But a survey by research firm IDC estimated the online titan was the fifth largest vendor in the second quarter with global sales of 1.6 million units. Amazon also sells a seven-inch Fire tablet starting at $49 and a 10-inch device from $230. The global tablet market, led by Apple's iPad, has been declining over the past few quarters, with some consumers turning to slim PCs, some with detachable keyboards. Amazon's Alexa, which competes with Apple's Siri, Google Now and Microsoft's Cortana, is a key element of the company's strategy to move into the connected home and internet of things. Clinton hammers 'dangerous' Trump after Putin praise Hillary Clinton portrayed herself Thursday as a steely stateswoman ready to fend off the dangers facing the United States, as she denounced Republican rival Donald Trump as "unpatriotic" and unfit to lead. With just 61 days before America chooses a new commander in chief, the Democrat went on the offensive highlighting the risk of electing a political novice who praises Russia's leader while dismissing the US president, and who has no real plan to combat IS jihadists. Trump pushed back just as hard, accusing Clinton of being a failed and "trigger-happy" secretary of state whose policies triggered mayhem across the world. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaks to the press at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, New York, on September 8, 2016 Brendan Smialowski (AFP) Clinton, 68, and Trump, 70, have clashed repeatedly over foreign policy, but their battle rose to a new level Wednesday night when the two were separately grilled over their national security credentials at a New York forum. "One thing you didn't hear from Donald Trump last night is any plan to take on ISIS, one of the biggest threats facing our country," Clinton said, using an acronym for the Islamic State group. "He says his plan is still a secret, but the truth is he simply doesn't have one. And that's not only dangerous, it should be disqualifying." Instead of laying out a Middle East strategy at the forum, she said, Trump praised Putin and suggested the strongman is "far more" of a leader than US President Barack Obama. "Even I was shocked by this," Clinton said later at a rally in Charlotte, in the battleground state of North Carolina. "That is not just unpatriotic, it's not just insulting to the office and to the man who holds the office. It is scary, it is dangerous." - Hunt down IS chief - Clinton invoked one of the nation's most popular Republican presidents in driving home her point. "What would Ronald Reagan say?" Clinton asked, "about a Republican nominee who attacks America's generals and heaps praise on Russia's president? I think we know the answer." The seniormost elected US Republican, House Speaker Paul Ryan, distanced himself from Trump's praise of Putin just one day after returning to Congress after a seven-week break. "Vladimir Putin is an aggressor that does not share our interests," Ryan said, citing US authorities who believe Moscow is conducting cyber-attacks on the US political system. Seeking to strike a commanding tone, Clinton called for the United States to track down and kill Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, as it did Osama bin Laden. "Getting al-Baghdadi will require efforts at the top levels, but it will send a resounding message that nobody directs or inspires attacks against the United States and gets away with it," she said. With the campaign now in the final two-month stretch, Clinton was wasting no opportunity to harangue Trump over his missteps, accusing him of having "trash-talked" US generals. "We've never seen anything like this," she said, highlighting Trump's call to bring back interrogation techniques deemed to be torture, and to kill relatives of terrorists. - 'Trigger-happy' - Clinton pointed to the US military code of honor, saying "that, Donald Trump,... is what we're going to stand up and defend in the face of your outrageous, disgraceful attacks on the men and women of our armed forces." The bitter back-and-forth was likely to be on display for the campaign's duration. Trump joined the fray Thursday with attacks on Clinton, whom he accused of having "raced to invade, intervene and topple regimes." "Hillary Clinton is trigger-happy," with policies that "produced ruin" in Libya, Iraq and Syria, Trump said in Cleveland, Ohio in a 10-minute anti-Hillary riff before delivering planned remarks on education. "Her policies unleashed ISIS, spread terrorism and put Iran on a path to nuclear weapons." Trump has gained on Clinton over the past 10 days, but the former secretary of state still maintains an advantage of 2.8 percentage points, according to the RealClearPolitics poll average. A new Quinnipiac Poll of battleground states shows Clinton ahead 48 percent to 43 percent in Pennsylvania and ahead 47-43 in North Carolina. But Trump leads in Ohio, 46-45, while the two are tied in Florida, 47-47, according to the poll. A Suffolk University poll shows a different story in North Carolina, with Trump ahead by three points. Clinton's tarmac address to reporters marked the first podium press conference in nine months for the candidate, who broke a long media drought by speaking to journalists at length on her campaign plane this week. She also rebuked an "undisciplined" Trump for discussing elements of a recent classified intelligence briefing during Wednesday's commander-in-chief forum, in which he said he learned that Obama and other US leaders "did not follow" the advice of US national security experts. "I would never comment on any aspect of an intelligence briefing that I received," Clinton said. Islamic State (IS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed a "caliphate" straddling Syria and Iraq in 2014 Miami Beach cracks down on Airbnb type vacation rentals If you were thinking of visiting Miami Beach and finding a cheap apartment through Airbnb, it won't be easy: the city is cracking down on short-term rentals. The city has doled out $1.6 million (1.4 million euros) in fines against homeowners and websites like Airbnb, HomeAway and Booking.com for listing or renting homes on a short-term basis. Police have even evicted tourists staying in 31 properties that had been the subject of fines, according to a recently disclosed memo from city manager Jimmy Morales. Miami Beach has doled out $1.6 million (1.4 million euros) in fines against homeowners and websites like Airbnb, HomeAway and Booking.com for listing or renting homes on a short-term basis Leila Macor (AFP/File) Rentals for periods of less than six months and a day are prohibited in much of Miami Beach, an island with an expansive beachfront, turquoise waters and a vibrant nightlife enjoyed by thousands of tourists a month. The authorities argue that regular residents are fed up with the round-the-clock partying at short-term rentals. And they contend that those who rent out the properties are nothing more than tax dodgers. "People are squeezing anywhere from five to 10 people in a room at basement rates. They're up all night, they party all night, residents don't want that," said Michael Grieco, a Miami Beach commissioner. "This is not an issue about tourism, it has to do with people's quality of life. And secondarily it's tax evasion," he said. Since March, when the city jacked up fines, owners and website operators have been hit with fines ranging from $20,000 to $80,000, according to the memo which was published by the Miami New Times. Grieco said hundreds of investigations are ongoing into "thousands of listings." Some residents are applauding the crackdown. "You don't want to see people you don't know in your building all the time," said Rafael Belisario. - Discouraging foreign buyers - But not everyone is happy about it. Ross Milroy, a Miami Beach real estate agent, said he's considering a class action suit and warns that the city is going to discourage foreigners from buying property there. "Why would, say, a European or even American buyer purchase an investment property or vacation home in Miami Beach if they could not rent it out for any period of less than 6 months and one day?" he asks. An Airbnb spokesman, Benjamin Brait, said the online rental lister is "a very small but unique part of Miami Beach's tourism ecosystem, one of the world's greatest destinations." "We look forward to working with community leaders and stakeholders in the coming months to create fair rules for home sharing," he said. Miami is the latest in a string of cities across the world which are trying to clamp down on properties being rented out through platforms like Airbnb. Among them are Berlin, Paris, Lisbon, Vancouver and even San Francisco, where the home-sharing website is based. Hoteliers in many cities are up in arms over such sites, which have also been accused of driving up property prices. 'Mole?': Abbas dismisses claim he was Soviet agent Israeli researchers say they have uncovered a document showing Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas was a Soviet agent in the 1980s, but his office called it a smear campaign and pointed to suspicious timing. The claim first emerged in a report by Israeli public television on Wednesday night citing two researchers studying documents from the so-called Mitrokhin papers stored in Britain at Cambridge University's Churchill Archives Centre. The researchers, Gideon Remez and Isabella Ginor of the Truman Institute at Jerusalem's Hebrew University, said he was named as a KGB agent in Damascus in 1983 under the codename "Mole". Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas was born in what was then British mandate Palestine, but his family fled to Syria during the 1948 war surrounding the creation of Israel Ashraf Shazly (AFP) Remez said Abbas was not simply labelled a "source or collaborator." "It says explicitly regarding Abbas that he was a KGB agent," said Remez. Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh told AFP it "falls under the framework of Israeli absurdities which we have got used to," calling it a "smear campaign." He also alleged it was an attempt to derail a Russian peace initiative. "It is clear Israel is troubled by the (Palestinians') strategic relationship with Russia and by the clear and announced Russian position, which is to solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis on an independent Palestinian state and the right of self-determination for our people," Abu Rudeineh said. Abbas was born in what was then British mandate Palestine, but his family fled to Syria during the 1948 war surrounding the creation of Israel. In 1980, Abbas was selected to sit on the Palestine Liberation Organisation executive committee. He had been in Moscow in 1982, where he studied for his doctorate, according to his online biography. The Mitrokhin Archive, where the document was said to have been found, is based on files of the Soviet spy agency KGB that were smuggled to Britain. Major Vasili Mitrokhin was a senior archivist in the KGB's foreign intelligence archive from 1972 until his retirement in 1984, and, disillusioned with domestic Soviet oppression, secretly copied information by hand, before defecting to Britain with it in 1992. - Russian peace effort - An Israeli specialist in Soviet history said the claim regarding Abbas was plausible. "There were numerous contacts in the Middle East with the former Soviet Union," said Yaacov Roi of the University of Tel Aviv. "It is very plausible that the Soviets would have tried to use Abu Mazen (Abbas) at the KGB while he was a student." The report comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks to organise a face-to-face meeting between Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Putin's Middle East envoy Mikhail Bogdanov met with both Netanyahu and Palestinian officials this week. He also reportedly met Abbas in Jordan three weeks ago. The television report recalled that Bogdanov was stationed in Damascus in 1983. His official CV online shows that he was in Syria between 1983 and 1989. Abbas claimed earlier this week that a meeting with Netanyahu had been set for Friday, but he said that an aide to the Israeli premier proposed delaying it and it was called off. Netanyahu has repeated his position -- he is ready to meet Abbas anytime, anywhere, as long as it is without preconditions. Palestinian leaders have previously called for the release of prisoners, a deadline for the end of the occupation of the West Bank and a halt to Israeli settlement building as conditions for talks. It is unclear whether Abbas has stuck to those demands. Peace efforts have been at a standstill since a US-led initiative collapsed in April 2014. Muslims crowd Mecca ahead of hajj Close to 1.5 million Muslims from around the world had descended Thursday on Saudi Arabia for the annual hajj pilgrimage, undeterred by last year's stampede disaster but with Iranians absent. As temperatures exceeded 40C (105F), pilgrims crowded into Mecca's sprawling, air-conditioned Grand Mosque complex to walk around the Kaaba -- the black cube that Muslims across the globe face while they pray. In one of the first rites of hajj, which formally starts on Saturday, white-clad pilgrims take their turn circling the Kaaba in a procession that continues 24 hours a day. More than a million Muslims have already flocked to Saudi Arabia in preparation for the start of the Hajj pilgrimage on September 10 Ahmad Gharabli (AFP) Pilgrims who cannot walk are pushed around the mosque in wheelchairs by workers. Regularly-spaced taps provide thirsty pilgrims with spring water, and visitors can eat under large fast food signs at a commercial centre inside the complex, where they are also able to shop. But as soon as loudspeakers sound the call to prayer, the shops are shuttered and the faithful line up to worship. Outside at all the Grand Mosque's entrances, Saudi police control the movement of pilgrims between green plastic barriers. Step out of line, and a policeman calls through a megaphone to order them back into place. At prayer time, access to the Kaaba is suspended and the walk around it is stopped to avoid overcrowding. It is one of several safety measures authorities say they have implemented after, according to data from foreign officials, close to 2,300 pilgrims died during the hajj stoning ritual last year. The stampede and security had been on the mind of a pilgrim from Ivory Coast, who gave her name only as Mrs Coulibaly, 49. "But since arriving at the airport we have been taken charge of and well supervised. So I feel at ease and totally dedicated to my prayers," she said. For the first time in almost three decades Iranians will not join the pilgrimage after talks between Tehran and Riyadh on logistics and security fell apart in May. Iran sent 60,000 pilgrims last year, and claimed the largest number of stampede fatalities, at 464. Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran are regional rivals who have had no diplomatic relations since early this year. They are at odds over a number of regional issues including Syria and Yemen. Verbal sparring between the two Islamic powers has intensified ahead of this year's pilgrimage. 2015 hajj stampede Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba -- Islam's holiest shrine -- at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca, on September 6, 2016 Ahmad Gharabli (AFP) The US military has closed a maximum-security detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, an official said Thursday, as the controversial prison's population continues to dwindle. Guantanamo's Camp 5 lockup, built in 2004 at a cost of $17 million, closed August 19 and will be converted into a medical center with a psychiatric wing for detainees, facility spokesman Navy Captain John Filostrat told AFP. Only a 'handful' of detainees had remained at Camp 5 after 15 inmates were transferred to the United Arab Emirates last month, the biggest single release under President Barack Obama. Since the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, about 780 inmates have been housed in the US military-run facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba but that number is dwindling as the Obama administration tries to shut it down entirely by emptying its cells and releasing the prisoners President Barack Obama said Thursday in Laos that he's still hoping to close Gitmo before he leaves office The few former Camp 5 inmates are now housed in an adjacent medium-security jail, Camp 6, where they have access to communal areas and computers through which they can Skype family members, Filostrat said. Twenty of the 40 or so detainees now at Camp 6 have been cleared for transfer and are optimistic they may be released before Obama leaves office in January. 'It's fair to say there's a sense of anticipation, maybe hope even,' Filostrat said. Still, a small number of detainees continue to protest their indefinite detention by hunger striking. Many have been locked up for more than a decade without any formal charges being brought, with only limited access to lawyers and amid allegations of detainee abuse. The riskiest remaining detainees, including the five men accused of plotting the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, are incarcerated at another, secret prison camp called Camp 7 located elsewhere on the base. Camp 5 once housed non-compliant inmates and hunger strikers. The facility had special equipment in place to protect jailors from 'splashing' -- the grim practice of prisoners hurling bodily fluids and excrement at guards. Filostrat said a small number of men at Camp 6 are continuing their hunger strikes and are force-fed, but noted '90 percent are very compliant.' Camp 5's closure means the overall guard and staffing force for Guantanamo Bay's entire prison operation will shrink from 1,950 to about 1,550. Most of the reductions come from military police units that no longer will be sent there. Since the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, about 780 inmates have been housed in the US military-run facility which Obama has repeatedly tried to close. In recent months, he has authorized a flurry of transfers of prisoners to other countries prompting howls of outrage from Republicans each time. Guantanamo's Camp 5, which once housed non-compliant inmates and hunger strikers, will be converted into a medical center with a psychiatric wing for detainees Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has said he wants to send terror suspects captured in the war against the Islamic State group to Guantanamo, and even supports US citizens being sent there if they are accused of terror offenses. Because the Guantanamo Bay naval base is on Cuban and not US soil, it is not subject to the same federal laws and legal processes as the United States, which is why the administration of George W. Bush opened a prison there. Trump's Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, has said she backs the closure of Guantanamo. 'We are planning for either contingency,' Filostrat said. Dutch MP snubs handshake with Netanyahu A Dutch MP was causing a storm Thursday after he refused to shake hands with Benjamin Netanyahu during the Israeli Prime Minister's visit to parliament. On the second and final day of a trip to The Netherlands, Netanyahu met Wednesday with top Dutch politicians at the parliament building in The Hague. But as the Israeli leader passed down a line of MPs to meet and greet them, Tunahan Kuzu pointedly put his right hand to his chest and then behind his back as Netanyhau stretched his out. Dutch lawmaker Tunahan Kuzu (left) refuses to shake hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to The Hague, on September 7, 2016 Bart Maat (ANP/AFP) Kuzu, who was born in Turkey before coming to The Netherlands as a child, is the leader of the Denk political anti-racist movement launched in February 2015 which advocates for the rights of immigrants. The awkward moment was caught on video, with Netanyahu then seen shrugging and rolling his eyes as he moved along the line. By Thursday the video was being shared widely on social media, gaining both praise and criticism. Kuzu, who was wearing a badge of the Palestinian flag, said Thursday in a Facebook post that when the cameras had left he showed the Israeli leader various photos of Palestinian children. A day earlier Netanyahu in a joint press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Israel was the "one country" in the Middle East "that promotes democracy ... and technology." Kuzu said he had presented photos of a Palestinian child held in a headlock by an Israeli soldier, and another of a soldier pointing a gun at a Palestinian mother and two children, and asked "Is this democracy? Is this technology?" Netanyahu's visit has stirred some emotions in The Netherlands, which plays host to the International Criminal Court (ICC), with some protestors calling for the Israeli leader to be brought before the tribunal. Airbnb takes new steps to fight discrimination Global home-sharing giant Airbnb announced Thursday it is implementing new policies aimed at curbing racial discrimination by hosts and creating a permanent team aimed at fighting bias. The new policies come from a review launched earlier this year in the face of concerns over discrimination on the platform, which allows users to rent out a room, a bed or an entire lodging. "Discrimination is the opposite of belonging, and its existence on our platform jeopardizes this core mission," Airbnb chief Brian Chesky said in an email to hosts and guests. Global home-sharing giant Airbnb operates in more than 190 countries and has been valued at an estimated $30 billion MARTIN BUREAU (AFP/File) "Bias and discrimination have no place on Airbnb, and we have zero tolerance for them. Unfortunately, we have been slow to address these problems, and for this I am sorry... We will not only make this right; we will work to set an example that other companies can follow." Chesky said that a new "Open Doors" policy starting October 1 will allow a guest anywhere in the world who feels subject to discrimination to be booked in a similar place on Airbnb, or an alternative accommodation elsewhere. Airbnb will also seek to increase its "instant book" lodgings which do not require approval of a specific guest. The home-sharing group will also create "a permanent team of engineers, data scientists, researchers, and designers whose sole purpose is to advance belonging and inclusion and to root out bias," according to a document produced by its review committee. Airbnb earlier this year asked former American Civil Liberties Union executive Laura Murphy to head up a review, which included input from former US attorney general Eric Holder. The report said Airbnb should also de-emphasize the use of photos, which may lead to discrimination. "Airbnb's new product team dedicated to fighting discrimination will experiment with reducing the prominence of guest photos in the booking process and enhancing other parts of host and guests profiles with objective information," the report said. The high-profile campaign to ferret out discrimination came after an Airbnb host in the US state of North Carolina fired off hateful, race-based messages to a black woman while canceling a stay she had booked at his home. Israel hits Syria army after Golan fire The Israeli air force hit Syrian army positions on Thursday after fire from its war-wracked neighbour struck the Israeli-held zone of the Golan Heights, the military said. It said the strike was in response to "a projectile" which landed on open ground on Wednesday, causing no injuries. "Following the projectile fired from Syria yesterday, the Israel Air Force targeted Syrian armed forces mortar launchers in the northern Syrian Golan Heights," Israeli military spokesman Peter Lerner said. An Israeli tank stationed in the Golan Heights near the Quneitra crossing with Syria Jalaa Marey (AFP) It was the second such incident in the past few days. On Sunday Israel responded to Syrian mortar fire in the Golan with an air strike on what it described as "cannons of the Syrian regime". On August 22, the air force hit what it said was a Syrian army rocket launcher in response to "stray fire from Syrian conflict". There were similar events in July and previously. This week's incidents were not characterised by Israel as stray fire. Israel has sought to avoid being drawn into Syria's complex war which is now in its sixth year, but it has attacked Syrian military targets when fire from the conflict spills over. Arab ministers condemn Khamenei attack on Saudi Arab foreign ministers weighed in Thursday on a bitter dispute between Tehran and Riyadh over the hajj pilgrimage, after Iran's supreme leader questioned Saudi Arabia's management of Islam's holiest site. "The council of Arab foreign ministers condemns the bellicose, inciting statements by the supreme leader, (Ali) Khamenei," the ministers said in a statement after a meeting in Cairo where the Arab League is based. "The language used in (Khamenei's) statements is inappropriate for the highest authority in the Islamic Republic of Iran," they said. Muslim pilgrims walk away after the last prayer of the day, leaving the the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Mecca Ahmad Gharabili (AFP) Iranians have been blocked from attending the pilgrimage to Mecca that starts on Saturday, after talks on logistics to avoid a repeat of last year's deadly stampede in the holy city foundered. The stampede killed 2,300 pilgrims, including hundreds of Iranians. Khamenei on Monday denounced the "incompetence" of the Saudi royal family as he met with families of victims of last year's stampede. "This incident proves once again that this cursed, evil family does not deserve to be in charge and manage the holy sites," located in western Saudi Arabia, Khamenei said. Saudi Arabia's most senior cleric, Grand Mufti Abdulaziz al-Sheikh, has also waded in, telling the Makkah daily on Tuesday: "We must understand these are not Muslims, they are children of Magi and their hostility towards Muslims is an old one." The reference to the Zoroastrian religion that prevailed in Iran before Islam is used by fundamentalist Sunnis as an insult against Iranians. Decision time for Ping as Gabon court deadline looms All eyes in Gabon were on Jean Ping on Thursday, as the opposition leader had only a few hours left to take his claim of presidential election fraud to the country's highest court. With the clock ticking on Ping's court bid, the government meanwhile said a planned visit to Gabon of African Union heads of state had been indefinitely postponed. Any appeals against provisional results of the August 27 presidential election -- which gave incumbent Ali Bongo a razor-thin lead over Ping -- were supposed to be lodged at the Constitutional Court by 4 pm (1500 GMT), but the court has the power to delay this deadline until midnight. Gabonese opposition leader Jean Ping gives a press conference at his residence in Libreville Steve Jordan (AFP/File) Ping insists he won the election. "So, is he going to court?" anxious citizens asked journalists towards the end of the day. Bongo himself has said he will contest a number of results attributed to his rival. Ping, who believes Bongo has the court in his pocket, seems to be waiting until the last moment before showing his hand. The August 31 announcement that Bongo had beaten Ping by fewer than 6,000 votes prompted several days of riots amid opposition claims the election had been stolen. During the unrest, the parliament building was set ablaze, many shops were looted and life in the capital brought to a standstill. The government says three people died in the unrest, dismissing some opposition claims that between 50 and 100 people lost their lives. Citing Gabon's constitution and election laws, Bongo has dismissed Ping's demand that a recount take place before any legal challenge. "If we go to the constitutional court, we will enter a trap we can never escape," a close associate of Ping said late Wednesday. "The dice are loaded at the court," he said, comparing the institution to "the Tower of Pisa that always leans the same way". But he conceded the wisdom of keeping the fight within the law. "That's what France, the US and the European Union are asking," he said, adding that he hoped such international pressure would also be brought to bear to ensure a fair ruling. France took pains Thursday to dismiss the common perception it was still a power-broker in Gabon. "Times have changed," government spokesman Stephane Le Foll told a news conference in Paris. "There is no more France-Afrique," he said, using a somewhat derisive term for Paris's close relationship with its former colonies. "France is not here to make decisions for African countries; we are here to help find a solution and support the African Union (AU) mission," he said. - Crisis? What crisis? - Announcing the shelving of the AU delegation's visit, Foreign Minister Emmanuel Isozet Ngondet said such a mission was uncalled for. "There is no danger here, no explosive security or humanitarian situation which justifies a rather robust intervention from the international community," he told a news conference. An AU "good offices" mission had been due in Libreville on Friday. -- Breathing room -- If the constitutional court gets involved, it will create additional breathing room for mediation; the nine judges have two weeks to examine complaints and declare definitive results. Many fear that announcement, whichever way it goes, could spark another wave of violence because of the narrow margin between Bongo and Ping and the various claims of fraud. The main bone of contention, especially for the international community, relates to results from the Haut-Ogooue province, Bongo's heartland. According to figures from the election commission, Bongo won more than 95 percent of votes cast in the province, with a turnout just a shade under 100 percent. "An analysis of the number of non-voters as well as blank and disqualified votes reveals a clear anomaly in the final results in Haut-Ogooue," an EU election observer mission said in a statement Tuesday. Bongo accused some members of the mission of overstepping its mandate. And the foreign minister said "many inconsistencies" had been noted in the observers' behaviour. "We have the impression that the observer mission wanted to become a control mission," he said. The central African nation has been ruled by the Bongo family since 1967. Presidential elections in Gabon: national results and by region Alain Bommenel, Paz Pizarro, Jonathan Jacobsen (AFP) Wells Fargo to pay $185mn over unauthorized accounts Retail and commercial banking giant Wells Fargo will pay more than $185 million in fines after US regulators accused the bank of secretly opening accounts without customers' knowledge, officials said Thursday. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said employees at Wells Fargo, the world's largest bank by market value, had illegally boosted sales figures by opening unauthorized deposit and credit accounts and then covertly funding them with customers' money, sometimes creating phony email addresses to enroll them. This resulted in fees and other charges for customers and improperly helped bank employees meet sales targets and receive bonuses, according to the CFPB. Wells Fargo will pay $100 million to the CFPB, the largest fine to date imposed by the bureau, which was created in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis Stan Honda (AFP/File) Wells Fargo will pay $100 million to the CFPB, the largest fine to date imposed by the bureau, which was created in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. The San Francisco-based bank will pay $50 million to the City of Los Angeles, which had filed suit last year, accusing the bank of pressuring employees into fraudulent behavior, such as opening fictitious accounts. The bank will also pay a $35 million fine to banking regulators at the Treasury Department in addition to fully compensating all customers concerned, the CFPB said in a statement. Zimbabwe admits battling to pay civil servants Zimbabwe admitted Thursday it was struggling to pay civil servants, with government salaries eating a whopping 96.8 percent of the annual budget as a worsening economy fuels protests against President Robert Mugabe's rule. Presenting the mid-term budget to parliament, Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa revised the growth rate from the projected 2.7 percent to 1.2 percent, blaming the decline on an ongoing regional drought, investment shortfalls and a perennial cash crunch. "The economy is facing strong headwinds, with major challenges being experienced in the economy and business activity during the first half of the year than what the 2016 national budget anticipated," Chinamasa said. People sing political slogans and hold placards as they march through the streets of Bulawayo during a protest against police brutality, corruption and state of the economy Zinyange Auntony (AFP/File) "The outlook, based on the status quo, points to a situation where projected revenues fall short of meeting employment costs, leaving no room for expenditure on operations and maintenance as well as capital projects." The budget deficit, he said, was expected to top $1 billion (900 million euros) by year's end if current trends persist. Zimbabwe's economic crisis has worsened this year. The cash-strapped government has been slow to pay the salaries of public sector workers,resorting to staggered pay dates for various departments. A string of protests has since erupted, despite Mugabe's record of deploying the ruthless security forces to crush public dissent. A one-day strike in July, called by trade unions and Christian pastor Evan Mawarire, shut down offices, schools and some government departments. Mugabe has repeatedly vowed to fight back, with threats of cracking down on protest leaders. Police last week banned protests in the capital for two weeks as a coalition of opposition parties planned street marches to press for reforms ahead of the next general election in 2018. Syrian aid groups suspend ties with UN More than 70 Syrian aid groups are suspending cooperation with the United Nations, accusing UN humanitarian agencies and their partners of being manipulated by the regime, according to a letter released Thursday. In the letter to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the 73 signatories demanded an investigation of the UN agencies' work in Syria and called for a monitoring body to be set up to oversee the relief effort. "It has become clear to many organizations that the Syrian government in Damascus has a significant and substantial influence on the performance of UN agencies based in Damascus as well as their partners," including the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, said the letter. Vehicles of the International Committee of the Red Cross the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the United Nations wait on a street after an aid convoy entered the rebel-held Syrian town of Daraya, southwest of the capital Damascus, on June 1, 2016 Fadi Dirani (AFP/File) Among the signatories were the Syrian American Medical Society and the Syrian Civil Defense, known as the White Helmets, who are active in opposition-held areas. The groups announced they were pulling out of a UN information-sharing program for aid deliveries and would propose a new mechanism "where there is no political influence in any aspect of it." "The Syrian government has interfered with the delivery of humanitarian assistance in multiple instances," the aid groups wrote. They took aim at the failure of the United Nations to deliver aid to nearly 600,000 people living in besieged areas, most of which are surrounded by President Bashar al-Assad's forces. British newspaper The Guardian last month reported that UN aid contracts worth tens of millions of dollars have gone to people closely associated with Assad despite US and European Union sanctions. The newspaper's analysis of hundreds of UN contracts granted since the Syrian conflict began in 2011 showed many awarded to companies run by or linked to regime players who are under US and EU sanctions. But the United Nations defended its actions, saying it had to work with the Syrian government to ensure aid deliveries. The Guardian found that two UN agencies had partnered with the Syria Trust charity, an organization started and chaired by Assad's wife Asma, spending a total of $8.5 million. It also said the UN had given money to the state-owned fuel supplier, which is under EU sanctions, and to Syria's national blood bank, which is controlled by Assad's defense ministry. Money also went to the Al-Bustan Association, owned and run by Assad's billionaire cousin Rami Makhlouf, who is Syria's most notorious and powerful tycoon. The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization had given $13.3 million to the Syrian agriculture ministry, which is on the EU sanctions list, the Guardian said. UK pledges 100 non-combat troops for UN South Sudan mission Britain will provide 100 more troops to the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan to help set up a field hospital, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon announced Thursday. "We've announced an additional 100 troops in addition to the 300 previously pledged to South Sudan to establish a hospital," Fallon said following a London UN peacekeeping conference. "This large-scale deployment underlines how we are stepping up our global commitments," said Fallon. The first deployment of British personnel arrived in South Sudan in June, with the majority of troops expected to arrive in 2017 Charles Atiki Lomodong (AFP/File) "Backed by a rising defence budget, it's part of our effort to tackle the instability that leads to mass migration and terrorism. "It will help keep Britain safe while improving lives abroad," he added. The first deployment of British personnel arrived in South Sudan in June, with the majority of troops expected to arrive in 2017. The UN Security Council last month urged South Sudan's neighbours to help end renewed fighting in the capital Juba, asking for additional peacekeepers. It demanded that President Salva Kiir and his Vice President Riek Machar "do their utmost to control their respective forces, urgently end the fighting and prevent the spread of violence". The battles are the first between the army and ex-rebels since rebel leader Machar returned to take up the post of vice president in a unity government in April, under an accord to end a bloody civil war. Representatives from around 70 countries attended Thursday's meeting. Libya's last chemical arms reach German destruction plant Libya's last chemical weapons stocks have arrived safely in Germany after being shipped out of the country, and will now be prepared for destruction, a global watchdog said Thursday. "Another crucial step has been taken toward eliminating Libya's remaining chemical weapon precursors," Ahmet Uzumcu, head of the UN-backed Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said in a statement. The stocks, including 23 tanks of chemicals, were shipped out on a Danish vessel on August 30 from the Libyan port of Misrata, under the supervision of the United Nations. Employees in protective clothing carry a dummy grenade during a demonstration in a chemical weapons destruction facility at GEKA in Munster, northern Germany in 2013 Philipp Gueland (AFP/File) It was a multi-nation maritime operation led by Denmark, and Uzumcu said the remaining "chemicals arrived safely and securely at the specialised destruction facility in Munster". The destruction of around 500 tonnes of toxic chemical products by GEKA, Germany's state-owned company for disposing of chemical weapons, will be the last phase of the operation to rid the unstable north African country of its stockpile. The stocks had been stored in the central Jafa area, about 200 kilometres (125 miles) south of Sirte where Libyan pro-government forces are battling jihadists from the so-called Islamic State group. The removal of the dangerous weapons precursors eases fears that extremists like IS could gain access to the weapons in Libya, which has been wracked by chaos since the 2011 overthrow of Moamer Kadhafi. "These chemical weapon precursors have not been weaponised and now they never will be by anyone," the OPCW said in a statement Thursday. The UN Security Council on July 22 endorsed the plans to remove Libya's remaining chemical weapons from the country. UN chief Ban Ki-moon in a statement praised the operation and welcomed the contribution of "personnel, technical expertise, equipment, financial and other resources" by the countries involved. Libya joined the UN convention banning chemical weapons in 2004 as part of Kadhafi's ultimately abortive efforts to shake off the country's pariah status and mend ties with the West. At the time Libya joined the convention, it declared 24.7 tonnes of sulphur mustard, 1,390 tonnes of precursor chemicals and more than 3,500 aerial bombs containing chemical weapons. It had eliminated all the aerial bombs, 51 percent of the sulphur mustard and 40 percent of the precursor chemicals by 2011, when operations to destroy the arsenal were interrupted by the uprising against Kadhafi, according to the OPCW. Ping appeals to Gabon court over poll defeat Gabon opposition leader Jean Ping on Thursday appealed to the country's highest court Thursday in an attempt to have a wafer-thin presidential election loss overturned. Ping insists he was the winner of the August 27 presidential election -- which gave incumbent Ali Bongo a narrow win -- and lodged an appeal with the Constitutional Court, his campaign team said. "Jean Ping has a petition with the Constitutional Court requesting a review... of the results of the August 27, 2016, presidential election in Haut-Ogooue province," Bongo's family fiefdom, said a member of his legal team, Jean-Remy Batsantsa. Gabonese opposition leader Jean Ping at his party headquarters in Libreville on August 28, 2016 during a press conference Marco Longari (AFP/File) Batsantsa said the appeal was for a "recount of votes in this province, polling station by polling station, through comparison of records held by the Cenap (the national electoral commission) and all parties. -- "Serious anomalies" -- "We are asking for the Court to determine that there are serious anomalies" in a count which saw Bongo declared the winner by a whisker, said Batsantsa, echoing a finding by EU observer head Maryia Gabriel. "An analysis of the number of non-voters as well as blank and disqualified votes reveals a clear anomaly in the final results in Haut-Ogooue," an EU election observer mission said in a statement Tuesday. Bongo accused some members of the mission of overstepping its mandate. And the foreign minister said "many inconsistencies" had been noted in the observers' behaviour. "We have the impression that the observer mission wanted to become a control mission," he said. Batsantsa said that a compilation of returns from Haut-Ogooue made it clear that "there is no way that Ali Bongo can win this election." Bongo himself has said he will contest a number of results attributed to his rival. The court's nine judges now have 15 days to hand down a ruling on the appeal. Haut-Ogooue is a Bongo stronghold where the incumbent won more than 95 percent of the vote on an official turnout of more than 99 percent. -'A trap' - Ahead of the appeal announcement, the government said a planned visit to Gabon of African Union heads of state had been indefinitely postponed. Ping, who believes Bongo has the court in his pocket, has rejected an official August 31 announcement that Bongo won by fewer than 6,000 votes. That outcome prompted several days of riots amid opposition claims the election had been stolen. During the unrest, the parliament building was set ablaze, many shops were looted and life in the capital brought to a standstill. The government says three people died in the unrest, dismissing some opposition claims that between 50 and 100 people lost their lives. Citing Gabon's constitution and election laws, Bongo has dismissed Ping's demand for a recount. "If we go to the constitutional court, we will enter a trap we can never escape," a close associate of Ping had warned Wednesday. "The dice are loaded at the court," he said, comparing the institution to "the Tower of Pisa that always leans the same way". But he conceded the wisdom of keeping the fight within the law. "That's what France, the US and the European Union are asking," he said, adding he hoped such international pressure would also be brought to bear to ensure a fair ruling. - "No danger" - France took pains Thursday to dismiss the common perception it was still a power-broker in its former colony Gabon. "Times have changed," government spokesman Stephane Le Foll told a news conference in Paris. "There is no more France-Afrique," he said, using a somewhat derisive term for Paris's close relationship with its former colonies. "France is not here to make decisions for African countries; we are here to help find a solution and support the African Union (AU) mission," he said. Announcing the shelving of the AU delegation's visit, Foreign Minister Emmanuel Isozet Ngondet said such a mission was uncalled for. "There is no danger here, no explosive security or humanitarian situation which justifies a rather robust intervention from the international community," he told a news conference. An AU "good offices" mission had been due in Libreville on Friday. The central African nation has been ruled by the Bongo family since 1967. Gabon's election controversy Alain BOMMENEL, Paz PIZARRO (AFP/File) Spokesman and coordinator for Gabon's opposition leader Jean Ping's presidential campaign Rene Ndemezo Obiang (R) speaks during a press conference at opposition headquarters in Libreville on September 7, 2016 Steve Jordan (AFP/File) A makeshift memorial for victims of post-presidential election violence outside of opposition headquarters in Libreville Steve Jordan (AFP/File) Native Americans united by oil pipeline fight Drive on a state highway along the Missouri River, amid the rolling hills and wide prairies of North Dakota, and you'll come across a makeshift camp of Native Americans -- united by a common cause. Members of some 200 tribes have gathered here, many raising tribal flags that flap in the unforgiving wind. Some have been here since April, their numbers fluctuating between hundreds and thousands, in an unprecedented show of joint resistance to the nearly 1,200 mile-long Dakota Access oil pipeline. "All of this is Native American land here," said Michael Zephier, who came from South Dakota with his children. "These are my people." Native Americans march to a burial ground sacred site that was disturbed by bulldozers building the Dakota Access Pipeline, near the encampment where hundreds of people have gathered to join the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's protest of the oil pipeline Robyn Beck (AFP/File) The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, which uses the river for drinking water, says allowing the pipeline to cross it just north of its reservation -- near the campsite -- would endanger its water supply and destroy culturally significant lands nearby. "Pipes always break. It will break. And within about 10 minutes, it'll be to our fresh water intake for the tribe," said Ron His Horse Is Thunder, a former tribe chairman and its current head of transportation. "They say that they're going to have monitoring systems that'll tell them 24 hours a day whether it breaks. But by the time they get to shut the thing off, the water will already be contaminated," he said. A federal regulatory agency approved the river crossing, but the tribe sued to stop it. Now, it is waiting for a federal judge's ruling expected this week, on whether to temporarily halt construction while the lawsuit proceeds. - Safety concerns - The Dakota Access Pipeline would snake through four US states, delivering oil from North Dakota to Illinois, where it can be shipped to other parts of the country. It could help reduce the cost of transporting North Dakota oil, enabling it to better compete with cheaper oil from Canada. Proponents say a pipeline is more efficient than moving oil by truck and train. Its developer, Energy Transfer Partners LLC, claims environmental impact analysis shows that it will be safe. "This is a state of the art pipeline," said Julie Fedorchak, a member of the North Dakota Public Service Commission which approved its route in the state. Fedorchak said the pipeline would have multiple safeguards -- buried under the river bed to avoid contact with water, thicker pipe walls, and remotely-controlled shut-off valves. The project route was thoroughly examined by archeological experts, she said, during a 13-month vetting process. "We didn't hear a single word from (the tribe) until a month after it was approved," she said. "At this point, I just think it's too late." But such claims have fallen on deaf ears among Native Americans and their growing number of supporters. There have been sympathetic protests held in other parts of the US. Celebrities have rallied to the cause, including actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Susan Sarandon. A petition on the White House website has collected more than 150,000 signatures and now awaits a response from the Obama administration. The protest even touched on election year politics when Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein faced criminal charges after spray painting a pipeline bulldozer. There has been violence, too. A weekend confrontation between construction workers and campers left injuries on both sides. Company guards pepper sprayed protesters and used attack dogs. Protesters struck back with sticks and poles. - 'Conquer anything' - Many Native Americans see the current fight as an assertion of their rights and their tribes' sovereignty -- as they battle in an underdog tale that could have been penned by a Hollywood screenwriter. The local tribe says it was railroaded by the pipeline's developer and the US Army Corps of Engineers, the governmental body responsible for approving construction under the river (the state approved the rest of the route). In its lawsuit, the tribe said neither paid much attention to its repeated objections. Energy Transfer Partners did not respond to repeated requests for an interview. The Corps did not respond to a request for comment. The encampment meanwhile has turned into a celebration of Native American culture. Members of tribes from across the US have visited -- sometimes in ceremonial dress, performing songs and rituals. During large gatherings, camp leaders address the population here as "relatives." "I haven't seen anything like this anywhere in my lifetime," said Susan Ireland, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe who put together a tepee wrapped in white canvas at the camp, on which visitors scribbled messages and tribal names. "Look how powerful we are," Ireland said, "If we can combat this... we should be able to conquer anything." - Historic wrongs - The Native Americans' distrust of both government agencies and the oil company is rooted in events dating far into the past. "In 1889, Congress stripped large portions of the Great Sioux Reservation that had been promised to the Tribe forever, leaving nine much smaller Sioux reservations, including Standing Rock," the tribe said in a court filing. It also pointed a finger at the Corps, saying that in 1958 it took away land from the tribe for a water project. The federal Environmental Protection Agency has added some weight to the tribe's concerns, telling the Corps in a letter to reevaluate the potential environmental impact. Still, the Sioux tribe is not trying to completely shut down the oil pipeline -- even though some groups that have joined their cause, such as the Indigenous Environmental Network, say they would like to do just that. What the tribe ultimately wants, said His Horse Is Thunder, is to move it farther north, above the state's capital city Bismarck, an alternative route that was initially considered by the pipeline developer. "We're not so naive to believe that we can stop the pipeline completely," he said. Ron His Horse Is Thunder, a spokesman for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, explains the tribe's opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline at an encampment of Native Americans and their supporters near Cannon Ball, North Dakota, September 4, 2016 Robyn Beck (AFP/File) Native American protestors and their supporters are confronted by security during a demonstration against work being done for the Dakota Access Pipeline oil pipeline, near Cannon Ball, North Dakota, September 3, 2016 Robyn Beck (AFP/File) Clinton tells Israel she'll safeguard its 'military edge' US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton says that if elected she would work with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make sure Israel's strategic military edge is preserved. "Shortly after being inaugurated I would invite the prime minister to Washington for meetings, I would send my joint chiefs and intelligence experts to Israel to meet with their counterparts," she said in an interview with Israeli Channel Two television aired on Thursday. "What we need to do first and foremost (is) to be sure that qualitative military edge is unmatched," she said. US Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaks during a voter registration rally in North Carolina on September 8, 2016 Brendan Smialowski (AFP) 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. In the Channel Two interview, Clinton said the prospect of an election victory for her Republican rival Donald Trump should alarm all Israelis regardless of their political views. She said that Trump favoured a nuclear strike on the Islamic State group, which is fighting in the devastating conflict in Syria, right next door to the Jewish state. "His understanding of the broader dangers in the region should alarm any Israeli no matter where that person is on the political spectrum," said the Democratic Party candidate. "Using nukes against ISIS... not knowing the difference between Hezbollah and Hamas. How does that in any way help Israel," she asked, using an acronym for the Islamic State group. Google buys cloud specialty firm Apigee for $625 mn Google on Thursday announced a deal to pay $625 million for Apigee, a firm specializing in managing the application programming interfaces, or APIs, that businesses use to connect with customers online. APIs "are vital for how business gets done today in the fast-growing digital and mobile marketplace," Google senior vice president Diane Greene said in a blog post about the acquisition. "They're the hubs through which companies, partners and customers interact, whether it's a small business applying online for a loan or a point-of-sale system sending your warranty information to the manufacturer," she added. Apigee is used by hundreds of companies, including AT&T, Bechtel, Burberry, Live Nation and Walgreens, according to Google Justin Sullivan (Getty/AFP/File) For example, APIs can enable a business's computer networks to communicate with apps on smartphones or tablets. Apigee is used by hundreds of companies, including AT&T, Bechtel, Burberry, Live Nation and Walgreens, according to Google. Adding Apigee to its team promises to raise Google's game against major competitors Amazon and Microsoft in the market to provide businesses with services in the internet cloud. Forrester, the independent market-research company, last year predicted that annual global spending on API management would top $1 billion by 2020. "The transition toward cloud, mobile and digital interaction with customers and partners via APIs is happening, and fast," Greene said. The acquisition is subject to approval by regulators and Apigee shareholders but is expected to be completed this year. Iraq, Syria might not 'be put back together again': CIA head Iraq and Syria have been so thoroughly damaged by warfare, sectarian conflict and killing that it is unclear they "can be put back together again," CIA Director John Brennan said. In an interview this week with the CTC Sentinel, a publication from the West Point military academy's Combating Terrorism Center, the head of the Central Intelligence Agency said the current system of governance in the two countries might change altogether. "I don't know whether or not Syria and Iraq can be put back together again. There's been so much bloodletting, so much destruction, so many continued, seething tensions and sectarian divisions," Brennan said. Syrian rescue workers search for victims through the rubble of a building destroyed during a reported barrel bomb attack in a rebel-held neighbourhood in eastern Aleppo on August 27, 2016 Thaer Mohammed (AFP/File) "I question whether we will see, in my lifetime, the creation of a central government in both of those countries that's going to have the ability to govern fairly." He added that he could envision some type of a federal structure governing autonomous regions. In northern Iraq and parts of Syria, for instance, Kurdish populations already have established de-facto states. Brennan also described how the Islamic State group (IS) is now collaborating in Yemen with rivals Al-Qaeda to fight common enemies, such as the Houthi rebels and Arab coalition-backed government forces. "The farther away you get from that (IS) heartland of Syria and Iraq, the more likely you're going to see collaboration between Al-Qaeda elements, (IS) elements, and others," he said. Indian acid attack survivor wows New York runway An Indian teenager who lost an eye and whose face was brutally disfigured in an acid attack walked the New York catwalk to whoops and cheers Thursday in what she called a life-changing experience. Reshma Qureshi, 19, brushed off nerves to stride the runway like a pro in a stunning cream and floral floor-length gown by Indian designer Archana Kochhar on the first official day of New York Fashion Week. "I feel really good and the experience was great," she told AFP afterward, speaking in Hindi through a translator. "I feel as though it has definitely changed my life." Acid attack survivor Reshma Bano of India walks the runway during the FTL Moda presentation at the 2016 New York Fashion Week Trevor Collens (AFP) She was invited to take part by FTL Moda, a fashion production company committed to challenging industry stereotypes of beauty and which last year invited a model with Down Syndrome to take part. Qureshi, whose ambition remains to finish the last two grades of high school and go to college, said she hoped her participation would send a powerful message to other acid attack survivors. "Why should we not enjoy our lives? What happened to us is not our fault and we've done nothing wrong and so we should also move forward in life," she told AFP the night before the show. Acid attacks, which overwhelmingly target women and children, are a particular scourge in Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, the West Indies and the Middle East. In India, an estimated 500 to 1,000 attacks take place each year, and while they rarely kill they leave severe physical, psychological and social scars that can see victims ostracized and hidden away. Thursday's show came the same day an Indian court sentenced a man to death for murdering a 24-year-old woman by throwing acid on her face after she rejected his offer of marriage, in a landmark judgement. Since Qureshi was attacked by her brother-in-law in 2014, pinned down by his friends and her face doused in acid, she has become the face of a campaign to end the open sale of acid in India. - Brave - As slim as any professional model and with thick, luxurious hair, she appears in YouTube videos, filmed in her home base of Mumbai, and offering beauty tips and make-up advice. Just moments before hitting the catwalk she clung to the arm of a floor assistant. But with her hair swept into a chignon with a delicate headpiece, professional make-up and her model frame flattered by the curves of the gown, she quickly turned into a natural. "I want to tell the world -- do not see us in a weak light and see that even we can go out and do things," she told AFP. "People have a tendency to look at acid attack survivors from one perspective and I don't want them to look at them like that anymore," she said. Backstage she was embraced by a fellow model and then lent over the balcony watching part of the rest of the show which featured evening and daywear for men and women by a handful of different designers. As much as the audience of stylists, bloggers and members of the Indian diaspora whooped and cheered, Qureshi had come across on the eve of the show as rather overwhelmed and understandably jet lagged. The daughter of a taxi driver and abroad for the first time, she was accompanied by a representative of the charity she works with, but flung into the bulb-popping, high-octane world of Manhattan fashion. She answered questions politely, saying that New York seemed "very nice" even though she had barely slept on the long, transcontinental flight and had no time to even see the skyline. But with her New York debut under her belt, she was much happier. She will walk in a second show Thursday before heading out to dinner and is keen to see as much as possible of the Big Apple. "I do feel brave," she said. Chinese boats face huge fines for illegal fishing off Guinea Two Chinese vessels face huge fines after being caught fishing illegally in Guinea's waters, including one fine of up to $3.4 million, the country's fishing minister said Thursday, as west Africa attempts to crack down on millions lost to foreign trawlers. The Chang Yuan Yu 6 and Lu Jiao Nan Yuan Yu 102 were among 14 vessels identified as operating illegally in a joint operation mounted by Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal between August 28 and September 1 as part of a European Union-backed initiative. The Chang Yuan Yu 6 was escorted to port and held there, said minister Andre Loua, while the second vessel escaped. Experts have recently warned west Africa is missing out on vital income because of the masses of fish taken from their waters by trawlers from as far afield as South Korea. Issouf Sanogo (AFP/File) The boats were guilty of "unauthorised fishing in our economic zone without the required licence," Loua said. The maximum penalty of one million euros ($1.1 million) would be applied to the captured vessel while the second had the maximum doubled for the aggravating factor of fleeing. The crew of the first vessel have been freed, according to the minister. The same company owns the two ships but its name has yet to be disclosed. Experts have recently warned west Africa is missing out on vital income because of the masses of fish taken from their waters by trawlers from as far afield as South Korea. A lack of government transparency in the region, limited capacity to patrol the seas and legal loopholes once west Africa's fish arrive in Europe, its biggest market, all contribute to the situation. 400 additional US troops arrive in Iraq ahead of Mosul push More than 400 additional US troops have deployed to Iraq in recent days, a defense official said Thursday, as local forces prepare for an assault on Mosul, the Islamic State group's last major Iraqi stronghold. Colonel John Dorrian, a spokesman for the US-led coalition that has been attacking IS in Iraq and Syria for the last two years, said the number of US troops in country had grown from about 4,000 a week ago to 4,460 today. The deployments had been previously authorized earlier this year. Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga fighters hold a position on the front line near Hasan Sham village, some 45 kilometres east of the city of Mosul, during an operation aimed at retaking areas from the Islamic State group Safin Hamed (AFP/File) Dorrian did not say what the troops would be doing, but their arrival comes as Iraqi security forces continue "shaping operations" around Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city. Much of the work is focused on an airfield near the town of Qayyarah, which will provide a staging area for Iraqi forces pushing toward the northern city Mosul. Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, the new commander of the US-led coalition, told the Wall Street Journal late Wednesday that the assault could begin within the next month. Dorrian, however, soft-pedalled his boss's remarks, saying it was the Iraqis who would determine any timeline. General Joe Votel, the head of the US military's Central Command, last week said coalition-backed Iraqi forces can retake Mosul by the end of the year. Iraqi security forces from the south and Kurdish peshmerga forces from the north are expected to conduct the push from multiple directions. Mosul had an estimated population of around two million before IS took it over in June 2014 in an offensive that sparked large-scale displacement. Accurate numbers for the population remaining in the city are hard to come by but the United Nations and other officials have said up to one million civilians may still be living under IS rule in the Mosul area. Two men arrested in US for hacking emails of top officials Two men suspected of belonging to a network that hacked the emails of top American officials including CIA chief John Brennan were arrested Thursday in North Carolina, the authorities announced. Andrew Otto Boggs, 22, and Justin Gray Liverman, 24, are accused of taking part in a group of hackers nicknamed the "Crackas With Attitude," a Justice Department statement said. Members of the network illegally accessed the personal data of the officials and their families between October 2015 and February 2016, downloading private information and then publishing it on public sites or harassing their victims by telephone, according to the department. Two men suspected of belonging to a network that hacked the emails of top American officials including CIA chief John Brennan were arrested in North Carolina Saul Loeb (AFP/File) At least three members of the group reside in Britain, where they are under investigation, the department said. Boggs, who uses the alias "INCURSIO," and Liverman, who goes by "D3F4ULT," are to appear next week before a federal court in Virginia to answer to the charges. In October 2015, the WikiLeaks organization published documents drawn from Brennan's personal emails. He expressed "outrage" over the cyber-attack, saying he had not been irresponsible in his use of a personal email account. Police in Britain investigating the matter, in February arrested a 16-year-old student suspected of involvement. CNN and the technology website Motherboard reported at the time that the targets of "Crackas With Attitude" included top CIA officials like Brennan, as well as senior figures in the FBI, the Homeland Security Department, the White House and other federal agencies. Boeing studies bigger 737 for midrange market Boeing is studying designs for a longer version of its 737 plane to compete with rival Airbus' successful A321Neo, a person familiar with the matter said Thursday. Boeing is analyzing two potential designs for a plane that is expected to be called the 737 MAX 10 and would be the largest aircraft in the 737 line. Boeing has held recent discussions with airlines and aircraft leasing firms to gauge interest in such a plane, said this person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity and confirmed a Bloomberg News report. A Southwest Boeing 737 airplane takes off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, August 15, 2016 Saul Loeb (AFP/File) Such a plane would address an important gap between the 737 MAX 9, which can transport 200 travellers and the Airbus plane, which holds up to 240 passengers. The A321Neo has given the edge to the European giant in the lucrative market for middle-range planes, with orders running about 1,000 above those for Boeing's 737 line, according to data released by the companies. Air strike kills top jihadist rebel commander in Syria The commander of Syria's largest rebel coalition has been killed in an air strike near Aleppo, in what analysts say is the biggest blow to the alliance since its formation. The strike on a meeting of leaders of the Army of Conquest came after a major defeat for the rebels, which saw them once again besieged inside Aleppo after a pro-government advance this week. Former Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front, renamed Fateh al-Sham Front when it broke ties in July, announced on Twitter "the martyrdom" of commander Abu Omar Saraqeb in an air strike. The Syrian city of Aleppo has been ravaged by fighting since the rebels seized eastern districts in 2012 George Ourfalian (AFP/File) The jihadist Fateh al-Sham is a leading member of the Army of Conquest alliance, which groups its fighters with those of Islamist factions such as Ahrar al-Sham. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said unidentified aircraft hit the Army of Conquest meeting on Thursday night, killing Saraqeb and another rebel commander named as Abu Muslim al-Shami. Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said it was not clear whether the strike was carried out by the Syrian regime or its Russian ally. In Washington, Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said the US military was not involved. "It was not a US strike," he said. A US defence official later told AFP that Russia was the "leading suspect" in the strike. A US-led coalition carries out daily air raids in northern Syria targeting the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group, but it has steered clear of Aleppo, where Russian and regime forces are battling rebels. "This is undoubtedly the biggest blow ever inflicted on Fateh al-Sham and the Army of Conquest in Syria," Abdel Rahman told AFP. According to the Observatory, Saraqeb was a leading member of Al-Qaeda in Iraq -- a precursor to IS -- in its fight against the US-led occupation of that country after 2003. He went on to become a key commander of Al-Nusra Front in Syria. - 'Islamist unifier' - Abu Omar reportedly also founded Al-Nusra Front's Lebanon branch which has claimed responsibility for several bombings in Syria's western neighbour. He has operated under different noms de guerre, making it difficult to know his nationality. He led a major offensive by the Army of Conquest in spring last year that saw it seize control of nearly all of the northwestern province of Idlib. But the alliance has been less successful in and around Aleppo, where it was dealt a major blow by regime forces this week. In early August, Saraqeb led an offensive against pro-government fighters encircling the rebel-held east of the divided city and opened up a new supply route from the south that broke the siege. But this week regime loyalists backed by Russian jets recaptured nearly all of the territory taken last month and reimposed the blockade on the estimated 250,000 civilians in rebel-held neighbourhoods. Pro-jihadist accounts on Twitter mourned Saraqeb's death, calling him a "heroic martyr". "The targeting of the symbols of this blessed revolution will only increase our determination to achieve our goals," pledged one Army of Conquest brigade. - 'Ideological hardliner' - Charles Lister, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute think tank, said Saraqeb had helped found the Army of Conquest last year and once served as the "emir" of Idlib province. Amid Syria's fractious rebel movement, he was an "advocate of military unity" as well as "an ideological hardliner who held strong views on how society should be controlled", Lister told AFP. He said the raid on Thursday targeted a meeting that would plan a fresh rebel offensive "to break the re-besieging of Aleppo". It remains unclear the extent to which Abu Omar's death will have an impact on the fight for Aleppo and the broader rebel movement in Syria. According to Syria expert Thomas Pierret, the Army of Conquest remains "the only group that could credibly claim that it can break the siege of Aleppo". "The consequences of this assassination will undoubtedly be more political than military, as jihadist groups are generally well-prepared to replenish their cadres," he told AFP. Aleppo has been ravaged by fighting since the rebels seized eastern districts in 2012, with the former commercial hub transformed into a bombed-out city. Syrian regime loyalists backed by Russian warplanes reimposed a blockade on Aleppo afp, Thomas SAINT-CRICQ (AFP/File) A rebel fighter from the Jaish al-Fatah (or Army of Conquest) prepares to fire artillery during clashes with Syrian pro-government forces near the village of Om al-Krameel, in Aleppo on May 5, 2016 Omar haj kadour (AFP/File) 15 years after 9/11, terror threat now 'home-grown' Fifteen years after the September 11 attacks, US anti-terror officials say the country is hardened against such well-developed plots but remains as vulnerable as ever to small and especially home-grown attacks. Counter-terror operations are under huge pressure to ferret out and disrupt plots by sympathizers of the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda hidden by less centralized networks and new communications technologies, they say. "Our job is getting harder," said Nick Rasmussen, the powerful director of the National Counterterrorism Center, at a stock-taking this week in Washington. Fifteen years after 9/11, the target is no longer Al-Qaeda but the Islamic State, which has shown the ability to plan and inspire home-grown attacks in Europe and the US Henny Ray Abrams (AFP/File) The explosion of ways extremists can communicate with each other, many of them via popular smartphone apps and easy access to powerful encryption, "gives them the edge" against the US intelligence community, he said. The 9/11 attacks gave birth to the US War On Terror, which initially focused on Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. But 15 years later, the target is a different group, the Islamic State, which has seized territory in Syria and Iraq and shown the ability to plan and inspire home-grown attacks in Europe and the United States, smaller-scale than 9/11 but nevertheless deadly and demoralizing. Meanwhile, Al-Qaeda still exists without former leader Osama bin Laden, with affiliates, spinoffs and rivals of both groups operating from the Philippines to West Africa, posing a more complex threat. "The reality is that it has metastasized" from the Iraq-Syria region, said Frank Cilluffo, director of the Center for Cyber and Homeland Security at George Washington University. "The threat persists and is in some cases more complex." A series of surprise attacks have placed "HVEs" -- homegrown violent extremist -- as much in the focus of intelligence agencies as threats from abroad. Among them, a 29-year-old American of Afghan descent believed to hold radical Islamic sympathies shot dead 49 people in an Orlando gay nightclub in June. And in December, a US-born man and his wife, both with Pakistani roots, killed 14 at a Christmas party in San Bernardino, California. The George Washington University Program on Extremism counts 102 people who have been charged in the United States with offenses related to the Islamic State group, many of them lured online. US intelligence is strained by the more than 1,000 cases of possible extremists it is following, Rasmussen said. Moreover, plots are now developed and carried out much more rapidly, and in smaller networks, making it much harder for counter-terror operations to discover them. US officials say they are confident the Islamic State group will be defeated on its Iraq-Syria turf eventually, but that that won't end the overall extremist threat. A breakup of Islamic State could send hundreds of sympathizers underground around the world, lying quietly in wait for years to build new networks and plot attacks, they said. "The threat that I believe will dominate the next five years for the FBI will be the impact of the crushing of the caliphate," or the IS group, said James Comey, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. That will release "hundreds of hardened killers" into the general population, many of them going north to hide in Europe, he predicted. "We are facing this 'going dark' phenomenon where we cannot see these people," he said. The other big challenge, the officials said, is the weakness of European intelligence to identify and track threats, which they tied to still-weak cooperation between agencies in the different countries. Rasmussen said that he had been more confident a decade ago in the ability of the United States and other countries to work together in fighting terrorism. Today, he said "I feel like we're pushing uphill," and cooperation remains strongest on a bilateral basis. The core fight is in ideology, officials also say, and the United States has made little progress in combatting the propaganda that draws sympathizers to the IS group and Al-Qaeda. Real progress requires a longer-term strategy involving social media, said Michael Leiter of defense and intelligence contractor Leidos. Only a little money is being given to people on the ground to fight radicalization, he complained. "There are no silver bullets here. Banning Muslims is not going to do it." UN panel blames South Sudan leaders for Juba violence A UN panel of experts has concluded that heavy fighting that engulfed South Sudan's capital Juba in July, forcing vice president and ex-rebel leader Riek Machar to flee, was "directed by the highest level" of the country's military. The confidential report seen by AFP on Thursday points the finger at President Salva Kiir and army chief of staff Paul Malong as having ordered the large-scale attacks that began on July 8. "The relatively large scale of the hostilities which featured the deployment of MI-24 attack helicopters, in coordination with ground forces, reinforced by armed units, support the conclusion that the fighting was directed by the highest level of the SPLA command structure," said the report. Some of the at least 3000 displaced women, men and children taking shelter at the UN compound in Tomping area in Juba Beatrice Mategwa (UNMISS/AFP/File) In the report, the experts quoted South Sudanese officers as saying that only Kiir and Malong have the authority to order the attack helicopters into combat and that Malong acted "with Kiir's full knowledge" during the offensive. The finding dismissed suggestions that the violence in Juba, which led to the collapse of a fragile unity government cobbled together from a year-old peace deal, was carried out by rogue elements. More than 300 people died in the fighting from July 8 to 11, tens of thousands fled the country, and the United Nations reported a surge in sexual violence, mostly by the ethnic Dinka-dominated soldiers against Nuer women and girls. The two-and-a-half year conflict has escalated from a "primarily political to a tribal war," said the report. - Attack on aid workers 'well-coordinated' - The panel found that dozens of soldiers gang-raped and beat aid workers in a "well-coordinated attack" on a Juba housing compound on July 11. Over four hours, between 80 and 100 soldiers overran the Terrain compound, beat and abused, raped and gang-raped at least five international aid workers and executed an employee of a non-governmental organization. "The soldiers damaged every single room, and looted the compound extensively, taking over 25 vehicles," the panel said. "Considering the degree of violence inflicted, the high number of armed actors who participated, the vast quantity of items stolen and the systematic damage exacted on the sprawling compound, the panel has concluded that this attack was well coordinated and cannot be considered as an opportunistic act of violence and robbery," it added. The panel described the attack as a "clear turning point in the level brutality inflicted by South Sudanese soldiers on international humanitarian personnel," it added. A separate UN investigation has been established to report on whether UN peacekeepers failed to protect civilians including the aid workers at the Terrain compound who sent several text messages to the UN mission pleading for help. The experts said arms sales to South Sudan's military were continuing, citing the recent purchase of two L-39 jet fighters, one of which was used in combat operations in July. Kiir's government has entered into contact with a Lebanese-registered firm, Rawmatimpex, to build a small arms manufacturing plant in South Sudan, but the outcome of those talks are unclear, according to the panel. South Sudan descended into war in December 2013 when Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup. Tens of thousands have died and more than 2.5 million people have been driven from their homes. Hawaiian seafood caught by foreign crews confined on boats HONOLULU (AP) Pier 17 doesn't even show up on most Honolulu maps. Cars whiz past it on their way to Waikiki's famous white sand beaches. Yet few locals, let alone passing tourists, are aware that just behind a guarded gate, another world exists: foreign fishermen confined to American boats for years at a time. Hundreds of undocumented men are employed in this unique U.S. fishing fleet, due to a federal loophole that allows them to work but exempts them from most basic labor protections. Many come from impoverished Southeast Asian and Pacific nations to take the dangerous jobs, which can pay as little as 70 cents an hour. With no legal standing on U.S. soil, the men are at the mercy of their American captains on American-flagged, American-owned vessels, catching prized swordfish and ahi tuna. Since they don't have visas, they are not allowed to set foot on shore. The entire system, which contradicts other state and federal laws, operates with the blessing of high-ranking U.S. lawmakers and officials, an Associated Press investigation found. In this March 23, 2016 photo, foreign fishermen aboard an American fishing boat unload a moonfish at Pier 38 in Honolulu. Around 700 foreign men work in a unique Hawaii fishing fleet without visas, thanks to a federal loophole written specifically for their ship owners. With no legal standing on U.S. soil, the men are at the mercy of their American captains on American-flagged, American-owned vessels. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones) The fleet of around 140 boats docks about once every three weeks, occasionally at ports along the West Coast, including Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, but mainly at Piers 17 and 38 in Honolulu. Their catch ends up at restaurants and premium seafood counters across the country, from Whole Foods to Costco, and is touted by celebrity chefs such as Roy Yamaguchi and Masaharu Morimoto. Americans buying Hawaiian seafood are almost certainly eating fish caught by one of these workers, who account for nearly all the fleet's crew. A single yellowfin tuna can fetch more than $1,000, and vendors market the catch as "sustainable seafood produced by Hawaii's hard-working fishermen." But workers such as Indonesian Syamsul Maarif aren't protected or compensated like locals. He was sent home to Indonesia after nearly dying when his boat sank 160 miles off Hawaii. He lost everything, and said it took four months to get his pay. "We want the same standards as the other workers in America, but we are just small people working there based on the contract that we signed," he said. "We don't have any visa. We are illegal, so we cannot demand more." Over six months, the AP obtained confidential contracts, reviewed dozens of business records and interviewed boat owners, brokers and more than 50 fishermen in Hawaii, Indonesia and San Francisco. The investigation found men living in squalor on some boats, forced to use buckets instead of toilets, suffering running sores from bed bugs and sometimes lacking sufficient food. It also revealed instances of human trafficking. This report is part of the AP's ongoing global look at labor abuses in the fishing industry, stretching from Southeast Asia to America's own waters. Last year, the AP reported on fishermen locked in a cage and others buried under fake names on the remote Indonesian island village of Benjina . Their catch was traced to the United States, leading to more than 2,000 slaves being freed. But thousands more remain trapped worldwide in a murky industry where work takes place far from shore and often without oversight. In Hawaii, federal contractors paid to monitor catches said they are troubled by what they've seen while living weeks at a time at sea with the men. "You get that sort of feeling that it's like gaming the system," said Forest O'Neill, who coordinates the boat observers in Honolulu. "It's a shock. It becomes normal, but it's like, 'How is this even legal? How is this possible?' ... They are like floating prisons." ____ "THEY'RE TECHNICALLY NOT HERE" Under the law, U.S. citizens must make up 75 percent of the crew on most commercial fishing vessels in America. But influential lawmakers, including the late Hawaii Sen. Daniel Inouye, pushed for a loophole to support one of the state's biggest industries. It exempted commercial fishing boat owners from federal rules enforced almost everywhere else. Thus about 700 foreign workers in Hawaii, who catch $110 million worth of seafood annually, lack certain labor rights most Americans take for granted. They have little legal recourse in these areas, and are detained on boats where U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires captains to hold the men's passports. That potentially goes against federal human trafficking laws saying bosses who possess workers' identification documents can face up to five years in prison. U.S. Attorney Florence Nakakuni, the chief federal law enforcement official in Hawaii, said it's all above board. "People say ... they're like captives," she said. "But they don't have visas, so they can't leave their boat, really." Federal laws and rules don't mention the Hawaiian fleet by name. However, when specific details are combined, it's clear the language in the loophole applies to these boats. "It has the fig leaf of legality," said Cornell University law professor Stephen Yale-Loehr, who, like other leading immigration experts contacted by AP, was unfamiliar with Hawaii's arrangement. "This is inconsistent with the general notion in American values, if not law, that workers should be paid a fair wage and not be mistreated." Hawaii's fishing industry is otherwise one of the most tightly regulated for catch limits and sustainability, attracting companies that pride themselves on being ocean-friendly. Supermarkets, restaurants and chefs selling the seafood condemned labor abuse. President Barack Obama's recently expanded protections in Hawaii created the world's largest marine preserve but didn't address working conditions. Honolulu's fleet gets only about 10 percent of its catch from the entire restricted area. U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard routinely inspect the Hawaiian boats. At times, fishermen complain they're not getting paid and officers say they tell owners to honor the contracts. But neither agency has any authority over actual wages. "This is a unique situation," said Coast Guard vessel examiner Charles Medlicott. "But it is legal." Here's how it works: When boat owners need crew, they pay brokers abroad or in Honolulu to bring the men from overseas mostly from Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and the tiny Pacific island nation of Kiribati. It can take weeks to coordinate, sign contracts, buy airline tickets and arrange travel documents for each fisherman. Workers typically sign two- or three-year renewable contracts, and some extend repeatedly, staying up to a decade on boats with five to six men each. "For one crew, one person, it's about $10,000," said Honolulu-based agent Hernan Santiago, who works on commission. He also wires money home to the fishermen's families, gets them phone cards and assists in times of crisis. "I'm playing the middle man." Regional Customs director Brian Humphrey said his agency could issue the workers temporary permits allowing them to enter the U.S., similar to those sometimes used by cruise ships employees. But he added that option would be "administratively cumbersome." And so these crew members aren't even allowed to land at the airport in Honolulu. "There really is no purpose for them to come to the U.S. or for them to have a visa because they really don't have any intention of setting foot on shore," Humphrey said. As a result, the men are first put on planes at home, and then hopscotched from country to country across thousands of miles. A typical route could go from Indonesia to Australia to Fiji to Western Samoa to American Samoa. Some pass through Amsterdam. Others end up in Mexico or Panama. They're then picked up by American captains for the 10- to 20-day sail to Honolulu. Some fishermen have even been made to leap into the sea. In one video shown to AP, men swam from one boat to another through tossing waves, clutching their belongings in plastic bags. It used to be easier. Before Sept. 11, the men came on planes. But the terror attacks spurred a national crackdown on foreigners entering the country. As an unintended consequence, the workers now reach U.S. docks with minimal government vetting, creating greater security risks. "We've been stuck in this hellhole," said Jim Cook, a longtime leader in the commercial fishery who co-owns several vessels, a supply store and a seafood restaurant at Pier 38. "It's a very complicated system that doesn't work well for anybody, not the boat owner, not Customs and Border Protection. And the potential for mischief is far greater." The fishermen are paid as little as $350 a month, far below U.S. minimum wage, but still more than they can make back home in countries where people live on less than a dollar a day. Many workers also get small bonuses, lifting their monthly pay to $500 or $600. A lucky few get a percentage of the catch, making it possible to triple their wages. They're willing to give up their freedom of movement for these jobs because of the salary. For many boat owners, the fishermen are a bargain: Bait and ice can cost more than crew salaries. Some of the foreign workers in Hawaii earn less than $5,000 for a full year. By contrast, the average pay for an American deckhand nationwide last year was $28,000, sometimes for jobs that last just a few months, according to government statistics. Experienced American crew members working in Alaska can make up to $80,000 a year. Owner Quan Do, who brings his workers from Vietnam, said profits depend on the catch. It costs $35,000 just to head out to sea. If the fish are biting, he can double his money. "Fishing, it's a gamble," he said, loading groceries onto the Lady Jackie docked at Pier 17. "If you're lucky, you win. If you're not, you lose." The former refugee is one of many Vietnamese-Americans who sailed from the Gulf of Mexico to Hawaii's rich Pacific waters in the 1980s, tripling the state's commercial fleet. A decade later, owners found themselves short on local crew and turned to overseas workers as a solution. In the Gulf, foreign laborers also are fishing on oyster, shrimp and menhaden vessels. But unlike in Hawaii, they're allowed on shore, and some get paid $14 an hour for eight-hour shifts. In addition, boat owners must file for costly permits certifying no U.S. citizens are available to work. Over the years, environmental and labor advocates in Honolulu have complained that in a state with high unemployment, the foreign workers take away U.S. jobs. However, few in Hawaii are lining up for the grueling work, weeks at sea and low pay. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, acknowledges the fishermen's liberties are limited and has unsuccessfully proposed an amendment that would allow them to fly into the country. It's a move that would fix a widely accepted paradox. Currently, even though the men never legally enter the United States, the government provides a transit visa that lets them exit through Honolulu's airport. AP reporters watched as two fishermen from Kiribati prepared to fly out. They weren't allowed to touch their passports, which were handed to a contracted driver in a black SUV. They would not be paid until arriving home. Bill Paupe said he's alerted at the Kiribati Consulate in Honolulu every time a worker leaves, but he's otherwise not involved: "They're technically not here." ____ "WHERE DID THIS FISH COME FROM?" The fishermen are not just cheap, they're skilled. Many from traditional Indonesian fishing villages, like Pemalang on the central coast of Java, start going to sea as young boys with their fathers. It's a place where the glittering ocean serves as a backdrop, and laughing children set off firecrackers on a path too narrow for cars. Money sent here from fishermen around the world pays for the brightly painted cement houses and new motorbikes parked outside. But for some, the jobs are a disappointment. Speaking from a boat docked in Honolulu just before heading back to sea, a 23-year-old Indonesian deckhand said his $450 monthly salary wasn't worth it. The AP is not identifying any of the men still working because of concerns about potential retribution from their captains or agents. "I was jealous of my neighbors who returned from Hawaii ... they were able to have a nice house and a prosperous family. So I decided to get a fishing job here," he said. "It turns out that the salary I got is not much better than my job in my homeland. How can I have a house when I'm back home? It's just my silly dream." If the men are unhappy, some are allowed to skip out on their contracts, but the ticket home can cost up to two months' salary. They also may have to pay back recruiters' fees, ending up trapped by debt. In one particularly bad situation, a Kiribati fisherman's ledger obtained by AP shows deductions from his pay including $1,300 for airfare, $1,800 to pay for his replacement and $2,100 for breaking a captain's computer. After more than three years of work, at $350 a month, he should have accumulated close to $13,000, but he ended up with about half of that. The U.S. government defines forced labor and debt bondage, often involving migrant workers, as modern-day slavery. Every year, the U.S. blacklists countries that have the worst human trafficking records. "Most of the fish caught and sold in Hawaii is done by the use of exploiting migrant workers in what looks to be a human trafficking scheme legitimized by our own laws," said Kathryn Xian, who runs the nonprofit Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery. Authorities are aware Hawaii's fishermen are vulnerable to exploitation. Signs posted at Pier 17 in six languages offer a hotline to help those who have been trafficked. That's what happened to Abdul Fatah and Sorihin, who arrived from Indonesia seven years ago and were put on the Sea Queen II. First, a fishing line nearly ripped Sorihin's finger off, and his captain set it straight with a chopstick. Then a winch cable snapped, badly bruising the fisherman's shoulder. That time, he said, he was allowed a two-hour rest. "I knew if I stayed on that boat I was going to die," said Sorihin, who uses one name. His friend Fatah, who was kicked awake before dawn for work, was just as scared. He was thrown against a rail and nearly tossed overboard by a wave. So early one morning when their captain was gone, the two men broke into the skipper's quarters, grabbed their passports and made a run for it while docked in San Francisco. Eventually, federal officials issued each of them a special visa designated for victims of human trafficking. They remain too terrified to go near the dock at Fisherman's Wharf, where the Sea Queen II still unloads just steps away from clanging cable cars and thousands of tourists. The captain did not respond to messages left by the AP. Sorihin has advice for American seafood lovers: "Ask, where did this fish come from? Is it the kind of fish that you got from someone in slavery?" Not all fishing boats have harsh conditions, and some crew members said they enjoy the camaraderie. All said the experience ultimately comes down to each captain. However, on some vessels, cultural and language barriers, coupled with exhaustion, can exacerbate tensions. Entire crews, at times, have quit. And the days can be grueling. One boat's schedule looked like this: Work from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., break two hours for lunch and rest. Work from 5 p.m. until 6 a.m., eat and sleep again. Start a new shift at 8 a.m. "It's very hard work," said a Filipino fisherman who's supporting a teenage daughter and a son studying engineering in college. "When the children finish school, I'm done with this." Crews typically spend three weeks at sea before coming into the harbor for a few days to sell their catch, restock food, repair damaged gear and fuel up. Most of the Hawaii-based fleet stays at Piers 17 and 38 in Honolulu, but some boats chase swordfish all the way to the West Coast, landing in ports including San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. American fishermen can also work exhausting 20-hour days, cramming into small bunks for respite. But when they reach shore, they go home to a bed, a hot shower and a meal. In contrast, Hawaii's fishermen are sometimes even short on food. And unlike their American counterparts, they are dependent on their captain to bring them everything from socks and underwear to rice and meat. "Mistreatment of workers and failure to provide for basic safety and hygiene is unacceptable. And, regardless of workplace exemptions, is illegal," said Gavin Gibbons, spokesman for the National Fisheries Institute, which represents about 75 percent of the U.S. seafood industry. In rare cases, boat owners can request passes from federal authorities to take the fishermen ashore for things such as medical care. Though the men are not technically allowed to leave their vessels, security guards turn a blind eye when they go onto the docks, but no farther, to see friends. One afternoon at Pier 17 in Hawaii, the foreign crews visited from boat to boat Vietnamese cooked a shared meal, Filipinos passed around a phone, Indonesians smoked cigarettes. One fisherman, sheltering on a boat with his buddies during a rainstorm, said the short down time they get while docked is a welcome break from the nonstop hustle at sea. "Sometimes you don't even have time to drink water," he said. At the piers, some vessels are tidy, neatly packed with coiled ropes, scrubbed rails and clean decks. Others have piles of garbage, rusting tanks and rotting carpets. On some boats, crews defecate in buckets or plastic bags, or even hang over the side of the ship to do their business. "It's unhealthy, quite frankly, for people to have to be kept on the boat," said Kitty Simonds, executive director of the Honolulu-based Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. "Maybe there needs to be legislation. I mean, who's going to take that on?" Even in the best conditions, lives are at risk. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health lists commercial fishing as among the most dangerous jobs in the country. In the past 10 years, five fishermen in the Hawaii fleet have died when boats sank or burned, the agency said, and at least four other workers were never found after falling overboard. Two men's quests for better lives ended with their deaths after they were stabbed at the dock in knife fights. Some fishermen spoke to the AP of injuries or bore scars. After one worker began coughing up blood at sea, the Hawaii Department of Health said it was contacted by his captain, who brought him in. Doctors diagnosed the man with a rare case of active tuberculosis, isolating him for months and calling everyone on the boat in for chest X-rays and testing. It is up to boat owners to provide care to their crews. Some fishermen said their bosses were responsive, quickly arranging medical treatment. Others complained they received inadequate care or none at all. Dr. Craig Nakatsuka visits Pier 38 with a church outreach project that holds services twice a week, a rare opportunity for fellowship. He spoke at dusk on the dock, wearing a white coat and stethoscope. He said he sees problems in the men ranging from high blood pressure to skin infections caused by the lack of gloves or improper gear. He's concerned about the possibility of scurvy from a shortage of fruits and vegetables. It's like a "third-world overseas medical mission support in your backyard," he said. ____ NOT SO LOCAL At Honolulu's Pier 38, the tired fishermen dock at the end of another trip. Some venture as far as 50 feet to a nearby public restroom, but they are careful not to stray much farther. They know they can be sent home if caught off their ships. Just steps away at Uncle's Fish Market & Grill, crowds dine on $20-plus plates of sashimi and ahi poke bowls, a Hawaiian staple. The fish is unloaded early every morning at the pier and sold at the only public auction of its kind in the U.S. The sought-after seafood, famous for its taste and quality, commands prices that make the fishery the country's fifth largest. About 80 percent stays in Hawaii, ending up at hotels, restaurants and supermarkets, said John Kaneko, program manager for the Hawaii Seafood Council. The rest is exported, often flown fresh in airtight cool boxes to the country's finest eateries, from Los Angeles and San Francisco to New York. For instance, some of Roy's 25 restaurants in eight states source seafood here. AP interviewed buyers getting fish for Whole Foods in Los Angeles, Stavis Seafood and John Nagle seafood in Boston, LaRocca Seafood in San Francisco and other popular fish markets. Delivery drivers in Honolulu were headed for a local Sam's Club, military bases and hotels, including the Hyatt, along with supermarkets. When asked about the workers in Honolulu, Costco said it was investigating. Wal-Mart, which owns Sam's Club, declined to comment. Charlie Nagle, whose family has been in the seafood industry for 130 years, said his buyers "do not and will never knowingly source from vessels that mistreat their crew." Richard Stavis of Stavis Seafood said Thursday that his company is not currently selling fish from Hawaii. Whole Foods spokeswoman McKinzey Crossland said only 1 percent of their seafood comes from Hawaii, and they had been assured boat crews are well paid with bonuses and health insurance. She added that the company is also looking into the issue. During the auction at 5 a.m., John Hernandez of John's Fresh Fish picked over rows of seafood, paying about $840 for a 100-pound bigeye tuna. It was due at New York's New Fulton Fish Market by 11 a.m. the next day. An industry veteran, Hernandez said he knows exactly who's working on the boats. "The owners are a bunch of leeches making money off these crew," he said. Trucks loaded down with seafood from the sale fan out all over the island. At that point, the connection between the workers and their catch is lost. "The fishermen aren't Hawaiian?" asked Michael Pollan, a bestselling author on food and agriculture who advocates for workers' rights. He likened the foreign fishermen's "second-class" status in the U.S. to that of farmworkers in years past working without labor protections. "Food produced for us in conditions approaching slavery is certainly not morally sustainable," he said. Across the island in an upscale neighborhood where Obama regularly vacations, an array of fish is displayed in a refrigerated case at Whole Foods, with yellowfin tuna selling for $23.99 a pound. Labels in front of each cut say: "Local matters. Fresh. Product of USA (Hawaii)/Processed in USA." A store worker, eager to answer questions, smiles and says it's all caught in Hawaiian waters by local fishermen and brought to the store every morning from the auction at Pier 38. He proudly adds: It's the best you can buy. ____ Associated Press writer Niniek Karmini contributed to this report from Jakarta, Indonesia. ____ Follow Martha Mendoza and Margie Mason on Twitter at: @mendozamartha and @MargieMasonAP ___ Read the entire Seafood From Slaves series: http://www.ap.org/explore/seafood-from-slaves/ In this May 13, 2016 photo, U.S. fishing boats that are crewed by undocumented foreign fisherman are docked at Pier 38 in Honolulu. In Hawaii, federal contractors paid to monitor catches said they are troubled by what theyve seen while living weeks at a time at sea with the men. "You get that sort of feeling that it's like gaming the system," said Forest O'Neill, who coordinates the boat observers in Honolulu. "It's a shock. It becomes normal, but it's like, 'How is this even legal? How is this possible?' ... They are like floating prisons." (AP Photo/Caleb Jones) In this May 13, 2016 photo, Dr. Craig Nakatsuka, left, distributes medication and fruit to undocumented foreign fishermen who work aboard American fishing boats in Honolulu. The doctor comes to Pier 38 with a church outreach project that holds services for the men twice a week. He said he sees problems ranging from high blood pressure to skin infections due to a lack of gloves or improper gear and is concerned about the possibility of scurvy from a lack of fruits and vegetables. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones) In this March 24, 2016 photo, a United States Coast Guard team moves toward an American fishing vessel off the coast of Honolulu for an inspection. U.S. Customs and Border Protection along with Coast Guard officers routinely board and inspect Hawaiian fishing boats. If they learn that fishermen have not received their salaries, they tell owners to honor the contracts and pay the workers, said a Customs supervisor in Honolulu. However, neither agency has authority over the amount paid. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones) In this March 23, 2016 photo, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer Ericson Padilla right, checks the documents of an Indonesian fisherman from an American fishing vessel docked in Honolulu. Hundreds of undocumented men labor in a unique U.S. fishing fleet in Hawaii, due to a federal loophole that allows them jobs but exempts them from most basic workplace protections. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia) In this March 23, 2016, A Honolulu Fish Auction worker receives fish from a U.S. fishing vessel crewed by foreign fishermen at Pier 38 in Honolulu. A single yellowfin tuna can fetch more than $1,000, and vendors market the catch as "sustainable seafood produced by Hawaiis hard-working fishermen." (AP Photo/Caleb Jones) In this March 23, 2016 photo, a man unloads fish from the U.S. fishing vessel, the Sea Dragon, at Pier 38 in Honolulu. Americans buying Hawaiian seafood are almost certainly eating fish caught by foreign workers hired through a U.S. government loophole that allows them jobs but exempts them from most basic workplace protections. They account for nearly all the crew in a fleet of about 140 ships. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones) In this March 23, 2016 photo, tuna caught by foreign fishermen aboard American boats are lined up at the Honolulu Fish Auction at Pier 38 in Honolulu. A single yellowfin tuna can fetch more than $1,000, and vendors market the catch as "sustainable seafood produced by Hawaiis hard-working fishermen." (AP Photo/Caleb Jones) In this March 22, 2016 photo, an unidentified foreign fisherman smokes a cigarette aboard a U.S. fishing vessel at Pier 38 in Honolulu. Around 700 undocumented foreign workers, mostly from impoverished Southeast Asian and Pacific Island nations, work on Hawaiis commercial fishing fleet, the countrys fifth top grossing fishery. They do not have visas and cannot enter the country, staying confined to their boats for sometimes years at a time _ all with the blessing of high-ranking federal lawmakers and officials. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones) In this March 23, 2016 photo, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer checks the documents of a Filipino fisherman aboard an American fishing vessel docked in Honolulu. Around 700 undocumented foreign workers, mostly from impoverished Southeast Asian and Pacific Island nations, work on Hawaiis commercial fishing fleet, the countrys fifth top grossing fishery. They do not have visas and cannot enter the country, staying confined to their boats for sometimes years at a time _ all with the blessing of high-ranking federal lawmakers and officials. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia) In this May 13, 2016 photo, a undocumented foreign fishermen who works aboard an American fishing boat uses a flashlight to follow a church service at Pier 38 in Honolulu. A church outreach project holds services for the men twice a week. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones) In this Nov. 6, 2015 photo, a foreign fishing crew checks for damage on the Sea Queen II at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Two Indonesian fishermen ran away from the ship when it was berthed here. They were granted visas as victims of human trafficking, but the captain and owner continue to fish. The captain did not respond to calls from the AP. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) This April 25, 2016 photo shows two foreign fishermen, who had worked aboard an American vessel and are being granted U.S. visas as a victims of human trafficking, in San Francisco. Early one morning when their captain was gone, they broke into their skipper's quarters, grabbed their passports and made a run for it while docked at Fisherman's Wharf. "I knew if I stayed on that boat I was going to die," said one of them. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) In this April 25, 2016 photo, a foreign fisherman who is being granted a U.S. visa as a victim of human trafficking shows damage to a finger sustained while fishing aboard an American fishing vessel in San Francisco. Early one morning when their captain was gone, he and another Indonesian man broke into their skipper's quarters, grabbed their passports and made a run for it while docked at Fisherman's Wharf. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) In this May 25, 2016 photo, fishermen unload crates of fish from newly arrived boats at a port in Pemalang, Central Java, Indonesia. Most working-age men in the traditional fishing village have gone abroad to work on fishing boats in places as far as the U.S. for money better than they can make fishing at home. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara) In this May 25, 2016 photo, fishermen unload crates of fish from newly arrived boats at a port in Pemalang, Central Java, Indonesia. Most working-age men in the traditional fishing village have gone abroad to work on fishing boats in places as far away as the Hawaii for money better than they can make fishing at home. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara) In this Wednesday, May 25, 2016 photo, Syamsul Maarif walks along a narrow street lined with houses under construction, mostly built with using money sent home from fishermen working around over the world, as he returns from afternoon prayers at a nearby mosque in Pemalang, Central Java, Indonesia. Maarif nearly died in his latest job earlier in the year when his fishing boat sank 160 miles off Hawaii. "We want the same standards as the other workers in America, but we are just small people working there based on the contract that we signed," he said. "We don't have any visa. We are illegal, so we cannot demand more." (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara) In this March 22, 2016 photo, hooks are arranged aboard a U.S. fishing vessel at Pier 38 in Honolulu. Hundreds of undocumented men labor in a unique U.S. fishing fleet in Hawaii, due to a federal loophole that allows them jobs but exempts them from most basic workplace protections. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones) In this March 24, 2016 photo, an American fishing vessel navigates into Honolulu after a United States Coast Guard inspection. Hundreds of undocumented men labor in a unique U.S. fishing fleet in Hawaii, due to a federal loophole that allows them jobs but exempts them from most basic workplace protections. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones) Advertisement About 700 workers from impoverished parts of Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands are working in Hawaiian fishing boats without proper works permits or basic rights and protection. Hawaii's high-quality seafood is sold with the promise it is caught by locals, however it has been revealed many of the men who haul the prized catches out of the water are instead undocumented foreigners. A federal loophole allows American boats to employ workers in the dangerous industry for years at a time - provided they never step foot on shore. A six-month investigation has uncovered many of the workers live in horrendous conditions, are forced to use buckets instead of toilets and suffering running sores from bed bugs, and are paid as little as 70 cents an hour. Scroll down for video About 700 workers from impoverished parts of Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands are working in Hawaiian fishing boats (pictured) without proper works permits or basic rights and protection There have been instances of human trafficking, active tuberculosis and low food supplies. Americans buying Hawaiian seafood are almost certainly eating fish caught by one of these workers. 'We want the same standards as the other workers in America, but we are just small people working there,' said fisherman Syamsul Maarif, who didn't get paid for four months. He was sent back to his Indonesian village after nearly dying at sea when his Hawaiian boat sank earlier this year. Because they have no visas, the men can't fly into Hawaii, so they're brought by boat. And since they are not technically in the country, they're at the mercy of their American captains on American-flagged, American-owned vessels, catching choice swordfish and ahi tuna that can fetch more than $1,000 apiece. Hawaii's high-quality seafood (pictured) is sold with the promise it is caught by locals, however it has been revealed many of the men who haul the prized catches out of the water are undocumented foreigners A federal loophole allows American boats to employ workers (pictured) in the dangerous industry for years at a time - provided they never step foot on shore The entire system contradicts other state and federal laws, yet operates with the blessing of U.S. officials and law enforcement. 'People say these fishermen can't leave their boats, they're like captives,' said U.S. Attorney Florence Nakakuni in Hawaii. 'But they don't have visas, so they can't leave their boat, really.' Each of the roughly 140 boats in the fleet docks about once every three weeks, occasionally at ports along the West Coast, including Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, but mainly at Piers 17 and 38 in Honolulu. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer Ericson Padilla (right) checks the documents of an Indonesian fisherman from an American fishing vessel docked in Honolulu A six-month investigation has uncovered many of the workers live in horrendous conditions, forced to use buckets instead of toilets and suffering running sores from bed bugs, and are paid as little as 70 cents an hour on Hawaiian boats (pictured) Their catch ends up at fancy restaurants and in supermarkets' premium fish counters across the country, including Whole Foods, Costco and Sam's Club. All companies that responded condemned the mistreatment of workers. Costco said it was investigating. Wal-Mart, which owns Sam's Club, declined to comment. Charlie Nagle, whose family has been in the seafood industry for 130 years, said his buyers 'do not and will never knowingly source from vessels that mistreat their crew.' Richard Stavis of Stavis Seafood said Thursday that his company is not currently selling fish from Hawaii. Dr. Craig Nakatsuka (left) distributes medication and fruit to undocumented foreign fishermen who work aboard American fishing boats in Honolulu A United States Coast Guard team moves toward an American fishing vessel off the coast of Honolulu for an inspection Whole Foods spokeswoman McKinzey Crossland said only one per cent of the chain store's seafood comes from Hawaii, and she has been assured that boat crews are well paid with bonuses and health insurance. She added that the company is looking into the issue. The Associated Press obtained confidential contracts and interviewed boat owners, brokers and more than 50 fishermen in Hawaii, Indonesia and San Francisco as part of an ongoing global look at labor abuses in the fishing industry. Last year, the AP reported about fishermen locked in a cage and buried under fake names on the remote Indonesian island village of Benjina. Their catch was traced to the United States, leading to more than 2,000 slaves being freed. Much of the fish caught by the foreign workers ends up at fancy restaurants and in supermarkets' premium fish counters across the country, including Whole Foods, Costco and Sam's Club Workers (pictured, a man smoking a cigarette on one of the boats) often can be confined to their boats sometimes for many years at a time But thousands more remain trapped worldwide in a murky industry where work takes place far from shore and often without oversight. In Hawaii, federal contractors paid to monitor catches are troubled by what they've seen while living at sea with the men. 'It's like, "How is this even legal? How is this possible?"' said Forest O'Neill, who coordinates boat observers in Honolulu. 'They are like floating prisons.' Under the law, U.S. citizens must make up 75 per cent of the crew on most American commercial fishing boats. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer (left) checks the documents of a Filipino fisherman (right) aboard an American fishing vessel docked in Honolulu A undocumented foreign fishermen who works aboard an American fishing boat uses a flashlight to follow a church service at Pier 38 in Honolulu. A church outreach project holds services for the men twice a week But influential lawmakers, including the late Hawaii Sen. Daniel Inouye, pushed for a loophole to support one of the state's biggest industries. It exempted commercial fishing boat owners from federal rules enforced almost everywhere else. Thus the workers in Hawaii, who catch $110 million worth of seafood annually, are paid as little as 70 cents an hour. They are detained on boats by captains who are required by law to hold their passports. That potentially goes against federal human trafficking laws saying bosses who hold workers' identification documents can face up to five years in prison. Workers cling to the ladder of one of the vessels at San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf as the boat is checked for damage Pictured as two foreign fisherman who are being granted U.S. visas as the victims of human trafficking. The men escaped their boat by stealing their passports back from their captain - who had locked the documents in his quarters U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard routinely inspect the Hawaiian boats. At times, fishermen complain they're not getting paid and officers say they tell owners to honor the contracts. But neither agency has any authority over actual wages. 'This is a unique situation,' said Coast Guard vessel examiner Charles Medlicott. 'But it is legal.' On some boats the fishermen are paid as little as $350 a month, but many make $500 to $600. Many of the fisherman suffered injuries while working on the boats and were unable to have them treated, such as this man with his damaged finger Boat owners often pay brokers to bring the workers in from overseas, including places such as Indonesia (pictured), Vietnam, Kiribati, and the Phillippines A lucky few get a percentage of the catch, making it possible to triple their wages. The men are willing to give up their freedom to take these jobs because the pay is better than they can make back home in developing countries where many people live on less than $1 a day. Boat owners pay brokers to bring the men from overseas mostly from Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and the tiny Pacific island nation of Kiribati. It costs about $10,000 to get each fisherman to Hawaii. In the long run, foreign crews end up being cheaper than bait and ice. Workers typically sign two or three-year renewable contracts, and some extend repeatedly, staying up to a decade on boats with five to six crew. Many fisherman leaves places like Indonesia (pictured) to work in Hawaii in the hope of finding better conditions and more pay Pictured is a narrow street in Indonesia lined with under construction houses. Many of the homes are bought using money fisherman send home from around the world In rare cases, boat owners can request passes from federal authorities to take workers ashore for things such as medical care. The men also come on land when their contracts are up and it's time to go home. Even though they never legally enter the United States, the government provides a transit visa that lets them exit through Honolulu's airport. It's a system that leaves the foreign fishermen potentially vulnerable. An American fishing boat sails into Honolulu after it had been stopped for a Coast Guard inspection moments earlier A selection of the fish caught by foreign crews aboard American ships are stacked at the Honolulu Fish Auction in Honolulu 'Most of the fish caught and sold in Hawaii is done by the use of exploiting migrant workers in what looks to be a human trafficking scheme legitimized by our own laws,' said Kathryn Xian, who runs the nonprofit Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery. Signs posted at Pier 17 in six languages offer a hotline to help fishermen who have been trafficked. That's what happened to Abdul Fatah and Sorihin, who uses one name. The Indonesians ran away from their boat six years ago when it docked in San Francisco and were eventually granted visas after being designated as victims of trafficking. Boston University student from China hit, killed by train BOSTON (AP) A 17-year-old Boston University student from China has been struck and killed by a commuter train in Boston. Transit Police Superintendent Richard Sullivan told The Boston Globe (http://bit.ly/2ciMWoU) the boy's death was likely a "tragic accident." Transit police say the boy's body was found on the MBTA's Worcester/Framingham line early Wednesday near the Yawkey Way stop. The boy's name is being withheld pending notification of his family. BU confirmed the boy was a student at the school, but declined to release further details. Sullivan says the boy's death is a "tragic reminder" of the dangers of trespassing along the tracks. Utah quiet on whether Facebook data project still alive SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Utah's Gov. Gary Herbert said Wednesday that a Salt Lake City suburb's efforts to entice a new Facebook data center with millions of dollars in tax breaks may have ended, and local officials declined comment on whether they are still trying to lure the center. An initial plan to give Facebook about $240 million in tax breaks fell apart late last month after local leaders, including Salt Lake County's mayor and county council, said the offer was too generous. After the state school board agreed the package was pricey, city officials in West Jordan said on Aug. 23 it that they would end negotiations because they could not compete with tax breaks offered by Los Lunas, New Mexico. The city then reversed course the next day, with officials saying they still thought attracting the Facebook center represented a good opportunity and planned to start fresh. Officials have been quiet since then, and Herbert said Wednesday that "the issue seems to be dormant at best and maybe lost. We'll have to see what happens." Herbert, speaking at a news conference taped Wednesday by KUED-TV for broadcast later, would not say whether he believed the project was a worthwhile investment, but said the state had a minimal role in trying to attract the project because the effort was driven by local officials. West Jordan city spokeswoman Kim Wells said Wednesday that the city is still interested in the project but the city itself has not started any new negotiations. Wells deferred further questions to the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, (EDCUtah) a private nonprofit group contracted to recruit businesses to the state by the Governor's Office of Economic Development. Erin Laney, the director of Business Development at EDCUtah, declined to comment Wednesday. Aimee Edwards, a spokeswoman for the Governor's Office of Economic Development, said her agency was not involved in any talks and had no comment. Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams, an early and outspoken critic of the deal, has said the offer already extended was too expensive for a project that would produce about 100 jobs. Salt Lake County officials have heard nothing about the attempt to attract the Facebook center since Aug. 23, said his spokeswoman, Alyson Heyrend. An emailed message seeking comment from Facebook was not immediately returned. In New Mexico, state Rep. Alonzo Baldonado, a Republican whose district includes Los Lunas, said Wednesday he had not heard of any developments out of Utah. He reiterated his support for the project, saying construction of a data center in New Mexico could have a beneficial ripple effect for the economy. "I think Facebook represents a really good opportunity for Los Lunas and the whole state of New Mexico to have a globally recognized company located here," he said. ___ Rabbi, other man charged in plot to kill woman's husband NEW YORK (AP) A rabbi and another man have been charged in New York City in a plot to kidnap and kill a man so his wife could be divorced consistent with her religious beliefs. U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara (buh-RAH'-ruh) says Shimen Liebowitz and Aharon Goldberg were arrested Tuesday in Central Valley while they met to plan what he calls a "chilling plot." He says they planned to pay $55,000 to someone they thought would commit the murder but that person contacted the FBI. It's unclear who'll represent the men during a Manhattan federal court appearance. Police: Officer fatally shoots armed bank robbery suspect TITUSVILLE, Fla. (AP) Authorities say a central Florida police officer fatally shot an armed bank robbery suspect. Florida Today (http://goo.gl/ZLeMWY) reports that the shooting occurred Wednesday morning. Titusville police say 35-year-old Jesse Daniel Joynt was fleeing from a Bank of America branch armed with two guns when an officer attempted to stop him. Police say Joynt was shot in the chest and later died at a nearby hospital. Deputy Chief Todd Hutchinson said during a news conference that Joynt's actions forced the officer to use deadly force. UN: Over 100 South Sudan opposition fighters cross to Congo UNITED NATIONS (AP) More than 100 opposition fighters from South Sudan crossed the border into Congo "in extremely bad shape" and were evacuated to health facilities for medical treatment, the United Nations said Wednesday. Spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters that the United Nations is consulting with the governments of Congo and South Sudan "with a view of finding solutions for these combatants." Dujarric said the supporters of opposition leader Riek Machar were found in the area around Garamba near the South Sudan border and evacuated by the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo "so they can receive urgent medical assistance, pending their voluntary disarmament." South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, but it was rocked by a civil war that began in December 2013 when government forces loyal to President Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, battled rebels led by Machar, his former deputy who is a Nuer. At least 50,000 people were killed in the fighting and over 2 million people were displaced. A peace deal reached in August 2015 which established a unity government has been violated regularly by fighting. Machar, who was vice-president again, fled the capital Juba in July after fighting with forces loyal to Kiir, which left hundreds dead. Machar then slipped across the border to Congo in mid-August, also needing medical treatment, and is now in Sudan. Kiir fired him as vice-president. Dujarric said the condition of a number of Machar's recently arrived fighters "was truly critical, and it was an issue of life and death." Duterte's drug war puts strain on US-Philippine ties WASHINGTON (AP) When Rodrigo Duterte became Philippine president many predicted his desire to mend relations with China could alienate the United States. Instead, his deadly war on drugs and refusal to brook criticism on human rights have quickly strained relations with the Obama administration. Duterte's "son of a bitch" slur against President Barack Obama scuppered a formal meeting between the two leaders this week, presaging rocky times ahead in one of Washington's most valued alliances in Asia. Duerte's tough talk and action has struck a chord with Filipinos, but it is rubbing the U.S. the wrong way, although it is ultimately the Philippines which has the most to lose from a fracturing of relations. The U.S. is an important source of assistance for its meager military and is treaty-bound to come to the Philippines' defense if it comes under attack. On Wednesday, the Philippine government released what it says are surveillance pictures of Chinese coast guard ships and barges at a disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea heightening concern that China may expand its massive campaign of land construction that has alarmed neighbors and rival claimants. That is a scenario which could put to the test what the Obama administration often says is an "ironclad" commitment to its Philippine ally. Historically tempestuous ties between the Philippines and the U.S., its former colonial power, blossomed under Duterte's predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, who riled Beijing by challenging its territorial claims at an international tribunal. Shortly before he left office, Aquino agreed to allow U.S. forces access to five Philippine military bases opening the way to what would be the most significant American military deployment in the Southeast Asian nation since the U.S. was forced to close its own military bases there a quarter-century ago. Amy Searight, a former senior U.S. defense official who led the final negotiations, said the alliance remains strong and U.S. officials are not too concerned about the pending implementation of the new defense cooperation pact a key part of the Obama administration's strategic push into Asia. "Duterte has not given any signals that he sees abandoning or substantially weakening the alliance with the United States as a way to reach a better deal with China, nor should he. You don't approach a country like China from a position of weakness, you approach them from a position of strength," said Searight, now director of the Southeast Asia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank. She said more worrisome in Duterte's outburst was that he was tapping into anti-colonial sentiments against America that lingers in some quarters in the Philippines. She also said that the war on drugs his government is prosecuting would be a significant problem and source of friction in the relationship. Since he took office as president on June 30, more than 2,000 people have been gunned down in a crackdown on drug dealers and users that has prompted expressions of concern from the U.S. over extra-judicial killings. The crackdown has evoked comparisons with so-called "death squads" that operated in southern Davao city while Duterte was the longtime, crime-fighting mayor. Duterte, a brash figure whose trash-talking has become his trademark, took Obama to task on the eve of their first planned meeting at a regional summit in Laos. He warned the world's most powerful man not to question him about the rising body count in his crackdown or "son of a bitch I will swear at you." The State Department on Tuesday objected to the "tone" of the rhetoric, saying it had raising questions about whether a productive conversation with the Philippine government on such issues. Spokesman Mark Toner said the U.S. would continue to call for due process. "There must be ways to fight against drugs that are consistent with international standards and norms. And that's going to consistently be our message going forward," Toner told reporters in Washington. He added the U.S. would "keep an eye" on whether the Philippines was living up to that obligation. Duterte has expressed regret for his outburst against Obama, and Philippine officials said he met briefly and informally with the U.S. president Wednesday before a banquet at the summit. But continued U.S. scrutiny of his policies could feed into his long-standing antipathy toward what he views as U.S. interference in domestic issues. That sentiment appears to date back to 2002, when a U.S. citizen was severely wounded in a deadly blast apparently caused by explosives he had stored in his hotel room in Davao. Local authorities contended that the man, believed to be a treasure hunter, was evacuated to the U.S. without their consent. The incident played out during an upsurge in Muslim militant violence in the region. In subsequent years, Duterte accused Washington of hypocrisy for criticizing other countries on human rights in light of the invasion of Iraq and its aftermath. "The U.S. is the No. 1 human rights violator. They torture prisoners and you call them clean?" he told local television in 2007. He even threatened to give a senior State Department official "a beating" if he came to the city. Armenia sends 129 telecoms fraud suspects to China BEIJING (AP) Armenia has sent 129 Chinese and Taiwanese telecoms fraud suspects to China for investigation and likely prosecution. Media reports Thursday said they were arrested in raids on six locations in August and China sent a team to aid in the investigation later that month. The decision to send the Taiwanese to China brought a protest from Taiwan's government to both Armenia and China. Taipei says Beijing has no right to hold them and demands suspects in such cases be handed over to Taiwanese authorities. Body of kidnapped Montana woman found near Spokane HELENA, Mont. (AP) A woman who was kidnapped at a Montana rest stop in broad daylight was able to talk with her husband by cellphone several times and even talked with police, but she was dead by the time authorities found her car 325 miles away near Spokane International Airport, Montana authorities said. Rita Maze, 47, of Great Falls called her husband Tuesday evening and said she had been struck on the head at an Interstate 15 rest stop north of Helena and that she was in the trunk of her car, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton said Wednesday. A motive, information on any possible suspects, and detail on how the kidnapping occurred were not immediately available. But Dutton said there was a person of interest in the case and authorities were looking at surveillance video from a convenience store. Maze's husband reported her missing. Dutton said that he spoke with her several times as cell coverage allowed. "She didn't know her location, but she was able to talk to them over her cellphone, sporadically, as coverage faded in and out," Dutton said. Rochelle Maze told the Great Falls Tribune her mother was "hysterical" and hard to understand when they spoke on the phone for about 10 minutes. "I told her that I loved her," Rochelle Maze said. "That's the last thing she heard." The phone then went dead or lost a signal, and the two were unable to reach each other again. Law enforcement tracked the use of her cellphone to help locate the vehicle. Her car's license plate was captured on a license plate reader near Post Falls, Idaho. A Helena police officer talked to Maze shortly before she died, Dutton said. Her body was found in the trunk of her car at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, Spokane County Deputy Mark Gregory said. The cause of death was not released. The FBI is investigating because interstate travel was involved. A spokeswoman said the agency wasn't releasing any further information, and Lewis and Clark County referred all questions to the FBI. The Latest: Obama reflects on implications of war in Laos VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) The Latest on President Barack Obama's historic visit to Laos (all times local): 5:05 p.m. President Barack Obama says a determination to defeat communism in Southeast Asia may have led U.S. policymakers to not think carefully enough about the implications of their decisions. U.S. President Barack Obama arrives for the ASEAN-US summit in the ongoing 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits at the National Convention Center, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 in Vientiane, Laos. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) He says the U.S. was on the "right side of history" during the Cold War. But he says dropping millions of cluster bombs on Laos may not have been the best way to win over the Lao people's hearts and minds. He says the consequences of decisions made by the U.S. during the Vietnam War didn't necessarily serve America's interests. The U.S. carried out an intense bombing campaign over Laos to cut off communist forces in neighboring Vietnam. Millions of bombs that didn't explode are jeopardizing farming and development in Laos. In Laos, Obama announced the U.S. will spend $90 million over three years to help clean up the unexploded bombs. ___ 4:50 p.m. President Barack Obama is hitting back at Donald Trump for the Republican's frequent criticism of Obama's foreign policy. Speaking at a news conference in Laos on Thursday, Obama says he continues to believe Trump isn't qualified to be president and that "every time he speaks, that opinion is confirmed." Trump has blasted Obama's policy toward China as weak and said the president was humiliated by the Chinese during his visit to Asia this week. Obama tells reporters in Laos that he thinks diplomacy is "serious business" and that Trump's ideas are often "contradictory" and "outright wacky." ___ 4:45 p.m. President Barack Obama says he's not ready to concede that the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, will remain open when he leaves office. He says aides are still "working diligently" to shrink the prisoner population. About 60 prisoners are being held there, down from hundreds. Obama set a goal early in his presidency of closing the prison, but he's been blocked by Congress. He says the facility is unnecessary, is too expensive and serves as a recruitment tool for terrorist organizations. He says he hopes that by continuing to shrink the population, Americans will start to ask about the expense. Obama spoke at a news conference after he attended a pair of regional summits in Laos. ___ 4:40 p.m. President Barack Obama is wrapping up his last trip in Southeast Asia as president by describing it as an opportunity to deepen connections with the world's fastest-growing region and he hopes his successor will sustain America's engagement. Obama is wrapping up a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Laos. He says "this is where the action will be" in terms of commerce and trade. Obama notes that he has told the region's leaders that he is committed to advancing a free trade agreement called the Trans-Pacific Partnership. He says the U.S. will also standing with allies and partners in upholding freedom of navigation and flights in international spaces. Obama says the leaders also are united in expressing grave concerns about recent ballistic missile launches by North Korea. ___ 3 p.m. President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are holding face-to-face talks on the margins of a regional summit in Laos. There was no immediate word on what topics the leaders would be discussing, but reporters were allowed in at the start to watch them shake hands for the cameras. Obama and Modi have focused on climate change in their past meetings, so it was likely they would discuss further it during the East Asia Summit. Obama opened his two-country visit to Asia last Saturday by joining Chinese President Xi Jinping to formally commit their countries to a global climate change agreement. Many of the world's nations agreed to the pact during a summit late last year in Paris. ___ 11:30 a.m. President Barack Obama says the U.S. wants to work constructively with Southeast Asian nations to lower tensions with China in the South China Sea. At a meeting in Laos of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Obama says a recent U.N. tribunal ruling against China is binding and clarifies the maritime rights issue. Obama says he realizes the ruling raised tensions. But he says the U.S. wants these disputes to be resolved peacefully and will keep working to help make that happen. Obama says the U.S. wants to build on its partnership with Southeast Asia and to promote a "rules-based order" in the region. He says the U.S. will also keep pushing for completion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal. That deal is awaiting ratification in the U.S. Congress. U.S. President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are photographed as they prepare to participate in a bilateral meeting in Vientiane, Laos, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Jury selection begins in New Jersey bridge case NEWARK, N.J. (AP) The jury selection process has begun for the criminal case involving lane closures at the George Washington Bridge in 2013. Two former allies of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie face wire fraud and civil rights counts. Bridget Kelly is Christie's former deputy chief of staff and Bill Baroni was deputy executive director of the agency that operates the bridge. Christie hasn't been charged but could be subpoenaed to testify about the alleged plot in which Kelly and Baroni are said to have closed lanes near the bridge for political revenge against a local Democratic mayor who didn't endorse the Republican governor. Bridget Kelly enters the federal courthouse Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016 in Newark, N.J. Prosecutors in the George Washington Bridge lane-closing case against Bridget Kelly and Bill Baroni, two former allies of New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christie won an early victory Wednesday when a judge ruled they can seek to show the defendants engaged in a pattern of heavy-handed tactics against political foes.(Chris Pedota/The Record via AP) Prospective jurors will return Tuesday to answer questions from attorneys after filling out a questionnaire Thursday. Opening statements are set for Sept. 19. Scientists use undersea drones to help predict hurricanes BOSTON (AP) As Hermine worked its way up the East Coast, scientists deployed several underwater drones they say will help them better understand what sustains and strengthens hurricanes and tropical storms and ultimately better protect life and property. The ocean gliders, as they are called, resemble yellow-winged torpedoes. They were released into the ocean roughly 100 miles offshore at the continental shelf, where at depths of 100 to 300 feet they measured water temperatures, salinity and density before, during and even after the storm. Traditional research aircraft that are flown into the eye of a hurricane to take measurements can't get a read on any of that. In this Sept. 2, 2016 photo, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution engineers Sean Whelan, left, and Patrick Deane release a Slocum glider into the waters south of Martha's Vineyard, Mass. to monitor anticipated changes in the ocean during the passage of tropical storm Hermine. The underwater drones, or gliders as they are known, collect data that scientists say will help them better understand what sustains and strengthens hurricanes and tropical storms. (Ken Kostel/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution via AP) "One reason hurricanes are so hard to forecast is that intensity depends on conditions ahead of and below the storm," said Glen Gawarkiewicz, an oceanographer at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Falmouth, Massachusetts. The robotic gliders, which are remotely controlled from the shore, can delve into the heart of the storm where it's too dangerous or impractical to send people, and then feed real-time information via satellite to scientists safe on land. The gliders have been in use for several years now, but this is the third year of the coordinated program funded by the NOAA office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. Gawarkiewicz said the latest deployments will give a "look at the continental shelf system in a more holistic manner." Woods Hole works on the federally funded program in conjunction with the University of Maine, the University of Maryland, Rutgers University and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. The most important thing the gliders collect is water temperature, an important tool in predicting storm intensity, Gawarkiewicz said. If the storm churns up colder water from the deep ocean, it will decrease in intensity. The data will help forecasters better predict future storms, and perhaps better warn coastal residents when a monster hurricane is about to hit. Scientists hit the jackpot with Hermine. Although it was a relatively weak hurricane and had been downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it reached waters off the Northeast, it moved slowly and lingered in the Atlantic off the New York/New England coast for a few days, giving scientists a wider window in which to gather data. The gliders are still out there, collecting post-storm data that will give scientists a picture of what happens weeks after a hurricane or tropical storm passes through, which can affect future weather. It may take months to fully analyze the Hermine data, but there have already been some surprises, Gawarkiewicz said. For example, the storm drifted farther west than originally predicted, and the data collected may help explain why. In this Sept. 2, 2016 photo, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution engineers Patrick Deane, left, and Sean Whelan prepare to release a Slocum glider into the waters south of Martha's Vineyard, Mass. to monitor anticipated changes in the ocean during the passage of tropical storm Hermine. The underwater drones, or gliders as they are known, collect data that scientists say will help them better understand what sustains and strengthens hurricanes and tropical storms. (Ken Kostel/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution via AP) Obama to mark 15 years since 9/11 at Pentagon ceremony WASHINGTON (AP) President Barack Obama will deliver remarks at a Pentagon ceremony Sunday marking the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The White House says Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will also attend. Nearly 3,000 people were killed in New York City, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon during terrorist attacks carried out by al-Qaida, a Muslim militant group founded by Osama bin Laden. U.S. President Barack Obama arrives for the ASEAN-US summit in the ongoing 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits at the National Convention Center, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 in Vientiane, Laos. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) One hundred and eight-four people perished at the Pentagon when an American Airlines jetliner slammed into the five-sided building in Arlington, Virginia. Bin Laden was killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan during a May 2011 raid authorized by Obama. Israel strikes Syria after projectile lands in Golan Heights JERUSALEM (AP) The Israeli military says its aircraft struck targets in Syria after a projectile hit the Israeli-controlled part of the Golan Heights. The military said on Thursday that it hit Syrian Armed Forces mortar launchers overnight. The military declined to describe the projectile that landed on Wednesday, saying only that it caused no injuries. Israel has largely remained on the sidelines of the war in neighboring Syria, but has carried out similar reprisals on Syrian positions when errant fire has previously landed in Israeli-controlled territory. Israel is also widely believed to have carried out airstrikes on arms shipments said to be destined for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, a close ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Judge weighs sentence for man accused in Army base bomb plot TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Sentencing has been postponed for a 29-year-old Topeka man accused of helping a would-be jihadist's unsuccessful plot to bomb an Army post in Kansas. U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree said Thursday he is considering whether Alexander Blair's crime qualifies for the five-year sentence prosecutors want. Blair's attorney is seeking a sentence of five years' probation. Sentencing is now set for Oct. 18. FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Shawnee County Jail in Topeka, Kan., shows Alexander Blair, of Topeka. A judge on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, postponed sentencing for Blair, who is accused of helping a would-be jihadist's unsuccessful plot to bomb an Army post in Kansas. Sentencing is now set for Oct. 18. (Shawnee County Jail via AP, File) Court documents say Blair loaned $100 to another man who tried to plant what they thought was an explosive device outside Fort Riley in support of the Islamic State group. Maldives police raid newsroom after documentary broadcast COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) Police in the Maldives have raided the office of one of the country's leading news websites shortly after the broadcast of a television documentary that accused the country's president of corruption, money laundering and misrule. Zaheena Rasheed, the editor of Maldives Independent who was interviewed in the documentary, said Thursday that her offices were raided by police who produced a court warrant over an alleged "conspiracy to topple the government." Police took away security camera recordings and computer hard drives in the raid Wednesday. FILE- In this June 10, 2015 file photo, former Maldives vice president Ahmed Adeeb waves to the media before he boards a police speed boat in Maldives. Police in the Maldives have raided the office of one of the country's leading news websites shortly after a television documentary was broadcast that accused the country's president of corruption, money laundering and misrule. The Al Jazeera documentary alleges that President Yameen Abdul Gayoom and his now estranged former deputy Ahmed Adeeb were involved in corrupt deals involving islands and lagoons allocated for tourist resort development.(AP Photo/Sinan Hussain, File) "Given that it came just hours after the Al-Jazeera documentary was broadcast, it was aimed at harassing us," Rasheed said. Rasheed was among those interviewed for the documentary aired by the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera network. She said she left the country ahead of the broadcast after receiving repeated threats of prosecution under the country's tough defamation law. "Investigating reports of incitement to violence. Buildings checked under court warrant, one among them housing Maldives Independent," Maldives police said on Twitter. The Al-Jazeera documentary alleges that President Yameen Abdul Gayoom and his now-estranged former deputy Ahmed Adeeb were involved in corrupt deals involving islands and lagoons allocated for tourist resort development. The president's office said in a statement that the documentary was defamatory based on interviews given by people who themselves are wanted in corruption investigations and by political opponents who have said they want to overthrow the government. It said the producers did not follow the best practices in reporting and had not given the government an opportunity to respond. Al-Jazeera, a satellite news broadcaster funded by the Qatari government, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a story about the documentary on its website, Al-Jazeera said the Maldives government and its supreme court did not respond to requests for comments about its findings. The Maldives, a South Asian archipelago known for luxury tourist resorts, has been rocked by political turmoil in recent years. Last month its parliament passed a law that criminalizes defamation and allows for jail terms and steep fines for media outlets, journalists and social media users. Maldives became a multiparty democracy in 2008 after decades of autocratic rule, but Gayoom has taken a stranglehold on power since his election in 2013. He is accused of manipulating the judiciary, police and bureaucracy to concentrate power and stifle opposition. At least four senior politicians a former president, a former vice president, a former defense minister and a political party leader are among those who have received lengthy jail terms after trials that were criticized for lack of due process. The government is also accused of failing to investigate the case of a journalist who went missing two years ago and is suspected of having been abducted. Two media outlets also have been shut this year because of government pressure, critics say. Adeeb, Gayoom's former deputy, is in prison after being convicted of plotting to kill the president. ___ Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai contributed to this report. Despite Katrina lessons, flood plan in Louisiana shows gaps BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) Eleven years ago, Sam Barbera hooked up his boat and headed to New Orleans to ferry people from Hurricane Katrina's floodwaters. Four weeks ago, he found himself in another boat for rescues this time at home in Baton Rouge, when a massive rainstorm ravaged the area. It was "night and day," he said. "Katrina was kind of baptism by fire. It was just people showing up, everybody doing their own thing." But during the catastrophic flooding in mid-August, police directed volunteer boats and their owners nicknamed the "Cajun Navy" to neighborhoods where water was rising, and social media postings offered guidance on where victims needed help. FILE- In this Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016 file aerial photo, a boat motors between flooded homes after heavy rains inundating the region, in Hammond, La. Eleven years ago, Hurricane Katrina exposed huge gaps in the disaster response plans of Louisiana and the nation. Lessons learned from that 2005 monster storm formed the backbone of state and federal reaction as flooding ravaged 20 Louisiana parishes last month. (AP Photo/Max Becherer, File) "You didn't have that in Katrina. Katrina was kind of like you just put your boat in. Katrina was mayhem," Barbera said. In 2005, the monster storm exposed huge gaps in disaster response plans on local, state and federal levels. More than 1,500 people were killed in Louisiana alone. After the levees failed and inundated New Orleans and surrounding communities, thousands were plucked from rooftops and attics. Response was a fly-by-the-seat-of-your pants effort, with no coordinated strategy for rescues or what to do with the people saved. First responders were overwhelmed, and many were left to fend for themselves. Lessons learned from Katrina formed the backbone of state and federal reaction as historic flooding ravaged 20 parishes last month. The response in the immediate aftermath was widely praised by officials and storm victims, Republican and Democrat alike. But the slog of the longer-term recovery is starting to show that cracks remain in the disaster safety net and that wariness lingers about federal help after the troubled response to Katrina. Criticisms are emerging about the pace of housing aid, the size of grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the question marks that surround rebuilding and recovery. "I don't feel like y'all are pushing the issue quick enough or fast enough to be able to get people back in their homes," state Rep. Clay Schexnayder, a Republican who represents hard-hit areas, told FEMA at a recent hearing on flood response. Stephan Perkins, 46, was waiting for a FEMA inspector to show up 10 days after he registered with the agency. Perkins had a flood insurance policy that covered the structural damage to his home but not its contents. A neighbor with the same type of flood coverage told Perkins that FEMA offered him less than $200. "I'm just hearing the horror stories," said Perkins, a father of two. FEMA defends its response, saying it has approved more than $575 million in recovery grants for households so far, set up 26 disaster assistance centers and brought more than 2,500 staff to Louisiana. "FEMA has been on the ground in Louisiana since before the first drop of rain hit the ground. We've already provided shelter and support to thousands of families," agency spokesman Rafael Lemaitre said in a statement. Perhaps complaints are inevitable when a disaster displaces so many who desperately want to get back to their homes. Officials estimate more than 110,000 homes are damaged from flooding described as the worst disaster since Superstorm Sandy. But discontent took longer to surface this time, and there's little disagreement about improvements in the federal and state response in the years since Katrina. People weren't left stranded for days without supplies, like at the New Orleans convention center and on interstate overpasses after Katrina. Hospitals and nursing homes weren't left to fend for themselves when threatened with floodwaters, like in 2005. Shelters allowed pets to come with their owners, to avoid prior disaster scenes where people risked drowning rather than leave pets in flooded homes. Sgt. Cliff Ortis performed rescue missions for the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in both disasters. To him, the change was obvious. He noted that state and local agencies now hold regular meetings to chart out disaster response protocols and synchronize efforts. "There's definitely a giant education movement from Katrina to now," Ortis said. "No question the coordination was better." Republican Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, who rode out Katrina in devastated Plaquemines Parish, said the state and FEMA response "has been right on target." That's not to suggest the response wasn't without a hitch. Flood damage to AT&T equipment disrupted service and hampered some communication for first responders. Hundreds of motorists got trapped on an interstate when state officials didn't close it fast enough. Local officials criticized the Red Cross for taking too long to assist with shelters and for turning away donations. And just like after Katrina, the great challenge moving ahead is funding. With less than one-fifth of storm victims estimated to have flood insurance, Edwards and Louisiana's congressional delegation are discussing an additional flood aid package from Congress. Carlette Dawson, 49, said she received $15,000 from FEMA after an inspector visited her Baton Rouge home. Needing much more to repair the damage, Dawson was inquiring about a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Problems with the computer system kept her waiting more than two hours. "Why is it so hard to get help?" she said. ___ Associated Press writer Michael Kunzelman contributed to this report. FILE - In this Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016 file photo, Danielle Blount kisses her 3-month-old baby Ember as she feeds her while they wait to be evacuated by members of the Louisiana Army National Guard near Walker, La., after heavy rains inundated the region. Eleven years ago, Hurricane Katrina exposed huge gaps in the disaster response plans of Louisiana and the nation. Lessons learned from that 2005 monster storm formed the backbone of state and federal reaction as flooding ravaged 20 Louisiana parishes last month. (AP Photo/Max Becherer, File) FILE - In this Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016 file photo, President Barack Obama talks on the tarmac after arriving on Air Force One at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport in Baton Rouge, La. Obama is traveling to the area to survey the flood damage. FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, Baton Rouge, La. Mayor Kip Holden, Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., Sen. David Vitter, R-La., and Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, from left. Eleven years ago, Hurricane Katrina exposed huge gaps in the disaster response plans of Louisiana and the nation. Lessons learned from that 2005 monster storm formed the backbone of state and federal reaction as flooding ravaged 20 Louisiana parishes last month. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) FILE - In this Monday, March 17, 2014 file photo, former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards, left, talks with Garret Graves, right, the former top coastal adviser for Gov. Bobby Jindal, at the Baton Rouge Press Club in Baton Rouge, La. Eleven years ago, Hurricane Katrina exposed huge gaps in the disaster response plans of Louisiana and the nation. Lessons learned from that 2005 monster storm formed the backbone of state and federal reaction as flooding ravaged 20 Louisiana parishes in Aug. 2016. Graves, a Republican who represents much of the most heavily damaged region, said FEMA needs to quicken the pace of its housing inspections and grant approval. He also worried about the size of grants. (AP Photo/Travis Spradling, File) FILE - In this Aug. 30, 2005, file photo, the Louisiana Superdome is shown in this aerial view, which was damaged by Hurricane Katrina, surrounded by floodwaters, in New Orleans. Eleven years ago, Hurricane Katrina exposed huge gaps in the disaster response plans of Louisiana and the nation. Lessons learned from that 2005 monster storm formed the backbone of state and federal reaction as flooding ravaged 20 Louisiana parishes in Aug. 2016. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) Apple is betting big on a wireless world SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Apple wants to push consumers further into a wireless world. Its tactics: eliminate the standard headphone jack in its newest iPhones and market new "AirPods" tiny wireless earbuds that the company claims greatly improve on standard Bluetooth technology. But that strategy has some risks. AIRPOD ANGST Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, talks about the features on the new iPhone 7 earphone options during an event to announce new products, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Start with the AirPods themselves. These are a pair of earbuds, each with an inch or so of protruding plastic, and nothing else no wires to hold them together, no dangling cords. If they live up to Apple's claims, they're a technological marvel, tiny and expensive. And, perhaps, also easily dislodged or misplaced. Analysts at IHS Technology say that Apple used a smooth-surfaced design that doesn't conform to the shape of the ear, and note that having AirPods fall out while running or biking "is less forgivable at the $159 cost level." Or as Bob O'Donnell, a veteran consumer tech analyst at Technalysis Research, puts it: "You start losing those things at $160 a pair, you're going to go crazy." The alternative plugging a headphone cord into the iPhone's power port has plenty of downside as well. Older headphones that aren't compatible with Apple's "Lightning" power port will need an adapter. Those will come standard with new iPhones, but many consumers could find it annoying to use the extra "dongle." And they won't be able to plug in headphones if there's a power cord in the Lightning port. APPLE CUTS THE CORD Apple Senior Vice President Philip Schiller made it clear Wednesday that the company sees a future where its sleek gadgets are no longer encumbered by cords at all. "It makes no sense to tether ourselves with cables to our mobile devices," he said during the company's annual fall product event. Eliminating the standard analog jack freed up some space inside the new iPhones, allowing Apple to increase the battery size and add another speaker as it redesigned the interior of the device. Despite some earlier rumors, Apple didn't use the extra space to make the iPhone 7 or 7 Plus any slimmer than last year's models, the 6S and 6S Plus. Apple did make an effort to improve on standard Bluetooth technology, which can be unreliable and obstinate when used to "pair" wireless headsets with phones or other devices. The new AirPods are based on Bluetooth standards. But in addition to special sensors, a microphone and noise canceling technology, they have a processor chip designed by Apple, combined with software that Apple says will make it simple to sync them with an iPhone, Apple Watch and other Apple gadgets. The result allows a "seamless connection between you and your devices," said Apple Chief Design Officer Jony Ive in a promotional video. "We're just at the beginning of a truly wireless future we've been working towards for many years." Apple says the new "AirPods" will work for five hours before their batteries need re-charging; they come with a small charging case that's supposed to provide 24 hours of additional juice before the case itself needs to be recharged. The "AirPods" will work with Bluetooth-enabled devices made by Apple's rivals, but they won't have the ease-of-pairing that comes with Apple's software. Schiller didn't mention rival devices during his presentation, nor did he even use the word "Bluetooth." BOUND BY WIRELESS Analysts say Apple clearly wants to promote its own brand of wireless listening gear, including new headphones from its own "Beats" division, since the market for such accessories is growing at a time when sales of iPhones and other smartphones are slowing. Some early reviewers are already captivated by the AirPod. "They fixed Bluetooth headsets," said tech analyst Patrick Moorhead, of Moor Insights & Strategy, after trying a pair. "I think Apple has a real winner here." But mobile tech analyst Carolina Milanesi of the Creative Strategies firm thinks Apple has a bigger goal in mind to make it easier for consumers to use one set of wireless earpieces with a variety of Apple's products. "It's not just about your iPhone anymore," she said. "It's about getting consumers thinking more about that ecosystem of Apple products and how they all play nicely together." It's an expensive ecosystem: Buying a new iPhone 7, Apple Watch and a set of AirPods will cost over $1,000. But Apple has never been shy about marketing its products at a premium price. COUNTERING THE IPHONE SLUMP Apple is hoping its new iPhone and an updated Apple Watch, known as Series 2, will help reverse a recent decline in sales. While the company sold nearly 92 million iPhones in the first six months of this year, that's about 15 percent fewer than the same period last year. Industry analysts say the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, which Apple introduced last fall, didn't offer many compelling new features over the previous year's models. With the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, Apple may face a similar challenge. O'Donnell, for instance, considers the changes from last year's iPhones "modest" overall. A new dual-lens camera in the iPhone 7 Plus may be impressive, he said, but it's only available in the larger and more expensive phone, limiting its appeal. "Smartphone advancements are slowing down as the market is maturing, so minor things like look and feel get more attention," O'Donnell said, noting that Apple spent several minutes of its presentation extolling the virtues of an optional "jet black" finish for the new phones. Other smartphone makers are also having trouble dazzling consumers with new advances. But Forrester Research analyst Julie Ask figures consumers will appreciate the faster chip and other improvements once they try the new iPhones. And she's not worried about any backlash over elimination of the hardware jack. "Apple has a very long history of removing features we all thought were necessary, and then convincing us that we didn't need them," said Ask, noting that Apple paved the way in phasing out the use of floppy discs and optical drives in computers. "Three months later, it will be, 'Why did we ever have that?'" ___ You can follow Brandon Bailey at https://twitter.com/BrandonBailey or find his reporting at http://www.bigstory.ap.org/journalist/brandon-bailey Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, talks about the features on the new iPhone 7 during an event to announce new products, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, talks about the features on the new iPhone 7 earphone options during an event to announce new products, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Apple CEO Tim Cook announces the new iPhone 7 during an event to announce new products Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Jeff Williams, Apple's chief operating officer, speaks during an event to announce new products on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Jeff Williams, Apple's chief operating officer, speaks during an event to announce new products on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Jeff Williams, Apple's chief operating officer, speaks during an event to announce new products on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an event to announce new products on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an event to announce new products on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an event to announce new products on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an event to announce new products on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an event to announce new products on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an event to announce new products on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an event to announce new products on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an event to announce new products, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an event to announce new products on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an event to announce new products on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) People wait to enter the auditorium before an event to announce new Apple products, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) People enter the auditorium before an event to announce new Apple products, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, talks about Apple's iPhone lineup during an event to announce new products, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, talks about the pricing on the new iPhone 7 during an event to announce new products Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, talks about the features on the new iPhone 7 earphone options during an event to announce new products Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, talks about the features on the new iPhone 7 earphone options during an event to announce new products Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, talks about the features on the new iPhone 7 earphone options during an event to announce new products Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, talks about the features on the new iPhone 7 during an event to announce new products, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, talks about the features on the new iPhone 7 during an event to announce new products, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, talks about the features on the new iPhone 7 during an event to announce new products Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, talks about the features on the new iPhone 7 during an event to announce new products Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, talks about the features on the new iPhone 7 during an event to announce new products, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, talks about the features on the new iPhone 7 during an event to announce new products Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Jeff Williams, Apple's chief operating officer, speaks during an event to announce new products on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Apple CEO Tim Cook announces the new iPhone 7 during an event to announce new products Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Apple CEO Tim Cook announces the new iPhone 7 during an event to announce new products Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Jeff Williams, Apple's chief operating officer, speaks during an event to announce new products on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Jeff Williams, Apple's chief operating officer, speaks during an event to announce new products on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Jeff Williams, Apple's chief operating officer, speaks during an event to announce new products on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Jeff Williams, Apple's chief operating officer, speaks during an event to announce new products on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Taliban push into provincial capital in southern Afghanistan KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) The Taliban pushed into the capital of Afghanistan's southern Uruzgan province on Thursday, triggering fierce clashes and sending all government officials fleeing from the city, an Afghan official said. The insurgents' surprise attack left authorities in control only of Tirin Kot's police headquarters, which the Taliban were besieging since the morning hours, according to The provincial spokesman, Doost Mohammad Nayab. Nayab said that all checkpoints around the city have been overrun or destroyed and appealed to the government in Kabul for quick reinforcements. He did not provide a casualty toll but said he feared that the city will soon completely fall to the insurgents. File, In this Aug. 15, 2016 photo, Taliban suicide bombers stand guard during a gathering of a breakaway Taliban faction, in the border area of Zabul province, Afghanistan. An Afghan official said, Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2016, that the Taliban have pushed into the capital of Uruzgan province in the country's south, triggering fierce clashes and prompting an evacuation of all government officials. The insurgent advance has left Afghan authorities only in charge of the city's police headquarters in Tirin Kot. The provincial spokesman, Doost Mohammad Nayab, says Taliban fighters are besieging the police headquarters and appealed on the government in Kabul for prompt reinforcements. (AP Photo/Mirwais Khan, File) Hundreds of Taliban are involved in the assault, Nayab added, without giving any specifics. However, within hours, the Afghan Ministry of Defense said the Taliban had been repelled from Tirin Kot. Mohammad Radmanish, the ministry's deputy spokesman, said the army, police and intelligence service headquarters in the city have all been secured. Radmanish insisted that all strategic locations in Tirin Kot, a city with a population of about 72,000, are now under government control and that reinforcements are on the way to the Uruzgan provincial capital. Air support has been called in and Afghan airstrikes have killed several Taliban fighters in Tirin Kot, he added. The Taliban did not immediately issue any statements to media about the attack on Tirin Kot. Nayab later said that Afghan and U.S. air force were pounding the Taliban with airstrikes, forcing them to step back from city. Afghan state TV reported from Tirin Kot that all shops, bakeries and pharmacies were closed and that the residents were fleeing. One resident, shopkeeper Sultan Muhammad, said he fled and was making his way south to the city of Kandahar, the provincial capital of neighboring Kandahar province. "We civilians are fed up with both the Taliban and the government, we don't care who is coming and who is going, we just want peace," he said, speaking to The Associated Press over the phone. He said the Taliban had pushed inside Tirin Kot, where they are now "attacking government buildings inside the city." Tirin Kot is the third Afghan provincial capital that has come under Taliban threat recently, along with the city of Kunduz in the north and Lashkar Gah in southern Helmand province. The uptick in Taliban attacks against Afghan security forces has prompted the United States to send additional troops to the southern Helmand province, where its capital, Lashkar Gah, is also under heavy pressure from the insurgents. The provincial council head Kareem Atal earlier said that roughly 80 percent of Helmand is already under Taliban control. Since August, Taliban fighters have attacked Afghan security forces in northern Kunduz province, briefly taking control of a district headquarters. The militants also overran a district in northern Baghlan province and in eastern Paktia province. Meanwhile, in eastern Nangarhar province, Taliban militants are fighting pitched battles with security forces. The Taliban are also believed to have captured much of Uruzgan province. Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense says its security forces are currently waging operations in 15 provinces. Also on Thursday, a bomb blast struck in front of a pharmacy in a crowded market in the north-eastern province of Baghlan, killing nine people and wounding 15, a spokesman for the provincial police chief, Jaweed Basharat, said. He said children were among those killed when the bomb, which was attacked to a bicycle, exploded. In Kabul, a sticky bomb attached to a motorcycle exploded in Kabul, killing one civilian and wounding two others, police officer Gulam Jan said. ___ Colorado town on verge big changes amid Superfund cleanup DENVER (AP) A historic Colorado mountain town is on the threshold of a transformation after the federal government announced it will embark on an ambitious campaign to stanch the flow of acidic wastewater cascading from abandoned mines. The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday designated an area north of Silverton as a Superfund site, clearing the way for a multimillion-dollar cleanup that could last years. "I think we're all in for one heck of an adventure," said Mark Esper, editor of the Silverton Standard newspaper. FILE - In this Aug. 14, 2015 file photo, water flows through a series of retention ponds built to contain and filter out heavy metals and chemicals from the Gold King mine chemical accident, in the spillway about 1/4 mile downstream from the mine, outside Silverton, Colo. The mine that spilled 3 million gallons of contaminated wastewater into rivers in three Western states has been designated a Superfund site. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's action Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, clears the way for a multimillion-dollar federal cleanup of the Gold King Mine and 47 other nearby mining-related sites. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, File) Tainted wastewater has been flowing from idle mines in the San Juan Mountains for years, but some of Silverton's 600-plus residents resisted a Superfund designation, worried it would discourage tourists and skiers. Silverton is best known for the steam-powered Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and the Silverton Mountain ski area. But when the EPA accidentally triggered a 3-million-gallon wastewater spill from the Gold King Mine in August 2015, contaminating rivers in three states, public opinion shifted. Silverton and surrounding San Juan County got behind the Superfund listing. "It has been a stunning turnaround," Esper said. He said he wasn't sure of all the reasons for the reversal, but others have said residents recognized that a long-term solution was urgent and only the federal government could afford it. "People I thought never would be supporting Superfund totally reversed," he said. Silverton Town Administrator Bill Gardner said he was "tremendously happy" with the Superfund listing. "What a great benchmark for this community and for our downstream partners," he said. He praised the EPA for listening to the town's concerns. "I think the EPA deserves a lot of credit," he said. "I think they've worked very hard with the voice of the community." The agency calls the project the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund Site. It includes 47 other sites besides the Gold King, most of them mining-related. The EPA has already been at work in the area, building a temporary treatment plant to clean up water still flowing from the Gold King, sampling water and sediment and assessing fish and wildlife habitat. That process will probably end next year, said Rebecca Thomas, EPA's manager for the project. The agency will then study different cleanup methods, choose a preferred option and ask for public comment. Work would then start on designing and implementing the cleanup. Fixes could include water treatment plants for acidic waste draining from the site, plugging abandoned mines that are leaking and moving mine waste piles away from streams, Thomas said. It's too early to say how long the cleanup will take or what it will cost, Thomas said. The EPA estimated that the Gold King blowout sent 880,000 pounds of metals into the Animas River in Colorado, including arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel and zinc. Utilities and farmers temporarily stopped drawing water from the rivers for drinking and irrigation. The EPA said water quality quickly returned to pre-spill levels. Public pressure on the EPA has been intense. An investigation last year by the Interior Department, which is independent of the EPA, said the cleanup crew could have avoided the spill but rushed its work. Interior officials said they found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing. A separate criminal investigation is still underway, along with an internal EPA inquiry. Congress has conducted multiple hearings. New Mexico has sued both the EPA and Colorado over the spill, while the Navajo Nation sued the federal government. Utah officials say they also plan to sue. Acting New Mexico Environment Secretary Butch Tongate said his state and other downstream jurisdictions were excluded from some of the Superfund planning. "We will persist in our fight to protect New Mexicans and to hold EPA fully accountable," he said in a written statement. Esper said Silverton could become a research center for cleaning up leaking mines across the nation. The Government Accountability Office estimates that at least 33,000 abandoned mines across the West and in Alaska are contaminating water or causing other environmental problems. The Colorado cleanup might also improve the town's finances, which have been in decline since a mine and mill closed in 1991, Esper said. "I think people are really optimistic in the future of Silverton. I don't think we see Superfund as being a hindrance to that," he said. ___ Follow Dan Elliott at http://twitter.com/DanElliottAP. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/dan-elliott. Clinton blasts Trump's comments on military generals, Putin KANSAS CITY, Missouri (AP) Hillary Clinton blasted Donald Trump Thursday for his condemnation of American military generals and his praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying her Republican opponent had "failed" at proving he can be commander in chief. "Every Republican holding or seeking office in this country should be asked if they agree with Donald Trump about these statements," Clinton said in a news conference the morning after both candidates appeared at a national security forum. Trump did not directly respond to Clinton's critique Thursday. At a speech in Cleveland, he tagged his Democratic opponent with a new nickname "trigger-happy Hillary" and repeated his incorrect claim that he opposed the war in Iraq "from the beginning." Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton greets a member of the audience as she arrives to speaks at a rally at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Still, Clinton indicated later in the day that she does not want the final weeks to be exclusively focused on Trump, unveiling plans for a series of policy speeches aimed at promoting a positive message. That effort started in Kansas City on Thursday night with an address on faith at the National Baptist Convention. Clinton did take some thinly veiled shots at Trump, but she also made an appeal to African-American voters and reflected on her Methodist faith. "I've made my share of mistakes. I don't know anyone who hasn't," said Clinton. "It's grace that lifts us up and grace that leads us home." The foreign policy discussion followed a Wednesday night national security forum. Clinton was repeatedly challenged on her controversial email use at the State Department and her vote as a senator for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. She also fleshed out several national security priorities if she is elected, including trying to take out the leader of the Islamic State and vowing to defeat the extremist group without putting U.S. troops on the ground in Iraq or Syria. Trump did little to counter criticism that he lacks detailed policy proposals, particularly regarding the Islamic State group. He both insisted he has a private blueprint for defeating the extremist group and that he would demand a plan from military leaders within 30 days of taking office. But he was also harshly critical of the military, saying America's generals have been "reduced to rubble" under Obama. The Republican also renewed his praise for Putin and his disdain for President Barack Obama, arguing that "it's a very different system and I don't happen to like the system, but certainly, in that system, he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader." Speaking to reporters Thursday morning, Clinton suggested she agreed with Democrats who say she is being held to a different standard in the White House race. "I find it frustrating," she said. "But it's part of the landscape we live in." With just two months until Election Day, national security has emerged as a centerpiece issue in the White House race. Both candidates believe they have the upper hand, with Clinton contrasting her experience with Trump's unpredictability and the Republican arguing that Americans worried about their safety will be left with more of the same if they elect Obama's former secretary of state. Clinton's argument that Trump is ill-prepared to be commander in chief has been bolstered by a flood of Republican national security experts who are backing the Democratic nominee instead of their own party's pick. Some of those Republicans will join Clinton Friday for what she dubbed a "working session" on the threat of terrorism. Those attending include Michael Chertoff, who served as Homeland Security secretary under President George W. Bush. The national security debate came as Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson drew attention for a foreign policy flub. He was asked Wednesday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" what he would do as president about Aleppo, the Syrian city at the center of the refugee crisis, Johnson replied, "And what is Aleppo?" Wednesday's forum served as a preview of sorts for Clinton and Trump's highly anticipated debates. Clinton reiterated that she had made mistakes in relying on a personal email account and private server as secretary of state and in voting for the 2003 invasion of Iraq as a senator. But she defended her support for U.S. military intervention to help oust a dictator in Libya, despite the chaotic aftermath. Trump stood by a previous comment that appeared to blame military sexual assaults on men and women serving together, but added he would not seek to remove women from the military. And for the first time, he opened the door to granting legal status to people living in the U.S. illegally who join the military. The Republican also repeated an incorrect claim that he was opposed to the war with Iraq before the invasion. That assertion is contradicted by an interview Trump did with Howard Stern in September 2002 in which he was asked whether he supported the invasion. He replied, "Yeah, I guess so." On Thursday, Trump said he would have voted against the war if he had been serving in Congress at the time. He argued: "I opposed going in. And I opposed the reckless way Hillary Clinton took us out." ___ Associated Press writers Jill Colvin and Julie Pace contributed to this report. ___ Pace reported from Washington. Follow Pace at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC and Lucey at http://twitter.com/catherine_lucey Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks about school choice, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, at Cleveland Arts and Social Sciences Academy in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at the 136th Annual National Baptist Convention held at the Kansas City Convention Center, in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks to members of the media before boarding her campaign plane at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, N.Y., Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, to travel to Charlotte, N.C., to attend a campaign rally. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks to members of the media before boarding her campaign plane at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, N.Y., Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, to travel to Charlotte, N.C., to attend a campaign rally. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, accompanied by traveling press secretary Nick Merrill, left, reacts to a reporter's question as she finishes speaking to members of the media before boarding her campaign plane at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, N.Y., Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, to travel to Charlotte, N.C., to attend a campaign rally. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks to members of the media before boarding her campaign plane at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, N.Y., Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, to travel to Charlotte, N.C., to attend a campaign rally. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks about school choice, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, at Cleveland Arts and Social Sciences Academy in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton arrives to speak to members of the media before boarding her campaign plane at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, N.Y., Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, to travel to Charlotte, N.C., to attend a campaign rally. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Real-life investigators object to portrayal in 'Sully' movie WASHINGTON (AP) The world knows Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger as the pilot who managed to land an airliner full of people in the Hudson River without the loss of a single life after the plane lost thrust in both engines. But in the movie "Sully," about the "Miracle on the Hudson" ditching of US Airways Flight 1549, the pilot's ordeal doesn't stop there. Accident investigators are soon grilling the airline captain and first officer Jeff Skiles. Could the plane have made it back to LaGuardia Airport if Sullenberger, portrayed by actor Tom Hanks, had turned it around? Did the thrust in both engines quit after the plane struck a flock of geese or was there still some power in one? Was the pilot's performance affected by other factors? When was his last alcoholic drink? Was he having problems at home? FILE - In this Jan. 15, 2009 file photo, passengers in an inflatable raft move away from an Airbus 320 US Airways aircraft that has gone down in the Hudson River in New York. Accident investigators say they object to their portrayal in a new movie based on the Miracle on the Hudson river ditching of airliner seven years ago after striking geese. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File) Only it didn't happen like that, say the former government accident investigators involved in the real-life investigation into the 2009 accident. The public, as well as pilots and others in the aviation industry who see the film, may get the wrong impression that investigators were trying to blame the pilots, they said. "We're not the KGB. We're not the Gestapo," said Robert Benzon, who led the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation. "We're the guys with the white hats on." It's true that those questions were asked, and many more, over the course of the 18-month investigation, but that's just part of NTSB's meticulous investigation process that is intended to find all possible flaws that contribute to a crash, investigators said. That way the board can make safety recommendations to the government, industry, labor unions, aircraft makers and others in an effort to prevent future accidents. Thirty-five safety recommendations were ultimately issued as a result of the Flight 1549 investigation. The film, scheduled for release in theaters on Friday, portrays investigators as more like prosecutors looking for any excuse to fault Sullenberger for the mishap. But the real investigators recalled Sullenberger and Skiles, portrayed by actor Aaron Eckhart, as comfortable and cooperative. Pilot union officials representing them were present during all the interviews and at later public forums. "These guys were already national heroes," said Benzon, who is now retired. "We weren't out to embarrass anybody at all." But that's not how it comes across in the film, directed by Clint Eastwood. "Until I read the script, I didn't know the investigative board was trying to paint the picture that he (Sullenberger) had done the wrong thing. They were kind of railroading him into 'it was his fault,'" Eastwood said in a publicity video for the Warner Bros. film. Hanks told The Associated Press in an interview that a draft script included the names of real-life NTSB officials, but Sullenberger who is an adviser on the film requested they be taken out. "He said, 'These are people who are not prosecutors. They are doing a very important job, and if, for editorial purposes, we want to make it more of a prosecutorial process, it ain't fair to them,' " said Hanks. "That's an easy thing to change." Malcolm Brenner, a human factors expert who was among the investigators who interviewed Sullenberger the day after the ditching, said he recalls being extraordinarily impressed at the time with both pilots and how well they worked together in the midst of the crisis. He said he's also been impressed since then with how Sullenberger has used his fame to promote aviation safety. "I think there is a real integrity there," said Brenner, now an aviation consultant. "I happen to be a big fan of the man." Tom Haueter, who was the NTSB's head of major accident investigations at the time and is now a consultant, said he fears the movie will discourage pilots and others from fully cooperating with the board in the future. "There is a very good chance," said Haueter, "that there is a segment of the population that will take this as proof of government incompetence and it will make things worse." ___ Associated Press writer Lindsey Bahr in Los Angeles contributed to this report. ___ 7 detained over gas canisters found near Paris' Notre Dame PARIS (AP) Three women radicals with apparent plans for "imminent" violence were detained Thursday after a standoff with French police, as part of a terrorism investigation into six gas canisters found in a car abandoned near Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the interior minister said. The discovery of the mysterious car has revived worries about the threat of new attacks in France, which has already repeatedly targeted by Islamic State extremists and remains under a state of emergency. Seven people are now in custody in the Notre Dame case. The three women were detained in an operation Thursday night in Boussy-Saint-Antoine south of Paris in a "veritable race against the clock," Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve told reporters. One of the women attacked police, and an intelligence officer was hospitalized with a knife wound to the shoulder. One suspect was also injured, Cazeneuve said. Police officers stand guard as they take part in a raid in Boussy-Saint-Antoine, east of Paris, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. French police detained three women planning 'imminent and violent action' after a standoff Thursday linked to a terrorism investigation into six gas canisters found in a car abandoned near Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) "These radicalized, fanatic women, aged 39, 23 and 19 years old, were likely preparing new violent actions, particularly imminent," he said. "France is confronted with a terrorist threat of unprecedented scale. ... It requires the vigilance of all our compatriots." The 19-year-old is the daughter of the owner of the abandoned car, according to two officials who were not authorized to be publicly named discussing an ongoing operation. The car's owner went to police to report that his 19-year-old radicalized daughter was missing. He was briefly detained and then released. Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins said in an interview with Le Monde newspaper last week that an increasing number of teenage girls have been radicalized, some with "terrorist plans." Prosecutors opened a terrorist investigation after the car was found near the famous cathedral on Sunday morning. No one was inside, but police found five canisters filled with gas in the trunk and an empty canister on one of the seats. Along with the canisters, there were three jerry cans of diesel and papers with Arabic writing inside the vehicle. No detonators were found in the car, which had been left on a narrow cobbled street in the popular Latin Quarter next to bars and restaurants. Earlier, the Paris prosecutor's office said that police arrested a couple - a 27-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman - Wednesday in the Loiret region of France, south of Paris. A second couple - a 34-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman - was detained in the same case on Tuesday. The two men, who are brothers, and the two women were transferred to Paris to be questioned by investigators trained in counterterrorism. The prosecutor's office said all four are suspected of links to "radical Islamism." Authorities are allowed to hold terror suspects for up to four days without charges. The two arrested couples have been living in the Loiret region, in the area of Montargis town. In March, three members of a family were arrested in the same area on suspicion of being members of a terrorist network. The Notre Dame case has revived memories of bombings across Paris in the 1990s by Algerian extremists, several of which involved gas canisters filled with nails. ___ Thomas Adamson and Angela Charlton contributed to this report. Police officers stand guard as they take part in a raid in Boussy-Saint-Antoine, east of Paris, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. French police detained three women planning 'imminent and violent action' after a standoff Thursday linked to a terrorism investigation into six gas canisters found in a car abandoned near Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Police officers stand guard as they take part in a raid in Boussy-Saint-Antoine, east of Paris, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. French police detained three women planning 'imminent and violent action' after a standoff Thursday linked to a terrorism investigation into six gas canisters found in a car abandoned near Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Police officers stand guard as they take part in a raid in Boussy-Saint-Antoine, east of Paris, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. French police detained three women planning 'imminent and violent action' after a standoff Thursday linked to a terrorism investigation into six gas canisters found in a car abandoned near Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) A police officer investigates in a building, in Boussy-Saint-Antoine, east of Paris, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. French police detained three women planning 'imminent and violent action' after a standoff Thursday linked to a terrorism investigation into six gas canisters found in a car abandoned near Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Pakistan court postpones hearing in UK woman's murder case JHELUM, Pakistan (AP) A Pakistani court on Thursday postponed the hearing of the ex-husband and the father of a British woman who was murdered while on a family visit to Pakistan, a defense lawyer said. The two accused were to appear before the court in the city of Jhelum but the judge postponed the hearing until Saturday, said the lawyer, Mohammad Arif. The case of 28-year-old Samia Shahid is suspected to be the latest reported incident of so-called "honor killings" in Pakistan, where nearly 1,000 women are murdered every year for violating conservative norms on love, marriage and public behavior. A local journalist shows the picture of slain British women Samia Shahid on a cell phone at his grocery store in Dina near Jhelum, in eastern Pakistan, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016. The Pakistani police are recommending that the ex-husband and the father of a British woman who was killed while on a family visit to Pakistan be tried on rape and murder charges according to a report shared exclusively with The Associated Press on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed) The police have said the killing was a "premeditated, cold-blooded murder" and a government-ordered police inquiry has recommended that her ex-husband and her father be tried on charges of rape and murder. Shahid was buried in July in eastern Pakistan after her family declared she had died of a heart attack. The police investigation concluded that she was strangled to death, and that her father, Muhammad Shahid, had stood guard while her ex-husband, Muhammad Shakeel, raped her. After that, they killed her together, the police say. The investigation has found that a forensic and DNA test was a perfect match, confirming the rape. Arif, the defense lawyer, denied the accusations against his clients. Both suspects were arrested last month but have not been formally charged yet. Shahid married her first husband in February 2012 but stayed only briefly in Pakistan before returning to England where she obtained a divorce two years later. After that, she married her second husband Mukhtar Kazim and moved with him to Dubai. Shahid's family, which had settled in Bradford, England, never accepted her second marriage. Shahid's mother and younger sister, both also British nationals, are wanted by Pakistani police on accusation that they abetted in her murder. The inquiry has found they got her to agree to come for a week-long visit to Pakistan earlier this summer, claiming her father was gravely ill. The mother and the sister left Pakistan shortly before the arrests and the Pakistani police are now seeking their extradition from the U.K. In this Monday, Sept. 5, 2016 photo, Pakistani police officers escort the detained father, second left face covered, and husband, right face covered, of slain British women Samia Shahid, to appear in court in Jhelum, in eastern Pakistan, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016. The Pakistani police are recommending that the ex-husband and the father of a British woman who was killed while on a family visit to Pakistan be tried on rape and murder charges according to a report shared exclusively with The Associated Press on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Malik Fida Hussain) The closed house of the family of slain British women Samia Shahid, is seen in Pandori village near Jhelum, in eastern Pakistan, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016. The Pakistani police are recommending that the ex-husband and the father of a British woman who was killed while on a family visit to Pakistan be tried on rape and murder charges according to a report shared exclusively with The Associated Press on Tuesday. The report which followed a weeks-long police inquiry, describes the killing of 28-year-old Samia Shahid as a 'premeditated, cold-blooded murder." (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed) The number of women who own guns in the USA has risen steeply in the past ten years and this upturn and sparked interest in clothing, suitable for a lady, that discreetly conceals firearms. Gun ownership among females rose from 13 percent in 2005 to 23 percent in 2015, according to a Gallup poll and now women are in need of holsters, corsets, camisoles and other clothing designed to be feminine, comfortable and effectively hide pistols. Businesswomen, Marilyn Smolenski, from Illinois saw a gap in a market in 2012 when she started Nickel and Lace-a company that caters to women who want to carry a firearm concealed but don't want to trade in their femininity. Marilyn Smolenski uses a mock gun to demonstrate how to pull a handgun out of an undergarment she designs for concealed carry at her home in Park Ridge, Illinois Smolenski and her peers were inspired to make clothing that is comfortable, feminine and effective in concealing firearms after they noted a lack in female firearm hiding products 'I don't want to dress in tactical gear and camo all the time. I love tactical clothing for the range. It's comfortable. I don't want to ruin my everyday clothing,' said Smolenski. 'But I don't want to wear it to the grocery store.' Smolenski started her company around the time when Chicago city laws changed and she could again legally carry a firearm. After the bill was passed she struggled to find something that didn't make her look frumpy and didn't broadcast that she was holding a gun. Carrie Lightfoot, founder and owner of The Well Armed Woman, like Smolenski, found that most of the gun concealing clothing was geared to men coats with hidden pockets, or holsters that tuck neatly inside a waistband. 'When you put a man's holster on a woman's body it sticks out. It doesn't hug the body,' said Lightfoot whose store is based in Scottsdale, Arizona and sells a variety of concealed carry clothing. One of her company's first missions was to design and produce a holster that recognized the differences in body types and clothing styles between men and women. 'Women's waists tend to be shorter, providing less room to withdraw a gun from a holster. Hips and chests can get in the way too,' she said. Anna Taylor, founder and CEO of Dene Adams LLC, poses for a portrait. Taylor said she spent her last $200 to order 100 self designed holsters Lightfoot and Smolenski both agreed that some manufacturers tended to 'shrink it and pink it' thinking that taking gear produced for men and making it smaller and brightly colored would satisfy female customers. They and their counterparts say they are driven first by function and safety before aesthetics come into the equation. 'Women need to know they can carry effectively,' Lightfoot said. 'I think the key is finding a way to carry it so you can be comfortable and move through your day without being poked and having a big hunk of metal in your pants and not be able to sit at work.' For Anna Taylor, the founder and CEO of Dene Adams LLC named after her grandfather, who first taught her to respect firearms and handle them safely the road to creating a line of concealed carry clothing began at around the time she became a single mom and wanted a gun. When she got her first concealed carry permit in 2013, she went through seven different holsters. 'Some were hard and uncomfortable. Some of them I'd have to take off and set down when I went to the bathroom and I was afraid I would go off and leave it just like I've left my phone behind before. Others, belly band types with a print so bad you could see the grip or outline of the gun through my clothes,' Adams said. Taylor's products are now available on the shelves of nearly 100 gun dealers across the country Hidden: demand for gun concealing clothes for women has risen with the number of female firearm owners Her first design involved a mousepad and a post-partem corset to create a soft holster. She was able to carry the kids around, nurse, give the kids baths even jump on the trampoline 'and I could forget that it was there.' Taylor said that with her last $200, she found a manufacturer willing to do a small order of her design. Three years later she now has products on shelves at nearly 100 dealers around the country. She even has a few men who buy her products including, she said, air marshals, who gravitate to the snug, comfortable designs. 'We have options that don't have lace. We have solid black,' she said. 'When you put a man's holster on a woman's body it sticks out. It doesn't hug the body,' said Lightfoot WHY IT MATTERS: Immigration WASHINGTON (AP) THE ISSUE: An estimated 11 million people are living and in many cases working in the United States illegally. The questions of what to with them and how to curb future illegal immigration have been a campaign issue for more than a decade. Never more so than now. Illegal immigration goes to the heart of Donald Trump's presidential campaign. It's a source of his strength among supporters, contention among critics and confusion over what he really intends to do. The long debate over immigration in Congress has focused on which should come first: stiffer enforcement at the border and inside the country or a path to legal status for the millions of people who are already a part of their communities. Efforts to overhaul the country's immigration laws have routinely been defined by Republicans supporting an enforcement-first approach with Democrats preferring a path to legal status for those here while working on security efforts at the same time. The result? A standstill. ___ FILE - In this June 24, 2016, file photo, demonstrators protest against a Supreme Court decision on immigration outside the New York Supreme court in New York. The future of millions of people living in the U.S. illegally could well be shaped by the presidential election. The stakes are high, too, for those who employ them, help them fit into neighborhoods, or want them gone. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File) WHERE THEY STAND Trump vows to build a wall along the Mexican border complete with a "big beautiful door." He vows Mexico will pay for the wall; Mexico vows it won't. Trump had repeatedly pledged to deport all the people living in the country illegally. Now he'd focus on deporting people who have committed crimes beyond their immigration offences. As for the rest, he's proposing no path to legal status while they are in the U.S. Democrat Hillary Clinton has pledged to push for an overhaul that would enable citizenship not just legal status for many living in the country illegally. She has also said she would expand programs that protect some groups of immigrants from deportation, including those who arrived as children and the parents of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents. President Barack Obama's effort to shield parents from deportation is on hold after the Supreme Court deadlocked on a decision in a case challenging the president's authority to expand the deportation protection program. ___ WHY IT MATTERS Illegal immigration has remained at nearly 40-year lows for the last several years and several estimates of the immigrants living in the country illegally suggest that Mexican migration trends have actually reversed, with more Mexican nationals leaving the United States than arriving. And billions of dollars have been spent in recent years to build fencing, improve technology used at the border and expand the Border Patrol. Nonetheless the Mexican border remains a focal point for those who argue that the country is not secure. As evidence that the border is not secure, many Republicans point to the illegal crossings of hundreds of thousands of unaccompanied children and people traveling as families in recent years. The surge of children and families from Central America in 2014 was described as a crisis at the border and the volume of people apprehended overwhelmed government resources. At the same time, the Obama administration has dramatically slowed the pace of deportations after setting a record by sending home more than 409,000 people in 2012. During the 2015 budget year, the administration removed 235,000 people. Multiple efforts to overhaul immigration policies have repeatedly ended in a legislative stalemate as Republicans and Democrats spar over how to approach both securing the border and dealing with those immigrants already here. ___ Turkey issues warrants for 6 generals over failed coup ANKARA, Turkey (AP) Turkey's state-run news agency says authorities have issued detention warrants for six generals and scores of other military personnel as part of an ongoing investigation into the July 15 failed coup. Anadolu Agency says the warrants were issued by the Istanbul chief prosecutor's office on Thursday. Turkey accuses U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen of orchestrating the coup attempt that led to more than 270 deaths and has launched a sweeping crackdown on his followers. Close to 5,000 military personnel have been dismissed since the coup, including 151 generals and admirals. 400 acres donated to Yosemite National Park FRESNO, Calif. (AP) Robin Wainwright could have cashed-in on pristine grassland and forest he owned along the border with Yosemite National Park building an upscale resort for a few fortunate guests. Wainwright and his wife Nancy, however, decided to take a slight loss on their investment and sold it to a land trust, which donated it Wednesday to Yosemite. It expands the park by 400 acres, Yosemite's largest addition in nearly 70 years. This undated photo provided by The Trust for Public Land shows Ackerson Meadow in Yosemite National Park, Calif. Visitors to the park now have more room to explore nature with the announcement on Wed. Sept. 7, 2016 that the park's western boundary has expanded to include Ackerson Meadow, 400 acres of tree-covered Sierra Nevada foothills, grassland and a creek that flows into the Tuolumne River. This is the park's biggest expansion in nearly 70 years, and will serve as wildlife habitat. (Robb Hirsch/The Trust for Public Land via AP) The public will soon be able to enjoy the wildlife and natural scenery, such as the explosion of flowers that blossom each spring and bears that often stroll through the property. "To have that accessible by everyone to me is just a great thing," Robin Wainwright said. "It was worth losing a little bit of money for that." Ackerson Meadow is located along Yosemite's western boundary. The area was purchased from private owners by the Trust for Public Land, a nonprofit conservation group, for $2.3 million and donated to the park. Officials told The Associated Press that Yosemite will preserve the land historically used for logging and cattle grazing as habitat for wildlife such as the great grey owl, the largest owl in North American and listed as endangered by California wildlife officials. Shaun Crook, president of the Tuolumne County Farm Bureau, said that not everybody supported turning the private property over to the government. For at least a century, the grassy Ackerson Meadow has fattened beef cattle and been used for logging, he said. "That will no longer happen," he said, adding that both industries are being squeezed out of business. "I fear we'll lose the value of that meadow." The park's boundary has seen some minor changes over the years, but this expansion is the largest since 1949 to the park of nearly 750,000 acres total, park spokesman Scott Gediman said. More than 4.5 million people are expected to visit Yosemite this year, which Gediman said would set a record for the park that celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2015. Other draws to the park include the massive Half Dome rock and the sheer, granite face of El Capitan both admired by visitors from floor of Yosemite Valley. Elsewhere in the park stand groves of giant sequoia, some of the oldest and largest living things on Earth. Visitors pass Ackerson Meadow on their way to Hetch Hetchy reservoir, which provides drinking water to San Francisco. The land was bought with $1.53 million from the Trust for Public Land and $520,000 from the Yosemite Conservancy, which supports a variety of projects in the park. Anonymous donors contributed the rest, Gediman said. "We are delighted and proud to make this gift to Yosemite and the people of America," said Will Rogers, president of the Trust for Public Land. The land completes the park's original plans from 1890, which included Ackerson Meadow, said Yosemite Conservancy's President Frank Dean. "It's a stunning open meadow surrounded by forest habitat, which supports a wide variety of flora and fauna," said Park Superintendent Don Neubacher. Paris attack suspect invokes silence for 3rd time with judge PARIS (AP) The only surviving suspect in last November's attack on Paris refused to speak to a judge Thursday for a third time, in frustration at 24-hour video surveillance of his prison cell. Salah Abdeslam's lawyer, Frank Berton, said the judge repeatedly asked questions to no avail on Thursday. Berton said Abdeslam wasn't obligated to explain his silence but "obviously" it's linked to the constant surveillance. FILE - This is a an undated handout image made available by Belgium Federal Police of Salah Abdeslam who is wanted in connection to the November 13 attacks in Paris. The lone surviving suspect in last November's attacks on Paris is set to face Thursday Sept. 8, 2016 an anti-terrorism judge for interrogation, after refusing past questioning in frustration at 24-hour videosurveillance of his prison cell. (Belgium Federal Police via AP, File) Authorities hope Abdeslam can provide information about the Islamic State group's strategies and networks, and identify others who might have had a connection to the Nov. 13 attacks, which killed 130 people. The same network that attacked Paris struck again in Abdeslam's hometown of Brussels in March, days after he was tracked down in his hideout and arrested. His Brussels lawyer was present at Thursday's hearing in Paris. While Abdeslam is the only person suspected of directly participating in the attacks, others believed linked to it also are being identified as French and other European authorities continue their investigations. Austrian prosecutors, meanwhile, announced Thursday that two men who spent time in a Salzburg refugee camp with other suspects in connection to the attacks have been charged with being part of the IS "terrorist organization." A statement from the Salzburg prosecutor's office said the two are suspected of helping two other suspects who Austria extradited to France earlier this year through "logistics as well as through gathering information and arranging contacts." Those extradited had been charged with "the preparation of ... attacks in Paris as members of IS," according to the statement. The two whose charges were announced Thursday are identified as a 26-year-old Moroccan and a 40-year-old Algerian, but haven't been publicly identified in keeping with Austrian privacy laws. They also are charged with belonging to a criminal organization. The two extradited in July were a 35-year-old Pakistani and a 29-year old Algerian. All four are believed to have come to Europe last year posing as refugees. Abdeslam kept silent at a hearing in May, and refused to attend a hearing in July. Berton argued that two round-the-clock video cameras in Abdeslam's cell in Fleury-Merogis prison could cause psychological damage, but France's top administrative authority struck down the lawyer's request to remove them. Judicial authorities argue the surveillance is needed to ensure he doesn't commit suicide. Abdeslam, 26, had initially said he wanted to explain his path to radicalization and his role in the Nov. 13 attacks on the Bataclan concert hall, cafes and the national stadium. The other attackers died in suicide bombings or under police fire. Abdeslam's precise role in the attacks has never been clear. The Paris prosecutor has said he was equipped as a suicide bomber that night, but abandoned his plans and fled. Abdeslam evaded police for four months, but was arrested in March in the Brussels neighborhood where he grew up. He was later extradited to France and handed several preliminary terrorism charges. ___ Officials: Duterte skips summit meets because of migraine VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte skipped summit meetings Thursday of Southeast Asian leaders with their U.S. and Indian counterparts in Laos due to migraine, an official said. Presidential spokesman Martin Andanar said the throbbing headache would have made it difficult for Duterte to concentrate amid the overwhelming barrage of summitry. Andanar was unaware if Duterte's absence in the meetings had anything to do with a reported miscarriage suffered by his daughter, the mayor of their southern Philippine city of Davao. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, third left in white top, walks in with officials during ongoing 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits and other related summits at National Convention Center in Vientiane, Laos, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe) Duterte has been in the news because of intemperate remarks he made about President Barack Obama ahead of the summit. Duterte later walked into the venue of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' summit meetings in Vientiane, about four hours late but just in time to catch the start of the East Asia Summit, which groups the leaders of the 10-nation ASEAN and eight other heads of state, including President Barack Obama. Duterte missed a scheduled one-on-one with Obama, who postponed the meeting after the brash Philippine leader called him a "son of a bitch" in a pre-departure speech and threatened to swear at him if the U.S. leader raised concerns over Duterte's bloody crackdown on illegal drugs. Obama and Duterte shook hands and briefly chatted at a holding room Wednesday night before a gala dinner. One of Duterte's Cabinet members, Jesus Dureza, said he asked the Philippine president about his discussion with Obama. "It was OK," Dureza quoted Duterte as saying. "He told me, 'We can talk some more at another time.'" 7 Chinese arrested in raid at drug laboratory in Philippines MANILA, Philippines (AP) Seven Chinese citizens were arrested in a raid on a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory inside a pig farm north of Manila, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said Thursday. The agency said nearly half a kilogram (one pound) of methamphetamine with a street value of around 2.5 million pesos ($5,400), about 20 kilograms (44 pounds) of the drug ingredient ephedrine, laboratory equipment and various chemicals were confiscated in the raid Wednesday in Pampanga province. Charges of illegal drug possession and manufacturing are being prepared against the six men and one woman, it said. The drug laboratory in the basement of a stockroom was able to produce up to 50 kilograms (110 pounds) of methamphetamine a week and may have been built in the hog farm to mask the foul smell from drug production, officials said. President Rodrigo Duterte, who has launched a massive crackdown on illegal drugs, has said Chinese citizens are involved in the drug trade in the Philippines and that drugs have been smuggled from China to the Philippines. A police officer in Atlanta is accused of raping a woman while he was transporting her to jail. Riverdale officer James Larry Robinson Jr, 36, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with sexual assault against a person in custody and rape. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation began investigating the allegations after the victim said she was assaulted last month as she was being taken from Riverdale Police Department to the Clayton County jail. Former police officer James Larry Robinson Jr (pictured) is accused of raping a woman while he was transporting her to jail The woman said Robinson, from Jonesboro, pulled over to an empty building and sexually assaulted her instead of taking her straight to the jail. The married father-of-five was fired from the police force on Tuesday after handing himself in without incident. The building where the alleged assault took place is next to a custom tire shop and workers there say the upset woman came to the shop and requested footage from their security cameras when she was released from jail, according to WSB. Authorities began investigating the allegations after the victim said she was assaulted last month as she was being taken from Riverdale Police Department (pictured) to the Clayton County jail Nellie Miles, a GBI spokesman, said: 'This particular inmate was in custody and en route from Riverdale Police Department on the way to Clayton County Jail.' The retired officer appeared in court on Wednesday and bond was denied, according to the Clayton County Court clerk's office. Robinson, wearing a red prison uniform, shook his head as the charges were read by Judge Wanda Dallas. Riverdale police requested the GBI investigate the incident. EU's Tusk tells UK's May: Start Brexit talks soon LONDON (AP) A European Union leader urged Britain on Thursday to hurry up and get on with finalizing its divorce from the bloc. Donald Tusk, president of the EU's governing European Council, met with Prime Minister Theresa May in London for talks about the fallout from Britain's June 23 vote to leave the EU. Before the meeting, Tusk told May that "the ball is now in your court" to start negotiations. He said the process should begin as soon as possible. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, left, welcomes President of the European Council Donald Tusk to 10 Downing Street in London, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. They met for a bilateral meeting to discuss Britain's Exit of the European Union. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) "I have no doubt that at the end of the day our common strategic goal is to establish the closest possible relations," he said. May's spokeswoman, Helen Bower, denied that Tusk's comments were an attempt to put pressure on Britain. She said "there wasn't a sense in the meeting that we are under pressure on this." May has signaled that she is in no rush to trigger the formal two-year round of exit talks with the other 27 members of the EU, amid divisions within her government about the kind of deal Britain hopes to strike. Brexit Secretary David Davis said last week that it was "improbable" Britain could remain in the EU's single market in goods and services while imposing restrictions on immigration from EU countries. Free movement of people among member states is a core principle of the bloc. May's spokeswoman later stressed that Davis was expressing his own opinion, not government policy. May told lawmakers on Wednesday that her government would "think through the issues in a sober and considered way." "We will not take decisions until we are ready, we will not reveal our hand prematurely and we will not provide a running commentary on every twist and turn of the negotiations," she said. Meanwhile, EU lawmakers on Thursday appointed former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt to represent the European Parliament in Brexit negotiations. The assembly has to approve any future agreement on Britain's departure and Verhofstadt will work alongside French politician Michel Barnier, who is leading the European Commission's negotiating team. Verhofstadt's appointment may irk British Euroskeptics, who regard him as a fervent supporter of the EU's policy of ever-closer union, which they oppose. The bloc hopes to complete exit negotiations before the next elections to the European Parliament are held in the second quarter of 2019. May has said she won't invoke Article 50 of the EU constitution, the trigger for talks, before the start of 2017. ___ Associated Press writer Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed to this story. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, left, welcomes President of the European Council, Donald Tusk to 10 Downing Street in London, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. The two met for a bilateral meeting to discuss Britain's Exit of the European Union. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, right, talks with President of the European Council Donald Tusk at 10 Downing Street in London, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. They met for a bilateral meeting to discuss Brexit, amid increasing pressure over a lack of detail in the Government's stated strategy. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool) Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, left, welcomes President of the European Council, Donald Tusk to 10 Downing Street in London, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. The two met for a bilateral meeting to discuss Britain's Exit of the European Union. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May listens to President of the European Counci Donald Tusk at 10 Downing Street in London, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. They met for a bilateral meeting to discuss Brexit, amid increasing pressure over a lack of detail in the Government's stated strategy. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool) Miners rally for bill to protect health, pension benefits WASHINGTON (AP) Thousands of unionized mine workers and supporters rallied at the Capitol Thursday to push for a bill that would protect health-care and pension benefits for about 120,000 former coal miners and their families. "We're here today to demand that the right thing be done!" thundered Cecil Roberts, president of the United Mine Workers of America, which organized the rally. "Keep the promise and pass the bill." Defying scorching 90-degree temperatures, Roberts and other speakers urged Congress to approve a measure they said would save lives and honor a 70-year-old promise made by the federal government. Marchers came from as far as Colorado and Nevada to demonstrate support for the bill, known as the Coal Miners Protection Act. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton poses for a photo with supporters at a rally at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla., Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016. (Monica Herndon/Tampa Bay Times via AP) Separately, Democrat Hillary Clinton announced her support for the measure, which would affect retired miners and their families in all 50 states, especially West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Virginia and Alabama. The measure has near-unanimous backing from Democrats, but has divided coal-state Republicans. Several endangered Republican incumbents support the bill, but GOP leaders including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky are wary of bailing out unionized workers. The bill would ensure that retired miners receive hundreds of millions of dollars in benefits now at risk amid the industry's steep decline, precipitated by competition from cheaper natural gas and tightening environment regulations. Without congressional intervention, some of the funds could run out of cash by next year, the union says. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., noted that President Harry S. Truman brokered an agreement in 1946 to guarantee miners' lifetime health and retirement benefits, a move that averted a lengthy strike. "I assure you, we're not turning our back on you," Manchin said. Mary Lou Dersch of Oakland City, Indiana, traveled 15 hours by bus to attend the rally. Her husband, John, was a pumper at a coal mine in nearby Spurgeon before it shut down 15 years ago. Without the bill, Dersch, 61, and her husband, 63, face financial disaster. She called the rally "awesome" and said, "We're really hoping it does the job." Retired miner Dave Russell of Millfield, Ohio, wore a hat supporting Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Russell, 72, was unimpressed that Clinton supports the bill, while Trump has made no public comments on it. Trump's campaign did not respond Thursday to a request for comment. "I'm a Trump man all the way!" Russell said. "He says he's going to put coal miners back to work." Clinton said in a statement Thursday that those who have spent their lives "keeping the lights on for our country" should not be left "in the dark" once they retire. "They are entitled to the benefits they have earned and the respect they deserve," she said. Clinton has faced a backlash from coal communities after she declared earlier this year that she was going to "put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business." Clinton has said she misspoke as she tried to reassure voters that her policies would benefit out-of-work miners and other poor people in Appalachia affected by the coal industry's downturn. McConnell, a staunch defender of his home state's coal industry, has accused Democrats of waging a "war on coal." He denounced Clinton's comments as "callous" and "wrong." Still, McConnell blocked the pension measure last year and says he's not going to fast-track a plan that some Republicans warn amounts to a bailout. Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said he did not know why Congress should help the mine workers and not other private-sector pension funds. "Where do we draw the line?" Enzi asked. Wyoming is the nation's top coal producer mainly from non-union plants and Enzi said the bill would "do absolutely nothing for miners who are not members" of the UMW. Nearly 11,000 coal workers have lost jobs in the last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the pension bill "wouldn't help put those folks back to work," Enzi said. Sen Rob. Portman of Ohio, one of the endangered Republicans backing the bill, calls it a matter of fairness. ___ Follow Matthew Daly: https://twitter/com/MatthewDalyWDC 10 Things to Know for Friday - 9 September 2016 Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Friday: 1. WHAT'S UPPING PRESSURE ON DEBATE MODERATORS The rough reception given NBC's Matt Lauer for moderating a presidential campaign event ignites a discussion on whether it's a journalist's role to call out politicians on lies. Members of the audience listen to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, displayed on television screens as she speaks with 'Today' show co-anchor Matt Lauer at the NBC Commander-In-Chief Forum held at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space museum aboard the decommissioned aircraft carrier Intrepid, New York, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) 2. HOSTAGE RESCUE ATTEMPT COMES UP EMPTY Special ops forces launched a rescue mission to retrieve two men kidnapped by insurgents in Afghanistan last month, but the hostages were not there when the rescuers arrived, U.S. defense officials say. 3. WHY THERE'S GLIMMER OF HOPE IN MIDEAST Russia's Foreign Ministry says Israeli and Palestinian leaders have agreed "in principle" to meet in Moscow for peace talks. 4. WELLS FARGO FINED $185 MILLION Regulators say the San Francisco-based bank opened millions of additional accounts for customers without authorization in an effort to meet aggressive sales goals. 5. WHOSE NUMBERS ARE SLIPPING The population growth of U.S. Latinos has slowed considerably because of lower immigration and declining birth rates, a study shows. 6. CALIFORNIA DOUBLES DOWN ON COMBATING GLOBAL WARMING Gov. Jerry Brown extends the most ambitious climate change law in the nation by another 10 years. 7. WHERE TOURISTS MET UNFORESEEN OBSTACLE A series of cable cars stops working at high altitude over the Mont Blanc massif in the Alps, prompting a major rescue operation and leaving 45 people trapped in mid-air overnight. 8. ASTEROID-SAMPLER BEGINS 7-YEAR MISSION NASA launches a spacecraft to chase down an asteroid and, in what will be a U.S. first, scoop up some dust and gravel for delivery back to Earth. 9. TIM TEBOW SIGNS BASEBALL CONTRACT Having flopped with the New York Jets, he'll try to revive his career as an outfielder with the Mets. 10. NFL KICKS OFF WITH SUPER BOWL REMATCH The 2016 season starts the same way the last one ended, with the Denver Broncos tangling with the Carolina Panthers. FILE - In this July 14, 2014, file photo, a man passes by a Wells Fargo bank office in Oakland, Calif. Regulators announced Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, that Wells Fargo is being fined $185 million for illegally opening millions of unauthorized accounts for their customers in order to meet aggressive sales goals. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File) Russia: Israel, Palestinian leaders agree to meet for talks MOSCOW (AP) Russia's Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that the Israeli and the Palestinian leaders have agreed "in principle" to meet in Moscow for talks in what the Russians hope will relaunch the Mideast peace process after a more than two-year break. But the wide gaps between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas left it uncertain if or when the meeting will take place, and raised doubts about whether they would make any progress if they do get together. In another twist, an Israeli TV station reported that a document discovered by two Israeli researchers indicated that Abbas had worked for the Soviet intelligence agency, the KGB, while living in Syria in the early 1980s. The professors said they were coming forward with the information to discredit Moscow as an honest broker in peace talks. FILE -- In this Nov. 30, 2015 file photo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, right, at the COP21, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, in Le Bourget, outside Paris, . Russias Foreign Ministry says Israeli and Palestinian leaders have agreed in principle to meet in Moscow for talks. The ministrys spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, that Moscow has heard from the offices of Abbas and Netanyahu that he two are confirming they agreed to meet in Moscow, though its not clear when that will happen. No date has been set. (Martin Bureau/Pool Photo via AP, File) After years of taking a back seat to the U.S. in Mideast diplomacy, Russia has increasingly sought to take a leadership role in the region. It has developed close ties with Iran and sent fighter jets to Syria to back President Bashar Assad in his war against rebel groups. In Washington, a spokesman said the U.S. State Department is following the Russian efforts closely and would "be supportive" of any kind of effort to bring the parties together. Thursday's announcement in Moscow indicates that Russia is pushing forward with its attempt to become a peace broker after a setback earlier in the week. On Tuesday, Abbas said that a meeting scheduled in Moscow this week had been delayed at Israel's request. While bringing the men together would represent an accomplishment for Moscow, a diplomatic breakthrough seems unlikely. Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remain far apart on key issues, and their differences have prevented meaningful talks since Netanyahu took office in 2009. The last round of peace talks broke down two and a half years ago, with no progress reported during months of U.S.-brokered negotiations. In Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Abbas and Netanyahu had accepted an invitation to meet in the Russian capital, but a date has not been set yet. There also was no word on whether the two had settled on an agenda for the meeting the key stumbling block in preparations. "The most important thing is to pick the right timing," Zakharova told reporters. "Intensive contacts on this are ongoing." Abbas and Netanyahu exchanged a brief handshake last year at a global climate change conference in Paris but have not held a public working meeting since 2010. Before returning to talks, the Palestinian leader has demanded that Israel halt settlement construction on occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians and carry out a prisoner release that was promised during the last round of talks. Netanyahu has rejected the terms and said the meeting should take place without conditions. "If the Palestinian Authority can say with one voice that they are willing to meet without preconditions, then Prime Minister Netanyahu will meet President Abbas," said the Israeli leader's spokesman, David Keyes. Late Wednesday, Israel TV broadcast an interview with two Israeli researchers who said they had unearthed a document showing that Abbas served as a KGB agent in Syria in 1983. The program showed a document that listed Abbas' name, said he was born in "Palestine" in 1935, and identified him by the codename "Krotov," which roughly translates as "mole." Abbas was born in what was British-administered Palestine that year. His hometown of Safed is now in northern Israel. The station said the information came from a trove of handwritten documents that Vasily Mitrokhin, a former KGB archivist, brought with him when he defected to the U.K. in 1992. Gideon Remez, one of the Hebrew University researchers, said the full archive was only opened to researchers by Cambridge University last year. He said the credibility was "very high." In the 1980s, Abbas was a top official in the Palestine Liberation Organization. The Soviet Union had close ties with both the PLO and Syria at the time. The station said Abbas may have been recruited while earning his doctorate in the Soviet Union. Russian President Vladimir Putin was a senior KGB official around this time, and the Israeli station said that Russia's Mideast envoy, Mikhail Bogdanov, was stationed in Damascus at the same time. In an interview, researcher Remez said he decided to release the information now because of the Russian diplomatic initiative. He said he supports peace with the Palestinians but does not believe Putin can be an honest broker given Russia's history in the region and close ties with Israeli adversaries Syria and Iran. In the West Bank, Palestinian officials dismissed the report as an Israeli smear campaign. "The Israeli government and its surrogates are using smoke and mirrors to confuse the public and deceive the international community in order to derail any efforts to revive the peace process, while appropriating more Palestinian land and building new illegal settlements," said Jamal Dajani, a government spokesman. If a meeting takes place, the chances for substantial progress would seem slim. The Palestinians seek to establish an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war. While the Palestinian claims have wide international backing, Netanyahu has refused to use Israel's pre-1967 lines as a basis for border talks, retreating from positions adopted by his predecessors. The Palestinians have accused Israel's hard-line government of seeking a "peace process" as a diplomatic shield against international criticism. The Netanyahu government has tried to discredit Abbas, accusing him of anti-Israel incitement and alleging he is not a partner for a peace deal. Russia's offer in recent weeks to host the Israeli and Palestinian leaders is one of several international initiatives, including a French plan to hold an international peace conference and Egyptian offers to bring the sides together as well. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said: "We would obviously welcome any direct talks between the Israelis and Palestinian letters." The U.N., Russia, the United States and European Union are members of the so-called Quartet of Mideast mediators that has been trying for years to get Israel and the Palestinians to negotiate a final peace settlement. ___ No turning back time: Turkey opts out of daylight saving ISTANBUL (AP) Turkey has decided it will no longer follow daylight saving time (DST) and won't turn back clocks by an hour in the autumn. An announcement in the official government gazette Thursday said the country won't push clocks back October 30th for the winter period. It said summertime, which kicked in March 27 when clocks moved forward an hour, will "be applied every year, throughout the year." Obama not ready to concede Guantanamo prison will survive VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) President Barack Obama said Thursday he's not ready to concede that the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, will remain open when he leaves office. Obama was asked about the future of Guantanamo as he conducted a news conference wrapping up his final visit as president to Asia. The detention center was opened in January 2002 to hold foreign fighters suspected of links to the Taliban or the al-Qaida terrorist organization. Obama said his administration was still working diligently to shrink the prisoner population. He said that, as the population continues to decrease, he hopes the American people will ask about the expense of maintaining a facility that he believes isn't necessary for their safety and security. U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during a news conference at the Landmark Mekong Riverside Hotel in Vientiane, Laos, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, after attending the ASEAN Summit. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Obama set a goal early in his presidency of closing the prison, but he's been blocked by Congress. Republican leaders argue that they won't jeopardize national security over a campaign promise. About 60 prisoners are being held there, down from hundreds. "I continue to believe that Guantanamo is a recruitment tool for terrorist organizations, that it clouds and sours some of the counter-terrorism cooperation we need to engage in," Obama said. Syrian government forces capture more areas in Aleppo BEIRUT (AP) Syrian government forces and their allies captured new ground on the edge of the contested northern city of Aleppo on Thursday, tightening the siege on rebel-held parts of the city, state media and an activist group said. The latest push came after pro-government troops recaptured several military academies over the weekend that they had lost in attacks by insurgents a month ago. The government advance also endangers talks between Russia and the United States over a possible Aleppo cease-fire. The city, Syria's largest and once its commercial hub, has been the focus of fighting in recent months. Residents of the Damascus suburb of Daraya leave the Moadamiyeh area on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. The second phase of an agreement reached by the Syrian government for people to leave Moadamiyeh was implemented Thursday, with nearly 150 people heading to a nearby suburb.(AP Photo) The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said government forces backed by allied groups, including the Lebanese Hezbollah militant group, captured the Ramouseh neighborhood on the southern edge of Aleppo. Syrian state news agency SANA quoted an unnamed military official as confirming that pro-government troops had captured large parts of Ramouseh as well as a nearby hill. Fighting continued to rage on the southern edge of Ramouseh, according to rebel fighters, and residents of the adjacent opposition-held neighborhood of al-Sukkari reported heavy shelling. The Observatory reported that 40 days of fighting in Aleppo has killed nearly 700 civilians, including 160 children. On Thursday, the government denied it had carried out a toxic gas attack on civilians in Aleppo, two days after officials and rescuers in rebel-held parts of the city reported a suspected chlorine gas attack by government helicopters. They said two people died and at least 70 people suffered breathing difficulties. In a sign of the deepening conflict in Aleppo, Capt. Abdel-Razzak Abdel-Salam, a spokesman for the rebel group Nour el-Din el-Zinki, said rebel fighters resumed shelling the Castello road, the government-captured highway that was considered in international talks as a potential corridor for humanitarian aid. The rebels had been arguing that Ramouseh, when they controlled it, could be an alternative route for humanitarian aid. But now it is under government control. Talks between Moscow and Washington have been bogged down over ways to create a lasting a cease-fire in Aleppo, among other issues. Abdel-Salam said that even while the Syrian government and its ally Russia were negotiating with the U.S. on a cease-fire in Aleppo they were plotting a "new betrayal" of besieged neighborhoods, violating the spirit of the talks aimed at allowing humanitarian aid into opposition districts. He said that "events have overtaken" cease-fire talks. "All options are open," including fighting the government on new fronts, he added. In Turkey, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said the Syrian government was not "serious" about maintaining or reaching a cease-fire through diplomatic efforts. He said the government had rejected a plan for political transition presented by the Syrian opposition in London Wednesday. "Everything depends on the Syrian administration. It was not serious, it did not remain faithful to the cease-fire. It did all that it could to delay the efforts," he said, speaking to reporters in Istanbul. To the south, near the capital, the second phase of an agreement reached by the government for people to leave the Damascus suburb of Moadamiyeh was implemented Thursday, with nearly 150 people heading to a nearby suburb. The evacuees were originally from the nearby Damascus suburb of Daraya but had been living in Moadamiyeh for nearly three years. The 146 men, women and children left Moadamiyeh as part of an earlier deal reached to completely evacuate Daraya, which was besieged by the government for four years. Once they had been searched and their identity cards were checked, the evacuees boarded government buses that took them to Harjalleh, another government-held area, near Damascus. Bassam Karbouj, the chairman of Moadamiyeh council, told reporters that the evacuation is a completion of a process that was started a week ago, when some 300 civilians were taken out of the besieged suburb and transferred to makeshift centers in a government-held district. He added that between 250 and 300 gunmen from Daraya remained in Moadamiyeh. They have the option of handing over their weapons under a government amnesty or being evacuated to the rebel-held northwestern city of Idlib. In Turkey, military officials said Kurdish fighters in northern Syria opened fire at Turkish border guards, prompting retaliatory fire. The officials said the fighters fired at the soldiers with automatic rifles from the area of Afrin, which is controlled by Syrian Kurdish militia, late on Wednesday. They said the soldiers responded with automatic fire "within the right to self-defense." The officials provided the information Thursday on condition of anonymity, in line with government rules. The Kurdish-affiliated Hawar news agency said six Kurdish fighters were killed. Turkey sent tanks and troops into Syria last month to drive Islamic State militants away from the border and to halt the advance of the U.S.-backed predominantly Kurdish militia. Ankara views the Syrian Kurdish forces as a terror organization because of their links to Turkey's outlawed Kurdish rebels. Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu said the Syria operation will continue until the border region and the Manbij pocket, an area east of the Euphrates River, is secured. ___ Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria, Sarah El Deeb in Beirut and Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey contributed to this report. Residents of the Damascus suburb of Daraya leave the Moadamiyeh area on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. The second phase of an agreement reached by the Syrian government for people to leave the Moadamiyeh was implemented Thursday, with nearly 150 people heading to a nearby suburb.(AP Photo) Germany: Turkey ends ban on lawmakers visiting German troops BERLIN (AP) Turkey has approved plans for German lawmakers to visit their country's troops at a Turkish air base, officials said Thursday, ending a standoff that had deepened strains in the NATO allies' relationship. Turkey had refused to allow German lawmakers to visit personnel stationed at the Incirlik base since the German Parliament's vote in June to label as genocide the killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks a century ago. Germany has reconnaissance and refueling aircraft at the base, along with some 250 military personnel, to support the campaign against the Islamic State group. FILE - In this Sept. 4, 2016 file photo Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel pose for a photo before a bilateral meeting in Hangzhou in eastern China's Zhejiang province alongside the G20 Summit. (Kayhan Ozer/Pool Photo via AP, file) German military missions abroad need parliamentary approval, usually on an annual basis. Some lawmakers said the Incirlik mission couldn't be extended later this year if visits weren't allowed, raising the possibility of a diplomatically delicate withdrawal to another country. Ankara has now approved plans for a visit by members of Parliament's defense committee, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said. "It must be possible for a parliamentary army to be visited by its lawmakers," Steinmeier said in a statement. "With this decision by the Turkish government we have moved a step forward." The committee said its visit to Turkey will take place Oct. 4-6. In a move that laid the groundwork for Turkey's decision, the German government last Friday stressed that the parliamentary resolution on the killings of the Armenians wasn't legally binding. At the same time, Chancellor Angela Merkel strongly rejected suggestions that her government was distancing itself from the motion. On Sunday, Merkel met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in China. Historians estimate that up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed by Ottoman Turks around the time of World War I, an event viewed by many scholars as the first genocide of the 20th century. Turkey disputes the description. It says the toll has been inflated and considers those killed victims of a civil war. Germany "met our expectations" by stating that the resolution wasn't legally binding, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in Ankara. "They have understood what kind of approach they must display toward Turkey, that they cannot treat Turkey the way they want," Cavusoglu said. ___ Suzan Fraser in Ankara contributed to this report. France: Unpopular Hollande hints he will seek a second term PARIS (AP) French President Francois Hollande is hinting that he could seek a second term in elections next year, even though he is the least popular French leader in modern times. The Socialist Hollande gave a sweeping speech Thursday laying out his vision of democracy and repeatedly suggesting that he is eyeing a re-election bid. "I will not let the image of France be spoiled ... in the coming months or the coming years," he said. Campaigning for the April-May elections is picking up speed. Former President Nicolas Sarkozy is seeking the conservative nomination, and polls suggest far right leader Marine Le Pen is a strong contender. French President Francois Hollande delivers his speech about democracy and terrorism as he looks ahead to a potential bid for a second term, Thursday Sept. 8, 2016 in Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, Pool) Hollande's popularity plunged soon after he took power in 2012, and polls show most voters don't want to see him stay in office. "I won't let France being damaged, reduced, having its freedoms called into question, its rule of law disputed, its education reduced and its culture slashed. This is a battle of a lifetime," he said, speaking to an audience of leftist supporters and most of the members of the government. Hollande stressed that France's upcoming electoral choice is decisive for Europe's future. "I will not let Europe collapse or dissolve, I will not let it be seized by nationalism, borders, extremism," he said, a reference to recent success of populist parties in Austria, the Netherlands, Germany and the National Front in France. Hollande said the only possible path to respond to recent attacks by Islamic extremists is to hold on to democratic values: "Democracy will always be stronger than the barbarism which has declared war on it." He said the Patriot Act and the Guantanamo camp did not make the United States safe from threat. Hollande clearly positioned himself for a re-election bid by directing attacks against conservative and far-right leaders' proposals. He suggested he would oppose a national law banning burkini swimsuits. Sarkozy and Le Pen, among others, called for a national ban on the head-and-body-covering suits, worn by a small minority of Muslim women. Hollande argued against measures stigmatizing Muslims. He continued, "as long as I am president, there will be no legislation of circumstance that is as impossible to apply as it is unconstitutional." Hollande said the secularist principles adopted by the state over a hundred years ago remain valid now that Islam has become the second religion in France. "Can Islam accommodates itself with secularism as did before it Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism? Can it accept the separation of faith and law which is the founding principle of secularism? My answer is yes, clearly yes", he said, calling on French people for unity. _________________ Angela Charlton contributed to the story French President Francois Hollande delivers his speech about democracy and terrorism as he looks ahead to a potential bid for a second term, Thursday Sept. 8, 2016 in Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, Pool) French President Francois Hollande delivers his speech about democracy and terrorism as he looks ahead to a potential bid for a second term, Thursday Sept. 8, 2016 in Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, Pool) Kazakh prime minister dismissed, made security agency chief MOSCOW (AP) The office of the president of Kazakhstan says the country's prime minister has been dismissed and appointed to lead the security agency. The statement released by the president's office on Thursday said a deputy prime minister has been named acting prime minister. Karim Masimov, who had served as prime minister since 2014 and previously for five years until 2012, will head the Committee for National Security, the president's office said. EU to give money to refugees in Turkey for food, housing BRUSSELS (AP) The European Union will begin next month providing money to refugees in Turkey so they can pay for their own food, housing and education. The EU's executive arm announced Thursday that under the 348 million euro ($393 million) program debit cards will be distributed to up to one million vulnerable refugees by the first quarter of 2017. The cards can be topped up monthly, with payments dependent on the size and needs of families. The European Commission says safeguards are in place to ensure the money is correctly spent. European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid Christos Stylianides speaks during a media conference at EU headquarters in Brussels, regarding the financing of a humanitarian aid program to help refugees in Turkey on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) Turkey is home to an estimated three million refugees. The program is part of an agreement the EU has with Turkey to provide up to six billion euros, fast-track membership talks and visa-free travel if Ankara stops migrants heading to Europe. South Sudan activists say intimidated for meeting diplomats JUBA, South Sudan (AP) South Sudanese activists say they face government intimidation in retaliation for meeting with the visiting U.N. Security Council last weekend, and some have fled the turbulent country. The reports are the latest sign of hostility by the government toward the international community as this East African country, the world's youngest, tries to recover from a civil war that threatens to grind on. At least three local organizations have been told by South Sudan's government they can no longer operate. On Wednesday, the U.S. envoy to South Sudan, Donald Booth, told Congress the number of blacklisted groups could be as high as 40. South Sudan's President Salva Kiir, left, takes members of the UN Security Council, including U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, right, on a tour outside the presidential compound in the capital Juba, South Sudan, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016. South Sudan has agreed to the deployment of a 4,000-strong regional protection force approved by the U.N. Security Council after first rejecting the peacekeepers as a violation of its sovereignty. (AP Photo/Justin Lynch) The U.N. mission in South Sudan said in a statement Thursday it is "deeply concerned" by reports of harassment and intimidation against some civil society members who met with the diplomats in the capital, Juba. The statement does not mention the source of intimidation. "On Monday, we started receiving information about security threats and to our lives and that we were wanted by the National Security," said one activist who was at the meeting with the U.N. diplomats. The government harassment is in response to position papers that supported an arms embargo on South Sudan or a new regional protection force to protect civilians after a recent eruption of fighting in the capital, the activist said. The government dislikes both ideas, but the Security Council diplomats, led by U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power, brought a threat with them: Accept the force or face the arms embargo. Heads of organizations that met with the diplomats have been ordered to report to the government "but fear to report because they don't know what will happen," the activist said, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of further retaliation. The head of one organization, Edmund Yakani, told The Associated Press he was prevented from attending the Security Council meeting. In addition, a letter from the government to his prominent Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, obtained by the AP, orders his group to shut down within two weeks or be considered "illegal.' Government officials were not immediately available for comment Thursday. South Sudan is struggling to recover from civil war that began in December 2013 and killed tens of thousands. Fighting in several places has continued despite a year-old peace deal, and violence in the capital in July left hundreds dead. The July fighting led the United States and the rest of the Security Council to approve an additional 4,000 regional peacekeepers to protect civilians in Juba and elsewhere. Officials and diplomats have said it will take more than two months for the extra peacekeepers to arrive, and South Sudan this week signaled that none will be allowed to enter the country if the government can't dictate which nations contribute to the force and what arms they can carry. Amid the general chaos, activist and other groups in South Sudan have said they are under pressure from a law signed this year that says organizations shouldn't violate the country's sovereignty. The law also gives the government the power to supervise and monitor non-governmental groups. On Wednesday, Booth told Congress the law is "problematic" and could limit the ability of international organizations to operate in the country. Obama puts South China Sea back on agenda at summit VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) President Barack Obama put the long-simmering dispute in the South China Sea front and center on the agenda at a regional summit Thursday as it became clear that most of the other leaders gathered in the Laotian capital were going to let China off with a mild rebuke over its territorial expansion in the resource-rich waters. "We will continue to work to ensure that disputes are resolved peacefully, including in the South China Sea," Obama said at a meeting with leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. He said an international arbitration ruling on July 12 against China was binding and "helped to clarify maritime rights in the region." U.S. President Barack Obama pauses as he speaks during a news conference at the Landmark Mekong Riverside Hotel in Vientiane, Laos, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, after attending the ASEAN Summit. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) ASEAN held a separate meeting later Thursday with eight world powers, including China and the U.S, in a gathering known as the East Asia Summit. The participants were expected to let China off with a muted reprimand over its expansionist activities in South China Sea, according to a draft of their joint statement. The final version was not immediately released. The U.S. has repeatedly expressed concern over Beijing's actions in the resource-rich sea. Obama brought that up again. Referring to the arbitration panel's ruling that invalidated China's territorial claims, Obama said, "I realize this raises tensions but I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and regional stability." China shot back with comments aimed at the United States. "A couple of extra-regional countries still wanted to use the occasion of the East Asia Summit to talk about the South China Sea, particularly to press on the regional countries to abide by the arbitration, which is untimely and inappropriate," Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters. He said it is "also against the trend in the region to resolve the disputes by cooperation and dialogue. In some sense they are being self-isolated," he said. The East Asia Summit draft statement said ASEAN and its partners "reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability and security and freedom of navigation in and over-flight in the South China Sea." "Several Leaders remained seriously concerned over recent developments in the South China Sea. ... We stressed the importance for the parties concerned to resolve their disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international laws," it said. China has turned shoals and coral reefs into seven man-made islands and built airstrips capable of handling military aircraft on three of them. The East Asia Summit draft statement was less forceful than the statement that ASEAN leaders issued on Wednesday to express concern over China's island-building. It said ASEAN "took note of the concerns expressed by some leaders on the land reclamations and escalation of activities in the area, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and may undermine peace, security and stability in the region." The use of the phrase "some leaders" in the two statements underscores the fundamental problem ASEAN has in dealing with China not all its members are willing to scold Beijing. Cambodia, for example, remains in China's camp, as does Laos to a large extent, preventing any robust statement from the consensus-bound ASEAN group. U.S. officials, however, said there were other critical elements in the ASEAN statement that China failed to block, and which they said amounted to a strong diplomatic rebuke of Beijing. China pulled out all the stops to block any reference to the words "recent activities," ''serious concern," ''reclamation," ''militarization," ''loss of trust" and "need to respect legal processes," but failed as all these phrases made it into the statement, said a senior U.S. administration official who requested anonymity to discuss diplomatic discussions. Though Beijing recently announced a $600 million aid package for ally Cambodia, China was unable to get it to block the statement, the official said. Cambodia did however block an explicit mention of the tribunal's ruling, which the Philippines was willing to concede, the official said. The issue of ownership of territories in the South China Sea has come to dominate ASEAN summits in recent years. China claims virtually the entire sea as its own, citing historical reasons. That has pitted it against the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei, all members of ASEAN, which have overlapping claims. The Philippines took its dispute with China to the international tribunal some years ago, but the country's new president, Rodrigo Duterte, who took office on June 30, has been more conciliatory toward China. Liu, the Chinese vice foreign minister, pointed that out. Duterte "has been sending messages for improving relations with China since he took office. . In fact there have been contacts in different channels between China and the Philippines, including non-official channels and official diplomatic channels. We are confident that the relations between us will be improved with the joint efforts of the two countries," he said. ___ Associated Press writer Josh Lederman contributed to this report. ASEAN leaders and their dialogue partners attend the 11th East Asia Summit on the last day of the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits and other related summits at the National Convention Center Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 in Vientiane, Laos. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) Retired US general to advise Ukraine's defense minister LONDON (AP) U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter has appointed a retired U.S. Army general as a special adviser to Ukraine's defense minister. The Pentagon says John Abizaid (AB'-ih-zayd) will advise defense chief Stepan Poltorak as Ukraine tries to strengthen democratic civilian control of its military, take on corruption and put in place other reforms. Carter and Poltorak met Thursday on the sidelines of a U.N. peacekeeping conference in London. Carter tells reporters the appointment wasn't a signal of U.S. plans to help Ukraine in offensive operations against Russian forces in eastern Ukraine. FILE - In this Dec. 10, 2007 file photo, retired Army Gen. John Abizaid, speaks in San Francisco. Defense Secretary Ash Carter has appointed Abizaid as a special adviser to Ukraines defense minister. The Pentagon says Abizaid will advise defense chief Stepan Poltorak as Ukraine tries to strengthen democratic civilian control of its military, take on corruption and put in place other reforms. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File) Carter says "it continues in the same vein" of defensive-oriented U.S. military assistance. Abizaid led Central Command from July 2003 to March 2007. That command oversees U.S. military operations in Afghanistan and the Mideast, including against the Islamic State group. The Latest: Merkel rejects ally's renewed migrant cap call BRUSSELS (AP) The Latest on Europe's migrant crisis (all times local): 6:25 p.m. Chancellor Angela Merkel is rejecting a conservative ally's renewed demand for the German government to impose an annual cap on the number of migrants entering the country. European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid Christos Stylianides speaks during a media conference at EU headquarters in Brussels, regarding the financing of a humanitarian aid program to help refugees in Turkey on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) The Christian Social Union, the Bavarian branch of Merkel's conservative bloc, has stepped up long-standing demands for a tougher approach to migrants since the chancellor's Christian Democrats were beaten into third place by an upstart nationalist party in a weekend state election. Bavaria's interior minister, Joachim Herrmann, is calling for an annual limit of 200,000 to be imposed this year. Merkel has consistently rejected a cap. Merkel was quoted Thursday as saying in an interview with the Funke newspaper group: "My position on this is sufficiently known." Merkel has taken responsibility for the election defeat but defended her approach to the migrant crisis. ___ 3:55 p.m. Ombudsmen, or public advocates, from four international organizations have adopted a declaration urging international commitment of richer countries to welcome and better treat migrants. The high-level meeting in Albanian on Thursday of some 70 officials, whose institutions represent and investigate private citizens' rights and complaints, adopted the Tirana Declaration calling upon nations "to welcome in solidarity and humanism all persons in need of international protection." The declaration will be sent to the U.N. General Assembly that in less than two weeks will hold a high-level forum on migrants and refugees. The migrant flow into Europe from Syria, Iraq and other poor countries in Asia and Africa continues despite efforts to contain it ___ 3:20 p.m. Serbia says migrant pressure on the Balkan country's borders has increased with more than 1,000 people attempting to cross illegally from Macedonia and Bulgaria in just five days. Serbia's Defense Ministry said Thursday that joint police and army patrols have caught eight suspected people smugglers in three separate locations, transporting nearly one hundred migrants in vans and cars. The statement says that since July 22, border patrols have discovered some 6,500 migrants trying to cross into the country, most of whom turned back while 836 remained in Serbia's asylum centers. Officials have warned of a possible surge in migrant arrivals as summer's end may avert many from using the more dangerous way into Europe over the Mediterranean Sea. Croatian police also has reported an increase in migrant crossings from Serbia. ___ 2 p.m. The European Union will begin next month providing money to refugees in Turkey so they can pay for their own food, housing and education. The EU's executive arm announced Thursday that under the 348 million euro ($393 million) program debit cards will be distributed to up to one million vulnerable refugees by the first quarter of 2017. The cards can be topped up monthly, with payments dependent on the size and needs of families. The European Commission says safeguards are in place to ensure the money is correctly spent. Turkey is home to an estimated three million refugees. The program is part of an agreement the EU has with Turkey to provide up to six billion euros, fast-track membership talks and visa-free travel if Ankara stops migrants heading to Europe. Croatia weekend snap vote unlikely to end political turmoil ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) Croats go to the polls this weekend in a snap election that, despite the country's many problems, has been more about past divisions than future challenges facing the European Union's newest member state. The early parliamentary vote on Sunday is expected to do little to end the worst political crisis in Croatia since it entered the EU in 2013, fueling fears that instability could hamper the country's efforts to catch up with the rest of the bloc. The balloting the second in less than a year in Croatia comes amid a surge in right-wing sentiments and nationalist rhetoric that have fueled divisions dating back to World War II and more recently the 1990s' Balkan wars. In this photo taken late Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, leader of the center-left coalition Zoran Milanovic greets supporters at a rally in Zagreb, Croatia. Croats go to the polls this weekend in a snap election that, despite the country's many problems, has been more about past divisions than future challenges facing the European Union's newest member state. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) "Some topics have come into focus that we believed were long ago put aside," said Jadranka Kosor, a former prime minister and conservative leader. "Instead of moving forward as a (EU) member, our political and public life have taken a turn for the worse." Croatia's previous center-right government collapsed last spring after only six months in power, paralyzed by internal bickering and conflict of interest allegations leveled against its main politician. That government was formed after an inconclusive election last November, which gave no clear winner and turned a little-known pro-reform group into a post-election kingmaker. Opinion polls have predicted that the upcoming vote will end the same way, with neither the leftist Social Democrats nor the right-wing Croatian Democratic Union able to rule on their own. This means that the formation of Croatia's next government will likely once again depend on smaller groups, such as Most, that helped make up the right-wing government that collapsed. "The result of this election could easily be an introduction into another election soon," said Kosor. "I believe we have entered a period of unstable governments." Prolonged uncertainty could further undermine development in the nation of 4.2 million people. Although more advanced than other Balkan countries, Croatia has one of the weakest economies in the EU following years of crisis after the 1991-95 war fueled by the split from the former Yugoslavia. After a six-year recession, Croatia has shown signs of recovery with reported growth of more than two percent. However, unemployment hovers around 14 percent among the highest in the EU and much of the fiscal growth is attributed to tourism along Croatia's Adriatic coast. Gordana Deranja, from Croatia's Employers' Association, says with the economy showing signs of improvement the state must do its part by reducing the country's debt, lowering taxes and eliminating red tape that constrains business. "A serious job is waiting for a serious government that is ready to tackle problems which should have been dealt with long ago," Deranja said. While both the Social Democrats and HDZ have declared the economy their priority, Deranja said the promises have been empty while "the word reforms has disappeared from the campaign." Part of the pre-election focus instead has been on topics that remain a source of division among Croats, such as the country's WWII pro-Nazi past, the post war Communist Yugoslav period and relations with former Balkan war foe Serbia. Right-wing supporters in Croatia admire the WWII pro-Nazi regime for establishing an independent Croatia and believe that the post-war, multi-ethnic Yugoslavia was an anti-Croat union dominated by the Serbs, while left-leaning Croats take pride in the country's anti-fascist struggle during WWII. The divisions are mirrored in politics with HDZ considered nationalists and the Social Democrats viewed as successors of Croatia's communists. Prominent Croatian novelist Slavenka Drakulic said focus on ideological divisions rather than concrete problems has led to widespread disappointment, distrust and apathy among Croatia's 3.7 million voters, who feel they have no one to turn to. Sixty-one year old Alek Stepicic from Zagreb agreed. "The best advice in this situation would be just to take care of oneself and mind one's own business," he said. Conservative leader Andrej Plenkovic, a European parliament member who took the leadership of HDZ at the start of the campaign, insisted he has worked to push the party away from the past and toward the future. "We are in the business of uniting, rather than dividing," Plenkovic, who was a Croatian member of the European Parliament, told the AP. "It is a huge change." The Social Democrats' leader Zoran Milanovic, also said during the campaign that he was "tired" of dealing with the past. But, Milanovic too has played the nationalist card, meeting with the Croatian war veterans and clashing openly with Serbia. For Boris Miletic, a small-party mayor of the northern, liberal-minded coastal town of Pula, the big parties really only "deal with themselves" to avoid facing Croatia's many problems. "When you don't have answers for everyday life and the needs of your citizens, it is always easy to turn to the past," Miletic said. ------- Jovana Gec contributed from Belgrade, Serbia. In this photo taken late Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, Vesna Pusic, former foreign minister and one of the leaders of the center-left coalition talks to supporters at a rally in Zagreb, Croatia. Croats go to the polls this weekend in a snap election that, despite the country's many problems, has been more about past divisions than future challenges facing the European Union's newest member state. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) In this photo taken late Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, supporters of the center-left coalition gather at a rally in Zagreb, Croatia. Croats go to the polls this weekend in a snap election that, despite the country's many problems, has been more about past divisions than future challenges facing the European Union's newest member state. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) In this photo taken late Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, leader of the center-left coalition Zoran Milanovic talks to supporters at a rally in Zagreb, Croatia. Croats go to the polls this weekend in a snap election that, despite the country's many problems, has been more about past divisions than future challenges facing the European Union's newest member state. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) In this photo taken late Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, supporters of center-left coalition wave flags at a rally in Zagreb, Croatia. Croats go to the polls this weekend in a snap election that, despite the country's many problems, has been more about past divisions than future challenges facing the European Union's newest member state. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) Philippine leader takes thinly veiled dig at US VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte took a thinly veiled dig at the United States on Thursday, complaining that colonizers who killed many Filipinos are now raising human rights concerns with him. President Barack Obama was among several world leaders who listened to Duterte's brief speech at the East Asia Summit in the Laotian capital of Vientiane. Obama earlier canceled a meeting with Duterte after the Philippine leader referred to him in comments to reporters as a "son of a bitch" and warned him not to discuss the deaths of thousands of suspects in an anti-drug campaign. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, left, and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte link their hands during the ASEAN Plus Three summit in the ongoing 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits and other related summits at the National Convention Center Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016 in Vientiane, Laos. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) Two Philippine Cabinet officials said Duterte did not criticize any country or leader by name in his speech. Other diplomats who heard the speech, however, felt he was referring to the United States, which colonized the Philippines after defeating its former ruler, Spain. An Indonesian diplomat said Duterte held up a picture of Filipinos killed in colonial times to underscore his point. The diplomat spoke to reporters on condition that he not be named because of the sensitivity of the issue. Philippine officials refused to release Duterte's remarks, which were not included in his prepared speech. The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila said the president provided an explanation of how human rights records should be assessed in the context of the historical record. "In the passionate intervention of President Duterte, he underscored the need to take a long historical view of human rights, mindful of the atrocities against the ethnic people of Mindanao," the department said in a statement, referring to the southern Philippine region where American forces were involved in deadly clashes with Muslim Filipinos in the early 1900s. Duterte, who assumed the presidency in June, has had an uneasy relationship with the U.S., his country's longtime treaty ally. He has said he is charting a foreign policy that is not dependent on the U.S., and has moved to reduce tensions with China over rival territorial claims. The tough-talking president has also blasted U.N.-appointed human rights experts and rights watchdogs who have expressed concerns over the extrajudicial killings of more than 2,800 suspected drug dealers and users since Duterte took office. More than 600,000 others have surrendered, apparently out of fear of being killed. After the flap over Duterte's earlier remarks, he and Obama met briefly on the sidelines of the Laos meetings and shook hands. One Cabinet member, Jesus Dureza, said he asked Duterte how his talk with Obama went. "It was OK," Dureza quoted Duterte as saying. "He told me, 'we can talk some more at another time.'" The summit ended with Laos turning over the chairmanship of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations to Duterte, whose country will host the annual diplomatic gathering next year. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, left, glances at Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, right, at the start of 11th East Asia Summit on the last day of the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits and other related summits at the National Convention Center Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 in Vientiane, Laos. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) Annan: Myanmar mission to ease tensions, not probe rights YANGON, Myanmar (AP) Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Thursday his mission to Myanmar's troubled Rakhine state is not meant to investigate human rights, but to come up with recommendations to ease tensions between Buddhists and minority Muslims. Annan is leading a nine-member independent commission set up last month by State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi's government to help find solutions to communal conflict in the western state resulting from longstanding discrimination against Muslim Rohingya that exploded into bloody violence in 2012. More than 100,000 people, mostly Rohingyas, fled the rioting and are still in displacement camps. The situation also spurred many Rohingya to flee by sea to other countries, causing a regional refugee crisis. Former U.N. Secretary-General and Rakhine State Advisory Commission Chairman Kofi Annan speaks to journalists during a press briefing at a hotel Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, in Yangon, Myanmar. Annan is a member of an independent commission set up last month by State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi's government to help find solutions to a communal conflict in the western state of Rakhine that has seen widespread abuses and violence by Buddhists against Rohingya. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw) Buddhists in Rakhine consider the Rohingya to be illegal immigrants from neighboring Bangladesh, even though many have been settled in Myanmar for generations. Violence against Muslims spread to other parts of the overwhelmingly Buddhist country after the 2012 rioting, and remains a volatile political issue. About 1,000 Buddhists protested Annan's team when it arrived in Rakhine, charging that the former U.N. chief's participation amounted to foreign meddling. But his group proceeded to hold talks with members of both faiths around the Rakhine capital of Sittwe. "We heard from a whole range of people, the people in the camps and in villages, focused on issues of concern, development, jobs, education, medical care, freedom of movement, occupations for their wives," Annan said at a news conference in Myanmar's main city of Yangon. "We are not here to do a human rights investigation and write a human rights report," he told reporters. He said the team's mandate is "to make recommendations that will help reduce tensions, support development in Rakhine state." "We are not here as an inspector or as a policeman. We are here to help at the request of the government," he said. Annan also stressed that Rakhine's problems had an international dimension, affecting neighboring countries whose borders were crossed by the refugees. Former U.N. Secretary-General and Rakhine State Advisory Commission Chairman Kofi Annan, right, speaks to journalists as Aye Lwin, left, a member of the commission, listens during a press briefing at a hotel Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, in Yangon, Myanmar. Annan is a member of an independent commission set up last month by State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi's government to help find solutions to a communal conflict in the western state of Rakhine that has seen widespread abuses and violence by Buddhists against Rohingya. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw) Former U.N. Secretary-General and Rakhine State Advisory Commission Chairman Kofi Annan listens to a question from a journalist during a press briefing at a hotel Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, in Yangon, Myanmar. Annan is a member of an independent commission set up last month by State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi's government to help find solutions to a communal conflict in the western state of Rakhine that has seen widespread abuses and violence by Buddhists against Rohingya. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw) Sri Lankan court gives death sentence to ex-lawmaker COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) A Sri Lankan court on Thursday sentenced a former lawmaker and four suspected accomplices to death over the killing of a rival politician in an election-related attack five years ago. Duminda Silva and the four others were charged with shooting to death Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra and three of his supporters. The case was widely followed because Silva was seen a favorite of the country's former strongman, Mahinda Rajapaksa. Silva was believed to be protected by Rajapaksa and was flown out of the country soon after the killing, apparently for treatment of injuries he received in the fracas. Sri Lankan police and prison officers escort former lawmaker Duminda Silva after he was sentenced to death, at a court complex in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. A Sri Lankan court has sentenced Silva to death over the killing of a rival politician Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra in an election-related attack five years ago. Silva is likely to serve a life sentence because Sri Lanka has a moratorium on death penalty. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena) His sentence is also seen a sign of a return of the independence of the judiciary, which was tightly controlled by Rajapaksa before his election defeat last year. Lawyers for the defendants said that they will appeal the sentences. NASA spacecraft on way to asteroid to bring back samples CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) The first NASA explorer of its kind took off on a seven-year quest Thursday, chasing after a big, black, unexplored asteroid to gather a few handfuls of gravel for return to Earth. These bite-size bits of ancient space rock from asteroid Bennu could hold clues to the origin of life, not just on our planet but potentially elsewhere in the solar system. Thousands gathered to witness the evening launch of Osiris-Rex, a robotic hunter that looks something like a bird with its solar wings. The spacecraft took flight atop an Atlas V rocket, which soared a little before sunset on the mission, a U.S. first. A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft lifts off from launch complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Osiris-Rex will travel to asteroid Bennu, collect ground samples, then haul them back to Earth. (AP Photo/John Raoux) Victory was declared an hour later; launch controllers shook hands and embraced as the spacecraft shot out of Earth's orbit, bound for Bennu. "Tonight is a night for celebration. We are on our way to an asteroid," said NASA's chief scientist, Ellen Stofan. After all, "we've just done something amazing." "We got everything just exactly perfect," added Osiris-Rex chief scientist Dante Lauretta of the University of Arizona. "It was an amazing evening for me and for this team." It will take two years for Osiris-Rex to reach Bennu (BEHN'-oo), which is circling the sun in a slightly wider orbit than Earth's. The boxy spacecraft will actually go into orbit around the asteroid, seeking out the best spot before going in for a quick bite. Round trip, the SUV-sized spacecraft will travel more than 4 billion miles (6 billion kilometers) by mission's end in 2023. NASA has gone after comet dust and solar wind particles before, but never anything from an asteroid. It promises to be the biggest cosmic haul since the Apollo moon rocks. The roundish rock an estimated 1,600-plus feet (500 meters) across and taller than the Empire State Building is believed to harbor carbon dating back 4.5 billion years, to the beginning of our solar system. That makes it a time capsule and a scientific prize. "We will make discoveries on this mission that we have not anticipated. It's exciting!" said Bill Nye, "The Science Guy," chief executive officer of the Planetary Society. The launch came 50 years to the day that the first "Star Trek" episode aired on TV. NASA launch commentator Mike Curie referenced the anniversary, urging the spacecraft at liftoff "to boldly go" to Bennu and back. This is yet another example of NASA "turning science fiction into science fact," Stofan noted. Osiris-Rex may lead to asteroid-mining missions, according to scientists, and could help protect the planet from menacing space rocks. Japan already has visited an asteroid and returned some specks (the mission didn't go quite as planned), and is chasing another space rock for even more samples. Osiris-Rex's bounty, however, should surpass that; Lauretta and his team want at least 60 grams of dust and gravel, or 2 ounces' worth when the big day comes in 2020. Ground tests have yielded eight times that in a single scoop, so hopes are high for four to five handfuls. Osiris-Rex will hover like a hummingbird over Bennu, according to Lauretta, as the spacecraft's 10-foot (3-meter) mechanical arm touches down like a pogo stick on the surface for three to five seconds. Thrusters will shoot out nitrogen gas to stir up the surface, and the loose particles will be sucked up into the device. Spacecraft managers call it "the gentle high five." They get just three shots at this, before the nitrogen gas runs out and the effort abandoned. The team opted for this touch-and-go procedure instead of landing to increase the odds of success. Despite extensive observations of Bennu from ground and space telescopes, no one knows exactly what to expect there, and it could be difficult if not impossible to anchor a spacecraft on the surface, Lauretta said. Osiris-Rex's freed sample container the same kind used for the comet-dust retrieval will parachute down with the pristine asteroid treasure in Utah. The mother spacecraft, meanwhile, will continue its orbit of the sun. Among the 8,000 NASA launch guests was the schoolboy who came up with the asteroid's name for a contest. Twelve-year-old Mike Puzio of Greensboro, North Carolina, cheered as he watched his first up-close rocket launch: "It was awesome!" "Unbelievable," added Dr. Larry Puzio, his pediatrician dad. The name Bennu comes from the heron of Egyptian mythology. Mike thought Osiris-Rex looked like a bird, with its twin solar wings and long arm outstretched for a sample grab. And with the spacecraft named after the Egyptian god Osiris, Bennu was an obvious choice, he said. Osiris-Rex is also a NASA acronym for origins, spectral interpretation, resource identification, security-regolith explorer. The estimated cost of the mission is more than $800 million. "Space exploration brings out the best in us," Nye said shortly before Osiris-Rex began its journey. "It is an extraordinary use of our intellect and treasure to elevate humankind, to help us know our place in the cosmos." It may also one day save the home planet. Bennu swings by Earth every six years, and 150 years from now, could hit us. The odds are less than one-tenth of 1 percent, according to Lauretta. While this particular rock won't destroy Earth just carve out a huge crater other asteroids could cause more trouble. Osiris-Rex will help scientists better understand the ever-changing paths of asteroids, and that could prove its biggest payoff. ___ AP writer Alex Sanz contributed to this report. ___ Online: NASA: NASA: https://www.nasa.gov/osiris-rex A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft lifts off from launch complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Osiris-Rex will travel to asteroid Bennu, collect ground samples, then haul them back to Earth. (AP Photo/John Raoux) This photo provided by Michelle Toler Puzio shows Mike Puzio of Greensboro, N.C. The twelve-year-old won a contest to name the asteroid, Bennu, that the first NASA explorer of its kind took off on a seven-year quest Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, to chase after the unexplored asteroid to gather a few handfuls of gravel for return to Earth. (Michelle Toler Puzio via AP) A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft lifts off from launch complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Osiris-Rex will travel to asteroid Bennu, collect ground samples, then haul them back to Earth. (AP Photo/John Raoux) A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft lifts off from launch complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Osiris-Rex will travel to asteroid Bennu, collect ground samples, then haul them back to Earth. (AP Photo/John Raoux) This artist's rendering made available by NASA in July 2016 shows the mapping of the near-Earth asteroid Bennu by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. The spacecraft will spend a year surveying Bennu before collecting a sample that will be returned to Earth for analysis. (NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona via AP) This artist's rendering made available by NASA on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016 shows the Origins Spectral Interpretation Resource Identification Security - Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft contacting the asteroid Bennu with the Touch-And-Go Sample Arm Mechanism. The mission, planned for launch on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, aims to return a sample of Bennu's surface to Earth for study as well as return detailed information about the asteroid and its trajectory. (NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center via AP) In this Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016 photo made available by NASA, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, carrying NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, is brought to its launchpad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The mission, scheduled to launch on Thursday, Sept. 8, is the first U.S. attempt to reach an asteroid return a sample to Earth for study. (Kim Shiflett/NASA via AP) This May 21, 2016 photo provided by NASA shows the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft inside a servicing facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida after arriving from Lockheed Martin's facility near Denver. Its mission, planned for launch on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, aims to return a sample of the asteroid Bennu to Earth for study as well as return detailed information about the asteroid and its trajectory. (Dimitri Gerondidakis/NASA via AP) A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft lifts off from launch complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Osiris-Rex will travel to asteroid Bennu, collect ground samples, then haul them back to Earth. (AP Photo/John Raoux) Obama: Americans will reject Trump's 'wacky' ideas VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) President Barack Obama said Thursday that Republican Donald Trump proves he isn't qualified to be president "every time he speaks," adding that he is confident Americans will ultimately reject the brash billionaire on Election Day. Obama, closing out his final presidential trip to Asia, said his meetings with foreign leaders during the trip had illustrated that governing is "serious business" requiring knowledge, preparation and thought-out policies that can actually be implemented. He urged Americans not to allow the "outrageous behavior" seen amid the campaign-season din to become the new normal. "The most important thing for the public and the press is to just listen to what he says and follow up and ask questions to what appear to be either contradictory or uninformed or outright whacky ideas," Obama said. U.S. President Barack Obama pauses as he speaks during a news conference at the Landmark Mekong Riverside Hotel in Vientiane, Laos, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, after attending the ASEAN Summit. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Throughout the campaign, Obama has repeatedly denounced Trump and deemed him "unfit" to serve as commander in chief, arguing that he's pulling the Republican Party in a dangerous and unprecedented direction. Obama has endorsed Hillary Clinton and has said he plans to campaign full-force for the Democrat ahead of the November election. Obama's remarks came at the end of a grueling nine-day trip that took him to Laos and China following U.S. stops in Nevada, Hawaii and Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. It's the last of 10 trips Obama paid as president to Asia, where Obama lived as a youngster with his mother in Indonesia. "When I think back to the time I spent here as a boy, I can't help but be struck by the extraordinary progress that's been made by the region in the decades since, even if there's still a lot of work to be done," Obama said. At the top of the list of unfinished business is the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a 12-nation free trade deal Obama helped broker. That deal awaits ratification in the U.S. Congress, where there is opposition from both parties. But Obama said he planned to do everything possible to persuade lawmakers to approve it this year. With his presidency nearing an end, Obama's agenda has narrowed to a few key goals he hopes to complete before his successor takes over. Asked to acknowledge he wouldn't be able to fulfill his campaign promise to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center, Obama pushed back. "I am not ready to concede," Obama said, adding that his administration was making progress in reducing the prison's population. He bristled at the suggestion he'd been slighted in Asia or that leaders in the region were rejecting his leadership a criticism leveled by Trump, who said he'd have picked up and left had he been treated the way Obama was in Asia. The start of the trip was overshadowed by tense moments on the tarmac when Chinese officials clashed with White House aides and appeared to have failed to secure a staircase for Obama's plane moments that exploded on social media. The awkwardness continued days later when Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte called Obama a "son of a bitch" and warned him not to challenge him in their planned meeting in Laos, leading Obama to call it off. The two did end up shaking hands during a brief interaction on the summit's sidelines. Obama said he'd told Duterte that their aides should confer on how to move forward, adding that the spat would have no effect on the close cooperation between the longtime treaty allies. "I don't take these comments personally, because it seems as if this is a phrase he's used repeatedly, directed at the pope and others," Obama said of the slur. "I think it seems to be just a, you know, a habit, a way of speaking for him." As an example of progress on his trip, Obama pointed to discussions with Southeast Asian leaders about disputes over China's territorial ambitions in the South China Sea. In a concluding joint statement, the leaders were expected to issue a mild rebuke to China without referencing it by name or mentioning a recent international arbitration ruling against Beijing. "I realize this raises tensions," Obama said earlier Thursday about the ruling. "But I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and regional stability." On his last day in Asia, Obama met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose help Obama is seeking to galvanize further action on climate change, especially among developing countries. The White House said Obama had affirmed his support for India's participation in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, a consortium aimed at preventing civilian nuclear technology from diverted for military use. Pakistan, India's longtime adversary, opposes India's membership in the group. U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during a news conference at the Landmark Mekong Riverside Hotel in Vientiane, Laos, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, after attending the ASEAN Summit. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during a news conference at the Landmark Mekong Riverside Hotel in Vientiane, Laos, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, after attending the ASEAN Summit. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, and U.S. President Barack Obama shake hands as they participate in a bilateral meeting in Vientiane, Laos, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) House Republicans press administration on Iran payment WASHINGTON (AP) Obama administration officials told Congress on Thursday that Iran wanted "immediate access" to $1.7 billion paid by the United States in cash to settle a decades-old arbitration claim between the two countries. At a hearing called by House Republicans, officials from the departments of Treasury, State and Justice defended the payment and its cash delivery. An initial $400 million was delivered Jan. 17, the same day Tehran agreed to release four American prisoners, and the Republicans are calling it a ransom. Christopher Backemeyer, a deputy assistant secretary of state for Iranian affairs, said Iran wanted immediate access to the money, but he said he wasn't aware whether Iran had asked for cash. He said it was his understanding that the money is going to "critical economic needs" in Iran. FILE - In this Feb. 10, 2016 file photo, Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis. speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. Obama administration officials told Congress on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, that Iran wanted immediate access to $1.7 billion paid by the U.S. in cash, the settlement of a decades-old arbitration claim between the two countries, before Duffy's House subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) GOP Rep. Sean Duffy of Wisconsin, chairman of the House Financial Services subcommittee on oversight and investigation, said the evidence presented made it difficult to believe the payment wasn't a ransom. He asked the witnesses if they could guarantee that the money will not fund terrorism. "I can't speak for every dollar that goes in and out of Iran, as you know," Backemeyer said. The administration had claimed the payment and the prisoner release were separate, but recently acknowledged the cash was used as leverage until the Americans were allowed to leave Iran. The remaining $1.3 billion represented estimated interest on the Iranian cash the U.S. had held since the 1970s as payment for a never-completed military equipment sale. The hearing was the first of several planned by Republicans who have opposed last year's international accord to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Rep. Jeb Hensarling, chairman of the full committee, said the witnesses only agreed to appear after the committee had threatened a subpoena. He pressed the officials on why the payment had to be made in cash and whether it was legal to make a cash payment. Hensarling, R-Texas, said the payment could "put a price on the head of every tourist, soldier, airman and marine who serves or visits overseas." U.S. officials have maintained that cash was necessary because of U.S. and international sanctions that have isolated Iran from the international finance system. Lisa Grosh, a legal adviser for the State Department's Office of International Claims and Investment Disputes, said Iran was having "serious banking problems" as a result of the sanctions. The Jan. 17 agreement involved the return of the $400 million, plus the additional $1.3 billion in interest. Administration officials have described those terms as favorable compared to what might have been expected from a tribunal set up in The Hague, Netherlands, to rule on claims between the two countries. U.S. officials have said they expected an imminent ruling on the claim and settled with Tehran instead. The payment "was the best way to avoid a possible decision from the tribunal ordering us to pay a lot more," Grosh said. Democrats said the hearing was purely political. "It sounds like my friends in the other side of the aisle would have preferred we pay the money and not get the hostages back," said Rep. Michael Capuano, D-Mass. Paul Ahern, the assistant general counsel for enforcement and intelligence at the Treasury Department, said the $400 million came from a fund called the Foreign Military Sales Trust Fund. He said they had the money transferred to a European bank, where the money was converted to foreign currency. The $1.3 billion came from a fund administered by the Treasury Department for settling litigation claims. The Judgment Fund is taxpayer money that Congress has permanently approved in the event it's needed, allowing the president to bypass direct congressional approval to make a settlement. The U.S. previously paid out $278 million in Iran-related claims by using the fund in 1991. Cash was "the most reliable way to make sure they got the payment in a timely manner," Ahern said. Republicans noted that it is unusual to make a payment in cash to another country and that it seemed as though the administration was trying to hide it. Iran "wanted the cash because they are trying to fund terror," asserted GOP Rep. Ed Royce of California, a committee member who also leads the House Foreign Affairs Committee. That committee is expected to vote next week of his legislation that would prohibit cash payments to Iran and demand transparency on future settlements. Republican senators have endorsed similar legislation that would bar payments from the Judgment Fund to Iran until Tehran pays the nearly $55.6 billion that U.S. courts have judged that it owes to American victims of Iranian terrorism. Also Thursday, Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk suggested in a Chicago radio interview that the payment posed so much danger to Americans abroad that it wasn't worth the return of the American prisoners. Guyana prime minister orders pregnant TV anchor reinstated GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) A news anchor on a state-run TV station in Guyana who said she was removed from her position because she is pregnant is being reinstated thanks to the prime minister of the South American country. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo directed the National Communications Network late Wednesday to put Natasha Smith back on the air and told the CEO to apologize to her. "I am in no doubt that the removal of Ms. Smith was due to her state of pregnancy, and that the act is an attack on her as a woman and as a professional journalist," Nagamootoo, whose Cabinet duties include responsibility for the government communications, said in a statement. Smith said camera operators were initially directed to hide her pregnancy from viewers. She said later she was told by supervisors that she was being removed from her news-reading duties at the direction of CEO Lennox Cornette. The NCN issued a statement denying she was fired for being pregnant or unmarried, as some media had reported, and said it only addresses personal issues if they affect an employee's job performance. The prime minister, a former journalist and attorney, said the government supports the "free choice to be married or to remain single, or to bear or not bear children," which compelled him to reinstate Smith. Puerto Rican with 300 Twitter accounts to face trial SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) Justice officials say a Puerto Rico man accused of creating 300 Twitter accounts to harass people online will face trial in the first case of its kind for the U.S. territory. The island's Justice Department said late Wednesday that a judge found enough evidence to try Omar Falcon Torres. He is accused of stalking a pregnant woman, misappropriating identity and intimidating witnesses in part by sending them what authorities said was violent sexual imagery and using violent language. Officials said he operated under the name "MedeaBot" for two years. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney. He was first charged last December. Why insurance denies your claim, but pays your neighbor's Tracey Stahl lost part of a leg to bone cancer last fall, and she has to wince through bouts of crippling pain from an ill-fitting artificial limb because of a strange health insurance limit: Her plan covers just one limb per lifetime. She now has to weigh whether to dump the nearly $9,000 cost of a new leg on her credit card as she fights her insurance company over the restriction. "I feel it's embarrassing to say paralyzed about what to do," said Stahl, from her home in Penfield, New York. Caiti Riley's left leg was amputated below the knee at age 4 due to a rare birth defect. The San Antonio resident is 31 now and covered by the best insurance she's ever had. Her plan is paying most of the roughly $5,000 bill for a new running leg to complement the one she uses every day. In this Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, photo, Caiti Riley, who lost her left leg when she was 4-years-old, poses for a photo near her home in San Antonio. Riley's insurance plan is paying most of the cost for a new running leg to complement the one she uses every day. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) "I work out every day, there's nothing really that I can't do now," she said. Glaring differences in insurance coverage persist for amputees, children with autism and others in need of certain expensive treatments even after the Affordable Care Act set new standards as part of its push to expand and improve coverage, and despite efforts by states to mandate coverage for some treatments. These differences don't develop simply because some people pay more for better coverage. Instead, they stem from random factors like what state someone lives in or who happens to provide their coverage and often people can do nothing about it. The federal health care law largely leaves decisions on what actually gets covered up to states or employers who provide insurance for their workers. These gaps can bury patients in debt or force them to skip care. And they may become more common as health care costs continue to rise and insurers and employers look for ways to control that expense. Researcher Sabrina Corlette thinks nothing short of federal action can close these coverage gaps, and she doesn't see that happening anytime soon. "I think you would need to see Congress say, 'Ok, we need more uniformity here,'" said Corlette, a Georgetown Health Policy Institute professor. "And I just don't see this Congress or any near-term Congress stepping in and wanting to do that." States have passed about 1,800 mandates requiring the coverage of various treatments or conditions, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. But those mandates don't extend beyond state borders, and they don't apply to the self-funded coverage offered by nearly all large employers. North Carolina, for example, recently became one of 44 states to require coverage of autism treatments and it won't help Iris Castillo one bit. The Raleigh, North Carolina, resident said it felt like a cold bucket of water had been tossed on her when she learned that insurance from her new job won't cover applied behavior analysis therapy for her 9-year-old son, Alex. Hours of this daily therapy, which is a standard treatment for autistic children, have helped Alex learn simple tasks like how to brush his teeth or say hi to another kid. Castillo worries that her son will regress if treatment stops. But it can cost more than $40,000 a year, far beyond what Castillo's family can afford. "You don't feel like you're in control," she said. Her employer's coverage is self-funded, which means it pays its own health care bills instead of buying coverage from an insurer. That also means it doesn't have to comply with most state coverage mandates. Employers have been slowly switching to this type of coverage for several years to help control what has become one of their largest expenses and to avoid some of the requirements imposed by the ACA, said Robert Laszewski, a health care consultant and former insurance executive. He expects gaps or differences in coverage to become more common as health expenses grow. Insurers and employers routinely cover organ transplants, heart procedures and other expensive surgeries. But coverage still varies widely for a range of patients that also includes people recovering from eating disorders like anorexia and women who need breast reduction surgery to ease back pain. The cost of a particular treatment, the need for it in a covered population and lingering disagreements over necessity help explain some coverage differences. Bariatric surgery, which can improve the health of obese patients by limiting food intake, can cost $7,000 to $30,000. Coverage is improving, and Dr. John Morton estimates that about 75 percent of patients who need the surgery have some insurance for it. But the quality of that coverage varies widely, according to the Stanford School of Medicine surgeon. Some plans only cover the procedure for severely obese patients, while others may charge deductibles of around $10,000, which can dissuade many from having surgery. An annual survey of large employers by the benefits firm Mercer found that 40 percent offered no coverage for infertility treatment last year. Some companies don't view it as essential to a person's health, while others with an eye toward attracting and keeping good workers, have started offering the coverage to help LGBT patients conceive. "We see a lot of variation between employers, and it's extremely confusing to the consumer," said Dr. David Kaplan, a senior partner at Mercer. Tracey Stahl, who lost her leg to cancer, got a prosthesis in January, but her leg shrank so the artificial limb no longer fits. This forces her to use crutches or a wheelchair when she has to walk more than a short distance. If the pain grows too intense, she retreats to bed and keeps her leg elevated. She bought her coverage on New York's public insurance exchange. Her insurer, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, said the coverage it sells there follows a model set by the state. The insurer rejected Stahl's claim for a new limb in May and then rejected her appeal in July. In Texas, Caiti Riley said her previous insurance capped limb coverage at $2,500 every four years, which she likened to "a smack in the face." Now her coverage is so good she says she almost feels bad about it. "I know what the challenges are," she said. "If you go out and get in a car accident and lose your leg, you're not going to be prepared for something like this." Sandwich chain Jimmy John's sells majority stake to Roark NEW YORK (AP) Sandwich chain Jimmy John's Sandwiches says it sold a majority stake in the company to private equity firm Roark Capital Group. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Roark Capital of Atlanta has invested in several fast food companies before, including pretzel seller Auntie Anne's and sandwich restaurant chain Arby's. FILE - In this Jan. 2, 2015, file photo, a sign advertises hiring opportunities at a Jimmy John's sandwich shop, as an employee walks out to make a delivery in Atlanta. Sandwich chain Jimmy John's Sandwiches says it sold a majority stake in the company to private equity firm Roark Capital Group. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) Founded in 1983, Jimmy John's has more than 2,500 Jimmy John's locations across the country and plans to open 1,100 more in the next few years. As a comparison, rival sandwich chain Subway has more than 44,000 shops. Lauer's rough night increases pressure on debate moderators NEW YORK (AP) Traffic cop or truth detector? The rough reception given Matt Lauer for his back-to-back interviews with Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump laid bare a disagreement over whether journalists who moderate presidential debates should call candidates out for telling lies. Online critics hit Lauer for spending too much time on Clinton's email server and trying to cut her answers short during Wednesday's NBC forum on national security issues. The bulk of the attacks, however, centered on Lauer's failure to challenge Trump on the Republican's assertion that he opposed the war in Iraq from its beginning, despite evidence of him supporting the war in a 2002 interview. "Everyone, and I mean everyone, knew this would happen," tweeted Paul Krugman, columnist for The New York Times. "And Matt Lauer didn't have a followup planned?" Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, with 'Today' show co-anchor Matt Lauer, left, speaks at the NBC Commander-In-Chief Forum held at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space museum aboard the decommissioned aircraft carrier Intrepid, New York, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) The NBC "Today" show host wasn't talking on Thursday, laying low on a day the hashtag "Lauering the Bar" trended on Twitter. He made one knowing reference while interviewing Dana Carvey on "Today." The comic, impersonating Russian leader Vladimir Putin, commended Lauer for his work at the forum. "You have a fan," he said. "One," replied Lauer, holding up his index finger. The response illustrated the pressure moderators will face during the three upcoming presidential debates, starting with Lauer's NBC colleague Lester Holt on Sept. 26. Even before Wednesday's forum, which was watched by 14.7 million people, the role of moderators as fact-checkers was being talked about after Fox News' Chris Wallace, who will be in charge of the third presidential debate on Oct. 19, said in an interview that "I don't believe my job is to be a truth squad." Others consider that a dereliction of duty. "By not adjudicating, the moderator leaves the viewing public with a 'he said, she said' situation when the journalist picked to be onstage could say, decisively, who is right," wrote Michael Calderone of The Huffington Post. Experts point out the difficulties of doing that in real time, particularly in a hyper-partisan atmosphere. CNN's Candy Crowley infuriated Republicans during a 2012 presidential debate for contradicting a Mitt Romney statement precisely what Lauer was criticized for not doing. "I don't think fact-checking is the function of the moderator," said Jim Lehrer, who moderated every first presidential debate of the general election campaign between 1988 and 2012. "It is the moderator's job to make sure the candidate has the opportunity to do the fact-checking. It's a subtle difference. If the moderator fact-checked all the time, you'd never get through it." This week's forum was an interview, not a debate with two candidates onstage at the same time, increasing the responsibility of the questioner to challenge untruths. Since he wasn't talking, it's impossible to know whether Lauer had considered whether it would have been repetitive given that earlier in the hour, Clinton had specifically pointed out that Trump had been fudging the record on Iraq. Emphasizing the importance of getting at the truth, Fox News Channel on Thursday afternoon had this headline onscreen beneath Trump as he talked about the forum: "Trump: I opposed the Iraq War from the beginning." Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, said she believed Trump's Iraq statement was important enough for Lauer to correct. But during a debate, a moderator has many things to consider: fairness, equal time, keeping the debate moving and not getting mired in minutiae. "You've got to make sure you're doing it to both candidates with the same set of rules," Jamieson said. "Most moderators, in the stress of the situation, don't have the capacity." CNBC panelist Becky Quick learned the pitfalls in a GOP forum last fall when Trump pushed back against her question about something the candidate had said previously. Challenged, she didn't immediately have the back-up material available, enabling Trump to sail past the moment. Trump's unusual campaign places even more pressure on moderators who try for fairness because he tells more falsehoods than most politicians, said Glenn Kessler, who writes the Fact Checker column for The Washington Post. Through July, Kessler had investigated the truth of 52 claims by Trump and awarded "four Pinocchios" to 33 of them, meaning they were "whoppers." By contrast, he found 14 percent of Clinton statements he studied reached that level, which he said was typical of most politicians. Many intense partisans don't believe or don't care when an independent analyst questions the truth of a candidate's statements. One way to insert fact-checking into a debate is for moderators to include it in questions posed, and there's often video evidence to illustrate contradictory statements. Lauer also could have pointed out Thursday that Trump's statement about Iraq had been fact-checked and voters could investigate it for themselves, said Alan Schroeder, author of "Presidential Debates: 50 Years of High-Risk TV." So much is a judgment call in the moment. Even Wallace, who said fact-checking wasn't his job, during a primary campaign debate challenged a Trump claim of potential cost savings with a graphic and admonition: "Your numbers don't add up, sir." With so many partisan, critical eyes watching, moderating can be a thankless job one that hasn't been fully defined, Lehrer said. "It is impossible to moderate anything without being criticized," said Lehrer, who did 12 presidential and vice presidential debates. "There's no such thing as a perfectly moderated debate. It's just not possible." ___ Follow David Bauder at twitter.com/dbauder. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/david-bauder David Fynn cast in London production of 'School of Rock' LONDON (AP) Andrew Lloyd Webber announced Thursday that actor David Fynn and 39 "quite awesome" kids will star in the London production of stage musical "School of Rock ," using the occasion as a cue to urge the government to maintain funding for school music programs. Fynn, the British star of NBC sitcom "Undateable," has been cast in the lead role of Dewey Finn, a rocker-turned-substitute teacher who forms a classroom rock band in the show based on the 2003 Jack Black movie of the same name. He's joined by a cast of youngsters ages 9-13 who sing and play their own instruments. Composer and producer Andrew Lloyd Webber, poses for photographers with children from the cast of "School of Rock: The Musical" at the New London Theatre, during a photo call in London, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. Comic actor David Fynn and 39 "quite awesome" kids will star in the London production of stage musical "School of Rock." (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) At the production's official launch Thursday, Lloyd Webber said "the depth of the musical talent that we auditioned is something that I have to admit that I didn't think we'd find immediately." "It's just incredible to think that these kids are playing this sort of music," he said. "I kind of feared that everybody would be all into their computers and that they'd be doing all of this programmed music." Lloyd Webber said the U.K.'s deficit-slashing government should keep funding music programs, because "every penny you spend on music in schools comes back twenty-fold." The head-banging musical has a surprisingly strong link to the British Parliament's House of Lords, whose members sport aristocratic titles and wear fur-trimmed scarlet robes on ceremonial occasions. Both Lloyd Webber, whose title is Lord Lloyd Webber, and book writer Julian Fellowes Lord Fellowes of West Stafford are Conservative members of the Lords. Fellowes, who wrote aristocratic drama "Downton Abbey," said the two men "did have one of the early meetings about the whole thing in the House of Lords." "This is what happens when peers get together: a rock musical," he added. And he joked: "I would have thought after 'Downton' it was a natural fit." "School of Rock" opens at the New London Theatre on Nov. 14. A New York production that opened last year and notched up four Tony Awards nominations is still running on Broadway. The Latest: Large crowds in 3 states protest pipeline BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) The Latest on the legal challenges and coordination of the four-state Dakota Access oil pipeline (all times local): 11:30 p.m. Hundreds of people have gathered in three states in a show of solidarity with protesters trying to halt the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline that will move oil from North Dakota to Illinois. Sam Grant of the Omaha tribe addresses members of the Ponca, Santee, Winnebago and Omaha Tribes in Nebraska and Iowa along with others during a rally on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, in front of the Army Corps of Engineers offices in Omaha, Neb., to protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline in the Dakotas and Iowa. A judge is expected to rule Friday on whether to block construction of the pipeline that is supposed to pass close to the tribal reservation near the North Dakota-South Dakota border. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) The Omaha World-Herald reports members of four Nebraska Native American tribes participated in a demonstration in downtown Omaha against the pipeline Thursday evening outside the offices of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which granted permits for the project. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, hundreds gathered for an evening of speeches, dancing and chants of, "Water is life," according to the Tulsa World. Several hundred marchers also rallied in Denver. The Standing Rock Sioux tribe has sued to try to stop the $3.8 billion project, and the fight has drawn thousands of protesters to a construction site in North Dakota in recent weeks. A federal judge is set to rule Friday on the tribe's request to temporarily stop construction near its reservation. ___ 8 p.m. The Yankton Sioux Tribe in southern South Dakota has sued federal regulators for approving permits for the Dakota Access Pipeline that will move oil from North Dakota to Illinois. The tribe filed the lawsuit Thursday against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which issued permits for the project. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is also a defendant. The lawsuit, which asks that the Corps-issued permits be vacated, says the pipeline's route passes through the tribe's treaty lands. It says construction activities in that area will "destroy sites of enormous cultural importance," causing "injury" to the tribe on a cultural, spiritual and historical level. The Corps did not immediately return a call seeking comment Thursday evening. The lawsuit was filed ahead of a federal judge's impending ruling on a request by the Standing Rock Sioux to stop the four-state pipeline. ___ 12 p.m. Gov. Jack Dalrymple is activating the North Dakota National Guard ahead of a federal judge's impending ruling on a request by the Standing Rock Sioux to stop the four-state Dakota Access oil pipeline. Dalrymple says a handful of Guard members will help provide security at traffic checkpoints near the site of a large protest. Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, the head of the Guard, says another 100 Guard members will be on standby if needed to respond to any incidents. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg is expected to rule by Friday on the tribe's request to temporarily stop construction on the Dakota Access pipeline. The tribe has been leading a protest for weeks at a site where the route passes near its reservation near the North Dakota-South Dakota border. The protest has included tense confrontations at times, and violence broke out Saturday between private security guards and protesters. ___ 9:50 a.m. North Dakota's chief archaeologist plans to inspect an area along the route of the $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline where Standing Rock Sioux officials say they've identified cultural artifacts. Paul Picha (PEE'-kuh) told The Associated Press that the trip likely won't happen until next week. If any artifacts are found, pipeline work would cease. Picha says state officials earlier surveyed the route, but not the disputed site, which is on private land west of State Highway 1806. Last weekend, tribal officials said crews bulldozed several sites of "significant cultural and historic value" in that area, which Texas-based pipeline company Energy Transfer Partners denies. A federal judge allowed construction to continue there earlier this week, but is expected to rule by Friday on the tribe's lawsuit challenging federal permits. The pipeline starts in western North Dakota and crosses through South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois. Members of the Ponca, Santee, Winnebago and Omaha Tribes in Nebraska and Iowa along with others participate gather during a rally on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, in front of the Army Corps of Engineers offices in Omaha, Neb., to protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline in the Dakotas and Iowa. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) 1st chimps from Louisiana lab arrive at Georgia sanctuary BLUE RIDGE, Ga. (AP) A Louisiana university says the first group of nine retired chimpanzees from a Louisiana research lab has arrived at a new animal sanctuary in the north Georgia mountains. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Project Chimps near Blue Ridge, Georgia, announced the move Thursday in a joint news release. The university said the chimps that arrived at the Project Chimps sanctuary Thursday will be followed by many transfers to eventually relocate all 220 chimpanzees from New Iberia, Louisiana. Project Chimps has said the New Iberia Research Center was among the first non-federal research programs to arrange to release all of its research chimps. The Latest: Florida officers kill man in exchange of gunfire LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) The Latest on a Florida fugitive who died after exchanging gunfire with detectives (all times local): 1:25 p.m. A Florida sheriff says a 32-year-old fugitive is dead following an exchange of gunfire with detectives. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says Francis Perry died at a hospital in Lakeland on Thursday morning, hours after officers with a multi-agency drug task force pulled him over. The sheriff says Perry refused to roll down his dark-tinted car windows, so a detective finally smashed a passenger window. Judd says that's when Perry fired at them with a handgun, and all four detectives fired back, at least 28 times. The officers performed CPR until medics arrived and took Perry to the hospital. Records show Perry was arrested 20 times in as many years, starting with a shoplifting charge when he was 10. He served three stints in prison, and was a self-declared white supremacist. Judd says the detectives found thousands of dollars worth of methamphetamines in the car. _______ 10:25 a.m. A Florida sheriff says detectives wounded a fugitive in an exchange of gunfire after stopping his car. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd tells local news outlets that a multi-agency drug task force pulled over Francis Perry, a self-described white supremacist who served time for meth possession and assault, on a fugitive warrant Wednesday evening. Detectives said they found a "trafficking amount" of what appears to be methamphetamine in the car. OBAMA LEGACY: Outreach to Asia still a work in progress VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) President Barack Obama's final trip across the Pacific this week wasn't just a valedictory tour through Asia. It was a tour through the good, the bad and the ugly of his Asia policy. As Obama hopped from summit to summit in China and Laos, the geopolitical forces and characters that have confounded his attempt to reshape American influence in the region arose for parting shots. China flexed its muscle, North Korea reared its head, Washington politics piped up from afar, even the Middle East a perpetual distraction for Obama briefly stole the spotlight. Obama's successes also had their turn. The president celebrated progress in his long fight against climate change. He reset relations with an erstwhile war enemy. He used the power of his personal story to connect with Asia's rising generation. U.S. President Barack Obama clasps his hands to bid farewell from Air Force One just before taking off at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, Laos, Thursday, Sep 8, 2016. Obama concluded his meeting with leaders of the Association of Southern Asian Nations (ASEAN) at a summit aimed at strengthening the U.S.- ASEAN strategic partnership. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe) And so, as he moved from tarmac to pagoda, from crowded summit dinners to a quiet Buddhist temple, Obama confronted his legacy: He will leave unfinished his effort to shift U.S. diplomatic and military attention and military spending from the Middle East to a rising Asia. But he has set a course for his successor should he or she chose to follow it. "Many American presidents in the past have said, 'Oh, Asia is the future.' With the pivot, Obama said, 'Asia is not just the future, it is now,'" said Victor Cha, President George W. Bush's former Asia adviser. "It set a bar that other presidents will either try to meet, or not. And that would be noticed." Democrat Hillary Clinton is largely viewed as backing Obama's approach. Republican Donald Trump has sharply criticized Obama as being weak in his negotiations with the Chinese. Obama on Thursday shot back: "I don't think the guy is qualified to be president of the United States. And every time he speaks, that opinion is confirmed." Soon after his election, Obama put a premium on ensuring Asian capitals knew they would be more than an afterthought to him. Evan Medeiros, Obama's top Asia adviser until last year, said the president began in 2009 with a round of meetings and calls to Asian leaders to say he knew many were frustrated with Washington, but that he wanted a "fresh start." Obama committed to attend the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations annual meeting, a regional summit that China, too, attends, as well as the East Asia Summit. His repeated visits led him to 14 Asia-Pacific countries during his tenure besting the tallies of Bush and President Bill Clinton, who each visited nine. He was first sitting president to visit Myanmar, Cambodia and, on Tuesday, tiny landlocked Laos. "Anytime we asked Obama to do something on Asia, he did it," Medeiros said. The president used his frequent trips for maximum symbolic value and capitalized on his connections. Particularly in Southeast Asia, Obama would recall his childhood years in Indonesia. He took regular detours to landmarks and temples. He slipped off his shoes and toured a centuries-old temple in the northern city of Luang Prabang, Laos. The lush scenery, "it's very familiar to me," he told a group of young people. For Obama, these trips became moments to connect with Asia's exceedingly young population and to cast aside old antagonisms. He was the first president to visit Hiroshima. He lifted the arms embargo on Vietnam. He declared the U.S. had a "moral obligation" to help Laos recover from the nine-year shadow war the U.S. conducted in the 1960s and 1970s. Obama announced an infusion of new U.S. aid for cleanup of unexploded ordnance. As Obama expanded the map, he negotiated a massive Trans-Pacific Partnership, a multi-nation free trade pact at the heart of his plan to counter China's economic dominance. Years of negotiation landed a deal, but not in time to save it from an election-year flogging. Deviating sharply from Obama, Clinton now says she opposes the deal, as does Trump. The deal is stalled for the foreseeable future in a Republican-led Congress unwilling to give an outgoing president a major win. Obama's efforts are at the core of a game of catch up. China dominates economically and culturally across the region. While the U.S. will now spend $90 million in Laos over 3 years to clear unexploded ordnance, the Chinese have committed $7 billion for a high-speed railroad. Obama has argued repeatedly that the goal of his so-called Asia rebalance strategy is not to contain China or meddle. Still, he was repeatedly reminded of whose sandbox he was playing in. When he was forced to disembark Air Force One from the plane's back exit in Hangzhou, due to a stair snafu, observers called in a sly snub by the Chinese. Trump declared he would have abandoned the summit. Obama said Thursday that Trump's take was "overblown." The White House has instead focused on diplomacy with Beijing. Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping eagerly celebrated the next step in a landmark climate change deal, the high-water mark of their relationship. But other diplomatic efforts yielded less celebratory results. China lobbied aggressively and successfully at ASEAN to avoid a forceful rebuke for its recent territorial expansion in the resource-rich South China Sea. It was likely aided by Cambodia, which had recently secured a $600 million aid package from Beijing. Obama walked away from his talks with no progress to announce on his standing effort to get Beijing to use its influence to prod North Korea to trim its nuclear program. Pyongyang responded to the arrival of world leaders in the region by launching three ballistic missiles, a move analysts cast as a cry for attention. Obama condemned the act and promised to tighten sanctions, but the incident served as a reminder that North Korea has become an even more unpredictable nuclear threat during Obama's tenure. The launch wasn't the only distraction. Talks with Russia over a possible cease-fire in the Syrian civil war sucked up much of the oxygen in Hangzhou. The effort to find a deal like the conflict in the Middle East is to be continued. ___ U.S. President Barack Obama glances at the leaders as he attends the East Asia Summit on the last day of the 28th and 29th Association of Southeast Asian Nations summits at the National Convention Center, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 in Vientiane, Laos. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) Federal prosecutors will not pursue another case against former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell or his wife after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned his corruption conviction last month, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia said Thursday. The decision ends a yearlong legal saga for the former governor and once-rising Republican star, who was convicted in 2014 of violating federal bribery law by accepting luxury gifts and loans from a wealthy businessman in exchange for promoting his dietary supplement. The high court unanimously held that McDonnell's actions were distasteful but didn't necessarily violate federal bribery laws. Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell will be able to put his federal bribery case behind him after prosecutors said Thursday that they won't re-try him or his wife following the Supreme Court's reversal of an earlier criminal corruption conviction HAPPIER TIMES: Bob and Maureen McDonnell beamed at his inaugural ball in 2010, before the wheels fell off his career amid an aggressive corruption prosecution that the Supreme Court later slapped down McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, were convicted in 2014 of doing favors for wealthy vitamin executive Jonnie Williams in exchange for more than $165,000 in gifts and loans. Williams, who was seeking state university research on his company's signature anti-inflammatory product, loaned the couple tens of thousands of dollars to help them pay debts and keep their money-losing Virginia Beach vacation rental properties afloat. Williams bought nearly $20,000 in designer clothing and accessories for Maureen McDonnell and a Rolex watch for Bob McDonnell. He also paid for trips and golf outings for the couple and their children, and gave $15,000 for catering at McDonnell daughter's wedding. At issue in McDonnell's case was a federal bribery law that makes it illegal for a public official to agree to take 'official action' in exchange for money, gifts and other things of value. In vacating McDonnell's conviction, the Supreme Court ruled that setting up a meeting or organizing an event without doing more isn't considered an 'official act.' While McDonnell's actions may have been 'distasteful,' Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the high court's concern 'is not with tawdry tales of Ferraris, Rolexes and ball gowns,' but with 'the broader legal implications of the government's boundless interpretation of the federal bribery statute.' Several state lawmakers and members of Virginia's congressional delegation had urged Attorney General Loretta Lynch not to retry McDonnell, arguing that he and his family have suffered enough. Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe has also questioned the need for another case. 'It is time to move on,' McAuliffe said after the Supreme Court decision. 'This man has paid the price.' Bob McDonnell (left), once a rising star in Republican politics and occasionally floated as a vice presidential option, will get his life back but won't likely ever again be a political power-player. is wife Maureen (right) has been spared jail along with him Prosecutors also decided to drop charges against Maureen McDonnell, who was sentenced to one year in prison. A federal appeals court put her case on hold until the Supreme Court examined her husband's case. 'We thank the Department of Justice for the care with which they reviewed the case, Maureen McDonnell's attorney William A. Burck of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, said after the charges were dropped. Dispute intensifies over Gabon presidential election LIBREVILLE, Gabon (AP) The dispute over Gabon's presidential election intensified Thursday as opposition candidate Jean Ping mounted a legal challenge, accusing the incumbent leader of fraud. The filing at the constitutional court was lodged by the Thursday deadline, according to a Ping lawyer, Jean Remy Bantsantsa. Ping, who seeks to unseat the family that has ruled this oil-rich Central African country for more than four decades, already has publicly declared himself the winner. FILE-In this file photo taken on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015, Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba, leaves the Elysee Palace after a meeting with French President Francois Hollande as part of preparation of the upcoming COP21 Climate Conference in Paris, France. President Ondimba on Wednesday Sept. 7, 2016 tried to deflect European Union observers' findings of a voting anomaly in his stronghold province that pushed him over the edge to win re-election, accusing his lead opponent of ballot fraud and a plot to seize power. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, File) Official election results said incumbent President Ali Bongo Ondimba won the Aug. 27 vote by less than 2 percentage points. There is no provision for a runoff in Gabon. Gabon's U.N. Ambassador Michael Moussa-Adamo told The Associated Press that there may be a government announcement Friday about the constitutional court. He accused Ping of trying to rig the election and said the government has a confession from someone who allegedly helped his party hack the results. "We have mountains of evidence of tampering from neighboring countries" to help Ping "steal the election," Moussa-Adamo said. "It's covert and documented." The EU observer commission has said that in addition to not having full access to all districts within Bongo's stronghold Haut-Ogooue province, voter turnout there appeared inflated. According to the country's electoral commission, the province saw a 99.93 percent turnout, with 95 percent voting in favor of Bongo. The EU noted that would mean only 47 people in the province would not have voted. Other provinces showed a 48 percent voter turnout on average, the EU said. Moussa-Adamo said the EU never said the elections weren't free and fair and "there's a lot of questions" about why it raised the "abnormalities" now. He noted that in some counties the opponents had over 100 percent voting "and nobody is questioning them." Fiery protests erupted after the results were announced last week. The opposition maintains as many as 100 people have died in the violence, while the government toll remains at three dead. France's prime minister has suggested a recount, and the United States and France have urged the government to publish results by individual polling stations. Gabon's justice minister has resigned over the government's refusal to recount the ballots Bongo came to power in 2009 after the death of his father, who had ruled Gabon since the 1960s. ___ Associated Press Writer Edith M. Lederer contributed to this report from the United Nations Iranian faction among Kurds trained by US against militants KHARABRUD, Iraq (AP) An Iranian Kurdish rebel group received military training in weapons and explosives from U.S. and European advisers as part of the international program backing Kurds in the war against the Islamic State group in Iraq, the group's commander told The Associated Press. The group, called the Kurdistan Freedom Party, is one of several Iranian Kurdish factions that have carried out attacks this year inside Iran, sparking a crackdown by security forces. At the same time, the group has been fighting alongside Iraqi Kurds against Islamic State group militants in northern Iraq. The training is a further twist in the complex web of alliances and enmities swirling around the wars in Iraq and Syria. Iran is a powerful backer of the Iraqi government and Iraqi Shiite militias against the Islamic State group. In this Monday, Sept. 5, 2016 photo made from video, a militiaman of the Kurdistan Freedom Party, an Iranian Kurdish opposition group, looks over the sandbags at a section of the frontline near the Iraqi city of Kirkuk. The leader of the armed Kurdish group in Iran says it received military weapons and explosives training from American and European advisers as part of the war against the Islamic State group. (AP Photo/Balint Szlanko) It appeared that the Iranian faction made its way into the training because it is officially under the umbrella of the Iraqi Kurdish forces. But any training of Iranian insurgents, even indirectly through the anti-IS campaign, could alarm Tehran, which remains a top rival of Washington and U.S. allies in the region despite their common cause in fighting the militants in Iraq and despite last year's nuclear deal. Speaking to The Associated Press this week, the Kurdistan Freedom Party's commander Hussein Yazdanpana said he recognized that the training was for the fight against IS. "They helped and trained us within the framework of the fight against Daesh," or the Islamic State group, he said. But he said his group, known by the Kurdish acronym PAK, would continue attacks in Iran, adding that the fight against IS "was never an alternative to their struggle" against the Iranian government. Yazdanpana said his group has launched six attacks inside of Iran this year alone. Iranian Kurdish fighters have waged an on-again, off-again insurgency in mainly Kurdish areas of northwestern Iran near the Iraqi border, complaining of discrimination by Tehran and demanding independence for Kurds. This year has seen a new surge in attacks and clashes between the fighters and Iranian security forces, including the elite Revolutionary Guard, leading to casualties on both sides. Iranian forces also shelled Kurdish positions just across the Iraqi border in response. The government of the Iraqi Kurdish autonomous zone has called for a halt to any attacks into Iran by Kurds in Iraqi territory. The main faction carrying out the bulk of the violence is the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, known as the PDKI, which is also based in Iraq but is not involved in the fight against IS and so did not receive any international training. The U.S.-led coalition has been training Iraqi Kurdish fighters, known as peshmerga, to fight the Islamic State group ever since the militants swept across much northern, western and central Iraq in the summer of 2014. The peshmerga are a mix of multiple Iraqi factions. The Iranian PAK believed to number several hundred is closely allied to the main ruling party in Iraq's Kurdish autonomous region, so its fighters have been helping in the fight against IS. The PAK's fighters are under the umbrella of the regional government's Peshmerga Ministry, which governs which groups receive training. Italian Army Capt. Giulio Macari, a spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition in the Iraqi Kurdish city of Irbil, told the AP that the party "probably" received training, since Western advisers offered help all to Kurdish militias under the ministry's control. Macari said the coalition did not choose the groups that it was training. Yazdanpana said the trainers "no doubt" knew who his group was. The PAK fighters wear uniforms similar to the Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga, but with their group's orange and white logo. He said PAK fighters had three rounds of training by American advisers between March and September 2015 at the front line where they are deployed in central Kirkuk province. The group's fighters went through further rounds of training later alongside other Iraqi Kurdish fighters, he said. PAK fighters control some 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) of front-line territory west of the Iraqi city of Kirkuk as well as some positions east of the city of Mosul. A senior Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga official, Maj. Gen. Karaman Kemal Omar confirmed that American advisers carried out training at the Kirkuk front line. Asked if the PAK was among those trained, he said the training was given to all units at the location "without distinction." The training included infantry tactics, weapons handling and bomb disposal. Omar is the deputy chief of staff for operations and training in the Peshmerga ministry. Maj. Josh T. Jacques, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, which oversees the fight against IS, said early Wednesday that it was "not aware of any training provided by CENTCOM to the Kurdistan Freedom Party militia." Senior U.S. defense officials said the training and equipment is meant for forces who are fighting Islamic State militants and not to be used for other conflicts or battles with other nations. They said that groups only get the amount of equipment and ammunition they need for the immediate battle they are in, so it would be unlikely that any of that would be used in other fights. Officials said they had no specific information about the PAK fighters and it wasn't clear if the coalition would continue training the group if it became known that fighters were using it for conflicts in Iran rather than against Islamic State insurgents. The officials spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they wasn't authorized to discuss the matter publicly. ___ Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed to this report. In this Monday, Sept. 5, 2016 photo, militiaman of the Kurdistan Freedom Party, an Iranian Kurdish opposition group, stands behind his truck-mounted machine gun on a section of the frontline near the Iraqi city of Kirkuk. The leader of the armed Kurdish group in Iran says it received military weapons and explosives training from American and European advisers as part of the war against the Islamic State group. (AP Photo/Balint Szlanko) Russian Mideast push could hurt US influence, if talks occur WASHINGTON (AP) American influence over the Middle East could slip a notch after Israel and the Palestinians agreed in principle to Russian-organized talks in Moscow. That is, if the negotiations ever happen. Russia has clamored unsuccessfully for years to host such a gathering and the Russian Foreign Ministry's announcement on Thursday included no date or agenda for the future get-together. Making the meeting even more uncertain: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' demands that Israel first halt all settlement construction in east Jerusalem and the West Bank, and release about two dozen Palestinian prisoners. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects the preconditions. If the meeting occurs, it would surely rattle the region's tumultuous ground further. The United States has maintained a stranglehold over all Mideast peace processes since the Oslo Accords in the 1990s, seen by Israelis and Palestinians alike as the indispensable mediator and only power that could guarantee a two-state solution. But the Obama administration doesn't appear to enjoy that recognition any longer. The degradation of America's standing coincides with its difficulty projecting its vision across the Middle East. On Syria, Washington has pleaded with Russia for a ceasefire even as Moscow advances the position of the Russian-backed government over U.S.-supported rebels. In the war against the Islamic State, the U.S. has been unable to secure a quick victory and is challenged by fighting among allies such as Turkey and the Kurds. In Yemen, the U.S. has lost hope of ally Saudi Arabia pushing Iranian-backed Houthis out of the capital by force. State Department spokesman Mark Toner on Thursday rejected the notion that the U.S. is losing primacy in the region. But he appeared skeptical that it was the right time for such a meeting in Moscow. "We need to make sure that any face-to-face talks have the right climate in which to succeed in," Toner told reporters. He specifically cited Israel's ongoing settlement activity and Palestinian glorification of violence as hindrances to a peace settlement. Abbas has been fishing for the last couple of years for an alternative peace process, frustrated with President Barack Obama's inability to make any progress on a peace deal. He has welcomed a new French initiative that foresees a separate Israeli-Palestinian peace conference before year-end, but involving more global powers like last year's Iran nuclear diplomacy. He also wants U.N. Security Council action. Netanyahu, too, is making a statement by tentatively accepting the overture from Russia, which has traditionally pitted itself as the strongest advocate of the Palestinians among the Quartet of Mideast peace mediators. Washington is Israel's champion. The United Nations and European Union are somewhere in between. Netanyahu, whose relationship with Obama has always been frosty, is fearful the U.S. president may try to initiate a new process in his last days in office, or seek to use his remaining clout to wring Israeli concessions, Western officials with knowledge of the private diplomatic discussions say. As a result, Netanyahu has been trying to beat back any new American initiative he might see as threatening by starting a separate process first, according to the officials, who weren't authorized to speak publicly on the matter and demanded anonymity. He has discussed a new track with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and floated different ideas to European leaders. None of these endeavors has been clearly defined. Netanyahu "likes the idea of a counter-initiative," said David Makovsky at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, while Russian President Vladimir Putin gets another opportunity to "poke the U.S. in the eye." The Palestinians seek to establish an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem territories Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war. Netanyahu refuses to accept Israel's pre-1967 lines as a basis for border talks. There have been no meaningful Israeli-Palestinian talks since Netanyahu took office in 2009. The last round broke down in 2014 after months of fruitless, primarily indirect negotiations brokered by Secretary of State John Kerry. If a Moscow meeting takes place, the chances for substantial progress would seem slim. And that also may explain why American officials are tempering their comments. Aaron David Miller, a former Mideast negotiator in Democratic and Republican administrations, questioned whether Putin's peacemaking offer was serious. Nevertheless, he said in a recent opinion piece, the U.S. should let the Russian leader try. "Putin would almost certainly fail, tarnishing his vaunted image and likely angering Israelis and Palestinians," Miller wrote. Prison sentences for 4 more Detroit principals who got gifts DETROIT (AP) Four more Detroit school principals have been sent to prison for taking cash and gifts from a contractor. Ronald Alexander, who pleaded guilty to accepting $23,000, wasn't remorseful Thursday. He called himself a "hero" to families and a victim of the scheme. Federal Judge Victoria Roberts wasn't swayed, noting Alexander had pleaded guilty. She sentenced him to a year in prison, the same punishment given to principal Gerlma Johnson. Tanya Bowman was sentenced to nine months in prison, and Tia'Von Moore-Patton got six months. Prosecutors say bogus invoices were submitted for paper and other supplies. In exchange, principals received gift cards, cash and checks from contractor Norman Shy. He was sentenced to five years in prison this week. 'What is Aleppo?' Syrians share stories from war-torn city BEIRUT (AP) Asked on MSNBC's Morning Joe on Thursday what he would do about the conflict in Aleppo, U.S. presidential candidate Gary Johnson replied, "what is Aleppo?" In the U.S., his comments sparked debate over the lack of foreign policy discussions in these presidential elections. But for many Syrians it was an opportunity to vent their frustration and bring the world's attention to one of Syria's oldest cities, and the scene of some of the fiercest fighting in the five-year civil war. Using the hashtag, #WhatIsAleppo, Facebook and Twitter users shared stories of its ancient history and its modern woes. Some posted pictures of Aleppo's beautiful narrow streets and the 13th century citadel that towers over the city. FILE - In this Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012 file photo, smoke rises over Saif Al Dawla district, in Aleppo, Syria. Asked what he will do about Aleppos intractable situation, U.S Presidential candidate Gary Johnson responded in earnest: What is Aleppo? His comments caused a debate in the U.S. about the importance of foreign policy issues in the current presidential elections.(AP Photo/ Manu Brabo, File) Others shared images of the destruction that has beset Aleppo, particularly its rebel-held neighborhoods, which were recently described by one rebel fighter as "like walking into Hiroshima." Many posted pictures of Aleppo's residents, such as the iconic image of five-year-old Omran Daqneesh, photographed sitting on an orange chair, covered in dust, his pale face smeared with blood following an airstrike. The population of Syria's largest city has fallen from 3.1 million in 2011 to an estimated 2 million today, as families have fled four years of violence and hardship. Once Syria's commercial center, large parts of Aleppo are under siege and food and basic necessities are often scarce, dependent on humanitarian aid convoys that arrive only after complex international negotiations. Aleppo's renowned textile factories have been destroyed. The city's rich cultural and religious mix of Christians, Muslims, Armenians and Kurds has been torn apart by the conflict. "If you are wondering #WhatISAleppo: More than 100 cases of suffocation in al-Sukkari neighborhood, #Aleppo, in a chlorine gas #BarrelBombs attack," the Syrian Coalition, an exiled opposition group, tweeted. It referred to a suspected toxic gas attack by government helicopters on Tuesday that killed two people and left at least 80 with breathing problems. The government on Thursday denied using the toxic gas. For Wissam Zarqa, a 34-year-old resident of rebel-held Aleppo, the city is the embodiment of the "will to live." He returned to his hometown from Saudi Arabia last year and gives English classes to children whose schools have long closed. "There is something magical about the return of life to an area after a barrel bomb has just been dropped," he told The Associated Press via WhatsApp messages. "When I first returned to Aleppo 16 months ago, a missile hit the last floor of the building I live in. Half an hour later, the kids had finished cleaning the street outside the building." Unsurprisingly when its neighborhoods are physically separated by gunmen and sandbags, the people of Aleppo are divided over what their city is. "#WhatIsAleppo. It was an industrial hub of Syria until rebels invaded, looted her factories & smuggled them to Turkey," tweeted Bassem, a self-proclaimed secular Syrian with a large following on Twitter. Aida, a 78-year-old native of Aleppo who left her hometown four decades ago and has not returned since the conflict began, pointed to her city's heritage as one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns. Unlike many other ancient cities, its location has never changed. "Aleppo has always circled and hovered around the citadel. It never changed axis. It grows with the same citadel at the center," she said. She did not want to give her last name to protect her privacy. The citadel, at least, is damaged but still standing. But not for the first time in its long history, Aleppo finds itself torn between international powers. Turkey is a main supporter of the city's rebel groups, and has sent its military to Aleppo province to fight Islamic State group extremists and rival Kurdish rebels. Russia and Iran are supporting the Syrian government's bid to gain control over the city. The U.S. and Russia are locked in protracted negotiations over a cease-fire in the city, after a previous truce deal collapsed in Aleppo in April. In the meantime, the International Committee for the Red Cross describes Aleppo simply as "one of the most devastating urban conflicts in modern times." Naval Academy to honor computer scientist Grace Hopper ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) The U.S. Naval Academy will name its future cyber building after Grace Hopper, a pioneering computer scientist and U.S. Navy rear admiral, the academy's superintendent announced Thursday. Vice Adm. Ted Carter made the announcement at the academy's "Athena Conference: Heroines of the past, present and future," which is marking the 40th anniversary of women's admission to the academy. The cyber facility, which will be called Hopper Hall, will be the first building named after a woman at the three main service academies. Often referred to as "Amazing Grace" and the mother of computing, Hopper joined the U.S. Navy Reserve during World War II. She later worked on a team to develop the UNIVAC computer and convert mathematic code into language. That led to developing the first compiler in 1952, which led to the creation of COBOL. Carter said Hopper also wanted to be known for training men and women in the Navy. "So today, her vision, her legacy, will follow through in this field of dreams of cyber for the admiral of the cyber seas Adm. Grace Hopper," Carter said. A group of women who were the first females to graduate from the academy in 1980 were on hand to applaud the announcement. It meant a lot to Midshipman Frances Kratz, who said she "teared up a little bit" when she heard the building would be named for a Navy woman who inspired her. The sophomore computer science major said Hopper was a big influence on her decision to study computers at the academy. "I just really think that she was so influential, for not only the women in the Navy, but for computer science," Kratz, of Tampa, Florida, said. "Obviously, she was such a leader in that field, and I'm just so excited that it's going to be named after her." Carter noted Hopper Hall will likely be the last major academic building constructed on school grounds, which is tight for space along the Severn River. Groundbreaking is set for Oct. 21 on the 206,000-square-foot building. The academy hopes to have the $106 million facility operational by 2019. It will be built between the Nimitz Library and Rickover Hall. The academy requires all students to take two cyber security classes in a field of increasing importance to national security and civilian computer networks. The school graduated its first cyber security majors this year. Next year, it hopes to become the nation's first college to have a cyber major accredited by ABET, a leading nonprofit accrediting agency for the disciplines of applied science, computing and engineering. In 'Cameraperson,' life seen through an intrepid lens NEW YORK (AP) Kristen Johnson, leaning forward in a Manhattan coffee shop, isn't entirely sure what to call her film. "Cameraperson" is a meditative montage of outtakes from Johnson's 25 years as a documentary cinematographer, mixed in with footage of Johnson's own life, including her now 4-year-old twins and her mother while in the drift of Alzheimer's. They are moments, stitched together, presented without commentary, in which we see intimacies at home and in war zones through Johnson's eyes, or more to the point, through her camera. "Memoir feels too centered on self," says Johnson, leaning forward in a Manhattan coffee shop. "I almost would say it's evidence. Evidence of relationships. I really do think that I've learned that in making this film that an image is always a relationship, and it's not just a relationship in the moment that it's taken in. It's a relationship that moves on into the future and it creates more relationships." This image released by Janus Films shows director Kirsten Johnson, right, during the filming of the documentary, "Cameraperson." (Janus Films via AP) "Cameraperson," which opens in New York on Friday before traveling elsewhere, has been hailed on the festival circuit as a wholly original, even transcendent documentary about life through a lens. It grew out of Johnson's own questions about her work, about how a camera captures and frames reality, and what that means for its subjects, its filmmakers and an audience. Johnson has been behind the camera for many award-winners ("Citizenfour," ''Fahrenheit 9/11"), but most of the footage in "Cameraperson" doesn't depend on the context of the source films. There are moments of awe; Johnson can be heard gasping when, filming a stormy Midwestern horizon, a lightning bolt flashes. There are moments of anguish; a young woman's hands, in close up, as she painfully explains why she's in an abortion clinic. And there are moments where the camera preserves something essential, like an elderly woman talking about her life in post-war Bosnia. "Part of the way I remember is seeing," says Johnson. Johnson, who co-parents her children with the New York filmmaker Ira Sachs, was raised as a Seventh Day Adventist in Seattle. Movies were forbidden. Images were charged. The first films she saw were missionary films. "That was sort of my introduction to world cinema, as it were," she says. Her upbringing gave movies a transgressive quality that still remains for her. "It is always riding that edge of how much you're asking another person to reveal, how much can I trust you?" Johnson says. "The camera has always given me permission, to ask questions I wouldn't ask, physically be somewhere that I'm not necessarily supposed to be." Later in film school, she gravitated toward cinematography. "I realized if you're the person that gets to touch the camera, you're the person at the center of the film," she recalls. "Being the person who pushed record felt really significant." As a cinematographer, Johnson is always working to serve the narrative of her directors. But as a filmmaker inclined to roam and discover, Johnson has always had her own narrative, too. That feeling eventually led to "Cameraperson." ''At a certain point," she says, "it started to accumulate: 'Oh, my narrative is starting to be something in this.'" Her initial edit of the film, which she calls "the trauma cut," lent too heavily on her more searing experiences. (One frightful scene involves a midwife trying to save a newborn in a Nigerian clinic.) Shocked by how awful her accrued experiences really were, Johnson tried a new approach that expanded the film's purview. "I do feel like when you film, you have these moments of uncanny serendipity or connection that just cannot be explained in any way," she says. "I love when that happens. I can't explain it. I don't know what it is." Disjoined from their original films, those moments take on their own fleeting beauty and tragedy in "Cameraperson." Their capture on film, to Johnson, gives them a greater meaning. Glancing down at a reporter's voice recorder, she says recording is generative and conversation-starting: "Like, you and I wouldn't be having this conversation this quickly without this piece of machinery here between us." Or the footage Johnson took of that Bosnian woman. She later died without any photos left behind for her family. Johnson gave them one. "I know that matters," she says. "I don't know much else." ___ This story corrects to Seventh Day Adventist. ___ Kerry heads to Geneva for Syria talks with Russian FM WASHINGTON (AP) Secretary of State John Kerry is heading to Geneva for yet another meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to try to forge a nationwide truce in Syria, improve humanitarian aid deliveries and restart peace talks. The State Department said Kerry was departing Thursday to see Lavrov on Friday. On Wednesday, the Russian foreign ministry had announced the pair would meet Thursday and Friday, but the State Department never confirmed two days of talks. Since Aug. 26, Kerry and Lavrov have met three times to discuss Syria once in Geneva and twice in Hangzhou, China. The State Department said they have spoken by phone four times in the past two days: three times Wednesday and once Thursday. Lavrov briefly met with the U.N. special envoy on Syria, Staffan de Mistura, at a lakefront hotel in Geneva on Thursday night. No details were immediately available. Holy cow! California steer vies for world's tallest bovine EUREKA, Calif. (AP) Holy cow! A giant, 1-ton Holstein steer who loves to eat bread and romps like a puppy at a Northern California zoo is vying for the title of world's tallest bovine. His name is Danniel and he measures 6 feet, 4 inches from the hoof to the withers, a smidge taller than the current record-holder, the Eureka Times Standard reported Wednesday (http://bit.ly/2clzpLU ). A veterinarian and his keepers at the Sequoia Park Zoo in the city of Eureka measured Danniel on Tuesday to confirm his height, but Guinness World Records has yet to verify it. In this Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016 photo, co-owner Ken Farley of Ferndale, Calif., and animal care supervisor Amanda Auston tend to Danniel, a giant Holstein steer, at the Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka, Calif. (Shaun Walker/The Times-Standard via AP) According to the Guinness website, the tallest bovine ever was Blosom, a cow from Orangeville, Illinois, that measured 6 feet, 2 inches. Blosom died last year at age 13. Danniel is a gentle giant who loves hay and bread and trots over to whoever calls his name, owner Ann Farley said. "He's a handful to keep pinned, but he's part of the family," Farley said. He lives at the zoo after the Farleys inherited him from their late aunt, who owned a farm. They are looking to find Danniel a permanent home. Caring for the giant steer can be a challenge, said Amanda Auston of the Sequoia Park Zoo, adding that Danniel eats about 50 pounds of hay every day and produces up to 150 pounds of dung a day. "It's a small enclosure, so we have to pick it up all the time," she said. "I would like him to have more room to wander around and graze and do some more natural behavior." In this Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016 photo, Lucinda Smith and animal care supervisor Amanda Auston, right, tend to Danniel, a giant Holstein steer, at the Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka, Calif. (Shaun Walker/The Times-Standard via AP) In this Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016 photo, Lucinda Smith, left, and animal care supervisor Amanda Auston tend to Danniel, a giant Holstein steer, at the Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka, Calif. (Shaun Walker/The Times-Standard via AP) US tries rescue mission in Afghanistan, hostages not found WASHINGTON (AP) U.S special operations forces launched a rescue mission to retrieve two men kidnapped by insurgents in Afghanistan last month, but the hostages were not there when the rescue team arrived, U.S. defense officials said Thursday. Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said the rescue mission was approved by Defense Secretary Ash Carter and authorized by the president. Cook said no U.S. personnel or civilians were injured and added that he would not provide any more details "in order to protect the safety of hostages and operational security." According to defense officials, the mission was delayed one day because of questions about the intelligence and whether the hostages, an American and an Australian who worked at the American University of Afghanistan, were there. Officials would not provide the precise timing or location of the rescue attempt because they said it could jeopardize any possible future operations. Because of questions about the intelligence including the degree of confidence in the information that the men were at that location administration officials did not forward the mission request to President Barack Obama until the next day, officials said. Obama approved the mission, and commandos went out that next night. The officials said that when U.S. commandos arrived at the location, they killed seven enemy fighters. They said that based on interviews with people at the site, it's still not clear if the hostages were ever there. The officials were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, so spoke on condition of anonymity. Navy's futuristic destroyer makes port call in Rhode Island NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) The U.S. Navy's futuristic Zumwalt destroyer has arrived in Rhode Island for its first port visit since leaving the shipyard to join the fleet. The stealthy destroyer arrived at Naval Station Newport on Thursday. It was built at Bath Iron Works in Maine and left there Wednesday. It's headed to its commissioning in Baltimore, then to its homeport in San Diego. The future USS Zumwalt heads down the Kennebec River after leaving Bath Iron Works Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in Bath, Maine. The nation's biggest and most technologically sophisticated destroyer is going to join the Navy with half the normal crew size thanks to unprecedented automation. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) The 610-foot-long warship features an angular shape to minimize its radar signature, a powerful new gun system and a composite deckhouse that hides its radar and sensors. It's the largest and most expensive destroyer built for the Navy, with a price tag of more than $4.4 billion. The naval station says there will be no public tours while the ship is in Rhode Island for the four-day port visit. The future USS Zumwalt heads down the Kennebec River after leaving Bath Iron Works Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in Bath, Maine. The nation's biggest and most technologically sophisticated destroyer is going to join the Navy with half the normal crew size thanks to unprecedented automation. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) The future USS Zumwalt heads down the Kennebec River after leaving Bath Iron Works Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in Bath, Maine. The nation's biggest and most technologically sophisticated destroyer is going to join the Navy with half the normal crew size thanks to unprecedented automation. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) The future USS Zumwalt heads down the Kennebec River after leaving Bath Iron Works Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in Bath, Maine. The nation's biggest and most technologically sophisticated destroyer is going to join the Navy with half the normal crew size thanks to unprecedented automation. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Pence sees Trump as fitting heir to Reagan mantle LOS ANGELES (AP) Mike Pence sees a lot of Ronald Reagan in Donald Trump. The Republican vice presidential nominee on Thursday depicted the billionaire businessman as a fitting heir to the Reagan legacy with an agenda that in many ways reflects the ideas and inspiration of Reagan's White House era. Speaking at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, Pence heard a bit of laughter from the crowd when he acknowledged the 40th president and the man who wants to become the 45th have different styles. Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence speaks during a town hall meeting at the Springfield Exposition Center in Springfield, Mo., on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016. (Andrew Jansen/The Springfield News-Leader via AP) For starters, one was a Hollywood actor who grew up in the Midwest, he explained, the other is a real estate tycoon from New York. But he went on to argue there is much more that unites them, and noted that 2016 presents many of the same challenges that existed in 1980, the year Reagan ousted Democrat Jimmy Carter, including a struggling economy and trouble abroad. Taxes? Trump, like Reagan before him, wants to cut them, Pence said. Trump wants to strengthen the military, again like Reagan. And they have identical positions on the necessity of appointing conservatives to the Supreme Court, he added. "Ronald Reagan spoke the truth to the American people, just like Donald Trump has," Pence said. "Like my running mate, I'd say first and foremost Ronald Reagan knew his own mind. And he had the courage and the convictions to know what he was for and know what he was prepared to fight against," Pence added. Tribe challenging pipeline has some advantages in courtroom OMAHA, Neb. (AP) The American Indians challenging an oil pipeline that would cross four states have some legal advantages in a courtroom, particularly their tribe's status as a sovereign nation with long ties to the land in question. But stopping a major project like the Dakota Access pipeline after construction has begun is difficult, and even if the Standing Rock Sioux win in federal court, the end result might simply be an altered route. A judge is expected to rule Friday on whether to block construction of the pipeline that is supposed to pass close to the tribal reservation near the North Dakota-South Dakota border. No matter what the court decides, opponents seem prepared for a long fight, following many of the same tactics used to defeat the Canada-to-Nebraska segment of the Keystone XL pipeline. Members of the Ponca, Santee, Winnebago and Omaha Tribes in Nebraska and Iowa along with others participate gather during a rally on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, in front of the Army Corps of Engineers offices in Omaha, Neb., to protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline in the Dakotas and Iowa. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) The tribe's lawsuit alleges that the Dakota Access pipeline violates several federal laws, including the National Historic Preservation Act, and threatens the region's water supply and sacred ancient sites outside of the 2.3-million acre reservation. The tribe argues that the Corps should not have used a streamlined permit process when it reviewed the pipeline and that engineers did not do enough to consult with tribal members about the $3.8 billion project as required by the historic-preservation law. The Corps disputes those allegations. The consultation requirement is an example of how the tribe's status as a sovereign nation could give it more influence, said Tom King, a consultant who has worked with tribes and businesses on historic-preservation issues for roughly five decades. As a sovereign nation, the tribe is entitled to a formal process for airing any concerns. That process does not apply to a nearby rancher, for instance. Other tribes have prevailed under similar circumstances. Earlier this year, federal officials cancelled an oil and gas lease in northwest Montana because the Blackfoot tribes of the U.S. and Canada said the project would disturb an area they consider sacred. The Corps rejected a $700 million coal-export terminal proposed for Washington state because regulators decided the project would violate the Lummi tribe's treaty-protected fishing rights. The 1,172-mile Dakota Access project gained enough state and federal approvals to begin construction this summer on some sections of the route through North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois. Some of the work is on hold until the judge rules. The success of the fight against the failed Keystone XL pipeline has emboldened environmental groups, said Indiana University professor David Konisky, but he does not think the protests and lawsuits will stop the Dakota Access project. "I suspect it will be delayed and possibly changed, but all indications are it will be built," said Konisky, who studies public policy and has written a book about public attitudes on energy. This week's ruling isn't likely to settle the dispute. Appeals are likely no matter who wins this round. There have been other legal challenges and protests of the pipeline, with the most aggressive ones in North Dakota and Iowa. Several dozen protesters have been arrested after chaining themselves to construction equipment or otherwise trying to block the work. The fight over the Keystone XL lasted seven years. Forcing a significant delay in the Dakota Access project might be considered a victory in itself. "Delays are often critical elements to victory. It's a death by a thousand cuts. If there are so many delays and frustration on the overall project, you have a better chance of it not going through," said Omaha attorney Brian Jorde, who helped develop the pipeline-fighting plan while representing Nebraska landowners fighting Keystone XL. Jorde was part of a group that gathered over the summer in Atlanta with environmentalists and landowner-rights groups to build support for future pipeline battles. Other pipeline projects such as the Constitution pipeline in New York and Pennsylvania and the Palmetto pipeline in the Southeast have encountered strong opposition, said University of Minnesota professor Alexandra Klass. Both South Carolina and Georgia recently banned the use of eminent domain to secure land for oil pipelines. "Environmental groups didn't used to be that involved in oil and gas pipelines," said Klass, who specializes in energy law. "Now there is much more of a greater focus on making it difficult to transport fossil fuels, so that we can move more to renewable energy. So you have new alliances over climate change between national environmental groups and landowner groups that you didn't see 10 years ago." The strong opposition to a project like the Dakota Access pipeline can polarize public opinion about it, said Mark Barteau, director of the University of Michigan's Energy Institute. That can make it hard for any energy infrastructure project to be approved. "It's become increasingly difficult to look at projects like this," Barteau said, "and evaluate them on their merits and costs and benefits." Members of the Ponca, Santee, Winnebago and Omaha Tribes in Nebraska and Iowa along with others participate in a rally on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, in front of the Army Corps of Engineers offices in Omaha, Neb., to protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline in the Dakotas and Iowa. A judge is expected to rule Friday on whether to block construction of the pipeline that is supposed to pass close to the tribal reservation near the North Dakota-South Dakota border. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) 'Taxi' star Danny DeVito eyes Broadway bow early next year NEW YORK (AP) Danny DeVito will make his Broadway debut next year as a wily furniture dealer in Arthur Miller's "The Price." The Roundabout Theatre Company said Thursday the Emmy Award-winner from "Taxi" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" will star alongside John Turturro, Tony Shalhoub and Jessica Hecht. Performances begin Feb. 16 at the American Airlines Theatre. DeVito began his career in off-Broadway shows, including Shakespeare in the Park. In 2012, he starred with Richard Griffiths in a West End production of Neil Simon's "The Sunshine Boys." FILE - In this April 7, 2016 file photo, Danny DeVito arrives at the 5th Annual Reel Stories, Real Lives Benefit in Los Angeles. DeVito will make his Broadway debut next year as a wily furniture dealer in Arthur Millers The Price. The Roundabout Theatre Company said Sept. 8, that Devito will star alongside John Turturro, Tony Shalhoub and Jessica Hecht. Performances begin Feb. 16 at the American Airlines Theatre. (Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP, File) Decision by California panel leaves coastal land untouched NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) A long-awaited vote by a California panel will leave a valuable, 401-acre stretch of oil land overlooking the Pacific Ocean virtually untouched for now and without an immediate plan to develop or preserve it. The decision late Wednesday by the California Coastal Commission to deny a proposal to build nearly 900 homes means the land in Orange County will remain covered with a patchwork of oil wells and coastal shrubs that shelter rare wildlife coveted by residents who yearn for more open space. Environmentalists concede that some building should be allowed on the swath known as Banning Ranch but want to see the developer's plan for million-dollar homes, a 75-room hotel and shops downsized and confined to degraded areas that don't provide critical wildlife habitat. FILE - This Aug. 18, 2016 file photo shows what remains of an oil-extraction operation in Banning Ranch, on what is believed to be the biggest piece of privately-owned vacant land on Southern California's coast in Newport Beach. The California Coastal Commission will hold a hearing in Newport Beach on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, on the plan to build 895 homes, a 75-room hotel and retail complex on the 401-acre site long used for oil drilling. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File) Newport Banning Ranch, a partnership involving an oil producer and investment and real estate companies, can resubmit plans to build in six months for a fee. The group is also considering whether to sue the commission, said Adam Alberti, a spokesman for the developer. Before the 9-1 vote against the project, Newport Banning Ranch said oil drilling could continue if the homes weren't approved. While environmentalists want the site cleaned up, some said leaving the property as-is for now is better than building. "These coastal swaths and the rare and threatened animals and plants they house have become increasingly precious in California," said Noaki Schwartz, a commission spokeswoman. "In the end they made a tough but very solid decision." The debate came as large stretches of privately held coastal land south of Los Angeles have dwindled. Many have been developed and environmental groups are eager to preserve coastal lands and increase access for the public. Newport Banning Ranch comprised of Aera Energy, Cherokee Investment Partners and Brooks Street had proposed to clean up the oil mess and preserve about 80 percent of the land, creating walking trails for public access and educational programs. Initially, the proposed development was larger, but commission staff members disapproved. Developers then downsized the plan to 895 homes, but staff last month recommended shrinking the project further to protect habitat for the burrowing owl, which lives in holes dug by ground squirrels and is considered a bird of special concern in California. Newport Banning Ranch which had planned to use revenue from building the homes to pay oil cleanup costs said more downsizing would essentially kill the plan. "We are deeply disappointed in the Coastal Commission's actions and the actions of their staff that essentially torpedoed a viable plan to open, clean and restore Banning Ranch," Alberti said. "Where we go from here, we don't know." Environmental advocates welcomed the decision after hundreds of people packed an hours-long commission hearing in upscale Newport Beach, some carrying pictures of the owl. Many said the property owner must clean up the oil mess anyway, regardless of whether homes are built. While oil drilling has been done on the site for 70 years, the land is still home to species including the threatened California gnatcatcher a small, blue-gray songbird and a rare vernal pool system that fills with rainwater where endangered San Diego fairy shrimp are known to thrive. Oil activity has slowed on the property since its peak during the 1980s, but rusty pipes and equipment remain. Even so, nearby residents said they relish the coastal views. "People need to have open space just like the animals need it people need it, too," said Susan Jordan, executive director of the California Coastal Protection Network. 5 soldiers hurt in hard helicopter landing during training FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (AP) Officials say five soldiers have been injured in a hard helicopter landing during a training exercise at an Army base on the Kentucky-Tennessee border. A statement from Fort Campbell says the soldiers were in the middle of a routine training exercise Wednesday evening when the Chinook helicopter made a hard landing. All five soldiers were taken to medical treatment facilities, according to the statement. Media cited an Army statement saying two crew members were in stable condition Thursday at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville and three others were treated at the post hospital and released. No further information was immediately available. Adam Selman takes the runway from sunrise to sunset NEW YORK (AP) New York Fashion Week kicked off in earnest on Thursday, with highlights including a colorful journey from sunrise to sunset by Adam Selman, and an emotional appearance by an acid attack survivor from India, walking the runway to send a message of courage to other survivors of such attacks in her country. ___ SUNRISE TO SUNSET, VIA ADAM SELMAN The Adam Selman Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff) There were lots of shiny beads, little white sneakers, and attractive bare backs crossed only by the skimpiest of straps on Adam Selman's whimsical runway Thursday, a colorful journey from sunrise to sunset. For sunrise, there was the lightest of pastel pinks, whether in a casual pinstriped overall dress or a fancier beaded party dress. For sunset, things got appropriately darker, with smoky blues and dusty denim. And of course, there's always some black just because. "I love black," Selman says. The latest collection gave Selman, who famously designed Rihanna's totally see-through beaded gown, a chance to ramp up the beading on his garments. "There's beading that you don't even see there sort of secret beading," he said. But you could certainly see the shiny, glassy look on some of Selman's more dressed-up beaded numbers. He was inspired, he said, by the late artist Aaronel DeRoy Gruber, a painter and sculptor who liked to work with Plexiglas and Lucite. Many of Selman's models wore white sneakers, even with a splashy evening number. That mix is something Selman himself lives by. "I just like it it's the way I dress," he said. --Jocelyn Noveck ___ FROM THE RUNWAY, A MESSAGE OF EMPOWERMENT Most fashion shows have beautiful clothes on display. Not many have an important social message behind them, and fewer still have a powerful spokesman walking the runway. Thursday's show by Indian designer Archana Kochhar had all three. Its very first model, Reshma Quereshi, is the survivor of an acid attack in India; she walked the runway to send a message of courage and empowerment to other victims of such attacks in her country. "This walk was important to me because there are so many girls like me who are survivors of acid attacks, and this will give them courage," Quereshi said in an interview, speaking through a translator. "And it will also go to show people who judge people based on their appearance that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover you should look at everyone though the same eyes." Quereshi suffered severe burns to her face at age 17 in an acid attack in 2014 by several male assailants as she was walking with her sister. She lost her left eye, and her face was deeply scarred. She said Thursday that she was thrilled to participate in the runway show; she wore a long ivory dress embellished with colorful embroidery in pink, red, green and other hues, and a sparkly tiara in her hair. "I never thought in my wildest dreams that something like this would happen to me," Quereshi said, "and that I would be coming to such a big place to walk on such a big stage." The collection, called "A Tale of Two Cities," was "inspired by the breathtaking Taj Mahal and the rich, buoyant colors of magnificent India," according to the designer. The prints evoked not only the Taj Mahal but the lotus flower and royal elephants. Silhouettes included bellbottom trousers, cropped tops, capes, and jumpsuits. To offset the colorful embroidery there was a lot of ivory evoking the ivory marble of the Taj Mahal. --Jocelyn Noveck ____ HONORING ONE OF THEIR OWN Usually the photographers aren't the ones dressing up at Fashion Week. On Thursday, though, IMG, which owns NYFW: The Shows, outfitted more than 75 photographers and videographers with simple blue work jackets like those worn by the celebrated New York Times fashion photographer Bill Cunningham, who died in June at 87. The tribute to the much-loved Cunningham took place at the Nicholas K show, according to a statement from Catherine Bennett, senior vice president and managing director of IMG Fashion Events. "Though he's no longer with us, Bill Cunningham's legacy lives on," she said. "We see his influence every day on the streets of New York, and we miss him." --Jocelyn Noveck The Adam Selman Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff) The Adam Selman Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff) EDS NOTE NUDITY - The Adam Selman Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff) The Adam Selman Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff) The Adam Selman Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff) The Adam Selman Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff) The Adam Selman Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff) The Adam Selman Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff) The Adam Selman Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff) Designer Adam Selman greets the audience after his Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff) The Adam Selman Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff) The Adam Selman Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff) Model and acid attack victim Reshma Querishi has her make up and hair done before walking the runway for the Archana Kochhar collection during Fashion Week in New York, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) Model and acid attack victim Reshma Querishi appears at a rehearsal before walking the runway for the Archana Kochhar collection during Fashion Week in New York, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) Model and acid attack victim Reshma Querishi has her make up and hair done before walking the runway for the Archana Kochhar collection during Fashion Week in New York, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) Model and acid attack victim Reshma Querishi models the Archana Kochhar collection during Fashion Week in New York, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) Threat of strike looms over start of Chicago school year CHICAGO (AP) Teachers in the nation's third-largest school district will vote this month on whether they want to strike as contract talks with Chicago Public Schools ramp up again. The last round of negotiations led to a strike in 2012, Chicago's first teacher walkout in 25 years. This time around, pay and pensions are among the main issues as the cash-strapped district faces uncertainty over state financial help. The uncertainty with a possible strike looms over the district's approximately 400,000 students, who started fall classes this week after one of Chicago's deadliest summers in decades. FILE - In this Sept. 18, 2012 file photo, teachers picket outside Morgan Park High School in Chicago, as a strike by the Chicago Teachers Union continued into its second week. Teachers in the nation's third-largest school district will vote later this month on whether they want to strike as contract talks with Chicago Public Schools officials ramp up again. The last round of contract talks with the cash-strapped district led to a strike in 2012, the first Chicago teachers' walkout in 25 years. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green File) Here's where things stand on negotiations: WILL THERE BE A STRIKE? The union, which represents more than 25,000 members, says delegates will take a strike authorization vote starting Sept. 21. They need 75 percent support and to give the district 10 days' notice before a walkout. If there's no agreement, the earliest a strike could happen is mid-October. "There's never any good time to strike. There is never any good time to not strike," Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis said as union members met this week. "We will listen to what our members are telling us." There's likely enough support. Roughly 88 percent of voting members authorized a strike in December. The upcoming vote is to provide additional legal cover in case of challenges, according to union officials. ___ WHAT ARE THE ISSUES? Cost-of-living raises, pension contributions and health care have become central issues since the contract expired in June 2015. The district has pitched phasing out the longtime practice of picking up most of the teachers' pension contribution, offering a total base wage increase in a four-year contract. The union wants to preserve the pension pickup and asked for raises in the final two years of a three-year contract. The union rejected the district's latest offer earlier this year. Lewis declined to discuss the latest details, citing ongoing meetings. She said teachers face increasingly difficult circumstances after cutbacks, including for special education, and a violent summer for students. District officials warned of a strike's impact, saying both sides have come close to agreement. "A strike can be averted, and CPS will work tirelessly to make sure children's education and progress is not interrupted," said spokeswoman Emily Bittner. CPS is already experiencing massive financial problems. Credit rating agencies have rated the district at "junk" status. The district's $5.4 billion budget relies on increased property taxes, borrowing and $215 million in state money contingent on a statewide pension overhaul. However, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrats running the Legislature are locked in an unprecedented battle over a full budget, which has overshadowed other issues at the Capitol. A stop-gap spending plan allowing schools to open on time expires in January. Schools CEO Forrest Claypool has said if the state doesn't come through, the district will have to cut money from classrooms. ___ WHEN WAS THE LAST STRIKE? Teachers staged a one-day walkout in April to protest proposals they said would cut compensation and to highlight state budget problems. District officials lodged an unfair labor practices complaint, calling the strike illegal. An administrative law judge will take up that question in November. The last major walkout was in 2012, during former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel's first term as Chicago mayor. Teachers picketed for seven days over evaluations, job security and classroom conditions. The union remained among Emanuel's harshest critics, particularly as he pushed the closure of dozens of schools the following year. In the end, Emanuel got a school day extension and was able to empower principals to make teacher hiring decisions. Teachers, who received wide support from parents, were able to soften a new evaluation process and win some job protections. ___ Follow Sophia Tareen at http://twitter.com/sophiatareen. 1st sex offender to be freed unconditionally from program MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The first person will soon be given unconditional release from the Minnesota Sex Offender Program because the state's human services commissioner decided to stop fighting his discharge this week. The overall program is the subject of an ongoing court challenge over its constitutionality because hardly anyone ever gets out. Here are some details: ___ WHAT HAPPENED? A special judicial panel last month ordered the unconditional release of Eric Terhaar, saying he doesn't belong in it and may never have. Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper said Wednesday her agency would stop fighting his release and won't appeal, adding in the statement that she feared an unsuccessful appeal could set a precedent making it harder to keep offenders confined in the program. It wasn't immediately clear when the 26-year-old might be released. DHS said it can't comment on specific clients due to privacy laws, but the panel's order for his release became effective 15 days after it was issued Aug. 24, which would work out to late this week. His personal attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment. Terhaar has said that he wants to live with his father in Long Prairie. ___ THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is considering the state's appeal of a federal judge's declaration that the program is unconstitutional. The ruling came last year in a class-action lawsuit on behalf of sex offenders who were civilly committed as they neared the end of their prison sentences because prosecutors convinced courts that they were still too dangerous to release. The plaintiffs say their indefinite commitments are tantamount to life sentences. Terhaar is the only person ever to be cleared for an unconditional discharge since the program began more than 20 years ago, according to Dan Gustafson, lead attorney for the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. ___ PROGRAM STATUS As of Thursday, the program's secure facilities in Moose Lake and St. Peter held 721 offenders whom the Department of Human Services considers clients or patients, not prisoners. Six offenders who've been through the program are currently living in communities under close supervision under provisional discharges granted by the special panel. Three others have been granted provisional discharges but have not yet moved to the community. ___ TERHAAR'S CASE During last year's trial, the plaintiffs' attorneys used Terhaar as an example of the kinds of offenders being held in the program who shouldn't be there. Terhaar was 19 when he was committed solely for sexual misconduct done at ages 10 and 14. Court-appointed experts testified they were shocked to find him in the program, and that research shows most juveniles who act out sexually don't grow up to become adult sex offenders, Gustafson noted. Gustafson estimated that Terhaar is one of 65 to 75 residents who are in the program only because of things they did as juveniles, not adults. Terhaar's case also marks only the second time that the special panel has overruled the department's assertion that a client was still too dangerous to release, Gustafson noted. That's a sign, he said, "that the courts are more closely going to scrutinize the MSOP given the recognition that the program is not working as it was designed to work." ___ WHAT'S NEXT? When he declared the program unconstitutional, U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank stopped short shutting it down. But he ordered several changes to make it easier for offenders to get on a pathway to release something Minnesota lawmakers have long resisted. Officials: Suspended Mississippi police chief shoots himself A Mississippi police chief who had just been suspended shot and killed himself Thursday in the police department's parking lot, officials said, in what was described as "a bad day for law enforcement." Bay St. Louis Police Chief Mike DeNardo shot himself in the chest, Hancock County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Don Bass said. He said the shooting appeared intentional. "Our initial finding is a self-inflicted gunshot," he said. In this Oct. 20, 2015 photo, Bay St. Louis Chief of Police Michael DeNardo listens during a city council meeting in Bay St. Louis, Miss. Hancock County Coroner Jim Faulk said Chief DeNardo died Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (John Fitzhugh/The Sun Herald via AP) Bass said DeNardo was standing outside a vehicle when he shot himself. He did not have information on who found him and reported the shooting. "It's just a bad day a bad day for law enforcement," Bass said. The mayor of the tourist-friendly beach community along the Mississippi Gulf Coast said DeNardo had just been suspended inside the police station when he went out to the parking lot and fatally shot himself. Specifics about the suspension weren't available. Mayor Les Fillingame told The Associated Press that DeNardo was under investigation by the Hancock County Sheriff's Office. He wouldn't give details but said he believed DeNardo would have been cleared of any wrongdoing. "He was just a tremendous public servant, and he's going to be greatly missed," Fillingame said. Bass said city administrators told the sheriff's office that DeNardo had turned in some of his equipment earlier. He said he believes the police chief was still in uniform when the shooting happened. Hancock County Sheriff Ricky Adam told WWL-TV that DeNardo was involved in an ongoing personnel issue. Adam said in comments aired by WLOX-TV that sheriff's department staff were on hand to help escort the chief from the office. "At that time, it just kind of went bad," he said. According to the police department's website, DeNardo had been with the department since 2004 and the mayor appointed him police chief in 2010. Before coming to Bay St. Louis, DeNardo worked for 18 years at the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, the website said. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation sent forensic technicians to the scene to assist the sheriff's office in the investigation, said Warren Strain, a spokesman for the Department of Public Safety. ___ Associated Press writer Rebecca Santana contributed to this report. Woman pleads to reduced weapons charge in factory shooting WICHITA, Kan. (AP) A woman accused of giving her former boyfriend guns that he used to kill three people and wound 14 others before he was shot to death at a Kansas lawn equipment factory has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge. Sarah Jo Hopkins of Newton acknowledged in court Thursday that she didn't alert authorities that she had given a rifle and a handgun to convicted felon Cedric Ford, who used the weapons on Feb. 25 at the Excel Industries plant in Hesston. Hopkins, who was originally charged with transferring weapons to a prohibited person, will be sentenced Nov. 28. This undated photo provided by the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office shows Sarah Jo Hopkins, of Newton, Kan. In court Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, Hopkins, who is accused of giving her former boyfriend guns that he used in a shooting at a Kansas lawn equipment factory, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge. Hopkins will be sentenced Nov. 28. (Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office via AP) U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren said during the hearing that no evidence indicated Hopkins knew that Ford planned the shootings at Excel and, in fact, no evidence suggested Ford planned the shooting until the day it occurred, The Wichita Eagle reported (http://bit.ly/2c9yUTi ). Hopkins' parents and the friends and loved ones of shooting victims attended the hearing. In her plea, Hopkins admitted that on Feb. 5, she gave Ford an AK 47-type rifle and a .40-caliber Glock handgun after redeeming them from a pawn shop in Newton. Investigators recovered the weapons at Excel after the shooting. Hopkins has said she gave Ford the weapons because he threatened her. They have two children together. Hopkins, who left the hearing with her family, faces up to three years in prison, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release. As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to ask for a reduced prison sentence and won't object to Hopkins seeking probation. ___ Kristin Smart, 19, of Stockton, was last seen in the early morning of May 25, 1996 Investigators digging for the remains of a California college student who vanished 20 years ago have uncovered 'items of interest.' Officials didn't reveal what they found at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo but said the items are being examined to see if they are related to the disappearance of Kristin Smart. Miss Smart, 19, was seen returning to her dormitory from an off-campus party on May 25, 1996. A male student who said he dropped off Miss Smart near her dorm is considered a person of interest, but he has never been arrested or charged, authorities say. The unspecified items found this week were in a site closest to the dorm where Miss Smart was living. They were found after FBI dogs trained to detect human decomposition 'alerted' in three areas back in January. The excavation began after a lead emerged through a comprehensive review of the case, Sheriff Ian Parkinson said Tuesday. Scroll down for video Officials didn't reveal what they found at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Excavation work continues at Cal Poly as the FBI and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office look for the remains of Smart at sites on the Cal Poly campus in San Luis Obispo The items were found on a hillside near a large concrete letter 'P' that is a landmark of the school, located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. FBI agents and sheriff's employees began digging there Tuesday. Two other sites also have been marked for digging, with work already underway at one. Crews using heavy equipment then rakes and shovels were expected to sift through about 20,000 cubic feet of dirt through Friday. San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson said: 'Obviously, we want to be optimistic as possible and we hope that this leads us to either Kristin or evidence of Kristin' The ongoing excavation began after a lead emerged through a comprehensive review of the case Smart's parents, Stan and Denise Smart of Stockton, told The Tribune of San Luis Obispo on Wednesday that they were encouraged by the developments, despite previous fruitless searches over the years. 'We are mindful that with or without the hoped-for results from this week's efforts, we are now on a path that will bring our family peace and comfort,' they wrote in an email. But the sheriff said it was 'probably accurate' that authorities were now no closer to making any arrest than they were previously. Two other sites also have been marked for digging, with work already underway at one The FBI and San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department continue their dig and investigation on the hillside Alabama teen found not guilty of terrorism charge PELL CITY, Ala. (AP) An Alabama teen has been found not guilty after he was accused of trying to aid terrorists. Al.com (http://bit.ly/2cG97C7 ) reports that Peyton Pruitt of St. Clair County was found not guilty Thursday by reason of mental defect. His lawyers say the 19-year-old Pruitt will undergo another mental evaluation at a mental facility. Last year, Pruitt was arrested and charged with soliciting support for a terrorist act. Court records state that Pruitt tried to steer resources worth less than $1,000 to terrorism. St. Clair County Chief Investigator Tommy Dixon read a transcript of Pruitt's FBI interview and said he offered bomb-making information and advice about potential targets online to what he thought were representatives of terrorist groups. Attorney general won't file charges in police shooting case SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) The state on Thursday closed its investigation into the shooting death of a Mexican national by Pasco police, and concluded that no charges would be filed against the three officers involved. Attorney General Bob Ferguson said Thursday that the 2015 shooting of Antonio Zambrano-Montes, 35, was found by his investigators to be justifiable. Three members of the Pasco Police Department shot Zambrano-Montes numerous times after he threw rocks at officers and passing motorists at a busy downtown intersection. The death of the orchard worker was captured on video that went viral and sparked weeks of peaceful protests in Pasco, a city of 60,000 people that is majority Hispanic. Gov. Jay Inslee then asked Ferguson to investigate the shooting. "Attorney General Ferguson has determined that the Pasco officers' actions on February 10, 2015, did not exceed the legal standards for the justifiable use of deadly force," Ferguson's office said in a press release. This is the third and final review of the shooting by a prosecuting attorney's office. The Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington both concluded earlier after separate investigations that no charges would be filed against the officers. Ferguson said a team of experienced state prosecutors reviewed a substantial body of evidence in this case before deciding that no charges would be brought. Police Officers Adrian Alaniz and Adam Wright have returned to work. Officer Ryan Flanagan has since left the department. The parents of Zambrano-Montes have filed a lawsuit in federal court contending the officers used excessive force. That case is scheduled for trial next May. Several other lawsuits have also been filed. After the shooting, the Justice Department asked the Police Executive Research Forum to provide training and technical assistance to Pasco police. Denzel, Fuqua debut a more modern 'Magnificent Seven' TORONTO (AP) The 41st Toronto International Film Festival got underway Thursday with Antoine Fuqua's remake of "The Magnificent Seven," an old-school Western with more modern faces. The film's Thursday night premiere kicked off North America's largest film festival, which is set to unspool some 300 films over the next 10 days. On tap are premieres of many of the fall's top films, including the Los Angeles musical "La La Land," the oil rig explosion docudrama "Deepwater Horizon" and Oliver Stone's "Snowden." "The Magnificent Seven," starring Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt, is a remake of the John Sturges' 1960 Western, which itself was a remake of Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai." For Fuqua, who grew up loving Westerns, it was important for him to cast a diverse group of actors to welcome moviegoers to a genre not known for inclusiveness. Chris Pratt, from left, Denzel Washington and Antoine Fuqua participate in The Magnificent Seven press conference on day 1 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the TIFF Bell Lightbox on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) "For me, being black, I didn't see anyone that really looked like me," Fuqua said in an interview. "But I still loved the Westerns because as a kid, I wasn't identifying color. I was just identifying my heroes, John Wayne and those guys." In Fuqua's "Magnificent Seven," the hero is unquestionably Washington, who plays a fearsome black-clad bounty hunter. It's the actor's first Western, and if nothing else, "The Magnificent Seven" unites one of today's true movie stars with Hollywood's most iconic, if somewhat out of favor, genres. "I had a vision of him on that horse," said Fuqua, whose "Training Day" and "The Equalizer" starred Washington. "That's what made it fun for me. Right away, when we were talking about the different cast members, I said, 'You know, I'd love to see Denzel on a horse.' Everybody in the room got quiet. They said, 'Do you think he'll do it?' I said, 'Well, I'll fly to New York and find out.'" Speaking to reporters Thursday, Washington said he never saw Sturges' film, but he did watch "Seven Samurai." ''I didn't know how it would help me," said Washington. "It allowed me to do whatever I wanted to do instead of trying to not do what maybe somebody else did." For Fuqua, watching the Western morph over time, particularly with Sergio Leone's spaghetti Westerns, was what most enthralled him: "I fell in love with them watching them change." He hopes his film which also stars Ethan Hawke, Byung-hun Lee, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo and Vincent D'Onofrio helps open up the genre to others, and more accurately reflects the diversity of the Old West. "People say, 'Oh, Westerns are hard to sell.' Well, they're hard to sell if everybody in the Western looks one way," says Fuqua. "You're not going to get the Asian market excited about it if all the Chinese guy does is work on the railroad. And I won't get black people go see it if all it is is the slaves. Even white people get tired of seeing the same guy over and over as well. Everyone wants something to make it fresh. It's a great genre and I thought it was dying for no good reason." "I hoping if this is successful, we'll get to see more Westerns more diverse and interesting Westerns," he said. ___ The Latest: Mayor: Chief suspended just prior to shooting BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. (AP) The Latest on shooting death of Mississippi police chief (all times local): 5:55 p.m. The mayor of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, says the city's police chief had just been suspended when he shot himself to death in the police department's parking lot. Law enforcement officers comfort each other outside Memorial Hospital at Gulfport in Gulfport, Miss., on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, after Bay St. Louis Police Chief Mike De Nardo died. Hancock County Coroner Jim Faulk said Chief DeNardo died Thursday. (Amanda McCoy/The Sun Herald via AP) Mayor Les Fillingame told The Associated Press that Chief Michael DeNardo was suspended pending an investigation by the Hancock County Sheriff's Office. He would give no details but said he believed DeNardo would have been cleared of any wrongdoing. Hancock Chief Deputy Don Bass confirmed that DeNardo shot himself and died Thursday afternoon. An investigation was underway. ___ 5:30 p.m. Authorities say a Mississippi police chief has died after shooting himself in the chest outside the police department. Hancock County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Don Bass says Bay St. Louis Police Chief Mike DeNardo shot himself to death in the parking lot Thursday afternoon. Bass says the shooting appeared to be intentional. Bass says city administrators told the sheriff's office that DeNardo had turned in some of his equipment earlier. He said he believes the police chief was still in uniform when the shooting happened. The chief deputy says investigators know of no witnesses to the shooting, and he is unsure who found the body and reported the shooting. Hancock County Sheriff Ricky Adam told WWL-TV that DeNardo was involved in an ongoing "personnel" issue. Obama invites congressional leaders to White House VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) President Barack Obama has invited the four congressional leaders to meet with him next week, the White House said Friday. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, House Speaker Paul Ryan and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi were invited to the White House for the Monday afternoon session. The White House said the purpose was to discuss its priorities for the remainder of the legislative session. A key focus will be efforts to secure a short-term funding measure to prevent a government shutdown after money runs out at the end of the month. Obama's push to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership and funding to combat the Zika virus are also expected to be on the agenda. U.S. President Barack Obama clasps his hands to bid farewell as he boards Air Force One at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, Laos, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, en route to Washington after attending the ASEAN Summit. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Obama's engagement with Congress has become increasingly sparse as the end of his presidency approaches and the election encroaches on policy discussions in Washington. Still, the White House is holding out hope it can complete some unfinished business during the lame-duck session between Election Day and the end of the year. Black holes are, by their nature, impossible to see with a telescope. Because no light can escape from the objects, their presence is only known because of the gravitational effect they have on their surroundings making them easy to hide. Now an unusual cluster of stars has been discovered to potentially host several hundred black holes 13 billion years old, according to a new study. Hubble Space Telescope Observation of the central region of the Galactic globular cluster NGC 6101. Compared to the majority of Galactic globular clusters, NGC 6101 shows a less concentrated distribution of observable stars WHAT IS STRANGE ABOUT NGC 6101? The researchers, from the University of Surrey, studied a globular cluster called NGC 6101. A globular cluster is a spherical collections of stars which orbits around a galactic centre, like our Milky-way galaxy. The researchers picked this cluster because it looked as if it could be different to other clusters. NGC 6101 appears young in its formation compared to the ages of the individual stars, but nobody understood why. Advertisement Hubble Space Telescope Observation of the central region of the Galactic globular cluster NGC 6101. Compared to the majority of Galactic globular clusters, NGC 6101 shows a less concentrated distribution of observable stars, The researchers, from the University of Surrey, studied a globular cluster called NGC 6101. The findings change our understanding of how black holes form. A globular cluster is a spherical collections of stars which orbits around a galactic centre, like our Milky Way galaxy. Using computer simulations, the team was able to see the unseeble by mapping NGC 6101, from which the existence of black holes within the system was deduced. A black hole (artist's impression) is often thought of as something so dense that nothing, not even light, can escape. Using computer simulations, the team was able to see the un-see-able by mapping NGC 6101, from which the existence of black holes was deduced This picture is from the computer simulation of the cluster NGC 6101 with all of its black holes removed from the cluster at its current age. The centre of the star cluster looks more concentrated than observed in the Hubble Space Telescope image of that cluster HOW THE STUDY WORKED Using a computer simulation, the team recreated every individual star and black hole in the cluster and modeled their behaviour. The simulation demonstrated how NGC 6101 has evolved over its whole lifetime of thirteen billion years. The simulation allowed the team to see the effects of large numbers of black holes on the visible stars, and to reproduce what was observed for NGC6101. From this, the researchers showed the unexplainable dynamical apparent youth is an effect of the large black hole population. Advertisement The researchers picked this cluster because it looked as if it could be different to other clusters. NGC 6101, which is in the Milky Way, appears young in its formation compared to the ages of the individual stars, but nobody understood why. The research showed the unexplainable dynamical apparent youth is a result of the large black hole population. These black holes are a few times larger than the sun, and form when massive stars collapse at the end of their lives. 'Due to their nature, black holes are impossible to see with a telescope, because no photons can escape,' said lead author Miklos Peuten. 'In order to find them we look for their gravitational effect on their surroundings. Using observations and simulations we are able to spot the distinctive clues to their whereabouts and therefore effectively "see" the un-seeable'. A picture from the computer simulation of the cluster NGC 6101 at its current age, this time with all its black holes kept in the cluster at their creation time. The cluster from the simulation shows the same puffed up distribution of stars as can be found in the Hubble Telescope image Until 2013, it was thought these black holes would almost all be expelled from their parent cluster due to the effects of supernova explosion, during the death of a star. Astrophysicists found individual black holes in globular clusters through rare phenomena where a companion star donates material to the black hole. 'Our work is intended to help answer fundamental questions related to dynamics of stars and black holes, and the recently observed gravitational waves,' co-author Professor Mark Gieles said. 'These are emitted when two black holes merge, and if our interpretation is right, the cores of some globular clusters may be where black hole mergers take place.' 'This research is exciting as we were able to theoretically observe the spectacle of an entire population of black holes using computer simulations,' Mr Peuten said. 'The results show that globular clusters like NGC 6101, which were always considered boring are in fact the most interesting ones, possibly each harbouring hundreds of black holes. Met officers fear victimisation if allege race, sex or gender discrimination Police officers and staff in the country's biggest force expect to be victimised and have their careers damaged if they complain about discrimination, a report has found. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) investigated Scotland Yard's handling of complaints of race, gender and sexuality discrimination in the wake of a controversial case involving firearms officer Carol Howard. She was awarded 37,000 after being hounded by her boss for being a black woman. Lead EHRC Commissioner for the investigation Laura Carstensen said: "It is unacceptable that police officers and staff often expect to be victimised if they complain about discrimination, and particularly so when this is the organisation to which all Londoners look for protection and fair treatment." Former police officer Carol Howard who was discriminated against because of her race and sex The Commission was unable to decide whether officers actually suffered after making a complaint, because "the quality of the Metropolitan Police Service's (MPS) data made it difficult to reach any conclusions". Scotland Yard came under heavy criticism for the Howard case, in part after it revealed, in the wake of her victory, that she had been arrested over disagreements with her estranged partner. No charges were ever brought. Employment judges accused the force of trying to "deflect'' negative publicity by releasing the details. In a second case, where PC Daniel Lichters was taunted for being gay, the tribunal panel found that the force had "either set out to, or were reckless about destroying the claimant's character". He faced baseless gross misconduct and criminal claims after his police dog bit a member of the public who attacked it. The ECHR report found complaints that could have been resolved with an apology were instead escalated to focus on blame. This was partly due to confusion over the law, which currently binds the Met to immediately raise all complaints to consider misconduct by the alleged perpetrator. Other complicating factors were a police culture of "looking after your own", and the force's "painful history" over racism. Ms Carstensen said: "A willingness to be held to account and to apologise is crucial to any organisation and particularly to an essential and powerful public service such as the police. Our investigation raised concerns that the MPS do not demonstrate this behaviour in relation to their handling of internal complaints. "Many of the individuals we spoke to said that their initially simple complaints could have been resolved quickly and effectively with an apology and an acceptance that things went wrong. However, the complex regulatory framework alongside police culture and the MPS's history in terms of race issues mean that this rarely happens. Instead, the focus has too often been on apportioning blame and issuing sanctions." The report found that confusion over how the law should be applied to complaints left all police forces open to legal action, and recommended that legislation is updated. It said that Scotland Yard's "approach to complaints of discrimination was inconsistent and confused", and that some managers struggled to deal with race complaints. Deputy commissioner Craig Mackey said: "After nearly two years of investigation, the EHRC has confirmed that they have found no evidence of any unlawful acts in how the Met responds to staff grievances and complaints linked to discrimination or any evidence of systemic victimisation." He said the report's conclusions "differ little" from an earlier review carried out by conciliation service Acas that was commissioned by force bosses, and that the Met "utterly reject" the suggestion that lack of data hampered the EHRC investigation. Mr Mackey went on: "We have agreed to develop an enhanced plan to tackle the perceptions of victimisation identified by the Acas report. "The widespread belief that those that complain will be victimised is undoubtedly the most troubling aspect to have emerged from this work. "Neither report identified evidence of any widespread victimisation to support the perception and it is important to recognise that the number of people who raise allegations of discrimination, when compared to our workforce of 45,000 people, is very small - with only 37 people or 0.08% of staff alleging misconduct related to discrimination and 92 or 0.2% of our staff raising discrimination grievances last year." Scotland Yard bosses are already in talks with the Home Office to make changes to the "impossible framework" that forces discrimination complaints to be treated as possible misconduct by the perpetrator. UK troops join UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan Up to 400 UK troops will deploy to South Sudan as part of a UN peacekeeping mission. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon announced that up to 100 more service personnel would be sent to the country, following David Cameron's promise of 300 troops for the UN mission last year. The personnel will help maintain the fragile peace in the African nation, with the additional deployment enabling the provision of a field hospital to support the peacekeepers from the UK and other countries. UK service personnel will help maintain the fragile peace in South Sudan The announcement comes as Mr Fallon hosts counterparts from around the world, including US Defence Secretary Ash Carter, for a peacekeeping conference in London. Mr Fallon said: "This large-scale deployment underlines how we are stepping up our global commitments. "Backed by a rising defence budget, it's part of our effort to tackle the instability that leads to mass migration and terrorism. "It will help keep Britain safe while improving lives abroad." The UK's work in the country has involved engineering projects and support to the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) headquarters. The first UK personnel arrived in South Sudan in June, and the main body deployment is expected in the country next year. As well as the UNMISS deployment, around 40 troops are already supporting a UN mission in Somalia, which is tackling the extremist group al Shabaab. The number of troops deployed can rise up to 70 to accommodate short-term training teams. Ball's in your court: EU waiting for UK to trigger Article 50, Tusk tells May European Council president Donald Tusk told Theresa May "the ball is now in your court" as the pair discussed the Brexit process at Downing Street. In a sign that Brussels was waiting for Mrs May to clarify when she will trigger Article 50, Mr Tusk said it was a "crucial time" for the UK and for the EU and he wanted the process to start "as soon as possible". The leaders of the other 27 EU nations will hold talks in Bratislava next week and Mr Tusk said they would "discuss the political consequences of Brexit" for Europe. Prime Minister Theresa May greets European Council president Donald Tusk But he told Mrs May: "It doesn't mean that we are going to discuss our future relations with the UK in Bratislava, because for this - and especially for the start of the negotiations - we need the formal notification, I mean triggering Article 50. "This is the position shared by all 27 member states. To put it simply, the ball is now in your court. "I'm aware that it is not easy but I still hope you will be ready to start the process as soon as possible. "I have no doubt that at the end of the day our common strategic goal is to establish the closest possible relations." Mrs May said she wanted a "smooth" Brexit process and told Mr Tusk they had "serious issues" to discuss. The talks at No 10 come after the Prime Minister faced accusations of vagueness and contradiction over the Government's position on remaining in the European single market. Mrs May has insisted she will not reveal her negotiating hand "prematurely". The meeting comes after she slapped down Brexit Secretary David Davis for suggesting that continued membership of the free trade zone was "very improbable". Mr Davis's comment appeared to play into the hands of EU countries who have insisted that Britain cannot have full control over its borders and remain a member of the single market. Mrs May told MPs on Wednesday that she was seeking "the right deal" on trade in goods and services after Britain withdraws from the EU, but added: "We will not take decisions until we are ready, we will not reveal our hand prematurely and we will not provide a running commentary on every twist and turn of the negotiations." She refused to say whether she wanted the UK to remain in the European single market. The PM and her ministers were accused of "waffle" by Scottish National Party Westminster leader Angus Robertson, while the Liberal Democrats' Tim Farron said: "This Government isn't concealing its hand - it hasn't got a hand or, it would appear, a clue." Jeremy Corbyn accused the Government of issuing "contradictory messages" on Brexit which were exacerbating "huge uncertainty" about the UK's future. But the Labour leader found himself in a row over the single market after a senior aide suggested he might rule out full membership unless Britain can negotiate exemptions from key EU rules. That prompted Mr Corbyn's team to stress that he backed "full access" to the single market for goods and services but opposed certain directives linked to it, such as state aid rules and requirements to deregulate and privatise public services. Following the 75-minute meeting, Mrs May's official spokeswoman played down suggestions that Mr Tusk's comments were intended to put pressure on the PM to hasten the invocation of Article 50. "What the president said was that the ball is in our court, which it is," the spokeswoman told a regular Westminster media briefing. "It's for the member state to decide." She added: "There wasn't a sense in the meeting that we are under pressure on this, there was a sense that they accept the position the Prime Minister has set out, and that that should provide useful time to prepare for the negotiations, precisely because we want to have a smooth departure. "We want to take the time to prepare for the negotiations by talking to stakeholders up and down the country and doing the work here. "The EU also needs to take time to prepare for the negotiations in terms of what approach the 27 will take." The spokeswoman characterised the mood of the pair's first formal bilateral meeting, which took place over a breakfast of fresh fruit and scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, as "quite relaxed, friendly and warm". Ireland's government called for ministers to put concerns about the impact Brexit will have on Northern Ireland high up the agenda. After talks with Mr Davis, Irish foreign affairs minister Charlie Flanagan said: "Today's discussion focused on the key issues for Ireland, Northern Ireland and British-Irish relations as a whole. "Secretary of State Davis, together with the Secretary of State James Brokenshire, recently had some important initial contacts with the Northern Ireland Executive and other stakeholders in Belfast. Online paedophiles can groom a child in less than 20 minutes, academics warn Parents have been urged to take more of an interest in their children's online activities after a new study has found paedophiles can groom children in less than 20 minutes. Researchers at Swansea University looked at the language groomers use in chatrooms and on social media - and said the results were worrying. Academics found that paedophiles do not always pose as children and use "highly skilled" techniques to persuade rather than coerce children into doing what they want at alarming speed. Time taken between initial online contact and first sexual requests ranged from 18 minutes to 82 hours, academics found Professor Nuria Lorenzo-Dus and Dr Cristina Izura lead the Online Grooming Communication (OGC) Project - which will be presented at the British Science Festival on Thursday. Professor Lorenzo-Dus said: "We have carried out a detailed analysis of the language used by more than 100 online groomers which shows that they are skilled communicators who use a range of strategies. "These include seemingly innocuous 'small talk' to develop a sense of trust in them, requests and commands to gauge the children's disposition to meet online groomers' desires for verbal or visual sexual engagement and compliments on various topics to increase feelings of trust and emotional bonding." The four-year study looked at chats between 192 online sexual predators and researchers posing as children before analysing the language used in the chat. It found that the age range of those doing the grooming were between 21 and 65 and the vast majority admitted they were adults - conflicting popular belief that internet paedophiles always pretend to be children. And academics say they were shocked after discovering that grooming does not take long - with the time between initial online contact and first sexual requests ranging from between 18 minutes and 82 hours. Dr Izura said: "Online groomers are communicatively, highly skilled and can interact with their victims as if they care about them, and can pretend to be romantically - rather than only sexually - interested in them. "They complement children regularly on a range of topics, rather than only on sexually-oriented ones. "We have found that depending on online grooming speed, sexually-oriented compliments, whether on appearance or on personality, comprise between over half and a quarter of all the compliments online groomers pay. "Moreover, online groomers use compliments not only to develop an emotional bond with the children, but also strategically to frame communicative exchanges in which they desensitise the children to sexual behaviour." Researchers say the level of online groomers' "communicative sophistication" means that many interactions go undetected by existing online grooming protection software. They are now calling on parents to get their children to open up about their digital lives and talk to them, frankly and regularly, about how they spend their time online - such as their favourite internet activities, apps or blogs and online friends. Professor Lorenzo-Dus added: "It is unrealistic to stop children using the internet and it is not always possible to monitor all their digital activities. "However, increasing their understanding of how online grooming works and the communicative tactics online groomers use will make it possible to recognise the potential dangers." Dr Izura added: "Parents could try to open up discussions with their children about the dangers on the internet, including online grooming. "Listening to them carefully and taking an interest in their online activities is a good way to build their trust in us and help reduce the risk of children looking for trust elsewhere online." The NSPCC said children are increasingly contacting its ChildLine service about online predators. A spokeswoman said: "In 2015 a change in the law, as a result of NSPCC campaigning, banned adults from knowingly sending sexual messages to children, as a prelude to carrying out sexual abuse. "It's quite incredible that a year after this new legislation was passed it has still not been implemented, at a time when police are under crushing pressure to tackle this type of crime. "We hope these insights into how predatory adults groom children online will help educate young people about staying safe, and assist the police in catching offenders." No more pretending as Robin Hood finally weds Maid Marian It is a love story that goes back centuries - and finally Robin Hood and Maid Marian are set to tie the knot. Tim Pollard has been playing the famous outlaw for more than two decades, with duties including greeting the Queen, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their visit to Nottingham in 2012. He started out by donning the Lincoln Green outfit for medieval banquets and has moved on to working other events including parades and civic functions in Nottingham. Nottingham's official Robin Hood Tim Pollard with fiancee Sally Chappell as Maid Marian When he was in need of a Maid Marian more than 10 years ago, he asked Sally Chappell, who was also into re-enactments. Mr Pollard said: "It's the best chat-up line in the world really - 'Will you be my Maid Marian?' "Except it wasn't a chat-up line. We worked together as Robin and Maid Marian for years just as friends and neither of us thought about going out with each other. "And then five years ago, we just kind of went 'You know this pretending to be in love thing that we're doing? I quite like you' and we got together." The 52-year-old recalled meeting his bride-to-be in his early days as Robin Hood at a banquet at the Sheriff's Lodge in Nottingham. He said: "I think one of the first times I met her, I threw axes at her as part of the show. Now, I can't say that will work as dating advice for everyone, but it did for me." He works as Nottingham's official Robin Hood while 39-year-old Ms Chappell is a lecturer and researcher in human molecular genetics at the University of Nottingham. "It's been fantastic playing Robin Hood and Maid Marian, a real privilege. I have a dressing up box and Sal has a career," Mr Pollard said. The couple, who have a two-year-old daughter, Scarlett, will be getting married later this month in Buxton, Derbyshire, with guests including the Pied Piper of Hamelin. The couple have not asked for wedding gifts but would prefer donations towards the cost of a relaxing space for Ms Chappell, who has incurable breast cancer. They are looking at converting the garage at their home in Beeston, Nottinghamshire, into a playroom for Scarlett and a place where Maid Marian can relax. She was given the devastating news in July 2015 but has continued to work both at the university and as Maid Marian since her diagnosis. Mr Pollard, whose favourite silver-screen Robin Hood is Michael Praed, said: "We both had a bit of a weep and now we are just carrying on anyway. We were planning on getting married, so that's what we're doing. "You can't pull the wool over her eyes about the seriousness of her condition because of her work but she has just been amazing with it." He added that the support from the community has been strong - with a GoFundMe page set up for donations reaching 2,350. He said: "I have no pretensions. I know that if there is a letter of the alphabet three or four below Z, that's the list I'm on. "I'm a middle-aged man with a dressing-up box, but it astounds me that people are so interested, caring and thoughtful." Ms Chappell said: "We've been a couple for several years now and even have a beautiful two-and-a-half-year-old baby daughter, Scarlett, so maybe it's time for me to make an honest man of Robin. "I do get very tired indeed after treatment but the care I'm getting from all the staff at the City Hospital is excellent and they're as determined as we are that everything runs as smoothly as possible on the day." Even Robin Hood's arch-enemy, the Sheriff of Nottingham, has wished the couple well on their big day. Jackie Morris, who has the ceremonial role of the Sheriff, said: "I'm delighted that the legendary love story of Robin Hood and Maid Marian, better known locally as Tim and Sally, is going to be celebrated on their wedding day. "Tim dubbed me the 'nice' Sheriff, but even so I will leave him in peace on his wedding day - I'm sure family, friends, their daughter Scarlett and the Merry Men will help them celebrate in style. Brexit department spending 33,500 a week on legal advice Theresa May's new Brexit department has spent tens of thousands of pounds on legal advice in the eight weeks since its creation, according to official figures. Britain has yet to formally start talks to withdraw from the European Union, with the Prime Minister and Brexit Secretary David Davis coming under fire for revealing little detail about their plans to MPs. But the Department for Exiting the European Union said its legal bill has so far reached an estimated 268,711 - an average of around 33,500 a week. David Davis was appointed Brexit Secretary by Prime Minister Theresa May Officials are still assessing the total amount of taxpayers' cash required for legal advice over the next 12 months when the UK Government is expected to have invoked Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, thereby triggering what is predicted to be a complex two-year negotiation process. The department came into existence in mid-July after a majority of voters backed Britain's withdrawal from the EU in the June 23 referendum. Mrs May put Mr Davis into a position of power alongside fellow Brexiteers Liam Fox, now International Trade Secretary, and new Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in a move viewed as an attempt to allow those who backed withdrawal to play a major role in finding solutions. The PM was viewed as a reluctant Remain backer during the referendum campaign although she is now seeking to convince Leave voters that she will honour their desire for Brexit in full. Brexit Minister David Jones, replying to a written parliamentary question from former Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, said: "The department is currently assessing the overall requirement for legal advice and the associated funding requirement over the next 12 months. "To date, the department has incurred an estimated total of 256,000 in fixed-fee legal advice with the Government legal department and a further 12,711 in relation to additional billed fees and disbursements. "No spend has been incurred in relation to external legal firms." Lib Dem MP Mr Clegg, who has returned to frontline politics as his party's EU spokesman, asked the Brexit department to reveal how much it has spent on internal and external legal advice, plus a prediction of future spending in the year ahead. Mr Clegg told the Press Association: "Anyone who thinks Brexit will be quick or easy is seriously mistaken. "This huge taxpayer-funded Brexit bill for legal advice shows how ill-prepared Whitehall is for what will be the biggest and most complex set of negotiations it has ever attempted. "But it is not just legal advice where the Government is ill-prepared - we simply don't have anything like the number of trade negotiators necessary to establish a new trading relationship with the EU or other countries. "The process of leaving the European Union, regardless of what deal the Government eventually agrees, will be long and painful and risks a long period of uncertainty for British business, jobs and our wider economy." Mr Fox told MPs on Thursday morning that he was not looking to create "a standing army of bureaucrats" to negotiate Brexit. "My department already has a strong and capable trade policy team, which has doubled since June the 23rd," he said. "In the next two years we will be developing that team to build the world-class negotiating strength needed to deliver the best outcomes for the UK. "In terms of negotiators, we have already had strong expressions of interest from individuals, organisations and governments." Lib Dem Tom Brake pressed Mr Fox on whether the department would be hiring scores of consultants. He added that a headhunter he had spoken to said a consultant at the head of this team would cost in the region of 750,000 a year. But Mr Brake's discussions with a headhunter prompted laughter on the Government benches, as they questioned his intentions for speaking with them. "It's nice to see the Lib Dems are looking forward to repeating the election success at the next election that they've just had," Mr Fox joked. "I always think it's nice for politicians to cover all their options." Mr Fox added: "We are not intending to create a standing army of bureaucrats that would be expensive to the taxpayer. Government urged to rethink floods strategy after 'Elastoplast' review A new long-term strategy for tackling flooding is needed, the Government has been told after unveiling measures dismissed as an "Elastoplast". Ministers have published a long-awaited review, set up after devastating floods last winter across parts of northern England, assessing how the country could be better protected from future flooding and increasing extreme weather. The National Flood Resilience Review outlines 12.5 million for temporary defences such as barriers and high-volume water pumps, to be held at seven strategic locations around the country. Flooding in York last year, as the National Flood Resilience Review is published There are some 530 sites around the country where key local infrastructure, such as water, electricity and telecoms sites, is still vulnerable to flooding, the report highlighted. The review includes commitments from utilities to increase protection of such sites, including short-term plans to stockpile and deploy temporary defences. It also sets out a new stress test of the risk of flooding from rivers and seas around England, linking Met Office forecasts of extreme rainfall scenarios with Environment Agency modelling for the first time. The Government said it would use the evidence of the review to plan investment in flood defences after 2021. It has already committed 2.5 billion between 2015 and 2021 to strengthen flood and coastal defences, as well as spending 1 billion on maintaining defences, officials said. But those hit by floods after storms and record rainfall last year accused authorities of an "Elastoplast" approach and of barely mentioning in the review severely flood-hit communities, or measures which they believe could improve the situation. Dr Stephen Gibbs, chairman of the Carlisle Flood Action Group, said: "The Environment Agency have a pattern - they have a flood, they have a review, then they get out the Elastoplast and hope for the best until the next flood. "Temporary flood defences are part of the filibustering that the EA are having to do." And there were demands for the Government to do more to tackle the rising risk of flooding due to climate change, after the review found winter monthly rainfall totals could be 20%-30% higher than recent past extremes in some parts of the country. The Government's climate advisers, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), said the report ignored its calls for a new and comprehensive, long-term strategy to address the risk of flooding. It also ignored the risks of flooding caused by heavy rainfall overwhelming sewers and did not spell out how the 700 million extra for flood risk management in the 2016 Budget will be spent, the committee said. Committee chairman Lord Deben said: " As well as implementing short-term measures, such as better protecting key sites before flooding hits, we need a new and comprehensive, long-term strategy to address flood risk in this country. "Further flood events on the scale seen last winter can be expected, and the situation is set to get worse with climate change. "There is still much work to do to protect our homes and communities from the risks that flooding poses, now and in the future." Local Government Association environment spokesman Martin Tett said: "The extra 12.5 million announced today for temporary flood defences and the commitment from utility companies to better protect vital water, electricity and telecoms services are steps in the right direction. "However, councils will need significantly more support from Government to help prepare for the possibility of further flooding this winter and recover from any damage." He called for future flood defence funding to be devolved to local areas to allow councils, communities and businesses to ensure money goes to projects which serve local needs. Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom said: " This review sets out clear actions so we are better prepared to respond quickly in the event of future flooding and can strengthen the nation's flood defences." And she added: " We are absolutely committed to reducing the risk of flooding by investing 2.5 billion up to 2021 so we can help protect families, homes and businesses this winter." Sir James Bevan, chief executive of the Environment Agency, said: " The extra funding will help us to do even more for local communities so that we can better protect homes and businesses and respond even more rapidly and flexibly when extreme weather strikes." Brenda Pollack, campaigner at Rewilding Britain, which wants to restore natural habitats and wildlife, said the Government had missed an opportunity to take action on projects that worked with nature to reduce flood risk. She said: "The case for rewilding as an effective way of managing flood risk is undeniable. Restoring natural, varied landscapes helps absorb flood waters and is more cost effective than expensive flood barriers and defences. "An approach based on rewilding is better for people and wildlife and can actively contribute to the decarbonisation of the UK's economy." Post Office workers to strike for 24 hours over jobs, closures and pensions Thousands of Post Office workers are to stage a 24-hour strike in disputes over branch closures, jobs and pensions. Members of the Communication Workers Union will walk out on September 15 after voting overwhelmingly for industrial action. The union warned of an ongoing dispute over jobs, services and pensions, saying the Post Office was at a crisis point. The Post Office is at a crisis point, warns the CWU general secretary Dave Ward, general secretary of the CWU said: "The Post Office is relentlessly pursuing a programme of cuts that will mean a further 2,000 job losses, staff being left tens of thousands of pounds worse off in retirement and the privatisation of its flagship branches. "The Post Office is at crisis point and the Government has to step in. "We are making a simple demand. The Government needs to pause the cuts, convene a summit of key stakeholders in the industry and work out a strategy that gives employees and the public confidence that the Post Office has a future. "The Post Office has pointed to the bottom line in making these cuts, but it cannot pretend that using public money to pay off staff so they can be replaced with part-time jobs on the minimum wage is a success story or that closing down its flagship branches is a defence of the service. "The Post Office has got to get out of the cycle of closures, job losses and attacks on staff terms and conditions. It needs a serious plan to grow revenues in areas like financial services. "Other countries have brought in hugely successful Post Banks. There is no reason why our Post Office should be the world leader in managed decline." CWU deputy general secretary Terry Pullinger said: "We are announcing the first day of industrial action and if the Post Office is not prepared to change its position it faces an ongoing dispute with our members. "This is a major campaign to defend the very future of the Post Office and force Government, as the owner, to live up to its responsibility and past promises and sit down with all stakeholders to agree a positive vision for the future rather than one that celebrates structural decline. "The Post Office is offering staff thousands of pounds not to go on strike and is threatening to make CWU reps redundant. "It is incredible that a publicly owned company is behaving this way and the Government has got to make clear that this is completely unacceptable." "The proposals from the Post Office to close its pension scheme have no justification. "With a surplus of over 130 million the Post Office has the best funded pension scheme in the country. "In closing it down the Post Office is stealing the money our members have built up over many years of service and backtracking on its promises to keep the scheme open." Post Office network and sales director Kevin Gilliland said: "We can reassure our customers that 97% of our 11,600 branches will not be involved in any action that goes ahead. We will also work hard to minimise any disruption to customers in our 300 Crown branches should they be affected by strike action. "We are making steady progress to modernise the UK's biggest retail network. These changes are needed to make our services better for customers and ensure that Post Office branches thrive at the heart of communities for future generations. "We halved our losses in 2015/16 and are making steady progress to reduce costs to the taxpayer by making our business simpler to run and modernising our network, which is now at its most stable for decades. "Over 99% of people in the UK live within three miles of a Post Office branch. To secure that level of service for the future, there has been significant investment over the past few years to modernise the business and the branch network. "We want to work with our unions to create the Post Office network that our customers need for the future. "All of our proposals are taken forward with the utmost care for the people they affect and we're proud of our track record in supporting people through difficult changes. "The business's financial position is improving but we remain loss-making." A Business Department spokesman said: " As its annual accounts show, there has been a continuing improvement in Post Office's financial performance. Thousands of train travellers dodging fares, report suggests Up to one in 20 rail passengers could be travelling without a valid ticket on some routes, according to new research. A sample of more than 23,000 South West Trains passengers found that as many as 5.5% avoid paying the correct fare. The study, carried out for the Department for Transport (DfT), discovered cases such as forged tickets, child impersonation and using tickets at the wrong time. Many people are travelling without valid tickets, a study suggests. This results in the franchise losing an estimated 25 million in revenue each year, the report found. Ticketless travel was found to be most pr evalent after 7pm on w eekdays, with an average rate of 5.1%. But due to the fare structure the most costly period in terms of lost revenue was the evening peak at 7.7 million, caused by a ticketless rate of 3.6%. The overall proportion of passengers without a valid ticket was estimated as being between 2.7% and 5.5%. In general, longer-distance and non-London service segments had lower ticketless travel t han those dominated by short-distance journeys to and from the capital. London Waterloo to Bournemouth/Weymouth saw just 1.5% of passengers without the correct ticket, compared to 4.6% on trains from London to Shepperton/Kingston. The research was carried out over 15 days in October and November last year by Steer Davies Gleave, a technical advisor to the DfT in the re-letting of the South Western Franchise. A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group, which represents the rail industry, said: " Fare dodgers deprive the railways of about 200 million every year, money which could otherwise be invested in providing better services. "Train companies take a firm but fair approach to people who don't pay. The vast majority of passengers who pay the correct fare don't feel they should subsidise those who try to get away without paying. Team Sky apologise after team bus involved in near-miss with cyclist Team Sky have issued an apology after their team bus narrowly avoided a collision with a cyclist in Wales on Wednesday. A team spokesman branded the actions of the bus driver as "unacceptable" after the cyclist concerned posted footage of the incident on Twitter. It shows the team bus almost forcing the cyclist, Andy Rolfe, off the road as it sought to avoid oncoming traffic. Team Sky's bus was involved in an incident with a cyclist during the Tour of Britain on Wednesday On Twitter, Rolfe, posting as @AndyRolfe65, wrote: "Team sky's bus almost taking me out, sorry about the language, but this needs to go viral for the safety of cyclists." Team Sky sent an immediate apology to Rolfe on Twitter and issued a statement expressing their regret for the incident. The statement read: "What is shown in the video is unacceptable and we are sorry. We've already spoken to the driver and we'll be discussing this with him again in more detail. "We will also be speaking to all staff and reminding them of their responsibilities. "Encouraging people to get out and on their bikes is a huge part of what we stand for as a team. "We are a team of cyclists and we know how important it is for us, as a team, to set an example when it comes to ensuring cyclists are able to use the roads safely." It is unclear exactly where the incident occurred but the bus was supporting riders on the Tour of Britain, which on Thursday was travelling from Aberdare to Bath. Commenting on the incident, UK Cycling's Senior Road Safety Campaigner, Duncan Dollimore, said: "Team Sky employees should know better than most the dangers of close overtaking of cyclists. IS can be beaten in key Syrian cities 'within months' - US defence secretary The Islamic State terror group could be "enveloped and collapsed" in its main stronghold of Raqqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq within months, US Defence Secretary Ash Carter has said. His comments came as UK Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon acknowledged that it may have been better to intervene "much earlier" in Syria, where protests in the Arab Spring of 2011 have developed into a devastating five-year civil war. With US Secretary of State John Kerry due to meet his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Geneva for the latest in a long series of talks on a possible cessation of hostilities in the country, both Mr Carter and Sir Michael said that Moscow's co-operation was the key to ending the bloodshed. Ash Carter and Michael Fallon are discussing Syria. Mr Carter, who is in London for a peacekeeping conference hosted by Sir Michael, said that the US was willing to give the talks with the Russians "another try", but added: "Our patience is not unlimited." There was "reason for scepticism" about Russia's claim to be seeking an end to war in Syria, he said. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said earlier this week that he had agreed with President Barack Obama on the sidelines of last weekend's G20 meeting in China on joint operations to drive IS - also known as Isis, Isil or Daesh - out of Raqqa. Mr Carter confirmed that the US was involved in "joint action" with Turkey to complete the sealing of its border with Syria, which had been a crucial supply route for IS fighters and guns, and said it was working with Syrian democratic forces on "a plan to envelop and collapse Isil's control over Raqqa". Asked when the operations against Raqqa and Mosul might be completed, Mr Carter said: " As soon as possible - I think months." He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Our campaign plan calls for the envelopment of both of those cities within months. I think our plan calls for the envelopment - that is the surrounding and collapsing of Isil control over those two key cities, Mosul and Raqqa. That envelopment is under way now and will unfold further in the coming months." Mr Carter added: "We are for certain going to defeat Isil. We are embarked on that in eastern Syria and in Iraq. But in the end, the violence can't end in Syria until there's a political transition. The Russians are key to that and they need to get on the right side of things and not the wrong side of things. "Our campaign against Isil, waged by a large coalition ... has three elements. To destroy Isil in Iraq and Syria, because that is the parent tumour of the cancer of Isil. Both the fact and the idea of an Islamic State based on its ideology needs to be destroyed there. We need to do the same wherever this has metastasized or spread - for example Libya and Afghanistan. "Finally, we all need to protect our own people and our own homelands. "I'm confident we will succeed. It's difficult and it takes a lot of time, but both in Iraq and Syria that's where it begins. We've been taking specific steps over the last nine months to carry out our campaign plan. It is going exactly as planned for the envelopment of Mosul and Raqqa." Sir Michael said that ending the civil war would be a vital part in the efforts to deal with the threat from IS. "None of that can succeed until we get the civil war brought to an end," he told Today. "That's why we've spent a lot of time this week trying to persuade Russia to use its influence - they virtually run the regime in Syria - to stop the regime bombing its own civilians and using chemical weapons against women and children in Syria. Until the civil war is brought to an end we can't get on and deal with the Daesh terrorists holed up in Raqqa." Speaking to ITV1's Good Morning Britain, Sir Michael said that the suffering of children affected by chemical weapons attacks in Syria was " a very good example of (why) perhaps we should have intervened much earlier in Syria". He said: "There's a cost, a price you pay if you don't intervene and put troops or peacekeepers in much earlier in some of these countries. "But we are now trying to get a political settlement, there were meetings again in London yesterday, but the problem is that the regime that is bombing civilians, bombing hospitals, using chemical weapons - that regime is still backed by Russia and there's been no effort by Russia to actually bring the civil war to a halt. Russian flag carrier banned from the Paralympics An unauthorised member of the Belarus delegation who at Wednesday's Paralympic Games opening ceremony unfurled a Russian flag to show solidarity with the banned nation has been stripped of his accreditation. Unlike in the Olympics, Russia was last month issued with a wholesale ban from the Paralympics for state-sponsored doping - a decision which was supported by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Neighbouring Belarus appeared to show solidarity with Russia, following through with a pledge to parade with the Russian flag as the XV Paralympics opened. An unauthorised member of the Belarus team waves a Russian flag One member of Belarus' parading delegation displayed the red, white and blue flag for a quarter of the circuit of the Maracana Stadium at Wednesday night's opening ceremony before it was confiscated and the individual responsible was identified. The International Paralympic Committee said he should not have been parading at all. An IPC statement on Thursday read: "The IPC on Thursday (September 8) morning cancelled the accreditation of the individual who carried the Russian flag as part of the Belarus delegation during last night's opening ceremony. "The individual was quickly identified during the ceremony as a guest of the Belarus secretary general who should not have been part of the marching party in the first place. "The IPC will be speaking to NPC (national Paralympic committee) Belarus this morning to remind them that political protests are forbidden at the Paralympic Games. "As far as we are concerned this matter is now closed." The Belarusian was later named as Andrei Fomachkin. IPC spokesperson Craig Spence said: "It's seen as a political protest because he carried a Russian flag when he's in the Belarus delegation, and when you've got the president of the Belarus National Paralympic Committee being so vocal in the media before these Games saying he disagreed with our decision, then it's a pretty easy conclusion that last night was a political protest. "We check all teams before they go out into the stadium at every single Games, so that flag was pretty well hidden on that person last night because all of Belarus team was searched before they went out and the flag was somewhere on the person that we didn't notice. "The fact that it was a guest of the president, rather than an athlete or a coach, makes it easier for us to take this action. "We are speaking to the National Paralympic Committee of Belarus this morning, informing them that the rules are there, that political protests are forbidden at the Paralympic Games, and just making them aware that going forward they shouldn't do that again. Visitors on board Brighton's i360 tower were left stranded in mid-air for more than two hours after it broke down. British Airways i360 said there had been a "slight technical hitch" that had "caused the pod to halt" and sent engineers to resolve the issue. The i360 pod was carrying a private party, including a heavily pregnant woman, who boarded the pod at around 5pm. The British Airways i360 tower in Brighton They had planned a reception at the nearby Alfresco Brighton restaurant half an hour later, but their plans were scuppered when the ride ground to a halt. Restaurant owner Alex, who declined to give a surname, said: "They were stuck up there for more than two hours before they were brought back down. It was an hour and 50 minutes before the fire crew turned up, and they left about 10 minutes later. "Members of the party told us that they were given no information from BA and were only offered water while they were stuck - but nobody wanted to drink it as there are no toilets on board the pod." The tourist attraction, which opened last month, claims to be the world's first "vertical cable car", lifting guests 450 feet into the air for a 360-degree view of the Brighton coastline. Tim Jones, one of the party organisers, said it was an "ironic" turn for the evening, which had been planned to celebrate the i360's opening. The financial advisor, 45, said: "We weren't very high up when we juddered to a halt and we were told by staff to move to one side of the pod to 'recalibrate the weight' - which made some people a bit nervous. "It was an interesting experience, and quite ironic as the party was organised by four local businesses who wanted to come together to celebrate the tower's opening." Ordinarily the ride from top to bottom takes between 20-30 minutes and Mr Jones said a "massive" queue had built up on the ground by the time the pod was brought down. He said that, while there were no injuries and all passengers were eventually brought down safely, he hoped the problem would be a learning curve for British Airways i360. "BA have learnt a hard lesson about interacting with customers this evening," he said. "Only two interactions were made over the two hours and they kept pretty quiet about the free bar and the emergency toilet until we were nearly on the ground. Man dies after CS spray used during incident in Belfast A man has died after police used CS spray against him during a violent incident in Belfast city centre. The Police Ombudsman said: " The man who became unwell during an incident involving police officers in Belfast City Centre this morning has died. "The incident, during which police officers used CS spray against the man, is currently being investigated by the Police Ombudsman's office. The Police Service of Northern Ireland is investigating "The office will release the man's name in due course." The trouble happened near the Grand Opera House at about 5am on Thursday and a defibrillator was left at the scene. The man received medical attention before he was taken to hospital. The Police Ombudsman said police were called after a man was suspected of involvement in an altercation with taxi drivers. Ombudsman investigators have been at the scene from early morning. The area was cordoned off and a section of Great Victoria Street was closed for a time but has been reopened. Investigators have mapped and photographed the scene, security camera footage has been recovered and inquiries are ongoing to acquire further footage. Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares through to men's doubles final at US Open One Murray brother will playing for US Open silverware this weekend after Jamie Murray and partner Bruno Soares reached the final of the men's doubles. Murray and Brazilian Soares won their first major title at the Australian Open in January and now have the chance for a second after beating French pair Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert 7-5 4-6 6-3. It will be Murray's fourth grand slam doubles final in 18 months after the Scot was a runner-up at both Flushing Meadows and Wimbledon last year. Jamie Murray, right, and Bruno Soares, left, are one win away from another grand slam success (AP) Murray lost out to the same pair alongside John Peers in the final here 12 months ago but he and Soares were too good for the defending champions on the new Grandstand court. They will now meet one of two Spanish pairs, either Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez or Pablo Carreno Busta and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, in the final on Saturday. "What have I learned from last year? Don't lose, it's not much fun to lose in finals," Murray said. "We've had a great tournament so far, we've won five matches, one more to go, we'll give it our best and it'll be the end to a great week I think." "I'm very proud," Soares added. "They are a very tough team, the defending champions, number one in the race, won so many tournaments, amazing level, but I thought we did extremely well. "We served well and played really good under pressure, which at this stage of the tournament is really important." Murray is likely to head straight from New York to Glasgow, where the British Davis Cup team will need him for their semi-final against Argentina, and team captain Leon Smith was one of many enthusiastic supporters in the crowd. The British-Brazilian duo snatched the first break of the match at 5-5 in the opening set, as Mahut dropped his serve and Soares held with an emphatic smash. Soares came under pressure in the second set at 3-4 but saved three break points, only for Murray to double fault at 4-5 and the French pair forced a decider. Murray then appeared to express irritation at the time his opponents were taking to serve and he complained to umpire Marija Cicak, the same official who had so irked his brother Andy Murray in the singles quarter-final less than 24 hours before. The Briton recovered his focus, however, converting a break point with a crisp forehand volley after Mahut had double faulted at 2-2. Herbert was serving to stay in the contest at 3-5 but he also wavered, as another punching Murray volley converted their fourth match point and sealed progress after exactly two hours. Baby 'among group smuggled into Britain in lorry' Immigration officials are investigating reports that a 20-day-old baby was smuggled into Britain in the back of a lorry. The girl was among a group discovered at Watford Gap services on the M1, The Sun reported. The newspaper said they had made the journey from Calais. The M1 motorway near Watford A Home Office spokesman said: "This incident is of concern and is under investigation. "Would-be migrants need to be aware that they are putting their lives, and those of their loved ones, at risk by attempting to reach the UK illegally. "That is why we have increased security and boosted technology used at border controls and are working with law enforcement at home and abroad to target the criminal gangs who are often behind such attempts." The Home Office confirmed Northamptonshire Police alerted Immigration Enforcement to the discovery of 10 migrants in a vehicle at Watford Gap services on Tuesday. Three-quarters unaware of link between obesity and cancers, study finds Three-quarters of people in the UK do not know about the link between obesity and the 10 different cancers it can cause, research shows. Fat is as dangerous as cigarette smoking in reproductive cancers such as cancer of the womb, which less than a quarter of people know is linked to being overweight, Cancer Research UK said in a report looking at obesity and cancer nationally for the first time. If obesity is not tackled there will be 670,000 additional cases of cancer over the next 20 years which could cost the health service around 2.5 billion, the charity warned. Three-quarters of people in the UK do not know about the link between obesity and cancer, Cancer Research UK said The condition is the second most common cause of preventable cancer after smoking, and is probably responsible for more than 18,000 cases a year. But 78% did not know obesity is linked to ovarian or womb cancer, more than two-thirds (69%) were unaware it can lead to breast cancer, and more than half (53%) did not know of the link to cancer of the pancreas. People who were less well-off were less likely to be aware of the link than those in the higher social groups, according to the online survey of 3,293 people by the Policy Research Centre for Cancer Prevention at Cancer Research UK. Professor Peter Johnson, chief clinician for Cancer Research UK, said people should stop perceiving cancer as "an inevitability" and ask themselves what they could do to minimise their chances - an "under-recognised question". He said: "Historically there has been a sense that there was nothing one could do about the risk of getting cancer, but as time goes on it's clear that there are more and more things we can do, and maintaining a healthy body weight and reducing obesity are clearly two very important components of that." While details of the link between being overweight and developing cancer are still being probed, it is thought storing excess fat can increase the level of sex hormones including oestrogen, which can make cells multiply faster in the womb and the breast. Womb cancer ranks highest in its association with obesity, and a morbidly obese woman may have a 15% to 20% lifetime risk of womb cancer - equivalent to the risk of lung cancer in a lifetime heavy smoker. Post-menopausal, overweight women are particularly at risk because their bodies no longer produce the natural antagonist to oestrogen that is released during the second half of the menstrual cycle, so the womb lining can continue to thicken. Excess fat also causes insulin levels to rise, which can tell cells to divide, and thereby increase, more rapidly, while special immune cells in fat tissue can lead to chronic inflammation which can aid the growth of cancer. The charity admitted obesity is a "loaded and contentious" topic that many people - including GPs - have strong opinions about. It noted doctors can be reluctant to bring up obesity concerns with patients attending an appointment for a separate matter for fear of damaging the relationship. A lot of people did not identify themselves are obese, which could be down to obesity being widely portrayed as an extreme which does not resonate with people with a lower level of obesity. It praised the recent sugar tax levy but warned much more needs to be done to tackle the crisis at its root, with one in three children leaving primary school overweight or obese. The Government should restrict marketing by ensuring junk food adverts are not aired on television before the 9pm watershed, and set mandatory targets for the food and drinks industry to reduce sugar and fat in products, the charity recommended. People should also take individual responsibility, and the charity acknowledged that the threat of cancer could be enough to kick-start obese and overweight people into taking steps to manage their problem. A Department of Health spokesman said: "Being overweight can increase the risk of developing cancer and this is one of the reasons why we are taking firm action to tackle the nation's obesity crisis. "Our obesity plan is world-leading, with more far-reaching and comprehensive measures than anything pursued by any other western government. "Nevertheless, we will measure progress carefully and do not rule out further action if results are not seen." Liverpool's Mane fit for Leicester clash Sept 6 (Reuters) - Liverpool's Sadio Mane says he is fit for Saturday's Premier League clash against champions Leicester City, dismissing reports that he had sustained an injury in Senegal's African Nations Cup qualifier last week. The 24-year-old, who joined the Merseyside club in June, was substituted in the second half of Senegal's 2-0 victory over Namibia in Dakar, prompting speculation about his fitness. "I'm fit. It's true I got a little kick in the back of the knee, but it was nothing special -- it happened in the first half and I played (on)," Mane told the club's website (www.liverpoolfc.com) on Tuesday. "The most important thing is I am here today at (Liverpool's training ground) Melwood, I am happy to be fit and will get myself ready for Leicester in the rest of the week." UK banks call for transitional trade arrangements after Brexit By Huw Jones and Andrew MacAskill LONDON, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Britain should negotiate transitional arrangements with the European Union to avoid "cliff edge" disruption to financial markets when the country leaves the bloc, a top British banking official said on Wednesday. Once Britain has begun formal talks to withdraw from the EU by triggering Article 50, the country will leave two years later even if no new trade deals have been agreed - unless every EU member state agrees to extend the negotiation period. Anthony Browne, chief executive of the British Bankers' Association, said lenders were in a wait and see mode now but unless a transition framework is put in place banks would soon have to decide whether to move operations to Europe, as such shifts could take several years to implement. "We think there should be some form of transitional arrangements," Browne told a House of Lords committee. Much is at stake both for London and government coffers. Financial services generate more than 60 billion pounds ($80 billion) a year in tax, with 15 billion of that from foreign banks in London who depend on an EU passport to sell financial services across the region, Browne said. But Britain's shock vote to leave the bloc has forced firms to rethink their strategy, which has depended until now on the EU passport. Banks are already making contingency plans on how to serve customers across Europe if Britain loses those rights. "What we would like ... is to have as full bilateral access to the European market as close as possible to what we have at the moment," Browne said. Elsewhere in the sector, the Lloyd's of London insurance market said this week it would transfer some business to the EU if Britain does not get single market access. CLEAR STEER More generally, the financial sector wants a clear steer from government on its negotiating position after British Prime Minister Theresa May shot down some policy ideas put forward by colleagues who had campaigned to leave the EU. First, she rejected an Australian-style points system for selecting immigrants, which had been championed ahead of the vote. The financial sector hires large numbers of EU citizens. Then on Tuesday, May's office distanced itself from comments by David Davis, the minister charged with negotiating Brexit, suggesting Britain was unlikely to keep full access to the EU single market, saying that was his personal opinion. EU leaders have insisted they would only grant Britain full access in return for the continued free flow of EU citizens to the country. Charlie Bean, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, said he expected euro zone policymakers to mandate that clearing in euro-denominated financial transactions, which is dominated by the City of London, is shifted to the euro zone. "I think it's certain that we will lose it," Bean said. Top British bankers met with finance minister Philip Hammond on Wednesday to ask for a clearer idea of what the country's divorce from the EU will mean. "It is important Britain maintains its status as a great place for financial services and that is why the government stands ready to help the sector maximise the opportunities that leaving the EU presents," Hammond said after the meeting. EQUIVALENT DOUBTS Some analysts have said there could be a quick fix thanks to the so-called equivalence regime, under which the European Union can allow access to its markets for countries whose regulations are similar to those within the bloc. But Browne said this was an untested regime and did not provide sufficient certainty for longer-term security. "The downside of the equivalence regime is that it can be withdrawn at very short notice unilaterally. That is not a good basis for planning for business," Browne said. In practice, proving and maintaining "equivalence" generally for UK regulations would be challenging because Britain would be sidelined from European rule making. Bean said a transition period would mean that banks do not have to worry about starting to move to Europe now, before they know what the final trading terms will look like. Japan, whose banks in London use an EU passport, has also called for transitional arrangements. "Article 50 is an unrealistic time frame for financial institutions to migrate to a future plan," said Andy Gray, UK financial services leader at consultants PwC. U.S. lawmakers want moratorium on commercial flights to Cuba WASHINGTON, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Two leading critics of President Barack Obama's moves toward normal relations with Cuba introduced legislation on Wednesday seeking to temporarily halt commercial flights between the United States and the island because of security concerns. Republican Senator Marco Rubio and Democratic Senator Robert Menendez, both Cuban-American opponents of Obama's Cuba policy, introduced the Cuban Airport Security Act. The measure would stop commercial flights until after a study of security measures and equipment at airports in Cuba. The U.S. government has granted several U.S. airlines permission to begin scheduled flights to Cuba, opening another chapter in the Obama administration's efforts to improve ties and increase trade and travel with the former Cold War foe. A JetBlue Airways Corp passenger jet flew to Santa Clara, Cuba, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Aug. 31. It was the first scheduled commercial passenger flight from the United States to Cuba in more than half a century. Commercial flights to the capital, Havana, are expected to begin later this year. Obama's Cuba policy sharply divides the U.S. Congress. Opponents, mostly Republicans but also a few Democrats, say he is moving too quickly to ease restrictions on travel and trade, given continuing human rights violations by its Communist government. Backers say it is time to try another tactic in dealing with Havana after more than half a century with no change under the previous policy. HP Enterprise strikes $8.8 bln deal with Micro Focus for software assets By Paul Sandle and Liana B. Baker LONDON/NEW YORK Sept 7 (Reuters) - Hewlett-Packard Enterprise agreed to sell its software business to Micro Focus in a $8.8 billion deal that shrinks the Silicon Valley pioneer again while catapulting the little-known British firm into the top tier of European tech companies. Autonomy, the British firm bought by HP in an ill-fated $11 billion push into software just five years ago, will return to British control after the deal for far below its original price. HPE Chief Executive Meg Whitman is focusing the group on a few areas such as networking, storage and technology services since it separated last year from computer and printer maker HP Inc. "Micro Focus' approach to managing both growing and mature software assets will ensure higher levels of investment in growth areas, like big data analytics and security, while maintaining a stable platform for ... software products that customers rely on," she said. Micro Focus approached HPE in February, four months before Britain voted to leave the European Union in a shock referendum that initially spooked global financial markets, the British firm's executive chairman, Kevin Loosemore, said. It is the second big deal involving a British company since the June 23 Brexit vote that many feared would put the brakes on mergers. It is also a relatively rare example of a British company buying U.S. technology assets. Loosemore spotted another opportunity to profit from managing old software. Companies including banks and airlines pay Micro Focus to extend the life of the computers they use to run their businesses, for example to manage data. This allows the companies to avoid spending on newer computer systems. "(It) is entirely consistent with our established acquisition strategy and our focus on efficient management of mature infrastructure products," he told reporters on a conference call from New York. BORING BUT PROFITABLE Shares in Micro Focus, based in Newbury, southern England, jumped by a fifth to an all-time high of 2,400 pence, topping the FTSE 100 index of leading shares that it joined days ago, after chip designer ARM Holdings was bought by Japan's Softbank Corp. Micro Focus, with a market capitalization of 4.45 billion pounds ($6 billion) before the deal, has been snapping up software companies. This would be its largest deal to date. Earlier this year, it acquired U.S. firm Serena Software for $540 million. Loosemore said he would bring the core earnings margin for the mature assets in the deal - about 80 percent of the total - from 21 percent today to Micro Focus's existing 46 percent level within three years. "The way we do it is really just lots of 101, boring management," he said. "Too often people chase unattainable growth rates and in doing so they waste a lot of money." A serial acquirer of software platforms, Micro Focus has also shifted strategy to buying higher growth software such as SUSE, the world's No.2 maker of Linux software while wringing the most out of aging software. "This strategy works well for current shareholders, who gain significant ownership in better-run businesses," said UBS analyst Steve Milunovich, who tracks HP Enterprise. The deal, announced along with HPE's latest quarterly earnings, came on the same day that Dell and EMC Corp completed their merger in a deal that unites two of HPE's biggest rivals. In the third quarter, HPE reported net revenue of $12.2 billion, down 6 percent from $13.1 billion a year earlier. The transaction is expected to be tax free to HP. The deal is the latest in a series of asset disposals by HPE, which agreed in May to spin off and merge its struggling technology services business to Computer Sciences Corp, in a transaction valued around $8.5 billion. The sale will mean two-thirds of HPE's remaining business will be hardware, which is fast becoming a commodity, UBS's Milunovich said. It could make the company a more agile competitor but also could make it harder to compete with far larger companies such as Cisco and Dell. Micro Focus will pay $2.5 billion in cash to HPE. JP Morgan is advising on the deal and providing financing for the payment. HPE shareholders will own 50.1 percent of the combined company that will operate under the name Micro Focus and be run by its executives. HPE, which is working with Goldman Sachs on the deal, said it would pay $700 million in one-time costs related to the separation of the assets. AUTONOMY BACK IN BRITAIN In the deal, HPE is sending one of the British firms it acquired back to where it started. HPE acquired part of its software portfolio through HP's $11 billion purchase of Autonomy in 2011, a deal that was supposed to form the central part of the U.S. group's move into software. HP later wrote off three-quarters of the company's value. "Some of those products are very exciting, some of them are more mature," Loosemore said. Other HPE assets that will be merged include software for application delivery management, big data, enterprise security, information management & governance and IT Operations management businesses. By acquiring the HP Enterprise software assets, the deal thrusts Micro Focus into the top ranks of European software makers. It would rank around sixth in market capitalization terms among regional software names. Since sterling tumbled on the Brexit result, many British companies have become more attractive for international suitors. Loosemore said, however, the Brexit vote didn't change the dynamic. "If you map our share price in dollars rather than pounds it's pretty consistent," he said. "So no real effect." US says Libya close to eliminating Islamic State from Sirte LONDON, Sept 7 (Reuters) - U.S.-backed Libyan forces are close to vanquishing Islamic State from its last holdouts in the city of Sirte, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Wednesday. Carter said forces aligned with Libya's U.N.-backed government, who have been aided by U.S. air strikes since the beginning of August, had cornered Islamic State in one small section of the city. "I expect that they'll eliminate .... remaining opposition shortly," Carter told a news conference in London. Libyan forces said on Saturday they had advanced against some of Islamic State's last holdouts in the city. The jihadist group exploited Libya's deep political divisions to seize Sirte more than a year ago, using it as a base for Libyan and foreign fighters. Losing the city would compound the setbacks it has suffered in Syria and Iraq. The Sirte campaign is only one of many challenges in Libya, where the U.N.-backed government is trying to unite a multitude of rival factions that have divided the country since the downfall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Scientists find deadly scrub typhus bacteria in South America By Kate Kelland LONDON, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Scrub typhus, a deadly disease common in southeast Asia and spread by microscopic biting mites known as chiggers, has now taken hold in a part of South America and may have become endemic there, scientists said on Wednesday. The tropical disease, which kills at least 140,000 people a year in the Asia-Pacific region, has been confirmed in a cluster of cases on a large island off Chile, some 12,000 kilometres from its usual haunts on the other side of the Pacific. Scrub typhus has been known of for years and the bacteria that causes it was first identified in Japan in 1930. It is caused by the bacteria, Orientia tsutsugamushi, transmitted by chiggers, and spreads through the lymphatic fluid. Those infected find the illness can begin quite suddenly, with shaking chills, fever, severe headache, infection of the mucous membrane in the eyes, and lymph node swelling. Until 2006, scrub typhus was thought to be limited to an area called the "tsutsugamushi triangle", from Pakistan in the west to far eastern Russia in the east to northern Australia in the south. But writing in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers from Britain's Oxford University and the Pontificia Universidad Catolica and Universidad del Desarrollo in Chile the cases found off of Chile's mainland "suggest there may be a much wider global distribution than previously understood." In 2006, two cases of scrub typhus were found outside the triangle. One, in the Middle East, was caused by a previously unrecorded bacteria related to tsutsugamushi and named Orientia Chuto. The second was found on Chiloe island, just off mainland Chile. In January 2015 and again in early 2016, three more cases were discovered in Ancud, on the northern coast of Chiloe. "Scrub typhus is a common disease but a neglected one," said Paul Newton, director of the Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital Wellcome Trust Research Unit, which collaborated in the study. Trump in TV event with Clinton, says Putin better leader than Obama By Steve Holland and Jeff Mason NEW YORK, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that Russia's Vladimir Putin had been a better leader than U.S. President Barack Obama, as the Republican presidential nominee used a televised forum to argue he was best equipped to reassert America's global leadership. Trump suggested at the event in which he and Democratic rival Hillary Clinton made back-to-back appearances that U.S. generals had been stymied by the policies of Obama and Clinton, who served as the Democratic president's first secretary of state. "I think under the leadership of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton the generals have been reduced to rubble. They have been reduced to a point that's embarrassing for our country," Trump said at NBC's "Commander-in-Chief" forum in New York attended by military veterans. It was the first time Trump and Clinton had squared off on the same stage since accepting their parties' presidential nominations in July for the Nov. 8 election. Clinton was grilled over her handling of classified information while using a private email server during her tenure at the State Department. FBI Director James Comey had declared her "extremely careless" in her handling of sensitive material but did not recommend charges against her. "I did exactly what I should have done and I take it very seriously, always have, always will," she said. Trump's praise of Putin and his suggestion that the United States and Russia form an alliance to defeat Islamic State militants could raise eyebrows among foreign policy experts who feel Moscow is interfering with efforts to stem the Syrian civil war. "If he says great things about me, I'm going to say great things about him," Trump said of the Russian president. "Certainly in that system, he's been a leader, far more than our president has been." Trump had called Obama "the founder of ISIS," an acronym for Islamic State, in stump speeches several weeks ago. The statement drew broad criticism, prompting him to take a more disciplined approach to campaigning. He has since picked up ground on Clinton in national opinion polls. Trump also flirted with revealing what he had been learning in classified intelligence briefings given to him by U.S. officials because he is the Republican nominee. "There was one thing that shocked me," Trump said. "What I did learn is that our leadership, Barack Obama, did not follow what our experts ... said to do, and I was very, very surprised. ...Our leaders were not following what they recommended." Earlier on Wednesday, Trump pledged to launch a new U.S. military buildup, saying America was under threat like never before from foes like Islamist extremists, North Korea and China. DEBATE PREVIEW? The event offered a prelude to how Clinton and Trump will deal with questions on national security issues in their three upcoming presidential debates later in September and in October. Clinton began the forum saying her long experience in government as a U.S. senator and secretary of state made her uniquely qualified to serve as president. She said she had "an absolute rock steadiness" to be able to make tough decisions, a not so subtle dig at Trump, who Democrats say is temperamentally unfit for the White House. Moderator Matt Lauer doggedly pressed her about her handling of emails from a private server while secretary of state from 2009 to 2013. The issue has raised questions about whether she can be trusted to serve as president. Clinton said none of the emails she sent or received were marked top secret, secret or classified, the usual way such material is identified. Appearing in the second half of the hour-long show, Trump faced questions about his fitness for office. Asked if he would be prepared on Day One to be commander in chief, Trump said: "One hundred percent." Trump quickly abandoned Lauer's entreaties to avoid attacking his opponent and focus on what he would do if elected president in November. "She's been there for 30 years," Trump said. "We need change, and we need it fast." The event brought together the meticulously prepared Clinton, 68, the wife of former President Bill Clinton, and Trump, 70, a New York businessman whose brash, freewheeling style has allowed him to dominate the headlines during his campaign. Clinton said she regretted her decision as a U.S. senator from New York to vote in favor of the much-criticized 2003 Iraq war and that Trump had been in favor of it as well. Trump has condemned the war during his campaign and said he would avoid lengthy conflicts in the Middle East. On the U.S. intervention in Libya in 2011, Clinton rejected Trump's criticism of her support for the effort as secretary of state. "Permitting there to be an ongoing civil war in Libya would be as threatening and as dangerous as what we are seeing in Syria," she said. Trump said Clinton's handling of Libya proved disastrous. Republicans have made much of the fact that the U.S. ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, was killed in an Islamist attack in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012. "She made a terrible mistake in Libya," said Trump. Clinton said U.S. policies under her leadership at the State Department had helped promote security. "We made the world safer," she said. Over the July 4 weekend in 2015, members of the state Legislature sparked a public uproar by proposing last-minute changes to the state budget bill that would have created a deliberative process exception to Wisconsins long-cherished public records law. Government transparency advocates condemned the move, and the changes were hastily rescinded. But the effort to shield records that are produced while crafting law and policy did not end there. The administration of Gov. Scott Walker continued to assert its ability to withhold these records under existing law. In May 2015, the Center for Media and Democracy sued Walker for refusing a request for documents relating to prior failed legislation that sought to rewrite the University of Wisconsins mission statement, known as the Wisconsin Idea. Walkers attorneys cited deliberative process and other reasons for denying access. Shortly afterward, Madison attorney Katy Lounsbury filed suit along with her husband, Madison journalist Jud Lounsbury, and The Progressive magazine in response to a similar denial. The two cases were consolidated; I represented the Lounsburys in their action. This May, Dane County Judge Amy Smith issued a decision rejecting the deliberative process defense as inconsistent with Wisconsin law. Friends of open government celebrated the ruling, which the state did not appeal, as a deterrent to other public officials who might try to claim that this loophole exists. But there still could be efforts to assert this privilege in the courts or through legislation. The phrase deliberate process borrows from the terminology employed by federal courts when applying the federal Freedom of Information Act, the U.S. governments public records legislation. Congress incorporated the deliberative process privilege in FOIA through what is known as Exemption 5 to that law. Exemption 5 allows the federal officials to withhold certain interagency or intra-agency memoranda from the reach of FOIA requests. Courts have interpreted the exemption as permitting federal officials to deny public access to agency employees file memos, letters from employees of one agency to those of another, and consultants reports prepared for an agency. These sorts of records are all routinely available under Wisconsins public records law. In fact, as we noted in the lawsuits, the drafters of Wisconsins current public records law considered but rejected provisions similar to Exemption 5. That decision is consistent with the reputation that Wisconsins public records law enjoys as one of the nations broadest. While the federal approach relies on a purported need for agencies to operate in secrecy in order to produce the best final work product, Wisconsins approach embodies an opposite philosophy that outside scrutiny improves the process. As Judge Smith noted in her ruling, the effort to assert a deliberative process privilege flies in the face of long-held policies underlying Wisconsins open records law. Regardless of whether the next attempt to introduce it comes by judicial or legislative cover, a deliberative process privilege would allow agencies and state officials to keep us in the dark regarding the identities and motivations of those who draft the rules. From the thunder of the initial rally against deliberative process in July 2015 to the comparatively subdued but welcome reception for Judge Smiths decision, that is the takeaway that we cannot forget. St. Jude's lawsuit against short-seller faces steep climb -lawyers By Jessica Dye and Jim Finkle Sept 7 (Reuters) - St. Jude Medical will face an uphill battle in its corporate defamation lawsuit over a short-seller's report that said the medical device company's heart implants were vulnerable to cyber attacks, lawyers familiar with such cases said. The Minnesota-based company on Wednesday sued short-selling firm Muddy Waters and cyber security company MedSec Holdings Ltd in Minneapolis federal court, saying they intentionally distributed false information in an Aug. 25 report to manipulate St Jude's stock price. Muddy Waters placed a bet that the shares would fall. In a statement, Muddy Waters and MedSec Holdings said they would "vigorously defend our right to criticize a company that puts its profits before its patients." The right to free speech will be hard for St Jude to overcome. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is the "first line of defense" in defamation lawsuits brought against short-sellers, researchers, analysts, bloggers and anyone else whose opinion of a company may have influenced its stock price, said Michael Asaro of Akin Gump, who specializes in white-collar and regulatory investigations and litigation. In defamation cases generally, the plaintiff must prove the defendant's statements were false. For public figures, such as politicians or celebrities, there is an added burden of showing statements were not just false, but also published willfully and maliciously. Under Minnesota law, St Jude, as a company whose products have health implications, will almost certainly be considered a public figure and have to meet that tougher standard, said Minneapolis media lawyer Mark Anfinson, who has his own practice. But that does not necessarily mean Muddy Waters and MedSec are out of the woods, Anfinson said. The actual malice defense, more commonly wielded by the press, may not prove as powerful for a short-seller with a financial motive to cause a stock to fall. "They may not get the benefit of the doubt" on malice, said Anfinson. Muddy Waters said in its report that St. Jude's pacemakers and defibrillators, which are used to regulate heart rhythm and treat cardiac arrest, had cyber security flaws that enabled them to be hacked and manipulated, with potentially fatal consequences. 'SCARE TACTICS' St Jude was unsparing in its complaint. "Only driving down the stock price by defaming [Cardiac Rhythm Management] Devices with market-bombshell scare tactics could make the short-positioned Defendants richer - with the very unfortunate (and despicable) concomitant result of fueling significant concern and fear in patients and their families," the company said. In a pair of high-profile cases in recent years, defamation claims against short-sellers failed on free speech grounds. Last year, a San Francisco federal judge threw out a lawsuit brought by casino magnate Steve Wynn against short-seller James Chanos over comments Chanos made at a conference. The judge awarded Chanos more than $420,000 in attorneys' fees. A New York judge ruled in 2012 against a Canadian silver producer, finding negative reports circulated by hedge funds were constitutionally protected opinions. Muddy Waters said its report was an expression of opinion. The report raised the possibility of product recalls and St. Jude's revenue disappearing for two years while safety problems were fixed. MedSec had a financial arrangement with Muddy Waters in which the firm agreed to hire MedSec as a consultant, pay it a licensing fee for research and a percentage of any profits from the investment. Speaking generally, white-collar lawyer Asaro said the guiding principle was that even wrong opinions could be protected, so long as they were made in good faith and the underlying facts were presented fairly. "Where people get into trouble is where they misrepresent the facts," Asaro said. "That's why these cases are so fact-specific." Muddy Waters has courted controversy before with its criticism of companies whose stocks it bet against. Two targets of those comments, rice trader Olam International and bankrupt Chinese timber company Sino-Forest, sued Muddy Waters in Singapore and Canada, respectively. The cases were later dropped. "St. Jude Medical now joins the ranks of Sino-Forest and Olam International as companies that have filed frivolous lawsuits against us for criticizing them," said Muddy Waters founder Carson Block in an email. St. Jude's spokeswoman Candace Steele Flippin said the company is "confident in its legal position and took this action because of the irresponsible manner in which the defendants have acted." Aside from any question of legal wrongdoing, some industry experts are troubled by MedSec's arrangement with Muddy Waters. "I think it would be a dark day if we go down this path," said Kevin Fu, a University of Michigan scientist who a decade ago pioneered research into heart-device vulnerabilities. Fu said researchers should abide by voluntary industry guidelines for vulnerability disclosures in which researchers typically give companies time to fix flaws before going public. IOActive, NCC Group and Optiv, three prominent firms that provide vulnerability consulting, said they would not enter into an arrangement with short-sellers. Yet some argue that the public interest is served by such an alliance. Temer heckled and booed in first events as Brazil president BRASILIA, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Protesters jeered Brazil's new President Michel Temer on Wednesday as he participated in the county's Independence Day parade in Brasilia and the opening ceremonies of the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, his first official events since taking office on Aug. 31. Protesters at the events and in nearly a dozen other state capitals across Brazil were shouting "Temer Out" and "Usurper". Police in Brasilia estimated the number of protesters gathered in the nation's capital at about 600, relatively small compared with protests that brought millions to the streets on occasion over the last two years of impeached President Dilma Rousseff's administration. Despite the early demonstrations, markets have given Temer and his economic team the benefit of the doubt, for now. Brazil's real and main stock index have gained nearly 3 percent since Rousseff's ouster, even as a new corruption scandal hit the government last week. His team is expected to oversee a recovery of Brazil's economy, bogged down in its worst recession in 80 years, but economists do not predict a robust turnaround over the next 12 months. Taiwan lodges protest as Armenia deports fraud suspects to China TAIPEI/BEIJING, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Taiwan's government has lodged a protest after the Armenian government deported 78 Taiwanese suspected of telecom fraud to China, the latest flare-up in tensions between China and Taiwan over such deportations. Taiwan has been angered by several incidents this year in which countries around the world, including Kenya, Cambodia and Malaysia, have deported Taiwanese wanted on fraud charges back to China, rather than to Taiwan. China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory, and most countries have diplomatic ties with Beijing rather than Taipei and officially recognise that Taiwan is a part of China. China's state-run Xinhua news agency said late on Wednesday that Armenian police had "deported 129 Chinese telecom fraud suspects, including 78 from Taiwan" to China. The suspects were arrested when Armenian police raided six locations on Aug. 20, seizing a large amount of equipment including computers and smart phones, Xinhua said. China's Public Security Ministry sent a team to Armenia to deal with the issue on Aug. 26, the report added. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, the island's top China policy-making body, said it had expressed deep regret and a strong protest to China at the move. China has said previously it has a right to extradite these people as they are suspected of defrauding Chinese nationals and have caused great distress and harm. Xinhua said the Armenia-based fraudsters "had been falsely presenting themselves as law enforcement officers to extort money from people on the Chinese mainland through telephone calls". They have cheated people out of more than 7 million yuan ($1.05 million), it added. Annual Asia oil shindig sobers up as downturn lingers By Henning Gloystein and Florence Tan SINGAPORE, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Conspicuous consumption, mostly liquid, has long been a feature of Singapore's annual APPEC oil gathering, but it is a more sober affair in 2016, as executives in the third year of an industry downturn keep a clear head for deal opportunities. There are still takers for the many dinner and cocktail receptions, but with oil prices down about 60 percent since mid-2014, and refinery margins hitting multi-year lows in August, delegates are putting business before partying to compete in a volatile and cut-throat market. "Last year, there was a large roof-top event that went all night, and people were rolling out at 6 or 7 a.m.," said a Singapore taxi driver. "This year, the big events all finished at midnight or 1 a.m. tops, and only the die-hards stayed out later." A transformation in the Chinese oil market with the advent of the "teapot" refining industry - a batch of independent refiners with import licences - has also introduced a new source of demand for producers to fight over at the 32nd Asia Pacific Petroleum Conference this week. "There is a need to be very entrepreneurial, to find out your customer," said Jorge Montepeque, Senior Vice President at ENI Trading and Shipping, the trading branch of Italian energy major ENI. Andy Milnes, chief executive for global oil and gas firm BP's Integrated Supply & Trading in the Eastern Hemisphere, said at a Financial Times commodities event in Singapore that his firm had made big efforts to engage with China. This included packing its China team predominantly with Chinese nationals, which Milnes said had made a big difference in terms of customer relations and "understanding the needs and opportunities out there". Oil producers like BP and Statoil and traders like Trafigura have recently entered deals with teapots, and APPEC attendants said others were lining up to follow suit. The 16 teapots together import 1.3 million barrels of crude per day, equivalent to more than 10 percent of overall Chinese imports. "Business is good. We're being courted," said one teapot delegate. BASIC BUBBLES In previous years, the executives, traders, brokers, exchange staff and sales and marketing teams who flocked to APPEC showed scant enthusiasm for the conference events, which were sparsely attended. "As visitors swarmed to industry celebrations, hospitality suites and corporate outings during APPEC week, conference attendance declined sharply," said John Driscoll, director of JTD Energy Services in Singapore, who has been attending APPEC since its first year in 1985. In a sign of leaner times, Angolan state oil producer Sonangol was serving $50-a-bottle Veuve Clicquot champagne at its APPEC party this week. Before the downturn, delegates were treated to Dom Perignon, about four times the price. The change in atmosphere this year is also in part because oil price reporting agency S&P Global Platts, which competes with Thomson Reuters to provide news and information to energy markets, has taken over as conference organiser from local company Ace Connections and Events. Along with smaller rivals like privately held Argus Media, Platts, part of the group that , provides prices for physical oil and refined products - influencing cargoes worth billions of dollars every day. "Our plan is to build out the APPEC conference as the premier thought leadership event for the Asian energy market," said Sarah Whipp, Head of Marketing and Conferences for Platts, part of the group that also owns ratings agency Standard & Poor's. Platts' proposals to change the way it prices gasoil, a key refined product, has also given the conference particular relevance this year. Time to stop over-analysing oil freeze, it's not helping: Russell By Clyde Russell SINGAPORE, Sept 8 (Reuters) - One of the enduring features of oil markets is a tendency to over-analyse and interpret every word uttered by the various players, with the current debate over a mooted output freeze being the latest case in point. But perhaps it's time to halt the practice of both industry and media commentators to pontificate over what the leaders of oil producing countries meant when they speak, and focus on the actual words used. The latest shenanigans over whether the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other major suppliers such as Russia will limit their output has generated heaps of noise, but very little of substance. Effectively, it's the views, and actions, of four major producers that will determine whether there is any success in limiting production. They are Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iran and Iraq. So, in an attempt to cut through the noise, it's worth looking at exactly what the oil leaders of those countries have said recently, and take their words at face value instead of trying to work out what analysts and media think they were really trying to say. Taking top exporter Saudi Arabia first, the most recent relevant comment came from Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih on Sept. 5 in remarks accompanying the announcement of a broad cooperation agreement with Russia. "There is no need now to freeze production ... We have time to take this kind of decision," Falih said. "Freezing production is one of the preferred possibilities, but it does not have to happen specifically today." That's pretty clear. No freeze for now, but maybe at some time in the future. If you have to place an interpretation on those words, the most simple and logical one would be that nothing will be decided at the meeting of oil producers in Algeria later this month, but something may at the OPEC meeting in November. Moving to Russia, and Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Sept. 5 that an output freeze would have helped the market rebalance and his country would join one if an agreement can be reached. That's also pretty clear, Russia would like a freeze, but everybody has to agree. Novak also said that Iran should be allowed to reach the output level it enjoyed prior to Western sanctions against its nuclear programme, which were lifted earlier this year. NO IRAN, IRAQ FREEZE That position has been something the Iranians have been clear about too, and their most recent comments underline this. Iran can raise its output to 4 million barrels per day (bpd) in the next two to three months, and is aiming for 5 million bpd in two to three years, Seyed Mohsen Ghamsari, the director for international affairs at the National Iranian Oil Company, said at the Argus Crude Forum in Singapore. "We can increase crude production based on market requirement," Ghamsari said. Taken at face value this means that Iran, whose output is about 3.8 million bpd currently, is expecting to increase its production and exports in coming months. So, no freeze for Iran. That leaves Iraq, and here the story is the same, higher output is expected in coming months. "There will be a steady growth in production and exports next year," Falah Alamri, the head of Iraq's State Oil Marketing Co. told Reuters on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Petroleum Conference in Singapore. While Alamri didn't specify by how much he expected to raise exports, it's safe to say that Iraq is not expecting to freeze output. So, taking the words of the four major producers and putting them together and you end up with one saying they will supply as much oil as their customers need and that there is no need for a freeze now (Saudi Arabia), one saying a freeze would be nice (Russia) and two saying they plan to increase output and exports (Iran and Iraq). Yet, despite these very clear statements, if you read the media, both traditional and social, and paged through various analyst reports, you would get the impression that a freeze is still very much on the cards. This flies in the face of what the producers are actually saying, and in what they are doing as well, given OPEC actually raised output in August by 40,000 bpd from July, taking it to a record 33.5 million bpd. Japan PM urges "strict" implementation of sanctions on North Korea VIENTIANE, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday that strong pressure from the international community was the only way to halt North Korea's rocket and nuclear tests and that economic sanctions needed to be implemented "strictly". Chemical weapons watchdog chief says Aleppo gas attack disturbing By Ju-min Park SEOUL, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The world's chemical weapons watchdog chief said on Thursday the group will investigate suspected use of chlorine gas in an opposition area of the Syrian city of Aleppo, calling reports of the gas attack disturbing. The U.N. Security Council is due to discuss a report by the United Nations and the watchdog group, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), that blames Syrian government forces for previous toxic gas attacks. The Syrian Civil Defence, a rescue workers' group which operates in rebel-held areas, said government helicopters dropped barrel bombs containing chlorine on Tuesday in Aleppo that caused suffocation in 80 people. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Wednesday that one person had died as a result of the attack. "More recent reports on the use of chlorine are disturbing," OPCW chief Ahmet Uzumcu told reporters in Seoul where he was attending a security forum, referring to the attack in Aleppo. The group will use all available means to investigate the allegations of toxic gas use in the attack and submit the findings to members states of the Chemical Weapons Convention, Uzumcu said. A Syrian military source denied on Wednesday accusations that the army had launched a chlorine gas attack in Aleppo, saying the charges were an attempt by rebels to divert attention away from their defeats. A year-long U.N. and OPCW inquiry into Syria, unanimously authorized by the 15-member Security Council, focused on nine gas attacks in seven areas and determined that Syrian government troops were responsible for two of them, in 2014 and 2015. The Syrian government has denied previous accusations it used chemical weapons during the five-year-old civil war. The inquiry also found that Islamic State militants have used sulphur mustard gas. The report's findings set the stage for a Security Council showdown between the five veto-wielding powers, likely pitting Russia and China against the United States, Britain and France over how to respond. Aleppo has been divided for years into government and rebel sectors, but President Bashar al-Assad's army has put the opposition areas under siege and now hopes to capture the whole city in what would be a devastating blow to his enemies. Footage of the apparent chlorine gas attack on the Sukari district, near Aleppo's main battlefield in the city's southwest, showed crying children being doused with water and then lying on hospital beds and breathing through respirators. PRESS DIGEST - Bulgaria - Sept 8 SOFIA, Sept 8 (Reuters) - These are some of the main stories in Bulgarian newspapers on Thursday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. -- Bulgaria does not plan to build a fence on the border with Turkey, as the main migrant pressure comes from the Bulgarian-Turkish border, Interior Minister Rumiana Bachvarova said. (24 Chasa, Capital Daily, Monitor) -- The political parties in the Reformist Bloc coalition, the junior partner in the government, has yet to agree on its nomination for the presidential election in November. (24 Chasa, Standart, Capital Daily, Monitor, Sega) Turkish shelling kills six members of Kurdish force in Syria-Observatory BEIRUT, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Turkish army shelling killed six members of the Kurdish security forces in an area of northwestern Syria controlled by Kurdish groups overnight, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported. The Afrin region of northwestern Syria is controlled by the Kurdish YPG militia which holds swathes of northern Syria. Turkey last month launched an incursion into northern Syria in an area some 100 km (60 miles) east of Afrin to stop further expansion of YPG territory and to drive the jihadist group Islamic State from the border. A statement issued by the Kurdish authorities in Afrin said the attack was a provocation by the Turkish army to "ignite the fire of war". "We will carry out the appropriate response ... if these type of attacks are repeated," the statement said. Turkey is concerned that further consolidation of Kurdish influence in northern Syria could fuel separatist sentiment among its own Kurdish minority. The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) has fought a three-decade insurgency for Kurdish autonomy in southeastern Turkey. Mexican fund raises price for Pizza Hut operator in Poland WARSAW, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Mexican fund Finaccess Capital on Thursday raised its offer price for shares in Poland's Amrest Holdings in a public bid aimed at taking over the operator of Pizza Hut and Burger King outlets in eastern Europe, the brokerage arranging the transaction said. Finaccess Capital wants to double its stake in Amrest to 66 percent. It raised the price to 255 zlotys ($66.58) after Amrest management said an earlier offer of 215 zlotys did not reflect fair value. Amrest is valued on the Warsaw bourse at $1.39 billion or 252 zlotys per share. Brokerage Dom Maklerski BZ WBK, part of Spanish lender Santander, is arranging the transaction. As Gov. Scott Walker kicked off the budget crafting season Wednesday by floating the idea of a sales tax holiday for back-to-school shopping next year, Republican legislative leaders are signaling their contempt for proposed cultural competency expenditures by the University of Wisconsin. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, Tuesday marked the start of the school year by lamenting the plague of political correctness at the UW that he said stifles free speech and risks damaging the minds of tomorrow. And last month, Sen. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, vice chair of the Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges, asked fellow legislators to join him in rejecting the UW Systems request for $6 million in the 2017-2019 budget for a package of initiatives to improve students experience that includes what it calls cultural fluency education and training for everyone on campus. If only the taxpayers and tuition-paying families had a safe space that might protect them from wasteful UW System spending on political correctness, Nass said in an Aug. 16 statement. Nass challenge to political correctness was a focus of a New York Times article noting the spread on U.S. college campuses of programs educating incoming freshman to microaggressions, subtle insults around race, ethnicity, gender class or sexual orientation that can create an inhospitable environment for some students. At some universities, alumni and students have objected to a variety of campus measures, including diversity training; 'safe spaces,' places where students from marginalized groups can gather to discuss their experiences; and 'trigger warnings,' disclaimers about possibly upsetting material in lesson plans, the Times reported. The debate has been refueled by a letter from the dean of students at the University of Chicago this summer warning incoming freshman that the school does not support so-called trigger warnings, we do not cancel invited speakers because their topics might prove controversial and we do not condone the creation of intellectual safe spaces, where individuals can retreat from ideas and perspective at odds with their own. Fluent, the planned UW cultural competence class, is part of 2020 FWD, a package of new and expanded initiatives to recruit, retain and prepare students that UW regents approved in August as critical to educating students for a 21st century workforce. They are asking the state Legislature, which cut funding to the UW by $250 million in the last biennial, to increase funding by $42.5 million in the next budget to finance 2020FWD. Meanwhile, Vos is challenging the UW System to practice what it preaches on free speech and foster debate by inviting more conservative speakers to its campuses. Intellectual diversity should be a top priority on every college campus. Every view should be present, analyzed and discussed, Vos said in a statement released Tuesday. UW System officials say they support free speech, Vos said, citing a resolution adopted by UW System Regents in December that reads in part: it is not the proper role of the university to attempt to shield individuals from ideas and opinions they, or others, find unwelcome, disagreeable, or even deeply offensive. Although the university greatly values civility, concerns about civility and mutual respect can never be used as a justification for closing off discussions of ideas. But if you look at who the campuses pay to speak on campus, theres not much diversity of opinion, Vos argued. Vos office analyzed information about who spoke on UW campuses on the taxpayers' dime in 2015, he said, including the speakers possible ideology. What is noticeably absent in the top paid speakers to the UW System were individuals with conservative, political or social, perspectives, Vos wrote. The Vos review found roughly $2.7 million was spent on guest speakers by UW campuses in 2015. At UW-Madison, about $70,000, more than half the total $131,000 spent on speakers last academic year, went for programs presented through the office of vice provost of diversity, Patrick Sims, according to data provided by Vos office. Highest paid among those speakers was Chicago Tribune columnist Clarence Page, who received $8,500 for his talk at the 2015 Diversity Forum. Vos noted the highest paid speaker was Kathy Obear, a former professor at University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and co-founder of the Social Justice Training Institute. She spoke three times at UW-Platteville for a total of $45,000. Michael Sam, the first openly gay player in the NFL, received $21,352 for a speech at UW-La Crosse last December. The data suggests that when UW System officials look to invest in an invited guest, more times than not, theyre looking for a liberal-minded individual to disperse information to the young, developing minds who pay them thousands of dollars for their education, Vos concluded. As our universities around the country grapple with todays politically correct culture, I challenge the UW System this school year to find more ways, beyond a two-page policy statement, to ensure that all perspectives, including conservative ones, are present in the classroom. At UW-Madison, Chancellor Rebecca Blank said shes confident the campus can be a supportive home for all students while fostering freedom of expression. A package of new and enhanced programs to improve campus climate at UW-Madison is absolutely essential to our educational mission, Blank said last week. We need to make sure everyone at Madison feels they are valued and is free from harassment and intimidation, she said. Only if faculty, staff and students feel at home can the university fulfill its mission of research and outreach on behalf of the state, she said. The programs were a direct response to a series of ugly incidents against black, Jewish and Native American students last spring, Blank said. Among the programs is Our Wisconsin, a pilot for incoming students anticipated to cost $150,000 to $200,000 in this, its inaugural year. Im confident we can be a diverse and inclusive community while also preserving our commitment to free speech and the tradition of fierce intellectual debate, sifting and winnowing, Blank said. That occurs best when everyone is willing to listen to and respect diverse perspectives. This article was edited to correct the spelling of Kathy Obear's last name. Dutch finance minister calls for cap on all manager bonuses at 20 percent of pay AMSTERDAM, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem wants bonuses for all managers in The Netherlands to be capped at 20 percent of base pay. While a European Union-wide cap of 100 percent was enacted in the financial sector to limit risk taking in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, the Dutch government went further, capping bankers' bonuses at 20 percent. In an opinion piece in De Volkskrant published on Thursday, Dijsselbloem argued the rule should be universally adopted, noting that total pay packages for executives have more than doubled over the past 20 years, He said that executives of Heineken, Unilever and supermarket operator Ahold now earn more than 100 times than most of their employees. Dijsselbloem said caps in the financial sector and for publicly-funded enterprises had had a beneficial effect an it is "now time that these developments continue through to the private sector." Singapore says unclear if local Zika strain causes birth defects By Fathin Ungku and Marius Zaharia SINGAPORE, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Singapore said on Thursday it did not know if the Zika virus detected in the country could cause the same birth defects and other disorders linked to an outbreak in Latin America. A DNA analysis of the mosquito-borne virus, which has infected almost 300 people in Singapore, including two pregnant women, revealed slight differences between the strains but it was not clear what that meant in terms of the severity of the disease, the health ministry said. The World Health Organisation (WHO), which has declared Zika an international health emergency, says more research is needed to determine the effects of the different Zika strains. "There is no evidence from existing studies and from this sequence to indicate whether the differences between these strains and the South American virus correlate with differences in severity or type of disease," the health ministry said. "Correlation of virus strains with specific clinical manifestations will take long-term careful epidemiological studies as well as experimental studies," it added. The WHO has said that infection with the virus in pregnant women can cause the birth defect microcephaly, in which the brain and head of the baby are undersized, and other severe brain abnormalities. The WHO also said it was likely that the Zika virus could trigger the Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that can result in paralysis, though conclusive proof may take years. The connection between the virus and microcephaly first came to light in Brazil, which has been the hardest hit by the outbreak affecting Latin America. Scientists say the Zika strain in Brazil most likely evolved from an Asian strain. The virus, first detected in Uganda in 1947, spread to equatorial Asia in the 1960s and 1980s. Singapore said the strain causing the current outbreak also evolved from an Asian strain. Raymond Lin, head of the National Public Health Laboratory said the strain in Singapore and Brazil were slightly different, but it was not clear what this meant. "There might be fine differences, there might be more mutations but currently there is no evidence at all to suggest that it's less severe or more severe; whether there is less or more likelihood of getting microcephaly," he told media. A WHO spokeswoman also said more research was needed to better understand the virus. "Researchers do not yet know if the 'old' lineage of Zika also causes complications such as microcephaly and neurological disorders," the spokeswoman said. London police arrest two men suspected of preparing attacks LONDON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Two men were arrested in London on Thursday on suspicion of being involved in terrorism, the British capital's Metropolitan Police said in a statement. The men, who were not named, were arrested at an address in west London as part of a pre-planned, intelligence-led investigation by the force's Counter Terrorism Command. One of the men, aged 19, was arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. The other, aged 20, was arrested on suspicion of funding terrorism and failure to disclose information regarding a terrorist act. He was also arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts under a separate investigation by the South East Counter Terrorism Unit. Officers were searching addresses and vehicles in west and southeast London and in the Thames Valley area. Both men, who are from London, remain in police custody. German growth rate to nearly halve in 2017 after pick-up this year - DIW BERLIN, Sept 8 (Reuters) - German economic growth will pick up to 1.9 percent this year due to strong domestic demand, but the expansion rate in Europe's biggest economy will nearly halve in 2017 as Brexit and other risks hit exporters, the DIW institute said on Thursday. "The German economic engine is likely to start stuttering for a while," DIW said in a statement, adding that Britain's decision to leave the European Union would limit Germany's growth prospects in the coming months. "The Brexit decision is likely to put the brakes on German foreign trade until the middle of 2017," the institute said. DIW raised its 2016 growth forecast for the German economy to 1.9 percent from 1.7 percent, mainly due to a surprisingly strong performance in the first six months of the year. But it lowered its 2017 growth forecast for Germany to 1.0 percent from 1.4 percent, partly because of special factors such as more holidays falling in working weeks next year. Taliban fighting in capital of Afghanistan's Uruzgan province - officials KABUL, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Taliban forces were fighting within the capital of Afghanistan's central province of Uruzgan on Thursday, threatening government offices as the leadership fled to the airport, officials said. Afghan forces repel Taliban offensive in provincial capital-officials By Sayed Sarwar Amani KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Taliban forces fought their way deep into the capital of Afghanistan's central province of Uruzgan on Thursday, threatening government offices and capturing a prison before being pushed back, officials said. The attacks, in one of the country's top opium-producing areas, exposed how thinly stretched Afghan security forces have become as they try to contain Islamist insurgents in other areas of the country. In Uruzgan, militants had fought to within a few hundred metres of the governor's compound and police headquarters in Tarin Kot, a city of about 70,000 people, but by afternoon, officials said they had repelled the attacks. Reinforcements included General Abdul Raziq, a border police commander from the southern region of Kandahar with a fearsome reputation, said Dost Mohammed Nayab, a spokesman for the governor of Uruzgan. Aircraft and helicopters flew over the city, providing air support to embattled government troops, and the Taliban suffered heavy casualties, Nayab added. The offensive, and apparent government collapse in some areas, were reminiscent of the Taliban's swift but brief capture of Kunduz city last year, the first time the movement had seized a provincial capital since losing power in 2001. Bolstered by reinforcements and air support, security forces began to push the Taliban back in the early afternoon, said one resident, who asked not to be named for his own safety. "This morning was very bad, but the security situation is better now," he said. "This morning the circle of fighting was a kilometre or so from the main bazaar. The government and (officials) were all escaping to the airport and trying to get out to Kandahar." In the aftermath of the fighting, streets remained deserted and shops closed, with many families fleeing the city, the resident added. "The city won't be back to normal for a month at least. The shops, bakeries, restaurants are all closed. There are no vehicles on the streets, the city is just shut down." BLAME GAME BEGINS Leaders in Uruzgan had retreated to the airport, home to an Afghan military base, said a police official, who asked not to be named as he was not authorized to speak to the media. In the Afghan capital, Kabul, a spokesman for President Ashraf Ghani expressed confidence in the security forces in Tarin Kot. "Uruzgan will not turn into a terrorists' safe heaven," said Shah Hussain Murtazawi. In telephone interviews with Reuters, security officials were quick to assign blame for the initial collapse of the defences. Provincial police chief Wais Samim said many officers in the city had made deals with the Taliban and abandoned checkpoints without a fight, while another police official accused the province's senior leadership of abandoning the city. In a statement late on Wednesday, the Taliban promised government forces protection if they surrendered peacefully. The city's prison fell to the advancing militants, but its occupants had previously been transferred to the airport, said Abdul Karim, head of the Uruzgan provincial council. In an online statement released early in the day, the Taliban said their fighters had entered the city and overrun at least seven checkpoints as well as the prison, with officials taking the prisoners as "hostages" and fleeing to the airport. Taliban militants have been waging an insurgency against the Western-backed government for 15 years, since they were toppled by a U.S.-led military intervention in 2001. Last year, the government retook Kunduz only after nearly two weeks of fighting, with elite Afghan troops backed up by U.S. special forces and warplanes. A spokesman for the U.S. military command in Kabul said officials were monitoring the situation, but there were no coalition advisers in Uruzgan and no U.S. air strikes during the latest fighting this week. At least 69 coalition troops died in Uruzgan during nearly a decade and a half of international military efforts to defeat the Taliban and other militant groups after 2001. The province is in a part of south-central Afghanistan long dominated by the Taliban and warlords who vie for access to its lucrative smuggling routes and illicit drug production. Three suspected female militants seized in France, policeman stabbed By Christian Hartmann and Ingrid Melander BOUSSY-SAINT-ANTOINE/PARIS, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Three women arrested on Thursday in connection with a car laden with gas cylinders found abandoned near Paris's Notre Dame cathedral were likely planning an imminent attack, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said. The minister said one of the women had stabbed a police officer during the arrest before being shot and wounded. A source close to the investigation said the attacker was the missing 19-year-old daughter of the car's owner. The discovery on Saturday night of the Peugeot 607 loaded with seven gas cylinders, six of them full, prompted a counter-terrorism investigation in a country where militants have killed more than 230 people in attacks since January, 2015. Police sources said no detonator had been found, though the vehicle also contained three jerry cans of diesel fuel, adding to concerns that there had been a plan to explode the car. "These three women aged 39, 23 and 19 had been radicalised, were fanatics and were in all likelihood preparing an imminent, violent act," Cazeneuve said in a televised statement. Seven people have now been detained since Tuesday in connection with the investigation. MISSING DAUGHTER The arrests took place in Boussy-Saint-Antoine, some 30 km (20 miles) south-east of Paris. A Reuters photographer later saw a hand-cuffed person being carried into a building in that town, in the area cordoned off by police, where house searches were being carried out. Police investigators and bomb-disposal experts were on the ground. The town's mayor told BFM TV there had been no specific threat of an attack in the local area. The Peugeot was found in the early hours of Sunday morning on a Seine riverside road metres from Notre Dame cathedral. Documents with writing in Arabic were also found in the car, which had no registration plates and was left with its hazard lights flashing. The car owner was taken into custody earlier this week but later released. He had gone to police on Sunday to report that his daughter had disappeared with his car, officials said. His daughter, officials say, is known to police for wanting to leave for Syria, where scores of religiously radicalised people of French and other nationalities have joined the ranks of the Islamic State militant group. France, which is taking part in bombing the militant group's bases in Iraq and Syria, remains on maximum alert after calls for attacks on the country. Thousands of extra police and soldiers have been deployed to patrol sensitive sites since 130 people were killed by Islamist gunmen and suicide bombers in attacks on Paris last November. Father of former Nigeria militant dies following military incursion-residents YENAGOA, Nigeria, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The father of a former Nigerian militant leader has died from injuries suffered during a government military campaign in the oil-producing Delta region, a family spokesman said, raising the possibility of an inflaming of hostilities. Chief Thomas Ekpemupolo, the 84-year-old father of rebel leader Government Ekpemupolo, died at a hospital in Warri from injuries sustained during military incursions into his community, Paul Bebenimibo, a spokesman for the son, known as Tompolo, said. Tompolo was a commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), a group that spearheaded attacks on oil and gas installations in the Delta region in the early 2000s until a government amnesty programme halted clashes by offering contracts to protect pipelines and oil production equipment. A wave of attacks on oil and gas facilities kicked off not long after an arrest warrant was issued for Tompolo in January on charges of corruption. Godspower Gbenekama, a community leader in Tompolo's home area, said doctors had tried in vain to save the father by amputating a leg. "We have appealed for calm but it is very painful considering the circumstances that led to his death," he said. "His leg was amputated because he could not gain immediate access to hospital and treatment after the injury because of the lock down after and during the period of the invasion," he said, referring to a search of his community by the army hunting Tompolo. "By the time the military left our area it was too late," he said. Comment from the government was not immediately available. The violence has shut down more than 700,000 barrels per day of oil output and exacerbated an economic crisis in a nation reeling from its first recession in two decades. Tompolo has denied any involvement in the attacks on oil and gas infrastructure, as well as the corruption charges. He remains in hiding. While oil minister Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu said talks were progressing with militants over a ceasefire, the army is waging a campaign aimed at stamping out attackers. Locals have criticized the efforts as heavy handed, and said they risk fuelling more dissent, while other groups have said they run contrary to the ceasefire talks. EU-Canada passenger data deal infringes privacy -EU adviser By Julia Fioretti BRUSSELS, Sept 8 (Reuters) - An agreement between the European Union and Canada to share airline passenger data that the two sides say is vital to fighting terrorism must be redrafted before it can be signed, an adviser to the top EU court said on Thursday. Parts of the deal, agreed in 2014, go against the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, Advocate General Paolo Mengozzi said, and in most such cases, judges follow advisers' views. Mengozzi's opinion will therefore come as a blow to governments around the world, which have stepped up their arguments for data retention and sharing after a spate of militant attacks this year. EU lawmaker Timothy Kirkhope, who successfully steered so-called Passenger Name Record (PNR) legislation through the European Parliament in April, called the opinion "irresponsible", given the level of security threat. Canada welcomed the "detailed opinion" but said it would not comment until the final ruling, expected in a few months. "We remain committed to continue working closely with the European Union until the ratification of a Canada-EU PNR Agreement that complies with EU fundamental rights and EU law," a government representative said. Mengozzi said the proposed agreement allowed authorities to use the passenger name records data beyond what is strictly necessary for the prevention and detection of terrorist offences and serious transnational crime. It also leaves too much leeway for Canadian authorities to transfer the data to a non-EU country's authorities, he said. Passenger name records include names, travel dates, itineraries, ticket and contact details, travel agents and other information. However, he said the agreement would be compatible with EU fundamental rights subject to certain conditions. These include sensitive data not being collected, that the offences for which data can be retained be listed exhaustively and that the number of targeted persons be limited to those who can reasonably be suspected of participating in a terrorist offence. The opinion might also bode badly for a separate commercial data transfer deal with the United States, Privacy Shield, which replaces a framework disallowed a year ago by the European Court of Justice over concerns about mass U.S. surveillance. It is widely expected to be challenged by privacy advocates. Civil rights groups and liberal politicians welcomed the opinion as a reaffirmation of the importance of privacy even when responding to security threats. Much work needed to improve Ukraine ceasefire, German foreign min says BERLIN, Sept 8 (Reuters) - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Thursday that there was still a lot of work to be done to get a ceasefire fully implemented in Ukraine, adding that progress was "urgently needed". World food prices hit 15-month high in August - FAO By Isla Binnie ROME, Sept 8 (Reuters) - World food prices rose in August to their highest since May 2015, as increases in dairy, oils and sugar offset a drop in cereal prices, the United Nations food agency said on Thursday. The rise in the Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) index puts food prices back on an upward path after dropping slightly in July. The index hit a seven-year low in January. "We seem to have reached the bottom for food prices in general some months back, and I think what we are seeing goes some way to confirm that," said FAO senior economist Abdolreza Abbassian. Abbassian said a drop back to January's levels was unlikely but he did not expect a return to historic highs either. In July, FAO forecast broadly stable prices over the next decade. Food prices on global markets were almost 7 percent higher in August than in the same month last year. The index measures a basket of cereals, oilseeds, dairy products, meat and sugar. Only cereals dropped in value in August, weighed down by prospects for a bumper harvest. Abbassian said confusion over an Egyptian ban on wheat containing a certain fungus was also having an impact. "These things are probably going to keep cereals in check," Abbassian said, adding, "the United States seems to be heading for quite an amazing, big crop but this is not the situation with any of the other crops." FAO raised its forecast for world cereal production in the 2016-17 season to nearly 2.566 billion tonnes, 1.6 percent higher than in 2015. It forecast both world wheat and rice output hitting new records. Armenian prime minister resigns, party nominates Gazprom executive By Hasmik Mkrtchyan YEREVAN, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan tendered his resignation on Thursday saying the country needed fresh policies, after his government struggled with an economic slowdown and protests in the capital earlier this year. His announcement paved the way for the cabinet to resign and the president to appoint a new prime minister following consultations with parliament. "We need a new approach, new start. That's why I've decided to resign and let the president form a new government," Abrahamyan said. Artak Zakaryan, a deputy from the ruling Republican Party, told reporters Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan has accepted Abrahamyan's resignation. The party said 53-year-old technocrat Karen Karapetyan, the former head of national gas distributing company ArmRosGazprom and later Yerevan mayor, has been nominated as his replacement. After leaving the post of mayor, he moved to Moscow, to be appointed as the first vice-president of Gazprombank. He is currently deputy CEO of Russian gas producer Gazprom's GAZP.MM Mezhregiongaz unit. Experts say the new government is likely to be temporary and the final configuration will emerge only after 2017 parliamentary election and the end of Sarksyan's second term in 2018, when the full transition from the semi-presidential form of government to a parliamentary republic will be completed. A former parliamentary speaker and an economist by training, Abrahamyan was appointed prime minister two years ago. In 2015 Armenia's economy started to deteriorate - economic growth slowed to 3 percent in 2015 from 3.5 percent in 2014 and below the government's growth forecast of 4.1 percent. The government expects 2.2 percent economic growth in 2016. Armenia, a country of 3.2 million people, depends heavily on aid and investment from former Soviet overlord Russia, whose economic downturn has hit Armenian exports and much-needed remittances from Armenians working there. The government has also faced political challenges, including a flare-up of violence in Azerbaijan's breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region in April between Armenian-backed separatists and Azeri forces. Two months later a group of 30 armed men seized the police station and took hostages in the Armenian capital Yerevan. Two police officers were killed during a two-week stand-off, before gunmen surrendered to the authorities. The incident led to mass protests in the capital, when people took to the streets to secure the release of a jailed opposition politician and demand the resignation of the government and the president. China "democracy" village protests 3-year graft sentence for former leader By James Pomfret HONG KONG, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The former head of a Chinese village once dubbed a symbol of grassroots democracy was sentenced on Thursday to three years' imprisonment, Hong Kong media reported, triggering anger and fresh protests in the village. The ruling follows victories by several pro-independence candidates in Hong Kong's first major election since democracy protests in 2014, spurring a warning by China this week that any independence would damage the city's security and prosperity. Lin Zuluan, 72, was jailed by a court in the southern city of Foshan for three years and one month, and fined 400,000 yuan ($60,000) on several charges, including accepting bribes, Hong Kong's Ming Pao newspaper said. Many residents of the fishing village of Wukan, about a four-hour drive northeast of Hong Kong, were outraged and fresh unrest was likely, said a villager contacted by Reuters. "It's definitely not just the sentence," added the villager, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the subject. "He didn't do anything wrong and he wasn't even able to hire his own lawyer. The village will fight this." Red notices posted around the village called for shops and markets to close and urged residents to rise up in support of Lin, he said. Huang Shunxing, an official of Foshan's People's Court, said he was not aware of Lin's case. Reuters could not reach Lin's relatives and associates by mobile telephone to seek comment. Wukan made global headlines in 2011, with a protest against corrupt former village leaders and landgrabs that prompted provincial authorities to sack the former village chief and allow fresh polls, in which many protest leaders won seats. In June, authorities arrested the democratically elected Lin, just days after he made a public appeal for a mass march against fresh illegal seizures of land. In a televised confession after his arrest, Lin admitted accepting kickbacks, but many skeptical villagers dismissed the confession as having been forced, and defied authorities' warnings with mass demonstrations for several weeks this summer. Authorities blocked at least two lawyers hired by Lin from taking on his case, his relatives have said. In late 2014, Hong Kong's 79-day "umbrella revolution" brought chaos to the streets as protesters sought to press Beijing to allow full democracy in the former British colony. easyJet says UK's Brexit vote had short-term impact on demand LONDON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Low-cost airline easyJet said Britain's vote to leave the EU in June had a short-term impact on UK consumer demand for holidays after sterling fell against the euro, and appetite for holidays had since normalised. "We took a consumer hit because people think 'oh my God Europe's more expensive', that normalises," Carolyn McCall told reporters on the sidelines of a conference on Thursday. easyJet said its plan to acquire an operating certificate in another EU country, part of its preparation to be able to continue to operate as it does currently when Britain, where it is headquartered, is no longer part of the EU was "quite advanced". Air fares for European consumers are also likely to remain at the levels they have done this year, next year, McCall said. "There's no question in our minds that pricing will remain low, brilliant for consumers. For the next year, we see 2016/17 being very similar to this year," she said. easyJet's bigger competitor Ryanair said in September that fares could fall by between 10 and 12 percent over the six months between September and March. German growth expected to halve in 2017 as Brexit bites By Michael Nienaber BERLIN, Sept 8 (Reuters) - German economic growth will nearly nearly halve in 2017 as Brexit and other risks hit exporters, the DIW institute said on Thursday, although it predicted a pick up to 1.9 percent this year due to strong domestic demand. The subdued outlook followed a string of economic data which painted a bleak picture for German manufacturing, with industrial orders barely rising in July and output posting its steepest drop in nearly two years. "The German economic engine is likely to start stuttering for a while," DIW said in a statement, adding that Britain's decision to leave the European Union would limit Germany's growth prospects in the coming months. "The Brexit decision is likely to put the brakes on German foreign trade until the middle of 2017," the institute said. Britain is Germany's third-most important export market and uncertainty about London's future relationship with the remaining 27 EU members is hampering investment decisions. DIW raised its 2016 growth forecast for the German economy to 1.9 percent from 1.7 percent, mainly due to a surprisingly strong performance in the first six months of the year. But it lowered its 2017 growth forecast for Germany to 1.0 percent from 1.4 percent, also citing special factors such as more holidays falling in working weeks next year. Brexit is expected to cost the German economy 0.3 percentage points of overall growth next year, DIW head Marcel Fratzscher said. The lower number of working days in 2017 will reduce the overall growth rate by another 0.4 percentage points, he added. Other leading institutes are a bit more optimistic. The RWI think tank said on Thursday it expected the German economy to grow by 1.9 percent this year and by 1.4 percent next. The Kiel-based IfW institute forecasts only a mild economic slowdown to 1.7 percent in 2017 from 1.9 percent this year. TAX CUTS VS INVESTMENTS Speaking in the Bundestag lower house of parliament, Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel confirmed the government's growth forecast of 1.7 percent this year. This would be on a par with last year when the German economy grew by the strongest rate in four years, mainly driven by soaring private consumption and higher state spending. Gabriel, also head of the Social Democrats, called for more investment in childcare, education and digital infrastructure instead of using the federal budget surplus for tax cuts after next year's election - as suggested by conservative Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble. "We must not fall into the trap and weaken the state further," Gabriel said. "The most important point of reference is a strong and more capable state." But he suggested the government should agree on lowering the social welfare contributions for low- and middle-income earners ahead of next year's federal election. "One should not promise such relief ahead of elections, it's better to implement it ahead of elections," Gabriel said. The Social Democrats, coalition partners of Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling conservatives, have made increasing investment a centrepiece of their election campaign a year before the federal vote. South Africa's Oakbay "implores" banks to reopen its accounts By Tiisetso Motsoeneng JOHANNESBURG, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Oakbay Investments said on Thursday it will again try to restore its relationships with South African banks which ostracised it after allegations of undue political influence by its owners, the Gupta family. Oakbay's announcement comes weeks after its owners said they planned to sell all of their stake in the local business before the end of the year. "We intend to reach out in the coming weeks, again, to the four banks, and implore them to reopen our account," Chief Executive Nazeem Howa said after releasing annual results. The Indian-born Gupta brothers, whose businesses stretch from media to mining, are friends of South African President Jacob Zuma. They have denied using this friendship to influence his decision-making, including cabinet appointments, or advance their business, saying they are pawns in a plot to oust Zuma. Zuma has confirmed that the Guptas are his friends, but has denied allegations that they wield undue political power. The president set up a three minister-committee to patch up relations between Oakbay and the four banks -- FirstRand , Barclays Africa, Nedbank and Standard Bank -- but this has made little headway. The banks have not given reasons for closing the company's bank accounts between December and April, citing client confidentiality agreements. Lenders have consistently declined to comment, but FirstRand chief executive Johan Burger said on Thursday his bank had nothing to hide after Mines Minister Mosebenzi Zwane said last week that the inter-ministerial team had asked Zuma to launch a judicial probe into why the banks cut their ties with Oakbay. "Cabinet said there is no such thing. And why would we be concerned? We have nothing to hide," Burger said. Zwane was castigated last week by opposition parties for saying cabinet was behind the team's proposal to urge Zuma to set up the inquiry. Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, part of the inter-ministerial team, also distanced himself from Zwane's comments on Thursday, saying a judicial inquiry into the banking sector was not necessary. Privately-owned Oakbay reported a 7 percent increase annual sales to 2.6 billion rand ($186 million) in its first public earnings report. Howa said the earnings had been published to "dispel some of the myths" about the company. "I look forward to dispelling the myth that our Group is heavily reliant on Government business, either directly or indirectly. Nothing could be further from the truth," he said. France's Hollande gives clearest hint at quest for second term By Richard Lough PARIS, Sept 8 (Reuters) - President Francois Hollande said on Thursday he would not let France's image deteriorate "over the coming months or coming years", his clearest indication yet that he intends to run for a second term in office next year. In an hour-long speech on "democracy and terrorism", Hollande, a Socialist, took a swipe at his right-wing opponents, saying their hardline reactions to a wave of militant attacks demonstrated an intent to destroy France's social model. "I won't let the image of France, the influence of France, deteriorate over the coming months or coming years," said Hollande, who opinion polls show is the most unpopular French leader of modern times. Hollande has come under attack from right-wing opponents, in particular former president Nicolas Sarkozy, over his track record on security. More than 230 people have been killed in militant Islamist attacks on French soil since January 2015. Sarkozy, who announced last month his candidacy for the April 2017 presidential poll, has said France needs to be "merciless" in its response to the attacks and that there is no place for "legal niceties" in the fight against terrorism. Without mentioning Sarkozy by name, Hollande said: "Constitutional principles are not legal niceties." "Is the freedom to come and go a legal nicety? Is freedom of expression a legal nicety? Is freedom to worship a legal nicety? Is being presumed innocent - something that's useful when defending one's self - a legal nicety?" Hollande said at the left-wing Jean Jaures Foundation, drawing warm applause. FEARS Hollande, who defeated Sarkozy in the 2012 presidential race, was speaking on Thursday amid lingering security fears and this summer's debacle over a burkini ban, a saga which encapsulated secular France's difficulties responding to the threat posed by homegrown jihadists and foreign militants. Worryingly for Hollande, an opinion poll published by Elabe on Wednesday showed almost nine in 10 voters did not want the president to seek a second five-year term. Further underlining the uphill battle Hollande would face in winning re-election, respondents were damning in their assessment of his performance on the two key themes set to dominate the campaign: security and the economy. More than two thirds of respondents held a negative view of the president's fight against terrorism while 86 percent viewed his handling of the economy unfavourably amid stubbornly high unemployment. With seven months to go until the election's first round, the fractures within the Socialist Party are deepening and the list of left-wing candidates to replace Hollande is growing. Hollande's economy minister, Emmanuel Macron, a 38-year-old investment banker whose place in the government had become increasingly awkward after he repeatedly criticised left-wing totems such as the 35-hour working week, resigned last week, clearing the way for an anticipated presidential bid. A poll this week showed Macron winning more votes than Hollande in the first round of the election. Hollande's conservative opponents were quick to hit back at the president after his speech. Attacks have killed 44 Pakistanis working on China corridor since 2014 By Syed Raza Hassan KARACHI, Pakistan, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Militants trying to disrupt construction of an "economic corridor" linking China with Pakistan's coast have killed 44 workers since 2014, an official said on Thursday, a rising toll likely to reinforce Chinese worry about the project's security. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a $46 billion network of roads, railways and energy pipelines linking western China to a deep-water port on Pakistan's Arabian Sea coast, which passes through Pakistan's troubled Baluchistan province. Pakistani officials say they have taken tough measures and that security has greatly improved in Baluchistan, a resource-rich region where ethnic Baluch separatists have battled the government for years. They oppose the CPEC. Colonel Zafar Iqbal, a spokesman for construction company Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), said all of the workers killed were Pakistani and most fell victim to roadside bombs and attacks on construction sites. "The latest figure has climbed up to 44 deaths and over 100 wounded men on CPEC projects mainly road construction in Baluchistan, which began in 2014," Iqbal told Reuters. In November 2015, the official figure was 25 killed, indicating that the toll has accelerated this year. The Pakistani projects are part of a Chinese plan to build land, sea and air routes across Asia and beyond boosting trade and winning new markets overseas for Chinese companies as domestic growth slows. Chinese officials have appealed for improved security in Baluchistan and other regions where projects are planned or under way. In a bid to address their fears, Pakistan last year created an army division, believed to number more than 10,000 troops, to focus specifically on protecting CPEC projects and Chinese workers. FWO, which is owned by the Pakistani army, has been awarded the bulk of road-building contracts in Baluchistan and other volatile areas in Pakistan. Pakistani officials concede security problems remain in Baluchistan, but say the work is progressing ahead of schedule. About $4.5 billion of the planned investment in the corridor will go towards road infrastructure, with two-thirds of the total $46 billion investment funnelled towards energy projects. Officials expect the CPEC projects to significantly boost Pakistan's economic growth above the current 5 percent a year. Overall security in Pakistan has improved over the past few years but Islamist groups, especially those linked to the Pakistani Taliban, still stage major attacks from time to time. Thailand, Malaysia plan border wall to halt illegal flow of goods, people VIENTIANE, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Thailand and Malaysia will discuss plans to build a wall along their shared border, Thai officials said on Thursday, a day before Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is set to meet his counterpart in Bangkok. People-trafficking and the smuggling of drugs and weapons are among the transnational crimes that have flourished along the 640-km (398-mile) Thai-Malay border, until a crackdown by Thailand last year disrupted regional trafficking routes. Najib is to meet Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on an official visit that will focus on security cooperation and investment. The wall is on the agenda for the meeting, said a Thai foreign ministry official. "It will be on the agenda during Najib's visit, but it will not be the biggest item on the agenda," foreign ministry spokesman Chinawut Setawat told Reuters at a regional meeting in the Laotian capital of Vientiane. "It is still at the memorandum of understanding phase," said Colonel Yutthanam Petchmuang, a spokesman for Thailand's Internal Security Operations Command. Malaysia's foreign ministry did not respond to a request from Reuters for comment. Najib's visit follows three deadly bomb attacks in southern Thailand over the past month, including a wave of bombs in tourist towns in August that Thai police have linked to Muslim separatists operating in the country's south. The porous Thai-Malay border has also been a site for the smuggling of weapons, drugs and illegal oil. After taking power in a May 2014 coup, Thailand's junta promised what it called a "zero tolerance" policy of human trafficking and launched a nationwide crackdown on vice and crime. In January 2004, a shadowy separatist insurgency by ethnic Malays resurfaced in Thailand, after simmering for decades. Since then, 6,500 people have been killed, says Deep South Watch, a body that monitors the violence. Thailand's three southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat were once part of an independent Malay Muslim sultanate until they were annexed by Thailand in 1909. Two issues in particular have spurred the interest of Malaysia and Thailand in building a border wall, said Srisompop Jitpiromsri, director of Deep South Watch. "The first is to stop the flow of illegal goods, whether it is petrol, drugs or human trafficking," he told Reuters. "The second reason is that insurgents operating in Thailand regularly cross the border and use Malaysia as a safety base." Yet it remains unclear how far the wall will reduce crime. German minister, in Lithuania, backs European "defence union" VILNIUS, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Germany's defence minister called for a European "defence union" on Thursday during a visit to the Baltic state of Lithuania, where Berlin is preparing to lead a battle group of about 1,000 troops as a deterrence against neighbouring Russia. The European Union has long considered forging closer defence ties while not undermining the U.S.-led NATO alliance, to which many EU member states also belong, especially in the face of a more aggressive Russia and worsening conflicts in the Middle East. The decision of Britain, a staunch opponent of any EU "army", to quit the EU has also removed an obstacle to the closer European defence cooperation favoured by Germany, France and many eastern European countries. "It's time to move forward to a European defence union, which is basically a 'Schengen of defence',", Ursula von der Leyen told reporters in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. "That is what the Americans expect us to do." Schengen refers to the passport-free zone covering much of Europe, a pillar of the more integrated Europe that Germany strongly supports. German Chancellor Angela Merkel also recently endorsed the idea of more joint military operations with the three Baltic republics, all NATO and EU members which have felt especially vulnerable following Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. Germany already has close military ties and joint forces with Poland, the Netherlands and France outside NATO structures, though Berlin and Paris also say they do not envisage establishing a European army. "When we have threats that are surrounding us, we all know no country by its own will be able to manage that. But we together, we Europeans, we are very strong if we improve our capabilities as Europeans," von der Leyen said. The German-led battle group in Lithuania will operate air defences when it is deployed early next year, she added. "There will be a comprehensive air defence", she said. "We are very glad that we find many European friends who want to join, like the Dutch or the French, for example." Hawaii -- First State in the Nation to Mandate Sexuality Education for Kindergarten Over 100 concerned parents meet at the State Capitol to organize their opposition Contact: Rep. Bob McDermott, 808-371-4605 HONOLULU, Hawaii, Sept. 8, 2016 / Special guest speaker was Mrs. Sharon Slater chair of the United Nations Caucus on the Family who talked about the "attack on the family" and the sexualization of our youth without parental consent or involvement. McDermott noted that Hawaii is the first and only state in the nation where the official statewide policy (103.5) is sexuality education beginning in Kindergarten. In addition, any notion of abstinence or delaying the onset of early sexual activity was also jettisoned in the policy change by adopting Comprehensive Sexuality Education complete with the new components of "Gender Ideology" which have no basis in science. None. McDermott explained how Planned Parenthood lobbied the BOE to secure the policy change with one public hearing. Despite the fact the Superintendent was not supportive of the change, despite the fact that public testimony was 90 against the change and 66 in support, the reckless board members bowed at the altar of the Planned Parenthood sex hustlers and decreed a policy of sexuality education in KINDERGARTEN! Why? To inculcate these precious innocent children with the "politically correct" notions of gender roles, gender ideology, and that homosexuality and transgenderism are the healthy, wholesome moral equivalents of male/female reproduction. The left believes that the Parents must not have time to impart their politically incorrect versions of morality and decency onto their 5 year old children. This is why it was imperative for Planned Parenthood to get this into the early grades. McDermott said the good news is that this policy has not yet been implemented, because they have no standards, they have no curriculum, they have had no public vetting or review process of any proposed new curriculum; but it's on the books and ready to go. This policy is a national embarrassment. McDermott has been trying to get straight answers from the BOE, but says, "It is like making a soup sandwichimpossible!" Share Tweet Contact: Rep. Bob McDermott, 808-371-4605HONOLULU, Hawaii, Sept. 8, 2016 / Christian Newswire / -- Last evening in the Hawaii State Capitol, State Representative Bob McDermott hosted an educational event designed to alert, engage, and empower parents with information regarding the recently passed BOE policy mandating sexuality education in Kindergarten. While not yet implemented, the proposal is a cause of great concern an angst to parents, teachers, and principals.Special guest speaker was Mrs. Sharon Slater chair of the United Nations Caucus on the Family who talked about the "attack on the family" and the sexualization of our youth without parental consent or involvement.McDermott noted that Hawaii is the first and only state in the nation where the official statewide policy (103.5) is sexuality education beginning in Kindergarten. In addition, any notion of abstinence or delaying the onset of early sexual activity was also jettisoned in the policy change by adopting Comprehensive Sexuality Education complete with the new components of "Gender Ideology" which have no basis in science. None.McDermott explained how Planned Parenthood lobbied the BOE to secure the policy change with one public hearing. Despite the fact the Superintendent was not supportive of the change, despite the fact that public testimony was 90 against the change and 66 in support, the reckless board members bowed at the altar of the Planned Parenthood sex hustlers and decreed a policy of sexuality education in KINDERGARTEN!Why? To inculcate these precious innocent children with the "politically correct" notions of gender roles, gender ideology, and that homosexuality and transgenderism are the healthy, wholesome moral equivalents of male/female reproduction. The left believes that the Parents must not have time to impart their politically incorrect versions of morality and decency onto their 5 year old children. This is why it was imperative for Planned Parenthood to get this into the early grades.McDermott said the good news is that this policy has not yet been implemented, because they have no standards, they have no curriculum, they have had no public vetting or review process of any proposed new curriculum; but it's on the books and ready to go.This policy is a national embarrassment. McDermott has been trying to get straight answers from the BOE, but says, "It is like making a soup sandwichimpossible!" Much work needed to improve Ukraine ceasefire, says Germany BERLIN, Sept 8 (Reuters) - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Thursday that a lot of work was still "urgently needed" to get a ceasefire fully implemented in eastern Ukraine where Ukrainian government forces confront Russian-backed separatists. Steinmeier, who visits Ukraine next week in an effort to arrange a new high-level meeting between Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia, voiced dissatisfaction over slow progress to resolve the conflict in which more than 9,500 people have been killed. "I think everyone involved ... isn't and can't be satisfied with the implementation of the Minsk agreement," Steinmeier told reporters, referring to a peace accord brokered by leaders of the countries in the Belarussian capital in 2015. "We have experienced long periods of standstill and when progress has been made, it has been in millimeters. None of us ... can allow or see any benefit in standing on the spot when it comes to implementing the agreement," he said after meeting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin. Steinmeier travels to Ukraine next week with his French counterpart to discuss if, and when, a new round of high-level talks among the four powers can be arranged. Russian President Vladimir Putin said this week his country would continue to support new talks among the four leaders aimed at ending the fighting. "With regard to the implementation of the Minsk agreement, we also have to talk about the special status law, the local election law, the amnesty law ... we both know that a lot of work will be necessary to ultimately come together on this point," Steinmeier said. Steinmeier said concrete progress had to be made before calling a meeting of the four countries. "We can only do that when we have enough substance to come together at this level. We're checking that at the moment and we're working on getting this substance and that's one of the reasons why I will be in Ukraine," said Steinmeier. Uzbek PM named interim president in interests of "stability" ALMATY, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Uzbekistan's parliament named Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev as interim president on Thursday in succession to the late President Islam Karimov, saying stability and law and order had to be maintained in the populous Central Asian state. Mirziyoyev, 59, secured the top job when the man who should have become transitional leader under the constitution bowed out in his favour, saying he had long experience in office and enjoyed the respect of people. The authoritarian Karimov died of a stroke last week aged 78 after ruling the resource-rich country for 27 years. Under the Uzbek constitution, a presidential election must now be held within three months, and Mirziyoyev, who was the official mourner-in-chief at Karimov's funeral and met Russian President Vladimir Putin this week, is widely expected to be elected. Russia, the United States and China vie for influence in Uzbekistan, a country of 32 million bordering Afghanistan. Central Asia pundits say they do not expect any drastic policy changes under Mirziyoyev, a former regional governor valued by Karimov as a competent manager. With his appointment as acting head of state, Mirziyoyev leapfrogged the little-known Senate chairman Nigmatilla Yuldashev, who under the constitution should have led the country during the transition period. Yuldashev turned down the role and instead asked to for Mirziyoyev to be instated as acting president, taking into account "his long experience of work in executive positions and respect among the people", the parliament said in a statement. Parliament supported Yuldashev's motion, stressing the "need to preserve stability, public security, law and order and effectively resolve political and economic issues". Karimov cast his country as a bulwark against militant Islam but drew Western criticism for suppressing political dissent. Human rights groups say there are hundreds of political and religious prisoners in local jails and say torture is practiced. As Obama caps years of Asia 'pivot', regional tensions smoulder By Roberta Rampton and Martin Petty VIENTIANE, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Barack Obama defended his efforts to 'rebalance' U.S. foreign policy towards Asia on Thursday even as he wound up the final visit of his presidency to the region with the South China Sea dispute still smouldering. Obama's trip to Asia began and ended on awkward notes. Arriving for a G20 summit in China last week, his staff argued with airport security officials over media access, and a meeting in Laos with the Philippines' new president was called off after he alluded to Obama as "a son of a bitch". Obama, who lived in Indonesia as a boy with his mother, a development worker, told a group of young leaders that the emphasis he had placed on Asia over his two terms was personal. But addressing leaders of Southeast Asian nations in Laos on Thursday, he said it was also "key to a peaceful and prosperous future for the world", and voiced his hope that whoever succeeds him in the White House next year would take it forward. Obama, whose foreign policy focus has been widely seen as a response to China's economic and military muscle-flexing across the region, said critics at home were wrong to say it had failed when Asian leaders only wanted more. "The concern that I've heard is - will it continue? And, almost uniformly, the questions I get from other leaders is: we hope that America's interest, and presence, and engagement is sustained," he told a news conference in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Nevertheless, there was barely concealed tension at the summit of East Asian and Southeast Asian nations in Laos. CHINA DENOUNCES "INTERFERENCE" The leaders played down differences over the South China Sea in a carefully worded statement, mentioning only that several of them were "seriously concerned over recent developments" in the waterway that is the most volatile hotspot in the region. China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei have competing claims on the sea, through which more than $5 trillion of trade moves annually. The last four are part of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The statement made no reference to a July ruling by a court in The Hague that declared illegal some of China's artificial islands and invalidated its claims to almost the entire sea. But Obama pointedly told the meeting that the arbitration ruling, which China refuses to recognise, was "binding". "We discussed the importance of claimants adhering to steps they've already agreed including respecting international law, not militarising disputed areas and not occupying uninhabited islands, reefs and shoals," he told reporters later. For its part, Beijing voiced objections several times to what it referred to as countries outside the region "interfering" in tussles over the South China Sea - wording that is usually understood to mean the United States and Japan. Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters in Laos it had been "inappropriate" for two countries, which he did not name, to bring up the arbitration issue during the summit. Besides the ASEAN members, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, India, Australia, New Zealand and the United States attended. China has over the past year alarmed other claimants, and outside powers such as the United States and Japan, by re-claiming land on several disputed reefs through dredging, and building air fields and port facilities. The Philippines, a longtime ally of the United States, pumped up tension over the South China Sea on Wednesday ahead of a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and ASEAN leaders. It released photographs and a map showing what it said was an increased number of Chinese vessels near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, which China seized after a standoff in 2012. Its defence ministry expressed "grave concern" that China was preparing to build structures at the shoal. China's embassy in Manila said there has been no dredging or building at the shoal and China has maintained a coastguard presence there for law enforcement patrols. SPAT WITH MANILA OVER SLUR The Philippines' move came after a dispute with the United States, its former colonial power. Ties turned frosty when new President Rodrigo Duterte insulted Obama on Monday, prompting the cancellation of a meeting between them. Duterte has bristled at criticism from abroad of his war on drugs, in which more than 2,400 people have been killed since he became president two months ago. Obama and Duterte made some steps towards clearing the air late on Wednesday, chatting briefly, and exchanging pleasantries as they prepared to take their seats at a leaders' dinner. Obama has made 11 trips to the region as U.S. president. But they have often been overshadowed by events at home or other parts of the world, and his ambition to put a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact at the heart of the "pivot" to Asia has been frustrated. The prospects for U.S. congressional approval for the TPP have looked increasingly dim, with both major presidential candidates - Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump - standing opposed. "I have said before and I will say again failure to move ahead with TPP ... will call into question America's leadership," Obama said in Laos. "I think it is important for the entire region and it is important for the United States." Syrian Kurds, allies to approve federal plan despite Turkey By Tom Perry BEIRUT, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Syrian Kurdish groups and their allies will approve a constitution for a new system of government in northern Syria next month, a top Kurdish politician said, defying a Turkish incursion aimed at curbing Kurdish influence in the area. The new system will be established in parts of the north where Kurdish groups have already carved out autonomous regions since the start of the Syrian conflict in 2011, alarming Turkey which fears the rise of Kurdish influence on its border. "We have decided to convene a meeting of the founding assembly of the federal system at the start of October, and we will declare our system in northern Syrian," Hadiya Yousef, who chairs the assembly, said in an interview. "We will not retreat from this project. On the contrary, we will work to implement it," she said. "The Turkish intervention will not obstruct us." Kurdish officials say the new system will deepen and widen the existing autonomous administration, allowing for an expansion into areas that have been captured from Islamic State by Kurdish militia and their allies from other ethnic groups. The plan underscores the Kurds' emergence as a major force in Syria since the onset of its war. While Kurdish officials deny suggestions they aim to establish a Kurdish state, they do not hide their goal of safeguarding their autonomy in a country where they faced systematic discrimination before the conflict. Their unilateral moves are taking place against a backdrop of international failure to promote a wider peace. Their efforts are opposed by both the Syrian government and its Sunni rebel opponents, but underpinned by one of the most powerful militias in the country, the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). Turkey views the YPG as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged a three-decade insurgency for Kurdish autonomy in southeastern Turkey. But the YPG has also been an important partner for the United States in its campaign against Islamic State in Syria. Turkey's incursion into Syria has targeted a 100 km (60 mile) stretch of territory between the two main Kurdish-controlled areas of northern Syria, obstructing plans to link up territory known in Kurdish as Rojava. Syrian rebels backed by Turkey and hostile to the YPG have moved into the area since the incursion began late last month. Turkey aims to both drive Islamic State from the border, and to prevent further Kurdish gains. Yousef said she expected a city captured by Kurdish-allied forces last month to join the federal system, though the Turkish-backed rebels are also laying claim to it. The city, Manbij, is to the west of the Euphrates River. "According to our view ... the people of Manbij are eager to join the federal system and accept it," Yousef said. "I believe Manbij will enter the borders of the federal system." Both the United States and Turkey have demanded the Kurdish YPG militia withdraw from positions west of the Euphrates. The YPG says it has done so. Turkey and its Syrian rebel allies say it has not. Manbij was captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces alliance, which includes the YPG, in a U.S.-backed operation. The United States voiced opposition to the federal plans when they were first announced in March. Yousef said the Kurdish groups and their allies were still seeking to link up the regions, or cantons. "We are working to reach the Afrin canton," she said, referring to a region of northwestern Syria. "We will not retreat from that." The constitution, known as the social contract, will be approved by a 151-member council chaired by Yousef. Work will then begin on a law for elections to be conducted at the local level, to be followed later by regional elections. The draft constitution names the city of Qamishli at the Turkish border as the capital of the new federal region, she said. The Turkish-backed rebels have clashed with Kurdish-allied forces north of Manbij since the Turkish incursion began on Aug. 24. A Turkish-backed Syrian rebel commander told Reuters this week he expected a battle for Manbij soon because the YPG had not withdrawn. Yousef said: "We will certainly respond to any attack that the Turks mount against our forces." Kurdish officials say their autonomous system will guarantee the rights of all groups and become a blueprint for the kind of decentralised state needed to end the Syrian war. Nine Yemeni civilians, four of them children, killed in air strike-residents SANAA, Sept 8 (Reuters) - At least nine civilians, including four children, were killed on Thursday in an air strike by the Saudi-led coalition on a residential building north of the Yemeni capital Sanaa, residents said. At least five other people were injured in the attack early on Thursday on the three-storey apartment building in the Amran provincial capital, Amran city, north of Sanaa, they said. A spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition said he was checking the report. The coalition, which has been fighting to roll back gains made by the Iran-allied Houthi group since 2014 and restore ousted President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power, says it does not target civilians. The attack was the latest raid to have struck civilian targets since August. Previous ones include a strike on a hospital run by Doctors without Borders, prompting the international medical charity to withdraw staff from northern Yemen. Residents said the building was struck three times while an adjacent but empty school was hit twice. No one was hurt in the school which was empty as the school year has yet to start. Rescue workers were still sifting through the rubble searching for more victims. The conflict has killed more than 10,000 people, according to the United Nations, and displaced more than three million people. U.S., Ukraine agree to enhance Ukrainian forces, boost cooperation -Pentagon LONDON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The United States and Ukraine on Thursday agreed to cooperate on defense technology and improve Ukraine's forces, the Pentagon said, naming former Centcom Commander and retired U.S. General John Abizaid as a senior defense advisor to Ukraine. Turkey suspends 11,500 teachers over alleged links to Kurdish militants -official ANKARA, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Turkey has suspended 11,500 teachers over alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK), a Turkish official said on Thursday, confirming an earlier report from broadcaster CNN Turk that cited the education ministry. Turkey says Syrian Kurdish forces should not be core of Raqqa operation By Phil Stewart LONDON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Turkey supports a planned operation to drive Islamic State out of its Syrian stronghold of Raqqa but the Kurdish YPG militia should not be the ones at the core of it, Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Isik told Reuters on Thursday. "What Turkey focuses and insists on is that instead of solely the YPG forces, the operations must be conducted, as the core of the operatives, by the local people of the region, instead of the YPG," Isik said in an interview in London. "Turkey will not allow YPG forces to extend their territory and gain power by using the Daesh operations as an excuse," he said, using an acronym for Islamic State. Isik also said that YPG fighters had still not retreated east of the Euphrates river as promised after a U.S.-backed operation to take the Syrian town of Manbij from Islamic State. He said Turkey, which launched a military incursion into Syria just over two weeks ago, would seek no other objective around Manbij provided the YPG forces retreated east. Isik was speaking after a meeting in London with U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter, who told reporters that the YPG had indeed returned back across the Euphrates. The two men also discussed the importance of local forces being at the centre of any Raqqa operation, the Pentagon said in a statement. It also said Carter had assured his Turkish counterpart of continued U.S. support for Turkey's efforts to clear Islamic State from its borders. Slovenia to raise corporate tax to 19 pct, cut income tax LJUBLJANA, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Slovenia will raise the tax on corporate profits to 19 percent, starting in 2017, from 17 percent now, and at the same time cut personal income tax, Mateja Vranicar Erman, the state secretary at the Finance Ministry, said on Thursday. Apple says figure is more a reflection of its supply than real sales Comes amid claims many consumers are waiting for the Apple will not release first-weekend sales of its new iPhone 7, the company has said, making it harder for analysts to get a read on the product's prospects amid questions over whether its popularity has peaked. The company decided to stop the practice because the number of phones sold during the period has become more a reflection of Apple's supply than demand, a company spokeswoman said, when asked whether Apple will be releasing the figure. The stakes for the iPhone 7 are high after sales of the gadget dropped during two straight quarters this year, the first declines in its history. The move will make it harder for analysts to get a read on the product's prospects amid questions over whether its popularity has peaked. 'As we have expanded our distribution through carriers and resellers to hundreds of thousands of locations around the world, we are now at a point where we know before taking the first customer pre-order that we will sell out of iPhone 7,' Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet said. 'These initial sales will be governed by supply, not demand, and we have decided that it is no longer a representative metric for our investors and customers.' The company reiterated its financial outlook for the quarter. Apple launched the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus at a San Francisco event on Wednesday. The iPhone 7 lineup was introduced at a live event in San Francisco and features two new colours - glossy 'jet black' and matte 'black' The new phones feature improved cameras and eliminate the traditional headphone jack in favor of new technology. Preorders will begin on Friday, and Apple will start shipping the devices on Sept. 16. The stakes for the iPhone 7 are high after sales of the gadget dropped during two straight quarters this year, the first declines in its history. As they try to assess whether the iPhone has reached a plateau, investors will not be happy about losing a data point, said Colin Gillis, an analyst with BGC Partners. APPLE BACKLASH AFTER DITCHING EARPLUGS SOCKET After months of anticipation, Apple has finally revealed the iPhone 7 which has controversially dumped the headphone socket. Instead, users can plug into a Lighting port or can opt to use wireless 'AirPod' headphones that cost 159 in the UK and $159 in the US. As the tech firm ditched the traditional headphone port from its new iPhones, it introduced new wireless earphones called AirPods. Again, these work out cheaper in the US with a price tag of $149, which works out at 112 - some 37 cheaper than the official UK price of 149 Reaction to the change has been mixed, with many people taking to Twitter to mock the price of the AirPods and how easy they could be to lose. But others have praised the move - which Apple says took 'courage' - highlighting the importance of innovation to the iPhone's enduring popularity. Advertisement 'Less data is never good, particularly given the question marks around this phone,' he said. Apple shares fell 2.4 percent to $105.71 in mid-day trading. IPHONE 7 PRICING US price UK price Converted US price (08/09/16) 32GB $649 599 487 128GB $749 699 562 256GB $849 799 637 IPHONE 7 PLUS PRICING US price UK price Converted US price (08/09/16) 32GB $749 719 562 128GB $849 819 637 256GB $949 919 711 On Sept. 28, 2015, when Apple announced record first-weekend sales of its iPhone 6, its stock dropped 2 percent, reflecting Wall Street's worries about cooling demand. The iPhone is Apple's lifeblood, accounting for more than half of the company's revenue. In the most recent quarter, Apple recorded $42.4 billion in total revenue with $24 billion coming from the iPhone. APPLE'S IPHONE 7 FACTS AND FIGURES Apple iPhone 7 | SpecOut Advertisement Investors have grown accustomed to receiving early sales figures, and Apple's decision to hold back seems significant, said analyst John Jackson of IDC. 'It reinforces, I think, the thesis that this product is mature,' he said. Nevertheless, sales logged when the supply chain is ramping up only reveal so much about the gadget's ultimate trajectory, said analyst Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights Strategy. home Entertainment 'Star Wars Rebels' season 3 air date, spoilers: No more expanded universe for series? Grand Admiral Thrawn introduced "Star Wars Rebels" season 3 is premiering in a few weeks, and the franchise decided to give a sneak peek of its latest antagonist, the Grand Admiral Thrawn. There are rumors that despite Darth Maul and Darth Vader's presence in the upcoming installment of "Star War Rebels," they will not be at the forefront of the story. Apparently, the next season will not concentrate on their battles, but will focus on the arrival of Admiral Thrawn instead. The latest trailer for "Star Wars Rebels" released only a few days ago seems to hint that Thrawn has been spending his days trying to find out how he can defeat the universe using his tactical intelligence. It looks like he will be an even bigger threat than the two aforementioned names combined. Check out the trailer below: It's obvious from the video that Thrawn will rely on his clever ideas in order to bring down the rebellion and defeat them. His way is much different from Darth Vader's method before, that of relying on his strength and superiority. It is also worth noting that Darth Vader seems to be absent in the new trailer. Is this a confirmation of creator Dave Filoni's previous comments in which he said "Star Wars Rebels" season 3 will not revolve around Darth Vader and Darth Maul? If ever the two figure in the upcoming installment, it looks like their participation will be limited, as the team behind the show have carefully studied and considered how to bring in Thrawn to the picture. Meanwhile, iDigitalTimes notes that the re-introduction of Thrawn into "Star Wars Rebels" season 3 is an indirect confirmation that the "Star Wars" expanded universe is no more. It will be recalled that back on April 25, 2014, Disney reduced all "Star Wars" expanded universe material to a mere fiction that they called "Star Wars Legends." It was then that Admiral Thrawn was introduced, as the main enemy of the New Republic in the years following "Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi." Fans will remember him attempting to destroy the new galactic government, so it looks like he will definitely be a big threat to the heroes of "Star Wars Rebels" season 3. "Star Wars Rebels" season 3 will premiere on the Disney XD channel on Saturday, Sept. 24. EU grants 348 million euros in aid for Syrian refugees in Turkey By Gabriela Baczynska BRUSSELS, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The European Union on Thursday announced it was contracting 348 million euros ($393 mln) to the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) for humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees in Turkey, part of the bloc's migration cooperation with Ankara. The money comes as part of a 3 billion euro support for some 3 million Syrian refugees living in Turkey, which the EU promised in return for Ankara's help in curbing the number of people embarking from there for Europe. "This is the largest humanitarian programme the EU has ever financed," the bloc's Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Commissioner Christos Stylianides said in announcing the deal. "The EU is keeping its promise of assisting Turkey in hosting the largest refugee population in the world." The WFP, together with the Turkish Red Crescent, will roll out a system under which refugees would get pre-paid cards to cover for food, housing, schooling or medical expenses in Turkey, where most Syrian refugees live outside camps. Stylianides stressed allowing refugees to choose what they buy was important in giving the distressed people a sense of dignity and could help their relations with local communities. The Cypriot commissioner said the EU had so far contracted 652 million euros for refugees in Turkey. But Ankara complains the money flows slowly as only 181 million euros have so far been disbursed. The EU, which relies on Ankara in the migration deal that gave leaders of the 28-nation bloc a badly-needed breathing space after mass arrivals in 2015, promised to step up the aid and is also in talks on visa liberalisation for Turks. These have stalled before the summer break and ties between the EU and Ankara soured after a failed coup in Turkey in July. The EU has intensified criticism of Turkey's track record on human rights as Ankara went on to dismiss tens of thousands of people, and arrest many of them, over alleged links to a U.S.-based Muslim cleric whom it accuses of being behind the coup. Both sides are now seeking to calm down the rhetoric and, in the latest of a string of high-level contacts, EU's top diplomat, Federica Mogherini, and Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn will visit Ankara on Friday. Ankara says it would go on preventing refugees and migrants setting sail for the EU but may refuse to accept returns from the bloc if it does not give it more relaxed travel rules. U.S. agrees to help enhance Ukrainian forces, dispatches adviser By Phil Stewart LONDON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The United States and Ukraine on Thursday agreed to cooperate on defense technology and improve Ukraine's forces in a move aimed at boosting Ukrainian defense and enhancing U.S. assistance, the Pentagon said. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter also named naming a senior U.S. adviser to oversee the effort. Carter and Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak signed the partnership agreement at a meeting in London in which they also discussed the conflict in eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian government forces confront Russian-backed separatists. The partnership aims "to enhance the defense capacity of Ukraine's forces, advance critical Ukrainian defense reforms, improve resource management processes and boost defense technology cooperation," the Pentagon said in a statement following the meeting. Carter, speaking to reporters, called it a "very, very important agreement" to help further Ukraine's capabilities for defending its territory. He did not suggest it would change the nature of U.S. assistance, which has been focused on defensive support. Carter also named retired U.S. Army General John Abizaid, former head of U.S. Central Command, as a senior defense adviser to Ukraine to help Poltorak and other Ukrainian officials implement the reforms. Russia-backed fighters took up arms against Ukrainian government forces in eastern Ukraine in April 2014 after Russia annexed Crimea in response to the downfall of a Moscow-backed president. Also on Thursday, Germany's foreign minister called for more urgent work to fully implement a ceasefire and voiced dissatisfaction at the slow pace of efforts to resolve the conflict in which more than 9,500 people have been killed. East African Community says will delay signing trade deal with EU By Fumbuka Ng'wanakilala DAR ES SALAAM, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The East African Community trade bloc will delay signing a trade agreement with the European Union, originally set for Oct.1, Tanzanian President John Magufuli said on Thursday. Kenya and Rwanda signed the agreement earlier this month, but it needs approval from all members of the East African Community bloc to take effect. The pact, known as the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), gives products from EAC member states duty- and quota-free access to the EU as long as they meet health and safety standards. "We have given ourselves three months to discuss further the signing of the EPA agreement, and we will meet in January 2017 over this issue," Magufuli, who is also the East African Community chairman, said at a meeting of fellow heads of state in Dar es Salaam "We appeal to the EU not to punish Kenya by denying it access to the European market," he added. Kenya stands to lose the most without the agreement. Member states Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda and Rwanda would continue to get duty- and quota-free access under the EU's Everything But Arms initiative, since they are classified as least developed countries. Governments in the region want to ensure that exports such as tea and fresh flowers, which are major sources of foreign exchange, are not hampered by any tariffs on trade with Britain after it leaves the European Union. "Our decision to move together as East Africa is not negotiable. We agreed that the Economic Partnership Agreement, though already signed by two countries, we are going to give ourselves three months so we can move together as a community," Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto said. Tanzania has said on Wednesday it would not sign the agreement and urged neighbouring countries to back a delay pending discussions on its effect on the region's manufacturers. "We are giving ourselves more time to synchronise our understanding. We need to achieve market access of the EU market with industrialisation of our countries. We cannot continue to export raw materials," Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said. "We say to our European Union friends, please don't panic ... don't panic. Give us another three months and you will see our position." EAC member states initialled an interim EPA deal in 2007 and another in 2014. Governments were given two years from the October 2014 agreement to ratify the deal in national parliaments. South Sudan, which joined the bloc this year, was not part of initial negotiations of the deal, which began in 2002. Serbia appeals for border aid as region awaits migrant flows By Aleksandar Vasovic and Igor Ilic BELGRADE/ZAGREB, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Serbia has appealed to Austria and France for help controlling its southern and eastern borders, the country's interior minister said on Thursday, as countries across the region braced for a possible surge in migrant flows as winter approaches. The country was at the centre of last year's migrant influx into Europe, when hundreds of thousands of people fleeing war in the Middle East journeyed up through the Balkans to reach sanctuary in the continent's heart. Over the summer, many migrants have attempted the sea crossing from North Africa to countries such as Italy. But as autumn brings more unsettled seas, the land route through the Balkans may see a revival of activity. Many fear that the European Union's deal to pay Turkey to harbour more refugees will collapse amid frosty relations between Brussels and Ankara, triggering a repeat of last year's flood, which gave a boost to far-right and anti-immigration parties across Europe. Serbia's request for technical assistance mirrors an earlier request to Hungary, which has agreed to send police officers with thermal imaging equipment to help patrol Serbia's border with Bulgaria and Macedonia. In July, Serbia formed a joint military and police task force to tighten its control over its southern and eastern borders. "Our task is to prevent illegal border crossings," Serbian interior minister Nebojsa Stefanovic told Tanjug news agency. "To control borders we need more technical assets." More than 103,000 migrants have passed through Serbia so far in 2016, with most heading north towards Hungary. Over the past six weeks, the task force has foiled over 5,600 illegal crossing attempts, authorities said. Croatia has also seen the pace of illegal border crossings pick up over the past two months. Most of the 5,000 asylum seekers already in Serbia at present want to carry on to Germany or Sweden, where they expect a warmer reception, after crossing the Hungarian border into the EU's passport-free Schengen zone. Saudi, Algeria oil ministers to meet OPEC head in push for output deal By Lamine Chikhi ALGIERS, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Algeria's energy minister will meet his Saudi counterpart and OPEC's secretary-general in Paris on Friday as part of moves towards clinching a global deal on stabilising crude output to support oil prices, an Algerian official and OPEC sources said. Algeria will host the informal meeting with Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih and OPEC's Mohammed Barkindo, said the Algerian official, who asked not to be identified. A source at the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries confirmed the meeting as part of a push for an output deal, with producers battered by a glut-induced halving of oil prices over the past two years. "There is a strong move towards a deal between OPEC and non-OPEC to at least freeze production," the source told Reuters. "It seems we are going in this direction. But if we are going to freeze, we have to use secondary sources to gauge production levels. We can't allow each country to use a different method," the source said. "Iran must agree to be in line with other producers and use secondary sources." Tehran says it supports any measures to stabilise the market. However, it has stopped short of indicating whether it would join a global deal before its production reaches 4 million barrels per day, the level at which it says it was pumping before the imposition of Western sanctions in 2012. The sanctions ended in January this year. Iran has been the main factor preventing an output deal between OPEC and non-OPEC Russia as Tehran has said it should be excluded from any such agreement before its production recovers. The OPEC source said Iran's production before sanctions had never exceeded 3.75 million bpd according to secondary sources, which include consultants and industry media that estimate output independently. Iran has said it is producing slightly more than 3.8 million bpd. It signalled on Tuesday it was prepared to work with Saudi Arabia and Russia to prop up prices, although Tehran has begun to bargain with OPEC on possible exemptions from any output cap. The OPEC source said major oil producers were trying to convince Tehran to come onboard, adding there was an initial understanding that only Libya could be offered an exemption. "Now there is a push to smooth things out and solve any problem," the OPEC source said, adding there had been no agreement yet on any level at which to freeze production. "This will be discussed in Algeria," the source said. Algeria is hosting meetings of the International Energy Forum and OPEC on Sept. 26-28. Energy Minister Noureddine Bouterfa travelled to Moscow on Thursday, following recent trips to Qatar and Iran. Slovenia to raise corporate tax to 19 pct, cut income tax LJUBLJANA, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Slovenia will raise the tax on corporate profits to 19 percent, starting in 2017, from 17 percent now, and at the same time cut personal income tax, Mateja Vranicar Erman, the state secretary at the Finance Ministry, said on Thursday. The state budget is expected to get an additional 60 million euros ($67.83 million) from higher corporate tax, Erman said, while the reduction in personal income tax should come to 106 million euros. The difference will be covered by better tax collection and, if needed, cuts in budget spending. The government on Thursday confirmed the planned tax changes with the parliament expected to endorse them in the coming months. Vranicar said that lower taxes on personal income should improve Slovenia's competitiveness and thus lead to higher economic growth although the country will keep the 50 percent tax rate for those with the highest income. "These changes are just a first step and not the final goal but everyone we talked to confirmed that the changes should improve the existing situation," Erman told a news conference after the government session. The ministry will propose additional tax changes next year. Erman is also the candidate for the new finance minister and is expected to be confirmed by parliament later in September. She will replace her predecessor Dusan Mramor who resigned in July, citing personal reasons. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry and The Association of Employers of Slovenia had said that the increase of corporate tax would hurt the economy, adding the government should cut personal income tax without increasing corporate taxes to improve Slovenia's competitiveness. Opposition calls for UK to publish companies' tax returns By Tom Bergin LONDON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Britain's opposition Labour party called on Thursday for big companies to publish their tax returns and for parliamentary committees to have the right to see all taxpayers' returns, to aid efforts to tackle avoidance and evasion. Tax has become a major political issue in Britain after revelations about the amount of tax paid by large corporations such as Starbucks and by individuals led to a public outcry and widespread calls for reform. A report commissioned by shadow finance minister John McDonnell said the UK tax authority should also row back from the policy of being more business-friendly -- a strategy pioneered by a Labour government a decade ago. "There's a new atmosphere now abroad both in terms of business and in terms of the general public that there needs to be more openness and transparency," McDonnell said at the launch of the review of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Labour said a string of scandals including massive leaks of documents highlighting tax avoidance involving Panama and Luxembourg raised questions about whether big companies and the wealthy pay their fair share. The UK's Conservative government says it supports greater transparency, but not the measure proposed by Labour. Last week, parliament approved an amendment to a bill that would allow the government to publish a breakdown of companies' profits, revenues and tax payments by country. Labour also questioned whether HMRC was too lenient on big business. HMRC has the right to publish taxpayer information if it feels it helps it conduct its role. However, most countries do not routinely publish taxpayer's returns. McDonnell said he did not accept that companies' corporate secrets would be at risk by releasing their returns or that companies might relocate elsewhere because of Labour's plan. Algeria's Bouteflika makes rare appearance after opponents call for early polls By Lamine Chikhi ALGIERS, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika made a rare appearance on Thursday to inaugurate a conference centre, though there was no live coverage of the event and no images of the ailing leader were immediately released. Since suffering a stroke three years ago Bouteflika has dramatically reduced his public activity, leading Algeria's opposition to question his ability to rule Africa's biggest country, and to continuing speculation over the 79-year-old president's health. Presidential polls are not due until 2019, but Bouteflika's opponents have called for early elections because of his physical frailty. Legislative elections are scheduled for the first half of 2017. Analysts said Bouteflika's appearance was designed to dampen demands for early presidential elections. "An anticipated presidential election is not an option for now," political analyst Arslan Chikhaoui told Reuters. Bouteflika was last seen openly in public two years ago when he voted from a wheelchair in the ballot that saw him elected for a fourth five-year term. His most recent previous appearance was for Algeria's independence day celebrations on July 5, and he is usually only seen in brief state television videos greeting visiting dignitaries at his presidential residence. Talk of transition comes at a sensitive time, as Algeria tries to cut spending and subsidies to offset a sharp drop in revenues from oil sales. Algeria is a key supplier of gas to Europe and has positioned itself as an important Western ally in efforts to tackle Islamist militancy in North Africa and the Sahel. First elected in 1999, Bouteflika is still praised by many Algerians as the man who led Algeria out of international isolation and a war with armed Islamists that left an estimated 200,000 people dead in the 1990s. The conference centre that Bouteflika inaugurated, west of the capital Algiers, is to be used for a meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on Sept. 26-28. U.N. South Sudan mission worried that rights groups harassed NAIROBI, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan said on Thursday it was concerned that members of civil rights groups in the country were being harassed for speaking to U.N. Security Council diplomats who visited this week. Fierce fighting in the capital between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar in July raised fears that the five-year-old nation could slide back into civil war, wrecking a peace deal signed last year. It prompted the United Nations to authorise the deployment of the additional U.N. troops to bolster the 12,000-strong U.N. mission there. Diplomats from the 15-member Security Council visited South Sudan this week and last, and the government agreed to accept 4,000 extra peacekeepers in a bid to avoid an arms embargo threatened by the council. They also met displaced civilians, religious leaders and members of civil society groups, who urged deployment of the extra foreign troops, even as government ministers questioned whether more peacekeepers were needed in the capital, Juba. The U.N. peacekeeping mission (UNMISS) said after the meetings it had received reports that some of the people who met the diplomats had received threats and being harassed. "Any attempt to suppress these rights through threats and harassment must be condemned in no uncertain terms," it said in a statement. Government officials could not immmediately be reached for comment. Italy court clears accused people smugglers, says were forced to drive boats By Steve Scherer ROME, Sept 8 (Reuters) - An Italian judge acquitted two men accused of people smuggling and murder, saying they had been forced at gunpoint by Libyan traffickers to drive a rubber boat packed with migrants last year. A judge in the Sicilian city of Palermo on Wednesday ordered that Jammeh Sulieman and Dampha Bakary, from Senegal and Gambia respectively, be released from prison, according to a copy of the ruling. Hundreds of similar cases are pending in Italy, and the ruling may have set a "historic" precedent, said one of the defence lawyers in the case. The two were accused of both people smuggling and murder because 12 people died during the attempted crossing in July 2015 when the rubber boat they were driving started to deflate. The prosecution had sought life sentences for both. The other migrants on the boat were rescued by an Italian coastguard vessel, along with the accused smugglers, who were taken into custody when the rescue ship reached Palermo. "The defendants did not autonomously and freely set out in the Mediterranean at the helm of a flimsy boat impossibly packed with people," Judge Gigi Omar Modica wrote in his ruling. Libyan people smugglers forced them to take the helm at gunpoint, and then handed them control of the boat only after it had taken to sea. If they had turned back, it "would have meant certain death at the hands of the Libyans", Modica said. NO RETURN TO LIBYA Palermo prosecutors Claudio Camilleri and Maurizio Scalia said they planned to appeal the decision. In Italy, both prosecutors and defendants can appeal court rulings. Almost 800 suspected "scafisti" or "boat smugglers" were arrested in the 12 months to July, the Interior Ministry said in August. More than 700 were arrested in the previous 12 months. "I have many clients who are accused of driving the boats, and it's always the same story," Cinzia Pecoraro, one of the two defence lawyers, told Reuters on Thursday. Armed men take them to the boats, start the engines, load migrants onto the vessels and then accompany them as they set out to sea. Before abandoning the boat and returning to shore, they tell the drivers they will be shot if they return to Libya, she said. "Now courts can look at each case with this sentence in mind," Pecoraro said. Mass migration to Europe from Asia, the Middle East and Africa is now in its third year, and Italy has been on the front line since it started in 2013. Hundreds of thousands have set out fleeing violence and poverty at home. Islamist militants pose challenge for next Uzbek leader By Dmitry Solovyov OSH, Kyrgyzstan, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Whoever takes over the Central Asian state of Uzbekistan after its president's death faces a challenge to keep a lid on Islamist militants who have become foot soldiers in global jihadist groups. Uzbek fighters are deeply embedded in Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, fight alongside the Taliban in Afghanistan, have secret outposts in the biggest Russian cities and have ties with Muslim militants from China who reject Beijing's rule. Veteran Uzbek leader Islam Karimov, who died last week from a stroke, used brutal methods and a vast security apparatus to keep tabs on a militant movement born in the 1990s out of an insurgency in Uzbekistan, a former Soviet republic. With Karimov dead and a lack of clarity on who will succeed him, despite Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev being named interim president by parliament, the security forces' ability to contain the Islamist network is unclear. Uzbek militants have not had as high a profile as other groups in the global jihadi movement. While fighters from Iraq, Tunisia, Russia and western Europe command units and lead suicide attacks, Uzbeks tend to form the rank-and-file. But Reuters interviews with security officials, militant fighters and their families indicate that the Uzbek fighters number in the thousands, are battle-hardened and skilled at networking with other jihadist groups. These fighters view the Uzbek authorities as "Taghut", a Koranic term for tyrants who set themselves up as false Gods, and most now focus on waging jihad abroad. But in a report last year, the International Crisis Group wrote: "Should a significant portion of these radicalised migrants return, they risk challenging security and stability throughout Central Asia." MILITANTS BRED IN VALLEY The heart of Islamist militancy in Central Asia is the Ferghana Valley, a fertile and densely populated strip of land that straddles Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Sitting in the yard of his home in Osh, a Kyrgyz city in the Ferghana valley where a large part of the population are ethnic Uzbeks, 57-year-old ethnic Uzbek Abdurasul Yuldashev described how his estranged wife went to Syria with their son and two daughters while he was away working in Russia. In Syria, the son, 19-year-old Mukhammadislam, joined an Islamist group. "One day I received a call from an unidentified number and someone said: 'Congratulations, your son has become a shahid'," Yuldashev said, using the Arabic term for a martyr. He said he shouted at them, and they called him a "kafir", or infidel. Malokhat Mamatadzhiyeva, a 41-year-old ethic Uzbek who lives in Osh, received a similar call on July 9 last year informing her about the death of her son, Nurmukhammad. She said he had gone to the Russian city of Vladimir to work on a construction site but told her in November 2014 that he was going to a remote location in Russia for work. The next time she heard from him, in March 2015, he was calling from Syria. "I started weeping. I said: 'Do not leave me.' But the call got cut off," Mamatadzhiyeva said. She later learned that he had been killed in the fighting in Syria. SYRIA BATTLEFIELD Ethnic Uzbeks are active in militant groups in Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan, according to a wanted list of militants published by the United Nations. Security officials say the militants also have ties to militants from the Chinese Uighur ethnic group, who reject Beijing's rule. A suicide bomb attack on China's embassy in Kyrgyzstan last month was ordered by Uighur groups, and several ethnic Uzbeks helped organise it, Kyrgyz state security say. Ethnic Uzbeks operate in their own fighting units in Syria, according a Russian who fought there. "There was a decent number of them," said the fighter, who has now left Syria and asked not to be identified. Last year state security officials in Osh detained several people on allegations they fought alongside militants in Syria. In a videotaped interrogation shown to Reuters at the time in Osh, one of them said he went to Syria in October 2013 and for three months was a fighter with the Nusra front, then an affiliate of al Qaeda. The man, an ethnic Uzbek, said he was ordered to return to Central Asia to carry out attacks. Reuters was unable to establish whether he had made his statement under duress. There is no evidence Uzbek fighters plan to leave Syria and Afghanistan en masse to launch attacks in Uzbekistan. But they could return home if Islamic State is squeezed out of the territory it controls in northern Syria and Iraq. This could be a concern for the government and foreign states. Weaker airlines set to feel the pinch in Europe's overcrowded market - CEOs By Sarah Young LONDON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - An increasingly competitive European airline market could soon bring consolidation and possibly European low-cost carriers providing local connecting services or "feeder" flights for full-service long-haul airlines, the CEOs of easyJet and IAG said on Thursday. Low fuel prices have led to a big growth in capacity on European routes, putting market expansion at a 10-year high on forecasts that airlines will add new capacity of 8 percent over the next six months. But inevitably increased competition is causing fares to drop, good news for consumers but bad news for the profit margins of airlines. Carolyn McCall, the chief executive of low-cost airline easyJet said she expected more consolidation over the next 12 to 18 months, with weaker airlines suffering in the tougher trading conditions, as the previous boost to margins from lower fuel prices is competed away. Willie Walsh, the chief executive of British Airways-owner IAG, said IAG was not currently actively considering any acquisition deals. "I think there are airlines out there that would like to be consolidated into a larger group, I get calls from a lot of them," said Walsh, who has been Europe's most active acquirer of airlines in the past five years, combining BA with Iberia to form IAG, which has since taken over Spanish budget airline Vueling and Irish airline Aer Lingus. Deutsche Bank on Wednesday downgraded its investment recommendations for Ryanair, Lufthansa, Air France-KLM and IAG, with the analysts saying there was too much capacity in the industry and prices would fall further this winter. Price drops could stimulate further change in the industry in the longer term, McCall said. Some higher-cost full-service airlines could retrench, cutting back their own short-haul operations and giving low-cost airlines like easyJet the opportunity to step in instead to provide the feeder flights needed for their long-haul operations, as well as expand route networks. With legacy carriers such as Air France-KLM and Lufthansa struggling to bring costs down on their namesake brands to compete with low cost carriers on short haul routes, using low-cost carriers instead for feeder flights could be a more cost effective way of bringing passengers to hubs for long-haul connections. There have been suggestions for well over a year by both Ryanair and easyJet, Europe's two biggest low cost carriers, that they could provide feeder flights for long-haul carriers, but so far no deal has been struck. However, both Air France-KLM and Lufthansa have been building up their own low-cost carriers, Transavia and Eurowings. In addition, one key sticking point has been deciding which carrier would bear the costs of rebooking and accommodation in the event of missed connections. "It would make a lot of sense for us to offer feed. The thing for us we have to think very carefully about is that it doesn't contaminate our model," McCall said. "I think it's inevitable that over the next five to 10 years there will be much more of that happening, there will be many more alliances and partnerships where low-cost feeds the legacy carriers." IAG would be open to the concept, Walsh said, noting that already its customers fly into easyJet bases like London Gatwick and connect onto a British Airways flight without there being a deal between the two carriers. "If we can facilitate that for the customers in a way that makes sense that doesn't increase our costs or complexity ... then we want to do it," he said. South Africa's Eskom links Medupi unit five to grid JOHANNESBURG, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Eskom has linked up unit five of its Medupi coal power station to the grid, the Ministry of Public Enterprises said on Thursday, as part of the state-controlled company's drive to overcome South Africa's chronic electricity shortages. "Over the past 18 months, we have seen 1,800 MW (megawatts) being added to the grid and the new build programme will add 8,600 MW of new capacity by 2020/21," Minister Lynne Brown said in a statement. Eskom, which has in the past been forced to impose power cuts due to insufficient supply, is scrambling to revamp its ageing power plants. Unit five of the coal-fired Medupi plant will add an additional 800 MW to the grid. It is expected it will become commercially operational by March 2018, the ministry said. Bavarian conservatives increase pressure on Merkel with migrant demands BERLIN, Sept 8 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative allies in Bavaria have drawn up a list of demands, including an upper limit on migration and a burqa ban, deepening the rift between the two parties before next year's federal election. The ruling conservative bloc suffered a blow on Sunday when Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) were pushed into third place in the eastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern by the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD). Merkel has acknowledged that her open-door migrant policy - about one million arrived in Germany over the past year - contributed to the embarrassment, which has increased pressure from Bavaria's Christian Social Union (CSU) for a tougher line. The five-page CSU paper seen by Reuters, which is due to be agreed at a meeting of CSU leaders at the weekend, includes a legally binding limit on the number of migrants allowed to enter Germany and the abolition of dual citizenship. "The number of a maximum 200,000 new refugees per year is the upper limit for successful integration and must be written into law," it said. Merkel has repeatedly ruled out such a migrant cap. The policy paper, which says it stands for German values and asserts "Germany must remain Germany", also calls for a ban on the burqa, the enveloping outer garment worn by some Muslim women, and the niqab, a facial veil which reveals only the eyes. "Whoever doesn't wish to do without a burqa or a niqab should look for a different country," it said. The CSU paper, in part a repetition of earlier demands, raises the pressure on Merkel to adopt a tougher migrant policy before the conservatives agree an election campaign. The CSU and CDU form a parliamentary bloc and agree on a joint candidate for the chancellorship. "OPEN ATTACK" Katarina Barley, general secretary of the Social Democrats, junior partner in Merkel's coalition, said the CSU paper was aimed at "sabotaging" the government. "This is another open attack on Angela Merkel," Barley told the German Funke Mediengruppe newspaper chain, adding:"I expect the conservatives to continue to govern with us constructively." CSU leader Horst Seehofer has not yet endorsed Merkel and Sunday's regional election defeat prompted speculation that she may not stand for a fourth term. Her popularity has waned in the last year due to her handling of the migrant crisis but she is still the only obvious conservative candidate. Merkel has urged lawmakers to tone down their rhetoric in response to the migrant crisis and the growing popularity of the AfD, urging all mainstream parties to counter its simplistic slogans with facts to win back voters' trust. The inflow of migrants, many of them fleeing conflicts in Syria and elsewhere, has fallen sharply in recent months due to tighter European border controls and a repatriation deal between the European Union and Turkey. Syrians on haj pray for peace; Damascus says Riyadh plays politics By Dahlia Nehme MECCA, Saudi Arabia, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Syrians from territory held by opposing sides in the civil war prayed together for peace as they flew to Mecca for the haj, even as President Bashar al-Assad's government accused Saudi Arabia of politicising the annual Muslim pilgrimage. Riyadh has no diplomatic ties with Damascus and requires Syrians seeking to make the haj to obtain visas in third countries through a committee controlled by the Syrian National Coalition (SNC), an anti-Assad opposition body. "Saudi Arabia now does not deal with the legitimate government (in Syria) but rather with individuals who are not recognised, and thus the responsibility for protecting these people falls on the Saudi government," Sheikh Ahmed al-Jazaily, an advisor at Syria's Islamic Affairs ministry, told Reuters by telephone. Tamam al-Khatib, an SNC official, said Saudi Arabia gave the group 9,000 visas for Syrian pilgrims residing in Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Turkey. For Syria, which had 23 million people before the war, that is far less than its usual quota of 1,000 visas per million Muslims, Jazaily said. All able-bodied Muslims who have the means are expected to make the pilgrimage once in their lifetimes. Whichever side they came from, Syrians on board a flight from Beirut to Mecca made no mention of their differences and said the pilgrimage transcended politics. Safaa, 40, said she had travelled from government-controlled Damascus with her parents, her sister, her brother and his wife, despite the difficulty of arranging the trip. "All our friends and relatives in Damascus asked us to make special prayers for them while in the Grand Mosque," said Safaa, wearing the seamless white cloth all pilgrims must use during haj. "God willing, we will pray for them and all of Syria." Mariam, 60, made the journey from Talfita, an opposition-held village north of the Syrian capital. "We left the war and suffering and came to haj. By God ... I long to see the Prophet," she said, as her cousin Khadra gazed at white clouds and the yellow desert below. "May God give Syria a remission." None of the Syrian pilgrims who spoke to Reuters on the flight would give their surnames, to protect relatives back home. Nor would any say which side they support in the five year conflict, which has killed hundreds of thousands of people and made 11 million Syrians homeless. Open discussion of politics is traditionally barred during the haj. However, Reuters met only members of Syria's Sunni Muslim majority on the flight; there appeared to be no members of Assad's minority Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam, many of whose adherents see Saudi Arabia as a sectarian enemy. Jazaily, the Syrian government advisor, said Damascus would not block Syrians from taking part in the haj, but would not be able to offer them protection. Farm boost of $30 billion aimed at helping Africa "feed itself" By Isaiah Esipisu NAIROBI, Sept 8 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - African farmers are set to benefit from tens of billions of dollars pledged by African leaders, development banks, the private sector and international donors at a conference in Nairobi this week. Commitments of more than $30 billion have been made so far at the African Green Revolution Forum, to transform agriculture on the continent over the next decade - said by organisers to be the largest package of financial commitments to Africa's agriculture sector to date. Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta pledged $200 million to help 150,000 young farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs gain access to markets, finance and insurance in the next five years. "I challenge fellow heads of states in Africa to accelerate their investment in agriculture for the benefit of the continent as a whole," he said. Around 70 percent of Africa's population depends on agriculture for food and income, but many farmers are still struggling with poverty and poor nutrition. A report released on Tuesday by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) said African countries that took early action in the past decade to invest in agriculture had reaped the rewards, enjoying higher economic growth and a bigger drop in malnutrition. But much more funding was needed to expand progress across sub-Saharan Africa, it said. The African Development Bank (AfDB) answered that call, saying on Thursday it would invest $24 billion in African farming over the next ten years, a 400 percent increase over its previous commitments. "I want Africa to feed itself and develop with pride," said AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina. Part of the bank's funding will support an international programme to get modern agricultural technologies to millions of small-scale farmers in Africa. The bank will also help them access commercial loans. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledged to contribute at least $5 billion to African development over the next five years, of which around a fifth will be used to expand crop and livestock research, strengthen data, and improve systems to deliver better tools, information and innovations to farmers. In the next six years, the continent will also benefit from $3 billion pledged by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in keeping with its policy of allocating at least half of its annual $1.1 billion spending to Africa. Most of its investments are targeted at creating jobs in farming and food production, particularly for youth and women. "Those of us who have been fortunate to achieve so much over a rich and full lifetime must now do everything in our power to provide our young people with opportunity and hope," said IFAD president Kanayo F. Nwanze, who was awarded the new Africa Food Prize this week. LESS WASTE, MORE FERTILISER A further $180 million was pledged by the Rockefeller Foundation, including $130 million for AGRA's Yieldwise initiative to strengthen crop storage, handling and processing capabilities to reduce significant post-harvest losses on African farms due spoilage or pests. "Food loss and waste across the value chain threatens farmers' livelihoods," said Rockefeller Foundation president Judith Rodin, noting that 40 to 50 percent of some staple crops are lost after harvest. Fertiliser firm OCP Africa will invest $150 million over the next five years to support local fertiliser distribution, storage and blending, while Kenya Commercial Bank Group will channel $350 million into business opportunities that could reach some 2 million small-scale farmers. The World Food Programme, meanwhile, promised to purchase at least $120 million each year in agricultural products from smallholder farmers through a partnership called the Patient Procurement Platform, which will expand into Kenya and three other countries next year. Africa should take lessons from Asia, which rapidly expanded public investment in the agricultural sector to achieve a green revolution, said AfDB's Adesina. "In order to unlock the potential of African agriculture, we need a stronger role for the governments," he said. In addition to boosting investment, he and others noted the need for sound policies that are not subject to political whim. Iran sticks to nuclear deal limits agreed with world powers -U.N. VIENNA, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Iran has stayed within the limits of a nuclear deal it agreed with six world powers last year on its stockpiles of uranium and heavy water, two chemicals that could be used in an atomic weapons programme, the U.N. nuclear agency said on Thursday. In exchange for sanctions relief, Iran in 2015 committed to keeping its stockpile of uranium enriched to up to 3.67 percent purity below 300 kg (662 pounds) and its stock of heavy water, a non-radioactive product, at less than 130 metric tonnes. "Throughout the reporting period, Iran had no more than 130 metric tonnes of heavy water... Iran's total (low) enriched uranium stockpile did not exceed 300 kg," the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a quarterly report on Iran. Iraq gears up for late-year push to retake Mosul from Islamic State By Stephen Kalin QAYYARA AIRBASE, Iraq, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The U.S.-led war on Islamic State has depleted the group's funds, leadership and foreign fighters, but the biggest battle yet is expected later this year in Iraq's northern city of Mosul, where Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared his "caliphate" two years ago. The jihadist insurgents have lost more than half the territory they seized in Iraq and nearly as much in neighbouring Syria, but still manage to control their twin capitals of Mosul and Raqqa, symbols of the state they sought to build at the heart of the Middle East. Military and humanitarian preparations are now in full swing to retake Mosul, the largest city under the ultra-hardline group's control. American troops are establishing a logistics hub to the south, while the United Nations warns of the world's most complex humanitarian operation this year. Iraq's recapture over the summer of Qayyara airbase and surrounding areas along the Tigris river 60 km (40 miles) south of Mosul have set the stage for a big push on the city, which commanders say could start by late October. Whether Islamic State makes a final stand in Mosul or slips away to fight another day remains in question, but Baghdad expects a fierce battle and the international coalition backing it is preparing for one. The densely populated river valley may hold obstacles for the military, though Islamic State appears to be putting up relatively little resistance, possibly to conserve fighters for a showdown in Mosul where their forces are estimated at 3,000-9,000. Hardcore fighters have likely slipped out already through the desert and into Syria, while many top leaders and foreign fighters have been killed in targeted air strikes, according to Major General Najm al-Jabouri, the Mosul operation's commander. He told Reuters that victory by year's end would be easy, in keeping with pledges by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. "We will go to Mosul, they will go to Tel Afar. We will go to Tel Afar, they will go to Baaj," said Jabouri, referring to IS-controlled districts 70 km and 140 km west of Mosul, respectively, which can be used to reach Syria. "We will go to Baaj, maybe. It depends on the situation in Syria. They can get to Syria but the situation there is not like before. It is not a safe haven for them now." TURNING TIDE The war against jihadist insurgents in the Middle East has ebbed and flowed but there is a palpable sense in the region that the tide has turned against Islamic State. In the past year and a half, the group has lost swathes of territory and strategic outposts. In Iraq it was driven out of Tikrit and Sinjar in the north, the oil refinery town of Baiji, and finally Ramadi and Falluja in western Anbar province, the heart of the insurgency following the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 that toppled Saddam Hussein. In northern Syria, U.S.-allied Kurdish militia of the People's Protection Units (YPG) have taken vital territory and border crossings below the frontier with Turkey after capturing Kobani and later taking Tel Abyad, a key supply line for the jihadist capital Raqqa further south. The YPG has expanded its territory west of the Euphrates, seizing Manbij last month. Meanwhile Turkey, backing Syrian rebels, this month cleared Islamic State from its southern border by seizing some 20 villages while Libyan government forces are close to flushing IS insurgents from holdouts in Sirte. Amid those territorial losses, Islamic State has claimed credit for a surge in global attacks this year beyond its main Middle East theatre. European countries remain on alert for additional strikes based on undisclosed information. Nonetheless, the U.S. military has said Iraq is on track to retake Mosul later this year. Over the past two weeks, convoys of sophisticated engineering vehicles have been seen approaching Qayyara airbase, which Islamic State wrecked before withdrawing in July. Repairing it to help supply the 20,000-30,000 Iraqi troops expected to be used in the campaign could take another two months. Until then, forces which have been trained by the U.S.-led coalition are amassing further afield. Mosul fell to Islamic State in June 2014 when Iraqi security forces, riddled with corruption and sectarianism despite billions of dollars in U.S. aid, dropped their weapons and fled from the insurgents. KURDISH AND SHI'ITE FORCES Kurdish peshmerga forces, entrenched east, north and northwest of Mosul since 2014, will help tighten the noose around the city but might not enter central districts to avoid aggravating political sensitivities. After retaking 11 villages southeast of Mosul last month, they are now eyeing eastern Christian and Shabak villages long abandoned by minority communities the group seeks to eliminate. The peshmerga's role is complicated by tensions with the central government, which claims territory the Kurds have taken from IS and effectively annexed to their autonomous region. The Kurds say Baghdad is not forthcoming about its military strategy for Mosul or its plans to manage it after the battle. "If we do not prepare the politics of it, we may not succeed in the military plan or we may succeed in the military plan but lose the political plan and that would be disastrous," Falah Mustafa Bakir, the head of Kurdistan's Foreign Relations Department, told Reuters last week. The participation of the Hashid Shaabi, a government umbrella for mostly Shi'ite militias, is also unresolved. Powerful commanders have pledged to take part, despite fears among Mosul's Sunni leaders and residents of rights abuses. Prime Minister Abadi said this week the demands of the battle would dictate the disposition of forces but that no decision had been made to bar the Hashid. Confrontation that inflames sectarian tensions between Shi'ite-led government forces and the Sunni jihadists of Islamic State risks turning Mosul into a "bloodbath", according to a Western diplomat in Baghdad. HUMANITARIAN CRISIS The Mosul operation has also triggered large-scale humanitarian planning, with the U.N. predicting up to one million people could flee the city in all directions. The Kurds expect half of those leaving will head towards their territory, which already struggles to accommodate more than one million displaced people. Regional authorities, fearing a new wave will exacerbate demographic and security concerns, aim to settle new arrivals in camps outside of main cities. In the best case scenario, though, there is only enough land and funding for about 450,000 people, according to a senior U.N. official, raising the prospect of housing others in unused buildings or abandoned villages. "If there is mass displacement, there could be shantytowns in the disputed border areas because the plan for camps doesn't accommodate them all," said Tom Robinson, director of Rise Foundation, which analyses Iraq's humanitarian crisis. Aid workers say the authorities are limiting the construction of new camps to discourage displacement. In fact, the military is urging residents to shelter in place as it advances, but that will only be feasible if fighting doesn't lay waste to homes and infrastructure as it has before. Jabouri, the top Iraqi commander, dismissed concerns that such a scheme jeopardises civilians' safety, saying: "What does it mean if some areas receive mortars? That's not the end of the world. We are in Iraq, not in Switzerland." Germany's Merkel says more EU centralisation 'not the answer' BERLIN, Sept 8 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday rejected further centralisation within the EU after Britain's vote to leave, saying the bloc instead needed to delegate more tasks to subsidiary organisations. "Centralisation is definitely not the answer," Merkel told a local political event before a Sept. 16 summit in Bratislava between the 27 European Union states that will remain after Britain departs. "Germany is a country that has had good experiences with the sharing out of tasks," added Merkel, who has been a strong defender of EU institutions since becoming chancellor in 2005. Donald Tusk, who chairs the EU talks, last week said the meeting would focus on the future of the EU, not Britain. Topics likely to be high on the agenda include immigration, terrorism and how to address EU citizens' concerns that globalisation threatens their economic well-being. Britons voted to leave the bloc in June, hitting the pound and forcing a change of prime minister. London has yet to submit to Brussels the formal notification that will kick-start the departure process. Tanzania threatens to ban groups supporting gay rights By Kizito Makoye DAR ES SALAAM, Sept 8 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - T anzania has threatened to ban non-governmental groups that "promote" the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in the first public statement the government has made against the minority group. Gay sex is illegal in Tanzania and punishable by up to 30 years in prison. The East African country has a reputation for being more tolerant towards LGBTI people than its neighbour Uganda but recent comments attacking the group have sparked fears and condemnation from activists. In a statement late on Wednesday, the deputy minister for health, community, development and gender, Hamisi Kigwangala, said the Tanzanian government took traditional values seriously and would "always protect them". "I cannot deny the presence of LGBTI people in our country and the risk they pose in fuelling the spread of HIV/AIDS but we don't subscribe to the assertion that there's a 'gender continuum'," Kigwangala said. "We still recognise two traditional sexes and there's nothing in between or beyond ... Any effort to claim otherwise is not allowed. "Tanzania does not allow activist groups carrying out campaigns that promote homosexuality ... Any attempt to commit unnatural offences is illegal and severely punished by law," he added. Kigwangala's comments came a month after Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda announced a crackdown against gay people in Tanzania's commercial capital. He said he would use social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to identify and arrest people suspected of being gay in the port city. In July, the government announced it would ban imports and sales of lubricants to "curb" the spread of HIV. Kigwangala said the government, in conjunction with the Tanzania Commission for AIDS, had started to vet gay rights NGOs. Nurdeen Supa, a gay rights activist with LGBT Voice of Tanzania, an officially registered NGO, expressed concern the government move would further fuel discrimination against LGBTI people. GRAINS-Corn hits 2-week high on short-covering ahead of USDA By Michael Hirtzer CHICAGO, Sept 8 (Reuters) - U.S. corn futures climbed more than 1 percent to a two-week high on Thursday as investors exited short positions ahead of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's monthly crop report due on Monday, when the government was expected to trim corn yields. Soybean futures edged lower at the Chicago Board of Trade, consolidating after four straight sessions of gains, while U.S. wheat futures were narrowly mixed in light-volume trading. USDA in its September supply and demand outlook is likely to reduce the average corn yield to 173.4 bushels per acre, down from 175.1 bpa on Aug. 12 but still a record high, according to a Reuters analyst poll. Analysts predicted USDA would boost U.S. soybean yields to a record of 49.2 bpa, up from 48.9 bpa in August. U.S. Energy Information Administration data released at mid-morning on Wednesday showing sharply lower production of corn-based ethanol and decreased stocks of the biofuel was seen as bullish for ethanol prices but slightly bearish for corn. CBOT December corn was up 3-1/4 cents at $3.36-1/2 per bushel as of 11:40 a.m. CDT (1640 GMT). "There's a little short-covering in the corn market but the ethanol data capped any price gains. It was unexpected to see that drop (in ethanol output)," said Futures International analyst Terry Reilly. EIA in a weekly report said U.S. ethanol output fell 25,000 barrels per day to 998,000 bpd, lowest since late-July. CBOT November soybeans declined 2 cents to $9.73-1/2 per bushel and CBOT December wheat was up 1/4 cent to $4.03. Trading volumes in corn, soybeans and wheat were light ahead of Monday's USDA data. A steep drop in corn open interest during Wednesday's session of higher prices suggested traders were exiting short positions rather than making new long bets, CME Group data showed. Weekly USDA export data, due on Friday, was delayed one day due to Monday's U.S. Labor Day holiday. Societe Generale analyst Rajesh Singla in a note to clients said a hike in USDA's U.S. soybean yields was largely factored in by traders. Italy's biggest union comes out against Renzi's referendum ROME, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Italy's largest trade union urged its members to vote 'No' in a forthcoming referendum on constitutional reform, dealing a blow to Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who has staked his political future on the ballot. Renzi says the reform will increase political stability and, by curbing the powers of parliament's upper house, end decades of revolving-door governments that have made it difficult to revive the country's debt-ridden economy. The referendum is due before the end of the year and recent polls have put the 'No' camp marginally ahead. Potentially adding to that lead, the Cgil union said its general assembly "calls for a 'No' vote in the upcoming constitutional referendum", although it respected the right of its members to make up their own minds. The union has traditionally been close to Renzi's centre-left Democratic Party (PD), but the government has angered it by keeping a cap on state pension payouts and by loosening hiring and firing laws in the private sector. Many of Cgil's members, who numbered some 5.5 million at the end of 2015, are pensioners. "It is obvious that discussions on the referendum have gone well beyond institutional questions," said Luigi Bresciani, a Cgil official from northern Italy, who told Corriere della Sera newspaper that he would vote 'Yes' regardless. Renzi said this week that the referendum would be held between Nov. 15 and Dec. 5. He repeated a pledge to resign if he lost, but, in an effort to stop the ballot from becoming a vote on his government, he has said that whatever happens, elections will still be held as scheduled in 2018. This suggests his party will either nominate a new prime minister from within its ranks in the case of a 'No' vote, or support a new government of non-elected technocrats. At least five killed in explosion in Syria's Jarablus -Turkish security sources ISTANBUL, Sept 8 (Reuters) - At least five people were killed and 12 wounded in an Islamic State attack in the Syrian border town of Jarablus, Turkish security and hospital sources said on Thursday, only a day after civilians started returning to their homes in the town. Wounded people were taken to hospitals in Turkey's southern province of Gaziantep, which lies across the border from Jarablus, same same hospital sources said. A group of 292 Syrians went back to the Syrian town of Jarablus from Turkey on Wednesday, marking the first formal return of civilians since Ankara launched a military incursion two weeks ago to try to secure the border region, a Turkish official said. Jarablus, which had been held by Islamic State, was the first town captured by Turkey's army and its Syrian rebel allies in an offensive launched on Aug. 24 that aims to sweep away jihadists and Syrian Kurdish militias from the frontier. Turkey has said it cleared militants from a 90-km (55-mile) stretch of Syrian territory and has pushed south. It has also said it would support any U.S. initiative to strike Islamic State's stronghold of Raqqa, further to the southeast. But Turkey's tactics have drawn criticism from its NATO ally the United States and also from Russia, with which it recently patched up ties. Senators seek to block $1.15 billion U.S. arms sale to Saudi Arabia WASHINGTON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Four U.S. senators introduced a joint resolution of disapproval on Thursday seeking to block the U.S. sale of $1.15 billion of Abrams tanks and other military equipment to Saudi Arabia. Three arrested in Paris gas cylinder car investigation -France's BFM TV PARIS, Sept 8 (Reuters) - French police investigating why a car packed with gas cylinders was left near Notre Dame cathedral in Paris have arrested three women, one of whom injured a police official, French BFM TV said on Thursday. One police official confirmed to Reuters that there had been arrests in Boussy Saint Antoine, some 30 km south-east of Paris, connected to the gas cylinder probe. Another said a police official had been hurt. Iraq gears up for late-year push to retake Mosul from Islamic State By Stephen Kalin QAYYARA AIRBASE, Iraq, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The U.S.-led war on Islamic State has depleted the group's funds, leadership and foreign fighters, but the biggest battle yet is expected later this year in Iraq's northern city of Mosul, where Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared his "caliphate" two years ago. The jihadist insurgents have lost more than half the territory they seized in Iraq and nearly as much in neighbouring Syria, but still manage to control their twin capitals of Mosul and Raqqa, symbols of the state they sought to build at the heart of the Middle East. Military and humanitarian preparations are now in full swing to retake Mosul, the largest city under the ultra-hardline group's control. American troops are establishing a logistics hub to the south, while the United Nations warns of the world's most complex humanitarian operation this year. Iraq's recapture over the summer of Qayyara airbase and surrounding areas along the Tigris river 60 km (nearly 40 miles) south of Mosul have set the stage for a big push on the city, which commanders say could start by late October. Whether Islamic State makes a final stand in Mosul or slips away to fight another day remains in question, but Baghdad expects a fierce battle and the international coalition backing it is preparing for one. The densely populated river valley may hold obstacles for the military, though Islamic State appears to be putting up relatively little resistance, possibly to conserve fighters for a showdown in Mosul where their forces are estimated at between 3,000 and 9,000. Hardcore fighters have likely slipped out already through the desert and into Syria, while many top leaders and foreign fighters have been killed in targeted air strikes, according to Major General Najm al-Jabouri, the Mosul operation's commander. He told Reuters that victory by year's end would be easy, in keeping with pledges by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. "We will go to Mosul, they will go to Tel Afar. We will go to Tel Afar, they will go to Baaj," said Jabouri, referring to IS-controlled districts 70 km (44 miles) and 140 km (87 miles)west of Mosul, respectively, which can be used to reach Syria. "We will go to Baaj, maybe. It depends on the situation in Syria. They can get to Syria but the situation there is not like before. It is not a safe haven for them now." TURNING TIDE Lieutenant General Vincent Stewart, Director of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, said on Thursday he expected the Mosul operation could unfold in the next two or three months but that it would be long and difficult. "Urban warfighting is not easy and this is a large city that has had at least two years to prepare to defend its position ... It's going to be a multi-dimensional fight," Stewart said at a national security summit in Washington. The war against jihadist insurgents in the Middle East has ebbed and flowed but there is a palpable sense in the region that the tide has turned against Islamic State. In the past year and a half, the group has lost swathes of territory and strategic outposts. In Iraq it was driven out of Tikrit and Sinjar in the north, the oil refinery town of Baiji, and finally Ramadi and Falluja in western Anbar province, the heart of the insurgency following the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 that toppled Saddam Hussein. In northern Syria, U.S.-allied Kurdish militia of the People's Protection Units (YPG) have taken vital territory and border crossings below the frontier with Turkey after capturing Kobani and later taking Tel Abyad, a key supply line for the jihadist capital Raqqa further south. The YPG has expanded its territory west of the Euphrates, seizing Manbij last month. Meanwhile Turkey, backing Syrian rebels, this month cleared Islamic State from its southern border by seizing some 20 villages while Libyan government forces are close to flushing IS insurgents from holdouts in Sirte. Amid those territorial losses, Islamic State has claimed credit for a surge in global attacks this year beyond its main Middle East theatre. European countries remain on alert for additional strikes based on undisclosed information. Nonetheless, the U.S. military has said Iraq is on track to retake Mosul later this year. Over the past two weeks, convoys of sophisticated engineering vehicles have been seen approaching Qayyara airbase, which Islamic State wrecked before withdrawing in July. Repairing it to help supply the 20,000 to 30,000 Iraqi troops expected to be used in the campaign could take another two months. Until then, forces trained by the U.S.-led coalition are amassing further afield. Mosul fell to Islamic State in June 2014 when Iraqi security forces, riddled with corruption and sectarianism despite billions of dollars in U.S. aid, dropped their weapons and fled from the insurgents. KURDISH AND SHI'ITE FORCES Kurdish peshmerga forces, entrenched east, north and northwest of Mosul since 2014, will help tighten the noose around the city but might not enter central districts to avoid aggravating political sensitivities. After retaking 11 villages southeast of Mosul last month, they are now eyeing eastern Christian and Shabak villages long abandoned by minority communities the group seeks to eliminate. The peshmerga's role is complicated by tensions with the central government, which claims territory the Kurds have taken from IS and effectively annexed to their autonomous region. The Kurds say Baghdad is not forthcoming about its military strategy for Mosul or its plans to manage it after the battle. "If we do not prepare the politics of it, we may not succeed in the military plan or we may succeed in the military plan but lose the political plan and that would be disastrous," Falah Mustafa Bakir, the head of Kurdistan's Foreign Relations Department, told Reuters last week. The participation of the Hashid Shaabi, a government umbrella for mostly Shi'ite militias, is also unresolved. Powerful commanders have pledged to take part, despite fears among Mosul's Sunni leaders and residents of rights abuses. Prime Minister Abadi said this week the demands of the battle would dictate the disposition of forces but that no decision had been made to bar the Hashid. Confrontation that inflames sectarian tensions between Shi'ite-led government forces and the Sunni jihadists of Islamic State risks turning Mosul into a "bloodbath", according to a Western diplomat in Baghdad. HUMANITARIAN CRISIS The Mosul operation has also triggered large-scale humanitarian planning, with the U.N. predicting up to one million people could flee the city in all directions. The Kurds expect half of those leaving will head towards their territory, which already struggles to accommodate more than one million displaced people. Regional authorities, fearing a new wave will exacerbate demographic and security concerns, aim to settle new arrivals in camps outside of main cities. In the best-case scenario, though, there is only enough land and funding for about 450,000 people, according to a senior U.N. official, raising the prospect of housing others in unused buildings or abandoned villages. "If there is mass displacement, there could be shantytowns in the disputed border areas because the plan for camps doesn't accommodate them all," said Tom Robinson, director of Rise Foundation, which analyses Iraq's humanitarian crisis. Aid workers say the authorities are limiting the construction of new camps to discourage displacement. In fact, the military is urging residents to shelter in place as it advances, but that will only be feasible if fighting doesn't lay waste to homes and infrastructure as it has before. Jabouri, the top Iraqi commander, dismissed concerns that such a scheme jeopardises civilians' safety, saying: "What does it mean if some areas receive mortars? That's not the end of the world. We are in Iraq, not in Switzerland." Algeria's Bouteflika makes rare appearance after opponents call for early polls By Lamine Chikhi ALGIERS, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika made a rare public appearance on Thursday to inaugurate a conference centre, touring the site in a wheelchair. Since suffering a stroke three years ago Bouteflika has dramatically reduced his public activity, leading Algeria's opposition to question his ability to rule Africa's biggest country, and to continuing speculation over the 79-year-old president's health. Presidential polls are not due until 2019, but Bouteflika's opponents have called for early elections because of his physical frailty. Legislative elections are scheduled for the first half of 2017. Analysts said Bouteflika's appearance was designed to dampen demands for early presidential elections. "An anticipated presidential election is not an option for now," political analyst Arslan Chikhaoui told Reuters. Bouteflika was last seen openly in public two years ago when he voted from his wheelchair in the ballot that saw him elected for a fourth five-year term. His most recent previous appearance this year was for Algeria's independence day celebrations on July 5, and he is usually only seen in brief state television videos greeting visiting dignitaries at his presidential residence. Talk of transition comes at a sensitive time, as Algeria tries to cut spending and subsidies to offset a sharp drop in revenues from oil sales. Algeria is a key supplier of gas to Europe and has positioned itself as an important Western ally in efforts to tackle Islamist militancy in North Africa and the Sahel. First elected in 1999, Bouteflika led Algeria out of international isolation and a war with armed Islamists that left an estimated 200,000 people dead in the 1990s. Tensions emerge as U.S. allows Japanese rules for some swaps WASHINGTON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Tensions over global oversight of the derivatives known as swaps burst to the fore on Thursday, as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission narrowly voted to allow dealers to follow Japan's rules on some swaps when working in that country. On a 2-1 vote, the commission agreed that Japan's regulations on collateral for cross-border, uncleared swaps were comparable enough to those of the United States that they could be substituted for U.S. regulations. The one exception was on collateral, or margin, for interaffiliate swaps, which still must follow U.S. rules. Before the vote, commission member Sheila Bowen voiced strong dissent, saying Japan's rules were weak and would not protect U.S. parties in the event of a bankruptcy. Allowing companies to follow Japan's rules provided a "backdoor way of undoing or weakening our regulations and thereby incentivizing our companies to send their risky business to their affiliates located in Japan," she said. Commission member J. Christopher Giancarlo voted to approve the determination but also said that establishing comparability on a case-by-case basis "could result in an impracticable patchwork of U.S. and foreign regulations for cross-border transactions." After the 2008 financial crisis, regulators worldwide clamped down on the $710 trillion global swaps market, which is dominated by large U.S. banks. In May, the CFTC adopted a rule on margin for swaps that do not go through a clearinghouse and that cross national boundaries, aiming to shield the country from risks created when offshore deals go sour. It allowed other countries' regulators or international companies to apply to follow a comparable substitute regulation. The Japan Financial Services Agency was the first applicant. Harmonizing regulations with the rest of the world has been tricky for the CFTC, which seeks to enact strong oversight and also not butt heads with its overseas counterparts. Last week, it gave swap dealers an extra month to comply with the new cross-border rule after Asia's market froze from uncertainty about the changes. Giancarlo in May voted against the rule and since then has criticized the agency on its international coordination. On Thursday, he said his concerns had been realized last week. "Once again, there were reports of counterparties avoiding trading with U.S. persons," he said. "I believe this rule's subjectivity and complexity will continue to be a source of regulatory uncertainty at the expense of U.S. financial firms, their employees and the American businesses they serve." Brazil gun maker Taurus explains silence on Yemeni trafficker case SAO PAULO, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Forjas Taurus SA, Latin America's largest gun maker, told Brazil's securities regulator on Thursday it had not notified investors about an alleged sale to a known Yemeni arms trafficker because the company was not accused in the case. Taurus confirmed on Monday a Reuters report that two former executives had been charged over a deal in 2013 that allegedly sent arms to Yemen's civil war, but the company said it was only a concerned party in the case. Securities regulator CVM asked Taurus on Monday why it had not previously sent a "Material Fact" filing on the matter. "At that point the company did not see the release of a Material Fact as applicable, since the company was not a party in the case, which was sealed by the courts and in the initial stage against third parties," wrote Taurus. U.S. links Venezuelan official related to Maduro to drug probe By Nate Raymond NEW YORK, Sept 8 (Reuters) - A U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent testified on Thursday that a probe of two nephews of Venezuela's first lady began after a drug trafficker cooperating with authorities told him of a meeting arranged by her brother, a top police official. The agent testified in Manhattan federal court about the origins of the probe of Franqui Francisco Flores de Freitas and Efrain Antonio Campo Flores as he detailed how two key informants deceived investigators to conduct drug deals. The testimony came during proceedings in which lawyers for the nephews of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's wife, Cilia Flores, sought the suppression of evidence against them and statements they gave after their November 2015 arrests. Both men are fighting charges that they worked with others to try to send 800 kg of cocaine from Venezuela to Honduras so it could be imported into the United States. In court, DEA Special Agent Sandalio Gonzalez testified that the probe began after a cooperating witness in Honduras, a drug trafficker called El Sentado, told him in October 2015 a Venezuelan official named Bladimir Flores was going to send his nephew to meet with him. "He (cooperating witness) indicated that these individuals wanted to fly drug-laden planes to Honduras with flight plans," Gonzalez said. Gonzalez did not elaborate on the role of Bladimir Flores. He is the brother of Cilia Flores and serves as inspector general of Venezuela's investigative police, known as CIPCP. Bladimir Flores could not be reached for comment. The nephews' case, an embarrassment for Maduro as Venezuela experiences political and economic struggles, was brought last year amid a series of U.S. probes that have linked individuals connected to the Venezuelan government to drug trafficking. In court, Gonzalez characterized the nephews as significant drug traffickers. "They indicated they had the run of the main airport in Caracas and then could easily dispatch drug-laden planes on the presidential ramp," he said. But under questioning by the nephews' lawyers, Gonzalez acknowledged a series of problems involving the DEA's reliance on El Sentado and two informants who at its direction posed as Mexican drug traffickers. The informants lied throughout the probe about their own drug dealing and one used Venezuelan prostitutes the defendants paid for, he said. Both have since been charged and are incarcerated, he said. It may be what Americans call a double whammy for Pakistan Army generals. To the delight of the Baloch and the anguish of Pakistan, Islamabads nightmare about a Yehud o Hunood sazish or Jewish-Hindu Plot to undo the Islamic Republic may finally be taking shape - not as a sinister cloak-and-dagger plot but as state policies of two democracies, announced to the world public. After India, it is most likely that Israel will support the freedom of Balochistan, developments in Europe and North America in the last week of August showed. As a manifestation of tikkun olam - an article of faith that spurs Jews to take action to repair the world - Israelis and Jews are increasingly voicing support for the freedom of France-sized Balochistan, where Pakistan is allegedly committing crimes against humanity. For example, in the last week of August, Yehudah Glick, member of Knesset, and Michael Mendelsen, president of Israels Voice, at two separate events in Leipzig, Germany, and Washington DC vowed they will help raise the voice for freedom of Balochistan in Israel, the only secular democracy in West Asia. The two Jewish gentlemen, with US and Israeli connections, spoke at events to mark the 10th anniversary of martyrdom of Balochistan statesman Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, former governor and chief minister of Balochistan. Nawab Bugti was assassinated on the orders of Pakistan coup leader and military dictator General Pervez Musharraf. India-friendly Nawab Brahumdagh Bugti, Swiss-based political successor of the slain leader and president of the Baloch Republican Party, speaking on the occasion, said: In addition to the US, I also call upon NATO countries and Israel to help defend human lives in Balochistan by upholding R2P (responsibility to protect). Bugti profusely thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support to Balochistan. Glick promised he will do everything he can within the Israeli Parliament to help the Baloch people obtain freedom. We of all people have to recognise that the Balochi people are suffering under the oppression of the Pakistani government, he spoke by skype to a seminar organised by Jawad Baloch, president of Baloch Republican Party's Germany chapter, to honour slain Nawab Bugti, 79. We in Israel identify with the suffering of the people of Balochistan, Glick said, adding: Many people have been killed by the inhumane behaviour of the Pakistani government. I think it is time to tell the Pakistani government that they have no right to threaten other people. They have no right to terrorise other people. We in Israel identify with your suffering and we call upon the world not to ignore the suffering of the peoples in Pakistan Swiss-based Nawab Brahumdagh Bugti is president of the Baloch Republican Party. Glick cited American historian Prof. M Chris Mason who says Baloch ruler at the time of the 1947 Partition of India, Mir Ahmadyar Khan, was seeking the help of Indias first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru to thwart Pakistani military aggression. Balochistan was granted independence separately from India and Pakistan and The New York Times reported the event. Glick, who is a rabbi, said: I want to share with you the true love of the prophets of Israel. The age of freedom will come because you deserve it. You deserve independence. He emphasised: The Pakistani government should end the occupation. We will eventually share with you the freedom that you deserve. I will call upon the Israeli government to support the people of Balochistan." Jawad Baloch, who organised the Leipzig event and has been busy seeking Indian and Israeli voices of support, said he was awe-inspired by Glick's honest love for Balochistan. "I believe he has felt our pain because he was also a victim of terror," he said. The Knesset member had survived an attempt on his life by Islamists. Israels Voice president Mendelsen, who came from Miami all the way to Washington DC along with his beautiful Israeli wife Shoshi Marciano to address 'Americans Remember Shaheed Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti', quoted from an article titled 'Kurds, Baloch and Israelis' written by Elisa Greenberg. She said: Just as the Jewish people were left without a Jewish state for thousands of years and occupied by others, from the Romans to the Byzantines to the Ottomans, the Kurdish and Baloch people are also nations without a country. The land of Kurds is divided between Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and parts of Syria, Armenia and Azerbaijan, while the Baloch reside in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. Just as the Jewish people never gave up on the Jewish state of Israel, the Kurds and Baloch have never been willing to give up their dream of having their own free countries, where they could be masters of their own destiny without outside coercion. Mendelsen, whose son works for the Israel Defense Forces, said Greenburg further writes and he concurs that: In 1948, Pakistan attacked Balochistan, occupied the land, looted its natural resources , and suppressed the Balochi language and culture in classic colonialist style. Under the Pakistani occupation, thousands of Baloch people have been massacred, hundreds of thousands made refugees, and thousands more have disappeared or been tortured and jailed, often without trial. Details of Pakistans human rights abuses in Balochistan are well documented by Pakistani and international human rights groups, including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. Mendelsen said Pakistan is one of the countries that are in the forefront when it comes to anti-Semitism. While it sheds tears over Kashmir and Judea and Samaria aka West Bank, Pakistan security forces' atrocities against the Baloch have few parallels in recent times, he asserted. Jewish media has been recently focusing on Balochistans freedom movement. It was the first time in Balochistan's history that the stage was shared by an important Baloch freedom leader Bugti with an Israeli member of parliament belonging to Likud Party and an NGO activist. As both Glick and Mendelsen staunchly support Benjamin Netanyahu, it is expected the Israeli premier will announce support for a free Balochistan shortly. Last month, Modi announced support to the Baloch people and said Pakistan will have to answer to the international community for its crimes in Balochistan. Three recent developments have transformed the region's geopolitics. First, United States secretary of state John Kerry in Delhi last week announced a US-India-Afghanistan trilateral axis to protect regional security. Pakistan was pointedly left out. Second, the Indian government reaffirmed its clear-sighted new policy on Balochistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK). A firm but nuanced policy on Balochistan, which comprises 44 per cent of Pakistan's territory, will yield strategic dividends. Third, the G-20 meeting in Hangzhou, China, earlier this week re-emphasised India's pivotal role in "Greater Asia". From Egypt to Vietnam, India's geopolitical arc of influence now rises up from the Middle East to the Central Asian Republics, dips through the Indian Ocean, and sweeps across the South China Sea. US support The US is fully on board with this strategy of Greater Asia and India's pivotal role. Washington has little choice. China presents a growing threat to US economic and military hegemony. China's GDP is already larger than America's in Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) terms. Even at current exchange rates, China's economy is well over half of America's and will surpass it within the next decade. China's defence budget ($146 billion) is dwarfed by America's $600 billion annual military spending but Beijing is catching up fast. Washington needs a strong counter to China in Greater Asia. Minister of external affairs Sushma Swaraj and US secretary of state John Kerry in Delhi last week. (Photo credit: Reuters) India alone fits the bill. That is why Kerry repeated President Barack Obama's homily in Delhi: "The India-US relationship is the defining partnership of the 21st century." China is relatively isolated. Its neighbours distrust it. That is a predicament it shares with Pakistan. Islamabad is distrusted by virtually all its neighbours: Iran, Afghanistan, India and, though it doesn't share a border, Bangladesh. China is similarly distrusted by its neighbours: Vietnam, Japan, the Philippines and other littoral states. Beijing's cavalier disregard of the award against it by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) based in the Hague, Netherlands, in its maritime dispute with the Philippines shows the contempt with which it treats international law. China's rhetoric against the award under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) has damaged its international reputation. In Pakistan, it has a like-minded ally. Countering the China-Pakistan axis needs a calibrated strategy by Indian policymakers. The first step was to ring fence and neutralise traditional Pakistan allies like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visits to both counties. The unity of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) over Kashmir too has been broken. Syria recently rejected the OIC line favouring Pakistan and publicly declared that India should solve "Kashmir in any way it wants". This was the outcome of a successful visit to Damascus by the minister of state for external affairs, MJ Akbar. Anxious Pak The visit of Egyptian President Abdel Fateh el-Sisi to India on his way to the G-20 summit in China last week demonstrates the success the Indian government has had in eroding the support Pakistan traditionally sought and received from the Middle East over Kashmir. Pakistan is anxious that the lifeline to its economy, the $46-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), goes through without a hitch. But there are two problems. The first is the mounting insurgency in Balochistan where the CPEC begins at Gwadar port and traverses through several hundred miles of hostile Baloch territory. Pakistan has committed 10,000 security personnel to guard the corridor in Balochistan to allay Chinese fears of terror attacks by the Taliban. Over 8,100 of these men are already in place guarding an estimated 9,000 Chinese working on CPEC projects in Balochistan. The second problem is Gilgit-Baltistan, formerly known as the Northern Areas. It is six times larger than the rest of POK. Its people are constitutionally citizens of India. The CPEC passes through Gilgit-Baltistan on its way to Xinjiang, China's large restive province. The people of Gilgit-Baltistan have been protesting the appalling conditions in which they live. They have little infrastructure and no freedom. China concern The Chinese are hyper-sensitive about Islamist terrorism being exported to Xinjiang which has a significant Muslim population. China has warned Islamabad that most of the terrorists infiltrating into Xinjiang are trained in POK and receive sanctuaries there. Foreign secretary S Jaishankar (a former ambassador to China and the US) has recognised the need to recalibrate India's foreign policy. The Prime Minister's Office has endorsed a proactive strategy on Balochistan, POK and Gilgit-Baltistan. Pressure on China can now be built in two ways: One, from the rapidly evolving India-US strategic partnership; and two, from India's growing influence with littoral countries in the South China Sea, especially Vietnam, which the PM pointedly visited a day before the G-20 Summit in China. India has many other aces up its sleeve, including building closer economic ties with the first anti-Beijing government in Taiwan since the mid-1990s (led by the country's first woman prime minister, Tsai Ing-wen) as well as hosting more free-Tibet conferences in India. Pakistan, as a vendor state with terrorism as its principal regional export, and China, as a violator of international legal strictures, form a natural axis. It is an axis that is both brittle and disruptive. A sophisticated counter-strategy must fully use that brittleness to enhance India's pivotal role in shaping Greater Asia. Dril-Quip, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, sells, and services engineered drilling and production equipment for use in deepwater, harsh environment, and severe service applications worldwide. The company's principal products include subsea and surface wellheads, subsea and surface production trees, mudline hanger systems, specialty connectors and associated pipes, drilling and production riser systems, liner hangers, wellhead connectors, diverters, and safety valves, as well as downhole tools. It also provides technical advisory services, and rework and reconditioning services, as well as rental and purchase of running tools for use in the installation and retrieval of its products; and downhole tools comprise of liner hangers, production packers, safety valves, and specialty downhole tools that are used to hang-off and seal casing into a previously installed casing string in the well bore. The company's products are used to explore for oil and gas from offshore drilling rigs, such as floating rigs and jack-up rigs; and for drilling and production of oil and gas wells on offshore platforms, tension leg platforms, and Spars, as well as moored vessels, such as floating production, storage, and offloading monohull moored vessels. It sells its products directly through its sales personnel, independent sales agents, and representatives to integrated, independent, and foreign national oil and gas companies, as well as drilling contractors, and engineering and construction companies. The company was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Argan, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, operations management, maintenance, project development, technical, and consulting services to the power generation and renewable energy markets. The company operates through Power Industry Services, Industrial Fabrication and Field Services, and Telecommunications Infrastructure Services segments. The Power Industry Services segment offers engineering, procurement, and construction contracting services to the owners of alternative energy facilities, such as biomass plants, wind farms, and solar fields; and design, construction, project management, start-up, and operation services for projects with approximately 15 gigawatts of power-generating capacity. This segment serves independent power project owners, public utilities, power plant equipment suppliers, and energy plant construction companies. The Industrial Fabrication and Field Services segment provides industrial field, and pipe and vessel fabrication services for forest products, industrial gas, fertilizer, and mining companies in southeast region of the United States. The Telecommunications Infrastructure Services segment offers trenchless directional boring and excavation for underground communication and power networks, as well as aerial cabling services; and installs buried cable, high and low voltage electric lines, and private area outdoor lighting systems. It also provides structured cabling, terminations, and connectivity that offers the physical transport for high-speed data, voice, video, and security networks. This segment serves state and local government agencies, regional communications service providers, electric utilities, and other commercial customers, as well as federal government facilities comprising cleared facilities in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Argan, Inc. was incorporated in 1961 and is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. KBR, Inc. provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. The company operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Its services cover research and development, advanced prototyping, acquisition support, systems engineering, cyber analytics, space domain awareness, test and evaluation, systems integration and program management, global supply chain management, and operations readiness and support, as well as command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance services. This segment also provides various professional advisory services to deliver high-end systems engineering, systems assurance, and technology to customers across the defense, energy, and critical infrastructure sectors. The Sustainable Technology Solutions segment holds a portfolio of approximately 70 proprietary process technologies for ammonia/syngas/fertilizers, chemical/petrochemicals, clean refining, and circular process/circular economy solutions. This segment also includes advisory and consulting practices that focuses on energy transition and net-zero carbon emission consulting; and provides engineering, design, and professional services, as well as industrial solutions through KBR INSITE, a proprietary, digital, and cloud-based operations and maintenance platform that identifies opportunities for clients to achieve sustainable improvements in production, reliability, environment impact, energy efficiency, and profitability. KBR, Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Nabors Industries Ltd. provides drilling and drilling-related services for land-based and offshore oil and natural gas wells. The company operates through five segments: U.S. Drilling, Canada Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions, and Rig Technologies. It provides tubular running, wellbore placement, directional drilling, measurement-while-drilling (MWD), equipment manufacturing, and rig instrumentation services; and logging-while-drilling systems and services, as well as drilling optimization software. The company also offers REVit, an automated real time stick-slip mitigation system; ROCKit, a directional steering control system; SmartNAV, a collaborative guidance and advisory platform; SmartSLIDE, an advanced directional steering control system; and RigCLOUD, which provides the tools and infrastructure to integrate applications to deliver real-time insight into operations across the rig fleet. In addition, it manufactures and sells top drives, catwalks, wrenches, drawworks, and other drilling related equipment, such as robotic systems and downhole tools; and provides aftermarket sales and services for the installed base of its equipment. As of December 31, 2021, the company marketed approximately 301 rigs for land-based drilling operations in the United States, Canada, and in 20 other countries worldwide; and 29 rigs for offshore platform drilling operations in the United States and internationally. Nabors Industries Ltd. was founded in 1952 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda. Phyllis Schlafly passed away this week at the age of 92. She was the matriarch of the pro-life movement. It might be safe to say that the national Republican Party would not even have a pro-life plank in its platform without the influence of Phyllis Schlafly. Founder of Eagle Forum, Phyllis was possibly the most influential woman of her era. She was a modern-day Abigail Adams. Our paths crossed several times. I never knew her to be anything but the perfect lady. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, scholar, freedom fighter, and role model. Sadly, the last few months of her life were enmeshed in betrayal and attack--not from her enemies, but from her so-called friends and even from a family member. They were angry with Phyllis because she publicly supported Donald Trump for President and not Ted Cruz. They were so vindictive and hateful that they attempted to wrestle control of Eagle Forum away from her over it--even to the point of taking Phyllis to court. In my way of thinking, the attacks against Phyllis from her so-called friends--especially at her age--may have directly contributed to her sudden demise. No one but God will ever really know. It is my personal (and I do mean personal) experience that Christian-Zionists--which is what Ted Cruz's campaign mostly attracted--can be among the most mean-spirited, hateful, and vindictive people on the planet. They swarmed on Phyllis like sharks in a feeding frenzy. Of all of Phyllis Schlafly's bravest and most courageous acts (which were very many--including the way she recently urged Wisconsin voters to reject Neocon House Speaker Paul Ryan in his primary election), her decision to NOT support the Christian-Zionist, Ted Cruz, may have been her most heroic. And she may have paid for that decision with her life. Back in April of this year, I wrote this about Phyllis and the attacks against her: The matriarch of the pro-life, pro-family, Christian Right movement is the elegant stateswoman Phyllis Schlafly. She has no peer; there is no close second. At age 91, she remains the icon of Americas pro-life community. Phyllis received her B.A. from Washington University, her J.D. from Washington University Law School, and her Masters in Government from Harvard University. She worked her way through college on the night shift at the St. Louis Ordnance Plant testing .30 and .50 caliber ammunition by firing rifles and machine guns and as a laboratory technician investigating misfires and photographing tracer bullets in flight. Mrs. Schlafly is an attorney admitted to the practice of law in Illinois, Missouri, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Supreme Court. She and her late husband are the parents of 6 children and the grandparents of 14 grandchildren. Phyllis personally taught all of her children to read before they started school. It is no exaggeration to say that Phyllis is the single person most responsible for defeating the Equal Rights Amendment and has been one of the most influential personalities in politics over the last half-century. She founded her Eagle Forum organization in 1972, and today over 80,000 people claim membership. See this Breitbart report on Phyllis: Conservative Legend Phyllis Schlafly Dies At 92 One would think that the pedigree, accomplishments, and lifetime efforts of Mrs. Schlafly would speak so loudly and clearly that no one--not even her political adversaries--could question her sterling character and steadfast convictions. At age 91, and after all of her hard work, Phyllis should be enjoying the most happy fruits of her labor and the most heartfelt appreciation and respect of everyone who knows her--and especially of the Christian conservative community throughout this country. Guess again. As we speak, Phyllis Schlafly is the target of a hostile takeover by people within her own organization. They want Phyllis OUT. After all of these years, after all she has done, after a lifetime of Herculean effort, they want Phyllis Schlafly GONE. What, you ask, could be the awful sin, the horrific iniquity, the egregious act of malfeasance Phyllis could have committed to warrant such an attack? Answer: she endorsed Donald Trump for president. Mind you, these attacks are not coming from the political left. They are coming from Christian conservatives within Eagle Forum. And from a political perspective, the people who mostly want to destroy Mrs. Schlafly are, guess who: the Ted Cruz supporters, thats who. See this report: Phyllis Schlafly's Eagle Forum Torn Apart By Cruz Supporters Ted Cruzs base of support is comprised mostly of Israel-First evangelical Christians. Prophecy preachers from all over America have declared Ted to be Gods anointed presidential candidate. These end-time evangelicals see Ted Cruz as their Elijah or John the Baptist to usher in the Millennial Kingdom. However, the fact that Cruzs supporters are attacking Mrs. Schlafly in such a vile and vicious manner, shows that hell, not heaven, is in their hearts. I am reminded of the words of King David: I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war. (Psalms 120:7 KJV) Whether people agree with Schlaflys decision to endorse Donald Trump is NOT the issue. To target Phyllis as an enemy because of her endorsement is the grossest and most vile attempt at character assassination that I can possibly imagine. Agree with her or not, Phyllis Schlafly is a paragon of integrity. This leads to a very serious and all-too-common current reality: a sizeable percentage of our so-called Christian community is filled with a heart of hatred and war. They like to talk about peace and love, but what they are really about is war and hate. I cant keep from saying I told you so at this point. When G.W. Bush and Dick Cheney began their propaganda war against Iraq and Afghanistan, I told my radio audience, Because G.W. Bush professes to be a Christian, and because he has so much support from within the Christian community, Bush is going to change the definition and character of the word Christian in this country forever. And that is EXACTLY what has happened. And Ted Cruz is picking up right where G.W. Bush left off. The Christian standard used to be Blessed are the peacemakers. Today the standard is Blessed are the warmongers. These Bush/Cruz, Israel-First cultists are prepared to not only blow up the entire Arab world, they are prepared to blow up Eagle Forum or any other organization or personality that does not subscribe to their brand of Israel-First obsession. Believe me, if these divisive, hate-filled Christians could get away with it, they would be as bloodthirsty and violent as any Muslim terrorist. But since they are unable to behead people such as Phyllis Schlafly or Chuck Baldwin (so far), they set out with all malice to destroy our work and reputations. Yes, I am dealing with many of these same hate-filled Christians too. And I know that many of my brethren will recoil when they hear me say what Im going to say, but I have analyzed and studied this phenomenon for many years now, and there is a definite common denominator. Im talking about decades of church splits; pastors being savagely and mercilessly attacked from inside the church; pastors families being destroyed by members of their own congregations; and the most bitter, divisive, backstabbing, meddlesome, tale-bearing, discordant, mean-spirited actions and attitudes on the planet. What is the common denominator? Almost without exception these haters and destroyers are Israel-First, end-time prophecy zealots. I cannot imagine another presidential candidates supporters attacking someone such as Phyllis Schlafly like the Cruz supporters are now doing. It is Ted Cruzs supporters who are engaging in this attempted destruction of Americas First Lady Of The Pro-Life Movement, Phyllis Schlafly. And again, Ted Cruz is Mr. Christian-Zionist. Cruz is to politics what John Hagee is to religion. Ted Cruz claims to be pro-life, but he is allowing his supporters to crucify the most influential pro-life American of the last half-century, Phyllis Schlafly. After over 40 years of labor and leadership in the liberty and Christian movements, and having personally witnessed the massive amount of death and destruction inflicted upon untold thousands of good and honorable men and women at the hands of these calloused and calculating beasts of prey, it is now apparent to me what is behind all of this devastation. It is the same enemy that is trying to destroy Phyllis Schlafly: Israel-First Christian-Zionists. And the thing about it is Phyllis was never Anti-Israel. But she wasnt Israel-First either; she was America-First. For Christian-Zionists, that warrants death. Their loyalty is to the modern Zionist State of Israel, NOT the United States of America. So, Phyllis had to go. Well, now Phyllis is gone. Her epitaph should read: Here Lies Phyllis Schlafly Devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother Courageous Defender Of Unborn Babies, Champion Of Liberty, Scholar, And Patriot Killed By Christian-Zionists Because She Believed In America-First P.S. I invite readers to obtain my 15-message, 7-DVD series entitled The Israel Package. This series of messages will help people understand why the modern Zionist State of Israel can hold no claim to the promise given to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 and why the Israel-First theology of John Hagee, Ted Cruz, and so many others is egregious Biblical error. And readers should also understand that I came to these conclusions after being trained in Israel-First theology and believing and preaching it for most of my life. But the longer I preached it, the more dissatisfied I became with it. I knew something wasnt right. And the more I studied the matter, the more I came to repudiate what I now know is patently false doctrine. To order The Israel Package containing 15 messages on 7 DVDs at a HUGE DISCOUNT, go here: The Israel Package Chuck Baldwin *If you appreciate this column and want to help me distribute these editorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may be made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link: Chuck Baldwin Live Donate Form I also have many books and DVDs available for purchase online. Go here: Chuck Baldwin Live Store To subscribe to my weekly columns, click here: Subscribe to Chuck's Column Related GSK plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the creation, discovery, development, manufacture, and marketing of pharmaceutical products, vaccines, over-the-counter medicines, and health-related consumer products in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Vaccines, and Consumer Healthcare. The company offers pharmaceutical products comprising medicines in the therapeutic areas, such as respiratory, HIV, immuno-inflammation, oncology, anti-viral, central nervous system, cardiovascular and urogenital, metabolic, anti-bacterial, and dermatology. It also provides consumer healthcare products in wellness, oral health, nutrition, and skin health categories. The company offers its consumer healthcare products in the form of nasal sprays, tablets, syrups, lozenges, gum and trans-dermal patches, caplets, infant syrup drops, liquid filled suspension, wipes, gels, effervescents, toothpastes, toothbrushes, mouthwashes, denture adhesives and cleansers, topical creams and non-medicated patches, lip balm, gummies, and soft chews. It has collaboration agreements with 23andMe; Lyell Immunopharma, Inc.; Novartis; Sanofi SA; Surface Oncology; Progentec Diagnostics, Inc.; Alector, Inc.; and CureVac AG., as well as strategic partnership with IDEAYA Biosciences, Inc. and Vir Biotechnology, Inc. The company was formerly known as GlaxoSmithKline plc and changed its name to GSK plc in May 2022. GSK plc was founded in 1715 and is headquartered in Brentford, the United Kingdom. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company provides solutions that allow customers to capture, analyze, and act upon data seamlessly in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Japan. The company offers general purpose servers for multi-workload computing and workload-optimized servers; HPE ProLiant rack and tower servers; HPE BladeSystem and HPE Synergy; and solutions for secondary workloads and traditional tape, storage networking, and disk products, such as HPE Modular Storage Arrays and HPE XP. It also offers HPE Apollo and Cray products; and HPE Superdome Flex, HPE Nonstop, HPE Integrity, and HPE Edgeline products. In addition, the company provides HPE Aruba product portfolio that includes wired and wireless local area network hardware products, such as Wi-Fi access points, switches, routers, and sensors; HPE Aruba software and services comprising cloud-based management, network management, network access control, analytics and assurance, and location; and professional and support services, as well as as-a-service and consumption models for the intelligent edge portfolio of products. Further, it offers various leasing, financing, IT consumption, and utility programs and asset management services for customers to facilitate technology deployment models and the acquisition of complete IT solutions, including hardware, software, and services from Hewlett Packard Enterprise and others. Additionally, the company invests in communications and media solutions. It has a partnership with Striim, Inc. to offer high performance and mission-critical solutions with real-time analytics. It serves commercial and large enterprise groups, such as business and public sector enterprises; and through various partners comprising resellers, distribution partners, original equipment manufacturers, independent software vendors, systems integrators, and advisory firms. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company was founded in 1939 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. The following companies are subsidiares of BorgWarner: Akasol AG, B80 Italia S.r.l., BERU AG, BW El Salto S.A. De C.V., BWA Receivables Corporation, BWA Turbo Systems Holding LLC, Borg Warner Europe Holdings (PDS) B. V., BorgWarner (China) Investment Co. Ltd., BorgWarner (Reman) Holdings L.L.C., BorgWarner (Thailand) Limited, BorgWarner Aftermarket Europe GmbH, BorgWarner Alternators Inc., BorgWarner Arden LLC, BorgWarner Arnstadt RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Asia Inc., BorgWarner Automotive Asia Limited, BorgWarner Automotive Components (Beijing) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Automotive Components (Jiangsu) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Automotive Components (Ningbo) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Automotive Components (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Automotive Components (Wuhan) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Brasil Ltda., BorgWarner Chungju Co. LLC, BorgWarner Comercial e Distribuidora de Pecas para Veiculos Automotores Ltda., BorgWarner Comercializadora PDS S. de R.L. de C.V., BorgWarner Componentes PDS S. de R.L. de C.V., BorgWarner Cooling Systems (India) Private Limited, BorgWarner Cooling Systems GmbH, BorgWarner Diversified Transmission Products Services Inc., BorgWarner Drivetrain Engineering GmbH, BorgWarner Drivetrain Management Services de Mexico S.A. de C.V., BorgWarner Drivetrain de Mexico S.A. de C.V., BorgWarner Electric Motors L.L.C., BorgWarner Emissions Systems (Ningbo) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Emissions Systems (Ningbo) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Emissions Systems Holding LLC, BorgWarner Emissions Systems India Private Limited, BorgWarner Emissions Systems LLC, BorgWarner Emissions Systems Portugal Unipessoal LDA, BorgWarner Emissions Systems Spain S.L.U., BorgWarner Emissions Systems of Michigan Inc., BorgWarner Emissions Talegaon Private Limited, BorgWarner Engineering Ketsch RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Engineering Kibo RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Esslingen GmbH, BorgWarner Europe GmbH, BorgWarner Europe Holding S.a. r. l., BorgWarner Gateshead Limited, BorgWarner Germany Holding GmbH, BorgWarner Germany Holding Services GmbH, BorgWarner Germany REH GmbH, BorgWarner Germany REM GmbH, BorgWarner Germany Verwaltungs GmbH, BorgWarner Global Holding S.a. r. l., BorgWarner Heidelberg I RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Heidelberg II RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Heidelberg REH GmbH, BorgWarner Heidelberg REM GmbH, BorgWarner Holding Inc., BorgWarner Holdings Limited, BorgWarner Hungary Kft., BorgWarner IT Services Europe GmbH, BorgWarner India Holdings Inc., BorgWarner Investment Holding Inc., BorgWarner Ithaca LLC, BorgWarner Ketsch Plant RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Ketsch REH GmbH, BorgWarner Ketsch REM GmbH, BorgWarner Kft., BorgWarner Kibo RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Korea Holdings (PDS) B.V., BorgWarner Korea Holdings LLC, BorgWarner Korea LLC, BorgWarner Limited, BorgWarner Ludwigsburg GmbH, BorgWarner Ludwigsburg RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Markdorf Plant RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Markdorf REH GmbH, BorgWarner Markdorf REM GmbH, BorgWarner Massachusetts Inc., BorgWarner Mauritius Holdings Ltd., BorgWarner Mexico Holding BV, BorgWarner Mexico Holdings II LLC, BorgWarner Mexico Holdings LLC, BorgWarner Morse Systems India Private Limited, BorgWarner Morse Systems Italy S.r.l., BorgWarner Morse Systems Japan K.K., BorgWarner Morse Systems Mexico S.A. de C.V., BorgWarner Muggendorf RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner NW Inc., BorgWarner Netherlands Holdings (PDS) B.V., BorgWarner Oroszlany Kft., BorgWarner PDS (Anderson) L.L.C., BorgWarner PDS (Changnyeong) LLC, BorgWarner PDS (Indiana) Inc., BorgWarner PDS (Livonia) Inc., BorgWarner PDS (Ochang) LLC, BorgWarner PDS (Thailand) Limited, BorgWarner PDS (USA) Inc., BorgWarner PDS Brasil Produtos Automotivos Ltda., BorgWarner PDS Irapuato S. de R.L. de C.V., BorgWarner PDS Mexico Holdings S. de R.L. de C.V., BorgWarner PDS Technologies L.L.C., BorgWarner Poland Sp. z o.o., BorgWarner Pyongtaek LLC, BorgWarner Romeo Power LLC, BorgWarner Rzeszow Sp. z o.o., BorgWarner Shenglong (Ningbo) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner South Asia LLC, BorgWarner Southborough Inc., BorgWarner Spain Holding S.L.U, BorgWarner Sweden AB, BorgWarner Systems Lugo S.r.l., BorgWarner Thermal Systems Inc., BorgWarner Thermal Systems of Michigan Inc., BorgWarner TorqTransfer Systems Beijing Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Tralee Ltd., BorgWarner Transmission Products LLC, BorgWarner Transmission Systems Arnstadt GmbH, BorgWarner Transmission Systems GmbH, BorgWarner Transmission Systems Korea LLC, BorgWarner Transmission Systems Tulle S.A.S., BorgWarner Trustees Limited, BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems France S.A.S., BorgWarner Turbo Systems Engineering GmbH, BorgWarner Turbo Systems GmbH, BorgWarner Turbo Systems LLC, BorgWarner Turbo Systems Worldwide Headquarters GmbH, BorgWarner Turbo Systems of Michigan Inc., BorgWarner Turbo and Emissions Systems de Mexico S.A. de C.V., BorgWarner UK Financing Ltd., BorgWarner UK Holding and Services Ltd., BorgWarner US Holding LLC, BorgWarner USA Industries L.L.C., BorgWarner United Transmission Systems Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Waterloo Inc., BorgWarner Wrexham Limited, Cascadia Motion LLC, Creon Insurance Agency Limited, Delphi Technologies, Dytech ENSA, Gustav Wahler GmbH u. Co. KG, Haldex, Kuhlman LLC, Kysor Europe Limited, M. & M. Knopf Auto Parts L.L.C., NSK-Warner (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., NSK-Warner K.K., NSK-Warner Mexico S.A. de C.V, NSK-Warner U.S.A. Inc., New PDS Corp., Old Remco Holdings L.L.C., Old Remco International Holdings L.L.C., Remy International, SeohanWarner Turbo Systems LLC, Sevcon, Sevcon New Energy Technology (Hubei) Company Limited, and Transmission Systems AutoForm LLC. Read More 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 Teledyne Technologies Incorporated provides enabling technologies for industrial growth markets in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, and internationally. The company's Instrumentation segment offers monitoring and control instruments for marine, environmental, industrial, and other applications, as well as electronic test and measurement equipment; and power and communications connectivity devices for distributed instrumentation systems and sensor networks. Its Digital Imaging segment provides visible spectrum sensors and digital cameras for industrial machine vision and automated quality control, as well as for medical, research, and scientific applications; and infrared and X-ray spectra for use in industrial, government, and medical applications, as well as micro electromechanical systems and semiconductors, including analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters. This segment also offers thermal imaging systems, visible-light imaging systems, locater systems, measurement and diagnostic systems, and threat-detection solutions. The company's Aerospace and Defense Electronics segment provides electronic components and subsystems, as well as communications products, such as defense electronics, environment interconnects, data acquisition and communications equipment for aircraft, components and subsystems for wireless and satellite communications, and general aviation batteries. Its Engineered Systems segment offers systems engineering and integration, technology development, and manufacturing solutions for defense, space, environmental, and energy applications; and designs and manufactures electrochemical energy systems and electronics for military applications. The company markets and sells its products and services through a direct internal sales force, as well as third-party sales representatives and distributors. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California. Devon Energy Corporation is an independent oil and gas company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The company was incorporated in 1971 by John Nichols and his son J. Larry Nichols and later went public in August 2000. The company has since grown to be included in the S&P 500 and is one of the first energy companies to introduce resolutions requiring the company to monitor its impact on global warming. One time a major player in the global oil market, Devon has since sold off its offshore holdings in an effort to focus on US production and its transition to a lower-carbon future. Devon Energy merged with WPX in early 2021 in an all-stock merger of equals. The new company is primarily engaged in the exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the US midwest. The company operates more than 5,100 wells in Oklahomas Delaware Basis, Eagle Ford Group, and the two locations in the Rocky Mountains. As of late 2022, the company laid claim to 1.625 million barrels of reserves including 44% petroleum, 27% natural gas liquids, and 29% natural gas. Daily production was running in the range of 300,000 BPD in petroleum liquids, 125,000 BPD in natural gas liquids, and 920 million cubic feet of natural gas. Rick Muncrief, formally CEO of WPX, is now the head of Devon Energy. Mr. Muncrief comes to the table with more than 40 years of experience including 27 years with one of the US Big Three Oil Companies. WPX Energy (Williams Production and Exploration) brought properties in the Williston and Permian Basins to the combined company. Its proven reserves were roughly 527 million barrels of oil and equivalents. The company also owns and operates a midstream network of pipelines and storage facilities it uses to market and deliver its products. Devon Energy Corporation has pledged to reduce its GHG impact to net zero by 2050. This will be done by a variety of methods that include improving efficiency and leakage, a reduction in flaring, and the electrification of its operations. Near-term goals include a 50% reduction in GHG by 2030 including a 65% reduction in methane release and a 100% reduction in flaring. The company is also focused on reducing its environmental impact by relying on recycled water wherever possible and plans to reduce freshwater usage by 90% in the most active areas. Total greenhouse gas emissions have been in decline since 2018 and fell 17% between 2018 and 2020 alone. The following companies are subsidiares of Illinois Tool Works: A V Co 1 Limited, A V Co 2 Limited, A V Co 3 Limited, ACCU-LUBE Manufacturing GmbH - Schmiermittel und -gerate -, AIP/BI Holdings Inc., Accessories Marketing Holding Corp., Advanced Molding Company Inc., Allen France SAS, Alpine Engineered Products, Alpine Systems Corporation, Anaerobicos S.r.l., AppliChem GmbH, Avery Berkel France, Avery India Limited, Avery Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avery Weigh Tronix, Avery Weigh-Tronix Finance Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix International Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix LLC, Avery Weigh-Tronix Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Properties Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Suzhou Weighing Technology Co. Ltd., Azon Limited, B.C. Immo, Beijing Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Berkel Ireland Limited, Berrington UK, Brapenta Eletronica Ltda., Brooks Instrument B.V., Brooks Instrument GmbH, Brooks Instrument KFT, Brooks Instrument Korea Ltd., Brooks Instrument LLC, Brooks Instrument Shanghai Co. Ltd, Buell Industries Inc., CCI Realty Company, CFC Europe GmbH, CS Australia Pty Limited, CS Mexico Holding Company S DE RL DE CV, Calvia Spolka z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnosci, Capital Ventures Australasia S.a r.l, Capmax Logistica S.A. de C.V., Celeste Industries Corporation, Coeur, Coeur Asia Limited, Coeur Holding Company, Coeur Inc., Coeur Shanghai Medical Appliance Trading Co. Ltd, Compagnie Hobart, Compagnie de Materiel et d'Equipements Techniques-Comet, Constructions Isothermiques Bontami C.I.B., Crane Carrier Company, Denison Mayes Group Limited, Despatch Industries, Diagraph Corporation Sdn. Bhd, Diagraph ITW Mexico S. de R.L. De C.V., Diagraph Mexico S.A. DE C.V., Dongguan Ark-Les Electric Components Co. Ltd., Dongguan CK Branding Co. Ltd., Duo Fast de Espana S.A.U., Duo-Fast Korea Co. Ltd., Duo-Fast LLC, E.C.S. d.o.o., E2M Production B.V.., E2M Technologies B.V.., E2M Technologies Inc.., ECS Cable Protection Sp. Zoo, ELRO Grosskuchen GmbH, ELRO Holding AG, ELRO-WERKE AG, Elro Group, Eltex-Elektrostatik-Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Envases Multipac S.A. de C.V., Eurotec Srl, Exhibit 21, FEG Investments L.L.C., Filtertek De Mexico Holding Inc., Filtertek De Mexico S.A. de C.V., Filtertek SAS, GC Financement SA, Gamko B.V., Gun Hwa Platech Taicang Co. Ltd., HOBART Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Hartness International, Hobart Andina S.A.S., Hobart Belgium B.V., Hobart Brothers International Chile Limitada, Hobart Brothers LLC, Hobart Dayton Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Hobart Food Equipment Co. Ltd., Hobart International Singapore Pte. Ltd., Hobart Japan K.K., Hobart Korea LLC, Hobart LLC, Hobart Nederland B.V., Hobart Sales & Service Inc., Hobart Scandinavia ApS, Hobart Techniek B.V., Horis, ILC Investments Holdings Inc., ITW AEP LLC, ITW AOC LLC, ITW Aircraft Investments Inc., ITW Ampang Industries Philippines Inc., ITW Appliance Components EOOD, ITW Appliance Components S.A. de C.V., ITW Appliance Components S.r.l.a, ITW Appliance Components d.o.o., ITW Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, ITW Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd., ITW Australia Pty Ltd, ITW Automotive Components Chongqing Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Components Langfang Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Japan K.K., ITW Automotive Korea LLC, ITW Automotive Parts Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Automotive Products GmbH, ITW Automotive Products Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Bailly Comte, ITW Befestigungssysteme GmbH, ITW Belgium B.V., ITW Brazilian Nominee L.L.C., ITW Building Components Group Inc., ITW CER, ITW CP Distribution Center Holland BV, ITW CS UK Ltd., ITW Canada Inc., ITW Celeste Inc., ITW Chemical Products Ltda, ITW Chemical Products Scandinavia ApS, ITW China Investment Company Limited, ITW Colombia S.A.S., ITW Construction Products AB, ITW Construction Products AS, ITW Construction Products ApS, ITW Construction Products CZ s.r.o., ITW Construction Products Italy Srl, ITW Construction Products OU, ITW Construction Products OY, ITW Construction Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Construction Products Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW Construction Services Manila Inc., ITW Contamination Control B.V., ITW Contamination Control Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Covid Security Group Inc., ITW DS Investments Inc., ITW DelFast do Brasil Ltda., ITW Denmark ApS, ITW Deutschland GmbH, ITW Diagraph GmbH, ITW Dynatec, ITW Dynatec Adhesive Equipment Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Dynatec GmbH, ITW Dynatec Kabushiki Kaisha, ITW EAE B.V., ITW EAE Mexico S de RL de CV, ITW EF&C France SAS, ITW EF&C Selb GmbH, ITW EU Holdings Ltd., ITW Electronic Business Asia Co. Limited, ITW Electronic Components/Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Electronics Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Epsilon Sarl, ITW Espana S.L., ITW European Finance Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance II Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance III Co. Ltd., ITW FEG Hong Kong Limited, ITW FEG do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW Fastener Products GmbH, ITW Fluids and Hygiene Solutions Ltda., ITW Food Equipment Group LLC, ITW GH LLC, ITW GSE ApS, ITW GSE Inc., ITW Gamma Sarl, ITW German Management LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings Y Compania Sociedad en Comandita por Acciones, ITW Global Investments Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Europe GmbH, ITW Global Tire Repair Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Japan K.K., ITW Graphics Asia Limited, ITW Graphics Thailand Ltd., ITW Great Britain Investment & Licensing Holding Company, ITW Group France Luxembourg S.ar.l., ITW HLP Thailand Co. Ltd., ITW Holding Quimica B.C. S.L. Sole Shareholder Company, ITW Holdings Australia L.P., ITW Holdings I Limited, ITW Holdings II Limited, ITW Holdings III Limited, ITW Holdings IV Limited, ITW Holdings IX Limited, ITW Holdings Inc., ITW Holdings V Limited, ITW Holdings VI Limited, ITW Holdings VII Limited, ITW Holdings VIII Limited, ITW Holdings X Limited, ITW Holdings XI Limited, ITW ILC Holdings I Inc., ITW IPG Investments LLC, ITW Imaden Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW India Private Limited, ITW International Holdings LLC, ITW Invest Holding GmbH, ITW Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, ITW Ireland Unlimited Company, ITW Italy Holding Srl, ITW Japan Ltd., ITW Korea LLC, ITW LLC & Co. KG, ITW Limited, ITW Lys Fusion S.r.l., ITW Materials Technology Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Meritex Sdn. Bhd., ITW Metal Fasteners S.L., ITW Mexico Holding Company S. De R.L. de C.V., ITW Mexico Holdings LLC, ITW Morlock GmbH, ITW Mortgage Investments II Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments III Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments IV Inc., ITW Netherlands Administration BV, ITW Netherlands Beta B.V., ITW Netherlands Finance Alpha BV, ITW New Universal LLC, ITW New Zealand, ITW Ningbo Components & Fastenings Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Novadan Sp. Z.o.o., ITW PPF Brasil Adesivos Ltda., ITW Packaging Technology China Co. Ltd., ITW Participations S.a r.l., ITW Pension Funds Trustee Company, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Japan Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Korea Limited, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids OOO, ITW Performance Polymers ApS, ITW Performance Polymers Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers and Fluids Group FZE, ITW Peru S.A.C., ITW Poly Mex S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Polymers Sealants North America Inc., ITW Pronovia s.r.o., ITW Pte. Ltd., ITW Qufu Automotive Cooling Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Real Estate Germany GmbH, ITW Residuals III L.L.C., ITW Residuals IV L.L.C., ITW Rivex, ITW SMPI, ITW SPG Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Simco-Ion Shenzhen Co. Ltd., ITW Slovakia s.r.o., ITW Spain Holdings S.L., ITW Specialty Film LLC, ITW Specialty Films France, ITW Specialty Materials Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Sverige AB, ITW Sweden Holding AB, ITW Test & Measurement Equipment Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Test & Measurement GmbH, ITW Test and Measurement Italia Srl, ITW Test and Measurement Services Industry and Trade Ltd., ITW Texwipe Philippines Inc., ITW Thermal Films Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW UK, ITW UK Finance Beta Limited, ITW UK Finance Delta Limited, ITW UK Finance Gamma Limited, ITW UK Finance Limited, ITW UK Finance Zeta Ltd., ITW UK II Limited, ITW Universal II LLC, ITW Welding, ITW Welding AB, ITW Welding GmbH, ITW Welding Products B.V., ITW Welding Products Group FZE, ITW Welding Products Group S. DE R.L. De C.V., ITW Welding Products Italy Srl, ITW Welding Products Limited Liability Company, ITW Welding Produtos Para Solgdagem Ltda., ITW Welding Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW de France, ITW do Brasil Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Illinois Tool Works Chile Limitada, Illinois Tool Works ITW Nederland B.V., Illinois Tool Works Inc., Impar Comercio E Representacoes Ltda., Industrie Plastic Elsasser GmbH, Inmobiliaria Cit. S.A. de C.F., Innova Temperlite Servicios S.A. de C.V., Innovacion y Transformacion Automotriz S.A. de C.V., Instron Brasil Equipamentos Cientificos Ltda., Instron Foreign Sales Corp. Limited, Instron France S.A.S., Instron GmbH, Instron Japan Company Ltd., Instron Korea LLC, Instron Shanghai Ltd., Instron Thailand Limited, International Leasing Company LLC, Isolenge - ITW Sistemas de Isolamento Termico Ltda., Itw Spraytec, KCPL Mauritius Holdings, Kester, Kleinmann GmbH, Krafft S.L., Loma Systems, Loma Systems BV, Loma Systems Canada Inc., Loma Systems sro, Lombard Pressings Limited, Lumex Inc., Lys Fusion Poland Sp. z.o.o., M&C Specialties Co., MAGNAFLUX GmbH, MEHB Holdings Limited, MGHG Property LLC, MTS 2 LLC., MTS 3 LLC., MTS China Holdings LLC, MTS Europe Holdings LLC, MTS Holdings France S.a.r.l., MTS Japan Ltd.., MTS Korea Inc.., MTS Systems China Co. Ltd., MTS Systems Corporation, MTS Systems Danmark ApS., MTS Systems Europe B.V., MTS Systems Finance C.V.., MTS Systems Germany GmbH, MTS Systems Holding B.V.., MTS Systems Hong Kong Incorporated, MTS Systems Limited, MTS Systems Norden Aktiebolag, MTS Systems S.r.l, MTS Systems., MTS Systems.., MTS Sytems Do Brazil, MTS Testing Solutions India Private Limited., MTS Testing Systems Canada Ltd., Manufacturing Avancee S.A., Meritex Technology Suzhou Co. Ltd., Meurer Verpackungssysteme GmbH, Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, Miller Insurance Ltd., NDT Holding LLC, NOVADAN APS, North Star Imaging Inc., Nova Chimica S.r.l., Orbitalum Tools GmbH, PENTA-91 OOO, PR. A. I. Srl, PT ITW Construction Products Indonesia, Pacific Concept Industries Limited Enping, Panreac Quimica S.L., Paslode Fasteners Shanghai Co. Ltd., Peerless Machinery Corp., Polyrey, Premark FEG L.L.C., Premark HII Holdings LLC, Premark International, Premark International LLC, Prolex Sociedad Anonima, QSA Global Inc., Quimica Industrial Mediterranea S.L., R&D Engineering A/S., R&D Prague s.r.o., R&D Steel ApS., R&D Test Systems A/S., R&D Tools and Structures A/S., RDGDK Engineering Private Limited, Ramset Fasteners Hong Kong Ltd., Rapid Cook LLC, Refrigeration France, S.E.E. Sistemas Industria E Comercio Ltda., ST Mexico Holdings LLC, Sealant Systems International Inc., Sentinel Asia Yuhan Hoesa, Shanghai ITW Plastic & Metal Co. Ltd, Simco Japan Inc., Simco Nederland B.V., Societe de Prospection et dInventions Techniques SPIT, Speedline Holdings I Inc., Speedline Holdings I LLC, Speedline Technologies GmbH, Speedline Technologies Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Speedline Technologies Mexico Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Stokvis Celix Portugal Unipessoal LDA, Stokvis Danmark ApS, Stokvis Holdings S.A.R.L., Stokvis Promi s.r.o, Stokvis Prostick Tapes Private Limited, Stokvis Tapes B.V., Stokvis Tapes Benelux B.V., Stokvis Tapes Deutschland GmbH, Stokvis Tapes France, Stokvis Tapes Hong Kong Co. Limited, Stokvis Tapes Italia s.r.l., Stokvis Tapes Limited, Stokvis Tapes Limited Liability Company, Stokvis Tapes Norge AS, Stokvis Tapes Oy, Stokvis Tapes Polska Sp Z.O.O., Stokvis Tapes Shanghai Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Sverige AB, Stokvis Tapes Taiwan Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Tianjin Co. Ltd., Stolvis Holdings II S.A.R.L., Subsidiaries, Technopack Industria Comercio Consultoria e Representacoes Ltda., Teknek China Limited, Teknek Japan Limited, Teksaleco Ltd., The Miller Group Ltd, Thirode Grandes Cuisines Poligny, Tien Tai Electrode Co. Ltd., Tien Tai Electrode Kunshan Co. Ltd., Unichemicals Industria e Comercio Ltda., VR-Leasing Sarita GmbH & Co. Immobilien KG, VS European Holdco BV, Valeron Strength Films B.V., Veneta Decalcogomme S.r.l., Versachem Chile S.A., Vesta, Vesta Global Limited, Vesta Guangzhou Catering Equipment Co. Ltd, Viltronics Soltec, Vitronics Soltec B.V., Wachs Canada Ltd., Wachs Subsea LLC, Weigh-Tronix Canada ULC, Weigh-Tronix UK Limited, Wilsonart International Holdings LLC, Wynn Oil South Africa Pty Ltd., Wynn's Automotive France, Wynn's Belgium BVBA, Wynn's Italia Srl, Wynn's Mekuba India Pvt Ltd, and Zip-Pak International B.V.. Read More Suncor Energy Inc. operates as an integrated energy company. The company primarily focuses on developing petroleum resource basins in Canada's Athabasca oil sands; explores, acquires, develops, produces, transports, refines, and markets crude oil in Canada and internationally; markets petroleum and petrochemical products under the Petro-Canada name primarily in Canada. It operates through Oil Sands; Exploration and Production; Refining and Marketing; and Corporate and Eliminations segments. The Oil Sands segment recovers bitumen from mining and in situ operations, and upgrades it into refinery feedstock and diesel fuel, or blends the bitumen with diluent for direct sale to market. The Exploration and Production segment is involved in offshore operations off the east coast of Canada and in the North Sea; and operating onshore assets in Libya and Syria. The Refining and Marketing segment refines crude oil and intermediate feedstock into various petroleum and petrochemical products; and markets refined petroleum products to retail, commercial, and industrial customers through its other retail sellers. The Corporate and Eliminations segment operates four wind farms in Ontario and Western Canada. The company also markets and trades in crude oil, natural gas, byproducts, refined products, and power. The company was formerly known as Suncor Inc. and changed its name to Suncor Energy Inc. in April 1997. Suncor Energy Inc. was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. (NYSE: RHP) is a leading lodging and hospitality real estate investment trust that specializes in upscale convention center resorts and country music entertainment experiences. The Company's core holdings* include a network of five of the top 10 largest non-gaming convention center hotels in the United States based on total indoor meeting space. These convention center resorts operate under the Gaylord Hotels brand and are managed by Marriott International. The Company also owns two adjacent ancillary hotels and a small number of attractions managed by Marriott International for a combined total of 10,110 rooms and more than 2.7 million square feet of total indoor and outdoor meeting space in top convention and leisure destinations across the country. The Company's Entertainment segment includes a growing collection of iconic and emerging country music brands, including the Grand Ole Opry; Ryman Auditorium, WSM 650 AM; Ole Red and Circle, a country lifestyle media network the Company owns in a joint-venture with Gray Television. The Company operates its Entertainment segment as part of a taxable REIT subsidiary. * The Company is the sole owner of Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center; Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center; Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center; and Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. It is the majority owner and managing member of the joint venture that owns the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center. AstraZeneca PLC, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of prescription medicines. Its marketed products include Calquence, Enhertu, Faslodex, Imfinzi, Iressa, Koselugo, Lumoxiti, Lynparza, Orpathys, Tagrisso, and Zoladex for oncology; Brilinta/Brilique, Bydureon/Byetta, BCise, Byetta, Crestor, Evrenzo, Farxiga/Forxiga, Komboglyze/Kombiglyze XR, Lokelma, Onglyza, Qtern, and Xigduo/Xigduo XR for cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism diseases; Bevespi Aerosphere, Breztri Aerosphere, Daliresp/Daxas, Duaklir Genuair, Fasenra, Pulmicort, Saphnelo, Symbicort, and Tudorza/Eklira/Bretaris for respiratory and immunology; and Andexxa/Ondexxya, Kanuma, Soliris, Strensiq, and Ultomiris for rare diseases. The company's marketed products also comprise Synagis for respiratory syncytial virus; Fluenz Tetra/FluMist Quadrivalent for Influenza; Seroquel IR/Seroquel XR for schizophrenia bipolar disease; Nexium, and Losec/Prilosec for gastroenterology; and Vaxzevria and Evusheld for covid-19. The company serves primary care and specialty care physicians through distributors and local representative offices in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Australasia. It has a collaboration agreement with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to research, develop, and commercialize small molecule medicines for obesity; Neurimmune AG to develop and commercialize NI006; Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to develop eplontersen, a liver-targeted antisense therapy in Phase III development for the treatment of transthyretin amyloidosis; Proteros Biostructures GmbH to jointly discover novel small molecules for the treatment of hematological cancers; Sierra Oncology, Inc. to develop and commercialize AZD5153. The company was formerly known as Zeneca Group PLC and changed its name to AstraZeneca PLC in April 1999. AstraZeneca PLC was incorporated in 1992 and is headquartered in Cambridge, the United Kingdom. Business leaders and community members talked about the need for more substantial jobs in the area at the Chamber Jobs Action Summit on Wednesday. Three panels spoke at the Senior Center about various issues surrounding business in the area, including the lack of space and the changing needs in the labor force. Cass Kawecki, a commercial real estate broker at CBRE, talked about how more businesses want to be near the Downtown Mall area and how the low-vacancy rate there has increased, even over the past year. That trend has gotten to such a level now that were seeing vacancy rates decline even further, he said. Last year, we didnt think they could go any lower they were at 3.5 percent. This year, theyre actually coming in at less than 1 percent. An industry mentioned throughout the morning was manufacturing, which decreased by 619 jobs in the region over the past 10 years, according to the Chamber Jobs Report that was released last week. But where you see over the past 10 years through this jobs report the decline in manufacturing, I think you could also say that its reflective of the lack of space for manufacturing and advance manufacturing companies to relocate and expand in this area, Kawecki said. Helen Cauthen, president of the Central Virginia Partnership for Economic Development, said that overall the report is good news, but there is always room for improvement. Every locality lost manufacturing jobs over the last 10 years except Nelson County, she said. The biggest loss has been in Albemarle County, with a decrease of 24 percent, or 676 jobs. Even more dramatic is when you go back to 2000; its about a 48 percent decrease for Albemarle County. She said losing manufacturing jobs matters because of their contributions to the gross state product, as well as the higher averages wages for employees. Since we lost 619 manufacturing jobs and each of those jobs contributed $186,311 on average to the GSP we lost over 115 million in gross state product, she said. On the other hand, that is $3 million more in loss than the gain of almost 3,000 new leisure and hospitality jobs that are valued at $112 million. So even though you create 3,000 new leisure and hospitality jobs, that loss of 600 jobs, if you just compare those two industry sectors, you have not broken even. Lee Withrow, president and CEO of Adam and Garth Staffing and Executive Search, said they have very few people to hire and that the great people are getting hired very quickly. He said many people want to move up or are job hopping even for small pay increases just to take the next step up. Many of the jobs we have here, like across the road in this big retail center, theyre jobs, but how many of them have benefits? he said. How many of them are paying a lot of money? How many of the jobs there are contributing $168,000 back into the economy? Withrow said the regulatory environment in the city and county also frustrates him, especially when it comes to being proactively prepared for businesses. Albemarle and Charlottesville are challenged from the standpoint that were not zoned properly, but yet, we dont have leadership thats interested in rezoning now so the next time an opportunity like this comes along, well be poised to take advantage of that opportunity, and I think thats a real downfall, he said, referring to the unsuccessful courting of Deschutes Brewery. Albemarles Economic Development Director Faith McClintic said businesses have a number of key factors they evaluate when looking to expand or relocate in an area, including workforce availability, proximity to a good transportation network, availability of land, the tax rate and overall cost. Ultimately, it does come down to cost and affordability, particularly when a business is comparing our cost factors to that of other communities, which is very much part of their evaluation process, she said. She said that the good news is that at the local level they can have an influence on almost of those factors, so its important for local governments to set the stage for future employers to come to the area. Valerie Long, a real estate attorney at Williams Mullen, said she has worked with many businesses that want to grow or update their facilities, but a lack of available land or buildings limit where they can go. The questions I always get from the very beginning are, Is it allowed, is it possible? And if so, how long will it take and what will it cost? she said. I usually have to tell people its going to take at least nine to 12 months at a minimum and possibly as many as 18 months, she said. Those are even the most simple projects in our community. I struggle with scaring away potential new businesses who want to come to town because I dont want to scare them away, but I also dont want to mislead them so I try hard to strike a balance. She said she tries to help them realize the long-term benefits while also listening to their needs. Weve got to do better as a community figuring out that process so we can continue to move forward and not miss out on some of these opportunities, she said. Frank Friedman, president of Piedmont Virginia Community College, spoke about how, by the year 2022, Virginia will need to fill an estimated 1.5 million jobs where one third of employees will need degrees, one third will not need a degree and the last third will require some kind of post-secondary education. If you look at our community, we are strong in the third that require the advance degrees, we are, and maybe this is unfortunate, strong in the number of jobs that really dont require any post secondary education and skill level and, compared to other communities, we are very weak in the job availability in the middle skill area, said Friedman. He said those jobs need to be created because they supply the higher wages that support a family or allow someone to be self-sufficient without spending four or more years in post-secondary education. We need to work on attracting individuals, especially young people and their parents, and making them realize that these are attractive jobs, that these are jobs not just for someone elses kids, but for your kids and my kids, he said. We need to need to stop having some sort of stigma that those are inappropriate programs for our kids. They are not. Friedman said PVCC is already working with communities to create programs based on what jobs and skills are needed and that it has started an advanced manufacturing program based on the anticipated growth. Its kind of like what comes first, the chicken or the egg? Friedman said. Are we going to attract students? And what jobs are they going to get if we dont have the advanced manufacturing here? Working with the University of Virginia Health System, PVCC started programs for pharmacy technicians and central services technician because the health system said they will need to fill jobs in those areas soon. Pamela Sutton-Wallace, CEO of the University of Virginia Health System, spoke about how retention is becoming a problem for the health system. Theyve found, however, that if they create a local pipeline, those recruits are more likely to stay. What we find is if we train and recruit those currently living in Charlottesville, went to secondary education here, go on to get their training here, theyre more likely to stay here, she said. Those that we recruit across from California or those in the northeast, they leave us within two or three years. They get their experience and they run to the next place. Tammy Moss Finley, the executive vice president of general counsel and corporate secretary at Advance Auto Parts, was the keynote speaker at the event. The Wells Fargo Foundation made a donation to PVCC for Charlottesville Works Initiative for $25,000. When Victoria cried out in anguish during the delivery of her baby on Wednesday, the student nurses surrounding her assured her that it would all be over soon. Well, until her next delivery, scheduled to begin about 30 minutes later. Victoria was in for a long day. Thankfully, thats Victorias job. The University of Virginias School of Nursing purchased the robotic pregnancy simulator in February and just started using her during the schools summer courses. Aesthetically, Victoria certainly lies in the trough of the uncanny valley, but the blinking, breathing, speaking mannequin is giving UVas nursing school students first-hand experience in delivering newborns. During a simulation at UVas Clinical Simulation Learning Center on Wednesday, three clinical nurse leadership students lead Victoria through a Gravida-5, which denotes a delivery after the woman has already birthed five children. A nearby control room allows a technician to control Victorias speech, heart rate and more, giving the students a realistic look at life in the delivery room. The three students each took on a role primary nurse, baby nurse and charge nurse and once everyone was in place, the action started with sighs of pain from Victoria. Instantly, the nurses took action, soothing Victoria with their words while monitoring her vital signs on nearby monitors. The nurses called in a primary physician to handle some of the grittier bits of the delivery, including lifelike contractions, blood, fluids and all, followed by a small, crying mannequin baby being pushed from Victorias birthing canal. They even call for a father-to-be stand-in to rush in and stand at Victorias side. While the primary physician, played in this scenario by clinical instructor Violet Horst, proceeded to extract the eerily-realistic placenta, the nurses ensured that Victoria had skin-to-skin contact with her newborn, then weighed and checked the faux-infant for its activity, appearance, respiration and more. While these three didnt seem to make any, the simulator allows students to make and learn from their mistakes. For Maithili Mody, who served as the baby nurse in the simulation, the whole ordeal creates a hands-on experience that puts the coursework into practice. I learn better hands-on, Mody said. Its one thing to read it in a book and see how others do it, but I learn better doing the process myself. One of the biggest takeaways that may not be as easily taught in a book is the importance of having a live body in the stirrups, even if Victoria is not quite alive. Its important for us to realize that we really need to take into consideration what the patient is saying, Mody said. Just listening to her feedback is a big help. Jacob Heltzel, who played the primary nurse, said the simulation can also help with understanding the more intimate parts that nurses play in the delivery room, like dealing with families and helping a patient stay stress-free. Pregnancy is a very valuable moment to families, Heltzel said. Its a very precious and guarded time for them, so for us to come into that environment already knowing whats going on and how to anticipate their needs is beneficial for not only the baby, but for the family. The high-fidelity simulator, created by Gaumard Scientific in Florida, cost somewhere between $70,000 and $80,000 a large investment, according to Ryne Ackard, the director of simulation at the learning center. But its an investment thats continuing to be made by universities around the country. Its really important for the students to experience something that is very realistic to what theyll see in the clinical environment, Ackard said. I think what youre seeing now is nursing schools are seeing the value of simulation and theyre investing in it, and I think youll see that going forward. If the training can provide prospective nurses with the experience they need for the actual delivery room, then prospective mothers can rest a little easier. We spend so much time in the classroom, reading books and studying lectures, said Hailey Feger, who played the charge nurse. To actually be able to apply that sets in stone for me, so when I get to clinicals, I can feel more confident about my role there. NEWPORT NEWS In a tradition he has kept for 40 years, Rep. Robert "Bobby" Scott threw open his family's sprawling back yard for a Labor Day cookout, a ritual that marks the real start of the political season in this state. But this year, an undercurrent of intrigue pulsed through the gathering: As he welcomed several hundred guests, Scott, D-Virginia, was also launching his unofficial bid for a U.S. Senate seat that is not yet open. "This is a big year for our potential United States senator, Bobby Scott!" Scott's niece, state Del. Marcia "Cia" Price, D-Newport News, shouted to the crowd. "The nation is watching Virginia. . . . We have to show that we have his back." As the senior Democrat in Virginia's congressional delegation, Scott, 69, has emerged as the front-runner to fill Tim Kaine's Senate seat if Democrats win the White House in November and Kaine becomes vice president. The first African American to serve in Congress from Virginia since the 1890s, Scott would again break the color barrier if Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) appoints him as the first black senator from the commonwealth. Yet for all the symbolism and feel-good value of such an appointment, some Democrats privately express reservations about entrusting a seat that could decide the balance of power in the closely divided Senate to a candidate who has never won statewide, is considered less than dynamic and has been an anemic fundraiser. The concerns are magnified by the singular challenge faced by anyone appointed to fill Kaine's seat: That candidate would assume office in January 2017, run in a special election in November, and then turn around and run again for a full term the very next year. The only person to pull off that political hat trick in the nation's modern history was, coincidentally, another Virginian: Harry Byrd Sr., the patriarch of the conservative Democratic machine that blocked the desegregation of Virginia's public schools. Ironically, Byrd's strategy of "massive resistance" to the Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education prompted Scott's father to send his son to an elite private boarding school in Massachusetts at age 12. If Kaine becomes vice president, Virginia would probably host the only Senate race in the country in 2017, and, depending on the outcome of this year's election, control of that chamber could hinge on the Virginia seat. The high stakes would attract donors - and pressure: Hillary Clinton, if elected, would need a Senate majority to confirm Supreme Court justices and other appointments, and to further her agenda. "We're talking about a Senate that could be on a knife's edge," said David Wasserman, House editor for the Cook Political Report. "It could truly take on a national import." McAuliffe has said about 20 people have indicated an interest in the seat, but he refuses to discuss potential appointees, aside from saying he wants a diverse congressional delegation. Those close to him say that, in addition to Scott, he would have to consider Rep. Don Beyer, D-Virginia, a former lieutenant governor and ambassador in President Barack Obama's administration who can raise the cash to run statewide. Another possibility is Del. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, a corporate attorney who led McAuliffe's transition team and considers Kaine her political mentor; she would be the second-ever African American woman in the Senate. Political observers in Virginia and around the country say Scott deserves the right of first refusal - and not only because his appointment would make history and cement McAuliffe's legacy as a champion of minorities. Although Scott lacks a signature policy achievement, elected officials from both parties say he has forged a reputation as a hard worker and policy wonk over a 40-year public career, first in the General Assembly and then in Congress. His work has focused on civil rights and criminal-justice reform, timely issues as the nation debates sentencing as well as the relationships between police and communities. Scott was one of three members who voted against the rosy-sounding Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 because it created a new mandatory minimum prison sentences. "There are a great many folks in Congress whose knowledge on these issues is about as thin as the piece of paper it's written on," said Cornell William Brooks, president of the NAACP. "We're at a moment in the nation's history when we need people of substance." People like Scott, he said. Pressure is building on McAuliffe, who was greeted with chants of "Bobby!" at a labor conference in Williamsburg last month, according to Virginia AFL-CIO President Doris Crouse-Mays. A few weeks earlier, Scott was speaking to the Virginia delegation at the Democratic National Convention when McAuliffe walked in the room. Scott beamed and asked the crowd to welcome the governor - "my new best friend." Days after Clinton tapped Kaine as her running mate, the push for Bobby Scott began: The Congressional Black Caucus, former governor L. Douglas Wilder - himself the nation's first black governor since Reconstruction - Virginia's congressional delegation, and Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam (D), who is running for governor, all lined up behind him. "He would be a great senator. Not good, great. One of the brightest members of the entire Congress," Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Maryland, said in a phone interview. Some Democrats, however, question the wisdom of committing to Scott, who has never faced a competitive reelection race in 24 years in Congress or raised more than $525,000. That's a small fraction of the minimum $20 million experts say it costs to run statewide. His biggest donors include the American Association for Justice, which represents trial lawyers; the National Education Association; public-sector unions; and - like most elected officials in Virginia - the Richmond-based utility giant Dominion Resources. Scott's persona is that of a policy wonk, someone more interested in details than dazzle. Even as he hosted his Labor Day cookout, he stood with his arms crossed and smiled sheepishly, leaving it to his niece to engage the crowd. Despite his decades in public service, Bobby Scott is not a household name in Virginia. "He's not demonstrated, until recently, an ambition for higher office," said Quentin Kidd, a political scientist at Christopher Newport University in Scott's district. "There's an uncertainty whether he can raise money." Scott bristles at the suggestion he won't be ready. "I've fundraised all I've needed to do to get 70 percent of the vote," he said, cutting off a reporter who asked about finances. His district was at the center of a federal redistricting lawsuit in which Democrats successfully argued that Republicans illegally concentrated black voters in his district. In other words, it was safely his from day one. But Scott grinned behind his designer eyeglasses and invoked the famous story John F. Kennedy told about his father who wired, "Dear Jack, Don't buy a single vote more than is necessary. I'll be damned if I'm going to pay for a landslide." Scott added: "I'll be able to raise what's necessary." Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-New York, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus PAC, said members will help him raise cash, and donors from around the country who want to see more African Americans in the Senate will send checks. Currently, there are two: Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, and Tim Scott, R-South Carolina. "Just because he hasn't had to do it doesn't mean he can't do it," Meeks said. Bobby Scott said he plans to ramp up fundraising and hire staff in anticipation of the fight ahead. His presence on the ballot in 2017 - with statewide elections for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general - could help Virginia Democrats turn out their voters. President Obama won the state twice, but Democrats have had a harder time winning in off-year elections, when turnout typically drops off dramatically. "There's no one more experienced than Bobby Scott at earning African American votes," Wasserman said. To that end, Scott has worked hard for Clinton, attending at least a dozen office openings and rallies since February, including seven after Kaine joined the ticket. Hours before boarding a flight to a recent education conference in Detroit, Scott campaigned for Clinton among black business leaders at the Northern Virginia Urban League. Scott joked that, among African Americans, Trump ranks fourth in a two-way race. "I've always been insulted with the term 'African American outreach,' " he told the group, adding that the phrase suggests a campaign has to go outside itself to find black voters. Then someone asked how Clinton could inspire young people the way Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vermont) had. Scott responded with logic. "You got a choice," he said. "Either Clinton or Trump will be president. The stark contrast makes it hard for me to imagine what the confusion is." More professor than politician, Scott struggles to deliver a sound bite. A simple question elicits a methodical treatise, full of facts and historical data, about why the other side must be wrong - which it often is, according to Scott. He arrived in Congress in 1993, after working on criminal-justice reform in the state legislature, and promptly voted against President Bill Clinton's crime bill. "If you look back and check the transcripts," Scott said, "I could have written those things last week. . . . You really have a choice with crime policy: You can reduce crime and save money; or you can codify slogans and sound bites and do nothing about crime and load up the prisons. We now lock up a higher percentage of our population than any country on earth. By far." Scott says he has fought to push through incremental policy initiatives that matter to his Hampton Roads constituency. He helped shape the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, which reduced the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine. And he sponsored the 2014 reauthorization of the Death in Custody Reporting Act, requiring state and local police to tell the federal government when someone dies in custody or during an arrest. The Justice Department has lagged in enforcing the law, frustrating Scott. His aides say it's too early to discuss strategies for a Senate run but noted that Scott won competitive state Senate races in a predominantly white district. True to his low-key style, Scott is relying on others to carry his message to McAuliffe, which may or may not be the best strategy. At his cookout, the band leader called Democratic bigwigs to the stage, singing "It's Our Time." Northam; Kaine's wife, Anne Holton; and dozens of local elected officials, including mayors and city council members, gathered around Scott in front of the stage under an enormous honey locust tree. Only McAuliffe stayed home. The Welcome Waggers visited Pearl Sample Elementary School in Culpeper on Aug. 29. Members of the volunteer organization often bring therapy dogs to schools, libraries, convalescent homes and hospitals to benefit patients and students. According to the agency, the dogs are specially trained to bring joy wherever they go." Students who complete their summer reading program by reading 10 books were rewarded with the special treat of being able to meet the Welcome Waggers and read to the dogs. With their love of people, ability to do tricks and keenness on listening to students read, they were a sensation at the school, said Michelle Allaire, Pearl Sample reading specialist. Students learned about different breeds of dogs as they welcomed visits from a Bloodhound, Greyhound, English Bull Dog, Irish Setter, King Charles Spaniel/Poodle mix, and a German Shephard mix. Students also learned safety tips on how to interact with dogs that are unfamiliar to them. Students loved to meet, greet and read to the dogs. It's been clear that the Virginia GOP establishment despises Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. But an editorial in the Richmond Times-Dispatch Sunday morning underlined just how despised he really is. With a buttoned-down air of privilege and calm, the conservative newspaper has steadfastly endorsed Republican candidates since at least 1980 and Ronald Reagan. This time around, it is backing Gary Johnson, a former governor of New Mexico who is by turns described as "hard-right" and "fiscally conservative and socially liberal." The editorial argued that neither Trump nor Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is suited to be head of state. The editors wrote that Trump "has demonstrated again and again that he thinks few people aside from his own magnificent self have any worth whatsoever." Clinton "not only lies with abandon; once caught, she then lies about having lied." There are more complaints. The ones about Clinton are wholly in keeping with the Virginia GOP elite's traditional disdain for her, although the RTD did allow that Tim Kaine, Clinton's running mate, former Virginia governor, Richmond mayor and now senator, is a nice guy. Going after Trump is jarring in this case since the normally staid editors weren't able to rise above it all. Their editorial even got a mention on CNN, showing just how Trump's incoherence and vulgarity have shaken things up. Even Bearing Drift, one of the state's leading conservative blogs, has been filing a deluge of anti-Trump postings. That leaves liking Trump to the fringe. Consider that his state manager is Corey A. Stewart, head of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors and 2017 gubernatorial candidate, whose main claim is bashing immigrants and chasing them from the county with onerous laws. Curiously, the Times-Dispatch editorial lacked much explanation of Libertarian Johnson's history and policies. They went for his Dr. No character of vetoing 700 bills as governor. But Johnson has a long history: He opened private prisons, backed school vouchers at the expense of traditional funding for public schools and cut hundreds of state jobs. He also backed legalization of marijuana, which is not a bad thing, but he has been president of Cannabis Sativa Inc., a Nevada firm that helps supply medical marijuana to legal markets. Johnson's presidential platform is basically cost-cutting on steroids with a large dose of anti-regulatory flair. He's against regulators such as the Environmental Protection Agency and policy-shapers such as the Department of Energy. Goodbye climate-change controls and safe drinking water. Forget supporting renewable energy sources. Forget gun control. Other targets for cuts would be would be the Defense Department and various national security organizations. Johnson backs an isolationist policy at a time when Russia, China and global terrorist groups are big threats. How that would go down in Virginia, perhaps the state most dependent on defense and other federal spending, isn't known. Federal spending cuts have already put the brakes on the state's economic growth. No substitute for government funding is in sight. The editorial dodged the question by stating dismissively that its authors weren't "entirely reassured" (by Johnson) that such cuts are a wise move. Whatever. The bottom line is that Trump has caused Virginia Republicans tremendous damage. Their sympathizers are taking dramatic steps to apologize for it. A nationwide poll has confirmed what we in Dayton already knew. The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is one of the best free museums in the United States! The USA Today 10best.com poll gave the top spot to the National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center in Columbus, Ga., while the Cleveland Museum of Art was given second place. After a valiant campaign by the Air Force Museum Foundation, The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force finished in third place. The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, which was already the world's largest military aviation museum, just got bigger this past June with a $40.8-million expansion. Exhibits in the museum's new 224,000 sq ft fourth hangar are organized by subject: Space, Global Reach, Research and Development, and Presidential. Aircraft found in the fourth building include the VC-137C Air Force One (SAM 26000), which was used by eight presidents - Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Clinton; the only remaining XB-70 Valkyrie; the C-141C Hanoi Taxi, which airlifted the first American prisoners of war out of North Vietnam in February 1973; and the massive 96-ton Titan IVB space launch vehicle. The top 10 winners for Best Free Museum are as follows: National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center - Columbus, Ga. Cleveland Museum of Art - Cleveland National Museum of the U.S. Air Force - Dayton, Ohio Saint Louis Art Museum - St. Louis Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art - Bentonville, Ark. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art - Kansas City, Mo. Frye Art Museum - Seattle Minneapolis Institute of Art - Minneapolis The Museum at FIT - New York American Computer & Robotics Museum - Bozeman, Mont. According to USA Today, a panel of experts partnered with their 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Very happy to present a new album from one of my favourite musicians, Kayhan Kalhor with a new, exceptional ensemble, the Hawniyaz quartet. This ensemble features Kayhan Kalhor on kamancheh, Azerbaijani Salman Gambarov on piano, Kurdish Cemil Qocgiri on tenbur, and the impassioned voice of Kurdish Aynur Dogan. This unusual musical ensemble began as a meeting of colleagues at the Morgenland Festival in Germany in 2012. Cemil Qocgiri suggested they try and play something together, and not part of any performance, and in the words of Cemil Qocgiri and the producer Michael Dreyer: "Cemil suggested 'Delale', a traditional Kurdish song that Aynur has performed the previous evening - We had no time for a full rehearsal...so I suggested that Salman begin, followed by Kayhan. Then a short piece on the tenbur to introduce the song. Everything else was free improvisation...-And there it was, a collaboration of four exceptional musicians who were playing together for the very first time. This premiere was caught on camera. Salman starts, you can see his fingers literally searching for the notes, which fall like rain. Kayhan joins him on the kamancheh, with little more than a breath of his bow. A tender cantilena, arising from time immemorial. Then, with just a few notes, the tenbur ushers in Aynur. What a voice! At first fragile, then building to an unbelievable intensity! I have listened to and watched this sequence over a hundred times and it never fails to send a shiver down my spine. For me, everything that music is, everything that has made it the centre of my life, is embodied in those few minutes. Fragility, strength, beauty." They were able to record this album in 2013 and has just been released by Harmonia Mundi. It begins with the same song they first played in 2012. It is an utterly unique and breathtaking album full of exquisite music and passionate songs of grief and longing. Wonderful! Delale Hawniyaz - Hawniyaz - Harmonia Mundi - Hawniyaz - Rewend Hawniyaz - Hawniyaz - Harmonia Mundi - Hawniyaz - Xidire min Hawniyaz - Hawniyaz - Harmonia Mundi - Hawniyaz - Malan Barkir - Berivane Hawniyaz - Hawniyaz - Harmonia Mundi - Hawniyaz - Ehmedo - Ez Reben Im Hawniyaz - Hawniyaz - Harmonia Mundi - Hawniyaz - Double Arc Jake Don Pullen and Jane Bunnett - New York Duets - Denon Ma Aamlo Biya Maurice el Medioni - Cafe Oran - Piranha Nyeleni Super Biton - Belle epoque - Sonodisc/Syllart Ohambe Tabu Ley Rochereau - The Voice of Lightness vol. 2 - Stern's Gogoplata Derobe Dance Band - African All Stars (Best Indie & Alternative African Recordings from 1970 to 2015) - Melynga Nao Foi Em Vao Orquestra Imperial - Carnaval so ano que vem - Totolo Sun and Snow Wu Wei & Wang Li - Overtones - Harmonia Mundi - Overtones - Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced that the world premiere of the fifth-generation Land Rover Discovery will be held on September 28, 2016. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced that the world premiere of the fifth-generation Land Rover Discovery will be held on September 28, 2016. For now, the company has released the first teaser images of the SUV and will showcase the vehicle at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. Speaking about the design of the SUV, the Discovery's front appears to be identical to that of the Land Rover Discovery Vision concept that was showcased back in 2014. The straight lines have been replaced by a set of cleaner curves which also helps the car look more muscular. Mechanical details of the new SUV are scarce but the Land Rover Discovery might be offered with 2.0 and 3.0-litre petrol and diesel engine options globally along with mild-hybrid systems. Detailings on the car will feature the fifth generation 'D I S C O V E R Y' badging on the bonnet; square LED headlamps along with the daytime running lights(DRL); massive ground clearance; and the customary skidplate. The Land Rover Discovery will be based on the Premium Lightweight Architecture (PLA) platform, and by doing so the car will be significantly lighter than the current models. The fifth-generation SUV will be built adjacent to the Range Rover and the Range Rover Sport at JLRs Solihull plant in England and is expected to be priced around the Rs 1 crore mark. Source: Zigwheels.com UM Motorcycles, the American two-wheeler manufacturer that entered the Indian market recently, had launched the Renegade Commando and Renegade Sport S at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo. With a starting price of Rs 1.49 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the initial bookings were done online and, later, the dealerships also started accepting bookings. In a discussion with reporters at the inauguration of UMs first dealership in Mumbai, Rajeev Mishra, director, UML, announced that the company has received around 4,200 bookings so far. While around 3,000 bookings were received until July this year through online registrations, the remaining 1,200 have been attributed to individual dealers. Evidently, this is a good number, considering the fact that UMs reach is still in its initial stages with five showrooms inaugurated so far. That said, motorcycle deliveries have been delayed. While they were expected to begin in July this year, customers will finally receive their bikes next month. Deliveries of the Renegade Commando are expected to begin in the first week of September, while the Renegade Sport S will reach customers around the third week of September. Simultaneously, UM is planning to launch the Rebels On Bikes (ROBS) official riding group in October this year, which will essentially be a brand-building programme. Through ROBS, UM will carry out organized rides and gain access to customer inputs which will be channeled into the product development division. The next model on UMs launchpad is the Renegade Classic, which will come equipped with fuel-injection and optional ABS as well. Bookings for the Classic are expected to begin in January 2017, with deliveries scheduled for April the same year. Source: BikeDekho.com The scam had been carried out in many other markets beside the US and Volkswagen Group has gone for a recall in all these markets. Following the infamous Dieselgate scandal expose, Volkswagen India recalls 3.24 lakh vehicles sold with the diesel engines that were fitted with emission cheating devices. Over 1.9 lakh Volkswagen vehicles, 88,700 of the Skoda and 36,500 of the Audi will go in for a recall, beginning from this month i.e. September. It is these cars that are reported to have been fitted with the TDI diesel engine whose emissions are 40% higher than the permitted emissions levels. They were also fitted with the emission cheating devices to hide the pollution levels. Although scheduled to begin some six months ago, the ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) delaying approval for the recall has brought it almost to the last quarter of the year. The cars going in for the recall in India will get repairs and removal of the emission cheating device. However, where in the US the scandal first broke out, the owners of the affected cars will also be compensated, besides repairs and removal of the emission cheating device. Volkswagen has earmarked a huge amount of money for the compensation. However, it is still unclear whether owners of Volkswagen Group cars will be compensated at all. In the scandal that broke out first in the US last year, all of Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche and Skoda models had been found to have the emission cheating devices with the TDI diesel engines. The device helped the cars hide emission levels, when subjected to lab tests. They were eventually found to have had 40 percent higher emissions than the levels permitted. The scam had been carried out in many other markets beside the US and Volkswagen Group has gone for a recall in all these markets. Source: Vicky.in The company has received a letter dated September 6, 2016, from Reserve Bank of lndia granting in- principle approval for issuing and operating payment system for semi closed pre-paid payment instrument service. New Delhi: Local search engine Just Dial on September 8 said it has got in-principle nod from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for launching its prepaid wallet. "The company has received a letter dated September 6, 2016, from Reserve Bank of lndia granting in- principle approval for issuing and operating payment system for semi closed pre-paid payment instrument service," Just Dial said in a BSE filing. Elaborating on the relevance of the approval, it said: "The company will be in position for providing payment solution to our users, which is integral part of our transaction services and JD prepaid wallet will help to provide a seamless payment experience to users." Just Dial added that it needs to submit certain reports to RBI up to March 05, 2017 for final authorisation. Shares of Just Dial were trading 2.02 per cent down at Rs 498.85 on BSE. New Delhi: Telecom regulator Trai has called a meeting of Airtel, Vodafone and Idea and Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio on Friday to resolve the bitter controversy which has risen between Jio and the others over interconnection. This development comes even as there are reports that more than three dozen members of the Parliament have written to government to intervene in the issue purportedly to see that Jio gets sufficient interconnection to ensure that consumers dont suffer. Jio which started its services this week has alleged that incumbent operators are abusing their dominant position and are not giving it sufficient inter-connection points so that Jio subscribers can seamlessly make calls to Airtel, Vodafone and Idea customers. This, Jio has alleged, is leading to calls drops when its subscribers call other operators. However, hardening their position, the GSM operators association COAI has said that incumbent operators are not obliged to entertain interconnect requests that are anti-competitive. COAI has said that incumbent operators are in no position, by way of network resources, or financial resources, to terminate volumes of traffic which are markedly asymmetric. Incidentally Jio is also a member of COAI. The government has indicated that it is the Trai which is authorised to deal with the issue as interconnection lies in its domain. But COAI on Thursday asked Trai to call all the telecom operators and not just Airtel, Vodafone and Idea for the meeting on interconnection. We believe that this issue pertains to all members of COAI and not limited to three operators. We therefore request Trai to invite all members of COAI for this meeting, said COAI director general Rajan Mathews, in a letter to Trai on Thursday. COAI said it hopes that Trai will consider its request favourably and call all its member operators for the meeting. In a separate statement COAI hit out at Jio for indirectly calling officials of the association as employees of the top two or three operators. COAI is a fully democratic association and takes into account the views of all its member-operators. On all policy matters, the views of COAI are fully endorsed by all or majority of its member-operators. Especially with regard to the Inter-connect User Charge (IUC), we would like to categorically state that the views expressed by the association on the matter are of all the members except Reliance Jio, which is the only member opposing it, said Mr Mathews. For Reliance Jio a major chink in its armour is inter-connection. As most of its subscribers will be making calls to older operators network, it will have to ensure that other operators provide it with abundant inter-connection points so that calls from Jio subscribers get seamlessly connected with subscribers of other operators. Insufficient interconnection points by old operators will impact the quality of calls by Jio subscribers calling to other operators. Overall inflow in mutual fund schemes stood at Rs 25,332 crore at the end of last month compared with an inflow of Rs 1.03 lakh crore at July-end. New Delhi: Mutual fund industry's asset base rose to a fresh all-time high of Rs 15.6 trillion at the end of August, helped by strong inflows in income and equity segments. The industry, comprising 42 active players, had an average assets under management of over Rs 15.2 lakh crore at July-end, which was also the previous high figure, the latest data of the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) showed. Industry experts attributed the monthly rise in assets base to inflows in income and equity categories. Besides, buoyant investor sentiment also helped in the growth of the assets under management, they added. Overall inflow in mutual fund schemes stood at Rs 25,332 crore at the end of last month compared with an inflow of Rs 1.03 lakh crore at July-end. Of this, income funds, which invest in a combination of government securities saw Rs 28,457 crore coming in while equity and equity-linked saving schemes witnessed an infusion of Rs 6,505 crore. However, liquid fund witnessed a pull out of over Rs 13,000 crore during the period under review. Mutual Funds are investment vehicles made up of a pool of funds collected from a large number of investors and invest in stocks, bonds and money market instruments, among others. ONGC on Thursday contested Justice (retired) A.P. Shah Committee report that the PSU had prior knowledge of natural gas from its Krishna Godavari fields flowing to adjoining KG-D6 block of Reliance Industries. New Delhi: ONGC on Thursday contested Justice (retired) A.P. Shah Committee report that the PSU had prior knowledge of natural gas from its Krishna Godavari fields flowing to adjoining KG-D6 block of Reliance Industries. ONGC had no knowledge about this earlier. As soon as we came to know about this we took action in 2013. It seems that there is no mention our submission on this (Shah Committee) in the report. I dont know what is the reason for that and why there is no mention of our submissions, ONGC chairman and managing director D.K. Sarraf said in a press conference after companys AGM here. In submissions to the Shah Committee, we had very strongly submitted that ONGC had no prior knowledge, he said. The report noted and accepted the D&M Report findings of connectivity between the two reservoirs in Krishna-Godavari basin. Under democrat rule, Chicago homicides are at a 20-year high It was recently reported by Mail.com that August was the deadliest month for Chicago in 20 years. Over the course of 31 days, 472 people were victims of gun violence, which equates to an average of roughly 15 victims every day of the month. 90 of those 472 died as a result. That is absolutely stunning. Mail.com reports, There were more than 449 homicides in the city between the start of the year and the end of August, a roughly 50 percent increase over the same period last year, police said. These numbers are nothing short of staggering. For years now, Chicago has widely been regarded as the most dangerous city in America, and for good reason. Gang violence is soaring, murders are an everyday occurrence and its all so commonplace that many wonder if theres any hope for the city in the future. Nobody seems to have any answers for how to prevent these levels of violence from continuing to grow. In fact, the only solution the democrats running the place have suggested in placing a ban on firearms. Of course, this will only lead to more murders as the law-abiding citizens in the area will no longer be able to protect themselves from the criminals that will carry firearms whether or not they are legal and easily accessible. That is not an intelligent or effective solution to an extremely serious, life-threatening problem. So if nothing is changing and things are only getting worse then why do the residents of Chicago continue to elect the same uninspired democratic candidates that provide no answers and no solutions to their issues? What reasoning could there possibly be to justify such insane behavior? Unless Chicago is going to become a complete dystopian-style society, something must change soon. Its citizens cannot survive in this environment much longer. If you analyze the situation from a few years ago, it didnt appear as though it could get any worse. And still, it has gotten much, much more volatile. Itll be a dangerous, frightening revelation to discover what the peak is, in that regard. The residents of Chicago need to make their voices heard with their votes. Getting rid of the leftists that currently hold office in their city is an absolute must. And for the rest of us the American citizens that dont live in Chicago whats happening in the Windy City should serve as a warning to make your way out to the polls and vote for candidates that you can trust Or your town could end up like Chicago. Sources: Mail.com ChicagoTribune.com A Chinese journalist, who was travelling by Air China plane, came across the advertisement and pointed it out. Mumbai: A racist advertisement published in the in-flight magazine of Air China, warned its passengers to stay away from specific areas in London that are mostly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people. A Chinese journalist, who was travelling by Air China plane, came across the advertisement and pointed it out. "London is generally a safe place to travel, however precautions are needed when entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people," said Air China in one of its in-flight magazine. The airline's 'Wings of China' magazine reportedly provides safety advice to travellers based on the race and nationality of local residents. "We advise tourists not to go out alone at night, and females always to be accompanied by another person when travelling," the magazine adds. This incident also caught B-Town's attention, who thrashed the airline for their racist ad . Rishi Kapoor reacted by tweeting: Arjun Kapoor wrote, "These people deserved to be punished for such offensive point of views being fed to the general public!!!" TV actor Karan Wahi tweeted, "standing ovation for u ..... like really..." The Chippendales began in late 70s in the US and have turned into a global enterprise that tours six continents. Mumbai: Salman Khan has often strip teased his fans by taking his shirt off in several of his films. The actors shirtless scenes in the films have not only earned applauds and whistles but have also started a trend of its own. Now we hear that the actor is all set to make a biopic on Somen Banerjee, a Bengali immigrant who founded Chippendales; a touring dance troupe better known for its male striptease erotic dance performances. While talking to Bombay Times, Salman Khan confirmed that hell be producing the film. He said, A Bengali man, who moved from India to America in the late 60s, struggled and created one of America's most iconic brands. We are going to tell the story of Somen Banerjee, a man driven by fierce ambition, on celluloid. The Chippendales began in late 70s in the US and have turned into a global enterprise that tours six continents. The troupes dancers' are dressed in distinctive upper body costume of a bow tie and shirt cuffs worn on an otherwise bare torso. The biopic, a total rags-to-riches story, will track Somens journey from Kolkata to Los Angeles and Europe, where he was known as Steve Banerjee. Somen juggled between two lives; one for his ambition and the other for his family. Somens story has everything; power, emotion, hunger to have a better life and violence. His story will be produced as a feature film and also as a mini-series. The makers are currently working on the films script. Harshvardhan Kapoor may not have a single release as yet, but he is already being noticed by filmmakers. After completing his debut film, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehras Mirzya, Harshvardhan has already started work on his second film, Vikramaditya Motwanes Bhavesh Joshi, which the actor is currently shooting in Mumbai. Recent reports say that hes been finalised for Sriram Raghavans next film, an edgy dark thriller about a musician, who fakes his own blindness. A source says, It is surprising that after their collaborative success in Badlapur, Sriram and Varun Dhawan are not getting together again. It is Harshvardhan whom the director wants for his next, a film about a musician who fakes his blindness. The actor is keen to plunge into his third challenge, the only hitch being the dates. Sriram wants to start at the end of the year. But Harshvardhan wont start another film until he completes Bhavesh Joshi, the source added. Srirams film will also star Tabu. Popular comedian Prudhvi met with a minor accident while shooting for his upcoming film with Sai Dharam Tej. This happened when the actor was performing an action scene and had a fall. The unit members immediately rushed him to the nearby hospital. The doctors said that he needs to rest for a few days but there is nothing to worry. The actor is one of the busiest comedians as he has replaced Brahmanandam in many films. Recently, the actor posted a picture of him with the injury on his social media page and thanked everyone for their prayers. Injured at a ropeshot fighting sequence in Sai Dharam Tejs shoot. Im fine now. Thanks for the prayers, said the post. Gopichand Malineni is the director and Rakul Preet Singh is the female lead. Stuart Blackburn was presented the award at the HNS Conference in Oxford (Representational photo: AFP) A book, which tells the story of the Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh during British India, has bagged the M M Bennetts Award for Historical Fiction 2016 in the UK. Stuart Blackburn was presented the award at the HNS Conference in Oxford for his novel "Into the Hidden Valley". The book, published by Speaking Tiger, looks into a little-known episode in the colonial history of British India. Blackburn vividly brings alive the world of the Apatanis. His exploration of what happens when this settled civilisation forcibly collides with British Empire sensitively portrays the impact of the forces of colonialism on both sides. "Into the Hidden Valley" was chosen for the award ahead of Helena Page Schrader's "Defender of Jerusalem" and "Allegiance" by Kermit Roosevelt. The award is named in memory of writer-historian Bennetts who was a specialist in early 19th century British history and the Napoleonic wars. The novel dramatises the colonial encounter with tribes by telling two stories, one of a British official and the other of a tribesman. Blackburn says he first became interested in the Tibeto-Burman-speaking tribes of northeast India when he went to Arunachal Pradesh in 1999. "I spent a large part of the next decade researching the cultures and oral traditions of one particular group, the Apatanis, who live in the 'hidden valley' of the story. Two of my monographs document their storytelling arts." US-born Blackburn spent two and a half years in the rice fields and villages of south India, where he learned to speak Tamil. He is the author or editor of 16 books on Indian culture and folklore, mainly in south India(where his first novel "Murder in Melur" is set) and northeast India. One book, a study of shadow puppet theatre in Kerala, won the runner-up prize for the Uk Folklore Book of the Year, while a translation of an early Tamil novel won the A K Ramanujan Prize in the US. The owner of the cafe, Steve Benington, told The Advertiser that the drink was originally made to keep an ER nurse awake during her last-minute night shift. A new beverage on the menu at Viscous Coffee in Adelaide, Australia, was not formulated to wake you up gently. With more than 75 times the caffeine content of an espresso shot, the Asskicker is being billed as the worlds strongest cup of coffee, Thrillist reports. The owner of the cafe, Steve Benington, told The Advertiser that the drink was originally made to keep an ER nurse awake during her last-minute night shift. She drank the coffee over the course of two days and it kept her up and alert for three days. The recipe has since been taken down a notch. Benington whips up the stuff by mixing four espresso shots, four 48-hour cold brew coffee ice cubes, and 120 ml of 10-day cold brew coffee. He ices it down with four additional 48-hour cold brew cubes. The final product contains five grams of caffeine, which is 80 times the amount in a standard cup of coffee, and 12 times the daily limit recommended by the FDA. Ten grams of caffeine is enough to overdose, so consuming two cups of the super-charged beverage could be a death sentence. The Asskickers exceptional caffeine content means it shouldnt be slurped down like a regular cup of joe. A large serving is meant to be consumed over three to four hours, providing up to 18 hours of energy. Even when sipped with caution, drinking that much caffeine can pose serious health risks to people with heart conditions and high blood pressure. The restaurant displays a warning label urging customers to drink at their own risk, so patrons prone to jitters may want to find an alternative vehicle for their morning boost. Source: www.mentalfloss.com Thousands of deaths from drug-resistant infections go uncounted as agencies are tracking them poorly. (Photo: AP) Richmond: Josiah Cooper-Pope, born 15 weeks premature, did fine in the neonatal intensive care unit for the first 10 days of his life. Then, suddenly, his tiny body started to swell. Overnight, he grew so distended that his skin split. His mother, Shala Bowser, said nurses at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, told her that Josiah had an infection and that she should prepare for the worst. On Sept. 2, 2010, she was allowed to hold him for the first and last time as he took his final breath. He was 17 days old. What no one at the hospital told Bowser was that her newborn was the fourth baby in the neonatal unit to catch the same infection, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, better-known as MRSA. It would sicken eight more, records show - nearly every baby in the unit - before the outbreak had run its course. The shock of her son's death came back to her when, after being contacted by Reuters earlier this year about the outbreak, Bowser went to Virginia's Division of Vital Records to get a copy of Josiah's death certificate. The cause of death: "Sepsis due to (or as a consequence of): Prematurity." Sepsis is a complication of infection, but there was no mention of MRSA. "My heart hurts," Bowser said, sobbing. "I saw what this did to him. And then they just threw a bunch of words on the death certificate." According to their death certificates, Emma Grace Breaux died at age 3 from complications of the flu; Joshua Nahum died at age 27 from complications related to a skydiving accident; and Dan Greulich succumbed to cardiac arrhythmia at age 64 after a combined kidney and liver transplant. In each case - and in others Reuters found - death resulted from a drug-resistant bacterial infection contracted while the patients were receiving hospital care, medical records show. Their death certificates omit any mention of the infections. Fifteen years after the U.S. government declared antibiotic-resistant infections to be a grave threat to public health, a Reuters investigation has found that infection-related deaths are going uncounted, hindering the nation's ability to fight a scourge that exacts a significant human and financial toll. 'You need to know' Even when recorded, tens of thousands of deaths from drug-resistant infections - as well as many more infections that sicken but don't kill people - go uncounted because federal and state agencies are doing a poor job of tracking them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the go-to national public health monitor, and state health departments lack the political, legal and financial wherewithal to impose rigorous surveillance. As a result, they miss people like Natalie Silva of El Paso, Texas, who contracted a MRSA (pronounced MER-suh) infection after giving birth. She died from infection-related complications nearly a year later, at age 23. Silva's sisters fought a successful battle to get the hospital to cite MRSA on her death certificate. Still, her death went uncounted: The Texas health department doesn't track deaths like hers from antibiotic-resistant infections, and neither does the CDC. As America learned in the battle against HIV/AIDS, beating back a dangerous infectious disease requires an accurate count that shows where and when infections and deaths are occurring and who is most at risk. Doing so allows public health agencies to quickly allocate money and manpower where they are needed. But the United States hasn't taken the basic steps needed to track drug-resistant infections. "You need to know how many people are dying of a disease," said Ramanan Laxminarayan, director of the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy, a Washington-based health policy research organization. "For better or worse, that's an indicator of how serious it is." Drug-resistant infections are left off death certificates for several reasons. Doctors and other clinicians get little training in how to fill out the forms. Some don't want to wait the several days it can take for laboratory confirmation of an infection. And an infection's role in a patient's death may be obscured by other serious medical conditions. There's also a powerful incentive not to mention a hospital-acquired infection: Counting deaths is tantamount to documenting your own failures. By acknowledging such infections, hospitals and medical professionals risk potentially costly legal liability, loss of insurance reimbursements and public-relations damage. Doctors and other clinicians also may simply not understand the importance of recording the infections. Sandy Tarant, the doctor who signed Josiah Cooper-Pope's death certificate, told Reuters that he thought "it didn't matter" whether he cited a MRSA infection. Legally, he's right. Most states don't require doctors to specify whether MRSA was a factor in a death. Washington and Illinois are exceptions. State laws govern how death certificates are filled out. Most use a model law that mandates financial penalties for anyone who deliberately makes a false statement on the document, said Patricia Potrzebowski, director of the National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems. The penalties are often small and rarely enforced, she said. "An impressionist painting" Not even the CDC has a good handle on the extent of the problem. The agency estimates that about 23,000 people die each year from 17 types of antibiotic-resistant infections and that an additional 15,000 die from Clostridium difficile, a pathogen linked to long-term antibiotic use. The numbers are regularly cited in news reports and scholarly papers, but they are mostly guesswork. Reuters analyzed the agency's math and found that the estimates are based on few actual reported deaths from a drug-resistant infection. The agency leaned heavily on small samplings of infections and deaths collected from no more than 10 states in a single year, 2011. Most didn't include populous areas such as Florida, Texas, New York City and Southern California. From those small samples, the CDC then extrapolated most of its national estimates, introducing so much statistical uncertainty into the numbers as to render them useless for the purposes of fighting a persistent public health crisis. Describing the estimates to Reuters, even CDC officials used words like "jerry-rig," "ballpark figure" and "a searchlight in the dark attempt." Michael Craig, the CDC's senior adviser for antibiotic resistance coordination and strategy, said the agency, pressured by Congress and the media to produce "the big number," settled on "an impressionist painting rather than something that is much more technical." In a statement emailed to Reuters, CDC officials said they released the 2013 estimates report "despite its limitations because of our profound concern about the seriousness of the threat." The agency said it is working on improving its estimates. The numbers of uncounted deaths from drug-resistant infections "speak to what can happen when we don't allocate the necessary resources to bolster ... our public health safety network," said Senator Sherrod Brown. "When we see discrepancies in reporting, are unable to finance a workforce to monitor infections, and can't even soundly estimate the number of Americans that die from [antibiotic-resistant infections] each year, we know we have a problem." The Ohio Democrat recently introduced a bill that would require the CDC to collect more and better data on superbug infections and death rates. In the absence of a unified national surveillance system, the onus of monitoring drug-resistant infections and related deaths falls on the states. A Reuters survey of the health departments of all 50 states and the District of Columbia found wide variations in how they track seven leading "superbug" infections - if they do so at all. Only 17 states require notification of C. difficile infections, for example, while just 26 states and Washington, D.C., do the same for MRSA. Fewer than half require notification of infections by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), a family of pathogens that the CDC has deemed an "urgent threat." CRE gained notoriety when more than 200 people were sickened through contaminated medical scopes in hospitals from 2012 to 2015. Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia - an area comprising 3 of every 5 Americans - said they do not regularly track deaths due to antibiotic-resistant infections. In contrast, all 50 states require reporting of deaths from AIDS. Deaths from hepatitis C and tuberculosis are also closely tracked. "Grossly under-reported" States that said they do track deaths generally do so for only a few types of drug-resistant infections and not consistently. In the survey, they reported a combined total of about 3,300 deaths from 2003 to 2014. That's a tiny fraction of the actual toll: A Reuters analysis of death certificates found that nationwide, drug-resistant infections were mentioned as contributing to or causing the deaths of more than 180,000 people during the same period. To conduct the analysis, Reuters worked with the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics' Division of Vital Statistics to search text descriptions on death certificates to identify relevant deaths. Among the states that don't require reporting of superbug deaths is California, the nation's most populous state. The Reuters analysis identified more than 20,000 deaths linked to drug-resistant infections during the 12-year period, the most of any state. A health department spokeswoman said the state legislature authorized the department to be notified of infections, but not deaths. Tennessee doesn't require notification of deaths, either. The Reuters analysis found more than 5,500 deaths linked to superbugs there, more than half of them MRSA-related. "We know we have a problem with MRSA in Tennessee," said Marion Kainer, the state's director of antimicrobial resistance programs. Requiring hospitals to report deaths is more than the department can take on right now, she said. "We have a significant problem getting clinicians to report just the disease," she said. "It's grossly under-reported." The totals from the Reuters analysis also indicate that the problem is getting worse nationwide, as the number of deaths from drug-resistant infections more than doubled from 8,600 in 2003 to about 16,700 in 2014. (Some of that increase could be the result of clinicians' increased awareness of the infections.) Death certificates aren't a perfect measure. They can be wrong: Cause of death often is a judgment call by clinicians, who may blame a drug-resistant infection in error. More likely, they undercount drug-resistant deaths, as cases like that of Josiah Cooper-Pope show. Just how far under is impossible to know. But there are clues: Connecticut, with a grant from the CDC, is the only state that closely monitors MRSA deaths. It logged 2,084 deaths from drug-resistant infections from 2003 to 2014, all but 10 from MRSA. That's nearly twice the number of deaths from MRSA in the state that Reuters found in its death certificate analysis. One reason for the disparity is that the state's count includes anyone who died with MRSA, even if it wasn't the cause of death, said Dr Matthew L. Cartter, Connecticut's epidemiologist. He also said death certificates may undercount MRSA deaths because the physician may cite a general infection-related condition - death due to sepsis, for example - without mentioning the actual bacteria involved, or merely describe the mechanics of death, such as organ failure or cardiac arrest. For many victims' relatives interviewed by Reuters, the death certificate held special significance. They had watched an infection squeeze the life out of a loved one, often over several months and in gruesome ways. To find no official record of that on the death certificate came as a shock. It was as if the killer got away. Misleading Death Certificates Dan Greulich's medical records show that, after his transplant operation, he spent five months battling drug-resistant infections that left him so debilitated he asked to be taken off of life support. He died in June 2012. By the time of his death - due to "cardiac arrhythmia," according to the death certificate - the cost of his care at UCLA Medical Center amounted to more than $5 million. "When the doctor wouldn't count him as one of the people who die from hospital-acquired infections, I was outraged," said Rae Greulich, his widow. She considered suing the hospital but never did. UCLA Medical Center declined to comment. Joshua Nahum's recovery from a skydiving accident on Sept. 2, 2006, was going so well at Longmont United Hospital in Colorado that he was transferred to Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital a month later in preparation for going home. Within days, his temperature spiked, his condition deteriorated, and he was transferred back to Longmont. There, he was diagnosed with meningitis from Enterobacter aerogenes, a virulent drug-resistant pathogen spread almost exclusively in healthcare settings. By the time he died on Oct. 22, the swelling in his brain had made him a quadriplegic, said his father, Armando Nahum. The infection was "the most immediate cause of his death," his neurosurgeon, Dr E. Lee Nelson, told Reuters. His death certificate said he died of "Delayed Complications of Craniocerebral Injuries" from the accident. "I remember being dumbfounded. 'Are you serious?'" Nahum said. "All I asked was that they write the truth - that Josh died of an infection." Hospital records obtained by the family show he also contracted meningitis from a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis infection while at Longmont. Similar to MRSA, it is a potentially lethal drug-resistant bug. In an email statement, Nancy Driscoll, chief nursing officer at Longmont United, said an independent review concluded that Nahum's care "was appropriate." She did not respond to questions about how he contracted the infections. Northern Colorado Chief Executive Officer Beth Bullard declined to discuss the case. Because Nahum died nearly two months after the accident, the cause of death was certified by the Boulder County coroner's office. Dr John E. Meyer, deputy coroner at the time, signed the death certificate. He told Reuters that he did not recall the case but would not have thought to specify that the complication was an infection. "There's certainly no rule that I know of," he said. Patient safety groups petitioned the CDC in 2011 to add a question about hospital-acquired infections to its standard death certificate, which is used by many states. CDC Director Dr Thomas Frieden wrote that he would consider including patient advocates in discussions the next time the agency revises its death certificate, but there were no plans to make any changes "in the near future." In a statement emailed to Reuters, Frieden said: "While death certificates provide helpful information, the unfortunate reality is that they don't provide in-depth clinical information." Protective Secrecy Antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been around nearly as long as antibiotics. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, the first modern antibiotic, in 1928, saving millions of lives from infections that just a few years earlier would have been fatal. By 1940, researchers were reporting that bacteria had already developed resistance to the drug. Modern science became locked in a war of one-upmanship with the microbial world. Researchers would develop a class of drugs to replace those that were becoming ineffective, and soon enough, bacteria would begin showing resistance to the new drugs - a problem worsened by widespread overprescription of antibiotics and their overuse in farm animals. By the 1990s, drug-resistant infections had reached crisis proportions. Advances in medicine have been, paradoxically, a big reason for the worsening epidemic. More people than ever are living with weak immunity: premature infants, the elderly, and people with cancer, HIV and other illnesses that were once fatal but are now often chronic conditions. That's also why superbugs most often occur in hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities - places where susceptible populations are concentrated. In 2001, a task force led by the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health declared antibiotic-resistant infections to be a grave public health threat and issued an action plan to tame the problem. The group's recommendations included creating a national surveillance plan and speeding development of new antibiotics. Yet not a single new class of antibiotics has been approved for medical use since 1987. Despite years of efforts to educate healthcare workers about infection control, multiple studies show that many still routinely flout even basic preventive measures, like hand-washing. While the types of bacteria showing drug resistance have multiplied, the federal government requires hospitals to report infections for only two of them, MRSA bacteremia, or blood infection, and C. difficile. It requires limited reports on the others and relies on the states to fill in the gaps. In 2014, the administration of President Barack Obama issued a new national action plan to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Congress followed last year with a $160 million increase in the CDC's budget to bolster research, drug development and surveillance of superbugs by the states. But as Reuters found, surveillance carried out by the states can come up against strong institutional resistance and laws that shield the healthcare industry. Under Virginia law, Chippenham Hospital should have reported its 2010 MRSA outbreak to the state Department of Health when the third baby in the neonatal intensive care unit tested positive for the bug, health department officials said. That was four days before newborn Josiah Cooper-Pope fell ill. Instead, according to Virginia Health Department records and interviews with department officials, the hospital didn't notify public health officials until nearly every baby in the unit had been infected - and then only by mail. By that time, Josiah had been dead two weeks and another baby was in critical condition with a MRSA infection. After persuading the hospital to temporarily close the unit and bringing the outbreak under control, Health Department investigators found that Chippenham hadn't taken basic steps to prevent MRSA's spread, such as training staff, scrubbing furniture and computers, and testing all infants in the nursery when the infection first surfaced. Jennifer Stanley, a spokesperson for Hospital Corp of America, which owns Chippenham, said that since the outbreak, the hospital has put in place "aggressive infection prevention measures" and "intensive education and training." Virginia took no action against the hospital for the lethal outbreak. "How the sausage is made" The state can fine hospitals for violating regulations, but "this is not the approach [the Department of Health] typically follows," said Maribeth Brewster, department spokesperson. Officials prefer "working closely" with hospitals to correct patient safety problems, she said, and a follow-up inspection at Chippenham Hospital found no regulatory violations, so no action was warranted. In response to a Reuters public records request on the outbreak, the Health Department sent a copy of its investigation report in which the name and address of the hospital were blacked out. The same was true for 22 more superbug outbreaks in Virginia healthcare facilities since 2007 that involved more than 130 patients, including 15 who died. State law prohibits the agency from identifying the location of outbreaks. At least 27 other states have similar laws or policies in place. Disclosing the names of healthcare providers "would serve as a significant disincentive to the timely reporting of disease outbreaks," said Brewster, the Virginia Health Department spokesperson. Tarant, the doctor who signed Josiah's death certificate, put it this way: "Things like this, if dealt with appropriately, are best if kept internally. I don't think people want to see how the sausage is made." At a conference last year, hospital infection-control specialists told CDC officials that medical staff and internal review boards sometimes blocked them from reporting infections as required by state law or by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which reduces payments to hospitals for preventable infections and high infection rates. The specialists said medical staff sometimes were discouraged from testing patients with clear signs of infection - one of several tactics they said staff used to get around reporting rules. Those complaints were detailed in a notice the CDC and CMS sent late last year to hospitals nationwide, warning them that offenders could be fined and cut off from federal funds for covering up infections they are legally required to disclose. Officials said that due to database limitations, they did not know whether any facilities had been cited for underreporting infections since the notice was issued. Acknowledging any infection caught in a hospital or other healthcare setting carries another risk: The paper trail can support a subsequent lawsuit. Emma Grace Breaux and her twin brother, Talon, fell ill from infections shortly after they were born 12 weeks premature at Lafayette General Medical Center in Lafayette, Louisiana, in 2005. Talon died at 15 days old after becoming infected by a virulent strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a ubiquitous bacteria that easily contaminates hospital equipment. "The day we buried him, we found out about Emma's infection," said Kelly Breaux, their mother. Emma had a MRSA infection. She survived, but with permanent damage to her heart, lungs and one leg. Three and a half years later, Emma was in Florida to have her leg repaired when she came down with swine flu. It was too much for her heart and lungs. After a six-week battle, she died at Miami Children's Hospital just shy of her fourth birthday. Her death certificate blamed flu-related pneumonia. Including MRSA as a cause of death "was not considered," said Dr Sharon Skaletzky, who was at Miami Children's at the time and signed the death certificate. Talon's case was clear-cut; his death certificate cited septic shock due to his hospital-acquired Pseudomonas infection as the cause of death. Emma's was more complicated. Her medical expenses alone eventually exceeded $4 million for repeated hospitalizations due to complications from her MRSA infection. The family sold their home, truck and other possessions to stay afloat while she underwent multiple operations. A Louisiana appeals court ultimately ruled that MRSA was responsible for her death and in 2013 upheld a jury award of more than $6 million in damages and medical expenses for the twins. Lafayette General Medical Center spokesperson Daryl Cetnar said no one with knowledge of the case was available. National Priorities Lack of a unified national surveillance system makes it next to impossible to count the number of drug-resistant infections, fatal or otherwise. Theoretically, deaths could be counted through the nation's vital statistics. Those numbers, compiled by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), include births, marriages, divorces and, using data culled from death certificates, information on what is killing whom. The numbers are critical in determining how money is distributed for research and public health campaigns. As examples in this article show, superbug infections are often omitted from death certificates. But even when they are recorded, NCHS can't feed that information into vital statistics: The World Health Organization (WHO) classification system the agency uses lacks mortality codes for most drug-resistant infections, though it has codes for more than 8,000 other possible causes of death. The CDC added codes for use in the United States for terrorism-related deaths a year after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. It could do the same for deaths from drug-resistant infections. Officials told Reuters the CDC is instead working to incorporate the codes into the WHO's next revision of the international classification system. The revised system is expected to be completed in 2018 but not fully in use until the 2020s. There are other ways to count deaths, such as searching the text of death certificates as Reuters did in its analysis with help from the NCHS. CDC officials told Reuters they now are exploring "how we might be able use literal text capture to get additional information on resistant infection deaths which could be useful for annual tracking." As it stands, the CDC has the National Healthcare Safety Network. Under this surveillance program, about 5,000 hospitals and in-patient rehabilitation facilities file quarterly reports on several types of healthcare-related infections as a condition of receiving Medicare and Medicaid payments. But only two superbug infections are on the reportable list, MRSA bacteremia and C. difficile. The others are reported under only limited circumstances, such as when related to a hysterectomy or a catheter-associated urinary tract infection. The reports are typically five to seven months old by the time they are logged, and thus aren't useful for real-time surveillance. And the CDC doesn't require facilities to report deaths. Determining cause of death is difficult and would entail extra training for hospital staff who fill out the forms and oversight, which the agency can't afford, according to Dr Daniel Pollock, surveillance branch chief for the CDC's Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. CDC Director Frieden, noting that there is "no simple way to code for drug-resistant infections" on death certificates, said the CDC "is supporting states' efforts to respond to antibiotic resistance and help protect Americans from this threat." Just 16 state health departments told Reuters that they tally deaths from reportable antibiotic-resistant infections. Eight others track deaths only when they are part of an outbreak. (Pennsylvania and Georgia declined to answer the survey questions.) Among states that don't track deaths is Texas, where Natalie Silva contracted MRSA in November 2012 at Hospital Corp of America's Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso. Two days after giving birth to a healthy boy by cesarean section, her incision began gushing blood, said her sister, Crystal Silva. Back at the hospital, Natalie Silva tested positive for MRSA. Hospital staff assured Silva it was safe to continue holding and breastfeeding her week-old son, according to Crystal Silva and her other sister, Stephanie Hall. One month later, her son was in the neonatal intensive care unit battling his own MRSA infection, they said. He survived. For Silva, the next few months brought a cascade of medical complications, records show. Multiple infections led to multiple surgeries that left her paralyzed. Hall recalled spending a Friday night in September 2013 at her sister's bedside, painting Silva's fingernails metallic blue and her toenails metallic purple, optimistic that her sister would return home. Three days later, Silva died. Silva's doctors wanted to blame cardiac arrest on the death certificate, Silva's sisters said. Del Sol Medical Center declined to comment. Silva's family paid $3,000 for an autopsy that confirmed that the MRSA infection contributed to her death. Her death certificate lists cardiopulmonary arrest as the immediate cause of death, due to complications from a MRSA infection. "She was 23 years old and healthy. We knew that MRSA played a huge role," said Crystal Silva. "We had to fight for them to include it." In September last year, Hall filed a medical malpractice and wrongful death lawsuit against Del Sol in El Paso County District Court, alleging that the hospital was responsible for Silva's MRSA infection and the fatal complications that followed. The lawsuit is seeking payment to Silva's two children for the loss of their mother, loss of her wages while she was sick, medical costs and funeral expenses. Christine Mann, spokeswoman for the Texas health department, said counting superbug deaths would require a formal statute or rule change in the state. "We prioritize our resources and attention toward taking public health action where it is most needed," she said. Natalie Silva's was among about 10,000 deaths linked to antibiotic-resistant infections in Texas from 2003 to 2014, according to the Reuters analysis. Though her sisters succeeded in getting an honest reckoning on Silva's death certificate, her death by superbug was never counted. According to the organisation, the giant pandas population numbers have increased enough for the group to downgrade the species as vulnerable. Good news for giant pandas (and the people who love them): the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) no longer considers them to be an endangered species, LiveScience reports. On Sunday, September 4, IUCN announced updates to its Red List of Threatened Species, a comprehensive inventory that details the global conservation status of various animal, plants, and fungi species. According to the organisation, the giant pandas population numbers have increased enough for the group to downgrade the species as vulnerable. Wild giant pandas mostly live in Chinas bamboo forests. Threats including poaching and human-caused habitat destruction which drives animals from their homes and also causes food shortages pushed the giant panda to the brink of extinction. But due to recent forest protection and reforestation measures, things are looking up a nationwide census conducted in 2014 found that Chinas wild population of adult giant pandas now numbers 1864 a dramatic increase from 1596 in 2004. Add cubs to the mix, and the number rises to 2060. Thanks to the World Wildlife Funds iconic logo, few endangered species are more recognisable than the adorable giant panda. Whereas the decision to downlist the giant panda to vulnerable is a positive sign confirming that the Chinese governments efforts to conserve this species are effective, it is critically important that these protective measures are continued, and that emerging threats are addressed, the IUCNs report concluded. According to The New York Times, the Tibetan antelope was also removed from the IUCNs endangered list but other animals didnt fare so well. The eastern gorilla is now closer to extinction, and the plains zebra is near threatened due to hunting. Source: www.mentalfloss.com A 43-year-old mother and her 25-year-old biological daughter in Oklahoma, in the United States, could face up to 10 years in prison for being allegedly involved in an incestuous relationship. Patricia Ann Spann and her daughter Misty Velvet Dawn Spann were slapped with incest charges after a child welfare officer who visited their Duncan residence reported them to the police, reports The Lawton Constitution. Police in Southwest Oklahoma issued a warrant for the duos arrest on Friday and later booked them on felony charges, according to KFOR-TV. Interestingly, Patricia was also earlier married to one of her sons. She had told the social welfare worker that she had lost custody of her new kids to their fathers mother and had no contact with them for years. Patricia also said that when she and her daughter reunited two years ago, they immediately hit it off. They later got married on March 25. The mother and daughter have admitted to both their biological relationship and wedding, say the police. However, Patricia told the child welfare worker that she didnt believe that she had done anything illegal as her name was no longer listed on her daughters birth certificate. Incest laws in the state of Oklahoma prohibit blood relatives from getting married or having sex with each other. Even with all the variables taken into account, men still have a 25 per cent greater chance of receiving a pay boost when they asked for one. Women tend to be paid less than men in most major occupations, but the causes behind this troubling trend arent always easy to identify. One popular explanation is that women make less money simply because they arent asking for more. New research pokes a hole in that theory: According to a paper published by researchers from Cass Business School, the University of Warwick, and the University of Wisconsin, women ask for raises just as often as men but are less likely to receive them, Broadly reports. For the study, researchers looked at data from 4600 workers under 840 employers gathered in the Australian Workplace Relations Survey from 2013 to 2014. Australias survey is unique, it asks employees if their pay is negotiable, whether or not they have asked for a raise and received it, and what their feelings are about asking for more pay. The raw data showed that male workers were 9 per cent more likely to request a wage increase than women. But, when factors like amount of hours worked, qualification levels, and the nature of the job were adjusted for, there was no significant difference between the rates of men and women asking for more money. Something that did differ between the two groups was the likelihood of actually receiving a raise. Even with all the complicating variables taken into account, men still had a 25 per cent greater chance of receiving a pay boost when they asked for one. Furthermore, of the workers who didnt attempt to negotiate at all, only 12.9 per cent of women said they chose not out of concern for their relationships in the workplace compared to 14.6 per cent of men. This challenges the notion that women are more hesitant to ask for money because they fear how it might reflect on them. Pay discrimination is an obstacle facing many women in the workforce, but fortunately more lawmakers are starting to make an effort to close the wage gap. In August, Massachusetts became the 13th state to make it illegal for employers to stop workers from discussing their salaries. That same bill also made Massachusetts the first state to ban employers from inquiring about salary history during an interview, and now the US Congress is about to consider similar legislation that would make the practice illegal nationwide. Laws like these wont close the gap on their own, but they can help put women in a position to receive the pay they deserve whether or not they ask for it. Source: www.mentalfloss.com Obama and the ATF announce backdoor ammo ban, leaving citizens defenseless You really have to give it up for the leftists. When it comes to taking away the inherent, constitutional freedoms on the American people, they never seem to give up on their conquest for complete control. Take, for instance, the Obama administrations scorched earth campaign to repeal the Second Amendment slowly and methodically. Having previously tried and failed to ban semi-automatic rifles outright, the leftists have since attempted to place absurd regulations on ammunition. This way, guns will remain justly easily accessible, but the ammunition that makes guns function will be difficult to obtain. Its a ridiculous loophole that shows just how far these fascists will go to infringe on the rights of American citizens. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives or as it is commonly referred to, the ATF has made it their duty to help the Obama administration in their anti-Second Amendment endeavors. When you have so many federal government organizations teaming up together in order to pass regulations, it makes fighting this behavior extremely difficult and demoralizing. The brainwashed sheeple that believe Obama and the leftists that currently control the federal government can do no wrong will argue that the president isnt coming directly after our guns and thats precisely the point. These people are not coming directly after our guns in this instance. Theyre trying to slip in regulation after regulation until were no longer allowed to possess any sort of firearm. Considering the state of the world as we know it, its incredibly frightening and dangerous that the federal government not only isnt doing their part to keep us safe from potential dangers, but theyre even going out of their way to make sure that we cannot protect ourselves. Between radical Islamic extremism and violent criminal behavior, life-threatening situations are a dime a dozen in 2016 America. In many instances, firearms are the only thing that is guaranteed to keep a person safe from these dangers. By fighting our human right to protect ourselves, the Obama administration and the ATF have betrayed the American people completely. When it comes time to vote this fall, we must make our voices heard by refusing to support the freedom-hating, gun-fearing lunatics on the left. While many of the issues seem important in the short term, the defense and protection of the Second Amendment is absolutely necessary in order to keep our country safe and prosperous. We cannot forget that. Sources: Conservative-Daily.com WashingtonExaminer.com Former Chief Judicial Magistrate of Gurgaon Ravneet Garg has been arrested in connection with the murder of his wife in 2013. (Representational image) New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Civil Judge from Haryana in connection with the murder of his wife in Gurgaon in 2013. A CBI spokesperson said then Chief Judicial Magistrate of Gurgaon Ravneet Garg was arrested in an ongoing investigation of a case related to the alleged murder of his wife Geetanjali Garg under mysterious circumstances. Geetanjali's bullet-riddled body was recovered on July 17, 2013, at police lines in Gurgaon. "A case was registered by CBI at the request of Haryana Government and after notification by Government of India," the spokesperson said. She said CBI had taken up the investigation of the case, which was registered at Civil Lines police station in Gurgaon on July 20, 2013, against three persons on the basis of a complaint by the brother of the deceased. "The arrested accused was produced in the Court of Special Judicial Magistrate, CBI Cases, at Panchkula (Haryana) on Thursday and was remanded to five days police custody," she said. The CBI remained tight-lipped about the reasons for arresting Garg three years after it took over the investigation of the almost blind case. Pardeep Aggarwal, the brother of the deceased, had alleged that even after spending huge sums on his sisters marriage in 2007, her husbands family ill-treated her and demanded expensive gifts and cash. The doctor took the patient to his chamber and raped her. (Representational Image) New Delhi: A 55-year-old doctor was arrested by the Delhi police for raping his 24-year-old patient in his clinic. According to the police, the doctor, identified as Sushil Munjal, a pulmonologist, practiced at a clinic in Lajpat Nagar and was arrested on Saturday. The victim, a resident of Karol Nagar area, was undergoing treatment for chest infection for the last several weeks. On Friday, the victim reached the clinic at 8 pm for regular checkup, but was informed by the clinic staff that she was late as the doctor was about to leave the clinic. Dr Munjal sits on the ground floor, while his wife, a genealogist, sits in the basement. The victim, however, got the call from Dr Munjal who asked her to come to the clinic as he was available. The doctors wife had left the clinic when the victim received the call. The victim said that the doctor took her to his chamber where he raped her and threatened to defame her if she disclosed it to anyone, said a senior police official. She stated that during the incident two staff members were also present in the clinic. The victim made a PCR call from the clinic and the police reached the spot. The victim was taken to a hospital for a medical examination. The medical examination of the victim has conformed the rape. After an initial investigation, the doctor was arrested under Section 376-C (rape) and 506 (threat) of the IPC and sent to jail. The victim has also produced SMSes and texts sent to her by the doctor, said a senior police official. Police arrested the suspect on charges of rape and child sex abuse. Chilkalguda police said the incident occurred at around 1 am. (Representational image) Hyderabad: An infant was raped by her fathers employee at Chilkalguda early on Wednesday. The one-year-old girl was sent to Gandhi Hospital with serious injuries. The 20-year-old suspect Deepu Singh allegedly stole the kid while her parents were sleeping, took her outside and raped her. When he brought back the crying kid, the parents and locals caught him. Police arrested the suspect on charges of rape and child sex abuse. Chilkalguda police said the incident occurred at around 1 am. The kids parents were asleep in their room on the second floor. The suspect also lives in a room near the parents room. He took the sleeping kid outside to a deserted area and raped her, said inspector K. Srinivasulu. When the kid started crying due to pain Deepu brought her back to her parents room and tried to put her to sleep. The parents woke up and saw the kid crying and the suspect in their room. Soon they found that the infant was bleeding. Though Deepu Singh tried to escape he was caught with the help of neighbours. Deepu Singh was a helper of the victims father, a street vendor. He had been working for her father since some months. He helps them to make snacks and do household chores. He was allowed to stay in their house, the inspector said. After the incident, the girls father alerted the police and filed a complaint. We have booked a case against him for rape and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Act, the inspector said. The girl suffered injuries on her private parts and is being treated by doctors. Chief Minister K.Chandrasekhar Rao visits the Indur Tirumala temple at Narsingpally village in Nizamabad mandal on Friday along with wife K. Sobha and daughter K. Kavitha. Deccan chronicle Hyderabad: After creating a record of sorts with his PowerPoint presentation in the Legislative Assembly on irrigation projects, TS Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is aiming for another unique record. Mr Rao is preparing the ground to personally argue before the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal headed by Justice Brijesh Kumar seeking higher share of river waters for TS. He has held preliminary discussions with irrigation officials in this regard. Mr Rao strongly feels that the earlier governments could not put up strong arguments before the tribunal due to which Telangana did not get a justifiable share of Krishna water. In fact, soon after taking office as the CM of Telangana State in June 2014, Mr Rao had made a statement in the very first session of Legislative Assembly that he would personally appear before the Brijesh Kumar tribunal and put forth arguments on behalf of the state government. The government received a communication from the Centre that the tribunal will conduct fresh hearing on Krishna water dispute this month, though the exact schedule was yet to be confirmed. Fresh from the success of his PowerPoint presentation on Thursday, which was basically about Telangana getting a raw deal in sharing of Krishna and Godavari waters in undivided AP, Mr Rao wants to utilise the expertise he has acquired through periodic review of irrigation projects by examining Google Earth images for the past two years and argue the case on his own before the tribunal. Mr Rao has already gathered comprehensive details on Krishna water issue for his PowerPoint presentation, which he feels would be enough to put forth arguments in favour of TS effectively. Normally, senior advocates argue the case before the tribunal. But there is no such rule which states that only advocates should argue the case. There is scope for others too to argue the case, which the CM wants to utilise, said an official of irrigation department. If this happens, Mr Rao would create a record by becoming the first CM in the country to argue a case on his own before a tribunal, which is likely to attract national and international attention. TRS circles feel that it would be also politically beneficial for the party ruling the state in the coming years if the CM himself argues for Telangana's share in Krishna water. They feel that this would send a strong message that the CM and TRS are committed to safeguarding TS interests. Hyderabad: After a day-long drama at Vijayawada and Delhi, Union finance minister Arun Jaitely late on Wednesday said that the Centre had decided to give AP a Special Assistance Measure that would be equal to the benefits the state would have got under special status. The Centre announced a financial package that included full funding of the Polavaram irrigation project, tax concessions and special assistance. The state will also get a railway zone, and its headquarters would be decided by the railway minister. Speaking to the media past 10.30 pm in Delhi, Mr Jaitley said the details of the package would be announced on Thursday. AP CM refused to go to Delhi sans special category status Arun Jaitely said every assurance given in the AP Reorganisation Act would be implemented by the Centre. Mr Jaitley said that the Centre would bear the total expenditure for the construction of the Polavaram irrigation project from April 1, 2014, when it was declared a national project. The state government would implement the project, Citing constraints placed by the 14th Finance Commission in granting special category status, he said equal benefits would be given to the state in the form of a Special Assistance Measure for five years. This would be in the form of externally-aided projects. The state would get two tax concessions, details of which would be notified by the Central Board of Direct Taxes. Earlier in the day, there was hectic activity at the Chief Ministers Office in Vijayawada and Mr Jaitleys office at Delhi. AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Mr Jaitley held a series of meetings over the package. Mr Naidu met with ministers available in Vijayawada over the Central package. In Delhi, Union minister Y.S. Chowdary and TD MPs held day-long discussions with Mr Jaitley and Union minister M. Venkaiah Naidu. While the discussions were going on, Mr Venkaiah Naidu called the AP Chief Minister over phone and asked him to come to Delhi to discuss the package. The Chief Minister replied that unless the Centre agreed to the nine main demands of the state government, he would not go to the capital. He said there would be no compromise on the demand of special category status. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday lifted its order staying the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Bulandshahr gangrape case. The apex court modified its order after the investigative agency, on Tuesday, moved to the court asking to vacate its stay on the ongoing probe. The apex court had in August stayed the CBI probe until the issue of transfer of trail is decided. The Supreme Court had issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh Government and senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan over the Bulandshahr rape victims plea seeking a transfer of the case out of the state. Khan had earlier hinted at a political conspiracy behind the gang-rape of the mother-daughter duo in Bulandshahr. The brutal incident had happened on the night of July 29 when a group of highway robbers stopped the car of a Noida-based family and sexually assaulted the woman and her daughter after dragging them out of the vehicle which had four other occupants. The offenders, who were hiding behind the bushes, emerged and took the family at gunpoint and forced the father of the victim to take the vehicle off the road. The Allahabad High Court had ordered CBI probe into the incident besides deciding to monitor the investigation. The Cauvery dispute which began in 1892 is not even close to being solved over a hundred years later. The Cauvery dispute which began in 1892 is not even close to being solved over a hundred years later. Ktaka has suffered due to SC tribunal ruling in 2007 which stipulates that the state give 192 tmcft of water to TN. Farmers miss a leader like M.D. Nanjundaswamy. DC analyses the situation... One leader the agitating farmers of Mandya sorely miss is Prof. M.D. Nanjundaswamy or MDN as he was popularly known. One of the founders of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, MDN was the voice of lakhs of farmers across the state especially those in the Cauvery basin. One call by Prof. MDN was enough to cut off Mandya district from the rest of the state with farmers stopping both road and rail services. His strong links with the farming community helped him bend any government as per his will. His dawn to dusk bandhs used to be total and no police officer would dare to touch any farmer let alone wield lathis to disperse crowds. Read | Guest column: A vexing issue compounded by massive water shortage Unfortunately, the current Cauvery agitation lacks a leader of the caliber of MDN. With almost every farmer leader identifying himself with a political party, the farmer's movement has taken a back seat especially in Mandya. Though, former Mandya Lok Sabha member, Mr G Madegowda has been fighting for the cause, he is too old to actively involve himself in the stir. But, he has still been raising his voice for the cause of the farming community under the banner of Mandya Zilla Raitha Hitarakshana Samithi. Old-timers in Mandya told Deccan Chronicle that every farmer leader groomed by MDN has either joined other parties or launched their own outfit. There is no leader in the district to match the charisma of MDN. Splinter groups of farmer organisations are holding protests but there is not much impact on the government. Bank officials used to think twice before going entering any village to seize the property of crop loan defaulters earlier with MDN putting up notice boards in all villages warning officers not to enter villages. The chief minister used to consult MDN whenever the state faced problems over release of water to TN. Prof. Nanjundaswamy had a green beacon on his car and refused to remove it despite directions from the police department. He was available to farmers round the clock. Second day running, no buses to Tamil Nadu The city on Tuesday continued to reel under protests against a Supreme Court order asking Karnataka to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. Farmers and members of Kannada organisations, including Karnataka Rakshana Vedike and Janapara Vedike, protested at different places. Hundreds of protesters at the Mysuru Bank Circle burnt effigies of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. The protesters demanded that the government protect the interest of Karnataka farmers. Tension gripped Majestic for sometime in the afternoon after some KRV activists barged into the City Railway Station and staged a rail roko. They blocked Brindavan Express heading to Chennai and tried to vandalise the train. After a vain attempt to convince the protesters, the police resorted to a mild lathi-charge. As farmers continued to block the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway, many passengers were stranded at the Satellite Bus Station on Mysuru Road. Activists protested at Attibele toll gate on Hosur Road and even wrote letters smeared in blood stating that Cauvery belongs to them. Drinking water to be a challenge With the recent Supreme Court order the Karnataka Government has been forced to release Cauvery water for irrigation in Tamil Nadu, while a big question mark remains as to how it will cater to the drinking water needs of its three cities that depend on the river. Recently Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the state has only about 50 TMC feet of water in all four reservoirs in Cauvery basin, while it needs 40 TMC feet for drinking water itself. The consistent stand of the Karnataka before the Supreme Court, Cauvery River Authority and Supervisory Committee replacing the Cauvery River Authority for implementation of order of the Tribunal has been that the during distress years it should consider the inflows to the reservoirs of Karnataka, contribution of water in the intermediate catchment below Karnataka reservoirs up to Biligundlu, northeast monsoon rainfall in the lower part of the basin extensively benefiting the state of Tamil Nadu, Northeast monsoon rainfall in the Cauvery delta in TN, ground water level and so on. Another Friday, another bandh Friday's Karnataka bandh is expected to bring the state to a standstill. Around 1,450 organisations will be extending their support to the bandhcall. But it is the schools and colleges and daily wage workers who will bear the brunt of the closure. According to the principals of several city schools, this year a series of bandhs has already crippled academic activities and one more bandh means more of the same. "We are getting ready for mid- term examinations. Students are now under immense pressure because of the repeated bandh calls.. We are also clueless over whether to declare a holiday or not. As our children are using autos and cabs to travel, we cannot put their lives at risk by not announcing a holiday. It is a tricky situation," explained a principal. But Karnataka Associated Managements of English Medium Schools (KAMS) general secretary Mr. D Shashikumar informed that the organisation has extended full support to the bandh. "We will hold special classes onSaturdays to ensure that students will not lose any class hours," he said. Meanwhile, Friday's bandh call has received support from around 1,450 organisations, including truck owners and drivers, BMTC and KSRTC staff unions. "Except milk, hospital and emergency ambulance services, all other services are expected to be shut down, said a Kannada activist. "To ensure that our demand will reach the union government, we want cancellation of all the airport services, he explained. Kannada activists deface KSRTC buses For the second day, bus services to various parts of Tamil Nadu (except Chennai), Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Ooty were cancelled due to the Cauvery protests across the Bengaluru-Mysuru road.But KSRTC, TNRTC as well as private operators, operated all buses towards Chennai city as per the schdule. According to the KSRTC and TNRTC officials, various intra state bus services were cancelled due to the fear of violence. "We are operating only Chennai buses. Buses towards Mysuru, Mandya and areas of Tamil Nadu were cancelled due to the fear of violence, said an officer from KSRTC. According to officials, on Tuesday night, even though KSRTC decided to operate night buses to Mandya and Mysuru, all the schedules were cancelled as there were no passengers. "As protests resumed in the morning we decided against plying any buses," he added. Meanwhile, private operators as well as KSRTC and TNRTC operated Chennai buses. "There were no reports of violence from Hosuru or Chennai. So all the bus schedules are running as they are supposed to," said Mr. Rajesh Singh, a private bus operator. Meanwhile, TNRTCs Bengaluru office staff sent 12 buses parked in KSRTC Mysore Road Satellite Bus Terminus to Chennai with security on Tuesday night. These buses were blackened by Kannada activists on Tuesday evening. "We will not operate any buses to the city till the situation returns to normalcy," said a staffer. Heavy losses: According to the KSRTC officials, due to the ongoing violence over Cauvery water, the transport corporation is suffering a minimum of Rs. 1 crore revenue loss. "Last month the wages of all our staff were revised. This revenue loss will create more problems for the corporation. Friday's bandh is expected to result in the loss of another 20 crores," he informed. Timeline Pro-Kannada organisation activists perform 'last rites' of Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa to protest against the Supreme Court verdict on Cauvery water, in Bengaluru on Thursday. Bengaluru: A dawn-to-dusk Karnataka bandh called by pro-Kannada outfits on Friday to protest against the Supreme Court's direction to release Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu is likely to throw normal life out of gear. This is the second bandh that the state is bracing for in less than a week's time and the fourth this year. Officials said the bandh on the emotive Cauvery issue is being supported by several organisations, unions and political parties. Public transport may be affected as state transport buses will stay off the roads, and autorickshaw and cab unions are extending their support to bandh. Metro services is also likely to be hit. Keeping security of students in mind, schools and colleges have declared a holiday tomorrow and attendance at government offices will not be compulsory, according to officials. While some private companies have declared holiday, others are making alternative arrangements like 'work from home' for employees. Tamil channels will not be aired on Friday with Karnataka Cable Operators Association supporting the bandh. Shops and establishments, markets, petrol bunks, hotels and malls are likely to remain shut, besides banks. Elaborate security arrangements have been made to maintain law and order. Extra forces have been deployed with two companies each from Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, one from Maharashtra and 10 companies of central forces, police said. Chief Minister Siddaramiah made an appeal for peace and said there should be no damage to public property during the bandh. "We are making all required arrangements. Bandh should be peaceful and no untoward incident should happen. Those who have called for bandh should also take care," he added. The Chief Minister also held a meeting of senior officials of Home and police departments to review security measures. Seeking cooperation from public and organisations in maintaining peace, Home Minister G Parameshwara said the issue is of entire state and the government had to take certain decisions within the framework of law. In Bengaluru, more than 14,000 police personnel will be deployed. 36 Karnataka State Reserve Police, 30 City Armed Reserve platoons and one company Rapid Action Force have been deployed. 'Kannada Okkoota', led by Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha leader Vatal Nagaraj will be holding a "massive" protest march from Town hall to Freedom Park in city in the morning. The Cauvery row erupted after the Supreme Court on Monday directed to Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs to Tamil Nadu for the next 10 days to address the plight of farmers there. Protests continued for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday in Mandya district in the Cauvery heartland and several parts of southern Karnataka. Vehicular movement between Bengaluru and Mysuru was hit on Thursday as well as the highway was blocked at several places in Mandya district, the epicentre of the stir. A few film stars also joined the protest. In Bengaluru, BJP corporators led by former Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka and 'Kannada Okkoota' held demonstrations. The state's principal opposition BJP has also supported Karnataka bandh. Bengaluru: As anger over the chief minister's decision to release Cauvery water to the lower riparian state of Tamil Nadu swept like wildfire across the Cauvery basin, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday moved swiftly to douse the negative sentiment being spread against his government and the legal team that had advised successive state governments that preceded his own government with a radio address to farmers, appealing for calm. In adherence to the Supreme Court order, Karnataka had, from Tuesday night begun releasing 15,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu, as against its own generous offer to release 10,000 cusecs a day. Laying out the case that his government had little choice, but to comply with the SC ruling, CM Sidddaramaiah tellingly, revealed to journalists at a specially convened breakfast meeting that despite the state being in distress, he had followed the SC order to a T. A man carries a bunch of pots while protesting against the Supreme Court decision in Bengaluru on Wednesday (Photo: Shyam Sundar Vattam/R. Samuel) "For drinking water, we need 28.08 tmc of water and for agriculture, we need 47.71 tmc. And for filling the tanks, we need 11.58 tmc. We have only 58.78 tmc of water in all our four reservoirs, but we have complied," he said. Mr Siddaramaiah defended the government's decision to release water to Tamil Nadu. "It is inevitable to comply with the Supreme Court order. Failing which we would face contempt of court case and we do not want to get into such situation. Therefore, we decided to release water," he said. However, signaling what the CM will do next, the Principal Secretary, water resources department, Rakesh Singh told Deccan Chronicle that the authority would resume release of water for standing crops in Karnataka as soon as possible. Mr. Singh said that Karnataka requested the Cauvery Supervisory Committee headed by the Union water secretary to assess the ground-level situation, indicating he was pinning his hopes on the north-east monsoon kicking in within the next 15 days to a month, boosting the groundwater level, which the fact-finding mission could use to ensure a more equitable arrangement was put in place. "In 2012, a technical team visited the Cauvery reservoirs and we think this time around, a similar exercise might happen. However, so far, we have not received any communication as yet," he said. Fali not at fault Defending the states counsel Mr Fali Nariman and his legal team, the CM said, He (Nariman) is a senior advocate. Last week when I went to Delhi, I met him at his residence. In fact it was Mr Nariman, who during the hearing on the petition filed by Tamil Nadu, made a goodwill gesture to give water to Tamil Nadu. He might have made that offer seeing the circumstances in the court hall. The court immediately accepted his suggestion. He has been representing the state for a very long time. In the past, he made a similar gesture in 2012 which was accepted by the previous BJP government. Mr Nariman did no wrong. We will stand by his view. The De-distress formula Bengaluru: Losing a battle to win a war-That seems to be the strategy of Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, who is facing the heat from Mandya farmers over release of water to Tamil Nadu. The CM, who interacted with editors on Wednesday in a session almost exclusively devoted to the Cauvery row, wasted no time in reaching out to farmers through AIR. He took pains to put forth the view to editors that water had been released to TN to create a positive impression about Karnataka in the Supreme Court. "We have to release water. It is inevitable. If we comply with the SC order, we will be in comfortable position while arguing on the states main petition challenging the Cauvery Tribunals final order, which is coming up for hearing in the Supreme Court on October 18. Thats why releasing water makes sense," he said. Taking a dig at the opposition BJP, which had opposed the release of water, Mr Siddaramaiah reeled out data to back his argument that he had not done anything which his predecessors had not done. "In 2012, when Jagadish Shettar was CM, our counsel, Fali Nariman suggested releasing 10,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu as a goodwill gesture. The then BJP government backed Mr Narimans decision. In 1995 when H.D. Deve Gowda was CM, Karnataka had to oblige the Supreme Court and release 6 tmcft water. And when S.M. Krishna was CM, the court ordered staggered water release of 10 tmcft." Defending Mr Nariman and his legal team, the CM said, He (Nariman) is a senior advocate. Last week when I went to Delhi, I met him at his residence. In fact it was Mr Nariman, who during the hearing on the petition filed by Tamil Nadu, made a goodwill gesture to give water to Tamil Nadu. He might have made that offer seeing the circumstances in the court hall. The court immediately accepted his suggestion. He has been representing the state for a very long time. In the past, he made a similar gesture in 2012 which was accepted by the previous BJP government. Mr Nariman did no wrong. We stand by his view. Getting hotter While addressing the media, Mr Siddaramaiah received a phone call from farmer leader and Melkote MLA , K.S. Puttannaiah. The latter apparently requested the CM to release water to farmers to save the standing crop. Mr Siddaramaiah politely said he would look into the issue. When Mr Puttannaiah persisted with his demand, the CM replied, I am in a meeting. I will call you sometime during the day. 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Sources: Npr.org CancerTutor.com Nimh.gov Autism-Society.org ActivistPost.com Atr.org Fcc.gov "We have made our case very clear to the Supreme Court," he said. (Photo: PTI) Bengaluru: Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh on Thursday said the party solidly stands behind the Karnataka government's decision to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu as per the directions of the Supreme Court. Stating that there was not much of an option left after the apex court gave an interim order, Singh said, "Congress party stands solidly behind the decision of the government of Karnataka on the issue of Cauvery water." Speaking to reporters after holding the first coordination committee meeting of the state Congress, Singh complimented Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for consistently taking the opposition on board regarding the issue. "We have made our case very clear to the Supreme Court," he said. Cauvery row has hotted up in the state after the Supreme Court on Monday directed to Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for the next 10 days to address the plight of the farmers there. Siddaramaiah, who was also present, said there was a "confusion" among people that because of the offer to release 10,000 cusecs made by state's senior counsel F S Nariman during the recent hearing, the Supreme Court directed release of 15,000 cusecs for 10 days. Industry experts say that lack of supervision from qualified engineers is also a prime cause for such incidents. More focus on skill development and other welfare measures should be implemented by the government, says CREDAI. Hyderabad: Negligence on the part of builders and not providing safety gear to workers at construction sites are the main reasons for workers dying in building collapses. Industry experts say that lack of supervision from qualified engineers is also a prime cause for such incidents. More focus on skill development and other welfare measures should be implemented by the government, says CREDAI. Except for a few projects executed by established firms, all other constructions are taken up by small contractors who hire labour from labour joints or employ mestris who gather people from their circle and put them to work for low wages. At such sites, since inexperienced labour is involved or no engineers are deployed to oversee the works, there are defects in placing scaffoldings, resulting in accidents and deaths. No safety gear is provided to the workers. Though a few builders provide safety gear to workers, many do not employ structural engineers to monitor the works. A structural engineers job is to inspect the site before casting of concrete. But with the increase in construction sites in the recent past, structural engineers find it difficult to visit the sites his client is handling. In such a case, the owner of the site should employ a site engineer, who can coordinate with the structural engineer regularly and ensure safety at the site, said the former president of CREDAI, Mr C. Shekar Reddy. He added that the site engineer could be trained on risk factors, which would help in minimising accidents to a large extent. He said that big companies handling major government projects followed safety precautions and went through the safety checklist before works. But still there is a need to improve and the checklist should be followed strictly. Owners should also employ qualified contractors for their projects and be responsible for the safety and welfare of workers, he added. Meanwhile, the cess collected by the government from builders is accumulating with the government, and now amounts to hundreds of crores, which is being utilised to provide compensation to workers in case of accidents. But the fund created should be used to help workers not only during accidents but also cover the needs of their families like the education of kids, medical aid, employment for spouses etc. This fund can be used to develop workmens skills by regular on-site trainings and more exposure to risk factors, he said, adding that the benefits could be extended. No benefits for family members Though the government is providing different schemes for workers in case of accidents, they do not get any benefits for their family members. All schemes cover only the injured person. The government should design schemes covering the education of the children of workers too, say labour unions. To help workers in the unorganised sector, the government has formed the Workers Welfare Board and is collecting membership fees from them valid for five years. During this period, they will be eligible for all benefits, provided they submit documents. But since many of them, especially in the construction field, are illiterate, they fail to renew their memberships. As per rules, construction sites valued at Rs 10 lakh or more should pay one per cent cess to the government, which is diverted to the welfare fund, but only companies doing government works pay this, as it is deducted by default. Firms doing private jobs avoid this tax. They skip this using unfair means like colluding with officers and showing forged balance sheets, said Building and Construction Workers Union leader M. Krishna Swamy. He added that the government or the labour department should ensure that every construction site paid dues irrespective of the nature of construction and regular drives should be conducted to book those evading this cess. Schemes should be designed to extend the benefits to the workers family too, and special schemes should be designed for women workers, including providing basic amenities at sites. The funds of the board should not be diverted for any other schemes. The government has agreed in principle to extend 50 per cent benefits to workers whose membership has expired, but this is pending. The Telangana Buildings and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board stated that in addition to construction, the government has identified 53 more trades to cover. This includes unregistered workers. Out of more than 13 lakh workers in the state, around 9 lakh have registered with the Board. "Illiteracy and migration are major reasons for not registering. We are conducting awareness camps and special drives at construction sites to enrol workers. We are also ensuring speedy release of compensation to workers, said board secretary and CEO E. Hanumantha Rao. Hyderabad: The special category status issue rocked the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on the first day of the Monsoon session in Hyderabad on Thursday with Opposition YSR Congress stalling proceedings denouncing the Centre's announcement of a financial package for the state. YSRC members, who came into the House 20 minutes after the proceedings began this morning, stormed the Speaker's podium, holding placards and raising slogans "Pratyeka Hoda Andhrula Hakku" (special status is Andhra's right). They also were critical of the Chief Minister for "compromising" on the state's interests. Read: No special category status, but Centre to give special assistance to AP Legislative Affairs Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said the government would make a statement in the House on the announcement made by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on the grant of a special economic package to the state. "You have no patriotism, nor belief in the Assembly. You boycotted the recitation of the National Anthem in the House. When the government itself is ready to make a statement, why don't you take part in the subsequent debate," Yanamala asked the YSRC, whose male members came wearing black shirts and women members black sarees, protesting the denial of special status to AP. Read: AP to accept package if it equals special category status Leader of Opposition Y S Jaganmohan Reddy recalled that the House passed two unanimous resolutions previously demanding that special status be granted to the state. "Last night, Jaitley categorically ruled out special status. When the Chief Minister himself welcomed this announcement, what should we discuss," Jagan wondered. Read: Pawan Kalyan to fight for Andhra Pradesh special category status As some of the YSRC legislators surrounded his chair and some others stayed put in the Well, Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao warned them to "avoid unruly behaviour". "You can't hijack the House. This is very unfair. I am pleading with you (to ensure order)," the Speaker said but the Opposition members only raised their pitch. The Speaker then adjourned the House for ten minutes. In a late night development, the Centre announced a financial package for Andhra Pradesh that includes full funding of Polavaram irrigation project, tax concessions and a special assistance, but stopped short of giving the state a special category status. Andhra Pradesh, which financially suffered because of creation of separate state of Telengana in June 2014, will get a railway zone as also all cost incurred on the irrigation part of Pollavaram project from the date it was declared a National Project on April 1, 2014 will be funded by the Centre. The state government will, however, implement the project, Jaitley said at a late night press conference. New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday set aside the Aam Aadmi Party governments March 13, 2015, order appointing its 21 MLAs as parliamentary secretaries to assist the ministers. A bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal passed the order after the counsel appearing for Delhi government "conceded" that the order was issued without taking concurrence or views of Lieutenant Governor. Senior advocate Sudhir Nandrajog, who appeared for Delhi government, referred to the August 4 judgement passed by the High Court which had quashed several notifications issued by AAP government on the ground that they were issued without taking concurrence of the LG. "Today I have to concede that the judgement (of August 4) stands against me (Delhi government)," Nandrajog told the bench. Taking into consideration the submissions advanced by the Delhi government, the bench said, "the impugned order of the GNCTD is set aside." During the brief hearing, Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain told the bench that the Election Commission was also seized of the matter pertaining to the appointment of 21 legislators as parliamentary secretaries. In its August 4 judgement, the High Court had held that Delhi was a Union Territory and LG remained its administrative head. The Centre had on July 13 opposed the appointment of 21 parliamentary secretaries by the Aam Aadmi Party government, saying the post neither finds place in the Constitution, nor does it find a place in the Delhi Members of Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualification) Act of 1997, except for the post of Parliamentary Secretary to the Chief Minister. The Delhi government had earlier told the court that it appointed the lawmakers as parliamentary secretaries to assist the government in the official work. It had said the government would not pay salary or provide any other perks, except office space and government transport, to the MLAs. Meanwhile, the Election Commission is also holding personal hearing of the 21 AAP lawmakers, who are facing the risk of disqualification from the Assembly, in the Office of Profit case. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had appointed 21 parliamentary secretaries to assist the Delhi government ministers. Thereafter, the government sought an amendment to the Delhi Members of Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualification) Act, 1997. Through the bill, AAP wanted "retrospective" exemption for the parliamentary secretaries from disqualification provisions. However, President Pranab Mukherjee had refused to sign the bill in June, following which the 21 ruling party MLAs did not have legal backing for holding the post of parliamentary secretaries. The EC had also taken "cognisance" of the President's decision against signing a Delhi government's bill to exclude the post of Parliamentary Secretary from the ambit office of profit. The 21 MLAs include Alka Lamba, Jarnail Singh, Adarsh Shastri and Rajesh Gupta, among others. Hyderabad: Vijayadasami, falling on October 11, is slated to be extra special this year with the newly-carved districts, revenue divisions and revenue mandals coming into existence. However, five days of holidays may not ensure attendance of all employees and officials at the new offices. Vijayadasami being the most auspicious day according to the Hindu almanac was been chosen by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao for reorganisation of the districts in the newly-formed state of Telangana. He had said that the public could avail of all services from that day at the new offices. But five holidays in a row may mean that that other than official celebrations, not much work will be done at the offices. The holidays are October 8 (second Saturday), October 9 (Sunday), October 10 (Monday, optional holiday), October 11 (Tuesday, Vijayadasami) and October 12 (Wednesday, Muharram). TNGOs president K. Ravinder Reddy said, It will be a formal inauguration. Clearance of files, attending to public grievances etc. will not happen on that day itself. Employees will naturally make use of the holidays. We can ensure functioning of new offices from the next working day. State power minister G. Jagadishwar Reddy said, We were told to inaugurate all new offices in a grand manner. For many years people have wanted new districts but previous governments did not bother to take it up. Vijayadasami day will be a red letter day in the history of Telangana. If there is a holiday, officers and employees will start functioning from the next immediate working day. We will all work to make the occasion the most eventful ever. Hyderabad: The Telangana state government does not have any plans to officially celebrate Hyderabad Liberation Day despite demands from the BJP and other organisations. The government has no plans to celebrate Hyderabad Liberation Day officially on September 17. It doesnt want to revive past wounds, a senior official told this newspaper. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had led the Police Action (actually a military action) against a reluctant Nizam and had merged the Hyderabad state with the Indian Union on September 17, 1948. TRS against bid to divide society says K Kavitha The TS government does not have any plans to officially celebrate Hyderabad Liberation Day. TRS MP K. Kavitha said on Wednesday that the moderate people of TS did not believe in Liberation Day. We believe in the day when Telangana state was merged with the Indian union. Even during the Telangana movement, the TRS had celebrated it as a Merger Day and hoisted the National Flag at the party office since then Andhra government would not recognise this day, she said. She added, We have always said the Nizam was certainly very good in lot of aspects. One or two things go wrong in everybodys rule. Babri Masjid (demolition) went wrong when Kalyan Singh was the CM. You cant dig up history and try to divide society now. The BJP has always been taking that view, and the TRS is always been opposing it right from the movement days, she remarked. Stating that it was a Merger Day, not a Liberation Day, she said it was certainly not a day to bring out differences between Hindu and Muslim communities in TS. Interestingly, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, as a Telangana movement leader, on August 23, 2010, in Warangal had warned the then Rosaiah government of a severe backlash if he did not celebrate the Telangana Liberation Day officially. But after the TRS come to power, he followed the stance of previous governments and confined celebrations to Telangana Bhavan. The MIM, an ally of the ruling TRS government, has opposed official celebrations on the plea that it reopens past wounds. Meanwhile, the TS BJP leadership has been quite vocal of late and has invited National BJP president Amit Shah to address a rally at Warangal on September 17 to relaunch the BJP with an eye on the 2019 elections. Union minister for information and broadcasting M. Venkaiah Naidu has added fuel to the fire demanding official celebrations for the first time. He suggested that the TS government also followed Maharashtra and Karnataka governments, which celebrate Hyderabad Liberation Day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Hyderabad on August 7, had advised the TS BJP to take up a Tiranga Yatra from August 15 to September 17. Pakistan was responding to Modi's comment at international fora this week that "one single nation in South Asia is spreading agents of terror in countries of our region". (Photo: File) Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday accused India of "destabilising" it by financing terrorism and supporting militancy, in a fresh rhetoric after Prime Minister Narendra Modi rapped Islamabad for producing and exporting terror. Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria at a weekly briefing in Islamabad said, "India is a country destabilising Pakistan through its support for militancy". Responding to Modi's veiled reference towards Pakistan at international fora this week that "one single nation in South Asia is spreading agents of terror in countries of our region", Zakaria said: "India is in fact that single nation". Read: 'Export of terror' common threat: At ASEAN, Modi takes aim at Pak again "Confessional statement by Kulbhushan (Jadav) is open evidence to show which country is involved in subversive activities in Pakistan," he said, referring to an alleged Indian spy claimed by Pakistan to be arrested in Balochistan. To a question whether Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would raise Kulbhushan issues at UN General Assembly session, he said that issue of Indian involvement and its "atrocities" in Kashmir would be highlighted. "The issue (of Kulbhushan) will be raised because of its direct links with incidents of terrorism in Pakistan," he said. He expressed deep concern over the alleged human rights violations by Indian forces in Kashmir, saying several youths were killed and over 10,000 injured in the ongoing tension. He said Pakistan started briefing the world about Kashmir issue as 22 parliamentarians started visiting various countries as Prime Minister's envoys to highlight "barbarism and worst kind of human rights violations" in Kashmir. Replying to a question regarding India's stand that UN resolutions on Kashmir have become inapplicable after Shimla agreement, Zakaria said Shimla Agreement cannot overrule the UN resolutions. He alleged that India violated UN resolutions and also the Shimla Agreement. He also said India launched Balochi language services to divert world attention from the Kashmir issue. New Delhi: Pakistan high commissioner Abdul Basit was summoned to the external affairs ministry on Wednesday and a strong protest lodged over the discourtesy shown to Indias high commissioner to Pakistan Gautam Bambawale. MEA spokesman Vikas Swarup said: Pakistan high commissioner Abdul Basit was summoned today (Wednesday) to the ministry of external affairs and conveyed the concern of the Government of India by secretary, west (Sujata Mehta) on the discourtesy to the Indian high commissioner. Mr Basit was told of Indias view on the discourtesy to Mr Bambawale by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce, that had cancelled an event at the last minute scheduled earlier this week. Mr Bambawale was due to speak at the event, the invitation for which was received and accepted by him a couple of weeks ago. He (Basit) was also conveyed our hope that our accredited diplomats in Pakistan will be allowed to discharge their normal functions without hindrance, Mr Swarup said. Mr Bambawale, who was on his first visit to Karachi after taking charge in January, was told about the cancellation just half an hour before the event. The organisers did not give any reason immediately for the cancellation. Indian officials felt, however, that Mr Bambawales comments on Monday about Pakistans interference in Kashmir, which he noted was Indias internal matter, had rattled the Pakistani authorities, prompting a cancellation. At a separate interactive session organised by the Karachi Council on Foreign Relations earlier this week, Mr Bambawale had taken a swipe at Pakistan over its interference in Kashmir, saying people living in glass houses shouldnt be throwing stones at others. Cannot ban pellet guns, J&K tells HC The PDP-BJP government has told the Jammu and Kashmir High Court that the use of pellet guns for crowd control cannot be banned as the same is not unconstitutional. It also said that the courts cannot guide the law enforcing agencies to act in a particular way or manner. The court, being not an expert, does not recommend as to how the law and order situations are to be controlled (sic.), the government said in its response to a PIL filed by the Kashmir High Court Bar Association, seeking a ban on the use of pellet guns. The PIL said that the use of pellet gun has not only maimed and blinded but also killed many people during the two-month-old unrest in the Valley. New Delhi: Activists of BJP Mahila Morcha on Thursday staged a protest against Arvind Kejriwal at the railway station in New Delhi, questioning his "silence" over expelled MLA Sandeep Kumar, with the AAP alleging that the Chief Minister was manhandled during the "pre-planned" protest. The activists led by Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha president Kamaljeet Sehrawat and party spokesman Praveen Kapoor raised slogans and waved bangles towards Kejriwal, who arrived at platform number 1 to board a train for Punjab at around 7 in the morning. Some activists managed to come close to Kejriwal despite presence of policemen. They demanded that Kejriwal speak on the alleged "misconduct" of his MLAs and expel Ashutosh for his controversial blog defending Sandeep Kumar, who was sacked as minister over an alleged sex scandal. Blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Delhi Police for the alleged manhandling of the Chief Minister at the hands of women protesters of the BJP, the AAP said the law enforcing agency was a "mute spectator" during the "pre-planned" episode. BJP, however, denied any manhandling and said party activists resorted to political protest. "It is sad and shameful that people who once talked of daily dialogue with people today term political protest as an attack," Kapoor said. Sehrawat said the Mahila Morcha had recently met Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and warned him about the "gherao" of Kejriwal. The AAP on it part wondered whether this was a conspiracy against the Chief Minister with Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia questioning the reason behind the alleged lapse. "Is Modi ji conspiring with the Delhi Police and the BJP to attack Arvind Kejriwal? Was the morning episode (manhandling of the CM) a rehearsal to it," Sisodia tweeted. Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh charged that the police first informed the BJP that Kejriwal would not be given any security cover and then got the Chief Minister attacked. "Modiji's police first told the BJP (about its inability) to provide security cover and then got Arvind Kejriwal attacked. Is any conspiracy brewing against the Chief Minister," Singh tweeted. The Delhi Police had on Wednesday turned down the request from Kejriwal's office to send security personnel to Punjab by road. Kejriwal is on a four-day visit to poll-bound Punjab beginning on Thursday. KOZHIKODE: Clad in a saffron dhoti along with a boho designer shirt and riding an old bicycle is all that a guy in his 30s looked like when he was spotted near Kozhikode Beach on Wednesday, playing the guitar. He was a foreign pilgrim, all the way from Brazil, 'on a quest for the Himalayas' in his bicycle bought from Chennai, in search of 'truth'. Since he had taken a vow not to utter a single word till he reaches his destination, he communicated with DC through a diary where he wrote and expressed his desire to know about peoples faith and how it is different from the faith he had experienced all his life. Having no penny in his hand, he has been surviving on begging with a small vessel in his hand. When asked what his name was, all that he wrote in the piece of paper was My name is Sadhu. I dont wish to be called by any other name or to be known by any family," he says. "It was due to my atheist view I transformed myself into a new person that gave me the motivation to lead a life of a faithful, but a faith not of any religion. This journey will also be about to know how people think about faith," he said. He started his journey from Brazil a few months ago and reached Chennai as the first leg of his journey to the Himalayas. Later from Chennai, he started his pilgrimage on the bicycle, and wherever he stopped, he played his guitar to soothe himself, connecting it to the faith in which he believes. When asked about his motto, he said, I heard that Mount Kailash is a sacred place of worship for different religions and a common destination for pilgrims. So I want to go there, meet some pilgrims and ask them about real faith, the ultimate truth. COLUMBUS A local youth violence-prevention group associated with Center for Survivors could lose its grant funding. Revolution, a traveling group of 44 local youths ages 14-20, writes and performs dramatizations to inform their peers about the dangers of dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. The group performs about 30 times a year in six area counties. But the federal program that keeps Center for Survivors' two youth programs afloat recently made changes to its funding guidelines. VOCA money, created by the federal Victims of Crime Act, is funneled through the Nebraska Crime Commission to individual counties and entities, such as Center for Survivors, that use the funding to assist crime victims. The money is approved through a grant process then paid as expenses are incurred. The new guidelines to apply for VOCA funding could cut out preventative services so more money can directed to victims' services. One of the impacted programs is Building Healthy Relationships, a 10-week course offered by Center for Survivors that's included in area schools' curriculum. This is the first school year since the course was created in 1998 that it has not been offered in any area schools. The program, which costs about $80,000 a year to operate, previously reached schools in six area counties through adolescent advocates. The board is very driven to find the funding and resources for our prevention and education programs. We believe we need them to break the cycle of violence, said Hope Freshour, a member of the Center for Survivors board. Revolution director Abbie Tessendorf fears that program could be the next to be impacted. It takes about $35,000 a year to cover employee wages, travel expenses and educational materials for the peer education group. Tessendorf said preventative programs like Revolution and Building Healthy Relationships are important because they can reduce the amount of crisis services needed in the future by reaching youths before there's a problem. We have to reach (youths) differently, Tessendorf said. With adults we say, Hey, were here, and they come to us. But with kids we have to establish trust and thats what happens through (Building Healthy Relationships) and Revolution. Revolution continues to operate through other grants that replaced the VOCA funding, including $3,500 from Columbus Area United Way. But that means staff members must take the time to apply for a number of smaller grants to make up for the VOCA loss. Tessendorf, who has been a part of both programs since 2008, said violence-prevention programs should only be ended if they're not working, not because the funding guidelines changed. Freshour is confident Building Healthy Relationships will make a comeback in area schools and Tessendorf believes Revolution has too much community involvement and support to suddenly disappear. From June to August, Tessendorf said the Revolution participants volunteered more than 1,000 hours of their time at community events. Police rescuing the man who attempted for self-immolation in front of Raj Bhawan in Bhopal on Wednesday. (Photo: PTI) Bhopal: A whistle-blower of the infamous Vyapam scam on Wednesday afternoon attempted to immolate himself in front of the convoy of outgoing Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav. The whistle-blower was demanding the governors arrest for his alleged involvement in the scandal. Manoj Tripathy, 30 is one of the whistle-blowers of the Vyapam scam that hogged national limelight following death of 43 people directly or indirectly linked to it during the course of the investigation into the scandal by various probe agencies in the last three years. On Wednesday, he suddenly appeared in front of the main gate of Raj Bhawan here and set himself on fire when Mr Yadavs convoy was heading towards the state hangar to fly him to Lucknow, his home town. Mr Yadavs tenure as Governor of MP, marred by controversies, ended on Wednesday. Taking security forces deployed there by surprise, the right to information (RTI) activist suddenly set himself ablaze and shouted slogans demanding Mr Yadavs arrest for his alleged role in the Vyapam scam involving irregularities in admissions in medical colleges in the state and appointments in government jobs. Policemen caught hold of him and extinguished the fire. He was later arrested for causing breach in the VVIP security. Last year, special task force constituted by the MP High Court to probe the scam, filed an FIR against Mr Yadav on charges of rigging the forest guard recruitment examination. He was booked under the Information Technology Act and Prevention of Corruption Act. The immunity he enjoyed due to occupying the constitutional position so far has prevented the investigation agencies from bringing him under the purview of inquiry. Meanwhile, Gujarat Governor O.P. Kohli was scheduled to be administered oath as Governor of MP too on Thursday. New Delhi: A senior PDP leader and Parliament Member Muzzafar Hussain Baig on Thursday suggested that Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti should consider resigning if she feels the 'Agenda of Alliance' between PDP and its ruling partner BJP is a "paper of fraud and not a paper of good faith". Baig, a founder member of the PDP, expressed the hope that Mehbooba will be able to take control of the situation but cautioned her that in case she feels that the two "alliance partners are incompatible", she is left with only one option and that is to resign. The PDP leader said he had no two opinions that their party president will live up to expectations and bring the situation in the restive Kashmir Valley under control. However, "if she comes to a conclusion that she is not getting enough support and she cannot deliver on the promises that she made to the people, of course, the only course left for her will be to resign. "In six months if there is no progress, it will be honourable for the chief minister to resign," Baig was quoted as saying to a TV channel. "If this alliance does not work for inner contradictions, because we are incompatible and what we have on paper is a paper of fraud and not a paper of good faith...if she comes to that conclusion and she does not get the support she must resign in honour," Baig, who is in the national capital, told TV channels. He said the PDP was suffering on the ground. "It is the worker at the ground level, the cadre that makes the party, they are losers any which way. We have not benefited them a bit, we have done nothing for our workers. We have not acted upon our common agenda of alliance. That is the real reason why we are in trouble today," he said. Baig, who has been the Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister in the state, said the Centre was being shown a different view of the situation in the state. "It's a case of a General who has a broader view of the situation while the soldier at the ground has a different (view). "Take the case of Hurriyat Conference. Too little attention has been given to them," he said and added that if the Centre feels they are not the stakeholders, keep them on the side and talk to Pakistan directly. He said a sense of "disillusion" was running deep into party cadre but even in these tough times, "I have not heard a single responsible person saying that Mehbooba should resign because she has failed." "My personal view is that when there is a challenge, when there is a strife and uprising, you should never resign. That time you should show your strength both as a human being and as a functionary of an Indian state, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, you should show your mettle, if you have any mettle. "But once there is peace and still the alliance does not work, either for ideological reasons or administrative reasons or lack of agreement on implementing the Agenda of Alliance, that will be the right time to dissolve the government both for BJP and PDP but never run away when it is a difficult time," he said. Preeti Rathi, who was attacked with acid in Mumbai in 2013. Mumbai: 26-year-old Ankur Lal Panwar, convicted of murdering nurse Preeti Rathi in Mumbai in 2013, was on Thursday awarded capital punishment by a Mumbai sessions court. The prosecution on Wednesday had demanded death penalty for the convict, who had thrown acid on Rathi leading to severe burn injuries, which caused her death by multiple organ failure a few weeks later. Special Judge A S Shende, who convicted Panwar on Tuesday, heard the prosecution and the defence on the point of sentence. Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam had termed the case fit for death sentence, saying that it falls in the "rarest of the rare" category. Objective of the sentencing is to deter criminals and like-minded persons from committing such crime, he said, contending that "the court would be failing in its duty if a just and appropriate punishment was not awarded". Nikam submitted that the country has now become so conscious about crime against women that after the Delhi gangrape case of 2012, amendments were made to IPC. Acid attack is a crime against women, he said, seeking an exemplary punishment for the convict. Panwar did not commit the crime on the spur of the moment but it was a pre-planned attack, said the prosecutor. "If he is given a lesser punishment and if he is released after completing the sentence, other girls would not be safe," Nikam said. Meanwhile, the district legal services authority has asked the Maharashtra government to pay a compensation of Rs two lakh to Rathi's parents, besides another Rs 2000 for the expenses of her funeral. Her parents had applied to the authority for compensation. New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday gave assent to the Constitution Amendment Bill on Goods and Services Tax (GST), a major step towards rolling out the new indirect tax regime which the Modi government wants to come into effect from April 1 next year. Mukherjee has given approval to the bill, official sources said on Thursday. The passage of the bill will pave the way for setting up of a GST council that will decide the tax rate, cess and surcharges. The GST is a single indirect tax which will subsume most of the central and state taxes such as Value Added Tax (VAT), excise duty, service tax, central sales tax, additional customs duty and special additional duty of customs. The Parliament had on August 8 passed the bill which was then circulated to state governments seeking its ratification. A Constitution amendment bill needs to be ratified by the legislative Assemblies of at least 50 per cent of the states. The bill was sent to the President's secretariat after as many as 17 states, BJP-ruled Assam being the first, ratified the bill. The other states which have passed the legislation include Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Nagaland, Maharashtra, Haryana, Sikkim, Mizoram, Telangana, Goa, Odisha and Rajasthan. Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia had recently said that the government is ahead of schedule for implementation of GST. "Instead of 30 days kept for this (states' ratification), it is achieved in 23 days," he had said in a tweet. Now that the bill has got Presidential assent, the government will notify the GST Council, which will decide on the tax rate. Headed by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the Council will comprise state Finance Ministers. The states and the Centre are working overtime and talking to stakeholders to draft the Central GST, State GST and Integrated GST laws, which are to be passed in the Winter Session of Parliament. The CGST and IGST will be drafted on the basis of the model GST law. The states will draft their respective State GST (SGST) laws with minor variation incorporating state-based exemptions. The IGST law would deal with inter-state movement of goods and services. Hyderabad: Around 400 students of Muffakam Jah College protested on Wednesday in front of the college demanding a foot overbridge. Student Rohit Lingala said, Over 60 per cent of the college students commute by state-run buses and need to cross the roads daily in the morning and in thr evening. The management had written to the GHMC commissioner requesting for a FOB. We demand safety measures. Students claimed that there were two major and 10 minor accidents monthly but Banjara hills traffic inspector Vidya Sagar said the jurisdiction saw seven minor accidents that occurred on Roads 9, 10 and 12. It was less than 10 in July, he said. DCP North, Traffic, L.S. Chauhan added, The department has advised GHMC to construct an FOB in front of the college. Speed-breakers are not advisable since it needs free flow of traffic and breakers will lead to more accidents. When approached, 108 ambulance services refused to give data on the number of accident calls received from Road Number 3, Banjara Hills. Gandhi has been aggressively attacking Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi but has taken only veiled jibes at the SP government in the state. (Photo: File) Lucknow: As Rahul Gandhi undertakes his 2,500-km yatra in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday termed the Congress scion as a good human being and said they can forge a "friendship" if he spends more time in the state, setting off speculation about a political realignment. Akhilesh, however, shrugged off a question on possible alliance between Congress and the Samajwadi Party in run-up to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. "Rahulji bahut acche insan hain, bahut acche ladke hain. UP me jyada rahenge to hamari bhi dosti unse hogi...do acche log mil jaye to kya kharab baat hai? (Rahul is a good human being and a good boy. If he spends more time in UP, we can also have friendship with him...If two good human beings meet, what's wrong in that)," he said. During his ongoing 'Kisan Mahayatra' in the state, Gandhi has been aggressively attacking Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi but has taken only veiled jibes at the SP government in the state. When Akhilesh was asked about chances of SP-Congress coalition, he said, "Aap isme rajniti kyun dekh rahe hain" (Why are you seeing politics in it?) He was talking to media after a Cabinet meeting. On locals carrying away cots, many on their bicycles, after Gandhi's 'Khat Panchayat', Akhilesh said, "At least the bicycle (SP's poll symbol) has some use for them...had it been taken by samajwadis, you (media) would have said samajwadi goondas took it away". Asked about state minister Azam Khan's controversial comments on BR Ambedkar, Akhilesh said the issue should not be politicised. "In Uttar Pradesh, elections are nearing. No one should become 'thekedar' of 'mahapurush' (great personalities). You should not let them become 'thekedar of mahapurush," he said. On the Cabinet meeting, Akhilesh said, it was decided to hike old age pension from Rs 300 to Rs 500 per month, formation of new nagar panchyats and construction of Acharya Narendra Dev Memorial park in Sitapur. Besides, the Cabinet also discussed formation of UP Yuva Niti-2016 and a policy to give free smartphones to people. "How to give smartphones in the days to come was discussed. Its registrations will be started soon. It (smartphones) will help reduce distance and information will reach fast in rural areas," he said. "It is being felt that information regarding government schemes and policies did not reach people. Giving smartphones will help in governance," he said. The Cabinet also decided to employ over 30,000 BPEd (Bachelor in Physical Education) passouts, who were agitating for past few years while working on honoraium in government schools. According to the officials, till now these CBSE and ICSE schools were not following the state norms on RTE, stating that they were governed by the central boards. The future of over 20,000 students hangs in the balance, while the popular National Public Schools itself stares at an uncertain future. In one fell swoop, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), dealt a serious blow to the group of institutions, and more so students who will now have to either get admission in other schools, that too in the middle of the academic year or choose a different syllabus altogether. What next ? This was the question posed by thousands of parents to the NPS management a day after CBSE de-affiliated the six branches of the school. As per the circular issued by the CBSE on Tuesday, the National Public School (NPS) which has five main campuses in the city and one campus in Mysuru, has lost affiliation for all its schools. This means schools cannot continue with their admission process for the next academic year and henceforth will be governed by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), Karnataka government. The school also has to follow the state education rules and syllabus. Parents and students are worried about the various implications of the CBSE decision. Even though the CBSE decision will not result in the closure of any of these six schools, there are a lot of changes expected in the coming days if NPS fails to get any reprieves from the court of law. One of the implications of the CBSE de-affiliation is that the school will now come under the administrative control of the DPI. According to the DPI officials, as per the CBSE circular, NPS cannot run classes 9 and 11 from the academic year 2017-18 which implies that students studying in classes 8 and 10 either have to switch to another CBSE school or opt for the state syllabus. These are the possibilities only if NPS fails to get any judicial remedy for the CBSE decision. Speaking to this newspaper, an officer from the state education department informed that this NPS development is a welcome one for many reasons. Till now all CBSE/ ICSE affiliated schools did not bother to implement any rules and regulations put forth by the union and state governments. They were quite convinced that CBSE would not take action, based on the state governments direction. Following the NPS incident, now all the schools will fall in line, he said. What next? According to the sources in the state government, the state education department and CBSE are expected to grant one time relief to the NPS if they come forward to implement the RTE quota in full spirit, beside accommodating extra students. Dont panic According to an email circulated by the NPS management to all its students and parents on Wednesday, the school has clarified that it has admitted students from disadvantaged groups under the Right to Education (RTE) quota. It added that the school has committed no mistake. Students and parents need not panic. We will explore all the possibilities, informed the email. The school also made it clear that it has not received any intimation from the CBSE over cancellation of the affiliation. DPI gets bigger RTE stick CBSE's decision to withdraw its affiliation comes as a big surprise for the state education department. Officials are of the view that this development is intended to give them more power to streamline the admission process under the Right to Education (RTE) act. According to the officials, till now these CBSE and ICSE schools were not following the state norms on RTE, stating that they were governed by the central boards. They were always playing the minority card to get exemption. There were complaints that a few schools were even misusing them, but we could not do anything about that. Last year DPI wanted an elite school to be de-affiliated for rejecting the RTE students. But the school escaped from the CBSE action on technical grounds. But now the NPS development has proved that CBSE is now taking the recommendations made by the state government, seriously, said an officer. When it comes to fee structure and other issues we can now approach the central boards, he added. But academicians feel that the need of the hour is a non-discriminatory act to implement the RTE quota in all schools, including minority schools. According to Dr. Gauri Shankar, an independent researcher, the central government should follow the NEET module. Minority schools are denying seats to RTE students saying they have minority status. Let them provide 25% quota for students from their own community/religion. Presently these schools are not doing any favors to the poor families of the same communities, he said. NEET is now applicable to all the medical colleges. This judgement should be followed here too. While allocating seats, let DPI ensure that minority schools get more students from their own community, he concluded. Minority schools should get their RTE plans in order: K.V. Dhananjay, Advocate, Supreme Court The National Public Schools in Bengaluru are affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), New Delhi. These schools are very popular and have earned several academic distinctions at national level examinations. Still, the unthinkable happened this week. The CBSE took the extreme step of removing its affiliation to six of these schools, thereby removing the very lifeblood of these schools. However, the CBSE has allowed the current 9th and 10th Standard students in these schools to take their 10th Board examination (in 2017 and 2018) without hindrance. Still, the education law in Karnataka now forces these schools to shut down because of other students, if these schools do not obtain immediate affiliation of the State Education Board or the CISCE (popularly known as the ICSE), the only private Education Board recognised by the Government of Karnataka. The moral and legal blame for this mess lies squarely on the school management, though they themselves might have been duped and victimized by someone else. The management allegedly did the unthinkable it forged and prepare a central government document to claim minority status. But why? Minority Institutions are outside the RTE Act. Two types of minorities are recognised in India religious and linguistic. The Central Government issues a certificate to recognise a religious minority and the State Government issues a certificate to recognise a linguistic minority. In this case, these schools allegedly submitted a forged Central Government certificate to say that the Central Government has recognised them as a linguistic minority a topsy-turvy way of going about things. It got caught in the process. It is an extremely serious crime to forge a Central Government record. As a lawyer who has represented the largest number of private unaided schools of Karnataka in Courts, I have no hesitation is saying that I have not come across any other incident of such forgery by a school. However, if any other school is in possession of such a forged record, it should admit to its mistake immediately, hand over the culprit to the police and save itself from all further trouble. The culprit could be a lawyer, member of the Management, external consultant or a politician stakeholder. Even if one Management member forges such a record, the rest of the Management too could be legally hauled up if they turn a blind eye and keep quiet about the crime. A minority school has a clear and public duty to keep its minority record in a transparent manner. As the law itself allows a minority school to remain outside the RTE Act, schools that claim such a status will naturally be asked many questions about their minority status and they should be in a position to lawfully justify their minority status. They should never ever resort to such quackery and crime. New Delhi: Italy on Thursday made a fresh plea in the Supreme Court for modification of bail conditions of marine Massimiliano Latorre to enable him remain in Italy till an international tribunal decides on which country has the right to try the case of killing of Indian fishermen. The apex court agreed to hear on September 20 the plea in which Latorre has sought imposition of same bail conditions that were made applicable to marine Salvatore Girone, his co-accused in killing of two fishermen off Kerala coast in 2012. A bench comprising Justices A R Dave and L Nageswara Rao decided to hear the plea filed by Italy on behalf of Latorre after a batch of senior lawyers, including K T S Tulsi, mentioned the matter and sought an urgent hearing on the ground that an earlier apex court order in the matter was valid till September 30 this year. "Modify the bail conditions of chief master sergeant Massimiliano Latorre in the same terms as those prescribed for sergeant major Salvator Girone by this court's order dated May 26 this year... to enable Latorre to remain in Italy until a final decision by the Annex VIII Arbitral Tribunal on the merits of the case that finds India may exercise jurisdiction over him in respect of the Enrica Lexie incident," the plea said. While relaxing Girone's bail conditions on May 26, the apex court had allowed him to go to his country till the jurisdictional issue between India and Italy was decided in an international arbitral tribunal. The apex court had imposed four conditions on Girone including that he has to report to police station in Italy on first Wednesday of every month and the Italian authorities have to inform the Indian Embassy in Rome about it. The second condition was that he will not tamper with any evidence, nor influence any witness in the case. The third condition was that Girone will give an undertaking that he will remain under the jurisdiction of Supreme Court and lastly, if found violating any of the conditions, his bail will be cancelled, the court had said. The marines, who were on board ship 'Enrica Lexie', are accused of killing two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast on February 15, 2012. The complaint against the marines was lodged by Freddy, the owner of fishing boat 'St Antony', in which the two Indian fishermen were killed when the marines opened fire on them allegedly under the misconception that they were pirates. BENGALURU: A city-based activist has filed a complaint against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, MLA B.R. Patil and Rajya Sabha member K.C. Ramamurthy accusing them of bribing MLAs of Rs 2 crore to get elected to the Rajya Sabha. The complainant, T.J. Abraham, approached the Vidhan Soudha police station on Wednesday and filed the complaint. In the complaint, he has stated that the accused allegedly bribed/induced some MLAs to vote for candidates for the legislative council and the Rajya Sabha. The polling was held on June 11, 2016. The complaint read, B.R. Patil who had already committed to extend support to JD(S) candidate A.M. Farook along with S. Thippeswamy, Sambhaji Lakshman Patil, Ashok Kheny, Guru Patil Shirval, Satish K. Sail, Mankala Subba Vaidya, Aravind Chandrakant Patil, B. Nagendra and P. Rajeev and had also signed the nomination papers for Farook on May 27. Yet, the Chief Minister along with his cabinet colleague allegedly indulged in inducing the MLAs/voters with Rs 2 crore each as inducements and bribes in the form of rewards as gratification for them to exercise their electoral right in favour of Congress Party candidate K.C. Ramamurthy. The voters were assured that other rewards too in the form of development work would be granted on a priority basis to their constituencies. After allegedly receiving Rs 2 crore each, all the 10 MLAs led by B.R. Patil openly changed their stand and pledged support to the Congress, claiming that the CM along with his cabinet colleague has promised to expedite development works in their constituencies." Vidana Soudha police have registered a case under IPC 171 (B) (bribery) and (C) (undue influence) at elections and under the Representation of the Peoples Act 123 (Corrupt practices). New Delhi: Seeking to put a lid on the debate in Andhra Pradesh, the Government on Thursday said the system of according Special Category Status for states has gone out of vogue following the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission. The central government, however, has agreed to give special assistance to Andhra Pradesh for five years which would make up for the additional funds the state might have received between 2015-16 and 2019-20 in pursuance of the promise made by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the time of bifurcation, an official release said. Meanwhile, not satisfied by the financial package announced by the Centre last night, Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Thursday witnessed an uproar with Opposition YSR Congress stalling proceedings over denial of special category status to the state. On the promise of former Prime Minister to accord special category status to Andhra Pradesh, the Finance Ministry release said, "...following the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission, the class of special category states ceases to exist." It further said that the additional assistance "will be in the form of central government funding for externally added projects for Andhra Pradesh signed and disbursed during these years." Referring to the financial package announced yesterday, the ministry said: "The government of India is thus honouring and shall honour all commitments made under the AP Reorganisation Act. The package includes full funding of Pollavaram irrigation project, tax concessions and a special assistance. Andhra Pradesh, which financially suffered because of creation of separate state of Telangana in June 2014, will get a railway zone as also all cost incurred on the irrigation part of Polavaram project from the date it was declared a National Project on April 1, 2014, will be funded by the Centre. New Delhi: Cultivating trust in Jammu and Kashmir is not 'manna' (heavenly gift) but needs "tangible and concrete actions" like constituting a small group of MPs to constantly and periodically interact with all stakeholders, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury has said. Yechury, who has been part of all-party delegations that have visited Kashmir since 2008, candidly said he was very "disturbed" with the alienation that he found was deeper now than any time before. "It was a very disturbing experience to be there in this time in Srinagar. Disturbing in the sense that I have not seen the degree of alienation so deep any time before," the CPI(M) General Secretary said. He said he had been to the state in the troubled times of 2008 and 2010 with parliamentary delegations, but "somehow the feedback or the vibes this time were very disturbing. Why this alienation, is something that still bothers me." Yechury favoured creation of a small group of MPs for constantly monitoring the situation in the Valley and holding talks on a regular basis with the stakeholders. "The effectiveness of the decisions we took and the statement we adopted at the all-party delegation level are crucially dependent on the sincerity of the government in implementing it. "I have said in the meeting itself that mere repetition of 'Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat and Kashmiriyat' that (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee used or the coinage of 'Vikas and Vishwas' that the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) used, are meaningless unless they are backed by concrete actions. "Vishwas (trust) is not manna to fall from heaven, it has to be created. Vishwas has to be created, and if it has to be created, there have to be tangible steps on the ground," he said and reasoned that the slogan of Vajpayee was backed by the declaration of unilateral ceasefire - 'Ramzan ceasefire', followed by interactions with separatists which continued till January 2004. 'Manna' is the food miraculously dropped to people traversing through the wilderness of deserts, according to Holy Scriptures. "What I was telling this government is that mere phrases will not deliver. Phrases along with tangible and concrete actions will help," he said. Yechury said the main suggestion made at the all-party meeting on Wednesday was that the process should be carried forward. "There should be a smaller team of Members of Parliament, let the government decide on its composition that should be appointed for constant interaction and periodic interfaces with the stakeholders in Kashmir. "Until you have some sort of a mechanism like this, there are abrupt brakes," he said, but made it clear that there was "no commitment from the government so far on this". About his visit to the Kashmir valley on September 4, he said "it was a very very disturbing experience to be there in this time in Srinagar. Disturbing in the sense that I have not seen the degree of alienation so deep ever before. Yechury said there was a "string of betrayals of promises" that could be identified which includes non-implementation of Working Group's and Interlocutors' recommendations made during Manmohan Singh-led UPA government. The reports are gathering dust in some shelf in the government....Nothing has proceeded on them," he said and indicated that the people had little trust on the all party delegation that visited the Valley recently. "So, therefore, there was a question in Srinagar -- some asked and many did not ask ... We could know they are feeling it and it was that what is the point of another delegation. What has been done to the earlier recommendations? If nothing has moved forward, what will you do? "So this trust deficit has to be met and that is what we decided. In 2010, I broke out of the delegation and went and met Mr Geelani and at that time, it worked. Soon thereafter, the stone-pelting had stopped and normalcy restored and then interlocutors were appointed. And now, all this happens," he said. He regretted that there has been no follow up action till now and therefore these frequent clashes between protestors and security forces have continued. On the demand for autonomy made by the National Conference, he said "we are very clear and said this publicly that this process of political dialogue should go back to 1948. And revisit -- I am not talking of restoring that position - I am talking of revisiting all that was promised to the state of Jammu and Kashmir in Article 370. "And subsequent developments that have happened. Whatever is anachronistic needs to be set right. Begin the exercise of revisiting, which is not restoration, and the crucial element in that is autonomy," he said. His remarks come days after he announced the Samajwadi Smartphone scheme aimed at helping communication between the government and people, and eliciting direct feedback on government schemes. (Photo: PTI) Lucknow: Deflecting the Opposition's charges that his free smartphone scheme was a poll sop, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday termed it is an effort to bridge the gap between government and people with the help of technology. The BJP had on Wednesday moved the Election Commission against Yadav's announcement of free smart phones for the poor, claiming it violates the Model Code of Conduct. It claimed the scheme was an attempt to "be-fool" people by offering allurements before the elections. "We are not bribing people through the smartphone scheme. I have heard, they (the Opposition) are going to the Election Commission over it. Some even say we have a slogan 'We will give you mobile, you give us votes',"Yadav said at an official function here. His remarks come days after he announced the Samajwadi Smartphone scheme aimed at helping communication between the government and people, and eliciting direct feedback on government schemes. Yadav clarified, "The intention is to give as much facilities as possible. The biggest challenge before the government is how to take schemes to masses. Even they want to know what the government is doing for them. We are trying to bridge this gap with the help of smart phone technology." An app on the smartphone will provide people information about the state government's schemes through audio-visual and text. Registration for smartphones will begin in a month's time and distribution will start in the latter half of 2017, if the Samajwadi Party wins the elections due early next year. "Some said laptops (distributed as part of SP's poll promise in 2012) have not benefited anyone. I am going to hold a function and invite children who were the first to get it. I will ask them how it has benefited them," he said. Yadav laid the foundation stone for six hospitals, the Urdu Darwaza in Saharanpur and Agra Inner Ring Road (Phase-II). He said his government has tried to connect people and helped all sections of society. "If we have helped Hindi Sansthan, we have also helped the Urdu Sansthan and the Urdu Akademi. If we made a Haj House, we have also made 'bhajan sthals' in Faizabad and Chitrakoot," he said, adding people must have faith and love for each other. "Samajwadis have worked for litterateurs of all languages and given them proper respect and honour. There were governments which stopped awards meant for them," he said without mentioning the previous BSP government. The chief minister also hinted at bringing a scheme for easing traffic in cities. On the occasion, Yadav also praised senior minister Azam Khan for starting a school and a university in Rampur. Incidentally, Payagpur Congress MLA Mukesh Srivastava was also present at the function. Yadav indicated that Mukesh and some other legislators will soon join the Samajwadi Party. Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Assembly and Legislative Council passed a resolution ratifying the constitution amendment bill on Goods and Service Tax (GST) amid chaos on Thursday. Members of the Opposition YSR Congress staged a protest against the denial of special status to AP by the Centre. Stalling the proceedings they tore papers and threw them towards Speaker Kodela Siva Prasada Rao. The speaker then adjourned the house for 10 minutes. YSR Congress members continued the protest at the podium. Both the houses were rocked by loud protests by YSR Congress members who demanded the resignation of AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for his failure to get special status to AP. The Speaker had to adjourn the assembly a second time The house reassembled at 2 pm and Naidu said that after the implementation of GST, the tax burden on people would come down and the state and central governments revenue will improve. He said, however, there will be some problems in the initial stage but the Centre agreed to reimburse the losses incurred by the state governments for a period of five years. Charminars walls have been defaced by vandals. But new rules have led to a dip in number of incidents (Photo: DC) Hyderabad: Theres less graffiti being scribbled on Charminar these days. And the Archaeological Survey of India attributes this to installation of interpretation boards throwing light on the history of Charminar and increased vigilance. Charminar, like other historical and protected monuments such as the Golconda fort and Qutb Shahi tombs, is prone to vandalism. The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Site and Remains Act had even raised fines from Rs 5,000 and three months jail to Rs 1 lakh fine and two years jail. There has been a drop in incidents since the boards went up. Visitors are now more engrossed in studying the history of the monument and site, said Mr Ch Babji Rao, assistant, superintendent archaeologist and registering officer for AP and Telangana. In most incidents of defacing, the accused are mostly young and are warned, counselled and let off, he added. According to Mr Gopal Rao, ASI official at Charminar, there were at least one to two cases of defacing every day six months ago but now, its down to a couple of cases a week. Some even write their names on the walls with their nails. The monument bleeds to death because of such vandalism, rued Mr Babji Rao. The ASI has now posted 15 security guards who keep a close watch on visitors lest they enter danger zones or indulge in vandalism. Miscreants arrested by security personnel are handed over to nearby Charminar police station. They are warned, counseled and let off after an undertaking that they will not commit the crime again and after they tender an apology. There are no repeat cases in such incidents, Mr Gopal Rao added. Hyderabad: Irrigation minister T. Harish Rao on Thursday criticised the Telugu Desam and the Congress, especially AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, for trying to stall irrigation projects in Telangana by lobbying in New Delhi and approaching the courts. The government, would not bow to pressure, and complete all projects come what may, he said. AP CM Chandrababu Naidu is trying to bring pressure on the Centre to convene the apex committee meet and stop the Palamuru Lift Irrigation scheme. Telugu Desam says the project is a new one, there is no water in Krishna, we dont have rights and it should be stopped, Mr Rao said. While launching the second lift of the Kalwakurthy project in Mahbubnagar district at a function on Thursday, Mr Harish Rao asked TD leaders in Mahbubnagar and in the rest of the state whether they justified Mr Naidus actions. He said farmers would get water for 3.5 lakh acre now and 6 lakh acre by the next Kharif season. During Congress rule, foundation stone was laid simultaneously for Handri-Neeva and Kalwakurthy. Handri-Neeva was completed, but Kalwakurthy was ignored. During Congress and TD rule only 50 per cent works were completed but they falsely claim 98 per cent, 90 per cent and the likes, he remarked. He said Mr Naidu and Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy had repeatedly inaugurated the project. He added, Does the TD, which is trying to deny water from Palamuru, have the right to stay in TS? Naidu takes Godavari waters through Pattis-eema. We have to get 45 TMC as our share as per the Bachawat Award. Congress and TD Desam are filing cases in the courts. So far eight-nine cases are in High Court and Supreme Court, he said. The irrigation minister also slammed TPCC president Uttam Kumar Reddy for threatening to file cases in court if the government carved out Nagarkurnool district. Do you want Nagarkurnool district or not? he asked the crowds, who raised their hands in support. New Delhi: The Centre has completely ruled out either dilution or a partial withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from the Kashmir Valley. Credible information with the government suggests the demand to lift the AFSPA being propagated by the separatists is part of a well-calibrated strategy to weaken the security establishment. The separatists, sources said, were aware that the local police was not competent to handle a crisis of the magnitude the Valley was now facing, and thus by raking up the demand to lift AFSPA they hoped to weaken security operations in the Valley. Army Chief Gen. Dalbir Singh Suhag will visit the Valley on Friday to review the security situation. The Army Chief had a detailed meeting with home minister Rajnath Singh Wednesday, to review security mechanisms to check infiltration. The Centre has reiterated that Pakistan was behind the ongoing violence in the Valley and there was no possibility of any dialogue with it. Separatists want theocratic state The separatists want to use the countrys political system to pressure the security forces by getting rid of the AFSPA so that the Indian State is weakened. We can categorically say we will not allow this to happen. The separatists want to establish a theocratic state through violence means, a top official said. There are as many as 2,500 complaints pending against Army personnel over security operations in J&K, and if they arent protected under AFSPA, legal action will have to be initiated against all of them. An analysis of the current turbulence in the Valley reveals that the separatists, as part of their plan, want the stone-pelting mobs to compel the security forces to retaliate against them, in the hope of playing the victim card, whereas it is they who are provoking the violence. Hyderabad: The Special Assistance Measure (SAM) that the Centre announced for AP late on Wednesday night has only the schemes that are already being implemented in the state. The Centre did not accept a single demand of the AP government, according to the details of the SAM that were announced on Thursday. The Centre made it clear that for the construction of the capital city Amaravati, Rs 1,000 crore more would be paid in due course. On the Polavaram Project, the Centre said it would provide 100 per cent of the remaining cost of the irrigation component. The state has to bear expenditure relating to power and drinking water. The SAM does not mention Centrally-sponsored schemes to be funded at the rate of 90:10 ratio as demanded by the state government. The Centre said the decision was taken on the recommendations made by Niti-Aayog vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya who had studied various aspects of the support to be given to AP under the Reorganisation Act. The Centre said that following the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission, the class of special category states had ceased to exist. Centre mum on aid to districts The Centre agreed to give the special assistance measure to AP for five years, which would make up for the additional Central share the state might have received from 2015-16 to 2019-20. This would be in the form of the Centre funding externally aided projects for Andhra Pradesh, signed and disbursed during these years. The Centre did not mention the state governments demands on sanction of Rs 500 crore per year for the next five years in the absence of sanctioning industrial investments to the state, sanction of separate railway zone to AP, Visakhapatnam as headquarters, financial assistance to metro rail projects in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam and delimitation of Assembly constituencies, from 175 to 225. The Centre said the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had given in-principle approval for the establishment of a major port at Durgarajapatnam on PPP basis, subject to feasibility. The proposals of the Steel Authority of India, Indian Oil Corportion or HPCL to set up units in AP were being examined as provided in the Reorganization Act. New Delhi: The Supreme Court which on August 29 had stayed the probe into the Bulandshahar gangrape incident on Thursday asked the CBI to continue its probe and complete the same expeditiously. On August 29, a bench of Justices Dipak Misra and C. Nagappan had stayed the probe on the ground that it was being conducted by the UP police. On Thursday, the CBI moved an application for vacating the stay pointing out that when the stay order was passed the probe had already been transferred to it by the Allahabad High Court and it could not proceed in view of the stay. Accepting the submissions made by the Additional Solicitor-General Maninder Singh in this regard for the CBI, the Supreme Court bench modified the August 29 order and said the CBI can continue its probe which it had started from August 18. The activist had been identified in initial reports as opposition National Conferences block president Abdur Rashid Khanday but the partys working president Omar Abdullah denied it. (Representational image) SRINAGAR: Suspected militants snatched the rifles of policemen after attacking the guard post at the residence of a mainstream political activist in Begom village of Jammu and Kashmirs southern Kulgam district overnight, officials here said on Thursday. The activist had been identified in initial reports as opposition National Conferences block president Abdur Rashid Khanday but the partys working president Omar Abdullah denied it. He tweeted, To set the record straight, he was NOT a NC office-bearer & hasnt been affiliated to the party since 2002 or so. (sic). Police sources said that a group of gunmen, believed to be the members of the Hizbul-Mujahedin, barged into the residential compound of Mr. Khanday at Begom during the intervening night of September 7 and 8, forced the policemen in his security detail to surrender their four service rifles to them. They left the place without causing any harm to the politician or the policemen but took away their weapons, the sources said. The arms which the militants decamped with included two INSAS rifles, one SLR and 303 rifles each from the policemen who have since been placed under suspension by the authorities pending inquiry into the incident, the sources said. A police spokesman while confirming the incident said here that unknown militants entered into the guard room at the residence of political protectee and decamped with the services weapons of his security guards. The spokesman said, The police has taken the cognizance and investigations are on Separately, militants targeted a police station in neighbouring Pulwama district with rifle fire and grenades shortly after midnight Wednesday night, leading to an exchange of fire between them and the police. The government recently took over an acre of land belonging to the Kukat-pally government school and handed it over to Kukatpally Metro station. Hyderabad: The Telangana state government is eyeing land belonging to government schools to create parking facilities for a few Hyderabad Metro Rail stations and to set up model markets. The government recently took over an acre of land belonging to the Kukat-pally government school and handed it over to Kukatpally Metro station. Official sources said the government was now eying land of government schools located in Musheerabad, Himayatnagar, Kacheguda, Begumpet and Nampally. Teachers unions are upset with the governments move which they say will weaken the schools instead of strengthening them to check commercialisation of education. Hyderabad Metro Rail is constructing 65 stations in three corridors. It has been able to find parking areas 17 so far. Since all these stations are located in prime locations, it has become difficult for Metro officials to find parking for the remaining 48 stations. Acquiring private properties will impose a heavy financial burden on the government since land in these locations cost from Rs 30,000 per sq. yard to over Rs 1 lakh per sq. yard. HMR asked for parking in schools The proposal of taking over lands in government schools was floated by Metro officials, which was approved by the government. Fearing a backlash from teachers unions and students organisations, the government is taking up the process quietly without issuing any official orders or circulars. The issue came to light after the government recently took over one acre of land belonging to the government school in Kukatpally and handed it over to Kukatpally Metro station. In addition, the GHMC had sought government school lands at 20 locations to set up model markets. GHMCs proposals have already been rejected. There is pressure to allot lands for stations since Metro Rail operations cannot be taken up unless parking is provided, said an official of the education department. Teachers unions expressed ire at the governments move. We will oppose this strongly. It will be a disturbance for teachers and students if parking is provided on school premises. The government on one hand talks of strengthening government schools to check commercialisation of education, but on the other hand it is taking steps which will weaken these schools further, said PRTU leader G. Harshvardhan Reddy. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis invited an ostracised couple to his official residence to perform Ganesha puja. (Photo: PTI) Mumbai: A couple, facing social boycott in their village in coastal Konkan, on Thursday performed puja of the Ganesh idol installed at Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' official residence Varsha in south Mumbai. The couple, Parmanand Hewalekar and wife Preetam, had reached the main gate of Mantralaya, the state Secretariat, on Wednesday, with an idol of Ganesh, after residents of their village barred them from celebrating Ganesh puja. Fadnavis invited them to Varsha after hearing their plight, an official said. The couple was on a dharna at Mantralaya last night to seek justice against their social boycott. The Hewalekars have been ostracised by the 'jaat panchayat' of their village Mahadevache Kerwade in Kudal tehsil of Sindhudurg district. The ugly spectre of caste panchayats in Maharashtra resurfaced in August when a 45-year-old autorickshaw driver in Punewas allegedly driven to commit suicide after suffering sustained humiliation at the hands of an illicit caste tribunal. Arun Kisan Naikunji, who belonged to the Lingayat Gawli caste, allegedly took his own life at his home in Pune's Wadgaon Sheri area by hanging himself after he and his family were boycotted relentlessly for two years by the caste tribunal. He had suffered social exclusion for reportedly supporting an inter-caste marriage, which was attended by the victim's brother. Chennai: Even while the focus shifted to the September 9 bandh called by pro-Kannada groups and farmers outfits in Karnataka, PMK founder S. Ramadoss demanded the deployment of Army to protect Tamils in the neighbouring state, while Tamil Maanila Congress leader G.K. Vasan charged the Karnataka government with instigating the agitations which are not spontaneous. DMDK leader Vijayakanth called for linking of rivers in the country as a permanent solution, while Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol. Thirumavalavan harped on all-party meeting in Tamil Nadu to discuss the situation. Even while the pro-Kannada outfits threatened to block news channels owned by Tamils, stop screening of Tamil films and stop vehicles from Tamil Nadu, the PMK leader said tension in Karnataka had increased after the water release from Cauvery. Recalling the violence against Tamils in June 1991 when the interim verdict of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal was delivered, Ramadoss asked Karnataka government to strengthen security and deploy military or paramilitary forces for protection of Tamils. Vijayakanth sought the linking of rivers to find a permanent solution to the water disputes. The river water disputes should not turn into clashes between people of two states, he added. BJP state president Tamilisai Soundararajan speaking to reporters at Coimbatore said though Tamil Nadu had equal rights on Cauvery water, the state is in a peculiar situation of getting it through legal process. She said the agitations in Karnataka were against the national spirit. Vasan blamed the Centre for not forming the Cauvery Management Board and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee and said the BJP and Congress are playing politics on Cauvery issue, denying justice for Tamil Nadu. Thirumavalavan speaking to reporters here wanted the convening of all party meeting in Tamil Nadu to discuss the next steps to be taken to obtain more water for samba cultivation. Cops moving the body of one of the victims from the railway track on Wednesday (Photo: DC) Chennai: Four workers walking on the railway tracks between Nungambakkam and Chetpet were killed after a suburban train going from Tambaram to Chennai Beach hit them on Wednesday afternoon. According to government Railway Police officials investigating the case said that train number 40082 hit the workers who were walking one behind the other on the railway tracks used by electric trains and the impact was such that while two were thrown off, two landed under the train, at around 3 pm. I was informed of the incident at 3.15 PM. One worker who had suffered injuries on the head, chest and leg, was taken to Rajiv Gandhi general hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, said a railway police official. The incident happened near the Pachaiyappas College Hostel road where the tracks take a curve. Since the tracks were in a curve and the train was going at a good speed, it would not have been possible for the loco pilot to apply sudden brakes as it would have led to a derailment. After the men were hit, the train was stopped and the two men were pulled out. One of them died at the hospital, a GRP official said. One of the deceased was found to be a 35-year-old man, Prasanta Garada, hailing from Koraput in Odisha. The police are in the process of ascertaining the identities of the remaining three. A day earlier, a toddler was killed and her mother critically injured after falling off a train at Mambalam station. The Sheep Merchants Association has been told that they can do business after the Tolichowki flyover up to Gachibowli as the road is wide. Hyderabad: There will be no sale of sheep from the busy Mehdipatnam-Nanalnagar junction for Bakrid this year, easing traffic congestion. Every year, motorists are caught up in traffic jams on Mehdipatnam-Tolichowki-Gachibowli route as an estimated 4 lakh sheep are lined up for sale on both sides of the road two days ahead of Bakrid, which is on Tuesday this year. A majority of sheep and goat merchants have agreed to our proposal. Though originally it was proposed not to allow sale of sheep up to the Tolichowki flyover, sheep merchants persisted on their demand for sales to be allowed from Nanalnagar junction and this was agreed to, said DCP (traffic) A.V. Ranganath. The Sheep Merchants Association has been told that they can do business after the Tolichowki flyover up to Gachibowli as the road is wide. Tolichowki Sheep and Goat Vendors Association leader Md Azam said though they had agreed to move out from Mehdipatnam, traffic cops should understand that vehicular traffic would still be affected on Tolichowki-Seven Tombs Road because of the festivities. They should regulate the traffic in coordination with our volunteers for smooth flow of traffic and conduct of business as well, he said. Police disperse Kannada activists who stopped the Tamil Nadu bound train during a protest against the Supreme Court verdict on release of Cauvery water for Tamil Nadu, in Bengaluru on Wednesday. (Photo: AP) TRICHY/THANJAVUR: Karnataka may have complied with the Supreme Court order by releasing 15,000 cusecs of water, but farmers in the Cauvery Delta region in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday expressed disappointment at the move saying the quantum of water being released will not be enough for cultivation of samba crops. The Karnataka government had on Tuesday late night released 10,000 cusecs from Krishnarajasagar Dam and 5,000 cusecs of water from the Kabini dam in Mysuru after the Supreme Court ordered it to release 15,000 cusecs of water daily for 10 days. Though the water released by Karnataka would reach the Mettur dam by Thursday afternoon, farmers arent really enthused. They say at least 90 tmcft of water is needed for cultivation of samba crops that would be spread over 150 days and with the release of just 13 tmcft of water from Karnataka in the next ten days, they would get water only for 25 to 35 days. The farmers said though they welcome the release of water, it is not enough for cultivation. We need water for 130-150 days for cultivation of samba crops. The SC has asked the Karnataka Government to release 12-13 tmcft of water for the next 10 days. With the 38 tmcft of water that is already stored in the Mettur dam, the total comes to 50 tmcft. But they would release only 30 tmcft for cultivation since 20 tmcft would be stored in the dam, Ayyakannu, President, National River Linking Farmers Association, said. He said the water that is expected from the monsoon rains would help them in cultivation for 30 days. Still, the farmers who depend on samba will have no water for another 60 to 70 days and the Supreme Court order will have no impact on the farmers, he said. Echoing his views, another farmers leader Puliyur Nagaraj said farmers in the Delta region cultivate samba in 25 lakh hectares and they cant even start the cultivation of the crop with the water that is expected to be in Mettur dam. The water from Mettur dam is usually released to farmers in the Cauvery Delta districts of Trichy, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur. All political parties in Karnataka are united in protecting the interests of the farmers. We expect the same unity from our politicians in the state. Though Karnataka has released water, it is just not enough for cultivation. We request the Tamil Nadu government to convene an all-party meeting to decide the future course of action to save farmers interest, Mr Nagaraj said. P. R. Pandian, president of the Coordination Committee of All Farmers Associations, accused the Karnataka government of instigating the farmers who have blocked roads connecting Bengaluru with Mysuru and other roads. It is very clear that the Karnataka government is playing with the lives of farmers in Tamil Nadu. On one hand, they release water and on the other hand they instigate farmers to protest, he alleged. Mr Pandian wanted the Union government to ensure that Karnataka releases the 90 tmcft of water, which it was supposed to give to TN by August 31, 2016. bench asked senior counsel to see that they are also relieved and posted back as professors. (Representational image) New Delhi: Expressing shock over deputation of teachers as personal secretaries and officers on special duty to ministers and MLAs in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana state, the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the states to relieve those teachers forthwith. Giving this direction a bench of Justices Dipak Misra and S. Nagappan directed the states to pass appropriate orders relieving them from the present posts within one week and said they should join as teachers within three weeks thereafter. Senior counsel Vishwanath Shetty for TS submitted that the government has passed orders cancelling the deputation of such teachers. However, these teachers had filed an application that they may be allowed to continue in the present postings till the end of the academic year 2016-17. Repatriate professors too, says SC The bench said the teachers should be relieved and children studying in their classes who have been admitted to nearby schools should be readmitted without affecting the academic year. The bench passed this order taking note of an application filed by advocate Sravan Kumar for the Telangana Parents Federation in the contempt case filed by advocate J.K. Raju relating to appointment of teachers in both the states. The federation as far as TS is concerned said there is no accountability and proper supervision which is leading to absence of teachers in government schools. Quoting the report of the committee appointed by the High Court, it said the committee noticed the absence of teachers during their visit. It said that teachers have been appointed for the schools where there are no students at all. The officials also appointed two to three teachers for schools where the student strength was below 10. It said that a large number of teachers are working as Personnel Assistants and Officers on Special Duty for MLAs. Besides, government teachers are working in the Chief Ministers Office and ministers offices on deputation which is not allowed as per the Right to Education Act. When Mr Kumar submitted that even college professors have been deputed as Personal Secretaries to ministers and MLAs, the bench asked senior counsel to see that they are also relieved and posted back as professors. The bench said it was not passing any order in the fond hope that the TS will take necessary steps to relieve the professors and posted the case for further hearing on September 15. Kozhikode: Many Muslim educational institutions and organisations, including MES, have celebrated Onam with flower carpets and Onaadya though discussions are on whether celebrating Onam is un-Islamic. At Dayapauram group of institutions, the students and teachers celebrated Onam as usual. The trend is catching up as many in the community believe that there is nothing un-Islamic in such festivals. At MES College, Kozhikode, chairman of the organization Dr Fazal Gafoor led the celebrations. Writers K.P. Sudheera and P. Valsala also joined the students and staff in laying flowers for the flower carpet. The MES will have a mega celebration at MES Medical College in which a traditional sadya would be served to more than 3,000 people. Dr Fazal Gafoor told DC that Onam is not a Hindu religious festival. It is of all Keralites. For the last few years, MES has been celebrating it in about 150 institutions, he added. We should learn to separate our cultural celebrations from religious ceremonies, he added. Noted academic N.P. Ashley, who is also a member of Dayapuram Residential School, told DC that only a few religious groups oppose participating in Onam celebrations. Though they openly warn against Muslims attending the celebrations, only few of them keep off, he added. Laying flower carpet is not a sin, he said. Hyderabad: After considering the views of the four states and the Centre over the objections on appointment of former Karnataka High Court judge Justice Ram Mohan Reddy as Member of Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal, its chairman Justice Brijesh Kumar set aside the objections and decided to continue its hearings. For the second consecutive day on Wednesday, the Tribunal heard the opinions of party states AP, TS, Maharashtra and the Union government which submitted that it was for the Tribunal chairman to take a final view as they do not have any objections if Justice Ram Mohan Reddy, a native of Karnataka, continues as the panels member. After this Justice Kumar ordered setting aside the objections of the Karnataka government and closed the issue. Later, the Tribunal asked the states to summarise their arguments over what should constitute the terms of references cited in AP Reorganisation Act. It asked whether allocations made earlier by the Tribunal shall be relooked due to bifurcation of AP or the allocation made to undivided AP be re-distributed among the residuary states of TS and AP. On Wednesday afternoon, counsel for Karnataka summarised the arguments on behalf of that state, saying that there was no need to reopen and redistribute the allocations already announced by the Tribunal in 2010 (Provisional) and 2013 (Final). Arguments by AP and TS would commence on Thursday. Hyderabad: For a change, some of the Telugu Desam leaders and workers who had trooped into the TRS barely a few months ago, are now back home. M. Srinivas Reddy from Medchal in Ranga Reddy district, who had parted ways with the Telugu Desam and joined the TRS along with Malkajgiri MP Ch. Malla Reddy on June 1, rejoined the party in the presence of TS TD president L. Ramana and working president A. Revanth Reddy, along with his supporters. I feel quite happy to come back to my party (Telugu Desam), said Mr Srinivas Reddy, a former sarpanch of Gundlapochampally village in Medchal mandal who happens to be a close relative of Mr Malla Reddy. Former TD workers who rejoined the party said they felt suffocated in the TRS and there was confusion on whom to meet and not to meet because of four power centres. Mr Revanth Reddy said Mr Srinivas Reddy joined the TRS due to pressure and he was happy that he returned to the party fold. TD leaders who quit the party and joined TRS are feeling suffocated and will return soon. MLAs like Maganti Gopinath who quit the TD and are now in the TRS, in private, appreciate our stand on various issues. TD leaders are quite unhappy in the TRS, Mr Revanth Reddy said. He took a dig at the TRS, saying: If leaders meet the son, the nephew is unhappy. If they meet the nephew, father and son are unhappy. If they meet both, amma is unhappy. If they meet Amma, the elder man is unhappy. TRS leaders meet either at a police station or at revenue offices. Leaders and workers are confused as to whom to meet to get their work done or air their grievances. Mr Revanth Reddy added, Its like the case of a large number of fish in a pond. The fish will not get the required oxygen and there are chances of them dying. This is the state of leaders and workers from other parties who had joined the TRS. Taking a dig at the state of affairs in TRS government, he said, While TD president N. Chandrababu Naidu built Cyberabad, TRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao turned it into a dustbin. There is no change in road condition in Hyderabad despite (municipal administration minister) K.T. Rama Raos tours. Hyderabad: Taking strong objection to Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Raos reported statement that Gadwal will not be considered in the proposed new districts, senior Congress MLA D.K. Aruna on Wednesday wanted to know the sin committed by the people of Gadwal committed against the government or the TRS. Addressing a media conference here, Ms Aruna quoted reports which said that the Chief Minister had taken exception to over 6,000 objections/suggestions made by one person on the website launched by the government on the new districts formation, suggesting that Gadwal be considered as a new district. How can one person send thousands of suggestions to the website? It is not possible and must be false. Let the government inquire into this, I have no objection. However, taking this as a pretext for refusing district status for Gadwal is not acceptable. Why is the CM so vengeful against the Gadwal people? What sin did they commit? the Congress MLA asked. She said when aspirations of the Telangana people for a separate state were met by the Congress, why could not the CM concede the genuine and just demand of Gadwal people for creation of a new district. Ms Aruna vowed that her agitation demanding Gadwal district would continue. Industrialisation of new districts to be the focus Rapid industrialisation will be the main focus of the state government to improve growth in new districts. District-specific industrial parks will come up to encourage medium and small industries. The TS Industrial and Infrastructure Corporation Ltd has been asked to set up new offices in the headquarters of each new district to focus on industrial growth, develop industrial parks and make land allotments accordingly. At present, industrial development is concentrated in the four districts surrounding Hyderabad. The government wants to take the benefits of industrialisation to new districts by encouraging district-specific industries. TSIIC which readied a land bank in all the existing 10 districts barring Hyderabad for industrial development has initiated the process to re-notify the land bank in new districts. Let PM think and decide: Harish Khurana Should Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend the next Saarc Summit to be held in November in Islamabad? It will be decided by the Prime Minister himself. Our PM has enough maturity and knowledge of international ties and he is capable of taking a decision without hurting the national interest and public sentiments. There is enough time for the PM and the government to take a call on whether he will attend the summit. The Prime Minister will inform everyone well in time whether he will be attending the Saarc Summit and therefore no one should indulge in speculation. In the current scenario, Indias relationship with Pakistan is not good. Despite assurances and promises, Pakistan keeps supporting terror groups that are active in India. Mr Modi repeatedly used strong words and asked them to stop supporting these terror groups. Unfortunately, it fell on deaf ears and no concrete action has been taken by our neighbour. Everyone knows former Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi and Atal Behari Vajpayee attended the previous editions of Saarc in 1988 and 2004 respectively. If the relationship between India and Pakistan improves, then Mr Modi will follow the previous Prime Ministers but the way Pakistan is acting it seems difficult to believe that ties will improve in the just two months left before the summit. Before taking any final decision on whether to attend the meet or not, Mr Modi must consider several points related on the India-Pakistan relationship. First, the manner in which Pakistan is and has been involved in spreading terrorism in India, and the way Pakistan had backstabbed us on many occasions cannot be forgotten. Despite Mr Modis personal initiative to improve the relationship by visiting Lahore to meet Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif, the attitude of our neighbour remains unchanged. Our envoy in Pakistan had said that Mr Modi will attend the summit, but the government has clarified that the decision has not taken which means that Mr Modi will take the final call, considering all aspects. Mr Modi must also consider the manner in which Pakistan behaved with Union home minister Rajnath Singh during his visit to Pakistan to attend 7th Saarc Interior home ministers conference in Islamabad. Mr Singhs speech was blacked out by disallowing the Pakistan media from covering it. I am sure Mr Modi will consider the sentiments of people before taking any call on attending the meet. Mr Modi should not provide any fodder to opponents who are eager to politicise anything without caring whether it will be against the interests of the country. I think Mr Modi will act in a balanced way. Being the Prime Minister of the biggest Saarc nation, he will act in the interests of the country. While the decision will be taken by the Prime Minister, even if we want to move in a positive direction, Pakistan will still try to move the other way. Harish Khurana is the spokesperson of the Delhi BJP Everything looks superficial: Randeep Singh Surjewala Beyond the shawl and mango diplomacy, the question is: what has changed? Pakistan is still the biggest exporter of terror to India. There has been no change. When Narendra Modi was campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections, he used the phrase that we should stop writing love letters to Pakistan. What has happened now? These are the questions which the country needs to know. What has transpired between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif in the several rounds of meetings they have had? The national security advisers of both the countries have met overtly and covertly. The Indian PM had invited his Pakistani counterpart to his swearing-in. Since then gifts and pleasantries have been exchanged, but what has India got? The surprising part is that there is a shroud of secrecy surrounding the whole affair. The Prime Minister descended unannounced at the birthday/wedding celebrations in Lahore without anybody knowing. In return we got Pathankot. What has Pakistan done till date to nab the culprits of that heinous attack? A Pakistan inquiry commission was allowed to visit our airbase in Pathankot. It is shocking that it had officers of the ISI. So, in effect, we allowed ISI officers into our airbase. Once again, till date, the country is unaware of what the outcome has been. Is the martyrdom of our security personnel going waste? We were told that an Indian inquiry commission would also go to Pakistan to investigate. But nothing of that sort has happened. This is a faulty foreign policy that is being followed by the current government. Let us now come to ceasefire violations by Pakistan. In 2015, more than 400 ceasefire violations took place. In 2016, till date, the number of ceasefire violations is more than 250. Is this the strong foreign policy that this government is pursuing? Why havent these violations stopped? The government and the Mr Modi have no answers for this. Apart from rhetoric, this government has nothing to offer. The line of diplomacy pursued on Pakistan points towards a disjointed foreign policy with no focus or direction. We are all concerned about this. A month back, home minister Rajnath Singh went to Pakistan to attend a meeting of Saarc home ministers. What did we achieve apart from a set of controversies? First it was the case of telecast of the Indian home ministers speech. Then the home minister had to cut short his visit by skipping lunch. Why did such a situation arise in the first place? The Pakistani minister deviated from his written speech and spoke about Kashmir. This just puts a question mark on the nature of diplomacy, or lack of it, followed by this government. Lastly, the fact remains that the country needs to know what the government is doing vis-a-vis Pakistan. We have raised specific issues to which we need answers. These have been raised inside as well as outside Parliament, but till date no answers have been given. (As told to Ashhar Khan) Randeep Singh Surjewala is in charge of the AICC communications department. The communique issued after the 11th G-20 summit in Hangzhou, China, on September 4-5 was more declaratory than prescriptive, with The Economist even calling it anodyne, while the host, Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his closing statement, expectedly declared it a tremendous success. And while the criticism may be harsh, it is undeniable that most countries at the conference worked at two levels: shaping common positions on the global economy and financial revamp, but also advancing their own strategic interests. China wanted the summits focus to remain on economic issues and not veer to Chinese actions in the South and East China Seas or its predatory trade practices. The communique begins by noting that the global economy was recovering though still weaker than desirable. It outlines future action under four categories: vision, integration, openness and inclusiveness. The third addresses rising concern that in the West anti-globalisation and protectionism is swelling. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trumps rise in the United States and his rhetoric against free trade and immigration are fuelling anxiety that his presidency may even entail rewriting the global rules on commerce, trade and investment. Much of what he says may be just electioneering, but a victory in the November election may convince him to not abandon his iconoclastic verbiage. The political theatre in Hangzhou was likewise a dual stage performance. On one hand the 20 nations discussed structural reforms and ways to restore the health of the global economy. On the other there was grappling between the established and emerging powers, or even two rising powers India and China. In a section Further Significant Global Challenges Affecting the World Economy, the black swans that could derail todays tenuous recovery are noted. Besides the rise of leaders antithetical to the post-World War II global economic order, the factors are: Brexit, climate change; displacement of populations generating refugees in West Asia and Europe; and terrorism. The leaders addressed them in bilateral and plenary meetings. These are also reflected in the summits final communique. The leaders also had agendas determined by their national interests, alliance compulsions or simply a desire to defend or challenge the global power sharing. For instance, for US President Barack Obama, now into the last few weeks of his presidency, climate change is a legacy issue. He also needs to send a strong signal to China about muscle-flexing in the East and South China Seas. Europe on the other hand came saddled with Britains Brexit gambit and the politically disruptive combination of Syrian refugees and Islamic terror. European Commission chairman Jean-Claude Juncker insisted that China must allow the monitoring of its steel production to curb Chinese overcapacity. Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi, arriving via Vietnam, set the stage for some straight talking with China. He argued, both in bilateral meetings and at the plenary, that terrorism affects economic growth and, without naming Chinas close ally Pakistan, bemoaned the export of terror from Indias neighbourhood. Good bilateral relations, he averred, requires each side to be sensitive to the others aspirations and concerns. This was possible, Mr Modi reasoned, if China did not politicise the listing of terrorists or treat Gilgit-Baltistan as Pakistani real estate that it could sell, lease or pledge. He also expected China not to obfuscate the Indian case for joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group. He finally questioned the legality of the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The Chinese media concurred that hard-won sound relations needed safeguarding. Interestingly, Sino-Russian convergence on strategic and security issues was also on full display. Russian President Vladimir Putin endorsed the Chinese position on the South China Sea, rejecting The Hague tribunals ruling. He added that as a rule interference by non-regional powers only complicates any dispute resolution. China and Russia also made common cause in opposing the deployment of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defence Missiles (THAAD) in South Korea. Both countries have historical baggage while dealing with Japan, giving them an additional reason for convergence. India dodged the climate change commitment temporarily as the final communique only calls on all parties to sign the Paris agreement by the end of the year, without setting a deadline. However, the ratification of the Paris Agreement by the US and China on G-20s sidelines takes it closer to implementation as their combined emissions are 39 per cent of the worlds total. The Paris Agreement will come into effect when at least 55 nations with at least 55 per cent of global greenhouse emissions ratify it. These two nations also agreed to curb hydro-fluorocarbons which deplete the ozone layer. Foot-dragging by India, traditionally for obtaining financing and technology, is no longer an option as the agreement will come into effect as soon as some large emitters like the EU and Australia ratify it. The communique does, however, introduce many futuristic ideas that are needed for sustainable development. One is the existing Green Climate Fund (GCF), which needs resourcing to help developing countries adapt and mitigate. It has been calculated in a study by the Asia Investor Group on climate change that Asia alone needs $7 trillion to limit global warming to two degrees Celsius. Then there are suggested pro-innovation strategies that would usher a New Industrial Revolution as well as digital economy initiatives. These are visionary concepts that can be translated into reality only if strategic dissonance between the big powers can be tamed. Otherwise, like as the just-concluded G-20 summit host Xi Jinping said, there will be a mismatch between words and action. The homogeneity of the Hindutva platform runs the risk of a Bihar-repeat with the dharma shastras of Manusmriti threatening the electoral algebra of the saffron brigade with the replay of the varna theory. The coming elections in Uttar Pradesh (with 21 per cent of the countrys dalit population), Punjab (having the highest percentage of dalits in the population, at 31 per cent) and other states like Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa have upped the ante on dalit politics that can upset the carefully crafted party positions on appealing to the sizeable dalit populace. However, the optics of public flogging of dalit youth in the cradle of Hindutva experiment (Gujarat) has exposed the inherent fault lines in the composite force-fit of a singular Hindu identity. Certain puritanical tenets of the Sangh Parivars brahmanical approach have often posited the dalit identity and existence at the opposite end of the fractious identity debate. With the advent of modernity, participative democracy led to the churning of societal stratification the dalit assertion was initially triggered by E.V. Ramasamy (Periyar). While EVRs invocation was essentially around self-respect and anti-Brahmanism, the Mandalisation of the early 1990s and the emergence of Kanshi Rams Bahujan Samaj Party has carved a unique dalit dynamic in electoral terms. The heightened sensitivity and the desire to look responsive towards dalit sentiments was highlighted in the quick damage-control exercise of sacking Daya Shankar Singh, vice-president of BJPs UP unit. Mr Singh made the highly objectionable and character-shaming remarks about BSP supremo Mayawati. Even the timely rebuke to the gau rakshaks by the Prime Minister is a testimony to the gravity of the ongoing polarisation within the Hindu electorate that can force an en bloc traction of the dalit vote against the BJP. An untimely and costly comment attributed to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in the run-up to the Bihar Assembly elections, suggesting a review of reservations, led to an immediate seizure of the same by leaders of the grand alliance to suggest the BJPs aversion to reservations, hence anti-dalit credentials. Clarifications to the contrary were lost in the melee of accusations and counter-accusations, while the lurking fear of dalits in anchoring their electoral trust was wounded. Addressing his partys core group of representatives from all 29 states and seven Union territories, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: Rashtravadi toh hamare saath hain, humein dalit aur pichchde ko saath lana hai (The nationalists are with us, we need to bring dalits and backwards). The cow vigilante groups and the accompanying societal dynamics are deep rooted, even counter-protest by dalits in Gujarat to stop clearing carcasses as a mark of protest has led to a reverse scuffle, with the thrashing of two dalit men in the Saurashtra region who refused to dispose the carcass of a calf. For any religious nationalism to succeed, all perceived elements, constituents and rituals of the religion must be aligned. However, fault lines of diversity and rejection of sub-sect supremacy often leads to dissensions and non-acceptance. The sectarian violence within Islam is reflective of the inherent pluralism and divide within the larger Islamic identity, which is akin to the divides in Hinduism. The assemblage of priorities within a religious definition are not shared cow vigilantism is seen as a preserve, priority and potent symbol of upper castes, with the dalits retaliating with If she is your mother, you bury her. After the emotive Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid peak of the 1990s, the BJP has toned down its religio-centricity and has dialled its religio-nationalism, that is more external than internal. However, for economically and socially struggling dalits and tribals this has limited traction. The more pressing needs of finding a voice was echoed in Rohith Vemulas suicide note: The value of a man was reduced to his immediate identity and nearest possibility. To a vote. To a number. To a thing. Never was a man treated as a mind. As a glorious thing made up of stardust. In very field, in studies, in streets, in politics, and in dying and living. Clearly, the ruling ideology was not able to subsume the prevailing angst and ire amongst dalits, the brahmanical Hindutva appeal is fractured with discrimination and bigotry. The dalit outreach initiative of the BJP is clearly on the backfoot, with the earlier scare of the exodus of senior leadership from the BSP (principally into the BJP) behind Mayawati. Today, Mayawati is connecting the dots of societal flare-ups across the country to posit her individual personality and credentials of championing dalit rights singularly. Second, the absence of any senior dalit leader in the BJP with pan-India appeal is telling. Not since Bangaru Laxman (president of the BJP from 2000 to 2001, subsequently convicted of corruption), has the BJP been able to position dalits in top leadership positions. It is a delicate balance of retaining its upper caste constituents while dealing with its anti-dalit perceptions. Realising the gravity of anti-dalit perceptions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated: Over 80 per cent of BJP workers are SC, ST and OBCs, yet Opposition parties have tried to create misconceptions about the party through concerted campaigns. Besides the BSP, even mainstream parties like the Congress and AAP with a stake in the coming Assembly elections have been quick to drive a wedge in the inherent faultlines of the saffron call to a Hindutva connect. The BJP managed dalit dynamics rather well in the last general election from one in 10 votes in the 1990s, it went up to one in every four dalit votes in 2014, surpassing both the Congress and BSP. Smart pre-election alliances with Ram Vilas Paswans LJP, Ramdas Athavales RPI and induction of people like Udit Raj helped, besides the Narendra Modi wave, specially amongst the upwardly mobile sections, had built a certain dalit hope and trust that transcended narrow caste lines. Today the formula has come asunder and the inherent and regressive instincts have reared their head to drive a wedge between the haves and the have-nots, who are again wary of the dalit dream that is promised, in the backdrop of all that is happening across the country. OSIRIX-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer) is expected to reach Bennu in August 2018 and return to Earth with its bounty in 2023. US space agency NASA is poised Thursday to launch its groundbreaking first mission to a near-Earth asteroid to collect samples that could shed light on the dawn of the solar system. Scientists hope the seven-year, $800 million mission will reveal something about the origins of the Bennu asteroid and of life itself. The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is scheduled to blast off Thursday at 7:05 pm (2305 GMT) from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, near the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. "The primary objective of the mission is to bring back 60 grams (2.1 ounces) of pristine carbon-rich material from the surface of Bennu," said Dante Lauretta, principal investigator of the mission and a professor of planetary science at the University of Arizona. "We expect these samples will contain organic molecules from the early solar system that may give us information and clues to the origin of life." The Lockheed Martin-made spacecraft will be carried aboard an Atlas V rocket made by United Launch Alliance, a 50-50 joint venture owned by Lockheed and Boeing. Weather forecasters said there was an 80 percent chance of favorable conditions for the launch of the mission aimed at peering into the solar system's birth 4.5 billion years ago. OSIRIX-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer) is expected to reach Bennu in August 2018 and return to Earth with its bounty in 2023. The asteroid is about 1,600 feet (492 meters) in diameter. "Think of it as a small mountain in space," Lauretta said. Its 1.2-year orbit around the sun brings it closer to Earth every six years at a distance similar to the moon -- although there is very little chance Bennu could collide with Earth, according to estimates by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The highest probability, one in 2,500, would occur between 2175 and 2196. Once OSIRIX-REx reaches the asteroid in 2018, five instruments will map its surface using 3D laser imaging, identify the minerals and chemicals that may be on the surface, and select the sample site. In July 2020, the spacecraft will touch Bennu -- but only for three seconds -- with a three-meter (3.3-yard) arm to collect rocks and dust using a device called the Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM). The TAGSAM is a type of reverse-vacuum device originally conceived by a Lockheed Martin engineer in his garage. The space dust -- which may reveal how the materials necessary for life, such as carbon and ice, made their way to Earth -- will be stored in a capsule for the return journey. The OSIRIS-REx will leave the asteroid in March 2021 and travel two and a half years to return to Earth in September 2023. As the spacecraft nears our planet, the return sample capsule will be ejected and gently lowered to Earth by parachutes to an area southwest of Salt Lake City in the western state of Utah. From there it will be transported to the NASA space center in Houston, Texas, where the materials will be analyzed. The OSIRIS-REx will remain in orbit around the sun. The mission will lay the groundwork for future explorations of asteroids and other small objects in the solar system, scientists say. It could notably cast light on the widely accepted hypothesis that this type of asteroid brought water and other materials seen as necessary for life on Earth, they say. Another aim of the mission is to measure the Yarkovsky effect, the sun's heating force on asteroids as they rotate that can cause them to drift widely over time. A better understanding of this effect could help scientists more accurately predict the long-term risk of asteroids to Earth and divert the path of those threatening to collide with our planet. In December 2014 the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency launched a similar mission, Hayabusa 2, which should reach an asteroid (162173 Ryugu) in 2018. The Hayabusa 2 spacecraft will place on the space rock's surface a small lander named Mascot, produced by the French and German space agencies. Its predecessor, Hayabusa, was supposed to study the effect of a crash landing on asteroid Itokawa and recover samples to bring back to Earth, but it only managed to bring back a few micrograms of material in 2010. The European Space Agency succeeded in November 2014 to put its Philae lander on a comet, a space first. The lander transmitted 60 hours of data before running out of power. Unlike the OSIRIS-REx mission, a return to Earth had not been planned. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. An image of the cryogenic stage while it undergoes ground tests (Photo: Web) Bengaluru: The irony could not have been more striking for Indian scientists as they celebrated the successful launch of the INSAT-3DR, by a Made-in-India cryogenic engine-powered rocket on Thursday. For, the first operational flight of the GSLV, propelled by the cryogenic engine was achieved a little over two months after the US State Department welcomed India as a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime on June 27. India possesses substantial missile-relevant technology and has excellent non-proliferation and export control credentials. India is a valued non-proliferation partner, it had said in a press release. In May of 1992, however, it was the US which invoked MTCR rules to scuttle Isros deal with Russias Glavcosmos, for sale of cryogenic engines, and even slapped sanctions on the space agency. The curbs set the clock back on several Isro programmes but they also prodded scientists to embark on an indigenous cryogenic upper stage in 1994. Later, Russia agreed to sell seven cryogenic stages and one ground mock-up stage instead of five cryogenic stages and the technology to build the stages. The cryogenic engine project endured a major setback when Dr S Nambi Narayanan, project director of the liquid propulsion system of PSLV, was branded a spy and arrested in November 1994. He spent 50 days in prison, and later lived in ignominy until the Supreme Court cleared him of charges in 1998. On Thursday, he congratulated former colleagues for proving that Isro has the capability to place two tonne-plus satellites in orbit but rued that his arrest had delayed GSLV-II and GSLV-III by several years. Somebody did not want India to join the competition for commercial launch of satellites (in the two-tonne class). I dont know why neither the Union government or the Kerala government want to find out the motive behind the spy case, he told Deccan Chronicle. Twenty two years after his arrest, Isro could still prove a formidable competitor in the multi-billion dollar market for launch of satellites given its ability to create frugal technologies. The PSLV, has already helped carve a niche in the world market with its capability to launch several satellites during a single flight. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Samsung has voluntarily initiated its own product recall. The company also delayed shipments of the smartphones in certain countries. While, Samsung prepares for refunds and exchanges for customers who bought the Note 7 post reported explosions; there are others working on guidance concerning the device. According to one of the customers aboard the Qantas airline, the passengers were prohibited from charging the Note 7 during their travel from Perth to Sydney earlier this week. A Qantas spokesperson later confirmed that the Australian airline was asking customers not to charge the smartphones in the air, telling the Herald, Following the worldwide recall of the Samsung Galaxy Note7 Personal Electronic Device (PED), we are requesting that passengers do not charge them inflight. Samsung has voluntarily initiated its own product recall. The company also delayed shipments of the smartphones in certain countries. Samsung certainly isnt taking this issue lightly. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. During the trial of the case, Camp had asked the girl, "Why couldn't you just keep your knees together?". (Representational Image) Canada: Accused of outraging the modesty of a woman, a Canadian judge who had asked an alleged rape victim 'if she tried keeping her knees together when the attacker was raping her', has said that he should not be sacked from his post. According to an Independent report, Justice Robin Camp is currently under trial for his insensitive remarks during a rape case hearing. He is facing a public hearing before the Canadian Judicial Council for asking inappropriate questions to a 19-year-old girl who was raped over a sink at a party in 2014. While Camp was being produced before the council, the victim who was also present for the hearing, said that Camp's remarks made her feel that she was 'some kind of slut'. During the initial trial of the case, Camp had asked the girl, "Why couldn't you just keep your knees together?". He also further asked her, "Why didn't you just sink your bottom down into the basin so he couldn't penetrate you?" In response to his remarks on the rape victim, several legal experts from the University of Calgary had claimed that his remarks showed a clear prejudice towards disbelieving the victim. He has also been accused of repeatedly referring to the victim as 'the accused' and has been currently suspended from hearing cases. The panel at the council will now decide if Camp should be allowed to remain on bench of the Federal Court judges. The woman pulled out at least seven boxes of stolen goods from her skirt. (Photo: YouTube screengrab) Mexico City: An old woman, wearing a blouse and a knee-length skirt, was caught shoplifting at a store in Mexico and a video of her removing all the stolen items has emerged. It shows that the woman had managed to stuff at least seven boxes of goods down her skirt before she was caught. The video shows the shoplifter pulling out boxes of chewing gum, one after the other, from her skirt, according to a report in Daily Mail. However, it was unclear how she managed to stuff those packets inside her skirt. Had the security guards at the store not caught her shoplifting, it would have been impossible for anyone to figure out from the look of the grandma's attire that there were boxes under her skirt. Washington: US President Barack Obama's administration has offered Saudi Arabia more than $115 billion in weapons, other military equipment and training, the most of any US administration in the 71-year US-Saudi alliance, a report seen by Reuters has found. The report, authored by William Hartung of the US-based Center for International Policy, said the offers were made in 42 separate deals, and the majority of the equipment has yet to be delivered. Hartung told Reuters the report would be made available publicly on Sept. 8. The report said US arms offers to Saudi Arabia since Obama took office in January 2009 have included everything from small arms and ammunition to tanks, attack helicopters, air-to-ground missiles, missile defence ships, and warships. Washington also provides maintenance and training to Saudi security forces. The Center's report is based on data from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, a Department of Defense body that provides figures on arms sales offers and Foreign Military Sales agreements. Most of the offers, which are reported to Congress, become formal agreements though some are abandoned or amended. The report did not disclose how many of the offers to Saudi Arabia were agreed. Washington's arms sales to Riyadh recently have come under fire from rights groups and some members of Congress are disturbed by the rising number of civilian casualties in the war in Yemen, where a coalition led by Saudi Arabia is fighting Iran-allied Houthi rebels. The conflict has killed at least 10,000 people. Last month the United Nations human rights office said that 3,799 civilians have died in the conflict, with coalition air strikes responsible for an estimated 60 percent of the deaths. The coalition says it does not target civilians and accuses the Houthis of placing military targets in civilian areas. The coalition has created a body to investigate civilian casualties. The outcry over those casualties has led some members of Congress to push for restrictions on arms transfers, and amid the growing outcry, the Pentagon cautioned that its support for Saudi Arabia in its Yemen campaign was not "a blank check". The Control Arms coalition, a group that campaigns for stricter arms sales controls, said last month that Britain, France and the United States were flouting the 2014 Arms Trade treaty, which bans exports of conventional weapons that fuel human rights violations or war crimes. Nevertheless, the Obama administration last month approved a potential $1.15 billion arms package for Saudi Arabia. Hartung said the level of US arms sales to Riyadh should give it leverage to pressure Saudi Arabia."It's time for the Obama administration to use the best leverage it has - Saudi Arabia's dependence on US weapons and support - to wage the war in Yemen in the first place," Hartung told Reuters. "Pulling back the current offer of battle tanks or freezing some of the tens of billions in weapons and services in the pipeline would send a strong signal to the Saudi leadership that they need stop their indiscriminate bombing campaign and take real steps to prevent civilian casualties." Washington has been at pains to prove to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf allies that it remains committed to their defence against Iran in the wake of a multinational deal last year to restrict the Iranian nuclear programme. Sunni Muslim Gulf states accuse Shi'ite Iran of fomenting instability in the region, which the Islamic Republic denies. "The more recent deals that have involved resupplying Saudi Arabia with ammunition, bombs, and tanks to replace weaponry used up or damaged in the war in Yemen are no doubt driven in part by the effort to 'reassure' the Saudis that the US will not tilt towards Iran in the wake of the nuclear deal," Hartung said. When he was handed about $3,000 in cash, he did not run. (Representational Image) Washington: Ah, romance. A 70-year-old American man from Kansas robbed a bank so that he could be sent to prison to get away from his wife, court documents showed on Tuesday. "I'd rather be in jail than at home," Lawrence Ripple told his wife Remedios after a major fight at their home in the US state, according to a court document. So he headed to a Kansas City bank to rob it, and passed a note to a teller claiming he had a gun and demanding cash, knowing he would be getting a change of address in the deal. When he was handed about $3,000 in cash, he did not run. He waited to be arrested, and told police he just could no longer bear living with his wife. Ripple got his wish: He is now behind bars. Sure, separation or divorce might have been options for other people. Ripple just did not want to go to those scary places. And now, at his new home, in addition to friendly new cellmates he gets meals and health care which millions of American seniors cannot afford. 1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war. 2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war. 3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament of the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength. 4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war. 5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites. 6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination. 7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N. 8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N. 9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress. 10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N. 11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.) 12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party. 13. Do away with all loyalty oaths. 14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office. 15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States. 16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights. 17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks. 18. Gain control of all student newspapers. 19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack. 20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions. 21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures. 22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms." 23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art." 24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press. 25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV. 26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy." 27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch." 28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state." 29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis. 30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man." 31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over. 32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc. 33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus. 34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities. 35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI. 36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions. 37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business. 38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand. 39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals. 40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce. 41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents. 42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems. 43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government. 44. Internationalize the Panama Canal. 45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike. A 70-year-old man in United States Missouri robbed a bank because he wanted to go to jail instead of living with his wife. (Photo: YouTube screengrab) Kansas City: A 70-year-old man in United States Missouri robbed a bank and waited in the lobby for the police to arrive as he wanted to go to jail instead of living with his wife. According to a report in The Washington Post, the man identified as Lawrence John Ripple entered Bank of Labor at 756 Minnesota Avenue in Kansas City and gave a note to a teller. I have a gun, give me your cash, the note read. The teller gave him $2,924 in currency from the drawer and Ripple, instead of fleeing with the cash, sat in the lobby where he told the security guard, Im the guy youre looking for. The police soon arrived at the bank and took custody of Ripple. During interrogation, Ripple told the police that he and his wife had an argument at home and he no longer wanted to be in the situation, Special Agent Eric R. Beltz said. Ripple wrote out his demand note in front of his wife and told her hed rather be in jail than at home. Ripple then walked to the bank and robbed it, Beltz said. However, he did not succeed in running away from his wife as US Magistrate Judge David Waxse ordered his release from jail on his own recognisance. New York: Russian President Vladimir Putin is "far more" of a leader than Barack Obama, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said Wednesday, echoing previous praise for the Kremlin strongman. Putin is "very much of a leader," Trump said in a televised interview, where he and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton were separately grilled over their national security and military credentials. Trump has made no secret of his admiration for Putin, who last year praised the US businessman as "very outstanding." Putin "has very strong control over a country," Trump said. "It's a very different system, and I don't happen to like the system. But certainly in that system he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader." Before Trump spoke, Clinton too was asked about her security smarts, but also faced questions on the sprawling email scandal that continues to overshadow her White House run. The interviewer, NBC's Matt Lauer, asked why it wasn't "disqualifying" for Clinton to have handled government emails on a private server while secretary of state. "It was a mistake to have a personal account. I would certainly not do it again. I make no excuses for it," Clinton responded, stressing she had not improperly handled classified information. The forum, held aboard historic aircraft carrier the USS Intrepid, docked off New York City, did not put the candidates head-to-head, and Lauer asked them not to waste time insulting each other. For the most part they refrained, though Clinton said Trump had refused to take responsibility for his initial support for the Iraq War. Trump went on to attack Clinton over her emails. The first debate between the one-time friends turned bitter rivals is scheduled for September 26. Trump's military plans Earlier Wednesday, Trump pledged to increase US military spending -- already at levels far higher than any other nation -- and to demand a plan to beat the Islamic State (IS) group if he becomes president. The Republican presidential candidate told supporters he would ask generals to craft a roadmap to the IS group's annihilation. Trump also outlined proposals for an active army of around 540,000 troops, an air force of at least 1,200 fighter aircraft, a 36-battalion marine corps and a navy of 350 surface ships and submarines -- though he provided no details on how he would persuade Congress to pay for it all. Apart from consulting with top generals, Trump remained vague on how he would defeat IS. "Is the plan you've been hiding this whole time asking someone else for their plan?" Lauer asked. Trump said he didn't "want to broadcast to the enemy what my plan is." The United States for more than two years has led a coalition bombing IS in Iraq and Syria, and training local partners on the ground to fight the jihadists. The air campaign started slowly, but IS now appears to be on a back foot, having suffered tens of thousands of casualties and losing many of the important towns it once controlled across its self-declared "caliphate." Clinton provided more specifics, stressing IS would be defeated without US ground troops being deployed. Currently, America has thousands of troops in Iraq and hundreds in Syria, but their mission is to train local forces and not engage in direct combat with IS. Attacking the generals In a move likely to enrage the brass in the Defense Department, Trump also blasted the current status of America's top officers, saying they had been hamstrung by Obama and Clinton. "The generals have been reduced to rubble," Trump said, before noting he had "faith in certain of the commanders." Trump, who has campaigned on a platform railing against illegal immigration, also said he had no problem with existing US policy of allowing undocumented immigrants to stay in America if they serve in the military. Most national polls show a tight race with Clinton in the lead as the US presidential race enters its home stretch with just nine weeks until the November 8 election. However, Trump is ahead by a wide margin of 19 percentage points among military and veteran voters, according to the latest NBC News/SurveyMonkey Weekly Election Tracking poll. His 55 to 36 percent lead with the group comes despite recent remarks against the parents of a Muslim-American soldier killed in Iraq, members of the so-called Gold Star families who have lost loved ones in military service. Trump also angered many in the military community with mocking remarks against US Senator and former prisoner of war John McCain for being captured in Vietnam. Vientiane: President Barack Obama said Thursday that Republican Donald Trump confirms his belief that Trump isn't qualified to be president "every time he speaks," adding that he was confident Americans would ultimately reject the brash billionaire on Election Day. Obama, closing out his final presidential trip to Asia, said his meetings with foreign leaders during the trip had illustrated that governing is "serious business" requiring knowledge, preparation and thought-out policies that can actually be implemented. He urged Americans not to allow the "outrageous behaviour" seen amid the campaign-season din to become the new normal. "The most important thing for the public and the press is to just listen to what he says and follow up and ask questions to what appear to be either contradictory or uninformed or outright wacky ideas," Obama said. Throughout the campaign, Obama has repeatedly denounced Trump and deemed him "unfit" to serve as commander in chief, while arguing that his controversial positions and comments are a step beyond what Republican nominees have embraced in the past. Obama has endorsed Hillary Clinton and has said he plans to campaign full-force for the Democrat ahead of the November election. Obama's remarks came at the end of a grueling nine-day trip that took the him to Laos and China following U.S. stops in Nevada, Hawaii and Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. Obama said that the United States and Southeast Asian nations gathered in Laos have advanced a vision of an open, dynamic and competitive economic system in which all nations play by the same rules. "When I think back to the time I spent here as a boy, I can't help but be struck by the extraordinary progress that's been made by the region in the decades since, even if there's still a lot of work to be done," Obama said. At the top of that list is the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a 12-nation free trade deal Obama helped broker. That deal awaits ratification in the U.S. Congress, where there is opposition from both parties, but Obama said he planned to do everything possible to persuade lawmakers to approve it before year's end. The president pointed to discussions with Southeast Asian leaders about maritime disputes in the South China Sea and suggested progress had been made in clarifying the path ahead to lower tensions between China and the Philippines. In a joint statement issued by leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, members were expected to issue a mild rebuke to China without referencing it by name. "I realize this raises tensions," Obama said earlier as he met with ASEAN leader, referring to a recent international arbitration ruling against China on the maritime dispute. "But I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and regional stability." On his last day in Asia, Obama met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose help Obama is seeking to galvanize further action on climate change, especially among developing countries. The two grinned and shook hands but made no substantive comments as reporters were allowed in briefly for the start of their meeting. Obama's final stop in Laos included an informal conversation with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on the sidelines of a summit. Obama had canceled a formal meeting with Duterte after the new Philippine leader used a crude schoolyard epithet to insult the president and warn him not to bring up extrajudicial killings in the Philippines during their meeting. Obama also said the US will not abandon its position on cooperation in various areas with the Philippines. (Photo: AP) Vientiane: United States President Barack Obama said he does not take remarks like those of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte personally, saying it is perhaps Rodrigo's way of speaking. "I don't take such comments personally because it seems that this is a phrase he has used repeatedly, including directed to the Pope and others. So, I think it seems to be just a habit, a way of speaking for him," said Obama, while responding to a poser about Philippine President calling him 'son of a whore'. While speaking at the ASEAN Summit in Laos, Obama also said the U.S. will not abandon its position on cooperation in various areas with the Philippines. Read: Barack Obama, Rodrigo Duterte meet despite Filipino leader's whore slur "We are not going to back off from our position when we are working with a country," he said adding, "It has no impact on our broader relationship with the Philippine people and on the wide range of programmes and security cooperation." On being asked if he interacted with the Philippine President in Laos, he said, "I did shake hands with President Duterte last night. It was not a long interaction and what is indicated to him is just that my team should be meeting with his and determines how we could move forward on a whole range of issues." He said that Philippines and the U.S. will cooperates on the issue of narco traffickers and will hold talks as soon as the Philippines chalks out its plans about what are the areas of possible cooperation between the two nations. "We want to partner with the Philippines on the particular issue of narco traffickers which is a serious problem in the Philippines, it is a serious problem in the US and around the world," said Obama. "As President Duterte and his team get acclimated to his new position that they are able to define and clarify, what exactly they want to get done? How that fits in with the work that we are already doing with the Philippines and hopefully it will be on a strong footing by the time the next administration comes in," he added. Earlier, the U.S. cancelled a meeting with the Philippines at Laos after Duterte Obama as a "son of a whore" and warned him not to question his policy of extrajudicial killings, while answering a reporter's question about how he intends to explain recent events in the Philippines to the U.S. President. However, following the cancelation of the meeting, Duterte said he regretted his earlier comments, saying the remark was not intended as a personal insult. Duterte, in a statement, said both sides have agreed to move the meeting to a later date. However, it's not even the first time he has verbally abused a world leader. Last November, he called Pope Francis, a "son of a whore", for apparently exacerbating the country's already chronic traffic during an official visit. He then announced he wished to visit the Vatican to personally apologise to the Catholic Church leader. Last month as well, Duterte sparked a diplomatic row with Washington when he called Philip Goldberg, the U.S. ambassador to the country, a "gay son of a whore". Pitched battles prompted urgent calls from officials for reinforcements and air support, after the militants toppled security posts on the outskirts to breach the city gates. (Photo: Representational Image/AP) Kandahar: The Taliban stormed into Tarin Kot on Thursday, triggering heavy fighting around government buildings as panicked residents scrambled to flee the capital of southern Uruzgan province, the latest city to be targeted by insurgents. Pitched battles prompted urgent calls from officials for reinforcements and air support, after the militants toppled security posts on the outskirts to breach the city gates. Residents said senior officials were abandoning government buildings and fleeing to the airport on the outer edges of the city, which has practically been besieged by the Taliban for months. "If reinforcements do not arrive the city will collapse into the hands of the Taliban," Karim Khademzai, head of the provincial capital, told AFP. The Taliban are fighting to take over police and intelligence agency headquarters, residents said, voicing fears they will storm the local prison to free captured insurgents. Tarin Kot's normally bustling streets were deserted and shops closed as civilians sought to escape from the city. Sabir Menawal, a Tarin Kot resident, said Taliban fighters entered his house near the police headquarters and took up positions inside to fire at government buildings. "The Taliban instructed us to leave the area immediately," Menawal told AFP. "I fled with my family to a safer area of Tarin Kot, but we fear fighting could spread to this area too." In a sobering admission, Uruzgan's police chief Wais Samim said many of the city's outer defences had fallen to the Taliban without a fight. "Some policemen retreated from their outposts. Some people here deliberately want the enemy to succeed," he told AFP. "We will address this issue once we repel the enemy." The fighting in Uruzgan comes as the Taliban are threatening to capture Lashkar Gah in neighbouring Helmand province, and northern Kunduz, which the insurgents briefly seized last year in a stinging blow to Afghan forces. Deteriorating security President Ashraf Ghani's office, meanwhile, said the government will not allow "Uruzgan to become a sanctuary for terrorists". "Reinforcements have reached the province, and the local police chief and provincial officials are on the frontline fighting the enemy," presidential spokesman Shahhussain Murtazawi said on Facebook. That claim was refuted by multiple Tarin Kot residents, who said senior officials had been seen fleeing to the airport. "Many provincial officials including the governor and other heads of government departments are at the airport," Khademzai told AFP. General Abdul Raziq, the powerful police chief of Kandahar, said he was personally leading a contingent of military reinforcements to Uruzgan. "We are going to Tarin Kot with hundreds of forces to repel the enemy attack," Raziq told AFP. NATO has not yet responded to AFP's request for comment on whether foreign forces will intervene in Uruzgan. Since being toppled by a US invasion in 2001, the Taliban have been seen as a rural militant movement capable only of hit-and-run attacks on cities. But they have demonstrated an alarming new push into urban centres over the last year. The deteriorating security highlights the struggle of Afghan forces, stretched on multiple fronts, to secure remote provinces such as Uruzgan, where Australian, Dutch and American troops fought for years. As the Taliban edged closer to Tarin Kot on Wednesday, they promised a general amnesty to government forces who surrender unconditionally. Defence ministry spokesman Mohammad Radmanish however rejected what the Taliban's "propaganda campaign", saying the Taliban would be beaten back. Vientiane: Terming sea lanes passing through the strategic South China Sea as the "main arteries" of global trade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India supports freedom of navigation as he sought "utmost respect" for international law, amid China's muscle flexing in the region. While outlining India's principled position on the raging issue over the South China Sea, the Prime Minister in his address at the 11th East Asia Summit (EAS) said "the threat or use of force" to resolve would complicate matters affecting peace and stability. Earlier in the day, the issue cropped up during Modi's bilateral talks with his Laotian counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith during which the two sides shared the same perspective on South China Sea. The sea lanes of communication passing through the South China Sea are the "main arteries" of global merchandise trade, he said, adding the threat or use of force to resolve disputes would complicate matters affecting peace and stability. "India supports freedom of navigation based on international law, as reflected notably in the 1982 UN Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). "As a State party to the UNCLOS, India urges all parties to show utmost respect for the UNCLOS," Modi said. He added that India's "own track record in settling its maritime boundary with Bangladesh can serve as an example". The comments come amid China's muscle flexing in the disputed South China Sea and "emerging regional challenges". China is involved in a raging dispute with the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei over ownership of territory in the South China Sea (SCS), a busy waterway through which India's 50 per cent trade passes. China has also objected in the past to India's Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) undertaking exploration at the invitation of Vietnam in the SCS, which is believed to be rich in undersea deposits of oil and gas. India and the US have been calling for freedom of passage in the international waters, much to the discomfort to Beijing, whose claim over SCS was recently struck down by an international tribunal in favour of the Philippines. In his address, Modi also said India can share experience and build partnerships for protection of marine resources, prevent environment degradation and tap blue economy. He added that the countries need to be mindful of common security challenges and India will organise the 2nd EAS on maritime security and cooperation later this year for this. Noting that natural disasters were a prime concern, the Prime Minister announced India's initiatives to help devise coordinated approaches and responses. Vientiane: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday that strong pressure from the international community was the only way to halt North Korea's rocket and nuclear tests and that economic sanctions needed to be implemented "strictly". "We need to make them understand North Korea will be further isolated from the international community if they continue with nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches," Abe told reporters in Vientiane, where he is attending several regional conferences. Narendra Modi with Laos' Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith prior to the start of the ASEAN-India summit in the ongoing 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits at the National Convention Center in Vientiane. (Photo: AP) Vientiane: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held bilateral talks with his Laotian counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith and discussed regional developments including the South China Sea issue. The two sides shared the same perspective on South China Sea, a foreign ministry spokesperson said. In his address to the ASEAN-India Summit, Modi called sea lanes as "life lines of global trade" and said securing seas was a shared responsibility. He added that India supports freedom of navigation based on United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The comments come amid China's muscle flexing in the disputed South China Sea and "emerging regional challenges" as Beijing is involved in a raging dispute with the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei over ownership of territory in the South China Sea (SCS), a busy waterway through which India's 50 per cent trade passes. China has also objected in the past to India's Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) undertaking exploration at the invitation of Vietnam in the SCS, which is believed to be rich in undersea deposits of oil and gas. India and the US have been calling for freedom of passage in the international waters, much to the discomfort to Beijing, whose claim over SCS was recently struck down by an international tribunal in favour of the Philippines. Modi, who is in Laos to attend the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits, held parleys with the Laos premier on the sidelines of the meetings. Sisoulith said his country supported India as a permanent member of a reformed and expanded United Nations Security Council. The two leaders agreed to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in a befitting manner. Modi said he was especially happy to be in Vientiane at a time when India and Laos are celebrating the anniversary. He said India and Laos shared ancient linkages going back more than 2,000 years. The Laotian premier appreciated India's consistent support to Laos, particularly in areas of human resources development, agriculture, irrigation and power. Modi is scheduled to hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Summits during his two-day visit, including with US President Barack Obama, South Korean president Park Geun-hye and Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung Sang Suu Kyi. In his talks with Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe on Wednesday, India and Japan pledged to strengthen ties in the key areas of counterterrorism, civil nuclear cooperation, trade and investment. Addressing the Summit for the third time, Modi said he was "delighted to renew close bonds of friendship" with ASEAN. "India is willing to march with ASEAN to fulfil promise and potential of our strategic engagement," said the Prime Minister, wearing crisp white churidar, kurta and jacket. He invited ASEAN as the "Guest of Honour" for the International Buddhist Conclave in October. On documenting civilisational ties, Modi proposed commissioning project for mapping Indian inscriptions along Mekong river. India announced hosting Commemorative Summit on "Shared Values, Common Destiny" in 2017 and also offered to host India-ASEAN Youth Summit. Noting that cooperation in science and technology was a crucial element of development engagement, Modi proposed to enhance the ASEAN-India Fund with an additional grant of USD 50 million. He also proposed Joint Task Force on connectivity to work on extension of India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Modi said India was committed to Master Plan on ASEAN connectivity. Noting that natural disasters were a common challenge and joint priority, he said India will host Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in November. Narendra Modi with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit. (Photo: Twitter) Vientiane: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday had a "pull aside" meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit, days after he held talks with President Xi Jinping in Hangzhou. "Moving forward with China. PM Narendra Modi has quick pull aside with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on sidelines of EAS," External Affairs Ministry Vikas Swarup tweeted. Earlier, Modi had bilateral parleys with Laotian Prime Minister Thongloun Sisolith, Myanmar Counsellor of State Aung San Suu Kyi and South Korea President Park Geun-hye. Modi's meeting with Li came just four days after he met Xi on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Hangzhou. In that meeting, Modi had told Xi that the two countries need to be "sensitive" to each other's strategic interests. Asserting that fight against terror should not be motivated by "political considerations", Modi had said it is of "paramount importance that we respect each other's aspirations, concerns and strategic interests" to ensure durable bilateral ties. Modi had also raised India's concerns over the USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Vientiane: US President Barack Obama warned Beijing on Thursday it could not ignore a tribunal's ruling rejecting its sweeping claims to the South China Sea, driving tensions higher in a territorial row that threatens regional security. The dispute has raised fears of military confrontation between the world's superpowers, with China determined to cement control of the strategically vital waters despite a July verdict that its claims have no legal basis. "The landmark arbitration ruling in July, which is binding, helped to clarify maritime rights in the region," Obama told Southeast Asian leaders at a summit in Laos. "I recognise this raises tensions but I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and stability." The verdict by an international tribunal in The Hague said China's claims to most of the waters -- through which $5 trillion in global shipping trade passes annually -- had no legal basis. It also said that a massive burst of artificial island-building activity undertaken by China in recent years in a bid to bolster its claims was illegal. China angrily vowed to ignore the ruling, describing it as "waste paper", even though it had legal force through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Obama's emphasis on the ruling being "binding" will undoubtedly attract a strong reaction from China, which has argued the United States has no role to play in the dispute. Other claimants in the sea are the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei -- all part of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc meeting in Laos -- plus Taiwan. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is also in Laos this week, with ASEAN hosting a series of regional meetings, and will meet Obama later Thursday at an 18-nation East Asia summit. Serious concern ASEAN leaders released a statement on Wednesday saying they were "seriously concerned" over recent developments in the sea. But intensive Chinese lobbying helped to ensure there was no mention of the July ruling in the ASEAN statement. ASEAN works by consensus, and China has successfully pressured Cambodia and Laos in recent years to ensure the bloc does not gang together to heavily pressure Beijing. However the Philippines released photos on Wednesday it said showed renewed Chinese island-building activity, in a deliberate move to throw the issue into the spotlight. The Chinese ships were at Scarborough Shoal, a small fishing ground within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone that China took control of in 2012. If China did build an island at the shoal, it could lead to a military outpost just 230 kilometres (140 miles) from the main Philippine island, where US forces are stationed. It would also be a major step in China's quest to control the sea, giving it the ability to enforce an air defence identification zone across the waters. Obama warned Chinese President Xi Jinping in March not to build at the shoal. Military intimidation Chinese island-building in the Spratlys archipelago -- another strategically important location -- has already triggered various US military shows of strength. The United States has sent warships close to the new islands, and warplanes over them, deeply angering China. Security analysts have said Chinese island-building at Scarborough Shoal could trigger a military confrontation. China insisted repeatedly this week it was not undertaking any island-building activities at the shoal. A barrage of other security threats were also in focus in Laos on Thursday, including North Korea's nuclear ambitions following its latest missile tests. Obama warned on Monday that Kim Jong-Un's regime was dooming itself to further isolation, and the UN Security Council condemned the tests. But North Korea responded by threatening on Wednesday to take "further significant measures". Spectacular sideshow A spectacular sideshow in Laos this week has been a spat between Obama and the acid-tongued Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, whose nations are longtime allies. Duterte launched a tirade against Obama on Monday after being told the US president planned to raise concerns about a war on crime in the Philippines that has claimed 3,000 lives in just over two months. "You must be respectful. Do not just throw away questions and statements. Son of a whore, I will curse you in that forum," Duterte told reporters. Obama cancelled a meeting with Duterte scheduled for Tuesday because of the outburst. They met briefly on Wednesday night before a leaders' dinner, but only exchanged "pleasantries", according to the White House. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama greet each other during the group photo session at the 11th East Asia summit in Vientiane, Laos on Thursday. (Photo: PTI) Vientiane: The US "strongly supports" India's NSG membership bid, President Barack Obama on Thursday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi here as they discussed the immediate priorities in the strategic partnership, including deepening the civil nuclear cooperation and combating climate change. "Had a great discussion with President of the US (POTUS) on India-USA relations," Modi tweeted after his meeting with Obama on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit here, their eighth in the last two years. A White House official, giving details of the meeting, said, "Reaffirming the strong bonds of friendship between the United States and India, the President underscored that the United States strongly supports India's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)." Read: Obama meets Modi, praises him for bold policy on GST on their 8th meet The US has been playing a lead role in supporting India's bid in the 48-member elite group. China had scuttled New Delhi's bid at the plenary session of NSG in June. The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of the deepening partnership between the US and India and the value of their shared engagement in the region, including through the East Asia Summit, the official said. "President Obama praised Prime Minister Modi's initiatives to reform the Indian economy. In particular, the US President expressed confidence that the passage of GST will unleash significant economic activity," sources said. During the meeting, Obama also praised Modi's vision of entrepreneurship and innovation, which he said would be "very important for a country like India". Obama said that he had always been a friend of India and would continue to be a "strong partner of India and help in any way I can," according to sources. Both leaders reviewed the immediate priorities in the strategic partnership. They discussed climate change issues and energy cooperation. The two leaders also reviewed progress on Indo-US collaboration in nuclear energy, solar energy and innovation, the sources said. "President Obama thanked Prime Minister Modi for his cooperation on a broad range of global and bilateral issues and commended Prime Minister Modi's leadership in addressing the urgent threats posed by climate change," the White House official said. "The leaders noted our joint commitment, fulfilled by the United States in advance of the G20 Leaders' Summit, to join the Paris Agreement this year as well as our resolve to adopt an ambitious HFC amendment to the Montreal Protocol this year," the official added. The meeting was "very warm and friendly", sources said. Modi praised President Obama for his contribution to the relationship and the growing trust between the two countries. He also invited the US President to visit India after demitting office to which Obama said he would welcome any opportunity to visit India. On a lighter note, Obama said he and his wife Michelle were yet to see the Taj Mahal. Last year, Obama had cancelled a planned trip to the Taj Mahal, cutting short his visit to India to travel to Saudi Arabia following King Abdullah's death. Paris: President Francois Hollande insisted on Thursday that France's strict laws separating church and state do not prevent the country's large Muslim minority from practising their religion. In a speech on terrorism and democracy coming in the midst of a debate on the banning of the Islamic burkini swimsuit, Hollande said, "Nothing in the idea of secularism opposes the practice of Islam in France, provided it respects the law." Mayors in around 30 French towns last month cited the country's century-old secular laws in banning head-to-toe swimwear on their beaches, unleashing a furore. Hollande said secularism was not a "state religion" to be used against other religions. The state guaranteed "the right to believe or not to believe" as long the demonstration of that belief did "not disrupt public order," he said. Asking whether Islam could co-exist with a secular French state, like Christianity and Judaism, he insisted: "My answer is yes, certainly." "The question the Republic must answer is: Is it really ready to make place for a religion that it did not expect to be this big over a century ago. There too, my answer is yes, certainly." The supreme court of Italy announced the judgement while dealing with a case involving a 69-year-old man who was accused of masturbating in the public in the city of Catania. (Photo: YouTube Screeengrab) Rome: Italy's top court has ruled that masturbation in public is not a criminal offence even if it is done with the intention of being viewed by public. According to a report in the Independent, the supreme court of Italy announced the judgement while dealing with a case involving a 69-year-old man who was accused of masturbating in the public in the city of Catania. The ruling refers to the case in which the man identified as Pietro, was convicted after he was seen taking out his penis and masturbating in front of students at University of Catania. Following the incident, the accused was arrested and sentenced to three months in prison with a fine of 3,420. However, while delivering the judgement on the case, the top court said that 'the act is not included in the law as a crime'. In their ruling, the apex court also said that the man should only be fined for his act with the exact amount of the fine to be decided by the local court where he was initially sentenced. Explaining their decision, the court said that the Italian parliament had last year passed a law that decriminalised the offence of lurking in places with many women around from masturbation point of view. Paris: Salah Abdeslam, thought to be the sole surviving member of the jihadist team that attacked Paris in November 2015, on Thursday refused to answer questions from French anti-terror judges for a third time. "He exercised his right to silence," Frank Berton told reporters after his 26-year-old client appeared at Paris's main courthouse. The lawyer said he was optimistic Abdeslam would eventually cooperate with investigators seeking to establish his role in the deaths of 130 people in the November 13 attacks. "There's a hope that he will speak to the judges," Berton said. "But it won't be today." Abdeslam has refused to answer questions since being transferred to France from Belgium in April and is believed to be angry at round-the-clock surveillance of his jail cell. In July, his lawyer sought unsuccessfully to end the surveillance, a source close to the case told AFP. He was brought to court on Thursday in a heavily-guarded convoy. After four months on the run, Abdeslam was arrested on March 18 in Molenbeek, a Brussels neighbourhood notorious for being a hotbed of Islamic extremism, where he grew up. He was transferred to France to face terror charges on April 27. Investigators have yet to pin down Abdeslam's exact role in the coordinated attacks on Paris bars, restaurants, a concert hall and the national stadium. Paris: Salah Abdeslam, the man thought to be the sole surviving member of the jihadist team that attacked Paris in November last year, arrived Thursday for questioning at Paris's main court. Abdeslam, 26, who has twice refused to answer anti-terror judges' questions since he was transferred to France from Belgium in April, was brought to the court in a heavily guarded convoy. He has refused to answer questions since being transferred to France in April and is believed to be angry at round-the-clock surveillance in jail. On July 7 his lawyer Frank Berton sought unsuccessfully to get authorities to halt the surveillance, a source close to the case told AFP. Abdeslam refused to answer questions in his first interview with a French anti-terror judge on May 20. After four months on the run, Abdeslam was arrested on March 18 in Molenbeek, a Brussels neighbourhood notorious for being a hotbed of Islamic extremism, where he grew up. He was brought to France to face terror charges on April 27. Investigators have yet to pin down Abdeslam's exact role in the November 13, 2015, attacks on Paris bars, restaurants, a concert hall and the national stadium in which 130 people were killed. Anti-terror investigators are probing the incident which comes as France is on high alert following a string of jihadist attacks. (Photo: Representational Image/AP) Paris: A second couple was detained overnight in connection with an investigation into the discovery of a car in Paris containing six gas canisters, a French police source said on Thursday. The pair was picked up near Montargis, about 110 kilometres (65 miles) south of Paris. Their detention raises to four the number of people held in connection with the suspect car, an abandoned Peugeot 607 which was parked several hundred metres from Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. The first couple, who were detained at a service station on a road in southern France, were known to the security services for having links to radical Islamists. The daughter of the car's owner, described by her father as being radicalised, is also wanted for questioning, police said. Anti-terror investigators are probing the incident which comes as France is on high alert following a string of jihadist attacks, including last November's coordinated Islamic State (IS) group assaults in Paris by gunmen and suicide bombers who killed 130 people. The newborn was on her first outdoor trip with her parents, Amy Duckers and Lewis Temple, when she was hit by a shopper. (Photo: Facebook) Baguley, Greater Manchester: A UK man has been arrested for punching a five-day-old baby and causing her injuries at a Tesco supermarket in Baguley, Greater Manchester. According to a report in the Independent, the newborn was on her first outdoor trip with her parents, Amy Duckers and Lewis Temple, when she was hit by the shopper. She was immediately taken to the hospital where doctors gave her emergency aid and monitored her overnight. She sustained minor injuries and is said to be in a stable condition. Police authorities began investigation and said that they have arrested the suspect who told them that he mistook the baby for a toy doll. In his statement to the police, the accused said that he had heard the baby's family telling their friends to come and have a look at the beautiful baby. Witnesses to the incident said that they saw the accused approaching the baby and punching her in the face. Authorities are questioning the suspect and are trying to establish a motive behind the incident. While the accused was detained and the baby was out of danger, her mother took to Facebook to expresses her gratitude towards the police and supermarket staff who helped save her baby from the attack. She wrote, Thank you so much to Baguley Tesco for all you did tonight (Monday) you were all amazing thank you so much for the way you dealt with the situation and treated us all." The girl did not inform her parents but later confided in her teacher and told her that she had been assaulted in a dirty way. (Photo: File) Bradford: A 27-year-old Pakistani man in the United Kingdom has been sentenced to 10 years jail for raping a 12-year-old Muslim girl. He confessed to committing the crime to his British wife, saying the devil had got to him. According to a report in Daily Mail, Kamran Ahmed from Thornbury, Bradford, West Yorkshire, told the girl that she was pretty and had touched her inappropriately while also attempting to kiss her. He later said 'I have to do this,' and raped her, prosecutor Tom Storey told Bradford Crown Court. He told the girl that no one would believe her if she told anyone about the rape. The girl did not inform her parents but later confided in her teacher and told her that she had been assaulted in a dirty way. Ahmed, who claimed that the devil had got to him later pleaded guilty in the court. The Recorder of Bradford, Judge Roger Thomas Q C., said Ahmed will be deported to Pakistan after he serves his sentence. The judge said the incident has scarred the life of the victim who was unable to take advantage of counselling because it was too painful and difficult to speak about what had happened, even in such a private setting. London: Washington is willing to cooperate with Moscow to end the Syrian conflict but only if there is first a "true cessation" of hostilities, US Defence Secretary Ash Carter said on Thursday. Ahead of an expected meeting in Geneva between US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Carter told BBC radio there was "quite a long way to go" before a deal could be struck. "If an agreement was reached it would result in a number of steps, importantly including a cessation of hostilities that could ultimately lead to greater cooperation between the United States and the Russian military," he said. Carter added, "It is possible. However in the current circumstance, it is not possible for the United States to associate itself with -- let alone to cooperate in -- a venture that is only fuelling violence and civil war." He said Washington wanted Assad gone "as soon as possible", adding, "We realise there'll be a transition in order to make this orderly, but that's what the Russians are supposed to be arranging." He noted that when Russia entered the conflict in Syria, it said that it intended to fight terrorism and try to end the civil war through a political transition. "That's not what it has done," said the defence secretary, who is in London for a UN peacekeeping conference. "It has fuelled the civil war and the violence there and has not helped us progress to a political solution that would have (President) Bashar al-Assad step aside and have a new government including the moderate opposition take over." He called for "a true cessation of hostilities -- not what you've seen, which is a partial cessation of hostilities", adding: "Our patience is not unlimited." "We have our differences, serious differences, with Russia elsewhere, especially here in Europe with Ukraine and elsewhere Russia has been acting in an aggressive manner," he said. However, he noted that Russia and the US had also worked together to secure a deal on Iran's nuclear programme. In a speech in Oxford on Wednesday evening, Carter said the US "does not seek a cold, let alone a hot war with Russia". But he warned, "We will counter attempts to undermine our collective security. And we will not ignore attempts to interfere with our democratic processes." US officials have said Russia was behind an email hack that embarrassed White House hopeful Hillary Clinton, although Russian President Vladimir Putin denied this. On Wednesday, strikes by unidentified aircraft on the eastern Sukkari district left 11 civilians dead, according to the Observatory. (Photo: Representational Image/AP) Beirut: Pro-regime forces overran a strategically important district on the southern outskirts of Syria's Aleppo Thursday, a monitor said, rolling back nearly every gain from a major month-long rebel offensive there. The government advance in Ramussa further seals off Aleppo's opposition-held eastern districts, under renewed siege since Sunday by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. Government forces and allied fighters "retook full control of the Ramussa district after ferocious clashes with rebels, Islamist fighters, and jihadist groups," said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said the capture came after reinforcements of Iraqi and Iranian pro-government militiamen arrived south of the city earlier this week. "The regime could not afford to lose this battle, otherwise it would have lost everything," he told AFP. Rebels and their jihadist allies had launched a major assault in Aleppo's southern outskirts on July 31 in a bid to break the government's encirclement of the eastern neighbourhoods. They successfully opened a route into those districts a week later via Ramussa, but regime forces have managed to recapture nearly all that territory. Abdel Rahman told AFP on Thursday that rebels still hold marginal positions in a residential complex and a school. An AFP correspondent in the city's east said shops had been struggling since Sunday to secure goods to sell and that prices were skyrocketing. State news agency SANA also reported that the government's armed forces advanced south of Aleppo on Thursday. Once Syria's commercial powerhouse, Aleppo is now a divided city, with rebel groups firing into the government-held west and regime and allied Russian warcraft pounding the opposition-controlled east. On Wednesday, strikes by unidentified aircraft on the eastern Sukkari district left 11 civilians dead, according to the Observatory. Aleppo province, which borders Turkey to the north, is a patchwork of territory held by competing forces in Syria's war: rebels, the regime, Kurdish fighters, and jihadists. The Islamic State group's last major position in the province is Al-Bab, eyed by rival Kurdish and Arab fighters backed by the US-led coalition and Ankara respectively. At least 10 civilians were killed in the IS-held town of Taduf, near Al-Bab, in air strikes by unidentified aircraft on Wednesday, the Observatory said. Four IS fighters were also killed in the raids and another four bodies have yet to be identified, according to the monitor. The woman, identified as Ebru Firat, was detained following a tip-off after she flew into the city's Ataturk airport. (Photo: Representational Image/AFP) Istanbul: Turkish security forces on Thursday detained a female militant member of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) at Istanbul airport on suspicion of planning an attack in the city, the state-run Anadolu news agency said. The woman, identified as Ebru Firat, was detained following a tip-off after she flew into the city's Ataturk airport, the agency said. It said the woman, whose code name was "Amara", could have come to the city to stage an attack. The agency said the woman had in the past been photographed next to Murat Karayilan, one of the PKK's top leaders in northern Iraq. The pro-government Sabah daily said Firat had been detained after arriving on a flight from Diyarbakir in the Kurdish-dominated southeast and had been planning a suicide bombing in Istanbul. The PKK has killed hundreds of members of the Turkish security forces mainly in the southeast of the country since a ceasefire disintegrated last year. And a splinter group of the PKK, the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK), has claimed two car bomb attacks in Ankara and one in Istanbul this year that left dozens dead. Over 40,000 people have been killed since the PKK first took up arms in 1984 with the aim of carving out an independent state for Turkey's Kurdish minority. It is proscribed as a terrorist group by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. Car bombs have hit Tripoli several times since the revolution that toppled dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, but the capital had not seen such an attack since September 8, 2015. (Photo: Representational Image/AFP) Tripoli: Two car bombs went off in the Libyan capital Tripoli on Thursday morning, damaging nearby vehicles but causing no casualties, said a security official. The bombs exploded behind the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and near the entrance to a naval base that was the headquarters of Libya's unity government when it set up operations in the city in late March, he said. "The explosions did not cause any casualties," but caused limited damage to nearby cars, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity. No group claimed responsibility for the attacks. Car bombs have hit Tripoli several times since the revolution that toppled dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, but the capital had not seen such an attack since September 8, 2015. Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA) unity government arrived in Tripoli in late March after a UN-backed agreement in Morocco in December 2015. It has struggled to assert its authority across the country, facing opposition from a rival government in the east. Pro-GNA forces are fighting to oust Islamic State group militants from the last areas they control in their coastal stronghold of Sirte, 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Tripoli. China already has a number of Taiwanese nationals alleged to have involved in such frauds from different countries. (Photo: Representational Image/AFP) Beijing: China on Thursday said it has secured the deportation from Armenia of 51 Chinese and 78 Taiwanese nationals, who were involved in telecom frauds worth over USD 1 million. The 129 suspects were arrested when local police raided six dens on August 20, Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said. A large amount of equipment, including computers and smart phones, were found on the spot. China already has a number of Taiwanese nationals alleged to have involved in such frauds from different countries. Taiwan has been protesting over the deportation of its nationals to China for trial and punishment. China, however, argues that they committed crimes against Beijing and are, therefore, entitled to be punished in the mainland. The MPS dispatched a working team to Armenia to deal with the issue on August 26. Investigation found that the syndicate based in Armenia had been falsely presenting themselves as law enforcement officers to extort money from people on the Chinese mainland through telephone calls, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. They were found to have cheated people involved in about 50 cases, worth more than 7 million yuan (USD 1.2 million). The MPS has designated police from Guangdong Province to investigate the case, as all victims are from the mainland. Mainland police have informed Taiwan authorities of the cases. Telecom fraud has caused grave harm, said the MPS, vowing to continue the fight against telecom fraud. Public Security Minister Guo Shengkun called for efforts to enhance public awareness of such crimes and firmly curb on telecom fraud to protect people's legitimate rights and interests in Shanghai on Tuesday. "We advise tourists not to go out alone at night, and females always to be accompanied by another person when travelling," the magazine adds. (Representational Image) Beijing: A racist advertisement published in the in-flight magazine of Air China, warned its passengers to stay away from specific areas in London that are mostly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people. A Chinese journalist, who was travelling by Air China plane, came across the advertisement and pointed it out. "London is generally a safe place to travel, however precautions are needed when entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people," said Air China in one of its in-flight magazine. The airline's "Wings of China" magazine reportedly provides safety advice to travellers based on the race and nationality of local residents. "We advise tourists not to go out alone at night, and females always to be accompanied by another person when travelling," the magazine adds. The description prompted London MP Virendra Sharma, who emigrated from India to the UK in the 1960s, to complain to the Chinese government. "I am shocked and appalled that even today some people would see it as acceptable to write such blatantly untrue and racist statements," he said in an online statement. "I have raised this issue with the Chinese Ambassador, and requested that he ensures an apology is swiftly forthcoming from Air China, and the magazine is removed from circulation immediately," Sharma said. Neither Air China nor the Chinese embassy were immediately available to comment on the report, which comes during a period of tension between Beijing and London. Flooded during the monsoon and dust-choked in the hot season, the camps are clustered on the outskirts of the state capital Sittwe. (Photo: AP) Sittwe, Myanmar: Four years after fleeing religious riots that emptied her Muslim Rohingya neighbourhood in Myanmar's Rakhine State, Myee Shay yearns for the trappings of a normal life: a job, a school for her children and the chance to buy her own food. But the 35-year-old, like tens of thousands of others displaced by the violence, remains stuck in a displacement camp, unable to return home in a region ruptured by conflict between Muslims and a majority-Buddhist population. "We eat when we get our quota," Myee Shay told AFP, referring to monthly rations of food, mostly rice, that families receive from aid groups in the camps. "If we do not get it, we cannot eat," the mother-of-four added. She spoke while preparing plant stalks collected from the outskirts of the Thet Kae Pyin camp -- an attempt to enrich the meagre meals and break the tedium of days spent waiting for change that never seems to come. Flooded during the monsoon and dust-choked in the hot season, the camps are clustered on the outskirts of the state capital Sittwe. They mostly hold Rohingya, a stateless group that became the target of riots after long-running discrimination against Muslims boiled over in 2012 -- although several thousand ethnic Rakhine Buddhists also lost their homes in the violence. That bloodshed left more than 100 people dead and saw thousands of homes torched by mobs. Anti-Muslim sentiment still runs high in the impoverished region, fanned by hardline Buddhist nationalists who revile the Rohingya and are viscerally opposed to any move to grant them citizenship. They insist the roughly one-million strong group are intruders from neighbouring Bangladesh, even though many can trace their ancestry in Myanmar back generations. Today the state is effectively segregated on religious grounds, with no major moves to see the displaced return home. International rights groups have urged Myanmar's democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi to grant the Rohingya citizenship. But the Nobel Laureate has shied away from coming to their defence, wary of the dangers of a Buddhist backlash. She recently appointed former UN chief Kofi Annan to advise her government on how to heal the state's caustic divides. This week he met with local leaders and visited internally displaced people from both communities in Rakhine, where he was jeered by angry Buddhist protesters on his arrival. "We are here to advise, not to impose," Annan told reporters in Yangon after returning from the two-day visit, stressing his commitment to remain "rigorously impartial". The trip was the first of many his team will make to Rakhine before submitting a report to the government within one year, he added. Stuck in limbo "Security is everywhere, we cannot go anywhere," said Shwe Sin, Myee Shay's mother, of a web of government restrictions that heap misery on daily life. Their family of 14 lives in a cramped hut made of thatched bamboo and plastic scraps. The family can not leave the camp to work and they are almost entirely dependent on humanitarian aid. "Without freedom of movement, farmers can't go to their fields, fishermen can't go to the sea, traders can't go to the market," said Pierre Peron, a spokesperson for UNOCHA in Myanmar. Most of the barracks-style shelters in the camps were only built to last three years and now, battered by annual deluges of rain, need to be rebuilt. Healthcare and education is at best patchy inside the camps, with aid groups desperately plugging the yawning gaps in the system that see frequent outbreaks of sickness. While aid groups say the ultimate goal is for displaced people to go home, the immediate priority must be to ensure "minimum living standards are met," Peron added. Myee Shay laments the grinding reality of her family's life, one that means her children go without medical care when they are sick. "I have no money. My husband doesn't work as we have no job here. What can we do?" Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed deep concern at the rising "export of terror", in an apparent reference to Pakistan, saying it is a common security threat to the region as he sought a coordinated response from ASEAN member nations to combat the menace. While addressing the 14th ASEAN-India summit here, the Prime Minister also noted that growing radicalism through the ideology of hatred and spread of extreme violence are the other security threats. "Export of terror, growing radicalisation and spread of extreme violence are common security threats to our societies," he said in his second attack on Pakistan in two days amid escalating war of words between New Delhi and Islamabad. "The threat is local, regional, and transitional at the same time. Our partnership with ASEAN seeks to craft a response through coordination, cooperation at multiple levels," Modi said. He said that in the face of growing traditional and non traditional challenges, political cooperation was a key emerging in our relations. "We are willing to take concrete steps to enhance cooperation in cyber security, de-radicalisation and counterterrorism," he added. On Monday, Modi made a sharp attack on Pakistan at the G20 summit, saying "one single nation" in South Asia is spreading "agents of terror" as he asserted that those who sponsor the menace must be sanctioned and isolated, not rewarded. In his remarks today, the Prime Minister said that ASEAN is central to India's Act East policy. "Our engagement driven by common priorities bringing peace, stability and prosperity to the region," he told the 10-member grouping attended by Heads of state. He said enhancing connectivity was central to India's partnership with ASEAN. Seamless digital connectivity between India and Southeast Asia is a shared objective. India committed to Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity," Modi said. Securing seas was a shared responsibility, he said, adding that sea lanes are "life lines of global trade". India supports freedom of navigation based on United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), he added. He thanked the member countries for sharing their views on "nature, direction and priorities of our engagement". "All three pillars of our partnership - security, economic and socio-cultural have registered good progress," he said, adding that engagement of India-ASEAN is of "economic optimism". "We continue to expand and deepen our economic engagements," Modi said. Laotian premier complimented India's Act East policy and its contribution to ASEAN and hoped the summit will provide future direction. A Russian fighter jet flew dangerously close to a US spy plane over the Black Sea today, the Pentagon said, although Moscow quickly insisted the encounter was within "international rules." A Russian Su-27 Flanker jet made an unsafe, close-range intercept of a US P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine and intelligence plane conducting "routine operations" in international airspace, Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said. A US defense official, speaking earlier on condition of anonymity, told AFP the Russian plane flew within 30 feet (9 meters) of the P-8A before closing to just 10 feet. "These actions have the potential to unnecessarily escalate tensions, and could result in a miscalculation or accident," Davis said. However, Moscow said the intercept was conducted "in strict accordance with international rules" because the Americans were trying to snoop on Russian army exercises. The Russian defense ministry said in a statement that it dispatched Su-27 jets to check out US P-8 Poseidon planes as they "twice tried to get close to the Russian border over the Black Sea without their transponders turned on." "After the Russian fighters got close to the spy planes for visual confirmation and to determine their wing numbers, the American aircraft changed course sharply and flew away," the statement said. "The Russia pilots acted in strict accordance with international rules for flights." US Navy aircraft and ships routinely interact with Russian craft in the area, and most encounters are conducted safely. "However, we have deep concerns when there is an unsafe maneuver," Davis said. Relations between Russia and the West are at their worst since the Cold War over Moscow's seizure of Crimea from Ukraine and alleged fueling of a separatist conflict in the former Soviet republic. Washington and Moscow have reported an uptick in similar mid-air incidents between their forces as Russia flexes its muscles and the US-led NATO alliance beefs up its forces in Eastern Europe. A similar "unsafe" intercept over the Black Sea occurred in May last year when a Russian Flanker intercepted an American RC-135 reconnaissance plane. Barack Obama briefly met with Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte today, Manila said, two days after the firebrand politician branded the US president a "son of a whore". The encounter took place just before a dinner during a summit of regional leaders in Laos, according to the Philippine delegation. "They met at the holding room and they were the last people to leave the holding room. I can't say how long they met," Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay, travelling with Duterte, told reporters shortly afterwards. "I'm very happy that it happened." Senator Alan Cayetano, one of Duterte's close aides travelling with him, also said the meeting took place. However the White House had no immediate comment and the Philippines did not elaborate on what was said. Obama cancelled yesterday's planned meeting with Duterte on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-hosted summit after the notoriously acid-tongued Philippine president launched a barrage of insults the previous day. His outburst was in response to comments by Obama's aides that the US president planned to raise concerns about Duterte's war on crime that has claimed 3,000 lives in just over two months. "You must be respectful. Do not just throw away questions and statements. Son of a whore, I will curse you in that forum," Duterte told reporters when asked about his message for Obama. "We will be wallowing in the mud like pigs if you do that to me." Obama initially responded by calling Duterte a "colourful guy", but then called off the meeting after the international media reported heavily on the issue. The snub was a spectacular setback for relations between the United States and Philippines, which are longtime allies and are bound by a mutual defence treaty to help each other in times of war. Yasay sought to characterise Wednesday's meeting as proof the alliance was strong enough to withstand such hiccups. "It all springs from the fact that the relationship between the Philippines and the United States is firm, very strong," Yasay said. Nevertheless, Duterte's office earlier today released a statement saying he would sit next to Obama at the gala dinner. "The media from all over the world, including from the Philippines, are up in excitement as each await the event where the two leaders will possibly say something positive," the statement from the presidential palace said. However Obama did not sit next to Duterte. A civil society group in Jammu and Kashmir has written to President Pranab Mukherjee, seeking a "direct dialogue" with all stakeholders, including separatists, besides advocating repeal of laws like AFSPA and ban on use of pellet guns as confidence building measures for starting talks. While advocating direct dialogue, the group has dismissed Track II initiatives, saying such processes have rarely yielded any results. In a five-page letter to the President, the group comprising former bureaucrats, judges, top police officials, journalists and educationists sought his intervention to impress upon the Centre to hold talks for resolution of the "Kashmir dispute". "We...implore and beseech Your Excellency, to impress upon the Government of India to initiate and announce direct, immediate, purposeful and result oriented dialogue with all the stakeholders especially those with whom such dialogue has been held in 2004 and 2007 for a lasting solution of 'Kashmir Dispute' within a reasonable time frame," the group said in the letter sent to the President yesterday. "We sincerely believe that a lasting solution of the dispute through dialogue with all the stakeholders would be in the interest of people of the subcontinent in general and people of Jammu and Kashmir in particular," they said. The group also said that Track II initiative have rarely yielded any results. "The experience teaches us that, Track II initiatives are time consuming, rarely yield any results and therefore not an option. Direct dialogue is the only way forward.An open dialogue with the representatives of those leading the ongoing movement and overall struggle for realisation of political aspirations, without questioning the legitimacy of the leadership, is imperative. "A confusion, grossly misplaced, is being created regarding the identity of those leading the ongoing movement and overall struggle for realisation of political aspirations and therefore required to be associated with the proposed talks," they said. The civil society members said previous central governments headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh had held dialogue at the highest level with important stakeholders. "The Government of India should resume that process by restarting dialogue at that level and follow it up by broad based institutional mechanisms for a holistic and lasting solution," they said while seeking a dialogue with all the stakeholders without any preconditions. "Once the Prime Minister has signified his intention to initiate dialogue within the ambit of Insaniyat, a concept higher than any law and even Constitution, for a lasting solution of the dispute, there is no reason to make dialogue subject to any conditions," it said. The civil society said "a meaningful dialogue" will also help in moving towards a "harmonious and dignified return of all the persons displaced because of conflict, to their native places". While making an effort to settle the dispute, they said the focus should not remain merely on financial packages or administrative interventions. The 'Kashmir dispute', the group said is a political dispute. "The dispute has its roots also in failure of India and Pakistan to carry forward dialogue contemplated under Tashkent Declaration of 1966, Shimla Agreement 1972, and bilateral talks held from time to time.The dispute, over the years, has consumed lives of thousands of people, left thousands orphans and widows, without a source of sustenance. Thousands have disappeared leaving behind, old aged parents, half widows and half orphans," they said. The group highlighted that the Government of India has been spending billions of rupees on acquisition of military hardware and maintenance of more than half a million troops and para-military forces in the State. "The dispute has, triggered arms race and, lately, nuclear proliferation in the subcontinent, making the State a nuclear flash point, threatening the security of the entire sub-continent. This leads to misallocation of precious and scarce resources, and perpetuates the state of poverty for the teeming millions, living below the poverty line. "India and Pakistan have fought four wars over the dispute and the two countries, with nuclear arsenal, cannot any more afford to get entangled in an armed conflict," they said. In an apparent snub to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, the group said the impression sought to be created that only five per cent of the population is associated with the movement is "misleading" and "belied" by the situation on ground. "The current movement is a mass uprising and not the handiwork of a few people," the group felt. The civil society suggested a few measures to be taken for creating an atmosphere conducive for a successful dialogue including repeal of laws like AFSPA, Public Safety Act and Disturbed Areas Act. They also called for reducing the footprints of army, para-military forces and security forces, especially, in civilian areas. "Relocate such forces and make Jammu and Kashmir Police and Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police responsible for maintenance of law and order," the group said. They also demanded an immediate ban on the use of pellet guns. The signatories to the letter include former chairman of Public Service Commission Muhammad Shafi Pandit, former judge of J&K High Court Hasnain Masoodi, former Chief Information Commissioner G R Sufi, former Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University Abdul Wahid, founder Vice Chancellor of SKUAST Hashmatullah Khan. Other signatories include Editor-in-Chief of Greater Kashmir Fayaz A Kaloo, artist Masood Hussain, former Chairman J&K Bank Munshi Ghulam Hassan, former Advocate General Reyaz A Jan, and Executive Editor of Kashmir Times Anuradha Bhasin. The group also demanded appointment of a Commission of Inquiry headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court to inquire into all civilian killings, "grievous hurt" caused by security forces and police firing, other crowd control measures, and nocturnal raids, damage to movable and immovable property during raids, on and after July 8 till the Commission initiates its proceedings, and to fix responsibility. The Inquiry Commission should also determine compensation to be paid to the dependants of the deceased and each of the victims, and the persons whose property was damaged during nocturnal, they said Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier Those who habitually put items in their recycling bins that don't belong there are the target of the ordinance amendment, not those who make an occasional, accidental mistake, said Public Works Director Jeff Demers. The US "strongly supports" India's NSG membership bid, President Barack Obama today told Prime Minister Narendra Modi here as they discussed the immediate priorities in the strategic partnership, including deepening the civil nuclear cooperation and combating climate change. "Had a great discussion with President of the US (POTUS) on India-USA relations," Modi tweeted after his meeting with Obama on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit here, their eighth in the last two years. A White House official, giving details of the meeting, said, "Reaffirming the strong bonds of friendship between the United States and India, the President underscored that the United States strongly supports India's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)." The US has been playing a lead role in supporting India's bid in the 48-member elite group. China had scuttled New Delhi's bid at the Plenary Session of NSG in June. The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of the deepening partnership between the US and India and the value of their shared engagement in the region, including through the East Asia Summit, the official said. "President Obama praised Prime Minister Modi's initiatives to reform the Indian economy. In particular, the US President expressed confidence that the passage of GST will unleash significant economic activity," sources said. During the meeting, Obama also praised Modi's vision of entrepreneurship and innovation, which he said would be "very important for a country like India". Obama said that he had always been a friend of India and would continue to be a "strong partner of India and help in any way I can," according to sources. Both leaders reviewed the immediate priorities in the strategic partnership. They discussed climate change issues and energy cooperation. The two leaders also reviewed progress on Indo-US collaboration in nuclear energy, solar energy and innovation, the sources said. "President Obama thanked Prime Minister Modi for his cooperation on a broad range of global and bilateral issues and commended Prime Minister Modi's leadership in addressing the urgent threats posed by climate change," the White House official said. "The leaders noted our joint commitment, fulfilled by the United States in advance of the G20 Leaders' Summit, to join the Paris Agreement this year as well as our resolve to adopt an ambitious HFC amendment to the Montreal Protocol this year," the official added. The meeting was "very warm and friendly", sources said. Modi praised President Obama for his contribution to the relationship and the growing trust between the two countries. He also invited the US President to visit India after demitting office to which Obama said he would welcome any opportunity to visit India. On a lighter note, Obama said he and his wife Michelle were yet to see the Taj Mahal. Last year, Obama had cancelled a planned trip to the Taj Mahal, cutting short his visit to India to travel to Saudi Arabia following King Abdullah's death. This could be the last meeting between Modi and Obama as leaders of the two countries with Obama's second term as US President coming to an end in January next year. They met for the first time at the White House in September 2014 when Modi travelled to Washington DC at the invitation of Obama. Modi had also exchanged views with Obama on the sidelines of the G20 summit in China's Hangzhou on Sunday, with the US President praising the "bold policy" move on GST reform in a "difficult" global economic scenario. Terming sea lanes passing through the strategic South China Sea as the "main arteries" of global trade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India supports freedom of navigation as he sought "utmost respect" for international law, amid China's muscle flexing in the region. While outlining India's principled position on the raging issue over the South China Sea, the Prime Minister in his address at the 11th East Asia Summit (EAS) said "the threat or use of force" to resolve would complicate matters affecting peace and stability. Earlier in the day, the issue cropped up during Modi's bilateral talks with his Laotian counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith during which the two sides shared the same perspective on South China Sea. The sea lanes of communication passing through the South China Sea are the "main arteries" of global merchandise trade, he said, adding the threat or use of force to resolve disputes would complicate matters affecting peace and stability. "India supports freedom of navigation based on international law, as reflected notably in the 1982 UN Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). "As a State party to the UNCLOS, India urges all parties to show utmost respect for the UNCLOS," Modi said. He added that India's "own track record in settling its maritime boundary with Bangladesh can serve as an example". The comments come amid China's muscle flexing in the disputed South China Sea and "emerging regional challenges". China is involved in a raging dispute with the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei over ownership of territory in the South China Sea (SCS), a busy waterway through which India's 50 per cent trade passes. China has also objected in the past to India's Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) undertaking exploration at the invitation of Vietnam in the SCS, which is believed to be rich in undersea deposits of oil and gas. India and the US have been calling for freedom of passage in the international waters, much to the discomfort to Beijing, whose claim over SCS was recently struck down by an international tribunal in favour of the Philippines. In his address, Modi also said India can share experience and build partnerships for protection of marine resources, prevent environment degradation and tap blue economy. He added that the countries need to be mindful of common security challenges and India will organise the 2nd EAS on maritime security and cooperation later this year for this. Noting that natural disasters were a prime concern, the Prime Minister announced India's initiatives to help devise coordinated approaches and responses The head of a 25-year-old man was chopped with a metal cutter and buried in a park in Dwarka by his ex-wifes husband, her brother and their two accomplices last month. The rest of the body was burnt using paint thinner and thrown into a roadside pit, police said. He was murdered allegedly because he was still seeing his former wife. All the accused have now been apprehended, police said on Wednesday. Two of them are minors. Police learnt about the murder after Ashok Kumar registered a missing person complaint on August 25 with Outer Delhis Mangolpuri police station about his elder son Rohit. Rohit married Priyanka in 2013, but two years later they divorced through mutual consent, police learnt. Rohit was jobless which created friction in their marriage. In April 2016, Priyanka married a cab driver, Mukesh. Police found that even after her marriage Priyanka was in constant touch with her former husband. Rohits father suspected that Priyankas current husband and her brother were involved in the disappearance of his son. Police rounded up Mukesh and Priyankas brother and interrogated them. During their interrogation they confessed to have murdered Rohit, said a police officer. Mukesh told the investigators that when he got to know from his landlord that Priyanka was still meeting Rohit regularly he was infuriated. He confronted his wife but she refused to listen to him. After that Mukesh and his brother-in-law planned to kill Rohit. Priyankas brother involved his friends Golu and a juvenile in the plan. Mukesh purchased a knife, a metal-cutting blade and a bottle of thinner. On August 19, Mukesh, his brother-in-law, and their two accomplices invited Rohit for drinks in the evening. They consumed liquor at Mukeshs home and then took Rohit for a long drive in an Innova car owned by Mukeshs employer. Isolated stretch During the ride, they kept on drinking liquor. On reaching an isolated stretch of Dwarka-Gurgaon Expressway, Mukesh stopped the car and they all started to step out to relieve themselves. As Rohit came out of the car, Golu grabbed him from behind choked him. The two juveniles then held Rohits legs as Golu and Mukesh beheaded Rohit, using the metal cutter and the knife. They threw the body in a roadside pit. Mukesh poured paint thinner on it and set it on fire. They then drove towards Dwarka with Rohits severed head in a polythene bag. They buried the head in a park in Dwarkas Sector-20. Police found the severed head after the arrested men led them to the spot. Waqf Board chairman Amanatullah Khan on Wednesday alleged a land scam and misuse of funds by former chairmen of the board during the previous Congress government rule. Khan, also an AAP MLA, has given a complaint to Anti-Corruption Branch against former Waqf Board chairmen Haroon Yusuf of Congress and Chaudhary Mateen Ahmed. Khan alleged that Ahmed gave 62 bigah land of the Waqf Board to a private developer without mentioning the time duration of the lease, giving free hand to the developer to seek rent from the tenants. Pvt developer Former Delhi Waqf Board chairman Chaudhary Mateen Ahmed entered into an agreement with a private developer in 2006 for the development of 62 bigah land of the board located in Punjab Khor Village. As per the agreement, the developer had to pay Rs 1.10 crore as donation (to the board), and Re 0.25 per sq yards to be charged as monthly rent from the prospective tenants, said the complaint to the Anti-Corruption Branch. The rent deed did not mention the period of tenancy/lease which was a gross violation of the provisions of Waqf Act as well as Contract Act and Transfer of property Act, the complaint added. According to section 56 of Waqf Act, The lease or sub lease of any period extending three years of immovable property which is Waqf property shall notwithstanding anything contained in the deed or instrument of Waqf and any other law time being in force, be void and of no effect. Personal help Khan also alleged that Haroon Yusuf despite having left the office of chairman continued to use an employee of the Delhi Waqf Board as his personal servant for eight years, from 2005 to 2013. The salary of the employee was paid by the Delhi Waqf Board throughout this time and the salary was even revised under the Central Pay Commission, the complaint said. The employee in question is a driver, a permanent employee of the Waqf Board. During his appointment, he was given the job of driving a Delhi Waqf Board vehicle from 1999 to 2004 when Haroon Yusuf was the chairman of the board, it said. In 2005 Yusuf was Minister of Power, Food and Supplies in state government. The driver was sent on deputation to the ministry to drive Yusuf's car only, said Khan. When he returned from the ministry Mateen Ahmed the then chairman of the board asked him to continue driving Yusuf car, he alleged. He drove Yusufs car till 2013. A special women's court here today awarded capital punishment to 26-year-old Ankur Lal Panwar in the 2013 acid attack case on nurse Preeti Rathi, who died of multiple organ failure after suffering deep internal injuries. Special Judge A S Shende pronounced the death penalty for the convict, a day after prosecution sought the exemplary punishment for him saying acid attack is a crime against women and Panwar did not commit the crime on the spur of the moment but it was a pre-planned attack. Yesterday, Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam termed the case fit for death sentence, saying that it falls in the "rarest of the rare" category while Panwar's lawyer Apeksha Vora had pleaded leniency for her client, citing his young age and stating that he was the sole breadwinner for his family. "If he is given a lesser punishment and if he is released after completing the sentence, other girls would not be safe," Nikam had submitted. Objective of the sentencing is to deter criminals and like-minded persons from committing such crime, he had said, contending that "the court would be failing in its duty if a just and appropriate punishment was not awarded." Panwar is accused of murdering Delhi native Preeti Rathi in 2013 by throwing acid at her after he allegedly grew jealous of the nurse who had come to Mumbai to pursue a career in a defence hospital here. On Tuesday, Panwar was convicted under Sections 302 (murder) and 326 B (Voluntarily throwing acid) of the IPC. Rathi, then 24, had died of multiple organ failure after she developed severe health issues on account of swallowing the acid which Panwar threw on her on May 2, 2013 at the Bandra Railway Station here. Rathi, who had come to Mumbai join as nurse in a defence hospital, succumbed to injuries at a private hospital here on June 1, 2013. Panwar was Rathi's neighbour in Bhakra Beas Management Board Colony in Delhi. Mumbai Police filed a 1332-page charge sheet against Panwar, a hotel management graduate in April 2014 and also submitted a list of 98 witnesses after he was arrested from the national capital in January. As per the charge sheet, Panwar, threw concentrated sulfuric acid on Preeti at Bandra station here, as he envied her career growth. According to police, Rathi had secured a nursing job with the Ministry of Defence at the INHS Ashvini Hospital. Also, Panwar's parents often told him about his failure to get a job despite completing his education and would praise Preeti, who landed the job at the Navy hospital in Colaba. Panwar wanted to disfigure her face so as to destroy her career. He procured the acid on April 2 and boarded the same train taken by Preeti and her family to Mumbai. After his conviction two days ago, Panwar's mother Kailash had demanded a CBI inquiry claiming her son had been falsely implicated while Rathi's father Amar Singh Rathi had sought death penalty for the accused. Panwar allegedly flung the bottle of acid on Preeti when she got down from Garib Rath Express at the Bandra Terminus and took the same train back home. The gruesome incident had set the local police on a wild goose chase as Panwar had covered his face at the time of the attack. The Railway Police, which initially probed the case, had arrested another neighbour of Rathi, Pawankumar Gahalon, but set him free as there was no evidence against him. Later, based on a Bombay High Court direction, the case was handed over to Mumbai Crime Branch, whose investigation led to Panwar and arrested him. The Supreme Court today lifted the stay on CBI investigation in the sensational Bulandsahar gangrape case after modifying its earlier order and asked the agency to proceed as per law. A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and C Nagappan also stayed the proceedings before the Allahabad High Court saying this was because the apex court was now dealing with the entire controversy. It allowed the plea of CBI to be impleaded in the matter as a party to the petition filed by the husband and father of the rape survivors -- a mother-daughter duo. The bench said the court would later deal with other aspects like transfer of trial of the case outside Uttar Pradesh and the opinion of jurist and senior lawyer F S Nariman on whether statements by a public authority, not connected with the case, was justified or not. "That the petitioner has no objection to the probe being conducted by CBI but he has other grievances like transfer of the case outside the state and whether statement by public authority not connected with the case is justified or not. "The prayer for modification of the order is allowed and CBI is directed to continue with the investigation," the bench said, adding that remaining issues raised by the petitioner would be dealt with on the next date of hearing. Earlier this week, CBI had moved the apex court seeking modification of an order staying its ongoing probe in the sensational Bulandsahar gangrape case, saying it may cause "disappearance of material evidences" besides enabling six accused to seek statutory bail. The apex court had on August 29 taken note of the controversial remarks of UP Minister Azam Khan that the gangrape case was a "political conspiracy", while staying the CBI probe in the case. It had also asked whether the State should stop people holding high offices from making such comments on heinous crimes. The FIR initially was lodged by the Uttar Pradesh police under various provisions on July 30. CBI had re-registered the offence on August 18 in pursuance of the Allahabad High Court's interim order. The brutal incident had happened on the night of July 29 when a group of highway robbers stopped the car of a Noida- based family and sexually assaulted the woman and her daughter after dragging them out of the vehicle at gun-point. The apex court had earlier appointed Nariman as amicus curiae (friend of the court), while framing some legal questions with regard to freedom of speech and expression and probable impact of statements of those holding high offices on free and fair probe in heinous cases like this. The court had also noted the apprehensions of the victim family, represented by lawyer Kislay Pandey, that there was no possibility of a "fair investigation" in Uttar Pradesh in view of the fact that a Minister has allegedly made a public statement that it was a "political conspiracy". Framing the questions for its adjudication, the bench had said "when a victim files an FIR alleging rape/gangrape/murder or such other heinous offences against a person or a group of persons, whether any individual, holding a high office or who is in authority, should make a comment on the crime that it was an outcome of political conspiracy, moreover when he has nothing to do with the offence." It had said whether the state, which is "the protector of citizens", should allow these comments which can have an effect or "may create distrust" with regard to fair investigation in such cases. The court, while framing another question, said it would examine whether such statements are covered under the freedom of speech and expression of an individual. It said the statements, which are not given for self protection, comply with the concept of "constitutional sensitivities". The man, whose wife and daughter were gangraped last month on a highway in Bulandshahr, had on August 13 moved the apex court seeking transfer of the case to Delhi, besides lodging of an FIR against Khan as well as several policemen. The Allahabad High Court had ordered CBI probe into the incident besides deciding to monitor the investigation. In the plea filed in the apex court, the victim's father sought an order for transferring the trial of the case to Delhi "in the interest of justice". Unhappy with the UP police, the petitioner said the probe should be conducted by "some other competent agency". Taunting Rahul Gandhi for seeking a report card from the NDA government, BJP President Amit Shah today said 'Rahulbaba' cannot see the changes due to his "Italian spectacles" and should first explain the alleged scams worth Rs 12 lakh crore during UPA rule. Shah said the report card of the NDA government was very long and the "biggest achievement" was that there was not a single allegation of corruption against the BJP government. In a pep-talk with state BJP workers at Vyara town of Tapi district in south Gujarat, Shah also said that though the situation on India-Pakistan border has "changed" after Modi took over, Gandhi, whom he referred as "Rahulbaba", could not see it due to the "Italian spectacles" he is wearing. "Few days back, Rahulbaba said in his speech that what Modi government did in its two-and-half years of tenure. Rahulbaba, I am having that report card, but I don't want to share with you because it is very long. The biggest achievement is that you cannot level a single allegation of corruption against the BJP government," he said. "People remember that scams worth Rs 12 lakh crore emerged during the 10 years of past Congress rule. Rahulbaba, don't ask for our report card, because people have been asking you about what happened to that money? You first need to give explanation to the people of where that money has gone," the senior BJP leader said. Addressing a large gathering of cheering party workers from all over south Gujarat region, Shah further demanded Congress's report card in Gujarat, where it was in power for almost 40 years before the BJP took over in 1995. "You ruled Gujarat for almost 40 years. So, I want to ask you today what Congress did here for these many years? Did you give 24-hour electricity or drinking water? It was Modi (as CM) who did all this. Congress only gave curfews, as communal clashes used to take place almost every day. We gave curfew-free regime," the BJP president asserted. Shah also mentioned the issue of cross-border firing, saying the Indian Army is giving a fitting reply to Pakistan after Modi took over as PM. "Rahulababa says that firing still takes place on the border. I want to tell him that situation has changed. But, Rahulbaba could not see the difference, as he is wearing Italian spectacles," he said hinting at Congress president Sonia Gandhi's Italian lineage. Shah said, "Though it is true that Pakistan is still doing it, there is a difference now. During past Congress rule, Pakistan used to start and end the firing. But today, though Pakistan starts it, it is we who end it. For each bullet they fire, Indian Army replies with a shell. That is the difference." As Gujarat would go for Assembly polls next year, he urged the party workers to reach out to each and every household to campaign for BJP. To boost the morale of party workers and to make them understand the importance of the 2017 state elections, Shah said the outcome of the polls would become the base for the party's win in the general elections of 2019. "I want to tell you that Congress is only day-dreaming of acquiring power in the state. Our workers must have confidence that just like Gujarat got the credit for BJP's victory in 2014 general elections, we will prepare the base for 2019 by making BJP victorious here in 2017," he said. Shah was accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, state BJP president Jitu Vaghani and several other key leaders and state ministers. Later in the evening, Shah is scheduled to attend a grand event in Surat where prominent Patel businessmen will felicitate BJP leaders of the community. Government will use both firmness and compassion in dealing with the unrest in Kashmir even as it appears not averse to talks with separatists but not before violence comes to an end. As Eid-ul Azha, slated for September 13, is approaching, the government expects the situation to improve as it has a feeling that people would like to celebrate the occasion, despite the strike call extended by separatists till September 16. As the violence has still not abated, top government sources say that the state will assert itself against trouble makers while civilians will be treated with "compassion". In this regard, the government is willing to provide the best medical care even to those injured in clashes with security forces. It also refuses to buy the theory of victim hood by trouble makers who first instigate violence and then claim sufferings because of retaliatory action by the security forces. The dual strategy appears to be the government's approach amid demands for initiating a dialogue process with all stakeholders in the state. On the external front, the government appears to be in no mood for a dialogue with Pakistan which, it is convinced, is "100 per cent" behind the current unrest in Kashmir and has taken a "complete U-turn" by injecting bitterness in the relations. There is also no clarity on whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Pakistan to attend the SAARC Summit in November, with the sources saying there is still time to decide on it. There is an assessment in the government that Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who had been cordial and warm in relations with Modi since his swearing-in two years back, has been weakened after Panama papers expose and increasing pressure from the all-powerful military. This, they said, has compelled him to spew venom against India, which has come as a complete surprise. As far as raking up of Balochistan is concerned, the sources said it was a deliberate policy of India to hit back at Pakistan over human rights issues. India, they made it clear, has no intention of spreading terrorism there and its policy is limited to highlighting the human rights problems in the region where Pakistan is using tanks and air raids against its own people. Seeking to give a perspective to the current situation in Kashmir, the sources in the government said there has to be a distinction between trouble makers and common civilians. But the problem is that in a complete change from the earlier phases of trouble like in 2008 and 2010, there has been a transition from sufism to wahabi Islam, giving rise to fundamental elements. The sources said the argument that stone pelters, who instigate violence, are not wrong but those trying to control the situation are in the wrong, a reference to security forces. About separatists, who had a political constituency, the sources said there is a question mark now on their own space and politics. The government, however, is not averse to talking to the separatists, including Hurriyat Conference, once the cycle of violence ends and they show inclination towards dialogue, unlike the rebuff given to some MPs who recently tried to reach out to them by visiting them. With regard to demands from even mainstream national political parties for dilution of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), the sources said there cannot be any compromise on this aspect as terrorists do not respect geography when it comes to their actions. The state has to assert and cannot be seen as weak when it comes to the question of security, sovereignty and integrity, they said. In this context, the sources noted that Burhan Wani, whose killing on July 8 triggered the current unrest, was a declared Hizbul Mujahideen commander carrying a reward announced by the previous UPA government. The government cannot countenance the argument that he should not be killed because he was a big militant. The sources noted that it has made repeated attempts for outreach, with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh travelling thrice and the all-party delegation once to Kashmir. Summoned by NCW for his remarks defending sacked Delhi Minister Sandeep Kumar, AAP leader Ashutosh today chose to rake up the 2009 Gujarat snooping row demanding that the rights body first probe the alleged role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. Ashutosh, who is AAP spokesperson, today met National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam, who had summoned him over his controversial blog in which he came out in support of Kumar who was sacked over an alleged sex scandal. He submitted a written complaint to the Chairperson about the alleged snooping incident in 2009, which he later shared on twitter. "If you want to hang me, hang me. But let me bring to your attention a far serious allegation." "...A woman was harassed by men occupying constitutional posts. If it goes without being investigated and persons being unpunished, if found guilty, then the women of this country will lose faith in NCW in particular and in justice in general," he said. "...The demand of justice is that NCW under your august leadership should take cognisance of this matter seriously, send notice to both- Mr Amit Shah and Mr Modi- summon them to the NCW office for an explanation and further investigation just as you have sent a notice to me," Ashutosh wrote in his letter. The snooping controversy erupted after claims by two investigative portals in 2013 that former Gujarat Home Minister Amit Shah had ordered illegal surveillance of a woman at the behest of one "Saheb", alleged to be Modi. The BJP had trashed the allegations, calling it a handiwork of "dirty tricks" department of rivals. Ashutosh today tweeted, "NCW chairperson has promised to register a complaint against Narendra Modi/Amit Shah and initiate action on snooping of a woman. Thanks Mam (sic)." Kumaramangalam, however, denied it and said she had merely received the complaint. "In the so called reply, he also made allegations against BJP President Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Commission has received the letter and we have informed him that we will process the letter and give him our answer in a couple of days." "...We have said that we will process the letter according to our mandate. What we can do further will only be decided when I sit with my legal team," Kumaramangalam said. She also said that NCW didn't find AAP leader's reply "satisfactory". Ashutosh later told the media, "I have clearly said that the NCW letter summoning me is a violation of my fundamental right to freedom of speech." NCW had summoned Ashutosh earlier this week objecting to "his reprehensible and demeaning blog...which reeks of patriarchy and misogyny". Ashutosh had written a blog for NDTV website on the sex CD row in which former Delhi Minister Sandeep Kumar figured. Ashutosh's blog asked, "The question is that if two consenting adults are physically involved with each other is it a crime?" The woman in the CD, however, later filed a police complaint against Kumar following which he surrendered before police. A trial court today extended his police custody by a day. Pakistan today accused India of "destabilising" it by financing terrorism and supporting militancy, in a fresh rhetoric after Prime Minister Narendra Modi rapped Islamabad for producing and exporting terror. Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria at a weekly briefing here said, "India is a country destabilising Pakistan through its support for militancy". Responding to Modi's veiled reference towards Pakistan at international fora this week that "one single nation in South Asia is spreading agents of terror in countries of our region", Zakaria said: "India is in fact that single nation". "Confessional statement by Kulbhushan (Jadav) is open evidence to show which country is involved in subversive activities in Pakistan," he said, referring to an alleged Indian spy claimed by Pakistan to be arrested in Balochistan. To a question whether Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would raise Kulbhushan issues at UN General Assembly session, he said that issue of Indian involvement and its "atrocities" in Kashmir would be highlighted. "The issue (of Kulbhushan) will be raised because of its direct links with incidents of terrorism in Pakistan," he said. He expressed deep concern over the alleged human rights violations by Indian forces in Kashmir, saying several youths were killed and over 10,000 injured in the ongoing tension. He said Pakistan started briefing the world about Kashmir issue as 22 parliamentarians started visiting various countries as Prime Minister's envoys to highlight "barbarism and worst kind of human rights violations" in Kashmir. Replying to a question regarding India's stand that UN resolutions on Kashmir have become inapplicable after Shimla agreement, Zakaria said Shimla Agreement cannot overrule the UN resolutions. He alleged that India violated UN resolutions and also the Shimla Agreement. He also said India launched Balochi language services to divert world attention from the Kashmir issue. Not every youth in Kashmir wants to pick up a gun and only a minuscule number is in favour of secession from India, a group of students from the Valley said here. The students, who are studying outside their home state, shared their views about the ongoing unrest in Kashmir following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter on July 8. Since then, the Valley has witnessed worst of unrest with violent clashes erupting between protesters and security forces. A group of six students, who are currently studying in Pune for the last 13 years were invited by the Mumbai Press Club in association with organisation Sarhad. "Not every Kashmiri is Burhan Wani. May be only 10 per cent of them want to get 'Aazadi'. Rest 90 per cent people are concerned about development, employment, education for their children, industrialisation. Unfortunately, nothing of that sort has happened which has resulted in the unrest," said Javed Ahmad, who is pursuing Masters. Zahid Bhatt, a resident of Badgam district in Kashmir, said that it was the students who bear the burnt of the violence. "Since last 20 to 30 years, we have lost our near and dear ones at the hands of either militants or security forces or some other agencies. And the most sad part is that no serious efforts have been made to resolve the issue amicably," said Bhatt, who is also general secretary of initiative Jago Bharat. "In our childhood, as a Kashmiri, we had an impression that India is only about Army. But when we came to Pune and received affection from people, our viewpoint about India changed," he said. Bhatt said that people of the country also needed to change their perception towards Kashmiris and that Kashmir did not only mean the land of militancy. "One of the root causes of unrest persistent in the Valley is unemployment. If the youth get job, they would get engaged in routine affairs. They would not take to streets and pelt stones at the army," said Mushtaque Ahmad, a student who hails from Kupwara district. A few years ago, I persuaded Yasin Malik, the first militant in the Valley of Kashmir, to give up his fast unto death. His demand was that International Amnesty should visit the Valley to verify violation of human rights. He broke the fast when I gave an undertaking that I would myself head a team to Srinagar to prepare a report on the violations of human rights. Today, that kind of confidence has gone. The Hurriyat has refused to meet an all-party delegation because the former is not sure whether the delegation can deliver. There is yet another reason. The Hurriyat wants to rehabilitate itself in the eyes of Kashmiris, who have gone beyond the stage of talks. They want a separate, sovereign country. And they feel that the Hurriyat failed them in the past because it sought solution within the Indian union. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh of the BJP headed the delegation. Singh was justified in saying that the Hurriyat refusal went against the spirit of Kashmiriyat, which disseminated love and harmony. The Hurriyat does not seem to recognise that. It gives little importance to the fact that the BJP came to power through free ballot box, the democratic way of measuring support in the country. The BJP secured a majority in the 543-member Lok Sabha. On the other hand, the Hurriyat is only a combination of three factions. One is led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who still wants accession to the Islamic state of Pakistan, the other by Yasin Malik and the third by Shabir Shah. Geelani is their leader because he represents anti-India feelings on the one hand and the Islamic content on the other. My feeling is that at least two of them have become irrelevant in the present situation in the Valley. They still prefer a settlement through a dialogue. The youth have, however, gone back to gun because they do not find either Yasin Malik or Shabir Shah delivering what they want, that is azaadi. The gun is no solution either. Over the years, the Hurriyat has lost its importance in India. Even the Muslim population cares little for what it says. Therefore, it was not surprising that the Indian media did not even report that the Organisation of Islamic Countries had asked for referendum in Kashmir. The Muslim countries are themselves to blame for this because they blatantly support Pakistan, just because it is a Muslim country. Unlike Pakistan, where the last word is with the army chief, India is ruled by Parliament. The Hurriyat has insulted it. To insult it is to insult the Indian people. It was on the suggestion of the CPM that the delegation went to Srinagar. Sitaram Yechury, the partys general secretary, was insistent that talks should begin with the Geelani group. Raising anti-India slogans when the delegation reached Geelanis residence may be helpful in placating the hardcore. But it does not address the core of the problem. Rajnath Singh has made it clear that Kashmir is an integral part of India and will remain so. This has put a question mark on the dialogue on Kashmir that Pakistan has been relentlessly demanding. Where do we go from here? There is an option for talks. Even a limited war can become a nuclear one. What New Delhi has to appreciate is that the Kashmiris desire to distance themselves from India may not result in any meaningful transfer of power from New Delhi to Srinagar. Yet, the impression that Kashmiris rule themselves has to be sustained. The National Conference waged a long war to get rid of Maharaja Hari Singh and had an icon like Sheikh Abdu-llah to provide a secular and democratic rule to the state. But the party suffered defeat in the assembly polls because it was seen too close to New Delhi. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won because its founder, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, kept distance from New Delhi, without alienating it. The Kashmiris voted for him because he gave them a feeling of defiance. Omar Abdullah had to pay the price for National Conferences image of being pro-Delhi. Kashmirs links with India is too close to challenge it beyond a point. Still the Opposition, however small, gives the Kashmiris a vicarious satisfaction of defying New Delhi. Stepmotherly treatment Kashmir feels strongly about New Delhis stepmotherly treatment meted out to Urdu language. And it is generally believed that it is languishing in neglect because Urdu is considered the language of Muslims. If New Delhi were to own and encourage Urdu, the Kashmiris would have at least one less reason to feel aggrieved. In Kashmir, people are generally poor like in the rest of India and they want jobs, which they realise will come only through development, including tourism. But they are not themselves picking up the gun or any other weapon to drive militants out. One, they are afraid of the extremists and, two, there is a feeling that what the militants are trying to do is to give them an identity. Therefore, the criticism that there is no resistance to the militants from within the Valley should be understandable because it is part of the alienation. I still believe that the 1953 agreement which gave India the control of defence, foreign affairs and communications can improve part of the situation in the state. The Kashmiri youth, who are angry over the states status as well the situation, can be won over by the assurance that the entire Indian market is available to them for business or service. But this alone may not do. New Delhi will have to withdraw all the Acts relating to fields other than defence, foreign affairs and communications. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, which was promulgated some 25 years ago to meet the extraordinary situation in the state, is still in operation. Were the government to withdraw the Act, it would placate the Kashmirs on the one hand and make the security forces more responsible on the other. Protests intensified in the Mysuru region on the fourth day on Thursday, against the Supreme Court order to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. The bandh continued for the third consecutive day in Mandya district. Meanwhile, a farmer attempted to commit suicide by jumping into the Hemavathi river in KR Pet taluk of Mandya district. Vishwanath jumped into the water when fellow farmers were protesting near Bandihole village. However, he was immediately rescued by the personnel of the Fire and Emergency Services department. Normal life in the region was largely hit with vehicular traffic on the Mysuru-Bengaluru highway yet to resume. The Malavalli-Kanakapura road, an alternative road between Mysuru and Bengaluru, was also blocked at several places throughout the day. Film actors had to face the wrath of the farmers, during their visit to Mandya. Actor Darshan and actor-director Jogi Prem, who were on their way to Mandya to extend their support to the farmers, were stopped at Induvalu for a while. Actor Tsunami Kitty and director Mahesh Sukhadhare also joined the protests in a show of solidarity with the farmers. There were reports that protesters stopped the vehicles of MLA K S Puttannaiah, JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy and MP C S Puttaraju at Chikkade village near Pandavapura. They had to take an alternative route to reach Mandya. Protests gained momentum in Mysuru and Hassan districts also, besides in Maddur, Srirangapatna and Pandavapura taluks of Mandya district, in the wake of the state-wide bandh on Friday. Theatres had cancelled the shows, shops remained closed and government offices too were shut in some places. The Sanjay Theatre Circle in Mandya was abuzz with protests being staged one after the other by various organisations and by farmers from the villages. The protesters began pouring in from early morning itself. Their attempt to lay a siege to the pumphouse at Netkal village, Malavalli taluk, that supplies water to Bengaluru city, was foiled by policemen, who intervened and brought the situation under control. A few protesters vent their ire by immersing an effigy of Jayalalitha in the Simsha River at Deshavalli, Maddur taluk. The protesters took out a procession of a flex-board of the late chief minister S Bangarappa, who had gone against the Supreme Courts directive to release water to Tamil Nadu in 1991. They raised slogans like Mathe hutti banni Bangarappa. Ambulances zipping in and out. Home guards rushing to the help of rescued lot. Health workers attending to people in need. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel getting ready with their equipment. The men in khaki on toes, monitoring the happenings. This was the scene at Uchila Bovi Boys English Medium School near Someshwara beach, Mangaluru, on Thursday. The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) had set up an incident command post at the school, following back-to-back tsunami alerts from 10 km off coast of Pakistan starting from 11.30 am IST sounded from Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (Incois). Hold your breaths: it was a mock drill to set up a system that can attend to exigency at the time of a tsunami. The efforts made by the district administration also came in for a pat, with Pradeep Kumar, coordinator for State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) expressing his satisfaction about the same. Pradeep Kumar told the media, The response mechanism has improved when compared to a mock drill conducted on management of chemical disasters in the month of February, in the district. As many as 42 agencies (government departments and others) were involved that time, that was scaled down to 18 in the drive held on Thursday. As many as 300 personnel, from frontline to backhand men that included officials and others alike from 18 agencies (government departments and others) were a part of the drill. The agencies included Indian coast guards, coastal police, home guards, police, fire and emergency services personnel, Revenue Department, local gram panchayat, panchayat development officer (PDO) and village accountant, to name a few. It was intended at reviewing the preparedness of the district administration in the case of disaster, from rescue operation to communication, evacuation to response time, as per the national disaster management authority (NDMA) guidelines. Kumar said, The incident command post for the day was set up in the school, close to Bettampady village, located near the beach. It included a temporary relief centre with separate facilities for men and women and medical aid post. Besides, 200 to 500 beds had been collectively reserved in various hospitals in the district, making for the preparedness during disasters in future. In addition to this, personnel attached to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) from 10th battalion, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, who were on routine acclimatisation exercise at Shivamogga were also involved in the drill. Of the total 32-member NDRF battalion, majority of 26 were involved, as six of them were a part of the similar exercise at Udupi. They were led by Assistant Commandant Subheesh K S. Additional Deputy Commissioner Kumar, also the commander of the operation, said, Bettampady was identified for evacuation drill as it was 50 metres close to the sea. It has a population of 580 with several households. Three states The mock drill was a part of simultaneous exercise conducted in three States and union territory including Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat and Goa respectively. Mangaluru in Dakshina Kannada, Kodavooru in Udupi and Karwar in Uttara Kannada district were covered in the day. Amidst the row over release of the Cauvery water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu, the Centre has decided not to send its teams to the Cauvery basin states to study the water situation due to shortage of time. Instead, it has convened Cauvery Supervisory Committee meeting on September 12. Union Water Resources Secretary Shashi Shekar has convened the meeting of the Supervisory Committee and intimation has been sent to the riparian states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. The meeting has been convened as per the Supreme Court direction and the committe will take a call on release of water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu, sources told DH. Sources said the Ministry will not send any team to the Cauvery basin states to study the water situation due to shortage of time. As data related to storage of water in reservoirs in all the states is available with the Ministry, there is no need to send any team now, said an official from the Ministry. Besides, there is no time to send a team to the states as the Apex Court order says that the Committee has to pass its order within four days of Tamil Nadu approaching it. With Tamil Nadu approaching the Ministry on Wednesday evening, a meeting has to be convened with in four days. As the fourth day happens to be a Sunday, meeting has been called on Monday, sources said. The Supreme Court on Monday, while directing Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of water daily to the neighbouring state for 10 days had asked Tamil Nadu to approach the Supervisory Committee. The court said the Committee shall issue appropriate direction keeping in view the final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal. On Wednesday, Karnataka had requested Ministry of Water Resources to depute a Central team to study the ground realities in the Cauvery basin. Karnataka Chief Secretary Arvind Jadhav in his letter said that it was the unanimous opinion of all the political parties in the state that the order of the Supreme Court would have been different if an expert report on ground realities in Cauvery basin was available to it. The release of water would spell doom to the state. The drinking water requirement is likely to be jeopardised if the present stock of live storage of 47 tmcft in the four reservoirs in Cauvery basin is depleted by the release as directed, the letter stated. Tamil Nadu farmers, especially those in the delta region were a happy lot on Thursday as the Cauvery water released from Karnataka reached Biligundlu, the entry point on the inter-state border. Officials of Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department, a wing of Public Works Department, accompanied by Central Water Commission authorities monitored the inflow of water at Biligundlu. The exact inflow would be accessed by Friday morning, a senior PWD official told DH. However, the inflow at Hogenakkal might have crossed 10,000 cusecs. The information on the inflow was communicated to Karnataka officials immediately, he said. Following the Supreme Court order, Karnataka will be releasing 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily to Tamil Nadu for 10 days. Accordingly, about 10,000 cusecs is being released from the KRS reservoir and about 5,000 cusecs from the Kabini dam. However, farmers organisations in Tamil Nadu said that the inflow should be closely monitored as any reduction in the quantum of water released would lead to violation of the apex court order. Meanwhile, the PWD officials in Tamil Nadu are gearing up to release water from the Mettur reservoir after it reaches the 85-feet mark. At present, the water level in the Mettur dam is about 75 feet. Since inflow will increase soon, the level is expected to cross 80 feet in the next few days, the official said. Various political parties in Tamil Nadu have requested Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to ensure that Karnataka abides by the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal. Indian biotechnologists have tied up with researchers from the Netherlands to clean up one of Delhi's most polluted drains, Barapullah Nullah, using a combination of scientific tools. In the next five years, a waste water treatment plant to make the filthy water potable would be set up besides removing heavy metals from the water for reuse. On Thursday, scientists from two counties met at the Barapullah Nullah to pick up samples, marking the project's roll-out. Department of Biotechnology secretary K Vijay Raghavan, Ambassador of Netherlands to India Alphonsus Stoelinga and Delhi Development Authority vice-chairman Arun Goel were present at the event. Barapullah Nullah is a 12.5 km-long storm water drain responsible for about 30% of pollution in the Yamuna river, collecting domestic sewage and polluting waste from small industry from Mehrauli in the south to Sarai Kale Khan in the east. Once a tributary of the Yamuna, four of Delhis seven ancestral habitations Qila Rai Pithora, Mehrauli, Siri and Tughlakabad came up on its banks. In the past, it sustained green patches like Jahanpanah city forest, Siri forest and verdant spaces around Satpula. Restoration of the drain, architects say, would not only help provide a green lung to the heavily polluted national capital but also rejuvenate the ecology over a long tract. The Indo-Dutch collaboration would be led by Delft University of Technology and Indian Institute of Technology with support and contribution from major Dutch companies like Shell. Most of our technology choices would be biological in nature. We would also involve the National Environment Engineering Research Institute and The Energy and Resources Institute for the project over the next five years, principal investigator T R Sreekrishnan, professor at the IIT, told DH. While the Netherlands committed 14,70,000 (approximately Rs 11 crore) towards the project, the DBT would not only match the amount but is likely to allocate more. Reports said at least 20 people were injured in clashes between protesters and security personnel in Dadsara area of Tral in south Kashmir. Hospital sources said that four critically injured were referred to Srinagar for specialised treatment. In a similar incident, more than 10 people were injured after forces reportedly attacked a protest rally in Bathnoor village of Pulwama district. Another 15 people were injured during clashes in Kellar village of Shopian district, reports said. In Qazigund area of Anantnag district at least 15 people were injured after security forces fired tear gas canisters and pellets to disperse protesters. Most of the injured had pellet injuries and four of them were shifted to District Hospital Anantnag, health officials said. In Srinagar, shops, business establishments, educational institutes and petrol pumps remained closed and public transport was also off the roads. However, rush of private vehicles was seen in uptown and civil lines areas. Strike and restrictions continued in Kashmir for the 62nd consecutive day in a row on Thursday with more than 60 people injured in fresh clashes across the Valley, while militants decamped with four service weapons of policemen in Pulwama district. With relentless protests and strike showing no signs of receding, the Jammu and Kashmir government is contemplating shifting detained separatist leaders to jails outside the state. Sources said the government recently called a high-level meeting, which apart from some ministers from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, was attended by senior officials of the civil and police administration. During the meeting, there were discussions on shifting some senior separatist leaders to jails in Jodhpur and elsewhere, mainly in north India, sources said. Those likely to be shifted out include Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chief Yasin Malik, his associate Noor Kalwal and hardline Hurriyat leaders G M Sehrai and Ayaz Akbar, who are presently detained in Srinagar. Moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is likely to be retained at the Cheshma Shahi sub-jail in Srinagar for a few more days. Officials said a court has already extended his judicial remand. However, a senior police officer told DH that the biggest challenge before the government was how to deal with aged hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani, who is suffering from multiple ailments and has undergone cardiac and kidney surgeries. Given his ruthlessly hard stand, he would have been the first to be arrested and jailed far away, but his age and health pose a challenge for us. Geelani is under house arrest presently. However, a formal order to detain him away from his home may be taken soon, he said. The officer said the governments priority is to break the weekly protest calendars jointly issued by Geelani, Farooq and Malik following the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani on July 8. The police and civil administration tried several other options to restore normalcy. Shifting the separatists to outside jails was among the few options left, he said. Sources said one of the options before the government to stop the circulation of protest calendars was to ask local newspapers not to carry it. The strategy worked well in 2008 when the state government formally asked the newspapers not to carry the statements of separatists asking people to observe strikes, he said. The Centres next political course in Jammu and Kashmir will entirely depend on the drop in number of incidents of clashes and complete cessation of violence. No fresh initiative is likely till then though the government is open to talking to as many sections of the people as possible, top government sources said on Thursday. A day after the all party delegation and the government concluded their brainstorming session with an appeal for peace, an assessment by top Union ministers has veered towards first restoring the security in the state, and then rebuilding the primacy and abilityof the state for easing the life for the common people. Azadi as a demand will remain a non-negotiable subject for the Centres interlocutors. New Delhi has sufficient reasons to believe that the current spate of violent incidents has overtone of religious extremism -- to push the state from its traditional Sufism to Wahhabism as crafted by handlers in Pakistan. We cannot let the people fall prey to the strategy of the pro-freedom extremists. They unleash violence and then force the security forces to take action. Once, there is counter action by the security forces, who are under orders to show restraint, the extremists play the victim card to question the Centres sincerity, said a top official. However, a clear instruction has gone out to all official agencies that the people and separatists will have to be treated as separate entities, top government sources said. As for the call given by the all party delegation, which went to Srinagar, for talking to all stakesholders, the government believes that engagement with separatists is not feasible as they cannot be treated as stakeholders so long as violence continues. The state has continued to witness incidents of clashes by pro-freedom groups though curfew has been lifted in most areas. However, there is admission in the top echelons of the Union government that there is home-grown anger among the people, which is being taken advantage of by terrorist groups and separatists. Therefore, the answer to the problem lies in improving tools of governance. Even as Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti faces dissension within her Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from seniors like Muzaffar Baig, the Centre feels that the need of the hour will be to strengthen the elected government, which has the mandate to engage in dialogue with all sections. Even for that matter, the PDP-BJP coalition was dictated by the arithmetic of the mandate in December 2014 and no change was likely. The Centre also sees no immediate possibility of engaging the factions of the Hurriyat Conference as they too are no longer in position to command the mobs that are in the control of extremist groups who want to radicalise the state on religious lines. Hurriyat leaders are themselves seen as hostages to the Islamist elements who call the shot, now. Even within the Hurriyat ranks, there is dissension over their leaderships decision not to engage the all party delegation members who knocked at doors of their leaders, Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. What has surprised New Delhi is that the issue of lack of development is not being voiced neither by the separatists or local political and civil groups. Even a group of leading citizens from the state have petitioned President Pranab Mukherjee only on the political aspect of the problem. Their concern as stated in their memorandum was more about an open dialogue with the representatives of those leading the ongoing movement and overall struggle for realization of political aspirations, without questioning the legitimacy of the leadership, is imperative. The signatories to the memorandum include Muhammad Shafi Pandit, former chairman of J&K Public Service Commission and Hasnain Masoodi, former judge of J&K High Court. The Home Ministrys assessment is that by the time Eid-ul Zuha, slated for September 13, is observed, people in greater numbers would shun violence, notwithstanding the strike call extended by separatists till September 16. The peaceful northeastern state of Mizoram might see some high-pitched politicking over liquor soon. The main opposition in the state, Mizo National Front (MNF), led by former chief minister Zoramthanga, has decided to launch a state-wide agitation against the Congress government for, what it claims, promoting a liquor culture in the Christian-dominated state. In 2015, Mizoram had lifted the 18-year blanket ban on liquor. The Mizoram Liquor (Total Prohibition) Act of 1995, which was implemented in 1997, was replaced by the Congress regime with the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition and Control) Bill 2014, which allowed the sale of liquor. Despite the move being vehemently opposed by powerful church groups in Mizoram, the state government went ahead. The MNF has charged that in the past one year deaths due to excessive consumption of alcohol have increased manifold. Mizorams money is being drained out to purchase foreign liquor, it said. The party has decided to launch an agitation asking the government to impose liquor prohibition from September 15. Mizoram is going to polls in 2017 and political observers believe that MNF is going to make the anti-liquor agitation its poll plank. The MNF is part of the BJP-led Northeast Democratic Alliance, an anti-Congress political platform. In all likelihood, the MNF and BJP may go for a pre-poll alliance in the state. They wanted to meet the chief minister, but were not permitted to do so. They staged a dharna outside Mantralaya, the state secretariat. On Thursday morning, Fadnavis called them to his residence and asked them to perform the puja. We are pleased with the chief ministers gesture, Hewalekar said. Hewalekar said they were barred from celebrating Ganesh puja in the village as they had spoken against caste panchayat, following which they were harassed and ostracised. Fadnavis directed the district collector and Sindhudurg superintendent of police to look into the couples complaint and take action. Sending out a strong message against caste panchayats, a couple, who faced social boycott and harassment, was allowed to perform Ganesh puja at Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis official residence.Parmanand Hewalekar and Preetam, who hail from Mahadevache Kervade village from Kudal in Sindhudurg district of coastal Maharashtra, arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday with their idol. The Supreme Court on Thursday lifted the stay on the CBI investigation into the gang-rape of a woman and her 14-year-old daughter in Uttar Pradeshs Bulandshahr district. A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and C Nagappan modified its August 29 order staying the probe based on a plea by the victims husband, who sought transfer of the trial outside the state. We permit you to proceed with the investigation, the bench told Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh, representing the CBI, which filed an application contending that staying the probe at this stage may benefit the accused in seeking statutory bail. The counsel for the victims also submitted that he had no objection to the CBIs investigation. He had earlier approached the apex court, apprehending that a fair probe will not be conducted following UP Minister Azam Khans statement describing the incident, on which an FIR was lodged on July 30, as a political conspiracy. Meanwhile, the bench also clarified the issues raised by the petitioner for transfer of the trial beyond UP and whether statements by a public authority not connected with the case is justified or not. We will consider if people in authority can make such statements, the court said. The incident occurred on the night of July 29 when a group of highway robbers stopped the car of a Noida-based family and sexually assaulted the woman and her daughter after dragging them out of the vehicle at gun-point. The CBI probe into the incident, which took place on the Delhi-Kanpur highway, had begun on August 18, following a direction by the Allahabad High Court on August 12. The apex court stayed the proceedings in the high court, while directing the CBI to continue its investigation with promptitude. In the first instance of capital punishment for a fatal acid attack in India, a Delhi-based youth, who threw acid on nurse Preeti Rathi for rejecting his marriage proposal, was awarded death sentence by a special court in Mumbai on Thursday. Additional Sessions Judge Anju Shende, who presided over a special women's court, awarded capital punishment to Ankur Panwar, a 27-year-old hotel management graduate. Panwar was convicted under section 302 (murder) and 326 B (causing grievous hurt by throwing acid) of Indian Penal Code. "As per the mitigating and aggravating circumstances of the case, the accused is punishable under section 302 IPC and will be hanged by his neck till death, subject to confirmation by the Bombay High Court," the judge said. On Wednesday, Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam pleaded for death sentence, calling it the rarest of rare cases and seeking the highest punishment under Indian law. The victims father, Amar Singh Rathi, who is a witness in the case, too had demanded capital punishment for the convict. Panwar's lawyer Apeksha Vora had pleaded leniency for her client, citing his young age and stating that he was the sole breadwinner of his family. "She suffered for a month...both her eyes were damaged because of the acid attack, she could not speak, she died of multi-organ failure...it was a brutal crime because of jealousy," Nikam told reporters. The Mumbai Police too were happy with the verdict. "Another important conviction secured by our team in late Preeti Rathi acid attack case. Court awards death sentence," the Mumbai Police tweeted. "We are not going to leave him," said Amar Singh Rathi after the verdict. "Whether he goes to the Bombay High Court or the Supreme Court, we will continue to fight...we will ensure justice for Preeti," he said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday called Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi an achha ladka (good boy) and welcomed him to visit the state regularly. This has triggered speculation about a post-poll alliance in the state. Political circles saw the remark as an indication of an understanding between the Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) in the event of a fractured mandate in the 2017 Assembly elections. Rahulji is a good person....achha ladka hain...we can become friends if he keeps coming to Uttar Pradesh regularly, Akhilesh said, replying to a question about Rahuls ongoing rally in the state. The chief minister, however, evaded a direct reply on the possibility of an alliance between the two parties. Why do you (media) derive political meanings when two good people meet? he said. Akhilesh, also the SP state unit chief, indirectly snubbed those who had passed sarcastic remarks on the looting of cots by farmers at Rahuls khat sabha (cot meet) in Deoria on Tuesday. The farmers carried the cots on cycles (the SPs symbol)...they will sit on them and operate laptops, he said. The chief minister said if his party workers had taken away the cots, the media would have said it was looted by Samajwadi goondas. Akhileshs remarks appear to be significant as some poll surveys have predicted a hung Assembly in the state, with the BJP and SP bagging almost identical number of seats. The SP had supported the UPA government...there can be a post-poll understanding in the event of a fractured mandate, said political analyst J P Shukla. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal faced hecklers on Thursday at the New Delhi Railway Station and in Ludhiana when he stepped out of the train. Kejriwal was shown black flags and bangles as he was boarding the train for a five-day trip to Punjab. The AAP, however, blamed the Delhi Police for letting women protesters from the BJP get so close to him. The women shouted slogans over the sex scandal CD involving sacked minister Sandeep Kumar. The AAP said the protests were planned and blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the episode in which the chief minister was manhandled. But the BJP denied any physical mobbing. The surprise protest by women activists, led by Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha president Kamaljeet Sehrawat and party spokesperson Praveen Kapoor, who were present on platform number 1 of the Delhi railway station posing as passengers, caught Kejriwal and his security staff off guard around 7 am. In Ludhiana, he faced protests from the Akali Dal and Congress, along with disgruntled AAP volunteers. Kejriwal will be addressing AAP dissent in Punjab that has cost the party dear ahead of the assembly elections. He has announced plans to take control of the party election affairs in Punjab. The Delhi High Court on Thursday quashed the Arvind Kejriwal governments order appointing 21 AAP MLAs as parliamentary secretaries, stating that the decision was not approved by the Lieutenant Governor. A bench comprising Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal nullified the order issued by the Delhi government on March 13, 2015. The development came as yet another setback to the National Capital Territory government. In a judgement in Government of NCT of Delhi Vs Union of India, the high court had on August 4 held the lieutenant governor as the administrative head of Delhi whose concurrence was required before taking any decision by the Delhis council of ministers. Taking up a PIL by NGO Rashtriya Mukti Morcha, challenging the appointment of 21 MLAs as parliamentary secretaries, the high court noted that the order was passed without communicating it to the L-G for his views and concurrence as required under Article 239 AA of the Constitution. The petitioners counsel submitted that the issues raised in the PIL had been covered under the August 4 judgement passed on a batch of petitions. Appearing for the Delhi government, senior advocate Sudhir Nandrajog admitted before the court, Today, I have to concede that the judgement stands against me (Delhi government). He did not dispute that the order for appointment of parliamentary secretaries was passed without taking the views of the L-G. We find force in the submission of the counsel for the petitioner that the issue is squarely covered by the decision (August 4), the bench said. Accordingly, without going into the other contentions raised in the writ petition, the impugned order dated March 13, 2015 is set aside, the bench said in its two-page order. The Election Commission is separately seized up with a plea for disqualification of all 21 MLAs for holding the post of parliamentary secretaries which fell within the purview of office of profit. The MLAs appointed to assist the ministers had questioned the maintainability of the petition before the poll panel. Reacting to the high court order, the AAP, which had earlier defended the appointment, said that with the decision being termed as void ab initio, no case for disqualification of such legislators can be made out. The AAP government had amended the Delhi Members of Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualification) Act to justify its decision but the President did not grant assent to it. The Centre had also opposed the appointment, contending there was no provision for parliamentary secretaries in Delhi except for one post in the office of the chief minister. Earlier, various high courts had quashed appointment of parliamentary secretaries in the states of Telangana, West Bengal, Goa and Himachal Pradesh for bypassing the constitutional ceiling on the number of ministers. In an attempt to experiment with traditional Islamic wear like hijabs, abayas and tunics, and make it more fashionable and position it in the global fashion scene, Fahd Hameed along with Salika Khan and Abdullah Hameed launched modestforever.com. The e-commerce portal exclusively features fashion forward Islamic wear, with its modesty intact. I have worked as the head of international business with Utsav Fashion for many years. I noticed this new kind of fashion for Muslim women, which is fashionable and sticks to their values of modesty. Also, when it comes to covering ones body entirely, wearing burqa was the only option for them. So, I thought of starting this venture in India, given the market opportunity in the Islamic wear space here, says Fahd. Starting with its operations in June this year, modestforever also features fully covered western tops and tunics, nowhere compromising on fashion. According to Fahd, hijab culture is gaining a lot of prominence outside India, where hijab in street fashion is popular. In India, I feel hijab culture is highly underrated. While there is such a vast Muslim population, its shocking that no major brand is making clothes for them, he tells Metrolife. For designing these clothes, the trio has collaborated with the label Threesome, a brand regular at fashion weeks, which helps them get a subdued and trendy touch to the collections. Plain and printed hijabs in fabrics like chiffon, georgette and polyester and colourful and casual abayas are their USP. These are also available on other e-commerce portals such as Amazon, Jabong, Snapdeal and Limeroad. Apart from bringing fashionable hijab culture in the Indian market, Fahd says that they also want to make fashion more inclusive through their platform. We are trying to bring these Islamic wears in mainstream fashion world so that even they can be a part of bigger platforms like fashion weeks, he says. Fahd wishes to retail out through brick and mortar stores and reach out to markets which have more Muslim population. The concept of designer Islamic wear is already a matured market in the west and the middle-eastern countries. We now want to establish ourself as one of the best fashion labels for hijabs and abayas, says Fahd. Wondered how Bengaluru's IT hub, the bustling Whitefield, looked like once? Time Weavers, a documentary, speaks about people who have seen Whitefield through its transformation from an Anglo-Indian village to an IT hub. The 15-minute documentary in English has been produced and directed by 20-year-old Vani Kaul, an aspiring filmmaker and a student of Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology. "The documentary is about those who preserve the past, live in the present, and have hope about the future. Nobody knows that Whitefield was once an Anglo-Indian village. There are still a few old colonial structures located in the Inner Circle of the area which is the actual Whitefield. I have interacted with both old and new inhabitants of the area. The documentary features five residents who have been staying in the IT hub for more than two decades and also talks about old structures, said Vani. A resident, Merlin D'Souza, who features in the documentary, recalls that there was only one general store and a little bakery when she had moved in. "We wanted to lead a peaceful life and hence, we moved in here. However, things began to change. We try to lead the life that we lived in those days," she says. Raghunandan TR, another resident who built his house in 1989 at Whitefield still reminisces those days. He recounted an interesting story that was doing the rounds then: We used to hear that former Prime Minister of UK, Winston Churchill, used to visit the area on horseback. While the Inner Circle of the area was inhabited by civil servants, the Outer Circle, marking the boundary of Whitefield comprising larger plots, was occupied by army people," he says, in the documentary. A few have spoken about how they cannot recognise the area anymore due to the advent of high-rise buildings and companies. Vani, a resident of Yelahanka, took two months to make the documentary as part of her college project. Recently, the film was screened at U-Special International Campus Film Festival, Mumbai. The documentary can be viewed at http://pickur- flick.com/ on the Featured Flicks section. A number of foreign students studying in the city under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarship staged a protest in front of its regional office here on Thursday against the non-payment of house rent allowances (HRA) for the past few months. Students from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Afghanistan and other countries gathered outside the ICCR office in the afternoon, demanding answers from the authorities. Officials from ICCR said that the decision not to pay the allowances was taken by the Ministry of External Affairs. A student from Bangladesh said that house owner has asked him to either vacate the house or pay the rent. This has caused a lot of inconvenience, he said. Students said that the previous regional director of the ICCR had seen the poor condition of some of the hostels in various institutions in which the students were studying. He had agreed for the payment of house rent allowance for students staying outside. The U-turn on not paying the allowances has left a number of students in the lurch in the middle of the academic year, they lamented. P Venugopal, regional director, ICCR said that his office had written to the head office in New Delhi asking them to sort out the matter at the earliest. A proposal will be sent asking the head office to provide the allowance at least for the months from June to October. Later these students would be asked to stay in the hostels. The complaints of students will be addressed and the matter resolved soon. In colleges with hostel facilities, students with ICCR scholarships have to stay there. It is only for students of institutions without such facilities that the allowance could be provided," he said. There was a time in India when kids wear market in particular was dominated by unorganised and non-branded players. Parents did not believe in investing in kids clothing due to various reasons. Though there were a few brands like Lilliput, Catmoss and Giny & Jony, but only a small and specific population opted for it. However, today the scenario seems to have changed. Recent years have seen a surge in luxury kids lines as people have become increasingly conscious about quality, comfort and styling when it comes to kids wear. This shift is taking place on account of changes such as a rise in the disposable income of the people and the increasing influence of foreign culture. Also, influenced by mass media and peer pressure, kids today are more informed and self-conscious and have emerged as an independent buyer group. As a result, this market is becoming one of the most profitable retail segments in India. And hence, international brands like Poney, Hugo Boss and Junior Armani have recently entered the Indian market. There has been no better time to enter India than now as there is an upsurge in the purchasing power of consumers. People have become increasingly conscious when it comes to kids wear. Earlier, people used to buy kids wear from mom and pop stores, but now there are dedicated retail spaces for kids wear brands in malls and multi-brand stores. We are betting high on the kids wear market in India, because it is a lucrative segment amongst the mainstream retail sector. We feel this was the right time to enter India, says Rajat Kapoor, brand head, Poney India. Poney, which entered India last year, is childrens apparel retailer in Malaysia. From a handful of brands to a sudden explosion of home grown and international brands, kids wear market in India has witnessed an exponential growth. With advent of internet and mobile devices, people have access to latest trends in fashion at their fingertips. From an era where shopping for kids in the age group of 0-14 years was restricted to the local markets to current times where the latest in fashion is offered by hundreds of offline and online domestic and international brands, consumers are being spoilt for choice. Evolution curve of kids fashion in India has been much steeper than that of adult fashion. Earlier kids wear was relegated to a basic frock or t-shirt and trousers but now the segment has evolved exponentially. While, the casual wear category still comprises of usual shorts, skirts, tops, tees, jumpsuits, jogger pants and dungarees, the real paradigm shift in demand is seen in the occasion wear category, Kapoor says. He adds, People have started asking for all sorts of clothes from ethnic wear to ball room gowns for girls. For boys, the demand for dapper suits, vintage waist coats, jodhpuri has gone up. However, there are still not enough brands in the country, especially kids-only fashion brands. This is another reason why global brands are foraying into the Indian market. According to Sakshi Arora, director and CEO of Kids Around, a kids store that brings together brands like Billieblush, Little Marc Jacob, it is also the slow birth rate in western countries because of which global brands are making in-road to India. She says, Many global brands are exploring growth opportunities in emerging markets as economic growth and birth rates slow in western markets, and India is seen as a high-potential market. Among the emerging economies, India has the distinct advantage of being a country with promising economic outlook coupled with growing kids population and increasing discretionary spending on kids. The market for kids apparel in India exceeds Rs 13,000 crore, of which around Rs 3,000 crore is constituted by branded kids wear. The market is growing at the rate of 10 per cent per annum, which makes it one of the fastest growing markets, informs Arora. Companies in Electronics City will shut down on Friday as part of the state-wide bandh over the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. A spokesperson for the Electronics City Industrial Township Authority (ELCITA) told DH, None of the companies in the Electronic City would be working tomorrow owing to the bandh. IT giant Wipro said that it has declared holiday for its employees in Karnataka on Friday. However, September 10 (Saturday) will be a working day for Wipro offices in the state. Infosys also said that they would not be working tomorrow adding that in lieu of this holiday, September 18 will be a working day. Market shutdown All the major markets in the city including KR Market, Yeshwantpur Market and Kalasipalyam Market will remain closed on Friday. Tight security As many as 16,000 police personnel will be on their toes in Bengaluru to prevent untoward incidents on Friday. Speaking at a press conference here on Thursday, Bengaluru Police Commissioner, N S Megharikh, said police personnel had been put on red alert. They will guard sensitive areas and keep a vigil on anti-social elements. We warn people not to indulge in any kind of anti-social activity. We have asked pro-Kannada organisations to ensure that the bandh is peaceful, he said. The police will also provide security to the Bengaluru offices of Tamil organisations and Chennai-based companies. Hundreds of police personnel have been deployed at the Kempegowda International Airport, besides railway and bus stations. Hospitals and medical care centres will remain open and the police will keep a watch on them, Megharikh added. With a large Ganesha procession and immersion scheduled for Friday in various parts of the city, the police will monitor them, too. A senior police officer said the government was ready to ask for additional forces from other states, if need be. Our priority is to maintain law and order. People indulging in any kind of hooliganism will be dealt with an iron hand. The public are requested to alert the police control room if they come across any untoward incident. The entire city is being watched and policemen in plain clothes will monitor the situation across the city, the officer said. A former manager of Andhra Banks Chamarajpet branch and a former director of J J Fashion Studio Private Limited (JJFSPL), Bengaluru, have been convicted by a special CBI court in the Rs 1.44-crore cheating case. The special judge for CBI cases, Benglauru, found the then Chamarajpet branch manager of Andhra Bank, A E Devandranath, and the then JJFSPL director, F Don Bosco, guilty of the offence. The judge sentenced the duo to four years of rigorous imprisonment. The judge also slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 on both of them. The judge awarded Devandranath two years of additional rigorous imprisonment and slapped a fine of Rs 25,000. Bank officials had stated in the complaint that Devandranath had cheated the bank by permitting various packing credit facilities to JJFSPL in violation of the banks procedures and guidelines. Devandranath had also accepted the foreign export bills of JJFSPL. He approved credit facilities to the company without the realisation of bills and without obtaining the required information. He had not conducted periodical inspection. He had accepted the false and inflated stock statements. He had also allowed packing credit against fax copies of the order in the name of sister concerns of the borrower. Bank officials had alleged that the bank had incurred a loss of Rs 1.44 crore because of Devandranaths act. The CBI had registered a case on December 27, 1999, against the two based on a complaint by Andhra Bank, and filed the charge sheet on August 31, 2001. Streets in and around St Marys Basilica in Shivajinagar wore a festive look as devotees from various parts of Bengaluru and outside thronged the church to witness the annual chariot procession on the occasion of St Marys Feast. Meenakshi Koil Street, Shivaji Circle, Broadway Road and other streets adjacent to the church were packed with devotees wearing coral-coloured clothes. Devotees started pouring in on Thursday morning to St Marys Basilica, considered to be one of the oldest churches in Bengaluru. Thousands of devotees witnessed the chariot procession that began at 5.30 pm. The decorated and illuminated car carried a six-foot tall statue of Mother Mary with Infant Jesus in her arms. The car passed through Russell Market Square, Meenakshi Koil Street, Shivaji Circle, Shivaji Road and Broadway Road before returning to the church through Russell Market Square amid the chants of Ave Maria (Praise to Mary). The St Marys feast began on August 29 with the flag-hoisting at the church. September 8 is an auspicious day as this is the day when Mother Mary was born and we celebrate it as Holy feast, said Anthony Raj, a volunteer at the church. Holy mass was offered in different languages at the church as well as in other churches in the city. Commuters suffer BMTC commuters headed for Shivajinagar were inconvenienced as buses stopped near Balekundri Circle on Queens Road. Many commuters were forced to walk and take auto-rickshaw. Autos refused to ply near Shivajinagar, and after half an hour of wait, I finally got an auto. The driver charged me double. As I was getting late for work, I ended up paying extra, said Priyadarshini Raghu, who works for an advertising agency in Indiranagar. More than 500 traffic policemen were deployed in and around Shivajinagar on Thursday evening to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and the car procession. By Julie Hirschfeld Davis, Mark Landler And Coral Davenport 8 September 2016 MIDWAY ATOLL (The New York Times) Seventy-four years ago, a naval battle off this remote spit of land in the middle of the Pacific Ocean changed the course of World War II. Last week, President Obama flew here to swim with Hawaiian monk seals and draw attention to a quieter war one he has waged against rising seas, freakish storms, deadly droughts, and other symptoms of a planet choking on its own fumes [Well, our fumes. Des]. Bombs may not be falling. The sound of gunfire does not concentrate the mind. What Mr. Obama has seen instead are the charts and graphs of a warming planet. And theyre terrifying, he said in a recent interview in Honolulu. What makes climate change difficult is that it is not an instantaneous catastrophic event, he said. Its a slow-moving issue that, on a day-to-day basis, people dont experience and dont see. Climate change, Mr. Obama often says, is the greatest long-term threat facing the world, as well as a danger already manifesting itself as droughts, storms, heat waves and flooding. More than health care, more than righting a sinking economic ship, more than the historic first of an African-American president, he believes that his efforts to slow the warming of the planet will be the most consequential legacy of his presidency. NEC Corporation has signed a contract with PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia to develop the Indonesia Global Gateway Cable System (IGG). The IGG is a 100 Gigabit per second (Gbps) x 80 wavelengths (wl) x 4 fibre pairs (fp) optical fibre submarine cable system, measuring approximately 5,300 kilometres, that will connect the cities of Dumai, Batam, Jakarta, Madura, Bali, Makassar, Bilikpapan, Takaran and Manado with Singapore. Once IGG is completed in early-2018, this cable system will not only enhance connectivity among these major cities of Indonesia, but it is designed to provide direct connectivity between two international submarine cables, one from Europe landing in Dumai, and the other from the west coast of the U.S. terminating in Manado. "NEC is honoured to be selected by Telkom as the supplier of an optical fibre submarine cable system, the advanced 100Gb/s IGG system, providing connectivity among nine Indonesian cities and Singapore, and linking two international submarine cables at Dumai and Manado. Since first building an optical fibre submarine cable system for Telkom in 1991, NEC has continuously helped to expand Indonesia's domestic connectivity, said Mr. Toru Kawauchi, General Manager, Submarine Network Division, NEC Corporation. The system will connect the islands of Sumatra, Batam, Jawa, Bali, Kalimantan and Sulawesi with Singapore. The European Commission (EC) has funded a 4.6m trial that will test whether an artificial pancreas can help young children manage type 1 diabetes. A research team at the University of Cambridge (pictured) and Cambridge University Hospitals hope the trial will establish the artificial pancreas as a treatment capable of transforming type 1 diabetes management. The project is a collaboration of Cambridge scientists and other institutes across Europe and the US, known as KidsAP. The funding, commissioned under the ECs Horizon 2020 programmen, will lead to the artificial pancreas being tested in a trial of 94 children with type 1 diabetes aged between 1-7 years. The children will either be treated with the artificial pancreas or state-of-the-art insulin pump therapy for one year, with quality of life and treatment efficacy to be measured. If the artificial pancreas is shown to be more beneficial than insulin pump therapy, then we expect that it will change how type 1 diabetes is managed both nationally and internationally, with a much improved quality of life for young children, said Professor David Dunger, collaborator on the project. The artificial pancreas system is made up of three components: a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), a computer algorithm to calculate insulin doses, and an insulin pump. It is known as a closed-loop system and work externally on the body. Last month, Cambridge researchers reported that the artificial pancreas could transform treatment for pregnant women with type 1 diabetes. But as yet, there has been no research into how the system could be used by young children at home. Weve already seen that the artificial pancreas can have a very positive effect on peoples lives and now, thanks to funding from the European Commissio, we can see whether young children will also see these same benefits, said lead author Dr Roman Hovorka, Department of Paediatrics at the University of Cambridge and Addenbrookes Hospital. At the moment, children have to have frequent insulin injections that are at best inconvenient, but at worst painful. We hope this new technology will eliminate this need. Researchers from the University of Exeter Medical School have found that a sharp drop in calories burned as a teenager may be behind todays skyrocketing obesity and type 2 diabetes rates. The study findings, published in the International Journal of Diabetes, show that 15-year-olds burn up to 500 fewer calories a day than when they were 10. This is equivalent to a 25 per cent decrease in energy used at rest by adolescents compared to their younger selves. Scientists made the surprising discovery after conducting a 12-year study following the health outcomes of 279 school children in Plymouth. Researchers measured the childrens oxygen consumption over a period of time to calculate their calorie expenditure, as burning calories uses a fixed amount of oxygen. The studys lead investigator, Professor Terry Wilki, and his colleagues expected to see the energy teenagers burn at rest rise with the growth spurt, but it fell sharply instead. This fall in resting energy expenditure of around a quarter observed at puberty amounts to cutting out an hour of strenuous exercise every day. However, the researchers noticed a boost in the metabolic rate of participants by the time they turn 16, where calorie expenditure begins to climb again. It has been suggested that these results could be attributed to the fact that teenagers, especially girls, exercise less during puberty. Several studies have shown that how we expend energy changes what and how we eat, which in some cases add to the weight gain as all calories are not created equally. Teenagers consuming three times the recommendation for sugar, while using even fewer calories than we previously thought, contributes to a dangerous rise in adolescent obesity. For Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at Public Health England, these findings highlight the need for teenagers to sustain a moderate amount of activity throughout puberty while reducing their intake of processed food to stay at a healthy weight. A diabetes expert who has transformed our understanding, diagnosis and treatment of the condition has won a top international award. Professor Andrew Hattersley (pictured) is only the second person to be awarded the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD)-Novo Nordisk Foundation Diabetes Prize for Excellence. Hattersley, who works at the University of Exeter Medical School, has been recognised for the research he has done into monogenic diabetes, a genetic form of the condition. Also a diabetes consultant at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Hattersley said: It is a great honour to receive this prestigious award. I have been very lucky to work with superb colleagues in Exeter over the past 21 years. This award recognises their outstanding efforts as much as my own. It has been very exciting to see the science of gene discovery have a direct impact on patient care. The prize is awarded in collaboration between the EASD and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Professor Juleen Zierath, president of the EASD, said: Andrew Hattersley personifies a complete clinician scientist who has transformed our understanding, diagnosis and treatment of monogenic diabetes. He is an obvious recipient of this prestigious prize. The award will be presented at the 52st EASD Annual Meeting in Munich, Germany on September 14 when Professor Hattersley will give a lecture to the 20,000 delegates. In 1995, when Professor Hattersley first arrived in Exeter, there was no genetics laboratory on the hospital site where he was working, so he set one up along with molecular geneticist Professor Sian Ellard. The unit was used to combine both research and NHS diagnostics before they decided to specialise in rare genetic types of diabetes. Diabetes specialist nurse Professor Maggie Shepherd and Professor Tim Frayling joined the team and together they established a diagnostic genetic service that provides testing for patients in the UK and for 87 other countries. Monogenic diabetes occurs because one of the three billion bases in a patients genetic code is altered. The University compared the difficulty of trying to find the cause by looking for one spelling mistake in a library full of books. Despite that, the Exeter team discovered the single altered base for 15 different genetic types of diabetes. Their findings have led to the recognition of new diabetes sub-types that have unique clinical features, with specific requirements for their treatment and clinical care. One of the most significant discoveries they have found is that most patients can control their blood glucose better by tablets, instead of relying on insulin injections six months after their diagnosis, which had been the normal path of treatment. Airbnb has said it is remaining a privately held company for now as it focuses on growth and deals with legal and regulatory challenges. Airbnb board member Jeff Jordan from venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz told Bloomberg, The growth rate says its still early. You dont just magically go public. Theres work to be done behind the scenes. Jordan said the home-renting technology company is not prepared to go public and next year was too optimistic. The number of technology companies going public is on the wane, and speculation has mounted that start-ups such as Airbnb and instant messenger Snapchat will make their market debut soon. Airbnb is valued at $30bn, more than the worlds largest hotel company Hilton Worldwide Holdings with $23.4bn. On Wednesday, the San Francisco-based company threatened to sue the governor of New York Andrew Cuomo if the state passes a bill that would make it effectively illegal to advertise short-term rentals on its app. Airbnb said the proposed bill was unconstitutional as it would prevent New York landlords and homeowners from renting out flats or houses for less than 30 days at a time. The city is one of it the company's most lucrative areas and earns about $1bn per year. In September, Airbnb said the ban on vacation rental activity in Santa Monica, California, was also unconstitutional. US card company Mastercard will defend a legal claim against it to the tune of 14bn from UK consumers in pursuit of damages for anti-competitive swipe fees. The claim was filed in the Competition Appeal Tribunal, and it is only the second of its kind in the UK that is similar to the US class action lawsuit. A ruling by the European Court of Justice in 2014 affirmed that the European Commission had been right in 2007 to condemn so-called multilateral interchange fees on cross-border transactions. In 2007, the European Commission ruled that Mastercard's fee system was anti-competitive, allowing banks to charge higher fees to consumers and providing them with an incentive not to issue cards from Mastercard's competitors. The case is being brought by Walter Merricks and his law firm Quinn Emmanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, who said that the follow-on claim "need only prove the damage consumers suffered as a result of Mastercard's behaviour." The credit card company have continued to deny the wrongdoing and will contest the case. "Now that the claim has been filed, we will take time to review it in detail. However we continue to firmly disagree with the basis of this claim and we intend to oppose it vigorously," Mastercard said. Barack Obama has warned China that it should abandom claims over disputed islands in the South China sea, during a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. At the summit in Laos, Obama mentioned the decision by the Hague which ruled against the claims of China over the islands in the area. "The landmark arbitration ruling in July, which is binding, helped to clarify maritime rights in the region," Obama told the leaders. "I recognise this raises tensions but I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and stability. We will continue to work to ensure that disputes are resolved peacefully, including in the South China Sea." Obama brought the issue back on the agenda after attempts by other leaders at the summit to sweep the issue under the carpet. China responded to Obama's comments by referring to them as "untimely and inappropriate". Beijing has come in for criticism in recent times for converting small islands in the region into areas capable of handling military aircraft. London stocks jumped on Thursday, led by an increase in Micro Focus shares after news it agreed a $8.8bn merger with Hewlett Packards software business. Micro Focus will issue American Depository Shares to shareholders in Hewlett Packard Enterprise, which was spun out of its more famous hardware parent in October 2015, so that once the deal is complete, the US corporation's shareholders will own 50.1% of the combined entity, with both companies remaining listed. Every sector of the FTSE 100 is higher on the Micro Focus deal because its a good sign for the continued growth of UK business and technology post-Brexit. British firms still have the confidence to buy overseas assets despite the drop in Sterling, said Jasper Lawler, market analyst at CMC Markets. Mining shares were also given a boost on signs Chinas exports were improving. Exports fell 2.8% in August, compared to economists estimates for a 4.0% decline and the previous months 4.4% decrease, the General Administration of Customs revealed. Imports rose 1.5%, exceeding forecasts for a 5.7% drop and following a 12.5% slide in July. The trade surplus came to $53.05bn last month, down from $52.31bn in July, although below economists forecasts of $59.40bn. Meanwhile, investors are awaiting the European Central Banks policy decision at 1245 BST and press conference at 1330 BST. Economists expect no change to policy with the focus instead on what President Mario Draghi has to say on the future direction of measures at the press conference. However, investors should be wary, too many events this year have been billed as major turning points, yet turn out to be damp squibs, said IGs chief market analyst, Chris Beauchamp. Janet Yellens Jackson Hole speech and Mark Carneys appearance at the Treasury Select Committee yesterday being cases in point. It would take a fairly hefty increase in eurozone quantitative easing this afternoon to provide much excitement, with a vanilla extension to the current programmes timescale unlikely to deliver the goods. Closer to home, the Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors said in a report that confidence in the UK housing market has recovered moderately from its post-Brexit wobbles but numbers of both buyers and sellers remained in negative territory. The August residential housing market survey showed a slight increase in its past-price indicator after falling for five months in a row, with a balance of 12% more surveyors reporting an increase in prices, up from 5% previously. Elsewhere, official data on US weekly crude inventories at 1600 BST will also be in focus amid worries about a global supply glut. Oil prices gained ahead of the release after China data showed crude oil imports rose to their highest level of the year in August. Data from the American Petroleum Institute fuelled the rally after revealing a 2.1 million-barrel drop in inventories. Brent crude jumped 1.4% to $48.71 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate increased 1.7% to $46.32 per barrel at 1150 BST. On the corporate front, Dixons Carphone shares advanced after the electronics retailer posted a 9% year-on-year increase in first quarter group revenue and a 4% like-for-like rise in revenue. Pearson slumped after US peer John Wiley & Sons slid nearly 7% in the previous session following the release of disappointing first-quarter results. CMC Markets shares continued to come under pressure a day after it said first half net operating income would be lower than last year, blaming a lower value of client trades on low levels of market volatility. Market Movers FTSE 100 (UKX) 6,876.00 0.43% FTSE 250 (MCX) 18,147.93 0.49% techMARK (TASX) 3,494.65 0.62% FTSE 100 - Risers Micro Focus International (MCRO) 2,260.00p 15.60% Dixons Carphone (DC.) 389.70p 4.14% International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 422.40p 4.04% easyJet (EZJ) 1,192.00p 3.29% Anglo American (AAL) 862.40p 2.64% Provident Financial (PFG) 3,036.00p 2.64% Rio Tinto (RIO) 2,380.50p 1.99% BHP Billiton (BLT) 1,017.00p 1.80% Barratt Developments (BDEV) 500.50p 1.69% Berkeley Group Holdings (The) (BKG) 2,743.00p 1.67% FTSE 100 - Fallers Pearson (PSON) 826.50p -4.28% Mediclinic International (MDC) 969.00p -2.86% Admiral Group (ADM) 2,006.00p -2.57% Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 752.50p -1.89% Standard Life (SL.) 355.90p -1.52% GKN (GKN) 320.90p -1.26% Tesco (TSCO) 169.10p -1.26% Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets (MRW) 197.70p -1.25% Ashtead Group (AHT) 1,285.00p -1.15% Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,301.00p -1.14% FTSE 250 - Risers Thomas Cook Group (TCG) 75.05p 4.75% Sophos Group (SOPH) 261.30p 4.65% International Personal Finance (IPF) 286.10p 4.23% Rotork (ROR) 216.60p 3.93% Intermediate Capital Group (ICP) 630.00p 3.45% Restaurant Group (RTN) 401.00p 3.38% ICAP (IAP) 489.10p 3.25% Auto Trader Group (AUTO) 400.90p 2.98% OneSavings Bank (OSB) 278.20p 2.96% FTSE 250 - Fallers Ocado Group (OCDO) 315.90p -2.80% Phoenix Group Holdings (DI) (PHNX) 849.50p -2.69% CMC Markets (CMCX) 237.90p -2.10% NMC Health (NMC) 1,381.00p -2.06% Meggitt (MGGT) 471.20p -1.87% Countrywide (CWD) 260.30p -1.85% NCC Group (NCC) 326.00p -1.75% Regus (RGU) 294.90p -1.63% Greggs (GRG) 1,056.00p -1.49% Ascential (ASCL) 256.20p -1.46% London stocks edged higher in early trade following the release of some encouraging Chinese trade figures, as oil prices gained ground. At 0830 BST, the FTSE 100 index was up 0.5% to 6,881.71. At the same time, West Texas Intermediate was up 2.1% to $46.44 a barrel and Brent crude was 1.8% higher at $48.83. The tone was underpinned by better-than-expected Chinese trade data, which showed imports rose 1.5% in August compared to a year ago, versus forecasts of a 4.9% decline. This was also a big improvement on the 12.5% fall seen in July. Meanwhile, exports dropped 2.8% following a 4.4% drop the month before. Lee Wild, heady of equity strategy at Interactive Investor, said: The post-Brexit bubble remains intact, with decent data out of China and rising oil prices triggering gains Thursday. Commodity plays are looking good and the FTSE 100 is less than 100 points from a new 15-month high. Meanwhile, investors were looking ahead to the European Central Bank's rate announcement at 1245 BST. CMC Markets Jasper Lawler said: Stock market trading has been muted so far this week but has the promise of a new spark of life from the European Central Bank. The central will announce its first policy decision since the Bank of England eased policy in August in response to concerns over Brexit. There is a chance of some central bank one-upmanship. The ECB could decide it wants to add stimulus in equal measure to the Bank of England to defend the Eurozone from any unwanted economic consequences of Brexit. Since ECB policy is already very accommodative and the BOE has taken some political flak for its decision to ease policy so soon after the referendum, the ECB is unlikely to make major changes. Via a downgrade to the ECBs economic forecasts, Mario Draghi can hint at more stimulus if needed in the coming months. In corporate news, electronics retailer Dixons Carphone rose after it said group revenue was up 9% year-on-year in the first quarter and like-for-like revenue improved 4% in the 13 weeks to 30 July. Micro Focus International surged after agreeing an $8.8bn deal to merge with Hewlett Packard's software business, which includes a $400m return of value to the FTSE 100 company's' shareholders. Zoopla Property Group was on the front foot as it said full-year operating profits will be at the top end of current market expectations thanks to solid property trading and outperformance from its price comparison website in the third quarter. National Grid nudged higher after it agreed a three-year rate plan settlement for the KeySpan Energy Delivery New York and KeySpan Energy Delivery Long Island gas distribution utilities. In the US, initial jobless claims are due at 1330 BST. Market Movers FTSE 100 (UKX) 6,873.70 0.40% FTSE 250 (MCX) 18,092.05 0.18% techMARK (TASX) 3,513.71 1.17% FTSE 100 - Risers Micro Focus International (MCRO) 2,380.00p 21.74% Dixons Carphone (DC.) 383.10p 2.38% Mediclinic International (MDC) 1,012.00p 1.45% Barratt Developments (BDEV) 499.30p 1.44% Berkeley Group Holdings (The) (BKG) 2,733.00p 1.30% Experian (EXPN) 1,563.00p 1.30% Rio Tinto (RIO) 2,362.00p 1.20% Taylor Wimpey (TW.) 161.30p 1.13% Anglo American (AAL) 849.50p 1.11% BHP Billiton (BLT) 1,009.50p 1.05% FTSE 100 - Fallers Pearson (PSON) 839.00p -2.84% Admiral Group (ADM) 2,002.00p -2.77% Standard Life (SL.) 354.40p -1.94% Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 2,146.00p -1.42% Ashtead Group (AHT) 1,286.00p -1.08% CRH (CRH) 2,540.00p -0.86% Tesco (TSCO) 169.80p -0.85% easyJet (EZJ) 1,147.00p -0.61% Wolseley (WOS) 4,430.00p -0.40% Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets (MRW) 199.40p -0.40% FTSE 250 - Risers Micro Focus International (MCRO) 2,380.00p 21.74% Thomas Cook Group (TCG) 75.75p 5.72% Rotork (ROR) 214.80p 3.07% IP Group (IPO) 193.10p 1.85% Tullow Oil (TLW) 236.00p 1.72% Aldermore Group (ALD) 171.90p 1.72% Zoopla Property Group (WI) (ZPLA) 331.50p 1.56% Restaurant Group (RTN) 393.90p 1.55% Morgan Advanced Materials (MGAM) 306.40p 1.49% St. Modwen Properties (SMP) 295.60p 1.48% FTSE 250 - Fallers Indivior (INDV) 315.00p -3.14% Clarkson (CKN) 2,128.00p -2.61% Phoenix Group Holdings (DI) (PHNX) 850.50p -2.58% Hastings Group Holdings (HSTG) 214.80p -2.32% Ocado Group (OCDO) 319.30p -1.75% Meggitt (MGGT) 473.30p -1.44% CMC Markets (CMCX) 240.00p -1.23% Countrywide (CWD) 262.10p -1.17% Allied Minds (ALM) 326.70p -1.12% Elementis (ELM) 213.30p -1.07% London stocks were expected to open a little lower on Thursday as investors looked to the European Central Bank rate announcement. The FTSE 100 was set to open seven points weaker than Wednesdays close at 6,839. CMC Markets Jasper Lawler said: Stock market trading has been muted so far this week but has the promise of a new spark of life from the European Central Bank. The central will announce its first policy decision since the Bank of England eased policy in August in response to concerns over Brexit. There is a chance of some central bank one-upmanship. The ECB could decide it wants to add stimulus in equal measure to the Bank of England to defend the Eurozone from any unwanted economic consequences of Brexit. Since ECB policy is already very accommodative and the BOE has taken some political flak for its decision to ease policy so soon after the referendum, the ECB is unlikely to make major changes. Via a downgrade to the ECBs economic forecasts, Mario Draghi can hint at more stimulus if needed in the coming months. There are no major UK data releases due but the ECB rate announcement is at 1245 BST. In the US, initial jobless claims are at 1330 BST. Electronics retailer Dixons Carphone posted a trading update for the first quarter on Thursday, with group revenue up 9% year-on-year and like-for-like revenue improving 4% in the 13 weeks to 30 July. The FTSE 100 firm, which operates the Carphone Warehouse, Currys PC World and Dixons Travel brands among others, said performance in the UK and Ireland was strong, with like-for-like revenue up 4%. Growth in like-for-like revenue was 2% in the Nordics, while Southern Europe delivered an exceptionally strong improvement of 13%, which the firm said was driven by performance in Greece. Micro Focus International has agreed an $8.8bn deal to merge with Hewlett Packard's software business, which includes a $400m return of value to the FTSE 100 company's' shareholders. The deal, which Micro Focus expects to enhance adjusted earnings per share by the first full financial year ending after completion, will create one of the world's largest infrastructure software companies. Multinational electricity and gas utility National Grid and US public utilities regulator New York Public Service Commission have launched a three year rate plan settlement for the KeySpan Energy Delivery New York (KEDNY) and KeySpan Energy Delivery Long Island (KEDLI) gas distribution utilities. A final decision from the US regulator is expected in late 2016 and the new rates effective from January 2017. Babcock International has been awarded a five-year contract to support Qantas ground support equipment (GSE) fleet at 60 locations across Australia. The agreement, which includes an option for a further two years, streamlines the management of the airline's fleet of over 10,000 GSE assets, incorporating Qantas' domestic, regional, freight, catering and engineering operations, as well as Jetstar. Babcock said it will deliver a programme to improve reliability of equipment and provide significant long-term capability and cost benefits. Chief executive Archie Bethel said: We have a proven track record of improving the performance and reliability of our customer's assets, whilst delivering efficiency savings. Qantas are regarded as one of the world's leading long-distance airlines and we are very much looking forward to working with them to implement a suite of modern fleet management systems and tools which will enhance safe and effective fleet capability across all the airline's sites." Qantas already provides a range of support services at international airports, including London (Heathrow, Gatwick), Amsterdam (Schiphol) and Sao Paulo (Guarulhos) and most recently Rome (Fiumincino). At 0936 BST, Babcock shares were up 1.1% to 1,108p. Electronics retailer Dixons Carphone posted a trading update for the first quarter on Thursday, with group revenue up 9% year-on-year and like-for-like revenue improving 4% in the 13 weeks to 30 July. The FTSE 100 firm, which operates the Carphone Warehouse, Currys PC World and Dixons Travel brands among others, said performance in the UK and Ireland was strong, with like-for-like revenue up 4%. Both like-for-like and total revenue in the region were negatively affected by around 1% from refurbishment disruption, the board said, but like-for-like revenue also improved 1% as a result of sales transferred from closed stores. Growth in like-for-like revenue was 2% in the Nordics, while Southern Europe delivered an exceptionally strong improvement of 13%, which the firm said was driven by performance in Greece. We have had another very good quarter and I am happy to be reporting this level of performance today, said group chief executive Seb James. We are delivering pleasing growth in all markets and continued high levels of customer satisfaction, and, thus far, continue to see no detectable impact of the Brexit vote on consumer behaviour in the UK. James said the company has an ambitious programme of development right across the group this year, which s is being delivered on plan. In the UK & Ireland, our exciting new eCommerce platform for Carphone Warehouse is now live, and our 3-in-1 property programme is well on track. In addition, we are now able to deliver the whole Dixons Carphone small-product range to customers across 500 Carphone Warehouse stores, making us one of the biggest and most convenient click-and-collect organisations in the UK, James explained. In the Nordics, we will soon start serving customers from our new, enormous, and state-of-the-art small-product warehouse in Sweden. James said the project was delivered on time, and slightly ahead of budget. In our Knowhow division, we continue to plan for our Leeds services pilot later this month and develop our brand and propositions. We are seeing real progress in our Connected World Services business as well, and have signed a new agreement with TalkTalk which sees us expanding our distribution activity significantly, James said. The Sprint rollout continues, and we now have 31 stores across 5 regions. He explained that the implementation of honeyBee is also going well at Sprint, and the company has a strong pipeline of potential new honeyBee clients. Looking forward, we are optimistic about the future and about our ability to continue to outperform, without in any way being complacent. We live in a world with increasingly discerning customers and with more moving parts than ever and we will continue to succeed only by remaining nimble and determined, James commented. We are lucky to have such a strong cohort of people to make this happen, and I would like to finish by thanking them for their hard work so far this year. The FTSE 250 was pretty much flat late into Thursday's session, with security software group Sohpos leading the way thanks to read-across from elsewhere Oxford-based Sophos, which is holding its annual general meeting next week, hit a six-month high on the day that FTSE 100 listed Micro Focus announced its transformational $8.8bn merger with Hewlett-Packard Enterprises' software arm, raising eyebrows and investors hopes for more M&A activity. Perhaps more pertinently, Intel announced a deal overnight to sell a majority stake in cyber security specialist McAfee, a direct peer of Sophos, for $4.2bn to investor group TPG. Thomas Cook was flying higher as it launched its joint venture with Chinese conglomerate Fosun in Shanghai called Thomas Cook China, which will offer 90 high-end holiday packages to more than 40 international and domestic destinations. News of the JV with 8.2% investor Fosun, which will target "affluent, adventurous, quality-oriented customers to help the pair grab a high-margin share of China's booming holiday market, helped lift the UK tour operator's shares to a three-month high. Engineer Rotork got a boost from a RBC Capital Markets note that upgraded the broker's stance on the stock to sector perform from underperform and lifted the price target to 200p from 165p. RBC said that following recent underperformance and a sector re-rating, the shares no longer look as expensive relative to peers. Similarly, Auto Trader accelerated to its highest level since the Brexit vote after management gave a confident overview of the groups prospects on an investor roadshow. A note from Exane BNP Paribas revealed that the company has experienced no material Brexit impact thus far, with healthy website traffic growth, display ad trends solid and August industry data suggesting continued new car transaction growth. Exane said that, with risks of a leave vote macro shock now reduced, it had increased its target price by 15% to 450p. Interdealer broker Icap was on the up after it received clearance from the UK competition regulator to sell on its London-based oil broking business, meaning its larger voice broking sale to Tullett Prebon can proceed to the next hurdle. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on Thursday said it accepted the undertakings proposed by Icap to divest its London-based EMEA oil desks to INTL FCStone, and so would not carry out an in-depth 'Phase 2' investigation. On the downside, Phoenix Group led the fallers as its share went ex-dividend. Online grocery specialist Ocado was down on reports Amazon had expanded its Fresh grocery delivery service to 190 Greater London postcodes. CMC Markets continued its fall from Wednesday's warning interim profits would be lower than last year due to what it said was a lower value of client trades on depressed levels of market volatility. Broker Numis said in a note published on Thursday that it was cutting its earnings estimates, pointing out that it was only six weeks ago CMC had stated trading volumes were up following the Brexit vote and improvements in underlying client metrics were very positive. "This is why we found this mornings profit warning a little surprising, especially given the recent positive announcements from other trading firms," analysts wrote, adding that as a result, adjusted EPS estimates for 2017, 2018 and 2019 were trimmed by 13%, 13% and 12% respectively and the target price cut to 260p from 280p. Market Movers FTSE 100 (UKX) 6,847.95 0.02% FTSE 250 (MCX) 18,100.03 0.22% techMARK (TASX) 3,493.19 0.58% FTSE 250 - Risers Sophos Group (SOPH) 263.40p 5.49% Thomas Cook Group (TCG) 75.30p 5.09% Rotork (ROR) 217.80p 4.51% Auto Trader Group (AUTO) 402.20p 3.31% OneSavings Bank (OSB) 278.80p 3.18% Restaurant Group (RTN) 400.00p 3.12% ICAP (IAP) 488.40p 3.10% International Personal Finance (IPF) 282.90p 3.06% Virgin Money Holdings (UK) (VM.) 308.90p 2.97% FTSE 250 - Fallers Phoenix Group Holdings (DI) (PHNX) 843.00p -3.44% NMC Health (NMC) 1,367.00p -3.05% Ocado Group (OCDO) 316.80p -2.52% Countrywide (CWD) 259.10p -2.30% SIG (SHI) 123.60p -2.29% Elementis (ELM) 210.80p -2.23% Entertainment One Limited (ETO) 213.20p -2.16% CMC Markets (CMCX) 238.00p -2.06% IP Group (IPO) 185.70p -2.06% NCC Group (NCC) 325.10p -2.02% Audio visual and documents solutions distributor Midwich announced the acquisition of UK-based Holdan for up to 7.9m and New Zealands Wired for an undisclosed sum. Based in Glossop, near Manchester, Holdan is a value-added distributor of technology solutions focused on the broadcast, professional video and traditional audio-visual markets. In the year ended 31 December 2015, it generated annual turnover of 20.6m and pre-tax profit of 1.1m. Midwich has acquired 75% of the issued share capital of Holdan from Chris Daniels and Allan Leonhardsen. In line with the company's long-term succession plan, Daniels has stepped down as Holdan's managing director, but will continue with the business on a full time basis before retiring in 2017. Meanwhile, Leonhardsen has become Holdan's managing director with immediate effect. The acquisition was funded from the groups existing cash resources and Midwich has options to acquire the remaining 25% stake over the next three years on a pre-determined methodology linked primarily to earnings growth. Wired is a small NZ-based AV distributor with offices in Wellington and Auckland specialising in HD distribution solutions for the domestic and commercial market. Midwich said the acquisition builds on its existing market position and capability in the Australian and New Zealand markets. Wired generated revenue of NZ$2m in the year to the end of March. Managing director Stephen Fenby said: We recognised some time ago that the broadcast and professional video markets are a natural adjunct to our traditional audio visual activity. Having made some headway in penetrating these markets ourselves, we believe that the expertise and focus of Holdan will give Midwich the ability to provide a more comprehensive value-added service to our customers in the UK and overseas. Similarly, Midwich's vast reach into the audio visual market provides Holdan's vendors with an opportunity to expand further into a growing segment. The acquisition in New Zealand supports two of our key strategic objectives in the region, to provide outstanding value added support to our customers and vendors, and to continue the rapid growth of our display solutions business." At 1545 BST, Midwich shares were up 0.8% to 241.99p. 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. Bottom line: How did the Buckeyes grade vs. Penn State? Grading Ryan Day and the rest of the Buckeyes after Ohio State's win over Penn State. Subscriber content preview By JILL LAWLESS Associated Press LONDON Britain hopes a 13-foot-high concrete wall will succeed where security guards and barbed wire have failed, and stop migrants reaching the U.K. from the northern French port of Calais. Home Office Minister Robert Goodwill announced this week that a 0.6-mile-long barrier will be built as part of a $23 million security package agreed to by Britain and France. He told lawmakers on Tuesday that its construction along the main highway to the port would start very soon. . . . The Triennale Design Museum represents Italy during the London Design Biennale 2016 with the installation White Flag, curated by Silvana Annicchiarico and Giorgio Camuffo. The theme of the first edition of the London Design Biennale is Utopia by Design which celebrates the 500th anniversary of the publication of Sir Thomas Mores classic, Utopia (1516). "White Flag", Italy Pavilion at the London Design Biennale 2016 The exhibition runs for 20 days and 20 Italian designers have been selected. Each one has been asked to design a white flag, filling it with symbols, signs and meaning to convey the value of a surrender, of a truce, a contemporary metaphor of utopia, according to the curators: not a form of construction, but rather an act of deconstruction. On the first day, the 20 flags will be planted on a suitably redesigned map of the world: flags fluttering and moving in the breeze. One by one, each flag will disappear day by day and, in its place, there will be an object chosen or designed by the designer. "White Flag", Italy Pavilion at the London Design Biennale 2016 As the curators say: Throughout the course of history, utopias have almost always attempted to build new worlds. And impose new models. Each one saturating the space and claiming to be unique and perfect. The result is a world saturated with models that suffocate each other. That are mutually exclusive. That all attempt to exclude the others and assert only themselves. Perhaps the time has come to think about utopia not as a form of construction, but rather as an act of deconstruction. As a moment of surrender. "White Flag", Italy Pavilion at the London Design Biennale 2016 This is the idea: a world that surrenders. That raises a white flag. That takes a step back. That calls for a truce. That lays down its weapons. That does not impose itself, but that opens itself up. That stops the endless monologue of all utopian ideas and that gives in to the need for dialogue. In other words, that gives in to the need to interact with others, with the imperfect, with those who do not fit the norms and standards. With those who believe in another model, another dream, another god. View gallery Author Photography Maria Pina Poledda Published 08 September 2016 SHARE PIN IT Author Photography Maria Pina Poledda Published 08 September 2016 SHARE PIN IT "White Flag", Italy Pavilion at the London Design Biennale 2016 SHARE PIN IT "White Flag", Italy Pavilion at the London Design Biennale 2016 SHARE PIN IT Donegal hoteliers yesterday afternoon welcomed the continuing growth in visitors to Ireland as recorded in the latest CSO figures. These show a 9.8% increase in trips to the Ireland by overseas visitors between May-July of this year. Donegal hoteliers state that this growth is very positive for the sector, helping to sustain local employment. However, they caution that the effect of Brexit and the weakness in sterling need to be monitored so that the sector can plan for potential negative impact. Paul Diver, Chairman of the Donegal Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation believes that the growth in visitors has delivered a major boost to Irish tourism, building on last years performance. The latest figures show visitor numbers from North America up 13.3% while Britain is recording an increase of 8.6% and the rest of Europe is up 10%. There has been a real sense of optimism in Donegal this summer season, as we have seen more visitors on the ground. However, Brexit is a significant concern with Sterling having fallen by more than 16% against the Euro compared to this time last year. This could have a negative knock-on effect for our local tourism industry. said Diver. He stated that the tourism industry continues to provide economic growth and vital employment opportunities in Donegal thanks to a number of direct actions from the Government, including the zero rate travel tax and the 9% tourism VAT rate. The 9% VAT rate in particular has been of major significance to the industry. This has brought our VAT rate into line with other European destinations . Tourism is now a major contributor to our economy, generating 128 million in Donegal and supporting 6,600 jobs. Hearteneing He states that, in addition to the increase in overseas tourism, it is heartening to see that national tourism efforts to reignite the domestic tourism sector are having an effect. He says that Donegal hotels and guesthouses are witnessing increased business from Irish holidaymakers as growing numbers of people take advantage of the good value available. Mr Diver cautions, however, that growth in hotel revenues inDonegal are coming from a low base following the downturn and that many hotels and guesthouses in rural areas continue to face significant challenges. Anam Cara has launched a new resource aimed at supporting bereaved parents in the early days after the death of their son or daughter. More than 50 local organisations were at the launch in the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny and received copies of the new pack, which contains seven booklets on different themes related to parental grief, such as A Dads Grief, A Mothers Grief, Coping with the Sudden Death of My Child and Supporting My Family. The local groups represented included the Defence Forces, An Garda Siochana, the HSE, Letterkenny General Hospital and St Conals, Letterkenny Hospice, Rainbows, Jigsaw and ParentStop. Local priests and social workers were there too. A number of organisations from Strabane and Derry also attended, including Barnardos, the Family Voices Forum and the Western Trust. One of the Anam Cara Donegal volunteers, Ciara Murphy, spoke at the launch about how she had been supported by Anam Cara: Losing my son has been the most devastating thing that has happened in my life. Anam Cara has been there to help me pick up the pieces and learn to live again." Founded in 2008, Anam Cara Donegal meets on the second Thursday of every month in the Mount Errigal in Letterkenny, affording bereaved parents from Donegal, Derry and north Tyrone a safe and comfortable setting where they can meet other bereaved parents. Anam Cara is open to all bereaved parents, regardless of the age or circumstances of their childs death, or whether the death was recent or not. CEO Sharon Vard Launching the resource pack, Anam Cara CEO Sharon Vard said: It is so important to ensure that any parent who is suffering the terrible and unimaginable ordeal of losing a child knows that Anam Cara is here to help. Our packs are a powerful resource for any family experiencing the death of a child, irrespective of whether the child was a baby or a grown adult. Newly bereaved parents need others to put this information into their hands at the earliest stage of their bereavement journey. They are very fragile in the first few months and may not have the energy to pick up the phone or actively look for help. Newly bereaved parents and families need the support of those who have suffered a similar experience and learned to cope again, they need reassurance that there is light at the end of the tunnel, that they too will be able to emerge from the depths of despair and start living and enjoying life again. Also on hand to help launch the pack was Dr Gerry Lane, Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Letterkenny General Hospital. Anam Cara is urging all frontline professionals who come into contact with newly bereaved parents to get in touch with them to request a delivery of free information packs. In this way they will always have the information on hand to give to newly bereaved parents when they need it most. Bereaved parents or their friends or family are also encouraged to get in touch to request a pack. This can be done by emailing info@anamcara.ie or calling Anam Caras Information Line on 085 2888 888. At the start of the launch Anam Cara thanked a group of amazing local fundraisers who in July managed to raise 16,500 for Anam Cara in memory of little Anna Baird who died suddenly in 2013. Anam Cara is a voluntary support organisation set up by bereaved parents to support bereaved parents throughout Ireland. For more information on its services please visit www.anamcara.ie or call its information line 085 2888 888. Donations of 2 can be made by texting REMEMBER to 50300. For larger donations please visit http://anamcara.ie/donate/ Pictured: The the new pack, which contains seven booklets on different themes related to parental grief. At the launch of the Anam Cara Information Pack in the Mount Errigal hotel, Letterkenny on Wednesday were, from left, Maeve McHarty, Anam Cara Parent Facilitator, Dr. Gerry Lane, consultant in emergency medicine, Letterkenny University Hospital, Stella McCole, counsellor and professional co-facilitator Anam Cara who launched the pack and Ciara Murphy who spoke about her personal experience with bereavement. Sheephaven divers got to conduct a lovely night dive in Portnablagh harbour last Wednesday evening, on the last day of summer. During their dive they took full benefit of the excellent water clarity; maximum depth was 10 metres with surface-to-surface times of up to 40 minutes. The dive started in the gloaming, just as the light was beginning to fade, and was concluded in darkness, which allowed the light from the pier lamps to cast an eerie glow underwater to guide the divers home at the end. On the surface, the shore marshals Hugo McFadden and Willie Sheridan could clearly follow the divers progress as the dive torches threw out their distinctive glow in the water. Apart from the thrill of diving in the dark, the big issue of night dives is the presence of so many nocturnal marine species that could be observed. In particular there were a considerable number of lobsters out in the open, some fighting for their territory without any concern for the divers watching their belligerent behaviour. But the most interesting marine species observation on Wednesday night was the observation of a European eel, which was in its mature colours of olive green on the top and yellow underneath. This specimen, most likely a male, has now finished feeding and has migrated downstream to begin its long journey across the Atlantic to breed in the Sargasso Sea. With the scientific name Anguilla anguilla, European eel numbers have crashed since the 1970s by 90 per cent and are currently classified as critically endangered, so to meet this guy on the night dive was a really big deal. Just more evidence of how rich our maritime ecosystems are and what you might see if the conditions are right. Sheephaven SAC dived Duncap Head on Saturday morning with a one boat, two-stick dive party. Surface-to-surface times of over 40 minutes were recorded to a maximum depth of 25 metres. In-water conditions were reasonable, with horizontal visibility of around seven metres and a water temperature at a very comfortable 16 degrees Celsius. As always, marine life on this site was both abundant and diverse, with plenty of fish life including shoals of juveniles as well as large pollock, wrasse and the occasional ling. Again, as would be expected, there were loads of lobsters throughout the site along with good numbers of brown crab. The best observation of the morning was a small conger eel making off with a butterfish in its mouth, but eventually releasing its prey. The butterfish immediately made a full escape, all of which was caught on video and is now posted on the clubs Facebook page, Sheephaven SAC. On Sunday morning the pride of place went to Ciaran McGlynn, who successfully completed his coxswain test under the examination of Pat McElroy from the Rosses Snorkellers. The Kevin Boylan-led dive was under the cliffs of Horn Head, where the three-boat dive party conducted a two-stick dive to a maximum depth of 25 metres for times of 40 minutes. Weather conditions were nearly perfect with only a slight variable breeze to ruffle the sea and the entire site benefiting from the early September sunshine. Water temperature remains lovely at 16 degrees, just perfect for wet suits, while in-water visibility was slightly better than Saturday at around 10 metres horizontally. Once again the marine life made the dive, with the observation of topknot, wrasse and pollock on site, as well as good numbers of lobsters and brown crab, while on the passage to the dive site a porpoise rose in the water not far from the boat. However the divers had a very unusual wildlife observation even before they left Downings pier, when one diver found a male common newt had travelled to the site in her dive gear. These tiny reptiles, with a scientific name of Lissotrition vulgaris, are the only native Irish newts and this little guy was safely put back where he came from when the diver returned home. Again, you never know what you might see on a dive. Finally Sheephaven SAC wish to extend their condolences to club member John McGee and his family on the death of his mother, Mary. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam. October is National Bullying Prevention month. We have all heard the phrase bullying, but what does it actually mean? Bullying is defined as unwanted aggressive behavior; observed or perceived power imbalance; repetition of behaviors or high likelihood of repetition. Bullying is unfortunately a reality for far too many in our communities both young and old. Much like any other form of violence, bullying is not isolated to any particular age group, gender or demography. Just about everyone of us can look back in our lives and recall a time where either we were personally bullied or witnessed one of our friends or schoolmates being bullied. Its hard to believe that with all of the advancements and awareness, this type of behavior still exists, but it does and with the advent of social media, it had actually gotten much worse. This is because unlike in the past, the bully not only impacts your life on the playground or classroom; they now are able to follow you into your personal life due to the constant presence of social media. There is good news in that we have learned a great deal about what creates these bullies and how to neutralize their ability to isolate and intimidate. The key is for those in authority to respond to reports of bullying immediately to show without question that bullying will not be acceptable. That message needs to follow to our homes with the messages we send our children not only by what we say but by our own actions in how we treat fellow adults. Bullying is without question a learned behavior. It is learned on the playground, in the classroom and follows through to the workplace and social interactions as adults. We need to send a strong message to our own children, a message of empathy and compassion not of ridicule and rumor. Who are at risk of bullying the most? Typically those who are bullied have one or more of the following risks: Are perceived as different from their peers, such as being overweight or underweight, wearing glasses or different clothing, being new to a school, or being unable to afford what kids consider cool Are perceived as weak or unable to defend themselves Are depressed, anxious, or have low self esteem Are less popular than others and have few friends Do not get along well with others, seen as annoying or provoking, or antagonize others for attention However, even if a child has these risk factors, it doesnt mean that they will be bullied. The important lesson is that we as adults set the tone for how the next generation will interact with each other. Chances are if we show acceptance of others, our children will show acceptance of others. If we engage in demeaning others or spreading rumors, our children will follow suit. So often we as adults underestimate the influence, we have not only on our own children but even those who dont know us but witness our behavior. While school or workplace policies are an important component, the only way to truly decrease bullying is by denying the bully their victim. We do this by raising strong, confident, resilient children, and speaking out and supporting those who find themselves on the receiving end of this type of behavior. We are all teachers in life lessons and we teach by our actions. Lets all be aware of what we teach. Superintendent Fergus Treanor is the new head of the Mid-Louth Garda district. Supt Treanor was based in Dublin for 18 years, then moved to the Cavan-Monaghan Division. A former detective inspector, he was based in Carrick then became Superintendent in Longford before moving to Ardee. A native of Monaghan town he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new post. He has worked on many high profile cases including the Omagh Bombing Garda investigation, the alleged police corruption in county Donegal, the murder of Sr Philomena Lyons in Ballybay. When we met he spoke first about the importance of the community's help in dealing with crime. We in the Garda Siochana are always looking for assistance from the community, Supt. Treanor said. Texting allows everyone to communicate quicker. If people see anything suspicious they can use the community text alert and we can then take over. Let us worry about it. We can take control of the situation. Id like to see more of those texts going out. Because we really the need the help of the community. Although burglaries are down nationally, a worrying development in this region is the number of properties being targeted at night. This has been a real problem over the last few years. Houses and cars being broken into. This is being carried out with local knowledge so it is important that if people have information they pass it on to the gardai. Our homes and property is something we all work hard for, Supt. Treanor said. So people need to assist us in anyway they can. The new Superintendent of the mid-Louth garda district said members of his team are very conscious of the hurt, the invasion of privacy, that is caused by burglars and they are determined to tackle this problem. He also pointed out that Sergeant Vincent Jackson, is the Crime Prevention Officer for Louth, and he is on hand to give burglary prevention advice. The Supt. is determained to implement fully the Louth Garda Divisional Policy Plan which sets out to make Louth a safer place to live, work, and visit. That plan proposes to tackle all prolific criminals and support victims of crime. It includes a comprehensive review of community policing. A Community Sgt has been appointed to the Ardee district. Sgt Catherine Renick will be linking up with community groups, he said. We help with the running of community events, road safety programmes, crime prevention meetings, and schools programmes. It is about letting people know we are there, he said. Dropbox last week confirmed that more than 68 million emails and passwords have been compromised from a hack that originally was disclosed in 2012. Exposure from the breach was limited to email addresses, Dropbox originally claimed. However, based on the latest revelations, the hackers actually stole hashed and salted passwords. Even so, there have been no indications that they succeeded in accessing user accounts, the company said. The firm apologized for the belated release of the information, saying it wanted to clear up the confusion. We first heard rumors about this list two weeks ago and immediately began our investigation, the company said in a statement provided by spokesperson Nick Morris. We then emailed all users we believed were affected and completed a password reset for anyone who hadnt updated their password since mid-2012. The reset ensures that even if the passwords are cracked, they cant be used to access Dropbox accounts. Customers who signed up for Dropbox before mid-2012 with a password they used on other services should change those passwords too, Dropbox recommended. They should create strong, unique passwords and enable two-step verification, the company urged. They also should be alert to spam or phishing attempts, because email addresses were exposed. For security reasons, Dropbox could not answer any specifics about investigations into the hack, such as whether any outside security experts or law enforcement agencies have been looking into the breach, Morris told the E-Commerce Times. Late Notice Dropbox originally disclosed the hack attack in July, 2012, saying it started getting emails from some users about spam they were receiving at email addresses they only used for Dropbox. Usernames and passwords stolen from other websites were used to sign into a small number of Dropbox accounts, Aditya Agarwal, vice president of engineering at Dropbox, explained at the time. A stolen password was used to access an employee Dropbox account that contained a project document with user email addresses, according to the company, which is what led to the spam. The Dropbox incident is similar to a recent attack on Tumblr, in that the scale of the leak wasnt apparent for quite some time, observed David Emm, principal security researcher at Kaspersky Lab. The personal information of more than 65 million Tumblr account holders was offered for sale on the dark Web about three years after the original 2013 breach. Customers that entrust their private information to an online provider should be able to rest safely in the knowledge that it is kept in a secure manner, and all companies that handle private data have a duty to secure it properly, Emm told the E-Commerce Times. Customers cant take their digital security for granted, he warned. They should use complex passwords and multifactor authentication to guard against threats of this type. Underground Market The Dropbox attack also is reminiscent of the LinkedIn breach of 2012, when an attack that originally was thought to have impacted 6.5 million users eventually was found to have exposed 117 million users, noted Christopher Budd, global threat communications manager at Trend Micro. The extent of that attack finally came to light this year, he told the E-Commerce Times. These attacks reflect the yard sale trend, a relatively new practice that involves hackers selling stolen personal data on open, underground markets. One of the reasons data is held for a long time in these types of attacks is to make the origin of the breach much harder to trace, noted Kevin OBrien, chief executive of GreatHorn. In part, the theory here is that these attacks are timed to both maximize damage and also be incredibly difficult to detect, he told the E-Commerce Times. GreatHorn could not comment on specifics of the Dropbox breach due to a conflict, OBrien said, but he noted that the advanced persistent threat model is itself predicated on the idea that attackers are sophisticated enough to leverage these kind of stolen assets this way. 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As AlterNets Glynis Sweeny explains, fast fashion fuels rampant consumerism in which clothing is designed to be moved as quickly as possible from catwalk to store. And as we cycle through clothing faster and faster, the industrys environmental impact has exploded. It is particularly worrisome, said Sweeny, because it creates demand for and then constantly churns out massive amounts of cheap clothes, ultimately accelerating carbon emissions and global warming. Photo credit: Heather Stilwell In April, Swedish-based clothing company H&M (considered a fast fashion giant) issued its annual sustainability report. While many commended the companys latest efforts, others, such as Veronica at xoJane, felt fast fashion and sustainability are simply incompatible. She wrote: Its almost impossible for fast-fashion and sustainability to exist under the same roof: One thrives on the rapid mass-production of trendy clothes, using cheap materials and even cheaper labor to ensure prices that customers wont complain about; the other focuses on creating garments that will last a lifetime, from sustainable yet pricey raw materials, and, in the best case scenario, using labor that is fairly paid and production processes with limited impact on the environment. By focusing on cutting costs wherever possible to mass-produce cheap, disposable clothing, fast fashion offers trendy, bargain-price clothing at the expense of people and the planet. Here are seven reasons why you should hate fast fashion: 1. Cotton is a thirsty and chemically dependent plant: Cotton is the most commonly used fiber in the world, making its way into nearly 40 percent of our clothing. Though it only makes up 2.4 percent of all cropland, it uses 12 percent of all pesticides and 25 percent of insecticides. Cotton is one of the thirstiest crops in existence, demanding six times as much water as lettuce and 60 percent more than wheat, according to ProPublica. And yet the federal government subsidizes growing cotton in the Arizona desert. 2. Cotton alternatives arent any better: As for common synthetic alternatives to cotton, such as polyester and nylon, they are made from petrochemicals that do not biodegrade. They require a great deal of energy to make, said Sweeny, and the manufactures of nylon emit large amounts of nitrous oxide, an incredibly potent greenhouse gas. Recycled polyester, made from discarded plastics, uses half the energy as virgin polyester. But often times companies cannot get enough discarded plastic, so they buy unused water bottles directly from manufacturers to be able to market their product as recycled polyester, according to Sweeny. Fortunately, eco-friendly alternatives to these unsustainable fabrics are being developed, including products using pineapples, coconuts and bananas. 3. Garment operations, textile mills and dyeing plants are polluting waterways and endangering surrounding communities health: Rivers around the world, but especially in Asia, where so much cheap clothing is made, are extremely polluted. Greenpeace East Asias Detox campaign has been working to expose the textile industrys pollution and its effect on residents from Bangladesh to China to Indonesia. 4. Toxic chemicals and dangerous work conditions put factory workers at risk: For an excellent explanation on just how awful and dangerous working conditions are in garment factories, check out John Olivers segment on fast fashion below. The Savar building collapse in 2013 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which killed more than 1,100 people, shows just how dangerous working conditions can be. The dangers from chemical exposure among factory workers range from acute to chronic and can ultimately lead to death. Some dyes and chemicals, such as alum and copper sulfate, can irritate your skin and cause rashes, allergies or breathing problems, said Hesperian in its guide Hazards in Garment Factories. Others are more dangerous, such as potassium dichromate and tanning acid, and can cause cancer as well as other health problems. 5. The chemicals in clothing linger: Chemicals, such as formaldehyde, perfluorinated chemical (PFC), nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE), p-Phenylenediamine (PPD), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and dioxin-producing bleach, are all commonly found in our clothing. And all of these chemicals have been shown to produce serious adverse health effects. Dangerous chemicals are found in kids clothing too, according to a Greenpeace report. 6. That dress you just bought is more well traveled than you: Raw materials can be shipped from China, India or the U.S. to places like Bangladesh, Vietnam, Pakistan and the Philippines, explained Sweeny. Then, garments are put in shipping containers and sent by rail, container ships and eventually rail and trucks to the retailer. Theres no way to gauge how much fuel is used in total, said Sweeny, but considering Americans buy 22 billion new clothing items every year, the fast fashion industrys emissions contribution is significant. 7. John Oliver hates fast fashion, so you should too: Oliver wanted to teach fashion CEOs a lesson for the horrible environmental and labor conditions in their factories, so he sent suspiciously cheap food to fashion CEOs selling shockingly cheap clothing. If you havent already seen The True Cost, a documentary about the clothing industrys impact on the world, you should check it out: YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Mark Ruffalo Is Berning Up 13-Year-Old Sues North Carolina, Asks Judge to Force State to Take Action on Climate Change An Organic Indoor Vertical Farm May Be Coming to a City Near You Indoor Veggie Garden Lets You Grow Your Own Food Right in Your Kitchen [This is the first article in a four-part series. Read part two, read part three, read part four.] Yesterday afternoon, Duke Energy reported that it spilled between 50,000 to 82,000 tons of coal ash into the Dan River near Eden, NC. To put the volume in perspective, the spill is the equivalent of 413 to 677 rail cars of wet coal ash poured into a public drinking water source. The spill is located on a stretch of the Dan River between Eden, NC and Danville, VA. An estimated 22 million gallons of coal ash could already be in the Dan River moving downstream. Equally disturbing is that neither Duke Energy nor any of the government regulators issued a press release and informed the public about this massive spill until 24 hours after it was discovered. If a freight train full of this toxic waste had derailed, there would have been immediate notification and quick news coverage in order to inform and protect the public. The delay in reporting this spill is inexcusable. A security guard who noticed unusually low water in the ash pond at the shuttered coal plant led to the discovery of the spill. This means most of the water had escaped and contaminated the river before anyone at Duke noticed. Upon investigation, Duke discovered that a 48-inch stormwater pipe underneath the unlined 27-acre, 155-million-gallon ash pond broke Sunday afternoon and drained tens of thousands of tons of coal ash and water into the Dan River. How could they have missed such a large volume of waste spewing out of their ash pond? Especially since the town of Danville, VA withdraws drinking water just 6 miles downstream. This coal ash spill appears to be the third-largest in U.S. history. In 2008, a billion gallons of ash slurry spilled at a Tennessee Valley Authority power plant in Tennessee. In 2009, Duke Energy was warned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that its 53-year old Dan River ash pond dams were a high hazard. EPA inspections in September of 2009 found them leaking and sloughing sizable sections off the dam. Scarp of surficial slough of primary embankment (looking NW). EPA inspection photo of the primary Dan River ash pond dam showing more than 18 inches of sloughing. Seepage and saturated area at toe of primary pond southern embankment. EPA inspection photo Dan River ash pond dam showing leaking and saturation. But thats not all the EPA inspectors found at the Dan River plant. They also found these mangled, dilapidated and poorly maintained storm water pipes with chain link fence falling down on top of them. Surface drainage outfall between plant and pond (looking north). And some stumps in the ash pond dams where they are prone to rot and allow coal ash to leak: Stumps in primary pond southern embankment slop (looking northwest). Given this history at the site, should we be surprised that a trainload of waste suddenly cascaded through an old storm drain before anyone at Duke Energy even noticed? Waterkeeper Alliance and our local Waterkeepers in North Carolina have filed legal action against Duke Energy over leaking coal ash ponds, which have been poisoning groundwater and surface water across the Tar Heel state for decades. The state of North Carolina then sued Duke over ash handling at all of its North Carolina coal plants. While utilities in South Carolina have settled Waterkeeper lawsuits and started cleaning up their leaking ash ponds, Duke has refused to responsibly address their ongoing contamination of public water supplies. Now their epic failure to do the right thing for the integrity and safety of public water has reached an all-time low. If Duke would step up and close all their ash ponds, many downstream communities would be safer. Waterkeeper Alliance urges Duke to put the safety of the public and our waterways first. The Dan River coal ash spill is the latest in a series of wake-up calls about this mounting public health and environmental crisis. Visit EcoWatchs COAL and WATER pages for more related news on this topic. The spill which sent toxic waste from an abandoned mine into a Colorado waterway last week released 3 million gallons of contaminates into the states 126-mile Animas Rivernot 1 million, as previously announced, according to new estimates by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Animas River in Colorado before the spill (left) that began Wednesday after 3 million gallons of wastewater containing lead, arsenic and cadmium leaked from a goldmine, turning more than 100 miles of the river orange. Photo credit: Solarb on imgur As the orange-hued sludge kept flowing through Colorado and into the San Juan River in New Mexico on Monday, the fallout from the massive accident continued to spread, with communities declaring states of emergency and the Navajo Nation vowing to take action against the EPA, which caused the spill. The county of La Plata and the city of Durango, both in Colorado, each declared a state of emergency at Noon on Sunday. La Plata County manager Joe Kerby said in a statement: This action has been taken due to the serious nature of the incident and to convey the grave concerns that local elected officials have to ensure that all appropriate levels of state and federal resources are brought to bear to assist our community not only in actively managing this tragic incident but also to recover from it. Water quality tests along the rivers were still being conducted as of Monday afternoon. According to preliminary data released by the EPA on Sunday, arsenic levels in the Durango area were, at their peak, 300 times higher than normal. Lead was 3,500 times higher than normal. The waste also includes copper, zinc, aluminum and cadmium. Meanwhile, the mine continues to discharge at 500 gallons per minute. Although the EPA maintains that the waste is unlikely to have harmed wildlife in the area, local officials in affected areas have advised residents not to use the river for agricultural or recreational purposes or to allow their pets to drink the water. The Navajo Nation Commission on Emergency Management also declared a state of emergency. During a meeting Saturday at the Shiprock Chapter House in Shiprock, New Mexico, Navajo Nation president Russell Begaye said he intends to take legal action against the EPA for causing the spill. The EPA was right in the middle of the disaster and we intend to make sure the Navajo Nation recovers every dollar it spends cleaning up this mess and every dollar it loses as a result of injuries to our precious Navajo natural resources, Begaye told those in attendance. I have instructed Navajo Nation Department of Justice to take immediate action against the EPA to the fullest extent of the law to protect Navajo families and resources, he said. Theyre not going to get away with this. [This is the second article in a four-part series. Read part one, read part three, read part four.] In the wake of what may be the third largest coal ash spill in U.S. history, Waterkeeper Alliance deployed a disaster response team to assess the damage and monitor remediation efforts by Duke Energy and the of North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The team, which included staff from Waterkeeper Alliance, Yadkin Riverkeeper and Catawba Riverkeeper, took to the air, land and water to track the situation at the spill site and downstream on the Dan River. Paddling in kayaks to the spill site, team members collected samples of water that are being analyzed for heavy metals and other pollutants found in coal ash. The spill began the afternoon of Sunday, Feb. 2 when a stormwater pipe broke underneath the 27-acre primary pond and drained to the Dan River. Although state regulators and Duke Energy scrambled to get the spill under control on Sunday, they waited more than 24 hours before notifying the public of the spill on Monday evening. By then, an estimated 82,000 tons of coal ash and 27 million gallons of contaminated water had dumped into the Dan River, a public drinking water supply for downstream communities like Danville, VA. Tuesday late afternoon, more than 48 hours after the spill was discovered, thick, dark gray toxic coal ash sludge continued to flow out of the pipe into the river. Toxic coal ash sludge continued to flow out of the pipe Tuesday afternoon, more than 48 hours after the spill was discovered: [youtube //www.youtube.com/embed/A9m36HcPQu0 expand=1] Paddling in kayaks to the spill site, team members collected samples of water that are being analyzed for heavy metals and other pollutants found in coal ash: [youtube //www.youtube.com/embed/wnoxcgwMtU0 expand=1] Stormwater pipe spewing coal ash into the Dan River: [youtube //www.youtube.com/embed/5xd9TrAXT-I expand=1] On Tuesday afternoon, the Waterkeeper team discovered that the Dan River had turned completely gray as it mixed with the spilled coal ash waste. The pollution plume continues to move downstream into Virginia where public drinking water providers are treating the water drawn from the river to remove the pollutants before piping it to families and businesses. In what would appear to be a premature moment of celebration, Danville Utilities issued a press release Monday evening with the headline Danville Utilities successfully treats ash spill into Dan River. On Tuesday evening, however, the utility had changed its tone, updating its statement and admitting that it had not even received water sample results until Tuesday evening. As rain began to fall on Tuesday evening in the area of the spill, Waterkeepers aerial and marine investigations discovered that Duke has still not constructed any containment systems to stop more ash from entering the river. Duke initially reported the spill volumes of 50,000 to 82,000 tons and up to 27 million gallons. After Waterkeepers initiated enforcement actions for illegal coal ash water pollution at two Duke Energy coal plants in North Carolina last year, the state filed lawsuits accusing Duke of illegal pollution discharges from leaks in its coal ash ponds at all 14 of its coal-fired power plants in the state of North Carolina. This includes Dukes Dan River Steam Station in Eden, NC, about 30 miles north of Greensboro. Duke stopped generating electricity at the coal plant in 2012, however the ash remains impounded at the site. While Duke continues to drag its feet and the state of North Carolina declines to require meaningful action, utilities in South Carolina have settled enforcement actions by Waterkeepers to clean up these dangerous ponds. Why should South Carolinians receive better water protection than North Carolinians? asked Catawba Riverkeeper Sam Perkins. Water samples taken from the Dan River are at the lab. Check back with EcoWatch as Waterkeeper Alliance provides the results of those tests. The crew of Sea Shepherds research vessel R/V Martin Sheen spotted last week a humpback whale entangled in a gillnet in the Vaquita Refuge in the Gulf of California in Baja California, Mexico. While Captain Oona Layolle, campaign leader and captain of the M/V Farley Mowat, notified the Mexican Navy and the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA), the crew began the rescue operation. The whale was estimated to be 35 feet long and crews from both vessels worked to free the whale by cutting the gillnet off the whales head and torso. Sea Shepherd crew and Mexican Navy save entangled humpback whale. Photo credit: Sea Shepherd This is not the first humpback whale entangled in an illegal gillnet found by Sea Shepherd crew. On Christmas Eve, the crew of the R/V Martin Sheen spotted a humpback whale weighed down by a gillnet. Upon further investigation, the crew determined that the humpback whale was a calf and was already dead. Sea Shepherd then sought permission from the Mexican government to be able to begin removing gillnets. Permission was granted on Dec. 31, 2015. Sea Shepherds newest vessel, the M/V Farley Mowat, a retired U.S. Coast Guard interceptor ship, joined the R/V Martin Sheen, in January 2016. On its first day of Operation Milagro, the crew of the M/V Farley Mowat spotted an illegal gillnet and spent six hours removing it. The Mexican Navy were notified and seized the illegal gillnet. Since then, the crews of both vessels have developed net retrieval devices to trail behind the R/V Martin Sheen and the M/V Farley Mowats speedboat the Wolf. The use of these devices has already resulted in removal of seven gillnets and three longlines in just the past few weeks. Three totoaba, seven rays, one whale and dozens of juvenile sharks have been saved by the recent removals of illegal fishing equipment. This total does not taken into account the countless animals who will not become trapped and die in the illegal gillnets and illegal fishing lines. The crew of the M/V Farley Mowat was recently joined by Survivorman Les Stroud. Upon assisting in freeing the whale, he commented, This is true conservation in action. Today, we were able to save the whale and remove another illegal gillnet. It is an honor to be a crew member with Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Cutting that net and freeing the whale was a life changing experience. In April 2015, President Enrique Pena Nieto announced a two year ban on the use of gillnets in the Gulf of California. The intent was to protect the vaquita porpoise, the worlds most endangered marine mammal. Vaquita are the unintended victims of gillnets used to catch the totoaba bass, another endangered species. The totoaba are targeted for their swim bladders for sale on the black markets in Asian. Vaquita are native only to the northernmost part of the Gulf of California. Read page 1 Survirman Les Stroud helps Sea Shepherd save the entangled humback whale. Photo credit: Sea Shepherd Whale caught in net. Photo credit: Sea Shepherd Sea Shepherd crew and Mexican Navy save entangled humpback whale. Photo credit: Sea Shepherd Oona holds up a piece of the totoaba net in which the whale was entangled. Photo credit: Sea Shepherd Whale entangled in net. Photo credit: Sea Shepherd Whale entangled in net. Photo credit: Sea Shepherd YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Sustainability Management in Practice: Student Work Helps Establish Conservation Act in Palau Horrible! This Guy Drags Shark From Sea Just to Pose for Photos Solar-Powered Vacuum Could Suck Up 24,000 Tons of Ocean Plastic Every Year Baby Dolphin Dies After Being Passed Around by Tourists Taking Selfies As part of its intention to kill nearly 4,000 whales in the Antarctic over the next 12 years as scientific research, Japans whaling fleet returned to port Thursday with 333 dead minke whales, including pregnant females. According to Reuters, 103 of the slaughtered whales were male and 230 were female, with 90 percent of the mature females pregnant. A press release from the Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR), the organization behind the Japanese governments whaling program, includes a map showing the hunt occurred within the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, the Australian Whale Sanctuary and the Ross Sea. Japans Fisheries Agency resumed its whaling program in the Antarctic Ocean despite a landmark 2014 ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the the primary judicial branch of the United Nations. Japans actions have received widespread condemnation from conservation groups. Four of ICRs survey ships have been in the Antarctic region since December. Photo credit: ICR Just a year and a half after the ICJ ruled Japans whaling program to be illegal, and just months after the Australian Federal Court ordered the whalers to pay a $1 million fine for illegally slaughtering whales inside the Australian Whale Sanctuary, the Japanese government has sanctioned yet another mass slaughter of protected Minke whales in the Southern Ocean, Captain Alex Cornelissen, the CEO of Sea Shepherd Global, said in a statement earlier today. This rogue act is in blatant disregard of international law and diplomacy, and sets a dangerous precedent for all nations that respect the rule of law. According to the Australian Associated Press, the Australian government has described Japans decision to resume whaling over the southern hemisphere summer as deeply disappointing and says it has raised concerns at the highest level of the Japanese government. But Jeff Hansen, Sea Shepherd Australia managing director, said in a statement that once again false promises from the Australian and New Zealand governments have resulted in whales being killed illegally in the Australian Whale Sanctuary. The majority of Australians wanted the Australian government to send a vessel to oppose the slaughter. They did not, Hansen continued. Sea Shepherd requested that the Australian government release the location of the whalers. They refused. Instead, the governments responsible for protecting these magnificent creatures stood by, in the complete knowledge that both federal and international crimes were taking place. This empty response from authorities in the wake of the ICJ ruling is a disgrace. Captain Peter Hammarstedt, chair of the Sea Shepherd Australia board of directors, said: Sea Shepherd was handicapped by the new ICR strategy of expanding their area of operations and reducing their quota, meaning that the time to locate them within the expanded zone made intervention extremely difficult with the ships that Sea Shepherd is able to deploy. Sea Shepherd felt that this was an opportunity for the worlds government to demonstrate some resolve to uphold international conservation law. The Australia and New Zealand governments did nothing and this has served to illustrate that the only thing that has proven effective against the illegal Japanese whaling fleet has been the interventions by Sea Shepherd. Sea Shepherd will soon have a fast long-range ship, and more importantly Sea Shepherd has something that the Australian and New Zealand governments lack and that is the courage, the passion and the resolve to uphold the law. Reuters reported that Japan has long maintained that most whale species are not endangered and that eating whale is part of its culture despite most Japanese people no longer having a taste for the meat. Its quite clear just how far #japans whale meat consumption has fallen yet Japan insist on killing whales #OpWhales pic.twitter.com/S8D0yFuyny ? h0t_p0ppy ? (@h0t_p0ppy) March 22, 2016 YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Armani Pledges to Go 100% Fur Free Photo Ark: One Mans Journey to Save the Worlds Most Endangered Species Eastern Monarch Butterflies at Risk of Extinction Shocking Footage of Illegal Fishing in the Indian Ocean The Kochs have spent more than $88 million in traceable funding to groups attacking climate change science, policy and regulation. Of that total, $21 million went to groups that recently bought a full page New York Times advertisement defending ExxonMobil from government investigations into its systematic misrepresentation of climate science. The signatories of this New York Times ad from May 2016, defending ExxonMobil from investigations into its climate denial campaigns, have received a total of $10 million from Exxon and $21 million from Koch foundations. If youre an executive at a big oil company watching as ExxonMobil is finally exposed for studying climate change, covering up the science and spreading misinformation, youre probably worried now that state attorneys general are knocking on Exxons door. Charles and David Koch must be worried, anyway. Their foundations gave more than $21 million to the people and groups that signed a recent, full page New York Times advertisement that defends ExxonMobils longstanding efforts to ruin the publics understanding of climate change science. Here Are the Numbers: For comparison, Exxon itself spent half as much on the same people and groups, $10.1 million; money that the front groups spent on tactics like a $100,000-or-so full page ad buy in the New York Times. (More info at Climate Investigations Center from my former colleague, Kert Davies). The ringleader group behind the letter, the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), is of particular interest. Exxon dumped CEI for its unsupportable climate stance back in 2006, a crushing blow for the aggressive beltway front group that continued to humiliate CEI staff for years. But it appears that CEI is loyal to the cause of climate denial, despite being abandoned by Exxon a decade ago. Other financiers, like the Koch family and several coal and oil companies may explain why the denial campaign was sustained. Traceable funds only represent a portion of the Koch familys contributions to CEI. At CEIs annual fundraising events, Koch Industries lobbying subsidiary has been listed as a sponsor. Full-disclosure tax filings published by PR Watch revealed that Koch Industries directly paid Americans for Prosperity, the Texas Public Policy Foundation and other organizations. PR Watch discovered another revelation in the full-disclosure tax documents that were leaked. Apparently, David Koch likes to cut CEI $100,000 checks straight from his own coffers. David Kochs money was not sent through his nonprofit foundation, which would have had to report the grants to CEI. This incomplete patchwork of previously-undisclosed funds from Koch Industries and David Koch adds $3,124,834 to the accounting on groups that co-signed the CEI ad. This raises the question: who else is just cutting a direct check to the climate deniers? And then theres the Dark Money ATM sister groups, DonorsTrust and Donors Capital Fund. The DonorsTrust franchise is run by CEIs former president, Lawson Bader, who helps donorsincluding Kochanonymize tens of millions of dollars that go to dozens of front groups each year. DonorsTrust & Capital Fund have funneled millions of dark money dollars to CEI. But thats still not the end of the financial trail. Other mechanisms used by Charles Koch and his army of donor friends include Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce, a dark money umbrella group that has hidden hundreds of millions of dollars in politically-charged cash, shuffled between various trusts, nonprofits and limited liability corporations. For the deep history, check out Kert Davies post for the Climate Investigations Center, which spurred my own interest in the sponsors of the recent New York Times ad. Kert details the crucial history of some of the letters signatories, the role they have served in the climate denial machine over the years and the exact documents that inform his understanding. I have reproduced Kerts ExxonSecrets map (below) of the players involved, as it helps show how a small group of people funded by a few oil and coal companies can cast a shadow that is deceptively deep. The tobacco industry crafted this deceptive model and fossil fuel companies have innovated it since. It helps that the same people doing tobacco science denial moved on to climate science denial. One of those tobacco denial alumni, lawyer Steve Milloy, himself an aggressive defender of ExxonMobil, knows that a small group of people can have an outsized impact with enough fundingeven in the face of 97-99 percent of the worlds climate scientists. Milloy once said, Theres really only about 25 of us doing this. A core group of skeptics. Its a ragtag bunch, very Continental Army. This indicates that folks like Milloy arent just deceiving the public, but themselves. If I was taking Charles Kochs money to attack science, I too would probably have to constantly remind myself of my American heroics. Mr. Koch is as awkward as ever in his half-hearted attempts to understand climate change science (youd think a MIT alumnus would get it), he has been wary of climate laws and regulations for a long time. Thats probably why he has rained cash on the organizations that stage the fight, groups that have given room for a top U.S. CEO, with a background in chemical engineering, to demonstrate such scientific ignorance. Since 1997, the Kochs have spent more than $88 million in traceable dollars into the network of groups that attack climate science, the scientists doing the research, the potential policy solutions and the champions of those policies. ExxonSecrets Map of the Players: Click on image for larger size Connor Gibson does research for Greenpeaces Investigations team. He focuses on polluting industries, their front groups and PR operatives, particularly focusing on the Koch Brothers. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Methane Emissions From Onshore Oil and Gas Equivalent to 14 Coal Plants Powered for One Year 185 Environmental Activists Across 16 Countries Were Killed in 2015 Obama Visits Yosemite, Warns of Risks From Climate Change Exxon Sues Massachusetts Attorney General to Block Climate Fraud Investigation Just days after workers with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) accidentally spilled a million gallons of toxic mine waste into a Colorado waterway, the free-flowing sludge that turned portions of the states Animas River orange reached New Mexico, where health and wildlife officials say they were not alerted to any impending contamination. The Animas River in Colorado turned orange with toxins after a spill sent a million gallons of mine waste into a waterway last week. Photo credit: La Plata County Emergency Management As the cities of Aztec and Bloomfield scrambled to cut off the rivers access to water treatment plants, they criticized the EPA for what they said was a lackluster effort in providing warnings or answers about the spill. The contaminants seeping into the riverat a rate of 548 gallons per minuteinclude arsenic, copper, zinc, lead, aluminum and cadmium. The Animas flows into the San Juan River in New Mexico, which in turn joins the Colorado River in Utahs Lake Powell. Workers unleashed the waste while using heavy machinery to investigate toxic materials at Colorados non-functioning Gold King Mine. But the accident, while unexpected by EPAs admission, is a reminder that defunct mines still heavy with contaminates exist throughout the West. The Associated Press writes: Until the late 1970s there were no regulations on mining in most of the region, meaning anyone could dig a hole where they liked and search for gold, silver, copper or zinc. Abandoned mines fill up with groundwater and snowmelt that becomes tainted with acids and heavy metals from mining veins which can trickle into the regions waterways. Experts estimate there are 55,000 such abandoned mines from Colorado to Idaho to California and federal and state authorities have struggled to clean them for decades. The federal government says 40 percent of the headwaters of Western waterways have been contaminated from mine runoff. There are a number of factors which contribute to the abandonment of such sites. One is cost, as cleaning up toxic materials can be an expensive endeavor. But more complex is the legal liability involved. According to the Clean Water Act, anyone who [d]ischarges a pollutant from a point source into a water of the U.S. without a permit can be prosecuted for a federal crime, even if they were trying to clean up pollution. That has prevented green groups from engaging in those cleanup effortsparticularly as an ongoing push for a Good Samaritan exception to the law has gone ignored by the federal government, AP writes. Theres still a whole generation of abandoned mines that needs to be dealt with, Steve Kandell of Trout Unlimited, one of the organizations backing the Good Samaritan bill, told the AP. Yet that ongoing issue is exactly what the EPA crew had been attempting to address last weekand the reason it wont accept help. The Denver Post reports: Silverton and San Juan County officials have resisted efforts to launch a full-scale federal Superfund cleanup to address this problem due to fears of a stigma that could hurt the tourism they count on for business. These are historic abandoned mines that have had acid drainage for decades. That is the very reason why we were up there, EPA regional chief McGrath said. We were trying to reach that drainage coming off the Gold King Mine. They were trying to put in a treatment system. We have been in conversations with the town of Silverton and the state of Colorado about listing this area under Superfund. And if it is listed then, of course, removal (of waste) is part of Superfund that would allow us to take action up there. We have not been able to move this area to a listing under the Superfund. In the meantime, cities have closed access of the river to recreational and agricultural users, while health and wildlife officials conduct additional tests to determine the potential impacts of the spill. Long-term exposure to arsenic and lead can be fatal to humans. Recent heavy rains have also raised the prospect that some of the waste which washed up onshore as it flowed down the Animas last week would rinse back out into the river, causing additional damage. Its hard to know what is going to happen as more river flows join it, EPAs on-scene coordinator Craig Myers, in Durango, told the Post. It is diluting. (The sludge of contaminants) is going to be settling out in places. La Plata county director of emergency management Butch Knowlton was more direct in his assessment. The population that lives along this river is at the mercy of the EPA, he said. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE 1 Million Gallons of Mine Waste Turns River in Colorado Orange Shell Dumps ALEC as Oil Giant Prepares to Drill in Arctic Starbucks, Destroyer of the Seas An old adage says that solving a big problem requires attacking it from all sides. That is what organic industry playerslarge and smallare doing to overcome organic crop supply shortages in the U.S. Organic supporters have launched a range of initiatives to increase organic farming acreagefrom big company initiatives and smaller company collaborations to a new organic transition certification and long-term contracts to help farmers transition to organic. These initiatives aim to address a fundamental problem facing the organic industry: while demand for organic food continues to soar, the supply of organic crops to meet that demand is falling short, forcing companies to import organic crops from overseas. Organic food currently accounts for about 5 percent of all food sales in the U.S., but organic farming acres make up less than one percent of total U.S. farmland. The U.S. imported $184 million in organic soybeans and $35 million in organic corn in 2014. Organic food currently accounts for about 5 percent of all food sales in the U.S., but organic farming acres make up less than one percent of total U.S. farmland. The supply-demand situation was even worse in 2015, according to Laura Batcha, executive director of the Organic Trade Association (OTA). The supply shortage is holding back the market; 2015 was the peak of the supply shortage, she said. Not Just for Hippies Anymore On the bright side, Batcha sees new business coming into the organic market. Organic certifiers are seeing record months for applications (for organic certification), she said. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) figures, there were a record number of certified organic operations19,474in the U.S. in 2014. OTA reported that there were another 3,000 farms transitioning to organic. Annies president John Foraker recently predicted that organic food will ultimately account for 20 percent of the U.S. food market. Current market conditions are leading many conventional farmers to consider transitioning to organic. Farmers are taking a second look (at organic) with commodity grain prices being low, Batcha said. Nate Lewis, OTAs senior crop & livestock specialist, agrees. There is a tremendous amount of interest from conventional producers who are really looking at organic as an option, he said. This marks an underlying shift from organic being a four-letter word to being a viable economic option for farmers. Its not just for hippies anymore. Big Company Organic Initiatives: General Mills and Ardent Mills Larger companies are putting their resources into increasing organic acres. General Mills recently announced plans to more than double the organic acreage from which it sources ingredients. General Mills plans to meet its goal of 250,000 acres by 2019, the same year the company aims to achieve $1 billion in sales from its natural and organic products. Since 2009, General Mills has increased the organic acreage it supports by 120 percent and is now among the top five organic ingredient purchasersand the second largest buyer of organic fruits and vegetables in North America. Another big player with ambitious organic goals is Ardent Mills, which supplies wheat flours, mixes, blends and specialty products. The company aims to double organic wheat acres in the U.S. from the current 260,000 to 520,000 by 2019. About a year ago, we started getting inquiries from our flour customers who wanted to introduce new organic products and were concerned about supply, said Shrene White, Ardent Mills director of specialty grains risk. We saw there was a big gap in the supply of organic wheat. Since announcing their organic initiative last December, Ardent Mills has held farmer education meetings to discuss the project. We talked to farmers about what they need to transition, what to expect during certification and the market for organic wheat, White said. The response from farmers has been positive, White says, not only from conventional farmers but also from existing organic farmers who want to add wheat to their crop rotations. There are challenges for farmers transitioning to organic. The biggest challenge is educating farmers, White said. They have to look at a whole new way of farming. Batcha says initiatives by large companies like General Mills and Ardent Mills are positive. When big companies make investments in organic acres, it means there is confidence that the market is there and will stay there, she said. The more relationships there are with producers and end users, the less likely it will be that farmers will come and go in organic. U.S. Organic Grain Collaboration In addition to the big company initiatives to increase organic acreage, there is a collaborative effort involving several leading organic companies. The US Organic Grain Collaboration was launched in 2014 to address the supply shortage of organic grains. Participating companies include Annies, Stonyfield Farm, Organic Valley, Clif Bar, Whole Foods Market, Natures Path, Grain Millers and Pete & Jerrys Eggs. We have a progressive group of companies committed to growing the organic grain supply, said Elizabeth Reaves, program director at the Sustainable Food Lab, which helped facilitate the collaboration. The fact that companies that normally would compete with each other are working together is unique and necessary, Lewis said. Whats needed is collaboration and relationship building. We all need to come together, he said. In 2015, the group launched pilot projects in Aroostook County, Maine and in the Northern Great Plains to test approaches needed to grow the supply of organic grain. This year, groups activities will be coordinated under a new Grain, Pulses and Oilseed council sector within the Organic Trade Association. It makes sense to coordinate strategy through the existing industry platform of OTA, Reaves said. Activities planned for this year include creating a strategic plan and holding organic opportunity events in the Pacific Northwest, Northern Great Plains, Midwest and New England for all members of the organic supply chain. Collaboration member Natures Path may be taking the most direct route to increasing organic acreage by buying land and converting it to organic. To date the company has purchased 6,600 acres of land in Saskatchewan and Montana to grow organic grains. Natures Path, along with Clif Bar, Grain Millers and General Mills, are also members of the Prairie Organic Grain Initiative, a similar collaborative industry effort to increase the supply of organic grains in Canada. Certified Transition Program Perhaps the biggest challenge to increasing organic farming acres is the three-year transition farmers must make to become organic. During those three years, a conventional farmer cannot use chemical fertilizers and pesticides and options for farmers to sell their transitional crops are often limited. OTA is trying to ease that challenge by working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create a Certified Transition label program. Certified Transition food and animal feed products will contain ingredients made from crops harvested one year after the transition to organic has begun, but before the three-year transition period is completed. Lewis says the standard for the Certified Transition program will be submitted to the USDA in early April. Existing organic certifiers will then apply to the USDA to be accredited to certify transitional farms and processing facilities. Many organic certifiers already have some type of transition program for farmers. These will be harmonized under the USDA program. Lewis hopes the program will be available to farmers by the end of this years harvest. The Certified Transition program offers advantages for both farmers and processors. This could really help farmers overcome the three-year transition barrier, Lewis said. For processors, having a transitional market is a way to pull farmers into organic. Instead of dangling the organic carrot (premium) three years down the road, they can dangle one-half of the carrot in one year. Batcha agrees. It will help facilitate market connections during the transition period, she said. Long-Term Contracts Help Farmers Another incentive to help organic farming grow is for companies to offer long-term contracts to transitioning farmers. Ardent Mills is offering long-term contracts to farmers that cover the transition period and the first few years of organic certification. Clif Bar contracted a conventional fig producer for seven years to produce organic figs, which covered the three-year transition and another four years of organic production. Oregon-based Hummingbird Wholesale has purchased rice, beans and cranberries at premium organic prices from farmers transitioning to organic. People that invest in transition want to secure the supply, Batcha said. Its a different model than conventional farming, which rides the highs and lows of the spot market. An organic farmer with a long-term contract may be passing up a higher price on the spot market but they may also be passing up a lower price. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Can Cuba Supply Americas Growing Appetite for Organic Food? 6 Millennials Fight for the Title of Americas Best Yardfarmer Is Growing Your Own Food the Only Way to Truly Be Vegetarian or Vegan? Big Food Says They Will Label GMOs But Is There More to the Story? Carbon price: The price for avoided or released carbon dioxide (CO2) or CO2-equivalent emissions. This may refer to the rate of a carbon tax or the price of emission permits. In many models that are used to assess the economic costs of mitigation, carbon prices are used as a proxy to represent the level of effort in mitigation policies. [IPCC Fifth Assessment Report] We all learn in science class that carbon is one of the building blocks of life. So what does it mean when climate activists call for a price on carbon? And why do we need one? Lets start with the basics. Around the world, fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal still power many of the worlds industries and economies. When we burn fossil fuels, we release carbon into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. While greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide play an important role in regulating the Earths climate system, excessively high concentrations of atmospheric carbonwhat we call carbon pollutionhave dangerous consequences. To put it another way, carbon pollution is the number one contributor to climate change. Scientists have linked carbon pollution with rising global temperatures, stronger and longer droughts, shifts in rain and snow patterns, more destructive and frequent storms, shrinking land and sea ice, increased ocean acidity, warmer oceans, and rising sea levels. And thats just for starters. Many of these effects have already begun. This year is on track to become the hottest on record globallyand this is the third year in a row this has happened. And if were keeping score, that would mean that 16 of the 17 hottest years on record globally have come since the beginning of the twenty-first century. In 2015, wildfires burned more than 10 million acres of land in the U.S. (another new record), with most projections pointing to even more U.S. wildfires in the future. Nuisance flooding (flooding that overwhelms or damages public infrastructure) has increased on all three U.S. coasts between 300 and 925 percent since the 1960s. You dont have to look far to see how these and other consequences of climate change can get expensive. Californias recent historic drought is estimated to have cost the state $2.74 billion in 2015 and resulted in the loss of more than 21,000 jobs. And guess who ends up paying these costs? We all do, through higher taxes, medical bills and insurance rates. And the companies responsible for the carbon pollution behind all this? Theyre sitting high on the list of the worlds most profitable firms, while the rest of us are stuck paying the costs. Hardly seems fair, does it? Which is why its time to put a price on carbon. We know that the public costs of burning fossil fuels are enormous, but the market prices of carbon-intensive products and services dont reflect that reality. Government subsidies for the fossil fuel industry and lack of accountability for carbon pollution allow market prices for these products to stay artificially low, effectively telling polluters that they are free to use the atmosphere like an open sewer, emitting unlimited carbon pollution without any consequences. Policies that put a price on carbon emissions aim to re-adjust the market to better reflect the true cost of carbon. Such policies, like carbon taxes or cap-and-trade programs, have already been adopted in a number of countries around the globe. In the U.S., the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit recently specifically backed a federal policy tool for counting the big-picture costs of climate change known as the Social Cost of Carbon (SCC). This was the first time a U.S. court has considered the legality of carbon accounting. By upholding the SCC, the court empowered the government to keep considering climate change in cost-benefit analyses when making federal regulations. The SCC is not a true price on carbon, but its a good first step. Which raises the question: Why is a price on carbon one of the most cost-effective and market-friendly solutions to climate change? When a price on carbon forces companies to start paying the real economic and environmental costs of fossil fuels, they naturally look for cheaper options like solar and wind. More investment then goes into clean energy and a virtuous cycle begins, with lower costs attracting more business and investment, driving prices down even further. Which helps attract more business and investment. And on and on. Heres How You Can Help So, what can you do about carbon pollution? Here are three ways you can support the U.S. and other nations in marching forward on the path to a clean energy economy: 1. Tell the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) you support clean energy. Submit a comment showing your support for the EPAs Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP), which helps states reduce carbon pollution by encouraging early investments in renewable energy. 2. Share this article you just read and raise awareness about carbon pricing in your social network. Now that you understand why we need a price on carbon, share your knowledge and help build the public support to make it a reality. 3. Already done with #1 and #2? Take the next step and become a Climate Reality Leader. Learn directly from former U.S. Vice President Al Gore about climate science and how to advocate for solutions. Heres how. The Daldykan river near the industrial city of Norilsk in Russia turned an unnatural bright red on Tuesday, with some locals pointing fingers at industrial waste stemming from a nearby nickel plant. Russian authorities are investigating the situation and are assessing any possible environmental damage. Russias Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said Wednesday that a broken pipeline leaking an unidentified chemical from the Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant owned by Norilsk Nickel might be the culprit, CNN reported. Norilsk Nickel is the worlds largest producer of nickel and palladium. The company has denied any wrongdoing, as the Guardian reported from state news agency RIA Novosti. The color of the river today doesnt differ from its usual condition, the company said, but added that production has been temporarily reduced as the situation is being monitored. The Daldykan river near the industrial city of Norilsk in Russia turned an unnatural bright red on Tuesday, with some locals pointing fingers at industrial waste stemming from a nearby nickel plant. The Siberian Times reported that Norilsk Nickel has since provided photos of the river with a normal color to local news agency Tayga Info . However, as the Siberian Times noted, there is reason to suspect that the company did not provide a photo of the same stretch of river. As far as we know, the color of the river is today no different from normal, a company source said. Norilsk, located in the Arctic Circle, is the worlds northernmost city and is covered with snow for up to 270 days of the year. The city not only has an odious history as a Siberian slave labor camp, its one of the worlds most polluted places, as TIME magazine described: Home to the worlds largest heavy metal smelting complex, more than 4 million tons of cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, arsenic, selenium and zinc are released into the air every year. Air samples exceed the maximum allowance for both copper and nickel, and mortality from respiratory diseases is much higher than in Russia as a whole. Within 30 miles (48 km) of the nickel smelter theres not a single living tree, Blacksmith Institute president Richard Fuller told TIME. Its just a wasteland. According to NASA, the city has some of the largest nickel, copper and palladium deposits on Earth, meaning that mining and smelting are major industries and has led directly to severe pollution, acid rain and smog. By some estimates, 1 percent of the entire global emissions of sulfur dioxide comes from this one city, NASA stated. Heavy metal pollution near Norilsk is so severe that it is now economically feasible to mine the soil, which has been polluted so severely that it has economic grades of platinum and palladium. Norilsk in Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia. The city is a major hub for mining and smelting ore. Flickr The river has changed red in the past, Denis Koshevoi, a Ph.D candidate at the Vernadsky Institute for Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry who researches pollution in the area, explained to the Guardian. He said that Norilsk Nickel pumps chemical solutions from Nadezhda to a nearby tailings dam via pipes, and that the factory also pumps metal concentrates from ore mills to Nadezhda. Periodically there are accidents when these pipes break and the solutions spill and get into the Daldykanthats why it changes color, Koshevoi said. The water does not pose an immediate risk to residents as Norilsks water supply comes from other sources, the mayors office said. Startled residents have posted photos of the crimson river on social media. A leak into the river from the Nadezhda factory, Norilsk resident Yekaterina Basalyga wrote on Instagram, according to a Guardian translation. You get scared when you see this. And people are still gathering mushrooms and berries. By Emily Arasim and Osprey Orielle Lake In late January 2016, the government of Ecuador signed a controversial contract with Chinese oil company Andes Petroleum, handing over rights to explore and drill for oil deep in the countrys pristine southeastern Amazon Rainforest, known and revered by many as the lungs of the Earth. For decades, Indigenous communities of the southern Ecuadorian Amazon have successfully fought to protect their land from encroachment by oil companies, engaging in local action and international policymaking and campaigns with a powerful message of respect for the Earths natural laws and the rights of Indigenous peoples. At the forefront of this ongoing struggle are courageous Indigenous Amazonian women leaders who have declared, We are ready to protect, defend and die for our forest, families, territory and nation. In marches, protests, conferences and international forums, the women of the Ecuadorian Amazon are standing with fierce love and conviction for the forests and their communities, and navigating a brutal intersection of environmental devastation, cultural dislocation and violence and persecution as women human rights and land defenders. The women have repeatedly put their bodies on the frontline in an attempt to halt oil extraction across the Amazon, often facing harsh repression by the state security. Women are the main victims [of oil extrction]their ability to feed their families becomes impaired. There is deterioration of family health and they suffer the division of their communities and other forms of violence, women representatives of the Sapara and Shiwiar Nationalities and the Kichwa Kawsak Sacha and Sarayaku Peoples explained in a collective statement. The coalition of women leaders has denounced this latest oil contract, which allows the Chinese corporation entry into their traditional territories, as a grave threat to their diverse lifeways and worldviews based upon living in harmony with nature, a violation of their rights and the health and integrity of the forest ecosystems and as a betrayal of immense international significance given the role of the Amazon in creating the cycles of water and air upon which all life on Earth depends. The women are well aware of vital international climate research highlighting that global rainforests, of which the Amazon is the largest, are responsible for absorbing upwards of 20 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change. To damage the vital regenerative systems of the Amazon in a race to dig up the fossil fuels that scientists are telling us should not be burned in the first place, is thus a double violence with disastrous implications. The new Ecuadorian oil contract, encompasing more than 40 percent of the lands of the Sapara people, also threatens immeasurable cultural loss through the displacement of this vital and vibrant nationality of just 300-500, whose language has been official recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Oil drilling in the Northern Ecuadorian Amazon. Kichwa and Sapara women leaders are working to prevent similar destruction in the south-eastern part of the country. Photo credit: Emily Arasim We reject the signing of this new contract which will affect our territories, the forest, the water and the air, exactly how we have seen it occur in Block 10 in the Province of Pastaza, the women explained, referencing areas in the northern Ecuadorian Amazon where communities are embroiled in a decades-long struggle with Chevron/Texaco over clean-up of vast tracts of oil contamination. Unwilling to see their homelands fall to the same toxic fate as their northern neighbors, women leaders, including Gloria Ushigua (Sapara), Patricia Gualinga and Ena Santi (Kichwa), have been working diligently to make their voices of protest and alternative solutions heard inside top international forums, including the recent United Nations COP21 climate negotiations in Paris. On International Womens Day, March 8, a coalition of Amazonian Indigenous women will take action in the city of Puyo, Ecuador, calling for the cancelation of this new oil contract. International representatives of the Womens Earth and Climate Action Network, Amazon Watch and other allied organizations will join the women of the Ecuadorian Amazonian for an urgent march, forum and press conference, bringing global attention to the grave and intertwined social and ecological threats posed by expanding oil extraction in the Amazon, with particular focus on violence against Indigenous women protecting the Earth and their powerful resistance and solutions building. We have always defended the living forest, we are not going to stop this ever, we will not allow for the destruction of the Mother Earth who feeds us, explained Ena Santi, womens leader of the Kichwa people of Sarayaku. Concerned people worldwide are demonstrating their support by signing and circulating a petition, No Extraction in the Amazon! Women of Ecuadorian Amazon and International Allies Reject Oil Concessions, Stand for Rights of the Earth and Communities. Through this type of strong global alliance of women reaching across borders to protect and defend the land that sustains us and to push back against mal-development based upon the exploitation of the Earth and its communitiesthere is hope and real meaning given to the celebration of International Womens Day. Osprey Orielle Lake is the founder and executive director of the Womens Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International and co-chair of International Advocacy for the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature. She is the author of the award-winning book Uprisings for the Earth: Reconnecting Culture with Nature. Follow on Twitter @WECAN_INTL. Emily Arasim has served as WECAN Internationals media and communications coordinator and project assistant since 2014. She is an avid photojournalist, writer and farmer from New Mexico. Researchers reporting in the journal Current Biology show catastrophic declines in wilderness areas around the world over the last 20 years. They demonstrate alarming losses comprising a tenth of global wilderness since the 1990san area twice the size of Alaska and half the size of the Amazon. The Amazon and Central Africa have been hardest hit. The findings underscore an immediate need for international policies to recognize the value of wilderness areas and to address the unprecedented threats they face, the researchers say. The findings underscore an immediate need for international policies to recognize the value of wilderness areas and to address the unprecedented threats they face, the researchers say. Wildlife Conservation Society Globally important wilderness areasdespite being strongholds for endangered biodiversity, for buffering and regulating local climates, and for supporting many of the worlds most politically and economically marginalized communitiesare completely ignored in environmental policy, said Dr. James Watson of the University of Queensland in Australia and the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York. Without any policies to protect these areas, they are falling victim to widespread development. International policy mechanisms must recognize the actions needed to maintain wilderness areas before it is too late. We probably have one to two decades to turn this around. Watson said much policy attention has been paid to the loss of species, but comparatively little was known about larger-scale losses of entire ecosystems, especially wilderness areas which tend to be relatively understudied. To fill that gap, the researchers mapped wilderness areas around the globe, with wilderness being defined as biologically and ecologically intact landscapes free of any significant human disturbance. The researchers then compared their current map of wilderness to one produced by the same methods in the early 1990s. Wildlife Conservation Society This comparison showed that a total of 30.1 million km2 (around 20 percent of the worlds land area) now remains as wilderness, with the majority being located in North America, North Asia, North Africa and the Australian continent. However, comparisons between the two maps show that an estimated 3.3 million km2 (almost 10 percent) of wilderness area has been lost in the intervening years. Those losses have occurred primarily in South America, which has experienced a 30 percent decline in wilderness, and Africa, which has experienced a 14 percent loss. Wildlife Conservation Society The amount of wilderness loss in just two decades is staggering, Dr. Oscar Venter of the University of Northern British Colombia said. We need to recognize that wilderness areas, which weve foolishly considered to be de-facto protected due to their remoteness, is actually being dramatically lost around the world. Without proactive global interventions we could lose the last jewels in natures crown. You cannot restore wilderness, once it is gone, and the ecological process that underpin these ecosystems are gone, and it never comes back to the state it was. The only option is to proactively protect what is left. Watson says that the United Nations and others have ignored globally significant wilderness areas in key multilateral environmental agreements and this must change. If we dont act soon, there will only be tiny remnants of wilderness around the planet, and this is a disaster for conservation, for climate change and for some of the most vulnerable human communities on the planet, Watson said. We have a duty to act for our children and their children. (Photo: Wikipedia)Her Majesty's Prison Belmarsh in south-east London. Prisons in many countries of world come under fire for being dirty, dangerous and a disaster for the fight against crime, and the system in the United Kingdom has come under fire from the country's top Catholic cleric. In a speech to prison chaplains at their annual conference on Sept. 6 at St. Mary's University, London, Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster criticized a system that, at best, "warehouses people" and, at worst, damaged them. He said in the speech that the Church must play a role in the reform of inhumane prison system while he condemned as unacceptable the conditions in prisons in the UK and society's failure in its duty to offenders, The Tablet reported. "It is a stain on our society that in the 21st century some prisons are still characterized by rubbish, damp, dirt, graffiti, and unhygienic facilities," he told chaplains. "A society which shows such contempt for a prisoner's dignity truly undermines that prisoner's chance of reforming their lives," Nichols said. He referred to "shockingly" high incidents of suicide, self-harm and assault in prisons. "Every one of these is a tragedy," he said. In his call for essential reform of the prison system, Nichols told the government, "The Catholic Church will be your partner in this. We are ready to work alongside and support you in transforming prisons from places of despair to places of redemption." "We are ready to work alongside and support you in transforming prisons from places of despair to places of redemption. "But I also urge you to be brave and go further than any government before: Make this the turning point where prison policy is built upon giving people the support they need to make amends and play a positive role in our society. SENTENCING POLICY "It is widely accepted that effective change in our prisons will also require tackling underlying factors. One of these is sentencing policy, which is inherently linked to the expanding and increasingly unmanageable prison population. This is a challenge but with courage and commitment it need not be an insurmountable one." In urging the Catholic Church to work for prison reform, Cardinal Nichols stressed the need to ensure that parishes can welcome and aid former prisoners seeking to deepen their faith and return to society. "We have a duty to support them, not segregate them. Without this welcome any redemption they found in prison and any motivation they have to reform will be wasted, along with all that they have to offer," said the cardinal, making some practical suggestions. Nichols told conference delegates that employers should exclude the tick box on initial job application forms requiring a person who has completed a prison sentence to disclose their conviction, Independent Catholic News reported. He suggested that banning the tick box and allowing people to discuss their conviction at a later stage in the recruitment process would give them the chance to "put their past in context and show who they really are." "Of course convictions have to be disclosed and where necessary DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks undertaken," he said. "But people should not be "written off without a hearing for actions in the past which may no longer have a bearing on their future." The cardinal emphasized that prison leavers need stable employment and that true rehabilitation means not defining people by their worst actions for the rest of their life. "It is hard to envisage the crushing disappointment of someone who has worked hard to move away from crime and learn new skills, only to be rejected for job after job and never even given the opportunity to explain how he or she HAS changed since being convicted years before. "That is not just devastating for the individual - it deprives employers of potentially excellent and able workers and denies society working taxpayers." (Photo: Peter Kenny / Ecumenical News)The former Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, making a speech in Cape Town on October 8, 2008. Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is once again in the hospital. He has been there two weeks this time and doctors operated on him Sept. 7. The operation in s Cape Town hospital on the 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate was successful, his wife Leah Tutu has said in a statement. She said that Tutu was in "good spirits." The date Tutu was operated on marked 30 years since he became the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of the Province of Southern Africa - the first black person to hold the position. SA History Online says that more than 100 000 people gathered in his honour for the Eucharist held at Cape Town's Goodwood Stadium. Tutu admitted himself to hospital last week after a recurring infection came back. "The Arch", as he is affectionately known, has beaten tuberculosis and prostate cancer in the past. The former South African Anglican leader underwent a procedure to address the cause of recurring infections which he has battled since mid-2015. Like Nelson Mandela, Tutu was at the forefront of the struggle against apartheid and he is a beloved symbol of reconciliation in the nation, which faces many post-struggle problems. In recent years he has focussed his social justice work on climate change. "Never before in history have human beings been called on to act collectively in defence of the Earth," he wrote in The Guardian newspaper in 2014. His granddaughter actress Natasha Thahane pleaded last week with South Africans to prayer for her grandfather before he underwent surgery. "Please join us wherever you are to say a prayer for Khulu [Tutu]," Natasha wrote. He had been discharged from hospital, only for the family to issue a statement a few days later revealing that he re-admitted himself. The Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba said Tutu was in good spirits when he visited him Sept. 4. "I visited and prayed with Archbishop Tutu in hospital on Sunday and he was in good spirits. Priests from the Diocese of Cape Town are taking a service with him daily, and we have asked the bishops of the church across southern Africa to pray for him and his family while he undergoes treatment and surgery," said Magoba. (Facebook/Star Wars Rebels)A new trailer for "Star Wars Rebels" season three sees the entry of Grand Admiral Thrawn into the expanded universe The upcoming season of "Star Wars Rebels" has finally unleashed a new trailer that obviously focused on the introduction of Grand Admiral Thrawn. While everyone is very excited about his arrival, some aren't very happy with Darth Vader's absence. Rumor has it that while both Darth Vader and Darth Maul may appear in "Star Wars Rebels" season three, it's clear that their battle or face-off, which has long been rumored to happen in the upcoming installment, will no longer be depicted. This may be bad news for fans who initially thought that the battles of the "Darths" will become the main plot of the new season. On the other hand, the teaser does give viewers an idea of just how big a villain Thrawn is. In the trailer, Thrawn is seen seemingly ready to execute plans that he has long been organizing so he can take down the entire universe. He is basically on a mission of first defeating the rebellion so he can conquer the world. It is unclear if any of the two Darths will somehow intervene or be involved in Thrawn's mission but it would be interesting to see them entering the picture once Thrawn unleashes his evil plans. Meanwhile, it has also been revealed that Lars Mikkelsen is the voice behind Thrawn. Mikkelsen is a Danish actor well-known for his deep tone and his performances in "The Killing," "Sherlock," and finally, the Russian president in "House of Cards," a hit series on Netflix. Mikkelsen has also appeared in other animated projects such as "Arthur and the Invisibles," "Monsters vs. Aliens," and "Bee Movie." "Star Wars Rebels" is set in the expanded universe of the hit franchise wherein the Empire is hot on the heels of the last remaining Jedi Knights who may threaten the administration after the events that went down in "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of Sith." Thrawn's addition to the series is indeed a mystery that has yet to be unveiled, but as early as now, there's excitement as the new villain is welcomed into the rebellious era. "Star Wars Rebels" season three premieres September 24 on Disney XD. Educators know that students carry what is on their minds with themright into the classroom. Building solid relationships involves finding out about your students, as well as what is on their minds, and diffusing tensions even when you dont have the right answer. How we connect this process with the ugly intolerance of the polls and political campaigns of the past year is important. American demographics are becoming more diverse, and this societal atmosphere will surely spill into the classroom. Even those who follow politics avidly admit that the 2016 election season has been a watershed moment for incivility . Data suggests that children were becoming fearful and anxious near the end of the 2015-16 school year, due to repeated comments and media clips suggesting deportation, discrimination, or anger towards immigrants or people of color. Theyre not alone; a July survey from the Associated Press suggested 81 percent of the electorate had some fear regarding the presidential election. So how do we overcome such difficult emotional and psychological challenges as we return to schools? In these opening days and weeks of the new year, focus on setting your tone (and your goals for improvement) early and clearly with students with these four big ideas for celebrating diversity. Big Idea 1: Rethink your assumption that differences dont matter. Someplace, early in my career, I received the message that teachers should make a conscious attempt to think of all children as being the same, which was euphemistically called becoming colorblind . Upon reflection, that seems pretty naive; I have rediscovered the importance of culture. Norms for appropriate behavior may not match your expectations (some cultures dont look adults in the eye; others find speaking out to be uncomfortable). For some ethnic traditions, belonging means not leaving the family for a distant job or college. Religious backgrounds may play a role in parent-school or student expectations for group work. Gender expectations may be uneven, with boys encouraged to achieve more academically. In contrast, grade pressure by parents is often adjusted upward for those with new immigration status. By ignoring the idea that differences exist, education can retreat to a pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps mentality. Thats not about grit; instead, it is thinly-veiled classism . Big Idea 2: Tap into the power of stories and storytelling with your students. By engaging in visual storytelling with students about their daily lives, we activate the empathy center of the brain and release oxytocin. Individual stories matter, and the associated feelings, words, images, or a combination can be stored into long-term memory. We all have our own lens of understanding, but sharing in the classroom can give us insights about experiences we havent had ourselves. Not all students get to school the same way, eat the same food, or follow the same routine on a weekend. A corollary to this concept is the idea of bibliotherapy. Bibliotherapy has long been advocated by gifted and reading teachers to simulate a variety of experiences without the long-term consequences. Videotherapy , its more recent sibling, also has an important place in a classroom, and is easily accessible through a selected TED video or student-gathered clips of making a meal or talking about a holiday tradition. To really cement new understanding, students need to chew on the implications of stories, actively processing or conversing about the ideas involved to break down barriers. Big Idea 3: Set clear expectations for respect. Educators must have clear rules about boundaries when conversations are no longer about understanding, but devolve into opinion without evidence. Thats tricky, but necessary. From bathroom bills to religious freedom , questions about American values have been on display for months. Just as racism in schools has well-documented effects (including absenteeism, unhealthy clique formation, and lower academic achievement), schools without a positive culture of respect can be seen negatively by parents and the community. Our students notice how we treat others, especially if we let casual bias replace evidence. Outside experts, found via Twitter hashtags such as #educolor or #globaled , can help us with suggestions to deal with religious intolerance, xenophobia, or cyberbullying. One easy start is celebrating a diverse array of historical contributors in our curriculum (resources like A Mighty Girl can help), so students can see powerful role models they can emulate and respect. Be honest with your students about your limits and the difference between tolerance and acceptance, but hold violators of your policy accountable. Jackie Robinsons quote holds true here: Im not concerned with your liking or disliking me ... All I ask is that you respect me as a human being. Big Idea 4: Admit that students need a village of stakeholders. Kids struggle, for a variety of reasons already mentioned. Add in a wounding summer of high-profile racial violence , juvenile mass incarceration , and recent reports of inequity and segregation in schools , and cynicism about division can become rampant. Tackling these very real problems requires positive partnerships with our community , to move beyond that boundary of brick-and-mortar that makes schools separated silos. How are you acting to share in the work of gathering together students and teachers with parents, local leaders, outside mentors, and political activists? Healing segregation and division means bridging the gap, bringing outside stakeholders in, and moving the school beyond its traditional campus. Finally, as we work together to see diversity as a strength, we need to take the time to set a concrete goal (or several) that will allow us to build successful classrooms that reach out to capture the potential of each learner. Setting goals now keeps us accountable for the work throughout the year. This allows us to come back and reflect upon the uniqueness of each and every learner to acknowledge if we were able to shift biases towards respect. Ideally, the active struggle to celebrate and honor diversity has created not only a richer and more successful classroom, but a more tolerant school that models civil behavior for our communities. To build the largest and most complete Amateur Radio community site on the Internet - a "portal" that hams think of as the first place to go for information, to exchange ideas, and be part of whats happening with ham radio on the Internet. eHam.net provides recognition and enjoyment to the people who use, contribute, and build the site. This project involves a management team of volunteers who each take a topic of interest and manage it with passion. The site will stand above all other ham radio sites by employing the latest technology and professional design/programming standards, developed by a team of community programmers who contribute their skills to the effort. The site will be something of which everyone involved can be proud to say they were a part. We welcome your comments. The eHam.net Team, Revision 07/2020. : - , ' , ' 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 Following a tradition of lending a helping hand to those in need, three members of Farmington Memorial United Methodist Church, along with three members of Maysville United Methodist Church, traveled in July to Peru on a mission trip. Karen Young, Edna Russell and Martha Smith, all of Farmington, were met by Gracie Feese, Dale Feese and David Campbell from Cameron, Missouri, to travel to Huancayo, Peru. Gracie has been a Volunteers In Mission (VIM) coordinator for 16 years and was our team leader. She has lead mission trips to Peru for 20 years. While in Peru, we were greeted by our host family, Rev. Cesar Zavaleta and family. Rev. Zavaleta is the district superintendent of the Mountain and Jungle District of the Methodist Church. There are many poor rural churches in his district and he coordinated our work while there. During our stay, we volunteered at Azampapa and Ahuac Methodist churches by painting, cleaning and digging trenches to keep water out of a church building. We were also blessed to serve Breakfast of Love, which is a weekly protein-enriched meal provided to the kids at each church. Farmington church members, family and friends generously donated school supplies and toiletries which were packed in three large suitcases and taken with us to be distributed by Rev. Zavaleta to rural churches in his district. The last few days were spent in Lima, where we were invited to have breakfast with Bishop Samuel Aguilar-Curi, as well as some sight-seeing before returning home. United Methodists have believed from the beginning, that each of us is called to participate in the outreaching ministry of Jesus Christ. John Wesley described this work in simple, practical terms: Do all the good you can, in all the places you can, to all the people you can. Volunteers embody Christian love in action by bringing their diverse talents to mission programs, local outreach ministries, and emergency response and recovery work around the world. Appeal to find Manx relatives of Merseyside man A UK Coroner's Office is asking for help from Manx residents to trace the relatives of a man who recently died in Merseyside. 52-year-old Trevor Bentley, who lived on Queens Road in Birkenhead, passed away last Friday [September 2nd]. Mr Bentley, whose death isn't being treated as suspicious, is understood to have had relatives on the Island and in Ellesmere Port. Anyone who help trace Mr Bentley's relatives are asked to contact the Merseyside Coroner's Office on 0151 225 5062. The Leadwood Board of Alderpersons announced the resignation of one of its own when the board met in special session Tuesday night at Leadwood City Hall's temporary location in the basement of the United Methodist Church. Board members accepted the resignation of Alderman Donald Pete Hackworth Jr. because he has moved outside the city limits. Mayor Dennis Parks appointed Jeff Mahurin to fill the vacancy. Mahurin, 53, is a familiar face in Leadwood city government. While serving as alderman in 2006, he was appointed to complete the second year of an unfinished mayoral term and was elected to the job in his own right that following April. In 2012 he unsuccessfully sought a second full term as mayor. In 2014, Mahurin was appointed to fill the alderman vacancy left by Anna Woods who resigned from the board of alderpersons due to personal reasons. The following year he made another unsuccessful bid for mayor, this time losing to incumbent Parks. New device to help blind voters Visually impaired people in the Isle of Man will be given extra assistance when voting in the upcoming House of Keys General Election for the first time. Those with sight problems have previously had to rely on staff at polling stations to cast their votes, but a new device will allow them to vote in private later this month. The Island's Cabinet Office has brought in tactile voting devices which fit over the ballot paper, allowing users to pick a candidate using raised numbers. The Manx Blind Welfare Society has welcomed the move, and is training polling station staff ahead of the election on September 22nd. UK Prime Minister supports Translarna funding British Prime Minister Theresa May There is new pressure on the Isle of Man health service to make the drug Translarna available on the NHS after the UK Prime Minister endorsed NHS Englands decision to make it available there. A local child with the rare condition 'Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy has been refused access to the drug by Manx health officials as they deem it too costly to provide. Seven-year-old Finley Hesketh suffers from the disease. He was guest of honour at the Power Station last night to switch on the lights turning the building lime green. Many other local buildings were illuminated to mark the World Awareness Day for the condition. In PMs Questions yesterday, Theresa May confirmed that the groundbreaking drug Translarna will be made available on the NHS in England. The parents of Finley Hesketh are considering moving to England in the hope he can gain access to the drug as Isle of Man health officials do not consider it a priority. A Farmington man led police on a high-speed pursuit Wednesday afternoon after an officer attempted to approach him in reference to a forcible statutory rape investigation. He is a 37 year-old-male, and one of the investigators was attempting to locate this individual in an apartment complex on North Washington Street, said Farmington Chief of Police Rick Baker. When the detective arrived at the apartment complex he saw the suspect outside by his vehicle, which was a Pontiac G6 with an expired temporary tag. Baker said the detective contacted dispatch to get an unmarked police unit to assist with approaching the suspect. Before the unmarked vehicle could arrive, the suspect got into his car and started to exit the parking lot, said Baker. The detective then attempted to make a traffic stop and as soon as he turned on his lights and his siren the pursuit ensued north on D highway. Baker explained that once they reached the intersection of routes D, C and K east of Bonne Terre the detective lost sight of the suspect's car. Evidently the Bonne Terre Police Department located the suspects vehicle on K highway entering Bonne Terre and (got into a pursuit) with the vehicle going north on U.S. 67, said Baker. As far as I know we had Bonne Terre, Desloge, St. Francois County, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and a Missouri state park ranger vehicle all assisting (during) that pursuit. The suspect's car was disabled by a set of law enforcement-placed spike strips in southern Jefferson County at Route JJ. The vehicle was damaged and turned right onto Oakvale Road and stopped in the middle of the road, the chief explained. The suspect exited the vehicle and went into a wooded area on foot. He was apprehended by several law enforcement officers and was taken into custody. There was road resurfacing in progress on U.S. 67 near the entrance to St. Francois State Park and officers had to slow down and use caution while still maintaining sight of the suspect's car. That is where the park ranger was involved with traffic control. It was roughly a 30-mile pursuit, and once he was taken into custody he was turned over to a Farmington police officer who then transported him back to the St. Francois County Jail, said Baker. His vehicle was impounded. Baker stressed the suspect was wanted in reference to a statutory rape investigation. The term "statutory rape" denotes a sex act involving one person of adult age and another who is a minor. Such an act is a crime whether both parties consented or not. The addition of "forcible" indicates both parties did not consent to the action. The suspect, yet to be named at press time pending the filing of formal charges, also faces multiple traffic charges including failing to yield to red lights and sirens and resisting arrest by fleeing, and the chief said there were also reports that he may possibly have been armed. We still have to confirm that, said Baker. A female was (in the car during the pursuit) but was identified and released at the scene. She had nothing at this point to implicate her of any fault. The chief said he appreciated the assistance of the other law enforcement agencies in helping apprehend the suspect. DEAR HARRIETTE: As a child, I fell into a strange habit: I always have to wash my feet before I go to bed. I hate putting dirty feet in my bed (where I like to feel clean), so I have gone to ridiculous lengths to covertly wash my feet, especially because no one else thinks this is a big deal. I have washed my feet in sinks, with hand wipes and even using an outdoor hose. I will be going abroad on a World Wide Opportunities in Organic Farming program that has limited showers and water. I don't want my weird habit to inconvenience my trip, but I can't fall asleep if my feet are dirty -- it gives me goose bumps just thinking about it. How can I manage my secret habit in a totally foreign land? -- Clean Toes, Jackson, Mississippi DEAR CLEAN TOES: Your secret practice is not that strange. In many parts of the world, it is considered an absolute requirement to take off your shoes before you enter a home so that you don't bring dirt from the road into the home. Same goes for entering sacred spaces. Your philosophy of not putting your dirty feet into your bed makes perfect sense. Rather than hiding your habit as if there is anything wrong with it, just do it. With limited water, you may want to take extra wipes with you that you can use to wipe off your feet. You can even find wipes with soap in them, which will help to clean your feet more efficiently. DEAR HARRIETTE: When visiting my daughter a few states over, the topic of grandchildren came up. She told me we needed to talk, sat me down and explained to me that she never plans on having children. My daughter has medical conditions that could be passed down to offspring, but that is not guaranteed. I am devastated, and I told her that she should still try to have children -- it isn't too late for her. She got upset with me for not listening to her, and she accused me of caring more about being a grandmother than her wishes. I am thinking of how to bring up adoption to my daughter without stepping on her toes further. -- Want to Be a Safta, Denver DEAR WANT TO BE A SAFTA: Your first job is to apologize to your daughter and admit that your desire to be a grandmother clouded your ability to listen to her fully. Go back to her and ask her to tell you about her concerns again. Your daughter is dealing with the realization that either she can't or won't have a child -- it's possible that her doctor advised her against giving birth. Let her know that you want to support her in any way that you can. Become a good listener. Hear where her head is now. She may not be capable of considering adoption until far into the future, if ever. If you notice a moment that feels comfortable enough to bring up adoption, do so gingerly, but no time soon. Like your daughter, you may have to accept that children are not part of your future. DEAR HARRIETTE: I was scrolling through my online banking statement, and I saw a charge for $100 from a tattoo parlor in Rhode Island. My daughter is visiting her friends there, so I knew immediately who the culprit was. I called her, and she told me she got an homage to her best friend on her wrist. I cannot believe my daughter got a tattoo with my money. She knows I am very disapproving of any ink. I don't know where to go from here. She is in college (which I pay for) and doesn't have a job, so she uses my credit card. My daughter didn't lie about the tattoo, and I can't legally force her to get it removed. I don't think she cares about my stance on tattoos or realizes how disrespectful it is to use my money for it. -- At My Wit's End, Winston-Salem, North Carolina DEAR AT MY WIT'S END: It's time for a review of how your daughter can use the money you give her. Remind her of how much you disapprove of tattoos. Thank her for telling you the truth about her tattoo, and then make it clear to her that you do not appreciate that she used your card to pay for it. Point out that as she is growing up, she needs to be mindful of her choices and how she funds them. While you clearly cannot control what your daughter does, you can let her know that if she makes another choice that she knows you will not approve of, she had better not fund it with your money or there will be consequences: She will have to reimburse you, or you will cut off her stream of income. DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband and I are seven months pregnant. As I get closer to my due date, I have found myself becoming more and more anxious about becoming a mom! Im an only child, and I have limited experience working with kids. My husband assures me that once our baby is born, my maternal instincts will kick in, but Im not so sure. Ive always wanted and loved kids, but I have no idea how to be a mom. What can I do to make myself feel ready for my baby before he or she gets here? Expecting, Seattle DEAR EXPECTING: You are in good company, my dear! Even for first-time moms with siblings, trepidation is common because it is hard to know what to anticipate. Talk to your doctor about any medical questions you may have. Identify a pediatrician so that you are ready for when your son or daughter is born. Ask that doctor as many questions as you can think of in order to get ready. A wonderful resource book I read when I was pregnant was What to Expect When Youre Expecting. It outlines in great detail what you should know from birth up to age 5. Be sure to talk to friends and family members with children. Observe them first, though, to ensure that you are in alignment with the choices they have made. Finally, trust your instincts. Among you and your husband and your network of support, you will learn how to care for your child. Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. 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Ireland United States Minor Outlying Islands United States of America Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Younited Italia, Nicola Manzari e il nuovo Coo, Luca Faccini e Head of Growth e Domenico Petraroli e General Counsel September 8, 2016--(BRONX, NY) --In research published online today in Science, a team of scientists describe a new therapeutic strategy to target a hidden Achilles' heel shared by all known types of Ebola virus. Two antibodies developed with this strategy blocked the invasion of human cells by all five ebolaviruses, and one of them protected mice exposed to lethal doses of Ebola Zaire and Sudan, the two most dangerous. The team included scientists from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Integrated Biotherapeutics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and The Scripps Research Institute. Ebolaviruses cause a highly fatal disease for which no approved vaccines or treatments are available. About two dozen Ebola outbreaks have been documented since 1976, when infections first occurred in villages along the Ebola River in Africa. The largest outbreak in history--the 2014-2015 Western Africa epidemic--caused more than 11,000 deaths and infected approximately 29,000 people. Monoclonal antibodies, which bind to and neutralize specific pathogens and toxins, have emerged as the most promising treatments for Ebola patients. A critical problem, however, is that most antibody therapies target only one specific ebolavirus. For example, the most promising experimental therapy--ZMappTM, a cocktail of three monoclonal antibodies--is specific for Ebola virus Zaire, and doesn't work against the other two viruses (Sudan and Bundibugyo), which have both caused major outbreaks. The broad-spectrum antibodies developed by the research team represent an important advance against one of the world's most dangerous pathogens. Exploiting Ebola's Achilles' Heel In 2011, a team that included co-senior authors Kartik Chandran, Ph.D. professor of microbiology & immunology at Einstein, and John M. Dye, Ph.D., chief of viral immunology at USAMRIID, discovered that all filoviruses (the family to which ebolaviruses and the more distantly related Marburg virus belong) have an Achilles' heel: To infect and multiply in human cells, they must all bind to a host-cell protein called Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1). But capitalizing on that knowledge required a completely new approach to targeting viruses: exploiting the fact that Ebola and many other viruses must enter host cell compartments called lysosomes. Once safely inside the lysosomes, the viruses transform and expose key portions of their exterior that the research team successfully targeted using monoclonal antibodies. To gain entry to cells, filoviruses bind to the host cell's outer membrane via glycoproteins (proteins to which carbohydrate chains are attached) that bristle from the virus's surface. (See illustration.) A portion of the cell membrane then surrounds the virus and pinches off, eventually developing into a lysosome--a membrane-bound, intracellular compartment filled with enzymes to digest foreign and cellular components. Filoviruses then use the host cells' resources to break out of their lysosomal "prisons" so they can enter the host cell's cytoplasm to multiply. Enzymes in the lysosome slice a "cap" from the virus's glycoproteins, unveiling a site that binds to the NPC1 embedded in the lysosome membrane. NPC1, which normally helps transport cholesterol within the cell, offers Ebola virus its only means of escaping the lysosome and multiplying. By fitting its protein "key" into the NPC1 "lock," the virus fuses itself to the lysosome membrane. (See illustration close-up.) Now the virus can propel its RNA from the lysosome and into the cell's cytoplasm, where it can finally replicate itself. Penetrating an Invisibility Cloak The research team realized that monoclonal antibodies could potentially thwart all filovirus infections by neutralizing the viral protein that binds to NPC1, or by neutralizing NPC1 itself. There was just one problem: Reflecting Ebola's ingenuity, both targets reside only in lysosomes deep within cells--making them invisible to the immune system and shielded from attack by conventional antibodies. Dr. Chandran, Dr. Dye and co-senior author Jonathan R. Lai, Ph.D., associate professor of biochemistry at Einstein and an expert in engineering antibodies, devised a clever "Trojan Horse" strategy for overcoming the virus's invisibility cloak: Just as the citizens of Troy unwittingly pulled a wooden horse filled with Greek soldiers into their walled city, they tricked the viruses into carrying the means of their own destruction along with them into host cells. To do so, the research team synthesized two types of "bispecific" antibodies, each consisting of two monoclonal antibodies combined into one molecule. One bispecific antibody was devised to neutralize the viral protein that binds to NPC1, the other to target NPC1. Both had one monoclonal antibody in common: antibody FVM09, which binds to the surface glycoproteins of all ebolaviruses while the virus is outside cells, allowing the bispecific antibodies to hitch a ride with the virus into the lysosome. FVM09 was developed by co-senior author M. Javad Aman, Ph.D. at Integrated Biotherapeutics. Once in the lysosome, the bispecific antibodies are released from the viral surface when enzymes in the lysosome slice off the glycoprotein caps--allowing the business ends of the bispecific antibodies to swing into action. One bispecific antibody combined FVM09 with antibody MR72, which was isolated from a human survivor of Marburg virus infection by co-senior author James E. Crowe Jr., M.D., director of the Vanderbilt Vaccine Center. MR72 targets the NPC1-binding viral protein that is unveiled by all filoviruses in lysosomes. The second bispecific antibody links FVM09 to antibody mAb-548, developed at Einstein, which zeroes in on NPC1. With one bispecific antibody targeting the "lock" (NPC1) and the other targeting the "key" (the virus's NPC1-binding protein), both had the potential for preventing Ebola virus from interacting with NPC1 and escaping from the lysosome into the cytoplasm. Putting Antibodies to the Test The researchers then tested their bispecific antibodies against ebolaviruses in the lab. They initially used a harmless virus (vesicular stomatitis virus) that had been genetically engineered to display glycoproteins from all five ebolaviruses on its surface. The researchers incubated the bispecific antibodies with the Ebola-like viruses and then added the mixtures to human cells in tissue culture. Both bispecific antibodies successfully neutralized all five viruses. Work in the high-containment facilities at USAMRIID confirmed that these antibodies also blocked infection by the actual Zaire, Sudan, and Bundibugyo ebolaviruses. Next came studies at USAMRIID to test whether the two bispecific antibodies could protect mice infected with the two most dangerous ebolaviruses, Zaire and Sudan. Researchers, led by Dr. Dye, administered the bispecific antibodies two days after mice were exposed to a lethal dose of virus. The bispecific antibody that targeted the viral binding protein provided good protection to mice exposed to both viruses. As expected, the bispecific antibody that targeted NPC1 did not protect mice. It was designed to bind specifically to human NPC1, which differs slightly in structure from the NPC1 protein found in mice. As a next step, both bispecific antibodies will need to be tested in nonhuman primates, the current gold standard for anti-Ebola therapeutics. ### The paper is titled "A 'Trojan Horse' Bispecific Antibody Strategy for Broad Protection Against Ebolaviruses." In addition to Drs. Chandran, Lai, Dye, Aman and Crowe, contributors include co-first author Anna Wec, M.S., co-first author Elisabeth Nyakatura, Ph.D., Eva Mittler, Ph.D., John Christin, Rohit Jangra, Ph.D., M.V.Sc., and Sushma Bharrhan, Ph.D., all at Einstein; co-first author Andrew Herbert, Ph.D., Ana Kuehne, and Russell Bakken at USAMRIID; Katie Howell, Ph.D., Frederick Holtsberg, Ph.D., and Sergey Shulenin, Ph.D., at Integrated Biotherapeutics, Inc; Andrew Flyak, Ph.D., at Vanderbilt University Medical Center; and Zachary Bornholdt, Ph.D., and Erica Ollmann Saphire, Ph.D., at The Scripps Research Institute. This work was supported by three grants from the National Institutes of Health, U19 AI109762, R01 AI088027, and 1R41 AI122403; by Joint Science and Technology Office-Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) award CB04088; and DTRA award HDTRA1-13-C-0015. Jonathan R. Lai, Ph.D., co-senior author: "It's impossible to predict where the next ebolavirus outbreak will occur or which virus will cause it. So the best therapy would be a monoclonal antibody that is active against the glycoproteins of all five ebolaviruses--and until our study, no such antibody had demonstrated the ability to do that. We hope that further testing in nonhuman primates will establish our antibodies as safe and effective for treating those exposed to any ebolavirus." Kartik Chandran, Ph.D., co-senior author: "We would love to extend this approach to Ebola's distant cousin, Marburg virus, to create a true pan-filovirus therapeutic antibody. Furthermore, we hope that our Trojan Horse antibody strategy of targeting viruses in lysosomes might work against other disease-causing viruses like flu, dengue, or Lassa, which, like Ebola, also enter host-cell lysosomes as part of their life cycles." John M. Dye, Ph.D., co-senior author: "Our team of scientists took the 'Trojan Horse' concept from the chalkboard to a product that has the capacity to provide a viable treatment for all filoviruses, both known and emerging. This work highlights the power of governmental, academic and industrial researchers collaborating together to solve a complex and important public health problem." M. Javad Aman, Ph.D., co-senior author: "The success in co-opting the virus itself to dispatch a lethal weapon against ebolaviruses in the lysosomes marks a turning point in development of smart therapeutics against infectious diseases. Similar strategies could be devised against several other viral and bacterial pathogens or toxins that are unleashed inside the lysosomal compartments." James Crowe Jr., M.D., co-senior author: "We were intrigued to find this remarkable naturally occurring antibody that has the capacity to bind to both Marburg and Ebola viruses. The team's feat of delivering the antibody into cells using creative engineering tricks so that it can kill Ebola inside cells is very exciting." About Albert Einstein College of Medicine Albert Einstein College of Medicine is one of the nations premier centers for research, medical education and clinical investigation. During the 2015-2016 academic year, Einstein is home to 731 M.D. students, 193 Ph.D. students, 106 students in the combined M.D./Ph.D. program, and 278 postdoctoral research fellows. The College of Medicine has more than 1,900 full-time faculty members located on the main campus and at its clinical affiliates. In 2015, Einstein received $148 million in awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This includes the funding of major research centers at Einstein in aging, intellectual development disorders, diabetes, cancer, clinical and translational research, liver disease, and AIDS. Other areas where the College of Medicine is concentrating its efforts include developmental brain research, neuroscience, cardiac disease, and initiatives to reduce and eliminate ethnic and racial health disparities. Its partnership with Montefiore Medical Center, the University Hospital and academic medical center for Einstein, advances clinical and translational research to accelerate the pace at which new discoveries become the treatments and therapies that benefit patients. Through its extensive affiliation network involving Montefiore, Jacobi Medical CenterEinsteins founding hospital, and three other hospital systems in the Bronx, Brooklyn and on Long Island, Einstein runs one of the largest residency and fellowship training programs in the medical and dental professions in the United States. For more information, please visit www.einstein.yu.edu, read our blog, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and view us on YouTube. About United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases USAMRIID's mission is to provide leading edge medical capabilities to deter and defend against current and emerging biological threat agents. Research conducted at USAMRIID leads to medical solutions--vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, and information--that benefit both military personnel and civilians. The Institute plays a key role as the lead military medical research laboratory for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Joint Science and Technology Office for Chemical and Biological Defense. USAMRIID is a subordinate laboratory of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. For more information, visit http://www.usamriid.army.mil About Integrated Biotherapeutics (IBT) IBT is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery of novel vaccines and therapeutics for emerging infectious diseases with a pipeline that includes promising product candidates for bacterial and viral infections including unique pan-filovirus candidates, vaccines and a variety of other product candidates for emerging viruses. Located in Rockville, Maryland, IBT has a close working relationship with United States Government agencies including the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID/NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Department of Defense (DOD), United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) as well as many biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and academic laboratories. For more information, visit integratedbiotherapeutics.com. The World Data Center for Microorganisms (WDCM) and Center for Microbial Resources and Big Data of the Institute of Microbiology of CAS (IMCAS) jointly released the "2016 Microbial Resource Development Report for China" on Sept. 6. It is the first report on China's microbial resource development. The report describes and evaluates the development of microbial research in China and provides a reference for formulating research plans and the direction of development. In the report, scientists analyzed papers and patents related to microbial research based on microbial resource collections in China. China achieved significant progress in research on microbial resources from 2001 to 2015, according to the report. Globally, China ranks first in patent culture collection and is second only to the United States in the volume of papers in the field of microorganisms. According to statistics of Culture Collections Information Worldwide (CCINFO), a world directory of all registered culture collections, China has 33 culture collection centers, with 182,235 sharable bacterial strains. China's total number of culture collections ranks fourth in the world. Culture collection centers worldwide preserve 96,907 patented strains, while 11,977 are in China's General Microbiological Culture Collection Center. The report was completed by three CAS institutions: the Institute of Microbiology, Shanghai Information Center for Life Sciences, and Chengdu Documentation and Information Center. "Life on earth depends on microorganisms and their sustainable utilization is essential for human civilization. We will release global microbial resource reports next year," said Dr. MA Juncai, director of WDCM and director of the Center for Microbial Resources and Big Data. Microbial resources may be the largest not yet effectively developed and utilized natural resource on Earth, with gigantic industrial value. The research and utilization of microbial resources by modern technology has become a strategic focus of global biological resource competition. Since the beginning of the 21st century, major developed countries have determined their strategies and goals for biotechnology development over the next several decades. Establishing China's microbial resource protection policy and new technology for development and utilization of microbial resources will be of strategic significance. WDCM is the only worldwide data center for microorganisms under the World Federation for Culture Collections. In October 2010, IMCAS won the bid for hosting the center, which was first hosted by the University of Queensland, Australia and later the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Japan. This year marks the 50th anniversary of WDCM. As of now, 708 microbial resource culture collections from 72 countries and regions have shared their information through the WDCM data portal. ### Researchers reporting in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on September 8 show catastrophic declines in wilderness areas around the world over the last 20 years. They demonstrate alarming losses comprising a tenth of global wilderness since the 1990s - an area twice the size of Alaska. The Amazon and Central Africa have been hardest hit. The findings underscore an immediate need for international policies to recognize the value of wilderness and to address the unprecedented threats it faces, the researchers say. "Globally important wilderness areas--despite being strongholds for endangered biodiversity, for buffering and regulating local climates, and for supporting many of the world's most politically and economically marginalized communities--are completely ignored in environmental policy," says James Watson of the University of Queensland in Australia and the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York. "International policy mechanisms must recognize the actions needed to maintain wilderness areas before it is too late. We probably have one to two decades to turn this around." Watson says much policy attention has been paid to the loss of species, but comparatively little was known about larger-scale losses of entire ecosystems. To fill that gap in the new study, the researchers mapped wilderness areas around the globe, with "wilderness" being defined as biologically and ecologically intact landscapes free of any significant human disturbance. The researchers then compared their current map of wilderness to one produced by the same means in the early 1990s. Their updated map shows that a total of 30.1 million km2 (more than 20 percent of the world's land area) now remains as wilderness, with the majority being located in North America, North Asia, North Africa, and the Australian continent. However, comparisons between the two maps show that an estimated 3.3 million km2 (almost 10 percent) of wilderness area has been lost in the intervening years. Those losses have occurred primarily in South America, which has experienced a 30 percent wilderness loss, and Africa, which has experienced a 14 percent loss. "The amount of wilderness loss in just two decades is staggering and very saddening," Watson says. "We need to recognize that wilderness is being dramatically lost and that without proactive global interventions we could lose the last jewels in nature's crown. You cannot restore wilderness. Once it is gone, the ecological process that underpin these ecosystems are gone, and it never comes back to the state it was. The only option is to proactively protect what is left." Watson says that the United Nations and others have ignored globally significant wilderness areas in key multilateral environmental agreements, but that has to change. "If we don't act soon, it will be all gone, and this is a disaster for conservation, for climate change, and for some of the most vulnerable human communities on the planet," Watson says. "We have a duty to act for our children and their children." ### Current Biology, Watson et al.: "Catastrophic Declines in Wilderness Areas Undermine Global Environment Targets" http://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(16)30993-9 Current Biology (@CurrentBiology), published by Cell Press, is a bimonthly journal that features papers across all areas of biology. Current Biology strives to foster communication across fields of biology, both by publishing important findings of general interest and through highly accessible front matter for non-specialists. Visit: http://www.cell.com/current-biology. To receive Cell Press media alerts, contact press@cell.com. Up until now, scientists had only recognized a single species of giraffe made up of several subspecies. But, according to the most inclusive genetic analysis of giraffe relationships to date, giraffes actually aren't one species, but four. For comparison, the genetic differences among giraffe species are at least as great as those between polar and brown bears. The unexpected findings reported in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on September 8 highlight the urgent need for further study of the four genetically isolated species and for greater conservation efforts for the world's tallest mammal, the researchers say. "We were extremely surprised, because the morphological and coat pattern differences between giraffe are limited," says Axel Janke, a geneticist at the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre and Goethe University in Germany. Giraffes are also assumed to have similar ecological requirements across their range, he added, "but no one really knows, because this megafauna has been largely overlooked by science." Giraffes are in dramatic decline across their range in Africa. Their numbers have dropped substantially over the last three decades, from more than 150,000 individuals to fewer than 100,000. Despite that, the researchers say that there has been relatively little research done on giraffes in comparison to other large animals, such as elephants, rhinoceroses, gorillas, and lions. About five years ago, Julian Fennessy of Giraffe Conservation Foundation in Namibia approached Janke to ask for help with genetic testing of the giraffe. Fennessy wanted to know how similar (or not) giraffes living in different parts of Africa were to each other, whether past translocations of giraffe individuals had inadvertently "mixed" different species or subspecies, and, if so, what should be done in future translocations of giraffes into parks or other protected areas. In the new study, Janke and his research group examined the DNA evidence taken from skin biopsies of 190 giraffes collected by Fennessy and team all across Africa, including regions of civil unrest. The extensive sampling includes populations from all nine previously recognized giraffe subspecies. The genetic analysis shows that there are four highly distinct groups of giraffe, which apparently do not mate with each other in the wild. As a result, they say, giraffes should be recognized as four distinct species. Those four species include (1) southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa), (2) Masai giraffe (G. tippelskirchi), (3) reticulated giraffe (G. reticulata), and (4) northern giraffe (G. camelopardalis), which includes the Nubian giraffe (G. c. camelopardalis) as a distinct subspecies. The elusive Nubian giraffe from Ethiopia and the South Sudan region was the first described some 300 years ago, Fennessy says, and is now shown to be part of the northern giraffe. The discovery has significant conservation implications, the researchers say, noting that the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Species Survival Commission Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group recently submitted an updated proposed assessment of the giraffe on the IUCN Red List taking into consideration their rapid decline over the last 30 years. "With now four distinct species, the conservation status of each of these can be better defined and in turn added to the IUCN Red List," Fennessy says. "Working collaboratively with African governments, the continued support of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation and partners can highlight the importance of each of these dwindling species, and hopefully kick start targeted conservation efforts and internal donor support for their increased protection. "As an example," he adds, "northern giraffe number less than 4,750 individuals in the wild, and reticulated giraffe number less than 8,700 individuals--as distinct species, it makes them some of the most endangered large mammals in the world." Janke and Fennessy say that they are now analyzing the amount of gene flow between the giraffe species in greater detail. In addition to expanding the ecological and species distribution data, they want to better understand the factors that limit gene flow and the giraffes' differentiation into four species and several subspecies. ### This study was supported by the State of Hesse's funding program LOEWE, the Leibniz Association, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, the Leiden Conservation Foundation, the Auckland Zoo, and various African government partners and international supporters. Current Biology, Fennessy et al.: "Multi-locus Analyses Reveal Four Giraffe Species Instead of One" http://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(16)30787-4 Current Biology (@CurrentBiology), published by Cell Press, is a bimonthly journal that features papers across all areas of biology. Current Biology strives to foster communication across fields of biology, both by publishing important findings of general interest and through highly accessible front matter for non-specialists. Visit: http://www.cell.com/current-biology. To receive Cell Press media alerts, contact press@cell.com. Today's industrial yeast strains are used to make beer, wine, bread, biofuels, and more, but their evolutionary history is not well studied. In a Cell paper publishing September 8, researchers describe a family tree of these microbes with an emphasis on beer yeast. The resulting genetic relationships reveal clues as to when yeast was first domesticated, who the earliest beer brewers were, and how humans have shaped this organism's development. "The flavor of the beer we drink largely depends on yeast," explains Kevin Verstrepen, a yeast geneticist at the University of Leuven and VIB in Belgium. "We're drinking the best beers now because ancient brewers were smart enough to start breeding yeast before they knew what they were doing. It was really an art." With a team of bioinformaticians led by Steven Maere, a computational biologist at VIB and Ghent University, and beer scientists from White Labs in California, Verstrepen and his colleagues sequenced the genomes of 157 different strains of yeast used to make beer, wine, spirits, sake, bread, and bioethanol, as well as some used in research labs, to explore the species' evolutionary history. The researchers also experimentally tested traits such as stress tolerance to investigate the interaction between the genome and the yeast's behavior. According to the analysis, the industrial yeast used today came from only a few ancestral strains. Five large groups separated out genetically, with strains mainly clustered together according to their industrial purpose. Geographic boundaries further divided each category: in one grouping of beer yeast, for example, the strains from Belgium and Germany were closely related, but separate from those in the UK and US. Brewers use the same yeast to make different types of beer, so beverages such as ales or stouts didn't generally have separate strains associated with them. However, a few distinct strains were associated with beers that have very specific traits, such as the smoky clove-like flavor of German Hefeweizen beer. Using the genomic data, the researchers traced the common ancestor of the industrial beer and wild yeasts to the 1500s--before the formal discovery of microbes. "If early brewers had a very good fermentation, they were smart enough to harvest the yeast sediment and use it to inoculate the next batch, even if they didn't know what was floating around in it," explains Verstrepen. "Reusing the microbes to make beer completely separated them from nature. The yeasts were evolving in the brewery." The research team uncovered a number of genetic patterns related to the domestication process. Wild yeast can sexually reproduce during times of starvation or stress, but today's beer yeasts have lost this ability--they only have functional genes for asexual reproduction, likely due to their cushier living conditions. "They essentially became sterile," says Verstrepen. "Four centuries of domestication have also left marks in beer yeast genomes associated with traits that are useful in a brewing environment," says Maere. "In various beer yeast lineages, specific genes have been amplified, deleted, or altered to optimize growth in beer fermenters and beer taste." In particular, the researchers found evidence for amplification of genes involved in metabolizing typical beer sugars and selection against production of 4VG, an undesirable flavor compound produced by most natural yeasts. "As far as we know, there's no selective advantage in suppressing the production of 4VG" says Verstrepen. "It must have been the brewers saying, 'This tastes good, we're going to reuse it.'" Wine yeasts also displayed a genetic resistance to copper, which is used to fight fungal infections in the vineyard and can end up in the grape juices. Verstrepen's team is continuing research to breed new yeast strains with characteristics useful to industry, and will soon be adding a brewery to the lab to conduct further experiments. "It's a short jump from working with yeast to trying to make better beer yeast," he says. ### This study was supported by VIB, the Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology, KU Leuven, the Human Frontier Science Program, the European Molecular Biology Organization, the Research Foundation (Flanders), Ghent University, and the European Research Council. Cell, Gallone and Steensels et al.: "Domestication and divergence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae beer yeasts" http://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(16)31071-6 Cell (@CellCellPress), the flagship journal of Cell Press, is a bimonthly journal that publishes findings of unusual significance in any area of experimental biology, including but not limited to cell biology, molecular biology, neuroscience, immunology, virology and microbiology, cancer, human genetics, systems biology, signaling, and disease mechanisms and therapeutics. Visit: http://www.cell.com/cell. To receive Cell Press media alerts, contact press@cell.com. Cambridge, UK, September 2016: A new approach to developing a human vaccine against HIV has been developed by researchers at Kymab, a UK therapeutic antibody platform Company, The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) of San Diego, California, and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI). HIV is one of the most intransigent targets for vaccine development, and no effective vaccine has been developed in thirty years of global research. The research, which tested the first step in an approach to develop effective vaccines against the range of HIV variants existing worldwide, is published in Science on Thursday 8 September, 2016, and was supported by funding from the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative and the US National Institutes of Health. The results show that Kymouse, which is a mouse that has been modified to mimic human antibody responses, is an effective platform for discovering and testing possible vaccines and suggest ways in which testing of vaccine candidates can be improved. "We increasingly recognize that traditional vaccine strategies will not be successful against all viruses, especially not HIV," says Dennis Burton, chair of the TSRI Department of Immunology and Microbial Science and scientific director of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) Neutralizing Antibody Center (NAC) at TSRI and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery (CHAVI-ID). "Together with the Kymab team, we have taken a novel approach in which have induced human antibodies in Kymouse that are at the beginning of the pathway to protective antibodies and which is a huge boost to our mission to develop an HIV vaccine." The work is based on the observation that a fraction of people who become infected by HIV develop broadly neutralizing antibodies against diverse HIV strains. Such antibodies would be ideal to protect against or possibly treat HIV infection - if a vaccine could be made to elicit them. However, these antibodies originate from a limited number of precursor antibody-producing cells in the body and acquire their unusual and protective properties only during a long course of infection. Moreover, although these cells have been activated when immunizing certain biased animal models, this is the first time it has been achieved through immunization of an immune system, as in the Kymouse, that resembles the human. The researchers injected Kymouse strains with a nanoparticle formed of 60 copies of a small protein that mimics HIV and was designed to bind and stimulate the specific precursor cells for one class of broadly neutralizing antibody. They expected to find just one such precursor cell (among tens of millions of such cells) in each immunized mouse. The research team then looked to see whether or not the mice had mounted an antibody response to this injection. Given the combined challenges of a complex immunogen structure and the rarity of the right antibodies, an effective response against the HIV immunogen was elicited remarkably efficiently. "Our phenomenal results with the teams at TSRI and IAVI came from work at the boundaries of protein engineering, immunology and vaccine technology," explains Professor Allan Bradley, Chief Technical Officer at Kymab and Director Emeritus of the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, who developed the Kymouse platform. "Using Kymouse, we show how an advanced vaccine candidate can search out the one cell among tens of million antibody-producing cells and make it proliferate. "Kymouse can deliver antibody responses that we need to build effective HIV vaccines." The team validated their antibody response by sequencing genes from more than 10,000 cell samples, and showed that genes from responding mice had the expected sequence for precursors to broadly neutralizing antibodies against the HIV target. "It is a big step forward in this branch of HIV vaccine development," says William Schief, TSRI Professor and Director of Vaccine Design for the IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center at TSRI, in whose lab the vaccine nanoparticle was developed. "We have the first proof of principle that this HIV vaccine strategy and our vaccine candidate can work in a human immune system and trigger the first step in the pathway to developing broadly neutralizing and protective antibodies against the virus. "It is the very sort of response we'd want to see as we test components of a future vaccine." HIV has proved an extremely difficult challenge in vaccine development. The new research shows that Kymouse can produce antibodies of the type that could evolve to confer protection, suggests ways in which the immunization regime can be improved and indicates that Kymab's technologies will support and accelerate the search for other, rarer and perhaps even more effective antibodies. "About 35 million people have died of HIV/AIDS and 36 million are currently infected. Although a vaccine is the most likely way to stem this loss, no successful vaccine has been found in more than thirty years of HIV research," says Professor Paul Kellam, Vice President of Infectious Diseases and Vaccines at Kymab. "This is a pressing need and these results show that our Kymouse technologies can serve a vital part in the search for effective vaccines that help to protect against this most challenging disease." "This dramatic proof of concept gives us hope we can find better broadly effective vaccines for HIV and, indeed, for other infections, using the human immune system to help guide us along the best path." ### Notes to Editors Publication Sok D, Briney B, Jardine JJ, Kulp DW et al. (2016) Priming HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibody precursors in human Ig loci transgenic mice. This paper will be published online by the journal Science on THURSDAY, 8 September, 2016. Participating Centers Kymab Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, UK Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA About Kymab Kymab is a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of fully human monoclonal antibody drugs using its proprietary Kymouse antibody platform. Kymouse has been designed to maximize the diversity of human antibodies produced in response to immunization with antigens. Selecting from a broad diversity of fully human antibodies assures the highest probability of finding that rare drug candidate with best-in-class characteristics. The Kymouse naturally matures these molecules to highly potent drugs obviating the need for further time-consuming modifications. Kymab is using the platform for its internal drug discovery programs and in partnership with pharmaceutical companies. Kymab commenced operations in 2010 and has raised over US$120m of equity financing which includes $90m Series B financing. It has an experienced management team with a successful track record in drug discovery and development and has numerous therapeutic antibody programs in immune-oncology, auto-immunity; hematology, infectious disease and other areas. http://www.kymab.com About The Scripps Research Institute The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) is one of the world's largest independent, not-for-profit organizations focusing on research in the biomedical sciences. TSRI is internationally recognized for its contributions to science and health, including its role in laying the foundation for new treatments for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, hemophilia, and other diseases. An institution that evolved from the Scripps Metabolic Clinic founded by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps in 1924, the institute now employs more than 2,500 people on its campuses in La Jolla, CA, and Jupiter, FL, where its renowned scientists--including two Nobel laureates and 20 members of the National Academy of Science, Engineering or Medicine--work toward their next discoveries. The institute's graduate program, which awards PhD degrees in biology and chemistry, ranks among the top ten of its kind in the nation. For more information, see http://www.scripps.edu. About International Aids Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) is a global not-for-profit organization whose mission is to ensure the development of safe, effective, accessible, preventive HIV vaccines for use throughout the world. Founded in 1996 and operational in 25 countries, IAVI and its network of collaborators research and develop vaccine candidates. IAVI was founded with the generous support of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, The Starr Foundation, and Until There's A Cure Foundation. Other major supporters include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, The John D. Evans Foundation, The New York Community Trust, the James B. Pendleton Charitable Trust; the Governments of Canada, Denmark, India, Ireland, Japan, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States, the Basque Autonomous Government (Spain), the European Union as well as the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and The City of New York, Economic Development Corporation; multilateral organizations such as The World Bank and The OPEC Fund for International Development; corporate donors including BD (Becton, Dickinson & Co.), Bristol-Myers Squibb, Continental Airlines, Google Inc., Pfizer Inc, and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.; leading AIDS charities such as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS; and many generous individuals from around the world. For more information, see http://www.iavi.org. Contact details For Kymab Don Powell Don Powell Associates Ltd don@donpowellassociates.co.uk +44 (0)778 6858220 +44 (0)1223 515436 Mary Clark, Supriya Mathur and Hollie Vile Hume Brophy +44 (0)207 862 6390 kymab@humebrophy.com For TSRI Madeline McCurry-Schmidt Science Writer The Scripps Research Institute Tel: 858-784-9254 madms@scripps.edu Office of Communications The Scripps Research Institute Tel: +1 858-784-2666 Fax: +1 858-784-8118 press@scripps.edu For IAVI Arne Naveke Executive Director Advocacy, Policy, Communications International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) +1.212.847.1055 (office) +1.646.623.47.85 (mobile) The European Research Council (ERC) has announced today the awarding of its Starting Grants to 325 early-career researchers throughout Europe. The funding, worth in total 485 million and up to 1.5 million per grant, will enable them to set up their own research teams and pursue ground-breaking ideas. The new grantees will work on a wide range of topics, such as improving effectiveness of chemotherapy in cancer treatment, developing new sustainable ways of producing hydrogen fuel, and exploring citizenship law to better manage migration and uphold human rights. The funded research covers all disciplines: physical sciences and engineering, life sciences, and social science and humanities. See more examples of funded research. The grants are awarded under the 'excellent science' pillar of Horizon 2020, the EU's research and innovation programme. On this occasion, Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, said: "Through the ERC Starting Grants, the EU attracts young research talent and keeps it in Europe. With the EU backing these grantees will be able to pursue their best ideas, but also create quality jobs for more research staff who wish to work on the frontiers of science. Ultimately they will contribute to creating the most valuable resource Europe has: human capital." The President of the ERC, Professor Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, said: "With this new round of funding the ERC backs another 325 bright young minds to bring their most ambitious ideas to life. The ERC believes in supporting young talent - indeed two thirds of its funding goes to early-career researchers contributing to the future of Europe in terms of science and more broadly." He added: "It is pivotal to keep scientific quality as the one and only selection criterion, and to trust researchers to choose significant topics, without imposing any demands on what to be explored. Giving top researchers free reign to follow their scientific curiosity opens the way to real breakthroughs as a recent independent study found: as much as 71% of the first completed ERC projects led to breakthroughs or major scientific advances. This speaks volumes about the relevance to fund bottom-up frontier research - it creates new knowledge and offers new paths for economic growth." ERC grants are awarded to researchers of any nationality based in, or willing to move to, Europe. In this year's competition, researchers of 42 nationalities received the funding. They will be hosted in 23 countries across Europe, with Germany (61), the United Kingdom (59) and France (46) as top locations. The ERC received 2935 proposals of which around 11% was funded. The results again show the high level of mobility of top scientists: in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden and Denmark, more than half of the new grantees are not nationals of the host country. Also, 15 European researchers are returning to Europe from the United States and Canada to work on their ERC-funded projects. Thirty eight grantees are non-European nationals, based across Europe. Around 30% of grantees are women. These Starting Grants will enable the selected researchers to build their own teams, potentially engaging more than 1,000 postdocs and PhD students as ERC team members. The funding therefore contributes to supporting a new generation of top researchers in Europe. List of all selected researchers by country of host institution (alphabetical order within each country group) Lists of selected researchers by domain (in alphabetical order): The ERC Starting Grants in brief ERC Starting Grants are awarded to researchers of any nationality with two to seven years of experience since completion of the PhD (or equivalent degree) and a scientific track record showing great promise. The research must be conducted in a public or private research organisation located in one of the EU Member States or Associated Countries. The funding (maximum 1.5 million per grant) is provided over up to five years. Two thirds of the ERC budget is earmarked for the early-career researchers - the Starting Grant and Consolidator Grant schemes - and calls for proposals are published once a year for each scheme. ### About the ERC The European Research Council, set up by the European Union in 2007, is the first European funding organisation for excellent frontier research. Every year, it selects and funds the very best, creative researchers of any nationality and age, to run projects based in Europe. The ERC also strives to attract top researchers from anywhere in the world to come to Europe. To date, the ERC has funded more than 6,500 top researchers at various careers stages. The ERC is led by an independent governing body, the Scientific Council, and, since January 2014, the ERC President is Professor Jean-Pierre Bourguignon. The ERC has a budget of over 13 billion for the years 2014 to 2020 and is part of the EU research and innovation programme, Horizon 2020, for which European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Carlos Moedas is responsible. The ERC is considered a true success story for Europe and is recognised around the world. The US National Science Foundation, Japan's Society for the Promotion of Science, China's National Natural Science Foundation and other key global funding organisations and science ministries signed agreements with the European Commission to enable their young researchers to temporarily join ERC projects in Europe. Also several EU countries set up fellowship schemes to sponsor future applicants' visits to ERC-funded research teams giving them a chance to improve their grant applications. ERC website Horizon 2020 DENVER (Sept 6, 2016) - The Global Down Syndrome Foundation has funded a landmark study led by renowned scientist, Dr. Joaquin Espinosa, Associate Director for Science at the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome. The results of the study were published online by eLife, an open-access life sciences and biomedical research journal targeted at the very high end and run by scientists including Nobel Laureate and Editor-in-Chief, Randy Schekman. The journal was established by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Max Planck Society, and the Wellcome Trust. Dr. Espinosa's paper in eLife, "Trisomy 21 Consistently Activates the Interferon Response", shows the unequivocal impact of trisomy 21 (the triplication of chromosome 21 that causes Down syndrome) on interferon (IFN) signaling. Specifically, cells with trisomy 21 produce high levels of interferon-stimulated genes and lower levels of genes required for protein synthesis. Interferons are molecules produced by cells in response to viral or bacterial infection, and which act on neighboring cells to prevent the spread of the infection, shut down protein synthesis, and activate the immune system. The paper posits that if interferons are constantly activated, then the body is constantly fighting a viral infection even when such infection does not exist; this would likely cause many damaging side-effects. Down syndrome is caused by having three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two, and since four of the six interferon receptors -- the proteins that sense the presence of interferons -- are encoded on chromosome 21, cells with trisomy 21 react more strongly to small amounts of interferons in their microenvironment. Dr. Joaquin Espinosa is enthusiastic about the results of his study, "The constant activation of the Interferon response could explain many aspects of Down syndrome, such as cognitive deficit, stunted growth, increased prevalence of autoimmune disorders, high risk of Alzheimer's disease, and protection against solid tumors." Dr. Kelly Sullivan, lead author of the paper, has already embarked on follow up studies. "The next steps are to fully define the role of the interferon response in the development of Down syndrome using mouse models. The great news is that FDA-approved drugs that block the interferon pathway already exist. Much clinical research will be needed to determine whether those drugs are safe over a long period and have therapeutic benefits for people with Down syndrome," said Sullivan. "In principle, the findings are tremendously exciting and present a novel view of some of the characteristic features associated with trisomy 21," said Christopher Glass, MD, PhD, University of San Diego California School of Medicine, an eLife editor who reviewed Dr. Espinosa's research. Other scientists on the eLife review board were also impressed with the results of Dr. Espinosa's research publicly stating: "These findings have important implications for understanding the basic nature of, and individual variation in, the diverse phenotypes of people with Down syndrome," and "This is clearly an interesting and significant study that provides important new insights into the differences in gene expression in trisomy 21 cells." Dr. Espinosa's research started with a Crnic Grand Challenge Grant organized by the Executive Director of the Crnic Institute, Dr. Tom Blumenthal. "One cannot overemphasize the importance of the funding from the Global Down Syndrome Foundation and the research being conducted at the Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome," said Dr. Tom Blumenthal, Executive Director at the Crnic Institute. "Having attracted 30 labs and over 100 scientists, including Dr. Espinosa, we have created an incubator for accelerated research that is already pointing to discoveries that have the potential to enhance the quality of life for people with Down syndrome and millions of typical people as well." ### About the Global Down Syndrome Foundation Global Down Syndrome Foundation is a public nonprofit dedicated to significantly improving the lives of people with Down syndrome through research, medical care, education and advocacy. Global supports two affiliates which together constitute the only academic home in the United States committed solely to research and medical care for people with Down syndrome -- the Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome and the Sie Center for Down Syndrome. Global also publishes Down Syndrome World, a national award-winning quarterly magazine. For more information, visit http://www.globaldownsyndrome.org. Follow Global Down Syndrome Foundation on Facebook & Twitter @GDSFoundation. About the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome The Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome is the first medical and research institute with the mission to provide the best clinical care to people with Down syndrome, and to eradicate the medical and cognitive ill effects associated with the condition. Established in 2008, the Crnic Institute is a partnership between the University of Colorado School of Medicine, the University of Colorado Boulder, and Children's Hospital Colorado. Headquartered on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, the Crnic Institute includes the Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome at Children's Hospital Colorado. It partners both locally and globally to provide life-changing research and medical care for individuals with Down syndrome. The Crnic Institute is made possible by the generous support of the Anna and John J. Sie Foundation, and relies on the Global Down Syndrome Foundation for fundraising, education, awareness, and government advocacy. It is a research and medical-based organization without political or religious affiliation or intention. About Down Syndrome Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition, affecting one out of every 691 live births in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The average lifespan is 60 years. Down syndrome is caused by the genetic condition known as trisomy 21, whereby a person is born with three copies of chromosome 21. The presence of an extra copy of the chromosome affects human development in many ways, protecting people with Down syndrome from developing some diseases, such as most tumors, while predisposing them to others, such as autoimmune disorders and Alzheimer's disease. The reasons for this different 'disease spectrum' in the population with Down syndrome are unknown. Elucidating the molecular basis of this phenomenon could advance our understanding of many diseases affecting the typical population. MEDIA CONTACT: Taylor Shields Global Down Syndrome Foundation 303 468 4975 office 702 271 1809 cell TShields@GlobalDownSyndrome.org SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- Gladstone Senior Investigator Katerina Akassoglou, PhD, was awarded a prestigious multi-year, multi-million dollar grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). The award is worth nearly six million dollars in direct costs, which will be administered over the next eight years. Akassoglou, who is also a professor in the department of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco, will use the grant to advance her research on the role of the brain's vascular and immune systems in neurological diseases. "I am humbled and honored to receive this award, and I am extremely grateful to NINDS for their continued support of my research," said Akassoglou. "Neurological diseases are a complex problem, and this grant will make it possible for my lab to pursue entirely new solutions for these devastating conditions." The NINDS Research Program Award (R35) provides longer-term support and increased flexibility to exceptional scientists who have a consistent record of high-impact contributions to neuroscience. It promotes ambitious, creative research and offers investigators greater freedom to embark upon research that breaks new ground. Robert Finkelstein, PhD, NINDS associate director for the Division of Extramural Research, stated, "The NINDS Research Program Award is intended to give outstanding investigators more financial stability and reduce the amount of time they spend writing grant applications. Our goal is to allow these researchers to undertake bold, long-range projects and to establish a more stable training environment in their laboratories." "We are excited about the basic scientific discoveries and therapeutic developments this prestigious award will enable, and we are proud of the confidence it reflects in Katerina and our institution," said Lennart Mucke, MD, who directs the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease. Akassoglou's research focuses on the intersection of the brain, immune, and vascular systems. Her lab pioneered the study of blood proteins in neurological diseases, showing that when these proteins leak into the brain, they damage brain cells and activate the brain's immune system, triggering inflammation and neuron death. Akassoglou identified one blood protein in particular, fibrinogen, that is strongly implicated in multiple sclerosis. She thinks fibrinogen could be a therapeutic target for multiple sclerosis and many other neurological diseases. Her lab also discovered that a component of the membrane that envelops the cell nucleus plays a key role in regulating the activity of brain cells. "Katerina's research is opening new avenues to understanding mechanisms of neuroinflammation, with exciting translatable opportunities," said Gladstone President R. Sanders "Sandy" Williams, MD. "This new grant will accelerate her progress. ### About the Gladstone Institutes To ensure our work does the greatest good, the Gladstone Institutes focuses on conditions with profound medical, economic, and social impact--unsolved diseases of the brain, the heart, and the immune system. Affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco, Gladstone is an independent, nonprofit life science research organization that uses visionary science and technology to overcome disease. Scientists from the Senckenberg and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation have analysed the genetic relationships of all major populations of giraffe in the wild. The large study on the genetic makeup of giraffe, published today in Current Biology, shows that there are four distinct giraffe species. Until now, only one giraffe species had been recognized. The unexpected results are based on analyses using several nuclear marker genes of more than 100 animals. The new insights are set to improve protection efforts of these endangered animals in Africa. Despite their large size and iconic presence, giraffe have been incompletely explored until now, with many aspects of their biology poorly understood. Latest estimates have revealed that giraffe numbers have plummeted by >35% over the past 30 years down to approximately 100,000 individuals across their range in Africa. Traditionally giraffe are classified as one species with nine subspecies based on coat patterns, ossicone (horn) structure and geographical distribution - now, this view has to be thoroughly revised. "We have studied the genetic relationships of all giraffe subspecies from across the continent. We found, that there are not only one, but at least four genetically highly distinct groups of giraffe, which apparently do not mate with each other in the wild. This we found looking at multiple nuclear genes considered to be representative of the entire genome" says Professor Axel Janke, researcher at the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research and Professor at the Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany. "Consequently, giraffe should be recognized as four distinct species despite their similar appearance." The four distinct giraffe species are (1) southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa), comprising two distinct subspecies, Angolan (G. g. angolensis) and South African giraffe (G. g. giraffa), (2) Masai giraffe (G. tippelskirchi), (3) reticulated giraffe (G. reticulata), and (4) northern giraffe (G. camelopardalis), which includes Nubian giraffe (G. c. camelopardalis), West African giraffe (G. c. peralta) and Kordofan giraffe (G. c. antiquorum) as distinct subspecies. The study and new classification is based on more than hundred skin biopsy samples from all previously recognized giraffe subspecies, which were collected by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) and partners over the past decade including in remote areas and civil war zones. These giraffe DNA samples were then analyzed by Janke's research group at the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre in cooperation with colleagues from the Senckenberg Natural History Collections of Dresden, Germany. The sample set included for the first time the elusive Nubian giraffe, the nominate subspecies (G. c. camelopardalis) - the "camel-leopard" - described by Linnaeus in 1758 on the basis of a 200-year-old record. The large-scale analysis of giraffe DNA also yielded further surprising insights. The formerly recognized subspecies Rothschild's giraffe (G. c. rothschildi) turned out to be genetically identical with Nubian giraffe, and thus should be synonymized with this subspecies. Similarly, the genetic studies supported previous findings by the team that could not differentiate the formerly recognized subspecies Thornicroft's giraffe (G. c. thornicrofti) with Masai giraffe (G. c. tippelskirchi). Additionally, research into the history of the distinct species showed that their last common ancestor lived about 0.4-2.0 million years ago, which yields a rate of speciation that is typical for mammals. "Species conservation is based on understanding the numbers, range and threats to the species. To date, the estimated total number of all giraffe has until now not been considered a particular threat for the species' survival. However, as we now recognize four distinct species as well as some genetically unique subspecies, some of their biodiversity is very much under threat," explains Janke. "In particular, GCF estimates that there are maybe as few as 400 West African giraffe remaining in the wild and restricted to a small communal area in Niger. Although it is not a distinct species, this subspecies is genetically unique and requires increased special protection along with the other distinct species." Dr. Julian Fennessy, first author of the study and Co-Director of GCF adds, "Now that we know that there are four giraffe species, it is even more important and urgent to support governments and other partners across Africa to protect giraffe. We rightly worry about the fate of the African elephant, with an estimated 450,000 in the wild. By contrast, the numbers of three of the four giraffe species are rapidly declining, and two numbering <10,000 individuals in total. I think we should start working together to secure the future of giraffe in Africa and take action before it is too late." ### Scientists from Jerusalem and Duesseldorf have succeeded in generating induced pluripotent stem cells from a rare disorder called Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS) and to push these cells to become early neurons, revealing the mechanisms leading to the neurological phenotype observed in these patients. Nijmegen breakage syndrome is a devastating disorder in which the affected children suffer from pronounced microcephaly, cognitive impairments, dwarfism, strong cancer predisposition, and immunodeficiency. The syndrome is caused when a child receives a mutant NBS1 gene from both his parents. It was known that the NBS1 gene is important for the recognition of breaks in the DNA of the child, explaining the cancer predisposition and immunodeficiency of the patients. However, it was not clear how this gene affects the development of the brain and why the affected children suffer from smaller brains. Therefore, the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from patients and the ability to turn them into neurons, as published in the latest issue of the journal Cell Reports, gave scientists the opportunity to study the causes for brain impairment as seen in affected children. Prof. Michal Goldberg and Prof. Nissim Benvenisty from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, together with Prof. James Adjaye from the Heinrich Heine University in Duesseldorf, in a study led by graduate student Tomer Halevy, succeeded in generating induced pluripotent stem cells from two patients, a boy and a girl, carrying the syndrome, and looked at different characteristic of the cells. Previous studies to understand the disorder were performed on skin cells, and so the causes for the neural pathologies were unknown. Surprisingly, in this study, the investigators found that P53, a gene with a well known role in preventing cancer may also be responsible for the neural phenotype of Nijmegen breakage syndrome. P53 was demonstrated to be a target of the NBS1 gene, and an emerging role for P53 in early neural development has been suggested. In this study, the researchers have found that since NBS1 is missing in patients' neurons P53 cannot work properly, this in turn leads to cancer development but also affects the early development of the nervous system. According to Prof. Goldberg, a researcher from the Department of Genetic at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and principal co-author of the study "Induced pluripotent stem cells derived from Nijmegen breakage syndrome patients provide a powerful tool to study different aspects of the disease, mainly the neural phenotype, as we are able to turn these cells into neural cells and study the developmental aspects of the disorder that could not have been studied before. We can now zoom in and detect dysregulated molecular pathways in neuron derived from patient cells and understand how they affect the children with the disorder. Furthermore, since many diseases resulting from mutations in genes that are important for genomic stability show apart from cancer predisposition also neurological phenotypes, our findings may serve as a platform for the study of additional genomic stability syndromes and pave the way for elucidating the crosstalk between genomic stability and neurological impairments". Two great advantages of induced pluripotent cells that carry the disorder have on previously used cells, are their ability to become any cell type that we want to study, and their limitless replication potential. We can thus use these cells to perform drug screenings to test for compounds to correct some of the dysregulated pathways that we discovered to be involved in the development of the syndrome. This will be done in our case on derived neural cells but can be performed on any other cell type depending on the tissue we wish to treat. The cells that were generated and the mechanism underlying the neural phenotype of Nijmegen breakage syndrome, which was discovered in this work will greatly facilitate in the search for a treatment for affected children and also in our understanding of related disorders associated with problems in DNA breaks recognition that have a similar neural phenotype. According to Prof. Adjaye, Director of the Institute for stem cell research and regenerative medicine, the established and additional NBS induced pluripotent stem cell lines will serve as useful in vitro models to study the underlying mechanism(s) linking impaired neurogenesis to microcephaly by establishing NBS-derived brain organoids and comparing these to organoids derived from healthy individuals. ### The research was supported by the Israel Science Foundation (grant no. 684/13) to M.G., and by the Israel Science Foundation (grant no. 269/12), the Israel Science Foundation-Morasha Foundation (grant number 1252/12), the Rosetrees Trust, and the Azrieli Foundation to N.B. J.A. acknowledges support from the Medical Faculty of the Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf, Germany Publication: Tomer Halevy,Shira Akov, Martina Bohndorf, Barbara Mlody, James Adjaye, Nissim Benvenisty and. Michal Goldberg (2016). Chromosomal Instability and Molecular Defects in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Nijmegen Breakage Syndrome Patients. Cell Reports 16, 1-13 INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., September 7, 2016 - A researcher with the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI) today received a 2016 Career Development Award from JDRF, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Teresa Mastracci, PhD, is a Senior Scientist at the IBRI. "This award is confirmation of the impressive research Teresa is doing in the area of beta cell biology and type 1 diabetes," said Dr. Raghu Mirmira, Interim Chief Scientific Officer and Core Laboratories Director for the IBRI. "We look forward to seeing her translate her research in ways that will ultimately help children and adults afflicted with type 1 diabetes." Mastracci will use the $750,000 award to continue her work in the area of beta cell regeneration. Her study will look at how polyamine and hypusine biosynthesis can be harnessed to reverse the progression of type 1 diabetes. Mastracci's goal is to identify new drugs that preserve or regenerate healthy beta cells, which will help to slow or even halt the progression of type 1 diabetes. Beta cells are the only cell type in the body that produces insulin, a hormone that is lacking in type 1 diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, type 1 diabetes currently affects nearly 1 in 11 Americans. The World Health Organization estimates that worldwide 422 million adults have diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is sometimes referred to as "juvenile onset" because it is diagnosed in early childhood and requires lifelong insulin therapy. The JDRF Career Development Award is designed to assist exceptionally promising researchers early in their careers. Past recipients of the award include Maike Sander, Director of the Pediatric Diabetes Research Center at the University of California San Diego; Mehboob Ali Hussain, Director of the Diabetes Center at Johns Hopkins University; and Matthias Hebrok, Director of the Diabetes Center at the University of California San Francisco. JDRF previously funded Mastracci's research in 2010 with a prestigious JDRF Postdoctoral Fellowship. "I am grateful to JDRF for this honor and for their continued confidence in my research," said Mastracci. "This award provides my lab with the support we need to continue our discovery work to identify new tests and potential treatments that will directly impact people with type 1 diabetes." In addition to working for the IBRI, Mastracci is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Indiana University School of Medicine. ### About Indiana Biosciences Research Institute The Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI) is an independent, nonprofit discovery and applied research institute focused on innovation targeting cardio-metabolic diseases, diabetes and poor nutrition. Inspired by the state and Indiana's leading life sciences companies, research universities and philanthropic community, the IBRI is building a world-class organization of researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs that will catalyze scientific discovery and its application, resulting in improved health outcomes for patients. Initial funding has been provided by the State of Indiana, Lilly Endowment, Eli Lilly and Company, Dow AgroSciences, Roche Diagnostics, Indiana University Health and the Indiana University School of Medicine. For more information about IBRI and donation or collaboration opportunities, please visit http://www.indianabiosciences.org. (Thursday, 8 September 2016: Oslo) Prisons provide one of the most significant opportunities to drive down the prevalence of hepatitis C, and help reach global WHO elimination goals, says new research presented at the 5th International Symposium on Hepatitis Care in Substance Users today. "On the downside, it is clear that prisons act as incubators of hepatitis C, driving the epidemic both within the prison system and in the community at large," said Professor Andrew Lloyd of the University of New South Wales in Australia who leads hepatitis research in the prison system in that country. "On the plus side, they also offer a unique environment to cure people of the disease and address the risk behaviour that fuels transmission. If we can turn prisons around, and use them to treat hepatitis C rather than facilitate its spread, then we can save lives, reduce the overall burden of disease and take concrete steps towards disease elimination." Hepatitis C - virus which if left untreated can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer - affects approximately 64-103 million people around the world, resulting in around 700 000 deaths per year. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has prioritised the disease, setting ambitious targets to reach elimination by 2030. In high income countries 80% of new infections are in people who use drugs. Prisoners have a particularly high prevalence of hepatitis C with as many as 1 in 6 inmates carrying the disease in parts of Europe and the US, reflecting the fact that imprisonment and injecting drug use are closely linked. This high prevalence means that use of non-sterile injecting equipment whilst in prison carries a high risk of transmission. A new modelling analysis - presented at INHSU 2016 and led by Professor Peter Vickerman at Bristol University's Division of Global Public Health - looked at hepatitis C transmission in scenarios mimicking four global settings: Scotland, Australia, Ukraine and Thailand. It found that prison could contribute massively to overall HCV transmission, whereas introducing prevention programs in prison and amongst individuals transitioning back to the community could significantly reduce these infections. The study is published as part of a recent Lancet-commissioned report on drugs and health. Additional modelling studies in the UK have also shown that treatment with new highly effective therapies could also have a substantial impact, and could be cost-effective if continuity of care is ensured. "It is clear from our modelling that incarceration is a very important driver of HCV transmission in many settings. It is unlikely that it will be controlled without focusing prevention and control measures on incarcerated individuals and those being released from prison," said Professor Vickerman. So far, Australia is one of the only countries to look at the mass scale up of new hepatitis C treatment combined with prevention programs in a prison setting. Health experts at INHSU 2016 say the evidence indicates it is now time for other countries to follow their lead. "The high level of mobility between prison and the community means that the health of prisoners should be a major public-health concern," said President of the International Network of Hepatitis C in Substance Users (INHSU), Associate Professor Jason Grebely, the Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia. "Scaling up harm reduction programs and introducing testing and treatment strategies could potentially reduce and even reverse hepatitis C transmission and help us reach the WHO elimination goals. Yet, screening and treatment for hepatitis C is rarely made available to inmates. If we are serious about treating this disease, we need to seize the opportunity prisons present and make testing, treatment and prevention in this setting a priority." ### ABOUT INHSU 2016 This symposium is the leading international conference focused on the management of hepatitis among substance users. It is organised by the International Network for Hepatitis in Substance Users (INHSU). The symposium is held biennially and was first held in Zurich, Switzerland, in 2009, Brussels, Belgium, in 2011, Munich, Germany, in 2013 and Sydney, Australia, in 2015. INHSU 2016: NEW RESEARCH ON THE MANAGEMENT OFHEPATITIS C IN PRISONS Absence of NSPs in prisons makes HCV prevention difficult Incarceration may contribute substantially to HCV transmission among PWID High HCV incidence is observed in Australian prisons Risk behaviours for HCV acquisition in the prison are high https://www.eiseverywhere.com/file_uploads/8bad1344dd53d15dcdc5eccd27c85956_170_AlexeiZelenev.pdf INDIANAPOLIS - The OPTIMISTIC study, an innovative program developed and implemented by clinician-researchers from the Indiana University Center for Aging Research and the Regenstrief Institute to prevent unnecessary hospitalizations of long stay nursing home residents, has been recognized by the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society as one of 20 articles published from 2000 to 2015 that have shaped the field of geriatrics -- the medical care of older adults. The aim of OPTIMISTIC -- an acronym for Optimizing Patient Transfers, Impacting Medical quality and Improving Symptoms: Transforming Institutional Care -- is to improve care and communication within nursing facilities and between these facilities and acute-care institutions so problems can be caught and solved, improving quality of care and reducing unnecessary hospital transfers. Earlier detection and prevention are key to OPTIMISTIC. If not addressed and prevented, problems such as medication errors, lack of advance care planning and delayed recognition of changes in medical status could result in health decline and hospitalization of the nursing facility resident. The article honored by the journal, "The Optimizing Patient Transfers, Impacting Medical Quality, and Improving Symptoms: Transforming Institutional Care Approach: Preliminary Data from the Implementation of a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Nursing Facility Demonstration Project," was published in Jan. 2015 and focuses on the first years of the initial phase of OPTIMISTIC. Throughout the initial phase, nurses stationed at the 19 participating nursing facilities in central Indiana provided direct support to long-stay residents and their families as well as education and training to the facility staff. OPTIMISTIC nurses led care management reviews to optimize chronic disease management, reduce unnecessary medications and clarify goals of care. "OPTIMISTIC is about systems change," noted first author Kathleen T. Unroe, M.D., MHA, Regenstrief Institute investigator, IU Center for Aging Research center scientist and IU School of Medicine assistant professor of medicine. Dr. Unroe is co-director of Phase 1 and director of Phase 2 of OPTIMISTIC. "The recognition of our 2015 OPTIMISTIC study by the leading geriatrics journal is a testament to the hope of leaders in the field that our model will lead to real impact on improving care for nursing home residents." The IU Center for Aging Research and Regenstrief Institute clinician-researchers chose the acronym OPTIMISTIC to set a tone for how they feel about the potential to improve care for frail older adults. Working with their colleagues and community partners, they are providing education and training in real-world environments, developing a new model of care, and putting increased resources into nursing homes, which they hope will result in system change regionally and across the nation. "Long-stay nursing facility residents are high-need and high-risk individuals who, before OPTIMISTIC, received insufficient attention in the research arena and have been overlooked to a great extent by health care reform," said Greg A. Sachs, M.D., project co-director of the first phase of OPTIMISTIC and director of the IU School of Medicine's Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics. Dr. Sachs is also a professor of medicine, an IU Center for Aging Research center scientist, a Regenstrief Institute investigator and senior author of the commended study. "With OPTIMISTIC, we work with the residents in the nursing homes where they live to improve many aspects of their lives including chronic disease management -- especially for dementia, which affects about half of long-stay residents -- as well as ensure that the medical care they receive matches the goals of the residents and their families." ### In addition to Dr. Unroe and Dr. Sachs, co-authors of the honored study included Laura R. Holtz, B.S. of the IU Center for Aging Research and the Regenstrief Institute; Ellen Miller, Ph.D. of University of Indianapolis; Susan E. Hickman, Ph.D., of the IU School of Nursing; and Greg Arling, Ph.D., formerly with the IU Center for Aging Research and the Regenstrief Institute and now with Purdue University School of Nursing. All continue with OPTIMISTIC. OPTIMISTIC is expected to receive more than $30 million of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services funding from the start of the project in 2012 through its projected conclusion in 2020. This includes $16.9 million awarded earlier this year for the second phase of OPTIMISTIC commencing in October. At that time, the 19 central Indiana nursing homes that participated in the project's initial phase will be joined by 25 additional nursing homes from across Indiana. Phase 2 will continue phase 1 clinical interventions in the existing facilities and, additionally, test a new CMS payment model that incentivizes nursing facilities and their medical staffs to provide higher levels of care on site rather than sending residents to the hospital. OPTIMISTIC's goal remains the improvement of the health and health care of long-term nursing home residents and ultimately reduction of potentially avoidable hospital admissions of older adults. OPTIMISTIC is one of 7 demonstration projects nationwide funded by the CMS Innovations Center through the Initiative to Reduce Avoidable Hospitalizations among Nursing Facility Residents. The authors of "Influence of Studies Published by the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society: Top 20 Articles from 2000-2015" wrote that selection of a study as one of the top 20 articles was based on study objective, relevance of the findings, and effect on current practice. A research team including Professor William Laurance from James Cook University has discovered there has been a catastrophic decline in global wilderness areas during the past 20 years. The team showed that since the 1990s, one-tenth of all global wilderness has vanished--an area twice the size of Alaska. The Amazon and Central Africa have been hardest hit. The findings underscore an urgent need for international policies to recognise the value of wilderness and to address unprecedented threats to it, the researchers said. "Environmental policies are failing the world's vanishing wildernesses," said Professor Laurance. "Despite being strongholds for imperiled biodiversity, regulating local climates, and sustaining many indigenous communities, wilderness areas are vanishing before our eyes." The research team, led by James Watson of the Wildlife Conservation Society and the University of Queensland, mapped biologically and ecologically intact landscapes free of any significant human disturbance around the globe. The researchers then compared their current map of the wilderness to one produced by the same means in the early 1990s. Their updated map shows that 30 million square kilometres (23 percent of the world's land area) still survives as wilderness, with the majority being located in North America, North Asia, North Africa and Australia. However, an estimated 3.3 million square kilometres of wilderness area was destroyed in the past 20 years. Losses have been greatest in South America, which suffered a 30 percent loss of its wilderness, and Africa, which experienced a 14 percent loss. "The amount of wilderness lost in just two decades is both staggering and saddening. International policies are urgently needed to maintain surviving wilderness before it's too late. We probably have just one or two decades to turn this crisis around," said Professor Laurance. Prof. Laurance said the United Nations and other international bodies have ignored globally significant wilderness areas in key multilateral environmental agreements, and that has to change. "Once a wilderness is lost, it almost never comes back," said Prof. Laurance. "The only option is to proactively protect the wilderness we have left." ### Photo captions (all photos by William Laurance; can be used freely with attribution): Link: http://bit.ly/2cuC0Rt Photo1: A dawn mist rises over a rainforest in Peninsular Malaysia. Photo2: An altiplano wilderness high in the Colombian Andes. Photo3: An elephant strolls through the wilds of northern Tanzania. Photo4: Human encroachment, such as this illegal gold mining in Suriname, South America, is imperilling the world's remaining wilderness areas. Reference: James Watson, Danielle Shanahan, Moreno Di Marco, James Allan, William Laurance, Eric Sanderson, Brendan Mackey, and Oscar Venter. 2016. "Catastrophic Declines in Wilderness Areas Undermine Global Environment Targets". Current Biology, http://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(16)30993-9 / DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.08.049 Infantile hemangiomas (IH) are benign vascular tumors occurring in 4-5% of infants. These tumors resolve spontaneously or in response to propranolol treatment; however, they resemble other vascular anomalies and cannot be definitively diagnosed without biopsy. In this issue of JCI Insight, Jonathan Perkins of University of Washington and colleagues analyzed IH tumor tissue, IH patient plasma, and non-IH vascular anomalies to identify a set of microRNAs that are specific for IH. MicroRNAs are small RNA molecules that do not encode genes, but instead regulate the expression of other genes. The IH-specific set of microRNAs, known as C19MC, was specifically upregulated in IH tumor cells and was also detectable in IH patient plasma. Importantly, circulating C19MC microRNAs decreased in parallel with IH tumor regression, but rebounded with tumor re-growth. These results suggest that plasma C19MC microRNAs could be used to diagnose and monitor IH treatment. Additionally, C19MC microRNAs may be important in IH pathogenesis, as their known targets include genes encoding inhibitors of cell growth and proliferation. TITLE: Endothelial and circulating C19MC microRNAs are biomarkers of infantile hemangioma ### AUTHOR CONTACT: Jonathan Perkins Seattle Children's Research Institute Email: jonathan.perkins@seattlechildrens.org View this article at: http://insight.jci.org/articles/view/88856?key=f843954190c60e07efa9 JCI Insight is the newest publication from the American Society of Clinical Investigation, a nonprofit honor organization of physician-scientists. JCI Insight is dedicated to publishing a range of translational biomedical research with an emphasis on rigorous experimental methods and data reporting. All articles published in JCI Insight are freely available at the time of publication. For more information about JCI Insight and all of the latest articles go to http://www.insight.jci.org. Metastasis of cancer cells to sites distant from the primary tumor is the leading cause of cancer-related death, and there is growing evidence that platelets aid the dissemination of cancer cells. In this issue of JCI Insight, Pierre Henri Mangin and colleagues at the Etablissement Francais du Sang-Alsace have shown that a molecule expressed on platelets, known as 61 integrin, participates in tumor metastasis by promoting interactions between tumor cells and platelets. Compared to control animals, mice lacking 61 integrin specifically on platelets exhibited decreased lung metastasis after injection of tumor cells intravenously or into the mammary fat pad. Mangin and colleagues determined that the tumor cell protein ADAM9 binds platelet 61 integrin to promote platelet activation and tumor cell extravasation. Importantly, antibody-mediated blockade of 61 integrin inhibited tumor metastasis in murine models of breast cancer and melanoma. These findings suggest that disruption of tumor/platelet interactions could prevent metastasis. TITLE: Platelet integrin 61 controls lung metastasis through direct binding to cancer cell-derived ADAM9 ### AUTHOR CONTACT: Pierre Henri Mangin Universite de Strasbourg, Etablissement Francais du Sang-Alsace (EFS-Alsace) Email: Pierre.Mangin@efs.sante.fr View this article at: http://insight.jci.org/articles/view/88245?key=6dfacd2b29ec14f2ebd8 JCI Insight is the newest publication from the American Society of Clinical Investigation, a nonprofit honor organization of physician-scientists. JCI Insight is dedicated to publishing a range of translational biomedical research with an emphasis on rigorous experimental methods and data reporting. All articles published in JCI Insight are freely available at the time of publication. For more information about JCI Insight and all of the latest articles go to http://www.insight.jci.org. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by accumulation of thick mucus in the lungs and is associated with a high incidence of bacterial infection. Mutations in the gene encoding CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) underlie the disease. Gene therapy to deliver a normal copy of the CFTR gene has shown promise in both pre-clinical models and clinical trials; however, current gene delivery methods are inefficient and do not result in sustained expression of functional CFTR in the airways. Two studies in this issue of JCI Insight report the development and use of viral vector-based delivery of CFTR in pig models of CF. A team led by Patrick Sinn and Paul McCray Jr. of the University of Iowa developed a lentiviral-based vector that was delivered through the nose to newborn CF pigs. Analysis of these animals revealed evidence of functional CFTR expression in the airways. A second team led by Joseph Zabner of the University of Iowa and David Schaffer of the University of California, Berkeley, generated an adeno-associated virus (AAV) that homes to the pig airway to mediate expression of functional CFTR in the airways of 1 week-old CF pigs. Together, these reports indicate that viral vector-based approaches could potentially improve the effectiveness of CFTR gene therapy. TITLE: Lentiviral-mediated phenotypic correction of cystic fibrosis pigs AUTHOR CONTACT: Paul B. McCray, Jr. The University of Iowa Email: paul-mccray@uiowa.edu Patrick L. Sinn The University of Iowa Email: patrick-sinn@uiowa.edu. View this article at: http://insight.jci.org/articles/view/88730?key=b4689e6b7aedc95452bc TITLE: gene transfer with AAV improves early cystic fibrosis pig phenotypes AUTHOR CONTACT: Joseph Zabner University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Email:joseph-zabner@uiowa.edu David Schaffer University of California, Berkeley Email: schaffer@berkeley.edu. View this article at: http://insight.jci.org/articles/view/88728?key=7e8c808d25cd5e3b5597 ### JCI Insight is the newest publication from the American Society of Clinical Investigation, a nonprofit honor organization of physician-scientists. JCI Insight is dedicated to publishing a range of translational biomedical research with an emphasis on rigorous experimental methods and data reporting. All articles published in JCI Insight are freely available at the time of publication. For more information about JCI Insight and all of the latest articles go to http://www.insight.jci.org. Public confidence in vaccines varies widely between countries and regions around the world, and the European region is the most sceptical about vaccine safety, according to the largest ever global survey of confidence in vaccines. [1] With recent disease outbreaks triggered by people refusing vaccination, the authors believe the findings provide valuable insights, which could help policymakers identify and address issues. The new study, published in EBioMedicine, is led by researchers from the Vaccine Confidence Project at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, together with co-authors at Imperial College London and the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore. Nearly 66,000 people were surveyed across 67 countries to discover their views on whether vaccines are important, safe, effective, and compatible with their religious beliefs. [2] Although overall sentiment towards vaccines was positive across the countries surveyed, the researchers found significant variation in attitudes around the world. The European region had seven of the ten countries in the global sample that were the least confident in vaccine safety (France, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Russia, Ukraine, Greece, Armenia and Slovenia). France was the country least confident in safety, with 41% of those surveyed disagreeing that vaccines are safe, more than three times the global average of 12%. France was followed by Bosnia & Herzegovina (36%), Russia (28%) and Mongolia (27%), with Greece, Japan and Ukraine not far behind (25%). [3] The Southeast Asian region was most confident in vaccine safety across countries, including Bangladesh (fewer than 1% did not think vaccines are safe), Indonesia (3%) and Thailand (6%). The authors say the negative attitudes in France may come as a result of a number of controversies in the country over the past two decades, including controversy over suspected side effects of the Hepatitis B and HPV vaccines, and hesitancy among a significant proportion of GPs as to the usefulness of some vaccines. Public trust in immunisation is an increasingly important global health issue. Decreases in confidence can lead to people refusing vaccines, which in turn has triggered disease outbreaks such as measles in the US, Europe, Asia, the Pacific and Africa. It has also caused setbacks to the global polio eradication programme. The World Health Organization's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization has called for improved monitoring of vaccine confidence and hesitancy to help prevent these damaging public health consequences. Study lead author, Dr Heidi Larson from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: "Our findings give an insight into public opinion about vaccines on an unprecedented scale. It is vital to global public health that we regularly monitor attitudes towards vaccines so that we can quickly identify countries or groups with declining confidence. We can then act swiftly to investigate what is driving the shift in attitudes. This gives us the best chance of preventing possible outbreaks of diseases like measles, polio and meningitis which can cause illness, life-long disability and death. "It's striking that Europe stands out as the region most sceptical about vaccine safety. And, in a world where the internet means beliefs and concerns about vaccines can be shared in an instant, we should not underestimate the influence this can have on other countries around the world." The findings show that many countries (particularly France, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Japan, Iran, Mongolia and Vietnam), display much greater confidence in the importance of vaccines than in their safety. This suggests that people do not necessarily dismiss the value of vaccination even if they have doubts about how safe vaccines are. Dr Larson added: "Our study suggests that the public largely understands the importance of vaccines, but safety is their primary concern. This could reflect a worrying confidence gap and shows that vaccine acceptance is precarious. The findings underline that the scientific and public health community needs to do much better at building public trust in the safety of vaccination." Bangladesh, Iran and Ecuador had the highest proportion of people who agreed that vaccines are important, while Russia, Italy and Azerbaijan reported most scepticism around their importance. Although the researchers found that in some countries particular religious groups were more sceptical of vaccines than others were, no single religion was associated with negative attitudes worldwide. They say this indicates that the impact religion has on attitudes towards vaccines is dependent on the local context, rather than being driven by the religious doctrine itself. Another finding suggested that older people (aged 65 and over) globally had more positive views on vaccines than other age groups. WIN/Gallup International Association collected the data as part of their annual end-of-year survey. Survey responses were either collected through face-to-face interviews, telephone or online, based on phone and internet availability in each country. The researchers note that the findings cannot reveal whether attitudes were related to specific vaccines, or give reasons behind the attitudes expressed. They hope future surveys will provide these insights, and that this study can be used as a baseline to monitor change in attitudes towards vaccines over time. ### Additional key country and regional data available in notes to editors. Notes to editors: * Heidi J Larson, Alexandre de Figueiredo, Zhao Xiahong, William S Schulz, Pierre Verger, Iain G. Johnston, Alex R Cook, Nick S Jones,The State of Vaccine Confidence 2016: Global insights through a 67-country survey, EbioMedicine. DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.08.042 http://www.ebiomedicine.com/article/S2352-3964(16)30398-X [1] World regions are categorised by World Health Organization region according to definitions at http://www.who.int/about/regions/en [2] The WIN/Gallup International Association has been conducting an annual survey since 1977. For this study WIN/Gallup International extended their 14 question survey in 67 countries to include four questions related to attitudes towards vaccines. A total of 65,819 people were interviewed globally, with a sample of around 500 men and 500 women interviewed either face-to-face in each country, via telephone or online. Each respondent was asked to rate - on the five-point Likert scale: strongly agree, tend to agree, do not know, tend to disagree, strongly disagree. Questions were: "vaccines are important for children to have"; "overall I think vaccines are safe"; "overall I think vaccines are effective"; and "vaccines are compatible with my religious beliefs". [3] Figures used based on raw data which includes 'do not know/no response' survey responses (as used in paper abstract). Both raw and normalised data (with 'do not know/no response' responses removed) for each country are available in the Supplementary Materials (Table S1). Key country and regional data Regions ranked by confidence in the safety of vaccines Southeast Asian Region (4.4% of people disagree that vaccines are safe) - most confident African Region (7.4%) American Region (8.3%) Eastern Mediterranean Region (9.4%) Western Pacific Region (15.0%) European Region (15.8%) - least confident Countries most confident in the safety of vaccines Bangladesh (Fewer than 1% of people surveyed disagreed that vaccines are safe) - most confident Saudi Arabia (1%) Argentina (1%) Philippines (2%) Ecuador (3%) Countries least confident in the safety of vaccines France (41% of people surveyed disagreed that vaccines are safe) - least confident Bosnia & Herzegovina (36%) Russia (28%) Mongolia (27%) Greece (25%) [tied with Japan and Ukraine, also 25%] Regions ranked by confidence in the importance of vaccines Southeast Asian Region (2.3% of people disagree that vaccines are important) - most confident Eastern Mediterranean Region (3.4%) African Region (3.5%) American Region (4.0%) Western Pacific Region (6.2%) European Region (7.7% of people disagree that vaccines are important) - least confident Countries most confident in the importance of vaccines Bangladesh (Fewer than 1% of people surveyed disagreed that vaccines are important) - most confident Iran (Fewer than 1%) Ecuador (Fewer than 1%) Philippines (Fewer than 1%) Argentina (Fewer than 1%) Countries least confident in the importance of vaccines Russia (16% of people surveyed disagreed that vaccines are important) - least confident Italy (15%) Azerbaijan (14%) China (14%) Slovenia (13%) About the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is a world-leading centre for research and postgraduate education in public and global health, with more than 4,000 students and 1,000 staff working in over 100 countries. The School is one of the highest-rated research institutions in the UK, and among the world's leading schools in public and global health. Our mission is to improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide; working in partnership to achieve excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of knowledge into policy and practice. http://www.lshtm.ac.uk A new study has estimated, for the first time, the numbers of people with Down syndrome in the U.S., from 1950 until 2010. The total number arrived at by the investigation, which also is the first to break down its findings by ethnic group, is considerably less than previously estimated by several organizations. "Almost every book, web page and research article about Down syndrome begins with what should be a simple fact - the number of people living with the condition in the U.S. - but what we found is that most of those statistics are gross overestimations of the actual data," says Brian Skotko, MD, MPP, of MassGeneral Hospital for Children, co-director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Down Syndrome Program and senior author of the report receiving advance online publication in the journal Genetics in Medicine. "With these new detailed estimates, we hope that policymakers can better appraise the impact of proposed legislation for this population, which has evolving racial and ethnic compositions, and nonprofit groups can better assess how representative their members are of the population at large. We also have established a crucial baseline to establish the effects, if any, of noninvasive prenatal testing for Down syndrome that has become available across the country," he says. Skotko and his co-authors - lead author Gert de Graaf, PhD, Dutch Down Syndrome Foundation, and Frank Buckley, Down Syndrome Education International/USA - have conducted several studies estimating numbers of individuals with Down syndrome nationwide or in areas like the state of Massachusetts and examining the effects of factors such as prenatal testing on total numbers. Other groups have estimated the prevalence of Down syndrome - numbers of individuals with Down syndrome per 10,000 population - at specific points in time, but this is the first to estimate how numbers have changed over a 60-year period. The research team based their estimates on what they believe to be a larger and more accurate set of databases than previous studies have used - covering factors such as the numbers of children born with Down syndrome, how those numbers have been affected by changes in the overall population and by the availability of prenatal testing and elective termination, and how many individuals with the condition have survived to adulthood. The total number they arrived at for 2010 was 206,366 individuals with Down syndrome in the U.S., compared with almost 50,000 in 1950, including both those born in the U.S. and those who moved to the U.S. after being born in other countries. The population prevalence for 2010 was 6.7 per 10,000 for the overall population. Broken down by ethnic and racial groups, the total 2010 estimates were 138,019 non-Hispanic whites, 27,151 non-Hispanic blacks, 32,933 Hispanics, 6,747 Asians/Pacific Islanders, and 1,527 Native Americans/Alaskans. For all ethnic and racial groups, numbers of individuals with Down syndrome were greater in younger age groups, but the growth over the years in the numbers of older individuals with Down syndrome reflects how the condition has changed from what was almost exclusively a childhood disability in the 1950s to one impacting a significant number of adults and older Americans. Skotko explains, "Prior to the 1980s the medical community did not surgically correct the heart defects that were present in up to half the babies with Down syndrome. Now the surgeries are commonplace and ethically required, enabling children who would have died to lead thriving and healthy lives. Our growing understanding of how to treat other frequently co-occurring conditions - such as thyroid disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and leukemia - has also expanded longevity." An assistant professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, Skotko adds that their data on the ethnic diversity of the Down syndrome population will be valuable to organizations providing services to individuals with Down syndrome and their families. "Nonprofit support groups can now ask, for example, 'How many non-Hispanic blacks with Down syndrome are in our membership, and are the numbers representative of the local and national populations?' The number of Hispanics with Down syndrome has been growing incrementally, reflecting the growth of that population, while numbers among non-Hispanic whites have been slowing. Now we can begin to ask whether our resources, health care, and support systems are evolving to meet the needs of the changing population." ### Massachusetts General Hospital, founded in 1811, is the original and largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. The MGH Research Institute conducts the largest hospital-based research program in the nation, with an annual research budget of more than $800 million and major research centers in HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular research, cancer, computational and integrative biology, cutaneous biology, human genetics, medical imaging, neurodegenerative disorders, regenerative medicine, reproductive biology, systems biology, photomedicine and transplantation biology. The MGH topped the 2015 Nature Index list of health care organizations publishing in leading scientific journals, earned the prestigious 2015 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service. In August 2016 the MGH was once again named to the Honor Roll in the U.S. News & World Report list of "America's Best Hospitals." Precision time signals sent through the Global Positioning System (GPS) synchronize cellphone calls, time-stamp financial transactions, and support safe travel by aircraft, ship, train and car. What if GPS goes down? The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO), which operate U.S. civilian and military time standards, respectively, have worked with two companies--Monroe, Louisiana-based CenturyLink, and Aliso Viejo, California-based Microsemi--to identify a practical backup possibility: Commercial fiber-optic telecommunications networks. In GPS systems, transmissions can be disrupted unintentionally by radio interference or the weather in space, for instance. Various types of intentional interference are possible also. Federal agencies have long recognized the need to back up GPS, a collection of several dozen satellites that has provided users with time and position information since the 1970s. To explore the possibility of using commercial telecom networks as a backup for time services, an ongoing experiment connects the NIST time scales in Boulder, Colorado, with the USNO alternate time scale at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado Springs by means of CenturyLink's fiber-optic cables. The two federal time scales, 150 kilometers apart, are ensembles of clocks that generate versions of the international standard for time, Coordinated Universal Time (known as UTC), in real time. In this experiment, time signals were sent at regular intervals in both directions between the two locations. Researchers measured the differences between the remote (transmitted) and local time. The results, just presented at a conference, showed UTC could be transferred with a stability of under 100 nanoseconds (ns, or billionths of a second)--thus meeting the project's original goal for this metric--as long as the connection remained unbroken. Stability refers to how well the remote and local clocks remain synchronized. Because the signals were forwarded by various pieces of equipment along each path, they experienced significant unequal delays in the two different directions. This reduced overall performance, resulting in an accuracy that did not meet the stated goal of 1 microsecond (millionths of a second).* With the GPS available to calibrate (and thus correct for) the unequal delays, time transfer could be accomplished maintaining that calibration within 100 ns if GPS were to "disappear," the study suggests. "The 100 ns stability level is good enough to meet a new telecommunications standard," said lead author Marc Weiss, a mathematical physicist at NIST. "We'll continue trying to meet the 1 microsecond accuracy level, which is needed by critical infrastructure such as the power industry." The conference paper notes that if the fiber-optic network or its power source went down and had to be re-established, then GPS or some other alternative time reference would be needed to recalibrate the fiber-optic circuit. The authors suggest the fiber network could serve as a partial backup to the GPS, and the GPS could be used for calibration to correct timing delays. Or, to provide a more reliable backup for the GPS, two independent telecom network paths could be used. In the experiment, fiber-optic cables run from NIST and USNO to their respective nearby CenturyLink offices, where the signals are multiplexed into the network on a dedicated wavelength not shared with any other customers. The experiment began in April 2014 and will run through the end of 2016. "It appears that there is at least one commercial transport mechanism that could serve to back up GPS for time transfer at the 100 ns level," the paper concludes. "We have some certainty that similar results will apply if this technique were used as a service across the country." The need for precision timing backup has grown along with the importance of GPS. According to a 2013 study by the Government Accountability Office, "GPS is essential to U.S. national security and is a key component in economic growth, safety, and national critical infrastructure sectors." An inability to mitigate GPS disruptions could result in billions of dollars in economic losses, the study found. ### The NIST research is being carried out under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement among NIST, CenturyLink, and Microsemi, which, in addition to collaborating on the research, is providing equipment that transmits and receives timing signals. The project has been extended to January 2017, with the possibility of testing the technique in a time transfer experiment spanning the nation. Paper: M. Weiss, L. Cosart, J. Hanssen and J. Yao. 2016. "Precision Time Transfer using IEEE 1588 over OTN through a Commercial Optical Telecommunications Network." Paper presented Sept. 7, 2016, at the 2016 International IEEE Symposium on Precision Clock Synchronization for Measurement, Control, and Communication, Stockholm, Sweden. *For detailed definitions of accuracy and stability, see NIST background document A New Era for Atomic Clocks (go to the "Evaluating Atomic Clock Performance" section on page 2). NASA's Aqua satellite passed over the U.S. Southwest and captured infrared data on the clouds associated with former Tropical Cyclone Newton. The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder or AIRS instrument that flies aboard Aqua gathered infrared data of Newton's remnant clouds on Sept. 8 at 4:35 p.m. EDT. The image showed a large area of cold cloud top temperatures near minus 27.6 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 33.1 degrees Celsius/ 240 Kelvin) over Arizona and New Mexico. Those cold cloud tops were high into the troposphere and the associated storms were generating rainfall over the region. At 5 p.m. EDT (2100 UTC) on Wednesday, Sept. 7 the National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued their final bulletin on Newton. At that time, the center of Post-Tropical Cyclone Newton was located over southeastern Arizona near 31.6 degree north latitude and 111.2 degrees west longitude. It was centered about 25 miles (40 km) west-northwest of Nogales, Arizona and 40 miles (65 km) south-southwest of Tucson, Arizona. Maximum sustained winds had decreased to near 35 mph (55 kph) and the post-tropical cyclone was moving toward the north-northeast near 18 mph (30 kph). On Sept. 8, the National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Prediction Center (WPC) in College Park Maryland said that moisture associated with Newton is expected to spread heavy rain across the desert southwest during the day. The NOAA NWS WPC discussion stated "Arizona and New Mexico have observed several inches of rain from Post-Tropical Cyclone Newton as it tracked northward into the Desert Southwest. This storm has quickly weakened during the overnight hours and is forecast to dissipate this morning. However, tropical moisture associated with its remnants will continue to bring heavy downpours from eastern Arizona into western New Mexico - flash flooding and mud slides are possible." ### A documentary by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) on its ground-breaking earthquake research in Nepal has bagged several top international film awards. These include the prestigious Remi Award at the 2016 WorldFest Houston International Film Festival, one of the world's largest film festivals where top filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Ridley Scott received their first honours. The 25-minute documentary also clinched the Sierra Nevada Award, given to the world's finest independent feature films and documentaries, and the Rochester International Film Festival's Certificate of Merit, the world's oldest short film festival. It was also screened at 13 film festivals worldwide such as the International Festival of Science Documentary Films in Czech Republic and the Roma Cinema Documentary Festival in Italy. Produced by NTU filmmakers and scientists together with Nepal's Department of Mines and Geology, the documentary titled "The Ratu River Expedition", sheds light on one of the biggest faults in the world which caused a devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Nepal early last year. In the documentary, NTU researchers from its Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS) use new technologies to show the region is at risk for years to come, and how continued research could help anticipate future earthquakes. Professor Isaac Kerlow, group leader of EOS' Art and Media team, said, "Bringing the fruits of scientific research closer to the general public is an important goal of this interdisciplinary collaboration. Films provide an effective way to bring cutting-edge Earth science discoveries to the communities at risk from natural hazards." Ground-breaking quake research NTU scientists set off in early 2014 to study the fault that passes through the Ratu River at the feet of the Himalayas, 140 kilometres south of Mount Everest, in the South East of Nepal. Led by structural geologist Assistant Professor Judith Hubbard, The Ratu River Expedition aims to understand how big and how frequent Nepal's earthquakes are likely to be by studying the geometry of faults. This was achieved by using state-of-the-art technologies such as a seismic truck equipped with instruments that enabled scientists to visualise active faults, similar to ultrasound imaging. NTU scientists were then able to create a map of the faults and compared it with historical data dating back as early as the 13th century, allowing them to better anticipate future earthquakes in Nepal. Asst Prof Hubbard said, "Studies have shown that if we are able to examine what had happened in the past, we will be able to better understand which regions are safe and which are more at risk. "This would enable governments to plan emergency procedures more effectively," said the Nanyang Assistant Professor. Moving forward, Asst Prof Hubbard's team plans to drill about 100 meters deep below the Ratu River, to study the rocks which can be used to better understand the fault and how fast it shifts. ### About Nanyang Technological University, Singapore A research-intensive public university, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has 33,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students in the colleges of Engineering, Business, Science, Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences, and its Interdisciplinary Graduate School. It has a joint medical school, the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, set up with Imperial College London. NTU Singapore is also home to world-class autonomous institutes - the National Institute of Education, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Earth Observatory of Singapore, and Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering - and various leading research centres such as the Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI), Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N) and the Institute on Asian Consumer Insight (ACI). Ranked 13th in the world, NTU Singapore has also been ranked the world's top young university for the last two years running. The University's main campus has been named one of the Top 15 Most Beautiful in the World. NTU also has a campus in Novena, Singapore's medical district. For more information, visit http://www.ntu.edu.sg Trailer: https://vimeo.com/137462819 Full video documentary (embeddable): https://vimeo.com/168022576 Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis, a pathogen that causes potentially fatal disease in most mammals, including humans. A study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases reports that a related bacillus with distinct genetic and biological characteristics causes anthrax-like disease in chimps, gorillas, elephants, and goats from four different African countries. Increased surveillance for this pathogen is needed to evaluate its impact on animal and human health. Bacillus anthracis and its two close relatives, Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus cereus, are spore-forming bacteria naturally found in soil throughout much of the world. Their ability to cause disease depends on so-called virulence factors, some of which are encoded on plasmids (smaller parts of genetic material that can relatively easily be exchanged between bacteria) rather than the single chromosome. B. anthracis contains two such plasmids called pXO1 and pXO2, and both are required for full virulence. Fabian Leendertz, from the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin, Germany, and colleagues, had previously described an unusual B. cereus bacterium isolated from a sick chimpanzee in Ivory Coast. This isolate possessed both the pXO1 and pXO2 'anthrax' plasmids, but its chromosome was closely related to B. cereus and not to B. anthracis. Because the bacterium appeared to have evolved from a B. cereus strain independently from the classic B. anthracis strains and established a B. anthracis lifestyle, the researchers called it 'B. cereus biovar (bv) anthracis'. In the current study, they describe the origin and detailed molecular analysis of four additional B. cereus bv anthracis isolates. The bacteria were isolated from a goat, gorillas, a chimpanzee, and an elephant in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. All animals were sick or dead. Like the chimpanzee isolate from Ivory Coast, the new isolates shared the two virulence plasmids pXO1 and pXO2 with B. anthracis but chromosomal features with B. cereus. More detailed analysis of their genomes suggested that the B. cereus bv anthracis isolates form a 'clade', which means they share a common ancestor. B. anthracis isolates, on the other hand, have a different ancestor and belong to a different clade. All B. cereus bv anthracis isolates possessed the same mutation in the regulator gene plcR, different from the one found in B. anthracis, and carry an intact copy of a gene mutated in B. anthracis, which enables them to produce a second outer shell composed of hyaluronic acid. While closely related, the individual B. cereus bv anthracis isolates also differed amongst each other, for example in their ability to move in liquid medium and their resistance or sensitivity to penicillin, suggesting that this clade has existed and evolved for a while. Their findings, the researchers say, "show the existence of a discrete clade of the B. cereus group capable of causing anthrax-like disease, found in areas of high biodiversity". They call for systematic surveillance "to establish the impact of these pathogenic bacteria on threatened wildlife species", and warn that "consumption of wildlife found dead by the local population and presence in a domestic animal reveal potential sources of exposure to humans". ### Please contact plosntds@plos.org if you would like more information about our content and specific topics of interest. All works published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases are open access, which means that everything is immediately and freely available. Use this URL in your coverage to provide readers access to the paper upon publication: http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0004923 (Link goes live upon article publication) Funding: The project was funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) grant KL 2521/1-1. The DRC sampling mission was funded in part by Canadian Science and Security Project #CSSP-2012-CD-1003. Further funding was obtained from Hans-Bockler-Foundation and the EAZA Ape Conservation Fund. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. Most bivalves live in sand or mud or attached to rock surface. However, a new bivalve species described from Japan lives on a sea cucumber. Ryutaro Goto, postdoctoral fellow in Museum of Zoology and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, and Hiroshi Ishikawa, amateur malacologist in Japan, have their paper, describing the new species, published in the open access journal ZooKeys. The new species, named Borniopsis mortoni (Galeommatoidea), was discovered in mudflats at the mouth of the Souzu River, southwestern Shikoku Island, Japan. This bivalve has tiny brownish shells (up to 4.1 mm in length). The species lives attached by both its foot and byssal threads to the body surface of the earthworm-like sea cucumber Patinapta ooplax (Synaptidae). Individuals of B. mortoni are often found on the same host, yet sometimes there could be more than 10 individuals existing side-by-side. The new species is dedicated to a famous British malacologist Brian Morton, emeritus professor of University of Hong Kong. He has described many interesting Pseudopythina species from mudflats in Hong Kong, now assigned to the genus Borniopsis. Host sea cucumbers burrow in mudflats. Most likely, the B. mortoni bivalve uses the host burrows as shelter from predators. The new species is one of the smallest species in this genus. With the burrow of the host sea cucumber being very narrow, the small body size of B. mortoni is probably a corresponding adaptation. ### Original source: Goto R, Ishikawa H (2016) Borniopsis mortoni sp. n. (Heterodonta, Galeommatoidea, Galeommatidae sensu lato), a new bivalve commensal with a synaptid sea cucumber from Japan. ZooKeys 615: 33-45. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.615.8125 TORONTO, Sept. 8, 2016--Newborn screening is considered to be a "baby's first test." Within the first two days of birth, a baby's heel is pricked to obtain a small amount of blood that is screened for up to dozens of genetic diseases, especially those where early detection and treatment can prevent irreversible damage. However, technological advances have allowed newborn screening to test for hundreds of diseases, including those for which there may be no established treatment, and identify infants that are carriers of genes for certain diseases. A new study published online today in the journal Genetics in Medicine found that parents said they wanted to be given all of that information - not just whether their babies had a treatable condition but whether they were also just the carrier of a gene that could be passed onto their own children. But when they were given their babies' carrier information, many parents didn't use it, or used the information inappropriately, said lead author Dr. Yvonne Bombard, a genomics and health services researcher in the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital. Identifying infant carriers through newborn screening is controversial because it goes against international guidelines and it is done without consent - newborn screening is a universal, routine screen that does not typically require explicit consent from parents. However, some say that the identification of infant carriers provides the opportunity to inform parents and infants of future reproductive risks, a position that has been used to justify screening for diseases that are not necessarily treatable. Dr. Bombard's study looked at the reproductive impact of carrier result disclosure through newborn screening, using Cystic Fibrosis as a case example. She found that 92 per cent of parents shared the news with other relatives. But 65 per cent said the news would not influence their family planning decisions. All the mothers said they valued learning their infants' carrier results. Some had carrier testing and shared the results with family. Others did not use the results or used them in unintended ways - such as sharing the news with both sides of the family when only one parent was a carrier. ### About St. Michael's Hospital St. Michael's Hospital provides compassionate care to all who enter its doors. The hospital also provides outstanding medical education to future health care professionals in more than 23 academic disciplines. Critical care and trauma, heart disease, neurosurgery, diabetes, cancer care, and care of the homeless are among the Hospital's recognized areas of expertise. Through the Keenan Research Centre and the Li Ka Shing International Healthcare Education Center, which make up the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, research and education at St. Michael's Hospital are recognized and make an impact around the world. Founded in 1892, the hospital is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. Media contact For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Leslie Shepherd Manager, Media Strategy Phone: 416-864-6094 shepherdl@smh.ca St. Michael's Hospital Inspired Care. Inspiring Science. http://www.stmichaelshospital.com Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/stmikeshospital LA JOLLA, CA - September 8, 2016 - A series of new studies led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) describe a potential vaccination strategy to jump-start the selection and evolution of broadly effective antibodies to prevent HIV infection. The researchers plan to test this strategy in an upcoming human clinical trial. The new studies, published September 8, 2016, in the journals Cell and Science, showed the immune system can be prompted to mimic and accelerate a rare natural process during which antibodies slowly evolve to become better and better at targeting the constantly mutating HIV virus. "Although we still have a long way to go, we're making really good progress toward a human vaccine," said William Schief, professor at TSRI and director of vaccine design for IAVI's Neutralizing Antibody Center (NAC) at TSRI, whose lab developed many of the vaccine proteins tested in these studies. Schief co-led several of the new studies with TSRI Professor David Nemazee; Dennis Burton, James & Jessie Minor chair of the TSRI Department of Immunology and Microbial Science and scientific director of the IAVI NAC and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery (CHAVI-ID); and Ian Wilson, Hansen Professor of Structural Biology and chair of the Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology at TSRI. Developing a Blueprint A vaccine needs to elicit those rare antibodies, called "broadly neutralizing antibodies" (bnAbs), which fight a wide variety of strains of HIV--and it needs to elicit them quickly. One strategy to accomplish this, which scientists at TSRI have dubbed the "reductionist" strategy, is to find which antibody mutations are most important for making them effective against HIV, then to "prime" the immune system to start making antibody precursors. From there, scientists hope to prompt one important mutation after another with a series of different "booster" shots, deliberately building up a bnAb one step at a time. In a recent study in the journal PLOS Pathogens, the scientists created 3D maps of a structure on HIV known as the CD4 binding site. If antibodies successfully attack this site, scientists believe, most strains of HIV could be crippled. The researchers also created high-resolution maps of bnAbs that could bind to the CD4 binding site. "This is one of the most complete blueprints we've had for this target," said Jean-Philippe Julien, a research associate in Wilson's lab at the time of the study, who served as co-first author of the study with TSRI Research Associate Joseph Jardine, IAVI Research Scientist Devin Sok and Bryan Briney, assistant professor of immunology at TSRI. The scientists then studied stripped-down versions of the bnAbs to see exactly which components were important in targeting the CD4 binding site. With the results from the PLOS Pathogens study, the researchers finally had a guide to which mutations were the most important. They also had a better idea of which antibody-eliciting molecules, called immunogens, could be given in booster shots to trigger the right mutations at the right time. "We're figuring how to boost antibodies to the next step--how to keep walking them along the path to increased breadth and potency after we get them started with a priming shot," said Jardine. Training Promising Antibodies This finding set the stage for the three new studies. For the first one, published in Cell, researchers tested a priming immunogen, followed by a series of booster immunogens from the Schief lab. The immunogens were tested in a mouse model, developed by the Nemazee lab, which was engineered to have the genes (the raw materials) to make antibodies with the right mutations to target the CD4 binding site. The team found that the elicited antibodies more closely resembled mature antibodies. The sequence of immunogens had done their job. "The study showed that the immunogens are working," said Nemazee. "They mutate the antibody-producing B cells in the right direction." "The elicited antibodies share many genetic features with mature bnAbs and have the ability to neutralize one native HIV isolate as well as multiple other HIV isolates that we modified slightly to make them easier to neutralize," added Briney, who served as first author of the study with Sok, Jardine, IAVI and TSRI Staff Scientist Daniel Kulp and TSRI Research Assistant Patrick Skog. "We will probably need additional booster immunogens to elicit antibodies that can broadly neutralize native HIV isolates, but our results suggest we are on the right track." In the second Cell study, led by John R. Mascola at the NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) Vaccine Research Center and Frederick W. Alt, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) researcher at Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, along with TSRI co-authors, took the reductionist approach a step further, showing that it could induce antibodies in mouse models with immune systems that can create an even wider range of antibodies--more similar to the human immune system. Results from the Science study further supported the reductionist vaccine approach. For the study, the researchers took on an even bigger challenge--to "prime" antibodies in a mouse model with a human-like immune system developed by Kymab Ltd, a UK-based company. The Kymab mouse model's more complicated immune system made it more difficult for a vaccine protein to find and activate the "precursor" cells that have potential to produce bnAbs against the CD4 binding site. In fact, the researchers estimated that each Kymab mouse contained only one such precursor cell on average--with some mice containing none--among approximately 75 million antibody-producing cells. Despite this "needle-in-a-haystack" challenge, scientists found that their vaccine priming protein activated the appropriate antibody precursors in one-third to one-half of mice tested, suggesting this feat would also be possible in humans, where the targeted precursor cells are more plentiful. "This seems to be a much higher bar than we will face in humans," Schief said. "The reductionist vaccine approach we're undertaking will hopefully not only lead to an HIV vaccine, but also could potentially be applied to other challenging vaccine targets," said Sok, who served as co-first author of the Science study with Briney, Jardine and Kulp. The researchers also gave credit to their strong international collaboration. "Our phenomenal results with the team at The Scripps Research Institute came from work at the interfaces--and boundaries--of vaccine technology, immunology, protein engineering and structural biology," said Professor Allan Bradley, chief technical officer at Kymab and director emeritus of the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. IAVI and partners are planning for a clinical trial for next year to further develop and test whether the reductionist vaccine strategy--starting with activating the right precursors--will work in humans. If successful, the next step will be to test their booster immunogens. ### The first Cell study, "Tailored Immunogens Direct Affinity Maturation Toward HIV Neutralizing Antibodies," included additional authors from the Ragon Institute. The study was supported by the IAVI through the NAC (grant SFP1849); NIAID grants; CHAVI-ID (grants UM1AI100663, P01AI081625 and R01AI073148); the Ragon Institute; and the Helen Hay Whitney Foundation. The second Cell study, "Induction of HIV Neutralizing Antibody Lineages in Mice with Diverse Precursor Repertoires," included additional authors from HHMI; Boston Children's Hospital; Harvard Medical School; the NIH's NIAID Vaccine Research Center; Vanderbilt University; Columbia University; the Ragon Institute; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and the Duke University School of Medicine. This work was supported by the NIH (grants R01AI077595, AI020047, P01 AI094419, U19AI109632, P01-AI104722; CHAVI-ID (grants 5UM1 AI100645 and 1UM1 AI100663); the intramural research program of the NIAID Vaccine Research Center; the IAVI NAC Center; Collaboration for AIDS Vaccine Discovery funding for the IAVI NAC Center; the Ragon Institute and an HHMI Medical Student Fellowship. The Science study, "Priming HIV-1 Broadly Neutralizing Antibody Precursors in Human Ig Loci Transgenic Mice," included additional authors from Kymab Ltd, the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and the Ragon Institute. The study was supported by IAVI, with the generous support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands; the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; the Ragon Institute; the Helen Hay Whitney Foundation; and NIAID (grants P01 AI094419 and CHAVI-ID 1UM1AI100663). See also additional Cell and Immunity studies on HIV/AIDS vaccine work led by TSRI scientists and published on September 8. In a study published online by JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Daniel C. Beachler, Ph.D., M.H.S., and Eric A. Engels, M.D., M.P.H., of the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Md., evaluated the associations of chronic sinusitis with subsequent head and neck cancer in an elderly population. Acute sinusitis is a common inflammatory condition of the sinuses often caused by viral or bacterial infections. The condition is considered chronic when the episode persists longer than 12 weeks. Chronic sinusitis may be involved in the cause of certain head and neck cancers (HNCs), due to immunodeficiency or inflammation. However, the risk of specific HNCs among people with chronic sinusitis is largely unknown. For this study, the researchers used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database and included 483,546 Medicare beneficiaries from SEER areas in a 5 percent random subcohort, and 826,436 from the entire source population who developed cancer (including 21,716 with HNC). Most individuals were female (58 percent), and the average age at entry was 73 years. Chronic sinusitis was associated with risk of developing HNC, particularly nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC), human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal cancer (HPV-OPC), and nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer (NCPSC). Most of this increased risk was limited to risk within 1 year of the chronic sinusitis diagnosis, as associations were largely reduced 1 year or more after chronic sinusitis. All 3 HNC subtypes had cumulative incidence of less than 0.07 percent 8 years after chronic sinusitis diagnosis. The authors write that these findings suggest that sinusitis-related inflammation and/or immunodeficiency play, at most, a minor role in the development of these cancers. "Despite the fact that people with chronic sinusitis have an increased risk for certain subtypes of HNCs, the absolute risk of these cancers is low. The cumulative incidence of NPC, HPV-OPC, and NCPSC was less than 0.10 percent after 8 years of follow-up after a chronic sinusitis diagnosis. There are currently no general U.S. guidelines for HNC screening, but given the low absolute risk, our findings do not support a need for HNC screening in individuals with chronic sinusitis." ### (JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Published online Sept. 8, 2016. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2016.2624. The study is available pre-embargo at the For The Media website.) Editor's Note: This work was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the National Cancer Institute. Both authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest and none were reported. Note: Available pre-embargo at the For The Media website is an accompanying commentary, "Can Chronic Sinusitis Cause Cancer?" by Elisabeth H. Ference, M.D., M.P.H., and Jeffrey D. Suh, M.D., of the University of California-Los Angeles. A major review of the available evidence on the safety and efficacy of statin therapy, published in The Lancet, intends to help doctors, patients and the public make informed decisions about the use of the drugs. The authors warn that the benefits of statin therapy have been underestimated, and the harms exaggerated, because of a failure to acknowledge properly both the wealth of evidence from randomised trials and the limitations of other types of studies. Research on statins has been ongoing for over 30 years, generating a large amount of data from a wide variety of patients. The review published today explains how the available evidence on the efficacy and safety of statin therapy should be interpreted, and concludes that: Lowering cholesterol by 2 mmol/L with an effective low-cost statin therapy (e.g. atorvastatin 40 mg daily, which costs about 2 per month in the UK) for 5 years in 10,000 patients would: Prevent major cardiovascular events (heart attacks, ischaemic strokes and coronary artery bypasses) in 1000 people with pre-existing vascular disease ("secondary prevention"), and in 500 people who are at increased risk (eg, due to their age or having hypertension or diabetes) but have not yet had a vascular event ("primary prevention"). Cause 5 cases of myopathy (one of which might progress to the more severe condition of rhabdomyolysis, if the statin is not stopped), 5-10 haemorrhagic strokes, 50-100 new cases of diabetes and up to 50-100 cases of symptomatic adverse events (such as muscle pain). The authors note that although further research may identify small additional beneficial or adverse effects, this is unlikely to materially alter the balance of benefits and harms for patients because of the evidence generated so far. "Our review shows that the numbers of people who avoid heart attacks and strokes by taking statin therapy are very much larger than the numbers who have side-effects with it. In addition, whereas most of the side-effects can be reversed with no residual effects by stopping the statin, the effects of a heart attack or stroke not being prevented are irreversible and can be devastating. Consequently there is a serious cost to public health from making misleading claims about high side-effect rates that inappropriately dissuade people from taking statin therapy despite the proven benefits," says review author Professor Rory Collins, Clinical Trial Service Unit (CTSU), University of Oxford, UK. [1] Professor Liam Smeeth, co-author from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK adds: "The best available scientific evidence tells us that statins are effective, safe drugs that have a crucial role in helping prevent cardiovascular disease: the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide." [1] Randomised trials vs observational studies The review discusses the strengths and limitations of different types of studies. Randomised controlled trials are a robust and well recognised way of determining the effect of treatments. Whereas observational studies based on databases can generate hypotheses about associations between the use of drugs and health outcomes, randomised trials can determine cause and effect. In a randomised trial, patients are randomly divided into two or more groups - eg, one group is given a drug and the other group is given a dummy treatment (ie, a "placebo"). Researchers then compare the rates of health outcomes between these groups. Randomly allocating patients means that any difference in these rates can generally be attributed to the treatment itself (see panel 1). Additionally, by "blinding" the patients and their doctors as to whether they are taking the drug being studied or a placebo, bias in the assessment of health outcomes between the different treatment groups can be avoided. Meta-analyses bring together evidence from randomised trials that have tested the same treatment and, by including data from a larger and more diverse set of patients, can increase the reliability and generalisability of the results. By contrast, observational studies compare the health outcomes of people who have been given a particular treatment by their doctors as part of routine care, and people who have not been given the treatment. Doctors give treatments to selected patients for good reasons, so the health of the patients given a treatment may be very different to the health of people who are not given it. These differences in the underlying risks of the different groups of patients are hard to predict, and it is not possible to know that they have been allowed for completely in the analyses. In addition, patients prescribed a drug in routine care know that they are getting it, and their doctors may have warned them that the drug may cause problems. Consequently, the patients may be more likely to attribute health outcomes (particularly symptoms that are subjective, eg muscle aching) to the drug, whereas people who are not taking the drug would not do so. As a result, although observational studies may be able to detect large increases in health outcomes that would usually be rare, they are not able to produce reliable evidence about the effects of drug treatments when the health outcomes are common or the effects are not large (see panel 2). Benefits of statin therapy Evidence from large population studies, combined with studies in animals, genetic research and randomised controlled trials have confirmed a causal link between higher levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood and higher risks of vascular disease. Meta-analyses of large randomised controlled trials of statin therapy indicate that each 1 mmol/L reduction in LDL cholesterol with statin therapy reduces the risk of coronary deaths and heart attacks, ischaemic strokes (strokes due to blood clots) and coronary revascularisation procedures by about 25% during each year (after the first) that treatment continues to be taken (figure 3 & 5). The meta-analyses also indicate that larger reductions in LDL cholesterol with statin therapy produce larger reductions in the risks of these major vascular events. For example, using an effective statin regimen (such as generic atorvastatin 40 mg daily, which costs about 2 per month in the UK) to reduce LDL cholesterol by 2 mmol/L would almost halve a person's risk of a major vascular event. It has been claimed, based on observational studies, that statin therapy might also reduce the risks of cancer and various other conditions (including respiratory diseases and infections, deep vein thrombosis, and post-operative atrial fibrillation). However, the evidence from randomised trials shows that these associations in observational studies do not reflect a causal effect of statin therapy. Harms of statin therapy Myopathy is a rare condition involving muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness accompanied by significant increases in blood creatine kinase concentrations. Evidence from observational studies and randomised trials points to a causal effect of statin therapy on myopathy. However, the risk of myopathy is low: about 1 extra case per 10,000 patients taking an effective statin regimen (such as atorvastatin 40 mg daily) during each year of treatment. In addition, evidence from randomised trials has identified an increased risk of diabetes due to statin therapy: about 10-20 extra cases of diabetes developing per 10,000 treated patients per year. This excess of diabetes occurs mainly in people who are already at increased risk of developing diabetes, and its clinical significance is uncertain. In particular, although diabetes is associated with increased risk of vascular disease, statin therapy produces substantial reductions in vascular disease. Some observational studies have suggested statin therapy may be associated with an increased risk of haemorrhagic stroke. And randomised trials indicate that statin therapy may increase the risk of haemorrhagic stroke by about one-fifth. Typically, in Western populations, this would correspond to an increase of about 5-10 extra cases per 10,000 treated patients per year. In most circumstances, the reductions in ischaemic strokes produced by statin therapy are much bigger than the increases in haemorrhagic strokes, so the risk of stroke of any kind is reduced substantially. Reports of increased rates of muscle pain and weakness in observational studies have led to claims that as many as 20% of patients have "statin intolerance", mainly due to muscle pain and weakness. The randomised trial evidence demonstrate that these claims represent misattribution of symptoms to the statin therapy. Instead, at most, statin therapy causes an increase in symptomatic adverse events (such as muscle pain and weakness) in about 10-20 of 10,000 treated patients per year. It has been claimed, based on observational studies, that statin therapy might increase the risks of various other conditions (including memory loss, cataracts, kidney injury, liver disease, sleep disturbance, aggression, suicidal behavioural, erectile disjunction and neuropathy). However, the evidence from the randomised trials shows that these associations in observational studies do not reflect a causal effect of statin therapy. Writing in a linked Comment, Dr Richard Horton, editor-in-chief of The Lancet says: "Controversy over the safety and efficacy of statins has harmed the health of potentially thousands of people in the UK... That is why we are this week publishing a comprehensive scientific review about the efficacy and safety of statin therapy by researchers who have made substantial contributions to the science of statins. The purpose of this review is to help doctors and patients make informed decisions about the use of this important drug class." ### NOTES TO EDITORS No specific funding was received for this Review. [1] Quotes direct from the author and cannot be found in the text of the Review. IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE A LINK FOR YOUR READERS, PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING, WHICH WILL GO LIVE AT THE TIME THE EMBARGO LIFTS: http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS140-6736(16)31357-5/abstract With global temperatures rising, an international group of 22 top biologists is calling for a coordinated effort to gather important species information that is urgently needed to improve predictions for the impact of climate change on future biodiversity. Current predictions fail to account for important biological factors like species competition and movement that can have a profound influence on whether a plant or animal survives changes to its environment, the scientists say in the September 9 issue of the journal Science. While more sophisticated forecasting models exist, much of the detailed species information that is needed to improve predictions is lacking. "Right now, we're treating a mouse the same way as an elephant or a fish or a tree. Yet we know that those are all very different organisms and they are going to respond to their environment in different ways," says University of Connecticut Ecologist Mark Urban, the Science article's lead author. "We need to pull on our boots, grab our binoculars, and go back into the field to gather more detailed information if we are going to make realistic predictions." The 22 top biologists affiliated with the article identify six key types of biological information, including life history, physiology, genetic variation, species interactions, and dispersal, that will significantly improve prediction outcomes for individual species. Obtaining that information will not only help the scientific community better identify the most at-risk populations and ecosystems, the scientists say, it will also allow for a more targeted distribution of resources as global temperatures continue to rise at a record rate. Current climate change predictions for biodiversity draw on broad statistical correlations and can vary widely, making it difficult for policymakers and others to respond accordingly. Many of those predictions tend not to hold up over time if they fail to account for the full range of biological factors that can influence an organism's survival rate: species demographics, competition from other organisms, species mobility, and the capacity to adapt and evolve. "We haven't been able to sufficiently determine what species composition future ecosystems will have, and how their functions and services for mankind will change," says co-author Dr. Karin Johst of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research and the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research. "This is because current ecological models often do not include important biological processes and mechanisms: so far only 23 percent of the reviewed studies have taken into account biological mechanisms." Generating more accurate predictions is essential for global conservation efforts. Many species are already moving to higher ground or toward the poles to seek cooler temperatures as global temperatures rise. But the capacity of different organisms to survive varies greatly. Some species of frog, for instance, can traverse their terrain for miles to remain in a habitable environment. Other species, such as some types of salamander, are less mobile and capable of moving only a few meters over generations. "New Zealand's strong foundation in ecological research will help," explains study co-author Dr. William Godsoe, a Lincoln University lecturer and member of New Zealand's Bio-Protection Research Centre. "One of our hopes is to build on these strengths and highlight new opportunities to improve predictions by explicitly considering evolution, interactions among species, and dispersal." This will aid in the development of strategies to manage impacts on species and ecosystems before they become critical. With more than 8.7 million species worldwide, gathering the necessary biological information to improve predictions is a daunting task. Even a sampling of key species would be beneficial, the authors say, as the more sophisticated models will allow scientists to extrapolate their predictions and apply them to multiple species with similar traits. The researchers are calling for the launch of a global campaign to be spearheaded by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services or IPBES. The IPBES operates under the auspices of four United Nations entities and is dedicated to providing scientific information to policymakers worldwide. One thousand scientists from all over the world currently contribute to the work of IPBES on a voluntary basis. The scientists are also encouraging conservation strategies to support biodiversity such as maintaining dispersal corridors, and preserving existing natural habitats and genetic diversity. "Our biggest challenge is pinpointing which species to concentrate on and which regions we need to allocate resources," says UConn Associate Professor Urban. In an earlier study in Science, Urban predicted that as many as one in six species internationally could be wiped out by climate change. "We are at a triage stage at this point. We have limited resources and patients lined up at the door." ### Working groups for this project were supported by the Synthesis Centre of the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research, DIVERSITAS, and the National Science Foundation. An international group of researchers has for the first time identified a set of 30 inherited recessive genes that play a role in intellectual disability (ID), a neurodevelopmental disorder that, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), affects as many as 213 million people around the world. The research team was led in in part by Principal Investigator Saima Riazuddin, PhD, MPH, MBA Professor of Otorhinolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery and Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UM SOM). Other principal researchers included Hans van Bokhoven, PhD, of the Department of Human Genetics at Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands, and Sheikh Riazuddin, PhD, of the Allama Iqbal Medical College, the University of Health Sciences in Pakistan. Intellectual disability, or ID (previously known as mental retardation), becomes apparent in children before the age of 18. The disorder, which is measured by an intelligence quotient below 70, significantly limits an individual's intellectual ability and practical skills. ID also can be a significant burden to families, society and the healthcare system. According to CDC, the lifetime cost for caring for a person with an intellectual disability is over $1 million. Currently, about 1-3 percent of the world's population possess some form of ID. While about half of all ID cases can be linked to environmental causes like poor nutrition, unknown genetic factors, such as gene mutations, are responsible for the remaining 50 percent. The new study, which was published recently in the online journal Molecular Psychiatry, presents the outcomes of a five-year investigation that was conducted over three continents. In order to identify potential genetic causes for ID, investigators assembled a test group of 121 families in rural Pakistan, in which there was a higher incidence of ID and consanguineous marriages (marriages between blood relations). More than 15,000 DNA samples were collected, which were analyzed both in the Netherlands and at UM SOM's Institute of Genomic Sciences (IGS), using next-generation genetic sequencing. From an initial pool of 2,000 possible genes, the study has categorized 30 novel candidate genes possessing a strong potential for causing ID--and possibly other brain disorders as well. In addition, this information now can be applied to DNA screenings in determining the possibility of a couple producing an ID child. "The implications are enormous," said Dr. Riazuddin. "The next phase of our study is to come up with therapeutic options and personalized protocols that could help patients improve their intellectual function." "This study by Dr. Riazuddin and her colleagues marks a major breakthrough in uncovering new solutions to such crippling brain disorders as ID," said UM SOM Dean E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, who is also Vice President of Medical Affairs at the University of Maryland and the John Z. and Akiko Bowers Distinguished Professor at UM SOM. "Their innovative work now has opened the door to other potential discoveries that will change the way we treat such disabilities in the future." ### About the University of Maryland School of Medicine The University of Maryland School of Medicine was chartered in 1807 and is the first public medical school in the United States and continues today as an innovative leader in accelerating innovation and discovery in medicine. The School of Medicine is the founding school of the University of Maryland and is an integral part of the 11-campus University System of Maryland. Located on the University of Maryland's Baltimore campus, the School of Medicine works closely with the University of Maryland Medical Center and Medical System to provide a research-intensive, academic and clinically based education. With 43 academic departments, centers and institutes, and a faculty of more than 3,000 physicians and research scientists and more than $400 million in extramural funding, the School is regarded as one of the leading biomedical research institutions in the U.S. with top-tier faculty and programs in cancer, brain science, surgery and transplantation, trauma and emergency medicine, vaccine development and human genomics, among other centers of excellence. The School is not only concerned with the health of the citizens of Maryland and the nation, but also has a global presence, with research and treatment facilities in more than 35 countries around the world. medschool.umaryland.edu Sept. 8, 2016 Sharks have a big reputation for their teeth. The ocean predators use their buzz saw mouths to efficiently dismantle prey, ranging from marine mammals and sea turtles to seabirds and -- as Hollywood likes to remind us -- an occasional human. There are more than 400 species of sharks in the world and each has a unique tooth shape. Some are simple triangles, while others are deeply notched or spear-shaped. But despite this variety, scientists haven't detected a difference in how different shark teeth cut and poke tissue. A recent University of Washington study sought to understand why shark teeth are shaped differently and what biological advantages various shapes have by testing their performance under realistic conditions. The results appeared in August in the journal Royal Society Open Science. "When you have all these different tooth shapes, there should be some functional reason. That issue was fundamentally troubling to me," said senior author Adam Summers, a UW professor of biology and of aquatic and fishery sciences. "It seemed likely what we were missing is that sharks move when they eat." Sharks shake their heads rapidly when they bite their prey, so evaluating how teeth perform while in a side-to-side motion was critical to the study tests, which took place during a summer marine biology course at the UW's Friday Harbor Laboratories on San Juan Island. Summers and his collaborators affixed three different types of shark teeth to the blade of a reciprocating power saw, then cut through thick slices of Alaska chum salmon at a speed that mimicked the velocity of head-shaking as a shark devours its prey. "Sure enough, when we cut through salmon, different teeth cut differently," Summers said. "We found a way to distinguish between this huge morphological difference we see among shark teeth in nature." The researchers also noticed that some species' teeth dulled more quickly than others. Two kinds of teeth, belonging to tiger and silky sharks, dulled after only several passes of the saw blade over tissue, meaning that it's possible these sharks in the wild must replace their teeth every time they kill prey. Teeth from the bluntnose sixgill shark didn't cut as well, but they also didn't dull as quickly as the other teeth. "There's this tradeoff between sharpness and longevity of the tooth edge," Summers explained. "It looks like some sharks must replace their teeth more often, giving them a consistently sharp tool." This might shed light on the feeding patterns of different sharks, the authors explain. For example, bluntnose sixgill sharks with duller, longer-lasting teeth might be swallowing their prey whole. Tiger sharks that eat a larger range of prey such as sea turtles, dugongs and seabirds usually bite their prey to pieces before eating it and would need sharper teeth to puncture a sea turtle's rigid shell, for example. When tissue is punctured and twisted side-to-side as prey is during a shark attack, the prey's tissue doesn't always behave the same way. This is not unlike a child's Silly Putty that will stretch into a long, stringy piece when slowly pulled apart, but break in two when yanked at a much faster speed. Biological tissues behave in the same unpredictable way when pulled, prodded or strained. It was this nuance that the research team tried to capture using experiments that involved movement. They believe it's the first study of its kind for mimicking how sharks hunt and kill. "It is really important to test biological materials at strain rates that are high enough to mimic how the predator and prey tissues would actually behave in real life," said co-author Stacy Farina, a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard University and an adjunct lecturer at Shoals Marine Laboratory. Farina was a teaching fellow at Friday Harbor Labs when the research was conducted. The experiments for this study were designed and carried out during an intensive five-week course at Friday Harbor Labs in summer 2014. Katherine Corn, now at the University of California, Davis, used epoxy from a local hardware store to glue shark teeth to the reciprocating saw blades. The materials worked surprisingly well. "We asked ourselves, how do we safely and effectively move these teeth back and forth quickly? The quick and dirty way was, glue them onto a power saw," Farina said. "It was a simple solution to a complicated problem." ### The other co-author is Jeffrey Brash, a retired engineer now with Valley Steel and Stone in Friday Harbor, Washington. The study was funded by the UW and the National Science Foundation. For more information, contact Summers at fishguy@uw.edu and Farina at scf59@cornell.edu. Related paper: http://rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/3/8/160141 Related video: https://youtu.be/aI5ipLWFNxI Posted with video, images: http://www.washington.edu/news/2016/09/08/how-do-shark-teeth-bite-reciprocating-saw-glue-provide-answers/ HIGHLIGHTS A clinical trial is now underway at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles to test the efficacy and safety of a type II diabetes drug as a potential therapy for Parkinson's disease. Patients and clinicians are urged to wait for the results of the trial. The trial is part of the Linked Clinical Trials initiative, a program spearheaded by UK research charity The Cure Parkinson's Trust, in collaboration with Van Andel Research Institute. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Sept. 8, 2016)--Type II diabetes and Parkinson's disease may not appear to have much in common but a look below the surface reveals important molecular similarities that provide a potential target for fighting Parkinson's. These commonalities form the foundation of a clinical trial now underway at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles to investigate the use of the diabetes drug liraglutide to slow or stop the progression of Parkinson's. Led by Michele Tagliati, M.D., Steven D. Broidy Chair and Director of Movement Disorders at Cedars-Sinai, the trial is the latest to be launched as part of the Linked Clinical Trials (LCT) initiative, a program spearheaded by UK research charity The Cure Parkinson's Trust in collaboration with Grand Rapids-based Van Andel Research Institute (VARI). Novo Nordisk, which developed liraglutide, also is supporting the trial. "There is a great need to find therapies that impact the disease process--that is, to slow or actually halt it--rather than just mitigating symptoms," said Patrik Brundin, M.D., Ph.D., head of LCT's international scientific committee and director of VARI's Center for Neurodegenerative Science. "Investigating drugs already approved to treat other conditions and that have already undergone extensive testing provide a unique opportunity to more quickly move these potential new therapies into the clinic. However, as with any investigational new treatment, we urge patience until the clinical studies are completed, which are critical for ensuring efficacy and safety." Liraglutide belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists and prompts the release of insulin, thereby lowering glucose levels in the blood when bound to its receptor. Recent laboratory findings suggest that when liraglutide activates these receptors in the brain, the drug provides protection against degenerative damage to key brain cells, specifically those affected in Parkinson's disease. "The investigational use of liraglutide is a reflection of our scientific progress and improved understanding of Parkinson's disease," Tagliati said. "Given the increasing evidence of a possible role of insulin resistance in neurodegeneration, we expect this GLP-1 agonist to have a great impact on the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and its progression. A remarkable aspect of this new avenue of research is the focus on mechanisms that may address both motor and non-motor features of the disease. We are grateful for the vision and generosity of the Linked Clinical Trials initiative that made this important clinical effort possible." Liraglutide is the second GLP-1 agonist to be selected for a trial through LCT. The first, exenatide, demonstrated promising initial results in people with Parkinson's who participated in a year-long clinical trial. Other drugs that are being investigated through LCT include the respiratory drug ambroxol and the cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin. By focusing on existing medications that have shown promise in preclinical laboratory studies for treating Parkinson's and have already passed the rigorous drug approval process for other diseases, LCT aims to significantly reduce the time and cost required to bring new therapies to people with Parkinson's. "Linked Clinical Trials is a proactive initiative that has gathered real momentum--it gives us the opportunity to accelerate potentially breakthrough treatments more quickly into the clinic," said Tom Isaacs, president and co-founder of The Cure Parkinson's Trust. "This trial provides people like me who live with Parkinson's real hope that we are on the brink of a paradigm-shift for the better. There is an urgent need to identify and develop these potentially new therapies to improve the quality of life for everyone around the world who lives with this condition." There have been few major therapeutic breakthroughs for Parkinson's in the last 50 years with the exception of levodopa, the current gold standard for drug treatment, and deep brain stimulation, a surgical option. Although these therapies may significantly improve quality of life, they do not impact the progressive brain cell death that is the disease's hallmark. LCT's scientific committee, which comprises leading Parkinson's experts and advocates from around the world, continue to investigate additional compounds that not only treat symptoms but that may also slow or stop disease progression. ### 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. Learn more about Van Andel Institute or donate by visiting http://www.vai.org. 100% To Research, Discovery & Hope ABOUT THE CURE PARKINSON'S TRUST Founded by people with Parkinson's, the UK-based The Cure Parkinson's Trust has one aim--to find a cure. It funds innovative scientists with a particular interest in projects and trials to slow, stop and reverse Parkinson's. Led by people with Parkinson's, the charity involves people living with the condition in shaping its research policy, approaches and priorities through Parkinson's Movement. ABOUT CEDARS-SINAI Cedars-Sinai is a national leader in providing high-quality, patient-centered healthcare encompassing primary care as well as specialized medicine and conducting research that leads to life-saving discoveries and innovations. Since its beginning in 1902, Cedars-Sinai has evolved to meet the healthcare needs of one of the most diverse regions in the nation, continually setting new standards in quality and innovation in patient care, research, teaching and community service. Today, Cedars-Sinai is widely known for its national leadership in transforming healthcare for the benefit of patients. Cedars-Sinai impacts the future of healthcare globally by developing new approaches to treatment and educating tomorrow's physicians and other health professionals. At the same time, Cedars-Sinai demonstrates a longstanding commitment to strengthening the Los Angeles community through wide-ranging programs that improve the health of its most vulnerable residents. People have been enjoying the ability of yeasts to produce beer and wine since the dawn of civilization. Researchers from VIB, KU Leuven and Ghent University found that yeasts used for beer and winemaking have been domesticated in the 16th century, around 100 years before the discovery of microbes. Together with a US research team, the Belgian teams analyzed the genomes and fermentation characteristics of more than 150 industrial yeasts used to produce different beers, wines and bread. The results show that the hundreds of beer and wine yeasts available today are the result of brewers and winemakers unconsciously selecting variants that can consume specific sugars, tolerate industrial conditions and produce desired flavors. Fascinatingly, beer yeasts show stronger signs of domestication than wine yeasts, likely because they happily lived in the brewery throughout the year and lost all contact with their feral family members. The results are published in the scientific journal Cell. In this research project, the lab of yeast expert Kevin Verstrepen (VIB-KU Leuven) and the bioinformatics team of Steven Maere (VIB-UGent) worked side by side. Yeast breeding avant la lettre Kevin Verstrepen (VIB-KU Leuven): "The ancestors of the hundreds of different yeasts on the market today have been selected in the 16th century. Ancient brewers, winemakers and bakers often practiced 'backslopping', a technique where a small part of a previous well-fermented dough or brew was kept apart to mix it with a new batch, to make the fermentation process quicker and more consistent. Without realizing what they were doing exactly, these ancient craftsmen were effectively selecting and transferring yeast cultures from one batch to the next, allowing the microbes to continuously grow and adapt to man-made industrial environments." Pet fungi In order to study a large variety of beers and yeasts, the Belgian team joined forces with White Labs, an American company specialized in selling different yeasts to craft brewers. The scientists found that yeast strains were selected to provide beers with desired industrial characteristics. For example, brewers clearly selected yeasts that do not produce undesirable flavors. And yeasts used for bottle conditioning are more tolerant to high concentrations of alcohol, which is necessary for stronger beers. Steven Maere (VIB-UGent): "The consequences of four centuries of domestication were very clear in the DNA of industrial yeasts. In beer yeasts for instance, specific genes have often been amplified or deleted to optimize growth in beer fermenters and beer taste." Researchers Brigida Gallone (VIB-KU Leuven-UGent) and Jan Steensels (VIB-KU Leuven) add: "Interestingly, although wine yeasts share their origins with beer yeasts, they show fewer signs of domestication. This is probably because wine yeasts are only used to ferment grape juice once a year, and survive in and around the winery for the rest of the year, where they may interbreed with feral yeasts. In that sense, beer yeasts are like dogs, completely "tamed" and adapted to their relation with humans, whereas wine yeasts resemble the wilder character of cats." The new study does not only yield insight in how humans have shaped the evolution and genomes of today's industrial yeasts, but also allows breeding even better yeast variants. The scientists are already using the genome sequences to select hybrids that combine beneficial DNA regions from several existing beer and wine yeasts. "Mapping out the genome structure of yeasts in food or drinks, allows us to better understand the mechanics and applications of yeasts. As a result, it opens up new possibilities to breed yeasts to enhance flavors, aromas or conservation techniques," Kevin Verstrepen (VIB-KU Leuven) comments. ### An extinct reptile related to crocodiles that lived 212 million years ago in present day New Mexico has been named as a new species, Vivaron haydeni, in a paper published this week by Virginia Tech's Department of Geosciences researchers. Leading the paper that names the previously unknown animal is undergraduate researcher Emily Lessner of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, a double major in the departments of Geosciences and Biological Sciences, both in the Virginia Tech College of Science. Lessner's paper detailing the fossil of the animal - jawbones, other skull fragments, and hip-bones - appears in this week's open science journal, PeerJ. Vivaron haydeni was found in Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, in 2009 during an excavation co-led by Sterling Nesbitt, then a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Texas at Austin, and now an assistant professor of geosciences at Virginia Tech. Some of the fossils remained sealed in protective plaster jackets until 2014, when they were transported to Blacksburg for study. That's where Lessner enters. At the time a sophomore majoring in Biological Sciences with a minor in Geosciences, she was seeking an independent research experience that piqued her interest and provided a challenge. She found it with the Paleobiology Research Group in Derring Hall. Nesbitt had not arrived on campus yet and was looking for students interested in conducting research projects. When Lessner heard of the opportunity and the chance to work with Nesbitt and Michelle Stocker, also a newly arriving paleontologist in the college, Lessner jumped at the chance. "Initially, I cleaned fossils in the lab and worked on a project reconstructing soft tissue structures using computed tomographic, or CT, scans on the computer," said Lessner, now a senior. "I began looking at Vivaron pretty soon after." The name of the new species came from Lessner. Vivaron haydeni is named for a famed, monstrous snake - 30 feet long - of Ghost Ranch lore, a story passed around campfires more than a century ago, and John Hayden, a hiker who in 2002 discovered the New Mexico quarry from which the fossils were collected. The fossil represents the sixth species of rauisuchid found thus far, and the second found in what is now the American Southwest, but was once part of the western portion of the supercontinent Pangea. Vivaron was a carnivorous archosaur - a large set of animals that includes crocodilians and dinosaurs, as mammals includes humans and dogs. Vivaron itself measured 12 to 18 feet long, and walked on four legs. Thus far, three jaw bones, other skull fragments, and hip-bones from at least three individuals - two large, one smaller - have been found. "These were some of the biggest predators at the time, all dinosaurs were much smaller," added Nesbitt, speaking of the Triassic Period, more than 200 million years ago. Vivaron is distinguishable by its upper jaw bone, which is smoother in appearance than other rauisuchid species. Other features of the animal must be inferred from close relatives. The New Mexico location in which it was found is a hot spot for paleontology research. Other parts of Vivaron may still be there. "It is possible that other bones were not preserved, were previously collected, or are still in the ground," said Lessner, who added geosciences as a second major soon after beginning work on Vivaron. Bones of Vivaron that Lessner took apart, cleaned, and are on hand in the paleontology lab, some kept in protective sleeves and plaster jackets as they are thin and incredibly fragile. The detailed cleaning process was as much a learning process as any part of Lessner's work with the lab. "When you look at anything so long, so close, you realize extra details and patterns you would not otherwise notice," she added. Lessner said her undergraduate research experience has greatly enriched her college experience. "It has given me opportunities that simply attending class never has and has opened up doors for my future. I have been able to gain first-hand experience in the field," said Lessner. She has learned to write scientifically, met paleontologists from around the world, and participated in digs in Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming with both Stocker and Nesbitt. She has presented her findings to the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology; the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology; the Southeastern Association of Vertebrate Paleontology; and will speak before the 2016 Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. All this in addition to being published in a journal by the age 22. She credits Nesbitt and Stocker for setting her undergraduate education on a new course. "They got here just as I was looking for them," Lessner said of her sophomore year looking for a new direction. Nesbitt said he is "paying it forward" when working with undergraduate students in the paleontology lab, as he himself began his career as a paleontologist via independent undergraduate research projects at University of California Berkeley. "These experiences are what really made me understand what it is like to think as a scientist and how to take on complex scientific problems one step at a time," he said. "Emily embodies a key characteristic all undergraduate researchers need, bravery,"said Nesbitt. "You constantly are in situations that you have never been in, from fieldwork in the middle of a desert to presenting research in front of 200 professionals." Added Stocker: "Emily has become an important member of our research group. She's taken on an increasing amount of responsibility since she first started with us, and she's now a leader among our students. She's ready to tackle the next steps of her career." Among her career plans, Lessner wants to enter a graduate program upon completion of her undergraduate degree and she wants to one day investigate the Triassic fossil quarries of her native southeastern Pennsylvania. "There is something for everyone, whether it be within your major or outside it, as mine was," she said of the variety of research projects and methods across Virginia Tech. "Contact and even work with multiple people, especially if you are unsure of your interests; do not be afraid to reach out to professors. Find something you really like and it will turn into something meaningful." ### Lessner's New Mexico fieldwork experience and research at Virginia Tech was supported by a National Science Foundation grant to a collaborative research team consisting of scientists from Virginia Tech, the University of Utah, Stony Brook University, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History. Additional resources are available at Virginia Tech News. Written by ACM *Strasbourg/International Space University/Angelo Marcopolo/- Speaking after an Exceptional Meeting with Public and Private Scientific and Technological Innovation Actors, at the International Space University (ISU : a landmark Global Science/Engineering Education/Training organization, with World-wide outreach, which celebrates 30 Years since its Creation here), French Prime Minister, Manuel Valls, announced to "Eurofora" and other Press/Science participants that he intends to "ReView" soon forthcoming, Crucial Policy Choices, and probably revisit anew Strasbourg, before the End of the Year (2016). - Indeed, Valls has to take soon at least 2 main Decisions related to Strasbourg, Headquarters : Next Week he's expected due to co-decide on the allocation of "Projects for the Future" RST Funds, "which is due to Mark the Next 10 or 20 Years", as he acknowledged, agreeing with relevant observations by several other participants), while, later-on, it will be the Turn for the New, 2017-2019 Three Years Contract with this EuroMetropol to be Signed, as he announced Earlier Yesterday, during the Inauguration of "Euro-Fair 2016". => "The Choices that we Make Today, will Count for the Next 10 or 20 Years", warned Valls at the Conclusion of this Exceptional meeting in the ISU. USA Private Space Rocket Exploded Eve of French Prime Minister's visit to ISU on High-Tech Funds Strategic Long-Term Choices ------------------- But, Meanwhile, an Unexpected Explosion, at the Eve of his Official Venue at the ISU, of Pioneer Private American Company "SpaceX"'s flag-ship Rocket, threatened to Smash rennaissant aspirations to relaunch Space Exploration and Human Space-Flight in the foreseable Future, after of almost a Decade of an Unprecedented and Controversial Restriction, by the Out-Going US President Obama, of NASA's activities mainly on ISS, which was Focused predominantly on BioTech. "Tests" about Genetics, as that MIT Professor (....) entrusted by the White House for Supervising those ISS Tests, had Revealed to "Eurofora" earlier, during a Visit in Strasbourg on the occasion of a previous ISU Summer Session, organized by Australian Scientists, (Comp., f.ex. : .....), about a Dispute with several NASA and World-Famous Austronaut Neil Amstrong, who supported Human Space Flight and, more generaly, Ambitious Space Exploration projects, as f.ex. those Drafted aso by former US President GWBush, but also the unforgettable John Kennedy, who managed to Send the 1st Man on the Moon, before being Murdered, as early as since the 1960ies. (See relevant Publications at "Eurofora"s NewsReports and Forum, where they've marked a Record-High Audience with Many Tens of Thousands Readers each, f.ex. at : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/isusymosiumandobamanasabudget.html + http://www.eurofora.net/forum/index.php/topic,578.0.html, etc) French Prime Minister Valls at ISU with Austronaut JJ.Favier + President Peters on Human Space Flight History ------------------ - On the Contrary, famous French Austronaut and Scientist in Physics, Jean-Jacques Favier, who has become Recently also Professor at ISU, told "Eurofora", as well as to Valls himself, that he had just been, currently, in the process of Planning Master/PhD courses around "New Materials" which were due to become Necessary, as the expected relaunch of Space Flights to the Moon, Mars, etc., would, Otherwise, be obliged to use Older Materials "which are, until now, very Expensive". Indeed, as Experienced ISU President, Walter Peters, (Comp. several Peters' Statements to "Eurofora" also in the Past, f.ex.: .....+ ....., etc), had just Officialy Announced in an Exceptional Publication for the "30 Years" Anniversary of ISU and its Projects for the Immdiate Future "2017-2018", Nowadays "Space Agencies all over the World, are Developing the Post-ISS era", with, f.ex., "Plans for Cis-Lunar projects and a Base on the Moon", and "Critical Technologies to be Developed for the Major Step of this Cenury by Humankind - a 1st Human Base on Mars", "providing a Great Field of Action, for (the) Present and Future..., Both at Governemental level, as well as for Enterpreneurial endeavours". Meanwhile, "47 Years After" being "one of the First People to put a foot on the Moon, on 20 July 1969", in the context of the "Gemini" Program, " Appolo Astronaut, and recently appointed ISU Chancellor, Dr. 'Buzz' Aldrin, "Now ... is sharing his Vision to Establish a Pzermanent Human Presence on Mars : "Let's go for it !", Chancellor Aldrin recently stressed, ISU's latest News reported earlier this Summer 2016. French Prime Minister Valls seizes a Space Rocket at ISU, with Austronaut JJ. Favier ----- It's true that, already much Earlier, about 40% of Tests realized in a Weightless area On-Orbit, around Earth, were destinated for lato-sensu Life-Sciences, (including, particularly, Crystalisation of Mega-Molecules, f.ex. DNA Genetic Structures, as one among the Pioneer ISU Presidents, Experienced former Head of Japan's Public-Private Science/Technology Monitoring body, had Warned "Eurofora" in the Past, etc). French Prime Minister Valls Landing Back to Earth after Visting a Space Shuttle at ISU --------------------------------- But what Followed, Yesterday Afternoon, (after a Brief Introductory Intermezzo with an ISU Expert who claimed that the "Search for Life on Mars" would be Facilitated by Examining on-orbit some Micro-Organisms, etc), went Much Further from what could have been normaly Expected : French Prime Minister Valls radiant after visiting a Russian Space Rocket Capsule at ISU ------------------------- Astonishingly, indeed, just a few Minutes later, almost All the Public or Private Sector Actors present in an Important subsequent Collective Meeting with French Prime Minister Valls at an adjacent, ISU-Presidential Conference Room, (where only 2 or 3 Journalists assisted, including "Eurofora"), were either coming from, or Focused on the Sole ...BioTech (and ,apparently, mainly Genetic) Business area, almost Exclusively ! Among them, f.ex., also the Head of Global Multinational Company "Novartis", ...., a Senior Official from Texas (US) Headquartered Company "Lilly", various Bio-Tech "Start-Ups", the President of Strasbourg Region's Alsace "Bio-Valley", etc. Even those Few Speakers who were supposed to Address General "Innovation" Issues, (including Strasbourg University's current President, Professor Beretz, a Specialist in Pharmaceutics himself, and/or an Expert on High-Tech Start-Up Businesses, etc), in Fact, didn't touch upon Any Other Sector of the Economy and/or Technology, than, once again, Only "Bio-Tech" matters, (particularly "Pharmaceutics" and New "Drug" fabrication, and so on)... On the Contrary, Top Experts known for their Interest in Any Other, Differend Modern Technology Issue, were Either, curiously, Absent from that Meeting, or completely Silent during it, (f.ex. ISU's President, Professor Peters, from Holland, and/or French Professor and former Austronaut Favier : Comp. Supra, etc). => Could it only be due to a kind of "After-Shock" following that Spectacular, Front-page News making, Unexpected Sky Rocket Explosion, in Out-going US President Barack Obama's Northern America, just Yesterday Night (Comp. Supra) ? Or, perhaps, that last-minute, Spectacular Incident just served simply to Accentuate an already pre-existing, and, probably, Previously Arranged Strategic Choice by some -currently Influent- Lobby of Exclusively "Bio-Tech" Interests ? At any case, it's an Astonishing Fact that All Other Sectors of Science and/or Modern Technology, (including, f.ex., even EU and ECHR Law developments, or PanEuropean CoE's GeoPolitcs, obviously Important for "a European Capital" as Strasbourg, "Earth Science" issues, where f.ex. Strasbourg's Sismologists are Historicaly World-Famous and consulted by Global Media even for far away events such as Haiti Earthquake, particularly Now, at the Aftermath of the Recent Central Italy Deadly Quake, added to Oil/Gas Search matters, etc., notoriously Topical Digital Society affairs, from Industrial Robotics to SmartPhone/PC Hard and Software, as well as CyberSecurity Topical matters [See Innovation + Digital Society Minister Axelle Lemaire's Statements to "Eurofora" at : ....], even any Space High-Tech Innovation issue, obviously relevant to ISU itself, etc), were Totaly Ommitted, Skiped without any explanation, Nor even the slightest Pretext ! Even when Young French Innovation and Digital affairs Minister Axelle Lemaire, (Comp. her Earlier Statements to "Eurofora" at: .....), raised a General Question about Private Sector's current Hesitation to Invest Enough in Projects supported by a Government which tries also to Facilitate their Legal and Social Environment, the Only Reply she got, on behalf of the Numerous Participants (including several Chiefs of Big Private Businesses) was Based on the Example of New ...Drug development only ! (To put it in a nushell : Innovation in Drugs may cost just some 2 or 3 Millions at its Initial, Start-Up Stage, but, Afterwords, comes a "2nd Stage" where it may Often Cost several Dozens of Millions , that most Innovative SMEs and sometimes even Bigger Corporations wouldn't always afford to pay alone, without any important External Help). Thus, Axelle Lemaire was, characteristicaly, incited to Change her Initialy Space-Enthousiasm-driven Announcement about .."Going to Mars, via (Strasbourg's Region) Alsace", thanks to her "1st Visit on Innovation at the International Space University" here, ... ...into a more Sober "Innovation Investment Boost" on "BioTech" and "MedTech" at "Strasbourg", subsequent Announcement, (Comp. f.ex. 2 Differend "Tweets" that she issues, one after the other)... --------------------------------------- However, as Strasbourg's "EuroMetropole" President, Robert Hermann, (a Socialist chairing an Exceptional recent Local Coalition with mainstream Center-Right), observed, this area "has a Potential allowing to become a Pole of Excellence at a European/Internationalm level", based on "a Sacred Alliance between University and Research", at "a Unique GeoPolitical Location", (i.e. between France and Germany, inside, now, a "Great East" Region, extending from Switzerland up to BENELUX Countries, as Luxembourg and Belgium, i.e. Brussels), where "more than 20 Billions have been already given (by the French State and its partners), as part of High-Tech "Investments for the Future, throughout the overall Alsace Region", "most of them in Strasbourg", which benefits from "more than 300 Millions from the Local/Regional Authorities"(City, Department, Region), "allowing, Together with State and EU Fundings, to obtain a volume of about 700 Millions , for the Period of 2010-2020". ---------------------------- Brand New "Great East" Region President Philippe Richert, from the Mainstream 1st Opposition "Republican" Party, observed that Recent Territorial Reforms Focused almost everything on the Mega-City and the Region, diminishing the role of Departments, but "the (Private) Industrial World is making here a notable Contribution", as he pointed out. But, "in order to Advance Furthe Ahead, using that Great Eastern Region's Potential, we must Reach a Volume of at least 3% of the GDP for (Scientific and Technological) Innovation before 2020", he stressed. "We were at almost 3% in Alsace Region, but Now, in the Current, Enlarged "Greater Region" (i.e. with the Addition of Lorraine and Champagne-Ardennes), we are Only 1,3%, while, on the Contrary, it already stands at 5% in the Neighbouring, (German), Baden-Wurttemberg Region", he Criticaly Warned, calling to "Find a way to Face such Challenges in the Future". Moreover, "the Private Sector Contributes for More than 3% of the GDP (i.e. the Majority of Funds) in Baden-Wurttemberg's Budget for Innovation, while it's not yet the case here", he Criticized. Meanwhile, "f.ex., when" High-Tech Car Maker Industry, including "(French) Peugeot-Citroen wanted to ally itself with (German) BMW", planned Joined HeadQuarters, they looked in Paris and/or in Munich, instead of Simply looking at Mulhouse" City, Strategicaly located Between them, at the Southern Part of Alsace, near Switzerland, "so that we could attract here, (i.e. in the Middle, Between Paris and Berlin or Munich), not just Industrial Production, but also more Innovation", Richert suggested. Last, but not least, "while German Innovation is largely De-Centralized, with at least 1 Pole of Excellence in Each Laender, in France we have to do More in order to attract and Stimulate performant Industrial Enterprises at the Regions, because, in Fine, Innovation's Success will be Measured in terms of more or less Performant Businesses", he concluded, Urging to "Advance more Towards that Regional DeCentrelisation that had wished also the (Historic, former Long-time French President) General De Gaulle''. ------------------------------------ Strasbourg University President, Professor Laurent Beretz, pointed at the Fact that, Contrary to some False Appearances, here, "Businesses and University Scientific/Technological Reseach were Closer Interwoven Together, than some Believed. In addition, Industry wasn't Limited Only in "Applied", but "also in Fundamental Research". And, "the Other Way Round, Strasbourg's University has also interested in Applied Research, (as, f.ex., in the case of World Famous, Louis Pasteur Inventor also of Vaccination methos, who was "also bery Keen on Research's Applications", as he reminded). Scientific/Technological Research and Development work in Continuum, without artificial Distinguos, and only "Need an Easier, Smoother Transmission of Fundamental Research's Findings into Technological Applications", he pointed out. Last, but not least, many Think that "an Indicator of STR Vitality would be just the Number of High-Tech Start-Up Businesses". But Beretz cited "a Recent Study of the Ligue of European Research Universities", that he currently Heads, "on the Economic ByProduct of Universities with a so-called <>, according to which, Fund a a University "is Not Spending, but Investing" : F.ex., in France, just 3 Universities : Sacley, (?) Southern Paris and Strasbourg have Generated, on 2014, more than 7,5 Billions , and 4.300 Jobs". As for "All European Universities, taken Together, they Contribute for some 300 Billions in the European Economy, with 3,8 Millions of Jobs inside Europe, favorably Compared to Pharmaceutics, Steel, and/or Car Industry". But "the Intellectual creation, Innovation Transfert, Patents, etc. is just 31% of the Total", while "the Most Important Part is the Overall Activity of Universities, which represent also a Social, Commercial, Training, a.o. Force, with 33% of the Total ByProduct". Another "22% are the so-called <>, which come from the Diplomas attributed" by Universities, while even "our Dear Students, have an Economic Impact estimated at about 14% of the Total" ByProduct of Universites', that Includes "also the creation of Mobility, by Attracting Students from Elsewhere, Irrigating accross Territories", he concluded, Welcoming the active Contributions of "the State, the Local/Regional Authorities, Businesses and Universities themselves, as Key Components of Economic Competitivity". ------------------- - Prime Minister Valls stressed from the Outset that "Innovation and Scientific Research are very Important matters, Both for France and for all Europe", which should not be overShadowed by some controversial "Debates always focusing only on Selection and Fees". France and Europe "are Able to Create Innovation and be Inventive", he underlined, while also Welcoming the "Cooperation between the State, Local/Regional Authorities, Universitarians and private Businesses". But "the Main Reason" of his Venue here, was "to Exchange" Ideas with the various Participants, particularly in order to find out "what could be Ameliorated". - CEO of Texas (USA) HeadQuartered MultiNational BioTech Company "Lilly"'s European outlet in France, Marcel Lechanteur, who supports collaborative "Training" and Strasbourg University's "Foundation" (Open to Participation also of Businesses, Individual Experts, Politicians, Journalists, interested Citizens, Donors, etc), said that he had been "Seduced", already "from 2012", by a relevant "Project", inspired by an American practice : "We have 2 Investment Poles", "one for Human Capital", to which we dedicate "5 to 6% of the Total Salary Mass" that includes about "1.500 Persons", with some 300 Dedicated to "Quality" Monitoring and Enhancing, mainly in order to "Attract Talents" and make them "Stay Productive as long as required, so that any "Chain of Production Disrupting would be Prevented", at the "Same Time that Staff's Competences would be UpGraded", while also "Stimulating a Spirit of Networking", he explained. "In the USA, even if everything isn't perfect, nevertheless, a Key to most of their Succesful Economic model, is a kind of Dense "Matrix" between Universities and Small or Big Businesses", particularly on Staff "Training", he observed + "A 2nd Investment's Pole, is Technology", to which "we ("Lilly-France") have Invested some 250 Millions these years", he claimed, Stressing that "it's Important to have such a Balanced approach", between Human Training and Technology Investment, "in order to remain Competitive". => The "Suggestion" made, in fine, to the French Prime Minister by MultiNational "Lilly" BioTech Company was to "have a Vision", on equal terms between Big and Small-Medium Enterprises, ("65% of our Turnover being related to SMEs", as he said), thanks to which the forthcoming "Difficult Choices" that "the Government" would have to make "Soon", (particularly in a "Fragile Environment, which should Not be over-Perturtbated", he Warned), as well as its wider relevant Activities, would follow a Policy with sufficient "Visibility". ------------------------------------ Followed "Drug Industry" Representative, Philippe Lamoureux, ("LEFM"), who Stressed the "Importance of such kind of Meetings, as this at the ISU, in order to have a Dialogue with the Public Authorities". - Part of "Health Industries, which are also an Investment for the Future", the "Pharmaceutical Industry represents some "45.000 Jobs", in "270 Production Sites, disseminated around almost all the Territory of the Country", but "mainly around Normandy, the Center, and Pays de Loire", which "represent a Landmark Potential, that we should Protect and Develop", he observed. - At Present, "we are in the process to evolve from Pharmaceutical (i.e. Chemistry-Based) Drugs, to Bio-Technology (i.e. Genetics-Based) Drugs", which "will require a real ReConversion of our Work, even a Fundamental Transformation of our Culture of Production, and, in Consequence, also of the Professional Training for our Workers", he pointed out. + "Moreover, Medical Drugs will become Only a Part of a much Wider Health Panoply, which will Include also various "Other Health Technologies" Tools, with "Diagnostics, Genomics, and a Lot of Differend Sciences", he added, pointing, f.ex., at certain Pioneer Projects, currently "Evolving in Strasbourg", (one of which had just been Visited, Earlier Yesterday, by Valls). Lamoureux went on to Claim that, Nowadays, Drug Industry is one among the Few which "Can have a Stable Number of Jobs", has recently "Doubled the Number of its Aprentees", and is even "Able to Offer a Job to nearly All those who are Trained in our Network", as he said. => In Conclusion, Given also the curent "Double Crisis, Both in Health Policies and Industries", as well as relevant Developments "also in Germany", etc., "we shall Follow very Closely the Decisions that you are Going to Take" soon, he warned the French Prime Minister. -------------------------- - Among the Biggest in the World, MultiNational Bio-Tech Company "NOVARTIS-France" President, Philippe Baroin, an Experienced CEO and Manager at International contexts, reminded, from the outset, that his Mother Company is "Global", and "Headquartered at Basel", i.e. at Nearby Switzerland, "only about 100 km. from here", and has "more than 1.500 Jobs inside (Strasbourg's Region) Alsace", (where it had, Earlier, also Planned to Transfert even its European Headquarters, before Changing its Mind at the last minute, to the point that even a Prestigious Big Building, which had been Destinated for "Novartis", has stayed for Too Long without any clearly designated Successor at the "European Business Quarter" of Strasbourg-Schiltigheim), while it has also "Just Announced a more than 100 Millions Investment in France", in Addition to "a Project to Train and Hire about 100 Highly-Skilled Engineers at an Institute of Strasbourg's University", for "a ReNovated Bio-Tech Factory, due to Work 24/24 Hours, 7/7 Days a Week, and 365/365 in each Year, as he noted. - "Concerning Innovation, we (NOVARTIS) Spend about 17 Millions in Research and Technologies' Development, Each Year", and are Interested particularly in "Strasbourg's University, because of its Openness towards Switzerland, his Application-Oriented Research, and a Dialogue Favorable to the Development of various Cooperations", added Baroin. >>> But "Pursuing NOVARTIS' presence in France, depends" on certain, currently evolving Issues, including some Social Security schemes as well as "Previsibility" of the fothcoming French Government's Decision-Making Angenta, he stressed. - Recently, we had a Happy Event : A Young Girl aged only 11 y.o., who was Suffering from Leucemy and was Seriously Threatened, succeeded to be Healed by Cellular Therapy, that I'd like to see also in France, Germany and all the EU soon", since we have to "Meet Innovation's Challenges", the Swiss Multinational BioTech Company's Head, added. ---------------------------- - He was succeeded by Nicolas Carboni, Head of "Connectus", a Network aiming to Promote all Public Sector Research in Strasbourg's Alsace Region, f.ex. by Universities, Local Authorities, Deconcentrated State Administrations, Public Enterprises, etc., which was itself Created thanks to French Government's "Investments for the Future", (that had Started to be Awarded Nationwide since 2011-2012). It has already "Simplified" things, since Now "all Public Research Actors in Alsace have Pooled Together the Promotion of their Projects into just 1 Body ("Connectus"), so that they Can Accomplish f.ex. various Formalities Only in a Few Weeks' Time, there where, Previously, they Needed to Contact 6 or 7 Differend Interlocutors, during several Months or even More than a Year", as he said. - "This Simplification is mainly used vis a vis various Cooperations with our (Private) Industrial Partners", concerning "all Colaboration, Projects, Work, Access to Instruments, etc", with a Total of 30 Millions Funds from Industry brought into Labos, where Businesses are interested in a Turnout which Augmented + 25% during the Last 2 Years", he pointed out. "Connectus" Manages Intellectual Property, and Invests to its Maturity, i.e. Absorbs a great part of Risks linked with an Innovation. During the Last 12 Months, an average of 2 Business each Month Sign with it, in order to have Access to a New Technology, Generating by Licences such Revenues that, in 4 Years, they were Multiplied 8 Times", Carboni concluded. - "An Example" is that of a "Director of Research at French CNRS", Alain Weber, who, said that he "published a Patent" and "Created 4 Start-up Companies, the First 15 Years ago". (../..) During the Discussion which Followed, it was also said, by a Participant, that, f.ex., "in order to Create a (New) Drug, there is a Need for Tens of Millions ". That "Money Exists", but someone must Bid for a given Project, in order to Help it aquire a Critical Dimension. --------------------------------------------- - Minister Axelle Lemaire, in charge of Innovation and Digital Society, noted that most Speakers had Focused mainly on the Role played by the State, the Local Authorities, even of Aprenteeship, etc., "But You did Not Analyse sufficiently the Role of Private Investment", as she said. => "Don't you think that there might be a Gap there, that we'd have to Fill ?", Axelle Lemaire wondered. - "What is Lacking, there, in order to Bring those Private Funds where they should be ?", she asked. --------------------------------------------------------------------- - A Participant started to Reply that, particularly in Certain Countries, Private Investment Must be Made Easier, f.ex. by being Accompagnied also by some Public Investments, "at least in a 1st Stage", as when "a New Drug" might Need something like "3 Months of Clinical Essays", he estimated. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - "This is, very probably, a Key Debate", estimated Prime Minister Valls. I.e. "How to Transform a Result of Scientific Research, into a concrete Economic Potential, Ready to be commercialy Exploited", as he pointed out. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - "Concerning, f.ex., a Medical Drug, at a 1st Stage, some 2 or 3 Millions could be enough in order to Show, with Tests on Animals, that it's Active, but No Toxic, etc. + However, Afterwards comes a kind of Qualitative "Jump", at a "2nd Stage" : It will, probably, Cost something around "10 or 15 Millions ", because, "once Transfered" to an Enterprise", the Result of a Scientific Research, might Need also a Lot of More Work to do, (such as, "f.ex., on Regulations, Chemical Optimisation", perhaps +Human Clinical Trials, etc). => "But, Private Investment in the USA provides, generaly, at that stage, X 5 Times More Funds, than in most Countries in Europe, even if the Projects are Similar, so that Inventors have to Seek Fund-Raising Elsewhere", he Warned. Perhaps not only for purely Financial or Commerial reasons, but also -or even much More - Because of certain French and/or European Legal Safeguards against eventual Risks from some, eventualy Hasty Attempts by one or another unscrupulous "Bio-Tech" Company (as it Recently Happened during a Scandalously Deadly or Health-Damaging, New Drugs' Tests on Humans in Rennes) to use various potentialy Dangerous Genetic or other Medical Substances on unaware People, withOut sufficient Previous full Scientific Research about Safety, despite Established Rules enshriing the "Precaution Principle", and/or for the Protection of Human Dignity and/or Health, (as, f.ex., a previously mentioned Critical mention in the Intervention by a Global Multinational "NOVARTIS" Corporation's Senior Official, into this ISU Debate, probably meant, in fact : Comp. Supra). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- + AnOther Participant observed that "we (Strasbourg's area of Alsace) have a Well-Organized Territory for Innovation" here, "But, Not even one among our Start-up Companies doesn't bypass the 5 to 10 Millions ". ------------------------------------------------- => A Point that was underlined also by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, who Noted the Existence of "a Competitivity Pole", "a Territory for Innovation", several "Billions " of State Aides, "a University with Strong Research" capabilities, (etc)., so that "We Have the Right Eco-System", ("on the Condition, naturaly, to Simplify" its procedures). - "But, what is Clear, is that there is a Weakness mainly concerning the Size of our Enterprises, on which we Must Work", as he said. ------------------------------------------------------- - Indeed, "there is a Gap" : "When, in France, we are Searching for 3 Millions , on the Contrary, in the USA, they immediatey Speak about 50 Millions , for the Same Project. Why ?", Wondered anOther Participant. - At any case, "1 Reply is the "French Tech." : "I.e., Stop making Complexes", because "there are some Wonderful Things in France, we Have What is Necessary, and Superb Dynamics. A proof is also the Fact that when the USA Search for some Interesting "Start UPs", they Come Here...", he estimated. - "Often, they want to Work with us, but they say : No Problem, However it would be Easier if you came to America"... Why ? It's Because there is that Bad Image of Strikes, of Too Many Staff Workers, with Corporative Revendications on Wages, etc., on which we have to do some HomeWork", he replied. - "Now, what is most Needed, is, I think, to Create a kind of "Signature" for our Interesting "Start-up" Enterprises, to Help them Work their Way Up, by Networking, etc", without Forgeting that, even in the USA, "Microsoft" was Created inside a ...Garage !" => A Pragmatic Solution, associating what is already Possible, with an Ambition for the Future, would be to Focus on those among our Best Start-up Businesses which are the Interesting for Investors, and Network them, i.e. Combine Together their Forces, in order to create a Joint Product, eventualy Associating SMEs and Big Banks, Corporations, etc", he suggested. ---------------------------------------------------------------- - However, Catherine Trautmann, former MEP, Minister of Culture, and Strasbourg's Mayor, currently in charge of Big Infrastructures, re-Focused on Bio-Tech Only, presenting a Local "Decision to Create a Medical Technology Park", from which she Expects to Attract Investors and "some 50 More Businees able to create 1.000 Jobs". Medical Technologies are anOther Aspect of Development, Together with Chirurgy, Diagnostic Tool, and Tele-Medicine, etc. Because we also have here a Medical Faculty, a Faculty of Pharmaceutics, INSERM and Alsace BioValley, she observed. --------------------------------------------------------- + Indeed, "we Need a Common Space", agreed also the President of "Alsace BioValley", Severine Sigrist, herself a CEO of a Start-up Company specialized in Fabricating and Grafting of Artificial Body Parts, (such as, f.ex., an Artificial Pancreas and Other Organs, etc). Sigrist also, repeatedly evoked Issues related to Local/Regional "Territories"' "Cooperation" and/or "Attractivity", as well as on Strasbourg "Region"'s relevant Importance for RST Projects' boosting, as well as that Scientists should "Work Together with All (concerned) Territories", etc., thereby, inevitably Opening (voluntarily, or not) towards some very Interesting, Latest Developments on RST Policies and Choices at Strasbourg's Recently Enlarged "Great East" Region : ------------------------------------------- "BioValley"'s Bio-Tech Lobby had become in the Past an almost Exclusive Innovation Interlocutor in Strasbourg's Traditional Region Alsace, some Years ago, but, Now, it has just Lost that capacity, after the recent Enlargement to the "Great East", brand New and much Bigger Mega-Region, which includes, Now, also Lorraine and Champagne-Ardennes, bridging together instead of only 1, in fact 6 various "Competitivity Poles", such as, not just Health Sciences, but also Water, Bio-Agriculture, New Materials, Sustainable Buildings, New Vehicles and Mobility of the Future. They are just Starting to search an overall Coherence and to Develop Cooperation Projects, throughout a Huge area Linking Paris' surroundings to the German and Swiss Borders on the Rhine river, Including also to Luxembourg and Belgium : A 1st Partnership Agreement, on Scientific Research and Technological Development cooperation Projects, as well as International prospection, Funds-Raising, etc., was already Signed beteween those 6 Competitivity Poles of that New Strasbourg's "Great East" Region, which have also reportedly Agreed, Recently, on Identifying 3 joint Priorities for the Future : "Agro-Materials", "Enhanced Reality", and "Connected Objects", (i.e., quite a lot about Digital Society too)... Something which might have incited, and/or, at any case, certainly interested French Minister Axelle Lemaire, particularly when she Evoked, a bit Later-on, during this Same Discussion with a Science Community inside ISU, the "Competitivity" Issues, (fitting quite well with the New Strasbourg's "Great East" Enlarged Region's ... no less than 6 Competitivity Poles). ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- + In Addition, the even More Recent Creation of a "European Campus" Headquartered in Strasbourg (since May 2016), in order to Bring Closer Together all Universities of French, German and Swiss Local Areas, (f.ex. Bas-Rhin Department around Strasbourg, Ortenau Creis in Germany, and Bales' area in Switzerland), due to Mutualize their Infrastructues (Labos and Machines, Buildings with Offices and Conference Rooms, Libraries and Archives, etc), Cooperate and even Present Joint Research Projects for Common EU a.o. Funding Demands, etc., (See Euro-Campus' President, Professor .... from Germany Statements to "Eurofora" at .... + .....), naturaly Stops the Monopoly of an Exclusive "Bio-Tech" Lobby alone over Strasbourg, as in a recent Past, and Opens even Wider Pluralist Horizons for Democratic Scientific and Technological Choices for the foreseable Future. Both those 2 Brand New Strategic Developments, about France's National Organisation and EU core's Integration, obviously are also More Harmonious with ISU's own realities and overall Philosophy of All Sciences'-Enhancing Human Space Flight... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ F.ex., among many others, also the above-mentioned "Connected Objects" Joint Research Priority of All the New Strasbourg's "Great East" Region's 6 Competitivity Poles, agreed after the Recent Developments on 2016 (See Above), certainly would Remind to Prime Minister Valls, particularly Now, that other "Connected Objects" Strasbourg Event that he Chose to Visit among the First (just after Agriculture) during the Inauguration of Strasbourg's Annual 2016 "EuroFair", Yesterday Noon, on the 115th Anniversary of prestigious European Innovation Award Competiton "Lepine", (Comp. its President, Gerard Dorey's Statements to "Eurofora" at : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/innovationawardpresidentondroneneareuparliament.html ). --------------------------------------- + Such a Digital Society (Dear to French Minister Axelle Lemaire : Comp. Supra) and Internet-related, Topical Reference, would Also Remind Valls his Visit to the 2016 "Guest of Honour" Country, at the Inauguration of Strasbourg's Annual "EuroFair", Yesterday Noon, i.e. Tunisia, at the area of which he met the Tunisian Consul General Trabelsi (Comp. the Consul's previous Statements to "Eurofora" at: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/tunisiaconsuloneufaireconomyandconstitution.html), as well as its Tourism and Crafts' Minister, etc. ----------------------------------- It was also during his Official Speech for the Inauguration of that same 2016 Strasbourg's "EuroFair", Yesterday Noon, at the Superbly ReNovated and Enlarged, Huge "Convention and Exhibition Center", inside the landmark "Palace for Music and Congresses'" Building "Pierre Pflimlin", that the French Prime Minister stressed particularly the Indispensable "Security Culture" that all Citizens, Civil Society and Public Authorities, have a Vital Need to Learn how to Adopt and Use, in EveryDay Life, after the Recent Deadly Terrorist Attacks by Islamistic Terrorists, in France, at nearby Germany, and various Other European Countries, (such as the UK, Austria, Switzerland, etc.) even in the USA, this same 2016 Summer, (Comp., f.ex. : .... + ...). I.e. a "Security" which can be notoriously Enhanced also thanks to the Development of High-Tech "Earth Observation" a.o. EU Space Projects, fitting well with Valls' visit to the International Space University (ISU) Yesterday Afternoon, that EU Parliament Supported by a Public Plenary Debate and a Resolution adopted with a Strong Majority, Recently in Strasbourg, (See "Eurofora"s NewsReport for that event : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/euparliamentonspace.html), while EU currently Prepares its 27 Heads of State/Government 1st Independent Post-PREXIT Summit on Europe's Future at Bratislava (Slovakia : the current Holder of EU Council's rotating Presidency), later in the Middle of this Month, (16/9/2016), which is expected to Focus also on Boosting EU's Security and Defence Policy and Capabilities, whose indispensable Autonomy (also Required by another relevant EU Parliament's Resolution recently adopted in Strasbourg : See ......) urgently Depends also, in real Practice, from the Development of some Space "Early Warning" and "3CCC" New High-Tech, (as an EADS' European AirSpace Giant Company's Top Strategy Advisor, Experienced former Long-time French Army General, had Earlier told "Eurofora")... ------------------- "The Question of Pathways (Networks) is Essential !", stressed, indeed, French Prime Minister Valls, Yesterday Afternoon, at this Exceptionaly Important ISU Meeting. Inter alia, also Because "it allows Major Investments, which must be pursued", while "for those who are Not inside such Pathways, it becomes Difficult", he Warned. Therefore, this must be done "in Discussion with All Actors". + Because, "the main Role of the (National) State is to Stimulate" relevant developments, "and help connect into Networks", after making various necessary "Reforms" for that purpose, (f.ex. by "Reforming Universities and Research", "Lowering Taxes on Businesses", "Focusing Industries on the Pathways of the Future", etc). - For the Rest, "during the Last 30 Years", a lot of "Extraordinary Transformations" have taken place "in the Political Life", he Outlined : F.ex. "DeCentralisation is a Quiet Revolution", which "is being Pursued" even further "Calmly". Something Similar goes also for "the Autonomy of Universities", which "must be Continued", etc. So that, Nowadays, "Elected Local Authorities", "particularly Together with All Partners : Enterprises, Universities, various other Entities, etc", Work all Together, "Creating a Collective Intelligence", he observed. - But "Time is Needed in order to Build the Future in a Key Sector", the French Prime Minister also felt Now. There are things thet "Must be Continued", and "Others" that "have to be Rectified". "But", at any such case, "all this is done for the Long-Term" : F.ex. "The Choices that we Make Today, Will Count during the 10 or 20 Years Ahead", Manuel Valls Concluded. ---------------- => A Fortiori, for all those reasons and much more, Shouldn't really ALL relevant, interested and/or affected such "Partners", useful for the General Interest of France and Europe, at least from All those "6 Competitivity Poles" currently existing in Strasbourg's brand New "Great East" Region, (Comp. Supra), and even more, be Invited to Express their Views and eventualy Present also various other Interesting Projects, (instead of Only 1 Lobby, at the Exclusion of All Others : Comp. Facts cited Supra) ? F.ex., Among Many Others, at Nearby Baden-Wurttemberg (Germany), the Famous Owner of the "Burda" Media Empire, (which includes also "Focus" Magazine, and various Other MM, etc), had already Proposed, as Early as from December 2010 (Comp. "Eurofora"s NewsReport from Neighbouring Offenburg's meetintg of the "Superior Rhine" Franco-German-Swiss Trans-Border Cooperation body, and Statemsnts that gave us f. EU Affairs Minister of Germany, Werner Hoyer, currently EIB's President, at the Eve of an Exceptionaly Important, then, Franco-German Summit in Freiburg : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/hoyeronfrancogermansummit.html + http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/sarkozymerkelforeuintegration.html ), inter alia, also to Create a kind of Modern Electronic Networks conglomerate, including an "Internet Networks Valley", all accross Both Sides of the Rhine River. Is it just a Coincidence, or, may be, a "Lapsus Significativus", that, even Now, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, (a Personal Example of Franco-Spanish EU Integration, following, f.ex. former French President Nicolas Sarkkozy's Franco-Greco-Hungarian + Italy example, among others), repeatedly Spoke, at the ISU in Strasbourg, about, not just a mere "Bio-Valley", but also of a kind of ..."Silicon Valley" ? Relevant examples could naturally be Multiplied, here : F.ex., also for what the Strasbourg-based "European Foundation of Sciences" had named, as Early as already since a Landmark 2005 Report, the lato-sensu "Earth Sciences", (Historically Strong here), including Space issues, since Both the Historicaly World Famous "Seismology" Centre, part of the Oil-Gas Experienced "Globe Institute", and ISU (both in Strasbourg), "ReNewable Energy Sources" Technologies (f.ex. Solar, Waterfalls, WindFarms, GeoThermy, etc), as also ESA's Space Control Center (at nearby Darmstadt), Natural Environment Protection Experience (partidularly on Water, Air-Pollution and/or Mountains, etc) is Important, from Strasbourg up to Munich, and the "Family" Company which got EU's Contract for "GALILEO" Satellite Navigation System's fabrication of a 1st Series of Satellites (HQ at nearby Stuttgart). And/or what anOther German University Professor had suggested, since 2010, about Developping a Unique Network of "Supreme" or "Human Rights' Courts" Legal Analysis research, Thanks to the Presence, here, of both ECHR, (Strasbourg), Germany's important Constitutional Court (Karlsruhe), and EU's Court of Justice (Luxembourg), all along the European Borders of Strasbourg's brand New "Great East" Region... Why Not ? Particularly when a Pioneer "European Campus" inter-linking French-German-Swiss Universities has just been Launched, since Spring 2016, in Strasbourg, (See, f.ex.: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/eusciencecomissioneronchinaandeuuniversitiesgroup.html + ...), and, even more, when we take into account also the Historicaly Important New Fact that, in this Summer 2016's Post-BREXIT Europe, EU is notoriously Searching New, Performant and EU Citizens-Friendly ways to adequately Boost a Deeper Integration, (which had recently been Delayed too much, since 1999-2005+) ? Naturaly, one among all those Valuable Potentials, (and even More), simply evoked here, doesn't exclude another. On the Contrary, most of them should and could be, more or less, Integrated inside an Overall Coherent, High-Tech, European "Competitivity" Strategy. WithOut, on the Contrary, Excluding a priori Everything, just to Focus Exclusively on Only 1, alone, even without any clearly known, previous Public Debate, that French Prime Minister Valls had, however, Considered as a "Must" in such crucialy Important matters which can contribute to Shape the Future, (Comp. Supra). Sometimes, one must Dare even "Grasp the Bull by the Horn", a well known Popular Proverb says, as Manuel Valls Symbolicaly did, just a few Hours Earlier, while Inaugurating Strasbourg's 2016 "Euro-Fair" (See relevant Photo)... Why not also a "Real" one, about Strategic Innovation Funds' hard Choices, Crucial for many People's foreseable Future ? (../..) *** (NDLR : "DraftNews", as already send to "Euriofora" Subscribes/Donors, earlier. A more accurate, full Final Version, might be Published asap). *** Speaking of fire and intelligent design, our colleague Sarah Chaffee had an excellent post the other day on the upcoming solar eclipse. When the suns fire is blocked by the shade of the moon, its not only an awesome visual spectacle. It is also a reminder of the rare privileged nature of our planet, seemingly designed for scientific discovery. This caught the attention of the estimable Eric Metaxas, who devotes a BreakPoint commentary to the subject. He reminds us of the role of an eclipse in Mark Twains A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthurs Court. On the specifics of what makes an eclipse possible and why it matters: Sarah Chaffee at Evolution News & Views cites astronomer Guillermo Gonzalez and philosopher Jay Richards, who argue that our place in the cosmos is designed for discovery. Thats the subtitle of their book, The Privileged Planet, in which they document how vital total solar eclipses are to science. For example, these phenomena were key in validating Einsteins theory of relativity, which predicted that gravity bends light. By observing stars that are invisible except during an eclipse, astronomers were able to watch the sun bend their light, making them appear out of place in the sky, and confirming Einsteins prediction. Eclipses were also how man first observed solar flares and coronal mass ejections on the surface of the sun. These phenomena are normally invisible to the naked eye, but appear briefly around the edges of the moon during an eclipse. It turns out the conditions for this dazzling display are incredibly rare. The moon has to be just the right size, orbiting a planet just the right distance from its host star. And it so happens that although the sun is 400 times bigger than the moon, its also (coincidence?) 400 times further from us, meaning that the two objects appear roughly the same size in the sky. This allows the moon to block the sun in precisely the right way for scientists to study the solar atmosphere. And of course, all of these conditions must be met on a planet that also supports intelligent life capable of appreciating the eclipse. The Earth, conclude Gonzalez and Richards, is uniquely suited as an observatory for such astronomical wonders almost as if it were designed for that purpose. Amazingly, many remain unconvinced. Writing at Phys.org, David Dickinson denies that all of this planetary engineering suggests intelligent design. He calls the many preconditions necessary for solar eclipses a happy celestial circumstance. Happy celestial circumstance? Translation: a fluke, like all the other evidence of extreme, unique fitness cosmic, planetary, anatomical that define what biologist Michael Denton calls a unique path already built into nature at the end of which lies civilization, including science, and life as we know it. Photo: 2009 total eclipse from Panchagarh District, Bangladesh, by Muntasir Mamun Imran (Own work) [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons. Im on Twitter. Follow me @d_klinghoffer. Bullwinkle said: One reason I'm moving to the Philippines is that my Canada government pension ... Click to expand... Bullwinkle, From what Ive read of your posts, I dont think youll have any difficulty in making the transition to living in the Philippines. The food aspect is an interesting one and very subjective. Does one eat to live or live to eat? Many of us fall somewhere in the middle i.e., not obsessed with food but like to eat well and as healthy as possible. Let me respond to some of your comments/ questions.Ive used public markets in many parts of the world and I absolutely love them. Whether its the fruit and veg or fish markets, I enjoy strolling around as much for the people watching aspect as buying food. Nor have I had any problems with bartering. Having said that, our local supermarkets are closer, cleaner, smell better and certainly more convenient. I have noticed that the older I get the less I want to barter every time I buy a bag of onions or a kg of the local fish. The end result is that we tend to do more shopping in the supermarkets. I have mixed feelings about that.Weve only been here a couple of years but have noticed substantial price increases for food during that period. Prices can be very seasonal too as you will soon become aware. We have three main supermarkets where we live, SM, Robinsons and Iloilo Supermart. The latter is probably the cheaper for most items. The first two are more expensive. However, the first two have a greater choice and stock items unavailable in the cheaper mart so if we want those products, we have no choice but to the purchase from there.We spent three months travelling around the Philippines (doing a recce) before settling here. During that time we came to learn that each city is different, they have different supermarkets and stock different items. We were happy to find products during out travels in other cities, thinking that if they are in such and such a place that we'd probably get them where we eventually decided to live. Not quite, as mentioned under prices above, cities have different supermarkets and stock different products.As you seem to be into healthy eating, youll be aware that coconut oil is one of those oils where the experts continually disagree as to whether or not its good or bad. Yes, its very high in saturated fats but these are different fats from those found in meats so I dare say thats part of the confusion. For us, we know that it contains fatty acids, which raise both LDL (bad) and HDL (good) cholesterol. As the saturated fat is extremely high, we try to limit our intake of coconut oil. We dont see the health benefits of switching to coconut as our main cooking oil. FYI, we use a brand of Coconut Oil called Evina and Ive seen that in many supermarkets; it usually comes in a small 250ml bottle. Sorry I dont recall the price but Ill find out if you want. As you know, olive oil looses many of its beneficial properties if over heated so we try not to use it under those circumstances. Coconut oil is then better. I hear what you say about not knowing what it is that youre buying re olive oil; I think that probably applies to many products unfortunately.We have a great selection in Iloilo. Ive tried quite a few but Im personally not that fond of the majority. Wholegrain (brown) is readily available, as is red and black rice, all very tasty and nutritious. We prefer Basmati ourselves but as its not local, you have to pay a much higher price for it. Its all down to taste; the locals wouldnt thank you for Basmati and tend to eat the stickier, white rice.Overall, were very disappointed in the quality of bread here. It's mainly white and much too sweet for our taste. During our travels around the Philippines, we occasionally come across a supermarket that had a German bread supplier, but these were few and far between. There was an expat in our area that used to make great German breads and sell them to expats but I think he has stopped. The locals dont really go for wholemeal and sourdough breads etc. We now make our own. The quality of flour is not great and one has to check for weevils. A stint in the freezer tends to take care of them. In our area, wholemeal flour, bread flour and all-purpose flour are readily available. We get Rye Flour sent down from Manila but the quality is not what we would expect in Germany or UK. Canada has a great reputation for quality flour so I suspect you may be disappointed with the quality here. Still, we are able to produce decent wholemeal, sourdough and Irish wheaten breads with the available flour.Again, very subjective. Some people are content with the 3 in 1 which Im afraid isnt quite our cup of tea. Some people tend to go all strange when you tell them how much youre willing to spend on a decent espresso machine, grinder or even the coffee beans for that matter, implying that you must be some sort of coffee bore or snob. We all develop our taste buds over the years and are subjected to different experiences so its hardly surprising that we differ so much when it comes to coffee. If youre a serious coffee drinker then youll appreciate that its as important to spend a substantial amount on a decent grinder as it is on the actual espresso machine. Weve struggled to find decent coffee beans here, so as much as we dislike some of the business practices of the larger, well known, high street coffee corporations, we still prefer their coffee beans so we tend to buy most of our beans from there. It is expensive though, ranging from 1,500 to 1,900 per kg. We also have access to a very local brand, which is quite different and only costs 625 per kg. However, variety is the spice of life so we wouldnt want to be drinking the cheaper version every day. As Bidrod and MCA have recommended Barako Coffee Beans, Ill keep an eye out for that as Id like to give it a try; always good to have things recommended. Importing coffee into the Ph is illegal by the way. I have no idea if you use a $20 spice grinder or a specialised coffee grinder, which range in price up to $1,600 and more. Suffice to say, there are very few shops selling the latter in the Philippines. Rather than get embroiled on the forum in a no-win situation debate over what coffee, grinder or espresso machine is best, if you want to know more about what we use, feel free to PM me. If you have a decent grinder and espresso machine that you already own, bring it with you or have it sent over, as quality machines are expensive and few and far between here. Ill let others comment on the voltage aspect, as thats not my field.We eat raw, unsalted nuts on a regular basis. They are readily available where we live. No so in all cities. Cashews are grown locally. We saw our first cashew tree in Guimaras last year, quite remarkable and worth googling. Heres a list of some prices. In some cases, Ive quoted a price range; this indicates the different prices Ive found between supermarkets. All prices are in PHP per kilogram.Cashews 600, walnuts 520-980, almonds 440-870, macadamia 1,390, pecan 1,430, pistachios 1,900. Remember that cashews are also high in saturated fats (19.8%) and should therefore only be eaten in small quantities.I think weve seen this in some supermarkets but cant be sure. It certainly wouldnt be a common item in most supermarkets. I'll keep an eye out for it and let you know.An Australian brand by the name of Australian Harvest supply many supermarkets here. Weve found good wholemeal jumbo oats and oat bran under that brand. Just recently, our local supermarket had a range of the well-known Bobs Red Mill products. We were able to buy a superb muesli, a 10-grain cereal, and steel cut oats, which we call pinhead in Ireland. The 10-grain was P250 for a 1.41kg pack and the steel cut oats was P255 for a 1.53kg pack. I do not have the price of the Australian Harvest products to hand but can get them if you want. Check the websites of both companies for info re organic.Readily available where we live. As Gary D mentioned, there are a lot of products containing fillers. There are also a lot that contain sugar. We use what we regard to be a decent brand called Bensdorp, which does not contain sugar nor fillers to my knowledge. Cost: P380 per kg. Natural (NP) | Bensdorp I hope thats given you a little insight into some of the products you enquired about. As has been said by other members, you get to know which products are always available and those which should be purchased in bulk when seen and stored at home. Thats partly the reason that we find having 2 large fridges very useful. By buying in bulk when available and storing items in the fridge that would normally survive on the shelf in Europe, we find the benefits outweigh the cost in terms of electricity usage for the extra fridge. Like anywhere, there are pros and cons and the food situation here is no different. If you can incorporate as much of the local food into your diet, especially the fruit and veg, youll be able to keep your costs down. Its foreign items, especially dairy products such as cheeses, milk, butter, yogurt etc. that will push up your grocery bill. However, whilst cooking with the local ingredients is all well and good, if you cant treat yourself to some of your favourite western foods as well, whats the point of living or being here?Once you get over here, if you ever venture down this way, feel free to call in for a coffee. As I said above, if you require more information about some of the items mentioned, you can always PM me. Thank you for reading! To read this article and more, subscribe now for as little as $1.99. Wednesday, September 7, 2016 by Ford Saeks by Speakers, the first thing a meeting planner does when considering whether or not to hire you for an event is take a look at your website. Their goal is to learn about your message, your typical audience and your fee. But they also want to know that you are an expert whose opinions are valued by reputable companies and thousands of followers. Your site becomes your first impression, and your speaker website design will reflect on you. Here are a few things a viewer will be critiquing on your site. Whats your expertise? Your speaking topics should be clear to even the most inexperienced technology user. For example, we recommend that your speaker website design includes Keynote Speaking in your top navigation, so that visitors know right where to click to find your topics. Also on your site, theyll want to see videos of your previous speeches, links to any books youve published, and an active blog that all relate to your topic(s) of expertise. One part of establishing yourself as an expert is showing that others believe you have the answers. Do you have social proof? Ideally, a viewer wants to see lots of comments and shares on your blog as well as a plethora of followers across social media channels like Facebook and Twitter. In your speaker website design, you can put your social media links in your header and footer as well as have share options on your blog posts. Social proof also includes past clients. Get testimonials each time you have a satisfied client as testimonials are the cornerstone of a successful speaking website. These quotes should be scattered throughout your site rather than limited to a menu item. Another good way to show that your expertise is valued is to include a client logo cloud to represent the companies that have invited you as a speaker or consultant. This social proof shows puts meeting planners at ease knowing that you have solved others problems and will likely do the same at their event. How does your site rank? If an individual or organization is considering you as their keynote speaker, theyll want to know that you show up on search engines like Google and Bing. An easy way for visitors to check is through the Alexa ranking, where they can glimpse into how much traffic your site receives. When you review the numbers yourself, you want to see that a lot of people are talking about you and other sites are linking to yours. You can also check an individuals Klout score, which shows how much social influence they have. The goal is to get as close as possible to a score of 100. The higher the score, the more influence an individual has. How does this tie into your speaker website design? Its all about SEOthe keywords on your main pages, your titles and meta description, and each blog post you write. If your SEO isnt in top shape, you wont have a great ranking. Whats the best way to improve your site ranking? Target keywords that people who have the problem you can solve are searching for. Prime Concepts Group is the number one development firm in speaker website design, so we know precisely what goes into creating a site that accomplishes all of your goals and positions you to get more gigs. Interested to see what kind of work we can do? Weve pulled together a few favorite sites weve developed and designed over the years to serve as inspiration for you. Its always helpful to see what other speakers are doing to stand out and if any common themes emerge. If you need help in the process of designing your site, wed be glad to chat about your needs. Just call us at 316-942-1111. Great Speaker Website Design Examples As a speaker who covers how diversity of thought drives innovation, Stephen Shapiro needed a site that matched his ideas. We delivered a website that bundled all that is Stephen into a presentation ready to book speaking engagements and sell products that help leaders tackle innovation challenges. For the Worlds Funniest Motivational Business Speaker, it only makes sense that his banner streams a video of him working his magic to make people laugh while helping to change their mindsets and lives as a result. We wanted to make sure Steves new speaker website design communicated his inspirational message, his status as a celebrity keynote speaker, and his positive energy. We started by building a strong foundationa clean, streamlined navigation and concise content. With the messaging, we took care to balance Steves impressive comedy credentials with the high content of his presentations and the bottom-line results he provides for his clients. Wendy Keller helps those who have experienced loss heal and get their lives working well again. We wanted to do the same to help her get her site back on track. To do so, we did a design overhaul on her already popular site to improve the user experience so that visitors could easily achieve their goals. The end result is a beautiful feel with a clean, modern design. Robyn is a team-building speaker, but her keynotes are also geared toward leadership, performance, sales, and adaptability. We wanted to highlight this, so we worked with Robyn to update and refine her messaging. Then we helped her emphasize that her motivational and inspiring keynotes also offer real solutions for business challenges. New York Times bestselling author and a Hall of Fame speaker , Shep Hyken is a leading customer service expert. By working with companies and organizations, he helps them build loyal relationships with their customers and employees. Since his site was already very successful, we were careful to retain what was working by keeping the overall look of the site while making the design fully responsive and adding more social proof on the site. We hope that seeing these examples has been helpful. Have you noticed any common themes emerge? There is definitely a style most effective when developing speaker websites and we have a team well-versed in personalizing the necessary elements to design the perfect site for you, as a speaker. Just call us at 316-942-1111 and we can get started today. Related Let's block ads! (Why?) Thursday, September 8, 2016 One of my tips from KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die was included in this article Move Over Spring Cleaning, Time for Fall Declutter on the website StoredBy.com. The story includes these great ideas and tips about benefits of downsizing in the fall: Seasonal shifts inspire change and productivity. Get ready for the holidays and gift hiding. You can focus on cleaning areas you dont usually pay attention to. As you change out seasonal clothing, its a perfect opportunity to downsize those items you no longer wear or fit into. Pull out and clean behind/under large appliances. Pare down the summer stuff before storing objects you wont need or use next year. And here is my contribution to the story: Stage Your Home You dont have to actually sell your home to reap the benefits of staging your home for sale. Pretend youre going to sell your home and move. It helps you emotionally detach from your stuff. For a fee, a home stager will help you reduce your clutter, re-arrange the furniture, and spruce the place up. You may find you enjoy living in your new home so much, you dont need to move! This was tip #85 from KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die. And there are more than 100 other great ideas, plus the Executor Checklist to help inspire and inform your downsizing undertaking! Get the paperback book for $15.95 from Amazon.com, AGoodGoodbye.com, or the publisher, Rio Grande Books. Thursday, September 8, 2016 The design of the new IPhone 7 elegantly combines an increasingly minimalist surface design with a rich, complex world of applications. This type of elegance has recently emerged as a growing trend in the fields of architecture, product design, innovation and strategic business leadership, providing a powerful key to managing complexity and creating disruptive solutions. But quite frankly, when I discuss the concept of elegance with business leaders, frequently all I get is a blank stare. I tell them that they quickly need to wake up to this trend, if they don't want to miss the boat. In recent years, we have seen many elegant concepts, technologies and products launched into the world markets, which have changed the way in which we live, work, and create value. The IPhone, with its deceptively simple, elegant design and its complex, rich sub-structure completely revolutionized the world of mobile phones and hand-held devices. The Google search engine, with its clean, uncluttered design and meaningful search results blew away most of the potential competitors. The list of new, successfully disruptive solutions, products and technologies, which make use of the key concepts of elegance, is growing quickly. So what is the secret sauce?" business executives tend to ask me. I tell them that Swiss watchmakers can teach them a lesson about the secret of true elegance. A watch should have a surface structure which is easy to understand, allowing for intuitive navigation. But below the surface, the inner works of a truly great watch will include a "grand complication", representing the most complex achievements of watchmaking. We don't need to understand the inner works of a watch to be able to use it. Its elegant design provides a means of articulating complexity in a way that enables easy comprehension and intuitive navigation. In an increasingly chaotic, ever-changing world, business leaders need to manage complexity by mastering such elegant techniques, in order to make better decisions and create increased business value. Like in the design of the new IPhone 7, elegant business leadership must combine a simple management cockpit, which allows for intuitive navigation, with a rich, complex sub-structure. As in the cases of Apple, Google and many other elegant innovators, this approach will help business executives and entrepreneurs to create disruptive changes to their advantage in the markets they operate in. Elegance combines simplicity with complexity to create game-changing solutions. From: American Evaluation Association (AEA) For Immediate Release: Dateline: Washington , DC Thursday, September 8, 2016 Hello! We are M. Justin Miller and Dr. Tiffany Smith from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. M. here I am a graduate student in the Masters Program in Applied Psychology (MSAP), and I work for the Applied Research Center at UW-Stout, a resource for internal evaluations at UW-Stout. The Applied Research Center also does external evaluations for a variety of businesses, governmental agencies, and educational institutions. Tiffany here I am an assistant professor of psychology here at Stout. I teach masters evaluation courses for the MSAP program. The two of us are very interested in the development of the evaluation field, and the effect that influential people have on our careers in applied psychology. We chose Robert Stake for our honoree. Stake is a professor emeritus at the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign who pioneered the evaluation field in many ways. Why we chose to honor this evaluator: Stake deserves honor during this series of AEA365s because he not only contributed to many elements of evaluation, but he also inspires many young evaluators with his stance toward evaluation. As Stake said Professional evaluation is where we move well beyond common sense and impression, where we reject simplistic indicators. Professional evaluation is where we combine the discipline of the connoisseur, the logic of the philosopher, the acuity of the ethnographer, and the moral sensitivity of the judge. We promise more than we can really do (From Evaluation Roots, 2004). Contributions to our field: Among his many contributions to the field of evaluation, Stakes major contribution lies in his work regarding responsive evaluation. There are four primary components of responsive evaluation: measurement, description, judgment, and negotiation. Measurement, description, and judgment lead to successful evaluations because of the focus on quantitative data, aspects of the program relevant to the evaluations, and examination of the programs merit. However, negotiation is what characterizes responsive evaluation because it involves the stakeholders in deciding methods for the evaluation. The evaluator negotiates methods for the evaluation after establishing criteria regarding the description and judgment of the program. Although responsive evaluation had a heavy quantitative focus, Stake started to become more focused on qualitative research later on in his career, as can be read about in his books Qualitative Research: Studying How Things Work (2010) and The Art of Case Study Research (1995). This shift toward qualitative research is partially attributed to his work in educational evaluations, where he pressed for a focus on qualities of educational curriculums. As Stake says We promise more than we can really do, but we continue to do, and strive to improve our programs, policies, and organizations. Resources: Resources: Robert Stake University of Illinois Evaluation Roots, 2012 Amazon.com Author Page The American Evaluation Association is celebrating Labor Day Week in Evaluation: Honoring Evaluations Living Pioneers. The contributions this week are tributes to our living evaluation pioneers who have made important contributions to our field and even positive impacts on our careers as evaluators. Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this aea365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the aea365 webpage so that we may enrich our community of practice. Would you like to submit an aea365 Tip? Please send a note of interest to aea365@eval.org . aea365 is sponsored by the American Evaluation Association and provides a Tip-a-Day by and for evaluators. This is part of a two-week series honoring our living evaluation pioneers in conjunction with Labor Day in the USA (September 5).Hello! We areandfrom the University of Wisconsin-Stout.M. here I am a graduate student in the Masters Program in Applied Psychology (MSAP), and I work for the Applied Research Center at UW-Stout, a resource for internal evaluations at UW-Stout. The Applied Research Center also does external evaluations for a variety of businesses, governmental agencies, and educational institutions.Tiffany here I am an assistant professor of psychology here at Stout. I teach masters evaluation courses for the MSAP program. The two of us are very interested in the development of the evaluation field, and the effect that influential people have on our careers in applied psychology.We chose Robert Stake for our honoree. Stake is a professor emeritus at the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign who pioneered the evaluation field in many ways.Stake deserves honor during this series of AEA365s because he not only contributed to many elements of evaluation, but he also inspires many young evaluators with his stance toward evaluation. As Stake said Professional evaluation is where we move well beyond common sense and impression, where we reject simplistic indicators. Professional evaluation is where we combine the discipline of the connoisseur, the logic of the philosopher, the acuity of the ethnographer, and the moral sensitivity of the judge. We promise more than we can really do (From Evaluation Roots, 2004).Among his many contributions to the field of evaluation, Stakes major contribution lies in his work regarding responsive evaluation. There are four primary components of responsive evaluation: measurement, description, judgment, and negotiation. Measurement, description, and judgment lead to successful evaluations because of the focus on quantitative data, aspects of the program relevant to the evaluations, and examination of the programs merit. However, negotiation is what characterizes responsive evaluation because it involves the stakeholders in deciding methods for the evaluation. The evaluator negotiates methods for the evaluation after establishing criteria regarding the description and judgment of the program.Although responsive evaluation had a heavy quantitative focus, Stake started to become more focused on qualitative research later on in his career, as can be read about in his books Qualitative Research: Studying How Things Work (2010) and The Art of Case Study Research (1995). This shift toward qualitative research is partially attributed to his work in educational evaluations, where he pressed for a focus on qualities of educational curriculums.As Stake says We promise more than we can really do, but we continue to do, and strive to improve our programs, policies, and organizations.The American Evaluation Association is celebrating Labor Day Week in Evaluation: Honoring Evaluations Living Pioneers. The contributions this week are tributes to our living evaluation pioneers who have made important contributions to our field and even positive impacts on our careers as evaluators. Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this aea365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the aea365 webpage so that we may enrich our community of practice. Would you like to submit an aea365 Tip? Please send a note of interest to aea365@eval.org . aea365 is sponsored by the American Evaluation Association and provides a Tip-a-Day by and for evaluators. Thursday, September 8, 2016 Bill Cosbys lawyer, Brian McMonagle, issued a statement this week claiming that the comedy legends legal problems are the result of racial bias and prejudice. He really did. Mr. Cosby is no stranger to discrimination and racial hatred, and throughout his career Mr. Cosby has always used his voice and his celebrity to highlight the commonalities and has portrayed the differences that are not negative no matter the race, gender and religion of a person. Yet over the last 14 months, Mr. Cosby and those who have supported him have been ignored while lawyers like Gloria Allred hold press conferences to accuse him of crimes for unwitnessed events that allegedly occurred almost a half-century earlier. The time has come to shine a spotlight on the trampling of Mr. Cosbys civil rights. Gloria Allred apparently loves the media spotlight more than she cares about justice. She calls herself a civil rights attorney, but her campaign against Mr. Cosby builds on racial bias and prejudice that can pollute the court of public opinion. And when the media repeats her accusations with no evidence, no trial and no jury we are moved backwards as a country and away from the America that our civil rights leaders sacrificed so much to create. I dont blame McMonagle, and nobody else should. Hes doing what he can to defend his client, who looks about as guilty as a man can. Nor did he say this without the approval of his client. Lawyers discuss their strategy with clients: if Cosby didnt want to sink this low and look this desperate, he didnt have to. Then I would have been able to salvage a slim iota of respect for the man. It isnt worth much time or thought discussing how ridiculous this accusation is. Bill Cosby? White Americas darling? The Jello pudding man, the charming interviewer of kids, the educator who preached to black families that they need to raise their children to reject hip-hop culture? Whites made Cosby rich, powerful, and once, the most popular, respected and influential celebrity of any color in the nation. And suddenly they turned on him when they realized he was black? The claim is an insult to African-Americans who really do face bias and discrimination. More important, however, it is so depressing. Is there any prominent African-American in the the public eye who is capable of not playing the race card when he or she is in trouble? I held out hope that Bill Cosby, as loathsome as we now know he is, might be an exception if only because the claim in his case is so, so absurd. Lets see, which is the reason for Bills fall: a hundred women of all races coming forward to detail almost identical accounts of the comedian drugging and sexually assaulting them, or racial prejudice? Gee, let me think; this is a tough one. Never mind, though: apparently this alibi is so ingrained in black culture, so beaten into the brains of American blacks, so exploited by race hucksters and so much a foundation of the lefts politics that it exists as a permanent In case of a crisis, break glass last resort that is an African-Americans secret weaponafter all, when whites screw up, they cant claim anti-white bias, though trends in government, justice and academia may be changing that. If Roger Ailes were black, he would have attributed his fall at Fox to racial prejudice. Clarence Thomas played the race card. So has Obama. O.J. Barry Bonds. Herman Cain. Susan Rice. Eric Holder. Kanye West, though in his case it is dwarfed by his other outrages. This is kind of an anti-matter version of white privilege: while whites, we are told, are blissfully unaware of all the ways their success, if they have any, is based on systemic advantages in the culture, blacks are immersed in the idea that they are being persecuted because of race and led by role models and leaders to develop a self-image that can render them incapable of ever knowing when the problem might be their own conduct rather than oppression by others. I dont even doubt that Bill, Barack, Barry, Orenthal and the rest are sincere. This belief would be difficult not to absorb, and by the rest I mean every black who was cut from a school team, every black student who failed a course, every black applicant who lost out on a job, who has a lingering, nagging doubt in their mind about whether this was just white America claiming another victim. The rest also means every convicted black criminal who was sent to jail, and every spirit of a black man shot by a police officer, looking down from the clouds and saying to his winged companion: He didnt have to shoot me just because I tried to take his gun and charged him. That cop killed me because I was black. And when a Bill Cosby plays the same race card, he makes that poisonous beliefand it is poisonous even when it is accurate, as of course it can be stronger. See? They are even prejudiced against the Cos, and hes an icon! What chance to I have? I despair about this. Decades of this refrain have succeeded in achieving abundant racial spoils and many political advantages, so there will never be a time when it can be abandoned . Yet its unabating employment has simultaneously crippled African-American culture, because theres always this fallback, always the lingering suspicion that if you are black, you never really had a chance. You know who spread the message that prejudice or not, African-Americans had to take full responsibility for their own success or failure if they were ever going to break the cycle of being perpetual victims? Bill Cosby. But when he had else nothing left to gain public support, the Cos played the race card too. Next, hell probably refuse to stand for the National Anthem. Thursday, September 8, 2016 By Richard Martin, Expert in Business Readiness and Exploiting Change One of the most useful ideas for conceptualizing any kind of change process is the S-curve. Perhaps youve seen one of these before. It looks like this: The S-curve is the way natural and human phenomena grow and develop over time. For instance, the plot of a growth of bacteria or yeast in a laboratory follows the exact S-curve. Technically, its known as a logistic function, and when we plot it as a rate of growth, rather than cumulative growth, it forms a bell curve, although it doesnt follow a normal, Gaussian, distribution. In other words, when something starts growing or spreading, it first starts very slowly, then it speeds up until it hits it hits a maximum, after which the growth/spread rate slows down until it basically tends to zero. The S-curve approximates the cumulative growth or spread of just about any natural or man-made phenomenon, such as: Penetration of a new market segment Growth of new product/service category Learning stages Interest in topics Abilities (which tend to plateau after a time) Etc. One of the more relevant business applications is in strategy formulation and execution. Take a look at the following S-Curve application. It shows how we can map the different phases of a product or market life cycle onto the S-curve. This gives an intuitive understanding that all good things must come to an end or, as I imply in the title of this piece, What goes up, must (eventually) come down (or at least level off). New products or markets start as ideas, often as an external start up. I pluralize this because there should be a relatively high number of experiments and trials underway at any one time within a diversified company. Another strategy is to watch out for promising startups outside the business (or in an internal skunkworks) and then invest in them or simply acquire them once they start entering their rapid growth phase. Companies should have businesses (various combinations of product-market mix) in all stages of the life cycle in order to ensure a constant stream of growth generating ideas and strategic business units. Another important phenomenon to note is the presence of a decline phase. Unless there is continuing investment in a business line or concept, it will eventually go into decline. We dont necessarily know when, but we DO know it will happen at some point. This is another reason to be constantly replenishing the pipeline at the earlier life cycle stages of startup and rapid growth. The capital needed to invest in future ideas and growth will often come from the milk cows that are businesses in the maturity or plateau stage, although the latter can also provide a good source of financial capital through divestment. 2016 Richard Martin. Reproduction, forwarding, and quotes are permitted with proper attribution. Share this: Like this: Like Loading... Related Let's block ads! (Why?) I didnt grow up eating much German food and my childhood didnt include visits to Wurstfest in New Braunfels, so I tasted my first bratwurst at the old Comiskey Park on Chicagos South Side. After spending a year in Chicago, seven years in Milwaukee and now more than a past in San Antonio, I certainly have loved plenty of good brats at backyard cookouts and from some small artisanal makers and some upscale restaurants. But I think the best one I have ever tried is served at The Well. It was firm and juicy, with a casing that snapped when I bit into it, and each bite popped with different spices. One flavor note sang loudest, but was it nutmeg? Allspice? Ginger? I couldnt quite pick it out, but it doesnt really matter. This sausage could inspire poetry. It was terrific by itself and absolutely sublime with the housemade sauerkraut and a chewy, slightly yeasty housemade roll. Other dishes on a chef-inspired Texas comfort food menu from executive chef Chemo Barrera turned out well. If they didnt hit the heights of the bratwurst, thats OK. Dishes like that come along only every once in a while. More Information The Well ** 5539 UTSA Blvd., near Interstate 10, 210-877-9099, thewellsanantonio.com Quick bite: Texas classics get a chef-inspired upgrade in a roadhouse setting. Hit: Bratwurst, biscuit, burger with chopped beef Miss: Too much cheese on chili Hours: Lunch: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. daily; dinner: 5-9 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday, 5-10 p.. Thursday-Saturday Price range: Lunch: smaller plates, $3-$18; main dishes, $8-$24; desserts, $5-$7.. Dinner: smaller plates, $3-$18, main dishes, $8-$29; desserts, $5-$7. ****Superior. Can compete nationally. ***Excellent. One of the best restaurants in the city. ** Very good. A standout restaurant of its kind. * Good. A restaurant that we recommend. (no stars) We cannot recommend this restaurant at this time. Express-News dining critics pay for all meals. See More Collapse This establishment is the latest project from Bigz owner Lauren Stanley and it combines a restaurant, bar and Texas dance hall with live music on the weekends. How is that combination working? Well, I tried to visit on a Saturday night and the hostess said she had just seated two groups of 40 and a group of 50, so there would be at least a two-hour wait for food. We rescheduled our visit. In terms of the restaurants performance, Culinary Institute of America-San Antonio graduate Barrera has refined Texas classics by adding finesse to the cooking techniques or by adding ingredients. Still, the dishes stayed grounded. So a chicken-fried steak looked like an oversized hunk of tenderized beef in a crisp batter. The clever touch here was serving a cream gravy in a carafe so diners can pour as much or as little as theyd like, keeping the batter crisp until eaten. On top of that, the cream gravy included pieces of roasted jalapenos for a bit of spice, but not too much. The accompanying smashed potatoes were chunky and included little bits of peel for a rustic feel. The dish also included a thick and flaky biscuit with a crisp and buttery base. That biscuit almost scaled the heights of the brat. A thick and chewy housemade pretzel included a nice topping of coarse salt that worked very well with the accompanying beer cheese dipping sauce. If youre coming here just for drinks, snag the pretzel. It was a great bar bite and a nice celebration of San Antonios German influence. What about Texas chili? Good, not great. Although the stew itself had a pleasant flavor, it needed a bit more heft from a mild chile such as ancho and a touch more heat. But the biggest flaw was that it was topped with too much cheese, which got in the way of the chili. It also included a topping of fluffy and creamy spoonbread that made me forget about the cornbread on the table. No worries with the brisket. Admittedly, this is not a barbecue place, but the brisket on my plate was juicy, with a nice layer of fat on the outside and a tasty bark. The fixings that accompanied the brisket included a couple of housemade rolls, onions pickled with dill, housemade pickles, house-pickled serrano peppers and a small carafe of housemade barbecue sauce. The use of a smoker elevated an order of wings, which were fried after smoking and tossed in a spicy and tangy piri piri sauce. Thats a seasoning blend thats popular in parts of southern Africa. At first bite, the wings seemed similar to a classic Buffalo style, but the other seasonings kicked in a few moments later. The promised smoke flavor was missing from an order of smoked macaroni and cheese, however. It was thick, creamy and cheesy and quite nice overall. Still, the menu claimed it was smoked, and my barbecue-loving son and I wanted it that way. On the plus-side again, a burger topped with chopped beef and a barbecue aioli made my Texan heart smile and my arteries clog. I was a little bummed that I ran out of time and stomach to try the cowboy steak or the King Ranch Chicken. Now if the food is more elevated than a traditional Texas cafe, should the service offer a small-town friendliness or a more polished and urban style of professionalism? The servers here seemed to split the difference. In the bar, its fine. Im not sure it elevates the dining experience. Despite the occasional stumble, theres enough good stuff going on here that Stanley, Barrera and their teams are close to creating a standout among all the restaurants in the city. A little more polish just might get them there. Even so, Im looking forward to coming back and trying more items after I get another bratwurst. etijerina@express-news.net As the food industry continues to consolidate into fewer, bigger players, the price risk it once hedged in Chicago and New York futures markets is being pushed back onto the very farmers and ranchers it buys from. The reason is simple The Big Boys have the market power to do it. After decades of Big Ags talk about how farmers and ranchers needed to become part of an industrial supply chain, so many are, in fact, now linked to that chain that local and regional cash markets where sellers and buyers meet to establish prices are becoming extinct. Thats the problem with chained producers: There just isnt enough un-chained production left to ensure transparent markets. The Wall Street Journal highlighted this change in an Aug. 16 story, Welcome to the Meat Casino! The Cattle Futures Market Descends Into Chaos. The key problem, it explained, is that the trading of physical cattle has become so scant that the futures market cant get the signals it needs to set prices. American cowboys arent the only ones to see their markets shot out from under them. On Aug. 29, the Journal published another eulogy of sorts for orange juice futures, the decades-long poster child for the high-risk world of commodity futures trading. Todays thin OJ trading its down by more than two-thirds since 1997 means that there are too few (trades) to be of much use to producers or buyers hoping to hedge their exposure in the market, noted the article. The same goes for Chicagos famous pork belly futures. As Big Meat extended its reach all the way down to the farm through either direct ownership or contract production, meatpackers stopped trading pork belly futures. They stopped because they didnt need to; they already owned the contracted hog and its price was locked in at birth. Belly futures died shortly thereafter, in July 2011. Small cash market A similar change has been underway in the cattle market for more than a decade. In 2005, explained the Journal, about 60 percent of all cattle sold in the U.S. were sold in cash markets. The remainder was sold through either forward contracts, formula prices (with a cash price as the basis of the formula) or a negotiated grid price. Today, cash markets are less than 25 percent of all sales while formula-priced cattle are now more than 50 percent. The other two sales mechanisms, grid and forward contracts, havent grown as much as formula pricing but continue to be used. That means over 75 percent of all U.S. cattle sales are now made outside any observable cash market. That also means that hardly anyone in the marketplace excluding the big meatpackers who developed and use the formula, grid, and forward contracting methods has any idea what the value of any animal is because theres no cash market big enough anywhere on any day of any week for anyone to find out. Now what? So how do cattlemen know whats a fair price when they sell cattle? We call the one or two packers in our region, a South Dakota cattle-feeding friend related in an Aug. 30 telephone interview, and we take what they give us. Then we start crying. What else can they do? With no working cash markets anywhere, there can be no workable futures contracts elsewhere. Thus the CME Group Inc.s (the former Chicago Mercantile Exchange) likely exit from the cattle futures business. Its just too risky too thin without any cash market underpinning it for even the wildest speculator to trade it. That departure, however, virtually guarantees that independent cattlemen will be even more at the mercy of Big Meat. How, after all, can the big meatpackers determine what to pay for their formula-, contract- and grid-purchased cattle if theres neither a cash nor futures market to set the price? Oh, says my South Dakota friend, Theyll do what theyve been doing for the last coupla of years; theyll just make it up. Midwest spinach production explained in detail Learn how spinach performs in the Midwest and seasonal considerations in a new publication from ISU. Feature Your Listing! Get better results! Make your listing stand out from the crowd! Improve your position and response with our premium listing. A livestock auction house in Northumberland is set to make a 236% return on investment. It has reaped an estimated 862,000 in energy savings and Renewable Heat Incentive payments over the next 20 years after installing a ground source heat pump system and solar PV panels. Located in the historic market town of Hexham (25 miles west of Newcastle), Hexham and Northern Marts specialises in the auction of livestock and cattle to farmers across the North East of England. In a bid to slash overheads and diversify its revenue streams, the business decided it was time to replace its old gas-fired heating system with a more sustainable alternative one that would not only reduce energy consumption and running costs, but also earn additional income through the governments Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). Minimising any impact on day-to-day operations during the transition was another key consideration. Hexham & Northern Marts animal pens Managing director Robert Addison tasked renewable energy specialist and NIBE VIP Installer Calibrate Energy Engineering with finding the right solution to meet the heating and hot water demands of the 112,050 sq ft building. The team at Calibrate specified, designed and installed a 300 kW renewable heating system made up of five 60 kW NIBE F1345 ground source heat pump (GSHP) units. They paired this with a 50 kW solar PV array, fitted to the roof of the main pen area, which partially powers the NIBE GSHP system. The in-ground heat collectors required for the GSHP were laid in the fields around the buildings, with the controls units sited in a prefabricated plant room to the rear of the premises. 'Steady stream of income' Robert Addison, managing director at Hexham and Northern Marts, says: "As well as delivering instant reductions in energy usage and subsequent savings on heating bills, the NIBE GSHP solution is providing us with a steady stream of income for the next two decades, thanks to the RHI. "The power produced by the solar PV panels is an added bonus, and makes running the heat pump system even more cost-effective. As a result, were expecting to see returns of more than double our original investment over the next 20 years which is absolutely invaluable from a business point of view." "Not only this, but weve got an efficient, reliable renewables setup thats fit for the future, and will continue to deliver ongoing savings for years to come. The five NIBE F1345 GSHP units now meet 95% of Hexham and Northern Marts 394,000 kW/h annual heating and hot water demand. Meanwhile, the 50 kW solar PV array generates enough free electricity to offset a significant 50% of the power needed to run the GSHP system. An agricultural company has confirmed it will be closing one of its depots in Pembrokeshire, which has been trading for more than 50 years. Riverlea, in Crymych, will offer up to 20 staff posts in Whitland. Riverlea has other depots in Whitland, Carmarthenshire and Llandow in Vale of Glamorgan. News that the Riverlea depot in Crymych will be closing due to difficulties in the rural economy, has been described as sad news but a sign of the times by the Farmers Union of Wales. The agricultural machinery company has been based in the North Pembrokeshire village for over 50 years and employs up to 20 people there. The business was established during the early 1960s and in a video published on the companys website, owner David Hill explains that workers will be offered posts at the companys other branch in Whitland around 17 miles away. Commenting on the news, FUW Managing Director Alan Davies, said: "This is a huge loss for the rural economy in North Pembrokeshire. "Unfortunately it is a sign of the times and reinforces just how dependant these second and third sector businesses are on farming. "20 jobs in Crymych are as important as hundreds in other parts of Wales. Its time for the WG to recognise that rural Wales needs support. "We know that the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure Ken Skates is consulting on business support, and we will be responding accordingly, highlighting the need for more rural focus and less interest on attracting foreign investment." New technology is vital to support the sustainable intensification of farming, a major agricultural business-focused event has said. Although almost half of the farmers surveyed as part of the Sustainable Intensification Platform had used some type of decision support tool, the review team discovered that of the hundreds of tools found, the vast majority were not widely implemented or known about. Some of the promising technologies that are available to help farmers increase yield without compromising soil quality and environmental factors, are to be discussed at a NIAB and Agri-Tech East workshop Innovations for Sustainable Intensification on 14th September 2016. Dr Belinda Clarke, Director of Agri-Tech East, says the sustainable intensification provides a "significant market opportunity" for technology developers, but the tools must be "appropriate for use in a complex environment." "Through this workshop we are aiming to provide an overview of the challenges, the technology that is currently available and the requirements for new tools," Dr Clarke said. "Farmers and growers will also benefit from early sight of findings coming out of the trial farms. "By bringing all parties together we aim to accelerate developments in this crucial area." Lack of knowledge Dr David Rose, of the Department of Geography at University of Cambridge, is leading the team looking at decision support tools. He says: "We have evaluated paper-based, software-based, and app-based tools and found that although farmers and their advisors are prepared to use these tools, few seem to have been designed with knowledge of the end user and their requirements. "We are developing a checklist to help designers to improve their value. Improving grassland soils for livestock is one of the technological goals for many developers "This includes ensuring that the benefit outweighs the cost of implementation; compatibility with existing equipment or software; providing a strong evidence-base to support usage; offering the ability to customise the tool to meet the requirements and practices of a particular farm; and allowing what if analysis to compare different management options. "All of these things would significantly improve the value of these tools." Sustainable Intensification Platform SIP (Sustainable Intensification Platform) Project 1 is a research project funded by Defra and the Welsh Government to investigating ways of increasing farm output whilst enhancing the environment and countryside. Louis Baugh is a wetlands farmer and comments that freshwater in the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, provides a socio-economic benefit both to farming and the local economy and technology can help protect this vulnerable ecosystem. He says: "Accurate and early detection of crop pathogens will assist with the timely control of disease and minimise the use of inputs. "A good example of this is work by the Earlham Institute to develop infield microcomputers for the detection and identification of yellow rust in wheat which gives an insight into how this disease can be controlled in future. "Another interesting technology is the use of GPS and drones for the production of soil and yield maps. "The Broadlands Catchment Partnership has used LiDAR data within a geographic information system to map field slopes and watercourses and this has created a useful web-based tool for farmers. "It helps them to identify high-risk sites that are likely to contribute diffuse pollution. This information can be used to inform management practices in that part of the field." Farm management practices Stuart Knight, Deputy Director of NIAB and Leader of SIP 1, has brought together a multi-disciplinary community to look at the issues from many angles. It includes a network of 5 study farms across England and Wales that have been evaluating a range of farm management practices that could be adopted for more widely. He says "For arable, this includes over-winter coverage crops and less intensive cultivation systems, and for livestock, reseeding of permanent pasture with high sugar grasses and improving grassland soils. "Better soil management is a good example of how yields can be improved, environmental impacts reduced and resilience to climate change increased, all at the same time. These win-win scenarios provide a great opportunity. "The project has developed new approaches to measuring the environmental as well as the economic performance of farms, without requiring large amounts of new data to be collected." Some of the emerging technologies to be discussed at a NIAB and Agri-Tech East workshop Innovations for Sustainable Intensification include the use of yield and soil mapping to improve precision farming and variable rate application of inputs; use of LIDAR imagery to reduce run-off; predicting performance using models enhanced with Earth Observation (EO) data and technologies for increasing resilience in harsh environments. Eurig Jenkins, a dairy farmer from Pentrefelin Farm near Lampeter, Ceredigion has won the BGS Grassland Farmer of the Year competition for 2016. The announcement was made at an awards evening held in Belfast last week, jointly hosted by BGS and Ulster Grassland Society. The competition and evening were kindly sponsored by Yara and DLF. Mr Jenkins 400-cow herd of New Zealand Friesian cows, managed under a spring-block calving and grazing system, took him to the top of the 2016 competition. The judging criteria encompassed grassland and forage policy, grazing and forage management, livestock production and welfare, as well as how the farm approaches environmental issues. When presenting the award, BGS President John Bax commented: Whilst it is always a regret that there can only be one overall winner, I am delighted to reveal this years award goes to a grassland producer who truly demonstrates what can be acheived when there is a focus on grass and forage, in UK farming. Stiff competition Mr Jenkins was joined at the Belfast celebration by the two other exceptional entrants, who had succeeded through the tough regional rounds to become finalists in the competition. The achievements of Richard Fryer, a dairy farmer from Cheshire and William Ingram, a sheep farmer from Aberdeenshire, were recognised in their making the final three. Head Judge, Glasnant Morgan summarised the difficult decision made by the judging team, saying that all three finalists had strong elements in their favour. In the end however, it came down to picking the winner whose farm had closed all the gaps through which expenditure can leak. They did this by focusing on utilising home-produced grass and forage in the most efficient way and ensuring the business could weather external pressures, an ethos that all farmers need to be aware of he said. "Mr Jenkins farm in Mid-Wales demonstrates not only excellence in grazing-focused dairying, but also other aspects relevant to all livestock sectors, including adoption of new technology for nutrient management and energy saving. "His farm is also a good example of how to sustain good working relationships on a family holding." Thousands of Scottish hill farmers and crofters continue to wait for almost 10 million in funding. IT delays were seen as the cause of the problem, delivering the final tranche of payments due under the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme to drag on. Scotlands LFASS scheme delivers lifeline support to 11,500 of the countrys most vulnerable and remote producers. It recognises the economic, social and environmental benefits delivered by active farmers and crofters in these areas. In March, when faced with the prospect of LFASS payments being significantly delayed due to a flaw in the IT delivery system, the Scottish Government put in place a national fund to ensure 55 million from a total budget of 65 million - reached claimants. 'There remains a 10m hole in funding that would traditionally have been filled in March' Payments under the national LFASS scheme bypassed the IT system, and were based on payments made under LFASS in 2014. It saw most claimants receive around 90 percent of funds due with a balance payment promised by Scottish Government later in the year. That further tranche of funding has yet to arrive. In a further blow for hill sheep farmers, the Scottish Government has failed to take on any of the recommendations made by the National Farmers Union of Scotland on how the new Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme (SUSSS) could be improved to ensure this 6 million pot is better targeted at those most reliant on these payments. Scottish Government has increased the likelihood that rates will be further reduced for 2016 SUSSS aims to assist active hill farmers and crofters though a payment coupled to the number of ewe hoggs they keep. The 2016 scheme opened on 1 September and closes on 16 October. NFU Scotland believes the Scottish Government has missed an opportunity to introduce a wider application period; a new retention period and to place an upper limit on the number of hoggs that can be claimed based on the size of the claimants flock. 10 million hole in funding NFU Scotlands LFA committee chairman Martin Kennedy, who farms in Highland Perthshire said: "For those farming in Scotlands Less Favoured Areas, there remains a 10 million hole in funding that would traditionally have been filled in March. "While Scottish Governments intervention in the spring, by-passing the flawed IT system, saw a welcome injection of 55 million via the old LFASS data, the balance of 10 million remains outstanding with no timetable for delivery. "For many of those same claimants, SUSSS is hugely important having been specifically designed to assist those keeping hill sheep in some of Scotlands most extensive and remote parts," Mr Kennedy said. He continued: "Like all new schemes, it has its flaws but it is a disappointment that Scottish Government, despite ample warning, has not addressed these in time for the new scheme year opening. NFU Scotland was not seeking to amend the budget or payment rate components. "We simply wanted to make it more effective and better aligned to the interests of the hill farmers and crofters it is intended to support. 'Urgent need for a new estimate' Mr Kennedy said the Scottish Government estimated that the payment rate in year one would be 100 per ewe hogg. "The reality is that the payment rate was 78," Mr Kennedy said, "and having failed to make any changes, there is an urgent need for Scottish Government to provide claimants with a new estimate of where next years rate is likely to be." "We believed an upper claim limit based on a percentage of the breeding flock was required to help control over-claiming by those with an excess of ewe hoggs over and above the numbers they would normally require as flock replacements. "By not adopting this measure, Scottish Government has increased the likelihood that rates will be further reduced for 2016 as some individuals may see it as an opportunity to exploit the scheme. "That happened this year and it must not be allowed to happen again," Mr Kennedy said. "This scheme was a way of ensuring that Scotlands limited CAP budget was spent wisely and targeted at the active. "This is a scheme that has the potential to work extremely well but only if Scottish Government is willing to learn from experience and make the changes that are necessary," Mr Kennedy concluded. A new, first-of-its-kind product promises to revolutionise the approach to transition disease, helping to restore dairy cows immune system and protect them when they are most vulnerable. Elanco Animal Health has launched Imrestor as a new way to address immune suppression in dairy cows, helping them fight off transition disease and maximise their productivity potential. During the Vital 90 Days 60 days before to 30 days after calving dairy cows can suffer a dip in their natural immunity, leaving them vulnerable to diseases such as mastitis1, metritis2, and retained placenta3. Ensuring dairy cows have the ability to defend themselves against common transition diseases is key to avoiding the cost, stress and frustration associated with treating them. Imrestor gives cows this ability by boosting the number and function of neutrophils key defence cells that target and destroy harmful bacteria. Fiona Anderson, Technical Vet at Elanco, explained the importance of adopting a preventative approach to the calving period: Its no secret that a successful transition period is vital for maximising productivity in the next lactation, yet we are still firefighting common transition diseases like mastitis rather than focusing on their true cause. Imrestor helps to restore a cows own natural immunity and strengthen her ability to defend herself against infection thus helping to protect the cow against diseases like mastitis when she needs it most. Ian Holliday, from Dobcross Hall Farm, said a preventative approach would save him time and lead to more productive cows: Working with my vet to prevent problems due to immune suppression leads to less stress and hassle through the year. If you get a problem in a fresh cow its a real pain and it costs more to fix a broken cow. But if theres something you can do to prevent it, it saves a pile of work and leads to healthier and more productive cows and improved welfare. Available from your vet, Imrestor is administered with two injections one seven days prior to the anticipated date of calving and the other within 24 hours after calving with neither injection requiring a withdrawal period. Northern Ireland's agriculture minister has announced she is planning to open the new Environmental Farming Scheme in early 2017. "The multi-million pound Environmental Farming Scheme is an important part of our agricultural agenda and we are working hard to be able to open it for applications in February next year," Miss McIlveen said. But the Agriculture Minister has said it is not covered by the Chancellor's promise to fully fund European Union schemes signed off before his Autumn Statement. "Whilst funding for the EFS is not covered by the recent statement by Chancellor Philip Hammond, we are very much focused on securing the funding and implementing a well-focused scheme," Minister McIlveen explained. The Minister also listened to the concerns the environmental groups had about future funding for the sector, the impact of Brexit and the difficult financial situation many are facing. "We all need to continue to look closely at what we do, and how we do it, to ensure we deliver efficiencies in the way we work, enhance partnership working and seek alternative sources of funding," Miss McIlveen concluded. FW & JM Douglas, a mixed beef and arable farming company near Malton, North Yorkshire, has more than doubled tyre life on its JCB 536-60 Agri Loadall after switching to Michelin BibLoad Hard Surface tyres. The 460/70 R 24 BibLoad fitments have clocked up more than 2,000 hours work to date nearly double that recorded by the previous-generation Michelin XMCL tyres they replaced and the company predicts the fitments will run a further 1,000 hours before they need replacing. John Douglas, Farm Manager at FW & JM Douglas says: "We were looking for a durable, long-lasting and safe tyre that could cope with intensive use on concrete, without compromising in-field performance. "After seeking advice from our local Exelagri dealer, Terry Elsey Tyres, it was clear that wed found the best specification fitment in Michelins BibLoad tyres. "After two years hard work on the JCB, weve been seriously impressed by how well the tyres have performed. "The machine is working more efficiently as it has a better grip on the concrete, and the tyres seem to soak up the vibrations, making it more comfortable to operate over long periods, Mr Douglas adds. JCB Loadall The JCB Loadall is a busy part of FW & JM Douglas fleet, which also includes another Loadall, one JCB Fastrac tractor, a John Deere tractor and three Deutz-Fahr tractors. The Loadall has a mixed workload including feeder wagon loading for the farms 850-head beef herd and loading the on-site anaerobic digester. FW & JM Douglas also runs a combine and a sprayer, both shod with Michelin Ultraflex Technology tyres a range designed to limit soil compaction, thanks to their ability to run at low pressures in the field. Weve specified Michelin for a number of years, and we opt for Michelin tyres wherever possible particularly for our heavier machines in the field. "The Ultraflex range, and now our BibLoad Hard Surface tyres, offer a fantastic return on our investment, Mr Douglas says. Hard surfaces Michelin BibLoad Hard Surface tyres are designed for work on hard surfaces, whether dry, wet or greasy, and feature a unique diamond-shaped tread block. Resistance to wear-and-tear is enhanced by the tread and shoulder blocks, while the tyres longevity is the result of an increased ground contact patch of 44 per cent, compared to the equivalent previous-generation XMCL tyres. With 12 bevelled edges to each diamond-shaped block, greater transverse grip is provided on slippery ground, and mud and debris can be cleaned quicker from the tread grooves. Operator comfort is enhanced by the 96 tread blocks, which come into contact with the ground in an offset fashion, rather than simultaneously, reducing vibration. Terry Elsey Tyres has supported FW & JM Douglas operations with expert tyre advice for more than three decades. As part of Michelins Exelagri dealer partnership programme, the company is certified as having all the expertise required to ensure FW & JM Douglas gets maximum performance from its agricultural tyres. The Malton-based dealership covers the whole of North Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, and has 15 employees, five of whom specialise in agricultural fitments. FW & JM Douglas, which specialises in beef finishing, was established more than 100 years ago, and farms 1,000 acres around Malton, much of which has been in the Douglas family for generations. The company also farms arable crops, and runs an anaerobic digestion plant at its home farm. The global fresh fruit and vegetable trade and the ranks of the worlds leading produce exporters are undergoing significant changes, according to Rabobank. Evolving tastes and preferences in developed countries, and rising incomes in developing countries are supporting the growing value of global fresh fruit and vegetable (F&V) trade observed in recent years. At the same time, a new breed of producer countries are rising to meet these export opportunities, according to the Rabobank report New World Order? Up-and-Coming Players in the Fresh Produce Trade. Consumers worldwide are increasingly demanding a higher-value and more interesting range of fruits and vegetables. Growth in nut and banana imports has been prominent in Europe The result is that, while the volume of fresh fruit and vegetable consumption around the world is barely increasing, the value of global fruit and vegetable trade is rising. The sector is spurred on by new developing markets such as China and the higher evolution of established markets such as the US. These countries are the major contributors to growth in global fruit and vegetables (F&V) import demand. But others like Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates have also become promising markets. The growing role in global trade While the European market might not be the growth engine for global exporters it once was, it nevertheless remains a very large and growing import market. The growth in nut and banana imports has been prominent, but rising demand for many other fruit and vegetable categories has also been creating opportunities, especially for producers in nearby countries such as Morocco and Turkey. Well-established fruit and vegetable exporters like those in New Zealand, the US, Australia and Chile are naturally looking to play a growing role in global trade. But up-and-coming exporting nations such as Mexico and Peru are rising in prominence and proving worthy competitors. Other producer nations such as Morocco, Thailand and Vietnam are also strategically well-placed to capitalise, as they look to better organise and orientate themselves to meet the product and quality requirements of todays high-value import markets. Whats more, local suppliers in markets such as China are also actively investing to better compete with imported produce and meet growing demand for affordable produce in the nearby region. "As new and ambitious fresh horticultural produce suppliers such as Mexico and Peru quickly establish their credentials on the world stage, it pays for those among the more-established exporting nations to once again assess how they are positioned to compete and grow in the export markets of tomorrow, says Marc Soccio, senior Horticulture analyst at Rabobank. British Food Fortnight, coming up next weekend, is the biggest national celebration of the diverse range of food that Britain produces, and the farmers who make it all happen. Running from 17th September to 2nd October and now in its fifteenth year, hundreds of shops, pubs, restaurants, markets and visitor attractions are embracing the challenge of going British for two weeks. In some parts of the country, entire towns are taking part. There is a special focus on showcasing the benefits and opportunities of serving British food in schools and hospitals. Alexia Robinson, founder of British Food Fortnight, said Britains food production is one of the areas "most affected" by Brexit. Love British Food is a small independent organisation that educates about the benefits of buying British "This is a watershed moment for British food," Miss Robinson said. "Subsidised and regulated for 40 years by Europe, our farmers will now be competing in a global market place. "British food is produced to the highest standards; it really is some of the very best in the world, and the opportunities to trade on this in the global market are immense. "But building the brand British food starts at home and it is more important than ever that we excite the British public to buy it. Investing in innovation Miss Robinson said British people need to give farmers the "confidence" to continue to invest in innovation and quality. "We need to ensure we have well-thought out food security plan and a robust supply of quality domestic food," she said. "British Food Fortnight has been flying the flag for British food for 15 years, we now ask the Government to join us in promoting the qualities of British food to the consumer. "As part of their Brexit planning the Government must make it a priority that schools, hospitals and all Government organisations lead the way by sourcing British food," Miss Robinson concluded. 'Quality, nutritious affordable' NUF Deputy President Minette Batters said the farming sector are delighted that British Food Fortnight is working with the industry for its autumn campaign Celebrate Great British Food. "It's a perfect time to highlight the quality, nutritious affordable food that we as farmers and growers produce for feeding the nation and playing our part in feeding the world," Miss Batters said. "But its also a chance to promote the fact that we dont just produce food our industry provides much more to Britain. "The food and farming industry is worth 108billion to the UK economy and employs 3.9million people. As farmers we manage our vibrant landscape, caring for 71% of the U.K." Significant concessions made by MPs in the development of new compulsory purchase law will significantly reduce the potential harm to landowners across England and Wales, says the CLA. Proposals to extend compulsory purchase powers are contained in the Neighbourhood Planning Bill published yesterday (7 September). MPs announced in June that the Bill would include provisions to allow organisations building major infrastructure projects, like roads and power stations, to acquire additional land. The CLA, which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses, criticised the move saying it benefited large-scale developers by allowing the buying up of development land on the cheap, taking away the ability of thousands of mainly small landowning businesses to develop land themselves. "We were concerned the proposals could encourage compulsory purchasing authorities to buy more land than needed" CLA Deputy President Tim Breitmeyer said the prospect of having land compulsory acquired is the "cause of much anguish for thousands of rural landowners". "It results in significant distress, disruption and financial harm," Mr Breitmeyer said. "We were concerned the proposals could encourage compulsory purchasing authorities to buy more land than needed ignoring latent development value. "The understandable temptation would be to do this simply to generate additional income. "We made our case to Ministers and officials throughout the consultation process and we are pleased our concerns were listened to and the Bills proposals have been amended into common sense law." Changes to the compulsory purchase law secured by the CLA include making it clear that any land acquired under new powers should be for redevelopment and regeneration, therefore removing the prospect of these powers being used to acquire farm or other previously undeveloped rural land. Any acquisition of land for housing development must be set out at the point the scheme is proposed and not added to the development at a later stage. Limiting the period in which the construction of housing on compulsory acquired land can commence to five years after the major infrastructure project began construction. Cereal growers are being asked to safeguard the efficiency of aphicides by reporting control failures and sending off aphid samples for resistance analysis. Aphicides are any pesticide intended to kill aphids, a pest insect which can damage crops. The request forms part of a UK aphid-monitoring programme, part-funded by AHDB, which looks to detect emerging resistance issues so they can be tackled before they become an established threat to UK cereal production. Rothamsted Research, which conducts the aphid screening work, is particularly looking for live field samples of bird cherryoat aphid that unexpectedly survive treatment with insecticides this autumn. The researchers are interested to hear from growers who find aphids which unexpectedly survive an insecticide spray Caroline Nicholls, who manages pest research at AHDB, said aphids can "adapt" to chemistry and undermine control strategies. "Resistance to pyrethroids exists in both grain and peachpotato aphid. Resistance to pirimicarb and chlorpyrifos has evolved in the latter aphid too," Miss Nicholls said. "Shifting resistance pressures warrant close monitoring to put us in a stronger position to detect emerging threats and tackle them before resistant aphids establish in the UK population." Focus on bird cherry oat The researchers at Rothamsted Research said they are interested to hear from growers who find aphids which unexpectedly survive an insecticide spray. The monitoring service focuses, however, on some species more than others to reflect samples received and the need to detect new resistance issues. Dr Stephen Foster at Rothamsted Research, who leads the aphid resistance monitoring project, said: "Our focus this autumn is bird cherryoat aphid, although there is no known insecticide resistance in UK populations of these aphids at present. "But the potential for resistance exists, so we must monitor the situation closely." Bird cherryoat aphid is one of the main vectors of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) in cereals and can also transmit non-persistent viruses, such as Potato Virus Y (PVY), in potato crops. In cereals, BYDV is most damaging when young plants are infected in the autumn. Infections cause leaf yellowing and stunting of plants, often developing in distinct circular patches in the crop. A farming union has taken the plight of the dairy industry to Westminster and put forward the case for producers to receive better returns. NFU Scotland has said dairy farmers "continue to shoulder unsustainable losses despite a significant upturn in the market." The union met with George Eustice, Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. In the past month, the key dairy price indicators of Actual Milk Price Equivalent (AMPE) and Milk for Cheese Value Equivalent (MCVE) indicators which reflect the returns from the dairy commodity markets - have gone up 24 per cent. The union met with George Eustice, Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Spot prices for liquid milk are now over 35p per litre and the trade for cream is approaching record levels, currently 1.70 per litre. Despite these positive signals, NFU Scotland informed the Minister that recent milk price increases from processors have not gone far enough to assist milk producers. With AMPE at 26ppl, and MCVE at 28ppl, it remains among a concern among many farmers that the average price farmers in Scotland are getting paid for their milk is close to 20p. NFU Scotland said this is a reflection that processors have some "significant" way to go if they are to pay dairy producers a "more realistic" price for their milk. Supply chain 'must work collaboratively' According to DEFRA, the farm gate price is down from 23.45p per litre from July 2015 to 20.57p per litre for July this year Graeme Kilpatrick, NFU Scotlands Dairy Committee Chairman said the meeting was "constructive and frank." "We covered a number of issues that are currently prohibiting the dairy industry from being sustainable and having a viable future," Mr Kilpatrick said. "NFUS sincerely believes that the entire supply chain must work collaboratively to raise efficiency and sustainability. "In the last seven weeks, it is evident that there has been a seismic shift in the global dairy market but farm gate prices are lagging behind." According to DEFRA, the farm gate price is down from 23.45p per litre from July 2015 to 20.57p per litre for July this year. At the same time, the price paid for butter has gone up by 60 per cent - from 1,900 per ton to 3,200 - between August 2015 and August this year. Skimmed Milk Powder has also increased by a quarter, and mild cheese by 20 per cent per tonne. Cream income in July 2015 was worth 4.91 pence per litre, and for July this year, it has risen to 7.9 pence per litre. Dairy farmers not seeing returns "The current market is moving quicker than the farm gate prices," Mr Kilpatrick said, "all market indicators are rising steeply but the farm gate is not. "The return from cream for a liquid processor is up 3ppl but liquid price is reacting sluggishly, if at all. "These significant increases in price are compounded by the fact that milk production is down by around 2.6 million litres per day on this time last year. "Despite all these positive signals, dairy producers still arent seeing increased returns to allow them to run a viable and sustainable business. "Contracts which better reflect the needs of the farmer and the processor are an essential prerequisite of an efficient and constructive supply chain and Mr Eustice accepted there is a need to develop better contracts and producer representation. "Dairy farmers remain the price takers and we discussed options with the Minister which must create better and more effective contracts and price transparency transmission. "We secured agreement of another meeting with the Minister to specifically discuss how the voluntary Code of Practice can be improved," Mr Kilpatrick concluded. Biosecurity, exotic diseases and supermarket supply chains were at the top of the agenda at the only dedicated day for the beef and sheep industry in the UK. More than 500 people flocked to the Sheep and Beef Event at Welshpool Market, which saw a host of sector specialists debate some of the issues dominating the industry. It also included an exhibition with more than 30 stands showcasing the latest technology and services for the livestock market. Ken Greetham, Chief Executive of Wynnstay Group Plc, welcomed visitors to the event which saw the UKs Chief Veterinary Officer, Nigel Gibbens, tackle the importance of biosecurity for the farming industry and the Co-operatives Will Jackson speak on consumer trends in the sheep and beef market. Mr Greetham said: It is important to demonstrate the new technologies and advice available to farmers in the sector, in order to help develop their businesses even further. "The speakers who attended the event were very high profile and are a symbol of the high level of expertise thats available in the industry." For the first time in 2016, Wynnstay had introduced drop-in sessions for visitors wanting to discuss business practices and activities with a range of industry specialists. 'Uncertainty of the rural landscape' Marketing manager for Wynnstay, Sian Probert, said these sessions had proved popular with visitors. There are a number of issues which are affecting farmers at the moment, not least the uncertainty of the rural landscape following the Brexit vote. This means that many of our visitors were keen to look at what opportunities there may be in a post-Brexit market, and also what they might need to do to ensure the financial security of their business and succession planning. Nigel Gibbens keynote speech was well-attended as he looked at the importance of biosecurity and also explored the current import and export market, both within the EU and beyond its borders. Renowned farm vet and Nuffield Scholar Rob Drysdale spoke about the importance of key performance indicators and measurement to improve efficiency and production. After speeches, a charity sheep shear was held to raise cash for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution. The executive committee of the International Committee of Taxonomy of Viruses officially approved naming a new virus "influenza D" as the South Dakota State University researchers who discovered it proposed, according to professor Feng Li. [Source: Feedstuffs, September 1, 2016, by Tim Lundeen] The committee officially announced a new genus, Orthomyxovirdae, with a single species, influenza D virus, because of its distinctness from other influenza types A, B and C. Although South Dakota State alumnus Ben Hause now at Kansas State University isolated the virus from a diseased pig in 2011, he later found that cattle were the primary reservoir for influenza D. Hause identified and characterized the new virus as part of his doctoral research under Lis tutelage. This is the first influenza virus identified in cattle, Li explained. Li and Radhey Kaushik, professor and assistant head of the biology and microbiology department at South Dakota State, secured a National Institutes of Health grant for nearly $400,000 to study the biology, genetics and evolution of the new virus. Ultimately, the goal is to determine whether influenza D, which has 50% similarity to human influenza C, can cause problems in people, according to Kaushik. However, he noted that the virus has not been shown to be pathogenic in humans. No one should be afraid of this. The research group showed that influenza D is spread only through direct contact and proved that a guinea pig can be used as an animal model to study the virus. Influenza D antibodies have been identified in blood samples from sheep and goats, but the virus does not affect poultry. Studies are underway to compare the virulence among the bovine and swine influenza D strains and human influenza C using the guinea pig model. If the virus can undergo reassortment in combination with a closely related human influenza virus, it may be able to form a new strain that could pose more of a threat to humans, Kaushik explained. Source: AASV "So the strategy for the industry today and ongoing is how do we move ourselves down the cost curve and become more efficient over time and drive our cost base down so we don't have to worry so much about the price cycle?" "We've got seven consul generals of direct interest for us in agribusiness here in (Perth) and they are a very energetic and knowledgeable group of people and very supportive of the sorts of things we are trying to do, so we will be making the most of that," Mr Delane said. What was it like to be an Oath Keeper? John Zimmerman can tell you John Zimmerman said he was active with the Oath Keepers from September to November 2020, then left after a falling out with founder Stewart Rhodes. Nwolfe35 said: As I pointed out in my response the DOI says the purpose of government is to guarantee our rights. Government does not give us our rights. But if the Federal Government was not intended to interact with the citizens then how on earth are they going to guarantee our rights? The Constitution (according to "states rights" conservatives) prohibits the Federal Government from interfering with free speech. Great but what happens if I live in Virginia and VA makes a law prohibiting criticism of state lawmakers? According to the states righters there is nothing in the Constitution protecting me since it only applies to the Federal Government. The states are free to do what they want. As a Libertarian I believe individual rights should trump state power in almost all cases. The individual states should protect those rights but we need a greater power to reign in the states when they get out of line. The problem now is that the Feds are using that power to usurp the power of the states in areas where no individual rights are threatened. Click to expand... That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. But if the unlawful acts done by the magistrate be maintained (by the power he has got), and the remedy which is due by law, be by the same power obstructed; yet the right of resisting, even in such manifest acts of tyranny, will not suddenly, or on slight occasions, disturb the government It is a known fact in human nature that its affections are commonly weak in proportion to the distance or diffusiveness of the object. Upon the same principle that a man is more attached to his family than to his neighborhood, to his neighborhood than to the community at large, the people of each State would be apt to feel a stronger bias towards their local governments than towards the government of the Union; unless the force of that principle should be destroyed by a much better administration of the latter. I wish the committee to remember that the Constitution under examination is framed upon truly republican principles; and that, as it is expressly designed to provide for the common protection and the general welfare of the United States, it must be utterly repugnant to this Constitution to subvert the state governments, or oppress the people. THE Conventions of a number of the States having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution. No State shall violate the equal rights of conscience, or the freedom of the press, or the trial by jury in criminal cases. Fifthly, That in article 1st, section 10, between clauses 1 and 2, be inserted this clause, to wit: Fourthly. That in article 1st, section 9, between clauses 3 and 4, be inserted these clauses, to wit: The civil rights of none shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established, nor shall the full and equal rights of conscience be in any manner, or on any pretext, infringed. Had the framers of these amendments intended them to be limitations on the powers of the state governments, they would have imitated the framers of the original constitution, and have expressed that intention. Had congress engaged in the extraordinary occupation of improving the constitutions of the several states, by affording the people additional protection from the exercise of power by their own governments, in matters which concerned themselves alone, they would have declared this purpose in plain and intelligible language. In compliance with a sentiment thus generally expressed, to quiet fears thus extensively entertained, amendments were proposed by the required majority in Congress and adopted by the States. These amendments contain no expression indicating an intention to apply them to the State governments. This court cannot so apply them. Mr. Justice Catron delivered the opinion of the court. The ordinances complained of, must violate the Constitution or laws of the United States, or some authority exercised under them; if they do not, we have no power by the 25th section of the Judiciary Act to interfere. The Constitution makes no provision for protecting the citizens of the respective states in their religious liberties; this is left to the state constitutions and laws: nor is there any inhibition imposed by the Constitution of the United States in this respect on the states. The Declaration of Independence does not state nor does it elude that the governments purpose is to guarantee our rights. The passage from the Declaration of Independence you quoted is devoid of the rest of the paragraph that explains the purpose of removing the government closest to the people, which was the local and the state governments. The concept of the U.S. federal government having any omnipresent power over any of the states was not a concept that was neither imaginable nor would have been tolerated. This is the rest of the relevant passage:Regarding the non-factual concept of the federal government having power over the states was summed up in the last passage of the same paragraph:Jefferson got this concept from the same place that he got the Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness phrase: John Lockes Second Treatise of Civil Government, Chapter III, which is limited to local governments and is the actual Lockean libertarianism that this country was founded upon:Both Jefferson and Lockes premises aligned with the prevailing thoughts of the Philadelphia convention regarding the states being the most proximate to the people. Hamilton, who was the closest advocate of a strong national government, summed this concept up in Federalist No. 17:Hamilton also moved away from his position that the states should have virtually no power at the Philadelphia convention after being shut down by the delegates to this sentiment at the Virginia ratifying convention:The Founders did not intend for the Bill of Rights to apply to states, and there is no documentation that the Bill of Rights was meant to apply to the states. The entire catalog of historical evidence gives the opposite conclusion. The Bill of Rights were debated from May 27, 1789 through September 25, 1789 in Congress, then sent to the states and was debated until December 15, 1791 when Virginia ratified the Bill of Rights. There was not one discussion regarding the Bill of Rights being applied to the states in the seven months or two-hundred and ten days of debate.is the first line in the Bill of Rights: Congress shall make no law No states, but the federal government.is Madisons proposed second draft of the Bill of Rights of applying it to the states, which was soundly rejected:is the Bill of Rights not being under the purview of Article Vs amendment power by Madisons inclusion of the Bill of Rights into the body of the Constitutions Article I in his first draft:is John Marshalls opinion in Barron v Baltimore, 32 U.S. (7 Pet.) 243 (1833). Marshall was a delegate at the Philadelphia ratifying convention:is the ruling in Permoli v. Municipality No. 1 of the City of New Orleans 44 U.S. 589 (1845):is the attempts by Congress to apply the Bill of Rights to the states seven times between 1870 and 1889 with a Sixteenth Amendment.is the Supreme Court rulings from the 1870s through the end of the century regarding the Second Amendment and the Fifth Amendment being shot down as applying to the states.is that this concept did not exist until it was created by a twentieth century Supreme Court. The Green Party Presidential Nominee is now officially being charged. Warrants of arrest have been issued for both Ajamu Baraka and Jill Stein, according to an article by KFYRTV. The charges are apparently Criminal Trespass and Criminal Mishchief. Sometimes your supply chain will deliver an old-fashioned, pre-database, non-FCPA related integrity issue: the old bait and switch. Target Corporation has severed business ties with Indian textile manufacturer Welspun India (NSE:WELSPUNIND) after it accused the company of substituting cheaper cotton for higher quality Egyptian cotton. Target has pulled more than 750,000 sheets and pillow cases from its stores and has offered customers rebates for any affected products manufactured since 2014. Welspun, which derives more than two-thirds of its revenue from sales to the U.S., has a large U.S. clientele. Retailers Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond, and JC Penney Co. have announced reviews of their relationship with the company. Welspuns stocks have been pummeled as a result. Walmart announced that part of its investigation involved review of documents from The Cotton Egyptian Association, which issue certification that a product is Egyptian Cotton. The cotton industry is an important economic engine in Egypt, and the association and the country have an obvious economic interest in maintaining the reputation of Egyptian cotton. The Cotton Egyptian Association has announced its own investigation of Welspun. For practitioners looking at supply chain risks, product claims based on a certification from an Egyptian NGO (Egypts Corruption Perceptions Index rank is 88) to a company in India (Indias CPI rank 76) might carry a certain level of inherent risk. The U.S. consumer class-action suit that may well follow would likely look carefully at the reasonableness of customer reliance on certification under such circumstances. Welspuns behavior, if true, is especially appalling from an important Indian company, one located in the state where M.K. Gandhi was born. India has a millennia-old tradition of innovation and achievement in textiles. Gandhi famously focused on homespun cotton as a source of resistance to British rule and an early version of the Indian flag featured the humble spinning wheel at its center. Indian law requires that cotton flags be spun from such handloom. Like many Indian companies in similar situations, Welspun almost immediately announced that it would hire a Big Four accounting firm to find out what happened. The company engaged EY, which has been accused of cheating its client Bain Capital through accounting irregularities at an Indian company. ____ Russell Stamets is a Contributing Editor of the FCPA Blog. He was the first non-Indian general counsel of a publicly traded Indian company and was general counsel for a satellite broadcasting joint venture of a large Indian business house. Hell be a speaker at the FCPA Blog NYC Conference 2016. I was 11 years old when I first realised I couldn't stand my family. My father, a lifelong smoker who had been running a successful engineering company, was dying of lung cancer. As his health faded, so the true facts of the business emerged. My brothers had been stripping the assets out of the company until there was nothing left. Huge loans had been taken out to cover the difference, and the whole thing imploded. After Dad died, the family home was seized by bailiffs and my mother and I ended up on a rough council estate. Jessie Keane by Alexander James I loved my Mum and was traumatised by the loss of Dad, but by the time I was fifteen I was heartily sick of my brothers. Even with the company gone, there were still all-out fist fights and brawls over money. They'd start up new companies, go bankrupt, then put them in their wives' names and start all over again. Time after time, they brought trouble to my mother's door and I hated them for it. Then at 15, failing at school, I ended up in a dead-end relationship with a car thief who soon ended up in prison, and I thought: I'm going the same way as them. It had to stop. So at 17 I kissed goodbye to my mother and headed for London. All I knew was that I had to get out, get away. London was a revelation. I was free of the family feuding at last, I made friends and saw a side of life that I had never encountered before. The nightclubs, cafes and knocking shops and the characters I met stuck in my brain and would later inspire my books - Dirty Game, my first number one Heatseeker, came about as a direct result of meeting a gangster type in the Windmill; that man was the face behind Max Carter, who went on to feature in six of my books, including my latest, Stay Dead. When I left London, missing my Mum, and returned to Hampshire, I was back in the family trap again and once again desperate to get away. Marriage followed, and that was an escape. My husband and I distanced ourselves from the in-fighting of the family but it wasn't a happy marriage and we divorced in 2000. I'd had lots of 'filler' jobs over the years - I'd sliced bacon in a deli, been a dental nurse and a clerical assistant, taught myself to type and graduated to secretary. But what I had always wanted to do was write. After the divorce, I took a new name, Jessie Keane, and started writing in earnest. Poor as a church mouse, I tapped away on the keyboard in an overcoat because I couldn't afford central heating. Being distanced from my troublesome family was such a relief. Years passed and I wouldn't even have known my nephews and nieces if they had passed me in the street. Yes, it was sad, seeing other close families, their concern for each other, the casual chats, the family parties. I had never had any of that, and although that's a pity, I suppose what you've never had, you can't really miss. Free at last, I sent Dirty Game out to six agents, and two came back. One asked me to do some rewrites, which I did. Then she said she had someone who 'might' be interested. Within a week, I'd had a meeting with a publisher and had signed a three-book deal for a six figure sum. Would I have achieved writing success if I'd stayed connected to my family? Seriously, I doubt it. But I think maybe, with the benefit of hindsight, I do owe them a debt. Their bad behaviour comes out in my characters, all the time. The fights and arguments and occasional moments of viciousness all come from them. They were the spur that goaded me into breaking out, exploring, doing my own thing. Ultimately, that led to being a best-selling author. So I don't regret my past, harsh though it was, and difficult, and heartbreaking. It made me who I am, after all - and that's just fine with me. Family Guy's Alex Borstein - who voices the show's Lois Griffin - has been accused of racism by a former colleague. Lois Griffin in Family Guy / Credit: FOX Aries Spears - who worked with Borstein on MADtv - was on The Breakfast Club mid-August, talking about the pitfalls of making it in the industry and specifically detailing an incident he said happened with Borstein and Debra Wilson in the makeup room whilst waiting to shoot a skit for the show. Describing Borstein as "one of the most racist 'c words'" he's ever been around, he accused her of being blatantly racist. He explained: "One day we were sitting around waiting to shoot. Alex starts looking at her fingernails - she keeps rubbing her fingernails. Debra used to date Pat Kilbane, the white boy on the show. So she goes, 'Oh my God, Pat, I've got all this black dirt under my fingernails like I was raped by an 'n word' and I've got the evidence to prove it.'" Spears says he and Debra then complained to the MADtv producers about the incident, but claims that he and Debra were accused of being 'troublemakers for being insulted that somebody said that'. "How do you blame the victim?" he concluded, before saying: "That's the kind of thing Hollywood is. It's so political, it's so racial. You've gotta watch where you step, watch what you say, 'cause all of it is crazy." You can check out Spears' Breakfast Club interview in full below: by Daniel Falconer for www.femalefirst.co.uk find me on and follow me on Paul O'Grady was honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to Animal Welfare prize at the Animal Hero Awards in London on Wednesday (07.09.16) night. Paul O'Grady The 61-year-old presenter received the prestigious trophy at the ceremony, held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, after being recognised for his work as an ambassador for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, for being a patron of the Orangutan Appeal UK and CROW based in Durban, South Africa, as well as his support for several UK-based animal charities. He said during his heart-warming acceptance speech: "If we're supposed to be animal lovers, let's show it." The award ceremony - which was hosted by Amanda Holden - saw the RSPCA team up with the Daily Mirror as they celebrate bravery, dedication and resilience in the animal world. RSPCA chief executive Jeremy Cooper said: "The Animal Hero Awards is a fantastic and unique evening celebrating those people who go the extra mile for animals, as well as the animals who really make a difference to the lives of those around them." Celebrity guests such as Lucy Watson, Danny-Boy Hatchard, Shona McGarty, Alesha Dixon, Tom Fletcher, Bobby Norris, Brian May and Tilly Keeper attended the event with their pet pooches. The full list of Animal Hero Award winners are as follows; Outstanding Contribution to Animal Welfare - Paul O'Grady RSPCA Superstar of The Year - Mike Butcher Rescue Animal of The Year - Lucy the Cavalier Outstanding Business of The Year - Barratt Homes Young Animal Enthusiast of The Year - Lucy Gavaghan from Sheffield and Liam Landymore from Shebbear Hero Animal of The Year - Baxter from Renfrewshire Vet of The Year - Janey Lowes Caring Animal of The Year - Haatchi Special Recognition Award - Sue Dicks and Lee Webb Public Service Animal of The Year - Rex from Dorset and Hexam, Captain and Tangle the police horses from Manchester, Macclesfield and Accrington Animal Enthusiast of The Year - Martin Hemmington Lifetime Achievement Award - David Shepherd With our current love for all things Nineties and nostalgic (Pokemon, chokers, Clueless), its no wonder that Disney is back on our fashion radars. The multinational groups iconic films have been inspiring fashion designers for decades and this year in particular we saw a slew of new brands turning to the Big Mouse for inspiration. ONLY X DISNEY From crop top to tees, this playful collection is big on casual, sporty separates with the occasional dressy piece in the form of a striped pencil skirt or a crisp white shirt. We also love the colour palette of maroon and indigo blue that adds to the ranges athleisure vibe. It's in stores now so make sure to hit it for the adorable Pointing out that investment in technology is at a nascent stage in Bangladesh garment industry, speakers at a seminar said that investment in technology is essential for achieving $50 billion export target by 2021. Investment in technology will also make the country 's clothing industry more competitive, sustainable and profitable, they said. Garment exports fetched $28 billion for Bangladesh last year. The aim of the seminar 'Bastra Shilper Adhunikayan (Modernisation of Apparel Industry)' was to iron out a solution for earning the additional $22 billion from garment exports in next five years to achieve the target of $50 billion by 2021. Representatives of readymade garment industry, government, financial institutions, think tanks and IT officials discussed the various steps that need to be taken to realise the target. Globalisation is forcing textile manufacturers to use technology that improves productivity through process improvement, product innovation and new worker skills, while helping to serve the customer more efficiently, they said. Pointing out that investment in technology is at a nascent stage in Bangladesh garment industry, speakers at a seminar said that investment in technology is essential for achieving $50 billion export target by 2021. Investment in technology will also make the country's clothing industry more competitive, sustainable and profitable, they said.# Besides investment in technology, speakers stressed on attracting more investment to remove infrastructure bottlenecks. The seminar was organised by ThreadSol, an innovative apparel software solutions provider, in partnership with Independent TV, a leading private television channel. ThreadSol co-founder and CEO Mansij Ganguli said his company has developed intelloCut to give manufacturers the edge to reduce their material wastage by using the effective concepts of fabric utilisation and streamlining cutting room processes, while at the same time boosting profits by up to 60 per cent. (RKS) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India Indian online marketplace Snapdeal is offering collateral free loans totaling to Rs 1,000 crore to its sellers to help them stock up on inventories, before the onslaught of Diwali festive season sales. These loans would be disbursed through its Capital Assist programme, for which it has partnered with 27 banks and non banking finance companies.The on-going Capital Assist programme is a platform to get direct market access and tap wider financing opportunities for sellers and raise funds without collateral or lengthy documentation. Indian online marketplace Snapdeal is offering collateral free loans totaling to Rs 1,000 crore to its sellers to help them stock up on inventories, before the onslaught of Diwali festive season sales. These loans would be disbursed through its Capital Assist programme, for which it has partnered with 27 banks and non banking finance companies.# The initiative has disbursed loans worth Rs 450 crore to more than 2,200 small and medium-sized enterprises till now.Snapdeal has co-evolved a scoring process with partner banks and NBFCs to provide credit rating to its sellers, which enables instant decision on loan applications and quick disbursal.Vishal Chadha, senior vice president, market development at Snapdeal said, Through Capital Assist, we have made the funding process frictionless, so that our seller partners can scale up to their full potential, without any financial constraints. (AR) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India FOCUS ON DEFENSE CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND OCEANIA Thailand based but Indian owned online fashion retailer Zilingo said it has raised $8 million in a new funding round from Sequoia India, Susquehanna International Group and Venturra Capital. Zilingo will use the new capital to enter new markets like Indonesia and increase its Singapore and Thailand presence by getting on board more sellers.Zilingo operates a technology centre in Bangalore and uses tools like artificial intelligence and augmented reality to keep its customers engaged, media reports said. Thailand based but Indian owned online fashion retailer Zilingo said it has raised $8 million in a new funding round from Sequoia India, Susquehanna International Group and Venturra Capital. Zilingo will use the new capital to enter new markets like Indonesia and increase its Singapore and Thailand presence by getting on board more sellers. # The South Asian fashion and beauty market, which is the focus market for the online retailer, is over $20 billion and is growing at a blistering pace, with more and more consumers going online to make purchases.Zilingo charges 10-20 per cent commission from its sellers, while its competitors charge none and also stopped doing business in verticals where there was no margin. (AR) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India Real Star Upendra, after working in a string of remakes, has okayed a straight subject, which is titled as Modi, and will be directed by Uday Prakash of Auto Raja and Kalla Malla Sulla fame. Apparently, Uday Prakash has been working on this script from the past one year. He has readied more than half a dozen versions, which were rejected by Uppi as he was not happy with it before finally accepting the eighth version of the script. The film will be produced by MN Kumar and Jayashree Devi, under MNK Movies. Vasu will be the executive producer. Director Uday Prakash is in the process of finalizing cast and crew for the film. Once the script was okayed by Uppi, Uday Prakash zeroed in Modi as the title for the movie. Next challenge for makers was to get this title cleared from the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce as the title is related to a person; indeed a powerful person of the country. Finally, the title was cleared by KFCC with the tagline - "It is a One Man Show, No Politics Please". The project will be officially announced on Upendra's birthday i.e., September 18. Apart from this, at least 3-4 projects of Uppi will be announced on the same day. Uday Prakash, who is very confident on the script says that if Upendra had not agreed to be part of this project then he would've not considered making this film, as this script will only suit Upendra. Also, he clarifies that movie has nothing to do with our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. The team will start shooting from October, once Upendra completes the shoot for his ongoing film Uppi Matthe Hutti Baa, which is in the final stages of production. Rating: 3.0 /5 Oozham is the revenge drama, which stars Prithviraj in the lead role. The movie is written & directed by Jeethu Joseph, and produced by C George and Anto Padinjarekkara for Finetune Pictures. Oozham Story Surya is a young man who hails from Coimbatore and works in the USA. He is extremely attached to his family, which consists of his father Krishnamurthy, mother Lakshmi, elder brother Parthasarathy, and younger sister Aishwarya. But, some unexpected incidents severely affect his family, and the lands family members in some unfortunate situations. How Surya finds out the culprits behind his family's misery and punishes them, forms the plot. Meet the cast & crew of Oozham here..... Prithviraj As Surya Krishnamurthy Prithviraj is just perfect as Surya Krishnamurthy, a young man who seeks revenge for the tragedy faced by his family. He has excelled in both emotional and lighter sequences, with his controlled performance. Written & Directed By Jeethu Joseph Writer-director Jeethu Joseph, has successfully weaved a perfect revenge drama, with a slight touch of romance and sentimental elements. He has experimented with a never-seen-before narrative pattern, which makes the movie a very different experience. Balachandra Menon As Krishnamurthy Balachandra Menon, the veteran actor-director who plays Krishnamurthy, is just perfect as the loving yet strict father, who is also a very honest government servant. Divya Pillai Divya Pillai, the Ayaal Njanalla fame actress who essays the female lead in the movie, is okay in her role. But the actress surely needs to brush up her skills. Neeraj Madhav As Ajmal Neeraj Madhav, the actor-dancer has perfectly played Ajmal, the foster son of Krishnamurthy and Lakshmi. Unlike Neeraj's usual characters, Ajmal is a role which has provided him the scope to perform. Rasna Pavithran As Aishwarya Rasna Pavithran, the newcomer depicts Aishwarya, the younger sister. She has neatly played her part, despite this being her first film. Kishor Satya As Parthasarathy Kishor Satya, the popular actor-television anchor plays the character Parthasarathy, the elder brother of Surya. Even though his role is a short one, Kishor has delivered a memorable performance. The Rest Of The Star Cast Seetha, who essays Lakshmi, has nothing much to do in her unnoticeable role. The rest of the star cast, including Pasupathi, Jayaprakash, Sampath Raj, Sreejith Ravi, Irshad, etc. played their parts neatly. Cinematography: Shamdat Sainudheen Shamdat Sainudeen is the director of photography. His perfect visuals are surely a great plus point to the intense revenge drama, which also has some lighter shades in it. Music: Anil Johnson Even though Anil Johnson's songs lack are easily forgettable, the musician has made a mark with his impressive background score, which perfectly sinks in with the mood of the movie. Other Technical Aspects Ayoob Khan's perfect editing deserves a special mention. It is commendable that the movie has stayed away from unnecessary add-ons like romantic and sentimental sequences, which makes it a crispy watch. Tony, who has handled the VFX has done a great job. Overall View Even though the storyline is something we have seen before, director Jeethu Joseph has made Oozham a memorable movie experience with his different treatment style. It is surely a comeback for him after the disappointing Life Of Josutty. It is not a conventional thriller, which offers several twists and turns, but is surely a unique film which stands out with its making style. But, the movie lacks clarity at certain points and will leave you in doubts, at the climax. Verdict An unconventional, unique, revenge drama which will keep you engaged. - EY report calls for G20 policy action to help young entrepreneurs manage digital disruption - Urges G20 governments to promote better access to finance, cross-border research clusters and international business development opportunities - Recommends establishment of new G20 mobility visa for young entrepreneurs BEIJING, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A new EY report warns that G20 leaders must better support young entrepreneurs through policies that ensure digital disruption enables rather than hinders their business development plans. The report, Disrupting the disruptors: Disrupting youth entrepreneurship with digital and data, was released to mark the start of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs' Alliance (G20 YEA) summit in China. Logo- http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160620/381362LOGO Using a digital barometer to compare digital entrepreneurship performance of G20 nations and to identify leading practices and policies that allow young entrepreneurs to thrive on digital disruption, the report identifies key policy recommendations, including clear governance on data access and privacy; support for cross-border research clusters, and the establishment of a new G20 youth entrepreneurship mobility visa. Countries that rank first in at least one key indicator for supporting digital entrepreneurship include Canada (access to finance); the US (entrepreneurial culture, digital skills and entrepreneurial education, digital knowledge base, and ICT market); and the UK (digital business environment). Rohan Malik, EY Strategic Growth Leader - Global Industry and Emerging Markets Leader - Global Government & Public Sector, says: "Entrepreneurs disrupt business practices and reshape behavior. And today, the world in which they work is itself being disrupted by digital technologies. As G20 governments think about how to set up their economies to succeed in this digital environment, they must help equip young entrepreneurs for the age of digital disruption. "Policy can play a critical role in turning digital disruption into a powerful opportunity for young entrepreneurs. Supporting an entrepreneurial environment that encourages young people to establish, grow and scale their businesses is a significant opportunity - even a responsibility - for G20 governments. It also creates opportunities to advance inclusiveness through entrepreneurship, particularly for young women." The report's top policy recommendations are: Access to finance: Support the development of early-stage financing and support schemes for young entrepreneurs, including incubators and accelerators Reduce investment barriers to promote access to foreign capital for entrepreneurs Entrepreneurial culture: Introduce entrepreneurship as a specialized stream in higher education and schools Engage industry in the development and delivery of tech, digital and management-focused training Protect young entrepreneurs' intellectual property with targeted provisions to encourage innovation and collaboration with larger organizations and investors Digital business environment: Champion a G20 entrepreneur visa and promote the development of support networks for newly arrived entrepreneurs in G20 host countries Establish clear guidelines on data privacy and security, including usage, data rights and quality Digital skills and entrepreneurial education: Teach entrepreneurship in schools from elementary through to final years of high school and prioritize STEM education, particularly for female students Promote youth entrepreneurship mentoring and coaching programs within industry and entrepreneurship networks Digital knowledge base and ICT market: Foster multi-stakeholder digital clusters and networks, including those with a sectoral or city-level focus, along with coaching and mentoring schemes Support university-entrepreneur collaboration, including through funding incentives for universities Notes to Editors About EY EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com. This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients. Kirsty McDonald EY Global Media Relations +852 28469088 kirsty-k.mcdonald@hk.ey.com PORTO, Portugal and HATFIELD, England, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- FOR EMEA MEDIA ONLY - NOT FOR SWISS/AUSTRIAN/CZECH REPUBLIC JOURNALISTS Further insights into seizure control and safety profile of epilepsy drug in the treatment of newly diagnosed partial onset (focal) seizures in adults BIAL and Eisai announce the methodology of a planned, large, pooled analyses of real-world efficacy and safety data for adjunctive once-daily Zebinix (eslicarbazepine acetate) to be presented for the first time at the 12th European Congress on Epileptology (ECE) 2016, Prague, Czech Republic.[1] Once-daily eslicarbazepine acetate is indicated as adjunctive therapy in adults with partial-onset seizures with or without secondary generalisation.[2] Abstract #P578 - Mc Murray R et al[1] - 12 September 13:00-14:30 The study will comprise pooled analysis in over 1,500 adult patients from databases across Europe to provide further information on dosing patterns, combinations, and response to treatment with once-daily eslicarbazepine acetate. This large pooled analyses of patient-level data will provide additional information on the effectiveness and tolerability of eslicarbazepine acetate in routine clinical practice, thereby complementing evidence from clinical trials. Abstract #0002 - Ben-Menachem et al[3] - 14 September 11.30-13.00 Abstract P615 - E Trinka E et al[4] - 14 September 13:00-14:30 Further data at this year's ECE includes outcomes from an investigational Phase III study[3],[4] in 785 eligible patients for eslicarbazepine acetate in a monotherapy setting compared with twice-daily controlled-release (CR) carbamazepine. Seizure freedom rates with eslicarbazepine acetate were 71.1% (n=388) and 75.6% (n=397) with carbamazepine CR at 6 months (average risk difference -4.28%, 95%CI -10.3, 1.74%).[3],[4] Patients experiencing at least one treatment emergent adverse event were similar between eslicarbazepine acetate and carbamazepine CR (75.3% vs 77.7% respectively).[3],[4] Abstract #0034 - Villanueva V et al[5] - 13 September 11:30-13:00 Results from a one-year retrospective observational study, EARLY-ESLI, in 253 patients aged 18 with partial-onset seizures receiving eslicarbazepine acetate after first-line monotherapy failure will be presented. During follow-up 31.6% reported adverse events, and 3.6% discontinued treatment due to AEs.[5] At 12 months, the retention rate was 92.9%, 62.3% of patients were seizure free, 37.3% were seizure free for one year, 82.5% were responders, and 5.6% did worse. The main side-effects were somnolence (8.7%), dizziness (5.1%), and hyponatremia (3.5%; n=9).[5] A total 127 patients (50.2%) converted (withdrew) to monotherapy for at least six months. "These new data confirm our commitment to continue to develop treatments that help people with epilepsy to get on with their lives through seizure control, tolerability, and convenience. The planned real-world study will help improve the knowledge and understanding around the use of eslicarbazepine acetate in routine clinical practice," states Patricio Soares-da-Silva, Head of Research & Development, BIAL Eslicarbazepine acetate is available in Albania*, Austria, Czech Republic, Cyprus*, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany (co-promotion with BIAL, the developer of eslicarbazepine acetate), Greece, Iceland, Italy, Malta*, Norway, Portugal*, Republic of Ireland, Russia***, Scotland, Slovakia, Sweden, Spain (co-promotion with BIAL), UK (co-promotion with BIAL) and the U.S and Canada**. *Exclusively by BIAL **Eslicarbazepine acetate is sold in the U.S. and Canada under the trade name Aptiom ***Exalief is the trade name for eslicarbazepine acetate in Russia Abstract Number Timing of presentation Abstract details Eslicarbazepine acetate Effectiveness of eslicarbazepine acetate as Abstract number: P578 adjunctive therapy for partial epilepsy in clinical Poster Session practice: design of a European pooled analysis of Pharmacology / AEDs 3 real-world data Monday 12 September Rob McMurray, Camilla Karlsson, Rui Sousa, Vicente 13.00 - 14.30 Villanueva Poster Area (Forum Hall Foyer) Abstract number: #0034 EARLY-ESLI study: Efficacy, tolerability and Platform Session 6 conversion to monotherapy with eslicarbazepine Antiepileptic Drugs 2 acetate after first monotherapy failure Tuesday 13 September V Villanueva, A Gomez, M Garces, P Bermejo, J 11:30-13:00 Montoya, M Toledo, FJ Lopez-Gonzalez, X Rodriguez, D Forum Hall Campos, P Martinez, P Giner, J Zurita, J Rodriguez-Uranga, J Ojeda, JA Mauri, J Ruiz-Gimenez, JJ Poza, A Massot, M Bonet Abstract number: #0002 Efficacy of eslicarbazepine acetate versus Platform Session 13 controlled-release carbamazepine as monotherapy in Antiepileptic Drugs 3 patients with newly diagnosed partial-onset seizures Wednesday 14 September E Ben-Menachem, E. Trinka, P Kowacs, C Elger, J 11:30-13:00 Moreira, R Pinto, F Ikedo, A Pereira, JF Rocha, Forum Hall P Soares-da-Silva Abstract number: P615 Safety and tolerability of eslicarbazepine acetate as Poster Session monotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed Pharmacology / AEDs 8 partial-onset seizures Wednesday 14 September E Trinka, E Ben-Menachem, P Kowacs, C Elger, J 13:00-14:30 Moreira, R Pinto, F Ikedo, A Pereira, JF Rocha, Location P Soares-da-Silva Poster Area (Forum Hall Foyer) Notes to Editors About Zebinix (eslicarbazepine acetate) Eslicarbazepine acetate is currently marketed in Europe and Russia by BIAL-Portela & C, S.A and by BIAL's licensee, Eisai Europe Limited, a European subsidiary of Eisai Co., Ltd. under the trade name Zebinix or Exalief. In the United States and Canada eslicarbazepine acetate (tradename Aptiom) is marketed by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc., under an exclusive license from BIAL. Eslicarbazepine acetate is a voltage-gated sodium channel blocker. It selectively targets the slow inactivated state of the sodium ion channel (which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of epilepsy), preventing its return to the active state, and thereby reduces repetitive neuronal firing.[6] Further, eslicarbazepine acetate does not inhibit potassium efflux, which may reduce the potential for repetitive neuronal firings.[7] The efficacy of eslicarbazepine acetate was demonstrated in an initial proof-of-concept phase II study[8] and three subsequent phase III randomised, placebo controlled studies in 1,049 people with refractory partial onset seizures.[9],[10],[11] About BIAL Founded in 1924, BIAL is an international pharmaceutical company with the mission to discover, develop and provide therapeutic solutions within the area of health. In recent decades, BIAL has focused on quality, innovation and internationalisation. Being the partner of choice for many companies, BIAL is strongly committed to therapeutic innovation, investing more than 20% of its turnover in Research and Development (R&D) every year. BIAL has established an ambitious R&D program centred on the central nervous, cardiovascular system and allergy immunotherapy. BIAL's innovative programmes focus on continuing the clinical development of its anti-epileptic Zebinix/Aptiom (on the market in Europe and the USA), as well as opicapone for Parkinson's disease. The company expects to introduce more new medicines and vaccines to the market in the next years, strengthening its position worldwide and accomplishing the company's purpose of "Caring for your Health". For more information about BIAL, please visit http://www.bial.com . About Eisai Co., Ltd. Eisai Co., Ltd. is a leading global research and development-based pharmaceutical company headquartered inJapan. We define our corporate mission as "giving first thought to patients and their families and to increasing the benefits health care provides," which we call ourhuman health care(hhc) philosophy. With over 10,000 employees working across our global network of R&D facilities, manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, we strive to realise ourhhcphilosophy by delivering innovative products in multiple therapeutic areas with high-unmet medical needs, including Oncology and Neurology. As a global pharmaceutical company, our mission extends to patients around the world through our investment and participation in partnership-based initiatives to improve access to medicines in developing and emerging countries. For more information about Eisai Co., Ltd., please visithttp://www.eisai.com References 1. McMurray R, et al. Effectiveness of eslicarbazepine acetate as adjunctive therapy for partial epilepsy in clinical practice: design of a European pooled analysis of real-world data; European Congress on Epileptology 2016: Abstract P578 2. Zebinix (eslicarbazepine acetate) SPC - Available at: http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/EPAR_-_Product_Information/human/000988/WC500047225.pdf [updated 19th May 2016]. Accessed September 2016 3. Ben-Menachem E, et al. Efficacy of eslicarbazepine acetate versus controlled-release carbamazepine as monotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed partial-onset seizures; European Congress on Epileptology 2016: Abstract #0002 4. Trinka E, et al. Safety and tolerability of eslicarbazepine acetate as monotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed partial-onset seizures; European Congress on Epileptology 2016: Abstract P615 5. Villanueva V, et al. EARLY-ESLI study: Efficacy, tolerability and conversion to monotherapy with eslicarbazepine acetate after first monotherapy failure: Abstract #0034 6. Hebeisen S, et al. Eslicarbazepine and the enhancement of slow inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels: a comparison with carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine and lacosamide. Neuropharmacology 2015; 89:122-35 7. Soares-da-Silva P, et al. Eslicarbazepine acetate for the treatment of focal epilepsy: an update on its proposed mechanisms of action. Pharmacol Res Perspect. 2015; 3:e00124 8. Elger C, et al. Eslicarbazepine acetate: A double-blind, add-on, placebo-controlled exploratory trial in adult patients with partial-onset seizures. Epilepsia 2007; 48:497-504 9. Elger C, et al. Efficacy and safety of eslicarbazepine acetate as adjunctive treatment in adults with refractory partial-onset seizures: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group phase III study. Epilepsia. 2009;50:454-63 10. Ben-Menachem E, et al. Eslicarbazepine acetate as adjunctive therapy in adult patients with partial epilepsy. Epilepsy Res. 2010;89(2-3):278-85 11. Gil-Nagel A, et al. Efficacy and safety of 800 and 1200 mg eslicarbazepine acetate as adjunctive treatment in adults with refractory partial-onset seizures. Acta Neurol Scand. 2009; 120:281-87 SALEM, NH -- (Marketwired) -- 09/07/16 -- ProPhotonix Limited (OTC PINK: STKR) (LSE: PPIX), a high technology designer and manufacturer of LED illumination systems and laser diode modules, today announces its unaudited interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2016. Financial Highlights Revenue increased 20% to $8.1 million (2015: $6.7 million) Gross profit increased 29.8% to $3.6 million (2015: $2.8 million) Gross profit margin increased to 44.4% (2015: 41.2%) Operating income increased significantly to $0.7 million (2015: $0.1 million) Net income of $0.4 million (2015: loss $0.2 million) EBITDA increased significantly to $0.9 million (2015: $0.3 million) Order bookings of $8.8 million (2015: $7.7 million) 1.09 Book-to-Bill ratio (2015: 1.15) Percentage revenue by market sectors: 84% industrial, 11% medical and 5% security & defense (2015: 81% industrial, 15% medical and 4% security & defense) Percentage revenue by geography: 48% Europe, 42% North America and 10% Rest of World (2015: 48% Europe, 39% North America and 13% Rest of World) Available credit lines of $2.0 million Operating Highlights Introduced 3 new products in the first half Renegotiated the terms of credit facility with Barclays Booked a $1.1 million order for the delivery of laser modules during H2 2016 and early 2017 with one of the Company's largest customers Tim Losik, President & CEO, commented: Financial "The first half results mark the sixth consecutive half-yearly positive EBITDA, fourth consecutive half-yearly positive operating income and the second consecutive half-yearly positive net income reported by the Company; clearly demonstrating the Company's continued financial progress. Sales in the first half of 2016 were up 20% to $8.1 million from $6.7 million in 2015; both businesses (Lasers/Diodes and LED) contributed to the revenue growth. Operating profit dramatically improved to $0.7 million compared to $0.1 million in 2015, a 600% increase. Net income for the first half improved to $0.4 million compared to a loss of $0.2 million in the first half of 2015. Of note, both operating income and net income include increased Development/Engineering costs ($150,000) associated with investment and expenditure in the UV printing and curing market and customer expansion. Also, net income was negatively impacted by the dramatic decline in the British Pound versus U.S. Dollar foreign currency translation rate during the last week of June 2016 (approximately $180,000 non-cash impact) following the result of the EU referendum. "The Company's balance sheet continues to strengthen. Principal on term debt of $553,000 was repaid and the net available credit from the Company's loan facilities was $2.0 million as of June 30, 2016. Also, on February 10, 2016, the Company entered into an amendment to its revolving credit facility with Barclays Sales Finance to (i) increase the line from 1,400,000 to 1,500,000; (ii) to reduce certain fees and service charges; and (iii) increase the borrowing rate from 80% to 85% while extending the minimum period of this amendment to 12 months to February 10, 2017 with a rolling evergreen provision. The Directors are comfortable with the cash flow of the business considering its plans and available credit facilities." Strategy "Since June 2013, our short-term strategy has been to eliminate costs, win new customers, and improve margins. Our results for the first half of 2016, building on our full year 2015 results demonstrate that these short term strategies, put into place at the time of the recapitalization of the Company, have succeeded in creating a sustainable business model. "The Company's longer term strategy, as noted in the 2015 Statement to Shareholders in the annual report, continues to be one of strategic repositioning to include a market(s) directed product portfolio. As a result of this longer term strategy, some of our engineering talents continue to be concentrated in defined market areas that we believe are poised for fast market expansion. ProPhotonix is investing in additional engineering resources and will continue to make such investments in fulfillment of our strategy. In addition, ProPhotonix is in the process of expanding its sales team to increase our world-wide sales coverage." Click on, or paste the following link into your web browser, to view the associated PDF document. http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/2497J_1-2016-9-7.pdf This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange Contact: ProPhotonix Limited Tim Losik President & CEO Tel: +1 603 893 8778 ir@prophotonix.com Stockdale Securities Limited Tom Griffiths / David Coaten Nominated Adviser and Broker Tel: +44 (0) 20 7601 6100 SHANGHAI, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --Broncus Holding Company (BHC), announced today that it has acquired the assets of privately held Uptake Medical Corp, the manufacturer of vapor technology for the bronchoscopic ablation of emphysema and lung cancer. Vapor ablation has been shown to result in clinically meaningful improvement in lung function and quality of life in a recent randomized controlled trial published in the Lancet RM (July 2016). The acquisition positions BHC as the leader in providing the complete solution for the two most devastating lung diseases. BHC's Chairman Michael Zhao explains: "Our plan is to deliver a solution through combination of the technologies from our two companies, Broncus Medical Inc. and Uptake Medical Technology. Broncus Medical Inc. will focus on the complete treatment for lung cancer and Uptake Medical Technology will focus on the complete treatment for emphysema. Together these two companies represent complete answers for the number one and two leading causes of pulmonary disease." "We are very excited to be able to offer an impeccable solution to bronchoscopic-based lung cancer treatment through the integration of Uptake's vapor technology and our products, LungPoint and Archimedes," said Henky Wibowo, President of Broncus Medical Inc., San Jose, CA. "We are elated to have the additional resources and infrastructures that Broncus provides to rapidly extend our commercialization coverage in the EU and Asia. Additionally, Broncus' products will complement and extend the InterVapor system and further simplify the procedure for treating emphysema patients," said Robert Barry, President of Uptake Medical Technology, Seattle, WA. Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 related to the acquisition of Uptake Medical Corp. assets. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Broncus Holding Company, Broncus Medical Inc. and Uptake Medical Technology. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges related to integrating the assets, as well as the ability to ensure continued performance or market growth of the company's products; the potential that the expected benefits and opportunities related to the transaction may not be realized or may take longer to realize than expected; challenges inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success for new and existing products; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and changes in behavior and spending patterns or financial distress of purchasers of health care products and services. OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 09/07/16 -- Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX VENTURE: ORE) announces an updated resource statement, subsequent to its release of August 22, 2016, for its Bombore Project in Burkina Faso, West Africa (Table 1). The resource estimation was performed by the Company and audited, classified, and accepted by Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. (RPA) in Toronto, Ontario. Mineral Resources are estimated at variable cut-off grades depending on weathering layer and geographic location. Using similar cut-off grades to the 2013 estimate for comparison purposes (Table 2), the results indicate that the tonnage and gold ounces contained in the previous 2013 overall combined Measured and Indicated (M&I) resource have been reduced by 29% and the average gold grade by 4% to 0.97 gram per tonne (gpt). Within this higher grade portion of the resource, the oxidized and transition M&I resource has been reduced by 31% and the average gold grade by 2% to 0.89 gpt. The fresh rock (sulphide) M&I resource has been reduced by 28% and the average gold grade by 6% to 1.04 gpt. It should be noted that approximately one third of the reduction in resources is related to the impact of the flood plains, environmentally sensitive areas, and resource areas being set aside for the benefit of local artisanal miners. Most of these resources were already excluded from the reserves as part of the 2015 feasibility study. The remaining two-thirds of the reduction in resources can be attributed to the changes in the model and methodology. The 2016 estimate is more conservative than the 2013 estimate due the Company's re-interpretation of the mineralized domains coupled with restrictions on the grade modeling of the low grade domains. This resulted in the exclusion of all mineralization (both higher and lower grade) located outside of the envelopes. In other words, there remains mineralization in the waste domain that is unaccounted for in the 2016 resource statement. The Company has instructed RPA to review this mineralization so that it can potentially be included in the reserve update and next mine plan. Table 1 - 2016 Mineral Resources Statement for the Bombore Deposit, Burkina Faso, West Africa Measured Indicated Mineral Resource Mineral Resource Cutoff Tonnes Grade Gold Tonnes Grade Gold Material Type gpt Mt gpt koz Mt gpt koz ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oxide+Tran HG 0.45 16.3 0.98 514 30.7 0.85 840 0.20 to Oxide+Tran LG 0.45 15.8 0.33 169 38.7 0.33 411 Total Oxide+Tran 0.20 32.1 0.66 683 69.4 0.56 1,252 Fresh HG 0.50 6.7 1.07 232 49.1 1.04 1,638 0.38 to Fresh LG 0.5 1.7 0.44 24 12.9 0.43 180 Total Fresh 0.38 8.4 0.95 256 62.0 0.91 1,818 Total HG 23.0 1.01 746 79.8 0.97 2,478 Total LG 17.5 0.34 192 51.5 0.36 591 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total HG+LG 40.6 0.72 939 131.4 0.73 3,069 Measured and Indicated Inferred Mineral Resource Mineral Resource Tonnes Grade Gold Tonnes Grade Gold Material Type Mt gpt koz Mt gpt koz ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oxide+Tran HG 47.08 0.89 1,355 0.99 0.76 24 Oxide+Tran LG 54.49 0.33 580 1.51 0.33 16 Total Oxide+Tran 101.57 0.59 1,935 2.50 0.50 40 Fresh HG 55.81 1.04 1,870 15.92 0.89 457 Fresh LG 14.57 0.43 204 5.84 0.44 82 Total Fresh 70.39 0.92 2,074 21.77 0.77 539 Total HG 102.89 0.97 3,224 16.91 0.88 481 Total LG 69.06 0.35 784 7.35 0.41 98 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total HG+LG 171.95 0.73 4,008 24.26 0.74 579 Notes: 1. CIM definitions were followed for Mineral Resources. 2. HG indicates material above the higher grade cut-offs, LG indicates low grade material between the high grade and breakeven cut-off grades. 3. Mineral Resources are estimated at variable cut-off grades depending on weathering layer and location. 4. Mineral Resources are estimated using a long-term gold price of US$1,400 per ounce. 5. A minimum mining width of approximately 3 m was used. 6. Bulk density vary by material type. 6. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. 7. Numbers may not add due to rounding. 8. The effective date of this Mineral Resource statement is September 7, 2016. Table 2 - Comparison Table of 2016 to 2013 Mineral Resource Estimates at Similar Cut-off Grades Measured Indicated Mineral Resource Mineral Resource Cutoff Tonnes Grade Gold Tonnes Grade Gold gpt Mt gpt Koz Mt gpt Koz ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2013 Oxide+Trans 0.45 38.9 0.94 1,174 28.3 0.87 789 2016 Oxide+Trans 0.45 16.3 0.98 514 30.7 0.85 840 Difference (22.6) 0.04 (660) 2.5 (0.02) 51 Percent Difference -58% 4% -56% 9% -2% 6% Total 2013 Fresh 0.50 44.1 1.03 1,456 28.6 1.24 1,142 Total 2016 Fresh 0.50 6.7 1.07 232 49.1 1.04 1,638 Difference (37.4) 0.05 (1,224) 20.5 (0.21) 496 Percent Difference -85% 5% -84% 72% -17% 43% Total 2013 All Layers 83.0 0.99 2,630 56.8 1.06 1,931 Total 2016 All Layers 23.0 1.01 746 79.8 0.97 2,478 Difference (60.0) 0.02 (1,884) 23.0 (0.09) 547 Percent Difference -72% 2% -72% 40% -9% 28% Measured and Indicated Inferred Mineral Resource Mineral Resource Tonnes Grade Gold Tonnes Grade Gold Mt gpt Koz Mt gpt Koz ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2013 Oxide+Trans 67.2 0.91 1,964 6.4 0.92 189 2016 Oxide+Trans 47.1 0.89 1,355 1.0 0.76 24 Difference (20.1) (0.01) (609) (5.4) (0.16) (164) Percent Difference -30% -2% -31% -85% -17% -87% Total 2013 Fresh 72.7 1.11 2,598 12.1 1.38 534 Total 2016 Fresh 55.8 1.04 1,870 15.9 0.89 457 Difference (16.9) (0.07) (728) 3.9 (0.49) (78) Percent Difference -23% -6% -28% 32% -35% -15% Total 2013 All Layers 139.9 1.01 4,561 18.4 1.22 723 Total 2016 All Layers 102.9 0.97 3,224 16.9 0.88 481 Difference (37.0) (0.04) (1,337) (1.5) (0.34) (242) Percent Difference -26% -4% -29% -8% -28% -33% Notes: A subset of the Mineral Resource is reported to compare to the 2013 model which was reported at a 0.45 gpt Au for oxide and transition material and 0.50 gpt Au for fresh material. The Company plans to work with RPA to update the Mineral Reserves in order to review and revise the 2015 Phase 1 feasibility study as soon as possible in order to determine the actual impact on the reserves and the next stage of development for the project. "We consider that the 2016 methodology and results are conservative for this type of deposit," stated Ron Little, CEO for Orezone. "The 2013 resource estimate was based on the geological understanding of the Company at that time and employed a methodology that generally would be deemed suitable to the wide shear zone, low-grade disseminated style of mineralization at Bombore. As a result of the change in the model and methodology, there is mineralized material above cut-off grade that is no longer captured by the new envelopes but occurs within the resource pit. Therefore, we may eventually realize a tonnage and grade during future mining operations that falls between the two resource estimates. Both resource statements are estimates, performed by well-known and well regarded Qualified Persons, working with Orezone, using best practices and the information available at that time." The Bombore project still benefits from a large oxide and sulphide resource that allows for flexibility and potential expansion of the process facility. The resource still remains open at depth and for the most part along strike. The Company is planning further drilling for infill, expansion, and model testing purposes starting in October 2016. Part of the focus of this drilling is to define and upgrade the mineralization that is currently unclassified and occurs within the resource pit limits. This drilling will generally be shallow and designed to demonstrate the ability to upgrade resources by expanding grade domains and to test areas that have been previously identified as prospective but are presently excluded from the current estimate. The 2016 estimation methodology: The methodology included estimating the grade in two principal grade domains, a higher grade +0.45 gpt domain (the core of mineralization) and a lower grade 0.2 to 0.45 gpt domain (the lower grade halo around the core). The grade of each domain (or envelope) was estimated using only the composited assays that occur within each envelope and thereby there was a hard boundary between each domain. The 2013 estimation methodology: The Company worked with SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. to produce the 2013 resource model which included the definition of the higher grade domains at +0.5 gpt wireframe envelope and the Company created a lithological model that was used to constrain the low-grade gold domains. SRK estimated block grades inside the higher grade domains using only those composited samples located within that domain. The block grades inside the lower grade domains were constrained by lithological wireframes and were assigned a grade based on composites from that domain as well as composites from nearby higher grade domains within a certain distance. This ensured grade continuity of the higher grade zones while overcoming software limitations at that time. In this process, the lower grade domains could be described as having a hybrid or semi-hard boundary between the higher grade and lower grade domains. Domains identified as waste were not estimated. The Company appoints a new non-executive Chairman With the requirement to focus on updating the technical and economic aspects of the project, the Company is pleased to announce that Patrick Downey, a director since 2011, will become non-executive Chairman, replacing Mike Halvorson who has been an active board member and significant Orezone shareholder for over 18 years. As stated by Mr. Halvorson to the board, "Patrick has all the right mining skills and experience to ensure the project is diligently reassessed, the feasibility updated and can play a significant role with management in rebuilding investor confidence." Mr. Downey has had similar successes with Viceroy Resources, Elgin Mining and Claude Resources, and is an active board member on other well advanced development projects. Ron Little, CEO for Orezone added, "that he welcomes Patrick's involvement and determination in this new role, and would like to recognize and thank Mike for his long term dedication to the company and the mentoring of management over all of these years. We look forward to his continued support and advice as an independent member of the board." Mr. Downey commented that, "after having just completed a detailed review of the resource statement and the two methodologies with management and its consultants, I remain a strong advocate for the potential of this project and look forward to getting the development of a mine back on track." The Company will hold a conference call and webcast at 11am EDT on Thursday September 8, 2016, to discuss the resource estimate and the Company's future plans. Calls in details are as follows: Participant call in numbers: North American Toll-Free: 1-800-698-6162 Toll Number: 1-303-223-4388 Log on to https://cc.callinfo.com/r/1wej9wn3b4de3&eom to view the presentation in real-time. Tim Miller, SME and COO, Pascal Marquis, PGeo and SVP and Ron Little, PEng and CEO of Orezone, are Qualified Persons under National Instrument 43-101 and have reviewed the information in this release. Readers should refer to the annual information form of Orezone for the year ended December 31, 2015 and other continuous disclosure documents filed by Orezone since January 1, 2016 available at www.sedar.com, for this detailed information, which is subject to the qualifications and notes set forth therein. Qualified Person - Mineral Resources: The 2016 Mineral Resources disclosed in this press release have been prepared under the supervision of Reno Pressacco, P.Geo. and Tudorel Ciuculescu, P.Geo., both employees of RPA and independent of Orezone. By virtue of their education and relevant experience, Messrs. Pressacco and Ciuculescu are "Qualified Persons" for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101. The Mineral Resources have been classified in accordance with CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (May, 2014). Messrs. Pressacco and Ciuculescu have read and approved the contents of this press release as it pertains to the disclosed Mineral Resource estimate. A National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days. About Orezone Gold Corporation Orezone is a Canadian company with a successful track record of gold discoveries and mine development experience in Burkina Faso, West Africa. The Company owns a 100% interest in Bombore, one of the largest and permitted undeveloped oxide gold deposit in West Africa, situated 85 km east of the capital city, adjacent to an international highway. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential", "possible" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "will", "could", or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding, among others; completion by RPA an updated NI43-101 resource statement within 45 days, the Company completing additional drilling for infill, expansion and model testing purposes and to potentially upgrade resources by expanding grade envelopes, and that the Company will review and assess the impact of the revised resources and reserves on Phase 1 of the project feasibility economics to determine the next stage of development for the project. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release. This news release also contains estimates of Mineral Resources. The estimation of Mineral Resources is inherently uncertain and involves subjective judgments about many relevant factors. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The accuracy of any such estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data, and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation by qualified persons, which may prove to be unreliable, subject to dispute, and depend, to a certain extent, upon the methodology used and the analysis of drilling results and statistical inferences. Mineral Resource estimates may have to be re-estimated based on, among other things: (i) fluctuations in metal or mineral prices; (ii) results of drilling; (iii) results of metallurgical testing and other studies; (iv) changes to proposed mining operations; (v) the evaluation of mine plans subsequent to the date of any estimates; (vi) the possible failure to receive required permits, approvals or licences, or changes in the terms and conditions of any such permits, approvals or licences; and (vii) changes in methodology. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contacts: Orezone Gold Corporation +1 (613) 241-3699 Toll Free (888) 673-0663 The Polish Government announced it will formally request the Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) combat-proven Patriot Integrated Air and Missile Defense System from the United States government. Poland considers to buy eight Patriot air and missile defense systems in a deal with an estimated value of $5 Billion, to establish an independent air and missile defense system under the Vistula strategic air defense program. When the deal comes through Poland will become the 14th NATO operator of the combat-proven Patriot system. But Polands Patriots will be different from other systems. Raytheon is offering the latest iteration of the Patriot family SkyCeptor a low-cost interceptor, based on the Stunner interceptor missile developed with Rafael for the Israeli Davids Sling weapon system. The missile and weapon system passed a successful acceptence test by the Israel Air Force last year and are currently in full-rate production. The Patriot system is comprised of integrated radar, launcher and command and control systems that protects against aircraft, drones and ballistic or cruise missiles. The SkyCeptor interceptor adds a highly advanced, hit-to-kill capability, developed to defeat short- to medium-range ballistic and cruise missiles and other advanced air defense threats. Raytheon unveiled the SkyCeptor interceptor yesterday during MSPO, an international defense industry exhibition in Poland. Raytheon is also developing a new radar for the Patriot system a prototype mockup that was recently unveiled at the Farnborough Airshow in the UK uses two key technologies. The first is active electronically scanned array, which changes the way the radar searches the sky. The second technology is gallium nitride circuitry, which uses energy efficiently to amplify the radars high-power radio frequencies. Poland requested a low-cost interceptor option as part of the interest it expressed in acquiring the Patriot. According to Raytheon, Polish industry would co-develop and produce the system with Raytheon. Were redefining the price tag on what are traditionally very expensive missile defense capabilities, said John Baird, vice president of Raytheons Poland programs. SkyCeptor gives Poland a much more cost-effective option to take out the threat. It will be the newest hit-to-kill weapon in the Patriot family, which includes the PAC-3 and PAC-3 MSE missiles, which destroy threats by the sheer force of collision. Also in the family is the GEM-T interceptor, which uses a blast fragmentation warhead to obliterate tactical and ballistic missiles or manned and unmanned aircraft. All four missiles can be fired from the same launcher. In the last phase of the Vistula project source selection Poland evaluated the Patriot against the MEADS, proposed by Lockheed Martin and MBDA. MEADS uses a new radar and battle management system with the Patriot PAC-3 MSE interceptor variant developped by Lockheed Martin. Missile defense is a complicated challenge because missiles [are] cheap and easy to create threats, but [it is] difficult and expensive to defend against them, said Ralph Acaba, vice president of Raytheon Integrated Air and Missile Defense. Missile defense systems need to become more cost-effective, and integration of SkyCeptor into Polands Patriot is a step in the right direction. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/07/16 -- First Mining Finance Corp. ("First Mining" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: FF)(OTCQX: FFMGF) is pleased to announce that it has filed with the Canadian securities regulators an independent Technical Report prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). The report is entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report and Audit of the Preliminary Resource Estimate for the Pitt Gold Project, Duparquet Township, Abitibi Region, Quebec". The technical report for the Company's Pitt Gold Project covers veins 1, 2, and 3, with a combined Indicated mineral resource of 600,000 tonnes grading 7.83 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (Au) containing 151,000 ounces Au and an Inferred mineral resource of 476,000 tonnes grading 6.91 g/t Au containing 106,000 ounces Au. A cut-off grade of 3.0 g/t Au was used to calculate the Indicated and Inferred resources for this report which was dated June 30, 2016, with an effective date of January 31, 2011 and was prepared by Micon International Limited. The Technical Report has been voluntarily filed in connection with First Mining's acquisition of the Pitt Gold Property from Brionor Resources Inc. with no changes to the resources. A copy of this Technical Report can be accessed under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, or on the Company's website at www.firstminingfinance.com. Chris Osterman, CEO, of First Mining, a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 has reviewed the report on behalf of First Mining and has approved the scientific and technical content of this news release. In addition, First Mining has granted 250,000 stock options to an officer of the Company in accordance with his employment agreement. The stock options have an exercise price of $0.91 per share and are exercisable for a period of five years. These stock options are governed by the Company's Stock Option Plan. ABOUT FIRST MINING FINANCE CORP. First Mining is a mineral property holding company whose principal business activity is to acquire high quality mineral assets with a focus in the Americas. The Company currently holds a portfolio of 28 mineral assets in Canada, Mexico and the United States with a focus on gold. Ultimately, the goal is to continue to increase its portfolio of mineral assets through acquisitions that are expected to be comprised of gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc and nickel. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF FIRST MINING FINANCE CORP. Keith Neumeyer, Chairman Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contacts: First Mining Finance Corp. Patrick Donnelly President 604-639-8854 First Mining Finance Corp. Derek Iwanaka Vice President, Investor Relations 604-639-8824 info@firstminingfinance.com www.firstminingfinance.com BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - China's exports declined at a slower-than-expected pace in August, while imports rose unexpectedly, figures from the General Administration of Customs showed Thursday. Exports fell 2.8 percent year-over-year in August, below economists' forecast for a 4.0 percent decline. Imports grew 1.5 percent in August from a year ago, while it was expected to decrease by 5.4 percent. The visible trade surplus of the country came in at $52.05 billion in August. The expected surplus was $58.85 billion. 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. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Shares of Pier 1 Imports (PIR) declined around 9 percent in the extended trading on Wednesday after the home furnishings retailer said it now expects loss in its second quarter, compared to previous view between loss and breakeven. The company also announced the planned departure of its Chief Executive Officer Alex Smith. In its second quarter, net sales decreased approximately 6.7% compared to the same period a year ago. E-Commerce sales represented approximately 20% of net sales. Company comparable sales, which include e-Commerce, decreased approximately 4.3%. For the quarter, the company now expects loss per share to be in the range of $0.06 to $0.05, excluding one-time items, if any, related to the departure of CEO. The company previously expected to report loss of $0.06 per share to breakeven. On average, 18 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect loss of $0.03 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. Smith said, 'Although ongoing store traffic challenges impacted our top line results, we were able to drive year-over-year improvement in our merchandise margin rate through a more balanced promotional strategy and improved operational execution in our distribution centers. We continue to focus on closely managing inventories and ended the quarter with inventory levels down approximately 10% from a year ago.' Separately, the company announced that the Board has mutually agreed with Smith that he will step down as President, CEO and a member of the Board of Directors, effective December 31, 2016. The Board is executing its existing succession planning process and is working with Korn Ferry to conduct a search for a new CEO. Chairman Terry London said that the CEO led a remarkable turnaround of the business from 2009 to 2013, creating one of the most profitable specialty stores in the sector. Pier 1 shares gained 3.23 percent on Wednesday to settle at $4.80. Following the news, stock fell 9.38 percent in the after hours trading to $4.35. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Regulatory News: GenSight Biologics (Paris: SIGHT) (Euronext: SIGHT, FR0013183985, PEA-PME eligible), a biopharma company that discovers and develops innovative gene therapies for neurodegenerative retinal diseases and diseases of the central nervous system, today announced that regulatory agencies and ethics committees in the United States, France and the United Kingdom, have authorized a protocol amendment to include teenage patients (15-18 years) in RESCUE and REVERSE, two ongoing Phase III clinical trials of GS010 in the treatment of Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON). The Investigational New Drug (IND) Application had been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2015, and Clinical Trial Applications (CTAs) had been accepted in France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom by national agencies in the first half of 2016, allowing GenSight Biologics to initiate the two Phase III clinical trials in the US and in Europe. The initial protocols were designed to enroll adult patients, whereas this amendment now allows inclusion of patients from the age of 15. Bernard Gilly, Chief Executive Officer of GenSight Biologics, commented "Given the brutality of the onset of vision loss and the neurodegenerative nature of the disease, we are thrilled to be able to consider all patients irrespective of their age." "Considering that affected adolescents with LHON present in a similar fashion to adults with the disease, and the current good safety profile and potential prospect for benefit, it is extremely important to be able to include these teenage patients with LHON," also commented Pr. Nancy J. Newman, MD, Director of the Section of Neuro-Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia (USA). Available epidemiologic data suggest that teenage patients (15-18 years) may represent between 14 to 22% of all LHON patients (all mutations included). About GenSight Biologics GenSight Biologics S.A. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing novel therapies for neurodegenerative retinal diseases and diseases of the central nervous system. GenSight Biologics' pipeline leverages two core technology platforms, Mitochondrial Targeting Sequence (MTS) and optogenetics, to help preserve or restore vision in patients suffering from severe degenerative retinal diseases. GenSight Biologics' lead product candidate, GS010, is in Phase III trials in Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), a rare mitochondrial disease that leads to irreversible vision loss in teens and young adults. Using its gene therapy-based approach, GenSight Biologics' product candidates are designed to offer patients a sustainable functional visual recovery with a single treatment to each eye through an intravitreal injection. About RESCUE and REVERSE RESCUE and REVERSE are two separate randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled pivotal Phase III trials designed to evaluate the efficacy of a single intravitreal injection of GS010 (rAAV2/2-ND4) in subjects affected by LHON due to the G11778A mutation in the mitochondrial ND4 gene. The primary endpoint will measure the difference in efficacy of GS010 in treated eyes compared to sham-treated eyes based on Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA), as measured with the ETDRS at 48 weeks post-injection. The patients' Log of the Minimal Angle of Resolution, or LogMAR, scores, which are derived from the number of letters they read on the ETDRS chart, will be used for statistical purposes. Both trials have been adequately powered to evaluate a clinically relevant difference of at least 15 ETDRS letters between treated and untreated eyes adjusted to baseline. The secondary endpoints will involve the application of the primary analysis to best seeing eyes that received GS010 compared to those receiving sham, and to worse seeing eyes that received GS010 compared to those that received sham. Additionally, a categorical evaluation with a responder analysis will be evaluated, including the proportion of patients who maintain vision (< ETDRS 15L loss), the proportion of patients who gain 15 ETDRS letters from baseline and the proportion of patients with Snellen acuity of >20/200. Complementary vision metrics will include automated visual fields, optical coherence tomography, and color and contrast sensitivity, in addition to quality of life scales, bio-dissemination and the time course of immune response. The trials are conducted in parallel in 7 centers across the United States, the UK, France, Germany and Italy. Topline results at 48 weeks are expected early 2018. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: REVERSE: NCT02652780 RESCUE: NCT02652767 View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160907006632/en/ Contacts: GenSight Biologics Thomas Gidoin, +33 (0)1 76 21 72 20 Chief Financial Officer ir@gensight-biologics.com or NewCap Investor Relations Florent Alba, +33 (0)1 44 71 98 55 gensight@newcap.eu or RooneyPartners Media Relations Marion Janic, +1-212-223-4017 mjanic@rooneyco.com Regulatory News: Skanska (STO:SKAB) has signed a contract with the Washington State Department of Transportation to reconstruct both lanes of the Interstate 5 freeway at its interchange with Washington State Route 16 in Tacoma, USA. The contract is worth USD 122M, about SEK 1.0 billion, which will be included in the order bookings for Skanska USA Civil in the third quarter 2016. A key element of the design-build project is the construction of HOV lanes in both directions of I-5 within the project limits. Additionally, the scope of work includes the construction of four direct connector ramps between the SR 16 HOV lanes and the I-5 HOV lanes. Construction will begin in September 2016 with completion scheduled for July 2019. Skanska USA is one of the leading development and construction companies in the country, consisting of four business units: Skanska USA Building, which specializes in building construction; Skanska USA Civil, specialized in civil infrastructure; Skanska Infrastructure Development, which develops public-private partnerships; and Skanska USA Commercial Development, which develops commercial projects in select U.S. markets. Headquartered in New York, Skanska USA has more than 10,000 employees and its 2015 revenues were SEK 54.5 billion. This and previous releases can also be found at www.skanska.com The information provided herein is such as Skanska AB is obligated to disclose pursuant to the EU market securities act (EU) no. 596/2014. Skanska is one of the world's leading construction and project development companies, focused on selected home markets in the Nordic region, other European countries and North America. Supported by global trends in urbanization and demographics, and by being at the forefront in sustainability, Skanska offers competitive solutions for both simple and the most complex assignments, helping to build a sustainable future for customers and communities. The Group currently has 43,100 employees in selected This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160907006953/en/ Contacts: Skanska USA Jay Weisberger, Communications, +1 206 494 54 69 or Skanska AB Andreas Joons, Press Officer, +46 (0)10 449 04 94 or Direct line for media, +46 (0)10 448 88 99 ISTANBUL, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Representing a market of 800,000-ton tissue production in the MENA region, Tissue World Istanbul is the only dedicated tissue industry trade show in the region. With less than a month to go, the strategically located Tissue World Istanbul is all set to welcome senior trade buyers from Central Europe, Russia, the CIS, the Middle East, Central Asia and North Africa. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/404833LOGO Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121014/HK92339LOGO-d The line-up of the exhibiting companies on Tissue World Istanbul show floor is impressive. Leading local manufacturers and suppliers such as Hayat Kimya (Gold sponsor),lpek Kagit (Silver sponsor), Aktul Kagit, Lila Kagit, Organik Kimya, Yontem Kagit, Amaco, Medtissue Mill, ICM Makina, Jetmaksan, Point Makina, STAX Technologies, and Yusufoglu Makine have all secured exhibit space at this first fully-fledged Istanbul trade show in September. UBM Istanbul, Fairs Group Director, Orhan Caglayan, commented: "Tissue World Istanbul's exhibitors represent approximately 350,000 tons of the industry production, which is equivalent to 46% of the MENA tissue industry. In addition to the strong support by the local players, Tissue World Istanbul also features exhibiting companies from Serbia, India, Lebanon, Italy, China, Egypt, Germany and Switzerland. Taking place for the first time as a fully-fledged trade show, tissue industry players have the opportunity to raise their brand profile in this part of the world for the first time." To underline that Tissue World Istanbul is the unique and ideal meeting point for anyone involved in the industry, Orhan Caglayan added: "In our fair, our visitors will have the opportunity meet with senior decision makers and key account representatives and buyers. There will be plenty of room to network with a conducive environment featuring lounges, conference areas, press booth and relaxing cafeteria areas." Held alongside the 3-day trade show is a 2-day conference with the theme entitled "Turkey: How can it Maintain the Pace of Success?". The conference will consist of 2 main sessions: Senior Management Seminar and Applied Technology Seminar. Led by authoritative industry experts, the Senior Management Seminar will provide a complete insight of this strategic and unique market, supply and demand outlook, fast-changing demographics and retailing landscape. Meanwhile, the technical sessions will cover topics on the latest technical and operational innovations, highlighted by various mill case studies. Since 1993, Tissue World has been a leading and global series of events, servicing the worldwide tissue industry. With events held in Istanbul, Milan, Miami, Sao Paulo and Bangkok, it is an integrated and intertwined platform including trade shows, conferences and a trade magazine, and is providing a unique platform, online and offline, with the aim of creating business opportunities, sharing ideas and learn during the entire year. About UBM UBM is one of the biggest event organizers of the world, organizing annually 400 events in average with its more than 5,000 employees in more than 20 countries. UBM EMEA Istanbul, being involved within the body of UBM, organizes the international fairs of the Eurasia and Turkey with its fund of knowledge of more than 30 years and UBM's global experience. UBM EMEA Istanbul's market leading events are as follows: Alleather Istanbul Leather Exhibition, CBME Babies and ChildrenClothing and Accessories Fair, CPhI Istanbul Pharmaceutical Exhibition, Expomaritt Marine Industry Technology and Trade Exhibition, Fi Istanbul Food Ingredients Trade Fair, Growtech Eurasia Greenhouse, Agricultural Equipment and Technologies Fair, ISSA Interclean Istanbul Industrial HygieneFair, Intertraffic Istanbul Traffic Technologies and Equipment Fair, lstanbul Kids Fashion Babies and Children Fashion Fair, IstanbulLight LightingTechnologies Exhibition, Tissue World Istanbul Tissue Industry Fair. For Detailed Information and Communication: ADA PR Communication Services Elif Sezginer Verun | elif@adapr.com.tr | GSM: +90-532-604-8582 Azize Aysu Durmaz | aysu@adapr.com.tr | GSM: +90-533-578-7449 Regulatory News: Skanska (STO:SKAB) has signed a contract with Inspira Health Network to build a new hospital building in New Jersey, USA. The contract is worth USD 200M, about SEK 1.7 billion, which will be included in the order bookings for Skanska USA Building in the third quarter 2016. Skanska will build a 5-story, about 41,000 square-meter, hospital with 204 beds. The main tower consists of operating rooms, an emergency department, imaging suites, as well as administrative, dining and support services. The project also includes constructing a new central utility plant, which will provide electrical power, heating/hot water and chilled water. The new Inspira Health Network Medical Center will be built under the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) approach, which brings together the client, designer and the builder to align stakeholders and streamline the execution of the project. Construction will begin in the first quarter of 2017 and is scheduled to be complete by December 2019. Skanska USA is one of the leading development and construction companies in the country, consisting of four business units: Skanska USA Building, which specializes in building construction; Skanska USA Civil, specialized in civil infrastructure; Skanska Infrastructure Development, which develops public-private partnerships; and Skanska USA Commercial Development, which develops commercial projects in select U.S. markets. Headquartered in New York, Skanska USA has more than 10,000 employees and its 2015 revenues were SEK 54.5 billion. The information provided herein is such as Skanska AB is obligated to disclose pursuant to the EU market securities act (EU) no. 596/2014. Skanska is one of the world's leading construction and project development companies, focused on selected home markets in the Nordic region, other European countries and North America. Supported by global trends in urbanization and demographics, and by being at the forefront in sustainability, Skanska offers competitive solutions for both simple and the most complex assignments, helping to build a sustainable future for customers and communities. The Group currently has 43,100 employees in selected home markets in Europe and North America. Skanska's sales in 2015 totaled SEK 155 billion. This and previous releases can also be found at www.skanska.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160907006954/en/ Contacts: For further information, please contact: Mike Iacovella, Communications, Skanska USA, tel: +1 917 438 33 77 Andreas Joons, Press Officer, Skanska AB, tel +46 (0)10 449 04 94 Direct line for media, tel +46 (0)10 448 88 99 VIENNA (dpa-AFX) - Micro Focus International plc (MCFUF.PK, MCRO.L) and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) announced a definitive agreement pursuant to which Micro Focus has agreed to acquire HPE's software business segment. The transaction has been structured as a Reverse Morris Trust transaction. HPE Software will, prior to completion, make a payment of approximately $2.5 billion to HPE, financed by newly incurred indebtedness of HPE Software. HPE shareholders will own 50.1% of the enlarged Group's fully diluted share capital upon completion. Approximately 238 million Micro Focus shares would be issued to HPE's shareholders, with a market value of approximately $6.3 billion. The $6.3 billion equity consideration and $2.5 billion debt funding implies an enterprise value for HPE Software of $8.8 billion. Prior to completion, Micro Focus intends to undertake a return of value to its existing shareholders of approximately $400 million equivalent to $1.68 per Micro Focus share. Micro Focus has entered into commitments for a total of $5.5 billion of debt financing related to the transaction with J.P. Morgan including a revolving credit facility of $500 million. HPE Software is a global infrastructure software provider offering a broad range of software across five product portfolio groupings: IT Operations Management, Application Delivery Management, Enterprise Security, Information Management & Governance and Big Data Analytics. Revenues in the twelve months to 30 April 2016 were $3.2 billion. 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. Regulatory News: SAS (STO:SAS): CLEAR STRATEGY GENERATES HIGHER REVENUE MAY 2016 JULY 2016 Income before tax: MSEK 1,036 (1,031) Income before tax and nonrecurring items: MSEK 1,003 (996) Revenue: MSEK 11,133 (10,973) Unit revenue (PASK) declined 3.5% [1] Unit cost (CASK) decreased 0.3% [2] EBIT margin: 10.4% (10.4%) Net income for the period: MSEK 805 (800) Earnings per common share: SEK 2.17 (2.16) The outlook for the full year 2015/2016 is retained, see page 8. NOVEMBER 2015 JULY 2016 Income before tax: MSEK 854 (550) Income before tax and nonrecurring items: MSEK -2 (-164) Revenue: MSEK 28,324 (28,747) Unit revenue (PASK) declined 8.1% [1] Unit cost (CASK) decreased 2.6% [2] EBIT margin: 4.3% (3.3%) Net income for the period: MSEK 730 (439) Earnings per common share: SEK 1.42 (0.54) [1] Currency adjusted. [2] Currency adjusted and excluding jet fuel. COMMENTS BY THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF SAS: "Income before tax amounted to MSEK 1,036 for SAS in the third quarter. Excluding the effects of the June strike in Sweden, earnings were up slightly more than MSEK 140 year-on-year, which was mainly attributable to increased revenue from more travelers choosing SAS. Earnings were also positively impacted by lower jet-fuel costs, which were largely counteracted by negative currency effects and higher technical maintenance costs. The quarter's results showed that our strategy of focusing on frequent travelers is working. During the quarter, 226,000 more travelers flew with us and the number of EuroBonus members rose by 120,000 to a total of 4.5 million. Members have also increased their travel by 5.5%, which is more than SAS's other customers and this demonstrates increased customer loyalty. Our expanded offering and enhanced products to summer destinations have resulted in more people also choosing SAS for weekend and leisure travel. Competition remains intense, which has led to continued pressure on yields and, at the same time, uncertainty in the macro environment has increased. Together with future financing needs for aircraft and maturing loans, this underlines the importance for us to continue to work intensively with streamlining operations, strengthening our financial position and leveraging our customer investments. Ahead of the autumn, we are looking forward to launching the new Miami route and to welcoming our travelers on board our first brand new and fuel-efficient Airbus A320neo," says Rickard Gustafson, SAS President and CEO. This information is information that SAS AB is obliged to disclose pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 8.00 a.m. CET on September 8, 2016. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160908005556/en/ Contacts: Scandinavian Airlines +46-8-797 0000 +46-8 797 15 15 http://www.sasgroup.net or Media Hotline +46 8 797 2944 LONDON, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A study by Quidco reveals 89 per cent of Brits consider themselves to be 'honest' however 38 per cent would consider pocketing extra change from a cashier Of those that had been unwittingly given extra change by a cashier, 52 per cent confessed to keeping it - making Brits more dishonest than their French and German neighbours Millennials are most likely to "game the system" by feeling they're entitled to something extra - 42 per cent wouldn't flag a mistake to a cashier meaning they pay less Vast majority of Brits more likely to keep extra change from Starbucks (71 per cent) than Costa (29 per cent) - signalling the British public's loyalty towards home-grown companies A new study reveals that whilst 89 per cent of Brits consider themselves to be "honest," we're more than happy to let small indiscretions fall by the wayside if it means we get something for nothing - calling the nation's integrity into question. The 2016 Integrity Study, commissioned by the UK's largest cashback and reward platform Quidco, showed that despite Brits wanting to believe they're a nation of honest shoppers, 38 per cent would consider keeping extra change if they were given it by an unwitting cashier. This sentiment is most pronounced when dealing with international businesses, with the vast majority of Brits (71 per cent) happy to keep extra change from American coffee chain Starbucks than British company Costa (29 per cent). Brits are the worst offenders in Europe when it comes to pocketing small change with 57 per cent of French and German respondents saying they have never kept extra change from a cashier if they were given it by mistake. This contrasts with 52% of Brits who said they have kept extra change when given it by an unsuspecting cashier. The French came out top in the honesty rankings with 92 per cent of those polled saying they consider themselves honest. The Quidco Integrity Study, which will be benchmarked each year, put a spotlight on everyday indiscretions to test just how far Brits were willing to push their moral compass to get more for their money without feeling pangs of guilt. One of the starkest findings occurred in the 18-34 age bracket. A generation of savvy shoppers, this group exuded the most confidence in their desire to "game the system" by seeing themselves as a generation of entitled shoppers. Victoria Leyton, spokesperson for Quidco, who commissioned and contributed to The Quidco Integrity Study, said: "Never mind Gen Y, it's Gen E(ntitled) that retailers need to be focusing on. This new breed of savvy shopper is gutsy, a genuine deal-hunter who knows the value of their customer and is not willing to short-change themselves when shopping online or in-store. They know a good deal when they see one and if they feel undervalued, won't hesitate to play the system to get what they want, even if that means telling a white lie or keeping a few extra pennies in their purse." She added: "This group of 'Generation Entitled' shoppers are disrupting the status quo and realigning the moral compass, indexing high on nearly every metric we tested against. From getting away with a free 5p carrier bag, fibbing on an insurance form or deliberating mis-scanning items at the till, Gen E are willing to put their integrity on the line to get something for nothing." Key findings supporting this trend include:* 33 per cent have not paid for a 5p carrier bag at checkout (19 per cent UK average) 24 per cent have returned damaged merchandise for a full refund (14% UK average) 23 per cent have returned worn clothes for a full refund (11 per cent UK average) 21 per cent have fibbed on an insurance claim or form (11 per cent UK average) This new mind-set of entitled shoppers means that retailers are having to be more innovative in their strategies to grab these savvy consumers. Being time and cash poor, the nation is fast turning into a group of life hacks, willing to do what's necessary to make every pound spent count. The fact that nearly 50 per cent of Brits unapologetically sneak their own food or alcohol into a theatre or cinema is emblematic of this emerging trend. "We all know how tempting it is to keep quiet when we've been undercharged for dinner or to keep a bit of extra change we've been given by accident but this doesn't class as honest behaviour, however you wrap it up! Quidco recognises that people expect more when they shop or eat out which is why our users can earn guilt-free money straight into the bank account. We think this counts as good, honest, extra-value savings." added Victoria Leyton. * Statistics reflect findings in the 18-34 year old age bracket. Notes to editor About the study Quidco commissioned a survey in 2016 looking into perceptions of Integrity in the UK, France and Germany. In total, 6009 people were polled across these three countries, with 2001 respondents per market in the UK and Germany and 2007 in France. Key findings from the Study will be benchmarked each year as part of the Quidco Integrity Index to show how the nation's views differ year on year. About Quidco Founded in 2005, Quidco has expanded rapidly from its Yorkshire roots to become the UK's leading cashback rewards platform. Last year we helped over 6 million members earn cashback worth over 50 million on their shopping, while simultaneously generating 800 million in sales for our 4,300 retail partners; representative of 1% of all UK online spend. We've transformed the way people shop online, in-store and on mobile and recognise that our retail partners can only fully fulfil their marketing aims when they engage their audience effectively. For media enquiries please contact: Ben Jones (Ketchum PR) T: +44(0)203-755-6577 E: ben.jones@ketchum.com Lara Tuboku-Metzger (Ketchum PR) T: +44(0)203-755-6495 E: lara.tuboku-metzger@ketchum.com Linn County sheriff's deputies and organizers of the Bi-Mart Willamette Country Music Festival plan to crack down on minors who drink during the three-day event. During a post-festival discussion Wednesday with Linn County commissioners, the two groups said alcohol-related issues are a major concern and they will work harder together to stop them. "We understand people are coming out to hear country music, they're coming out to have a good time," said Anne Hankins, president of Willamette Country Music Concerts. "That doesn't necessarily mean they need to come out there and make bad choices." County environmental health director Rick Partipilo said traffic was noticeably better this year and his department received no reports of environmental health problems. Fire Chief Kevin Rogers of Brownsville said his agency had no reports. Law enforcement calls at the festival actually dropped this year, from 92 in 2015 to 89 this year. But arrests and the number of citations for minors in possession of alcohol each nearly tripled, going from 18 arrests/citations last year to 51 and 15 MIPs to 43. Riley attributed part of the increase to more aggressive efforts by law enforcement and security. Since 2013, no alcohol has been allowed in the camping or parking areas. Hankins said her crews worked harder this year to stop problems before they got started, reminding concertgoers of the rules through social media and email and frequently checking in on groups of teens. Security booted people from 49 campsites and cut a total 156 wristbands, she said. Officers turned minors with alcohol over to law enforcement or the Oregon Liquor Control Commission and blacklisted them from buying tickets for next year. "That's not something we're going to tolerate, and we're not going to soft-shoe around it," she said. But Vickie Green of Albany, a longtime concertgoer who has worked with both the Oregon Jamboree in Sweet Home and the group that first began what is now the Bi-Mart festival, said kids still found a way around the rules. Green also spoke to commissioners Wednesday, saying she believes the Bi-Mart's Brownsville-area venue is too big, holds too many people and doesn't provide enough visible security, either to chase down problems or be a beacon to someone looking for help. Drivers "cruise" through the parking and camping areas with pickup beds full of teens, many of them drinking, she told commissioners. She said security may have been present but she saw no one with an identifying shirt checking on visitors. "Just the presence of people would feel more secure," she said. Cruising is a problem, Hankins agreed, and something her planners are working on. She said she wants to work more closely with the sheriff's office on reducing MIPs. Commissioner Roger Nyquist said he's especially concerned about the potential for problems next year with a fourth day of music planned for the main stage. Thomas Rhett is scheduled to perform on the Thursday that kicks off the 2017 show. Hankins noted the festival has included a Thursday show for several years, but even now, it's not considered a headliner production. She said she anticipated the Thursday show to be a mostly local audience, increasing that day's attendance by no more than 2,500 people. This year's festival was to have no more than 23,500 people per day, according to the permit agreement. The permit allows the cap to rise to 25,000 next year and for the rest of the festivals up through 2020. "We don't have any intention of going past the 25,000," Hankins said. Riley said that level is his agency's limit. "Can I handle 28,000? No. Not without bringing in other agencies I'd have to contract with," the sheriff said. "I don't want to go down that road." LONDON, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Roskill has released its new vanadium market report with forecasts out to 2026. It is essential reading for anyone needing a comprehensive overview of the vanadium market. Vanadium: Market Outlook to 2026, 15th Edition is now available from Roskill Information Services Ltd, 54 Russell Road, London SW19 1QL UK. Click here for further information or to download the report brochure. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150909/264974LOGO ) Production of vanadium feedstock peaked in 2013 and has since declined year-on-year. The drop in supply is mainly a reflection of lower demand in 2014 and 2015, although more structural changes to supply-side market dynamics have also had an impact. China remains the largest producer in the world although output dropped between 2014 and 2015. Nonetheless, the country accounted for an estimated 44% of world production last year. The biggest producers were Pangang and Chengde. Russia, the world's second-largest feedstock producer, has seen production increase and then stabilise in recent years, with nearly all production accounted for by slag production at Evraz Group's Nizhny Tagil steelworks. As of 2015, Russia represented 20% of feedstock production. It is not decreases in China, nor increases in Russia, but developments in South Africa which represent the most important structural changes to the market in recent years. South Africa was the second-largest producer of vanadium feedstock until 2014. That year, the country accounted for 14% of global feedstock but this figure is expected to fall sharply by end-2016. Following the closure of Evraz Highveld's Mapochs mine, together with the suspension of operations at Vanchem, there are now only two major producers of vanadium in South Africa: Glencore and Vametco. The wind-down of Evraz Highveld Steel & Vanadium is expected to take up to three years to complete, according to the company's business rescue practitioners. Importantly, there are implications for the wider vanadium supply chain. Highveld slag was supplied to Hochvanadium in Austria, which in turn provided slag to Treibacher, also in Austria, for further processing into vanadium products. Treibacher produced ferrovanadium from these slags and vanadium extracted from spent catalysts, boiler slag, fly ash and oil gasification residues. Austrian production is, therefore, expected to fall back in 2016 resulting in lower ferrovanadium production in Europe. Globally, ferrovanadium production has declined in recent years, after peaking in 2013 at 97.5kt. World apparent consumption of ferrovanadium increased at 8.6%py between 2009 and 2015. The biggest consumers of ferrovanadium are China, the USA, Russia, and Japan. As of 2015, steel applications are estimated to account for just over 90% of total use of vanadium. Vanadium use in steel can be further subdivided into HSLA steel, full alloy steel and carbon steel, with HSLA and fully alloy steels together accounting for over three-quarters of all vanadium consumption in steels. Non-ferrous alloys - mostly in the form of titanium alloys, super alloys, and magnetic alloys, are believed to account for a smaller percentage of consumption (4.5%). Chemical applications represented around 3.5% of consumption in 2015 while other applications, including batteries, accounted for the remaining 1%. Stable demand growth is expected for vanadium in most applications. Growth in vanadium consumption in steel will be dependent on intensity of use, as well as growth in steel demand. Vanadium content in steel varies according to type and grade, and differs by producer and region. This is particularly the case with reinforcing bars (rebar), used primarily in the construction industry. Higher-strength rebar contains more vanadium and, therefore, the more high-grade rebar used globally, the more vanadium is consumed. This means that construction regulations, such as those introduced recently in China, which mandate the use of certain rebar for key applications can considerably impact vanadium demand. There has been a great deal of interest in the potential of vanadium redox batteries (VRBs) in recent years. In Roskill's new report, a focused chapter dedicated to the use cases, competing technologies, advantages, disadvantages and economics of VRBs has been included. As of 2016, Roskill estimates that demand from VRBs accounted for less than 500t of vanadium pentoxide consumption. VRBs will likely achieve commercial success in specific energy storage applications such as load levelling, which will support an increase in market share and in vanadium demand. The forecast increase in vanadium demand across several end-use applications will drive higher levels of vanadium supply over the coming decade. Future trends in iron ore consumption will have a significant bearing on vanadium co-production levels, just as historic increases in vanadium co-production have as much to do with higher demand for iron ore as increased demand for vanadium. Demand for both has been driven by the growth of steel industries, particularly in China, where rapid expansion of steel capacity has led to the development of large, vertically-integrated state enterprises that undertake mining, smelting, processing, and sales and distribution. In 2015, steel output dropped by roughly 3%. Roskill expects further drops in 2016 before a recovery in 2017. Declines in Chinese steel output could have implications for vanadium supply, compounding recent reductions from South Africa. New supply could be brought on stream to meet rising demand. Few new operations have been commissioned in recent years, with the exception of the Maracas Menchen mine owned by Largo Resources. Instead there have been some notable closures, although the assets of three former producers: Evraz Highveld, Vanchem and Atlantic, could potentially be brought back into production on higher demand and price incentives and thus generate additional vanadium feedstock. Alternatively, there are several companies developing projects that are at advanced feasibility stages, but will have to overcome the critical hurdle of securing sufficient financing to commence construction. For further information, contact us on: +44-20-8417-0087, Fax +44-20-8417-1308, Email: info@roskill.com, Web: http://www.roskill.com The European management and technology consultancy expands its business further in Southern Europe BearingPoint, one of Europe's leading management and technology consultancies, has expanded its coverage with the establishment of a new presence in Portugal. With this step, BearingPoint aims to strengthen existing and develop new client relationships in Portugal and to further enhance its European footprint. Moreover, BearingPoint will be better positioned to address the demand of its international customers to provide local consulting services and talent in Portugal. BearingPoint's business focus in Portugal will be on financial services and consumer industries across all service lines as well as for regulatory reporting solutions and advanced analytics. The Lisbon office will be led by Manuel Lopes da Costa, who has a considerably high reputation in the consulting business, most recently he held the position as Advisory Leader at PwC for Portugal and all Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa. At his side as founding team members are Andre Santos Ferreira, a renowned Risk Regulation expert in Financial Services and Pedro Antonio Duarte, the former CIO for Barclays Bank in Iberia. With this leadership team, BearingPoint plans to ramp up a sustainable presence in Portugal and gain market share in Portugal and all Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa (Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Cabo Verde, Sao Tome and Principe). Peter Mockler, Managing Partner of BearingPoint, states: "The entry into Portugal is a major milestone for BearingPoint. This will enable us to use our experience as a leading European firm with global reach to contribute to the solution of key challenges that our Portuguese and European clients face." Manuel Lopes da Costa states: "The objective is to leverage BearingPoint's successful European services and cutting-edge solutions for our clients in Portugal. This includes, for example, the RegTech products for financial services clients, as well as logistics offerings for consumer business companies. I am committed to deliver the best services to our clients and to expand our presence in Portugal according to their growing demands." BearingPoint is now locally present in 22 countries. About BearingPoint BearingPoint consultants understand that the world of business changes constantly and that the resulting complexities demand intelligent and adaptive solutions. Our clients, whether in commercial or financial industries or in government, experience real results when they work with us. We combine industry, operational and technology skills with relevant proprietary and other assets in order to tailor solutions for each client's individual challenges. This adaptive approach is at the heart of our culture and has led to long-standing relationships with many of the world's leading companies and organizations. Our global consulting network of more than 10,000 people serves clients in over 75 countries and engages with them for measurable results and long-lasting success. For more information, please visit: Homepage: www.bearingpoint.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/bearingpoint Twitter: BearingPoint View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160908005559/en/ Contacts: BearingPoint Mike Kronfellner Firm-wide Director Marketing Communications Tel. +49 89 540337070 Mailto: mike.kronfellner@bearingpoint.com Twitter: @BearingPoint LONDON, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Publisher of one of the world's oldest general medical journals implements a DevOps working culture with its move to the cloud BMJ started out over 170 years ago as a medical journal. Now as a global brand, BMJ have expanded to encompass 60 specialist medical and allied science journals with millions of readers and have used Datapipe to help initiate a radical change within their organisation. BMJ have moved their digital platform to a fully automated shared-nothing architecture with virtualised infrastructure. In doing so, they have brought a new culture of sustainable development and continuous integration to the organisation. BMJ's story is a familiar one: Its infrastructure had grown organically over time as new sites, applications and features were commissioned. However, as it grew it increasingly built a technical debt. "In a way, we were victims of our own success," explains Alex Hooper, Head of Operations, BMJ. "The Technology Department's focus was on getting the new products to market and there was little time to go back and revise the architecture. An expiring hosting contract and the subsequent review of hosting providers gave us an opportunity to pay off that technical debt and to design for the future." BMJ had become a 24-7 organisation in recent years and its product portfolio had become international in profile, so the capacity and availability for allowing downtime - scheduled or otherwise - was diminishing. It needed to change its culture and move to a sustainable development cycle of continuous integration and automation. However, it was also used to being in control and keeping everything in-house, so it needed a managed service provider (MSP) who could work in true partnership. In order to find an MSP to partner with, they set a short task for the shortlisted vendors to enable them to demonstrate their expertise and commitment. "Datapipe was the only provider that stepped up to and completed our challenge successfully. It set the foundations of a fruitful working partnership," Hooper explains. "We wanted someone with the whole package; someone we felt we could work in partnership with. Datapipe had managed AWS; they did hybrid clouds; they could help us expand into China and they had the adaptability to work with us in the way we wanted. Some vendors draw a line - you're either fully managed or not at all, but Datapipe had the flexibility and the know-how to work BMJ's way." The process of moving infrastructure became the lever that could bring cultural change to the organisation and cement in place a new DevOps way of working in one of the oldest publications in the UK. By the end of the move: BMJ was fully virtualised, with over 200 virtual machines running its applications 24-7 in a private cloud infrastructure. The release cycle improved from around one product update a month to up to three a day. Automation was brought in and as a result, the interdependencies were managed or removed and the processes untangled. Product changes and releases became commonplace. Content has started to be delivered using APIs rather than weekly batch file transfer jobs. Services can now be built around the APIs. A DevOps culture has taken hold in IT and even permeated to other departments which now hold daily stand-up meetings. BMJ is now considering their next step of moving workloads to the AWS public cloud. Sharon Cooper, Chief Digital Officer at BMJ says, "Datapipe delivered the infrastructure we needed to initiate a change of culture within our organisation. They worked closely with us and offered a professional combination of listening to our needs and giving advice to my team. Most importantly, we completed the change with zero-downtime, so our customers were not affected." Tony Connor, Head of EMEA Marketing for Datapipe says, "We are delighted to have helped BMJ build the foundations for change. It is exciting to be working with a company that has both a long, distinguished history and is also forward-thinking in embracing the cloud. The change has permeated beyond infrastructure and brought BMJ a new, modern culture of continuous integration." "BMJ has seen extraordinary change in its time. In recent history it has transitioned from traditional print media to become a digital content provider. With Datapipe's help it now has the infrastructure and culture in place to allow it to grow its business worldwide and is well-placed to take advantage of technology such as the public cloud to cement its position as a premier digital publisher and educator." About Datapipe A next generation MSP, Datapipe is recognised as the pioneer of managed services for public cloud platforms. Datapipe has unique expertise in architecting, migrating, managing and securing public cloud, private cloud, hybrid IT and traditional IT around the globe. The world's most trusted brands partner with Datapipe to optimise mission-critical and day-to-day enterprise IT operations, enabling them to transform, innovate, and scale. Backed by a global team of experienced professionals and world-class interconnected data centers, Datapipe provides comprehensive cloud, compliance, security, governance, automation and DevOps solutions. Gartner named Datapipe a leader in the Magic Quadrant for Cloud-Enabled Managed Hosting. Contact: Tom Fry, datapipe@brightbee.co.uk, +44-208-8193170 SAN FRANCISCO, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Global liquid biopsies market is anticipated to reach 5,958.3 million by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. As these less invasive biopsies are able to address a number of significant challenges associated with conventional biopsies such as, high level of invasiveness, incompleteness of cancer information that is acquired, associated post-biopsy serious medical complications, and subsequent cost inclusions. A growing need for more advanced, efficient and accurate method which provides a holistic view of the tumor and metastasis is the prime factor fueling rapid development of liquid biopsies. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150105/723757) The market has gained considerable traction in the past couple of years. A number of clinical research projects related to circulating tumor cells, and cell-free tumor DNA have been initiated in the latter half of the past decade. As a result, there are a number of ongoing clinical trials that are due to be completed between post 2017-18. It is expected that upon successful completion, commercialization of these assays and tests will provide the market a significant boost in potential addressable target revenue and fuel growth through to 2030. Browse full research report with TOC on "Liquid Biopsy Market Size & Forecast By Application (Therapy Selection for Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBS), Therapy Selection for Other Metastatic Cancers, Molecular Monitoring, Molecular Monitoring), By Sample Type (Blood, Urine, Tissue & Saliva), By Biomarker Type (Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC), Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA), Exosomes), By Technology (Single Gene Analysis (PCR Microarrays), Multi-gene-parallel Analysis (NGS)) And Trend Analysis from 2013 To 2030" at: http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/liquid-biopsy-market Further key findings from the report suggest: In terms of applications, therapy selection of metastatic cancers is the key area of liquid biopsy usage as these provide significant insights into the unique genetic information encoded in CTCs and ctDNAs. Furthermore, with the addition of more research data reinforcing the usage of liquid biopsies over the coming years, it is expected that their application for molecular monitoring of diseases will also be a lucrative source of revenue through to 2030 Key biomarkers that any liquid biopsy targets include circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA and exosomes that are macrovesicles containing tumor RNA, or tumor protein freely circulating in the patient's bloodstream. Assays for ctDNA are expected to account for the largest share of revenue through to 2030 owing to the currently present assays and expected number of products that are to be commercialized over the coming decade. Development of parallel multi-gene analysis using next generation sequencing technology is the underlying factor that has enabled oncologists to more efficiently sequence ctDNA and gain insights related to cancer metastasis and the related mechanism. This understanding provides a patient-centric systemic view of cancer and aids in its long term monitoring. North America , specifically the U.S. accounts for the largest share of revenue for the development of liquid biopsy market. The region was observed to account for around 50% of the global potential in 2015 owing to the high number clinical development projects underway for the commercialization of CTC and ctDNA assays till 2020. Furthermore, throughout the forecast period, U.S. is expected to dominate revenue generation owing to the dynamic nature & being the region of prime activity, research and development with respect to liquid biopsy and next generation sequencing technology. , specifically the U.S. accounts for the largest share of revenue for the development of liquid biopsy market. The region was observed to account for around 50% of the global potential in 2015 owing to the high number clinical development projects underway for the commercialization of CTC and ctDNA assays till 2020. Furthermore, throughout the forecast period, U.S. is expected to dominate revenue generation owing to the dynamic nature & being the region of prime activity, research and development with respect to liquid biopsy and next generation sequencing technology. Although, post successful commercialization through to 2030, Asia Pacific is expected to be a lucrative region for development as it is expected to be characterized by the presence of a large patient population base, developing healthcare framework and growth in integration of more advanced healthcare practices. is expected to be a lucrative region for development as it is expected to be characterized by the presence of a large patient population base, developing healthcare framework and growth in integration of more advanced healthcare practices. The market is in its developing phase and is characterized by the presence of a number of relatively smaller entities involved in innovation and new product development. Companies such as Biocept, Adaptive Biotechnologies, NeoGenomics Laboratories, Guardant Health, Qiagen, Personal Genome Diagnostics, Cynvenio, RainDance Technologies, and Trovagene are operating in the space and have a number of commercialized assays in their portfolios for liquid biopsy. Furthermore, as this space has a high lucrative potential, and is considerably influenced by the developments in NGS technology, there are a number of major players that have on-going investigational & observational clinical trials and are due to be completed by 2017 to 2019. Collectively, over 30 clinical trials are currently registered as active by companies including Illumina, Foundation Medicine, Natera Inc., Roche, Sequenom, LabCorp, Epic Sciences, and Pathway Genomics in the U.S. alone. Anticipated successful commercialization of these products is expected to fuel growth over the forecast period. Grand View Research has segmented the liquid biopsy market on the basis of application, sample type, biomarker, technology, and region: Global Liquid Biopsy Outlook, by Application (Revenue, USD Million, 2013 - 2030) Therapy Selection for Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBS) Therapy Selection for Other Metastatic Cancer Molecular Health Monitoring Global Liquid Biopsy, by Sample Type (Revenue, USD Million, 2013 - 2030) Blood Sample based Urine Sample based Other Bio Fluids (Tissue fluids and Saliva) based Global Liquid Biopsy Outlook, by Biomarker, (Revenue, USD Million, 2013 - 2030) Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC) Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) Exosomes Global Liquid Biopsy Outlook, by Biomarker, (Revenue, USD Million, 2013 - 2030) Multi - gene - parallel Analysis (NGS) Single Gene Analysis (PCR Microarrays) Global Liquid Biopsy Market, Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2013 - 2030) North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany UK Asia Pacific China Japan Latin America Brazil MEA South Africa Browse related reports by Grand View Research: Human Embryonic Stem Cell Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/human-embryonic-stem-cell-market Expression Vectors Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/expression-vectors-market DNA Diagnostics Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/dna-diagnostics-market Pre-packed Chromatography Columns Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/pre-packed-chromatography-columns-market About Grand View Research Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. Thecompany 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. Access Research Insights - grandviewresearch.com/research-insights/liquid-biopsy-market-outlook-new-frontier-cancer-diagnostics-industry Contact: Sherry James Corporate Sales Specialist, USA Grand View Research, Inc Phone: 1-415-349-0058 Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519 Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com Web: http://www.grandviewresearch.com SAN FRANCISCO, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The globalmedical electronics marketis expected to reach USD 219.0 billion by 2024, according to a new report by Grand View Research. Technological advancements have boosted the applications of electronics in the fields of diagnostics, therapeutics, and wellness. Increasing geriatric population coupled with sedentary lifestyle contributes to chronic cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and respiratory disorders. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150105/723757 ) Diagnostic applications of medical electronics are fueled due to growing awareness about healthcare amongst people. Population in developed countries opts for early diagnosis for effective treatment and cure. Increasing adoption of newer technology in diagnostics is expected to upsurge the market in future. Aging population creates need for critical care of long duration, thus increasing the demand for life-supporting devices, such as ventilators and dialysis devices. Growing number of accidents and permanent injuries also contribute to this upsurge. Improving healthcare facilities eases the procedures of reimbursements and related medical procedures even in developing countries. Industry players are focused on the commercialization of new technologies and integrated systems. In August 2016, Siemens launched a new product, Sysmex CS-2500. It is a coagulation analyzer and has applications in diagnostics. Browse full research report with TOC on "Medical Electronics Market Analysis by Application (Imaging [MRI Equipment, Computed Tomography (CT), Nuclear Imaging Equipment, X-ray Devices, Ultrasound Systems]; Therapeutics [Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM), Dialysis, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), Neuromodulation]; Patient Monitoring, Home healthcare/Handheld Products) and Segment Forecasts To 2024" at: http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/medical-electronics-market Further Key Findings from the Study Suggest: Rising prevalence of chronic diseases, such as neurodegenerative and cardiac diseases, creates a need for continuous patient monitoring. Constant development of technologies such as real-time audio/video feed, wireless communications, and remote patient monitoring proves to be a boon for chronic patients, especially those who prefer to receive treatment at home. All these factors are expected to act as a catalyst for the market growth over the forecast period. The largest application of medical electronics is in the field of diagnostics, especially imaging. Increasing importance of early disease diagnosis is promoting the growth of this segment. Magnetic resonance imaging is the most common method used, owing to the growing neurological and musculoskeletal disorders and the development of superconducting magnets. Ultrasound is projected to be the fastest-growing segment of medical imaging, owing to its applications in point-of-care and musculoskeletal diseases. Growing birth rate also contributes to the usage of ultrasound. Rising awareness coupled with government recommendations about periodic screening for cancer also contributes to this growth. Considering home healthcare medical electronics, device such as glucometer is used by diabetic patients owing to the ease of use of the device, and cost-effectiveness. The emphasis on preventive measure and early diagnosis rather than on treatment is driving the industry players to invest in remote, wireless, and minimally invasive equipment. This is predicted to set the trend of telehealth, self-monitoring, and home healthcare. In February 2016 , Medtronic launched its first remote monitoring pacemaker in Canada . The data collected and interpreted is transmitted securely to the physician to make efficient treatment decisions. , Medtronic launched its first remote monitoring pacemaker in . The data collected and interpreted is transmitted securely to the physician to make efficient treatment decisions. North America dominated the market owing to the presence of well-structured healthcare and reimbursement systems. High prevalence of chronic lifestyle diseases, growing awareness about the importance of early diagnosis, and acceptance of new technology contributed to the market growth in this region. dominated the market owing to the presence of well-structured healthcare and reimbursement systems. High prevalence of chronic lifestyle diseases, growing awareness about the importance of early diagnosis, and acceptance of new technology contributed to the market growth in this region. Asia pacific is expected to emerge as the fastest growing region during the forecast period. The huge patient pool in Asia Pacific proves to be an attractive opportunity for companies to market their products in this region. Improving healthcare systems, high incidence rate of diseases and accidents, and stabilizing economies aid the market growth. pacific is expected to emerge as the fastest growing region during the forecast period. The huge patient pool in proves to be an attractive opportunity for companies to market their products in this region. Improving healthcare systems, high incidence rate of diseases and accidents, and stabilizing economies aid the market growth. Some key participants include EDDA technology, Inc., Philips healthcare, FUJIFILM Medical Systems, Hitachi High Technologies Corporation, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, McKesson Corporation, Vucomp, Hologic Inc., Siemens Healthcare and iCAD, Inc. The current trend of investing in development of new technologies is expected to benefit patients as well as practitioners. For instance, in March 2016 , Maxim Integrated launched its new heart rate monitor integrated with pulse oximeter. This device helps in continuous monitoring and efficient treatment of cardiovascular patients. Grand View Research has segmented the medical electronics market by application: Medical Electronics Market Application Outlook (Market revenue in USD Million, 2013 - 2024) Imaging MRI Equipment Computed Tomography (CT) Nuclear imaging equipment X-ray Devices Ultrasound Systems Therapeutics Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Dialysis Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Neuromodulation Others Patient monitoring Home Healthcare/Handheld products Medical Electronics Market Regional Outlook (Market Revenue in USD Million, 2013 - 2024) North America U.S. Canada Europe UK Germany France Asia Pacific Japan China India Latin America Brazil Mexico Middle East and Africa South Africa Browse related reports by Grand View Research: Theranostics Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/theranostics-market Coagulation Analyzers Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/coagulation-analyzers-market Enteric Disease Testing Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/enteric-disease-testing-market Pressure Relief Device Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/pressure-relief-device-market About Grand View Research Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. Thecompany 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. Read Our Blogs - legalworkshop.org , grandviewresearch.com/blogs/healthcare Contact: Sherry James Corporate Sales Specialist, USA Grand View Research, Inc Phone: 1-415-349-0058 Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519 Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com Web: http://www.grandviewresearch.com PUNE, India, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- RnRMarketResearch.com adds "Erectile Dysfunction - Pipeline Review, H2 2016" market research report with comprehensive information on the therapeutic development for Erectile Dysfunction, complete with comparative analysis at various stages, therapeutics assessment by drug target, mechanism of action (MoA), route of administration (RoA) and molecule type, along with latest updates, and featured news and press releases. It also reviews key players involved in the therapeutic development for Erectile Dysfunction and special features on late-stage and discontinued projects. Complete report on H2 2016 pipeline review of Erectile Dysfunction with 39 market data tables and 16 figures, spread across 108 pages is available at http://www.rnrmarketresearch.com/erectile-dysfunction-pipeline-review-h2-2016-market-report.html . Erectile Dysfunction pipeline therapeutics constitutes close to 31 molecules. Out of which approximately 29 molecules are developed by Companies and remaining by the Universities/Institutes. It also reviews of key players involved in therapeutic development for Erectile Dysfunction and features dormant and discontinued projects. Currently, The molecules developed by Companies in Pre-Registration, Filing rejected/Withdrawn, Phase III, Phase II, Phase I, IND/CTA Filed, Preclinical, Discovery and Unknown stages are 2, 1, 4, 4, 2, 2, 9, 2 and 3 respectively. Similarly, the Universities portfolio in Phase I and Preclinical stages comprises 1 and 1 molecules, respectively. Companies discussed in this Erectile Dysfunction Pipeline Review, H2 2016 report include Apricus Biosciences, Inc., Aytu BioScience, Inc., Biopharm GmbH, Futura Medical Plc, Hanmi Pharmaceuticals, Co. Ltd., Humanetics Corporation, IntelGenx Corp., Ion Channel Innovations, LLC, Mezzion Pharma Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Monosol Rx, LLC, NAL Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Palatin Technologies, Inc., Pharmicell Co., Ltd., Sihuan Pharmaceutical Holdings Group Ltd., Suda Ltd and Yungjin Pharm. Co., Ltd. Drug Profiles mentioned in this research report are (PDE-5 Inhibitor + tramadol hydrochloride), alprostadil, AP-102, avanafil, BIO-300, BL-214, Cellgram-ED, fadanafil, HCP-1302, HCP-1303, MED-2002, MED-2005, Peptide to Activate G Protein-Coupled Receptor Mas for Cardiovascular, Metabolic Disorders and Erectile Dysfunction, pVAX-hSlo, Recombinant Protein for Bone Fracture Degenerative Disc Disease, Erectile Dysfunction and Parkinson's Disease, sildenafil citrate, Small Molecule to Inhibit PDE5 for Erectile Dysfunction, SUD-003, Synthetic Peptide to Agonize Melanocortin 4 Receptor for Female Sexual Dysfunction and Erectile Dysfunction, T-6932, tadalafil, TF-0092, TPN-729, TR-399, udenafil, VLFIA-330 and YBH-1603. Order a copy of this report @ http://www.rnrmarketresearch.com/contacts/purchase?rname=682912 . The report also reviews key players involved in the therapeutic development for Erectile Dysfunction and special features on late-stage and discontinued projects. The report enhances decision making capabilities and help to create effective counter strategies to gain competitive advantage. It strengthens R&D pipelines by identifying new targets and MOAs to produce first-in-class and best-in-class products. Scope of this report: The report provides a snapshot of the global therapeutic landscape of Erectile Dysfunction and reviews pipeline therapeutics for Erectile Dysfunction by companies and universities/research institutes based on information derived from company and industry-specific sources and key players involved Erectile Dysfunction therapeutics and enlists all their major and minor projects. The research covers pipeline products based on various stages of development ranging from pre-registration till discovery and undisclosed stages. The report features descriptive drug profiles for the pipeline products which includes, product description, descriptive MoA, R&D brief, licensing and collaboration details & other developmental activities and assesses Erectile Dysfunction therapeutics based on drug target, mechanism of action (MoA), route of administration (RoA) and molecule type. The report summarizes all the dormant and discontinued pipeline projects with latest news related to pipeline therapeutics for Erectile Dysfunction. Another newly published market research report titled on Male Hypogonadism - Pipeline Review, H2 2016 provides comprehensive information on the therapeutic development for Male Hypogonadism, complete with comparative analysis at various stages, therapeutics assessment by drug target, mechanism of action (MoA), route of administration (RoA) and molecule type, along with latest updates, and featured news and press releases. It also reviews key players involved in the therapeutic development for Male Hypogonadism and special features on late-stage and discontinued projects. The report enhances decision making capabilities and help to create effective counter strategies to gain competitive advantage. It strengthens R&D pipelines by identifying new targets and MOAs to produce first-in-class and best-in-class products. Companies Involved in Therapeutics Development are Antares Pharma, Inc., Clarus Therapeutics, Inc., Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc., EndoCeutics, Inc., Ferring International Center S.A., Forendo Pharma Limited, Lipocine Inc., M et P Pharma AG, Merck & Co., Inc., Mereo Biopharma Group Plc, Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc, Pantarhei Bioscience BV, Repros Therapeutics Inc. and Variant Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Male Hypogonadism Pipeline market research report of 106 pages is available at http://www.rnrmarketresearch.com/male-hypogonadism-pipeline-review-h2-2016-market-report.html . Explore more reports on Men's Health therapeutics. About Us: RnRMarketResearch.com is your single source for all market research needs. Our database includes 500,000+ market research reports from over 100+ leading global publishers & in-depth market research studies of over 5000 micro markets. With comprehensive information about the publishers and the industries for which they publish market research reports, we help you in your purchase decision by mapping your information needs with our huge collection of reports. Contact: Ritesh Tiwari UNIT no 802, Tower no. 7, SEZ Magarpatta city, Hadapsar Pune - 411013 Maharashtra, India. Tel: +1-888-391-5441 sales@rnrmarketresearch.com Connect with Us: G+ / Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/104156468549256253075/posts Twitter: https://twitter.com/RnRMR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/RnR-Market-Research/413488545356345 RSS / Feeds: http://www.rnrmarketresearch.com/feed LJUBLJANA (dpa-AFX) - Slovakia's exports and imports declined for the first time in four months during July, data from the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic showed Thursday. Exports dropped 14.1 percent year-on-year following 3 percent growth in June. Imports declined 1.6 percent annually after a 1.4 percent gain in the previous month. Both declines were the first since March. Consequently, the trade surplus decreased to EUR 59.6 million from EUR 233.7 million a year ago. In June, the surplus was EUR 522.8 million. 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. VIENNA (dpa-AFX) - European stocks traded mixed in choppy trade Thursday, as investors waited to see whether ECB President Mario Draghi will announce an extension of the bond-purchase program at the latest monetary policy meeting. Draghi holds customary press conference at 8.30 am ET. Banks traded mostly higher and commodity-related stocks received a boost from a weaker dollar as well as better-than-expected Chinese trade data, helping limit losses to some extent. China's exports declined at a slower-than-expected pace in August, while imports rose unexpectedly, pointing to improved domestic demand. The pan-European STOXX Europe 600 index was up 0.1 percent in midday trading, rising for the fifth time in six days. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 was gaining half a percent while France's CAC 40 was marginally lower and the German DAX was down 0.1 percent. Electricals retailer Dixons Carphone rallied 4 percent after issuing a positive trading update for the first quarter. Banks Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole and Barclays rose about half a percent each. Tullow Oil rose 1.2 percent and rival Royal Dutch Shell gained 1 percent as oil extended overnight gains on API data indicating a massive draw in crude inventories last week. Anglo American, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto rose 1-2 percent as London copper hovered near two-week high. Micro Focus International shares soared 17 percent. The company and Hewlett Packard Enterprise announced a definitive agreement pursuant to which Micro Focus has agreed to acquire HPE's software business segment. Franco-Dutch airline Air France KLM rose half a percent after reporting an increase in passenger traffic for August. Swiss drug major Novartis edged up marginally after its eye care division Alcon launched the NGENUITY 3D Visualization System, a platform for Digitally Assisted Vitreoretinal Surgery. Apple suppliers STMicro slid half a percent and Dialog Semiconductor fell 2.5 percent after Apple launched the latest iteration of its iPhone, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. ASML Holding NV dropped 3 percent on news that tech giant Samsung Electronics is selling some of its shares in the Dutch semiconductor equipment maker. Pearson lost 4 percent after its U.S. peer, John Wiley & Sons, reported disappointing first-quarter results. E-commerce investment firm Rocket Internet slumped 4.5 percent after lowering the value of its Home24 online furniture business. 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. Halifax, Nova Scotia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 8, 2016) - Troy Grant, President and CEO of ELCORA ADVANCED MATERIALS CORP. (TSXV: ERA) (OTCQB: ECORF) (FSE: ELM), (the "Company" or "Elcora"), announces the expansion of its Anode test program to other graphite sources. The Elcora vertically integrated strategy is designed to optimize the end product and to minimize supply risks. Optimization is done by working closely with source companies to ensure that mining and initial processing does not interfere with the end product and therefore Elcora only works with established mines and/or companies that are near-term production. In order to minimize supply risk associated with any one mine, Elcora has developed its separation process to be flexible and at the same time commenced tests on two other graphite sources; one from Europe and one from Africa. The utilization of more than one source will provide Elcora with additional supply flexibility for anode production. "The move to expand our Anode test program to other graphite sources is to ensure sufficient supply flexibility for anode production, and to minimize supply risk. Elcora's separation process is specifically designed to be flexible and coupled with flexible supply will in turn ensure an uninterrupted supply to Elcora's clients", said Troy Grant, Elcora's President and CEO. The Company also wish to announce an amendment to the non-brokered private placement financing (the "Private Placement") announced on April 26, 2016 and closed on June 10, 2016 (See June 10, 2016 news release). The Private Placement offered up to 7,500,000 units ("Units") at a price of $0.40 per Unit to raise aggregate gross proceeds of up to $3,000,000. Each Unit was comprised of one common share and half common share purchase warrant. Each full warrant gave the holder the right to purchase one additional common share of Elcora at an exercise price of $0.52 for three years following the closing of the Private Placement. Elcora has issued 2,208,750 Units at a price of $0.40 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $883,500. The Company issued 1,104,375share purchase warrants entitling the holder to purchase one additional common share of Elcora at an exercise price of $0.52 for three years following the closing of the Private Placement. The Company paid finders' fees of $13,100 in cash and 15,000 in finders' warrants in connection with this tranche of the Private Placement. The actual proceeds were actually $893,500, not $883,500 and the Company will issue an additional 25,000 shares and 12,500 warrants under the same terms as above. The news release of June 10, 2016 incorrectly stated that the company issued 2,208,750 warrants instead of 1,104,375. The correct amount of warrants issued after the correction is 1,116,875. All securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a statutory four-month hold period from the date the securities are issued. The proceeds from the Private Placement will be used for funding additional Lithium-Ion battery testing and for general corporate purposes. About Elcora Advanced Materials Elcora was founded in 2011 and has been structured to become a vertically integrated graphite & graphene company that mines, processes, refines graphite, and produces both the graphene and end user graphene applications. As part of the vertical integration strategy, Elcora has secured high-grade graphite and graphene precursor graphite from its interest in the operation of the Ragedara mine in Sri Lanka which is already in production. Elcora has developed a unique low cost effective processes to make high quality graphite and graphene that are commercially scalable. This combination means that Elcora has the tools and resources for graphite and graphene vertical integration. For further information please visit the company's website at http://www.elcoracorp.com For further information please contact: Troy Grant, Director, President and CEO, Elcora Resources Corp., T: 902 802-8847 F: 902 446-2001. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT: The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock Exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization and reserves, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of Elcora, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Elcora's expectations are exploration risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by Elcora with securities regulators. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the filing statement prepared in connection with the transaction, any information released or received with respect to the transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. TSX-V:ELY VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ely Gold & Minerals Inc. ("Ely Gold" or the "Company") (TSX-V: ELY, OTC: ELYGF) is pleased to announce that it will be attending the Precious Metals Summit at Beaver Creek Colorado, September 14-16, 2016. Mr. Trey Wasser, President and CEO will be presenting on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at 1:30 pm (MT). The presentation will be webcast as available on the Company's website. About Ely Gold Ely Gold is focused on developing recurring cash flow streams through the acquisition, consolidation, enhancement, and resale of highly prospective, un-encumbered North American precious metals properties. Ely's property development efforts maximize each property's potential for acquisition, while reserving significant royalty interests. Additional information about Ely Gold is available at the Company's website, at www.elygoldinc.com On Behalf of the Board of Directors Trey Wasser, President & CEO Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains statements concerning Ely Gold and Mineral's acquisition, development, and marketing of North American precious metal resource properties and the Company's intent to sell or option portfolio properties, while reserving any royalties. Such forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. Although Ely Gold and Minerals' believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements or information are based on current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company and described in the forward-looking statements or information. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks associated with geological, geometrical and geophysical interpretation and analysis, the ability of the Company to obtain financing, equipment, supplies and qualified personnel necessary to carry on exploration, exploitation or acquisition of properties and the general risks and uncertainties involved in mineral exploration and analysis. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information: trey@elygoldinc.com, 972-803-3087; ir@elygoldinc.com, 647 964 0292 COLUMBIA, Maryland, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --Global performance improvement solutions provider GP Strategies Corporation (NYSE: GPX)announced today that it has entered into a multi- year agreement withKuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) for training, documentation and competency development services to support KNPC's Clean Fuels Project. The value of this five-year agreement is KWD 10,894,969 (approximately USD $36 million). KNPC's Clean Fuels Project is a large, strategic capital improvement project intended to upgrade KNPC's existing refinery infrastructure, enabling KNPC to supply products meeting the highest levels of quality and emissions reductions standards. The project aims at developing and expanding the Mina Al-Ahmad Refinery to refine 346,000 bpd, and the Mina Abdullah Refinery to refine 454,000 bpd. As a result, the capacity of the two refineries will be 800,000 bpd. GP Strategies' involvement includes developing and delivering documentation and training for the refineries' operations workforce to prepare them to operate the new and upgraded facilities and to support them through commissioning, initial startup, and sustained, long-term operations. "We are excited to be selected as the successful bidder on this contract. We are committed to a successful, 5-year engagement with KNPC to support their workforce from commissioning through startup and in support of sustainable ongoing operations," said Karl Baer, Executive Vice President, Professional & Technical Services, GP Strategies. "We are extremely appreciative of the opportunity that KNPC, a global leading oil refinery company, has entrusted to GP Strategies." About GP Strategies GP Strategies Corporation is a global performance improvement solutions provider of training, eLearning solutions, management consulting and engineering services. GP Strategies' solutions improve the effectiveness of organizations by delivering innovative and superior training, consulting and business improvement services customized to meet the specific needs of its clients. Clients include Fortune 500 companies, manufacturing, process and energy industries, and other commercial and government customers. Additional information may be found at www.gpstrategies.com. Forward-Looking Statement: We make statements in this press release that are considered 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. These statements reflect our current expectations concerning future events and results. We use words such as "expect," "intend," "believe," "may," "should," "could," "anticipates," and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean a statement is not forward-looking. These statements are not guarantees of our future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other important factors that could cause our actual performance or achievements to be materially different from those we project. For a full discussion of these risks, uncertainties, and factors, we encourage you to read our documents on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in our periodic reports under the forward-looking statements and risk factors sections. Except as required by law, we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. 2016 GP Strategies Corporation. All rights reserved. GP Strategies and the GP Strategies logo design are trademarks of GP Strategies Corporation. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130502/PH05881LOGO VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Eurasian Minerals Inc. (the "Company", "Eurasian", or "EMX") (TSX VENTURE: EMX)(NYSE MKT: EMXX) is pleased to provide an update on exploration results from the Company's spring and summer programs in Scandinavia. Eurasian has built a portfolio of exploration projects in Scandinavia, and has been compiling geologic information and generating drill targets on those properties. Reconnaissance drilling at the Gumsberg Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide ("VMS") project, located in the prolific Bergslagen district of Sweden, has yielded several shallow high grade intercepts of polymetallic mineralization along a greater than 2 kilometer trend of mineralization (see table below). Gumsberg is located less than 30 kilometers from Boliden AB's Garpenberg mine, which has similar styles of mineralization and is one of the major zinc, lead and silver producers in the region. The historic Falun VMS deposit is also located nearby, as shown on the map below. Please see www.eurasianminerals.com for more information. Gumsberg Project Update. The Gumsberg project comprises five contiguous exploration permits in the Bergslagen mining district of Sweden, one of Europe's oldest mining districts. Multiple historic mines within the Gumsberg project area were developed on VMS style mineralization, including the Ostrasilvberg mine, one of Sweden's key silver producers in medieval times. Other historic mines within the project area were operated in the 1800's and early 1900's, targeting lead, zinc, and copper-rich VMS mineralization. Limited exploration drilling at Gumsberg was conducted in the 1930's, 1950's and early 1970's, when VMS deposit models were still poorly understood. Little to no exploration has been conducted in the past 40 years. Eurasian's work at Gumsberg has focused on using modern VMS deposit models to reinterpret the multiple mineralized trends on the property. High priority, but shallow drill targets were generated through a combination of mapping, sampling, geophysical surveys and compilation of historic drill data from the area. EMX's 2016 reconnaissance diamond drilling targeted both exhalative-type lead-zinc-silver mineralization and replacement style zinc-lead mineralization developed in skarn and altered volcanic rocks. Each of four holes drilled along the greater than 2 kilometer long Vallberget-Loberget trend of historic mines (one of the key mineralized trends on the Gumsberg property) intersected significant intervals of mineralization (see table and cross section). Results include 2.8 meters of 17.9% Zn, 6.9% Pb, 0.5% Cu, and 68.9 g/t Ag in drill hole GB16-2 at a depth of 32 meters below surface, and 3.0 meters of 9.2% Zn, 3.0% Pb, and 12.8 g/t Ag in drill hole GB16-5 at a depth of 22 meters below surface. Both intercepts are developed in exhalative style VMS mineralization, with true widths estimated to be 80-90% of the reported intervals. Replacement style mineralization was intersected by drill hole GB16-1 with an interval of 5.7 meters of 6.5% Zn (true width unknown). The drill results demonstrate that multiple horizons of exhalative VMS style mineralization are present in the stratigraphy and are interbedded with zones of replacement style mineralization developed in calc-silicate skarn and highly altered volcanic facies. Also identified, but not yet tested at Vallberget-Loberget, are zones of copper-rich mineralization accompanied by pyrrhotite and intense chlorite alteration that are interpreted to represent "feeder" type structures to the exhalite and replacement styles of VMS mineralization. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- From To Interval Zn Pb Ag Hole ID (m) (m) (m) % % g/t Comments ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- GB16-1(x) 84.5 90.2 5.7 6.5 0.1 3.2 Replacement style Zn- Pb-Ag; includes one meter of younger, unmineralized andesite dike ------------------------------------------------------ including 86.5 90.2 3.7 8.9 0.1 4.4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- GB16-2(y) 36.9 39.7 2.8 17.9 6.9 68.9 Exhalative style VMS; note that interval also contains 0.5% Cu ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- GB16-3(y) 57.1 61.7 4.6 7.1 0.9 13.8 Exhalative style VMS; mineralization appears to be truncated by faults ------------------------------------------------------ including 57.1 57.6 0.5 28.5 4.1 51.4 ------------------------------------------------------ including 59.1 59.7 0.6 16.4 2.3 39.3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- GB16-5(y) 26.1 29.1 3.0 9.2 3.0 12.8 Exhalative style VMS ------------------------------------------------------ including 27.1 28.1 1.0 26.7 8.8 34.9 ------------------------------------------------------ --------------------- GB16-5(y) 47.2 50.2 3.0 3.2 0.1 2.9 Replacement style Zn- Pb-Ag ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (x) true width unknown (y) true width estimated to be 80-90% of reported interval Note: A fifth reconnaissance hole, GB16-4, was drilled away from the Vallberget-Loberget trend elsewhere on the property, and did not intersect significant mineralization. Gumsberg location map showing major mines in the region: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Eur98a.jpg Cross section through drill hole GB-16-2, looking northeast: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Eur98b.jpg Work planned for later in 2016 at Gumsberg includes continued mapping, geophysical surveys and additional drilling. Burfjord Project Update. At Eurasian's Burfjord project near Alta, Norway, mapping and sampling programs have identified broad zones of Iron Oxide Copper Gold ("IOCG") style mineralization that are characterized by vein arrays and stockwork zones of carbonate-magnetite-chalcopyrite-pyrite veins hosted by highly altered mafic volcanic rocks. The mineralization is developed throughout the flanks of a prominent four kilometer by six kilometer doubly plunging anticlinal fold structure. Zones of copper and gold mineralization are enveloped within voluminous zones of sodic, calcic and potassic alteration types that are characteristic of IOCG systems. In some areas, specular hematite and mushketovite, a key index mineral for IOCG style mineralization, predominate and are intimately associated with copper-rich mineralization. The Burfjord project area had been the site of historic mining activities in the 1800's and early 1900's, but with relatively high cutoff grades (estimated to have been greater than 5% Cu). Like other opportunities in EMX's Scandinavian portfolio, the district has not seen modern exploration. Eurasian is reinterpreting the local geology and applying current IOCG models to develop drill targets. Adak Project Update. At Eurasian's Adak Project in the Skelleftea district of Sweden, work has focused on compiling information from newly archived historic maps from mines within the property. These mines were operated until early 1978, when a fire destroyed the mining facilities and operations were suspended. The Adak mines were focused on copper-rich VMS style mineralization, but portions of the deposits were also enriched in zinc and precious metals. Eurasian is applying current VMS deposit models to reinterpret the geology of the mining areas and to develop new exploration targets. Current targets include the down-dip and lateral projections of bodies of high grade copper mineralization that was mined by the historic operations. Little deep exploration has been conducted in the area, and recently discovered maps of several historic mines are providing key information for further targeting. Plans for Further Exploration. Eurasian will continue to advance its assets in Scandinavia in late 2016, and is in the process of permitting a fall exploration program at its Tynset project in Norway. Work on other projects will include additional mapping and sampling in the fall of 2016 and additional geophysical surveys and drilling during the coming winter months. Further, in accordance with its partnership business model, EMX is engaged in advanced discussion with parties interested in acquiring the Scandinavian projects. Comments on Sampling, Assaying, QA/QC, and Nearby Districts and Mines. EMX's exploration samples were collected in accordance with accepted industry standards and guidelines. The samples were submitted to the ALS Global laboratories in Mala, Sweden for sample preparation, and Loughrea, Ireland (ISO 17025:2005 accredited) for analysis. The base metals and silver underwent aqua regia digestion and analysis with ICP-AES/ICP-MS techniques. As standard procedure, the Company conducts routine QA/QC analysis on all assay results, including the systematic utilization of certified reference materials, blanks, and duplicate samples. Reference to nearby mining districts and mines provides context for EMX's projects, which occur in similar geologic settings. However, this is not necessarily indicative that the Company's projects host mineralization with similar tonnages or grades. The reference for the Garpenberg reserves: http://www.boliden.com/Documents/Operations/Exploration/Mineralreserver_ENGupdate.pdf. The reference for historic production at Falun: Allen et al., 1996, Economic Geology, Volume 91, p. 980. Dr. Eric P. Jensen, CPG, is a Qualified Person under NI 43-101 and employee of the Company. Dr. Jensen has reviewed, verified and approved disclosure of the technical information contained in this news release. About EMX. Eurasian Minerals leverages asset ownership and exploration insight into partnerships that advance our mineral properties, with EMX retaining royalty interests. EMX complements its generative business with strategic investment and third party royalty acquisition. 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. Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain "forward looking statements" that reflect the Company's current expectations and projections about its future results. When used in this news release, words such as "estimate," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "will" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which, by their very nature, are not guarantees of the Company's future operational or financial performance, and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause Eurasian's actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors may include, but are not limited to: unavailability of financing, failure to identify commercially viable mineral reserves, fluctuations in the market valuation for commodities, difficulties in obtaining required approvals for the development of a mineral project, increased regulatory compliance costs, expectations of project funding by joint venture partners and other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date otherwise specifically indicated herein. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified in this news release, and other risk factors and forward-looking statements listed in the Company's MD&A for the six-month period ended June 30, 2016 (the "MD&A") and the most recently filed Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2015, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. More information about the Company, including the MD&A, the 20-F and financial statements of the Company, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the SEC's EDGAR website at www.sec.gov. Contacts: David M. Cole President and Chief Executive Officer (303) 979-6666 Dave@EurasianMinerals.com Scott Close Director of Investor Relations (303) 973-8585 SClose@EurasianMinerals.com TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Lydian International Limited (TSX: LYD) ("Lydian" or "the Company") announced today that Howard Stevenson, the President and CEO of Lydian, will present at the 2016 Precious Metals Summit in Beaver Creek, Colorado. The Precious Metals Summit will be held September 14 - 16, 2016, at the Park Hyatt in Beaver Creek. Mr. Stevenson will be presenting at 9:50 a.m. on Thursday, September 15th. The presentation will provide an in-depth update on recent development work and upcoming activities at the Company's Amulsar Gold Project in Armenia. Mr. Stevenson will also participate in one-on-one meetings with registered conference attendees. Registration is by invitation only to qualified investors, portfolio managers, and private wealth managers. About Lydian International Limited Lydian is a gold developer, focusing on construction at its 100%-owned Amulsar Gold Project, located in south-central Armenia. Amulsar presents an opportunity for a large scale, low cost operation with production expected to begin in 2018. Open pit mining and conventional heap leach processing contribute to excellent scale and economic potential. Amulsar will be Armenia's largest gold mine, with estimated mineral resources containing 3 million measured and indicated ounces and 2 million inferred ounces. Gold production is targeted to average greater than 200,000 ounces annually over an initial 10 year mine life. Existing mineral resources and open extensions provide opportunities to improve average annual production and extend the mine life. The Company is committed to good international industry practices in all aspects of its operations including production, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility. For more information and to directly contact us, please visit www.lydianinternational.co.uk. About Precious Metals Summit Since its inception in 2011, the Precious Metals Summit in Beaver Creek has established itself as the sector's must-attend gathering where senior management of the most prospective explorers, developers and emerging producers come to present their stories and meet with a wide array of portfolio managers, sell-side representatives and corporate development executives from the senior gold and silver producers. Caution regarding forward-looking information Certain information contained in this news release is "forward looking". All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur are "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "intends", "anticipates", "proposed" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "should", or "occur" or the negative connotation of such terms. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements with respect to: the realization of mineral resource estimates and the timing of development of the Amulsar Gold Project, including the expected start date of production; the potential improvement of average annual production and extension of the Amulsar Gold Project mine life through the evaluation of currently defined inferred resources and from open extensions at depth; the commitment to and implementation of good international industry practices; the expected gold production from, and life of mine of, the Amulsar Gold Project; the expected mining methods at the Amulsar Gold Project; the estimated cash cost per ounce of gold over the life of mine of the Amulsar Gold Project; and the expected cost of operations at the Amulsar Gold Project. Statements concerning mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking information to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered when the property is developed. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, without limitation: changes in gold and silver prices; adverse general economic, market or business conditions; regulatory changes; failure to improve average annual production and extend the Amulsar Gold Project mine life through the evaluation of defined inferred resources and from open extensions at depth; as well as "Risk Factors" included in the disclosure documents filed on and available at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results and future events could materially differ from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All of the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Contacts: Lydian International Limited Howard Stevenson President and CEO +1 720-307-5080 (d) or +1 775-771-0739 (m) Lydian International Limited Doug Tobler CFO +1 720-307-5087 (d) or +1 303-905-4442 (m) moreinfo@Lydianinternational.co.uk 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. MENLO PARK, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Menlo Ventures announced today that Shawn Carolan is re-joining the firm as a managing director. Carolan will lead the firm's consumer practice based in San Francisco, where the firm plans to make additional hires on the consumer investing team. Carolan was a Managing Director at Menlo from 2002 to 2013, backing consumer startups including Uber, Siri, Roku, PlaySpan, IMVU, TeleNav and YuMe. He then founded and was CEO of Handle, an email productivity startup, and ran the company until 2016. He returns to venture capital investing with renewed passion for building companies side-by-side with entrepreneurs after being one himself. "I'm excited to dive into building early-stage companies after my own founder's journey," said Carolan. "I've known the team at Menlo for more than a decade, and I'm thrilled to be back on an agile team with a great track record and culture of integrity," he added. Carolan joined Menlo Ventures as an Associate and was promoted to Managing Director two years later at age 30. His consumer investing focus emphasized a particular interest in huge technological shifts. Carolan's ability to study these shifts led to investments in the Series A of Siri, which at the time of was buried within research institute SRI, and the Series B of Uber. Carolan invested in the Series A of IMVU and was credited in IMVU founder Eric Ries' book The Lean Startup for being an early supporter of the movement that allows startups to find early product market fit quickly and efficiently. During his initial tenure at Menlo, Shawn had 3 M&A events and 1 IPO, and has been recognized on the Forbes Midas List. "We're thrilled to welcome Shawn back to the Menlo fold," said Mark Siegel, managing director. "Not only does he have a great track record as an investor, he has an innovator's mindset and an entrepreneur's perspective that enables him to be a valuable advisor to founders growing world-class companies today. He will be a true asset to our consumer practice in San Francisco, where the next iconic consumer companies will be hatched," he added. Entrepreneurs who have worked with Shawn agree he has an impressive ability to identify disruptive ideas early and build great companies as a value-added board member and advisor. "Uber's mission to make transportation as reliable as running water requires not only bold ideas and big ambitions, but also a deep commitment to execution. Shawn is fully equipped with the operational experience that is critical to partnering with a new generation of entrepreneurs, which is why I'm pleased to see him return to Menlo," said Emil Michael, Chief Business Officer at Uber. "Shawn is one of the great visionary VCs in the valley," said Dag Kittlaus, CEO of Siri. "He recognized what we were trying to do and was the first Siri investor. He was a valued board member all the way through to our acquisition by Apple." Carolan's investing focus will be consumer technologies with a focus on mobile-first applications, doubling down on the firm's current consumer practice, which makes up 50% of the Menlo portfolio. Menlo also invests in marketplaces, vertical e-commerce, subscription services, and mobile applications. The firm's current and recent portfolio includes Warby Parker, Poshmark, Stance, MachineZone, Flurry, Tumblr, Periscope, Betterment, Dropcam, Rover.com, Munchery, The Black Tux, and others. Carolan joins Menlo's four other managing directors investing in Menlo XII, Menlo's $400 million main fund, and the firm's $250 million Opportunity Fund. They are: Mark Siegel, Venky Ganesan, Pravin Vazirani, and Matt Murphy. About Menlo Ventures Menlo Ventures provides capital for seed to growth consumer and enterprise technology companies. Since 1976, the firm's market-driven analysis has led to the identification of opportunities and successful investments in innovative technology markets. Notable areas of investment have included Mobile/Marketplaces (Siri, Uber, Machine Zone, Roku, Rover.com, Getaround, Munchery), Social & Ecommerce (Tumblr, Lumosity, Poshmark), Cloud (Carbonite, EdgeCast, Dropcam, Vidyo), Storage & Big Data (3Par, Coraid, Tintri, Avere Systems), Digital Advertising (Flurry, YuMe, DataXu, Dstillery, eXelate), and Security (Cavium, IronPort, nCircle, BitSight, vArmour). Menlo's portfolio includes more than 70 public companies and more than 100 mergers and acquisitions. Menlo Ventures has $4.65 billion under management and is currently investing Menlo Ventures XII, a $400 million fund with $15 million allocated to the Menlo Talent Fund for fast seed funding, and the Menlo Opportunity Fund, a $250 million fund that targets solely early growth investments. For more information, visit www.menlovc.com. Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3053335 Press contact: Jennifer Jones 650-465-5831 Email Contact @jenniferjones LOS ANGELES, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Seerene (www.seerene.com), an advanced analytics spin-off from the Hasso Plattner Institute, today announced it will lead discussions on digital transformation at the 2016 Landmark CIO Summit, held on September 13 in at the Sofitel Beverly Hills. The event offers a unique opportunity for global leaders to discuss the technologies and trends shaping the future of business, including big data, machine learning, the cloud and mobility, and the software-defined datacenter. In particular, Seerene will offer impactful insights about harnessing the software development process to accelerate innovation. "The Landmark CIO Summit represents the very best in opportunities to discuss innovation and digital transformation with some of the top CIOs in the world," said Oliver Muhr, CEO of Seerene. "Seerene is thrilled to be counted amongst top global technologists, innovators, and dealmakers, and to lend our expertise in discussing the software side of enterprise innovation." Seerene provides actionable insights for the IT executive in charge of digital transformation, in order to optimize the internal software assets and teams. The platform offers in-depth analytics for faster, better, and more efficient software development and maintenance, as well as key performance indicators for internal and external development capacities. These metrics make it easy to generate progress reports for the board or CEO. It enables IT management to assess and manage third party service provider performance, and even set clear KPIs for service provider contracts. Landmark events have featured an impressive track record of speakers and attendees, including from Barclays, Deloitte, Morgan Stanley, and Omnicom Media Group. About Seerene With offices in Berlin, New York, and Hong Kong, Seerene provides IT Executives with advanced analytics on software, code and people, to drive change, decrease technical debt and allow them to be at the forefront of Digital Transformation. Seerene clients include SAP, IBM, Adidas, Mercedes-Benz, The Generali Group and other global Fortune 1000 companies. For more information and case studies, please visit www.seerene.com. All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners. Company Contact: mail@seerene.com Press Contact: Jessica Hasson PulpPR for Seerene jessica@pulppr.com VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Corex Gold Corp. ("Corex" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: CGE), is pleased to announce it has received its final permit required for the construction of its heap-leach gold operations at its 100% owned Santana Project located in Sonora, Mexico. The land use permit allows Corex to begin ground disturbance activities at Santana, which had previously received all necessary mining permits to allow the Company to develop an open-pit, heap leach gold operation and pilot plant. Corex is pleased to announce that upon receipt of the land use permit it has mobilized heavy equipment and begun the ground preparation and construction of its initial heap-leach pad that will allow for the pilot testing of the Santana deposit. The Santana Mine is located in a very favorable area of Mexico with excellent infrastructure and a good year-round climate. "With this permit in place, and a seasoned operator in H Morgan & Co. (Chester Millar), we now have the ability to rapidly advance the Santana project into production," said Craig Schneider, Corex's President and CEO. Additional construction updates will be provided in the coming weeks. About Corex Gold Corp Corex Gold Corp is a Canadian resource company focused on the near-term production, of its 100% owned flagship property, Santana Project, Sonora State, Mexico. In addition, Goldcorp Inc. has implemented an on-going exploration program on Corex's 100% owned Zuloaga property in Zacatecas State, Mexico. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Craig D. Schneider, President & CEO Cautionary Statement: "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." The foregoing information may contain forward-looking statements relating to the future performance of Corex Gold Corp. Forward-looking statements, specifically those concerned with future performance are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in Corex Gold Corp.'s filings with the appropriate securities commissions. Contacts: Corex Gold Corp. Craig Schneider President & CEO 604.683.2505 604.683-2506 (FAX) info@corexgold.com www.corexgold.com VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Cypress Development Corp. (TSX VENTURE: CYP)(OTCBB: CYDVF)(FRANKFURT: C1Z1) ("Cypress" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into an Option Agreement to acquire a 100% interest in a second Lithium Brine/Clay Project situated in the heart of Clayton Valley, Esmeralda County, Nevada. Dean Claims and Cypress' Clayton Valley Claims, Nevada map: www.cypressdevelopmentcorp.com/i/maps/CYP-Dean-Claims-2016.jpg Cypress' new 2,700 acre "Dean" property (35 association placer claims) is located immediately adjacent to Albemarle's Silver Peak lithium mine on the west boundary, Pure Energy Minerals project on its southwest boundary and Cypress' existing Clayton Valley project on its southern boundary. Cypress' highly prospective Dean property is located within 400 metres east of current and past producing lithium brine wells belonging to the Silver Peak Mine operated by Albemarle. The Dean property also abuts the Northern Resource Area of Pure Energy Minerals (see Pure Energy's NI 43-101 Technical Report of July, 2015). The Pure Energy Minerals potential production wells SPD 9, CV1, CV3 are located only 500 metres from the southwest area of the Dean claims. The Dean claims are also tied onto the immediate north of Cypress' existing Clayton Valley Lithium Clay/Brine Project where a detailed aggressive work program is starting immediately. Cypress recently announced an Option Agreement (see news release August 24, 2016) with Pure Energy Minerals for its existing Clayton Valley Project whereby Cypress will remain the operator of the Project until Pure Energy earns a 51% interest. The Agreement allows Cypress to advance its existing Clayton Valley Project while working with and utilizing the geological expertise of the Pure Energy team. Pure Energy's South Project & Cypress' Existing Clayton Valley Project map: www.cypressdevelopmentcorp.com/i/maps/CYP_Clayton_Valley_South_Cypress_Addition.jpg Cypress' Clayton Valley "Dean" claims are situated in a very active area of Nevada for ongoing lithium brine production and lithium exploration. Infrastructure such as power, roads, accessibility and exploration resources are all readily available. The Albemarle Silver Peak Lithium Mine is the only operating brine-based lithium mine in North America. The Silver Peak Mine began operations in 1967 to mine lithium from abundant lithium bearing Main Ash brine aquifers known in the Clayton Valley. The company has drilled hundreds of bore holes across the Clayton Valley desert floor to mine the lithium by low cost evaporation ponds for several decades. Cypress has compiled and reviewed available geological data relating to the Dean claims. The data appears to indicate very favorable lithium brine exploration targets on the property. Several first order targets exist on the property which include extensive outcroppings of altered green claystones and the presence of paleo hot spring vents leading Cypress to believe that additional lithium bearing brine aquifers could be localized at the water table below the claystones and potentially also localized along structures cutting across these units. The Esmeralda geological formation is the known host rock unit for both lithium brine production and for lithium mineralized evaporate rocks currently being explored by Cypress in Clayton Valley. Known structures on the Dean claims include the dominant Angel Island Fault, a district-scale strike slip fault which trends through strongly fractured surrounding rock units. This zone of pervasive fracturing is being targeted as a pathway for brines to invade the underlying ash layers and also as a zone of high porosity which itself could host lithium brine zones along strike. Deformation along the Angel Island Fault is a complicated, but highly prospective zone for the existence of structural traps for lithium brines. Don Huston, President, commented, "Cypress has been working diligently in the central Clayton Valley since late 2015 with the Company's main objective being the assembling of prospective land packages with lithium-rich exploration potential concentrated on ground immediately adjacent to current lithium brine production as well as tied on to the best advanced stage exploration projects undergoing active development of new lithium brine resources in the basin. The acquisition of the Dean claims is the latest result in this effort and continues Cypress' strategy of acquiring key acreage in the central Clayton Valley with a high potential for near-term lithium resource development." Terms of the Option Agreement for Cypress Development to purchase a 100% interest in the Clayton Valley Dean claims are; Year 1. $30,000 USD cash and 250,000 shares of Cypress Year 2. $30,000 USD cash and 250,000 shares of Cypress Year 3. $30,000 USD cash and 250,000 shares of Cypress Year 4. $50,000 USD cash and 300,000 shares of Cypress The Optionor will retain an NSR (net smelter return) of 3% with Cypress having the right to purchase 2/3 (66.6%) of the NSR for $1,000,000. There is no work commitment attached to this Option Agreement. Cypress has already initiated a detailed surface and sub-surface sampling program on the Dean claims. Initial assay results for lithium from the abundant, green evaporite rich volcanoclastic claystone exposure on the property will help direct the Company on expanding its work program in the near future. Robert Marvin, P.Geo, Exploration Manager for Cypress Development Corp. is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has approved of the technical information in this release. About Cypress Development Corp.: Cypress development Corp is a publicly traded lithium and zinc exploration company that continues to acquire and develop potentially viable mineral projects in the State of Nevada, U.S.A. Cypress is very active in Clayton Valley, Nevada with its team committed to systematically exploring its properties for both a lithium-brine resource, and expanding exploration relating to the potential for lithium that exists within the recently discovered "claystones", that has seen recent high grade lithium assays recovered from these same "claystones". Cypress Development Corp. has approx. 25.6 million shares issued and outstanding. To find out more about Cypress Development Corp. (TSX VENTURE: CYP), visit our website at www.cypressdevelopmentcorp.com. CYPRESS DEVELOPMENT CORP. DONALD C. HUSTON, President NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that management of the Company expects, are forward-looking statements. Although management believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, include market prices, exploration and development successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see the public filings of the Company at www.sedar.com for further information. Contacts: Cypress Development Corp. Donald C. Huston President 604-687-3376 or Toll Free: 800-567-8181 604-687-3119 (FAX) Cypress Development Corp. Don Myers Director 604-687-3376 or Toll Free: 800-567-8181 604-687-3119 (FAX) info@cypressdevelopmentcorp.com www.cypressdevelopmentcorp.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Alliance Data Systems Corp. (ADS), a provider of data-driven marketing and loyalty solutions, announced Thursday that its card services business has signed a new multi-year agreement to provide private label and co-brand credit card services for Williams-Sonoma, a member of the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSM) portfolio of brands. Alliance Data has signed an agreement to acquire the existing Williams-Sonoma co-brand credit card portfolio. The portfolio acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of Q3 2016. Alliance Data will employ in-store, online and mobile acquisition tools to target highly qualified customers. Williams-Sonoma plans to benefit from Alliance Data's proprietary MyLoyalty App capabilities, which will be customized to provide a brand-immersive experience. This would give Williams-Sonoma shoppers the ability to apply, earn and connect at home or on-the-go. Alliance Data also manages the credit card programs for Pottery Barn and West Elm. Alliance Data's Epsilon and Conversant businesses also provide services to Williams-Sonoma and the entire Williams-Sonoma, Inc. portfolio of brands. 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. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 8, 2016) - Rio Silver Inc. (TSXV: RYO) ("Rio Silver" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement (the "Agreement") with Minera Ninobamba S.A (a private arm's length Peruvian company owned jointly 60:40 by Newmont Mining Corporation and Southern Peru Copper Corporation) to acquire three concessions, totaling 2,200 hectares located immediately west and adjacent to Rio Silver's Ninobamba Silver-Gold Project. Under the terms of the Agreement, Minera Ninobamba S.A. (the "Vendor") will transfer the Chanca 908, Chanca 909 and Chanca 910 mineral concessions to Rio Silver's Peruvian subsidiary in return for a cash payment of US $20,000 and a 2% Net Smelter Royalty payable to the shareholders of the Vendor. Part of the transaction also includes an extensive database including geophysical data, detailed drill data, geological, and geochemical data. Following the acquisition, Rio Silver will control a large project (> 25 square kilometres) totaling 3,100 hectares. The acquisition of the new concessions covers an extensive alteration zone which is believed to be part of the same high sulphidation Au-Ag system identified on Rio Silver's property. The new properties add favourable local infrastructure and better access to the main showings. The majority of the surface rights on the newly acquired concessions are owned by the same local community where Rio Silver established a positive working relationship in 2012. Previous exploration by the Vendor identified several exploration targets of which four gold-copper targets were subjected to limited drilling programs. Several other distinct silver and silver-gold anomalies were identified but were not drilled. Some of these silver anomalies are believed to be the western extensions of the Company's North, Dilation, Escondida and South zones that returned positive assay results during the 2012 trenching and sampling program (see News Release of January 14, 2013). In highlight, the Company's trench TR-02, cut perpendicular to the strike of the mineralized zone, is the westernmost trench in the South zone and returned 42 metres of 131 g/t Ag, or 4.22 oz/t Ag, coinciding with a 1,800 metre silver anomaly identified in the newly acquired data. The new data demonstrates that the South zone remains open along strike to the west. Please go the following link to see a map of the concessions http://riosilverinc.com/rio-nnba.php. The extensive, historical database includes results from 18 diamond drill holes, ground magnetic and induced polarization geophysical data, metallurgical work, 3,837 rock samples, 2,992 channel samples and 1,468 remote sensing alteration samples. The Company's geologists will complete a detailed compilation and incorporate the newly acquired data with the Company's existing database. Rio Silver has recently entered into a letter of intent that grants to Magellan Gold Corporation (News Release of July 4, 2016) an option to earn an undivided 50% interest in the Company's Ninobamba project which now includes the newly acquired concessions. Magellan Gold is required to expend the next US$2 Million on exploration at the Ninobamba project. Subject to regulatory approval, the Company will pay a finder's fee to an arm's length third party regarding the Agreement in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. Rio Silver's Chairman, Steve Brunelle states, "We are delighted that we have not only partnered with Magellan Gold to recommence exploration at Ninobamba, but we have significantly added to the project's silver potential with this important acquisition. It is clear that the previous owners focused only on the gold-copper targets leaving several untested silver and silver-gold anomalies to be further explored." Ryan Grywul, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration, and a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has prepared, supervised the preparation, and approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF RIO SILVER INC. Steve Brunelle Chairman Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable laws. For more information contact: QUEBEC, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Petrolia (TSX VENTURE: PEA) announces the resignation of board member Jacques Bourgeois. Mr. Bourgeois joined the Petrolia board of directors in 2013. Over the last 3 years, Mr. Bourgeois' knowledge of the Quebec business environment and vast experience have enriched in a lasting manner the deliberations of the board of directors. Petrolia would like to thank Mr. Bourgeois for his dedication and commitment to the Company and wishes him well in his future personal and professional endeavours. About Petrolia Petrolia is a junior oil and gas exploration company which owns interests in oil and gas licences covering 16,000 km2 (4 million acres), which represents almost 23% of the Quebec Territory under lease. The closing of a partnership on Anticosti Island has led to the creation of Anticosti Hydrocarbons L.P., a limited partnership in which Petrolia holds a 21.7% interest. In order to carry out the project's operations, Petrolia Anticosti Inc., a subsidiary of Petrolia, was designated project operator. Petrolia is a Quebec company whose objective is to develop oil from here, by the people here, for here. Petrolia has 97,049,881 shares issued and outstanding. Disclaimer Certain statements made herein may constitute forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or the future economic performance of Petrolia and carry known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may appreciably affect their results, economic performance or accomplishments when considered in light of the content or implications or statements made by Petrolia. Actual events or results could be significantly different. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Petrolia disclaims any intention or obligation to update these forward-looking 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: For more information: Martin Belanger President and CEO 418 657-1966 mbelanger@petrolia-inc.com For information: Jean-Francois Belleau Director of Public and Governmental Affairs 418 657-1966 jfbelleau@petrolia-inc.com ANNAPOLIS, MD -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- iJET International, Inc., a leading integrated risk management solutions provider, will exhibit and present at the 62nd Annual ASIS International Seminar and Exhibits 2016, held in Orlando, FL, from September 12-15, 2016. iJET's participation in the ASIS conference includes the opportunity to learn about and experience iJET's global solution offerings at Booth #1563. The solutions presented at the conference are all components of the iJET Integrated Risk Management services and Global Integrated Operations Center. The global center is comprised of a world-class team, operating around the globe, that empowers clients to operate globally with confidence. This confidence is gained by helping each client prepare for, monitor and rapidly respond to emerging threats or imminent risk in the most effective way possible through the application of people, process and technology. At the iJET booth, you can see and experience: iJET's 24x7 global threat and situational awareness intelligence services iJET's 24-hour global emergency hotlines with coordinated response and evacuation services iJET's mobile intelligence and travel tracking apps iJET's business continuity planning and preparedness services Meet iJET's Global Security Industry Board members Demo Worldcue Companion and iJET's newest 2-Way Integrated Communications Tool All of iJET's people risk management and security technology products available to clients -- from comprehensive preparedness plans to the Critical Trac mobile app -- are designed to help organizations protect their people, facilities, operations, and overall business continuity. iJET's ASIS Educational Convention Highlights include the following sessions: September 12 at 2:00 p.m.: Security Idea Exchange: "How Can We Make the Convergence of Physical and Cyber Security Easier?" Panel member Michael Susong, iJET Senior Program Consultant September 12 at 3:00 p.m.: Poster Session P114: "PSTR- Pandemics: Is Your Plan Current?" Presentation by iJET CEO, Bruce McIndoe, and iJET Senior Director of Health Intelligence/Corporate Safety and Operations, Katherine Harmon, PA Behind the scenes at ASIS, Michael Payne, CPP CBCP, Senior Advisor Organizational Resilience, is supporting several of the ASIS committees and standards efforts including the Security and Resilience in Organizations and their Supply Chains Standard, Technical Committee and Working Group Committee member and the Security Awareness Standard, Technical Committee. The ASIS Seminar and Exhibits is the world's most influential security event bringing together nearly 20,000 security professionals from around the globe for intelligence, connections, and innovative technology designed to help you advance in your profession, mitigate risk, and meet today's evolving challenges. About iJET International iJET International (iJET) provides intelligence-driven, integrated risk management solutions that enable multinational organizations to operate globally with confidence. iJET's end-to-end, tailored solutions integrate world-class threat intelligence, innovative technology, and response services to help organizations avoid threats, mitigate risk and protect their people, assets, and reputation. Founded in 1999, iJET is a privately held company headquartered in Annapolis, U.S. with regional offices in London and Singapore and country offices in Japan, India and Germany. For more information, please visit www.iJET.com. iJET Media Contacts: iJET International Amy Mininger Email Contact 410.573.3860 DBC PR+Social Media Ryan Vaughan Email Contact 202.292.4575 HOUSTON, TX -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- SkyHouse Main, downtown Houston's newest apartment tower, will host its grand opening celebration on October 20, 2016. With the first residents moved in, SkyHouse Main joins SkyHouse Houston in remaking two full blocks of the Central Business District into a live-work-play neighborhood. Opened in the summer of 2014, SkyHouse Houston is leased up and the new tower, a mirror-image of the first, has experienced strong early demand. "We join Batson-Cook Development Company and our local partner, Peter W. Dienna, in welcoming the first residents to SkyHouse Main," said Jim Borders, President, Novare Group. "We had confidence from the start and have received tremendous support and encouragement from the City of Houston on this project, and this success is a result of everyone pulling together to make a concerted vision for this part of town a reality." SkyHouse Main is located at 1725 Main Street and features 336 residences, is 24 stories and has 7,200 square feet of street-level retail space. The mixed-use project will be home to renter-by-choice professionals, who want to live in urban centers close to public transportation, employment centers and cultural institutions. The apartment homes all have floor-to-ceiling glass and nine-foot-plus ceiling heights with high-end finishes, including stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, wood floors, expansive balconies and high speed internet. The market-leading amenity package includes the signature "SkyHouse" on the top floor including a club room, fitness center, pool, and grilling area, with unimpeded views of much of Houston. The project is within walking distance of more than 40 million square feet of office space, the Toyota Center, Minute Maid Park and BBVA Compass Stadium. It is near the Bell Station Metrorail stop, providing residents with access via public transportation to the surrounding areas including the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world and a large economic driver within the Houston metro. The project is a collaboration between Atlanta developers Novare Group, Batson-Cook Development Company and Houston-based development partner Peter W. Dienna. Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation provided financing for SkyHouse Main along with NGI Investments, LLC, led by Borders, and Batson-Cook Development Company. SkyHouse Main is one of 17 SkyHouse-branded apartment communities in the United States following projects in Dallas, Houston, Denver, Nashville, Austin, Atlanta, Tampa, Orlando, Charlotte and Raleigh. The program represents more than $1.7 billion in new construction since its inception in 2012. SkyHouse Main is under the professional management of Lincoln Property Company, the second largest multifamily manager in the United States. For information on leasing, call 713-965-0220 or visit skyhousemain.com. About Novare Group Novare Group is a real estate development and investment company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, consisting of several investment and operating companies, including Novare Group Holdings, LLC and NGI Investments, LLC. Since 1995, Novare Group has developed over 12,600 high-rise residences in 38 high rise buildings around the United States. Learn more by visiting www.novaregroup.com. About Batson-Cook Development Co. Founded in 1963, Batson-Cook Development Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kajima USA. It is a fully integrated real estate organization providing development and capital solutions primarily through partnerships on commercial real estate projects in the Southeastern United States. Based in Atlanta, Georgia Batson-Cook Development Company offers a wide variety of real estate services from development and construction, to equity and credit enhancements, to brokerage and property management. Learn more by visiting www.batsoncookdev.com. About Peter W. Dienna Peter W. Dienna of DNA Partners, Ltd, provides development and project management services for all types of commercial real estate, including corporate office buildings and interior build-out of corporate office space. Since 1981, Dienna's companies have completed 94 projects totaling more than 9.5 million square feet, with a value of almost $750 million dollars. About Lincoln Property Company Lincoln Property Company was founded in 1965 as a builder and operator of high-quality residential communities. Today, their product mix includes commercial, build-to suite, office, industrial, student, military, and other mixed-use assets. Headquartered in Dallas, TX, Lincoln focuses on real estate investment, construction and development, in addition to property management. Their national reputation has enabled Lincoln to attract a large client base of owners and investors who count on their ability to deliver quality results and continually serve as a market leader. Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3053204 Media contact: Thornton Kennedy (404) 210-0363 Email Contact MIAMI BEACH, FL -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Car Charging Group, Inc. (OTCQB: CCGI) ("CarCharging") a leading owner, operator, and provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging services, announced today that an updated version of the Blink Mobile application ("app") is now available for both iOS and Android. The Blink Mobile app is the primary source for EV drivers to locate the thousands of public, commercial EV charging stations available on CarCharging's Blink Network, the software that manages, monitors, and tracks the Blink EV stations and all of its charging data. In addition to the Blink Mobile app's new simple and streamlined design, the Blink Mobile App offers electric car drivers with several new and convenient features. The new features include: EV Charging Station List View: In addition to the ability to view the thousands of public, commercial EV charging stations on the Blink Network in a map view, drivers can now view a list of the EV charging stations and sort the list by name or distance. EV Charger Availability Notifications: This an exciting new feature for Blink Members! If an EV charging station is currently in use, Blink Members can elect to receive a push notification when the EV charger becomes available. Report Station Issues: EV drivers can now easily report station issues by station serial number directly to Blink Customer Support from the Blink Mobile app with the ability to include pictures. Blink Account Management: Blink Members now have expanded access to their free Blink Member account via the Blink Mobile app. Blink Members can review and update information such as address, billing, Blink InCards, and select the email and/or SMS notifications they would like to receive. "As we continue to expand our EV charging station locations and membership base, we incorporate valuable feedback from Blink members and guests in order to enhance the overall charging experience for electric car drivers," stated Mike Calise, CarCharging's Chief Executive Officer. "We are excited to provide a new, streamlined design for the Blink Mobile app while adding and expanding features that are available for EV drivers directly from their smartphones and tablets. Along with initiating EV charging sessions directly from the app, we expect that Blink members will appreciate how the new features enhance the overall driver experience now available at their fingertips." Links to download the Blink Mobile app for iOS and Android are available on the Mobile page of the Blink Network website. About Car Charging Car Charging Group, Inc. (OTCQB: CCGI) is a leader in nationwide public electric vehicle (EV) charging services, enabling EV drivers to easily recharge at locations throughout the United States. Headquartered in Miami Beach, FL with offices in Los Gatos, CA and Phoenix, AZ; CarCharging's business is designed to accelerate the adoption of public EV charging. CarCharging offers EV charging equipment and connectivity to the Blink Network, a cloud-based software that operates, manages, and tracks the Blink EV charging stations and all of the associated data. The Company also provides residential EV charging solutions for single-family homes. CarCharging has strategic property partners across multiple business sectors including multifamily residential and commercial properties, parking garages, shopping malls, retail parking, and municipalities. For more information about CarCharging, please visit www.CarCharging.com and www.BlinkNetwork.com Forward-Looking Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. By their nature, forward-looking statements and forecasts involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the near future. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Car Charging Group, Inc., and members of its management as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed conditions. Investor Relations and Media Contacts: CarCharging Media Contact: Suzanne Tamargo Suzanne@CarCharging.com (305) 521-0200 x 214 WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - PulteGroup Inc. (PHM) said that it has appointed Ryan Marshall, PulteGroup's President, as Chief Executive Officer effective immediately. Marshall, who has also become a member of the Board, succeeds Richard Dugas, Jr. who earlier this year announced his intent to retire. Dugas will continue as Executive Chairman of the Board through the Company's 2017 annual meeting of shareholders. Most recently, Marshall served as PulteGroup's President with responsibility for the Company's homebuilding operations and its marketing and strategy departments. Prior to being named President, Mr. Marshall was Executive Vice President of Homebuilding Operations. Other previous roles included Area President for the Company's Southeast Area, Area President for Florida, Division President in both South Florida and Orlando, and Area Vice President of Finance. In a separate press release, PulteGroup said that William J. (Bill) Pulte has been appointed to its Board of Directors. Mr. Pulte is the grandson of the Company's founder, William J. Pulte. PulteGroup also noted that it has entered into an agreement with Company founder William J. Pulte and certain related parties. The agreement provides that the signatories will vote in favor of any Board nominees and against any nominees not nominated by the Board, so long as Bill Pulte serves on the Company's Board of Directors. The signatories to the agreement own an aggregate of 30.7 million, or approximately 9.0%, of the currently outstanding shares of the Company. PulteGroup also announced that, after two decades of service, Debra Kelly-Ennis will resign from the Board effective immediately. PulteGroup also announced that its Board has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.09 per common share payable October 4, 2016, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 20, 2016. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Barnes & Noble, Inc. (BKS) announced, given the softer than expected sales results to date, and the expected continuation of the challenging retail environment, the company now expects fiscal 2017 comparable store sales to decline in the low single digits. In June, the company projected fiscal 2017 comparable bookstore sales to be approximately flat to an increase of approximately 1%. Through its expense reduction initiatives, the company continues to expect full year consolidated EBITDA to be in a range of $200 million to $250 million. First quarter net loss from continuing operations was $14.4 million, or $0.20 per share, as compared to a loss from continuing operations of $7.8 million, or $0.27 per share, in the prior year. Excluding charges, first quarter net loss from continuing operations would have been $5.0 million, or $0.07 per share. On a consolidated basis, the company generated first quarter EBITDA of $9.6 million. Excluding charges, consolidated EBITDA would have been $24.7 million, or $3.2 million lower than prior year. Total sales for the first quarter were $913.9 million, declining 6.6% as compared to the prior year. Retail sales, which include Barnes & Noble stores and BN.com, declined 6.1% to $881.7 million for the quarter. Comparable store sales declined 6.0% for the quarter, softer than the company's expectations, due in large part to lower traffic and the challenging retail environment. NOOK sales, which include digital content, devices and accessories, declined 24.5% to $41.0 million. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. DUBLIN, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Dye Sensitized Cell Markets: 2016-2025" report to their offering. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth analysis of the global dye sensitized cell market and the key topics all market participants should be aware of. It considers current and future drivers, challenges and opportunities offering readers an unrivalled understanding of the market and its forecast for the period 2016-2025. The report shows how the latest developments in both DSC materials and cell design is moving DSC towards significant deployment. This new study also contains detailed ten-year market forecasts of DSC in revenue and volume terms with breakouts by end-user sector and by materials used. In addition, the report contains strategic profiles of the leading firms in the DSC space including an assessment of their marketing and manufacturing strategies. Companies discussed in report include 3G Solar, BASF, Dyesol, Exeger, Fujikura, G24 Power, Merck, Nissha Printing, Oxford Photovoltaics, Peccell, Solaronix, Sony, Umicore and others. Companies Mentioned: 3G Solar BASF Dyesol Exeger Fujikura G24 Power Merck Nissha Printing Oxford Photovoltaics Peccell Solaronix Sony Umicore Report Structure: Executive Summary E.1 Opportunities for DSC Panel Makers E.2 Opportunities for Materials Suppliers E.3 Key Firms to Watch in the DSC Space E.4 Eight-Year Forecast Summary for DSC Markets Chapter One: Introduction Chapter Two: Commercially Important Recent Technical Trends in Dye-Sensitized Cells Chapter Three: Dye Sensitized Cells: Markets and Forecasts Chapter Four: DSC Suppliers and Strategies For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/7xtcns/dye_sensitized Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 PORTLAND, Oregon, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A report titled, "Global Biochar Market 2015-2019" was recently added by Research Beam, which is an extensive study and appraisal of the global biochar market for the period 2015-2019. It provides a detailed analysis of the key market drivers, challenges, restraints, and opportunities for the biochar market during these five years. The study gives an overview of the growing market by explores the different product offerings in each segment and the research methodologies involved in it. It also forecasts the key trends in this sector, along with an examination of key biochar vendors and their business strategies. Biochar production employs the technique of pyrolysis or carbon sequestration of biomass, to form a high-carbon, fine-grain residue. This residue is instrumental to many environmental, agricultural, and waste management practices. The market for biochar and biomass addresses the increasing ecological concerns of climate change and green-house gas emissions. Biochar is contributive to the overall soil health, by enhancing its fertility and combating problems of agricultural waste management, without competing with crop production. It retains harmful gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen within the soil, and reduces the hazards of climate change. The biochar market has a prominent market size because it answers the need for a clean-renewable source of energy. To know more about the report, visit the website At: http://www.researchbeam.com/global-biochar-2015-2019-market The Global Biochar Market 2015-2019 report forecasts a CAGR of 15.46% over the period 2014-2019. The industry is set to grow to a substantial size in the next few years. The study covers the size of different market segments based on application type, technology involved, feedstock, and geography. It also analyzes the key vendors engaged in the biochar industry, and views their competitive presence in the market. The different market strategies followed by these vendors have contributed to the growth of the biochar market. Some of the vendors listed in this report are Agri-Tech Producers, BioChar Products, Pacific Biochar, Phoenix Energy, and Diacarbon Energy. The report gives an in-depth insight to various interested companies, vendors, and individuals about the growth and dynamics of the biochar market. The Global Biochar Market 2015-2019 report helps the stakeholders understand the on-going market trends and provides information about the latest mergers and acquisitions. It explains the different market trends along with forecasts for the next five years. The market for 2013 has been analyzed, and the opportunities for the years 2015-2019 have been examined. The report finally concludes with a mention of other reports in this series. Table Of Contents: 01. Executive Summary 02. List of Abbreviations 03. Scope of the Report 03.1 Market Overview 03.2 Product Offerings 04. Market Research Methodology 04.1 Market Research Process 04.2 Research Methodology 05. Introduction 06. Market Landscape 06.1 Market Overview 06.2 Market Size and Forecast by Revenue 06.3 Market Size and Forecast by Production 06.4 Five Forces Analysis 07. Market Segmentation by Technology 08. Market Segmentation by Feedstock 09. Market Segmentation by Application 10. Geographical Segmentation Enquire About Report At: http://www.researchbeam.com/global-biochar-2015-2019-market/enquire-about-report Related Reports Here: Europe Biochar Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report The Europe Biochar Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Biochar industry. Global Biochar Market 2016 Industry Trend and Forecast 2021 Biochar is the solid product of pyrolysis, designed to be used for environmental management. IBI defines biochar as: A solid material obtained from thermochemical conversion of biomass in an oxygen-limited environment. United States Biochar Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report The United States Biochar Industry 2016 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Biochar industry. Global Biochar Consumption Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report The Global Biochar Consumption Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Biochar market. North America Biochar Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report The North America Biochar Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Biochar industry. Global and China Biochar Sales Market Report 2020 This report studies Biochar in Global and China market, focuses on top manufacturers in global and China market, involving Biochar price of each type, production, revenue and market share for each manufacturer. Global Biochar Industry 2016 Market Research Report 2016 Global Biochar Industry Report is a professional and in-depth research report on the world's major regional market conditions of the Biochar industry, focusing on the main regions (North America, Europe and Asia) and the main countries (United States, Germany, Japan and China). 2015 Biochar Industry Report-Global and Chinese Market 2015 Biochar Industry Report - Global and Chinese Market Scenario is a professional and in-depth market survey on Global and Chinese Biochar industry. About Us : We have a large database of quality and precise market research reports that will be very beneficial for your organization. Reports that we sell our authentic in nature and from reputed publishers, hence it can definitely help you with your growth opportunities. In order to survive the fierce competition and locate different avenues, one must be privy to high end and quality market information. So, we try and provide you with latest market information by getting high market research reports from our clients. Research Beam will always make sure to bring most ethical and high quality reports. We value your relationship with us and look forward for a long term relation. Contact Us: James Jordan 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive, #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States U.S. & Canada Toll Free: + 1-800-910-6452 International: + 1-503-894-6022 UK: + 44-845-528-1300 India: +91 20 66346070 Fax: +1 (855) 550-5975 Email: help@researchbeam.com Web:http://www.researchbeam.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Donald Trump has vowed that one of the first decisions he will make after becoming the US President will be to ask the generals to present a plan within 30 days to defeat and destroy ISIS. In what he described as 'military readiness remarks,' Trump said 'Peace Through Strength' will be the motto of his foreign policy. In a major foreign policy speech in Pennsylvania Wednesday night, the Republican presidential candidate laid out several new proposals designed to update and upgrade America's military. Trump said he will ask Congress to fully eliminate the defense sequester and will submit a new budget to rebuild the US military. A Trump administration will build an active Army of around 540,000, a Marine Corps based on 36 battalions, a Navy approaching 350 surface ships and submarines, and an Air Force of at least 1,200 fighter aircraft. Trump also plans to enforce all classification rules, and enforce all laws relating to the handling of classified information. One of Trump's first commands after taking office will be asking the Joint Chiefs of Staff and all relevant federal departments to conduct a thorough review of United States cyber defenses and identify all vulnerabilities in the power grid, communications systems, and all vital infrastructure. 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. Grand City Properties S.A. / Miscellaneous - High Priority Grand City Properties S.A. considers issuing perpetual subordinated notes 08-Sep-2016 / 15:18 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Regulatory Announcement, transmitted by EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. *THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF APPLICABLE LAWS OR REGULATIONS* *GRAND CITY PROPERTIES S.A. CONSIDERS ISSUING PERPETUAL SUBORDINATED NOTES* *Luxembourg, September 8, 2016 *- Grand City Properties S.A. (the '*Company*') announces today that it is considering, subject to market conditions, to issue EUR 150 million perpetual subordinated notes with a coupon of 2.75% (the '*Notes*'). The Notes are in denominations of EUR 100,000 and will be exclusively offered to institutional investors and will be admitted for trading in the Irish Stock Exchange on its regulated market. Settlements expected to take place on September 22 2016. The Company intends to use the amount raised in the potential issue of the Notes to fund the Company's growth strategy and to refinance and/or to repay existing debt. *About the Company * Grand City Properties is a specialist real estate company focused on investing in and managing value-add opportunities in the real estate property market in Germany, primarily in densely populated areas. The Company's strategy is to improve its properties through targeted modernization and intensive tenant management, and then create value by subsequently raising occupancy and rental levels. For the 6 months ending 30 June 2016, the Company reported an Adjusted EBITDA of EUR 107.3 million and a FFO I of EUR 76.1 million. EPRA NAV including perpetual notes amounts to EUR2,989 million and EPRA NAV is at EUR2,511 million as of 30 June 2016. The Company's investment grade rating is BBB with a positive outlook by S&P and Baa2 and Moody's. Further information: www.grandcityproperties.com [1] Grand City Properties (ISIN: LU0775917882) is a public limited liability company (societe anonyme) incorporated under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, having its registered office at 24, Avenue Victor Hugo, L 1750 Luxembourg and being registered with the Luxembourg trade and companies register (Registre de Commerce et des Societes Luxembourg) under number B 165 560. Since May 2012, Grand City Properties is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. *Contact: * Grand City Properties S.A. 24, Avenue Victor Hugo L 1750 Luxemburg T: +352 28 77 87 86 www.grandcityproperties.com *Press Contact: * Katrin Petersen Grand City Properties S.A. T: +49 (30) 887088-1128 E: katrin.petersen@grandcity.lu *Disclaimer:* THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES. THE SECURITIES MENTIONED IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN, AND WILL NOT BE, REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE 'SECURITIES ACT'), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES ABSENT REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. THERE WILL BE NO PUBLIC OFFERING OF THE SECURITIES IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS DIRECTED AT AND IS ONLY BEING DISTRIBUTED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM TO (I) PERSONS WHO HAVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN MATTERS RELATING TO INVESTMENTS FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 19(5) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005 (THE 'ORDER'), (II) HIGH NET WORTH ENTITIES, AND OTHER PERSONS TO WHOM IT MAY OTHERWISE LAWFULLY BE COMMUNICATED FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 49 OF THE ORDER, AND (III) PERSONS TO WHOM IT MAY OTHERWISE LAWFULLY BE COMMUNICATED (ALL SUCH PERSONS TOGETHER BEING REFERRED TO AS 'RELEVANT PERSONS'). THIS COMMUNICATION MUST NOT BE READ, ACTED ON OR RELIED ON BY PERSONS WHO ARE NOT RELEVANT PERSONS. ANY INVESTMENT OR INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO RELEVANT PERSONS AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY WITH RELEVANT PERSONS. IN MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA ('EEA'), THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND ANY OFFER IF MADE SUBSEQUENTLY IS DIRECTED ONLY AT PERSONS WHO ARE 'QUALIFIED INVESTORS' WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 2(1)(E) OF DIRECTIVE 2003/71/EC, AS AMENDED (THE 'PROSPECTUS DIRECTIVE') ('QUALIFIED INVESTORS'). ANY PERSON IN THE EEA WHO ACQUIRES THE SECURITIES IN ANY OFFER (AN 'INVESTOR') OR TO WHOM ANY OFFER OF THE SECURITIES IS MADE WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND AGREED THAT IT IS A QUALIFIED INVESTOR. ANY INVESTOR WILL ALSO BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND AGREED THAT ANY SECURITIES ACQUIRED BY IT IN THE OFFER HAVE NOT BEEN ACQUIRED ON BEHALF OF PERSONS IN THE EEA OTHER THAN QUALIFIED INVESTORS, NOR HAVE THE SECURITIES BEEN ACQUIRED WITH A VIEW TO THEIR OFFER OR RESALE IN THE EEA TO PERSONS WHERE THIS WOULD RESULT IN A REQUIREMENT FOR PUBLICATION BY THE COMPANY OR ANY OF THE MANAGERS OF A PROSPECTUS PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 3 OF THE PROSPECTUS DIRECTIVE. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY CONTAIN PROJECTIONS OR ESTIMATES RELATING TO PLANS AND OBJECTIVES RELATING TO OUR FUTURE OPERATIONS, PRODUCTS, OR SERVICES, FUTURE FINANCIAL RESULTS, OR ASSUMPTIONS UNDERLYING OR RELATING TO ANY SUCH STATEMENTS, EACH OF WHICH CONSTITUTES A FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT SUBJECT TO RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, MANY OF WHICH ARE BEYOND THE CONTROL OF GRAND CITY PROPERTIES S.A. ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY, DEPENDING ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS. The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de/ukreg Language: English Company: Grand City Properties S.A. 24, Avenue Victor Hugo 1750 Luxembourg Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Phone: +352 28 77 87 86 Fax: +352 28 77 87 84 Internet: http://grandcityproperties.com ISIN: LU0775917882, XS1036325527, XS1130507053, XS1191320297, XS1199992196, XS1220083551, WKN: A1JXCV , A1ZD10, A1ZRRK, A1ZW4K, A1ZYA8, A1ZZ49 Listed: Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange; Open Market (Entry Standard) in Frankfurt; Luxemburg Category Code: MSCH TIDM: 0 Sequence Number: 3391 Time of Receipt: 08-Sep-2016 / 15:17 CET/CEST End of Announcement EQS News Service 500233 08-Sep-2016 1: http://public-cockpit.eqs.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=97bd9465c8f6aeca29e2d52479188b9c&application_id=500233&site_id=vwd&application_name=news (END) Dow Jones Newswires September 08, 2016 09:19 ET (13:19 GMT) Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Morality cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated. Judicial decrees may not change the heart, but they can restrain the heartless. A right delayed is a right denied.Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true. Martin Luther King Jr. No one is born hating another person People must learn to hate and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite. Nelson Mandela We can disagree and still love each other, unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist James Baldwin There is a fine line between free speech and hate speech. Free speech encourages debate whereas hate speech incites violence. Newton Lee The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything. Albert Einstein Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 8, 2016) - Fjordland Exploration Inc. (TSXV: FEX) announces that it plans to raise up to $1,000,000 through a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of up to 10,000,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.10 per Unit to accredited investors and others. Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (a "Share") and one non-transferable warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional Share at a price of $0.15 for a period of 12 months from the closing date. The expiry date of each whole Warrant is subject to acceleration such that, should the volume weighted average price of the common shares of the Company exceed $0.30 for ten consecutive trading days, the Company may notify the holder in writing that the Warrants will expire 20 trading days from receipt of such notice unless exercised by the holder before such date. In addition to any other exemptions available, participation in the financing is also open to existing shareholders of Fjordland who as of the close of business on September 7, 2016 ("Record Date"), held common shares of Fjordland (and who continue to hold common shares of Fjordland at the time of closing), pursuant to the prospectus exemptions set out in B.C. Instrument 45-534 and in similar instruments in other provinces of Canada. In accordance with the Existing Shareholder Exemption, the Company confirms there is no material fact or material change related to the Company which has not been generally disclosed. Any existing shareholder who wishes to participate in the Private Placement is asked to please contact Janice Davies, Corporate Secretary of the Company at (604) 506-2099 or by email to: fexinfo@fjordlandex.com in order to receive subscription documentation and instructions. The Offering will remain open to existing shareholders until September 30, 2016. Unless the Company decides to increase the gross proceeds of the Offering and receives Exchange approval for such increase and subscriptions received for the Private Placement based on all available exemptions exceed the maximum Offering amount of $1,000,000, subscriptions will be accepted at the discretion of the Company. The Company intends to use the proceeds for exploration at the Company's Saskatchewan diamond property and working capital for general corporate purposes. The Private Placement is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval and all securities will be subject to a four month hold period. Engagement of Freeform Communications Inc. The Company has engaged Freeform Communications Inc., managed by Robert Ferguson, sole director, under an agreement dated September 1, 2016, to provide investor relations services for an initial term of three months at a remuneration of $4,000 per month. A stock option of 200,000 shares has been granted to Freeform Communications exercisable at $0.125 per share for a period of one year. About Fjordland Exploration Inc. Fjordland Exploration Inc. is a mineral exploration company with other assets but currently focused on diamond exploration. For further information visit Fjordland's website at www.fjordlandex.com On behalf of the Board of Directors, "Richard C. Atkinson" Richard C. Atkinson, P.Eng. President & CEO We seek safe harbour For further information, please call: FJORDLAND EXPLORATION INC. Richard C. Atkinson, President and CEO 1-604-805-3232 info@fjordlandex.com www.fjordlandex.com Not for dissemination in the United States or through U.S. newswires PHOENIX, AZ -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- For women and men interested in aesthetic surgery, selecting the right plastic surgeon is vital to receiving quality care and excellent results, says Dr. Steven H. Turkeltaub, a board-certified plastic surgeon in the Phoenix area. While experience, reputation, bedside manner and numerous other factors must go into choosing a doctor, he notes that patients should first and foremost determine if their prospective surgeon is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). There are many medical specialties in which doctors can become certified, states Dr. Turkeltaub. Consequently, patients should be aware that certification in any one specialty does not automatically qualify a physician as a board-certified plastic surgeon. Many physicians who perform plastic surgery procedures deceptively state that they are board-certified without clarifying that it is not in the specialty of plastic surgery. "The doctor must be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) in order to be deemed a 'board-certified plastic surgeon,' as this is the only Member Board for plastic surgeons that's recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)," he explains. For a surgeon to be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, it means that he or she has met or exceeded the stringent and rigorous minimal requirements as established by the Board necessary for the practice of plastic surgery medicine, Dr. Turkeltaub notes. Specifically, board-certified plastic surgeons have: Received six or more years of accredited specialty training, three of which were devoted to plastic surgery Passed a demanding exam process headed by the American Board of Plastic Surgery Demonstrated an ongoing commitment to upholding strict standards of safety and ethics Ultimately, Dr. Turkeltaub states that while it should never be the sole factor for choosing a plastic surgeon, certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery can help assure patients that their prospective doctor has had at least a high level of training, credentials and experience that can help address their cosmetic concerns in the safest, most effective manner possible. About Steven H. Turkeltaub, MD, PC Dr. Turkeltaub is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from the Boston University and Boston University School of Medicine's six-year medical program, he pursued his residency in general surgery at University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. He then completed his plastic surgery training at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, learning from some of the most well-respected plastic surgeons in the world. At the Arizona Center for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Dr. Turkeltaub provides a wide range of cosmetic procedures, including breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck surgery, mommy makeover and more. In addition, he offers numerous minimally and non-invasive treatments for individuals seeking non-surgical aesthetic care. For more information, visit turkeltaub.com, arizonabreast.com, and facebook.com/drturkeltaub. Dr. Turkeltaub is available for interview upon request. To view the original source of this press release, click here: https://www.turkeltaub.com/news-press/dr-steven-turkeltaub-stresses-the-importance-of-abps-board-certification-for-plastic-surgeons Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3053145 Arizona Center for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Scottsdale Office: 10290 N. 92nd St. Suite 207 Scottsdale, AZ 85258 Glendale Office: 18275 N. 59th Ave. Bldg. E, Suite 126 Glendale, AZ 85308 (480) 451-3000 Rosemont Media (858) 200-0044 www.rosemontmedia.com WASHINGTON, DC -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Apprio, a leading provider of specialized technology solutions, particularly for the health, defense and homeland security markets, today announced it once again has earned a spot on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. 2016 is the fifth consecutive year Apprio made the list. Each year, Inc. Magazine releases its 500|5000 ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. The 2016 list results are based on the percentage of revenue growth from 2012 to 2015. With a 260% three-year growth rate, Apprio is ranked 1473 on the 2016 Inc. 5000. "We're pleased with our continued success and our growth at a rapid pace. It takes much more coordinated effort to grow every year, and it requires an incredibly talented team," said Apprio President Darryl Britt. "Earning the Inc. 5000 for the fifth consecutive year is an acknowledgement of the superior service we provide to our government customers as well as the talented employees who make up our team." Apprio has grown through marquis projects such as supporting USAID's new U.S. Global Development Lab, supporting the Federal Health Architecture's Federal Health Information Model and creating a blueprint for a model Contract Management Office for the Defense Contract Management Agency. The 2016 Inc. 5000, unveiled online at Inc.com, shows the average company on the list achieved a three-year growth of 433%. The Inc. 5000's aggregate revenue is $200 billion, and the companies on the list collectively generated 640,000 jobs over the past three years, or about 8% of all jobs created in the entire economy during that period. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000. About Apprio Inc. Apprio is a provider of specialized technology solutions, particularly for the health, defense and homeland security markets. The company provides innovative IT and program services in healthcare IT, emergency response management and financial management. Apprio delivers the methodologies, discipline and thought-leadership provided by the large integrators, with the cost structure and collaboration offered by smaller firms. For more information, visit www.apprioinc.com or follow Apprio on Twitter at https://twitter.com/apprioinc. Media Contact: Jane Bryant Spire Communications 703-406-8626 jbryant@spirecomm.com OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Honourable John McCallum, and the Minister of Science, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, today announced an investment totalling $600,000 in short-term grants to fund 25 research projects on issues that affect the successful resettlement of refugees. "Immigration helps build our society, culture and economy in long-lasting ways. The research that will be undertaken, thanks to the investments announced today, will help ensure that Canada's settlement programs provide the best possible supports to newcomers and refugees to help them integrate into their communities and thrive," said Minister McCallum. Canada responded to the Syrian refugee crisis by welcoming nearly 30,000 refugees between November 2015 and August 2016, with thousands more applications in progress. But arriving in Canada is just the beginning of the resettlement process for refugees. This joint initiative between the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will focus on the arrival, settlement and integration of Syrian refugees and will examine issues such as employment, social integration, youth, housing, mental health and the impact on local support systems. "Social sciences and humanities researchers help us to understand issues affecting our daily lives and provide evidence for sound policy-making. This initiative is vital to supporting the successful integration of refugees into Canadian society," said Minister Duncan. "SSHRC's support of timely collaborative initiatives such as this highlights the unique contribution of social sciences and humanities research to guide informed decision making at all levels within Canadian society," said Ted Hewitt, President of SSHRC. The researchers will present the preliminary results of their projects at a number of events, including the National Metropolis Conference in March 2017 in Montreal. Quick fact -- SSHRC is the federal research funding agency that promotes and supports postsecondary-based research and training in the humanities and social sciences. It supports about 8,300 research projects annually. Related products -- Syrian Refugee Arrival, Resettlement and Integration recipient list Associated links - Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council - WelcomeRefugees - Canada resettles Syrian refugees - Targeted Research: Syrian Refugee Arrival, Resettlement and Integration Follow the Science Minister on social media: Twitter: @ScienceMin Instagram: sciencemin Follow SSHRC on Twitter: @SSHRC_CRSH Follow IRCC on Twitter: twitter.com/CitImmCanada Like IRCC on Facebook: facebook.com/CitCanada Contacts: Media Relations Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada 613-952-1650 CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca Julia Gualtieri Media Relations Advisor Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council 613-944-4347 julia.gualtieri@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca Media Relations Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada 343-291-1777 ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca DUBAI, UAE and MADRID, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Life Length, based in Madrid, Spain, the world leader in telomere testing appoints Eastern Biotech as its exclusive partner in the region to launch this state of the art diagnostic product. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160908/405564LOGO ) Are Telomeres the key to aging? Telomere Analysis Technology has the potential to estimate true Biological age and help in early intervention of lifestyle disorders. Telomere length is increasingly being recognized as an independent variable in predicting disease. A study of more than 43,000 subjects reported in the British Medical Journal concluded that telomere length is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. A large meta-analysis showed significant association between shortened telomere length and Type 2 diabetes. Other studies are showing that the finding of short telomeres may be associated with the aggressiveness of certain cancers. The field of telomere biology has grown dramatically since the award of the 2009 Nobel Prize for the discovery of telomerase. Clinicians today are increasingly becoming interested in incorporating telomere testing into their practices. This is largely driven by two factors: a growing understanding of the role telomeres play in personalized medicine; and increasing consumer demand for integrative treatment that can slow the aging process. Dr. Faruq Badiuddin, Managing Director Eastern Biotech & life sciences explains, "The development of reliable commercial testing now allows for the measurement of individual telomere lengths and quantification of the number of critically short telomeres, both key determinants in overall cellular health. Measurement of this novel biomarker holds promise for improving early disease identification, risk assessment, and treatment of lifestyle disorders such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some cancers." Advance bookings for the test are underway and appointments will begin early August. Stephen J. Matlin, Chief Executive Officer for Life Length quotes, "Perhaps the greatest value of telomere testing is in obtaining serial measurements by incorporating it as part of an annual health status assessment. It is like a report card, letting both the physician and the patient know how well the total intervention and program is working. This requires two pieces of data: 1) the number and percent of critically short telomeres and, 2) the rate of telomere attrition. Annual snapshots may also serve as powerful lifestyle behavior change motivators or as tools to enhance treatment adherence." About Telomere Analysis Technology (TAT) Telomere Analysis Technology is a U.S.A. Federally FDA ("CLIA") Accredited proprietary diagnostic assay for assessing the level of organismal aging of an individual by measuring individual telomeres at the chromosomal level, cell-by-cell, in white blood cells. Using a special microscope, TAT measures over 100,000 individual telomeres per patient sample that are analyzed in quintuplicate replicates to ensure high levels of reproducibility and accuracy. As it is the shortest telomeres that cause cellular senescence and not average (mean) telomere length, the TAT provides the percentage of short telomeres; those responsible for driving replicative senescence and which have been shown to be a significant contributing factor to the onset of age-related, chronic diseases. About Eastern Biotech & life sciences Eastern Biotech & life sciences is a biotechnology company headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Founded in 2005, Eastern Biotech is a pioneer in its field and has an increasing presence in the other GCC countries. The company provides highly specialized diagnostic services which include Anti-Aging & Wellness testing, Genetic Testing for Fitness & Nutrition, Nutritional & Fitness consultation, Cancer genetic testing, Genetic Counseling, DNA Ancestry, Food Intolerance & Allergy testing, and many more. Visit http://www.easternbiotech.com or http://www.telomeretest.ae for more information. About Life Length Founded as a spin-off of the Spanish National Cancer Research Center, Life Length offers a number of proprietary tests for measuring cellular senescence, a crucial biomarker for establishing biological age, for early detection of chronic diseases and for risk stratification. Life Length is the only company in the world able to measure telomeres individually at the chromosomal level with its Telomere Analysis Technology (TAT). Life Length provides its testing services to the pharmaceutical and related industries for drug and product R&D and clinical studies, as well as to physicians working in preventive and personalized medicine for patient care together with such fields as cardiology and oncology in which telomeres have been shown to play a significant contributing in disease development. Life Length is accredited by the U.S. Department of Health as a clinical laboratory under the CLIA legislation and also IS0 15189 certified. For more information go to http://www.lifelength.com. Press Contact: Ranjini Mohan Product Manager Eastern Biotech & life sciences Email: ranjini.mohan@easternbiotech.com +971(0)4-450-3875 Yessica Fernandez-Cruz Sales & Marketing Manager Life Length Email: yfernandez@lifelength.com CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, will participate in an Innovation Townhall, hosted by Innovate Calgary, where he will speak to the Government of Canada's priorities, including the challenge to make Canada a global centre for innovation. Minister Bains will be joined by co-panellists, Dr. Elizabeth Cannon, President and Vice Chancellor for the University of Calgary; and Mary Moran, Chief Executive Officer for Calgary Economic Development. Peter Garrett, President of Innovate Calgary, will moderate the session. Date: Friday, September 9, 2016 Time: 12:00 p.m. MDT Location: University of Calgary Energy Environment Experiential Building (EEEL), Theatre Room 161 750 Campus Drive NW Calgary, Alberta Stay Connected Follow us on Twitter: @WD_Canada, @MinisterISED, @UCalgary, @innovatecalgary WD Homepage WD Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-WEST (9378) TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired): 1-877-303-3388 Contacts: Donna Kinley Regional Communications Manager Western Economic Diversification Canada 780-495-6892 donna.kinley@canada.ca WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Laughing off Donald Trump's suggestion that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been a better leader, President Barack Obama expressed confidence that the American people would reject the Republican presidential nominee's 'wacky ideas' in November. Speaking at a press conference as he wrapped up his final presidential trip to Asia, Obama reiterated his belief that Trump is unqualified to serve as President. 'As far as Mr. Trump, I think I've already offered my opinion,' Obama said. 'I don't think the guy is qualified to be President of the United States. And every time he speaks, that opinion is confirmed.' He added, 'I think the most important thing for the public and the press is to just listen to what he says and follow up and ask questions about what appear to be either contradictory or uninformed or outright wacky ideas.' The president said he is confident the American people will make a good decision in the upcoming election if they just listen to what Trump says and look at his track record or lack thereof. Obama noted that his interactions with foreign leaders in recent days have highlighted the seriousness of the job of president. 'You actually have to know what you're talking about, and you actually have to have done your homework,' he said. 'And when you speak, it should actually reflect thought-out policy that you can implement.' As he prepared to leave Laos, Obama also said he would continue to work to fulfill his campaign promise to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center, which he called a recruitment tool for terrorism. Obama acknowledged that closing the facility would be difficult due to opposition in Congress but said he would not concede that the prison will remain open when he leaves office. The president also reiterated his commitment to winning approval of the 12-nation free trade deal known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership despite opposition from both sides of the aisle. 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. NYON, Switzerland, September 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Hublot takes it to another level by presenting the first ever animated movie for the MP-05 LaFerrari Sapphire A record-breaking power reserve,a truly outstanding watchand a unique supercar-these are the stars of Digital Domain's new blockbuster Inthe City of Angels, on the roof of the Ace Museum-a world premiere-the first animated film from Hublot, a joint production created by Digital Domain, world leaders in action movies and visual effects. On the bill is a 1200 HPhybrid supercar, the FXXK, and a superwatch with a 50-day power reserve. A world record for Hublot. (Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/404842) (Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/404843) (Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/404844) (Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/404845) (Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/404852) (Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/404853) (Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/404854) "Afirst among firsts. 'LaFerrari'Sapphire brings together the best and most cutting-edge technology-in the construction of the watch and its movement, the FXXK supercar that provided its inspiration, and now in the digital revolution provided by the best and most famous animated film studio, Digital Domain. So I know this watch by heart, every feature, every detail, the film literally plunged me into sensations that I have never felt before. I feel as if I am this watch, this car; I am speed, technology, invention, the record!"-Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot Watched over by the Hollywood sign, the mythical symbol that embodies the magic of the world's movie capital, the roof of the Ace Museum with its unique, futuristic decor has been turned into a drive-in cinema where the Hublot magic can once again unfold. A real digital revolution. Hublot is presenting its first animated film. A world premiere that presents Hublot as world leaders, with special effects that are worthy of Hollywood's top blockbusters, and starring a supercar, the Ferrari FXX K, and a superwatch, the MP-05 "LaFerrari" Sapphire. Thanks to the virtuosity of Digital Domain, its historic record (power reserve of 50 days) has now been immortalised on film. All the images have been animated by a real-life driver at the steering wheel, and the technical features of the car have been configured to provide the most realistic driving experience possible. In a world of computer-generated images, the idea is to offer a real experience and realistic sensations. It is an audio-visual experience, as Digital Domain have created a soundtrack in Hollywood action-movie style, based on the FXX K's engine. This animated film tells the story of the HUB9005.H1.PN.1 movement, and the unique design of its sapphire case. A futuristic, 3D design machined from 7 blocks of sapphire, involving more than 600 hours' work and precise 3D workmanship to produce an ultra-light 53.5 grams on the wrist. Its unique movement comprises ultra-lightweight carbon components. It has a record-breaking power reserve of 50 days, and 11 series-coupled barrels set in a spine formation that dominate the centre of the watch and keep the movement turning with its 637 components, a record number. A hypnotic movement, a truly outstanding watch. On the big screen, the MP-05 "LaFerrari" Sapphire is almost overwhelming in its visual impact. Link to the movie:https://youtu.be/sXXeLbWiTE0 Link to the making of:https://youtu.be/YxFPYjOzNwY Link to download the press release:http://j.mp/2c3mz2G International Press Relations: Annabelle Galley,a.galley@hublot.ch,T: +41(0)22-990-9000 OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, will be at the University of Calgary to announce infrastructure funding for the institution and to highlight the benefits of the Government of Canada's Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund. Date: Friday, September 9, 2016 Time: 10:00 a.m. (MT) Location: University of Calgary Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning Forum, 160 TI 434 Collegiate Blvd. NW Calgary, AB Follow Minister Bains on social media. Twitter: @MinisterISED Contacts: Philip Proulx Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development 343-291-2500 Media Relations Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 343-291-1777 ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca FREMONT, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Attivo Networks, the award-winning leader in deception for cyber security threat detection, today announced the joint release of the first-annual 2017 TAG Cyber Security Annual -- Practical Handbook and Reference Guide for the Working Cyber Security Professional. Attivo Networks is part of an industry collective of 48 of the nation's foremost cyber security vendors participating in the report, which was published by The Amoroso Group (TAG Cyber) following in-depth industry research and analysis. "The most efficient way to catch a criminal has always been to set a trap. Attivo technology delivers on this promise for cybersecurity teams with highly advanced deception and detection techniques that consistently catch what even the most sophisticated prevention systems have missed," explained Tushar Kothari, CEO or Attivo Networks. "Our team enjoyed its interaction with TAG Cyber throughout the development of this fine report and we are truly honored to receive recognition as a Distinguished Vendor." The report details a new urgency for how America's commercial, financial and utility sectors respond to escalating and increasingly complex cyber-attacks. It includes a comprehensive analysis of the cyber security industry with specific insights from C-level executives and thought leaders. Dr. Edward G. Amoroso, former chief security officer of AT&T and author of six books on cyber security, spearheaded writing and researching the report. "I have always believed that deception is one of the most powerful tools for turning the tables on an attacker," said Ed Amoroso. "And few companies have as much experience and insight into the process as Attivo Networks." The 2017 TAG Cyber Security Annual has been written for information security and technology professionals in all industries with a special focus on U.S. infrastructure companies, including energy, telecommunications, manufacturing, health care and utilities. The report will be available at no cost to all users as a free download on Attivo Networks' website www.attivonetworks.com and TAG Cyber's website: http://bit.ly/2c5NTxk. The handbook is centered around a revolutionary new approach to cyber security that calls on tech leaders of the largest and most important American enterprises to explode existing infrastructure to disperse data across multiple platforms, offload sensitive information into secure cloud-based solutions and reload systems, policies and personnel to better position them to effectively defend against cyber attacks that are not only likely, but occurring at an increasing rate. It includes three volumes: Volume 1: TAG Cyber Security Fifty Controls details the fifty primary control areas required for CISO teams to be effective in this new era of cybersecurity. These areas include traditional controls such as firewall platforms and two-factor authentication along with non-traditional controls such as security recruiting and security R&D. For each control area, an extensive list of supporting vendors is included to help jumpstart local source selection. Volume 2: Interviews with Distinguished Vendor Principals includes in-depth conversations with the thought leaders and distinguished vendor principals. It offers a brief digest of the expert guidance and cyber security insights offered by these industry authorities during the research stages of this report. Volume 3: TAG Cyber Security Vendor Listings serves as a reference guide to the cyber security industry. This comprehensive review includes nearly 1,400 vendors this year, with an additional 500 vendors to be incorporated into the 2018 report. About Attivo Networks Attivo Networks is an award-winning leader in deception technology for real-time detection, analysis, and acceleration of incident response to cyber-attacks. The Attivo Threat Matrix Deception and Response Platform provides early detection of advanced, stolen credential, ransomware, and phishing attacks that are inside user networks, data centers, clouds, IoT and ICS-SCADA environments. By deceiving attackers into revealing themselves, comprehensive attack analysis is efficiently gathered, actionable alerts raised, and response actions automated with prevention system integrations. As part of the continuous threat management platform, ThreatPath provides vulnerability assessment of attack paths for proactive incident prevention. For more information, visit www.attivonetworks.com Follow Attivo Networks: Twitter and LinkedIn About TAG Cyber, LLC The Amoroso Group (TAG Cyber) is a global cyber security advisory, training, consulting and media services company. Led by Edward Amoroso, industry veteran and former chief security officer for AT&T, TAG Cyber supports hundreds of companies around the world by providing a roadmap for identifying, preventing and eliminating cyber attacks on their systems and data. CONTACT: Gary Thompson Clarity Communications 415-963-4082 ext. 101 Email Contact WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump praised Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Commander-in-Chief Forum, held Wednesday. At the Forum, sponsored by NBC News and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, both Trump and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton separately made their case as to why they should be the next commander-in-chief. Their first head-to-head debate is scheduled for September 26. When moderator Matt Lauer asked on his previous complimentary remarks about Putin, Trump cited Putin's 82 percent approval rating in Russia. 'But do you want to be complimented by that former KGB officer,' Lauer asked. 'I think when he calls me brilliant I'll take the compliment, but it's not going to get him anywhere. If he says great things about me, I'm going to say great things about him,' Trump responded. When Lauer continued to press Trump on his support for Putin, the New York business magnate compared the Russian leader to Obama, saying, he has been a leader far more than Obama has been. Putin is a leader who has great control over his country, according to Trump. In her turn, Clinton defended her judgment despite her email scandal. The back-to-back appearance of the White House aspirants at the 'Commander-In-Chief' forum was held aboard the decommissioned American aircraft carrier Intrepid in front of an audience of current and past military personnel. 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. TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Alexandria Minerals Corporation (TSX VENTURE: AZX)(FRANKFURT: A9D)(OTC PINK: ALXDF) ("AZX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Gary O'Connor to the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. O'Connor is currently the Vice President, Exploration of Dundee Resources Limited where, since 2007, he has been responsible for the technical due diligence and review of resource projects for the corporation. His 30 years' global experience in the mineral exploration industry includes positions with Gabriel Resources, European Goldfields, Freeport-McMoRan, BP Minerals and Amax Minerals. Eric Owens, President and CEO of Alexandria Minerals, stated, "Gary brings a wealth of success, knowledge, and diligence, and a genuine passion for mineral exploration and discovery. He will add a new dimension to our activities in this important part of the mining cycle." Mr. O'Connor's experience spans the globe, most notably in Romania, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Australia and Indonesia, where he was instrumental with the discovery, growth, and technical studies of several large gold and base metal deposits during his career. Amongst others, these include the 16.5 million ounce Rosia Montana gold deposit in Romania; the 12 million ounce Wabu Gold Skarn in Papua; the 8 million ounce Martha Hill gold deposit in New Zealand; the 335 million tonne Tarnita Porphyry copper-gold porphyry deposit in Romania; and four 500+ million tonne porphyry copper-gold deposits in Papua: Etna Bay, Mamoa, Duwagu and Komopa. While with Freeport Mr. O'Connor assisted in the due diligence and discovery of a major gold fraud on the Busang gold "deposit" in Kalimantan, Indonesia by Bre-X Minerals Limited. Mr. O'Connor graduated from the University of Auckland in 1982 with a degree in geology, geophysics and environmental studies. He is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, and a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geology. In other matters, Alexandria's Board of Directors also reports that Mr. John Thomas has resigned from the Board to pursue other opportunities. Alexandria's Board expresses its gratitude to John for several years of diligent work on behalf of Alexandria and its shareholders, and wishes him luck in his endeavours. Further information about the Company is available on the Company's website, www.azx.ca, or our social media sites listed below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexandriaMinerals Twitter: https://twitter.com/azxmineralscorp YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/AlexandriaMinerals Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/alexandriaminerals/ About Alexandria Minerals Corporation Alexandria Minerals Corporation is a Toronto-based junior gold exploration and development company with strategic properties located in the world-class mining districts of Val d'Or, Quebec, Red Lake, Ontario and Snow Lake-Flin Flon, Manitoba. Alexandria's focus is on its flagship property, the large Cadillac Break Property package in Val d'Or, which hosts important, near-surface, gold resources along the prolific, gold-producing Cadillac Break, all of which have significant growth potential. WARNING: This News Release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. 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. Alexandria Minerals Corporation relies upon litigation protection for forward-looking 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: Alexandria Minerals Corporation Mary Vorvis Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations (416) 305-4999 Alexandria Minerals Corporation Eric Owens President and CEO 416-363-9372 info@azx.ca www.azx.ca SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Quantcast, a global leader in applying the power of live audiences to programmatic advertising, today announced that Keith Lorizio has joined the company as vice president of North America Sales. Lorizio joins Quantcast having most recently served as senior vice president of Buyer Cloud at Rubicon. Lorizio joined Rubicon as a result of its acquisition of Chango in April 2015, where he served as chief revenue officer. During his time at Chango and then Rubicon, Lorizio worked with clients to evolve their marketing mix to effectively incorporate programmatic buying and led the Buyer Cloud Sales teams. Prior to Lorizio's time at Chango and Rubicon, he held the position of vice president of U.S. Sales, Marketing and Operations at Microsoft. At Microsoft, he led a team of approximately 500 professionals to drive results for marketers and agencies that were eager to connect with audiences at scale. In his new role at Quantcast, Lorizio will lead the North American client, relationship management and campaign management teams, based out of the company's New York City office, and will leverage his experience with Fortune 1000 brands and customer-focused teams to bring Quantcast's industry-leading advertising offering to marketers and agencies. "I am thrilled to be joining a company that continues to be at the forefront of innovation amongst such massive and constant shifts in the digital ecosystem," said Keith Lorizio, vice president of North American Sales, Quantcast. "Our sales team is committed to partnering, communicating and delivering at greater strategic levels with marketers so the amazing audience solutions of Quantcast become a required part of every advertising launch. I look forward to leveraging my own unique experiences in digital media to assist in this effort." With programmatic buying making up nearly *$22 billion of digital advertising spend in the U.S. 2016, the shift to programmatic advertising solutions is one of the most significant innovations to impact marketing to date. A digital marketing veteran, Lorizio has led clients through the constant and complex evolution of advertising over the course of his 20-year career and is committed to working with them to achieve the best possible outcome. "Keith is a tremendous addition to our North American leadership team because of his keen understanding of the needs and expectations of our customers and partners," said Stephen R. Collins, president and CFO at Quantcast. "He is a highly accomplished and respected industry leader with a reputation for building sales teams that are committed to excellence in every aspect of delivering value and service to clients. I am excited about Keith's shared vision and plan to lead us in pursuit of our goal to be nothing less than the most respected and trusted digital marketing partner in the industry." Lorizio will report to Phil Macauley, global vice president of Sales. "I am delighted to welcome Keith as a key leader on the Quantcast team. His ambition and experiences in operationalizing highly focused and successful sales teams will be a driving force in the future of our organization and in our customers' success," said Macauley. Quantcast adds the role of vice president of North America Sales after years of delivering market-leading ROI and customer excellence for advertisers, and transparency, accurate audience insights and targeting for publishers. The company works with the majority of the Ad Age top 100 brands and over 50 percent of the top 1000 publishers. Quantcast powers advertising in 29 markets around the world, delivering accuracy at 30 percent above its competitors, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. About Quantcast Quantcast is a leader in understanding real-time audiences at the intersection of commerce and culture, providing relevant advertising and actionable audience intelligence for brands and publishers. Our more than 800 employees are driven by the potential for big data to radically improve everyone's connected experiences and transform the way we all make sense of the world. For more information, visit www.quantcast.com. *According to eMarketer PR Contact: Lainie Mulvey Senior Communications Manager Quantcast lmulvey@quantcast.com IRVINE, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Evans Brewing Company (OTCQB: ALES), a producer of award-winning craft beers, today announced the scheduled re-release of two of the company's most honored beers, The Original and the Breakfast Black Pilsner, both of which are expected to be available in the coming weeks in restaurants and retail outlets that carry Evans products. The two beers, which have won a combined 12 international beer competition medals, will also be available in the company's first restaurant, The Public House, expected to open soon in downtown Fullerton, California. The Original (4.6% ABV 15 IBUs) is a pilsner that was the first beer developed under the Evans name. It has been honored with 5 major beer awards, including a silver medal at the 2012 World Beer Cup, and was rated 92 points by Draft Magazine. One of Evans' most popular releases, The Original is described as agile, flavorful and refreshing -- a beer built for everyday drinking. The Original will be sold in kegs within Evans Brewing's distribution footprint. The Breakfast Black Pilsner (4.8% ABV 24 IBUs) has been honored with 7 major beer awards, including being named the World's Best Dark Lager at the 2013 World Beer Awards. Despite its dark color, the full-bodied flavor paired with a gentle finish makes it a popular choice for any season. Initially available in kegs, The Breakfast Black Pilsner, rated 84 points by Draft Magazine, is expected to be available in 22 ounce bottles towards the end of the year. As Evans Brewing Company expands distribution and prepares for the opening of The Public House, it is also preparing to offer a greater variety of its products for sale. The recently announced pilot brewing system allows the team at the company's Irvine, California brewery to further refine the flavors of its award-winning beers as well as develop new variations for the growing number of craft beer enthusiasts. "We are pleased to bring back two of the beers that started it all," said Evan Rapport, Chief Operations Officer for Evans Brewing Company. "The Original, as the name implies, was the first beer brewed by Evans. The Breakfast Black, also a multiple award winner, has been one of our most popular beers and a great surprise to most who try it. "The reintroduction of these two beers is another step as we prepare to increase both the products available under the Evans brand and the number of restaurants and retail outlets where our products are sold. We will update the availability of these beers on our website, www.evansbrewco.com, as their release dates approach," added Mr. Rapport. In addition to The Original and the Breakfast Black Pilsner, the company currently produces 4 core year-round packaged products, Pollen Nation Honey Blonde Ale, The KrHOPen India Pale Ale, Oaklore Brown Ale, and ChocoLatte Chocolate Porter. Additional Evans branded products, including seasonal beers, special releases and potentially other year-round offerings, are expected be introduced in the future. For updated release dates and to see the full range of Evans branded beers, please visit http://www.evansbrewco.com/thebeerbeer. About Evans Brewing Company, Inc. Evans Brewing Company (www.evansbrewco.com) develops and distributes premium craft brands including a superior line of lagers and ales that have been honored with over 20 international awards. Operating the oldest brewery in Orange County, California, Evans Brewing supplies restaurants, retailers and beer drinkers across several states. Future plans include the opening of the company's first restaurant/taproom, The Public House by Evans Brewing Company, broader product distribution, and potentially an expansion of the beer brands currently under management. For more information, please email us at investors@evansbrewco.com. Follow Evans Brewing Company: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/EvansBrewCo Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/evansbrewingco/ Twitter - @EvansBrewCo Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain statements, estimates or projections that constitute "forward-looking statements" pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws. Generally, the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "will" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from Evans Brewing Company's historical experience and present expectations or projections. These risks include, but are not limited to, changes in general economic, business and political conditions, developmental delays or disruptions inherent with new products, and risks of reduction in revenue from the elimination of existing and potential customers due to consolidation or new laws or regulations affecting the craft brewing industry, and other risks detailed in Evans Brewing Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including the "Risk Factors" sections of our filings, and subsequent SEC filings. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Evans Brewing Company expressly disclaims any obligation or intention to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements unless otherwise required by law. Evans Brewing Company Andrew Beyer 714-443-0099 investors@evansbrewco.com MIAMI, FL--(Marketwired - September 08, 2016) - Yazmin Odia, M.D., has joined the growing team of specialists at Miami Cancer Institute at Baptist Health South Florida as lead physician of Medical Neuro-Oncology. In her new role, Dr. Odia -- the only Board-certified neuro-oncologist in practice south of Orlando -- further rounds out the Institute's highly specialized and comprehensive brain tumor program, providing the southern two-thirds of the state, Latin America and the Caribbean singular access to her unique expertise in neuro-oncology cancer care. "The addition of Dr. Odia means a tremendous breakthrough for patients in our region who are facing primary and secondary tumors of the brain, as well as those with spinal and leptomeningeal metastases," said Michael J. Zinner, M.D., founding CEO and executive medical director of Miami Cancer Institute. "Our vision of providing world-class, destination cancer care close to home cannot be achieved without a clinician of her caliber -- Board certified in both adult neurology and neuro-oncology. We are proud to be the only Cancer Institute in this area to provide this level of specialized care." Within Miami Cancer Institute's multidisciplinary care paradigm, Dr. Odia will collaborate with clinical experts across the organization to provide treatment to patients with cancers of the nervous system, especially those of the brain and spine. She will also conduct clinical trials that hopefully will bring significant advances in neuro-oncology cancer care to South Florida. In her role, Dr. Odia will closely work with internationally-renowned radiation oncologist and brain tumor expert Minesh Mehta, M.D., Miami Cancer Institute's deputy director and chief of Radiation Oncology. Dr. Mehta specializes in the utilization of today's most advanced radiation modalities to treat cancers of the brain, including proton therapy -- a sophisticated treatment that destroys cancer cells while avoiding the healthy surrounding tissue. When Miami Cancer Institute's proton therapy center opens in 2017, it will be the only center in the state of Florida to exclusively offer highly precise pencil-beam scanning. Additional physicians with whom Dr. Odia will closely collaborate include Baptist Health Neuroscience Center brain tumor surgeon Vitaly Siomin, M.D. and brain tumor medical oncologist Siddhartha Venkatappa, M.D. Dr. Odia comes to Miami Cancer Institute from New York City, where she was most recently an assistant professor of neurology at Columbia University's College of Physicians & Surgeons and an assistant attending neurologist at New York Presbyterian Hospital. A Chicago Honor Scholar, she received her bachelor's of arts and medical degree from the University of Chicago, and her Master of Science in clinical research at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She completed a residency in neurology at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Md., and a clinical and research fellowship in the Neuro-Oncology Branch of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. She serves on the editorial board of Clinics in Oncology - CNS Tumors and Journal of Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology. Dr. Odia's numerous honors include Columbia University/New York Presbyterian Hospital's Stephen Q. Shafer Award for Humanism in Neurology and John Hopkins' Guy M. McKhann Award for Teaching and Communication Excellence; she was also named a Top Doctor in New York City in 2015 and 2016. Dr. Odia is bilingual in English and Spanish, and will begin seeing patients in September of 2016. Miami Cancer Institute plans to begin moving into its new, $430 million state-of-the-art facility on the Baptist Hospital campus later this year. Opening day for patient care is planned for January 16, 2017. About Miami Cancer Institute Baptist Health South Florida is developing Miami Cancer Institute into a destination cancer center known for its leading clinical care, exceptional patient experience, advanced clinical research and state-of-the-art technology -- including the first proton therapy center in South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. To accelerate its mission of hope, caring and innovation, Miami Cancer Institute has announced plans to join the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance, a dynamic partnership that will ultimately enable cancer patients to access potential breakthrough therapies in South Florida. For more information, visit MiamiCancerInstitute.com. Miami Cancer Institute is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children's Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), nearly 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence. The not-for-profit, faith-based Baptist Health has approximately 16,000 employees and 2,300 affiliated physicians. Baptist Health South Florida has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and by Ethisphere as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF. Contact: Victoria Seremeta victoriaSe@baptisthealth.net 786-527-9058 Georgi Morales Pipkin georgip@baptisthealth.net 786-596-6534 EDMONTON, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada The Government of Canada values the role of post-secondary institutions as they help equip young Canadians with the education and training they need for future careers that will help them join a strong, healthy middle class. Today's $56-million investment at the University of Alberta will do just that by fostering the training needed for the well-paying middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow. The funding was announced by the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. The Government of Canada's Innovation Agenda aims to make this country a global centre for innovation-one that creates jobs, drives growth across all industries and improves the lives of all Canadians. This investment exemplifies that vision in action and will help create the well-paying middle-class jobs of tomorrow. The Government's $56-million contribution will support $132 million of renovation and construction projects over the next two years. This investment will fund 10 separate projects that will keep the University of Alberta on the cutting edge of research and innovation. In addition to the Government of Canada contribution to these projects, the Province of Alberta is investing more than $26 million, the institution is injecting close to $48 million and other contributors are providing $1.2 million. Of these investments, $25 million will go to the university's Electrical and Computer Engineering Research Facility to create new lab space for cutting-edge research in the fields of biomedical devices and electrical power generation and transmission. The project will also involve the creation of critical innovation, commercialization and incubation spaces, establishing a platform to engage industry partners. A separate lab renewal project will modernize and triple the amount of space for teaching and research at Campus Saint-Jean, the only French-language university campus west of Manitoba. This will provide capacity for 440 additional undergraduate students in the sciences and help address a growing need for bilingual health professionals. A $3.5-million project will create an innovation and business incubator space. This facility will enhance research and commercialization opportunities at the University of Alberta and improve the success of start-up ventures. In total, universities and colleges throughout Alberta will receive more than $500 million from the Government of Canada, the provincial government, the institutions themselves and private donors. Federal funding will be allocated through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, which will enhance and modernize research facilities on Canadian campuses and improve the environmental sustainability of these facilities. As a result of these investments, students, professors and researchers will work in state-of-the-art facilities that advance the country's best research. They will collaborate in specially designed spaces that support lifelong learning and skills training. They will work in close proximity with partners to turn discoveries into products or services. In the process, they will train for-and create-the high-value, middle-class jobs of the future. And their discoveries will plant the seeds for the next generation of innovators. That is how the Strategic Investment Fund will jump-start a virtuous circle of innovation, creating the right conditions for long-term growth that will yield benefits for generations to come. Quotes "This once-in-a-generation investment by the Government of Canada is a historic down payment on the government's vision to position Canada as a global centre for innovation. That means making Canada a world leader in turning ideas into solutions, science into technologies, skills into middle-class jobs and start-up companies into global successes. This investment will create conditions that are conducive to innovation and long-term growth, which will in turn keep the Canadian economy globally competitive." - The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development "Our government is proud to work in partnership with the federal government to strengthen Alberta's advanced learning opportunities. Through these investments, we're not only contributing to new student spaces; we're also protecting and maintaining the facilities we already have and creating much-needed jobs to stimulate and grow Alberta's economy." - The Honourable Marlin Schmidt, Alberta Minister of Advanced Education "On behalf of the University of Alberta, I want to thank the Government of Canada for its investment. The Strategic Investment Fund will enable the U of A to develop vital infrastructure, which provides the foundation for teaching, learning and research. Canada's universities drive innovation and economic prosperity across the country, and SIF will provide important benefits for all Canadians." - Dr. David H. Turpin, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Alberta Quick facts -- The Government of Canada is providing more than $225 million for research infrastructure at institutions across Alberta. The University of Alberta has been awarded $56 million for 10 projects. -- The Government of Canada's Innovation Agenda is designed to ensure Canada is globally competitive in promoting research, translating ideas into new products and services, accelerating business growth and propelling entrepreneurs from the start-up phase to international success. -- The targeted, short-term investments under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund will promote economic activity across Canada and help Canada's universities and colleges develop highly skilled workers, act as engines of discovery, and collaborate on innovations that help Canadian companies compete and grow internationally. -- The Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund supports the Government of Canada's climate change objectives by encouraging sustainable and green infrastructure projects. Associated links - Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund website - Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund backgrounder - Innovation Agenda backgrounder Follow Minister Bains on social media. Twitter: @MinisterISED Contacts: Philip Proulx Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development 343-291-2500 Media Relations Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 343-291-1777 ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "a" of Eni Insurance Designated Activity Company (EID) (Ireland). The outlook for these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. EID is the sole captive insurer of Eni S.p.A. (Eni), an Italian multinational gas and oil company with operations in more than 60 countries. The ratings reflect EID's track-record of strong underwriting profitability and excellent risk-adjusted capitalisation. The ratings also consider the captive's importance to the Eni Group as a risk management tool. These positive rating factors are partially offset by EID's exposure to peripheral European sovereign bonds. In addition, EID has exposure to potentially substantial underwriting losses due to its large gross maximum line size. EID's risk-adjusted capitalisation is expected to remain excellent. Available capital is likely to increase in 2016 due to a non-recurring return premium payment of EUR 17.5 million to EID from a reinsurance company, as well as expected good underlying earnings (subject to large loss experience in the remainder of the year). EID produced a pre-tax profit of EUR 108.7 million in 2015 (2014: EUR 96.8 million), underpinned by a strong underwriting result and a modest investment return. The combined ratio was excellent at 45%. The improvement on the previous year's 52% was driven by an increase in net earned premiums. Prospective performance is subject to volatility due to potential large losses from EID's property account and unrealised gains/losses from its peripheral European sovereign bond portfolio. However, underwriting volatility should be moderated by the captive's comprehensive reinsurance programme which remains broadly unchanged from the previous year. A.M. Best remains the leading rating agency of alternative risk transfer entities, with more than 200 such vehicles rated throughout the world. For current Best's Credit Ratings and independent data on the captive and alternative risk transfer insurance market, please visit www.ambest.com/captive. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on A.M. Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see A.M. Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Understanding Best's Credit Ratings A.M. Best is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2016 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160908006352/en/ Contacts: A.M. Best Alvise Argenton, +44 20 7397 0293 Financial Analyst alvise.argenton@ambest.com or Mathilde Jakobsen, +44 20 7397 0266 Associate Director, Analytics mathilde.jakobsen@ambest.com or Christopher Sharkey, +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159 Manager, Public Relations christopher.sharkey@ambest.com or Jim Peavy, +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644 Assistant Vice President, Public Relations james.peavy@ambest.com Three winning designs were chosen from a pool of 18 creative ideas conceived by design students SES S.A. (Euronext Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG) announced today the winners of the first ever industrial domestic satellite dish design competition amongst international students from leading design schools in the UK. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160908006208/en/ SES Announces Dish Design Competition Winners (Photo: Business Wire) Earlier this year, SES organised a satellite dish design competition with the help of industrial product design expert Mark Champkins. All design entries were originally shown in May at SES Industry Days 2016 in Luxembourg. The purpose of this competition, based on the motto 'because useful can be beautiful', was to focus industry attention on the visual appearance of domestic satellite dishes and how good industrial design can make satellite antennas stand out in various types of environments. From all designs, and after consultation, three winners have now been announced. The winning design "Dragon" was submitted by Shudong Deng, a Chinese student at Imperial College London. Second place went to Robert Edwin Rouse, a British student from the Royal College of Art for his "Blossom" concept, and the third place was won by Julian Goldman, a US student at the Pratt Institute for his "Calla" design. As a next step, SES will work together with industry partners to produce fully functional prototypes based on the winning designs. Commenting on the design competition, Thomas Wrede, Vice President Reception Systems at SES, said: "Our first ever dish design competition shows that in the area of DTH satellite antennas there are possibilities to change and evolve by improving their visual appearance. We endeavor to drive industry growth as a neutral partner and continue to develop the ecosystem with new ideas such as this one." The winning designs will be exhibited at the SES stand at IBC 2016 in Amsterdam from 9-13 September. Follow us on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/SES_Satellites Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SES.YourSatelliteCompany YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SESVideoChannel Blog: http://www.ses.com/blog SES Pictures are available under http://www.ses.com/21472913/Our_Pictures SES White papers are available under http://www.ses.com/18681915/white-papers About SES SES (Euronext Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG) is the world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of more than 50 geostationary satellites. Focusing on value-added, end-to-end solutions in four key market verticals (video, enterprise, mobility and government), SES provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and internet service providers, and mobile and fixed network operators, as well as business and governmental organisations worldwide. SES stands for long-lasting business relationships, high-quality service and excellence in the satellite industry. The culturally diverse regional teams of SES are located around the globe and work closely with customers to meet their specific satellite bandwidth and service requirements. SES's subsidiary, MX1, is one of the leading media service providers and offers a full suite of innovative digital video and media services. Through its ownership of O3b Networks, a next generation satellite network combining the reach of satellite with the speed of fibre, SES significantly enhanced existing video and data capabilities. SES is the first satellite provider in the world to deliver a differentiated and entirely scalable GEO-MEO offer with powerful technical capabilities across numerous market segments and geographies. At SES we are shaping new ecosystems and laying the groundwork for new foundations. Further information available at: www.ses.com View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160908006208/en/ Contacts: For further information please contact: Markus Payer Corporate Communications Tel. +352 710 725 500 Markus.Payer@ses.com WINNIPEG, MANITOBA and MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- DiaMedica Inc. (the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: DMA)(OTCQB: DMCAF) is pleased to announce that it has closed the second tranche of a non-brokered private placement previously announced on July 17, 2016. The second tranche was an investment of USD$3.0 million by Hermed Capital Healthcare Fund ("Hermed") for 15 million common shares of the Company at USD$0.20 per share. DiaMedica intends to use the offering proceeds toward advancing its research and development programs including an upcoming DM199 clinical trial and general corporate purposes. The common shares issued in connection to the second tranche of the private placement are subject to a restricted period that expires four months after the issuance date. Both tranches of the private placement have received final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. A finder's fee equal to 5% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised under the private placement may be payable to a person arm's length to the Company. About DiaMedica DiaMedica is a publicly-traded clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for neurological and kidney diseases. DiaMedica's shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol "DMA" and on the OTCQB under the trading symbol "DMCAF". About Hermed Capital Hermed Capital Fund (the "Fund") is a private equity fund that invests primarily in the healthcare industry. The Fund was initiated through a partnership between Fosun Pharmaceutical Group ("Fosun Pharma") and SK Group ("SK"), as the General Partners and anchored investors. Established in 1994 and listed on both the Shanghai and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges, Fosun Pharma (600196-SH; 02196-HK) is one of the largest healthcare conglomerates in China. In addition, the company has a leading domestic market position and unmatched advantages in pharmaceutical distribution and retail, healthcare services, diagnostic products, and medical devices, and maintains a strong focus on research and development, and manufacturing. SK is a leading conglomerate in Korea, being one of the nation's economic pillars, accounting for 11% of the country's GDP and 11% of exports. SK is mainly engaged in energy and chemicals; information and telecommunication; marketing and logistics services; biopharmaceuticals; and real estate. Moreover, as a world-class pharmaceutical and healthcare service operator with prominent capability in research and development, SK has its research and development labs, manufacturing facilities, and distribution channels in different countries, including Korea, the United States, and China. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS The statements made in this press release that are not historical facts contain forward-looking information that involves risk and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, which address DiaMedica's expectations, should be considered forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management's exercise of business judgment as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. When used in this document, the words "may", "will", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and words of similar import, are intended to identify any forward -looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the Company's objectives, goals, future plans and statements regarding the use of proceeds from the private placement. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information described in detail in the DiaMedica's filings with the Canadian securities regulators, all of which are available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. DiaMedica undertakes no obligation, and does not intend, to update, revise or otherwise publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of any unanticipated events, unless required by law. Although management believes that expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, no assurance can be given that these expectations will materialize. 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 the contents of this press release. Contacts: DiaMedica Inc. Donna Husemoller Corporate Controller 763-270-0603 info@diamedica.com AspenCore has launched a website, Power Electronics News, whose mission is to deliver the latest news, new product, and technical articles to cover the ever-changing global power electronics industry. The objective of this website is to ensure you have all the latest information for your next design from power supplies, power semiconductors, and power components to batteries and thermal management. On this site, which is easy to navigate using your mobile device or tablet, you will also find "The Editor's Perspective" column on technology events, plus company and market news, product news, white papers, webinars and videos. "In recent years, webinars have evolved to become a convenient and powerful information tool for engineers," said Paul O'Shea, the editor of Power Electronics News. "To leverage this tool, our team is creating a series of webinars about power supply design that we will launch in September." Among the planned topics, O'Shea singled out the development of a power supply webinar series that will explain the step-by-step design for the buck and boost topologies in DC-DC switching regulators. Geographically, the site will focus on events in Europe and the Americas - helping to keep you in touch with manufacturers that might ordinarily be missed by other news outlets and will cover the key movers of the power electronics industry. You will be in good hands with input coming from European-based editors and guided by O'Shea, a veteran technical editor who started his career with Texas Instruments in 1980, followed by stints with Evaluation Engineering Magazine, VerticalNet, EE Times, Power Management Designline, and now, with Electronic Products print magazine and website. We look forward to interacting with you and we welcome your feedback on how we can best serve you as our audience. We also invite you to submit product and company news, as well as technical articles. Please send your information to poshea@aspencore.com. Launch Partners: Microchip Technology Apex Microtechnology Power Integrations Texas Instruments View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160908005239/en/ Contacts: For AspenCore Paul O'Shea, 941-359-8684 poshea@aspencore.com VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Avrupa Minerals Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: AVU)(FRANKFURT: 8AM) is pleased to report the assay results from the final five 2016 drill holes in the Gossan Extension Zone at the Slivovo Gold project in Kosovo. These new assays, along with those from the previously-reported eleven drill holes (NR #14, August 16, 2016), will be used to prepare an updated resource estimate during the fall of 2016. It is significant that the gold mineralization in the Gossan Extension Zone has been discovered below the bottom thrust fault control which previously had been understood as the lower limit for gold mineralization in the Main Gossan Zone. Three holes cut gold mineralization below the thrust fault with intercepts at grades up to 5.98 g/t over 15 meters. While the data from these holes may not be enough to calculate a resource for this area, the new information does show that the mineralization continues to the east and is open down dip. Following is a table with gold and silver results from the recent development drilling: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gossan Extension drilling 2016 - SLV057 through SLV061 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- From To Total Au Ag Drillhole ID (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- SLV057 51 77 26 1.29 7.2 Gossan Extension Zone ---------------------------------------------- in a wider zone 37 90 53 0.85 9.5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- SLV058 120 123 3 38.7 33.9 Lower plate mineralization in the Gossan Extension Zone close to DHIP001 ---------------------------------------------- 134 156.6 22.6 3.29 9.7 ---------------------------------------------- incl. 134 142 8 5.96 8.0 ---------------------------------------------- and 147 156.6 9.6 2.51 13.3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- SLV059 No significant results Drilled outside of Gossan Extension Zone ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- SLV060 38 41 3 1.54 9.6 Upper plate - in hornblende porphyry ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 136 151 15 0.64 8.2 Lower plate mineralization in the Gossan Extension Zone ---------------------------------------------- 159 161 2 4.08 6.8 ---------------------------------------------- 173 176.55 3.55 0.98 14.2 ---------------------------------------------- 182 205 23 4.37 7.2 ---------------------------------------------- incl. 198 205 7 8.72 9.1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 208.5 210.85 2.35 0.85 16.4 EOH - hole stops in mineralization ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- SLV061 42 72 30 1.32 11.9 Gossan Extension Zone ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 1. Gold and silver results for final five diamond drill holes in the 2016 PFS drilling program. Infill/development drilling was designed to confirm continuity of precious metals mineralization in the Gossan Extension Zone, as well as potentially add to the initially-defined indicated resource. Significantly, two holes, SLV058 and SLV060 intercepted gold and silver mineralization beneath the low angle thrust fault that cuts off mineralization in the Main Gossan Zone. The following schematic SW to NE section illustrates where gold mineralization is found in the Gossan Extension Zone. The intercepts in SLV060 are actually located 40 meters to the east of DHIP001, along strike of the mineralization and down dip. To view Figure 1, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/avu0908fig1.pdf. The following figure defines all gold anomalism in drill holes brought to surface view. While gold is present only in amenable host rocks above the low angle reverse fault in the Main Gossan Zone, it is now clear that gold mineralization has additional possibilities in permeable host rocks below the fault in the Gossan Extension Zone, as displayed in the geophysical drill hole DHIP001 and the two new drill holes, SLV058 and SLV060. The new drilling indicates that mineralization in the Gossan Extension Zone continues for at least 90 meters to the east from the high angle fault that divides the two zones. Old drill results from SLV012 may indicate that the Gossan Extension zone continues for at least another 20+ meters in the lower plate beyond SLV060. SLV012 contained 5 meters (151 - 156 meters) @ 1.33 g/t gold and 15.6 g/t silver. To view Figure 2, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/avu0908fig2.pdf. The drilling program is part of the Slivovo Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") being performed by joint venture company Peshter Mining JSC. Peshter Mining is 75% held by Byrnecut International Limited ("BIL") and 25% by Avrupa Minerals ("Avrupa" or the "Company") through its 100%-owned subsidiary in Kosovo. BIL is funding the PFS to earn-in to 85% of Peshter Mining and has spent EUR1.5 million to date towards completion of the PFS. The PFS must be finished by April 10, 2017 according to the earn-in agreement. Concurrently, Peshter Mining is also completing requirements for a mining license application. Presently, timing for submission of the application is Q2/Q3 of 2017. Other PFS work on the Slivovo Project continues to move ahead at a rapid pace, including investigating locations for the mine and mill, roads, water testing, pit wall testing, consulting with communities, baseline environmental testing, power source planning, etc. Our partners are preparing a budget for further PFS work in 2016 and beyond-PFS work anticipated for early 2017. Paul W. Kuhn, President and CEO of Avrupa Minerals, commented, "The new results not only show extension to the east of the gold mineralization, but also show that gold is present in preferred host rocks beneath the thrust fault that stops mineralization in the Main Gossan Zone. Implications from this include further mineralization down plunge to the east in the Extension Zone, as well as the possibility of deeper mineralization in favorable host rocks around the Slivovo property. The fact that mineralization also appears to be spatially related to porphyritic intrusive rocks suggests further possibilities for a much larger mineralizing system." Avrupa Minerals Ltd. is a growth-oriented junior exploration and development company focused on discovery, using a prospect generator model, of valuable mineral deposits in politically stable and prospective regions of Europe, including Portugal, Kosovo, and Germany. The Company currently holds nine exploration licenses in three European countries, including six in Portugal covering 3,821 km2, two in Kosovo covering 47 km2, and one in Germany covering 307 km2. Avrupa has three joint ventures, two in Portugal and one in Kosovo, including: -- The Alvalade JV, with Colt Resources, covering one license in the Iberian Pyrite Belt of southern Portugal, for Zn/Cu-rich massive sulfide deposits; -- The Covas JV, with Blackheath Resources, covering one license in northern Portugal, for intrusion-related W deposits; and -- Avrupa's partner at the Slivovo Gold Project in Kosovo is presently advancing the Project by funding and operating a pre-feasibility study. Avrupa is currently upgrading precious and base metal targets to JV-ready status in a variety of districts on their other licenses, with the idea of attracting potential partners to project-specific and/or regional exploration programs. On behalf of the Board, Paul W. Kuhn, President & Director This news release was prepared by Company management, who take full responsibility for its content. Paul W. Kuhn, President and CEO of Avrupa Minerals, a Licensed Professional Geologist and a Registered Member of the Society of Mining Engineers, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators. He has reviewed the technical disclosure in this release. Mr. Kuhn, the QP, has not only reviewed, but prepared and supervised the preparation or approval of the scientific and technical content in the news release. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contacts: Avrupa Minerals Ltd. 1-604-687-3520 www.avrupaminerals.com PORTLAND, OR -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Fundy Software, creator of Fundy Designer, the only template-free, full suite of design solutions for the professional photographer, today announced that founder and photographer Andrew "Fundy" Funderburg will share his insights and knowledge into how to build a successful business during the 17hats Focus Tour, being held Friday, September 16th, 2016 at 6:30pm, at the Eristavi Winery, San Francisco, California. The conversation will be hosted by a team of experts in photography, entrepreneurship and small business. The 17hats Focus Tour, taking place September 13th-16th in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, is part workshop, part conversation and part networking. This year's Focus Tour will re-examine what it means to be a successful entrepreneur. The recently released Fundy Designer 7.0 features the industry's first and only patented design technology to enable auto design while maintaining control and creativity for printed albums. Since its launch in 2008, word of mouth from one photographer to another has helped Fundy Designer become the leading solution to design, sell, proof and print, all in one application Andrew "Fundy" Funderburg -- photography expert and industry visionary -- has a passion for people, capturing emotions and telling their stories through print. He is the creator of the Fundy Design Suite software platform and the founder of Fundy Software. Fundy speaks four languages fluently, holds a BA degree in English Literature from the University of Oregon, was a former Peace Corps volunteer in the Republic of Moldova, an Iron Chef Photographer in Japan, and has traveled the outer reaches of the planet preaching about the power for printed photography. Registration To register, click here About 17hats The ultimate all-in-one business management platform. 17hats is the trusted business partner of more than 15,000 small business. The company's cloud-based tools give creative entrepreneurs everything they need to handle the entire client lifecycle. From custom lead capture tools, to automated workflows, and even bookkeeping, 17hats was built from the ground up with small business in mind. Visit www.17hats.com About Fundy Software Founded in 2008, Portland, Oregon-based Fundy Software is the creator of Fundy Designer, a professional suite for professional photographers. It's the only template free solution available that provides photographers the creative freedom to design, sell, proof and print, all in one application. Fundy Designer enables photographers to express their artistic vision within a fast, fun and powerful ecosystem. Visit www.fundydesigner.com Media Contact Jeff Denenholz For Fundy Software 206-437-9810 Email Contact WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Real estate agents are finding hard to sell a seven-story office building near Newark, Ohio, mainly because of its basket-shaped structure. The former headquarters of the basket-making Longaberger Company is having a hard time moving off the market, according to Bloomberg. The building is a landmark in the Newark area, which is about 40 miles outside of Columbus. The property's asking price has dropped from $7.5 million to $5 million since it was listed 18 months ago. The asking price of about $28 a square foot is about half of what office buildings in the area usually sell for, according to the report. The 180,000-square-foot basket-shaped building was built for about $32 million in 1997. 'You might see it three or four miles off before you come around the bend, and then you say, 'That is a basket. That is unquestionably a basket,' Tom Rochon, who works for Longaberger's holding company JRJR Networks, told Bloomberg. 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. MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Matamec Explorations Inc. ("Matamec" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: MAT)(OTCQX: MHREF) is pleased to announce its increased presence in the geological setting that hosts the Eleonore mine near James Bay in Quebec. Matamec has acquired 100% of the Opinaca Gold West property for a lump sum of $68,852 with a 2% royalty that is redeemable for $500,000, payable to the vendor. The property is situated along the same geological formation as Goldcorp's Eleonore gold mine where new gold potential along this trend has been identified. The Opinaca Gold West property includes 289 claims covering 15,000 hectares (see Figure 1). The James Bay Road crosses the property. The claims block controls over 40 kilometres of prospective volcano-sedimentary belt in a generally east-west orientation. It covers a series of geochemical gold-arsenic anomalies and geological elements that indicate the presence of a gold bearing system along approximately 40 km. At the regional scale, the property straddles a major magnetic contrast connected with the Goldcorp Eleonore Mine (proven and probable reserves of 4.17 million tonnes (mt) at 6.49 g/t Au for 0.87 million ounces (moz) Au and 24.15 mt at 5.76 g/t Au for 4.48 moz Au respectively(i)) located about 50 kilometres to the east. The reader is cautioned that there is no guarantee that mineralization on the Eleonore property is indicative of the type of mineralization on the Opinaca Gold West property. Historical works have identified geological indicators of a gold bearing system such as arsenopyrite and tourmaline. High gold-arsenic concentrations were also obtained from lake sediments in the property area. (i) (Mineral Reserves And Resources As of December 31, 2015. http://www.goldcorp.com/English/Investor-Resources/Reserves-and-Resources/default.aspx) "With the acquisition of the Opinaca Gold West property, Matamec is building on our conviction that the James Bay region still has lots of gold potential," said Andre Gauthier, President and CEO of Matamec. "The company's gold portfolio is growing significantly." Along with this announcement, Matamec and Canada Strategic Metals (CSM) (TSX VENTURE: CJC)(FRANKFURT: YXEN)(OTCBB: CJCFF) are very pleased to report the latest drill results for the Sakami property. Drilling on the Northwest extension of Zone 25 (main zone) has returned an intersection of 1.87 g/t Au over 27.00 metres including 3.14 g/t Au over 5.00 metres, from hole PT-16-93 (see table below). "These results from Zone 25, including those that have already been announced from the first two drill holes, are very encouraging for Matamec," said Andre Gauthier. "We look forward to receiving the remainder of the results from the Summer 2016 exploration campaign." The result from PT-16-93 together with PT-16-91 and PT-16-92 confirm that Zone 25 increases in thickness and grade to the northwest (see Figures 2, 3, and 4). This lens remains wide open in this direction and we are very keen to test the continuity of this thick zone of gold mineralization in the next drill campaign. Note that the grade of the intervals are relatively consistent; there are no extreme grade assays that carry very low grade intervals. The very thick intervals and their relative position suggest a possible merging of Zone 22 and 25 in this direction, as illustrated in Figure 4. The drilling of PT-16-96 and 97 confirms the mineralization trend to the extreme south east, and the lack of significant assay results in the remaining drill holes testifies to the complex geology occurring at this apparent fold nose on the La Pointe Peninsula. All significant results for the latest campaign are presented in the table below. Table of mineralized intersections from 2016 drilling ================================================================= Hole # From (m) To (m) Length (i) (m) Au (g/t) ================================================================= PT-16-91(ii) 165.20 208.50 43.30 2.21 Including 176.00 187.50 11.50 3.46 ================================================================= PT-16-92(ii) 203.60 252.15 48.55 2.52 Including 206.95 228.00 21.05 4.94 Including 206.95 225.00 18.05 5.38 ================================================================= PT-16-93 252.00 279.00 27.00 1.87 Including 253.00 258.00 5.00 3.14 And Including 271.00 277.00 6.00 2.69 ================================================================= PT-16-94 NSV ================================================================= PT-16-95 NSV ================================================================= PT-16-96 124.00 125.00 1.00 1.73 ================================================================= PT-16-97 136.00 156.50 20.50 0.55 ================================================================= PT-16-98 NSV ================================================================= PT-16-99 66.00 69.00 3.00 1.33 78.00 81.00 3.00 1.08 91.50 93.00 1.50 1.97 124.50 127.50 3.00 1.07 169.00 170.50 1.50 2.86 ================================================================= (i) The Company estimates the true width of the mineralized zone at 70 to 95% of the core length. (ii) Results already announced in a press release dated September 6, 2016. Sectors Explored in the Summer 2016 Exploration Program The 2016 Summer program covered 4 areas of the property, and included a drilling campaign of 9 holes totaling 2,058 m on the La Pointe sector. It also comprised a total of 210 km of geophysical survey lines in the La Pointe, Ile and JR West sectors, and a mapping and prospecting campaign in the Peninsule, Ile and JR West sectors. The remaining results of this exploration work will be shared as soon as they become available. Guy Desharnais, P.Geo., Ph.D. (OGQ No.1141), is a Qualified Person as per NI 43-101; he reviewed and approved the technical content of this press release. About Matamec Matamec Explorations Inc. is a junior mining exploration company whose main focus is in developing the Kipawa HREE JV deposit owned at 72% by the Company and 28% by Ressources Quebec (acting as agent of the Government of Quebec); Toyota Tsusho Corp. (Nagoya, Japan) holds a 10% royalty on net profit in the deposit. Furthermore, the Company is exploring more than 35 km of strike length in the Kipawa Alkalic Complex for rare earths-yttrium-zirconium-niobium-tantalum mineralization on its Zeus property. The Company is also exploring for gold, base metals and platinum group metals. Its gold portfolio includes the Hoyle-Matheson Royalties (see the March 2, 2016 and April 28, 2016 press releases), Matheson JV (MJV) and Pelangio properties located along strike and in close proximity to Goldcorp's Hoyle Pond Mine in the prolific gold mining camp of Timmins, Ontario. Matamec holds a 50% undivided interest in the MJV property and is its operator. In addition, the Company holds a 1% NSR royalty in the Montclerg Property located 48 km northeast of Timmins along the Pipestone Fault. In Quebec, the Company is exploring for strategic metals such as lithium, tantalum, and beryllium on its Tansim property and for precious and base metals on its Valmont and Vulcain properties. This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "scheduled", "anticipates", "expects" or "does not expect", "pursue", "targeted", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases that state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Although Matamec has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from expected results described in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those risk factors set out in the Company's year-end Management Discussion and Analysis dated December 31, 2015 and other disclosure documents available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release and Matamec disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. 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. Figure 1 is available at the following address: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1068689a_Fig1.jpg Figure 2 is available at the following address: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1068689a_Fig2.jpg Figure 3 is available at the following address: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1068689a_Fig3.jpg Figure 4 is available at the following address: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1068689a_Fig4.jpg Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MatamecInc Visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MatamecInc Contacts: Andre Gauthier President (514) 844-5252 info@matamec.com About Capstone Mining Corp. Capstone Mining Corp. is a Canadian base metals mining company, focused on copper. We are committed to the responsible development of our assets and the environments in which we operate. Our three producing mines are the Pinto Valley copper mine located in Arizona, US, the Cozamin copper-silver mine in Zacatecas State, Mexico and the Minto copper mine in Yukon, Canada. In addition, Capstone has two development projects; the large scale 70% owned copper-iron Santo Domingo project in Region III, Chile, in partnership with Korea Resources Corporation, and the 100% owned Kutcho copper-zinc project in British Columbia, Canada, as well as exploration properties in Chile and US. Capstone's strategy is to focus on the optimization of operations and assets in politically stable, mining-friendly regions, centred in the Americas. Our headquarters are in Vancouver, Canada and we are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). Further information is available at http://www.capstonemining.com. Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Airbnb plans to fight racism and discrimination after months of criticism and instances of racism. The company said it is going to implement a new anti-discrimination policy. Airbnb is an online marketplace that enables people to list, find, then rent vacation homes for a processing fee. For past few months, African-American users have been complaining about discrimination against them on the platform. 'Bias and discrimination have no place on Airbnb, and we have zero tolerance for them,' Chief Executive Officer Brian Chesky wrote in an email to users. 'Unfortunately, we have been slow to address these problems, and for this I am sorry.' Airbnb will now lower the prominence of user photos and will give more importance to trip details, reviews and verified Ids. The company will also require anti-bias training for its employees and create a team focused on promoting diversity. 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. TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Rupert Resources Ltd. ("Rupert" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: RUP) carried out a summer drilling and exploration campaign on the permitted Pahtavaara gold mine in Northern Finland and last week exercised its option to acquire the mine, mill and exploration permits (see the Company's March 17, 2016, June 9, 2016 and Aug 30, 2016 press releases). "The drilling success we have seen at the west end of the mine is now complimented by the high grade intersection in the east along what we are calling the new North Flank which is located some 200m from existing ramp development underground," said Brian Hinchcliffe, Rupert's President and CEO. The Company announces the results of assays returned from 8 holes (1253m), including holes 116011 in a new discovery in the northeast of the mine, which contained abundant fine visible gold and returned 432.0 grams per ton of gold ("g/t Au") over 1.0m at a depth of 136-137m, and 116007 in the west of the mine (Karoliina) which intersected 7.3 g/t Au over 4.0m at a depth of 145-149m. Two follow-up drill holes encountered visible gold in area, but assays have not yet been received. Eleven of 20 drill hole results have been received from the 3023m, 20 hole summer drilling campaign designed to test various areas in the Pahtavaara open pit and underground mine areas and to test "wildcat" targets. The second phase of exploration has begun, with drilling, chip sampling of open pits, trenches, and underground horizons, IP geophysics, soil sampling, and till work either underway or soon to be implemented. Drill Results ------------------------------------------------------------------ Hole ID Zone Azimuth Dip Northing Easting ------------------------------------------------------------------ 116007 Karoliina 196.3 -58.2 7504920 3474295 ------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------ 116011 North Flank East 39.8 -66.5 7505098 3475202 ------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Including ------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------ 116010 45.7 -70.5 7505070 3475384 ------------------------------------------------------------------ 116015 151.1 -66.5 7505167 3474880 ------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interval/ true Elevation From To width Grade Hole ID Zone (m) (m) (m) (m) (g/t Au) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 116007 Karoliina 251.3 145 149 4 7.3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 152 153 1 1.9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 116011 North Flank East 251.5 136 137 1 432 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 65 67 2 4.8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Including 1 7.8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 96 97 1 1.8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 116010 257.3 34 35 1 6.8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 116015 248.9 78 79 1 2.2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 82 83 1 3.1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 132 134 2 1.3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- No upper cut-off grade was applied. Unless specified, true widths (TW) cannot be determined from the information available. Holes 116015 and 116014 did not intersect their target due to deviation; holes 116004, 8, 9 did not return significant assays. The 116007 intersection of 7.3 g/t Au over 4.0m is located 29m west of previously-drilled hole 114809 that returned 8.1 g/t Au over 5.0m, and 44m below and west of the previously released hole 116005 that returned 32.74 g/t Au over 5m, including 159.4 g/t Au over 1.0 m. The 116011 intersection of 432.0 g/t Au over 1.0m is located 16.5m below previously drilled hole 105176 that returned 52.1 g/t Au over 1.0 m. These intersections are located along the North Flank East zone within a 400m gap that is a newly-recognized limb of a large fold structure, the south limb of which constitutes the vast majority of mining to date. The North Flank West has not been drilled. They are separated by an area of mining where the fold is evident on both sides and where an open pit has been mined. The 432.0 grams per ton of gold over 1.0m contained abundant coarse visible gold in a strongly sheared, dolomite veined rock, is surrounded by intersections and located 200m from existing mine development. The hole also intersected 4.8 g/t Au over 2.0m at 65-67m (including 7.8 g/t Au over 1.0m) in a separate zone and is notable for its relatively shallow depth. Next phase of exploration An infill drilling campaign of 27 surface holes has now commenced on the Karoliina zone on reduced 25m centres to delineate new potential blocks. In addition, a program of IP, soil sampling is planned over the remainder of the year to define new areas of potential underground and near surface mineralisation close to the mine with RC drilling of till planned over the wider 124km2 Pahtavaara property. Drilling of these targets will commence after conclusion of the Karoliina infill program. Scoping work for new exploration and production development has also commenced with underground drilling expected to commence in Q4 2016. Mineralization Intercepts reported above are hosted by amphibolitized komatiites. The principal geologic control in the area is a linear structural corridor that trends east-west, forms multiple folds, and dips steeply to the north on the south side and steeply south on the north side. The mineralized zone identified on Rupert's property is characterized by hydrothermal alteration and mineralization within various phases of pervasively altered komatiites. Mineralization remains open at depth along the entire zone. The hydrothermal alteration and the Au-bearing veins associated with it are deformed. Because they were competent rocks (massive amphibole), they resisted deformation. They are therefore less deformed than the adjacent talc-chlorite schists. This implies early brittle deformation followed by ductile deformation. Hydrothermal fluids entered by fractures and faults, which explains why some alteration fronts are almost perpendicular to the schistosity. The Pahtavaara gold deposit is hosted by the Sattasvaara komatiites. There are three major rock types that have been intercalated with one another; amphibole-chlorite schist, biotite schist and coarse-grained amphibole rocks with associated quartz-barite lenses, veins and irregular pods. Talc-carbonate veins with pyrite are common in all lithologies, but particularly in the biotite schist. Amphibole chlorite schists are the dominant rock type outside the Pahtavaara alteration zone. They represent the regional greenschist facies metamorphic mineral assemblage and therefore correspond with the most typical and least altered rock type of the Sattasvaara komatiites. Gold occurs mostly as free gold, a smaller part is associated with magnetite. Historical resources and reserves The previous owners, Lappland Goldminers disclosed a NI 43-101 resources and reserve estimates dated 1 January 2013. Based on a cut-off grade of 0.5 g/t Au, Measured Mineral Resources totaled 618kt at an average grade of 1.97 g/t Au and contained 39koz of gold. Indicated Mineral Resources totaled 656kt at an average grade of 2.16 g/t Au and containing 45koz of gold. An additional 1,482 thousand tonnes at an average grade of 1.77 g/t Au containing 84koz were categorised as Inferred Mineral Resources. In the same report Proven Mineral Reserves were derived from Measured Mineral Resources and Probable Mineral Reserves were derived from Indicated Mineral Resources. Inferred Mineral Resources were not included in the mineral reserve estimate. Dilution of 25%, ore losses of 5%, and total projected onsite operating costs of EUR31.62/t ore milled were used. Based on the gold price at the time of approximately US$1,650/oz, an exchange rate of 1.3556 US$/EUR and assuming 87% gold recovery, the cut-off grade was calculated to be 1.0 g/t Au. On this basis Proven Reserves were reported as 676kt grading 1.62g/t Au and Probable Resources as 721 grading 1.77g/t Au for total contained gold of 76koz. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify these historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves and Rupert is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Subsequent to the aforementioned report 16,008m of diamond drilling was completed by Lappland Goldminers in 2013 and 2014, and 3,023m by Rupert in 2016. Revised estimate calculated using: more recent estimates of exchange rate and gold price, drilling from 2013 to 2016, and a new survey to account for depletion from production totaling 16,847koz in 2013 and 2014, will be calculated and disclosed in due course. Review by Qualified Person, Quality Control and Reports In compliance with National Instrument 43-101, Mr. Mike Sutton, P.Geo. is the Qualified Person who supervised the preparation the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release. All samples are assayed by CRS/Actlabs Finland at Takatie 6, 90440 Kempele Finland, who have ISO9001 sample prep and an ISO 17025 lab certification. All core is under watch from the drill site to the core processing facility. Samples are assayed with LeachWell process. The Company's QA/QC program includes the regular insertion of blanks and standards into the sample shipments, as well as instructions for duplication. Standards, blanks and duplicates are inserted at one per 20 samples. Approximately five percent (5%) of the pulps and rejects are sent for check assaying at a second lab with the results averaged and intersections updated when received. Core recovery in the mineralized zones has averaged 99%. About Rupert Rupert is a Canadian based gold exploration and development company that is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "RUP". The Company has exercised an option to acquire the Pahtavaara gold mine, mill and exploration permits and concessions located in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt in Northern Finland (see the Company's August 30, 2016 press release). The purchase price for the acquisition is US$2,500,000, structured as a US$500,000 cash payment upon the exercise of the option (less the US$100,000 deposit payments already made). A 1.5% production royalty, capped at US$2,000,000, is also payable on go-forward revenues generated when gold production resumes. The Company also holds a 100% interest in the Gold Centre property, which consists of mineral claims located in the Balmer Township, Red Lake Mining Division of Ontario. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements This press release contains statements which may constitute "forward-looking statements", including statements with respect to those that address potential quantity and/or grade of minerals, potential for minerals and statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to the future business activities, operating performance of the Company and with respect to the Pahtavaara gold mine, mill and exploration claims during the six month option period. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made, and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other known and unknown factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include the general risks of the mining industry, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company's annual Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended February 29, 2016 available at www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law. National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects The above historical mineral resource estimate used "Measured Mineral Resource", "Indicated Mineral Resource", "Proven Mineral Reserves", "Probable Mineral Reserves" and "Inferred Mineral Resource", which are categories set out in National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. This news release or other disclosure provided by the Company may use the terms "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources". While these terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations (under National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects), the SEC does not recognize them. United States investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted to reserves. In addition, "Inferred Mineral Resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian securities legislation, estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, although they may form, in certain circumstances, the basis of a "preliminary economic assessment" as that term is defined in National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that part or all of an Inferred Mineral Resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable. Contacts: Brian Hinchcliffe President and Chief Executive Officer +1 (914) 815 2773 info@rupertresources.com www.rupertresources.com LEWISBURG, PA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Playworld, a leading commercial playground equipment manufacturer committed to saving outdoor unstructured play, has been named the Openings category winner in the Architect's Newspaper Best of Products Awards. Entries in the competition were reviewed by a jury of design professionals and editors from Architect's Newspaper and evaluated for innovation, aesthetics, performance and value. PlayForm 7 is play sculpture designed to get people thinking, talking, sharing ideas and engaging in outdoor spaces in new and meaningful ways. It incorporates an innovative play experience with the appeal of art. The product recently received silver in the 36th annual International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) conducted by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA). "It is extraordinary having PlayForm 7 recognized once again by our peers in the world of design," said Michael Laris, vice president, Global Innovation for PlayPower, Playworld's parent company. "When creating PlayForm 7, our design team's vision was that the play sculpture would invite users of all ages and abilities to come together and experience a new way of thinking about play. The Best of Products award showcases our continuous efforts to create aesthetically pleasing and practical play equipment." PlayForm 7 provides a strong design impact and is inspired by landscapes with peaks and valleys, inviting exploration. It offers tactile, sensory and motion play experiences for people of all ages and abilities. Hammock-style areas are perfect for rest and relaxation, and an open design allows access from every angle while supporting more than 60 kids at a time. The September 2016 issue of Architect's Newspaper includes a feature on the Best of Products Awards. The publication is targeted to leaders in architecture and design and covers news, products, developments and trends. To learn more about PlayForm 7, please visit Playworld.com or contact Jennifer Leckstrom at 215-681-0770 or jleckstrom@rosecomm.com. About Playworld Playworld, a division of PlayPower, Inc., believes The World Needs Play. Play is vital to everyone's health and well-being. It's something you are never too young or too old to enjoy. We develop playground environments where creativity is king, belly laughs are welcome and children make the rules. Playworld equipment is designed to unleash the transformational power of play so bodies grow stronger and imagination can take flight. For 45 years, Playworld has created innovative, inclusive and meaningful outdoor play experiences for all ages and abilities. Come play with us. About PlayPower, Inc. PlayPower is a global leader in the recreation industry. The company is headquartered in North Carolina, with manufacturing facilities in Missouri, Pennsylvania, Texas, Sweden and the United Kingdom. PlayPower brands include Miracle Recreation, Little Tikes Commercial, Playworld, Soft Play, HAGS, EZ Dock and USA Shade. PlayPower's vision is To Inspire the World to Play through its mission of Creating Outstanding Play Environments for All Ages and Abilities. More information is available at www.playpower.com. PlayPower is a portfolio company of Littlejohn & Company, LLC and is actively seeking add-on acquisitions. Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3053703 Media contact: Jennifer Leckstrom RoseComm for Playworld 215-681-0770 jleckstrom@rosecomm.com GRAND BAIE, MAURITIUS -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Alphamin Resources Corp. (TSX VENTURE: AFM), "Alphamin" or the "Company") is pleased to announce an update on progress made on its Bisie tin project. The highlights include strengthening the project team and infrastructure improvements around the project area. A US$8.5m private placement is also planned. "Alphamin is pleased to announce continued progress towards bringing its Bisie project into production. This includes attracting and retaining additional premier skills to the current Alphamin team. Richard Robinson will be leading Alphamin Bisie Mining SA, Alphamin's DRC company. Richard has many years of experience in the interface between mining companies, the GoDRC, local communities, and artisanal miners. Richard has moved with his family to Goma from where he will be guiding Alphamin's operations. Alphamin is pleased to welcome Ian Dun, who was previously responsible for optimising the processing plants of Minsur, including at their San Rafael mine. Ian has joined the Alphamin team to apply his high grade tin processing knowledge to Alphamin's process design for Bisie. To assist us with mine design we are fortunate to have, via DRA, secured the services of Tony Cox, one of the world's leading Sub Level Caving Mining Engineers. Alphamin has also made significant strides preparing the supporting infrastructure for our operations. The access track linking Bisie to the Walikale Kisangani road has been cleared and will shortly be able to accommodate 4 ton loads. This will be upgraded further to accommodate the heavy vehicles required to transport the construction materials to Bisie. Trucks carrying seven containers of materials required for the early works have recently made the trip from Johannesburg to the head of the Bisie access road in an average time of 21 days. The rehabilitation work done by the Government of North Kivu, supported by Alphamin, on the Goma Walikale road contributed materially to this and bodes well for efficient logistics during operations. Alphamin intends to make a $8.5m non brokered private placement in September. The proceeds will be used to fund Bisie's development up to the final capital raise for the construction of this project." Boris Kamstra, CEO Alphamin Resources Corp. Project team Alphamin is pleased to announce that on January 14, 2016 Dr Richard Robinson was appointed as managing director of the Company's DRC subsidiary, Alphamin Bisie Mining SA. Dr. Robinson brings a wealth of DRC experience having served as the Extractive Industries Technical Adviser with the United States Agency for International Development based in Kinshasa, DRC from 2011 through 2015, serving as a focal point for U.S. government support for conflict-free mining in the DRC and great lakes region. Prior to joining USAID in 2011 Richard was Social Programs Manager for Freeport McMoRan's Tenke Fungurume Mine in Katanga responsible for community development, resettlement and community liaison including managing responses to illegal artisanal mining incursions. In 2003 Richard began the development NGO, Pact's programs in the DRC's Katanga province, including its role as a social and artisanal mining risk management and community development partner with responsible mining companies. Richard has prior experience in manufacturing, public-private partnerships for persons with disabilities in North America and the developing world, and has taught and directed in MBA programs in both the United States and South Africa. Richard was born in the DRC, is a permanent resident and he and his family are currently living in Goma. In June, 2016 Alphamin engaged Mr. Ian Dun on a 6-month contract. Mr Dun is among the world's leading Tin specialist metallurgists having spent over 30 years as a metallurgist on tin projects in South America, including 8 years with Minsur where he was Director of Processing Development, with full responsibility for production and metallurgical accounting. Mr Dun has been engaged to review and optimise the tin recovery process envisaged in the Bisie Tin Project processing plant. Following the appointment of DRA Projects as the Company's preferred EPCM contractor, Mr Tony Cox has been appointed to the project team. Mr. Cox has 50 years of experience in the mining industry. The bulk of this experience has been in large underground mines employing a wide range of mining methods suited to mechanisation. A substantial amount of this experience has been in large open stoping and caving methods, particularly sub level caving (11 years). This experience has extended to depths of 2,500 m at Target and South Deep mines. As General Manager Strategic Planning, Ashanti Goldfields he was responsible for the ore reserves generation in 1996 and 1997 under the JORC code. He has spent the last fourteen years from 1999 as a mining consultant for RHDHV (formerly Turgis Consulting) in the field of mechanisation and deep level massive mining. Infrastructure developments The Company is pleased to announce the completion of clearing of the 32km access track from the Bisie Project site to the nearest National Road (N3) that runs between Kisangani and Bukavu. In the second half of F2016 the Company will contract heavy machinery to allow compacting the road surface, shaping of the road prism and storm water control along the road. Following road upgrade works on the Goma Walikale road by the DRC roads authority, with ABM support, trucks can now reach Walikale from South Africa in 21 days. Management are of the view that these improvements to the regional infrastructure represent a significant de-risking of the Bisie Tin Project. Alphamin will support the North Kivu Government's program rehabilitating this road further. Non-brokered Private placement The Company intends to proceed with a non-brokered private placement of common shares to raise gross proceeds of up to US$8,500,000 (the "Financing"). The common shares will be offered at a price of C$0.30 per share. The Company anticipates that insiders of Alphamin may subscribe for up to 100% of the Financing. Net proceeds from the Financing will be used for the early project works and continued infrastructural improvements and preliminary mine construction work on the Company's Bisie Tin project and for working capital and general corporate purposes. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Boris Kamstra Chief Executive Officer Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this News Release. Contacts: Boris Kamstra Chief Executive Officer Tel: +230 269 4166 Grand Baie, Mauritius www.alphaminresources.com TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Euro Sun Mining Inc. ("Euro Sun" or the "Company") (CSE: CPN) has received final approval to migrate its common shares from the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") to the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX"). The Company's common shares are expected to commence trading on the TSX when markets open on Monday, September 12, 2016. The Company's common shares will trade on the TSX under the new symbol "ESM". To ensure continued and seamless trading for the Company's shareholders, the Company's common shares will be delisted from the CSE at the close of business on Friday, September 9, 2016. Also, as previously approved by Euro Sun shareholders at the annual general meeting held on August 4, 2016, and subsequently by the TSX, the Company's common shares will be consolidated on an 18.164 to 1 basis (the "Consolidation") when markets open on Monday, September 12, 2016, concurrent with the listing on the TSX. The Company's common shares will trade on the TSX on a post-consolidated basis only. Letters of transmittal with respect to the Consolidation are being mailed to all registered shareholders, requesting them to send their pre-consolidated share certificates to TSX Trust Company in exchange for new share certificates representing the appropriate number of post-consolidated common shares. No certificates representing fractional post-consolidated common shares will be issued pursuant to the Consolidation. No action is required on the part of those shareholders who hold their shares in brokerage accounts or other intermediaries. Following the Consolidation, the Company will have 50,001,183 common shares issued and outstanding. All outstanding options and warrants will be adjusted accordingly to reflect the Consolidation. About Euro Sun Mining Inc. Euro Sun is a Canadian-based mining company focused on the development of its 100%-owned Rovina Valley gold and copper project located in west-central Romania, which hosts the second largest gold deposit in Europe. Caution regarding forward-looking information: This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the election of directors. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including risks inherent in the mining industry and risks described in the public disclosure of the Company which is available under the profile of the Company on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.eurosunmining.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Contacts: Investor Relations +1 416.309.4299 info@eurosunmining.com NEW YORK, NEW YORK -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Brookfield Investment Management Inc. today announced that Leonardo Anguiano will assume portfolio management responsibilities for the Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Income Fund Inc. (NYSE: INF) (the "Fund") alongside Co-Portfolio Manager Craig Noble, who has been a portfolio manager since the launch of the Fund and has led the firm's infrastructure securities investing platform since its inception. Sam Arnold, a current Co-Portfolio Manager on the Fund is leaving the firm effective September 14, 2016. Mr. Anguiano joined Brookfield over a year ago to take on a leadership role within the listed infrastructure team. He has been a senior analyst covering several infrastructure sectors globally, with a focus on European infrastructure companies. In his expanded role, Leonardo brings to the team nearly 20 years of infrastructure experience, including direct infrastructure investments, sell-side research, capital raising and IPO processes, and public securities investing. Brookfield Investment Management Inc. (the "Firm") is the manager of the Fund and represents the public securities platform of Brookfield Asset Management. The Firm provides listed real assets strategies including real estate equities, infrastructure equities, real asset debt and diversified real assets. With over $16 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2016, the Firm manages separate accounts, registered funds and opportunistic strategies for institutional and individual clients, including financial institutions, public and private pension plans, insurance companies, endowments and foundations, sovereign wealth funds and high net worth investors. Headquartered in New York, the Firm and its affiliates also maintain offices in Boston, Chicago, Hong Kong, London and Toronto. Further information is available at www.brookfieldim.com. Brookfield Investment Management Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management, a leading global alternative asset manager with approximately $250 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2016. For more information, go to www.brookfield.com. The Fund uses its website as a channel of distribution of material company information. Financial and other material information regarding the Fund is routinely posted on and accessible at www.brookfieldim.com. Contacts: Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Income Fund Inc. Brookfield Place 250 Vesey Street, 15th Floor New York, NY 10281-1023 (855) 777-8001 funds@brookfield.com TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/16 -- Brookfield Investment Management Inc. today announced that Leonardo Anguiano will assume portfolio management responsibilities for the Brookfield Global Infrastructure Securities Income Fund (TSX: BGI.UN) (the "Fund") alongside Co-Portfolio Manager Craig Noble, who has been a portfolio manager since the launch of the Fund and has led the firm's infrastructure securities investing platform since its inception. Sam Arnold, the current Co-Portfolio Manager on the Fund, is leaving the firm effective September 14, 2016. Mr. Anguiano joined Brookfield over a year ago to take on a leadership role within the listed infrastructure team. He has been a senior analyst covering several infrastructure sectors globally, with a focus on European infrastructure companies. In his expanded role, Leonardo brings to the team nearly 20 years of infrastructure experience, including direct infrastructure investments, sell-side research, capital raising and IPO processes, and public securities investing. Brookfield Investment Management (Canada) Inc. and Brookfield Investment Management Inc. (together, the "Firm") are the manager and investment manager of the Fund, respectively, and represent the public securities platform of Brookfield Asset Management. The Firm provides listed real assets strategies including real estate equities, infrastructure equities, real asset debt and diversified real assets. With over $16 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2016, the Firm manages separate accounts, registered funds and opportunistic strategies for institutional and individual clients, including financial institutions, public and private pension plans, insurance companies, endowments and foundations, sovereign wealth funds and high net worth investors. Headquartered in New York, the Firm and its affiliates also maintain offices in Boston, Chicago, Hong Kong, London and Toronto. Further information is available at www.brookfieldim.com. Brookfield Investment Management Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management, a leading global alternative asset manager with approximately $250 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2016. For more information, go to www.brookfield.com. The Fund uses its website as a channel of distribution of material company information. Financial and other material information regarding the Fund is routinely posted on and accessible at www.brookfieldim.com and under the Fund's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Contacts: Brookfield Global Infrastructure Securities Income Fund Brookfield Place 250 Vesey Street, 15th Floor New York, NY 10281-1023 (855) 777-8001 funds@brookfield.com Dominion Diamond Corporation (TSX: DDC, NYSE: DDC) (the "Company" or "Dominion") is pleased to announce today the appointment, effective as of September 10, 2016, of Mr. Matthew Quinlan as Chief Financial Officer, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Quinlan joins the Company with over 15 years of experience in corporate finance, investment banking and financial accounting, including extensive experience in providing financing and strategic advice to companies in the global mining industry. Most recently Mr. Quinlan was Managing Director and Co-Head of global mining investment banking at CIBC World Markets. Prior to joining CIBC World Markets, Mr. Quinlan held progressively senior roles at TD Securities and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mr. Quinlan is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Mr. Quinlan obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and Business Finance from University College London and the London School of Economics and Political Science. Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Brendan Bell, Chief Executive Officer said, "We are very happy to announce Matt's appointment as CFO. His extensive experience in strategy and corporate finance within the mining industry will be a strong addition to Dominion and is an excellent complement to the skill set of our dynamic senior management team." About Dominion Diamond Corporation Dominion Diamond Corporation is the world's third largest producer of rough diamonds by value. Both of its production assets are located in the low political risk environment of the Northwest Territories in Canada where the Company also has its head office. The Company is well capitalized and has a strong balance sheet. The Company operates the Ekati Diamond Mine and also owns 40% of the Diavik Diamond Mine. Between the two mining operations, diamonds are currently produced from a number of separate kimberlite pipes providing a diversity of diamond supply as well as reduced operational risk. It supplies premium rough diamond assortments to the global market through its sorting and selling operations in Canada, Belgium and India. For more information, please visit www.ddcorp.ca View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160908006712/en/ Contacts: Dominion Diamond Corporation Investor Relations Ms. Kelley Stamm, 416-205-4380 Manager, Investor Relations kstamm@ddcorp.ca or Media Relations Ms. Laura Worsley-Brown, 867-669-6105 Senior Advisor, External Relations laura.worsley-brown@ekati.ddcorp.ca Hercules Capital, Inc. (NYSE: HTGC), a specialty financing provider to innovative venture growth stage companies backed by venture capital firms, has appointed Paul Gibson as Managing Director in the Technology Group in Hercules Washington DC office. Mr. Gibson is a seasoned executive with more than 20 years of commercial banking experience, including more than 13 years in venture lending, focused on structuring financial transactions for growth technology and life sciences-related companies. Most recently, he served as Managing Director at Horizon Technology Finance, and was responsible for business development in the technology market. Prior to Horizon, Mr. Gibson served as Senior Vice President, Regional Market Manager at Bridge Bank in Reston, Virginia and established Bridge Banks Eastern Region. Prior to joining Bridge Bank, he worked in a number of finance and business development roles at Square 1 Bank, Silicon Valley Bank and California State Bank. Mr. Gibson began his career at Security Pacific Bank. Mr. Gibson received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Seaver College at Pepperdine University. Led by Manuel A. Henriquez, chairman and chief executive officer, Hercules Capital is a specialty finance company focused on providing senior secured venture growth loans to high-growth, innovative venture capital-backed companies in a broad variety of technology, life sciences and sustainable and renewable technology industries. Since December 2003, the firm has committed more than $6.1 billion to over 350 companies. FinSMEs 08/09/2016 MatraMatri.com, a New Delhi, India-based price comparison portal, received $1m in funding. A private equity investor whose details will be made public after all documentation is closed provided the funding. The company intends to use the funds to add more features to portal and mobile apps and increase its marketing efforts. Led by Kamal Singh and Kirti Parashar, MatraMatri.com is a price comparison portal with 100+ online marketplaces listed, which allows customers to choose products at the best price. The new features of the platform will assist customers in the buying process by presenting the best options at the most cost effective price. FinSMEs 07/09/2016 Kaaveri Thanneer Pattaal Kanniyar Meni Thangam (If the water of the Cauvery river touches the skin of a young girl, it will maker her glow like gold) is a popular number from the 1955 Tamil film Kaveri starring thespian Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini and Lalitha. The song, a celebration of the river, is one among the many examples of the Cauvery influence on Tamil culture and poetry over the years. As the Cauvery now flows into Tamil Nadu, wetting the Hogenakkal soil, you would expect Tamil Nadu to be on song once again. It isn't. As against 134 tmc of Cauvery water that Karnataka is meant to release between June and September as per the 2007 award by the Cauvery River Water Tribunal, the verdict of the Supreme Court asking Karnataka to release 15000 cusecs everyday for ten days, amounts only to about 13 tmc feet. "This is like giving pigeon feed to an elephant,'' says P Ayyakannu, president of the Tamil Nadu unit of the South Indian Rivers Interlinking Farmers Association. "By the time the water travels 320 kilometres from Mettur dam in Salem district to Nagapattinam, nothing will be there for those farmers.'' In Trichy, Chinnadurai, a farmer has cultivated paddy on 8.5 acres. "No farmer here sows paddy, depending on the Cauvery water. We irrigate through bore-well water. But it does not mean we do not need Cauvery water," says Chinndadurai. Farmers say the samba crop (a form of paddy) is spread over four to five months, from September to January and needs at least 90 tmc feet of water. "Instead Karnataka is giving us 13 tmc feet. How do you expect us to survive,'' asks Ayyakannu. Cauvery water is being sought after not just for irrigation but for drinking purposes as well. Towns like Erode, Namakkal, Tiruppur, Karur, Aravakurichi depend on the river to quench their thirst. People in Tamil Nadu blame the political class of the state for failing them. They point out to Karnataka which is seen as united however legally flawed the position it may be in not releasing water to Tamil Nadu unless its needs are met. "In contrast, the Tamil Nadu government has not even called for an all-party meeting. It just shows how much they care for the farmers,'' says Jothi Mani, Karur-based spokesperson of the Tamil Nadu Congress. "The Centre will yield to pressure and let us admit, Karnataka is presenting a more united front.'' While Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had written to the Prime Minister requesting his intervention, DMK chief M Karunanidhi wants her to spell out her future course of action, now that it is clear that water released will be insufficient. "Will they get an order for securing at least 50 tmc feet of water from Karnataka or will they lead an all-party delegation to the Prime minister to exert pressure,'' he asks. Just like their counterparts on the other side of the Cauvery, different Tamil Nadu farmers associations have been speaking in shrill tones, threatening to stop power supply to Karnataka from the Neyveli Lignite Power Corporation. C Dhanapal, president, Delta Farmers Protection Association says, "Karnataka diverts water for irrigation and then says it has water only for drinking. This has to be monitored by a central committee to ensure we get our fair share.'' But Tamil Nadu's protest over Karnataka's plan to construct Mekedatu dam in Ramanagaram district to store 48 tmc of water to meet Bengaluru's drinking water needs has not yielded any result. The Karnataka government has allotted funds for it. Tamil Nadu alleges that this will alter the course of the river and is in violation of the Tribunal award. But while it is politically convenient for Tamil Nadu to blame a 'rigid' Karnataka, the fact remains that it too has made no effort to save the Cauvery in its patch. The river has been killed, for all practical purposes in most parts, having fallen prey to rampant sand mining. "Successive governments in Tamil Nadu have not tried to save the Cauvery river. There are so many smaller water bodies on the Cauvery route from Poompuhar to Mettur, which have been encroached upon. They can store water, if they are rejuvenated,'' says Jothi Mani. The other factor is that paddy, an extremely water intensive crop is grown in more than 30 percent of the 28 lakh acres area under cultivation in Tamil Nadu. Farmers point out that the delta soil cannot be used to grow millets and there is no other option but to grow paddy. Is anger against Karnataka the dominant emotion among Tamilians in the Cauvery delta today like the reverse is happening across the border, I ask Chinnadurai. "No, not anger. It is a feeling of regret that despite having rights on the Cauvery river, we are made to feel like beggars. Karnataka should realise it is not doing us a favour by releasing water,'' he says. In 1998, Kannada superstar Upendra planned a movie called H2O. And H2O, the chemical symbol for water, can only mean one thing in Karnataka the Cauvery river. The story was about two men living on either side of the Cauvery one in Karnataka and one in Tamil Nadu vying for the same girl, obviously named Kaveri. The grapevine is that Upendra had thought of the two biggest names in Kannada and Tamil cinema Rajkumar and Rajinikanth, to play the lead roles. But both reportedly refused. Four years later, Upendra cast himself upstream and Tamil actor Prabhu Deva downstream in this love triangle drama. It was the story of how relations between two villages - Honnuru and Chennooru, depicting Karnataka and Tamil Nadu respectively soured because of the Kannada and Tamilian suitors for one Kaveri. The film ends with the message that Kaveri (read Cauvery river) cannot be divided between the two. Time perhaps to order re-runs of H2O. Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union elections have often in the past thrown up leaders who would go on to become major politicians in the national political sphere. SitaramYechury, DP Tripathi, Prakash Karat and Kavita Krishnan are some examples. This piece looks at some prominent JNUSU office bearers of the recent past and traces what they are doing today. Shehla Rashid Shora had first contested the GSCASH election unsuccessfully in 2014. She became AlSAs vice presidential candidate in 2015 and won, in an election that saw AISA lose the presidential and joint secretary posts to AISFs Kanhaiya Kumar and ABVPs Saurabh Sharma respectively. In the wake of the arrest of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar in February, she served as the leader of the students union, and played an assertive role in the 'Stand With JNU' movement and on highlighting violations of human rights in Kashmir (though belonging to a party that takes a constitutional position on Kashmir). She has an upcoming book being published by Penguin Random House India. Sucheta De was the JNUSU president in 2011, the first year that elections were held after five years of Lyngdoh boycott. She is currently the national president of AISA. She directs the day to day activities of AISA and recently had made a trip to Una in support of the Dalit agitation. Kanhaiya Kumar was the JNUSU president in 2015-16, who is a member of AISF and is pursuing a PhD from the School of International Studies. He won an upset victory of AISAs Vijay Kumar and ABVPs Gaurav Jha, primarily on the basis of anti-incumbency sentiments feeling against AISA and the fiery nature of his speech on the floor of the presidential debate. The results showed a substantial cut in AISA and SFI votes in favor of Kanhaiya. In February 2016, on the basis of a complaint filed by ABVP regarding a programme titled Country Without A Post Office Kanhaiya was arrested by the Delhi Police despite having had no role in organising the event. It later turned out that he had been booked on the basis of azaadi slogans being shouted in a doctored video. On his return to campus after the granting of bail, he made a rousing speech telecasted live by all major news channels, that challenged the national political status quo and the right-wing political agenda of PM Narendra Modi. Failing to achieve what he considered Left unity by having excluded DSF, his party withdrew from the Left alliance this year, leaving only AISA and SFI. Anubhuti Agnes Bara was vice president of JNUSU in 2013, who is presently doing a PhD at the Centre for Historical Studies, working on tribal history. She was an AISA candidate. One major achievement during her tenure was the prevention of delinking of BA and MA in language courses. She took charge of the union in the wake of the resignations of the then-president and joint secretary due to a sexual harassment case filed in the GSCASH. After her tenure ended, she developed differences with her party. She is no longer an AISA member, though she says she still occasionally votes for them and is still engaged in other political activism. Akbar Chowdhury was JNUSU president in 2013. He hails from Meerut and was the AISA candidate. He was embroiled in a sexual harassment case filed against him and his fellow Joint Secretary and was made to resign by his party. He remains an active member and leader of his party after the GSCASH Panel cleared him. Shafqat Hussain Butt was the joint secretary of JNUSU in 2014, from AISA. He is pursuing a PhD in Persian Studies from the School of Languages. Being a Kashmiri, he played a role in providing and ferrying flood relief materials to Jammu and Kashmir on behalf of the JNUSU during his tenure. His research required him to spend some months of his tenure in Iran. He remains an active AISA member. Lenin Kumar was JNUSU president in 2012, from DSF. He had been a leading member of SFI for many years, like many of his current colleagues. He had been an office holder of the JNU SFI unit and a State Committee member of the Delhi SFI when he and several of his comrades were expelled from the party for passing a resolution dissenting with CPM support of Pranab Mukherjee as President of India. The breakaway JNU unit developed into DSF, and Lenin as a presidential candidate was able to run without the political baggage of Nandigram and Singur that CPM brought winning his election decisively. Saurabh Sharma was JNUSU joint secretary in 2015. He belongs to ABVP, and won an upset victory over the AISA candidate. His tenure involved him being at loggerheads with his ideologically opposed office bearer colleagues, often bringing out contradictory posters and pamphlets stamped with the JNUSU name. He played a role in scapegoating students during the sedition case against the organisers of a program held in February 2016. Mumbai: Not every youth in Kashmir wants to pick up a gun and only a minuscule number is in favour of secession from India, a group of students from the Valley said in Mumbai. The students, who are studying outside their home state, shared their views about the ongoing unrest in Kashmir following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter on 8 July. Since then, the Valley has witnessed worst of unrest with violent clashes erupting between protesters and security forces. A group of six students, who are currently studying in Pune for the last 13 years were invited by the Mumbai Press Club in association with organisation Sarhad. "Not every Kashmiri is Burhan Wani. May be only 10 percent of them want to get 'Aazadi'. Rest 90 percent people are concerned about development, employment, education for their children, industrialisation. Unfortunately, nothing of that sort has happened which has resulted in the unrest," said Javed Ahmad, who is pursuing Masters. Zahid Bhatt, a resident of Badgam district in Kashmir, said that it was the students who bear the burnt of the violence. "Since last 20 to 30 years, we have lost our near and dear ones at the hands of either militants or security forces or some other agencies. And the most sad part is that no serious efforts have been made to resolve the issue amicably," said Bhatt, who is also general secretary of initiative Jago Bharat. "In our childhood, as a Kashmiri, we had an impression that India is only about Army. But when we came to Pune and received affection from people, our viewpoint about India changed," he said. Bhatt said that people of the country also needed to change their perception towards Kashmiris and that Kashmir did not only mean the land of militancy. "One of the root causes of unrest persistent in the Valley is unemployment. If the youth get job, they would get engaged in routine affairs. They would not take to streets and pelt stones at the army," said Mushtaque Ahmad, a student who hails from Kupwara district. "If he is given a lesser punishment and if he is released after completing the sentence, other girls would not be safe." This is what Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam had said strongly appealing to the court for a death sentence to the convict in the Preeti Rathi acid attack case. Convinced by the strength of his argument, a special women's court in Mumbai on Thursday gave capital punishment to 26-year-old Ankur Lal Panwar in the 2013 case. Panwar, who was jealous of the victim's career growth, threw concentrated sulfuric acid on Preeti at the Bandra Terminus leading to her death finally after she succumbed to her injuries during treatment. Nikam had termed the case fit for death sentence, saying that it falls in the 'rarest of rare' category. "Objective of the sentencing is to deter criminals and like-minded persons from committing such crime, he said, contending that "the court would be failing in its duty if a just and appropriate punishment was not awarded". Nikam told the court on Wednesday that the country has now become so conscious about crime against women that after the Delhi gangrape case of 2012, amendments were made to IPC. Acid attack is a crime against women, he said, seeking an exemplary punishment for the convict. Panwar did not commit the crime on the spur of the moment but it was a pre-planned attack, said the prosecutor. "If he is given a lesser punishment and if he is released after completing the sentence, other girls would not be safe," Nikam said. Known for his penchant to secure convictions in high profile cases like the 1993 Mumbai bombings; the Gulshan Kumar murder; Pramod Mahajan's murder; the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, the Shakti Mills rape case of 2014 and the Yakun Memon case, this will be Nikam's sixth case where he prevailed upon the court to give death sentence to the convict. With a fondness for using Sanskrit verses from religious texts while seeking the death penalty for accused, 61-year-old Jalgaon native, Nikam is known to operate from a South Mumbai hotel while appearing in cases in Mumbai. With a flair for the dramatic and an impressive track record of convictions, the prosecutor has a fan page dedicated to him on Facebook and has also inspired a film, no mean task for a public prosecutor. Considered as one of the best lawyers in Mumbai, Nikam is the first choice for the state against high profile cases. In 1993, for the then 39-year-old Nikam, the Mumbai serial blasts case was his first challenge. After a 14 year long battle, at the end of which courts sentenced Yakub to death, speaking to Rahi Gaikwad of The Hindu, Nikam asserted that "crime must be punished." "The crime which Yakub committed is not only serious, it is also the rarest of rare because 257 people were killed and over a 1,000 were permanently injured," Nikam had said in July 2015. The 'rarest of rare' comment is a common statement made by Nikam in every case that he fights, several reporters, who have followed the criminal lawyer's career trajectory, have noted. Speaking on Memon's sentencing and the reform aspect, Nikam in 2015 had said that only corrigible elements can be reformed. "Yakub Memons acts hatching a criminal conspiracy while knowing the consequences, leaving Mumbai before the act, and planning and executing the act in the manner that he did all show that he has a depraved and cruel tendency. I think such people are incorrigible elements." A firebrand lawyer, Nikam is known for his warlike attitude inside the courtroom when he is arguing a case. The attribute which has come under immense criticism. Nikam also understands the power of the media today and he tailors his persona accordingly. According to Menaka Rao, who wrote an exhaustive profile of Nikam, a few television reporters "jokingly called him Visual Nikam". Many journalists have observed that Nikam understands the demands of the media today and works accordingly. The Biryani Episode When the high-profile trial of Ajmal Kasab in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case was going on, Nikam told journalists that Kasab had asked for mutton biryani from the jailors. The news made headlines across the country and abroad. A man under trial for killing several innocent civilians, who should have been rotting in jail was ordering Biryani? Months later, Nikam told a group of journalists in Jaipur that he had lied and Kasab had never ordered biryani. "I concocted it just to break an emotional atmosphere which was taking shape in favour of Kasab during the trial of the case." That one remark of Nikam had led to public demands for a quick trial. It became a common refrain on social media and elsewhere "why feed them biryani" became a catchphrase whether it was a discussion on Afzal Guru or the Coast Guards sinking of a Pakistani boat off the coast of Gujarat. Speaking to The Indian Express in 2015, Nikam had defended his lie and said: "Media has to play a responsible role and has to be vigilant. They hyped his tears and portrayed him as a scapegoat, a young boy, which was not right. Following the media hype, I saw a tilt in peoples perspectives. It was then that I made up the statement and said he (Kasab) had demanded mutton biryani just to divert the peoples attention. There was a hullabaloo after the media reported that Kasab had turned emotional and was crying during the trial. There should not be a media trial as Kasab was not repenting, he was only pretending." In his over 20 year-long illustrious career, Nikam received most criticism for lying about the biryani episode. Nikam was the first choice in the most striking cases in the state. The prosecutor is able to get convictions and portrays the state as this machine which is zealous in fighting injustice meted out to common people. Speaking to Menaka Rao, Satej Patil, a Congress leader who was also Maharashtras minister of state (home department), said, "I have personally seen him in court. He is confidence-inspiring. He knows the exact issues to highlight from the government point of view." After Kasab was hanged, Nikam had told the media: "It is victory for the country. By hanging Kasab, we have paid homage to all those policemen and innocent persons who lost their lives." How does Nikam secure so many convictions? According to Nikam's mentor, Achyut Waman Atre, a 76-year-old professor from Jalgaon, he taught Nikam something was frowned upon by the fraternity. "The use of an approver." Speaking to Caravan, Atre said, "It is important to seek better particulars as compared to the police statement. The evidence of each witness should be consistent with the other witnesses." An approver or a co-conspirator is one who confesses his or her guilt and gives evidence against his or her confederates. In return, Nikam would offer them some amnesty. A staunch believer in death sentence Nikam is almost unrelenting when it comes to conspirators and forgiveness. When asked whether the civilised society should do away with the death penalty, Nikam told The Hindu, that the death penalty is necessary, "but its execution has not been timely. The idea of a deterrent sentence is not to punish the criminal but to give a message to like-minded people. But if there is an inordinate delay, the very purpose of a deterrent sentence is frustrated. I have seen cases where the criminal has committed a crime even after spending 20 years in jail." I still remember 30 January, 2011 the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi when people were introduced to Jan Lokpal Bill at the Azad Maidan in Mumbai by the organisers of India against Corruption. The faces of respectable leaders from all faiths, constitutional experts and intellectuals beamed from the large colourful posters plastered all around. Anna Hazare subsequently went on a fast on 5 April, 2011 after drama at Tihar jail following his arrest. This set the tone of the movement with hoards pouring out at Jantar Mantar; the media, especially the electronic media, had found their mascot and pitched their tents for a long haul. Team Anna succeeded in finding a seat in drafting of the Lokpal Bill by the UPA government. Anna Hazare went on his second indefinite fast on 16 August, 2011, demanding a strong anti-corruption body, Jan Lokpal. The fast lasted for 12 days and was called off after the Parliament adopted a so called Sense of House on 27 August evening. I had participated in both the fasts along with the others at Azad Maidan in Mumbai to express our solidarity in the fight against corruption. I, like many others, had got drawn to this anti-corruption movement as all-pervasive corruption had become an emotive issue touching the poorest of poor. The movement had found widespread and spontaneous support from people from all walks of life across the country as scam after scam tumbled out including CWG, 2G, Adarsh housing scam and so on. A small minority, including some from the media, took a consistent stand against the movement but only against the tactics used by the activists. The common bind was that all the corrupt had joined hands together in corruption and it was time that all good people joined hands to defeat them. I kept away from fasting when Anna was almost forced to go on another fast in December in the same year in Mumbai even when he was in poor health and had high fever, though I agreed to look after the medical arrangements. I was not convinced of the timing or the need for the protest this time. The fast was perceived to have flopped even as I saw the long faces of Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and others mistaking these for their concern for Annas health. Much has happened since then with AAP attracting traction as a new party with high moral and ethical principles with the spectacular victory in Delhi elections. But the movement had lost the collective voice of the nation against corruption. Questions raised by Anna Hazares Jantar Mantar protest, however, still linger though TV bytes are forgotten and newspapers long dumped into trash. Was it a victory for the people or was it only a partial gain, having aroused the nation especially the youth to unite in the cause of nation-making and to ask difficult questions to politicians who claim to represent the people? These questions are important today as they were at that time. The citizens who rallied then are still united, if by nothing else but their antipathy to corruption and poor governance, a sense of betrayal by those that we elect as once again manifested by the action of the UP government against an honest IAS officer, Durga Shakti Nagpal. I remember the April and August fasts today as a wonderful experience of heightened spiritual awareness and peace. It was a glimpse of the India we wish to see with Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and Hindus fasting together with gutsy "Bharat Mata ki Jai". The youth connected with a rustic old man because his cause was sincere. The entire atmosphere was charged, happy and very peaceful. How does one look back? The support to IAC was an issue based on fighting corruption only with no commitment to support anything or everything that Anna or Arvind Kejriwal decided to do otherwise. I believed then as I do now that there are many honest and intellectually superior politicians and bureaucrats and one should not paint them all with the same brush. I used to appeal through interaction with the media to every honest politician and the bureaucrat to extricate themselves from the cesspool and help in cleaning up the system. Some friends in the media called this being soft for not adopting harsher language. A former student from Gujarat wrote to me, I was pained to watch Annaji saying from Jantar Mantar that 'sarkar ka nasha utar jayega. Jaisa sharabi ko nasha hota hei vaise hee iss sarkar ka nasha hei'...I hadn't expected the use of such a language." I could not find fault with his complaint as some activists used low language. I could only tell him that the movement included diverse groups of people, loosely connected and of different ideological persuasions but led by a person whose greatest strength was his personal integrity. Annas energy was raw and untainted unlike many more sophisticated and articulate ones who only point finger at others. As Arvind Kejriwals AAP faces controversies galore inviting a rap on the knuckles from Anna Hazare, those associated with a fine movement, India Against Corruption, cannot but be saddened by the foolish decision of forming a political party much against the wishes of Anna and many supporters. (Dr Ratna Magotra is a Mumbai-based cardio-vascular surgeon. She was associated with India Against Corruption (IAC) and worked closely with Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal.) Two days after expressing his anguish at how the Aam Aadmi Party has turned out, Anna Hazare is considering another agitation in the National Capital after the Lokpal bill agitation in 2011. His target this time? Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Describing Kejriwal's reputation as 'damaged' due to the company he keeps, Hazare was quoted by The Times of India as saying, "If he wishes to win over the confidence of people again, he should give up power and serve the nation again... Had Kejriwal selected people of good character in his party, he would not have faced this problem." And if concrete evidence against Kejriwal's colleagues is found, Hazare is planning to return to Delhi and agitate against his one-time confidant. On Tuesday, on the topic of sacked AAP minister Sandeep Kumar over an alleged sex scandal, Hazare said, "I am sad and deeply hurt to see all this. The high expectations I had from Kejriwal are over now." He added, "It is my misfortune that the dream of change which I saw in (Kejriwal) has been shattered now." With the Punjab Assembly election around the corner, the BJP appears to be sparing no opportunity to ensure AAP is sufficiently weekend before polling begins. With that in mind, BJP Delhi unit president Satish Upadhyay wrote to Hazare on Tuesday inviting him to speak in the National Capital. Wrote Upadhyay, ""I request you to please rise for the nation, come to Delhi and speak clearly to people from the Jantar Mantar on what you feel about the unhealthy politics of AAP and guide the nation like you did to fight corruption under the past regimes." It's hard to tell if Hazare's threat to return to Delhi is linked to this invitation and whether or not Hazare will make good on his threat. For now, some serious house-cleaning is in order for Kejriwal. With inputs from IANS Vientiane: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit in Vientiane, their eighth meeting in the last two years. "Two democracies and a defining partnership of our era! PM meets President Obama @POTUS on sidelines of EAS," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted. Two democracies and a defining partnership of our era! PM meets President Obama @POTUS on sidelines of EAS pic.twitter.com/FixOF027sF Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) September 8, 2016 The meeting was "extremely warm and cordial", Swarup said after the meeting. This could be their last meeting as leaders of the two countries with Obama's second term as US President coming to an end in November. They met for the first time at the White House in September 2014 when Modi travelled to Washington DC at the invitation of Obama. Modi had also exchanged views with Obama on the sidelines of the G20 summit in China's Hangzhou on Sunday, with the US president praising the "bold policy" move on GST reform in a "difficult" global economic scenario. Vientiane: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold several bilateral parleys on Thursday, including a meeting with US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the 14th Asean-India and the 11th East Asia Summit. Regional and multilateral issues are likely to be discussed by the two leaders. Modi will also meet host-nation premier Thongloun Sisoulith, South Korean president Park Geun-hye and Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung Sang Suu Kyi. Modi held extensive bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on Thursday. India and Japan pledged to further strengthen cooperation in the area of counter terrorism, trade and investments. He also conveyed his condolences to Abe for the Japanese lives lost in the recent terror attack in Bangladesh in which 22 people were killed after Islamist militants stormed a cafe popular with foreigners. Abe said Japan was not going to succumb to terrorism and expressed the desire to further strengthen cooperation with India in the area of counter terrorism. A gala lunch will be hosted by the Laotian premier. Modi leaves for New Delhi in the evening. Oxford: On Wednesday US Defense Secretary Ash Carter accused Russia of sowing seeds of global instability and questioned whether Moscow genuinely wants a viable cease-fire in Syria. In a hard-hitting speech at Oxford University, Carter emphasized deep skepticism about Russian intentions in Syria, even as US Secretary of State John Kerry prepared to fly to Geneva for more talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Their discussions last weekend, on the sidelines of an economic summit in China, failed to produce a nationwide cease-fire in Syria or a US-Russian military cooperation agreement. Russia is a firm supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assad, and their joint military operation has sometimes targeted the anti-Islamic State rebels backed by the Obama administration. The Russian Foreign Ministry said Kerry and Lavrov would hold their next round of talks Thursday and Friday. "Unfortunately so far, Russia, with its support for the Assad regime, has made the situation in Syria more dangerous, more prolonged and more violent. That has contributed to what President Obama this weekend called the 'gaps of trust' that exist between our two countries," Carter said. In last weekend's talks, top diplomats from the US and Russia, as well as President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin, struggled to keep alive negotiations to end the bloodshed between US-backed rebels and Syria's government. Obama expressed skepticism that an unlikely alliance between rivals would yield the breakthrough needed to end the 5-year-old civil war. Carter urged the Russians to work with the US toward a political transition in Syria, though he sounded less than optimistic. "Today's news out of Syria is not encouraging," he said. "The choice is Russia's to make and the consequences will be its responsibility." Intense fighting between Syrian government troops and insurgents in Syria's central Hama province displaced some 100,000 people over eight days between late August and early September, the UN's humanitarian agency reported on Wednesday. "Despite the progress that we made together in the aftermath of the Cold War, Russia's actions in recent years with its violations of Ukrainian and Georgian territorial integrity, its unprofessional behavior in the air, in space, and in cyberspace, as well as its nuclear saber rattling - all have demonstrated that Russia has clear ambition to erode the principled international order," Carter said. Carter accused Russia of being driven by "misguided ambition and misplaced fear." The ideological rift between Saudi Arabia and Iran over a religious dispute turned nastier when the Saudi Grand Mufti Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh declared that Iranians are not Muslims, as reported by several international news agencies including the Reuters. The current Saudi Grand Mufti (the chief Islamic jurist also called mufti al-aazam in Arabic terminology), Abdul-Aziz ibn Abdullah Aal ash-Sheikh is also the head of the chief Islamic organization in Saudi Arabia established by the Saudi King called The General Presidency of Scholarly Research and Iftaa, which is popularly known among the Arabs as al-Lajnah ad-Daa'imah lil-Buhooth al-'Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa (permanent committee for conducting Islamic researches and issuing religious decrees or fatwas). In an intolerant and xenophobic reference to Zoroastrianism, the pre-Islamic religion in Iran, Grand Mufti Abdulaziz al-Sheikh stated, We must understand that these (Iranians) are not Muslims, because they are children of Magi and their hostility towards Muslims is age-old, particularly with the people of Sunnah, as reported in the Saudi daily Makkah, which covers local and regional news. It actually goes in Arabic as follows: (We must understand that these are not Muslims, they are the sons of the Magi, and their hostility to Muslims is old and specifically with the Sunnis and the community) In this religiously bigoted statement, the term 'Magi' implies Zoroastrianism natively known as Mazdayasna, which is one of the world's ancient religions prevailing in Iran and other Persian lands in the pre-Islamic era. Combining a cosmogonic dualism and eschatological monotheism in a distinctive way, Zoroastrianism had emerged as a monotheistic religion. According to an Iranian census, there are still 25,271 Zoroastrians in the country, as the UAE-based daily The National reported. This Iranian census also tells us that among the total population of the country, which is 75.2 million, Muslims constitute 99.4 per cent. Clearly, Iran has larger population of Muslims than any other country in the Middle East except for Egypt, where the Muslims are numbering 81 million, according to the World Bank. But the Saudi-Salafi Grand Mufti declares all the 99.4 percent of Iranians, who avowedly profess and practice Islam as their religion, as non-Muslims. Is it only a sectarian slugfest between the Shiite and Sunni denominations of Islam calling each other beyond the pale of the true Islamic creed, or much more than that? Of course, Shiites are the majority in most parts of Iran, but there are considerable cities in the country like Simnan where Sunnis are in the majority. Most of them are Kurdish people who came from Larestan, Turkomen, and Baluchs, and are presently living in the northwest, northeast, south, and southeast Iran. But the chief Saudi cleric Abdul-Aziz ibn Abdullah has uttered disparaging comments, which deride not only the Shiites but also Iranian Sunni Muslims living in different parts of the country with an estimated 10 percent of their population. He declared the Iranians as enemies of Islam and the Islamic creed. One would argue that Shaikh Abdul-Aziz ibn Abdullah might be particular in his statement making it only about the Iranian regime and its religious leader Ali Khamenei. And thus he is merely serving the political interests of the Saudi King who appointed him as the most influential Muslim religious and legal authority for the global Muslims. But there is a good reason why not only the regime but also the 99.4 percent of Iranians (Muslims) are aghast at this virulent public statement by the Saudi Grand Mufti. He buttresses a nasty theological underpinning to declare all the Iranians as Non-Muslims and enemies of Islam (aada al-Islam). In its report dated on 7 September, The Arab News quotes how the Saudi-Salafi Grand Mufti describes the Iranian Muslims: They are the followers of majuws i.e. those who worship fire (referring to the Zoroastrians). Their enmity toward Muslims is old and their main enemies are the followers of Sunnah. Tellingly, the Saudi Grand Muftis theological tirade against the Iranian Muslims calling them descendents of the fire worshippers comes in the backdrop of the Iranian Supreme Leader Khameneis remarks. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei recently questioned the Saudi management of the annual pilgrimage Hajj, urging the Muslim countries to think of ending the Saudi monopoly over the sacred Muslim tradition. Notably, this global Islamic worship ushers in a great economic turnaround for Saudi Arabia. While Islamic edicts of the Hajj rituals require from the pilgrims great deal of simplicity, spirituality and easiness, the Saudi custodians of the two holy cities (Mecca and Medina) have turned it into a big business. Most terribly, the Saudi monarchy allowed the destruction of religious and culture heritage venerated by the mainstream Muslimsboth Sunnis and Shiites. The destruction of the religious, archaeological, historical and cultural heritage of Islam occurred mainly in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia, particularly in the two holy cities of Mecca and Medina. In fact, the radical Saudi clerics like Shaikh Abdul-Aziz ibn Abdullah were behind this Saudi cultural destruction. They strictly adhere to the Wahhabismthe state religion of Saudi Arabia an ideology propounded by Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab, who first called for the destruction of tombs and mausoleums in the Muslim world. Since then, destroying the cultural heritage is one of the chief postulates in the Saudi Wahhabism. In 2014, a prominent Saudi academician candidly exposed the worst form of cultural destruction proposed by the Saudi government. It was an ill-designed plan to demolish the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The Saudi scholar compiled a document that proposed to destroy the tomb of Prophet Mohammed and remove his remains from the grave, as reported in an article on Firstpost. This was as a part of the virulent sectarian design of the Saudi clergy who have been inspiring the war on the historic heritage of Islam. As a result, nearly all cultural monuments in Saudi Arabia have been vandalised. Once again, the top Saudi cleric has offended the religious sentiments of the entire Iranian Muslim population by his obnoxious remarks which sparked discord across the Muslim world. By making the disparaging remarks about the Iranian Muslims, the Grand Mufti has not only created a sensation in media, but also fanned the fire of a deep-rooted sectarian discord among the Shiites and Sunnis. However, the Iranian Muslims have caught up with such nefarious news earlier too. This is not an isolated incident. But it is an opportune time for them to critique the hate-driven narratives of Islam that are creating such havoc across the world today. More importantly, they will have to create a genuine quest for promoting inter-sect and inter-community dialogue. It is equally unsetting that the oldest Iranian religion and its adherents have reportedly been persecuted in a country that originally belongs to them. Zoroastrians are derided not only by the Salafist-Wahhabi clergy in Saudi Arabia but are also treated with suspicion in Iran, which calls itself as an Islamic democracy, as reported in The Guardian. Like Zoroastrianism, Iran is also the birthplace of the Bahai faith, but regrettably it is now one of those countries where the persecution of Baha'is occurs in various forms, despite the fact that the largest Baha'i population is settled in the same country. Talking to this writer, Nilakshi Rajkhowa, the director of National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahais of India said that the persecution of the Baha'i community in Iran is still a widespread phenomenon which has not yet been addressed by the government. This has also been corroborated by Shatrughun Jiwnani, the director of the capital's iconic Baha'i House of Worship at the Lotus Temple, New Delhi. It was in this backdrop that the global Baha'i community sought the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's help to overcome the persecution, disheartened by the Iranian governments indifference to this grave violation of minority rights. It is noteworthy that Iran has accepted just two of the 10 recommendations made by a UN rights panel on ending the persecution of Baha'is. However, the Baha'is have high expectations from the Indian Prime Minster who they think can help ensure their safety in Iran, given the good relations India has with Iran. The role of Indian people would be more practical and proactive if they raise an international outcry, along with civil society organizations, human rights groups, media personas and people from the field of art and culture. The Indian religious leadership that influences the world can also help in mitigating the minority persecutions in the Muslim countries. Its time Indian Muslimsboth Sunnis and Shiites engage into this discourse on the minority rights, in order to raise the public opinion and influence the Saudi and Iranian governments to take up the matter of minority rights into serious consideration. If I speak from my personal experience, there is a welcome sign of change in India and Iran. While the followers of other faiths have long been disparaged as "sinful people", many moderate Muslims in the two countries are coming out to question the chauvinistic theocracy of Iran and Saudi Arabia. The author is a scholar of Comparative Religion, Classical Arabic and Islamic sciences, cultural analyst and researcher in Media and Communication Studies. He tweets at @GRDehlvi. Email: grdehlavi@gmail.com One of Chinas major airlines and flag carrier Air China has come under fire in Britain for a racist article in its in-flight magazine. The Wings of China magazine offered some "Tips from Air China" in an article aimed at helping tourists travelling to London. "London is generally a safe place to travel, however precautions are needed when entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people," is an excerpt from the contentious piece. The issue came into the spotlight when Haze Fan, a producer at CNBC, tweeted a photo of this section in the Mandarin-English magazine article. In another absurd development, Air Chinas Twitter handle @AirChinaNA had tweeted an apology for the article and consequently deleted the apology. Air China has now released an apology statement again which Fan has tweeted. The magazine team has also released an apology to Air China for their editorial mistakes. They deem the reactions of the media and readers as misinterpretations and fail to apologise the readers in question. Virendra Sharma, Labour MP for Ealing Southall, United Kingdom has been one of the most vocal critics of this issue. He has written to China's ambassador to Britain, "Today I have written in the strongest possible terms to His Excellency Mr Liu Xiaoming, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China, to raise my concerns about reports of racism in their inflight magazine." This is offensive and I hope @AirChinaNA will remove this magazine and apologise immediately. https://t.co/ERusTGdjUu Virendra Sharma MP (@VirendraSharma) September 7, 2016 Social media has naturally been brimming with indignation over Air Chinas flippant treatment of the issue. Celebrities and members of the ethnic communities alike gave a piece of their mind to the airline. Fuck you Air China. pic.twitter.com/tsNpYSKI3X Rahul Kohli (@RahulKohli13) September 7, 2016 .@airchina Your magazine is affront to the ethnic communities in UKhttps://t.co/d1lLC5yhrG Sonny Leong CBE (@SonnyLeong53) September 7, 2016 Really? Yeah eat poop Air China. https://t.co/ktn9mTzW0I Kunal Nayyar (@kunalnayyar) September 7, 2016 Advice to travellers about the merits of London's multiculturalism by #airchina - a city of ghettoes pic.twitter.com/pUyxpojTbM Katie Hopkins (@KTHopkins) September 7, 2016 The comments in @airchina's magazine. Assuming the @MayorofLondon has made a phone call to China this morning... pic.twitter.com/w6o6QNiCoe Sonali Shah (@SonaliShah) September 8, 2016 Really, @airchina? Are you trying to win the "Most Racist In-flight Magazine" competition? pic.twitter.com/4KDvTp3CFR Andrew Stroehlein (@astroehlein) September 8, 2016 Sir, do you like to upgrade to our racism class? https://t.co/GBPMHF4lsB Elder Sisupalan (@hollowmaniac) September 8, 2016 Air China advises its passengers to avoid area where "Indians and Pakistanis" live when going to London pic.twitter.com/Wry1yWif4k omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) September 7, 2016 Pakistan considers China its best friend, but this is what China thinks of Paks! Here is Air China's in-flight mag. pic.twitter.com/MeEvYpOGB6 (((Tarek Fatah))) (@TarekFatah) September 7, 2016 Outrageous #racist advice from #AirChina #London is a cosmopolitan city, as safe for tourists as any other city! https://t.co/CsFD0Nt20G PrincessBagel (@PrincessBagel) September 8, 2016 The advice is at odds with the London promoted by its Mayor Sadiq Khan, a British national with Pakistani parents, who in July launched a #LondonisOpen campaign and frequently blogs about his favorite places to eat and drink in his South London Indian-Pakistani neighbourhood of Tooting. With inputs from AP and PTI. Kandahar: On Wednesday the Taliban toppled security outposts on the edge of the southern Afghan city of Tarin Kot, officials said, threatening the third provincial capital in recent weeks. The insurgents crept within seven kilometres of the capital of the restive poppy-rich province of Uruzgan, prompting urgent calls from officials for reinforcements and air support. 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As a life-long progressive and supporter of womens rights, I have harbored a great deal of ambivalence and distress about this burqa business. Should Muslim women in France have the right to be subjugated and oppressed and treated as inferior to men? What is the governments role in promoting dress code? Does the government have a right to deny this symbolism of women as subservient to men when it comes to dress in the public sphere? If so, under what circumstances or situations? There is another take on Islamic women who wear the burqa and adamantly speak out about their rights. In Muslim countries, they could not speak out at all. It is in France (and the West) that they have a voice, such as in the NY Times. The hypocrisy of this is lamentable. I recall one woman on the news, dressed in a burka, screaming into the microphone about her rights. In Middle Eastern countries, shed likely be stoned to death. A little aside here first I have a close friend whose husband is French. A year ago, when visiting his family in Toulouse, she was dismayed by the number of women walking down the street wearing burqas. As she described this to me, I tried to imagine how I would feel if this were the case in my town of Katonah, in upper Westchester. I tried to imagine how I would feel if women wore burkinis in the pool where I swim at a health club. My first thought was that this covering up to this extent is a symbol of oppression of women, an intention as clear as crystal. It upsets me; I cant help it and hate to admit it, but I imagine many American women feel this way. Is this prejudice, a lack of tolerance on my part? Or is this a justifiable reaction to a symbol of inferior status to men and limited freedom for women? Is there a line that should not be crossed about covering up ones face in public life? Such as a citizenship ceremony in Canada? Working in a government office? What about when driving a car? Coming of age in Queens in the sixties, I recall how differently girls were viewed and treated in those days. From kindergarten through high school, I was never allowed to wear pants to school. Even on snowy days, if we wore pants underneath our skirts, we had to remove them. There were only intramural teams for girls; there were no competitive teams with other schools. When my college boyfriend went to medical school, he was in a class of 100, with only 3 of the students women. In those days, there were very few female lawyers or veterinarians. The only gynecologists I ever saw were men, who embarrassed and humiliated me on several occasions. My, have times changed! Now medical schools have many female students. Virtually all gynecologists are women. My son, an attorney, told me that there are many women working at his law firm in Manhattan. When my dog became seriously ill and need surgery, the female veterinarian told me that 85% of the students in veterinary school are now women! Hurray for America for evolving! When I hitchhiked around northern Africa in the early 70s (yes, I really did, with a male companion), I saw up close what it was like for women there. In Algeria, many wore white burqas, but in one town, Constantine, the women wore black burqas-- I was told this was a hold over from more than a thousand years ago due to the death of a prominent citizen. I wondered how they could stand the heat under their black robes and how uncomfortable they must be. In different towns, when women were seen in the streets at all, there were various styles of face coverings; some wore screens over their eyes, some had veils over their noses and mouths. When my friend and I had dinner with a Tunisian policeman, who had invited us back to his house, the women did not speak any French and they did not eat with us; rather, they ate on the floor of the kitchen along with the dogs. They hovered around me, exclaiming in Arabic and patting my hair-- apparently I was the first woman from outside that they had encountered. Now back to Prime Ministers article Valls states that the NY Times article paints a false picture of France as it purports that its position reflects intolerance. He views this as the opposite. France, he notes, is "the country of lights and of liberties." France is well aware of racism and the xenophobia that can occur there, and France aims to fight these relentlessly. Due to its geography, history and immigration, France has had a longstanding connection to Islam, and millions of its citizens of Muslim faith or culture respect their duties and enjoy their rights. Valls asserts that the NY Times article is one sided. The Muslim women interviewed express only one point of view and, therefore, the article did not allow for different perspectives or nuance in the analysis. The reporters should have also been required to interview examples from the vast majority of Muslim women who do not identify with an ultra-religious vision of Islam. The NY Times article, Valls argues vigorously, portrays France as oppressing Muslim women and smothering their voice. Valls views this as far from the truth. We must have open eyes to the growing influence of salafism, which contends that women are inferior and impure and that they must be sidelined. This was the question, absolutely not anecdotal, that was at the center of the debate around the burkini and the burqa. It is not an insignificant bathing suit. It is a provocation of radical Islam, which is emerging and wants to impose itself in the public space! There is a radical Islam movement that is taking place in France and at its center is the controversy over the burkini and the burqa. Valls attests that this initiative seeks to defy two of the fundamental principles of the country. The first principle is the equality of men and women. Valls argues that a large number among the international press have hastily concluded that the French are attempting to stigmatize Muslim women for their dress and are acting against the freedom to practice their religion. But come on! It is precisely for freedom that we are fighting. We are fighting for the freedom of women who should not have to live under the yolk of a chauvinist order. The female body is neither pure nor impure; it is the female body. It does not need to be hidden to protect against some kind of temptation. See the unbelievable reversal: in the cited accounts, the burkini is presented as a tool of womens liberation! We can read the following there: When the burkini first appeared, I was happy for my sister, who was on vacation and could finally play on the beach with her children rather than needing to stay in the shadows. For another, to wear the veil signifies: the reappropriation of the body and its femininity. It is masculine domination that has been completely integrated here! In France, we consider that a woman who wants to swim should not remain in the shadows. That woman cannot be the object of any domination. And it is certainly masculine domination when it is judged that a womans body should be removed from the public space. We fight for the freedom of the majority of Muslims who do not identify with this proselyte minority who manipulate their religion. It is for this reason that the state should not yield one inch to radical Islam. The second principle being undermined is secularism. Valls stresses that the republican principles of France are liberty, equality, fraternity, and secularism. The latter is similar to the separation of church and state in the USA. Secularism imposes a very clear separation between what belongs to the worldly and the spiritual. What does it mean with respect to justice? That the state and its civil servants are strictly neutral, that they do not identify with, finance, or privilege any religion Secularism is that balance requiring mutual respect. A balance that is the guarantor of the cohesion of our society. The enemies of secularism seek to portray it as an instrument of discrimination and humiliation. Nothing could be more false. The barring of wearing conspicuous religious symbols in public schools concerns the kippa as much as the headscarf or the Catholic cross. Muslim women can wear the veil in daily life. But when they are civil servants, they must remove it while doing their work. The conviction on which the French nation is based is that to have free and equal citizens, religion must fall under the private sphere The French identity is a bond to want to share the same destiny. It is for this reason that radical Islam attacked us, in Paris, Nice, or Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray. France will always defend reason and freedom of conscience in the face of dogma. We know that otherwise there is fundamentalism, and intolerance would prevail. France has set its heart on harboring modern Islam, true to its message of openness and tolerance. We protect our Muslim citizens against those who want to make scapegoats of them We want to make it resoundingly clear that Islam is compatible with democracy, secularism, and the equality of men and women. It is the most stinging blow that we can deliver to radical Islam, which aspires to only one thing: to set all of us against one another. This controversy will surely go on and on, in France as well as other countries. Valls at least has clarified another side of the argument and made a reasonable case for the government to have some say in dress code in public life. I suspect, unfortunately, that Valls stance will have less traction than the power of religion to control peoples lives. If women insist they want to be subjugated, it is a hard sell to force them to do otherwise. Other religions besides Islam surely weigh in on this matter, although perhaps less obviously when one is walking down the street or swimming at the beach. What about in the bedroom? Religion, tolerance and modernity often do not mix well. Religion, after all, is the suspension of logical belief. And the rationale that ones views are the only ones that are right and should count. Just like politics! Apple announced its latest flagship smartphones, the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus at its special event here in San Francisco. We were live blogging from the event and it was super hectic, thanks to so many announcements. We managed to make our way inside Apples hands-on area after standing in the long queues to spend some time with the new iPhones and bring you our first impressions of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus First thing we notice with the iPhone 7s design is the resemblance to its predecessors.From the front the phone the iPhone 7 looked version similar to the iPhone 6S. The screen size remains the same and so does the bezels. Overall, the basic layout from the previous model has been retained in a very efficient manner and the device looks gorgeous. On the back m you notice the changes and refinement of the antenna bands. The newest iPhone from Apple will be up for grabs in Silver, Gold, Rose Gold, Black and Jet Black color options. The new jet black option has a glossy finish, but much to our surprise it isnt slippery. All the other hues have the aluminium body, curved sides and a new home button at the bottom. Unfortunately, the camera bump is still there, but the curved design meets and blends with the lens this time around. As expected, Apple has got rid of the 3.5mm audio jack, which the company claims to be a courageous decision. The Cupertino giant may want you to go wireless and buy the companys brand new AirPods. As far as the removal of the headphone jack is concerned, well definitely miss it to begin with, but well have our opinion shared in a different story. To make the transition less painful , Apple is bundling a lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack convertor with the new iPhones. One thing that really caught our attention during our brief stint with the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus is the camera! Its a 12 megapixel sensor accompanied by Apples new computing chip and the outcome is quite fascinating. Like all the previous iPhones, the new version did not fail to impress us. However, well take a detailed look during our full review. The iPhone 7 Plus has a dual 12 megapixel set up one of which is called the telephoto camera. The optical zoom offered by the latter works as advertised and it surely makes a huge difference when compared to the software zoom. Both the models comes with a new 7 megapixel front facing camera and the result it offers is excellent. We are glad that Apple has paid more attention in improving the shooter on the front, which is vital in this day and age of selfies. The new home button is now pressure sensitive and offers taptic feedback. So, it can now perform different functions when tapped or pressed. The Home button no longer goes in and out like it used to and does have some learning curve associated with it. Moving on, as one can expect and quite obviously, the performance on the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus have been enhanced and thats largely thanks to the new A10 Fusion processor. It seemed super-snappy, but with so many people around waiting to get to play with the device, we couldnt really afford to spend time trying to push the processor. Of course, we will test the potential of the CPU to its maximum extent and see if it can handle things without breaking a sweat in our detailed review. In our brief encounter, we also noticed that the screen brightness of the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus have been enhanced. Apple also said that the new iPhones are water and dust resistanct and the battery life has been improved from the previous model. All in all, the new iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus feels great in the hands and is definitely an interesting offering to say the least. We are eagerly waiting to get our unit and spend some high quality time with it. The new iPhones will be available for pre-order on September 9th and will start shipping from 16th. Cargill Asia Pacific More than simply a food ingredients supplier, Cargill deeply understands our customers' strategies, consumers, distribution channels and competition. We deliver solutions that help the food industry and beverage manufacturers drive growth through new product innovation and reformulation. Cargill helps reduce costs through supply chain and manufacturing process efficiency and managing commodity price risk. Cargill helps our food industry and beverage manufacturing customers create unique products that fill product pipelines and reduce time-to-market by connecting our diverse food ingredients supplier capabilities marketers, research scientist, application experts, risk managers and manufacturing process engineers and seamlessly delivering these resources to customers. As a service and solution-oriented food ingredients supplier, our broad portfolio helps our customers address their food product development needs across the spectrum of applications and categories. Cargill helps our customers safely manufacture products every day around the world by reliably originating and distributing grain, oilseeds and other food ingredient commodities and by processing a diverse food ingredients supplier portfolio that spans core and specialty ingredients, ingredient systems and finished food systems. EOG Resources (EOG -0.51%) is about to embark on a new chapter in its history. It no longer wants to be known as just an oil growth company. Instead, it wants to be an oil company that earns premium returns. That means only drilling premium wells going forward, which it defines as those that generate at least a 30% direct after-tax rate of return at $40 oil. That said, the company only has so many wells that fit this new criterion, which raises the question of how it will maintain its premium returns as it drills through its current inventory. It was a question CEO Bill Thomas addressed on the second-quarter conference call, where he detai three ways the company plans to replenish its premium inventory once it returns to growth mode next year. 1. Convert existing locations to premium Thanks to efficiency gains, technical advancements, and geoscience breakthroughs, EOG Resources initially identified 3,200 premium drilling locations out of its inventory of 15,000 future drilling locations. However, its goal is to continue to grow that number so that it has ample capacity to grow production for years to come. Thomas detailed how the company plans to expand this inventory by noting that: The first and most immediate way is through conversion. Converting well locations that were on the edge of the 30% hurdle rate is a source of the 1,100 new premium locations we announced [in the earnings press release]. During the second quarter, the company was able to convert additional locations to premium through a variety of methods. For example, in the Eagle Ford shale, it added 390 locations simply by respacing well locations so that it could drill longer laterals. As the slide below shows, drilling two 10,420 foot wells instead of four 4,850 foot wells improved drilling returns from 24% to 49%: Drilling longer laterals is proving to be a game changer for the industry. For example, Chesapeake Energy's (CHKA.Q) decision to increase its lateral length in the Haynesville Shale from 5,000 feet to 7,500 feet alone boosted drilling returns from 3% to 18%. That improved to 47% once Chesapeake Energy increased the lateral length to 10,000 feet and started using enhanced completion techniques. As Thomas said: Furthermore, we have much more inventory on the verge of conversion. By improving well productivity or lowering cost, in most cases both, we expect much of our current non-premium inventory in the top basins to be converted to premium over time. Improvements to well productivity and cost savings are ongoing and never ending. As the next slide shows, a 10% decrease in costs, or a 10% improvement, in the estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) would add 2,200 premium Eagle Ford locations, more than doubling the current inventory: Similar conversion upside continues across much of the company's remaining inventory. 2. Exploration Next, Thomas noted: The second way we add premium inventory is through exploration. EOG is a leader in organic exploration growth because at our core we are an exploration-driven company. In this lower commodity price environment, we have not stopped looking. With EOG's decentralized structure, we have six experienced exploration teams in the U.S. generating new ideas, acquiring leases, and developing new plays. EOG is a prospect generating machine, and our shift to premium has not slowed that effort down. In fact, it has enhanced the return hurdle by which new plays are evaluated. EOG Resources has a long history of being one of the early leaders in uncovering shale plays. In late 2014, for example, the company announced that it moved four horizontal plays in the DJ Basin and Powder River Basin from the evaluation phase to its drilling portfolio. Today, those two plays have about 280 premium drilling locations, and it is on the lookout for the next great shale play, which would extend its drilling inventory even further. As rival Apache (APA -0.63%) recently proved, there's still plenty of exploration potential in the U.S. for companies that know where to look. 3. Bolt-on acquisitions Finally, Thomas concluded that: The third way we expect to add premium inventory is through targeted bolt-on acquisitions. Due to the current low commodity cost environment, we are actively pursuing opportunities to capture top-tier acreage. We were successful on four such transactions in the Delaware Basin last year, and are optimistic we can execute on more through this down cycle. I am confident that we can replace premium-level drilling every year through conversions, exploration, and acquisitions. And as I said last quarter, this shift to premium drilling is permanent and it's a game-changing event for EOG. For the most part, EOG Resources avoids acquisitions because they are costly. That said, the company recently demonstrated that it would not hesitate to pull the trigger if it found a deal that would add a meaningful amount of premium wells. However, the more likely acquisition targets of the future will be smaller strategic bolt-on acreage that could convert more of its existing inventory to premium. For example, as Thomas alluded to, the company acquired acreage in the Delaware Basin last year, completing three deals in the third quarter picking up 26,000 acres for $368 million. Most of this acreage was adjacent to its existing operating areas, which increases its ability to drill longer laterals for example. Investor takeaway EOG Resources knows that there are a limited number of wells that meet its elevated hurdle rate to qualify as a premium drilling location. That is why it plans to work hard to boost that number by converting, exploring, and acquiring additional locations. It firmly believes that it will be able to replenish its inventory so that it can continue to drill wells with high rates of return for decades no matter what oil prices do. The Ugandan government in late August awarded oil production licenses to Total SA (TTE 0.96%), which should allow the company to begin activities required for future production. Total has made East Africa a primary focus for production growth, largely because of the immense Ugandan reserves. Here's why Total seems so intent on beginning production activities and how this factors into its overall growth strategy. Oil in Uganda The reason for going into Uganda revolves around one simple fact: There is a lot of potential oil. In 2006, the country discovered it is sitting on estimated reserves of 6.5 billion barrels, of which 1.7 billion barrels is believed to be recoverable. This immense resource has created a lot of attention among oil companies, even though Ugandan politics has delayed production by a decade. Now that the government has figured out how to move forward, it has awarded production licenses to Total, as well as London-based Tullow Oil and China-based Cnooc. The licenses are good for 25 years and will require $8 billion in investment from the three companies to drill an expected 500 wells. When first oil begins to flow, probably in 2020, Uganda anticipates the production of 230,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The three companies have 18 months to decide if they will continue with the investments. In addition to the $8 billion in capital expenditures for the required production infrastructure, Total, Tullow, and Cnooc are all participating in the $4 billion, 900-mile oil pipeline that connects Uganda to the Tanzanian coast. The pipeline is expected to be ready by 2020, just in time to begin transporting the expected Ugandan oil. Expanding in Africa Total's decision to expand into Africa is based on its objective to add high-quality, low-cost assets to its portfolio while continuing to reduce the breakeven point of its positions . At the moment, Ugandan oil is expected to breakeven at $60. While this is not yet economical at current prices, there is a good possibility that prices will rise between now and 2020. Additionally, companies continue to develop new technologies and utilize low service fees to drive down production costs. Through the first half of 2016, African production accounted for roughly 25% of Total's 2.4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE/D) worldwide. That production has been relatively flat for the past year even as overall production has increased by 200,000 BOE/D. Through 2019, the company expects its production to increase by 5% every year. Since first oil from Uganda is expected in 2020, this equates to a significant increase that is not yet accounted for in Total's expected production. Since Total will have a working interest in a little more than a third of the expected 230,000 BOE/D, investors should expect a boost of roughly 80,000 BOE/D in 2020. That, of course, is assuming everything goes as planned. The refrain "This is Africa" is often synonymous with "If something can go wrong, it probably will." Just issuing production licenses took a decade. The pipeline has already been hit with delays. Uganda is also a land-locked country and it may be a delicate political balancing act for a cross border pipeline. Even though Total has been successfully operating on the African continent for several decades, at this point, it's safe to assume that 2020 is a best-case scenario for Ugandan production. Investor takeaway If all goes as planned, Uganda will be a key component of Total's future production in Africa as the company expands overall growth from the continent. It certainly seems all systems are go for Uganda, which will provide thousands of barrels of crude per day for several decades. Total has 18 months to make a final decision, but barring an extreme event, the company has made Uganda and East Africa a key component of its long-term growth. Valmet and HOFOR Energiproduktion A/S have signed a contract regarding delivery of a biomass-fired boiler plant and related biofuel storage and conveyor systems to HOFOR's Amagervrket heat and power plant in Copenhagen. The new power plant will supply electricity and heat for the needs of the city of Copenhagen. The order is included in Valmet's third quarter 2016 orders received. The value of the order is over EUR 150 million. "The HOFOR biomass plant will be by value Valmet's largest boiler plant delivery so far. We have been able to use experiences from earlier similar type of projects in the design. The plant will fulfil tightening environmental requirements by utilizing efficient firing technique. This is an important order for our energy business and we estimate the employment impact to be about 1,000 man years including both Valmet's own and subcontractors' work. For Valmet the main employment impact will be in Tampere and Ulvila in Finland," says Bertel Karlstedt, President, Pulp and Energy business line at Valmet. The investment will support the climate plan of Copenhagen, according to which the city aims to become the first CO2-neutral capital in the world by the year 2025. Installation of the power plant is scheduled to begin in July 2017, and the heat and power production will start in 2019. The boiler plant to be supplied by Valmet will help to reduce CO2-emissions from the plant by a total of 1.2 million tons annually. "The investment supports HOFOR's strategy to reduce CO2 emissions through environmentally friendly and cost-efficient district heat production," says Carsten Schneider, Project Director at HOFOR. Technical information about the delivery Valmet's delivery includes a 500 MWf CYMIC boiler that uses circulating fluidized bed (CFB) technology, the district heat capacity of which will be 415 MJ/s. The power plant's net electricity production capacity will be approximately 150 MW. The boiler will use a total of 1.2 million tons of sustainable wood chips per year. The new boiler plant will replace an old 600 MW coal-fired plant, the operation of which will end after the start-up of the new plant. Additionally Valmet's delivery includes biofuel storage and conveyor systems, the capacity of which will be 105,000 cubic meters. The conveying system will feed the boiler with 900 cubic meters of wood chips in an hour, which corresponds to one 18 meters long trucks with biofuel every six minutes, 24 hours per day. HOFOR is the largest utility company in Denmark with more than one million customers in the greater Copenhagen area. The company pays special attention to sustainable deliveries and renewable energy in its operations. In co-operation with a number of larger European energy companies HOFOR participates in developing requirements regarding biomass acquisition under Sustainable Biomass Partnership (SBP) collaboration. HOFOR has signed a voluntary agreement between Danish energy companies, the target of which is to secure sustainable biomass use. HOFOR supplies district heat to 500,000 inhabitants, town gas to 300,000 inhabitants, and district cooling to 39 major customers. In addition, the company is in charge of water supply and waste water services of approximately one million inhabitants. Productivity is being held back by old-school farming methods and a lack of innovation. Labor productivity growth in Vietnam's agriculture sector rose just 3.4 percent from 2000 to 2013, despite the industry being one of the driving forces behind the country's economy. The country boasts an abundance of natural resources and long-standing farming traditions, but the outlook for the sector is bleak, according to a forum on the development of agriculture enterprises held by the Communist Party's Commission for Economic Affairs on Thursday. Nguyen Van Binh, head of the Commission for Economic Affairs, said that Vietnam's agriculture sector has been based on human and natural resources rather than innovation for the last few decades. Vietnamese agriculture grows slowly compared to other countries in the region due to low productivity. Photo from VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh Since 1990, Vietnam's productivity growth in agriculture has been sluggish and slower than other countries in Southeast Asia as well as China and South Korea because intensive farming is no longer effective or profitable, Binh said at the forum. He also compared the productivity growth in Vietnams agriculture sector from 2000-2013 (only 3.4 percent) with China and South Korea from 1980 to 1995 (about 7.5 percent). Binh underlined that productivity in Vietnams agriculture sector in 2014 reached only a third of the economys average productivity growth rate. This has pushed the sector into a pool of difficulties and challenges, including unsustainable development, low added value and poor food safety standards. Related news > Agriculture Ministry puts forward post-Formosa fishing options > Vietnam's agriculture defies historic drought as exports up 10pct > Agriculture minister apologizes after food safety comments Is Hillary Clintons email server more secure than the governments? Andrew Ziem, creator and co-founder of BleachBit, the software allegedly used by Hillary Clintons team to permanently wipe emails, joined the FOX Business Networks Stuart Varney to discuss security and the candidates comments over her use of a private email server during a forum on NBC Wednesday night. Security is a very complicated thing and it seems irresponsible and odd for her to approach the security problem by setting up her own email system instead of working with the State Department to secure their systems, he said. The former Secretary of State said unlike the State Department, there is no evidence her private email server was hacked, noting most of the government systems are way behind the curve. Lack of evidence certainly doesnt mean that the Russian hackers or other people didnt make it into her server and that they werent able to access classified documents, said Ziem. He also discussed why the software was designed. What we heard was the IT professional at Platte River Networks used BleachBit on her server but when I designed it, and started it in 2008, I had in mindeveryday law abiding citizens who just want to clean junk up on their system, get clutter off and ensure his own privacy. Ford Mustangs are among the vehicles recalled by Ford for defective door latches. The recall is expected to cost Ford $640 million. Image source: Ford Motor Company. Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) said on Thursday that it's lowering its full-year adjusted pre-tax profit guidance to about $10.2 billion after expanding a previously announced recall of vehicles with defective door latches to cover a total of 2.3 million vehicles. All automakers have recalls. They're part and parcel of the auto business, and many are no big deal. But Ford said it expects this set of recalls to cost about $640 million, enough to impact its full-year profit guidance. That makes it worth a closer look. What Ford is recalling and why Ford said it would expand a recall of defective door latches, originally announced on August 4, to cover a total of 2,383,292 vehicles. The original recall had been limited to about 830,000 vehicles in certain hot-weather states. Ford expanded it to cover all affected vehicles in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico at the request of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Here's what Ford said about the defective latches and the vehicles affected: Some recalls involve purely hypothetical risks, but not this one. Ford said it has identified one reported accident and three reported injuries that may be related to the defective door-latch spring tabs. What Ford said about the cost of the recall Here's what Ford said about the recall's cost in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday: The change to Ford's full-year guidance Ford had previously said it expected its full-year adjusted pre-tax profit to be equal to or greater than the $10.8 billion it earned on that basis in 2015. Ford earned $6.8 billion on that basis in the first half of the year; during the second-quarter earnings call, CFO Bob Shanks said Ford said it expected its third-quarter profit to be lower than usual because of new-product costs, but he maintained the full-year guidance. This slide from Ford's second-quarter earnings call shows all of its guidance as of July 28. Image source: Ford Motor Company. The costs of the recall led Ford to roll thatexpectation back. Here's what it said in that SEC filing on Thursday (emphasis added): The upshot for Ford investors It's always a source of concern when a company lowers its previous guidance. But in this case, it's not something that Ford anticipated, and it's not something that should cause investors to question Ford's management team or longer-term prospects. Recalls happen. For the business -- aside from concerns about the three people who were injured -- it's simply an expensive hassle. Ford's underlying business remains more or less on track, and this doesn't change the long-term investment case at all. 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. John Rosevear owns shares of Ford. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Ford. 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. The announcement of layoffs at Harley-Davidson's York manufacturing plant may signal the motorcycle maker is about to flame out. Image source: Flickr user Scott. When Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HOG) admitted last month it couldn't sustain its previous rosy forecast of motorcycle shipments for the year, it was clear that sales for the year were going to be down, but the latest announcement that it is laying off about 200 workers suggests things are going to be even worse than expected. Shifting expectations into low gear Harley's second-quarter earnings were a disappointment in a number of respects, but not least because it reduced the company's shipment forecast by about 5,000 bikes. Where it had maintained it would be able to ship to dealers between 269,000 and 274,000 motorcycles for 2016, it now said it expected to ship only 264,000 to 269,000 bikes worldwide. It seemed to be an admission that rival Polaris Industries (NYSE: PII) was hurting its business more than it cared to state. Where Harley global sales fell 2% during the period, dragged down by a better than 5% decline in the U.S., its largest market, Polaris was reporting Indian Motorcycle sales were surging 23% -- and even its ailing Victory nameplate had seen sales turn positive. However, even the revised shipment numbers Harley-Davidson offered may still be too high. The second quarter is Harley's biggest quarter, representing a third of U.S. sales and 22% of global sales, and as it has been selling fewer bikes than it's been shipping to dealers for some time (the motorcycle market slows in the back half of the year), Harley dealership inventories may already be full, and it could have a hard time pushing even more bikes onto them. Retooling growth estimates The reason the layoff announcement should worry investors that Harley's year will be even worse than anticipated is because more than half of them will be occurring at its York, Pennsylvania, facility, the plant that got a major overhaul just a couple of years ago and was the blueprint of efficiency for how its manufacturing plants in Menomonee Falls and Tomahawk, Wisconsin, were updated. Those two facilities will also see some layoffs, though its plant in Kansas City will apparently be spared. The new factory model represented by the York plant was supposed to allow Harley-Davidson to better respond to the ebb and flow of changes in the workplace. Automation was now front and center, and employee job classifications shrank from 62 to just five, meaning it would better allow the motorcycle maker to shift employees around to wherever they were needed most. Harley was also able to wrangle much-need concessions out of the the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union, including higher healthcare contributions from employees and a seven-year wage freeze. It was also allowed to use so-called "casual" workers who were unionized, but were paid a lower wage rate, about half or less the wages of regular union workers. The current round of layoffs will see some 102 regular workers fired and 15 casual employees. An industrywide issue That Harley-Davidson feels it needs to lay off around 12% of the workers at the York plant, which assembles its touring, Softail, CVO, and Trike models, indicates business is not going all that well. CEO Matt Levatich said during the earnings conference call that the market was weaker than expected, but sales might be decelerating even more. That might not be a problem only for Harley, as Polaris also highlighted a weaker-than-expected motorcycle market despite its sales gains. It also revised its outlook for the year, reducing its expectations from high-teen percentage increases to just "double digits." The difference, of course, is that Polaris Industries is expecting sales growth, while Harley-Davidson is likely going to post another year of declining sales. While its reduced shipment outlook was an indication the situation wasn't good, the layoff announcement just might mean it's now going from bad to worse. 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. Rich Duprey has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Polaris Industries. 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. North Dakota's chief archaeologist plans to inspect an area along the route of the $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline where Standing Rock Sioux officials say they've identified cultural artifacts. Paul Picha (PEE'-kuh) told The Associated Press that the trip likely won't happen until next week. If any artifacts are found, pipeline work would cease. Picha says state officials earlier surveyed the route, but not the disputed site, which is on private land west of State Highway 1806. Last weekend, tribal officials said crews bulldozed several sites of "significant cultural and historic value" in that area, which Texas-based pipeline company Energy Transfer Partners denies. A federal judge allowed construction to continue there earlier this week, but is expected to rule by Friday on the tribe's lawsuit challenging federal permits. The pipeline starts in western North Dakota and crosses through South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois. Stop serving food and organize events around Ha Long Bay, tour operators told. Authorities in Quang Ninh Province, home to the world-famous Ha Long Bay, on Thursday ordered catering companies to stop serving food and organizing events in caves around the bay by the end of this month. The decision was taken after photos of over a hundred of people partying inside Trong Cave and Ho Dong Tien Cave emerged on the internet in August, raising concerns about the preservation of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. An exception has been made for Ha Long Bay Service Joint Stock Company, which will be allowed to continue the service in Trong Cave until October 30. According to Vu Thi Thu Thuy, Quang Ninhs vice mayor, provincial authorities gave Ha Long Bay Company permission to cater for diners and organize arts performances in Trong Cave for tourist purposes back in 2005. However, this service has spread to other caves and become out of control, prompting the provincial government to issue the decision to preserve the natural values of Ha Long Bay. Ha Long Bay is a popular tourist destination in Vietnam thanks to its thousands of limestone islets. It is listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizationas (UNESCO) a World Heritage Site for its landscape, geology and geomorphology. Since last month, advertisements and photos of lavish parties inside caves in Ha Long Bay have raised concerns over the damage they could cause to the environment. Events organized by several tourist agencies have taken place inside Trong Cave and Ho Dong Tien Cave, both of which lie well within the UNESCO world heritage site. In the advertisements, the parties are scheduled to start at 7.30 p.m. and end before 11 p.m., giving tourists the chance to dine in brightly lit caves before returning to their tours. The preservation plans for Ha Long Bay approved by the province last year do not include holding events in the caves. Related news: > Sorry tourists, no more deck view of Ha Long Bay > Ha Long Bays biggest Cave to be renovated Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that Russia's Vladimir Putin had been a better leader than U.S. President Barack Obama, as the Republican presidential nominee used a televised forum to argue he was best equipped to reassert America's global leadership. Trump suggested at the event in which he and Democratic rival Hillary Clinton made back-to-back appearances that U.S. generals had been stymied by the policies of Obama and Clinton, who served as the Democratic president's first secretary of state. "I think under the leadership of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton the generals have been reduced to rubble. They have been reduced to a point thats embarrassing for our country," Trump said at NBC's "Commander-in-Chief" forum in New York attended by military veterans. It was the first time Trump and Clinton had squared off on the same stage since accepting their parties' presidential nominations in July for the Nov. 8 election. Clinton was grilled over her handling of classified information while using a private email server during her tenure at the State Department. FBI Director James Comey had declared her "extremely careless" in her handling of sensitive material but did not recommend charges against her. "I did exactly what I should have done and I take it very seriously, always have, always will," she said.Trump's praise of Putin and his suggestion that the United States and Russia form an alliance to defeat Islamic State militants could raise eyebrows among foreign policy experts who feel Moscow is interfering with efforts to stem the Syrian civil war. "If he says great things about me, Im going to say great things about him," Trump said of the Russian president. "Certainly in that system, hes been a leader, far more than our president has been." Trump had called Obama "the founder of ISIS," an acronym for Islamic State, in stump speeches several weeks ago. The statement drew broad criticism, prompting him to take a more disciplined approach to campaigning. He has since picked up ground on Clinton in national opinion polls. Trump also flirted with revealing what he had been learning in classified intelligence briefings given to him by U.S. officials because he is the Republican nominee. "There was one thing that shocked me," Trump said. "What I did learn is that our leadership, Barack Obama, did not follow what our experts ... said to do, and I was very, very surprised. ...Our leaders were not following what they recommended." Earlier on Wednesday, Trump pledged to launch a new U.S. military buildup, saying America was under threat like never before from foes like Islamist extremists, North Korea and China. DEBATE PREVIEW? The event offered a prelude to how Clinton and Trump will deal with questions on national security issues in their three upcoming presidential debates later in September and in October. Clinton began the forum saying her long experience in government as a U.S. senator and secretary of state made her uniquely qualified to serve as president. She said she had "an absolute rock steadiness" to be able to make tough decisions, a not so subtle dig at Trump, who Democrats say is temperamentally unfit for the White House. Moderator Matt Lauer doggedly pressed her about her handling of emails from a private server while secretary of state from 2009 to 2013. The issue has raised questions about whether she can be trusted to serve as president. Clinton said none of the emails she sent or received were marked top secret, secret or classified, the usual way such material is identified. Appearing in the second half of the hour-long show, Trump faced questions about his fitness for office. Asked if he would be prepared on Day One to be commander in chief, Trump said: "One hundred percent." Trump quickly abandoned Lauer's entreaties to avoid attacking his opponent and focus on what he would do if elected president in November. "She's been there for 30 years," Trump said. "We need change, and we need it fast." The event brought together the meticulously prepared Clinton, 68, the wife of former President Bill Clinton, and Trump, 70, a New York businessman whose brash, freewheeling style has allowed him to dominate the headlines during his campaign. Clinton said she regretted her decision as a U.S. senator from New York to vote in favor of the much-criticized 2003 Iraq war and that Trump had been in favor of it as well. Trump has condemned the war during his campaign and said he would avoid lengthy conflicts in the Middle East. On the U.S. intervention in Libya in 2011, Clinton rejected Trump's criticism of her support for the effort as secretary of state. "Permitting there to be an ongoing civil war in Libya would be as threatening and as dangerous as what we are seeing in Syria," she said. Trump said Clinton's handling of Libya proved disastrous. Republicans have made much of the fact that the U.S. ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, was killed in an Islamist attack in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012. "She made a terrible mistake in Libya," said Trump. Clinton said U.S. policies under her leadership at the State Department had helped promote security. "We made the world safer," she said. (Additional reporting by Amanda Becker and Alana Wise in Washington and Gina Cherelus and Jonathan Allen in New York; Editing by Alistair Bell and Peter Cooney) Who is the lesser of two evils? Thats the question Americans seem to be asking themselves this election, antagonized with the choice between major party candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Never before have the Republican and Democratic nominees been so disliked by the voting populace; 53% of Americans find Hillary Clinton an objectionable choice, while 56% disapprove of Donald Trump, according to the latest FOX News poll. With stats like that, its no wonder third-party nominees such as Libertarian Governor Gary Johnson and the Green Partys Dr. Jill Stein are receiving legitimate consideration. Yet, while Johnson is polling at 9% and Stein at 4%, according to the FOX poll, history suggests it is unlikely either candidate will have a meaningful impact come November. Very few voters are actually indifferent between Trump and Clinton They are reluctant to vote for a candidate or party seen as having no chance of winning for fear of aiding the candidate or party they detest, Alan Abramowitz, Professor of Political Science at Emory University, tells FOXBusiness.com. This suggests that instead of voting to put someone in the White House, Americans are voting to keep someone out of it. Interestingly, fear is a chief influencer this election cycle. According to a recent USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll, 80% of Trump supporters and 62% of Clinton supporters report that they would be scared if the other candidate won. Conversely, the percentage of people who would be excited about their own candidates victory rings in at a paltry 27% of Clinton, and 29% of Trump, followers. Complicating matters for voters, it doesnt look like the third-party nominees will have the opportunity to flex their muscles on the national debate stage. Gov. Gary Johnson knows press coverage is key. In his opinion, third-party candidates are largely being left out of the discourse. [Americans] think its a two-person race right now, he tells FOXBusiness.com Stephen P. Gordon, former Libertarian Party communications and political director, says media exposure could transform this entire election: Media coverage is a big, big, majorly important factor." He adds if [the third-party candidates] can break through that media barrier, they can get into the debates. If they get into the debates, its a totally different ball game. The main stage debates, which require candidates to be polling at an average of 15%, are a critical source of exposure that third-party candidates regularly lack. These candidates are at a further disadvantage because the Commission on Presidential Debates is controlled by Democrats and Republicans. Ross Perot was the last third-party candidate to participate in a main stage presidential debate, in 1992, a year when inclusion was not determined by a polling threshold. Johnson, while hopeful about his campaign, is less optimistic he will reach the necessary polling minimum for the debates. Weve got all the momentum in the world. Momentum is what you want and we have it right now. Will that momentum actually broach 15% when its supposed to? Maybe not, he tells FOXBusiness.com Former Congressman and Presidential Candidate Ron Paul, who ran for President on both the Libertarian and Republican Party tickets, tells FOXBusiness.com he struggled much more running as a Libertarian; those struggles went far beyond being shut out of the debates. If you look at the difficulty getting on ballots, Ive been through it. I did it in 88, and had to spend a large portion, more than half I remember trying to get on ballots. Paul says. Gordon corroborates his assertion. In the U.S. we have requirements in many states, 40, 50, 60-thousand signatures for the third-party candidate, but not for the Republican or the Democrat. Not only that, they have arcane rules and are challenged by lawyers from the major parties. Getting on ballots, funding and media exposure are just a few of the obstacles faced by third-party candidates. In the absence of backing from powerful institutions and lobbies, these candidates struggle without an independent source of wealth. Have these obstacles become an institutionally acceptable way of ensuring a two-party political duopoly? Gordon thinks so. The Republican and Democratic parties basically have been structured in such a way that keeps third-party campaigns from actually being competitive. Even though he has navigated the compact two-party system throughout a long political career, Gordon still doesnt understand the strict adherence to binary, broad-based factions. There are no riots in the streets in Canada or Great Britain because they have more candidates in the mix One would think that Americans would actually want to learn something from our Canadian or British friends. As someone who has experienced both the obstacles and the benefits of our two-party system firsthand, Ron Paul concedes that U.S. democracy suffers at the hands of duopolistic control. [The Democrats and Republicans] have just made certain that democracy doesnt have much chance to thrive in this country. And thats why people get so disgusted. If youre one of the many disgusted Americans looking for a change this election, you might be hard-pressed to find one. Though neither currently qualifies, 76% of Americans want Stein and/or Johnson included in the debates, according to a recent USA Today/Suffolk University Poll. Yet, who has the power to modify those rules? Ron Paul is not optimistic about this election, or many in the years to come. Were allowed to express ourselves, but we dont get a fair shake, especially if youre in a third-party, to get to compete. Paul is one of the politicians who has been battling the system from the inside for years. Ultimately, however, it doesnt matter how hard he fights. If there is going to be a meaningful change, it has to come from the voters, not the politicians. I know that immigrants built this country, and that today our society is the product of many different cultural influences coming together to create the American way of life. Nearly every aspect of our country has been enriched by the beautiful beliefs and customs that our immigrant ancestors brought to America with them. Today, politicians on all levels are weighing in on immigration policies and ways to protect our borders. Nearly everyone has an opinion when it comes to finding a way to ensure that people coming to this country are doing so for the right reasons and will respect what our country stands for. This topic continues to dominate the news cycle because unfortunately not everyone coming to the country is entering for the right reasons or necessarily by the right means. Back in March I weighed in on the topic of birth tourism and voiced my opinion as a practicing OB-GYN. I wrote about my experience seeing women arrive at our New York airports almost ready to give birth, and how dangerous these situations can be because we have no knowledge of their previous medical history, or whether the patient had been receiving proper prenatal care. What prompted me to weigh in on the topic was a report detailing a raid in Southern California, where federal officials found Chinese birthing houses, or maternity hotels, in which wealthy Chinese couples were paying up to $80,000 to stay to have their child born in the United States, thus guaranteeing the childs American citizenship. I was hoping that birth tourism would be a fleeting trend, and that the Southern California incident would be isolated because, as I stated then, this is not the right way to grow our country. However, what I am seeing now is that the trend has become a booming business opportunity for some institutions, and that these groups are employing American citizenship as a genuine marketing strategy to entice foreign women to come to the U.S. and deliver their children for a substantial fee. Just yesterday FoxNews.com published a story on AmeriMama, a program at Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center in New Jersey, which charges Russian mothers anywhere from $8,500 to $27,500 and promises to secure citizenship papers, passports and travel visas for the baby. The company operates under the slogan Childbirth in New York is the best investment in the future of your family! My first question after hearing about this program was, is it illegal? From a medical perspective, I cant find a reason to say that it is. From what I understand, the law is only broken if a pregnant patient doesnt not disclose the purpose of her trip to the U.S. Once she enters the country, nothing stops her from entering a hospital and delivering a child who will then receive an American birth certificate. My second question was, is it unethical? Ha, let me count the ways. To traffic health care for profit while knowing perfectly well that delivering a child without the doctors full comprehension of the mothers health history could harm both the baby and mother is, to me, completely unethical. Second, when a woman buys into a gimmick like this, she doesnt necessarily know anything about the quality of the doctor who she will be under the care of in the U.S., nor will she be familiar with the quality of the hospital providing the delivery services. Moreover, what happens if a complication does arise? Any mild-to-moderate complication for a mother or her newborn could place tremendous financial risk on not only the individual, but also on the state. Most of the medical bills stemming from the patients case will become bad debt, and such deficits from the hospitals typically trickle down to affect the taxpayer. Still, with all of this risk involved, programs such as AmeriMama and birthing houses largely contribute to the estimated 40,000 babies born to couples vising the U.S. each year. The federal government, along with states and medical licensing boards must step in and crack down on these practices. According to the report on AmeriMama, this is the first instance of an American for-profit hospital openly marketing U.S. citizenship, but it isnt necessarily punishable by law. Going forward, there must be some legislation that forbids hospitals and medical centers from participating in such practices. Our medical community should not be affiliated with any independent groups that operate with such a careless attitude for the health of our country. American citizenship should not be for sale, and if we want to maintain our health care at its current level, representing a major pinnacle of our culture, we should require it stick to what it knows best which is providing medical care. For every hour doctors spend treating patients during a typical workday, they devote nearly two more hours to maintaining electronic health records (EHR) and clerical work, a small U.S. study suggests. Time spent in meaningful interactions with patients is a powerful driver of physician career satisfaction, but increased paperwork and time on the computer means less time for direct patient care, the authors argue. "When you take people who were trained to be caregivers and put them in the role of being a technician documenting their work, there is bound to be a loss of joy and work satisfaction," Dr. Susan Hingle of the SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois, told Reuters Health by email. While the goal of electronic health records is to improve the quality and efficiency of patient care, the findings suggest that in reality, EHRs are taking time away from physicians' interactions with patients and families, said study leader Dr. Christine Sinsky, vice president of professional satisfaction at the American Medical Association. "Many physicians have voiced concerns that the cumulative effect of the many well-intended efforts has been, paradoxically, to make it harder for them to deliver quality of care," Sinsky said by email. To get a snapshot of how electronic record keeping impacts the way doctors spend their time, Sinsky and colleagues analyzed data collected on 57 physicians in four U.S. states. The physicians worked in family medicine, internal medicine, cardiology and orthopedics in Illinois, New Hampshire, Virginia and Washington. Researchers looked at work activities two ways: medical students directly observed the tasks physicians completed, and a subset of doctors also filled out work flow diaries. At least half of the doctors in the study were observed for at least eight hours. Roughly half of the participants had tools such as dictation support services or documentation-assistant services to help with EHRs. Overall, the physicians spent 27 percent of their time interacting directly with patients and 49 percent of their time on EHRs and desk work, the study found. The time spent on electronic paperwork was divided between documentation and review tasks, and ordering drugs or other things needed for patient care. Doctors did spend about 48 percent of their time in exam rooms, though only a little more than half of this time involved direct face time with patients. Roughly 37 percent was devoted to EHRs and desk work. Outside office hours, physicians spent another one to two hours of personal time each night doing additional clerical work. One limitation of the study is that patients could opt out of observation, making the snapshots of workflow incomplete, the authors note in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Researchers also didn't track the number of patients seen per hour, the complexity of patients treated or the work activities of support staff. Even so, the authors conclude that physician burnout may become more likely when doctors get less time to spend treating patients. Efforts to reduce administrative burdens and give doctors more time to spend with patients may make it easier for physicians to focus directly on providing care and help reduce the potential for burnout, Hingle wrote in an editorial published with the study. "I think that technology needs to be changed so that it is more user friendly, less burdensome, and returns the focus to the patient's story, rather than minute details that don't really impact patient satisfaction or outcomes," Hingle told Reuters Health. Atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat that's already linked to an increased risk of stroke, may also be tied to higher risk of heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease and sudden death, according to a new research review. "It was particularly noteworthy that the relative and absolute risk increase for heart failure was the highest among all outcomes examined, even higher than the risk of stroke, said lead author Ayodele Odutayo, a doctoral candidate at the University of Oxford in the U.K. In atrial fibrillation, the upper chambers of the heart flutter or beat irregularly. Sometimes known as Afib, the arrhythmia affects at least 2.7 million people in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association. The researchers reviewed 104 studies of atrial fibrillation and heart disease, kidney disease or death, including a total of more than 9 million participants. Pooling the results, the study team found that atrial fibrillation was associated with a 46 percent greater risk of death from any cause, 61 percent increased risk of heart disease, 88 percent increased risk of sudden cardiac death, fivefold greater risk of heart failure and 64 percent greater risk of chronic kidney disease. Strokes were two to three times more common for people with atrial fibrillation than for people without it, according to the results in The BMJ. "Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rhythm and the aberrant electrical impulses that contribute to atrial fibrillation can originate from different parts of the heart," Odutayo told Reuters Health by email. "Any condition that affects the conduction of electrical impulses in the heart can cause atrial fibrillation," like heart disease or thyroid disease, or the cause may be unclear, he said. "Considering our observation that atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of heart failure, sudden cardiac death, and chronic kidney disease (in addition to ischemic heart disease), it seems likely that atrial fibrillation could be acting as a marker for shared underlying risk factors for cardiovascular disease," he said. Up to 90 percent of people with atrial fibrillation also have high blood pressure, he added. "These findings highlight the complex nature of atrial fibrillation, a diagnosis which can be associated with one or several other conditions, but also exist on its own," said Dr. Sumeet Chugh, director of the Heart Rhythm Center at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles, who was not part of the new review. If atrial fibrillation is detected, it's important for doctors to follow guidelines for managing the arrhythmia and for screening for any associated conditions, he said by email. Irregular heartbeat and kidney disease may have common underlying causes, like high blood pressure, Chugh told Reuters Health. An analysis like the one in this review can only identify factors that are connected, but can't prove that one factor, like atrial fibrillation, causes another, like kidney disease. Physicians "need to remember that stroke is not the only adverse outcome that can happen to their patients with atrial fibrillation," said Dr. Elsayed Z. Soliman of Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston Salem, North Carolina, who also was not part of the review. "They should consider the risk for other cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, kidney disease and coronary heart disease as well." "Reducing the burden of non-stroke events in adults with atrial fibrillation would benefit from a focus on primary prevention and the management of cardiovascular risk factors," Odutayo said. "Regular patient updates should also be provided to patients after lifestyle changes and/or pharmacotherapy have begun as a way to encourage further progress." A Texas teacher's note to parents about her newly implemented "no formal homework policy" in her second-grade class went viral last week, opening up the floodgates for parents, teachers and school administrators to weigh in on this controversial topic. In the note, teacher Brandy Young told parents that her students' only homework would be work that they did not finish during the school day. Instead of having kids spend time on homework, parents should "spend your evenings doing things that are proven to correlate with student success," Young said. She recommended that parents "eat dinner as a family, read together, play outside and get your child to bed early," strategies that she suggests are more closely tied to a child's success in the classroom than doing homework. Young's rationale for her new policy, as she explained in her note, was that "research has been unable to prove that homework improves student performance." [10 Scientific Tips for Raising Happy Kids] Live Science spoke with three educators who have conducted research on homework and student performance to fact-check this statement, and to find out what studies have shown about homework's positive and negative effects. Keys to student success It's accurate to suggest that studies have found no correlation between homework in elementary school and a student's academic performance, but there is one important exception worth mentioning, said Denise Pope, a senior lecturer at the Stanford University Graduate School of Education. Research has shown that free reading, or allowing students to read whatever books they want, does improve their academic performance, Pope said. Some elementary school teachers assign free reading as homework, but kids and parents do not always perceive these assignments as true homework that must be completed, she explained. [Best Science-y Books for Kids] In middle school, the evidence shows a slight correlation between doing homework and academic achievement, but further improvement fades after a middle-school student has spent 60 to 90 minutes a night doing homework, said Pope, who is also the co-founder of Challenge Success, an organization that works with schools and families to develop research-based strategies that engage kids and keep them healthy. But it's tricky to draw conclusions from homework studies, because these studies use such varied ways of measuring a student's academic performance, Pope said. Some researchers use standardized test scores to measure achievement, while others use students' grade-point averages, she said. Another variable that can complicate the results of homework studies is that it's hard to know who is actually doing the assignment when it's taken home, Pope said. For example, a student could get help from a parent, tutor, sibling or classmate to complete the work. In high school, there is a strong correlation between students who do 2 hours of homework a night and higher levels of academic achievement, but again, this improvement fades when students exceed the 2-hour threshold, Pope told Live Science. [Top 5 Benefits of Play] Pope said she considers the advice that the viral note offered to parents to eat dinner as a family, read together, play outside and get a child to bed early to be "spot on." She added that there is "really good research" to correlate these four variables with student success. Studies suggest that to perform at their best in school, kids in second grade need sufficient sleep, playtime with their siblings and friends, and downtime, meaning time to transition from school to home. Kids also benefit from regular family time, which ideally takes place five times a week for at least 25 minutes and could take the form of a family meal, Pope said. Making time for reading is also important for a child's success in the classroom, she said. Learning through practice But not all educators share Pope's opinions of a no-homework policy for second graders. The contention that "research is unable to prove that homework improves student performance" is an overstatement, said Harris Cooper, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, who has been researching homework and student performance for 30 years. "Even in kids as young as age 7, research shows that homework in particular areas can help students learn, especially things children need to learn through practice," said Cooper, the author of "The Battle Over Homework" (Corwin, 2006). Even when looking at levels as early as second grade, studies have found that kids who study a little bit at home may do better on spelling, vocabulary and math tests given in the classroom, Cooper told Live Science. However, he noted that the correlation between doing homework and higher academic achievement is not as strong in elementary students, who generally don't get much homework, as it is in middle-school and high-school students. Rather than a no-homework policy for second graders, Cooper said he would recommend that homework for kids at this age be kept short and simple. It should take no more than about 20 minutes a night for second graders to complete their homework, he said. To estimate an appropriate amount of time for students to spend doing homework, educators may use "the 10-minute rule" which means multiplying a child's grade level by 10 minutes of homework a night, Cooper explained. That means first graders get 10 minutes of homework, second graders get 20 and so on. Besides just the skills in math, reading or other subjects themselves, homework can have positive effects on children's time-management and study skills, Cooper said. It can also help keep parents informed of what children are learning at school, and help make Mom and Dad aware of their child's strengths and weaknesses, he said. But too much homework in second grade or assignments that are too hard can have a negative impact on young learners, Cooper said. "The last thing you want is for a 7-year-old to be bored [or] frustrated, or think that he or she is not good in school," he added. Some parents who are extremely concerned about ensuring that their children achieve to their maximal ability may put pressure on educators, and this has led some teachers to assign students too much homework, especially at the high-school level, Cooper said. But the key is for students to get the right amount of homework not too much of it and not too little so that it can have positive effects on learning and school performance, Cooper said. Homework and family life But other educators are steadfast that the right amount of homework in elementary school may be little to none. Research suggests that homework in elementary school does not have a positive effect on student achievement, and could even have a negative impact, said Etta Kralovec, an associate professor of teacher education at the University of Arizona South, and the author of "The End of Homework" (Beacon Press, 2001). The findings are more complex in middle- and high-school students, with many studies finding a correlation between classroom grades and homework, Kralovec said. But these results could also raise additional questions, because tracking students separating them into lower-level and advanced-level classes, for example also begins at these grades, and kids in the higher-track classes are often assigned more homework. It may not be that homework actually causes students to get better grades in high school or middle school, it could be that students who do more homework were better students to begin with, Kralovec said. It's also hard to know how much actual time students truly spend on homework, because most research relies on self-reported data from students, parents or teachers, Kralovec said. The amount of time a student reports spending on homework can differ from a parent's report of it, and it can also differ from the amount of time a teacher estimates students will need in order to complete the assignment, Kralovec explained. Despite the research, the amount of time students spend doing homework remains a highly contentious topic in education, Kralovec told Live Science. And when a teacher's short note to parents about a no-homework policy goes viral, it shows that this topic has hit a very important nerve in the American family experience, she said. Family life today is really challenging compared with decades past with more working mothers and some parents working two or three jobs to make ends meet and homework can add yet another stressor to the mix, Kralovec said. If parents feel that the amount of homework students receive is too much and may be encroaching on family time, one strategy they may try is to get organized with other parents, Kralovec suggested. Each school district may set its own policies about the amount of homework given to students. When parents have banded together in their communities, they have often been successful at having public discussions with administrators and teachers, and even moving assignment levels back to healthier levels, she said. Originally published on Live Science. Copyright 2016 LiveScience, a Purch company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Recently, it has been reported that Hillary Clinton is using psychologists to prepare for her debates with Donald Trump. Apparently, some within the Clinton campaign believed that Mr. Trump seemed ill-at-ease when, during a Republican presidential primary debate, he addressed Senator Marco Rubios contention that Trumps small hands likely meant his private parts were also small. In fact, Trump seemed completely comfortable addressing that intensely personal attack, simply saying that it wasnt true. His willingness and ability to dispense with the matter in such a straightforward way shouldnt give the Clinton campaign confidence that Trump can be rocked with psychological missives; it should terrify them. Because when a man can speak directly, in front of cameras and the entire nation, even about those matters which are usually unspeakable, he isnt going to run away from much of anything. Donald Trump wears his psyche on his sleeve. Hillary Clinton is the one whose psychological make up would seem to leave her vulnerable. Her penchant for lying is a problem, but the really big problem is that she seems unable to determine when her lies are registering with audiences as clearly untrue. At the core, people who lie transparently do so because they lack empathythe ability to intuit and vicariously experience what others are thinking and feeling. Locked behind walls of narcissism or arrogance or imperiousness, consumed with the pursuit of power, they cant tell convincing lies because they cant truly resonate with how their words and mannerisms are being received. Hillary Clinton's penchant for lying is a problem, but the really big problem is that she seems unable to determine when her lies are registering with audiences as clearly untrue. Hillary Clinton is, to borrow from a fairy tale, like the emperor with no clothes, who thinks that others cant see his nakedness. We have in Ms. Clinton, if you will, an empress with no clothes. Everyone knows her cover ups are transparentexcept, seemingly, Secretary Clinton, herself. All that Donald Trump needs to do, in order to expose Ms. Clinton as a liar is to ask her to repeat her defenses related to her use of a personal email server when she was Secretary of State, her mingling of State Department business with Clinton Foundation business and her having abandoned Ambassador Chris Stephens, Foreign Service Office Sean Smith and two former Navy Seals to die at Benghazi. Tens of millions of Americans watching will feel, in their hearts, that she is a liar. As a forensic psychiatrist I have seen this psychological paradigm beforein those with sociopathy. Not infrequently, criminals attempt to hide their crimes with lies that are so obviously untrue that they leave investigators shaking their heads and chuckling. The criminals cannot tell that their lies are ineffective, because they are too insensitive to the feelings of others. Scott Peterson, who killed his pregnant wife, then dumped her weighted-down body in the San Francisco Bay, claimed he was making cement anchors because he needed them to go fishing. Really? Thats the best lie he could tell? Believe it or not, yes. Remember when Hillary Clinton told the House Oversight Committee investigating Benghazi, With all due respect, the fact is we had four dead Americans. Was it because of a protest or was it because of guys out for a walk one night who decided that they'd they go kill some Americans? What difference at this point does it make? Thats really the best Secretary Clinton could do. As a compulsive liar intent only on maintaining power, she doesnt know that she is fast becoming the Empress with no clothes. And only she believes others cannot see. Two weeks ago, the PEW Research Center released a survey showing that gun ownership by households is up to 44% a 7-percentage point increase in the past two years. Another 5% of households wont reveal whether they own a gun. Yet, not a single mainstream American media headline has announced the increase. In fact, the media goes out of its way to find polls claiming that Americans are turning away from guns. In their War on Guns they want to give the impression that gun owners are a small, fringe group. Maybe they are hoping that this will have an impact on policy. As General Social Survey director Tom Smith told me, a large drop in gun ownership would make it easier for politicians to do the right thing on guns. In June, the Washington Post and Time magazine trumpeted a CBS News poll with this headline: American gun ownership drops to lowest in nearly 40 years and The Weird Reason Why Gun Ownership in America Is at Its Lowest Point Since the 1970s. Last year, an Associated Press headline announced: Gun ownership in U.S. drops to record low. Recent headlines in the New York Times and CNN declared: Share of Homes With Guns Shows 4-Decade Decline and Fewer US gun owners own more guns. The Washington Post falsely assured readers, The downward trend in gun ownership remains consistent across the national polls. Bizarrely, if the Washington Post and CNN had relied on their own polls, their headlines would claim that gun ownership has remained constant over the years. But neither organization has run such headlines. Only two surveys actually show a drop in gun ownership. They are by CBS News and the General Social Survey (GSS). According to the GSS, the percentage of homes with a gun has fallen from approximately 50% in the late 1970s to 32% in 2014. The CBS poll claimed that ownership had fallen from 51% in 1978 to 36% this year. But many other surveys have obtained very different results. According to Gallup, household gun ownership has ranged from 51 percent in 1994 to just 34 percent in 1999. In 2014, household gun ownership was at 42 percent comparable to the 43-45 percent figures during the 1970s. There was absolutely no news coverage of a 2011 Gallup poll headlined, Self-Reported Gun Ownership in U.S. Is Highest Since 1993. The ABC News/Washington Post poll shows an even more stable pattern, with household gun ownership rates of 44-46 percent in 1999. In 2013, the ownership rate was 43 percent. A CNN poll from January showed 40% of Americans living in a household that owns a gun. Nine percent of respondents were unwilling to state an opinion, implying that the true ownership rate is greater than 40%. Furthermore, polling is not the only indicator of gun ownership. The number of concealed handgun permits has soared from about 2.7 million in 1999 to over 14.5 million in 2016. The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) shows that the number of gun purchases has exploded, almost doubling from 2008 to 2015. In Illinois, a Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) card is required. The number of people with those cards dramatically increased from slightly over 1 million in 2010 to 1.8 million in 2015. There are some other strong reasons for believing that polls underestimate the number of gun owners. A recent Zogby Analytics survey posed the question, "If a national pollster asked you if you owned a firearm, would you determine to tell him or her the truth or would you feel it was none of their business? Thirty-five percent of current gun owners said that it was none of the pollsters business. This answer is especially common among those who claim not to be gun owners. We also know that current events influence peoples willingness to acknowledge gun ownership. After mass shootings, a sudden drop can be seen in the polling numbers. But there is no evidence of people getting rid of their guns. Indeed, gun sales actually soar. But this isnt the only limitation of gun ownership polls. Take the fact that, compared to married women, married men are much more likely to admit to having a gun in the home. Either the men are hiding guns from their wives or women are more reluctant to tell pollsters that they own a gun. If the latter, the GSS survey results should be about 4 percentage points higher. The media's selective use of polls may provide gun control advocates with talking points and let them try isolating gun owners. But hard numbers clearly show a huge increase in gun sales and in the percentage of Americans who carry guns. Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have only 60 days left to change voters minds, and they have a long way to go. The Republican and Democratic nominees remain the most unpopular presidential candidates ever polled. Only 41.2% of voters have a positive view of Mrs. Clinton and 55.1% have a negative view, according to Wednesdays Real Clear Politics average of recent surveys. Thats roughly where she stood before the party conventions in July. The FBIs release Friday of damaging documents about her private email server will likely make those numbers even worse next week. Mr. Trumps ratings are also dreadful. After three calamitous weeks following the conventions, he fell in mid-August to 33% favorable and 62.7% unfavorable in the Real Clear Politics average. Those figures have improved somewhat to 37% positive and 58.5% negative. But absent an earth-shattering revelation, the general dislike of both candidates will probably hold through Election Day. In the head-to-head matchup, Mr. Trump has cut Mrs. Clintons lead by more than half in a month, as undecided independents have moved his way. On Aug. 9, at the peak of her postconvention bounce, she was beating him by nearly eight points, 47.8% to 39.9%, in the Real Clear Politics average. On Wednesday, however, the race stood at 45.9% for Mrs. Clinton and 42.8% for Mr. Trumpa three-point margin. Still, in the last nine presidential elections, the poll laggard on Labor Day has gone on to win only once: in 2000, when George W. Bush grabbed the victory. To continue reading Karl Rove's column in the Wall Street Journal, click here. Thursday morning a candidate for the presidency of the United States was asked and what would you do if elected, about Aleppo? His silence hung in the air as the questioner and the others on set waited for his answer. And then Gary Johnson, the Libertarian candidate for president and former governor of New Mexico, went deer-in-the-headlights and dropped this verbal barrel bomb, and what is Aleppo? An awful moment perhaps a devastating one -- for him as a candidate. The pauses painful and potent. #AndWhatisAleppo? Its a very good question. A question that prompts the squirming. It is one we must answer. It is Sarajevo, it is Bosnia, it is a village in Rwanda. Its a place we thought would go away. It is somebodys home. And thus a new Twitter hashtag was born. We should all be asking ourselves this question: #AndWhatisAleppo? Perhaps its not so surprising -- not to know. The White House speaks of it only when pressed. No one wants to go there, its nearly impossible for reporters and aid workers, although the brave get through and we commend them. Aleppo is the town in war torn Syria where a little boy named Omran was recently swept out of his crumbled home by an aid worker and seated in an emergency vehicle. His heartbreakingly dazed and dirty face was splashed all over the newspapers and TV screens that next day. Some asked if it was a picture that could turn the tide of the worlds attention? But as it turns out, it wasnt. It was just another #Bringbackourgirls moment of sad faces and Twitter angst. This week reports say 70 people were injured in #AndWhatisAleppo by chlorine bombs that were dropped from President Assads government helicopters. Last week barrel bombs took out an estimated 16 children who were attending a funeral for others killed in this opposition town as it is referred to by the Assad government. Barrel bombs are improvised devices in round metal containers, containing explosives, shrapnel and sometimes chemicals. They are crude larger IEDs, dropping from the sky, and targeting anything unlucky enough to be in the path. Tens of thousands of children have been slaughtered in Syria according to the U.N., so Omran was lucky to survive. Over eight million children have been affected by the conflict. Many have nowhere to go, nowhere to live and if they are five or under like Omran, war is all theyve ever known. Remember #AssadMustGo? Back on Sep 6, 2013, President Obama said this. We have been very clear to the Assad regime, that a red line for us is we start seeing a whole bunch of chemical weapons moving around or being utilized. That would change my calculus. The line was crossed, and the only calculus that changed was Assads. It became clear he could defend his Alawite minority dictatorship and for now, no one was going to stop him. The world stood back as Vladimir Putin helped him crush the rebels. Threatened with death, the refugee crisis began. Millions and millions of people flooded out of Syria. Like their beleaguered neighbors in Iraq and Libya many fled to Europe. Now our allies there are overburdened and scared that -- among those who ran -- are people who want to (and do) cause them harm. There is a battle here at home about how many more refugees we should let into our country as well. The compassionate argument is that we must help, but it is also appropriate to ask where was the compassion in 2013, when the redline was crossed? These people wanted to live their lives and raise their families in their hometowns, but they could not. In places like #AndWhatisAleppo, those who stayed are under siege. #AndWhatisAleppo? Its a very good question. A question that prompts the squirming. It is one we must answer. It is Sarajevo, it is Bosnia, it is a village in Rwanda. Its a place we thought would go away. It is somebodys home. By late Thursday morning, after his interview, Gary Johnson had issued a statement. It said in part: " hit with 'What about Aleppo?' I immediately was thinking about an acronym, not the Syrian conflict. I blanked. It happens, and it will happen again during the course of this campaign Can I name every city in Syria? No. Should I have identified Aleppo? Yes. Do I understand its significance? Yes." Johnson also admitted he needs to study more and gain a better understanding. Perhaps hes not alone. The monthly minimum wages for 2017 will increase by 7.3 percent, the lowest level since 2007. The Vietnamese government has agreed to raise the minimum wage for 2017 by an average of 7.3 percent, the lowest level since 2007, when the decree on minimum wage increases took effect. The National Wage Council, which advises the government on compensation policies, decided last month to raise the monthly minimum wage for 2017 by 7.3 percent on-year to VND3.75 million ($168) per month. The government has signed off this proposal and will officially approve it this month, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue said on Wednesday. Currently, minimum wages range between VND2.4-VND3.5 million ($108-$157) a month, depending on location. The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, the only recognized trade union for Vietnamese workers, maintains that this amount only covers only around 90 percent of a Vietnamese person's basic living costs. For instance, workers in Region 1 will see their minimum wage increase by 7.1 percent to VND3.75 million per month. Region 1 includes the capital Hanoi, southern commercial hub Ho Chi Minh City, major port city Hai Phong, manufacturing clusters Dong Nai and Binh Duong and oil and gas hub Ba Ria Vung Tau. The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor had proposed an increase of 10-11 percent to raise minimum wages by VND250,000 - VND400,000 (US$11-$18) per month. But the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry had even called for a raise of only 6.5 percent. The National Wage Council comprises of the Labor Ministry, the confederation and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The minimum-wage bump was hashed out with the strongest consensus ever reached between representatives of workers and employers, said Pham Minh Huan, Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs. Companies in Vietnam are concerned about rising labor costs which are fuelled by the higher minimum wage and social insurance contributions, Huan said. According to the International Labor Organization, the monthly minimum wage for unskilled garment workers, for example, ranged from $70 to $128 in outsourcing hubs like Vietnam, Cambodia and Bangladesh in 2014. Notably, due to the low minimum wage, around a half of employees in the garment industry have to work more than 48 hours per week to supplement their earnings with overtime payments. Vietnam's annual average income was $2,111 last year, according to the World Bank. Related news: >Vietnam on verge of lowest minimum-wage bump in a decade >Vietnam mulls lowest minimum-wage hike in 4 years >Wages rise sharply in Southeast Asia Jesus Christ is no longer welcome at a school district in Tipton, Missouri. And neither are prayers or a religious hymn. The Tipton R-VI School District decided to cleanse itself of anything remotely affiliated with Christianity after they were bullied by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. They even pulled down a giant portrait of our Lord that was displayed in the grade schools library. Click here to join Todds American Dispatch: a must-read for Conservatives! The FFRF is a Wisconsin-based group of perpetually offended atheists, agnostics and free-thinkers. They fired off a nasty letter to the school board claiming to represent a concerned attendee of the annual high school awards program. For as far back as anyone can remember, students at Tipton High School always concluded their annual awards program with a candlelight ceremony. Teachers and students would circle up and sing, Blest be the Tie that Binds a familiar hymn to church-goers. Blest be the tie that binds, Our hearts in Christian love; The fellowship of kindred mind, Is like to that above. When we asunder part, It gives us inward pain; But we shall be joined in heart, And hope to meet again. Id be willing to bet a Goo-Goo Cluster the atheists took offense to the part about Christian love. The singing of a hymn as part of the Candlelight ceremony is on par with other religious practices that courts have ruled are unconstitutional, FFRF attorney Patrick Elliott wrote. They hymn declares that participants are bound together as part of a Christian community. Attorney Elliott went on to complain that singing the hymn would lead to hurt feelings that non-Christians are outsiders, not full members of the political community. They also took offense at the school boards practice of conducting a prayer during their meetings. School-sponsored religious exhibitions, such as singing a hymn signifying the group is part of a Christian community, are unconstitutional, the attorney wrote. Calling upon Board members, parents, students and members of the public to pray is similarly unconstitutional. Faster than you can sing Amazing Grace, the school board capitulated to the outrageous (and outrageous) demands of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. In response to the letter, the District reviewed its practices in order to ensure compliance with both state and federal constitutional law, Supt. Daniel Williams told me in a statement. After this review, the District discontinued practices that could be construed as an endorsement of religion. The Districts goal is to provide a positive learning environment for all its students and staff, he went on to write. The District strives to carefully balance individual rights under the Free Exercise Clause while ensuring it complies with its obligations as a public entity under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. The District will continue to monitor its practices going forward in an effort to ensure continued compliance and a safe, welcoming environment for all students. Now, it turns out the portrait of Jesus was not included in the FFRFs complaint letter but seeing how the district caved on the hymn and the intercession, it was pretty obvious Jesus didnt stand a prayer. Locals tell me the portrait was originally donated years ago as a memorial to a young man who had passed away. So lets review. The atheists fired off a threatening letter and Supt. Williams, along with the school board, turned tail and ran. Don Hinkle, the director of public policy for the Missouri Baptist Convention, first alerted me to this story and hes fired up. Lets just say that the good Baptists in Missouri dont take kindly to out-of-state atheists stirring up a stink. The atheists just swoop in and with a simple letter written by a threatening lawyer they win, Hinkle told me. They kick Christ and Christianity and the First Amendment right out of a public school. Outraged citizens are gathering Thursday night to determine how they can fight back and restore what was taken away. Sadly, the atheists successfully got rid of Jesus, the hymn and the prayer. Say what you will, but the Freedom From Religion Foundation pulled off one heck of a hat-trick. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said Wednesday he has a lot of confidence in the security of Americas electoral infrastructure despite concerns about intrusions by cybercriminals. Johnsons declaration, in response to a question from Fox News, follows recent hack attacks on two different state election websites that are believed to have been the work of Russian actors, according to sources. Those actions, which were disclosed in an August FBI bulletin distributed to law enforcement agencies and obtained by Fox News, urged states to contact their respective Boards of Elections to determine if they had experienced any similar activity. While he would not comment directly on the cyber activity, citing an ongoing FBI investigation into the matter, Johnson said he could assure the American public that DHS is up to the challenge of safeguarding state election systems. He added that election officials should consult the department on cybersecurity matters. The Department of Homeland Security is in a position to shore up electoral infrastructure, the DHS chief said. We are in a position to help to offer best practices, information sharing, vulnerability assessments, incident response. The recently disclosed hacks, which successfully compromised the election system of one state and targeted an election website in another state, have added fuel to already loud concerns over the potential for foreign nationals to influence the 2016 presidential race. Russian government-linked hackers are also believed to have carried out cyber breaches of the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, seizing troves of information over the course of those attacks. U.S. officials have yet to publicly name Russia as the perpetrator in either of those incidents and Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied any involvement. Sources told Fox News that FBI investigators are working to determine the exact scope of the intrusions, which cybersecurity analysts fear could run deeper than already disclosed, given the hackers ability to island hop to other networks once an initial compromise is made. For some IT security experts, any Russian connection would not be surprising, given the Kremlins recent reported history of using cyber activity as a clandestine tool for meddling in foreign affairs. Youre seeing more and more manifestations of information warfare via cyber means to destabilize U.S. public opinion and undermine the trust and confidence in American institutions like, for example, the electoral system, Strategic Cyber Ventures CEO Tom Kellermann told Fox News in a recent interview. As Fox News has previously reported, cybersecurity analysts have implicated Russia-linked cybermilitias with web-based attacks against a number of foreign entities over the past several years. Specific to the United States, multiple sources familiar with the research behind these incidents said that the Kremlin has targeted the Department of State, the Pentagon, the White House, and numerous private sector entities, including several media outlets. While not directly naming Russia as the perpetrator in the DNC, DCCC, or state election system attacks, the United States top intelligence official did acknowledge the Kremlins persistent cyber activity. In agreeing with a recent public admission by President Obama, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper acknowledged the Russians hack our systems all the time, not just government but also corporate and personal systems. Speaking Wednesday at the Intelligence and National Security Summit in Washington, D.C., the DNI added a blunt prediction for the nations path forward when it comes to dealing with the cyber threat. Cyber will continue to be a huge problem for the next presidential administration, as it has been a challenge for this one, Clapper said. Eric Trump, son of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, accused Hillary Clinton Wednesday of destabilizing the Middle East while secretary of state. "Her foreign policy destroyed the Middle East," Trump told Fox News' "Hannity." "It destabilized every single one of those nations." Trump was reacting to a televised national security forum where Clinton and Donald Trump both made appearances. During the forum, Clinton defended her decision to intervene in Libya's civil war and vowed that the U.S. would not send ground troops to help defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Donald Trump's campaign manager, Kelly Anne Conway, told Hannity that Clinton "was on defense from moment one and she looked it. [Forum moderator] Matt Lauer couldn't even get to all of her foreign policy failures." During his segment of the forum, Donald Trump said that America's generals have been "reduced to rubble" under President Barack Obama and suggested he would fire some of them if he wins the presidency in November. "They'll probably be different generals," Trump said when asked to square his request for military options against ISIS with his harsh criticism of military leadership. Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton slammed each other over the Iraq War and the fight against ISIS at a national security forum Wednesday, with the Republican nominee also appearing willing to allow undocumented immigrants wishing to serve in the military to remain in the U.S. Though Trump and Clinton did not appear onstage together at the USS Intrepid museum in New York, the NBC News forum was a debate in all but name and came fewer than three weeks before the candidates' first debate. Trump's response to a question about whether illegal immigrants who plan to serve in the military can stay in America marked another apparent shift for the Republican nominee, who caused outrage during the GOP primary with his call to deport all illegal immigrants. "I think that when you serve in the armed forces, that's a very special situation, and I could see myself working that out," Trump said. "We need to be careful and vet carefully, but it would be a special circumstance, yes." Trump leveled unusual criticism against America's military leaders, saying the generals have been "reduced to rubble" during President Barack Obama's administration. He also suggested he would shake up the military's top ranks if he wins in November, saying there would probably be "different generals." Trump remained persistently non-commital about his plans for defeating ISIS, insisting that he privately has a blueprint for taking on the terror group but wanted to remain "unpredictable." "I have a very substantial chance of winning," he said. "If I win, I don't want to broadcast to the enemy exactly what my plan is." Clinton took the stage first by virtue of a coin flip, and immediately faced a barrage of questions from moderator Matt Lauer about her email use at the State Department, where she used a personal email address and a private server. The former secretary of state repeated her claim that none of the emails she sent through the server was marked "classified," "top secret," or "secret." However, she also acknowledged that "it was a mistake to have a personal account ... I make no excuses." At times, Clinton grew visibly irritated with the repeated focus on her past actions, saying "I'm asking to be judged on the totality of my record." Later in her segment, Clinton described her 2003 Senate vote to authorize military action in Iraq as a "mistake" and criticized Trump for supporting military action against Iraq in a 2002 interview on the Howard Stern radio show. She vowed that "we are not putting ground troops in Iraq ever again" to help defeat ISIS "and we are not putting ground troops in Syria ever." "I was totally against the war in Iraq," Trump said in response. "I said it would destabilize the Middle East, which it has." Trump accused Clinton of having a "happy trigger [finger]" regarding overseas military intervention, specifically criticizing her response to Libya's uprising against Muammar Qaddafi and subsequent civil war. Clinton defended her support for U.S. military intervention in Libya, despite the chaos that has consumed that country since then. "Permitting there to be an ongoing civil war in Libya would be as threatening and as dangerous as what we are seeing in Syria," she said. Trump also spoke glowingly of Russian president Vladimir Putin, praising him for having "great control over his country." The real estate mogul added that if Putin "says great things about me, I'm going to say great things about him." Trump also claimed, however, that Putin's compliments would not influence his decision-making as president. Clinton has spent much of the summer trying to paint Trump as ill-prepared to be commander in chief and too unpredictable to make decisions that put American service members in harm's way. She drew an implicit contrast with Trump when asked for the most important quality a commander in chief must possess. "Steadiness, an absolute rock steadiness," she said, "mixed with strength to make the hard decisions." The Associated Press contributed to this report. While Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump each generated headlines about comments made Wednesday night at a candidates forum, the buzz Thursday morning was more about a report claiming Clinton relied on a micro earbud as she fielded questions about national security a claim her campaign vigorously denied. The website True Pundit quoted unnamed New York police sources saying Clinton was wearing an inductive earpiece during the NBC forum hosted by Matt Lauer. The website described the unit as the kind of tech used by stage actors in need of prompting to recite forgotten lines. Two senior campaign aides, though, told Fox News the report is absolutely not true. The frenzied Internet speculation was a throwback to accusations George W. Bush faced after debates in the 2004 campaign that he was wearing a device that may or may not have been used to feed him answers after photos appeared to show a bulge under the back of his suit jacket. Bush officials rejected the speculation at the time, and Clinton officials now are doing the same. In both cases, the candidates had to contend with suspicious-looking photographs. True Pundit published a zoomed-in image of Clintons left ear showing a shiny reflection purported to be a stealth communications device. The site claimed to be quoting NYPD sources involved in the forums security detail. True Pundit reported that such technology could be used to receive cues from a long distance. But Clinton spokesman Nick Merrill said what is seen in the photo is merely a reflection of the TV lights or a flash. Both Clinton and Trump were dealing with fallout Thursday from the forum, which essentially served as a warm-up to the presidential debates that begin later this month. Clinton, speaking to the press before heading to North Carolina on Thursday, slammed her Republican opponent for his praise Wednesday night of Vladimir Putin and his comments about Americas military leaders. At the forum, Trump said the generals under the Obama administration have been reduced to rubble and suggested he would shake up the top ranks. What would Ronald Reagan say about a Republican nominee who attacks Americas generals and heaps praise on Russias president? I think we know the answer, Clinton said. Meanwhile, Clinton was taking heat for saying Wednesday, "We are not putting ground troops into Iraq ever again and we are not putting ground troops into Syria. As of Thursday, there already are 4,460 U.S. troops on the ground in Iraq, according to the Pentagon with 400 having arriving over the Labor Day weekend. There are roughly 300 U.S. special operations forces on the ground in Syria. When Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson committed his jaw-dropping gaffe Thursday on MSNBC, The New York Times was there to point it out - but the Old Gray Lady made the same mistake, not once but twice. Asked by "Morning Joe" panelist Mike Barnicle what he would do about Aleppo, Johnson stared blankly and said, "And what is Aleppo?" The correction of the correction. pic.twitter.com/jqXWhDiAip Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) September 8, 2016 "You're kidding," replied a stunned Barnicle. Johnson wasn't, and the fumbled foreign policy question about the embattled Syrian city sparked a Twitterstorm of ridicule and speculation that Johnson's fantasy of elbowing in between GOP nominee Donald Trump and Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton was over. But mistakes can happen, as The New York Times proved. A subsequent story titled, What Is Aleppo? Gary Johnson Asks, in an Interview Stumble,' screwed up the same issue, and the first effort to correct it only made it worse. First the paper called Aleppo the capital of Islamic State. That's wrong, the black-clad jihadists' stronghold is Raqqa. Then, the story changed Aleppo's descriptor to "the capital of Syria." Wrong again. Maybe the Times will find it in its heart to go a little easier on the next candidate who "stumbles." As for Johnson, he issued a correction of his own. This morning, I began my day by setting aside any doubt that Im human, Johnson said in a statement. Yes, I understand the dynamics of the Syrian conflictI talk about them every day. But hit with What about Aleppo?, I immediately was thinking about an acronym, not the Syrian conflict. I blanked. It happens, and it will happen again during the course of this campaign. Many pundits who figured Hillary Clinton had this thing wrapped up are trying to solve what they see as a puzzle: Why isnt she clobbering Donald Trump? Despite her many weaknesses, their view is that Trump is so unpopular and divisive and has turned off so many key voting groups that Hillary ought to waltz back to the mansion she once shared with Bill. But tightening poll numbers are forcing them to take a harder look at the Democratic presidential nominee. Sure, weve known all along that its rare for the party that holds the White House for two terms to win a third onealthough these days the Dems have a built-in Electoral College advantage. Weve known that Clinton isnt a great retail politician and that shes an establishment candidate in a non-establishment year. Weve known that she has abysmally low ratings on honesty and trustworthiness, exacerbated by the email and Clinton Foundation mess. But is there more to it? Doesnt she have to be more than the anti-Trump? Especially now that The Donald is stabilizing his campaign, with more scripted speeches like the one yesterday on military readiness? Glenn Thrush, a Politico writer who has covered Clinton since her Senate campaigns, sees a certain self-destructive quality: No one not the bullpen of the New York Mets, not the French army, not Wile E. Coyote, not even Al Gore is better at squandering a commanding lead than the Queen of Coasting, Hillary Rodham Clinton. And nobody is better at handing her adversaries talking points to undermine trust, on emails, on the Clinton Foundation, on her own refusal to do something as simple as talking to the reporters who cover her every day. Thrush says it was a bad idea for Clinton to make her campaign exclusively about Trump. (Her team would undoubtedly challenge this.) With Clinton essentially running for Barack Obamas third term, the electorate is restless and wants change, and no candidate is less equipped by virtue of history, temperament or the tenor of the times to take advantage of that sentiment than Clinton. In fact, the only reason she commands a natural advantage (apart from her partys innate grip on the Electoral College) is the fact that she is running against Mr. Unacceptable, and is marginally less detested. And, the piece says, the problem, and it has dogged Clinton since she first ran for office in 2000, is that shes lousy at self-definition, doesnt like to make the campaign about her (not one of Trumps problems) and reveals herself only in jagged broken-mirror shards, not a portrait in full for voters to warm themselves by. Ross Douthat, the conservative New York Times columnist, is more resigned to a Clinton restoration. If not for Trumps media domination, he says, the big story of this election would be the sheer shambolic strangeness of Hillary Clintons presidential campaign. Her press-ducking, donor-massaging, risk-averse, joyless slog to November feels less like an old-fashioned front porch campaign than a campaign conducted from a corner mansions upstairs window. But for a Republican Party looking to rebuild, he says, she would lack many of the qualities that make imperial presidents particularly dangerous powerful charisma, a passionate and devoted base, a close relationship with a compliant press, a claim on some sort of sweeping policy mandate. And heres National Review Editor Rich Lowry, an ardent Trump critic, She is happy to have the race all about her opponent, rather than herself. She avoids press conferences, although she has taken to visiting reporters at the back of her campaign plane for some questions. She hasnt said anything truly memorable that isnt a gaffe. Her best moment of the campaign, the Democratic convention, featured vivid performances by nearly everyone in her party except her. But Hillary herself lacks almost all the qualities that make for a compelling presidential candidate. She isnt fresh. She has been prominent in our politics, and controversial, for 25 years. She isnt entertaining or inspiring. Her speeches never achieve rhetorical liftoff, and she has the most insincere laugh in American politics. She isnt associated with a cause. In the Democratic primaries, she bent to the energy of the Bernie Sanders phenomenon, and in the general election, she has found her voice only when attacking Donald Trump. She isnt ethical. Lowrys damning-with-faint-praise takeaway: She may be boring, unlikable, and untrustworthy, but she is stolid. A more sympathetic columnist, the Washington Posts David Ignatius, concedes a lack of authenticity: In a year when anti-elitism has been a dominant theme in both parties, donning this establishment mantle might appear to be a mistake for Clinton. But lets be honest: Her strength is that shes the voice of experienced, centrist leadership. Shes not a convincing populist: The more she tries to sound like one, the more she risks coming off as a phony in the final two months of the campaign. Clinton and her team are undoubtedly aware of her weaknesses, given that she lost the 2008 nomination she seemed certain to win. She has not only made stopping Trump the focus of her campaign, she has sometimes refrained from making news while Trump is embroiled in one of his controversies. But in the end, doesnt a potential president have to convince at least a good chunk of voters to cast their ballots for her? No one on Capitol Hill wants to catch it. The it isnt precise. But it is out there lurking. Lawmakers wrestled with a panoply of complications as Congress rolled into Washington this week after the summer recess. In particular, congressional Republicans fret a misstep could expose them to a political contagion just two months before the election. Many conservative Republicans want to impeach IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. But others are concerned how impeachment looks for the party and its precedent. House Republican leaders aim to address the Democrats sit-in protest over guns and maintain House decorum. But some believe such a resolution could embolden Democrats and spark another sit-in. The GOP brass wants to fund the government to avoid a shutdown at the end of the month. But they know they may have to move a bill with Democratic votes. That could infuriate the right. And, somehow, Republicans want to fund efforts to combat Zika. Few issues are now more politicized in Washington than Zika. House Republicans say they were proactive in approving a Zika measure in June. Senate Democrats then blocked the plan in the Senate due to extraneous provisions about Planned Parenthood. Theres now an impasse with the sides blaming each other. Tired of the bickering, Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla., brought a sealed, plastic canister teaming with 100 Aedes aegypti mosquitoes onto the House floor Wednesday morning. These mosquitoes werent carrying Zika, though they are the ones that typically host the virus. The politics of Zika is garbage right now, declared Jolly, holding the canister as he spoke. I brought those mosquitos here today to convey the fear and anxiety of millions of Americans and Floridians. Jolly wondered aloud how lawmakers would react if he loosed the mosquitoes in the House chamber. Can you imagine, colleagues, the fear and anxiety? asked Jolly. Of course no one wants to come into contact with a Zika-tipped mosquito. And like the Zika threat, many lawmakers would rather not come into contact with the nettlesome issues Congress now faces. The election is tenuous as it is. Republicans expect to lose House seats but remain in the majority there. Just as doctors pronounce the Hippocratic Oath, the GOP mantra could be do no harm. IRS chief John Koskinen huddled with two coalitions of House Republicans Wednesday afternoon. It was an effort to short-circuit threats from the conservative House Freedom Caucus to impeach him over how his agency handled documents. It got pretty pointed, said Republican Study Committee Chairman Bill Flores, R-Texas, who leads the largest bloc of conservatives in the House. A little contentious. The House Republican Conference plans a meeting next week to discuss the merits and demerits of impeaching Koskinen. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., isnt game to impeach Koskinen. But when asked about what might happen, the speaker declared the conference will work its will. Reps. John Fleming, R-La., and Tim Huelskamp, R-Kan., crafted the original impeachment resolution before the recess. The House Freedom Caucus doesnt plan to bring up the resolution again before next weeks meeting. But Fleming tells Fox News its possible he would revive the resolution unilaterally before the session. House leaders could then face a conundrum. Vote to impeach Koskinen or possibly move to aside Flemings effort. Such a maneuver or a no vote by leaders could cost them points with conservatives. Work is underway on a Continuing Resolution or CR. A CR is a temporary funding measure to avoid a government shutdown. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., wants an interim bill to keep the lights on in Washington through Dec. 9. The leader hoped the Senate could start on the package next week. The governments money runs out at the end of the month. Many conservatives fear a lame duck congressional session after the election. Theyd rather fund the government until next March. Sources tell Fox News it could take the balance of the month to cobble together a CR plus a separate plan to fund Zika efforts. Its entirely probable Congress could blend the government funding package and the Zika bill together. And for some members, the sooner, the better. The GOP leadership has yet to formally announce a response to the Democrats June sit-in on the House floor in protest of gun violence. You will see appropriate measures taken in the very near future, predicted House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. House leaders havent formally announced their plan. Fox News is told the leadership is leaning toward a resolution which condemns the protest and doesnt sanction individual members. It would also address the Democrats use of social media to telecast the demonstration live from the House floor. The resolution may also touch on alleged verbal and even physical abuse by some Democrats of House floor staff. The House Rules Committee has scheduled a hearing next week to examine possible changes to House rules. Any effort that goes further could invigorate Democrats on the gun issue. Thats to say nothing of inviting problems when the GOP leadership calls on Democrats to cough up votes to pass the CR or the Zika bill. Its unlikely the GOP can provide the necessary votes on their own. Rep. John Larson, D-Conn., helped organize the protest. He suggested Republicans could play directly into the Democrats hands with a measure which responds to the sit-in. By bringing up that resolution, that gives us the chance to make the point, said Larson. I admitted we violated protocol. So did Rosa Parks. All of these subjects are a little like the mosquitoes in Jollys canister. Theyre the legislative issues that carry potential for trouble. The possibilities for infection abound. But the trick for lawmakers is to navigate the coming days without catching anything before the election. Capitol Attitude is a weekly column written by members of the Fox News Capitol Hill team. Their articles take you inside the halls of Congress, and cover the spectrum of policy issues being introduced, debated and voted on there. The Obama administration has gotten one step closer to shuttering the Guantanamo Bay detention center, closing down a 100-cell maximum-security prison and moving to reduce the U.S. presence there. A military official confirmed to Fox News on Thursday that the site known as Camp 5 will be closed, with parts of it turned into a medical clinic to "improve operations." Camp V at Joint Task Force Guantanamo has been closed as a detention facility and repurposed into another function and the detainees consolidated," spokesman Capt. John Filostrat said in a statement. The development, first reported by The Miami Herald, is part of President Obamas promise to close the detention center -- an effort that continues to face fierce resistance in Congress. Camp 5 is where problematic prisoners were sent, including those who went on hunger strikes as well as war criminals. They reportedly will be "consolidated" into another section known as Camp 6. Filostrat told the Herald the rest are in a secret site called Camp 7. This is where 15 CIA captives -- including the alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks and his accused accomplices -- are being held. Filostrat said troops started to move detainees from Camp 5 on Aug. 19 a week after the Pentagon said it had sent 15 detainees to the United Arab Emirates as part of Obamas plan to shrink the prison population. The total detainee population is now at 61, and the administration plans to continue transferring out additional prisoners -- though Congress has blocked transfers to the U.S, complicating the goal of shuttering the camp by the end of Obama's presidency. Meanwhile, the staff of nearly 2,000 U.S. troops and civilians is being cut by 400 soldiers by the end of the year, the Herald reported. They are doing this by canceling upcoming deployments. Camp 5 was built more than a decade ago for about $17 million. Its around-the-clock security surveillance was modeled after a state prison in Bunker Hill, Ind. The site itself has had its share of headlines. Two prisoners committed suicide by hanging there in 2007 and one by drug overdose in 2012. In 2013, more than 100 detainees launched a mass hunger strike. Obama reiterated at a news conference in Laos this week that he thinks the prison is unnecessary, costs too much and serves as a recruitment tool for terrorists. Fox News' Rich Edson contributed to this report. Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson admitted he blanked Thursday morning on a fundamental question about the Syrian civil war a stumble that comes as he tries to make his case for being included in the upcoming presidential debates. Asked on MSNBCs Morning Joe what he would do about Aleppo -- the major Syrian city that has been a stronghold for opposition forces and under siege by Bashar Assads government -- Johnson responded: And what is Aleppo? Journalist Mike Barnicle responded, Youre kidding. Johnson said he was not, and Barnicle explained, Aleppo is in Syria. Its the epicenter of the refugee crisis. Okay, got it, Johnson said, and went on to call Syria a mess. Following his blunder, Johnson released a statement saying he thought he was being asked about an acronym, not the Syrian conflict. I blanked. It happens, and it will happen again during the course of this campaign, he said. Can I name every city in Syria? No. Should I have identified Aleppo? Yes. Do I understand its significance? Yes. He later said on Fox News' "Your World with Neil Cavuto" that he's "going to make mistakes going forward." "I would make mistakes as president, but I'd be transparent," he told Cavuto. The battle for Aleppo has become increasingly complex. According to Reuters, Iraqi Shiite militia members are preparing to join, while opposition forces battle Assads military for control. Assads regime was recently accused of another chlorine gas attack in a rebel-held area of Aleppo. In an interview with Bloomberg Politics Mark Halperin, Johnson said he felt horrible after his TV flub. I have to get smarter, and thats just part of the process, he said. House Speaker Paul Ryan brushed off the Aleppo blank in an interview with Hugh Hewitt, Politico reported. Well he is an isolationist, Hugh, Ryan said. Lets give him the credit of the doubt on that. Johnsons awkward response to the question underscores a potential gap in foreign policy knowledge that could hurt his presidential aspirations as the former New Mexico governor presses to be included in the upcoming presidential debates which start later this month. To nab a spot on the national stage, Johnson needs at least 15 percent approval in five national polls. According to the Real Clear Politics polling average, Johnson is polling at 9 percent. The news doesnt get much better for Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein. Stein and her running mate, Ajamu Baraka, are facing charges of criminal trespass and criminal mischief. The pair were purportedly caught on camera spray-painting construction equipment during a protest of a Dakota Access Pipeline. The Real Clear Politics polling shows Stein currently at the bottom of the polls with 3 percent. A bottle of Pepsi is seen in this file photo illustration February 10, 2015. Photo by Reuters/Jim Young/Illustration/Files After Coca-Cola and Philippine URC, a PepsiCo joint venture comes under scrutiny. Vietnam is now looking into food safety at a PepsiCo joint venture following recent inspections that led to fines on the Vietnam-based subsidiaries of U.S. Coca-Cola and Philippine URC. The Ministry of Health on Wednesday announced a decision to conduct a 45-day inspection on food safety beginning September 6 at Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Beverage Company (SPVB), a fully foreign owned joint venture in Vietnam between U.S. PepsiCo Inc. and Japans Suntory Holdings Limited, VietnamPlus reported late Wednesday, quoting the ministrys inspectorate chief Dang Van Chinh. The inspectors will look into the firms relevant operations from January 1, 2015 to present and previous related periods as well. The inspection also involves direct checks at some of the companys distribution centers, suppliers of material, food additives, food processing aids and package. Any violation conducted by any individual or organization found during the inspection, if any, will be subject to punishment in accordance with Vietnams law. In late July, the Ministry of Health fined Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam Ltd. a total of VND434 million ($19,186) for violations in production of food supplement. An inspection carried out by the ministry in June found that three plants of Coca-Cola Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Hanoi produced food supplement without obtaining any certificate on food hygiene and safety granted by the ministry. In addition, the ministry also found the content of vitamin B9 (acid folic) in the company's Samurai Strawberry energy drink lower than what it had declared. The ministry ordered Coca-Cola Vietnam to recall the batches, which will expire in May 2017. In late May this year, URC Hanoi Co. Ltd., the Vietnamese branch of the Filipino food and beverage firm Universal Robina Corporation (URC), was also fined by the Vietnamese ministry VND5.812 billion ($257,110) for producing and selling products with excessive lead content. Related news: > Coca Cola Vietnam fined $19,186 for food safety violations > Philippines firm under suspicion of bribery in Vietnam lead poisoning case CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. NASA's first-ever asteroid-sampling spacecraft is poised for an on-time liftoff Thursday evening, and mission team members said they can't wait. There are no issues with the OSIRIS-REx probe's United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket or the range at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, just down the road from here, NASA officials said Tuesday. "The Atlas V rocket and range equipment are ready, and the combined government and contractor launch team is prepared to launch this fantastic asteroid sample-retrieval mission, OSIRIS-REx," Tim Dunn, NASA launch manager at Kennedy Space Center, said during a news conference today. [Osiris-Rex: NASA's Asteroid Sample-Return Mission in Pictures] Mother Nature should cooperate as well; Air Force weather forecasters are predicting an 80 percent chance of good conditions. Furthermore, there is no foreseen fallout from the dramatic explosion of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket at a neighboring Cape Canaveral pad. That accident occurred Sept. 1 during a routine test ahead of the planned Sept. 3 launch of a communications satellite. "Our Atlas V vehicle, as well as OSIRIS-REx, are safely buttoned up and secure inside the VIF," said Scott Messer, program manager for NASA missions at ULA, referring to the Vertical Integration Facility, where rockets are stacked ahead of launch. "We haven't identified any damage or any concerns as a result of the incident last week." The $800 million OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer) mission is scheduled to lift off Thursday at 7:05 p.m. EDT (2305 GMT). There is some margin for error in case of a delay; the launch window is 115 minutes long. If all goes according to plan, OSIRIS-REx will rendezvous with a 1,640-foot-wide asteroid named Bennu in August 2018, grab a sample of space rock material two years later and return that material to Earth in September 2023. Bennu is thought to harbor carbon-containing organic molecules, the building blocks of life as we know it. So the mission should shed light on the role space rocks like Bennu may have played in helping life get a foothold on Earth, NASA officials have said. That's the primary goal. But OSIRIS-REx's observations should also help scientists better understand the threat the potentially dangerous Bennu poses to Earth. The mission should also clarify the forces acting on asteroids in deep space, leading to improved orbit predictions for space rocks in general, mission team members have said. Principal investigator Dante Lauretta, who's based at the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, has been working on OSIRIS-REx since 2004, when the mission was just a concept. He said he can hardly believe the spacecraft is finally about to get off the ground. "It's something I've dreamed about since I was a little kid," Lauretta said. "To be able to climb around on the Vertical Integration Facility and see a rocket getting stacked that's got my spacecraft on top of it that we're about to send off to an asteroid sometimes I have to just pinch myself to convince myself that I'm not dreaming all of this." Remember those speeder bikes in Star Wars that raced through the air? Soldiers and Marines may get to zoom around the battlespace on a type of real-life version in the not-so-distant future. The new vehicle (which flies using rotors) has been dubbed the Joint Tactical Aerial Resupply Vehicle, or JTARV. Malloy Aeronautics and SURVICE Engineering Company teamed up to further develop Malloys Hoverbike for the U.S. Army Research Laboratory. Why the interest in a Hoverbike for American ground forces? The U.S. military believes it could possibly carry teams rapidly and nimbly throughout the battlespace, and a robotic version could even be used to deliver supplies by itself. This flying motorcycle could provide three options: it could be flown by a warfighter; it could fly itself around using advanced autonomy; or a mix could be employed where a warfighter flies it and lets the smart vehicle do some of its own flying as well. What is it? The Hoverbike started in a garage in Sydney, Australia. New Zealander Chris Malloy began working on it as a hobby, but it rapidly gained traction commercially. Most of the original Hoverbike frame was handcrafted from Kevlar, carbon fiber and aluminum with a foam core. The design is similar to a quadcopter. It has four standard helicopter-style shrouded rotors and they overlap with each other and help provide stability. The full sized Hoverbike will harness a motorcycle engine and controls. It could ultimately be as large as a small car. The current mini-prototype is operated in a way thats similar to a hobbyist quadcopter. The smaller version uses electric motors and a standard RC helicopter controller can be used to direct it. The Hoverbike has entered its third generation of development. For enhanced reliability and survivability, this generation has multi-engine redundancy and special yaw control, in addition to other advances. The chassis is adaptable so it can be quickly reconfigured for specific missions. Speeder bikes with smarts There is a fully autonomous option so this is a speeder bike that can fly itself. The high level of autonomy also means that learning to ride it should be relatively easy. It can be adjusted to vary how much input the pilot would like to give; it calibrates to how much autopilot a warfighter wants. US military Hoverbikes could be programmed with easy waypoint-to-waypoint navigation and fly itself between points and could even eventually avoid obstacles on its own. Picture Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia battling it out with enemy soldiers in that iconic chase scene in Return of the Jedi while on speeder bikes. Luke and Leia had to fly their speeder bikes and navigate throughout a forest while returning fire. But American warfighters could let the Hoverbike do the work for them and instead focus on returning fire. Hoverbikes in war It has also been designed to be stealthy in a number of ways. Since it flies through the air, rather than drives on the ground, it has a very small physical footprint. The operating envelope is below the radar. For a reduced acoustic signature, its been designed to minimize propeller tip noise from the shrouded fans. And whats more, it doesnt require runways or traditional landing zones, giving it more flexibility. The full-sized prototype could potentially travel at speeds of approximately 100 mph. One tank of gas could yield about 45 minutes of transport. Firefight resupply Rectangular-shaped, the prototype is expected to be large enough to carry up to 300 pounds of supplies, or a warfighter with body armor and equipment. With that weight, it can currently travel about 10 miles before refueling. In firefights, ammunition can run low quickly and resupply is important and time-sensitive. Currently, helicopters can be used to drop off these urgent supplies, but in the future a JTARV could zoom out instead. Ultimately, there are hopes that it could reach and resupply anywhere in the battlespace within 30 minutes. Cattle, commuter traffic and beyond How could the Hoverbike be used in the civilian world? In addition to fun, it could be used for farming or managing cattle, as just two commercial applications. It could even become a vehicle of choice to get to work and avoid that commuter traffic. Once testing is completed, the company plans to submit the prototype for certification with aviation authorities for use in civilian airspace. The latest full-sized prototype is completing construction and will begin flight tests in a few months. One way or another, Donald Trump is about to arrive on Pennsylvania Avenue. The Trump International Hotel, Washington D.C. has its soft opening on Monday. Located in the historic Old Post Office Building at 1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, its just a few blocks from the house Trump hopes to reside in come Jan. 20. The Old Post Office, a Romanesque revival building that opened in 1899, has undergone a $200 million renovation to become a hotel. Here are the seven of its top amenities and features. 1. An opulent inaugural weekend package. Even if he loses the election, Trump will make out big on Jan. 20 if a traveler books the hotels $500,0000 inauguration package. A stay in the 6,300-square-foot Trump Townhouse will include dinner for 24 in the duplex suites dining room (with the opportunity to select dishes from favorite presidential meals of past inaugural galas), 24/7 car service and two round-trip first-class tickets from anywhere in the United States. 2. Wine by the spoon. Many on Twitter lambasted Trump for eating pizza with a fork. Now its Trumps use of spoons that could draw traditionalists wrath. According to Travel Weekly, the hotels lobby lounge, Cortile, will offer wines by the spoon, giving guests the opportunity to taste ounce-size samples of rare and expensive wine on a silver spoon. Though people have been drinking wine for 8,000 years, a quick search of the definitive chronicler of mankinds history Google found no other venue that serves it by the spoon. 3. A night in the former office of the postmaster general. That 4,000-square-foot presidential suite yes, its smaller than the Trump Townhouse (because Trump) is the former office of the U.S. postmaster general. Its wood trim and carved symbols in the molding have been preserved, but the dining room with butlers pantry, the canopy bed and the bathrooms Calacatta gold marble are new touches. 4. Yes, there will be food. Normally its not a big deal for a luxury hotel to a have a place to eat. But after celebrity chefs Jose Andres and Geoffrey Zakarian backed out of their deals to open restaurants in the hotel because of comments Trump made on the campaign trail, it took a lot of work but BLT Prime by David Burke has since signed on to open a location in the hotel. 5. The debut of The Spa by Ivanka Trump. For a woman whos managing multiple business endeavors, campaigning for her father and parenting three children, Ivanka Trump seems pretty relaxed in her public appearances. So maybe the 10,000-square-foot The Spa by Ivanka Trump the debut of a spa line that will launch at other Trump hotels will be the careful stimulation of senses that will make America great again. There's a very specific point of view that I think has not yet been done in the spa space, Ivanka told Travel Weekly. It's going to be an experience very unique to us and our hotel company. 6. An historic clock tower and observation deck. The buildings 315-foot clock tower--part of the National Mall and Memorial Parks-- makes it the third tallest building in Washington, with an observation deck that affords panoramic views of the city. The tower also houses the Bells of Congress, which are replicas of the bells at Westminster Abbey. The Trump Hotel will offer guests National Park Services-escorted tours of the tower and will play the bells on special occasions and Thursday nights (for practice). 7. On-theme kids activities. I love babies, Trump said at a rally in Virginia last month. That grandfatherly affection carries over to details in the hotel, with its location-themed activities for kids: little ones can play "postman for a day." Other activities include the opportunity to design, print, and mail your own postcard, on-demand board games and books, and signature spa servives geared toward the younger set. Federal authorities arrested a woman who allegedly set two blankets and a control panel on fire during a JetBlue flight bound for Puerto Rico. The FBI said Wednesday that Idializ Gomez used a lighter to burn the items mid-flight. She was charged after landing in the southern Puerto Rico town of Ponce aboard a flight that originated in New York City. The FBI said in a statement that the woman had been charged with the destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities in violation of Title 18 USC Section 32(a)(1). The agency said that the incident occurred Tuesday before dawn. Its unclear the motive behind the attempted fires. U.S. federal regulators allow passengers to carry one lighter in their carry-on baggage. JetBlue said the incident was under investigation and wouldnt comment further on the matter, according to The Sun. The Associated Press contributed to this report. In the wake of fierce criticism over the investigation of Hillary Clinton's private email server and release of related documents, FBI Director James Comey issued an internal memo Wednesday to employees regarding the agency's "commitment to transparency" while also taking time to hit back at critics. Comey defended the bureau's release on Friday of documents from the Clinton server investigation, writing "we don't play games." "I almost ordered the material held until Tuesday because I knew we would take all kinds of grief for releasing it before a holiday weekend, but my judgment was that we had promised transparency and it would be game-playing to withhold it from the public just to avoid folks saying stuff about us," Comey wrote. He added the FBI is continuing to process additional material, and will release documents as they are ready, "no matter the day of the week." Comey also described Clinton's case as "not a cliff-hanger." "At the end of the day, the case itself was not a cliff-hanger; despite all the chest-beating by people no longer in government, there really wasn't a prosecutable case," Comey wrote. "The hard part was whether to offer unprecedented transparency about our thinking. I explain to our alumni that I struggled with that part, but decided the best way to protect the FBI, the Department of Justice, and the American people's sense of justice was to announce it in the way we did - with extraordinary transparency and without any kind of coordination." The FBI director said he will be testifying at the House Judiciary Committee during the last week of September as part of the regular annual oversight hearing. "This is our regular annual oversight hearing, so I'm hoping to cover many aspects of the Bureau's great work," he wrote. "Of course, I'm guessing folks will want to ask about the email investigation." He also took time to hit back at those critical of the bureau's investigation into Clinton. "I explain to our alums that I'm okay if folks have a different view of the investigation (although I struggle to see how they actually could, especially when they didn't do the investigation), or about the wisdom of announcing it as we did (although even with hindsight I think that was the best course), but I have no patience for suggestions that we conducted ourselves as anything but what we are - honest, competent, and independent. Those suggesting that we are "political" or part of some "fix" either don't know us, or they are full of baloney (and maybe some of both)," he wrote. He concluded the memo with writing, "I will try not to bother you with this any longer." Ignore search-engine optimization (SEO) and focus on content. Worst. Advice. Ever. SEO still is kicking. The rules have changed and some of the starting lineup were in the minors a few years ago, but you need a plan. Look at just a few recent stats: 93 percent of online experiences begin with a search engine 75 percent of users never scroll past the first page of search results 70 to 80 percent of search users ignore paid ads Is SEO necessary? Yes, it is. SEO simply "translates" your website into language that's easily understood by search engines -- so users see your pages when they go hunting for offers, products, services, information or answers to specific questions. The "how" is SEO, and even a beginners guide can seem overwhelming. The exact formula used by Google and Bing is subject to debate. RankBrain, content and links that point to your site are three of the biggest ranking signals. But other factors play their role, too. Ive seen businesses make the same mistakes over and over again. Here are the three most frequent offenders. 1. Keywords. Keywords used to be ... well, key. But then content became king. You still need keywords. Two mistakes that novices and experts alike continue to make? Stuffing keywords and targeting the wrong words. Stuffing aims to trick the engines by using an exact keyword phrase in an unnatural frequency. Observe: Our car polish is the best car polish on the car polish market. If youre looking for the best car polish, then look no further than our best car polish. Its the best car polish money can buy! Horrible. Do that, and the engines will penalize you. It sounds stilted, it offers nothing of value and its obviously meant to game the system. Google uses Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) to analyze your page's intent and determine keyword variations. Trust it. Use naturally occurring synonyms and alternatives instead of word-for-word repetition. Have a keyword focus, but dont force it. Include the keyword and its variations in the title, opening paragraph, meta-description and throughout the body of the text (within reason). Use the Keyword Planner to identify words that pop in searches, but resist the automatic urge to go after those with the largest search volume. Instead, find the relevant long tail keywords (three- to four-word phrases that make up the bulk of searches) with a decent volume. Use Trends to determine whats popular and whats so last year. A little homework goes a long way. Related: How to Master Keyword Research, Production and Promotion for Your Content Marketing Campaign 2. Anchor text. Anchor text -- the clickable words in a hyperlink -- can land you in hot water. You want your page links to point toward other content on your site as well as relevant material on external sites. Businesses used to get away with exact-match or keyword-rich anchor text. Not anymore. Your best bet is a healthy mix: Branded text, as in " QuickSprout has a great user guide" Naked links, as in " www.entrepreneur.com" Long tail links, as in "use a wide variety of anchor types to stay safe Just dont rely on anchor text as your anchor text in a piece about anchor text. 3. Image optimization. We love visuals, and they increase engagement. Visually charged content gets more clicks, likes and shares. But there's a problem: Search engines cant see images. Engines need textual explanations to understand what the image represents and how it connects to your topic. Include a highly relevant file name, alt-description (a description of the image, as if you were telling a friend what the image depicts), caption, and image title. Some studies found captions are read 300 percent more than body text. Consider a compression tool such as PunyPNG or JPEGmini to reduce file size and load time, with very little loss of quality. Faster page = better SEO. 4. Link strategy. Backlinks matter. In the 2016 State of Link Building Survey, 90 percent of respondents reported they use content publication/promotion and guest posting as part of their link-building strategy. And 78 percent of survey participants believe it's the most effective SEO-boosting strategy. It's still a case of quality over quantity. You run the risk of Google's wrath if you include links from penalized sites or those with a domain authority less than 20. Populating with too many backlinks, too quickly, also could have negative effects. Spammy guest-blogging or link directories will hurt you. Instead, write high-quality content. Share it with influencers in your niche, and promote it on social media. Establish relationships with influential sites so you can pitch useful ideas that fit with their subject and theme to offer real benefit to their readers. Yes, it will take longer. But three to four relevant, high-authority/high-quality backlinks are infinitely better than 100 backlinks from questionable sources. Commit yourself to playing the long game. Read This: Ultimate Guide to Link Building by Eric Ward and Garrett French | Amazon | eBooks.com | Barnes & Noble 5. Fans and followers. Social media is fantastic, but your number of fans is irrelevant. Its about engagement: How are you connecting and interacting with people, and how are they engaging with you? Googles Webmaster Trends Analyst, John Mueller, would tell you that y our social-media following has no direct affect on your SEO. All the same, an active community of members who share your content and link back to your site can spread your brand awareness and authority. In turn, this increases your site traffic. Social activity signals to Google that people are interested in your site and spreading its message. Remember this mantra: It's not about numbers, it's about activity -- the actions you generate and the engagement your audience takes forward. Mistakes are bound to happen. SEO is a complicated beast, after all. Avoiding these common pitfalls will help you play it smart and pay off in the long-term. An American flag that turned up in Washington state two years ago is believed to be the flag that was raised by firefighters above the site of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York. The Everett Police Department, with help from forensic experts, made the assessment after the flag turned up in 2014. The flag will be donated to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Still, the mystery about how the flag turned up nearly 3,000 miles away from New York. The flag disappeared from Ground Zero during the site cleanup. The police investigation began in November 2014 when a man, who identified himself as Brian, dropped off a flag in a plastic bag that he said was given to him by a widow of a 9/11 victim at an Everett fire station. According to Q13 Fox, the man said for some reason he thought the flag was from Ground Zero. This flag was turned in with a story. Reported to be the iconic flag raised at Ground Zero September 2001, Everett Deputy Police Chief Mark St. Clair told Q13 Fox. The detectives' investigation included DNA analysis, photographic comparisons and eyewitness identification. Washington State Patrol Crime Lab scientist Bill Schneck was tasked with figuring out whether the flag was from Ground Zero. Oh my gosh! I figured it was incredibly patriotic for one thing. Just to know Im looking at something this important, Schneck said. He said that he began to examine the particles from the flag and compared with the dust particles captured from Ground Zero after the attack and during the cleanup. He also analyzed the original photograph. If you look at the original photograph from 9/11 you see a certain black electric tape holding two lines together and they had the same general profile so I knew then, well, this could be it, he added. Schneck said he analyzed his findings over and over again and is now certain that the flag was from Ground Zero. He said he was invited to the ceremonies that are set to take place Sunday to remember the 15th anniversary of the terror attacks, but he declined saying that hes no hero and that Americans should all remember the victims, first responders and the families involved in the attacks. Everett police have asked the public to help find the man who dropped off the flag. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Click for more from Q13 Fox. Southern California residents sparred Wednesday over a hotly contested plan to build nearly 900 homes and a hotel on a vast stretch of land riddled with oil drilling that also provides critical habitat for endangered and threatened wildlife. In a meeting that was still going after 12 hours, hundreds of people packed a crowded meeting room in upscale Newport Beach to hear the California Coastal Commission discuss a plan to develop the 401-acre site known as Banning Ranch. Opponents carried signs with pictures of burrowing owls and urged the state panel to preserve the shrub-covered land as open space. Linda Mendenhall, who lives near the property, said she's tired of the traffic and congestion in Orange County and relishes the wide open views and animals she has enjoyed seeing from her home for nearly three decades. "We just don't think they need to build another small city," she said. More than 400 people signed up to speak on the proposal by Newport Banning Ranch to build 895 homes, a 75-room hotel and retail complex on the tract inhabited by the owls and other wildlife. Many of the homes would have sweeping ocean views and sell for more than $1 million, according to the developers. The site is considered to be the largest remaining privately held coastal property that could be developed south of Los Angeles, according to a commission spokeswoman. Staff members for the commission recommended developers shrink the plan and confine building to 20 acres to protect habitat for the owl, which lives in holes dug by ground squirrels and is considered a bird of special concern in California. The owl was a very popular topic among both public and commissioners, and sometimes the topic brought laughter. Referring to the bird's mythology as a wise creature and the dangers humans posed to them, Jonna Engel of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said "they are not wise about cars." Jack Ainsworth, the commission's acting executive director, said the proposed development is one of the most important issues the panel has faced in the past four decades. "It is critically important to get it right, because we may not get a second chance here and significant coastal resources are at stake," he told commissioners. The plan would preserve roughly 80 percent of the land as open space, but environmentalists want a larger chunk protected, saying the property is home to species including the threatened California gnatcatcher a small, blue-gray songbird and a rare vernal pool system that fills with rainwater where endangered San Diego fairy shrimp are known to thrive. Newport Banning Ranch a partnership involving Aera Energy, Cherokee Investment Partners and Brooks Street has argued that developing about 70 acres would help raise as much as $40 million for restoration following years of oil drilling and give the public access to walking trails and educational programs on the coast. Michael Mohler, senior project manager for Newport Banning Ranch, said the limitations suggested by the commission's staff were unrealistic and would thwart the project. "We're proposing to restore the entire site for a beneficial ecosystem for all species, as I said earlier, including man," he said. Commissioner Mary Shallenberger said this was a good reason to oppose the project, saying the sides are "too far apart on this." Dozens of people also attended the meeting wearing T-shirts backing the project, which would limit oil drilling to 15 acres. If the homes are not approved, developers say they'll continue drilling on the site. Environmental advocates contend the oil mess should be cleaned up regardless of whether homes are constructed. While some oil wells still operate, many have been abandoned and old, rusty pipes are strewn across the land overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Steve Ray, executive director for the Banning Ranch Conservancy, urged the panel to deny the homes even if the drilling continues. "What they see as an oil field, we see as open space," he said. Last year, developers proposed an even larger version of the project. Staff members recommended that plan be denied, and commissioners encouraged them to work with Newport Banning Ranch to come up with a smaller proposal. The project faces opposition from some Native American groups that have historic ties to the land where the Santa Ana River meets the ocean. Elected officials from nearby cities also disputed whether the plan would help, or hurt, their crowded suburban neighborhoods. Newport Beach Mayor Diane Dixon supported the project. "The Newport Banning oil field is not an environmental gem. It is a brown field," Dixon said. "It would be tragic if we let this historic opportunity slip away." Criminal charges have been dropped against a Bronx, N.Y. cabby who beat his wifes would-be rapist to death with a tire iron, prosecutors announced Wednesday. Mamadou Diallo, 61, had faced assault and weapons charges after bludgeoning Earl Nash to death last May as the brute tried to rape Diallos wife inside their apartment. Diallos family burst into cheers as Bronx Supreme Court Justice Marc Whiten signed off on the dismissal, while the heroic husband sat stoically in court. There could be no joy in a circumstance such as this, the judge said. Mr. Diallo, you are free to go. Outside the courtroom, Diallo, who cried with his wife when he was informed of the dismissal Wednesday morning, seemed relieved. Im happy for the American justice, and its the best way in the world, thats what I say, he said. Click for more from The New York Post. More than 400 inmates barricaded themselves inside a Florida prison Wednesday night, forcing corrections officers from five other prisons to help put down the riot, The Miami Herald reported. The prisoners locked themselves inside four dormitories at the Holmes Correctional Institution in Holmes County on Floridas Panhandle, the Department of Corrections told The Herald. It was unclear what triggered the riot, how long it lasted and how much damage occurred. The prison remained on lockdown Thursday. There was one inmate on inmate injury that occurred during the disturbance. No staff were injured Florida DOC spokesperson Michelle Glady said in a statement. The Department is currently accessing the facility for any damages that have resulted and have transported all the involved inmates to other locations. Vietnam's largest city has something for everyone around the clock: from a leisurely walk, a journey to the past to spectacular sight of skyscrapers of Vietnam's business hub. Nguyen Hue walking street Photo by Thien Chuong Located in downtown Saigon, the walking street opened in April last year. On week days, vehicles are allowed to drive down Nguyen Hue Street, but from 6pm to 1am on Saturday and Sunday, vehicles are banned to make room for pedestrians. The street holds public events like parades, meetings and street festivals, and is turned into a flowery paradise during Vietnams traditional Tet holiday. The street is the ideal place for young people to practice their hoverboarding skills or to put on street music performances. On the two sides of the street, you can also find several hot shopping spots. Nhieu Loc Canal Photo by Thao Nghi The boats, which depart from Le Van Sy Marina (District 3) or Thi Nghe Marina (District 1), carry tourists 4.5 kilometers along the canal to enjoy the peace and quiet of Vietnams largest city to a musical background. Tickets range from VND110,000 (5$) for a large boat (10-22 people) to VND220,000 (10$) for a small boat (3-5 people). Century-old buildings Notre Dame Cathedral, photo by Huu Cong Standing silently in the bustling city, buildings constructed following European styles draw the attention of any passers-by. The names tourists shouldnt ignore are Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office, the Opera House and Ben Thanh Market. Ham Thu Thiem Park Photo by Thuy Phuong Almost all Saigoneers know this: to see the two different side of Saigon, glory and shabbiness, find Ham Thu Thiem Park. Looking along a dark river, tourists can record a panoramic view of District 1 and the prominent image of the 68-story Bitexco building, Saigons iconic tower. If you are a photography lover, visit the park before sunset to capture stunning images when the sun starts disappearing behind the skyscrapers. Cholon Photo by Thanh Hai Cholon, which means big market in English and was formally known as Binh Tay Market, is Vietnams largest Chinatown. Visitors can find anything they want here, dried fruit, Chinese herbals and even flip flops. Cholon is a great place to see classical Chinese architecture reminiscent of years gone by with plenty of Chinese restaurants and temples in the surrounding area. Fun-fact: The Cholon we know today is not the original. It was built from 1927 to 1930 as a replacement for the old Cholon which burnt down in a fierce fire at the time. Cu Chi Tunnels Photo by VnExpress/Hai Nam The Cu Chi Tunnels form an immense underground network in Cu Chi District, about 70 kilometers from the center of Saigon. The tunnels were used to shelter during combat and to transport food and weapons for North Vietnamese fighters in the 1960s. Visitors can crawl through the tunnels, view command centers and booby traps and even enjoy the food soldiers lived on in the tunnels. Coffee culture Racket coffee, or 'ca phe vot', is a must-try in Saigon. The coffee is filtered through a fabric racket, which offers an unique taste and smell. Photo by Phong Vinh. Not just a beverage, coffee has become a part of life in Saigon. If Hanoians love to check into luxury coffee chains, Saigoneers just need a cup of coffee, a plastic stool and a space on the sidewalk to chat with friends. Prices for black coffee and white coffee, the city's beverages of choice, range from VND10,000 to VND15,000 ($0.5-0.7) per cup, just half the price you'd find in Hanoi. Related news: > TripAdvisor names Hanoi most affordable city to visit > Da Lats 'lonely' tree offers shelter for the night Renee Suns 21-year-old son always wondered why his girlfriend of three months regularly ended her tearful breakup speeches by pulling him close and whispering into his ear, Text me. The brief but tempestuous relationship began when the two were students at University of Colorado-Boulder -- he an admittedly naive engineering student and she a foreign scholar from Mongolia. She approached him, asked him on a date, took yoga classes with him, and learned about his religion, according to Sun, who asked that her son not be named. In retrospect, Sun and her family believe he was being played. This was a setup that trapped a simple American young man for the benefit of gaining legal status for this woman's entire family, her mother, and her brother, Sun said. By finding a victim like my son, they can stay in this country and immediately enjoy all the social benefits. The reason for the parting double message seemed to become clear when Suns son was arrested and learned his erstwhile paramour had gone to campus police claiming he was stalking her. Every time he texted her, he unknowingly provided digital evidence to prove her claim. That made her and her family members eligible for the only prize they were ever really after, according to Sun and immigration experts: A green card known to bureaucrats and applicants as the U visa, which would allow them to stay in the U.S. legally and ultimately gain citizenship. Immigrants, whether legal or illegal, may apply for the U visa if they are victims of certain crimes, including stalking and domestic violence, and if they help law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution. The U visa, created as part of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, allows the alleged victims to remain in the U.S. while assisting law enforcement, and they can then become eligible to adjust to lawful permanent resident status. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the U visa is in place largely to protect women and children who may be victims of crimes such as human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault and other abuse, but are afraid to report the crimes due to factors including the language barrier, cultural differences, lack of knowledge of U.S. laws and deportation fears. Former Arapahoe County (Colo.) District Attorney Michael Steinberg, who now specializes in such cases, said, "anyone who enters the country illegally and can produce a restraining order or affidavit, even with no hard evidence of abuse, is likely to be approved for a work permit and permanent residency." Steinberg, in a paper posted on his website, notes that accused individuals such as Sun's son are not allowed to offer Customs and Immigration Services evidence, even if it shows the petitioner has engaged in criminal behavior. The U visa provision even brings to a halt deportation proceedings that may have already been under way, Steinberg said. A local prosecutor charged Suns son with stalking, and while the first trial ended in a hung jury, he was convicted on retrial. It has been devastating for my son, our family and the people who know about this relationship and care about my son, Sun said, noting the family is considering an appeal. If it was a con, it was not the first of its kind, say experts. While foreign nationals unquestionably experience domestic violence in America, savvy scammers know that playing the card opens up loopholes to legal residency and even citizenship. Every week we hear from people who have been taken advantage of by fraudsters, said Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies for the Washington-based Center for Immigration Policy. Its hard to hear these stories of citizens who are duped and not only have their hearts broken, but often their bank account drained and lose their good name to false accusations of abuse, but is a predictable consequence of giving out green cards to anyone who claims to have been the victim of a crime. The number of people submitting U visa applications to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services claiming to be victims of crime has increased dramatically in recent years, rising to 52,666 last year from 24,768 applicants in 2012. The number is on track to reach nearly 58,000 by years end. It cant be that there has suddenly been a wave of domestic violence or victimization of immigrants, Vaughan said. Instead, the advocates for illegal immigrants have realized that these special green card programs are a way to launder the status of many illegal aliens in the absence of a larger amnesty. John Sampson, a retired Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, who now operates CSI Consulting and Investigations, which specializes in helping U.S. citizens victimized by foreign national visa scams, was an expert witness in the Suns case. "If he was harassing her, why didn't she block his number, get a new phone, tell his parents about him, or get a restraining order before a year's time? Why subject herself to a year's long harassment that turned into stalking?" Sampson said claiming to be a victim of stalking, harassment or domestic violence to obtain a U visa is a common scenario. Unfortunately, most of the courts and prosecutors are fully unaware of what is going on. They have no idea, Sampson said. The so-called domestic violence visas are even easier to obtain if the underlying relationship blooms into a marriage, Sampson warned. Of the more than 450,000 immigrant visas issued on the basis of a marriage to a U.S. citizen each year, nearly 30 percent are fraudulent, Sampson said, citing US ICE statistics. It is these one-sided immigration marriage fraud schemes that cause the most damage to unsuspecting U.S. citizens and their families, Sampson said. They are abused emotionally, financially, psychologically and, often times, physically. And no one seems to be interested in stopping this heinous crime. All the foreign nationals have to do, Sampson said, is allege they are the victim of domestic violence or abuse, even on the same day of marriage, and then they become a permanent resident alien in an instant. Obstacles that normally prevent a foreign national from obtaining a green card or being deported are waived for those claiming domestic violence because the foreign national is now the victim, said Sampson. It's the mother of all Get Out of Jail Free Cards, Sampson said. In addition to having their hearts broken, U.S. citizens taken in by the scam can have their lives ruined and even be sent to prison. Some have seen their bank accounts emptied by newly-minted resident aliens, who often go straight onto the government dole, Sampson said. New Jersey resident Elena Maria Lopez claims she was targeted in an immigration marriage fraud scheme, and now runs an advocacy website to educate the public about such scams. The easiest way to get a quick green card is by claiming domestic violence against your American spouse, Lopez said. Making such unsubstantiated, uninvestigated allegations can help you bypass background checks and is almost a guaranteed green card for foreign nationals that would've been flagged on many other levels. While immigrants are often eligible for pro bono legal help, including immigration fraud, no such help is available to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents scammed by immigrants for legal status, Lopez said. Dani Bennett, spokesman for ICEs Homeland Security Investigations, said the agency places a high priority on investigating identity and benefit fraud. These types of fraud pose a severe threat to homeland security and public safety because they create a vulnerability that enables criminals and other nefarious actors to gain entry and remain in the United States, Bennett said. In 2015, Homeland Security Investigations arrested 873 individuals on federal criminal charges related to benefit fraud and another 1,282 individuals on federal document fraud charges, Bennett said. Theres no doubt there are true victims of domestic violence, and the Violence Against Women Act, initially signed into law in 1994, has been key in getting the abused much-needed protection, said Claude Arnold, a retired U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations. This is a tough situation, Arnold said. You want to have the law protect domestic violence victims, yet the law also creates another vulnerability in our immigration system that is exploited by fraudsters. Eric Cheeley, a devout Pentecostal Christian who sued the city of Miami for religious discrimination after he was fired from the capital improvements department for anointing the office with oily crosses because he wanted to "just bless the department" had his claim denied by a federal judge last month. According to the Miami New Times, two years ago Cheeley arrived at his job at the capital improvements department at around 6 a.m. and began his ritual morning Bible reading at his desk when he felt an unction from the Lord. "[I] was sitting in my cubicle crying; I thought I heard what, in my opinion, God telling me: 'Look, just bless the department ... and go on about your business,'" Cheeley, who also sued for back pay and attorneys' fees, told police. His colleagues, however, did not see his actions as a blessing. Facts cited in a copy of the lawsuit say city employees called police to report that someone had vandalized their office, applying an oily substance, mostly in the shape of crosses, all over the CIP department's walls, doorways, and cubicles. The investigation forced a shutdown of the entire department. The Miami New Times said employees called the police because they feared the crosses were some sort of workplace threat. One employee thought the crosses represented Santeria a religion that focuses on building relationships between human beings and powerful, but mortal, spirits, called Orishas. Cheeley, who was already out in the field working when his colleagues arrived, had no idea what was going on when his colleagues got scared at his handiwork. When he eventually heard about the police investigation, Cheeley took responsibility and told his supervisor, Mark Spanioli, that he had anointed certain areas of the office with a special oil to "just bless the department." The convicted rapist who shot two corrections officers in Fresno, Calif., last week was an illegal immigrant who was only in the U.S. because his homeland refused to take him, federal officials confirmed Wednesday. Thong Vang, a 37-year-old Laotian national who completed a 16-year rape sentence two years ago and was slated for deportation, instead was freed when Laotian officials did not respond to a request by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to assist in his removal. When Laotian officials failed to respond to that request, ICE released Mr. Vang in December, 2014 due to the Supreme Courts ruling in Zadvydas v. Davis, ICE spokeswoman Virginia Kice said. The ruling Kice cited held that immigrants under order of deportation but whom no other country will accept may not be held indefinitely, absent special circumstances. Last year, 3,735 illegal immigrant criminals from Laos were ordered deported but instead freed when the country refused to cooperate. "This is another horrifying example of the consequences of failing to push the issue of deportations with uncooperative countries," said Jessica Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies for the Center for Immigration Studies. "Laos has been a problem for many years, and there are more than 3,700 criminals still here as a result, but still the State Department has not lifted a finger to take action against that government. Instead, they keep issuing visas they gave out more than 11,000 temporary visas in the last five years in Laos, despite the requirement in federal law that they impose visa sanctions on countries that wont take back their citizens." Vaughan said she hopes the wounded officers will recover, and that they and Fresno County officials will ask the federal government for an explanation for why nothing has been done about this problem, and call for action before others are hurt. By contrast, some 67,792 Mexican nationals slated for removal could not be deported and nearly 29,000 Cubans were also freed after deportation failed. The issue made national headlines in June, when the Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security, ICEs parent agency, blasted the department for not doing more to ensure deportation of a Haitian national who murdered a Connecticut woman after being released from prison. The Connecticut case prompted House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, to blast the State Department at a July hearing for not doing more to force recalcitrant countries to take back their criminals. The law states that the State Department must stop issuing visas to citizens of such countries until they cooperate with removals. He should have automatically been deported back to his home country of Haiti after he was released from prison, Chaffetz thundered. But instead, he was released from custody because Haiti refused to take him back and we just accepted that. We just said, Ok Haiti, well go ahead and keep him here in the United States. The case involving Laotian national Vang comes even as President Obama is in the Southeast Asian country on a diplomatic mission. It is not known if Obama raised the issue of improving cooperation on deportations. ICE continues to work through diplomatic channels with its partners at the Department of State to increase repatriation, Kice said in a statement. The U.S. government remains firm and focused in its resolve to engage all nations that deny or unreasonably delay the acceptance of their nationals. Despite ICEs inability to deport Vang, the agency had him under supervision and he was complying with orders to report on a regular basis, Kice said. Vang was in the main lobby of the Fresno County Jail Saturday morning when he opened fire with a handgun, wounding Juanita Davila and Toamalama Scanlan. Davila was listed in critical but stable condition and Scanlan was in critical condition. Fresno police officials said Vang was acting bizarrely and had been stopped from cutting to the front of the visitation line. Davila and Scanlan were shot when they approached Vang and told him to take a seat. Vang dropped his weapon and surrendered after the shooting. Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims told reporters after the incident that Vang belongs behind bars, in whatever country happens to hold him. This suspect is a prison inmate, a convict, a parole, and maybe thats where he belongs for the rest of his life, she said. Fox News' William Lajeunesse contributed to this report Hours after a family in Nebraska reported the disappearance of a 5-year-old boy, investigators found the child locked in a school van and ticketed the driver on suspicion of child neglect, police confirmed Thursday. The driver claimed he'd dropped off Samuel Van Tha Bik at his home in Omaha Wednesday afternoon, police said. Officers then went to where the school buses and vans were parked and found the boy sitting in one. Police found the child around 9 p.m. Wednesday, five hours after his scheduled release from classes at Field Club Elementary School. Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership, which operated the van, referred questions to Omaha Public Schools. Spokeswoman Monique Farmer told the Omaha World-Herald the school system scheduled an emergency meeting "to really ensure our contractor takes any appropriate disciplinary action, if thats necessary." On Tuesday, a school bus company in Pennsylvania fired a driver who reportedly left a 5-year-old boy alone on a school bus as temperatures soared into the 80s. Michelle Oquendo told WFMZ her son, Prince, missed his first day of kindergarten at the Monocacy Elementary Center in Amity Township because the driver failed to notice the child was on the bus. She said her son was sweating and his face was flushed, and workers treated him for dehydration. "I cried myself to sleep," the boy told KYW. In the Omaha case, the boy's family reported his disappearance around 6 p.m., and investigators used a helicopter as part of their search. The boy's father said he thought a substitute driver was operating the bus. School officials intend to discuss the situation Thursday with the bus service contractor. Police in Pennsylvania said they were still looking into the Amity Township case. The driver reportedly left the boy on the bus for more than four hours. New Rhoads Transportation owner Steve Rhoads told WFMZ the driver was "very remorseful, but it's done, and there is no gray area there on our side. We cannot take the chance again." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Horror erupted at a senior home in Chicago, Illinois, in the wee hours on Monday when Allen Smith, 80, a retired Baptist minister and Yale Divinity School graduate was allegedly shot dead by a wheelchair bound, 67-year-old pastor during an argument over the Bible. The Chicago Tribune said Smith and his alleged killer, Ted Merchant, a resident of the community who also ran a church at the senior home known as the Senior Suites of Rainbow Beach, were on the back patio of the property having their regular talk about Bible passages when he pull a gun and shot Smith dead. Merchant fled the scene in his motorized wheelchair but was arrested three blocks away at about 1:05 p.m., according to the Tribune. He was later charged with first-degree murder and was set to appear in bond court on Wednesday. Police say the shooting was caught on camera. The Christian Post contacted the Chicago Police Department for further details on why Smith was shot dead but a media representative was not available to respond to questions. The history page of the Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church in Hamden, Connecticut, says the church was started by Smith in 1962 after previously serving in ministry in New York City. "CTBC held its first service of worship on July 8, 1962. On Aug. 5, 1962, the newly formed worship group received 54 persons as its first members. The new church congregation was organized under the pastoral leadership of the Rev. Allen H. Smith, a graduate of Yale Divinity School. Smith had just completed a year of service as associate minister of the St. Albans Congregational Church, Jamaica, New York," the church said. Calls made to the church went unanswered but a post on the church's Facebook page said a memorial service would be held in Smith's honor at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. "Sad I won't be able to make it there. But I will be with those in spirit. Interestingly enough, it was 48 years ago today on that property that Rev. Smith joined my parents together in holy matrimony. He will be deeply missed," wrote Michelle Wright in response to the announcement. Wilfred Sealy added, "Very sad for a man of God to be taken away from us in this manner. We have to continue to pray day by day." Police investigating the shooting death of a prominent Ferguson, Missouri activist in a burning car asked anybody who may have information about the crime to step forward. St. Louis County police say 29-year-old Daren Seals' body was found early Tuesday in Riverview near Ferguson. His death is being investigated as a homicide. Authorities spelled his name as Daren, but other records show it as Darren. Seals was a highly visible activist during protests over the 2014 police killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson. Brown, who was unarmed, was shot and killed in August 2014 by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson. The death and a grand jury's decision not to indict Wilson led to sometimes-violent protests. Viral video showed Seals comforting Brown's sobbing mother, Lezley McSpadden, atop a car the night the grand jury's decision was announced. "With the victim being who he is, he's been very prominent in the community, we're hoping this helps us out with people calling us because we want that to happen- we need to solve this together," St. Louis County Police Sergeant Shawn McGuire told Fox 2. Other activists during the Ferguson protests mourned Seals on social media Wednesday. Seals "always spoke up for everyone else and it didn't matter in what way they lost their life, he was just concerned that a life was lost and I think that that is the bigger picture," his friend Mya White reacted. Click for more from Fox 2. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A man wanted for killing his son and critically wounding his ex-wife before using Facebook to admit to the attack was found dead in a South Carolina motel room on Wednesday, North Carolina police said. Norlina Police Chief Taylor Bartholomew told media outlets in Raleigh that authorities tracked Earl Valentine's cellphone to Richmond, Virginia, on Wednesday morning. Bartholomew said Valentine was visiting his father's grave. The chief said police then tracked Valentine to Columbia, South Carolina, where U.S. Marshals found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Valentine was charged with murder in the shooting of his 15-year-old son early Tuesday. Police said the teenager was killed when he tried to stop Valentine from shooting Keisha Valentine. Bartholomew said Keisha Valentine remains in critical condition. One month before being deployed to Iraq, a local Army sergeant was murdered in Burien, Washington. Army Sgt. Timothy Hovey, 27, who was stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, was shot multiple times Sunday morning after a house party. The King County Sheriffs Office doesnt have a suspect or vehicle description. So investigators are still interviewing people who attended the party or lived nearby. This is not something you expect to be going on this close to your house, said neighbor Katherine Nagy. Nagy awoke to her family calling 911 after hearing at least four gunshots Sunday morning near their home. There had been a house party a couple blocks from where he had been shot and we understand he decided to go for a walk, said sheriff's Sgt. Cindi West. Hovey's friends found him in the neighborhood suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. His friends pulled up, saw that he was shot and they loaded him up in their car and took him to Highline Hospital, said West. Hovey died a few hours later. Anytime theres a shooting, anytime theres a killing, its very scary, said Nagy. Thats why investigators are determined to find out who did it. Its a terrible tragedy, were really hoping somebody will come forward. Somebody knows what happened, said West. Click for more from Q13 Fox. Police in Phoenix Thursday were hunting for a group of men they accused of following a driver before shooting her in the head -- apparently while she was calling 911. Investigators said shortly after the call on Wednesday night, they found a woman critically injured at the scene of a car crash, and she died at a nearby hospital. The woman who called 911 claimed somebody was driving erratically in a truck and "actually chasing her," Phoenix Police Sgt. Jonathan Howard told Fox 10. He said the dispatcher then heard three gunshots before the call ended. The car crashed into a center divider on State Route 51, police added. Based on the woman's description, police said three Hispanic men were in the white truck. Investigators said the vehicle carried ladder racks and a toolbox. A possible motive was unclear. Four other vehicles crashed after the shooting, Fox 10 reported, adding that paramedics rushed two other people to hospitals with minor injuries. Police said there was no sign the crime was related to the recent serial shooting case putting the city on edge. Click for more from Fox 10. The Japanese government is ready to provide Vietnam with new patrol ships. The Japanese government said on Wednesday it is ready to provide Vietnam with new patrol ships, in its latest step to boost the maritime law-enforcement capabilities of countries locked in territorial rows with China. On Tuesday, Japan agreed to provide two large patrol ships and lend up to five used surveillance aircraft to the Philippines, another country at odds with China over sovereignty issues in the South China Sea, which Vietnam calls the East Sea. Japan itself has been at loggerheads with China over a group of tiny, uninhabited East China Sea islets. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, of Tokyo's intention in their meeting on the sidelines of ASEAN-related meetings in Vientiane. Japan has already provided six patrol ships to Vietnam, but they were all used ones, a Japanese foreign ministry official said, adding that details such as the timing of the delivery and the number of ships to be provided have yet to be fixed. Japan plans to extend a low-interest loan under its official development assistance program to Vietnam to facilitate the acquisition. China has laid claim to almost all of the South China Sea, where about $5 trillion worth of seaborne trade passes every year. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims in the sea believed to have rich deposits of oil and gas. A court of arbitration in The Hague in July said China's claims to the waterway were invalid, after a case was brought by the Philippines. Beijing has refused to recognise the ruling. Related news: > China under pressure at Asia summit over sea row > Japan to provide planes, ships for Philippines amid sea dispute with China A team of self-styled cold case sleuths believes they have solved the 45-year-old mystery of D.B. Cooper, and on Thursday announced a federal lawsuit they claim could force the FBI to prove they are right. On Nov. 24, 1971, a passenger who called himself Dan Cooper told a flight attendant on Northwest Orient Flight 305 from Portland to Seattle that he had a bomb in his briefcase. Once the plane landed, Cooper swapped the passengers for parachutes and a suitcase bearing $200,000 and demanded to be taken to Mexico. Minutes after takeoff, he jumped out of the plane and into oblivion, touching off decades of investigation, speculation and fascination. Dan Cooper, who was later erroneously identified by a reporter as D.B. Cooper, the name that has stuck for four decades, was never found dead or alive and the crime remains unresolved, notes the complaint filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Washington by Thomas Colbert, which seeks to obtain the FBIs entire file on its investigation. The FBI announced in July it was no longer actively investigating the case, but Colbert, a TV and film executive with law enforcement experience, believes he and his team of 40 former FBI agents, criminologists, journalists and attorneys have figured out who Cooper was and what became of him. Colberts team has zeroed in on San Diego resident Robert Rackstraw, who is alive and well at age 72, as the man who jumped out of a plane at 10,000 feet and into 200 mph winds in pitch darkness, taking with him a small fortune. The team named Rackstraw as the possible suspect on a two-part History Channel show in July. Rackstraw had been a person of interest, but was never charged by the FBI Rackstraw could not be reached for comment and the FBI declined to discuss the lawsuit. Attorney Mark Zaid, who represents Colbert, said the cold case team has assembled an overwhelming 18 pieces of evidence, including DNA, forensic documents, letter trails, and interviews with former wives and a mistress that point to Rackstraw. Much of the evidence, Zaid claimed, was left out of the History Channel documentary. This guys background fits to a tee, Zaid said. It reads like a Tom Clancy or Robert Ludlum novel. The complaint lists several biographical elements and anecdotes allegedly regarding Rackstraw, who the cold case team believes pulled off the caper to stick it to the man. We are not only seeking the discoveries of the investigative files but we have laid out why we believe that Robert Rackstraw is the suspect, Zaid said. Theories about what became of Cooper have come and gone over the years, including alleged sightings and newly emerged clues. Many believe he died and his body was lost in the dense wilderness on the Washington-Oregon border. The most tantalizing clue to surface was the 1980 discovery of $5,800 of the ransom money found buried along the Columbia River. No one knows if the money was buried by the hijacker, scattered from the fall or found by someone and then buried, but the serial numbers matched the money given to Cooper. Tom Colbert, who has written a book on the Cooper case, said Rackstraw eluded investigators for years. This has been a scab on the side of the FBI for years, he said. A Florida Walmart store's display of Coke cans stacked to look like the World Trade Center's twin towers was removed after a social media uproar, the company said Thursday. A photo of the display was posted on Twitter Tuesday by a user named Online_Shawn. The display quickly drew condemnation from social media users. @online_shawn @JMoneyMC this is one of the lamest things I've ever seen Nitro Rad (@NitroRad) September 6, 2016 @online_shawn @Peter_Fries Tasty and utterly tasteless at the same time. Ande Pomfrey (@Charrrchimedes) September 6, 2016 Wal-Mart said in a statement the display was removed Wednesday. "We hold this moment in our country's history in the highest regard, and there was nothing disrespectful intended by the display," it said. The company said the design for the display for the store in Panama City Beach, Fla., came from the supplier, and was approved by its store management. The Coca-Cola bottler for the region said the display was meant to honor local firefighters and support an upcoming event for their organization. "We sincerely apologize that anyone was offended or misunderstood its intent, and we have replaced the display," the bottler said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Islamic radicals attacked 200 Christians at a Catholic mass in Indonesia, including children, and forced a priest to flee the church after he was threatened by the mob who harassed him as he read the Bible during a memorial service. AsiaNews reported on Wednesday that the incident occurred earlier this week at the church of St. Peter Purwosari, near Surakarta in Central Java, where 200 Christians had gathered to celebrate mass 1,000 days after the death of one of their loved ones. Usually such commemorations are held at the house of a family member, but this time village elders gave permission for the gathering to take place at a public facility, due to the large number of people. Several non-Catholics, including the village chief, were also in attendance. The two Muslim attackers who entered the building started to heckle and insult the priest after the first reading of the Bible, and although they were removed by police, they came back with a larger group of people and shut down the mass. "Just after communion they began to intimidate those present, including children, demanding that the mass be interrupted. Eventually the priest, Fr. Adrianus Sulistiyono, was forced to flee along with his assistant," one of the Catholic witnesses said. The potential affiliation of the attackers to any known terror groups was not made immediately clear. Russia's Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that the Israeli and the Palestinian leaders have agreed "in principle" to meet in Moscow for talks in what the Russians hope will relaunch the Mideast peace process after more than a two-year break. The comments indicate that Russia is pushing forward with its attempt to become a peace broker after a setback earlier in the week. On Tuesday, the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, said a meeting scheduled in Moscow this week had been delayed at Israel's request. While bringing the men together would represent an accomplishment for Moscow, a diplomatic breakthrough seems unlikely. Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remain far apart on key issues, and their differences have prevented meaningful talks since Netanyahu took office in 2009. The last round of peace talks broke down two and a half years ago, with no progress reported during months of negotiations brokered by the United States. The Palestinian leader has demanded that Israel halt settlement construction on occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians and carry out a prisoner release that was promised during the last round of talks. Netanyahu has rejected the terms and said the meeting should take place without conditions. In Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that Abbas and Netanyahu had accepted an invitation to meet in the Russian capital, but a date has not been set yet. There also was no word on whether the two had settled on an agenda for the meeting -- the key stumbling block in preparations. "The most important thing is to pick the right timing," Zakharova told reporters. "Intensive contacts on this are ongoing." During a visit to Poland on Tuesday, Abbas said a meeting in Moscow had been scheduled this week, but that Israel had delayed it at the last minute. Abbas and Netanyahu exchanged a brief handshake last year at a global climate change conference in Paris but have not held a public working meeting since 2010. "If the Palestinian Authority can say with one voice that they are willing to meet without preconditions, then Prime Minister Netanyahu will meet President Abbas," said the Israeli leader's spokesman, David Keyes. If a meeting takes place, the chances for substantial progress would seem slim. The Palestinians seek to establish an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem -- territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war. While the Palestinian claims have wide international backing, Netanyahu has refused to use Israel's pre-1967 lines as a basis for border talks, retreating from positions adopted by his predecessors. The Palestinians have accused Israel's hard-line government of seeking a "peace process" as a diplomatic shield against international criticism. The Netanyahu government has tried to discredit Abbas, accusing him of anti-Israel incitement and alleging he is not a partner for a peace deal. If a meeting were to take place, it would reflect the growing Russian influence in the Middle East. The Russian military has sent fighter jets to Syria to back Syrian President Bashar Assad in his battle against various rebel groups. Israel, while largely staying out of the war, maintains close contact with the Russians to avoid any clashes between the two countries' air forces along the border with Syria. Russia's offer in recent weeks to host the Israeli and Palestinian leaders is one of several international initiatives, including a French plan to hold an international peace conference and Egyptian offers to bring the sides together as well. The Israeli military says its aircraft struck targets in Syria after a projectile hit the Israeli-controlled part of the Golan Heights. The military said on Thursday that it hit Syrian Armed Forces mortar launchers overnight. The military declined to describe the projectile that landed on Wednesday, saying only that it caused no injuries. Israel has largely remained on the sidelines of the war in neighboring Syria, but has carried out similar reprisals on Syrian positions when errant fire has previously landed in Israeli-controlled territory. Israel is also widely believed to have carried out airstrikes on arms shipments said to be destined for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, a close ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war. Police in the Maldives have raided the office of one of the country's leading news websites shortly after a television documentary was broadcast that accused the country's president of corruption, money laundering and misrule. Zaheena Rasheed, editor of Maldives Independent, said Thursday that her offices were raided by the police who produced a court warrant over an alleged "conspiracy to topple the government." Police took away the security camera recordings and the computer hard drives in the raid on Wednesday. "Given that it came just hours after the Al Jazeera documentary was broadcast, it was aimed at harassing us," Rasheed said. Rasheed was among those interviewed for the documentary aired by the Qatar-based Al Jazeera network. She said she left the country ahead of the broadcast after receiving repeated threats of prosecution under the country's tough defamation law. "Investigating reports of incitement to violence. Buildings checked under court warrant, one among them housing Maldives Independent," Maldives police said in a tweet. The Al Jazeera documentary alleges that President Yameen Abdul Gayoom and his now estranged former deputy Ahmed Adeeb were involved in corrupt deals involving islands and lagoons allocated for tourist resort development. The president's office said in a statement that the documentary was defamatory based on interviews given by people who themselves are wanted for corruption investigations and by political opponents who have said that they want to overthrow a legitimate government. It said the producers did not follow the best practices in reporting and had not given the government an opportunity to respond. The Maldives, a South Asian archipelago known for its luxury tourist resorts, have been rocked by political turmoil in recent years, and last month its parliament passed a law that criminalizes defamation and allows for jail terms and steep fines for media outlets, journalists and social media users. Maldives became a multiparty democracy in 2008 after decades of autocratic rule, but Gayoom has taken a stranglehold on power since his election in 2013. He is accused of manipulating the judiciary, police and bureaucracy to concentrate power and stifle the opposition. At least four senior politicians a former president, a former vice president a former defense minister and a political party leader are among those who have been given lengthy jail terms after trials criticized for a lack of due process. The government is also accused of failing to investigate the case of a journalist went missing two years ago and is suspected to have been abducted. Also two media outlets have been shut down this year which critics say is the result of government pressure. Adeeb, Gayoom's former deputy, is also in prison after being convicted of plotting to kill the president. North Koreas crackpot dictator Kim Jong-un has banned his people from using sarcasm in their everyday conversations in a fresh crackdown on criticism of his leadership. Mass meetings organized by government officials have been used to issue a chilling warning that ironic statements will not be forgiven. Oppressed and starving workers have been told satire directed towards the regime or indirect criticism hidden behind humor will be seen as hostile actions. Among the phrases outlawed by Kim are This is all Americas fault a jibe at the paranoid regimes obsession with blaming the USA for its own failings. A source in the northern Jagang province near the Chinese border told Radio Free Asia: One state security official personally organized a meeting to alert local residents to potential hostile actions by internal rebellious elements. The main point of the lecture was keep your mouths shut. The same message was delivered in a meeting held in neighboring Yanggang province on August 28, a source there said. The official leading the meeting warned those present against being dragged into internal hostile behavior. The source added: This habit of the central authorities of blaming the wrong country when a problems cause obviously lies elsewhere has led citizens to mock the party. Another blacklisted expression is A fool who cannot see the outside world. The phrase has been used widely by government workers in the capital Pyongyang who were surprised Kim Jong-un failed to appear at commemorations held in Russia and China to mark the end of the Second World War. Expressions of public discontent with the brutal regime have become more common in the tightly controlled state this year. Graffiti mocking production slogans appeared at a construction site in Pyongyang, while more scandalous graffiti personally attacking Kim has been seen in areas near China. Scores of Syrian non-government humanitarian agencies working in the battered country have suspended their coordination with the United Nations, whose relief efforts, they charge, are controlled by the brutal Bashar Al-Assad regime. They have also called for an investigation into, among other things, the political influence of the Syrian government on humanitarian actors in Damascus, and creation of a new monitoring body that includes their participation to ensure that all Syrians have sufficient and sustained access to aid and that international law is respected. CLICK HERE FOR THEIR STATEMENT The gesture by the 73 Syrian non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which provide aid to some 7 million Syrians in areas outside the control of the regime of Bashar Al-Assad, is largely symbolic. Many if not most of them perform their work from bases outside Syria, especially in neighboring Turkey and Jordan, often alongside U.N. aid efforts, and will continue to do so. And besides, as they put it, We are not hopeful that UN agencies based in Damascuswill take concrete action to respond to the violations of human rights in Syria in a way that might protect the Syrian people. However, the boycott will reduce the amount of information that may be available to the U.N. about relief efforts, attacks on medical personnel, and other important issues. But so far as the protesting organizations are concerned, that so-called Whole of Syria (WoS) information has been failing miserably, according to Dr. Ahmad Tarakji, president of the Syrian-American Medical Society (SAMS), a U.S.-based humanitarian organization that is one of the protesting groups. The Whole of Syria effort was supposed to make U.N. aid efforts more efficient, transparent and independent, he told Fox News. Instead it is flagging other areas of the world that this kind of political influence is possible. The press spokesman for U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Stephane Dujarric, acknowledged receipt of a letter from the protesting organizations, praised the NGOs for their tremendous work, and said blandly that we will continue to engage with them, and all humanitarian partners, in order to improve our collective efforts and reach as many people in need as possible in Syria. Diplomatic responses aside, the move is nonetheless an additional embarrassment to the U.N., which has been criticized with increasingly severity for several years for its compliant relationship with the Damascus government. Even an internal U.N. evaluation published earlier this year declared that its Damascus operations are badly fragmented and excessively concerned with its relationship with the regimes. The WoS coordination mechanism that the Syrian NGOs are now stepping away from was in fact set up to provide that badly-needed overall information about aid needs and challenges across the entire country, which the U.N. previously was not getting due to the fragmentation of U.N. aid efforts, which are divided between the Damascus-centered internal operation and other relief efforts centered in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. The protest by the aid groups comes at another dark trough in the six-year Syrian civil war, while U.N. sponsored peace efforts are in tatters, the regimes encirclement of the largest center of resistance, in the northern city of Aleppo, is once again tightening, and when regime efforts to interfere with the humanitarian effort, including attacks on medical workers, seizures of medical relief supplies, and refusal to evacuate desperate cases, may be even bolder than ever. At bottom, the protest points once again to the essence of the U.N.s humanitarian challenge in Syria, which is that the world organizations overall approach to relief efforts, while publicly neutral, has been to coordinate first and foremost with the host governmentin this case the Assad regime. As a result, U.N. efforts to provide aid to areas outside regime control have been pallid and intermittent, and usually stymied in Damascus even after the U.N. Security Council passed resolutions mandating cross border shipments to some of the most desperate besieged communities. Permission for those convoys still comes from Damascus, and has been rarely given and often revoked, despite growing international indignation. Dozens of besieged areas around the country have received only symbolic amounts of U.N. relief, and even those supplies have been cut as the emboldened regime, backed by Russian air support, has gone on a renewed offensive. In regime-controlled areas of the country, U.N. aid deliveries are coordinated with the Assad government and its designated non-government aid organizations, and according to Tarakji, there are many reports of relief supplies ending up in Syrian military camps. The U.N. has always denied such outright misappropriation, though it has complained frequently about the removal of vital humanitarian supplies from relief convoys headed to contested areas. The minutes of a U.N. humanitarian coordination meeting earlier this week, obtained by Fox News, show that the Syrian government removed more than 10 tons of medical supplies, including lifesaving equipment intended for children, from two U.N. relief convoys. In one convoy, only 440 pounds of medical supplies, out of 5.3 tons, were allowed through. The sequestered good also included anti-pneumonia and anti-diarrhea medicines, as well midwifing supplies. Nothing is said in the report about where the supplies went. CLICK HERE FOR THE MINUTES The minutes also reveal that 36 tons of humanitarian supplies held by the World Health Organization, and supposedly intended for the areas of eastern Aleppo that are holding out against Assad assaults, have been stockpiled in the western parts of the city controlled by the regimeonly the latest of a number of shipments warehoused in the same fashion. The supplies supposedly will be moved immediately once approval is received for cross-line support from west to east Aleppo, under a proposed 48-hour humanitarian ceasefire in the city that currently is going nowhere. The same document says drily it is worth noting though that no cross-line delivery to east Aleppo is envisaged under the proposed and above mentioned Aleppo Emergency Response Plan. The minutes also confirm the lengthy bureaucratic delays that cripple medical responses and evacuations of non-combatants in besieged areas, even when the victims are children. (A revision to the current process for medical evacuations in Syria, including new protocolsto ensure that medical evacuations remainfree form the influence of political negotiations and interests, is also one of the demands of the 73 protesting Syrian organizations.) The minutes note that the WHO followed up on 14 cases with developed symptoms of meningitis since the beginning of August in the besieged area of Madaya and says medicines were given to local doctors. It noted laconically, access remains a problem. The same notation occurs next to brief mentions of two evacuations of children elsewhere. The largest portion of the evacuation discussion is concerned with elaborate investigation procedures that include a puzzle: To understand the modalities put in place by the GoS [government of Syria] for accompanying family members of people in need of medical evacuation. George Russell is Editor-at-Large of Fox News. He is reachable on Twitter at @GeorgeRussell and on Facebook at Facebook.com/George.Russell French police detained three women believed to be planning an imminent terror attack in an operation south of Paris Thursday evening, the country's interior minister said. The discovery of the mysterious car has revived worries about the threat of new attacks in France, which has already repeatedly been targeted by Islamic State (ISIS) extremists and remains under a state of emergency. Seven people are now in custody in the Notre Dame case. The three women were detained in Boussy-Saint-Antoine in a "veritable race against the clock," Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve told reporters. One of the women attacked police, and an intelligence officer was hospitalized with a knife wound to the shoulder. One suspect was also injured, Cazeneuve said. "These radicalized, fanatic women, aged 39, 23 and 19 years old, were likely preparing new violent actions, particularly imminent," he said. "France is confronted with a terrorist threat of unprecedented scale. ... It requires the vigilance of all our compatriots." The 19-year-old is the daughter of the owner of the abandoned car, according to two officials who were not authorized to be publicly named discussing an ongoing operation. The car's owner went to police to report that his radicalized daughter was missing. He was briefly detained and then released. Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins said in an interview with Le Monde newspaper last week that an increasing number of teenage girls have been radicalized, some with "terrorist plans." Prosecutors opened a terrorist investigation after the car was found near the famous cathedral on Sunday morning. No one was inside, but police found five canisters filled with gas in the trunk and an empty canister on one of the seats. Along with the canisters, there were three jerry cans of diesel and papers with Arabic writing inside the vehicle. No detonators were found in the car, which had been left on a narrow cobbled street in the popular Latin Quarter next to bars and restaurants. Earlier, the Paris prosecutor's office said that police arrested a couple - a 27-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman - Wednesday in the Loiret region of France, south of Paris. A second couple - a 34-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman - was detained in the same case on Tuesday. The two men, who are brothers, and the two women were transferred to Paris to be questioned by investigators trained in counterterrorism. The prosecutor's office said all four are suspected of links to "radical Islamism." Authorities are allowed to hold terror suspects for up to four days without charges. The two arrested couples have been living in the Loiret region, in the area of Montargis town. In March, three members of a family were arrested in the same area on suspicion of being members of a terrorist network. The Notre Dame case has revived memories of bombings across Paris in the 1990s by Algerian extremists, several of which involved gas canisters filled with nails. The Associated Press contributed to this report. ISIS has reportedly appointed a US-trained sniper to the position of minister of war as it steps up its campaign of terror. Colonel Gulmurod Khalimov, who received specialist training in US when he headed Tajikistans police force, has been promoted to the groups top field commander. By all accounts, the 41-year-old is an extremely dangerous man. His promotion prompted the US State Department to place a $3 million bounty on his head. Khalimov succeeds Tarhan Batirashvili, who began his terrorist career as a Chechen rebel, working his way up to the top of the IS military chain before being killed in a US air strike in July. The Tajik has been appointed as the successor to the dead terrorist Tarhan Batirashvili who (was) also known as Abu Omar al-Shishani (Omar the Chechen), the Iraqi News reported, citing an unnamed Iraqi security source. Click to read more from news.com.au (L to R) Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, South Korea's President Park Geun-hye, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand's Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, U.S. President Barack Obama, Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and China's Premier Li Keqiang pose for photo before East Asia Summit in Vientiane, Laos September 8, 2016. Photo by Reuters/Soe Zeya Tun Says Beijing cannot ignore the ruling rejecting its sweeping claims to the flashpoint waters. U.S. President Barack Obama warned Beijing Thursday it could not ignore a tribunal's ruling rejecting its sweeping claims to the South China Sea, driving tensions higher in a territorial row that threatens regional security. The dispute has raised fears of military confrontation between the world's superpowers, with China determined to cement control of the strategically vital waters despite a July verdict that its claims have no legal basis. "The landmark arbitration ruling in July, which is binding, helped to clarify maritime rights in the region," Obama told Southeast Asian leaders at a summit in Laos. "I recognize this raises tensions but I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and stability." The verdict by an international tribunal in The Hague said China's claims to most of the waters, through which $5 trillion in global shipping trade passes annually had no legal basis. It also said that a massive burst of artificial island-building activity undertaken by China in recent years in a bid to bolster its claims was illegal. China angrily vowed to ignore the ruling, describing it as "waste paper", even though it had legal force through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Obama's emphasis on the ruling being "binding" will undoubtedly attract a strong reaction from China, which has argued the United States has no role to play in the dispute. Other claimants in the sea are the Philippines,Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei, all part of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc meeting in Laos, plus Taiwan. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is also in Laos this week, with ASEAN hosting a series of regional meetings, and will meet Obama later Thursday at an 18-nation East Asia summit. 'Serious concern' ASEAN leaders released a statement on Wednesday saying they were "seriously concerned" over recent developments in the sea. But intensive Chinese lobbying helped to ensure there was no mention of the July ruling in the ASEAN statement. ASEAN works by consensus, and China has successfully pressured Cambodia and Laos in recent years to ensure the bloc does not gang together to heavily pressure Beijing. However the Philippines released photos on Wednesday it said showed renewed Chinese island-building activity, in a deliberate move to throw the issue into the spotlight. The Chinese ships were at Scarborough Shoal, a small fishing ground within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone that China took control of in 2012. If China did build an island at the shoal, it could lead to a military outpost just 230 kilometers (140 miles) from the main Philippine island, where U.S. forces are stationed. It would also be a major step in China's quest to control the sea, giving it the ability to enforce an air defence identification zone across the waters. Obama warned Chinese President Xi Jinping in March not to build at the shoal. Military intimidation Chinese island-building in the Spratlys archipelago, another strategically important location, has already triggered various U.S. military shows of strength. The United States has sent warships close to the new islands, and warplanes over them, deeply angering China. Security analysts have said Chinese island-building at Scarborough Shoal could trigger a military confrontation. China insisted repeatedly this week it was not undertaking any island-building activities at the shoal. A barrage of other security threats were also in focus in Laos on Thursday, including North Korea's nuclear ambitions following its latest missile tests. Obama warned on Monday that Kim Jong-Un's regime was dooming itself to further isolation, and the U.N. Security Council condemned the tests. But North Korea responded by threatening on Wednesday to take "further significant measures". Related news: > Obama presses China's Xi on South China Sea ahead of G20 > China under pressure at Asia summit over sea row Pizza Pizza Visits University Campuses In Search Of The Next Face For Its Pizza Box FROSH students are invited to become #PizzaFamous. September 08, 2016 // Franchising.com // TORONTO, ON Canadas leading pizza chain is going back to school. Pizza Pizzas street team is on an 11-stop campus tour this week to help fuel students as they get ready to tackle university life and this year, theyre helping students add something to their resume. Students will have the opportunity to take a photo in Pizza Pizzas photo booth for a chance to have their face featured on the next Pizza Pizza box as part of a #PizzaFamous contest. The pizza chain will also give out free slices and discount coupons to students just for entering. The aim is to give away over 30,000 slices of hot and fresh pizza during the tour. Pizza Pizzas Frosh Tour, now in its fourth year, will make stops at key events at each university, including carnivals, sidewalk sales, concerts, and tailgate parties. The initiative is a greater part of the companys #ShareTheMoment social media campaign, where customers are encouraged to share photos of themselves enjoying pizza with their friends and family. Students are a huge part of our business and, therefore, we want to reflect that on our packaging in an exciting way, said Pat Finelli, Chief Marketing Officer for Pizza Pizza. Can you imagine getting a pizza delivered to your dorm room with a picture of you and your friends on the box? It doesnt get cooler than that. Pizza Pizzas Frosh Tour began on place September 6 and will run until September 14, stopping at the following schools: Queens University in Kingston, Ontario Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario Western University in London, Ontario University of Ottawa in Ottawa, Ontario McGill University in Montreal, Quebec Laurier University in Kitchener, Ontario Windsor University in Windsor, Ontario McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario University of Toronto Scarborough in Toronto, Ontario About Pizza Pizza Limited With more than 730 locations spread across seven provinces, Pizza Pizza Limited is Canadas pizza pioneer and a quick-service restaurant leader. The company operates two banners, Pizza Pizza and Pizza 73, that together with its network of operators and franchise partners, deliver quality food choices, diverse menus and exciting promotions for all tastes, lifestyles and budgets. Since 1967, Pizza Pizza Limited has been guided by a vision to provide the best food, made especially for you with a focus on quality ingredients, customer service, continuous innovation and community involvement. Visit www.pizzapizza.ca and www.pizza73.com for more information. SOURCE Pizza Pizza Limited Contacts: Sarah Todd Torchia Communications (416) 341-9929 ext. 224 saraht@torchiacom.com Kathleen Stelmach Torchia Communications (416) 341-9929 ext. 227 kathleen@torchiacom.com ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Teriyaki Madness Adds Yet Another Veteran to the Executive Team Former Qdoba Executive Set to Expand TMADs National Presence DENVER - September 08, 2016 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Just months after CEO Michael Haith acquired Teriyaki Madness, the evolving Asian fast casual restaurant concept has taken another major step in developing the brand into a national powerhouse. Closing in on 50 Teriyaki Shops in 15 different states, Teriyaki Madness has announced the hire of seasoned franchising veteran Todd Owen to further the national TMAD craze. Owen, who will now work as the restaurants Vice President for Development, comes to TMAD with 21 years of experience in the franchising industry, holding a vast array of leadership roles at franchise restaurant companies such as Taco Bell and Qdoba Mexican Grill. At Qdoba, Owen was instrumental in the growth of the fast casual brand from 60 units to more than 630 in just over a decade. At Taco Bell he franchised hundreds of Taco Bell locations across the United States, working with multi-unit and multi-brand operators in both traditional and non-traditional venues and cities. The recruitment of Todd and other proven executives to the team will help us achieve our goal of smart, aggressive expansion, Haith said. We are looking forward to his experience in helping our franchisees achieve their expansion goals while meeting the increasing demand for Asian fast casual comfort food. The fast casual industry has seen a rise in consumer spending over the last five years, bringing in nearly $20 billion since 2011. Approximately 45 percent of households in the United States consume food with teriyaki at least once per month and Asian food is the fastest growing segment in the fast casual industry. Franchising since 2005, Teriyaki Madness currently operates in 30 percent of the United States, and recently brought the Madness to the state of North Carolina for the first time when it opened its first of 10 projected shops in Charlotte, N.C., this month. Owens new role with TMAD will be to grow the restaurant similarly to the likes of Qdoba and Taco Bell, a role he feels comfortable with given his past experiences. Teriyaki Madness is a restaurant brand on a roll with a huge upside, Owen said. They are the perfect storm for national success with a food that has been a staple of the Seattle restaurant scene for decades. With the new ownership by an experienced fast casual franchise team, Im excited to see TMAD achieve dramatic success with guests across the country and become a major player in the fast casual industry. Teriyaki Madness is known for its Seattle-style teriyaki, serving big bowls of bold, flavorful comfort food made to order with fresh, never frozen ingredients. All dishes use all-natural meats that are marinated and grilled with noodles or three kinds of rice and fresh vegetables and served with a variety of home-made sauce. Customers can choose a bowl or plate and then load it with teriyaki chicken, steak or tofu and add yakisoba noodles, white, brown or fried rice. With fresh-cut veggies, the bowls are customized as low-carb and gluten-friendly, with the average price per meal around $8. A staple in local communities, no two TMAD locations look the same and are locally owned and operated. The sincere-franchise model allows for TMAD business owners to customize his or her store to better suit the community and their personalities. TMADs franchise model is a unique style that is highly desired among prospective business owners, Owen said. Not only are you investing in a nationally-known, emerging restaurant, but you are also customizing the environment to your liking. For more information on Teriyaki Madness and franchise opportunities, visit www.TeriyakiMadness.com. About Teriyaki Madness Teriyaki Madness, a fast-casual, Asian restaurant concept featuring a Seattle-style Teriyaki menu was founded in 2003 and began franchising the brand in 2005. Teriyaki Madness is committed to unconditionally satisfying guests by offering delicious, made-to-order Teriyaki dishes prepared with all natural, fresh ingredients that are served quickly, at a reasonable price in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. The "Fresh, Fulfilling, and Fits your Life concept was recently recognized by QSR Magazine as one of the Best Franchise Deals for 2014 and 2015, as well as the Franchise Business Review for their Top 50 Franchise Satisfaction award for 2015 and 2016. The brand is dedicated to Spreading the Madness so that everyone can experience the best teriyaki on earth. SOURCE Teriyaki Madness Contact: Mike Garabedian Fishman Public Relations 847-945-1300 MGarabedian@fishmanpr.com ### Add to Request List Added Request Information Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Believe it or not, working at corporations for the majority of ones career is a relatively recent phenomenon. For centuries, people worked as generalists, often producing essentials such as their own food, clothing, and shelter. Some were able to work in specialized trades, but this was far from the norm. The Industrial Revolution drastically changed the labor market, and large firms and the 20th century model of employment arose. Firms employees were able to employ greater specialization and market access in their work, and the worlds productivity soared. Over the past 30 years, the workforce has undergone another monumental changeand this change is accelerating at a rapid rate. Information technology advancements continue to chip away at the economic advantages of working at large firms, leading to more independent work. But while the workforce has changed, government policy has not . In what follows, the Competitive Enterprise Institutes vice president of strategy Iain Murray shares the main points from his new paper, Punching the Clock on a Smartphone App? In his paper, Murray explains why he refers to todays labor market as the rebirth of Adam Smiths concept of natural liberty, and what this change means for whoever wins in Novembers election. Jared Meyer: How did we get the multitude of labor regulations that we have today? Specifically, I am thinking of the National Labor Relations Act and Fair Labor Standards Act. Both of these laws were passed in the Depression era, but they continue to exert high levels of influence on the modern labor market. Iain Murray: What we have to remember is that employment law is based on the principle that your employer is your master, and you are his servant. Policymakers in the 1930s reached the compromise that workers still served their employers, but that the government could make employers provide employees with certain benefits such as sick leave, overtime pay, and the right to collectively bargain. These laws have tremendous latent power that the Obama administration and its allies have consistently used. For instance, the FLSA defines employment as to suffer or permit to work. That means that if you are a volunteer at a for-profit business such as a winery (non-profits are exempt), as far as the law is concerned, you should be being treated as an employee. For years the Department of Labor turned a blind eye to people trampling grapes for fun, but a couple of years ago it started to crack down, fining wineries and consignment sales organizers for accepting volunteer labor. In the last year or so, the Department of Labor has used its powers in a wide variety of areas. For example, it is misusing the highly technical joint employer status to designate large companies as joint employers of workers in smaller companies they contract with. Under the DOLs view, there is even an argument that Microsofts code of conduct for its contractors, which is aimed at ensuring that Microsofts contractors treat their employees well, makes Microsoft a joint employer. JM: You argue that labor market policy does not match up with the realities of todays workforce. Why is this the case? IM: As the years passed, employers began to think of employees as assets instead of servantshence the growth of human resource managementand began offering a variety of extra benefits, that were not required by law, to attract and retain talent. This shift in how companies viewed workers led to flexible work hours, telecommuting, and increasingly the use of commercial (independent contractor) contracts rather than employment contracts. But those 1930s laws remained on the books, and now the Obama administration is using them to compel people to fit into their preferred model of employment, which is master/servant relationship with the government or union as the servants champion. JM: What spurred this change? Why is the corporate model of employment becoming less relevant by the day? IM: The economic concept of transaction costs is fundamental to understanding all of these changes . If you want to engage in an economic transactionsomeone does something for you that you value and will pay for in some formthen there are all sorts of costs that get in the way of a successful transaction. The costs of finding someone to complete a task or provide a good, researching to make sure they are reputable, communicating with them, and settling any disputes are all examples of these costs. It was the Nobel Prize-winning economist Ronald Coase who realized in the 1930s that corporations are formed to cut down on these costs. The trouble is that commercial arrangements convey all sorts of information on value and scarcity to their participants through the price system. That information gets jumbled in employment contracts, and managers seek ways to bring the price system inside firms. This is why non-essential firm functions are increasingly contracted out, risk is transferred through franchising arrangements, and innovation is spurred by internal markets. In all of these changes, the move is away from the dominance of the employment contract and towards the commercial contract. When transaction costs fall, as technology has enabled them to, commercial contracts become more and more appealing. JM: You mention the term human capital repeatedly in your paper. Briefly, what do you mean by human capital? IM: Human beings are not cogs in a machine, as the first management theorists held. They do not simply bring their backs and hands to a task, they also bring their brains. Recognizing that employees are an asset rather than a liability was the fundamental management breakthrough of the 20th century. A companys asset base includes its real estate and machines but also its workersits human capital. Yet, it is not just employers who possess human capital. Each and every worker has it, and it can be built up through the acquisition of new knowledge and skills. If you have enough human capital, you can use it to found a successful business just as much as you can use an incredible machine. Plumbers and other tradesmen have known this for centuries. Today, intellectual capital is more important than physical capital in many industries, and the government needs to embrace this change instead of hampering its development. JM: I argue that the sharing economy is the natural extension of lower transaction costs. Firms that easily connect buyers and sellers through platforms truly empower people to purse flexible, individualized, and mobile work. After all, sharing economy work is not limited to driving for Uber. Highly skilled workers, everyone from interior decorators and graphic designers to writers and crafters benefit from increased access to customers. Building upon this, what does the sharing economy tell us about the future of work? IM: In some ways we are returning to the fundamental nature of human market interaction, which involves people bargaining freely with each other as equals. This is what Adam Smith called the system of natural liberty. Transaction cost efficiencies shifted much of work from the marketplace into employment during the industrial revolution and afterwards, but people, especially in free societies, have always bridled at what employment implies in terms of giving up natural liberty. As I mentioned before, companies have offered better and better terms to their workers in terms of benefits that fit with this desire for freedom. You can see this in the popularity of ideas like Tim Ferris The 4 Hour Workweek. People value their freedom at work, and would prefer to be their own boss . You have drawn attention to the fact that two-thirds of millennials want to start their own business. Of course, there is an implicit contradiction between this world, where lower transaction costs and entrepreneurial aspirations are taking us, and the highly-regulated world of employment that the Obama administration wants. This could be the major policy fight of the next decade. JM: Both entrepreneurship and more work opportunities get a lot of lip service on the campaign trail, but whoever wins in November has a major role in shaping the future of independent work. What advice would you give to the next president to promoteor at least not stymiethe movement away from the centuries-old master-servant relationship? IM: I would tell the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor to lay off companies that are trying to find new ways of providing services. I would insist that it develop a series of tests for whether the platform companies that comprise the sharing economy are creating two-sided markets, where equal parties come together in a commercial contract (think of Airbnb, where the company brings together hosts and guests). Where there are two-sided markets, the DOL should bow out of trying to treat people who work using the platform as its employees. I would also appoint a Chairman of the National Labor Relations Board who is an enthusiast for NLRB reform. The board has an uncomfortable dual role as prosecutor and jury that needs reform, and is hopelessly politicized. Both of those realities need to change. Finally, I would work with Congress to appoint a commission to look at the most fundamental problem in employment regulationthe master/servant frameworkand promote recommendations that recognize the return to independent work. JM: The next president will have a lot of work to do when it comes to reforming the labor market, but he or she needs to keep in mind that the nature of work has changed for the better because of lower transaction costs. Instead of pursuing policies that direct everyone to have a boss, punch a time card, and join a union, labor regulation needs to promote work that is flexible, individualized, and mobile . Simply put, there is no reason to force a 20th century regulatory model on the 21st century labor market. This article originally appeared on Forbes. Jared Meyer is a fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. Follow him on Twitter here. Interested in real economic insights? Want to stay ahead of the competition? Each weekday morning, E21 delivers a short email that includes E21 exclusive commentaries and the latest market news and updates from Washington. Sign up for the E21 Morning Ebrief. Is it the end for ITT Tech? The fates of tens of thousands of students with student loans from their time at the embattled for-profit college chain may hinge on that question. The school is under investigation by several state and federal entities, and was sanctioned by its accreditor earlier this year for its lack of administrative capacity, organizational integrity, financial viability and ability to serve students. Unlike fellow for-profit chain Corinthian Colleges, ITT Tech has not been found to have defrauded studentsit has, according to regulators, simply failed to maintain financial and organizational soundness. As a result, the Department of Education recently barred ITT Tech from enrolling students who use federal aid such as direct student loans and Pell Grants. ITT Tech has since announced that it would no longer enroll any new students at all. Given the schools precarious position, the Department of Education has also required it to put up collateral worth hundreds of millions of dollars against student loans. This will have the obvious effect of hastening the schools decline. The likely next step is that the school closes permanently. However, ITT Tech could still litigate the matter and hang on for a few more monthsmuch to the Department of Educations chagrin. Where does this leave the schools 45,000 students? The federal student loan program gives currently enrolled students complete loan forgiveness if their school closesa process known as a closed school discharge. This is the reason the Department of Education required collateral from the schoolit will insulate taxpayers from losses due to closed school discharges. However, students are not eligible for the discharge if they transfer their credits to another school, or withdraw their enrollment more than 120 days before the school closes. This leaves students with a catch-22. They could transfer their credits to a new school, but then lose the opportunity for a closed school discharge if and when ITT Tech finally goes under. Perversely, the discharge opportunity creates a major financial incentive for students not to complete their education. Another option is for students to not transfer their credits, but start a completely new course of study at a different school. This, however, would require withdrawing from ITT Tech and letting the credits they completed there go to waste. If ITT Tech hangs on for more than 120 days before closing, the students would no longer be eligible for a dischargea disincentive to pursuing a more promising course of study at another school. Or, students could do neither. Students may continue their enrollment at ITT Tech on their own dime (not the taxpayers). If ITT Tech closes, they will receive a discharge of their loansbut that is a risky bet, since they will have to spend their own money to do so and there is a small chance that the school will wait more than 120 days to close. None of these are good options. In its zeal for loan forgiveness, the Department of Education wants to force a closure of ITT Tech as quickly as possible to allow for students to discharge their loans and spare them this hard choice entirely. However, this means taking action without gathering all the facts, let alone proving systematic wrongdoing or mismanagement by ITT Tech. The Wall Street Journal editorial board describes the debacle as how to kill a company without proving a single allegation. It is worth mentioning that ITT Tech itself does not believe its credits will easily transfer, which creates even more incentive for the Department to shut the school down as quickly as possible. Yet this begs the question of why the Department of Educationand the accreditor which supposedly ensures quality at the institutionwere not aware of this fact in the first place, and did not see it as a warning sign that perhaps ITT Tech was not providing a quality education. Taxpayers and students may be forgiven for wondering why ITT Tech was the beneficiary of so much federal money in the first place. They might be wondering why the Department of Education entrusted quality assurance at ITT Tech to an outside accreditor with a long history of allowing poor-quality colleges to access taxpayer funds. Many of ITT Techs colleges have default rates higher than graduation rates. This should have been a major red flag. Perhaps the Department is overlooking red flags at other schoolswhich may be in the nonprofit and public sectors as well as the for-profit sector. The Department of Education appears to have adopted a policy of ignoring red flags as long as possible, then quickly forcing school shutdowns with little inquiry into the warnings veracity once some bad press comes along. With a more responsible process for ensuring school qualityand a more responsible federal student loan programperhaps ITT Tech and its students would have experienced an orderly market exit instead of becoming the higher education sectors Solyndra. This column originally appeared on Forbes. Preston Cooper is a policy analyst at the Manhattan Institute. You can follow him on Twitter here. Interested in real economic insights? Want to stay ahead of the competition? Each weekday morning, E21 delivers a short email that includes E21 exclusive commentaries and the latest market news and updates from Washington. Sign up for the E21 Morning Ebrief. Diamante Kelly, 23, died after losing control of a 1997 Honda Civic and striking a tree in the 13000 block of West Catharpin Road. in Spotsylvania County. Kelly was ejected from the car and died at the scene from injuries suffered in the 2:20 a.m. crash, said Sgt. F.L. Tyler with the Virginia State Police. A potential bypass for a proposed high-speed rail line that cuts through part of southern Stafford County can add the Stafford Board of Supervisors to its list of opponents. Supervisors voted 52 Tuesday, with Supervisors Meg Bohmke and Paul Milde dissenting, to formally oppose the eastern bypass option of the proposed project. Its one of three options being studied by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation as part of a proposed 123-mile Richmond-to-Washington segment of the Southeast High Speed Rail project. The supervisors vote Tuesday directed staff to send a county letter addressed to Peter Burrus, chief of rail for the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. The letter states that the options carry potentially significant consequences for those residents and property owners along the rail corridor, including reduced property values, noise, traffic impacts, and impacts to the George Washington Boyhood Home at Ferry Farm, a historically significant area. The two-track eastern bypass would run from just south of the new Virginia Railway Express station in Spotsylvania County, loop around just inside Caroline County and then run next to the existing track parallel to State Route 3 into southern Stafford, through the Ferry Farm area. A new bridge would have to be built over the Rappahannock River for this option, and there would be new road crossings. Those likely would be overpasses, with the tracks running beneath them. This option has struggled to find favor among residents and some regional planning groups in recent months. Opposition ramped up after residents were sent mailers saying their properties may be affected several months ago. The Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Committee voted against the bypass in July after a dozen residents along the route said the option would leave them in limbo for years. Spotsylvania supervisors are expected to take up a similar measure opposing the bypass next Tuesday. Stafford board Chairman Bob Thomas, who represents at least a part of the area that could be affected by the proposal, said Tuesday that it would cut through a historically and culturally sensitive part of the county. He argued that the high-speed rail is more of an inevitability with the expansion of the Port of Virginia, so supervisors need to express opposition sooner rather than later. Supervisor Laura Sellers took issue with what she called a lack of openness from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. They sent letters to residents in Stafford without telling anyone, she said. The letter also noted that DRPT was unable to adequately respond to citizen questions and concerns during a July public meeting, including any details concerning how study alternatives are prioritized, or the reasoning for selecting a preferred alternative for the eastern bypass rail alignment. Bohmke agreed with Sellers, but Bohmke and Milde thought the board should take more time and gather more information before taking such a vote. Spotsylvania supervisors are expected to take up a similar measure opposing the rail bypass next Tuesday. The call came late on a weeknight in June from a number retired Marine Cpl. Garrett Jones did not recognize. This is Gary, the voice on the line said. Jones, whod lost his left leg in a bomb blast in Iraq nine years earlier and had gone on to deploy in Afghanistan as an amputee, didnt know a person named Gary. He asked for the callers last name. Gary Sinise, he answered, and in an instant it became clear. This was the man who, after portraying double leg amputee Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump, had formed the Gary Sinise (R.I.S.E.) Foundation, which provides specially adapted smart homes to wounded veterans. By years end, the foundation will have 51 such houses underway or completed. Jones, Sinise told him, would be getting one of them. The news meant not only a mortgage-free home, but one adapted to his unique set of needs. More than that, Jones said at the construction site Wednesday morning, it meant a sanctuary to come home to at the end long and often painful workdays as a civilian in the Marine Corps. Dozens of companies and organizations have helped make possible the house underway in a wooded cul-de-sac on Stonewall Drive in Stafford County, set to be completed in early 2017. They have provided discounted and donated services and products and monetary contributions. But at a ceremony Wednesday, Jones asked the sponsors gathered to think about their gifts as more than donations. Its really an investment, he said. This home is the reason why Ill be able to have a career. Its not just about quality of life in the short-term, but how I feel about myself as a man and someone who wants to be productive. Nearby was Jones wife, Allison, and their three small children: Hudson, 5, Halle, 2, and Kate, 1, who sprinted and toddled through the bones of the house, which will encompass about 3,500 square feet of living space. At least two dozen had come to write well-wishes on the framing that will soon be covered by drywall. The spirit of the messages will remain, an invisible layer of love and support, said Chris Kuban of the Gary Sinise Foundation. Jones grew up in a small town in Oregon. Inspired by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, he enlisted in the Marines, according to a news release from the foundation. In July 2007, two weeks before the end of a deployment to Iraq, he stepped on an improvised explosive device. He lost his left leg and both eardrums and suffered a concussion and severe shrapnel wounds. He underwent 20 surgeries over the next 30 days. Jones still fought to deploy with his battalion when they next headed to Afghanistan. His commander and doctors signed off. In April 2008, he returned to the Middle East. He went on to serve as an intelligence analyst and hospital liaison and might have re-enlisted, if not for the physical pain of his injuries and the less visible scars from the loss of friends in war. Jones settled in Stafford with his family and got a civilian job in intelligence in the Marines. A year ago, he began the process of building a new, adaptable home about a 10-minute drive from where he now lives. He picked out a lot and settled on a floor plan and met with builder Hank Osleger of Aaronal Homes. Lots of groups stepped forward to help with the costs of construction. But it was the call from Sinise in June that changed everything. Youve deployed as an amputee, Jones remembers him saying. Youre not building this house by yourself. He is at least the second local veteran the foundation has assisted. In November 2012, retired Marine Sgt. John Peck, a quadruple amputee currently awaiting a double-arm transplant, moved into a smart house in Spotsylvania County. One by one Wednesday, sponsors thanked Jones for his service and sacrifice. Then they put their words in writing, in door frames and on stairs and two-by-fours. May this kitchen be the heart of many, many special gatherings of your family and friends for years to come, read one. Good luck on a wonderful life, read another. May these walls embody the strength you exhibit to provide a safe harbor for you and your love ones. The Virginia State Fair is known as a testing ground for those who claim to have adventurous palates. This year, the menu is living up to the reputation. Food pioneers, get ready for Philly Tots: deep-fried potato nuggets topped with shredded beef, Swiss cheese and green peppers. Also, be prepared for bacon pretzel dogs, a beef hot dog wrapped in bacon then baked in pretzel dough; a bison burger and a Guacadog, a hot dog covered in guacamole. And if you really want to put your taste buds to the test, you can try the chocolate-dipped corn on the cob. Our food vendors are always working to create new combinations that fair goers would like to try. Its become a friendly competition around the country between food vendors as to who comes up with the most novel and delicious offering, be it fried butter, fried Kool-Aid or something more traditional. Obviously, they like to experiment with fried foods, Greg Hicks with the Virginia Farm Bureau said. Breakfast lovers, theres something on the menu for you, too. Breakfast on a stick will feature bacon-wrapped sausage dipped in pancake batter and deep-fried. Those looking for a hardier variety can try country rib on a stick. Other new fare includes strawberry shortcake doughnuts; deep-fried cinnamon buns; crab and blue cheese burgers; smore cobbler and sweet quesadillas. Fair goers can wash down the treats with a new bacon iced tea or the fairs signature craft beer, Virginia Midway, an American pale wheat ale from Midnight Brewery. A variety of other ales, ciders and beers will be available. Traditionalists need not fret. Favorite dishes will make a return appearance. There will be funnel cakes of every varietyplain, red velvet, pumpkin and fruit-topped. There also will be corn dogs, Italian sausages, ribbon fries, deep-fried Oreos, Twinkies, cheesecake, candy bars, deep-fried butter, candied and caramel apples, cotton candy, kettle corn, pork parfaits and a variety of seafood, including gator bites. All will be making an appearance at this years state fair, held at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County from Sept. 23 to Oct. 2. Tickets are on sale now, with discounts for advance purchases. The fair also announced Wednesday a partnership with Food Lion supermarkets in which people who donate five cans of Food Lion-branded products will receive a coupon to save $5 on general admission one-day tickets to the fair. That would reduce the price to $15 for adults and $6 for children and seniors. All food will be donated to FeedMore to help the nearly 200,000 central Virginians who face hunger. Through its network of nearly 300 partner agencies, FeedMore distributes 51,000 meals each day across 34 cities and counties. For more information about the fair, visit StateFairVa.org. Now, a new study from researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center published Wednesday in The New England Journal of Medicine describes results from Day and others like her patients who have received stem cell transplants from cord blood or from unrelated adult donors at Fred Hutch. The researchers reviewed outcomes for 582 patients whod received stem cell transplants at the Hutch from 2006, when the institutes Cord Blood Program launched, to 2014. Including Day, 140 of those patients received cord blood transplants. Benefits beyond being an alternative source of stem cells The study found that such transplants may have advantages beyond offering an alternative stem cell source for patients without a traditional donor match they seem to perform better against leukemia and the related bone marrow disorder, myelodysplastic syndrome, in patients at high risk of relapse after transplant. These patients, who make up about a third of those facing a stem cell transplant, have what is known as minimal residual disease the chemo required before transplant isnt completely successful at putting their cancer into remission, and small amounts of the disease remain. Only about a third of patients with detectable cancer in their blood at the time of transplant will still be alive three years later, a 2013 Hutch study found, as compared to nearly three-quarters of those without such residual disease. Patients going into transplant with minimal residual disease, they have very dismal outcomes, said Fred Hutch transplantation researcher Dr. Filippo Milano, lead author of the NEJM paper. But this study showed that such patients who received a cord blood transplant had better outcomes and a lower relapse rate than those who received stem cells from an adult unrelated donor, Milano said. In fact, the patients in their study with minimal residual disease about one-third of the 582 patients in the study who were transplanted with cord blood cells were no more likely to relapse or die than patients without the detectable cancer cells whod also received a cord blood transplant, the researchers found. Those whod received a traditional transplant from an unrelated donor were on average more than three times as likely to relapse if they had minimal residual disease than those without detectable cancer cells in their blood, and they were more than twice as likely to die. For the other two-thirds of the patients, those with no minimal residual disease, cord blood transplants and traditional transplants had very similar outcomes. The researchers retrospective study a look back at how patients already treated have fared, rather than a prospective study, which follows patients from the beginning of their treatment was originally planned as a sort of internal review, Milano said. But the patients outcomes especially the improved survival that cord blood transplant may offer for those at high risk of relapse were so encouraging that the researchers decided to write up their findings to share with their colleagues outside the Hutch. The idea at the beginning was just to see where we are with the Cord Blood Program here, he said. Then we saw the results were very, very good. However, the researchers cautioned that its difficult to make black and white comparisons with a retrospective study to definitively say a cord blood transplant is better than a traditional transplant for any group of patients, you really need a prospective study, Milano said. Four Bestselling Amish Authors Release Married in Lancaster Boxed Set on Kindle Four bestselling Amish authors release Married in Lancaster: A Four Author Amish Romance Boxed Set on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited. This collection includes books from Rebecca Price, Ruth Price, Rachel Stoltzfus and Anna Fisher, who offers a new release titled "The Bishop's Son." -- Amish romance lovers looking for a delightful boxed set collection can purchase Married in Lancaster: A Four-Author Amish Romance Boxed Set by Anna Fisher, Rebecca Price, Ruth Price and Rachel Stoltzfus today for $2.99 on Kindle and for free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. This is Book 1 of the Amish Romance Boxed Set Collections series. It is also available in Paperback for $19.99. In Married in Lancaster: A Four-Author Amish Romance Boxed Set, best-selling Amish romance authors offer four sweet stories in the Amish tradition, including an all-new book from Anna Fisher. Anna Fisher's new release, the Bishop's Son, follows Amish teen, Adam Beiler as he struggles to cope with his anger at his father's death while remaining open to love. All four books deal with issues of alienation, self-discovery, and love. Readers can learn more about this Amish romance boxed set book here: http://familychristianbookstore.net/index.php/2016... Christian authors, Anna Fisher, Rebecca Price, Ruth Price and Rachel Stoltzfus strive in their fiction to bring wholesome and compelling fiction to life on the page. Faith is the foundation of their writing, and they want their work to inspire others to live and love in the light of the abundant blessings of the Almighty. Readers will find Married in Lancaster engaging, romantic, and ultimately uplifting. Readers have raved about Anna Fisher, Rebecca Price, Ruth Price and Rachel Stoltzfus's Amish Romance Boxed Set: Amazon.com reader, Deborah Spencer says, "I'd been searching for a new Amish book on Amazon and was so thrilled to see this collection! I really am loving this boxed-set! It gave me a chance to enjoy a book from an author I knew as well as be introduced to some new authors I hadn't read yet..." A second Amazon.com reader, May S, explains, "For $2.99, this has already been a good value. 5 stars for the opportunity to read four different authors in one collection. I love when authors get together and do stuff like this!" And a third Amazon.com reader, Lauren Marie says, "Each book was different but they all kept you interested, and I feel like I actually learned a lot about the Amish community as well, which is a plus! This was a great deal and I highly recommend each of these books. Great collection!" Readers can learn more about Married in Lancaster: A Four-Author Amish Romance Boxed Set here: http://familychristianbookstore.net/index.php/2016... Married in Lancaster: A Four-Author Amish Romance Boxed Set is being offered for $2.99 on Kindle (and for free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription). It is also available in paperback for $19.99 through Createspace, Amazon.com and other online book distributors. About Global Grafx Press: Global Grafx Press was founded in 1997. This Christian book distributor is known for publishing great Western romance novels, Christian nonfiction, and Amish books. They are committed to helping readers find the best, clean Christian books online and hope that their readers enjoy browsing their Christian Bookstore. Those interested in learning more about Global Grafx Press can do so at http://familychristianbookstore.net. For more information, please visit http://familychristianbookstore.net Contact Info: Name: Book Maven Organization: Global Grafx Press Address: 823 Old Westtown Road, Suite B1 Phone: 267-530-1611 Release ID: 131655 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) BestMLMMarketing Launches Network Marketing Blog Post A recent blog release by Pierre Charles lays out some foundational principles about the importance of network marketing for a business. He describes tips on profiting by using this business model. -- BestMLMMarketing.com and Pierre Charles are pleased to announce the release of their latest blog on the topic of network marketing. The format works well as an approach for those beginning as an online entrepreneur. The method creates time, leverage and freedom in maintaining a comfortable lifestyle. It grants financial freedom without the need for as much personal involvement. The blog articles begins with a description of traditional techniques such as those used in the Avon business model, and shows how the techniques can be translated into online mode. Mastering the techniques of marketing business begins with an understanding of the principles of the business model. Additional requirements, to be successful at marketing include a personality which enjoys sales, a knack for motivating people and the ability to train others in the way the business model works. The best systems provide an easily replicated business training model which can be mastered and customized to promote the product or service. The rewards of becoming the boss is another topic which the writer covers in the blog. Not everyone is suited to this type of work. Security and regular work hours might be preferable to the dependence upon sales commissions. A great deal of the opportunity for success comes from the type of teams which are set up. Both diversity and depth in building a marketing team are needed. According to Pierre Charles, "Knowing your audience is a critical element in the success of your business. Adapt your strategies to complement the shopping habits of the audience. Surveys can be used to learn more about the audience. Marketing studies can also be used, or you may find help by interacting with other marketers. There needs to be a balance between online interactions and real life ones. You can use social media to connect with a younger audience, while others may prefer to receive an occasional email." For more information, please visit http://www.bestmlmmarketing.com/ Contact Info: Name: Pierre Charles Email: info@pierretoyoursuccess.com Organization: BestMLMMarketing.com Address: 2-906 Watson St ,Ottawa, Ontario K2B 6B9 Phone: (613) 404-6058 Source: http://www.bestmlmmarketing.com/network-marketing/ Release ID: 131609 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) Pierre Charles Announces Release Of Blog Post About Online Business Opportunities BestMLMMarketing.com offers blog posts on a variety of topics related to marketing, particularly online marketing. The latest blog post takes a careful look at online business options and how to best employ them. -- BestMLMMarketing.com and blog founder Pierre Charles are proud to announce the release of another blog post on the topic of marketing and business. This blog articles discusses how to find and utilize an online business opportunity in order to achieve business success. The desire to start a business may sound exciting, but it can also lead to a frightening experience. Novices who have no background in operating a business may not know how to begin their efforts. There is no lack of opportunities which are showing up online. Not only are there many options, but the internet provides tips and methods which help to launch and operate a business. The traditional approach to starting a business can be complicated and expensive. Renting a location is only part of the cost involved. Starting an online business is much less complicated and can be established for less than $100 in many instances. The selection of products numbers in the thousands. This makes it easy to find products in which the business owner has an interest. Research is always an excellent idea before committing to any business online or elsewhere. It is important not to be discouraged by the myths associated with starting a business. More and more people today are choosing to purchase from online businesses. When starting a business online, it helps to be able to provide options which are described in the blog article. Some of the business options which are available online today include selling products, acting as a consultant, publishing audiobooks, 3D printing and educational products. Freelancing is another area where there is a great opportunity for developing a business. Tax preparation and tutoring are additional areas where entrepreneurs are finding opportunities. Regardless of the type of business, there are some common elements which affect the success of the enterprise. One of these is the need for hard work and research. For more information, please visit http://www.bestmlmmarketing.com/ Contact Info: Name: Pierre Charles Email: info@pierretoyoursuccess.com Organization: BestMLMMarketing.com Address: 2-906 Watson St, Ottawa, Ontario K2B 6B9 Phone: (613) 404-6058 Source: http://www.bestmlmmarketing.com/business-opportunity/ Release ID: 131740 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) American Communications Network Review Published by BestMLMMarketing A review of ACN or the American Communications Network describes the world's largest direct marketing telecommunication company. The company was founded by four U.S. telecommunication industry veterans. -- BestMLMMarketing.com and Pierre Charles are pleased to announce the release of their unbiased ACN reviews in a new blog post. The founders of the ACN company worked in various firms in the United States associated with telecommunications. They started their own organization based on the wide range of experience which they gained working in the industry. That firm is the American Communications Network (ACN). The number of reviews, positive and negative, which have been posted in regard to the firm is significant. The review undertaken by Charles and his team is thorough and covers both online and offline research. One of the characteristics which was checked, when preparing the review, is the rating with the Better Business Bureau. ACN has a rating of A, which is only received only after careful observation of the company's activities. This rating by the BBB is awarded only to legitimate and quality service providers registered in Canada and the United States. Support in the form of endorsements from such notables as Donald Trump is another aspect that testifies to the legitimacy of ACN. The company has set up partnerships with some of the biggest telecommunications names in the country. The list of partners includes Dish Network, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon. These are legitimate firms that are well-recognized by the majority of people. Although the ACN company is a well-founded firm, the best use comes from the hard work of promoting the company. The sales of ACN's services is the way to success for entrepreneurs. The two methods of achieving success with ACN: selling services to customers and recruiting at least two members downline. The review of ACN also includes tips for avoiding fraudulent schemes for this company and others. One of the first and best tips is to avoid answering calls from numbers which are unfamiliar. For more information, please visit http://www.bestmlmmarketing.com/ Contact Info: Name: Pierre Charles Organization: BestMLMMarketing.com Address: 2-906 Watson St ,Ottawa, Ontario K2B 6B9 Phone: (613) 404-6058 Source: http://www.bestmlmmarketing.com/best-mlm-companies-reviews/acn-review/ Release ID: 131737 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) D&L Garage Doors Sacramento Announces $29 Repair Offer Customers can now get their garage doors serviced during regular business hours Monday through Friday for one low flat rate, reports www.sacramentocagaragedoorrepair.com. -- Sacramento-based D&L Garage Doors has recently announced their guaranteed repair offer. Right now, customers who call the company to have their garage doors serviced can get their repair job done for only $29. In order to be eligible to receive this rate, customers must call D&L for service during regular business hours Monday - Friday. More information about the offer is available at the D&L Garage Doors website. Vlad, a representative of D&L Garage Doors Sacramento, commented "Garage doors are one of the most important elements of a home, contributing to both its aesthetics and its safety. However, it's also one of the most confusing elements of a home and not a project that homeowners should look to take on alone. We know that homeowners often dread calling for help with repairs because they fear it will be expensive. The good news is that we've taken the initiative to eliminate that problem for homeowners in Sacramento and the surrounding areas." In order to take advantage of the $29 residential garage door repair deal, homeowners need only give D&L Garage Doors a call or fill out the short contact form on their website to schedule an appointment during regular business hours. Whether it's garage door spring replacement Sacramento or a different need, The D&L team can provide a complete service and repair on all doors and openers. Having been in business for nearly two decades, their team has extensive experience with many different garage door manufacturers and models, and all of their work is guaranteed. As Vlad goes on to say, "Our goal is to provide garage door repair services that are excellent, efficient, and affordable. Along with the coupons and specials that we routinely post on our website, our $29 repair offer helps us achieve that goal. We look forward to having the opportunity to help even more local homeowners with their garage door repair needs." About D&L Garage Doors Sacramento: D&L Garage Door Service has been serving Sacramento since 1985, providing the best residential and commercial garage door products and services in the California. They distinguish themselves by quickly and professionally handling customers' garage door needs and offering only the most reliable recommendations in their best interest. It is this business approach and mindset that has allowed D&L to service Sacramento, CA for the past twenty years. It is their hope that when customers are faced with a garage door issue, they allow the D&L team to demonstrate exactly why Sacramento customers call them for repairs. For more information, please visit http://www.sacramentocagaragedoorrepair.com Contact Info: Name: Vlad Organization: D&L Garage Doors Sacramento Phone: (916) 245-1045 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/dl-garage-doors-sacramento-announces-29-repair-offer/131748 Release ID: 131748 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) America's Keswick Launches Retreat Planning Blog The blog will be a resource to help group leaders effectively plan and manage retreats, reports www.americaskeswick.org. -- New Jersey-based non-profit America's Keswick has recently announced the launch of their new retreat planning blog. The organization has created the blog to be a resource for new and experienced group leaders to help with effectively planning and managing retreats. The retreat planning blog covers a wide range of planning topics from activity ideas to marketing to helping groups relax and reconnect and is conveniently accessible when group leaders Visit the website. Graeme Wilson, America's Keswick's Director of Marketing, stated "We've been providing accommodations and service for conferences, summer camps, and overnight church groups for more than eight decades. Our team knows that booking, planning, marketing, and hosting a church retreat is no easy feat. Our heart has always been to help group leaders ensure their group members come away from the event renewed and refreshed, and creating a planning blog is our way of giving them the tools and resources that will best help them make that dream into a reality." The newly-launched America's Keswick retreat planning blog features helpful information, tips, checklists, and ideas that are a great resource for any group leader planning an overnight event, whether it's a church retreat, men's retreat, women's retreat, youth retreat, or family retreat. Recent article topics that have already been published on the blog include: How To Get Your Church Excited About Your Planned Retreat, Activity Ideas For Your Group Retreat, How A Retreat Can Help You Reconnect With God And Others, and Youth Retreat Planning Tips and Advice. As Graeme Wilson goes on to say, "We know that the best and most enjoyable retreats are those that are well-planned. We created this blog to help group leaders Learn more about Retreats at America's Keswick and to help them plan retreats that they can be confident will help their group members renew their faith, strengthen their connections, and rejuvenate their spirits." Those who are interested in planning a church retreat can Visit the Retreat Planning Blog at www.americaskeswick.org. About America's Keswick: America's Keswick is a non-profit, Christian Ministry that provides conferences, summer camps and overnight group retreats in New Jersey for over 80 years. They are blessed to be able to provide comfortable lodging, exclusive meeting spaces, and delicious menus with attentive service for all guests. The Keswick friendly staff members are always happy to answer any questions and provide additional information. Feel free to contact them online, or call 1-800-453-7942 ext. 1015 to speak with a retreat specialist. For more information, please visit http://www.americaskeswick.org Contact Info: Name: Graeme Wilson Organization: America's Keswick Phone: (732) 849-2925 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/americas-keswick-launches-retreat-planning-blog/131744 Release ID: 131744 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) Global Digital Music Market with Focus on Live Streaming Size, Trends and 2016-2020 Analysis Forecasts Now Available at MarketReportsOnline.com MarketReportsOnline.com adds "Global Digital Music Market with Focus on Live Streaming: Size, Trends and Forecasts (2016-2020)" research report of 74 pages on the digital music industry to the it & telecommunication intelligence collection of its research store. -- A detailed overview of streaming music market is also discussed in the report. Streaming music market analysis has been done on the basis of value, volume and market segment. The report also provides an analysis of consumer behavior on the basis of consumer preference, spending nature of consumer, consumer interest in streaming services, consumer listening hours and consumers respond towards top streaming music players. The report entitled "Global Digital Music Market with Focus on Live Streaming: Size, Trends and Forecasts (2016-2020)" analyzes the global digital music market with detailed analysis of market sizing and growth. It analyzes market by value and market share by sources with focus on streaming music. A brief regional analysis of the US and Germany digital music market is also being done in the report. The US is the largest market for digital music globally with the highest revenue. Germany is the largest digital music market within the European region and third largest in the world. The report provides detailed description of the US and Germany on the basis of value, volume and market share by segment. The report also assesses the key opportunities available and summarizes the driving forces that are and will be accountable for growth of the industry. Growth of digital music market has also been forecasted for the period 2016-2020, taking into consideration previous growth outlines, growth drivers and the existing and forthcoming trends. Furthermore, the report portrayed a competitive landscape of the digital music market with detailed comparison of top market players. Apple music is the market leader with highest revenue and number of paid subscribers in 2015. A brief company profiling of major market players namely Apple Inc., Spotify Limited, Deezer and Pandora Media Inc. has provided in the report on the basis of aspects like business overview, financial overview and business strategies adopted by these companies. Country Coverage of Global Digital Music Market: o The US o Germany Company Coverage of Global Digital Music Market: o Apple Inc. o Spotify Limited o Deezer o Pandora Media Inc. Purchase a copy of this "Global Digital Music Market with Focus on Live Streaming: Size, Trends and Forecasts (2016-2020)" research report at http://www.marketreportsonline.com/contacts/purchase.php?name=500313. Music market has two major segments: Physical and digital. Physical music market comprises of music in the form of CD or vinyl whereas digital music market composed of audio content that is distributed to the music lovers through internet. Digital sector includes downloads as well as on demand digital streaming. Digital streaming is either subscription based or ad-supported which is free of charge. In ad-supported music, advertiser is liable to pay for the music streaming on behalf of customers. Current music marketplace offers a wide variety of digital options like download, streaming, cloud, music videos and ringtones. The global digital music market is growing tremendously with astonishing growth rates over the past few years and is anticipated to grow further over the forecasted period (2016-2020). Major factors contributing in the growth of the market are rising smartphone penetration globally specially in developing economies, availability of cheap internet services, expansion of streaming format, technological advancements, change in consumer behavior and consumer desire to access latest music etc. Complete report available at http://www.marketreportsonline.com/500313.html. In the forecasted period, digital music market will be pushed by increasing number of on- demand consumers, collaboration between music providers with social media platform, rising number of catalog software and blending of streaming music with wearable technology. In spite of high growth, market is still facing certain challenges that are hampering the growth of the market. Challenges encountered by the market are lack of unique services, rampant piracy, legal complexity and intense competition. Key Topics Covered in Global Digital Music Market with Focus on Live Streaming: Size, Trends and Forecasts (2016-2020): 1. Executive Summary 2. Introduction 3. Global Market Analysis 4. Consumer Behavior Analysis 5. Region/Country Analysis 6. Market Dynamics 7. Competitive Landscape 8. Company Profiling Few Points from List of Figures (http://www.marketreportsonline.com/500313-toc.html)Provided in Global Digital Music Market 2016-2020 Forecasts Report: Figure1: Structure of Music Market Figure 2: Forms of Digital Music Figure 3: Sources of Digital Music Figure 4: Types of Streaming Figure 5: Global Music Market by Value; 2010-2015 (US$ Billion) Figure 6: Global Music Market by Value; 2016-2020E (US$ Billion) Figure 7: Global Music Market Share by Segment; 2015 Figure 8: Global Digital Music Market by Value; 2010-2015 (US$ Billion) Figure 9: Global Digital Music Market by Value; 2016-2020E (US$ Billion) Figure 10: Global Digital Music Market Share by Source; 2015 Figure 11: Global Streaming Music by Value; 2010-2015 (US$ Billion) Figure 12: Global Streaming Music Revenue Trends: Subscription vs Ad-Supported; 2010-2015 (US$ Million) Figure 13: Global Streaming Music Market by Volume; 2012-2015 (Millions) Figure 14: Streaming Music by User-Preference; 2015 Figure 15: Paid Music Streaming Service by Consumer Interest; 2015 Browse All Latest IT & Telecommunication Market at http://www.marketreportsonline.com/cat/information-technology-market-research.html. For more information, please visit http://www.marketreportsonline.com/500313.html Contact Info: Name: Ritesh Tiwari Email: sales@marketreportsonline.com Organization: Market Reports Online Phone: + 1 888 391 5441 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/global-digital-music-market-with-focus-on-live-streaming-size-trends-and-2016-2020-analysis-forecasts-now-available-at-marketreportsonline-com/131780 Release ID: 131780 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) Jacksonville FL Water Damage Restoration Burst Pipe Leak Expert Report Launched Jacksonville Restoration Masters, the expert water, fire, smoke and mold damage restoration company, has launched a new report on the importance of checking for water damage in the home. Leaving it late can prove costly, so fast action is essential. -- A Jacksonville restoration specialist has launched a new report on the importance of checking for water damage, because procrastinating and leaving it too long can prove costly and expensive. Jacksonville Restoration Masters explains that if a homeowner sees signs of water damage anywhere in their home, they should act quickly to avoid these costs. If the damage has occurred from a pipe leak, appliance leak, flood or burst pipe, or if it's coming from the attic, it's important to get in touch with experts immediately. More information can be found on the company website at: http://JacksonvilleRestorationMasters.com. The site explains that Jacksonville Restoration Masters pride themselves on offering high levels of customer service and providing a team of high quality staff to ensure each customer's job is done right. The company says that most homeowners and business managers have not needed to deal with professional restoration services before. The cleaning process for structures that have suffered from mold, fire or water damage is a specialized one, and requires an expert to ensure the problems are fixed correctly. Jacksonville Restoration Masters go on to explain that homeowners looking to get in touch with a service provider to help deal with damage to their home should first look for a company that offers a variety of cleaning and repair processes in order to get the job done efficiently. A full list of restoration services is listed on the Jacksonville Restoration Masters website, and includes water damage restoration, fire damage repair, smoke damage repair and mold removal. Clients can also get in touch with the company to ensure their carpets are professionally cleaned. Water damage restoration requires the use of pumps to remove moisture from floors, carpets and walls with specially designed extraction machines. Fire damage, on the other hand, requires multiple cleanup processes, including debris removal and soot and water damage to take care of as well. Smoke odor requires efficient removal because it can seep into insulation layers and carpets, while proper mold removal needs to be done using protective gear to avoid contamination. Interested parties wanting to find out more about the services offered by Jacksonville Restoration Masters can get in touch with the company using the contact form provided on site. For more information, please visit http://www.JacksonvilleRestorationMasters.com Contact Info: Name: James Ward Organization: Jacksonville Restoration Masters Address: 301 W. Bay Street, Suite 14136, Jacksonville FL 32202 Phone: 904-201-2013 Release ID: 131762 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) Ceroc & Modern Jive Dance Company To Host Dance Party, September 10th Ceroc & Modern Jive Dance Company is hosting a dance party on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at Club Willoughby with address 26 Crabbes Avenue, Willoughby. Starting with a beginner class from 7.30pm to 8pm for newcomers, the dance party will run from 8pm to midnight. -- Ceroc & Modern Jive Dance Company will be hosting a dance party set to take place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at Club Willoughby with address 26 Crabbes Avenue, Willoughby NSW 2068. Preceded by a beginner class from 7.30 p.m. to 8 p.m. for newcomers, the Willoughby dance party will run from 8 p.m. through to midnight. "The Willoughby dance party is always a popular event with over 100 people attending" said school director Julie Gunn. According to the Julie, the Ceroc & Modern Jive Dance Company is a dance school teaching a dance style called Ceroc (aka Modern Jive). The Ceroc & Modern Jive Dance School has 10 venues around Sydney, in addition to teaching at their weekly dance class, the school also provides private lessons and wedding dance lessons. Known to target an audience who knows how to dance Ceroc or Modern Jive, the school usually attracts a general age group ranging in ages 18-year-old to 60-year-olds. Ticket for casual entry is $17 but for student with a monthly class pass, the ticket price is $15. Entry for student under 18-year-old is free but must be accompanied and supervised by a participating parent or guardian. "These dance parties are a great way for Ceroc students to continue practicing their dance skills they've learnt in classes and to meet more people as the students coming to these dance parties comes from other dance venues as well," added Julie. Due to the location of Club Willoughby being near restaurants and cafes, the school's director pointed out a popular activity the students love doing is organizing a small group to eat at these restaurants or cafes before heading to the club for the dance party. In case students cannot make this dance party, another dance party has been scheduled for September 17th at Concord RSL Club. This dance party has a Mexican Fiesta theme and students are encouraged to dress up to the theme. For more information, please visit http://www.ceroc.com.au Contact Info: Name: Minh Ta Organization: Ceroc and Modern Jive Dance Company Address: 26 Crabbes Ave, Willoughby NSW 2068 Australia Phone: +61 2 9410 1111 Release ID: 131736 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Free 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. A preventive vaccination campaign against yellow fever was launched on August 17th in the Democratic Republic of Congo by the government. The United States, through USAID and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, has provided crucial support to the response to the epidemic of yellow fever. USAID used its approximately $1 million established PREDICT project to resupply lInstitut National de Recherche Biomedicale with needed materials to continue yellow fever diagnostics. USAID also worked through an existing partner to assist CDC to procure needed materials and person-time for a study investigating immunogenicity of the fractional/minimal dosing of yellow fever vaccine. It is estimated that the use of the fractional/minimal dosing in this campaign can confer up to a year of immunity for vaccinated individuals. The study will help establish if protection actually lasts longer than one year, thereby easing pressure on a limited global stockpile of yellow fever vaccine. In terms of technical support, several experts from the CDC and USAID are working with the Congolese Ministry of health, INRB for data management, quality assurance and daily updates. The U.S government, through its experts, regularly participates in meetings and contributes to the identification of training needs and development programs. Many of the platforms developed to implement a successful mass polio vaccination campaign have been utilized to support the current yellow fever campaign. USAID has been funding Emerging Pandemic Threat (EPT) activities in the DRC since 2010, including training health workers to prevent, detect, and respond to epidemic threats and building lab capacity, and has an EPT budget of $17 million for Fiscal Year 2015-2017. The U.S government, which is also the third largest donor to GAVI -the Alliance vaccine-, supports the introduction of new vaccines through the routine system, while also providing support to the global stockpile of a few essential vaccines, including yellow fever, which can be deployed for targeted campaigns. Gavi provides over $10 million for yellow fever vaccine and operational costs to support the current vaccination campaign. The U.S. is proud to work with its partner the Democratic Republic of Congo to help protect the Congolese people from a deadly threat yellow fever. Full Day Itinerary This morning, set out on the Pan-American Highway to Otavalo. After driving through dramatic Andean scenery, arrive at the famous indigenous fair and the textile market of Otavalo. Enjoy a visit to the charming Otovalo Market, showcasing brightly colored and unique handicrafts. Stroll by their many stalls filled with paintings, woven ponchos, scarves and blankets. You'll also see traditional hats, handbags, beaded jewelry and more. Try your hand at bargaining for something special to bring home, or just enjoy people watching in this bustling and historic environment. Then proceed to Peguche, a nearby indigenous village, where local artisans weave in their homes. Learn about their culture and everyday life. Next, have lunch in one of the charming country inns or haciendas of the area. After lunch, return to Quito and rest and freshen up at your airport hotel room until it is time to take the shuttle to the airport for your flight back to the USA. Arrive in the USA the following morning. The group risk industry has said some of the services available through group protection policies could help employees having suicidal thoughts. Ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day this Saturday (10 September) group risk industry body Group Risk Development (Grid) has called on employers to make use of the full suite of services available through these policies. While Grid said some of the features of group policies could be a vital lifeline for individuals who are having suicidal thoughts, have mental health problems or who are suffering with intolerable stress, anxiety or depression. However, Grid stated some of these services were not well enough understood or communicated by employers. Among these services, Grid included rehabilitation support to help employees get back to health-services which it said often come with products providing financial supports during times of long-term illness. The group also pointed out employee assistance programmes were often attached to group risk products, offering employees professional counselling and practical advice and support on issues such as debt management, relationship problems or health matters. Grid spokeswoman Katharine Moxham said group risk products offered a remarkable number of inherent services that are extremely useful to support both the employer and employee during difficult times, and that providers were continually adding new services. She added: Often, individuals with suicidal feelings may think others would not understand their problems or feel unable to raise any issues with close family, friends or colleagues. Group risk support services could just provide that absolutely crucial support for someone in desperate need and so employers would be wise to promote the added benefits and not just the financial aspect of these products. Graeme McColgan, a financial planner with Million Plus Financial Planning, agreed many employers were not aware of all the services offered in a group risk policy. This was particularly the case with employers who were doing it alone. If they take advice they tend to be more on top of it, he said. He urged employers to review their policies to make sure they were taking full advantage of the services they had paid for. james.fernyhough@ft.com The chief executive of British Friendly Mark Myers will stand down next year. Mr Myers will have spent seven years heading up the business after joining from LV back in 2010 where he worked as distribution director and partnership director. Prior to this he spent more than 20 years with Lloyds Bank, where he served as retail sales director. A spokesman for British Friendly said the search for his successor is underway, with an announcement expected before the end of this year. Mr Myers said seven years is a long time as chief executive, adding he was pleased to be leaving British Friendly in a strong position with new business running at triple the levels of 2015. He said the company will continue to enhance the value provided to members. Mr Myers will be looking to take on non-executive roles at other companies from next year. Peter Le Beau, chairman of the Income Protection Task Force, said: Mark has been a passionate advocate of income protection and a stalwart of the market for many years, pointing out the companys Protect product has been central to the growth and success of British Friendly. Marks support of the Seven Families campaign was also a great boost to the project and he has created a real legacy that everyone in protection should work hard to continue building upon. katherine.denham@ft.com Robo-advice is unlikely to grow rapidly until big incumbents start investing in it, the Wealth Management Associations fintech conference has been told. Pete Connell, managing director of Wealth Wizards, said he was unconvinced there was a whole set of new clients looking for robo-advice. Speaking at the conference in KPMGs offices in Canary Wharf, he said: The incumbents will massively benefit from this. The start-ups come and join the market but the big boys sell it to their client banks and take market share. It is coming. Giovanni Dapra, chief executive of MoneyFarm, said it was a no brainer for incumbents to move into this space. Speaking at the conference yesterday (7 September), Mr Dapra said: I hope that wont happen soon because it creates two, three or five years of opportunity for us to establish ourselves. I hope it will be down the line when the incumbents come. It is a game of cat and mouse but I dont think the question is whether you have to do this as an incumbent. We are past that. MoneyFarm was originally founded in Italy in 2011 and already had more than 60,000 active users in that country before launching in the UK earlier this year. Mr Dapra said that according to his estimates the robo-advice market could reach around 25bn in size in the UK in the next three years. His comments came after last month a report claimed robo-advisers could take up to a decade to make a profit from their clients. Analysis from IRN Consultants highlighted recent research which showed that each new robo-advice customer signed up was losing the company 162.50 on average in the first year and only making 17.50 in subsequent years. This would mean a client would have to be retained for the better part of a decade just for the company to break even from them - assuming the robo-advisers business model didnt change. One of the companies the report pointed to was Nutmeg, whose accounts for 2014 showed revenues of 635,000 compared with operating expenses of 5.9m. Speaking at the WMA conference, Wealth Wizards Mr Connell said it was a really interesting question how big an opportunity robo-advice was and whether companies should change their whole business plans as a result of it. It was last year that LV took a majority stake in Wealth Wizards, increasing its capital to allow the development of its white-label algorithm based platform. As part of the deal with Wealth Wizards, LVs in-house regulated telephone retirement service Cora uses its advice platform to generate personal advice for pension savers planning for retirement. Old Mutual Wealth has joined the UnderwriteMe quote comparison service, which provides advisers with online access to full underwritten quotes for its protection offering Protect. Being included on the UnderwriteMe comparison service means our product will more easily be compared to our peers. The selling point is it offers an end-to-end application journey, which requires the adviser to answer a full set of medical questions agreed between all providers and insurers featured on UnderwriteMe. Being included on the UnderwriteMe comparison service means our product will more easily be compared to our peers. Paul Roberts This allows UnderwriteMe to return either a guaranteed underwritten premium based on the answers given or an indicative cost and an instruction for what further medical evidence is required. Paul Roberts, head of protection at Old Mutual Wealth, said: Protection products have long suffered from a lengthy quote and application process, which can contribute to the customer apathy surrounding these insurances. For advisers it can be frustrating to quote a client based on an initial premium, which then changes when the clients health, occupation, past-times and general health are taken into account. The two ways to avoid this situation have historically been to submit several full applications at one time, which is very time consuming, or not to push for protection business at all. Neither is an ideal state of affairs for advisers in their quest for positive customer outcomes. Being included on the UnderwriteMe comparison service means our product will more easily be compared to our peers and provides the opportunity to strike up new strategic relationships with some of the largest writers of Protection business in the UK. Phil Jeynes, head of sales and marketing at UnderwriteMe, said: Were thrilled to have Old Mutual Wealth join UnderwriteMe. They have an excellent product set and an established brand, which will add yet more value to our digital, point of sale system. We welcome Old Mutual Wealth to the protection revolution and expect our partnership to be a long and successful one. Growing uncertainty over the effectiveness of Japans Abenomics programme of reforms has led Architas to cut back on exposure to the country across its range of portfolios. Nathan Sweeney, head of the team running the multi-managers Active suite of funds, said a reduction in the countrys tax base over the next 30 years would leave it in a perilous position, and implied prime minister Shinzo Abes attempts to put the economy on a more prosperous footing had yet to bear fruit. As a result, he removed the Man GLG Core Alpha Japan fund from two of his funds in July. He said: There are 120 million people in Japan, and in 30 years time there will be 90 million. The government is relying on debt but who will bail out the government? There isnt enough tax income in the country. The Man GLG fund has suffered outflows recently following a period of sharp underperformance. According to FE Analytics, the fund lost 27 per cent in the 12 months to July 31 in yen terms. Though returns have picked up again since, this came too late for Mr Sweeneys decision to reduce exposure within his 98m Active Growth and 51m Active Dynamic funds. As of the end of July, the funds had 6 per cent and 5.4 per cent Japanese equity exposure respectively, with Asia-Pacific ex-Japan exposure at 16 per cent and 26 per cent, respectively. Changes have also been made to the multi-managers 280m Intermediate Income fund. The vehicle held the 9.4bn Woodford Equity Income fund in high regard but began reducing exposure earlier this year. It is now the third-largest holding, accounting for 5.9 per cent of the portfolio. Mr Sweeney said Neil Woodfords slant towards healthcare and tech companies made it too risky. Instead, he has shifted exposure towards the more defensive Fidelity MoneyBuilder Dividend and Lindsell Train UK Equity vehicles. On the latter, Mr Sweeney said: It is not [supposed to be] an income fund but it is. Nick Train invests in companies that are always going to be around he doesnt bother with tech and goes for consumer staples. Mr Sweeney added that many managers belief that large consumer staple stocks and other bond proxies were expensive was misguided. Today, when equity returns are low and income is difficult to find, how can a stable dividend be expensive? You need to adapt to the new reality, he said. While significant changes in the aftermath of the UKs decision to leave the EU have been limited, the Active fund ranges exposure to the beleaguered property sector has prompted some adjustments. While the 90m Architas Active Reserve fund was shielded from open-ended property fund woes, having previously removed exposure to Standard Life Investments and Kames property funds, it has now added real estate exposure via the Tritax Big Box real estate investment trust. Mr Sweeney said the strategy, which focuses on investing in large logistics warehouses, diversified the fund away from the London office market and has provided a strong income component. Royal London-owned wrap platform Ascentric has reached the 11bn mark in assets under administration, helped by the recovery of the markets following the Brexit vote. According to Ascentric, the platform has seen an increase in the number of new account applications from existing and new advisers, helped by the post-Brexit vote recovery of stock markets. The company exceeded 11bn in assets after seeing strong gross inflows of more than 1.2bn for the year ending July. Jon Taylor, managing director of Ascentric, said reaching the milestone reflects the platforms ongoing efforts to enhance its proposition. Those platforms set to thrive in this environment need to continually adapt Jon Taylor With an increasing focus on holistic financial planning, advisers are naturally looking at specialist platforms that have the flexibility to allow them to deal with their clients needs, regardless of how complex they may be. Markets are moving at a fast pace and those platforms set to thrive in this environment need to continually adapt to ensure they offer advisers the support and tools they need. Mr Taylor said the platform will soon develop a tool which looks to help advisers more accurately forecast and visualise the income from a clients portfolio. Recent initiatives undertaken by Ascentric to enhance its proposition include giving advisers exclusive access to the Brown Shipley Aim Isa, helping clients manage their tax and estate planning. It also has a renewed focus on its in-house dealing capability helping advisers to trade quickly and achieve the best price for clients. Dan Elkington, independent financial advisor at Chattertons Solicitors, said three things are happening in the UK: companies can get debt for free on the open market, creditworthy bond yields are through the floor, and income based pricing has increased in relative value. This means everyone has traipsed the risk spectrum in the hunt for yield, and more people are investing in UK domestic companies in an attempt to get yield. The money for this appears to be coming from cash, he said, adding Ascentrics growth has probably been boosted by the falling value of sterling and the revaluation of their assets. Ascentric is a good platform, not one that we routinely use at the moment normally because of concerns around profitability and financial strength. katherine.denham@ft.com The livestock business has an effective symbol that has withstood the loving treatment of Hollywood, Nashville and Madison Ave. It is now under attack by the Anti-Livestock Industry. It is the cowboy. Hollywood made heroes of cowboys who always got the bad guy, practiced safe shooting and could leap on their horse from a burning train! Then Hollywood gave us the urban cowboy who could disco and wore a straw hat made of oatmeal, rattlesnake heads and sweepings off a chicken house floor! Nashville turned us into four-wheel drive cowboys. Yodelers with pompadours who drank too much and looked like a cross between Elvis and a Philipino bus! Madison Avenue has given us chain smokers and cologne called Stetson and Chaps (as in, that sure chaps my butt!). All designed for men who dont wear socks. Through it all the publics image of cowboys has remained positive. The Anti-Livestock Industry has had a tough time tarnishing our symbol. Its been hard for them to portray the American cowboy as a money grubbing, animal abusing land raper. They whack away at it persistently, often using the ruse that the cowboy is a vanishing breed. That he no longer exists and therefore, this symbol that everybody loves has no connection with the modern livestock business. This myth continues to be promoted to the point that we are often asked if it is true our way of life is dying. To this I reply, No. Of course not! Who do you think is takin care of the cows? But, they say, we never see them. There is a good explanation as to why you never see cowboys. It is possible to get in a car and drive from Philadelphia to Fresno and be completely insulated from the territory you cross. The car is climate controlled. You never roll down the windows. You pull onto the freeway that is the same from the one end of the country to the other. Although you drive through green to brown, from high to low, you never have to change the cruise control. You come down an off ramp into virtually the same self-service gas station/convenience store. You use the same credit card and buy the same cardboard coffee and irradiated snack cake. You turn on SiriusXM radio and constantly switch between RFD, Fox News and Willys Place. You stay in the same temperature controlled Holiday Inn or Motel 6, see the same CNN or HBO. You eat at the same Dennys or McDonalds. It is possible to drive from coast to coast and never leave your cocoon. But I can guarantee there is life beyond the freeway. You can find homes, schools, roads, farms and ranching communities thriving. And cowboys. Lots of em! The only thing is, friends, you just cant see em from the road! A rule that would have limited the amount of money British expats could transfer into an Australian pension scheme has been scrapped, at least temporarily, draft legislation released by the countrys Treasury has revealed. The policy , announced in the Australian Budget in May, would have imposed a AU$500,000 (287,000) lifetime cap on contributions to pension schemes, or superannuation funds as they are known there. It was the most controversial feature of a suite of reforms aimed to reduce government spending on Australias extremely generous superannuation tax concessions. The draft legislation was finally released on Wednesday (7 September), and while it contained most of the reforms originally proposed, the headline AU$500,000 cap was absent. Whether the cap had been scrapped outright was not clear. Treasurer Scott Morrison told Australias Sky News that contentious issues were still being negotiated. We will continue to work through some of the contentious items that have been part of this discussion but what we wont walk away from is our commitment to arresting the debt and delivering the budget repair job, Mr Morrison said. The ruling Liberal Party has long been hostile to tackling expensive superannuation tax concessions, because they favour their traditional support base of wealthy voters. Prime minister Malcolm Turnbulls announcement of the policy a few weeks before this years general election shocked many in his own party, including his predecessor Tony Abbott. Mr Abbott is thought to have fought hard behind the scenes to stop the cap - which has already been temporarily regulated - from becoming enshrined in legislation. But Geraint Davies, managing director of Montfort International, an adviser that specialises in clients relocating from the UK to Australia, told FTAdviser in July that, even if the $500,000 cap was scrapped, the government is unlikely to reinstate the previous cap-free environment. The old rules were just too generous, he said. It wasnt being used for retirement, as it should have been. It was being used for wealth creation. However, Mr Davies said there was some rationale for tinkering with the rules to make them more appealing. james.fernyhough@ft.com Increasing activity in the biomethane market is creating opportunities for operators of farm-based anaerobic digestion plants to add value to gas generated. Energy company Npower is developing a scheme to buy green gas from UK suppliers and pipe it through the interconnected gas main to their European business customers looking to improve their green credentials. Gloucestershire-based rural consultancy firm Butler Sherborn is working with Npower to develop the scheme and promote the 10-20% premium over the wholesale gas price offered to suppliers that sign up to the gas purchase agreement. The exact premium will vary depending on feedstocks and associated carbon footprint, with waste-based feedstocks favoured. See also: UK biogas up 30 in a year but growth slows Although biomethane becomes inseparable from conventional gas once injected into the grid, there will still be a physical delivery of gas to end-users, making it more than a paper-trading exercise, says Butler Sherborn energy consultant Richard Palmer. Gas producers must register for and meet sustainability criteria of the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification body, but this should not pose many issues for most RHI-compliant plants, he says. Audit costs will be covered by Npower. The offer is available to all plants. The average biogas flow rate for gas-to-grid plants is around 800-1,200cu m/hour. Gaining momentum Compared to the UK, the Dutch are more advanced in their corporate and social responsibility for energy, but interest in green gas is gaining momentum across Europe and projects like this may stimulate the UK market. He acknowledges opportunities for price premiums on biomethane may be shortlived if it becomes the norm among buyers. Charles Ward of Newstream Renewables says the UK market for biomethane is becoming more competitive, driven by companies improving their social responsibility and energy suppliers looking to sell a proportion of green gas to consumers. For example, British-produced biomethane makes up 6% of gas supplied by Good Energy and Ecotricity sources about 5% of all gas from existing UK AD plants. Ecotricitys Stuart Brennan says this will increase to 10% this year. Small market The biomethane market is still relatively small, but it is increasing and will continue to, especially as the government has a target to source 12% of heating from renewable energy by 2020. The UK is currently at 5%, so is well short of that target, he says. UK biomethane trading is done through fixed or variable gas purchase agreements (GPAs) and Green Gas Certificates, which are bought by companies, with proceeds going to the gas generator. The value of certificates (sold with accompanying gas supply) varies significantly, currently from 1.20/MWh to 2.20/MWh, says Mr Ward. While most opportunities are for plants connected to the gas grid, those off-grid may still be able to trade biomethane by tankering gas from the plant to a local grid injection point, he adds. Theres the added cost of transport, so the economics of doing this depend on the value of gas certificates and RHI. Last year Ecotricity launched a scheme to find sites to build and operate its own AD plants. Planning applications have been submitted for two sites: one near Fiddington, Gloucestershire, and another at Sparsholt College, Hampshire. The first Sparsholt application was rejected by planners due to traffic concerns, but a revised application was submitted in July. Farm minister George Eustice has rejected claims from opposition MPs that the badger cull is unscientific. MPs debated the cull in Westminster on Wednesday (7 September) following the governments recent announcement that the policy has been extended to seven additional areas across the South West. Natural England has agreed licences for trained marksmen to shoot badgers in Herefordshire, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Cornwall, Devon and Dorset as part of its 25-year plan to eradicate bovine TB in England. See also: Bovine TB who is worst affected? Mr Eustice, Conservative MP for Camborne and Redruth, clashed with opposition MPs who questioned the science behind Defras decision to extend the cull. But the minister insisted Defra would not kill animals for fun and the policy was based on scientific evidence from previous culls, which have shown that removing badger can reduce levels of TB in beef and dairy herds. Previous culling trials Mr Eustice listed a number of previous badger culling trials performed in the UK and their resulting effects on TB in cattle. The Krebs review observed that between 1975 and 1979, TB incidence in the South West fell from 1.6% to 0.4%. a 75% reduction after the cull, said the minister. The Thornbury badger culling trial in the early 1980s led to a drop in TB incidence in cattle herds from 5.6% in the 10 years before culling to 0.4-5% in the 15 years after a reduction of 90%, the minister added. Mr Eustice said 18 months after culling ended in the Randomised Badger Culling Trial (RBCT), which ran from1998 2006, there was a 54% reduction in the disease. MPs who say we have not followed the science, Im afraid, have not read the science, said Mr Eustice. The science is clear and veterinary advice is clear. This is an evidence-based policy and you cannot remove and eradicate TB without tackling the reservoir of disease in the wildlife population. False hope However, shadow Defra secretary Rachael Maskell said the cull simply hasnt delivered and had failed on effectiveness and humaneness. Ms Maskell, Labour MP for York Central, described the badger cull as a sticking plaster and said farmers were being given false hope. She called for more research to develop an evidence-based approach to tackling TB, which includes vaccination and increased biosecurity. Farmers continue to pay the price for a lack of evidence-based policy-making, using a one-pronged approach in this. We need to see scientific evidence and proper biosecurity strategy at the heart of tackling bovine TB. ELKO The 33rd National Cowboy Poetry Gathering will celebrate the art and tradition of storytelling in the rural West, presenting first-hand narratives wrought from personal experience and told in verse, song, film, visual art, new media and prose. From Jan. 30 through Feb. 4, Elko will be bursting with tales of lessons learned, risk-taking, humor, heroes, neighbors and family told by master storytellers and everyday folks from the rural West. Texas poet, scholar and songwriter Andy Wilkinson will deliver the keynote address, exploring the valued role of story in the ever-evolving narrative of the American West, and The Moth, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling that broadcasts on public radio stations across the country, will bring its Mainstage performance to Nevada for the first time. Everyone will be able to get in on the storytelling fun. Ticket buyers can participate in digital storytelling or oral history workshops, record a story in the StoryCorps booth, hold forth at an open-mic session, and attend a roundtable conversation on storytelling with bloggers, radio and video producers, journalists, cowboy sages and visual artists. Some folks say that the world began as stories told by the elders around a campfire, says David Roche, executive director of the Western Folklife Center, which produces the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Our worlds are made up of stories old ones that stick to our souls and new ones that light us up like a thunderbolt crackling on the high desert. Come join us in Elko for a Gathering warmed up by some of the best wordsmiths and story slingers in the West. The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is an international festival that honors the arts, culture and traditions of the rural West, and offers poetry, music, storytelling, dancing, workshops, exhibitions, discussions, food and fellowship. At the 33rd annual Gathering, 45 poets, musicians and musical groups from the U.S., Canada and Australia will perform on seven stages at four venues. The Gathering also features hands-on workshops in traditional Western arts including rawhide braiding and horsehair hitching, foodways, dancing, songwriting, and how to play the bones. A special exhibition will present an artful view of the horse in the American West and will display contemporary gear from the Western Folklife Centers collection. Tickets to the 33rd National Cowboy Poetry Gathering can be purchased at www.nationalcowboypoetrygathering.org, or by calling 888-880-5885. Western Folklife Center members can purchase tickets now, and non-members can purchase tickets beginning Oct. 6. The 33rd National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is supported by ArtPlace, NV Energy, Newmont Gold Corp., Barrick Gold of North America, Frontier Communications, Nevada Humanities, Nevada Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Elko Convention and Visitors Authority, the City of Elko, the Elko County Recreation Board and many more foundations and businesses. Story Highlights Twenty-five percent approve of the country's leadership Fourteen percent are confident in the national government Twenty-two percent are confident in the honesty of elections WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Lebanon failed its 44th attempt on Wednesday to name a new head of state for the country, which has been without a president for more than two years. Amid the political paralysis, it is not surprising that just one in four Lebanese (25%) say they approve of the job performance of their country's leadership in 2016. However, Lebanese approval of the leadership of their country has been low every time Gallup has asked Lebanese to rate their leadership in the past decade -- illustrating the deep roots of Lebanon's political impasse. The sectarian tensions, profound disagreements and political party boycotts that have prevented Lebanon's parliament from reaching the required quorum to elect a president are also to blame for the government's inability to pass a budget since 2005. Lebanese Lack Confidence in Elections The political stalemate is doing little to shore up Lebanese confidence in the honesty of their elections, which has ebbed and flowed over the past decade but has never been particularly strong. Slightly more than one in five Lebanese (22%) in 2016 are confident in the honesty of their elections, which is similar to levels in most years and seems to suggest that the current situation is what Lebanese have come to expect from their electoral process. Majorities Perceive Widespread Government Corruption Clues to the extent of Lebanese distrust of their leadership are evident not only in their low confidence in national institutions such as their national government (14%) and judicial system (27%), but also in the persistent, overwhelming majority of Lebanese (90%) who believe corruption is widespread throughout the country's government. This percentage has reached below 90% only a few times in the past decade and has ranked among the highest in the world in the past several years. Bottom Line Lebanon is an important commercial and political hub in the Middle East. Its geographic location bordering Syria and Israel and its population mix of Shia and Sunni Muslims, Christians and Druze, however, has placed the nation squarely in the midst of regional conflicts. The country's civil war from 1975 to 1990 and a war with Israel in 2006 left Lebanon politically unstable, and it is now struggling to cope with the large influx of Syrian refugees. Overwhelmed with its own internal political inefficiencies and entangled in regional and international conflicts, the Lebanese government's inability to elect a president suggests it has reached a point where it can no longer regenerate itself. Even if parliament ever succeeds in naming a new president, persistent low levels of trust in the country's leadership and institutions may have already bred indifference about who is at its helm. Linda Lyons contributed to this article. Survey Methods Results are based on face-to-face interviews with 1,000 adults, aged 15 and older, conducted in March 30-April 27, 2016, in Lebanon. For results based on the total sample of national adults, the margin of sampling error is 3.5 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. In the late 90s I started hearing about cool, new, cordlessly connected devices and all the neat things they could do. They bore a strange name that gave me pause as to how it related to their functionality. Then I saw their logo and put it all together. Lets start with the blue, somewhat oblong round that the glyph sits on. This is the shape that rune tiles have been given in modern systems of cleromancytheres no evidence I know of for the shape being used during the Viking Age. Little is known historically of this system of divination, except that slips or chips of wood were used. Tacitus describes it thus: To divination and casting of lots, they pay attention beyond any other people. Their method of casting lots is a simple one: they cut a branch from a fruit-bearing tree and divide it into small pieces which they mark with certain distinctive signs and scatter at random onto a white cloth. Then, the priest of the community if the lots are consulted publicly, or the father of the family if it is done privately, after invoking the gods and with eyes raised to heaven, picks up three pieces, one at a time, and interprets them according to the signs previously marked upon them. The dividing up of branches seems to have been interpreted as being cross-sections, perhaps cut at a slight angle and so yielding this type of shape. If you look at the logo closely, you can see that the shape is deliberately imperfect, again recalling this idea of the shapes origin. Next, this angular glyph without horizontal strokes clearly fits the description that I gave of runes in Part 1. Again, as per my the Italic origin of the runes I recounted there, the symbol bears a strong resemblance to the Latin capital B. However, if you look through the runic alphabets, you will not find this among their letters. So what is it? Maybe it is a Younger Futhark bjarkan (b), with the angled lines that form the loops and meet in the middle of that letter simply continuing beyond the staff. B for Bluetoothit makes sense, right? This is actually a figure known as a bindrune. Simply put, a bindrune is a ligature of two or more runes, in this case the runes corresponding to h and b. So B is for bluetoothbut why h? Well, it actually represents the initials of Haraldr Blatonn (Gormsson). Ericsson seems to have named it after him, trying to hearken back to their Viking roots as well as referring to the kings accomplishment of uniting the tribes, just as they aimed to unite communication protocols. Bluetooth is an Anglicization of Blatonn, though Ill note that Old Norse (ON) blar actually refers to a range of dark colors, including blue, blue-black, and black. Bluetooth sounds cool, however, while blacktooth would have suggested tooth decay which is actually the likely source of this heiti or byname. Many say that monograms like this one for Haraldr Blatonn, magical formulae, and even secret messages are encoded in bindrunes, but as with most matters Norse, its important to understand what is fantasy and what is fact, even if fantasy is your interest. In fact, among Younger Futhark inscriptions, there are not many examples of bindrunes. Of those that have been discovered and analyzed, most seem to bear no particular significance. But as I mentioned in earlier there is clear evidence that runes were thought of as magical, to such an extent that Icelandic preserves "magical symbol" as a meaning of the word, and Faroese, "magic". Even in ON the word also means "secret". There are other tantalizing clues in the lexicon: Aldrrun: life-rune: a charm for preserving life Bjargrun: "birth-rune" Bokrun: rune carved on beechwood Brimrun: "sea-quelling-rune" Gamanrun: gladness rune; gaman is also fun, amusement; cognate with our game. Hugrun: "thought-rune" makes you smart Limrun: "branch-rune" charm of healing Malrun: speaking-rune spell to improve one's tact. Manrun: love-rune Meginrun: mighty rune Olrun: "ale-rune" Sakrun: strife-rune Sigrun: "victory-rune" Valrun: Welsh-rune, riddle, obscure language* The Sigrdrifumal section of the Poetic Edda contains one of the lengthiest descriptions of the various kinds of magical runes, and in fact many of the above words appear there and only there. Unfortunately the text remains fairly general, simply describing whateach type of runic magic is for, with few exceptions. Even among these exceptions, it typically says where the runes are to be drawn, rather than which or how. We learn thatbjargrunar go on the palms and spanning the joints; brimrunar go on a ships stem, its steering blade, and its oars; limrunar are cut into bark and the branches of trees whose limbs bend to the east. Indeed, the verse features a crescendo of places to write runes that includes: a shield,Arvakrs ear, Alsvinns hoof, a chariot wheel, Sleipnirs teeth, the straps of a sleigh, a bears paws, Bragis tongue, a wolfs claws, an eagles beak, bloodied wings, the bridges end, freeing hands, merciful footprints, glass, gold, amulets in wine and wort, the welcome seat, Gungnirs point, Granis breast, the Norns nail, and the owls nose-bone. Its hard to understand the relative scarcity of runic inscriptions given this extensive catalogue. One that finally gets a bit more specific is about the olrunar which guard against another mans wife betraying one's confidences, which, honestly seems like an overly specific set of conditions to have a whole type of rune-magic devoted to. It also sounds like pretty shady business, and I cant help but feel like a guy who needs this charm deserves whats coming to him. But the passage is interesting because of how specific it gets: [...] a horni skal r rista ok a handar baki ok merkja a nagli nau. It says that the ale-runes must be ... cut on the (drinking) horn, the backs of the hands, and nau (the n rune) marked on the nails. The charm sounds fairly absurd to me: while a rune-carved drinking horn might be common enough, the guy whose hands are bleeding from where hes freshly gouged runes into them, and nau scrawled on every nail just might have something to hide. Unless, I suppose, that was the height of fashion and all the cool Viking kids were doing itactually it does sound pretty Goth. But we do learn that a normal runic letter n was used for part of this charm. The verse continues: Full skal signa ok vi fari sja ok verpa lauki i log; [...] Meaning that into the cupful both ... laukr and logr should be thrown... to complete the charm against such poisoned mead.** Taken literally, these words mean "leeks" and "water", respectively, so some have taken "water" to mean the drink, and "leeks" to be anherbal remedy to accompany the runic charm. I completely disagree with this interpretationnone of the other passages mention components other than runes, and this pair of words are also both names for the l rune. This, together with the command to write runes "on amulets in wine and wort [i.e., beer] among the places to write runes seems to make it pretty clear that this was a runic charm added to a drink. There is yet another passage that seems to point in this same direction: Learn victory-runes, If you want to triumph, And cut them on the swords hilt; Some on the fuller, Some on the valbost, And twice name Tyr. Now Tyr is both one of the sir as well as the name of the rune corresponding to t. Some have interpreted the verb nefna (which I gave its literal meaning, name, above) in the last line as call upon or say, but again, the verse seems to very specifically deal with runic charms and writing, rather than prayer. Further, skaldic writing tends to want to vary words and not repeat them too often, so verbs that clearly refer to the writing of runes used in the Sigrdrifumal are "cut", "mark", and "burn". In fact, the most commonly used one, rista (cut) is never used more than once in any given verse, and it appears near the beginning of the above passage, so I think Im on safe ground saying that nefnaalso refers here to writing t runes. So, having gotten past the confirmation bias, we come to the fact that repeated tyrs are in fact found in historical inscriptions. In fact, multiples of runes appears to be a commonly used magical formula. For example, the Lindholm Amulet bears a runic text reading: ek erilaR sa wilagaR haiteka: aaaaaaaaRRRnnn-bmuttt:alu: The first part is a declaration by the rune master: I am erilaR the crafty. It is interesting in that it strongly associates the carver with Oinn, the discoverer of the runes: This form of emphatic self designation is similar to those the god often uses in the Grimnismal, and the heiti, crafty, is also one associated with Oinn. Thus it is clear that the runemaster is calling upon, or more likely, embodying this patron god of runes for the creation of this amulet. The second part is a magical formula. It ends with alu, which Ive already noted is a marker for such formulae. The repeated letters are also common in inscriptions as well as written descriptions. The string of oss (a) runes used in this one is fairly common and may stand for the naming of a certain group of gods, as god is the literal meaning of the rune. In fact there appear to be a set of sacred numbers used in the repetition of runes: 3, 8, 9, and 13. The runes that are known to be so used are urs (), oss, nau, and tyr. In fact, just prior to the alu, we see the tyr rune repeated three times. We also find these t runes, which instead of being repeated as in the above example, arestacked, thus creating a bindrune. These are found with either 3 or 8 stacked runes and resembling an evergreen tree (and one imagines that there might also have been bindrunes of 9 and 13): These inscriptions seem to closely match the verse in terms of use, so apparently we have found real correspondences between these written descriptions and historical inscriptions. Returning now to the laukr/ logr-runes in the olrunar, I have already hypothesized that this is a glyph, which is to be written on something and then added to a full cup of drink. Extrapolating from the sigrunar, we can interpret the use of two names of the l rune as describing a stacked bindrune in a figure such as: And so this type of repeated and/ or stacked rune seems most likely to have been used in charms, while the other examples that are attested likely represent either scribal flourishes or even attempts to correct the error of omitting a lettercertainly an option preferable to throwing the whole works away and starting again. So while the bindrune used in the Bluetooth logo is cool, it's unlikely that monograms such as this were used historically. Until next time, * The last entry cannot help but recall Rotwelsch, which I mentioned here. ** Some similar elements appear in Egils Saga, where it is related that he cuts his hand, carves runes into a drinking horn, and then colors the runes with his blood. The horn, since it contains poison, explodes. Ive seen this translated variously, but is most reliably described as a decorative metal plate on the handle of a sword. Alu also means ale, and mead and ale are often associated with magic. Star Wars Rebels Season 3 Air Date, Spoilers, News & Update: Trailer Reveals Grand Admiral Thrawns Return! New Characters, Plot Details Revealed In the Star Wars Rebels Season 3 trailer, one character caught the eye of many viewers. The appearance of Grand Admiral Thrawn in the trailer should promise a great "Star Wars Rebels" Season 3 as the intelligent Admiral was able to send goosebumps to all Star Wars fans who know the character so well. For starters, Grand Admiral Thrawn is a master in the art of war and he can predict any move the enemy throws at him by studying the past strategies the villain has done in their offence. The Grand Admiral is a well-known perfectionist when it comes to eliminating his enemies and the Admirals genius is his ultimate weapon. Fans can expect more of his brilliance when "Star Wars Rebels" Season 3 premieres this month. Meanwhile, the "Star Wars Rebels" Season 3 trailer featured the story of Ezra being a teenager. He was also seen wielding a green lightsaber. Rumors say that Ezra, possibly, had strengthened his Jedi powers through time. Meabwhile, the "Star Wars Rebels" Season 3 trailer did not feature Darth Vade and Ahsoka, which sparked reports that the characters are not returning in the upcoming installment anymore. However, reports state that the characters will definitely be back in the upcoming Star Wars Rebels Season 3. The Ghost crew also made an appearance in the "Star Wars Rebels" Season 3 trailer, including Kanan who suffered a cruel fate in the hands of Darth Maul in Season 2. The new dynamics of the Ghost crew can be a very interesting element that deserves to be highlighted in the upcoming installment especially with the fact Kanan is now impaired. Star Wars Rebels Season 3 is set to premiere on Sept. 24, 2016. For more Star Wars Rebels Season 3 spoilers, news and updates, stay tuned to GamenGuide! PS4 Slim, PS4 Neo Release Date, News & Update: Sony Consoles Specs & Features Revealed! What to Expect on its Event? It looks like Sony will about to expose publicly two fresh console hardware devices. This would be the PS4 Slim version and PS4 Neo. According to CNET, PS4 Slim includes Xbox One S, which is basically a fit prototype of Microsoft's Xbox One. It is noticeable that the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 ultimately bring out fit variants in the previous years. As the Xbox One S adds 4K video support and some sort of recent insalments, the rumored speculations currently talks about the PS4 Slim that it will generally be a smaller variant of the authentic PS4. PS4 Slim was seen lately and it is remarkable that there is not much new about it. It comes with a less footmark and simple console diversity. There will be a great possibility that Sony will soon address regarding its future console, which is said to be an updated 1.5 variant of the PS4. This partly-new console is code-named "Project Neo" and will accordingly reckon to a new processor and visual chip to the original PS4 hardware. This enables PS4 for better playing graphics, much better VR contact and might possibly even up to 4K support. The PlayStation VR headset is scheduled to be release on October 13, at $399 (349 or AU$550). There were no clear informations regarding the PlayStation VR headset aside from its specs. Sony's PlayStation affair will be in New York, at the PlayStation Theater in Times Square. It begins by 3 p.m. ET. It has the same date of Apple's iPhone event but Sony will be an hour after Apple's affair as per reported by Digital Trends. The PlayStation affair can be seen online at Twitch, the taped cybercasting website is designed into the PS4 operating system, and already the Twitch Avenue. Stay tuned for more updates and informations regarding PS4 Slim and Neo and other Sony news at its best. 'Geordie Shore' Season 13 Air Date, Spoilers, News & Update: Holly Hogan Wants To Return? Marnie Simpson Confirms Her Comeback! It looks like a lot of stars are expressing their interest to be in the upcoming "Geordie Shore" Season 13. In fact, two of its previous cast members, Marnie Simpson and Holly Hagan, might actually be seen in the reality show again. Holly Hogan Wants To Return In 'Geordie Shore' Season 13 Holly Hogan recently quit "Geordie Shore" Season 13 following the exit of Charlotte Crosby, Aaron Chalmers and Chantelle Connolly. However, it looks like she realized her mistake, particularly after her relationship with Kyle Christie got fixed. "Even though she told producers she doesn't want to be on the program anymore, Holly's not one hundred percent sure she's made the right choice," a source told Mirror Online. The insider went on to explain that Holly Hogan was only having a problem with Kyle Christie when she decided to leave "Geordie Shore" Season 13. However, everything is now fine between the two of them and the 24-year-old television personality believes that the show is her place. In fact, there are a lot of incidents from the past that she is thinking of quitting, but didn't do so after she calms down. Marnie Simpson Confirmed Her Return In 'Geordie Shore' Season 13 MEanwhile, after her controversial stint in "Celebrity Big Brother" U.K., Marnie Simpson is now back in the coming "Geordie Shore" Season 13. The 24-year-old star confirmed her return in the finale of the British television reality game show she was in to. "There are a lot of things that need to be discussed. But I'll probably be still going back," she said, as per Digital Spy. Although fans are happy about her return in "Geordie Shore" Season 13, some are sad as her relationship with "Celebrity Big Brother" housemate Lewis Bloor will come to an end. Marnie Simpson admitted that there's no way that the 26-year-old actor will join her in the show. MTV has yet to announce the coming of "Geordie Shore" Season 13, but it is expected to be out later this year. Tuned in to GamenGuide to stay up to date on "Geordie Shore" Season 13! Vikings Season 4 Episode 11 Air Date, Spoilers, News & Update: Ragnar To Name Successor? More Deaths & Bloody War Coming? "Vikings" Season 4 Episode 11 air date was not revealed in at the recent San Diego Comic-Con, contrary to fans' expectations. But fans need not be too disheartened; there are plenty of materials about the upcoming premiere of the second half of Season 4 to get busy on. 'Vikings' Season 4 Spoilers - Aslaug Attempts To Seize But Ends Up Dead Here's a very exciting one. According to spoilers, fans may expect Aslaug to seize the throne with the arrival of "Vikings" Season 4 Episode 11 air date. Well, at least she will make an attempt anyway. Apparently, Aslaug will be emboldened by a prophecy given by the Seer which states that a woman will rule after Ragnar's death, reports CSN. Of course, Aslaug will delude herself into thinking that she is the woman in the prophecy, hence, her claim to the throne in the coming "Vikings" Season 4 Episode 11. However, it now appears that the prophecy was not about her at all. In fact, "Vikings" Season 4 Episode 11 spoilers suggest that when Ragnar gets wind of his wife's machinations, he will then side with Lagertha. As punishment, Aslaug is predicted to meet her demise in Ragnar's hands, a fitting Viking punishment as she basically commits treason. Ragnar To Die In 'Vikings' Season 4 Episode 11? But the Seer's prophecy just might come to pass. Apparently, when "VIkings" Season 4 Episode 11 air date arrives, the events that will eventually lead to Ragnar's death will commence as well. For now, it is not really detailed on how Ragnar will expire. But then again, it seems almost certain at this point that it's going to happen in the second half of "Vikings" Season 4. Parent Herald reports that creator Michael Hirst already made confirmation that the character Ragnar Lothbrok, superbly portrayed by actor Travis Fimmel, will eventually die in the series. Ragnar Has A Successor In Mind In 'Vikings' Season 4? But Hirst is not too concerned about killing off the main character of "Vikings" Season 4. While the coming Ragnar's death will indeed be a blow to fans of the hit History series, Hirst is confident that by the time Ragnar is written off, his sons will have made sizable followings of their own. Hirst is betting on the fact that when "Vikings" Season 4 Episode 11 air date comes Ragnar's sons will be portrayed by hot, young actors which the audience might find easy to get engaged in their own stories. This is because the next episode will have a time jump since last episode's events. In fact, Ragnar would likely name one of his sons as his successor. WIth the arrival of "Vikings" Season 4 air date, Ragnar will begin mulling as to who will take over the helm of the kingdom. Eventually, he will likely choose his son Ivar The Boneless, played by actor Alex Hgh Andersen, as his successor according to spoilers. 'Vikings' Season 4 Episode 11 Air Date For now, History is yet to announce the "Vikings" Season 4 Episode 11 air date. Stay tuned to GamenGuide for updates. RENO -- The Nevada Mining Association will hand out 104 safety awards during its annual convention at Lake Tahoe. The convention is Sept. 7-10 at the Hard Rock Hotel and the awards are handed out Saturday as the last part of the event. This year 37 awards will be given to mine operators and 67 awards will be given to individual employees. The NVMA Safety Awards are given annually to both mine operators and individual mining employees in several categories, and data for the 2016 awards is based on performance in the 2015 calendar year. Operator awards are given to the top three mines in designated categories based on their safety rate, which is calculated by a formula that factors number of employees on site, number of man hours for that year and penalties for lost-time accidents, number of reportable incidents and lost-time days. Individual awards are selected based on nominations only, and those nominations are judged on both the personal safety record of the individual and that persons involvement in advocating safety in the workplace. The categories with multiple first place winners means they were all tied at triple zero, said Joe Riney of the Nevada Mining Association. The full list of NVMA 2015 Safety Awards winners are below. Mine Operators Safety Awards Surface Operations Large -- 300+ employees First: Newmont USA Limited -- Twin Creeks Mine Second: Round Mountain Gold Corp. -- Smoky Valley Common Operations Third: Newmont USA Limited -- Phoenix Mine Medium -- 100-299 employees First: Barrick Goldstrike Mines Inc -- Roaster Operations First: Barrick Goldstrike Mines Inc -- Arturo First: Newmont USA Limited -- Genesis First: Newmont USA Limited -- Mill 6 Small -- 20-99 employees First: Borealis Mining Company, LLC -- Borealis Mine First: Comstock Mining LLC -- Comstock Mine First: GRP Pan LLC -- Pan Mine First: Mineral Ridge Gold, LLC -- Mineral Ridge Mine Underground Operations Large -- 300+ employees First: Barrick Turquoise Ridge, Inc. -- Turquoise Ridge Second: Barrick Cortez Inc. -- Barrick Cortez Underground Third: Barrick Goldstrike Mines Inc -- Meikle Mine Medium -- 100-299 employees First: Newmont USA Limited -- Exodus Second: Klondex Midas Operations, Inc. -- Midas Mine Small -- 20-99 employees First: Nevada Copper Inc -- Pumpkin Hollow East Underground Second: Klondex Gold and Silver Mining Co. -- Fire Creek Third: Newmont USA Limited -- Pete Bajo Non-Metal Mining Category First: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations -- Argenta Mine And Mill First: EP Minerals, LLC -- Colado Mine First: EP Minerals, LLC -- Clark Mill First: EP Minerals, LLC -- Fernley Operations First: Graymont Western Us Inc -- Pilot Peak First: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc -- DUNPHY MILL First: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. -- Rossi Jig Plant First: Simplot Silica Products -- Simplot Mill & Pit No.1 Aggregate Mining Category First: Aggregate Industries SWR, Inc -- Sloan Quarry No.1001 First: Ames Construction Inc. -- Ames Backfill Portabe Crusher First: Granite Construction Company -- Lockwood Quarry Contractor Category First: American Drilling Corporation -- Nevada Operations First: Ames Construction -- Nevada Operations First: Brahma Group, Inc. -- Nevada Operations First: J.S. Redpath Mining -- Raisebore Division First: Q&D Construction, Inc. -- Nevada Operations First: Schmueser & Associates -- Nevada Operations First: Small Mine Development -- Newmont - Chukar Mine Individual Safety Awards General Manager Mark Evatz -- Newmont Mining Corp.-Twin Creeks Safety Manager Lee Morrison -- Klondex Mines Ltd. Safety Professional Kurt Parker -- Barrick Gold Corp.-Cortez Tyler Forrest -- Barrick Gold Corp.-Turquoise Ridge Jamie Willis -- Kinross Gold Corp.-Round Mountain Rob Crommelin -- Klondex Mines Ltd.-Fire Creek Mine Manager Chris Corley -- American Mining & Tunneling Henri Gonin -- Barrick Gold Corp.-Cortez Steve Johnson -- Newmont Mining Corp.-Carlin Superintendent Josef Bilant -- Coeur Mining-Rochester John Jacobson -- KGHM-Robinson Jeremy Zeiler -- Kinross Gold Corp.-Bald Mountain Wayne Colwell -- Kinross Gold Corp.-Round Mountain Tim Crouch -- Klondex Mines Ltd.-Midas General Supervisor Tom Knudsen -- Barrick Gold Corp.-Cortez David Westhoff -- Barrick Gold Corp.-Turquoise Ridge Dale Honea -- Coeur Mining-Rochester Jason New -- Kinross Gold Corp.-Bald Mountain Gary Eisenhauer -- Kinross Gold Corp.-Round Mountain Jim Schmidt -- Klondex Mines Ltd.-Midas Darrell Dugan -- N.A. Degerstrom Todd Fowers -- Newmont Mining Corp.-Carlin Chuck Gaines -- Newmont Mining Corp.-Mill 6 Cameron Mead -- Newmont Mining Corp.-Phoenix Trainer Blair Campbell -- Coeur Mining-Rochester Carl Poston -- N.A. Degerstrom Wayne Alexander -- Silver Standard Resources-Marigold Supervisor Phil Cowles -- American Drilling Corp. Dusty Gilbertson -- Barrick Gold Corp.-Cortez Kevin Hartnett -- Barrick Gold Corp.-Cortez Gus Duncan -- Coeur Mining-Rochester Chester Gardner -- KGHM-Robinson Ray Davis -- Klondex Mines Ltd.-Fire Creek Luz Sandoval -- Newmont Mining Corp.-Gold Quarry Michael Glasgow -- Newmont Mining Corp.-Genesis Jack Constable -- Newmont Mining Corp.-Mill 6 Henry Dominguez -- Newmont Mining Corp.-Phoenix Bruce Keating -- Newmont Mining Corp.-Twin Creeks Tony Martinez -- Newmont Mining Corp.-Twin Creeks Shelley Spealman -- Silver Standard Resources-Marigold Non-Supervisory Trainer Karen Panteleoni -- Barrick Gold Corp.-Cortez Earl Malay -- Coeur Mining-Rochester Starla Gordon -- EP Minerals-Lovelock Clint Willis -- Kinross Gold Corp.-Round Mountain Hank Beckstead -- Newmont Mining Corp.-Carlin Dean Hardman -- Silver Standard Resources-Marigold Emergency Response Rich Maier -- Barrick Gold Corp.-Cortez Diana Ramsey -- Kinross Gold Corp.-Bald Mountain Brad Nelson -- Newmont Mining Corp.-Carlin Kyle Anderson -- Newmont Mining Corp.-Twin Creeks Jerry Murphy -- Silver Standard Resources-Marigold Safety Champion Lee Koch -- Barrick Gold Corp.-Cortez Drew Powell -- Barrick Gold Corp.-Turquoise Ridge Terry Holland -- Coeur Mining-Rochester Jeremy Abbey -- KGHM-Robinson Alonzo R. Crawford -- Kinross Gold Corp.-Bald Mountain Bill Owings -- Kinross Gold Corp.-Round Mountain Hector Dimas -- Klondex Mines Ltd.-Fire Creek Jim Keinholz -- Klondex Mines Ltd.-Midas Tyson Young -- Newmont Mining Corp.-Carlin Morgan Gurr -- Newmont Mining Corp.-Emigrant Dave Mackley -- Newmont Mining Corp.-Genesis Joe Rangel -- Newmont Mining Corp.-Lone Tree Shelly Hillesheim -- Newmont Mining Corp.-Phoenix Ernie Hazlett -- Newmont Mining Corp.-Twin Creeks Candelario Andrade -- Silver Standard Resources-Marigold Lifetime Award Leslie Brooks -- Small Mine Development Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 Release Date, News & Update: Competitor to Apple iPad Air Gives IFA 2016 a Miss! Impressive Specs, Features! Where's Samsung Galaxy Tab S3? The widely-anticipated device from the house of Samsung eluded public eye at the IFA 2016 and the company does not seem in any hurry whatsoever to unveil the device. The five-day event is over and the supposed competitor to Apple iPad Air and iPad Mini line-up is nowhere to be seen. Samsung confirmed via its Colombian website that the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 would launch in Berlin, Germany, on Sept. 2 at an annual IFA event, reported GSM Arena. The company's Tab S series has some of the most-affordable, high performance tablets users can get their hands on. The Korean tech giant even confirmed Samsung Galaxy Tab S3's release would coincide with the launch of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 at the IFA 2016. The post on the official website was later taken down so that Samsung could make the announcement. Despite earlier reports, the tech giant did not mention the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 and the press conference focused on home technology and Samsung Gear S3. The Gear S3 has been made available in two variants, the Classic and the Frontier. The recently revealed watches join their predecessor Gear S2. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 is also expected in 8.0-inch and 9.7-inch versions with a 3GB RAM, 8MP and 2MP rear and front cameras and a high-performance processor. Some reports suggested that Samsung would reduce its weight and size and also include an Adreno 510 GPU for an impressive graphics performance. According to Mobile & Apps, experts claimed that Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 would sport a Super AMOLED display, resolution of 2048p, a Snapdragon 652 processor, 4,000 mAh battery and a 32GB internal storage, expandable up to 128GB via microSD card. The device is also expected to come with apps such as a newly improved Doze, Now on Tap, Google Browser and Android Play. Sherlock Season 4 Air Date, Cast, News & Update: How Benedict Cumberbatchs Sherlock Will Change Next Season? More Spoilers, Predictions, Theories Here "Sherlock" Season 4 air date is happening at last. After three long years of waiting, fans will finally be seeing the fourth installment of the hit BBC series. With a "Sherlock" Season 4 release assured, fans are now eager to find out what the upcoming season could bring. Fortunately, a host of details have been revealed with the attendance of the "Sherlock" cast in the recent 2016 San Diego Comic-Con. 'Sherlock' Season 4 Cast - Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman Reprise Roles Fans will definitely be pleased with the recent "Sherlock" Season 4 cast confirmation. Fans will still be seeing their favorite sleuthing duo next year as actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman will once again return to the small screen to solve even the most seemingly hopeless of cases. When "Sherlock" Season 4 release date comes, Cumberbatch and Freeman will be reprising their roles as supersleuths Sherlock Holmes and John Watson respectively. In the upcoming three-episode season, fans will once more witness the highly enjoyable and distinct investigative techniques of the two. 'Sherlock' Season 4 Cast - Benedict Cumberbatch Reveals How Sherlock Will Change However, it now appears that there will be changes to the characters in the coming season. For instance, actor Benedict Cumberbatch dished that his character, Holmes, will be more "human" with the arrival of "Sherlock" Season 4 release. By being human, "Sherlock" Season 4 star Cumberbatch meant that Sherlock will now be more approachable, people oriented and probably more in touch with his emotions. This is unlike his previous impersonal, purely logical persona when the show began and is attributed to his association with Watson. "With his interaction with people, he's better at what he does. He has to understand the world," explains "Sherlock" Season 4 star Cumberbatch. "That's very much John's influence on him." 'Sherlock' Season 4 Release Date In less than three months, fans will finally see the newest episodes of the hit BBC series. The "Sherlock" Season 4 air date is already slated this January 1, 2017. Microsoft Surface Pro 5 Release Date, News & Update: New Laptop-Tablet Arriving Sooner? Surface Pro 4, Surface Book Now On Sale? The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is no doubt one of the best devices that the company Microsoft has made and, because of this, fans are expecting more from Microsoft. Many fans are now patiently waiting for the release of the new Microsoft Surface Pro 5, which is expected to bring new upgrades that will absolutely impress the users. The upcoming Microsoft Surface Pro 5 is rumored to have the new Intel's Kaby Lake Processor, USB-C Feature that will enable the device to have very fast data transfers, a Surface Pen that is attached to the battery magnetically, 4K HD Screen and a better camera than its predecessors. According to a report from iTechPost, the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book can now be purchased at Microsoft Store and with a discounted price! Microsoft is now offering some refurbished units of the Surface Book and Microsoft Surface Pro 4. Thus, this makes the fans think that the Microsoft Surface Pro 5 will be unveiled really soon. But are refurbished items fully functional and no defects? Or should they wait for Microsoft Surface Pro 5 instead? According to Ubergizmo, users don't have to worry about refurbished items. These devices are guaranteed to function good as new and each one of these items have gone through a quality testing process. The quality testing process includes diagnostic testing, software updates and hardware quality inspection. Users that want to save money might want to consider buying refurbished items from Microsoft. A Surface Pro 4 with a 4GB RAM, Core M3 processor and 128GB storage costs $899 at retail but the refurbished one can only cost for $764. Customers stand to save as much as $405 on the best possible configuration for a Surface Book which includes a 512GB storage drive, a Core i7 processor with 16GB RAM. The base model with a Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and 128GB storage costs $1,499 at retail while the refurbished unit costs $1,274. With these price markdowns, it should be possibly that Microsoft Surface Pro 5 is arriving very soon! Health officials said the local coronavirus outlook remained stable this week, though they continued to warn against a potential winter surge. ELKO The process to appoint the next Elko County District Attorney is underway with the finalization of qualifications and the possible stipulation, if legally determined, that the applicant must be a Republican. The latter caveat stems from the party affiliation of the late District Attorney Mark Torvinen. Elko County Clerk Carol Fosmo confirmed this is a partisan office. The Elko County Commission voted, save Commissioner Cliff Eklund who was not present, Wednesday to approve the process in looking for a district attorney. The appointment of this position will end Dec. 31, 2018. Under Nevada Revised Statutes, the applicant must be a resident of the State, a licensed attorney admitted to practice law in all the courts of Nevada, and an elector of the County, said Elko County Manager Rob Stokes, describing the minimum requirements in regard to the position. The State Bar of Nevada and the Elko County Clerk will be contacted with each applicant. The commission is under a 60-day timeframe in which they are to make the appointment, he said. This is from the time an interim DA is appointed, which was Aug. 17. The commissioners were provided the process with suggested wording in regard to questions the candidates would be asked. The process has been aligned with that of the vacancies in the county commission, where applications, resumes and cover letters are given to the entity in advance. They will be public information. This procedure allots four minutes for each candidate to make introductions to the Commission. After that, three applicants will be selected and another eight minutes is designated for asking questions. Subject areas each commissioner wishes to cover in this process will be sent to staff for potential incorporation into the questions, said Commissioner Delmo Andreozzi in his motion. Due to federal and state regulations, County practices and requirements from human resources, staff recommended to the commission the same questions be asked of each candidate, said Stokes. The post will be published in the newspaper and the application deadline is Sept. 23. Following internal reviews from the human resources department, this will be brought back to the commission during the Oct. 5 meeting, he said. The above process will be conducted on the October date. Commission Chair Glen Guttry brought up the consideration for the selected district attorney to align with the party affiliation of Torvinen. Deputy District Attorney Curtis Moore is the legal counsel through this process as Interim District Attorney Kristin McQueary may apply for the position, said Stokes, explaining there is not a requirement in the statutes for an appointee to share the same party affiliation. This is a requirement when appointing a county commissioner, which has not been found in this case, but the commission can cite its preference for a registered Republican, he said. From my point of view, it doesnt matter to me, but I would think that Mark (Torvinen) being elected by the citizens of Elko County as a Republican to fill that position, said Guttry. We could stipulate that that would be one of the qualifications. Most of the other commissioners did not take a direct stance on this issue. If the Countys legal counsel finds a legal determination, Andreozzi said, he would amend his motion for an additional qualification that only members of the Republican Party apply for the position. The motion was based on the condition that the DAs office determine whether or not the position is partisan. Moore said this qualification is worrisome as a minimum requirement because it is not stipulated by statute and could potentially lead to First Amendment issues. A Crescent Valley High School alumnus is the new chief executive officer of a $2.4 billion venture capital firm owned by Googles parent company, Alphabet. Although the title is new for David Krane, he was part of founding GV, formerly Google Ventures, and has been a managing partner at the firm since its inception in 2009. The new job is what Ive been doing for seven years, he told the Gazette-Times recently, while visiting Corvallis for the 50th wedding anniversary of his parents, Paula and Ken. In his position as CEO, Krane manages a company with about 70 employees that makes minority investments in startup companies. He personally oversees about 15 companies in which GV has invested, including Uber, the company that makes a mobile app that lets users hire people to give them rides. Krane said these investments usually run between $5 million to $20 million, and Alphabet gives GV about $500 million in cash to invest each year. My success is returning more than I get, he said. And that success, he said, often depends heavily on luck and timing. The substantial majority of companies and ideas you find will not succeed, he said. Krane describes himself as a very hands-on investor and said he likes working with the variety of investments hes made through GV. Krane said GVs $350 million investment in Uber is one of his prouder accomplishments, but hes also proud of the companys investment in Blue Bottle Coffee, a chain of cafes that focus on serving coffee from freshly roasted beans, and its investment and later complete acquisition of Nest, a home automation business. Krane said the job is often a 100-hour-a-week challenge, but he gets to combine his hobbies with his work by investing in businesses that match his interests. Its incredibly hard and incredibly risky, he said. Ive never been shy about taking risks. Krane said he is easily distracted, but he has so much variety in his work that he has lots of things to keep him interested. Krane moved to Google Ventures after working as Googles director of global communications and public affairs for nearly a decade, starting in 2000. Ive been (at Google) a long time, he said. Im part of the paint and the carpet. He said when he started at Google, the company was tiny and offered just a single product, its search engine. But he's been on board as the company grew dramatically. (His company bio says he was Google employee No. 84; Alphabets headcount in its quarterly report published this summer was nearly 67,000). At the end of the decade it was a different place, he said. Krane said before joining GV he was burned out and considering leaving Google. As GV was being established, though, he began to devote the 20 percent of time the company allows its employees to work on personal projects to GV, and he eventually moved to it full-time. I love that weve built a machine that can accelerate, and increase the odds of, success for our businesses, he said. He said GV operates independently from the rest of Google and its ability to do so was proof that the company could be structured as a series of independent businesses all spun out from the same hub. That later led to Google restructuring itself as Alphabet, which serves as hub with businesses like GV and Google as independent spokes. During his visit in August, Krane talked about how growing up in Corvallis had exposed him to cultural experiences such as the symphony. He said that led to him attending Indiana University to study music, but he eventually switched to journalism. I love Corvallis, I really do, he said. He said he makes it a point to visit places like The Beanery and Woodstocks Pizza when he comes to town. "I am amazed by how many of these businesses from when I was growing up are still around," he said. GVs headquarters are in Mountain View, California. Feb. 5, 1943 Sept. 6, 2016 Helen Kay West passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sept. 6, ending her 25-plus yearlong battle with Parkinsons disease and the associated severe effects of dementia. She was 73. Her daughter and former husband (caregiver) were with her daily until she passed. She was born Feb. 5, 1943, in Shelbyville, Illinois. Her parents, George W. Riley and Ada Marie; brother Earl W. Riley; and husband Douglas West all preceded her in death. Helen Kay lived and attended schools in Decatur, Illinois, graduating from Eisenhower High School in 1961. She married her high school sweetheart, Ray C. Steffen, in 1966. She worked for Metropolitan Insurance Co. until 1974, and she and Ray then moved to Pleasanton, California. Their daughter, Christina Kay Steffen, was born in 1975. They then relocated to Corvallis in 1977. Helen Kay received her bachelors degree in business from Linfield College in December 1994. She worked at Oregon State University and was then employed for many years with the Benton County Sheriffs Office, retiring in 2006. Kay had many hobbies associated with the fabric crafts. She was highly skilled and thoroughly enjoyed sewing, knitting, quilting, weaving. She enjoyed friends in her book club as well. She was a member of PEO, a womens professional group developing educational scholarships. After nearly five years of in-home care the decision to move to a care facility was a difficult one but became the only alternative for everyone involved in her care. The Salem Farmington Square Dementia Care facility and Hospice Northwest were invaluable to the family as they dealt with the progressive decline and side effects of various medications. Donations in Kays name to the hospice programs or to the Alzheimers/Dementia International Organization are encouraged. She is survived by her daughter, Christina Kay Lee (Willie) and grandson Adam of Salem; sisters Janet Savoie (Bill) of Rocky Ford, Colorado, and Robin Brown (Mark) and sister-in-law Earlene Waters of Decatur, Illinois; along with many nieces and nephews. She was married to Douglas E. West in 1991 and has surviving stepchildren Douglas West Jr. of Sedona, Arizona, Mark West of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Greg West of Albany. Following cremation, a memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, at McHenry Funeral Home, 206 N.W. Fifth St., Corvallis. You may leave your condolences for the family at www.mchenryfuneralhome.com She was loved and will be missed by all. It was only about a week ago when we were writing about how idiotic acts by stupid people were ruining our national parks. Now, the idiotic acts by stupid people are coming closer to home. We refer, of course, to the Aug. 29 action during which a bunch of stupid (or so we assume) people decided it might be fun to topple the so-called "Duckbill" stone formation at Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area near Pacific City. We might naturally have assumed that the sandstone formation finally toppled on its own in fact, that's what state parks officials originally thought until witnesses came forward with cellphone video of the incident. The video, shot by David Kalas of Portland, shows a group of visitors pushing the structure until it crumbled to the ground. "I didn't think anything would happen," Kalas told a reporter for The Associated Press. "It's a big rock." Indeed it is or was. But this group was more than a group of stupid people. It was a group of determined stupid people. When Kalas tried to confront members of the group, they told him that they thought the formation (which was behind a fenced-off area at the natural area) was a safety hazard. For example, they said, one of their friends had broken a leg on it. (Have we mentioned that the formation was behind a fence?) "It's like their weird revenge thing," Kalas said. That broken leg was just the start of the safety hazards that the Duckbill presented. To list another one: The formation apparently was at risk of falling down if a bunch of stupid people pushed on it. By that reasoning, of course, we should be working to reduce Mount Hood to rubble because climbers have come to grief on its slopes. Smith Rock? It's just asking for trouble. That leaning tower in Pisa? Looks like it could use a couple of hefty shoves as well, you know, just in case: You don't want to be underneath that thing when it finally falls. In any event, five of the people stepped away from the formation, but when three others saw that a crack had formed, they pushed it over. Sadly, none of the people who appear in the video have yet been identified by authorities, but our guess is that it's only a matter of time before that happens. The Oregon State Police is investigating the incident. Someone out there knows who did this, and it's only a matter of time before they spill the beans or, in this case, the rocks. To that end, we were dismayed to learn that these miscreants could face fines of up to $435. Four hundred and thirty-five dollars? We believe in mercy with our justice, but that seems a little heavy on the mercy and perhaps a little light on the justice. Allow us to suggest a little creative sentencing to go along with the fine. We understand that the Duckbill is beyond repair; it was, after all, made out of sandstone. But that doesn't mean these guilty parties shouldn't get the opportunity to give it a shot, piece by crumbled piece, with the proceedings streamed live for a couple of months. We'll supply the Krazy Glue. Sept. 7 Louis M. Albedi, 29, of Vallejo, California, was arrested at 10th and Chestnut streets in Carlin for possession of a controlled substance and driving with a suspended, revoked or canceled drivers license. Bail: $5,355 Travis B. Johnston, 39, of Elko was arrested at 3920 Idaho St. for violation of probation or condition of suspension. No bail listed. Choice R. Kinchen, 34, of Salt Lake City was arrested at 680 Wendover Blvd. in West Wendover for trespassing. Bail: $355 Slobodan Krkeljas, 27, of Largo, Florida, was arrested at the Elko County Jail for the arrest of a fugitive felon from another state. No bail listed. Rafael Rodriguez-Valentino, 25, of Spring Creek was arrested at Second and River streets for failure to yield at a stop or yield sign or control, DUI and failure to possess or surrender drivers license. Bail: $1,370 Terrin W. Shouse, 31, of Elko was arrested at 3920 E. Idaho St. for failure to appear after bail for a misdemeanor. Bail: $500 Tara M. Stanbrough, 33, of Elko was arrested at Juniper and Fourth streets for driving with a suspended, revoked or canceled drivers license and failure to dim head lamps. Bail: $470 Lori A. Webster, 45, of Elko was arrested at the Elko County Jail for battery. No bail listed. Natalia R. White, 31, of Las Vegas was arrested at the Elko County Courthouse for failure to appear after bail for a felony. Bail: $10,000 European Heritage Days : Historic Bonn opens its doors Kommende Castle in Ramersdorf. Foto: Leif Kubik RAMERSDORF This Sunday is Tag des offenen Denkmals where Bonns historic buildings open their doors to the public. One location will offer a tour in English. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken It is not a long journey from the Ramersdorf subway station up to the Kommende Castle. The two structures were built over a hundred years apart, but they are united in a sense that they have been under-appreciated by later generations. Thats why the two structures are part of the program Tag des offenen Denkmals, an open day for Denkmals, which refers to landmarks and monuments of historical value. It will take place on Sunday, September 11 in conjunction with European Heritage Days. Many of Bonns historical buildings will be open to the public. Historical preservation officials from Bonn and Beuel, as well as representatives of Baukultur Werkstatt, presented the extensive program planned for this year. They also highlighted developments in historical preservation throughout Bonn in the last 150 years. The relocation of the Georgskapelle (Georg Chapel), moved from its original location on the grounds of the Kommende down to the Alten Friedhof (Old Cemetery), was a kind of starting point for historic preservation in Bonn, explained Franz-Josef Talbot, head of Bonn historical preservation. Historic preservation is also setting itself up for the future, said Alexander Kleinschrodt of Baukultur. He explained that one of the many tasks of historic preservationists is to recognize what might shape the way we look at the past for the future. The Kommende Castle would otherwise have been torn down in the 1970s and the B42 highway would have passed right through where it stands had it not been for a call to keep it preserved. The first European year of historic preservation took place in 1975. In that same year the original Bonn subway line began transporting passengers. This year, a total of 58 stops filled with colorful wall and tile art can be viewed in Bonn as a part of the Open Day of Memorials. Buildings that would otherwise not be open to the public will welcome visitors on Sunday. For the first time there will also be one location where visitors can ask for a tour in English. It will be at the Forum Internationale Wissenschaft (Heusallee 18-24) in Bonn-Gronau. The older of the two buildings there dates back to 1912. The regular tours are at 10:30, 11:30, and 12:30 but the Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz (German Foundation for Historical Preservation) informs that you can also ask for the tour in English. This years motto is Preserve Memorials Together which puts residents in the spotlight for their commitment to historical preservation, many of them being volunteers. Citizens in 50 countries will be celebrating Europes cultural heritage. More information can be found at www.tag-des-offenen-denkmals.de/programm 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. All workers have the constitutional freedom of association and may form labor unions if they so choose. Under the same constitutional right, employees should be free not to join the union. And employers, public or private, should have the right to bargain with a union or not. But union leaders dont just want people to be free to form unions. They also want employers to be forced to sign union contracts and purchase all labor from unions. And they want employees who dont want to pay union dues or to belong to a union to be forced to join. Their lust for power, privilege and economic exploitation of others trumps everyone elses basic rights, they think. Fortunately, Nevada and 25 other states have right-to-work laws that protect workers from being forced into a union against their will. For private businesses, however, the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) still forces employers to negotiate toward a union contract if a federally recognized employee union exists. But the NLRA doesnt apply to government workers. President Franklin Roosevelt specifically excluded government workers from its provisions because he believed unionizing government employees would give them an unduly privileged position in the policymaking process and undermine governments democratic accountability to the people. Instead, laws governing collective bargaining in state and local governments are set at the state level. In 1959, Wisconsin became the first state to pass a law that required city and county officials to negotiate toward union contracts. Roosevelts insight still prevailed at the time and so most folks were appalled. Several states reacted by passing laws expressly prohibiting collective bargaining for state and local governments. Nevada did so in 1965. The states existing public employee unions pitched a monumental fit. The Clark County teachers union staged a series of protests and demonstrations on the Las Vegas Strip that threatened the states most important center of commerce. By 1969, casino and resort owners were telling state lawmakers to give the unions whatever they wanted just to get them off the Strip. So, lawmakers not only reversed their four-year-old prohibition on collective bargaining with local governments, but even went so far as to make collective bargaining a compulsory duty for local governments. A huge step too far. Roosevelt was right. As direct beneficiaries of higher government spending, government unions routinely lobby for higher taxes and spending and enlarged bureaucracies. For example, just two years ago, the Nevada teachers union ran a ballot initiative to impose a new gross receipts tax on businesses. They also work to elect politicians beholden to them and thus not to the public interest so they can control both sides of the bargaining table. Three of the all-time top four donors to political campaigns nationwide are public-employee unions. Too many politicians welcome this support and are willing to make commitments they know will strain public finances just to secure the unions electoral support. Even when reform-minded folks campaign for city council or county commission to right the fiscal ship, they have virtually no ability to do so. Thats because every local government in Nevada is obligated to negotiate toward a union contract. In the event of impasse, binding terms can be dictated by an outsider in a statutory arbitration process that literally guarantees a union contract. These compulsory features of Nevadas collective bargaining laws make it impossible for voters to have much influence over local government finances. We believe, at the very least, the labor contracts adopted by local governments should reflect community needs and preferences. Thats why were sponsoring a bill for the 2017 legislature to make collective bargaining optional for local governments. If community residents value collective bargaining in government, theyll be able to elect representatives who will continue it. But if they believe it unnecessarily inflates the cost of government, as the evidence shows overwhelmingly, they can elect representatives who will stop it. Many states still operate without government-employee unions and do very well. To attract talent, they must offer competitive pay and benefits. Some reward workers based on merit. And as a group, they burden taxpayers less than compulsory bargaining states. Despite what youll hear, our bill is neither anti-union nor anti-worker. Its pro-democracy and pro-public-interest. Navy's most advanced warship, USS Zumwalt departs Bath Iron Works Navy News Service Story Number: NNS160907-20 Release Date: 9/7/2016 4:23:00 PM From PCU (DDG 1000) Zumwalt Public Affairs Office BATH, Maine (NNS) -- The Navy's newest and most technologically advanced surface ship, future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) departed Bath Iron Works, Sept. 7, marking the beginning of a 3-month journey to its new homeport in San Diego. Crewed by 147 Sailors, Zumwalt is the lead ship of a class of next-generation multi-mission destroyers designed to strengthen naval power. They are capable of performing critical maritime missions and enhance the Navy's ability to provide deterrence, power projection and sea control. Named for Adm. Elmo R. "Bud" Zumwalt Jr., former chief of naval operations (CNO) from 1970 to 1974, the Zumwalt-class features a state-of-the-art electric propulsion system, a wave-piercing tumblehome hull, stealth design and the latest war fighting technology and weaponry available. "As the DDG 1000 sails into open water, Zumwalt is once again on active service in the U.S. Navy," said Capt. James A. Kirk, Zumwalt's commanding officer. DDG 1000 will be the first U.S. Navy combatant surface ship to utilize an integrated power system (IPS) to provide electric power for propulsion and ship services. The IPS generates approximately 78 megawatts of power, nearly what a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier generates, to meet the total ship electric power requirements and provide extra capacity to accommodate future weapons and computing systems. "With 78 megawatts of power generation capacity readily available, DDG 1000 enters the Fleet bringing with it a new era of power generation, conversion, and propulsion to the U.S. Navy," said Kirk. In preparation for Zumwalt's departure from Bath, the crew recently completed an engineering light off assessment and crew certification to ensure the ship's readiness to join the surface fleet. "The 147 Sailors of Zumwalt (DDG 1000) have completed the training and certifications required of them in record time. They have demonstrated superb technical expertise, teamwork, and toughness over the last three months," said Kirk. In addition to its advanced weapon and propulsion systems, Zumwalt is much larger than today's destroyers. At 610 feet long and 80.7 feet wide, Zumwalt is 100 feet longer and 13 feet wider, and its flight deck is 93 percent larger than an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. Stealthy, powerful, and lethal, Zumwalt integration into the fleet will provide a vital link from the Navy's current needs to its future capabilities. USS Zumwalt will be formally commissioned during Fleet Week Maryland in Baltimore, Oct. 15. Following the commissioning ceremony Zumwalt will begin its transit to San Diego, making several port visits en route. Upon arrival in San Diego, she is scheduled to take part in a Post Delivery Availability and Mission Systems Activation and is expected to be integrated into the fleet in 2018 following test and evaluation. "We take a great deal of pride in our namesake, Admiral Zumwalt, and are committed to honoring him through our service," said Kirk. A veteran of World War II and the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam, Adm. Zumwalt exemplified honor, courage and commitment during 32 years of dedicated naval service, earning a Bronze Star with Valor for his actions during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. During his time as CNO, Adm. Zumwalt embraced technological innovation and advocated a number of successful programs including, the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine and the F-14 Tomcat, all of which yielded long-term benefits to the warfighting readiness of the Navy. His legacy is proudly carried on today by the new class of destroyers that bear his name. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Price Wars: Norway's Defense Minister Under Fire Over Costly F-35 Fighter Jets Sputnik News 17:10 07.09.2016 Norwegian Defense Minister Ine Eriksen Sreide has landed in hot water for supposedly playing down the purchase cost of pricey US-made F-35 fighter jets. Meanwhile, unforeseen and skyrocketing expenses are feared to leave even larger dents in the country's defense, which has become increasingly dependent on NATO. Previously, the Norwegian parliament gave the green light to spending no less than 81.6 billion NOK (roughly $9.9 billion) on the fighter jets. This sum was determined with a security grade of P85, meaning that there was an 85 percent chance that the final price would fall within the estimated bracket. When questioned by parliament, Sreide indicated the price as 80.2 billion NOK (roughly $9.7 billion), yet provided a security grade of P50, thus tacitly acknowledging the risk of a possible price hike, Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet reported. According to Olav Torp, professor of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), there is a huge difference between the two figures, which possibly implies extra defense expenditure. The Norwegian defense was therefore left with a 50 percent probability that the overall price tag for the much-debated fighter jets will exceed the frame, set by parliament. During the dispute over the expensive fighter jets, Liberal deputy Ola Elvestuen asked the Defense Minister to "calm down" on her shopping trips to the United States. So far, 22 aircraft have already been ordered. According to him, the purchase of the next 18 jets must be postponed until the Defense Ministry sets things straight. "First we have to get costs under control. Sreide's comparison of P50 and P85 is no trifling matter, as the two figures are not comparable. When P50 seems almost on par with P85, in reality it means a significant cost increase," Elvestuen told Dagbladet, citing risks of the situation spinning out of control amid a strong dollar. In 2008, Norway chose the F-35 as a successor to replace its outdated fleet of F-16s. In total, Oslo expects to buy 52 F-35 aircraft, of which the first was commissioned in 2012. The first Norwegian F-35s will be stationed in the US, where Norwegian crews will be trained. The first aircraft delivery to Norway is expected to happen in 2017. In June, the Norwegian government presented its long-term plan for the military update. The biggest priorities were stated as combat aircraft and submarines, at the expense of the army and the national guard, which triggered many angry reactions among high-ranking military officials and security experts for weakening Norway's overall defense potential. Earlier, Norwegian newspaper Klassekampen revealed that Sreide had lost an internal party struggle and was forced to make do with 41 billion NOK (roughly $5 billion) less than she had asked for the fighter jet purchase. Curiously, Sreide defended her choice with fears of an increased dependence on NATO. "When things get more expensive than expected, you end up in a jam, and cuts will occur where possible. After all, it's our army power," Elvestuen said, stressing the need for new artillery and upgraded combat vehicles, as well as preserving both the coastal guard and the national guard. This is not the first time Ine Eriksen Sreide hasfound herself in trouble. When Norway's Defense Minister proudly presented her defense plan for the next 20 years, it was lauded as a "historic commitment to defense." However, a later survey the by Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet revealed that Sreide's plan in fact entailed less money for defense in comparison with the previous long-term plan the Stoltenberg government had adopted in 2012. The overall price tag for Sreide's defense plan for 2015-2035 is 12 billion NOK (roughly 1.5 billion) cheaper than Stoltenberg's. Additionally, there is a marked difference in priorities, as Sreide's clearly prioritizes navy and air force above the rest of the military branches. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Carter Announces New DoD Contributions to U.N. Peacekeeping Operations By Cheryl Pellerin DoD News, Defense Media Activity WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2016 At the first-ever U.N. Peacekeeping Defense Ministerial in London last night, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced that the Defense Department will add to already substantial U.S. contributions to U.N. peacekeeping operations. Carter is in the United Kingdom as part of a visit there and to Norway Sept. 6-9 to meet with top officials, to participate in discussions about U.N. peacekeeping operations and to update counterparts on recent momentum in the military campaign to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. "It's a very rare occasion to gather this many defense ministers in one room, and there are two important reasons why so many of us are here," Carter said in prepared remarks before the audience at a ministerial dinner last night. First, he said, U.N. teams "have worked with each of our nations to increase the potential and the power of U.N. peace operations. And the second reason we're here is that we believe in the importance of U.N. peacekeeping and the value of peace operations." Such importance comes from the humanitarian efforts themselves, the secretary said, but also because defense officials appreciate that it is more efficient and effective to prevent the development of serious dangers than to confront them later on. "We've learned that lesson time and again -- sometimes the hard way -- from the aftermath of World War II right up through to today. And we must remember it at a time of global change and instability, when the need for and importance of peace operations will only grow," Carter said, noting, "It is imperative that all nations and militaries contribute more to these operations and improve how we conduct them." Peacekeeping Becoming More Dangerous Peacekeeping is changing in this new era of global challenges, growing more difficult, demanding and dangerous and its missions more far-reaching, Carter said, as he announced that DoD will make new contributions to U.N. peacekeeping efforts in the following five areas: -- DoD is offering to help train, develop and prepare future leaders by reinforcing the U.N.'s Enhanced Leader Development Program to develop competent and effective senior mission leaders for peace operations; -- DoD is leveraging its recent experience trying to rid its force of sexual assault to help U.N. National Investigative Officers and to improve training to prevent sexual exploitation and other conduct and discipline issues such as sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers; -- DoD is offering to help synchronize capability-development efforts, especially to help fill critical gaps -- such as in efforts to counter improvised explosive devices and in medical evacuation -- to help U.N. peace operations predict, plan and secure capabilities needed in the field; -- DoD will leverage its unique capabilities and recent operational experience to help peacekeepers get on the ground and get working sooner when U.N. and troop-contributing countries deploy units to crisis zones; and -- DoD will partner with the U.N. to improve energy, water and waste management efficiency to optimize operational and environmental designs for U.N. peacekeeping camps and sites. "Taken together," Carter said, "these new commitments, along with last year's and our ongoing financial support for U.N. peacekeeping, demonstrate the priority that President [Barack] Obama, I and the entire U.S. government place on peace operations." Placing a Priority on Peacekeeping The secretary also asked each defense minister and their defense institutions to continue to prioritize peacekeeping operations. "Many nations here tonight have already pledged to contribute additional uniformed personnel and enablers [But] new troops, equipment and support to U.N. peacekeeping can only do so much on their own. That's why we also need to look at and be honest about where our operations and peacekeepers have fallen short, and to take steps to improve the diversity, leadership, accountability and performance of our peace operations," Carter said. Carter, applauding the meeting's focus on the importance of women in peacekeeping, said all participating countries should strive to have more women peacekeepers because it will improve the effectiveness of peace operations and allow the U.N. to draw from the widest possible pool of talent that meets mission standards. The secretary also called for the following three critical reforms to U.N. peacekeeping: -- Selecting qualified leaders of peace operations missions and empowering them to more effectively manage their forces in complex, austere and dangerous environments; -- The U.N. must ensure that leaders of peace operations and their forces are rigorously assessed against clear standards for their performance, equipment and conduct and that consistently underperforming units must be sent home and replaced by those more committed to the task; and -- The U.N. must continue to improve performance in operations in the field and at U.N. headquarters in New York, and peacekeepers must be trained, equipped, enabled and motivated to succeed. "Now is the time to make these changes; when the demand for peacekeeping is high and when, thanks to the work of the U.N. during last year's summit and this week's ministerial, our governments have each renewed their commitment to these missions," Carter said. "The stakes are too high for those we seek to protect, for our peacekeepers and for our shared interests to miss this opportunity for reform," he added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Department of Defense Press Operations News Release No. NR-310-16 September 08, 2016 Readout of Secretary Carter's Meeting with Turkish Minister of National Defense Fikri Isik Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter met with Turkish Minister of National Defense Fikri Isk for a bilateral meeting at the UN Peacekeeping Defense Ministerial today in London. The secretary affirmed his support for the long-term strategic partnership between the United States and Turkey and vowed the United States would continue to stand side-by-side with Turkey against shared threats. Secretary Carter thanked the minister for Turkey's resolve in the fight against terrorism and Turkey's critical support for the counter-ISIL campaign. The secretary and minister discussed Turkey's recent successes against ISIL in Northern Syria, and Carter assured Isk of the United States' continued support for Turkey's efforts to clear ISIL from its borders. The two also discussed the importance of retaking Raqqa, and the need for local forces to play a central role. Both agreed to maintain frequent communication on the full range of mutual interests. http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/ News-Release-View/Article/937226/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Secretary General welcomes Georgia's reform efforts NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 08 Sep. 2016 At the end of a two-day visit to Tbilisi, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg encouraged Georgia to continue implementing fundamental reforms to prepare for NATO membership. He stressed that "the bonds between NATO and Georgia are stronger than ever." Meeting with President Giorgi Margvelashvili on Thursday (8 September 2016), Mr. Stoltenberg praised Georgia for its important contributions to NATO's operations and activities. He noted that the Alliance is committed to helping Georgia move towards NATO membership, including through the NATO-Georgia Commission and the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package. NATO experts in Georgia are providing advice on defence planning, education and cyber security, while Allies have increased joint training and exercises with Georgian troops. The Secretary General also thanked Georgia for its steady progress on constitutional and electoral reforms. "We look forward to the upcoming elections meeting the highest democratic standards, because, as a community of values, NATO puts a premium on democracy, human rights and the rule of law," he said. Mr. Stoltenberg added that the Alliance is closely following the security situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. At the Warsaw Summit, Allies reaffirmed NATO's full commitment to Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognised borders. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO's Enduring Mission Defending Values, Together - Speech by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to student audience, National Parliamentary Library Tbilisi, Georgia (followed by Q&A session) NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 08 Sep. 2016 (As prepared) Thank you for that very kind introduction. I appreciate this opportunity to share a few thoughts with you. About NATO's mission and evolution. And the close friendship between Georgia and NATO. *** I first visited your beautiful country in 1985. It was a very different time. When Europe was divided by armies, by walls and by values. Since then so much has changed. In 1985, you were a Soviet Republic. Now you are an independent state. A close partner of NATO, aspiring to membership. I join the people of Georgia in celebrating your many achievements over the past quarter of a century. Perhaps the most important change has been how Georgia has embraced the fundamental values which unite so many countries across Europe. Democracy. Freedom of speech. Freedom of the media. Independence of the judiciary. Protection of minorities. These are the values that unite us. They are the values NATO has defended since its foundation in 1949. We have had to defend those enduring values in very different ways. For our first 40 years, NATO was focused on collective defence. Defending ourselves back then meant lining up tanks along the West German border. Then suddenly, in 1989, the Berlin Wall came down. The Cold War ended. And the Soviet Union was dissolved. With the Cold War receding into the past, NATO entered a new phase. Our mission evolved from pure collective defence to include what we call "crisis management." As violence disrupted the Balkans. And the threat of genocide erupted in Kosovo. For the first time, NATO sought to manage conflicts beyond our territory. To defend the lives of the people there. To prevent war from spreading in Europe. And to take a stand against massive abuses of human rights. This was a new role for NATO. But it was firmly in line with our commitment to universal values. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, NATO was called upon once again. NATO and our partners went into Afghanistan. To prevent that country from becoming a safe haven for terrorism. Since then, NATO with the help of Georgia has been supporting the Afghan armed forces. Which we have helped build from almost nothing to an effective force of more than 350,000. And here on behalf of all NATO members and partners I want to express my deep gratitude to Georgia. You have stood side-by-side with NATO in Afghanistan for many years. And we recognise and deeply appreciate the sacrifices made by Georgia's soldiers and their families. Your troops have made a real contribution to helping the Afghan people find a safer future. And they have helped keep us safe as well. We are grateful for that. Now, we are in a third important phase of NATO's evolution. Which in some ways began to take shape when Russia used military force here in Georgia in 2008. Since then, Russia has kept unwanted troops in the Republic of Moldova. Illegally annexed Crimea. And is worrying the rest of Europe, for example, with the kind of massive, unannounced exercise we are seeing right now. At the same time, we also face big challenges to the South. With the emergence of the so-called Islamic State, we have seen a tragic escalation of the civil war in Syria. A series of brutal terrorist attacks in several NATO countries. And the biggest migrant and refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. NATO is adapting to these challenges from the east and south. We have bolstered NATO's ability and readiness to defend our territory and our citizens. We are strengthening our collective defence and deterrence. We are enhancing our forward presence in the east of the Alliance. In Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, we will deploy, by rotation, four robust, multinational battalions. One in each country. We will also strengthen our posture in the south-eastern part of the Alliance. Based around a Romanian framework brigade. This will be supplemented by steps to strengthen the readiness and interoperability of air and maritime forces here in the Black Sea region. NATO does not seek confrontation. All of our measures are defensive, transparent, and in line with our international obligations. We do not want a new Cold War. We will continue to seek constructive and meaningful dialogue with Russia. We will never compromise on our duty to protect our territories and citizens. We are also taking significant steps to increase stability in our eastern and southern neighbourhood. Because if our neighbours are more stable, we are more secure. In the east, we have reaffirmed our commitment to Ukraine, to the Republic of Moldova and to Georgia. To help these countries resist outside pressure and advance crucial defence and security reforms. In the case of your country, we agreed on the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package in 2014. This package was strengthened at our Summit in Warsaw this past July. Allies are determined to increase and intensify our level of support. NATO experts work with their counterparts here in Georgia on a day-to-day basis. To help strengthen your defence capabilities. And to provide advice on planning, education and cyber security. We have also increased training and exercises for troops from NATO, Georgia and other partners. Including through our new Joint Training Centre based right here in Tbilisi. These are significant, concrete measures that enhance Georgia's security and defence capabilities. *** NATO was founded by twelve nations in the shadow of the horrors and devastation of World War II. Gradually, our membership has more than doubled. Today we have 28 members. Soon to be 29 with the expected addition of Montenegro. NATO's expansion over the years is the result of our Open Door policy. Georgia too has applied for NATO membership. And NATO agreed at our Summit in Bucharest in 2008 that Georgia will become a member of NATO. We always advise aspiring members that the process of joining NATO takes time and patience. NATO has been working very closely with Georgia to assist your country on the path to eventual membership. Over the years, Georgia has been one of the biggest contributors to NATO operations. And NATO has more initiatives and programmes here in Georgia than in any other partner country. So, today, there is more Georgia in NATO. And more NATO in Georgia. NATO Allies have been extremely impressed with the strides Georgia has made. We encourage Georgia to continue on the path toward economic, defence and democratic reforms. We look forward to your elections next month. And we trust they will meet the highest democratic standards. The current visit to Georgia of the North Atlantic Council sends an important message. The friendship between NATO and Georgia is stronger than ever. *** For nearly seven decades, NATO has helped to keep the peace in Europe. Allies have been united by a common set of values democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. And we have forged an unbreakable bond. Between Allies on both sides of the Atlantic. As the world has changed, NATO has changed. But we remain committed to our values. To our determination to defend one another. And to help promote peace and security for future generations. MODERATOR: Thank you Secretary General for your very detailed review of the challenges the whole international community is facing today and you also briefly provided the concrete steps which was taken by the alliance with the aim to overcome these challenges. Let me raise my first question and then I promise to limit myself to give more opportunities to Georgian students. Secretary General as you mentioned since the collapse of the Soviet Union and since the end of the Cold War many steps were taken and many agreements were achieved on international arena but concrete facts of drawing dividing lines in Europe and concrete efforts aimed at reasserting spheres of privilege [inaudible] in the region unfortunately still seriously challenge the strategic agenda of the west to achieve Europe whole, free and at peace. My question is how do you think, where do we stand in this regard? And how do you also see the role of international institutions and of course more specifically how do you see the role of NATO? JENS STOLTENBERG (NATO Secretary General): I think that what we have seen is that we have made a lot of progress. We have seen that there is more democracy in Europe now than it has been for ever before. There are more independent democratic states than we have seen ever before and we have seen the crucial role of both NATO and the European Union. So the end of the, after the end of the Cold War, after the end of the Soviet Union, after the end of the Warsaw Pact we have seen more democracy, more independence in Europe than we have seen ever before. And this has been great progress and NATO has been of course been key in that process with the enlargement, taking in many more members and by that also contributing to stability, to democracy and to freedom in Europe. So in one way we are really on the right track to a Europe whole, free and at peace but at the same time we see challenges like we for instance have seen in Georgia with the occupation of territories in Georgia, with the Russian aggression against Georgia and of course what you have seen in Ukraine. So the picture is mixed and we also see that Russia is trying to kind of re-establish spheres of influence along its borders and for me this just underlines the importance of strong NATO, of strong partnership with other countries in Europe that are not members of NATO and also the importance of underlining that every nation has the freedom to choose its own path including what kind of security arrangements it wants to be part of. So we are moving, we are moving in the right direction but we have seen some very disappointing development especially in Ukraine in the last couple of years. MODERATOR: Thank you Secretary General. Now we have time for questions, around 30 minutes and I would ask everybody to identify yourself and of course to keep your questions short in order to have more time for conversation. Please lady there, yeah. Q: Anna [inaudible], Caucasus University. My question is what would be your message to the part of our society pessimistic about Georgia's NATO accession? Thank you. JENS STOLTENBERG: Sorry I didn't the message to? MODERATOR: To the Georgian society, to the part of society pessimistic ... JENS STOLTENBERG: Well my message is that Georgia should continue to do exactly what Georgia is doing and that is to implement reforms. Constitutional reforms, electoral reforms, economic reforms, judicial reforms, modernize Georgia. And there are many reasons why I believe that this is so important for Georgia. Of course it enables Georgia to move towards membership because these reforms are crucial, critical for Georgia being able, joining NATO. But in addition these reforms are important regardless of NATO because to have an independent judiciary, to have strong democratic institutions, to have freedom of press, to have the rule of law, to fight corruption, that is something which is important regardless of NATO. So even if NATO hadn't asked you to do it you should have done it anyway because it creates freedom, it creates the best possible framework for investments, for economic prosperity. So there are double reasons for you to pursue the path of reform modernizing the Georgian society because it provides freedom, it provides economic growth and it is the way towards NATO membership. Then it will take time and you need patience but you achieve a lot while you are moving, it's not either nothing or full membership. You have already achieved a lot when it comes to modernizing the Georgian society and you have achieved a lot when it comes to building partnership with NATO. There are NATO advisors in Georgia, we are training your troops, we are increasing the ability of Georgian troops to work together with NATO troops, interoperability we call it in the NATO language, we have the NATO training centre, we are opening this school, defence institution building school, we have the NATO liaison office, we have advisors and so on. So I think yes I understand that you would like to see membership as soon as possible, I understand that you would like to see that I can give you an exact date that you will join next year, I'm not able to do that but I can tell you that you are achieving a lot just by working towards membership because on that road you are modernizing Georgia and that's good for Georgia regardless of when you are able to join NATO. MODERATOR: Thank you. Thank you Secretary General and we have next question over there. Q: Hello I'm Sophia from Sokhumi State University. First of all let me extend my appreciation for NATO for its support of Georgia's territorial integrity and for pursuing the non-recognition policy. So my question is that in the environment where the modern Euro Atlantic security architecture including the principles, the principles of inviolability of state borders is being constantly undermined, what's the vision of NATO on how to deal this challenge? Thank you. JENS STOLTENBERG: It is a fundamental principle which the security order in Europe has been based on since the end of the Second World War that borders should be respected, the territorial integrity, the sovereignty of all nations should be respected and that has been the basis for peace in Europe. And the reason why we are so concerned by what we have seen in Georgia with the occupation of some regions in Georgia and also by what we have seen in the Crimea and Eastern Ukraine is that that's violating exactly those fundamental principles and that is serious for Georgia, it's serious for Ukraine but it's also serious for the whole of rest of Europe because it undermines the principles, the framework which peace and stability in Europe has to be based on. And that is also the reason why NATO has reacted so strongly and not only NATO but the whole Europe and NATO together. The European Union has implemented strong economic sanctions against Russia because they have violated the territorial integrity of Ukraine and NATO has implemented the biggest reinforcement to our collective defence and we have as I stated in my speech decided to also deploy forces in the eastern part of the alliance. So credible deterrence, strong defence to underline that NATO will never never accept that any NATO ally is attacked or that the territorial integrity of any NATO ally is violated is part of response to what we have seen in Georgia and Ukraine. On top of that of course we are also then stepping up our support, our cooperation with both Ukraine and Georgia also as a response to what we have seen of a more assertive Russian behaviour in Europe during the last years. MODERATOR: I cannot agree with you more Secretary General because we can speak about new realities in international relations, the most clear reality [inaudible] the indivisibility of security. It's really hard to achieve security on NATO territory without projecting stability and security in the region and it is really very important that concrete steps are being taken with the aim to strengthen the security of the partner and aspirant countries as well. Thank you for this answer and one more question over there. Q: Thank you. Taya Gregorava (sp?) from Tbilisi State University. While the opinion polls show that majority of Georgia's population supports our country's Euro Atlantic aspirations, however the anti-western propaganda efforts by Russian Federation are increasing not only in Georgia but also in other partner countries. NATO has taken certain steps to mitigate this challenge, Georgia also on its own has taken certain action by strengthening its strategic communication with NATO. What do you think would be the most efficient format of cooperation between Georgia and NATO to further mitigate this challenge? Thank you. JENS STOLTENBERG: I understand the concern you have about Russian propaganda and we have seen that in several countries including in Georgia. At the same time I think it's very important for me to underline that for NATO it is not an option to meet propaganda with propaganda because we actually don't believe in propaganda. We believe that the people are as I say able to distinguish propaganda from facts and information. So for us the best possible response to propaganda is the truth, it's facts and figures and documentation. So what NATO can do is to help you provide the facts and the truth because we believe that in the long run the truth will prevail over propaganda. Let me also add that of course NATO and all the people and all of us at the NATO headquarters in Brussels we can do a lot but in the long run it has to be the people in each and every member state or partner state like Georgia that has to stand up and to counter propaganda in each and every country. Because I trust myself a lot but I really believe that there are Georgians who are the best ones to counter propaganda in Georgia, not me and it has to be done by you in this country. What we can do is to help you with the facts, with the figures, with the analysis, but you have to stand there in the open free debate and that's also the reason why it is so important to have a free press, is that in the long run if you have a free press with different views, a variety of opinions, that's also the best way to counter propaganda and not to be vulnerable to propaganda. So we will help you but you have to do the job. MODERATOR: Exactly, I completely share your vision on our domestic homework in this respect and it's really important that domestically we should achieve the consolidation of our efforts to the fullest possible extent in order to counter very well organized propaganda against Georgia. We have one question, the military guy there. He's a student from Defence Academy I guess. Q: [Inaudible], Batumi State Maritime Academy, basic [inaudible]. My question, according to the issue of Black Sea region security enhancement on NATO Warsaw Summit, what kind of contribution can Georgia make as a country having strategic functions in this region? Thank you. JENS STOLTENBERG: I have problems with hearing the questions MODERATOR: This time me too as well, so you mean the strategic function of Georgia? Yeah, what is the strategic function of Georgia in preserving peace in the Black Sea area. JENS STOLTENBERG: I think that the strategic function of Georgia is to create a strong, modern, vibrant, democratic Georgian society. Because then you reduce your vulnerability from outside pressure and you are doing exactly that. So societies that are strong, that are democratic, that have some core values uniting them are much stronger than countries which are, you know, characterized by corruption, by weak institutions, by deep divisions and so on. So again the more you are able to modernize Georgia, the more you are able to create a really true open democratic society the stronger and more resilient you will be also from outside or against outside pressure and the more you will contribute to stability in this region. Of course strong defence, strong security institution will be part of that and that's also the reason why I welcome so much the way you are reforming and modernizing your armed forces and your security institutions. You have made impressive progress and thereby also contributed to stability in this region but to be a modern society is not something you achieve and then relax, you have to always continue to reform and modernize in a changing world. MODERATOR: Thank you. Next, next question over there. Q: Hello. I'm Diana Homaricki (sp?) from International Black Sea University. My question is about terrorism. After G20 Summit President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that official Washington and Ankara will cooperate to clean Raqqa, the capital of so called Islamic State, from terrorists. So what is the position of NATO concerning this issue? And in general what is the current vision of NATO regarding combating terrorism? Thank you. JENS STOLTENBERG: To combat terrorism is a huge task where we need the contribution from many different countries and from many different international institutions and organizations. It's about police work, it's about intelligence, it's about a lot of civilian measures for instance countering the threats coming from returning foreign fighters. But NATO also has a key role to play in the fight against terrorism and I think that we have to remember that our biggest military operation ever, our operation in Afghanistan where Georgia has really contributed, that is an operation which is about fighting terrorism. The reason why we went into Afghanistan was a direct response to the terrorist attack 9/11 2001. And the reason why we stay in Afghanistan is to prevent Afghanistan becoming a safe haven for international terrorists. So NATO plays a key role in fighting terrorism by conducting our military operation, the train, assist and advise presence in Afghanistan. Then NATO also provides support to the international coalition, the US led international coalition against ISIL. We provide support in different ways, we will start to train Iraqi, we train Iraqi officers in Jordan, we will start to train more Iraqi officers in Iraq soon and we also provide AWACS surveillance planes, assistance from them to help the coalition fight ISIL in Syria. All NATO allies are part of the coalition and NATO supports the efforts of the coalition. I also welcome, and of course Turkey a NATO ally is perhaps or is the ally most affected by the turmoil, the violence and the presence of ISIL in Iraq and Syria, Turkey bordering both countries. So Turkey is a NATO ally and NATO has increased its military presence in Turkey to augment and to increase their capability to protect themselves against different kinds of attacks. I welcome closer cooperation between the different countries in the coalition fighting ISIL and especially because United States and Turkey because they are key in the fight against ISIL, two NATO allies, and I think it is of great importance that they work even closer together in the fight against ISIL also of course in Syria. MODERATOR: Thank you. I think the, one more question comes from the defence academy. Q: National Defence Academy of Georgia, [inaudible]. First of all thanks for your visit and thanks for your support. My question is that sir how would you assess the importance of NATO Georgia substantial package in terms of the development of the defensibility of our country and groups of interoperability with NATO countries? Thank you. JENS STOLTENBERG: The substantial package is a key tool in strengthening and modernizing the defence capabilities of Georgia and we decided in Warsaw in July to further strengthen this too. And of course everything we do when it comes to provide education, training, advice to your armed forces, to your defence and security institutions, help you to get stronger, help you to be more modern and help you to also become more interoperable which is this word describing the ability to work together with other forces, both NATO forces but also other forces from other NATO partner countries. This is good for Georgia that we are exercising together, that our soldiers, your soldiers, our soldiers can work together, learn from each other, train together. And so that's good for Georgia, it makes you a stronger, safer country that we have modern well equipped, well trained forces and good defence structures. But it's also good for NATO because Georgia contributes to many NATO operations. So this is not only something we do because we would like to be kind to Georgia but it's also because we understand that a strong Georgia, a well-trained armed forces of Georgia is also good for us. When you are together with us in Afghanistan of course that we are able to work together, that the Georgian soldiers are world, top class, is good for our operation in Afghanistan. You participate in the fight against terrorism in the Mediterranean, in our operation there, and you also participate in the NATO Response Force. So this shows how the partnership is of mutual benefit both for Georgia and NATO and therefore we have decided to strengthen the comprehensive package which is the main tool which we use to assist you in modernizing your forces. MODERATOR: Thank you Secretary General. I would add only one to this point that as a result of our joint effort, as a result of very effective military to military cooperation at the Wales Summit Georgia was already officially acknowledged as one of the most interoperable partner and we have already quite significantly benefitted from this cooperation. We hope that NATO Georgia substantial package will be additional benefit in this regard which will prepare Georgia for membership as well. So we have one more question over there, yeah. Q: [Speaking with Interpreter]. Greetings and warm welcome, my name is Luca Lauria (sp?). My question is bearing in mind that Georgia is placed in a non- stable region neighbouring Iran, Syria, Ukraine, North Caucasus, to what extent Georgia is important for the alliance? And how do you eye the Georgian role in terms of securing peace in the region? JENS STOLTENBERG: In one way it goes without saying that Georgia is important for NATO because Georgia is one of our most closest partners and you are a partner which we really support. And again we do that because we believe that the strong, stable, democratic Georgia is good for Georgia but it's also good for the stability in the whole region and therefore also good for NATO. So everything we do with our presence here is a sign of that but just the fact that the North Atlantic Council which very seldom travels together, the 28 nations travelling together visiting another country, I think that happens once or twice a year, we are here again for the second time. MODERATOR: Exactly. JENS STOLTENBERG: So that, our presence here today with all the 28 and Montenegro is a strong expression of the importance we attach to Georgia and also the strong political support we provide to Georgia. MODERATOR: Thank you. We have just five, five minutes left for questions. I think that we can get two questions but I would suggest two collective questions in order to be in time. So one over there, yes, this lady, you, yeah, and one question over there. Q: Hello thank you for interesting speech. I am Tatria [inaudible], I am studying international relation and politics in Georgian University and my question is what do you think about Georgian political, about political situation in Georgia? And does Georgia has to join in NATO and what will, and what impact will they make on the relationship with Russia? Thank you. MODERATOR: And other question? Q: [Inaudible] State University. First of all thank you for your visiting and thank you for this meeting. How would you evaluate contribution of Georgia in strengthening international security and stability? Is the Resolute Support Mission successful in Afghanistan? Thank you. JENS STOLTENBERG: Okay. Thank you so much. First about the political situation in Georgia. Well I think that I should not have an opinion about the political situation in Georgia because that's for the people in Georgia to decide and you have different parties. I met many of them in the parliament this morning and I am in favour of democracy in Georgia. I'm in favour of strong democratic institutions in Georgia, I'm in favour of fair and free elections in Georgia but I'm not going to have any opinion about what kind of parties are the best parties in Georgia because that's up to the people of Georgia to decide and to vote for different parties. And actually I welcome the fact that there are different opinions, in all democratic societies there are different opinions and that's part of being a democratic society is that people disagree. If people don't disagree, if there are not different opinions then you should be really concerned because then there is no real democracy. So yes I have an opinion about or as I say the democratic system in Georgia, it has to be a democratic, strong, transparent, robust democracy but how you in a way decide to use that democratic system it's up to the people of Georgia to decide. And I look forward to the elections and I expect them to meet the highest standards of democratic elections. Then you asked me about Georgia and NATO, well I think I answered. We have reaffirmed the Bucharest Decision, I was actually in Bucharest back in 2008 when NATO decided that Georgia will become member. But to become member you have to meet the standards, you have to continue on the path of modernizing, reforming and let me also add that it may take time, it may require patience but as I've stated and underlined many times what you do while you are moving towards NATO benefits Georgia. So the reforms are also in your benefit regardless of membership. Then Russia. So we see a more assertive Russia, we see a Russia which has implemented a substantial military buildup, which has been willing to use military force against neighbours, Georgia and Ukraine. But at the same time we underline strongly and that was also a clear message from Warsaw that we don't want a new cold war, we don't want to isolate Russia. Russia is our biggest neighbour and we have to manage our relationship with Russia and we have to also avoid that when we have more military activities, more military presence along our borders, we have to avoid accidents, incidents which can trigger really dangerous situations. And we just got reports from the Black Sea yesterday that we had a new incident with unsafe behaviour of Russian planes flying very close to an American plane in international air space. And these kind of incidents are dangerous because they can lead to really dangerous accidents, incidents and we have to avoid that they spiral out of the control and that's one of the reasons why we are looking into how we can develop mechanisms for risk reductions, for transparency, for predictability in our relationship with Russia to avoid these kind of incidents and accidents from happening and if they happen prevent them from spiralling out of control. Then what Georgia can do. I think I have already answered that question. You can do a lot and you're doing a lot and the best thing you can do is to continue to become a modern, democratic, strong, resilient society. That's good for you and its good for the stability in the whole region. MODERATOR: Thank you Secretary General. Unfortunately I have to apologize whose questions we could not get, we don't have any more time. But I would say that today's meeting really reminded me Secretary General Lord Robertson's informal meeting 16 years ago in Tbilisi. I was one among the students who were raising questions on possible prospects of improving cooperation with NATO and partnership with NATO but the spirit of today's discussions and the topics raised by students really proved that since then NATO Georgia relations have improved significantly and really achieved very high standards. Because today Georgia provides significant contribution to international peace and stability, today Georgia is already formally acknowledged as one of the most interoperable partner of the alliance. Georgia today for NATO is not only a valuable partner but also an aspirant country irreversibly standing on NATO membership track and of course it is worth to mention how important is the Bucharest Summit decision which says that Georgia will become a member of NATO. So with your permission I would end this meeting on this very positive note. I would extend our gratitude once again for your very strong support and for your very interesting speech, remarks and for completeness of your answers and of course I would ask everybody to join me in applauding Secretary General. Thank you. [APPLAUSE] MODERATOR: And last but not least I have the great pleasure to invite to the podium Director General of National Library of Georgia who will be presenting the real masterpiece of Georgian literature, medieval epic poem Knight in the Panthers Skin. JENS STOLTENBERG: Thank you so much. [APPLAUSE] ***** NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nevada is the heart of the West, and the people who live here love horses. Thats a good thing, because Nevada is home to more than half of the estimate 67,000-plus wild horses currently roaming the country. When Hollywood decided to make a movie about mistreatment of mustangs in the 1960s, they came to Nevada to film it. The Misfits included a character played by Marilyn Monroe who strongly objects to Clark Gables character rounding up horses to be sold for dog food. When Madeleine Pickens decided to create Mustang Monument as a refuge for wild horses, she came to Nevada and bought a couple ranches right here in Elko County. Her plan hasnt worked out as she had hoped, but she has saved hundreds of horses from slaughter. Nevada is still ground zero in the wild horse debate. Many advocates do not want to see us returning to the practice of killing horses for dog or human consumption. And many advocates think cattle grazing allotments should be converted to horse usage. Nevadans are especially sensitive about these things because of the sheer number of horses here. Ranchers deal with the horses impact on their livelihoods, just as they do with elk and other wildlife, but that doesnt mean Nevada is full of horse-haters. But we are aware perhaps more than people living in any other state of the extent to which the federal governments system of handling horses has failed. This failure is not an accusation on our part, its a fact. In a statement released four months ago, former Elkoan and current BLM Director Neil Kornze plainly admitted it: Over the past seven years we have doubled the amount of funding used for managing our nations wild horses and burros. Despite this, major shifts in the adoption market and the absence of a long-term fertility control drug have driven population levels higher, he said. The Associated Press interviewed Kornze and reported that our nation cant afford to wage an increasingly uphill battle to protect the ecological health of federal rangeland across the West while at the same time properly managing tens of thousands of wild horses and caring for tens of thousands more rounded up in government corals. The public representatives on the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board play a key role in steering the agencys actions. So do the members of the public who go to the trouble of commenting at the boards meetings, such as the one being held this afternoon at Stockmens. We hope someone will show up to propose a novel solution because horses are breeding far faster than humans can handle. Wild horse herds double in size about every four years, according to the BLM. It costs American taxpayers $50,000 per horse to feed and care for captured animals over their lifetime. One thing the various parties can agree on is that this is truly a time of tragedy for these noble creatures that enabled man to tame the West. Whether you believe horses lived here prior to the arrival of pioneers or that they are nothing but the feral remnants of early ranching, the horse is still a timeless symbol of mans relationship with nature. We all want to see a place for them, in sustainable balance with the environment. Its a tall order, brimming with emotion on all sides. With all of the above in mind, we welcome the national advisory board to town and we respect each members effort to serve an animal that has served man so well throughout the generations. EU foreign policy chief wants Brussels HQ for military intervention Iran Press TV Thu Sep 8, 2016 4:28PM European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini proposes the formation of a headquarters in Brussels for European "battlegroups" that could have military intervention in crises. Mogherini told the Italian daily La Repubblica in an interview published on Thursday that current multi-national rapid reaction units, which she described as battlegroups, had to be put into action. "We can and we must decide to make them an asset to be used when we need a rapid European intervention," Mogherini said. The former Italian foreign minister noted that Britain's impending departure had left other EU governments with no excuse for not moving forward on giving the bloc a defense capacity. She stressed that there was a post-Brexit "general consensus on the need to move forward in this field." "If you look at opinion polls, the principal concerns of Europeans are the economy and security. Internal security implies also an external dimension, a defense capacity," Mogherini said. The EU foreign policy supremo, however, insisted that she was not proposing the creation of an EU army. "It's good to clarify we are not talking about a European army, but about European defense: something we can really do, concretely, starting now." Mogherini is also seeking the approval of EU governments for a smaller group of countries to organize military action on behalf of the whole bloc. The creation of "a common headquarters in Brussels that would run all present and future military and civilian operations" is among other proposals that Mogherini is set to put forward to European governments. "This could become the nucleus around which a common European defense structure could be built," she pointed out. Mogherini also said that European governments need to pool resources for "the gigantic investments needed in the defense sector." The EU foreign policy chief has opened discussions with EU governments on a global security strategy for the EU. In March last year, President of the European Commission (EC) Jean-Claude Juncker also called for the creation of an EU army, amid tensions with Russia over the crisis in Ukraine. The proposals to extend EU's military capabilities come amid tensions between the West and Russia over the Ukrainian crisis. The Western governments accuse Russia of having a hand in the ongoing conflict in the east of Ukraine, an allegation Moscow has repeatedly denied. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Saudi airstrike leaves nine civilians dead in Yemen Iran Press TV Thu Sep 8, 2016 9:58AM Saudi warplanes have bombed a residential neighborhood in Yemen's northwestern province of Amran, killing at least eight civilians and leaving several others injured. The new airstrike on Thursday took place in the Souq Najar district, some 53 kilometers (33 miles) northwest of the capital Sana'a, Arabic-language al-Masirah television network reported. Yemeni army forces and fighters from allied Popular Committees targeted the Kofel military camp in the central province of Ma'rib, with reports of casualties among militiamen loyal to resigned president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi. Saudi Arabia has stepped up its attacks, especially against Sana'a, since the Yemenis unveiled a council to administer the country. On Wednesday, Saudi warplanes struck the Razih district in Yemen's northwestern province of Sa'ada, leaving a child dead and six others injured. Saudi military aircraft also carried out three airstrikes against the Baqim district, and bombarded a school in the Sahar district of the same Yemeni province. There were no reports about possible casualties and the extent of damage. Additionally, four civilians sustained injuries on Wednesday when Saudi warplanes pounded the Fisheries Building in the southern Yemeni port city of Mokha, situated 346 kilometers (214 miles) south of Sana'a. Yemen has been under airstrikes by Saudi Arabia since March 26, 2015. The Saudi war was launched in a bid to undermine the Houthi Ansarullah movement and restore power to Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, who has resigned as Yemen's president but seeks to forcefully return to power. Ansarullah fighters took over state matters after Hadi's resignation and his escape from the capital. The UN puts the death toll from the 18-month conflict in Yemen at about 10,000. UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen Jamie McGoldrick said last month the toll could rise even further as some areas had no medical facilities, and that people were often buried without any official record being made. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump vows to vastly expand US military Iran Press TV Thu Sep 8, 2016 7:11AM US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has vowed to vastly expand the American military and defeat the Daesh (ISIL) terrorist group if elected president. During a speech at the Union League of Philadelphia on Wednesday, Trump called on Congress to end the cuts to US military spending. "As soon as I take office, I will ask Congress to fully eliminate the defense sequester and will submit a new budget to rebuild our military," Trump said. "It is so depleted. We will rebuild our military." Trump promised to order the military to devise a new plan to defeat Daesh "immediately upon taking office." Trump proposed increasing the Army to 540,000 troops and adding nearly 75 new warships for the Navy, as well as buying dozens of new fighter jets for the Air Force, which will require up to $90 billion a year in additional spending. However, the billionaire businessman did not specify how the country would raise the money, other than a promise to take steps like reducing wasteful spending, which military budget analysts said would be inadequate. "Everyone comes in saying they want to reduce wasteful spending," said Todd Harrison, a military budget expert with the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "Folks have tried that again and again, and they have largely not been successful." Trump also criticized his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton for her foreign policy record, portraying the former secretary of state as unsuited to lead the nation's armed forces. "Unlike my opponent, my foreign policy will emphasize diplomacy, not destruction," Trump said. "Hillary Clinton's legacy in Iraq, Libya, Syria has produced only turmoil and suffering and death." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Afghans Honor Late Anti-Taliban Commander Masud, Other National 'Martyrs' September 08, 2016 by RFE/RL Afghans are commemorating the 15th anniversary of the death of Ahmad Shah Masud, the revered Northern Alliance leader and anti-Taliban commander who was assassinated ahead of the 9/11 attacks on the United States, and other late defenders of Afghanistan. Hundreds of supporters took to the streets of Kabul on September 8 to mark the start of Martyrs Week, a government-sponsored remembrance of Masud and others who died during three decades of conflict, including the Soviet occupation of the 1980s and Taliban rule in the 1990s, before the U.S.-led invasion in 2001 installed a UN-backed government. Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and other government dignitaries assembled in the Afghan capital to pay their respects to fallen fighters, laying a wreath at the Resistance Monument in Kabul. Abdullah forged a close bond with Masud, who hailed from the country's ethnic Tajik community, and Abdullah became Masud's right-hand man during the devastating civil war and under the Taliban regime. Abdullah was flanked by senior government officials, including Ahmad Zia Masud, a presidential envoy and brother of Masud. In a statement on September 8, the Afghan senate said: "The martyrs of the last three decades of war in Afghanistan whose number reach millions sacrificed themselves in defending their religion, honor, and the freedom of Afghanistan." A convoy of vehicles -- many of them displaying images of Masud and carrying men with assault rifles -- snaked through Kabul. The government has warned citizens against celebratory gunfire, which killed and injured several people during celebrations last year. "I wish that the days that we commemorate the martyrdom of Afghans should be changed into the days of solidarity and harmony and this week should be named the unity and harmony week," said Ahmad Wali Masud, Masud's son and the chairman of the Masud Foundation. 'The Lion Of Panjshir' Masud was conferred the title of "national hero of Afghanistan" following his death at the hands of Al-Qaeda suicide bombers posing as a television crew in the northern Afghan province of Takhar. His assassination came days before Al-Qaeda hijackers attacked multiple U.S. targets -- including both towers of the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon -- with four passenger airplanes on September 11, 2001, killing nearly 3,000 people, apparently as part of Al-Qaeda's effort to complicate any military response to the 9/11 attacks. Weeks later, on October 7, NATO and other international forces invaded Afghanistan, where Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden and many of the terrorist group's fighters were based. Masud enjoyed a reputation as a warrior, earning him the moniker "The Lion of Panjshir." He was as polarizing as he was charismatic, having earned friends and enemies while establishing himself as a successful mujahedin commander during the Soviet occupation and later as a leader of the Northern Alliance, which was fighting the fledgling Taliban. By 2001, Masud was considered the last bulwark against the Taliban. From Afghanistan's northeastern provinces, including his stronghold in the Panjshir Valley, Masud commanded an estimated 12,000 troops and controlled between five and 10 percent of the country. Fears Of Violence Security was tightened around Kabul ahead of this year's celebrations, which came amid escalating tensions among the country's long-warring ethnic and factional groups. The funeral ceremony for a controversial former Afghan monarch turned violent in Kabul on September 1, with at least three people killed when militiamen affiliated with First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum, a former ethnic Uzbek militia leader, fired on mourners, many of them ethnic Tajiks. Despite the precautions ahead of Martyrs Week, one person was killed and three injured in an explosion in Kabul. No group claimed responsibility for the blast. Kabul has witnessed a string of deadly attacks in recent weeks. On September 5, 41 people were killed and over 100 others wounded in a series of explosions that rocked the city. Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/afghanistan- masud-anniversary-death/27974870.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 Uzbekistan Names Longtime PM Mirziyaev Interim President September 08, 2016 by RFE/RL Uzbekistan's parliament has appointed Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyaev as interim president following the death of strongman leader Islam Karimov, setting the long-serving government chief up as the clear favorite to win a five-year term in an election due to held by December. A statement on the government website said the decision was made at a joint session of the upper and lower parliament houses on September 8, six days after the announcement of Karimov's death following a stroke left Uzbekistan with no formal head of state. Mirziyaev's appointment veered away from the system laid out in the Central Asian state's constitution, which says that the chairman of the upper parliament chamber, the Senate, assumes presidential authority for three months if the president dies or is unable to perform his or her duties. But Senate Chairman Nigmatulla Yuldashev asked lawmakers to appoint Mirziyaev instead, citing "his many years of experience," and lawmakers supported the proposal, the government statement said. Mirziyaev, 58, is a close Karimov ally who had served as prime minister since 2003, holding the post longer than anyone else in the 25 years since Uzbekistan gained independence in the Soviet Union's breakup in 1991. Lawmakers supported Mirziyaev because of "the need for the preservation of stability, the provision of public security and law and order, and the effective resolution of highly important issues in the...political and socioeconomic development of the country," the statement said. It said parliament "recommended" that the Central Election Commission organize a presidential vote "in full accordance" with electoral legislation. The constitution says an election must be held within three months after an interim president is appointed. Critics of Karimov, who opponents and rights groups say ruthlessly suppressed dissent and preserved his power through rigged votes, said the appointment suggested Uzbekistan's leadership will thwart democratic principles and the rule of law. "Whatever hopes observers had 4 'constitutional process' or relevance of Uzbek parliament as co-equal branch those hopes dashed w 2day's move," Steve Swerdlow, a researcher and attorney at Human Rights Watch, wrote on Twitter. In a separate tweet, Swerdlow called on Mirziyaev to "release political prisoners," end the practice of "torture and forced labor," and allow journalists and NGOs to "function" in Uzbekistan. Many media outlets have been barred from Uzbekistan and NGOs sharply restricted. Seen As Likely Successor An irrigation engineer by profession, Mirziyaev has also served as provincial governor of Samarkand and his native Jizzakh, where he displayed a short temper and reports say he physically assaulted at least one farmer who complained about conditions in the province. Observers quickly pointed to Mirziyaev as a likely successor when the government abruptly announced on August 28 that Karimov had been hospitalized with an undisclosed ailment, setting off speculation that he was already dead or dying and that a power struggle was raging behind the scenes in the secretive country of 29 million. The government later said Karimov had suffered a stroke and was in critical condition, and then said late on September 2 that he had died earlier in the day. He was buried in his native city of Samarkand on September 3, amid closely orchestrated mourning ceremonies. Hints that Mirziyaev would take over included the fact that he led the organization of the funeral, state TV footage depicting him meeting foreign dignitaries, and talks as well as a visit to Karimov's grave with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who came to Uzbekistan on September 6. During his visit, Putin said that Uzbekistan could depend on Russia as a reliable partner. According to Russian news agencies, Mirziyaev told Putin that Uzbekistan's ties with Russia were "completely strategic" and that Tashkent would look to "continue to develop" them. Many observers have voiced concern that his death brings little hope for substantial change. Uzbekistan, which produces natural gas and grows cotton in abundance, is the most populous of the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia, and Karimov had been less receptive to Russia's efforts to restore Soviet-era ties than most of the others. Uzbekistan has long faced criticism from the West for Karimov's intolerance of dissent and the country's poor human rights record, but the United States and Europe have also vied for influence with Russia and China in the country bordering Afghanistan. With reporting by RFE/RL's Uzbek Service, Interfax, RIA Novosti, Gazeta.uz, Reuters, dpa, and AFP Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/uzbekistan-interim- president-karimov/27974858.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 Trump Again Praises Russian President, Saying 'He's Been A Leader' September 08, 2016 by RFE/RL U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has once again praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and declared that he had been a better leader that U.S. President Barack Obama. Putin is "very much of a leader," Trump said in a televised presidential forum moderated by the U.S. network NBC on September 7, where he and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton were separately grilled over their national security credentials. Putin "has very strong control over a country," Trump said. "It's a very different system, and I don't happen to like the system. But certainly in that system he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader." Asked how he would deescalate tensions between the United States and Russia if he's elected to the White House, Trump said, "I would have a very, very good relationship with Putin, and I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Russia." Trump said Moscow wants to destroy Islamic State as much as Washington does, and repeated his intent to work with Russia to defeat the militant group in Iraq and Syria. "If we had a relationship with Russia, wouldn't it be wonderful if we could work on it together and knock the hell out of ISIS? Wouldn't it be wonderful?" he asked. Trump has been criticized frequently for seeming to heap praise on Putin and other strongmen. But he was unapologetic and said he was happy to take a compliment from Putin, who during a news conference in December called Trump "talented" and "yarkiy" -- a Russian word that is used to describe a person who is colorful and stands out but, at the time, was translated by some news organizations as "brilliant." Trump said if Putin "says great things about me, I'm going to say great things about him." Trump added, however, that Putin's compliments would not influence his decision-making as president. Trump, who earlier in the day proposed a massive increase in U.S. military spending, said the military's leadership "has been reduced to rubble" under the Obama administration. Clinton, appearing before an audience of military officials and veterans who were provided an opportunity to ask questions, was grilled about her use of a personal e-mail server while she was secretary of state and her handling of classified information. She defended her behavior, saying she did "exactly what I should have done," but stressing that she had not improperly handled classified information. But she also said, "It was a mistake to have a personal account. I would certainly not do it again. I make no excuses for it." Clinton vowed, if elected, not to send American ground troops back into Iraq or Syria. "We are going to defeat ISIS without committing American ground troops," she said. With reporting by AP, AFP, Reuters, and dpa Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/trump-praises- putin-says-better-leader-obama-clinton- presidential-election/27974393.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 Clinton Rips Into Trump For Putin Praise September 08, 2016 by RFE/RL U.S. Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton has ripped into her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, saying his praise for Russia's president was "insulting" and "scary." Clinton made her remarks on September 8, one day after the two contenders appeared at a security forum to discuss some of the foreign-policy challenges the United States is facing. During the September 7 forum, Trump attacked President Barack Obama and repeated his praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin. "The man has very strong control over a country," Trump said about Putin. "It's a very different system and I don't happen to like the system, but certainly, in that system, he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader," he said. Clinton told reporters in New York that Trump's statement was "not just unpatriotic and insulting to the people of our country as well as to our commander in chief, it is scary. Because it suggests he will let Putin do whatever Putin wants to do and then make excuses for him." Trump has been criticized frequently for seeming to heap praise on Putin and other strongmen. At the televised forum, Trump was unapologetic, and said he was happy to take a compliment from Putin, who during a news conference in December called Trump "talented" and "yarkiy" -- a Russian word that is used to describe a person who is colorful and stands out but, at the time, was translated by some news organizations as "brilliant." Trump was also asked how he would de-escalate tensions between the United States and Russia if he was elected to the White House. He responded by saying he would have a "very, very good" relationship with Russia He also argued that Moscow wanted to destroy Islamic State (IS) militants as much as Washington does, and repeated his intention to work with Russia to defeat the group in Iraq and Syria. "If we had a relationship with Russia, wouldn't it be wonderful if we could work on it together and knock the hell out of [IS]?" he asked. Meanwhile, Obama offered his own blunt criticism of Trump, saying the billionaire real estate tycoon proves he isn't qualified to be president "every time he speaks." "The most important thing for the public and the press is to just listen to what [Trump] says and follow up and ask questions to what appear to be either contradictory or uninformed or outright whacky ideas," Obama told reporters during a stop on his nine-day tour of Southeast Asia. With reporting by AP Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/ us-russia-clinton-rips-trump- putin-statements/27975863.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 Southeast Asia Summit Leaders Express Concern About South China Sea By Mary Alice Salinas September 08, 2016 Leaders at a Southeast Asia summit in Laos took a mild view of tensions in the South China Sea without specific reference to China's activities in the disputed area. The draft statement Thursday from leaders of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations said the group reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. "Several leaders remained seriously concerned over recent developments in the South China Sea," the draft read. "We stressed the importance for the parties concerned to resolve their disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international laws." In July, an arbitration court dismissed China's territorial claims in the South China Sea, saying it has "no historic title" to the vast maritime region. China rejected the ruling, which went against its claim of sovereignty over nearly all of the area. President Barack Obama said Thursday efforts will continue to ensure disputes are resolved peacefully. "The landmark arbitration ruling in July, which is binding, helped clarify maritime rights in the region. I recognize this raises tensions, but I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and regional stability." Obama was meeting with ASEAN leaders for the eighth time. He has visited the region more than any other president, something he said reflects its growing importance. Obama said the U.S. will deepen economic cooperation with nations in Asia, including promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. And he reiterated, as he has multiple times during his visit this week, that he will push for Congress to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. A White House statement on U.S.-ASEAN initiatives highlighted initiatives to promote low-carbon growth, support sustainable fisheries, increase the supply of renewable energy, and promote opportunities for women including protecting rights, holding seminars for young leaders and awarding a prize for women in science. "We'll continue to partner to strengthen global health security and fight epidemics," Obama said. "We will continue to make progress on people-to-people ties, scientific exchanges and making sure that we are are increasing continually the opportunities for our businesses, our students, our scientists, our people to work together." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Everyone's a 'Frenemy' in Asia's Big Game By William Ide September 08, 2016 As President Barack Obama makes his final tour of Asia, much of the focus has been on the United States' pivot or re-balance of its economic, diplomatic and military interests to the region. The United States, however, is not the only country that is pivoting to Southeast Asia and trying to build influence. Japan and Russia are taking big steps to up their presence in the region. Over the past three years, Japan has put more investment into countries who are part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations than it has put into China and Hong Kong. And steadily it is looking for ways to move beyond developmental assistance to massive infrastructure projects much like Beijing is already doing in the region. The U.S. pivot and China's rise are drivers of that shift, said Titli Basu, a researcher with the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses in New Delhi. "Japan has been orienting its policy toward the region more so since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe came to power in 2012," Basu said. "The arrival of China as a major power has made Japan really impatient to redefine its role in the Asia Pacific security order." Asia's big game Japan's focus is not only on building business, but security and diplomatic ties as well. One focus of that effort recently has seen Tokyo providing Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia with coast guard ships and training. Communist ruled Vietnam has long had close party-to-party relations with China, but it is also seeing its ties with the United States and Russia blossom. Earlier this year, the United States announced the lifting of a decades-old arms ban to Vietnam. In addition to working on a nuclear power plant for Vietnam, Russsia is also providing Hanoi with submarines and building a submarine base. That would help Vietnam protect its maritime interests in the South China Sea and the support comes even as Moscow has backed Beijing's position regarding territorial disputes. Everyone is a 'frenemy' As more nations compete for influence, that inevitably is creating tensions. Conflicting and cross-cutting purposes is really what defines Asia these days, said Richard Bitzinger, a senior fellow at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. "Everybody is a 'frenemy' so to speak," Bitzinger said. "There are a lot of places where two countries: Russia, China; China, the United States; find lots of opportunities and common interests that make them want to cooperate At the same time there are a lot of places where they collide and compete," he said. North Korea is an area where Russia, Japan, China and the United States can find room to work together, but when it comes to the East or South China Sea, interests are more divided, Bitzinger said. Russia an Asian power too More of a latecomer to the big game in Asia, Russia too is stepping up efforts with arms sales to Vietnam and energy deals. Russia has long been a key supplier of weapons to countries across Asia. At the peak of its power in the 1980s, the former Soviet Union's largest overseas military base was in Vietnam. "For the past few years, Russia has been pre-occupied with events in Europe," said Lo Chih-cheng, a political scientist at Taiwan's Soochow University. And now, "Putin's trying to move the strategic direction from Europe to Asia, (which is) Russia's version of a pivot to Asia as a balancer (equalizer) to rising U.S. influence in the region." But while it appears to be determined to slowly return to the region, it's trade pales in comparison to most other countries, and as Bitzinger puts it, Moscow is more of "Johnny come Late-ly" in the region who is situated more at the back of the pack. "The problem with the Russians is that they don't really have a good toe-hold in the region," he said. Unintended consequences However, to boost its position in the region, Russia has been working together with China (even as its arms sales in Vietnam undermine Beijing). Russian President Vladimir Putin has voiced his country's support of Beijing's stance that countries outside the region should not get involved in the South China Sea dispute. At the East Asia Summit, leaders tip-toed around the issue and failed to articulate a forceful position on issues such as freedom of navigation and overflight, said Basu. "There was no reference to the arbitration. There was no reference to the land reclamation that China is undertaking in the region," she said. "And that tells you a lot about the deep roots that China has in terms of diplomacy, economics and defense." And while most countries don't want to see things get worse and pretty committed to keep the tensions or keep the differences that they have from exploding, the potential for inadvertent conflict is a growing, Bitzinger said. "A lot of the actions that are being taken by countries particularly when it comes to the regional arming that is going on, a lot more types of very sophisticated weapons are flowing into the region," he said. "Coupled with that you are seeing an increasingly kind of intransigent amount of brinkmanship that is going in the South China Sea in particular." And with that brinkmanship and increasing complexity of ties, he adds, small and minor incidents have a bigger chance of spinning out of control. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Clinton: Hunting Down IS Leader Should Be US 'Top Priority' By Ken Bredemeier September 08, 2016 U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton called Thursday for the United States to "make it a top priority" to hunt down Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, much like it did when it killed al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden in a 2011 raid in Pakistan. "Getting al-Baghdadi will require a focused effort driven at the highest levels," Clinton told reporters in New York. "But I believe it will send a resounding message that nobody directs or inspires attacks against the United States and gets away with it." The former secretary of state scorned her opponent, Republican Donald Trump, for his performance late Wednesday at a nationally televised forum at which the two candidates separately answered questions about defense and national security issues. Clinton said that Trump, a real estate mogul seeking his first elected office, "failed yet again" and showed he is "temperamentally unfit" to be the U.S. commander-in-chief, a point she underscored in a separate tweet. 'Trash talking' He "trash-talked American generals," Clinton said, and called his claim that Russian President Vladimir Putin is more of a leader than U.S. President Barack Obama "astonishing" and "unpatriotic and insulting to the people of our country." "It is scary," she said, "because it suggests he will let Putin do whatever Putin wants to do, and then make excuses for him." 'Reduced to rubble' Trump said at the forum that U.S. military generals had been "reduced to rubble" under Obama "to a point where it's embarrassing to our country" and suggested that he might fire some of them. As a major party candidate, Trump and Clinton have both received confidential intelligence briefings meant to ensure that the next leader is knowledgeable about key foreign policy issues when their term begins. When asked if he was shocked by anything he heard, Trump said Obama, Clinton and Secretary of State John Kerry did the opposite of what intelligence experts told them. "I am very good with body language," Trump said. "I could tell, they were not happy our leaders did not follow what they were recommending." Clinton rebuked Trump's assessment about his briefing, saying, "I think what he said was totally inappropriate and undisciplined. I would never comment on any aspect of an intelligence briefing that I received." Trump, in a comment on his Twitter account, bragged about his performance at the forum, saying, "The reviews and polls from almost everyone of my commander-in-chief presentation were great. Nice!" IS strategy Clinton, seeking to become the first female U.S. president, said she is convening a group of former top national security officials who have served under both Democratic and Republican presidents to map strategy on how to defeat Islamic State jihadists. Trump has also made destruction of Islamic State a key plank of his foreign policy strategy, saying he would get military generals to present him with a plan within 30 days of taking office. Trump and Clinton, now just two months from the November 8 election to replace Obama when he leaves office in January, are set to square off in their first debate September 26, with two others scheduled in October. Clinton is leading Trump by about 3 percentage points in national polls, less than half her advantage a month ago. Her standing with voters has continued to be clouded by ongoing questions about her use of an unsecured private email server while she was the country's top diplomat from 2009 to 2013. U.S. investigators concluded that her handling of classified material was "extremely careless" but that no criminal charges were warranted. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Amancio Ortega and Bill Gates Gtresonline/REUTERS At 11am on Wednesday, Zara founder Amancio Ortega was the richest man in the world according to Forbess real-time ranking. But at 1.30pm, he had been pushed down to second spot by Microsoft creator Bill Gates. Then, at 4pm, the Spaniard rallied back to take the top position again. The race between both billionaires to lead global wealth lists depends on how their shares are doing on the markets at any given point. Forbes uses a system that calculates how much an individuals portfolio shares are worth. If shares go up, their fortune increases. If they go through a slump, a few millions are lost and the list order changes. The Forbes list. For a few hours in 2015, the Galician-born Ortega was the richest person in the world. But he was quickly replaced by Gates again, just hours later. So who is wealthier? It depends on how you count it, and no system is perfect. On Wednesday, Forbes attributed a net worth of $78.5 billion to Gates, while Bloomberg, which also uses a real-time system, assigned him $90 billion. As for Ortega, Forbes has him down as the richest with a net worth of $78.9 billion while Bloomberg puts him in second spot with $77.9 billion. Forbes does not specify what assets it takes into account to make its calculations. Bloomberg does, in a very detailed way: in Ortegas case, besides his nearly 60% stake in Inditex, the parent company of Zara and other popular fashion brands, he is assigned $7.1 billion for his real estate firm Ponte Gadea. This company is not listed, so its value is an estimate. Bloomberg also counts in Ortegas favor a further $2.9 billion in other assets as well as a boat worth $8 million. As for Gates, Bloomberg takes into account not just Microsoft, but also his investment firm Cascade as well as his stake in some 30 other companies, including photo agency Corbis. Besides Ortega and Gates, other recurring names in the club of the worlds wealthiest are Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, investor Warren Buffet, Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg, Mexican businessman Carlos Slim and Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad. English version by Susana Urra. Poland Places Supply Order for 8 US Patriot Missile Defense Systems Sputnik News 13:08 07.09.2016(updated 13:21 07.09.2016) Poland is determined to place a supply order for eight Patriot surface-to-air missile systems with the US government. WARSAW (Sputnik) Poland's Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz announced on Wednesday his decision to place a supply order for eight Patriot surface-to-air missile systems with the US government. "Poland will get eight Patriot systems, two of which will arrive in Poland as early as in 2019," Macierewicz said, as quoted by the Telewizja Polska broadcaster. The deal provides that at least half of the revenue from the Patriot systems sale will be invested in Polish military production, Macierewicz added. In 2015, the Polish government approved the procurement of US Patriot systems. The supply contract is estimated at $4.3 billion. The first two systems are due to arrive in Poland no later than three years after the contract is signed. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China's Surface-to-Air Defense Missiles Get Major Upgrade Sputnik News 02:02 08.09.2016(updated 02:32 08.09.2016) Beijing has created a state-of-the-art variant of its long-range HQ-16 surface-to-air missile. As part of a significant upgrade to the projectile, the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) has given the HQ-16 an improved motor and upgraded wings. These improvements give the model, the HQ-16B, a greater range. While the original could strike targets roughly 25 miles away, the new variant can reach a distance of approximately 43 miles, according to sources speaking to IHS Jane's. The original model, unveiled in 2011, was the result of a cooperative effort between China and Russia, and is similar to the 9M38E missiles. China has seen a rapid increase in military capabilities over the last few years. This has been partially driven by a need to defend against aggression from the US and it Pacific allies. "Beijing's arsenal of ballistic and cruise missiles has been growing steadily for decades as new systems were fielded in an array of ranges short, medium and intercontinental," Bill Gertz wrote in an op-ed for Asia Times. "Several long-range cruise missiles, capable of carrying nuclear or conventional payloads also are deployed." One principal concern is the United States' plan to deploy a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system to the Korean peninsula. While ostensibly meant to deter North Korea, the system has a range that could allow it to strike the Chinese mainland. "To develop suitable capabilities of missile defense is necessary for China to maintain national security and improve defense capabilities," Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Sr. Col. Yang Yujun told reporters in July. "It is not targeting any other country or target, nor is it jeopardizing the international strategic equilibrium." Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China Tests J-20 Stealth Fighter in Preparation for Pacific Ocean Patrols Sputnik News 21:19 07.09.2016(updated 21:26 07.09.2016) China's J-20 stealth fighter is being tested in the mountains close to the Indian border, but the new technology is intended for deployment in the Western Pacific, military expert Vasiliy Kashin told Sputnik. Last week China's new fifth-generation Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter jet was spotted in the mountains of the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, close to the border with India. The September 2 sighting came after China's defense ministry warned India against deploying its supersonic BrahMos missile in the same region, and some analysts saw China's move as a response to India's deployment. However, military expert Vasiliy Kashin told Sputnik that testing military equipment at high altitude has become a priority for the Chinese armed forces, regardless of where the technology is eventually deployed. "It is possible that China specially organized the publication of photos on the internet, but testing of the jet at high altitude would be carried out in any case," Kashin said. Chinese defense websites reveal that China's air force has gone to great efforts in recent years to test defense technology in high altitude conditions, posting updates about tests of medium- and long-range missiles, and the many different types of combat aircraft and army helicopters which have passed through China's mountain airfields. "There are a lot of specifics to operating technical equipment at high altitude. A lot of systems may not work properly in conditions of thin air and low temperature. Above all, this concerns equipment used for the technical maintenance of military equipment the military equipment itself is usually better adapted to extreme conditions," Kashin explained. "It appears that at some point the Chinese leadership decided to carry out a 'mountain test' of all new equipment for China's army and air force, and a lot of its missiles." However, Kashin believes that India, which has taken steps to boost its armed forces, has little to fear from China's latest mountain test. "In terms of real consequences for India's security in the coming years, the mass testing of Chinese weaponry like the J-10 and J-11B fighter jets is much more important than these kinds of tests of the J-20," he explained. "India is able to ensure the necessary balance of power because it has purchased Russia's S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems, modernized Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets and is collaborating with Russia on the Sukhoi/HAL fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) joint project." While the testing has taken place in the mountains of Western China, deployment of the new stealth technology is more likely in the Western Pacific Ocean, Kashin said. "The Chinese air force there already faces US F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters, furthermore the latter will be used by America's regional allies like Japan and Australia." The J-20 plane is a twin engine fighter with stealth features which enable it to sometimes go undetected by radar unlike other fighter jets. In July aviation magazine AIN online reported that China's Chengdu Aircraft Company (CAC) has built two of the aircraft, following two prototypes and six known development aircraft that featured a successive series of refinements. According to a recent report by Defense World, production is slated at two fighters per month and at this rate, China may be able to deploy 36 J-20 fighters by early 2018. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea rejects UNSC condemnation of missile tests, vows bolstered N-program Iran Press TV Thu Sep 8, 2016 5:9AM North Korea has lambasted a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) statement that slammed Pyongyang for its latest missile tests, pledging to bolster its nuclear program in response. In a statement carried by the North's official KCNA news agency on Wednesday, a spokesman for the country's Foreign Ministry said, "The US and its followers cooked up a press release again in which they found fault with the DPRK [North Korea]'s measure for bolstering up nuclear deterrence for self-defense." "The DPRK categorically rejects this as an intolerable act of encroaching upon its dignity, right to existence, sovereignty and right to self-defense," the unnamed spokesman said. The UNSC had on Tuesday deplored the North's test-firing of three ballistic missiles carried out a day earlier. "These launches are in grave violation of the DPRK's international obligations and UN Security Council resolutions," the 15-member Council had said in a unanimously-adopted statement, threatening to take "further significant measures" against Pyongyang. On Monday, when the missiles were fired, the North's leader Kim Jong-un hailed the launches as "perfect." The North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson further said, "The DPRK will continue to expand the signal successes of bolstering up the nuclear force in a phased way in this historic year when it started with the solemn blast of the first H-bomb test of Juche Korea." In January, North Korea said it had detonated a hydrogen bomb with success, its fourth nuclear test, and vowed to build up its nuclear program as deterrence against potential aggression from the US and its regional allies. The UN and the West have imposed a series of sanctions on Pyongyang over its nuclear and missile activities. North Korea says it will not abandon its nuclear "deterrence" unless Washington ends its hostile policy toward Pyongyang and dissolves the US-led command in South Korea. Thousands of US troops are stationed in South Korea and Japan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US-China Tensions Undermine Cooperation on N. Korean Nuclear Threat By Brian Padden September 08, 2016 Washington and Beijing's longstanding agreement on the need to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear ambitions is, analysts say, splintering over rising tensions in the region and diverging national interests. American and South Korean officials, as well as analysts from China and Russia, addressed the increasingly complex security situation on the Korean peninsula at the Seoul Defense Dialogue on Thursday, organized by the South Korean Ministry of Defense. Stay the course Kim Hong-kyun, the South Korean Special Representative for Korean Peace and Security Affairs, called for continued international support to pressure the Kim Jong Un government to curb its defiant and continued development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. "Pyongyang may believe that if it persists in conducting these provocations on a routine basis the international community will somehow accept them as a given reality but they can't be more wrong," Kim said. The latest round of United Nations sanctions caused economic pain, especially, Kim said, in trade, shipping and finance. However, since the new restrictions were imposed in March, North Korea has conducted 20 tests of short and medium range missiles, including submarine-based launches, advancing its capability to reach the U.S. mainland with a nuclear strike. Both Kim and U.S. Undersecretary of Defense David Shear noted that diplomatic outreach is at a standstill as both Seoul and Washington demand that Pyongyang first take significant action to dismantle its nuclear program before any talks can occur. "Unfortunately, today there have been no credible signs that North Korea is ready to move down this path," Shear said. China For sanctions to be effective, China's support remains crucial as it is North Korea's economic lifeline. Nearly 90 percent of all North Korean trade flows through China. Shi Yinhong, a professor of international relations at Renmin University in China, said officials in Beijing have doubts that sanctions alone will force Pyongyang to change. He noted that China's temporary halt of aid and energy supplies after North Korea's 2013 nuclear test seemed not to have any effect, other than to damage relations between the traditional allies. "What has China received from such a hardline approach? We have still not changed their radical attitude towards nuclear weapons," Shi said. Shi expects Beijing to maintain its current enforcement level of sanctions that critics say is lax, but will likely deviate from Washington's stance by opening new avenues of unconditional dialogue to improve Sino-North Korean relations. THAAD Regional concerns over China's military build-up in the South China Sea, conflicting claims between China and Japan over the Senkaku islands, and Beijing's opposition to the U.S. and South Korean decision to deploy the THAAD (Terminal High-altitude Area Defense) missile defense system are making cooperation on North Korea more difficult. Beijing sees THAAD in particular as part of the U.S. military "pivot" to Asia, and Douglas Paal, the Vice President for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said China could retaliate against South Korea to establish its regional dominance. "China seems to be bent on a two-track policy, treat the U.S. with a certain amount of respect, avoid provocation, but teach lessons to China's neighbors that they need to be more obedient towards China," Paal said. Feodor Voitolovskiy of Russia's Institute of World Economy and International Relations, said Moscow sees its deployment as a confrontational move by the U.S. even though THAAD's powerful radar poses no real threat to Russia. "This system is one more barrier - political, military barrier - which is being built between China and American allies in Asia Pacific, (and) between Russia and American allies in the Asia Pacific," Voitolovskiy said. Professor Shi said protecting North Korea has become more important for China to counterbalance the growing American military presence on the Korean peninsula. Paal said he does not expect any further movement to resolve the growing North Korean security crisis initiatives until after the U.S. presidential election in November. No matter who becomes the next president, he said, there will likely be an evaluation of the current policies and new efforts made to either increase pressure on Pyongyang or begin talks. Youmi Kim in Seoul contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address India Set to Bolster Its Defense Ties With Russia Sputnik News 14:14 07.09.2016 India-Russia defense ties are set for boost as the Indian defense ministry is stepping up the negotiations for the impending India-Russia defense deals. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin will be visiting India on September 13 for the 22nd Session of the Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation. It is believed that his visit will also set the agenda for the summit meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin which will be held on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Goa in October. The strengthening of India-Russia defense relations will beat the top of the Indian government's agenda despite India's increasing defense partnership with US, especially after the signing of Indo-US Logistic Support Agreement. In fact to ward off any misgivings, India has planned to step up those defense projects which are already in pipeline with Russia. Sources in Defense Ministry say that India is giving a push to all its defense projects with Russia which had been put on hold for some time. Accordingly, India will also soon start negotiations for the S-400 Triumph Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile System. Despite the Indian Defense Minister's statement in Parliament that the Indian Air Force will acquire five units of the S-400 Triumph between 2017 and 2022, the proposal was shelved due to financial constraints. Now India will soon start negotiations for the S-400 Triumph Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile System. S-400 Triumph is a cutting edge long range air-defense missile system to counter aircrafts, cruise and ballistic missiles. India needs the S-400 Triumph to bolster its air defense along its borders with China and Pakistan. A company to Company agreement is likely to be signed for the Kamov Ka-226 small twin-engine utility helicopter. India signed an agreement with Russia whereby India and Russia will jointly manufacture 200 of the Ka-226 choppers for the Indian army. Ka-226 is a powerful, light multirole helicopter which has high safety profile and boasts precise hovering ability and maneuverability. According to Defense Ministry sources, India will soon conclude an agreement to co-develop the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft. India wants some changes in the technical aspects of the FGGA and will iron out any differences. India badly needed the FGFA to bolster Indian Air Force capability to counter China and also to strengthen its fleet of ultra-sophisticated fighter aircrafts. Apart from these major Indo-Russian defense projects, India is also working on upgrades to its Sukhoi Su-30 fighter aircraft to provide the Indian Air Force with more fire power. The Indian government is working on speedy clearance of India-Russia defense joint projects and defense deals in view of the upcoming visit of Russian president Putin to India for the BRICS Summit. In the changing geo-political situation of the world India is striving to make a fine balance between its relations with both Russia and US. While Russia is India's all weather and trusted friend India also needs the strategic support and cooperation of US to counter China and Pakistan. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Japan Developing New Alert System Amid N Korea's Missile Launches Sputnik News 10:41 07.09.2016(updated 10:57 07.09.2016) The Japanese government is developing a new emergency system to issue faster warnings in case of Pyongyang's missile launches, media reported on Wednesday. TOKYO (Sputnik) The move comes after Pyongyang fired three ballistic missiles from Hwangju county in the direction of the Sea of Japan on Monday. On Tuesday, Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada said that North Korea had made advancements in its missile technologies. According to Japanese NHK broadcaster, the new emergency system will also alert ships and aircraft not only in the country's territorial waters, but in the exclusive economic zone, which the old systems could not do. The notification system will work in several stages: first, the Cabinet Secretariat will inform the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the Coast Guard, and the Fisheries Agency of missile launches. Then these bodies will imminently contact ships and aircraft by radio and notify them about the threats. North Korea is currently under pressure from the international community since its January nuclear test and a long-range rocket launch in February, which resulted in tightening sanctions against Pyongyang in the new UN Security Council resolution in March. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kazakhstan to Receive Su-30 Fighters, Mi-17 , Mi-35 Helicopters From Russia Sputnik News 10:05 07.09.2016(updated 11:37 07.09.2016) Kazakhstan's armed forces will receive multirole fighters and transport helicopters from Russia this year. KUBINKA (Moscow Region) (Sputnik) Kazakhstan's armed forces will receive two Su-30 multirole fighters and two Mi-17 transport helicopters from Russia this year as part of existing contracts, Kazakhstan's Deputy Defense Minister Okas Saparov told Sputnik on Wednesday. "We received four Su-30s from Russia in 2014, two more this year," Saparov said at the Army-2016 military forum, adding that two Mi-17s would enter into service in 2016, followed by more next year. Moreover, Kazakhstan plans to sign a contract on the purchase of four Russian Mi-35 helicopters by the end of 2016, Kazakh Deputy Defense Minister Okas Saparov told Sputnik on Wednesday. "This year we will sign another contract on four Mi-35s," Saparov said at the Army-2016 military forum, adding that four of the attack helicopters with transport capabilities planned to be delivered as part of the 2015 contract. Army-2016 military forum is holding on at Moscow Region suburb Kubinka. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kofi Annan: Myanmar Rohingya Panel Will Not Police Human Rights By Esha Sarai September 08, 2016 Former United Nations chief Kofi Annan assured residents of Myanmar he is not in the country to police human rights violations, but instead to recommend solutions to ease tensions between Buddhists and the Muslim minority. "We are not here as inspectors, as policemen," he told a news conference Thursday in Yangon. "We are here to help at the request of the government and we see this as a Myanmar Commission that we are participating in, bringing some international dimensions and you will get an honest report from all of us." Ghanaian-born Annan was met by hundreds of jeering protesters when he arrived in Myanmar's western Rakhine state earlier this week as part of a nine-member panel on a fact-finding mission into the bitter ethnic and religious strife that has triggered a humanitarian crisis. The protesters were gathered outside the airport in the capital city of Rakhine, where they voiced anger over what they see as foreign meddling in their internal affairs. Annan said he was not upset by the protests, and in fact admired them as a show of democracy and freedom of expression. "I think it was a healthy sign that the people felt they should make their views known in their own way," he said. The special advisory committee, made up of six citizens of Myanmar and three foreigners (none of whom are Muslim), is charged with finding solutions on ending the crisis that began in 2012, when fighting broke out between majority Buddhist nationalists and minority Rohingya Muslims. More than 100 people were killed, while as many as 120,000 Rohingyas are currently languishing in squalid displaced persons camps, where their movements are severely restricted. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan, Russia Negotiating Deal on Russian Su-35, Su-37 Jets Sputnik News 00:23 08.09.2016 Islamabad and Moscow are negotiating a deal on Su-35 and Su-37 jets, Shahab Qadir Khan, deputy director of export promotion services in the Pakistani Defense Export Promotion Organization, told Sputnik. MOSCOW (Sputnik) "Pakistan is involved in negotiations with Russia on a deal for Su-35 and Su-37. We are in initial stage now," Qadir Khan said. According to Qadir Khan, the Pakistani Defense Ministry's delegation which came to the Army-2016 expo includes technical experts, who assess capabilities of the jets as well as look for Russian helicopters. "We already have Russian transport helicopters Mi-17, but we are looking for other helicraft, and we are looking at assessment of Mi-35 to buy in the near future," Qadir Khan added. The Army-2016 expo, organized by the Russian Defense Ministry, kicked off on Tuesday and is due to last through Sunday. The forum is held in the military-themed Patriot Park in Kubinka near Moscow and in a number of locations in Russia's military districts. The event brings together representatives from the Russian defense industry, research institutes, universities, as well as foreign companies. Over 800 Russian and foreign participants are expected to be involved in some 7,000 exhibitions throughout the week. The forum's participants and guests are attending a number of conferences and roundtables to discuss the future development of military technology. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Burnt vegetation in La Granadella, between Javea and Benitatxell. PEPE OLIVARES The regional government of Valencia says it will ensure that land damaged by a recent spate of forest fires cannot be rezoned for construction purposes. On Wednesday, regional premier Ximo Puig of the Valencian Socialists (PSPV-PSOE) told reporters that his administrations goal is for nobody to ever have the slightest interest in burning down woodland for rezoning. We are dealing with environmental terrorism that affects the lives of many people Valencia regional chief Ximo Puig Valencias left-leaning regional administration which came to power in June 2015, ending more than two decades of conservative Popular Party (PP) rule has already overturned earlier legislation allowing land damaged by fire to be used for building on an exceptional basis. This can no longer be done in the Valencia region. It can in other parts of Spain, said Puig, who still considers it necessary to intensify the ban so there is no doubt whatsoever. We are dealing with environmental terrorism that affects this regions natural heritage and the lives of many people, said Puig, defending increased surveillance and prevention rather than harsher punishment for arsonists. The statement comes in the wake of a series of devastating wildfires in the Mediterranean region, including one in Javea, which is home to a large British expat community. That blaze forced the evacuation of 1,400 people earlier this week and razed more than 800 hectares of land. Investigation into arson theory continues The central government delegate in Valencia has said that a human hand is behind the fire in Bolulla. Investigators are trying to determine whether it was a premeditated act or merely negligence. Seven fires have started in the area this year, three of them on Friday alone. That is a remarkable coincidence, and we are working to find the perpetrator, said Moragues. Meanwhile, the Civil Guard is still searching for clues among the remains of the fire that destroyed parts of Javea and Benitatxell. Investigators are now focusing on two vehicles that were seen departing the spot where the first flames broke out. Firefighting services are being stretched thin as they try to put out a multitude of blazes in Alicante province. On Thursday morning, another major fire in Bolulla, near the popular Fuentes del Algar water springs, was under control but still not officially out, after blackening 600 hectares of forest land. That fire reached Sierra de Bernia, a mountain range with great environmental and symbolic value. On Tuesday night, several firefighters had to be pulled away from the Bolulla front to deal with flames near Altea, a popular tourist destination close to Benidorm. Meanwhile, a new fire broke out on Thursday in the town of Lliber, in Alicante province, regional daily Informacion reported. This is clearly a disaster at the ecological, environmental and heritage levels, said Juan Carlos Moragues, the central governments delegate in the Valencia region. English version by Susana Urra. Sarmat ICBM: 8 Megatons at Hypersonic Speeds, Arriving 2 Years Ahead of Schedule Sputnik News 18:20 07.09.2016(updated 22:41 07.09.2016) On Monday, a defense industry official told Russian media that the mass production of the RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, a new multi-warhead, super-heavy missile designed to defeat anti-missile systems, would begin in 2018, two years ahead of schedule. Defense analyst Vladimir Tuchkov explains what made this possible. The Sarmat, being developed by the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau in the city of Miass, just east of the Ural Mountains, will replace the RS-36, a family of ICBMs and space launch vehicles that entered service in the 1970s and 1980s. Featuring a large payload capacity, the heavy missile is expected to carry up to 10 heavy warheads, or 16 lighter ones, or a combination of warheads and countermeasures meant at overwhelming enemy missile defenses. Most concerning to foreign defense observers is the prospect of the Sarmat being armed with Project 4202, a hypersonic glider which, after separating from its ICBM launch vehicle, will be able to accelerate to speeds between Mach 7 and Mach 12, acting like a hypersonic cruise missile, and capable of maneuvering to overcome any existing or prospective missile defense to reach its target. The Sarmat missile, whose development began in 2009, has been touted as Russia's response to US projects including the Prompt Global Strike initiative, and as well the effort to deploy missile defense near Russia's borders. If nothing else, Moscow hopes that the new missile and its payload will deter US efforts to gain strategic superiority over Moscow, or, in the worst case scenario, to launch a surprise attack on Russia. Russia's Strategic Missile Forces initially expected the arrival of the first parties of the new missile by 2020, in accordance with the state's defense program to the year 2020. But on Monday, a source within the Russian military industrial complex told Russian media that "the first Sarmats will be introduced to the Strategic Missile Forces no later than 2019, and most likely in 2018." Commenting on the news, Vladimir Tuchkov, military analyst and contributor to the independent online newspaper Svobodnaya Pressa, emphasized that the quickened pace of development was made possible by the modernization of the industrial base at the Krasnoyarsk Machine-Building Plant, where the production of the Sarmat missile is set to take place. Thankfully, Tuchkov added, the modernization of the enterprise's production capabilities came at a very timely moment, in view of the deterioration of relations between Russia and the NATO bloc, led by the United States. "The new missile will be a powerful deterrent, significantly outperforming all existing carriers of nuclear weapons," the analyst noted. At the same time, the analyst pointed out that at the moment, Russia's silo-based, liquid fueled R-36M2, Voyevoda (NATO codename SS-18 Satan), an upgraded variant of the R-36, is still the most powerful weapon in its class. "Among the land, sea and air-based weapons on both sides of the Atlantic, there is nothing even close to reaching its combat capabilities. It's no coincidence that NATO assigned it such an appropriate name the 'Satan'." The R-36M2, developed after Ronald Reagan announced his 'Star Wars' missile defense initiative in 1983, was adopted in 1988, designed to serve as a deterrent capable of breaking through any missile defenses the United States might be able to muster. Even today, Tuchkov noted, the R-36M2 is an effective weapon against any existing missile defense systems. However, he also added that "after a quarter century, the prospective enemy's missile defense systems are beginning to catch up with [it]. More precisely, Russia has developed the technical capability to create a new ICBM with even beter characteristics, to convincingly demonstrate the untenability of the potential opponent's missile defenses, both existing and future ones." And Russia has another important reason for developing a new ICBM, the analyst wrote. This has to do with the fact that the R-36 series of missiles were originally developed in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine at the Yuzhnoe Design Bureau. "Now, when ties with Ukraine have been completely severed, it's necessary to get rid of any leftover dependency on Ukraine's military-industrial complex for the supply of spare parts and servicing." As for the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau, charged with the development of the Sarmat, Tuchkov recalled that their engineers are already known for the creation of topnotch missiles for Russia's fleet of strategic submarines. "In this area their achievements have been impressive." The R-29RMU Sineva, NATO-code name SS-N-23A Skiff, "is a record-holder in its power-to-weight ratio that isthe ratio of the rocket's power in relation to its mass." "There is nothing paradoxical about the Sarmat being made specifically [by engineers at Makeyev]," the analyst noted. "Firstly, they have accumulated a vast amount of experience in the creation of liquid-propelled rockets, which have better power characteristics than solid-fueled systems. And the Sarmat, in order to surpass the combat characteristics of the Voyevoda, was developed as a liquid-fueled missile." "Secondly, the design bureau has experience with ground-based missile systems, too. Among them, for example, is the R-17 missile, NATO classification Scud." Ultimately, Tuchkov noted, "the constructors at the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau went their own way. In other words, they did not decide to simply create an upgrade of the Voyevoda (even though such opportunities existed) but created an entirely new missileThe result was a missile which is superior to the Voyevoda in all respects." That includes a better power-to-weight ratio. "The Voyevoda weighs over 210 tons the Sarmat 20% lighter. And the new missile is capable of going into suborbital trajectory, going in on its target from space." This means the possibility of attack from any direction, including the North or South Poles. "And the trajectory is laid in such a way as to avoid regions with the massive buildup of missile defense systems." "This is achieved through the use of a more efficient propulsion system, both at the first and second stages [of the missile's flight]. An increase in power is also expected via the use of an upper-stage booster in the final stage." That, Tuchkov explained, makes it possible to use the missile for civilian purposes as a rocket carrying satellites into orbit. In their military role, the Sarmats will be protected in the same types of underground bunkers that presently house the Voyevodas. These bunkers, the analyst recalled, "can withstand nuclear explosions nearby, using special damping containers," to withstand immense seismic activity. "The defense of the bunkers will be intensified by the Mozyr active protection system, developed especially for the Sarmat. This features 100 artillery pieces, aimed to fire at any cruise missile or missile warheads, forming a cloud of projectiles up to 6 km. This system is serviced by radar featuring long-distance detection and enhanced accuracy capabilities. In addition, it is assumed that areas where Sarmats are based will be defended by the S-500," Russia's next generation surface-to-air missile system, entering the final stages of development. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Catching Up on Rivals in Military Drone Manufacturing Sputnik News 17:31 07.09.2016 Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Borisov said that Russia had reached the level of top world armies in drone manufacturing. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Russia has almost caught up on its foreign rivals in respect to manufacturing military unmanned aerial vehicles, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Borisov said Wednesday. "Just a few years ago, we were criticized for lagging seriously behind in this area. As of today, I think we have almost caught up," Borisov told Rossiya 24 broadcaster in an interview on the sidelines of the Army-2016 international military forum. He added that Russia had reached the level of top world armies in drone manufacturing. The Russian Defense Ministry's Army-2016 forum is taking place on September 6-11 in Kubinka, a western suburb of Moscow. The forum brings together representatives from the Russian defense industry, research institutes, universities, as well as foreign companies. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's Admiralty to Deliver Six Stealth Subs to Pacific Fleet by 2021 Sputnik News 14:38 07.09.2016(updated 15:09 07.09.2016) Russia's Admiralty Shipyard plans to deliver stealth submarines to the Pacific Fleet by 2021, the shipyard's director said Wednesday. KUBINKA (Moscow Region) (Sputnik) Russia's Admiralty Shipyard plans to deliver six Varshavyanka-class Project 636 stealth submarines to the Pacific Fleet by 2021, the shipyard's director said Wednesday. "The terms of the six submarines' deliveries are: two in 2019, two in 2020 and two in 2021," Director General Alexander Buzakov told reporters at the Army-2016 military forum near Moscow. Buzakov and Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov signed a contract on the construction of the six advanced stealth technology submarines at the forum earlier in the day. The shipyard, which is affiliated with the United Shipbuilding Corporation, launched the last of the six submarines for the Black Sea Fleet last May. Deputy Navy Commander-in-Chief Vice Adm. Alexander Fedotenkov said at the time a final decision has been made to order the construction of six Varshavyanka-class diesel-electric powered submarines for the Pacific Fleet. The Varshavyanka-class (Project 636.3) is an improved version of Kilo-class submarines that features advanced stealth technology, extended combat range and the ability to strike land, surface and underwater targets. The vessels, carrying crews of 52, have a top underwater speed of 20 knots and a cruising range of 400 miles (electric propulsion), with the ability to patrol for 45 days. The submarines are armed with 18 torpedoes and eight surface-to-air missiles. The submarines are mainly intended for anti-ship and anti-submarine missions in relatively shallow waters. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's UVZ Corporation to Deliver 42 Self-Propelled Artillery by 2019 Sputnik News 14:06 07.09.2016(updated 14:32 07.09.2016) Uralvagonzavod (UVZ) machine industry company signed contract with the Russian Defense ministry on the delivery of 42 self-propelled artillery to the Russian Armed Forces by 2019, according to the research and production corporation's director. KUBINKA (Moscow Region) (Sputnik) Russia's Uralvagonzavod (UVZ) machine industry company will deliver 42 self-propelled artillery to the Russian Armed Forces by 2019, the research and production corporation's director said Wednesday. "Our most significant contract was signed for Uraltransmash [division of UVZ, to deliver] 42 self-propelled MSTAs before 2019," General Director Oleg Sienko told reporters at the Army-2016 military forum near Moscow. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New resolution in Senate to ban US arms sale with Saudi Iran Press TV Thu Sep 8, 2016 7:2PM The US Senate is introducing a resolution aimed at blocking sale of $1.15 billion worth of military equipment to Saudi Arabia. The joint resolution of disapproval was introduced by Republican Senators Rand Paul and Mike Lee as well as Democrats Chris Murphy and Al Frankenon. According to Reuters, there was no indication of any vote on the resolution. The sale, which includes Abrams tanks along with other military equipment, "is a recipe for disaster and an escalation of an ongoing arms race in the region," according to Kentucky Senator Paul. The senators could not force a vote earlier than September 19, based on the loophole they are using to bring the resolution to the floor, which gives a Senate committee 10 calendar days to take up the resolution. Until Saudis change conduct On August 9, the Pentagon announced approval of potential sale of more than 130 Abrams battle tanks, 20 armored recovery vehicles and other equipment to Saudi Arabia by the US State Department. This is while the monarchy's forces have been accused of war crimes in neighboring Yemen since March 2015. According to Connecticut Senator Murphy the Saudi aggression has ended in a war that "has become a disaster that is making our country less safe every day." "Thousands of civilians are being killed, and terrorist groups inside the country, like al-Qaeda and ISIL (Daesh), are getting stronger. Until the Saudis' conduct changes, the US should put a pause on further arms sales," said Murphy. In August, 64 US House lawmakers sent a resolution to President Barack Obama, asking him to delay sale of arms to Riyadh. Saudi Arabia has been incessantly pounding Yemen since March 2015, with the UN putting the death toll from the military aggression at about 10,000. Thursday's announcement is not the only move against Saudi Arabia in the US Congress. A vote is also coming this week to the House of Representatives on a bill that would allow family members of the 9/11 victims to sue the government of Saudi Arabia. The bill is expected to be passed at the House following an approval from the US Senate. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan willing, able to make international contribution: Tsai ROC Central News Agency 2016/09/08 23:10:06 Taipei, Sept. 8 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen () said Thursday that Taiwan should not be left out of the efforts to deal with international challenges, since it willing and able to contribute to the global community. In a meeting at the Presidential Office with members of a pro-Taiwan Belgian parliamentary group, Tsai said there is a growing interdependence among members of the international community and the resources all countries should be pooled to deal with the global challenges. "As a member of the international community, Taiwan is willing and able to contribute more to the efforts to deal with global issues, whether in the area of humanitarian assistance, disease prevention and control, or anti-terrorism," Tsai said. "Taiwan should not be left out." The president said she hoped Belgium would support Taiwan's bid to participate in international organizations. She also thanked the visiting Belgian parliamentarians for pushing two resolutions that were adopted by their country's Chamber of Representatives in 2012 and 2015, respectively. The resolutions recognized Taiwan's efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and expressed support for the negotiations between Taiwan and the European Union on a bilateral investment agreement. Led by Raf Terwingen, the Belgian parliamentary delegation arrived in Taiwan Sept. 4 on a six-day visit. (By Sophia Yeh and Romulo Huang) enditem/pc NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Over 100 Terrorists Killed During Ankara's Operation in Northern Syria Sputnik News 21:16 07.09.2016 Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli said that more than 100 terrorists were killed since the beginning of the Euphrates Shield military operation in northern Syria, while five Turkish soldiers died and 19 more sustained injuries during the operation. ANKARA (Sputnik) More than 100 terrorists have been killed by the Turkish armed forces since the beginning of the Euphrates Shield military operation in northern Syria, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli said Wednesday. "Over the 15 days of the operation, [the Turkish army] has liberated a total of 772 square kilometers [298 square miles] from terrorists and killed 110 fighters from the Islamic State group and Syrian Kurds' self-defense forces [People's Protection Units [YPG)]," Canikli told journalists. According to him, five Turkish soldiers died and 19 more sustained injuries during the operation. On August 24, Turkish forces, backed by US-led coalition aircraft, began a military operation dubbed Euphrates Shield to clear the Syrian town of Jarabulus and the surrounding area of Daesh, outlawed in Russia and many other countries worldwide. Ankara declared that it would target positions of YPG which is considered by the Turkish government to be an ally to the domestically-outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) unless they withdrew to the east of Euphrates. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey May Be Limited in Helping to Drive IS From Raqqa By Dorian Jones, Sirwan Kajjo September 07, 2016 While Turkey's president says Ankara and Washington are discussing joint military action in Raqqa, the Syrian headquarters of the Islamic State group, Turkey's options may be limited. "It will not be a massive 30,000, 40,000 soldiers entering into Syria," said Turkish political columnist Semih Idiz of the Al Monitor website. "I do not think the Turkish public is ready for that kind of involvement anyway. So it will be forces in the hundreds, with heavy artillery and air support. I think it will probably be more a force where the numbers are provided by Syrian fighters rather than Turkey." Flying back from attending the Group of 20 summit in China, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday told reporters he had agreed to a proposal by his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama, to work together to remove IS from Raqqa. "Let our soldiers come together. Whatever is necessary will be done." Erdogan said. But the Turkish president was short on specifics and said any military role would depend on further talks. Problematic route Turkish armed forces backed by tanks and Free Syrian Army forces entered Syria last month to remove IS militants from near the Turkish border. Moving farther south, some 80 kilometers to Raqqa, would be problematic, because Turkish forces would need to pass through Kurdish territory. The Turkish operation "Euphrates Shield" is also targeting the Syrian Kurdish militia of the YPG in northern Syria, which Ankara accuses of being linked to the outlawed PKK, which is fighting in Turkey. But the YPG receives strong military support from the United States and is widely viewed as among the most effective forces against IS. Gelo Issa, a YPG political official in northern Syria, told VOA that it was uncertain whether the U.S. would agree to anything other than Turkish air support in a Raqqa offensive. The YPG is seen as key to U.S. plans to recapture Raqqa, analysts say. "Turkey can't send its troops to Raqqa because it's not a border area and Ankara can't justify such an incursion as it did in [northern Syria]," he said. "I don't think any Turkish involvement in the Raqqa campaign would change the equation for the Kurdish-led forces." Arab, Turkmen force More than likely, Turkey would continue to enlist Syrian rebels, an Arab and Turkmen force it empowered in northern Syria, to take some part in the fight to free Raqqa, some analysts say. People in Raqqa, struggling under IS control, would welcome any help in the liberation battle, according to Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently, a rights group advocating the liberation of the city from IS. "In the case of Raqqa, Turkey's involvement is likely in the form of supporting the Free Syrian Army," said Hussam Eisa, the group's spokesman, speaking of the rebels. "That would be a welcome move by people in Raqqa." But Ankara could pay a high price in participating in an operation to oust Islamic State from Raqqa. Analysts warn that with thousands of jihadists in the densely populated city, it would most likely be a brutal fight. And Turkey would find itself deeply embroiled militarily in Syria's civil war. "A Turkish involvement in any other form would be similar to those of other countries in the Syrian conflict," Eisa said. Major commitment That means Turkey could ultimately be forced to commit large numbers of its forces, said political columnist Kadri Gursel of the Cumhuriyet newspaper. "Going down to the southeast to Raqqa will mean for Turkish armed forces a very, very long trajectory of logistical support," Gursel said. "And there will be a need to pass through a corridor having Kurds on the east and Syrians [government forces] on the west and [IS] all the way the through. So this is very dangerous, and there is no exit strategy and a war of attrition will be very costly for Turkish armed forces." Still, Erdogan may be betting that Turkish participation will marginalize the effectiveness of Kurds in the region in the future, analysts say. "The expectation is that the dependence that the Americans have on the ground on Kurdish forces will decline," Idiz said. "And Turkey will also have a stronger say, at the proverbial Syrian table. So I think there is a political dimension also to what Erdogan is suggesting." 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. Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos talks to PRISA's Juan Luis Cebrian. CAMILO ROZO Colombias President Juan Manuel Santos says that the final word on the peace deal his administration has just reached with the leftist rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) lies with all Colombians, and that despite the risks, he always believed it would have to be put to a referendum. That referendum will be held on October 2, just five weeks after the conclusion of the four-year-long peace talks in Havana that have brought an end to half-a-century of conflict in the South American country. But as Santos pointed out in a conversation on Wednesday with Juan Luis Cebrian chairman of the PRISA media group, which owns EL PAIS as part of a forum in Bogota to discuss the peace process, powerful forces in Colombia still oppose the peace deal. But the Colombian people will not understand those who want to stop history. Lets hope that those who are opposed to this process see an opportunity to build peace as a nation President Juan Manuel Santos I believe in the intelligence and wisdom of the Colombian people. Who wants to return to war or set back the development of rural areas? This is a great opportunity for the future, for people to regain their faith in peace. Colombia will be a country where people can live without fear, he said at the Los beneficios de la paz (The benefits of peace) forum in the Colombian capital, organized jointly by PRISA and the Buen Gobierno Foundation, with the collaboration of EL PAIS and radio stations La W and Caracol Radio. The announcement of the peace accord between the government and the FARC on August 24 made headlines around the world, turning Colombia into a good news story for once, in contrast to the problems many of its neighbors face: the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff, the crisis in Mexico sparked by Donald Trumps visit, and the mass street protests in Venezuela. But Santos said that the instability in much of Latin America will not affect Colombias post-conflict progress. Santos mentioned the ongoing crisis in Venezuela, which, under the regime installed by Hugo Chavez in the late 1990s, has allied itself with the FARC. Referring to former president Alvaro Uribes attacks on Santos, accusing him of caving in to the FARC by allowing it to reform as a political party, and stating that the country is headed down the same road as Venezuela, Santos noted: What aspect of the accords could make anybody think such a thing? This process will strengthen Colombias institutions. How is the FARC ever going to end up in power, by selling Marxist-Leninism? Thats completely a thing of the past. Or maybe the same Bolivarian revolution as Chavezs. Thats not going to work too well A referendum will be held just five weeks after the conclusion of the peace talks that have brought an end to half-a-century of conflict During his conversation with Santos, Cebrian suggested that Santos and future presidents face a bigger challenge building peace than in reaching a peace accord. We have negotiated the end of the conflict. Lets hope that those who are opposed to this process see an opportunity to build peace as a nation, said Santos. Cebrian also asked Santos about the cost of rebuilding a post-conflict Colombia, an issue the president was reluctant to discuss in detail, pointing out only that a number of important programs were already underway, which would help buffer the cost to the economy at a time of limited growth. But we will maintain fiscal discipline, he insisted, aware of the need to attract foreign investment in the coming years. The forum took place at the El Nogal club, rebuilt after the FARC place a bomb there in 2003, which killed 36 people and injured dozens more. Among the dead was the son of Martha Luz Amorocho, a member of a delegation representing victims of the conflict. She has supported the peace process, and like former president Cesar Gaviria, is campaigning for the Yes camp in the referendum. Over the course of the negotiations, Amorocho has met with FARC members and repeatedly called for reconciliation. After meeting with President Santos on Wednesday at El Nogal, she again expressed her support for the peace process, saying: Visitors, workers, club members, and also guerrillas died in that attack. They didnt even attain their objective. She also explained how she met a guerrilla and hugged him. He was a kid about the same age as my children... Were able to turn the page on this. English version by Nick Lyne. There are fewer students in Danville Public Schools and that will have an effect on state funding, according to preliminary daily membership data for the 2016-17 fall semester. As of Wednesday, the current student count at Danville Public Schools is 6,057, including pre-kindergarten students. If the figure remains the same until the Sept. 30 due date for Virginia Department of Education fall membership data, it will be a decline of 192 students from the 2015-16 school year or about 3.1 percent. Director of Finance Lori Cassada said the figure could change slightly between now and the end of the month in part to let student populations stabilize after the first few weeks of school. Theres a lot of coming and going, Cassada said. The due date is also later to account for school districts that begin classes after Labor Day. Danville is one of several districts with a weather waiver allowing classes to start earlier. The preliminary figure would continue the local trend of both a decline in student population and in revenue from state funding sources. However, Danville Superintendent Stanley Jones noted it wasnt the only factor in determining how much school districts could spend each year. The other thing to keep in mind is much wealthier communities have a much easier time with local funding, Jones said. For example, Jones said a school district with high property tax revenues could have fewer students than Danville, but is able to supplant that with increased local funding. Virginia also requires schools to submit a population report in March, which Cassada said the school district also uses to project the budget and population trend for the next school year. Were creating the budget based on what the figures will be next fall, she said. Cassada and Jones said staffing continued to be the area of budgeting most affected by a decline in revenue. Since 2010, weve cut 189 positions, Jones said. We have cut a significant number of positions. Cassada noted it also takes time to see the trends well enough to make major decisions, like when the school district closed three elementary schools in 2012. It takes a while to find that out and see the cumulative drop in enrollment, she said. Jones said having to work with the funding formula at the state level was a reality for schools across Virginia. We have to figure out how to survive in the world of formulas, Jones said. As of Wednesday afternoon, the Danville Cancer Association has a new name, logo, motto and service van that it hopes will help it become more inclusive of the entire Dan River Region. Many of us associated with Danville Cancer [Association] live in the county, but we felt like we had left the county out, so in part, were apologizing. Were trying to make up for that, Board President Vic Ingram said. We are now officially the Danville Pittsylvania Cancer Association. The newly-named Danville Pittsylvania Cancer Association has changed their motto to working to unravel the effects of cancer. The organization works to help unravel the effects of cancer by providing monetary support of up to $500 per client every month for the costs of transportation and prescription drugs, helping to supply things like Ensure to cancer patients and through a monthly support group meeting. We know we cant stop it, we cant cure it, Ingram said. But we can surely help you manage cancer while its taking a toll on your life. All funds and donations received by the organization are required to stay in the area, and the association will be hosting more fundraisers, like the Return to the Coke Plant event. The Fraternal Order of Eagles Piedmont Aerie 4420, a small group which has donated more than $55,000 over the years, also will be hosting the Eagles Riders Dean Ferris Memorial Poker Run, with all of the proceeds to be donated to the association. A new Honda service van was purchased using money from fundraisers and donations, and is owned completely by the association, which Ingram was very proud of. Ingram said Steve Padgetts Danville Honda knocked a few thousand off the price of the van as a personal donation to the association. The van will be used to help transport clients to their doctor appointments as well as pick up donations and prescriptions. If you know anybody, especially out in the county area or in Danville, please let them know that were there to help them, Baldridge said. Were open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. New U.K. Treasury chief Jeremy Hunt has reversed most of an economic package announced by the government just weeks ago, including a planned cut in income taxes. Hunt said Monday he was scrapping almost all the tax cuts announced last month by the Conservative government of Prime Minister Liz Truss, and also signaled that public spending cuts are on the way. It was a bid to soothe turbulent financial markets spooked by fears of excessive government borrowing. The move raises questions about how long the beleaguered prime minister can stay in office, though Truss insisted she has no plans to quit. She vowed to lead the Conservatives into the next general election, but many in the party want her gone. Richard Long of Ferrum has joined STEP, Inc. (Solutions That Empower People) as director of Lessons in Fundamental and Essential Skills Academy. In that capacity, he will direct the day-to-day operations of LIFES Academy, which provides an engaging alternative setting for students with special needs. The program helps students shape appropriate attitudes, behaviors, and life skills so they can realize their fullest potential both academically and socially. Longs professional experience includes nine years teaching special education and serving as case manager in public schools with Henry County and Roanoke City. He also served as Instructor of Recreation & Leisure and Coordinator of Ferrum Outdoors and Director of Student Activities and Leadership at Ferrum College, and as Recreation Program Coordinator for James City County Division of Parks & Recreation. We are delighted to have someone of Richards caliber on our staff to lead the program in LIFES Academy, said STEPs Executive Director Marc Crouse. Long graduated with a bachelor of science degree from Ferrum College in 1992 as Outstanding Recreation Major and earned a Master in Education degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He holds Postgraduate Professional Teacher Licensure (Intellectual Disabilities) from Old Dominion University and is an active member of Virginia Professional Educators. LIFES Academy is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education and is an accredited member of the Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities (VAISEF). Students are referred to LIFES Academy through their LEA's special education department in cooperation with the locality's Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT) and Community Policy and Management Team (CPMT). STEP (Solutions That Empower People) is the designated community action agency that serves Franklin and Patrick counties, along with some services in Bedford, Martinsville and Danville. Services include Early Head Start and Head Start; youth services (LIFES Academy and Project Discovery); senior services (Meals on Wheels, transportation); supportive services (re-entry, homelessness prevention); housing and weatherization; and financial services (tax preparation assistance, financial education, individual development accounts). STEPs mission is to facilitate solutions to empower people to overcome barriers to economic, educational and developmental success within the communities it serves. Solutions That Empower People or "STEP" Inc. serves over 3,000 of our friends and neighbors in the community. Together with our partner agencies, we employ sustainable strategies that address both the symptoms and the root causes of poverty. We take our Mission and our relationships with our clients personally, as we all work together to help each individual realize their fullest potential! OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sep 7, 2016) - Orezone Gold Corp. (TSX VENTURE:ORE) announces an updated resource statement, subsequent to its release of August 22, 2016, for its Bombore Project in Burkina Faso, West Africa (Table 1). The resource estimation was performed by the Company and audited, classified, and accepted by Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. (RPA) in Toronto, Ontario. Mineral Resources are estimated at variable cut-off grades depending on weathering layer and geographic location. Using similar cut-off grades to the 2013 estimate for comparison purposes (Table 2), the results indicate that the tonnage and gold ounces contained in the previous 2013 overall combined Measured and Indicated (M&I) resource have been reduced by 29% and the average gold grade by 4% to 0.97 gram per tonne (gpt). Within this higher grade portion of the resource, the oxidized and transition M&I resource has been reduced by 31% and the average gold grade by 2% to 0.89 gpt. The fresh rock (sulphide) M&I resource has been reduced by 28% and the average gold grade by 6% to 1.04 gpt. It should be noted that approximately one third of the reduction in resources is related to the impact of the flood plains, environmentally sensitive areas, and resource areas being set aside for the benefit of local artisanal miners. Most of these resources were already excluded from the reserves as part of the 2015 feasibility study. The remaining two-thirds of the reduction in resources can be attributed to the changes in the model and methodology. The 2016 estimate is more conservative than the 2013 estimate due the Company's re-interpretation of the mineralized domains coupled with restrictions on the grade modeling of the low grade domains. This resulted in the exclusion of all mineralization (both higher and lower grade) located outside of the envelopes. In other words, there remains mineralization in the waste domain that is unaccounted for in the 2016 resource statement. The Company has instructed RPA to review this mineralization so that it can potentially be included in the reserve update and next mine plan. Table 1 - 2016 Mineral Resources Statement for the Bombore Deposit, Burkina Faso, West Africa Measured Mineral Resource Indicated Mineral Resource Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource Inferred Mineral Resource Cutoff Tonnes Grade Gold Tonnes Grade Gold Tonnes Grade Gold Tonnes Grade Gold Material Type gpt Mt gpt koz Mt gpt koz Mt gpt koz Mt gpt koz Oxide+Tran HG 0.45 16.3 0.98 514 30.7 0.85 840 47.08 0.89 1,355 0.99 0.76 24 Oxide+Tran LG 0.20 to 0.45 15.8 0.33 169 38.7 0.33 411 54.49 0.33 580 1.51 0.33 16 Total Oxide+Tran 0.20 32.1 0.66 683 69.4 0.56 1,252 101.57 0.59 1,935 2.50 0.50 40 Fresh HG 0.50 6.7 1.07 232 49.1 1.04 1,638 55.81 1.04 1,870 15.92 0.89 457 Fresh LG 0.38 to 0.5 1.7 0.44 24 12.9 0.43 180 14.57 0.43 204 5.84 0.44 82 Total Fresh 0.38 8.4 0.95 256 62.0 0.91 1,818 70.39 0.92 2,074 21.77 0.77 539 Total HG 23.0 1.01 746 79.8 0.97 2,478 102.89 0.97 3,224 16.91 0.88 481 Total LG 17.5 0.34 192 51.5 0.36 591 69.06 0.35 784 7.35 0.41 98 Total HG+LG 40.6 0.72 939 131.4 0.73 3,069 171.95 0.73 4,008 24.26 0.74 579 Notes: 1. CIM definitions were followed for Mineral Resources. 2. HG indicates material above the higher grade cut-offs, LG indicates low grade material between the high grade and breakeven cut-off grades. 3. Mineral Resources are estimated at variable cut-off grades depending on weathering layer and location. 4. Mineral Resources are estimated using a long-term gold price of US$1,400 per ounce. 5. A minimum mining width of approximately 3 m was used. 6. Bulk density vary by material type. 6. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. 7. Numbers may not add due to rounding. 8. The effective date of this Mineral Resource statement is September 7, 2016. Table 2 - Comparison Table of 2016 to 2013 Mineral Resource Estimates at Similar Cut-off Grades Measured Mineral Resource Indicated Mineral Resource Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource Inferred Mineral Resource Cutoff Tonnes Grade Gold Tonnes Grade Gold Tonnes Grade Gold Tonnes Grade Gold gpt Mt gpt Koz Mt gpt Koz Mt gpt Koz Mt gpt Koz 2013 Oxide+Trans 0.45 38.9 0.94 1,174 28.3 0.87 789 67.2 0.91 1,964 6.4 0.92 189 2016 Oxide+Trans 0.45 16.3 0.98 514 30.7 0.85 840 47.1 0.89 1,355 1.0 0.76 24 Difference (22.6 ) 0.04 (660 ) 2.5 (0.02 ) 51 (20.1 ) (0.01 ) (609 ) (5.4 ) (0.16 ) (164 ) Percent Difference -58 % 4 % -56 % 9 % -2 % 6 % -30 % -2 % -31 % -85 % -17 % -87 % Total 2013 Fresh 0.50 44.1 1.03 1,456 28.6 1.24 1,142 72.7 1.11 2,598 12.1 1.38 534 Total 2016 Fresh 0.50 6.7 1.07 232 49.1 1.04 1,638 55.8 1.04 1,870 15.9 0.89 457 Difference (37.4 ) 0.05 (1,224 ) 20.5 (0.21 ) 496 (16.9 ) (0.07 ) (728 ) 3.9 (0.49 ) (78 ) Percent Difference -85 % 5 % -84 % 72 % -17 % 43 % -23 % -6 % -28 % 32 % -35 % -15 % Total 2013 All Layers 83.0 0.99 2,630 56.8 1.06 1,931 139.9 1.01 4,561 18.4 1.22 723 Total 2016 All Layers 23.0 1.01 746 79.8 0.97 2,478 102.9 0.97 3,224 16.9 0.88 481 Difference (60.0 ) 0.02 (1,884 ) 23.0 (0.09 ) 547 (37.0 ) (0.04 ) (1,337 ) (1.5 ) (0.34 ) (242 ) Percent Difference -72 % 2 % -72 % 40 % -9 % 28 % -26 % -4 % -29 % -8 % -28 % -33 % Notes: A subset of the Mineral Resource is reported to compare to the 2013 model which was reported at a 0.45 gpt Au for oxide and transition material and 0.50 gpt Au for fresh material. The Company plans to work with RPA to update the Mineral Reserves in order to review and revise the 2015 Phase 1 feasibility study as soon as possible in order to determine the actual impact on the reserves and the next stage of development for the project. "We consider that the 2016 methodology and results are conservative for this type of deposit," stated Ron Little, CEO for Orezone. "The 2013 resource estimate was based on the geological understanding of the Company at that time and employed a methodology that generally would be deemed suitable to the wide shear zone, low-grade disseminated style of mineralization at Bombore. As a result of the change in the model and methodology, there is mineralized material above cut-off grade that is no longer captured by the new envelopes but occurs within the resource pit. Therefore, we may eventually realize a tonnage and grade during future mining operations that falls between the two resource estimates. Both resource statements are estimates, performed by well-known and well regarded Qualified Persons, working with Orezone, using best practices and the information available at that time." The Bombore project still benefits from a large oxide and sulphide resource that allows for flexibility and potential expansion of the process facility. The resource still remains open at depth and for the most part along strike. The Company is planning further drilling for infill, expansion, and model testing purposes starting in October 2016. Part of the focus of this drilling is to define and upgrade the mineralization that is currently unclassified and occurs within the resource pit limits. This drilling will generally be shallow and designed to demonstrate the ability to upgrade resources by expanding grade domains and to test areas that have been previously identified as prospective but are presently excluded from the current estimate. The 2016 estimation methodology: The methodology included estimating the grade in two principal grade domains, a higher grade +0.45 gpt domain (the core of mineralization) and a lower grade 0.2 to 0.45 gpt domain (the lower grade halo around the core). The grade of each domain (or envelope) was estimated using only the composited assays that occur within each envelope and thereby there was a hard boundary between each domain. The 2013 estimation methodology: The Company worked with SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. to produce the 2013 resource model which included the definition of the higher grade domains at +0.5 gpt wireframe envelope and the Company created a lithological model that was used to constrain the low-grade gold domains. SRK estimated block grades inside the higher grade domains using only those composited samples located within that domain. The block grades inside the lower grade domains were constrained by lithological wireframes and were assigned a grade based on composites from that domain as well as composites from nearby higher grade domains within a certain distance. This ensured grade continuity of the higher grade zones while overcoming software limitations at that time. In this process, the lower grade domains could be described as having a hybrid or semi-hard boundary between the higher grade and lower grade domains. Domains identified as waste were not estimated. The Company appoints a new non-executive Chairman With the requirement to focus on updating the technical and economic aspects of the project, the Company is pleased to announce that Patrick Downey, a director since 2011, will become non-executive Chairman, replacing Mike Halvorson who has been an active board member and significant Orezone shareholder for over 18 years. As stated by Mr. Halvorson to the board, "Patrick has all the right mining skills and experience to ensure the project is diligently reassessed, the feasibility updated and can play a significant role with management in rebuilding investor confidence." Mr. Downey has had similar successes with Viceroy Resources, Elgin Mining and Claude Resources, and is an active board member on other well advanced development projects. Ron Little, CEO for Orezone added, "that he welcomes Patrick's involvement and determination in this new role, and would like to recognize and thank Mike for his long term dedication to the company and the mentoring of management over all of these years. We look forward to his continued support and advice as an independent member of the board." Mr. Downey commented that, "after having just completed a detailed review of the resource statement and the two methodologies with management and its consultants, I remain a strong advocate for the potential of this project and look forward to getting the development of a mine back on track." The Company will hold a conference call and webcast at 11am EDT on Thursday September 8, 2016, to discuss the resource estimate and the Company's future plans. Calls in details are as follows: Participant call in numbers: North American Toll-Free: 1-800-698-6162 Toll Number: 1-303-223-4388 Log on to https://cc.callinfo.com/r/1wej9wn3b4de3&eom to view the presentation in real-time. Tim Miller, SME and COO, Pascal Marquis, PGeo and SVP and Ron Little, PEng and CEO of Orezone, are Qualified Persons under National Instrument 43-101 and have reviewed the information in this release. Readers should refer to the annual information form of Orezone for the year ended December 31, 2015 and other continuous disclosure documents filed by Orezone since January 1, 2016 available at www.sedar.com, for this detailed information, which is subject to the qualifications and notes set forth therein. Qualified Person - Mineral Resources: The 2016 Mineral Resources disclosed in this press release have been prepared under the supervision of Reno Pressacco, P.Geo. and Tudorel Ciuculescu, P.Geo., both employees of RPA and independent of Orezone. By virtue of their education and relevant experience, Messrs. Pressacco and Ciuculescu are "Qualified Persons" for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101. The Mineral Resources have been classified in accordance with CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (May, 2014). Messrs. Pressacco and Ciuculescu have read and approved the contents of this press release as it pertains to the disclosed Mineral Resource estimate. A National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days. About Orezone Gold Corporation Orezone is a Canadian company with a successful track record of gold discoveries and mine development experience in Burkina Faso, West Africa. The Company owns a 100% interest in Bombore, one of the largest and permitted undeveloped oxide gold deposit in West Africa, situated 85 km east of the capital city, adjacent to an international highway. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential", "possible" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "will", "could", or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding, among others; completion by RPA an updated NI43-101 resource statement within 45 days, the Company completing additional drilling for infill, expansion and model testing purposes and to potentially upgrade resources by expanding grade envelopes, and that the Company will review and assess the impact of the revised resources and reserves on Phase 1 of the project feasibility economics to determine the next stage of development for the project. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release. This news release also contains estimates of Mineral Resources. The estimation of Mineral Resources is inherently uncertain and involves subjective judgments about many relevant factors. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The accuracy of any such estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data, and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation by qualified persons, which may prove to be unreliable, subject to dispute, and depend, to a certain extent, upon the methodology used and the analysis of drilling results and statistical inferences. Mineral Resource estimates may have to be re-estimated based on, among other things: (i) fluctuations in metal or mineral prices; (ii) results of drilling; (iii) results of metallurgical testing and other studies; (iv) changes to proposed mining operations; (v) the evaluation of mine plans subsequent to the date of any estimates; (vi) the possible failure to receive required permits, approvals or licences, or changes in the terms and conditions of any such permits, approvals or licences; and (vii) changes in methodology. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 8, 2016) - Arctic Star Exploration Corp., (TSXV: ADD) ("Arctic Star" or the "Company") announces that it has been informed by North Arrow Resources, the Optionee to the Redemption Diamond Exploration property in the Lac De Gras area NT, that it has elected not to complete the option. The property therefore reverts back to Arctic Star 100%. Arctic Star wishes to take this opportunity to thank North Arrow for its professional and extensive work over the last three years where they spent approx. $4 million concentrating on drill testing numerous geophysical anomalies. The source of the diamond indicator trains in the area remains illusive. Arctic will wait to receive all the materials from North Arrow before deciding on any further exploration. For further information on this release or other projects that Arctic Star has please visit www.arcticstar.ca or contact the Company at info@arcticstar.ca or 604-689-1799. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ARCTIC STAR EXPLORATION CORP. Patrick Power Patrick Power, President Forward Looking Statements: This news release contains "forward-looking statements" including but not limited to statements with respect to Arctic Star's plans, the estimation of a mineral resource and the success of exploration activities. Forward-looking statements, while based on management's best estimates and assumptions, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to the successful integration of acquisitions; risks related to general economic and market conditions; closing of financing; the timing and content of upcoming work programs; actual results of proposed exploration activities; possible variations in mineral resources or grade; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry; changes in national and local government regulation of mining operations, tax rules and regulations. Although Arctic Star has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Arctic Star undertakes no obligation or responsibility to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law. 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. VANCOUVER, Sept. 8, 2016 - NovaCopper Inc. (TSX, NYSE-MKT: NCQ) ("NovaCopper" or the "Company") announced today that the Company has changed its corporate name to Trilogy Metals Inc. and its shares will commence trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE-MKT under the new name and ticker symbol "TMQ" upon the opening of the markets todaySee the Company's new website at www.trilogymetals.com.NovaCopper has changed its corporate name to Trilogy Metals Inc. ("Trilogy") to better reflect the diversity of minerals at the Company's 100%-owned Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects. The Company's new website is www.trilogymetals.com and our new twitter handle is @trilogy_metals.The name change was approved by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting held on May 18, 2016 and subsequently approved by both the Toronto Stock Exchange and NYSE-MKT. The Company's common shares will commence trading on both stock exchanges under the new ticker symbol "TMQ" upon the opening of the markets today. The CUSIP number assigned to the Company's shares following the name change is 89621C105 (ISIN: CA89621C1059). No action is required by stockholders with respect to the name change. Outstanding stock certificates are not affected by the name change and will not need to be exchanged. Certain changes in CUSIP number may cause a temporary interruption in electronic trading in the United States and/or with the Depository Trust Company. The Company encourages any concerns in this regard to be directed to the shareholder's broker or agent.The Company's CEO and CFO will be attending the following conferences during the month of September. Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, the Company's President and CEO will be presenting at all three conferences. Our corporate presentation and a replay of any broadcast will be made available on our website at www.trilogymetals.com/investorcenter/events. We look forward to meeting with you at the conference.September 11-13, 2016 Rodman & Renshaw Global Investment Conference in New Yorkeptember 14-16, 2016 Precious Metals Summit, Colorado in Beaver CreekSeptember 26-28, 2016 Mines and Money Americas in TorontoTrilogy Metals Inc., formerly NovaCopper Inc. is a metals exploration company focused on exploring and developing the Ambler mining district located in northwestern Alaska. It is one of the richest and most-prospective known copper-dominant districts located in one of the safest geopolitical jurisdictions in the world. It hosts world-class polymetallic VMS deposits that contain copper, zinc, lead, gold and silver, and carbonate replacement deposits which have been found to host high grade copper mineralization. Exploration efforts have been focused on two deposits in the Ambler mining district - the Arctic VMS deposit and the Bornite carbonate replacement deposit. Both deposits are located within the Company's land package that spans approximately 143,000 hectares. The Company has an agreement with NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., a Regional Alaska Native Corporation that provides a framework for the exploration and potential development of the Ambler mining district in cooperation with local communities. Our vision is to develop the Ambler mining district into a premier North American copper producer.This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements including but not limited to anticipated activities at the UKMP, achieving a pre-feasibility level of study at some point in the future, and the advancement of the AMDIAP. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include the uncertainties involving the need for additional financing to explore and develop properties and availability of financing in the debt and capital markets; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results and geological tests and the estimation of reserves and resources; the need for cooperation of government agencies and native groups in the development and operation of properties and infrastructure; the need to obtain permits and governmental approvals; risks of construction and mining projects such as accidents, equipment breakdowns, bad weather, non-compliance with environmental and permit requirements, unanticipated variation in geological structures, metal grades or recovery rates; unexpected cost increases, which could include significant increases in estimated capital and operating costs; fluctuations in metal prices and currency exchange rates; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2015 filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and in other NovaCopper reports and documents filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time. The Company's forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.Trilogy Contacts:Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, President & Chief Executive Officerrickvann@trilogymetals.com;Elaine Sanders, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, elaine.sanders@trilogymetals.com604-638-8088 or 1-855-638-8088 VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Sept. 8, 2016) - THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. NEWS AGENCIES Asante Gold Corp. (CSE:ASE) (FRANKFURT:1A9) (OTCBB:ASGOF) ("Asante" or the "Company") announces that it has reached agreement with Sikasante Mining Company Limited of Accra, Ghana ("Sikasante") to earn up to a 100% interest in its Keyhole Gold Project in Ghana. The Keyhole area is surrounded by Asante's Ashanti II Gold project, (please see news release: http://www.asantegold.com/news/asante-gold-acquires-kubi-mining-leases-and-eight-prospecting-licenses-in-ghana and map at http://www.asantegold.com/assets/img/goldentristruckeyhole.jpg ) and is strategically located at the intersection of three major regional gold mineralized trends: the Asankrangwa Gold Belt which hosts ~11 million ounces* of gold resources at the Asanko Gold Mine (formerly known as PMI Gold Corp.'s Obotan Mine), and Esaase gold projects located 36km and 60km respectively to the northeast; a major continental scale basement structure noted on regional aeromagnetic surveys which is spatially related to the 66 million ounce* AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine and the 7.6 million ounce* Newmont Akyem Mine, located 57km and 130km to the east northeast; and the north trending Ankobra River lineament and its extensions which connects 90km to the south the +60 million ounces total resource* gold mines at Bogosu, Prestea and Tarkwa operated by Goldenstar, AngloGold Ashanti, and Goldfields, with Newmont's 15.3 million ounce* Ahafo Mine 100km to the north. (*past production plus current resources). New Opportunity - Keyhole Gold Project becomes available Over the last 40 years a 6km long stretch of the Ankobra River in the Keyhole area has been the subject of intensive local alluvial mining and blocked for large scale mining licenses. The alluvial gold resources have largely been exhausted and/or are unworkable resulting in the area being opened for staking for the first time since the early 1980's. Sikasante controls two contiguous reconnaissance licences, the northern Sraha license and the southern Ayiem license, which is in the final stages of being issued, covering a combined area of 2.52 sq. km (the "Keyhole Gold Project"). (See map at: http://www.asantegold.com/assets/img/nr8sep16keyholedetail.jpg) To our knowledge no modern drilling has occurred in the Keyhole area. In order to further define targets for drilling, Asante is proposing 80 line km of geophysical induced polarization ("IP") surveying to cover the entire Keyhole and adjacent areas targeting the main Asankrangwa shear zone, the heavily mined alluvial areas and the multiple intersections of the major regional structures. In addition an initial program of 1200m of drilling is also planned to test the old MEM showing workings. These programs are subject to the completion of a working capital financing by Asante. Historical grab samples of quartz reef dump material from artisanal shafts at the MEM workings were reported to have visible gold with grades to 49.3g/t Au and underground sampling results over 8 metre reef widths to 25g/t Au (Junner, Gold Coast Geological Survey,1933). The prospect was also sampled in 1993 by the BGR (Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources of Germany) returning values in dump samples of 54, 12, 1.9, and 11.4g/t Au (Hirdes et al, 1993). Sampling in 1998 by Nevsun Resources (Ghana) Ltd. of 4 quartz vein samples, returned 1.84, 23.05, 2.67 and 0.14g/t Au (Juabo Concession Exploration report, 1998). Drilling completed by Nevsun in 1998 in the Juabo granite area, now a part of the Ashanti II concessions, 1km to the north and west of the Keyhole on a secondary structure sub parallel to the main Asankrangwa shear, gave best results to 4m @ 16.0g/t Au; 4m @ 6.88g/t Au; 6m @ 4.67g/t Au, with Nevsun concluding that "A significant strike length of this anomalous horizon remains to be tested. It is still possible that further interpretative work and limited field work, in the form of soil sampling and trenching, may define a zone of appreciable gold mineralization." Due to the subdued topography, the extensive alluvial cover, heavy weathering and laterization of the local terrane, non quartz vein type auriferous sulfide bearing ores would not be expected to outcrop in surface showings and hence may have escaped detection to date by the usual direct prospecting and soil geochemical methods. Test IP survey lines completed by Adansi Gold for PMI Gold Corp. in 2008 noted anomalous high IP results 800m to the north on the border of the Keyhole and the Ashanti II concessions and another 400m to the east of the MEM showing, and suggest possible sulfide mineralization. Sulfide concentrations in this gold enriched and structurally favourable Keyhole area are considered to be prime drill targets. In order to earn up to a 50% interest in the Keyhole Gold Project, Asante has agreed to issue to Sikasante 250,000 shares in its capital stock on final issuance of the Ayiem license to Sikasante and receipt by Sikasante of all necessary permits required to commence a drilling program, and to complete $500,000 in work over the next four years. Asante may earn an additional 50% interest by reserving for Sikasante a 2% net smelter returns royalty (the "Sika NSR Royalty"), and on the assignment of the Sikasante licenses to Asante (subject to the consent of the Minister of Lands, Forestry and Mines) a final payment of 1 million shares in the capital stock of Asante. Sikasante and the Company are related by one common director. All negotiations and final terms of agreement have been approved by a Special Committee of the Directors of Asante. Douglas R. MacQuarrie, President & CEO states, "The Keyhole has been a key acquisition target since the Keyhole-Obuasi-Akyem structure was outlined in the first modern airborne magnetic survey which I co-commissioned with Bob Quartermain in 1994. The World Class gold mineralization at Obuasi is at the intersection of this EW structure with the transition zone between volcanic belt/basin sediments and strong northerly linears. In my opinion, there is a striking structural similarity in the Keyhole area for the development of Ashanti Obuasi type deep seated gold mineralization amenable to large scale underground mining. The widespread gold in the alluvial cover, the strong gold 'sniffs' in nearby drilling and in the MEM showing, strongly suggest that sulfide concentrations at or near major structural intersections will be auriferous. We look forward to drilling MEM and commencing the IP survey as soon as funding is sourced." Benjamin Gulilat, Managing Director of Sikasante states, "An incredible amount of effort since 2012 went into acquiring the exploration rights to the Keyhole Gold Project. We look forward to working with Asante to prove our theory that large scale gold mineralization may underlie the alluvial mined area. With exploration success we will be able to provide much needed employment and assist the local community in rehabilitating the land for agricultural use. We thank the Minerals Commission of Ghana and all our Ghanaian associates for their assistance." On behalf of the Board, Douglas R. MacQuarrie, President and CEO Scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Douglas R. MacQuarrie, P.Geo. (B.C.) Geology & Geophysics, the President and CEO of the Company, who is a "qualified person" under NI 43-101. Investors are cautioned that final closing of the Kubi, Ashanti II concessions, Betenase and Keyhole options are dependent on additional governmental renewals, approvals and consents, which though expected, may or may not be ultimately obtained. About Asante Gold Corporation Asante Gold Corp. is a Vancouver based gold company, developing the Kubi Gold Project as a potential near term 500tpd underground mine; and exploring the Betanase, Fahiakoba, Keyhole and Ashanti II concessions all adjoining or on strike with major gold mines near the centre of Ghana's Golden Triangle. Asante is currently sourcing debt, equity or joint venture financing to advance Kubi to a production decision and for exploration working capital. Additional information is available on our web site at: www.asantegold.com Neither IIROC nor any stock exchange or other securities regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FILE - In this Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016, file photo, the newly-restored rotunda inside of the Capitol dome is finally clear of scaffolding following lengthy repairs and restoration, on Capitol Hill in Washington, as Congress returns. With Congress back at work, small business owners are hoping issues they care about like tax reform or health care will bet some attention. However, they may be left waiting. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) SHARE By JOYCE M. ROSENBERG, AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) With Congress back at work, small business owners are hoping issues they care about like tax reform or health care will get some attention. They may be left waiting a while. Most of the focus this fall will likely be on the presidential race and other elections. Both houses of Congress are in session during September, then leave for campaigning. They have four scheduled weeks of work starting Nov. 14 in what's known as a lame duck session, but how much lawmakers accomplish then may depend on the results of the presidential voting and which party controls the House and Senate. "There will be a lot of things that will be kicked down the road, and that just continues to cause more uncertainty and unpredictability for small businesses," says Karen Kerrigan, president of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council. Meanwhile, small business groups want to see how much attention their wish list gets from the presidential campaigns of Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump. THE CONGRESSIONAL AGENDA Kerrigan is optimistic about some bills that have support from both parties, including legislation that would let small businesses offer employees Health Reimbursement Arrangements, or company-funded savings accounts that staffers can use to pay medical bills. HRAs became illegal under the health care overhaul. The bill has passed the House. Another measure with bipartisan support that Kerrigan says has a chance of passing would modify online crowdfunding investment that became legal in May. The bill, which has been approved by the House, would raise the total that a company can raise from individual investors to $5 million from $1 million. It also would allow a fund known as a special-purpose vehicle or single-purpose vehicle to buy shares on behalf of a group of individual investors. That would make crowdfunding more attractive to venture capital or private equity funds that invest on behalf of others. Some legislation could pass by being attached to appropriations bills that will be the priority during the lame duck session, says Todd McCracken, CEO of the National Small Business Association. The NSBA is hoping Congress reauthorizes the Small Business Innovation Research program, under which companies can participate in projects to develop technology products for the government. The program must be authorized by 2017 to continue funding projects, but advocacy groups want Congress to act this year so it doesn't fall through the cracks during what's expected to be a busy legislative session next year. The group also wants Congress to approve President Barack Obama's nominee to the board of directors of the Export-Import Bank, an agency that makes and guarantees loans so U.S. companies can export their goods. Three of the five board seats are vacant, and without a quorum, the bank cannot make loans over $10 million. Obama nominated Mark McWatters, who has held a variety of federal and Texas state government positions, to fill the seat, but the nomination has stalled in the Senate Banking Committee. The National Federation of Independent Business wants lawmakers to amend federal regulations including rules taking effect Dec. 1 that require an estimated 4.2 million workers to be given overtime pay, spokesman Jack Mozloom says. In an NSBA survey of business owners released Wednesday about the issues they want Congress and the president to address first, just over a fifth mentioned reducing the national deficit, and 19 percent said they should end partisan gridlock and work together. Fourteen percent mentioned simplifying the tax system, and 11 percent want health care costs addressed. The survey questioned more than 1,000 owners, including members and non-members of NSBA, from July 22 to Aug. 3. WHAT THE CANDIDATES SAY Although much of the focus of the presidential campaign has been on the candidates' personalities, they have made spoken about some issues that affect small business. Clinton has released proposals including: A standard deduction for expenses similar to the ones available to individual taxpayers. She also wants to increase the equipment and property tax deduction known as the Section 179 deduction to $1 million from the current $500,000. An expansion of the small business tax credit under the health overhaul to include employers with up to 50 employees, up from the current 25. Reducing regulations that limit small business lending by community banks and credit unions. Trump's proposals include: A 15 percent maximum tax on business income. A review of all regulations on businesses with an eye to eliminating the least critical to health and safety, and regulations including Environmental Protection Agency rules covering streams on private land. Renegotiating the 22-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement and withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is awaiting approval from Congress. Small business advocates say they'd like to see more details from both candidates. The National Federation of Independent Business wants to know whether business owners whose companies don't pay corporate taxes partnerships and sole proprietors might also see their rates fall, Mozloom says. WHAT TO DO IN THE MEANTIME? Surveys this spring showed small business owners were scaling back expansion and hiring plans, in part because of uncertainty about the election. But there won't be a new Congress and administration until January, meaning owners could be in limbo. "They're in a holding pattern, waiting to see what's going to happen," Mozloom says. Depending on the election results, slow progress on small business issues could last into in 2017. Owners might want to consider just moving ahead, says John Arensmeyer, CEO of the Small Business Majority. "I don't think they should be waiting around to make business decision based on who's going to get elected," he says. _____ Follow Joyce Rosenberg at www.twitter.com/JoyceMRosenberg . Her work can be found here: http://bigstory.ap.org/content/joyce-m-rosenberg Ngan Ho/Standard-Times Dina Ghanima, 29, of Iraq, received her naturalization certificate in Wednesdays ceremony. SHARE By Ngan Ho Forty-one people from all walks of life who originated from nine countries gathered inside the San Angelo federal court building for a ceremony to culminate their efforts to become American citizens. Friends and family members holding flowers and balloons and waving small American flags packed together inside the courtroom alongside the applicants to witness the naturalization of their loved ones Wednesday morning on the second floor of the O.C. Fisher Federal Building, 33 E. Twohig Ave. It was the second-largest naturalization ceremony held in San Angelo in seven years, said Daina Schwartz, deputy district clerk, adding that the biggest she had seen in her time working at the courthouse was about 55 people. Visiting Judge Hal R. Ray Jr., of Wichita Falls, presided over the service, which began about 10 a.m. and lasted more than an hour. Recognized guests were San Angelo Police Chief Frank Carter and Goodfellow Air Force Bases 17th Training Wing Commander Col. Michael Downs. Brigid Oman, an immigration service officer from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services with the Department of Homeland Security, briefed the applicants beforehand on procedures of the naturalization process. Nearing the end of her briefing Oman conducting her first naturalization service in San Angelo almost began to cry when she told the attendees in a stuttered voice that she empathizes with them because her parents are immigrants. The crowd began to applaud. Flor Clarisa Dominguez, 19, the youngest to be naturalized Wednesday, drove from Brownwood to San Angelo with her family to attend. Im feeling excited because I never thought I would be able to end up becoming a citizen, Dominguez said. Everyone would tell me that it would be a better opportunity to become one, and well, I took this opportunity. Dominguez, who gave birth to a girl about a month ago and has a 1-year-old daughter, said she took and passed the citizenship test in San Antonio in June. She said acquiring her citizenship means better employment opportunities. 41 people from 9 countries pledged allegiance to the United States and became naturalized citizens Wednesday morning pic.twitter.com/gAQDh02b53 NGAN HO (@Ngany) September 7, 2016 Midway through the naturalization ceremony, Judge Ray asked the 41 applicants to stand up as he called out their countries of origin: the Czech Republic, Guatemala, India, Iraq, Kuwait, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam and Mexico. Thirty-three of the men and women are from Mexico, and one individual represented each of the remaining countries. Dina Ghanima, 29, an operations manager at Sitel, came to the U.S. in 2010 and moved to San Angelo from California. Ghanima, originally from Iraq, said acquiring her American citizenship is about safety. Traveling all across, going through everything we went through, the war, all the things we have been through, finally to feel that youre safe, that you have that safety factor in your life, is what compelled me to apply, Ghanima said. Dina Ghanima, 29, of Iraq, received her naturalization certificate. She said it has been a long journey but worth it pic.twitter.com/NxaCJkAneP NGAN HO (@Ngany) September 7, 2016 Being a naturalized U.S. citizen means she can travel anywhere in the world knowing that she has a home and a support system in America, she said. You can wake up in the morning knowing that other than whatever God has for you that youre going to be safe throughout the day, she said. Theres no fear of whats going to happen next am I going to get killed, am I going to get kidnapped, whats going to happen? I think those are a lot the things that people take for granted normally, but they are not taken for granted by everyone. SHARE By Staff Report The first of three installments of the Angelo State University Department of History's Great War Centennial Commemoration Lecture Series is Sept. 15. Charles Endress, ASU distinguished professor of history emeritus, will discuss the military history of World War I in his presentation, "The Sharp End: The Front Line Soldier on the Western Front in the Great War." The lecture will be at 7 p.m. in the Houston Harte University Center's C.J. Davidson Conference Center, 1910 Rosemont Drive, and is free to the public. The other two events in the series this fall are: 7 p.m. Oct. 27: "The War Poets: British Poetry and the Impact of the Great War." Mark Hama, ASU professor of English, will discuss how the Great War influenced poetry and literature. 7 p.m. Nov. 29: "Wristwatches, Intelligence Tests and Hemingway: The Cultural Impact of World War I on America." Jennifer Keene, chair of the History Department at Chapman University in Orange, California, will discuss the cultural impact of the Great War on American life. SHARE By Randy Lewis, Los Angeles Times (TNS) LOS ANGELESThe mission, from the day Star Trek premiered on Americas televisions on Sept. 8, 1966, was ambitious: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before. Where did Gene Roddenberrys TV series go to find that world? Often as not, it was a piece of alien-looking geology right here in Southern California amid the jagged, sandstone boulders of Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park, a Santa Clarita Valley desertscape of prehistoric waves, frozen in time, that has done star turns in Hollywood productions since the 1930s. Its where Capt. James T. Kirk famously battled a seemingly indestructible green lizard called a Gorn in the episode titled Arena, and it represented planet Capella IV, where Kirk and Dr. McCoy helped an Amazon-like Queen give birth to a warrior prince in Fridays Child. Star Trek fans can recall Kirk staring in confused wonder as one of the loves of his life, Ruth, inexplicably emerges among the rocks on planet Omicron Delta, ostensibly many light years from Earth, in Shore Leave. In the same episode, Kirk engages in a rough-and-tumble brawl around the rocks distinctive angles and crevasses with a trouble-making upperclassman who used to taunt him at Star Fleet Academy. Probably equally important as its otherworldly topography, Vasquez Rocks, just off the Antelope Valley Freeway en route to Palmdale, sit just at the edge of whats known as the Thirty Mile Zone, a radius around Hollywood in which union actors and technical crew can report for work before pay premiums kick in and jack up the costs of production. That has made it a favorite location for film and TV directors for decades, going back to Saturday-morning westerns of the 1920s and 30s such as The Texas Ranger in 1931 and The Girl and the Bandit in 1939 through latter-day productions shot there including the 1994 film version of The Flintstones and The Big Bang Theory. Roddenberry and the Star Trek family quickly zeroed in on Vasquez Rocks so named for a late-19th century bandit who used the rocks as his hideout, Tiburcio Vasquez (a name tantalizingly close to Capt. James T. Kirks famous middle name, Tiberius). The area made its series debut during Star Treks first season in the whimsical Shore Leave, about a planet where the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise encounter all sorts of fantastic characters and situations that turn out to be the products of an extraterrestrial amusement park. Call it Deep Space Disneyland. The appeal of Vasquez Rocks as an alien environment is immediately apparent to anyone who visits the park, just off the Antelope Valley Freeway south of the town of Agua Dulce. Slabs of rock stretch skyward at steep angles out of the dirt and scrub brush to create dramatic formations seen in more than 200 films and television shows. Its a production set that took shape 25 million years ago with volcanic activity virtually on top of the San Andreas Fault, at the juncture of the North American and Pacific tectonic plates. The tallest peak among the Vasquez Rocks juts up 150 above the canyon floor, but thats just the tip of the tip of this rocky berg, which extends an extra 22,000 feet into the earth below. Over the last 50 years, the site has also been used for episodes of the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Enterprise as well as the films, including Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country and J.J. Abrams 2009 Star Trek reboot, where Vasquez Rocks served as part of the landscape for the planet Vulcan, in homage to the sites recurring use in the original show. A modest gift shop in the Vasquez Rocks Park Interpretive Center points to the Star Trek connection with a Starfleet Command/United Federation of Planets refrigerator magnet and a selection of tunic insignias for the different service positions (command, science, medical). A large number of people who visit Vasquez Rocks do ask about Star Trek people from all over the world, said Kaye Michelson, acting public information officer for the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation. The one scene in particular most of them ask about is the scene with Capt. Kirk and the Gorn. The locations history as a backdrop for so many movie and TV westerns among them the Lone Ranger, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Maverick, Blazing Saddles, The Wild, Wild West and Kung Fu made it a natural fit as a site for Star Trek, which Roddenberry originally pitched to NBC-TV execs as Wagon Train to the stars. One irony about Vasquez Rocks as a favorite location for westerns is that 2,500 years ago, it was home to the Tataviam band of Shoshone Indians, who referred to themselves as People Facing the Sun. (The last full-blooded Tataviam tribe member, Juan Jose Fustero, died in 1921, about the time the center of the film industry shifted from New York to Hollywood.) In more recent times, Vasquez Rocks have served as the backdrop in episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Monk and even Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. In this years Joel and Ethan Coen film Hail, Caesar! a western scene is shot at Vasquez Rocks as a nod to all the cowboy films shot there in the past. And geek-centric The Big Bang Theory chose to film an episode there in homage to the locations previous use in Star Trek. Vasquez Rocks attract hikers and rock climbers, but also remain highly evocative to Trek fans who recall Kirks life-and-death battle against the tacky but still menacing green dinosaur-like Gorn. And its less than an hours drive from downtown Los Angeles by way of the Golden State and Antelope Valley freeways, barely .000000000002 of a parsec away. 2016 Los Angeles Times Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. SHARE Depending on which political prognosticators you listen to, Latinos won't show up at the polls this November either because the presidential candidates aren't palatable or because Latinos just don't vote. Both of these scenarios are plausible and neither is good for democracy in a country where Hispanics represent a steadily increasing percentage of the population. It's no secret that a lot of Hispanics who are eligible to vote have been turned off by the Republican candidate because of his strident anti-Latino rhetoric and hard-line views on curbing illegal immigration. But that doesn't guarantee that those who are eligible will automatically cast a vote for Hillary Clinton when the time comes. In early August, Chuck Rocha, the founder of Solidarity Strategies, a political consulting firm that focuses on Latinos, reiterated the issue of underfunded Latino voter-mobilization efforts: "We work with a majority of the Latino nonprofits in the country, and everyone's budgets and fundraising for registration efforts are significantly less than four years ago. We just got money to register 20,000 Latinos in North Carolina. We got the contract yesterday. We needed it three months ago." Part of the problem is surely that Democratic-leaning organizations are assuming that Latino voters are so scared of the pain that a Donald Trump presidency might bring on them and their families that they will be highly motivated to vote in November. That's not necessarily the case. Untold numbers of commentators, journalists, data scientists and advocacy groups have, for years, been talking about waking the "sleeping giant" and unleashing the power of Hispanics in electoral politics. Anyone remember the March 2012 Time magazine cover proclaiming "Yo Decido" "I decide"? In fact, Latinos did not turn out in as high a number as expected for the last election their participation dropped from 49.9 percent in 2008 to 48 percent in 2012, according to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. NALEO recently reported that 27.3 million Hispanics will be eligible to vote this November but projected that only 13.1 million or less than half will actually cast ballots. Leaders from advocacy organizations tell me all the time that this is due to underinvestment in long-term get-out-the-vote efforts and not because of some inborn apathy or the common stereotype that because some Hispanics come from Latin American countries where their ballots truly don't count, voting is not an ingrained activity. There's certainly some bit of truth to this. But not enough to dissuade those at the Washington-based "Tell Them to Vote" campaign, which is aimed at getting Latin Americans to encourage their U.S.-citizen relatives to vote in the upcoming election. Still, it should surprise no one that Latinos won't come out as long as they are not valued as voters, are not courted over the long haul similarly to other special interest groups and are either taken for granted or vilified. "What happens during elections is that organizations come in at the last minute with a lot of money targeting the Latino vote," labor leader Dolores Huerta told me in an interview. "It's very hard to get the large organizations to invest in grass roots organizations (that have the most pull with geographically localized voters) because people want to see quick outcomes, and it takes time and patience to build a base." Huerta said that Latinos have been pivotal in winning lower-ballot elections and in deciding high-profile propositions for decades. But she believes Hispanics' impact can grow if they are simply cultivated over the long term and are better informed about the process and their choices. "A lot of our people feel intimidated because they don't know that their vote matters," Huerta said. "Then, if they finally get into the voting booth, they feel that they have to vote for everything but they don't want to make a mistake. It's important for people to know that they can vote for just the items they're comfortable with." Latinos need to go out and vote on Nov. 8. Even if neither presidential candidate sounds good, there are local offices and issues that are equally important and in need of Latino ballots. And if anyone has the nerve to be disappointed in Latino voter turnout this fall, they should begin making investments for the next election starting on Nov. 9. Esther Cepeda is a Washington Post columnist. Contact her at estherjcepeda@washpost.com. Labor Day doesn't just signify the start of school it is also when campaigns kick into high gear in an election year. Thinkstock SHARE Here we go. It's both unofficial and traditional to call Labor Day the beginning of the intense action in a general election year, and it still carries a shred of truth. The slates are set. The debates are ahead, along with most of the ads and mailers and door-to-door visits from campaign workers and candidates. Summer vacations are over. This election is on. The political calendar from here to there is stuffed. Nov. 8 is two months away. Early voting starts in Texas on Oct. 24. The first presidential debate is three weeks away, on Sept. 26. The vice presidential candidates debate a week and a day later, followed by the second presidential debate on Oct. 9. Finally, there is a third presidential debate on Oct. 19 the Wednesday before early voting begins. Campaigns don't regard Labor Day as a starting place, but it marks a change for them, both in terms of who is paying attention and in what the campaigns themselves are doing. They'll have more fundraisers, but the folks who have spent the summer asking people for money are now in the business of asking people for votes. This is the part of the election cycle that all that money is supposed to pay for. The Texas races are fairly low profile. It's an off year for U.S. Senate contests here neither John Cornyn nor Ted Cruz is at the end of a term. The attention-getting races for high statewide offices governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller and so on will be on the 2018 ballot, but not this one. Voters will have a handful of statewide races an open seat on the Texas Railroad Commission and three seats each on the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Every seat in the 36-member congressional delegation is on the ballot. At the moment, only one of those appears to be a close race the 23rd congressional district, where incumbent Republican Will Hurd of San Antonio has a rematch with Pete Gallego, the Alpine Democrat he defeated two years ago. Sixteen of the 31 state Senate seats are on the ballot, so half of us will have a senator to elect and half of us will get our chance in two years. The tough campaigns in the Senate were in the March primaries because the districts were drawn to favor one major political party or the other. All 150 seats in the Texas House are on this year's ballot, but again, the current redistricting maps squeeze most of the competitive juices out of the general elections. Only 53 of those contests feature candidates from both parties. If the voters there behave like they have over the past several years, they'll send representatives from the incumbent parties back to Austin. Campaigns don't regard Labor Day as a starting place, but it marks a change for them, both in terms of who is paying attention and in what the campaigns themselves are doing. There are, however, nine incumbent Republicans running in districts where either party's candidates have a real chance at victory: Rodney Anderson of Grand Prairie, Cindy Burkett of Sunnyvale, Rick Galindo and John Lujan of San Antonio, Linda Koop and Kenneth Sheets of Dallas, Wayne Faircloth of Galveston, J.M. Lozano of Kingsville and Gilbert Pena of Pasadena. None of that is gospel; it's based on how the voters have voted in the past several elections. The candidates for president this year are interesting, in part, because both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are unpopular with large chunks of the electorate. They're the kinds of candidates who can make voters think twice about their normal partisan behavior. If something like that were to happen, it could easily affect the state candidates downstream. How's that for a caveat? The maps, along with 97 local decisions by potential candidates to stay out of the fray this year, strongly influence the likely outcomes of general elections, but there are no sure things in politics. That's the basis for that cliche you'll be hearing as surveys and debates and news pop up between now and Nov. 8: The only prediction that counts is the one on Election Day. SHARE Since the late 1950s, the city of San Angelo and farmer members of the Tom Green Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 have partnered in the construction, operation, payment and use of water from Twin Buttes Reservoir. As is commonly known, the reservoir was built for four reasons: flood control, recreation, municipal water use and agricultural irrigation. Twin Buttes filled in the early 1970s. Since that time, the district and the city have shared the water and associated construction expenses. In 1997, the city was experiencing problems disposing of its wastewater that were becoming cost-prohibitive. City officials approached the district and proposed to trade reclaimed sewage water for fresh water. The city's creative approach to problem-solving resulted in a contract being signed between the two parties, and it has been a mutually beneficial endeavor for all concerned since the agreement was inked. The extra water in Twin Buttes is used to keep Lake Nasworthy at a constant level so that it is a source of economic benefit and enjoyment for the city's residents and the many visitors who travel from across West Texas to enjoy our lakes and hospitality. Additionally, the arrangement between the city and the district members saves the city expensive additional sewage disposal costs. Noteworthy are several facts. First, farming technological advances have transformed agriculture irrigation in our area to more economical and environmentally sensible practices, such as drip and pivot irrigation. And as natural stewards of the land, district members are sensitive to any health or environmental issues that may affect the area under cultivation and outside their agra-zone. For example, they pay close attention to irrigation scheduling, soil moisture monitoring or building soil organic matter as effective measures to optimize on-farm water use, anticipate and address environmental concerns and enhance their farming practices to deal with climate change and drought conditions. Additionally, 12,000 acres are now irrigated with sewage water that is delivered by the district to its members. This means the city's wastewater is generating at least $3 million or more gross (and taxable) dollars per year than the same acres would have produced using dryland farming practices. The economic benefits accrue to the city and Tom Green County in multiple ways, such as increased banking transactions and area employment and expanded purchases of goods, farming equipment, pickups, seed, fertilizer etc. Simply put, the farmers and the city are partners in the economic well-being and growth of the area. Thus some local accounting and financial experts are of the opinion that the city-district partnership has a multiplying effect in excess of $20 million annually. For more than half a century, Tom Green Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 members and the city's leadership have worked together in a mutually beneficial relationship. Certainly the district views it as a worthwhile partnership and welcomes its continued existence. It is hoped that future conversations on our water issues be anchored on three pivot points: innovative thinking, institutional linkages and public/stakeholder engagement concerning affordability and public health implications of any proposed plans. SUBSCRIBERS OF UCOMS ALL TIME BEST OFFER TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan Google Ad Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol Armenia and Azerbaijan to do so without delay An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan". UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022 Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully Google Ad The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces LEVEL UP ONLY FOR STUDENTS: UCOM OFFERS X2 AND X3 MORE INTERNET STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan Nikol Pashinyan, Nancy Pelosi discuss a number of issues related to the Armenian-American agenda and regional developments Delegation by Nancy Pelosi Accompanied by Alen Simonyan Visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi Arrives in Yerevan Armenian Revytech, global technology leader SAP and financial services software specialist SAP Fioneer sign a cooperation agreement With 120 million drams donated by Mikael Vardanyan, the defenders of the homeland will be treated in a new building OSCE Chairman-in-Office and OSCE Secretary General call for immediate cessation of hostilities along Armenia-Azerbaijan border Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh USA Embassy Message for U.S. Citizens ANCA Issues National Call to Action to Stop Taxpayer Funding of Aliyevs Aggression Photo illustration by Texas Tribune "Over the last decade there's always been four license plates in D.C.," jokes Republican consultant Luke Marchant, but those license plates headed home once George W. Bush left the nation's capitol. Former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro was the only Texan appointed to a high-level position in Obama's cabinet. SHARE Contemporary chairs WASHINGTON Since the days former U.S. House Speaker Sam Rayburn ruled the U.S. Capitol in the 1940s and 1950s, Texas' dominance of the nation's capital has been a given. Over a couple of generations, the state has sent a bipartisan roster of big hitters to D.C., including presidents Lyndon B. Johnson, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush; U.S. Sens. Lloyd Bentsen, Phil Gramm and Kay Bailey Hutchison; U.S. House Speaker Jim Wright; U.S. House Majority Leaders Dick Armey and Tom DeLay; U.S. Reps. Bill Archer and Martin Frost; Secretary of State James Baker III; Commerce Secretary Don Evans; Education Secretary Margaret Spellings; and Bush White House advisers Karen Hughes, Karl Rove and Dan Bartlett. Texas is still in the thick of things today, with seven chairmen running U.S. House committees more than from any other state and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn serving as the Senate majority whip, the upper chamber's No. 2 Republican post. But Lone Star clout and the benefits it generates back home look to be on the decline in the coming years. Thanks to a lack of strong state ties to Republican Donald Trump's campaign and a weak bench on the Democratic side, it's unlikely Texas talent will flood the executive branch in 2017 no matter if Trump or Hillary Clinton wins the White House in November. Thanks to term limits for committee chairs, Texas power in Congress will soon be diminishing as well. "Texans might have to wander for 40 years in the wilderness before we have substantive leadership in Washington again," says Jenifer Sarver, who worked in George W. Bush's Department of Commerce and now lives in Austin. It matters, Sarver says, because of how directly the spending of the federal government affects the state and the problems that could emerge with a lack of high-level federal advocates. "It could have a direct correlation on things like appropriations, on base closures, and getting facilities like NASA, and other things that are directly related to job and opportunities for Texas," she said. Former U.S. Rep. Martin Frost, a Democrat who represented Arlington, said a future without visible leadership could not even be offset by the large size of the Texas congressional delegation. "Nothing replaces having people in top leadership whether it's a committee chair or elected leadership," he said. "The size of the delegation is not as important as having people in key leadership positions or people heading committees." Sarver, who has also been a senior adviser to Hutchison, remembers well the peak of Texas power in Washington: the early 2000s, when Bush was president, DeLay a Republican congressman from Sugar Land and a former state legislator was House majority leader, and an entire generation of Texans GOP staffers overwhelmed the city. "It was an exciting time to be a Texan in Washington, D.C.," says Sarver, "because there were bright, substantive, interesting, hardworking Texans everywhere you turned on the Hill, in the administration, in the media, in the private sector." "Over the last decade, there's always been four license plates in D.C.: Virginia, D.C., Maryland, and Texas," jokes Republican consultant Luke Marchant, the son of U.S. Rep. Kenny Marchant of Coppell. But those license plates headed home once Bush left office. Texans were scarcely seen in the upper reaches of the Obama administration, though the president did appoint Julian Castro, the former mayor of San Antonio, to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2014. Looking ahead to the next presidency, prospects could be similarly slim. No fewer than four presidential GOP candidates had substantial ties to Texas former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, former Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky. There are were also Texans high up in the organizational charts of the John Kasich, Carly Fiorina and Ben Carson campaigns. The Texas political class found itself pulled in all of those directions, but not Trump's. Hardly anyone in the state boarded the Trump train before it left the station. Still, should Trump win, the most obvious possible Texas official in his administration is Perry, who flipped 180 degrees on Trump over the course of the race. Less than a year ago he called the New York real estate developer a "cancer on conservatism." Last week, he joined Trump on a fundraising swing through Texas and was lauded by the nominee for his popularity within the state. Perry could fill several roles homeland security secretary, agriculture secretary but Texas GOP sources think his likeliest destination is the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Other Texans with Trump administration possibilities, GOP sources say, include U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, who currently is the House Homeland Security chairman. Trump selected McCaul as a speaker at the Republican National Convention and could appoint him to a national security post. And in May, Trump floated Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett as a possible U.S. Supreme Court justice. On the Democratic side, the Texans most frequently mentioned as a possible addition to the Clinton team is Cecile Richards, the daughter of late Texas Gov. Ann Richards. But for any post requiring approval by the U.S. Senate, the controversial longtime CEO of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America could expect a brutal confirmation process. Former state Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, the party's 2014 gubernatorial nominee, has been a fixture on the campaign trail, pitching Clinton's case to young women. She also is a logical choice, per Democratic sources, to serve in the departments of justice or health and human services. She has not ruled out a move, but she has insisted her focus is on getting Clinton, not herself, to Washington. Some Democratic sources suggest that Castro might stick around for a term in a Clinton administration, either in his current role or a new one. Further down the food chain, the Clinton campaign hosts a roster of up-and-coming party operatives from Texas: Lily Adams, Cecile Richards' daughter, who has been a campaign communications aide; Xochitl Hinojosa, the daughter of state Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa, who has also worked in the Clinton communications department; and Carlos Sanchez, a former chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, who has been a deputy political director. The betting money is they will be in consideration for high-profile administration staffing roles. Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, there's no denying that Texas Republicans made the most of the Obama years. So many Texans took possession of committee gavels in the House of Representatives that when U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, ran for Ways and Means chairman in late 2015, his biggest drawback among colleagues was "Texas fatigue." But the gavel give-back will soon begin. Republicans have a six-year term-limit rule for chairmen. Even if the Republicans retain control of the U.S. House, Texans will begin to leave their roles as committee chairs starting in 2018. McCaul, House Science and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio and House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling, R-Dallas, will reach their term limits in early 2019. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway, R-Midland, and House Armed Services Chairman Mac Thornberry, R-Clarendon, reach their term limits in 2020. Brady's end date is unclear, because he assumed the gavel in the middle of a term. He will wrap up in either early 2021 or 2023. House Republicans could create waivers to these limits, but a drop in chairmanships for Texans is all but assured. An exception to the term limits is the House Rules Committee, chaired by U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Dallas. The House speaker chooses the House Rules chairman, and the position is not subject to term limits. Meanwhile, no Texans currently serve in House leadership, and there are no assured paths for any of the 25 Texas House Republicans to ascend in the coming years. Sessions flirted with a run for House majority whip during the upheaval of former Speaker John Boehner's retirement last fall, but the whip vacancy never materialized. Despite the power outage, there are a few rays of light for Texans. Cornyn is is not expected to leave his Senate leadership post any time soon, and could possibly be the state's first Senate majority leader since Johnson. U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, has a plausible but not certain path to lead the House Appropriations Committee in the coming years. U.S. Rep. Bill Flores, R-Bryan, leads the Republican Study Committee, but he also has promised to term-limit himself and depart Congress in the not-too-distant future. Should Cruz win re-election in 2018, he is expected to run for the presidency again. If he wins the White House, he would bring a whole new generation of Texans into the executive branch. But if he comes up short again and stays in the Senate, his combative relationship with his colleagues could complicate any efforts to leverage seniority into a powerful Senate post. Finally, U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin, is running this fall to lead the House Republicans' political arm, the National Republican Congressional Committee. But it's a tough contest, and there are no assurances he will win. Texas will always be a force in Washington, if only because of its sheer size. The 25 Republicans and 11 Democrats who currently represent the state in the House can, when unified, form formidable voting blocs. SHARE Supporters of pro-abortion rights prepare to march from the Texas Capitol, Monday, July 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The fight over access to abortion in Texas resumed Monday with thousands expected to attend a marathon Senate hearing and a nighttime anti-abortion rally at the Capitol. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) A Texas Department of Public Safety officer is shown outside the south entrance to the Texas Capitol Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010, in Austin, Texas. Earlier a man fired several shots into the air while standing on the steps before throwing down his handgun as state troopers closed in and tackled him. Nobody was wounded in the shooting, and the 24-year-old suspect from the Houston area was taken to the Travis County Jail and faces felony charges of deadly conduct. His name wasn't immediately released.(AP Photo/Harry Cabluck) Although a Republican can't be found in the city limits of our state Capitol, the state likely will remain red in the 2016 elections. Associated Press The Country Music School of Philosophy. That would be in Memphis. I am a graduate. That's why I can tell you that in 1982, Gene Watson scored a huge (huge!) hit with a song about one-sided conversations with narrow-minded walls. It explains why political discussions have been off my family's table since I was a child. On one side was the rancher uncle whose cattle were slaughtered by the feds to drive up the price of beef during the Depression. ("They wouldn't even let me give meat to the starving people across the river.") On the other, my former schoolteacher parents who believed that FDR sat on the right hand of God. My brother wandered way left in the 1960s, as a young man should. Most of our cosmopolitan grandchildren followed him. But our staunch Texans out here in God's country? Fair to say they still march to the beat of the Limbaugh drum. Our president infamously once said that people tend to cling to long-held beliefs guns, God, etc. and offended about 90 percent of those in our Bible Belt. But in this election year, choose your metaphor. We're between a rock and a hard place. Between the devil and the deep blue sea. Between a man with a broken compass and a woman who may crash through the very thin ice she prefers to skate on. Both traveling the road to Damascus, no divine intervention in sight. What is it about Texans? I lived through the era when our state morphed from blue to red. Why do I recall so little about it? And is it possible for our state to go blue in 2016? Although a Republican can't be found inside the Austin city limits, the state most likely will remain red. Sometime in the 1960s, I remember hearing about a radical-right fringe group active in Midland. The John Birch Society focused on defeating communism and promoting limited government. I thought they were insane. And the next thing I knew, it was 1980 and I had joined many Texans in electing Ronald Reagan. How did that happen? According to a former political director of the Texas GOP, our state is inherently conservative. But its population suffered after the Civil War during the Republican-administered Reconstruction period. It took more than 100 years for bitter memories to fade. He went on to say that, other than that period, our state has been conservative that you could correlate the election results of 1980 with how people voted against secession in 1861. All over the South, there's an anti-government, anti-authoritarian tradition. It's a Scotch/Irish-rooted part of the country where people don't like to be told what to do, where men and, yeah, even women of my generation, take pride in being tough. Sound like anyone you know? In 1980, Ronald Reagan with his "Morning in America" optimism, was swept into office, resulting in 12 years of a Republican White House. But since the Clintons' departure, many have credited Karl Rove for GOP successes all down the ticket. Although not able to regain the White House after 2008, Republicans today have a majority in both the Senate and the House, and are governors in 31 states. Some believe that Republican wins would have happened with or without Rove. But the Electoral College map makes it difficult for a Republican to win the highest office in any presidential election year. Rove figured out a strategy and made it work. But Rove's magic didn't quite hold up in 2012. Long after the election was called for Obama, he was still insisting Mitt Romney had won. I'm still not sure when or why I wandered down the Right road. Maybe it was the old saying: "A younger person who is conservative has no heart. An older person who is a liberal has no head." But in the first Reagan administration, I worked for a conservative, old-school company just a couple of blocks from our nation's Capitol in Washington, D.C. An unwritten garage parking rule: NO FOREIGN CARS. (Today I happily drive a Toyota.) When faced with choosing the lesser of two evils, we philosophers like to rely on the wisdom of others. I turn first to Tim McGraw: "You ride and never worry 'bout the fall guess that's just the cowboy in us all." Lots of cowboys out here in God's country. But maybe Kenny Rogers' advice is better.:"You gotta know when to walk away and know when to run." But come November, there's no place to hide in country music philosophy. In Robert Frost's poem,"The Road Not Taken," the narrator is torn between two attractive roads, understanding that his choice "will make all the difference." But today, either flawed candidate may lead us right off a cliff, roadrunner style. The choice is up to us. Crying time is here (that would be Ray Charles). Observers are surprised at behavior of the RA authorities during July events (video) Lene Wetteland, the Senior Adviser of Norwegian Helsinki Committee, is very surprised at the reaction of the RA authorities to July 17-30 events in Yerevan in terms of hindering the right to freedom of peaceful assemblies. Today International Association for Human Rights organization and Helsinki Association for Human Rights NGO in cooperation with Helsinki Committee of Norway, Protection of Rights without Borders organization and Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Vanadzor Office, presented a report made as a result of monitoring of July 17-30 events in Yerevan. The report sums up information, which was obtained as a result of fact-finding work carried out in Yerevan from July 28 to August 1. The report includes evidence of 42 injured and witnesses. According to Lene Wetteland, on July 17-30 the RA authorities carried out inhuman persecution and hindering of peaceful assemblies in Yerevan, The authorities dont have a right to show such an attitude, even if the protestors had shown aggressive attitude. There was disparity of law; the police officers even broke into the houses of peaceful residents and showed inhuman attitude. There were baseless arrests, the grounds of arrests werent presented, after arrests no legal assistance was provided to the protesters. Even the passive resistance of protesters must be considered a peaceful assembly. Even if some objects were thrown at the police, the assembly mustnt be labeled as not to be peaceful. Svetlana Valko, Coordinator at the International Association for Human Rights organization, highlighted that the police officers were in uniforms as well as in civilian clothing and were among the protesters, Even when the protesters were in peaceful condition, the police officers showed heated reaction to their applause. During the assemblies several kinds of bombs were used against the protesters. I also can state that the assemblies were peaceful, as the people came to the assemblies even with their children. She says that like during Electric Yerevan, on July 17-30 the activists, who could lead the rally in an organized way, were arrested. Haykuhi Harutyunyan, Chairman of Protection of Rights without Borders organization, reminded of Serzh Sargsyans speech, during which he thanked the police for good work, I think it grants an opportunity to predict what will be the result of the investigation of the law enforcement bodies. By the way, the investigation is carried out by two different bodies- the SIS, which investigates the lawfulness of the police actions, and the Investigative Committee, which investigates the disorders, which happened during the assemblies. In terms of documentary, there is no difference between these two investigations- at one place people are the witnesses, at the other place- the aggrieved party. Nina Karapetyants, newly elected Chairman of Helsinki Association for Human Rights NGO, before presenting her observations, organized a small flash-mob dedicated to the memory of the Chairman of the Association Mikael Danielyan. She noted that the report is also dedicated to his memory, as well as she informed that they asked the relatives of Mikael Danielyan for his shirts, several of which were worn by the members of the Association during the presentation of the report. According to the presentation of Nina Karapetyants, nothing extraordinary happened on July 17-30, except the rude and cruel attitude towards the journalists, In other cases there was nothing extraordinary or surprising by the authorities, everything was the same. There were so many arrestees that the police departments were full, and some of them were even transferred to schools and military units, where the arrestees were even deprived of their right to use restroom or drink water. She highlighted that according to the law on the police, the special measures are intended for not hurting the people, but frightening them so that they leave the area. Yet the footage clearly shows that the police officers opened fire on the places, where there were many people, and even the people, who were standing far away, were injured. Twenty years ago, the Indianapolis police department didnt worry much about filling jobs.We didnt recruit. We hired, said Police Lt. Brian Mahone, who joined the force two decades ago and took over the job of recruiting last year. "If we want the best and the brightest, we can't just say [here's] the test, come pick up an application. That doesn't get you what you need anymore."For Indianapolis and many other large cities, qualified -- and willing -- police applicants have become increasingly hard to find. The problem makes the growing goal of increasing diversity in the ranks much harder to achieve.There are many reasons being a cop is less appealing than it once was. But the biggest are clear: Community-police tensions have heightened in many places, while pay levels -- though reasonable in the public sector -- have essentially stagnated and often arent competitive with the private sector.In San Jose, Calif., vacancies in the police department jumped from 40 in 2013 to 181 in 2015. In California as a whole, job openings for officers have increased more than 600 percent since 2010. Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia -- some of the largest police forces in the country -- are also seeing fewer and fewer applicants.The situation has gotten so dire that cities from coast to coast are competing with one another for cops. In Indianapolis, for example, when citizens are bundling up in scarves and gloves during the winter, departments from warmer climates put on their poaching hats, come to the city and try to lure away candidates.To get more applicants, cities are making significant changes.New Orleans, for instance, dropped its requirement for 60 hours of college credit and stopped automatically disqualifying candidates who reported prior use of recreational drugs. In 2014, the police department also embarked on an aggressive national recruiting campaign that elicited applications from 44 states.As a result of these efforts, the department has doubled the average number of applications it receives each month.The nationwide calls for police departments to diversify ramped up in 2014, after police fatally shot Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Mo. At the time, two-thirds of the community was black, but 95 percent of the regions police officers were white.Nationwide, minorities represented 27 percent of police officers in 2013 and 37 percent of Americans -- a gap thats widened since 1990, according to a Governing analysis . The research is mixed, but some studies show that white officers are more likely to be involved in shootings, and black officers are more likely to offer supportive services, such as advice, to residents in predominantly black neighborhoods.So conventional thinking goes: Police departments need not just more candidates but more minority recruits so that their officers more closely reflect the demographics of the people they're protecting.Over the last 18 years, New Orleans has had considerable success in changing the racial mix of its police force. It's about 35 percent white today compared to 50 percent white in the late 1990s. Recent efforts have been focused on increasing Hispanic and Asian representation.The department advertises for police jobs on Hispanic radio stations and in Vietnamese newspapers. It provides special pay incentives for bilingual officers. And it's created a series of short videos highlighting the stories of new minority recruits. One focuses on a young Vietnamese man who says he was motivated to join the force because of his grandmother."Lately, there have been a lot of house burglaries," said Kevin Nguyen. "I just wanted to join NOPD specifically because my grandmother lives here and I just want to protect her."Hispanic and Asian recruits now make up 8 percent of new hires, double their representation on the force as a whole.On the other hand, the percentage of new black officers has gone down. Police Superintendent Michael Harrison, a black man and a New Orleans native, said he isn't concerned about the drop but will continue to push for more black officers by recruiting at black colleges, churches and job fairs.The Pittsburgh Police Department, which settled a lawsuit last year over discriminatory hiring practices, is also seeing some positive changes.Between 2001 and 2012, only 4 percent of the citys new police hires were black. In the last few years, though, the city has updated job requirements to include "integrity, dependability and cultural competence" as factors that can weigh into the scoring of applicants, and it has also offered training in the black community to help applicants prepare for the written and oral tests.Last summer and this spring, a respective 28 percent and 18 percent of Pittsburgh's police academy classes were minorities.Theres also a strong drive to improve the quality of work life for new recruits.If you have a workplace environment that is not welcoming and inclusive, this generations workforce simply wont stay, said Pittsburgh Police Chief Cameron McClay.His agency is currently developing an employee survey to measure the climate and culture of the organization. Meanwhile, like many other departments, Pittsburgh recruits more aggressively these days -- at high schools, colleges and cultural events.Every community meeting, every contact is a recruitment opportunity, said McClay. The message is We want you. For all of the angst about the burden of funding public employees' pension funds on state and local government budgets -- and on the public workers who contribute part of their paychecks to their retirement funds -- the most critical factor in the equation is the funds' ability to achieve their investment-return targets. The money the funds earn on investments pays, on average, more than 60 cents of every dollar that is disbursed to retirees.But the news is not good on the investment front. According to the Wilshire TUCS performance tracking service, median returns in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 were 3.43 percent and 1.07 percent, respectively -- nowhere close to the sector's average assumed rate of return of 7.5 percent. And experts say that it will be even harder for public pensions to make money in stocks and bonds over the coming decades.Yet efforts to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of investment-management practices for retirement assets, such as the Investment Modernization and Cost Reduction Act proposed by the Oregon State Treasurer's Office or the Bloomberg Liu initiative for the New York City Retirement System, have met with great resistance.One modernization approach in particular, pooling assets to invest on a collective basis, holds a lot of promise. But only a handful of governments have moved to pool assets to one degree or another. Most pooling proposals, such as combining the Chicago and Illinois teachers' retirement systems or Pennsylvania's attempt to combine its 3,200 local pension plans, have involved consolidation or mergers that would mean giving up control of the assets. This has been a non-starter for pension trustees and board members.But a new pooled-asset entity just launched in Canada could provide a model for U.S. public pensions funds to move forward, not only in protecting retirement systems' long-term sustainability but also in increasing their ability to compete in the global financial markets.This $38 billon pooled platform, the Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO), is organized as a nonprofit corporation, and it provides investment management services to pension funds at cost. Seeded with assets from the Ontario Pension Board and another public agency, IMCO enables pension funds to enhance returns by lowering costs and leveraging scale while retaining control of their assets. Remarkably, pension funds join IMCO as members, on a voluntary basis, and elect board members from their own ranks. What's more, it hasn't cost Canada's national government a dime.Ontario's initiative offers encouragement to U.S. policymakers and researchers who have recognized the benefits of asset pooling. A 2010 Government Accountability Office study found that pooling pension assets could achieve economies of scale and reduce the investment fees paid to outsourced managers. As the study suggested, that could alleviate some of the budgetary pressures on states and municipalities due to unfunded pension obligations. The GAO study cited the mandate of the Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Trust Fund "to reduce the state's significant unfunded liability and to assist participating local retirement systems in meeting their future pension obligations."Massachusetts' investment fund is one of 15 state pooled-asset structures, which are commonly called state investment boards and often are responsible for managing several different types of funds in addition to pensions. The North Dakota State Investment Board, for example, invests the assets of the state's sovereign wealth fund, funded by tax revenues from oil extraction and production, as well as the assets of two pension funds for public employees and teachers. As the table here shows, 12 of the 15 state investment boards already oversee pooled public pension funds.Ontario's approach takes the advantages of the asset pooling already being realized by the U.S. state investment boards to the next level by introducing a cost-recovery model designed to end pension funds impoverishing reliance on money managers and consultants.American policymakers interested in ensuring the long-term sustainability of our public-sector employee retirement systems might look at what the Canadian province has done. As healthy investment returns prove tougher than ever to come by, it's hard to see an argument for failing to modernize our struggling retirement systems' organizational structures as a step toward maximizing their ability to make money for the benefit of retirees and taxpayers alike. A superior court judge has ruled that the states cap on adequacy grants to public schools is unconstitutional.The lawsuit, brought by the city of Dover and its school district, means an extra $1.4 million for Dover, and a potential boost for nearly 40 other communities with caps on the amount of "adequacy funding" they receive.Dover City Manager Michael Joyal Jr. said the city and the school department are still reviewing the ruling by Sullivan County Superior Court Justice Brian T. Tucker. He expects additional conversations with state leaders on a cooperative agreement for payment of the estimated shortfall.Dover went to court last year, arguing that the cap on education funding for towns and cities deprived it of money the state has an obligation to deliver under the New Hampshire Constitution.Tucker, in a 14-page ruling dated Sept. 2, concluded that the percentage cap is unconstitutional "when it operates to reduce the full amount of the statutory grant." Declaring that "Connecticut is defaulting on its constitutional duty" to fairly educate its poorest children, a Superior Court judge on Wednesday ordered the state to come up with a new funding formula for public schools.Judge Thomas Moukawsher's unexpectedly far-reaching decision also directed the state to devise clear standards for both the elementary and high school levels, including developing a graduation test. He also ordered a complete overhaul of Connecticut's system of evaluating teachers, principals and superintendents. And he demanded a change in the "irrational" way the state funds special education services.Moukawsher's mandates come with a tight deadline: The remedies he is ordering must be submitted to the court within 180 days. It is unclear how the state Department of Education, the legislature and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy will come up with solutions, within six months, to complicated problems that have plagued public education in Connecticut for decades."Nothing here was done lightly or blindly," Moukawsher said, reading his entire 90-page decision from the bench, a highly unusual undertaking that took close to three hours. "The court knows what its ruling means for many deeply ingrained practices, but it also has a marrow-deep understanding that if they are to succeed where they are most strained, schools have to be about teaching children and nothing else."The much-anticipated decision is the culmination of an 11-year legal battle between the state and the Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding, an alliance of municipalities, boards of education, teachers' unions and education advocacy groups. The coalition filed a lawsuit against then-Gov. M. Jodi Rell, alleging that the state's education cost-sharing formula violates the state constitution and places an unfair burden on local property taxes to support school spending.A spokesman for Attorney General George Jepsen, whose office defended the state in the case, declined to say whether the office intends to appeal the ruling."We are reviewing this decision in consultation with our client agencies and decline to comment further at this time," spokesman Samuel Carmody said.Moukawsher did not stipulate what the state's level of funding for public schools should be, but he declared that the current system is failing Connecticut's students."So change must come. The state has to accept that the schools are its blessing and its burden, and if it cannot be wise, it must at least be sensible," Moukawsher said.Members of the coalition praised the judge's ruling. "This is a landmark victory for Connecticut's public school students," said the group's president, Newtown Selectman Herb Rosenthal. "The court's decision will have a significant impact on education funding and opportunities in Connecticut."Municipal leaders also praised the breadth and scope of Moukawsher's decision. A stunned Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, who sat in the wood-paneled courtroom as the ruling was read, called it "a sweeping indictment of the education system in Connecticut. ... He left no stone unturned."Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, who was also in court, called the decision "a huge game changer ... I think it compels action."New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart said the ruling means "the state can no longer ignore its poorest cities and lowest-performing education systems. The biggest piece is the achievement gap: In Connecticut you have the poorest of the poor and the richest of the rich."And Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin said the ruling "shines a bright light on the profound inequalities that exist between school districts and holds out the promise of real reform to our educational system and funding structure."But other members of the diverse coalition that brought the lawsuit viewed the ruling more critically. Sheila Cohen, president of the Connecticut Education Association, the state's largest teachers' union, expressed disappointment that Moukawsher failed to prescribe a fix for the funding disparity between wealthy and poor school districts."Unfortunately, the court declined to provide any remedy for the disparity in resources and revenue for students in the state's poorest communities -- the essence and heart of the ... litigation," Cohen said. "Also, the court's attempt to impose one-size-fits-all mandates that erode flexibility and local education control penalizes the majority of Connecticut's schools."In his ruling, Moukawsher branded the teacher evaluation process "dysfunctional" and said it is based on inflated standards that have resulted in nearly every educator graded as proficient or exemplary. This drew a sharp response from Jan Hochadel, president of the American Federation of Teachers-Connecticut.Moukawsher's comments regarding accountability and teacher evaluations "were not just disappointing, but disrespectful of education professionals."The extraordinary ruling orders the state to revamp virtually all areas of public education -- from the hiring and firing of teachers, to special education services, to education standards for elementary and high school students. He also criticized the state's generous reimbursement policy for school construction projects, especially in an age of decreasing enrollment."To get rid of an irrational policy, adopt a rational one," Moukawsher said in his ruling. "It's the court's job to require the state to have one. It's the state's job to develop one. The court will judge the state's solutions, and if they meet the standards described in this decision, uphold them."The case highlighted longstanding inequities between Connecticut's urban and largely poor school districts and the state's wealthier -- and higher achieving -- suburban school districts. Moukawsher was sharply critical of Connecticut's "befuddled and misdirected" education policies that have left cities without adequate resources and denied children their constitutional right to an equal education."We are very, very happy that very soon, we hope, the situation for Connecticut students will dramatically improve," Joseph Moodhe, lawyer for the plaintiffs, said outside the courthouse, moments after Moukawsher finished reading his decision. "We are confident that the educational department, as well as the legislators and the executive branch, will give careful consideration to the findings ... and make appropriate efforts to address them in the coming months."Malloy, who has made education policy a cornerstone of his administration, said he welcomes the "conversation this decision brings.""Since I took office, the state has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in education with an overwhelming share directed at supporting our students who need it the most," the Democratic governor said in a statement. "These investments are working -- students across the board are showing growth in math and reading on recent state tests. At the same time, we know there is more work to do and we remain resolute in our commitment to improve educational outcomes for all our students."The ruling sets the stage for a showdown at the Capitol over education policy when the legislature convenes in January. "We want to use this as a moment of positive change," said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff of Norwalk. "This could be our clarion moment for education reform."Several lawmakers questioned the tight time frame set by Moukawsher. House Republican Leader Themis Klarides said a six-month deadline to come up with the proposals demanded by the judge was "not realistic."Deputy Majority Leader Bob Godfrey of Danbury agreed and said nothing is likely to happen before March."We're already a quarter of the way through the fiscal year. We can't go to small towns and say, 'Give us back the money.' School is in session. This is going to be a lengthy debate, and it won't be limited just to the formula."Godfrey said the ruling corrects the huge gap in education funding between rich and poor communities. "The political problem is getting 76 votes in the House and 19 in the Senate to reform it because [lawmakers] are never going to cut education spending to their towns," he said. "But we're going to be forced to do exactly that."New Britain school board President Sharon Beloin-Saavedra said she hopes the General Assembly doesn't allow politics to derail the drive for education funding reform, but acknowledged the likelihood of suburban legislators working to maintain their communities' state aid."If the state can't afford additional dollars and it's a reallocation of the existing pie, you'll have people screaming -- the people who are going to be losing a share," she said.In addition to a lengthy battle at the legislature, the ruling could set off more legal scuffling. During the trial, which lasted 60 days, lawyers in the attorney general's office argued that the state's investment in education is enough to provide an adequate education. They cited the substantial resources Connecticut devotes to its public schools, including hundreds of millions of additional dollars directed to low-performing districts in recent years.Moukawsher was unimpressed. "Too little money is chasing too many needs," he said, warning lawmakers not to make a "mockery of the state's constitution."In urban districts, "most of the students are being let down by patronizing and illusory degrees," Moukawsher said. "The state is failing poor students by giving them unearned degrees" by graduating them without the skills needed for higher education."In particular, the judge noted a dysfunctional teacher evaluation system where "everyone succeeds" and where student success isn't considered. "Good teachers can't be recognized and bad teachers can't be removed," Moukawsher said.Moukawsher blasted the General Assembly for a recent round of cuts to public schools in the state's poorest cities. "There could not be a worse time to move education money from struggling school districts," Moukawsher said. "But the state did it anyway."The court cannot dictate the amount of education spending, Moukawsher concluded, "but spending ... must follow a formula influenced only by school needs and good practices."The sweeping implications of the case, which began as a project for Yale Law School students, were evident from the start, said David Rosen, a New Haven lawyer who teaches at the school's Educational Adequacy Project. "This was a high stakes case from Day 1," he said. "The fact that the court has now ruled in favor of Connecticut's children is simply momentous." Three Democratic gubernatorial candidates took to the stage during a televised debate Tuesday night, looking to convince a majority of party voters they are the most qualified.Two Democratic candidates laid out what taxes they would increase to raise revenues for the state, money they said could be used to tackle the opioid epidemic.Former Deputy Secretary of State Mark Connolly said he would increase the gas tax and raise the tobacco tax by 10 cents, generating $17 million. The Bedford resident said modernization of the business profits tax without changing the rate would bring in $20 million to $30 million a year.Former Portsmouth mayor Steve Marchand said he would increase the gas tax, return the business profits tax to its higher rate and legalize and tax marijuana, a move he said would raise $30 million in revenues.The two spoke during Tuesday night's Granite State Debate, co-sponsored by the New Hampshire Union Leader and WMUR TV.The third candidate, Executive Councilor Colin Van Ostern of Concord, said he is passionate about Medicaid expansion because of the money it brings into the state -- $680 million."That's a great way to keep taxes low," Van Ostern said.Marchand, 42, portrayed himself as the progressive candidate in the race, the only one of the three to support Bernie Sanders in the presidential primary, a supporter of paid family leave and an opponent of Northern Pass.He said he grew up on the West Side of Manchester in a family that struggled with bankruptcy because of a family illness. Had Medicaid been expanded then, the family would not have gone broke, he said."That toughens you up, makes you independent but makes you realize you can't do it all by yourself no matter how hard you try," he said.Van Ostern, 37, said he was raised by a single mom and didn't always have health insurance; New Hampshire was the 18th home he had when he moved here 15 years ago.Connolly, 61, said he was coded as a remedial learner at a young age, but he ended up being an advanced student who went on to attend and graduate from Dartmouth College."My whole life has been about understanding what it's like not to have much," he said.When asked if they support the death penalty, all three candidates said they oppose it, with Marchand saying he said would toss out the death sentence of convicted murderer Michael Addison, currently on death row for the Oct. 16, 2006, shooting death of Manchester police officer Michael Briggs. A federal appeals court dealt a severe blow Wednesday to an attempt by 385,000 drivers for the ride-hailing company Uber in California and Massachusetts to sue for employment status. The ruling apparently requires virtually all of them to take their individual claims to private arbitrators rather than joining in a class-action lawsuit.The court did not shield Uber from potentially huge penalties if its treatment of the drivers violated California labor laws. But the ruling appears to strengthen the company's hand in negotiations for a future settlement, after a previous agreement of between $84 million and $100 million was rejected by a federal judge as inadequate.Ruling in a separate suit by drivers who challenged Uber's system of background checks, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco said they were bound by arbitration agreements in contracts they signed with the company in order to keep working. U.S. District Judge Edward Chen of San Francisco had ruled that the arbitration clause was unclear and one-sided, but the appeals court said the contract language "clearly and unmistakably" entitled an arbitrator, rather than a judge, to decide whether the agreement was enforceable."One who signs a contract is bound by its provisions," Judge Richard Clifton wrote in Wednesday's 3-0 ruling, quoting language from an earlier decision.The ruling, if it stands, would also apply to the larger suit by drivers in California and Massachusetts who claim Uber misclassified them as independent contractors rather than employees, thus denying them minimum wages, overtime pay, meal and rest breaks, workers' compensation and other employment benefits.The company says all 385,000 drivers, except a few hundred who opted out, signed the agreements in 2013 and 2014 that required them to take all grievances to arbitration and prohibited collective action. Under Wednesday's ruling, only those who opted out, probably too few in number for a class-action suit, could proceed with their claims in court.The ruling "is not good for the class," said Shannon Liss-Riordan, lead attorney for the drivers. She said the court "endorsed Uber's attempt to use its arbitration agreement to avoid a systemic challenge to its classification of drivers as employees.""Arbitration is a fair, speedy and less costly alternative to class-action litigation," said Uber's attorney, Theodore Boutrous. "We've always believed our optional arbitration agreements should have applied in this case, and we're pleased with the court's decision."The ruling "strengthens the argument for all employers that class-action waivers are still a viable argument in the Ninth Circuit," said Alden Parker, a management-side attorney in Sacramento who is not involved in the case.One issue that a group of drivers could still pursue in court, however, is Uber's responsibility for complying with California labor laws, which impose financial penalties for violating employees' rights.Uber contends it has properly classified its drivers as contractors, noting that they drive their own cars and set their work schedules. But Chen, in past rulings, said the relationship also had some things in common with employment, such as Uber's detailed rules for the drivers' interactions with passengers and its ability to fire them at any time.If the drivers went to trial and proved their employment status, Chen said, the penalties under state law could amount to $1 billion or more, with 75 percent going to the state and the rest to the drivers. He cited the potential penalties in his decision Aug. 18 that rejected the $84 million-plus settlement that Liss-Riordan had negotiated with Uber.The appeals court ruled Wednesday that drivers who had signed the 2013 agreement but left before the next contract in June 2014 -- about 8,000 drivers, according to court documents -- could still seek the labor law penalties in court.One driver would sue as a representative of the drivers and the state. Any penalties would be shared by all drivers in the case -- including, Liss-Riordan said, the 385,000 who filed the original suit. She said she expects Uber to challenge that interpretation if the case gets that far. In most of America, lower-income people who have been arrested and can't afford bail sit in jail for weeks, months or even years before seeing a judge and possibly being convicted of a crime. In New Mexico, voters decided to do away with that practice."In my nine years on the court, this is the single most important criminal justice reform that Ive worked on," New Mexico Supreme Court Justice Charles Daniels toldin September. "There is nothing that has more potential of improving justice in our criminal justice system."In New Mexico, as in the majority of the nation, judges use bail to detain people who they consider dangerous and to help guarantee that defendants show up for court dates. But tools to assess a defendant's threat to the public are only used in less than 10 percent of U.S. jurisdictions, and more than half of Americans can't afford an emergency $400 payment. That means dangerous people are sometimes released because they can afford their freedom, while many lower-income people who pose no threat to society stay behind bars.The ballot measure, which passed with 87 percent support from voters, prohibits judges from imposing bail amounts that lower-income defendants cant afford. At the same time, it gives judges more discretion to keep dangerous people in jail -- even if they can afford bail.The amendment is part of a national push to reform court fees and penalties that disproportionately affect lower-income Americans. In August, the U.S. Department of Justice filed its first legal court opinion that criticized the bail system. Attorneys from the departments Civil Rights Division wrote that the practice of locking up people solely because they can't afford bail violates the due process and equal protection clauses in the 14th Amendment.Since 2013, a few places -- including Colorado, the District of Columbia and New Jersey -- have changed their pretrial release policies so that the danger defendants pose to the community and their likelihood of fleeing are the main factors that determine whether they can leave jail. In D.C., the shift away from monetary bail has resulted in most defendants being released . According toabout 90 percent aren't rearrested before their case is resolved, and among those who do get arrested, the majority aren't charged with a violent crime.But D.C. is the exception. In most of the country, the determining factor is still whether the defendant can afford to post bail.What's more, the majority of people in jail are awaiting trial and spending more time in jail than they used to. According to the Vera Institute of Justice , a think tank in New York, the average number of days that people stay in jail has increased from 14 days in 1983 to 23 days in 2013.Nonpartisan analysts in the New Mexico Legislature estimated that the amendment would save about $17 million a year by reducing the number of people in notoriously crowded jails. That estimate took into account the loss of money from detaining dangerous defendants who otherwise would have paid high bail amounts.In New Mexico, the amendment originated with a murder case in which the defendant, Walter Brown, remained in jail for more than two years without going to trial. Instead of paying his $250,000 bail, he agreed to wear a GPS device and make regular contact with the court. A psychologist also testified that Brown did not pose a danger to the community and wasn't likely to flee. However, the prosecution successfully argued that the seriousness of the murder charges were enough to keep him incarcerated. Not only did the state Supreme Court eventually side with Brown, but it formed a task force that recommended an amendment to the right to bail provision in the New Mexico constitution.The amendment had broad support. Bipartisan majorities approved the legislation to place the amendment on the ballot, and several statewide organizations backed the measure, including the Association of Counties, the District Attorneys Association and the Coalition Against Domestic Violence.Nonetheless, the amendment did have some critics. The heads of a civil rights group and bail bonds association both expressed concerns about the proposed changes.The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico said it supported the intent of the measure, but the group withdrew its support after the House negotiated changes to appease the bail bond industry. It feels to us like a pretty chopped-up bill, said Peter Simonson, executive director of the state's ACLU chapter.The final version, said Simonson, was too ambiguous and granted judges more power to detain people without bail if they're likely to flee. Before the amendment, judges could hold a defendant without bail only under rare circumstances, such as when they faced a capital felony charge. In addition, Simonson said he worried that the measure didn't explain how judges would decide whether someone was a flight risk. Without a fair and transparent process, judges could detain people on shaky evidence.The state Supreme Court would clarify that process later, but that didn't give Simonson much confidence."This isnt just any statute that we are amending. Its the state constitution," he said. "The language should be clear enough that it doesnt require rules to clarify what the language means.At the other end of the spectrum, the Bail Bond Association of New Mexico argued that the amendment would make it too easy to leave jail based on inability to pay. That is absolutely a get-out-of-jail-free card just by saying, Im indigent,'" said Gerald Madrid, the association's president.Danielson, the chief justice, dismissed Madrid's concerns, noting that the court already determines people's ability to afford counsel when it appoints public defenders."It's a phony issue," he said, "that makes a quick soundbite."*CORRECTION: Description GIS - 08 September, 2016: The security of the French community living in Mauritius following the recent terrorist attacks in France was at the fore of discussions during a courtesy call by the Depute des Francais de lEtranger, Mr Alain Marsaud, on the Prime Minister, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, on 7 September 2016 at the New Treasury Building in Port Louis. Both parties spoke of the vulnerability of the French people who have become victims of terrorist attacks in France and in other parts of the world. In a statement following the courtesy call, Mr Alain Marsaud expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for the solidarity of the government and the people of Mauritius towards the French community and for the unflinching support in condemning terrorism. He showed his appreciation with regard to the security of the French residents in Mauritius. Mr Alain Marsaud, who is the Depute des Francais de lEtranger for the Middle East and Africa, is currently in Mauritius in the context of the forthcoming legislative elections in France. SAN FRANCISCO If there was a quintessential centerpiece of smart city ingenuity, Singapore might be it. The city-state, with its diverse population of about 5.6 million residents, has been active since the beginning of the smart city movement a few decades ago. Singapore started with big data and analytics to extend smart city advancements into its core infrastructure. The city has plugged into energy and sustainable buildings, and analytics programs that can forecast traffic jams; it closely monitors waste and looks for new ways to adapt the latest technology into civic services. Fueling the use of technology is the nations need to maximize use of its roughly 427 square miles and its sizable population.Future prospects are equally head-turning. As part of its Smart Nation initiative, a program meant to slingshot state technologies forward, Singapore's aspirations include one of the most sprawling sensor and camera networks ever deployed in a city. The sensors will enhance how the city monitors vehicle traffic, weather patterns and pedestrian movement, and even act as litter detectors to ensure cleanliness. Whats more, the data will be streamed into an architecturally accurate map called Virtual Singapore. The city map will offer officials real-time intelligence during emergency situations and data about infrastructure for construction projects.At the center of this endeavor is Singapores Government CIO Chan Cheow Hoe. Chan has been tasked with being a guiding hand to implement, or offer guidance, on the various initiatives. In addition to the aformentioned projects, he has directed a refresh of Singapores open data portal Data.gov.sg and overseen a number of apps. These include Beeline, an app for citizens without easy access to public transportation to crowdsource their bus routes; Ask Jamie, a chatbot that answers queries on government websites; MyResponder, an alert system for registered volunteer medical providers about incidents of heart attack for first aid before an ambulance arrives; and OneService, a non-emergency service app that like many 311 apps U.S. cities have introduced in recent years enables residents to report municipal issues to service departments.While visiting the U.S. for San Francisco's Bridge SF event, Chan spoke withoffering his thoughts and candid insights about everything from procurement and data to cybersecurity and civic tech. Notwithstanding Singapores sizable investments in smart city technologies, his responses were warmly pragmatic. Chan stressed that invention alone is no indicator of outcomes, and the real driver of Singapores progressive achievements wasnt about hunting for novel solutions, but optimizing the resources the country already had things like infrasturcutre, data, and citizen and private-sector support.Here are a few of his comments (which have been edited for length and clarity) from the interview.Once you start looking at a citizen as a customer, a couple of things change. First of all, you look from what we call the outside in. Today, many governments look from the inside out. That is, this department in the government will do this, that department will do that. It's very department-centric. When you look from the outside in, you look at services from the eyes of a citizen. As far as the citizen is concerned, he doesnt care whether it's done by five departments or one department he just wants the problem solved.With this kind of approach, all of a sudden it changes the mindset. I will give you a very simple example. One of the biggest difficulties about working with government, from the citizens perspective, is to be able make a complaint or report a problem. It's very difficult; if you have an issue, a municipal issue, for example like maybe a fallen tree somewhere or a dead animal needing disposal, you always ask yourself, Who do I call?There are so many departments in government and they are all responsible for different things. A lot of times when you call someone they will say, Oh, it's not my problem. Call the Department of Agriculture, then when you call the Department of Agriculture they say, No, no, call the Department of Transportation. You get tossed around. It's because of the heterogeneous nature of government, the many departments.We said, Okay, let's look at it from the outside in. The citizen has a problem, can we just make an app for them to communicate with us? So we created a complaints app, in a sense. It became this thing called OneService. It's like a 311 app in some ways. It categorizes itself into many categories, like pest control, drinking water, drainage and sewers, etc. Then when you click on any one of these buttons, what it does is allow you to photograph the thing and geolocate the problem. An algorithm then figures out where this request goes, routing you to the right department.When I first came in from the private sector, one of the things that we changed dramatically was our technology architecture. Since many of the systems government uses are legacy systems, when you try to modernize these whole systems it is impossible. It costs a lot of money, the disruption of services is just humongous and it takes years to make it happen. What do you do about it? Well, what we did was that we started splitting up what we call our system of records with the system of engagement. What we did was we made the legacy system just a simple system of records. We shut off the front end and we essentially built a funnel on top of it.That strategy has helped a lot, because what it did is allow us to be very agile in terms of building great customer experience on the front end without touching the whole legacy system. It decreases the need for the legacy systems significantly,and over a period of time allows resources to be dedicated to the customer experience.You mentioned something quite interesting, because one of the big things that we are trying to do right now is to continue to build that relationship of trust with the citizen. It's quite interesting, because actually if you look at most governments, most governments dont really have a relationship with individual citizens; they have a relationship on a very broad basis.What we are trying to do is, through digital IDs, build this relationship with the citizen. You talked about data the funny thing is that the [U.S.] government actually has a lot of data on you. They know your tax returns, your DMV data; they have a whole bunch of stuff. The problem is that most government agencies can't integrate this; you have something very bizarre, it's all siloed.For example, if you go to the DMV today, youve got to fill out a form with your data, but actually, most of this data the government has already. Its in the Social Security office, other agencies, etc., etc. What weve done is we tried to pool the data together and we started this thing called MyInfo. What MyInfo does is it pulls verified data of you as a citizen from various departments and we put it all together for other departments to use.This data doesnt belong to the government the data still belongs to you as an individual but you have the right to consent to give that data to somebody else. For example, when you go to a government department there might be a form with 16 fields to fill in. Instead of writing everything out you can say, No, I'm going to invoke MyInfo and I'm going to pre-populate this government form with all the data I already have from the government.The beauty of this is that the data came from its source, which means it's verified. Instead of you bringing your ID card and everything to show these things, you dont have to do these unnecessary transactions anymore because the data is pulled directly.Even now, we are trying to do the same thing with the banks to do what they call Electronic Know Your Customer (EKYC). In the past, to open a bank account, you had to bring your IDs and certificates and all that stuff. Today, you dont really have to because a citizen can give the data from the government to the bank based on your consent and request, and its all verified.Yet to achieve such things the whole idea is to first establish a relationship, as we mentioned, and a point of trust between government and the people. The second thing that I think is very important is the concept of what we call frictionless government. What we are trying to do is to take out all this unnecessary friction as much as possible, and this goes back to the customer experience. You really want a seamless customer experience when you are dealing with government instead of having to go through all the friction just to get one small little thing done. These are all the basic concepts, and technology is doing that.Government has its own Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). And it's quite interesting, because about three years ago the KPI for open data was just how many data sets you could put out there for the public. All of a sudden everybody went ballistic and said, Okay, let's put everything out there. The problem is that the quantity doesnt solve any problem. Most of the data sets are horrible because data is dirty, it's not machine readable. Some guys will put up like 50 PDF forms, and citizens would say, Who cares?Then the other problem is that you realize a lot of people dont care about that data thats being put up, but everyone pats himself on the back and says, I've got 100,000 data sets out there, yet nobody uses them.About a year and a half back we sat down and said, No, this is bullst, so we actually took down the old site and we rebuilt a new site and we had those two sites in parallel.The new one we called beta.data.gov.sg. Here, we cleaned up a lot of stuff and we found those data sets that are constantly being asked for. Then we moved away, more and more away, from the so-called pure static data to APIs. I think that process is extremely important because it allows people to actually use the data, and now we track it very closely.When we start availing new data sets onto the site, we track usage, we track what you call, what people do with the data itself, and all of a sudden those that dont make sense to maintain we just take it out. You notice that the number of data sets have shrunk significantly, but we know that these are the ones that people will make use of. Pulling out good quality data sets is not free; it costs money, especially when it's API-driven. Under these realities, we had to make sure that our investment is spent wisely. We actually monitor with a dashboard, the data usage quite significantly: what's downloaded, what's not downloaded, how are people using it, whether our own people are using it in the first place. If it's not, we take it out.There are solutions, but most of the solutions are still being invented, so I believe people are still trying to figure out the which IoT services to protect and the specific cybersecurity around them. I'm involved quite a fair bit in these things, but seriously, it's tough. The need for cybersecurity becomes so pervasive that it's hard to control; you can't control it, thats the problem. It just mushrooms everywhere. The thing is that many IoT devices are not built for security. Thats the underlying problem. You buy a PC or another traditional device and there's anti-virus solutions available. For an IoT device nothing is built in there. It's easily connected and it's just meant to be connected to interpret data. Thats it.Most of them are connected to home routers and to hack a home router is piece of cake; most people can do it. What results is that these are really impending problems that are going to blow up one day if we are not careful; we've just got to find a way around it. Frankly speaking, I dont have an answer to it, nobody has an answer to it, and if people tell you they have they are a liars.Cybersecurity is a big issue that we are all concerned about. I think many of us have reached a point where we know that it's impossible to stop cybersecurity problems. The question is, where do you dedicate your effort? Really, it costs money; it's not cheap to do all these programs.The question for us now is really about categorizing systems. There are highly secure systems we will spend a lot of money protecting. For the rest, it is what it is. If something happens to it we are just going to accept the risk and move on, as long as the risk is not so big that it actually cripples certain critical services in the country. This is a very measured risk acceptance attitude towards cybersecurity.We do host a lot of international visitors actually. In fact, before I came, I just hosted Hirofumi Yoshimura, the mayor of Osaka, from Japan. I think we are all, again, searching for practical solutions to real problems. I think that the days of just talking about technology for the sake of technology is over.There are a lot of people out there; let's be honest, that talk about the newest technology, but theres so much hoopla behind it it's just amazing. The ability to distill this down to things that work is really a skill. It's an art rather than a science, but more importantly it's to really understand some of the common problems we all have and how each one of us have pushed to solving these problems.I think it's always interesting, because when visitors come we will tell them our point of view and they will say, Wow, thats interesting, thats a different way of solving the problem that we have as well, and they will tell us of their solutions and it could be totally different. Sometimes one is better than the other, sometimes there are just many ways to solve a problem, and there's nothing wrong with that. We just try to be very practical. Thats what we do. BERKELEY, CALIF. Soon, the newest buildings in San Francisco will be very, very eco-friendly. Its mandatory the Board of Supervisors has been aggressive on environmental policies, requiring types of new constructions to have solar panels and water reuse systems , for example.But its still not enough for the city to meet its goals.As part of the worldwide Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance (CNCA), San Francisco has a goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. Its among the most aggressive but not the most aggressive goals in the U.S., especially for a city with more residents than the entire state of North Dakota. And it will require more than renewably sourced electricity, more than transportation running on alternative fuels, more than energy efficiency.Which is why Jessie Denver is focused on something not a lot of people are talking about: electric heat pumps.Much of the water and air heating in buildings these days comes from natural gas, a fossil fuel that much like oil and coal must be pulled out of the ground and transported before it can be used. As Denverexplained Sept. 8 at the Bridge SF conference, electric heat pumps offer a more efficient alternative, one that can be sourced from an ever-greener power grid.And they hold a lot of potential to help San Francisco meet its goals, according to Denver, who is the energy program manager in the citys Department of the Environment. If electric heat pumps replaced 80 percent of the citys carbon-based heat sources market saturation, in broad strokes it would eliminate 13.6 percent of San Franciscos total greenhouse gas emissions.Everybodys done a great job on electrification of supply, Denver said. Rooftop solar, everyones focused on electric vehicles. Electric vehicles feel like solar did in 2006 right now theyre really fun. But nobodys focusing on natural gas, and heat pumps are a terrific solution.Easier said than done, perhaps. Like many technologies that can save both money and carbon see solar panels heat pumps can mean a big up-front cost that pays the owner back over time in the form of lower bills. For new buildings, San Francisco might be able to go the same route as it has with solar panels simply require them in types of new construction.But for older buildings, its a different story. Not that its something data cant help address.We can look at when permits were pulled for hot water heaters across the city and aggregate a whole group of property owners who have those units coming up for replacement, because the hot water heaters only last for so long, Denver said. So we can target outreach to that community and say, Hey, we know your hot water heaters are going to need to be replaced soon. Wed like you to look at this particular technology. And we can partner that with the industry and say, We have people with 10,000 permits coming up and replacement of those appliances will be needed. At what price point can you deliver that that will be effective?Another potential issue is regulatory hurdles. Thats something San Francisco has run into before with water reuse systems. The city wants to encourage people to reuse water for non-potable purposes, but it also has an obligation to make sure the water quality is up to code. So it first had to come up with a developer-friendly way to ensure water quality when setting up reuse systems.San Francisco and CNCA are trying to get a better grip on what the regulatory hurdles will be at the federal, state and local levels when it comes to electric heat pumps. But Denver said shes confident that local government specifically will be able to help make the transition easier.Those policy barriers exist," she said, "and this is an area where cities can lead the way." (TNS) -- Agile Networks has entered into a licensing agreement that could see it managing, operating and marketing Indiana's communication's infrastructure.The deal was announced by the company and state officials on Tuesday. It still must be approved by the Indiana State Budget Committee.Agile Networks benefits by gaining access to the state's cellular telephone and radio towers in a 25-year deal, which can be extended. Indiana benefits because Agile plans to help extend broadband service to the state's rural areas, and because Agile agreed to pay $50 million for rights to manage the network. The state wants to use the money to pay for several bicentennial projects it is developing.The plan is similar to one Agile has with Ohio to manage its cellular and radio towers around the state. Agile has used the towers to build a wireless system using microwave, fiber and satellite communications that extends broadband around the state.The deal will help Indiana to gain full use of its telecommunications infrastructure, officials with the state and Agile said. The system includes hundreds of towers and non-traditional vertical structures, fiber optic cables and streamlined right-of-way access.Indiana officials are confident that Agile can build a system to provide wireless carriers and providers the ability to access new urban and rural markets. Increasing broadband availability to under-served areas will help economic development, said Micah Vincent, director of Indiana's office of management and budget."With a qualified firm driving the management, operation and marketing of the state's communication infrastructure, Indiana stands to gain significantly upfront and in the long term for our rural communities and economic development efforts," Dan Huge, director of the Indiana Finance Authority, said in a news release announcing the agreement.The deal gives Agile access to Indiana's telecommunications system for 25 years, with an opportunity to renew for another 25 years. Agile is expected to share $36 million in anticipated revenue with the state during the first 25 years. It will cost Agile $10 million to renew the agreement, and it's expected the state would net $164 million during the second renewal period.Agile expects there will be multiple phases as the company develops Indiana's network. The initial phase expected to take about one year will involve tying together the network. Once everything is coordinated, the company expects to start extending broadband service into new areas, a spokesman said. The goal is to make it more cost effective for a provider to operate in areas that currently are under served.The company expects it could take until late October before the State Budget Committee approves the agreement.Indiana has been privatizing much of its publicly owned operations, and this is an extension of that process, according to a news release issued by Gov. Mike Pence's office. "This agreement, if approved, will put unused assets into full play, enhance Indiana's communications capabilities throughout the state and fund the state's bicentennial projects," said Pence, who is the Republican Party's candidate for vice president, sharing the ticket with presidential nominee Donald Trump. Precision Medicine Initiative: Why You Should Worry About the Privatization of Genetic Data Alternative Fueled by Better Cars Out West, its OReGO Legislation Eventually Needed (TNS) -- At least 50 Delawareans soon will be testing a pilot program that eventually could replace the states gasoline tax.The program is part of a multi-state effort funded by a $1.49 million matching grant provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Delaware is to receive $290,000, which it will match with administrative funds from within DelDOT, said state Secretary of Transportation Jennifer Cohan.Cohan is chair of the I-95 Corridor Coalition, an interstate group of experts from Maine to Florida charged with resolving transportation issues. The coalition will be looking at using those resources to keep Delawares transportation trust fund solvent.This is a pilot program to determine the feasibility of a mileage-based user fee to replace the gas tax, Cohan said. This would not be in addition to the gas tax, but to replace it.Other grant recipients include Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Vermont, although only Pennsylvania and Delaware are looking at the user fee idea.Delawares transportation trust fund is buoyed in part by the states 23-cent per gallon fuel tax; Gov. Jack Markell, in his two most recent budget proposals, urged lawmakers to raise the tax by at least 10 cents per gallon.Markell argued the gas tax has remained the same since 1995 and increasingly fuel efficient vehicles over those two decades have meant a net decrease in revenue from the tax. Legislators, however, barely considered the idea.Instead, in 2015 the trust fund was recharged by borrowing and with increases in permit fees and road tolls that bankrolled the transportation capital plan through 2021.But it became clear the time was ripe to consider an alternative to the gas tax, Cohan said.Were trying to look for a sustainable source of revenue so we dont have to fight for a revenue package every 10 years, she said. It gets politicized, and we dont want that, either.The most pressing part of the study will be in figuring out how to charge drivers based on their mileage. This could be done through a flat fee or by tracking the number of miles driven each year.The technology to do the latter already exists in newer cars: onboard computers provide reams of diagnostic information and could provide mileage data on which the fee could be based. Miles driven also could be tracked, particularly in older cars, by recording the odometer readouts during motor vehicle inspections, a requirement whenever vehicles are relicensed.Additional details, such as how and when drivers would be billed or issued rebates, or what would happen if someone cannot pay the user fee, will have to be worked out during the pilot program, Cohan said.One more issue driver privacy also must be addressed, she said. Some, including state Sen. Colin Bonini, are not comfortable thinking the state could track their movements while behind the wheel.Cohan agrees, adding that the U.S. Department of Transportation money should help address that issue.Thats the beauty of getting this grant and exploring these different options, Cohan said.The state of Oregon already has put the mileage-based user fee into practice.Although designed for about 5,000 volunteers in its initial phase, the system currently is in use by about 1,200 drivers, Michelle Godfrey, spokeswoman for the Oregon Department of Transportation said.This is an alternative funding solution because vehicles are more and more fuel efficient and theyre using less gas, she said. Theres less to contribute to road maintenance.Members of the Oregon legislature recognized the problem as far back as 2001, and authorized pilot programs in 2006 and 2012. The user fee system, called OReGO, went into effect in July 2015.Volunteers with the program are given a recorder that plugs in to the cars diagnostic system; the device records only miles driven and fuel used, although an optional device for commercial drivers also provides GPS data.The user fee is calculated and compared to the tax the driver paid when gassing up.If they paid more in gas tax at the pump, they get a credit refund, Godfrey said. If not, they pay the difference.Even though the state hasnt signed up the number of volunteers it would like to see, Godfrey said Oregon officials are pleased with how the system is working.We havent had any major glitches, she said. Were excited about the prospects for it.The program has drawn interest from other states, including Delaware, Godfrey said.We share with other states, she said. We want to collaborate with everyone and learn from our program.Cohan doesnt see Delaware politics as getting in the way of this initial program, despite the end of Markells final term in January. The pilot effort should continue no matter who occupies the governors office.One of the great things about Gov. Markell is that he fully supports planning for the future and the importance of infrastructure to our economy, she said. Hes been very supportive.For its part, DelDOT will be starting its pilot program in October with a concerted effort to educate the public beginning in December. Testing for the user-based system will begin in February and run through March 2018, with a final report then due to the Federal Highway Administration. Additional testing and more funding could come after then, Cohan said.Finally, legislation from the General Assembly would be required to implement any new proposal to replace the gas tax, she said. Citizens in the state of New Jersey have a new tool at their disposal should they need help in an emergency situation. On Sept. 7, officials unveiled a new text-to-911 capability that will allow residents living anywhere in the state to interact with emergency dispatchers via text message.The tool has been a topic of much discussion following recent high-profile mass shootings, which occured in areas where the ability to text emergency responders was not an option.The feature allows citizens to directly message dispatchers and is a critical part in getting better information to first responders during an emergency event, said Chris Rodriguez, director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP), at an event at Rutgers University.The text-to-911 capability will allow, in the event that the unthinkable happens in our backyard, the public in a safe way to text 911 and be able to provide vital information to the first responders arriving on the scene, he explained.Relying solely on voice calls, as many 911 networks do, makes the information-gathering process slower and can put callers in high-risk situations.During the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Fla., victims reportedly reached out to family members through text messages asking them to call 911. Unfortunately, the network did not have the technical capability to receive text messages directly.FBI surveys of active shooter situations that have occurred across the country show that about 70 percent of active shooter situations end in less than five minutes," Rodriguez said. "And, in some cases, the speed at which those happen sometimes outpace the ability of first responders to arrive on scene.Attorney General Christopher Porrino said that while the technology represents a quantum leap in the natural evolution of 911 networks, the tools should only be used when a voice call is not possible or would put the caller in danger.As quickly as you may be able to text, your voice still works better to ensure the fastest and most appropriate and reliable response to your emergency, he said. But again, we fully recognize that there are going to be situations where voice-to-voice is just not an option. So, the thing to remember is call when you can, text when you cant.Porrino said voice calls allow dispatchers to not only hear activity in the background, but also allow them to monitor other factors, such as caller stress level and condition. The attorney general also applauded the text feature for use within the deaf and hearing impaired communities.The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also warns that voices calls should always be the first resort in an emergency. Despite the prevalence of the mobile communication medium, many emergency dispatch networks rely heavily on reports made through landline or mobile phone channels.State Chief Technology Officer Dave Weinstein said the technology came online in late July and represents an alternate way to communicate with first responders.This is about access and choice and expanding the options for our citizens to leverage the services of emergency service personnel in this state, all across our 21 counties, he said.Though the 911 system will be able to receive mobile messages, it cannot receive picture or video messages. If a text message does not reach a dispatcher, a bounce back notification is provided to alert the sender.The capability was made possible through a collaborative effort that included the likes of the New Jersey State Police, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, the Office of Information Technology, mobile service providers, and others. Esteban Ocon's future at Renault appears all but guaranteed. The French works team has reportedly told Kevin Magnussen that a decision about the 2017 driver lineup is now imminent. And according to Speed Week, one cockpit will surely be filled by 19-year-old French rookie Ocon, who was loaned by Mercedes to Renault this year as reserve driver. He has now been placed at Manor, but is clearly also part of Renault's long-term planning. "We want the champion of 2019," team boss Frederic Vasseur told Speed Week. "We want to build a driver who we regard as an investment like a wind tunnel or a better engine." The future of the F1 grid appears to be in good hands, with young drivers like Max Verstappen and Stoffel Vandoorne regarded as superstars of the future. But Vasseur said of Verstappen: "Esteban beat him in Formula 3. "Everyone also talks about Stoffel Vandoorne, but he came up short against Kevin Magnussen in Formula Renault 3.5, and (Jolyon) Palmer beat him in GP2." (GMM) Max Verstappen has thanked Lewis Hamilton after the reigning world champion backed the driving of the controversial 18-year-old. With the Dutchman under attack recently for what some see as an overly aggressive racing style, Hamilton said at Monza: "Give the guy a break, he is 18 years old." Verstappen, having faced a barrage of criticism, sounded happy to hear Hamilton's support. "That's nice and it shows me just what a racer Lewis is," he is quoted by Speed Week. Amid the detractors, Verstappen also has plenty of support, including from the controversial former Renault boss Flavio Briatore. "He reminds me of a young Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso," the Italian, who was at Monza, told Sport Bild. "He brings new energy into the sport and formula one urgently needs it. "To criticise him for a spectacular driving style is stupid," Briatore insisted. Briatore, who was at the Monza GP contract extension announcement and also handed out the GP2 trophies, also commented on Ferrari's current problems. "To look at Sebastian (Vettel)'s problems shows how good Fernando really was. Because it was him making the difference, not the car. "Ferrari has 80 per cent of what it takes to win," Briatore added, "but the missing 20 per cent is a huge task." (GMM) Sergio Perez is staying with Force India, amid rumours in Mexico that his backers may even buy the Silverstone based team. It is now considered an open secret that, despite flirting with Renault, the on-form Perez is actually staying with Force India for 2017. "The new contract is signed," sporting boss Otmar Szafnauer now confirms to Auto Motor und Sport. "He stays with us next year." It is believed the deal was held up amid complex negotiations between the team and Perez's sponsors, headed by the Mexican telcom billionaire Carlos Slim. The Mexican broadcaster Grupo Imagen announced this week that Slim is actually buying Force India, amid the troubles of current owners Vijay Mallya and Subrata Roy. But a team spokesman told Speed Week: "This story from Mexico is pure speculation." (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne insists he is looking forward to going up against Fernando Alonso next year at McLaren. It was announced at Monza that the 24-year-old Belgian rookie will make his full-time F1 debut next year with the British team. Spaniard Alonso had a bad experience of going up against a highly-rated rookie at McLaren, clashing badly with Lewis Hamilton in 2007. But he joked last weekend: "Stoffel is not English, so it will be fine." Vandoorne is also looking forward to the challenge. "I see it as an advantage to be able to debut alongside him," he told the Belgian broadcaster Sporza. "Alonso is a double world champion and is considered one of the best drivers in F1. If I can prove that I am better than him, that's good for my career," Vandoorne insisted. He also said he sees the opportunity of debuting with a top team like McLaren as positive. "There is more pressure, but if you want to be world champion, you have to be able to deal with it," said the Belgian. (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone is staying in formula one, despite earlier speculation that the F1 supremo would be ousted amid the sale deal to Liberty Media. That deal was announced late on Wednesday but must first be approved by European authorities and the FIA. But when it does go through, Ecclestone will still be chief executive. "They want me to be here for three years," the 85-year-old told Express newspaper. "I'll be 89 by then," he also told the Telegraph, "and probably then I might want to retire or do something else. But I'm carrying on. "I'll just have a bit of help." Some of that 'help' will be from Chase Carey, a 21st Century Fox executive who will be the new chairman. "He can do lots of things that I haven't done with this social media, which he seems to be in touch with," said Ecclestone. Amid the high-profile sale by CVC, Ecclestone announced that he will miss next weekend's Singapore grand prix. "Because all this is going through, CVC want me to be in London to help them with all sorts of things," he said. (GMM) The Wyoming Mining Association sought authority to approve or deny a solar farm project in Sweetwater County and was denied, according to Sweetwater County Commissioner John Kolb. Kolb, speaking to other commissioners Tuesday, said he had a meeting with a representative of the WMA and was asked if the county would consider giving authority to WMA members regarding projects that could involve land leased for mining activity. The mining association is a statewide trade organization representing 37 mining companies and more than 300 other members, including two railroads and an electricity c... The easiest way to take a culinary trip without the need for a passport is to visit a new-to-you restaurant. For example, Sumela: Turkish and Mediterranean Restaurant is in the front of a small shopping center on Main Street in High Point. Inside, the eatery is cozy and intimate with low ceilings and counter service or table service. Outdoor seating is available, too, with a covered patio, also cozy, which overlooks the flashing lights and distractions of the main drag. No matter your choice of dine-in or take-out, Sumela sits quietly waiting for you to embark on a simple Mediterranean culinary adventure. The menu features an assortment of traditional Turkish and Mediterranean regional dishes, ranging from ubiquitous hummus to various meat kebabs and a few pasta dishes, reminiscent of Italy. To start, the hummus is a nice way to ease into the straightforward, yet interesting menu. The hummus was a little runny and didnt have that familiar nutty flavor of traditional chickpeas, but scooping it off the plate with warm pita triangles was fun while waiting on main courses to arrive. A great way to try a variety of dishes is the restaurants kebab platter. You can pick and choose your kebabs and all are served with pita and three sides: rice, piyaz (a marinated white bean salad with diced onion and bell peppers) and mixed vegetables. The platter fit for the king of kings, the Sultan Platter, is without a doubt the best item on the menu and comes with a lamb skewer, Adana kebab and gyro meat. Adana is similar to a lamb and beef sausage that is chargrilled on a skewer. Dont forget to ask about the fish of the day. During one of my visits, it was a baked snapper with mixed vegetables. I was surprised that nothing on the menu costs more than$15, and every individual menu item is also available a la carte. The menu item I cant stop thinking about is the gyro. The seasoned thin slices of meat were juicy, the diced tomatoes plump and the lettuce crisp wrapped inside warm pita proved to be the most delicious gyro Ive ever had. I didnt want to let my gyro meat go, and I truly savored every single bite. I did not care for the housemade yogurt-cucumber sauce (too much yogurt and not enough cucumber), but the restaurant seems to be extremely proud of it, as a declaration of its authenticity is stated in the middle of the menu. The sauce is featured on nearly every sandwich and wrap. Sides include chips, fries or for an additional upgrade, you can substitute the best of the options, the aforementioned piyaz, pasta salad or fresh fruit. The pasta dish choices are breaded chicken or eggplant Parmesan or seasoned beef baked with a housemade tomato sauce. All of them are served with penne pasta, a side salad and garlic bread. These menu items are perfect for anyone in your dining party not ready to jump on the boat to the Ottoman Empire in terms of culinary diversity. To finish the meal, baklava, rice pudding and the Turkish coffee were hits with my dining companions. The pudding was creamy, luxurious and a perfect ending to a sumptuous meal. For those unfamiliar with Turkish and Mediterranean food, the prospect of eating at Sumela might seem a bit intimidating. But the friendly, welcoming staff and the range of options make a trip to the restaurant a must for both neophytes and seasoned food fans. Over the last few years, airports have welcomed a new type of airline known as ultra-low-cost carriers or, in travel industry parlance, ULCCs. You may have never heard of many of these airlines, but they are a key reason weve seen airfares come down this year. When a ULCC enters a market, major airlines usually pay attention and lower fares accordingly. Domestically, ULCCs include Allegiant, Frontier, and Spirit Airlines. International ULCCs include WOW Air and Norwegian Air. In Europe, the biggest ultra-low-cost carrier is Ryanair. Have you flown on an ultra-low-cost carrier yet? What did you think? While ULCCs have been around a while, I still frequently hear from readers who are shocked SHOCKED to discover all the extra fees that come with those ultra-low fares. This include nearly everything from drinks and meals to carry-on bags and advance seat selection. Some even charge to print a boarding pass if you did not do it at home. Heres one of the most recent reader letters. Take a read and let me know what you think. Is it okay for a ULCC to charge for a bottle of water? Please leave your comments below. Dear Mr. McGinnis, As an expert traveler, blogger, and columnist who has written extensively about traveling and has been an advisor to frequent travelers at SFGATE, you were the person I thought of, who could address in your columns the risks of flying with a low-cost airline. I would like to share with you my experience regarding a recent flight that I took on August 23rd on a low-cost carrier called WOW airlines, an Icelandic airline (wowair.com) from San Francisco to Paris. I decided to fly on this airline because the cost of the ticket was a lot cheaper than on other airlines ($760 round trip + $77 to check a bag). At the time, I was aware that flying with WOW meant that items such as food and beverages were not complimentary. [Currently, WOW Air is promoting fares as low as $440 roundtrip between SFO and Iceland for fall trips. From the east coast, fares are as low as $239 round trip. That is CHEAP!] I have experienced this when traveling on other low-cost airlines in Europe such as EasyJet. I didnt mind this, seeing as the duration of the flights were usually short, i.e. no longer than three hours. However, I had assumed that on longer flights, the airline would provide passengers with food and beverages free of charge. I was stunned when I discovered that on the first leg of the flight from San Francisco to Keflavik, the main airport in Iceland, food and beverages were not complimentary. This was after all an 8-hour flight! I believe that flights that are transatlantic and longer than six hours, should provide at least some food to their passengers. While I wasnt thrilled about this, I told myself that this is the way low-cost airlines work. If I pay less, then, this is to be expected. What I did not expect was having to pay for water on this flight! I had taken a water bottle with me and had drunk all of it. When I asked if I could refill my water bottle, the flight attendant came back with a water bottle and a portable credit card machine. She told me that it cost three dollars to buy the water bottle. I was shocked. How could they charge for water? Its a basic need! Plus, the cost was ridiculously high for a water bottle. I told her that I just wanted to fill the bottle with water, but she replied that they only had water bottles. Related: Whats it like to fly Norwegian Air? I refused to pay. This was really beyond the pale. How could a flight not have water readily available to its passengers? What if there was an emergency and a passenger needed to drink water ASAP? Would they charge him/her, too? Because I didnt want to pay for water, I didnt drink anything for several hours until I arrived in Paris. When I came home, I wrote to the airline to inform them that I was very displeased with the fact that they charge for food and beverages, especially water on an 8-hour transatlantic flight. Soon after I wrote them, I looked at reviews of the airline online only to discover that it received scathing reviews due to poor customer service and its tendency to lose luggage, have significant delays, and be unavailable or unhelpful to passengers when they needed information about their flight. I received yesterday a reply from WOW. Here it is: Replied on Thursday August 25th: Dear L, Thank you for getting in touch with us. We are firm believers in the business model you pay for what you use. We are a low-budget airline so all extra services are not included in the ticket price and come for an additional charge. We believe its unfair for our guests to pay for something they have no intention of using. That is why you are allowed to choose what you pay for, you do not pay for anything you do not use. Feel free to write back should you have any more questions! Have a nice day. Kind regards, Briet WOW air I found this answer unacceptable and appalling. As a result, I deemed it important to inform the community of travelers about this airline and its treatment of its passengers. By sharing our stories with travel experts and advisors, we can show that this kind of behavior is unacceptable and, in my view, amoral. I believe that low-cost airlines should be held accountable for the way they operate and treat their passengers. Thank you very much for having taken the time to read this. Kind regards, LG So readers, what do you think? Is it okay for an ultra-low-cost carrier to charge $3 for a bottle of water? Would you pay for it? Please leave your comments below. -Chris McGinnis (Were back from summer vacation! In case you missed our other recent round-up posts, here the are:Tips from a Hawaiian Vacation | Augusts most important travel news) Do you follow us on Twitter? Its a great way to keep up with the latest news! Please join the 125,000+ people who read TravelSkills every month! Sign up here for one email-per-day updates! As schools in Greenwich have started their year, I was encouraged to read about the Greenwich Police and Public Works Departments efforts to promote safety in and around school zones (news story, Aug. 30, Town targets school zone driving). I am happy to read the police will be deploying officers in and around school zones to assist with traffic flow and that Public Works has installed speed limit signs with flashing beacons to remind drivers to slow down. I hope these efforts can mitigate improved safety in and around school zones. However in my observations as a public school teacher for the past 38 years, the real issues stem from the drivers (read parents and caregivers) themselves and their inability (read unwillingness) to make changes to their driving habits to improve safety on all our roads. I have actually seen the extremely large SUV type vehicle driven by a childs mom with a cell phone under her right ear, and a coffee cup in her right hand trying to maneuver through the parking lot of a school. All of a sudden, the children in the back seats unbuckle their seat belts (car is still maneuvering) and open the door farthest away from the curb! Mom finally stops the car and gets out to assist the children (she put the coffee cup down but still has that phone up to her ear). This in essence stops the vehicle drop-off queue. After assisting the children exit the car, mom returns to the vehicle and begins to drive away. She waves and shouts out the window to a friend until she gets to the main road where she (having completed her task) accelerates over the posted speed limit without reference to other students walking to school or the other moms trying to drop off their children. To quote a millennial phrase its all about me. An alternate scenario (which actually happened) is dad. Hes been asked by his wife to bring the kids to school, but is unfamiliar with the traffic layout. Dad doesnt like to wait in line, as he thinks its a waste of time, so he bypasses the queue, double-parks next to the vehicle in front and allows the children to exit on both sides of his car in the middle of moving traffic. The childrens lives are saved by a school staff member who sees all this happening and rushes out to assist the kids. Dads reply to the staff member: I didnt know. Parents and caregivers driving their children to school should place 110 percent of their attention on the task at hand. Whether you agree or not, maneuvering a vehicle through a crowded school parking lot while talking on a cell phone is dangerous. As is allowing children to exit the vehicle on the side opposite the curb. Other cars may be passing your car placing the child in serious danger. Also, if your child needs assistance to exit your car, you should park your vehicle in the parking lot, assist your child and walk them to the drop-off area. Please do not hold up the queue by exiting your vehicle to assist your children. It is also not the job of school staff members to assist your children in exiting the car. They are there to help monitor safety. Another pet peeve of mine are the countless number of drivers (more than you know and God knows why) who pass stopped school buses that have their red lights flashing and STOP sign out. This is illegal and comes with a hefty fine if youre caught. Ive actually stopped and exited my car to confront drivers who pass parked school buses and I write down their license plate numbers to forward to the police (this also gives the bus driver time to write down the license plate number, as they are required to report the vehicle to the police). Crosswalks that are clearly marked indicating cars must stop for pedestrians can also be a dangerous place when drivers fail to pay attention. Pedestrians often stay on the sidewalk waiting for cars to stop, which they are not required to do. Failing to stop your vehicle for pedestrians in a marked crosswalk is also illegal. It is a State of Connecticut law and comes with an even heftier fine if youre caught. No matter how late or rushed you may be, pay attention to the pedestrians, wherever they may be. Lt. Kraig Gray from the Greenwich Police Department was quoted as saying in the Greenwich Time article saying, Parents should be extra careful anytime they are in a school zone. Lt. Gray also encourages parents to have their children ride the bus (it is safer than driving in your car), or walk to school if they live close. I also encourage parents to adjust their schedule so they have more time to get children to school. Avoid rushing and speeding because youre late. Finally, it is my opinion we all tend to drive our cars too fast. The average speed limit in Greenwich is 25 mph. The speed limit is slower in congested areas and in school zones. Wouldnt it be great if everyone slowed down, adjusted their schedule, and drove the speed limit throughout town all the time? I believe there would be less vehicular and pedestrian accidents, but also less road rage. Civility would return to the roads. At least until Open House night. John Macri, Jr. recently retired as a public school teacher after 38 years. He taught in Greenwich and a neighboring school district and is a lifelong resident of Greenwich. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate EAST HAVEN, Conn. When PATH Car 745 left Hoboken, N.J., on September 11, 2001, it was simply another day of travel for the subway car and its passengers. No one could have foreseen the events that would change the world that day. The entire PATH station under the World Trade Center site was evacuated of all passengers and employees that morning, preventing any loss of life on the train or station. Through the day's events, the car remained perfectly intact. The Shore Line Trolley Museum in East Haven welcomed this relic from Ground Zero in 2015 and is now ready to unveil it to the public. Check out the slideshow above for a look inside PATH Car 745. This Sunday, Sept. 11, at 12 p.m. the museum will hold a dedication ceremony for the subway car that survived the World Trade Center collapse. Guests will be able to board the car and walk through what commuters experienced everyday heading from New Jersey to New York. Wayne Sandford, of the Shore line Trolley Museum, said in a release that the exhibit has been a long time in the making and is thanks to efforts to save the car by Peter Rinaldi, a senior engineering manager with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Rinaldi worked on recovery operations at Ground Zero beside other engineers, police and fire personnel. "[Rinaldi and crew members] found themselves at the north end of the 5-track PATH WTC station. There [Rinaldi] climbed onto the platform and walked through the doors of car 745, still open and waiting for the passengers that never came back on 9/11," Sandford said. "He stepped aboard the car and into the operating cab and at that moment became determined that, somehow, this car must be saved. "Over 14 years later, his vision became a reality as Car 745 touched down on trolley museum rails and became part of our collection." Sandford said the museum has also developed a children's book with author Marie Betts Bartlett about the subway car. The museum will also unveil the book on Sunday. Photo: Keith Gette/Moment Editorial/Getty Images Eating seafood means navigating a host of ethical dilemmas, from overfishing to human-rights abuses. Then theres the issue of rampant fraud, which occurs in everything from crab cakes to lobster and according to a new report is even worse than you probably even imagined. Thats the case being made by ocean-conservation group Oceana in a new report about fish fraud, for which it tested 25,000 samples of seafood and found that one in five were incorrectly labeled. For the report, Oceana analyzed 200 studies from 55 countries and found instances of mislabeling at every step of the chain, from wholesalers to importer to retailers. According to a representative for Oceana, only one of the studies in question didnt find any fraud at all. Another study, focused on Italy, found that an astounding 82 percent of grouper, swordfish, and whopper samples were mislabeled. The fish most commonly passed as other species was farmed Asian catfish, which was sold as perch, cod, grouper, and 15 other pricier species. There are potentially dangerous consequences to this rampant misabeling: Oceana found that 58 percent of mislabeled samples could pose health risks, particularly for young children and pregnant women. Mercury-saturated king mackerel was sold as barracuda and wahoo in South Africa, while a New York grocer sold blueline tilefish, which has so much mercury its on the do-not-eat list, as halibut or red snapper. In other cases, endangered fish, like largetooth sawfish in Brazil, were being passed off as other species not at risk. As if more fish fraud wasnt enough, another report from the Associated Press finds major labor abuses in the American fishing industry. This is exploitation on the level of the Thai sea slaves, involving hundreds of undocumented immigrants who, because of a federal loophole, dont enjoy even base-level labor protections. Hailing from Southeast Asian and Pacific countries, the fisherman work American ships run by American captains; because of the mens lack of visas, they are often confined to those ships for years while earning paltry salaries of 70 cents an hour. The investigation discovered instances of human trafficking, as well as workers using buckets in lieu of toilets, suffering from bedbug infestations, and lacking enough food. This is not just a couple ships gone bad, either. The fleet consists of 140 boats, mainly docked in shadowy ports in Honololu but also San Franciscos Fishermans Wharf, and doesnt operate in the name of cheap shrimp. The boats, rather, are catching pricy ahi tuna and swordfish. According to the report, the high-end seafood is carried by retailers like Whole Foods and Costco, served by star chefs including Roy Yamaguchi and Masaharu Morimoto, and the entire system has the blessing of high-ranking lawmakers. Cringe-worthy food-marketing fails are a dime a dozen these days, but maybe never in the history of such bad decisions has there been one that required this amount of forethought: Yes, that is several hundred 12-packs of Coke products stacked into an elaborate Ground Zero diorama. Twitter user @online_shawn tells BuzzFeed he was in Florida on vacation and swung by a Panama City store to grab things for the beach. He and his girlfriend quickly saw the conspicuous display possibly the worst in 15 years of breathtakingly tasteless 9/11 tributes at the end of an aisle. He says they paused to gawk in disbelief, but realized nobody else seemed to be noticing. He thought (hoped?) thats because assembly was completed mere moments ago, so he helped spread the word by tweeting a pic of this great deal that shoppers should, as the sign instructs, never forget. Naturally, people had some thoughts on Twitter: This year make Walmart your 9/11 party supply headquarters! https://t.co/ZL63qVVaC0 Adam Tod Brown (@adamtodbrown) September 8, 2016 We will never forget......THESE GREAT ROLLBACK PRICES YALL! https://t.co/p4asAkAHlf The Superhoo (@The_Superhoo) September 7, 2016 about god damn time someone recognized the sacrifices of mello yello on that day ceeks (@70Ceeks) September 6, 2016 wait a second Ground Coke Zero Neck @ anime boston (@OneTrickTofani) September 7, 2016 A spokesperson says the Twin Towers composed of Walmarts $3.33-a-pack Coke Zero have now been taken down, alongside every other aspect of that display. For what its worth, the rep also notes that Coke is generally the idea generator when it comes to end-of-aisle displays, and all Walmart does is approve or deny them. Which of course still means somebody at the company saw Cokes shameless mock-up and went, Yep, perfect. Years after it exited the market, BlackBerry is all set to make a comeback to South Korea. According to a new report, the Canadian company will launch its debut Android smartphone Priv in the Asian country at an event scheduled for September 20. BlackBerry entered the South Korean smartphone market in 2009, but decided to pull out in 2012 due to sluggish sales. Several other companies, including Nokia, HTC, and Motorola, also exited the market in the same year after losing out to local players like Samsung and LG. The company, however, made it clear that there are currently no plans to set up a regional office in South Korea. Via We all know the rollercoaster ride that the Galaxy Note7's short life has been - announced after great anticipation, sales surpassing initial predictions leading to delays on some markets, only to be halted globally in light of reports of exploding batteries, followed by a worldwide recall of units already sold. India was not in the first wave of launches, and just as pre-orders were about to ship on September 2, the recall was official, so the Indian release was pushed back. Samsung is trying its best to make up for the delay with a couple of freebies announced in a statement on its official website, and publicized on Facebook. So, for one, those who pre-booked a Galaxy Note7 will be getting a Gear VR headset free of charge. Originally that was going to cost them INR 1,990 ($30), still a lot cheaper that the regular price for the accessory - INR 7,290 ($110). Free is always better than cheap, though. But there's more. Samsung will be throwing in an INR 3,300 ($50) voucher towards Oculus content for you to enjoy on that free Gear VR of yours. Source Sony announced two new PS4 models yesterday, a brand new PS4 Pro and a redesigned version of the standard PS4. Starting with the PS4 Pro, the new console feature powerful new hardware that enables 4K gaming with HDR. Developers will have the choice to update their existing games and release new ones with either increased resolution of up to 4K or to add extra detail and improved framerate at HD resolutions. Many developers have already started working on new PS4 Pro compatible games and will update existing titles to add support. Sony has promised there won't be any other differences apart from visual quality between PS4 Pro and PS4 titles, and that the same game will work on both platforms and only look different depending upon your console and connected television. Sony is even bringing the HDR functionality to all existing PS4 consoles through a software update. The HDR functionality will enable wider dynamic range and richer colors on compatible televisions. Other than games, PS4 Pro will also get a new Netflix app that supports 4K HDR content, as well as a new 4K YouTube app. Unfortunately, it does not have support for 4K Blu-ray, which is a rather glaring omission on a Sony product, especially since Microsoft supports it on the Xbox One S. Sony also announced the updated PS4, which will replace the current model. The new model is 30% smaller, 16% lighter and also 28% more power efficient. Apart from that it is pretty much identical to the current standard PS4. The PS4 Pro will be available from November 10 with 1TB hard drive for $399. The slimmer PS4 will be available from September 15 with a 500GB hard drive for $299. Source Haiti - Security : Camille Edouard condemns the intrusion of armed men in the MSPP Following the serious incident occurred last Friday, during the eruption of hooded gunmen in the offices of the Ministry of Health (MSPP) on the airport road https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-18498-icihaiti-flash-gunmen-invade-the-premises-of-mspp.html , Camille Junior Edouard, the Minister of Justice and Public Security, has strongly condemned Tuesday the attack. Note that this intervention took place at the request of a particular, which claims the enjoyment of the space occupied by the Ministry, that he claims to be his property. He was accompanied by a Justice of Peace and a commando of army men to reclaim his alleged property... For Minister Edouard, it is a regrettable error, the land occupied by the Ministry have been declared of public utility. He reminded the Commissioners of the Government, they have an obligation to well consider the land dispute files submitted to them, especially the regularity of the procedure when they are decisions rendered by default in civil matters and to check carefully if the judicial decision that they are about to perform, has acquired the authority of the sovereign res judicata. "Following the eviction attempts observed in recent weeks https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18308-haiti-flash-attack-of-the-sun-auto-sa.html , the granting of the exequatur is suspended temporarily and in case there would have been granted, it should be retracted immediately," announced the Minister of Justice, reiterating to the Government Commissioners its determination to work for a sound and impartial justice. See also : https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-18498-icihaiti-flash-gunmen-invade-the-premises-of-mspp.html SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping politics... Famni Lavalas top in a poll After an initial poll BRIDES giving Jovenel Moise Winner https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18401-haiti-flash-survey-brides-jovenel-moise-winner.html followed by a false poll BRIDES giving Jude Celestin winner, it's now a poll from Sigma Stat Consulting Group & Associates, conducted on 2,050 persons randomly selected cross the country that gives Maryse Narcisse candidate of Fanmi Lavalas winner with 49.95%. It only remain to wait for a next poll giving winner Moise Jean-Charles, for the 4 challengers are convinced to be the next President of Haiti. Second presidential debate announced After the announcement of the holding of an election debate between 6 presidential candidates on 20 September organized by the Public Affairs Intervention Group (GIAP) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18497-haiti-flashfirst-electoral-debate-between-6-presidential-candidates.html it is the turn of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of West (CCIO) to announce that it will hold a presidential debate on September 29 with the top 5 candidates. Sensitive materials, confirmed dates Following his trip to Dubai last week to check the progress of the printing process of sensitive materials and accuracy of information on ballots, Philippe Augustin, Director of the Electoral Register to the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), confirmed the arrival of sensitive materials for 17 and 19 September. Edmonde Beauzile, the only woman in the race ! Edmonde Torment Beauzile presidential candidate under the banner of the Party Fusion of Social Democrats Haitians (FUSION) declared "This is the first time that the country of Haiti has only one woman who is a candidate in the presidential election." Asked about the existence of another woman candidate, Maryse Narcisse of Fanmi Lavalas, elle considered that she is not her who is a candidate, but Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Rules and procedures manual of CTV ready The Director of the Votes Tabulation Centre says that the regulations and the CTV procedures manual was revised. The document will be made available to the political parties in the context of transparency. He also called on political actors to work with members of the polling stations in order to facilitate the security of minutes that must be of good quality for a treatment without risk of being excluded at CTV. Distribution of materials Wednesday, Philippe Augustin, informed that the CEP began delivering non-sensitive materials in the 10 departments. Also he announces the technical capacity building at Votes Tabulation Centre (CTV)... HL/ HaitiLibre Published on 2016/09/08 | Source Added episode 6 captures for the Korean drama "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds" (2016) Advertisement Directed by Baek Sang-hoon, Kim Seong-yoon Written by Kim Min-jeong-II, Lim Ye-jin Network : KBS With Park Bo-gum, Kim Yoo-jung, Chae Soo-bin, Jin Young, Kwak Dong-yeon, Kim Seung-soo,... 20 episodes - Mon, Tue 22:00 Synopsis 'Moonlight Drawn by Clouds' is a palace romance inspired by the genius Crown Prince Hyomyeong in the later era of Joseon, who loved etiquette and music. The drama will tell the coming-of-age story of youthful romance in Joseon era which was unwritten in the history. Broadcast starting date in Korea : 2016/08/22 More 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 Harlow is a former New Town in Essex with a population of 86,000. Located in the upper Stort Valley, it was built in the decades after the Second World War to ease overcrowding and London and provide homes for people bombed out during the Blitz. It includes Britain's first pedestrian precinct and first modern residential tower block, The Lawn. Old Harlow, the historic part of the town, was mentioned in the Domesday Book. David and Victoria Beckham's former home, Rowneybury House, nicknamed 'Beckingham Palace', is nearby. 06:00, 29 OCT 2022 DEMOCRAT KIONI DUDLEY FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST KIRK CALDWELL FOR SUPPORTING A REPUBLICAN IN CITY COUNCIL RACE News Release from Kioni Dudley September 7, 2016 Honolulu, HI - Kioni Dudley, a registered Democrat and former Honolulu City Council candidate, filed a complaint with the Hawaii Democratic Party today against Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell. In violation of party rules, Caldwell strongly supported Republican Kymberly Pine against Democrat Dudley in their race for the Honolulu City Council. Besides putting out the clear message to vote for Pine, he raised thousands and thousands of dollars for her, writing to rich contributors encouraging them to attend her elegant fundraisers. "Caldwell is making it an issue in his mayoral campaign that Democrats must only support Democrats. But Caldwell backed Republican Kymberly Pine against me in my City Council campaign, even though I am a registered Democrat," stated Dudley. "This is pure Caldwell hypocrisy and I am calling upon my party to join me in condemning the mayor." Caldwell has specifically called for Democrats to only support other Democrats like himself. Yet Caldwell failed to follow his own demand, and clearly violated party rules, by openly backing Republican Pine over Democrat Dudley. ### PDF: Full Text of Complaint Australias largest rail freight operator Aurizon has been criticised for a policy to stand down train drivers who fail drug or alcohol testing without pay. Owen Doogan, state secretary of the Rail, Tram & Bus Unions (RTBUs) Queensland branch, wrote a letter to Aurizon questioning the lawfulness of the measures. On what basis do you say its lawful that someone be stood down without pay if they fail a test? Your policy indicates that they shall be placed on leave without pay. Your enterprise agreements however make clear that someone only goes on leave without pay on application, he wrote. The freight giant responded, saying that the testing is nothing new. Safety remains our top priority, for our employees, customers and the community, a spokesperson told HC. This requirement applies to operational and safety critical roles in Aurizon such as train drivers, train controllers, forklift operators and track workers. Alcohol and drug testing has been performed at Aurizon for many years. The training fully satisfies the relevant Australian standards relating to workplace alcohol and drug testing, they added. Daily testing is standard across heavy industry and mining sites and Aurizons operational sites are no different. All employees who return a positive test for alcohol or drugs will be put on leave without pay, they said. This will continue until they successfully pass a return-to-work alcohol or drug test. Previously, workers would be stood down with pay until they passed this return-to-work test, according to the Courier Mail. Doogan questioned the legality behind this new provision. How could it possibly be a fair process if you are removing the presumption of innocence from your process? How is it that someone must forgo wages, especially in this economic climate, without due and proper process? he wrote. He concluded by calling on Aurizon to consider these matters and withdraw the contentious policy. It remains to be seen if the company will give in to union pressure or whether the RTBU will take further action on this matter. July was also the first month when the value of exports fell below the four billion euro mark since January 2016. Finland exported a total of 3.9 billion euros worth of goods in July as the value of exports plummeted by 13 per cent year-on-year, bringing the cumulative decrease for the year to 6 per cent, according to preliminary data released by Finnish Customs . The value of imports, meanwhile, decreased by 8 per cent year-on-year to 4.1 billion euros in July and cumulatively by 1 per cent to 30.9 billion euros for the period between January and July. Finland's trade balance consequently showed a deficit of 245 million euros in July and a deficit of 1.3 billion euros in JanuaryJuly. Finnish Customs points out that the value of goods exports fell practically across all main export categories, with only the value of medication and pharmaceutical product exports rising in July. The sharpest fall, it adds, was recorded in the exports of equipment and machinery, transport equipment, and metals. The exports of wood and refined petroleum products also fell slightly after increasing for a couple of months. The value of goods imports fell in all main import categories: the imports of crude petroleum and petroleum products decreased notably, while those of equipment and machinery, transport equipment, iron ore, and metals fell only slightly. The data also indicate that exports from Finland to other member states of the European Union decreased by 12 per cent year-on-year and those to non-member states by 15 per cent year-on-year in July, bringing the cumulative drops for the year to 4 and 10 per cent, respectively. The sharpest decrease in the value of exports was recorded in trade with Germany and Russia, while an increase was recorded in exports to Belgium and Norway. The value of goods imports from other member states to Finland remained near the levels of last year, whereas that of goods imports from non-member stated dropped by 3 per cent between January and July. The only trading partners that recorded an increase in exports to Finland in July were Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Spencer Platt Getty Images / AFP / Lehtikuva The government programme stipulates that we must monitor the practices of other countries. At the very least it's reasonable. It could become a pull factor if there were obvious differences between countries in the practices, she says in an interview with Uusi Suomi. Jaana Vuorio, the director general of the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri), has reiterated her belief that the much-berated revisions to the criteria for granting asylum were reasonable and warranted. Migri faced a wave of criticism in May for announcing that it will no longer grant asylum on grounds of humanitarian protection to applicants who do not satisfy the requirements for asylum or subsidiary protection and for declaring that it is safe for asylum seekers to return to Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia. Finland cannot have a clearly more liberal asylum policy than Sweden or Norway, reminds Vuorio. She points out that thousands of the roughly 20,000 asylum seekers who arrived from Iraq to Finland during the course of last year have already returned voluntarily many relatively soon after lodging their asylum application. Coming here to seek protection isn't okay unless you need it, she says. The debate over the criteria for granting asylum was re-kindled on Sunday, after Helsingin Sanomat reported that a number of officials responsible for processing asylum applications feel that they are under pressure to make quick decisions and reject an increasing number of applications. One of the senior officials interviewed by the newspaper described the assessments of the security situation in Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia as embarrassing, as they were based neither on the actual circumstances in the countries nor the reports of Migri. Since [the announcement] I've been ashamed to work for Migri, they said. Vuorio admits that publishing the press release was a mistake, but points out that the security situation may have improved in some parts of the aforementioned countries while deteriorating in others. It wasn't our intention [] to declare that the situation is so good in most areas of Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia that there's no need for international protection. It wasn't our intention to declare that the overall security situation in [any of the countries] is better than it was one year ago or three months ago, she states. We made a mistake in communication, but the assessments are justified. The way we drew up our country guidelines is logical. The press release, she estimates, should have called more attention to the fact that asylum applications will no longer be approved on grounds of humanitarian protection and to the fact that internal flight is a possibility for some applicants due to regional improvements in the security situation. Prime Minister Juha Sipila (Centre) and Minister of Finance Petteri Orpo (NCP) have both denied the claims that officials processing asylum applications have come under political pressure to turn down an increasing number of applications. [The officials] abide by the law and make their decisions independently in accordance with the principle of the rule of law. The thought of policy-makers influencing the country of origin assessments is outright absurd, Orpo said in an interview with Helsingin Sanomat. Migri published its now-controversial press release at a time when Orpo was still the Minister of the Interior. Sipila has similarly underlined that it is not in the best interests of the central administration to make careless asylum decisions. Migri's resources have been strengthened, and we known that the officials are in a tough spot due to the unusual number [of asylum applications], but Finland has a sound system and wrong decisions will be overturned during the appeals process, he said in an interview with YLE. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Vesa Moilanen Lehtikuva Source: Uusi Suomi Glen Sterling allegedy took hurley from car and hit man twice. Photo: Damien Eagers A man arrived at the scene of a fight outside a Dublin pub, took a hurley from a car and began swinging it at another man, it has been alleged. Glen Sterling (21) is accused of having the hurley as a weapon after a woman who was allegedly involved in the earlier fight phoned for him to come. Mr Sterling, along with Claire McKevitt and another co-accused, George McKevitt, all appeared in court on charges arising from the incident. Mr Sterling, of Rossfield Park, Tallaght, is charged with possession of a hurley as a weapon with intent to cause injury. The offence is alleged to have happened at Bunting Road, Walkinstown, on August 2 last year. Claire McKevitt (41) and George McKevitt (42), both of the same address at Walkinstown Drive, are charged with one count of violent disorder. The offence is alleged to have happened outside the Kestrel Pub, Walkinstown Roundabout, on the same date. Assault Outlining the allegations, Sgt Peter Seery told Dublin District Court that a fight involving the two co-accused had broken out outside the pub. It was alleged that Claire McKevitt phoned Mr Sterling and he arrived five minutes later. Mr Sterling spoke to members of door staff at the pub and walked around to Cromwellsfort Road. According to the prosecution, he then returned to the car he had arrived in and took out a hurley. It was alleged he approached a man and swung it at him, hitting him twice before leaving the scene. There was no assault charge. Mr Sterling's barrister Edel Gilligan said she was seeking full disclosure of prosecution statements and exhibits, including CCTV footage and copies of garda interviews. Judge Michael Walsh granted legal aid to Mr Sterling after hearing he was not working and had a social welfare application pending. All three cases were adjourned. The defendants have not yet indicated how they intend to plead to the charges. Dubliners and tourists expressed shock last night after discovering that drug addicts were injecting in the bushes of St Stephen's Green. The Herald today lifts the lid on the serious drug problem in our city - and members of the public have demanded action. Visitors to the park yesterday said they were disappointed to learn drug activity was taking place there. Dubliners Ita and Gary Byrne, from Terenure, said it was "shocking" and called for something to be done. "We always visit the park when we come into the city centre," said Ita. "We also spent many childhood days here and have never seen anything like this. It's a beautiful park, it's so sad to see this. "I would often walk in here on my own, but I don't think I would any more." Tourists Bethany McKnight and Cameron Torrens, from Edinburgh, described it as a sad situation. "We have never been here before and the park just looked so nice so we decided to come in. It's very disappointing to see this happening," said Bethany. Pride "People should take pride in and respect their city and attractions. Something like this shouldn't be allowed to happen." Cameron, who was enjoying the sunshine in the park yesterday, was also unimpressed by the situation. "We're from Edinburgh and we see drugs all around our city - everywhere has its bad spots. We're in Dublin for three days, so hopefully we don't see anything like this again." Alan Kirwan, from Terenure, also agreed the situation was lament-able in one of the city's most popular parks. "It really isn't nice to see these images because St Stephen's Green is a nice place to come for a walk and chill out," he said. He also agreed with the introduction of supervised injection centres in the city. "On one hand you can see why people may be against it, but if it stops addicts from injecting in public, it would be a good thing," he added. A Syrian child cries as he and his family flee the country Only 311 Syrian refugees have been taken in by Ireland, despite Government promises last year to welcome 4,000. A commitment was given to bring the 4,000 here by next September, but the lack of significant progress was criticised yesterday by the Refugee and Migrant Coalition. Despite thousands of unaccompanied Syrian children living in refugee camps in Europe, only one unaccompanied child has been admitted to Ireland in the past year. The Government's pledge was made through the Irish Refugee Protection Programme as part of the European response to the refugee crisis caused by the six-year war in Syria. The coalition, consisting of 20 Irish organisations that help refugees and migrants, called on the Government yesterday to urgently increase its intake of refugees and to honour its commitment to prioritise unaccompanied children. The coalition wants a humanitarian scheme to be introduced to allow refugees living here to bring loved ones to safety in Ireland. Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) director, Edel McGinley, told a meeting in Dublin: "Ireland has taken in just one unaccompanied child. "This is unacceptable. Children seeking safety and protection who are separated from their families are languishing in squalid camps, suffering abuse and exploitation and falling prey to human traffickers because of the failure of EU leaders to manage this crisis effectively and humanely." Maria Hennessy of the Irish Refugee Council said: "The living conditions for refugees in Greek camps are appalling. "Families with young children are left in tents in the sweltering heat or steel containers with insufficient sanitation facilities and limited access to nutritious food and healthcare. Refugee children do not go to school." Fatima Mulay (37), a mother-of-three from Syria, wept as she told the meeting that her husband died while being tortured in Syria and her city of Homs has been destroyed. She was grateful to be living in a house in Tralee and that her children were learning English in school. Reiseal Ni Cheilleachair, an advisor with Trocaire, said: "The passport office hired over 200 extra staff to deal with the post-Brexit demand for Irish passports. The Government must be equally proactive in providing adequate administrative, financial and logistical support to meet the needs of refugees in Ireland who are fleeing desperate situations". "It is now imperative that the Government speed up the pace of relocation, ensure children separated from their families are prioritised and commit to introducing a humanitarian scheme to bring loved ones to safety here in Ireland". Fianna Fail foreign affairs spokesman Darragh O'Brien said the Government's lack of progress in admitting refugees under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme is "shameful" and showed "a real lack of political will". "Later this month, we will co-facilitate the first UN Summit on Refugees and Migrants. Ireland should be showing greater leadership in this regard," the TD said. A Department of Justice spokesman said Ireland has agreed to receive 2,622 asylum-seekers relocated from Greece and Italy and 780 people resettled from camps in Lebanon. Resettled "Of the 780 to be resettled, 293 are already in Ireland, with a further 227 due to arrive before the end of the year. The remaining 260 of that group will be resettled next year," he said. "Of the 2,622 to be relocated to Ireland, 38 have arrived with another 32 due to arrive imminently ... We hope to start taking in at least 60-80 persons per month very shortly." He added the Government recognised the importance of addressing the position of unaccompanied children. "Departmental officials are currently on the ground in Athens working closely with the Greek authorities to identify vulnerable unaccompanied minors for relocation to Ireland ... It is hoped that the first of these young people will be taken in as part of a group due to be assessed in early October." TDs and Senators have strongly criticised transport minister Shane Ross's handling of the Dublin Bus disputes. Fianna Fail accused the Independent Alliance TD of adopting a "laissez-faire" approach to public transport in Dublin. Despite claims by Mr Ross that opening up bus lanes to motorists would create legal issues, Fianna Fail's transport spokesman, Robert Troy, said the proposal should be properly considered. "Minister Ross has been shockingly detached from the real transport problems gripping the city and seems to share no concern for the plight of commuters in Dublin," Mr Troy said. "He has had no input whatsoever in this dispute, only meeting with Dublin Bus management for the first time eight days ago, and so far failing to meet with union representatives involved in the dispute. "This is a truly shocking indictment of the passive approach he is taking to ministerial office," he added. Labour Party Senator for Dublin Bay South Kevin Humphreys said it was time for Mr Ross to "prove his mettle". He added: "Last week, Shane Ross described his transport portfolio as a 'doddle', the minister now needs to prove his mettle and bring Dublin Bus and the unions together to seek a resolution for the workers and for the commuters of Dublin." Office Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Mr Ross admitted last night that he has met with just two of the country's main public transport bodies - despite taking office over four months ago. "The Minister has met CIE and Dublin Bus and is due to meet Irish Rail and Bus Eireann shortly. "Since assuming office the minister continues to be briefed fully by his department on all key aspects of CIE's business activities, including industrial relations matters." The coffin of Nicola Kenny - who was killed in a horrific road crash as she made her way to visit her newborn baby in hospital - was draped with a signed Tipperary hurling jersey as hundreds of mourners turned up for her removal last night. Nicola - a grandchild of Tipp hurling legend Paddy Kenny, who won three All-Irelands in a row (1949-1951) - had been sitting in her aunt's car, which had pulled into the hard shoulder of the M8 near Cashel, when a truck collided with the vehicle from behind. Nicola (26), along with her mother Ann, and aunt Irene Whelan, had been on their way to Temple Street Children's Hospital to visit Nicola's newborn baby, who was rushed to Dublin the previous day after her birth. Moments before the fatal crash Nicola had been informed that her baby, Lilly-Rose, was being transferred back to South Tipperary after her condition had improved. There were incredibly poignant scenes at Hugh Ryan's funeral home in Thurles as Tipperary corner-back Mickey Cahill presented the Kenny family with a jersey signed by the Tipp team, which was then draped over Ms Kenny's coffin. Hundreds of people attended the removal to the Cathedral of the Assumption led by Nicola's father Patrick, and her only sibling, brother Patrick jnr. Traumatised According to local sources, Nicola's devastated mother, Ann, was too traumatised from Monday's collision to attend. Nicola's aunt was also prevented from attending, as she was still in hospital with injuries she sustained in the tragedy. As the hearse carrying Nicola's remains made its way to the church, it stopped for a few moments outside the local Tesco store, where her workmates performed a guard of honour. "Over the last couple of days we've all been caught up in the darkness of what has happened and the loss of Nicola has affected everybody here in different ways - be it pain, shock, numbness or confusion, and anger and disbelief at what has happened," Rev Vincent Stapleton, CC, Thurles, told mourners. Ms Kenny will be laid to rest later today following 11am requiem mass in the Cathedral of the Assumption with burial afterwards in St Patrick's Cemetery. Halloween is coming! Here's when to trick or treat in your town lifestyle 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/ The recently concluded G20 summit in Hangzhou, China, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended, is a forum in which the worlds major economies are represented. With the passage of time, the agenda of G20 summits has expanded so that in addition to macro aspects of trade, finance and economy, the forum also debates political and social issues including terrorism, health, water and several others. However, the record of implementing decisions taken has not been very inspiring. The Hangzhou summit was the first G20 meet organised by China and also the first such high-level summit to take place in that country. In logistics, facilities and arrangements, China acquitted itself creditably barring the snafu at the airport when US President Barack Obamas Air Force One was not provided a regular staircase on arrival. This was the last major international summit for Obama, barring the East Asia Summit in Vientiane, Laos, before he demits office in January 2017. The significance of the summit was enhanced as it was the first G20 gathering after the Brexit vote and took place just before the US presidential elections, both of which will have a significant impact on the international economy and trade. However very few concrete proposals emerged to meet the growing challenges to globalisation and free trade. Read | Obama assures Modi he will remain Indias strong partner after leaving office Modi exhorted the G20 countries to isolate and sanction countries sponsoring terrorism. Without naming Pakistan he said that a single country in South Asia was spreading agents of terror in India and the region. He referred to the urgent need to curb black money; to forsake protectionism; to promote growth and demand; to safeguard climate justice; to curb reckless consumption; to promote a transparent, equitable, inclusive and rule-based global trading architecture; to ensure global and public health security; to eliminate safe havens for economic offenders and full commitment from global powers to act against the corrupt and to disrupt excessive banking secrecy. Modis message on terror is a clear, cautionary advice to the international community that they should not expect any elasticity from India if Pakistan continues its nefarious activities in carrying out terror attacks in India. Modis message was also directed at China, which has continued to blindly support Pakistan. In his bilateral meeting with Xi Jinping also, Modi had said that terrorism should not be viewed through the prism of politics. Read | Post-Brexit, India keen on free trade pact with UK: PM May In his bilateral conversation with Xi, Modi underlined that both India and China need to be sensitive to each others strategic interests, concerns and aspirations to realise the full potential of their bilateral partnership. Xi reportedly responded that he looks forward to working to maintain their hard-won sound relations and further advance cooperation. In the first few years of its establishment, the G20 discussions had produced tangible results in coordinated policy-making and follow-up action but it has since meandered along and lost focus. Its significance has however continued to grow because of the opportunity it provides to world leaders to meet bilaterally with their major partners to discuss and resolve urgent issues of concern and interest. Ashok Sajjanhar is a former ambassador and president, Institute of Global Studies The views expressed are personal Deputy prime minister of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam recently delivered a stimulating speech on Indias growth prospects and what is holding the country back. He was unequivocal in stating that schools are the biggest crisis in India. He went to say, schools are the biggest gap between India and its East Asian neighbours; funds are not the only requirement to improve it; it has to be about organisation and culture. The deputy PM is the first world leader to hit the nail on the head by pointing out that societal transformation is even more important than economic reform. Confirming with his views is Unescos Global Education Monitoring report, which says that India is expected to achieve universal primary education by 2050, secondary education in 2060 and upper secondary education in 2085. Our neighbours in East Asia have invested in social capital and moved up the economic ladder. South Korea, China, Thailand and India had similar GDP per capita a few decades ago. South Korea has already become a developed country, China is on its way, Thailand is stuck in the middle income trap and India is still an underdeveloped country. Economic progress has been directly correlated with investments in delivering quality education. The top performing countries on the Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) Shanghai (China), Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan are also the most developed in Asia. We can learn from their reform initiatives. Read | School dropout biggest crisis in India, says Singapore deputy PM Shanmugaratnam Teacher recruitment: The quality of an education system cannot exceed the quality of its teachers. The experience of top school systems across East Asia suggests that two things matter most: One, getting the right people to become teachers, and, two, developing them into effective instructors. Teaching is made aspirational by increasing the entry barrier into the profession. India should insist that students take a teacher college entrance test in order to quality for DEd. and BEd. programmes. Our states have to transform their ineffective recruitment processes and select candidates based on their academic achievement, communication skills and motivation and preparedness for teaching. Teacher preparation and progression: China reformed its system by building approximately 100 large normal universities and Vietnam has built large-scale teacher education universities. Singapore set up the National Institute for Education (NIE) as a university where the development of teachers in subject matter and pedagogical content knowledge is a pre-requisite to joining the profession. Teachers receive in-service support and are evaluated rigorously so that they get continuous feedback. India has to invest at least three times the current 1% of our budget spent on teacher training and states must develop teacher competency frameworks and evaluation systems to provide regular feedback. Read | India could be late by 50 years in achieving education goals: Unesco report School leaders: The reformers in East Asia realised that school principals play a critical role. They are selected on merit as opposed to our antiquated approach of seniority-based selection. In Singapore, incoming principals are trained for four months at the NIE. We need to create an IIT/IIM-quality school leadership institutes in each state. By 2020, all principals should be certified for their role as the school leader. Standardised assessment: All East Asian countries participate in Pisa and have set aspirational goals for their global rankings. They also have their own standardised assessment systems census assessment for learning and sample assessment of learning. India is embarking on a massive census assessment but this will only be successful if the learning data is used for improvement. Our states still ought to conduct survey assessments to get a deeper understanding of their education system. We must also start participating in Pisa on a regular basis and set a 2030 target of getting into the middle of the global pack. Read | Over 50% MP teachers dont go to school, but take salaries Education technology: South Korea has laid emphasis on integrating ICT in education providing schools with access to the Internet and personalised learning software for students. They also launched the National Teacher Training Information Service that informs teachers about training, allows them to conduct self-assessments and access online training. India should revamp its ICT@Schools scheme and consider building a national teacher education portal/app. School rationalisation: Indias public education system is fragmented with 1.1 million schools catering to 150 million students. It is challenging to drive system-wide reform in this context. China had a similar problem and has shrunk its number of public schools from 650,000 to 375,000 while improving learning outcomes through larger rural schools. Rajasthan has launched a similar initiative to build larger model schools and other states should look to do the same. Read | Spend time and money on fixing State schools, not setting up a Vedic board India has to act with a sense of urgency after coming second last on Pisa 2009. Vietnam has the same per capita income as India and with focused reforms now ranks on par with Germany in Pisa 2012. If we harbour any aspiration of being an economic superpower, we should learn from East Asia and implement transformational reforms. Ashish Dhawan is founder & chairman, and Shaveta Sharma-Kukreja is associate director, Central Square Foundation The views expressed are personal The Shiv Sena never ceases to amaze. In the same week as it was rooting for Marathi in Goa and butting into an internecine war between the BJP and the RSS, in Mumbai it was, for the first time in its half century of existence, publishing posters in Gujarati. Both events, though, are aimed at denting the BJP--the Sena has announced its intention to contest elections in neighbouring Goa early next year. Around the same time it will be locked in a fight for survival against the BJP which seems determined to go to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls alone, without an alliance with the Shiv Sena. Late last week, Goa witnessed a rupture between the BJP and the RSS when the latter dismissed Subhash Velingkar, a long-serving sanghchalak in Goa, from his position. Velingkar promptly accused former Goa chief minister and current Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar of manipulating his exit. He also labelled Parrikar a cheat. While in opposition in Goa, Parrikar had promised to withdraw grants to English medium schools that are largely run by the Catholic church. He has, however, not acted upon that promise nor is he likely to. Catholics influence at least 12 of the 40 assembly constituencies in Goa and withdrawing grants to their schools could affect the BJPs chances in the 2017 polls. The RSS, however, has always rooted for local languages over English, so it was surprising that it chose to discipline Velingkar who is fiercely supporting Marathi and Konkani. But according to senior political analyst Raju Nayak, Parrikar was and continues to be the architect of a BJP victory in Goa and it was more prudent for the RSS to support him at this juncture, given that the Aam Aadmi Party is all set to skewer (sic) the pitch for the BJP in Goa at the next elections. Upsetting the Catholic community at this juncture thus would have served no purpose. The Shiv Sena, though, has blindly jumped into the fray with little understanding of the issue peculiar to Goa except to instinctively root for Marathi over English. However, people in Goa might not appreciate the Senas interference. There is a bitter war between the RSS ideologues and the more pragmatic politicians in the BJP over the medium of instruction in schools, but Goans, according to Frederick Noronha, a writer on cultural and political issues, are equally divided over Konkani and Marathi. In 1967, during a referendum, labelled as an opinion poll--since India has no constitutional provision for referendums--Goans chose not to merge with Maharashtra and retained their independent identity. Konkani is a significant part of that identity and so far the Shiv Sena has shown little awareness about the Goan approach to their multiple languages: in Maharashtra they have known only Marathi, all other spoken languages being alien to the state (which is not so with Goas three languages). As Nayak points out, all political parties in Goa, including the Congress and the BJP, have similar positions on the states three languages and cannot afford to alienate the English speakers. As Noronha says, No one can risk withdrawing grants to English medium schools because the English speakers are nearly 24% of the population and that is a big chunk to alienate politically. The Shiv Sena has been inimical to English: a whole generation of Sena supporters in Maharashtra grew up on Marathi and found themselves barred from global opportunities because they didnt know English. Now, a third generation of Shiv Sainiks is being subtly encouraged in the home state to switch to English medium schools so that they are not left behind others. The Sena has thus been exhibiting less and less obstinacy about its previous hard position on Marathi as is obvious from the fact that the third generation of Thackerays have all obtained their education from premier English medium schools. That is a cue taken by the children of lesser leaders in the Shiv Sena leading to an overall softening of the partys stridency on Marathi. Now for the first time the party has startled even its own old-timers by attempting to woo the large section of Gujarati voters--considered hard core supporters of the BJP in their own language. So its decision to support Velingkar against Parrikar over Marathi in Goa is little more than political expediency wherein, in recent days, the Sena loses no opportunity to embarrass the BJP on various issues. However, the party might be out of its depth on this one if all that it has in mind is to score some brownie points against the BJP. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The new pricing scheme for the Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto Trains, announced by the Indian Railways, leaves a lot of holes in it. In some quarters the new model has been described inappropriately as surge pricing, which it is not. The differentia of surge pricing is that price varies in accordance with demand, leaving the possibility of fares coming down in a lean season. But in the railways case, whatever the demand may be, the pricing will follow a certain pattern for the AC 2 and AC 3 classes. Under the new formula, base fares will jump by 10% for every 10% of the tickets sold. And once half the tickets are sold, the 10% hike rule will cease to hold, and the new fare will be 50% more than the base fare. Read: The new rail fare is confusing and help airlines At this level of knowledge, many questions can be raised. Lets suppose there are 350 berths in AC III tier in the Rajdhani Express from New Delhi to Patna on a certain day. The first 10% of the berths, 35, will go at, say, Rs 2,000. But on which base will the next 10% of the berths be calculated 350 or 315 (350 minus 35)? Next, while we know that the first 10% of the passengers will pay Rs 2,000 and the next 10% (whatever may be the way of calculating it) will pay Rs 2,200, but what about the third 10%? Will they pay 20% more than Rs 2,000 or 10% more than Rs 2,200? Then it is also not known what rates those purchasing unconfirmed tickets should pay. If they pay the base rate and then get their tickets confirmed through the quota system, what should be the balance that the passenger should shell out? The ministry of railways should immediately clear all doubts at this stage, because the new scheme kicks in on Friday. Read: Rail minister envisions plans for trains to run at 500kmph This is just one part of the story. The more damaging thing would be that black marketers will have a field day in the new system. There is every possibility that tickets will just vanish from the buying counters. As it is now during the busy season tickets are hard to get. While one can always argue rail tickets are not transferable because passengers have to give identity proof while travelling by train, it is also true that travelling ticket examiners mostly skip that part of the job except for those who have bought their tickets online. At best, this will help airlines to get more passengers. Now that the system has come into force it will run for some time. The railways should have a more simple structure of fares in place and have a flat increase if it is working on the assumption that people can pay 50% more than they are doing now. All this is happening because passenger fares had not been increased in a decade. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON After years of debate, the GST Bill was finally passed in the Monsoon session of Parliament. Apart from the economic benefits that the Bills implementation will arguably generate, both the Prime Minister and Finance Minister emphasised that it will reduce corruption and the problem of black money. The issue of corruption is unlikely to disappear unless other measures are simultaneously taken. The corruption of political actors is intimately related to their campaign expenditure, and hence to campaign finance laws. Second, the political class is relatively less interested in reforming campaign finance laws. Third, such reforms will not happen until citizens and civil society push for them, or until candidates, who disregard campaign finance laws, are rejected. Barring an evolution on this front, other attempts at limiting corruption such as the GST Bill will remain insufficient. Read | How to view the bribe-taking voter in India Corruption among elected and unelected officials have a lot to do with the high and possibly rising costs of electoral campaigns. A Centre for Media Studies report projected that 30,000 crore was spent in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, making it one of the most expensive elections in the world. It is widely known that most viable candidates spend several times the legal limit. Politicians are incentivised to look for ways to recover the large amount of unaccounted campaign expenditure once in office. Indias political and campaign finance laws perpetuate this situation. Despite the inadequacy of current laws, there is no real political will to reform them. The lack of reformism is not due to a lack of ideas. Academics and government-appointed committees have over the years provided detailed recommendations for improving Indias political finance laws. The Election Commission has also made countless recommendations . The 20th Law Commission (2013) delved into the issue of electoral reforms and circulated the consultation paper to lawmakers. Only eight MPs responded, with only one from a national party. This is symbolic of the fact that campaign finance reform has not been a priority for the political class. Read | DU sends notices to students union poll candidates over littering In this situation, the onus falls on civil society to better highlight the connection between corruption and campaign finance, to push for such reforms, and to hold law-breakers accountable. Obviously, this will not happen overnight. First, journalists, NGOs, and academics need to better highlight the connection between campaign costs and corruption. Second, we need to have better estimates of the real campaign spending of candidates. The Election Commission needs to be empowered to better check the spending of candidates, and to sanction them. The extensive data it collects needs to be more accessible. Such small steps may hopefully help voters understand the problematic connection between political finance and corruption. Identifying the problematic connection between political finance and corruption might turn campaign finance regulations, a mind-numbing and technical topic to most, into the policy emergency that it should be. Read | Rate fixed by poll panel for campaign material not sacrosanct: SC Angad Kapur is as a management consultant based in Mumbai. Simon Chauchard is an assistant professor of government at Dartmouth College. The views expressed are personal. The inaugural Mumbai Piano Day at the NCPA brings together 12 pianists from across the country. The youngest among them is just 10, and features in a viral video where he plays Chopin Musician Louiz Banks started learning the piano at the age of four. At 75, Banks still considers himself a student. A lifetime is not enough to master the instrument. It is an orchestra in itself, he says. To celebrate the king of instruments, as he terms it, Banks is curating the Mumbai Piano Day at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA). Twelve pianists from across the country will showcase the versatility of the instrument on two grand pianos. Compositions will range from western classical to rock. Also read: Sax and the City: How jazz in Mumbai is on a comeback trail The event will feature pianists such as Mumbai-based Merlin Dsouza (who formed the all-girls band, Indiva) and Karim Ellaboudi, the Sudanese pianist who performs classical tunes as well as RnB. Ten-year-old pianist Lydian Nadhaswaram (from Chennai) and 15-year-old musician Kashyap Iyengar (from Delhi) are also part of the line-up. While Nadhaswaram boasts of a viral video where he performs Frederic Chopins composition Fantaisie-Impromptu, Iyengar is a self-taught keyboardist who is heading for a world tour with his psychedelic rock band, Transference. You can also expect western classical compositions that feature piano four hands (two people performing together) and eight hands (four performers play together). Also read: The Louiz Banks Matrixx Trio on the jazz legend - Ahmad Jamal The pianos association with the city goes back to the early 1900s when western classical music was taught on it, says Banks. Today, the digital keyboard (a variation of the piano) is keeping the tradition alive. It is portable and easier to work with, says Banks. Mumbai Piano Day is inspired by Bankss Mumbai Drum Day (January 21), which featured national and international drummers. Based on the response, Mumbai Piano Day could become an annual event. We may bring in international pianists if we get sponsors, says Farrahnaz Irani, senior manager, programmes (international music), NCPA. Dont miss: Mumbai Piano Day will be held on September 10, at 7pm At: Tata Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point Call: 6622 3737 Tickets: Rs 300 onward on bookmyshow.com/events SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Mandar*, 24, a Mumbai-based MBA student, met his boyfriend on Grindr a dating app for gay men in 2014. They matched each others profiles and, after a few dates, began seeing each other. An unusual story for Grindr. I signed up in 2011. I was told it was futile to look for a long-term partner, as users look for sexual partners. Fortunately, I met someone who shared the same outlook, he says. Theyve been together for the last year-and-a-half. Online matchmaking in India has come a long way since shaadi.com released in 1996. American dating app, Tinder, launched in India in 2014, followed by Indian dating apps, such as TrulyMadly (2015) and ekCoffee (2016), sparking an online dating culture. But while the straight population woke up to this revolution only in the last year or so, the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer) community has long embraced online matchmaking. The earliest queer dating platform, PlanetRomeo (PR), launched worldwide in 2002, and continues to be an online community for gay men. The home page for PlanetRomeo, an online community for gay men. There is no geo-tracking involved. You can see profiles of men from different countries, and chat with them. Its a community for queer men, not a hook-up space, says Mandar. Now, PR has 3 million users globally, and India comprises 7% of that (91,800 users; source: planetromeo.com). Even Grindr, with 10 million users worldwide, recorded a gradual increase from 11,000 to 69,000 monthly users between 2011 and 2015 from India (source: newsminute.com). The figures convinced Scruff, an American dating app for men, to further its efforts in India in July this year, by emphasising on their app-based services. But in a country where homophobia is rampant, and homosexual acts are a criminal offence (as declared by the Supreme Court in 2013), are dating apps really encouraging the LGBTQ cause? Also read: Dummies guide to Pride Parade: What it is and you should attend it Where it all began Traditionally, the stigma of being gay has offered limited opportunities to seek companionship the way straight individuals do. A pre-defined space to socialise is always preferred as it allows for a level of anonymity and acceptance, says Sridhar Rangayan, a film-maker and a queer rights activist. Bombay Dost, Indias first queer magazine released in 1990. Mumbai saw its first exclusive LGBTQ platform in the form of Bombay Dost Indias first queer magazine in 1990. It featured a section where gay men could invite potential partners to write letters to them. By the mid 90s, interactive online platforms like Yahoo Messenger provided an alternative to the magazines. Chat rooms themed interaction groups allowed users to start conversations after checking each others profiles. Online interaction ensured a degree of privacy and anonymity: there was no mandate to upload a display picture, or reveal your real name. By the late 2000s, when smartphones became accessible and affordable, apps like Grindr (launched in 2009) continued to provide anonymity: one can sign up with a faceless profile, and meet new people. Naturally, the Indian LGBTQ community signed up, through APK files (like signing up for Pokemon Go) as the app hadnt formally launched in India. Grindr allows users to chat with other queer men within their locality, Scruff, too, has been available in India since 2011, with a user base of 10,000. Why, then, did they feel the need to officiate their presence? India is still a growing market for queer apps. In only two months of our official launch, weve seen a 25% growth in users, says Joey Dube, vice president, marketing, Scruff. The flip side But while dating apps provide an avenue for queer individuals to network, they also inadvertently facilitate access to their identities. Courtesy the one-step registration process, apps have no verification infrastructure to ensure their users safety. In India, this lack of security comes at a big cost. Case in point: the 2011 TV9 PlanetRomeo expose in Hyderabad. The channel featured a sting operation titled rampant homosexual culture and publically identified gay men via their PR profiles. Eventually, a lawsuit was slapped on the channel by the News Broadcasting Standards Authority, but the damage was done (source: gaysifamily.com). Also read: Heres what happens inside a lesbians-only party in Mumbai During a Pride march in 2016. (HT Photos) Queer men and women are also targeted for extortions, and physical abuse. Sahil*, 24, a consultant and skill manager in Mumbai, tells us about a 2011 incident where his Grindr date extorted money through blackmail. He had a few compromising images that he threatened to share publicly. I had not yet come out of the closet, he says. Do the apps have any contingency plan to counter abuse? Unfortunately, no. The only option is to flag suspicious profiles, like you report a nasty post on Facebook. Even then, there is no guarantee of assertive action. His profile was not suspended, says Sahil. Not all bleak Yet, the community continues to chase a sense of hope for inclusion on social media, as access to other queer individuals helps cope with the stigma. Consequently, alternative forums are cropping up for queer individuals to meet each other. For instance, Amour, a Facebook page that launched in June, this year, functions as a matchmaking platform and ensures absolute anonymity to its users. We dont allow free sign-ups. All new applicants go through a thorough background check we scan their Facebook profile and other social media accounts, says Karan, 26, founder, Amour. Also read: Different strokes: How the LGBT community is making itself heard through art While there is no saying when the world might rid itself of homophobia, queer individuals finding companionship, acceptance and love is definitely a positive start towards inclusion. (HT File Photo) Once approved, users are provided an identification number, which they can use until they are comfortable revealing their name. The safety precautions have worked in our favour. In three months, we have 600 registered users, says Karan. And while there is no saying when the world might rid itself of homophobia, queer individuals finding companionship, acceptance and love is definitely a positive start towards inclusion. *Names changed on request. Karan requested his second name not be revealed. HT48Hours reached out to Tinder for statistical information on Indian users. Our request was denied. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya and state president Nandkumar Singh Chauhan locked horns on Wednesday over issues relating to the party and the government. During his visit to Bhopal, Vijayvargiya disapproved Chauhans decision to suspend Mirchandani from the partys primary membership. Mirchandani, who is close to Vijayvargiya, had criticized the party and the government on his Facebook page for rewarding those who are not committed to the party ideology. Mirchandani, who was the party spokesperson in Chauhans previous team, couldnt find a place in his new team announced recently. Vijayavargiya himself stoked a controversy on Saturday last. We had promised Metro project to the citizens of Indore. But looking at speed of the state government, it seems we are set to get bullock cart, he tweeted. Later, Vijayavargiya deleted the tweet and posted another tweet blaming bureaucrats for the delay. At his bungalow, Vijayvargiya told the media that he stuck to his ground that it was officials who put hurdles in the way of the project. But, he asserted, he spoke in context of the Metro project alone and not about entire governance in Madhya Pradesh. Its true that a tweet was posted by the person who handles my Twitter account but I asked the person to delete the tweet, the BJP leader said. He said when he was the state minister, it appeared that the work would start in 2018 but even land acquisition has not taken place. It seems work wont start even till 2028. To a media question on Mirchandani, Vijayvargiya said the action like this (suspension from primary membership) should not have happened. Ill talk to Nandkumar. Meanwhile, Nandkumar Singh Chauhan chose to disagree with Vijayvargiya on his tweets in response to media queries in Panchmarhi. Party isse ittefaq nahi rakhti (state BJP doesnt agree with Vijayvargiyas tweet). Jab se woh Dilli gaye hain Madhya Pradesh ke baare main kam soch rahe hain (Vijayvargiya thinks less of MP ever since he left for Delhi), he said. While he is a celebrated actor, Shatrughan Sinha is also a noted politician. In fact, his daughter Sonakshi Sinha says she often discusses politics with him. Whatever knowledge of politics I have comes from him. He is so involved in this field. I get first-hand information from him. I often ask him why certain things are happening [in the country], she says. Sonakshi is also known to voice her opinions about subjects close to her heart. However, as a result, she has been targeted by trolls time and again. I ignore most of the comments. I shut out the negativity because I receive more love than hatred. I would have been worried if it was the opposite, she says. Body-shaming is one topic Sonakshi has been speaking out against actively. I will always advocate a healthy body image no matter what. Im not the one to be affected by what people have been saying about me or my structure. Ive always done things on my own terms. Im a very fit person. I know my job and I do it well. That is what matters to me, says the actor. Sonakshi Sinha says she will always promote a healthy body image. Besides acting, Sonakshi has also explored singing and painting. She says she cant do just one thing at a time. Im a jack of all trades and a master of some (laughs). Im a multitasker. I need to be able to do a lot of different things. I used to sketch, and then I started painting. Singing has always been a hobby. I used to dance as well. Im pretty occupied for now, she adds. India has arrived on the global virtual reality (VR) film scene with the short documentary Right To Pray having its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), North Americas principal platform for movies. While the film itself is brief, clocking in at just over eight minutes, its director, Mumbai-based Khushboo Ranka, described its arrival at TIFF as a big deal. Right To Pray will be part of a batch being showcased at POP VR, a special event at TIFF. We couldnt have had a better platform. Theres the excitement of having the film seen by people from all over the world at TIFF, but also to meet others who are experimenting in this medium to brainstorm with them because everything is groundbreaking in VR, Ranka told Hindustan Times. Poster of Indias first VR film, Right To Pray, which will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. (HT Photo) The film deals with a phenomenon that appears to be spontaneous and sudden - that of women seeking entry into the sanctum sanctorum of religious places that have so far been barred to them, as in the case of the Haji Ali dargah in Mumbai. In this instance, these are women looking to break a 450-year-old tradition (and their success in that effort) at the Trimbakeshwar temple in Maharashtra. The film makes for an immersive environment, allowing the viewer to virtually enter the same space as the activists and devotees. The episode itself is not just a religious thing, but a very political, seminal kind of act, Ranka said in an interview in Toronto. The film was produced by Memesys Culture Lab helmed by Anand Gandhi, the director of the feature Ship Of Theseus, which gained great acclaim when it premiered at TIFF in 2012. Gandhi said VR was the natural next step as a medium, as part of the trajectory of storytellers upgrading their ability to replicate our environment and record it in accurate ways of complete fidelity. Khushboo Ranka (right), director of Right To Pray, Indias first VR film, with producer Anand Gandhi at the Toronto International Film Festival. (HT Photo) While that process of evolution is beginning, as part of the ElseVR division of Memesys, he hopes to release similar documentaries each quarter, beginning with Right To Pray. Well known filmmakers such as Nishtha Jain and Sooni Taraporewala are involved in this experimental venture that Gandhi is certain will be mainstream within the next three years. There are also three fiction works in pre-production. A standard 14 camera system is used for the filming to go beyond a panoramic vista. Gandhi said the films, which are device and platform agnostic, will be released online and showcased at film festivals. But making a VR film has its unique logistical challenges since this is a nascent technology. As Ranka said, You have to take care of a 360 degrees and top and bottom field of view. I had to think on my feet while we were shooting. It adds an edge to the experience, Its such a new frontier, everything is exciting, she said. Certainly, now the Indian film industry can rightly say, VR here. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In 2009, Sidharth Malhotra moved to Mumbai from Delhi to chase his dreams of becoming an actor. That same year, during Ganeshotsav, he witnessed the energy and dedication of the people of Mumbai for the festival, for the first time. Before that, I had seen visarjans only in movies. During my first Ganpati in the city, I was crossing Juhu beach, and I wanted to see the visarjan. My friend told me that I wouldnt be able to see anything, but still, I went there, and saw a huge crowd, chanting mantras, and even playing with colours while immersing the idols in the sea, he says. At an exclusive shoot for HT Cafe, Sidharth talks about his connection with Lord Ganesha. Read: Too much grooving: Katrina, Sidharths Delhi airport gig causes security scare Are you religious? Not so much, especially now. And this is because I dont live with my family anymore, and I dont get the time to do all the rituals. But I have a small temple in my house in Mumbai. My family is quite religious. In Delhi, when my grandmother was alive, she made sure I sat for the puja. She used to make all the children in the house, including me, chant and memorise the Gayatri Mantra and the Hanuman Chalisa. What are your earliest memories of Ganeshotsav? When I moved to Mumbai, I found the festival to be very upscale (smiles). It was almost like I had watched a small-scale film become a big-budget movie. Everything be it the idols or the set-up was bigger in Mumbai. Most importantly, the music became louder. It was interesting, since the scene was different from what it is in Delhi. It was a great cultural change. Sidharth Malhotra feels while Delhi celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi on a smaller scale, the scale of the celebration in Mumbai is much bigger. (Satish Bate/HT Photo) You dont belong to Maharashtra. So, were you taken aback by the intensity with which the festival is celebrated here? The intensity and the fervour definitely came as a surprise. Delhi celebrates Ganeshotsav on a smaller scale. The scale here is much bigger. Every small colony has a Ganpati pandal. The visarjan process is elaborate too. What does this festival mean to you? We all seek Lord Ganeshas blessings before starting anything auspicious. When I was struggling in Mumbai, my grandmother and my mother told me, Get a Ganpati idol for your house. Your work will start. I was not getting work at that time. I think most strugglers have had a great connect with Lord Ganesha (laughs). The first-ever idol that I bought was of Lord Ganesha. It is still in my house. He stands for everything that is new and auspicious. Sidharth Malhotra says his original plan was to visit Ganpatis at his friends houses in Mumbai. But due to his films promotions, he is missing out on the pujas. (Satish Bate/HT Photo) Your film will release during Ganeshotsav. Does that make the festival more special? Yes, it is exciting, and I hope I am blessed by Lord Ganesha. It is an auspicious week, and it has happened by chance. During this occasion, one feels a lot of positive energy, mentally and emotionally. Read: Why Sidharth Malhotra is such a hit among show promoters Since you are busy promoting your film, how do you plan to celebrate the festival this year? The original plan was to visit my friends houses in Mumbai. But, I am in Delhi at the moment, promoting my film. So, I am missing out on the pujas. However, when I am back, I will visit a temple, and do a small puja at the temple in my house. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The first trailer of Shreyas Talpades next, Wah Taj was unveiled on Wednesday evening and is already winning hearts. Directed by Ajit Sinha, Wah Taj traces the story of a Maharashtrian farmer who claims he owns the land where Taj Mahal is built! Shreyas plays the farmer while Manjari Fadnis is his wife in the movie that is slated to release on September 23. The premise reminds us of Abhishek Bachchan-Rani Mukherjees Bunty Aur Bubli where the duo tried selling Taj Mahal in one of their duping acts. The rustic flavour of the video makes us hope that Shreyas is back with something similar to what we saw in his brilliant satire Welcome to Sajjanpur (2008). Read: All you need to know about showbiz world Actor Shreyas Talpade said that as an, actor he never likes to interfere in directors work. I do not interfere in the director or producers work and try to stick to my acting when I am working as an actor. I guess if I am able to do that properly, its a huge achievement for me, he said at the trailer launch. Shreyas Talpade and Manjari promote Wah Taj. Speaking about the film, the Iqbal actor said, The subject is quite unique. When the director (Ajit Sinha) came to meet me, I asked him for one line. He told me that this is a story of a farmer who claims that the land on which Taj Mahal was built is his land. The one line surprised me, thus got interested in the rest of the story. That is the USP of the film. The story seems to be appealing. Read: Latest updates from the world of Indian movies Recently, the film was caught in a legal hassle due to publicity gimmick done as part of the film promotion where makers distributed posters stating, the Taj Mahal will be shut for tourists from September 23, the release date of the film. Shreyas said they are apologetic as the controversy was never the intention. It is necessary to give time to make a good film. I feel each film has its own destiny. So its OK, as certain things are bound to happen in certain time and this is the time for Wah Taj, he said. Follow @htshowbiz for more After taking the competition in Indias telecom space to a new level by offering free voice calls cheap data costs, Reliance Jio apps have now beaten mobile messaging service WhatsApp and social networking website Facebook on Google Play. Of the top 10 apps downloaded from the Google Play store in India, seven are from the Jio family. WhatsApp is placed at third spot and Facebook is at the 12th position. MyJio app takes the top spot on the store while JioCinema is second , revealed the top charts ranking on Google Play. JioTV takes the fourth place, JioNet fifth, JioJoin sixth, JioMusic seventh and JioMags bags the 10th place on Google Play. While MyJio has seen 10 million downloads, all other apps have crossed the one million downloads mark. Eleven of the top 15 downloaded apps and 12 in top 20 belong to the Jio family. Since its official launch on September 5, Reliance Jio has seen overwhelming response with long queues of customers outside Reliance Digital stores, across the country. With tariff plans around cheap data and free voice calls, RIL has managed to put its rivals on a back foot. As government is racing against time for implementing the goods and services tax, President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday gave assent to Constitution Amendment Bill on Goods and Services Tax (GST), making it an Act. The Presidents nod sets in motion a series of bureaucratic procedures such as a Gazette notification, Parliament re-considering the three bills one for Central GST (CGST), another for an Integrated GST (IGST) and the model bill to facilitate states to levy their respective State GST, which are to be passed in the Winter Session of Parliament. The CGST and IGST will be drafted on the basis of the model GST law. The states will draft their respective State GST (SGST) laws with minor variation incorporating state-based exemptions. The IGST law would deal with inter-state movement of goods and services. Meanwhile, the government will also start process to create GST Council, which will be chaired by the Union finance minister with all state finance ministers as members and is crucial as it will decide the GST rates. With the passing of the GST Amendment Bill, a big milestone in the eventual implementation of GST has been achieved. The immediate next step would be the creation of the GST Council which will discuss and decide on the rates, the tax base, exemptions and all other essential features of the GST law. The earlier the GST council is now formulated the earlier the detailed features of GST would be finalized and help the industry in designing its processes for the GST implementation, Bipin Sapra, tax partner, EY India. GST the countrys single largest which will subsume most of the central and state taxes such as Value Added Tax (VAT), excise duty, service tax, central sales tax, additional customs duty and special additional duty of customs, has already been ratified by 17 of the 29 states. The Parliament had on August 8 passed the bill which was then circulated to state governments seeking its ratification. A Constitution amendment bill needs to be ratified by the legislative Assemblies of at least 50% of the states before sending it for Presidents nod. Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Nagaland, Maharashtra, Haryana, Sikkim, Mizoram, Telangana, Goa, Odisha and Rajasthan have ratified the Bill. Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia had recently said that the government is ahead of schedule for implementation of GST. Instead of 30 days kept for this (states ratification), it is achieved in 23 days, he had said in a tweet. The government has set for itself a deadline of April 1, 2017 to roll out the unified Goods and Services Act, which it is racing to achieve. The rising skepticism towards start-ups on engineering and management campuses has spread to private institutes, which have decided to scrutinise them during placements based on financial indicators, job roles, career growth, learning opportunity, alumni feedback and past relationships. Startups have been in the news for reneging on job offers at the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), which have reacted strongly. The all-IIT Placement Council, the panel responsible for campus hiring across the IITs, blacklisted 31 start-ups last month. Still, the real worry for these start-ups may be the private institutes, which, taking a cue from the IITs and IIMs, have tightened the recruitment norms for campus placements this season. There is much more placement action for start-ups at the private institutes. Only a handful of aspirants make it to the IITs and the IIMs, and the private institutes hold a far larger number of engineering and management graduates. All the 23 IITs together have 10,572 seats and the 19 IIMs 3,700. The real worry for these start-ups may be the private institutes. (HT Photo) There are 4,695 private engineering institutes with a combined capacity of 2,630,705, and, 3,231 private management institutes that can take in 414,055. The solace for the recruiters is that most of the private institutes do not plan to blacklist any startup this year. If a recruiter has had issues on our campus or other campuses, the recruiting company will not be favoured by students, says Rajiv Misra, the head of placements at XLRI Jamshedpur. We are not blacklisting any startup or any other company. Siddharth Deshmukh, who is the point person for companies at MICA, Ahmedabad, says the institute will look harder at a startups funding, stability, management team, and its growth in at least the previous two years. Some of it can be derived from the balance sheet, profit and loss statement, and press reports. At S P Jain Institute of Management and Research, a few students were victim of deferred placements last year. We will reach out to our alumni in startups and invite companies for internships and interactions with students, says professor Abbasali Gabula, who heads external relations and administration at the institute. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Top telecom operators on Wednesday said they lack network capability and financial resources to provide interconnection to Reliance Jio (RelJio) subscribers. RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani had recently said that the Indian telecom sector had grouped up against his company. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents GSM telecom operators, wrote to the Prime Ministers Office raising the matter a day after Ambani announced Jios plans on September 1. According to incumbents, offering more interconnection points to Reliance Jio will not only create a financial burden but also swamp their network and outgoing calls of their customers could get blocked by the huge number of incoming calls from RelJio, Rajan Mathews, director- general of COAI, told HT. COAI in its letter said that voice realisation from the potential 100 million RelJio customers could lead to voice realisation of existing operators plunging from 30-40 paise per voice minute to around 22-25 paise or lower. Interconnect points are used to connect calls from one telecom operator to the other. If enough points, RelJio users wont be able to make calls to other networks. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Swedish furniture major IKEA is betting big on India, and will be in the country for the next 100 years, the companys global CEO Juvencio Maeztu told HT. Excerpts. The next big chain of reforms in India will be labour reforms. Since IKEA will also have to employ thousands of people, what do you think is needed in labour reforms? For IKEA, diversity is non-negotiable. We feel revision of labour laws is needed to allow women to work in shifts of their choice late evening or early morning. It also means choice to retailers to employ part-timers in shifts of their choice, and provide customers shop experience around the clock. Do you think it has become easy for global players to do business in India? The government has taken several steps to facilitate ease of doing business in India. The approval of Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a very positive step. GST will not only ease product movement in India, but also bring a lot of confidence in global markets for doing business in India. We look forward towards more positive steps in labour law, land acquisition and retail policy. What are your future investment plans? We generally invest Rs 500-700 crore per store. We have a long-term view in India, and are looking to open two store per year with the right conditions. Our aim is to open 25 stores by 2025. We are here for the next 100 years. Are you adding more categories and products to cater specifically to India? Most of the range we offer in India will be the IKEA global range. However, we will add on some locally relevant unique products, including Tawa, Idly Maker, Kadai and Indian Spice box. One suggestion you would like to give to your global peers for investing in India? Take a long term view in India. Its a growing economy with a very progressive government. What is the status of your plans to open a store in Delhi-NCR? Delhi NCR is one of our priority markets and we are scouting for appropriate land for an IKEA store. Are you adding more categories and products to cater to India specifically? Most of the range we offer in India will be the IKEA global range, however we will add on some locally relevant unique products such as tawa, idli maker, kadhai, Indian spice box etc. What is your view on the growing Indian retail market? The Indian retail market is poised to grow in future. We see great opportunity to connect with the many people in India with our home furnishing solutions and also contribute in growing the Indian home furnishing segment. E-commerce space is seeing growing competition, how do you see it and place yourself as a lot of players are exist in the furniture space also? Our main focus now is to open IKEA stores as per the IKEA concept. Todays consumer wants to interact with their favourite brands with both online and offline channels. We will work with an omni-channel approach to create the best possible offer for our Indian customers. Read: Ikea India stores to have creches for female employees NEW DELHI: An 18-year-old MBBS aspirant killed herself at her south Delhi residence on Wednesday afternoon. The incident was reported from Pushp Vihar area. Police said the girl was upset at having not scored good marks in her medical entrance exam and secured the 1,833rd rank. Her name had not figured in the first counselling list due to which she had not got admission in any of the good medical colleges, police said. No suicide note was recovered. The woman, Sitara Trishna, was found hanging from a ceiling fan of her flat where she lived with her parents and two siblings. Trishnas father is a section officer in Sashastra Seema Bal. A senior police officer said that on Wednesday, Trishnas parent left home around noon to go visit a doctors clinic. Around 1.30 pm, Trishnas father called her on her mobile phone, but she did not respond. When their repeated calls went unanswered, Trishnas parents panicked. They then called their neighbours and asked them to check on their daughter, said the officer. The neighbour went to the flat on the first floor and found it locked from inside. In the meantime, Trishnas brother returned home from school. A neighbour then somehow climbed on to the balcony of the flat and peeped inside Trishnas room and saw her hanging. The neighbour raised an alar m and Trishnas parents were informed about the incident. By the time, they returned home, another neighbour had called the police control room. The police broke open the rooms door and Tishara was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors pronounced her dead on admission. Her body was later sent to AIIMS mortuary for autopsy, police said. The police are questioning Trishnas parents. NEW DELHI: Nearly half of the over two lakh students in Class 6, the entry level at Delhi government-run schools, cant read at all. Only a fourth of them can read from Hindi textbooks (considered relatively easier) or from a Class 2-level English book, showed a June study by the Delhi government. The students were given an oral test to check learning levels. Only 13% were able to identify alphabets and a third solved a three-digit division sum. The 2014 Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) of students in the Nand Nagri municipal area showed similar results. The report is brought out by an NGO collective to generate evidence on the outcomes of social sector programmes. Just over a half (59.4%) Class 6-8 students in Nand Nagri could read Class 2 texts and 43.6% could not read sentences, the ASER study said. As many as 2,393 Class 6-8 students and 3,167 Class 1-5 students were chosen for the survey. The Delhi government schools get most of their students from the ones run by municipal corporations. The corporation schools run only till Class 5. The civic bodies have 1,860 schools across the city, nearly 700 more than the state government. A million students go to these schools. The government blames the MCDs for poor learning levels but the corporations blame the governments no detention policy (NDP) and lack of parental support for the poor academic standards of the students. The NDP was prescribed under Right To Education law, mandating promotion of every student till Class 8 irrespective of his/her performance in the annual exams. Education activist Ambarish Rai said the NDP could not be held responsible for poor learning levels. Its a myth, said Rai, national convenor, Right To Education (RTE) Forum. The government should focus on strengthening the continuous comprehensive evaluation, which is a scientific method to improve learning. But because it adds to the work pressure on teachers and school staff, no one wants to follow it, Rai said. Government school teachers said staff shortage and non-teaching responsibilities leave them little time to focus on students. They need to learn basics. But we cannot focus on them. We have staff shortage, a government school teacher. Yashpal Arya, chairman of the education committee of the South Delhi civic body, said they were trying to improve quality of education in MCD schools by training principals and fixing accountability. As per the RTE Act, we have to enrol students based on their age and not learning levels, Arya said. We have to admit them even if they didnt have any formal schooling. Therefore, they lag behind those who learn basics in Nursery or Class 1. We are trying to fix the problem by imparting special training to the teachers and principals so that they handle such students better, Arya said. WHATS THE SOLUTION? Experts say the school curriculum should be changed. There is a need to review the curriculum because there is a mismatch between syllabus and learning levels, said Faiyaz Ahmed, associated with Pratham an NGO that brings out ASER reports. We are not talking about the curriculum problem. There should be measurable learning outcomes for teachers and students to achieve, said Ahmed. A government school principal pointed out to the mismatch between learning levels and the curriculum. We admit MCD school students in Class 6. There is a significant difference in the learning levels and the curriculum we follow, said the principal of a government school. Many of the MCD students cannot solve a simple sum or read text, the principal said. Atishi Marlena, advisor to Delhi education minister Manish Sisodia, said the government was addressing the problem. She said low learning levels are common across the country but unlike other state governments, the AAP in Delhi is trying to find a solution. School syllabus and teaching practices have remained the same for the past 20 years, Marlena said. Whenever the issue of syllabus revision was taken up, academicians opposed it saying government was trying to make the students dull, she said. Marlena said the Delhi government has launched Chunauti 2018, a programme in which students are divided into remedial groups. Special lectures are planned for them to bring up their learning levels. Educationist Anita Rampal said the government should start at the primary level. She did not agree with the suggestion to scale down syllabus to suit students learning levels. Students cannot be assessed on the stunted versions of textbooks, Rampal said. NEW DELHI: Shocked at the deplorable condition in which children were kept at a private child care home in the Capital, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the city governments department of women and child development to transfer all children to an alternative home. The photographs show that some of the female inmates are in semi and complete naked condition and that also in the presence of male children, Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva said. He added that it was very disturbing. The court also directed the concerned deputy commissioner of police to conduct an investigation on allegation of sexual exploitation of children in Prem Dham Ashram in Najafgarh, which is run by an NGO named Human Care International. There are about 39 girls and 26 boys who stay in the home. Prem Dham Ashram had moved the high court against two orders of the government directing it to hand over all the children to government-run children home such as Nirmal Chhaya Complex or Sweet Home in Najafgarh. It claimed that the home has been taking care of the food, lodging and studies of these children and they want to reside at the current campus. It also contended that the transfer of children in the middle of the academic session would be detrimental to their studies. However, advocate Prabhsahay Kaur, appearing for the department of women and child development, said that Prem Dham Ashram had concealed material facts and that there was evidence and material including photographs to show that the children were being kept in deplorable conditions. She contended that they had even received complaints of sexual exploitation. Kaur further said that in a surprise inspection conducted on July 19, the department found that the children were being kept in miserable conditions. Some of the male and female children were kept together, she added. The photographs that have been shown to the court are very disturbingThe allegations of the respondents are prima facie fortified from the photographs shown, Justice Sachdeva said. The concerned deputy commissioner of police was directed to investigate into the allegations against the petitioners home and also to examine the complaints received by the respondent with regard to sexual exploitation, the court added. It directed the DCP to submit a status report of the action taken and posted the matter for further hearing on September 15. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON NEW DELHI: Delhiites have been spared a Metro fare hike for the next three months. The Delhi Metro fare fixation committee, set upon June 9, to recommend are vision in fares, was to submit its report on September 8. But on Wednesday, the three-member committee headed by justice ML Mehta, retired judge of Delhi high court, sought a three month extension from the Union urban development( U D) ministry for completing its report. The FCC has been given extension till December 8, said a senior UD ministry official. The last time Delhi Metro fares were revised was in 2009 when the minimum fare was increased from Rs 6 to Rs 8 and the maximum fare from Rs 22 to Rs 30. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has been requesting a fare increase since 2009 but hasnt been able to do so as the Centre failed to set up a fare fixation committee. Since 2009, electricity tariff has gone up by over 90%, accounting for almost 30% of DMRCs total operating cost. This is the fourth fare fixation committee set up by the government. The committee had to submit its report on September 8. The committees are temporary in nature and is set up by the Centre only when a Metro rail corporation requests a fare hike. Barely a month after it was set up, the fare fixation committee, which has Delhi chief secretary KK Sharma and additional secretary in the UD ministry DS Mishra as members, went on a whirlwind trip of Hong Kong, Singapore and Taipei to study the Metro fare structure there. The proposal raised the hackles of both UD minister M Venkaiah Naidu and the ministrys secretary Rajib Gauba who wanted to know the urgency and the purpose the trip would serve. But eventually they relented. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON NEW DELHI: Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel was on Wednesday charge-sheeted by Delhi Police in a court here for allegedly rioting and causing hurt at the house of a realtor in an East Delhi colony in 2015. The charge-sheet filed before chief metropolitan magistrate Savitri named seven persons as accused in the case. According to the FIR filed by complainant Manish Ghai, a local builder, AAPs Shahdara MLA Ram Niwas Goel and his supporters had allegedly raided one of his houses in Vivek Vihar on the night of February 6, 2015, a day before the Delhi Assembly elections. The MLA had allegedly raided the house of Ghai accusing him of stashing liquor, blankets and other stuff for distribution ahead of the polls. The AAP leaders had refuted these claims saying they had gone to the house with a police team comprising the local Station House Officer and Assistant Commissioner of Police among others after making a PCR call in this regard. As per the complainant, some labourers were staying at a house that was owned by him. He received a call from one of them at about 9.30pm on February 6, 2015 about Goel and his associates forcibly entering the building and damaging the property, police said. Ghai also alleged that the group broke almirah, drawers, kitchen items, window panes and mirrors in the house. When the labourers tried to resist, they were allegedly physically assaulted. A case of rioting, trespassing, causing mischief and voluntarily causing hurt was lodged against the accused. The Delhi high court on Thursday set aside a government order appointing 21 Aam Aadmi Party MLAs as parliamentary secretaries on the grounds that it was made without the lieutenant governor (L-G)s approval. The courts decision came after the AAP-led Delhi government conceded that the appointment became invalid in light of the courts August 4 verdict that declared the L-G as the administrative head of the national capital region. AAP govt admits 21 parliamentary secretaries appointed without LG's approval. DelhiHC dispose of case against their appointment @htTweets rocky soibam (@rocky_soibam) September 8, 2016 Read | L-G Najeeb Jung is the boss in Delhi: High court tells Kejriwals AAP govt Chief justice G Rohini and justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal were hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by NGO Rashtriya Mukti Morcha, which sought scrapping of the appointments, claiming it was unconstitutional, illegal and without jurisdiction. The plea stated the chief minister had no power, jurisdiction or authority to administer the oath of office to parliamentary secretaries. The Delhi government, led by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, had appointed the parliamentary secretaries attached to government ministries after coming to power in February 2015. However, a constitutional clause prohibits legislators or parliamentarians from holding any position with monetary or other benefits. Known as office of profit, the clause is aimed at reducing conflict-of-interest situations for public representatives. It was the grounds on which President Pranab Mukherjhee refused to sign the bill that ratified the appointment in June. The Delhi government, however, claimed the appointments will facilitate a smooth functioning. It also made it clear that the secretaries would not receive any remuneration or perks from the government, which meant the exchequer would face no additional burden. The appointment order had permitted them to use government transport for official purposes and earmarked space in the ministers offices to help them in official work. It further stated that the formation of the post did not amount to creation of a public office, and was meant merely to assist the minister in connecting to the public and the rest of the assembly and ensuring a harmonious functioning. The court decision came on a day CM Kejriwal arrived in Ludhiana to a gathering of disgruntled AAP volunteers who alleged party tickets had been given to corrupt workers. Also read | Not just Delhi: Many high courts quashed appointment of parliamentary secys Also read | EC seeks details from Delhi govt on facilities to 21 AAP MLAs SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A reality check by Hindustan Times of the Delhi governments ambitious scheme - Chunauti 2018 - to improve learning levels in government schools in the capital shows there is some confusion in the programmes implementation. But teachers seem to believe that it will work out in the long run. Launched late June, the scheme divides children into groups on the basis of who can read and write Hindi, English and solve mathematical problems. The division was done after a baseline assessment of the students which found that 74% out of 2,01,997 children in class 6 could not read a paragraph from their own Hindi textbook and 46% could not read a story of class 2 level. The government says the figure is equally high for other classes as well. So till class 9, students have been divided into groups. The ones who can read are called Pratibha and the ones who cannot are Nishtha. In class 9 there is another group called Vishwas which includes those who are out of school and have failed twice in the class. HT decided to check out what the scheme is all about and how is it being implemented. Teachers back scheme With autonomy given to the principals, schools have devised their own mechanisms to implement the scheme. In almost 10 schools HT visited, readers are part of the first few sections (A,B,C) depending on the size of the class. The remaining ones have children in the Nishtha group. There are also schools which have kept students of the two groups in same class, but they sit separately. Dividing children is one aspect of the scheme. The intervention actually comes with the introduction of Pragati--I books. The government describes Pragati books as supplementary material which will help Nishtha groups read to understand syllabus of their class. These are thin books like workbooks provided for each subject. The books have one page of text explaining the lesson. For instance, science textbooks of class 6 have one page explaining the earths rotation and revolution. A student generally learns about the earth when they are in class 2 or 3. Read more: All Class 6-8 students to be able to read properly by Nov 14, says Delhi govt The next lesson in the same book is about adi manav (early man). After every page of text, there are series of question and answers, match the following and other activities to test the students understanding of the concept. Pragati books were already being provided before the formal launch of Chunauti 2018. We have already completed teaching from Pragati-1 books. We are now waiting for the Pragati-2 books , said Sonika, an English teacher at Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya in central Delhi. She added that once a lesson from the book is over, it is used for revision twice a week. Children are taught from the NCERT syllabus in the remaining four days of the week. We have been told that for summative assessment 1 there will be different question papers for the two groups. For the Nishtha group it would be a focused syllabus, said a guest teacher. In this process, the details of the syllabus for the SA-1 which is scheduled for this month, has been delayed. Earlier we used to get weekly syllabus with the timeline of when what was to be taught. This time, we have got a monthly syllabus that too handwritten, said a Sanskrit teacher on condition of anonymity. After SA-1, the government has planned another parent-teacher meeting (PTM). The government has even set a deadline of November 14 to achieve 100 % learning ability. This is a novel start to a problem which was not addressed for many years. But the government first needs to remove confusions mostly relating to syllabus and assessment. said a school teacher in Sunder Nagri. Few teachers with whom HT interacted, believe that the intervention will be successful with a focus on language. If a student will know how to read and write in Hindi then automatically improvement in other subjects will show. Take mathematics for instance. Once a student can read the question of the problems then he or she will also be able to solve it, said a mathematics teacher. But teachers say the most difficult part of this scheme has been explaining the division to parents and students. Parents come and ask us to shift their children to the first few sections. It is difficult to tell them why this has been done, said a social science teacher. Psychological effects He adds that the division has also psychologically affected some students. Akshay, a 7th standard student of Government Boys Senior Secondary School in Molarbandh, said, I know how to read and write Hindi but still my teacher has shifted me here. I dont like being in this class. Educationists had warned that Chunauti 2018 would have psychological effects. The major issue with Chunauti is that children are being labelled and it also violates provision of the Right to Education Act. Children cannot be termed as slow learners by testing them on lesser known set of books. There are times when children cannot talk until they are two years old. But after that they speak entire lines fluently. This is the magic of development. But this kind of labelling is extremely dangerous and fascist, said Janaki Rajan, educationist and teacher at Jamia Milia Islamia. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON New Delhi As DU goes to vote for Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) election on Friday, there is a sense of excitement in the air. However, a section of the varsity feels let down. The transgender students, along with LGBTQ, feel that none of the parties or their manifestoes have cared to address their problems. While the manifesto of Akhil Bhartiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) focuses on issues such as lack of hostels and other facilities, that of National Students Union of India (NSUI) pays attention to women issues. Northeastern students have been promised a dedicated panel. However, even the basic needs of transgenders, such as a separate washroom, and sensitisation programs, have found no place on any partys agenda. Elections will be held on September 9, but during the entire election campaign we figure nowhere. Are we not a part of the University? We face criticism in the classroom and fellow students make fun of us. Should these parties not come out in our support as well? says Viraj Shokeen, a student of Hansraj College and member of the LGBTQ community. The first thing we need are separate washrooms. Also, a grievance community should be set up for us, where we can go and discuss our issues without any hesitation, adds Shokeen. Read: Remove Section 377: Delhis LGBT urge again Election campaigning ahead of DUSU elections. (Photo: Hindustan Times ) The sentiment is shared not just by the students but by some professors as well. Aakriti Kohli, a Delhi University professor who made a documentary on the LGBTQ, titled In the mood for Love, in 2015, says, A lot of students from the LGBTQ and non-normative sexuality face ridicule right within the classrooms as well as outside of it. The visible absence of any mention of transgender issues also in the manifesto is disappointing. These groups need to move away from majoritarian issues and become more inclusive in addressing concerns of the discrimination faced by students who do not wish to conform to the normative. Those DU students who wanted to extend support to their fellows from the community, also feel dejected after the representatives have ignored the community. Many DU students had started support groups to reach out to the LGBTQ students. DU is one of the popular universities of India and the contesting parties are the student wings of leading parties of our country. If we want to bring a change in the mindset of people, student elections are the ground for them. But unfortunately in such a huge campaign, the LGBTQ community was mentioned nowhere, says a student of St. Stephens College who wished not to be named. The University of Delhi had recognised the other gender by offering a choice to tick any of the male, female, other, gender category on the admission forms. However, it seems our student leaders are yet to acknowledge their presence, says Vansh Chauhan, who supports the community. Read: Social awareness campaign at IIT Delhis annual fest, Rendezvous SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Jio Modi, Kabali and Gabbar are all there in the mix as Jawaharlal Nehru University holds elections to its student body on September 9. The election will be closely watched after the university was rocked by protests early this year that snowballed into a political firestorm after some student leaders, including JNUSU outgoing president Kanhaiya Kumar, were arrested on charges of sedition. Kumars All India Students Federation (AISF) may have decided to sit out the JNU students union (JNUSU) elections but the campaign is not short of drama or action. Ye kehte hai Bapsa ko vote mat dena, ABVP aa jayega. Sathiyo Gabbar aa jayega Gabbar aa jayega kab tak chalega (They say that dont vote for Bapsa because it bring in ABVP. Friends, how long will they keep saying Gabbar will come, Gabbar will come)? said Sonpimple Rahul Punaram, the presidential candidate of Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students Association (BAPSA), criticising the tie-up between the All India Students Association (AISA) and the Students Federation of India (SFI). Remember the famous lines: Jab bachcha raat ko rota hai, toh maa kehti hai bete soo ja nahi toh Gabbar Singh aa jayega? Gabbar? Kabali is Sonpimples answer to Gabbar, the iconic villain of the 1975 Hindi film Sholay. Mai kehta hun Gabbar nahi aayega, iss baar Kabali aayega Kabali (but this time, Kabali, and not Gabbar, will come). There is a new wave of Ambedkarite movement across the country, Sonpimple told students at a campus meeting on Wednesday night, referring to the latest Rajnikanth film inspired by Dalit icon BR Ambedkar. Rival Mohit K Pandey of the AISA-SFI took on the university rivals but saved his best for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose government is accused of trying to saffronise the largely Left campus. When Dalits were being beaten up in Una, Modiji said shoot me, shoot me. Reliance (Industries) took it very seriously. They shot him and splashed it in the newspapers. He wanted to be pradhan sevak (chief servant) and now he is pradhan model (chief model) --- Jio Modi, Jio Modi, he said, a reference on Reliances campaign for its 4G Jio service. Pandey in one stroke cornered the Centre over violence against Dalits and repeated the charge that the BJP government was pro-industry and anti-poor. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh which is the ideological mentor of the BJP, took on the Left outfits. On February 9 you raised slogans calling for breaking up of this country and then you say stand with JNU. It was you who raised the slogans, not JNU, said ABVPs presidential candidate Janhawi Ojha. She was talking about alleged slogans shouted during an event to commemorate Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Ojha criticised the Aisa for allegedly failing to pursue the rape case involving a member. They should be scared as a sherni (tigress) is here, she roared as supporters cheered her on and opponents booed her. Will it be Sherni or Kabali or someone else who will lead the JNU students for the next year? September 12, when the votes would be counted, will tell. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Haryana government has agreed to transfer the probe into the Mewat double-murder and gangrape case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), members of a delegation that met Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said. A 11-member delegation, comprising three MLAs and two former ministers cutting across party lines and representatives of the district bar association met him in Chandigarh on Wednesday. In Delhi, Rajya Sabha MP Ali Anwar Ansari, flanked by the gang-rape victims, their family members and social activist Shabnam Hashmi, also held a press conference to demand a CBI probe. Read more: Haryana: Couple killed; woman, minor allegedly gangraped in Mewat The delegation demanded strict action against local police officials for alleged negligence in handling the case, compensation of Rs 50 lakh for each of the two sexual assault survivors and government job for a family member. INLD legislator Zakir Hussain, who was in the team, told Hindustan Times that the chief minister said he wanted the truth to come out and instantly agreed to transfer the case to CBI. The chief minister promised action against erring officials. While the CM did not commit himself to any sum, he assured adequate compensation for the victims, he said. The delegation included INLD MLA Naseem Ahmed, Independent MLA Rahish Khan, former ministers Aftab Ahmed and Mohammad Ilyas, district bar association president Aabid, social worker Kishore Yadav, and advocates Tahir Dewla, Mohammad Tehla, Shaukat, Kishore Yadav and Noorudin. The CM was responsive and said he will announce a CBI probe, enhance compensation and also take action against erring police officials for laxity, Ahmad said. Read more: Congress leader wants public hanging of Mewat rape accused However, a home department official said he had not received any instructions with regard to transfer of the case to CBI so far. Flanked by the gangrape victims, Ansari said in Delhi the police would let the four under-custody accused in the case get away easily due to political pressure. It seems the police is trying hard to project the case as a simple dacoity case in which robbers killed the family members before making off with the valuables. It certainly isnt. It was a pre-planned crime aimed at sending shock waves among the people of Mewat, Ansari said. We know that criminals dont wake up people and kill them, he added. The victims said there were more than four criminals involved in the three-hour long carnage. We dont trust the police. They might as well let the criminals get away easily. We want the CBI to probe it, said one of the victims, who could not hold back her tears. A couple was murdered and a minor girl and her cousin were gang-raped by a group of eight to 10 men on the intervening night of August 24-25 in Dingerheri village. On August 29, Mewat Police nabbed four accused, Sandeep, Amarjeet, Karamjeet and Rahul Kumar who were allegedly involved in the case. The suspects, residents of Mohammadpur village close to Dingerheri village off the Kundli-Manesar-Palwar Expressway, were produced before a court in Mewat on Wednesday. (With inputs from HTC Chandigarh) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Leading a yoga session at the WHO regional committee meeting in Colombo, Health Minister J P Nadda today said the ancient Indian practice can contribute to building resilience against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which account for 60% of mortalities. Nadda, who led health ministers of several nations and hundreds other participants at the yoga session, said knowledge of yoga can be effectively used for preventing and controlling many lifestyles diseases. Problems of modern lifestyles are well known. Decline in communicable diseases has been accompanied by a gradual rise in the prevalence of chronic NCDs which now contribute to 60 per cent of mortalities. Yoga, an ancient practice of India, can contribute to building resilience against NCDs. The knowledge of yoga can be very effectively used for preventing and controlling many of the lifestyles diseases. Major NCDs like cancer, diabetes, CVD and stroke are to a great extent due to unhealthy lifestyle, he said while expressing concern over rising prevalence of NCDs. Health Minister JP Nadda says non communicable diseases like cancer, diabetes can be helped through yoga. Nadda is representing India at the 69th session of the WHO Regional Committee of South-East Asia Region at Colombo. Nadda said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a call at the United Nations General Assembly to recognise yoga as a provider of holistic approach to health and well-being and the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution, with co-sponsorship from 177 countries, to observe June 21 as International Day of Yoga. Nadda said yoga has the ability to bring together the body, soul and mind for a holistic approach to health and well-being, including physical, mental and spiritual realms of the human being. Yoga is not just a set of exercises. Yoga is a philosophy of discipline and meditation that transforms the spirit and makes the individual a better person in thought, action, knowledge and devotion, he said. Noting that the spread of yoga is a symbol of a changing world, Nadda said it represents a world where knowledge flows without restriction of country, creed or class and represents a world where people come together across boundaries for causes and concerns that unite the planet. Noting that yoga is a collective gift to humanity, Nadda said that although it may have originated in India, it draws its energies from the millions who practise it around the world. So what are you waiting for? Get to it! Follow @htlifeandstyle for more Andhra Pradesh erupted in anger on Thursday after the Centre rejected the states demand for special category status to compensate for loss of revenue following the creation of Telangana last year. Union finance minister Arun Jaitley announced a special financial package to the state on Wednesday night but opposition parties denounced the largesse as a great betrayal. The main Opposition YSR Congress -- supported by the Congress and the Left besides various organisations, called for a state shutdown on September 10. Protest rallies and demonstrations were held across the state on Thursday. Popular film star and Jana Sena party founder Pavan Kalyan decided to go ahead with his rally to protect the self-respect of Andhra people, at Kakinada in East Godavari district on Friday. The finance ministry did not give a detailed statement on the quantum of financial assistance to Andhra Pradesh. Sources, however, said the package was to the tune of Rs 1.50 lakh crore. The finer details of financial package are still being worked out, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu said. The YSR Congress upped the ante against the Naidu government by stalling proceedings of the state assembly on Thursday and didnt allow the chief minister to make a statement on the package. Led by party president YS Jaganmohan Reddy, the party MLAs came to the assembly wearing black dresses and demanded a debate on the issue. Naidus attitude is unpardonable. He should immediately resign from his post and withdraw his party from the NDA. The denial of special status is detrimental to the future of the youth and their employment opportunities, Jagan said. State Congress president N Raghuveera Reddy alleged that the BJP and TDP betrayed the people of Andhra by promising much and delivering nothing. Protest rallies were taken out and dharnas held all over the state. Activists of the YSRC and the Left staged demonstrations at offices of BSNL, post offices, bus stations and railway stations. At several places, students forced educational institutions to close down. In Anantapur, police arrested hundreds of college students. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Congress MP from Guna and the partys chief whip in Lok Sabha Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday took potshots at the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government on a range of issues, including deteriorating law and order. We saw three stars in Olympics and all three were women but Madhya Pradesh set a different record by being on the top in rape cases, Scindia said. For the fifth year in a row, Madhya Pradesh was adjudged one of the most unsafe places for women and children in India. The state recorded most rape cases in the country with 4,391 cases reported during 2015, according to NCRB data. There is a systemic failure in Madhya Pradesh. The situation in health and education sectors, in particular, is worrying. Teachers and doctors are not found at schools in rural areas and government hospitals. Madhya Pradeshs record was much higher than the national average when it comes to infant mortality rate. The state lags behind several states including Bihar when it comes to spending in social sectors, he added. Scindia tore apart the state government on the corruption front, saying Vyapam was followed by Simhastha scam. Inflated bills were furnished by government departments. The health department alone submitted bills worth Rs 60 crore. The Congress leader was scathing in his remarks about Narendra Modi, saying Modi happened to be the first Prime Minister whose marketing was being done through advertisement. On Kashmir issue, he said the marriage of convenience between PDP and BJP was a major factor responsible for the volatile situation. It was unfortunate that the PM didnt speak up when there was a discussion on Kashmir in Lok Sabha, he added. The PM had talked of providing employment to 2 crore people every year but the statistics showed only 4.30 lakh job opportunities in first year and 3.20 lakh in next year, the Congress leader said. Before the general elections, Modi had ridiculed the then UPA government saying when BJP would be voted to power, India would get record number of Olympic medals. But now everybody can see what the government did for sports, Scindia said. Without naming Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that strongest action should be reserved for those states that use terrorism as an instrument of state policy while outlining Indias principled stand on the South China Sea issue. We need to target not only the terrorists, but also their entire supporting ecosystem, Modi said while addressing the 11th East Asia Summit here, the premier forum of the Asia-Pacific region. And, our strongest action should be reserved for those state actors who employ terrorism as an instruments of state policy, he said. Stating that most countries in the South Asian region were pursuing a peaceful path to economic prosperity, he said: But, there is one country in Indias neighbourhood whose competitive advantage rests solely in producing and exporting terrorism. India-Pakistan relations have soured in recent times following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani in Jammu and Kashmir in July. Pakistan described Wani as a martyr. Over 70 people have died in large-scale violence in the state since then. Stating that terrorism was the most serious challenge to open and pluralistic societies, Modi called for collective efforts to combat the scourge. The Prime Minister said that India remained committed, including through membership of export control regimes, to pursuing total and verifiable elimination of weapons of mass destruction. Since its inception in 2005 -- India is a founding member -- the East Asia Summit has played a significant role in the strategic, geopolitical and economic evolution of East Asia. India will remain steadfast in the shared pursuit of regional, strategic political and economic priorities within the East Asia Summit framework, Modi said. Elaborating on Indias principled stand on the South China Sea issue, he said that the lanes of communication passing through the sea were main arteries of global merchandise trade. India supports freedom of navigation, over flight, and unimpeded commerce, based on the principles of international law, as noted in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), the Prime Minister said. China is involved in disputes with littoral countries of the region over the South China Sea particularly over the Spratly and Paracel groups of islands. In July, an international arbitration tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favour of the Philippines in its dispute with China over the South China Sea. While the Philippines welcomed it, China reacted angrily calling it null and void with no binding force and that China neither accepts it nor recognises it. (L to R) Myanmar's state councellor and foreign minister Aung San Suu Kyi, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen, Indonesia's President Joko Widodo and Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak pose for a picture during the 14th ASEAN-India Summit in Vientiane on September 8, 2016. (AFP) Modi said on Thursday that India believed that the threat or use of force to resolve disputes would complicate matters affecting peace and stability. As a state party to the Unclos, India urges all parties to show utmost respect for the Unclos, he said. Stating that the countries have to be mindful of common security challenges, he said India would organise the second East Asia Conference on maritime security and cooperation later this year. We can share experience and build partnerships for protection of marine resources,prevent environment degradation and tap blue economy, the Prime Minister. Dwelling on the issue of disaster management, he said that India would host an East Asia conference on disaster management and emergency response and the Asian ministerial meeting on disaster risk response later this year and has established an East Asia virtual knowledge portal on disaster management. Earlier on Thursday, speaking at the 14th India-Asean Summit here, he said Asean was central to Indias Act East Policy while describing the ties with southeast Asia as a source of harmony. He said enhancing connectivity was central to Indias partnership with Asean. In this connection, Modi proposed a joint task force on connectivity to work on extension of the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Stating that cooperation in science and technology was a crucial element of India-Asean developmental engagement, he proposed to enhance the Asean-India Fund with an additional grant of $50 million. He also invited Asean to be the guest of honour at the International Buddhist Conclave to be held in India in October. On the sidelines of the two summits, Modi also held bilateral meetings with US President Barack Obama, South Korean President Park Geun-hye, State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi and Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith. Prime Minister Narendra Modi used two global summits on Thursday to excoriate Indias neighbourhood rivals, first targeting Beijings muscle-flexing in the South China Sea and then seeking strongest action against state-sponsors of terrorism to hit out at Islamabad. Modi named neither country in his speeches, but his twin attacks before top Asian leaders as well as US President Barack Obama were seen as a strategic move to send out a strong message against New Delhis nuclear-armed foes. In recent weeks, India has ratcheted up criticism of Pakistan, accusing it of inciting protests in Kashmir, while ties with China have been fraught over Beijings blocking of New Delhis entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group. China is also wary of Indias growing presence in the South China Sea. At Thursdays East Asia Summit in Laos, Modi stepped up his attack on Pakistan, speaking of a country whose competitive advantage rests solely in producing and exporting terrorism. The time has come for us to stop this global exporter of terror, he told the summit, also attended by Chinese premier Li Keqiang. We need to target not only the terrorists but also their entire supporting ecosystem. And our strongest action should be reserved for those state actors who employ terrorism as an instrument of state policy. The fresh jibe came three days after Modi launched a sharp attack on Pakistan, telling G20 leaders that one single nation in South Asia was spreading agents of terror. Earlier in the day, Modi launched a veiled criticism of Chinas belligerent stand on the South China Sea, saying India believed the threat or use of force to resolve disputes would complicate matters affecting peace and stability. India urges all parties to show utmost respect for the Unclos, he told the India-Asean Summit, referring to a UN convention on laws governing the seas. China is involved in disputes with littoral countries of the region over the South China Sea. In July, an international tribunal ruled in favour of the Philippines in its dispute with Beijing over the South China Sea. But China reacted angrily, saying it neither accepts nor recognises the ruling. In recent months, Beijing has scrambled fighter jets and boats to the region citing threats to Chinese sovereignty. India has oil assets off the coast of Vietnam, another party to the dispute over the South China Sea. Read| PM Modi meets Chinas Xi, raises terrorism emanating from Pakistan The Centre will not hold talks with separatists in Kashmir as it aims to first establish the primacy of the State by quelling attempts to topple an elected state government through violence, government sources said on Thursday. The hardening of the NDA governments stance is based on assessment that the current unrest in the Valley is quite different from those in the past as it has excessive religious dimensions and its objective is to establish a theocratic state. The government was earlier open to talks with all stakeholders, a stance reiterated on Wednesday by Union minister Jitendra Singh after a meeting of the all-party delegation that visited Jammu & Kashmir on September 4-5. A senior government functionary said that there has been improvement in the situation in the Valley where 62 people -- unofficial estimates put the number at 75 -- have lost their lives in clashes between security forces and protesters since the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani on July 8. There is a distinction between separatists and people. As far as people are concerned, we have full compassion. But when it comes to dealing with separatists, there is no scope of the government of India blinking, said a senior government functionary. Hurriyat leaders are not seen as a significant player in the Valley today and they are only trying to get in and gain relevance when the protesting youth are not in their control. Professor Noor Ahmad Baba who teaches political science at Kashmir University also said the (current) movement is not driven by Hurriyat leaders. It is happening spontaneously. They (separatists) have a limited area of influence, Baba told HT. In 2014, India called off foreign secretary-level talks with Pakistan after its high commissioner Abdul Basit made Hurriyat leaders a stakeholder by inviting and meeting them. Until then Hurriyat leaders would seek meetings with visiting Pakistani leaders or the high commissioner. The NDA government is also 101 % convinced about Pakistans role in the current unrest in Kashmir and chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has conveyed the same to the Centre. But it is concerned about radicalisation in Kashmir that has witnessed a shift from Sufism to Wahabism, which is attributed to the proliferation of new religious structures in the past decade and indoctrination of the people. The Wahabi sect follows a radical interpretation of Islam. The Centre is also learnt to be disinclined to entertain demands for full or partial withdrawal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (Afspa) because the state police does not have adequate capacity to deal with terrorism. Read | PM Modis hardline Kashmir strategy suits BJP, but not India or the Valley SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Several officials who sit on Indias biotech regulator, which is preparing to take a decision on genetically modified mustard, are also associated with global organisations that lobby for GM crops, HT has learnt. Such an arrangement represents potential conflicts of interest, according to critics, who argue that there must be an arms length distance. On Wednesday, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), the regulator empowered to clear transgenic crops for commercialisation, released an assessment report of genetically modified (GM) mustard on its website for public comments. Scientists who serve as regulators are mostly GM crop developers themselves, another area of conflicting roles. The co-developer of GM mustard, Akshay Pradhan, is also a regulator. Pradhan told HT he voluntarily sat out of all meetings concerning GM mustard. So there is no question of conflict of the interest, he said. A GM crop is one in which a gene has been altered for new traits, such as pest resistance or nutritional value. GM mustard, a public-sector developed variety, is the second transgenic food to come up for regulatory approval after BT brinjal, which was indefinitely suspended by the previous UPA government despite being cleared by the GEAC. Regulators linked to industry-backed non-profits or who have been privately funded GM developers said they were open about their affiliations. They denied any ethical problem because they acted in accordance with the regulators rules. Critics however say this is a serious case of a compromised regulatory framework. Such officials include the GEAC co-chair K Veluthambi, B Sesikeran, a nutrition scientist, and crop scientist SR Rao. Rao is on the Golden Rice Humanitarian Board funded by an agri-business MNC, among others. Sesikeran is a member of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI), a global non-profit partly funded by firms to promote science in agriculture, including GM technologies. According to its website, ILSIs funding comes primarily from its corporate membership and supporting companies. These include GM crop companies. Being a regulator doesnt mean you are here to destroy GM science. If you are an airline regulator, does it mean you have to destroy the airline sector? We are here to promote GM science and there is nothing secret about it, only thing it has to be scientifically sound and safe, Sesikeran said. GEAC co-chair Veluthambi is a scientist behind a GM rice project. Both Veluthambi and Rao could not be reached for comments. However, their colleague Pradhan said: How can you go on suspecting public scientists? GEAC has to depend on the same scientists because they are the only ones available. Mere stepping out of meetings does not address the problem of conflict of interest, said Kavitha Kuruganti, who represents an anti-GM advocacy group. According to her, the regulatory body needs risk-assessment experts as regulators, not GM crop developers. There is only one reason why modern biotechnology needs regulation that of protecting us from risks. That function is not being fulfilled with industry-affiliated and other crop developers working as regulators, Kuruganti said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON After the passage of the Goods and Services Tax with near-unanimity, union labour minister Bandaru Dattatreya is confident that the Congress and some other Opposition parties will support the proposed labour reforms. Plans are afoot to club around 340 labour laws into four codes to remove complexities in the legislative framework in the sensitive sector. In an interview to HT, Dattatreya said the government was confident of securing all-round support for the labour reforms. Some of the states have already indicated that they want these pro-labour, pro-people codes, he added. The minister said the codes on wages and industrial relations will be brought in the winter session of Parliament. We have sent these two bills to the law ministry for vetting. We are expecting the cabinet clearance for these two codes (bills) by October, Dattatreya said. The other two codeson social security and working conditionsare likely to take more time to be ready. The minister made it clear that there will be no more talks with the trade unions on the wages and industrial relations codes. The government had enough tripartite meetings with the unions and industry bodies. There is no more scope for consultations. Dattatreya said disallowing outsiders to be a part of the trade unions in a factory or industry was the sole reason for their resistance to the bill. Our aim is to stop politicisation of industries, but unions want political people in union bodies everywhere. That is not possible, he added. Parliament last month passed the GST Bill that seeks to eliminate excessive taxation across the country. It will be effective from the next fiscal. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Aviation regulator has asked low-cost carrier IndiGo to investigate four pilots who posed for a photograph with a whisky bottle in an aircraft, citing safety concerns. It is not known if the pilots, who were not in uniform, were drunk when the picture was taken but the directorate general of civil aviation on Tuesday asked Indigo for an explanation. Air safety rules prohibit pilots from drinking on duty. Alcohol tests are carried out before and after flights to check for violations that can invite suspension. A pilot stands to lose licence for repeat offences. The airlines said it had carried out an internal investigation when it got to know of the incident and found no violations. As per the internal investigation these pilots were on leave and were off duty hours, when this picture was clicked by them as regular travelers on an international flight, an IndiGo spokesperson said on Wednesday. The liquor bottle was sealed. The spokesperson said they informed the regulator when they got to know about the picture, which was taken in October 2013 and shared on Facebook in January. An anonymous complainant sent the picture to the DGCA on Tuesday. Drinking is permitted to passengers on international flights but passengers cannot drink from their own bottles. We have asked the airline to probe the matter and submit a report, a DGCA official said. A spokesperson, citing DGCA regulations, said the pilots were in the clear as regulator permits photography inside the aircraft. The said pilots were not in uniform in the picture and it was an international flight where the consumption of alcohol is not prohibited, the spokesperson said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) launched on Thursday the INSAT-3DR, an advanced weather satellite that will provide a variety of meteorological services. The satellite was launched using GSLV-F05 from the Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh, in the tenth flight of Indias Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). The rocket is 49.1 metres tall and weighed 415.2 tonnes. Isro is focusing on the cryogenic engine technology to save foreign exchange by launching heavier satellites on its own. It relies on the European Space Agencys Ariane rocket to launch its heavy communication satellites. Here is all you need to know about the launch vehicle and the satellite. 1. INSAT-3DR has a separate propulsion system because the GSLV-F05 will only help it reach till the Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) -- akin to a waiting room before an interview. After this, INSAT-3DR will use its own propulsion system to reach its final Geostationary Orbit (GO) -- that is, the actual interview room. The whole contraption weighs 2211 kg -- the propellant weighs 1255 kg, and the satellite and other components weigh 956 kg. Take a look at this video for more on Geosynchronous satellites 2. The satellite has two solar energy panels which generate 1,700 watts of power. Every satellite needs electrical power to operate its equipment and sensors. Some scientists argue that the same energy can be beamed back to earth. The possibilities in the future are many. Heres a look at some. 3. In comaprison with its predecessor, INSAT-3D, the latest satellite has significant improvements, such as: -- It can provide better night time pictures of low clouds and fog. -- The sea surface temperature (SST) can be captured with better accuracy. 4. The satellite has two payloads -- an imager and a sounder. The imager will generate images of earth from 36,000 km above sea level for every 26 minutes. It will help in estimating precipitation, sea surface temperature, snow cover, cloud motion winds etc. The sounder will provide information on humidity, temperature and ozone over Indian landmass every one hour and the entire Indian Ocean every six hours. Other functions the payloads can be used for: (ISRO) 5. The satellite will be placed in the 74 degree East longitude and has a mission life of 10 years. 6. From ignition to separation, it takes 11 distinct steps for the GSLV to launch the satellite into space. Take a look at the time, altitude and velocity needed for each step. (ISRO) The steps are similar to that of a PSLV. Here is an interactive explainer of how the Mangalyaan was launched using a PSLV. 7. The vehicle GSLV-F05 is significant because it is the first operational flight of GSLV carrying Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) -- an ingenious system which provides more thrust for every kilogram of propellant it burns compared to other rocket stages. Simply put, it has better mileage, but it is technically a very complex system. Read more about it here 8. This is the tenth flight of Indias GSLV. Here are details about the rest of the launches and their payloads. Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar on Thursday asserted that it is wrong to take away land from farmers without their consent. Kanhaiyas comments come in the wake of a recent ruling of the Supreme Court striking down the acquisition of 997.11 acres of land by the then CPI(M)-led Left Front government in Bengals Singur (in Hooghly district) for setting up the small car factory of Tata Motors. As far as the question of taking away land goes, I am not totally against it because if land is not given then factories will not be built but the question is without farmers consent their land should not be acquired, Kumar told a TV channel when asked about the Singur land movement and the CPI(M) forcibly acquiring land. It was indeed (wrong), he said, explaining, If you do anything without the consent of the community (whether it is the farming or tribal community) which has ownership over it, then it is wrong. Asked about West Bengal Chief Minister Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjees support to the movement (then the states principal opposition leader) and on her stint as the state chief minister, Kanhaiya maintained he does not support a specific person. The ownership of a revolution and struggle is dangerous. Only the public (the janta) has the ownership over the revolution, not a leader or an individual. Changes in society are brought about through a collective effort so I do not support a specific individual, he added. Banerjee had undertaken a 26-day hunger strike in Kolkata in December 2006, against the forcible land acquisition in Singur, and demanding 400 acres taken from farmers unwilling to part with their land be returned to them. She later travelled to the rural pocket and laid siege to the factory for 14 days in 2008. The Tata group then moved the project out of the state and finally set it up in Sanand in Gujarat, on land assigned to them by the states then investor-friendly Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Three years after anti-superstition committee founder Narendra Dabholkar was shot dead, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) charged Right-wing Sanatan Sanstha activist Virendra Tawade with conspiracy and murder of the rationalist, identifying longstanding enmity between the two groups as the motive behind the crime. The chargesheet, filed in a Pune court on Tuesday, also named Tawades Sanstha colleagues Sarang Akolkar and Vinay Pawar as those who gunned down Dabholkar near Omkareshwar bridge in the city on August 20, 2013, when he was on a morning walk. Tawade, a 48-year-old surgeon, had personal hatred against Dabholkar since 2002, when the ENT specialist was carrying out activities of his Sanstha and its offshoot Hindu Janjagriti Samiti (HJS). The Goa-based Sanstha, known for its hardlined stand on Hindu practices, was founded in 1999 by hypnotherapist Jayant Balaji Athavale and claims to spread spirituality. Read | Pansares family suspect Sanatan doctor for his murder, seek CBI probe Akolkar, an electronics engineer, went missing after his name cropped up in the 2009 blast at Margaon (Goa). A resident of Pune, Akolkar faces red-corner notice from the Interpol. Pawar, a native of Miraj in Sangli district, too, has been untraceable since 2010. That was following his name was mentioned by fellow Sanatan seeker Prashant Juvekar in the Margaon blast. Both Akolkar and Pawar have been full-time workers of the Sanstha and their names are under scanner in the case of murdering Leftist politician Govind Panare in February last year. In 2005, Dabholkar launched an anti-pollution campaign against the immersion of Ganesh idols, inviting the wrath of Right-wing organisations. Tawade led the Sanstha and HJS protests, but Dabholkar continued his work. Tawade was born into a middle-class family at Satara, where he did his schooling. After a few years, he moved to Mumbai for education but then to Kolhapur in 1995 as a changed man, devoting most of his time to the Sansthas activities. In 2009, Tawade shifted base to Panvel and began offering services to the groups sadhaks (seekers). Read | CBI files chargesheet against doctor in Dabholkar murder case Two years before he moved to Kolhapur, Tawade withdrew from the public and stayed away from his groups overt activities. According to the CBI chargesheet, Sanstha spokesperson Durgesh Samant instructed Tawade to monitor Dabholkar and his anti-superstition activities. During his stay in Kolhapur, Tawade used to notice Dabholkar continuing with his work of confronting the anti-superstitious practices. His enmity against the rationalist grew. Eventually, Tawade, along with Akolkar, Pawar and others, hatched a conspiracy to eliminate the opponent. In April 2013, Tawade met his then colleague Sanjay Sadvilkar, who later turned as key witness in the case, and requested him to arrange a revolver. Tawade also introduced Akolkar and Pawar to Sadvilkar, and requested him to make arrangements for their stay. Read | Dabholkar, Pansare and Kalburgi shot with same gun? The CBI investigation established through oral and documentary evidence that Tawade, who harboured enmity and hatred towards Dabholkar owing to ideological differences, conspired with Pawar, Akolkar and others to murder Dr Dabholkar. The chargesheet also read, in pursuance of the said criminal conspiracy, Pawar and Akolkar shot dead Dr Dabholkar... thereby Tawade has committed criminal offence punishable under 120(b) and 302 of Indian Penal Code. On June 1 this year, the CBI carried out searches at Tawades Panvel residence and recovered a hard disk, which contained his email interaction with Akolkar. Based on the evidence, the CBI arrested Tawade on June 2. The probe agency is now trying to locate Akolkar and Pawar. Currently, Tawade is in the custody of a special investigation team probing the Pansare murder. Its officials suspect Tawades involvement in the Pansare murder after forensic report said the revolver used in the murder of Dabholkar, 67, and Pansare, 81, could be the same. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti should resign if the agenda of alliance, the guiding framework of Jammu and Kashmirs ruling coalition, is not implemented within a time frame, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) parliamentarian Muzaffar Hussain Baig suggested on Thursday. His comments came after a row that he had asked Mufti to resign for her failure to implement the agenda of alliance. He said he was misquoted. Those who drafted the agenda should decide on a time schedule for its implementation and if it does not get implemented within that time frame, the only honourable way for Mehbooba would be to resign, Baig said on Thursday. The senior PDP leader, however, clarified things will not get implemented in a week, but will take time. The agenda was worked out after a fractured mandate in the 2014 polls forced the PDP and BJP to team up, despite ideological differences, and form a government in the strife-torn state. Chief minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed ruled the state based on this framework and it stayed on when his daughter took over after his death this January. Baig, a former deputy chief minister, said circumstances didnt allow the PDP-BJP government enough time to implement the agenda. For six months, the BJP was busy with elections in other states, then Mufti sahibs health deteriorated and he passed away. Mehbooba was unsure about its implementation and so took time to form the government, he said. But within two months of coming to power, Burhan Wanis killing happened, leaving no room for that work. He insisted that these are not excuses but our defence. Hizbul Mujahideen commander Wanis killing on July 8 plunged the state into public unrest, which still continues even after the death of over 70 people in clashes with security forces. Baig blamed wrong signals coming from the Centre for the aggravating situation in Kashmir. They are talking about abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A. There is a PIL against Article 370 and the person who filed the PIL has been rewarded, made an administrator in Lakshadweep, he said. He was of the view that the Centre, which has taken a tough stand against the Kashmiri separatist leadership, should engage with the Hurriyat as well as Pakistan. This will surely take time, but efforts have to be made. His remarks were in line with chief minister Muftis invitation to the separatist leadership for talks with a 26-member political team that was in Srinagar on Sunday to find a way to end the unrest. She sent the invitation as the PDP head, not as chief minister. She didnt want to give an impression of being a superior, she had written the letter as head of the largest political party in the Valley and as an equal, Baig said. Union home minister Rajnath Singh, who led the all-party delegation, had distanced himself from attempts of the chief minister to persuade the separatists for talks. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US President Barack Obama on Thursday on the sidelines of the 14th India-ASEAN Summit and the 11th East Asia Summit in Vientiane, Laos. The US strongly supports Indias NSG membership bid, Obama told Modi as they discussed the priorities in the strategic partnership, including deepening a civil nuclear cooperation and combating climate change. Two democracies and a defining partnership of our era! PM meets President Obama @POTUS on sidelines of EAS, tweeted foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup. Read: At Asean summit, Modi says export of terror, radicalisation a threat to region The meeting --- said to be the eighth between the two leaders in the last two years-- was extremely warm and cordial, Swarup said. The duo had first met at the White House in September 2014 when Modi travelled to Washington after being invited by the US President. Had a great discussion with @POTUS on India-USA relations. pic.twitter.com/4cqHwMwtMf Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2016 A White House official, giving details of the meeting, said, Reaffirming the strong bonds of friendship between the United States and India, the President underscored that the United States strongly supports Indias membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). The US has been playing a lead role in supporting Indias bid in the 48-member elite group. China had scuttled New Delhis bid in June. Among other things, the two leaders discussed energy cooperation and the Paris climate change pact, and reviewed the progress on the India-US collaboration in nuclear energy, solar energy and innovation. Obama expressed confidence that the introduction of the landmark goods and services tax, which recently got Parliaments nod, will unleash significant economic activity in (India). President Obama says Modis vision of entrepreneurship and innovation would be "very important for a country like India." @htTweets Jayanth Jacob (@jayanthjacob) September 8, 2016 President Obama assured Modi that he would remain a strong partner of India and help in any way I can. He also praised Modis vision of entrepreneurship and innovation, which he said would be very important for a country like India. Modi invited him to visit India after he demits office. Obamas second term as US President coming to an end in January next year. On a lighter note, Obama said he and his wife Michelle were yet to see the Taj Mahal. Last year, Obama had cancelled a planned trip to the Taj Mahal, cutting short his visit to India to travel to Saudi Arabia following King Abdullahs death. Modi had also exchanged views with Obama on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Chinas Hangzhou on Sunday, with the US President praising the bold policy move on GST reform in a difficult global economic scenario. With inputs from ANI SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York on September 28 last year did not follow the planned sequence. It was the fifth meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama in the same calendar year. Coming out of the elevator, Modi was about to enter the designated meeting room when Obama, with a coffee cup in hand, called out to him. Modi slowed down. You are looking good in white, Obama commented on Modis outfit - a white kurta teamed with a white Modi jacket. Modi, who had not been briefed about the possibility of such a chance encounter, replied, Thank you, Mr President. As always, the two leaders exchanged a warm embrace before settling down for the meeting. When they met, they have often greeted each other with a hug, followed by their beaming smiles. Throughout their various meetings, photo-ops and any occasions to talk or write about each other came up, Modi and Obama have praised each other effusively. In his first visit to the White House in September 2014, Obama greeted Modi at the doorstep by saying, Kem chho? the Gujarati equivalent of How are you? Modi replied, Thank you very much, Mr President. It is an extraordinary pleasure to greet Prime Minister Modi to the White House for the first time. Thats how Obama had welcomed Modi to their official meeting. And when they met in the Oval Office of the White House on June 8 this year their seventh meeting Obama said, Welcome back, my friend Prime Minister. In between, there were many instances of the two projecting their personal chemistry. An article in the Time magazine said that the Obama-Modi chemistry transcends ancient and modern. Modi calling Obama by his first name was perhaps the first instance of an Indian head of government addressing an American president in delectable familiarity. There are many ways to look at the personal chemistry or friendship between two powerful politicians. But for Modi, any stamp of approval from the president of a country that had declared him a pariah would be a sweet sign. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A tag-line on a cup of Rajma Chawal served on board an Indigo flight--perhaps meant to bring smiles to consumers faces--has left a Gurgaon-based passenger fuming and mulling legal action against the airline. The passenger, Vinod Kumar, a businessman, said he felt humiliated when he saw the tagline Buri Nazar Wale Rajma Chawal Khale (Hey you evil-eyed, eat Rajma Rice) while travelling in Pune-New Delhi flight (6E-402) on September 1. The quirky phrase has its roots in buri nazar wale tera munh kala (hey evil-eyed person, your face will be blackened), which the Chennai-based food packet manufacturer Triguni Eze Eats has tweaked. The ubiquitous phase is often found painted on many Indian trucks. But the humour was not taken well by Kumar. How can they call someone evil-eyed? This is humiliating, said Kumar, who lives in Gurgaons Om Nagar area. On board the flight, Kumar chose his favourite Rajma Chawal. After having the meal, he removed the tissue covering the cup and found what he called the offensive tagline. Travelling with his sister-in-law, Kumar raised the issue with the airline staff but they feigned ignorance, he claimed. He wanted to lodge a complaint on board the flight. One of the airhostesses told me to lodge a complaint on a particular number which I did only after the flight landed at IGI airport, he said. Two days later, Kumar got a call from the airlines apologising for the inconvenience. But Kumar remained adamant. I will file a case against the airline and the Chennai-based food company Triguni Eze Eats which supplies the food box in flights. I want them to explain how they can keep this product with offensive tagline on board, he said. The airline serves many products with catchy phrases such as Nut Case for a box of cashew nuts, Corny Chips for a box of chips and Stick Man for potato sticks. When contacted an Indigo spokesperson said that the tagline was meant for fun. Its a known joke which is actually addressed to the person sitting next to the consumer. It is not meant to hurt anyone, said the spokesperson. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A public interest litigation was filed in the Supreme Court on Thursday against government funding to Kashmiri separatists, alleging that they are misusing the money for anti-India activities. Filed by advocate ML Sharma, the plea that seeks to stop funding to separatists for foreign travels and other expenses, which is more than 100 crore, according to the plea. Justice Anil Dave observed, We also share the same feelings. Everybody sitting here feels the same. The Supreme Court asked the petitioner to number his petition before mentioning and come back to the court at 2pm. The separatists leaders in the Valley refused to hold talks with the Union home minister Rajnath Singh-led all-party delegation which went to Srinagar to discuss the Kashmir unrest. After Singhs meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, the Central government indicated that it would toughen its stand against the separatist leaders. According to the reports, the Centre will not only scrutinise the bank accounts of the separatists, but also speed up pending investigations in cases against them. They have also decided to keep an eye on activities of Kashmiri separatists, particularly Hurriyat leaders, and curtail their foreign travel by not issuing them passports. Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged on Thursday to formally join the Paris climate change agreement this year, a potentially major step toward the pact entering into force. After a meeting with US President Barack Obama, a champion of the deal, in Vientiane, the White House said the two leaders had made a joint commitment to join the Paris Agreement this year. While in China earlier this week, the US already took that step. Flanked by president Xi Jinping at a joint adoption ceremony in the Chinese city of Hangzhou, Obama said climate change would define the contours of this century more dramatically than any other challenge. The 180-nation deal sets ambitious goals for capping global warming and funnelling trillions of dollars to poor countries facing climate catastrophe. It aims to limit global temperature increases to two degrees centigrade, and will be triggered after it is ratified by at least 55 countries, accounting for 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions. India had been a reluctant adherent to the agreement, concerned that it would curb efforts to bring millions of Indians out of poverty. A first-ever survey of sanitation standards in 75 districts of rural India has found Sindhudurg in Maharashtra the cleanest in the country. For the 2016 Swachh Survekshan, the results for which was released on Thursday, 75 cleanest districts were identified on the basis of data available with the drinking water and sanitation ministry. These districts were then ranked on four parameters: access to toilets, usage, littering in public places, and households having stagnant waste water in their premises. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Mission, an ambitious Rs 1.96 lakh crore programme to promote cleanliness in India by 2019, with fanfare two years ago. But three districts in his home state, Gujarat Ahmedabad, Anand and Panchmahal were found lagging on all four parameters among the 53 districts located in the plains, with poor access to sanitation facilities, litter in public places and stagnant wastewater. The ranking aims to make sure that the knowledge of best practices is spread and a sense of competitiveness is triggered among states and districts, said Parameswaran Iyer, secretary, ministry of drinking water and sanitation. The survey covered 53 districts located in the plains and 22 in hill states and the North-East. As many as 13 out of the 53 districts chosen were from Gujarat. Dungarpur, Pali and Ajmer in Rajasthan were found to be laggards all three are ranked in the bottom five. Among the cleanest districts in the plains were Sindhudurg (Maharashtra), Nadia (West Bengal), Satatra (Maharashtra), Midnapore East (West Bengal) and Kolhapur (Maharashtra). The survey covered 53 districts located in the plains and 22 in hill states and the North-East. (HT Graphics) Besides, the government also ranked 26 states on the basis of availability of toilets and their usage. Sikkim, Kerala, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland claimed the top five spot, with toilet usage ranging from 88% to 98%. Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha fared the worst, with just 17% to 24% households having access to sanitation facilities. It is the first-such survey carried out in rural India to rank villages based on various sanitation and cleanliness parameters. The urban development ministry, which is implementing the programme in urban India, conducted a similar survey twice in cities and towns. Commissioned by the drinking water and sanitation ministry, the survey was done in two parts. In the first, 26 states were ranked on the basis of 2015 NSSO data; in the second part, 75 districts covering 70,000 households were also ranked. Of the 22 districts in hilly and north-eastern states that were surveyed, Mandi in Himachal Pradesh is the cleanest, and Anjaw in Arunachal Pradesh was ranked at the bottom. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A tailor from a village in northwest Rajasthan got an Aadhaar card for his first child within five minutes of her birth, health officials said on Thursday. Kusum Kaur of Chak 3 KJD, not far from the Pakistan border, became the countrys youngest entrant to the biometric demographic data, multiple sources told Hindustan Times. The child was born in the community health centre (CHC) of Khajuwala in this district at 1.41pm on Wednesday. The infants parents Harvindra Singh and Karamjeet Kaur, who live in fields outside the town 9 km east of the international border, are now waiting to get the document from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which is a central government agency tasked with issuance of a 12-digit identity number to each resident. I was keen on getting the Aadhaar card for my child the quickest. We got it done at 1.46 pm yesterday (Wednesday), Singh said. I plan to apply for a Guinness record for the feat. The couple had prepared everything in advance, he added. We chose the name of the baby. If it was a boy, he would have been Mayank. God blessed me with a girl. As the news of the Aadhaar registration spread, Kusum began enjoying celebrity status among the locals. Dr Kailash Maurya, who is in charge of the Khajuwala CHC, said it was our delight to facilitate Kusums parents. During check-up, they had told us about their desire and sought our cooperation. We arranged a laptop with internet and webcam, he told HT. The newborns name was registered with UIDAI in five minutes of her birth. Officially, a boy of western Uttar Pradesh bordering Delhi is the youngest Aadhaar card holder. Abhigyan Singh of Ghaziabad was on the UIDIA rolls within 10 minutes of his birth on August 8 this year. His family received the card in a couple of days. Before that, on April 9 this year, Aakash Aatreya of Allahabad got his Aadhar card eight days after birth. Jodhpurs Yana Dhoot got the document when she was 100 days old on April 19 this year. The special category status issue rocked the Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly on the first day of the monsoon session in Hyderabad on Thursday with Opposition YSR Congress stalling proceedings denouncing the Centres announcement of a financial package for the state. YSRC members, who came into the House 20 minutes after the proceedings began on Thursday morning, stormed the speakers podium, holding placards and raising slogans Pratyeka Hoda Andhrula Hakku (special status is Andhras right). They also were critical of the chief minister for compromising on the states interests. Legislative affairs minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said the government would make a statement in the House on the announcement made by Union finance minister Arun Jaitley on the grant of a special economic package to the state. You have no patriotism, nor belief in the assembly. You boycotted the recitation of the National Anthem in the House. When the government itself is ready to make a statement, why dont you take part in the subsequent debate, Yanamala asked the YSRC, whose male members came wearing black shirts and women members black sarees, protesting the denial of special status to AP. Leader of Opposition Y S Jaganmohan Reddy recalled that the House passed two unanimous resolutions previously demanding that special status be granted to the state. Last night, Jaitley categorically ruled out special status. When the chief minister himself welcomed this announcement, what should we discuss, Jagan wondered. As some of the YSRC legislators surrounded his chair and some others stayed put in the Well, speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao warned them to avoid unruly behaviour. You cant hijack the House. This is very unfair. I am pleading with you (to ensure order), the speaker said but the Opposition members only raised their pitch. The speaker then adjourned the House for ten minutes. In a late night development, the Centre announced a financial package for Andhra Pradesh that includes full funding of Pollavaram irrigation project, tax concessions and a special assistance, but stopped short of giving the state a special category status. Andhra Pradesh, which financially suffered because of creation of separate state of Telengana in June 2014, will get a railway zone as also all cost incurred on the irrigation part of Pollavaram project from the date it was declared a National Project on April 1, 2014 will be funded by the Centre. The state government will, however, implement the project, Jaitley said at a late night press conference. Citing constraints placed by the 14th finance commission in grant of special category status to Andhra Pradesh, Jaitley said an amount equivalent to what that categorisation would have fetched, would be given to the state in form of a Special Assistance Measure for five years. Andhra Pradesh has been demanding a special category state (SCS) status from the Centre ever since the states economic powerhouse Hyderabad, which housed several IT and pharmaceutical companies as well as PSUs, went to Telangana in the bifurcation. While the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act does not mention of SCS for the state, the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had on the floor of Rajya Sabha on February 20, 2014 promised to grant the status to the state for five years. The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to resume its probe into the gangrape of a woman and her teenage daughter in Uttar Pradeshs Bulandshahr in July after the agency pointed out that the delay might lead to the accused getting bail. A bench headed by justice Dipak Misra revised its earlier stay order and said since it was dealing with the case, the proceedings before the Allahabad high court stood stayed. The CBI moved the top court on Tuesday requesting it to lift the stay on the ongoing probe into the Bulandshahr gangrape case, contending the order was likely to delay the filing of the chargesheet. If a final probe report was not filed within 90 days of the arrest of the six accused, they will be entitled to bail, the agency added. Read: CBI takes over Bulandshahr gang rape case probe The FIR, initially lodged by UP police under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, was transferred to the CBI following an Allahabad high court order. The SC had stayed the CBI probe after the womans husband filed a petition asking for a transfer of the case outside Uttar Pradesh. The top court also issued a notice to the state government regarding the transfer as well as to Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan for his statement that the gangrape was a political conspiracy. It had fixed September 29 to hear the case again. But CBI told the court that it will hardly have any time to file the chargesheet after September 29 and the delay might also lead to the disappearance of crucial evidence. That on behalf of the CBI, it is most humbly and respectfully submitted that continuation of stay of the investigation by the CBI may result in the disappearance of material evidence and may cause prejudice to the conduct of this case, the agency had said in its plea. The woman and her minor daughter, who were on their way to Shahjahanpur from Noida with their family, were gangraped on July 29 by a group of robbers after they waylaid their car on the Delhi-Kanpur highway. The accused dragged the women out of the vehicle at gunpoint and brutally assaulted them in front of their family. The Supreme Court has appointed senior advocate Fali Nariman to assist it on whether politicians, especially those in power, can issue statements that could impact a fair and impartial probe into criminal cases. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Back in Delhi, the all-party delegation has endorsed dialogue with all stakeholders in Kashmir, but there is little clarity if all includes the separatists who snubbed the team when it was in the Valley. While those in the government insist on talks within the ambit of the Constitution, the opposition wants the separatists Hurriyat Conference leaders, including those in jails, to be part of the dialogue process. The death toll in the unrest has climbed to 75, the separatists and the government are trading charges and the clashes that have rocked the Valley for two months continue. Kashmir experts and political parties are of the view that a proper follow-up and engagement are the only ways forward. National Conference leader and former chief minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the all-party delegation achieved nothing and there was no sense of urgency to restore calm in the state. Im struggling to find a single achievement that the all-party delegation can lay claim to after visiting J&K. Nothing comes to mind as yet! Abdullah tweeted. If all they had to do was issue this tame & sterile appeal they could very easily have done so without wasting the time and money on a visit. The 46-year-old leader insisted on a more sympathetic attitude from both the Centre and the state towards the problem. The first step would be to find a replacement for pellet guns, he said. Now, they are saying we cant replace but will use in rarest or rare cases. How do you define that? Pellet guns used by security forces to control stone-throwing mobs have caused a lot of injuries, especially to the eye, fuelling anger against government and troops. Kashmir is locked up for 60 days. You cant wait for harvesting to start and people to get exhausted, Abdullah said, referring to the next few weeks when apples and other fruits will be picked. His party colleague Ali Mohammad Sagar and Left leader MY Tarigami proposed unconditional dialogue with separatist leadership, saying the cycle of killings had to stop and the Hurriyat needs to be engaged with. There is so much work done on Kashmir, you dont need to start afresh. Look at the recommendations by past committees, interlocutors and act on them, Tarigami said, calling for confidence-building measures. Abdullah said the government would have to come up with a coherent long-term policy. An empowered parliamentary committee talking to various stakeholders would be a good start. A visible public engagement with the Hurriyat was not possible at the present juncture but steps could be taken for creating a conducive atmosphere, he said. The state government was more of a problem than a solution, he said. Comments from those in the government were making the situation worse. Trader bodies, which, too, refused to meet the political team, said Kashmir needed a political solution. No economic packages... Unconditional talks should be resumed immediately, said Mushtaq Wani, president of the Kashmir chamber of commerce and industries. The ruling PDP said the all-party delegation was in the Valley to express solidarity with people of Kashmir. This doesnt have to stop there... this time the Prime Minister is in full control of the country and has unprecedented authority and majority that something tangible comes out, PDP spokesman and senior minister Naeem Akhtar said. He said his party was not going to invent any solution but you have to give people of Jammu and Kashmir a message that they are part of a great democracy. The PDP was for regularly engaging with the people. Once that is done, solutions will emerge automatically, Akhtar said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Uttar Pradesh Police are launching a Twitter-based grievances redressal service, the first such initiative by any police force in the country. UP will be the first state in the country, where Twitter will be used at all its police stations to redress grievances of people and to have better connect with them (people), additional superintendent of police, DGP office, Rahul Srivastava said, adding that such a service was launched in Bengaluru earlier but it was for a limited area. Srivastava said the service was a Twitter-based customer relation management platform where, through a software, complaints would be forwarded to concerned districts a serial code will be generated for a complaint. (The code) will also help the command centre (in Lucknow) to know about the status of complaints with the click of a mouse. With a view to have a better connect with people and help them air their grievances and also to keep a tab on the action taken by the police, DGP Javeed Ahmad had issued directives to all the police stations to open Twitter accounts. The social media platform has become an important and effective tool to reach out to people and connect with them. Thus, its need of the hour to adopt technology and use the platform, Ahmad said. The DGP has already asked district police chiefs to open Twitter accounts in the name of the concerned district police and configure it with respective official mobile phones of SPs. The updates of twitter thus will directly be monitored by the SPs and they will be able to feel the pulse of people and keep a tab on activities of their juniors too, the DGP said. For uniformity, the district police have been asked to use design and header used by @Uppolice, which already has 45.9K followers. The state police had last week organised a training session to familiarise the officials with social media and its benefits. Indias bid to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group received fresh endorsement from the US as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Barack Obama met on the margins of the East Asia Summit to discuss cooperation under the bilateral strategic partnership. Obama praised Modis initiatives to reform Indias economy, especially the recent passage of the Goods and Service Tax (GST) bill, which the US President said would unleash significant economic activity. During the meeting, described as very warm and friendly, Obama also said Modis vision of entrepreneurship and innovation would be very important for a country like India, sources were quoted as saying by PTI. Obama said the US strongly supports Indias membership in the NSG, a White House official said after the meeting. The US has been playing a lead role in supporting Indias application to join the 48-member NSG that controls trade in nuclear technology and know-how. China blocked Indias bid at the NSGs plenary session in Seoul in June. The two leaders reviewed the priorities in the strategic partnership and discussed climate change and energy cooperation. They also reviewed progress in collaboration in nuclear and solar energy and innovation, sources said. Obama thanked Modi for his cooperation on a broad range of global and bilateral issues and commended Modis leadership in addressing the urgent threats posed by climate change, the White House official said. The leaders noted our joint commitment, fulfilled by the US in advance of the G20 Leaders Summit, to join the Paris Agreement this year as well as our resolve to adopt an ambitious HFC amendment to the Montreal Protocol this year, the official added. Obama also said he had always been a friend of India and would continue to be a strong partner of India and help in any way I can, the sources said. Had a great discussion with President of the US (POTUS) on India-USA relations, Modi tweeted after the meeting, their eighth in the past two years. Modi invited Obama to visit India after the end of his term, and the President replied he would welcome any opportunity to travel to India. Obama noted he and his wife Michelle were yet to see the Taj Mahal. Last year, Obama cancelled a planned trip to the Taj Mahal when he cut short his visit to India to travel to Saudi Arabia following King Abdullahs death. This could be the last meeting between Modi and Obama as the leaders of their countries as the Presidents second term in office ends in January. They met for the first time at the White House in September 2014 and recently held talks on the margins of the G20 Summit in China on Sunday. The government has decided to introduce a dynamic pricing system on Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains under which base fares will jump by 10% for every 10% of seats booked on these trains, with a cap of 50% hike in the original fare. The Indian Railways carry 23 million people daily but successive governments have backed away from reforms and especially hiking passenger fares, which is a politically sensitive topic. As a result, the countrys largest employer runs many trains at rock-bottom fares and struggles to balance its books. The railways currently has an estimated annual loss of Rs 30,000 crore in the passenger segment. The new structure aims to address the fare versus freight distortion of the railways that has suffered decades of low investment. Here all you need to know about the new system: How does the 10% formula work? Only the first 10% of the tickets sold in Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains will be available at the original listed price. Fares will go up by 10% after the sale of every 10% of the tickets. After the sale of 50% of the tickets corresponding with a 50% increase in fares no further increases will be levied. For example, only the first 10% of passengers purchasing AC 3 tickets to travel on the Dibrugarh Rajdhani from New Delhi to Guwahati will be eligible to buy them at the original listed base price of Rs. 1934. Ticket price will progressively go up after the sale of further 10% and prices will gradually increase by 20%, 30% and a maximum fare of 40% over and above the base price. A 40% increase in the same category of travel amounts to Rs 2707. The first 10% of the passengers who want to travel from New Delhi to Bhopal on the Shatabdi Express will be required to pay a base price of Rs 839. After the sale of the first 10% tickets, the fares would increase to Rs 982 and would further go up to Rs 1258 after the sale of 50% of the tickets. Therefore, passengers travelling the same distances in the same class will end up paying differential fares. What charges will apply to wait-listed passengers? Wait-listed passengers will be charged at the rate of the price of the ticket last sold. For example, if tickets have been sold at a premium of 50% as against the basic fare, wait-listed passengers will have to pay the same amount. The same principle will apply to passengers who board the train at the last hour without buying a ticket. Any changes in the Tatkal charges? The Tatkal charges would remain the same. These have been retained at the earlier 1.5% of the basic fare meaning no additional Tatkal charges will be levied. Read | Why the Indian Railways dynamic pricing system is a step in the right direction The new formula has made the Tatkal system irrelevant, as most passengers are now expected to buy tickets as soon as possible in order to avoid paying a higher fare. The premium Tatkal scheme has been done away with. Does the new formula provide a field day for touts? Officials say the new system will discourage touts, as genuine passengers will be in a hurry to buy tickets. But there are suspicions that touts will find ways to circumvent the system to earn bigger profits. Despite several policy initiatives, the railways have been unable to check activities of the touts. Pricing out middle-income groups? Passengers travelling in the Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto are generally considered to have a higher economic status. The decision to hike fares has evidently factored in this aspect. Fares of the Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Durontos are already higher as compared to other mail and express trains and are almost at par and sometimes higher than those of budget airlines. With an enhanced fare structure in place, passengers with modest incomes are more unlikely to opt for these trains now. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Posters saying General Dyer Go Back have come up in Surats Patidar-dominated areas like Varachha on Thursday, hours before BJP chief Amit Shah is to be felicitated by the communitys business lobby. In other posters, Shah has been accused of abusing Patidar mothers and sisters and the 44 Patidar MLAs in the state dubbed as good for nothing. Hardik Patel, the founder of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) who is leading an agitation to demand reservation in education and government jobs for his community for over a year now, has been addressing Shah as General Dyer after Patidars were charged with batons at the end of a massive rally in Ahmedabad in August 2015. Colonel Reginald Edward Harry Dyer was a British army official responsible for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in which hundreds of unarmed men, women and children were killed in Amritsar in 1919. Several men were severely injured in the lathi charge, triggering state-wide riots, killing nine youths and causing damage worth Rs 44 crore to public property. Patidar protesters are believed to have pasted these posters against Amit Shah. Patidar Abhivadan Samaroh Samiti (PASS) let by Patidar businessmen, including diamond traders and textile mill owners, will felicitate Shah, Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani and 43 Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs later in the evening. The function at the nerve centre of the OBC agitation is being seen as a show of strength by the BJP to counter the agitation led by Patel, who is in a six-month exile in Rajasthans Udaipur as per the bail conditions approved by the Gujarat high court in connection with two sedition cases against him. On Wednesday, the police registered four complaints against the PAAS members for violating the police commissioners notification by holding public meetings in residential societies in Surat to plan the boycott of the felicitation function. In the backdrop of the agitation, the BJP has been struggling to retain its key vote bank of the financially powerful Patidar community a year before the state is set to go for the assembly polls. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Want a handgun? You can get one in Kolkata for anything between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500, less than the price of a branded T-shirt, and a couple of hundred rupees for bullets. Thanks to the migration of skilled gun makers from Bihar who are helping illegal arms factories mushroom in the state. All it takes is a lathe machine, a small room and skilled hands to set up a factory and produce handguns; be it single-shot pistol or pipe gun in local parlance or more sophisticated 9 mm and 7 mm pistols. With production booming, the prices have dropped sharply. HT contacted dealers and makers on Wednesday shortly after police busted one of these factories on the fringes of Kolkata and seized over a hundred handguns, explosives and ammunition. Five people were arrested, including three who came from Bihar to make the guns. You can buy a single shot pistol for Rs 1,000. The local supply chain is good since so many factories have come up and prices are low. The quality of these guns may not be comparable to imported sophisticated firearms but they get the job done. However you need to go through a good channel to buy one. We dont sell to unknown people, said Ratan Roy (name changed), a supplier from Howrah who is well known in the illegal weapons trade. If one buys in bulk, as politicians and gangsters often do here, we always offer discounts, said Ratan. Read:Illegal firearm factory busted in South 24 Parganas, more than 100 guns seized The most popular are the 7 mm pistols, apart from the 9 mm pistols and the .303 mm single-shot guns. Crude single-shot pistols cost around Rs 1000 to Rs 1500, but the good ones are priced around Rs 3000 to Rs 4000. For 7 mm handguns sell for Rs 20000 to 35000. For 9 mm handguns the price is around Rs 30000 to Rs 50,000 a piece. The comparatively small and easy-to-handle 7 mm guns have become quite popular. There is a network of dealers, sub-dealers and sellers connected to factory owners who reach out to gangsters, middlemen, petty criminals, politicians and even individuals with no criminal record as such. According to illegal handgun makers and suppliers, in the past four years skilled hands from neighboring Bihar have made a beeline for Bengal. Bihar is known for its illegal gun industry, especially Munger, Siwan and surrounding areas. Hundreds of illagal gun making factories have mushroomed in Malda, Murshidabad, Howrah and North and South 24-Parganas, apart from other districts of Bengal. There is a network of dealers, sub-dealers and sellers supplying the guns to gangsters, middlemen, petty criminals and politicians. (Ashok Nath Dey/HT Photo) In the past few years, skilled gun makers, who are better known as masters, are being brought from Bihar and employed on contract. Not only from Munger, which you people made popular, but from other areas as well. They are employed for a period of three to nine months or even a year and given anything between Rs 30,000 to Rs 2 lakh depending on the quantity and quality of the guns to be made and time spent, said Sheikh Aslam (name changed), a notorious gun supplier from South 24-Parganas. There is a lot of pressure from the police in Bihar these days and people with long criminal records find it convenient to work in Bengal. Some have even opened their own factories here, said Md Sadiq (name changed), a gun maker from South 24-Parganas. Read: Hired guns for polls: Meet the bomb-makers of West Bengal According to sources, raw materials such as steel and springs are easily available in the market and are provided by the owner along with a room and a lathe machine. The owner bears all the risk and the gun maker is told how many guns are to be made. After the contract period is over, the maker leaves for home. Some expert gun makers, however, stay back in Bengal for long periods and are given jobs to finish. These factories have mushroomed in Malda, Murshidabad, Howrah and North and South 24-Parganas, apart from other districts. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Iru Mugan Director: Anand Shankar Cast: Vikram, Nayantara and Nithya Menen Rating: 3/5 Drugs seem to be the hot subject among filmmakers this year. First came the controversial Udta Punjab, which locked horns with the censor board. The Vikram-Nayantara starrer Iru Mugan follows in the same genre, attempting to tell a story about a drug of a completely different kind. The story begins with an elderly man who walks into an Indian Embassy in Malaysia before thrashing all the guards - he has a mysterious heart-shaped tattoo, the symbol of love. Over the course of the next two and half hours, the audience is taken on a roller-coaster ride about a man called Love (Vikram) who ran a drug business in Kashmir. His business is destroyed by secret agents Akhilan (also Vikram) and his lover (Meera). An incensed Love kills off Meera and dies at the hands of Akhilan, who ends the drug empire - or so he thinks. Vikram and Nayantara play secret agents in Iru Mugan. (Facebook) Iru Mugan suffers from all kinds of commercial trappings -- jarring songs, forced comic scenes and action sequences involving Vikrams trademark quick costume changes. None of the songs by Harris Jayaraj sound refreshing and are painful hacks of his previous compositions. The movie is riddled with logical loopholes as well. For instance, in the first half of the movie, we are told that anyone taking the drug Speed will be able to fight like a superhero. However, this ability lasts for only five minutes. This seems to hold true for all characters except Love and the movie really doesnt explain the reason behind this. However, Iru Mugan does manage to steer clear of some masala moments. For instance, Akhilan does not have a grand introduction scene and is beaten up by someone in his opening sequence. Also, the movie and director Anand Shankar stand out for their sheer willingness to portray two women as R&AW agents, a first in the Tamil cinema. Nayantara doesnt entirely seem convincing as an R&AW agent, but Tamil audiences are so starved for interesting, women-centric films that it is refreshing to just see her as a skillful computer hacker/data analyst - a field in India that has not always encouraged women to be a part of it. Iru Mugan stars Vikram, Nayantara and Nithya Menen. (Facebook) The movie also thankfully spares the audience of the love story between Akhilan and Meera. They are just depicted as two people in love. Despite its commercial constraints, Iru Mugan turns out to be a fast-paced, no-nonsense movie laced with chemistry and history lessons on drugs. If you are a hardcore Vikram/Nayantara fan, this movie might just give the high that you wanted. Interact with Sowmya at Twitter@sowswamin ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop As Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) gears up for another season of placements, the institutes placement report from its last academic year indicates a reversal of some trends. Recruitment by the engineering and technology sector, which was on an upward trajectory since 2012-13, hit a plateau this year. Similarly, analytical firms, which had increased recruitments in the past, offered fewer jobs this year. On the other hand, IT and software companies which hired fewer and fewer IIT-B graduates with each passing year, offered many more jobs this year. In 2015-16, 90 engineering and technology companies offered 371 jobs, down from 381 job offers by 88 companies in 2014-15. Despite the slowdown, these companies remain the largest recruiters at IIT-B. The declining number of job offers by IT companies stopped this year, with 75 software companies hiring 270 of 1,143 candidates selected during placements. The number of job offers had dwindled from 281 in 2012-13 to 199 in 2014-15. The number of IT companies visiting the campus reduced from 82 to 50 during this period. When it comes to the IT sector, experts said large IT services companies such as Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services are eyeing colleges other than IITs. Instead, it is the smaller, product driven companies which produce original softwares as opposed to providing IT services to other companies that are driving IT recruitment at IIT-B. Recruitment by analytical firms which grew from 27 companies and 94 job offers four years ago to 47 companies and 155 jobs in 2014-15 saw a reversal last year. According to the placement report, 38 such companies visited IIT-B last year and selected 91 candidates. Kamal Karanth, MD, India, Kelly Services said the decline in analytics jobs this year is the result of a slowdown of the financial services market. It is a temporary phase. The market is likely to pick up next year. Till then, analytics companies are simply looking to replace their existing employees, he said. Among other sectors, little variation was seen in recruitment by financial and consulting firms. The data shows that 23 financial companies hired 113 students, a little more compared to last year, while 27 consulting firms recruited 105 candidates, little less than last year. Despite a substantial number of e-commerce firms and start-ups visiting the campus this year, IIT-B did not create a separate category for them, but merged them with he existing categories. Experts said that while the trends reflect the market situation to some extent, in many cases, the students simply tended to follow the latest trend. For them, salary packages and career prospects trump the opportunity to work in a core company. The manufacturing sector hasnt grown in recent years. It is yet to come to a boom stage. Unless there is more investment in power plants and renewable energy, placements are likely to remain on a plateau, said Karanth. In large companies, the graduates are at the base of pyramids, with low scope for innovation and promotion, said the head an executive search firm, on the condition of anonymity. According to him, the IT as well as manufacturing companies are increasingly becoming wary of hiring IIT graduates, owing to a small retention period. Many of these students dont work in the company for more than a year or two and go for higher education. If they want to work on the business side, they should directly opt for a post-graduation course in management instead of joining a company, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON After the prosecution on Thursday opened the case against alleged Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) recruit Areeb Majeed to commence the trial, the special public prosecutor sought that charges be framed against Majeed under the provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Indian Penal Code. The special public prosecutor also referred to the chargesheet filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against Majeed and argued that he had left his house on the pretext of going on a pilgrimage and also obtained Visa for the same. However, rather than going for Haj, Majeed and three others went to Syria to join ISIS. The prosecution has pleaded the court to charge Majeed under several provisions of UAPA and for waging war against any Asiatic power in alliance with the Government of India under section 125 of the Indian Penal Code. While court granted the defence time till September 22 to argue on the charges made by prosecution, the prosecution too was given a September 27 deadline to file a reply to Areebs bail plea. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Facing depleting cash reserves, falling TRPs (television rating points) and an overall decline in performance, public broadcaster Prasar Bharati is floundering or so it has told the ministry of information and broadcasting, under which it is an autonomous body. Prasar Bharati, whose broadcasting arms are Doordarshan and All India Radio, blames its restricted decision making on issues such as appointments, promotions and revenue generation as impediments in the trajectory of its growth. After a 90-minute presentation on the public broadcaster on Tuesday, information and broadcasting minister M Venkaiah Naidu asked the board to function more effectively to live up to the challenge of growing competition in media space. He denied interference and said the ministry would only like to create an enabling environment for better functioning. There were administrative backlogs and the government has already cleared departmental promotions after a gap of many years. The ministry will be fully supportive of all initiatives it would like to take, MoS Rajyavardhan Rathore said. He said help from experts would be taken to improve content, technology and functioning at all levels. According to sources, the ministry has indicated it will work with Prasar Bharati to examine the suggestions for its resuscitation, which include revenue rejig. Prasar Bharati has been underlining the issue of revenue deficit for the past few years. It has brought to notice that after paying salaries to its casual and contractual staff, which include several advisors, it is forced to dip into its reserves. In this financial year, government offered Rs 2,600 crore for salaries of the employees in addition to Rs 350 crore, but last year it was even less than that. The channel had to spend Rs 1,500 crore on salaries from its own fund, while it earned only Rs 1,200 crore last year. The government has offered Rs 2,600 crore for salaries of the employees in addition to ` 350 crore, but last year it was even less than that. The channel had to spend Rs 1,500 crore on the salaries from its own fund, while it earned only Rs 1,200 crore last year According to the channels former member, Prasar Bharti spends only 13% on the producing content against BBC, which spends 71% Marketing has seen revenues falling from Rs 1,470 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 1,270 in 2015-16 The broadcaster has blamed interference from the I&B ministry in appointments, revenue generation and promotions for its floundering condition. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Taking a dig at Awaaz-E-Punjab, the fourth front floated by Navjot Singh Sidhu, Pargat Singh and brothers Balwinder Singh Bains and Simarjeet Singh Bains, PPCC chief Captain Amarinder Singh said that forming a political party is not a joke, in a programme held at Dharamkot on Wednesday. Kejriwal asked me to not fight Punjab elections, says Navjot Singh Sidhu What do you think, if Sidhu, Bains brothers and Pargat got united, it meant they have formed a party? asked Amarinder who was here to hold Halke Vich Captain and Lokaan Da Durbar. On asking if the fourth will benefit the Akali Dal by dividing the Congress vote share in the assembly elections, PPCC chief said: Why will it benefit them? It will benefit the congress party. Commenting on Jagmeet Brar, who announced unconditional support to the Aam Aadmi Party, Amarinder said, If the AAP was interested in Jagmeet they could have taken him into the party. During the question-answer session, Veerpal Kaur, representative of Aanganwari workers Punjab said that she can assure 1.5 lakh vote of their association to the congress if the party includes their demands to regularise them, in the party manifesto. During Congress rule, we use to give salaries to the Aanganwari workers but may be, the present government has stopped the system. I assure Anganwari workers to regularise them after coming into power, Captain said adding that even he is against the contract system. Seeks explanation from Kejriwal Amarinder Singh asked Delhi chief minister (CM) Arvind Kejriwal to explain the charges of sexual exploitation in Punjab by the leaders deputed by him from Delhi during Halke Vich Captain programme organised at Zira, a sub-division of Ferozepur district, on Wednesday. The charges are too serious to be dismissed the way Kejriwal is trying to do, since these have been levelled by a senior AAP legislator from Delhi and corroborated by some local leaders, Amarinder said. The PPCC president made it categorically clear that he will not let any non-Punjabi to rule Punjab. Punjab is for Punjabis... We were born here, we will die here, we will mix and mingle with the soil here and only a Punjabi can feel the pain of a fellow Punjabi and not an alien outsider, he asserted. Let there be as many parties as possible, but these should be of the Punjabis and for the Punjabis only. SAD, AAP members join Congress Ginderjeet Singh Sekhon joined Congress with his supporters after Amarinder Singh visited his house in Machaki Kalan village, Faridkot, on Wednesday. Sekhon had left Congress and joined SAD along with Avtar Singh Brar after the last assembly elections. Darshan Singh Dhilwan, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader from Jaitu, also joined Congress along with his supporters. The house of the municipal corporation passed a resolution for purchasing chemicals for spray against mosquitoes three months ago, but the civic body is yet to complete the process of tendering for the same, though dengue has already broken out in the city. The resolution was passed unanimously by the house on June 17 and the house gave its nod to spend Rs 14 lakh for purchasing the chemicals. Apart from this, mayor Bakshi Ram Arora constituted a two-member committee, comprising BJP councillor Ram Chawla, and SAD councillor Amrik Singh, to execute the purchase in a fair manner. However, according to sources, neither the committee conducted a meeting, nor the tendering process has been completed. As a result, work of fogging across the city is being affected and health of the residents is at a high risk. Generally, fogging in the city starts in March and continues till last the week of October as this span of time is considered the breeding time of larvae of various kinds of mosquitoes. However, this year, arrangements are not being considered satisfactory. The issue was raised in a meeting called by deputy commissioner Varun Roojam on Tuesday. The health department of the MC has the proper staff but due to lack of latest machines and chemicals; it has failed to curb the dengue menace, especially in the walled city, which is overpopulated and too much congested. Taking a dig on the authorities concerned, Congress councillor Rajkanwalpreet Singh Lucky, who is leader of opposition in the house, alleged that scores of residents are falling victim to dengue fever daily, but the civic body has not ensured availability of chemicals. The mayor must clarify as to why the civic body is not moving ahead in the tendering process. MC commissioner Sonali Giri had to release Rs 50,000 at her own level using her powers for taking measures against the disease, he said. He held local bodies minister Anil Joshi responsible for the mess. Mayor Arora said there is no pendency of work at his level and the MC commissioner knows the reason behind the delay. However, a number of efforts were made to contact Giri, but proved futile. Dr Ajay Kanwar Singh, health officer of the civic body, said fogging has started in the walled city and on Saturday it was started in outer areas of the city also. He said they are purchasing the chemicals directly very soon. As far tendering, he said, the process is underway and may take some time to be finished as the commissioner is floating more tenders. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The farmers under banner of seven different peasant unions blocked Bathinda-Chandigarh national highway at Dhurkot village near Rampura for around four hours on Wednesday. The traffic was diverted to other linked routes causing inconvenience to the commuters. Though the police tried to restrict farmers using water cannon, the farmers managed to sit on road around 1pm. The farmer bodies were demanding government to waive off their loans besides formulating a policy to put an end to farmer suicides. The senior police officials held spot meetings with union leaders, but failed to budge farmers to call off their protest. The farmers cleared the road around 4:30 pm and shifted their protest in front of village gurdwara. Shingara Singh Mann, district president of Bhartiya Kisan Union (ekta ugarahan), said the farmers are fed up of anti-farmer policies of Punjab government and their repeated protest had failed to move state authorities. We will continue road block protest on Thursday at different location, which is yet to be decided. The police are threatening our leaders and members, and we are ready to face any situation in coming days, Mann said. Pakka Morcha shifted to Dhanaula Farmers union activists shifted their pakka morcha (indefinite protest) site from gurdwara of Fatehgarh Chhanna village to Dhanaula in Barnala, blocking the national highway on Wednesday. The farmers demanded a regular passage for Chandigarh and alleged that police were not letting them go there. BKU district finance secretary Kuljeet Singh said, District administration and police have restricted our movement but we have managed to reach Dhanaula and we will continue to block the main road till we are not allowed to proceed to Chandigarh. Regarding inconvenience to commuters, BKU block president Balaur Singh said, We have no desire to cause disruption in traffic. Even our protest point is Matka Chowk in Chandigarh. As police has been hindering our movement, we have sat on protest here. What are they demanding Recalculation of debts. Action against defaulter commission agents. Rs 5 lakh and government job to next kin of farmers who have committed suicides Withdrawal of Prevention of Damage To Public and Private Property Act. Set minimum price of Rs 4,500 per quintal for basmati 1509 variety and Rs 5,000 for 1121. Clearance of dues of sugarcane growers. Ownership rights to small farmers. Fresh survey related to farm suicide cases. Control stray animals menace In a pointer to the lawlessness in the city, two shots were fired in the air and two groups armed with rods and sticks clashed with each other in broad daylight in the CRPF Colony on Wednesday morning after an accident between cars of Dugri residents Monu Disawar and Simran Singh both residents of Dugri. Disawar and his aides Lali Sharma and Satish were injured in the clash. They were administered first-aid at the civil hospital and were discharged. Disawar is brother of Vikas Talwar and Amrish Talwar, both of whom have spent time in jail on murder charges. They have been acquitted only recently. Simran is brother of Vikram Tiger. Tiger is allegedly a close aide of gangster Goru Bachcha. Amrish claimed that his brother had been beaten up by henchmen of Tiger after a minor collision between cars. We were going to the police station to lodge a complaint when Tiger called me and insisted that we reach a compromise. He called us to a park in the Dugri area. When we reached there, Tiger and his brother, with two dozen accomplices, assaulted us and opened fire in the air, he has alleged. On being informed, additional deputy commissioner of police (ADCP-2) Sandeep Garg accompanied by force from the Dugri and Model Town police stations reached the spot. Garg said appropriate action will be taken after recording the statements of the victims. Coming close to the Punjab elections slated early next year, Wednesdays Panjab University campus poll results were a blow to the prestige of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and an embarrassment to the Congress. While the SAD student wing was deposed, finding the winning alliances support later in the day will be some consolation to state Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh. Victory belongs to the Panjab University Students Union (PUSU) and the Student Front of NSUI, a breakaway faction of Congress student wing National Student Union of India (NSUI). Akali wing Student Organisation of India (SOI) headed the last Panjab University Campus Student Council (PUCSC). Also read | PUSU wins all in Panjab University campus polls; Nishant new prez The NSUI-SFs announcing support for Amarinder after the victory should not be surprising, as suspended Youth Congress leader and Captains confidant Brinder Dhillon had propped up this alliance and he runs the partys Jago Punjab campaign from Amarinders Sector-10 base in Chandigarh. Dhillon said Amarinder had asked him to bury differences with the NSUI but he could not ally with a team that the SOI had bribed to lose the 2015 PU polls. The NSUI was earlier defunct in Panjab University. We broke its jinx of successive defeats by merging SOPU and PUSU into it and won two consecutive polls in 2013 and 2014. The presidents were chosen from the two groups by rotation. But in 2015, the alliance crumbled and facilitated the victory of the SOI. There was no way we could have supported it, Dhillon, former SOPU president, said. The propaganda against the SOI, of luring voters with drugs and money, dented its prospects, while the rebel factor sank the NSUI an embarrassment for the top leaders of both the SAD and the Congress. The SAD had pumped in crores of rupees to install solar-water-heating systems and refurbish the girls gym, bankrolled by Youth Akali Dal leader Parambans Singh Bunty Romana, who has the Punjab franchisee of liquor brand Kingfisher. Romana is also a confidant of SAD president and Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. It is a loss of face equally for the young brigade of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, led by All-India Youth Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, its strategy maker. Warring had suspended Dhillon as Youth Congress president of Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha consituency on Monday but Dhillon had the support of Punjab Youth Congress chief Amarpreet Lally. Must see | PU polls in pics: The action, the winners! The victory exposes factionalism within the Youth Congress but the support to Amarinder is a shot in the arm for the state Congress president trying to woo the youth ahead of the Punjab assembly polls by reaching out to them in colleges and universities. Celebrations by the PUSU alliance on PU campus. (Ravi Kumar/HT Photo) Congress line-up fails, so does SADs one-man army Other than All-India Youth Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, former Congress MP Vijay Inder Singla also camping in Chandigarh with Delhi NSUI president Amrita Dhawan. For the first time, a former chief minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda of Haryana, announced the NSUIs alliance with the Himachal Students Union (HIMSU) for the September 1 elections. Himachal CM Virbhadra Singhs son, Vikramaditya, campaigned from the hill state. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal relied on his one-man army, Parambans Singh Bunty Romana but even the largesse to student hostels couldnt help it win a second consecutive term. For more, follow us @htPunjab SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Contractual employees of suwidha centres across the state went to pen-down strike till September 10 and adding the worries of the administration, they joined the strike at Chandigarh without sharing passwords of the systems. The employees have been protesting the state governments decision to shift them to sewa kendras, which are being run by a private company. They are demanding that before transferring them, they should be regularised. To foil the strike, the administrative officials deputed the regular employees so that suwidha centres run smoothly. But the move failed to bear any fruit as the staff could not mange to unlock the computers without passwords, which are with striking employees who are in Chandigarh now. We are not able to provide the services to the people as we are not able to even start the computers. All the systems are password-protected, said a regular employee, deputed at a suwidha centre. Besides the work on the computer systems, the employees also failed to facilitate the service seekers with the sale of forms. Citizens bear the brunt Citizens coming to avail the services at the suwidha centres inside the Mini Secretariat faced a harrowing time due to the strike. I have come here to apply for birth certificate of my son. But after reaching here, I got to know about the strike. The security guards deployed here did not even let me enter the premises, said, Rajwinder Kaur, a resident of Model Town. Employees blame govt The employees of the suwidha centres feel they have been left in the lurch by the government. Many of them joined the state-level protest rally at Chandigarh. Harmeet Singh, president, Punjab State Suwidha Employees Union, said besides the several ultimatums to the representatives of Punjab government, they did not take their matter seriously and forced them to stage the protest. He said, We held a meeting with director, governance reforms, Punjab on September 1, and requested him that the employees of the suwidha centres should not be merged with the sewa kendras staff. But he informed us that all the work regarding this has been done and they have to join under the purview of the private company. Official speak Deputy Commissioner (DC), Patiala, Ramvir said not sharing the passwords seemed a deliberate act and would probe the matter. 31 sewa kendras in the urban areas of the district remain opened to provide services to the citizens. We tried to reduce the trouble caused due to the strike by deputing regular staff at suwidha centres, said DC. In a face to face conversation with Hindustan Times, new Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC) president Nishant Kaushal talks about his journey and his plans for the future: What helped you achieve victory? Our agenda to bring students to the centrestage instead of those affiliated to political parties or those influenced by major political outfits in the region. Also read | Clean sweep: PUSU alliance wins after 5 years What will be your priorities? We will focus on the fee hike issue, financial crisis, hygiene in hostels, sanitation, cleanliness at the Student Centre and creating placements cells in every department. What will be your immediate goals? We will make the university from the students and for the students and involve them in every step we initiate for the betterment of the university. Whom do you consider the architect of your victory? President Navaldeep Singh is technically the man behind the victory. He has done a lot of work for the party to ensure that the organisations affiliated to political outfits are kept at an arms length from the campus. Did the alliance with a new party help you win? I give the credit of our victory to our strong alliance partner National Students Union of India Student Front (NSUISF). Although NSUISF is a faction of the NSUI, it proved fruitful for us. Face behind victory After the PUSU-led alliance bagged all four seats in the Panjab University Campus Students Council polls, new president Nishant Kaushal attributed the success to Navaldeep Singh (in picture). Navaldeep (26), an MA sociology 1st year student and a native of Patiala, was arrested in a case involving firing on the varsity campus on April 8. He remained in jail for four months. PUSU said he was wrongly arrested at the behest of Student Organisation of India. He is a gold medalist from the Institute of Educational Technology and Vocational Education. He has been PUSU campus president since 2014. It was a battle between students and Punjab government. We always wanted to support a non-political front. Our partner NSUISF played a big role, he said. Also read | PU results: SAD money power, Cong biggies lose, but winner backs Capt The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) will build old-age homes, in the form of studio apartments, for retired government employees in Dwarka Sector 16. The project will cost an estimated Rs 282 crore and the flats will be available on lease. The allottees will have to pay Rs 2.2 lakh out of which Rs 20,000 would be a one-time non-refundable fee and Rs 2 lakh would be adjusted at the time of allotment against the total premium. Rs 8 lakh would be charged from each allottee at the time of allotment as a one-time premium. They will have to pay monthly maintenance charge of Rs 10,000 and will have the right to hold the property till they or their spouses are alive. A total of 12 acres of land has been identified by DDA on which 1,550 studio apartments would be constructed. The project will take four years, said a senior official of the department. DDA vice-chairman Arun Goel said, We have decided to make studio apartments because our focus is on giving quality and community life to senior citizens and ensure their privacy. A total of 200 studio apartments would be provided to the Indian Navy for renting it out to its retired personnel. The navy will be responsible for the management of the complex after the project is complete. The remaining houses will be allocated to retired central and state government employees, armed forces, teachers at government universities and colleges and DDA employees. The beneficiaries of the project will be chosen through a draw of lots. The exact quota for each category is yet to be decided. 10% of the constructed area will be for commercial activities. The area will have Metro connectivity, shopping complex and health-care centres, Goel added. The two US presidential nominees Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump had their first showdown of the campaign on Wednesday night while appearing on NBCs Commander-in-Chief Forum in New York. Though they didnt appear face-to-face thatll happen when they begin a series of three presidential debates later this month the two candidates presented their views on key issues, such as their qualifications for becoming the commander-in-chief of the US military, their plans to defeat the Islamic State and their take on foreign policy. Clinton and Trump also answered questions from serving and former members of the US armed forces. Here are their views on some key issues. On their qualification to become commander-in-chief: Clinton: The Democratic nominee said temperament and judgement were her qualifications for the post and referred to her experiences in the White House Situation Room, including the decision-making for the raid that killed al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011. An absolute rock steadiness, and mixed with strength to be able to make the hard decisions. Because Ive had the unique experience of watching and working with several presidents. And these are not easy decisions. If they were, they wouldnt get to the president in the first place, she said. Trump: The Republican candidate referred to his experiences in building a great company and his track record as a businessman in dealing with countries such as China as his qualifications for the post. He also said he had great judgement. He added: Well, Ive built a great company. Ive been all over the world. Ive dealt with foreign countries. Ive donetremendously well dealing with China and dealing with so many of the countries that are just ripping this country. On their plans for tackling the Islamic State: Clinton: She described defeating IS as her highest counterterrorism goal but said going after American Muslims is making it more difficult for us to have a coalition with Muslim majority nations and would not help the US in tackling the group led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and protecting the American homeland. The US also has to do a better job combating ISIS online, where they recruit, where they radicalise. So we need to wage this war against ISIS from the air, on the ground, and online, in cyberspace. And here at homewe have to finally pass a law prohibiting people on the terrorist watch list from being able to buy a gun in the United States of America, she said. Clinton made it clear that she would not put US ground troops into Iraq or Syria. Weve got to do it with much more support for the Arabs and the Kurds who will fight on the ground against ISIS. We have to squeeze them by continuing to support the Iraqi military, she added. Trump: He said he would combine his own plan for tackling the IS with the plan framed by US generals to go after the terror group. He also suggested once again that the IS had emerged because President Barack Obama had not prepared for the aftermath of pulling US troops out of Iraq. The IS, he said, had grown strong because of wealth derived from the oil in Iraq. I have a planIf I win, I dont want to broadcast to the enemy exactly what my plan is, he said. He also said it would be wonderful to work with Russia as it wants to defeat the IS as badly as we do. On their take on US foreign policy: Clinton: She said she views force as a last resort, not a first choice and that she will do everything in her power to ensure that the military is fully prepared for any challenge that they may have to face. She said there was no difference between her and Trump on the intervention in Libya. Not taking (action), and permitting there to be an ongoing civil war in Libya, would have been as dangerous and threatening as what we are now seeing in Syria, she added. Trump: He said he thinks he would have a very good relationship with many foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin. But he accused Clinton of making a mistake in Libya and then complicating the mistake by having no management once they bombed you know what out of Gadhafi. On the nuclear agreement with Iran: Clinton: She said the US decided to put together an international coalition that included Russia and China to exert pressure through sanctions so that Iran would roll back its nuclear programme. We got them to the negotiating table. And after I left, we got the agreement. That agreement put a lid on their nuclear weapons program and imposed intrusive inspections, she said. She also said she was focussed on the other malicious activities of the Iranians ballistic missiles, support for terrorists, being involved in Syria, Yemen, and other places, supporting Hezbollah, Hamas. But as the president, Clinton said shed rather deal with Iran on all of those issues without having to worry as much about their racing for a nuclear weapon. Trump: He did not speak much about the Irans nuclear programme but suggested that Iran is going to be taking over Iraq. He added, Theyve been doing it. And its not a pretty picture. A slavery drama clouded by controversy, an African king fighting to be with a white woman and a young Barack Obama navigating college life are some of the true-life tales exploring race at the Toronto International Film Festival, against a backdrop of heightened racial tension. As the 10-day festival kicks off on Thursday, all eyes are on the Friday premiere of The Birth of a Nation, about preacher-slave Nat Turner, who led a rebellion in the antebellum South. Birth of a Nation, which debuted at Sundance Film Festival in January to rave reviews and was hailed an Oscar front-runner, has stumbled in the past month as news emerged of the films star and writer-director-producer Nate Parkers 2001 trial and acquittal on rape charges. While the controversy around Parker has overshadowed Birth of a Nation, the film itself puts a spotlight on the harrowing brutality suffered by slaves. Birth of a Nation stars Nate Parker, Armie Hammer and Penelope Ann Miller. (TheBirthofaNation/Facebook) The film comes amid heightened tensions in the United States with the Black Lives Matter movement protesting police brutality against members of the black community. It also comes at a time where the film industry has come under fire for its lack of diversity after this years Oscars featured no acting nominees of color, sparking the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag. Filmmakers are attracted to controversy, theyre attracted to issues, debates of the day, and the racial debate is certainly one of the key ones, said Piers Hardling, chief executive of the Toronto International Film Festival. Aside from Birth of a Nation, there is Barry, the story of a young Barack Obama navigating racial and social issues when he attended Columbia University in New York in 1981. Hidden Figures follows three black female mathematicians helping NASA during the 1960s space race, while Loving and A United Kingdom explore the real-life stories of two separate interracial couples fighting to be together. Watch the trailer of A United Kingdom here: Director Amma Asantes A United Kingdom stars British actor David Oyelowo as Seretse Khama, the king of Botswana, who defied traditions and expectations in 1947 to marry a white English worker portrayed in the movie by Rosamund Pike. You can look back and say yes, thats 1947 and so much has changed, but I think for couples who are in interracial relationships, they may argue maybe not so much has changed, Asante told Reuters. Politically, people have become very stimulated, very active, and I think when that happens, we as creators start to reflect the climate and the energy around us, Asante said. Moonlight, directed by Barry Jenkins and adapted from a play by Tarell Alvin McCraney, follows the story of a young black man navigating his identity and sexuality, told through three chapters of his life. While it is not exactly a true story, it is inspired by the playwrights life, Jenkins said, and reflects a very authentic experience. In Moonlight, what were doing is taking Tarells source material and adaptation and were trying to explore real life for everyday people, not necessarily these famous or iconic people, Jenkins said. ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop There was a time in the early 1960s when the whole world loved Jacqueline Kennedy, Americas first lady. Along with Marilyn Monroe, Jackie -- as she was endearingly called -- was the nations icon. It is this Jackie that the Chilean helmer, Pablo Larraine, has captured in his latest outing, Jackie -- which was shown on Wednesday at the ongoing Venice Film Festival. Admittedly, Larraines work is not really a biopic -- as one had expected -- but a presentation of historical facts that surrounded Mrs Kennedy during those dark days. Elegantly mounted, Jackie is an intelligent movie with Natalie Portman essaying the troubled lady living through grief after President Kennedy was shot dead in Dallas as he drove in an open car -- something the American Secret Service was vehemently opposed to. But he was known to throw caution to the winds. There are several remarkable scenes in the film: One of them is Jackies much publicised 1961 television tour of the White House, which she had decorated in order to make history more accessible. The moments just before and after the Dallas tragedy are moving. So is the one which shows her as the grieving widow with the entire nation watching her every move -- a time when she began to feel like an outsider in a place that she had helped build. Watch the trailer of Neruda by Pablo Larraine here: Jacqueline was just 34 when Kennedy was elected president. She was the epitome of style and grace, and it was not surprising that she became one of the most famous women in the world. And then tragedy struck on November 22, 1962, at Dallas -- her pink suit splattered with her husbands blood. Her world collapsed and a traumatised Jackie was left with no option but to console her two little children and move out of the White House, a home she had virtually created. Pablo Larraine is a Chilean director known for his film, Neruda. (Venice Film Festival) The Oscar winning Portman told a media conference after the screening that playing Jackie felt somewhat dangerous, because everyone knows what she looked like, sounded like and has kind of an idea of her... the role was terrifying, because I never really thought of myself as a great imitator I was just trying to get to something that people could get past and believe I was Jackie, and then you always have yourself in there too, inevitably. Larraine -- whose first English movie is Jackie -- said at the conference: You of course know Im not American. Im not necessarily attached to its history as I am to my country. Larraine, whose Neruda was a hit with critics in Cannes in May, added that when he read the Warren Commission report on the Kennedy killing, he noticed that Jackie was sitting beside him in the car. I thought: Why dont we take her point of view? And Jackie does that, telling her story during the first four days after the assassination of a man whom America loved like nobody else. (Gautaman Bhaskaran is covering the Venice Film Festival.) ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop China said on Thursday it opposes all forms of racial discrimination after state-owned Air China withdrew an in-flight magazine that warned travellers to be careful while visiting Indian, Pakistani and black neighbourhoods of London. The flag carrier was at the centre of a racism row as the latest edition of its magazine, Wings of China, featured an article with the blunt advisory. Angry British politicians, especially those representing areas with Indian and Pakistani populations, demanded an apology. Foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a news briefing: We consistently advocate for and support the equality of all ethnicities without exception and oppose all forms of racial discrimination. She said Air China would appropriately handle the issue through an investigation. Air China said the magazine used inappropriate language and the article didnt represent the airlines views. After discovering this problem, Air China immediately removed this magazine from all flights and demanded that the publishers of Wings of China seriously learn from this lesson, strengthen their content review and avoid making similar mistakes, it said. The article, in English and Mandarin, read: London is generally a safe place to travel, however precautions are needed when entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people. It also advised tourists not to go out alone at night, and for women not to travel alone. Virendra Sharma, Labour MP for Ealing Southall, was upset by the magazines advice and invited visitors to his constituency, which has many people of Indian-origin, to see how safe it is. Sharma told Hindustan Times on Thursday it was not fair for the magazine to tender such advice and it was not right to brand entire communities as criminal or neighbourhoods as unsafe. He said: I am shocked and appalled that even today some people would see it as acceptable to write such blatantly untrue and racist statements. I have invited representatives of Air China to visit my constituency to see that a very multicultural area is safe, and would be of great value for those visiting London to see. Sharma said he wrote in the strongest possible terms to Chinas ambassador to Britain, Liu Xiaoming, asking Air China to visit his constituency. He also asked the envoy to seek an apology from the airline. I will await their response, and if an appropriate one is not forthcoming I shall feel forced to question whether Air China is a fit company to operate in the UK, he said. Southall is among Londons most diverse areas and has several gurdwaras and temples. It is a vibrant area for business and industry mostly owned by and employing people with origins in different parts of the world. A spokesman from civil rights campaign group Hope Not Hate said: If true, these comments are crassly ill-informed and offensive, and simply peddle to outrageous stereotypes. It beggars belief to understand how they could have been written in the first place. They should be removed immediately. Londoners deserve an apology. President Barack Obama said on Thursday that Republican candidate Donald Trump proves he isnt qualified to be president every time he speaks, adding that he was confident Americans would ultimately reject the brash billionaire on Election Day. Obama, closing out his final presidential trip to Asia, said his meetings with foreign leaders during the trip had illustrated that governing is serious business requiring knowledge, preparation and thought-out policies that can actually be implemented. He urged Americans not to allow the outrageous behavior seen amid the campaign-season din to become the new normal. The most important thing for the public and the press is to just listen to what he says and follow up and ask questions to what appear to be either contradictory or uninformed or outright whacky ideas, Obama said. Throughout the campaign, Obama has repeatedly denounced Trump and deemed him unfit to serve as commander in chief, arguing that hes pulling the Republican Party in a dangerous and unprecedented direction. Obama has endorsed Hillary Clinton and has said he plans to campaign full-force for the Democrat ahead of the November election. Obamas remarks came at the end of a grueling nine-day trip that took him to Laos and China following US stops in Nevada, Hawaii and Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. Its the last of 10 trips Obama paid as president to Asia, where Obama lived as a youngster with his mother in Indonesia. When I think back to the time I spent here as a boy, I cant help but be struck by the extraordinary progress thats been made by the region in the decades since, even if theres still a lot of work to be done, Obama said. At the top of the list of unfinished business is the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a 12-nation free trade deal Obama helped broker. That deal awaits ratification in the U.S. Congress, where there is opposition from both parties. But Obama said he planned to do everything possible to persuade lawmakers to approve it this year. With his presidency nearing an end, Obamas agenda has narrowed to a few key goals he hopes to complete before his successor takes over. Asked to acknowledge he wouldnt be able to fulfill his campaign promise to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center, Obama pushed back. I am not ready to concede, Obama said, adding that his administration was making progress in reducing the prisons population. He bristled at the suggestion hed been slighted in Asia or that leaders in the region were rejecting his leadership a criticism leveled by Trump, who said hed have picked up and left had he been treated the way Obama was in Asia. The start of the trip was overshadowed by tense moments on the tarmac when Chinese officials clashed with White House aides and appeared to have failed to secure a staircase for Obamas plane moments that exploded on social media. Read | Tarmac trouble to Turkey ties: Why it was a tricky last G20 meet for Obama The awkwardness continued days later when Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte called Obama a son of a bitch and warned him not to challenge him in their planned meeting in Laos, leading Obama to call it off. The two did end up shaking hands during a brief interaction on the summits sidelines. Obama said hed told Duterte that their aides should confer on how to move forward, adding that the spat would have no effect on the close cooperation between the longtime treaty allies. I dont take these comments personally, because it seems as if this is a phrase hes used repeatedly, directed at the pope and others, Obama said of the slur. I think it seems to be just a, you know, a habit, a way of speaking for him. As an example of progress on his trip, Obama pointed to discussions with Southeast Asian leaders about disputes over Chinas territorial ambitions in the South China Sea. In a concluding joint statement, the leaders were expected to issue a mild rebuke to China without referencing it by name or mentioning a recent international arbitration ruling against Beijing. I realize this raises tensions, Obama said earlier Thursday about the ruling. But I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and regional stability. On his last day in Asia, Obama met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose help Obama is seeking to galvanize further action on climate change, especially among developing countries. The White House said Obama had affirmed his support for Indias participation in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, a consortium aimed at preventing civilian nuclear technology from diverted for military use. Pakistan, Indias longtime adversary, opposes Indias membership in the group. Read | In a great discussion, Modi and Obama talk Indias NSG bid, climate change A German court has ordered a 15-year-old boy to do community work and write an essay titled Why you shouldnt make jokes with toy weapons after he threw a fake hand grenade in front of a teacher and shouted Allahu akbar. The teenager, a Moroccan citizen, had been charged with disturbing the peace by threatening crimes. Duesseldorf district court spokesperson Marcel Due said a judge dropped the charges on Thursday on condition that he do 20 hours community work and hand in the three-page, handwritten essay. Due says the boy, whose name wasnt released in keeping with German privacy rules, said the incident in May was meant as a prank and denied having any Islamic extremist motivation. He told the court he found the fake grenade lying in the schoolyard. China is shunning a security dialogue in Seoul amid an ongoing row over South Koreas decision to deploy a powerful US missile defence system. Chinas official newspaper Global Times quoted an unidentified defense ministry spokesperson as saying China was not sending a delegation to this weeks Seoul defence dialogue because of reasons of work arrangement. It offered no other details. China has angrily denounced plans for the deployment of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD system, whose radars it says will allow the US military to peer deep into northeastern China. Seoul and Washington say the system is intended solely to defend against North Koreas missile threat. China elevated the issue on Monday, with President Xi Jinping expressing Chinas opposition directly in a meeting with his South Korean counterpart Park Geun-hye. Xi said that mishandling the issue is not conducive to strategic stability in the region, and could intensify disputes. Beijings reaction has also stoked public outrage, threatening everything from tourism exchanges to appearances by K-pop stars in China. (AP) AYP Chinas military has equipped all of its ground forces with advanced WZ-10 combat helicopters that can be used to target battle tanks and air-to-air combat missions, a strategic move which could have implications for India. Several WZ-10s have been delivered to an aviation brigade of the PLAs 13th Group Army under the Western Theatre Command, the Peoples Liberation Armys TV news channel reported. This means that all of the armys aviation units now have this advanced attack helicopter, state-run China Daily reported. Senior Colonel Xu Guolin, deputy chief of the PLA Armys aviation equipment bureau, told the news channel that all of the group armies will have at least one aviation brigade or regiment. The helicopter was designed primarily for anti-tank missions, but now has a secondary air-to-air combat capability. Wu Peixin, an aviation analyst in Beijing, said the PLA Army now has a strong force of dedicated combat helicopters thanks to the service of the WZ-10 and WZ-19, another attack helicopter that is less powerful than the WZ-10. The army now needs more medium-lift, multipurpose helicopters such as the US Armys Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, he said. This helicopter is capable of performing both combat operations and transport tasks. Gao Zhuo, a military observer in Shanghai, said the PLA Army needs at least 3,000 helicopters, especially heavy-lift transport types and multi-purpose models. Meanwhile, the Chinese military has discounted media reports that Chinas stealth fighter J-20, currently undergoing trials, will be deployed in Tibet along the India-China border. Reacting to reports that J-20 spotted at the Daocheng Yading Airport in Tibet, an article in the PLA website said that J-20 will be put into service soon but the China-India border is apparently not the ideal place for its deployment. In addition, the worlds highest airport there does not have a complete set of supporting facilities and such shortage will impede the function of J-20, it said. J-20 will not be deployed in Daocheng Yading airport as the airport is too close to the border, and it is vulnerable to Indias first wave hit. If India is to deploy BrahMos missile on the China-India border, then the Daocheng Yading airport will likely to become its target, it said. Experts pointed out that for India, China is undoubtedly its largest opponent and therefore every move of the Chinese military will touch the nerve of Indian media, it said. India is not yet the biggest threat for China and though confrontation events along the border would occur from time to time, the overall situation is rather stable, it said. In this way, China does not put too much emphasis and focus targeting India. Chinese equipment deployment and drills along the border are mostly confirmatory, mainly to gain experience, improve high-altitude combat capability, and form deterrent ability, it said. French officials say that 110 people are stuck on a series of cable cars over the Mont Blanc massif in the Alps. Chamonix Mayor Eric Fournier said Thursday that the people stuck are being evacuated by helicopter and added that theres nothing fundamentally to fear. Fournier, who spoke to BFM-TV, said that Italian authorities were helping with the rescue. Its not clear what caused the cable cars to stop or if there was an electricity outage. A local police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the 110 people trapped were in the Vallee Blanche Cable Car that rises to an altitude of 3,778 metres (12,395 feet). It connects the famed Aiguille du Midi peak to the Pointe Helbronner and takes 30 minutes. Hillary Clinton called Thursday for the United States to track down and kill Islamic State group leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, as it did Osama Bin laden, insisting her Republican rival Donald Trump has no plan to defeat the jihadists. We should make it a top priority to hunt down the leader of ISIS, the democratic White House hopeful told reporters on a tarmac in White Plains, New York. Getting al-Baghdadi will require efforts at the top levels, but it will send a resounding message that nobody directs or inspires attacks against the United States and gets away with it. American flying ace Chuck Yeager, who first broke the sound barrier, seems to have gotten the 1971 India-Pakistan war so wrong: He believes Pakistan won, because it remained a sovereign nation, India didnt annex it. This claim came in a testy Twitter exchange with TV host and former editor Shekhar Gupta, who started out Wednesday night (India time) by teasing Yeager about his role helping the Pakistani Air Force in 1971. You touched no nerve-you dont have that power. Pakistan won. They are a sovereign nation. India did not annex them, Yeager, who is 93, wrote in a post further down into the exchange. Pakistan won, because India didnt annex them? This is not how he saw it in 1986 when he wrote Yeager: An autobiography. He then said, having seen the war from up close as US adviser to the Pakistan Air Force, East Pakistan now Bangladesh fell in three days, and Pakistan stopped India from annexing that part by opening up the western front. Here is how he went further, much further, on Twitter. Gupta started with this tweet: Gen, @GenChuckYeager have you written abt your role with PAF in 71 war besides yr memoir. Was your parked plane shot up by IAF at Chaklala? Yeager, a seemingly spry tweeter, shot back in minutes: Asked & answered many x. Indian pilots shot themselves in the foot. That plane helped rescue downed Indian pilots. Gupta responded: Sorry, I touched a raw nerve, Gen. Youre among the finest fighter pilots ever but sadly were on losing side in 71 Yeager followed that one with the Pakistan-won claim. Gupta had squeezed in one another by then: And the pilot who you say shot himself in the foot by strafing yr plane rose to head Indian Navy, Adm Arun Prakash. And Yeager was up to it once again: Not because he shot an unguarded parked airplane - one that had been used to help his countrymen. But in spite of it. In sum, here is what Yeager said: One, Pakistan won the 1971 war because India left it standing and did not annex it; and two, Admiral Prakash shot up an unguarded plane, as if thats not an honourable thing to do in a war. Yeager is a celebrated US air force pilot who first earned acclaim shooting down 13 German planes during World War II, and then for breaking the sound barrier as a test pilot in 1947. His flight to fame formed the anchor for The right stuff, a 1983 film that covers 15 years of American airpower, based on a book by the same name by Tom Wolfe. Yeager continued in the US air force till his retirement in 1975, four years after he was sent, he has said in his book Yeager, to advise the Pakistani air force months before the 1971 war. To his credit, the general, as Yeager prefers to be called he retired as a brigadier general, did write about his plane being totaled in a raid by Indian Air Force. It was a small Beech Queen Air, which he used for rescuing downed Indian pilots among other things. And he had planned to remove it out of sight to protect it. In his own words: I had it parked at the Islamabad airport, and I remember sitting on my front porch on the second day of the war, thinking that maybe I ought to move that airplane down to the Iranian border, out of range of the Indian bombers, when the damned air-raid siren went off, and a couple of Indian jets came streaking in overhead. A moment later, I saw a column of black smoke rising from the air field. My Beech Queen was totaled. It was the Indian way of giving Uncle Sam the finger. In 2007, Admiral Prakash, the pilot who shot it up, wrote about it saying it was an afterthought: Pulling out of the second dive, through a gap in the fog I caught a glimpse of a row of small transport aircraft lined up on the secondary runway. The sight was too tempting. Putting all thought of the Hercules out of my mind, and ignoring the multiple arcs of tracer fire, I swung around in a tight high-G turn and emptied my guns on whatever was visible of the light aircraft. President Barack Obama put the long-simmering dispute in the South China Sea front and centre on the agenda at a regional summit Thursday as it became clear that most of the other leaders gathered in the Laotian capital were going to let China off with a mild rebuke over its territorial expansion in the resource-rich waters. We will continue to work to ensure that disputes are resolved peacefully, including in the South China Sea, Obama said at a meeting with leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or Asean. He said an international arbitration ruling on July 12 against China was binding and helped to clarify maritime rights in the region. Asean held a separate meeting later Thursday with eight world powers, including China and the US, in a gathering known as the East Asia Summit. The participants were expected to let China off with a muted reprimand over its expansionist activities in South China Sea, according to a draft of their joint statement. The final version was not immediately released. The US has repeatedly expressed concern over Beijings actions in the resource-rich sea. Obama brought that up again. Referring to the arbitration panels ruling that invalidated Chinas territorial claims, Obama said, I realise this raises tensions but I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and regional stability. China shot back with comments aimed at the United States. A couple of extra-regional countries still wanted to use the occasion of the East Asia Summit to talk about the South China Sea, particularly to press on the regional countries to abide by the arbitration, which is untimely and inappropriate, Chinese vice-foreign minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters. He said it is also against the trend in the region to resolve the disputes by cooperation and dialogue. In some sense, they are being self-isolated, he said. The East Asia Summit draft statement said Asean and its partners reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability and security and freedom of navigation in and over-flight in the South China Sea. Several leaders remained seriously concerned over recent developments in the South China Sea. ... We stressed the importance for the parties concerned to resolve their disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international laws, it said. China has turned shoals and coral reefs into seven man-made islands and built airstrips capable of handling military aircraft on three of them. The East Asia Summit draft statement was less forceful than the statement that Asean leaders issued on Wednesday to express concern over Chinas island-building. It said Asean took note of the concerns expressed by some leaders on the land reclamations and escalation of activities in the area, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and may undermine peace, security and stability in the region. The use of the phrase some leaders in the two statements underscores the fundamental problem Asean has in dealing with China not all its members are willing to scold Beijing. Cambodia, for example, remains in Chinas camp, as does Laos to a large extent, preventing any robust statement from the consensus-bound Asean group. US officials, however, said there were other critical elements in the Asean statement that China failed to block, and which they said amounted to a strong diplomatic rebuke of Beijing. China pulled out all the stops to block any reference to the words recent activities, serious concern, reclamation, militarisation, loss of trust and need to respect legal processes, but failed as all these phrases made it into the statement, said a senior US administration official who requested anonymity to discuss diplomatic discussions. Though Beijing recently announced a $600 million aid package for ally Cambodia, China was unable to get it to block the statement, the official said. Cambodia did however block an explicit mention of the tribunals ruling, which the Philippines was willing to concede, the official said. The issue of ownership of territories in the South China Sea has come to dominate Asean summits in recent years. China claims virtually the entire sea as its own, citing historical reasons. That has pitted it against the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei, all members of Asean, which have overlapping claims. The Philippines took its dispute with China to the international tribunal some years ago, but the countrys new president, Rodrigo Duterte, who took office on June 30, has been more conciliatory toward China. Liu, the Chinese vice foreign minister, pointed that out. Duterte has been sending messages for improving relations with China since he took office. In fact there have been contacts in different channels between China and the Philippines, including non-official channels and official diplomatic channels. We are confident that the relations between us will be improved with the joint efforts of the two countries, he said. Russias foreign ministry announced on Thursday that the Israeli and the Palestinian leaders have agreed in principle to meet in Moscow for talks in what the Russians hope will relaunch the Mideast peace process after more than a two-year break. The comments indicate that Russia is pushing forward with its attempt to become a peace broker after a setback earlier in the week. On Tuesday, the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, said a meeting scheduled in Moscow this week had been delayed at Israels request. While bringing the men together would represent an accomplishment for Moscow, a diplomatic breakthrough seems unlikely. Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remain far apart on key issues, and their differences have prevented meaningful talks since Netanyahu took office in 2009. The last round of peace talks broke down two and a half years ago, with no progress reported during months of negotiations brokered by the United States. The Palestinian leader has demanded that Israel halt settlement construction on occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians and carry out a prisoner release that was promised during the last round of talks. Netanyahu has rejected the terms and said the meeting should take place without conditions. In Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that Abbas and Netanyahu had accepted an invitation to meet in the Russian capital, but a date has not been set yet. There also was no word on whether the two had settled on an agenda for the meeting the key stumbling block in preparations. The most important thing is to pick the right timing, Zakharova told reporters. Intensive contacts on this are ongoing. During a visit to Poland on Tuesday, Abbas said a meeting in Moscow had been scheduled this week, but that Israel had delayed it at the last minute. Abbas and Netanyahu exchanged a brief handshake last year at a global climate change conference in Paris but have not held a public working meeting since 2010. If the Palestinian Authority can say with one voice that they are willing to meet without preconditions, then Prime Minister Netanyahu will meet President Abbas, said the Israeli leaders spokesman, David Keyes. If a meeting takes place, the chances for substantial progress would seem slim. The Palestinians seek to establish an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war. While the Palestinian claims have wide international backing, Netanyahu has refused to use Israels pre-1967 lines as a basis for border talks, retreating from positions adopted by his predecessors. The Palestinians have accused Israels hard-line government of seeking a peace process as a diplomatic shield against international criticism. The Netanyahu government has tried to discredit Abbas, accusing him of anti-Israel incitement and alleging he is not a partner for a peace deal. If a meeting were to take place, it would reflect the growing Russian influence in the Middle East. The Russian military has sent fighter jets to Syria to back Syrian President Bashar Assad in his battle against various rebel groups. Israel, while largely staying out of the war, maintains close contact with the Russians to avoid any clashes between the two countries air forces along the border with Syria. Russias offer in recent weeks to host the Israeli and Palestinian leaders is one of several international initiatives, including a French plan to hold an international peace conference and Egyptian offers to bring the sides together as well. Hillary Clinton said the US will go after Islamic State and its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi the same way it had focussed on defeating al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden if she is elected as the next president. We have to defeat ISIS. That is my highest counterterrorism goal and we have got to do it with air power. We have got to do it with much more support for the Arabs and the Kurds who will fight on the ground against ISIS. We have to squeeze them by continuing to support the Iraqi military, Democratic presidential candidate Clinton said in New York on Wednesday. A commander in chief forum, hosted by NBC on the decommissioned USS Intrepid which is now a floating museum, brought Clinton, 68, and her Republican rival Donald Trump, 70, together just weeks before they square off at the first presidential debate on September 26. While Clinton and Trump did not come face to face at the forum, they were questioned one after the other by Today show anchor Matt Lauer, who moderated the forum. Clinton vowed that under her presidency, she will not send ground troops into war-ravaged Iraq or Syria, but said the White House will ensure that the Iraqi military has all the support, including special forces, surveillance, intelligence, reconnaissance help. They are not going to get ground troops. We are not putting ground troops into Iraq ever again and we are not putting ground troops into Syria. We are going to defeat ISIS without committing American ground troops. So those are the kinds of decisions we have to make on a case-by-case basis, Clinton said as she assured that it is in Americas national security interest to defeat IS. I intend to make that happen. And as part of it, we are going after Baghdadi, the leader, because it will help us focus our attention, just like going after bin Laden helped us focus our attention in the fight against al-Qaeda in the Afghanistan-Pakistan theatre, she added. On the threat of terror attacks on the US soil, Clinton said she will do everything in my power to ensure Americans are safer on the streets of San Bernardino or Boston at the end of her presidency than they are today. She, however, cautioned that achieving this result will be a huge challenge. We have got to have an intelligence surge. We have got to get a lot more cooperation out of Europe, out of the Middle East. We have to do a better job of not only collecting and analysing the intelligence we do have, but distributing it much more quickly down the ladder to state and local law enforcement, Clinton said. She also said the US will have to do a better job combating ISIS online, where they recruit and radicalise and the nation will have to take the support of technology giants in Silicon Valley in disrupting the terror groups online plans. I do not think we are doing as much as we can. We need to work with Silicon Valley. We need to work with our experts in our government. We have got to disrupt, we have got to take them on in the arena of ideas that, unfortunately, pollute and capture the minds of vulnerable people. So we need to wage this war against ISIS from the air, on the ground and online, in cyberspace, Clinton said. Making strong case for gun reforms to tackle homegrown threats, Clinton said there is need to pass a law prohibiting people on the terrorist watch list from being able to buy a gun in the US. She said the solution does not lie in insulting Muslim- American families but in working with Americas Muslim partners to defeat ISIS. Going after American-Muslims, defaming a Gold Star family, the family of Captain Khan, making it more difficult for us to have a coalition with Muslim majority nations is not going to help us to succeed in defeating ISIS and protecting our American homeland, she said, a reference to Trumps remarks against Humayun Khan, who lost his life while in Iraq for the US military. US President Barack Obamas administration has offered Saudi Arabia more than $115 billion in weapons, other military equipment and training, the most of any US administration in the 71-year US-Saudi alliance, a report seen by Reuters has found. The report, authored by William Hartung of the US-based Center for International Policy, said the offers were made in 42 separate deals, and the majority of the equipment has yet to be delivered. Hartung told Reuters the report would be made available publicly on Sept. 8. The report said US arms offers to Saudi Arabia since Obama took office in January 2009 have included everything from small arms and ammunition to tanks, attack helicopters, air-to-ground missiles, missile defence ships, and warships. Washington also provides maintenance and training to Saudi security forces. The Centers report is based on data from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, a Department of Defense body that provides figures on arms sales offers and Foreign Military Sales agreements. Most of the offers, which are reported to Congress, become formal agreements though some are abandoned or amended. The report did not disclose how many of the offers to Saudi Arabia were agreed. Washingtons arms sales to Riyadh recently have come under fire from rights groups and some members of Congress are disturbed by the rising number of civilian casualties in the war in Yemen, where a coalition led by Saudi Arabia is fighting Iran-allied Houthi rebels. The conflict has killed at least 10,000 people. Last month the United Nations human rights office said that 3,799 civilians have died in the conflict, with coalition air strikes responsible for an estimated 60 percent of the deaths. The coalition says it does not target civilians and accuses the Houthis of placing military targets in civilian areas. The coalition has created a body to investigate civilian casualties. The outcry over those casualties has led some members of Congress to push for restrictions on arms transfers, and amid the growing outcry, the Pentagon cautioned that its support for Saudi Arabia in its Yemen campaign was not a blank check. The Control Arms coalition, a group that campaigns for stricter arms sales controls, said last month that Britain, France and the United States were flouting the 2014 Arms Trade treaty, which bans exports of conventional weapons that fuel human rights violations or war crimes. Nevertheless, the Obama administration last month approved a potential $1.15 billion arms package for Saudi Arabia. Hartung said the level of US arms sales to Riyadh should give it leverage to pressure Saudi Arabia. Its time for the Obama administration to use the best leverage it has - Saudi Arabias dependence on US weapons and support - to wage the war in Yemen in the first place, Hartung told Reuters. Pulling back the current offer of battle tanks or freezing some of the tens of billions in weapons and services in the pipeline would send a strong signal to the Saudi leadership that they need stop their indiscriminate bombing campaign and take real steps to prevent civilian casualties. Washington has been at pains to prove to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf allies that it remains committed to their defence against Iran in the wake of a multinational deal last year to restrict the Iranian nuclear program. Sunni Muslim Gulf states accuse Shia Iran of fomenting instability in the region, which the Islamic Republic denies. The more recent deals that have involved resupplying Saudi Arabia with ammunition, bombs, and tanks to replace weaponry used up or damaged in the war in Yemen are no doubt driven in part by the effort to reassure the Saudis that the US will not tilt towards Iran in the wake of the nuclear deal, Hartung said. Salah Abdeslam, thought to be the sole surviving member of the jihadist team that attacked Paris in November 2015, on Thursday refused to answer questions from French anti-terror judges for a third time. He exercised his right to silence, Frank Berton told reporters after his 26-year-old client appeared at Pariss main courthouse. The lawyer said he was optimistic Abdeslam would eventually cooperate with investigators seeking to establish his role in the deaths of 130 people in the November 13 attacks. Read | Brussels attack: Who is Salah Abdeslam? Theres a hope that he will speak to the judges, Berton said. But it wont be today. Abdeslam has refused to answer questions since being transferred to France from Belgium in April and is believed to be angry at the round-the-clock surveillance of his jail cell. In July, his lawyer sought unsuccessfully to end the surveillance, a source close to the case told AFP. He was brought to court on Thursday in a heavily-guarded convoy. After four months on the run, Abdeslam was arrested on March 18 in Molenbeek, a Brussels neighbourhood notorious for being a hotbed of Islamic extremism, where he grew up. He was transferred to France to face terror charges on April 27. Investigators have yet to pin down Abdeslams exact role in the coordinated attacks on Paris bars, restaurants, a concert hall and the national stadium. An Indian-American CEO of an IT consultancy firm has hit the international headlines for all the wrong reasons. Himanshu Bhatia, the CEO of Rose International, stands accused of grossly underpaying her help and subjecting her to shocking cruelty, by making her sleep next to the dogs in the garage when she was unwell. Bhatia, who was named as one of the top 25 women business leaders by Fast Company web magazine in 2012, paid Sheela Ningwal, her domestic help, a fixed amount of $400, much lower than the minimum wage in the United States. The complaints, which are being investigated by the US labour department, also state that Ningwals passport was taken away and given to her only while travelling, and that she was threatened with firing multiple times. This is not the first time an Indian American has hit the spotlight over the treatment of their domestic help. The most high-profile case is that of Devyani Khobragade, Indias former deputy consul general in New York, who was indicted on the charges of underpaying her help in December 2013. The US Department of State investigated the issue based on the complaint by Khobragades help, Sangeeta Richard. A grand jury indicted Khobragade for visa fraud and making false statements about the payment to the help. The incident led to a diplomatic face-off between India and the US. In India, there was outrage at the fact that Khobragade was arrested from her daughters Manhattan school and strip-searched. The rights of the maid, who was also an Indian, hardly figured in this narrative. In 2015, India was left red-faced when the wife of Ravi Thapar, its high commissioner to New Zealand, was accused by one of her domestic staff of slapping him. Thapar was hastily recalled. The complainant, who worked as a chef, alleged that Sharmila Thapar treated him like a slave. Thapar denied the allegations and maintained that he had returned to India to stay with his mother. A diplomatic crisis was averted because the staff member didnt press charges, and only wanted to return to India. Back in 2011, Prabhu Dayal, an Indian diplomat in New York, was accused of misconduct and sexual harassment by his domestic help, Santosh Bhardwaj. Dayal continued to deny the charges and called them lies. The case was later dropped, after an agreement was negotiated through the ministry. A year before that, Neena Malhotra, a counsellor at the Indian consulate in New York, was accused by her maid, Shanti Gurung, of maltreatment. A US court asked Malhotra to pay $1.5 million in damages and she too was recalled. In May last year, the Indian government decided that Indian diplomats will no longer have domestic assistants. The nomenclature was changed to service staff to restore some dignity to their position. This was done after information provided to Rajya Sabha showed a sharp increase in the number of diplomats facing charges over the past two years. The list of 27 diplomats for 2014-15 is almost thrice that of 2013-14 (10), and over four times more than that of 2012-13 (six). SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Russian President Vladimir Putin is far more of a leader than Barack Obama, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said on Wednesday, echoing previous praise for the Kremlin strongman. Putin is very much of a leader, Trump said in a televised interview, where he and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton were separately grilled over their national security and military credentials. Trump has made no secret of his admiration for Putin, who last year praised the US businessman as very outstanding. Putin has very strong control over a country, Trump said. Its a very different system, and I dont happen to like the system. But certainly in that system hes been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader. Before Trump spoke, Clinton too was asked about her security smarts, but also faced questions on the sprawling email scandal that continues to overshadow her White House run. The interviewer, NBCs Matt Lauer, asked why it wasnt disqualifying for Clinton to have handled government emails on a private server while secretary of state. It was a mistake to have a personal account. I would certainly not do it again. I make no excuses for it, Clinton responded, stressing she had not improperly handled classified information. The forum, held aboard historic aircraft carrier the USS Intrepid, docked off New York City, did not put the candidates head-to-head, and Lauer asked them not to waste time insulting each other. For the most part they refrained, though Clinton said Trump had refused to take responsibility for his initial support for the Iraq War. Trump went on to attack Clinton over her emails. The first debate between the one-time friends turned bitter rivals is scheduled for September 26. Trumps military plans Earlier Wednesday, Trump pledged to increase US military spending -- already at levels far higher than any other nation -- and to demand a plan to beat the Islamic State (IS) group if he becomes president. The Republican presidential candidate told supporters he would ask generals to craft a roadmap to the IS groups annihilation. Trump also outlined proposals for an active army of around 540,000 troops, an air force of at least 1,200 fighter aircraft, a 36-battalion marine corps and a navy of 350 surface ships and submarines -- though he provided no details on how he would persuade Congress to pay for it all. Apart from consulting with top generals, Trump remained vague on how he would defeat IS. Is the plan youve been hiding this whole time asking someone else for their plan? Lauer asked. Trump said he didnt want to broadcast to the enemy what my plan is. The United States for more than two years has led a coalition bombing IS in Iraq and Syria, and training local partners on the ground to fight the jihadists. The air campaign started slowly, but IS now appears to be on a back foot, having suffered tens of thousands of casualties and losing many of the important towns it once controlled across its self-declared caliphate. Clinton provided more specifics, stressing IS would be defeated without US ground troops being deployed. Currently, America has thousands of troops in Iraq and hundreds in Syria, but their mission is to train local forces and not engage in direct combat with IS. Attacking the generals In a move likely to enrage the brass in the defense department, Trump also blasted the current status of Americas top officers, saying they had been hamstrung by Obama and Clinton. The generals have been reduced to rubble, Trump said, before noting he had faith in certain of the commanders. Trump, who has campaigned on a platform railing against illegal immigration, also said he had no problem with existing US policy of allowing undocumented immigrants to stay in America if they serve in the military. Most national polls show a tight race with Clinton in the lead as the US presidential race enters its home stretch with just nine weeks until the November 8 election. However, Trump is ahead by a wide margin of 19 percentage points among military and veteran voters, according to the latest NBC News/SurveyMonkey Weekly Election Tracking poll. His 55 to 36 percent lead with the group comes despite recent remarks against the parents of a Muslim-American soldier killed in Iraq, members of the so-called Gold Star families who have lost loved ones in military service. Trump also angered many in the military community with mocking remarks against US Senator and former prisoner of war John McCain for being captured in Vietnam. At least eight civilians were killed when a house north of Yemens capital was hit in a Saudi-led coalition air strike Thursday, rebel-controlled media in the war-torn country reported. Al-Massirah television said five others were wounded in the strike on Amran, a city around 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Sanaa held by Shiite Huthi rebels at war with Yemens Saudi-backed government. The raid also damaged the walls of a neighbouring school compound which was empty at the time, witnesses told AFP. According to tribal sources, coalition warplanes carried out 12 air strikes targeting an army base controlled by rebel forces during which the house was also hit. In the capital itself on Thursday, a car bomb exploded at a checkpoint controlled by Houthi militants, killing at least one person, a security source said. Saudi Arabia has faced repeated criticism from rights groups over civilian casualties in the coalitions military campaign against rebels in Yemen that was launched in March 2015. It insists the raids do not target civilians. The coalition intervened after rebels closed in on President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi in his southern refuge in the port city of Aden, forcing him into exile. More than 6,600 people, mostly civilians, have been killed since the intervention of the Saudi-led Arab coalition, according to UN figures. Saudi Arabias top religious authority said Irans leaders were not Muslims, drawing a rebuke from Tehran in an unusually harsh exchange between the regional rivals over the running of the annual Haj pilgrimage. The war of words on the eve of the mass pilgrimage will deepen a long-running rift between the Sunni kingdom and the Shiite revolutionary power. They back opposing sides in Syrias civil war and a list of other conflicts across the Middle East. Tensions between them have been rising since Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran in January following the storming of its embassy in Tehran, itself a response to the Saudi execution of a dissident Shiite cleric. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a message published on Monday, criticised Saudi Arabia over how it runs the Haj after a crush last year killed hundreds of pilgrims. He said Saudi authorities had murdered some of them, describing Saudi rulers as godless and irreligious. Responding to a question by Saudi newspaper Makkah, Saudi Arabias Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh said he was not surprised at Khameneis comments. We have to understand that they are not Muslims ... Their main enemies are the followers of Sunnah (Sunnis), Al al-Sheikh was quoted as saying in remarks republished by the Arab News. He described Iranian leaders as sons of magus, a reference to Zoroastrianism, the dominant belief in Persia until the Muslim Arab invasion of the region that is now Iran 13 centuries ago. This year pilgrims from Iran will be unable to attend the Haj, which officially starts on September 11, after talks between the two countries on arrangements broke down in May. Khamenei met families of Iranians killed in last years disaster on Wednesday and called for a fact-finding committee to investigate the cause of the crush. The evil family tree of the Saudi dynasty does not have the competence to manage the holy shrines, Khamenei said. Bigotry Al al-Sheikhs remarks drew an acerbic retort from Irans Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, who said they were evidence of bigotry among Saudi leaders. Indeed; no resemblance between Islam of Iranians & most Muslims & bigoted extremism that Wahhabi top cleric & Saudi terror masters preach, Zarif wrote on his Twitter account. Saudi authorities normally seek to avoid public discussion of whether Shiites are Muslims, but implicitly recognise them as such by welcoming them to the Haj, and by accepting Iranian visits to the Saudi-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Saudi minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Saleh bin Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh said Saudi Arabia was destined to watch over Islams holy sites, accusing Iran of trying to stir up sectarian discord as some 1.3 million Muslims convened in Mecca this week. The Iranian regime is now isolated from the Islamic world. They are trying to hijack people from all over to bring dishonour, but in fact all Islamic countries are with Saudi Arabia as it carries out its duties and responsibilities, said the minister, in comments carried by Okaz newspaper. Speaking near Meccas Great Mosque and clad in the traditional white robe of a pilgrim, Moussa Abdi, a member of Algerias parliamentary foreign affairs committee, said the region must work to repair its ideological and political rifts. We are not alone in this world, and we face other political conflicts. We have to unite ... We have to get over these differences which aim at creating rifts within the Islamic world, Moussa told Reuters. Custodian of Islams most revered places in Mecca and Medina, Saudi Arabia stakes its reputation on organising Haj, one of the five pillars of Islam which every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to is obliged to undertake at least once. Tareq Mohammed al-Hafi, an Egyptian pilgrim, said he could not imagine religious statutes being determined by any country other than Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is the symbol of Islam, the dignity of Islam and the superiority of Islam, he said. Riyadh said 769 pilgrims were killed in the 2015 disaster, the highest Haj death toll since a crush in 1990. Counts of fatalities by countries who repatriated bodies showed that more than 2,000 people may have died, more than 400 of them Iranians. Iran blamed the 2015 disaster on organisers incompetence. PARIS: A car, whose owner is on an intelligence services watchlist of people suspected of religious radicalisation, was discovered near Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris on Saturday night with seven gas cylinders inside, police and judicial officials said on Wednesday. The car owner was taken into custody but later released, one judicial official said. A couple, aged 34 and 29, were arrested at a motorway lay-by on Tuesday in southern France in connection with the incident and remained in custody, the official said. The Peugeot 607, which had no registration plates, contained seven gas cylinders, one of them empty on the front passenger seat, two police officials said. It was found with its hazard lights flashing, as if to attract attention, they said. Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said he was waiting for a report from investigators on what the possible motives were for the incident. There was no detonating device present in the car, found on a Seine riverside stretch called the Quai de Montebello, metres from the Notre-Dame cathedral, one of Pariss many popular tourist attractions. Documents with writing in Arabic were also found in the car. More than 200 people have been killed in terror attacks over the past year-and-a-half in France, which remains on maximum alert after calls by the Islamic State for its followers to attack the country. LONDON: India is among several countries keen to forge free trade deals with the United Kingdom after it leaves the European Union, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Wednesday. May, who was briefing parliament on Britains vote to exit the EU and the G20 Summit in China, consistently refused to be drawn on MPs key question whether her government will aim to remain in the European Single Market. She said the effort would be to have a new relationship with the EU in Brexit-related talks. Referring to talks at the G20 Summit, May, who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the margins of the summit, said: As we leave the EU we will forge our own trade deals. The leaders from India, Mexico, South Korea and Singapore said they would welcome talks to remove trade barriers. The issue of Britain remaining in the European Single Market is central to Brexit negotiations. Banks and financial institutions are keen on continued access to the market, but EU officials have insisted this will not be possible unless Britain continues to offer freedom of movement to EU citizens. May said: I know many people are keen to see rapid progress and to understand what post-Brexit Britain will look like. We are getting on with that vital work. But we must also think through the issues in a sober and considered way.And as I have said, this is about getting the kind of deal that is ambitious and bold for Britain. It is not about the Norway model or the Swiss model or any other countrys model it is about developing our own United Kingdom model. Her government, May said, will not take decisions until ready, nor will it reveal its hand prematurely or provide a running commentary on every twist and turn of the negotiation. May said she was clear the June 23 vote to leave the EU meant control over the movement of EU citizens to Britain. She has refused to guarantee the stay of EU citizens already in Britain unless British citizens in EU countries get the same guarantee. Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn said there was huge uncertainty and a lack of planning, warning also about rising levels of hate crimes against EU immigrants. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON WASHINGTON: An Indian American head of an IT consulting firm who once figured among top women business leaders has been accused by the US government of grossly underpaying her live-in domestic help from India and mistreating her by making her sleep in the garage with the familys dogs when unwell. Himanshu Bhatia, the founder of Rose International, which earned $357 million in 2011, has been charged by the US labour department of violating the Fair Labor Standards Act. She was also accused of subjecting the help, Sheela Ningwal, to callous abuse and punishing her for pursuing her rights, according to a complaint filed in a federal court in California on August 22. There was no response to a request for comment from Rose International, which is headquartered in St Louis, Missouri. According to court documents, summons were ordered to be issued to Bhatia the day after the complaint. Bhatia, who was born in Delhi and went to the School of Planning and Architecture, was named among the 25 top women business leaders in the US by Fast Company web magazine in 2012. She and her family live in San Juan Capistrano, California, and own mansions, luxury penthouse condominiums in Las Vegas, Long Beach, and Miami, according to the labour departments complaint. Ningwal worked primarily at the family home but also at their other establishments. She was paid a fixed monthly salary of $400, with food and accommodation, regardless of the number of hours of work. The department of labour said this was grossly below the statutorily mandated minimum wage. Describing the abuse, the complaint, filed in the name of US labour secretary Tom Perez, said whenever Ningwal was ill, Defendant Bhatia forced Ms Ningwal to sleep in the garage on a piece of carpet, alongside Defendant Bhatias dogs who slept on a mattress, because Defendant Bhatia did not want her or her family exposed to Ms Ningwals illness. When travelling, the family would neglect to leave food for Ningwal, who was dependent on them. Her passport was taken from her, and given to her only at the time of travel. Ningwal was fired twice in 2104 once because she was researching labor laws online. The complaint sought the payment of unpaid wages and damages. This is not the first time an Indian or an Indian-origin American has been in trouble over domestic help. In 2013, an Indian Foreign Service officer was arrested in New York for paying the help much lower wages than the amount shown in visa application papers, throwing India-US relations into a major crisis secretary of state John Kerry has said it was the worst on his watch. WASHINGTON Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump invoked religion, talked of unifying Americans and tried to raise doubts about whether Democratic rival Hillary Clinton can be trusted in a new campaign stump speech unveiled on Tuesday. I will fight for Detroit, for Chicago, for Baltimore, and for every neglected part of this nation and I will fight to bring us all together as one American people, Trump told a packed rally in Greenville, North Carolina, in a departure from his typical bare-knuckled approach. Both Clinton and her running mate, Tim Kaine, blasted Trump. Clinton focused on Trumps past bankruptcies and his refusal to release his tax records. He clearly has something to hide. We dont know exactly what it is, but were getting better guesses about what it probably is, she said in Tampa, Florida. Kaine, speaking in Wilmington, North Carolina, criticised Trumps business dealings with Russia, the ties between some of his campaign advisers to the country and Trumps suggestion that he hoped Russian hackers could find missing emails from when Clinton was secretary of state. WASHINGTON/TAMPA : Days after Philippines new leader Rodrigo Duterte called President Barack Obama a son of a bitch, the US state department and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Tuesday stressed the need for ties with Manila to be based on mutual respect for future key alliance. Despite US dismay over Dutertes remarks, though, current and former US officials played down the impact, saying they did not expect any serious damage to ties at a time of high tensions over Chinas extensive territorial claims in Asia. The US state department said a planned first meeting between Obama and Duterte on the sidelines of a regional summit in Laos on Tuesday was cancelled because the tone of the Philippine leaders rhetoric raised questions about the chances of productive talks. Words matter, and we want to see an atmosphere that is cordial and open to strong cooperation, state department spokesman Mark Toner told a briefing. Clinton, who as secretary of state was an architect of Obamas policy of emphasising the importance of the Asia Pacific to US interests in the face of a rising China, said Obama was right to cancel the meeting. When the president of the Philippines insulted our president, it was appropriate and a very low-key way to say: sorry, no meeting. We have a lot of ties between the United States and the Philippines. And I think its very important that we have a relationship, but there has to be a certain level of respect that is expected on both sides, Clinton said. Duterte made the remark about Obama while explaining that he would not be lectured over extrajudicial killings in the war against drugs. With clues and scientific evidences slowly coming out, NASA is now convinced of the possible existence of Planet 9, or what they originally termed as the exoplanet. The first discovery of Planet 9 surfaced when two researchers conducted a study at the Gemini Observatory in Hawaii back in 2014. A report from Space.com disclosed that when the researchers were analyzing the elliptical orbits of Sedna, a dwarf planet, they noticed a new object, which they called as Biden. In that same study, the researchers discovered that the exoplanet has the same orbital characteristics with Sedna. That same study was also supported by another research of a group of astronomers at the California Institute of Technology Pasadena. Using their computer simulation, the gravitational impact of an approximately 10-Earth mass planet could absolutely explain the strange grouping in Sedna's orbits and other distant objects. With that, they are led into a conclusion that Planet 9 is a product of a cosmic heist. In January this year, another study has been conducted that could make the hypothesis factual in the coming years. As revealed in AAS Nova, Caltech researchers Mike Brown and Konstantin Batygin showed an evidence of the planet in the solar system. They have foreseen that this exoplanet features a volume and a mass comparable to what is known as super-Earth. It was also said that it orbits an eccentric path within tens to thousands of years. This study paved way for the scientists to search for more evidences that could ultimately prove the existence of Planet 9. As there are scientists who want to debunk on this hypothesis, NASA is getting cautious on the claims. Consequently, they are still gathering more scientific evidences to support this. Moreover, Planet 9 may only be visible using a powerful telescope which the scientists are still working on. Apart from that, they still need around 10-20 similar smaller objects to help them know the exact location of the planet. If a major evidence will likely show up in the near future, can we also expect for species occupying Planet 9? @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Producers Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen told Yahoo! News that the new season will continue the story plot in the previous season with the same set of characters. They will however add more mysteries. "We'll be doing more than just a rehash of Season 1. We're coming back with a few new characters, expanding storylines and mythologies, so it'll feel like the stakes are raised and more is going on and really delivering on the promise and pushing for more," said Levy and Cohen. The Duffer Brothers, Matt and Ross, will continue to be the writers of the story. They have already prepared a more interesting sequel, according to The Verge. The cast still included Winona Ryder, Noah Schnapp, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown and other casts. But the producer does not yet mention a specific release date. "Stranger Things" takes place in the town of Hawkins, Indiana during the 1980's. It tells a story of Joyce Byers (Ryder), a single mother who was frantic to find that her 12-year-old son Will Byers (Schapp) who disappeared after he met a monster The first season of "Stranger Things" paid homage to the greatest director in the 1980's and their films, Steven Spielberg, John Carpenter, Stephen King, and George Lucas. In its second season, production team will continue the sequel tradition from those renowned directors. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Apple revealed that Japan, New Zealand, and Russia will be the next countries where Apple Pay will be made available next, following an announcement during its iPhone 7 launch that the company's payment service will go online once iOS 10 officially launches on September 13. The Japan launch was given particular focus during the launch event, emphasizing that Apple Pay will be made compatible with FeliCa, the country's contactless payment technology widely used to pay for train and bus rides, as well as vending machines and other shopping locations, among many others. Apple Pay in Japan will be designed to work with major contactless payment networks using FeliCa technology such as Suica and Pasmo within Tokyo. During the iPhone 7 launch, Apple revealed that users in Japan can use Apple Pay to pay for fare commutes along lines of the JR East railway network. The new Maps will also be developed for further interoperability with Apple Pay to cater to commuters in Japan. Suica and Pasmo pricing on ride fares will be shown on Maps while users are in transit, allowing them to conveniently access details on their consumption without losing their way while commuting. Long considered as one of Apple's largest overseas markets, Japan will surely benefit from the spirit of convenience espoused by the iOS 10 and the new iPhone 7 family, given its wide support for tech-savvy innovations. Apple Pay is set to arrive in the country this fall with the company's newly-launched devices. Throughout the rest of the world, people can use Apply Pay in over 11 million live locations, with at least three million of them based in the United States (US). The payment service most recently went live in Hong Kong, Switzerland, and France, increasing its current total worldwide presence to nine markets. Loat tru cot cua HAGL, Ha Noi vang mat o vong 13 V.League 2022 Vong 13 V.League 2022 se dien ra vao ngay 19 va 20/8. Voi HAGL, oi bong pho nui se khong co uoc su phuc vu cua hau ve Nguyen Phong Hong Duy o cuoc on tiep Hai Phong tren san nha Pleiku. Anh a nhan u 3 the vang, ieu nay buoc HLV Kiatisuk se phai tinh en phuong an khac tram vao vi tri hau ve trai ma Hong Duy e lai. angxephangvongloaiworldcupchaumy Ben phia Ha Noi FC, oi bong chu san Hang ay se khong co su phuc vu cua ngoai binh Siladji o chuyen lam khach oi au voi Binh Duong. Du a som vo ich luot i nhung Ha Noi FC chac chan se muon gia tang them khoang cach so voi cac oi bam sau nhu SLNA hay HAGL. angxephangvongloaiworldcupchaumy Dau khong co su gop mat cua chan sut Siladji song suc manh hang cong cua Ha Noi la khong the xem thuong khi con o 1 Van Quyet va Tuan Hai ang co phong o cao. angxephangvongloaiworldcupchaumy Cuoc chien cua hai oi bong noi cuoi bang xep hang cung co nhung su vang mat. Sai Gon FC trong tran ung o voi CLB TP.HCM se khong co su gop mat cua tien ve quan trong Huynh Tan Tai vi nhan u 3 the vang. Ben kia chien tuyen, oi bong cua HLV Nguyen Huu Thang cung se thieu vang hau ve Duong Van Khoa vi nhan the o o tran truoc. angxephangvongloaiworldcupchaumy O cuoc ung o voi Viettel, SLNA cung gap kho khi mat Thai Ba Sang do a nhan u 3 the vang. Trong khi o Thanh Hoa lam khach o Quy Nhon gap CLB Binh inh ma khong co HLV Ljubo Petrovic tren ghe chi ao vi lanh u 3 the vang. angxephangvongloaiworldcupchaumy Vi cuu cau thu bong a Nam Tu cu a bi trong tai phat the o cac tran au cua Thanh Hoa voi SLNA, TP.HCM va Hong Linh Ha Tinh vi loi phan ung dan toi viec bi cam chi ao. angxephangvongloaiworldcupchaumy ay cung la lan thu 2 nha cam quan nay bi cam chi ao vi the phat hoac nhung loi phan ung. Truoc o o mua giai 2017, ong Petrovic bi truat quyen chi ao va moi len khan ai sau khi phan ung voi cac quyet inh cua trong tai Nguyen Hien Triet. angxephangvongloaiworldcupchaumy Hope College will host the Ebony Road Players presenting A Simple Question about interracial marriage on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the DeWitt Center studio theatre. The public is invited. Admission is free. The play by Randy Wyatt celebrates the landmark 1968 Supreme Court court case, Loving v. Virginia, which overturned laws forbidding interracial marriage. It examines how things have (or havent) changed since then. The 30-minute, five-woman-ensemble piece is a kaleidoscope of stories about interracial love and marriage in America, beginning with Richard and Mildred Loving and flashing forward to real experiences in the present day. Listen to the experiences of West Michigan women, of their relationships and their racial identities as they let down their guards by answering one simple question: If your experience was a vehicle, which would it be? The answersrugged motorcycles, waveboards, hot air balloons, UFOs and moretell volumes about interracial experience in the United States today. There will be a discussion after the performance. The performance is part of the conversation around the Hateful Things and Resilience exhibitions on display at the De Pree Art Center and Gallery through Friday, Oct. 7. It is co-sponsored by the colleges Dean for the Arts and Humanities; De Pree Art Center and Gallery; departments of history, theatre and English; and Womens and Gender Studies Program. Founded in 2014 and based in Grand Rapids, Ebony Road Players is a theater group whose mission is to inspire, educate and engage cultures of the West Michigan community with high-quality theater productions focused on black experience. The group has also produced staged readings of Ntozake Shanges For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf, Tracey Scott Wilsons The Story and Jeff Stetsons The Meeting. Edye Evans Hyde of the Hope music faculty serves as executive director of the company, which also performed at Hope this past March, presenting Having Our Say. The DeWitt Center is located at 141 E. 12th St., facing Columbia Avenue between 10th and 12th streets. The studio theatre is on the ground level of the building, near the southeast corner. Montreal, Quebec is set to play host to the 26th edition of the World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC), taking place 26 29 September 2017. WYSTC is the must-attend B2B trade conference for key stakeholders and organisations in youth, student and educational travel. Over 600 participants from more than 350 organisations across the globe come together to network, learn from industry experts, collaborate in business appointments and attend cutting edge seminars. This event is organized by WYSE Travel Confederation For more information please contact WYSE Travel Confederation 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 Traveler Satisfaction: Exploring the Generational Divide in Business Travel The GBTA Foundation, in partnership with American Express Global Business Travel, released new research exploring what drives and impacts travel satisfaction for frequent business travelers by generation. The findings showed significant generational differences amongst frequent business travelers demonstrating that each generational group has unique needs. Companies should focus on supporting the key drivers of employee satisfaction and consider each driver through a generational lens. In general, frequent business travelers are a content group with 88 percent satisfied with their business travel experiences and 84 percent that want to travel either the same amount or more frequently than they do now. Its no secret that happy employees tend to be more productive, which could mean a better bottom line for your company. But what drives this satisfaction across workforces that are diverse in demographic, experience and generational differences? Today, the GBTA Foundation, the education and research arm of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), in partnership with American Express Global Business Travel released new research that explores what drives and impacts travel satisfaction for frequent business travelers by the generations. The new study, Traveler Satisfaction: Exploring the Generational Divide in Business Travel, identifies four key themes that correlate with business travel satisfaction: booking, productivity during travel, tracking and reporting and personal life. Of these themes, only booking and productivity during travel play a role in forecasting frequent business traveler satisfaction overall. The other two emerged when breaking the data down by generation. Breakdown by Generation: What Matters Most to Each Group Booking covers everything from the variety of suppliers that travelers can choose from to book and how they are able to book to the ease of making changes to their trip and more. As booking is often a pain point for travelers, its no surprise that having a seamless booking experience drives satisfaction for business travelers of all ages. Tracking and reporting focuses on variables including methods for submitting expense reports, tracking receipts and use of a personal or corporate card to pay for business expenses. Similar to booking, alleviating this pain point drives satisfaction for all business travelers. Productivity during travel includes variables such as traveling on a plane, renting a car, staying at hotels and enrollment in a risk-based security program like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck among others. Overall, getting through airport security is an area of frustration for frequent business travelers and tools like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck help to mitigate these hassles. Frequent business travelers are paying for these tools themselves when their companies do not cover the cost (51 percent), and many have said that having these tools drastically improved their business travel experience. Personal life, or the ability to maintain good relationships with friends and children while traveling for work, influences satisfaction for Baby Boomers. Interestingly, this theme is to unique to the Boomer generation and did not resonate with Millennials or Gen-Xers. It is a true challenge for companies to build and sustain a satisfied employee base because of diverse generational needs. Acknowledging that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution is a step in the right direction for companies looking to improve employee satisfaction, particularly for employees who travel often to represent or promote their companies. The findings showed significant generational differences amongst frequent business travelers demonstrating that each generational group has unique needs. Companies should focus on supporting the key drivers of employee satisfaction and consider each driver through a generational lens. Methodology: An online survey of 2,025 business travelers in the United States and Canada was fielded on January 4-19, 2016. This study focuses on 805 of those respondents who have traveled four or more times for business in the past year making them frequent business travelers. Read the Full Report: The study, Traveler Satisfaction: Exploring the Generational Divide in Business Travel, is available free of charge. View the infographic and download the white paper by clicking here. Learn More: A webinar featuring experts from American Express Global Business Travel and the GBTA Foundation will discuss business traveler satisfaction and take a deeper dive into the research on September 13 at 2pm ET. Complimentary registration is available now. It looks like Drake & Future The Prince can rest a little easier tonight after finding out that a suspect has been arrested in the $3 million dollar jewelry heist that took place on their tour bus Tuesday night. According to AZFamily, 21 year old Travion Lamar King was arrested for trespassing on the campus of ASU in Tempe Wednesday afternoon and was found with having the suitcase of jewelry on him. According to ASU police, King was found near Barretts Honors College with the briefcase containing the stolen jewelry. Police described him as transient & believed King boarded the tour bus for Drake Tuesday night between 10 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. while it was at Talking Stick Resort Arena in downtown Phoenix. Investigators identified King through surveillance footage, according to Sgt. Vince Lewis with the Phoenix Police Dept. He is currently being held at the Maricopa County Fourth Avenue Jail in Arizona. Peep his mug shot in the gallery above. [Via] Drake Modern pop suggests the secret of success is geography, and theres certainly enough Larssons, Hibergs and Fredrikssons knocking about the album credits to inspire positivity for Britneys ninth studio album. But theres a dash of chemistry required too and thats where Glory falls completely flat. Unlike Ariana Grande, who seemed to find her voice earlier this year on Dangerous Woman or Beyonce, who used hers like never before on Lemonade Britney unleashes a collection of 12 wholly impersonal tracks, delivered with the unmistakeable disinterest of an artist singing about nothing and nobody in particular. Tracks like Just Luv Me, Slumber Party and lead single Make Me... trade on the basis of being sultry and seductive, but the absence of some genuine intimacy or revelation makes it feel more like premium rate sex chat than the real thing. Mores the pity too, because theres surely stories in the veterans armoury by now and skeletons in her closet, for that matter. Fingers will be pointed at ever-present vocal producer Mischke, and not undeservedly, for the stylised monotony is at least in part his doing. But stooping to the lowest common denominator by employing the sexpot approach is the main offence here, and that can be squarely pinned on Ms. Spears. Hard To Forget Ya and Private Show are ten-a-penny exercises in impotent mediocrity, entirely unbecoming of an artist who, for better or worse, has become a bonafide cultural icon. Wicklow trio announce Dublin headliner for December Wyvern Lingo have confirmed a Dublin show for December. It's been another big 12 months for the Wicklow trio, with a feast of festival appearances coupled with some tasty releases whetting the appetite for their debut album in a major way. The Dublin show will conclude their previously announced nationwide tour, dates for which are below. Tickets for the December 3 gig at The Button Factory are on sale from Friday, priced at 17.50. November 24 Mike the Pies, Listowel, Kerry 25 INEC, Killarney, Kerry 26 Roisin Dubh, Galway 27 Cypress Avenue, Cork Advertisement December 1 Dolans, Limerick 2 Kavanaghs, Pokrtlaoise 3 Button Factory, Dublin Along with being president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, Zeph Capo also serves as president of the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation. In that role, he represents a coalition of unions in industries from hotels to trucking when they have similar interests, such as labor standards in public contracts. Contrary to popular belief, unions can have impact in a right-to-work state - and they're looking to grow. Q: Unions don't seem to be a huge presence in Houston. What has membership been like lately? A: There's been this idea that Texas doesn't have unions, and that's just simply not the case. We are a 'right-to-work for less' state, but that doesn't mean that workers at UPS and the airport and some of our hotels don't have unions - they have a voice at work. And it's important for us to support them. Membership has grown over the past few years, despite the fact that labor in general has had a hard time in the United States based primarily on the active intent to keep workers from having a voice. Some of the sectors that we've grown in are in the teacher and public employee areas, but also in the building trades. We've experienced a tremendous boom in downtown building as the economy has rebounded, and that's helped organized labor in those skilled workforce areas. I think the big question for us is, "How are all other workers going to benefit from a strengthening economy?" Because too many people who don't have a method to work together to increase their wages are taken advantage of by those that are sharing in the profits of a rebounding economy. And that's why we see such negativity out there. It's anger. And I think we play a vital role in finding those workers a voice and make headway in improving their lives. Q: What would you point to as a big victory recently? A: You can see it in some of the contract fights that have gone on. If you look at the number of apprenticeships that we've been able to open up, these are jobs that have a real future to them, have access to health care and retirement while they're training. Our sheet metal workers, if you go into their training halls, they're filled up. There's not any more space, we need to open up more, because there's work. And every one of those guys who came from a minimum wage job can now afford to pay the rent, pay for their family's health care. That's making a difference in peoples' lives. Q: How is oil slowdown impacting some of those building trades unions? A: The slowing of the economy around oil, that's cyclical, and it does take time. We are seeing some of the impacts of the downturn, but there's a focus in Houston on trying got stay diversified. We learned our lesson from the '80s that we cannot be dependent solely on oil, so we have to build other sectors like health care. I don't want to underplay the concern, but we've got a vision to look at the long game to ensure that we provide as many opportunities as possible for people to build skills. Because that's really the issue: Even today, with the slower economy, there still are skilled jobs that are being filled by people from outside Houston because we're not able to find people with the right skills in our area. So it's really important that we work with the labor council in our area, working with educational institutions, to ensure that those individuals get those skills necessary to fill those jobs. Q: You worked to help elect Mayor Sylvester Turner. Are you happy with his performance so far? A: The mayor is doing a good job to turn things around, to make headway, and we appreciate his focus on working families and ensuring that all neighborhoods in Houston share in the growth and prosperity of the city. I think that we have some work to do in economic development policies. We have a set of proposals that we are putting forward to the mayor that we would hope that he would embrace and take an active role in implementing, because they really are policies that get to the heart of making a difference for the people he says he wants to make a difference for, and that's working families, and neighborhoods that haven't always had the best opportunity to be included in the prosperity of our city. Q: And that's wage requirements for tax incentives? A: Yeah, absolutely, and community benefits, and ensuring that if our tax dollars are going into investments within the city, that we are engaging in fair contracting processes. Q: I sometimes hear people talk about unions like they're just obstructionist whiners who want to slow down work. What do you think are biggest misconceptions of unions out there, and how are you addressing them? A: I think people should make up their own minds, and if they have questions, reach out to a union leader, reach out to the rank and file members, ask the questions that they have, and dispel some of those myths. Because quite frankly, power concedes nothing without a demand. And a lot of the time, language about combativeness, grievances, what have you, is language with intent to hold power by those who already have it. If you are the one percent, if you are the leaders on top of the pile, you have no interest in giving up your power. And the only way for workers to better themselves is to build power that's focused on their needs and their interests. Too often, we get lost in the Hollywood version of what somebody thinks unions are without really taking a look at what's happening at the company level. Different unions have different cultures, and different ways of interacting with their employers. And I think that ultimately people in unions want to ensure that their employers are healthy and strong, because the only way they can make an argument for improving things for their members is to improve the bottom line for the company they work for. So I think there's an interest in making sure we're collaborative and productive, without taking advantage of people, and without rewards simply going towards shareholders or the CEO, they should be shared with the people who are creating those additional profits. And that is where we see the differences of opinion. Too often, companies today are judged by how big a profit shareholders are getting - shareholders that are completely disassociated from the day-to-day workers of the company. I think that we've got to bridge that gap sometimes. It's important that all sectors of our economy understand one another. Having them out of balance is frankly dangerous - we see it right now, in the unrest and overwhelming number of public and private sector workers who don't have a voice, who are voting against their own interests, too often are angry and bitter about their current circumstances. And the overwhelming majority of them, they don't have an outlet to channel that. And we see that manifest in some of the vitriol in our political process right now. I do believe that if people took a look at what they could get by working together with the workers they see every day, to focus on their own interests, they might have an opportunity to better their lives, and our society would be better off. A few weeks ago, the monthly purchasing managers index a broad measure of the economy that takes into account things like wages and product orders sent a warning signal about health care. The industry that had buoyed Houston through the oil bust might be losing steam, the numbers showed, as the once-breakneck pace of hiring looks to be slowing down. That impression appears to have been born out by a new report from Colliers, showing that only about 2 million square feet of medical office space were under construction in the second quarter of 2016, compared to more than 2.7 million at the same time last year. Net absorption, or the rate at which new buildings are leased or purchased, declined by more than 60 percent. Still, 2 million square feet is still a lot of construction, as hospitals chase populations out into the ever-expanding suburbs. The Woodlands, Pearland, and Galveston and Brazoria counties are among the communities expected to receive gleaming new facilities, as part of a long-term trend towards moving closer to residential populations. At the same time, some hospitals have gone out of business in outlying areas, forcing rural residents to come in further to the suburbs for care. HISTORIC MERGER: Take a look back at the marriage of Hermann and Memorial systems Over the past four years, at least in terms of inpatient capacity, hospital construction has just about kept up with population growth. In 2012, according to the Chronicle's annual hospital survey, there were 386 people in the Houston area per hospital bed. In 2016, there were about 388. And at a time when healthcare reforms are aiming to push more people into preventive rather than intensive care, that may be too many: A Memorial Hermann executive said last year that the city was already "over-bedded." But even if population growth were to stop completely, construction would likely still continue. The primary reason: Competition. Houston is unique among major cities in the sheer number of large medical institutions it hosts. About a dozen major health systems are active here. The Texas Medical Center itself is home to 21 hospitals. Those that aren't major research institutions need to compete for patients and the dollars they bring in. The way they do that, in part, is by making sure they have the shiniest, most modern facilities money can buy -- you wouldn't want to entrust your health to some second-rate surgeon working in a dingy 80's office bloc, would you? RELATED: Katy healthcare expands as oil industry woes linger in background "Generally speaking doctors are struggling with staying on the cutting edge," said Beth Young, a senior vice president at Colliers who specializes in the Houston health care market. "They need to be in places that are new." Fueled by strong investor interest, that creates a kind of perpetual motion machine for medical office construction, both in terms of renovations and in new buildings. Older buildings are abandoned, and sometimes sit vacant for years, such as the former St. Anthony's hospital north of town. But typically, says Young, they find new uses eventually especially as long-term residential rehabilitation facilities. The Texas prison system, for example, has looked at a few properties to house people with addiction problems. And for that type of use, a building past its prime tends to be sufficient. A teenager was taken into custody after he led police on a high-speed chase and plowed into a ditch in a brand new car early Thursday morning in northeast Houston. The incident began about 2 a.m. when officers spotted a BMW driving erratically on Collingsworth near the Eastex Freeway, said Lt. Larry Crowson of the Houston Police Department. They tried to stop the car, but the driver sped away. A former professor at Texas A&M University in Galveston was sentenced to federal prison Thursday for visiting a dark website that featured pornographic images and videos of young children and possessing similar content on devices at his home. And in a related federal case involving a former MD Anderson pediatrician who had also admitted visiting the illegal website, Playpen, the same judge rejected the cancer specialist's request to withdraw his guilty plea. Both cases resulted from an unusual FBI sting in early 2015 in which agents took control of a dark website, inaccessible via traditional search engines, and kept it running while they monitored and tracked the encrypted user profiles of site visitors through hacking software. The effort, dubbed Operation Pacifier, resulted in over 100 federal cases around the country, although defendants in several of those cases have begun to challenge the evidence as being improperly obtained by federal agents. U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. reviewed victim impact statements and ordered Matthew Irwin, 47, to serve just over eight years in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Ken Magidson. He will have limited access to children and the Internet and will be required to register as a sex offender. The judge said he "needed to protect the members of society who could not protect themselves," according to the press release. Irwin's attorney, Mark Diaz, had asked the judge for a reduced sentence of five years, which was still within federal sentencing guidelines. He cited statistics showing that individuals convicted of possessing child pornography but not acting on it have a low rate or re-offending. The judge instead gave Irwin a steeper sentence at the top of the sentencing range. Irwin pleaded guilty on March 22 to receipt and possession of child pornography. Moments after his plea, before the same Galveston judge, the former pediatrician from MD Anderson, Dennis P.M. Hughes, pleaded guilty to similar child pornography charges that also stemmed from Operation Pacifier. Before he could proceed to sentencing, however, Hughes asked to withdraw his guilty plea, citing cases around the county in which defendants had argued that the FBI search warrant for hacking into the Playpen site was too broad. The judge denied Hughes' request Aug. 30, stating the defendant did not establish a "fair and just" reason to withdraw his plea. Irwin, who did not retract his plea, worked as an associate professor of liberal arts for Texas A&M Galveston at the time of his arrest. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at his home on Aug. 6, 2015, and ultimately identified 4,000 images and two videos of clearly young children in sexually explicit situations on his laptop and other devices. Some of the children depicted were known victims as identified through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, according to the news release. Irwin was permitted to remain on bond and agreed to voluntarily surrender to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. Years ago, Texas writer Larry McMurtry described Houston as a city where violence was so commonplace that shootings were roughly akin to sport in certain parts of town and in certain places on a typical Saturday night. Houston police, no doubt, had their hands full back then. If Houstonians were still blase about the sanctity of life, we might have some explanation for the Bayou City's dubious distinction regarding the number of people who have been shot by police. When it comes to Houston cops firing their weapons at people, we're No. 1 - by an eye-opening margin. In an article that appeared in the Chronicle earlier this week, Eva Ruth Moravec reported that police in the state's largest cities shot 159 people in the first year that the state tracked such cases under a groundbreaking new law. Officers in Houston pulled the trigger on 31 of them. In San Antonio and Dallas, the number was eight. Fort Worth and Austin each had five. Granted, Houston is larger, but that disparity is disturbing. And unacceptable. Thanks to state Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas, we now have access to such data and can investigate what the numbers mean, which is exactly what Johnson had in mind. Troubled by the debate over disproportionate use of force against minorities, he was able to pass a law during the 2015 legislative session that requires cities to gather information about all officer-involved shootings. The law is a good first step, although Johnson told reporter Moravec that he is exploring the possibility of amending his law next session to ensure agencies comply (since some are not) and to encourage the state to analyze the data. He also wants to take a closer look at the roles race and mental health play in police shootings, particularly of the unarmed. Meanwhile, Houstonians and other Texans have an obligation to continue monitoring those they entrust to protect and serve, whether that means increased use of body cameras or active and engaged citizen review boards. Monitoring also means insisting that police officers are equipped with the very best training on the use of force. In the words of former police officer Seth Stoughton, writing in The Atlantic magazine, officers must be trained "to think beyond the gun-belt." Stoughton explains: "The pepper spray, baton, Taser and gun that are so easily accessible to officers are meant to be tools of last resort, to be used when non-violent tactics fail or aren't an option. By changing officer training, agencies could start to shift the culture of policing away from the 'frontal assault' mindset and toward an approach that emphasizes preserving the lives that officers are charged with protecting." We would suggest that Houston cops could learn a thing or two from their brothers in blue up Interstate 45. In 2009, citizens filed nearly 150 complaints of excessive force by Dallas police officers; in 2013, after Chief David Brown instituted de-escalation tactics, they filed just 13. Again, note the shooting disparity: Houston, 31; Dallas, 8. That same department we just lauded lost four of its finest in July when they were among five officers ambushed by a sniper during a Black Lives Matter protest. Despite that tragedy, it's unlikely that Dallas cops will be changing their approach to the community they serve. Dallas' problem now - its challenge - is to find a replacement for Chief Brown, who announced his retirement a few days ago. Houston's problem is two-fold: reducing the number of police shootings in this city and hiring a police chief to put in place policies toward that end. Mayor Sylvester Turner gets prickly when he's reminded that this city has gone eight months without a successor to Chief Charles McClelland, who retired in February. The number 31 - 31 police shootings, that is - is one more reason why the mayor needs to get on with the task at hand. There's a raging debate in Texas and our country pitting traditional public schools against public charter schools. Here's a novel thought: What if we approached it from the standpoint of doing both rather than choosing between them? Houston needs high-quality academic choices for every child. These come in the form of quality public school districts (ISDs) and public charter schools. A Texas Tribune study shows that six years after high school, fewer than 20 percent of Harris County's class of 2007 completed any form of higher education - including technical certificate, associate's degree or bachelor's degree. This number drops to 10 percent for low-income students, 11 percent for Hispanic students, and 12 percent of African-American students. This is unacceptable morally and unsustainable economically. If 9 out of every 10 low-income students never go beyond high school, how will the cycle of poverty ever end? And yet, we read and hear continued discourse focused on what type of school our children attend instead of a conversation about the quality of the education inside. We believe the best answer is when ISD and charter school leaders choose to put students' interests first and work together. Already, more than a dozen superintendents have joined in a new coalition, the District Charter Alliance, recognizing our shared goal of excellence for future generations of Houstonians. The Alliance seeks to grow a broad, pro-public-school-student coalition across our city and state. We pledge to make decisions in our schools and within the public policy arena based on what is best for children, including strong support for teachers in our classrooms. And we welcome the involvement of our business community to provide additional support and feedback, ensuring we are preparing our children for success in life well after their years in K-12 schools. We already have the proof points of positive collaboration and competition right here in Houston and across the state. Aldine ISD and YES Prep are co-located on an Aldine campus. In Spring Branch ISD, KIPP Houston and YES Prep have a similar partnership with the district. Spring Branch ISD has taken advantage of the District of Innovation, made possible through a new state law to improve outcomes for students by leveraging existing charter school flexibilities. San Antonio ISD has begun offering its underused or empty school buildings to neighboring public charter schools - rent-free - and district leaders have re-envisioned their college counseling department based on lessons from charter schools. Grand Prairie ISD has a close partnership with Uplift Education, a public charter school. Houston has the infrastructure, community support, economic strength and school-success stories needed to create world-class public schools for all. The District Charter Alliance is calling on our peers in the business, philanthropic, faith-based and school communities to join us in holding each other accountable and ensuring we collectively make student-centered decisions that greatly increase the number of quality seats in schools across our city. Bickering over school labels is outdated, unproductive and not what our children and their families need from us. Muri is superintendent of the Spring Branch Independent School District. Feinberg is co-founder of KIPP schools. Scott McClelland, HEB Houston president and chairman of the Greater Houston Partnership K-12 Committee, also contributed to this commentary. A meeting with state officials for a proposed assisted living facility in Houston has been delayed one week due to a scheduling conflict. Ron Reed, the City of Houstons economic development director, said Thursday morning that there are no issues with the application or the process. He said the Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee simply did not have a room available Monday the initial day set for the certificate of need hearing and has postponed the meeting until Sept. 19. Everything is good. It has nothing to do with the project, Reed said. There was simply a conflict with the room for the board to meet. The hearing is the culmination of nearly 10 years of work to bring an assisted living facility to Houston, Reed said. The proposed 22,000 square foot facility feature 40 beds on a 5 acre lot on Industrial Drive. Rubert and Karen Smith, of Solo, will build, own and administer Country View Assisted Living. If the state approves the project, Reed said ground breaking could begin in early 2017. Missouri law requires all children under the age 8 to be in an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat while riding in a vehicle unless they weigh 80 pounds or are 4-foot-9 in height. Houston Police Department Chief Tim Ceplina announced that city officers are joining in on an aggressive enforcement effort Sept. 18-24 during the Child Passenger Safety Week Law Enforcement campaign. Car crashes are the No. 1 killer of kids, Ceplina said. Nearly 73-percent of all child restraints are not used correctly. Are your kids safe? Ceplina said regular use of child safety seats and safety belts is the most effective way to protect people and reduce motor vehicle fatalities. For more information, log onto www.savemolives.com. A Houston man accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl was released on bond Wednesday with a series of conditions. Jonathan D. Southworth, 29, had been held without bond since Aug. 19 in the Texas County Jail on drug charges that violated his bond release the previous day. Judge Doug Gaston ruled his previously posted bond of $500,000 on charges of second-degree statutory sodomy involving a teen could be applied to his new bond. Gaston set a series of conditions for Southworths release, including no contact with the victim and no use of any social media, including Snapchat, with any person under the age of 18. Other conditions included not possessing a firearm, consenting to searches and chemical testing, urinalysis for the presence of illegal substances up to three times per week, not entering a business or location whose primary purpose is selling alcohol, GPS monitoring and no visitation with any child under 18 without adult supervision. Southworth was represented by Springfield attorney Dee Wampler. Southworth was arrested Aug. 18 for allegedly inappropriately touching a 14-year-old girl following an investigation by the Missouri State Technical Assistance Team (STAT), which investigates crimes against children. The sexual assault allegedly occurred June 17 inside Southworths Houston home. After posting the $500,000 bond, Southworth was arrested again when authorities executed a search warrant at his home. He was charged with felony possession of controlled substance and misdemeanor unlawful use of drug paraphernalia after authorities discovered vials of anabolic steroids and 104 unused hypodermic needles with syringes. 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. Many companies stand to benefit from having more women on their boards. Whats the way forward? Despite advances in gender equality over the last century, we continue to face a gender gap. In many countries (some more than others) differences in access to economic and political opportunity, education, health, and survival between men and women persist. Of course, there are differences in the degree of the gap in different countries; it is lowest in Iceland, Finland, Norway, and Sweden and widest in Iran, Mali, Syria, Pakistan, Chad and Yemen. Boards are a key place where we see this gender gap. Board composition continues to be overwhelmingly male. In the EU, around 17% of board directors of the largest publicly listed companies are women; in the US, women hold about 19% of the directorships of S&P 500 firms yet in Japan it is 1%. Positive impact Studies have documented the positive impact that womens membership on boards makes in terms of company performance. What might explain this? First, women bring a fresh perspective to complex issues. Compared with their male counterparts, women board members are more likely to take active roles on boards, challenging issues and asking difficult questions. Second, women may bring a deeper understanding of certain markets and of consumers than their male colleagues. A third reason may be that women tend to be more flexible and better able to manage ambiguous situations. A recent meta-an... In todays volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world, employees are looking for organizations that honor people, planet and profits, and leaders are looking for organizational frameworks that increase engagement, productivity and performance. The place where these groups intersect is evolving as a new landscape for how businesses of the future may operate and succeed. In this conversation, we speak with Michelle Maldonado, Associate Vice President of Corporate and Strategic Relationships for American Public University and the Co-Founder and Chair of the Northern Virginia Conscious Business Alliance, about the fundamental principles of Conscious Capitalism and how they are shaping the modern workplace and the next generation of leaders, culture and community. Q: What is Conscious Capitalism? Michelle: John Mackey, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Whole Foods Market nicely captures the essence and framework of Conscious Capitalism by describing it as a more complex form of capitalism that reflects and leverages the interdependent nature of life and all of the stakeholders in a business. Q: What are the four principles of Conscious Capitalism, and what are some high performing organizations putting them into practice? Michelle: There are four key principles of Conscious Capitalism that present a guiding framework for operating a healthy and sustainably successful organization. Today, numerous organizations are embracing Conscious... ple are undoubtedly one of the most valuable assets in a business and youd be hard pressed to find a CEO who thinks otherwise. With this perspective however, you would think that CEOs typically devote enough time to HR in order to make a difference.Unfortunately, a major study has found a real mismatch between what CEOs say and what they do with regards to the HR field.HRD Magazines 2016 Asia-Pacific HR Report asked over 3,000 HR professionals about the amount of time they saw their CEOs spending on HR-related issues and how much time they though they actually should spend.While 46% of respondents said their CEOs spent less than 10% of their time on HR-related matters, 56% said this should lie between 11% and 50% instead.A mere 13% thought CEOs should spend less than 10% of their time on HR.Only 26% felt senior management was always supportive of HR, highlighting the disconnect between the level of CEO support offered and the amount of help HR actually needs.In their open responses, participants highlighted how essential the CEO is to the HR function.My CEO is very HR-centric and is the driving force behind HR strategies to build an engaged and dynamic workforce to achieve the company vision, one survey participant said.Another included some tips as to how CEOs can provide greater support to HR.Results improve dramatically when the CEO is in the field, talks with (not to) employees, understands HR and what it can bring to the business, and sees what the day-to-day operations of the business look like. Former Liberal minister Hunter Tootoo says the prime minister offered him a hug and supportive words after learning of his alcohol addiction and "inappropriate" workplace relationship earlier this year. On Wednesday, Tootoo told Peter Mansbridge of CBC's The National that his confession which happened during a private meeting in May caught Justin Trudeau off guard. Advertisement "I surprised him, I surprised everyone," the Nunavut MP, 52, told the network. "I knew I had to go in there and let him know my decision and what happened. I was going in knowing that I had let him down." Tootoo added that Trudeau didn't try to stop the him from leaving the Liberal caucus, along with his position as the fisheries minister, but did encourage him to seek help. Hunter Tootoo speaks at the Kitsilano Coast Guard facility in Vancouver, B.C. in December 2015. (Photo: Darryl Dyck/CP) Advertisement "He gave me a hug. He's an amazing individual." When Tootoo initially stepped down in the spring, he attributed his departure to substance abuse. "This was his own choice, after a very difficult situation. We will have nothing else to say on this matter," Trudeau told reporters following the resignation. The brief comments were a stark contrast to the support the prime minister offered Liberal MP Seamus O'Regan in January, when the rookie politician checked into rehab. Rumours that there was more to Tootoo's departure began swirling around shortly thereafter. "He gave me a hug. He's an amazing individual." Tootoo returned to work as an independent MP in July. Soon after, he revealed that a "consensual but inappropriate" relationship with an unidentified person in the workplace had also contributed to his resignation from caucus. "I am ashamed and I apologize to all involved, especially the people of Nunavut. I am deeply sorry," he said during in a news conference in August. Tootoo acknowledged that the prime minister had been informed of the relationship, but said Trudeau had kept it secret in order to protect the staffer's identity. Advertisement The Prime Minister's Office, once again, was largely mum on the issue. In a statement issued after Tootoo's second admission, it said only that the MP "took full and sole responsibility for his inappropriate workplace conduct." Also on HuffPost A North Dakota couple has defied the odds and welcomed three kids in three years on the exact same day. On Sept. 1, Lauren and Seth Stevenson welcomed their third child, Henry. That same day, the infants older siblings, Axel and Tommie, celebrated their second and first birthdays, respectively. Wow. I couldn't believe it because it's pretty uncommon to have three kids a year apart on the same day, the 23-year-old mom said. I just couldn't believe it. Just the day God picked for us to have our babies on. Advertisement What are the odds? Couple welcomes third child born on same day for third straight year: https://t.co/riyQPODh0Tpic.twitter.com/8VWGwHwDA2 Good Morning America (@GMA) September 6, 2016 Originally, the couple was expecting their newest addition to be born on Sept. 4. However, their little one clearly had other plans. And it wasnt just the Stevensons who were surprised by the coincidental births. Dr. William Lowe, who delivered all three of the couples boys, was stunned as well. During his 50-year career at CHI St. Alexius Health, he has never seen an occurrence like this. Generally people do not get pregnant that quickly in order to be at due date by the next year, he told Today.com via email. However, he added that it was an honour to participate in caring for [Lauren] throughout the pregnancies. Advertisement According to the Dickinson Press, three is a meaningful number for the Stevensons. Not only did Lauren and Seth meet in 2013, but they dated for three months and had a three-day engagement. Generally people do not get pregnant that quickly in order to be at due date by the next year. While the couple never planned to have their kids so close together, let alone born on the same day, they have an inkling of how the coincidence came to be. Turns out, all three kids were likely conceived on the same day. New Year's Eve is always a fun evening, Lauren told Today.com. You know, you go out... have a few drinks, and then one thing leads to another... and here we are with three kids! The couple hopes to have another child in the future, but for now, they are enjoying their kids while theyre young. I think we're going to give ourselves a little of a break so we can watch our kids grow for a few years, and then maybe go from there, Lauren said. Advertisement Surprisingly, the Stevensons arent the only couple who has welcomed three boys, three years in a row. Virginia mom Shalonda Dominique welcomed her three sons Tre, Santana and Harlem all on March 13, consecutively starting in 2013. ALSO ON HUFFPOST: Canada lost 7,000 export companies during last crisis Economy hasnt been this idle since Great Recession As oil and exports fizzle, dependence on housing grows The head of RBC has openly said what some economists have been quietly arguing for some time now: Canadas economy is in the throes of an identity crisis. And it's going to take serious time to recover. Advertisement With oil prices in the dumps, businesses had been looking for the country to make a great rotation to non-oil exports, boosted by a lower loonie. But, as recent data has shown, this isnt happening. Canada is running record-high trade deficits, buying far more from the world than we sell to it. Why? Because during the last recession, as the loonie sat at parity with the U.S. dollar, our non-energy export economy was decimated. Today, the businesses simply aren't there to do the exporting. As David McKay, the chief executive of Royal Bank of Canada, noted in a Bloomberg TV interview Wednesday, the country lost 7,000 export firms during the Great Recession of 2008-09. Advertisement These were heavy manufacturing industries, and service industries, and those products and customers havent come back, he said. So the economy has had to reinvent itself create new customers and new markets with new products and new manufacturing capability. And that takes time. That can take a decade, that can take 15 years. In the meantime, Canadas economy is likely to be more idle than it usually is. A new report from National Bank Financial estimates we are producing only four-fifths as much as we could be; the capacity utilization rate in the second quarter of this year was just 80 per cent, down from a peak of 86 per cent a decade ago. It's the lowest level since 2010, when the country was still dragging itself out of recession. That slack does not bode well for investment spending, particularly in sectors plagued by weak profits, e.g. resources, NBF economist Krishen Rangasamy wrote. Business investment is the key driver of job growth; its weakness recently helps explain Canada's unimpressive employment numbers. Advertisement With oil on the outs, Canadas economy is growing increasingly dependent on the one thing thats still booming: Housing, particularly in the hot markets of Toronto and Vancouver. BMO Capital Economics noted in a recent client note that residential construction alone makes up 7.7 per cent of Canadas economy, "above the prior highs set in the late-1980s and in 2007." McKay said businesses are looking for a more confident, clear picture of the economy before moving ahead with investment. Advertisement So all this volatiliy in economic numbers, all this debate about Are we on a solid footing causes people to hold back. So its very much a confidence-driven issue. How should Canada reinvent its economy? What could we be doing that we arent doing today? Tell us your ideas in the comments below. Also on HuffPost Passengers on a cruise ship sailing into Victoria, B.C. got quite a shock recently when the boat unexpectedly tilted several degrees to the side. YouTube footage from passengers on the Carnival Legend shows dishes breaking, swimming pools draining, and people holding onto poles. Advertisement "I thought we were going to crash because there was a lot of screaming and crying," passenger Mark Woodward told Inside Edition. Water from swimming pools on upper decks of the Carnival Legend spilled onto balconies when the ship listed suddenly to the side Aug. 29. (Photo: Inside Edition/Screenshot) Randy Gibbs said he tried to calm his kids down. I grabbed life-jackets and a bed sheet to tie us together if we went over, Gibbs, from Puyallup, Wash., told the Times Colonist. Advertisement The ship was on a week-long cruise to Alaska on Aug. 29 when a technical problem with the steering gear caused it to list about eight degrees, Carnival Cruise Line told the newspaper. The vessel was transporting 2,000 passengers and crew, but only minor injuries were reported. Passengers on the Carnival Legend held onto poles and one another when the ship listed to the side. (Photo: Inside Edition/Screenshot) At no point were guests or crew in danger," spokeswoman Jennifer De La Cruz said in a statement obtained by CHEK News. After three or four minutes, the ship was right side up again. The Carnival Legend docked in Victoria two hours behind schedule, and no one was permitted to go ashore, according to the statement. Advertisement The vessel arrived as planned in Seattle on Tuesday. Water from swimming pools sloshes around on a deck of the Carnival Legend on Aug. 29. (Photo: Inside Edition/Screenshot) One passenger told the website Cruise Law News in an email that the ship's guest services told them this had never happened before on the vessel, but after doing some research, the passenger discovered it's not uncommon on cruise ships. "However, generally it is a weather event which this was not," the passenger wrote. "Only Carnival can manage to have an incident in near perfect weather and seas." A technical issue in 2013 led the Carnival Legend to cancel a scheduled stop in Grand Cayman and head instead to its final destination in Florida. Also on HuffPost Amazing Cruise Ship Cabins See Gallery Backlit in @csiriano for the #AmbiGala tonight. Glam by the one and only @veronicachu. Check my insta story for more. A photo posted by Coco Rocha (@cocorocha) on Sep 7, 2016 at 2:59pm PDT OTTAWA Conservative MPs are heading to Atlantic Canada next week where the party was completely shut out in the last election. They hope to remind voters in Halifax that the Tories haven't forgotten them and to plan for the upcoming sitting of Parliament. It's the first summer caucus meeting outside of Ottawa in years. Under prime minister Stephen Harper, Conservative MPs met on Parliament Hill rather than in Canadian locales as the Liberals and NDP do. Advertisement Interim Tory Leader Rona Ambrose speaks to delegates during the 2016 Conservative Party Convention in Vancouver, B.C. on May 26, 2016. (Photo: Darryl Dyck/CP) Jamie Baillie, leader of the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative party, says he's thrilled to welcome the federal caucus and believes it's part of the "new tone" coming from interim party leader Rona Ambrose. "Our region did not an elect a single Conservative MP, and yet they have chosen Atlantic Canada to do their first caucus outside the national capital. I certainly appreciate that," he told The Huffington Post Canada in a phone interview. "I believe it is a sincere attempt to reach out to our region of the country." Advertisement On Tuesday, Baillie and local Tories will take part in a fundraising lobster dinner with the federal team at Murphy's the Cable Wharf. Ambrose is the guest speaker. 'We are already being taken for granted' The Nova Scotia PC leader is also scheduled to address the federal caucus along with other Tory opposition leaders from New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. Their message, he said, will be that they need a strong opposition voice for the Atlantic region in Ottawa. "We are already being taken for granted," Baillie told HuffPost. "The Atlantic Canada Opportunities minister has been moved to Toronto, our Supreme Court seat is no longer guaranteed unlike every other region of the country. "Our problem is that we have 32 silent MPs it's like the silence of the lambs whenever these things are happening to our region and four compliant Liberal premiers. I just don't think it's healthy for democracy." Baillie said he finds it very frustrating to read in the media that there is little or no opposition to things such as the potential loss of the Supreme Court seat historically set aside for an Atlantic Canadian because there is no one in a position of power speaking out. Advertisement Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative leader Jamie Baillie delivers his party's platform in Halifax on Sept. 11, 2013. (Photo: Andrew Vaughan/CP) "There is some pretty strong opposition, some pretty strong feelings about that issue, about health transfers, about ACO [Agency] in Atlantic Canada, but because there is no elected federal opposition voice, you don't always see it." Ontario MP Erin O'Toole said the federal caucus was pretty much unanimous in agreeing to hold its meetings in Nova Scotia. Ontario MP Lisa Raitt a Cape Breton native who got married there last week pushed passionately for Sydney, N.S., O'Toole said, but he fought for Halifax, where he served in the Canadian Forces, went to law school and where his wife is from. Get ready, he said, to hear lots about the caucus members' local ties. "We want to show to our supporters down there, to our former colleagues who lost, and our networks there, that by no means are we giving up on a single seat in Atlantic Canada," he told HuffPost. "The biggest disappointment of last October was that we didn't keep at least a foothold," he added. Advertisement The Conservatives continue to have "good support" in traditional Tory ridings, O'Toole said, "it's just that, in a change election, that was the epicentre of change." Erin O'Toole speaks at a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., on March 17, 2015. (Photo: Darryl Dyck/CP) "You can sweep in, but just as quickly you can be swept out," he added, noting how Liberal prime minister Jean Chretien won every seat but one in the 1993 election but lost 21 seats four years later in the region. To showcase the party's commitment to Atlantic Canada, MPs who are paired with Nova Scotia ridings O'Toole's "buddy riding", for example, is SackvillePrestonChezzetcook will take the opportunity to visit. A few months ago, each Conservative MP was buddied up with at least one riding to help local electoral district associations that no longer have an MP or haven't had one in many years to raise funds and organize. Advertisement The Tories also plan to have a little bit of fun. Halifax hospitality is legendary, O'Toole noted, and since a third of the Conservative caucus are new MPs, it's a perfect opportunity for colleagues to bond. The fall agenda Behind-closed doors, however, the Tories' focus will be on the fall sitting in Parliament. They plan to draw attention to what they call "Liberals entitlements" and continue to concentrate on security and economic matters. Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer said the party will hold the Liberals' feet to the fire to get the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement signed and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement concluded. The Tories are concerned by the lack of a jobs plan, Scheer said, and they will push hard to promote energy development and get a pipeline built. Pointing to the National Energy Board's decision to suspend hearings two weeks ago after protesters in Montreal charged a meeting room, Scheer said the Liberals embolden activists by saying the government needs to get everyone's buy-in before Energy East, for example, can be approved. "This is the problem with inventing a new term such as 'social licence,'" he said. Advertisement Andrew Scheer speaks during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill on May 11, 2016. (Photo: Sean Kilpatrick/CP) In the House of Commons, the Tories will remind voters that everything Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised his deficits would create "the prosperity, opportunity, growing the middle class" has so far just created "a whole lot of red ink," Scheer said. "When people are losing their jobs, and continuing to see those negative economic indicators, there are a lot of families that are stressed out with no sense of compassion or concern by this government they are just ploughing ahead with their ideological agenda." The party will also continue to call for a referendum on any changes to the electoral system, Scheer added, and push for a vote in Parliament on the upcoming peacekeeping mission. "We want to show to our supporters down there, to our former colleagues who lost, and our networks there, that by no means are we giving up on a single seat in Atlantic Canada." Tory MP Erin O'Toole In late August, during the Liberals' caucus meeting in Saguenay, Que., the federal government announced that Ottawa is preparing to spend $450 million over three years to send up to 600 Canadian Forces personnel and up to 150 police officers and support staff to an unidentified, potentially dangerous, mission in Africa. During the Tories' caucus session, the party's critics will give presentations about issues that have developed over the summer, and MPs will do some long term planning on policy areas they want to push. There will also be feedback sessions with MPs, who have been in their ridings for several months. "It's an opportunity to develop some solid policy proposals for the next little bit and identify areas that they have to connect with Canadians on," Scheer said. Leadership race is heating up On the sidelines of caucus, however, much of the chatter is expected to be about the Tories' leadership race. There are only five official candidates so far: MPs and former cabinet ministers Maxime Bernier, Michael Chong, Tony Clement, Kellie Leitch, and Deepak Obhrai. Advertisement Leitch recently grabbed national headlines for saying potential immigrants and visitors to Canada should be screened for what she called "anti-Canadian values." Several of her Tory colleagues, including other leadership candidates, condemned her comments suggesting she was pitting Canadians against each other and hurting the Conservatives chances to rebuild support with immigrant communities. Saskatchewan MP Brad Trost and Toronto-based communications consultant Adrienne Snow also declared their intentions to run for the leadership over the summer but haven't officially become candidates. Former MP Peter MacKay arrives for the funeral service for MP Elsie Wayne at RiverCross Church in Saint John, NB, on Aug. 27, 2016. (Photo: James West/CP) Other potential candidates, include Scheer as well as O'Toole, Raitt, Manitoba MP Candice Bergen and B.C. MP Andrew Saxton. Advertisement All eyes, however, remain on the local boy former Conservative MP, cabinet minister and Progressive Conservative leader Peter MacKay. He has promised to make a decision "soon." No matter what happens with the race, Scheer told HuffPost, all the leadership candidates are committed to fulfilling their parliamentary responsibilities. "Even those who have been in the race for quite a while, they make a point to get to the votes, to do their job on behalf of their constituents," he said, "so I'm confident that we will still have that commitment from the leadership candidates." The Conservative party is planning two leadership debates this fall. The first on Nov. 10 in Saskatoon and a second in Moncton, N.B., on Dec. 6. Also on HuffPost Conservative Leadership Candidates See Gallery The Liberal government will not hold a vote in Parliament before possibly deploying hundreds of troops for United Nations peacekeeping operations, two senior ministers say. International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau told The Huffington Post Quebec this week that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will make the final call about a future mission with his ministers, not members of Parliament. Advertisement "The decision will be taken at the cabinet committee," Bibeau said in an interview Tuesday. Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, Prime Minister Trudeau, and Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion appear at press conference in Ottawa on Feb. 8. (Photo: Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press) She did suggest, however, that there could still be a debate in the House of Commons. Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said much the same to The Globe and Mail Thursday, pointing to the mandate Liberals received from voters last year to revive Canada's peacekeeping tradition. "We will be deciding in cabinet and moving forward as quickly as possible," Sajjan told the paper. Sajjan made the remarks at the United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial in London. Though he announced Canada will host the summit next year, Sajjan did not provide any more details about where troops could soon be deployed. Advertisement Canada has already pledged to make up to 600 troops available for UN peacekeeping operations, with Africa as the expected destination. Missions in Mali, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have all been highlighted as possible spots for Canadian troops. Mali is considered to be the most dangerous of the destinations. More than 100 peacekeepers have been killed in the West African country since 2013. The government has also pledged $450-million over three years for peace operations. Liberals allowed vote on ISIL mission While deploying troops is an executive decision for Trudeau and his cabinet, former prime minister Stephen Harper made a point of seeking the support of MPs in such situations. Liberals also allowed a debate and vote last March on the governments revamped mission against the so-called Islamic State. Conservatives and New Democrats voted against the plan, which included pulling Canada's CF-18s from the fight. While largely a formality considering Liberals hold a majority of seats in the House, a debate and vote would give opposition parties the chance to formally voice displeasure or offer their support to the governments plan. Advertisement Government not being transparent: Tories Conservatives have been pushing the Trudeau government to commit to a full debate and vote, and have already accused Liberals of not being transparent. At a press conference in Ottawa Thursday, Tory defence critic James Bezan said troops shouldnt be sent to war zones to "fulfil the prime ministers personal aspirations" of winning a seat on the UN Security Council. Shortly after, Bezan released a statement with associate defence critic Pierre Paul-Hus saying it was disappointing Canadians still lack "a clear understanding" of the role troops will play. "The Liberals must clearly lay out the details and risks of the mission before deploying Canadian personnel to a war zone," it read. With files from The Canadian Press, Catherine Levesque Also on HuffPost Current MPs With Military Experience (2016) See Gallery The 2016 Toronto International Film Festival has officially kicked off, and you can bet all the stars are heading to Hollywood North, including Ms. Pamela Anderson. The 49-year-old Canadian actress attended the AMBI Gala at the Ritz-Carlton in Toronto Wednesday evening, and we have to say, this may be one of her best looks yet. Advertisement Wearing a stunning pink floor-length Gauri and Nainika gown with a rose motif at the bust, the former "Baywatch" star oozed of elegance and glam, especially with her white satin evening gloves. For her beauty look, Pam pulled her signature blond locks into a chic chignon, with wavy tendrils framing her face. Dramatic smoky eyes and glossy pink lips completed the look. Advertisement During the dinner, Anderson took to the stage with the evening's host, Martin Short, who was dressed as Jiminy Glick, for a one-on-one interview. While indulging in a few donuts, Pam revealed her beauty secret: "Donuts and sex," she told Short with a giggle. Also in attendance for the gala was honorary co-chair, James Franco, Canadian supermodel Coco Rocha, boxer Mike Tyson, actor William Baldwin, Grammy-award winning songstress Thelma Houston and Toronto socialite, Sylvia Mantella. The annual event, whose sponsors this year included Swarovski and Grey Goose, aims to raise proceeds for charities in the community, with this year's funds going to Children's Aid Foundation and UforChange. For more photos from the evening, check out the gallery below: AMBI Gala 2016 See Gallery Advertisement RCMP in P.E.I. were able to locate two alleged thieves thanks to a Tim Hortons card. Police said in a statement Wednesday that a 37-year-old male and 52-year-old female from Summerside were arrested and charged in a string of thefts from vehicles. Advertisement TimCards: they can either get you a double double or land you in some double trouble.* (Photo: Tim Hortons) Mounties were able to zero in on the pair's location after the two used a TimCard that belonged to a woman vacationing from Alberta. The woman's phone, which was connected to the gift card through an app, notified her of the couple's transactions when they "repeatedly" used it at a branch in Cavendish. She told the RCMP, who eventually caught up with the two and arrested them. And yes, her TimCard was recovered. The two face charges of mischief, theft and possession of stolen property. *The writer of this "joke" has been reprimanded. Half of all the worlds refugees are children, according to a new UNICEF report released Wednesday. The humanitarian organization says nearly 50 million children have been uprooted around the world because of war or poverty. Of that, 28 million kids have been forced to flee from their homes because of conflicts not of their making. The number of child refugees has also doubled between 2005 and 2015. Advertisement In this image taken from video provided by the Syrian anti-government activist group Aleppo Media Center, a child sits in an ambulance after being pulled out of a building hit by an airstrike in August. They are a few of the key findings highlighted in UNICEFs 129-page Uprooted report focused on the plight of refugee and migrant children. UNICEFs executive director evoked a recent indelible image of five-year-old Omran Daqneesh stunned and bloodied in an ambulance to warn people against turning complacent amid an ongoing humanitarian crisis. Advertisement The moment passes the news cycles move on. But the danger and desperation that drive so many children and families to flee their homes are not moving on, Anthony Lake wrote. Hours after the reports release, the sobering report didnt even make the cut as a Facebook trending topic. UNICEF Canada said its not discouraged that a report highlighting how half of all refugees are now children isnt considered a hot topic of conversation. The fact that the report did not trend on social media is not an indication of its significance, but rather in how much harder we must work to raise awareness and encourage action for these uprooted children, spokeswoman Stefanie Carmichael told The Huffington Post Canada on Thursday. Advertisement She praised Canadians for their unprecedented goodwill and generosity in response to the Syrian crisis. We encourage Canadians to continue supporting these vulnerable children both online and off, she said. Feds can do better: UNICEF Canada Canada tops the United States when it comes to hosting migrants in relation to each countrys overall population. A child tries an ice cream in Abu Shock IDPs camp in Al Fashir, capital of North Darfur, Sudan on Sept. 6. (Photo: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters) Advertisement But some of Canadas migrant detention practices have come under fire in recent years, including detaining children. According to advocacy group No One Is Illegal, an average of 807 children are held each year in Canada. UNICEF Canada wants the federal government to ban the detention of kids by the Canada Border Services Agency especially if theyre asylum seekers or refugees. Children should be reunited with parents or guardians wherever possible, as quickly as possible, the organization told HuffPost Canada. Canadas immigration policy can strengthen bonds to family and nation, and serve as a model of best practice to the world. We are doing the very best we can humanly do. Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale told a Senate committee in May that his department is working now on a number of very important revisions to issues related to detention in our immigration and border system. Advertisement Agencies like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees have given Canada pretty high marks, but I want to ensure that we are doing the very best we can humanly do, he said at the time. Later this month, U.S. President Barack Obama will host a United Nations leaders summit on refugees where Canada and five other countries will co-host. Also on HuffPost If you were to walk around the Vancouver neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant, you would notice the plethora of new businesses - an eclectic and vibrant mix of craft breweries, coffee roasters, clothing manufacturers, video game creators and digital media companies. But what these new creative businesses represent is a new kind of industry, one that is going to redefine how we design and live in our city. Back in the 40s, Mount Pleasant was the industrial heartland of the city, home to heavy industry, trucks and toxic fumes. There are a few relics of that era left, but they are quickly disappearing or moving to other parts of the Lower Mainland, leaving Mount Pleasant as a new hub for creative, intellectual manufacturing. Advertisement This is a massive transformation, but it's not just happening in Vancouver. Other cities across North America - San Francisco, New York, Toronto - are witnessing a similar return of urban manufacturing to their inner cities, redefining industrial real estate development. But in Mount Pleasant, it's happening now and it's happening fast. So it makes a great case study in how we define industrial and what it means that old school industry is giving way to a new, creative, intellectual industry. Here, the resurgence of locally made products as well as a vibrant new community of like-minded businesses has everyone rushing to set up shop. That's because in this neighborhood, we really are re-imagining industry. We are revitalizing and redeveloping older, obsolete, industrial buildings that once housed chrome plating plants and welding shops and transforming them for modern times, adding density, jobs and a diversity of businesses. Economic diversity is important to the city's vitality and resilience. When things are made locally, there's a sense of civic pride, quality, a special tie to products made close to home. We are not losing industry - it's just changing and we need to adapt. Here's an example. The former Hudson Plating site, contaminated from 50 years of operating heavy manufacturing equipment and currently employing 20 people, is now being revitalized, re-imagined, cleaned up and will soon be home to a new building occupied by over 350 people. That's a new gain of over 330 jobs. In Vancouver, people are often bemoaning the lack and disappearance of industrial land. But one solution is to re-imagine old industrial buildings into new industrial product. To take older, lower density buildings and turn them into business hubs. It's not the only solution. There are many other things that need to happen to protect the industrial jobs that remain key to the regional economy. But projects like Lightworks and what will emerge at the old Hudson Plating site are examples of how industry is changing and how cities can best adapt and address the needs of the new creative class. Advertisement Whenever there are changes, there are the stalwarts who resist change. The City of Vancouver is recognizing the need for changing definitions of industrial uses by applying amendments to zoning in Mount Pleasant that redefine digital and high tech operations as allowable industrial activity. This has some critics concerned these are not "real" industries. Who says? What defines industrial use today? Is a computer designer manufacturing a product industrial? Is a video game producer? Today, the value add proposition for businesses is being done not by hand, but intellectually, with our minds. This change will only accelerate as new technologies emerge. DHX Media COO Ace Fipke recently told The Globe and Mail he has moved to Mount Pleasant to be in the city's new creative-tech hub. The area, he says, is great for employees, close to transit and bike routes. Close to downtown but not in it. Offering great breweries and cafes. His argument? The company is manufacturing intellectual property. His is not a traditional office. He needs sound stages, mixing theatres, editing suites and more. "You could almost call it an industrial pipeline," he said. Today's industry is about sharing knowledge, creativity and manufacturing technology rather than just resources. There's a sense of optimism and revival and an excitement about the possibilities that the companies in Mount Pleasant share. And the neighborhood has become a showcase of the new urban model now emerging, in what Harvard Business Review has called "innovation districts" or "geographic areas where leading-edge anchor institutions and companies cluster and connect with start-ups, business incubators and accelerators. Compact, transit-accessible and technically-wired, innovation districts foster open collaboration, grow talent and offer mixed-used housing, office and retail." Chris Wattie / Reuters Liberal leader Justin Trudeau speaks during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa May 12, 2015. REUTERS/Chris Wattie "It's not that global warming is like a world war. It is a world war. And we are losing. " In his latest longform piece, Bill McKibben makes a pretty compelling argument that climate change has decisively moved from a threat on the horizon to a battle that is already here on our doorsteps, in our living rooms and rampaging through our streets. His argument is simple: if this is a war, we need a wartime-scaled mobilization to confront it. In the article, he lays out a comparison of what that could mean for the United States, but what about in Canada? Advertisement Canada entered the Second World War on Sept. 10, 1939. Three days later, on September 13, the Department of Munitions and Supply Act was given assent by Parliament, creating the Department of Munitions and Supply, a new government ministry led by Liberal Member of Parliament Clarence Decatur "C. D." Howe. From that moment forward, Canada's industrial engine turned into high gear. Over the course of the war Canada produced over 800,000 military transport vehicles; 50,000 tanks; 40,000 field, naval, and anti-aircraft guns; and 1,700,000 small arms. Shipyards turned out 348 10,000-ton merchant ships, crucial for moving supplies across the Atlantic, employing 57,000 people over the course of the war. Another 27,000 were employed in naval shipbuilding and retrofitting. Over 16,000 military aircraft were assembled in Canada by the end of the war. But while all this is impressive, perhaps even more is that the majority of this production went to other Allied militaries. In fact, by the end of the war, 70 per cent of Canada's industrial production was going to other nations, with only 30 per cent being used by by the Canadian military. Looking at the fight to stop climate change, one could argue that tradition has continued, but with an unfortunate inversion. Canada is a net exporter of fossil fuels. Over the course of one week this January, Canada sent 3.4 million barrels of crude a day beyond its borders, a record-breaking high. Advertisement With these exports, we're also exporting emissions, and that's how Canada's fossil fuel industry makes the argument that Canada accounts for only around one per cent of global emissions -- because they don't count the emissions from actually burning the fuel. It's also why, when you account for lifecycle emissions, the tar sands give Alberta per capita greenhouse gas emissions that are on par with, if not higher than any other country in the world. Put into the metaphor of a world war, instead of exporting support for the good guys, something Canada excelled at during the Second World War, we're aiding and abetting the Axis of warming. In our government's decade-long push to build tar sands export pipelines, Canada aligned on the wrong side of this climate world war. It's not necessarily malicious, but simply a refusal to accept the uncompromising physics of climate change. Since his election in the fall of 2015, Justin Trudeau has become less the pipeline pusher that Stephen Harper was, and more of the fossil fuel industry appeaser. Championing Alberta's climate plan, Canada has offered the fossil fuel industry it's own Sudetenland, a 30MT expansion of the tar sands and at least one pipeline. Their argument is textbook Chamberlain -- that the aggressor will relent under their own power if given just a little space to grow. It didn't work with the Nazis in 1937, and it won't work with the fossil fuel industry. According to a report from Influence Map, the fossil fuel industry continues to spend nearly $115 million a year lobbying against climate legislation. They're doing it because, according to the Carbon Tracker initiative, even meeting the Paris climate agreement's goals could strand over $2.2 trillion dollars that fossil fuel companies are spending and planning to spend on new and existing fossil fuel projects. Advertisement Knowing this, a better idea might be for Canada to get on the right side of history and start passing smarter policy by articulating exactly what the science is saying -- we need to leave fossil fuels in the ground. If we started there, with a declaration of our outright opposition to the Axis powers of warming, not only could Canada do the right thing, but we could open the doors for a WWII style retooling of our economy that could see Canada play an outsized role in solving the climate crisis, the same sort of role Canada played in the Second World War. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Cathy Elliott The toxic headlines, the comment sections, the conversations with "helpful" strangers, the radio call-ins...the environment that provokes racism and provides discourse that is potentially deadly; how does a young indigenous youth process and proceed? Advertisement It's hard enough just being a "native teen." When you're locked down in "Indian" designation, you have to cope with the confusion, fear, anger and anguish that you are exposed to every day. The mental anguish caused by this is real. This reality was exacerbated recently when tweets, Facebook groups, politicians and other forums began talking about a young indigenous man who was murdered on a farm in Saskatchewan. Some of the things written about this tragedy are beyond distressing. They are triggering, harmful and dangerous. They incite hateful behaviour, and the initial self-preserving response by indigenous individuals is either to lash out or hide from them. A teen or child living in this toxic environment is already dealing with poor education, missed economic opportunities and generational trauma. In a time when we are all talking about Reconciliation and forgiveness, it's hard to raise your head when you read, "His only mistake was leaving three witnesses." And people are actually agreeing with him, saying things like, "It's open season on Indians." The mental anguish caused by this is real. It's not just your imagination when you see the vitriolic discourse by people with real names, real email addresses and photos on their Facebook comments. It means that they don't care what people think. It's a full-on assault on every young indigenous person's well-being. Advertisement What kind of mechanisms and supports are there for young people? The arts, along with cultural teachings do help. Here's how: Kids speak up. Give the kids a fighting chance by providing a forum in which to speak up about themselves to the general population. When DAREarts held workshops last June with Attawapiskat First Nation students and teachers about media attention, the youths turned the camera on their community and ended their music video with, "Hi Canada." They wrote a song -- Walking For Peace -- that voiced their concerns about their futures, their community and their mental health. They were honest with themselves by talking about suicide among their young friends, siblings, cousins and distant relations. The resulting video was seen by 4,500 viewers in two months. They used their voices to celebrate their strength and reach out to the rest of us, to see the "good side of Atta, to be the good things that matta." Kids Kill the Stereotypes. The Internet has become the biggest community in history, hooking up Canadian indigenous kids through social media with kids all over the world. When someone uses racist language, youths can choose to organize their emotions and answer back in a positive, even humorous way. We can learn from the kids about what they fear and desire. Through poetry, music, art, video and theatre, they answer to and dispel the stereotypes that weigh them down and drain their potential for success. They learn how to use art to turn back the negative feelings and make art with it and provide real facts, real impressions of their lives, inner and out. Kids Channel Anger Art is the best, best, BEST way to put down a hater. It may not get through to the person who initiated the anger, but it will vent that anger in a positive way. People invent things, make positive historical decisions, cure diseases, save the planet by first becoming angry. Nothing wrong with being angry. But if that anger stays inside and doesn't have an outlet, it festers. And that kind of anger creates illnesses, both mental and physical, which can kill. Ask any indigenous artist, worldwide, if they were angry when they created their best works. Nothing is more powerful than an angry artist. Advertisement Kids Become Teachers. By being proactive, kids create the answers through art and when they need it, it's right there. In a picture. In a video. In a poem. In 2014, Grades 5 - 8 students in a DAREarts project collectively wrote about water, land and concerns about their First Nation home in a poem called, "The Land Speaks", which they turned into a music video using dioramas and their voices. Their message is disturbing in a good way. We can learn from the kids about what they fear and desire. This messaging comes from them, unprompted and looped back by their Elders. The confirmation of their inherent knowledge by their cultural Elders is invaluable. Vital. Especially when a comment comes up on a newspaper article about defending our planet and their way of life. Screenshot from the film "The Land Speaks" One of the saddest headlines I've read recently is that Northern Ontario First Nations students are afraid to go to school in Thunder Bay this fall. After the inquiry that examined the deaths of First Nations teens over the last several years there, the cloud of fear and mistrust floats heavily in the air. It's not going to be easy to disperse. But, for the anxiety and dark feelings that indigenous youth are experiencing, collaborative art with artists who have a deep understanding of the issues at hand, and Elders who use wisdom and traditional/non-traditional practices, there is a way to break it down a little. And that in itself can save lives. If you or someone you know is at risk please contact your nearest Crisis Centre or call Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 to speak to a counsellor. Frame Of Mind is a new series inspired by The Maddie Project that focuses on teens and mental health. The series will aim to raise awareness and spark a conversation by speaking directly to teens who are going through a tough time, as well as their families, teachers and community leaders. We want to ensure that teens who are struggling with mental illness get the help, support and compassion they need. If you would like to contribute a blog to this series, please email cablogteam@huffingtonpost.com Advertisement ALSO ON HUFFPOST: Frame of Mind: Youth Mental Health Issues And Suicide In Canada See Gallery Electric_Crayon via Getty Images EPS 8 AI file. Vector Illustration of United States map with projected electoral states. Each of the states are grouped into separate shapes which can be easily edited. This year's U.S. presidential election has revitalized a moribund industry: Electoral College reform. Often criticized as an outdated, antiquated remnant of 18th century politics, the Electoral College is viewed by many as potentially thwarting the will of the American people. But before amending the Constitution to provide for a popular vote system, it would be wise to consider what might result. Some have already examined the possible effects on electoral dynamics such an amendment could have, from the weakening of America's two-party system to a reduction in targeted campaigning. Depending on your point of view, these changes may or may not be a good thing. But there is one potential change a popular vote system could engender which no one wants: the never-ending election. Advertisement The closeness of the 2000 Bush-Gore race resulted in recounts and re-examinations in several key counties in Florida. And it easily could have led to more of the same in other counties or even a state-wide recount. The Electoral College is an admittedly imperfect system that does occasionally yield arguably inequitable results. Disruptive as that process was, imagine how chaotic it could become under a popular vote regime. If the national election is as close as in 2000, what would prevent the "loser" from challenging every close precinct in the country? Given the inevitable inefficiencies in the voting process, it's not hard to imagine that either candidate's nationwide total could vary by 200,000 votes or more if recounts were conducted in every close precinct. If such a scenario resulted in a new "winner" or even just a significantly smaller margin of victory for the first-round leader, this would likely lead to more recounts and a thicket of cross-country legal challenges that would make 2000's legal wrangling look tame by comparison. And where would this stalemate lead us? No one knows. At least with the Electoral College, a procedure is laid out which eventually leads to a final result. Advertisement The Electoral College is an admittedly imperfect system that does occasionally yield arguably inequitable results. However, by cushioning the country from the inevitable inefficiencies of the voting process, it does prevent something worse: electoral chaos. History shows that the defeat of a popular vote winner is rare. Apart from Al Gore's loss in 2000, it has been 128 years since the last such occasion (Harrison vs. Cleveland) and 140 years since such a result caused national turmoil (Hayes vs. Tilden). With a popular vote system, the risk of electoral gridlock is real and not remote. But a popular vote system would likely create electoral mayhem on a much more regular basis. Any time there is a close race (i.e. -- a 500,000 vote margin or less), there would be a clear risk of hundreds of recounts, challenges, lawsuits and even re-votes. Look at the results of the last 60 years where there have been three races decided by a margin of roughly 500,000 votes or less. A tight presidential election race is far more likely to occur than the relatively rare incidence of the Electoral College winner losing the popular vote. Considering the potential for chaos in a popular vote system, acceptance of the occasional anomalous result using the current system is a small price to pay for relative electoral calm. With a popular vote system, the risk of electoral gridlock is real and not remote. And attempts to fix such a system would likely just exacerbate the problem. After one or two disastrous elections, there would undoubtedly be a move to impose an automatic national recount if the winner's margin is less than one half of one percent of the total vote count. Based on vote totals in recent presidential elections, a margin of victory of 500,000 votes would trigger such a recount. Such a result happens often enough to give pause when considering a change to the status quo. Advertisement Oftentimes, obvious changes to apparently broken systems lead to unconsidered and unintended consequences. Better the Electoral College you know than the Popular Vote University you don't. FogStock/Vico Images/Marv Johnson via Getty Images Boy studying in library Why do some children learn to read so easily? And why do so many very bright children have such difficulty with what appears to be a simple task? The first thing to understand is that reading is not simple. In fact, it is much more complicated than rocket science. Advertisement The fact that some children learn to read so easily is therefore quite astonishing and is best understood now from what reading researchers call the self-teaching hypothesis. Published scientific research on the complex processes involved in reading over the past 30 years has shed light on this hypothesis and the complexities of learning to read. In a nutshell, some children learn to read easily because of their ability to learn the relationship between letters (which are visual and very concrete) and their underlying sounds or phonemes (which are very abstract and auditory in nature). The two main ingredients that beginning readers need to learn are (1) that every word consists of sounds and that (2) sounds can be represented by a letter or combination of letters. Many children acquire such knowledge quickly while others require much in the way of direct instruction in both (1) and (2). The Discover Reading Program is one of the few programs that provides direct instruction in these complex relationships. English is difficult to teach because of the varied ways in which sounds can be represented. Many alphabet languages have a consistent letter/sound relationship. In Spanish, for example, the letter "i" is always pronounced as /ee/ as in the word "adios." In English, the sound /ee/ can be spelled at least nine different ways, and the letter "i" can represent sounds other than /ee/! This can be confusing to students who do not fully grasp the concept of letter/sound relationships (those who are "challenged") but is learned easily by students who already have a firm grasp of them (the "self-teachers"). Advertisement The term "learning disability" is used to describe those children who show a significant discrepancy between their intelligence (an individual intelligence test is administered to determine this) and their performance in academic areas such as reading, math, comprehension, or written language (determined by administering a standardized battery of academic tests in these areas). For more specifics, see http://www.ldac-acta.ca/learn-more/ld-defined/official-definition-of-learning-disabilities. Once given this diagnostic label, the school will write an Individual Education Plan or Individual Program Plan and provide the student with accommodations such as extra time on exams and possibly some remedial help. Unfortunately, this delivery system, while helpful in some respects, does not typically provide the student with sufficient gains in their areas of weakness and "catch them up" to their classmates. So how is a parent to know if a child is just a bit delayed in reading or perhaps actually learning disabled? Early indicators of delay and possible disability include (1) difficulty learning the names of the alphabet letters, (2) difficulty learning sounds associated with the letters, (3) avoiding activities involving reading, and (4) difficulty with spelling. As the child advances in school, these difficulties become more pronounced and the gap between the child and their peers becomes more evident. The school will typically encourage parents to practice reading at home, but in many cases, this leads to Word War III battles between the parent and child. If you are having these battles with your child, he or she is likely very stressed about the process and is really screaming for help. I have not met children who are "not motivated" and "don't want to read." Advertisement Those children, once taught properly, can learn to love reading. What is important in these situations is not a diagnostic label, but a strong intervention-oriented assessment which will identify the processes that are weak for the child and are blocking the child's ability to learn to read. Once those blocks are identified, the student will need a remedial program which is structured, sequenced and very direct in teaching the student how to read. There are research-based intervention programs that are effective in accomplishing this goal. (http://ca.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-1118845242.html). The bottom line: if your child is learning to read easily, then rejoice in that fact. This child will always want to read independently and will become very fluent in both reading and spelling. On the other hand, if your child is struggling, monitor carefully over time and take appropriate action if progress doesn't appear to be forthcoming despite the efforts of your school, yourself, and any tutors you may have already tried. My experience over many years at The Reading Foundation has been that almost all children, even those labelled as "reading disabled" or "dyslexic" can learn to read if they are provided with a strong intervention program and sufficient remedial hours in such a research-validated program. They need the "right stuff" and "enough time" to transition from weak to strong reading. Last April, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists revealed the "Panama Papers" scandal, a database of 11.5 million documents leaked from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca. The leak permits to identify more than 200,000 offshore entities, from over 200 countries, including Canada. Many Canadians were among the names found in the leaked papers, including the Royal Bank of Canada, which has referred over 370 clients to the Panamanian law firm. The Canada Revenue Agency said it obtained the leaked data and is cross-referencing this information with their own data. Since then, CRA went totally silent.. The opaque silence from the CRA is raising a lot of questions: We know that about 350 Canadians are involved, but how many are under investigation? For what irregularities are they being investigated? Will there be penalties assessed? Will there be prosecutions? Advertisement That's the problem with the secretive way the CRA works. Not only don't we have the answer to these questions, but there is little likelihood that we'll ever will. The ''Panama Papers'' are only one of many leaks in the past eight years, that provided previously unknown insights on the workings of offshore tax havens and the scope of the problem. 2007 - Liechtenstein LGT Bank Tax Leak Information was leaked on 5,800 accounts of this Liechtenstein bank (Liechtenstein has a strict banking secrecy legislation), including 106 accounts held by Canadians. The CRA claims to have found a total of $22.4 million of taxes owed, of which it only collected $8 million. The process took six years to complete. 2008 - Swiss UBS AG Bank A total of 4,450 accounts have been identified, but the number of Canadians involved is still unknown to this day. The Canada Revenue Agency claims it identified $87 million in unreported income, but has not publicly revealed if it collected any tax out of it. Advertisement 2009 - Swiss HSBC Bank Another leak provided information on approximately 25,000 accounts, of which 1,785 were held by Canadians. The CRA claims to have identified $38 million in taxes owed, of which it collected $18 million. Many of these came from voluntary disclosures. A voluntary disclosure is a process in which the offenders claimed the total of their assets to the Revenue Canada Agency. In doing so, they receive an amnesty that they cannot be prosecuted. To this day,208 such disclosures were made, and the CRA divulged that these accounts sheltered $90 million. 2013 - International Consortium of Investigative Journalists The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists got its hands on 2.5 million files, containing information on over 130,000 people across the world over 10 tax havens across the world. About 550 Canadians were among that number, including the husband of Canadian Senator Pana Merchant. Despite the importance of this leak, we still have no indication of the sums involved or the level of taxes that were collected on untaxed income. 2015 - KPMG and the Isle of Man KPMG hatched a plan to create empty shell corporations in the British territory and implemented 16 plans involving 25 Canadians who made tax-free "donations" to the offshore companies. It was demonstrated that these companies produced nothing, and provided no services. But they gradually gifted the money back to these individuals. The CRA has offered penalty-free settlements to those who benefitted from the scheme. KPMG isn't threatened with prosecution, and is even trying the Tax Court of Canada to legitimise the scheme. What happened to these cases? We recouped a small portion of the taxes evaded or avoided, and we haven't witnessed any prosecution. On May 05 2016, Arthur Cockfield, professor at Queen's University faculty of law wrote in the Globe and Mail: Advertisement To the best of our knowledge, the CRA has not had a single successful prosecution of international tax evasion in the past 10 years. (...)s. These cases may have an international dimension such as assets maintained offshore, but the actual prosecution was purely for domestic offences, and not the crime of offshore tax evasion. The CRA is possibly the most effective tax-collection agency in the world -- provided your money is in Canada. What happens when you cheat offshore? Thanks to KPMG's alleged machinations to help shelter the money of some wealthy Canadians abroad, we know what happens: The CRA requires you to pay back taxes along with a modest penalty. In fact, CBC has revealed that while the government claimed there were 44 convictions for criminal tax evasion involving tax havens between 2006 and 2012, only 8 of 25 names provided by the CRA involved the hiding of assets in offshore jurisdictions (two of them directly linked to a Quebec organized crime investigation). As long as we don't use the stick of criminal prosecutions for tax evaders or its enablers, the carrot of voluntary disclosure will leave a bad taste to Canadians. Buddy adored me. I was awed by his love. At the beginning, when I would sit on his dog bed with him, he would joyfully rub his face on me. Later, as he gained strength in his legs, he would stand beside me as I washed dishes, brushing his nose across my legs. I'm not sure if he did that to make sure I hadn't moved; or if it was to alert me of his presence; or if it was another way for him to express joy. Maybe it was kind of "all of the above." Buddy was my foster dog. The Calgary chapter of Beagle Paws rescue posted about him in December 2015: Advertisement "This blind and deaf 14 year old came into our care an hour ago and is now at the vet for a thorough exam as he is in quite bad shape. His owner called requesting money to put him down. ... He weighs 14.2 kilos, his teeth are abscessed ... his nails are long and curling into his pads and he has difficulty holding his bladder so dribbles and pees randomly." It hurts my heart when people surrender their dogs -- or worse, euthanize them -- simply because they are old. This time, instead of just being angry and sad, I decided to step up. I met Buddy in a Tim Horton's parking lot on New Year's Day. I was taken aback by how thin and frail he was. I had pictured him as study, substantial, and confident -- largely, I think, because that's what my own beagles are. But Buddy was none of these. Advertisement At the beginning, Buddy spent a lot of time just sleeping. I had to wake him for meals, and to take him outside. Because he couldn't see stairs, I carried him in and out of the house. When I put him down, he did his business and then would stand there, his hind quarters sagging, due to muscle wasting. Inside, his back legs did splits on my lino and laminate flooring. I kept trimming his nails and the fur between his pads, hoping that would help. I bought him grippy booties to wear inside. Eventually, we "upgraded" to toe caps, which didn't work as well as the booties, but were safe to wear 24/7. Mixed in with his many successes was some of my own heartache. Bud's old bones chilled easily. He always wore sweaters, and I put a coat on over top when he went outside. He also wore a belly band to catch his pee dribbles, which were likely caused by a recurrent or persistent urinary tract infection, part and parcel of renal failure. But, as Corey Hart says, with a little perseverance, you can get things done. Buddy gradually began spending more time awake, much of that under my feet as I puttered around. His muscles strengthened considerably. In late February, I took him on his first walk. It took us almost a full hour to walk around the block, but Bud did it, and even managed to pee on a fire hydrant. (Yes, I cheered.) By June, he was entering and exiting the house on his own four paws, using a temporary wheelchair ramp. That month also marked the first time I took all three dogs to our local dog park. Buddy alternated between cruising in the stroller I bought him, and ambling around on his own. Advertisement Mixed in with his many successes was some of my own heartache. I knew that he was old and unwell and that his time was limited. I thought that I was able to seal off a part of my heart, so that it wouldn't hurt too badly when he passed away. I was wrong, of course. I won't lie about something else, either. Lots of it was just plain hard. Being woken up multiple times a night due to doggie health issues or fear of thunderstorms was hard. Being solely responsible for three beagles -- one with high needs -- was hard, especially given everything else on my plate. Letting him go was hard. Grieving him was -- and continues to be -- hard. But mixed in with the heartache and the hard stuff was great joy. And, I think you cherish each moment more when you know the number of them is finite. It made my heart happy to make Buddy's heart happy. It made my heart confident, knowing that I could not just look after a high needs dog, but actually help him flourish. It made my heart burst with love, when he would cuddle up close, sometimes in ridiculously contorted positions, and sometimes persistently seeking me out over and over, wanting to be with me. He loved me. It was so easy to love him back. He was a sweet, good boy. Advertisement I said goodbye to Buddy on August 23, 2016. It's more time than I expected to have with him, but it's hard not to wish for more. I filled our last hours together with McDonald's cheeseburgers, pancakes, bacon, cuddles, dancing, and pawprint art. Initially intent on removing all traces of paint from his paws, I remembered what I told him about the Rainbow Bridge a few weeks back: that I wouldn't recognize him as a young and spirited dog. And so I decided to not be so fastidious about removing all traces of paint. That way, when I make my way to the Bridge myself, and see a handsome young beagle with paint on his paws, I will know it's my Bud Bud. It's a struggle for shelters and rescues to adopt out senior pets. I understand the worry about not having enough time with that pet. But nothing in this life is certain. You could lose a puppy to Parvo or an accident. Any dog you choose could outlive you. Instead, just choose to live in the moment, and soak up all the love a senior pet has to give. When you visit your local shelter or rescue, please give seniors a second look. Trust me. Trust Buddy. It's worth it. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook ALSO ON HUFFPOST: Advertisement The entrance of the General Motors of Canada head office is seen in Oshawa in 2009. (Photo: REUTERS/Mike Cassese) Nothing focuses the mind like a looming deadline. That is the guiding principle behind the system we at Unifor, a union representing 23,050 Canadian workers at the Detroit Three, use for negotiating a new contract with the automakers. Advertisement The deadline forces both sides to put aside their wish lists and concentrate on getting a deal that works for both sides. It's an efficient, disciplined, accountable system that our union has used many times before -- and we remain fully committed to in this round of bargaining with the Detroit Three automakers. Picking a company is never easy. I can tell you I have weighed the decision to focus the 2016 negotiations on General Motors (GM) very carefully, and only after a great deal of input from the excellent negotiators and bargaining committees that we have working with us on behalf of Unifor members employed at Fiat Chrysler, Ford and GM in Canada. The one factor that did not come into play was whether one company or another could offer the richest deal. Many factors were weighed to make this decision. There were, in fact, very good reasons to pick any one of the Detroit Three, but the decision had to come down to picking just one. Advertisement The one factor that did not come into play was whether one company or another could offer the richest deal. The biggest factor was which company we felt offered the best chance to reach an agreement addressing the needs of all of our members across the Detroit Three. That's because the agreement reached with General Motors will set the pattern for workers at Fiat Chrysler and Ford when negotiations turn to those companies. For this round of negotiations, the top priority is to secure investment in Canada. This priority is about the future and it takes on added significance at General Motors, where the future of its operations in Oshawa have been the focus of much discussion in recent weeks. We need to remember that GM is doing incredibly well financially. The company recorded $10 billion in net profits last year. Canada has played a major part in that success, with North America responsible for 86 per cent of GM's global profits. GM has done well in Canada, both in manufacturing and in sales. We know it will want to continue with that. GM committed to $8.3 billion in specific investments and product allocations at 24 assembly, powertrain and parts plants during negotiations with the United Auto Workers in the U.S. last fall. Canadian workers should expect nothing less. Advertisement A view of the General Motors of Canada assembly plant in Oshawa in 2009. (Photo: REUTERS/Mike Cassese) There are many good reasons for GM to want to invest in Canada. Its operations here win disproportionately more awards for quality and productivity than others in its worldwide operations. That's no mistake. Unifor members are and continue to be dedicated to building the best vehicles in the world, and that is reflected in the quality of the vehicles GM and the other Detroit Three automakers sell. It is also the reflection of more than a century that GM has spent establishing its presence in this country, building state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities -- including its flex and consolidated lines in Oshawa -- and training workers to build its products. Over that century, with the good jobs it created and the spin-offs from those jobs, GM helped to create the middle class in Canada, one that could afford to buy its products. GM will no doubt want to build on that century of investment by committing to new product during this round of bargaining. Advertisement These negotiations are about the future of the auto industry, and securing an investment to ensure we can continue to have strong local communities, a thriving Canadian economy and good jobs for workers, now and for the next generation. Unifor understands the needs of GM and we are ready to achieve a fair settlement for the workers and for our future. A settlement reached will set the stage for continued success in Canada. Now, let's roll up our sleeves and get the job done. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook MORE ON HUFFPOST: Yanhan Ai of China competes in the women's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Final on Day 5 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Commentator Byron MacDonald said of the 14-year-old "Too excited, went out like a stink and died like a pig." (Photo: Tom Pennington/Getty Images) When Byron MacDonald said a 14-year-old Chinese swimmer "died like a pig" during the course of the women's 4 X 200m swimming relay race at the Rio Olympics, it created an uproar in the Chinese community here. Many Chinese Canadians have taken to WeChat to express their anger. Some felt he was a downright racist. Advertisement Is Byron MacDonald a racist? We may never know. But what I am interested to find out is why some of us got so upset. Why were some Chinese Canadians so sensitive around this issue in particular? Behind this easily stoked anger, is there some grievance that has not been addressed? I sat down with several Chinese Canadians from all walks of life and got their takes on this. Edward Ai, a 55-year-old driving school instructor, has been in Canada for 15 years. He felt although "died like a pig" is an English idiom, to use it on a 14-year-old swimmer is wrong. "Racism is alive and well in Canadian society. Deep down, I think some white folks still feel that we are second-class citizens and we don't belong here," says Mr. Ai. However, he admits that Chinese people seem to get easily provoked. "When you have a white guy walking on the borderline of racism, we just kind of lost it. So perhaps this anger comes from our natural inferiority complex as people of colour mixed with a strong sense of Chinese nationalism." Mr. Ai says that he feels a majority of the Chinese community is segregated from the mainstream culture. "I feel we are culturally marginalized. Although it is not necessarily the fault of Canadian society, our language barrier is the biggest factor contributing to this kind of segregation." Advertisement Mr. Ai estimates that 95 per cent of his clients are Chinese. "I have known people who have been here for 20 years, they do well, yet they don't speak a word of English. So for us, the first generation immigrants, there is no hope that we can fully integrate into the Canadian society. This really frustrates me sometimes." If multiculturalism is the foundation of our modern Canadian values, then are we shortchanging our immigrants by not providing them with a comprehensive pathway to cultural integration? If diversity is our strength, then is there an entire generation of immigrants who feel culturally marginalized as a result of our laissez faire approach to settling them? Sunny Li, a mental health worker, and Alick Siu, a banking IT executive, both felt that the anger behind "died like a pig" is somewhat exaggerated. Sunny said she only found out about the incident from the Chinese media. She felt rather surprised that some Chinese media have turned this into an insult on the Chinese people. Alick Siu said he is willing to give MacDonald the benefit of doubt. Neither of them felt personally offended. But Sunny was not upset. "I don't feel I need to get upset because one thoughtless commentator on CBC used the wrong phrase. Some so-called leaders in the Chinese community are getting angry over this issue, but I don't feel these 'community leaders' represent who I am. They don't speak on my behalf, either." Advertisement Alick Siu further added that through his own career in banking, he never personally experienced any racism. His Chinese coworkers however often expressed that it is a lot easier to mix and mingle with others who come from the same ethnic background. It is worthwhile to notice that both Sunny Li and Alick Siu speak much better English than Edward Ai. Their jobs involve working with people outside of their own ethnic group. Nick Yun, Chief Constable at York Region Police, sees this matter differently. "I feel our anger is legitimate," he says. The police officer came to Canada in 2001. He feels that the Chinese community is making a conscious effort to integrate with the mainstream Canadian society. But he still sees a large gap. Nick Yun says that he often feels that the Chinese community is in its own insular clique because not many people from the community participate in civic engagement or civic action, although it does get better with second- and third-generation Chinese Canadians. "At the end of the day, we really have to ask ourselves, do we want to make Canada more like China?" asks Mr. Yun. There is no consensus in the Chinese community concerning MacDonald's remarks. Some are offended. Some are not. At the end of the day, they amount to nothing more than a tempest in a teapot that has already outlived its 15 minutes of fame. But the incident raises broader questions for Chinese Canadians. Will we continue to look inward and gaze at our navels? Or will it galvanize us into political action to make Canada a better place for us and our children? Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook MORE ON HUFFPOST: Felix Clinton via Getty Images focus, attention, captivated September is my favourite month in Toronto. The humidity of summer disappears but the radiant light and late summer temperature remains. The city hums with the hopes of students returning to schools and universities. And Toronto becomes the centre of the film world during the annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Founded in 1976, TIFF is one of the most influential global public film festival. Torontonions flock to the downtown core to pick'n'mix from 300 films over 10 days while global film and creative stars, emerging talent and executives take to the red carpets for world premieres, pitch proposals and negotiate distributions. Advertisement TIFF has always been an important festival for UK film and creative talent. UK produced or co-produced films have gone on to win the People's Choice award 11 times including future Oscar winners such as Chariots of Fire, Slumdog Millionaire, The King's Speech and The Imitation Game. Meanwhile, in 2015, London was the focus for TIFF's City to City program, supporting the next generation of talented British filmmakers and artists. This year is no exception. Rachel Weisz in Denial, Ben Wheatley's Free Fire, The Rolling Stones Ole Ole Ole: A Trip Across Latin America by Paul Dugdale and Ama Assante's A United Kingdom are a snapshot of over 35 great British films on show. Oscar momentum is already building behind some of them, whether for Amma Asante and Stephen Frears (Best Director), David Oyelowo (Best Actor) or Rosamund Pike (Best Actress) or the UK/US co-production Tom Ford's Nocturnal Animals (Best Film). Film matters to the UK. It's an important part of our culture and, like theatre, art and design, film has the ability to capture nations and individuals feel at key points in our lives. So while the films such as The Breakfast Club or Pretty in Pink capture the 1980s for many North Americans, Gregory's Girl and Absolute Beginners take me back to my teens. All of this has made the UK a successful global film nation and film an important part of the UK economy. In 2015 the film sector contributed 1.41bn to the UK economy, the second highest figure since records began in 1994. More than 83 per cent was generated from 47 inward investment titles, including Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Doctor Strange, Assassin's Creed, Wonder Woman and Paul Greengrass' fifth Bourne sequel. Pinewood Studios is a global presence, including in Toronto, where it supports a range of work from Guillermo del Toro to the latest Star Trek television series. Advertisement That's why during TIFF, my team, together with the Ontario Media Development Corporation, organizes an International Finance Forum to help emerging British talent meet producers and industry executives to secure funding for their projects. UK experts will also participate in a TIFF panel on the implications of Brexit for the film industry. While our future relationship with the EU is still to be determined, our film tax reliefs are important for the sector and will not be directly affected by the decision. Canada is and will continue to be an important co-production partner. In 2015, the UK and Canada had 15 co-produced films and we want to increase that number. Keep Calm and Film On. So what am I looking forward to most at TIFF? As a diplomat, I yearn for a film that captures accurately the realities of diplomacy. These are -- as my former colleague Tom Fletcher noted in this blog -- few and far between, with most diplomats portrayed as either spineless or conniving, and sometimes both!. Not for us the adventure and glory of Mr. Bond!! But one film that has caught my eye is The Journey. This is a dramatization of the Good Friday Peace Agreement with Timothy Spall and Colm Meaney playing Ian Paisley and Martin McGuiness respectively. I will enjoy the acting, direction and drama all the more so because of the negotiation and diplomacy involved and my own familial connections to Northern Ireland. So. Lights! Camera! Action! Let the Festival begin... Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook ALSO ON HUFFPOST: Colin McConnell via Getty Images TORONTO, ON - APRIL 16: Photos of the CBC building at 250 Front St West in Toronto to illustrate the release of the Rubin report today. (Colin McConnell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) The latest water cooler chat among many Canadians this week is speculation about who will replace Peter Mansbridge as host of The National, CBC-TV's flagship news program. Mansbridge announced earlier this week that, after 30 years as host of The National, he will step down next year on Canada Day. Advertisement Now CBC executives say they are going to usher in "the next phase" of The National. Jennifer McGuire, the General Manager and editor-in-chief of CBC News, told The Globe and Mail she sees Mansbridge's departure as "an opportunity to reimage the program." She said the CBC will look at increasing the digital delivery of The National. Finding a new host for The National should not be the CBC's main goal. CBC should address the fact that neither The National nor any other CBC news program is trusted very much by the public. The content of CBC News programs is just like programming at mainstream media, and the public doesn't like either. It seldom covers the negative aspects of giant international free trade deals for the public. A Statistics Canada General Social Survey of national opinions for 2013 and 2014 revealed that only 40 per cent of Canadians had confidence in media. Canadians don't like mainstream news because they believe it lacks balance and that it reports lies. The public is much smarter and more skeptical when digesting the news today than it was back in the 1960s when CBS News Anchor Walter Cronkite was believed to be only second to God when it came to telling the truth. Advertisement One of the reasons people mistrust programs such as The National is because we have access to excellent upstart news sources on the Internet. Many sites are run by talented journalists who have fled the mainstream. Mainstream editors cut stories People know mainstream media filter out stories that don't suit the owners' idea of what should be news. For instance, corporate-owned media -- and even CBC News -- tend to paint a negative picture of organized labour, protest groups, and some environmental organizations. On the other hand, by the nature of its reporting, CBC News tends to endorse our current form of aggressive capitalism as being good for everyone. It seldom covers the negative aspects of giant international free trade deals for the public. If the CBC wants to rebuild public support, it has to revolutionize how it approaches the news. Worst of all, CBC News coverage of many international political stories is disgraceful. In May I did an analysis of the Canadian coverage of a trip by U.S. President Barrick Obama to Vietnam. Many stories were so pro-U.S. they could have been written by the White House. The reason for Obama's trip reported by the CBC was that it was a goodwill visit. However, from what I could determine, no CBC News program reported he was there to discuss selling weapons to the Vietnamese that would be pointed at China. Advertisement The National needs a revolution If the CBC wants to rebuild public support, it has to revolutionize how it approaches the news. The main goal should be to help people understand the news by reporting, as we say, "both sides of the story." Content, not style and not personalities, should be the focus of a re-built National. For a start, many of those 1:10 minute long stories could be left to CTV, while the National should focus more on the big, important events. The current, one person studio set up should be thrown out the window. A new, more flexible set could be changed from night to night to facilitate the coverage of stories of different importance. For major stories, the evening news would be co-ordinated by the person who has the most expertise concerning the topic; perhaps the person who has researched the story all day. Other people who know about the story, perhaps including someone from one of the current affairs programs, would also be on the set. Editors would need to have the insight and skills to write complete, balanced stories. For instance, if Obama makes claims about what is happening in Syria, the story requires a response from either the Syrian government or the Russians. Both the Russian and Chinese media should be monitored for possible stories. Advertisement Very important: The National should break away from the myth that journalism can be presented objectively. The lie of objectivity was created by newspapers many years ago when rich owners needed to find a way to stop journalists from writing scurrilous articles that got their papers into trouble. Producing such a program would require a highly-skilled staff and occasional access to experienced journalists/producers from other programs and even bringing in non-staff guests. Perhaps half of The National's journalists have the skills required to contribute to a high calibre program. Others would have to be trained. To understand the kind of in-depth journalism required, compare the reporting on The National with the journalism on BBC News. It would take courage for CBC executives to create such a program. Any changes along these lines would bring howls from right-wing Members of Parliament. But that's OK. They're always howling at something. CTV has led The National in audience ratings for years, and they still might lead after these changes. What's important is that a new, more in-depth National would better serve the public. Read Nick's other posts on his blog: A Different Point of View Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Camping with young ones doesn't have to be stressful (Photo by Quincin Chan/NCC) Camping is many Canadian's favourite pastime in the summer. But once there's a baby in the picture, the idea of even car camping with infants and toddlers can be daunting. Camping with infants doesn't have to be stressful. In fact, babies are incredibly adaptable. It might take a couple of days for babies to completely adapt to the different sleep environment, but once you have established a routine, they usually sleep extremely well in the tent, especially after a fun day of activities. Advertisement Here are my 10 tips to make camping with infants/toddlers less stressful for parents:> Family time in nature at Waterton Lakes National Park (Photo by Quincin Chan/NCC) 1. Lower your expectations You are going to have less time for cooking. Prepare frozen meals in advance and heat them up at the campsite. If the park is close to town, plan to eat out for some of the meals. Let go of your rigid bed time routine for a day or two. It will be difficult to put a baby to sleep in Canada's bright summer sun at 7 p.m., but if you wait until eight, it will be a bit easier to block out the light. Let the kids play with dirt, leaves and explore. Kids will learn to be flexible and love nature from a young age. 2. Plan your day so that it's nap time while you drive. A sample of a typical day at my camping trip to Sandbanks Provincial Park: 6:30 a.m. - Wake up and play in the tent for a while 7:30 a.m. - Breakfast 9 a.m. - Pack and head to the beach (pack the beach bag with all essentials in advance and use a wagon/stroller to carry the stuff). 10:30 a.m. - Snack, shower 11 a.m. - Get in the car for nap time in the car seat, and head out to a winery tour in the Prince Edward County (if you don't drink, perhaps look for hiking trails or a nice restaurant for lunch). Advertisement 1:30 p.m. - Nurse, serve prepared lunch or eat at a restaurant 3 p.m. - Head to a local playground or go back to the beach if it's not too hot. Or opt for fruit picking. 5 p.m. - Burger dinner, grilled corn with freshly picked fruits Pea pod -- a sleeping tent (Photo by Quincin Chan/NCC) 3. Sleep arrangement Sleeping is probably the trickiest part of camping with infants/toddlers. "Pack-n-play" is an option but it takes up a lot of space and it doesn't keep them warm. We prefer a sleeping tent/cot. My little one is used to sleeping in his own crib, so he needs his own bed. The sleeping tent we have contains the baby in a small area and gives him protection from mosquitoes. And in the middle of the night if he needs to be nursed, you can easily pull him out of the tent beside you and nurse. 4. Some items that I find helpful for nap time include: Getting around with your little one using a hiking carrier (Photo by Quincin Chan/NCC) baby carrier hammock pack-n-play swing stroller Bring a few and see which one works best for your baby. 5. Layers for the night time The temperature change can be drastic when you sleep outdoors. Bring thick swaddling blankets, sleep sacks or a stroller/carrier cover. Sleeping bags aren't safe for infants and toddlers. Also make sure they wear a hat and extra socks to keep warm. Advertisement 6. Extra clothes Because things are always unpredictable with kids, you should always bring a few sets of extra clothes. You'd be surprised by how quickly you need to change their clothes, and shoes! Bring at least a pair of water shoes for him/her to wear in the shower, at the beach, or just because a puddle of water is usually there when you least expect it. 7. Glow sticks If you have a walker, make sure you bring a glow stick or glow-in-the-dark t-shirt for him/her to wear. It's not only a fun toy, it also helps ensure the toddler is visible when it gets dark. Glow sticks are not the most environmentally friendly - they are toxic and are non-recyclable. Fortunately, there are reusable options such as LED glow sticks and glow-in-the-dark clothes paint. 8. Toys Bring toys to keep your toddler entertained (Photo by Quincin Chan/NCC) Here are some toy suggestions, depending on your child's age: bubbles, beach toys, harmonica, bugs house, chalk, bucket of water, scavenger hunt, Frisbee and balls. Sticks and acorns also make great toys if you don't want to buy. Depending on how mobile your toddlers are, you may want to bring a blanket for them to crawl or roll around on, a fence or a screen tent to contain them in one place or a pack-n-play. 9. Sun protection Advertisement Sun protection for toddlers (Photo by Quincin Chan/NCC) When you spend 24 hours outdoors, sun safety becomes a top priority. Here are some of the top tips from Environmental Defence for choosing the perfect sun protection: Wear a hat and UV protection clothing. Check the ingredients of your sunscreen and look for zinc oxide, which is an effective and safe mineral that blocks UVA and UVB. Avoid ingredients such as oxybenzone, vitamin A and fragrance. Stay away from sunscreen sprays and powders. Re-apply sunscreen often, no matter what the SPF is and even if it claims to be waterproof. Focus on avoiding over-exposure to sun and make sure to reapply after swimming. 10. Food storage Bring a small portable cooler for milk and snacks or a thermos to mix formula. If your toddler relies on formula or milk at night, be sure to keep a portable cooler bag and thermos filled with hot water in your tent. It saves you the trip out of the tent in the dark and helps everyone transition back to sleep faster. Hopefully these tips help remove some of your fears and make your first camping trip with your little one an enjoyable one! Start with baby steps and bring reliable friends to share the chores. You will become experts in no time! Written by Quincin Chan, online fundraising and digital strategy coordinator, with the Nature Conservancy of Canada. This post originally appeared on Land Lines. Advertisement Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook ALSO ON HUFFPOST: New research published in the last few days suggests less than 2% of children's packed lunches meet the government's nutritional standards. We can offer an obvious explanation for this. The reason why less than 2% of packed lunches meet the government's nutritional standards is because parents have worked out what their children like and what they don't like for their lunch. The 2% nutritional standard means that 100% of the packed lunches will be eaten. Surely that is better than achieving a 100% nutritional rate, and finding that just 2% of the packed lunches are eaten. Advertisement There is no point filling a packed lunch with nuts, lentils, and other 'nutritious' foods if children won't eat them. It may satisfy the health nannies and other obsessives, but it does not satisfy the appetites of children. Obviously some children do like to have nutritious food for their packed lunch, but the majority of children would prefer food that actually tastes good. In the US, schools (and pupils) are in open rebellion against Michelle Obama's federal healthy lunch program. Schools in California, Illinois, New York and Indiana are dropping out of the program. Why? Because children are refusing to eat the vegetables and low-fat choices on offer, making them hungry and too tired to learn. And for anyone doubting this, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) were quoted saying 'In our lunch period observations in 7 of 17 schools, we saw many students throw away some or all of their fruits and vegetables'. Advertisement People against Sugar Tax looked at one US college which wisely dropped out of the healthy lunch program a year ago, and the numbers of students buying food from their canteen has gone up by 41% since. They are no longer forced to have vegetables with their meals, and are much happier as a result. The college says that dropping out of the healthy lunch program has lost them money from federal government grants, but they say that the wider range of food now available to students is more important. Chocolate and sugary drinks have been a normal part of childhood for decades. It is simply not natural for children to go without sugary treats during childhood. Of course, we know that a small number of parents do need help and support to get their children to eat healthier, but punishing other parents and their children will not help one bit. Thankfully, the new research did shine a spotlight on one of the most outrageous and extreme nanny state measures you will ever see - the inspection of children's packed lunches. First making headlines back in 2010, this complete over-reach by health nannies had almost become forgotten about - until now. Advertisement People against Sugar Tax have looked at several schools packed lunch policies in the last few days (yes these policies do exist), and they all ban sweets, sugary drinks and chocolate. Instead of sugary drinks at some of these schools, children are expected to drink water. One or two schools hit the headlines a few years ago for removing sweets and chocolates from lunchboxes, but we've been unable to find any evidence of this being a widespread practice. We've seen some vague references in some schools policies to send back to parents 'foods that are uneaten', but we're not sure if this is code for sending back sweets and chocolates or not. And parents who repeatedly ignore these policies (by having the temerity to pack foods which their children actually like) are then sent a patronising and offensive letter by health nannies. The question this does raise is what happens if parents still continue to rebel against these silly packed lunch policies even after the school has written to them. What possible sanctions could the school or health officials put in place on parents who refuse to adhere to the packed lunch policy? Advertisement What these packed lunch policies are basically saying is that parents are not able to make their own decisions about what goes in their children's lunch box. It is a classic example of a 'nanny knows best' policy. It is patronising, authoritarian, and absurd. ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty Images For months now Brexiteers have been calling for the UK to adopt an Australian- style points-based system. It sounds robust and meritocratic. You can see why it is a compelling line for any politician to trot out. The problem, as we learned over the weekend, is that the Prime Minister doesn't agree. Theresa May told an audience in China that "what the British people voted for on 23 June was to bring some control into the movement of people from the European Union to the UK. A points-based system does not give you that control." Advertisement May is speaking from experience. The UK had a points-based system when she became Home Secretary in 2010 and she set about dismantling it. It was introduced by the last Labour government in 2008, under the direction of then Immigration Minister Liam Byrne. Byrne didn't pull the idea out of thin air; in 2007 he told an audience in Sydney that "a new Australian-style points-based system will be simpler, clearer and easier to enforce. Crucially it will give us the best way of letting in only those people who have something to offer Britain." Over time, the UK's points-based system has been scaled back, whether to reduce migrant numbers or prevent abuse. That scaling back began as early as 2009 but really took off under May's leadership as Home Secretary. Most of the Australian features that the system employed have now been removed. Like the Australian model, our system was designed to allow talented migrants from outside of Europe to come to the UK and find work. Highly skilled migrants were awarded points for a variety of attributes and could trade one characteristic off against another - a young well qualified person might get a visa despite having a low salary, a very well paid person might qualify despite having no academic qualifications or being a little older. English language was a must, as was a moderate amount of savings to pay for food and accommodation when you arrived. Advertisement In many respects the policy worked well. It was a useful way in to the country for well qualified bright young things, whether to join our workforce or create their own businesses. But the policy was far from perfect. Home Office research suggested that 30% of people awarded the visa were either not working in skilled jobs or were unemployed. May responded by closing down the route, only allowing entry where a skilled migrant had a job offer from a company willing to provide sponsorship and monitor their immigration status. This, I suspect, is where her thinking is now. Brexit might mean an end to the free movement of EU nationals but British businesses will still need to access their skills. Having ruled out a points-based system, I can only assume that the Prime Minister wants to extend the existing demand driven immigration system to EU nationals. They can come over if their skills are needed for a particular job, but not to simply look for work. Otherwise, what would be the difference? There would need to be changes. Right now our work visas are only available to people filling graduate level jobs. That won't help the sectors that have become increasingly reliant on workers from the continent since the EU expanded in 2004, for instance catering and farming. Ultimately the government should do more to get British people working in those sectors but it won't happen overnight. This is not to say that there are no lessons to be learned from the Australian system. It is well understood that the Scottish government, for instance, has demographic challenges and wants free movement to continue. Advertisement The Australians allow state and territory governments to nominate and sponsor migrants with the skills they need. Why not give a quota of visas to the Scottish government, and for that matter local governments elsewhere in the UK, and let them do the same? This needn't be an open door policy. For Australia it isn't enough to be good at what you do. You need to be better than the rest. Visa applicants are sifted and grouped by occupation, with a ceiling on the number of visas available for each job. They are then ranked automatically based on the self-assessed scores and prospective migrants with higher rankings are invited ahead of other prospective migrants. So, is May right to entirely rule out an Australian-style points-based system? You can see why she wouldn't rush to endorse a policy that didn't work perfectly last time round. This week kids up and down the country have been marching back to school. Certain schools across the country could not be more different though. Of course, the prohibition of private schools, and all the advantages that they bequeath to their pupils, should never be on the agenda. That would be ridiculous. Aside from the thorny issue of their tax-free charity status, which doesn't chime so well with me, but I will leave to others, far more eloquent than I, to advocate the ending of, I don't really have an issue with them. However, we must seriously start to consider the realities of our schooling system, here in the UK. About 7% of our population attend independent fee-paying schools. This same 7% go on to make up 44% of Oxbridge acceptances, 71% of our top judges and 61% of our top doctors. Advertisement Only last week did a report reveal that a group of Eton boys got the exclusive opportunity to engage with President Putin (how's that for 'Introduction to International Affairs'?). A new study further revealed that certain top graduates, who had vastly outperformed others academically, were missing out on top graduate banking positions due to a lack of 'polish'. A terribly destabilising malady which, for some reason, those from our top private schools don't seem to fall foul to. These poor souls' symptoms include not wearing their suit like they are the incarnation of the next James Bond, a lack of confidence and yes, you've got it, wearing brown shoes. I mean, I can't be sure because the man has never graced me with his presence, but maybe meeting with the Head of the Russian State is, in fact, a rite of passage for certain sections of our society, where the all-important lesson of brown shoes 101 is learnt. Advertisement "maybe meeting with the Head of the Russian State is, in fact, a rite of passage for certain sections of our society, where the all-important lesson of brown shoes 101 is learnt" I have fond memories of my own school years; my school was, on the whole, great. However, at times my classes had up to 32 or 33 kids squeezed into them, and only English, Maths and Science were streamed according to ability. In some classes it could take as long as 15 minutes to settle everyone down, even in Years 10 and 11. Our teachers were mostly brilliant, but some were clearly overstretched. In Year 9 though, something happened. I took Spanish as a second language, along with about 15 others. The lesson was engaging, fast-paced and the teacher was actually able to focus on us all individually. For a self-confessed swot, who liked going to school to, well, learn, this was a revelation. To think, this is what school was like for some, all of the time. Don't cry too many tears for me though. Like I said, I went to a very good school. Growing up in just about the most middle class, Waitrose-loving, kale- and avocado-eating city there can be, my state school experience, in turn, is not even remotely comparable to that of others. Advertisement Comparatively, I've been the privileged one. How does the school situated slap-bang in the middle of a rough council estate with leaky roofs, no playing fields and over 50% of pupils on free schools meals compare? The differences across our schools are, at times, extreme. It's far harder for some to get on in life and succeed, and it is far easier for others. In September, when we march our children back to school, this is often all too easily forgotten. "How does the school situated slap-bang in the middle of a rough council estate with leaky roofs, no playing fields and over 50% of pupils on free schools meals compare?" Don't waste efforts pushing for the eradication of public schools or of schools in privileged, leafy pockets. Instead, advocate for the extension of outreach programmes and scholarships. Advocate for all our schools to be properly funded and resourced. And most importantly, advocate for the true recognition that the odds just may not be ever in everyone's favour. Advertisement 2016 has, so far, been a year of political turbulence. David Cameron has quit as Prime Minister following a disastrous result for him in the EU Referendum, Nigel Farage has (once again) quit as UKIP Leader, this time for good, and the USA has to elect one of two rather unpopular people as President. But right now, dominating the headlines in the UK, is the Labour Leadership race. For the second year running, the party have to elect a new leader. Last time out, Jeremy Corbyn ran away with the victory, winning 59.5% of the votes in the first round against Liz Kendall, Yvette Cooper and of course Andy Burnham, Labour candidate for Greater Manchester Mayor and the only one of that trio who hasn't voted against Jeremy. This year however, we have only one candidate standing against Jeremy. He is Welsh MP Owen Smith. The past year has seen an abundance of insults being thrown at Jeremy Corbyn, with 'Unelectable' being the main choice. But I ask you, what makes Owen Smith more electable than Jeremy Corbyn? Advertisement Owen Smith has already gained fame for how eerily similar his policies are to Jeremy's, a fact he has even admitted. Of course Jeremy has become a rather Cult hero and has a wide and diverse fan base. So of course Smith would copy Corbyn's popular policies in order to appeal to his voters. This is a plan that hasn't really worked out for Owen, with many of Mr Corbyn's supporters continuing to back him. Now I am a 16 year old who has just finished my GCSE's and started Sixth Form. I am a loyal member of the Party since May 2015, which of course meant I was there during the end of the tenure of Ed Miliband. Now personally, I believe he was more unelectable than Jeremy. I liked him, yes, but he couldn't appeal to the working class. Jeremy on the other hand, is a well known 'Man of the people', and despite the recent 'Traingate', where Jeremy allegedly lied about a lack of seats on a train to further his political agenda to Privatise the railways, he is very obviously a man who cares about the people. Not only that, but I have every intention of becoming a politician myself in the future, and this is down to the inspiration that I have been given by Jeremy Corbyn. Now, when people say that he has alienated different groups of people such as different Ethnic Minorities or different Religions, I disagree. Jeremy has a wide array of ethnicities and religions in his vast fan base. Yes, his handling of the Anti-Semitism crisis could have been better, but many Jewish people still support him. Advertisement He is a Left Wing Socialist who in my opinion, represents everything that Labour stands for. He is not incompetent, nor is he unelectable. I believe that with the right team around him, and the support of the entire membership, Jeremy would be able to appeal to everyone, and win the 2020 General Election. So that brings me back to my main point. Why is Owen Smith allegedly more electable than Jeremy? Why is he less incompetent? Because if we are talking about incompetence, then what about the photograph that has been doing the rounds on Facebook of Owen Smith in a room with a whiteboard featuring all the details for his campaigns private server in full view. Surely that is an error that shouldn't have happened? If Jeremy had made that mistake it would be plastered across every single newspaper in the country. This is because of a very clear and very obvious press agenda against Jeremy Corbyn. During his tenure, the Tories have attacked Jeremy Corbyn continuously, and even themselves said he is unelectable. Surely if they wanted him to be elected they would urge Labour members to elect him, not the other way round. Only in recent months have they changed their tactics. In my opinion this shows fear from the Conservatives, as they know he could take them on. Owen Smith is, in my opinion, unlikeable and untrustworthy. I do not believe he could help the party win an election. Imagine if next year, following a win for Owen in the Leadership race, we are calling for him to be sacked. Uber, a company that has probably had more column inches dedicated to it in the last couple of years than any other, is locked in a legal battle with 19 of its UK drivers in a case that could make or break the sector. It is a battle being fought for the future of the shared economy and it is being watched with baited breath. This is not the first case Uber or others within the shared economy have faced; Uber is also currently fighting a case in the US. In April, it was thought that the US action had been settled and the future of Uber's business model (and that of the shared economy) was secured when a settlement was agreed with the claimants with a money value of around $100 million (up to $8,000 per driver). Crucially, that settlement would have meant Uber's drivers would still be contractors, but Uber would be required to stop deactivating drivers 'at will' and would allow its drivers to solicit tips by placing a sign in their cars. What is interesting is that the agreement also ensured that Uber assisted with the formation of a 'drivers' association' similar to a union. However, in the last few weeks a US District Judge ruled that the settlement was inadequate, and therefore the case goes on. It is fair to say that the shared economy has had its share of teething problems over the last couple of years but what is interesting is that one of the original plaintiffs in the US case stated that "Uber drivers are being sold out and short-changed by billions of dollars while sacrificing the determination of their classification as employees." This is the definitive issue: how are the workers to be classified? Advertisement Of course the US and UK employment rules are an ocean apart, but in both countries, workers generally fall into two categories; employed or self-employed. In the UK, the law, which was created to reflect these definitions, has always been under pressure, via the issue of contractors or even agency workers. However, with the rise of the shared economy, which engages workers in a completely different manner, the issue is exploding, namely because if there is a complete shutdown of the contractor model, the shared economy will have to fundamentally change how it operates. What is clear is that Uber drivers (and many workers in the shared economy) want to dictate their own hours, decide where they work and which jobs to take on. At the same time, many are not truly in control because they work under a particular brand and therefore have to adhere to brand rules, whether on pricing or on behaviour and service. The argument is that the shared economy is essentially employing workers, but without the worker rights and protections that we have built gradually up as a society over the last few decades. Many find this hard to reconcile, not least the companies because the individuals want complete freedom and control of their day and working life and want a platform which provides them access to the market which they can dip in and out of at their will. It is hard for companies to provide such a platform while at the same time giving their workers high levels of flexibility and control, keeping them on payroll, and ensuring there is always enough work to go around. I believe that the flexibility of the shared economy should be praised as it gives income to many individuals who might otherwise have been shut out of the traditional job market; students, mothers, carers, and shift workers, for example. The answer is not as simple as forcing the shared economy workers to become employees - the rigidity of employment terms that this would lead to is one of the reasons these individuals may have left mainstream employment in the first place. Advertisement What we need is better, more applicable laws. The regulators have been slow to react to changes in how people want to live and work. As a consequence we are stuck with legal definitions that no longer match reality. We need to redefine our working relationships by introducing a third category of worker. This might mean, for example, a lower personal rate of tax for individuals working as part of the shared economy, taking into account their additional costs and risks of their role. The companies themselves could be required to pay to register as a shared economy business, and also be required to negotiate bulk benefit and insurance rates for the individuals who work with them. They could even be asked to create worker forums as Uber agreed to do. That would still give both sides flexibility, it would not stifle the market and would help the individuals with any shortfall in income, as well as give them the voice and negotiating power many are looking for. Ultimately, it would provide independent workers with a financial safety net currently only in place for salaried workers. Photography by Elliot Wagland Sometimes I get fleeting thoughts or urges of wanting to kill myself. They frighten me when they come. It can happen at anytime, in any place. Typically, such thoughts and urges appear when I am struggling, but recently the idea came to me during one of my happiest times during a break in July: Advertisement "End it now. While you're on a high. Before you crash back down again." Thankfully, now I am able to talk about these thoughts with my psychiatrist or therapist, and I've often spoken to the Samaritans when the urges become persistent. Exactly two years ago I suffered a relapse in my mental health (I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder at the age of 20) and locked myself away at home. At this point the suicidal thoughts became a constant stream in my mind. I played out all the possible methods to end my life and researched them on the internet to create a plan. I was so desperate to end the anxiety and depression that had come to rule my existence. Confessing this to my psychiatrist led to a same day admission into a psychiatric unit. Suicide is a difficult subject to address, but I do so in the hope that people may understand the psyche of someone who is suicidal. Advertisement More than this, I hope to show anyone who is suicidal that it is always possible to overcome the feeling of wanting to end your own life. Earlier this year I attended and spoke at Time To Talk, an event in central London for those bereaved by suicide. There I talked to hundreds of families whose loved ones had taken their own lives. For a lot of these grieving family members, their relative's suicide had come completely out of the blue. Almost all of them lived with a continual feeling of guilt, and the unbearable question: "Why wasn't I able to stop it?" I came away from the event heartbroken by what I had heard. But it also left me determined to do what I can to help stop suicide. In the UK, 17 people take their own lives every single day. Suicide has become the biggest killer of men under 45 in our country, whilst in women the most recent suicide rates showed numbers at a 10-year high. Advertisement Around the world, the situation is equally shocking, with one person ending their own life every 40 seconds. Recently suicide became the primary cause of death for all those under 30. The statistics speak for themselves. And yet so few people actually speak about them. In June I went to India to carry out mental health work for a charity. 700 people take their own lives each day in India and yet no one I talked to wanted to acknowledge or address this. Suicide is preventable. But whilst it remains a taboo within society, it is much less so. During a visit last month to Scotland to give a talk at a school, I went to the gent's toilet and to my amazement saw posters up above the urinals with the words "it's OK to struggle!" and encouraging those that are to talk about it. In Scotland a government campaign, "Choose Life", aims to reduce suicide through initiatives such as the one mentioned and others including signposting suicide prevention hotlines on the side of taxis. The initiative is working and Scotland has managed to reduce its suicide rate by almost 20% in a decade. Advertisement It begs the question why such a campaign is not visible in England and Wales, or indeed worldwide. This Saturday marks World Suicide Prevention Day and the week leading up to it will see lots of activity to mark it. The charity Movember is launching a powerful video and campaign to tackle male suicide, Papyrus will pilot a project called #TalkThroughTheTaboo, and the National Suicide Prevention Alliance is due to release a brand new initiative to tackle suicide in young people. But the conversation must continue beyond 10 September. If a physical illness was taking more men's lives under the age of 45 in the UK than anything else surely we would talk about and respond to it? Every single suicide is a tragedy that will taint the lives of the loved ones left behind forever, and yet each suicide, I believe, has the potential to be stopped. It is up to all of us together as a society, to combat suicide. Through talking about it in our schools, colleges, universities, workplaces, and within our friends and families, we can end the silence that exists. Advertisement I'm not alone in the thoughts I have had to kill myself. But I often feel alone in talking about them. Imagine if everyone who was suicidal felt able to speak about it. It doesn't necessarily take away the despair, but it is most certainty a step forward. You no longer have to carry the burden all by yourself. To want to end one's life is to be human. Real life is less the pretty and perfect Instagram snaps we see, and more an indescribable, constant challenge. One that some of us find so unable to cope with that we choose to exit it early. Isn't it about time we accept that this is the true reality of the world we live in? Only then can we really start to stop the tragic scale of suicide that has for too long been ignored. Jonny Benjamin is among the speakers at the Wellbeing at Work Event in London on 19 October 2016, an event offering the solutions to workplace wellbeing with real-life examples. Go to www.wellbeingatworkevent.com for further details. Photo credit: Jenny Harper Photography Stoke-on-Trent? UK City of Culture 2021? Are you joking? I'm a Stokie who left at 18 and returned 20 something years later after living all over the world. Locals remember when everyone had a family member who worked in The Pots. My Nana painted plates at Wood & Son, my brother-in-law was at Royal Doulton. As a teenager we'd train out of season by running up the slag heap that is now Hanley Forest Park. 'Stoke-on-Trent' was synonymous with 'The Potteries'. Advertisement People still haven't forgotten the multiple and continued redundancies as pottery firms moved overseas and the mines closed. The middle-aged who'd worked for the same employer since leaving school suddenly found themselves unemployed with limited transferable skills. Their children had the rug pulled out from under them. This mass unemployment had a negative impact on the entire local economy. This is recent history, and people are still bitter. If you didn't live here then, you simply don't understand why people felt so let down and angry. I left simply because I could. Could this explain why Stoke is the UK's Brexit capital? 70% of people are unhappy and have been for decades. If you don't know how you can pay for heat, and your children are hungry you aren't going to be supportive of the council proposing a sculpture costing 3.5m. The first reaction is always going to be "Owww Much??" followed by random comments about taxpayer's money. Now that they're off their sofas (joking...), Brexit voters should start petitioning their elected representatives, and visiting their MP's surgeries. Unfortunately, Stoke-on-Trent's current Labour MPs didn't grow up here, so they don't understand. When the writer David Sedaris visited Stoke in 2015, he made a simple pronouncement, not unkindly: "You people need to get some civic pride". He's right. We'll move on from the misplaced local council initiatives like Ceramica, and the design of One Smithfield (is it the ugliest building in the UK?), the rejected 'Winter'-fest in place of a Christmas market. I could go on... Lucky for us when the council gets it so wrong our grassroots organisations get it right. If Stoke-on-Trent is to be selected as the UK City of Culture 2021 these organisations must work together. There's B. Arts who are on a mission to improve lives and places. The astonishing Wedgewood Institute (pictured) in Burslem is supported by the Prince's Regeneration Trust and European Regional Development Fund. If this building was in any other city it would be a landmark, instead it was placed on English Heritage's Buildings at Risk register. Is there a better symbol for a city of culture than a building created to educate the working class in science, business and the arts? Advertisement The Prince's Trust also supports the regeneration of Middleport Pottery which is the home of handmade Burleigh. It's the location for the Great Pottery Throw Down, hosted by the lovely (and Northern) Sara Cox. Where does she stay when she's filming? I'm sure it's not in the Mothertown's much-faded George Hotel which still features a bust of Arnold Bennett. We have The Arnold Bennett Society (we really do, I'm not making this up), but there's no comprehensive visitor information detailing how to visit the locations detailed in Anna of the Five Towns. There's no Anna map.... What about the Arnold Bennett omelette? I know it was invented at The Savoy for Mr B when he was staying there, but why not bring it home? We have many theatres and concert venues like the renovated Victoria Hall, The Regent, and the New Vic. We have brilliant museums, both large and small. There's a lively music scene. We even have Spoken Word nights at pubs, where colloquial poets sometimes need subtitles. There's Keele University with it's modernist campus (the website mainly shows Keele Hall to appeal to the international students), and Staffordshire University in the very heart of Stoke. Paul Williams of SU's Business School has been instrumental in the audacious idea that we could be considered as a city of culture, and is now on secondment to Stoke Council. dangerous_disco via Getty Images In a report sure to send shivers down the spine of any parent who momentarily felt pride at seeing their first child go to university, new research has found that millions of students are spending their loans within months - on nights out, clothes, parties, holidays and cars. So, who is to blame? Students? Can we for once give the young people of today a break? Is it not enough that their parent's generation butchered the economy with their excessive borrowing and greedy bankers to the point where the majority will never be able to afford their own house? Should't they get this time to enjoy themselves when the harsh reality is that this is probably as good as it's ever going to get for them? Advertisement Realistically we can't criticise youngsters when the research found that seven in ten said they were insufficiently taught about finance and were ill-prepared for student life, with nearly a third saying they taught themselves everything they know about how to manage money. Parents? Parents also need to be cut some slack with this one because no matter who's to blame for this situation it's the parents who are going to have to pay for it. The Research, conducted by Nationwide FlexStudent, found that around one in three students admit they would rather run to their parents when they have no money rather than forego nights out (5%), cut back on their food budget (five per cent), get a job (9%) or do more hours at work (11%). To compound the issue, 85% of parents admitted they would give their child money if asked, with 68% saying they wouldn't ask for it back. Advertisement Unfortunately for parents 'The Bank of Mum and Dad' is not a bottomless pit of cash, many parents are forced to take more extreme measures to ensure their children benefit from a university education, with one in six borrowing money or getting into debt, and one in seven taking a second job or delaying early retirement. Whilst these figures may leave some parents wishing for a time machine and a pack of Durex it's probably fine to let parents off with being blamed on top of financial ruin. Schools? Bingo! We have a winner! Yesterday, headteachers across the UK made headlines with their military enforcement on school uniform. Students missed hours of education as faculty members played 'Britan's Next Top Model - Student Edition' with many youngsters being sent home because their shoes weren't the right style. Is it not time that Education Bodies drop the emphasis on enforcing military style uniform and actually teach youngsters some real life skills? How in 2016 have we gotten to a point where students know more about dressing appropriately than the vital and life long skill of money management? Advertisement The cost of living? Looking back over my time at university one thing is apparent, I wasn't blowing my cash down Bond street. I went to University in London where the cost of living is unrealistic but I went to uni for the lifestyle not the clothes. Money went on experiences not extravagant purchases and let me tell you club entry ain't cheap if you're doing it right and neither is food. I never relied on my parents but I do think that there should be this shock when students need access to ' The Bank of Mum and Dad'. I don't know what magical thing people assume happen when the clock strikes 18, going to university is the final step towards adulthood, it doesn't happen over night. Ultimately when it comes to University the truth is you need a damn good overdraft! Dan King, Nationwide's Head of FlexStudent Current Account, said: "University can be an extremely expensive time for parents and students alike and often parents are expected to cover the shortfall, putting them under increased pressure and resulting in tightening their purse strings. Step 1; Make it out of the Womb. (pre-birth) Admittedly, this step is entirely out of your control. Antiquated, discriminatory traditions may be an obstacle to making it to life. Cultural norms that value boys over girls in countries such as the People's Republic of China, Pakistan and India (to name but a few), will choose to end your chance at life before it's even begun. Gender selective abortion; may the odds be ever in your favour. Step 2; Don't Starve. (ages 6-14) You survived? Congratulations! Now again, this is beyond your control. Access to food, water and basic health is frequently denied to women and girls because of their gender. In Africa, 90% of the work involved in gathering water and wood for the household and for food preparation is done by women. Advertisement In rural Benin, girls ages 6-14 spend an average of one hour a day collecting water compared to the 25 minutes their brothers spend. Tradition dictates that women eat last, after all the male members and children of the family have been fed. Some places have a saying; "if you don't eat fast, you won't eat at all!" Chances are you just won't eat. (Oh, and if you do, don't eat too much. No one likes a fat girl). Or maybe you will, but you'll vomit it back up after, as a result of being made believe that "Nothing tastes as good as skinKate Moss - HeadStuff.org Advertisement Image sourceny feels!" Step 3; Go to School. (ages 7-12) You've time to go to school? I'm so glad. You must live close by, otherwise you'd be too busy doing household jobs that aren't deemed important enough for boys to abstain from school for. In Tanzania, a survey found school attendance to be 12 per cent higher for girls in homes located 15 minutes or less from a water source than in homes one hour or more away. Attendance rates for boys appeared to be far less affected by distance from water sources. Education is the key to prosperity. Admittedly, there is the risk of Government officials putting a bullet or three in your head for this one. But look, in their defence, her voice was too shrill to have to listen to. Especially about a topic as controversial and divisive as girls learning to read and write. One study showed that women's education contributed 43 percent of the reduction in child malnutrition over time. It's literally the solution to your survival but unless you beat the odds, unless your parents are progressive and your government aren't trying to kill you, you will forever be knocking on a locked door. Advertisement "I tell my story, not because it is unique, but because it is the story of many girls" - Malala Yousafzai Step 4; Avoid Debilitating Cultural Traditions. (ages 12+) Okay. Take a deep breath. You've done a lot to make it this far. Someone, maybe even your mother, may be tempted to invade your personal space and bodily integrity with a dirty knife or scalpel, in order to injure your external female organs. You're not ill though. In fact, there's no need for this to happen, but sure look, bad things happen right? It literally does nothing beneficial for you. Oh, and it engenders severe bleeding, urination problems, infections, cysts, childbirth problems and increases the chance of newborn deaths. Female genital mutilation happens everywhere from the Middle East and Asia to Africa, and affects approximately 200 million girls and women today. You are literally under threat of being irrevocably maimed for being born with female parts. Step 5; Menstruation (ages 13+) At best, you'll be taxed for it. (Everyday essentials such as edible cake decorations, crocodile meat and parking spaces for ships aren't taxed though, these are necessities people! Who really needs sanitary products monthly?!) Advertisement At worst, you'll have no access to any sanitary products and are forced to a) go without, b) makeshift sanitary products, or c) let it affect your life in other ways, i.e. being unable go to school. If men don't do it, it has to be disgusting, right? It's what enables us to give life, but that's a luxury. Remember girls, if it doesn't happen to men, it's an exception to the rule of Life. Step 6; Over-sexualisation (ages 13+) Legislation in countries such as Niger, Chad and the central republic of Africa turn a blind eye to child marriage (that's children married before they turned 18 years old), to prevent economic hardship felt by families in having another child to feed, and in a reluctance to change the tradition of a society. In the eyes of leering watchers, your body can be divided into prurient tools; " blow job lips" for one. The media will report on you having "shapely pins"while choosing to ignore any and every thing else. Raucous yells from afar, by older men, will linger. They will eye you dangerously; like a jungle animal on their unsuspecting prey. Step 7; Over-sexualisation (ages 20+) Wait, editor, there's been a mistake. Why is this one here again? Oh yes, how could I have forgotten? My bad. This doesn't end. For years. And years. And years. Cat calling. Harassment. Blaming. Leering. Advertisement Try not to let it make you die on the inside. Try not to shrivel up and pull down your skirt a little more and zip up your jacket a little higher. Try to remember that this isn't because of anything you did or didn't do. You're still worth something, everything, even if these people are trying to reduce you to nothing more than a body, made for pleasuring them just by being present. Step 8; Don't get Raped (ages 20+) In every corner of the world there is a chance that this has already happened to you. And there is a high chance of it happening to you in the future. The devastating truth of being a woman; the promise of perdition in that you will be blamed. It won't be your fault. Ever. Again, you will be subjected to a vagina, breasts, legs, a summation of your character will be based on how you fit into society's idea of beauty. I'm sorry but there is nothing you can do to prevent this. I don't have any words of wisdom, comfort or guidance. Studies say it could be your boyfriend, an uncle, a stranger. Evidently, we are safe from no one. Advertisement There is rarely justice for you, if he is a college swimmer, he may only get three months in jail. Step 9; Don't get Pregnant Try your very best not to get pregnant unless you want a child. Your soul will be crushed when you realise that the old, white men have deemed something that could kill you from the inside as more valuable than your life. Even as a result of situations where you have been violated, where your control and bodily integrity has been stripped from you, you will still be forced to house another life, even if you're struggling just to live your own. Step 10; Actually just don't have sex... Or do, but not too much. Don't be a slut or a whore or a hoe. But don't be frigid. Or easy. Or a prude. But be experienced enough to know what you're doing, but also be a virgin. Got it? Step 11; Get a Job; Find an Equal Opportunities Employer Look, chances are you're not going to get this job because you're engaged, or maybe at a fertile age and you should probably be going to get married or pregnant soon (in that order), but hey, at least they'll pretend to consider you. Step 12; Get Married Have children. In that order. Sure, you're a kept woman now, you don't need any more advice. Happy breeding! In Conclusion Look, this may seem pessimistic but at least we're getting adequately paid to warrant having these extra expenses! Oh.. wait, only Caucasian men make enough money. Eh. Well at least it doesn't cost us financially to be women, we can cut our losses and move on. Oh... right. The luxury tax on essential sanitary items. Running out of positives here.. Eh... Well... at least we have the vote? * Before any angry commenters step in, obviously some of these things aren't exclusive to women and deserve equal time and space to be discussed, but sure, that can be your job.* Advertisement Like many others, I thought that France's high court ruling on 26 August regarding the 'burkini ban' would signal the end of the country's utter madness on the issue. In describing a local ban on religious attire at the beach as 'illegal' and as 'violating fundamental personal freedoms', it seemed that the high court had taken a much-needed step to recognising the widespread and longstanding islamophobia across France, acknowledging that Muslim women are indeed people, and deserve the same freedoms as everyone else. Yet on Tuesday, a Corsican judge upheld a local mayor's ban on the religious attire, stating that the ban was legal because public order had been disrupted in the area. The court dismissed the challenge from the Human Rights League on the ban in Sisco, Corsica, saying that the presence of such swimwear on Sisco's beaches could 'cause risks to public order'. The mayor of Sisco claimed the ban protects public security, and for Nicolas Sarkozy, the burkini represents a 'provocation'. Clearly, this rhetoric is victim blaming at its finest. Aside from the obviously problematic issue of the state policing women's bodies, these statements raise a few questions. Why would a woman who chooses to cover her arms or her hair be responsible for any public disorder? Why does the (unacceptable) regulation of women's bodies have anything to do with the protection of public security? How can we resort to claiming that a woman's swimwear is provocative? Advertisement Such logic is reminiscent of those who claim that women who wear short skirts or heels are responsible for any subsequent sexual assault or harassment. It amounts to the same thing: the perpetrator of a potential attack cannot be seen as responsible for their actions, and instead the victim must be blamed. In this case, the victims of the bans are Muslim women: the vague wording of the regulations, along with a widespread and misplaced association of all Muslims with terrorism, means that they become a way of targeting Muslim women. The bans punish the victims, instead of the perpetrators, of potential Islamophobic attacks by discriminating against their clothing; it is worrying that this has been condoned by the highest legal authority in Corsica. The continued noise in France surrounding the burkini means that the regulation of Muslim women's bodies remains in the spotlight; the choices that these women can make are still being debated and decided upon FOR them (all in the name of liberating and empowering them, of course). The statement by France's highest administrative court on 26 August on human rights and freedoms is critical, and needs to be absorbed into popular discourse. Politics is often likened to child-play and it's an accurate allegory, to say the least. Stanley Kubrick's Cold War classic, Dr. Strangelove, gives an absurd yet prime example of this. There is a scene where the American president, played by Peter Sellers, speaks to his Soviet counterpart about the possibility of "the bomb". In fact, it's such a silly scene that it reminded me of the recent exchanges between US President Obama and the Philippines' very own President Duterte: "I'm sorry too, Dimitri, I'm very sorry ... Alright, you're sorrier than I am but I'm sorry as well ... I am as sorry as you are, Dimitri. Don't say that you're more sorry because I'm just as capable of being as sorry as you are." Advertisement It's only been less than 100 days since Duterte assumed office, yet the country is already hard hit by the recent changes. From killing sprees to geopolitical disputes, everyday Filipinos are faced with new conundrums. What better way to start your Monday morning than with Obama cancelling his meeting with Duterte after publicly calling him "a son of a bitch". This comes after criticisms from the United States on the Philippines' use of extrajudicial killings. Duterte retaliated by asking Obama to answer for his mistakes first, namely the war in Syria and police brutality back home. But what was more important were the bits largely missed by international headlines, particularly Duterte's comments on the Philippines ceasing to be an American colony. "I am a president of a sovereign state and we have long ceased to be a colony," Duterte raged, "I am only answerable to the Filipino people who elected me as president." The unfolding of these events left many on social media disapproved, with others praising the president for his "righteous words" against the "ills of American imperialism". Advertisement "President Rodrigo Duterte's strong statement against United States President Barack Obama is courageous [...] especially considering the long history of unequal and oppressive PH-US colonial relations", said in a statement by the social democratic youth organization, Anakbayan, "It is time we end the unequal, lopsided, oppressive US-PH relationship and stand up for our sovereignty." The Philippines has been an independent state since 1946, yet the effects of colonialism are still felt up to this day. I have heard many Filipinos try to reason out the country's underdevelopment because "the Philippines is still a young country". Perhaps this is true, but whether or not the country is really ready to break from the chains of colonialism is something to be questioned. Yes, we have "long ceased to be a colony" of the United States. But I doubt we have come far enough to consider ourselves removed from this. Let's take Duterte as Exhibit A. His fight against drugs have been the driving force of his campaign, arguably borrowed from the former US president Richard Nixon. Nixon's declaration for a war on drugs came as a knee-jerk reaction from the civil rights movements that were gaining momentum in the United States, particularly from the black and hippie communities who heavily opposed the Vietnam War. The war on drugs not only targeted the Mexican and Columbian drug cartels but also drug users in America, whose protests during the 1970's were overshadowed by Nixon's commitment to counter the communists. In order to maintain political influence in Southeast Asia, the Philippines happily accepted the United States' request for more support in the region. This is evidenced by the "Dangerous Drugs Act" of 1972 - just a year after Nixon declared his war on drugs - which seeks to deter the proliferation of psychoactive substances in the country. Today, Duterte remains keen on this agenda. Indeed, it was Philippine police chief Ronald Dela Rosa who told media persons about his prospective visit to Colombia, boasting how the country had won the war against drugs. This was despite numerous accounts reporting that the war in Colombia has, in fact, failed. Healthcare faces similar problems. For decades, those campaigning for the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill have been grappling to give Filipinos equal access to reproductive healthcare. The government's perseverance to make family planning methods an option for all has been driven by economics. The latest statistics by the Philippine Statistics Authority reveals that three babies were born every minute in 2009, in which four in every ten were considered "illegitimate". By 2045, the total population may hit 145 million, nearly double of what it is now. Because of this, the Philippines is falling into a poverty trap where parents can no longer sustain themselves or their many children. Even after the RH Bill was passed in 2013, the allocation of government-sponsored contraceptives was scrapped from this year's health budget as it raised hairs in the Catholic Church. A reflection of Spanish canon laws? Undoubtedly. Post-colonialism at its finest? Absolutely. If you disagree, just lament on the fact that the Philippines is the only country in the world where divorce is still illegal. Advertisement Is this the result of imperialism in the Philippines, namely the inability of Filipinos to think for themselves, the need to follow the steps that our colonialists sorely mistook? Clearly, colonialism hasn't gone away, nor will it be going away anytime soon. The sole fact that Duterte stands amongst us reflects the need for Filipinos to have a "strong man" distinguishing to them from what is right and wrong. Colonialism goes beyond the unequal economic relations between the core and the periphery. It is characterised by certain surface values so deeply embedded in day-to-day Filipino life: the compadre relations in the family, patron-clientelism in politics, the feeling of indebtedness by those who do you favours, the manana habit of leaving tasks to be done by others. These attitudes permeate into the country's political structures, creating the ideal breeding grounds for corruption. This, in turn, further exacerbates the single most important problem that politicians are yet to tackle: poverty. This week, there were Twitter larks imagining what it would be like if men had periods. Using the hashtag #IfMenHadPeriods, one person posted a cartoon of a man spray-painting his name on a wall, using blood shooting out of his penis - tagging his territory like a champ. In the same sketch, another man laughs as he paintballs his mate in the face, with blood cannoning out of his bits. It's a jovial scene, a bit like in Bugsy Malone, but with menstrual blood instead of custard pies. Someone else posted a spoof advert for Manpons, imagining how tampons would be marketed to men (they'd be designed by NASA scientists and engineered for a super-charged performance). Other tweets included, "we'd have a painkiller that ACTUALLY stopped cramps," and, "there would be a sharp increase in bar fights due to being asked if it was 'that time of the month.'" It was a bit of fun, but not everyone thought so. One Twitter user wrote, "While this highly cisnormative hashtag is trending, I want to remind everyone that trans men do exist + some have periods." Another complained, "Men do have periods. Not every man is cis and it's disgusting for people to still be assuming that they are." There were numerous other tweets along these lines. Advertisement I'm sorry, Social Justice Warriors, but here's the science bit: Men don't have periods - women do. That's biology. It doesn't matter how we identify, what we wear, who we sleep with, or which pronouns we prefer - our reproductive organs simply don't care. I understand why some women might think the grass is greener as a man. Men get paid more, and they're more likely to be listened to in meetings. They don't tend to get married off as kids to OAPs, and they're not usually the victims of "honour killings." They aren't coerced into wearing burkas, and they usually do less housework. But to paraphrase Girls Aloud, you can't escape your biology. You can't opt out of being a woman. In May this year, a woman in Iceland who identifies as a transgender man, became pregnant, telling the press, "It was a bit of a shock." But this is what happens when a man - a biological man - ejaculates in a woman's vagina. Those are the reproductive facts, and this case illustrates the confusion between sex and gender. You cannot choose your sex, and neither can you change it. Gender is a set of stereotypes associated with each sex. They're society's ideas about how men and women should behave, and how they should appear. A woman may prefer the stereotypes associated with being male, but identifying as a man won't stop her getting pregnant, and nor will it necessarily stop men from treating her as a woman, in the very ways she wishes they wouldn't. Advertisement In Canada, also in May this year, a woman who identifies as a transgender man was sexually assaulted by a taxi driver. The victim of the assault has been quoted as saying: "I think he just didn't care that I was a trans man... he still continued to call me a woman even though I had explicitly told him I was a male and I had been transitioning for a while." It's almost as if the victim thinks that identifying as male gives her an opt-out from sexual assault, while other women are fair game for it. But it didn't matter how she identified, the taxi driver still recognised her as a woman, and he still sexually assaulted her. Hongqi Zhang via Getty Images According to The Times, newly appointed Prime Minister Theresa May is seeking ways to reduce the number of international students coming into the UK. She wants universities to "develop sustainable funding models that are not so dependent on international students". As an international student myself, I was disappointed to hear this news. But I can't say that I was surprised. As Home Secretary Theresa May had proposed a minimum salary of 35,000 pounds for international students before being able to qualify for a Tier 2 Work Visa. And in the wake of the Brexit vote and discussion about reducing immigration, international students are an easy target. You think any of us will go up in arms about it? Most of us can't even be bothered to follow the Bake Off. Advertisement But what pains me about the Prime Minister's recent comments isn't just that she's targeting a group I closely identify with. It's that she's doing it despite how little sense her proposal makes. I understand that curbing migration is important to the new Cabinet - but why target international students? We're not here to cause trouble, use benefits, or take over the country. The fact that university fees for international students are many orders higher than local fees means that we're here to get our money's worth: to work hard, get a good degree, and hopefully a good job. An international student studying in a UK medical school may pay up to 240,000 pounds for the entire five to six year course. You could buy a Ferrari with that kind of money. Do you really think we're here to fool around and leech off the system? The international student business is worth about seven billion pounds, according the britishfuture.org. Universities certainly won't be happy losing out on that. But they also lose risking much more. Universities are a place where people from all walks of life can come together, learn from each other, and create new ideas. When Theresa May talks about 'models that are not so dependent on international students', she seems to ignore the fact that universities are very dependent on the success of all its students, local or not. The Vice Chancellor of the University of Cambridge said in a statement after the Brexit vote: "Cambridge thrives as part of a wider community of academic staff and students," and added, "we remain deeply committed to global cooperation and our dedicated staff who come from all around the world." Advertisement The fact is, some of the best academic institutions in the world reside in the UK. Naturally this will attract some of the best minds to study, work, and maybe live here. They make new friends, learn the ins and outs of British culture, and maybe try and watch the Bake Off once a week. They'll also develop new ideas, ventures, and technologies to address issues facing the country and ultimately, the larger global community. The UK should not shy away from their place as one of the world's intellectual capitals. Rather they should be welcoming to anyone with the brains, tenacity and dedication to graduate with a British degree. Marc Lamothe, Technical Director, Start Virtual Reality (VR), Artificial Intelligence (AI) theyre terms that sound like they were taken out of a sci-fi book. The acceleration of development in technology has opened up new ways for brands to communicate with customers ways that we would never have even dreamt of just a couple of years ago. Marketers, however, are quickly realising that the future is here, and that these types of new technologies are not only available for commercial use but they also hold a vast untapped potential for brands to offer even more personalised and streamlined customer experiences. The latest one of these developments is the introduction of AI bots (or conversational interfaces), which have the potential to enable more intimate and seamless ways for people to connect with brands. But the introduction of these bots is not a surprise. There have been a number of factors that have slowly pushed user engagement models to this point. Advertisement App exhaustion and messaging that takes all There is a clear downwards trend in the number of apps downloaded and kept on phones. Today, users are much less willing to go to the trouble of finding, downloading and learning an entirely new app for the sole purpose of interacting with a brand. We call this trend app exhaustion. It is now clear that the majority of mobile users time is spent in a small number of apps, with a strong emphasis on messaging (Facebook Messenger, iMessage, WhatsApp, etc.). These apps are positioning themselves as extensible platforms, allowing custom third party bots to provide functionality (including payment) through a conversational interface. By releasing bots on these messaging platforms, brands have been able to reach their customers through the apps theyre already using on a daily basis, with a frictionless interface (chat) that theyre comfortable with. But will AIs ever be able to provide real value for consumers? As AI evolves and improves, the conversations consumers have with bots will become more personalised and intuitive. The experience will be indistinguishable from conversing with a real person, at a scale (1 to 1) which would be impossible to provide using human support staff. Advertisement Moving ahead, customers will be able to develop a more intimate relationship with companies, curated by their own personal brand ambassador, navigating them through the entire customer journey. These conversational brand interactions will be more convenient and frictionless, using the messaging apps theyre already immersed in. In addition, discovery will be simplified, as context-appropriate bots can be dynamically suggested based on the contents of the conversation. For example, imagine sending a picture of a pair of new shoes to your friend that you really want, and a Nike bot automatically giving you more information along with an option to purchase? Pretty cool. Bot ambassadors In the future, these virtual bot ambassadors have the potential to measurably impact the bottom line for brands. Using a combination of Big Data analytics, AI and mobile payment technologies like Apple Pay, the customer journey can be dynamically optimised to drive e-commerce transactions. But one thing to keep in mind is that human interaction will never be replaceable. While these new technologies provide great new ways for brands to deliver on an omnichannel promise, it will always have to be in tandem with a great in-store experience. The next generation brands must harmonise physical and virtual experiences, strengthening the loyalty of customers who come into contact with them; building deeper, more consistent engagement between customer and brand, wherever they are located in the world. Advertisement Marc Lamothe, Technical Director at Start Hong Kong, has been delivering cutting-edge interactive digital applications to customers for over 15 years. His technical leadership roles have spanned high profile projects such as Burger Kings global website re-launch, and Samsungs Canadian mobile phone portal. Since joining the Start Group in 2011, he has managed the digital delivery for pillar clients such as Dubai Airports, Intel, Qatar Airways, Swire Properties, LinkedIn & Pfizer. News that allies of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump have been trawling for votes in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank demonstrates the growing ties between the Republican Party and the Israeli settler movement which threatens to destroy three decades of bipartisan foreign policy toward Israel and the Palestinians. Republican activists have already opened one office in the settlement of Karnei Shomron and others will soon open a branch in another settlement, Efrat. The group has enlisted a Israeli campaign operative, Tzvika Brot, who previously worked for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and claims it will have more than 100 volunteers working the phones, passing out fliers, targeting voters through social media and advising Americans on voter registration. It seems ironic to note how organized Trump is in the West Bank in light of news reports about the poor state of his field operations in key swing states back home. Nobody should be concerned that Trump -- or for that matter Hillary Clinton -- is campaigning for the support of Americans living overseas who have a constitutional right to vote. But we should be concerned that a crucial plank of our bipartisan foreign policy regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict seems to be falling apart. Advertisement The Republican Party has an honorable tradition of pressing for a just peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush made valiant efforts in this regard and registered important successes. The elder Bush convened the Madrid Middle East peace conference in 1991 and his son in 2008 became the first US President to visit the Palestinian city of Ramallah, headquarters of the Palestinian Authority. On that trip, Bush explicitly called for an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank. Contrast that with the Republican Party platform formally adopted in July, which specifically rejected the notion that Israel's presence in the West Bank was an occupation and dropped support for a two-state peace deal with the Palestinians. The new platform brings the party closer to the settler movement which aims to colonize most of the West Bank with the aim that it will eventually be annexed to form a "Greater Israel." One of Trump's main Israel advisers, David Friedman, who heads an organization that raises money to support the West Bank settlement of Beth El, told the Jerusalem Post in an interview that a one-state solution was a viable option for ending the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. He added that a Trump administration might view an Israeli annexation of West Bank settlement as legitimate. It's not known exactly how many U.S. citizens live in Israel -- estimates range from 150,000 to 300,000 -- much less how many of them are settlers. Also unknown is the number registered to vote in the United States or how they divide between the two major parties. But the political effect of the pro-settler voter drive is unlikely to have much practical effect on the presidential election itself since most Americans in Israel hail from states like New York, New Jersey and California which are reliably Democratic -- and relatively few come from swing states like Florida and Ohio. Advertisement American Jews traditionally give between 70 and 80 percent of their votes to Democrats in presidential elections and have done so for many decades. Efforts by previous candidates like Mitt Romney to drive a wedge between the American Jewish community and the Democratic Party over the Israel issue have failed miserably. This year, American Jews may vote even more resoundingly for Hillary Clinton. Trump has alienated many with his stances on Muslims, immigrants, gays and women and his campaign has seemed ready to flirt with far-right forces seen as anti-Semitic. Even some very prominent Republican Jewish donors and bundlers, who gave tens of millions of dollars to previous GOP nominees, have withheld support for the Trump campaign this year. Israel's continued settlement activity--whether retroactively approving 'unauthorized' outposts or advancing plans for new units as was recently announced--represents yet another nail in the coffin of the peace process. The settlements have become nothing but Israel's self-entrapment, threatening its very existence. Prime Minister Netanyahu and his coalition partners, however, are not concerned about the prospective dire repercussions of settlement activity. They put the sanctity of the land above any other consideration, and view the settlement enterprise as the prerequisite to repossessing the entire historic 'land of Israel.' Netanyahu is not deterred by the criticism and condemnation from the international community. He takes the position that building new housing units is largely in settlements that will eventually be part of a final status deal in exchange for land swaps, as if he has the right to unilaterally decide which settlements will be incorporated to Israel proper without an agreement with the Palestinians. As he sees it, Israel has been building settlements for nearly five decades, and in spite of that it has not suffered any adverse consequences for its defiance of the international consensus against the settlements. Why should he worry about it now, when the international community is preoccupied with so many other conflicts in the Middle East and is unlikely to take any punitive measure against Israel other than expressing the usual indignation? Advertisement Netanyahu is even less concerned about the Palestinians' claim that Israel's creeping annexation of their territory creates irreversible facts on the ground that would deny them a state of their own under a two-state solution. Netanyahu counters this argument by repeating his slogan that Israel is prepared to enter negotiations unconditionally, and that the settlements do not represent any obstacle to peace. In the same breath, however, he publicly and repeatedly states that the Jews have an inalienable historic right to the entire "land of Israel," especially the West Bank. As such, Israel is not an occupying power and has the inherent right to establish settlements on any part of its historic land. Netanyahu is also not bothered by the reaction of the Arab states, particularly Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, as on the surface settlement activity puts them on the defensive precisely when they are reaching out to Israel. This is not the case, Netanyahu insists. The Arab states are more concerned about Islamic radicalization and in particular the prospective Iranian nuclear threat. In fact, he claims the Arab states are seeking cooperation with Israel in spite of ongoing settlement expansion. They share a common cause with Israel and are focused on their own problems, viewing the Palestinians as nothing but an added burden. Advertisement Netanyahu's message to the Israelis, especially the settlers, is that the construction of illegal outposts will retroactively be legalized, thereby signaling that they can continue this practice with impunity. It takes Netanyahu's typical chutzpah to call for demolishing Palestinian villages like Susiya and other housing units built on their own land while retroactively legalizing illegal Jewish settlements on Palestinian land that were expropriated by Israel, which is nothing less than a travesty. What message does that send to the international community, and how does that square with Israel's presumed moral standing among the community of nations? This does not seem to bother him in the least. Netanyahu dismisses the prospect that his policy would inadvertently lead to one state, as Israel will then face two choices: one, maintain its democratic form of government by granting the Palestinians full citizenship, but in the process lose its Jewish majority and its national identity as a Jewish state; or two, deny the Palestinians citizenship, whereby Israel becomes a de-facto apartheid state, reviled and potentially sanctioned by the international community. This, however, is not how Netanyahu and company see it. From their perspective, settling a million Jews in Israel will indeed create irreversible facts on the ground, but this is precisely what they want to realize as that would not translate to giving Palestinians Israeli citizenship and equal political rights. Advertisement What Netanyahu has in mind is for the Palestinians to establish their own cantons in Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jenin, Jericho, and other cities, governing themselves as they see fit as long as they accept their lot quietly while Israel maintains overall security throughout the West Bank. In so doing, Israel will indefinitely remain in control of the West Bank, managing the conflict on a day-to-day basis and dealing with Palestinian violence as it occurs. For him, a state of constant tension is preferred over relinquishing the land. Netanyahu, however, is totally blinded by his messianic mission, ruling out the possibility that the Palestinians will sooner than later rise, as they are willing to die because they have little left to lose. In his illuminating new book The Suicide of the Jews (a must read), the futurist Tsvi Bisk describes how the various Zionist branches rationalized the occupation and eventual annexation of all Palestinian land because they truly believe "...that compromise on the land issue would not only endanger Jewish redemption but the redemption of all humanity... For religious Zionists, fidelity to the land was a divine directive and even talk about dividing the land with another people was sacrilegious." Netanyahu is a willing hostage to coalition partners he assembled that include staunch proponents of the settlements, such as Education Minister Naftali Bennett and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman. Advertisement Leave it to him to use his coalition government to provide him with the perfect excuse to continue with his policy; tragically, he is inviting disaster by putting the land above Israel's national security, if not its very existence. Repeated polls strongly suggest that a vast majority of Israelis and Palestinians want to end their conflict based on a two state solution. As long as the opposition political parties cannot unite with a specific and coherent political framework based on the Arab Peace Initiative to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Likud may well form the next government in 2019. Likewise, as long as the Palestinians remain divided, with many of their leaders steeped in corruption, they play directly into Netanyahu's hand. They, more than anyone else, will destroy their own prospect of realizing a statehood. To be sure, unless Israel's opposition parties coalesce and create a popular movement for peace, and the Palestinians organize their political affairs and negotiate with Israel in unison, it may well be too late to save them both from their own self-inflicted deadly wounds. INDIA - DECEMBER 05: Mother Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Theresa) at her mission to aid poor, starving and suffering people in Calcutta, India (Photo by Tim Graham/Getty Images) Saints reach much wider than their community or their religion. It is as if the halo of certain individuals casts a wide ring of life that speaks to some fundamental dimension of being human, a dimension that transcends the boundaries of their particular religion. Great saints do not belong to a religion; they are a patrimony of all humanity. This is certainly the case in a global age, where media helps deliver the image of the holy individual far and wide. Certain personalities have the power to offset so much of the negative image of religion, also spread by the media, by showing us the best of religion, and inspiring members of their own faith, of other faiths and of no faith. Advertisement Such a figure was Mother Theresa of Calcutta, who was declared a Saint by Pope Francis yesterday. Nobel prize laureate, winner of the Templeton prize and one of the modern icons of religion - she strikes a chord of empathy, respect and admiration in the hearts of many, regardless of their religious affiliation. What can a Jewish observer draw from the testimony of Mother Theresa and what lessons can we learn from her life and from how she engaged in her life's work? Three points come to mind. The Power of Service We admire goodness. We admire service. We admire sacrifice. We all have in us an implicit expectation that people of religion should somehow be better than others, or show the power of their faith in a way that manifests something beyond human decency and ordinary goodness. We are often disappointed when individuals in religion fail to live up to that expectation, let alone provide a counter-testimony, hillul ha-shem in Jewish terminology. So, when someone performs extraordinary service in the name of religion, this restores something of our faith in the power of faith. Mother Theresa's service to the poor and downtrodden speaks to the most basic dimension of our common humanity. No nation has monopoly over poverty and no community is exempt from suffering. Caring for the poor and downtrodden strikes a note of appreciation because we all realize we must engage in it, and yet somehow fall short of doing so adequately. The power of example is one of the Saint's fundamental dimensions. What Mother Theresa did is recognized by one and all and constitutes an invitation to one and all to service of the needy. Something of the reality of God is communicated through caring and loving service in ways that are more direct than the tomes composed by learned theologians, halachists and philosophers. God's very goodness communicates through such service, and is recognized far and wide, beyond specific religious boundaries. Advertisement Caring for the Person, Regardless of Religious Identity It is not only that certain great individuals can be recognized beyond their tradition. Even more fundamentally, their greatness finds expression in transcending the "us-them" dichotomy of believers, and in treating insiders and outsiders with the same gaze of goodness and service. Mother Theresa did not serve Christians. She served humans. Earlier this year I visited the first home she founded in Calcutta. It is located within the broader complex of a major Hindu Temple, Kalighat. There she provided shelter and care to people who were on the streets, regardless of their faith. I spent a morning volunteering with her sisters and volunteers, getting a glimpse of the reality of their lives and the depth, and simplicity, of their dedication and commitment. People from all over the world flock to help in her homes. Many of them are not even religious. Goodness communicates beyond religion. Some of the volunteers may be touched by religion; many will be drawn to goodness as such, irrespective of the particularity of faith. God and good are one. The same holds true for the inmates. I had a long talk with the priest who serves in the home. I wanted to get a better sense of his motivation. Was his service a means of winning souls? Was it all a missionary tactic, or was service an ideal in and of itself, a way of being Christian without the age-old practice of seeking to convert others by means such as kindness? I felt good about Fr. Julian's reply. It was clear to me from his response that charity and care for the poor were not simply a missionary tactic. The service was true and selfless, without expectation of changing people's religious identity. Stories of respect and affirmation of the religious identity of others in Mother Theresa's practice abound. Needless to say, this increases respect across religions. Serving God in Darkness There is a third lesson from Mother Theresa's life, beyond the power of service, and the testimony of service beyond faith boundaries. It is one that is particularly relevant to the Jewish observer. (I owe the inspiration and understanding for what follows to Father Raniero Cantalamessa, known as the Pope's preacher, for the homilies he has been offering for decades to the past three Popes). About 15 years ago, when Mother Theresa became "Blessed", the step before becoming "Saint", in the formal processes of the Catholic Church, some of her letters to her confessor were published. In them, one learns of her feelings of darkness, loss of faith, loss of contact and love of God. If one typically considers the saint, the outstanding religious individual, to be operating from his or her love and life in God, here is the opposite internal reality. After an initial closeness, even mystical experience, that led Saint Theresa to leave her former community of Loretto, where she was a teacher, and to serve the poor, Mother Theresa spent the greater part of her life in spiritual darkness, feeling God far from her. This reality gives us much pause for thought. If for some it cast doubt on her saintliness, for others it was a sign of even greater sanctity. All her good deeds were carried out despite continual suffering and a darkness, sometimes described as a dark night of the soul or spirit. What power would be required to continue serving, and doing so in the name of God, despite such darkness? Why such darkness? Father Cantalamessa offers two powerful suggestions, beyond the classical Christian understanding of the purificatory role of such suffering. The first has to do with her superstar status, amplified by the media. How could a person withstand the power of continuing admiration without developing ego? Cantalamessa suggests "The interminable night of some modern saints is the means of protection invented by God for today's saints who live and work constantly under the spotlight of the media." There is a still more profound cause, he opines. The post-modern world has produced "atheists in good faith: those who live painfully the situation of the silence of God, who do not believe in God but do not boast about it". I believe we can take the point one step further, drawing on the Jewish experience and then re-read that experience in light of the testimony of Saint Mother Theresa. The dark night of the soul is not only the dark night of an individual mystic. It is a condition of the modern age. For many people God has absented himself from the world, leaving it in darkness. The holocaust is the epitome of this experience of divine hiding, but not its unique expression. The opposite pole of the life of joyous intimacy with God, the heritage of the mystics, is the sense of God's exile, hiddenness and absence. So many Jews are unable to find God in and since the holocaust, and more broadly in modern reality. Absence of the conscious presence of God is for many Jews a foundational reality, to which they must respond. Mother Theresa offers one particularly noteworthy response. Her response was not to abandon a God whom she felt abandoned by. Rather, it was to increase her attachment to him through service of others. It is as if finding God concealed in the "Good" is the response to God's own concealment. A conversation between Ocean Conservancy's CEO Andreas Merkl and Nainoa Thompson, president of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and navigator of the iconic Hokule'a, as Hawaii hosts the IUCN World Conservation Congress. With a shared passion for our ocean, Merkl (@AndreasMerkl) and Thompson spoke about experiencing unparalleled beauty on the water, the plague of plastic pollution in our ocean and the importance of bringing people together to find solutions. The Polynesian Voyaging Society and Ocean Conservancy will be part of an International Coastal Cleanup organized by the U.S. Department of State in James Campbell Wildlife Refuge on September 9, 2016. For over 30 years, Ocean Conservancy has rallied the world's biggest single-day volunteer effort on behalf of the ocean through the International Coastal Cleanup. (Please click here if you'd like to sign-up to cleanup on September 17, 2016.) Advertisement The following was edited for clarity and length. Andreas Merkl:We are both ocean people because we really want to be, but it is rare to see anybody who is as connected as you are. Being as deeply connected to the ocean as you are, how do you square both happiness and sadness when it comes to the issues it faces? Nainoa Thompson:My draw to the ocean is because I fell in love with it. I fell in love with it because of just the infinite beauty of life itself. It was the definition for me. Through my journey around the world, we're recognizing how much we've hurt the earth. We made a trip to Palmyra, sailing eleven hundred miles, a number of years ago, and we didn't even get a single [fish] bite. It was like an empty ocean. We get a sense of the life not just by what's in the oceans but by what's in the air, the seabirds. It's just clearly diminished. Andreas:You have that visceral sense that it has been degraded, that there's fewer fish, fewer birds. I've heard this from other sailors as well, lifelong sailors with many crossings, that say that sometimes there's a sense of dread and loneliness that they feel now, because it seems so depleted. Nainoa:Yet when we got to the southern tip of Madagascar and the coast of South Africa, oh my God, it was one of the most amazing experiences I ever had. Advertisement Andreas:It's teeming? Nainoa:It was like "Avatar" truly. There was so much bioluminescence. You could see so much. You could actually see small fish pass through the waters at night. It was just amazing. Then you get up to Cape Town, and it's just teeming with those super pods of whales. We've seen the brilliance of life, too. We've seen just the amazing, amazing power of the ocean in certain spaces. We've also seen the emptiness. Andreas:Tell me about what you actually see out there in terms of plastic pollution. Nainoa:What's good about the deck of the canoe, because we're not sailing with instruments, it requires the navigator to constantly be observing. They're looking at the surface of the oceans all the time. It depends really on the conditions of the ocean to see plastics. If it's windy and rough, they could be there, you just can't see them. I'll tell you, when you come in close to some of these countries, and I don't want to blame any of the countries, but it's pretty appalling, the amount of stuff that's just thrown into the ocean with no regard. Andreas:The science shows about 8 million metric tons a year going into the ocean. We're putting as much plastic in as we're pulling tuna out. There is already one hundred and fifty million tons in there. In ten years or so there will be two hundred and fifty million tons unless we do something. You spend a lot of time talking to leaders. I know that you had Ban Ki-moon on your boat. You talk to senior officials in the countries that you go to, and heads of state. Do you also talk to them about really concrete action? Nainoa:Many times what I do, like with the United Nations, it's really trying to make connections between organizations and working with the leaders to try to bring some kind of larger unity to the movement of things like the Pacific Islands and the health of the ocean, climate change, and all these kinds of issues. I'm trying to convene, and I'm trying to bring people together. I think that's part of the equation to really have success. Advertisement Andreas:What is your journey for the next eleven months? Nainoa:Once we reach Montreal, we will start heading south towards Florida, and once we are in the Caribbean, we're looking for inspiring stories as we make our way toPanama. In the Pacific side of Panama, we're going to go out to at least Cocos Island, Galapagos, probably Ecuador. From Ecuador, we go down to Rapa Nui (Easter Island) to Polynesia. Then we go to Pitcairns, Marquesas. Then down to Tahiti. The voyage home from Tahiti to Hawaii is really a mechanism to unify Pacific leadership around the key issue of protecting the oceans. You need to come with us. Andreas:I would love to! This piece will be running in newspapers in Virginia's conservative 6th congressional district. Everybody has reasons not to want to believe what scientists are saying about climate change. For starters, who wants to believe that we humans are facing our greatest challenge ever? Life is hard enough, just meeting the challenges of taking care of our families. And most of us resist change. It's so much easier to just keep on doing what we're doing. And who wants to accept the troubling news that our children and grandchildren will be hurt unless we act responsibly in the face of the unwelcome truth. All of these are motives - applying to nearly everyone - for just pretending that what's happening on our planet isn't happening, and that we don't need to do anything about it. Advertisement Some have an additional understandable motive to deny the science. These are people whose ideology says that everything can be taken care of by the market: good comes when everyone separately pursues his own interests, and no decisions have to be made collectively. That clearly won't work with a problem like climate change, which requires collective action not just by the nation but by the whole world. So accepting the reality of climate change would require people who want to keep their libertarian ideology really simple to see things in a more complex way. All those reasons command my sympathy. But there is another group with a different - and less easily forgiven -- reason for denying what the climate scientists are telling us: individuals and organizations that get very rich off our remaining addicted to the fossil fuels that the human future requires us to wean ourselves from. These people are less forgivable because they are willing to sacrifice our children and grandchildren for their own short-term profits. The energy industry's efforts to prevent the American people from understanding what's happening in the earth's climate system has long been documented. In 1998, the book The Heat Is On by Gelbspan, exposed this campaign of deception. More recently (2011), Merchants of Doubt, by Oreskes and Conway, expanded on this picture of the industry's attempt to keep the public from seeing the urgent challenge we face. Since people have reasons for not wanting to face this reality, enough people have been persuaded by the energy industry's efforts to cripple American efforts to meet this challenge. Advertisement All this has been brought to mind - here in Virginia - by the recent publication of two letters in the Richmond Times Dispatch, by David Shuford, a vice president and deputy general counsel at Dominion Resources. Dominion, of course, is Virginia's largest energy company. And Mr. Shuford's letters are a rehash of all the usual falsehoods heard from fossil-fuel-funded climate-deniers. Perhaps Mr. Shuford believes what he is saying--e.g. when he denies how almost unanimous climate scientists are 1) on the reality of climate change, 2) on the role of our fossil fuel consumption in generating it, and 3) on the serious costs that Americans and people around the world will likely pay if we don't move quickly toward a clean energy future. My bet is that Mr. Shuford knows better than what he's saying because - in his former role as Dominion's Vice President Policy in charge of "Business Evaluation, Alternative Energy Solutions" - it would have been his business to know. Others who need to know do indeed seem to know. The insurance companies - having to take into account the increasing number of extreme weather events, and the rising seas - know well, and are acting accordingly. The Pentagon - having to plan for our national security challenges of the future, and with naval bases threatened by the rising oceans - knows and plans accordingly. A decade ago, I was told by someone on the inside that the oil industry, in its discussions with the Bush administration, showed full recognition of the truth about climate change but was also determined to keep the public in the dark--as indeed it seems Exxon has done for nearly forty years since, in intra-company communications, its own scientists first gave warning about the dangers. Advertisement Does Dominion agree with its vice president? With Dominion being a public-regulated utility -- and the largest donor to Virginia's politicians -- Virginians have a right to know. However, challenged to repudiate Mr. Shuford's false picture, Dominion has remained silent. Regardless of whether Mr. Shuford is being dishonest or is simply deluded, either way the question arises: what does it say about the corporate culture at Dominion that such a man -- with such views on the most important issue bearing upon the industry for which he works - could rise to the highest levels of the company? As women, we use a variety of products as a part of our daily routine. As a parent, skin protection is a significant concern for children and loved ones. In a growing age of information sharing and motivated consumers it is becoming apparent that the demand for cleaner products is on the rise. Knowing which sunscreen to buy for your family can be overwhelming. Did you know that there are chemical and physical types of sunscreens? Or, that SPF 30 is not actually twice as effective as 15. Instead, SPF 15 blocks 93 percent of the sun's rays, while SPF 30 blocks 97 percent of the sun's rays, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. One mother of two shares, "Until a friend tipped me off, I had no idea the chemicals in sunscreen could be so detrimental to our health and was sad to realize my favorite lotions were not good for us. She told me about how nano-particles in sunscreen enter our bloodstream and become unstable and endocrine disruptors." Advertisement Digging deeper, if you examine the many skin care products you pick up on drugstore shelves, you can find the chemical retinol, known for its ability to fight fine lines and wrinkles, but not as well known as an endocrine disruptor, and possible cause of skin tumors. Pick up a bottle of shampoo or body wash and you're likely to find formaldehyde - a common preservative agent, linked to cancer. As consumers we are put in a place of having to read labels and decide for ourselves. The United States has not passed a major federal law governing the safety of cosmetics ingredients since 1938 and many in the personal care industry think the hundreds of bottles in the drugstore aisle need an update. The EU has banned or restricted over 1,400 ingredients, while the US has only taken action on 11. Companies like L.A. based Beautycounter are on the move to change the education and regulation of ingredients in products sold in the United States. 'This is not a cosmetics or personal care industry issue; this is a women's health issue.' Gregg Renfrew, founder and CEO of Beautycounter. Advertisement When you add it all up, we are exposed to countless chemicals in a day. Some we have control of (the products we put in and the food we eat) and some we do not (the air we breathe, water we bathe in). Another mother adds, "I decided to lessen my family's toxic load by researching and buying safe products. I don't think consumers should have to research and determine the safety of the products on the shelves and have to choose between beauty and safety, but for now, that is our reality." The movement is in motion. Last week, the FDA issued a rule banning the use of triclosan, triclocarban and 17 other chemicals in hand and body washes which are marketed as being more effective than simple soap. Enhanced business models and safer products are the answer to continue to drive #BetterBeauty into action. Stocks wrapped up a quiet August and got off to positive September start as Friday's goldilocks jobs report pushed risk assets higher into the long holiday weekend. The U.S. economy added 151,000 non-farm payrolls in August, below consensus estimates of 180,000, while the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.9%. Average hourly earnings grew by only 0.1% while the average workweek fell 0.1 to 34.3 hours. Combined with Thursday's lackluster Institute for Supply Management (ISM) reading, which fell 3.2 points to 49.4, the biggest drop in more than two years and first contraction in six months, the the data was seen as not enough to spur the Fed into action at its September meeting. A potential rate rise is likely on hold until at least December. September is setting up to a be much livelier month for financial markets. Not only is it traditionally one of the worst months for stocks - dating back to 1928 it is the only month in which the S&P 500 has a median negative return - but the calendar is jam-packed. The U.S. presidential race is tightening as we head into the first debate. There are numerous major policy announcements scheduled from global central banks. The G20 summit is currently taking place with hopes of developing plans for greater fiscal policy and financial sector coordination. OPEC officials will meet in Algeria later in the month. With short-volatility bets reaching record levels in August, investors are being cautioned to avoid complacency. Apple Ordered to Repay Nearly $15 Billion in European Back-Taxes In the greatest international corporate tax battle in history, Apple this week was ordered to repay $14.5 billion plus interest in back-taxes to Ireland from 2003-2014 after the European Commission deemed Ireland's favorable tax arrangement in violation of the EU's state-aid rules. Ireland doesn't even want the cash, with Finance Minister Michael Noonan saying, "[Apple] may owe it elsewhere, but not to Irish authorities." For the past three years the EU has been cracking down on sweetheart fiscal deals granted to multinational corporations from EU nations. The commission says Apple paid an effective corporate tax rate of 1% on European-denominated profits in 2003, with that figure falling to 0.005% by 2014. Ireland's tax policy in regard to Apple has long been considered among the most brazenly favorable for U.S. multinationals, and EU officials saw it as undermining the single market project. Apple essentially funnels all European sales through Apple Sales International, an Irish-incorporated subsidiary not subject to the country's standard 12.5% corporate taxes. Apple, needless to say, is not thrilled with the decision, saying in a statement: "The European Commission has launched an effort to rewrite Apple's history in Europe, ignore Ireland's tax laws and upend the international tax system in the process," adding the company is "confident the decision will be overturned." To make its point, the company published a picture from 1980 of Steve Jobs at the company's first factory in Cork, Ireland. Investors were nonplussed by the news as Apple shares ended the week higher. Investors either share Apple's optimism about an appeal (which could take 3-4 years), or were reminded of the company's $214 billion overseas cash stash. Apple executives weren't the only ones upset by the news, with the U.S. Treasury essentially telling the EU "that's not your cash to repatriate!" As part of comprehensive tax reform, the U.S. hopes to one day strike an agreement with American multinationals to bring cash home, and the EU ruling endangers that prospect. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), a leading member of the Senate Finance Committee said, "Countries ought to be working in partnership to prevent tax evasion and crack down on the unfair practices that have eroded tax bases in the U.S. and around the world, but today's ruling could make that kind of partnership more difficult." Tim Cook agreed: "At its root, the Commission's case is not about how much Apple pays in taxes. It is about which government collects the money. Taxes for multinational companies are complex, yet a fundamental principle is recognized around the world: A company's profits should be taxed in the country where the value is created. Apple, Ireland and the United States all agree on this principle. In Apple's case, nearly all of our research and development takes place in California, so the vast majority of our profits are taxed in the United States." The only problem with those protestations is that Apple doesn't pay much tax in the United States, either. Until 2015 the company funneled profits through subsidiaries outside the jurisdiction of both U.S. and Irish tax laws, creating a situation where Ireland considered those subsidiaries resident in the U.S. while U.S. considered them foreign entities based on their Irish registration. Essentially the U.S. Treasury's argument is that profits of U.S. companies earned abroad are taxable in the U.S., thus if any repatriation takes place it should be in the U.S. domain. But since Apple doesn't need its foreign cash for any pressing reason, it has been in no hurry to bring the $214 billion home, instead tapping receptive credit markets for the cash to boost its capital return program. The whole ordeal is a reminder of the desperate need for U.S. corporate tax reform, where rates are less prohibitive and profits are taxed when and where they're earned. Advertisement Reform-Minded China Prepares for G20 Summit At the G20 Summit in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, the U.S. is expected to urge the group to heed citizen anger and take steps to boost economic growth. China is hoping a successful summit will cement its status as a leading voice on the global economy but fears Western arguments over territorial disputes and trade protectionism threaten to overshadow the event. Intentionally or not, problems started mere minutes after the American delegation stepped off Air Force One. A Chinese security official berated U.S. national security adviser Susan Rice as she tried to walk to the motorcade, perhaps mistaking her for a journalist crossing the press barrier. "This is our country. This is our airport," the official exclaimed in English. Meanwhile, China continues to move forward with under-the-radar economic reforms. According to Jeffries, The People's Bank of China (PBoC) has been engaging in "back-door quantitative easing" by expanding lending facilities and injecting liquidity into its banking sector. China's Big Four state-owned commercial banks are being included in the government's debt-to-equity pilot scheme. The government is already putting finishing touches on a plan allowing industrial firms to convert debt into equity. While trying to reduce leverage in its financial system, the Chinese government is being careful not to pull back too sharply from public spending. Activity in China's manufacturing sector unexpectedly expanded at its fastest pace in nearly two years amid a construction boom. The New York Times also dove into a great Chinese mystery: just who owns Anbang, the firm on a global shopping spree? (Cliff notes: all signs point to those with close ties to the communist regime). Alphabet Makes Ride-Sharing Entry The ride-sharing war took a new turn this week: apparently Alphabet (Google) is set to take on Uber with its own carpooling program through popular traffic app Waze (which Alphabet owns). Alphabet, a heavy investor in self-driving car technology, also invested $258 million in Uber back in 2013. Alas there now exists a potential conflict of interest necessitating executive David Drummond's resignation from the Uber board this week. Growing incest within ride-sharing is apparently not going unnoticed by regulators. In an ironic twist, Chinese officials have opened an antitrust investigation into Uber's deal to merge its China operations with Didi Chuxing. The commission wants to "protect fair competition in the relevant market and safeguard the interests of consumers and the public." The resulting decision could mean fewer subsidies for drivers and higher costs for users. Apparently General Motors expressed interest in buying Lyft outright for $6 billion but was rebuffed, while Uber CEO Travis Kalanick confirmed to the Economist he discussed an acquisition with Lyft in 2014 only for negotiations to break down over price. The Verge examined Uber's plan to take over public transit, one small town at a time. Advertisement TRAPANI, ITALY - 2016/07/22: Migrants and refugees arrive at the Trapani port, with the Aquarius vessel after being rescued at sea. The bodies of 22 migrants recovered in the Mediterranean Sea, after the sinking of a rubber dinghy, arrived in Sicily on July 22, at the end of a week during which nearly 40 people died at sea. (Photo by Antonio Melita/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images) Dear Europeans, At the moment, I am on board the Aquarius, SOS Mediterranee's rescue boat. This is my fourth mission. As I write this, we are about 50 kilometers north of the Libyan city of Tripoli. Together with Doctors Without Borders (MSF), SOS Mediterranee uses the Aquarius to rescue refugees. Over the last couple of weeks, my crew and I have saved almost 3000 people, 600 of which were under 18, unaccompanied and alone. Advertisement I have an important message to the people of Europe. Many of you believe that the refugee crisis has subsided, since less people are coming to Europe. But that's nowhere near true: There are still thousands who set out for Europe, and their journeys are deadly as ever. That's why Europe needs to wake up and find a way to keep people from dying at sea. A year has passed since the Syrian boy Alan Kurdi was found washed up on the beach of Izmir. A great number of Europeans are refusing to face the facts: There are still thousands of women, men and children dying in the Mediterranean. When they drown, the ocean mutes their cries, and you hear nothing. I will never forget little Vincent. He stood by himself on the deck, and told me that he had lost his parents. He had just followed the others to find a place on the boat. Little Vincent is not a victim. He's a hero. This is our daily routine in the Mediterranean: We either find a boat by chance, or the rescue coordination center sends us the coordinates of one. Advertisement I am part of the rescue team. From sunrise to sundown, we keep watch on the bridge, looking for boats that are overcrowded and unseaworthy. On average, these roughly 12 meter-long rubber boats, which are designed to hold a maximum of 25 people, are crammed with up to 150 people. There are approximately 70-100 liters of fuel on board, barely enough to reach international waters -- that's if you can manage to navigate. Over the past six years, not one rubber boat has made it to Lampedusa or to the mainland. Some of them have been seized, and the rest have capsized. Most boats start their journeys at night, around 11 p.m. or 1 a.m., to try to reach international waters by early morning. It's always the same, day in, day out: We get our rescue boats ready, scope out the situation, and evacuate the passengers. A child migrant laughs prior to leave rescue ship 'Aquarius' as more than 380 migrants arrive in the port of Cagliari, Sardinia, on May 26, 2016, two days after being rescued near the Libyan coasts. (GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images) Advertisement I am the only Arabic-speaking member of our rescue team. I alternate between going on one of the rescue boats and receiving the refugees on deck. We transfer the people to the MSF workers for registration. They receive a little rescue-kit -- a blanket, a towel, a disposable suit, biscuits, and water. If we detect the smell of fuel on any of our guests, we have them take a shower in order to avoid chemical burns. During a rescue mission in June, we brought a total of 675 people on board. We had rescued a total of three boats and taken in 350 people from the Italian navy. We see the same thing over and over again when we welcome the people on deck. They are exhausted and soaking wet. Their faces are filled with fear, mixed with hope. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Center in Rome has issued instructions for rescued refugees to be sent to Trapani in Italy. Advertisement This trip takes us 36 hours. During that time, we take care of the refugees, and we support MSF in giving out food and tea. This is when their faces light up once again, and the kids start to play. Time and time again, the refugees tell us about the terrible situation in Libya and the other countries they've fled. They tells us about men working on construction sites for $1 a day, and about women selling their bodies for less than $10. They talk to us about the torture that takes place in prisons. Considering the political developments in our countries, I often wonder if they would actually be better off living in Europe with us. Recently, we were searching for a boat until sundown. The rescue coordination center kept calling us, announcing new coordinates each time. As the sun started to sink, we started to panic; searching for a boat in the dark is like looking for a needle in a haystack. It was around midnight that we heard an echo on our radar. The captain looked for the boat with searchlights until it finally appeared, 200 meters ahead of us. Advertisement There were 124 lost souls on the boat, exhausted and worn down by the long trip across the sea. The operation lasted 32 hours. We saved 675 people. There were no casualties. On the same day, other vessels saved 6000 more people in the Mediterranean. We are back in the rescue zone now, which is approximately 2,500 square kilometers. Many boats affiliated with rescue organizations are still moored up in the harbors. We're alone in the eastern region of this area. We don't know what tomorrow will bring. People keep dying in the Mediterranean. Roughly 3000 people have drowned so far this year. We want this to stop. We want to bring that number down to zero. Our motto is to stand together and rescue as many people as we can. Relief organizations like SOS Mediterranee, Sea-Watch and Doctors Without Borders are doing incredible work. Where others fail, we want to show Europe that there is a better way. In June, Colombia's federation of municipal ombudsmen (FENALPER) launched Recon, a site that brings together hundreds of grass roots projects trying to lay the foundations for a lasting peace. Recon hopes to showcase these initiatives, help them get sponsorship and technical assistance from the private, public and third sectors, and allow them to connect with each other to share experiences and expertise. Read the original article on apolitical.co. 'If we want a sustainable and lasting peace we have to create a new narrative for the country, which we will only do by shining a light on civil society initiatives at the community level,' says Camilo Fonseca, FENALPER executive director and the creator of Recon. The Colombian state has been at war with left-wing guerilla groups since the 1960s. The conflict has been exacerbated by the drug trade, atrocities on both sides and the emergence of right-wing paramilitaries, but is close to coming to an end after a peace treaty was signed last week between the government and the largest guerilla group, the FARC. Advertisement This agreement, which will need to be ratified in a referendum on 2 October, will only mark the beginning of a much longer and arduous process of reconciliation. 'We can't fall in the trap of thinking that peace will only be achieved with the signing of the Havana accords... building peace is about how we relate to each other on a day to day basis and how we coexist so that we do not create new conflicts,' Fonseca says. When Colombia signed a peace accord with right-wing paramilitary groups in 2005, a process of reintegration was started, but quickly fell apart as many of the former combatants joined criminal gangs. 'If you have lived with a rifle since you are ten and that is all you know what are you going to do?' Fonseca says. Advertisement If you then end up with a state that doesn't guarantee healthcare or education and the salary you get doesn't compare to what you were earning during the war, you start to have the roots of new conflicts.' That is why Recon looks to bring together projects spanning a wide range: from education, technology and communication, to environment, entrepreneurship and employability, and culture, arts and sport. Disfad, for example, is a sitting volleyball team for ex-combatants from all sides of the war that have lost the use of their legs. Besides offering the veterans a non-violent way to settle their differences, it has helped develop friendships among what were previously rivals. 'Now they aren't going to settle their differences with guns, but with a ball,' says Fernando Aguirre Saria, the founder of the project, in a video uploaded to Recon. At the other end of the spectrum there is Comproagro, a website that connects small scale farmers directly with consumers and stores, helping them bypass intermediaries and allowing them to increase their profits. Advertisement Colombia's persisting levels of inequality are one of the main drivers of the war and by helping to alleviate this, even if it is in a small way, the project is planting the roots of a more sustainable peace. If farmers are making more money from traditional crops they will also have fewer incentives to grow coca, the raw ingredient that goes into making cocaine, and one of the main sources of financing for many armed groups. Both of these initiatives came to the attention of the Recon team in an early phase of the project, a competition for the country's best peace projects. To reach entrants from even the most remote parts of the country, where some towns are buried deep in the Amazon rainforest, FENALPER aired TV adverts and teamed up with the country's largest supermarket chain, Grupo Exito, for promotion. As a result, the first round received 470 entries. 'When I started this nobody believed me, but then we got this response and we thought that it might work,' Fonseca says. The massive database of peace projects that came out of the awards sparked the idea of creating a community to help them interact. That interaction can be very practical. One of the creators of Comproagro, Ginna Jimenez, who is only 18 years old and founded the project with her mother and brother, all three of whom are onion farmers, was contacted through the social network by another project called 'Mas sobre el agro' (More on Agriculture), which is now helping them improve their website and develop a smartphone app. Advertisement 'The app will be like the website, any producer that wants to sign up can do it completely for free, he registers his products and the client can contact him directly.' Jimenez says. Comproagro has also been sponsored by Exito, which agreed to directly buy some of their produce. Besides private sector partners, Recon works with the support of the Embassy of Sweden, some local Colombian municipalities, and government agencies. Fonseca hopes to get greater involvement from both government and the private sector, including European and U.S. companies and get funding in order to have full-time staff manning the social network. Recon also plans to launch a crowdfunding platform, but the project has been delayed due to Colombia's money laundering laws. 'Under Colombian law I can't receive money without knowing where it comes from because it could come from narcotraffickers,' Fonseca says. This raises another question. What about companies that participated in the conflict by funding armed groups? 'I think, why not? Why not let them participate in the project and compensate for the damage done? [Only Xi and Premier Li Keqiang are expected to remain at the 13th National People's Congress, which will be held in March 2018. New spots will be occupied by new members of the Politburo Standing Committee at the upcoming National Party Congress. The photo is the view of the 12th National People's Congress./ Source: Xinhua News Agency] By Hong Soon-do, Beijing correspondent, AsiaToday - China will confirm new members of the Politburo Standing Committee, the top decision-making body of the Communist Party, at the 19th National Party Congress in the autumn of 2017. Then the members will be assigned as the party's top leadership at the 13th National People's Congress in March 2018. In other words, the new composition of power will be made before the country's new full-fledged administration begins. Recently, a rough lineup of the members has been revealed. According to Beijing's informed political circles on Wednesday, it's certain that Xi Jinping will remain as the head of state. Premier Li Keqiang is also expected to remain in office. However, he could be replaced if there are voices of disappointment over economy for the last five years. If this is the case, Vice Premier Wang Yang will emerge as the strongest candidate. Another potential candidate is Liu He, director of China's Office of the Central Leading Group on Financial and Economic Affairs. Premier Li would have no choice but to move his position to either chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress or Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Advertisement If Premier Li remains, Wang Yang will likely to become Vice Premier. If he fails to hold the position, he could also become President of the Central Party School and the 5th-ranked member of Politburo Standing Committee. Li Zhanshu, Xi Jinping's Chief of Staff and the Director of the General Office, is expected to move his position to Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. Wang Huning, a policy adviser to Xi, is highly likely to become the 4th-ranked member of Politburo Standing Committee and Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. I'd say this was the last moment where I felt the world was rational. I could comprehend the burning building, and even planes flying into the building. I never thought that either of these buildings could collapse. In the months after the 9/11 attacks, most Americans felt that the threats we faced from terrorists were limitless. Anything seemed possible if al-Qaeda militants could enter our country, learn to fly airplanes, and then crash commercial flights into the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Fifteen years later, the efforts of federal and local government have dramatically reduced the possibilities of foreign terrorist attacks in the United States. Yet, as we grapple with the growth of homegrown extremism, the more prevalent threat today, we still have not tapped into our greatest resource - the American people. Since 2001, federal and local government have largely addressed vulnerabilities in our visa process, transportation security, and intelligence sharing. Unlike Europe, we don't contend with open borders and the near proximity of failing states. Despite campaign rhetoric and the images emanating from the Middle East, waves of foreigners are not infiltrating our borders and committing terrorist attacks. Advertisement Instead, the central threat that Americans in the United States face is from our own disaffected young people who have become susceptible to radicalization. In the last 15 years, 364 "jihadists" were indicted or convicted of a terrorist crime, or killed while committing an attack in the United States according to a New America Foundation study. Almost 80 percent of those jihadists were confirmed to be US citizens or permanent residents. And while 83 percent of Americans may feel that a terrorist attack with a high number of casualties is likely, this subset of jihadi extremism is responsible for 94 deaths inside the United States since 9/11. As a point of reference, nearly 500,000 people died in traffic accidents in America from 2002 to 2014. Approximately 10,000 people were killed in gang related deaths from 2007 to 2012. In 2014, an average of 28 people died every day in America as a result of a drunk driving accident; more than 42,000 Americans committed suicide that same year. An estimated 41,000 Americans will die of breast cancer this year alone. These comparisons are not meant to minimize the tragic loss of those 94 lives or the psychological impact of being terrorized by the idea of an attack. Rather, public health threats like drunk driving and cancer have served as a call to action for American civil society. Non-governmental organizations, community groups, and other concerned citizens have found ways to address these challenges through education, prevention, and civic action. We need to develop similar community responses - and enlist the passion and drive of the American people - to prevent violent extremism within our borders. Consider examples of ways in which our civil society has developed successful tools to decrease these other causes of death and how Americans might apply these tools to prevent homegrown extremism: Advertisement Promoting safe practices or habits. Public service announcements showing crash test dummies flying through windshields changed Americans' seat belt habits. In 2010, 85 percent of Americans wore seat belts compared to 11 percent in 1981. Similarly, the campaign of "See something, say something" has led citizens to report suspicious activity and thwart attacks. Still, the slogan must extend beyond calling the police in the face of impending danger. It should also mean engaging community-level help, such as a faith leader, social worker, mentor and/or a peer when we see someone struggling with issues of anger, loss of dignity, and isolation. Crafting a counter-narrative that influences public perceptions and individuals' behavior. Mothers Against Drunk Driving estimates that they have saved 330,000 lives since 1980. They created a counter-narrative to partying and driving home drunk, and their messaging helped empower young people by celebrating the idea of "designated drivers." Faith-based or youth-focused civil society groups are well placed to develop anti-extremism messages that both devalue the appeal of movements like ISIS and praise diversity, pluralism, and dialogue. Additionally, anti-bullying groups could include anti-extremism messaging as part of their campaigns and provide training in peer outreach in high schools and colleges. There is an almost daily opportunity for Americans who have traveled to Muslim countries, who have Muslim friends or co-workers, or who are in fact, Muslim, to debunk the stereotype of Muslim=Terrorist. For example, all of our unofficial ambassadors who volunteer in the Muslim World publish essays and give presentations - on campuses, in public libraries, at local schools - for this reason. With just 38 percent of Americans thinking they know a Muslim, informed Americans have to speak out against hate speech and ignorance. The perpetuation of such stereotypes is slowly isolating young American Muslims and make some feel as if there is no place for them in America. Designing, supporting, and participating in tailored prevention programming. Preventing gang violence is not an exact science, but the National Gang Center considers effective the "Comprehensive Gang Prevention, Intervention, and Suppression Model." The model's strategies include community mobilization and involvement of former gang members, civil society groups, and agencies; interventions that link gang members and their families to schools, faith-based organizations, other grassroots organizations, and law enforcement; and close supervision of gang members enrolled in the program by law enforcement agencies, community-based agencies, and schools. The partnership components that are a part of this model - involving family, community, and law enforcement - and the focus on interventions at such a personal level are attractive given the individual-based nature of the homegrown extremism threat. Recently, Homeland Security offered the first grant opportunity "devoted exclusively to providing local communities with the resources to counter violent extremism" in the United States. That funding could apply these community partnership models within the homegrown extremism context. Advertisement Participating in awareness campaigns that lead to early intervention. The mortality rate for breast cancer declined by nearly 2 percent every year from 2003 to 2012. We can attribute these decreases to outreach efforts by groups like the Susan B. Komen Foundation that educate citizens about the health risks they face and places to seek consultation and treatment. Similar efforts by local organizations -- particularly Islamic-faith based organizations - could shed light on the early warning signs of radicalization and mental illness and enable families to proactively seek help for their children. Volunteering as a resource to troubled individuals. In the days after Robin Williams' death, calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a 24-hour network of 160 crises centers, increased from 3500 a day to more than 7400. When someone calls a suicide hotline, she or he is routed to a professional or trained volunteer who offers individual attention and information about health services in their area. This kind of care directed at a troubled, and perhaps lonely, person is applicable to preventing homegrown extremism. There are countless stories of isolated individuals growing radicalized through the bombardment of messages from a cohort of new online "friends" who offer promises of a life of dignity, purpose, and moral clarity. These recruiters fill a gap created by an absence of friends, peers, and community. Countless Americans receive training and volunteer with crises centers every year. Similar programs that build a community's resiliency and capacity to prevent radicalization can be replicated and supported with volunteers. These examples do not comprise a magic formula. Rather they are evidence for how a community can develop its own resiliency and capacity to prevent health and safety problems; preventing homegrown extremism is no different. Many of the "push" factors that lead to radicalization overseas, such as corruption, human rights abuses, and poor governance, are largely absent in the American context. However the "pull" factors like a perverted religious ideology, offers to fulfill delusional aspirations for grandeur, and the manipulation of mainstream insults to the identity and dignity of Muslims seem to be increasingly prevalent, whether via online sources or simply coverage of the presidential election. Some U.S. officials believe that Russian intelligence agencies spied on the Democratic Party by intercepting emails sent by Democratic National Committee chairperson Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Back in July, these emails were made available to the public on WikiLeaks. If the Russian government (presumably on orders from Putin) hacked the DNC emails out of a desire to influence the outcome of the U.S. presidential race, what, from the perspective of our federal government, would an appropriate response to such a hack look like? What does it mean if our country's domestic matters are vulnerable to foreign influence? Historical records are peppered with incidences of Russia-and other nations-attempting to curry favor abroad and advance their own interests by interfering in American politics. This sort of ill-intentioned meddling was especially prevalent during the Cold War in the 1950s and 60s. To put the DNC hack in context, the U.S. and Russia have a history of interfering in each other's political affairs that dates back to the 18th century, when Catherine The Great indirectly helped American colonists win the Revolutionary War. Below, I've pinpointed three episodes of U.S.-Russian foreign meddling. In some instances, the implications of foreign interference were minimal; in others, the meddling likely altered the course of history as we know it. Americans help Boris Yeltsin get re-elected to the Russian Presidency (1996): In 1996, the re-election campaign of Boris Yeltsin was secretly managed by three American political consultants, Joe Shumate (a Republican data analysis expert), George Gorton (who later became Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign manager), and Dick Dresner, a political consultant who had worked on Bill Clinton's gubernatorial and presidential campaigns. Shumate, Gorton, and Dresner gave an exclusive interview to Time in 1996 about their role in Yeltsin's election. Their story was adapted into the 2003 film Spinning Boris. Advertisement British intelligence, on United States' behalf, spy on foreign embassies (1940): During World War II from 1940 through 1941, Great Britain leveraged MI6, the U.K. foreign intelligence service, to help President Roosevelt rally support for American intervention in the War. On behalf of Roosevelt, British spies spread negative rumors about Charles Lindbergh, who, as a celebrity, was an outspoken proponent of the U.S. isolationist movement known as "America First." The British spies tapped the communication lines of foreign embassies in Washington and gave money to interventionist groups. Aides from Richard Nixon's presidential campaign collude with Vietnamese leaders (1968): Most political historians agree: on the night before the 1968 U.S. presidential election, Richard Nixon's campaign colluded with the government of South Vietnam to prolong the Vietnam War. Essentially, Nixon's aides feared that President Lyndon Johnson was going to hasten peace negotiations with Vietnam in order to help Hubert Humphrey, the 1968 Democratic nominee, get elected. As now-declassified documents reveal, Anna Chennault, a prominent Republican activist, secretly contacted Vietnamese leaders in Saigon. Records indicate that Chennault told South Vietnamese leader Nguyen Van Thieu that Nixon had a better deal to offer than the one LBJ was proposing. The Vietnamese government then proceeded to delay peace negotiations with the U.S. The call helped Nixon win the election, historians contend, and also prolonged a violent war. The DNC email hack "could have significant foreign policy consequences," as Edward Snowden tweeted in July, especially if similar operations target U.S. political elections or those of allied nations in the future. Advertisement "I will use my office as a 'bully pulpit': to describe what should happen in our educational systems; to call attention to positive as well as negative examples; to cheerlead for promising initiatives; and, whenever possible, to demonstrate by example the kind of education that I favor, and the kind of society that I hope we can achieve." -- Howard Gardner What will be the legacy of Race to the Top and Barack Obama's other education initiatives? Indeed, what's been accomplished in education reform around the country since 2012? Does our current traditional model of education meet the needs of most students? Is our curriculum preparing them for the jobs we need to fill in an age of globalization and artificial intelligence? What are the most critical needs for education leading up to 2030? Should tuition at public colleges and universities be free? As the United States prepares to elect a new President this November, putting every student on a path towards a successful future should be required discussion at every presidential debate. This summer in The Global Search for Education, we bring back our popular 2012 Education Debate series and put these questions and others to thought leaders at the forefront of educational change. We asked Andy Hargreaves, Diane Ravitch, Howard Gardner, Randi Weingarten, Julia Freeland Fisher, and Charles Fadel to imagine they were Secretary of Education for the new administration. What are their answers to some of the big picture questions facing education and education reform? Advertisement Today we welcome Howard Gardner. Gardner is the John H. and Elisabeth A. Hobbs Professor of Cognition and Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He also holds positions as Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Harvard University and Senior Director of Harvard Project Zero. Howard received a MacArthur Prize Fellowship (1981), the University of Louisville's Grawemeyer Award in Education (1990), the Prince of Asturias Award for Social Sciences (2011), and the Brock International Prize in Education (2015). He has twice been selected by Foreign Policy and Prospect magazines as one of the 100 most influential public intellectuals in the world. "I'll focus on the importance of education in the liberal arts and sciences. Students should learn about the long-standing values of truth, beauty, and goodness, think hard about them, and interrogate them skillfully." -- Howard Gardner You've been asked to be Secretary of Education for the new administration. What do you see as the role of the federal government in K-12 education? It is my fortune--good or bad--to have become Secretary of Education at a time when the winds of politics and education have shifted decisively. Until the middle 1960s, the federal role in education was modest. In the latter years of the 20th century, the federal government not only became far more involved in civil rights, surveillance of behavior and misbehavior on educational sites, and financing of education for the less wealthy; in conjunction with the governors of many states, the federal government also played a significant role in testing of students, evaluation of progress toward national educational goals, and even support for the creation and evaluation of curricula and pedagogical approaches, both live and online. Advertisement For reasons that future historians will have to unravel, the federal role in education is almost certain to become much less pronounced during my term in office. Some might say that the federal government has achieved its principal goals; but it's more likely that the country is simply exhausted by the ribbons of rules and regulations that have rained down from Washington--without the resultant progress that had been hyperbolically promised ("Goals 2000", "Race to the top", "No child left behind"). In its wisdom, the nation has determined to remand the principal agency back to the states and to even smaller jurisdictions. Despite threats, the Department of Education has not been shut down--at least not yet; and yet it clearly has been cut down in size. Having less to push for or ask for, I will use my office as a 'bully pulpit': to describe what should happen in our educational systems; to call attention to positive as well as negative examples; to cheerlead for promising initiatives; and, whenever possible, to demonstrate by example the kind of education that I favor, and the kind of society that I hope we can achieve. "I want to help create and nurture educational communities that exemplify several goods. Not by creating tests or checklists or grades, but rather by telling powerful stories, highlighting catalytic lessons, and spending two days each week inside schools all around the country. Like school inspectors of an earlier era, a time when American education was justifiably the envy of the world." -- Howard Gardner Our world is changing rapidly. What is your position on curriculum? How can education put our students on the right path towards shaping the future? We need to think of education much more broadly than ever before--a new 'when', a new 'where'. To many people, education means K-12 public schools; or now, that 'college has become the new high school', K-14 or K-16 education. But education begins at birth--or indeed, as we now know, in utero--and continues as long as the individual is active, motivated, capable. How we nurture our infants and toddlers is more important than ever; even after one has raised a family, even after one has quit the workplace, one can and should still be both teaching and learning. Advertisement Much of education can and should take place in schools and other formally designated community institutions. But the world beyond the schoolhouse is crucial to education; and both traditional and new media are more important than ever. Nowadays most teenagers spend more time consuming media than they do in school. What happens--or does not happen--in the media becomes a crucial part of the education of the young, and, for that matter, the old. So, much of the media--think "Reality TV"--fosters miseducation and manipulates values. With so many changes, it's more important than ever to honor the most fundamental values of education--those that have endured over millennia. Putting aside foolish cracks about "philosophers vs. welders," I'll focus on the importance of education in the liberal arts and sciences. Students should learn about the long-standing values of truth, beauty, and goodness, think hard about them, and interrogate them skillfully. Here are some questions we, whether teachers, students or citizens, should keep front and center: How do we determine which of the many statements and claims bandied about are true and which are not? What methods have been used and do they stand up to scrutiny? Which experiences do we cherish as beautiful and why? What does it mean to be a good person, a good citizen, a good worker? And how do we achieve this trio of "goods"? "I favor a system where students in publicly funded institutions make a commitment: if they do well in the private sector, they will revert a certain percentage of their income to the education sector; and if they devote some years to public service, their debt will be forgiven. At least, this idea may move national conversation in a positive direction." -- Howard Gardner How we behave and engage in our world - our character qualities - are considered by many to be strong predictors of students' success in higher learning. You are renowned for your work in this area. How will you help create and nurture educational communities that exemplify several goods? Advertisement Clearly, such nurturing of good persons, good workers, and good citizens is the responsibility of many: parents, other relatives, models in the community, and ones from history and the arts; the religious, spiritual, and ideological communities in which we live; the range of traditional and contemporary media. But our formal educational institutions stand out as the places where our future citizens spend the most hours, and where they encounter powerful role models--teachers, staff, older students--who impact how they think and how they behave. If all goes well, the positive virtues can be seamlessly observed, emulated, internalized. But in a world that is filled with confusing and often contradictory messages, those in search of 'the good' should be as deliberate, mindful, and reflective as possible. For most, the school is the first model of a community and it can be a very powerful one. We need to ensure that young people are raised in educational communities that they admire and that they will seek to emulate or re-create for the rest of their lives. As Secretary, I want to help create and nurture educational communities that exemplify several goods. Not by creating tests or checklists or grades, but rather by telling powerful stories, highlighting catalytic lessons, and spending two days each week inside schools all around the country. Like school inspectors of an earlier era, a time when American education was justifiably the envy of the world. I will observe, listen and occasionally share my own reflections. What is the importance of education in meeting US labor needs? Do you believe we should put in place career and technical education in high school that actually give kids the skills they need to be innovators, to be entrepreneurs to fill the jobs being created in today's knowledge-based and information economy? Advertisement Schools have emerged in part to pass on major literacies: reading, writing, mathematics, and, many would now add, coding. No controversy here! And our country leads the planet in worrying about jobs and employment--perhaps not a wise use of time, since the employment environment changes so unpredictably--but this anxiety is not going to evaporate during my tenure. My job as Secretary is not to echo or amplify the conventional wisdom of the day but to cast light on issues that are not but should be on our national radar screen. Finally, student debt has surpassed $1.3 trillion. Should tuition at public colleges and universities be free? Interestingly, this idea was put forth in 1947 by a national study, "Higher Education for American Democracy," often called the Truman Report. Alas, it is not an idea whose time has come. I favor a system where students in publicly funded institutions make a commitment: if they do well in the private sector, they will revert a certain percentage of their income to the education sector; and if they devote some years to public service, their debt will be forgiven. At least, this idea may move national conversation in a positive direction. Top Row: C. M. Rubin, Andy Hargreaves, Randi Weingarten Bottom Row: Charles Fadel, Diane Ravitch, Howard Gardner, Julia Freeland Fisher (Photos are courtesy of CMRubinWorld) Join me and globally renowned thought leaders including Sir Michael Barber (UK), Dr. Michael Block (U.S.), Dr. Leon Botstein (U.S.), Professor Clay Christensen (U.S.), Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond (U.S.), Dr. MadhavChavan (India), Professor Michael Fullan (Canada), Professor Howard Gardner (U.S.), Professor Andy Hargreaves (U.S.), Professor Yvonne Hellman (The Netherlands), Professor Kristin Helstad (Norway), Jean Hendrickson (U.S.), Professor Rose Hipkins (New Zealand), Professor Cornelia Hoogland (Canada), Honourable Jeff Johnson (Canada), Mme. Chantal Kaufmann (Belgium), Dr. EijaKauppinen (Finland), State Secretary TapioKosunen (Finland), Professor Dominique Lafontaine (Belgium), Professor Hugh Lauder (UK), Lord Ken Macdonald (UK), Professor Geoff Masters (Australia), Professor Barry McGaw (Australia), Shiv Nadar (India), Professor R. Natarajan (India), Dr. Pak Tee Ng (Singapore), Dr. Denise Pope (US), Sridhar Rajagopalan (India), Dr. Diane Ravitch (U.S.), Richard Wilson Riley (U.S.), Sir Ken Robinson (UK), Professor Pasi Sahlberg (Finland), Professor Manabu Sato (Japan), Andreas Schleicher (PISA, OECD), Dr. Anthony Seldon (UK), Dr. David Shaffer (U.S.), Dr. Kirsten Sivesind (Norway), Chancellor Stephen Spahn (U.S.), Yves Theze (LyceeFrancais U.S.), Professor Charles Ungerleider (Canada), Professor Tony Wagner (U.S.), Sir David Watson (UK), Professor Dylan Wiliam (UK), Dr. Mark Wormald (UK), Professor Theo Wubbels (The Netherlands), Professor Michael Young (UK), and Professor Minxuan Zhang (China) as they explore the big picture education questions that all nations face today. The Global Search for Education Community Page Advertisement Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks to Matt Lauer during the Commander in Chief Forum in Manhattan, New York, U.S., September 7, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar Tonight we saw the NBC pre-debate. The non-debate debate. Officially a "candidate forum," both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump appeared on the same stage -- but not at the same time. The stage was an impressive one, or at least the exterior shots were, since it was held on an aircraft carrier in New York City. This was to highlight the subject of the event: foreign policy and the military. For some unfathomable reason, Matt Lauer moderated the event. Lauer is not exactly the first person on the NBC bench I would pick to host the kickoff political event of the campaign season's homestretch, to put it mildly. There are plenty of others with much wider and deeper experience, on both the military and on politics in general. I wasn't expecting much from Lauer, but in the end he did a better job than other moderators I've seen this election cycle, so perhaps I'm being too unfair to him. He was competent, if not exactly noteworthy. Advertisement Lauer was constrained by the condensed nature of the event. He only had a single hour to work with (with a commercial break halfway through), so he compensated by trying to rush things along -- too much, at times. Lauer's one of those guys who sometimes confuse "appearing to be a tough journalist" with "just rudely interrupting a candidate's answer," to put this another way. Lauer also didn't exactly wow me with his chosen followups, although a few of them were well-delivered. But even his "I'm going to talk over your answer" followups usually sounded pre-scripted, like he was going to interrupt no matter what answer he got, whether his followup was actually relevant or not. I will give NBC kudos for the audience questions, however. There were a lot of them -- much more than at a normal debate, even. And they seemed well-balanced: both candidates got questions from supporters, non-supporters, and people who genuinely hadn't made up their minds. It was a good mix, overall, and most of these questions were a lot better than anything Lauer asked. So the producers who screened and scheduled the audience questions deserve a pat on the back, at the very least. One other technical point -- likely because the audience was mostly (if not all) ex-military, they followed instructions and did not applause at all while the candidates were on stage (except at the very end). This gave it a much different feel than some of the debates, which now sound more like pep rallies than actual debates. Advertisement Matt Lauer started off each candidate's segment by attempting to lay down a rule of "don't beat up your opponent-- we're here tonight to hear what you would do." He made the point more forcefully to Clinton, whereas it came across as a mere suggestion to Trump. Perhaps because of this, Clinton (by my count) took the opportunity to bash Trump four times during her half-hour, while Trump hit Hillary seven times (which is not even counting the times he hit Obama, but not Hillary). Both candidates, though, really were chomping at the bit to engage in an actual debate with each other. The first Clinton/Trump debate will doubtlessly draw the biggest television audience in all of American political history, because it may be akin to two armor-clad medieval knights hacking away at each other with broadswords. You could tell that if Lauer hadn't made the suggestion, both Clinton and Trump would have spent even more time going after each other than they did tonight. Hillary Clinton But that's nothing but speculation about future events. Tonight, Hillary Clinton apparently lost the coin toss, and Donald Trump chose to go last, so Clinton started the evening out. She worked the Bin Laden raid decision into her very first answer (no real surprise there), and responded that the most important word to describe the qualities a Commander-in-Chief needs is "steadiness." Lauer pivoted right away to the emails, and Clinton took another crack at apologizing for it. She started with: "It was a mistake," then moved on to: "It was something that should not have been done," both of which are about as passive as possible. This is a common failing among politicians, even though a simple "I made a mistake" would have been a lot more powerful. Then again, at least Clinton has the ability to admit error -- something so far entirely lacking in Trump. Matt Lauer was pretty annoying during the early parts of Clinton's time, jumping all over her answers and not giving her time to get even a short answer out. He was much less antsy with Trump, although he did occasionally cut Trump off as well. Advertisement The first question from the crowd was also about emails, and Clinton did a pretty good job of explaining how truly classified documents sent electronically are normally on a completely different system and are clearly marked in their headers "classified" or "secret" -- which her emails weren't. Clinton then got an Iraq War vote question, which she has had more time (and appears to be more comfortable) apologizing for. This time it was: "My vote was my mistake" -- not passive at all, taking responsibility much more actively. She made a strong case that people should judge her on the totality of her record, and not just that one vote. This is where she got her first dig in at Trump, pointing out he was actually for the war before, during, and after it began (this is both historical fact and also something that Trump refuses to admit, so it's a good avenue of attack for her). Clinton really hit her stride about five or ten minutes in, and did an excellent job of "looking and sounding presidential." If she's this good at answering tough questions, perhaps she shouldn't be so scared of holding press conferences? Just a thought. She also eventually got tired of Matt Lauer stomping all over her answers and cut him off with: "Let me finish, because this is important." Lauer noticeably calmed down after she did so, which I (for one) was thankful for. On the Iran agreement, Clinton got off her best line of the night, paraphrasing Ronald Reagan, with: "Distrust, but verify." On the subject of reforming the V.A., Clinton tried an attack line on Trump that fell kind of flat, charging that he wanted to "privatize the system." Trump later pushed back on this, during his segment (I should mention that my wife thought that -- to be fair -- Trump should have had to sit in a soundproof booth while Clinton was speaking, but then she's a big Hillary supporter). Clinton was hit from her left on how hawkish she was (and is), which was kind of surprising from such a military crowd. When asked whether (essentially) she could promise that there would be no terrorist attacks on U.S. soil during her term, she wisely didn't try to overpromise and instead hit the point of not letting people on the terrorist watch list have access to guns. Advertisement Donald Trump Trump was prompted by Matt Lauer at the start to just "keep to a minimum" attacks on Clinton, which was a lot softer than the rule Lauer tried to lay down for Clinton. When asked what in his life had possibly prepared him to be Commander-in-Chief, Trump answered with his stock lines about how he was a successful businessman, which apparently prepares you to do anything. He touted his "great judgment" and insisted that he was "totally against the war in Iraq," although the article he himself cited to prove this was "from 2004" -- years after the war actually began. If he tries this in a debate, I would expect Clinton to point out this fact, and point out what he was actually saying when the war began. Lauer pressed Trump hard on his temperament problems, and noted that while Trump had issued a very weak blanket statement about "having regrets" about some of his statements during the primary season, America may not be comfortable with the consequences of such rash statements coming from our president. Trump didn't really have a good answer for that, other than: "I beat 16 people in the Republican primaries," and: "I behaved myself in Mexico!" The biggest headline-generating thing Trump said tonight was probably his insistence that he still does "know more about ISIS than the generals." Once again, Trump is absolutely incapable of ever admitting error in any way, shape, or form -- and he wasn't going to start now. He seemed unclear on the concept of how the military works in relation to the civil government of the United States, almost threatening to cashier all the generals in the Pentagon his first day in office ("We're going to have other generals"), which must have been at least somewhat alarming to the audience he was speaking to. Generals aren't like political appointees (such as cabinet members) -- new presidents don't get to clean house over at the Pentagon in the same fashion, but Trump obviously doesn't seem to understand this. Trump was asked by a member of the audience about his "secret plan" to defeat ISIS, and he absolutely flailed around trying to come up with an answer, especially when Lauer pointed out he had said just yesterday that his secret plan is to ask the generals to come up with their own plan within 30 days of his taking office. He bizarrely doubled down on his idea that America should have just "taken the sections of Iraq with the oil" or, more simply, "take the oil -- to the victor belong the spoils." This shows such a fundamental misunderstanding of the international rules of modern warfare that, again, it must have worried at least a few of the military professionals in the audience. Advertisement Trump's best moment of the night came in response to a question about undocumented young people who wanted to serve in the U.S. military. Trump said it was a "special circumstance" and backed off his insistence that all undocumented people will have to be deported. This will be news, because it is the first time Trump has clearly stated that at least one group of undocumented immigrants might be allowed to stay in America. Trump then returned to floundering around in his answers, on his relationship with Vladimir Putin and what he'd do on the subject of vets' suicide and the V.A. problems ("I love vets -- look at my polls!"). This is where he pushed back on Clinton's assertion that he was going to privatize the V.A., swearing he'd never do that. Trump's worst moment was being confronted by an old tweet that seemed to suggest he was against men and women serving together in the military. Lauer really didn't do a good job of nailing Trump down on the subject, which was kind of a shame because the initial question was so pointed. Conclusion Neither Clinton nor Trump lost control at any point during the night, or uttered some gaffe that's going to haunt them for the rest of the campaign season. By that standard, both emerged relatively unscathed. Clinton is getting a lot better (probably all that debate prep) at sounding a lot less "lawyerly" in her answers, although at times she did resort to very carefully chosen language to explain things in her past. Trump is getting a lot better at sound less like your drunken uncle at Thanksgiving, although at times he did double down on some fairly strange statements he's made in the past. Advertisement Clinton still has problems with charismatic appeal, although the chosen subject matter didn't really lend itself to warm-and-fuzzy reactions, to be fair. Trump still has problems when pressed on actual details to back up his outrageous claims, but he did sound a lot calmer and less belligerent, even when defending such claims. Maybe his debate prep is also helping him out in this regard. Or perhaps it was again the chosen subject matter, the chosen format (no applause at all), and the chosen audience which helped Trump stay more focused and serious-sounding. I regularly shy away from proclaiming who "won" and "lost" debates, and since this wasn't even a true debate, it's easy to dodge such a subjective read on the evening. I think Clinton supporters will leave thinking she did very well, and Trump supporters will leave with much the same impression of their candidate. As for undecided voters, I have no idea what impressions they'll take from tonight. My biggest impression is that conventional wisdom was the big winner tonight -- the idea that "the real campaign starts after Labor Day" was certainly proven to be true tonight. Both candidates obviously know they're in a tough race, and both looked like they seriously want to win in November. Both were cautious about what they said, and much less belligerent than we'll see in the first real debate. That's my snap judgment at the moment, and as soon as I post this, I will be interested to see what everyone else in the punditocracy had to say about tonight. Chris Weigant blogs at: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks during a campaign town hall meeting in Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S., September 6, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar Donald Trump's so-called major policy speech on immigration was a deceptive trick. To fool your dog into eating a yucky pill, you wrap it in yummy lunchmeat. The technique is highly deceptive. But it works. The dog is so taken with the outer lunchmeat that it unwittingly swallows the hidden pill. Trump's newly minted campaign managers faced a similar problem. Trump needed to "soften" his position on immigration in order to attract new voters, but how could Trump get his hardline base of supporters to swallow this "softening" pill? Advertisement Trump's need to "soften" presented a critical problem for the campaign. Trump's poll numbers were in a nose-dive, and if he didn't do something fast his candidacy was facing its bitter end. His managers seemed to reach the conclusion that others have held for a long time that Trump's extreme anti-immigration positions alienate voters and Trump could not possibly win the election with only his core base of rabid supporters. So they decided to float a trial balloon. Trump appeared in a town hall on the Fox News program "Hannity" and suggested that he was open to "softening" his immigration position by perhaps offering a path to legal status for the 11 million undocumented immigrants who are already living in the United States. Kaboom! Boy, oh, boy was that a big mistake! Trump's "softening" immediately set off a firestorm of criticism from his hardline supporters on the right, including blistering attacks by the likes of Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh. So the Trump camp realized that they could not soften to the extent of offering a path to legal status. But they still needed to soften somehow in order to appeal to the new voters that they so desperately need. Advertisement They decided to adopt the new position of simply punting on the entire issue of what to do with the 11 million people. This position is indeed a "softening" because Trump would no longer stick to his prior extreme position that all 11 million people must be deported immediately. "Importantly," declared Trump in announcing his softening, "in several years when we have accomplished all of our enforcement and deportation goals... then - and only then - will we be in a position to consider the appropriate disposition of those individuals who remain." To nail home that he would not address anything more about the existing 11 million people already here, he asserted that immigration security "is the only conversation we should be having at this time... Cut it off." So there it is, Trump's brand new policy. His "softening" is that he will no longer seek to immediately deport the 11 million people, but he will not so much as even discuss what to do about them until after several years have passed. The lame excuse that Trump is hiding behind is that he will first focus on securing the borders, including building the wall, and only after the borders are secure can he then turn to the question of what to do with the 11 million people already here. Advertisement If this sounds familiar it is because we have heard it before. This was the position of Marco Rubio during the primaries, and it is a standard right-wing excuse, without any justification, for failing to address the difficult issue of immigration. So Trump is merely adopting the same position of "Little Marco" that Trump once ridiculed as being weak. Now, Trump's new position may seem quite unsatisfying. And that's because it is. His position is a total and complete cop-out. The big question about immigration is what to do with the 11 million people who are already here, and Trump is now saying that he will completely ignore this entire issue and refuse to offer any position on it whatsoever. This demonstrates very clearly for all to see that Trump is weak, cowardly, and not a leader. Pathetically, immigration has been Trump's signature issue all along. He has had over an entire year to develop a position on it, and now, here we are, two months before the election, and we see that Trump has no idea what he is doing. But most notably, not only is Trump's new position a "softening," but it is in fact a complete flip-flop. Trump has spent his entire campaign railing on and on about how he would deport all 11 million people. But now, he has completely abandoned this position. From a management perspective, the Trump campaign was faced with the question of how to drop this bomb without causing another media frenzy about Trump "softening" and flip-flopping. Well, this is where the dog trick comes into play. Advertisement In order to get the media and Trump's right-wing base of supporters to swallow this "softening" pill without even realizing it, Trump's campaign decided to wrap it up in lunchmeat. The outer lunchmeat was a torrent of bombast and aggressive anti-immigration rhetoric. This would ensure that the lead story emerging from the speech would be that Trump doubled-down on his strong anti-immigration position. These headlines are fine with Trump because they are nothing new. Everyone would fall for the outer lunchmeat of the aggressive rhetoric instead of focusing on the hidden little pill wrapped inside the lunchmeat that, in fact, Trump had just adopted a major "softening" and a major flip-flop. Other than this flip-flop bomb, the speech consisted of little more than non-substantive bombast. One part of the speech was Trump fear-mongering by misleadingly citing instances of immigrants committing crimes. The other part of the speech was just Trump ticking through a laundry list of enforcement items, like building the wall, hiring 5,000 more Border Patrol agents, implementing screening and tracking, and, of course, Trump's ingenious idea of enforcing existing laws. None of this offered much of anything new in substance. But it was delivered with such vitriolic rhetoric to capture all the headlines in order to divert attention away from the major new bomb in the speech that Trump was "softening" and flip-flopping by no longer seeking to deport all 11 million people. And sure enough, it seems to have worked. Much of the media coverage has been focused upon the aggressiveness of Trump's speech, and hardly a word about Trump's major "softening" and flip-flop. The pill was unwittingly swallowed. Lissa Rivera, Motel, Beautiful Boy (2015), edition 3/5, archival pigment print, 30 x 20 inches Some time in late June of this year I received a curious email about a project in Atlanta. The message was from Anita Arliss, an artist I've worked with in the past, and it contained a request to co-curate a show titled TELL ME a STORY as part of the Atlanta Celebrates Photography Festival 2016. The location would be the B Complex Gallery, and the intent of the exhibition was to build an overview of photo-based art that maintained a compelling narrative quality. Photo-based art is a very broad scope, but in a way, it gave Anita and me an opportunity to show just how much a part of the process photography has become in the making and the development of contemporary art. Early on, we decided that there would be a number of anchor artists to build the show around, but the bulk of the exhibition would be selected from applicants from across the United States. I didn't know what to expect, to be honest, but I was quite surprised and delighted by the results. The following is a conversation with Anita, as we discuss the process of selecting the work. Chuck McNally, The King of Mexico from his book Lost Illusions (1988 -89), mixed media, 9 x 12 inches Advertisement DDL: We dove right into organizing and developing TELL ME a STORY so quickly that I never had a chance to ask you how it all came about. AA: Yes, TELL ME a STORY did happen quickly and naturally. I had been thinking a lot about artists using photography in many ways now and in the past, and how it would make a compelling show, particularly when I moved into my studio in the building next to the B Complex Gallery. Turns out that the gallery schedule was open in October during the prominent Atlanta Celebrates Photography Festival, so I saw an opportunity and went with it. That's when I emailed you. DDL: One of the aspects of the show, the guest artists, made this particular call for work different than other shows like it. In addition to our work, we reached out to Joy Garnett, Eric Mack, Chuck McNally, Ruben Natal-San Miguel, Leah Oates, Grace Graupe Pillard and John Wyatt to anchor the exhibition. I know it's impossible to discuss everyone and maintain the reader's attention, but were there one or two artists you felt had to be in the show, and why? Joy Garnett, Elbow Room (2016), oil on canvas, 12 x 12 inches AA: To start with, I thought of the photographer Ruben Natal-San Miguel and the wonderful way he connects with each of his subjects making them so confident in who they are. The locations are very often on the streets of his Harlem neighborhood where he really captures the moment. Also, I wanted to include Joy Garnett's recent Unmonumental Paintings series, which is based on her unmonumental social media photography project that she began in 2008. I really like how she seamlessly moves back and forth between photography, social media and painting, interpreting the artist's experience with all the visual minutiae scattered throughout a big city. Advertisement Susan Carr, The Prettiest Girl(2002), B&W photography, 12 x 14 inches DDL: One of the things I enjoyed most about our particular selection and process for TELL ME a STORY was seeing new work. I curate quite a few shows each year and it's always good to learn about outstanding artists I've never heard before now. In particular, I think the narratives in the art of Lissa Rivera, Keris Salmon, Susan Carr and Zsolt Batori to be the most compelling. Their works pull you right in and hold you captive like a moth to light, while the stories they put forth are deep and rather expansive in the viewer's mind. Keris Salmon, TAMPA (2016), digital print and letterpress on Hahnemuhle, 13 x 19 inches AA: I agree. The narratives of Allison Stewart and Camilla Fallon come from different places, and both are completely engrossing. It was exciting to see Allison Stewart's PBJ's Bug Out Bag (2015), as well as Camilla Fallon's Twisted Space (2015), how clearly each artist is working in various mediums and interests, masterfully organizing her piece, so we get their perspective exactly. Also, a didactic and wonderfully quirky nod to Albrecht Durer is in Philip Carpenter's After Durer 2 (2012) as the artist "toys" with past and present art history dialogues, with his hyper-realistic drawing of a plastic toy bug preying on Durer's 1505 watercolor masterpiece Stag Beetle. DDL: I am reminded of James Ensor when I look at J William Hill's Atlanta, Lantern Festival (2015), as it has a kind of creepy, festive atmosphere with the masks and the luminous color... A similarly strange feeling is felt with Nancy Oliveri's black and white photograph Mermaid's Tale (2016), only here, you have the extra-added enviro-political issue of the state of our overtly polluted oceans. Yvette Meltzer, Bonita (2015), archival digital print dated 1968, scanned and printed, 14 x 11 inches AA: True, both artists' works have a ghostly, theatrical style that is pretty startling, like in Ensor's paintings. Then you have this intriguing empathetic, cinematic thread, in the portraits by Yvette Meltzer's Bonita, 1968, scanned and printed in (2015) and Wendy Whitesell's Ben (2016) are simultaneously socio/political, as well timelessly romantic. On the other hand, the empathy turns to irony in Russ Rowland's A Tale of Two (2016) and Kathy Meliopoulos's Empathy (2015). DDL: I'm glad you mention irony, as I was surprised and intrigued by your new work. I've always thought of you as a something of a Realist with a strong leaning toward the psychological or the subconscious - sort of like the representation of waking dream state with a touch of anxiety, even fear, while at other times your images might be laced with a tinge of the banal humor. These new works are quite abstract and bursting with energy - explosions of color - the "fervor of spirit" to quote Wikipedia, as I think of Kandinsky. Advertisement Anita Arliss, Eddy (2016), mixed media on canvas, 30 x 40 inches AA: For me, it is a natural progression. My eye has turned to new images, but my underlying subject continues to be my momentary perceptions of spontaneous events while my formal processes are likewise the same. This time, though, my glimpse is a closer look, even as the moment is more fleeting. I opened my "window" and felt the colors and breathed the air. That was when I knew this was the direction I was going to go. Close-up of stone statue of Confucius, pagoda roof in the background BEIJING -- Kate Merkel-Hess and Jeffrey Wasserstrom's thoughtful response to an essay on Chinese politics by WorldPost editor-in-chief Nathan Gardels reminds us of the need to take into account the rich and multifaceted political traditions in China. From the Spring and Autumn period until the collapse of imperial rule, Chinese thinkers defended a diverse array of Confucian, Legalist, Daoist and Buddhist values, and since then they have also debated political traditions imported from the West, including Marxism, liberalism, anarchism and feminism. It's a mistake to say that there is only one political tradition in Chinese history and to draw implications for contemporary China based on that assumption. I don't think Gardels makes this mistake -- he refers to a "mainstream view" and allows for the possibility of counter-currents. Advertisement The problem, rather, is that Wasserstrom and Merkel-Hess go to the other extreme, identifying with those counter-currents and urging Western critics of China to criticize the Chinese government for failing to live up to the "best parts" of the Chinese tradition. And those parts just happen to coincide with "liberal democratic ideals and concepts of human rights" developed in Western societies. In other words, Western critics of China should use their own inherited political framework for evaluating political progress and regress in China and they should support "indigenous" Chinese critics who share their views. It's a mistake to say that there is only one political tradition in Chinese history. What's missing in the response by Merkel-Hess and Wasserstrom is any acknowledgment that there may be morally legitimate and politically realistic alternatives to liberal democracy when thinking about how to evaluate political developments in China. In this sense, their mindset is no different than Western colonialists who sought to promote their political beliefs in China throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, with mostly disastrous effects in China itself. Still, their essay raises two important issues. First, which political traditions or values matter for the purpose of explaining contemporary Chinese politics? And second, which political traditions or values matter for the purpose of evaluating contemporary Chinese politics? Let me address each of these questions in turn. If the aim is to explain political institutions and policy outcomes, the effects of economic and political factors often seem more immediate and less controversial. But culture can also play an important role: it provides an intellectual framework for sociopolitical alternatives and the motivational resources for policy implementation, and certain paths thus become more likely. A visitor walks on the Luanling section of the Great Wall about 50 miles from Beijing on May 7, 2011. (REUTERS/Jason Lee) Consider the value of political unity discussed by Gardels. As historian Yuri Pines shows in his excellent book, "The Everlasting Empire," political thinkers of the Warring States period, whatever their differences, agreed on the principle of unification under a single monarch, and this principle became the basis of Chinese political thought. The principle of political unity helps to explain the origin of institutional arrangements: the development of imperial China and the source of imperial authority. It also helps to explain the stability of policies and institutional arrangements: Pines argues that the Chinese empire, despite periods of disorder and disintegration, was regularly restored with fundamental institutional, sociopolitical and cultural features similar to that of the pre-turmoil period. And the principle of political unity helps to explain the failure of ideas and policies to take root: 20th-century Chinese supporters of provincial independence never got very far because their ideas were so fundamentally at odds with leading political values. In short, deeply held mainstream political values provide the motivational resources to influence certain outcomes, both in the minds of legislators and in the minds of people who must follow (or defy) their decisions. The Chinese Communist Party, as Pines notes, can be seen as the latest manifestation of the unitary state and imperial authority, but with trained and experienced leaders bound by term limits rather than a hereditary leader at the top. In the same vein, Gardels suggests that the deeply held idea of the unitary state influences the policies of current leaders and helps to explain why those policies are generally well received by the people. Of course, it is theoretically possible that counter-currents such as American-style ideas of adversarial politics and strict divisions of power can became popular and eventually displace mainstream ideas. In the absence of strong evidence, however, such proposals seem like wishful thinking. The idea of political meritocracy may be just as deeply rooted in Chinese political culture as the idea of political unity: from Confucius onwards, most Chinese thinkers accepted the premise that the political system should aim to select and promote public officials with superior ability and virtue, and they argued mainly over which abilities and virtues matter and the best ways of assessing those qualities. Starting from the Sui dynasty, imperial China institutionalized political meritocracy by means of the imperial examination system, and successful examination takers were usually promoted based on performance evaluations at lower levels of government. There need to be mechanisms in place to filter out Chinese-style Donald Trumps from getting near the top of the political hierarchy. Like the idea of political unity, the idea and practice of political meritocracy came under fundamental attack in the 20th century. But the country was primed for the revival of political meritocracy following a disastrous experience with radical populism and arbitrary dictatorship during the Cultural Revolution, and China's leaders could reestablish elements of its meritocratic tradition that is almost identical in form (but not content) to the meritocratic system for the selection and promotion of leaders in imperial China. Whatever the political reality and the prospects of political change, however, liberal democrats may still argue against "the supposedly 'meritocratic' governance system of the People's Republic of China," as Merkel-Hess and Wasserstrom put it, and for the benefits of electoral democracy as a method to select political leaders. One would be hard pressed to find defenders of family-based dictatorship outside of North Korea even if the system happens to be stable and rooted in history. So why should we think "autocratic" rule in China belongs in a different moral category? But is political meritocracy really so bad? I've provided a full defense in my book "The China Model," and let me summarize the arguments here. First, the fact that political meritocracy has deep roots in China means it will likely be relatively stable in a Chinese context compared to political alternatives, including electoral democracy. Second, political surveys show consistent support for political meritocracy in China. Third, a large country with responsibilities for future generations and the rest of the world needs to select and promote experienced and informed leaders who should not simply be held accountable to the current generation of citizens. Fourth, rapid technological innovations and sudden financial shocks and natural disasters may require effective responses by relatively unconstrained leaders with a proven record of sound political judgment. And lastly, political meritocracy is compatible with basic human rights and a wide array of democratic values and practices, including electoral democracy at lower levels of government and various mechanisms for improved consultation, transparency, participation and deliberation. Chinese leaders sing the national anthem at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 14. (GREG BAKER/AFP/Getty Images) What political meritocracy does rule out is a one-person-one-vote system and multi-party elections to select top leaders: there need to be mechanisms in place to increase the likelihood that top leaders have political experience and a long-term horizon and that filter out Chinese-style Donald Trumps from getting anywhere close to the top of the political hierarchy. Of course, there remains a big gap between the ideal and the practice of political meritocracy in China, just as there remains a big gap between the ideal and practice of democracy in the U.S. But shouldn't Western thinkers support China's effort to continue to build up a political meritocracy with democratic characteristics? It's a pill that may be hard to swallow -- in my case, I only came around to this view following years of living in China and trying to make sense of what my Chinese friends and colleagues think and care about. But what is the alternative? Why should Westerners just support Chinese critics who happen to agree with the political views transmitted by our ancestors in the West? Isn't that a legacy of a colonial mindset? Perhaps I've been unfair to Merkel-Hess and Wasserstrom. I've long admired their erudite yet accessible works on modern Chinese history, and maybe their normative commitments have been changed by encounters with Chinese thinkers. If that's the case, I'd like to learn precisely how the normative standards they use to assess progress and regress in Chinese politics differ from the ones used to assess progress and regress in American politics. Also on WorldPost: This Presidential election cycle has emerged as one of the most unusual in recent years, and not only for the obvious reasons. For the first time since before World War II, both candidates are seriously questioning the benefits of freer trade. And both Vice Presidential nominees, each a long-time supporter of freer trade, have been forced to back-track in order to align their position with their running mates. Moreover, this skepticism has spilled over to Congressional races. In key House and Senate contests, such as the tight race between GOP Sen. Pat Toomey and challenger Katie McGinty in Pennsylvania, both the Republican and Democrat are actively opposing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the yet-to-be ratified free trade deal among 12 Pacific-facing countries. To be sure, many candidates in the past - more often Democrats - have expressed deep reservations about a liberal (open) trade agenda and specific trade deals during the campaign, only to reverse course once in office as they were relieved of electoral pressures and came to appreciate the importance of U.S. leadership in international economic policy. In 2008, then candidate Obama expressed concerns about NAFTA and the dislocations associated with trade. However, after the election he helped to ratify the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and negotiate the TPP. Even when they have supported these agreements, sometimes that support has come with conditions. In 1992, candidate Bill Clinton, running as a centrist Democrat, endorsed the controversial NAFTA agreement, but insisted on the addition of "supplemental" agreements on labor and environmental protection which were negotiated once he took office. These elements have been included in every trade agreement the U.S. has pursued since. The past, however, may not be prologue this time around. Hillary Clinton supported the TPP while Secretary of State but has since had a change of heart. Longtime Clinton adviser and Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe let it be known that he thought Clinton would reverse her position once elected. The Clinton campaign quickly repudiated that suggestion, a position reiterated on the campaign trail. Why this scapegoating of trade? Obviously, Americans are experiencing deep economic uncertainty and anxiety, aggravated by Donald Trump's nativist rhetoric. Wages are stagnant and underemployment is high, even as overall unemployment is at historic lows. While analyses by the National Bureau of Economic Research of the impact of China's accession to the World Trade Organization found that U.S. workers in some low skill sectors were hurt, especially when they were not able to relocate, the impact of a specific trade agreement such as TPP on our economy is marginal; American tariffs and investment restrictions are already quite low and further reductions will have little immediate impact. Indeed, these effects would be hardly noticeable in the short term, given that there are more than 5 million Americans hired each month and about the same number of "separations", voluntary or otherwise. Rather, benefits will accrue over the longer term as U.S. companies gain access to growing markets that have historically been more closed to our products than the other way around. In addition, the TPP includes the very labor and environmental commitments first pioneered in NAFTA, providing further protections to ensure a level playing field among its signatories. More broadly, failure to ratify the TPP would be a major setback for U.S. leadership in the Asia-Pacific region. Whether you are for or against freer trade, most concede that globalization is inexorable and nearly irreversible. Our economy is inextricably linked with those of other nations, and this integration has many benefits, including lower prices, access to a greater range of goods, insurance that other countries will not block our exports, and reduced tensions with trading partners. Further, for those concerned about unsustainable immigration, one unheralded benefit of freer trade agreements such as CAFTA, is that they provide economic opportunities in developing countries that then reduce pressure for migration to the U.S. The problem is that these benefits are diffuse, while costs in the form of lost jobs and closed factories, are highly concentrated. Given this, the U.S. should do a better job of compensating those hurt by trade. Germany, one of the most open economies in the world, has demonstrated that trade adjustment through vocational training and apprenticeships - subsidized by the state - can be highly successful. Interestingly, a recent poll found that more Democrats (60 percent) than Republicans (51 percent) agree with the statement that "free trade with foreign countries is good for America," and support is higher in swing states. Yet, it seems likely that few among this majority would withhold their support for a candidate based on an anti-trade platform, while many in the minority would not vote for a pro-free trade candidate. Clearly, the two presidential candidates understand this reality. In the end, trade is neither the cause of our economic difficulties nor is it a panacea for them. Unfortunately, our economic challenges are complex, involving education, training, tax and wage policy, and many other factors. In announcing support of NAFTA in 1992, Bill Clinton said, "One of the most difficult problems in modern politics and therefore in this Presidential election is the simplistic and superficial labeling of complex issues." Today's politicians would be wise to heed this message. Most importantly, trade has impacts that go far beyond short-term economics. It reflects what is best about Americans and our national identity: open, confident, outward-looking, optimistic and ready to take on the world. One can only hope that despite the rhetoric of this campaign season, these values will prevail. Last week, the United States and China formally joined the Paris Agreement in a ceremony in Hangzhou, China ahead of the G20 Summit. President Obama and President Xi both deposited their country's official instrument with United Nations Secretary, General Ban-Ki Moon. This ends the speculation about when the world's two largest greenhouse gas emitters will join the landmark international climate agreement. While 195 countries adopted the Agreement last year, it will actually enter into force when 55 countries accounting for at least 55 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions join by approving it domestically and submitting their "instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval" to the UN. The U.S.-China move brings the world firmly within range of hitting the 55-55 threshold this year--perhaps as soon as this month. Why is this announcement important? The United States and China together account for approximately 38 percent of the world's total greenhouse gas emissions. By swiftly joining the Paris Agreement, the United States and China have turned the page from making commitments to delivering action, and have encouraged other world leaders to follow their lead. Advertisement Today's joint statement also deepens the relationship between the two countries on climate change, building on previous joint statements released in November 2014 and September 2015, which helped pave the way for success at COP21 last year. In joining the Paris Agreement together, they have emphasized what can be achieved through cooperation and reconfirmed their responsibility to lead by example. This is the first-ever G20 to be held in China, and brings together the world's largest economies. Of those attending, Argentina, Australia, Canada and Mexico have all committed to join the Agreement this year, and Brazil appears poised to join soon following the completion of its domestic approval process last week. Given the strong signal now sent by the United States and China, a number of these countries are expected to follow through on their commitments as early as this month. The UN Secretary General has scheduled a special event on September 21 during the UN General Assembly for countries to join the Agreement by submitting their formal instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval. How close are we to entry into force? Entry into force means that the Paris Agreement will be in full force and effect under international law, binding those countries that have joined and catalyzing implementation of their commitments. Reaching entry into force rapidly will also demonstrate strong political commitment to the Agreement and increase the pace of putting its operational elements in place. Advertisement 27 countries representing 39.08 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions have now joined the Paris Agreement. According to our analysis, a further 31 have either committed to join this year or are extremely likely to, based on national statements and completion of domestic ratification processes. This would bring us to 58 countries representing 58.42 percent of emissions - well over the 55:55 threshold this year. What comes next? If the 55-55 threshold is reached by October 7 this year, the first meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (referred to as "CMA1") will take place in conjunction with COP22 in Morocco this November. Alternatively, if the threshold is reached later this year, CMA1 would commence at the next major UN climate summit in 2017. Parties would then need to determine a process for adopting the key procedures and guidelines to implement the Paris Agreement. Such rapid entry into force would continue the momentum created at Paris last year, help spur early implementation, and reinforce the global commitment to building a zero-carbon, climate-resilient future. Advertisement Regardless of whether it happens by October 7 or later this year, one thing is certain: The Paris Agreement is destined to become one of the most widely and swiftly ratified international treaties in history. For example, the Kyoto Protocol, the international climate treaty that preceded the Paris Agreement, took seven years to enter into force. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change before it took two years. How can I monitor progress on ratification of the Paris Agreement? Follow the progress on WRI's Paris Agreement Tracker, which will be updated in real time as new countries join in the coming weeks. Two-thirds of the world's 758 million illiterate people are women. Project Literacy, a global movement campaigning for advances in literacy levels worldwide, has compiled a body of research called the Alphabet of Illiteracy which demonstrates how illiteracy underpins almost every major problem humanity faces, from A-Z. Many of these issues relate directly to women: C is for Child Brides, F is for FGM, G is for Gender Inequality, X is for X-Rated. These are all themes that were explored in Half the Sky: How to Change the World by Nick Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. Coinciding with International Literacy Day, Emma Watson's book club, Our Shared Shelf, is currently reading Half The Sky. Here she poses her questions to the authors. Emma Watson: Since its publication seven years ago, there has been tremendous headway in the fight for women's rights, though there is still much work to be done. What new challenges have surfaced since you wrote the book? Which threat has evolved the most since the book's publication? Advertisement Nick Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn: First, Emma, thanks so much for recommending Half the Sky and for your work on these issues. We really do feel the progress, and that's partly because so many more people are aware of abuses now than a decade ago. If we were rewriting Half the Sky, we might say more about challenges in the West. We focused on the developing world because that's where the challenges are greatest, but we truly do face enormous gender inequities in America and Europe as well. Activists tend to focus on issues like equal pay or equal representation on boards, and those are real, but two of the most important neglected issues are domestic violence and human trafficking. In the U.S. alone, three women are murdered each day by their boyfriends or husbands, while some 10,000 girls under 18 are trafficked each year into the sex trade. So we definitely want to see a continued focus on global issues, but we also don't have the credibility to tell other countries to clean up their act unless we do more at home. EW: According to EqualityNow.org, sexual exploitation and the trafficking of women and children is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world, despite laws in 134 countries criminalizing it. Why do you think it continues to rise so relentlessly, and what do you think is the single most effective solution for fighting it? Is there one? NK & SW: We'd be wary of saying that sex trafficking is increasing globally, because we just don't have good enough data to have a clear sense of trends. But trafficking is certainly widespread, and that's partly because society looks down on the victims and because they are usually the most voiceless of people: poor, female and powerless. There is also the myth that this is a victimless crime, that women who sell sex are doing so willingly. Yes, some do, but millions do not, and a woman in a brothel may smile because if she doesn't meet her quota for the day she'll be beaten. There is no silver bullet to fight sex trafficking, but one experiment in Cebu, the Philippines, suggests that training police and targeting the problem of trafficking children really does reduce the number of kids being raped in brothels each day. Likewise, in places like America, it makes sense to go after the pimps and traffickers rather than prosecute the women and girls -- who in fact are typically the victims. Finally, we're sympathetic to the Swedish model, which prosecutes the customers and thus aims to reduce the demand for commercial sex that drives human trafficking. Advertisement EW: At the end of Half the Sky, you offer four steps that everyone can take to make big changes. Are there other effective and simple steps that every person -- of any age and in any location -- can take to help economically empower women around the world? NK & SW: On the economic empowerment side, the evidence increasingly suggests that microloans are somewhat less effective than people had hoped, but that microsavings somewhat more effective (the example we give in Half the Sky of Goretti in Burundi is of microsavings, i.e. helping her save small sums and invest them in small businesses). So there has been a big push by many aid groups for community savings and loan associations that support women; CARE has been a leader in this, but many groups do it. We're also seeing more evidence of the transformative effects of programs targeting young children. If one deworms kids through groups like Deworm the World, they will grow up to be healthier and earn more money and support their families better. Educating girls always has transformative effects not just on them but also on their communities. And providing family planning for the 200 million women around the world who don't want to get pregnant but don't have access to birth control should be a no-brainer! One of our frustrations is that since 9/11 the West has focused on addressing terrorism and insecurity almost exclusively through the military toolbox. Yes, we need a military toolbox, but over time the women's empowerment and education toolboxes have a somewhat better record of curbing violence and extremists. Advertisement And extremists understand this: That's why the Taliban shot Malala, that's why Boko Haram kidnaps school girls; they understand that the greatest threat to violent extremism isn't a drone overhead but a girl with a book. EW: You introduce us to so many inspirational and strong women who you met in your travels -- for example, Sunitha Krishnan in India, who founded Prajwala, which has helped former prostitutes find liberation and success through vocational skills training. I am sure you keep in touch with Sunitha, along with many other women you met. Could you offer a story or two of where they are now? How have they grown and their lives/careers blossomed? NK & SW: It's been exciting to see women thrive and prosper when they have a chance. In Half the Sky, we write about Edna Adan and the maternity hospital she founded in Somaliland, and since then she has expanded her efforts to try and tackle maternal mortality and FGM throughout her country. We've visited Somaliland and seen Edna start a program to train midwives, and she recruits them from rural areas and then dispatches them back home again to set up outposts so that pregnant women can get some pre-natal care before delivering. Edna has also become a leader in fighting FGM in her country, and she's having some success in reducing the most extreme kind of cutting. Local Muslim women like Edna are so much more powerful advocates against FGM than Westerners who march in and say "that's barbaric." We also wrote about obstetric fistula in Half the Sky, and Dr. Catherine Hamlin's work repairing fistulas in young women. We're thrilled to report that there has been considerable progress in treating fistulas, and Dr. Hamlin has presided over a huge improvement in maternal health in rural Ethiopia. These days, when women need fistula repair in Ethiopia, they usually get it, and the Fistula Foundation has been training surgeons to repair fistulas in Angola, Niger, Congo and other countries. A fistula historically was one of the worst things that can happen to a teenage girl, and it's now on its way out. Advertisement EW: What have you found to be the most rewarding aspect to the charity work you have done with Half the Sky and the women you met? NK & SW: People wonder how it is that we write about human trafficking, FGM and genocide, global poverty and genocide, and remain upbeat. Frankly, it's because of the people you see on the front lines: Side by side with the worst of humanity, you see the best. Congo, for example, is rape capital of the world, and site of the most lethal conflict since World War II. But a doctor named Denis Mukwege runs the Panzi Hospital there, focused on treating women and fighting against sexual violence -- continuing despite attempts to assassinate him. He may win the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts, as he should, and he's an inspiring reminder of the difference brave people make at the grass roots. It's possible to come back from a place like eastern Congo feeling better about humans! EW: 2016 is perhaps one of the most crucial years in the fight for women's equality because the Democrats have elected the first female candidate. No matter who takes office in November, what do you think will be the most pressing issue that the next American president will have to face in the fight for women's rights? NK & SW: We would love to see the next president take on two big issues in this area. First is sexual violence, including human trafficking. Surely, more than 150 years after the Civil War, we can muster the political will to make it a top priority to end the enslavement of women and girls around the world. The British prime minister, Theresa May, has made comments about making this a priority, and Clinton and May could work together to make a real difference on this issue globally -- including in the U.S. and the U.K. It's outrageous that in America, police sometimes arrest 15-year-old girls for prostitution while letting the pimps who enslave them go free. Second is education, especially girls' education. We need a global push to get the last 60 million kids in the world into primary school worldwide, accompanied by a push to ensure that kids are actually learning. For too long, advocates focused just on the raw number of kids in school or out of school; it's now clear that many children are in school but in a class of 100 without text books or any familiarity with the language of instruction, so they learn nothing. For about $20 billion a year, we could get all kids worldwide in school, actually learning. It's a significant sum but a small fraction of the cost of our Afghan "surge." Advertisement EW: Europe is facing an unprecedented refugee-crisis right now, with more than a million refugees entering the continent in 2015 alone. According to Pew research, roughly 73 percent of those refugees fleeing the Middle East are men. Are there new crises developing in the Middle East specifically for women, and what sort of problems are refugee women facing right now that are unique to this situation? NK & SW: Women are already vulnerable in the Middle East, and to be a refugee is to be particularly at risk. In Lebanon alone, there are 200,000 Syrian refugee children who should be in school but can't attend, and they are disproportionately female. Some girls have been forced into the sex trade, and others have been married off as young brides -- sometimes as second or third wives to much older men -- because then at least someone will feed them. In Libya, we heard of a teenage refugee girl who was kept in an underground pit and brought up once a day to be raped by a series of men who paid for the privilege. What do you call that but slavery and torture? The other thing we're seeing in parts of the Middle East and North Africa is the rise of extremist groups like ISIS or AQIM that don't believe women should have any rights at all. ISIS has justified the sexual enslavement of Yazidi girls, and countless Yazidi teenagers have been passed around among Yazidi men to be raped. We think it's a mistake to say that women are the worst victims of war -- after all, ISIS simply murdered the Yazidi men and boys -- but it is true that women and girls become particularly vulnerable. We are seeing some healthy responses, though, such as a collapse of old taboos about discussing sexual violence and the assumption that the sin is being raped, as opposed to raping. Congratulations to the Yazidi women who have spoken up about the abuse they suffered -- and congratulations to the many Yazidi men who have announced that they will be happy to marry Yazidi women who were raped by ISIS, recognizing that those women have nothing to be ashamed of. EW: In Half the Sky, you say that "one of the great failings of the American education system is that young people can graduate from university without any understanding of poverty at home or abroad." What specific initiatives do you think American schools should implement in order to raise awareness of poverty and economic inequality? Advertisement NK & SW: We'd like to see high schools and colleges alike expand service learning so that privileged students interact more with disadvantaged kids. That may mean a trip to Bangladesh, or it could mean tutoring kids in one's own hometown, or staffing a rape crisis center, or counselling in a prison, or volunteering at a substance abuse center. We'd also like to see American universities encourage more gap years in programs like City Year or Citizen Year Abroad, and more study abroad that isn't just aimed at sending herds of students to London or Rome. If a kid gets malaria, give him or her extra credit! Senator Tim Kaine was put on his trajectory as Hillary Clinton's running mate when he took a year off law school to volunteer with the Jesuits in Central America, and Utah has benefited economically and educationally because so many young Mormons from Utah live abroad and learn languages on missions. More young people should be encouraged to get out of their comfort zones -- whether in Nicaragua or by volunteering at a prison. EW: In Half the Sky, you say that "the tools to crush modern slavery exist, but the political will is lacking." Why do you think that is, and how can we use our own voice and vote to motivate our politicians to take action? NK & SW: The basic problem is that we as a society look down on girls who have been trafficked. We see them on the street and they're wearing inappropriate clothing, they may be self-medicating with drugs or alcohol, they may be in love with their pimps. We are prepared to empathize with a girl who is chained to a radiator in a brothel, but we scorn a girl who runs away from police back to her pimp -- partly because we don't understand the brainwashing and violence that those girls go through. So prostitution has traditionally been viewed as a public nuisance issue, and thus the police arrest the girls and try to move them out of town. We need to push police and prosecutors to recognize it as a human rights issue and get them to focus on the pimps and the johns who create the problem. We can also do a much better job providing servicers and shelters for at-risk young women, so that the only people on the lookout for them aren't pimps. We should spread the word among friends and all around us so that this is an issue that counts with voters. Advertisement EW: It seems more than ever before, every time we turn on the news there is a new tragedy or catastrophic event to report on... Movements like the one you've started with Half the Sky, and continued with A Path Appears are so important as they encourage solidarity in the values we share. So I guess my last question is, what is next for you? NK & SW: Frankly, we're not sure. After Half the Sky we wanted to weigh in on domestic social justice issues, so we wrote A Path Appears. We've also tried to move beyond the books with the television documentary series for Half the Sky and A Path Appears, to reach a new audience. We've also been trying to address the refugee crisis, partly because Nick's dad was a refugee and so he is particularly appalled by their treatment. Nick has been reporting on not just Syrian refugees but also Central Americans, and also South Sudan's worsening human rights situation. So we're not sure just what new projects we'll be focused on, but we do invite readers to follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/wudunn and facebook.com/Kristof), or on Nick's email newsletter (nytimes.com/KristofEmail) and through them you'll know what windmills we're tilting at! Finally, Emma, thanks again for a great conversation and for your efforts to make "a path appear" for those who need it most. And to all members of the book club, we hope you enjoy Half the Sky, but most of all, we hope it moves you to action. The best letters we get from readers are those who say that the book so outraged them that they then started a giving circle, or launched a literacy program at the local women's prison, or volunteered at a nearby preschool, or sponsored a child, or in some other way tried to move from reading to doing. Thanks in advance for anything you do! Advertisement Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me. For more information on how to combat illiteracy, visit www.projectliteracy.com/help. To join Emma Watson's book club, Our Shared Shelf, visit goodreads.com/oursharedshelf. _________________ FILE - In this March 12, 2015, file photo, Attorney General Eric Holder announces six pilot cities for the National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice, at the Department of Justice in Washington. Holder said Wednesday, Oct. 28, he disagrees with comments from FBI Director James Comey that suggested a connection between changes in police behavior and the homicide spike experienced by major American cities. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) Over the course of my career, I've learned that lasting change often begins with tough, honest conversations, genuine self-reflection, followed by bold action. In the last half century, we've made tremendous progress toward realizing our civil rights and equal opportunity goals. But we still have a long way to go. We need to talk about, and then take action to end, the discrimination, prejudice, and inequality that still exists -- not only in our laws, but in our schools, our neighborhoods, and our businesses. That's in part because the way in which bias manifests itself keeps evolving. At the beginning of this century, few predicted that the internet would become such a pervasive tool for cyber bullying or religious extremism, or would so often be used to communicate and enable discrimination and division. Airbnb is no exception. Their mission is to connect people from around the globe and foster a sense of belonging. But despite those good intentions, some Airbnb users have been turned away from booking accommodations because of their name, background or skin color. Understanding that one case is one too many, the company reached out to me and to Laura Murphy, the former chief of the ACLU's Washington legislative office, to work with them to determine how to greatly diminish -- with the goal of eliminating -- discrimination on its platform. I agreed to help because from the first time we spoke, Airbnb's leadership team was willing to have that tough, uncomfortable conversation, and because they had the humility and courage to ask for help in the first place. That told me that their goal was to fix the problem, not simply to respond to public criticism. Advertisement Airbnb's leadership team was willing to have that tough, uncomfortable conversation. Throughout the last three months, under Laura's leadership, Airbnb has conducted a rigorous, thorough and inclusive review of its technology and its policies. The review included conversations with employees at every level of the company, Airbnb hosts and victims of discrimination, and outside experts. It also included outreach to civil rights organizations, regulators and federal and state lawmakers. The result is one of the most detailed and honest reviews of a company's role in fighting discrimination, including where efforts fell short, that I've ever witnessed. That review -- which I believe provides a model for our growing "sharing economy" and the role internet companies play in unintentionally enabling discrimination -- lead to some very real steps Airbnb will take to begin solving the problem. A few examples: The company will now require everyone who uses Airbnb to commit to oppose discrimination and treat everyone in the Airbnb community with dignity and respect. It has developed new tools to crack down on anyone who violates that commitment, and put together a team of engineers who will work full time to root out bias on the site. Those who do not share Airbnb's value of inclusivity and continue to discriminate will be excluded from the platform. The company is also taking aggressive steps to make all guests feel welcome. For example, Airbnb will help any guest who experiences discrimination on Airbnb find a place to stay. Additionally inclusivity training is being made available to all hosts. These are among the affirmative steps Airbnb is taking to deal with these issues. There are no overnight solutions to remedy centuries-old societal prejudices and challenges. There are no overnight solutions to remedy centuries-old societal prejudices and challenges. If there were, I would not have been asked to join this tough conversation and rigorous review. But that's the point, I was asked. These difficult conversations have begun, and Airbnb has committed to continuing this effort until the problem is solved. Even more importantly, by encouraging individuals from different countries to share their homes and perspectives, Airbnb is encouraging this sort of transformational dialogue and bridge building all across the world. Our economy and our country are evolving, mostly for the better. But, where we aren't moving forward in our fight for progress, we all have to take a role in addressing discrimination where it exists. I believe Airbnb has done that, and while the effort is still a work in progress, this work will lead to better policies and technologies that will bring us together and ultimately end discrimination. Last month Patrick Hardison hit a major milestone in his life. It had been one year since the Mississippi volunteer firefighter underwent one of the world's most extensive face transplant surgeries. Fifteen years ago Hardison suffered massive burns to his face when the ceiling of a burning house collapsed on him. He lost his eyelids, lips, ears, and most of his nose. At the time of the face transplant, surgeons gave him a 50 percent chance of surviving the procedure, according to a story in Time magazine. Advertisement But today Hardison is alive, and so far the potent drugs that he takes have prevented his body from rejecting his new face. Hardison's impressive progress during the past year is not just a personal milestone. But also one for the field of face transplants, which, with fewer than 40 transplants under its belt, is still in its infancy. Technique continues to improve Of course, transplanting a face is no small feat. Hardison's surgery lasted 26 hours and included a team of more than 100 doctors and other healthcare staff. Each surgery is also unique, with every patient presenting different challenges. "The team needs to train together -- much like a rocket launch -- so things go very smoothly and there are no hiccups in the technical aspect," Dr. Frank Papay, chair of the Cleveland Clinic's Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Institute, told Healthline. Advertisement Cleveland Clinic has already done two face transplants and has a third one coming up. But although face transplants are still relatively new, this exhausting procedure has come a long way since the first partial face transplant in France in 2005. "Technically, the field has advanced to be more intricate and to involve more of the face, where now we're doing near-total or total face transplants," said Papay. In the future, the technical aspects of face transplants will continue to progress along the same trajectory, with doctors sharing what they learn. The real challenge going forward will be to keep the recipient's body from rejecting the transplant. "The research on the technical end has been said and done, and continues to advance very quickly," said Papay, "but the research in the promise of complete tissue tolerance from allografts is not quite there yet. That's the goal." Organ rejection happens when the recipient's immune system attacks the new tissue as "foreign." This is not unique to face transplants, but can also happen with hearts, livers, and kidneys. Advertisement To prevent this, doctors try to match the tissue of the donor and the recipient as closely as possible. After surgery, recipients take powerful drugs -- for the rest of their lives -- that suppress their immune systems. But these drugs are linked to a higher risk of heart disease, serious infections, and a shorter lifespan. Hardison was also given the monoclonal antibody Rituximab before surgery to prevent a type of white blood cells, called B lymphocytes, from attacking the transplanted tissue. Even this is not perfect. Finding something that works better is what Papay calls the "Holy Grail" for making face transplants more successful. Public acceptance grows In the early days of face transplants, many people thought it would be like the movie "Face Off," with Nicholas Cage and John Travolta. Advertisement But there was also a great deal of concern over the procedure. One study found that opinion about these procedures leaned toward "outlandish" or "morally objectionable." But those views have subsided as more successful face transplants have been done. "There has been a shifting landscape of ethical concern over [face transplants] as we gain more information about how transplants are conducted and how the patients experience the procedures," Christopher Scott, Ph.D., M.A., a senior faculty and associate director of health policy at the Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy of Baylor College of Medicine, told Healthline. Part of this has to do with the reality of face transplants being much different from what you might see in a movie. "[What] we've learned from the two face transplants that we've performed here at the Cleveland Clinic," said Papay, "is the new face is not like the donor's face. It's not like the recipient's face. It's a mosaic of both." But opinions have also shifted as the public has seen how much the procedures can transform the lives of patients. Advertisement After his surgery, Hardison could go out into public again without being stared at. He even took his five children to Disney World in Florida and was able to swim with them for the first time since the accident in 2001. Changes in public opinion have occurred with other technologies, such as putting pig valves into the hearts of people with heart disease. "As these moved into generalized medical practice -- I mean, we do thousands of these procedures every year -- no one even thinks twice about it," said Scott. The real transformation of the field may happen if the government and health insurance companies start covering the costs of the procedure. A face transplant can cost up to $1 million. "I think [Medicaid and Medicare] will gradually move into accepting this, but I think [they] would want to wait until there's even a few more patients," said Papay, "But I think we're on that cusp right now." Advertisement When that happens, more people will be able to benefit from the procedure, not just those whose face was injured in an accident. Recipients could include people who had part of their face removed because of cancer and those born with congenital face defects. It's hard to know what society will think about face transplants in the future, but if the current trends continue, the "wow" factor may take a back seat to the people helped by the procedure. "If the path of movement is any indication of what we can expect in the future, then we may see some of the same thing," said Scott, "away from the worries about whether a person would somehow lose their identity if they had someone else's face to more concern about the individual health of the person." By Shawn Radcliffe CPAP machines are in the news this month after the New England Journal of Medicine released a study casting doubt on their effectiveness in preventing heart problems. See here for an explanation of the study and a summary of reasons why it is likely not accurate. Regardless of that study, let me tell you why I have become an unexpected missionary for the wonders of the CPAP. For the past year, I've been wrestling with a diagnosis of sleep apnea. What have I learned, even while kicking, screaming and denying, through the entire testing and education process? That it is a real thing, that I really do have it, and that I feel a whole lot better when sleeping with a mask on my face hooked up to a 9-foot tube and a CPAP machine that blows humidified air into my nose all night. (Finding humor among apnea sufferers, I discovered they often refer to themselves as "hoseheads.") What is sleep apnea, and how could I possibly have it? Sleep apnea is a condition where people stop breathing repeatedly, sometimes hundreds of times, during their sleep. (See "Mayo Clinic & Sleep Apnea" for a comprehensive explanation and list of symptoms.) Untreated, apnea can lead to heart problems, stroke, memory loss, depression, etc. My knowledge of apnea prior to a year ago was that I thought it was a condition suffered only by very overweight men who snore loudly and wake up gasping for air when their brain finally is startled into reminding them to breathe. Advertisement So how me? I am a 64-year-old female who exercises regularly and hasn't been more than 5 pounds overweight in 40 years. I am not a smoker, was not an excessive snorer and never woke up gasping for air. My prejudices about apnea being a condition of unhealthy people kept me from believing the diagnosis for several months. There are many causes of apnea; mine is most likely a small opening in my throat that closes off when my tongue relaxes during sleep. However, it may also be some central brain issue -- as of yet there doesn't seem to be a definitive diagnosis. The sleep doctors can only confirm that you have the condition and suggest how you should treat it. What are the common symptoms of sleep apnea? In addition to the loud snoring and waking up gasping for air, people with apnea often report waking up with headaches, not feeling rested when they wake up in the morning, falling asleep while driving, etc. I had none of those. For my entire life, I have awakened feeling great; I love mornings. However, I did have the telltale sign of afternoon fatigue. As the years went on, it became severe. By last fall, I was trying to arrange my schedule so that I would have no meetings after 3 p.m. (as I knew I needed to make it home for a nap). Even when I was traveling for work, I tried to arrange my day so I could pull over and take a nap at a roadside rest stop. I started to think that this was just part of being in my 60s. The diagnosis. Kudos to my doctor, who when I mentioned during my annual physical that I was tired every afternoon, suggested I take a home pulse oximeter test to measure for blood oxygen saturation levels. Apparently when you have sleep apnea, your oxygen levels decrease when your breathing pauses. I took the test, and was shocked to read a report that said "this patient qualifies for Nocturnal Oxygen per Medicare guidelines." Oh boy -- "Nocturnal Oxygen"?! and they are writing my name on the same paper as "Medicare guidelines"?! I still couldn't really believe I had sleep apnea. Even when the first overnight sleep lab test gave me a diagnosis of "severe obstructive sleep apnea" I couldn't believe it. To me, I thought "who could possibly sleep while hooked up to 27 wires attached to your body and someone watching you all night through a one way mirror window"? (Actually, I'm still interested in hearing from someone who took this test and was told they did NOT have sleep apnea...) I saw the sleep doctor again and thought he was obnoxious; that what he had to sell were CPAP machines -- kind of like if all you have in your tool kit is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. I decided to pursue alternative methods of treatment. I started weekly acupuncture treatments, I did yoga breathing, I saw a kinesiologist and tried a new blend of herbal supplements. All those things were probably helpful to my overall health, but they did not cure the sleep apnea. A second sleep lab test confirmed that I still had severe sleep apnea. My general physician got my attention when she said, "Sorry about your results. But there is too much proven medical information to ignore this -- lack of oxygen to your brain increases brain aging and memory loss." Ok -- yikes! -- I'll try the serious treatment -- I'll get the CPAP machine. Advertisement The CPAP machine. I picked up my Philips Respironics DreamStation APAP (a CPAP, but the first "A" means the air pressure adjusts to your needs over the night instead of the "C" version where the air pressure remains constant). Picking up the machine dashed my fantasy that a friendly home health nurse would come to my door, machine in tow, and show me how to use it. Nope. You are instructed to drive to a warehouse type place in an industrial part of town right by the freeway. Inside the nondescript building were stacks of boxes with different machines and a tired attendant who spent 10 minutes telling me how to use it, picking out a mask for me, and sending me on my way. "What if I have questions?" "Call the 800 number on the top of the machine." (See "things I don't like" list below for more on how well that worked.) My first night using the machine was horrifying for me. Putting that mask on my face and hooking up the tubing seemed oppressive and incredibly depressing. Was I really doomed to sleep with this contraption? I imagine that my first night response is fairly common. However, I stuck with it, and over months (not days or weeks) I became used to it and became a vocal proponent of the health benefits that regular use offers. Things I like about the CPAP & treating sleep apnea. Much diminished or non-existent afternoon fatigue. Increased mental clarity. Not falling asleep in a movie for the first time in 10 years. Not getting out of bed to use the bathroom 6 or 7 times per night. Support I've found from fellow apnea sufferers on online forums. These people are amazing; they respond quickly to even the most mundane of questions. (See www.apneaboard.com or www.myapnea.org.) Bonding with a high school friend, who in a fortunate stroke of serendipity, happened to text me about the time I was deciding if I would actually use the CPAP. I suddenly remembered she had used a CPAP for years and she became my instant personal coach and role model for success. Things I don't like about the CPAP & treating sleep apnea. Dragging the machine with me on airplanes across the U.S. and overseas. I travel a lot for both work and pleasure, and I used to pride myself on not having to check luggage. No more -- by the time I carry my briefcase and my rolling carryon with the CPAP, I have no more hands for the suitcase with my clothing. I also add in an extra long extension cord in case the hotel nightstand is not close to an electrical outlet and an electrical current adapter for overseas travel. The fact that it took me more than ten weeks to start noticing a regular benefit from using the machine. (That's 70 nights, but who's counting?) Almost everyone I've met in the sleep disorder profession. The home medical device people are difficult to reach, and when you call at night (which is when you have questions and issues with your machine) you get an answering service, not someone who can actually answer your questions. The sleep doctors (I have tried two of them) seem incredibly busy; it is difficult to schedule appointments, and forget about being able to call them with a follow up question. The variety of bags under my eyes and creases on my face during the first several hours of a day, caused by strapping that plastic mask on every night. Finding out that the option of treating this condition surgically is not really an option. Google "UPPP" and see if you would ever voluntarily agree to have that surgery -- especially when there is a good probability it won't completely fix your problem. Finding out that the option of treating this condition with a dental appliance (a retainer that moves your jaw forward and helps keep your airway open) is not really a satisfactory option for people like me with severe obstructive apnea. Advertisement The joy of ever falling carefreely into bed at night and just going to sleep. The worry that if I sleep anywhere without a power outlet (river trips, backpacking) my health is going to suffer. All of the negatives are outweighed by this: I rarely suffer from afternoon fatigue and my mental clarity is increased. This is amazing! I didn't know I had lost it, but the joy of getting it back is powerful. And according to my general physician, my odds of having a stroke or a heart problem have decreased. Nydia Lissman-Pieczanski MD helped inspire the themes of this blog. On September 3, Donald Trump went to a black church in Detroit. It was the first black church he went to, after 15 months of campaigning for President. Great Faith International Ministries was graced by his presence for a few minutes. He read a speech he said was from his "heart," beginning with the sentence "for centuries the African-American Church has been the conscience of our country." That single act says more about Trump's attitude toward minorities than all his previous racist epithets. It threw months of neglect into bold relief, casting light on his empty gestures. He showed us all that he sees African-Americans as gullible, ignorant, mindless, and willing to accept whatever crumbs he offers. Earlier that week, on Wednesday, Trump flew to Mexico to meet with their president for a few hours says. That gesture was part of the same picture, this time about what thinks of immigrants, of brown-skinned people. He assumes that he can seduce those whom he already sees as virtually worthless (votes are their only value). He portrays Latin and African-American minorities as hopeless victims of Democratic failures, and offers them the chance to become his child number 5. He thinks that he can fill their emptiness with bread and circus, and thereby assuage their despair about their economic and social hardship. Advertisement He made those gestures twice in the same week, getting them out of the way before the campaign heats up after Labor Day. Will a majority of Americans buy into this image of Trump? Is it really a good dad who only checks in on his kids after having been away, enthusiastically offering them a hot fudge sundae? Will we - all of us - fall for his empty promises? Immediately after his visit to Mexico, Trump began his anti-immigration rants, undermining the effort he just had made to seem compassionate and presidential. He almost prefers to set one abused group of people against the other, rekindling the hatred felt by those neglected native-born whites against brown-skinned immigrants. One way to power is to pit one oppressed group against another. If his tactics get him elected, it will be a sad day for America, and not simply because Trump is incompetent, venomous, or impulsive. A Trump presidency would devastate America's promise, values, and place in the world. We would be revealed to others, and ultimately to ourselves, as a tragic nation. On September 26, more than 5,000 people will be heading to Dallas to gather for Retail's Digital Summit. From retail companies, to technology solutions, start-up innovators and many more- it is being called a "who's who" from the digital retail community. How does one go about organizing their 2 1/2 days at the Summit? Below I have highlighted a few of my Must-Attend's happening at this years can't miss event for the digital retailer. Digital Marketing Workshop Monday, September 26 | 8:00-5:00 pm {Separate Registration and Additional Fee apply} A valuable day-long deep dive into the latest digital marketing tactics and best practices that produce results and is beneficial for all levels from new to seasoned digital pro. On the Retail's Digital Summit website, they list learning how using Live Chat coupled with big data to drive revenue, gaining 28 proven customer acquisition tips you can put to work immediately and much more that you will walk away with in your toolbox. A great list of interesting topics and well-suited speakers at this Workshop makes this Workshop top my list. If you still have questions at the end of the day, join the Speaker Roundtables and ask fellow digital commerce executives your questions regarding: paid search, SEO, email, mobile, marketplaces, affiliates, attribution and more. Advertisement Post Session Chats Tuesday, September 27 | 4:15-5:00 pm I've found that the most learning actually takes place when you put the like-minded folks together in a more intimate, free-form setting and that is exactly what the Post Session Chats do. No matter what your area of interest: Cross border eCommerce, Customer Experience, Cutting Edge Digital, Omnichannel Retail or Digital Marketing; it is all available in focused groups of guided discussion. Come ready with your questions to these casual chats, led by some of the best in the biz. One-on-One eCommerce Strategy Session Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday | By Appointment From needing solutions for a specific problem to simply needing a fresh perspective, these 30 minute sessions by Echidna (one of the retail industry's most trusted eCommerce team of experts), have proven invaluable for retailers over the years. Topics to discuss include eCommerce re-platforming guidance, looking for outside custom analytics, increasing conversions, User Experience improvement and eCommerce usability. Echidna clients include the likes of Kohl's, Michael Kors, Aveda and more. The icing on the cake is that every retailer who has a 1:1 is guaranteed a Jawbone Mini Jambox and one lucky retailer will take away an Apple Watch! You can request your appointment by clicking here. Keynote: Digital Retail's Fast Track: Virtually there with AR/VR Wednesday, September 28 | 9:15 am - 10:30 am I was thrilled to see a keynote focused on augmented and virtual reality on the list and would highly recommended catching this talk. It is rare to have this type of opportunity to see how some of the "tops" in the industry are using AR/VR to transform the way retailers and brands touch consumers digitally. If you are not overly familiar, AR/VS is predicated to be a $120 billion market by 2020 (that is only a few years, folks). Mitch Joel, President of Mirum will host this year's Digital Retail Fast Track Program and is joined by Johnna Marcus, Senior Director, Sephora Innovation Lab, Sephora and Sophie Miller, Business Development, Tango, Google. Advertisement There's a photograph in my office that serves as a poignant reminder. It depicts a sign pointing to a "colored waiting area" from a Greyhound bus terminal. The image reminds me that the nation's benefits and burdens are still distributed in ways that privilege white skin over black and brown skin. African Americans and other people of color still suffer disproportionate burdens in so many areas of life. While blatantly race-based laws and "colored" signs are no longer used to engineer privileges for whites while subjugating people of color, implicit racism is still at work, continuing to reaffirm social and economic inequality. White Americans still benefit from generational wealth and color privilege in nearly every measurable aspect of life. They earn more, have better healthcare and more educational resources than people of color. And people of color have less access to drinking water and modern sanitation and face more environmental pollution. Advertisement Princeton Professor Eddie Glaude addresses how the unequal distribution in jobs and housing has been intentionally structured in "Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul." The book calls attention to what Glaude calls a "value gap" in the way one's race is perceived, which leads to valuing white life more than black life. If black life is worth less, he argues, it is easy to ignore the crises black communities face and the way the financial, political and economic structures contribute to those crises. This message was made clear when leaders of the environmental justice movement spoke recently at the joint National Association of Black Journalists - National Association of Hispanic Journalists Convention. "Race trumps class," Dr. Bob Bullard, a distinguished professor at Texas Southern University, told those gathered at a panel on environmental justice sponsored by Earthjustice. Bullard, considered the "Father of Environmental Justice," was an expert witness in the first lawsuit filed under the Civil Rights Act in 1979 that charged environmental discrimination. The case, Bean v. Southwestern Waste Management Corp., involved a plan to site a dump next to a middle-class community in Houston that was 82 percent African American. At the time, Bullard worked with graduate students on the first major research that examined environmental pollution through the prism of race. He found that all five city garbage dumps, six of eight city-owned incinerators and three of four privately owned dumps in Houston were sited in black communities--even though black people in Houston represented just 25 percent of the population. Advertisement Bullard, who teaches urban planning and environmental policy, noted that locating landfills, power plants, highways and other sources of toxic and hazardous pollution in communities of color is a systemic problem most obvious in the South. "Even middle-class blacks breathe worse air," Bullard said, referencing a national study that showed that communities of color are exposed to 38 percent higher levels of nitrogen oxide than whites. That pollutant, emitted by power plants, cars and heavy construction, is linked to asthma. Dr. Beverly Wright, a professor of sociology at Dillard University, said she grew up near chemical plants in New Orleans with little understanding of the physical harm they caused. Wright began working on environmental issues as a graduate student in the 1970s in Niagara Falls, N.Y., after people living in the Love Canal neighborhood learned that their homes were built on a landfill where thousands of tons of chemical waste had been buried. Activism around Love Canal made toxic chemical waste a national issue and led to passage of the Superfund Act, taxing chemical and oil industries and allowing federal assistance to address hazardous substances that affect health and the environment. Wright later learned that the 85-mile stretch of land between Baton Rouge and New Orleans known as the Mississippi River Chemical Corridor, or Cancer Alley, was even worse. In that corridor, where she grew up, are some 150 industrial polluters that emit toxic pollution. And the majority of people living closest to these industries are people of color. Advertisement Louisiana has the third highest death rate from cancer in the United States. And black people have even higher cancer rates, said Wright. While the environmental movement fights for stronger protection from pollution, equity and fairness have been missing from the conversation, she said. Wright has been working with Bullard to fight back against environmental discrimination. She assists local communities to fight for improved environmental protections through the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice. And, together, they've worked to build the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Climate Change Consortium. The consortium was founded in 2011 to boost awareness of the disparate impacts of climate change on marginalized communities and to develop environmental leaders to work on environmental issues. Although Wright and Bullard focus primarily on the impacts of environmental discrimination in the South, Dr. Martha Dina Arguello, executive director of Physicians for Social Responsibility - Los Angeles, finds the same disparities in Los Angeles with black and Latino residents enduring the worst pollution impacts. As a child, Arguello remembers swimming in Echo Park and Silver Lake in Los Angeles and getting out with oily water covering her legs. She later learned that exposure to oil pollution was common in L.A.'s communities of color. "There are more than 1,000 active oil wells where we live work and play in the city of Los Angeles--all in areas where people of color live," she said. Arguello has worked to strengthen protections for communities. In L.A., they've begun using a special tool to measure the cumulative risk of 19 different pollutants. Advertisement Lisa Garcia, vice president of healthy communities for Earthjustice, spoke of riding her bike in the Bronx and developing asthma that might've been related to poor air quality. Later, she learned that there were 23 waste transfer stations in the Bronx that emitted substantial pollution. After graduating from law school, Garcia became active in fighting to halt plans to build power plants in communities of color. "I began asking: 'What is the energy need? Why do we need it?' ", Garcia said. "These were all communities of color and asthma rates were skyrocketing in these areas." Garcia mapped the health and environmental disparities, reached out to health advocates and encouraged people to turn out for public meetings. Go ahead. I'll follow. Franco Lalama said those words to colleagues on the morning of September 11, 2001. He had led the evacuation of engineering offices on the 64th floor of One World Trade Center, but then, moments after heading down the stairs, he turned back. He wanted to check the offices one more time--to make sure no one had been left behind. "He put himself last and everyone else first," his wife Linda said. Frank worked for the Port Authority, overseeing the structural integrity of bridges and tunnels. Now, on the 15th anniversary of 9/11, to honor his memory, his life, and his sacrifice, friends and family have created the Franco Lalama scholarship for Cross-Cultural Solutions, a global volunteering organization. The scholarship will help CCS volunteers to build cultural bridges in Costa Rica. The Costa Rica connection comes from Frank's stepdaughter, Marianne, who volunteered in San Carlos in 2006. My wife Karen and I also volunteered with CCS in Costa Rica that year, arriving the same day as Paul Gass, a CCS volunteer from the UK--and Marianne's future husband. Paul and Marianne met while volunteering, and were married in New Jersey in 2011. Advertisement Nine years earlier, on the one-year anniversary of the attacks, Marianne paid tribute to Frank at the 9/11 memorial service, standing at a podium Ground Zero. She said these words: I don't remember the last time I told him that I loved him. I would give anything to go back to the morning of September 11 and tell him how much I appreciate everything he's done for me. But I think he knows that now. In my eyes, he died a hero, and how much more could you ask for. There's a quote that pretty much speaks for itself: You never lose anything. Not really. Things, people--they go away, sooner or later. You can't hold them anymore than you can hold the moonlight. But if they've touched you, if they are inside of you, then they are still yours. Frank, as I look back on these days, I realize how much I truly miss you and how much I truly love you. You were the best father I could ask for. I miss you. And I hope you didn't hurt too much. Advertisement Frank was known for many things. For his generosity. For his skill as a structural engineer--and the canoli he'd bring to meetings. For his love of family and traditions (he was seven when his family came to New Jersey from Italy in 1963, and every autumn would use a family recipe to make homemade Italian wine). I'm thrilled that Frank's legacy, and his ideals, will live on through this scholarship, which was funded by my memoir, The Voluntourist, along with contributions from Linda, and Paul and Marianne, and from the estate of my mother, Sandra M. Budd, who died on September 13, 2015. The Franco Lalama scholarship will help volunteers to fund their travels as they connect with others, learn from others, and create their own Costa Rica memories. The scholarship will provide funds to one volunteer per year. For more information, contact Cassandra Tomkin at cassandra@crossculturalsolutions.org. Photo Credit: Jerry Metellus Photography 3LAU owned the Riverside stage at the Electric Zoo on September 3rd. Thousands of people were cheering 3LAU on after an incredible set which included a remix of Alice DeeJay's mega dance anthem "Better Off Alone" and the beloved Pokemon theme song. At the end of his performance, 3LAU pulled up his brother, father and mother to the stage to celebrate how far he has come. How could anybody not cheer the DJ and producer on? At 25 years old, 3LAU, whose real name is Justin David Blau, has achieved critical success in the electronic world. Life was very different for the young entrepreneur in Las Vegas where he spent his childhood years growing up. When asked if he had any crazy Vegas stories, 3LAU laughed, "I kind of like telling people I don't. Ironically enough I was a total nerd in high school. I didn't do anything but play video games and hack." He quickly followed up by listing out the types of games he enjoyed. "I wasn't really a big World of Warcraft guy. I played a lot of the RPG stuff. It's no surprise that I play Saria's Song from the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in my set pretty often. When the PSP came out I played a lot of that because I was always moving around. I played Untold Legends, I loved that game. It was one of my favorites. Then I played a lot of the single player RPG games like Tales of Symphonia. There's so many," he said. Not only is 3LAU an expert in video game knowledge, but he is amazing with numbers as well. Advertisement "Not to toot my own horn but I was really good at finance," he said. 3LAU continued, "A lot of time the creative side and the mathematical side are often opposite for people. For me, I was probably a better mathematician than I was a musician. I find that I often use a lot of the same parts of my brain when I'm being creative. I loved music more than I loved finance even though I was really good at it. I wasn't as good at music. It was a risk because not only did I have to pick one side of my brain to follow, I also had to work at it because I knew I wasn't as good at it as some other people. It was motivating and a really interesting point in my life because I just wanted to do what I loved even though I wasn't necessarily the best at it." 3LAU's persistence and hard work paid off in spades as he is now on top of the food chain. Not bad for a kid who loved playing his video games. Photo Credit: Alex G. Perez It was a viral video of an A-list Hollywood actor that helped put 3LAU on the right track. He told me, "I watched this Will Smith video that I encourage everybody to watch. It's on YouTube just search 'Will Smith - One Brick at a Time.' It's a great video about how Will Smith says he was never the best actor or how he was never the most talented but he worked harder than everyone else and that's why he succeeded. And that was my inspiration for giving music my all. I'm really glad that I did." By becoming a success story, 3LAU is using his fame to help as many people as he possibly can. He has partnered with Pencils of Promise, an organization that trains teachers and helps build schools all over the world. 3LAU said, "I started working with Pencils of Promise about three years ago because a friend of a friend worked at the company. I've been involved in philanthropy work my whole life. I started a microfinance institution when I was in high school and that's what got me a lot of really fantastic awards when I went to college. When I got to college I was working so hard on finance that I forgot to give back. For four years I didn't do anything. When I started doing music I realized I had an audience that I could use to give back to the community." 3LAU's rabid fanbase has been more than happy to join the cause and help the DJ with his charitable undertaking. Advertisement It was clear when 3LAU spoke that he felt very passionate about doing his part to help make the world a better place for everyone. He told me, "I partnered with Pencils of Promise because education always had a soft spot in my heart. I think public access to education is the root cause to a lot of other issues. Whether it is poverty, hunger, war or corruption. More educated communities in general are less likely to encounter those issues in the developing world. That was the inspiration for working with Pencils of Promise. They were super transparent and very simple. $25,000 to build a school. Boom. Done. No hidden costs. So we raised $25,000 three years ago to build a school in Guatemala and I went and I visited. It changed my life." After the life changing experience, 3LAU went on to have another realization. "Ever since then I wanted to do something bigger and I didn't figure it out for a long time until I finally realized it should manifest itself into the form of a label and that's why I started BLUME." BLUME is the first ever not-for-profit dance music label. He launched BLUME with his current single, "Is It Love?" Creating the label was an additional philanthropic venture for 3LAU who showed no signs of slowing down anytime soon. "BLUME was something I wanted to do because I felt the music business was really corrupt. There's a lot of political things going on. I wanted to do something that was more for me and the fans at the same time", he told me. 3LAU then explained the power of BLUME. He said, "BLUME creates a symbiotic relationship between music and the listeners. In a sense that if you like it, you listen to it and you share it you are actually giving back to charity. Every million streams on Spotify raises $5,000 for charity." BLUME has managed to change the face of the music industry since its inception. 3LAU said, "The first BLUME release came out in April. I believe we've raised about $80,000 so far. Our goal is $200,000 by the end of 2016. That will build eight schools. I'm also going to bring some fans to visit the schools. All you have to do is share a song and you're actually donating. A very small amount, but when you do it multiple times and you scale it to millions of people the potential for BLUME is crazy and it's something I'm going to be working on very heavily when I'm not touring as much." 3LAU is currently on tour until the end of the year and has added new shows to his lineup. He will be stopping in LA on November 12th and NYC on November 25th. If you are interested in seeing 3LAU live, you can check out his schedule and purchase tickets here. You can also follow 3LAU on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Spotify. After 47 years of marriage, traveling with Peter was a no-brainer. We had our routine down pat. He got the tickets online. I planned the rest. We're not talking a great division of labor here, but it worked for us. I mapped out lunches, dinners, and walks while Peter begged for nap times. Our favorite place to visit was Santa Barbara. There is something so peaceful about walking on Butterfly Beach that centered us both. We would stroll hand in hand, with the wind blowing, the ocean ebbing in and out, and our eyes on the horizon looking for a glimpse of a dolphin jumping out of the waves. We worshiped at the Zen of the Santa Barbara beaches. That was our religion. That was our meditative state. That was our sense of peace. Since Peter died I have traveled to New York and to my college reunion. I have visited a girlfriend in Florida at New Year's but, this summer, I decided to brave Santa Barbara and go for a week with my friend, Kath. There were no tickets to buy because we were driving. We planned on taking two cars in case we wanted to branch off and besides, we both love audio books so much, we figured we would happily read our way up from Los Angeles. (The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman is a treasure.) I was quite aware it wouldn't be anything like the romantic times Peter and I had experienced, but I had some anticipation going, which these days is a very good thing. I have been walking with Kath for 30-plus years and I knew we would be a good fit. Even though I had some tearful moments missing Peter, I tried to find the positives in traveling with a girlfriend instead of a mate. Advertisement Kath and I woke up early and, if the tides permitted, we took a long beach walk on the sand stopping to pet dogs and say hello. Everyone is friendly in Santa Barbara including the canines. If the tides were not in our favor, we drove down by the bird sanctuary, parked, and walked the path to the wharf, passing by the zoo, while catching glimpses of the giraffes being fed. We used a step App and clocked ourselves at 13,000 steps each day. Peter would have quit at 1,000 steps for sure, or at least he would have kvetched after 15 minutes! We then made ourselves fresh yogurt and fruit for a light and very satisfying breakfast. With Peter, I would have had to dangle a carrot of a full egg and bacon breakfast (no carrots included), to coax him into finishing the walk. We went to dinner with women friends and had remarkable meals, having no trouble putting four credit cards down on the table. It was key that Kath, or any friend with whom I travel, loves to eat, because food is part of my DNA, and I must obsess about my meals! Shopping was another activity Peter detested. Kath and I hit a few stores and even ventured to the outlet mall which would have given Peter true nightmares. If Peter and I ever ventured to the outlet stores, I had to put him in the car after 15 minutes, with the AC on full blast, and an iPhone in his hand. I resolved that I had to travel with someone that didn't keep me waiting. Kath and I both respect time and it made our trip stress-free. We are also early risers who hit the hay early as well, which makes traveling a pleasure. Our mutual love of good wine didn't hurt either! After we had walked our feet off, we had our "rest hour" and reveled in sharing beauty tips! I told her about my beloved Boots No. 7 serum and she told me about her Benefit under eye concealer. I spritzed her with my Big Sexy Hair mousse and we marched around in Velcro rollers with no one even blinking! I think my fave afternoon of the trip, after walking six miles, was watching back-to-back Nancy Meyers movies while knitting. Advertisement Traveling has new meaning for me in my new normal. I am still not ready to venture far, but I am taking baby steps on my journey. Do they have a baby step App? SANTA BARBARA TIPS: Favorite Dinner: The Lark in the Funk Zone (ask to sit outside) Favorite Lunch in the Summer: The Biltmore Hotel sitting outside facing the ocean (seafood cobb) Favorite Lunch on a Cooler Day: Tre Lune on Coast Village Road (order tuna tartare) Favorite Place to Have Drinks: The Plow and Angel at the San Ysidro Ranch sitting outside. Other Restaurant Suggestions: Ca' Dario, Lucky's, Olio e Limone, Sly's, Best Ice Cream: Rori's Artisinal Creamery (order an itty bitty cone of black pepper pistachio) Best Walk: Park at the bird sanctuary and walk on the path down to the wharf and back which is 5 miles. Best Beach Walk: Butterfly Beach at low tide (wear sneaks since there is a lot of tar) Best Place to Have Coffee: Pierre La Fond in the Upper Village of Montecito Best Gallery: Just Folk Gallery in Summerland for American Folk Art and Outsider Art Best Place to Spend Time on a Cool Afternoon: The wonderfully small and easily navigated Santa Barbara Zoo Best Place to Buy Produce: Santa Barbara Farmers' Market on Saturday Morning at the corner of Santa Barbara and Cota. Earlier on Huff/Post50: Hopes were high in 2003 when the United States and its allies invaded Iraq, ousted Saddam Hussein and declared their intention to free the Iraqi people. But the task hasn't been quick or easy. Today, violence and bloodshed are still widespread in Iraq, and terrorist attacks and suicide bombings are commonplace. There are deep sectarian divisions, especially between Shia and Sunni Muslims. The country is highly dependent on overseas aid. It often seems to be caught in a downward spiral. The central government controls the capital city of Baghdad, but it has much less control in the rest of the country. In some areas, it has no control at all. Advertisement Iraq has had some success in developing a constitution. And the Iraqi military seems to be improving its capabilities and has had some success, albeit with significant support from America and other allies. It succeeded this summer in expelling ISIS from Fallujah and is attempting to retake Mosul. But Iraq's single-commodity economy remains sluggish. Oil accounts for 99 percent of Iraq's exports and 90 percent of government revenue, and trends in oil prices have not been favorable. Iraq's modest military success has not been matched by much progress on the political and economic side. The United States continues to have a strong presence in Iraq, including about 5,000 troops and considerable intelligence gathering activity. We are using drones to collect information and even to target terrorist leaders. We have invested heavily in training Iraqi forces. We have hundreds of bilateral agreements with the Iraqi government spelling out the terms of our support. Our involvement is costing a lot of money. By some estimates, we have spent nearly $1 trillion in Iraq since 2003, and the spending continues at the rate of billions of dollars a year. We also continue to incur casualties. Some 4,500 Americans have been killed in Iraq and 32,000 Americans wounded. Advertisement We have a heavy stake in Iraq's success, even though there is now broad agreement that the U.S. invasion was a mistake, driven in part by faulty intelligence regarding Iraq's nuclear capabilities. We failed to follow up effectively after driving Saddam from power, and we mismanaged the post-intervention period. Some critics of our current policy seem to have analyzed the problem quite well, but that doesn't necessarily mean they have found the solution. They want us to develop and train a viable Iraqi ground force, one that is more capable of securing the country and defeating ISIS. To do this, they propose committing as many as 5,000 additional U.S. troops. They call for more sustained support of the Iraqi government and increased diplomatic engagement to promote new power-sharing agreements. They want a more effective Iraqi government that can provide essential services. And they want to foil any effort by Iran to expand its influence in the region. These ideas are only modestly different from the approach being pursued by President Barack Obama. Although he declared an end to U.S. combat operations in Iraq in 2011, Obama has recently sent more troops to the country. U.S. airstrikes take place in Iraq as well as Afghanistan and Syria. Advertisement Critics of Obama's policy say we should do more and do it better. But this won't be easy. First, there is the obstacle of U.S. domestic politics. After 15 years of continuous war, including 13 years in Iraq, do the American people want to keep up the fight? Are they willing to lose even more American lives for an objective that doesn't seem clear? Do we have the national will to stay actively engaged in Iraq for decades, if not generations? Domestic politics will make it difficult, if not impossible, for any president to sustain the commitment of the vast resources required to prevail in Iraq. Second, Iraq is part of a much larger set of challenges in the region. The problems of Iraq can be found in Afghanistan, Syria and Libya and across the entire Middle East. We can't address the Iraq problem in isolation, and this hugely complicates any action we take. Washington can no longer deal individually with all the nations in the region that are in turmoil and desperately need help. A solution will require a regional approach and an overarching strategy carried out with a number of partners, including Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Iran and probably Russia. We have to bring all countries with an interest in the region to the table. But we find it difficult to trust and work with some of these countries, Iran chief among them. Finally, critics of administration policy offer prescriptions with few specifics. What sort of power-sharing agreements do we want and how do we achieve them? How do we improve government in a country with deep sectarian divisions? How much money should we spend and for how long? In Iraq, policies are easy to propose but incredibly difficult and expensive to implement. In 2006, the Iraq Study Group report concluded there was no "magic bullet" to resolve the problems we had encountered in Iraq. Unfortunately, the same is true 10 years later. Advertisement Laima Vince is a writer, poet, and literary translator. She is the recipient of two Fulbright lectureships, a National Endowment for the Arts grant in Literature, and a PEN Translation Fund grant. Loren Kleinman (LK): Can you talk about translating for the Lithuanian independence movement? Laima Vince (LV): Translating for the Lithuanian independence movement was an incredible experience. Lithuanians, Latvians, and Estonians formed independence movements at first, to push for reform within the Soviet Union, then at the Lithuanian pre-war independence day concert on February 16, 1989 Vytautas Landsbergis, leader of Sajudis, the independence movement, announced that they would seek Lithuania's independence from the Soviet Union. I participated in the August 23rd peaceful protest in which people linked hands across the Baltic, from Vilnius to Tallinn. In those days things were changing so quickly that often I went to sleep knowing that when I woke up in the morning everything in the country could be completely different. Most people could not follow events because of the rapidity of change, and because of the necessity for some secrecy. I had the experience of translating interviews between Vytautas Landsbergis and Bill Keller of The New York Times, for example. I had the privilege of sitting in on the independence movement's meetings. Obviously, during those tumultuous days there was bound to be some frustrations, and there were, but they did not deter our team of translators. All of us translated for free, even rejecting payment when offered. We felt it was important to donate our time. We did not want that sentiment tainted by money. I don't think anything I ever experience can compare with the feeling of standing among the people at a massive demonstration when everyone in that crowd is dreaming one collective dream of freedom after half a century of brutality and oppression. Lithuanians also have the satisfaction of knowing that their peaceful resistance was a successful one. Today the Baltic States are members of the European and NATO. When I received the invitation by telegram to study Lithuanian Literature at Vilnius University, my mother said to me, "If you want to be a writer, you need to know a little hardship..." My mother could not have given me wiser advice. She was prepared to let me go so that I could find my identity as a writer. Advertisement LK: You traveled extensively throughout Lithuania's provinces and cities collecting oral histories, which resulted in the nonfiction book, The Snake in the Vodka Bottle. Is the book your own intimate translation of personal experience? LV: In many ways The Snake in the Vodka Bottle is a translation in the sense that I conducted interviews in Lithuanian and transcribed them, then translated them into English. I used the same process with Journey into the Backwaters of the Heart. My skills as a translator are vital to the creation of these books. Because of the linguistic divide I crossed to get these stories of the heart, these books are essentially translations, not just translations of language, but of a collective experience of a nation, of a generation, a moment in time, a certain spirit. However, at the same time, as you suggest, they are a translation of my experience as the granddaughter of a dissident returning home to hear the stories of those left behind. At the same time, I am translating the experiences of Lithuanians within a very specific cultural context, bringing them into English and a Western cultural context. I've written a play that is performed bilingually in English and Lithuanian that is about the translation of experience, and mistranslations. My play, The Interpreter (Vertejas), is staged by the Vilnius Chamber Theatre and is performed once a month in Vilnius. This is the third season. The central character is a telephone interpreter living with his partner in Buenos Aires who interprets for the United Kingdom social services and health clinics. Besides confronting a number of befuddling linguistic conundrums and cultural clashes ripe with often comic misinterpretations, the interpreter eventually must face his own conflicted feelings about his past and his home country when he is randomly connected with a call in which he must tell a woman that she is HIV positive. She turns out to be his childhood playmate and first love. Advertisement LK: Are there any Lithuanian writers and poets that should be translated? LV: There are so many Lithuanian writers and poets who should be translated. The reality is there are not many translators who work with Lithuanian--just a handful really, and very few skilled literary translators with training in literature. And, there is not enough funding to support those who are working in the field. There are works of classic Lithuanian literature that still need to be translated. I think the process should begin with the truly great Lithuanian writers of the twentieth century, those who contributed significantly to independence. LK: Why celebrate translation? LV: [We] live in a global community, and it's no longer viable for us in the United States to block out the literatures of the world and remain focused only on our own American experience. In order to understand the mentalities of people in other cultures, we must rely on literary translators to bring their work to us. On another, more personal, or perhaps academic level, translation is important because it is a way of mastering close reading skills. It is a means of intimately interacting with a text. I believe that translation practice should be incorporated into MFA programs and English programs. Translation forces one to slow down and savor each word while building multiple layers of meaning. My experience translating poetry from Lithuanian into English has been transformative. If I really connect with a poem, with a poet, I read the poem in Lithuanian and then I hear it in my head in English and simply write it down. Then I go back and make some tweaks here and there, but usually, the process is complete. Since the International Whaling Commission's moratorium on commercial whaling went into effect in 1986, Japan has repeatedly flaunted the will of the IWC by issuing hundreds of scientific permits to Japan whalers for "research whaling." The scam has been repeatedly denounced by the IWC, by other nations, and was deemed illegal by the World Court in The Hague. Much of the killing, in addition to violating the moratorium, was conducted in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, designated by the IWC as a protected zone for whales. In 2009, Japan's bloody hunting of dolphins was exposed by the release of the Academy Award-winning documentary "The Cove". The film caused a global sensation. Hundreds of intelligent dolphins - males, females and calves - die each year in the worst way imaginable. Last winter (the Antarctic summer), Japan killed 333 minke whales for "scientific research" whaling. During the last 6-month dolphin-hunting season in Taiji, Japan, the hunters killed 652 dolphins (while catching another 117 live dolphins to be brokered to aquariums around the world). Advertisement Japan remains unmoved. Powerful rural legislators have joined with the Japan Fisheries Agency, the fishing industry and fishermen's unions in opposing any end to whaling and dolphin hunting. 80% of Japan's protein comes from the sea, and Japan is the largest importer of fish in the world. Extreme nationalists have adopted the issues as if Japan's very soul is bound up in the history of whaling and dolphin killing. In fact, it is all nonsense. Few Japanese eat whale or dolphin meat anymore, despite clumsy Fisheries Agency attempts from time to time to mount pro-eating whale meat advertising and publicity stunts. Frozen whale meat stacks up in warehouses unsold; the meat is turned into jerky and pet food to get rid of it. The claim that whaling and dolphin hunting are "traditions" is very weak, as industrial whaling did not begin in Japan until the beginning of the 20th century (often with opposition from local Japanese fishermen who resented the blood and offal shore whaling stations dumped in fishing ports), with Antarctic trips not starting until the 1930's. Dolphin hunting is even more tenuous: Taiji's "traditional" dolphin drive hunts, depicted in "The Cove", did not begin until 1969. Japan has bigger fish to fry, if you will excuse the pun. The conservative government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has repeatedly endorsed whaling and issues permits for dolphin hunters like clockwork. They should reconsider. In 2020, Tokyo will be hosting the summer Olympics. The world will focus on Japan, and Japan will have an extraordinary opportunity on the world stage to restore prestige lost through years of its stagnate economy and reduced global leadership. Advertisement On that world stage, the slaughter of innocent whales and dolphins, anathema to most of the world's people and governments, would send a jarring note of Japan's unwillingness to cooperate with world bodies like the World Court and the IWC. This need not be the case. The Olympics are all about cooperation and celebration. The slaughter of whales and dolphins practiced by Japan are anything but. Killing whales and dolphins is not an Olympic event. Does Japan really need such black marks on their national reputation? We are told in antiquity that Greek warriors laid down their arms and ceased wars in order to join in the Olympic competitions, upon which our modern Olympics are based. Perhaps it is time for Japan to lay down their harpoons and spikes with which they kill whales and dolphins, and join the rest of the world in ending the exploitation of these intelligent and remarkable beings? Country after country, some having longer "traditions" of whale and dolphin hunting than Japan, have ceased such activities. The Sept. 1st beginning of another season of dolphin hunting is upon us. In December, the Japanese whaling fleet will set sail again for Antarctic waters. Will the Japan government remain intransigent? A gesture of international cooperation and goodwill by Japan towards whales and dolphins would have immense global value. Advertisement On August 29th, Earth Island's International Marine Mammal Project sent a letter to Prime Minister Abe recommending he end the killing of whales and dolphins by Japan, and offering our help in such a transition for the dolphin hunters of Taiji. We stress in our letter that we do not believe in a boycott of Japan or a boycott of the Olympics in Tokyo. With four years to go, now is the time for Japan to start phasing out dolphin hunting and whaling. Measure M, the Los Angeles County Traffic Improvement Plan, ensures that funding will be available to upgrade infrastructure, revamp public transit, and increase transportation accessibility and affordability for all Angelenos. Below is a statement from the Los Angeles Business Council advocating for the passage of Measure M on the November ballot. ** "Los Angeles - The Los Angeles Business Council strongly supports the passage of Measure M, which would add a half-cent sales tax for transportation investments and extend the lifespan of Measure R, which we endorsed early and enthusiastically in 2009. Advertisement Investing in a modern transportation network will make our region more economically competitive. Today, we pay a heavy cost for traffic congestion in the form of lost time and productivity. Gridlock also reduces the quality of life and impedes L.A.'s ability to attract and retain job-creating businesses. Years of research by LABC has found a growing gap between rising housing prices and family incomes, resulting in many workers moving farther way from job centers, enduring longer and more arduous commutes or forcing them to leave the region altogether. Los Angeles County cannot address the jobs/housing imbalance without seriously investing in a public transit system that works, which is why passage of Measure M in November is so important. The passage of Measure R puts many vital transportation projects on the fast-track, including the expansion of critical rail and road projects. That decision by Los Angeles voters also resulted in the creation of new transit-oriented development that spurred economic activity throughout the region, including the addition of critically-needed workforce housing affordable to low- and moderate-income residents. Now, in 2016, we need to sustain this momentum to make our region more livable and help businesses thrive, while also anticipating the increasing burdens of a rapidly growing population on our transportation infrastructure. On Aug. 26, President Barack Obama created the largest protected area on Earth when he expanded the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands to a total 582,578 square miles (1.5 million square kilometers)--an area more than twice the size of Texas. Expansion of the monument will help conserve one of the most biologically and culturally significant places on the planet. Papahanaumokuakea harbors over 7,000 species, a quarter of which are found nowhere else. It provides habitat for rare species such as the threatened green turtle, the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, and the false killer whale, as well as 14 million seabirds representing 22 different species. In the first half of 2016, scientists exploring the area discovered a new type of ghost octopus, nicknamed "Casper," and three new species of fish. The world's oldest known living organism--a deep-water black coral estimated to be as old as the Pyramids--is found in the monument's expanded boundaries. Advertisement President Obama's announcement builds on actions by six previous U.S. presidents--three Republicans and three Democrats--to conserve the ecosystems and wildlife of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. In fact the original monument designation was made by President George W. Bush with the strong support of his wife Laura. Explore the images below for a view of Papahanaumokuakea. Photo: Robin Baird/NOAA False killer whales, like the two shown here, are among 24 species of marine mammals found in Papahanaumokuakea. As top predators, these whales reproduce only every six or seven years and birth only one calf each pregnancy. The expansion of the monument will benefit the species, along with endangered marine mammals such as the blue whale, fin whale, and sei whale. Photo: Image courtesy of NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Hohonu Moana 2016. Bamboo coral thrives in deep water, including on some of the 110 seamounts (underwater mountains) in the area covered by the Papahanaumokuakea expansion. Seamounts host the majority of the known biodiversity in the deep sea--which reaches depths greater than 1,000 meters (3,281 feet)--where creatures grow slowly and reproduce late in life, making them highly vulnerable to fishing and other intrusions by man. Photo: Mark Sullivan, NMFS Permit 10137-07/NOAA The monk seal is the most endangered of the seal species in U.S. waters, with only 1,100 remaining in the wild. The expanded Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument provides important foraging ground for 97 percent of the population of the monk seal, the only marine mammal wholly dependent on coral reefs. Advertisement Photo: Lee Gillenwater/The Pew Charitable Trusts The endangered green turtle, above, is among the many species of marine and terrestrial life found in Papahanaumokuakea. Two other species of sea turtle--the leatherback and loggerhead--are declining in number, in part because they are often accidentally caught by commercial fishermen. Pacific leatherbacks experienced a 95 percent decline in the last two decades of the 20th century. Photo: Jim Abernethy/The Pew Charitable Trusts Marine scientists are hopeful that oceanic whitetip sharks, above, and silky sharks will use the expanded Papahanaumokuakea monument as a sanctuary to rebuild their populations. Numbers of both species have dropped considerably since industrial longline fishing became prevalent in the Pacific Ocean in the 1950s; fishermen are barred from targeting either species, but both frequently end up hooked as unintentional catch and are often returned to the water dead or dying. Photo: NOAA Scientists say a specimen of black coral, like the one above, found in the monument is the oldest living organism on the planet, at 4,265 years; a gold coral specimen also found within the expanded reserve is 2,742 years old. The enlarged Papahanaumokuakea protects legions of deep-sea coral communities, which are thought to be more diverse than tropical shallow reef systems, according to a study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In some areas of deep-sea coral, more than 90 percent of the resident fish are found only there. Marine reserves can safeguard deep-sea organisms from practices such as bottom trawling, which has been shown to destroy reefs that took thousands of years to grow. Photo: Kiah Walker, volunteer/ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service These Laysan albatrosses, like more than 98 percent of their species, nest on the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The bird on the left, named Wisdom, was banded by scientists in 1956 and returned to Midway Atoll in 2016 to hatch a chick. At least 65 years old, Wisdom is thought to be the world's oldest living bird and the oldest to successfully hatch a chick. Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands provide refuge for 14 million tropical birds from 22 different species, and in Midway Atoll, Laysan Island, and Nihoa Island an estimated 5.5 million breed there annually. The expanded Papahanaumokuakea protects more foraging area than the original boundaries of the monument for boobies (including red-footed boobies, above), shearwaters, albatrosses, and petrels. Advertisement Photo: Jerome Petit/The Pew Charitable Trusts These two traditional sailing canoes , the Hokule'a, left, and the Hikianalia, departed Hawaii in 2013 for a four-year voyage around the globe as part of the Polynesian Voyaging Society's effort to promote ocean conservation. Some young-adult Hawaiians are reviving the practice of voyaging, which includes navigating solely from environmental cues, and are using the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands as their training grounds. The earliest inhabitants of Hawaii voyaged there from Polynesia as early as the sixth century A.D. Just outside Chicago on Saturday, US Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson addressed the largest annual gathering of American Muslims in the US, the Islamic Society of North America. Noting that the Muslim-American community faces increasing prejudice, Johnson spent much of his time addressing the crowd telling the story of his grandfather, Charles S. Johnson, the first black president of Fisk University who was called before the infamous House Unamerican Activities Committee in 1949, at a time when the civil rights movement was accused of ties to communism, and when the loyalties of black academics were suspect. Johnson noted with great pride that in two generations, within his own family, the story had changed from persecution of his grandfather as an outsider, to his own, the story of a Cabinet Secretary and past General Counsel to the US Department of Defense-- the quintessential insider. Johnson urged his listeners to consider that narrative of transformation to be one that was in their grasp as well. Johnson's choice of theme was set against the backdrop of criticism that has dogged the Department of Homeland Security for ten years, following inception of its "Countering Violent Extremism" program or CVE. CVE focuses on securing the cooperation in the Department's efforts to detect and diffuse terrorist plots and counter extremist recruitment efforts. It engages diverse US Muslim communities around the nation-- from the immigrant Somalis of St. Paul to black Muslims of Baltimore with a five hundred year history in the US, to the largely Syrian-American communities of Detroit and Dearborn. Its critics counter that by focusing on Muslims through a security lens, CVE creates a narrative of a "Muslim problem" in this country, exactly the story that has created such a furor in the current election cycle. These criticism are in most respects unfair to Johnson. He and the Office of Community Partnerships that formalize efforts already underway in the Department have steadfastly worked to constructively engage Muslim communities around the nation. Johnson himself has been a regular presence at meetings in schools, mosques and community centers. Most of the objections to the CVE work of DHS have conflated those initiatives with investigations and infiltration of mosques and charities by the FBI and local police departments, efforts which have created troubling civil rights and religious free exercise problems. Advertisement But the critics still have a point. An agency with a law enforcement focus cannot possibly be viewed without some suspicion in a community which has been the focus of at least a modicum of special scrutiny. And the focus on Muslims overlooks that recruitment is going on by right-wing hate groups and militias, 892 of which exist in the US today according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Secretary Johnson's leadership on this engagment been admirable; but in a subsequent administration, his mission needs to become regularized and institutionalized. A better approach will focus on creating resilience in all kinds of vulnerable communities, equipping them with the tools to self-regulate when menaced by extremist targeting. It may mean moving the CVE function into federal agencies that have not expressed any apparent interest in it, such as the Department of Education, Labor and Commerce. It means attacking the roots of alienation that makes young people, whether they are religious minorities or unemployed blue collar rural whites through education, job training, pastoral counseling and where appropriate, mental health services. It continues to mean construction of a counter-narrative to violent extremism that focuses on inclusion for those at risk. And it means, without doubt, creating offramps for people identified by their parents, teachers and counselors at being at-risk, so that no parent is faced with the choice of having his child jailed or being swallowed up by extremist recruiting. Advertisement "War Dogs" is a curious breed. The movie is self-consciously anti-war, full of enough cautionaries about greed and profiteering from international conflict to stand as a moral tale. Repeatedly the principals tell us how much they dislike war. Over and again images of Afghan and Iraq War initiators President George Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney are treated derisively. But for every lesson painstakingly etched, Director Todd Phillips can't resist tweaking conventional morality with attempts to draw humor out of the predicaments of his movie's larger than life characters and sympathy to their amoral plight. Phillips has had great success with reductio ad absurdum. His more successful films like "Old School", "Hangover I" and "Hangover II" push conventional limits of embarrassing interactions, painful physical comedy and implausible juxtapositions. The centrifugal force of wild action humor is held together by the contrivances of male bonding. "War Dogs" pushes this formula less successfully. Down on his luck David Packouz (Miles Teller) needs to support his girlfriend Iz (Ana de Armas) and their soon to be born child. David hooks up with his childhood friend Efraim Diveroli (Jonah Hill) to bid on small government contracts to supply arms to the U.S. military. From the beginning the partnership is problematic: David is desperate; Efraim is unscrupulous. Their venture is held together based neither on friendship, nor substance . . . but only profit at any cost. Advertisement What starts as a small business profiting from contracts too marginal to be seized on by larger firms, quickly grows as the friends find ways to circumvent government regulations. Diveroli and Packouz plunge into war zones and international crime to make their business successful. The depth and danger of their situation is embodied in their encounters with legendary arms dealer Henry Girard (Bradley Cooper in a role ironically complementing his work in "American Sniper"). The film is loosely based on investigative reporter Guy Lawson's "Arms and the Dudes: How Three Stoners from Miami Beach Became the Most Unlikely Gunrunners in History," a Rolling Stone article later expanded to book length. The film's co-writer Stephen Chin added his own experiences including driving through war torn Iraq. In the end, we are made to feel more concerned with the fate of the characters, lovable or not, than the suffering involved in the armed conflicts that their work made possible. Will Efraim and David live and be successful? Will they be caught, incarcerated or killed? In comparison to the carnage they help to inflict . . . who cares! Phillips could have given his film a bit more meaning by showing us the results of the arms deals his characters were involved in. But instead, for all his presumably good or conflicted intentions, we have a work that is more bark than bite! Fifty years ago today, the first episode of Star Trek, "The Man Trap" premiered on NBC. With over 700 episodes spanning five series and thirteen movies, Star Trek is one of the longest and most praised cultural icons of our time. I've been watching Trek since I was a toddler. Born 20 years after The Original Series premiered, I am of the Picard and Riker generation more than the Kirk and Spock incarnation. In a few weeks, I turn 30 and I still watch this series as religiously as I did as a child. I've long joked that I've carried two religions with me my entire life: Christianity and Star Trek. Odd as it may seem to compare one of history's most prevalent religions to a science fiction program, both Christianity and Star Trek shaped my understanding of respect, love, and collaboration that can exist in our world if we truly loved neighbor as self. On this 50th anniversary of Star Trek, articles are being written in mass on how the longstanding nature of Trek is due to its forward-thinking ideals. Star Trek not only made viewers think, but it made many have a hope for a better tomorrow. The central premise of Star Trek is that we can live united and equal in a diverse universe. This significance is not merely reflective of the past few decades. Star Trek continues to serve as a moral guide though the contentious political, social, and religious time period in which we live. Specifically, Star Trek can serve as a model of living in a religiously pluralistic world. Advertisement It goes without saying that much of Trek is post-religion. The Next Generation's Captain Picard on more than once occasion dismissed alien religions as ancient myths which others have evolved past. Yet religious pluralism is quietly one of the most valued themes elsewhere in the Star Trek mythos. The setting of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a space station where several alien species find themselves living and working while holding different religious beliefs. In an episode in DS9's final season, we see a few human characters help Worf, a Klingon, get his deceased wife into "Klingon heaven." Despite not believing in Klingon religious rituals or conception of the afterlife, these men acted as friends who valued their comrade's religious convictions. We likewise see the main crew protect the religious and cultural values of the Bajorans throughout the entire series. Star Trek does not settle for mere tolerance of others. It embraces plurality and fosters respect and embrace of different religious beliefs. This manifestation of respect breathes life into Star Trek's hopeful, pluralist ideal. Set in the 23rd Century and beyond, Trek does not explicitly recite the freedom of religion in the way many Americans currently do. The fictional equivalent Star Trek advances is the Prime Directive - the governing universal law which prohibits humans from interfering in the evolution or cultural-religious beliefs of the aliens they encounter. Yet this law is more than a moral principle - the Prime Directive cultivates respect for a plurality of beliefs and encourages a community that lives and works together despite fundamental personal differences. Advertisement The Prime Directive does not need to be relegated to fiction or some lofty, unrealistic ideal. We have the capacity to embody it in the 21st Century. The pluralism that the Prime Directive protects is similar to the American conception of the freedom of religion. The difference is that the world of Star Trek demonstrates what the freedom of religion should look like in our time. Too often, however, we allow our disagreements, no matter how significant or petty, to divide our communities. Instead of valuing the human capacity for belief in the divine, we distort this beauty into an ugly mechanism of division and oppression. Religious pluralism is not a threat to our personal religious beliefs; rather, it is evidence that religious liberty is flourishing. We ought to welcome plurality as its existence represents that we are progressing towards living out the freedom of religion. -- Thoughts of a (Californian) New Yorker Upon Returning to his City After 9/11 -- "Why do you want to see it?" they asked. I was reminded of Bobby Kennedy's answer when asked why he wanted to climb Mt. Everest. The answer was - and is - straightforward: "Because it is there." To some people the thought of looking upon the carnage of September 11 was morbid. To others, the reasons for wanting to be near the World Trade Center site ranged anywhere from simple curiosity to an emotional need to be as close as physically possible to share the spiritual identification with the site that will now be ingrained in us as long as we live. None of these views was wrong. My own answer was not complex. It's similar to reasons that draw people to other national shrines and places of national pride. Why do people want to visit Gettysburg? Why do visitors go to the Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor? Why visit the sites of the Normandy landings? And so it was fifteen years ago during the last week in October that this then-66-year-old New Yorker whose principal residence has been in California since 1953 went back to share the spirit of the great metropolis. Advertisement Riding through the borough of Queens from LaGuardia Airport toward Manhattan, one was struck by ubiquitous reminders of what had become different: the "United We Stand" billboards; the volume of flags, large and small, and the varying forms of artistically designed flag paintings on the sides of buildings; and just before entering the Queens Midtown Tunnel, the first obvious display of heightened security with the narrowed restricted-lane entry into the tunnel and the large number of police and National Guard troops supervising passage under new access rules. This out-of-town New Yorker felt at home there for another reason: from 1983 to 1986 I had rented an apartment at the Gateway Plaza, Battery Park City's six-building high rise apartment complex whose location is one-to-two blocks from the World Trade Center. Only two days earlier, authorities had reopened public access through these blocks in lower Manhattan to as close as one block from the WTC's remains. On a bright sunny autumn day, my wife and I walked the mile from the Bowling Green subway station through Battery Park toward the disaster site. What just a couple of weeks earlier had been streets strewn with rubble and debris from the ripple fallout of the twin towers had become a gridiron of streets swept clean and thoroughly washed - right up to the barriers that defined the still-restricted zone around Ground Zero. -------- "We have to really go after them now," said the New York Police Department sergeant who stood at the barricade one block from Ground Zero. "There's going to be more," he echoed the generally accepted premise about additional terrorist attacks on unspecified American targets. Advertisement Because this area next to the site had only recently been reopened, few people strolled its lanes. A walk around the west side of the World Financial Center along the Hudson River revealed spotty damage on these partially occupied buildings: some windows blown out, some pockets of twisted building skeleton. But the real impact was what could be seen that one block away on the east side of West Street: structural carnage that defined what was left of one of the smaller WTC buildings along with remnants of facade and twisted metal and concrete in huge piles. Gigantic cranes towered over heavy equipment grinding through multiple layers of destruction. In the distance were other buildings once thought to be structurally tenuous, such as One Liberty Plaza which was covered by red sheathing to protect people on the ground from chunks of broken glass that might drop from above. Smoke still billowed from the ongoing fires in the bowels below Ground Zero - some seven weeks after the attack. Giant cranes towered over multiple layers of destruction and remnants of facade; smoke still billowed from ongoing fires. Photo by Diane Zucker. The promenade adjacent to the Gateway Plaza complex was draped by several very expansive emotional displays of flowers, spontaneous memorials, grieving missing persons messages and posters, teddy bears, family photographs. Only the day before there had been a memorial service for several thousand victims' family members just two blocks away in the middle of the WTC site. -------- New Yorkers, whether they are among the eight million who live within the city's boundaries or are those of us who now reside elsewhere, are a proud group. Perhaps that's why we felt the pull to go back to New York in late October. Advertisement "Am I nervous?" asked Herb Schneider, an attorney in lower Manhattan, echoing a friend's question. "Not at all. We're OK. We're going out to dinner tonight and business is normal in the office." Mike Sweedler, a patent attorney in midtown, insisted his life was normal. "I don't worry about terrorist threats around me," he affirmed. He lived in Manhattan during the workweek and commuted to his office a short distance away near Grand Central Terminal. "We're resilient!" exclaimed Helen Dykhuis, a retired options trader with one of Wall Street's major brokerage firms. Her affirmation was typical of the attitude of most people we talked to. -------- In midtown, the Metro North commuter railroad had constructed its own "Wailing Wall" inside Grand Central's passageway between the main concourse and the subway entrance. Several eight-foot-high walls were joined to provide a continuous board of photos, messages, prayers and poetry. Some people would spend a few seconds glancing at the display; still others would dwell for many minutes, seemingly reading every message as they slowly revolved around the complete exhibit. Metro North's "Wailing Wall." Photos by Diane Zucker. Another way to absorb the city's spirit was to heed Mayor Rudy Giuliani's request to attend policemen's or firemen's memorial services. We learned firsthand that the concern about sparse attendance at these services was unwarranted, for we witnessed a standing-room-only memorial mass at St. Thomas Church in Queens for Lt. Robert Wallace, 43, one of the hundreds of New York City Fire Department heroes who lost their lives on September 11. Note received from Mrs. Robert Wallace after Lt. Wallace's mass. -------- Advertisement Just as it may be hard for someone who is not a native New Yorker to fully comprehend the pride of the Wonder City's citizens, so it is difficult for its citizens to understand the degree of support and love that the rest of the country had for them. Both were reported many times in the media, yet we wonder how well the depth of those feelings got across. In talking to numerous police and firemen, we described the displays in our own South Lake Tahoe community that explicitly conveyed poignant messages, not the least of which was a banner draped in front of an isolated home on our local Highway 50 half way between Zephyr Cove and Cave Rock that affirmed "we love NY!" We can attest that no matter how enraged and violated we felt about the attack on the World Trade Center, nothing compares to the impact of having seen the site in person. Everyone is talking about tolerance these days, perhaps as a result in need to redefine "tolerance" in a world that has lost its innocence over intolerance and constantly tries to adjust to new realities. I have come to realize the impact tolerance has on young people in reviewing submissions in the final stage of the "Gedenk Award for Tolerance", a national contest and scholarship program for middle and high school students to promote tolerance. Gedenk, a nonprofit organization, runs this creative program, in partnership with "Scholastic Art & Writing Awards", asking young students across America to create original works of art, digital media or writing that reflect upon the lessons learned from the Holocaust and other genocides. In the past three years the "Gedenk Award for Tolerance" received thousands of submissions, created by talented young people. The submissions reveal that many students today are deeply passionate about promoting tolerance. The extraordinary works reflect the students desire to see more tolerance inside and outside the classroom, in a world that seems so connected, so small - yet so divided. Advertisement Promoting tolerance in schools? Not an easy task! However, it is essential to include tolerance as a part of student's curriculum and educational experience. There are many different approaches when it comes to teaching tolerance to students and it is important to remember that young students are more likely to be receptive, retain and apply what they have learned when they are inspired. Recently, I visited the Elisabeth Morrow Summer String Festival to give a music master class to 300+ young string players, ages 4 to 18 years old. We performed a song together: my original composition "Symphony of Brotherhood" featuring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his iconic "I Have A Dream" speech. I was welcomed to the school gym by an enthusiastic chorus of young students screaming my initials "MBA". I took a second to get to know them and to explain the power of music and how it can deliver a message, in this case: a call to action for tolerance. Then I performed the song for them. Afterwards, I asked the students if they would like to play the song with me, although it was clearly visible while looking at their eager faces. The power of music never ceases to amaze me with its ability to inspire, unite and connect people. Based on my professional experience, when a group of people becomes creative together, having to listen to each other in order to play in harmony, literally in this case, the outcome is very inspiring. That day in Englewood NJ, the diverse group of young students has realized the essence of Dr. King's Symphony of Brotherhood, and the sparkle in their eyes while playing their musical instrument together with me, was priceless. Music is like magic. When people play together differences vanish and all that's left is a common ground and the sound of the music. Take my story for example: I grew up in Israel and moved to the US with a suitcase, violin case and (very) broken English, but when I got to jam with other musicians none of this mattered. During the master class I shared with the young students that "I wish the entire world could just feel for a second how it feels when you play music together, which is a true Symphony of Brotherhood." Advertisement Music speaks volumes and has the power to transform both musicians and audiences. I plan to continue promoting tolerance to students with the announcement of Gedenk's "50 States of Tolerance", an educational program touring 50 states taking place at middle and high schools to promote tolerance with a live performance, multimedia and class activities. "50 States of Tolerance" represents Gedenk's philosophy of utilizing artistic outlets, connecting to young people, thinking outside of the box and making tolerance relevant. I just had a realization. Well, maybe "realization" is too fancy a word. Make that more of an insight. Nah... "insight" sounds just a tad too self-congratulatory. For want of a better word, let's call my little moment a semi-embarrassing wake up call -- the kind of learning experience I claim is good for me, but don't really want to have. It's a moment I've had many times before, but not until two days ago, in Newark Airport, as I was exiting Flight #1140 from LAX, did the whole thing clarify for me. There I was, merrily walking through Terminal "C", glad to be heading home after a three-day business trip, when I reached into my pocket for my trusty iphone only to discover it wasn't there. My iphone wasn't there! Gone. It was gone. My iphone was gone! Gone, as in missing. Gone, as in not in my pocket. Gone, as in WHERE IN THE WORLD WAS MY FREAKING IPHONE with all those apps and appointments and contacts? No, I wasn't in Kansas anymore. Neither was I in New Jersey. I was in a sudden state of panic -- Woody Allen on steroids -- my former digital life flashing before my eyes. Advertisement Where just a minute ago I was a conscious human being firmly rooted in a deep experience of inner peace, now I was wildly slapping every pocket I could find like some kind of poster child for Tourette's Syndrome This ridiculous outtake from a movie that will never be made took less than ten seconds (having blissfully located my iphone in my suit jacket pocket), but those ten seconds were extremely revealing -- me (Mr. Been-On-The-Spiritual-Path-For-45-Years) having been so easily discombobulated by a mobile phone missing for such a pitifully short amount of time. Which, I guess, was a good thing -- as it popped, once again, the shiny bubble of my own questionable self-image. My little ten-second airport freakout reminds me of that classic Zen story of the young monk who, after ten years of meditation in a mountain monastery, was invited by his Master to give the morning talk at the local village temple. The young monk's discourse was impeccable that day, his Master astounded by his protege's ability to quote from the most esoteric of Zen doctrine. But when the talk was over and it was time to begin his trek back up the mountain, the monk could not find his sandals. Apparently, in his excitement, he had completely forgotten where he had put them. Advertisement Unsmiling, his Master shot him a severe glance and pointed to the mountain. "Ten more years, my friend. Ten more years." And that's exactly how long it took the sandal-challenged monk to be asked again to give the morning talk at the village temple. The good news? On that glorious day, the monk remembered exactly where he put his sandals. After a lifetime of eating with disposable knives and forks, Michael Caballero, a 25-year-old industrial engineer at FedEx, looked the plastic cutlery in his workplace cafeteria in a new way. "I think in terms of process," he says, tallying the environmental upheaval required to manufacture each fork -- the extraction of oil from the ground, the overseas shipping, the refining and molding in a factory, the waste created by its packaging -- a massive amount of pollution created for just a few minutes of usage before being tossed in a landfill. Today, thanks to EcoTech Visions, a Miami incubator for green enterprises, Caballero's 18-month-old company, Earthware, Inc., is building better disposable silverware. At EcoTech Visions's current headquarters in Liberty City, Fla., Caballero is a member of a class of 26 "ecopreneurs" who receive 15 months of support and have access to office space, manufacturing equipment and other environmentally-minded folks. In the co-working space, architects and designers chat with electricians and engineers -- a technical collaboration that's rare but vital to successfully manufacture products, from battery-run motorcycles and aquaponics systems to plastic-based handbags and aloe salves. The buzzing incubator is the vision of Dr. Pandwe Gibson, an African-American businesswoman who wanted to spark a sea change in commerce by supporting green jobs, particularly manufacturing ones. Because the consequences of environmental harm are so visible in southern Florida (as atmospheric temperatures rise, the sea levels follow, causing the Atlantic's high tides to annually creep nearly one inch closer to the art deco real estate along Miami's coastline), city residents are eager to embrace products that won't further damage the Earth in the process. When Gibson first came up with EcoTech Visions three years ago, she used her iPad to share the idea with anyone who had time to listen to her elevator pitch. Since its launch, the incubator has created 15 new jobs, won grants for nine of its companies to work on prototypes and helped three other businesses obtain seed funding to kick start operations. Advertisement Last year, EcoTech was one of NBCUniversal Foundation's 21st Century Solutions grant challenge winners, supporting progressive community solutions. "What we love is that it has the four Cs -- it's a catalyst for out-of-the-box solutions, it offers a destination for collaboration, it's building a community for idea-creators and problem solvers and it's driving local change by expanding small businesses and jobs," says Beth Colleton, senior vice president of corporate social responsibility at NBCUniversal. EcoTech Visions played a vital role in helping Earthware produce a durable alternative to the 16 billion pieces of plasticware thrown away in America each year (its cutlery is made with a corn-based resin that decomposes in just six months) and grow to its current state. Perhaps most importantly, the incubator covers the entry-level costs that can prohibit a business from entering the market -- office space and manufacturing equipment -- while Caballero still works at Fed-Ex to make a living. Without the support, he would have needed to front the money for Earthware's first injection molding machine (which spits out products in the shape of pre-made molds) and a consultant to help him pick the right one; instead, Caballero pays a small rental fee to EcoTech in order to use the machine they purchased on his behalf. Advertisement Additionally, the incubator introduced Caballero to other locals that could bolster his burgeoning enterprise, including sustainability advocates and potential customers, like the local school board, which recently put out a request for compostable cutlery bids. "The whole goal is to become a leading provider of compostable, sustainable products, using Miami as a hub into Latin America and the Caribbean," footholds to an international expansion, Caballero says. Clean tech and green manufacturing, as sectors, could provide the biggest hope of restoring jobs that have been lost due to the historic decline in American manufacturing (nationwide, about 5 million have disappeared since the millennium). Unlike other compostable products, which ship foreign-made cutlery to the U.S., Caballero's eco-friendly business aims to create high-paying, manufacturing jobs right here in America; the two dozen other companies at EcoTech Visions will only add to this green wave of business. Caballero believes green industries will be most successful if others join the movement. The demand for sustainable products is already there, he notes, but supply will only match those levels if more entrepreneurs and manufacturers arrive on the scene. Even though they'll technically be his competitors, there will be enough supply that prices will fall and consumers generally will see planet-friendly products as the new standard. It's easier and easier to understand the impacts a changing climate has on our daily lives: higher temperatures can affect everything from the food we eat, to the bills we pay for air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter. Fencing in Siana Conservancy, highlighting the difference in pasture between fenced and unfenced land. But we're not the only ones affected. Climate change also impacts wildlife and the habitat on which they depend. Changes in climate are altering the timing of life cycles, causing species to shift where they live, and in some cases even leading to extinction. Advertisement While the direct correlation between a changing climate and wildlife is increasingly clear, to date there's been less focus on understanding how human responses to climate change also impact wildlife and their habitat. That's where my work comes in. I recently visited the Siana conservancy in Kenya, part of the Greater Mara ecosystem. This part of the world, home to the Maasai people of Kenya, has one of the most spectacular concentrations of wildlife on the planet, including the famous "Big Five:" lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and African buffalos. The Maasai people are pastoral, and they and their livestock have coexisted with wildlife for generations. However, successive seasons of failed or erratic rains, particularly during the long rainy season, have plunged much of the region into frequent periods of drought over the last few years. During my visit, I met with community members and park rangers to understand how changing weather and climate over the last few years have impacted their daily lives. I wanted to find out what they are doing differently. How exactly are they responding to these changes? In these conversations, I looked for hints of any novel responses that could be adopted elsewhere. And, I looked for examples of how their new "way of life" could be impacting the wildlife that also calls this area home. Advertisement I learned quickly that pasture is one of the most important resources in this area. The Maasai need it to feed the livestock that provides the foundation of local livelihoods. But, those large open plains also provide for millions of other grazing animals including wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles, particularly during the peak of the great animal migration across the Mara-Serengeti area - which is when I happened to visit. In order to conserve pasture for their grazing livestock, the Maasai were erecting fences across large swaths of land, particularly during times of drought. Unfortunately, this fencing disrupts the migration of the native wildlife, and restricts their freedom to roam. This situation is further complicated by climate-driven weather events: rivers which used to flow year round are now seasonal, which is increasing competition for water between wildlife, humans and livestock. However, there are solutions! During periods of drought, the Maasai are allowed to graze their livestock inside the protected conservancy in specified areas for certain amounts of time. They are investing in more productive livestock breeds and reducing the number of livestock they keep, particularly during lean times. And, communities are also harvesting rainwater, using the roofs of buildings to capture rain, then storing it in above and below ground water tanks for later use. While this research is moving forward, we are beginning to share what we've learned with colleagues working in Africa and other parts of the world. At this week's IUCN World Conservation Congress, we're talking about these and other human responses to climate change, including the latest research in this emerging field. We're also talking about how WWF's new Climate Crowd initiative is crowdsourcing data to document human responses to climate change across the globe, and how others can use this data to develop interventions that help people and wildlife persist in a changing climate. It's exciting work and we're fortunate to work with incredible collaborators including IUCN, the Peace Corps and the USAID-funded Africa Biodiversity Collaborative Group. Climate change is already taking a toll on us and also on the wildlife that share this world with us. And, climate change will continue to exacerbate existing threats -- like habitat destruction and overexploitation - for the world's already imperiled wildlife. We can -- we must -- help species adapt to our changing world by ensuring that our own responses to climate change factor in the health and wellbeing of the wildlife and the habitat they depend upon. Advertisement While men still enjoy a bigger piece of the corporate pie, things are starting to shift. Twenty-three women now head Fortune 500 companies and hundreds more are in CXO positions, a definite sign of progress. But despite this achievement, 34% of the population still believes that men are better at assessing risk than women are. Is one gender truly superior to the other in the boardroom? Or are company culture and regulation still holding women back from reaching their true potential? Let's take a look at five of the most compelling female CxOs from high-profile companies: 1. PepsiCo - Indra Nooyi Indra Nooyi is the leader of PepsiCo, a company with a current market cap over $150 billion. Much like its rival, Coca-Cola, Pepsi has been forced to make some tough decisions in recent years thanks to a more health-conscious America. Advertisement Nooyi chose to embrace this, producing healthier alternatives alongside the classics. This caused a rift in the company; Nelson Peltz attempted to tear the company in half and people thought Nooyi's days as CEO were numbered. But they weren't. In fact, the last 10 years she's been CEO, Pepsi's stock has risen. What's her secret? Innovative design and user experience. A great example is how Nooyi revamped vending machines to not only be healthier, but keep user-friendly design in mind. Interactive screens, the ability to mix products and save a user profile has turned the archaic vending machine an addictive, modern innovation. This shouldn't be surprising -research has shown that female executives may drive more innovation and growth than their male peers because they have better empathy, which helps them hone in on customer pain points. 2. Facebook - Sheryl Sandberg Sheryl Sandberg became a billionaire in 2014, making her one of the highest-paid COOs in the nation. Given her incredibly impressive history, this isn't too surprising. Advertisement After working for the World Bank, the Clinton Administration, and Google, she became Facebook's COO in 2008. Since joining, she's helped the company of "college kids" stay organized and growth-oriented. Facebook had $777 million in revenue in 2009 and $1.79 billion in 2015. Sandberg, a single mother, reveals the secrets to her success in Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, which has sold over 1 million copies. One of the keys to her success? Her willingness to take on any role, as long as it's mission critical. "If you're offered a seat on a rocket ship, don't ask what seat." But another secret to her success lies in her COO role: research has shown that women may be better at meeting employee's essential workplace requirements. 3. GM - Mary Barra Mary Barra came into GM right before one of the largest crises in its history. Her first task as CEO was to recall 2.5 million vehicles and pay $900 million to settle criminal charges, due to a fault that could stop the car's airbags from deploying. This was one of those make-or-break-decisions that could define the CEO (and the company) going forward. Rather than take it out on middle management, Barra took full responsibility. And she was praised for it. "We're going to do the right thing, even if it's hard," she said in a recent interview. Advertisement By handling the situation with leadership and grace, Barra is now moving the company forward on a far less bumpy road, recently investing $500 million in Lyft and beginning research into self-driving cars. This year, she helped usher in the 2017 Chevy Bolt EV, which put GM ahead of Tesla in the race to engineer the first affordable electric car with a range of 200 miles. The secret to Barra's success may lie in her savvy internal networking at GM. A lifer, she started working for GM at the age of 18 and has been in just about every role at least once. And it's paid off. Her $16.2 million pay package in 2015 was 80% higher than that of her predecessor, Dan Akerson. 4. Xerox - Ursula M. Burns Ursula M. Burns has the distinction of being the first black woman in America to run an S&P 500 company, which is even more impressive because she started with Xerox over three decades prior as an intern. Burns may have single-handedly saved the company with her acquisition of CEO Affiliated Computer Services. This $6.4 billion purchase-derided by her critics-now produces more revenue than all of Xerox's original copier services combined. This move was the most recent headliner in Burns' attempt to rebrand Xerox as a services company, and it's working. In 2015, she helped generate $18 billion in revenue. After six years in the CEO seat, Burns will step down when Xerox splits into two different companies. According to Burns, her success in the face of overwhelming odds ("I was black. I was a girl. And I was poor.") can be attributed to following the same mantra that Sandberg did at Facebook: the courage to lean in and sit at the table. Advertisement 5. Kraft / Mondelez - Irene Rosenfeld If women CEOs are unicorns, Irene Rosenfeld may well be a Pegasus. Not only has her tenure at Kraft resulted in a centuries-old company spinning off into two entities (Modelez International and Kraft Foods), Rosenfeld masterminded the split. And she did so while weathering criticism from Warren Buffett, one of Kraft's biggest investors. The bold move paid off. Kraft Foods was eventually acquired by Kraft Heinz, which has a market cap of $75 billion. Meanwhile, Rosenfeld's baby, Mondelez International, enjoyed $33.2 billion in revenue in 2014. Compare that to Kraft's last fiscal year before the spit: $18.22 billion in 2012. Somehow, Rosenfeld managed to nearly double the revenue of Kraft's spiritual successor in only two years. Rosenfeld's aggressive barnstorming at Kraft ruffled a lot of feathers, but it also paved the way for massive, unprecedented success at a company that hadn't done much to change the status quo in many years. A new generation of leadership Not only are women leaders just as capable of deciding between stressful, risky choices, they're much more likely to be altruistic and empathetic than men. As we've seen, many female CxOs make fantastic leadership decisions, even in the face of overwhelming criticism. Journalism's fact-checking process is supposed to identify errors, or outright lies, by presenting clear, undeniable facts that contradict someone's statement. Instead, however, the process has become a means of blurring the line between fact and opinion -- between easily demonstrable truths and more abstract, more challengeable viewpoints. For a striking example, consider this recent N.Y. Times story about the European Union's claim that Apple illegally avoided $14.5 billion in taxes by securing a unique, "sweetheart" deal from Ireland's government. Headlined "Fact-Checking Apple's Claims on E.U. Tax Ruling," it deals with a public letter, from CEO Timothy Cook, denying the accusations. After "consulting with five tax experts to fact-check the chief executive's statements," the reporter concludes: "While Mr. Cook was technically truthful, he omitted some context and shifted the spotlight from the thrust of the European Commission's case: whether Apple took advantage of loopholes in Irish tax laws." Advertisement Now, it is certainly legitimate for a fact-checker to take context into account. If a politician campaigns on having voted to reduce his constituents' taxes, when really he voted to cut one minor tax and to increase five major ones, journalists should include that context in their reports. But here, as we shall see, the reporter's disingenuous interpretation of "context" -- and of "the thrust of the European Commission's case" -- leaves the reader with the vague impression that there is some truth on each side, when in actuality no fact asserted by Apple is even challenged. Let's examine five significant points in the letter. This is how the Times addresses them, alternating between Cook's statements and the tax experts' "fact-checking": COOK: "In Ireland and in every country where we operate, Apple follows the law and we pay all the taxes we owe." FACT-CHECK: "While a company like Apple may pay all the taxes it owes, it also tries to find legal ways to owe as little as possible. The European Union wants to crack down on the ways that companies minimize their tax bills." Advertisement So the "fact-checker" doesn't question Apple's claim. The E.U. says Apple failed to pay $14.5 billion in taxes, and Apple says it paid everything owed. Apple would doubtlessly agree that it tries to minimize its taxes; it maintains only that it did so legally and owes nothing more. COOK: "[The E.U.] alleges that Ireland gave Apple a special deal on our taxes. This claim has no basis in fact or in law. We never asked for, not did we receive, any special deals." FACT-CHECK: "The European Commission makes clear, and tax experts agree, that Ireland let Apple determine how much of the income that it generated in the country would be recognized and taxed there." Based on what? The charge is not that Apple chose to operate in Ireland because of the low tax rates or legal "loopholes," but that it unlawfully avoided taxes. If the way "Ireland let Apple determine" its taxes was through a private, clandestine arrangement, available only to Apple, there could indeed be some illegality. But no basis for this contention is provided. All we're told is that the accuser "made it clear" and "tax experts agree"--which is precisely what Apple denies. Further insinuating that something shady occurred, the Times notes that the income at issue was "put in other structures that were effectively stateless" and thus "not taxable anywhere--not even in Ireland." Yet it is taxable--in the U.S. Under American law, however, the taxes are payable only if and when the income is repatriated--a law applicable to all companies' foreign income. A tax expert adds that in America individual states can legally provide inducements tailored to a particular business and "can fall all over themselves to offer subsidies and loopholes, but that is exactly what is illegal in Europe." Fine. But Apple claims no such deals were made with Ireland. Where then is the refutation? COOK: The E.U. is "proposing to replace Irish tax laws with a view of what the Commission thinks the law should have been." Advertisement FACT-CHECK: "[The E.U.] is simply asking Ireland to enforce the tax rate that it has and close loopholes that allow companies like Apple not to recognize large portions of the income they generate in Ireland and pay even less." Since Irish law regards the income in question as not taxable, the country plainly is enforcing its tax code. When the E.U. wants Ireland to "close loopholes," what does that express except a desire that Ireland act according to what "the law should have been" but wasn't? COOK: "[N]early all of our research and development takes place in California, so the vast majority of our profits are taxed in the United States" (and not taxable under Irish law). FACT-CHECK: "Apple has also kept more than $200 billion offshore. That money could someday be brought home and taxed, but Apple is in control of whether or not that actually happens." Here is the only acknowledgement that the money is indeed taxable upon transfer to the U.S. And if this is what was meant by the earlier fact-checking claim that "Ireland let Apple determine" its taxes, is it somehow evidence of impropriety that the decision to transfer the income rests, according to American law, with Apple? COOK: "[T]he most profound and harmful effect of this ruling will be on investment and job creation in Europe." Advertisement FACT-CHECK: "There is support among tax experts for this statement," the Times concedes. One such expert says that "so many countries are motivated to use low tax rates to generate business that Europe could lose multinational business if companies are discouraged by the commission's ruling." Nonetheless, this fact-checker warns, we cannot afford the loss of government revenue "[i]f we allow companies like Apple to pick [their] tax haven," because "the taxes given up globally could be used for public service, worker training and infrastructure." In other words, although lower taxes stimulate investment and production, the more important value -- i.e., the redistribution function of a global welfare state -- requires a willingness by producers to pay higher taxes. Before I begin, I want to make it clear, this blog is not another 'Mum blog', there's plenty of decent ones out there and it's not my style. We all know the trials and tribulations of parenting, the funny stories (my son threw his dirty nappy across the room last week) and the tough days that almost leave us mentally scarred and grabbing for the wine. This post, is for me to discuss my experience in the first days, weeks and months after giving birth and how in my opinion, more needs to be done to prepare women for the emotional and mental difficulties many new mums experience when they've had a baby. I really feel we could do more. Looking back to my pregnancy, I can't recall ever discussing the emotional and mental turmoil you can experience after giving birth. My pregnancy was a consultant led pregnancy as I'm a haemophilia carrier, so all attention was focussed around the implications for my baby, should he be a sufferer and the birth plan, as I had elected for a caesarean section for medical reasons. Advertisement I can recall being around 6 months pregnant and having a conversation with a friend of mine who has 2 children, she asked if I was nervous about the mental health side of things once I became a mum. In my naivety, I told her I'd given it no thought and knew I would be OK because I've had anxiety etc. before so would know how to deal with it. I was so wrong, so ignorant and so naive. My pregnancy had been relatively easy, aside from some SPD pain and worrying about the potential haemophilia status, it was in no way as bad as it could have been. I was even looking forward to the caesarean section, I knew the day my baby would be born and had heard some very positive stories regarding C-sections. Things didn't quite go to plan however. I won't go into too much detail regarding the birth as 1) too much information and it's quite gross a story and 2) probably quite boring for most. However, what I will say is the elected C-section became an emergency C-section a week prior to my scheduled operation. I'd gone into early (and very fast) labour and everything went from being relatively calm to anything but. I was terrified. Wes came to the hospital just as I was experiencing very painful, fast contractions and was getting prepped for surgery, he looked like he'd seen a ghost. We were totally unprepared for this. I remember going to an ante-natal class and switching off when they were discussing contractions and labour etc. - because let's face it - I wasn't going to be experiencing this. I actually felt like I was back in a Maths lesson in school, watching my concentration fly out the window. My concentration only came back into the room when the midwife mentioned C-sections very briefly. I probably rolled my eyes as I knew all the information she was providing already (misplaced arrogance). Advertisement After being on the operating table for over an hour and a half (I always thought it would only take 30 minutes) and being presented with my gorgeous son, not only did I feel absolute elation, I also felt totally and utterly struck with anxiety. I recall being in the recovery room with my mum and my new-born son and being told I'd lost a lot of blood, genuinely asking the registrar what time I would be dying. No joke. I was petrified I was going to pass away, the same day I welcomed my baby. It transpired I'd contracted an infection due to the complicated birth. All sorts was going through my mind, am I going to die? Am I going to have to have surgery again? A blood transfusion? I felt like I'd been hit by a double decker bus and was looking down on myself from above. It was the most surreal, out of body experience I've ever known. I felt utterly traumatised. So much so, I refused to sleep the first night I became a mum, I made myself keep my eyes open the whole night, despite being exhausted from having no sleep for nearly 48 hours. I was worried that if I closed my eyes, I wouldn't wake up and my son would be without his mum. Looking back, my heart aches for myself. This had huge bonding implications, I remember looking at him in his cot next to my hospital bed, he was literally the most gorgeous thing I had ever laid my eyes on but I couldn't allow myself to fall in love with him. I was so concerned that I wouldn't be around to see him grow up. The infection I had would kill me or I would have to have another operation and wouldn't survive it. I was literally on the edge. Advertisement Fast forward a few hours and I was moved to a different ward, it was hot, noisy and I felt like the walls were closing in on me. Before I know it, I've got out of bed and hobbled out of the ward, crying hysterically, leaving Wes and our son next to my hospital bed. I didn't know where I was going, I didn't even know what was going on in my head, but I sobbed so much I thought my surgery wound was going to split open. Luckily a midwife found me and took me into an office and calmed me down. I had a word going round and round in my head, it was psychosis. I was absolutely terrified I was suffering from it. The midwife assured me I wasn't, I was suffering from severe anxiety and was having a terrible panic attack. Some time later I calmed down and was moved to a private ward for my own wellbeing, I felt incredible relief at this and immediately felt better. I could see my old self creeping back through. But it wasn't to last. Recovery from a C-section is hard, especially an emergency one and because it had been a complicated operation, I was in a lot of pain. Trying to breastfeed was the most difficult thing I've ever done and I was beginning to feel like a failure. I have to be honest, I can't say I felt pressurised by the hospital midwives but there is certainly an element of expectation. I had a total breakdown on the last night I was in hospital, I couldn't feed him, I was struggling to change his nappy as I couldn't bend over and he was crying. I literally didn't know what to do. I felt desperate. I called Wes and told him he had to come back to the hospital even if the staff refused him entry. I was losing it again. I felt like the midwives were losing patience with me and they thought I needed to 'man up' and just get on with it. I have never felt so alone in all my 27 years. I then decided to give my son formula as he wasn't latching on and I was exhausted from trying and worrying about his weight. A lovely midwife came and sat with me and I remember us having a conversation, it took my mind off of how frightened I was feeling. I managed to get a small amount of sleep that night and looked forward to going home the following day. Everything will be OK once I'm in my own bed, with my family around me. 5 days in hospital was quite enough thank you! Once I got home, the anxiety didn't leave me, I felt totally and utterly on edge as soon as I got in the door. I didn't want to be left alone with my baby, I felt totally overwhelmed by responsibility and worried I was going to get things wrong. My baby had lost over 10% of his birth weight because he wasn't feeding properly and I was so panicked. Suddenly, the support of the midwives and hospital staff had gone and the spotlight is on us now, to keep this tiny little human alive. Advertisement My mind was racing, I'd sit in the bathroom googling 'post natal depression' or 'post natal anxiety' and the worst word of all 'psychosis'. Convinced I was a danger to myself and I should be locked up. The fear was real. I lost over a stone in one week because I didn't eat, I felt permanently sick. I remember a community midwife visiting me at home for a check up and me being so worried about telling her I was abandoning the breastfeeding and going down the formula route. I was so concerned my son wasn't getting anything and I was totally and utterly exhausted. The pain of trying to breastfeed was almost as bad as the contractions during labour. My midwifes response? "I won't give you a hard time as I know you're struggling at the moment and you've had a rough ride". At the time, I was grateful for her somewhat curt response. Looking back, my blood boils. Actual steam could emanate off my keyboard right now where I'm typing so furiously. Won't give me a hard time? What the hell does that mean? Are midwives supposed to apply as much pressure to already exhausted and hormonal women just so they can promote the breast is best mantra? I wondered if perhaps they're performance targeted on how many new mums they can get to persevere with the breastfeeding. Cynical I know, but I just couldn't understand this approach. We all know breast is best, but so the bloody hell is happy mum, happy baby. You don't need me to tell you of stories that have been in the press about new mums who have taken their life because they felt like failures as they were unable to breast feed their babies. Tragic, totally and utterly tragic and it breaks my heart. My baby thrived on formula. Because my anxieties lasted past the normal "baby blues" period (2 -3 weeks apparently) I was referred to a mental health team who came out to assess me just before Christmas 2013, it was determined that I was suffering from severe anxiety and would need support. I tried to take anti depressants but they made me feel worse so I just got through Christmas as best I could and slowly but surely the overwhelming feeling of anxiety began to lift and I started to feel better. Don't get me wrong, I was still anxious and in dire need of some therapy but I didn't feel permanently on edge. I started some CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) from January 2014 onwards which really helped - I'd recommend it to anyone who has any anxiety issues. This continued into June and by the Summer I was definitely feeling better, I wouldn't say I was like my old self, I would get bad moods and still feel anxious but it wasn't anything like the first few weeks post partum. Advertisement Once my CBT sessions finished I was told I would have to wait at least 6 months if I wanted to have any more therapy. I was sure I'd be fine without and time would be a healer etc. so carried on with my life. Finding weaning very hard work but I had a healthy, happy baby who slept through the night so I had it very easy compared to others. Towards the end of the year I started a new job (part time), I felt totally overwhelmed again, I felt guilty for leaving my son after spending every day for the last 10 months with him. I felt like I couldn't do my job and that it was bigger than I was. I could feel myself heading for disaster once again. My son's first birthday was only round the corner and we had lots of celebrations planned, not to mention Christmas too; I was determined to carry on as normal and forget about how unhappy I felt. My son had started waking through the night screaming, it was a really hard time and I felt once again like I was losing all control and the walls were closing in on me. I was trying to get to learn a new job, planning 1st birthday parties and keeping everyone around me happy. I looked knackered, I felt knackered and my spark had well and truly left my body. I didn't know who I was anymore. On the morning of my son's 1st Birthday, I remember hearing a new mum had gone missing from the hospital I had given birth in, I didn't give it a huge amount of thought. I just hoped she was OK and thought she may have gone for a walk or something. Come the evening, the news wasn't looking good and I was obsessed with it, checking every few minutes for updates until the worst was confirmed. They had found her body; I broke down. It was a year to the day I'd been through what I had been through in the very same hospital. I'm not saying I was suicidal, not for one second, but what I will say is I was terrified, I was walking around the hospital, not knowing who to turn to and feeling incredibly lost. Perhaps not too dissimilar to what this poor woman was experiencing. I couldn't get it out of my head, I couldn't stop crying about it. I thought of what she must have been thinking in her final moments, or what her family must be going through. I was angry that no one had stopped her from walking out of the hospital, or that the lovely midwife who had helped me exactly 12 months previous, hadn't stopped her and given her a shoulder to cry on or some much needed support. From then on the days merged into one and although relieved my son's birthday was over and I didn't have to persevere with 'keeping up appearances', I was getting exhausted and nervous about Christmas. I wanted everything to be 'normal' - whatever that is. I wanted the racing thoughts to stop and the constant worrying to diminish. Christmas came and went, it was nice but hard work as we were hit with a seasonal cold, cue many sleepless nights and tensions running high. My son was soon better and cold free and I looked forward to a night out with my closest friends for NYE, I'd not had a night out in so long. The following day (New Years Day), I felt uneasy, on edge, scared, frightened, worried, concerned - all sorts of anxious. I wanted to either pace the floor or not get out of bed. The thought of a new year petrified me, what would it bring? What would I fail at? My confidence was sub level and my nerves were shot to pieces. I didn't get out bed for days, I gave up caring about anything and everything. I was non responsive, there in body but not in mind. I was a shell basically. I just wanted the racing thoughts to go away, I wanted to be in control of my thoughts again. I remembered I had another type of anti-depressants in my drawer that had been prescribed to me some 2 months previous. Because I'd had a bad experience with AD's the year before I was too scared to try them but now I had nothing to lose. I couldn't carry on how I was, my mum was desolate, Wes was so concerned and I wanted to will myself to get better for my lovely son. He deserved more. So I took the tablet and was determined. I persevered and although the first week was tough, I took the week off work and just rested. My head hurt, I was dizzy, I felt sick but for the first time in a long time, I was beginning to feel positive, I felt like I might be able to see the much needed light at the end of the tunnel. I went to see the Dr to discuss my side effects, dosage etc and saw a new Dr I'd never seen before. I opened up about how I'd felt and she was amazing. She didn't judge me, she took me seriously and wanted to refer me back to the Primary Care Team, she knew I needed more than tablets and wanted me to be seen by a Mental Health Nurse straight away. The start of this year was very tough, we lost our beloved cat, we had a lot of bad news and many stressful situations to deal with that required a huge amount of strength. But, with the help of the tablets and some counselling and therapy, I felt like I could deal with the issues. I took time out from my friends and people around me, and chilled out, I would be kind to myself. I wouldn't apply pressure on myself. I would talk A LOT to my mum or to Wes, instead of keeping everything in for fear of what they might say. I learned to just keep putting one foot in front of the other and dealing with worries one at a time, weighing them up and thinking what is the worst that could happen? I talked about the birth and about how I felt for the first few days and weeks after my son was born with my counsellor. It felt like I'd put it to bed and had learnt to come to terms with it. It didn't frighten me anymore. Today, I'm so much better. I'm still on anti-depressants, mainly for my anxiety. I've been diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder, along with my OCD which was diagnosed when I was young. My Dr has said I'll probably be on the pills long term, but that's fine with me, I've come to terms with that. I've finished my counselling & therapy and I feel the most positive I have felt in years. I feel confident and I feel very happy. I've learnt a lot this year, a lot about myself and a lot about what I can deal with and how strong I am. Above all, I've learnt to love being a mum, warts and all. I'd fear that I would lose my individuality and see myself as being someone's mum as opposed to being Rachel. I'm still me, I'm still that annoying, loud, talkative, random, sometimes moody, up for a laugh person, just with the best gift of all. My son. This post was two fold. Selfishly, I wanted to write my experience out for cathartic reasons (which believe me, it's worked) but secondly I want to advocate mental health. I want expectant mums to be slightly prepared for how hard it is emotionally after giving birth. Yes, we need to be prepped for birth, breast feeding, changing nappies and all that shit (literally) but we need to be prepared for the hormonal changes. The overwhelming emotions that we can experience shortly after birth, and not just for the first 2 or 3 weeks after. The midwives need to be looking out for signs that women are struggling and be empathetic, perhaps referring them to support networks, therapists etc. that can help. They should relieve pressure for new mums and provide up to date, accurate and helpful advice. Yes, we all know breast is best, I mean it's been rammed down our throats often enough, but it isn't always as cut and shut as that. And at what expense some times? I just always hope that any new mum gets help straight away if they are struggling at all, be honest and open and not worry about people judging or what the Dr might or might not say. Becoming a first time mum especially, is a frightening experience. You've just gone through something that is quite traumatic, you ache in places you never knew existed and could be rather traumatised from the experience. People need to be accepting and sympathetic to this. I would encourage women to talk about a traumatic birth, I remember the first time I watched One Born Every Minute after having my son and actually recoiling and sweating whilst watching a caesarean section. I had to turn over. Emily J. Holubowich, right, holds her daughter Jackie, as she talks with, from left, Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-N.Y., House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., and Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, D-Fla., following a news conference about the Zika virus on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Zika is here. Whether or not a select group of obstructionists in Washington, D.C. wish to accept it, Zika is making its presence felt in our communities and the cost to address it is growing by the day. With less than one month of legislative days remaining prior to Election Day, it is imperative that Congress authorizes money to combat the spread of Zika -- at the funding level requested by President Obama. Half-measures are no solution; they place American lives and the American economy at risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 2,700 Americans living in the U.S. have been infected with Zika. That number swells to more than 14,000 when the U.S. territories are included. The first locally-acquired Zika case on the U.S. mainland occurred almost one month ago in Florida, and 16 American infants have been born in the U.S. with a Zika-related birth defect (tragically, five pregnancies in the U.S. have also been lost due to Zika). Additionally, more than 600 pregnant women in America, almost 1,600 pregnant women when including the U.S. territories, may currently be infected with Zika. Given the fact that the Zika virus can be sexually transmitted, especially when coupled with the spread of now locally-acquired cases, the number of infected persons and infected newborn babies will only grow. Advertisement Recently, CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden estimated that caring for a baby born with microcephaly (a possible medical condition in Zika-infected newborns in which the brain does not develop properly and a smaller than normal head results) for the entirety of its lifetime could cost taxpayers $10 million. If just 100 American children were born with Zika-related microcephaly, the result would be $1 billion in needed care. If microcephaly presented in every case of a pregnant woman displaying Zika symptoms in the U.S. and its territories, America could be looking at $16 billion in necessary care costs. And, unfortunately, we are likely only in the nascent stages of this epidemic. The question, then, is how will America meet these costs? Frankly, there is no good answer. As with most things in life, prevention may be the best option. In fiscal year 2016, the federal share of Medicaid outlays is expected to be approximately $344 billion. Zika could very easily, all by itself, bloat and/or bankrupt this healthcare safety net established for vulnerable Americans. Recognizing this fact, the time to act is now. Seven months ago, the President requested $1.9 billion in emergency funding to combat the spread of Zika. Unfortunately, a handful of my colleagues in Congress have dithered on approving the funding, and just last week CDC Director Frieden announced that: "Basically, we are out of money and we need Congress to act." Reinforcing his point, Frieden continued: "The cupboard is bare." Every Zika-related pregnancy averted could save millions of dollars and untold years of needed care. To ignore this reality is not only imprudent, it is negligent. Advertisement With the few legislative weeks remaining in the 115th Congress, I call on my Congressional counterparts who have so far been unwilling to support the President's Zika funding request to reverse course. I urge them to do the right thing for America, its economy, and -- most importantly -- its families. Congress must authorize funds to combat Zika now, before it's too late. In Donald Trump's view, military sexual assault must be women's fault. This view is a danger to our national security as it grossly distorts this epidemic of violence in our military services, and makes it impossible to really stop it. 26,000 unreported sexual assults in the military-only 238 convictions. What did these geniuses expect when they put men & women together? Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2013 'Putting women and men together' is not the cause of sexual assault in the military. In fact, accordingly to the U.S. Department of Defense the number of men being sexually assaulted in the military may even be higher than the number of women. "[About] 10,800 men are sexually assaulted every year in the military," said an investigator. "[Roughly] 8,000 women are assaulted." Men report at very low numbers, however, because they feel shamed and fearful. Those same negative feelings affect women as well, of course. Advertisement It is absolutely crucial as well to recognize that rapists in the military are "overwhelmingly heterosexual" and so are, per the DOD, their male targets. These heterosexual men "who are assaulting men" are "often the same men assaulting women." Yet, Trump stood by his ignorant position on military sexual assault in the recent Commander-in-Chief forum. In the forum, a veteran asked Donald Trump about his daughter's concern regarding the high rates of "the rape of women in our armed forces." Trump affirmed his previous Tweet on women in the military as the reason for the high rates of sexual assault. His recommendation was to "is set up a court system within the military," that is, do something that already exists and is ineffective precisely because it is in the military not outside. Trump's ignorance as to the extent of rape in the military of both women and men, combined with his misogyny, will only make this terrible problem even worse and further weaken our military. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has been working for years to get her bill the Military Justice Improvement Act before the Senate in the face of enormous misinformation and outright distortion. In short, Gillibrand's bill would take the reporting and prosecuting of military sexual assault outside the chain of command as it has been shown over and over that this is a barrier both to reporting by victims, and a barrier to prosecution. Advertisement Thus, as Sen. Gillibrand argues on her resource page on the proposed act as linked above, "75 percent of the men and women in uniform who have been sexually assaulted lack the confidence in the military justice system to come forward and report the crimes committed against them." Trump's distorted view of gender obviously distorts his view of the cause of military sexual assault. It is not the military becoming a "mixer," per another demeaning Trump Tweet, but an abuse of power that affects both men and women. It is also crucial to recognize that Trump's profound misogyny is immoral as women and men are not seen as individuals with equal responsibility for their actions. Instead, women are deemed more naturally to blame, a negative inheritance from Western culture that many people of faith and human rights activists have been working long and hard to correct. The summer is over, meaning you're probably heading back to campus. You're maybe considering bringing your car with you this year. Having your car at college is exciting as it gives you the freedom to go just about anywhere you like. Underneath the liberation however may lay the cold hard truth that having your car at school can be a bigger inconvenience than benefit. Here are some factors you should consider before bringing the car to school. Can You Afford It? You, or your parents, are already paying a ton on your education, but did you know it's possible for your car could tack on another $6,000 to that! How do we figure? From a combination of gas prices, car repairs, parking permits and car insurance, can quickly snowball over a school year. Insurance may hurt your wallet the most. If you remain on your parent's policy, and they are footing the bill, this may not be much of a problem. However, if you're getting your own car insurance plan, the costs will skyrocket. After analyzing hundreds of online quotes we found the average cost of full coverage car insurance for a 17-year-old driver is over $7,000. For a twenty year old, it's a bit cheaper at $3,994 per year. When it comes to car insurance, national averages aren't as useful as local results, since the price can fluctuate a lot between states and cities. College towns in North Carolina, for example, only had an average price of $873 per year. Compare that to Michigan where the average was $6,606 per year for a driver with the same profile. That's something to consider if you are a Tar Heel or a Wolverine. Advertisement Other pricing considerations include the cost of gas, how much it would take to repair the car in the event of something breaking down, and how much it will cost to park in the school. Driving to UPenn or Drexel, for example, could cost you upwards of $1,768 per year in parking. As a college student, extra money is a rare commodity, so think twice before spending it on your car. Will It Be Convenient? No one likes to drive in bad weather, especially snow. Unfortunately, many large college towns get pummeled every winter. If you go to a school like Syracuse in upstate New York, you may find yourself digging your car out on many cold winter days. You should also consider the increased risk of accidents caused by inclement weather. Don't forget about parking. Like with everything else, this will be better or worse depending on the school you attend. At some colleges, it may be so hard to find a parking spot every day that you need to totally adjust your daily schedule in order to find one. Looking into your school's parking situation should definitely be something you consider before taking it to school with you. We recommend checking out online message boards or Facebook. If your school's parking situation is poor, it will be easy to find people complaining online. Advertisement Final Thoughts Odds are you are not going to find the perfect school for bringing a car. You can have great weather, okay parking, but really expensive insurance. With so many factors involved, something is likely to go wrong. There will be a trade off somewhere, and ultimately it's up to you to decide what is most important. As we enter the final months of the U.S. presidential campaign, most Americans are squarely focused on the race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump for the White House. At the United Nations, another important election with long term geopolitical implications for our world is currently ongoing. That is the selection of the next Secretary-General of the United Nations. During my time in the U.S. Congress, I always supported the work of the United Nations, as it's a comprehensive force for good in helping to promote universal human rights and peace around the globe. During her time as U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton used the tools of the UN to help advance U.S. foreign policy interests in the Middle East, Asia and Eastern Europe. As the UN Security Council deliberates on who will be the next UN Secretary-General, it's essential that Eastern Europe be given an opportunity to lead the United Nations. Since the end of World War II, diplomats from Western Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America have all been given an opportunity to hold the world's most important diplomatic leadership post. But no one from Eastern Europe has yet been entrusted with this top diplomatic post. Advertisement Over a quarter of a century ago, Eastern Europe broke away from communist rule and the region embraced western style social, economic and political reforms. A successful transformation has brought stability, prosperity and security to the region. The international community should now focus more on Eastern Europe as it has put forward some very impressive UN Secretary-General candidates. Danilo Turk, the former President of Slovenia, is a well-qualified candidate with an established track record at the UN. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and the breakup of Yugoslavia, Turk served as Slovenia's Ambassador to the United Nations. In the early 2000's, Turk served as UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, where he helped champion human rights. As a UN insider, professor and human rights advocate, Turk is one Eastern European candidate to consider, but he did resign abruptly from the UN after not being promoted. The Foreign Minister of Slovakia, Miroslav Lajcak is one of the strongest candidates from Eastern Europe to put his name forward. The Foreign Minister has demonstrated exemplary leadership in managing EU post-Brexit foreign policy advocating a pragmatic, responsible and constructive approach based on the specific experiences of Slovakia's peaceful split from the former Czechoslovakia. As part of Slovakia's EU Presidency, the Foreign Minister has been actively engaged in a number of sensitive regional issues, including Turkey, Ukraine and Western Balkans. From a U.S. policy standpoint, Foreign Minister Lajcak has been a voice for reason domestically and internationally in relation to the Minsk agreements, that relate to the sanctions regime on Russia. Furthermore, with the influx of Syrian refugees into Europe and the migration crisis overwhelming many EU member states, Foreign Minister Lajcak has laid out specific proposals to address these challenges. As a champion for universal human rights, I'm pleased to see that Foreign Minister Lajcak is proposing common sense solutions, that align with President Obama's vision on how all nations must come together to address the refugee crisis. Foreign Minister Lajcak continues to demonstrate impressive management skills that will help bridge divisions all around the globe. For example, his leadership role in the preparation of Montenegro's independence referendum (2006), as well as his experience as High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2007-2009) established his strong credentials as a successful mediator and negotiator. Advertisement While the international media continues to shine a spotlight on UN Secretary-General candidates from Western Europe and Latin America, we need to also consider some of the extremely well qualified candidates from Eastern Europe. The Slovakian candidate recently came in second in the UN Security Council informal straw polls. It appears that Miroslav Lajcak, who shares our commitment to democratic values, is the most qualified Eastern European candidate to lead the United Nations. The impact of the digital revolution on the cultural and creative industries, as underscored in the 2005 Convention on the Protection and the Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, will be the focus of discussions at UNESCO Headquarters on 12 September 2016. Joining the debate will be two leading artists from the Republic of Korea, Mr Han Ho and Mr Byeong Sam Jeon, who will also display their latest creations supporting the notion that the digital age represents remarkable opportunities for artists giving them and the public an important vehicle for creation and enjoyment of artistic work. The exhibition 'Technology in Contemporary Art' encompasses new techniques in producing the creative expressions on show. The opening ceremony for the exhibition on 12 September, at 18:00, will feature the Director General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, Byong Hyun Lee, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Korea to UNESCO, Francesco Bandarin, Assistant Director General for Culture, UNESCO, as well as the Korean artists. This exhibit tis organized in the context of the "KOREA-UNESCO week" celebrations. Advertisement Artist, Mr Han Ho's work brings a feeling of total immersion in the perception of light through paintings associated with holograms or digital LED. In 2015, his installation: The Eternal Light (Dongsang i mong), was presented as part of the "Personal Structures" exhibition at Pallazzo Bembo during the Venice Biennale. Mr Byeong Sam Jeon's work in the exhibition is a collaboration between artistic imagination and scientific technology through videos, interactive sound and kinetic installations. Mr Byeong Sam Jeon has also been appointed as artistic director of the International Biennial of Cheongju Craft 2015. The exhibition and artists are being supported by the Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Korea to UNESCO. The Republic of Korea has been a strong supporter of the 2005 Convention since it ratified early in 2006 and has also supported the creative industries in developing countries through the Korean Funds in Trust (KFIT) since 2007. As emphasized in UNESCO's first Global Report, Re|Shaping Cultural Policies, digital technologies have profoundly transformed the cultural and creative industry landscape, both in the Global North and South. Technological changes have also led to the emergence of new players and new logics. To highlight the fact that digital technologies have transformed the way in which cultural goods and services are produced, distributed and consumed, a special seminar called: 'Digital meets Creativity' will set the scene on 12 September from 16:00 to 18:00 (Room II). Advertisement The seminar will bring together the artists and experts, including Vincent Rioux, Head of digital media department at the Ecole Nationale des Beaux-Arts de Paris, and Anthony Krause, Head of the Policy & Research Unit, Diversity of Cultural Expressions Section (UNESCO). They will debate how artists can better profit from the digital revolution and the 2005 Convention on the Protection and the Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. Key issues to be discussed will include: how to encourage and support new forms of digital creativity; new ways to ensure access to digital technologies and increased participation in cultural life; how to promote artistic freedom and the social and economic rights of artists working in the digital environment. New Operational Guidelines on the impact of digital technology on the diversity of cultural expressions will be presented for discussion at the 10th Ordinary session of the next Intergovernmental Committee meeting of the 2005 Convention (12-15 December 2106). They seek to guide Member States on how to adapt their cultural policies to the new digital environment that affects the creative chain, from creation to production, distribution, access and participation. The digital exhibition will be on display at UNESCO's Miro Hall between12-23 September, 2016. A diplomatic note to this effect has been signed by Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Van Trung and Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Hiroshi Fukada in Hanoi. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Deputy Minister Trung hailed Japan as Vietnams biggest bilateral ODA supplier, pledging that the ODA will be used effectively, contributing to further deepening the bilateral economic strategic partnership. The above sum, equivalent to USD106 million, will enable the Vietnamese Government to carry out the third phase of the Economic Management and Competitiveness Credit program (EMCC), which aims to strengthen reform in several priority fields as part of the 2016-2020 socio-economic scheme adopted by the National Assembly last April. Japanese Ambassador Fukada expressed his hope that the Vietnamese Government will use the loan productively and transparently, contributing to helping the country with administrative and financial institution reform. He also took the occasion to urge Vietnam to pay attention to personnel training and effective policy enforcement. With the loan, the Japanese Government has so far committed nearly JPY2.8 trillion in ODA to Vietnam. Based on the diplomatic note, the Vietnamese Finance Ministry and the Japan International Cooperation Agency will sign a specific lending agreement in the future./. Photo courtesy of Sen. Dick Durbin She touched my arm and nodded for me to follow one of her workers at Kalighat, her home for the dying destitute in Calcutta. The man spoke no English and led me to a door. I walked with him into the dimly lit room to find a score of shrouded bodies on the wooden shelves. Without a word he reached over and grasped the shoulders of one of the deceased and as he slid the body off the shelf he motioned for me to grab the feet. We carried the body across the hall to a waiting transport van at the curb. Then we took another body from the van back to the morgue. My congressional colleague watched this exchange with amazement. As I thought about what I had just done I was sure this would be the most memorable day in my congressional career. Advertisement This journey started when my colleague, congressman Mike Synar of Oklahoma, invited me to join him on a congressional visit to South Asia. Mike told me from the start we would not be sitting poolside at a four-star hotel -- we would be visiting some of the poorest places on Earth. He promised I would never forget the trip and that I would come home with a different view of the world. He was right. We visited Kathmandu in Nepal with its massive Buddhist prayer wheels and at the time a ruling King. We trekked at high altitude into a mountain village with no electricity or running water. The locals with a third eye painted on their foreheads stacked wreaths of flowers around our necks. Through translators they were anxious to know about a young American from Pittsburgh who as a Peace Corps volunteer had lived with them for two years. They were sure we would know him. He was the only American they had ever known. We journeyed to Bangladesh, a country which often seemed to fall off of God's radar and languish in the misery of poverty and horrific natural disasters. We walked the crowded streets of Dhaka with future Nobel Peace Prize honoree, Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank. We learned that a loan of ten dollars to a poor woman could buy a goat and save a family from starvation. I later led the effort in the Senate to give Dr. Yunus the congressional Gold Medal for his lifetime of dedicated service to the poor. But it was a Catholic nun in Calcutta (now Kolkata), barely five foot tall, who gave us a day still fresh in my memory more than twenty years later. Advertisement We had scheduled visits with a long list of Indian government leaders but decided to add a stop at 6:00 am when we learned Mother Teresa and her nuns welcomed visitors to an early morning Mass at her chapel. Her fellow Missionaries of Charity filled the pews in their simple white habits with blue piping. The last row in the chapel was saved for visitors from around the world who like us wanted to meet this woman from Albania who had dedicated her life to the poorest souls on Earth. After the Mass we were invited to have a cup of tea. We met Mother Teresa who welcomed us and talked about her busy day ahead. Mike Synar pulled me aside and said let's cancel our meetings today and volunteer to help her. I agreed and we asked Mother Teresa if she could use two American volunteers. She said of course and we followed her into Kalighat. Kalighat was a hospice where the street people in their final days of life were gathered from the dark corners of Calcutta and brought to die with dignity. There were two long rooms, one for women and another for the men. They rested on simple cots as Mother's nuns and volunteers brought them water and food. There were no IV's running and the only medicine appeared to be aspirin. I remember a badly burned woman and emaciated men who stared into space. The rooms were silent aside from the whispers of those who were attending the dying. When I remarked about the quiet of these rooms, Mother Teresa told me that for many of these people this was the only moment in their lives when they were at peace and felt truly loved. Our job at that day, thank goodness, was simple. It was laundry day and we found her nuns washing the sheets and bedding by hand in steaming tubs. Mike and I were assigned to carry the baskets of clean laundry up three flights of stairs to the clothes lines on the roof. Aside from that side trip to the morgue, I spent several hours lugging the baskets up and down the stairs. Mother Teresa told us California Governor Jerry Brown had volunteered for the same job several weeks before and after a few days of practice became very good at it. Our next stop was her orphanage with a room full of wide-eyed toddlers hanging on to the bars on the cribs. Mother Teresa told us that she no longer turned to families around the world for placement. Indian families were now adopting these abandoned children and importantly were not concerned about the age-old caste differences. Advertisement I asked about leprosy and she told me of the special place they had reserved for its victims. Before I knew it we were driving across Calcutta to see it. She sat in the front seat of our SUV silently fingering a rosary as our truck worked its way across the city. We slowed to a crawl behind ambling cows and witnessed the tableau of a Third World city with rush hour crowds of vendors and mothers and babies and partially clothed men showering with cans of water next to the street. I still remember the low roofs and building walls covered with drying cow dung pies used for fuel. They were lifted from the street and slapped on the walls to be retrieved later. They looked like giant peanut butter cookies, an image I have never forgotten to this day. When we reached the refuge for lepers Mother Teresa led us from the truck. She was stopped several times by people who would fall to their knees to kiss her sandals. She tried to stop them but they would not be deterred. The refuge was an abandoned railroad warehouse which Mother Teresa had commandeered for the poor. No right-thinking government bureaucrat would say no to her. Many of the leprosy victims were badly scarred and had lost fingers and limbs to the disease. She gave them the assignment of making the beautiful white habits for her nuns in return for food and shelter. The love they had for her was obvious in the words spoken and in their eyes. For Mother Teresa they were not outcasts. Just last week thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square as Pope Francis formally announced that this simple woman who spent her life among the poorest of the poor was formally recognized as a saint by the Church. Advertisement Recently I participated in a panel discussion following a stellar production of Ellen McLaughlin's play, "Ajax in Iraq," put on by the Not Man Apart Physical Theater Ensemble in Los Angeles. The story of Ajax (a mythological Greek hero) is said to be the first documented description of combat related post-traumatic stress disorder. McLaughlin's play braids the story of Ajax with the story of AJ, a female Army combat soldier in Iraq. AJ is suffering from PTSD and military sexual trauma (MST), in this case being raped repeatedly by her Sergeant. Both Ajax and AJ die by their own hands. I found the play to be very moving, and very relevant to the experiences of combat veterans I've met, both men and women. I wish more Americans had the opportunity to see the play, because it communicated, viscerally, the trauma that many of our soldiers face in the combat arena and carry with them back at home. With me on the panel were several members of the cast who were Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, as well as the play's director John Farmanesh-Bocca, whose parents worked for the U.S. military teaching at The Defense Language Institute and whose brother served two tours in Iraq as a doctor. We talked about the issues raised in the play -- PTSD, military sexual trauma, isolation and suicide -- as well as the effect of multiple deployments and the difficulty of veterans transitioning back into civilian society. Advertisement A bit about the plot: Ajax went mad in the ninth year of the Trojan Wars, killing a whole flock of sheep, thinking they were the leaders of the Greek army whom he felt betrayed by. (Multiple deployments and fragging come to mind.) When Ajax realized what he had done, he felt so dishonored and ashamed that he killed himself, leaving a wife and family. This from a 400 B.C. era play by Sophocles, in case you thought PTSD arrived with the Vietnam War. Reading a synopsis of Sophocles' play feels like reading a current news story. Brian Doerries, writing for the Observer, titles his article succinctly, "PTSD is from B.C." To make the story even more relevant, "Ajax in Iraq" includes a family left behind after suicide. AJ's young son, letting in the uniformed soldiers assigned to notify the family of her death, calls up to AJ's sister, "Mommy... the War's in the kitchen." AJ's suicide brings into sharp focus the high suicide rate among women vets. In a report released by the VA in August this year, since 2001 "the rate of suicide among female Veterans who use VA services increased 4.6 percent while the rate of suicide increased 98 percent among female Veterans who do not use VA services." This looks like two problems to me: first of course, is the alarming rate of women veteran suicides. Second, why aren't our women vets using the VA? From my experience, it's because many women veterans, especially those who suffered sexual assaults while in the military, see the institution as the same kind of male-dominated environment where they were traumatized. The VA has responded to this by setting up separate clinics for women in some locations, but regaining women's trust has been difficult. Military sexual trauma continues to be a frequent factor in suicide among women veterans. Incidentally, MST is not restricted to women; men experience it too. 26,000 cases were reported for the year 2013. Advertisement The long- and short-term effects of war on warriors, and on their families, are what the National Veterans Foundation's Lifeline for Vets hotline has been dealing with for many years. The calls come from men and women vets, family members, and concerned friends and fellow vets. PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, MST, multiple deployments, injuries... the basic issues don't change. The general public doesn't have an experiential frame of reference for this. News stories and articles, even when they're accompanied by images, don't carry the weight of actual experience. Art, in theatre, film and other story-based forms, comes closest to re-creating experience. Director John Farmanesh-Boccasaid that the charge of this play was not on the characters but on the audience. I agree totally. This play charges every one of us to speak up and specifically, not to look away. What do I mean by not looking away? I feel sometimes like America has become desensitized to the 22 veteran suicides a day message. I hope that's not the case. But to make sure that's not the case, it's going to take more of us speaking up, speaking out, and especially reaching out to our veterans and those who serve them. Veteran PTSD, military sexual trauma, isolation and suicide are not new problems, not by a long shot. But the fact that these issues are being exposed by artists like McLaughlin and Farmanesh-Bocca and in works like "Ajax in Iraq" affords us an opportunity to acknowledge them, attempt to understand them, and do something about it. If you know a veteran who needs help, here's our Lifeline for Vets number: 888.777.4443. ___________________ President Obama has promised to support a bold future for medicine where diagnostic testing and treatments aren't just what's best for most people - they're what's best for you. This "precision medicine" takes individual variations in our genes and environments into account. Getting there will require genetic and health data from as many people as possible to uncover the relationship between genetic differences and medical outcomes. This why Obama's Precision Medicine Initiative (PMI) includes the creation of a million-person research cohort. Participants will provide blood and urine samples, share information from their electronic health records and answer questions about health and lifestyle. The hope is that this trove of data will reveal the genetic underpinnings for a variety of diseases, leading to personalized diagnostics and treatments. Advertisement It's a bold goal, and one that private companies have a head start on. For instance, 23andMe, a direct-to-consumer genetic testing company, already has a 1.2 million person genetic database. But genetic data banks amassed by private companies don't necessarily have to follow the same regulations regarding access to their data that federally funded researchers do. And a recent proposal to change consent regulations for human research may make it cheaper for private companies to collect and use this data than public ones. As bioethicists (myself included) have warned, we need to pay attention to concerns about how these private genetic data banks are used and accessed before we enable a system where the future of public genetic research lies in private hands. Who can access genetic data? If you go to a clinic or a hospital to have your blood drawn for a diagnostic test or tissue removed, many will keep that biospecimen, and put it or the data derived from it into a "bio-" or "data bank" for future research. Advertisement As long as future research with your specimen or associated data doesn't include any information that links it back to you (like your name), researchers don't need your consent to do their work (though this may change). If researchers receive federal funding, they often have to submit their data to a public data bank such as the National Institutes of Health's dbGaP, which charges other researchers little to nothing to access this data for future work. Open accessibility is also the goal for the PMI Cohort. In contrast, private companies like 23andMe, the breast cancer testing company Myriad or the carrier-screening company Counsyl generally get their biospecimens and health data from paying customers who buy genetic tests from them. Some of these private companies are sharing data with other researchers. For instance, 23andMe collaborated with researchers at Pfizer and Massachusetts General Hospital on the largest-ever study about the genetic causes of major depression. The company also collaborated with Stanford School of Medicine on a study about skin cancer. Both studies were made possible by data from the company's consumers (the financial details of these arrangements are unclear). Also recently, Counsyl, collaborating with a researcher at Columbia University Medical Center, published a large study on expanded carrier screening (the genetic test it sells). Advertisement It's great that these research collaborations are happening, but collaboration isn't the same thing as open access. Private companies are still the ultimate gatekeeper for their data. They choose whom they share their data with. And researchers generally don't have the same level of access to private data banks that they do from existing "public" data banks or (hopefully) the future PMI Cohort. When research is done using genetic data that aren't accessible, it is harder for other researchers to check scientific claims - a concern most recently brought up in an editorial accompanying the research based on Counsyl's private data bank. Some companies can sell genetic data 23andMe can keep and sell its customers' genetic information to others because consumers consent to the sale of their anonymous and aggregate information just by purchasing the product and agreeing to its privacy statement. The company can also sell deidentified individual-level data if you sign the research consent document - which 80 percent of consumers do. These data are valuable: 23andMe recently announced that the drug company Genetech offered to pay up to US$60 million to use its database to conduct Parkinson's research. And the fact 23andMe can sell data puts a worrying spin on the proposed changes to consent for federally funded human research. Advertisement At the moment, federally funded researchers and private companies have the same standards for consent: If human biospecimens are not "identifiable," they don't have to ask for consent to use them for research. However, the government recently proposed revisions to the federal human subjects research regulations that would require federally funded researchers to get what is called "broad consent" from people to use their biospecimens (it is unclear what effect this would have on private/public collaborations at the moment). This would apply even if researchers won't know who the specimens came from. Broad consent would include a general description of types of research that might be conducted with the biospecimen. While many reasonably argue that this is the right thing to do, it will be expensive. One medical school recently estimated that it would cost them an additional $4 million a year to spend the predicted extra 10 minutes per participant to get informed consent and track who said what. But there are other potential unintended consequences. For example, these new requirements won't necessarily apply to private companies. This difference in consent standards could encourage a system (as I recently argued) where private companies bring in biospecimens and data, deidentify them, and sell them back to publicly funded researchers - for less than it would cost for the researchers to collect samples and donor consent themselves. Mike Segar/Reuters Advertisement The future of genetic research If the future of medicine is being launched from biospecimens and related data, we need to think through their storage and access thoughtfully. It's all too easy to create monopolies, which can have dire implications for equitable access. Take Myriad Genetics. It provides the best diagnostic testing for uncommon genetic variants associated with breast and ovarian cancer (BRCA1 and BRCA2). Myriad held a patent on these genes for over a decade, until 2013, preventing anyone else from doing this type of testing. Even though its patents were invalidated, Myriad still has the biggest BRCA database on the market and remains the leader in the field. The advantage of Myriad's monopoly is cyclical: The patents allowed it to accumulate the best data, the best data allow it to offer the best results and the best results mean people keep contributing their data. In this cycle, genetic data with incredible health research potential become just another business asset. Private industry partnerships can and should play a critical and helpful role in the future of medical research. But our medical information is more than a business asset for private leverage. We need to make sure that public genetics researchers are private industry's partners, not dependents, and that we enable public banks so private ones do not become monopolies. The future of precision medicine must come from pieces and data from us all - and we need to ensure a data banking system that will be able to benefit us all in return. Advertisement Kayte Spector-Bagdady, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Center for Bioethics & Social Sciences in Medicine, University of Michigan Battersea Woods re-platting issue I happened upon the City Commission meeting today to find our District 2 Commissioner Ken Russell calling for the removal of City Attorney Victoria Mendez. He released a letter saying that Mrs. Mendez is tied in with the. . . intimately. Thursday was to be the day that the Battersea Woods project was to be heard. That's where the developer wants to put seven houses on the single house plat of land. Ken's letter, which he read to the commission and residents today, claims in part: 1) Mrs. Mendez intervened improperly in a zoning matter in order to overrule a determination of the zoning administrator, an overreach of her position that is in opposition to our city code. Advertisement 2. Mrs. Mendez ignored the opinion of experts both inside and outside her department when their findings were not favorable to the request of a lobbyist friend. This includes re-assigning analysis of the issue within her department after an assistant city attorney made a finding unfavorable to the lobbyist. 3. Mrs. Mendez mis-characterized the events related to this issue when queried by our office. 4. Upon being asked to provide backup information to help us understand the issue, Mrs. Mendez withheld dozens of vital documents. These documents conveniently included all reference to her involvement in the issue at the request of the lobbyist. He goes on to say, "I believe the level of impropriety that I have been able to document warrants the removal of Victoria Mendez from her position as city attorney, as well as an independent inquiry into her department's policies for handling zoning matters and public records requests." Mrs. Mendez's former role with the city was as zoning section lawyer. This may explain a lot. I suggest the whole Planning & Zoning department be investigated. There were many of us who know there was something wrong going on regarding tree removal, development and such. Complaints and emails are ignored, the department always seemed to side with the developers 99% of the time. I personally know people who were approached by city workers offering them to "take care of any zoning issues," like trees and up-zoning, and more, for a fee. Advertisement Me and all my stuff in Phuket, Thailand. Yes, that's my travel packing list It's everything I own. I live off a backpack and travel indefinitely. There is nothing to brag about, but I can say that I never felt lighter and richer in my life. I believe that to live comfortably and be able to travel the world, all you need is a spacious backpack and essential possessions to make you productive and carefree. To make traveling easy and enjoyable, you need to get rid of the big chunk of your physical belongings. It's a lot about the mindset shift as you need to understand that owning too much stuff doesn't provide you freedom and safety. It ties you up and makes you worry more. Advertisement After a crazy Europe trip in 2013, I've learned (the hard way) how to fill a backpack with useless and cumbersome stuff that will suddenly make you so stressful that you'll throw it out anywhere. Today, I'd like to share my travel packing list and lessons learned after living a nomadic lifestyle and flying to 18 countries in less than two years. Main reasons to travel ultralight Take less to experience more. There are going to be situations where you'll have to walk around the town for hours to wait for the time to check-in at your hotel. There are going to be moments when you'll have only 5 minutes to pack and leave. Having less stuff makes you more flexible so you can experience more. Trust yourself. Embrace the challenge and be confident about yourself. How many times did you fill up your luggage with unnecessary garbage? It happens to all of us out of fear of being not prepared. Better, put aside a budget for things you need to buy while traveling instead of carrying everything with you. Advertisement Give yourself more freedom. You seek adventures, I know. All souls crave experiences. By not preparing for everything in advance you get to live with youthful excitement and anticipation of what's to come. Allow yourself to be more spontaneous. Invest in quality. Having a very limited space in your backpack forces you to choose the best. You get to choose only T-Shirts you want to wear every day. If you want something new, get rid of something to make up space for the new item. Before leaving It's all about the peace of mind. Reach out to everyone you care about and let them know about your adventures. Make sure to check all your liabilities. Pay all the bills, cancel unnecessary services and make sure you don't have any debt so it won't pile up until you get back. To avoid blocked credit cards, reach out and inform your bank (or banks if you use several) and let them know that you will be traveling. Get an insurance. It's optional but highly recommended. I am the one who risks a lot, but it's not very smart to save money on insurance. Advertisement Most of the credit cards have travel insurance included for up to three months. I chose DNB bank with free worldwide travel insurance. It costs just around $2 USD for monthly administration fees saving me a lot in three months I'd pay for insurance. After my free three-month travel coverage insurance is over, I get regular travel insurance from one of the Lithuanian companies. I've checked some insurance businesses in Lithuania and looked like IF and Gjensidige are the most competitive ones. Digital nomads recommend World Nomads Travel Insurance which is quite expensive but has a lot of benefits and great reviews. Plan your itinerary. Make an approximate route for your trip and research desired destinations. Why it's important? You will get cheaper flights and accommodation if you book in advance. Being smart saves money. Check out Nomad List, Teleport and Numbeo to find great locations for long-term travel destinations. Research visas. There are many countries you can go without visas depending on your nationality (full list here). However, you will find it frustrating to visit exotic places like India, China, Madagascar or any other country that requires a visa. It costs money and valuable time. If you have an approximate route for your trip, research visa information. You'll thank me later. Advertisement Vaccines. Your health must be your priority. Traveling across Europe may be relatively safe but flying to other continents consider taking the time to research and get needed vaccines. It's not necessary but if you tend to get into trouble, invest money in vaccines and have a peaceful mind. Personally, I don't bother getting vaccinated if it's not mandatory. I've talked to my friends traveling in Southeast Asia, and most of them didn't bother themselves with vaccines either. Backpack Don't take the classic wheeled carry-on luggage. Get a backpack and use it traveling internationally to pack all your stuff and reuse it locally. You can put your laptop, books, notes, clothes and a towel going to the beach. Choose a comfortable, durable and spacious (enough) backpack. Ideally, it should be rain-resistant, have padded pockets for your laptop or tablet, separate tiny pockets for little things like cables, documents and other stuff. The first time I packed for the trip around Europe I made a huge mistake by getting an enormous 70L backpack and loaded it with unnecessary stuff. I was preparing for the worst that never happened. I ended up selling, donating and throwing away a lot of things. To avoid that, I recommend getting a medium sized 25-30L backpack. You can fit all your belongings in it and use it on board when flying so you don't have to check-in your luggage and save a ton of time and money. Advertisement For my third year-long expedition I bought Quicksilver 1969 Special Backpack. I got it for just $37 USD. This backpack has two compartments including laptop tailored sleeve with soft walls and space at the bottom, so your laptop doesn't hit the ground every time you put your backpack down. Travel packing list essentials Make passport and identity card copies. If you don't get physical paper copies, at least make a photo of both sides and put them online so you can access them from anywhere. I have all my copies in Dropbox and Apple Notes app. Covered documents (passport copy, passport photos, postcards) Wallet (driving license, identity card, bank cards, cash, 32GB memory card) Covered passport Cash Clothes Depending on how long and where you are going consider taking some clothes for radically different weather conditions. I spend most of my time around Southeast Asia, so I don't have a coat or sweater that take up a lot of space. If you're going to the cold climate, you may need to put a lot of clothes on yourself when traveling to save up space in your backpack. Advertisement Below is my current clothing list. Nike Free Rn Flyknit Running Shoes (comfortable for running and walking) Hawker Carbon Black Sunglasses Underwear x 9 Pairs of socks x 5 Slippers Shorts x 4 Jeans & belt Long sleeve T-shirt T-shirts x 7 Sleep mask & ear plugs Technology The most important piece of gear I have is 13-inch Apple MacBook Air. It's more than enough for me to run an online business, write a blog, edit photos and watch movies. It's lightweight and robust what makes it a perfect laptop for travelers. I recently invested in wireless noise canceling headphones for better work and travel experience in noisy areas like cafes, restaurants and airports. Before you leave, load your smartphone with your favorite podcasts and books. It's a great way to relax, concentrate and educate yourself. I use Scribd to read books on my iPhone, check out my reading list. Money Always have your money spread across different bank cards. In the case of loss or theft, you'll have a backup plan. Don't keep them in one place. Advertisement I recently started using You Need A Budget app for tracking my personal finances and noticed that I spend way too much in bank fees. That's why I closed my accounts at Swedbank, SEB and Danske Bank. Instead, I got Revolut which saves a lot of money in fees and allows you to withdraw up to 650/month anywhere in the world as well as book and pay for flights and hotels. Citadele - A Latvian bank that recently announced Citadele MasterCard for 1/month that allows free cash withdrawals around the world. DNB Bank - I chose DNB because they have free travel insurance for up to three months for a single trip. Revolut - Revolut is the only account you need to send and spend money securely. It's my primary card now I use for online and offline purchases. PayPal - PayPal is a widely used online bank for sending and receiving money. I use it a lot for business. Cash - Never exchange money at home or you will lose a lot on the poor exchange rate. Bank alternatives. I already use Revolut which is a great solution for travelers. There are other cool startups out there that may fit your needs depending on your location. Simple - Simple is a revolutionary US mobile bank without hidden fees and charges. Monese - Open a UK current account on your mobile, without a UK address or credit history for 4.95 per month. N26 - Open an account in under 8 minutes, withdraw from any ATM and get real-time notifications. Currently, you can sign up for a N26 account if you are a resident of one of the following countries: Germany, Austria, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Slovakia. Medicine Always have some medicine for critical moments. Whether it's a terrible headache, diarrhea or bleeding. Below is a list of my essentials. Advertisement Nurofen (Ibuprofenum for pain relief) NO-SPA Forte 80mg (in case I eat something my belly doesn't like) Baneocin (antibiotic powder I use for scratches and wounds) Bephanten Plus (prevents infections, used on skin) MyProtein Alpha Men Multivitamin Medical patches Lip care stick Hygiene Personal hygiene will prevent diseases and ensure healthy self-esteem. I don't need to tell you why taking a shower every day is a must. Most of the time I get all the toiletries like shampoo, shower gel, sunscreen, ear picks and toothpaste once I arrive. It's more or less the same price like anywhere else but saves you a lot of space. If I have leftovers, and they're under 100 ml, I take them. Travel toiletry bag TePe Toothbrush Oral-B essential floss Perfume Old Spice Deodorant Nail clipper and file Disposable Gillette razors x 3 Jordan one tooth toothbrush Food Food is vital when traveling for longer than 3 hours. Once I was on a bus to Prague and haven't bought anything to eat. The bus stopped only after 5 hours. I thought that I'd die from hunger. Advertisement Make sure to take water to stay hydrated, especially when flying. Buy quickly digestible foods: fruits, vegetables, sandwiches. Avoid heavy and fat food as it'll make your trip more stressful and frustrating giving your stomach a hard time. Avoid smelly foods as the entire bus or aircraft will get smelly and other people may start feeling sick about it. Below is my list of light food I take when traveling longer than three hours. Water Sandwich Bananas Juice Yogurt Salad Peanuts Dried fruits Apps Last year I shared a complete list of tools and apps I use to learn, work and travel anywhere in the world. Below is a full list of apps I use on my iPhone to get from airport to hotel, find accommodation, capture and edit photos, read, meditate and more. This is my travel packing list that has evolved a lot from the very first time I left home. It's a constant learning process, but there is one truth I know for sure. The less you pack, the better. I've got rid of many things and never regretted. How does your travel packing list look like? Join my free newsletter Join my exclusive email list to find out how to wake up at 5am, earn more, travel the world and live on your terms. Advertisement In the fifteen years since 9/11, US Government counter terrorism (CT) efforts have become more sophisticated and complicated, but so too has the enemy. The United States was ill prepared for the kind of attack suffered on that day, but it recovered quickly and responded to this new, asymmetric threat. But just as the US has responded so too have terrorist groups. The threat has morphed into something more diffuse and in some ways more sophisticated than the one that confronted the US and the world fifteen years ago. The Hardening First and foremost, we have hardened the homeland against potential attacks. In an excellent article in The Atlantic, Steven Brill discusses measures that have been taken to make the American people more secure. This includes creating a new government department--Homeland Security (DHS)--whose primary task is to keep Americans safe. More funding has been put into transportation safety, particularly air travel. More money has been allocated for cargo screening. There are outreach programs to state and local communities. Last year, DHS created an Office of Community Partnership, overseeing a $50 million countering violent extremism (CVE) program. DHS also has an intelligence operation that connects its mission to others in the intelligence community. While the Department does not always get the highest marks for effectiveness, the focus is on improvement of the Department not elimination. Advertisement The FBI and law enforcement in general have become even more focused on stopping potential terrorist threats. Brill points out that nearly half of the FBI's agents work on national security issues, and the Bureau's budget has almost tripled since 9/11. There is better connection with state and local law enforcement, and there is more connectivity with the intelligence community. The intelligence community has also changed. The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) now has the oversight role that the Director of Central Intelligence once had. The head of the CIA is now the DCIA, limiting the role to overseeing the work of the CIA and not other government intelligence operations. A National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC) has been created, which helps to coordinate CT efforts across the government. Again, this transformation does not always receive the highest marks, but it has, at least, improved coordination among government agencies working on CT issues. There has been improvement in working with friends and allies overseas. The CIA has always had relationships with its counterparts internationally, but there is now a more focused effort to broaden contacts, share information and have law enforcement and intelligence agencies work together more closely with their international partners. The most important effort is with Middle Eastern allies like the Jordanians, Egyptians and Saudis, but also with the Europeans, where there is a particularly strong bilateral intelligence connection with the British and French. There have been efforts in Africa and Asia as well, especially with regard to the broader CT strategy that includes CVE. A Metastasizing Threat But just as the efforts of the US and some of its friends and allies have hardened, so too has that of the enemy--the global terrorist network. In 2001, the focus of our CT efforts was on Al Qaeda (AQ). It had no peers only nodes or affiliates. Usama bin Laden (UBL) was the number one target for the US. The war in Afghanistan was about getting bin Laden and defeating AQ. While the US Government under both the Bush and Obama Administrations made getting UBL the priority, they also began to focus on AQ nodes that emerged after 9/11--Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), headquartered in Yemen but with a global reach; Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI); Al Shabab, operating in Somalia; Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM); which focused on North Africa; and Boko Haram, whose main terrorist activity is in Nigeria. Advertisement While the loyalty of these groups was to AQ central leadership--UBL and his number two, Ayman al Zawahiri--they had a great deal of independence, AQAP in particular. One of AQAP'S leaders, who was later killed, Anwar Awlaki, wanted to intensify attacks in the West. His recruitment techniques were more sophisticated and included putting his sermons online and creating an online magazine, "Inspire", that was accessible and practical, offering such articles as instructions on how to make a bomb. The transformation of the terrorist threat took a turn for the worse after the Syrian civil war broke out in 2011 and the Islamic State emerged as a threat. It is sometimes referred to as ISIS, ISIL, IS or Daesh. Its genesis comes from another AQ related group AQI. AQI was for a time a formidable presence in Iraq under the leadership of Abu Musab al Zarkawi, but when he was killed in 2006 and his successors also killed or arrested, its effectiveness was for a time diminished. AQI established Al Nusrah shortly after the Syrian civil war broke out when it went to fight in Syria alongside the rebels trying to overthrow the Assad government. Al Nusrah formally split in 2014, with one group keeping the name, Al Nusrah, and staying loyal to AQ. (Al Nusrah recently formally split with AQ, renaming itself Jabhat Fateh al Sham.) The other group went its own way and swearing loyalty to AQI's successor, ISIS. This group focused on forming a caliphate, claiming territory in Syria and Iraq. Its leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi broke with AQ leadership both with respect to the focus on a caliphate and the brutality of its tactics against anyone, Muslim or not, that did not agree and adhere to its doctrine. Like Al Awlaki, Baghdadi and other ISIS leaders took a more sophisticated approach with recruitment, using social media, and offering money, women and paradise to its recruits. It has raised money through various means, including taxing those who suffer under its rule and selling oil on the black market, and holds a significant amount of territory, which it administers. It is now losing ground in Syria and Iraq and elsewhere, but it is expanding its operations in other ways operationally by establishing cells in places like France and Belgium and using social media to inspire attacks globally. Advertisement Just as the US and its allies have become more sophisticated in its CT efforts, so too has the enemy. Making matters worse, a pressing concern for law enforcement in the US and internationally are so-called lone wolf attacks undertaken by individuals who operate independently of any organization but are inspired by ISIL and AQ. An Evolving Response As the threat evolves, so too must the response. At home this means working on making DHS more effective and better integrated internally and with other government agencies. DHS Director Jeh Johnson has done a great deal to reach those goals, but his successor will need support to continue and intensify the work that has been started. The intelligence community is also adapting to the changing threat. DNI Clapper has done a good job in defining the role of his office. DCIA Brennan is reworking how the CIA operates, trying to help it implement its mission even more effectively. The White House and State Department have done outreach to friends and allies, helping with CT capacity building and CVE programs to stop the terrorist threat before it starts, as well as to make sure once it is eradicated it does not come back. They have also put increased emphasis on fighting ISIS in particular through social media. The propaganda war is as important as the military battle. Clearly more can always be done. In particular, we should increase our involvement with Europe, which has suffered an increased number of jihadist attacks in the last two years. NATO is creating a senior position devoted to intelligence. The terrorist threat in Africa is growing, and there should be an intensified effort to help those nations that are most vulnerable. There should be increased outreach in South and Southeast Asia where the threat is becoming more of a problem. Such an effort would include capacity building, intelligence sharing and CVE programs. Planning for the day after terrorists are defeated militarily in places like Syria and Iraq is an essential piece of the CT effort, and conditions must be created that will prevent a return of ISIS to the areas it once controlled. An intelligence surge is an excellent idea. As the IC adapts--DCIA Brennan's efforts are an example--it will need sufficient resources to carry out its mission. Former DCIA Panetta intensified efforts to recruit a work force that could operate more easily in regions where the threat was the greatest. Increased human intelligence (HUMINT) is key to helping the IC be more effective, and there should be sufficient funding and support for the efforts the CIA is undertaking to increase HUMINT. Signals intelligence (SIGINT) is equally important and deserves sufficient support and resources. It is also worth considering if there are ways to exploit the differences between AQ and ISIS. Advertisement Conclusion The new school year usually brings much anticipation and excitement. It's time to focus on learning! School children should not have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. But in many African countries that is the crisis they face as school opens. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) warns that more than 1.3 million children in West and Central Africa may lose their school meals in the coming weeks. Advertisement Why? Funding is running out. Students receiving school feeding at Malimaka elementary school in Bangui, Central African Republic. Continued low funding means children won't be able to receive school meals. (Photo: WFP/Donaig Le Du) These are forgotten children in Cameroon, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. A number of these children are victims of the Boko Haram war, having been displaced by the terrorist group. These are countries with high poverty rates, but also dealing with the impact of war and drought. Families in these nations struggle to find one meal a day, and WFP school meals are often their only hope. Abdou Dieng, WFP Regional Director for West Africa, says, "In most countries in West and Central Africa - in the grip of chronic hunger and malnutrition, and increasingly affected by conflict - school meals have been a lifeline for children, as they are often the only regular and nutritious meals they receive." Advertisement Chad is another country that has been facing the loss of WFP school meals. The program has shrunk dramatically in recent years, going from 200,000 children fed in 2013 to only 15,000 in 2016. The Central African Republic is another where school meals may be cut unless funding is increased. This country has been threatened with famine since conflict has escalated there. School feeding works, but only if the funding is provided. President Obama's recent trip to Laos highlighted the importance of food for education. Catholic Relief Services, with the support of the U.S. McGovern-Dole program, provides school meals in Laos. And the impact has been unbelievable. A joint declaration at Whitehouse.gov between the United States and Laos reads, "The two leaders noted the positive outcomes of the ongoing U.S. Government-funded School Feeding Program, for which the U.S. Government is currently providing over $27 million in funding over five years." Advertisement Before the school feeding project started only 52 percent of parents said their children were not suffering from hunger in the six districts of Savannakhet. After the school feeding got underway that number jumped all the way to 87 percent. Attendance also increased and this is credited to the meals since it offers extra incentive for parents to send their children to school. (photo credit Jim Stipe for Catholic Relief Services) Food at school is a winning combination. It does not cost much and it should be expanded worldwide. In Africa, there is an urgent plea for funding to save school meals for needy children. We can answer this call for help at low cost and with everything to gain. The Supreme Court's recent United States v. Texas decision, which upheld a challenge to a pair of executive orders on immigration, affects millions of individuals and leaves businesses in a continuing lurch over their compliance obligations regarding immigration law. As the challenge that produced that decision wound its way through the court system, the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service (USCIS) continued its efforts to update the Form I-9 that employers must collect from new employees to verify their legal status and ability to work in the United States. Election politics brings immigration law to the forefront of the country's consciousness, but those laws will likely remain unsettled for the near term. Against this unsettled background, businesses need to remain cognizant of several immigration law issues. #1. The Expired Form I-9 is still in Effect The Form I-9 that remains on the USCIS website expired on March 31, 2016, but businesses are still obligated to use this form to verify the legal status of new employees. Businesses that knowingly hire individuals who are not entitled to work in the United States face monetary penalties between $375 and $16,000 per violation. Failing to produce a Form I-9 can result in penalties between $110 and $1,100 per violation. Advertisement #2. The Legal Status of up to 50,000 Workers is in Limbo The executive orders that were challenged in the Supreme Court case had authorized Homeland Security to defer the deportation of certain illegal immigrants for up to three years. Those immigrants were presumably working and would continue to work under certain work permits during the deferral period. The Judge who issued the initial injunction that stayed the executive order subsequently asked the Justice Department to release information on 50,000 recipients of three-year work permits. A business that employed one of these workers might discover that he or she is no longer eligible for employment in the United States. #3. H1-B Visa Caps Unchanged Congress has capped the number of skilled foreign employees who are authorized to work in the United States with an H1-B visa at 65,000. USCIS began accepting H1-B petitions for the 2017 fiscal year on April 1, 2016. More than 236,000 petitions have already been filed. Businesses that rely on foreign skilled workers should start planning now for the next fiscal year. #4. Comprehensive Immigration Reform Might Boost Wages The nonpartisan Fiscal Policy Institute estimates that undocumented workers who gain legitimate employment status will realize a five to ten percent increase in their earnings. To the extent that immigration reform is inevitable, employers should factor these estimates into their projections and plans for the coming years. #5. Immigration Reform Will Increase Competition The bipartisan group, Partnership for a New American Economy, believes that immigrants are fifty percent more likely to start a new business than native-born individuals. On the plus side, those new businesses can help to revitalize cities and infrastructure. Yet existing businesses will inevitably feel the competitive effects of new entrants into their respective industry sectors. Those businesses will need to improve their own competitive advantages in the face of new businesses. Advertisement #6. Immigration and International Relations Opening the country's borders to skilled and unskilled workers alike may lead to large-scale "brain drain" from underdeveloped countries. This can put pressure on those countries to implement their own reforms, but a more populist response will be the imposition of immigration restrictions. Businesses that operate in an international arena might see opportunities dry up if brain drain places too much stress on one trading partner's economy. #7. Regional Concentration and Unauthorized Immigration Sixty percent of all unauthorized immigrants reside in six states that have large population centers: California, Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois. This concentration makes immigration look like a regional issue, but these states will naturally have an outsized presence in directing U.S. immigration policy. Businesses in other states will be swept up with countrywide immigration law changes that are designed to benefit the largest population centers. Those changes may or may not be beneficial to those businesses, but they will likely have little voice in directing them. This is precisely what has happened in the UK. Shahram Taghavi, Senior Partner at Article 1 Immigration Lawyers, says that "such a wide-net approach has had a detrimental impact in the UK where immigration laws brought into combat rising immigration in the largest city in the country (London) is making it increasingly hard for UK employers outside of the capital to recruit migrant workers due to the burdensome legal and salary requirements". Conclusion The signing ceremony of a cooperation agreement between Vietnamese and French firms on developing sustainable pig breeding in Mekong Delta region. (Photo: VNA) Addressing the event, Chairman of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam Nicolas Du Pasquier spoke highly of recent improvements of Vietnams investment environment. He said Vietnam is a dynamic country with striking growths through three decades of renewal and has become an attractive destination of foreign investors, including those from France. The country should continue speeding up its reform and restructuring of the economy and the banking and financial systems to tap its development potential, he said, expressing belief that the Vietnam-France future cooperation will thrive across sectors. France is currently one of the largest European investors in Vietnam with a total investment of USD3.4 billion. The country is the 10th biggest investor in Ho Chi Minh city with 185 projects totaling USD848 million. Two-way trade between France and the city in the first seven months of this year reached USD423 million. Meanwhile, Martine Pinville, French Minister of State for Commerce, Small-Scale Industry, Consumer Affairs and the Social and Solidarity Economy, asserted that Vietnam is a country recording the strongest growth in the region. Once the Vietnam-EU takes effect, businesses of both sides will enjoy more favorable conditions and opportunities to boost their partnerships, especially in pharmaceuticals, agriculture and food, she stated. Pinville highlighted the high potential of bilateral affiliation, pointing to tourism and creative medical products. According to Nguyen Thanh Phong, Chairman of the city Peoples Committee, the city is the economic hub of Vietnam and an attractive investment destination for foreign businesses. He pledged that the municipal government will facilitate investments, including those from France. He also called for French businesses to deepen their ties with local firms in the city. Within the forums framework, a number of trade deals on agriculture and health care were signed by enterprises of both sides, including the one between French medical Sanofi Group and the Vietnam Pharmaceutical Corporation, and the other on sustainable pig breeding in the Mekong Delta region./. Buhler stopped the run but often got beat deep as Ark City wins 32-13 The Minister of State for Defence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland appreciated the visit, saying that the visit would contribute to further increasing the friendship between the two peoples and armies, as well as further developing the defence cooperation. Despite geographical distance, he said the UK always appreciated the role and position of Vietnam in the region, adding it wanted to promote the defence cooperation with Vietnam in order to contribute to maintaining peace, stability and development. He expressed his thanks to Vietnam for sending a delegation to join the United Nations Peacekeeping Summit organised by the UK, confirming that it was a proof of Vietnams active and responsible contribution to the international community. For his part, Senior Lieutenant-General Nguyen Chi Vinh said that his visit took place in an important period of time when the relationship of the two countries had been heightened to a strategic partnership for 6 years and continues undergoing active development. Appreciating the role and prestige of the UK as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, the Vietnamese Defence Deputy Minister hoped to develop the comprehensive cooperative relations with the UK, including the defence area, adding that Vietnam was willing to be a bridge for the UK to expand relations with countries in the regions, especially with ASEAN members. The two sides shared viewpoints on international issues, agreeing that disputes should be addressed by peaceful measures in line with international laws. Regarding bilateral defence cooperation, the two sides reached a consensus to look towards the signing of an agreement on defence cooperation vision to make it more practical and effective; promote experience sharing in joining United Nations peacekeeping missions; increasing hydrographic cooperation; and considering the promotion of defence industrial cooperation to benefit both sides. According to Senior Lieutenant-General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Vietnam is putting priority on dealing with the consequences left by the war; therefore, he suggested the UK consider cooperating with Vietnam in this area./. Local SEO: How to Get Your Event Ranking As we delve deeper into the complex but crucial world of search engine optimization, we look at what can be done 'off-page' to help and ensure your local event climbs the ranks of regional searches. __________________________________ Guest Post by Brendan Baker on Eventbrite When it comes to search engine optimization (or SEO), your event faces a unique challenge: it happens at a specific time and place. To rank locally for a timely event, you need local SEO. Local SEO emphasizes an immediate neighborhood, city, or region. For instance, a person looking for a tech conference in Seattle wont be interested in similar events happening in New Orleans. So Google will filter out events happening outside the Seattle region. In Local SEO: How to Get Your Event Ranking [Part One], we looked at the steps you can take on-page to ensure your event is showing up in localized search results. In Part Two, well look at what can be done off-page to help your event rank well on search engines. Off-page SEO for local events Now that Google knows what your page is about, it should have an easier time deciding what queries your site or page should rank for. However, thats only half the battle, because you want to rank on the first page of search results, not the fifth. How do we reach the promised land? Well, you need to prove to Google that youre worth ranking. In other words, you need to prove that youre trusted and popular, and the way you demonstrate your popularity is by getting inbound links pointing to your site. Disclaimer: This process, called link building, can be a tricky game. The two rules to follow are: 1) dont pay for links ever, and 2) if youre reaching out to people for links, make sure the link is on a relevant page! If youre throwing a local music festival, dont ask your friend who runs a Volkswagen dealership to link to you haphazardly from their homepage. If youre throwing a bigger event, youll probably get these naturally through press and media coverage. But if you want to influence more people to link to you, youll have to pitch your event to relevant people. Does this sound time consuming and borderline maddening? Absolutely. But it still remains one of if not the biggest ranking factor. Heres some ideas about who you can reach out to: Think about your own websites. Do you have a relevant site, such as a corporate blog, where a link could go? Have you thrown similar events in the past that might be worth dropping a link on? Have friends in the event space? See if theyre willing to recommend your event on their website. Talk to vendors that might be participating in your event and see if theyd link to your site. Reach out to influencers in your industry that might be interested. Bonus: Make it easy for visitors to your site to share it on Facebook or Twitter. While social sharing may not be a direct ranking factor, there does exist some evidence to suggest it may help rankings. Conclusion Google processes over 40,000 search queries every second, which translates to over 3.5 billion searches per day and 1.2 trillion searches per year worldwide. A great number of those are people searching for an event like yours in their immediate area. If youve followed these steps, you should now have a site that 1) Google can read and understand, 2) is optimized around important keywords, and 3) has enough popularity signals to get Googles hard-won attention. Just keep in mind that SEO is not something you do once then reap the benefits. Its an ongoing process. Want more tips for getting your event found on search? Download The SEO Cheat Sheet for Events or read how you can measure your SEO success with Google Analytics. Brendan Baker: Born in Baltimore and then schooled in Boston, Brendan started off his career as a copywriter before stumbling upon the wondrous world of SEO. Now that hes planted his feet in SF, he continues to get his creative kicks by frequenting nearby independent movie theaters. Share on: A Wells Fargo study released Wednesday found that big businesses worry more about data loss than about hackers breaching their security.Wells Fargos insurance branch conducted the study, which surveyed 100 companies. The survey found that 47% of companies making more than $100 million in revenue were worried about data loss in 2016, while only 26% were overly concerned about hackers gaining access to their data. Another 26% were worried about security breaches that didnt involve outside hacking.Employee misuse of technology was also a concern among companies although not as big a concern as it should have been, according to Wells Fargo Insurances Dena Cusick.Its surprising that businesses are not more concerned with employee misuse of technology what I like to call the human factor, Cusick said in a statement. Cyber risk management is first and foremost about education. Informing and regularly training employees on security protocols and incident response plans is critical for businesses today.But 15% of the companies Wells Fargo surveyed dont require any employee training on cyber security, according to the report.Wells Fargo also warned in the report that imposter fraud is becoming a bigger problem for companies. In this fraud, a phishing scammer gains access to a company executives email account and requests that money be sent to a bank account. Wells Fargo reported that one in five large companies had been targeted by imposter fraud. Despite the growing prevalence of this kind of fraud, the survey found that only 38% of companies had added imposter coverage to their insurance policies.Coverage for this type of claim is complicated as most crime policies require either direct theft by an employee or someone without authority initiating a fraudulent payment, the report stated. In a case of impostor fraud, neither of these circumstances applies. The individuals sending payments are fully authorized to do so within the scope of their employment; they simply send it to an impostor. In order to obtain coverage for this exposure, the standard crime policy must have an affirmative coverage grant added by endorsement.On the upside, cyber security policies are getting easier to find, the survey found. In last years survey, 47% of companies said they had a hard time finding the right cyber security policy for their needs. This year, that number was down to 43%. If youre at all inclined, its never been a better time to put your insurance agency on the market but youd better act fast.The number of insurance agency mergers and acquisitions in the first half of 2016 ranked as the second-most-active six-month period since 2008, with 232 announced deals, according to the OPTIS Partners M&A database. That level of activity is being driven by a number of factors, including strong buyer interest and agency valuations approaching their peak.If youre an agency owner thinking about the best time to put your agency in play, consider taking action sooner than later, said Daniel P. Menzer, partner with OPTIS. Interest from buyers is high and agency valuations are near their peak.Buyers are especially interested in property/casualty shops, which represented 124 of the announced transactions. Property/casualty and benefits shops, meanwhile, represented 40 deals. There were 43 employee benefits agency sales.The most active buyers are private equity-backed firms with 114 transactions, followed by privately-owned brokers with 68 deals. Publicly-traded brokers announced 24 deals and banks announced 15. Insurance companies and other buyers were less active this year compared with the same period last year and remain relatively inactive.While this is good news for those on the selling side, agencies interested in expanding their presence would do well to crunch the numbers and do due diligence in their valuations.A premium price paid for acquisition can have significant adverse implications on the long-term viability of your agency, Menzer said. If the agency you buy does not perform up to snuff and you do not have the capital base to absorb the shortfalls, you can get in a lot of trouble.Agency M&A activity has climbed steadily since 2012, and Tim Cunningham, managing director of OPTIS, anticipates the strong industry-consolidation trend to continue at least in the near term.I think its three things. Weve got an aging ownership base that reflects the demographics of America, and youve got an increasing inventory that needs an exit, Cunningham told Insurance Business America in an earlier interview. Youve also got a well-capitalized buy-side group led by private equity firms. Its the perfect storm.Cunningham believes the agency sector will continue to consolidate, decreasing 20% to 30% in size in the next 15 to 20 years.Proponents of the sector need not worry, however.I think that level of consolidation is a good thing, Cunningham said. There are a handful of inefficiencies in the system that consolidation will strip out, and well still have the same number of people in the sector.Its a natural progression. The event drew the participation of 43 diplomatic agencies of countries in the Netherlands and attracted nearly 20,000 visitors. With the theme Vietnam - Endless beauty, the Vietnamese Embassy and students in the country exhibited and introduced the unique characters of the culture and cuisine, screened a film about the innovative achievements and international integration of Vietnam as well as organized folk games, which drew the participation of many young Dutch people. The presence of numerous local and international friends at the event to enjoy the cuisine and culture of Vietnam contributed to promoting the image of beautiful Vietnam in their eyes. Following are some photos at the event: Letter: One Real Option for State Senator To the Editor: There is only one real option for state senator. Adam Hinds does not support the $15 an hour minimum wage. Although initially stating he did, when faced with opposition from the Berkshire County Farm Bureau, Hinds suddenly changed his position. Then at the North Adams debate, the candidates were asked directly whether they fully support the $15 an hour minimum wage. All raised their hands except Hinds. This is deeply troubling. First, Hinds does not support a more livable minimum wage; he certainly does not support labor. But second, we can no longer believe anything Hinds says. Adam Hinds panders to his audience, telling them whatever they want to hear. As state senator, money would hold Hinds to his words at our expense. On the Kinder-Morgan pipelines, Hinds has wavered similarly: he was undecided until popular opinion pushed Hinds to oppose it (NPR.org). Hinds is also opposed to wind energy in the Berkshires (Dalton forum); despite some drawbacks to wind, if not renewable energies then we continue with the standard contributors to climate change. His economic plan for the Berkshires maintains the declining status quo, and does not seek better and larger employers (theberkshireview.com). Hinds has also refused to limit campaign spending in this election, exhibiting a refusal to get money out of politics. At the First United Methodist Church debate, the candidates were asked about the roots of addiction. Andrea Harrington's response blamed both a lack of mental health services, and teachers. She actually stated that her 10-year-old doesn't like school, linked that to teachers not providing enough positive encouragement to students, and then claimed that this contributes to addiction. When teachers are already fighting on so many fronts, it seems outrageous to fault them and burden them further to say nothing of Harrington's questionable logic. Harrington, evidently, is not on the side of educators. Like Hinds, she was undecided on the gas pipelines being pushed on Berkshire towns early in the race, despite strong local opposition (NPR.org). At a later date, after it became the overtly popular (i.e. safe) stance, she declared herself opposed. She is also opposed to wind energy in the Berkshires (Dalton forum). Harrington is opposed to campaign finance reform, per her refusal to limit her spending in this race. But maybe most importantly (and most distinctly from his two competitors), Del Gallo has over the years repeatedly proposed and drafted local legislation (voluntarily) in the progressive vein a plastic bags ban and a styrofoam ban (recently passed by several towns/cities in the County), a bathroom bill, animal welfare legislation, etc. Similarly, Del Gallo has also provided extensive pro bono legal work for various causes, including free speech and zoning. Versus the actual records and proposed ideas of the other state Senate candidates, Rinaldo Del Gallo is remarkable in that his words and actions are the same, and progressive. He has put his money where his mouth is and that's remarkable for a politician. Rinaldo Del Gallo is the only worthy candidate for state senate. Greg Veremko Dalton, Mass. Biz Briefs: New Boston Crane Service & Sleds Expands Reach with U-Haul Trucks, Trailers The long haul: New Boston Crane Service & Sleds has signed on as a U-Haul neighborhood dealer to serve the Sandisfield community. New Boston Crane Service & Sleds, located at 85 South Main St., will offer U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment, support rental items and in-store pickup for boxes. Hours of operation for U-Haul rentals are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. After hours drop-off is available for customer convenience. Reserve U-Haul products at this dealer location by calling 413- 258-7254 or online. New Boston Crane Service & Sleds owner Billy White said he is proud to team with the industry leader in do-it-yourself moving and self-storage to better meet the demands of Berkshire County. U-Haul and New Boston Crane Service & Sleds are striving to benefit the environment through sustainability initiatives. Truck sharing is a core U-Haul sustainability business practice that allows individuals to access a fleet of trucks that is larger than what they could access on an individual basis. Every U-Haul truck placed in a community helps keep 19 personally owned large-capacity vehicles, pickups, SUVs and vans off the road. Fewer vehicles means less traffic congestion, less pollution, less fuel burned and cleaner air. HELP is here: The Berkshire Co-op Market is launching a new program to allow greater community access to local and sustainable foods. On Oct. 1, the cooperatively owned natural food store will launch the Healthy Eats for Lower Prices (HELP) program, which will give eligible shoppers a 10 percent discount on all co-op purchases. Additionally, the co-op will extend its current discount for seniors who are co-op owners to all seniors who shop at the co-op, whether they are owners or not. The 10 percent senior discount, which will also take effect on Oct. 1, will replace the current owner only 7 percent senior discount and will be available on Wednesdays and Sundays only. Customers who currently qualify for other state or federal assistance programs (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program among others) will automatically be eligible for the new HELP program. Details for signing up will be available at the store when the program rolls out on Oct. 1. For more information, contact Berkshire Co-op Market at 413-528-9697 or community@berkshire.coop. Meet and greet: The Outlet at Pine Cone Hill, located at 125 Pecks Road in Pittsfield, will hold a "meet and greet" event with company founder and CEO Annie Selke on Friday, Sept. 16, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. During the event, which is open to the public, Selke will discuss the product development process, share her latest design inspirations and answer questions from guests. Light refreshments will be served. To RSVP for the event, contact Kate Hill Tapia via e-mail (RSVP@annieselke.com) or via phone (413-629-2314) by Tuesday, Sept. 13. 'Crows Local' at 13 1/2 Grove St. is the first Art on the Trail installation. The mural is located on the second story of 13 1/2 Grove St., which is being renovated into work/live space. The second mural is an abstract piece for the treatment plant. PreviousNext Adams' Art on the Trail Initiative Unveils First Mural The original of 'Crows Local' on display at the opening reception. ADAMS, Mass. Walkers and bikers along the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail have a view of the first of what's hoped to be many art installations along its several miles. "Crows Local," a murder of crows taking flight against a deepening sky, was unveiled on Friday evening at 13 1/2 Grove Art Works. "This is one of the first experimental murals," said the artist, Patricia Fietta. "We wanted to try it out on our building first. But the next one is going to be at the water treatment plant in Adams." The 24-by-7-foot triptych was blown up from a smaller work created by Fietta. The artworks building, a former mill at 13 1/2 Grove being renovated by Fietta and her husband, George Lemaitre, is tucked in behind the auto works on Grove Street and faces the trail. The initiative is one of many efforts being made by the Adams Arts Advisory Board to stimulate creativity in the Mother Town. The board is also behind the pop-up window displays on Park Street, the recent Berkshire Mountain Faerie Festival and the upcoming Rising of the Corn Harvest Festival. The idea for larger pieces was inspired by a smaller vinyl, removable installation placed on an empty Victory Street house last year to memorialize the street's World War II servicemen. The crow mural was digitally printed on weather and UV-resistant vinyl and stretched on frames, making it both inexpensive and relatively simple to hang although Fietta said it wasn't that easy to install the 8-foot long panels on the side of the two-story mill. "It was something to hoist it up there," she said, adding that the use of a bucket truck had helped tremendously. The large scale seems dwarfed by the 12,000-square-foot brick building but it's big enough to be easily seen from the rail trail. Francie Anne Riley, of the advisory group, said the murals will be able to be moved around and switched out. Signs point the way at Mount Greylock Regional School. The senior and junior high school is the midst of demolition and construction this school year. PreviousNext Mount Greylock School Community Adjusts to Campus Under Construction WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. On a clear day, from the Mount Greylock Regional School parking lot, you can just make out the scaffolding surrounding the War Memorial at the summit of the school's namesake. There is no missing the evidence of the two-year construction project under way at the junior-senior high school. Nevertheless, school officials and local law enforcement were on hand Tuesday morning to greet motorists on the first day of school. The authorities wanted to make sure that people parking for the day or dropping off students were aware of the slightly altered traffic flow necessitated by the renovation and addition project at Mount Greylock. Police from both Mount Greylock's member towns were on hand along with state police and a large road work sign, provided by the Berkshire County sheriff's office alerting drivers to the correct route into the parking lot. School officials directed students being dropped off or upperclassmen leaving their own cars to use a pedestrian walkway cordoned off in front of the school and leading to a new entry at the south end. Everything went smoothly with both motorists and pedestrians adjusting well to the new arrangement, Mount Greylock Assistant Principal Jacob Schutz said Tuesday. "It was like a well-oiled machine thanks to our partners in the Massachusetts State Police, Williamstown Police Department, Lanesborough Police Department and sheriff's department," Schutz said. "No incidents ... very smooth." Allyn Burrows, a long-time member of Shakespeare & Company, has been named the new artistic director. Shakespeare & Company Names New Artistic Director LENOX, Mass. After an extensive national search, Shakespeare & Company has named renowned actor and director Allyn Burrows, a long-time member of the company, as its new artistic director. This is a watershed moment for Shakespeare & Company, said Board Chair Ken Werner. Allyn is one of the most lauded and exciting actors and directors both in Boston and nationally, and we are extremely fortunate to have him take over the artistic leadership of our company. He is someone who is well known to us, and our search for a new artistic director could not have turned out better. I extend my deep gratitude to our interim artistic directors, Ariel Bock and Jonathan Croy, who did a superlative job over the past two seasons. Founder Tina Packer said she was pleased with Allyns selection. He has extensive experience as an actor, a director and in leading an organization, she said. His knowledge of Shakespeare is deep. Many of us have collaborated with him in the past and found his work inspiring. He brings new energy and we all look forward to working with him. Burrows said he was absolutely thrilled to accept the position. Shakespeare & Company has earned a national reputation for excellence in performance, training and education, and I applaud the great things which the Company has accomplished. I look forward to building on this and working alongside so many talented professionals, she said. We are at critical juncture in history where Shakespeare shows us how we need to be human beings and honestly hold the mirror up to nature. I'm eager to get his words and those of other great writers out to the world from the stages of Shakespeare & Company, starting with our upcoming public reading of Hamlet and, fittingly, It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play! Burrows, an Eliot Norton Award Winner, is a graduate of Boston University. He has performed in film, television, Off-Broadway and regionally, and has served as company member, artistic associate and board member at Shakespeare & Company. He has been the artistic director of Actors Shakespeare Project in Boston since 2010 where he was instrumental in that companys growth and artistic success. He resides in Medford, Mass., with his wife, actress Tamara Hickey, and their daughter. He will relocate to the Berkshires and will be full-time at Shakespeare & Company as of this January. Tika Sumpter and Parker Sawyers portray the first couple on their first date filled with romance and repartee. 'Southside with You': A Sensible Romance My Dad, a kindly stoic whose inner romanticism made a poignant appearance when the occasion stirred him, was fond of pointing out, if seeing, let us say, a very large woman and a very small man strolling down the street, "See, there's someone for everyone." All of which is my nostalgic, roundabout way of noting the kismet that writer-director Richard Tanne captures in "Southside with You," a chronicle of Michelle Robinson and Barack Obama's first date in 1989. The thought here is that the odds of two such socially incisive and committed people finding one another is perhaps even greater than the serendipitous meeting of the big gal and the little guy. The given is that both principals in Tanne's decidedly friendly treatment are altruists dedicated to "making a difference" in this world. Thus, those who don't agree that the viciously intransigent political atmosphere during President Obama's terms in office frittered away America's opportunity to make important progress may not enjoy the significance of the movie. It's reminiscent in gist of the talkatively eloquent "My Dinner with Andre" (1981), except that there's movement through the South Side of Chicago as attorney Michelle and the Harvard associate she's supervising argue whether or not they're actually on a date. Michelle says it's not, while it's apparent the future president hopes the proof will be in the pudding. The setting affords a thoughtful exchange of ideas and motivations, explains the sociology that shaped their opinions, and makes for an insightful, 20/20 hindsight into the making of a First Family. On a more universal level, the mental thrust and parry Michelle and Barack engagingly conduct as they go from an Afro-Centric art exhibit to a community organizing event, to a pub and then to a showing of Spike Lee's "Do The Right Thing" (1989), should jog your own fond memories. It's a sweet, getting-to-know-you study in courtship, replete with all the joys, fears, second-guessing and wishful dreams that humans exercise in their application of what Darwin called natural selection. Oh, it's also rather romantic ... the limitless possibilities that loom when you believe you've found the right one. Alas, someone to help you pull the wagon chock full of your ambitions and hopes, now seemingly more achievable than ever. Still, and with good reason considering the extra pitfalls that can readily smash plans and aspirations when you're in the minority portion of a racially divided society, our potential lovers carefully evaluate resumes, dot i's and cross t's for scrutinizing, and diplomatically negotiate differences. Oh no, he likes pie. She prefers ice cream. iciHaiti - Politic : Privert Honorary President of the 7th Binational Ecotourism Fair Science and Art Foundation organizes the 7th Binational Ecotourism and Production Fair in the municipalities of Las Caobas and Belladere, announced that the de facto President Jocelerme Privert has agreed to be the Honorary President of this event to be held from 3 to 11 December 2016 We announce with great pleasure that the President of the Republic of Haiti, has accepted to be the honorary president of the fair. The Head of State of Haiti also expressed his full support to the organization, creation and promotion of the event." Jocelerme Privert who will attend the opening ceremony of the Fair on December 3, could also meet on this occasion the Dominican President Danilo Medina and the new Chancellor Miguel Vargas Maldonado as part of the continuing dialogue between the two countries (meetings not officially confirmed yet by the Dominican authorities). SL/ iciHaiti Pirelli has yet to find out if it will get to test in warm weather conditions during pre-season ahead of the 2017 season. The tyre manufacturer wants to test in a Middle East location such as Bahrain in order to ensure representative temperatures when running the 2017 tyres on new cars. Testing takes on increasing importance with new aerodynamic regulations aimed at lowering lap times being introduced, while Pirelli will also have bigger tyres next season. Pirelli motorsport boss Paul Hembery says he has made it clear why he feels warm weather testing would be beneficial but has yet to have confirmation on where the pre-season season tests will take place. Its not really a fight, well go where the sport wants us to go," Hembery told F1i when asked if he is losing the battle to test in warm conditions. "Ultimately we feel with such a big change it would be beneficial for everybody - ourselves included - to go somewhere where the temperature is representative of what youll see in a race and also a circuit thats representative in a race. So that would be our ideal situation. "Actually going through the paddock [during the Italian Grand Prix weekend] weve had different comments as to where actually we might be going so its as much a mystery for us as it probably is for you! When the new power unit regulations were introduced in 2014, teams carried out an initial test at Jerez before two further tests in Bahrain. Teams prefer to hold the first pre-season test in Europe to be able to react quickly to any unforeseen problems with the new cars. TECHNICAL ANALYSIS: Monza COMMENT: Why Bernie staying could mean more chance of change in F1 Scene at the Italian Grand Prix Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter Watch: Man's Fire Stunt Goes Horribly Wrong, Beard Up in Flames 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 }} Kids today, they spend way too much time looking at screens when they should be with friends, reading books or doing outdoorsy stuff. Well thats the general consensus anyway. But what if there were kids that didnt conform, who learned about survival skills, politics and lifes practicalities? Thats the premise of Captain Fantastic, an exceptional new film from Matt Ross, which won Best Director in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival. To give you an idea of where Rosss ethos lies, he tells me in a London hotel, I like to think that I invented Noam Chomsky day. Its a day celebrated like Christmas by single father Ben, played by Viggo Mortensen and his kids in Captain Fantastic. While he might be winning gongs as a director, 46-year-old Ross is better known as an actor. He plays company owner Gavin Belson in Silicon Valley and as Big Loves Alby Grant, in which he was related to characters played by Harry Dean Stanton and Chloe Sevigny. He has also appeared in a number of iconic movies, Face/Off, The Last Days of Disco, American Psycho, The Aviator and Good Night, and Good Luck. Although the American says a lot of his acting decisions are governed by necessity and the need to make rent: When people talk about having a career, for me a career implies choice. If youre a famous actor, you can chart your career and say Im really interested in 19th century novels and want to make them into films, then you can do that. Im not that kind of actor, I dont have that power, its more: do you want to do this or that? But as a scriptwriter, he could let his imagination run wild and talk about his lifes lessons and concerns. Captain Fantastic started with the simple question: Am I being a good parent? His daughter is 13 and his son nine. I was one of those men that were constantly worried about parenthood. I was fearful of things. I do think that I had lots of questions about what I would pass onto my children, and it can be as superficial as music taste, or wanting your kids to appreciate the same books and films you love. I say this frequently: you begin to curate your childrens lives, and that is a huge responsibility. Some people dont engage in it at all, they just send their kids to school and what happens, happens. The film starts with the family living on their own in a forest, outside of the system. The kids are home-schooled as Ben believes the American school system is geared towards conformity and materialism. There are echoes of Rosss own upbringing in this situation. His parents separated when he was young and his mother was interested in alternative living situations: Its the early 1980s not the 1960s and so the people that lived in these communities were not hippies, they tended to be artists. So of course some of the things in the films are autobiographical, but the film is not about communal living or mental illness. He still admires groups such as the Back to the Land movement and those wanting to live off the grid and be self-sufficient. I have chosen as an adult not to do that and really honestly, it comes down to it being really difficult to live like that. I dont know how I would support myself as someone who writes films and directs film. I live in northern California, so already I live far from Los Angeles, far from the industry. If I moved to Oregon where I am from, then it would be really difficult and Id never see my family ever. Growing up, he also spent a lot of time in England, living in Sussex and East Grinstead. Africa was another destination. But no matter where he was, even in America, he felt like an outsider. I felt not dissimilar to the character played by George MacKay who feels the need to leave the forest. I was a little younger than his character when I began adolescence and being attracted to the opposite sex, I remember feeling that I wanted to be around kids my own age. The nomadic upbringing was also experienced by his leading man, Viggo Mortensen, and is common to many in Hollywood. The only kid who was the same age as me growing up was my little brother, says Ross. You become isolated and have a lot of time on your hands and are daydreaming. Viggo has talked about it a lot. I think he says something about a nomadic lifestyle leading to a desire to make art and there is a truth in that you feel the need to communicate with someone. Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Ross almost missed the ceremony at Cannes when he won the best director award. The length of the festival means that many directors leave town before the closing ceremonies and the awards announcements. Ross was in Paris with his family when he got the call that the film had won a prize. He rushed back to Cannes, and then got stuck in a traffic jam on the Promenade de la Croisette. He had to get out the car and run down the street in his black tie. He almost missed the one award ceremony he has always dreamed of attending. As a film going geek and cinephile, who also goes to see two films a day, although Im not asked to review them, it was very meaningful. I have to add that we can all agree that awards are silly in some way. Having said that, this was very meaningful, because peer approval is very significant and this is what it was. I started acting in theatre and also writing and directing when I was 12-years-old, so for me personally to be identified as a director who has done significant work was really meaningful to me. He also has a lot to say about films. We argue about the merits of Mary Harrons adaptation of American Psycho, in which he played Luis Curruthers. I say Im not a fan of the film, yet he says, I felt that it was a great manifestation of the book. It turns out that he didnt like the book as much as I did, so didnt mind that the sense of mystery and blurring of fact and fiction that was a feature of the book, didnt exist in the film. This leads to conversation on schlock and horror with him admitting that he was scarred as a child by watching Halloween on his own, It burned a hold in my cerebral cortex and so now Im sensitive to that stuff. We chat about Harry Dean Stanton who he is awe of. The actor recently turned 90, but only a few years ago would put Ross to shame by his ability to do a whole day of work on Big Love and then go to the Viper Room to play a set in the Harry Dean Stanton Band, while Ross went home to bed: He is amazing, and may be a vampire. He is also full of praise for the writers of Silicon Valley, They have done something extraordinarily difficult: they have made maths fun and captivating. Then our conversation returns to his true hero, Chomsky. Ross has never met the writer, although he has seen him talk four or five times. Hes included quotes from Chomsky in the film, but does not know if the social commentator and author has seen Captain Fantastic: The only interaction we had with him when we made the film was that we had to clear a quote. Most people get lawyers involved over clearance, but, and I think this is indicative of the man, his response was to say, please just quote me correctly. We end by chatting about the forthcoming Presidential election. He laments the two party system in America, and having lived in Italy, despite all the constant changes in government, feels that their parliamentary system with proportional representation is a better model because, the need to build coalitions is bipartisanship. I have seen throughout the world that a parliamentary democracy functions at a higher level in terms of helping social democracy than a two-party system does. Then there is the fear of Trump winning the forthcoming election, which he doesnt think will happen, nonetheless he quips, Really what needs to happen is that maybe Great Britain needs to reinvade the country! You know what my great hope is, its that Canada come down and invade the United States and we just become another province of Canada. That would be so fantastic. Captain Fantastic is out now on Blu-Ray & DVD. 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 }} The long-gestating sequel to Ridley Scott's Blade Runner is something that naturally has fans of the sci-fi classic a little worried. However, the fact it's beeing overseen by Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve should abate those fears - his list of credits to date (Incendies, Enemy, Sicario) are all solid features that stand up upon multiple rewatches. Despite this, Villeneuve - whose next film Arrival has been stunning critics at film festivals around the world - knows he has a big task on his hands. "First of all, it's not possible to live up to the original," he stated to an audience at Venice Film Festival with refreshing assuredness. "It's Ridley Scott. It's one of the best sci-fi films, one of the best films in the past 50 years." With his cast in place - Harrison Ford will return alongside a haul of newcomers including Ryan Gosling, Robin Wright and Jared Leto - and shooting taking place, it seems the Prisoners director is still fazed by the job. Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture Show all 23 1 /23 Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture Citizen Kane (1941) Long revered as one of the greatest films ever made, Orson Welles' debut a film following newspaper tycoon Charles Foster Kane was just another nominee back in the day, losing out to How Green Was My Valley. RKO Radio Pictures Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture The Searchers (1956) The Searchers may be considered John Ford's greatest film, but it was not treated as such back in the 1950s. In fact, the western starring John Wayne failed to earn a single nomination. Around the World in 80 Days turned out to be more the Academy's cup of tea. RKO Radio Pictures Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture Vertigo (1958) Not only did Alfred Hitchcock never win an Oscar (save for his memorial award in 1968), but neither did any of his films one of which is Vertigo, a classic that won Sight & Sound's once-a-decade greatest films of all time poll in 2012. If it had been nominated, it would have faced stiff competition in the form of eventual winner All About Eve. Paramount Pictures Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture The Graduate (1967) One of the films that kickstarted the New Hollywood Cinema era, The Graduate may have won director Mike Nichols an Oscar, but it ultimately lost out to Norman Jewison's In the Heat of the Night. United Artists Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Stanley Kubrick's sci-fi classic remains one of the most influential pieces of cinema there is. The Academy didn't agree. The Academy nominated Kubrick for Best Director and awarded the visual effects in favour of considering 2001 for Best Picture (it didn't even get nominated). That year's winner was Oliver!, the musical by Carol Reed. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture Taxi Driver (1976) Despite Taxi Driver's failure to win the main award, its nomination in four categories showed the Academy had good intentions. That All the President's Men and Network also lost out to eventual winner Rocky shows that, ultimately, it never really stood a chance. Columbia Pictures Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture Apocalypse Now (1979) Francis Ford Coppola's ambitious Vietnam War epic Apocalypse Now received a grand total of eight nominations, but only went home with two prizes (for cinematography and sound) losing out to drama Kramer vs. Kramer. United Artists Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture Raging Bull (1980) Of all the Oscar blows dealt to Martin Scorsese over the decades, none landed harder than Raging Bull losing out to Robert Redford's weepie Ordinary People, an oversight many consider one of the Academy's most egregious. United Artists Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture Blade Runner (1982) Another sci-fi classic overlooked by the Oscars was Blade Runner, which didn't even get nominated in the Best Picture category (Gandhi ended up winning). Ridley Scott's The Martian went on to receive seven nominations in 2017 evidence, perhaps, of the Academy taking responsibility for its past errors. United Artists Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture Do the Right Thing (1989) Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing failing to win Best Picture at the 1990 Oscars is one thing losing out to Driving Miss Daisy is another thing altogether. Universal Pictures Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture Goodfellas (1990) Having awarded both The Godfather Part I and The Godfather Part II Best Picture in 1972 and 1974 respectively, the Academy seemed destined to appreciate Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas. But no Kevin Costner's directorial debut Dances with Wolves was the most appealing choice for voters. 2012 Getty Images Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture Pulp Fiction (1994) New talent on the block Quentin Tarantino's second feature Pulp Fiction won him the coveted Palme d'Or at Cannes in 1994 a success he failed to match back on home turf. While he won an Original Screenplay Oscar, his film was beaten by Forrest Gump... Miramax Films Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture The Shawshank Redemption (1994) ...and it wasn't the only one. Frank Darabont's adaptation of Stephen King's prison-set novella The Shawshank Redemption also fell victim to Robert Zemeckis' Oscar-friendly Forrest Gump. We don't see that film sitting atop the IMDb top 250 though, do we? Getty Images Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture Heat (1995) If Heat was released today, there's no way it wouldn't be a Best Picture frontrunner. That it was completely ignored in favour of Braveheart is a huge travesty. Warner Bros Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture Fargo (1996) You may think it was remiss of the Academy to shun Fargo, but it did come pretty close to winning, its chances bolstered somewhat by seven nominations and two wins (Actress for Frances McDormand and Original Screenplay for the Coen Brothers). It lost out to The English Patient. Gramercy Pictures Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture Saving Private Ryan (1998) Having won Best Director five years previous for Schindler's List, Steven Spielberg was strongly expected to take home the top prizes for his Second World War epic. Cue Shakespeare In Love upsetting everybody. Paramount Pictures Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture The Social Network (2010) David Fincher's Facebook drama got shunned in favour of British patriotism in an Oscar two-horse race for the ages that ultimately saw The King's Speech crowned winner. Columbia Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011) Lynne Ramsay has directed two films that would have been deserving of Best Picture: You Were Never Really Here and this, We Need to Talk About Kevin. It's easy to see why Hollywood was temporarily more charmed by The Artist, but it's clear which film will stand the test of time. Oscilloscope Laboratories Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) It's almost unthinkable to recall that the Coen brothers' Inside Llewyn Davis only scored two Oscar nominations in the cinematography and sound mixing categories, respectively. In the ensuing years, the film has been hailed as one of the greatest of the 2010s, meaning that its no-show at the Oscars will go down as one of the Academy's biggest omissions. Still, it would have had a hard time winning over 12 Years a Slave. CBS Films Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture Boyhood (2014) For the 2015 Oscars race, you were either team Birdman or team Boyhood. Richard Linklater's labour of love, shot intermittently over 12 years, ultimately failed to win. Universal Pictures Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture American Honey (2016) If there's any justice, Andrea Arnold will one day become an Oscar winner, but in a perfect world, she would have already won for American Honey, a drama deserving of Best Picture if there ever was one. Universal Pictures Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture Get Out (2017) Horror rarely gets recognised at the Oscars, but Get Out is the closest the genre had come in years. Jordan Peele may have taken home the Best Original Screenplay award, but the stars aligned for Guillermo del Toro's fantasy The Shape of Water instead. Universal Pictures Oscars: 21 great films that never won Best Picture Roma (2018) Roma was strongly expected to become the first ever foreign language film to win Best Picture. It had everything going for it, including a standout festival run and universal acclaim. But then Green Book snatched its trophy away in a late stage awards season twist that still seems too ridiculous to be true. Netflix "For me, what terrorises me right now is what I'm doing is taking Blade Runner and making it my own, and that is horrific... Its still the same universe, we are still in the same dream, but its mine, so its like I have no idea how you people will react." Don't worry, though - Villeneuve admitted this pales in comparison to his excitement of working on the project. Mackenzie Davis (The Martian), Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips) will also star in the sequel that's being produced by Scott. It will be released October 2017. 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 }} Viggo Mortensen has suggested that other actors were considered to play Aragorn in The Hobbit. Despite the press formerly reporting that the Danish-American actor - whose new film Captain Fantastic is released today - wouldn't return as the beloved Lord of the Rings character, Mortensen revealed to The Independent that producers knew he would have considered a big-screen return to the world of Tolkien. "I was asked in the early stages by a producer," he said. "I told him, '[Aragorn]s not in the book - its 60 years before and he would have been an infant.' He goes, 'Yeah, we can take certain liberties' and I said I'd look forward to reading it and that if hes going to reappear I would love to revisit him. "I later heard - I dont know if it's true - that they talked to other actors about playing him. I was waiting to hear but I never heard from anyone so I just assumed they werent going to take that liberty." The first prequel to Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy was released in 2012 starring Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins. Actors who reprised their roles from the original adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's novels included Ian McKellen (Gandalf) and Cate Blanchett (Galadriel). Despite his lack of appearance in the book version of The Hobbit, character Legolas - played by Orlando Bloom - also returned. Mortensen also set the record straight over comments he made about Jackson in a 2014 interview. You can read the full interview here. 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 }} After a year's hiatus, British act Mt. Wolf are back with new material - touring and putting out their new EP Hex this year, as well as recording a long-awaited debut set for release early in 2017. To keep fans going in the meantime we're premiering their new track 'Golden' featuring Australian vocalist St. South - listen below. Q&A with Mt. Wolf What are you listening to at the moment? Alex Mitchell: I've recently come across Mick Jenkins, who's a really cool hiphop artist from Chicago. The production is super slick, and his rap style is really chilled. Love it. Sebastian Bassi Fox: I've been listening to Bon Iver's latest three songs and impatiently awaiting his new album. I've been obsessed with Stranger Things and absolutely love the soundtrack. As always I'm listening to a lot of Joy Division and The National - Along with Justin Vernon, Ian Curtis and Matt Berninger are big influences on my vocal style. Stevie McMinn: I run record labels so I'm listening to my releases of course! Recently Phoria, Haux and Linying have been doing really well. Aside from that Bon Iver's new songs are on repeat, especially '33 GOD' and The National are a constant go to. What are your plans for the rest of 2016? Our debut album is nearly done - I just have to finish some of the vocal lines and then we need to finish the production and mix it. We're really lucky to be working with Ken Thomas - I'd always done the production on my own before, and it's been an amazing experience for us to have someone as accomplished (Daughter, Sigur Ros, M83) as him working with us. Really excited to be playing a few European festivals towards the end of the year, including one of my favourite places Paris. The venue we're playing is one road away from one of my favourite bars, Dirty Dick! First gig, best gig? Unless school guitar recitals are of interest, let's go with our first gig as Mt. Wolf at London's XOYO in 2012. My favourite would probably be The Continental Club show we played in Austin earlier this year. It would either be that or our last London show at Oslo (the venue not the city). I think we're constantly improving and I feel like we're a really strong unit onstage now. Oslo would also get our vote because we played a couple of the songs that are making it onto the album which is going to be slightly different to our previous offerings. A close second was playing at Union Chapel with an orchestra, that was pretty unforgettable. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyArts email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} One of the problems of making movies about events in the recent past is that many of the real-life people can complain about their portrayal. That is what happened over the way the CIA station chief in Libya was presented to the public in 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi. Now, real-life crash investigators have blasted the way they were shown in Clinton Eastwoods film Sully, which stars Tom Hanks and which opens in the US on Friday. The Associated Press said that the film about a 2009 accident when US Airways Flight 1549 was ditched in the Hudson River shortly after take off, has created consternation from investigators are made to look bad. In reality, the investigators gave Captain Chesley Sully" Sullenberger high marks in their accident report and credited his quick action that saved lives. Nobody lost their lives in the 2009 accident (AP) We're not the KGB. We're not the Gestapo, said Robert Benzon, who led the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) investigation. Were the guys with the white hats on. The film portrays investigators as more like prosecutors looking for any excuse to blame Mr Sullenberger for the mishap. They demand to know could the plane have made it to LaGuardia Airport if Mr Sullenberger, portrayed by Hanks, had turned it around? Did the thrust in both engines quit after the plane struck a flock of geese or was there still some power in one? Thirty-five safety recommendations were ultimately issued as a result of the Flight 1549 investigation. The NTSB concludes that the captains decision to ditch on the Hudson River rather than attempting to land at an airport provided the highest probability that the accident would be survivable, the report concluded. The AP said that investigators recalled Mr Sullenberger and co-pilot Jeff Skiles, portrayed by actor Aaron Eckhart, as comfortable and cooperative. Pilot union officials representing them were present during all the interviews and at later public forums. Eastwood and Hanks working on the set (AP) These guys were already national heroes, said Mr Benzon, who is now retired. We weren't out to embarrass anybody at all. But that's not how it comes across in the film, directed by Clint Eastwood. Until I read the script, I didnt know the investigative board was trying to paint the picture that he (Sullenberger) had done the wrong thing. They were kind of railroading him into it was his fault, Eastwood said in a publicity video for the Warner Bros film. Sully - Trailer Hanks said that a draft script included the names of real-life NTSB officials, but Mr Sullenberger - who is an adviser on the film - requested they be taken out. He said, These are people who are not prosecutors. They are doing a very important job, and if, for editorial purposes, we want to make it more of a prosecutorial process, it ain't fair to them, said Hanks. Thats an easy thing to change. Malcolm Brenner, a human factors expert who was among the investigators who interviewed Mr Sullenberger the day after the ditching, said he recalls being extraordinarily impressed at the time with both pilots and how well they worked together in the midst of the crisis. He said he's also been impressed since then with how Ms Sullenberger has used his fame to promote aviation safety. Tom Haueter, who was the NTSB's head of major accident investigations at the time and is now a consultant, said he fears the movie will discourage pilots and others from fully cooperating with the board in the future. There is a very good chance, said Mr Haueter, that there is a segment of the population that will take this as proof of government incompetence and it will make things worse. Despite frigid temperatures and damage to the planes undercarriage, only five of the 155 people aboard suffered serious injuries. No one died. Mr Sullenberger, known instantly across the country by his nickname Sully, became an icon. The studio released a statement from Mr Sullenberger saying: The story being told came from my experiences, and reflects the many challenges that I faced and successfully overcame both during and after the flight. I was involved in the development and am thrilled its being brought to the screen. The movie was based on Sullenbergers 2009 book Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters, Bloomberg News said. Mr Sullenberger, now a motivational speaker, is promoting the movie on his website and the studio is promoting his book on the movies websit 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 iPhone is now significantly more expensive, apparently because of the currency chaos caused by the Brexit vote. Some versions of the iPhone are now 100 more expensive than they were. And those dramatically raised prices appear be a consequence of the weaker pound. And the change doesn't just affect the new iPhone 7, which Apple just introduced. At the same time as it updated its store with the new phone, Apple pushed prices up across the board with Macs, accessories and other products also becoming more expensive. In pictures: Apple iPhone 7 launch event Show all 13 1 /13 In pictures: Apple iPhone 7 launch event In pictures: Apple iPhone 7 launch event Apple iPhone 7 launch event Apple Inc CEO Tim Cook discusses the new phone In pictures: Apple iPhone 7 launch event Apple iPhone 7 launch event It looks similar to the 6 and 6s. Apple say it is the "most singular, most evolved representation of this design". In pictures: Apple iPhone 7 launch event Apple iPhone 7 launch event The iPhone has become a "cultural phenomenon". Over one billion handsets have been sold. In pictures: Apple iPhone 7 launch event Apple iPhone 7 launch event There's a new refined design for the iPhone 7. A high gloss finish and a seamless surface between the glass and the aluminium back. In pictures: Apple iPhone 7 launch event Apple iPhone 7 launch event The new enclosure is water and dust resistant. In pictures: Apple iPhone 7 launch event Apple iPhone 7 launch event It does seem to look a lot like the iPhone 6s. The big changes are slightly rounded edges, the loss of antenna lines, and what looks like a very glossy black colour. In pictures: Apple iPhone 7 launch event Apple iPhone 7 launch event Apple Inc CEO Tim Cook discusses the App Store. Reuters In pictures: Apple iPhone 7 launch event Apple iPhone 7 launch event Apple Inc CEO Tim Cook discusses Apple in education. Reuters In pictures: Apple iPhone 7 launch event Apple iPhone 7 launch event Apple Inc CEO Tim Cook greets Nintendo Creative Fellow Shigeru Miyamoto. Reuters In pictures: Apple iPhone 7 launch event Apple iPhone 7 launch event Nintendo Creative Fellow Shigeru Miyamoto announces a Mario Bros game for the iPhone, as a translator stands nearby. Reuters In pictures: Apple iPhone 7 launch event Apple iPhone 7 launch event Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during the Apple launch event at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, California, USA. EPA In pictures: Apple iPhone 7 launch event Apple iPhone 7 launch event The new Watch has a new display that's twice as bright as the existing one. It's brighter than any other Apple screen ever. Reuters In pictures: Apple iPhone 7 launch event Apple iPhone 7 launch event Apple Watch "series 2", as it's called, is waterproof up to 50 metres. Reuters That didn't happen in any other stores. In the US, which is the only place Apple shows prices for on stage, the price was the same as the iPhone 6s despite an increase in the storage options. But in the UK, the cheapest version of the iPhone 7 the 32GB model of the non-Plus handset now costs 599. The equivalent version of the 6s cost 539. Those price hikes go up accordingly across the board, so that the top end version of the phone the 256GB iPhone 7 Plus is now 100 more, at 919. Apple does its accounting in dollars. So when the value of the pound drops, each sale is worth less to their revenues and so the company adjusts its prices to make sure that its already weakening profits aren't dented. The company blamed global currency fluctuations for its first drop in profits after a record run, earlier this year. CEO Tim Cook said that since two-thirds of the companys profits are generated outside of the US, such movements had a very meaningful impact on our results. 5 things to expect on the new iPhone 7 The new phone will be available for pre-order from 9 September, and will go on sale a week after. 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 }} Women who choose to freeze their eggs do so to give them time to find the right partner and not for career reasons, new research has found. In the first study of its kind into womens personal motivations for freezing their eggs, researcher Kylie Baldwin interviewed 31 women who had decided to preserve their fertility for social, rather than medical, reasons. Ms Baldwin told the Independent her findings contradicted the common view, often presented in the media, that women undergo the procedure to enable them to further their careers. I was suspicious of this from the outset, wondering whether women would spend at least 6,000 a technology that was far from guaranteed in order to climb the career ladder, she said. None cited career as reason for freezing eggs, said the lecturer at Leicester's De Montfort University. All of them were waiting for the right partner, who was going to be a good father for their children. In fact, some of the women said they had done well in their careers not because they had frozen their eggs, but precisely because they hadnt been able to find a suitable partner and werent in a relationship. 72-Year-Old Woman Becomes First Time Mother Through IVF A number of study participants, who were aged 32-44 and were from the UK, US and Norway, specified they wanted to meet a man who would be a hands on father. More than 800 women in Britain froze their eggs in 2014, a substantial increase from previous years, according to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). And multinational companies such as Facebook and Apple have announced they will offer the treatment to female employees, fuelling notions of egg freezing as a career choice. But the lack of a suitable partner was cited as a major reason for registering for the procedure by both Ms Baldwin and the HFEA, who found that women aged over 38 were most likely to give no male partner as a response to their cause of infertility. Ms Baldwin, a member of the universitys Reproduction Research Group, said for many of the women, freezing their eggs was seen as a last resort and they still hoped to conceive naturally. Baby names 'at risk of dying out' - In pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Baby names 'at risk of dying out' - In pictures Baby names 'at risk of dying out' - In pictures 1) Angela Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor Axel Schmidt/Getty Images Baby names 'at risk of dying out' - In pictures 2) Beverley Actress and singer Beverly Knight Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images Baby names 'at risk of dying out' - In pictures 3) Carol Former 'Countdown' presenter Carol Vorderman Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images Baby names 'at risk of dying out' - In pictures 4) Debra Former 'Will & Grace' actress Debra Messing Jason Merritt/Getty Images Baby names 'at risk of dying out' - In pictures 5) Diane Fashion designer and inventor of the wrap dress Diane Von Furstenberg Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Diane Von Furstenberg Baby names 'at risk of dying out' - In pictures 1) Bertrand The late philosopher Bertrand Russell Hulton Archive/Getty Images Baby names 'at risk of dying out' - In pictures 2) Cecil The late artist Cecil Beaton Hulton Archive/Getty Images Baby names 'at risk of dying out' - In pictures 3) Clarence American actor Henry Fonda pictured in 1975 rehearsing at the Piccadilly Theatre in London for his one man play about the famous trial lawyer Clarence Darrow Getty Images Baby names 'at risk of dying out' - In pictures 4) Clive Actor Clive Owen Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images Baby names 'at risk of dying out' - In pictures 5) Cyril Cyril Rioli, an Australian rules footballer Matt King/Getty Images The participants wanted to find a partner, and didnt want to have to use their frozen eggs, which were the last resort, she said. I asked a number of the participants if they would consider using sperm donation, and there was a mixed response. Some said they would consider it, whereas others werent willing to, because they really wanted to have this family unit with a male partner, to parent the children alongside them. 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 founder of the biggest social movement against enforced hijab in Iran has accused European politicians of hypocrisy for not challenging compulsary hijab following the outcry over the burkini ban. Masih Alinejad was invited to speak at a public debate in Brussels on worldwide policing of women's bodies to discuss the burkini ban and freedom of choice. The discussion was hosted by MEPs Angelika Mlinar and Sophie in't Veld. In a powerful speech, she questioned why the ban on women wearing full-body swimsuits on French beaches was overturned in Nice and many towns after less than one month but women in Iran are still legally obliged to wear a hijab. Ms Alinejad asked why female politicans would visit Iran and wear the hijab instead of challenging this strictly enforced dress code for women. The countries with anti-women laws Show all 5 1 /5 The countries with anti-women laws The countries with anti-women laws The countries with anti-women laws The countries with anti-women laws The countries with anti-women laws The countries with anti-women laws Ms Alinejads My Stealthy Freedom campaign has showcased women across Iran who share with her pictures of themselves in public, enjoying moments of stealthy freedom with their hair uncovered. The campaign, which now has more than one million followers, attracted international attention in July when men began sharing pictures of themselves in hijabs under the hashtag #meninhijabs in a show of solidarity with their wives, female family members and friends. Ms Alinejad was a journalist in Iran for ten years before moving to New York. Her parents still live in Iran. From the age of seven, I was forced to wear a hijab," she told the panel. "They all wear compulsory hijab. My dream is to be with my mother in France, in Belgium, walking shoulder to shoulder, without getting judged by people who have Islamaphobia, and to walk with my mother shoulder to shoulder in my own country without getting arrested. Why has the burkini ban been suspended after less than a month, but hijab has remained compulsory for more than 37 years? It is because our struggles and our protests against compulsory hijab are on our own and we are alone. We, the women of Iran, are alone to fight against compulsory hijab. I have met many female politicians around the world. I have sent letters to female politicians who go to Iran. She questioned why the world was screaming over the burkini ban, while female politicians such as Catherine Ashton were visiting Iran and not challenging compulsory hijab there. Politicians say [compulsary hijab] is a law, and we have to respect it. The burkini ban was a law until people protested against it. Other speakers at the discussion on Tuesday included the Iranian-Belgian women's rights activist Darya Safai. 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 }} Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the bestselling memoir Eat, Pray, Love, has revealed that she is in a relationship with a woman. Ms Gilbert, who announced her separation from her husband this summer, said in a Facebook post on Wednesday that her long-time best friend, Syrian-American writer Rayya Elias, had recently been diagnosed with incurable pancreatic and liver cancer. Something happened to my heart and mind in the days and weeks following Rayya's diagnosis, wrote Ms Gilbert, who is 47. Death or the prospect of death has a way of clearing away everything that is not real, and in that space of stark and utter realness, I was faced with this truth: I do not merely love Rayya; I am in love with Rayya. Recommended Read more Elizabeth Gilbert reveals how to pursue a creative life in new book In July, the author announced her split from her second husband, businessman Jose Nunes, familiar to readers of her memoir as Felipe, the subject of the books final section, Love. In her post, she acknowledged that the marriage had come to an end as a result of her feelings for Ms Elias, 56. For those of you who are doing the math here, and who are wondering if this situation is why my marriage came to an end this spring, the simple answer is yes, she wrote. The two writers have been friends for more than 15 years, and often inseparable during that time. Now, Ms Gilbert said, Im walking through this cancer journey with her, not only as her friend, but as her partner. The post received an overwhelmingly positive response, following which Ms Gilbert returned to social media to thank well-wishers, tweeting: Thank you for the love, everyone. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Published in 2006, Eat, Pray, Love recounted a year-long trip of self-discovery that Ms Gilbert had taken to Italy, India and Indonesia after divorcing her first husband. The author was played by Julia Roberts in a 2010 film adaptation, which also starred Javier Bardem as Felipe. Ms Elias is also a memoirist and author of the 2013 book Harley Loco: A Memoir of Hard Living, Hair, and Post-Punk From the Middle East to the Lower East Side. Ms Gilbert said in her post that she would soon return to the public eye, adding: Whenever Rayya is healthy enough to be by my side, she will be by my side." 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 }} Hillary Clinton has tackled head on the popular criticism that she is cold and unemotional, explaining that the perception stems from behaviour she had to adopt as a young woman confronted by sexism. Recommended Read more Trump and Clinton get up close and personal with the media In an interview with Humans of New York a photography blog that features portraits of mostly New Yorkers coupled with a personal anecdote Ms Clinton described a moment when she was taking an entrance exam for law school. She and another female friend were the only two women in the room, the Democratic presidential nominee said, when the male applicants began to heckle them. Dodging cries of You dont need to be here and Theres plenty else you can do, Ms Clinton said she had to simply keep her head down and focus on the test. Hillary Clinton's Life Story - Narrated by Morgan Freeman I know that I can be perceived as aloof or cold or unemotional, she said. But I had to learn as a young woman to control my emotions. And thats a hard path to walk. Because you need to protect yourself, you need to keep steady, but at the same time you dont want to seem walled off. Ms Clinton continued: And sometimes I think I come across more in the walled off arena. And if I create that perception, then I take responsibility. I dont view myself as cold or unemotional. And neither do my friends. And neither does my family. But if that sometimes is the perception I create, then I cant blame people for thinking that. Allies of the former Secretary of State have spoken out against the apparent double standard that exists in how she is criticised, as opposed to her male opponent, Donald Trump. Following the NBC Commander-in-Chief Forum, Republican chairman Reince Preibus lashed out against Ms Clinton for not smiling during her appearance. Hillary Clinton was angry + defensive the entire time no smile and uncomfortable upset that she was caught wrongly sending our secrets, he wrote on Twitter. Emilys List, a women's rights super-PAC supporting Ms Clinton, fired back at Mr Priebus. Talk less, smile more. Yes, that was the gist of Reince Priebuss critique of Hillary Clintons performance in last nights national security forum, spokesperson Alexandra De Luca said. Women are justifiably upset. First Trump said that Hillary Clinton doesnt look 'presidential' (because shes a woman, Donald?), and then the RNC Chair criticised her for taking a discussion of our national security seriously. 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 Instagram censorship debate continues this week following the suspension of a high-profile photographer's account after she shared images of a model where menstrual blood was visible. Harley Weirs Instagram account was deactivated five days ago, before being reinstated today, after she shared images from a shoot for i-D magazine. Weir was photographing nude models for the magazine's The Female Gaze edition from her series, Portraits of a Woman. Weir, who also shot the controversial Calvin Klein erotica themed campaign, shared a shot of one model, who was on her period, with her 91,000 followers. Menstrual blood was visible on the models legs and the image was removed. After this, Weir uploaded a second photo showing just the models torso and legs. As with the first, the image was pixilated but streaks of blood were visible across her legs. Despite photos depicting menstruation not banned by Instagram, Weir's account was suspended for five days before being reactivated today. Instagram has since apologised for the suspension, saying this was done in "error". Speaking to the Independent, Weir said she sympathised with the need to protect users, but she questioned Instagram's focus. I censor my pictures in a nice way - I don't use funny emojis or anything, she said. Instagram debunked I do understand their need to censor some images because children use the website, though I think most kids have been breastfed or have seen breasts before. I also understand its hard to police an app as big as that so it doesnt have to have an 18 rating - I actually do get it. But when you Google 'Instagram' you see girls in thongs taking mirror selfies and they are fine. What actually is ok? I think there are much more perverted things on the internet and a lot more hateful comments - its funny where they draw the line. Instagram censorship controversies Show all 11 1 /11 Instagram censorship controversies Instagram censorship controversies Rupi Kaur uploaded an image onto the social networking site for a menstruation-themed photo series developed by her and her sister Prabh. The image, which was taken by Prabh, shows Ms Kaur lying down on a bed fully clothed with two spots of blood visible on her clothes and on the sheet. It was removed from Instagram twice for violating its community standards. Ms Kaur challenged the removal and the image was eventually restored on the site Instagram censorship controversies Harley Weirs Instagram account was deactivated, after she shared images from a shoot for i-D magazine. Weir was photographing nude models for the magazine's The Female Gaze edition from her series, Portraits of a Woman. Weir, who also shot the controversial Calvin Klein erotica themed campaign, shared a shot of one model, who was on her period, with her 91,000 followers. Menstrual blood was visible on the models legs and the image was removed Instagram censorship controversies Chrissy Teigen uploaded an image of herself taken for the W Magazine, in which Teigens nipple was visible. The picture was later determined to violate Instagrams usage guidelines and the image was removed. To challenge the policy Teigen later posted a selfie on Instagram with a strategically placed can of hairspray covering her nipple Instagram censorship controversies Scout Willis was banned from Instagram for posting a photograph of a sweatshirt she designed featuring two topless women. The 22-year-old actress, who is the daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, went on a topless jaunt around New York City to highlight her disagreement with policies against female nudity Instagram censorship controversies Rihanna is known for notoriously challenging Instagram's censorship. In the latest spat with the site her topless photo from the cover of French magazine Lui was banned Instagram censorship controversies Instagram was heavily criticised for deleting photos of women showing off their post-baby bodies. That prompted women who wanted to show how the motherhood really looks like, to form the group The 4th Trimester Bodies Project and post images of their changed bodies Instagram censorship controversies Blogger Meghan Tonjes posted an image of her butt to Instagram as a body-positive message to her followers. The picture was quickly removed as it was considered as inappropriate and violating site's guidlines. Tonjes however believed that it was taken down due to her size Instagram censorship controversies User Samm Newman posted a selfie in her underwear to celebrate her plus-size figure but Instagram decided to take the image down. The social platform was later questioned about the controversial censorship, as many believed it was an example of fat-shaming Instagram censorship controversies Comedian Chelsea Handler challenged the nudity policy with an image in which she tried to recreate a shirtless photo of Russian president Vladimir Putin. The post was removed by Instagram and Handler called the move sexist, saying, If a man posts a photo of his nipples, it's OK, but not a woman? Are we in 1825? Instagram censorship controversies Many women have had their Instagram photos removed and accounts shut down because of breastfeeding photos. In a protest against censoring photos of mothers taking part in something as natural as breastfeeding groups such as @normalizebreastfeeding dedicated their accounts to fight the stigma Instagram censorship controversies Australian online magazine Sticks and Stones had its Instagram account removed after posting the photo of two women with pubic hair peeking out of their swimsuits A spokesperson for Instagram said: We apologise for the error made here. When reviewing reported content from the Instagram community, we do not always get it right and we wrongly removed this image and temporarily suspended this account. As soon as we were made aware of this error, we restored the content. Censorship has become a major point of contention on Instagram, where community guidelines set by administrators ban nudity and images of intercourse. Women internationally have led free the nipple protests launched by Scout Willis, who walked through New York topless after her account was suspended. She had uploaded a photograph of a jumper with two topless women depicted on it before her account was removed. Pictures of breastfeeding where nipples are visible are allowed on the network after new guidelines were released in April. Guidelines now state sexual intercourse, genitals, and close-ups of fully nude buttocks are prohibited, along with some photos of female nipples. Images of breastfeeding and post-mastectomy scarring are now allowed, along with photos of paintings and sculptures. Photos of topless men are rarely censored. (Rupi Kaur's menstruation-themed project was initially taken down) Art student Rupi Kaur made headlines globally when her menstruation-themed project was removed from the site, including an image of her asleep with blood visible on her trousers. The image was removed twice for violating Instagrams community standards. Instagram later apologised to Ms Kaur and said it had removed the images by mistake. 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 }} Jana Shortal has become the second female anchor in recent months to be chastised for her outfit after delivering a segment about the abduction and killing of a young boy while wearing jeans. A column in the Star Tribune chose to focus on KARE 11 anchor Shortals clothes instead of her reporting on the death of Jacob Wetterling with a head to toe assessment that deemed her sartorial choices downright jarring because of the seriousness of the subject. This criticism came despite the fact that Shortal has worn skinny jeans on other broadcasts for the Minneapolis station. Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Show all 20 1 /20 Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Angela Merkel German Chancellor AFP/Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Hillary Clinton U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Reuters Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Janet Yellen Federal Reserve Chair Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Melinda Gates Co-founder of The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation AFP/Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Mary Barra General Motors Co. Chairman and CEO Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Christine Lagarde Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Sheryl Sandbert COO of Facebook Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Susan Wojcicki CEO of YouTube Getty Images for GLAAD Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Meg Whitman Hewlett Packard Enterprise CEO Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Ana Patricia Botin Santander Bank's president AFP/Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Ginni Rometty IBM Chairman, President and CEO Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Park Geun-Hye President of South Korea Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Michelle Obama U.S. first lady Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Indra Nooyi Chairperson and CEO of PepsiCo Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Angela Ahrendts Apple senior vice president Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Abigail Johnson President and CEO of Fidelity Investments and chairman of Fidelity International Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Tsai Ing-wen Taiwan President AFP/Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Michelle Bachelet Chile President AFP/Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Federica Mogherini High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy AFP/Getty Images Forbes top 20 most powerful women in the world Safra Catz Oracle president Getty Images In the piece, which has since been taken down from the site, columnist C.J accused Shortal of prioritising being "hip" over the gravity of the subject matter. She looked great from the waist up in a polka-dot shirt and cool blazer, but the skinny jeans did not work," she wrote. "I was among a number of media types who found them inappropriate and, given the gravity of the days subject matter, downright jarring. "My thoughts are also with the Wetterling family. While I cannot imagine theyll want to read or watch every media take about the horror they have been living, I would think that hipness wouldnt be a priority while covering one of the biggest, saddest stories in Minnesota history." "Being hip in skintight pants while discussing this story was unseemly, perhaps disrespectful." Angry reactions to the article came in quick and fast, with many accusing C.J of detracting from the tragedy at the centre of the story. After receiving an overwheming show of support from viewers, Shortal responded to criticism in a powerful open letter to the author of the column. I dont know what my clothing has to do with covering the tragedy of Jacob's death, she added. My only 'wish' on Tuesday was for Jacob's family. The Star Tribune issued an apology to Shortal and on their Twitter page. Ironically, the column was published in the same paper Shortal had written a comment piece for in June about breaking conventions as a newswoman by not adhering to the lady uniform dresscode. In it, Shortal described her own experiences of being criticised for dressing in a way that makes her feel comfortable, including the abuse she received. Her piece was written in response to a female KTLA anchor being told to cover up with a sweater during a live broadcast. All I wanted to do was tell stories, she wrote. But that didnt seem to make up for my lacking presentation as a lady. And so I focused on writing. Or at least I tried. I continued to field countless suggestions about my hair, clothing and every other exterior category. The suggestions came from inside newsrooms at first. Then came the advent of social media. Here is a sample of some of the insults hurled my way via the internet: Do you shop in a dumpster? My dog has better hair than you. Your clothes are so hard to look at my TV broke. Sign up for a full digest of all the best opinions of the week in our Voices Dispatches email Sign up to our free weekly Voices 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 Voices Dispatches email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Researchers have confirmed the cause of the 1665 Great Plague by studying DNA from a mass burial pit discovered in east London last year. DNA was analysed from 20 skeletons excavated from the Bedlam burial ground, unearthed during the construction of a new Crossrail station at Liverpool Street. A significant proportion of the samples tested positive for yersina pestis, the bacterium responsible for the 1348 Black Death epidemic and the 1855 bubonic plague outbreak in China. This is the first identification of plague DNA from 17th century Britain, when the Great Plague of London claimed an estimated 100,000 lives almost a quarter of Londons population at the time. The findings shed light on the epidemic and pave the way for greater understanding of the disease both historically and today, Don Walker, Senior Human Osteologist at the Museum of London Archaeology, told the Independent. Its significant because we had this famous, severe outbreak of plague in 1665, but until very recently, there was quite a lot of doubt about what had caused it, he said. The skeletons were found to contain plague bacteria yersina pestis (Crossrail) Four or five years back, [scientists] studied some skeletons from the Black Death, which was the first outbreak of plague in Britain. They identified what had caused the black death in the middle of the 14th century was yersina pestis, the plague bacterium, but they werent sure what caused later outbreaks of the plague. It appears now that it was the same bacterium, that lasted throughout those centuries. Procession marks Plague The skeletons' teeth were sent to the Max Planck Institute in Jena, Germany, for analysis. Daniel Defoe famously described the gruesome effects of the Great Plague, which causes painful swollen lymph nodes or buboes, in his 18th century Journal of the Plague Year. Victims suffered violent fevers, vomitings, insufferable headaches, pains in the back, and so up to ravings and ragings with those pains before they died, he wrote. While the Black Death is said to have wiped out 30 percent of Europes medieval population, the disease today tends to be less infectious and are more easily treated with antibiotics, said Mr Walker. In 2013, there were 783 cases of plague reported worldwide, with 126 deaths, according to the World Health Organisation. The reason why they thought the Great Plague might be a different disease to the Black Death is that plague back then acted in a different way to the way modern plague, said Mr Walker. Were in whats called the third pandemic, he said. The plague does still spread from rodent populations, but it doesnt spread very easily in the human population. Crossrail uncovers 30 victims of The Great Plague of 1665 Show all 6 1 /6 Crossrail uncovers 30 victims of The Great Plague of 1665 Crossrail uncovers 30 victims of The Great Plague of 1665 Bedlam burial ground Liverpool St Excavators have discovered a mass grave thought to contain 30 victims of The Great Plague of 1665. Crossrail project Crossrail uncovers 30 victims of The Great Plague of 1665 Bedlam burial ground Liverpool St Osteologists from the Museum of London Archeology (MOLA) will now analyse the skeletons and carry out scientific testing to determine whether the cause of death was the bubonic plague or some other pestilence. Crossrail Project Crossrail uncovers 30 victims of The Great Plague of 1665 Bedlam burial ground Liverpool St The skeletons are understood to have been buried in thin wooden coffins. The wood has since rotted away giving the appearance of a slumped and distorted mass grave, according to experts. Crossrail project Crossrail uncovers 30 victims of The Great Plague of 1665 Bedlam burial ground Liverpool St Archaeologists have called the Bedlam burial ground London's most valuable 16th and 17th Century cemetery site since excavation began earlier this year, and have already uncovered over 3,500 skeletons. Crossrail Project Crossrail uncovers 30 victims of The Great Plague of 1665 Bedlam burial ground Liverpool St The burial ground was in use from 1569 to at least 1738, spanning numerous plague outbreaks, and the recent excavation suggests around 30,000 Londoners were buried there during this period. Crossrail Project Crossrail uncovers 30 victims of The Great Plague of 1665 Bedlam burial ground Liverpool St The site, also known as the New Churchyard, is located at the western end of Liverpool Street and was named after the Bethlehem Hospital which housed the mentally ill, though only a small number of Bedlam patients are thought to have been buried on the grounds. Crossrail Project Studying DNA from the skeletons of plague victims, such as those found during digs to build the new Elizabeth Line in 2015, is the only way of obtaining vital information needed to better understand the disease, said Mr Walker. If you compare this information to both modern plague DNA and black death DNA from a few centuries before, you can try and work out exactly whats going on, he said. It spread like through wildfire in London in 1665. Was there a mutation in the disease that suddenly meant it was affecting us? It stopped affecting us at the end of the century, and we dont really know why. In July, a 10-year-old Russian boy was reported to have caught the plague from a marmot while hunting in the Siberian mountains. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate 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 Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Giraffes, the worlds tallest mammal, have long been assumed to be one species, but geneticists have now discovered there are actually four separate ones. Because they do not appear to mate with each other despite looking remarkably similar two of newly defined species have suddenly become among the most endangered animals in the world. They have been named the southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa), the Masai giraffe (Giraffa tippelskirchi), the reticulated giraffe (Giraffa reticulata), and the northern giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis). Over the last 30 years, the total number of giraffes has fallen from more than 150,000 to less than 100,000. Julian Fennessy, of Giraffe Conservation Foundation in Namibia, said: "With now four distinct species, the conservation status of each of these can be better defined. Northern giraffes number less than 4,750 individuals in the wild, and reticulated giraffes number less than 8,700 individuals. As distinct species, it makes them some of the most endangered large mammals in the world. The news of the four Giraffe species was revealed in the journal Current Biology with geneticists discovering there was at least as much differences in the DNA of the different types as there is between polar bears and brown bears, for example. Professor Axel Janke, of Goethe University, who helped carry out the research, said: "We were extremely surprised, because the morphological [shape] and coat pattern differences between giraffe are limited. Previously it was assumed that giraffes all had the same ecological needs, but the fact there are four species instead of one means they each may have significantly different requirements. But no one really knows, because this megafauna has been largely overlooked by science, Professor Janke said. The tests were carried out after the Giraffe Conservation Foundation approached Professor Janke to find out whether past translocations of giraffe individuals had inadvertently mixed different species or subspecies as this could affect conservation efforts. 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 The researchers examined DNA from 190 giraffes from all nine previously recognised giraffe subspecies across Africa. The term species refers to a group of animals who breed with each other but there can sometimes be cross-breeding with other animals. For example, interbreeding between grizzly or brown bears and polar bears as warming temperatures allow the two to increasingly interact is producing an animal dubbed the grolar or pizzly. It is thought this could one of the factors that will lead to the polar bears extinction as its DNA is gradually bred out. Sign up for a full digest of all the best opinions of the week in our Voices Dispatches email Sign up to our free weekly Voices 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 Voices Dispatches email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Paedophiles can start talking to children about sex in online chatrooms after just 120 seconds and arrange to meet them after 40 minutes, researchers have warned. Academics who lead the Online Grooming Communication Project studied interactions between convicted child sex abusers and adult volunteers pretending to be children on behalf of the police in the US. They said their work should dispel several myths about how paedophiles groom their victims. Child abusers tended not to pose as children, lying about their age in the same way as ordinary people sometimes do, reducing it by about five years. And the researchers said the grooming tended to be persuasive, rather than coercive, with an abuser often speaking in a polite way, paying the child a large amount of compliments. But perhaps the most alarming finding was how quickly some of them would start talking about sex and how quickly they would move to asking to meet. Dr Cristina Izura, who took part in the research, said: Online groomers are, communicatively, highly skilled and can interact with their victims as if they care about them, and can pretend to be romantically rather than only sexually interested in them. They complement children regularly on a range of topics, rather than only on sexually oriented ones. We have found that depending on online grooming speed [of the abuser], sexually oriented compliments, whether on appearance or on personality, comprise between over half and a quarter of all the compliments online groomers pay. Moreover, online groomers use compliments not only to develop an emotional bond with the children, but also strategically to frame communicative exchanges in which they desensitise the children to sexual behaviour and isolate them from their family and close friends, thus strengthening their dependency on the online groomer. She said during the online interactions between the paedophiles and the adult volunteers, the fastest time an abuser mentioned sex was just two minutes. And in one encounter the abuser arranged to meet the person he thought was a child after just 18 minutes. Recommended Read more Paedophile rapper filmed himself having sex with schoolgirls While this may have depended to an extent on the adult volunteers replies, Dr Izura said this was not significantly out of step with what happened in real encounters with children. Police had told them of a case where a child had been successfully groomed after just 40 minutes, she said. All of these findings resonated with them [the police] as quite real it doesnt seem that far off from what actually happens, she said. The researchers analysed more than quarter a million words in exchanges involving nearly 200 child abusers who were later convicted. Her colleague at Swansea University, Professor Nuria Lorenzo-Dus, said one thing that was unexpected was how polite online groomers could be, using phrases like would you mind and perhaps you might in addition to at times being sexually explicit. 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 She said this meant that software designed to detect paedophiles online activities by looking for language rich with sexual terms might not be as effective as hoped. Professor Lorenzo-Dus said all children were potentially at risk even hers and Dr Izuras and it was important for parents to talk about the risk to their sons and daughters. We know it is unrealistic to stop children using the internet and it is not always possible to monitor all their digital activities, but increasing their understanding of how online grooming works and the communicative tactics online groomers use will make it possible to recognise some of the strategies our research has revealed and therefore to raise awareness of the potential dangers, she said. While this may be emotionally hard for adults, whether as parents, carers or professionals devoted to childrens well-being, it is paramount that they are informed so they can recognise the signs. 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 }} Campaigners have welcomed the closure of the controversial Dungavel detention centre but worries have already been raised about its planned replacement. The Home Office announced the immigration removal centre near Strathaven, South Lanarkshire, will close at the end of 2017, with a replacement short-term holding centre to be built close to Glasgow Airport. Dungavel has been branded "racist and inhumane" and at the centre of numerous protests by campaigners who have raised concerns over the treatment of detainees and the length of some detentions. It has long been a political issue, with MSPs demanding an end to the detention of children at the centre, leading to a 2010 Westminster ruling that families detained north of the border would be moved to Yarl's Wood in Bedfordshire, with access to specialist family, child and support services. Detainees have also taken part in action inside Dungavel, with many refusing food in a protest over a suicide at the centre in 2007. The Home Office said Dungavel, which holds up to 249 detainees and is the only such centre in Scotland, is "under-utilised due to its remote location". A replacement short-term holding centre is to be built close to Glasgow Airport as part of the UK Government's strategy for a "more efficient and cost-effective detention estate". Despite welcoming the closure, campaigners and the Scottish Government are seeking assurances over conditions at the new centre. Human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar, who has represented families detained at Dungavel, called the closure "long overdue". "As far back as 2003 when I represented the Ay family who were Kurdish Asylum seekers, a mother and her four children who sought safety in this country were incarcerated behind barbed wire for over a year," Mr Anwar said. "Their treatment disregarded the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and subjected the Ay children to psychological torture and symbolised the treatment of other families and children. Pride and prejudice: The Victorian roots of a very British ambivalence to immigration Show all 3 1 /3 Pride and prejudice: The Victorian roots of a very British ambivalence to immigration Pride and prejudice: The Victorian roots of a very British ambivalence to immigration 405361.bin GETTY IMAGES Pride and prejudice: The Victorian roots of a very British ambivalence to immigration 405362.bin GETTY IMAGES Pride and prejudice: The Victorian roots of a very British ambivalence to immigration 405363.bin GETTY IMAGES "If there is to be a legacy of those who died as a result of suicide at Dungavel or deportation, then immigration and detention policies must be devolved to Scotland so that we can begin to treat those who seek sanctuary with compassion and humanity." Scotland's Equality Secretary Angela Constance said: "The Scottish Government has long campaigned for the replacement of Dungavel with a more humane system, however by introducing a rapid removal facility there is a real risk that people who have been living in Scotland will either have their opportunities to challenge their deportation restricted or be taken to immigration removal centres far away from their families, friends and legal representation. "This move could make it considerably more difficult for them to pursue their cases and have serious impacts on their mental health. "We will be seeking urgent clarification from the UK Government on their proposals and guarantees around the way in which asylum seekers based in Scotland facing deportation will be treated." Plans for the new centre in Abbotsinch Road beside Glasgow Airport would have just 51 beds and the Home Office said the "vast majority" of stays would be for less than a week. Dungavel is expected to close near the end of 2017, within a few months of the new facility opening, however Renfrewshire Council said it has not yet received a planning application for the new site. Immigration Minister Robert Goodwill said: "The new short-term holding facility would provide easy access to London airports, from where most removals take place, meaning those with no right to be in the UK can be removed with less delay. "Closing Dungavel immigration removal centre as a consequence fits with that approach and will result in a significant saving for the public purse." The latest in a series of protests was staged outside Dungavel in May as part of a Europe-wide day of action against detention centres. Hundreds of campaigners, including former detainees, asylum seekers and refugees, took part. One-time Dungavel detainee Sally Martinez told the crowd: "We believe we can end detention in Scotland. To see so many people here is really inspiring. "The costs of detention are too great - it has a human cost, a financial cost and a moral cost. Dungavel's time is up." Refugee and migrant homelessness charity Positive Action In Housing said "good riddance" to Dungavel but believe a short-term holding facility will make it harder for charities and lawyers to help detainees. Press Association 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 }} Campaigners are planning to fill the Royal Albert Hall with a sea of blue EU flags on the Last Night of the Proms as part of an anti-Brexit protest. Audience members at the BBC concert traditionally wave Union Jack flags in a display of patriotic revelry to well-known anthems such as Rule Britannia, Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory. But at this years event, which takes place on Saturday, volunteers will hand out 5,000 EU flags so concert-goers can show UK solidarity with the EU. An online crowdfunding campaign raised 1,175 to buy the flags, with 60 people donating to the cause over 28 days. As music is such an international activity that benefits greatly from our membership of the EU this event feels an appropriate venue to show UK solidarity with the EU, wrote an organiser on the campaign page. The event is televised and has a very high profile. Concert goers waving EU flags along with the Union Jack would send a message to the world and our own people about how much music lovers value the EU. Pro-EU campaigners at a 'March for Europe' protest against the Brexit vote in London on 3 September 2016 (AFP/Getty Images) (AFP/Getty) Britain voted to leave the European Union on 23 June, sparking protests from Remain voters in London and around the country just after the referendum result. The most recent wave of pro-EU demonstrations in early September called for the UK to strengthen its ties with the continent as the Remain campaign relaunched as Open Britain. The Albert Hall has a capacity of 5,272, but campaigners acknowledge there may be a substantial number of Brexit voters among the attendees. They probably wouldn't all want a flag, so any left over can be given to support other activities where they would be appropriate, wrote the organiser. And the flags may be designed with the EU symbol on one side and the UK flag on the other to avoid alienating those who voted to leave, according to the Telegraph. The campaign has caused a backlash among some Conservative MPs, including Peter Bone, who told the newspaper the campaigners' plans amounted to cheap politics. The Last Night of the Proms is an inspiring, uplifting British event, not an EU event so for it to be hijacked is cheap politics, he said. Brexit protest: Thousands march in London Show all 12 1 /12 Brexit protest: Thousands march in London Brexit protest: Thousands march in London A woman poses with a home-made European Union flag as Remain supporters gather on Park Lane in London to show their support for the EU in the wake of Brexit PA Brexit protest: Thousands march in London Remain supporters demonstrate in Parliament Square PA Brexit protest: Thousands march in London Tens of thousands of people gathered to protest the result of the EU referendum PA Brexit protest: Thousands march in London A majority of people in the capital voted to remain in the European Union Reuters Brexit protest: Thousands march in London Protesters chanted: What do we want to do? Stay in the EU PA Brexit protest: Thousands march in London The march follows a similar rally in Trafalgar Square that was cancelled due to heavy rain but which tens of thousands of people turned up to anyway Reuters Brexit protest: Thousands march in London Britain voted to leave the European Union in a referendum by 52 per cent to 48 per cent Reuters Brexit protest: Thousands march in London But support for the Leave campaign in urban areas and among young people was significantly lower Rex features Brexit protest: Thousands march in London Marchers gathered at Park Lane at 11am and marched towards Parliament Square PA Brexit protest: Thousands march in London Some protesters held up baguettes in a display of affection for our continental neighbours PA Brexit protest: Thousands march in London The disparity between different parts of the country has promoted a four million signature petition calling for a second referendum and even a renewed push for Scotland to cede from the UK PA Brexit protest: Thousands march in London The events organiser, Kings College graduate Kieran MacDermott, wrote: We can prevent Brexit by refusing to accept the referendum as the final say and take our finger off the self-destruct button" Reuters And fellow Brexiteer MP Bill Cash said the events culmination in Rule Britannia, criticised by some as jingoistic, was a great hymn to Britain and certainly not to the European Union. But the former director of the event, which ends eight weeks of BBC classical summer concerts, has emphasised that despite its patriotic overtones, the Last Night of the Proms is an international event. What made Edward Elgar, the creator of Land of Hope and Glory, the outstanding composer of his time? It was not a narrow-minded English outlook, but his absorption in continental models, wrote Nicholas Kenyon in the Guardian this week. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} North Korea has forbidden people from making sarcastic comments about Kim Jong-un or his totalitarian regime in their everyday conversations. Even indirect criticism of the authoritarian government has been banned, Asian media reported. Residents were warned against criticising the state in a series of mass meetings held by functionaries across the country. North Korea claims success in fifth and biggest nuclear test One state security official personally organised a meeting to alert local residents to potential hostile actions by internal rebellious elements, a source in Jagang Province told Radio Free Asias Korean Service. The main point of the lecture was Keep your mouths shut. The caution was also issued in neighbouring Yangang Province, sources revealed. Officials told people that sarcastic expressions such as This is all Americas fault would constitute unacceptable criticism of the regime. This habit of the central authorities of blaming the wrong country when a problems cause obviously lies elsewhere has led citizens to mock the party, an anonymous source said. North Korea's worst human rights abuses Show all 11 1 /11 North Korea's worst human rights abuses North Korea's worst human rights abuses Starvation A UN report said that policies leading to mass starvation in North Korea amounted to crimes against humanity. Deaths peaked during the 1990s North Korean famine. Al Jazeera North Korea's worst human rights abuses Executions Defence minister Hyon Yong Chol is believed to be the latest official executed after falling foul of Kim Jong-un. As well as gruesome public executions, thousands of people have been killed in state 'purges' and for alleged anti-state crimes Getty North Korea's worst human rights abuses Torture Torture is prevalent in prison camps, as well as in police and security service custody. AP North Korea's worst human rights abuses Freedom of religion American missionary Kenneth Bae was one of the many people detained after trying to practice their religion. The DPRK Constitution claims to protect freedom of religion but not if it as alleged of being used a a pretext for 'drawing in foreign forces or for harming the state and social order'. Christianity is frequently considered a political crime North Korea's worst human rights abuses Freedom of expression All media is tightly-state controlled and expressing facts of opinions critical of the government or Juche ideology can lead to arrest and imprisonment. As well as being under extensive surveillance, people are encouraged to 'inform' on friends and neighbours Getty North Korea's worst human rights abuses Freedom of thought A UN report found that the 'DPRK operates an all-encompassing indoctrination machine which takes root from childhood to propagate an official personality cult and to manufacture absolute obedience to the Supreme Leader, effectively to the exclusion of any independent thought from the official ideology and state propaganda' Reuters North Korea's worst human rights abuses Forced labour Prisoners are subjected to forced labour in camps, including children as young as five. Some workers are also reportedly being sent abroad to fund the government's projects AFP North Korea's worst human rights abuses Sexual discrimination Although women are permitted to serve in the military, their role is restrained by the Juche ideology and the UN reports that 'discrimination against women remains pervasive in all aspects of society' AP North Korea's worst human rights abuses Freedom of movement Freedom of movement is severely restricted within North Korea and very few citizens are allowed to leave the country. Immigrants found in China can be forcible repatriated and punished on their return. The right for foreigners to enter is also severely restricted. Reuters North Korea's worst human rights abuses Prison camps Many of the worst abuses reported take place at prison camps, some specifically for political crimes. The camps officially do not exist but have been photographed using satellite. Inmates are 'forcibly disappeared' and usually imprisoned until death REUTERS North Korea's worst human rights abuses Reproductive rights Forced abortions have been reported for imprisoned women, often after being raped by guards. Mothers and babies frequently die in childbirth because of a lack of adequate care, often delivering babies unaided at home. AP Another mocking expression, A fool who cannot see the outside world, was also said to be circulating in the totalitarian state, referring to the countrys notoriously isolationist leader. The phrase was apparently conceived when officials voiced shock that Mr Kim did not attend celebrations held in Russia and China to mark the end of the Second World War. Regional media have reported an increase in public acts of dissent in the country of late. Graffiti mocking the government and its leader have appeared twice in recent weeks. What you're not allowed to say in North Korea North Korea has taken part in multiple weapons tests recently, in displays of force intended to demonstrate the countrys developing nuclear capabilities. 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 }} Tottenham Court Road Tube station was evacuated this morning after a woman was hit by a train. Emergency services were called and the Tube station was closed at around 8.40am after the woman was hit by a Central line train. Transport for London confirmed the Central line was suspended eastbound between Marble Arch and Liverpool Street. The line reopened at 9.40 and Tottenham Court Road station was reopened to passengers 10 minutes later. A TfL spokesperson said: The station was closed this morning with a person under a train. The incident is being resumed as non-suspicious. Paramedics treated the woman at the station before she was rushed to hospital, police said. Images on social media show the station surrounded by police vehicles, ambulances and fire engines. Witnesses said the street was jammed, but under control. Nick Colantonio, 33, who works in the travel industry, told the Evening Standard: I was walking from Holborn to Oxford Street and I saw several ambulances, police and firefighters. The junction between Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street was jammed but the situation was under control. A British Transport Police spokesman said: British Transport Police were called to Tottenham Court Road London Underground station following reports of a person struck by a train. The call came into police at 8.35am. Officers attended alongside paramedics. A woman has been taken to hospital with injuries. 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 legal system in Britain is the product of centuries of law creation, alteration and destruction, and the UK still has many archaic pieces of legislation to prove it. Catching sturgeon, importing potatoes and even drinking too much in the pub all have legal consequences, according to new research that has rootled out Britains strangest laws that remain in existence. The research revealed 10 lesser-known laws that remain on the statute books despite being, in some cases ancient, and in others simply bizarre. Christopher Sargeant, a PhD student at Cambridge University, spent two months analysing British laws and compiling the list. He used four factors to develop the list: the age of the legal rule, the degree of clarity of the law, its modern-day relevance and the current public awareness of the law. What was interesting was some of them were actually very new, which was quite surprising, he told the Independent. However, others were almost prehistoric. The existing law that all beached whales and sturgeons must be offered to the Reigning Monarch, initially came into force in 1322. According to Mr Sargeant it may have reflected the desire of King Edward II to try to control the levels of overly conspicuous consumption in the realm. The law was tested as recently as 2004, when a fisherman named Robert Davies caught a 9lb sturgeon off the coast of Wales which he duly offered to the Queen, only to receive notice that she was happy for him to dispose of the fish as he saw fit. Afterwards, Mr Davies became the subject to a short criminal investigation on the basis that sturgeon are a protected species and it is an offence to deliberately catch or kill them. The particular sturgeon in question, dubbed Stanley, now resides at the Natural History Museum in London. More recently, a piece of legislature which came into effect in 2004, banned imports of Polish potatoes to Britain without first notifying the authorities. They were concerned because in 2004 there was a massive outbreak of something called ringrot in potatoes from Poland, Mr Sargeant said. Its still in force and you have to follow that procedure. One law which is not followed as closely however, is part of the 1872 Licensing Act, which states: It is Illegal to be drunk in the pub. The legislation adds: Every person found drunk on any licensed premises, shall be liable to a penalty. Originally brought in to encourage lower levels of drinking, the law is still in use today as a means of dealing with unacceptable public drunkenness. It could get used if youre excessively drunk or causing trouble and need to be taken home to sober up and wont go voluntarily, Mr Sargeant said. Other bizarre legislation that remains on the statute books includes the 1313 law that it is illegal to wear armour in parliament; that it is an offence to be drunk and in charge of cattle in England and Wales; and also a 1986 poaching law states that it is illegal to handle a salmon in suspicious circumstances. The research was commissioned by insurance firm, Privilege, which questions whether so many obscure laws are necessary and calls for many to be repealed. The top ten weirdest laws in Britain today 1. All beached whales and sturgeons must be offered to the Reigning Monarch 2. No person shall, in the course of a business, import into England, potatoes which he knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, are from Poland 3. It is Illegal to be drunk in the pub 4. It is illegal to carry a plank along a pavement (as well as any ladder, wheel, pole, cask, placard, showboard, or hoop) in the Metropolitan Police District 5. MPs are not allowed to wear armour in Parliament 6. It is an offence to be drunk and in charge of cattle in England and Wales 7. It is illegal to handle a salmon in suspicious circumstances 8. It is an offence to beat or shake any carpet, rug, or mat (except door mats before 8am) in a thoroughfare in the Metropolitan Police District 9. It is illegal to jump the queue in the Tube ticket hall 10. It is illegal to activate your burglar alarm without first nominating a Key-Holder who can switch it off in your absence UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 14 September 2022 The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, London, where it will lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2022 Crowds cheer as King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort arrive for a visit to Hillsborough Castle Getty UK news in pictures 12 September 2022 Crowds line the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, as King Charles III joins a procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral following the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II Katielee Arrowsmith/SWNS UK news in pictures 11 September 2022 Members of the Public pay their respects as the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland, is driven through Ballater AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 10 September 2022 Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wave at well-wishers on the Long walk at Windsor Castle AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 9 September 2022 King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort wave after viewing floral tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Buckingham Palace Getty UK news in pictures 8 September 2022 A screen commemorating Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in Piccadilly Circus, London Britain EPA UK news in pictures 7 September 2022 Police officers stand guard after Animal Rebellion activists threw paint on the walls and road outside the Houses of Parliament in protest, in London, Britain Reuters UK news in pictures 6 September 2022 Queen Elizabeth II welcomes Liz Truss during an audience at Balmoral, Scotland, where she invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2022 Visitors at the PoliNations garden in Victoria Square, Birmingham, which is made up of five 40ft high tree installations and over 6,000 plants. The PoliNations programme aims to explore how migration and cross-pollination have shaped the UKs gardens and culture PA So can I urinate in a policemans helmet if I am pregnant? This is the archetypal antediluvian law which many people believe still exists except unfortunately it doesnt. Mr Sargeant told the Independent: Urinating in policemans helmet was one of the ones I looked for and I couldnt find any evidence for it. 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 }} Triggering Article 50 does not mean it cannot be later revoked, according to a leading EU lawyer who helped write it, who also warned of 15 years of economic pain immediately after the UK leaves the European Union. My opinion is that there is no legal provision in Article 50 providing that when you give your intention you cannot change your intention, so I think its possible legally, lawyer Jean Claude Piris told Sky News. Mr Piris was a key figure in the drafting of both the Maastricht and Lisbon Treaties, the two documents that formally created European Union. Until Lisbon, which was signed in 2007, no formal process existed by which a country could exit the EU. Donald Tusk asks Theresa May to start Brexit process 'as soon as possible' Nobody thought that it would be used, he said. But people thought that if it would be used one day it would probably be by the United Kingdom, because as you know the United Kingdom has always been a little bit in, little bit out. Difficult things will begin after the exit, when you go out, you have no trade agreement whatsoever, with nobody, because you are losing the fact that you were a member of the single market, and you were participating to the 60 or 70 agreements with a lot of countries in the world. You know a trade agreement is very long. It is very heavy, thousands of pages. If you dont want a European Court of Justice looking at what you are doing. If you dont want somebody telling you that youre obliged to have immigration from EU, if you want to be able to negotiate trade agreements alone and not with the others, then okay, fine, but there will be a price, and the price will be certainly heavy. It might be good in thirty years, but for the fifteen years to come, definitely not. Prime Minister Theresa May said at Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday that triggering Article 50 was a prerogative power and that she would do so without a vote in Parliament. 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 }} Australias trade minister has dampened hopes by Brexiteers that Britain might be able to forge a new relationship with the Commonwealth after it leaves the EU. Steven Ciobo told the European Parliament on Thursday that Australias historical relationship with Britain was in many respects a relationship of yesteryear. He added that negotiating a free trade deal with Britain would be at a minimum two and half a years away, and said talks with the EU were significantly more advanced. I see the European Union FTA as certainly commencing formal negotiations well and truly prior to anything that might happen with the UK, he told MEPs. The UK and Australia of course do have a historical relationship, but it's in many respects a relationship of yesteryear. What we look at in terms of our relationship with the UK now from a trade perspective, as they go about exiting the EU, is to be mindful of the fact that they are exiting." Australia was not in a position to negotiate a UK-Australia agreement until such time as that exit occurs, Mr Ciobo said echoing comments by the UKs own International Trade Secretary Liax Fox this morning. The comments were made at a joint hearing of the European Parliaments Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committees. Liberal Democrat MEP Catherine Bearder said the comments showed that Britain would be on its own. Brexit racism and the fightback Show all 9 1 /9 Brexit racism and the fightback Brexit racism and the fightback Demonstrators protest against an increase in post-ref racism at London's March for Europe in July 2016 PA Brexit racism and the fightback These cards were found near a school in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, the day after the EU referendum Twitter/@howgilb Brexit racism and the fightback Getty Brexit racism and the fightback Romford, Essex, June 25 @diamondgeezer Brexit racism and the fightback A worker at this Romanian food shop was asleep upstairs at the time of this arson attack in Norwich on July 8, but escaped unharmed. Hundreds later participated in a love bombing rally outside the shop to express their opposition to racism and their support of the shop owners. JustGiving/Helen Linehan Brexit racism and the fightback This neo-Nazi sticker was spotted in Glasgow on June 26 Courtesy of Eoin Palmer Brexit racism and the fightback But after news emerged of neo-Nazi stickers appearing in Glasgow, some in the city struck back with slogans of their own. Courtesy of Eoin Palmer Brexit racism and the fightback Getty Brexit racism and the fightback More signs began to appear in some parts of the UK, created by people who wanted to show their opposition to post-referendum racism Courtesy of Bernadette Russell This is a huge blow to Liam Fox and his Brexit trade fantasy, she said. The economic reality is that even our closest trading partners will prioritise talks with the EU, the biggest market in the world, over the UK. Pulling out of Europes single market would mean years of damaging uncertainty, job losses and investment. How do you tell businesses to wait years to know what the rules of trade will be? The Liberal Democrats will stand up against a damaging Brexit and fight to keep Britain open, tolerant and united. 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 }} Welcome to The Independents live coverage of the penultimate Labour leadership debate, in which Jeremy Corbyn and Owen Smith will go head-to-head in a prime time television slot. Here are the latest political updates: The event, hosted by BBC Ones Question Time in Oldham, will consist of an audience made up of people supporting both the Labour party and other political parties. The broadcaster confirmed earlier today that there will be an even mix of both Mr Smith and Mr Corbyns supporters. The penultimate debate comes just two weeks before the Labour party announces its next leader at a special conference in Liverpool. But many commentators are treating the race as a foregone conclusion, with Mr Corbyn, according to one poll, significantly ahead of his rival who has attempted to position himself as just as radical as the current leader. Earlier on Thursday Mr Smith accused the Labour leader of consistently undermining his colleagues and released a dossier setting out why the party leader is the disunity candidate. He claimed Mr Corbyn is more interested in deepening the divides within the party than winning elections and added he had tolerated abuse in the party. Mr Smith has promised to bring an end to abuse and intimidation once and for all". Mr Corbyn's team, however, described it as a "dodgy" collection of rehashed claims that shows Mr Smith's desperation. The Labour leader is likely to be criticised for his stance on whether Britain should remain in the European single market after Brexit. On Wednesday one of Mr Corbyns senior aides suggested he might rule out full membership of the tariff-free market unless Britain can negotiate exemptions from key EU rules. Mr Smith has placed Brexit at centre of his campaign and has pledged to fight for a second referendum. Mr Smith, the former work and pensions secretary, could face questions in relation to allegations of sexism earlier this week. The Pontypridd MP dismissed the suggestion, however, calling it a bit of political banter. 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 }} Lawyers are being paid more than 33,000 every week for legal advice on how to deliver Brexit, official figures show. Nick Clegg, who uncovered the spending, said it was further evidence of how ill-prepared Whitehall is for the enormous task of withdrawing from the European Union. The former Liberal Democrat leader said: Anyone who thinks Brexit will be quick or easy is seriously mistaken. This huge taxpayer-funded Brexit bill for legal advice shows how ill-prepared Whitehall is for what will be the biggest and most complex set of negotiations it has ever attempted. But it is not just legal advice where the Government is ill-prepared we simply don't have anything like the number of trade negotiators necessary to establish a new trading relationship with the EU or other countries. Britain has yet to formally start talks to withdraw from the European Union, with the Prime Minister and Brexit Secretary David Davis coming under fire for revealing little detail about their plans to MPs. The legal bill has been run up by the Department for Exiting the European Union, which said it had spent about 268,711 in eight weeks an average of around 33,500 each week. Brexit racism and the fightback Show all 9 1 /9 Brexit racism and the fightback Brexit racism and the fightback Demonstrators protest against an increase in post-ref racism at London's March for Europe in July 2016 PA Brexit racism and the fightback These cards were found near a school in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, the day after the EU referendum Twitter/@howgilb Brexit racism and the fightback Getty Brexit racism and the fightback Romford, Essex, June 25 @diamondgeezer Brexit racism and the fightback A worker at this Romanian food shop was asleep upstairs at the time of this arson attack in Norwich on July 8, but escaped unharmed. Hundreds later participated in a love bombing rally outside the shop to express their opposition to racism and their support of the shop owners. JustGiving/Helen Linehan Brexit racism and the fightback This neo-Nazi sticker was spotted in Glasgow on June 26 Courtesy of Eoin Palmer Brexit racism and the fightback But after news emerged of neo-Nazi stickers appearing in Glasgow, some in the city struck back with slogans of their own. Courtesy of Eoin Palmer Brexit racism and the fightback Getty Brexit racism and the fightback More signs began to appear in some parts of the UK, created by people who wanted to show their opposition to post-referendum racism Courtesy of Bernadette Russell Officials are still assessing the total amount of taxpayers' cash required for legal advice over the next 12 months, when the UK Government is expected to have invoked Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. That will trigger what is predicted to be a complex two-year negotiation process or even longer, if the UK and other EU nations agree. Recommended Read more We must scrap the Common Agricultural Policy during Brexit Mr Clegg, who has returned to frontline politics as his partys EU spokesman, asked the Brexit department to reveal how much it has spent on internal and external legal advice, plus a prediction of future spending in the year ahead. In reply, Brexit Minister David Davis said: The department is currently assessing the overall requirement for legal advice and the associated funding requirement over the next 12 months. To date, the department has incurred an estimated total of 256,000 in fixed-fee legal advice with the Government legal department and a further 12,711 in relation to additional billed fees and disbursements. No spend has been incurred in relation to external legal firms. Mr Clegg added: The process of leaving the European Union, regardless of what deal the Government eventually agrees, will be long and painful and risks a long period of uncertainty for British business, jobs and our wider economy. 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 }} Chancellor Philip Hammond has signalled that highly skilled workers, including bankers and businessmen, will be exempt from the governments curbs to immigration after Britain leaves the EU. In his debut appearance in front of the Lords Economic Committee and less than 24 hours after Theresa May said she would not be providing a running commentary on Brexit negotiations Mr Hammond appeared to reassure the financial markets by revealing preferential treatment for highly skilled people. When asked how he would deal with the interesting paper dispatched by the Japanese government on Sunday, ahead of the G20 meeting in China, Mr Hammond responded: Its clearly in our interests, and I would suggest the European Unions interest as well, to have as free and open access to each others markets but we cannot accept uncontrolled free movement of people thats the political outcome of the referendum decision that was made. Recommended Read more Philip Hammond pledges billions to plug Brexit funding gap I dont think that needs to strike fear into the heart of Japanese financial institutions because I would expect, due to the control that we would have over movement of people, we would use it in a sensible way that would certainly facilitate the movement of highly skilled people between financial institutions and businesses in order to support investment in the UK economy that would certainly be my expectation. But while the Government appears happy to signal bankers would be exempt from the curbs to the free movement of people, Ms May is yet to reassure EU migrants, living within the UK, whether their legal status will remain the same following Britains exit from the EU. She has repeatedly said she will not give such guarantees before the EU member states enshrine the rights of British citizens living in the EU. Mr Hammonds appearance at the Lords committee, which included two former chancellors, Alistair Darling and Norman Lamont, comes after he met with a delegation of City financiers at the Treasury on Tuesday to hear their fears about Brexit. I understand the scale of the potential impact leaving the EU could have for parts of the financial services industry, the Chancellor stated after the meeting. That is why I am determined to listen to what the industry has to say on key issues, like access to the single market. Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Show all 27 1 /27 Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Andrea Leadsom Andrea Leadsom has been appointed Secretary for Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Getty Images Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Priti Patel Priti Patel has been appointed International Development Secretary PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Alun Cairns Alun Cairns will stay on as Welsh Secretary Reuters Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Karen Bradley Karen Bradley is now Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Rex Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Greg Clark Greg Clark has been appointed Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? James Brokenshire James Brokenshire has been appointed as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Stephen Crabb Stephen Crabb has resigned as Work and Pensions Secretary PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Theresa Villiers Theresa Villiers will not return as Northern Ireland Secretary. She was reportedly offered a role by Theresa May, but turned it down, saying it was not one she felt could take on Getty Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Chris Grayling Chris Grayling has been appointed Transport Secretary PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Damien Green Damien Green has been appointed Work and Pensions Secretary Getty Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Liz Truss Liz Truss has been appointed Justice Secretary Getty Images Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Patrick McLoughlin Patrick McLoughlin who was Transport Secretary has been appointed Tory Party chairman and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Getty Images Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Justine Greening Justine Greening has been appointed as Education Secretary Getty Images Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Gavin Williamson Gavin Williamson is to become the new Government Chief Whip Reuters Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Jeremy Hunt Jeremy Hunt will continue as Health Secretary Getty Images Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Nicky Morgan Nicky Morgan lost her job as Education Secretary Reuters Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Michael Gove Michael Gove has been sacked as Justice Secretary Reuters Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? John Whittingdale John Whittingdale left his job as Culture Secretary EPA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Oliver Letwin Oliver Letwin, the Chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster, has been sacked from his role in the cabinet PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Philip Hammond The former Foreign Secretary has been made Chancellor EPA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Boris Johnson Leading Brexit campaigner is given the role of Foreign Secretary Getty Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Amber Rudd Leading Remain campaigner takes Theresa May's old job of Home Secretary PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Michael Fallon Stays as Defence Secretary AP Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? Liam Fox The former Defence Secretary is named as head of new Department for International Trade PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? David Davis The former shadow Home Secretary and leadership rival to David Cameron is named Secretary of State for Leaving the European Union - aka Brexit minister PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? George Osborne Gone as Chancellor - and fails to secure any new role in May's government GETTY Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in and who's out? David Mundell The Conservative Party's only Scottish MP retains his role as Scottish Secretary Getty Images The Chancellor, who announced the autumn statement will be on the 23 November, also used the committee session to warn European leaders not to damage the Citys role as Europes financial centre once Britain leaves the EU. He insisted that he had no doubt whatsoever that Britains agreement will be bespoke. Mr Hammond added that the economic impact of the vote to quit the EU had been considerably less severe than the Bank of England had expected but warned there were likely to be ups and downs over the coming years. He told the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee: There are very good reasons to think that it is in the interests of the overall economies of the European Union countries, as well as the UK economy, that London, as Europe's financial centre, remains broadly as it is. The structures that we have in London, its very complex eco-system of banks, funds, insurance companies, law firms, business services firms, would not and could not be replicated anywhere else. To break it up or to try to damage it in the pursuit of some very narrow and hypothetical national advantage would be a huge mistake for any of our European Union partners to follow. I genuinely believe that London delivers not only for the UK but for the European Union as a whole. 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 }} Theresa May is on a collision course with Parliament over controversial plans to redraw the election map of the UK after Conservative MPs attacked them, with one branding them perverse. The review of constituencies due to be published next week will see the number of MPs in the Commons slashed from 650 to 600. But senior Tory backbencher Charles Walker said the move could not be justified without also reforming the unelected House of Lords. Recommended Read more Labour will suffer the most under constituency boundary review Fellow Tory Philip Davies also said it would be an outrage if the number of MPs serving as paid-up ministers did not fall at the same time. The plans for the boundary review were first introduced by David Cameron with the goal of equalizing the number of registered voters in every constituency, though critics claim it will see Labour lose more seats than the Conservatives. Mr Walker, who chairs the Procedures Committee, said the move could not be justified as the ranks of the Lords continue to swell. He said in the Commons: It seems perverse to reduce the number of elected representatives in this place while the Lords continues to gorge itself on new arrivals. Mr Speaker, I believe in an appointed upper House but not at the current price and not at the expense of this elected and therefore accountable chamber." He added: We in this place must guard against bringing this countrys democratic settlement into disrepute. David Cameron announced the creation of another 13 Conservative Lords on leaving office, with many of the peerages given to former Downing Street advisers. Parliaments website currently lists the total number of active peers at 804. Mr Davies said if the overall number of MPs fell while the number of ministers remained static it would dilute the power of backbenchers. He said: We also have the situation whereby the Government are proposing to reduce the number of MPs by 50 but not reduce the number of ministers by an equal proportion, thereby giving the Government more control over the House of Commons, which clearly has to be an outrage. Chris Skidmore, Minister for the Constitution said: Equalising the size of constituencies in the Boundary Review will mean everyones vote will carry equal weight. "Without such boundary reforms, MPs could end up representing constituencies based on data that is over 20 years old, disregarding significant changes in demographics, house building and migration. As it stands some constituencies have twice as many electors than other constituencies and this cannot be right." 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 }} Sir David Attenborough has joined forces with leading scientists and animal welfare experts to call for an end to the use primates in certain types of cruel testing by neuroscientists. The leading naturalist and broadcaster said recent breakthroughs in understanding primates capacity to feel suffering and pain meant it was time to stop funding some potentially painful or cruel types of experiments. In a rare intervention into a controversial area of debate, Sir David has signed an open letter, published in The Independent, with famous primatologist, Dr Jane Goodall, and other leading academics to voice their concerns. Non-human primates are regularly used in both the European Union and United States because of their biological especially neurological similarity with humans. Some scientists argue that studies using animals have contributed to advances in areas such as Parkinsons disease and HIV/AIDS research. But campaigners say that research involving the restraint of movement, and the use of water deprivation to coerce primates into following researchers commands are not only cruel but now have viable alternatives. According to animal welfare group Cruelty Free International, 3,612 experiments were carried out on primates in the UK last year, while around 6,000 are used each year in research in Europe. De facto bans on cosmetics testing, the import of wild-caught primates and the use of great apes for research have been in place in the UK since 1997, but the 21 signatories to the letter are now calling for the Government and whole EU to go further. After signing the letter, Sir David said: The recognition that apes, certainly, and to an extent other primates, are so akin to ourselves, and can suffer so much, as we can, has transformed our attitude, or should have transformed our attitude, to using them for our own benefit. They are sentient beings that have mental lives comparable to ours, and sensitivities, and pain and deprivation mean things to them, just as they mean things to us. Sir David Attenborough (Getty) Dr Goodall, the founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and United Nations-designated Messenger of Peace, described such experiments as inhumane. She said: I and my team have studied chimpanzees, our closest living relatives, for over 50 years. I can state categorically that they have a similar capacity for suffering, both mental and physical, and show similar emotions to many of ours. We also study baboons and other monkeys and there is no doubt they too can suffer and experience fear, depression, anxiety, frustration and so on. To confine these primate relatives of ours to laboratory cages and subject them to experiments that are often distressing and painful is, in my opinion, morally wrong. To restrain their movement and deprive them of water is inhumane and extremely cruel and we have no right to exploit them in this way for any reason. The European Commission recently moved to update the European Union position on primate testing. It recently asked the EUs Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks (SCHEER) for a new consensus opinion on the issue. In 2007 the European Parliament called on the Commission to take action to ban the use of great apes and wild-caught monkeys in scientific experiments. Though the Commission has said it supports an eventual ban on all primate testing in principle, it says current alternatives mean a fixed date for ending such experiments is not currently possible. British primatologist Jane Goodall has travelled the world studying the behaviour of chimpanzees since the Sixties (AFP) The open letter, organised by Cruelty Free International, formerly known as the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection, and signed by the 21 experts, says: The undersigned are concerned at the level of suffering involved in many neuroscience experiments on non-human primates, especially where fluid deprivation and movement restraint is involved, and believe that there has now been sufficient progress in human-based alternatives to call into serious question whether further research of this type is necessary. We note the recent research in this area published in ATLA [Bailey J & Taylor K. (2016). Non-human Primates in Neuroscience Research: The Case Against its Scientific Necessity. ATLA 44, 43-69]. We therefore call on bodies responsible for the funding and licensing of this type of research to review their policies and specifically to end support for experiments involving deprivation of fluids and movement restraint. Dr Katy Taylor, Director of Science at Cruelty Free International, states: We welcome the support from Sir David Attenborough, Dr Jane Goodall and other notable experts to end this cruel research. The public may be forgiven for thinking these types of experiments ended in the 1960s, but sadly funding bodies and governments are still endorsing unnecessary experiments on the brains of monkeys. This brutal treatment of monkeys, for speculative ends, does not belong in a progressive society. A spokesperson for the Medical Research Council, which funds some primate testing, said the licensing process for such experiments was robust. The MRC considers the use of animals to be necessary in many areas of biomedical research in order to better understand the living body and what goes wrong in disease, he told The Independent. We require every applicant for funding to clearly justify the need to use animals and the choice of species. All applications involving non-human primates are sent for additional review by the National Centre for the 3Rs (NC3Rs), in order to ensure that opportunities for implementing the replacement, reduction and refinement (3Rs) of animal research are fully taken into account. NC3Rs have also published guidelines on refining food and fluid management, which all applicants must follow. The Home Office says there are no plans to ban the use of non-human primates in research (Cruelty Free International) We are confident that the combination of our peer review process with the NC3Rs review and the licensing process involving review by Home Office inspectors results in a robust process to assess each individual research project involving non-human primates. The Home Office regulates animal testing in the UK. Home Office Security Minister Ben Wallace said: The UK has one of the most comprehensive animal welfare systems in the world and we are completely committed to the properly regulated use of animals in scientific research, which plays a vital role in improving the lives of people and animals. Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016 finalists Show all 11 1 /11 Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016 finalists Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016 finalists 'Termite tossing' by Willem Kruger (South Africa) Termite after termite after termite using the tip of its massive beak-like forceps to pick them up, the hornbill would flick them in the air and then swallow them. Foraging beside a track in South Africas semi-arid Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, the southern yellow-billed hornbill was so deeply absorbed in termite snacking that it gradually worked its way to within 6 metres (19 feet) of where Willem sat watching from his vehicle. Though widespread, this southern African hornbill can be shy, and as it feeds on the ground mainly on termites, beetles, grasshoppers and caterpillars it can be difficult for a photographer to get a clear shot among the scrub. The bird feeds this way because its tongue isnt long enough to pick up insects as, say, a woodpecker might, and though its huge bill restricts its field of vision, it can still see the bills tip and so can pick up insects with precision. Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016 finalists 'Swarming under the stars' by Imre Potyo (Hungary) Imre was captivated by the chaotic swarming of mayflies on Hungarys River Raba and dreamt of photographing the spectacle beneath a starlit sky. For a few days each year (at the end of July or beginning of August), vast numbers of the adult insects emerge from the Danube tributary, where they developed as larvae. On this occasion, the insects emerged just after sunset. At first, they stayed close to the water, but once they had mated, the females gained altitude. They filled the air with millions of silken wings, smothering Imre and his equipment in their race upstream to lay their eggs on the waters surface. Then they died, exhausted, after just a few hours. This compensatory flight sometimes as far as several kilometres upstream is crucial to make up for the subsequent downstream drift of the eggs and nymphs, and luckily for Imre, it was happening under a clear sky. Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016 finalists 'The disappearing fish' by Iago Leonardo (Spain) In the open ocean, theres nowhere to hide, but the lookdown fish a name it probably gets from the steep profile of its head, with mouth set low and large eyes high is a master of camouflage. Recent research suggests that it uses special platelets in its skin cells to reflect polarized light (light moving in a single plane), making itself almost invisible to predators and potential prey. The platelets scatter polarized light depending on the angle of the sun and the fish, doing a better job than simply reflecting it like a mirror. This clever camouflage works particularly well when viewed from positions of likely attack or pursuit. What is not yet clear is whether the fish can increase its camouflage by moving the platelets or its body for maximum effect in the oceans fluctuating light. The lookdowns disappearing act impressed Iago, who was free-diving with special permission around Contoy Island, near Cancun, Mexico. Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016 finalists 'Nosy neighbour' by Sam Hobson (UK) Sam knew exactly who to expect when he set his camera on the wall one summers evening in a suburban street in Bristol, the UKs famous fox city. He wanted to capture the inquisitive nature of the urban red fox in a way that would pique the curiosity of its human neighbours about the wildlife around them. This was the culmination of weeks of scouting for the ideal location a quiet, welllit neighbourhood, where the foxes were used to people (several residents fed them regularly) and the right fox. For several hours every night, Sam sat in one fox familys territory, gradually gaining their trust until they ignored his presence. One of the cubs was always investigating new things his weeping left eye the result of a scratch from a cat he got too close to. I discovered a wall that he liked to sit on in the early evening, says Sam. He would poke his head over for a quick look before hopping up. Setting his focus very close to the lens, Sam stood back and waited. Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016 finalists 'Thistle-plucker' by Isaac Aylward (UK) Try keeping a flying linnet in sight while scrambling down rocky embankments holding a telephoto lens. Isaac did, for 20 minutes. He was determined to keep pace with the linnet that he spotted while hiking in Bulgarias Rila Mountains, finally catching up with the tiny bird when it settled to feed on a thistle flowerhead. From the florets that were ripening, it pulled out the little seed parachutes one by one, deftly nipped off the seeds and discarded the feathery down. Isaac composed this alpine-meadow tableau with the sea of soft purple knapweed behind, accentuating the clashing red of the linnets plumage. Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016 finalists 'Crystal precision' by Mario Cea (Spain) Every night, not long after sunset, about 30 common pipistrelle bats emerge from their roost in a derelict house in Salamanca, Spain, to go hunting. Each has an appetite for up to 3,000 insects a night, which it eats on the wing. Its flight is characteristically fast and jerky, as it tunes its orientation with echolocation to detect objects in the dark. The sounds it makes too highpitched for most humans to hear create echoes that allow it to make a sonic map of its surroundings. Mario positioned his camera precisely so that it was level with the bats exit through a broken window and the exact distance away to capture a head-on shot. The hard part was configuring the flashes to reveal the bat and highlight the edges of the glass shards. His perseverance paid off when he caught the perfect pose as a bat leaves the roost on its nighttime foray. Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016 finalists 'Collective courtship' by Scott Portelli (Australia) Thousands of giant cuttlefish gather each winter in the shallow waters of South Australias Upper Spencer Gulf for their once-in-a-lifetime spawning. Males compete for territories that have the best crevices for egglaying and then attract females with mesmerizing displays of changing skin colour, texture and pattern. Rivalry among the worlds largest cuttlefish up to a metre (3.3 feet) long is fierce, as males outnumber females by up to eleven to one. A successful, usually large, male grabs the smaller female with his tentacles, turns her to face him (as here) and uses a specialized tentacle to insert sperm sacs into an opening near her mouth. He then guards her until she lays the eggs. The preoccupied cuttlefish (the male on the right) completely ignored Scott, allowing him to get close. A line of suitors was poised in the background, waiting for a chance to mate with the female (sometimes smaller males camouflage themselves as females to sneak past the male. Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016 finalists 'Blast furnace' by Alexandre Hec (France) When the lava flow from Kilauea on Hawaiis Big Island periodically enters the ocean, the sight is spectacular, but on this occasion Alexandre was in for a special treat. Kilauea (meaning spewing or much spreading) is one of the worlds most active volcanoes, in constant eruption since 1983. As red-hot lava at more than 1,000C (1,832F) flows into the sea, vast plumes of steam hiss up, condensing to produce salty, acidic mist or rain. Alexandre witnessed the action and returned in an inflatable the following evening to find that a new crater had formed close to the shore. Capturing the furious action in a rough sea was no easy task. From 100 metres (328 feet) away, he was blasted with heat and noise like a jet taking off. In a moment of visibility, his perseverance paid off, with a dramatic image of glowing lava being tossed some 30 metres (98 feet) into the air against the night sky. Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016 finalists 'Splitting the catch' by Audun Rikardsen (Norway) Sometimes its the fishing boats that look for the killer whales and humpbacks, hoping to locate the shoals of herring that migrate to these Arctic Norwegian waters. But in recent winters, the whales have also started to follow the boats. Here a large male killer whale feeds on herring that have been squeezed out of the boats closing fishing net. He has learnt the sound that this type of boat makes when it retrieves its gear and homed in on it. The relationship would seem to be a win-win one, but not always. Whales sometimes try to steal the fish, causing damage to the gear, and they can also become entangled in the nets, sometimes fatally, especially in the case of humpbacks. The search for solutions is under-way, including better systems for releasing any whales that get trapped. Having grown up in a small coastal fishing community in northern Norway, Audun has always been fascinated by the relationship between humans and wildlife. Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016 finalists 'Golden relic' by Dhyey Shah (India) With fewer than 2,500 mature adults left in the wild, in fragmented pockets of forest in northeastern India (Assam) and Bhutan, Gees golden langurs are endangered. Living high in the trees, they are also difficult to observe. But, on the tiny man-made island of Umananda, in Assams Brahmaputra River, you are guaranteed to see one. Site of a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, the island is equally famous for its introduced golden langurs. Within moments of stepping off the boat, Dhyey spotted the golden coat of a langur high up in a tree. The monkey briefly made eye contact and then slipped away. Today, there are just six left on the island, and, with much of the vegetation having been cleared, the leaf-eating monkeys are forced to depend mainly on junk food from visitors Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016 finalists 'Playing pangolin' by Lance van de Vyver (New Zealand/South Africa) Lance had tracked the pride for several hours before they stopped to rest by a waterhole, but their attention was not on drinking. The lions (in South Africas Tswalu Kalahari Private Game Reserve) had discovered a Temmincks ground pangolin. This nocturnal, ant-eating mammal is armour-plated with scales made of fused hair, and it curls up into an almost impregnable ball when threatened. Pangolins usually escape unscathed from big cats (though not from humans, whose exploitation of them for the traditional medicine trade is causing their severe decline). But these lions just wouldnt give up. They rolled it around like a soccer ball, says Lance. Every time they lost interest, the pangolin uncurled and tried to retreat, attracting their attention again. Spotting a young lion holding the pangolin ball on a termite mound close to the vehicle, Lance focused in on the lions claws and the pangolins scratched scales, choosing black and white to help simplify the composition. Research using non-human primates is a small but important part of animal research in the UK and we currently have no plans to ban their use. Non-human primates are a specially protected species and may only be used when the results sought cannot be obtained using any other species." A spokesperson for the BBSRC, which also funds some experiments, said: Biological and biomedical research using animals has contributed significantly and uniquely to advances in human and veterinary medicine and treatments, and in understanding fundamental, yet complex, process that underpin wellbeing in humans and other animals. Research using animals, including non-human primates, must have successfully passed a number of rigorous review stages including, Animal Welfare and Ethics Boards, Home Office licencing, Peer Review and review by the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs). 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 closure of London super-club Fabric is a reminder that the war on drugs has failed, the Liberal Democrats have said. The club, which opened in 1999 and has played host to some of the worlds most famous DJs, was shut down this week after accidental deaths involving drugs occurred on its premises. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan had declined to take a side in the dispute, saying it was for the Metropolitan Police and Islington Council to work out between them. Recommended Read more Fabric nightclub to close over police drug concerns Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrats health spokesperson, said revoking the clubs license would not make the blindest bit of difference to the unregulated underground drugs trade. He reiterated the Lib Dem policying of decriminalising drugs and called for a greater focus on recovery services for people who abused them. This highlights the catastrophic failure of the so-called war on drugs, which has done nothing to reduce the public health harm caused by drugs and has only succeeded in driving the drug culture further underground, Mr Lamb told the Independent. Its only right that there should be accountability at Fabric in light of these tragic deaths and clear failures of process. But revoking the licence of this nightclub will not make the blindest bit of difference to the fact that thousands of young people in this country are using dangerous drugs purchased from criminals, without any idea of what they contain or the effects they might have. Norman Lamb said the closure wouldn't keep anyone safe (Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb, Minister for Care and Support, addresses the party's spring conference in Liverpool, north west England on March 15, 2015.) "If they arent taking drugs in this particular nightclub, they will only take them somewhere else. If we are serious about minimising the devastating harm caused by drugs, we must start to recognise drug use as a health issue rather than a criminal one. No less an authority than the Royal Society for Public Health recently advocated decriminalising the personal use and possession of all illegal drugs on public health grounds. Decriminalisation, evidence-based education, and a stronger focus on treatment and recovery services must be at the heart of our approach. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said during a leadership hustings last month that he would like there to be a discussion about the future of drug laws, though he ruled out legalising the very hardest drugs. The Government has shown no sign of moving towards decriminalisation - instead choosing to criminalise further previously legal highs. 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 charity relied on by the Education Secretary to justify grammar schools has dealt a blow to her case branding them very socially selective. Justine Greening faced questioning in Parliament on Thursday morning over leaks suggesting the Government was planning to reintroduce the controversial selective grammars. Though Ms Greening did not confirm or announce the policy, she mounted a defence of selective grammars citing research by the Sutton Trust, a charity that seeks to improve social mobility through education. The Trust has however produced more recent research suggesting that only a tiny proportion of pupils helped by grammar schools come from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Government is right to recognise that there is a serious issue about the education of highly able young people from low and middle income backgrounds, a spokesperson for the Trust told the Independent. Given that there have been 35,000 extra grammar school places since 1997 and our evidence suggests the existing 163 grammars are largely very socially selective we need a proper strategy rather than a piecemeal approach. That means a national drive to improve education for the highly able in comprehensives, backed by fairer admissions policies in urban schools. It means boosting access to the existing grammars for less advantaged young people. And it means opening up the 100 leading independent day schools on the basis of ability rather than ability to pay. Education Secretary Justine Greening (PA) The Education Secretary was asked this morning by Labour MP Ben Bradshaw whether she was aware of any evidence that shows that a grammar school system improves attainment across the piece, or improves social mobility. In response she cited research by the Sutton Trust. I refer the right hon. Gentleman to research conducted by the Sutton Trust, which clearly identified improved attainment by children on free school meals in grammar schools, she said. The trust also said that its research showed no negative impact on the attainment of children outside the grammar school system. That research was conducted in 2008, but further research by the charity has cast selective grammar schools in a far more negative light. 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 One recent report, Poor Grammar: Entry Into Grammar Schools Disadvantaged Pupils In England, found a clear correlation between higher incomes and likelihood of entry to grammar schools. Conducted by the Trust with the help of the Institute for Fiscal Studies and Cambridge University, the report warned that just 3 per cent pupils getting into grammar schools were from disadvantaged backgrounds. Even controlling for attainment, the research showed disadvantaged pupils were less likely to get places at the schools. Pupils were four times more likely to get into a grammar school if they attended a prep school attended by six per cent of the population than if they were on free school meals which are claimed by 18 per cent of pupils. At an exchange in the House of Commons Labours shadow education secretary Anglea Rayner accused Justine Greening of a dangerous misunderstanding of the real issues facing our schools. Further research by the Sutton Trust published today found that just under a fifth of the entire private tuition market is preparation for grammar school entry exams. Ms Greening said: There are too many parts of our country where, in spite of all the reforms we have made and the improvements in attainment that we have seen, there are still children who cannot get good enough access to a good school. We also want to build capacity by having some of our best schools work with other schools in the system to help collectively to raise attainment and standards as a whole. We want to see all parts of our education system, not just the school system but universities as well, playing a stronger, better role. 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 }} On its current course Britain is set to miss its 2020 renewable energy targets, an influential committee of MPs has warned. A report from the group said that without major policy improvements, missing the target to provide 15 per cent of its energy needs from renewable sources was certain. It went on to call for urgent action to renew a push towards decarbonisation, as one expert who gave evidence to the inquiry said it should ring alarm bells for the Government. Recommended Read more Pressure grows on the UK as China and US ratify climate change deal The report comes amid pressure on the UK to ratify the Paris climate change deal, following the example of the US and China. Chair of the Energy and Climate Change Committee Angus MacNeil MP said: The experts we spoke to were clear the UK will miss its 2020 renewable energy targets without major policy improvements. Failing to meet these would damage the UKs reputation for climate change leadership. The Government must take urgent action on heat and transport to renew its efforts on decarbonisation. The EU's 2009 Renewable Energy Directive, transposed into UK law, requires the Britain to source 15 per cent of all energy from renewables by 2020. Within that the directive states that 30 per cent of its electricity must come from renewables, 12 per cent of its heat and 10 per cent of transport fuels. Kiribati weightlifter dances 'to highlight climate change' The UK is three-quarters of the way towards its electricity sub-target and is expected to exceed it by 2020. But it is not yet halfway towards achieving the 12 per cent in heat and the proportion of renewable energy used in transport actually fell last year. While leaving the EU renders the status of the UKs 2020 renewable energy targets uncertain, the MPs warned that if they are missed it will undermine confidence in the countrys commitment to its legally binding 2050 carbon targets. Chief Executive of renewable energy company Good Energy Juliet Davenport, who gave evidence to the committee, said: This should ring alarm bells for the government were teetering on a cliff edge of losing our global reputation for leadership on climate change. These are EU targets that will be missed, so now the Government needs to show the world that Brexit doesnt mean theyre throwing the towel in on tackling climate change. Among issues highlighted in the report are the government shift on car tax that means some of the most fuel-efficient cars pay as much as the dirtiest gas guzzlers. Scrapping of the Zero Carbon homes policy for new build properties may also exacerbate the problem with the UK having some of the worst insulated homes in Europe. A Downing Street source said the UK would ratify the Paris climate change agreement "as soon as possible" but suggested no date. At the recent G20 meeting in Hangzhou, the US and China, together responsible for 40 per cent of the world's carbon emissions, both formally joined the Paris global climate agreement. The deal last December saw countries agree to cut emissions in a bid to keep the global average rise in temperatures below two degrees celcius. 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 }} Theresa May could still block plans for a 4 billion renovation of Parliament which MPs claim is needed to avoid a "catastrophic event". The committee recommending the move was forced to deny it is a vanity project following claims it could end up costing far more and is a bad use of public money. Mrs Mays office said the Prime Minister would have to study proposals put forward by the committee before making any decision. Concerns were also raised over whether the UK labour market had enough skilled workers to undertake the substantial project. The Joint Committee on the Palace of Westminster, made up of Lords and MPs, produced a report saying the most cost effective, quickest and lowest risk option for carrying out the restoration of Parliament was to move all MPs, Peers and staff out for eight years. It said it was essential works be carried out on the ageing mechanical and electrical services buried inside the building, which pose a major fire risk. After a report suggested Mrs May backed the move, Downing Street clarified saying: "The PM's view is that we should carefully consider the proposals and will want to hear the views of MPs before deciding on the direction. "We will need to look at the way forward in discussion with Parliament." A study by Deloitte last year highlighted appalling conditions at the Palace, with potentially deadly fire risks, collapsing roofs, crumbling walls, leaking pipes and large quantities of asbestos. There was one incident where raw sewage poured from pipes on to workers desks, leaving them in need of inoculations. London's statues: Strand to Parliament Square Show all 9 1 /9 London's statues: Strand to Parliament Square London's statues: Strand to Parliament Square Sir Arthur Bomber Harris 1892-1984 Ordered the RAF terror raids in WW2, killing untold thousands, including 25,000 in Dresden iStock London's statues: Strand to Parliament Square Gen Sir Charles Napier 1782-1853 Conquered Sindh. Our object wasmoney. Every shilling of this has been picked out of blood Rex Features London's statues: Strand to Parliament Square Maj-Gen Sir Henry Havelock 1795-1857 Took bloody vengeance on Indian mutineers when putting down the First War of Independence Rex Features London's statues: Strand to Parliament Square Lord Curzon, V of India 1859-1925 Presided over a famine in which millions died, often because his qualifications for relief were so harsh Rex Features London's statues: Strand to Parliament Square Field Marshal Wolseley 1833-1913 Crushed India. That a native should [manhandle] an Englishman was too much' iStock London's statues: Strand to Parliament Square Field Marshal Kitchener 1850-1916 Invented concentration camps, killing 28,000 Boer civilians (mainly women and children) and untold natives Getty Images London's statues: Strand to Parliament Square Field Marshal Haig 1861-1928 Nicknamed 'Butcher' in WW1 and responsible for 2m casualties among men under his command London's statues: Strand to Parliament Square Lord Palmerston 1784-1865 Launched First Opium War, forcing China to import a drug that blighted millions of its people's lives Alamy London's statues: Strand to Parliament Square Sir Winston Churchill 1874-1965 'I hate Indians. They are protected by their mere pullulation from the doom that is their due Rex Features The committee rejected more expensive options of trying to carry out repair work without leaving the building. There was even an option to relocate Parliament on to huge floating platforms on the River Thames. The "full decant" option, with both Houses moving out temporarily, was estimated by Deloitte to cost between 3 billion and 4.3 billion, with the most likely figure being around 3.5 billion and could take between five and eight years. The committees report said the Palace of Westminster faces an impending crisis which we cannot responsibly ignore. It added: "It is impossible to say when this will happen, but there is a substantial and growing risk of either a single, catastrophic event, such as a major fire, or a succession of incremental failures in essential systems which would lead to Parliament no longer being able to occupy the Palace." SNP MP Alex Salmond accused the committee of asking taxpayers to pay a Westminster premium to crowbar a modern parliament into a Victorian building at a time of austerity. But Labour committee member Chris Bryant said: "This is certainly not a vanity project of any kind." He argued that the committee did not want to "spend a single penny more than necessary" but the Palace is a "part of our national heritage". Former Lords leader Lady Stowell said: "I expect the Government to take its lead from Parliament. What I think is perfectly reasonable is for the Government to stand back and wait for Parliament to express its view on what is a national building and then give its view." The Royal Institute of British Architects had warned the MPs there is a "great skills shortage" that could impact on the scheme. The committee acknowledged the concerns but claimed it would be a chance to boost apprenticeship schemes and small, specialist firms across the UK. 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 }} Theresa May must fulfil a Tory promise to ban circuses from using wild animals or we risk leaving them in misery and pain, campaign groups have warned. In a letter to the Prime Minister the leading animal charities reproach her predecessor for failing to live up to the pledge, despite overwhelming public support. The groups, backed by Boris Johnsons father Stanley, said the UK is lagging woefully behind other countries that have already implemented a ban. Among the eight organisations involved are the RSPCA, Peta, Animal Aid and Animal Defenders International. Urging Ms May to bring forward Government legislation, they argue that circuses can never provide the right environment for wild animals. Their letter reads: They are deprived of everything that is natural and important to them, their spirits are broken at a young age, and they are kept in cages or pens for most of their lives. Pacing, bar-biting, circling, self-mutilation, and other captivity-induced types of neurotic behaviour are common among performing animals. In 2011 a Defra consultation revealed 94 per cent of the public want to see a ban implemented and ex-Prime Minister David Cameron promised one by January 2015, making it a manifesto pledge. No 10 blocks plan to ban wild animals performing in circuses Show all 4 1 /4 No 10 blocks plan to ban wild animals performing in circuses No 10 blocks plan to ban wild animals performing in circuses 603762.bin GETTY IMAGES No 10 blocks plan to ban wild animals performing in circuses 603765.bin GETTY IMAGES No 10 blocks plan to ban wild animals performing in circuses 603764.bin ALAMY No 10 blocks plan to ban wild animals performing in circuses 603763.bin GETTY IMAGES But there was bitter disappointment earlier this year when a ban on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses was once more absent from the Queens Speech. While there is a private members bill non-government sponsored to bring the ban about, it has been repeatedly blocked in the House of Commons. The campaign groups letter adds: Every day that this legislation is delayed is another one of misery for animals. Countries including Austria, Bolivia, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Mexico, Serbia, and Singapore have already implemented bans or prohibitions on the use of wild-animal acts. Other groups that signed the letter include the Born Free Foundation, the Animals Justice Project, the Captive Animals Protection Society and Viva. Mr Johnson, whose son was made Foreign Secretary by Ms May, urged the Prime Minister to take the opportunity to tackle the problem. He told The Independent: Here we have a clear commitment in the Conservative manifesto which really needs to be delivered upon. But we have had several years now of shilly-shallying. We need to move forward. There was outrage last year when images from a secretly shot video showed Britains last circus elephant, called Anne, being beaten by handlers. The Scottish government has already proposed a ban in its recently published legislative agenda. A spokesperson from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: We have a manifesto commitment to ban the use of wild animals in circuses. We will deliver this ban as soon as parliamentary time allows. In the meantime, we have a strict licencing system in place to ensure the welfare of any wild animals in circuses. This includes both announced and unannounced inspections, care plans for every animal, regular veterinary inspections and a retirement plan for each animal. 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 }} A Tory MP is facing criticism after complaining about wheelchair-bound protesters sitting down on Westminster Bridge. Richard Benyon, the MP for Newbury, tweeted a picture of the protestors saying they had disrupted millions of Londoners and described them as a bunch of charmers. The demonstrators, many of whom were disabled, were protesting against the Governments disability cuts. (Twitter) The tweet has since been deleted. Penny Pepper, a writer and disabled rights activist, took to Twitter to respond to Mr Benyons tweet. It's disabled people. Get real please. We have the charmers in government blocking us with savage cuts, she said. Cuts that mean people DIE. Young old female male Cuts that mean we sleep in own mess. Life worse than jail. Mr Benyon is currently the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Natural Environment and Fisheries and was first elected as the MP for Newbury in 2005. 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 The Independent has contacted Mr Benyons office for a comment. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The future of the controversial TTIP trade agreement looks less than secure, Britains new International Trade Secretary has said. Liam Fox, a staunch Brexiteer, reiterated his support for the US-EU trade treaty and said the Government would continue to push it forward even though it was leaving the EU. But he said recent comments by French and German ministers showed that it may never happen, despite Britains support. While we remain in the EU we will continue to push all free trade agreements possible because we believe in global trade liberalisation. That includes the Governments position of support for TTIP, Mr Fox told the House of Commons. It remains the US clear priority to get this agreement but I think he would accept that given the comments that have come in France and Germany and the fact that we have elections in both those countries next year the future of TTIP, at least in the immediate future, looks less than secure. Little is known for certain about the substance of TTIP because it is being negotiated in secret between the EU and US. Leaks pieced together by campaigners have however painted a picture of a deal that would allow multinational corporations to sue governments for policies that harm their profits. This would occur through a system called investor state dispute settlement that has been used in other trade deals around the world. Germanys vice-chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said late last month that TTIP had failed but no one is really admitting it. Frances trade minister also suggested that negotiations were not proceeding to plan and should stop, while France President Francois Hollande has said he would not accept the deal in its current form. German Chancellor Angela Merkel with her coalition partner Sigmar Gabriel. Germany has been cool on TTIP recently (Reuters) Mr Fox made his comments at his first session at the dispatch box as head of the new Department for International Trade on Thursday morning. Looking at post-Brexit trade arrangements more generally, the minister also admitted that Britain could not even begin formally negotiating free trade accords with other countries until it had already left the European Union. The 6 reasons why we should be scared of TTIP Show all 6 1 /6 The 6 reasons why we should be scared of TTIP The 6 reasons why we should be scared of TTIP The NHS Public services, especially the NHS, are in the firing line. One of the main aims of TTIP is to open up Europes public health, education and water services to US companies. This could essentially mean the privatisation of the NHS. The European Commission has claimed that public services will be kept out of TTIP. However, according to the Huffington Post, the UK Trade Minister Lord Livingston has admitted that talks about the NHS were still on the table Getty The 6 reasons why we should be scared of TTIP Food and environmental safety TTIPs regulatory convergence agenda will seek to bring EU standards on food safety and the environment closer to those of the US. But US regulations are much less strict, with 70 per cent of all processed foods sold in US supermarkets now containing genetically modified ingredients. By contrast, the EU allows virtually no GM foods. The US also has far laxer restrictions on the use of pesticides. It also uses growth hormones in its beef which are restricted in Europe due to links to cancer. US farmers have tried to have these restrictions lifted repeatedly in the past through the World Trade Organisation and it is likely that they will use TTIP to do so again Getty The 6 reasons why we should be scared of TTIP Banking regulations TTIP cuts both ways. The UK, under the influence of the all-powerful City of London, is thought to be seeking a loosening of US banking regulations. Americas financial rules are tougher than ours. They were put into place after the financial crisis to directly curb the powers of bankers and avoid a similar crisis happening again. TTIP, it is feared, will remove those restrictions, effectively handing all those powers back to the bankers Getty/Bloomberg The 6 reasons why we should be scared of TTIP Privacy Remember ACTA (the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement)? It was thrown out by a massive majority in the European Parliament in 2012 after a huge public backlash against what was rightly seen as an attack on individual privacy where internet service providers would be required to monitor peoples online activity. Well, its feared that TTIP could be bringing back ACTAs central elements, proving that if the democratic approach doesnt work, theres always the back door. An easing of data privacy laws and a restriction of public access to pharmaceutical companies clinical trials are also thought to be on the cards AFP/Getty Images The 6 reasons why we should be scared of TTIP Jobs The EU has admitted that TTIP will probably cause unemployment as jobs switch to the US, where labour standards and trade union rights are lower. It has even advised EU members to draw on European support funds to compensate for the expected unemployment. Examples from other similar bi-lateral trade agreements around the world support the case for job losses. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between the US, Canada and Mexico caused the loss of one million US jobs over 12 years, instead of the hundreds of thousands of extra that were promised Dave Thompson/Getty Images The 6 reasons why we should be scared of TTIP Democracy TTIPs biggest threat to society is its inherent assault on democracy. One of the main aims of TTIP is the introduction of Investor-State Dispute Settlements (ISDS), which allow companies to sue governments if those governments policies cause a loss of profits. In effect it means unelected transnational corporations can dictate the policies of democratically elected governments AFP/Getty With the start of secession negotiations very unlikely to begin before even the end of the year, and their end expected to be between two and five years time, new trade deals appear a long way off. While we are not able to negotiate in terms of concluding a deal while were members of the EU there is nothing to stop us having discussion and scoping out future agreements, he said. We have now set up a deal to set up a trade working group with India to look at how we remove barriers to trade ahead of negotiating a free trade agreement on our exit from the European Union. There was little additional information from the Department for International Trade team on whether Britain would remain in the European single market. Greg Hands, another minister at the department said: Our objective will be to gain as much access to European markets as we can, consistent with the way people across the whole of the UK voted on the 23 June. That is the purpose of our approach. That statement came after Theresa May stonewalled on the issue of single market membership during Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday. David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, said he thought membership of the single market was not likely given moves to restrict freedom of movement. Mr Fox made similar comments earlier in the summer; both ministers were slapped down by Downing Street following their claims. 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 }} New reports have emerged on in-fighting between rival factions of the Boko Haram militant group, as the jihadists feel the pressure of a concerted Nigerian military push and the number of desertions continues to rise. The apparent split in the group began last month when an Isis media wing announced Abu Musab al-Barnawi as the new leader of Boko Haram, which pledged allegiance to the Middle East insurgency in March last year. But the previous leader, Abubakar Shekau, insists he is still in charge, and the AFP news agency quoted local sources saying deadly skirmishes have now broken out between supporters of either man. Nigerias military has declined to comment on the development, but at least half a dozen Shekau supporters are reported to have been killed and more wounded in clashes across three villages in the Monguno area of Borno state. Mele Kaka, who lives in the area, told AFP the Barnawi faction had launched the attacks in each case, on areas controlled by Shekau supporters. After each attack, he said, the Barnawi fighters told villagers the other faction had derailed from the true jihad by killing innocent people and looting their property. The Isis-supporting faction has previously rejected Shekaus preferred strategy of suicide bombings in crowded areas. In comments shortly after he was named the new leader, Barnawi criticised his predecessor for targeting the ordinary people. The Bloomberg news agency also carried reports of the skirmishes, which appear to have occurred late last week. News can take time to travel in Nigerias war-ravaged northeastern region, where up to 2.5 million people have been displaced from their homes and most basic infrastructure like telecommunications lines have been destroyed. Ali Mohammed, a member of an army-supporting vigilante group based in Monguno, told Bloomberg around 18 Boko Haram fighters were understood to have surrendered to the army, along with their families, following the in-fighting. They are under custody of Monguno command and we believe the dual battle between Barnawi's and Shekaus camps may have compelled them to sneak out and surrender, he said. Despite all its recent setbacks, Boko Haram continues to pose a serious threat to the region. Yesterday a Reuters reporter who rode along with the Nigerian army reported soldiers firing indiscriminately into the bush throughout the journey, because of a constant fear of ambush. The army has reclaimed a number of key towns in Borno state since former military leader Muhammadu Buhari became president last year and the military moved its base of operations to the northeast city of Maiduguri. The rise of Boko Haram Show all 20 1 /20 The rise of Boko Haram The rise of Boko Haram Boko Haram The leader of the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram Abubakar Shekau delivers a message. Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the mass killings in the north-east Nigerian town of Baga in a video where he warned the massacre was just the tip of the iceberg. As many as 2,000 civilians were killed and 3,700 homes and business were destroyed in the 3 January 2015 attack on the town near Nigeria's border with Cameroon AFP The rise of Boko Haram Boko Haram People displaced as a result of Boko Haram attacks in the northeast region of Nigeria, are seen near their tents at a faith-based camp for internally displaced people (IDP) in Yola, Adamawa State. Boko Haram says it is building an Islamic state that will revive the glory days of northern Nigeria's medieval Muslim empires, but for those in its territory life is a litany of killings, kidnappings, hunger and economic collapse The rise of Boko Haram Boko Haram Nitsch Eberhard Robert, a German citizen abducted and held hostage by suspected Boko Haram militants, is seen as he arrives at the Yaounde Nsimalen International airport after his release in Yaounde, Cameroon on 21 January 2015 The rise of Boko Haram Boko Haram Officials of the Nigerian National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) visit victims of a bomb blast in Gombe at the Specialist Hospital in Gombe. According to local reports at least six people were killed and 11 wounded after a bomb blast in a marketplace in Nigeria's northeastern state of Gombe on 16 January 2015. Islamist militant group Boko Haram has been blamed for a string of recent attacks in the North East of Nigeria The rise of Boko Haram Boko Haram People gather at the site of a bomb explosion in a area know to be targeted by the militant group Boko Haram in Kano on 28 November 2014 The rise of Boko Haram Boko Haram People gather to look at a burnt vehicle following a bomb explosion that rocked the busiest roundabout near the crowded Market in Maiduguri, Borno State on 1 July 2014. A truck exploded in a huge fireball killing at least 15 people in the northeast Nigerian city of Maiduguri, the city repeatedly hit by Boko Haram Islamists The rise of Boko Haram Boko Haram President Goodluck Jonathan visits Nigerian Army soldiers fighting Boko Haram Getty Images The rise of Boko Haram Boko Haram Displaced people from Baga listen to Goodluck Jonathan after the Boko Haram killings AFP/Getty The rise of Boko Haram Boko Haram Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan speaking to troops during a visit to Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State; most of the region has been overrun by Boko Haram AFP/Getty The rise of Boko Haram Boko Haram Members of the Nigerian military patrolling in Maiduguri, North East Nigeria, close to the scene of attacks by Boko Haram EPA The rise of Boko Haram Boko Haram Boko Harams leader, Abubakar Shekau, appears in a video in which he warns Cameroon it faces the same fate as Nigeria AFP The rise of Boko Haram Boko Haram Nana Shettima, the wife of Borno Governor, Kashim Shettima (C) weeps as she speaks with school girls from the government secondary school Chibok that were kidnapped by the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram, and later escaped in Chibok The rise of Boko Haram Boko Haram South Africans protest in solidarity against the abduction of hundreds of schoolgirls in Nigeria by the Muslim extremist group Boko Haram and what protesters said was the failure of the Nigerian government and international community to rescue them, during a march to the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg The rise of Boko Haram Boko Haram Boko Haram militants have seized the town in north-eastern Nigeria that nearly 300 schoolgirls were kidnapped from in April 2014 AFP The rise of Boko Haram Boko Haram A soldier stands guard in front of burnt buses after an attack in Abuja. Twin blasts at a bus station packed with morning commuters on the outskirts of Nigeria's capital killed dozens of people, in what appeared to be the latest attack by Boko Haram Islamists, April 2014 The rise of Boko Haram Boko Haram The aftermath of the attack, when Boko Haram fighters in trucks painted in military colours killed 51 people in Konduga in February 2014 AFP/Getty Images The rise of Boko Haram Boko Haram The leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau (with papers) in a video grab taken in July 2014 AFP/Getty The rise of Boko Haram Boko Haram Ruins of burnt out houses in the north-eastern settlement of Baga, pictured after Boko Haram attacks in 2013 AP The rise of Boko Haram Boko Haram A Boko Haram attack in Nigeria, 2013 AFP/Getty Images The rise of Boko Haram Boko Haram Abubakar Shekau, Boko Harams leader AP But heavy rains have halted its advance towards the Sambisa forest, which the government describes as Boko Harams final bolthole, whose dirt roads are ill-suited to heavy tanks and artillery. Food is scarce in the areas still controlled by Boko Haram and the group is reported to be low on other supplies and ammunition. But the shortages are hurting those still living in the area just as much as it is the militants. "We had to leave the bush because we were hungry," said Haja Jamil, 40, a pregnant yet painfully thin woman who arrived at the recently liberated city of Bama two weeks ago with two children. She told Reuters: Boko Haram kept coming and hassling us. We are still afraid of them. 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 in Nigeria say a herbalist and his client have been found dead, after a ritual designed to conjure up money appears to have gone disastrously wrong. Oladele Bakare, 51, is reported to have visited a traditional healer in Ogun state, southwestern Nigeria, in order to take part in the money ritual. According to Nigerias The Nation newspaper, Mr Bakare visited 60-year-old herbalist Kareemu Okeyode, and the pair locked themselves inside the healers sacred room. Some time later, neighbours expressed concern that the ritual was not over and, unable to gain access to the healers house, called the police. Acting police spokesman Abimbola Oyeyemi told The Nation the naked bodies of the pair were found in the room. He said it was very likely that they died of suffocation in the room suffused with smoke of burning incense. While money rituals are a common motif in Nigerian cinema, they are a controversial subject and some question whether they are actually carried out in real life. Healer speaks to BattaBox Nigeria about the existence of money rituals (YouTube) It is traditionally believed that the ritual must involve some form of animal of human sacrifice, and that while it will bring short term financial gain, the process will bring the person involved some form of unspecified repercussions. Money rituals are among the more unusual services offered by some healers in rural Nigeria, where there is a robust industry in traditional herbal medicine. Despite efforts from the Nigerian government to crack down on illegal herbal medicine facilities and drive people towards conventional forms of medicine, herbal sales of various kinds remain popular. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty The National Association Of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), meanwhile, seeks to distance its members from the kind of unlicensed herbalists who might offer services like money rituals. Dr Tola Soyemi, who has written a book entitled Philosophy and Healing in Traditional Medicine, told the Tribune that unlicensed herbalists were giving traditional healers a bad name. Traditional medicine has been in existence from the Stone Age. It is still relevant in our daily life, he said. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} An 11-year-old boy has been arrested after taking a gun on his school bus and pointing it at another student on the way home, according to education officials in Alabama. Martha Peek, the schools superintendent in Mobile, said two pupils were involved in the incident and had been suspended from school. Two sets of parents are planning to press charges. Recommended Read more One girl dead and one wounded in shooting at Texas school Ashley Edmond, a mother of one of the pupils, told Fox 10 News: He felt something touch the back of his head and he thought it was scissors to cut his hair. Come to find out it was a revolver to the back of his head. She added that he did not want to take the bus again. "He was terrified - shaking and screaming at me saying I will never get back on the bus again! I will never get back on the bus like he was terrified and in shock, she said. "My 11-year-old had a gun to his head and what if there would've been bullets in it? Local news organisations reported that the gun was brought in by a brother and sister who took it from their grandfather. Witness said the pupils were playing around with the gun, spinning the chamber and pulling the trigger. Ms Peek said they checked the gun was unloaded but added: The students began horse playing with it. One pupil has been charged with menacing. "We're taking that very seriously," added Ms Peek. "Anytime something like this happens, we want to make sure safety and security is first and use it as a lesson to say we all need to be vigilant about handguns and all types of weapons." Barack Obama has described his inability to tackle America's gun problem as the biggest frustration of his time in office. According to the US Centres for Disease Control 91 Americans are killed with guns every day, many of them by accident. 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 US father has used Facebook Live to confess to the shooting of his son and former wife, saying the latter deserved what she had coming". While broadcasting the message, Earl Valentine of Norlina, North Carolina, also admitted to having been very sick for months. Keisha Valentine survived the attack but her son, Earl Valentine Jr, died from his injuries. Valentine later killed himself in a motel room having fled to Columbia, South Carolina. Recommended Read more Police still cannot explain why they shot an unarmed deaf driver She lied on me, had warrants taken out on me, said Valentine in the broadcast. She drug me all the way down to nothing. I loved my wife, but she deserved what she had coming. He continued: Pleasure knowing all yall. Ive been very sick for months. And this is something that I could not help. So I dont know if Im gonna make it where Im going, but if I dont, I wish all of you a good life. The mother and son had moved to Norlina to escape the abusive Valentine. A restraining order against him expired in August. Earl Jr had attempted to intervene when his father broke into their house to shoot Ms Valentine. He was able to tell police what happened shortly before he died. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Before his own death, Valentine also spoke with Norlina Police Chief Taylor Bartholomew on the telephone, in a conversation that was described as cold and callous. In comments reported by The Washington Post, Chief Bartholomew said: For somebody that had just done something like that, he was calm but he was aggressive. He was trying to pump me for information. His main focus was to make sure his ex-wife was dead. Chief Bartholomew later told journalists in Raleigh, North Carolina, that investigators tracked Earl Valentine's mobile phone signal to Richmond, Virginia, on Wednesday morning, where it is believed Valentine was visiting his father's grave. The chief said police then tracked Valentine to Columbia, South Carolina, where US Marshals found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a rented room. Keisha Valentine remains in a critical condition, police said. 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 }} Reshma Qureshi suspected the translucent liquid in the plastic bottle was probably acid, yet she believed the best way to protect herself and her sister was to wrestle it from the four men. As it was, the men held and attacked her, pouring the acid on her arms and back and her face. It ate away the flesh on her left cheek and destroyed her eye. In the aftermath she felt suicidal, and for a year she could think of nothing else. This week, the 19-year-old flew from India to the US where she walked the ramp at New York Fashion Week, determined to show her quiet defiance as a survivor, and to promote the #TakeBeautyBack campaign. Ms Qureshi said she wants to finish school and then go to college (Andrew Buncombe) (A) This is my first time in New York and Im very excited, she told The Independent, the evening before her appearance. I think its important that people hear the story about the survivors of acid attacks and to know they can lead normal lives. Acid attacks are commonplace across large parts of the Indian subcontinent and in some South Asian communities in other countries. Frequently, the women are attacked by people they know - relatives who believed they have dishonoured the family for some reason or other, or else a man whose advances have been knocked back. Ms Qureshi, who is from Mumbai, was attacked in May 2014 by her sisters estranged husband and his friends while traveling to the city of Allahabad in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. She was taken to a local hospital and received the most basic treatment; back in Mumbai she was told there was nothing that could be done to save her eye. In recent years, campaigners have been demanding action against such attacks, demanding governments in countries such as India better regulate the sale of acid, which is used to clean machinery, and better educating the public about the horror of such incidents. Ms Qureshi joined the fight against acid attacks a year after she was assaulted. She joined the India-based Make Love Not Scars, a nonprofit organisation that, through its powerful images of acid attack survivors, gives a voice to those who have been assaulted. She took part in a video posted to YouTube in which she showed watchers how to get perfect red lips. In the video she explained that it is as easy for someone to buy acid as it is to buy a lip stick. The video has been watched by hundreds of thousands of people. When she was told she had been invited to take her message to New York Fashion Week, Ms Qureshi said she had been thrilled. She said that just because someones face had been destroyed, they could could still carry within them inner beauty and soul. That is all that should matter, she said. The teenager was selected to participate in fashion production house FTL Modas #TakeBeautyBack campaign, in collaboration with the Global Disability Inclusion. The clothes she got to wear were designed by Indian designer, Archana Kochhar, whose outfits are frequently worn by Bollywood stars such as Amrita Rao, Nargis Fakhri and Bipasha Basu. Speaking from Mumbai, Ms Kochhar said she was delighted that Ms Qureshi was taking part. I think that beauty should be intrinsic. The clothes were the work of Indian designer Archana Kochhar (Andrew Buncombe ) (Andrew Buncombe) On Thursday morning, Ms Qureshi sat patiently as a crowd of cameras followed her every step backstage in Manhattan. She was filmed as the dress was fitted, she was filmed as her make-up was done by Chika Chan and her hair was piled to perfection by stylist Aubrey Loots. Asked if she thought the models around her looked too thin and could do with a decent serving of Indian food, she agreed. And then it was time for her to walk her way down the ramp. Ms Qureshi was the first to emerge, her dress, hair and make-up looking perfect. She beamed and smiled, and the crowd of fashion industry professionals and journalists cheered. (The last of the models to walk the ramp was Sunny Leone, an Indian Canadian model best known for her former roles as an adult actress who is now trying to make it in Bollywood.) Afterwards, Ms Qureshi retreated to the dressing room area and watched the action and madness going on beneath her. She looked just a little overwhelmed. 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 }} Officials in a North Dakota county have issued a warrant for the arrest of Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, accused of vandalising a bulldozer at the Dakota Access pipeline protest. Recommended Read more Judge orders partial halt to construction on Dakota Access Pipeline Dr Stein and her running mate, Ajamu Baraka, were charged with misdemeanor counts of criminal trespass and criminal mischief. During a Monday demonstration, activists asked Ms Stein to leave a message at the protest, after which she wrote I approve this message across the blade of a bulldozer in red spray paint, according to campaign spokesperson Meleiza Figueroa. Court documents say Mr Baraka painted decolonization on construction equipment, as well. Ms Figueroa could not comment on whether or not Ms Stein intends to turn herself in, the Associated Press said. I hope the North Dakota authorities press charges against the real vandalism taking place at the Standing Rock Sioux reservation: the bulldozing of sacred burial sites and the unleashing of attack dogs, she said before the judge filed charges. Ms Stein joined members of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe Monday as a show of support for their cause against the $3.8bn, four-state pipeline project. Tribe leaders alleged that construction crews have destroyed Native American cultural sites and sacred burial grounds, and the project threatens to taint the areas water supply. Dr. Jill Stein Accepts Green Party Presidential Nomination US District Judge James Boasberg ordered a partial halt to construction after a violent confrontation between demonstrators and security at the construction site on Saturday. According to tribe spokesman Steve Sitting Bear, six people suffered from dog bites including a young child and at least 30 people were maced. Police said four guards and two dogs were injured in the attack. They claimed there were no reports of protester injuries. Mr Boasberg denied a restraining order filed by the tribespeople to keep construction away from the culturally sensitive area. Todays denial of a temporary restraining order west of Lake Oahe puts my peoples sacred places at further risk of ruin and desecration, said Standing Rock Sioux tribal chairman Dave Archambault II. Judge Boasberg is expected to decide on the tribes challenge of the permits granted by the Army Corps of Engineers to the Dallas-based company Energy Transfer Partners. 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 }} Hundreds of foreign workers on US fishing boats are being confined to their vessels for months on end, for pitiful wages and with few basic labour protections, an investigation by the Associated Press has found. Some 700 undocumented workers from developing Pacific nations including Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam are employed on a fleet of around 140 American boats, which regularly dock at Honolulu in Hawaii and other ports on the US west coast. But the fishermen do not have US visas and so are not permitted to leave the boats and set foot on US soil. A federal legal loophole means they can work on the American-owned boats, but without most of the protections afforded to other US workers. The fleet catches some $110m worth of fish per year, specifically swordfish and ahi tuna destined for US restaurants and supermarkets such as Whole Foods and Costco, with vendors touting their haul as sustainable seafood produced by Hawaii's hard-working fishermen. It is dangerous and demanding work, yet the fishermen are paid around $350 per month well below the US minimum wage. That, however, is far more than many of them could feasibly earn in their home countries. The AP found that many of the men lived in unsavoury conditions on board the boats for as much as a year at a time, reporting that they were forced to use buckets instead of toilets, suffering running sores from bed bugs and sometimes lacking sufficient food. They are kept on the boats by their American captains, who are required by US Customs and Border Protection to hold the mens passports. Despite contradicting many US laws, the system is allowed to continue unhindered by Hawaiian and federal officials. Syamsul Maarif, an Indonesian fisherman who worked as part of the fleet until his boat sank some 160 miles from Hawaii, said he wanted the same standards as the other workers in America, but added: We are illegal, so we cannot demand more. Kathryn Xian, executive director of Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery, a human rights group, told AP: Most of the fish caught and sold in Hawaii is done by the use of exploiting migrant workers in what looks to be a human trafficking scheme legitimised by our own laws." 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 mother and her daughter are facing prosecution for incest after marrying each other in the American state of Oklahoma. Police issued arrest warrants for Patricia Ann Spann, 43, and Misty Velvet Dawn Spann, 25, on Friday after discovering they married each other in March. Local authorities uncovered the relationship last month during a child welfare investigation and later learned Patricia had also married her son in 2008. He filed for an annulment 15 months later, citing incest and stating he was married to his birth mother, according to an affidavit. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Patricia said she had lost custody of three children, who were cared for by a grandparent, but reunited with her daughter two years ago. The motivation behind her marriage to Misty remained unclear after an appearance at Stephens County district court on Wednesday. She told officials she was unaware she was breaking any laws by marrying Misty because her name was not listed on her daughters birth certificate. Both women were being held in Stephens County Jail in Duncan, Oklahoma. Under state law, marrying a close relative is considered incest whether or not a sexual relationship exists. Same-sex marriage has been legally recognised in Oklahoma since October 2014 after a lawsuit challenged a state-wide ban. Additional reporting by AP 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 pregnant woman was shot in the stomach at point blank range as she left a shop, killing both of her unborn twins. Lakira Renee Johnson, 21, was critically injured after being attacked while buying food from a takeaway restaurant in north Washington DC. CCTV footage released by Washington Police Department showed two men wearing hoods approaching the shop, before firing into a crowd which quickly dispersed. Mrs Johnson was taken to MedStar Washington Hospital where she gave birth due to the shock of the incident, despite her pregnancy only being at the 21 weeks stage. The twin girls, named Heaven and Neveah by their mother, died shortly after. An unnamed man was also critically injured during the incident and taken to hospital. Mrs Johnson then had to undergo further surgery to repair her wounded stomach and chest the following week. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Witnesses said they believed Mrs Lakira was not the intended target of the attack, but merely an unfortunate victim. It is believed to have been revenge for earlier gang violence. Mrs Johnsons mother Cassandra said in her statement her daughter was in a lot of pain following the attack. Police officers are continuing to investigate the incident, and said no arrests have yet been made. It is unclear what charges the convicted shooter would face if they are found as the District of Colombia does not currently have a foetal homicide law in place. 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 established a significant lead in an election poll of military voters, with former soldiers stating they believed the Republican candidate was more in touch with the issues of veterans. Mr Trump is ahead of Hillary Clinton by 19 points, or 55 per cent to 36 per cent of voters in the poll of military personnel commissioned by NBC News and Survey Monkey. It followed news the Republican candidate had caught up with Mrs Clinton in the standard opinion polls. In the military voters' poll, Fifty-three percent of veterans said they felt more comfortable in Mr Trumps ability to be an effective commander of the countrys military than Mrs Clinton. Only 28 per cent of military voters said the Democratic candidate could be trusted to look after the issues of veterans, compared with 53 per cent for Mr Trump. However, the majority of veteran and military voters said they trusted Mrs Clinton to be in charge of Americas nuclear weapons arsenal rather than the outspoken businessman. On Tuesday, Mr Trumps camp announced it had secured the support of 88 retired generals from the US army, before Mr Clinton hit back on Wednesday by claiming the backing of 95 high-ranking personnel. Hillary Clinton is the only candidate that has the experience, temperament, critical thinking and level-headed leadership to keep America safe and our partnerships strong, read a joint statement from the former generals. She has our vote in November. 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 The Republican party has claimed the majority of military votes for the past three elections, with Mitt Romney, John McCain and former president George W Bush having the support of a large share of veterans. Mr Trump was heavily criticised by military personnel and former generals in July after appearing to attack the parents of a Muslim American soldier who died in Iraq. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll from last week, Mr Trump and Mrs Clinton are virtually tied going into the closing weeks of their campaigns, as support for the Republican candidate increased by six per cent over the past fortnight. However, Mr Trump still lacks the party support held by Mitt Romney in 2012, who had 85 per cent of support from Republicans during his unsuccessful presidential campaign. During a speech in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Mr Trump vowed to spend billions building up the US military if he was elected president, introducing new planes, ships, submarines and personnel. 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 }} President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have joined forces slamming Donald Trump for his statements on foreign policy calling them variously wacky and totally inappropriate. The two top Democrats also evinced frustration that Mr Trump continued to offer wayward opinions on national security, including doubling down on his affection for Russian President Vladimir Putin, without facing the kind of media and public criticism they believe he deserves. Recommended Read more Donald Trump sparks outcry by defending sex assault tweet The most important thing for the public and the press is to just listen to what he says and follow up and ask questions to what appear to be either contradictory or uninformed or outright wacky ideas, Mr Obama told reporters in Laos at the end of a multi-day tour of southeast Asia. Democrats are livid that at a televised forum on national security broadcast live from New York on Wednesday night, Mr Trump appeared to get an easier ride from the NBC moderator, Matt Lauer, than she did. Addressing the issue head-on at a press conference on Thursday morning in front of her campaign plane in White Plains, New York, Ms Clinton suggested she was sanguine about it. I have been somewhat heartened by the number articles recently about the quite disparate treatment of Trump and his campaign compared to ours. I do not understand the reasons for it, I find it frustrating. Its just part of the landscape that we live in and we just keep forging ahead. With just half an hour each to lay out their stalls on foreign policy, Ms Clinton found herself forced to spend the first ten minutes on Wednesday defending her use of a private email server while Secretary of State. That gave her scant time to address other issues like Isis and Syria. Hence the push on Thursday by her and by President Obama to press home their view that Mr Trump has continued to disqualify himself by his remarks on world affairs. The President, who is on his way back home, will campaign with Ms Clinton in Pennsylvania next week. Speaking in Laos, Mr Obama offered some optimism that in the end American voters would see through the Trump facade. Every time he speaks he shows why he shouldnt be commander-in-chief, he said. Arguing that Mr Trump says quite outrageous things on a regular basis, Ms Clinton pointed to his remarks at the forum lauding Mr Putin and calling into question the competence of Americas generals. Mr Trump said at the event they had been reduced to rubble serving Mr Obama. His comments on Mr Putin received even greater attention. The man has very strong control over a country, he said at the forum. It's a very different system and I don't happen to like the system, but certainly, in that system, he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader. He said that if Mr Putin offered him compliments, he was happy to accept them. Every Republican holding or seeking office in this country should be asked if they agree with Donald Trump about these statements, Ms Clinton said on the airport tarmac. The Democrat also strongly chastised Mr Trump for talking openly at the forum about the two intelligence briefings he has received as the Republican nominee and suggesting that he had inferred from them that the intelligence community was angry with Mr Obama and Ms Clinton because they had regularly refused to heed their advice. Mr Trump said he was shocked by what he heard at the briefings. What I did learn is that our leadership, (President) Barack Obama, did not follow what our experts ... said to do, he said. Ms Clinton called the comment totally inappropriate and undisciplined, adding: I would never comment on any aspect of an intelligence briefing I received. 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 told a televised town hall on national security that he believes Americas top generals have been reduced to rubble under the leadership of President Barack Obama and insinuated that many of them would be fired if he takes the White House in November. And in an exchange that surely raised eyebrows the Republican nominee suggested he was happy to accept flattery from Vladimir Putin and again offered the Russian leader his praise, regardless of his record of aggression in eastern Europe and assisting Iran and the Syrian regime. Recommended Read more Donald Trump vows to spend billions building up military He made the remarks to NBC anchor Matt Lauer during a special commander-in-chief forum broadcast live from on board the retired USS Intrepid in New York where both he and Hillary Clinton were given nearly half an hour each to explain their foreign policy priorities. In a breach of protocol, Mr Trump attempted to use the fact he had received two confidential intelligence briefings as the Republican nominee to suggest he had gleaned from them that President Obama and Ms Clinton, when she was Secretary of State, had routinely ignored the advice the intelligence experts had been giving them. He deduced, from the "body language" of those briefing him, that the leading Democrats did exactly the opposite of what experts recommended in several instances. Ms Clinton came to the event, where the candidates appeared back-to-back but separately, only to find herself forced to defend her long record on the world stage, including her vote in support of the Iraq War, the nuclear deal with Iran and the invasion of Libya to topple Muammar Gaddafi. She stood up for the decision to oust Gaddafi, suggesting that if it hadnt happened the situation in Libya may be even worse now than it is already. And she was adamant that the US and its partners had made the world safer by putting the lid on Irans nuclear ambitions. There was also a long segment devoted to her continuing problems over the use of a private email server when she was Secretary of State. She responded to sharp questioning from Mr Lauer and from audience members by insisting that nothing she received or sent on the system had been under a heading saying confidential or top secret. When emails did have such headings, she used a secure system, she insisted. I communicated about classified information on a wholly separate system. I took it very seriously. Asked to describe what would make a good commander-in-chief, she replied: Steadiness, an absolute rock steadiness, mixed with strength to make the hard decisions. She also quickly reminded the audience, on the floating museum and at home, that she had been in that small situation room with Mr Obama when the decision to take out Osama bin Laden was taken. At the start of his turn on the stage, Mr Trump, who earlier on Wednesday vowed to spend billions of extra dollars to build up the US military, struggled when asked to explain what experience he had had in his own life to qualify him to lead America on the world stage. Ive built a great business, Ive been all over the world, I have dealt with foreign countries, he attempted. He later sought praise for the latest fall-out from his visit last week to the President of Mexico, Enrique Pena Nieto, which included on Wednesday the resignation of the countrys Treasury Minister. Thats how well we did, Mr Trump said, apparently drawing strength from the ructions he has sowed in the government of Americas neighbour. He later insisted that he is meeting constantly with experts and he thinks he has learned a lot about world affairs. Of those advising him, he said: We have admirals, we have generals, we have colonels, we have a lot of people I respect. He added he would one hundred per cent prepared to take on what ever world crisis might hit on day one in the Oval Office. Yet, his disparagement of some of Americas most senior officers will inevitably echo through the race for president where readiness to be commander-in-chief has become a top issue. Under the leadership of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton the generals have been reduced to rubble, Mr Trump averred, adding that it has got to a point where it is embarrassing for our country. His praise for Mr Putin - he has great control over his country, he said - may also create problems for him, at least from among those in the foreign policy community, including many senior Republicans, who have already voiced their alarm about his foreign policy credentials. Far from attempting to downplay the notion that he admires the Russian leader, Mr Trump almost celebrated it, suggesting that if he says great things about me, I'm going to say great things about him. The suggestion that he may clear out much of Americas top military brass came when he was pressed to explain why he had said this week that he would give US Army generals 30 days to come up with a plan to destroy Isis, while at the same time he is saying those same generals have been reduced to rubble. They would probably be different generals to be honest with you, Mr Trump replied. 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 managed to say an awful lot of things that sparked controversy in a 30-minute question and answer session about national security issues. But nothing created more outcry than his attempt to defend a 2013 comment that sexual assaults in the military happened because men and women were both permitted to serve together in the armed forces. During his appearance at the NBC event in New York, Mr Trump was asked about the prevalence of sexual assaults by a member of the audience whose daughter was considering a career in the military. Mr Trump said it was a a massive problem. At that point, the host of the event, Matt Lauer, reminded Mr Trump of a tweet he had posted in 2013 which read: 26,000 unreported sexual assaults in the military-only 238 convictions. What did these geniuses expect when they put men & women together? Mr Trump said he stood by his comment. Well, it is, it is a correct tweet,Mr Trump said during the so-called Commander-in-Chief Forum. There are many people that think that that's absolutely correctWell, well, its happening, right? And, by the way, since then, its gotten worse. When Mr Lauer asked him if the solution was to remove women from the military, Mr Trump dismissed the idea but added, something has to happen. US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Show all 12 1 /12 US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Republican U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump shakes hands with Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Hillary Clinton at the conclusion of their first presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York Reuters US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures President Barack Obama embraces Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton on stage at the party's convention in Philadelphia US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Donald Trump's wife Melania delivered a speech at the GOP convention in Cleveland that was later found to have been cribbed in part from Michelle Obama's 2008 convention address AP US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Hillary Clinton talks to reporters aboard her new campaign plane on Labour Day, 5 September, her first 'press conference' since 2015 (Getty Images) US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Donald Trump held a joint press conference with Mexican leader Enrique Pena Nieto in Mexico City in August, hours before reiterating his harsh immigration plans at a campaign rally in Arizona Reuters US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Bernie Sanders officially endorsed Hillary Clinton, saying his progressive vision for a transformed America would be best served by the defeat of Donald Trump Reuters US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Khizr and Gazala Khan appeared at the DNC to slam Trump for his stance on Muslim immigration, citing the case of their son Humayun Khan, who was killed in combat while serving as a Captain in the US Army in Iraq US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson is doing better in polls than any third party candidate since Ross Perot, 20 years ago Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Green Party candidate Jill Stein (centre) marches with supporters in Colorado AP US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Hillary Clinton and Virginia Senator Tim Kaine at a rally in Kaine's home state in July, days before Ms Clinton tapped him to be her running mate Getty US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Trump on the campaign trail with his vice presidential pick, Indiana governor Mike Pence AP US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage appears at a Trump rally in Mississippi in August, where he told the crowd that he 'wouldn't vote for Hillary Clinton if you paid me'. Right now, part of the problem is nobody gets prosecuted. The New York billionaire added that his solution would be to prosecute the accused within a military court system - even though there already exists a long-established military judicial system. The best thing we can do is set up a court system within the military, he said. Right now the court system practically doesn't exist. He added: When you have somebody that does something so evil, so bad as that, there has to be consequences for that person. You have to go after that person. Right now, nobody is doing anything. Mr Trump was widely denounced on social media for apparently blaming the victims of sexual assault for what had happened to them, and for appearing to oppose integration in the armed services. Mr Lauer was also the object of widespread criticism for not pushing Mr Trump on the matter. He was also criticised for not holding the tycoon to account when he claimed he had opposed the war in Iraq, something he at least initially supported. Mr Trumps rival, Hillary Clinton, also took part in the forum. Asked abut her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state, Ms Clinton repeated that it should not have been done, insisting that she had not threatened national security. She also said it was a mistake to vote to support the invasion of Iraq, a measure passed by the Congress in October 2002. 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 }} Gary Johnson, the Libertarian candidate for president, has set a new bar for ignorance on the campaign trail, failing to recognise the name of the city at the heart of the tragedy that is Syria. Mr Johnson, once Republican Governor of New Mexico, was on Morning Joe, a political breakfast show on MSNBC, when veteran journalist Mike Barnicle, posed a simple question: what would he do about Aleppo and the refugee crisis that the killings there have helped stir? Recommended Read more Donald Trump sparks outcry by defending sex assault tweet Not so simple, of course, if you have never heard of a place from whence wrenching pictures of human suffering - especially the suffering of small children - are beamed daily into households across the West, helping to drive political debate about the Wests failure to stanch the violence. What is Aleppo? the silver-haired presidential hopeful inquired with no apparent embarrassment or shame. His face completely blank, he was perhaps asking himself if it was new brand of mosquito-borne disease he was not familiar with. Or was it perhaps a previously undiscovered heroin cocktail driving overdose numbers in the Midwest? Or a new brand of coffee? Mr Barnicle responded in the only way possible. Youre kidding me, he offered, before starting to explain to the candidate, whose running mate, William Weld, is also a former Republican governor, from Massachusetts. The exchange came the morning after the two main candidates, HIllary Clinton and Donald Trump, sparred on foreign policy at a commander-in-chief forum televised live from New York City on Wednesday night, where the refugee crisis in Syria also received scant attention. OK, got it, got it, Mr Johnson cut him off, presumably realising that with three small words he had just made himself the inevitable butt of ridicule for if not one news cycle then for several and possibly doomed any notion of his making real progress towards the White House. With regard to Syria I do think it's a mess, he attempted. I think that the only way that we deal with Syria is to join hands with Russia to diplomatically bring that at an end. He went on: It's just a mess. With wisdom of the calibre offered by Mr Johnson, that Syria is a mess is surely no surprise. His suggestion that the answer might reside with greater US-Russia cooperation at least wasnt totally out of left field; Mr Trump, who has distinguished himself by offering frequent praise to Vladimir Putin, thinks that would be a good idea too. The stumble was especially poorly timed for Mr Johnson. It comes at at time when he and Mr Weld are desperately trying to push up their polling numbers to the 15 per cent national threshold at which they would be allowed to participate in the presidential debates that are now just around the corner. They are not quite there yet, but their progress has been fairly impressive, possibly by dint of the entirely low approval marks that are earned by Mr Trump and his main competitor, Ms Clinton. Nationally, the Libertarians are at nearly 9 per cent, though Mr Johnson has been polling at about 25 per cent in his own New Mexico, only a few points adrift from the Republican. 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 }} Barack Obama has met the firebrand president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, after he called the US President a son of a whore. The leaders saw each other briefly, albeit informally, in a back room before attending a dinner at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in Laos. They later posed together for photos in the same line-up, although organisers seemingly took the healthy precaution of keeping them some distance apart. Mr Duterte had insulted Mr Obama in response to the possibility of the US president questioning him on the on-going drug war in the Philippines, the death toll of which has now exceeded 2,000 people. A formal meeting between the leaders was cancelled after the spat, though Mr Duterte later expressed regret for his comments. But on Thursday, Philippine foreign secretary Perfecto Yasay told The Associated Press that the leaders had met. They met at the holding room and they were the last persons to leave the holding room, said Mr Yasay. The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Show all 9 1 /9 The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte On killing drug addicts These sons of whores are destroying our children. I warn you, dont go into that, even if youre a policeman, because I will really kill you. If you know of any addicts, go ahead and kill them yourself as getting their parents to do it would be too painful The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Message to China I will go there on my own with a Jet Ski, bringing along with me a [Phillipino] flag and a pole, and once I disembark, I will plant the flag on the runway and tell the Chinese authorities, Kill me AP The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Christmas message to law-breakers If you do not want to stop, and just continue committing crimes, then this would be your last Merry Christmas AP The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte On sex life I was separated from my wife. Im not impotent. What am I supposed to do? Let this hang forever? When I take Viagra, it stands up AFP/Getty Images The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte On the drugs trade None of my children are into illegal drugs. But my order is, even if it is a member of my family, kill him'" AP The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Insulting the Pope We were affected by the traffic. It took us five hours. I asked why, they said it was closed. I asked who is coming. They answered, the pope. I wanted to call him: Pope, son of a wh**e, go home. Do not visit us again AFP/Getty Images The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Joke about rape I saw her face and I thought, 'What a pity... they raped her, they all lined up. I was mad she was raped but she was so beautiful. I thought, the mayor should have been first AFP/Getty The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Insulting Barack Obama "Mr Obama should be respectful and refrain from throwing questions at me about the killings, or son of a bitch, I will swear at you in that forum" REUTERS The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte On Abu Sayyaf Islamic militants "If I have to face them, you know I can eat humans. I will really open up your body. Just give me vinegar and salt, and I will eat you. If you annoy me to the fullest... I will eat you alive. Raw" EPA I can't say how long they met. It all springs from the fact the relationship between the Philippines and the United States is firm, very strong. The basis for this relationship is historical and both leaders realise this. And Im very happy that it happened. According to a White House official, Mr Obama had a brief discussion with Mr Duterte before the Asean Gala Dinner in the leaders holding space. He said the exchange consisted of pleasantries between the two. However, the two leaders entered the dinner venue separately, were seated far apart and did not interact with each other during the meal that lasted an hour and 20 minutes. The incident has soured relations between the two nations, at a time when their strong partnership is critical for regional stability. The Philippine government is concerned about Chinese activity in the South China Sea and, in the same week as the diplomatic row, released intelligence photos purporting to show Chinese coast guard vessels in the disputed Scarborough Shoal. It has fuelled fears of more aggressive Chinese expansion in the region a key concern of the Philippines and could test the so-called ironclad alliance of the US to the Philippines, a vital regional ally. But analysts believe the relationship is healthy, despite the superficial grievances. Mr Duterte has not given any signals that he sees abandoning or substantially weakening the alliance with the United States as a way to reach a better deal with China, nor should he, Amy Searight, director of the Southeast Asia programme at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies think-tank, told the AP. You dont approach a country like China from a position of weakness, you approach them from a position of strength. 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 British woman who died in a suspected honour killing in Pakistan texted a friend asking her to pray she came back alive hours before boarding a flight it has emerged. Samia Shahid, originally from Bradford, died while visiting her relatives in her ancestral village of Dhok Khinger in Pakistan. Her family initially claimed she had a heart attack, but an autopsy revealed she had been strangled and raped. Her husband Syed Mukhtar Kazam repeatedly said she had been murdered because her family were angry that she had left her first husband, her Pakistani cousin Muhammad Shakeel, to marry him in 2014. Shakeel reportedly confessed to the murder to police and appeared in court with Samias father, Mohammed Shahid, on Monday in the eastern city of Jhelum. The police said the investigation is now complete and they will both be held for 14 days pending formal charges and trial. Lawyers for the pair have said they will plead not guilty at their next appearance on 17 September. A 43-page police report, seen by the Mail Online, by an official connected with the case, concluded her father had held her down while Shakeel raped her. In the report, it said the day before she was due to fly to Islamabad for the week-long stay, she texted her friend with the message: Pray I come bk alive on 21jul my psyco cuzzan u see referring to her former husband. Samia's second husband Mukhtar Kazam at a press conference in Rawalpindi, Pakistan holding up the post-mortem report proving she had been murdered (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images) The 28-year-old beautician had taken several precautions before the trip to see her family which was undertaken when she was told her father was gravely ill by refusing to tell them when her flights were and arranging for a friend in Islamabad to keep hold of her passport and return tickets. Pakistani authorities say they believe her father had called the local authorities on 21 July, just hours before she was due to board a flight to meet Mr Kazam in Dubai, to claim she had died of natural causes. But forensic and DNA tests confirmed Shakeel, who reportedly had never accepted the divorce, had raped Samia: The result indicated a perfect match, thereby establishing that the victim was raped by accused Shakeel before she was murdered, said the report. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty The forensic report also showed a 19mm cut across her neck from where she had been strangled. The report claimed Shakeel was angry at the divorce and felt she had dishonoured him and his family. They had originally married in Pakistan in 2012 where she stayed for a short time before going back to the UK. She then divorced him ex-parte two years later and moved to Dubai to be with Mr Kazam. 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 womens group is calling for Sharia courts to be banned in India to stop inequality and violations of human rights. The Muslim Womens Quest for Equality (MWQE) has filed an affidavit arguing the courts, which govern marriage, divorce and family cases for Indias 150 million Muslims, should not be allowed to function as a parallel judiciary. Its case said organisations including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) should be abolished to save the country and Indian Muslims from the clamp of fundamentalists/activists, the Hindustan Times reported. The MWQE argued that freedoms under Indias secular constitution were being abused to leave the courts entirely free from government control. Opponents to sharia have said the Islamic system is contrary to justice (Getty) The countrys Supreme Court rejected a previous petition seeking to ban Sharia courts two years ago, but stressed that they had no legal powers over Muslims and their decisions could not be enforced. Its ruling said Islamic judges, who interpret religious law, could only rule when individuals submitted voluntarily to them and their decisions, or fatwas, were not legally binding. Vishwa Lochan Madan launched the 2014 petition after a Sharia court ordered a woman to leave her husband and children to live with her father-in-law, who had raped her. The latest push came as the Supreme Court considers another case on the practice of triple talaq instant divorces and polygamy. Muslim men can divorce their wives by repeating the word talaq three times, meaning I divorce you, in a practice banned in more than 20 countries including Pakistan and Bangladesh. The Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (India Muslim Women's Movement) said it knew of cases where arbitrary divorces declared over postcards or telegrams had been upheld by Sharia courts. AIMPLB's argument that a Muslim man can delegate his power of pronouncing talaq to his wife is laughable - this can hardly be expected to happen in real life if the wife wants a divorce but husband doesn't, a spokesperson said. The countries with anti-women laws Show all 5 1 /5 The countries with anti-women laws The countries with anti-women laws The countries with anti-women laws The countries with anti-women laws The countries with anti-women laws The countries with anti-women laws The truth is Muslim personal laws - like other religious laws - flow from patriarchy and relegate women to second class status. The AIMPLB, a non-governmental body that oversees the application of Muslim personal law, opposes any ban on triple talaq and polygamy. In evidence to Indian Supreme Court, it argued that men have greater reasoning power compared to women, and that a man using triple talaq was a better option than murdering her or burning her alive, Reuters reported. Sharia grants the right to divorce because men have greater power of decision making, the group said. They are more likely to control emotions and not take a hasty decision. The AIMPLB also argued that polygamy was a "social need" and a "blessing" as a lawful second wife was better than a mistress and added that it gave divorced or widowed women more opportunity to remarry. Indian law allows most religions to regulate matters such as marriage, divorce and inheritance through their own civil code but there has been repeated debate over whether the arbitrary laws violate the constitution. The government is expected to file its own response to petitions against triple talaq to the Supreme Court next month. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A well-preserved Viking sword thought to be over 1,000-years-old has been unexpectedly unearthed by a group of men on a goose hunting trip in Iceland. The five friends discovered the weapon by chance while walking in the Skaftarhreppur region of southern Iceland, an area recently affected by severe floods. One of the hunters, Runar Sighvatsson, said the weapon was just lying there on the ground, waiting to be picked up. Arni Bjorn Valdimarsson, who stumbled upon the blade, posted a photo of it on Facebook and was contacted shortly afterwards by Icelands Cultural Heritage Agency keen to make inquiries. Agency director Kristin Huld Sigurdardottir said such a find was very rare in Iceland and suggested the site where it was discovered might once have been a pagan burial ground. We date the sword to circa 950AD or even before that, she told Visir News. We are very excited by this find as it is only the 23rd Viking sword to be found in Iceland. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty There might be some remains of [its old] scabbard on the blade but we will know more about this when the conservators have done a thorough search. The agency has so far declined to reveal the precise location of the site where the sword was found so as to allow their experts time to study the area and perform a full survey before the inevitable hordes of tourists and amateur archaeologists descend. 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 Prime Minister of Armenia has announced his resignation following months of protests and clashes at a police station in the country's capital. Hovik Abrahamyan said he was stepping down to allow Armenian society and government to unite in their efforts. We need a new beginning, he added. That is why I have decided to resign and to give our President an opportunity to form a new government. Two-week standoff ends in Armenia as gunmen surrender We must think about everyones success and give a chance to a new government. Rumours of Mr Abrahamyans resignation had been circulating since local reports claimed he was to be replaced by Karen Karapetyan, the former mayor of Armenias capital and a Gazprom executive, on Wednesday. President Serge Sarkisian called for a government of national accord in August, following months of protests and violence culminating in a stand-off that killed two police officers earlier this year. Armed men captured the police compound in Yerevan in July, demanding freedom for opposition leader Jirair Sefilian and the removal of Mr Abrahamyans government. The group, nicknamed the Daredevils of Sassoun, held several police officers and medics as hostages before eventually releasing them and surrendering after two weeks. This year was the fourth summer of mass protests in Yerevan, with demands for regime change overtaking previous issues of electricity bills, pension reform and public transport fare increases. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Human Rights Watch accused police of using excessive force against peaceful demonstrators in July, using stun grenades and batons, as well as assaulting journalists. The government has also faced political challenges, including a flare-up of violence in Azerbaijan's breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region in April between Armenian-backed separatists and Azeri forces. Armenia depends heavily on aid and investment from Russia, whose economic downturn has hit exports and much-needed remittances from Armenians working there. Mr Abrahamyan took office in April 2014 as the leader of the ruling Republican Party. According to his official biography, he is married with three children and eight grandchildren, and served in the former Soviet Army and worked at a brandy factory before entering politics in the 1990s. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for 2017, with Mr Sarkisians term as President to end the following year. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} An investigation has been launched by environmental authorities in Russia after a river in Siberia turned blood red. The Daldykan River lies near Norilsk, an industrial centre and one of the most polluted cities in Russia. While a scientific reason for the change in water colour has yet to be pinpointed, many have blamed the phenomenon on waste from a nearby factory. Metallurgical plants, owned by regional conglomerate Norilsk Nikel, have been cited by locals on social media as the probable source of the red dye. A statement released by Sergey Donskoy, head of Russia's Ministry of Natural Resources, said that according to preliminary information, a possible cause of the pollution was a breakthrough slurry pipeline at a Norilsk Nikel plant. The company responded by denying the pollution was due to an accidental discharge at its Nadezhinskogo metallurgical facility but said it is monitoring the state of the environment in the vicinity of the river. Mr Donskoy has ordered the river be checked and for the situation to be brought under the personal control of Artem Sidorov, head of the Federal Supervisory Natural Resources Management Service. 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 David Chambers, president of the Centre for Science in Public Participation and a mining expert, studied the photographs and told The Verge: Thats a very typical colour for mine waste. Mr Chambers told the publication the colouration was probably caused by oxidised iron content within industrial run-off. Iron oxide can be produced by sulphide minerals undergoing high temperature or pressure oxidation treatments, Mr Chambers said. Scientists advised that the river waters are potentially toxic, pose a threat to local residents and are unsafe to drink for both livestock and humans or use in irrigation. Locals have reported the river also changed colour in June, when the water turned a darker shade of red, an incident that received far less attention. The worlds biggest heavy smelting industry is situated in Norilsk, according to Time, annually releasing four million tonnes of cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, arsenic, selenium and zinc into the atmosphere. Death rates from respiratory diseases in the city are reportedly far higher than the Russian average. 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 French policeman has been stabbed during an operation to arrest three women in connection with a car found packed with gas canisters close to Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. As they were seized in the Paris suburb of Boussy-Saint-Antoine on Thursday, one of the three suspects stabbed an officer, who then shot her, according to reports. The woman was hospitalised, while the other two suspects are in custody. Paris police announced on Wednesday that they had found a Peugeot 607 filled with seven gas canisters, six of them full, close to Notre Dame late on Saturday night. The car had been abandoned in a no parking zone with its hazard lights on, and without its registration plates. No detonator device was found with the canisters, but the discovery nonetheless raised fears of a terror plot. Recommended Read more Man shot dead after stabbing police officer in France According to the Paris prosecutor's office, the car's owner reported his vehicle missing to police, telling them that his 19-year-old daughter had also disappeared. The teenager was known to the French authorities for wanting to travel to Syria to join Isis after having been radicalised. On Tuesday counter-terror police arrested a 34-year-old man and 29-year-old woman in connection with the suspected plot, near to the southern French city of Orange. The couple were thought to be attempting to flee to Spain. The women seized on Thursday in Boussy-Saint-Antoine are reportedly aged 19, 23 and 39. UK terror plots that were foiled by security services Show all 14 1 /14 UK terror plots that were foiled by security services UK terror plots that were foiled by security services Oxford Street terror plot Lewis Ludlow was jailed for life in March 2019 for planning a 'spectacular multi-victim attack' on Oxford Street in London. He pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey last year to plotting an attack in the UK and funding Isis abroad EPA UK terror plots that were foiled by security services Rosie Cooper MP plot Jack Renshaw admitted plotting to kill his local Labour MP with a machete in June 2018. Renshaw bought a 19in machete intending to use it to kill Rosie Cooper, MP for West Lancashire. His plan was foiled by whistleblower Robbie Mullen, who heard of the plot in a meeting of alleged and convicted National Action members in the Friar Penketh pub in Warrington Hope Not Hate UK terror plots that were foiled by security services 'Poppy terror plot' Nadir Ali Sayed, his cousin Yousaf Shah Syed, and Haseeb Hamayoon, were charged with terrorism offences over an alleged plot to behead a member of public. The trio were arrested in London and High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire on 6 November - three days before Remembrance Sunday in 2014 PA UK terror plots that were foiled by security services National Action arrests Following the arrest of six men in 2018 on suspicion that they were members of the banned far-right terror group National Action, two were jailed. Christopher Lythgoe was found to be leader of the banned group and jailed for eight years, while Matthew Hankinson was jailed for six years. While it was found that Lythgoe did not encourage Jack Renshaw's plot to kill a Labour MP, the judge noted that he "did nothing to stop or discourage" the attack PA UK terror plots that were foiled by security services Shane Fletcher A self-described 'loner', Fletcher planned to kill members of the public at a football match in his home town of Workington. He had been referred to the government's Prevent programme nine moths prior to his arrest after stating that he dreamed about "shooting up a mosque" PA UK terror plots that were foiled by security services Heathrow airport arrests A 19-year-old from Coventry man was arrested at London's Heathrow airport on suspicion of preparing for acts of terrorism in November 2014 UK terror plots that were foiled by security services Extradition of Abu Hamza Radical muslim cleric Abu Hamza was extradited to the US in 2014 after having been jailed in the UK for 7 years for 11 offences under the Terrorism Act Getty UK terror plots that were foiled by security services South East Counter Terrorism Unit arrests Six people were arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences after a series of dawn raids in the south of England in October 2014. Three men and three women were detained separately in two properties in Portsmouth, one in Farnborough and one in Greenwich following an operation by the South East Counter Terrorism Unit. Counter-terror officers said they had disrupted what was believed to be the early stages of what could have turned into a significant plot PA UK terror plots that were foiled by security services October 2014 arrests Three men were arrested in central London on 13 October as part of an investigation into Islamist-related terrorism. The arrests come nearly a week after five men were arrested in dawn raids that Whitehall officials said may have foiled the early stages of a plan to attack the UK Peter Macdiarmid/Getty UK terror plots that were foiled by security services Anjem Choudary arrest Anjem Choudary, the radical activist and co-founder of the banned al-Muhajiroun group, was arrested in September 2014 as efforts intensify to disrupt the ideological backers of young British Muslims travelling to fight in foreign conflicts. Mr Choudary was among nine men held on suspicion of supporting a banned terrorist group and encouraging terrorism. The arrests came shortly after Mr Choudary fired off a series of angry tweets after David Cameron called on MPs to back air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria Oli Scarff/Getty UK terror plots that were foiled by security services North West Counter Terrorism Unit funds seizing Police seize 250,000 of cash intended to fund Isis at Manchester Airport and north-west ports. Using powers under the Terrorism Act, the money was confiscated by officers from the North West Counter Terrorism Unit in Ocotber 2014 Getty UK terror plots that were foiled by security services Tarik Hassane arrest A medical student who was offered a place at a London university has been named among four men who are being questioned by counter-terror police after a series of raids across the capital. Tarik Hassane, 21, is believed to have been Tasered when he was arrested on suspicion of being involved in a "significant" Islamist terror plot on 7 October 2015 UK terror plots that were foiled by security services Abu Qatada removed from UK Radical preacher Abu Qatada will not be returning to the UK after being cleared of terror charges in Jordan in 2013 Reuters UK terror plots that were foiled by security services Haider Ahmed knife plot Teenage Isis supporter Haider Ahmed purchased a 15ins hunting knife and threatened to launch a stabbing attack on the Tube. Prosecutors said he may alternatively have been planning to rob someone with the weapon to fund his travel to fight for Isis in Syria He was jailed for preparing an act of terrorism in June 2019 Counter Terrorism Policing South East France remains under a state of emergency following a spate of terror attacks in recent months. Isis has previously named Notre Dame on a list of western terror targets. 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 suspected murder of a German mother travelling in a car with her family may have been inspired by a Netflix horror series, police say. The 33-year-old woman was sitting in the back seat next to her five-year-old son when a large tile and cobblestone were dropped from an overpass onto the vehicle in Denmark. She was killed instantly, while her 36-year-old husband was seriously injured in the drivers seat. Their son was unharmed in the incident on 21 August. Police are investigating it as a murder and attempted murderer, saying the 30kg stone tile appeared to have been thrown deliberately from a motorway overpass in Blommenslyst. It was just one of several recent stone-throwing incidents on Denmarks roads, including an ambulance hit as it rushed a patient in cardiac arrest to hospital near Aalborg on Monday. Michael Lichtenstein, the commissioner of Funen Police, said the apparent trend may be inspired by a Netflix series called Slasher that has recently started showing in the country. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty In connection with our investigation we have been made aware of a Netflix series that includes an episode in which a person throws a concrete block down on a driving car, he told Jyllands-Posten newspaper, according to a translation by The Local. The series is called Slasher. A resident directed our attention to it and it cant be ruled out that someone may have been inspired by it, just like all of those people who are going around doing it may have been inspired by our current case. A trailer for the Canadian series shows a clip from episode three, where a woman drops a concrete block onto a moving car in a murder attempt. No one has been arrested in relation to the attack on the German tourists car, with local residents and businesses offering rewards for information. Netflix has not yet responded to The Independents request for a comment. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A Russian fighter jet has flown within 10ft of an American surveillance plane in the latest airborne encounter between the two nations forces. Captain Jeff Davis, a spokesperson for the US Department of Defence, said the Russian Sukhoi Su-27 approached a Poseidon aircraft as it flew over the Black Sea on Wednesday. Calling the manoeuvre dangerous and unprofessional, he said the plane was conducting routine operations in international airspace, but Russia insisted it was approaching its border with no communication. The US said its P-8 Poseidon plane was carrying out a routine flight over the Black Sea (AFP/Getty Images) We have concerns when there is an unsafe manoeuvre like this, Capt Davis told reporters. These actions have the potential to unnecessarily escalate tensions, and could result in a miscalculation or accident. A US defence official said the Russian pilot approached to within 30ft of the P-8A before closing to just 10ft. Major General Igor Konashenkov, from the Russian defence ministry, said jets were sent to intercept the surveillance plane after it approached Russia's southern border twice without its transponders turned on. After the Russian fighters got close to the spy planes for visual confirmation and to determine their wing numbers, the American aircraft changed course sharply and flew away, he said. The Russia pilots acted in strict accordance with international rules for flight. Tensions between Russia and the Western world Show all 8 1 /8 Tensions between Russia and the Western world Tensions between Russia and the Western world Russia Vladimir Putin leaves G20 early after criticism from world leaders over Ukraine. David Cameron warned Vladimir Putin, face to face, that Russias whole post-Cold War relationship with the West is at a fork in the road over Ukraine Getty Tensions between Russia and the Western world Russia A mysterious Russian object is being tracked by space agencies, giving new life to fears about the increase of space weapons. The satellite, dubbed Object 2014-28E, has grabbed the interest of official and amateur satellite-watchers because it is taking a confusing path and its purpose has not been identified Getty Images Tensions between Russia and the Western world Russia Russian warplanes are risking the security of civilian passengers as they play a dangerous game designed to test Western air defences, according to Natos secretary general FRA Tensions between Russia and the Western world Russia Russia has warned Ukraine that a resumption of hostilities against pro-Russian separatists in the east would be catastrophic for Ukraine Reuters Tensions between Russia and the Western world Russia A Swedish minesweeper searches for suspected "foreign underwater activity" near Stockholm. A Russian sub in Swedish waters has slipped away into the sea...leaving recriminations in its wake Reuters Tensions between Russia and the Western world Russia Sberbank, Russia's largest lender, is taking the European Union to court in an attempt to loosen Western sanctions imposed over the Ukraine crisis GETTY IMAGES Tensions between Russia and the Western world Russia Russian government agencies have been accused of editing a Wikipedia article to suggest the Ukrainian military was responsible for shooting down the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, a Twitter account monitoring state IP addresses has claimed AFP Tensions between Russia and the Western world Russia Australias prime minister Tony Abbott has promised he will shirtfront Vladimir Putin over the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which killed 38 Australian citizens AP But a spokesperson for the US European Command, Captain Danny Hernandez, insisted the Poseidon had its transponder turned on during the entire flight, following international law for flight safety. The incident was one of four intercepts of American aircraft by Russian jets on Wednesday, according to the US, with the one considered unsafe lasting around 19 minutes. NATO intercept Russian bombers Capt Davis said US Navy aircraft and ships routinely come into contact with Russian units in the Black Sea region and most interactions are safe and professional. In one more dramatic incident earlier this year, Russian jets buzzed over the USS Donald Cook in the Baltic Sea, coming within 30ftof the warship, and in April US officials said another surveillance plane had been confronted in an unsafe and unprofessional manner". The RAF has also scrambled fighter jets to intercept Russian planes nearing British airspace several times this year, generating sonic booms heard across swathes of the country. Relations between Russia and the West have been strained since the Russian annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014 and have worsened in the wake of Vladimir Putins intervention to support Bashar al-Assad in Syria. Nato has announced it will strengthen its presence in the Black Sea surrounded by Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine - as one of three fronts against Russia. Speaking on Wednesday, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said: "We have seen an increased Russian presence in the Black Sea region and we have also seen a substantial military build-up in Crimea by Russia. "Nato has decided to increase our presence in the Black Seawe are working on that with our military planners now to decide exactly how that is going to take place." The Russian government has previously criticised increased Nato deployments and drills in the region as not conducive to the strengthening of security". For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Isis militants have decided to evacuate soldiers and equipment from the northern Syrian town of al-Bab in Aleppo province as Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebels, Kurdish groups and the Syrian army draw closer to the town, Kurdish media reported. Dozens of Isis military vehicles have left al-Bab carrying weapons and militants. They headed to the nearby town of Khafsa east of al-Bab city, local media activist Nasim Babi said. Major buildings and offices that now reportedly stand empty include the police department, weaponry storage centers, and the court house. Recommended Al-Bab is the last Aleppo stronghold of the militant group after the Turkish allied rebels and Kurdish forces succeeded in retaking Manbij and Jarablus in recent weeks. The city has been under Isis control since October 2014. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a mostly Kurdish alliance, has been planning to retake al-Bab since successfully liberating Manbij. The town is now almost encircled on three sides by the Syrian army, the SDF, and the Turkish-allied FSA. Isis ended up withdrawing from nearby Jarablus in less that 24 hours. Since reports say Isis are already moving equipment and soldiers out of the city, Kurdish forces are hoping that the same will happen in al-Bab. Syrias war: Manbij residents celebrate freedom from ISIL ISIS has been under heavy pressure in al-Bab. The decision of evacuating their headquarters comes after the SDF forces made further advance towards the key city after retaking Manbij from the radical group, SDF officer Habun Osman told Kurdish ARA News. The Turkish military's Operation Euphrates, launched in August, has so far been very effective in driving Isis back towards Raqqa, its capital. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad however has said he is very concerned about Turkish forces pushing deeper into Syria. The Russian Foreign Ministry has also condemned the new offensive, saying in a statement on Wednesday that actions by Turkey and rebel groups could further complicate an already challenging military and political situation and negatively affect international efforts that would ensure a more sustainable ceasefire. 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 }} Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have agreed in principle to meet in Moscow, in what would be their first face-to-face meeting in years. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova confirmed that an agreement had taken place on Thursday, the Associated Press reported. No date has been given for the meeting. The most important thing is to pick the right timing, Ms Zakharova added. Mr Abbas and Mr Netanyahu exchanged a brief handshake at the global climate change conference in Paris last year, but have not held a public working meeting since 2010. Mr Abbas said earlier this week that a meeting scheduled in Moscow had been postponed at Israels request. Mr Abbas and Mr Netanyahu agree on hardly any issues, including the construction of Israeli settlements on land claimed by Palestinians, which means setting an agenda will be a difficult task. Any meeting at all is seen as progress, however, since US-brokered peace talks broke down in 2014. The Moscow meeting points to Russia's growing influence in Middle Eastern affairs. President Vladimir Putin has been vocal in his support for President Bashar Assad in the five-year-long Syrian civil war. The Russian military has aided the Syrian government by providing fighter jets to assist in the fight against various rebel groups since last September. 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 }} At least five people were killed and 12 wounded in an Isis attack in the Syrian border town of Jarablus, Turkish security and hospital sources said on Thursday, only a day after civilians started returning to their homes in the town. Wounded people were taken to hospitals in Turkey's southern province of Gaziantep, which lies across the border from Jarablus, the same hospital sources said. A group of 292 Syrians went back to the town from Turkey on Wednesday, marking the first formal return of civilians since Ankara launched a military incursion two weeks ago to try to secure the border region, a Turkish official said. Jarablus, which had been held by Isis, was the first town captured by Turkey's army and its Syrian rebel allies in an offensive launched on 24 August that aims to sweep away jihadists and Syrian Kurdish militias from the frontier. Turkey has said it cleared militants from a 55-mile stretch of Syrian territory and has pushed south. It has also said it would support any US initiative to strike Isis's stronghold of Raqqa, further to the southeast. But Turkey's tactics have drawn criticism from its Nato ally the United States and also from Russia, with which it recently patched up ties. Washington says Turkish attacks on Kurdish-aligned militias are damaging the US-backed coalition that is fighting Isis. Russia, which backs the government in Damascus, said on Wednesday Ankara's push south threatened Syria's sovereignty. 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 Syrian Foreign Ministry has said that British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnsons comments on building peace in Syria demonstrate he doesnt understand the complicated situation in the country. Mr Johnson met with the Friends of Syria in London on Wednesday to discuss an 18-month transitional peace plan which involves President Bashar al-Assad stepping down from office and free elections. Statements of British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson reveal his complete separation from reality, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said in response on Thursday. [He lacks] realisation that the time of the [British colonial] mandate will not come back. The statement, carried on state media, went on to say that Wednesdays meetings with the opposition Syrian High Negotiations Committee demonstrated aggression towards Syria. Ahead of the talks, Mr Johnson also called on Russia to end its indefensible support of the Assad regime, which he said was helping keep the government in power and adding to the bloodshed in the country. Syria remains mired in a multi-sided conflict more than five years after an uprising began against Assad in 2011, drawing in both regional and global powers, causing a refugee crisis in the Middle East and Europe, and inspiring jihadist attacks across the world. In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Show all 19 1 /19 In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrian boys cry following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian defense ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov speaks to the media in Moscow, Russia. Konashenkov strongly warned the United States against striking Syrian government forces and issued a thinly-veiled threat to use Russian air defense assets to protect them AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrians wait to receive treatment at a hospital following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Alepp Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov speaks at a briefing in the Defense Ministry in Moscow, Russia. Antonov said the Russian air strikes in Syria have killed about 35,000 militants, including about 2,700 residents of Russia AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Jameel Mustafa Habboush, receives oxygen from civil defence volunteers, known as the white helmets, as they rescue him from under the rubble of a building following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civil defence members rest amidst rubble in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A girl carrying a baby inspects damage in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members look for survivors at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members carry an injured woman on a stretcher at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Volunteers from Syria Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, help civilians after Russia carried out its first airstrikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria The aftermath of Russian airstrike in Talbiseh, Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Smoke billows from buildings in Talbiseh, in Homs province, western Syria, after airstrikes by Russian warplanes AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Air Forces carry out an air strike in the ISIS controlled Al-Raqqah Governorate. Russia's KAB-500s bombs completely destroy the Liwa al-Haqq command unit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia claimed it hit eight Isis targets, including a "terrorist HQ and co-ordination centre" that was completely destroyed In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A video grab taken from the footage made available on the Russian Defence Ministry's official website, purporting to show an airstrike in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A release from the Russian defence ministry purportedly showing targets in Syria being hit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia launched air strikes in war-torn Syria, its first military engagement outside the former Soviet Union since the occupation of Afghanistan in 1979. Russian warplanes carried out strikes in three Syrian provinces along with regime aircraft as Putin seeks to steal US President Barack Obama's thunder by pushing a rival plan to defeat Isis militants in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria, a thousand kilometres away. The targets include ammunition factories, ammunition and fuel depots, command centres, and training camps A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis At least 400,000 Syrians have been killed and 4million have fled the country, the UN says. Mr Johnson was appointed Foreign Secretary when Theresa May took over as Prime Minister in July. Earlier this year he praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for liberating the historical site of Palmyra from Isis militants, and last month told his Russian counterpart, Sergy Lavrov, he wanted to normalise diplomatic relations. Additional reporting by agencies 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 }} When British Airways relaunched its new route from Heathrow to Tehran last week, I wrote about routes that dont exist but should. Agreed, the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, is still a long way from the departure boards. But Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo and a huge city of 10 million people, is only eight hours from London yet has never featured on the network map from Britain. The UK is oddly disconnected from a wide range of smaller, but perhaps more appealing cities. A whole range of places that were once available from Heathrow, including Caracas, Kathmandu and Perth, have flown away. When you look at airport-to-airport links, it gets even weirder: Gatwick, one of the 10 busiest airports in Europe, has no direct flights to the key German cities of Cologne, Dusseldorf and Frankfurt. Within a couple of days of the story appearing, there was one more route to add to this list: Luton to New York. Brexit was blamed for the suspension of La Compagnies business-class-only route from Bedfordshire to Newark airport from 25 September. The result of the EU referendum has created an unprecedented level of legal and economic uncertainty for airlines, said the carriers chief executive, Frantz Yvelin, as he altered the flight plan to Paris. Yet Luton airport enjoys a rich and populous catchment area. Just consider the arc of north London for which it is the nearest airport, plus the suburbs and dormitory towns that extend along the M1 to Milton Keynes and Northampton. It adds up to three or four million people which should be enough to sustain a link to the worlds second-biggest aviation hub (London trumps New York for that title). But the gravity of Heathrow is evidently overwhelming, providing access to Manhattan two or three times an hour between breakfast and dinner time. Tony Wheeler, co-founder of Lonely Planet, added more to my list, including Sanaa in Yemen - now too dangerous - and a place that was once a refuelling stop en route to North America: the NATO airfield at Gander in Newfoundland. He also chipped in with Darwin, which was a pit-stop along the way to Sydney. As the maximum range of planes extended, it became an evolutionary cul-de-sac for airlines. Flight comparison websites can detect how popular individual city pairs look, by counting the number of searches. Anna.aero, the route analysis organisation, has teamed up with Skyscanner for a regular feature called Unserved route of the week. A recent candidate was Dublin-Miami, an omission sure to be filled soon given the bold expansion plans for Aer Lingus. Also bafflingly absent: Boston to Vancouver, both big cities that dominate their regions. Athens to Melbourne is also in demand, because of the big Greek population in Australias second city. And this week the link moved one stage nearer. The Singapore Airlines subsidiary, Scoot, announced that the Greek capital would be its first European destination. Through its hub in Singapore, Melbourne will be only two hops from Athens. For British travellers, the link presents a fresh and welcome UK-Australia possibility, flying from London, Birmingham or Manchester to Melbourne. You can stop en route at the ancient mighty city-state, Athens, and again at the 21st century city-state powerhouse of Singapore. 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 }} Each week, The Independents travel team go head to head to see who can come up with the best version of a particular trip. Today were tackling a US road trip this autumn. Simons choice: an Oregon fly-drive Price of car hire and airfare for two: 1,700 There are two possible reasons you might want to delay this road trip until next summer: the first non-stop flights from the UK to Portland begin in May 2017, and on 21 August a total solar eclipse will make landfall at Lincoln City, Oregon and then sweep west-east across the state. But my advice is to travel this month and then return next year if youre hooked. Portland is one of those rare US cities where not having a car is a real advantage. So fly in on Delta via Seattle (with a return flight via a range of US points) for around 750, based on a 20 September departure for a week, and spend 48 hours there. Then rent a car from a downtown office (which can also help avoid airport surcharges). Avis is charging 200 for a Ford Fiesta for five days from downtown Portland. Head south-east into the Cascade Range and follow it south, through Mount Hood National Forest and as far as the magnificent Crater Lake National Park. Then head west, ignoring dull Medford in favour of Grants Pass and the route to the Pacific Coast. US Highway 101 runs the entire length of the states shoreline, culminating in my favourite American seaside resort, Seaside. Depending how you are fixed for time, you can either head straight back to Portland along Highway 26, or treat yourself to the longer Highway 30 routing via the Columbia River valley. Simon Calder, travel correspondent Swing by Oregon's Crater Lake National Park (Ray Bouknight/Flickr/CC BY 2.0) Nicolas choice: classic California Price of car hire and airfare for two: 1,444 Ive been on a fair few American road trips as an adult, but one Id like to repeat is the trip through California I took with my family as a teenager. Its a cliche, sure, but a rightly popular destination, taking in the photogenic Pacific Coast Highway and national parks, as well as some amazing cities. You can fly into San Francisco and out of LA a week later for 642 with United Airlines (based on a 24 September departure). The advantage of an open-jaw flight is that you wont have to go back on yourself, and most car hire companies will allow you to collect and drop off your car in different locations. Holiday Extras is offering a weeks rental of a Kia Rio for 160 with Alamo - curiously a few pounds cheaper than booking direct. Spend a couple of days exploring the delights of San Francisco before heading either straight down the coast, stopping at towns like laid-back San Luis Obispo the midpoint between LA and San Fran and upmarket Santa Barbara, or go inland to Yosemite National Park, with its waterfalls, giant seqouias and vast expanses of wilderness. You could drive through the spectacular Mojave Desert en route too; the glorious thing about America is that there is an abundance of cheap motels almost everywhere you go, so theres no pressing need to plan in advance. Round off the trip with a few days in LA, where Santa Monica and Venice offer laid-back beach vibes to counterbalance Hollywoods assault on the senses. Nicola Trup, head of travel Drive along the dramatic Pacific Coast Highway (Visit California) Lauras choice: iconic New England in coastal Maine Price of car hire and airfare for two: 682 When I once asked my partner, a card-carrying New Yorker, where Id find North Americas best road trip, the answer was immediate: Maine. It might not be the stuff of engine-revving pedal-to-the-metalry or daring hairpin bendery, but it is everything you could ask from New England: sweeping sea cliffs, toy-town quaint lighthouses, and gentle picture-postcard harbour communities just itching to fill your face with fresh lobster. And thats without even mentioning Acadia National Park: beaches, granite peaks and glaciers all perched on Maines Mount Desert Island. My advice would be to first fly into Boston Norwegian can get you there direct from Gatwick for about 248 return if youre flexible with dates (ie, leave and return on, say, a Monday). Avis currently offers seven-day car hire from $245 (186) for a Ford Fiesta, with pick-up at the airport, if you pay online in advance rather than at the counter. From here, its an easy three-hour drive to Maines Boothbay Harbour, a picturesque waterfront village of Victorian houses with great whale-watching. Rest up here and then continue up the coast to Bar Harbour, on Mount Desert Island, at your own pace its an easy, scenic 118 miles on US Route 1. Bar Harbour is your gateway to Acadia and, though busy, is convenient for organising tours and fuelling up on seafood. When youve had your fill of Acadia, tootle back to Boston by way of the highlights north of Portland (picturesque Camden, artsy Rockland, Pemaquid Point lighthouse). A stop at Portland itself not the hipster hub Simon recommends in Oregon, but a buzzy food and beer town on a much smaller scale is definitely worthwhile. Then its just over 100 miles back to Boston. Laura Chubb, deputy head of travel Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Within weeks of the 24-hour night tubes debut, Fabric, one of Londons few late-night superclubs, closes its doors for good. This comes after years of battling with the police and Islington council to keep the club alive. For many Londoners and clubbers alike, this closure marks another nail in the coffin for Londons nightlife. And many of the venues that have faced closure were incredibly iconic. Dozens birthed and nurtured talented musicians, DJs and artists and had no short supply of punters. Madame JoJos, known as the home of burlesque and a place to catch talent early, hosted The xx, The Klaxons and Adele, to name a few. It was forced to call final orders in November 2014. Similarly to Fabric, blame for closure was placed on the conduct of customers, with a violent incident cited. Supporters argued gentrification was actually the real reason for the decision. After all, Crossrails arrival to Soho would inevitably affect the clientele and the types of venues theyd like to associate with. While visitors might find Sohos arty, un-polished, queer heritage edgy, perhaps this might be preferred as an aesthetic rather than lived reality. Chairman of the Night Time Industries Association speaking after the closing of Fabric The mass closure of venues hasnt just affected Londons once-vibrant music scene either. Alarmingly, London has lost vital queer venues too. Cliff Joannou, editor of gay listings magazine QX estimates that 25 per cent of Londons queer venues have closed. Many were incredibly popular, widely respected and historically renowned. The Joiners Arms pub in Londons East End had an impressive history. Viewed more as an institution than a venue, it was one of the first pubs in the country to pay all its staff the living wage and was popular until its emotional closure in January 2015. Famous for its crammed, messy and vibrant nights, it was one of the few late-opening LGBTQ+ venues outside of central London. Life, Love and Liberty, the pubs motto, united its loyal customer-base and it was loved for being cheap, welcoming to all and absent of pretence. The Joiners is now one of three queer venues in the area that have now closed shop. Like the Joiners Arms, the Nelsons Head and The George and Dragon are destined to be bulldozed to make way for more luxury flats. Friends of the Joiners Arms have been putting up a fight though, securing Asset of Community Value status by Tower Hamlets council for the pub. But, despite this added protection, the pub disgracefully remains empty and closed to the public. And for the LGBTQ+ venues that havent faced closure, many have been threatened. Campaigners have been fighting to prevent property developers from turning The Royal Vauxhall Tavern into another soulless block of flats. This LGBTQ+ pub is the oldest in London and is renowned for its queer performances. The Black Cap in Camden has been challenging property developers head on too. The list goes on. Whats most disheartening about the news of Fabrics closure - beyond the loss of 250 jobs and a globally renowned venue - is the confirmation it provides about Londons trajectory. Politicians claim London is a cultural capital, boasting liberalism and diversity. The reality is London is becoming disgustingly elitist, sanitised and stale. The obsession with London attracting investment - especially in the way of property development - means our capital city is increasingly becoming a playground exclusive to a rich elite. What politicians and planners fail to realise is this is to the detriment of the citys well-being, economy and growth. Creatives, musicians and those wishing to pursue alternative lifestyles are growing tired of London and its false promises. Spend a few minutes talking to artists who cant afford ever-increasing studio rents or tech start-ups that need low overheads to flourish. Theyll tell you the best location for their creativity to thrive (hint: its not London). Many are now flocking to Berlin for its rent caps, phenomenal club scene and creative networks. Berlin is the third most visited city in Europe and is home to over 13,000 Brits. Newly elected London Mayor, Sadiq Khan has made some promising commitments to preserve Londons cultural heritage. He will be recruiting a Night Tsar, ironically to boost nighttime culture and ensure London is a 24-hour city. Khan has also made steps to protect LGBTQ+ culture. Through the GLA Culture Team, campaign groups, queer performers and venue owners have been invited to develop a Queer Vision for London and an LGBTQI+ spaces protection plan. These are excellent initiatives and will hopefully have some impact in preserving venues of cultural importance. But with gentrification and social sanitisation being the underlying cause of the mass closure of iconic venues, it might be too late to save London from death by boredom. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Almost exactly a year after Salman bin Albdulaziz Al Saud, king of Saudi Arabia, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and head of the House of Saud, hurriedly left his millionaires mansion near Cannes with his 1,000 servants to continue his vacation in Morocco, the kingdoms cash is not flowing so smoothly for the tens of thousands of sub-continental expatriates sweating away on his great building sites. Almost unreported outside the Kingdom, the countrys big construction magnates including that of the Binladen group have not been paid by the Saudi government for major construction projects and a portion of the army of Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan and other workers have received no wages, some of them for up to seven months. Indian and Pakistani embassies approached the Saudi government, pleading that their workers should be paid. Economists who adopt the same lickspittle attitude towards the Saudi monarchy as the British Government, constantly point out that the authorities have been overwhelmed by the collapse of oil prices. They usually prefer not to mention something at which the rest of the world remains aghast: deputy crown prince and defence minister Mohamed bin Salmans wasteful and hopeless war in Yemen. Since the kings favourite son launched this preposterous campaign against the Houthis last year, supporting the internationally recognized Yemeni president against Shia Muslim rebels, aircraft flown by Saudi and Emirati pilots (aided by British technical experts on the ground) have bombed even more hospitals, clinics and medical warehouses than America has destroyed in Serbia and Afghanistan combined since 1999. Theresa May claims selling arms to Saudi Arabia helps 'keep people on the streets of Britain safe' The result? A country with 16 per cent of the worlds proven oil reserves, whose Aramco oil company makes more than $1bn a day and now records a budget deficit of $100bn, cannot pay its bills. At first, the Yemen fiasco was called Operation Decisive Storm, which once it proved the longest and least decisive Arab storm in the Middle Easts recent history was changed to Operation Restore Hope. And the bombing went on, just as it did in the pre-hope storm, along with the help of the UKs experts. No wonder the very same deputy crown prince Mohamed announced this year that state spending on salaries would be lowered, yet individual earnings would rise. In Pakistan, whose soldiers make up a large number of the Saudi armed forces, there has been outrage, parliamentarians are asking why three Saudi companies have not paid salaries for eight months, refusing even to provide food for their employees. In some cases, the Pakistanis have paid their own nationals for food supplies. In Saudi Arabia itself, the government seems unable to cope with the crisis. The Arab News says that 31,000 Saudi and other foreign workers have lodged complaints with the governments labour ministry over unpaid wages. On one occasion, the Indian consulate and local Indian expatriates brought food to the workers so that their people should not starve. The overall figure that the government owes the construction companies owed may be billions of dollars. Overtly xenophobic comments have emerged in the Saudi press. Writing in the Saudi Gazette, Abdulrtahman Saad Al-Araabi said: Many expats hate us and are angry because we are a rich country. Some of them go so far as to say that we, Saudis, do not deserve these blessings and the money we have. That is the reason why some of them become violent when they do not get paid on time. 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Show all 10 1 /10 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In October 2014, three lawyers, Dr Abdulrahman al-Subaihi, Bander al-Nogaithan and Abdulrahman al-Rumaih , were sentenced to up to eight years in prison for using Twitter to criticize the Ministry of Justice. AFP/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2015, Yemens Sunni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi was forced into exile after a Shia-led insurgency. A Saudi Arabia-led coalition has responded with air strikes in order to reinstate Mr Hadi. It has since been accused of committing war crimes in the country. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Women who supported the Women2Drive campaign, launched in 2011 to challenge the ban on women driving vehicles, faced harassment and intimidation by the authorities. The government warned that women drivers would face arrest. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Members of the Kingdoms Shia minority, most of whom live in the oil-rich Eastern Province, continue to face discrimination that limits their access to government services and employment. Activists have received death sentences or long prison terms for their alleged participation in protests in 2011 and 2012. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses All public gatherings are prohibited under an order issued by the Interior Ministry in 2011. Those defy the ban face arrest, prosecution and imprisonment on charges such as inciting people against the authorities. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2014, the Interior Ministry stated that authorities had deported over 370,000 foreign migrants and that 18,000 others were in detention. Thousands of workers were returned to Somalia and other states where they were at risk of human rights abuses, with large numbers also returned to Yemen, in order to open more jobs to Saudi Arabians. Many migrants reported that prior to their deportation they had been packed into overcrowded makeshift detention facilities where they received little food and water and were abused by guards. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses The Saudi Arabian authorities continue to deny access to independent human rights organisations like Amnesty International, and they have been known to take punitive action, including through the courts, against activists and family members of victims who contact Amnesty. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Raif Badawi was sentenced to 1000 lashes and 10 years in prison for using his liberal blog to criticise Saudi Arabias clerics. He has already received 50 lashes, which have reportedly left him in poor health. Carsten Koall/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Dawood al-Marhoon was arrested aged 17 for participating in an anti-government protest. After refusing to spy on his fellow protestors, he was tortured and forced to sign a blank document that would later contain his confession. At Dawoods trial, the prosecution requested death by crucifixion while refusing him a lawyer. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Ali Mohammed al-Nimr was arrested in 2012 aged either 16 or 17 for participating in protests during the Arab spring. His sentence includes beheading and crucifixion. The international community has spoken out against the punishment and has called on Saudi Arabia to stop. He is the nephew of a prominent government dissident. Getty Well, I suppose some people are paying a lot of cash to the Jabhat al-Nusra (recently re-named Jabhat Fateh al-Shamal-Nusrah) or Al-Qaeda or Isis lads out there in the line of fire in Syria. Embassy staff from the Philippines, France and many countries in the Middle East, have raised the problems with the Saudi government. Typical of their responses has been that of Saudi Oger which said it had been affected by current circumstances [sic] which resulted in some delays in delays in fulfilling our commitments to our employees. The Saudi government insisted the company paid its employees. Many of them, it should be added, are Lebanese whose Sunni Muslims come from the Sunni areas of Lebanon who traditionally vote for the Sunni leaders son Saad. An official of the company made the extraordinary statement that the companys situation is unstable due to the scrapping [sic] of many of its projects it was to execute, Meanwhile, workers at United Seemac construction company are complaining they have not been paid for months or even granted permission to leave the country. Some had apparently not been paid for more than a year and a half. Unlike the big companies such as Binladen and Oger, these men and they are indeed mostly men are consumed into the smaller employees. All the attention is on the big companies its easy to ignore us because we are not so many people. All in all, a dodgy scenario in our beloved monarchy-dictatorship, whose war against the Shia Houthis and the Shia Hezbollah, the Shia/Alawite regime in Damascus and Iran is unending. Wasnt there an equally dodgy Al-Yamamah arms deal with the Saudis a few years ago? No cash flow problems then. And what does yamamah mean in Arabic? Dove? Let us go no further. The walkout by members of the National Bus and Rail Union and Siptu is the first of three 48-hour stoppages planned for this month Heavy traffic in Dublin as hundreds of thousands of commuters and bus users are facing the first day of strike chaos Union leaders are threatening to step up strike action at Dublin Bus as hundreds of thousands of commuters face disruption on the first day of a number of planned stoppages. They have also accused Transport Minister Shane Ross of engaging in sound-bites rather than directly intervening to resolve the increasingly bitter row over drivers' pay. The capital is being hit with two days of traffic gridlock as people turn to private cars and taxis - who are reporting a 300% spike in trade - since buses were called back to their depots on Wednesday evening. The walkout by members of the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) and Siptu is the first of three 48-hour stoppages planned for this month. It was due to begin at 12.01am on Thursday but the last services ran three hours earlier to ensure engineers and supervisors were in depots as the fleet was locked up. Dublin Bus said it was a health and safety issue and apologised to customers. With little sign of any moves towards a resolution, Dermot O'Leary, NBRU general secretary, warned a crunch meeting next Thursday could determine whether the unions will escalate their industrial action. "People have to get to work and schools and colleges, and certainly the NBRU would be bringing a view to the table that escalation should be the last resort," he said. "However if Shane Ross, the Government and the company continue to ignore us, the pressure will come on us from our members to escalate." Unite, which represents craft workers in Dublin Bus, demanded Mr Ross intervene in the dispute. Willie Quigley, regional officer for the union, blamed "persistent underfunding" of Dublin Bus by successive governments for the fall-out. "Dublin Bus provides a vital public service, yet we have one of the lowest levels of state support for public transport in the EU," he said. "In Dublin, the public subvention makes up just 20% of public transport revenue, compared with over 50% in many other European cities." He added: "Rather than shrugging off responsibility with sound-bites about cheque books, Minister Ross needs to intervene now in this dispute - and he needs to fight the public transport corner at the Cabinet table, making the argument for an increase in subventions to European levels." Mr Ross had remarked that the Government will not pull out a cheque book to resolve the row. Buoyed by the successful fight by Luas drivers and inspectors earlier this year for a salary increase, union leaders want a 15% pay increase for Dublin Bus drivers over the coming three years. Further strikes are planned on September 15 and 16 and again on September 23 and 24, and pickets are being held in Clontarf, Conyngham Road, Harristown, Ringsend, Phibsboro, Donnybrook and Summerhill, as well as at the head office in O'Connell Street. The shutdown is hitting Airlink services to Dublin Airport, all city services, the Ghostbus Tour on Wednesday, Nitelink buses on Friday and Saturday and all sightseeing services. Gardai have warned motorists not to use bus lanes even though no buses are running. Business lobbyists with Retail Ireland said bus users account for about 42% of the money spent in shops in Dublin city. Director Thomas Burke said: "Cutting off such a vital service will undoubtedly have an impact on city centre footfall and trading levels during the days of industrial action. "The prospect of ongoing stoppages in services during September is a cause for great concern and must be avoided." But Owen Reidy, organiser with trade union Siptu, said striking workers are being backed by the public. "The workers have been humbled by the support shown to them by members of the public on picket lines at bus depots across the city," he said. "It is clear that a majority of those who use public transport support our members in their demand for fair pay and sufficient State funding for a bus service which is vital to communities across the city." Mr Reidy said the Department of Transport has yet to give any indication that it will enter talks to resolve the dispute. "Unfortunately, due to this intransigence our members will be back out on the picket line tomorrow and are prepared for further industrial action until this situation changes," he added. Office properties with gross yields ranging between 8pc and 40pc will be among the lots offered for sale at two auctions to be held this month. The largest of the two will be the Allsop auction, where the 169 lots comprising 56 commercial lots with combined guide prices of 12.59m and 114 residential lots with 15.2m in guides. Allsop's auction will take place on September 28 in the RDS Dublin and its lots include a Temple Bar apartment developed by Wexford TD Mick Wallace and where the receiver is making a third attempt to sell it. Also this month, Cushman & Wakefield and Sherry FitzGerald (CW and SF) will hold an auction on September 22 at Leopardstown Racecourse which will offer 29 lots with a combined value of 5.8m. The 40pc yield applies to one of the SF office lots which is occupied by Revenue Commissioner's staff and let to the Government's main property manager, the OPW, which is paying a rent of 230,000 a year. Located at Block F, Units 4-7, Athy Business Campus, in Co. Kildare, it has a guide price of 550,000, suggesting that the purchaser might recover the purchase price within less than three years. Originally comprising four warehouses, the OPW converted it into 13,487 sq ft of two-storey modern offices. The OPW's current lease has expired and it had agreed to a new 10-year lease at a fixed rent of 90,000 a year, but as that lease has not been signed it will be up to the purchaser to finalise. If the proposed new lease was acceptable to both parties then the new owner would benefit from a 16.2pc yield. That is based on the guide price, which was calculated on a vacant capital price of 40 per sq ft. The CW and SF auction also includes two Dublin industrial properties with suggested gross yields of around 10pc. Unit 33 Robinhood Industrial Estate, Dublin 12, is a semi-detached warehouse which has been extended to 23,336 sq ft and divided into three principal areas and it has a 450,000 guide price. The main warehouse extending to 9,741 sq ft is let to Long Thanh To trading as China Market at a rent of 48,000, but the lease has expired. Two other units in the property are vacant. Also in Dublin 12, an investment property at 113 Elm Road, Western Park Industrial Estate, has a 230,000 guide price. It is let to two tenants who pay a combined rent of 24,000, suggesting a gross 10.4pc initial yield. A mixed retail and office investment property in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, has a 120,000 AMV. Known as The Old Mill, it comprises three retail units which are occupied, two which are vacant and two vacant office units. CW and SF's auction also includes four regional housing developments with completed and uncompleted units, as well as a number of retail, mixed use and residential properties. The advantage of tenancies is reflected in the price differences between two Tallaght office properties in the Allsop auction. Hainault House, Belgard Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24, has a guide price range of 1.7m to 1.9m, suggesting a capital cost of about 110 per sq ft. This standalone three-storey premises extends to 16,390 sq ft. Current rent reserved from two tenants which occupy two floors amounts to 147,090 per year, suggesting a gross initial yield of 8.16pc. However, with vacant possession of the 5,575 sq ft first floor, it has potential to increase the rental income. In contrast, the 1.3m to 1.4m price tag for the vacant Coral House, Airton Road, Tallaght, suggests a capital cost of about 52 per sq ft. While also a three-storey premises, it is semi-detached and extends to 26,000 sq ft. More than a third of Allsop's commercial catalogue is accounted for by retail properties, some of which are generating attractive yields. For instance, 61/62 High Street, Kilkenny city, has seven tenancies and total rent reserved of 47,700 a year with vacant possession of two units. It has a guide price range of 470,000 to 530,000, suggesting potential for a gross yield of around 10pc when fully let. In Athy, Co. Kildare, there are two retail investments, one of which is let to Boyle Bookmakers for 21,000 per annum, rising to 30,000 per annum once a new lease is executed. Its guide ranged between 350,000 and 400,000. In Dublin, a vacant ground floor retail unit on North King Street, in a corner position overlooking Smithfield Civic Square, carries a reserve range of 600,000 to 650,000. Five public houses are also going under the hammer, of which the most valuable is the former Paidi Ogs in Mulhuddart, Dublin 15, which has a 625,000 to 675,000 guide. The Mercantile Group, which is headed by Frank Gleeson and owns a number of Dublin pubs, has submitted Paidi Ogs for auction only a few months after Allsop's sister company QRE quoted 875,000 for a private treaty sale. Its premises extends to 16,852 sq ft and includes a retail unit. Sitting on an acre which is zoned local centre and high amenity, auctioneer Richard O'Neill says it has potential for a range of uses. A former Dublin pub, the Kings Inn on Bolton Street, Dublin, has a 350,000 to 450,000 guide. The receiver to some Temple Bar apartments developed by Wexford TD Mick Wallace is making a third attempt to auction the last one on his books at a reduced asking price. Located at 43 East Essex Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, over the Communist Party of Ireland's Connolly Bookshop and New Theatre, the second floor two-bedroom apartment has a 235,000 guide price. In previous auctions last year it was guiding 295,000 and subsequently 250,000. Extending to 829 sq ft the property has an open plan kitchen/living room, two bedrooms, one en-suite, as well as a bathroom. Kennedy Wilson has stolen a march on its rivals in a bid to secure the business of companies which may seek to relocate to Dublin in the wake of the UK's decision to vote in favour of Brexit. While other developers focus on the delivery of office buildings alone to meet the potential influx of employers from London and elsewhere, the US-headquartered global real estate giant's development of Capital Dock in Dublin's docklands will also see it provide housing for arriving workers. With the Government only now beginning to appreciate the severity of the housing crisis, the shortage of suitable accommodation in Dublin has been identified as a major threat to the city's prospects of attracting financial institutions and other businesses looking to relocate within the EU following Britain's exit. Speaking to the Irish Independent following the launch of Capital Dock, Alison Rohan, Head of Ireland for Kennedy Wilson, revealed that the 4.8 acre development's office tenants would be offered "priority access" to the 190 apartment units the company intends to deliver on site. She said: "We intend to hold and manage the entire residential offering for the rental market. The residential element of Capital Dock will be a critical element of the overall offering, particularly for office tenants who need to bring in specialist staff from overseas. Our office tenants will get priority access to the residential units." Capital Dock's 340,000 sq ft of office space is set to be delivered in the final quarter of 2017, while its apartments will be ready for occupation from 2018, making both offerings timely propositions for UK-based employers currently in the process of investigating their post-Brexit options. Asked for her take on Brexit and the potential opportunities for Dublin and for Kennedy Wilson's business here, Rohan said: "It's clear that since the UK referendum in June many international companies, particularly in financial services and Technology Media and Telecommunications are reviewing the scope of their UK operations." "Should they decide to move units, we think Dublin is very well placed to attract a significant element of this business. It's important that Dublin can show it's capable of delivering world-class offices and residential to meet this new demand. "We have no doubt that Capital Dock, with its scale, flexibility, on-campus residential offering and 15-minute access to the airport, will be seen as an attractive option." A joint venture between Kennedy Wilson and Nama, Capital Dock's campus will encompass a total of 690,000 sq ft of offices, residential space and amenities across three buildings upon completion. The centrepiece of the development will be a landmark 23-storey tower, which the developers say will "signpost the gateway" to Dublin city. While the development of Capital Dock proceeds at the entrance to the docklands, further up the River Liffey, Michael Cotter's Park Developments Group (PDG) has retained building contractors John Sisk & Sons to develop the 100m 'Reflector' building on the waterfront at Hanover Quay and Grand Canal Dock (full story on page 14). The 125,000 sq ft Grade A office and residential building will boast water frontage of almost 75m upon its completion in the third quarter of 2018. PDG teamed up with Sisk & Sons in 2005 to build a major residential scheme on the corner of Hanover Quay and Grand Canal Square, which served to kick-start the regeneration of the South Docks. The rate of apartment construction in Melbourne is outstripping commercial development by a factor of five to one The worlds most liveable city, Melbourne, has become a victim of its own success, as the rush into residential high-rise in the inner city squeezes out options for commercial development. There are now 20,000 residential dwellings under construction within the municipality of Melbourne, more than half of them within the CBD itself. Another 31,000 have been approved and there are development applications lodged for a further 25,000, according to the City of Melbournes latest Development Activity Monitor. Those figures are a worry for Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, because the Australian city is running out of space to accommodate expected jobs growth. Employment in Melbourne grew by 40pc from 2002 to 2015. It could grow by 60pc again in the next 20 years in the Central Business District (CBD), requiring 2.5 million square metres of office space. A decade ago, residential development and commercial projects were roughly in equal proportion. Five years ago, as the apartment boom was taking hold, residential floor space was growing at 2.5 times the rate of commercial space. Now the ratio of residential development to commercial is approaching five times. Were really at the tipping point, Doyle said in an interview with The Australian Financial Review. Its not just the apartments under construction, and not just the ones with permits. We can see the ones in the pipeline. The disparity is growing. Its no good waiting for five years so that gap is so large we can never recover. A similar discrepancy is emerging in Sydney, where a draft strategy has recently been released that would overturn incentives to boost the residential population of the city. Under the Sydney plan, apartment development would be restricted in favour of office or hotel projects. Doyle doesnt favour such direct intervention, but concedes there may be no option if the situation deteriorates. The state government has proposed planning rules for the CBD to allow more development in return for a public benefit, such as a childcare centre, public space or office space. The citys latest figures show 645,000 sq m of office space has been approved, but less than half of that is in the CBD. (Financial Review) Melbournes office core hollowed out by high-rise apartments The rate of apartment construction in Melbourne is outstripping commercial development by a factor of five to one Nick Lenaghan The worlds most liveable city, Melbourne, has become a victim of its own success, as the rush into residential high-rise in the inner city squeezes out options for commercial development. There are now 20,000 residential dwellings under construction within the municipality of Melbourne, more than half of them within the CBD itself. Another 31,000 have been approved and there are development applications lodged for a further 25,000, according to the City of Melbournes latest Development Activity Monitor. Those figures are a worry for Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, because the Australian city is running out of space to accommodate expected jobs growth. Employment in Melbourne grew by 40pc from 2002 to 2015. It could grow by 60pc again in the next 20 years in the Central Business District (CBD), requiring 2.5 million square metres of office space. A decade ago, residential development and commercial projects were roughly in equal proportion. Five years ago, as the apartment boom was taking hold, residential floor space was growing at 2.5 times the rate of commercial space. Now the ratio of residential development to commercial is approaching five times. Were really at the tipping point, Doyle said in an interview with The Australian Financial Review. Its not just the apartments under construction, and not just the ones with permits. We can see the ones in the pipeline. The disparity is growing. Its no good waiting for five years so that gap is so large we can never recover. A similar discrepancy is emerging in Sydney, where a draft strategy has recently been released that would overturn incentives to boost the residential population of the city. Under the Sydney plan, apartment development would be restricted in favour of office or hotel projects. Doyle doesnt favour such direct intervention, but concedes there may be no option if the situation deteriorates. The state government has proposed planning rules for the CBD to allow more development in return for a public benefit, such as a childcare centre, public space or office space. The citys latest figures show 645,000 sq m of office space has been approved, but less than half of that is in the CBD. (Financial Review) TWM Property Solutions are seeking in excess of 2.5m for two units at Naas Enterprise Park (formerly Toughers Business Park) in Co. Kildare. Located just off junction 10 of the M7 motorway and 30km from the M50, the business park is acknowledged as a prime national logistical location. The units on offer - L2 and M1 - are currently producing a combined rental income of 284,276 per annum, which equates to a blended net initial yield of 10.89pc and a capital value of 58 per sq ft. The two adjoining units are well let to single tenants and may be purchased as a single lot or individually. Unit L2 is let to DSG Packaging Ltd. until 2023 with an annual rent of 170,000. The detached industrial/warehouse extends to approximately 34,000 sq ft with an additional 11,123 sq ft at mezzanine level. The property incorporates two storeys of office accommodation to the front elevation with warehouse space to the rear. The building is fitted out to a high specification with ample parking and circulation space on the generous site. Unit M1 is let to Roadbridge until 2020 at an annual rent of 114,276 per annum. The property provides predominantly office accommodation and extends to approximately 9,250 sq ft over two storeys. To the front there is good car parking and profile on to the estate road, with further car parking and yard space to the rear. Naas Enterprise Park comprises approximately 1.5 million sq ft with the 100 units home to well-established occupiers such as DSV, the HSE, Primark, Dominos Pizza, Nationwide Tiles & Bathrooms, a BMW showroom and an NCT Centre. The scheme is on the southern side of the R445 from Naas to Newbridge and sits adjacent to Ladytown Business Park. Given its close proximity to the national road network and to the prosperous commuter towns of Naas and Newbridge, the development is well-positioned for further growth, according to selling agents TWM Property Solutions. TWM's Benjamin Haythornthwaite expects the units at Naas Enterprise Park to attract a range of potential buyers. He said: "We would expect strong interest from private investors, both Irish and overseas, and some smaller funds. There have been significant works completed, at a considerable cost to the tenants which will give potential purchasers confidence, especially with the net initial yield of 10.89pc." The DAA - which controls Dublin and Cork airports - employs about 2,500, 2,000 of whom are members of unions including Siptu and Impact Tensions between trade unions and the DAA flared yesterday as crucial talks on a new operational and pay structure restarted, after it emerged that the airport operator paid an 18.3m dividend to the State last month but didn't tell staff. Siptu official Greg Ennis - who was at yesterday's talks - expressed shock when the Irish Independent revealed to him that the dividend had been paid, and said it was "at best, a show of bad faith" by DAA management. He said that in light of the dividend having been paid, that the union would no "sharpen its scalpel" with regard to pay talks that started again yesterday after a summer break. "It will make a difference to the negotiations that are about to commence," he said. The DAA - which controls Dublin and Cork airports - employs about 2,500, 2,000 of whom are members of unions including Siptu and Impact. Siptu, Impact and Mandate pulled out of negotiations for a so-called 'New Model Agreement' with the DAA in February when DAA chief executive Kevin Toland confirmed at the time that the company intended to pay its first dividend since 2009. Profits at the DAA soared 47pc to 61m last year as it benefited from a surge in air traffic and passenger numbers. That planned new labour agreement - which will take months to hammer out - is focused on pay and rewards, operational change, and the possible introduction of a new internal disputes resolution body. The Labour Court recommended in 2014 that an internal disputes resolution body be established at the DAA. Mr Ennis wrote to Mr Toland in February, telling him that the New Model Agreement negotiations could collapse altogether if members did not receive confirmation that temporary pay cuts were being restored before any dividend was paid. As the downturn took hold, the DAA temporarily cut pay in 2010 for its workers by an average of 6pc. Those cuts affected basic pay, as well as overtime and Christmas bonuses. Mr Ennis said that the measures had resulted in an annual surplus in projected savings since 2010 of 7.9m. The DAA agreed to restore pay, and did so in June this year. It's retrospective to January this year, and staff received the amounts due between January and June in their pay cheques within the past couple of weeks. The New Model Agreement talks got under way again in June for two weeks and restarted yesterday. It's understood that when it paid a dividend in the past, the DAA did not make any public statement at the time the payments were made. They were only referred to in the annual report in respect of the year to which the dividend related. "The payment of a dividend is a matter for the board of the company and is communicated by the company in the annual report for the year in question," said a DAA spokesman. The DAA last paid a dividend in 2009, when it handed 19.4m over to the Exchequer. Galway medical device firm Vivasure Medical has secured 16.2m in backing from investors as it starts to roll out its first product in Europe. Vivasure, which was co-founded by chief executive Ger Brett, has developed a technology PerQseal - that enables surgeons to quickly and easily repair puncture holes caused by arteriotomies for catheter-based procedures. The first product using the technology is the Vivasure Closure Device. The new funds will also enable Vivasure to undertaken a regulatory study in the United States that should see the firms product made available there in 2018, Mr Brett told Independent.ie. The fundraising has been backed again by Vivasures anchor investor, Ireland-based Fountain Healthcare Partners, a life science-focused venture capital fund with 176m under management. It has invested in two previous fundraising rounds undertaken by the Galway company. Other investors in the latest fundraising round for Vivasure include Life Science Partners of The Netherlands; Evonik Venture Capital from Germany; and Panakes Partners from Italy. The funding almost doubles the total amount of money Vivasure has raised since it was founded in 2008. 'Most people who came to Ireland last year came through London anyway,' says Cosgrave. 'From their point of view, there's no difference in flying to Lisbon. So it hasn't impacted them in that regard' Paddy Cosgrave is in a pretty good mood. After years of trying, he has just gotten hold of the internet domain websummit.com. And he did it for 1pc of the original asking price. "The first time I went for it, the person who had it asked for a million dollars," says Cosgrave. "I sent him a picture of Dr Evil with his cat." Cosgrave and his Web Summit co-founders shrugged off the ransom demand, defaulting to WebSummit.net, which has become the established internet address for the annual conference. But he didn't give up on WebSummit.com. "For a few years, their price stayed at 100,000," he says. "But there was no way we were going to pay that. Eventually the person started to relent. In the end, we got it down to 10,000. We got an incredible deal." Snagging the web domain comes just as Cosgrave is gearing up to host his first annual Web Summit outside Dublin. For many Irish people, the Web Summit bowed out of Dublin in high drama last year. Accusations and counter-accusations flew between the event's organisers and government officials as to whether the Web Summit was being supported or neglected by Dublin authorities. Cosgrave said that the Government hadn't bothered trying to keep the event in Ireland, while Enda Kenny's ministers said that the event had simply outgrown Dublin. "It's all water under the bridge at this point," says Cosgrave. "I'm sure we'll see a number of Irish Government people there. Maybe the Taoiseach. Maybe a minister. There are ministers from just about other major European nation attending." So no regrets about how it flamed up in the public sphere last November? "No, I don't think so. For us, it ended fantastically. The actual attendees were very happy with it." Nevertheless, when Cosgrave announced that the Web Summit was to leave Dublin for Lisbon, people queued up to say that the event "wouldn't work" outside Dublin. There would be no pub crawls, no cheeky Irish wit to charm international tech moguls looking for a 'fun' environment in which to do business. "I heard there was going to be a great party," Tesla founder Elon Musk had said when asked why he came to the Web Summit in 2014. So why would Elon go now? As it turns out, predictions about Dublin's unique selling points over Lisbon (or anywhere else) have been tempered a little. According to Cosgrave, there are already 36,500 registered attendees signed up for the Lisbon conference. He says that by November, the final number will "be capped" at 50,000. What's more, he claims that there are over 1,000 "commercial partners" and exhibitors, including megabucks firms such as KPMG, Accenture, Cisco, McKinsey and BNP Paribas. Meanwhile, speakers, which can be a barometer of interest in a conference, include the likes of Tinder's Sean Rad, Renault boss Carlos Ghosn, actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt and a phalanx of senior public policy people such as the president of the UN Assembly and the director of the World Trade Organisation. It seems that the move from Dublin hasn't put much of a dent in the event. "We're already at about 30pc more attendees than last year," he says. "This year it will be about twice the size of last year." But what about the lack of a direct flight from San Francisco to Lisbon? Wouldn't that hit visitors coming from Silicon Valley? "Most people who came to Ireland last year came through London anyway," says Cosgrave. "From their point of view, there's no difference in flying to Lisbon. So it hasn't impacted them in that regard." One irony of the Web Summit's increasing size is that it may now be more important for Ireland to sell itself there than in previous years back in Dublin. Cosgrave wouldn't be drawn on exact numbers of Irish officials expected to attend. However, he said that his company is still working closely with the IDA, as well as organisations such as the ESB which has stayed on as sponsor of the Web Summit's 'Spark Of Genius' startup competition. "I don't want to sound cynical, but now that it's on outside Ireland, there's a sort of perverse thing where people at home might now consider taking three nights to attend a big conference abroad," he said. "Suddenly, it's sort of legitimate." The Web Summit currently has a deal with Lisbon authorities to host the event there for three years. But Cosgrave remains hopeful that the Web Summit, or another conference like it run by him, will return to Ireland. "One day we'll be back," he says. "Maybe that will be in five or six years' time when we've figured out a way to use the Convention Centre, the RDS and the Aviva together for the Web Summit." "I've no doubt that the Web Summit could grow to that size in Dublin. It's just limited by the space available." The Web Summit was started in 2010 by Cosgrave, journalist Daire Hickey and David Kelly. According to recent Irish accounts filed by the Web Summit's parent company, Cosgrave owns the majority of the enterprise outright. While no revenue or profit figures were disclosed in the accounts, the organisation doubled its cash pile to 2.5m in 2014 but has not published revenue or profit figures. The company reportedly turned down a takeover bid last year. Cosgrave and co-founder Daire Hickey have previously spoken of an ambition to create a billion-dollar company. One way of doing it is to try and broaden the appeal. This year, for example, the Web Summit is trying to reach out beyond its tech roots by styling itself as 20 different 'summits', including individual "city", "society", "fashion" and "music" summits. "It's taken a while to grow as big as it's already become," says Cosgrave. "But it now matters an awful lot in different ways to leaders around the world. This year will be the first time that we have a lot of mayors and officials talking about civic plans like autonomous vehicles. We have the president of the UN General Assembly and the director general of the WTO. This is happening as there's a huge amount of interest in new trade agreements such as TTIP being hammered out, perhaps not always in the open. A lot of these people have a big role to play." Cosgrave hasn't been as hands-on with the Web Summit over the last nine months as in previous years. His company now runs five different global tech and financial conferences, from Hong Kong and India to the US, Spain and Portugal. He also recently got married and is preparing for family life. But he says that large parts of the organisation now run themselves, thanks to the staff of "around 150" working year round at the company's office campus in Dublin's Rathmines. "We're still growing," he says. "At the moment, we're mainly focused on hiring." Raiding multinationals is becoming one of the Web Summit's most pointed ways of doing this. Cosgrave harbours mixed views about the privileges granted to multinational companies (such as their complex tax-avoidance schemes). But he says that the global firms are, at least, giving Irish companies a boost in terms of the sales people they're cultivating for recruitment into indigenous firms like his. "We've had a lot of success hiring sales people out of Google, Linkedin and Facebook in Dublin," he says. "That's one of the things about multinationals in Ireland. You're starting to see people move out of them into startups. People don't realise how fortunate we are with Facebook training salespeople to a world class standard here." This, he thinks, is helping an "unbelievable generation" of startups in Ireland find their way on a foreign stage. As he sees it, the Web Summit is one of these startups. And while moving the conference to Lisbon has been straightforward ("everyone in Portugal speaks English, it's really quite easy," he says) he refers to Ireland as "home". "I'm sure we'll be back at some stage," he says. "It's just a matter of when." Catriona OMeara, Alison Hodgson, Dominik Grygielewicz and Jenny Grant of McDonalds Ireland. McDonalds Restaurants of Ireland recently announced that its workforce here has reached 5,000 employees across 90 restaurants. The fast-food giant says it is committed to lifelong learning, and 95pc of its restaurant managers starting off as crew members. Photo: Chris Bellew/Fennells Fast food giant McDonald's is confident that its 'Big Mac' will prevail over Supermac's snack box in the firms' European brand war. Last month, the US firm, which operates one of the best known brands in the world, lodged an objection against Supermac's revised application to use its name to sell its famous snack boxes, curry chips and other fast-food products outside Ireland in the EU. McDonald's recorded revenues of $7.8bn (6.9bn) across Europe in 2014 and is making sure that any competition to its business by the Galway-based Supermac's across the UK and mainland Europe never gets off the ground. In a statement yesterday, McDonald's Europe explained why it lodged its objection to Supermac's application to register its trademark to sell fast food outside Ireland in Europe. In the statement, McDonald's Europe stated: "The McDonald's brand is a vitally important asset for our business and sometimes we have to take carefully considered and appropriate steps to make sure that it is protected. We are confident that our position will be upheld in this instance." Already, McDonald's has frustrated Supermac's expansion plans into Europe. Earlier this year, the European Commission's Office of Harmonisation for the Internal Market (OHIM) upheld the McDonald's objection. In a 24-page ruling, the OHIM agreed with McDonald's that Supermac's application for a trademark was likely to cause confusion among the public over the two different fast food brands and their fast-food products. Supermac's appealed the refusal but then withdrew the appeal and instead lodged a fresh application in May of this year with the OIHM. The west of Ireland firm lodged the revised application after Supermac's boss Pat McDonagh stated that the firm learned a lot from the European decision and adjusted its application accordingly. However, McDonald's - which last year enjoyed global revenues of $25bn - appears determined to ensure that the Supermac's snack box is never sold in the EU outside Ireland. Mr McDonagh has already stated that he is optimistic that the application will succeed this time around. He said: "We will keep fighting until we succeed." In papers lodged with the OIHM at Allicante, Spain, McDonald's has confirmed that it is basing its opposition to the Supermac's brand as "there exists a likelihood of confusion on the part of the public" between the two brands. The battle will now go into 2017 before a winner emerges. The process has now entered a two month cooling off period where if the two parties can't reach an agreement, McDonald's then have a further two months to give the reasons as to why it is opposing the trademark. Supermac's will then have two months to respond before a decision is made. Finance Minister Michael Noonan has indicated that other countries may be "joined in" litigation against the EU commission ruling in the Apple case. Mr Noonan said that Ireland previously joined Luxembourg, Holland and Belgium in state aid appeals and that he has already received indications of support in return. He said this would be in "the judicial forum" rather than political support. He said the support "has to be in the judicial forum and we are not talking about political support." Last night, the government motion seeking support for an appeal against the European Commission passed comfortably 93 votes to 36 with the support of Fianna Fail. Read more: Dail votes to support appeal against European Commission's ruling on 13bn Apple tax Noonan described the European Commission's announcement of the Apple ruling on August 30 as an "unexpected early announcement". He outlined in the Dail how Commissioner Margrthe Vestager warned him a week in advance about the result of the aid investigation, but did not say exactly when she would announce the ruling. Mr Noonan was responding to a question from Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin who asked why there was "secrecy" and "choreography" by the Commission "on such an enormous issue that's of significant importance to a member State." Noonan said he had expected the decision to come in September. At the top end of the pay scale we still have professor pay grades that are higher than Oxford, ranked sixth-best in the world ranking, Cambridge pictured above in fourth place, or Edinburgh The sizeable falls in world university rankings of practically all Irish universities is adding to the pressure on the Government to take some action on third-level funding. The current model is broken. Universities are griping that the reason they are falling down the global rankings is because of cutbacks in the system during the austerity years, that have not been rectified. The QS World University Rankings 2016/2017 table does make for depressing reading regarding the state of our universities. Trinity College Dublin slid 20 places to 98th and remains in the top 100 by the skin of its teeth. UCD fell 22 places to 176th. NUIG was the only gainer and it climbed 22 places to 249th. To put it in context, Trinity was ranked in 43rd place in 2009, while UCD was in 89th. Ranked by course, neither Trinity nor UCD make the top 100 for either computer science or business and management studies. The federation which represents third-level teachers took to the airwaves pretty quickly to say it was all a disaster waiting to happen and funding needs to be increased. One of the problems with universities is that it can be difficult to measure progress or deterioration accurately. If a father and son went to the same university 30 years apart how would one know if it was better or worse? The ranking system does give a guide, but it too cannot measure everything. The QS World University Rankings survey allocates 40pc of points to a university's academic reputation, which is based on what other academics say about it. It awards another 10pc of marks based on what employers around the world say about it. One fifth of the points are derived from the student to teacher ratio and another fifth come from the number of times academic work from a particular university is cited elsewhere. A final 10pc comes from the ratio of international lecturers from outside the country and international students. So, half the marks are based on reputational or subjective criteria. Nevertheless it is a useful indicator. State funding to universities has been cut dramatically. Back in 2008, just before the Exchequer crash, direct State grants to higher education institutions amounted to around 1.3bn. Last year that figure was 923m. State-funded capital expenditure was 184m in 2008 and just 87m last year. Yet student numbers have shot up by 40,000 in that period. Part of the problem was the old funding model for university was broken anyway, and it was later replaced with a different broken model. Take UCD, for example. Back in 2003, 60pc of its income went on staff pay. Average salary and pension benefit per employee, which isn't just academics but all staff, was 47,710 per year. By 2009 average staff pay had hit 65,800 and staff pay accounted for almost two-thirds of all the money it took in. Something had to give. Last year average pay was down to 53,988, almost identical to the average salary at the University of Edinburgh, which is ranked 19th in the latest QS world rankings. However, at the top end of the pay scale we still have professor pay grades that are higher than Oxford (6th), Cambridge (4th) or Edinburgh. An examination of the finances of universities on both sides of the Irish Sea shows that providing top class third-level education costs a lot of money. University of Edinburgh has 36,000 students. UCD has 32,000. Edinburgh has total income from all sources of 1bn per year. UCD's is around half of that. Edinburgh has 6,400 teaching and technical support staff. UCD has around 3,500. So, if we want to keep up with the best, we are going to have to spend more money. The problem is the cost looks so prohibitive and there is a lack of political will to take some tough decisions. It is hard to see politicians increasing the spend on universities by hundreds of millions of euro, in exchange for an aspirational and unmeasurable return of improving the overall quality of graduate in Ireland over the long term. More immediate demands on the limited public purse can yield greater short term political capital, ie votes. Everyone says they believe in better education but depriving other areas of public spending to make our graduates, better is a tough political sell. The Cassells Report into the future funding of third level education, published earlier this year, identified the pending black hole caused by under-investment and demographic changes. Higher education institutions currently receive around 1.8bn per year in State grants, student fees and other income. That needs to increase to about 2.8bn in the next 15 years. It also suggested that a capital programme of around 5.5bn is needed in the same time frame. So who pays? The report looked at several funding options including a deferred payment or State-backed loan scheme for those who attend college. Go now and pay the State back the money when you start earning. Already college fees are running at up to 3,000 per year. In the UK, they are around 9,000 per year. British universities continue to do well in rankings but such a model is just stirring up trouble for the future by dividing society and closing off university to too many people. Increased funding is genuinely needed. Universities need the money to compete. But government should not simply pour State money or allow for higher fees to be paid into an educational black hole. Universities and lecturers are asking a lot of questions of government about funding. But are they asking themselves questions about their own performance too? There has to be a quid pro quo. What guarantees can Irish universities provide about how efficiently they run their operations, about productivity, costs and educational standards? They haven't done enough to open up enough places to people from different social backgrounds. They have more work to do building relationships with multinationals and smaller businesses. Any new arrangement would have to be a partnership with quantifiable results. Equally, there is little point in asking students to rack up future personal debts, or taxpayers to fund massive increases in state funding, only for multi-nationals, which pay very little tax here, to benefit from better quality graduates. Employers have a role. Many already do play a part in funding third level institutions but very low tax rates combined with optional endowments looks like a win/win for them. Since the crash, the burden of funding university is falling increasingly on students and their families. For example, back in 2003 UCD collected 90m in student fees. Last year it was 198m. The austerity of recent years has enabled successive governments to avoid making real commitments on third level education in return for tangible gains. University rankings never fully capture the quality of a particular institution or the people who work for it. However, this downward slide can't be ignored. Dell Technologies wrapped up the acquisition of EMC yesterday in the largest technology deal in history, positioning the company to use its size to invest in new areas and fend off competition from the cloud and other rivals. The combination creates a $74bn (65.7bn) business that serves 98pc of Fortune 500 companies, Dell said. It also takes EMC out of the glare of the public markets, since Dell is privately owned. But the company still hasn't said how many jobs could be affected by the deal. Privately-held Dell employs about 2,300 between sites at Cork, Limerick and Dublin. EMC has 3,000 staff in Ireland, almost all of them based at its centre of excellence in Cork. It has about 50 employees at a sales office in Dublin. Dell also now owns EMC's 80pc stake in stock market-listed VMware, which employs about 700 people in Cork. VMware helps customers make their data centres more efficient. The new company has 140,000 employees. While Mr Dell didn't deny there could be job cuts, he said the tie-up was more about revenue growth. "We have more, what I would call, revenue synergies than cost synergies because of the complementary nature of the businesses; we're not putting together businesses that are the same - and taking costs out," he said, declining to give any estimate for lay-offs. "There are some overlapping functions and that sort of thing - that's not the primary feature of this, but there is some of that." The tie-up, valued at about $67bn when it was first announced almost a year ago, brings together the leading provider of key storage products and one of the top makers of servers and personal computers as both companies grapple with rising interest in cloud-based services from rivals such as Amazon, Microsoft and Alphabet's Google. Dell Technologies plans to invest $4.5bn a year in research and development after cumulative investments of more than $12.7bn over the past three years, according to the company. "We've got the ability to innovate at scale and invest - not for next quarter, but we have the agility and speed of a startup, but the scale and reach of the largest company in the industry," said Michael Dell, chairman and chief executive of the company. "Being private gives us an ability to focus on our customers like no other competitor can." Dell plans to invest in areas including products linked to the Internet of Things - or the effort to connect various devices, from cars to refrigerators. "As you have this instrumentation and making everything intelligent - that's a huge opportunity," Mr Dell said. "The PC and smartphone revolutions have reduced the cost of microelectronics to the point where these small computers, effectively, can be embedded in anything." "We are at the dawn of the next industrial revolution," he claimed. "Our world is becoming more intelligent and more connected by the minute, and ultimately will become intertwined with a vast Internet of Things, paving the way for our customers to do incredible things," said Mr Dell. "This is why we created Dell Technologies. We have the products, services, talent and global scale to be a catalyst for change and guide customers, large and small, on their digital journey." "We're not actually going to move a whole lot of people around," said Mr Dell last year when the deal was announced. EMC shareholders get $24.05 per share in cash and a tracking stock linked to a portion of EMC's economic interest in VMware. (Bloomberg) A LEVY on funds sold by insurance and investment companies does not apply to investments sold by stockbrokers and wealth mangers, it has emerged. Insurance Ireland has called for the levy to be removed to help middle-income families invest for the college education of their children. Top civil servants from the Department of Finance stated recently that the levy did not apply to wealthy investors. Outlining the case for its abolition, they wrote in the 2016 Tax Strategy Group paper that it does not apply to "higher net worth individuals who can invest directly, obtain legal and tax advice and fully utilise CGT [capital gains tax] losses." Known as the life insurance levy, it was imposed in the 2009 emergency budget as a revenue-raising measure. It applies to savings policies, mortgage protection and life assurance policies. The levy is calculated as 1pc of payments. The Tax Strategy Group paper, on stamp duty, savings and other issues said ordinary people use life and investment firms to buy funds for saving. "Life assurance investments were traditionally an entry route for new or ordinary investors to access investments in asset classes and areas which may not otherwise be accessible to them. These categories and SMEs have been put off by the levy, the industry maintains, and are investing directly themselves," the paper says. It also points out that wealthy people who invest in funds directly through stockbrokers or wealth managers can pay lower taxes when they sell up. This is because they are subject to capital gains tax (CGT) of 33pc. They can also use CGT provisions to offset any losses. There is a 41pc exit tax for middle-income people investing in a fund sold by a life company, in addition to the annual 1pc levy. The chief executive of Insurance Ireland, which represents life and general insurers, Kevin Thompson, said: "The burden of this levy should be removed to incentivise long-term financial planning for middle-income individuals and families." Meanwhile, a report has found Irish people need to save an additional 27.8bn a year to close the gap between current pension savings and the income needed to provide an adequate standard of living in retirement. Aviva said the size of the gap means the current generation of retirees - due to retire between 2017 and 2057 - will have to save, on average, an extra 12,200 a year. This takes account of the State Pension but excludes tax relief on pension savings. Subscribe to The Ready Business show, in association with Vodafone via iTunes or SoundCloud. We had nothing to lose I had 80 sheep and Philip Kirwan my co-founder had 4000 and within two weeks we had our first contract and never looked back. Shane Byrne had left UCD after a year of science and knew it wasnt for him. He wanted to get some business experience but after four years in AIB felt it was time to move on. Coming from a farming background, being self-employed was always in his genes and it was time to take the leap. His old school-friend, Philip Kirwan, was also looking to go out on his own and Showoff, the mobile app company, was born in 2012. It was about rolling up the sleeves and getting stuck in., says Byrne. It started with a lot of cold calling and handling rejection but at least it started to get our name out there. The harder you work the luckier you get I firmly believe. Quality was the big thing for us. There are a lot of apps and a lot of rubbish out there but we differentiated ourselves through quality, customer service and standing over our product. Based in Rathnew, Co. Wicklow, the company made a conscious decision to locate where they both grew up in rural Wicklow and proves that developing a tech company doesnt have to be limited to Dublin or other major urban towns. Clients include Glanbia, Safe Food, the ISPCC and Wicklow County Council and Shane says theres a great opportunity for a Silicon South-East tech hub to be developed right around the region. He believes the future of apps is very much in wearable tech and one product that theyre focusing on with international ambitions is their Responder app which aims to help save lives via a wearable app which can detect if the person wearing it has had a fall or a seizure. Looking to launch in 2017 theyre currently raising seed funding for the app development which the company believes will be a real game-changer for their future growth and development. Going from farming to launching an international tech company in rural Ireland proves that with big enough goals and enough determination, anything can be achieved. The Ready Business show, in association with Vodafone , is available via iTunes , SoundCloud and Stitcher or subscribe to the RSS feed of the Ready Business Podcast using your favourite podcatcher. You can check out the full Ready Business Podcast series here . Sponsored by: Katarzyna Gwis, of K & T Bakery in Kerry; Walter Ryan-Purcell, of Loughbeg Farm in West Cork; and Gerry OConnor, of Intergreat in East Cork, winners of the Inaugural ILDN Enterprise Awards for the South Region, and now shortlisted for the national awards. Photo: Diane Cusack Entrepreneurs who have overcome obstacles in recent years and who are now thriving business people will be recognised at an awards ceremony this month. In total, 18 business owners - some of whom lost their jobs during the recession -have been shortlisted by the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) for their success in business. The entrepreneurs will attend the inaugural ILDN Awards at the Gibson Hotel in Dublin on September 15. Each of the entrepreneurs nominated has created his or her own job and is now supporting others in employment having received support from local development companies, the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BtWEA) and the Short Term Enterprise Allowance scheme (STEA). Mairead McDaid was one such recipient of a grant, and she has now developed a successful physiotherapy and neurological rehabilitation practice in Cobh, Co Cork. Hub Controls was set up in 2014 by Oliver Hynes, and is an electronic platform that allows customers to keep a tighter watch of their utility bills. Another successful recipient of the funding scheme was Michael O' Connor, who founded the Red Store Coffee Shop and Deli. The venue tailors to customers along the Bannow Drive in Co Wexford, and has grown steadily since its launch in 2015. The business has harnessed online user experience platforms to boost its profile as a prime location for travellers keen to enjoy the scenic beauty of the area. "With great determination, market and product knowledge, business skills and support from mentors and training, these companies have successfully transitioned from startups to successful businesses and these awards are an acknowledgement of their hard work," said Brian Carty of ILDN. sean Duffy Una Healy on holidays with husband Ben Foden in Sardinia. Picture: Instagram Una Foden attends the "Bridget Jones's Baby" world premiere at the Odeon Leicester Square on September 5, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) Secondary school students from north, south, east and west are invited to take part in the biggest event of its kind in the country. Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture encourages young people to design and create works of fashion art from recyclable materials, igniting their creativity and increasing their environmental consciousness. Pictured L-R Averil Lakes, Marius Mallon and Rebecca McNally. PIC PAUL SHARP/SHARPPIX Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture encourages young people to design and create works of fashion art from recyclable materials, igniting their creativity and increasing their environmental consciousness. Pictured Rebecca McNally and Manus Manning. PIC PAUL SHARP/SHARPPIX Una Healy has teamed up with Nashville star Sam Palladio for her debut single as a solo artist. The Tipperary native is gearing up for the release of her studio album with her first single set for release next month. The album is finished now and I have my first single coming out in October, its a duet with Sam Palladio from Nashville, she told Independent.ie. I shot the video for the song in Nashville and I co-wrote it with Amy Wadge, she co-wrote Thinking Out Loud with Ed Sheeran. Expand Close Sam Palladio in Nashville / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sam Palladio in Nashville The mum-of-two was back in Dublin as she was announced as one of the judges for Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture alongside Louis Walsh. The Mayo native (63) has promised big things for this years series of the show. I have got my category and I went to Ibiza for judges houses, I had a brilliant time. I had two female guest judges and we had a great time, he said. Theres a lot of Irish people in it. Theres about five or six Irish people. Read More Walsh is thrilled to be back on the show with judges Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger. Sharon is going to commute every week between LA and London, its going to be tough going, its going to be hard for her, he said. Expand Close The X Factor's 2016 judging panel - Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne, Nicole Scherzinger and Simon Cowell (Syco/Thames TV/ITV/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The X Factor's 2016 judging panel - Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne, Nicole Scherzinger and Simon Cowell (Syco/Thames TV/ITV/PA) But she loves that Im there and Simon and Nicole because we all get on really well. Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture encourages young people to design and create works of fashion art from recyclable materials. Video of the Day Students are encouraged to get creating ahead of the entry date which is open between Jan 9-27 2017. Those interested can find out more at www.junkkouture.com. Cottages in Leitrim for the price of a parking space in Dublin. These cheap houses feature on RTEs Find Me A Home tonight. Leitrim Estate agent Des Wynne shows some of the bargain bungalows he has for sale for as little as 20,000 in his county. It was advertised at 19,000, theres 25,000 on it now. That would be the price of a parking space in Dublin, he says of one cottage. Meanwhile, retired midwife Cliona McLoughlin has a canny plan to help her daughter onto the property market. She sets out to sell her in-demand two-bedroom Greystones home, and instead move to Ballinrobe, Co Mayo where she can find a bargain. She manages to sell her house in two weeks, and buy a house in Ballinrobe, Co Mayo which an estate agent hasn't been able to sell for five years. The divide between the property markets in Dublin, and outside Dublin, are so apparent. Im actually only here four years and I had no plans to move, but just listening to my daughter and her husband who are renting here in Greystones, and they just havent a hope of getting on the property ladder. Their rent is so high that they cant save. A lot of my friends had concerns in the beginning. They thought that I was mad to be uprooting myself at my age again. But most of these people, I think, have come around and theyve accepted it. Im hoping Ill get at least 200,000 for it if not more, she said. I dont want to be greedy either. The series was filmed in the Spring and Summer of 2016 in counties Dublin, Galway, Wicklow, Cavan, Leitrim, Limerick and Cork. Find Me A Home airs tonight at 8.30pm on RTE One Over 3,000 gardai are set to be hired in an accelerated recruitment drive - and here's what you need to be able to do physically. Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald launched the campaign for members of An Garda Siochana today. The new campaign aims to fulfil the Government's commitment to increase the strength of An Garda Siochana to 15,000 members, the Tanaiste said. On Thursday night gardai announced that they were seeking candidates for 800 places in 2017. "From the last two recruitment campaigns, we have seen many highly talented people from a wide variety of backgrounds join An Garda Siochana, said Garda Commissioner Noirin OSullivan. "We want people from every part of Irish life to help us modernise and professionalise while building on what is best about An Garda Siochana. Applicants will be tested with a gruelling physical competence test which consists of two parts. The first physical exam consists of a sprint start, a weave through cones, walking a balance beam, lifting a car wheel and carrying it, jumping, climbing and another sprint. The circuit is to be completed three times in the fastest time possible. A pass standard is three minutes and 20 seconds. The second part of the test is a push/pull machine assessment. Male applicants will be required to complete from between 29 and 35 sit-ups in one minute, according to their age. While females will be required to complete between 25 and 30 sit-ups in one minute. Furthermore, male applicants will be required to complete between 22 and 25 press-ups, with no time restriction, while females will be required to complete between 18 and 20 push-ups. Today is a very important day for An Garda Siochana," the Tanaiste said. "It marks the formal launch on www.publicjobs.ie of the commencement of a recruitment campaign for new members of An Garda Siochana. "It reflects the Governments commitment to seamless ongoing recruitment to An Garda Siochana to ensure that the service is renewed and has the capacity to provide visible, responsive and effective policing to every community throughout the country. A massive 3,200 gardai need to be recruited on a phased basis over the next four years, in addition to the 1,200 recruited by the end of this year, to reach a strength of 15,000. This includes taking projected retirements into account. It is expected that successful candidates from the new campaign launched today will enter the Garda College from mid-2017. The last two recruitment campaigns have attracted significant interest more than 24,000 and 16,000 applications respectively. A Garda spokesperson said: "Not many organisations offer opportunities to work across so many different areas in a career: from working directly with communities, to investigating crime, to being part of specialist operations such as Dog or Water Units, to working overseas with the UN. In An Garda Siochana, every day is different and every day brings a new challenge. Applications must be made through www.publicjobs.ie. The closing date for applications is Thursday 29 September 2016. Dismay and anxiety hit Dublin Bus passengers yesterday when informed the bus strike was going ahead as early as tonight. They expressed worry about how they will cope with the withdrawal of buses for more than two days this week, starting at 9pm. "I depend on buses to get to work in the city centre," said Brendan Ennis (19) from Lucan. "It will be 100pc inconvenient trying to cycle into town. It'll be a nightmare. It's 12 a day to park a car where I'm working so it's going to be very expensive for a lot of people," he said. Expand Close Brendan Ennis. Photo: Tony Gavin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Brendan Ennis. Photo: Tony Gavin Jenny Greenan (35), from Finglas, said: "How are elderly people going to get to their medical appointments? "Although everyone deserves a decent wage, I just hope it gets sorted soon," she said. Bus user Joan Rush (85) said: "I drive my little car from my home in Ashbourne in Co Meath and park it on the outskirts and get a bus into the city centre. It's going to be dreadful now as I'll have to drive through the city traffic and look for parking," said Ms Rush, who uses a walking stick to get around. "It's going to be a disaster," said Kate Kulaga (31) from Swords. "I work in Dublin Airport and I cannot be late. It looks like I'm going to have to walk from Swords. "It's going to be very, very tough. It's not the company's fault but the bus drivers deserve the money," she said. Sorcha Keogh (20), from Raheny, added: "I depend on the bus very much. I need the bus to do any socialising in town. It's going to be a nightmare. A lot of my friends depend on the Nitelink service to meet up at weekends. The bus drivers work hard giving a great service and are always nice. They should get the increase." Expand Close Kate Kuluga. Photo: Tony Gavin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kate Kuluga. Photo: Tony Gavin Aishling Young (36), from Artane, believes the strike will make it more stressful for parents of children who get the bus to school. "The traffic will be really bad and the DART will be mental. The sides should come up with a compromise," she said. "I'll be badly affected travelling into Dublin from Lucan," said Shane Cullen (32). "The traffic is going to be mad. I'm wondering how the bus drivers could reject the recommendation of an independent body." A Labour Court decision in July recommended a 2.75pc per year pay increase, which was rejected by drivers. A teenager who tried to secretly record his fiancee's mother taking a bath has walked free from court with a two-year probation order. As well as the probation term, 19-year-old Thomas Jason Patrick Edgar was ordered to sign the police sex offenders register for five years. Imposing the orders at Newtownards Magistrates Court, District Judge Mark Hamill told the young man "that's how we will protect other victims like this lady in the bath". At the end of his contest last month Edgar, from Park Head in the Co Down harbour town, was convicted of a count of attempted voyeurism alleging that "for the purpose of sexual gratification, he attempted to record another person doing a private act knowing that the other person did not consent to being recorded for sexual gratification" on 21 November last year. Judge Hamill said he could remember what was described as the "mother-in-law in the bath case" but for the public record a prosecuting lawyer described how the woman, who had bravely waived her right anonymity so that Edgar's conniving can be fully described, noticed that he was in the habit of leaving his phone in the bathroom but "thought nothing more than he was untidy". On 21 November however, she spotted his mobile phone hidden in a slipper when she went to the toilet and noticed it was "glowing" so picked it up believing there was a phone call but it was in fact "on record." Despite her concerns she left and sought advice from friends," said the lawyer adding that when she returned she told Edgar and her daughter "she was going to take a bath". With Edgar "becoming agitated," she went to run her bath but as it filled up, "he asked if he could nip in to use the toilet and the lawyer said when the woman went back into the bathroom, "his iPad was against the wall" so suspecting it was also set to record, she confronted Edgar. He claimed he was "trying to play a joke" and the court heard how the video he had recorded showed him setting up the camera and then leaving the bathroom with it "clearly in situ". When arrested and interviewed, Edgar claimed he had been trying to excite his then girlfriend as a "practical joke rather than anything more sinister". Giving evidence on his own behalf during his contest, Edgar repeated that claim, and further claimed that after his phone was spotted, he had asked his girlfriends mother to give him a lift into town to buy juice in the hope that her daughter would take the bath instead. On Thursday however, Judge Hamill said the trial had been "a ludicrous contest from start to finish." Labelling Edgar's claims as a "fairy story," the judge said his difficulty was that despite repeating his fairytale to probation, they were recommending a period of rehabilitation. "I don't understand why I should even contemplate probation," said Judge Hamill, "probation is for someone who acknowledges that they have a problem to deal with the problem but he is someone who does even acknowledge that he has a problem." He also lamented the fact that the Probation Board for Northern Ireland had suggested a nine-month order which would not trigger any obligation for Edgar to sign the sex offenders register, saying such a sentence was "simply inconceivable". Defence barrister Chris Holmes, who confirmed that Edgar and his victim's daughter were "still together", said despite his fairytale's Edgar had "always accepted that his behaviour was foolish, stupid and wrong." After Edgar agreed to be put on probation, Judge Hamill made it part of the order that he must comply with any recommended programmes of work and must live in probation approved accommodation. Speaking outside the court, his victim said while she was "happy enough" with the sentence and the protections which had been put in place, her family had been totally split. Revealing that her daughter and Edgar got engaged the day after he was convicted of attempted voyeurism, she said his actions "have broke a whole family apart." She said: "I treated him like a son, took him in and even got him a job as a chef at the Portaferry Hotel but he's thrown all that back in my face. A BURGLAR broke into Sinn Fein TD Mary Lou McDonalds constituency office after kicking in the door, a court heard. Fergal Reilly (35) did not realise two staff members were inside and was arrested after the quick-thinking workers locked themselves into a room and phoned gardai. Judge Cormac Dunne jailed Reilly for 11 months when he admitted to the break-in. Dublin District Court heard nothing was taken and he was arrested at the scene. Reilly (35), of Limekiln Hall, Dublin Road, Navan, pleaded guilty to burglary at the Sinn Fein Office on Amiens Street on March 26 last year. Dublin District Court heard the incident happened at 7pm. Reilly went to the office and kicked in the door before entering a staff area. There were two female staff members in the premises at the time and they locked themselves into a room before alerting gardai. The gardai arrived and arrested the accused before he realised that the staff were there. Reilly also admitted a series of separate theft-related and other offences. The court heard he went to Des Darcy Motors, North Street, Swords, on July 17 last and stole a mobile phone while trespassing in a staff area. On August 11 last year, he got into the Maths Department at Trinity College and stole a backpack. Reilly went to the home of his ex-girlfriend at Castlegrange Way, Swords, on February 3 this year. When he was refused entry, he kicked and broke the front door, causing 500 worth of damage. He also entered the house and put the applicant of a safety order in fear, the court was told. On August 28, 2014, Reilly opened the lock to a premises at Richmond Road, Fairview, causing 200 worth of damage. There were two employees in the office and he fled, but was arrested by gardai. Reilly also admitted shoplifting a jacket worth 80 at Marks & Spencer, Liffey Street, on March 25 last year. The court heard Reilly is already serving a prison sentence for another offence, which was imposed on July 28 this year and backdated to February. Judge Dunne said he would not add to the accuseds time in prison. He imposed three concurrent 11-month sentences, all backdated to the same date in February. A nurse, convicted of supplying the anti-wrinkle agent Botox without prescription, has been struck off the Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. Mr Justice Raymond Fullam in the High Court confirmed the Boards decision today following the earlier conviction in the District Court of Nurse Mary Concepta Connie Burke. The application to the court to confirm its decision was made by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, the body that regulates the profession. The court was told that Ms Burke of Sarto Lawn, Bayside, Sutton, Dublin, had pleaded guilty before Dublin District Court in Feburary 2014 in respect of two charges of administering botox without prescription on dates in Janurary 2010 and Janurary 2012. She was fined 3,000. Her conviction arose following an investigation carried out by the Heath Products Regulartory Authority, formerly known as the Irish Medicines Board, into the alleged use of prescription only medicinal products by Nurse Burke. It was alleged she acquired the prescription only product, Dysport, which contains Botox, at a cost of 84,000 and administered it to customers at their homes and at a beauty salon in Rathmines. Following a meeting of the Board last May, it was unanimously agreed to cancel her registration on grounds that the offences of which she was convicted rendered her permanently unfit to practise nursing. Judge Fullam, following an application by the Board, agreed to make orders cancelling Ms Burke's registration from the Register of Nurses and Midwives. No objection was made to the application and the court was told that Ms Burke, who had been told of the development, had not appealed the Board's decision. A MENTALLY-ILL young man has admitted stabbing a renowned academic to death on his doorstep 11 days after he had become a father. Dr Jeroen Ensink, 41, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, left his flat in Islington, north London, on the afternoon of December 29 last year to post cards to family and friends announcing the birth of his daughter Fleur. Just metres from the front door of the home, the proud new father was repeatedly stabbed by 23-year-old Femi Nandap. Nandap had launched his ferocious random attack while Dr Ensink's wife Nadja was at home with the baby awaiting his return. When he failed to arrive, she went outside to find police had cordoned off the street and the cards her husband had been carrying strewn on the pavement splattered in blood. The lecturer was pronounced dead at the scene in Hilldrop Crescent shortly after 1.50pm. At a brief hearing at the Old Bailey on Thursday, Nandap, of Woolwich, south-east London, admitted the manslaughter of Dr Ensink by reason of diminished responsibility and the case was adjourned until October 10 for sentencing. Dr Ensink, originally from Holland, was a renowned water engineer and a dedicated humanitarian who was committed to improving access to water and sanitation in deprived countries. At the time of the killing, Professor Peter Piot, director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: "Dr Ensink joined the school almost a decade ago, and at the time of his death he was leading a large study in the Democratic Republic of Congo to understand how improvements in water supply could control and prevent cholera outbreaks." Nandap appeared at the Old Bailey via video-link from Broadmoor high-security mental hospital. He spoke only to confirm his name and enter his plea. The heavily-built defendant, who has a history of mental health problems, said he was not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson QC accepted the plea, saying: "There has been extensive psychiatric consideration in this case and the consensus of opinion is clear, cogent and unanimous. "In that clear and unanimous psychiatric opinion there was an abnormality of mental function at that time that diminished his responsibility." He said the decision not to pursue the murder charge was taken in communication with the victim's family, who were not present for the hearing. Julian Hendy, of charity Hundredfamilies, said: "This is another deeply distressing case of an innocent man and young family destroyed by the violent actions of a seriously mentally ill offender. "These cases are happening now far too often and we await with interest the results of the psychiatric investigations to see if there were opportunities that could have prevented this terrible tragedy." A memorial fund set up in the wake of Dr Ensink's killing has raised more than 20,000, with donations from friends and former students alike. Lauren D'Mello-Guyett wrote: "Always in my thoughts! Jeroen was a great friend, mentor, laugher [sic] and could always make you feel great. I owe so much to him and his guidance. Remembered and never forgotten." Dorica Boyee's message stated: "Jeroen was a blessing to this world. May his light continue to shine through his legacy." An anonymous donor, who gave 1,000 to the online fund, stated: "Jeroen, you were an example to us all. Thank you for everything." The young Dublin cyclist killed by a truck was planning on marrying her partner and building a house, and a life, together. The couple were also due to go on holidays this weekend. Expand Close Donna with her late mother Catherine / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Donna with her late mother Catherine Donna Fox (30) was on her way to work in Meagher's Pharmacy on Barrow Street near the Grand Canal Basin when the tragedy happened in the North Dock/East Wall area shortly before 11am on Tuesday. A passing motorist tried to help Donna, but her injuries were too severe to survive. Ms Fox's partner of three years, Anne Marie Ryan, said they did "everything together" and never thought she would be planning the funeral of the woman she loved so dearly. Ms Ryan was in work at the City North Hotel on Tuesday when she heard the tragic news. Expand Close Donna poses for a selfie with her dog / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Donna poses for a selfie with her dog Read more: 'The most dangerous thing you will do' - number of road fatalities jumps in 2016 "I could see a garda down the corridor, and then I was brought into a room with Donna's father Peter and sister Leanne. I knew something was up, and then they told me what had happened," she explained. Donna and Anne Marie met online and were planning on building a house together. "We had hoped to build a life together, and get married after building a small house. We were actually due to go to a self-build expo on Saturday before going on holidays to Spain with my sister and her boyfriend on Sunday," Anne Marie said. "She was sweet, kind-hearted and loving, and she always knew what I was thinking. And I know she loved me as much as I loved her. We did everything together," she said. Outdoors "Donna loved being outdoors, she could do anything. She said I was the better cook so while she was out putting up fences or something in the rain I would be inside making the dinner." Donna and Anne Marie were currently living in a mobile home beside her father Peter's home until they could build a more permanent house. Donna's mother Catherine died from cancer in 2011 in her early 50s. "We had plans here, but I never thought I would be planning a funeral from our mobile home," said Tipperary native Anne Marie. Ms Ryan said Donna had often complained about the layout of cycle lanes in Dublin. "Donna used to say it annoyed her that cycle lanes in the city start and stop without consistency. She would be very annoyed about it," said Anne Marie. "Donna and I had been on charity cycles to Galway in the past, and she made that trip to work every day, so she was competent on a bike. We don't know what exactly happened." Donna's father Peter spoke emotionally of his daughter, who was the second child of three children. "I can honestly say Donna never let me down, ever," he said. "She could turn her hand to anything." Colleagues at Meagher's Pharmacy said they had become concerned for Donna when she did not show up for work on time. "She would always be 15 minutes early, so we thought something was up, then we heard from Donna's dad," said one colleague. "She was the nicest person you could meet." On a visit to Dublin, Mr Tusk said he and Taoiseach Enda Kenny are working to ensure Ireland doesnt suffer from a decision it had no hand in. Photo: AFP/Getty Images Almost 3bn could be shaved from the amount of money available for tax cuts and spending increases over the coming years as a result of Brexit, the state's budgetary watchdog has warned. The Fiscal Advisory Council said it is too early to say what the impact of the June 23 vote will be on the economy, but said a severe outcome is possible. But if "benign" estimates prove correct, it said, the so-called fiscal space out to 2021 - currently estimated at 11.3bn - would not be significantly reduced. In its pre-Budget assessment, the Council said a total budget package of 2.4bn is planned for next year - greater than had been previously estimated. This includes the promised 1bn set aside for new tax cuts and spending hikes, as well as previously made commitments. This, the watchdog warned, is "at the limit" of prudent policies. "Any further relaxation of the fiscal stance in 2016 or 2017 beyond the current plans would not be appropriate given the strong pace of underlying economic activity, falling unemployment and the need to bolster the resilience of the public finances to adverse shocks," the Council said. "This means that current plans for 2016 and 2017 should be adhered to even in the event of tax revenue outperforming current forecasts by the end of 2016." The report from the Council is the first since the EU referendum vote in June, which it said has the potential to significantly affect the Irish economy. The Council noted that in a relatively benign scenario, in which Irish growth could be lowered by around three quarters of a percentage point next year and by less in subsequent years, the estimated fiscal space out to 2021 would not be significantly reduced. Uncertainty But it added: "There is significant uncertainty around the ultimate impact of Brexit on the Irish economy and a more severe outcome than the relatively benign short-run effects simulated in the Baseline Scenario is possible. "A more severe Brexit scenario could see fiscal space reduced by around a quarter compared to the current SES (Summer Economic Statement) estimates," the Council said. The Council said the economy is growing at a reasonably solid pace, but also referred to the fact that last year's GDP figure distorts the scale of growth. The Council also warned that since its last report, the Government has announced an additional increase in spending of 540m for 2016. This meant the planned budget package for next year is bigger than had been anticipated. And when you take in previous commitments, the combined package of measures is around 2.4bn. Meanwhile, European Council President Donald Tusk said Brexit is a "disorientating prospect" for Ireland, with serious consequences for the north. On a visit to Dublin, Mr Tusk said he and Taoiseach Enda Kenny are working to ensure Ireland doesn't suffer from a decision it had no hand in. Mr Tusk met with Mr Kenny ahead of talks with British Prime Minister Theresa May today, as part of a tour of European capitals ahead of an informal summit of leaders in Bratislava next week. Mr Tusk said Mr Kenny would be the first leader he will brief after his meeting with Ms May. David Davis, the minister responsible for mapping out Britain's exit from the European Union, will today discuss the future of the Northern Ireland border during talks in Dublin. The visit is part of a whistle-stop tour of member states by Mr Davis ahead of the decision by the UK to formally trigger Article 50 of the EU treaties and begin the process of exiting the EU. At a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan and Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald, Mr Davis is expected to discuss Northern Ireland and concerns about the return of a hard border. The future of the Common Travel Area, as well as trade and economy, will also be discussed. The Secretary of State was due to be accompanied by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, Robin Walker MP. Government sources in Dublin said there is the prospect that Taoiseach Enda Kenny will also meet Mr Davis. The Conservative politician is tonight due to attend a British-Irish Chamber of Commerce Dinner in Dublin. The news comes as Cabinet was today expected to formally approve plans to establish a new sub-committee to deal with the fallout from Brexit. Middle-aged and older people who are not active enough are twice as likely to have depressive symptoms when compared to those who more energetic. Stock Image Ireland's generation of over-50s are providing vital and invisible support to family and neighbours - but many are neglecting their own health as a result. Nearly two-thirds of people in this age group have high blood pressure, but almost half of them are unaware they have the condition. And around 12,000 people have undiagnosed diabetes. The findings have emerged in the latest report of TILDA, the Trinity College-based research tracking the health and lifestyles of 8,500 over-50s. It reveals the extent of the previously undocumented contribution they are making behind the scenes with one in five people aged 65-74 doing voluntary work daily or weekly. Grandchildren One in five of those with surviving parents help with household tasks, with one in four providing personal care. One in two look after grandchildren. The good news is that they generally enjoy high levels of quality of life into late old age, particularly those with strong social networks. However, there are also worrying trends emerging with two-thirds admitting they are only taking low or moderate levels of physical exercise. Only one-third say they are clocking up high levels of activity. Middle-aged and older people who are not active enough are twice as likely to have depressive symptoms when compared to those who more energetic.Older people who also have negative attitudes to ageing are more inclined to walk more slowly and suffer worse brain health. This also has particularly detrimental effects on more frail elderly. When asked about their walking speeds, one-third of those aged 65 to 74 and 61pc of the over-75s said they did not have time to cross the road in the time given by pedestrian light signals. Nearly one-fifth of men and a quarter of women over 50 have also fallen in the past year. One in 10 of the over-50s who fell needed medical treatment as a result, but this rose to 16pc for those over 75. Commonly prescribed drugs for conditions such as blood pressure, angina, depression and eye health were linked to falls. The clear view is that forced retirement has a negative effect on their mental health. This was also the case where people had to give up work due to ill-health. The research showed older people have limited knowledge about their pension entitlements. Around 66pc who were enrolled in pension schemes did not know what their income would be when they retire. Men were better informed about their pensions than women, as well as those who were better educated and had higher occupational grades. It also confirmed that people with private health insurance were more likely to find out if they were suffering an illness. Commenting on the results, Prof Rose Anne Kenny, the principal investigator, said they "unmask the important and often silent contribution older adults make". She said everyone over 50 should get checked for blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and exercise levels annually. Keeping them under control significantly cuts the risk of developing dementia, she added. NEARLY 14,000 nurses who are fully registered but classed as "inactive" are to receive a personal letter in the post asking them to come back to work . The appeal is being made by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) along with Nursing Homes Ireland - representing private nursing homes - in a bid to fill hundreds of nursing vacancies. Chief executive of the NMBI Mary Griffin said: The quality of patient care across our health system is hugely dependent on an adequate workforce of nurses. The aim of this initiative is to encourage some of the many thousands of nurses whose names are on the inactive file of the register to consider reactivating their registration and returning to practice in Ireland. She pointed out that currently there are significant employment opportunities throughout the country, both on a full-time and part-time basis, that offer nursing staff the prospect of advancing their education further and developing new skills. We are happy to partner with NHI on this initiative and to urge nurses currently out of practice to consider returning and bringing their specialist skills to bear within communities and care facilities in need of nursing care and expertise. Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO said said that nursing homes in our local communities offer great opportunities for inactive nurses to return to practice by offering them fulfilling roles that bring immense satisfaction. Their background and experience can bring enormous benefits and support to the dedicated home-from-home healthcare settings in our communities that are nursing homes. The majority of people who are dependent upon nursing home care are very old, being aged 85 years or over. With this cohort of the population projected to increase considerably by the CSO, requirement to provide specialist, gerontological care is growing significantly. A bursary to the value of 1,500 is available to nurses wishing to complete HSE-run return to nursing practice courses. The communication being issued to the 13,000+ inactive nurses informs them of the bursary available and how they can reactivate their registration. It also informs them of NHIs dedicated recruitment website, www.careersinnursinghomes.ie, and A Career in Nursing Homes, the organisations booklet that provides information and advice to nurses considering careers in nursing homes. Marie Colgan, who is bed manager at the Orwell Healthcare, Rathgar, Dublin returned to nursing after 21 years out of the profession. Marie worked as a psychiatric nurse in St Vincents Hospital and as a General Nurse in North Infirmary Hospital, Co Cork. She gave up nursing for family commitments. Understandably I was apprehensive to begin with but this is slowly subsiding as I gain more experience within my new role and learn the systems within Orwell Healthcare. It brings a good feeling to be getting on top of aspects of the job and is very reassuring after being so long away from the workplace. Its a smaller environment, more personal and has a nice mixture of nursing and care, she states. My role at present is an administration and liaison role which is a new challenge for me. The residents in nursing homes are not acutely ill in general so there is less nursing pressure in that sense. I would recommend it as it is a less stressful environment to re-enter nursing after being inactive due to the mix of relatively healthy residents and therefore a good place to re-familiarise with technology and nursing practices. The scope of a HSE-commissioned investigation into abuse of an intellectually disabled woman in a foster home was "inadequate", a new report has found. A senior barrister concluded that a commission of investigation would be the only way to get to the bottom of allegations that elements in the HSE sought to cover up failings in the care of the woman, known as Grace. Conor Dignam SC found that the limited terms of reference of a 2010 inquiry commissioned by the HSE resulted in serious issues not being investigated as quickly as possible or not being investigated at all. The barrister was also critical of the Department of Health, finding it referred protected disclosures made by two whistleblowers in 2009 back to the HSE unit which was complained about. While this was most likely an innocent mistake, it would have been upsetting for the whistleblowers, he said. The findings were made in a unpublished report Mr Dignam delivered to Disabilities Minister Finian McGrath last week. Mr McGrath said the document was being studied and the terms of reference for a full commission of investigation into the controversy would be brought before Cabinet soon. The senior counsel was asked by the department to examine the procedures and practices used by the HSE in commissioning two reviews into care at the foster home, as well as the adequacy of those reviews. Both reviews, which have cost more than 500,000 and remain unpublished, were commissioned by the HSE following protected disclosures by social workers. The social workers discovered Grace had been left in a foster home in the southeast for 13 years after other residents had been removed due to abuse allegations. They had serious concerns about the how Grace's case was handled and the motives for some decisions made by the HSE. The first review, commissioned from consultant Conal Devine in 2010, examined Grace's care, while a second one, commissioned from consultants Resilience Ireland in 2012, focused on 46 other residents of the foster home. Mr Dignam said the narrow focus of the Devine inquiry was unfortunate. He said it should have looked into allegations of a cover-up, concerns about the danger of a deliberate destruction of files, and claims that decisions were made in the interests of the HSE's reputation rather than in the interest of Grace. The barrister found the initial review should also have identified other people who were placed at the foster home. The failure to include this meant there was a delay of four years in doing so. The HSE has denied any cover-up. Serious overcrowding at University Hospital Galway has resulted in the cancellation of a number of non urgent elective surgeries on Thursday. The Full Capacity Protocol was implemented after a significant number of patients were left waiting for admission to the hospital. Efforts are now being made to identify patients who are appropriate for discharge. Management at the hospital appealed to the public to only attend the Emergency Department in cases of real emergencies and to contact their GP or GP out-of-hours service in the first instance. A statement from the hospital confirmed that some non urgent elective procedures had been deferred and warned members of the public to expect delays. University Hospital Galway would like to apologise to all patients and their families for any distress caused as a result of the delays, it added. Union leaders are threatening to step up strike action at Dublin Bus as hundreds of thousands of commuters face disruption on the first day of a number of planned stoppages. They have also accused Transport Minister Shane Ross of engaging in sound-bites rather than directly intervening to resolve the increasingly bitter row over drivers' pay. The capital is being hit with two days of traffic gridlock as people turn to private cars and taxis - who are reporting a 300% spike in trade - since buses were called back to their depots on Wednesday evening. The walkout by members of the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) and Siptu is the first of three 48-hour stoppages planned for this month. It was due to begin at 12.01am on Thursday but the last services ran three hours earlier to ensure engineers and supervisors were in depots as the fleet was locked up. Dublin Bus said it was a health and safety issue and apologised to customers. Read More With little sign of any moves towards a resolution, Dermot O'Leary, NBRU general secretary, warned a crunch meeting next Thursday could determine whether the unions will escalate their industrial action. "People have to get to work and schools and colleges, and certainly the NBRU would be bringing a view to the table that escalation should be the last resort," he said. "However if Shane Ross, the Government and the company continue to ignore us, the pressure will come on us from our members to escalate." Unite, which represents craft workers in Dublin Bus, demanded Mr Ross intervene in the dispute. Willie Quigley, regional officer for the union, blamed "persistent underfunding" of Dublin Bus by successive governments for the fall-out. "Dublin Bus provides a vital public service, yet we have one of the lowest levels of state support for public transport in the EU," he said. "In Dublin, the public subvention makes up just 20% of public transport revenue, compared with over 50% in many other European cities." He added: "Rather than shrugging off responsibility with sound-bites about cheque books, Minister Ross needs to intervene now in this dispute - and he needs to fight the public transport corner at the Cabinet table, making the argument for an increase in subventions to European levels." Mr Ross had remarked that the Government will not pull out a cheque book to resolve the row. Buoyed by the successful fight by Luas drivers and inspectors earlier this year for a salary increase, union leaders want a 15% pay increase for Dublin Bus drivers over the coming three years. Further strikes are planned on September 15 and 16 and again on September 23 and 24, and pickets are being held in Clontarf, Conyngham Road, Harristown, Ringsend, Phibsboro, Donnybrook and Summerhill, as well as at the head office in O'Connell Street. The shutdown is hitting Airlink services to Dublin Airport, all city services, the Ghostbus Tour on Wednesday, Nitelink buses on Friday and Saturday and all sightseeing services. Gardai have warned motorists not to use bus lanes even though no buses are running. Business lobbyists with Retail Ireland said bus users account for about 42% of the money spent in shops in Dublin city. Director Thomas Burke said: "Cutting off such a vital service will undoubtedly have an impact on city centre footfall and trading levels during the days of industrial action. "The prospect of ongoing stoppages in services during September is a cause for great concern and must be avoided." But Owen Reidy, organiser with trade union Siptu, said striking workers are being backed by the public. "The workers have been humbled by the support shown to them by members of the public on picket lines at bus depots across the city," he said. "It is clear that a majority of those who use public transport support our members in their demand for fair pay and sufficient State funding for a bus service which is vital to communities across the city." Mr Reidy said the Department of Transport has yet to give any indication that it will enter talks to resolve the dispute. "Unfortunately, due to this intransigence our members will be back out on the picket line tomorrow and are prepared for further industrial action until this situation changes," he added. INDEPENDENT Minister John Halligan has claimed that Fine Gael ministers promised him that the government would deliver a second cathorisation laboratory for Waterford Hospital regardless of the outcome of a clinical review. Mr Halligan is on the brink of leaving the minority government after review of cardiac services at the hospital - carried out by an NHS doctor found that a second cath lab wasn't needed. A senior government source insisted that no commitment to provide a second cath lab was given to Mr Halligan, that all that was promised was a clinical review of cardiac services at the hospital. Crisis talks aimed at keeping him in government broke up late last night. He remains undecided on what he will do this morning. Speaking on his local radio station WLR this morning, Mr Halligan claimed that ministers Michael Noonan and Simon Coveney promised him that a second lab would be funded regardless of what the review said. Mr Halligan insists that a second cath lab is needed saying that the hospital caters for 506,000 people in the south east. He said: "The HSE itself in 2014 identified the lack of a second cath lab at being a severe clinical risk." And he claimed he was told by Fine Gael ministers that it would be delivered by the government. "During the negotiations Michael Noonan - and all of my negotiating team were there at the time with the Indpendent Alliance said: 'look John this review is only a formality, Fine Gael cannot be seen to be doing political favours for anybody. The cath lab will be delivered'," Mr Halligan said. He added: "Simon Coveney said during the negotiations 'John if you don't sign up and you don't agree to this we will deliver the second cath lab for Waterford anyway'. "The people of Waterford and the south-east have to ask what has happened in the intervening period," Mr Halligan said. Mr Halligan says he is seeking a second review, this time with the terms of reference decided with the involvement of doctors in Waterford and the Independent Alliance. At lunchtime, Mr Halligan's Independent Alliance colleague Kevin 'Boxer' Moran TD told RTE Radio he wants to see the Waterford Deputy remain in government. He said: "In government John will better serve the people of Waterford than outside." A spokesman for Mr Noonan responded to Mr Halligan's remarks saying: "On page 59 of the Programme for a Partnership Government it is clear that the Government have made a commitment on this subject." He quoted the section which states: "We are committed to the development of a second Cath Lab in University Hospital Waterford subject to a favourable recommendation from an independent clinical review of the needs of the region. The coalition was plunged into fresh crisis last night as Waterford TD John Halligan was set to resign. Mr Halligan returned to his home constituency of Waterford following lengthy talks with Fine Gael over the decision by a senior doctor to advise against the introduction of a second catheterisation (cath) lab at Waterford General Hospital. Mr Halligan told colleagues he was consulting his supporters and may return to talks on Thursday. However, sources in the Independent Alliance believed Mr Halligan will quit the government following the independent review. If Mr Halligan quits, as anticipated, the government will have just a wafer majority in the Dail with the support of Fianna Fail. The issue of Mr Halligan's expected departure was due to be discussed at Cabinet this morning. Mr Halligan was not available for comment last night. The Irish Independent can also reveal that no Government funding has been earmarked for the extension of the runway at Waterford Airport. This is despite claims by Halligan that millions of euro were secured for the project in return for his support for Fine Gael following the general election. Read more: Crisis talks as Independent Alliance Minister John Halligan threatens to pull government support Mr Halligan first threatened to quit Government over the findings of the independent clinical review into cardiac services at Waterford General Hospital. The review of was carried out by Belfast-based cardiologist Niall Herity. While it advised against the introduction of a second cath lab, it did recommend a series of improvements and extra resources at the hospital. A second cardiac catheterisation lab would cost nearly 2m just to build. The cost of running it, including staffing, would also run into millions annually. The Independent Alliance TD reacted furiously to the findings, which he described as "flawed" and "outrageous". Health Minister Simon Harris was forced to attend a meeting with Mr Halligan in Leinster House. The latest row has once again exposed the vulnerability of the minority Government. No Government funding has been earmarked for an extension of the runway at Waterford Airport. The Department of Transport - headed by Minister Shane Ross - has confirmed that it only funds projects at the State's four regional airports that relate to safety and security. And Waterford Airport - which has no scheduled air services after losing a link to London Luton in June - has also not secured any of the money from a 335m 'Connectivity Fund' that was established by the Government following the sale of its 25.1pc stake in Aer Lingus last year. Mr Halligan - who once sat on the Waterford Airport board - said in May that Waterford Airport was set to get a share of that 10m in extra funding, and said that the runway was "agreed in principle" in the capital funding. But the Department of Transport has not yet decided on any allocations under the capital plan. A spokesman for the department said that runway development schemes are not specifically funded under the capital plan. Two youths at the Oberstown detention facility have caused considerable damage to a unit at the facility while threatening staff with boiling water. Two youths at the Oberstown detention facility have caused considerable damage to a unit at the facility while threatening staff with boiling water. It is understood that the incident took place in Unit 5 of the complex this morning. The two young offenders are believed to have locked themselves into a kitchen in the unit and proceeded to destroy equipment and furniture. When staff attempted to intervene, they were threatened with boiling water by the teenagers. A spokesperson for the Department of Children and Youth Affairs confirmed that a small incident took place and is being dealt with. As its an operational issue the Minister will not be commenting, the spokesperson added. The incident comes just over a week after young offenders caused millions of euro worth of damage to facility after climbing onto the roof and setting fire to a unit. The situation deteriorated to a point where the Garda Public Order Unit as well as armed officers were called to the Lusk facility. A member of staff was also seriously assaulted by up to eight teens and suffered a broken nose and serious lacerations to his face. Six units of the Dublin Fire Brigade were required to deal with the massive blaze, and the stand-off eventually ended some 10 hours after it began. A wheelchair user has criticised Iarnrod Eireann after she claimed the driver of her train refused to put down the ramp because they "weren't trained to do so". Ann Marie Champ was on her daily commute from Dublin to Newbridge when she said she was forced to continue on to Kildare Train Station. "I couldn't understand it. All the driver had to do was put the ramp down for me. My wheelchair is electric so I didn't need to be manually handled or anything," Ms Champ told Independent.ie. "The driver was rather sharp, they said; 'I'm the driver and you'll have to go to Kildare'." When she arrived at Kildare station, an employee phoned a wheelchair taxi but there were none available. Ann Marie said she had to wait almost an hour for a taxi to arrive from Portlaoise. "I flew to Australia last year and had to get six flights and had no issues. It only took five minutes over the phone to organise. Yet, I can't get 20 minutes up the road because of the refusal to lower a piece of aluminium," she said. Expand Close Ann Marie Champ was left frustrated with the situation during her commute / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ann Marie Champ was left frustrated with the situation during her commute Ms Champ commutes from Newbridge to Heuston Station in Dublin five times a week and said staff at both stations are familiar with the assistance she requires. She told of how a customer service representative at Heuston informed her that day that there would be nobody to assist her off the train at Newbridge. Usually when this happens, Ms Champ said the driver is notified and they lower the ramp. "I get the same train every morning and I always tell them in Heuston if there is a change to my schedule. I presented myself at the customer service desk like normal. There was a new guy there and I told him to let the driver know to let me off at Newbridge." On the night of the incident, Ann Marie tweeted Iarnrod Eireann and received a response advising her to make a formal complaint, which she did. After a week of no response, she took to Facebook to express her frustration. "The only reason I put up a Facebook post was to link it to my Twitter account so I could tweet them. I shared the status and I spoke to their Accessibility Officer last week. "She apologised and promised a formal response early this week. That hasn't happened. I am now being told there was a miscommunication with the driver, but there wasn't. She clearly told me I couldn't get off the train," she said. In the written complaint she posted on Facebook, Ann Marie said she had been rerouted twice in one week: "I am also incredibly embarrassed by both incidents as they both took place in front of other passengers, so they were made aware that my chair and I were the cause of the delay and disruption to their journey." Under her Facebook post, another wheelchair user responded stating she had experienced similar issues when travelling by train. "I'm not the first person this has happened to. This has been happening for years, yet they have signs saying they welcome passengers with special needs and they are in compliance with the Equal Status Act," she added. Speaking to Independent.ie, Accessibility Officer for the company, Geraldine Campbell said Iarnrod Eireann will be issuing a formal reply to Ms Champ over the next day or two. She explained that there has been a delay in replying as she had to wait to receive a report on the incident and speak to the appropriate staff members. A WATERFORD student is in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries after being stabbed in the city centre. The 18 year old, who is understood to be a first year agricultural student, was found lying on John Street shortly after 11.40pm last night. Gardai and paramedics were alerted and the teen was rushed to University Hospital Waterford (UHW). He underwent emergency surgery early this morning for what are understood to be stab and slash-type injuries to the abdomen. Sources indicated that the surgery was a success and the teen is now in a stable condition. He is expected to make a full recovery though he will remain in UHW for observation for several days. The teen is not understood to be from Waterford. Gardai are awaiting medical clearance to interview him about the precise circumstances of the assault. Detectives indicated that the incident is believed to be linked to a dispute which erupted outside a city centre nightclub. The teen had gone out socialising with friends on Wednesday evening in Waterford city centre and had decided to attend a nightclub. While he was queuing, words were exchanged with another man. The dispute escalated and second older man then became involved. It was at this point the teen was stabbed and slashed a number of times in the stomach. Gardai described the incident as a serious assault and appealed for anyone who witnessed the matter to contact them. "We believe there were quite a number of people in the area at the time and are convinced that several must have witnessed this assault," one garda source said. "We would urge them to contact Ballybricken Garda Station to assist us with our inquiries." CCTV security camera footage is now expected to play a critical role in the investigation. A number of premises in the area have CCTV security cameras and footage is now being studied to determine the movements of two individuals of interest to gardai. Waterford gardai said anyone with information can contact them at (051) 305300 or the Garda Confidential Line at (1800) 666111. Coming of age: Ali McGraw and Ryan O'Neal star in the 1970 teen film 'Love Story' where they meet as students fending for themselves Rite of passage: Martin Connolly, 19, is preparing to leave for college in Dublin and leave his mum, Karin, at home in Cloankilty Photo: Michael Mac Sweeney Life as a parent is full of transitions - from baby to toddler, child to teenager, and perhaps the most difficult change of all, adolescent to adult. As anyone with children knows, parenting never stops, but how do you know when to stop being a "helicopter" mum or dad, and let them be truly independent? All parents worry about what is a really seismic life-change for their offspring as they head off to join this year's 43,000-strong pack of first-year college entrants - but it seems, some are more anxious than others. My 19-year-old son moves away to start college next week. I'm reasonably apprehensive about this big transition, but I won't be phoning him every morning to check that he's up in time for lectures. Should he receive a grade he's unhappy about, I won't be contacting the college to query the result on his behalf, or even, to lobby for a better one - nor would he expect me to. His father and I accept that moving away from home to start his engineering course at Cork Institute of Technology is a whole new start for Zach, and that it will be very different to the life he enjoyed as a schoolboy. His friend Martin Connolly, also 19 will, be leaving home to study engineering in Dublin City University. "I have my accommodation sorted and I'm looking forward to being away from home," says Martin, from Clonakilty Co Cork. "I'll have more independence - I'll be doing my own cooking and stuff, so in some ways it'll be different, but I don't mind having to rely on myself - I expect it. "I'm independent and I'm looking forward to having the freedom to meet new people. It'll be new; it'll be something different," says Martin. Expand Close Lorelai and Rory have a close, but not too close bond on Gilmore Girls / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lorelai and Rory have a close, but not too close bond on Gilmore Girls "I really wanted to go to Dublin to meet new people and to try things out for myself. I'll stay in touch with my parents and come home to see them as often as I can. I don't think our relationship will change," he said, adding however, that he thinks that this exciting new stage will probably be good for him and his parents. Martin's mum Karin will miss him. "I would have liked him to be a bit closer, but Martin's always done his own thing, and he really wanted to move to Dublin. He's always reachable, and he's 19 now. "You have to leave home and find your own place in life and be independent from your parents, but he knows we're there for him if he needs us, and he's not afraid of trying new things and getting on with a challenge. Martin is an adult now and it's about letting go, but also being available when he needs you." Many parents are apprehensive, but at the same time, like Karin, they understand the need to gently relax the reins. Yet, some don't. They're so used to the heavily structured environment of the Leaving Certificate cycle with its tradition of strong parental involvement, that they experience difficulty letting go once the child heads to college. "Support from parents and family is very important - but you need to balance it and know when to step into the foreground, and when to step into the background," cautions Dr Patrick Ryan, director of clinical psychology at the University of Limerick. A minority of parents become overly concerned, says Dr Claire Bohan, director of student support and development at Dublin City University. For parents who are used to being on top of, or even controlling what their teenager does at second-level, the free-flowing third-level environment can come as a shock, she explains. "This is a new system that they are not necessarily familiar with. That leads to a huge level of anxiety and a desire to understand by trying to involve themselves in the child's college life," Dr Bohan says, adding that this anxiety can be exacerbated by concerns about the financial implications of academic failure. "I was asked by one parent whether we'd a texting system in place for parents who wanted to know if their offspring had arrived safely on campus," she says, adding that her office often also gets calls from mums or dads wanting to know if a child is attending their lectures - or asking how they might find out. Expand Close Coming of age: Ali McGraw and Ryan O'Neal star in the 1970 teen film 'Love Story' where they meet as students fending for themselves / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Coming of age: Ali McGraw and Ryan O'Neal star in the 1970 teen film 'Love Story' where they meet as students fending for themselves Parents need to understand that it's better to let the first year student find his or her own way around campus, she says, and how a student manages his or her first five weeks at college usually determines their success in year one, she warns: "The sooner you let your child find their feet, the sooner they will do so. If parents can stand back and allow students to navigate their way, they'll find it happens quickly because they're forced to make their own decisions. Over-parenting at this stage can be counter-productive, Ms Bohan explains - but she adds, parents can inform themselves through reading supplied material, attending college open days and parent talks and using the college website to understand the academic calendar and the examinations schedule. "There is a role for parents, but you have to inform yourself and you have to know when to step back," she says, adding that at this stage it's better to adopt a more softly softly approach with the student than one of direct questioning. First year in college offers an increase in personal freedom for students, but they must also assume more responsibility, explains Noirin Deady, First Year Experience Coordinator at UCC. So parents should relax the reins a little, and gradually let go, she advises - while keeping a weather eye on how your student is doing. "In practical terms, this means letting students struggle, allowing them to be disappointed and, when failure occurs, helping them through it. Research suggests that over-parenting is actually associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression," she warns. A good approach to managing how you handle your child's advent to third level is to think about the kind of adult you want him or her to grow into, and work from there, counsels Marese Bermingham, head of the Student Engagement Office at Cork Institute of Technology. "We want them to be competent, resilient, thoughtful, thinking and happy," she says. Remember, she says, it's best to facilitate a student making informed decisions - for example on module selection - by asking your child whether they have read the necessary information - not by reading it yourself and telling them what they should study. So it seems that while being a third level 'helicopter parent' might help assuage your own feelings of anxiety, it can actually create a sense of helplessness and dependence in the student. "Encourage them to recognise when he or she needs help and emphasise the need for them to seek out assistance in college. Have a conversation about the expectations around what will happen during the first few months," she suggests, adding that it's a good idea to encourage students to understand that they must take responsibility for their own academic progress, and to ask them well-informed questions. "Know when to stand back and when to pull forward," she advises. Fashion designer and tech entrepreneur Sonya Lennon on what being a mother to 11-year-old twins Finn and Evie has taught her. You change when you become a mother My sister says that I became a completely different person and a better person after I had the kids. I think I was probably much more laser-focused and had mono-vision beforehand. The kids have helped me to have a different context in life and see a wider view of everything. It sort of forced my hand to just reflect a lot more and to enjoy them and take those moments; you have to enjoy every single minute of it or else its gone. And life changes too... On a really logistical level, the most dramatic change for me was that I now had two kids to deal with at the same time. It was tricky, but I had nothing to compare it to, so thats probably what kept me going. If you dont know what having one baby feels like, you dont know what two feels like. Coasting on ignorance was all we had at certain points. You cannot control everything I think we just knuckled down for the first year. You learn to accept that your ability to control things is minimal and you just get through it. I remember having a meltdown at the one-year point, almost as if I had given myself permission to lose it. Minding twins can be terrifying I think everybody was terrified because there were two of them, so even the people around me who wanted to help were terrified to get stuck in because with two tiny people you dont know where to start. What was really difficult was when they were starting to walk because they always walked in two different directions. My sister was an amazing support and she continues to be an amazing support for us. Ive got a great family and that has been a huge help. Independence early on is key One of the most important things to me is that I foster independence in my kids, so that they can stand on their own two feet and be responsible as much as possible. We are really lucky in that the school that they go to is about 40 paces from our house and from the age of about eight the teacher said, Look, why dont you just let them walk to the end of the road? They dont have to cross the road or anything to get here, and literally, from the moment that we gave them the responsibility of walking to school on their own, their school work improved and you could see that sense of responsibility meant an awful lot to them even at that young age. Dont try to be the perfect Irish mother Expand Close Structured siren: Sonya Lennon. Photo by Tony Gavin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Structured siren: Sonya Lennon. Photo by Tony Gavin I dont have time to be that Irish mother, who does everything for their kids. I have no interest in it because I dont think it helps them in the long-run. For them to have that core independence is really important to me and, domestically, everybody has to do their bit. Everyone in our house can work the dishwasher and the washing machine and make an omelette. Children will remind you to have fun The kids are great fun and they are great company. Fun is the one thing that can be scarce when you are working hard. Even in your relationship everything can very easily turn into being about the logistics: Whos getting things done? Whats next? When are you coming home? I have an engagement on that night. Myself and Dave have very heavy schedules so we have white boards in the kitchen: one for the week coming and one for the week after, so that everyone can see what the diaries are in black and white. To have the kids and be able to enjoy that time with them is so important. Twins need a sleep schedule We realised pretty quickly that it was non-negotiable that they just had to sleep and eat at the same time. If they didnt it just wasnt going to work, so we put our own order on things very quickly and had no option, but to keep that going. To this day they are super sleepers and they love their beds. Discipline is vital, as is sticking to your guns Having respectful discipline is absolutely important and you need to stick to your guns too. If you promise to do something, whether its a good or a bad thing, you have to follow through so they know you mean what you say. You have to know who is driving the car the child or the parent because only one person can drive. You need enough discipline to let them know what the parameters are and enough space to let them grow on their own. Sonya Lennon is the co-founder of Frockadvisor, an app that connects fashion lovers with independent boutiques. Check out: frockadvisor.com The Ukrainian State Border Guard Service has reported the incident with the Podillia marine security guard ship and Russian Armed Forces combat ships and aircraft, which, according to the service, occurred in the northwestern area of Ukraine's exclusive naval economic zone on Wednesday. "The representatives of Naftogaz Ukrainy, Chornomornaftogaz, the State Ecology Inspection and other agencies were on the Ukrainian ship for the purpose of collecting the evidence "on the facts of aggression, seizure of objects and property of Ukraine and Russia's illegal activities in the vicinity of Holytsynske and Odeske gas fields," the Ukrainian State Border Service said. "During Podillia's passing from the Karkinit Bay and further approach to the Holytsynske and Odeske gas fields, the Russian Armed Forces combat ships and aircraft conducted dangerous maneuvers in violation of generally accepted principles, provisions and rules of international law, preventing the lawful actions of the marine security ship. Thus, a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 fighter plane flew over the Podillia ship dangerously close several times," the report said. Moreover, the Ukrainian State Border Service said that the Smetlyvy escort ship with an artillery system targeting the maritime security ship and reconnaissance ship Priazovye of the Black Sea Navy Fleet conducted dangerous maneuvers. The Ukrainian government, the Defense Ministry, the General Staff, the Foreign Ministry and relevant law enforcement agencies were informed of these incidents, the State Border Service said. When Hans de Jong and his wife Willy ("yes, we know it's a funny name in Ireland," says the affable Hans, "but in Holland it is very normal") embarked on their search for a second home in Ireland back in the late 1990s, they made contact with Letterkenny estate agent Paul Franklin. "It was in the days before the internet," recalls Hans, a keen photographer, "so he sent hard copies of the photos of the house to us in Holland. We liked the look of it and it was the first house we went to see. The day was awful, the rain was pouring down, the house was in terrible condition, but we loved it. The situation and the views are just so beautiful." Expand Close Jacobs Cottage has a summer cottage with hot tub / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jacobs Cottage has a summer cottage with hot tub Jacob's Cottage is tucked away down a private lane and occupies a half-acre site, 10 minutes' drive from Dungloe. When the de Jongs bought the house in 1999, their principal home was still in Holland. "We came over for a weekend once a month and worked on it until it was finished," says Hans. "It took us almost two years." The couple did most of the renovation work themselves, stripping the cottage back to its bare walls before starting to put it back together again and installing double-glazing and oil-fired central heating. They brought in a professional thatcher to return the roof to its former glory and, once the work was completed, began to spend more and more time in Donegal. "We loved coming here so much," says Hans, "and we asked ourselves, 'Where did we want to live, to make our home?' I was working in Holland in sales but I had a good conversation with my boss and we were able to work it out so that I was able to do everything online or on the phone. I've been working like that for the past 10 years." The de Jongs have since sold their house in Holland and invested the proceeds in extending the original Jacob's Cottage - adding on a sun-room opening out onto a large deck to maximise the spectacular views out over Trawena Bay and a Scandinavian log cabin-style extension to provide two additional bedrooms and a second bathroom. The main house now has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an open-plan kitchen/living/dining area. Expand Close Jacobs Cottage's wood store / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jacobs Cottage's wood store A detached one-bedroom timber summer cottage is rented out for 425 per week in low season and 525 in high season and there is a hot tub and a barbecue house that gets year-round use. "It's a lovely place in which to sit and enjoy good food and a few drinks," says Hans. He says that the shopkeepers of Dungloe have got used to him looking for charcoal at Christmas-time. Another thatched stone structure on the property is used as a timber store. In the summer months, Hans swims across the road from the cottage, as he doesn't mind the seaweed and the crabs, but Willy prefers to drive the 10 minutes to the sandy beach at Dooey. Expand Close Jacob's Cottage's open plan interiors / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jacob's Cottage's open plan interiors The de Jongs are not leaving Donegal but feel the time is right for a new project, so they are on the hunt for something else in the area. Paul Franklin, who sold Jacob's Cottage to them all those years ago, is once again on the hunt for a buyer. The de Jongs' hope is that it will be bought by someone who will treasure it as much as they have. Era: early 19th century Size: 150sqm Expand Close Jacob's Cottage's spectacular views / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jacob's Cottage's spectacular views Agent: Franklins (074) 918 8000 Viewing: By appointment Dublin Fashion Festival is in full swing, meaning that a coterie of beautiful young Irish women are rushing hither and thither from one fitting to the next: Littlewoods today, Helen McAlinden tomorrow. The pace is hectic at this time of year, and requires a preternatural stamina. Luckily, the Irish modelling industry is kinder to its charges than others across the world, even on weeks as frantic as this. In many of Dublin's agencies, the average size of the models on the books is 8-10; size 6 girls often work steadily, too. Plus-size divisions are also expanding. And where size 0-2 might be a prerequisite for working on the couture catwalks of London, Milan, Paris and New York, it's not a body type that chimes with Irish clients. "If you want to walk for the world's top designers, there is a requirement to being exceedingly thin," observes designer Sonya Lennon. "But being a local model anywhere in the world is so different to being a catwalk model. A few years ago, there was a very thin, beautiful girl out there, and there was a real reticence in clients using her. It wasn't because the girl wasn't eating or had an eating disorder, she was just naturally thin." Certainly in Ireland, the client is king, driving demand for certain body shapes. Just as they always have done, they prefer wholesome, approachable, supple. The couture scene is minimal in Ireland, the sample sizes don't run at size zero or 2 as they do in other fashion capitals, and the models that can flit with ease from commercial to fashion house are the scene's high rollers. There have been notable exceptions: Faye Dinsmore and Loran Foran have enjoyed success on the couture catwalks, but their preternatural thinness has often been credited to a natural body shape, as opposed to anything more untoward. Expand Close Beauty: Irish model Louise OReilly Photo: David Conachy / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Beauty: Irish model Louise OReilly Photo: David Conachy "There are some girls that are naturally very slim, and don't have to work hard to keep their shape," says Rebecca Morgan, owner of Morgan The Agency. Several Irish models have dreams of following Dinsmore and Foran to the upper echelons of the fashion industry, although it's not a move necessarily encouraged by their agency bosses. "If some want to go about sensibly changing their weight, so long as they're healthy, I'm more than happy for them to be whatever size they wish." It all flies in the face of the reputation of the global modelling industry; one marked with nicotine-stained glamour and a sort of dangerous, heady beauty. By most accounts, its young denizens are lithe, lost and vulnerable to all sorts of seamy influences, from drugs to prowling photographers. And despite calls for diversity, its influence has yet to truly wane. In an alarming turn of events, the original size zero, which came to prominence a decade ago, is a British size 4. More recently, retailers in the UK like J Crew and Abercrombie & Fitch (who have a Dublin store) have launched triple zero clothes (which fit a 23-inch waist). This move is partly attributed to the vanity sizing phenomenon (where shops re-number normal dress sizes to boost a buyer's self-esteem), but there's no doubting that there is a demand for such garments. Expand Close Ashley Graham arrives for GQ Men Of The Year Awards 2016 at Tate Modern on September 6, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ashley Graham arrives for GQ Men Of The Year Awards 2016 at Tate Modern on September 6, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) Australian model Rosie Nelson moved to the UK and was told by a number of agencies that she was too big to work as a model. She embarked on a punishing regime, slimmed her hips to 35 inches, and returned to the agency. "They said, just lose more weight - get down to the bone," Nelson is quoted as saying. "They pressed on my hips and I just sat there thinking, 'no, I can't. I can't physically lose more weight'. I was in shock. I didn't know what to say." The episode prompted the model to join Sophie Walker, leader of the Women's Equality Party, and Jada Sezer, a plus-size model on the verge of launching her own clothing range, to talk about WEP's forthcoming campaign, which will operate on social media under the hashtag #NoSizeFitsAll. In addition, WEP is calling for legislation that will require all models hired or rehired by agencies to have a minimum body mass index (BMI) of 18.5; any lower, and they will have to see a doctor from a list of accredited medical experts to be signed off as healthy. This, says Walker, would bring the UK into line with law in France, Spain and Italy. "I have been everything from a size eight to a size 18, and I can tell you at every point in my life which size I've been and when," Walker has noted. "We live with this. And I am 45-years-old. I have been living with it for 30 years and I'm tired of it. I'm seeing it happen to my children, I'm seeing my daughters - my seven-year-old and my 14-year-old - under the same pressures." Elsewhere, there is the All Woman Project, a powerful body positive movement founded by models Clementine Desseaux and Charli Howard. Howard was dropped from her New York agency when she was a size 6. They decided to launch their own short film and campaign starring 10 models who all have strong views on the need for diversity. Soon, the question looms large: does Instagram culture and the behemoth of the global fashion culture turn the heads of Irish models? Or, for that matter, other young Irish women? Courtney O'Hara, managing director of Assets Agency, is an industry veteran and hasn't noticed a marked change in recent times. "It's still about healthy-looking girls," she says. "We've had girls who are a size 8-10 and they might be a little smaller on top and their collarbones are sticking out, and we've had to dress them in a certain way to hide that. You get complaints from clients here about those things. That said, we've had girls who were told to go away and tone up by their London agencies. It really does depend on the agency. "I think these days, young girls don't want to be skinny," she adds. "They look at fit girls and think, 'I want abs, I want a bum, I want to be womanly'. Don't underestimate the influence of the fitness thing." Adds Morgan: "I don't think young girls look at models and think, 'I want to be like her specifically'. "I think these days, it's more that young women want to be famous. They also see a lot of fit, strong role models (on social media) and they want to be more like them. They've seen them get that positive attention in recent years." It could be argued that celebrity and modelling culture has become an interchangeable entity by now. Certainly, there's been the rise of the 'skinny selfie' - celebrities posting airbrushed photos of themselves. Morgan certainly has a point: the 'strong not skinny' faction, who value fitness and vitality over a race to size zero, has gained serious traction on social media. One of Morgan's charges, Louise O'Reilly, is one of the busiest high-profile models working today. Currently cutting a swathe across New York for Fashion Week, the size 16 beauty has made body positivity her raison d'etre, and Ireland's young fashion followers can't get enough of her. "Louise is the perfect example because she's as healthy as anyone else, and goes to the gym and keeps in shape," says Rebecca. "Not only is she particularly good at what she does, she's absolutely gorgeous." And despite featuring on the September cover of 'U Magazine', O'Reilly has in the past noticed a sort of 'otherness' between mainstream and plus-size modelling. Worse still, old prejudices prevail. "The thing people seem to forget is that, as a curvy model, you are like any other model and you still need to eat right, exercise and lead a balanced lifestyle," she said. "You don't know where you are going to be, so you have to be fit and able to run around so many shoots a day. I definitely feel that the industry fails to see that." As Ashley Graham (the first plus-size model on the cover of 'Sports Illustrated''s swimsuit issue) has pointed out, just because you are curvy it doesn't mean you are promoting an unhealthy body image. "It is about uplifting people and making them feel good about themselves." It's here that O'Reilly has a point: the Irish fashion industry has rarely been so calculated as to trade on women's niggling insecurities to make buyers part with their cash. With its approachable figureheads and fondness for a cutesy photocall, the feel-good factor and body positivity have always been the Irish industry's cornerstones. This means they've been ahead of their New York or London counterparts all along. Still, the stranglehold of a specific Western feminine ideal - lithe, fat-free, dewy - isn't going to let up anytime soon. With 10 million photos uploaded to Facebook every hour, it's safe to assume that we're more visually oriented than ever. The world, both online and off, is a catwalk. There is a backlash or sorts afoot in terms of bodyshaming, with those who denigrate others facing an almighty negative reaction. Famously, 'Playboy' model Dani Mathers Snapchatted an unsuspecting naked woman in the gym recently (captioning her post, "If I can't unsee this, you can't either"). The Twitter uproar was one thing; quite another was the news this week of the alleged victim's willingness to testify in court against the model, and willingness of the LAPD to bring a case against her. Are we heading towards a new world order where all sizes will be equally embraced? Is the modelling industry coming good on its promises to diversify? "Wallis Simpson said, you can never be too rich or too thin, so this isn't new," surmises Lennon. "Thin has always been about control, and people want to feel in control. That's what it's all about. There's an increasing pressure to post pictures online to present something to the world that you're not. Perhaps the tide is about to turn on that, and that honesty, openness and authenticity will bring rewards." A French brand has been called out for 'body shaming' 12-year-old girls. Photo: Stock People are calling the company out for "body-shaming" 12-year-old girls. Whether you remember your teenage years with a shudder or a smile, we all know how vulnerable young girls are when their bodies are developing. And people have taken issue with a French lingerie brand for selling a children's bra designed to smooth out and "erase imperfections". French mother Florence Braud took to Twitter last week to share her anger upon spotting the bra, made by lingerie brand Dim. "Gomme les imperfections" et "offre une forme lisse"... Pour un soutif en 70A au rayon enfant... #LeCulLesRonces pic.twitter.com/Iz6heNM6P1 Florence Braud (@Babeth_AS) September 2, 2016 Translated into English, her tweet read: Erase imperfections and smooth out the shape, says a bra in 70A [the smallest bra size in France] in a kids section #WereReallyNotDoneWithThisShit. The bra's label says it is Ideal as a first bra with removable filling! and that it hides small imperfections. Read More Since posting the tweet, its been shared hundreds of times as others expressed their dismay with the French brand, tweeting Hello @DIMparis. So according to you, 12-year-old girls have imperfections that should be smoothed out? and How awful! Bras for little girls, to make their chests bigger and erase imperfections! #WTF #DIM Read More Responding to the criticism, DIM told Buzzfeed that it wasn't referring to bodily "imperfections", but "clothing and non-physiological imperfections". A spokesperson for the lingerie brand said: When we said imperfections, we meant clothing and non-physiological imperfections. This is to erase imperfections materials folds, overlays, etc. to make the product smooth and harmonious under clothing. Chinas national carrier is embroiled in a race row after its inflight magazine carried a warning that visitors to London should avoid ethnic minority areas. Air Chinas Wings of China magazine said the British capital was generally safe, but warned precautions are needed when entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people". It was carried in English and Chinese in an article about Londons attractions under the headline "Tips from Air China. The following sentence added: "We advise tourists not to go out alone at night, and females always to be accompanied by another person when traveling." The remarks were spotted by Chinese journalist Haze Fan who tweeted a picture of them to Mayor of London Sadiq Khan asking him for his opinion. The comments have caused outrage among London MPs, including Dr Rosena Allin-Khan and Virendra Sharma, who say they are writing to the Chinese ambassador Liu Xiaoming. My story on my own experience reading Air China tips on safety in #London @MayorofLondon @markboleat https://t.co/CeXcROfabc Haze Fan (@journohaze) September 7, 2016 I am shocked and appalled that even today some people would see it as acceptable to write such blatantly untrue and racist statements, said Mr Sharma, the Labour MP for Ealing Southall. I have invited representatives of Air China to visit my constituency of Ealing Southall to see that a very multicultural area is safe, and would be of great value for those visiting London to see. I will await their response, and if an appropriate one is not forthcoming I shall feel forced to question whether Air China is a fit company to operate in the UK. Chinese companies have previously been criticised for their depictions of other races. In May, a Chinese laundry detergent commercial sparked outrage with its depiction of a black man being cleaned in a washing machine before he came out as a Han Chinese man. Read More And over the New Year, Chinese promotional posters for the latest Star Wars film saw black British actor John Boyega being shrunk. Hu Xingdou, an expert in political science at the Beijing Institute of Technology, said racism is common in China. In Western countries, there are clear boundaries when it concerns minorities and religion, but Chinese society doesnt take ethnic minority issues seriously, which is clearly expressed in this magazine, he told The Daily Telegraph. Ordinary Chinese people usually have racially discriminatory views, Prof Hu added. Such as Chinese people don't like black people, who are regarded as dirty and dangerous. Younger Chinese are generally less likely to have racist views, but many in China see those from the countrys rural areas who have darker skin as inferior. Pure white skin is also highly valued in Chinese society. Air China did not respond to requests for comment. Additional reporting by Christine Wei Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] Questions have been mounting for years about the handling by the HSE and its predecessor, the South Eastern Health Board, of abuse claims in a former foster and respite home. The row has been rumbling since 2009 when social workers made protected disclosures. In the intervening seven years, there have been two HSE-commissioned reviews, but these remain unpublished. A senior barrister, Conor Dignam, who looked into how the reviews were conducted, has now criticised the HSE's response. He found the initial probe commissioned by the HSE was too narrow in focus. As a result, there remain many unanswered questions about what occurred at the foster home. Allegations of a HSE cover-up, which the health service denies, have also not been probed. Mr Dignam has recommended a commission of investigation examines this and other allegations. The Government is now committed to launching the commission this autumn. Much of the focus of the controversy has been on a non-verbal woman with severe intellectual disabilities, known as Grace, who is believed to have been subjected to horrific sexual and physical abuse at the home. But there were 46 other young people in the foster home at various times and it is feared at least some of these were abused as well. Although other children were removed from the home in 1996, four years after the health board initially became aware of abuse concerns, Grace was allowed to remain there until 2009. During that time there were a number of opportunities to remove her, but the foster family resisted and, for reasons which are not fully clear, she remained there. Indeed, Grace appears to have been all but forgotten about until 2007 when her mother, who lives abroad, called to ask about her well-being. But it would be a further two years before she was removed. This only occurred after her mother was made aware of injuries Grace suffered in the home. The HSE apologised to Grace "for the significant failings of the service in meeting the service user's needs" over an extended period. It will not contest a legal case being taken on Grace's behalf. But the full extent of the HSE's failings remains unclear and no staff members have been disciplined. Premium Dan O'Brien Opinion While we catastrophise about Covid, we ignore risk of running out of cash We Irish view the world in an increasingly strange and unhealthy way. We catastrophise about Covid in a way other European countries do not. We focus on how bad the effects of the virus could get, on how many more restrictions might be imposed by Government and how helpless we are in the face of the virus. They say that a willingness to meet half way only works if one is able to judge distance correctly. It is hard to know precisely how far apart management and unions are at Dublin Bus, but there are light years between what the public expects from its transport service and what is being offered. Today, hundreds of thousands of people have had to make alternative arrangements to get to work. School children and people trying to meet hospital appointments have all been left high and dry. Given so many have been affected, the lack of urgency on the part of the Government to do something about the breakdown is astonishing. Transport Minister Shane Ross, who still has no regrets about describing his brief as a "doddle", is facing six days of transport chaos in the capital. Luckily for him, he has a driver at his disposal, should needs require. Despite the stoppages and the misery being visited on commuters, Mr Ross did not deem it prudent to meet either side for fear of giving the impression that the State's cheque book might be called upon. Doing nothing when the public has to pay for the consequences is a high-risk option. As the minister with executive authority, Mr Ross is the man in the firing line. Surely, he had other cards to play with so much on the table? According to himself, he is "open" to meeting the unions involved - Siptu and the NBRU, but "the unions haven't requested to meet me at all. If they wish to meet me, I'll certainly consider it. I've no reason for not meeting them..." Perhaps Mr Ross ought to be concentrating on the reasons why he should intervene. Firstly, there are the 400,000 commuters. Then there are the financial penalties of 200,000 per day Dublin Bus will face from the National Transport Authority - not to mention the 3.6m cost to the company for the stoppages. Finally, there is the cost to business. The Luas strike earlier this year was estimated to cost up to 15m. Surely a Transport Minister ought to understand that standing still is not the best way to move forward - especially not during a bus strike. Dozens of tourists, including three children, have all been rescued after being trapped overnight in cable cars dangling above the slopes of Mont Blanc in the Alps. Their return to land ended an extraordinarily complex and vertiginous rescue effort over two days amid the spectacular but dangerous landscape of Western Europe's tallest mountains. The last passengers were brought down on Friday morning, after emergency workers managed to untangle cables that had jammed on Thursday, according to the mayor of the French town of Chamonix. With the cables now straightened, the cable cars were able to resume their journey on Friday, at very slow speeds and under close surveillance, and delivered the passengers to the nearest ground stations, mayor Eric Fournier said. The passengers were then flown by helicopter to Chamonix and the Italian town of Courmayeur. The ordeal began on Thursday afternoon, when cables on the Panoramic Mont Blanc cable car service got twisted, trapping 110 people in a string of cars at 3,800 metres altitude. French and Italian helicopters flew in rescuers who dropped down on cables onto the tops of the cars, and lifted out passengers one by one. "The extent of this rescue operation is simply unbelievable," said Colonel Frederic Labrunye, commander of the provincial gendarmerie group of Haute-Savoie. "By the volume of people to rescue - we rarely rescue 110 people at the same time in high mountain - and by the environment in which it happens... in the heart of one of the largest glaciers in Europe, over a distance of 5km of cable with 36 cabins." Helicopters had to carefully fly over the cables, which is risky itself, then lower a rescuer on to an area "not larger than a table", strap on passengers one by one and extract them, he said, describing it as "air surgery". Then fog descended and darkness started to fall, and authorities called off the helicopter rescue. So they switched to "Plan B," Mr Fournier said. Mountain guides identified the cable cars closest to the ground, and used climbing ropes to carry passengers to the surface of the glacier below, one by one. From there, rescuers brought the passengers by foot to the nearest mountain station. Fournier said 65 people were rescued overall on Thursday, and another 12 were brought down overnight using "Plan B". The remaining 33 people were in cable cars too high off the ground, so they stayed overnight. They included a seven-year-old and nine-year-old from Korea and a 10-year-old Italian child. "They didn't get a lot of sleep, it was a strange experience, but they were warm under blankets and with their families," Mr Fournier said. Five rescuers stayed overnight in the cable cars and provided blankets, food and water to help weather the chilly mountain night-time conditions. Kathy Cook, a tourist from Michigan who was carried down to the ground by a rescuer after almost 10 hours aloft, called it "really quite an experience". "The helicopter rescue failed because the fog moved in, so we had to just wait and then they decided they could belay us safely to the ground, and we walked up the glacier to the hut," she said upon arrival in Courmayeur. The cable car, which offers spectacular up-close views of Western Europe's tallest mountains and deep valleys below, connects the Aiguille de Midi peak in France, at 12,605ft (3,842m) , to Pointe Helbronner in Italy, at 11,358ft (3,462m). AP The Ukrainian side to the Trilateral Contact Group on Donbas settlement has put forward an initiative to make the hostages release issue the key one at the next meeting, Darka Olifer, spokesperson for Ukrainian representative to the Trilateral Contact Group Leonid Kuchma, has said. "Due to a lack of progress in the matter of hostages release Ukraine offers to raise this issue as a key one at the next meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk, which is scheduled for September 21. We hope that this meeting will finally bring a specific result, the release of people," she wrote on Facebook following the meeting. Moreover, Olifer said Ukraine called all sides to observe the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on involvement of children in armed conflicts during the work of the humanitarian subgroup. The document bans the involvement of minors in armed conflicts. Ukraine welcomes all initiatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross aimed to provide help to Donbas children, especially those who live in the 'grey' zone. "At today's meeting the Trilateral Contact Group once again emphasized the necessity to open the checkpoint in Zolote on the side of the separate areas of Luhansk region," she said. Olifer also said that the Trilateral Contact Group noted that the ceasefire regime announced on September 1, 2016, is mostly observed. "The Trilateral Contact Group confirmed once again that the ceasefire regime should have an indefinite nature. Another videoconference is planned for September 13, where one of the main issues will be the reports of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission representatives and the Joint Center for Control and Coordination officers on observance of the permanent ceasefire," she said. The Ukrainian side expressed concern due to the preparation for the primaries in the separate areas of Donetsk region during the meeting on Wednesday, Olifer said. "Ukraine expressed concern with organization of the so-called primaries being prepared in the separate areas of Donetsk region. Such events do not comply with the Minsk Agreements," she said. The economic subgroup also agreed to start the railway service on the Popasna-Stakhanov line, as well as on putting the Mykytivka-Mayorsk block in commission, she said. "The agreement on starting the railway service on the Popasna-Stakhanov line, as well as the complete restoring and putting in commission of the Mykytivka-Mayorsk block was made as part of the economic subgroup's work. The service on these two directions is necessary to supply coal to the Ukrainian central heating and power plant," she said. Professor Mark Gieles said the work is intended to help answer fundamental questions related to dynamics of stars and black holes Scientists have discovered hundreds of black holes for the first time using computer simulations. The technology allowed researchers at the University of Surrey to get a closer look at a "globular cluster" - a spherical collection of stars - to deduce the presence of the black holes. They found that the 13 billion-year-old cluster, known as NGC 6101, is younger than the stars making it up, which suggests the existence of the holes. Researchers say it is an insight they have never been able to see before. Author of the study Miklos Peuten said: "Due to their nature, black holes are impossible to see with a telescope, because no photons can escape. "In order to find them, we look for their gravitational effect on their surroundings. Using observations and simulations we are able to spot the distinctive clues to their whereabouts and therefore effectively 'see' the un-seeable." Black holes are a few times larger than the Sun, and form in the gravitational collapse of massive stars at the end of their lives. It was previously thought that these black holes would almost all be expelled from their parent cluster during the death of a star. But the study of NGC 6101, which involved recreating its every star and black hole to see how it evolved, is calling this theory into question. Professor Mark Gieles said: "Our work is intended to help answer fundamental questions related to dynamics of stars and black holes, and the recently observed gravitational waves. "These are emitted when two black holes merge, and if our interpretation is right, the cores of some globular clusters may be where black hole mergers take place." Mr Peuten added: " The results show that globular clusters like NGC 6101, which were always considered boring, are in fact the most interesting ones, possibly each harbouring hundreds of black holes. "This will help us to find more black holes in other globular clusters in the universe. " MPs take part in the Westminster Dog of the Year Competition 2016, organised jointly by the Kennel Club and the Dogs Trust at Victoria Tower Gardens in Westminster, London. Labour MPs have taken heart from a rare victory - in the Westminster Dog Of The Year awards. Labradoodles Clinton and Kennedy picked up the top gong for Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds, who remarked: "It's about time we won something." The eight-year-old bitches beat off competition from a dog named after a Pokemon and a host of other MPs' hounds to be crowned only the second Labour winners in nine years. Mr Reynolds said he was "absolutely delighted", adding: "I speak for everyone in the Labour Party when I say it's about time we won something, so we might as well accept this. "I'm very happy indeed." Mr Reynolds joked that the victory could prove a good omen for Hillary Clinton, who is battling Donald Trump for the United States presidency. "They're obviously named after presidents (John F Kennedy and Bill Clinton)," the MP said. "My wife says they could also be the first ladies - they could be Jackie Kennedy and Hillary Clinton, but there's now a crossover there - maybe that's a sign." Mr Reynolds earlier revealed he was taking inspiration for the competition from an unexpected source - rapper Snoop Dogg's seminal G-funk hit Gin and Juice. Alongside a photo of his pets on Westminster bridge, he tweeted: "'With so much drama in the PLP (parliamentary Labour party), It's kinda hard bein Snoop D-O-double-G". Mr Reynolds won the judges' award after the 18 entrants showed off their dogs' skills on an obstacle course featuring hurdles and a tunnel, which Tory MP Craig Mackinlay felt obliged to crawl into to offer some tips to his Labrador Libby. Elsewhere Tories Antoinette Sandbach and Anne-Marie Trevelyan put their dogs Inca and Trouble through a gruelling high jump competition. Labour MP Diana Johnson admitted a victory at the dog show, organised by the Kennel Club and the Dogs Trust, could provide a rare tonic for the party's MPs, many of whom are attempting to oust Jeremy Corbyn as leader. Before the gongs were handed out, she showed off eight-year-old chocolate Labrador Ernie, who is looking for a home, adding: "It'd be great (to win), Labour needs to win something so if Ernie, a great Labour name, if he can win that would be fabulous. "We live in interesting times so coming to the Westminster dog show is a really nice thing to do." While some pro-EU MPs may have seen the show as a nice distraction from Brexit, Tory MP Nigel Adams revealed his 20-month-old Labradoodle was already a hardened Eurosceptic. He said of Eevee, named by his children after the Pokemon: "She came out very early for Leave, I was very pleased with her approach to it, very decisive. "There was no sort of flirting with Brexit, she was straight in there, even put it on her Facebook page. "She stayed up to watch the result and she was very excited. "But she will still continue to travel to Europe, she's not ruling out visiting European countries but she's delighted." The winner of the online public vote was Staffordshire Bull Terrier and mascot for the Staffordshire Regimental Association, Sgt Watchman V, who was represented by six local MPs. Police did not say who owned the jewellery but confirmed it did not belong to Drake Travion King was arrested in connection with a theft of 3 million dollars of jewellery from a tour bus being used by Drake (Maricopa County Sheriff's Office/AP) Police have recovered 3 million dollars (2.25 million) worth of jewellery that was taken from a tour bus used by rap star Drake, and a suspect is in custody. Officials said 21-year-old Travion King was being booked on charges related to the theft in Phoenix. Sergeant Vince Lewis said investigators identified King through surveillance footage. They then learned that he was already in jail after being arrested for trespassing earlier in the day by campus police at Arizona State University in Tempe. Police said a briefcase containing the jewellery went missing from the tour bus while Drake was performing at Talking Stick Resort Arena in central Phoenix with DJ Future the Prince and rapper Future. Officers said the suspect had done contract work with local venues including the arena in the past. Sgt Lewis did not say who owned the jewellery, but he confirmed it did not belong to Drake. AP According to police, the suspect removed a briefcase containing the jewellery within a 15-minute window. Drake has been co-headlining his Summer Sixteen concert tour with fellow rapper Future. The tour, which began in mid-July, includes stops all over the US and in Drake's home country of Canada. One of the most recognisable rappers for hits such as Hotline Bling and albums such as Nothing Was the Same, his latest album, Views, was released last spring. Future the Prince is also a producer who has worked on records for several musicians including Adele. Grandma's advice to "feed a cold and starve a fever" might have an element of truth, say scientists. New research shows that the old adage appears to be based on sound science when a fever is caused by bacterial infection. Scientists put the folk wisdom to the test using laboratory mice with bacterial and viral infections. They found that mice with flu - like the common cold, caused by a virus - were helped to recover and survive when they were fed. In contrast, feeding animals infected by bacteria only hastened their death. Lead researcher Professor Ruslan Medzhitov, from the Yale School of Medicine in the US, said: "We were surprised at how profound the effects of feeding were, both positive and negative. "Anorexia - not eating - is a common behaviour during sickness that is seen in people and all kinds of animals. Our findings show that it has a strong protective effect with certain infections, but not with others." In the first of a series of experiments, mice were infected with Listeria bacteria - a common cause of food poisoning. The animals stopped eating naturally, and eventually recovered. However, when they were made to eat, they died. Sugary food was the culprit, the researchers discovered - the mice survived when they were fed protein and fats but no glucose. A similar study of mice infected with the flu virus showed an opposite effect. In this case, the mice lived when they were force-fed glucose, but died when they were denied food. Giving the animals a drug called 2-DG, which prevents glucose metabolism, saved the Listeria-infected mice but proved fatal to those with flu. Further research indicated that the different outcomes related to an interplay between metabolism and the immune system. "Almost everything we know about infection is based on immune response studies and looking at how the immune system eliminates pathogens (harmful agents)," said Prof Medzhitov. "But that's not the only way we defend ourselves. There are also cases where we change and adapt so that microbes don't cause harm. "Our study manipulated the ability of these mice to tolerate and survive infection without doing anything that had an effect on the pathogens themselves." His team is now looking at how changes in sleep behaviour during illness influence the way the immune system fights infection. The researchers also want to investigate why people sometimes display food cravings when they are sick. The new findings, published in the journal Cell, have implications for the design of clinical trials evaluating the benefits of nutrition to patients with sepsis, say the scientists. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by a response to infection that damages the body's tissues and organs. Prof Medzhitov added: "Sepsis is a critical problem in hospital ICUs (Intensive Care Units) that defies most modern medical approaches. A number of studies have looked at nutrition in patients with sepsis, and the results have been mixed. But these studies didn't segregate patients based on whether their sepsis was bacterial or viral. "The implication is that patients should be stratified by the cause of their sepsis, and trials should be designed based on that." Experiments in pubs will be carried out which measure people's physiological responses to swearing Scientists are hoping to find out whether swearing can make you feel better. A panel of experts at the British Science Festival will today discuss whether turning the air blue can help get rid of negative emotions, and also why people do it. Swansea University social psychologist Dr Gabriela Jiga-Boy said expletives are present in most cultures - with most taboo words having sexual connotations rather than religious ones. She said: "I am conducting research into the effects of swearing in one's first versus second language, and the potential of swearing to help regulate the negative emotions that arise when we receive negative feedback. "Research on this topic can contribute to our knowledge about how bilingualism translates into more efficient modes of communicating one's emotions." As well as the discussion, experiments in pubs in Swansea will also be carried out which measure people's physiological responses to swearing - such as their heart rate. The British Science Festival is taking place in Swansea until September 9. North Korea's Kim Jong-un has banned sarcasm because he fears people only agree with him ironically, according to reports. Government officials were apparently warned they will "not be forgiven" if they are heard being sarcastic. Expand Close Kim Jong-un / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kim Jong-un Mass meetings were organised across the country to spread the word about the new order. One state security official personally organised a meeting to alert local residents to potential hostile actions by internal rebellious elements," Radio Free Asia's Korean Services quoted a source as saying. The main point of the lecture was keep your mouths shut. One of the banned phases is this is all Americas fault, alluding to Mr Kim's default position of blaming the US for everything that goes wrong. This habit of the central authorities of blaming the wrong country when a problems cause obviously lies elsewhere has led citizens to mock the party, the source told Radio Free Asia. Mr Kim is apparently referred to as "a fool who cannot see the outside world by government workers who could not understand why he did not attend commemorations in Russia and China to mark the anniversary of the end of the Second World War. North Korea on Wednesday rejected a UN Security Council statement condemning the reclusive state for its latest missile tests and threatening to take "further significant measures". "The DPRK categorically rejects this as an intolerable act of encroaching upon its dignity, right to existence, sovereignty and right to self-defence," a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of North Korea was quoted by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) as saying. The statement by officials in Pyongyang follows the test-firing by North Korea of three ballistic missiles on Monday, as world powers gathered for a G20 meeting in China, with leader Kim Jong-Un hailing the tests as "perfect". Far-fetched media claims made about North Korea's young leader 'He could drive at the age of 3' Kim Jong-un was a child prodigy who could drive at just three-years-old, according to North Korea's school curriculum. At 9, the future leader was winning yachting races, pupils are told. 'He's had plastic surgery' "The regime wants its people to see Kim Jong-un as Great Leader Kim Il-sung reincarnated. They fattened him up and gave him a thorough training and plastic surgery, too, some even say to make him look just like his grandfather," Kim Kwang-in told the New York Times. 'He's the Sexiest Man Alive' In 2012, China's Communist Party online newspaper fell for a report on the satirical website The Onion naming the North Korean dictator as the 'Sexiest Man Alive'. 'He's addicted to cheese' In 2014, Kim Jong-un's rumoured bout of ill health was widely attributed to an avid fondness of Emmental. He reportedly grew to love it while studying in Switzerland and 'gorged on the cheese so much that he has ballooned in size and is now walking with a limp', according to tabloid reports. 'He conquered North Korea's highest mountain' In April 2015, Kim Jong-un climbed North Korea's highest mountain Mount Paektu, wearing a suit and dress shoes, according to state media in Pyongyang. At 9000ft, Paektu is nearly twenty times the height of the Great Pyramid of Giza. Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] Abu Omar Saraqib was the commander of the alliance leading the fight in Aleppo (AP) Syria's rebranded al Qaida affiliate says a senior commander who led military operations in the ravaged city of Aleppo has been killed in an air strike. A Twitter account for Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra, said the commander of the alliance leading the fight in Aleppo was killed in an air strike in the province's rural areas. It does not say who carried out the air strike against the commander, who goes by the name Abu Omar Saraqib, or when it happened. The US-led coalition, Russia and Syrian government planes have been conducting air strikes against militant groups. Jabhat al-Nusra recently changed its name, saying it was delinking with al Qaida central command, but the move was seen as a way to avoid being targeted. Moscow and Washington have been discussing co-ordinating targeting militants in Syria. AP A 25-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of an eight-month-old baby boy. The boy, from Rochdale, died after being taken to hospital suffering from multiple injuries, Greater Manchester Police said. A 24-year-old woman has also been arrested on suspicion of causing or allowing the death of a child and the pair remain in custody. Police were called by the ambulance service shortly before 9.30am on Tuesday September 6 over concerns for the welfare of a child in the Spotland area of Rochdale. An eight-month-old baby boy was taken to hospital but died on Thursday. The 25-year-old man is being questioned in custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder and of causing or allowing the death of a child. Det Chief Insp Jamie Daniels said: "This is a deeply distressing investigation involving a small child. "Our thoughts at this time are with the family, friends and all others within the local community who may be affected by this incident. A member loyal to the ISIL waves an ISIL flag in Raqqa. Photo: Reuters Two men have been arrested on suspicion of plotting a Paris style marauding terror attack on the streets of Britain. The pair, who are understood to be brothers, were arrested in a pre-planned dawn raid at a property in west London on Thursday morning. Security sources said the raid had interrupted a significant terrorist plot aimed at bringing death and mayhem to Britain. The plot was said to have been inspired by Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (Isil) and was believed to involve guns and possibly bombs. Security sources suggested that rather than a lone wolf style attack, the plot was more widespread and serious in nature. However the suspects are not believed to have been in possession of weapons at the time of their arrests and the raids are thought to have taken place at what was an early stage in the alleged plot. The arrests come just days after hate preacher Anjem Choudary was jailed for five and a half years for pledging an oath of allegiance to Isil. There had been concern that Choudary supporters might try to mount some sort attack in revenge for the cleric having been convicted and jailed, but was not clear if the plot was connected. The two suspects aged 19 and 20 were being questioned on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. While the younger brother was said to be the ringleader of the alleged attack, the 20-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of funding terrorism and failing to disclose information regarding an act of terrorism. In addition a third man was detained by counter terror police in south east London, on suspicion of a religiously aggravated offence. This man, who was arrested at his home in south east London, was born and raised in the Iraqi city of Mosul. His father had worked for the military in Iraq and was forced to flee the country, travelling to Britain in 2007 with the rest of his family. The 19-year-old was held on suspicion of a racially aggravated offence, relating to a separate matter, according to Scotland Yard. However security sources said the three arrests were linked. The man lives in a substantial three storey Victorian property which is owned by the local authority, with his mother, father and two sisters, one who is in her 20s and the other of whom is of primary school age. Neighbours said they were woken shortly after 5.30am by the sound of the front door being kicked down and officers shouting police, police. They said a young man was led away from the house around 15 minutes later. The family were said to be polite, quiet and respectable, and had distributed food to neighbours during religious festivals. Counter-terror officers raided a series of addresses in London and the South East, just after 5.30am and took the men in for questioning. The raids were the result of a planned intelligence led operation and involved officers from the Metropolitan Polices Counter Terrorism Command, supported by the South East Counter Terrorism Unit. Scotland Yard said officers were searching a number of addresses and vehicles across London and the Thames Valley area. Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] The Donbas situation remains controllable and the truce is basically unmarred, the press center of the ATO staff wrote on Facebook on Thursday morning. Twenty attacks of the militants on Ukrainian army positions were observed during the day, including eight in the Donetsk sector, nine in the Mariupol sector, and three in the Luhansk sector, the staff said. The hostiles fired mortars, grenade launchers, machineguns and small arms near Avdiyivka, Verkhniotoretske, Luhanske and Novoselivka, it said. The Shyrokyne area in the Mariupol sector was not quiet: the militants used 82mm mortars, grenade launchers and machineguns. Attacks were observed near Maryinka and Starohnativka, as well. In the Luhansk sector, Novo-Oleksandrivka came under grenade launcher and machinegun fire, and small arms were used in Popasna. Three drones were seen flying in the Luhansk and Mariupol sectors. Chancellor Angela Merkel hit back at critics of her open-door migrant policy yesterday after her CDU party was humiliated in a regional vote, urging all parties to fight the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) with facts. In a combative speech to the Bundestag lower house of parliament, Merkel directly addressed the outcome of Sunday's election in the eastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern where the AfD pushed her Christian Democrats into third place. "All of us should realise the AfD is a challenge not only for the Christian Democrats ... but that they are a challenge for everyone in this house," she said, suggesting that the AfD's anti-immigration policies were a threat to the values of society. In the weekend vote, the AfD, which has fed on fears about the influx of around a million migrants to Germany last year, stole voters from all parties and mobilised many people who had previously not voted. It is now represented in nine of Germany's 16 states and looks poised to enter the Bundestag next year. Merkel achieved since the height of the migrant crisis a year ago. "We have behind us a year full of decisions...to reduce the number of migrants," she said. She added her government had taken steps to help local authorities pay for refugees, passed an integration law and accelerated repatriations of migrants denied asylum and boosted security. "The situation today is much better than it was a year ago. But there is still much to do," she said. "Change is not a bad thing...Germany will remain Germany with everything that we love and treasure," she said. Three women arrested on Thursday in connection with a car laden with gas cylinders found abandonned near Paris's Notre Dame cathedral were likely planning an imminent attack, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said. The minister said one of the women had stabbed a police officer during the arrest before being shot and wounded. The discovery on Saturday night of the Peugeot 607 loaded with seven gas cylinders, six of them full, prompted a counter-terrorism investigation in a country where militants have killed more than 230 people in attacks since January, 2015. Police sources said no detonator had been found, though the vehicle also contained three jerry cans of diesel fuel, adding to concerns that there had been a plan to explode the car. "These three women aged 39, 23 and 19 had been radicalised, were fanatics and were in all likelihood preparing an imminent, violent act," Cazeneuve said in a televised statement. Police have been searching for the 19-year-old daughter of the car's owner, but it was not immediately clear if she was the teenager detained in Thursday's swoop. Seven people have now been detained since Tuesday in connection with the investigation. MISSING DAUGHTER The arrests took place in Boussy-Saint-Antoine, some 30 km (20 miles) south-east of Paris. The town's mayor told BFM TV there had been no specific threat of an attack in the local area. The Peugeot was found in the early hours of Sunday morning on a Seine riverside road metres from Notre Dame cathedral. Documents with writing in Arabic were also found in the car, which had no registration plates and was left with its hazard lights flashing. The car owner was taken into custody earlier this week but later released. He had gone to police on Sunday to report that his daughter had disappeared with his car, officials said. His daughter, officials say, is known to police for wanting to leave for Syria, where scores of religiously radicalised people of French and other nationalities have joined the ranks of the Islamic State militant group. France, which is taking part in bombing the militant group's bases in Iraq and Syria, remains on maximum alert after calls for attacks on the country. Thousands of extra police and soldiers have been deployed to patrol sensitive sites since 130 people were killed by Islamist gunmen and suicide bombers in attacks on Paris last November. A state of emergency declared at that time is still in place and gives police extra search and arrest powers but debate still rages over security after another attack in July in which a man drove a truck into crowds in the city of Nice, killing 86. "Several people" are being held in Paris after police found an unmarked car containing gas cylinders next to Notre Dame cathedral, according to French reports, sparking fears of a fresh terrorist plot. An anti-terror investigation has been launched following Sunday's discovery of the suspicious vehicle containing seven gas cylinders yards from the cathedral, one of Paris' most visited landmarks where thousands of tourists congregate every day. The car, a Peugeot 607 with no number plates, contained no explosives or detonators, according to French reports. "They were not linked to any kind of fuse," one source close to the investigation told l'Express. According to BFM TV, one empty canister was found in the back of the car and six full ones in the boot. The type of gas they contained was not specified. The car had been abandoned on quai de Montebello, just yards from Notre Dame, located on Paris's Ile de la Cite by the river Seine. Initial reports said that a couple, a man aged 34 and a woman aged 29, were arrested and are being questioned by French domestic intelligence agents. But Le Parisien, the capital's daily, reported that six people are now being held. Paris has been on high terror alert since the November 13 attacks in which 130 people were killed. This week, Francois Molins, the Paris prosecutor, warned that while Isil - which claimed responsibility for the attacks - was losing ground in Syria and Iraq, the threat of terror strikes in Western Europe was ironically "reinforced" as the jihadist group sought to lash out. One "worrying factor", he told Le Monde, was the threat of the return to France of around 2,000 French nationals either on their way to Syria or wishing to return. French intelligence services have been warning for months about the threat of car bombings. In May, Patrick Calvar, head of France's intelligence service, DGSI, told MPs that he was "convinced" that Isil would "move to the booby-trapped cars and explosive devices stage and that will move up the scale in this way". "They will end up dispatching commandos whose mission will consist of organising terrorist campaigns without necessarily mounting an assault ending in their death." "For that, they need bomb makers and to organise all the logistics, meaning setting up on our soil and acquiring all the products," he said at the National Assembly closed doors security meeting. On Tuesday, Manuel Valls, the prime minister, warned: "The terror threat has never been so high." Bernard Cazeneuve, the interior minister, said in recent days that French security services had arrested seven terror suspects in the month of August, including three that were in the process of planning an attack. Stronghold Meanwhile, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has suggested he and the US are ready to drive Isil from its Syrian stronghold of Raqqa. Mr Erdogan said US counterpart Barack Obama floated the idea of joint action against the militants when they met at the G20 meeting in China. He said Turkey would have "no problem" with such action. Last month Turkey launched an operation inside Syria, targeting both Isil and Kurdish rebels. Turkish-backed militia drove Isil from the border town of Jarablus, but Turkey has also been concerned with checking the advance of Kurdish forces whom it regards as terrorists. The offensive continues, and Russia, which is allied to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, says it is deeply concerned by the movement of Turkish forces deeper into Syrian territory. Mr Erdogan's comments on Raqqa were published in Turkish media. There has been no confirmation from the US. "Obama wants to do some things jointly concerning Raqqa," Mr Erdogan said. "We said this would not be a problem from our perspective.'' "I said, 'our soldiers should come together and discuss, then what is necessary will be done'," Mr Erdogan added. ( Daily Telegraph London). Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] Vladimir Putins personal chauffeur has been killed in Moscow after the presidential BMW collided head-on with a Mercedes. The Russian President was not in the car at the time. The driver, named only as MK, was said to be Mr Putins favourite chauffeur and had 40 years of experience as an official driver. The crash on Kutuzovsky Avenue, in the west of the capital, was caught on CCTV. It shows the presidential vehicle struck by a car that veered onto the wrong side of the road at high speed. Police have confirmed they are investigating the incident, but have not given any further details about the crash. It took several hours to clean up the debris and a long traffic jam was formed while the road was closed. Paramedics arrived at the scene but announced Mr Putins chauffeur had been killed instantly. The driver of the Mercedes survived the crash but was treated at hospital for serious injuries, according to Russian newspaper Moskovskij Komsomolets. The BMW 7-Series was the official property of the Federation Council, also known as the Upper Chamber of Parliament or Russian Senate. Mr Putin is scheduled to receive the first Russian-built Kortezh luxury limousine next year. Unlike The Beast, US President Barack Obamas armour-plated vehicle, Kortezh will be on sale to the public as well. Venas News reports the doors on the Kortezh will be 10 times thicker than the average car. It will also have its own oxygen supply system. The presidential vehicle has been written off as scrap metal, according to Moskovskij Komsomolets. Hillary Clinton has blasted Donald Trump for his condemnation of American military generals and his praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he has "failed" at proving he can be commander in chief. "Every Republican holding or seeking office in this country should be asked if they agree with Donald Trump about these statements," Mrs Clinton said in a morning news conference. Mrs Clinton's remarks followed a Wednesday night national security forum where the presidential candidates made back-to-back appearances. The Democrat was repeatedly challenged on her controversial email use at the State Department and her vote as a senator for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. She also flushed out several national security priorities if she is elected, including trying to take out the leader of the Islamic State and vowing to defeat the extremist group without putting US troops on the ground in Iraq or Syria. Mr Trump did little to counter the criticism that he lacks detailed policy proposals, particularly regarding the Islamic State group. He both insisted he has a private blueprint for defeating the extremist group and that he would demand a plan from military leaders within 30 days of taking office. But he was also harshly critical of the military, saying America's generals have been "reduced to rubble" under Barack Obama. Asked to square his request for military options with that criticism, Mr Trump said simply: "They'll probably be different generals." The Republican also renewed his praise for Mr Putin and his disdain for President Obama, saying that the Russian enjoyed an 82% approval rating. "The man has very strong control over a country," Mr Trump said. "It's a very different system and I don't happen to like the system, but certainly, in that system, he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader." Speaking to reporters on Thursday morning, Mrs Clinton suggested she agreed with Democrats who say she is being held to a different standard in the White House race. "I don't understand the reasons for it," she said. "I find it frustrating, but it's part of the landscape we live in." Wednesday's forum served as a preview of sorts for Mrs Clinton and Mr Trump's highly-anticipated presidential debates. The candidates will face off for the first time on September 26 at Hofstra University. By virtue of a coin flip, Mrs Clinton took the stage first and quickly found herself responding at length to questions about her years in government. She reiterated that she had made mistakes in relying on a personal email account and private server as secretary of state and in voting for the 2003 invasion of Iraq as a senator. But she defended her support for US military intervention to help oust a dictator in Libya, despite the chaotic aftermath. "I'm asking to be judged on the totality of my record," said Mrs Clinton, who grew visibly irritated at times with the repeated focus on her past actions. Mrs Clinton, who has cast Mr Trump as dangerously ill-prepared to be commander in chief, tried to centre the discussion on her foreign policy proposals. She vowed to defeat the Islamic State group "without committing American ground troops" to Iraq or Syria. And she pledged to hold weekly Oval Office meetings with representatives from the Pentagon and Department of Veterans Affairs to stay abreast of health care for veterans. Mr Trump stood by a previous comment that appeared to blame military sexual assaults on men and women serving together, but added he would not seek to remove women from the military. And for the first time, he opened the door to granting legal status to people living in the US illegally who join the military. "I think that when you serve in the armed forces, that's a very special situation," Mr Trump said. "And I could see myself working that out." The Republican also repeated an incorrect claim that he was opposed to the war with Iraq before the invasion. That assertion is contradicted by an interview Mr Trump did with Howard Stern in September 2002 in which he was asked whether he supported the invasion. He replied, "Yeah, I guess so." With just two months until election day, national security has emerged as a centrepiece issue in the White House race. Both candidates believe they have the upper hand, with Mrs Clinton contrasting her experience with Mr Trump's unpredictability and the Republican arguing that Americans worried about their safety will be left with more of the same if they elect Mr Obama's former secretary of state. While Republican candidates are often seen by voters as having an advantage on military and national security issues, Mr Trump is far from a traditional Republican. He has no military experience and has repeatedly criticised the skill of the armed forces. A flood of Republican national security experts have instead chosen to back Mrs Clinton, helping bolster her case that Mr Trump is broadly unacceptable. Earlier on Wednesday, former defence secretary William Cohen joined the list of Republican officials supporting Mrs Clinton. AP Acid attack survivors mark the second anniversary of the deadly gang rape of a student on a bus in New Delhi (AP) A man has been sentenced to death in India for killing his neighbour by throwing sulfuric acid at her for refusing to marry him three years ago. It is the first death sentence given for an acid attack under stringent laws introduced by the government to curb crimes against women following the fatal gang rape of a young woman on a moving bus in New Delhi in 2012. A Mumbai court sentenced Ankur Panwar after finding him guilty of killing Preeti Rathi, 23, said prosecutors. She died of serious burn injuries 30 days after the attack, which severely damaged her lungs, vocal cords and eyesight. Panwar followed the victim on a train from New Delhi where they lived and attacked her with acid as she got off in Mumbai to begin a nursing career with the navy. He was arrested a year later. The victim's father, Amar Singh Rathi, said the court verdict would help curb crimes against women. "It took three years for us to get justice, but I am happy that it has been finally delivered," he said. Public fury over the 2012 rape case led to new laws that doubled prison terms for rape to 20 years and criminalised voyeurism and stalking. But many women say daily indignities and abuse continue unabated and that the new laws have not made the streets safer. AP The Israeli and the Palestinian leaders have agreed "in principle" to meet in Moscow for talks in what the Russians hope will relaunch the Mideast peace process after more than a two-year break. The comments indicate that Russia is pushing forward with its attempt to become a peace broker after a setback earlier in the week. On Tuesday, the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, said a meeting scheduled in Moscow this week had been delayed at Israel's request. While bringing the men together would represent an accomplishment for Moscow, a diplomatic breakthrough seems unlikely. Mr Abbas and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu remain far apart on key issues, and their differences have prevented meaningful talks since Mr Netanyahu took office in 2009. The last round of peace talks broke down two-and-a-half years ago, with no progress reported during months of negotiations brokered by the United States. The Palestinian leader has demanded that Israel halt settlement construction on occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians and carry out a prisoner release that was promised during the last round of talks. Mr Netanyahu has rejected the terms and said the meeting should take place without conditions. In Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that Mr Abbas and Mr Netanyahu had accepted an invitation to meet in the Russian capital, but a date has not been set yet. There also was no word on whether the two had settled on an agenda for the meeting - the key stumbling block in preparations. "The most important thing is to pick the right timing," Ms Zakharova told reporters. "Intensive contacts on this are ongoing." During a visit to Poland on Tuesday, Mr Abbas said a meeting in Moscow had been scheduled this week, but that Israel had delayed it at the last minute. Mr Abbas and Mr Netanyahu exchanged a brief handshake last year at a global climate change conference in Paris but have not held a public working meeting since 2010. "If the Palestinian Authority can say with one voice that they are willing to meet without preconditions, then Prime Minister Netanyahu will meet President Abbas," said the Israeli leader's spokesman, David Keyes. If a meeting takes place, the chances for substantial progress would seem slim. The Palestinians seek to establish an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem - territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war. While the Palestinian claims have wide international backing, Mr Netanyahu has refused to use Israel's pre-1967 lines as a basis for border talks, retreating from positions adopted by his predecessors. The Palestinians have accused Israel's hard-line government of seeking a "peace process" as a diplomatic shield against international criticism. The Netanyahu government has tried to discredit Mr Abbas, accusing him of anti-Israel incitement and alleging he is not a partner for a peace deal. If a meeting were to take place, it would reflect the growing Russian influence in the Middle East. The Russian military has sent fighter jets to Syria to back Syrian President Bashar Assad in his battle against various rebel groups. Israel, while largely staying out of the war, maintains close contact with the Russians to avoid any clashes between the two countries' air forces along the border with Syria. Russia's offer in recent weeks to host the Israeli and Palestinian leaders is one of several international initiatives, including a French plan to hold an international peace conference and Egyptian offers to bring the sides together as well. AP A suspected chlorine gas attack on an opposition-held neighbourhood in the Syrian city of Aleppo caused dozens of cases of suffocation, rescue workers and a monitoring group said. The bombs that left more than 70 people choking and in need of treatment were dropped from helicopters on the Sukkari neighbourhood, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, adding most of the victims were civilians. Expand Close Troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad celebrate after retaking an area of Aleppo that had been captured by rebels. Photo: Reuters / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad celebrate after retaking an area of Aleppo that had been captured by rebels. Photo: Reuters The report could not be independently verified and it was not clear how it was determined that chlorine gas was released. Accusations involving use of chlorine and other poisonous gases are not uncommon in Syria's civil war, and both sides have denied using them while blaming the other for using gas as a weapon of war. Last month, there were at least two reports of suspected chlorine attacks in Aleppo also, while the Syrian government also blamed the opposition for using the gas. In the latest attack, a medical report from one of the hospitals in the besieged eastern rebel-held part of Aleppo was shared with journalists via text messages. It said at least 71 persons, including 37 children and 10 women, were treated for breathing difficulties, dry cough, and that their clothes smelled of chlorine. The report said 10 of the patients were in critical care, including a pregnant woman. Ibrahem Alhaj, a member of the Syria Civil Defence first responders' team, said he got to the scene in al-Sukkari shortly after a helicopter dropped barrels containing what he said were four chlorine cylinders. He said he himself had difficulty breathing and used a mask soaked in salt water to prevent irritation. At least 80 civilians were taken to hospitals and treated for breathing difficulties, he said. A video by the rescuers shows children crying and men coughing. "Most of those injured where women and children," he said. "It is a crowded neighbourhood." Chlorine gas is a crude weapon that can be fatal in high concentrations. In lower doses, it can damage lungs or cause severe breathing difficulties and other symptoms, including vomiting and nausea. A team of international inspectors determined in late August that the Syrian government and Isil militants were responsible for chemical attacks carried out in 2014 and 2015. But the UN Security Council failed to agree on whether to impose sanctions on the government in line with a September 2013 resolution authorising sanctions that can be militarily enforced for any use of chemical weapons in Syria. The resolution followed Syria's approval of a Russian proposal to relinquish its chemical weapons stockpile and join the Chemical Weapons Convention. That averted a US military strike in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack that killed hundreds in the Damascus suburb of Ghouta. Russia, a close Syrian government ally, has blocked sanctions against President Bashar Assad's government. Fighting in the bitterly contested city of Aleppo has not let up, despite international efforts to establish a ceasefire. On Sunday, Syrian pro-government forces, backed by airstrikes, launched a wide offensive in the city, capturing areas they lost last month and besieging rebel-held neighbourhoods once more after a breach in the siege a month earlier. Yesterday, a Turkish spokesman said Turkey was pushing for a ceasefire in Aleppo that would extend through the Muslim religious holiday of Eid al-Adha, due to begin next Monday. Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke to his US and Russian counterparts during the G20 meeting in China about the ceasefire. Mr Kalin told private broadcaster NTV Tuesday that the initial plan was for a 48-hour ceasefire. Mr Erdogan also repeated calls for a safe zone to be established between the Syrian towns of Azaz and Jarablus in Aleppo province, to protect civilians. Turkey has pushed for a safe zone in Syria since at least 2014. Turkey sent tanks into Syria last month to support rebel forces against Isil in the town of Jarablus. It expanded its operation into nearby al-Rai over the weekend. The car was found parked near Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, police said (AP) Three women have been detained by police in France after a violent stand-off in a terrorism investigation into six gas canisters found in a car abandoned near Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral. The discovery of the car has revived worries about the threat of new attacks in France, already repeatedly targeted by Islamic State extremists. Seven people are now in custody in the Notre Dame case, including those with links to radical Islam. In the Thursday night operation in Boussy-Saint-Antoine, one of the women attacked police, and one suspect and one police officer were injured, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve told reporters. "France is confronted with a terrorist threat of unprecedented scale," Mr Cazeneuve said. "It requires the vigilance of all our compatriots." The Paris prosecutor's office said on Thursday that police arrested a couple - a 27-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman - a day earlier in the Loiret region of France, south of Paris. A second couple - a 34-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman - were detained in the same case on Tuesday. The two men, who are brothers, and the two women were transferred to Paris to be questioned by investigators trained in counter-terrorism. The prosecutor's office said all four are suspected of links to "radical Islamism". Authorities are allowed to hold terror suspects for up to four days without charges. Prosecutors opened a terrorist investigation after the car was found near the famous cathedral on Sunday morning. No one was inside, but police found five canisters filled with gas in the trunk and an empty canister on one of the seats. Along with the canisters, there were three jerry cans of diesel and papers with Arabic writing inside the vehicle. No detonators were found in the car, which had been left on a narrow cobbled street in the popular Latin Quarter next to bars and restaurants. The car's owner went to police to report that his 19-year-old radicalised daughter was missing. He was briefly detained and then released. The two arrested couples have been living in the Loiret region, in the area of Montargis town. In March, three members of a family were arrested in the same area on suspicion of being members of a terrorist network. More people are still being sought in the Notre Dame case, the prosecutor's office said. AP Switzerland supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine and this policy will continue, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Andriy Parubiy considers. "It is very important for Ukraine that Switzerland, in spite of the neutral status, holds consistent position to uphold the principles of Ukraine's territorial integrity. It did not take Russia's position regarding the occupation of Crimea," he said at a joint briefing with President of the National Council of Switzerland Christa Markwalder in Kyiv. Parubiy is convinced Switzerland will continue being Ukraine's ally. The speaker said during the meeting the parties discussed the stages of cooperation between Ukraine and Switzerland and reforms in Ukraine. "A lot of time was devoted to security issues," he said. According to Markwalder, during the meeting they discussed "the challenges Ukraine faces - the occupation of Crimea and other territories." A girl at a high school in western Texas shot a fellow pupil before fatally turning her gun on herself, according to local police. Officers told WABC the incident happened in a toilet before am at Alpine High School in Brewster County. Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson said that the injured student ran outside the school after they had been shot. They was rushed to the Big Bend Medical Centre with non-life-threatening injuries. He added that a police officer was also accidentally by a marshal responding to the scene but their injuries were also not considered life-threatening. The campus was evacuated while other schools were placed on lockdown and law enforcement officers launched a hunt for the shooter. The Alpine Avalanche reported that students had been released to their parents for the duration of the day. Alpine High School, in the western desert region of Texas about 220 miles southeast of El Paso, has about 280 pupils. Mr Dodson confirmed that the situation has ended, although nearby schools remain on lockdown. Police recovered a semi-automatic pistol next to the shooter's body. Mr Dodson said the gun had "plenty" of ammunition, but did not clarify how much. Reports indicate that the shooter had only lived in Alpine for six months. The sheriff told reporters that he knew her grandparents, who said she was a straight "A" student and saw now indication of a potential threat. Pupils, two weeks into their new term after summer holiday, described their harrowing account of the incident, which caused significant panic in the school. There was blood on the floor in the cafeteria that I saw when we went past it on our way out of the school, one student told CNN. One of the officers told us to keep our hands up and run out of the building, so I only saw the blood quickly. It was so scary and very intense. I've never been so scared in my life. There was good news for Donald Trump in the latest CNN poll. The national survey places him 2 points ahead of Hillary Clinton, who has made few public appearances in recent weeks while barnstorming the fundraising circuit. It was the Republican nominee's first lead in a major poll since his party convention in July, and it reflects a tightening in the race. Clinton's lead over Trump fell to 3.3pc in the RealClearPolitics average of national polls, from 6.3 points on August 27. A FiveThirtyEight forecast boosted Trump's odds of victory in November to one-in-three. The shift appears to be primarily driven by Trump unifying GOP voters. The CNN survey found him ahead by 88pc to 3pc among Republicans, and by 48pc to 28pc among independents. Clinton led 90pc to 2pc among Democrats. Popular vote aside, Clinton retains a significant edge in the electoral college, thanks to the Democratic Party's structural advantages and the fact that Trump's unfavourable ratings are higher than hers. She has numerous viable paths to victory while Trump needs to run the table in the most competitive states. Still, Clinton cannot afford to be complacent. As polling analyst Nate Silver noted in a blog post, the degree of uncertainty in the race is high due to large number of undecided and third-party voters in recent surveys. And state polls can catch up to national polls. "National polls tend to be of higher quality and the states are not divorced from the national polls," said Ken Goldstein, a professor of politics at the University of San Francisco and a polling analyst for Bloomberg Politics. "At the end of the day this race remains Hillary Clinton's to lose. That said, she may be capable of that." For now, at least, Trump has a steep hill to climb. Of the 14 most competitive states, the latest polling averages tracked by RealClearPolitics find him leading only in Iowa and the Republican-leaning states of Arizona, Georgia and Missouri (each by 3 or fewer points). Clinton is up by 5 points or less in Florida, Virginia, Ohio, Nevada and North Carolina, with larger cushions in Colorado, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and New Hampshire. "We always expected things would tighten but we are strategically positioned in the battleground states bolstered by strong grassroots operations and the Trump campaign is ill-prepared much like their candidate," Clinton campaign spokesman Jesse Ferguson said. An analysis by NBC News found that based on the latest polls, there are enough "likely" or "lean" Democratic states to win Clinton 272 electoral votes and the presidency, even if Trump wins each of the six most competitive states. "The race will tighten as we approach November 8th, but Hillary Clinton continues to be in a commanding position and the electoral college math tells us she will remain in the lead," said Neil Levesque, the executive director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics and Political Library at Saint Anselm College. GOP strategist Mark Stephenson said his Red Oak Strategic's presidential tracking poll shows the race tightening - Clinton is down three points to 45pc with likely voters nationally, and Trump climbed three points to 42pc. "Most of the movement came from independents," said Stephenson, who was head of analytics for Scott Walker's presidential campaign and is unaffiliated in the 2016 contest. In the September 1-2 poll, Trump gained 2pc and Clinton lost 5pc among independents since the last survey, released August 23, he said. Republican strategist Brad Todd said Clinton's rising unpopularity is preventing her from locking up the race. The Brazilian national anthem is played as the flag is raised during the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games The Paralympic Games has opened with 4,350 athletes demonstrating first-hand their creed: "The heart knows no limits; everybody has a heart." Wheelchair daredevil Aaron Wheelz showed the spirit in the opening act at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro. As a countdown from 10 reached its end, Wheelz raced down a giant ramp and somersaulted in the air through a giant circle on the stadium floor, to finish the countdown and shatter more stereotypes about what athletes with disabilities can do. The president of the International Paralympic Committee, Philip Craven, made a similar point with his speech. Mr Craven, who lost the use of his legs in a rock-climbing fall at the age of 16, reminded Brazilians they have their own problems to overcome. "In a country which has faced major challenges of late, Paralympians will switch your focus from perceived limitations to a world full of possibility and endless opportunity," he said. "They will surprise you, inspire and excite you, but most of all they will change you." Brazil is mired in its worst recession in generations. The country has just removed its elected president, and these Games needed a government bailout of almost 80 million US dollars (60 million) to make it to the starting line. Mr Craven also used the theme of "inclusion", topical in a country often separated by rich and poor, and black and white; a country with few provisions for wheelchairs or anyone with an impairment. "Show the world that there is no them, there is only us," Mr Craven told the capacity crowd. "A world where people of all abilities, races, nationalities and sexualities can come together as one. We are all part of one world." The symbolic cauldron was lit by Brazilian swimmer and wheelchair user Clodoaldo Silva. The six-time gold medalist faced a flight of stairs and looked perplexed about what to do next. The staircase then opened, exposing a ramp leading to the cauldron. Silva received the torch after a number of athletes carried it in the stadium. Among them was former Brazilian Paralympic medalist Marcia Malsar, who fell over backwards as she carried the torch across the floor with aid of a cane. Malsar got back up with some assistance and finished. The show featured a tribute to the wheel, to Brazil's swirling samba rhythms, and to the beach - a ritual gathering spot in Rio. And there was the cast applauding an imaginary sunset, another ritual in this beach town. The show also saluted Brazilian swimmer Daniel Dias, the country's most decorated Paralympian with 10 gold medals - and surely more to come in Rio. Organisers say tickets sales have been booming. Only 200,000 had been sold a few weeks ago, but they have now sold 1.6 million. The goal is 2.4 million. This is partly a result of the reasonable prices for many tickets. AP The only surviving suspect in last November's attack on Paris has refused to speak to a judge for a third time, in frustration at 24-hour video surveillance of his prison cell. Salah Abdeslam's lawyer, Frank Berton, said the judge repeatedly asked questions to no avail on Thursday. Mr Berton said Abdeslam was not obligated to explain his silence but "obviously" it is linked to the constant surveillance. Authorities hope Abdeslam can provide information about the strategies and networks of the Islamic State group which claimed responsibility for the attacks, and identify others who might have had a connection to the events of November 13, which killed 130 people. AP The same network that attacked the Bataclan concert hall, cafes and the national stadium in Paris struck again in Abdeslam's hometown of Brussels in March, days after he was tracked down and arrested. His Brussels lawyer was present at Thursday's hearing in Paris. Abdeslam kept silent at a hearing in May, and refused to attend a hearing in July. Mr Berton argued that two round-the-clock video cameras in Abdeslam's cell in Fleury-Merogis prison could cause psychological damage, but France's top administrative authority struck down the lawyer's request to remove them. Abdeslam evaded police for four months, but was arrested in March in the Brussels neighbourhood where he grew up. He was later extradited to France and handed several preliminary terrorism charges. AP Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin will meet with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier and parliament deputies on Thursday, in the course of his visit to Germany. Klimkin is visiting Germany for meetings with local politicians and promotion of Ukrainian-German political dialogue and bilateral cooperation in Ukraine's structural reforms, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry press service said on Thursday. The sides will put emphasis on Germany's support to the visa-free travel regime for Ukrainian citizens and the extension of EU sanctions on Russia. Implementation of the Minsk agreements and the political settlement process in Ukraine will also be highlighted during the visit, the ministry said. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra had an amazing experience of taking his National award winning film, ' Bhaag Milkha Bhaag ' to the German speaking countries of Europe. It was a three country tour where he was promoting the film. Vienna in Austria to Zurich in Switzerland and Munich, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Berlin in Germany. He had a lovely experience of soaking in the rich art and culture of that place. Austria is home to Mozart and European art and culture. It was a dream come true when he went to promote his movie there. Very few films get the opportunity to promote and release there. Since Bhaag Milkha Bhaag was such a game changer, the film has been getting wider releases across the globe. Rakeysh Mehra who is busy in the post production of his first love story took some time out to be a part of this. Rakeysh Mehra shares, "It was absolutely amazing to see that after three years of the film releasing in India, the film released in German speaking cities of Europe. Majority of the audience present in the theaters were Europeans and they identified with the film exactly the way Indians did. The interaction with the audience post every screening was extremely enriching and they termed the film as the New Age Cinema from India and not Bollywood." 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 The Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine (PGO) has stated former head of the State Agency for Investment and National Projects Management Vladyslav Kaskiv had been detained in Panama, but is currently waiting for official confirmation of the fact of detention. "As a result of a successful special operation he was arrested last night," Deputy Prosecutor General Yevhen Yenin said at a briefing in Kyiv. "At the moment we are waiting for the official confirmation of Kaskiv's detention, as well as the circumstances of the operation," he said. According to the official, the PGO is in constant contact with the Panamanian authorities, which, according to Yenin, have no caveats on the extradition of Kaskiv to Ukraine. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has made a statement to the parliaments of foreign states, parliamentary assemblies and international organizations regarding the elections to the State Duma of the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea and Sevastopol. Some 269 deputies supported the relevant document. MPs in their address noted Russia intends to conduct elections to the State Duma in Crimea and Sevastopol on September 18, 2016. In this regard, the Ukrainian parliament appealed to the international community with the persistent request to refrain from participating in monitoring the elections and called not to recognize their results under any circumstances. The Verkhovna Rada stressed that foreigners, who will travel to the occupied territory to monitor the illegal elections, will be threatened with criminal proceedings for infringement of the rules of entry into the temporarily occupied territory to harm the national interests of Ukraine. A sign on the Colville Reservation in Washington. Photo from Department of Transportation Three more tribes have joined the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation in Washington, the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska and the Pala Band of Mission Indians in California are the latest to sign cooperative agreements with the Interior Department . The tribes will work to educate individual Indian landowners about selling their fractional interests through the program. Together in partnership with sovereign tribal nations, we are making significant progress toward fulfilling President Obamas goal of strengthening and investing in tribal communities, Deputy Secretary Michael Connor, the second-in-command at Interior, said in a press release . This important work is succeeding thanks to great teamwork. We look forward to collaborating with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation, the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, and the Pala Band of Mission Indians to make the best of the historic opportunity before us. The $3.4 billion settlement to the Indian trust fund lawsuit set aside $1.9 billion for the program. As of September 2 , more than 44,000 individual Indian landowners have accepted nearly $883.8 million for their fractional interests. As a result, the equivalent of more than 1.6 million acres has been transferred to tribal governments, enabling them to better consolidate their land bases. If the current rate of sales continues, the money will run out before the 10-year deadline anticipated by the settlement. The Obama administration is studying ways to continue the effort. Join the Conversation Related Stories The recent movie leaks in Bollywood have undoubtedly created unrest in the industry. Remember, how Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Radhika Apte starrer Manjhi The Mountain Man got leaked online? And then the floodgates opened! There was the infamous online leak of the censor copy of Udta Punjab just two days before its release, and then Vivek Oberoi's Great Grand Masti before its official release. And now, the I&B ministry is all set to step in to tackle this piracy problem, all thanks to Vivek Oberoi. Reportedly he left a message with the I&B ministry and later met Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. He said, "I remember leaving a message to the Information & Broadcasting Minister of State, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, at 10.30 pm on the day of the leak. He returned my call at midnight and asked me to fly down to Delhi the next morning." Accompanied by Jitendra and Ashok Thackeria and Balaji Telefilms' Group CEO, Sameer Nair, Oberoi met the minister. Two breakthrough orders were passed. The first was a "John Doe order" under which the police arrested the people responsible, even though there was no specific pirate named. The second was an order in an "intermediary suit" according to which all Internet Service Providers (ISP - BSNL, MTNL, Airtel, Vodafone) were asked to ensure that the film was not supplied using their networks. "The laws couldn't help us but it has helped several producers since," asserts Vivek. Even Sajid Nadiadwala made a one-of-a-kind decision to stop the piracy by not releasing Dishoom in the single screens from where it could be duplicated. It's great to see such efforts being put in to stop piracy in the industry. There was a point of time when Salman Khan was being accused of being repetitive with his films. You know, the phase that saw a string of his senseless releases like Kick, Jai Ho, PRDP and more! But looks like Salman is now really putting his mind into the kind of films he's taking now. Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Sultan were, comparatively, a refreshing change. According to reports, his next Tubelight is going to be based on the Indo-China war. And now reportedly, Bhai is all set to produce a biopic based on the life on Somen Banerjee, the Indian-American entrepreneur who founded the erotic dance troupe Chippendales. His nightspot was best known for its male striptease performances and dancers who created a storm in the US in the 70s and 80s. Salman confirmed the news himself. He said, "A Bengali man, who moved from India to America in the late 60s, struggled and created one of America's most iconic brands. We are going to tell the story of Somen Banerjee, a man driven by fierce ambition, on celluloid." The biopic, which starts in Kolkata, moves into glitzy Los Angeles and Europe. Coming from a humble background his father was a printer Somen's aspiration for a better life took him to America. Amar Butala of Salman's production house adds, "The story of Somen Banerjee has all the shades of a gangster film raw greed, power and violence. We're currently working on the script and the plan is two-fold to produce a feature film and to develop it as a mini-series as well." But before the film reaches you, here's all you need to know about the rags to riches story and the very intriguing life of Somen Banerjee. 1. Somen was born to a family with a humble background. His father was a printer and his aspiration for a better life landed him in the US. He worked at a gas station and at a backgammon club while there. 2. He later bought a failed Los Angeles Club and turned it into a nightclub. Somen's night club feaured female mud wrestling and a female exotic dancing night. It was the first of its kind in the United States. 3. Soon, to expand his business, Somen founded the Chippendales dancing troupe. With the help of his partners, Somen expanded the operations to Asia, Europe, and all over US. 4. In 1990 & 91, Somen's life took a drastic turn when he was charged with helping to carry out a plot to kill Michael Fullington, a former Chippendales dancer. He was also charged with plotting the murder of two other ex-Chippendales dancers who Banerjee felt were competition. 5. Somen eventually pleaded guilty and got 26 years in prison. He lost his share of the Chippendales' parent company and most of his estate. In 1994, Banerjee's body was found in his cell. For Indians it is still a taboo and we prefer not to talk about it! You will be appalled to know that at least 60 million Indians suffer from mental disorders which is almost equal or rather more than the population of South Africa. AFP Even the data from the National Commission on Macroeconomics and Health 2005 shows that almost 10-20 million Indians suffered from severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and nearly 50 million suffered from common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. It is hard to believe but India actually spends 0.06% of its health budget on mental healthcare, which is less than what Bangladesh spends (0.44%). This might make you angry but the fact is most developed nations spend above 4% of their budget on mental-health research, infrastructure and frameworks, according to the 2011 World Health Organisation report. While suicides caused by insanity declined from 7% in 2010 to 5.4% in 2014, more than 7,000 people killed themselves as a result of mental disorders. National Crime Records Bureau 2014 The government has commissioned a national mental health survey through the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, to estimate the number of mental patients and utilisation patterns of mental health services. Started on June 1, 2015, the study interviewed 27,000 respondents by April 5, 2016, according to a reply in the Lok Sabha from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Though we are a developing country, we are still short of health professionals to address these mental issues, particularly at the district and sub-district level. There are 3,800 psychiatrists, 898 clinical psychologists, 850 psychiatric social workers and 1,500 psychiatric nurses nationwide, according to a reply by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the Lok Sabha in December 2015. This means there were three psychiatrists per million people, according to data from the WHO, 18 times fewer than the Commonwealth norm of 5.6 psychiatrists per 100,000 people. The Mental Health Care Bill, 2013, which provides for the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with mental illness during the delivery of healthcare in institutions and in the community, was passed unanimously by a voice vote in the Rajya Sabha on August 8, 2016. Rajya Sabha The new Bill has increased funding to centres of excellence in mental health, from Rs 30 crore to Rs 33.70 crore per centre. According to the government statistics as many as 15 centres of excellence in mental health and 35 post-graduate training departments in mental health specialities have been funded to address the shortage of mental health professionals nationwide. Following in the footsteps of Mallamma Bagalpur of Koppal - who protested demanding toilets at her home - HC Lavanya, 13, an eighth standard student in Hemadal village, Hiriyur taluk in Karnatak's Chitradurga district, launched a hunger strike demanding that the village administration ensure each house is equipped with a lavatory. Lavanya commenced her silent protest on Tuesday morning, near the village bus terminal with the portraits of Dr BR Ambedkar and Gandhiji beside her. TOI Her hunger strike drew the attention of scores of villagers, and also of the taluk panchayat officers. On Wednesday afternoon, a team of officers, zilla panchayat members and other elected representatives assured her that toilets would be constructed in a week at houses which do not have the facility, following which Lavanya withdrew her strike. After ending her strike, Lavanya accompanied the officials to the houses in the village, and requested the families to have a toilet built in their homes, with government funds. In her presence, officials issued orders to those, who did not have toilets, to build one in a week's time. A student of Government High School in Hemadal, Lavanya said she took up the protest since she felt that the practice of relieving oneself either hidden behind bushes or in the fields was not healthy. "It was not only irritating, but also spoilt our village's healthy atmosphere. I wondered why these people did not worry about their dignity. We have a toilet in our house and everyone in the house uses it. I wanted all villagers to have this facility," she added. Recounting the recent death of a woman in Balagatta village in Bovi colony after she was attacked by a rogue elephant when she was relieving herself, Lavanya said, "If there had been a toilet at her home, she would not have been killed by an elephant. The incident prompted me to take up the strike. I want to ensure that each family in the village has a toilet and that the taluk panchayat officers provide the required support. I will wait for a week. If any family fails to build a toilet , I will go on a hunger strike in front of their houses." ruralhousingnetwork When she informed her decision to start hunger strike, her family supported her wholeheartedly . Her father.HK Channakeshva, a farmer, said, "I'm proud of my daughter. She protested to create awareness about toilets among villagers, and also to force officials to issue the necessary work orders. When Lavanya told me about her plan to go a hunger strike, I encouraged her." Pointing to the prevalent practice of open defecation in the village by both men and women, Channakeshva added: "If my daughter's efforts bring about any change, I will be very happy ." Executive officer at the Hiriyur ta luk panchayat, Sridhar Barker said: "I visited the village immediately on hearing of Lavanya's hunger strike.Along with other officials, I assured her that each family in the village will have a toilet in a week." Also Read: Brothers In Rajasthan Gift Their Sisters Toilets On The Occasion Of Raksha Bandhan Of the 315 families in Hiriyur, around 70 households do not have toilets, Sridhar said: "We have issued work orders to the families asking them to start construction work and complete it in a week. Next week, I will visit the village to check whether they have built their toilets or not," he added. Financial support: While families belonging to the general category are eligible to avail a sum of Rs 12,000 for building a toilet, SCST families will be given Rs 15,000. BCCL Commending Lavanya on her initiative, Sridhar said: "I appreciate the efforts she has taken to sensitise villagers on the importance of toilets ." Zilla panchayat member Shashikala Sureshbabu said that Lavanya had succeeded in convincing villagers to think seriously on the importance of toilets. "Many villagers refused to build toilets when we asked them. But, after Lavanya launched her strike, they have now agreed to have them," she said. Venkatesh, a resident of Hiriyur village, said that Lavanya's protest had motivated him and his family to have a toilet at their house. "I don't have a toilet in my house, and we all go outside to relieve ourselves. After Lavanya's protest, we have realized the importance of having one at home. I have received a work order and have started construction. I will have a toilet in my house in a couple of days," he added. A special women's court on Thursday sentenced a 25-year-old man to death for murdering a Delhi resident by hurling acid at Bandra Terminus in 2013. The sentencing comes a day after the accused Ankur Panwar was convicted by Judge AS Shende. indianexpress Both the prosecution and defence presented the arguments on quantum of sentence. While special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam sought the death sentence on the ground that the case fell in the rarest of rare category, defence advocate Apeksha Vora prayed for the minimum sentence of life, citing Panwar's age, family background and lack of previous antecedents. The victim, Preeti Rathi (23) had arrived in the city to join the Indian Navy as a nurse. The motive the court accepted was the fact that Panwar was upset after Preeti had spurned his marriage proposal. The court relied on witness accounts present on the spot, witnesses who saw the accused buying two kilograms of sulphuric acid and the injuries sustained by him while hurling the acid, to hold him guilty. The court also refuted the defence contention that Preeti's death, almost a month after the incident was caused due to medical negligence. dnaindia On May 2, 2013 Preeti got off Garib Rath Express at Bandra terminus in Mumbai with her father, aunt and uncle. Moments later a masked man threw acid at her, inflicting severe burn injuries. From Narela, northwest of Delhi, it was Preeti's maiden visit to Mumbai, where she was to join the Indian Navy as a nurse. On May 10, the police arrested a B Tech student hailing from Rohtak, but later let him off for lack of evidence. Rathi died on June 1, 2013. On January 17, 2014, the crime branch arrested Panwar had been found guilty under charges of Indian Penal Code sections 302 (murder) and 326 B ( causing grievous hurt by use of acid). TOI On Tuesday, Preeti's father Amar Singh Rathi and brother Hitesh was present in court for the verdict. One of the key witnesses among the 37 examined by the prosecution, Amar Singh had said he wanted the harshest punishment for Panwar. "I want him to receive the death penalty. I saw my child dying before my eyes. My daughter suffered until the end and I want him to suffer in the same manner too. She had done no wrong. A message has to be sent to the society," he said. hindustantimes The septuagenarian Haryana native who is now suffering from cancer spoke fondly of his older daughter. "She was a hardworking accomplished child. Her achievements were her own and she took the initiative to educate herself. This has been a great loss to our family," he added. He also revealed that Preeti had never complained to him about Panwar's behaviour. Hitesh said that his sister was an inspiration to everyone in her family and even he was prodded by her father to be more like her. Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine and head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine (SAP) Nazar Kholodnytsky has instructed the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) to analyze information about acquisition of an apartment by MP Serhiy Leschenko (Petro Poroshenko Bloc) and reports on the results by September 16. "I have ordered NABU to check information spread in media regarding the lawfulness of acquisition of an apartment in Kyiv by MP Leschenko. If traces of crime are established, the anti-corruption agencies would take all measures to punish guilty persons," Kholodnytsky wrote on his Facebook page. He posted a copy of the address to NABU Director Artem Sytnyk. NABU said that this is the task of the National Agency for Corruption Prevention (NACP). NABU agreed to gain insight into the case involving the acquisition of an apartment by Leschenko due to the fact that NACP was launched recently. "The monitoring of mode of living by persons authorized to implement state functions are in competence of the NACP than NABU. Taking into account the fact that the NACP is being formed and a stir among the public, as well as the address of Anti-Corruption Prosecutor Nazar Kholodnytsky and MP Leschenko, NABU will analyze the Leshchenko's recent property transaction. We will inform about the results of the inspection later," NABU wrote on its Facebook page. According to media reports, MP Leschenko bought an apartment with gross area of 192 square meters downtown Kyiv. Close on the heels of busting of the biggest trafficking racket running at GB Road juts last week by the Delhi Police, a city court ordered to immediately shut down brothels being operated in the red light area. photoshelter.com In view of section 18(2) (magistrates power to order closure of brothel and eviction of offenders) of the Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act, 1956, it is hereby directed that the brothels be sealed with immediate effect, Additional Sessions Judge Ramesh Kumar-II said, while directing that a copy of its order be sent to SHO of Kamla Market Police Station for necessary action. The courts order came after it sentenced a 36-year-old woman to three-year imprisonment for possessing a prostitution house in the area. The court awarded the jail term to Delhi resident Kanchi Tamang after holding her guilty under Section 3 (punishment for keeping a brothel or allowing premises to be used as a brothel) of the ITP Act. The case dates back to December 2014 when three girls had escaped from a brothel at GB Road. The victims were later found and sent for counselling. One of the girls told the police that she met a woman at a railway station and became friendly with her. Later she fell in love with the womans brother and got married to him. photoshelter.com She alleged the man brought her to Delhi and established physical relations with her and took her to the brothel where she was forced to have sex with customers. She said she met two other girls in the brothel who were also cheated and brought here. Thereafter, the three girls decided to escape. They took an auto and narrated their ordeal to the driver who called police for their help. Brothels in the red light area once again hit headlines on August 30 when the Delhi Police arrested a couple and six others for allegedly running the biggest trafficking and prostitution racket at GB Road. The alleged syndicate route was stretched to Nepal and the monetary gains made by the kingpin couple Affaq Husain and Saira ran into crores. They had trafficked more than 5,000 girls from Nepal and West Bengal in the past 26 years. They used to run six kothas at GB Road, including the biggest number 64. The daily earnings from all six kothas was nearly Rs 10 lakh, said the police. newsstateofindia.com The couple used to sell trafficked women to other kotha owners as well at GB Road for nearly Rs 2 lakh. The women are thrashed, confined in hidden cells, intoxicated and kept starved for many days to force them in this activity. The girls are paid meagre amount once the amount spent on buying them, along with interest at the rate of 8 to 10 percent per month, is recovered from their earnings. Affaq had handed over the management of the kothas to Shamshad, Mumtaz, Shilpa aka Tulsi and Pooja. These managers used to get 15 percent of the earnings for their roles. The couples network account for 80 percent of the flesh trade racket at GB Road. Bernard Henin And therefore, with an aim to ensure better deterrence, the Delhi Police Crime Branch has slapped the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against them, the first such case in GB Road. A couple was brutally murdered, two others mercilessly beaten up and a minor girl and her married cousin were allegedly gangraped by four-five men who also robbed valuables including cash, jewellery and a two-wheeler on August 24 night at Taurus Dingerheri village in Mewat district of Haryana. indiatimes The two victims of the sexual violence who were brought to Delhi on Wednesday by human rights activists narrated the horrific incident in details, breaking down at several occasions. Four persons identified as Sandeep, Amarjeet aka Chotu, Karamjeet and Rahul have been arrested in connection case. But according to the police they have not so confessed to the crime despite sustained interrogation. indiatimes After an 11-member delegation met Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, he is learnt to have ordered to hand over the probe into the ghastly incident to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This is how one of the victims narrates her trauma: It was 11:45 at night when our entire family (my maternal grandfather - Zaheeruddin, maternal uncle and aunt - Ibrahim and Rashidan, my parents and my 14-year-old brother) were sleeping at three different locations near leased farms in Dhingeri village. indiatimes My maternal uncle and his wife were sleeping under a tree. My parents were sleeping at a distance of around 10 metres from them. My brother was sleeping close to my parents on a separate cot. My maternal grandfather was sleeping at a distance of around 50 metres from the rest of the family. Me and my maternal cousin were sleeping in a room of our house. Four-five men armed men barged into our house near the farm at around 1:00 am. They first tied hands of my uncle and aunt and then thrashed them to death. They threw the two bodies at a distance of around 10 metres. Now, it was the turn of my parents. They were mercilessly beaten up till they lost consciousness. Their hands were also tied. They broke one hand of my mother who was tied with a cot. They did not even spare my younger brother who is just 14. He was also brutally thrashed with his both hands tied. They then entered our room which was not locked from inside. One of them first raped me. The other turned towards my cousin who was sleeping with me in the same room. When she tried to run away, they took her eight-month-old baby on a knife point. She was left with no option but to surrender before the assailants. Each of them raped both of us one by one. We wailed but it was of no avail because the farm land is at a distance from the village and everyone was sleeping. indiatimes They were not in a hurry. After repeatedly outraging our modesty, they snatched the jewellery we were wearing. They ransacked the entire room and looted a cash amount of Rs 1.5 lakh which was kept there. Despite carrying out all these brutalities, they were still not satisfied. They brought down the containers which were full of grains. When they were finally done, they fled the spot on a bike that was parked outside. It was later recovered from KMP. The entire episode continued till 3 am on August 25. What Followed Next? Death would have been better than this. When my mother, who was brutally assaulted, regained consciousness, she found her both hands tied with head scarf. One of her hands was broken. She somehow managed to untie the knots. Afterwards, she untied my brother who informed my grandfather who was sleeping at another plot. indiatimes Shocked to see the condition of the entire family, my grandfather ran towards the village and informed fellow villagers. An announcement was made from a mosque in the village that few robbers have entered the village. The villagers then rushed to the spot and called the police. A team of cops led by Tauroo Deputy Superintendent of Police reached the place. We were taken to Raja Hasan Khan Mewati Medical College, Nuh. My maternal uncle and aunt were declared brought dead. We were then shifted to Civil Hospital. At 9 am on August 25, we (the two sisters) were taken to women cell of the Hrayana Police. We recorded our statements before a magistrate (under section 164 CrPc) at 11 am. Based on the statement of my brother, the police prepared a sketch of the criminals who were later arrested. We cannot narrate the torment we suffered in hand of criminals. We do not trust the police. We want CBI probe. Still many people (accused) are walking free. Lapses On Part of Police The police allegedly failed to register a First Information report (FIR) soon after visiting the spot. The FIR was registered in the afternoon on August 25. indiatimes The rape victims, according to law, should have been first provided counselling before getting their statement registered before a magistrate. But the same was not done in the case. After registering an FIR on the basis of their statement, the victims suffering from so much of trauma were allegedly produced before a magistrate without any counselling. Initially, a case was allegedly registered only under sections 459 (causing grievous hurt or attempting to cause death), 460 (house-trespass or house-breaking by night) and 376D (rape one or more persons constituting a group or acting in furtherance of a common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). However, the case should have also been registered under sections 302 (murder), 396 (dacoity with murder) and 397 (robbery with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) of the IPC. These sections were added to the FIR allegedly on the pressure of locals. When the two rape victims were produced before a magistrate for recording their statements, no body from their family was present in the court room. The Incident Was In The Offing, But Cops Ignored The Threat The victims house is located just 50 metres away from a flyover on Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Highway. Eyewitness said 10-12 people, apparently anti-social elements, used to sit near the over-bridge every day and have liquor. A day before the incident, they said, the group attacked a house at night in the same locality but had to flee when male members of the family resisted. indiatimes The same set of people was spotted having liquor at the same place on the day of the incident. The RSS Angle One of the four accused Rahul Verma arrested in connection with the ghastly crime claims to be associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). They are allegedly members of Haryana Gau Raksha Dal (a cow vigilantes group). indiatimes According to Ramzan Choudhary, a local social activist, alleged the accused threatened the family that they would not be able to kill Gau Mata (mother cow) this Baqrid (Eid al-Adha) while committing the heinous crime. The other co-accused Amarjeet alias Chotu apparently hates Muslims. He has spitted venom against Muslims in one of his recent Facebook post. When Seif Sulthan, founder of Hope Foundation, and a management trainer was travelling by car with his wife, they saw a bird being attacked by a cat near Highland Hospital in Falnir, Mangaluru, on Sunday. Thinking it was a pigeon, Seif rushed to save the bird, and he was in for a surprise. toonts/representation image "I had an umbrella in the car and pushed the cat away. I realised that it was not a pigeon but something that resembled a parrot. The bird wasn't moving so I wrapped it in a cloth and put it in our car," he said. Doing his best to revive the bird, Seif took it to the vet and that's when he knew that what he had saved was indeed special. "The vet, who identified the bird as an African grey parrot, said it was worth Rs 2-2.5 lakh. He gave some medicines and sprayed something on its face and said we could take the bird. We then bought a cage for it and gave it some food," said Seif. It was then that Seif noticed a tag on the bird's left leg. The next step was to find its owner. So Seif and his wife went to two veterinarians at Jeppu and Jail Road and told them that they had found a rare bird. They also shared the tag number in four shops that sell birds. "We then decided to put up a post on Facebook. The post went viral, and I got calls from people saying they were willing to keep the bird," he said. "In 25 minutes, I got a call from the owner who said his Mittoo was missing since three days. After verifying details, we handed the bird over to its owner, Mansoor Azad. The owner told us that the bird had flown away three days ago and may not have eaten anything," he said. And the owner was right. "The moment we kept water in front of it, Mitto lapped it up." The sight of the reunion was amazing, according to Seif. "It jumped on his hand and started kissing him all over. They even started talking. Since it was a talking bird, we tried speaking to it in Konkani, Tulu and Kannada," said Seif. hdwallpapersnews/representation image Mansoor Azad, owner of the bird, a businessman, stays in Kaprigudde, which is about 1.5 km from where the bird was found. When he lost the bird, he searched for it everywhere. After two hours, he even got a call from a tender coconut seller, saying that there was bird and a hawk was attacking it. They assumed it had been devoured. They still intended to file a missing complaint. That was when they heard from Seif. Mansoor said, "It was indeed a miracle to get back Mittoo." "The bird is very fond of me. On Saturday morning, it just flew away. I was really worried and searched everywhere possible and even followed it for a while. We kept asking our neighbours if they had seen the bird. I did not sleep the whole night. Finally, I could not believe it when my son told be about the Facebook post. Mittoo has been with the family for over a year and everyone loves it." Age is just a number, at least that is what Gangubai Nivrutti Bhambure from Bhamburwadi village in Pune would want you to believe. To prove her point she don't have to look of an example anywhere else, but herself. Screengrab The 94-year-old was on Tuesday elected, that to unopposed as the Sarpanch of the village, making her arguably the oldest person in India to be elected to the post. And she is already switched into action mode and has no plans to slowdown. "I will not disappoint them... I can walk like a youngster and talk like a teacher," Bhambure told The Indian Express. I took up the challenge only after villagers urged me to become a sarpanch. I will carry out development works by taking along residents of all three villages. The priority would be to solve drinking water and sewage problems and improve the condition of roads, she said. She said her first task was to help around 250 farmers in the region who are struggling due to the lack of water. This is not the first time Bhambure has contested in election. Last year she was elected to the village panchayat defeating a 30 year old opponent. Bhambure who lost her husband ten years ago has four sons and a daughter. Even though Bhambure is illiterate she said she would approach the Prime Minister to set up a closed pipeline from the canal or from Chaskaman dam to irrigate the farms. I will send a letter on behalf of the villagers to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Arguably the most powerful person in Pakistan, Army Chief General Raheel Sharif has once again reiterated his country's commitment to what he called as the "freedom movement at all levels" in Kashmir. EPA Speaking at a function in Rawalpindi on the occasion of Pakistan Defence Day, Sharif termed Kashmir as his country's "lifeline". Earlier he had termed Kashmir as the jugular vein of Pakistan. The true solution for this struggle for self-determination resides not in raining bullets upon the defenceless Kashmiri people but in heeding to their voice and respecting their aspirations. Kashmir issue can only be resolved by implementing the UN Resolutions, he said. Reuters But it is highly unlikely that Pakistan will ever want the UN resolution to be implicated. This is because the resolution adopted by the UN Security Council in 1948 April clearly states that Pakistan have to remove its troops from Kashmir before a plebiscite is held. "The Government of Pakistan should undertake to use its best endeavours: To secure the withdrawal from the State of Jammu and Kashmir of tribesmen and Pakistani nationals not normally resident therein who have entered the State for the purposes of fighting, and to prevent any intrusion into the State of such elements and any furnishing of material aid to those fighting in the State." Dawn Reacting to Sharif's remark Tilak Devasher, former Special Secretary at the Cabinet Secretariat told ANI news agency "I am not sure how many people in Pakistan have read what the UN resolution actually says. I'm not sure how many in Pakistan understand, but as per the UN resolution, Pakistan will have to withdraw its army from PoK and Gilgit Baltistan." Also read: Get Out Of PoK And Then Let Us Talk About Kashmir, India Tells Pakistan He also pointed out that since the Beijing funded multi-billion dollar infrastructure project the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes through PoK, Islamabad won't withdraw its troops in fear of uprising against China. "Once Pakistan withdraws the army from these areas, surely there will be a huge uprising, (and) China would be worried about its investment." After Vishal Dadlani's sarcastic tweets against the Jain monk backfired, an FIR was lodged against him by the Ambala Cantt police for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. Being an ardent AAP follower, Dadlani received a lot of criticism from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other people on social media sites for his "sarcastic" tweet on Sagar's address in the Haryana Assembly. The Supreme Court has told him that they cannot intervene at this stage and rather, he should first seek help from the High Court in Haryana. Apart from Dadlani, the FIR also named Tahseen Poonawala, a Congress activist who had tweeted on the Jain monk. BCCL According to a PTI report, the case against Dadlani and Poonawala in Ambala was registered under several sections including 153A (promoting enmity between classes), 295A (maliciously insulting the religion or religious beliefs of any class) and 509 (uttering any word or making any gesture to insult the modesty of a woman etc) of the IPC, police had said. The Supreme Court has refused to grant protection from arrest to music composer Vishal Dadlani for allegedly making scathing remarks against Jain monk Tarun Sagar and asked him to move the high court. A two-judge bench also turned down Dadlani's prayer for FIR lodged against him in Haryana, saying he could approach the concerned high court. The counsel also urged that protection from arrest could at least be granted to Dadlani till they moved the high court. On August 29, Dadlani posted tweets about quitting "all active political work". Uttar Pradesh police on Wednesday arrested a man for allegedly getting his wife killed at their home in Jhansi simply because she refused to reveal the pattern lock code installed on her smartphone. wonderhowto.com The woman, Poonam Verma, was strangled by her husband Vineet Kumar Diwakar's friends on the night of August 29. Her four-year-old daughter raised an alarm after seeing the body the next day. Police registered an FIR and subsequently interrogated Vineet, who had an alibi of being in Kanpur on a business trip at the time of the crime. Jhansi SP Dinesh Kumar Singh said the police zeroed in on Vineet despite his pleas that he was innocent and his call details were scanned. "After sustained interrogation, he broke down on Wednesday and confessed to his crime," said Singh. jihadwatch.org Vineet told police that both he and Poonam belonged to Kanpur. The couple started living in Jhansi where Vineet picked up a small job. Gradually he started his business and shuttled frequently between Kanpur and Jhansi. He told police that Poonam's behaviour changed after she bought a smartphone last month. "She started neglecting me and our four-year-old child. She even installed a pattern lock on her phone so that nobody could open it," the police quoted Vineet as having said in the FIR. agpllp.ca Doubting her fidelity, Vineet decided to eliminate Poonam and offered Rs 80,000 to his friends Laxman and Kamal for killing her. On August 29, he called her up from Kanpur, saying two of his friends would come home and that she should hand over his personal computer to them. The friends arrived at the house late evening and strangled Poonam. They ransacked the house and took away jewellery, to make it look like a case of robbery. We all know how unsafe this world has become for women. After the countless stories of rape, the umpteen molestation accounts, and innumerable sex attacks that go unnoticed every year, we stumble upon yet another anecdote. The latest addition to the list is the story of an American tourist who broke her back while escaping a sex attacker in Thailand. dailymail Hannah Gavios from New York was allegedly attacked by a 28-year old local Apai Raingworchai. Ms Gavios is an English teacher in Vietnam and was visiting Thailand. She lost her way back to the hotel during a stroll at the Railay Beach. It was dark around 11pm and the only way to get back to my accommodation was by crossing the cliffs, Ms Gavios said. She asked around for help and finally found a tourist shop where she met Apai, one of the workers at the shop. dailymail Instead of guiding her back to the hotel, Apai led her up to a rocky trail into the jungle. Upon reaching there, he tried to attack Ms Gavios in the darkness. While we were walking he grabbed me and was holding me down and trying to take off my clothes, Ms Gavios told the local newspaper. Although Ms Gavios instantly fought back, hitting him hard and almost tearing his ears apart, she couldnt save herself. In her attempt of fleeing from that place, she fell off a rock and broke her back. I hit my head a few times and landed with a big bump. I was screaming in pain. It was the most painful thing ever. dailymail She lay was unconscious for a while and had paralysed her lower body for a while. It was then that Raingworchai finally caught her off guard. He got on top of me. He took off his pants and masturbated on me, Ms Gavios said. He didn't rape me but he did everything else. I really thought I was going to die. Ms Gavios was later rescued by locals after spending an entire night in the jungle, unattended. Shes now in the hospital and under surveillance. As for Apai, he is now being held in a cell at the Krabi Provincial Court. An AirAsia flight bound to Malaysia landed in Sydney instead after the pilot made a longitudinal error. Safety officials confirmed on Wednesday that the pilot had indeed entered the wrong coordinates. YouTube The Airbus A330-300 aircraft took off from Sydney en route to Kuala Lumpur last year on March 10 after the pilot entered the wrong coordinates in the navigation system. Air traffic controllers immediately went on alert after the plane started flying in the wrong direction. The controllers in their attempt to fix the issue, however, led to "further degradation of the navigation system, as well as to the aircraft's flight guidance and flight control systems", said the Australian Transport Safety Bureau after an investigation. hearldsun The flight was subsequently cancelled but due to bad weather, it had to be directed to Melbourne which was over 6,000 km off from the intended arrival point. The problems were then fixed in Melbourne and the aircraft finally took its flight to its original destination after four hours of landing. Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman advocates stepping up cooperation with Slovakia in transit of natural gas to Ukraine. "I think that today we should point out an important role of Slovakia in our energy independence and gas supplies across the Slovakian territory and Slovakian pipelines to Ukraine. Soon I will order the Infrastructure Ministry and Energy and Coal Industry Ministry to stir up this work," the prime minister said at a government meeting on Thursday. He said that the Ecology and Natural Resources Ministry could implement some joint ecological projects with Slovakia, including involving international funds. Kyiv's Podilsky District Court has ordered the central unified management of the Pension Fund of Ukraine in Kyiv to resolve the issue of pension payment resumption to former Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, Deputy Prime Minister Pavlo Rozenko has said. Rozenko unveiled an appropriate court order on his Facebook page where he wrote: "I am strongly against such decisions. The position remains unchanged: the former leaders of the Yanukovych regime will not receive pension payments from our country." According to the deputy prime minister, the Pension Fund has already appealed to the Kyiv Court of Appeal. "I appeal to the public and media to take this case under special control," Rozenko said. At the same time, refutation of this information and clarification of the decision passed by Podolsky district court appeared on The judicial power of Ukraine portal. "The proceedings of Podolsky District Court involve an administrative case on Azarovs claim to the Central United management of the Pension Fund in Kyiv on the recognition of the defendant's actions as illegal. The essence of the claim is the legitimacy of the territorial body of the Pension Funds refusal to take claim of Azarovs representative on the restoration of Azarovs payment of his pension," the statement says. The decision of the Podolsky district court dated July 22, 2016 said "management of the Pension Fund of Ukraine is obliged to consider Azarovs representative claim and decide on the resumption of payment of the pension to M. Azarov." "Podolsky district court established the illegality of the defendant's failure to adopt the claim on the restoration of the pension consideration. Now the decision of Podolsky district court dated July 22 has been appealed by the defendant, and the case is in the course of proceedings of the Kyiv Appeal Administrative Court, which will check the legitimacy of the disputed decision," the message reads. As reported, on March 10, Rozenko, who occupied the post of Social Policy Minister at that time, said Ukraine wouldnt not charge and pay the pension to Azarov residing in Russia. In partnership with SMR Events for the 15th consecutive year, we look forward to bringing together more than 200 key players from the stainless steel industry. This leading international conference will be held in Lisbon in 2016 - More information and the full agenda will be available here soon. Who will you meet? Over 200 top executives from all tiers of the supply chain and all major markets of the world will gather in Lisbon next year. The various networking opportunities are the perfect platform for face-to-face discussions about all critical issues that will shape the success of this industry in the years ahead. Clinton & Trump Prime-time Forum Video News organizations and interviewers treat Mrs. Clinton as a serious candidate worthy of tough questions, while Mr. Trump is sometimes handled more benignly. Posted September 08, 2016 Matt Lauer Fields Storm of Criticism Over Clinton-Trump Forum By MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM September 08, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " NYT " - It was a high-stakes political moment, far from the chummier confines of the Today show and, for Matt Lauer, NBCs stalwart of the morning, a chance to prove his broadcasting mettle on the presidential stage. The consensus afterward was not kind. Charged with overseeing a live prime-time forum with Donald J. Trump and Hillary Clinton widely seen as a dry run of sorts for the coming presidential debates Mr. Lauer found himself besieged on Wednesday evening by critics of all political stripes, who accused the anchor of unfairness, sloppiness and even sexism in his handling of the event. Granted 30 minutes with each candidate, who appeared back-to-back at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in Manhattan, Mr. Lauer devoted about a third of his time with Mrs. Clinton to questions about her use of a private email server, then seemed to rush through subsequent queries about weighty topics like domestic terror attacks. When an Army veteran in the audience asked Mrs. Clinton to describe her plan to defeat the Islamic State, Mr. Lauer interjected before the candidate could begin her reply. As briefly as you can, he said, one of several moments where the anchor spoke over Mrs. Clinton to remind her that their time was running short. Mr. Trump stormed onstage in his familiar motor-mouth style, often talking over Mr. Lauer and declining to directly answer many of his questions. At times, Mr. Lauer who has conducted fewer adversarial interviews with Mr. Trump than his colleagues on NBCs political desk appeared flummoxed by his subjects linguistic feints. Drawing particular ire was the moment when Mr. Trump asserted, with his usual confidence: I was totally against the war in Iraq. In fact, Mr. Trump initially said he supported the war, a point that Mrs. Clinton had raised earlier in the evening, citing an interview that Mr. Trump had given to Howard Stern. But Mr. Lauer left the assertion unchallenged, zipping along to his next question about Mr. Trumps professed tendency to say things that you later regret. Journalists and longtime political observers pounced. How in the hell does Lauer not factcheck Trump lying about Iraq? This is embarrassingly bad, wrote Tommy Vietor, a former aide to President Obama. Glenn Kessler, the chief fact checker at The Washington Post, posted a link to NBCs check of Mr. Trumps claim and wrote: @MLauer should have been prepared to do this. Lauer interrupted Clintons answers repeatedly to move on. Not once for Trump, Norman Ornstein, the political commentator, wrote in a Twitter message, adding: Tough to be a woman running for president. On social media, surrogates for Mrs. Clinton began mounting a sustained attack on the anchor. Imagine if @NBCNews had done its job, wrote Nick Merrill, her press secretary, on Twitter. Neera Tanden, a close Clinton ally, was even harsher: I guess the good news is that Matt Lauer isnt moderating an actual debate, she wrote. The criticism captured what has become a common complaint about media coverage during this election: that news organizations and interviewers treat Mrs. Clinton as a serious candidate worthy of tough questions, while Mr. Trump is sometimes handled more benignly. Mr. Lauer did manage to extract several head-turning statements from Mr. Trump. He confronted Mr. Trump with a crass Twitter message from 2013 in which the future candidate suggested that sexual assaults in the military were a logical result of men and women serving together. It is a correct tweet, Mr. Trump said. When Mr. Lauer asked if Mr. Trump actually believed he knew more about the Islamic State than American generals, the candidate replied: The generals have been reduced to rubble. When Mr. Lauer brought up Mr. Trumps admiration for President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, noting that Mr. Putin had invaded Ukraine and was suspected of hacking Democratic emails, Mr. Trump refused to say a negative word about him. Do you want me to start naming some of the things that President Obama does? Mr. Trump asked. Still, with the formal debates set to begin on Sept. 26, Mr. Lauers performance seemed to preview the troubles that television moderators could face in balancing fairness with accountability. Mr. Trump, with his Houdini-like ability to squirm out of direct answers, is a particularly tough subject for interviewers, who will be forced to determine on the fly when to interrupt with a prime-time fact-check. Chris Wallace, the Fox News anchor who will handle the third presidential debate, drew criticism this week when he said, I dont view my role as truth-squading. If Mr. Lauer who was passed over to host a debate in favor of his NBC colleague Lester Holt was seeking a piece of the moderator experience, he got it. Warts and all. Home Sign up for our FREE Daily Email Newsletter Is Israel Pushing for a Palestinian Civil War? By Ramzy Baroud September 08, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " MA'AN " - Division within Palestinian society has reached unprecedented levels, becoming a major hurdle on the path of any unified strategy to end Israels violent occupation or to rally Palestinians behind a single objective. Newly-appointed Israeli ultra-nationalist, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, understands this too well. His tactic since his ascension to office last May is centered on investing more in these divisions as a way to break down Palestinian society even further. Lieberman is an "extremist," even if compared with the low standards of the Israeli military. His past legacy was rife with violent and racist declarations. His more recent exploits include taking on the late Mahmoud Darwish, Palestines most celebrated poet. He went as far as comparing Darwishs poetry -- which advocates the freedom of his people -- to Adolph Hitlers autobiography, Mein Kampf. But, of course, this is not Liebermans most outrageous statement. Liebermans past provocations are plenty. Fairly recently, in 2015, he threatened to behead with an axe Palestinian citizens of Israel if they are not fully loyal to the "Jewish state," advocated the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian citizens of Israel, and made a death ultimatum to former Palestinian Prime Minister, Ismail Haniya. Outrageous statements aside, Liebermans latest ploy, however, is the most outlandish yet. Israels Defense Minister is planning to color-code Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, dividing them into green and red, where green is "good" and red is "bad"; accordingly, the former shall be rewarded for their good behavior, while the latter collectively punished, even if just one member of that community dares to resist the Israeli occupation army. A version of this plan was attempted nearly 40 years ago, but utterly failed. The fact that such appalling thinking is occurring well into the 21st century without being accompanied by international uproar is baffling. Liebermans color-codes will be accompanied by a campaign to resurrect the "Village Leagues," another failed Israeli experiment to impose an "alternative" Palestinian leadership by "engaging" Palestinian "notables" -- not democratically-elected leaders. Liebermans solution is to manufacture a leadership, which, like the Village Leagues of the 1970s and 80s, will, most certainly, be regarded as collaborators and traitors by the wider Palestinian society. But what is the "Village Leagues" exactly and will it work this time around? In October 1978, elected Palestinian mayors, joined by town councilors and various nationalist institutions, began a campaign of mass mobilization under the umbrella of the National Leadership Committee, whose main objective was to challenge the Camp David Treaty -- signed between Egypt and Israel -- and its political consequences of marginalizing Palestinians. At the time, the Movement was the most elaborate and united network of Palestinians ever assembled in the occupied territory. Israel immediately cracked down on the mayors, union leaders, and nationalists of various professional institutions. The national response was insisting on the unity of Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, among Christians and Muslims, and Palestinians at home and in "shattat," or Diaspora. The Israeli response was equally firm. Starting July 2, 1980, an assassination campaign against the democratically-elected mayors ensued. Yet, Camp David and the attempts to eliminate the nationalist leaders in the occupied territory, and the increased violence of Jewish extremists in the West Bank inspired mass protests, general strikes and violent confrontations between Palestinian youth and Israeli forces. The Israeli government moved to dismiss elected West Bank mayors, shortly after it established, in November 1981, a "Civilian Administration" to rule the occupied territory directly through its military. The military administration was aimed at sidelining any truly representative Palestinian leadership, and further cementing the occupation. Once more, Palestinians responded with a general strike and mass mobilization. Israel has always vied to construct an alternative leadership for Palestinians. These efforts culminated in 1978, when it established the "Village Leagues," giving its members relatively wide powers, including approving or denying developmental projects in the occupied territory. They were armed and also provided with Israeli military protection. But that, too, was doomed to fail as the League members were widely regarded as collaborators by Palestinian communities. A few years later, Israel recognized the artificial nature of its creation, and that Palestinians could not be mobilized to embrace Israels vision of permanent military occupation and superficial autonomy. In March 1984, the Israeli government decided to dissolve the "Village Leagues." Not that Lieberman is an astute student of history, but what does he hope to achieve from this stratagem, anyway? The 1976 municipal elections galvanized Palestinians energies to achieve unity; they rallied around common ideas and found a unifying platform in the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Now, Palestinian discord is unmistakable. Fatah and Hamas protracted fight has fundamentally altered the nationalist discourse on Palestine, turning it into a form of political tribalism. The West Bank and Gaza are divided, not only geographically but geopolitically as well. Fatah, which is already embattled in more ways than one, is falling into further divisions among supporters of its current aging leader, Mahmoud Abbas, and the shunned, albeit ubiquitous Mohammed Dahlan. More dangerous than all of this is that Israels system of punishment or rewards have effectively turned Palestinians into classes: extremely poor ones, living in Gaza and Area C in the West Bank, and relatively prosperous ones, most of them affiliated with the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah. From Liebermans viewpoint, the opportunity must be ripe for refining and re-imposing the "Village Leagues." Whether it works in its original form or fails, it makes no difference, since the idea is to engender further division among Palestinians, sow social chaos, political conflict and, perhaps, duplicate Gazas brief civil war in the summer of 2007. The international community should totally reject such archaic plans and destructive thinking and force Israel to adhere to international law, human rights, and respect the democratic choices of the Palestinian people. Those powers that have imposed themselves as "peace brokers" and guardians of international law must understand that Israel is well-qualified to start fires, but almost never capable of putting them down. And Lieberman, of all people -- the Russian club bouncer-turned politician-turned Defense Minister -- must not be given free rein to color-code Palestinian communities, reward, and punish as he pleases. A quick look back at history tells us that Liebermans tactics will fail; the question is, however, at what cost? Ramzy Baroud is an internationally-syndicated columnist, author, and the founder of PalestineChronicle.com. His latest book is My Father Was a Freedom Fighter: Gaza's Untold Story. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. What's your response? - Scroll down to add / read comments Sign up for our FREE Daily Email Newsletter For Email Marketing you can trust Donate Please read our Comment Policy before posting - It is unacceptable to slander, smear or engage in personal attacks on authors of articles posted on ICH. Those engaging in that behavior will be banned from the comment section. A Good Beginning US Global Imperialism Is Coming To An End By Kathy Kelly September 08, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - It seems that some who have the ears of U.S. elite decision-makers are at least shifting away from wishing to provoke wars with Russia and China. In recent articles, Zbigniew Brzezinski and Thomas Graham, two architects of the US cold war with Russia, have acknowledged that the era of uncontested US global imperialism is coming to an end. Both analysts urge more cooperation with Russia and China to achieve traditional, still imperial, US aims. Mr. Graham recommends a shifting mix of competition and cooperation, aiming toward a "confident management of ambiguity." Mr. Brzezinski calls for deputizing other countries, such as Israel, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran to carry out the combined aims of the US, Russia and China so that this triumvirate could control other peoples land and resources. Its surely worthwhile to wonder what effect opinions such as Brzezinskis and Grahams might have upon how US resources are allotted, whether to meet human needs or to further enlarge the US Department of Defense (DOD) and further enrich the corporations that profit from US investments in weapons technology. If the US might diminish offensive war preparations against Russia, when would DOD budget proposals begin to reflect this? As of April 15, 2016, the US DOD was proposing that the US Fiscal Year 2017 budget significantly increase funding for the "European Reassurance Initiative" (ERI) from $789.3 million the previous year to $3.4 billion. The document reads: "the expanded focus is a reflection of the United States strong and balanced approach to Russia in the wake of its aggression in Eastern Europe." The requested funds will enable the US"defense" establishment to expand purchases of ammunition, fuel, equipment, and combat vehicles. It will also enable the DOD to allocate money to airfields, training centers, and ranges, as well as finance at least "28 joint and multinational exercises which annually train more than 18,000 US personnel alongside 45,000 NATO Allies." This is good news for major "defense" contractors. In the past year, the National Guard of my home state of Illinois has participated in the DOD reserve component. 22 US states matched up with 21 European countries to practice maneuvers designed to build up the ERI. The IL National Guard and the Polish Air Force have acquired Joint Terminal Attack Controller systems that enable them to practice coordinating airstrikes with Poland in support of ground forces combating enemies in the region. Members of the IL National Guard were part of NATOs July 2016 Anakonda exercises on the Russian border. As the state of Illinois spent an entire year without a budget for social services or higher education, millions of dollars were directed toward joint military maneuvers with Poland that ratcheted up tensions between the U.S. and Russia. Many families in Illinois can relate to the impact of rising food prices in Russia while family income stays the same or decreases. People in both the US and Russia would benefit from diversion of funds away from billion dollar weapons systems toward the creation of jobs and infrastructure that improve the lives of ordinary people. But people are bombarded with war propaganda. Consider a recent piece of propaganda-lite, just under 5 minutes, which aired on ABC news, showing Martha Raddatz in the back seat of an F-15 US fighter jet, flying over Estonia. "That was awesome," Raddatz coos, as she witnesses war-games from the F-15s open cockpit. She calls the American show of force a critical deterrent to Russian forces. The piece neglects to mention ordinary Russians on whose borders, in June 2016, 10 days of US / NATO military exercises involving 31,000 troops took place. In the high plateaus of Afghanistan, peasant women provide a striking example of risk-taking in order to literally plant new seeds. The New York Times recently reported on women in Afghanistans Bamiyan province who have formed unions, risking ridicule and possible physical abuse to form cooperative groups. These women help one another acquire seeds for vegetables other than potatoes and also for new varieties of potatoes. They manage to feed their families and to pool resources so that they can spend less on delivering their crops to the market. These women are acting with clarity and bravery, creating a new world within the shell of the old. We should be guided by such clarity as we insist that lasting peace cant be founded on military power. The end of US empire would be a welcome end. I hope that policy makers will let themselves be guided by sanity and the courage to clarify the US vast potential to make a positive difference in our world by asking themselves a simple, indispensable question: how can we learn to live together without killing one another? An indispensable follow-up is: When do we start? Kathy Kelly ( Kathy@vcnv.org ) co-coordinates Voices for Creative Nonviolence. Voices is organizing a small delegation to Russia in October 2016. The Transatlantic Trade Deal TTIP May Be Dead - Something Even Worse Is Coming By George Monbiot September 09, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " The Guardian " - I s it over? Can it be true? If so, its a victory for a campaign that once looked hopeless, pitched against a fortress of political, corporate and bureaucratic power. TTIP the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership appears to be dead. The German economy minister, Sigmar Gabriel, says that the talks with the United States have de facto failed. The French prime minister, Manuel Valls, has announced a clear halt. Belgian and Austrian ministers have said the same thing. People power wins. For now. But the lobbyists who demanded this charter for corporate rights never give up. TTIP has been booed off the stage but another treaty, whose probable impacts are almost identical, is waiting in the wings. And this one is more advanced, wanting only final approval. If this happens before Britain leaves the EU, we are likely to be stuck with it for 20 years. The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (Ceta) is ostensibly a deal between the EU and Canada. You might ask what harm Canada could do us. But it allows any corporation that operates there, wherever its headquarters might be, to sue governments before an international tribunal. It threatens to tear down laws protecting us from exploitation and prevent parliaments on both sides of the Atlantic from legislating. To say that there is no mandate for such agreements is an understatement: they have received an unequivocal counter-mandate. The consultation the EU grudgingly launched on TTIPs proposal to grant new legal rights to corporations received 150,000 responses, 97% of which were hostile. But while choice is permitted when you shop for butter, on the big decisions there is no alternative. Its not clear whether national parliaments will be allowed to veto this treaty. The European trade commissioner has argued that there is no need: it can be put before the European parliament alone. But even if national parliaments are allowed to debate it, they will be permitted only to take it or leave it. The contents are deemed to have been settled already. Only once the negotiations between European and Canadian officials had been completed, and the text of the agreement leaked, did the European commission publish it. It is 1,600 pages long. It has neither a contents list nor explanatory text. As far as transparency, parity and comprehensibility are concerned, its the equivalent of the land treaties illiterate African chiefs were induced to sign in the 19th century. It is hard to see how parliamentarians could make a properly informed decision. If you seek to buy a secondhand car these days, the salesperson might wheedle and spin, but they will also thanks to EU consumer protection laws be obliged to explain the risks and caveats. If you want to know whether or not to buy this trade treaty, you have no such protection. The EUs website tells you what a wonderful set of wheels this is but carries not a word about the risks. Here is its answer to the question of whether the Ceta negotiations were conducted in secret. Not at all ... During the five years of talks, the commission held various civil society dialogue meetings for stakeholders. I followed the link it gave and found that four meetings had taken place, all of them in Brussels, all dominated by corporate trade associations, which are likely to have been on the inside track anyway. Where was the publicity? Where were the attempts to reach beyond a gilded circle of lobbyists and cronies? Where were the efforts to take the discussion to other nations? Where were the debates, the drive to seek genuine public engagement, let alone consent? If this is transparency, I dread to think what secrecy looks like. After long hours struggling with the treaty, I realised I hadnt a hope of grasping its implications. I have had to rely on experts commissioned by groups such as Attac in Germany and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Like TTIP, Ceta threatens to lock in privatisation, making renationalisation (of Britains railways, say) or attempts by cities to take control of failing public services (as Joseph Chamberlain did in Birmingham in the 19th century, laying the foundations for modern social provision) impossible. Like TTIP, it uses a broad definition of both investment and expropriation to allow corporations to sue governments when they believe their future anticipated profits might be threatened by new laws. Like TTIP, it restricts the ways in which governments may protect their people. It appears to prohibit, for example, rules that would prevent banks from becoming too big to fail. It seems to threaten our planning laws and other commonsense protections. Anything not specifically exempted from the agreement is considered covered. In other words, if governments do not spot a potential hazard before the hazard emerges, they are stuck with it. The EU appears to have relinquished its ability, for example, to insist that investment and retail banking be separated. Ceta claims to be a trade treaty, but many of its provisions have little to do with trade. They are attempts to circumscribe democracy on behalf of corporate power. Millions of people in Europe and Canada want to emerge from the neoliberal era. But such treaties would lock us into it, allowing the politics we have rejected to govern us beyond the grave. If parliaments reject this treaty, another deal is being prepared: the Trade in Services Agreement, which the EU is simultaneously negotiating with the US and 21 other nations. Theresa Mays government has expressed enthusiasm: her Department for International Trade says: The UK remains committed to an ambitious Trade in Services Agreement. So much for taking back control. Corporate lobbyists and their captive governments have been seeking to impose such treaties for more than 20 years, starting with the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (it was destroyed, like TTIP, by massive public protests, in 1998). Working in secrecy, without democratic consent, they will keep returning to the theme, in the hope of wearing down our resistance. When you are told that the price of liberty is eternal vigilance, this is what it means. This struggle will continue throughout your life. We have to succeed every time; they have to succeed only once. Never drop your guard. Never let them win. Syria - U.S.-Russian Deal Fails (Again) Over Continued Support For Jihadis By Moon Of Alabama September 09, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Moon Of Alabama " - Since the February ceasefire in Syria, which was broken by U.S. supported Jihadis, Russia tried to press the U.S. into fulfilling the UN Security Council resolution 2254. The resolution signs off on the ceasefire but demands that all nations continue to fight the Islamic State and al-Qaeda. But the U.S. continued to support al-Qaeda and its various front group in Syria like Ahrar al-Sham and Jund al-Aqsa. "Moderate rebels" were armed with modern weapons by the U.S. and trained in camps in Turkey and Jordan. They were sent to Syria to integrated with al-Qaeda and made it impossible to fight one group without hitting the other. The U.S. used this ploy to protect al-Qaeda from Russian and Syrian attacks. Such attacks, it claimed, would break the ceasefire as they would also hit its "moderate rebels". To gain some negotiating advantage Russia and its Syrian allies closed all access to east-Aleppo which is held by Jihadis. The U.S. sponsored rebels and al-Qaeda responded with an attack in south Aleppo which then broke the new established siege. But that move was a hail-Mary pass. "Rebels" from all fronts were pulled together to support the attack. MANPADs were delivered to deny Russia the use of attack helicopters. With the help of an al-Qaeda mass suicide attack the "rebels" took the artillery college and adjacent areas in south Aleppo and managed to open a corridor into east-Aleppo. This was a serious set back for the Russian plans. The response was constant bombing of the hinterlands of the "rebel" held parts of Aleppo and Idleb governate which made any supply of their front difficult. The Russian and Syrian air forces destroyed the "rebel's" infrastructure, supply sites and their command and control elements. This took some time to show the inevitable effect. But today the Syrian army and its allies reconquered the artillery college and the Jihadi path into east-Aleppo is again closed. It is likely that the now failed plan of lifting the siege on east-Aleppo was so costly, with over a 1,000 rebels dead, that a repeat of any such attack is no longer possible. But the Russian pressure to commonly fight al-Qaeda has still not resulted in an agreement. Late in June some hawks in the U.S. administration leaked "conditions" under which the U.S. would agree to Russia's demands. Those conditions were ridiculous. The Syrian government would have to ground its airforce and would have to stop fighting its immediate enemies while Russia would only be allowed to targets the U.S. agreed to. The negotiations had only one purpose: The plan, if it was correctly "leaked" to the WaPo author, is nothing but additional delaying and obfuscation. The U.S. has no interest in ending the fighting in Syria. It wants to keep the conflict going as long as possible to "bleed" Syrian, Iran and Russia as much as it can. But Russia insisted. Recently it seemed that the U.S. would finally agree to separate its "moderate rebel" Jihadis from al-Qaeda but it continued to demand that Ahrar al-Sham and Jund al-Aqsa should also be excepted from attacks. This as even U.S. experts acknowledge that these are mere front groups for al-Qaeda itself: The United States risks losing the war against extremism in Syria if it continues to allow Ahrar al-Sham and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham to be seen by the Syrian people as the victors in Aleppo. Ahrar al-Sham is as much a part of al Qaedas long game in Syria as Jabhat Fateh al-Sham. It shares the same goal to shape Syrias population in a way that facilitates global jihad, and its pragmatic approach advances al Qaedas aim to build a durable safe haven in the Levant. Today the Russian-U.S. negotiations failed again. The U.S. accused Russia, without any specifics, of backtracking on already agreed parts of the deal while Russia says the U.S. insists on continued protection of al-Qaeda elements. The Obama administration does not want a deal at all. It wants to kick the can down the road for the next administration to pick up while all parties in Syria continue to bleed. It also has no interest at all to subdue or eliminate radical Jihadis. It continues to support and supply these. A London Times reporter recently found that one rebel commander, Hakim Anza, who shot the reporter point blank while he was handcuffed and imprisoned by rebels in Syria, is now the leader of a "vetted" and CIA supported "moderate rebel" group: Two of his brothers joined the al-Qaeda affiliate the Nusra Front. One of them spoke on record about his loyalty to al-Qaeda to The Times. Meanwhile The New York Times ran a story about a war crime committed by Hakim Anza in 2012. ... Last month, however, video surfaced of Hakim Anza proving that he was not only free, but was also serving in a CIA-vetted Syrian rebel group, First Regiment (al-Fawj al-Awwal), which was receiving US weaponry, including Tow missiles, as well as air strikes in support of their operations. Hakim Anza is one of the "moderate rebels" the U.S. wants to protect from Syrian and Russian attacks. There is no reason to assume that any other "rebel" the U.S. supports in Syria is a less dangerous man. These brutes are the people the Obama administration wants to empower to rule that country. One hopes that Russia has sufficient plans to eliminate them even while the U.S. continues to block any cooperation . Clinton denounces Russian interference in US elections, calls for escalation in Syria By Patrick Martin September 08, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " WSWS " - Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton this week publicly accused the Russian government of intervening in the American election on behalf of her Republican opponent Donald Trump. She cited an investigation by US intelligence agencies, first reported Monday night by the Washington Post, into alleged Russian government hacking into the computer systems of the state election officials in the United States. Clinton told a press conference Monday there were now credible reports about Russian interference in our elections, adding, I want everyoneDemocrat, Republican, Independentto understand the real threat that this represents. Clinton referred both to the Post report about hacking into state government computers in Arizona and Illinois, and to the alleged Russian hacking of the emails of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), which revealed backroom efforts by top DNC officials to ensure Clintons victory. Clintons suggestion of a Trump-Putin axis was followed up Tuesday in a speech in North Carolina by her vice-presidential running mate, Senator Tim Kaine, which was billed as a major national security address by the Democratic campaign. Kaine contrasted Clintons going toe-to-toe with Putin as US secretary of state, to Trumps suggestion that NATO was outmoded and that he could negotiate more successfully with Russia. He then raised the question why Trump seems to support Russian interests at the expense of American ones, suggesting that the billionaire real estate speculator was keeping his tax returns secret because they might shed light on his financial ties to Russia. He concluded by citing the claim of former acting CIA Director Michael Morell that Trump is an unwitting agent of the Russian intelligence services. Clinton appeared Monday at several Labor Day rallies, but she chose to focus her attack on Trump on national security issues, where she has consistently attacked the billionaire real estate speculator from the right. Asked by a reporter if the alleged Russian actions amounted to a cyberwar, Clinton replied, Im not comfortable using the word war. This demurral was only to disguise her intentions from the American people. However, in a speech last week to the American Legion convention, Clinton declared that cyberattacks on the United States should be answered by military force. Clinton claimed that Putin had all but confirmed Russias role in the hacking of the DNCa flat-out lieadding, The team around him certainly believe that there is some benefit to them to doing this. She then declared that the prospect of additional hacking into the state government systems used to conduct the November 8 elections represented a threat from an adversarial foreign power. The Democratic candidate also criticized the role of the Russian government in Syria, in backing the regime of President Bashar al-Assad against Islamist forces armed and financed by the United States and the Gulf monarchies. She denounced the refusal of the Russians and the Iranians to put the kind of pressure on Assad that is necessary Clinton reiterated her support for imposing a no-fly zone over parts of Syria held by the US-backed rebels, which would require US air strikes against Syrian anti-aircraft positions and could lead to confrontations between Russian and American warplanes, which both conduct air strikes in the country. I think we need leverage, she said. Ive always believed that if that were on the table and it were clear we were going to pursue it, that would give us the leverage we dont have now. Coming just after the well-publicized failure of talks last weekend between Obama and Putin at the G20 summit in China, Clinton was clearly seeking to stake out a more aggressive position on Syria than that of the Obama administration. The Democrats claim to have discovered a Trump-Putin axis has two purposes: first, to cement Clintons standing as the consensus choice of the US military-intelligence apparatus; and second, to integrate the election campaign itself into the war preparations by US imperialism, both in the Middle East and against Russia (as well as China). If Clinton wins the November 8 election over Trump, she will claim this to be a mandate for the escalation of US military operations in Iraq and Syria, as well as the continued NATO military buildup throughout Eastern Europe, openly aimed at preparing for war with Russia, a country with the worlds second-largest nuclear arsenal. In her complaints about Russian interference in the US elections, Clinton is joining in the campaign waged by the Pentagon and CIA to prepare US public opinion for such a conflict. The article published Monday by the Washington Post is little more than a handout from the intelligence agencies. It reports that the CIA, FBI, National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security have started an investigation, led by Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, into a broad covert Russian operation in the United States to sow public distrust in the upcoming presidential election and in US political institutions. In addition to discrediting the election among the American peoplehardly necessary given that the entire political system is deeply despised and the two main candidates hatedRussian officials allegedly seek to provide propaganda fodder to attack US democracy-building policies around the world, the Post claimed. As in previous reports by the Post and the New York Times about alleged Russian hacking of the DNC, no evidence of any kind is cited in the article, only the unsupported claims of intelligence officials, who even the Post reporters admit lack definitive proof of either cyberattacks or even plans for cyberattacks. Apparently the public is expected to treat such claims as the gospel, despite the decades of lying by these agencies to cover up assassinations, coup plots and other conspiracies abroad, and the systematic violation of the democratic rights of the American people at home. Meanwhile, the claims of Russian hacking are being used to whip up a crisis atmosphere about the administration of the election itself. Earlier this summer the FBI issued a flash alert to election officials in all 50 states over the threat of cyber intrusions. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson suggested that the entire US election system, including 9,000 polling places and 50 separate state election authorities, should be declared critical infrastructure subject to the same counterterrorism efforts as nuclear power plants and electrical power grids. Copyright 1998-2016 World Socialist Web Site - All rights reserved The Tide is Turning: The Official Story Is Now The Conspiracy Theory By Paul Craig Roberts September 08, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - In a few days it will be the 15th anniversary of 9/11, and this November 22 will be the 53rd anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas. These two state crimes against democracy destroyed American democracy, accountable government, and the Constitutions protections of civil liberty. Years after the damage done by these events the American people no longer believe the official stories. Neither does the government, but the government will never validate the distrust that Americans now share of the oligarchs government by acknowledging the truth. The official explanation of the assassination of President Kennedy never made any sense. Videos of the assassination contradicted the official story, as did witnesses, and many credible people challenged the governments story. The CIA was faced with the official explanation becoming unglued and launched its media program stigmatizing doubters as conspiracy theorists. See: http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2016/08/31/are-you-a-mind-controlled-cia-stooge-paul-craig-roberts/ The CIAs psych warfare against the public succeeded at the time and for a number of years during which witnesses had mysterious deaths and the trail grew cold. But by the late 1970s there was so much public skepticism of the official story that the US Congress took the risk of being labeled conspiracy kooks. The House Select Committee on Assassinations reopened the inquiry into JFKs murder. The House Committee concluded that the Warren Commissions investigation was seriously flawed, that there was more than one person firing at President Kennedy and that there was a conspiracy to assassinate JFK. The corrupt US Department of Justice (sic) contradicted the House Select Committees report. However, the American people believed the Select Committee and not the corrupt Justice (sic) Department, which never tells the truth about anything. By 2013 polls showed that most Americans are conspiracy kooks who do not believe the official government line on JFKs assassination. So with regard to JFKs assassination, the conspiracy theorists are in the majority. The minority are the Americans who cannot escape their brainwashing. In a few days it will be the 15th anniversary of the alleged al Qaeda attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, and we are witnessing the fading protection that the charge of conspiracy theorist provides for the officlal government story. Indeed, the official 9/11 story is collapsing before our eyes. Europhysics , the respected publicaton of the European physics community has pubished an article by scientists who conclude that the evidence points overwhelmingly to the conclusion that all three [World Trade Center] buildings were destroyed by controlled demolition. Few American scientists can admit this, because their careers depend on US government and military/security complex research contracts. Independent scientists in the US are a vanishing breed, an endangered species. The scientists say that view of their findings, it is morally imperative that 9/11 be the subject of a truly scientific and impartial investigation by responsible authorities. So now we are faced with a peculiar situation. The scientifically ignorant two-bit punk American presstitutes claim to know more than the editors of the journal of the European physics community and the scientists who did the investigation. Dont you think it farfetched that ignorant, corrupt, and cowardly American journalists who lie for money know more than physicists, chemists, 2,700 high-rise architects and structural engineers who have called on the US Congress to launch a real investigation of 9/11, firefighters and first responders who were on the WTC scene, military and civilian pilots and former high government officials, all of whom are on record challenging the unbelievable and physically impossible official story of 9/11? What kind of a dumbshit moron does a person have to be to believe that the United States government and its media whores know better than the laws of physics? The ability of the presstitutes to influence Americans seems to be on the decline. The media ganged up on Donald Trump during the Republican primaries, intending to deny Trump the nomination. But the voters ignored the presstitutes. In the current presidential campaign, Hillary is not the run-away winner that the presstitutes are trying to make her. And despite the propaganda ministry, the legs under the official 9/11 story are wobbly, to say the least. Indeed, the official 9/11 story already has lost credibility with the American public. Last April a Rasmussen Poll found that Americans doubt theyve been told all the facts about the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States and strongly believe the government should come clean. . A YouGov poll in 2013 found that 50 percent of Americans have doubts about the governments account of 9/11, which shows that the public is far more intelligent and less corrupt than the presstitutes who are paid to lie to the public. This poll also found that as a consequence of the cover-up job performed by the American presstitutes, 46 percent of Americans were not even aware that a third WTC building, Building 7, collapsed on September 11. After viewing films of WTC 7s collapse, 46 percent saw it as a controlled demolition. By a margin of two to one, poll respondants support a new investigation of Building 7s collapse . So, in America today conspiracy kooks outnumber those who believe the official lies. As the official lies are themselves conspiracy theories, Americans who disbelieve the official conspiracy theories outnumber Americans who believe official conspiracy theories. The question is: who are the real conspiracy kooks, the majority who disbelieve the official lies or the minority who believe the official lies? It is curious that the CIAs psych-op mind-controll has broken down in the cases of the JFK assassination and 9/11, but is still effective in more recently orchestrated events, such as San Bernardino, Orlando, Paris, and Nice. Perhaps this is because not enough time has passed for the public to pay attention to the vast difference between the stories and the evidence. The Internet offers many refutations of the official accounts. With regard to Nice, France, the Nice police officials themselves are having problems with the official story. The French Anti-Terrorist Sub-Directorate in Paris has ordered the public authorities in Nice to delete the video recordings from security cameras of the Nice Terror Truck Attack. The Nice authorities refused on the grounds that this would be destruction of criminal evidence. This story has disappeared from the news. I have asked friends in France how this conflict was resolved and have not heard anything. The French like to live life well and faced with the refugees from Washingtons wars, they seem to be focused on living life well while it can be done. If I hear anything, I will pass it on. Apparently, the order to delete the video evidence of the attack was not sufficient for the French Ministry of the Interior. According to a senior Nice police officer, Sandra Bertin, the Interior Ministry pressured her to falsify her police report on the Nice truck massacre. Officer Bertin told the Journal du Dimanche that he ordered me to put in [the report ] the specific positions of the national police which I had not seen on the screen. The Interior Minister, Bernard Cazeneuve is suing the Nice police official for defamation, as if it is possible to defame any politician anywhere in the corrupt West. Moreover, why would a senior Nice official make up a story about being ordered to change a report? It doesnt make any sense, does it? Clearly, the central government is trying to hide the evidence against the official story. It seems that the French media is disposing of the Nice police official by branding her a rightwing racist opposed to the current government. Watch this video and ignore the narrators four-letter vocabulary. What you will learn is that all those people you saw running in the presstitute TV reports had no idea why they were running. The presstitutes created the impression that they were running away from the truck. However, as the interviews show, they were running because other people were running, because the police told them terrorists, run, and because they heard shots (apparently police firing blanks). Those interviewed reported, You run with them even though you have no idea what you are running from. You cant help it, you run with them. None of those running away ever saw a truck. According to the foul-mouthed narrator, the film of the people running away was taken prior to the time the truck allegedly mowed down 185 people, killing 85 of them. The narrator appears to be correct if the time stamps on videos are correct. The narrator says the streets needed to be cleared for the crisis actors to put on their show that is used to control our minds about what happened. I have pointed out that a truck that hit 185 people, killing 85 of them would be covered in blood and that bodies would be splattered all over the street with blood everywhere. Yet, the photos and videos that we are shown show no such evidence. The stopped truck on which police are directing gunfire is as white as snow. Independently of the vast analysis online of the video evidence of the alleged Nice attack, I suspect the Nice terror attack for the same reason that the Pentagon attack is suspect. Despite all the contrary evidence against the official stories, the authorities refuse to release the video evidence that, if it shows what the authorities claim, would shut up the skeptics and prove the official story. When a government claims it has video evidence that proves its official story but refuses to release it, indeed, demands the destruction of the video evidence, we know for an absolute fact that the video evidence totally contradicts the official story. That is the only possible conclusion. My readers will write to me asking how the government expects to get away with its faked, and in the case of 9/11 false flag, terror orchestrations? The answer, perhaps, is that just as it took a long time for the JFK assassination and 9/11 lies to catch up with the government, the recent orchestrations will also take some time for a slowly awakening public to catch on. In the meantime the orchestrated events will serve the agendas that they are intended to serve, and by the time that the public sees through the orchestrations, a new situation will be in place with new orchestrations. Keep in mind that the public thinks it is shown evidence. Newspapers need photos to give a visual dimension to their coverage, and TV needs videos of the events. News organizations are under a time pressure, and they have to use what they are handed or what is at hand. There is no time to scrutinize the visual material or to raise questions about it. Most of the public thinks that the photos and videos shown to them are evidence or would not be shown and accepts the visual evidence without question. In an earlier column I linked to the vast array of Nice photos provided in the UK Daily Mail. The photos show a calm situation. There are a few people lying in the street without any sign of bodily damage or blood and there are covered objects that the public assumes are dead people. But the streets are devoid of the splattered blood and mangled bodies that would be the consequence of a truck hitting 185 people. Similarly, we have been shown very few videos and their origin is unknown except for the one attributed to Richard Gutjahr who was apparently pre-positioned to film inconclusively both the Nice and German terror attacks. Online analysis of the videos shows that the videos are not evidence for the storyline. The real question is why the French Interior Minister has prevented the release and demanded destruction of the security camera videos that filmed the entire event, an order that brought the central government in Paris in conflict with the public authorities in Nice. There has been no US media interest whatsoever in this very strange event. It is not a conspiracy theory to ask why the public cannot see the video evidence that shows what actually happened. What agenda is served by the Paris and Nice attacks? This is the question everyone should be asking and the media, if we had one, should be investigating. With the information currently available to me, my answer is this. Of all the peoples of Western Europe, the French are the most independently minded. French independence has taken a number of recent hits from Washington: The largest French bank was forced to hand over $9 billion to Washington for doing business with a country on Washingtons disapproval list. Washington forced France to cancel a lucrative ship-building program for Russia, to the detriment of French companies and shipyard workers. Washington has forced France into a diplomatic conflict with Russia that the French do not want and into a looming military conflict which the French want even less, as the conflict would mean the vaporization of France. As one Russian SS-18 can wipe out three-fourths of the state of New York, how many do you think it would take to wipe France off of the face of the Earth? Not even a handful. Keep in mind that in 1966 President Charles de Gaulle pulled France out of NATO on the grounds that it was necessary to preserve French independence in world affairs. France did not again submit to Washingtons control until 2009 when Washington-owned Nicolas Sarkozy, put into the French presidency by Washingtons money, followed his orders and rejoined NATO. The Paris and Nice orchestrated events serve to scare France back into Washingtons arms. Dreams of independence become nightmares when independence leaves the French people at the mercy of both terrorists and Russians. Washington, who owns Sarkozy, who is once again Washingtons candidate for president of France, intends to keep France in NATO. The article in Europhysics pointing out the impossibility of the official 9/11 story could possibly lead to a rebirth of skepticism among Europeans. Only a skeptical media willing to investigate government storylines can bring a halt to the staged terror events that serve secret agendas. Keep in mind that the US government has plentiful video evidence of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon but refuses to release the evidence that it says support its story. Similarly, the French federal government has prohibited Nice authorities from releasing the security camera videos of the Nice truck attack and has ordered the video evidence destroyed. How can we believe governments that refuse to show us the hard evidence? 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 . THE Re-branded Indigenous People of Biafra, TRIPOB, and Renegade Indigenous People of Biafra, RENIPOB, a breakaway faction from the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, have merged. Rather than burn the Biafran flag as vowed earlier, both groups have decided to surrender to the Federal Government on January 15, 2017, while appointing Mr. Charles Okah, an Ijaw from the Niger Delta, as its leader, and Dr. Dozie Ikedife as deputy leader. TRIBOB in a statement by spokesperson, Chima Phillip Effiong Osuji, said: TRIBOB gladly and warmly welcomes into its fold the Comrade Emma Powerful-led breakaway faction from the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who now go by the name Renegade Indigenous People of Biafra, or RENIPOB. Following this development, all subsequent TRIPOB/RENIPOB statements shall be jointly signed by Comrade Emma Powerful and the undersigned. Any statements from IPOB using Emma Powerful as its signatory are that of an impostor. And following appeals by well-meaning Nigerians across the world, especially civil war veterans of the defunct Biafra Republic, TRIPOB shall no longer burn the flag of the defunct Biafra Republic as earlier planned for October 1, 2016, a date which has also been rescheduled, he said. He said: Replacing the burning of the flag ceremony shall be the surrender ceremony of the defunct Republic of Biafra flag on the symbolic date of January 15, 2017 at the Eagle Square Abuja, FCT. The general public as well as all relevant agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria, particularly, the Presidency is pleased advised to take note of the date. We strongly believe that the leaders we have nominated shall use their respective offices to help propagate an intense campaign of inclusiveness, love, peace, progress, industry and free enterprise, social justice and democracy within and amongst our compatriots in an indivisible, united and prosperous Nigerian federation, Osuji added. Source: Vanguard The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State has accused the State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode of squandering over N7billion of the states funds on the governorship campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State. The party made the allegation ahead of this Saturdays governorship election in Edo. The Lagos PDP, which also accused the governor of prodigality and neglect, and of exhibiting what it called busy-body in his style of governance, vowed to demand for his probe at the appropriate time. The opposition party specifically carpeted Ambode for sacrificing the welfare, security and concerns of Lagosians for the interest of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). Gov. Ambode accepted the needless burden to be the national coordinator of the APC Edo governorship campaign committee and has literally moved Lagos governance to Edo State, squandering an amount believed to be over N7 billion and also pledging further human, logistic and financial support to the APC candidate for the election day, the PDP said yesterday in a statement by its publicity secretary, Taofiq Gani. Mr. Gani lamented the inexpedient commitment of Lagos funds into partisan activities that are not beneficial to the state, adding that We are keeping tabs on him and we shall demand his probe at the appropriate time. He also described the governors recent visit to Osun State as nonchalance to the plight of Lagos people, who were affected by flood. At the expense of Lagosians, he took the government, executive and legislature to Osun State to commission just a school building constructed by the Osun State governor, Aregbesola, the PDP said. The Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine (PGO) has received confirmation from INTERPOL on the arrest of former head of the State Agency for Investment and National Projects Management Vladyslav Kaskiv in Panama. "An official confirmation of the arrest of Vladyslav Kaskiv in Panama has been received by means of Interpol sources. The moral of this story third rate showings off cost much for an impudent selfie-fan," Deputy Prosecutor General Yevhen Yenin wrote on his Facebook page. As reported, on August 8, 2016, Lutsenko said: We have just received information on the detention of "the second Spanish instructor" Mr. Kaskiv in Panama. He was put on the international wanted list under Article 191 (theft) and other official crimes. The petition to extradite Kaskiv had been handed to the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine and now diplomatic executives are to send the documents to Panama, PGO spokesperson Larysa Sarhan wrote on her Facebook page on August 20. Kaskiv refuted the statement of Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yuriy Lutsenko about his alleged arrest in Panama. In his blog on the website of Ukrayinska Pravda publication he posted a photo with a Panamanian police officer and a fresh newspaper in his hands and wrote: "I have never been detained and arrested in Panama or elsewhere. There is no Interpol red card on me. Only politically motivated 'law enforcers' have information about my 'crimes'. The motive for the event was a usual clearance of my migration status by the Panamanian Migration Service when I crossed the border with Costa Rica where I planned to go with friends and my family." In its turn, Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) said that INTERPOL had issued Red Notice against former head of the State Agency for Investment and National Projects Management of Ukraine Vladyslav Kaskiv and law enforcement agencies are taking measures to extradite him to Ukraine. On August 1, 2016, INTERPOL General Secretariat published a Red Notice to arrest and extradite former head of the State Agency for Investment and National Projects Management of Ukraine Kaskiv under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (misappropriation, embezzlement or conversion of property by abuse of official post committed in respect of an especially gross amount, or by an organized group) and Part 2 of Article 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (forgery in office). The press service said, referring to a report of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Panama that on August 18, 2016 Kaskiv was detained on the border with Costa Rica when he did not get a permit to enter the country on August 17, 2016. In turn, Director of Communications Department of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry Artem Shevchenko said that as of Thursday, the Ukrainian Bureau of INTERPOL hasnt received information on Kaskivs detention in Panama. From December 2010 until March 2014 Kaskiv headed the State Agency for Investment and National Projects Management. At least 22 people have been reported to have been killed in a bus collision and five died when a train derailed in separate accidents south of Cairo on Wednesday during a busy holiday travel time. The bus collided with a truck in the southwestern province of Wedi El-Gedid, the Egyptian health ministry said. The train, which had left Cairo for the southern city of Aswan carrying about 60 passengers, derailed south of Cairo, police and medical officials said. The conductor hit the brakes when he spotted a problem with the tracks, causing three carriages to overturn near the village of al-Ayyat, officials said. Fifteen passengers were also injured in the accident. Egypts roads and trains are busier before national holidays, such as the Eid festival next week, with people working in Cairo and other major cities visiting their home towns and villages. Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has condemned the call for the postponement of the Edo State governorship election by the State Security Services (SSS) and the Police, saying It is obvious that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is challenged and afraid of losing the election and the party is using the federal government security agencies to cause a postponement of the election so as to be able to perfect its new rigging plans. The two security agencies on Wednesday at a joint press briefing, which held at the SSS Headquarters in Abuja, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to consider postponing the polls, slated for Saturday, September 10, citing intelligence report that suggests a plot to cause a breach of peace. But the Ekiti governor who raised the alarm that democracy is in danger under the APC government, said obviously, within two years of APC government, Nigeria is in both economic and political recession and this should worry all true lovers of the country. Fayose, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said he was worried that democracy in Nigeria has now graduated from inconclusive elections to postponement of elections in other to return APC candidates at all cost. Within two years, the APC government not only destroyed the economy of Nigeria, it has destroyed the legacy of free, fair and credible electoral process bequeathed on the country by the PDP. The governor said; The questions Nigerians must ask the APC-led federal government are; what security threat can overcome over 50,000 security personnel in an election holding in just one out of the 36 States in Nigeria? If election must be postponed in just one State because of security threat, what will then happen in 2019 when elections will be conducted in the entire country? Another question is; were they unaware of the security challenge when President Muhammadu Buhari went to Edo State to campaign for the APC yesterday? No doubt, this is a game being played by the APC because it has become so imminent that the party cannot win the election if it is held on Saturday as scheduled. The postponement is obviously meant to give room for the APC to perfect a new rigging strategy and lovers of democracy in Nigeria should begin to see how the APC aims at perpetuating itself in power beyond 2019 even now that the party has been rejected by Nigerians. Monica Riley is a 27-year-old American woman weighing over 317kg making her morbidly obese. She models for a websites that celebrate Big Beautiful Women (BBW) and said her goal is to become the worlds fattest woman and until she is unable to walk. She embraced her weight in 2014 after trial and errors with weight loss. It was then she vowed to become the worlds fattest woman and her boyfriend, Sid, who is 25 years old fully supports her decision by helping her reach her obese weight goal. She spoke to Sun UK: The plan is to reach 1000lbs and become immobile. I would feel like a queen because Sid would be waiting on me hand and foot and hes excited about it too. Its a sexual fantasy for us and we talk about it a lot. He already has to help me get off the sofa and get me out of bed. If I lay down after a big dinner he has to help me roll over because my belly is too full for me to roll its a big turn-on for both of us. Since Monica met Sid, she eats six biscuits, six sausages in a bread roll, a big bowl of sugary cereal, two weight gain shakes, four McChicken sandwiches, four double cheeseburgers, large French fries, 30 chicken nuggets, macaroni cheese, Taco Bell and a gallon of ice cream. Sid feeds her through a funnel till she is full. She said: The bigger I get the sexier I feel. I love my big soft belly and stuffing myself with food really turns me on. We do plan to have children theres nothing to stop me raising a child from my bedroom. We would get a nanny in to help around the house and take the baby out and about. Theres nothing to stop us raising a child. Some people might think its selfish but Im confident we would be good parents. Sid loves to cook for me and hand-feed me and Ive achieved so much since we got together. He feeds me around the clock and I never have to get up to do anything. I could get hit by a car tomorrow and my life would be over. At least if I die this way I will have lived out the life I wanted and fulfilled all of my dreams. Sid said to take care of her would be a dream come true. He said: There is a misconception that feederism and immobility is about control. I love her and I love doing things for her caring for her would be a dream come true. The funnel feeding is what I really look forward to. I find it to be a very sexual experience and I know Sid likes it too. I have 20,000 online fans and they love to watch the funnel feeding itis a big hit. Source: Naij As a cloud of uncertainty hovers over the governorship election slated for Saturday in Edo State, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to stop alleged intimidation of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. The Deputy Senate President, who made the call in a statement by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu, expressed worry over what he called arbitrary arrests and intimidation of members and supporters of PDP by federal security agencies. He called on President Buhari to urgently intervene to ensure a free, fair, and credible electoral process in Edo State. I am deeply distressed by the development, not just because I am a member of the PDP, but more importantly, because the PDP had taken our electoral process beyond where it is being dragged back to today. The greatest gift of democracy, which makes other blessings of democracy feasible, is the inalienable right of the people to elect their leaders of their own freewill in a free, fair, and credible electoral process that must be devoid of all forms of intimidation. As a beneficiary of the electoral reforms and policy of non-interference in the electoral process, exemplified by the immediate past PDP administration, led by former President Goodluck Jonathan, I expect the APC-led federal government to immediately call the security agencies to order. If the APC-led FG cannot improve on the electoral process, I expect them to, at least, maintain the standard set by the PDP, he said. Senator Ekweremadu also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, political elite and the entire people of the state to work for the progress of the country by ensuring a credible, violence-free, and conclusive poll. I believe it is now clear to Nigerians and the people of Edo State, in particular, that PDP is the only truly pan-Nigerian and pro-poor political party capable of turning things around for the nation. I expect Edo electorate to vent their displeasure over the excruciating hardship in the land by voting out the APC in Edo State, he said. The National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as shocking, bizarre and confusing, purported advice by the Department of State Service (DSS) and the police to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the Edo State governorship election this Saturday. The spokesman of the caretaker committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, in a statement on Wednesday, noted that the said advice was predicated on purported security threats during the poll. Mr. Adeyeye expressed surprise that the said security alert was coming a day after President Muhammadu Buhari visited Benin City, the Edo State capital for the All progressives Congress (APC) mega rally, where there was no incidence of security breach. The statement said, Our attention has been drawn to the shocking breaking news of the advice by the DSS and the police to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the Saturday, September 10, 2016 gubernatorial election in Edo State over insurgency alert. We are taken aback by this advice, coming a day after the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, was present at the mega rally of its party, the APC in Benin City which was concluded without any hitch. It is on record that INEC recently conducted a hitch free senatorial bye election in Borno State, which is a high-point of insurgency in the country but the security agencies saw no reason to call-off the election. It is therefore lamentable to hear from these same security agencies that the election cannot be held in a state where in less than 24 hours, the President and the APC leaders and members had an uninterrupted rally. We are calling on the President, Muhammadu Buhari to caution the security agencies and direct them to provide full security and also desist from doing anything that will jeopardise this forthcoming gubernatorial election in Edo State. We are equally counting on INEC not to succumb to this false alarm by acting independently and holding election as scheduled. Enough is enough, newly-confirmed Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has told organizers of the BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) movement in Abuja, led by a former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili. The BBOG have been attempting to take their protest for the rescue of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja, but the police have prevented them. The group, which vowed to lead a march to the Presidential Villa every 72 hours, has however, incurred the wrath of the police chief, who said their actions in recent times constitute a threat to the public peace and order in the nations capital. It would be recalled that during the BBOGs march to the Villa Tuesday, they were confronted by another group, which claimed that the campaigners for the release of the Chibok school girls had turned it into an anti-government group In apparent support of this line of thought, Mr. Idris, who was confirmed by the Council of State as substantive IGP on Wednesday, accused the BBOG of over dramatizing its campaign for the release of the Chibok girls and attempting to arm-twist the government of the day in order to achieve its aim. Idris spoke in Abuja while receiving the National President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Mrs. Gloria Shoda and other executive members of the association. He said: The police management is aware of the agitation and the plight of parents of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls and other civil groups. As parents ourselves, we sympathize with them in these trying moments. Evidently, the government has invested huge resources in ensuring that the girls are rescued and re-united with their various families. However, the activities of the BringBackOurGirls group in Abuja, the nations capital recently, is becoming worrisome and a threat to public peace and order. #BringBackOurGirls protagonists must understand that in the exercise of their rights, they must not trample on other peoples rights through over-dramatization of emotions, self-serving propaganda and disrespect of public (office) holders. The police will not sit on the fence and watch such a scenario unfold. The rights of law-abiding citizens must be protected within the context of the law and we believe that enough is enough. I watched them on Television saying they were enforcing their rights. Every citizen of this country has rights and we believe that where your right ends, the rights of others begin and we should try to conduct ourselves in such a way that everybody in the process of enforcing right, do not encroach on the rights of others. I believe that blocking the highway or stopping traffic and over dramatization of emotion, trying to confront and provoke policemen, I dont think that is part of enforcement of rights because even the policemen have rights and they are doing it lawfully. The essence of procession is to bring the attention of the society or the government to your plight and I think the demonstration has been going on for too long. We believe and advice that it is time for them to maintain some level of control so that people of Abuja can live in peace and tranquility. We however ask that they tread with caution and that their grievances be channeled within the ambit of the law. The IGP told the BBOG campaigners to be mindful of the movement of other persons as enshrined in Chapter 4 Section 41 of the 1999 constitution as amended. Pressure groups should not resort to arm-twisting of government in order to achieve their aim, he added. Earlier, the NCWS President commended the police for maintaining the peace in the Federal Capital Territory in spite of the BBOG protests. We recognise that one of the vocal groups, the BringBackOurGirls, has in recent times had near clashes with you (police). We use this occasion to appeal for calm and patience so that these kinds of situations do not get out of hand, Mrs. Shoda pleaded. Two factions of the Boko Haram sect in Monguno area of Borno State engaged in a bloody fight over leadership tussle, sources told the AFP on Thursday. The sect had split after the Islamic State group announced Abu Musab al-Barnawi, the son of Boko Harams founder Mohammed Yusuf, as the sects new leader to replace Abubakar Shekau. But Shekau had insisted he was still in charge of the Islamist group, whose insurgency had killed at least 20,000 people since 2009 and displaced about 2.6 million people. Sources say there have been deadly skirmishes between Boko Harams factions led by Abubakar Shekau and IS-backed Abu Musab al-Barnawi respectively. Sources in North-East now say there have been deadly skirmishes between the two factions, even as Nigerias military seeks to finally rout the rebels in a sustained counter-offensive. Last Thursday, several fighters from Shekaus camp were said to have been killed in two separate gun battles with IS-backed Barnawi gunmen in the Monguno area of Borno State near Lake Chad. Nigerias military declined to comment on the reported in-fighting when contacted by AFP. But Mele Kaka, who lives in the area, told AFP that, The Barnawi faction launched an offensive against the fighters of Shekau faction who were camped in Yele and Arafa villages. In Yele, the assailants killed three people from the Shekau camp, injured one and took one with them, while several others were killed in Arafa, he told AFP on the telephone from the state capital, Maiduguri. The attack, he said, prompted residents of Arafa to flee the area. Kaka added that fighters from Barnawi camp had the previous day attacked gunmen loyal to Shekau faction in Zuwa village in nearby Marte district, killing an unspecified number. Kaka added, The Barnawi fighters told villagers after each attack that they were fighting the other camp because they had derailed from the true jihad and were killing innocent people, looting their property and burning their homes. They said such acts contravene the teachings of Islam and true jihad. AFP reported that the news of the factional clashes had been slow to emerge because of the destroyed telecommunications infrastructure in the North-East and restricted access to the area. A civilian vigilante assisting the military against Boko Haram said there were sporadic clashes between the opposing fighters. The three incidents described by Kaka were very possible, said Babakura Kolo. I dont have news of the clashes but it is not surprising if they did occur because there has been similar in-fighting among the two Boko Haram camps, he added. Two weeks ago, there was a fierce gun battle in the Abadam area of Borno State, near the border with Niger, where Shekaus fighters were routed, he said. It was a deadly fight and Shekaus fighters were forced to flee, Kolo said. He added that hundreds of residents of the villages and their herds taken hostage by the fleeing fighters were allowed to go about their normal lives by the Barnawi faction. Shekau has led Boko Haram since the death of Mohammed Yusuf in police custody in 2009, waging a deadly, indiscriminate guerrilla war that has overwhelmingly targeted civilians. Source: AFP The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar has expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Special Forces Counter Terrorism Simulation Exercise at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The Special Forces simulated an insertion and extraction exercise of a terrorist hijacking situation in the middle of the international wing of the Airport on Wednesday. The exercise, codenamed Steel Dome (fortified arena) was conducted by about 40 men of the Air Force Regiment a special force operations team, comprising commandos and specially trained officers deployed in counter-terrorism. In an interview with journalists, the Air Chief said the exercise is very significant because the regiment forces and quick response forces, are participating in this exercise. Air Marshal Abubakar stressed that the exercise would be continuous just as lapses observed during the simulation, would be rectified. I am happy we have been able to test the plans we have for this airport and whatever gaps there are we will go back and fix it. The evaluators are here to see if the plan can be effective. What we want is to have a force that will be effective in the event of attack on our airport; you can have the training, you can have the skills, unless you are tested from time to time you wont be able to know if there will be gaps, he said. Abubakar said he would test the cooperation of other agencies to know where there would be problems and how to fix it. The essence is to ensure there are no gaps, and we need to have the cooperation of other agencies; coordination with other agencies must be evaluated from time to time to know if there will be problems in a real situation. What I have seen this morning, I am satisfied, I want to appreciate the airport authority and other agencies, the Army and the Navy are here with us and other agencies. The Air Chief, however, denied that the Nigeria Air Force is anticipating an attack on one of the nations busiest airports, insisting the exercise is just a test. We are not anticipating anything; as I said this is just an exercise, it is important that you evaluate your plans from time to time, this is not because we are anticipating anything. We have at least an idea of what is likely to happen should there be this kind of situation, we pray that we dont have this kind of situation but we must be prepared to also be there should it happen. We will go beyond what we are doing here. We will look for other airports. This is just within the terminal building; assuming we have terrorists coming from the other end of the runway, can we deploy our aircraft to be with them even before they get to the terminal building? We are starting with Nnamdi Azikiwe. We are going to Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, and we have enough Special Forces trained to undertake this kind of operation. We have deployment in most of our airports, they are in different parts of the country and can be mobilised without any difficulty, he said. Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said 18,511 electoral officials had been deployed to Edo State ahead of the Saturdays gubernatorial election in the state. Yakubu made the disclosure at a Stakeholders Forum on the election, organised by the commission in Benin on Wednesday. He said that majority of the personnel were drawn from the pool of young Nigerians on national assignment through the National Youths Service Corps Scheme (NYSC). Their service, complemented by other patriotic Nigerians, is essential to the electoral process and our democracy, he added. Yakubu assured of the commissions continued neutrality in elections, saying that the Edo exercise would be free, fair and credible. He disclosed that the electoral officials had been warned to operate strictly within the confines of the law and our guidelines. All election duty personnel have sworn to an oath of neutrality and fairness to the process, and any infraction will attract severe sanctions from the commission. He appealed to political parties and their supporters to eschew violence and intimidation of electoral officials and the desperate resort to ballot-snatching and falsification of results. It is unfortunate that already, one smart card reader was snatched at one of the training centres recently. It was a futile effort because the card reader had not been configured to any polling unit for the election. It was nevertheless a disturbing incident; security agencies are the trail of the snatchers, he said. Yakubu also warned high profile personalities in the state to ensure that they complied with the law by avoiding acts of perambulation during the election. According to him, like other ordinary citizens, they are expected to vote and then go home; if they must stay around, they must also maintain a reasonable distance from the polling centres. Heads of the security agencies from our various inter-governmental agencies meetings have given their assurances that they will provide adequate security for the electorate, INEC and ad hoc staff and materials. No orderly may accompany these high profile personalities to the polling centres, but where they escort them, they are not expected to display their arms, he stated. The chairman appreciated the contributions of stakeholders to INECs preparations for the elections and reiterated the commissions commitment to conducting a credible and conclusive governorship election. Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mr Sam Olumekun, said that no fewer than 1.9 million registered voters were expected to participate in the governorship poll. Olumekun said that Edo had 1,925,105 registered voters, adding that accreditation and voting would be done simultaneously during the election. He attributed the decision to the paradigm shift in the evolving electoral system, saying the polling procedure in this governorship election requires a prospective voter to cast his or her vote immediately after being accredited. This procedure is less consuming and less wearisome for the voter, he said. The REC expressed the commissions readiness to conduct a free, fair and credible governorship election on Saturday, saying that INEC had complied with all electoral Acts on the election. He, however, urged the people to stop seeing election as a do-or-die affair, but as a healthy process on a level-playing field. Olumekun said that as was the case in the 2015 General Election, the commission would retain the use of permanent voter card and smart card reader for conduct of the. In his contribution, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, assured the people of the state of adequate security, saying that the police had earlier deployed 25,000 personnel to complement those in Edo command. Idris, who was represented by Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Joshak Habila, said that with the collaboration of other security agencies, effective policing logistics had been mobilized for adequate protection of voters, INEC staff and materials. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that candidates of the 19 political parties participating in the election attended the forum. A mild drama played out in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly on Thursday when a caretaker committee chairman-designate, Mr. Henry Eze, failed to recite the National Anthem and Pledge, seven times. The incident occurred during the screening of Eze and other nominees by members of the House. The caretaker committee chairman-designate had appeared before the House for the screening when he was asked to recite National pledge, which he could not do. He was also asked to recite the National Anthem which he also failed. The chairmanship nominee for Ishielu Local Government Area was also asked by the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Ogbonna Nwifuru, to repeat the National pledge and anthem which he failed. The failure prompted Nwifuru to present a copy of the written anthem and pledge to enable him recite it properly. But, there was a mild-drama when he could not recite the anthem and pledge, despite been handed a written copy of the Nigerian national anthem and pledge, respectively. Visibly enraged by the incident, the Speaker asked Eze to go back and study the National Anthem and pledge, describing the failure as an embarrassment. How can a council chairman not recite National Anthem and National pledge? This house is surprised that as a council chairman, you cannot recite the anthem and pledge when you should be the one to teach your subordinates. So, go back and study them, Nwifuru said. Eze, however, was screened and confirmed by the house despite his inability to recite the National Anthem and pledge. Meanwhile, the house screened and confirmed 11 chairmanship nominees in the state. Their screening and confirmation followed the expiration of their tenure in office and their reappointment by Gov. Dave Umahi. Twelve out of the 13 chairmen were reappointed, while Mr Joseph Orogwu, of Ikwo Local Government was dropped. (NAN) The European Union should mainly focus on representatives of Ukrainian non-oligarchic backbone businesses, as the Ukrainian state vertical is incapable of interacting effectively with European partners in the implementation of plans for Ukraine's economic renaissance. This opinion was expressed by Coordinator of Ukrainian Business Initiative (UBI) Andriy Nikolayenko in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine. "In its 25 years of independence, Ukraine has seen about 20 governments. The average term of the Ukrainian Cabinet's tenure is one and a half years. During this time, many officials only have time to figure out how to steal from losses. They have no time they for anything else. However, success stories of many Ukrainian businessmen who represent non-oligarchic backbone businesses last for 15-20 years. This is businesses, unlike governments, have a strategy, there is an understanding of the specifics of the markets and responsibility for the future of the country," Nikolayenko said during the 26th international economic forum in Krynica-Zdroj, Poland. A group of economists is now working out a number of scenarios of large-scale economic revival of Ukraine at the UBI's request, he said. Estimates show that Ukraine, with the help of the European Union, is able to achieve GDP worth at least $500 billion by 2030, which would require $16-17 billion in foreign direct investment annually. The state should provide general political support to this process, but the formation of sectoral priorities, designation of drivers of the economy and the distribution of incoming resource should be assigned to Ukrainian businesses, Nikolayenko said. "Only horizontal connections, only B2B contacts will prevent the Ukrainian authorities from hiding European investments in their pockets," he added. The Ukrainian Business Initiative (UBI) brings 30 entrepreneurs together on the basis of personal participation and responsibility. These are representatives of large and medium-sized enterprises doing business in the most powerful sectors of the national economy: metallurgy, agribusiness, engineering, IT, finance, construction, crude oil production, retail, etc. Mexicos finance minister Luis Videgaray has resigned from his position. The resignation comes a week after the meeting between Mexicos president Mr. Pena Nieto and Donald Trump, which engendered widespread dismay and anger among Mexicans and reportedly divided Nietos cabinet. Trump had called Mexican migrants criminals and rapists. His remarks led President Pena Nieto to compare the American to Italian fascist leader Mussolini, and Adolf Hitler. It was Videgarays idea to invite Mr. Trump, according to several Mexican news media reports, though Nieto later claimed it was his own. Nieto was scheduled to make a statement and is expected to name Jose Antonio Meade, Mexicos social development minister, as Videgarays replacement. SEE ALSO: Donald Trump Brands Hillary Clinton A Bigot The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, Wednesday disclosed that militancy in the creeks of Bakassi and Akpabuyo local government areas of Cross River State, would be crushed soon by the military. Buratai stated this during the launch of Exercise Crocodile Smile at the jetty of the Amphibious Training School (ATS) of the Nigerian Army in Calabar, the Cross River capital. He said that the exercise was aimed at equipping army personnel deployed to the coastal areas with competent amphibious skills to help them curb militancy, pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the Niger Delta region. He said, the Nigerian Army must continue to make progress in its determination to rid the riverside areas of activities of militants. We must keep our country safe at all times, even after the exercise; we must continue to maintain our presence at sea and in all the troubled areas and hot spots. I know the role the amphibious personnel are playing; amphibious operations are very difficult operations; it requires special training and re-training to fit in. On this regard, the ATS will give all the necessary support that is required for the personnel to perform very well. We are making efforts to also fix all the broken-down platforms and indeed, acquire more to enhance our operational capabilities in the riverside environment. We are also going to enhance our training in this regards. I must commend all the soldiers for their support in keeping our nation safe. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the COAS also inaugurated five operational boats during the ceremony. Earlier, Commandant of the training school, Brig.-Gen. Temitope Ademola, had said that the ATS, established in 1984, had the mandate to train and prepare soldiers for amphibious warfare. According to Ademola, the ATS needs more operational equipment that will enhance its amphibious activities. He appealed to the COAS to approve the supply of the needed equipment to the school. Earlier in a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of the state, Prof. Ivara Esu, the COAS said that the army would collaborate with the state government in revamping the Tinapa Business Resort. He said that the collaboration would strengthen existing relationship between the state and the army. Responding, Esu said that the COAS had changed the face of Nigeria Army by motivating the troops with his presence at the Sambisa forest. We have no choice as a government than to give you all the necessary support you need in this exercise. Cross River needs the heavy presence of the military in other to sustain the existing peace we enjoy, he said. A trader, Margaret Agwu, on Wednesday told an Igando Customary Court, Lagos, that her husband, Onu, deceived her and her parents and paid just N600 as her bride price when she was still 12 years old. She also said that sometimes he strips her naked and beats her to pulp. Margret, who made this known when she testified in a divorce proceedings against Onu, told the court that her husband had turned her into a punching bag He once punched me in my stomach and I lost my first pregnancy after a fight. I have lived every minute of my life in fear but I cannot go back to my parents because of the bride price, she said. Margaret, 45, had urged the court to annul her 33-year-old marriage citing husbands duplicity. When I was 12 years old, my husband came to my village to ask for my hand in marriage with a promise to my parents that he would send me to school. He also lied to my parents that he is a businessman that he owned a provision store and that he lived in a flat. My parents told him that they cannot release me for marriage because I was too young and besides I was still schooling. Onu told my parents that he will send me to school after the marriage, my parent agreed and he paid the bride price, she said. Margaret regretted that on getting to the city, she discovered that her husband was not what he made her and her parents believe he was. When I got to his house, I discovered that he was staying in one-room apartment, selling popcorn at the roadside. He also refused to fulfill his promise of sending me to school, she said. The petitioner said that she would not have reminded herself of the husbands deceit but because he had turned out to be a brute, who beats her at the slightest provocation. Margret also accused her husband of absconding with all their five children 16 years ago. When I called him after he packed out, he just told me that he was no longer interested in the marriage and since then he refused to pick my calls. His relations told me he relocated with the children to Port Harcourt. It is 16 years now that I have not seen nor heard from them. I heard that my husband gave our first daughters hand in marriage without my knowledge and that she had given birth to a son, she said. Margaret urged the court to help her to return the N600 bride price paid by her husband and dissolve the marriage, saying I am no longer in love and I want to move on with my life. When an official of the court called Onu on telephone, he said that the petitioner was no longer his wife. In his judgment, the President of the court, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, said that it was obvious that the marriage had hit the rocks. Throughout the duration of this case, the respondent refused to honour court summons, therefore, the court has no other choice than to dissolve the union. The marriage between Margaret Agwu and Onu Agwu is hereby dissolved from today, both parties are no longer husband and wife. Both are free to go their separate ways without any hindrances and molestation, he said. Source: Vanguard Adebola, one of the sons of former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel has revealed how he got confined to the wheelcheer, just as he has begun a foundation to press for equity and fairness to the physically disabled individuals in Nigeria. In a statement made available last week, Adebola stressed the need to end discrimination against people living with disabilities in the country. I was born into a very comfortable home, with both amazing parents and without a disability. However, when I turned 5, I was diagnosed with paraplegia- a rare condition with no medical clarity. I became confined to a wheelchair. Growing up in Nigeria, I unconsciously associated disability to poverty and crime due to amputated beggars on the streets mostly as a result of Sharia Law practiced in the North. This was general opinion of most Nigerians in my social circle as a child. Having myself become physically challenged, I was exposed to the stigma and assumptions that came with being disabled. All of a sudden, I was looked at with pity, with judgement and sometimes with resentment by my fellow countrymen. As I became an adult, I began to realise that the onus was on me to make something of myself and create my life and future the way I envision it. My future was, and would always be in my own hands. Adebola, who has a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from University College London is an inspirational speaker with TEDx Talk and founder of the African Youth Initiative. According to him, Nigeria is one of the most unjust societies for people living with disabilities hence the need to create a movement to seek for not just equity but challenge the mindset of the average Nigerian. I see a lack of integration and it saddens me knowing that there is a young disabled Nigerian out there that has the capability to achieve what I have achieved and even surpass me but regrettably, he/she is not being given the adequate support from government and the society. It is unacceptable that most schools in Nigeria are inaccessible. It is unacceptable that road side pavements are not fit for wheelchairs. It is unacceptable that Shell and other multinationals adhere to strict disability codes in the US and UK but are unable to carry this same principles to Nigeria, he said. The U.K. trainee said, the Debola Daniel Foundation will not be a charity organisation that will give out wheelchairs and crutches to the less privileged. Rather it will challenge government to think of disabilities when formulating policies especially in Education, Employment, Entrepreneurism and Development. At the moment, the foundation is working on a social media campaign with information, statistics and policies we support under the hashtag #DisabledNotUnable. A second segment titled #MyStory is being developed too, where the foundation celebrates disabled citizens who have decided that disability is not the end but just a different path. These people have decided to live life rather than be idle, he said. The militant group known as Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), has accused the Nigerian military of cover-up in the death of soldiers it claimed were murdered during the ongoing military operation exercise code named Operation Crocodile Smile in the Niger Delta. The military had earlier this week confirmed that four soldiers drowned on Monday in what it said was a tragic incident, following a boat mishap along the Brass waterfront in Brass local government area of Bayelsa State. While the bodies of three of the soldiers have been recovered by local divers and military personnel, the body of the fourth soldier and their rifles, are yet to be recovered. The Avengers, however, claimed in a statement on its website Thursday that aside the four soldiers officially declared as dead, 16 others also died in the first four days of the operation. Spokesperson for the group, Brigadier General Mudoch Agbinibo, blamed negligence, administrative greed and corruption within the military for the soldiers death. Agbinibo, therefore, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order a probe into ongoing military operation in the Niger Delta, which it claimed was a conduit pipe to siphon public funds. Mr. President from available facts, the untimely deaths of these four (4) fine soldiers in the creeks of Bayelsa and another sixteen (16) that was recorded during the first four days of the exercise along the River Ethiope, in Delta state but was earlier covered up is nothing more than act of murder. Their death is due to negligence, administrative greed and a corruption within the military, the statement said. It would be recalled that Chairman of the National Maritime Union in the state, Lloyd Sese, blamed the incident on poor logistics and use of low-powered engine boats to convey military personnel partaking in Operation Crocodile Smile. The statement further queried the wisdom behind the deployment of military hardware to the Niger Delta suddenly when there was cessation of hostilities for peace talks to commence. The NDA, which has accepted responsibility for a series of attacks on oil and gas facilities in the last few months, about two weeks ago said it was ready for a ceasefire and talks with the federal government. Finally, Mr. President, we want you to commission a high powered panel to investigate all processes that led to the ongoing military operation and exercise in the Niger Delta tagged Operation Crocodile Smile and all the ongoing cover-ups of military mishaps that have led to more than twenty (20) deaths so far, it said. The mission ongoing in the Niger Delta is a brainchild of orchestrated military corruption at your face Mr. President. Operation Crocodile Smile is nothing but a conduit pipe for military contracts, political profiteerism and patronages designed for the stress of your administrations scarce resources, the group claimed. The Council of State on Wednesday endorsed President Muhammadu Buharis measures to take the country out of the present economic recession. After being briefed at yesterdays meeting, the council which comprises former heads of state and presidents, former chief justices of the federation and serving governors, endorsed the measures after making some suggestions. The meeting also ratified the appointment of Ibrahim Idris as substantive Inspector General of Police (IGP), pending the Senates ratification. Mr. Idris has been acting IGP since the retirement of Solomon Arase last June. Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode and his Jigawa State counterpart, Badaru Abubakar, briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting. Ambode said: The Council was also briefed on the state of the economy. The Minister of State (ministry of Budget and Planning) made a presentation to council on the ways and manner in which the Federal Government is approaching the recession path that we are going through. Council was confident and also approved the measures the Federal Government is putting in at ensuring that Nigeria goes on the path of recovery as quickly as possible. Asked to speak on the specific measures approved by the council, Ambode said: Details were given. Suggestions were made by council members. It was also resolved that those suggestions be imputed into whatever it is that the federal government is doing in order for us to fast track our recovery. He said the meeting also approved six commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and five for the National Population Commission (NPC). Ambode said: We deliberated on the appointment of six national commissioners for INEC. You know INEC is supposed to have 12. We had approved six sometimes last year and additional six were approved today. And those six represent six nominees from the six geo-political zones. They are Mohammed Haruna (North Central); AVM Ahmed Tijani MuAzu, rtd (North East); Abubakar Nahuca (North West); Professor Okechukwu Ibanu (South East); May Agbamuche Mbu (South South) and Dr. Adekunle Ladipo Ogunmola (South West). You may wish to know that we approved five new commissioners for the National Population Commission (NPC).They are Dr. Eyitayo Oyetunji (Oyo); Ms. Patricia Iyaya (Benue); Mr. Benedict Ukpong (Akwa Ibom); Dr. Halu Bala (Kebbi); and Gloria Isofo (Bayelsa). Badaru, who touched on the confirmation of Idris as substantive IGP, said the decision was almost unanimous. So the Police Council resolved to confirm the Acting Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris. On the Councils expectation from Idris, he said: Most of the comments received proved to us that the IGP is of impeccable character and we expect him to conduct himself as such. We believe he is very honest and transparent. We also believe he will continue to be honest and to do his best for the country. Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has disclosed that he would temporarily relocate to Bama and Gwoza local government areas of the state, where life is gradually returning, to speed up the ongoing reconstruction works of communities destroyed by insurgents. Bama and Gwoza were some of the territories captured by Boko Haram with the latter town declared an Islamic Caliphate by Abubakar Shekau, before Nigerian troops flushed the insurgents out and reclaimed the local government areas. Gov. Shettima, who recently created the state Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, said he will not wait for any donation from international donor agencies or the federal government before embarking on rebuilding homes and communities destroyed by the insurgents across the state. For those that believe in this mission, a day or two after Sallah, I am relocating to Bama. I will move between Bama and Gwoza to see that we do not wait for eternity for support from international community, from the UN (United Nations), from the central government, we want to take charge of our destiny and rebuild our homes and communities, so that we can restore the dignity of our state, he said. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Imo State has disclosed its resolve to boycott the proposed council elections by the All Progressives Congress, APC-led state government come January 2017. The Imo PDP Chairman, Barr. Charles Ezekwem made the partys position known at a press briefing in Owerri, the state capital on Wednesday. It would be recalled that the state government had last week announced that local government elections would be held across the 27 local government areas of the state next January. According to him, the planned election in the state was another ploy by the Rochas Okorocha-led administration to fleece politicians in the state. Ezekwem alleged that in the last five years, the governor had used elections as a ploy to raise revenue for the state. He said: It is now a mere revenue drive of Governor Okorocha because politicians who are intending to contest the local government elections had bought the form more than three times since he became governor; and in the end, no election took place and the monies paid were never refunded to those who had purchased the forms. He added that the PDP would not participate in the election, until there was evidence of serious commitment from the state government, including assurances that the process would be free and fair. Ezekwem added that the 150 days notice before the date of an election must also be respected. Alphr.com, which launched just over a year ago, has grown rapidly to become one of Dennis flagship technology brands, says Dennis Publishing. According to the publishes, it goes beyond the news and reviews-driven formula of most technology sites to talk about the innovators and leaders who use these technologies to do amazing things, revolutionising the way we work and live. Alphr.es launches this month under licensing agreement with Wannacom Comunicacion in Spain. The content will be provided from the parent website Alphr.com in the UK and translated into Spanish, with 30% of the content being locally sourced by the licensee. Wannacom Comunicacion has a team of expert journalists, photographers, translators, community managers and strategists, making them the perfect company to introduce Alphr.es to the 400 million plus Spanish speaking market, says Dennis. Paul Hood, Head of Digital, Dennis Technology Division said: Alphr.com has grown significantly in the last year in the UK market, establishing itself as a distinct, interesting and authoritative voice in technology. The launch in Spain is part of our strategy to expand the organic reach of the brand to new markets. Were delighted to be working with Wannacom Comunicacion on Alphr.es and will be looking to launch in other territories in coming months. Pablo Bueno Borja, Director of Wannacom said: "Were very excited about launching Alphr.es. Alphr is a beautifully designed site with excellent content, and were confident it will be very well received in Spain. Our aim is to become the go to brand for all Spanish tech enthusiasts: useful for the users, the place where brands want to have their products showcased, and the guide for decision makers." Carlotta Serantoni, Senior Licensing Manager at Dennis Publishing said: Everything in life now depends on technology, whether its work, health or everyday life. Before Alphr.es, there were no technology websites in Spain or LATAM countries dedicated to helping consumers pick the right devices for them. We are delighted to have reached an agreement with Pablo and his team and we consider Alphr.es to be the perfect site to help the Spanish market make sure they are well informed on everything in the world of tech. Limit up on Wheat? Banghart Properties - Sat Oct 29, 7:09PM CDT News broke over the weekend that could help wheat trade limit up when it reopens. Rains in the Plains, Dow soars Sidwell Strategies - Sat Oct 29, 8:38AM CDT 1st winter wheat ratings Monday; consider carbon for cash flow during drought Open Enrollment 101: Make the Most of Your Benefits Young & The Invested - Sat Oct 29, 6:00AM CDT The 2022 open enrollment season will be a difficult one as workers have to factor in persistently high inflation while they choose their coverage. These tips can help you maximize your benefits. Hogs Rebound into Weekend Barchart - Fri Oct 28, 4:39PM CDT Lean hog futures ended the Friday round with 32 to 97 cent gains to fade the triple digit losses from Thursday. The USDA National Average Base Hog Price was $90.54 in the PM update, down by $1.15. The... HEZ22 : 86.100s (+1.15%) HEJ23 : 92.700s (+0.62%) KMZ22 : 96.125s (+0.37%) Cotton Falls Triple Digits Barchart - Fri Oct 28, 4:39PM CDT December cotton ended the day locked limit lower on the 3c loss. The March contract worked back off the limit for the bell, but still went home down by 274 points. For the week, Dec cotton closed 702 points... CTZ22 : 72.11s (-3.99%) CTH23 : 72.07s (-3.66%) CTK23 : 72.30s (-2.99%) Cattle Market Fades on Friday Barchart - Fri Oct 28, 4:39PM CDT Live cattle futures ended the weeks last trade day down by 35 cents to $1.02 with soon to expire October down the most. Cash trade picked up later in the week with some Friday catch up sales mostly... 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%) Loss for Friday Wheat Barchart - Fri Oct 28, 4:39PM CDT Wheat futures faded on Friday with the front month contracts going home 6 1/4 to 9 1/4 cents lower in SRW. For the December contract that completed the week with a 21 1/2 cent loss. KC futures closed down... ZWZ22 : 829-2s (-1.10%) ZWH23 : 849-0s (-1.05%) ZWPAES.CM : 7.6281 (-1.18%) KEZ22 : 925-0s (-0.78%) KEPAWS.CM : 8.8324 (-0.81%) MWZ22 : 945-0s (-0.58%) Corn Closes Red on Friday Barchart - Fri Oct 28, 4:39PM CDT Front month corn futures settled the Friday session with fractional to 1 1/2 cent losses. The December contract saw a tight 7 1/2 cent range from -6 cents to +1 1/2 cents on the day. It was also down for... ZCZ22 : 680-6s (-0.22%) ZCPAUS.CM : 6.7193 (-0.15%) ZCH23 : 686-6s (-0.15%) ZCK23 : 686-2s (unch) The ceasefire in the special operation area in eastern Ukraine is being generally observed, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Special Monitoring Mission Principal Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug told a briefing in Kyiv on Thursday. The OSCE SMM monitors have received mainly positive news from Donbas, and for the first time since the beginning of May the relatively calm situation is being observed in most districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Hug said, noting that the parties to the conflict are still located closely to each other, the fire attacks take place, but the general level of violence has markedly lowered. Besides, the situation is not ideal yet, he said. There is still a risk of the growth of violence to resume, which had been recorded in early August, Hug said. The most serious ceasefire breach has been recorded in the early hours of Monday near the bridge in Stanytsia Luhanska, where the sides had used mortars, grenade launchers, small arms and large-caliber machineguns for almost four hours, he said. This episode only confirms that the ceasefire is unstable, Hug said. The fire attacks are taking place, because the parties to the confrontation do not completely trust each other, Hug also said, noting that unmanned aerial vehicles are still being used in Donbas, and the freedom of movement by the OSCE SMM representatives is limited either. Loyal readers of IP's visual arts space know we've devoted a lot of ink to the increasing importance of contemporary art and the whims of its donors. The narrative goes like this: There's a huge demand for contemporary art. When museums attain such work, that's a good thing. But sometimes donors would rather open their own galleries, and that's a bad thing because it exacerbates scarcity, further driving up prices. But news out of the Bay Area, courtesy of the San Francisco Chronicle's Charles Desmarais, surfaces a third, more ambiguous and slightly Faustian scenario: A donor willing to contribute highly valuable art but with massive strings attached such that it may compromise the integrity of the museum. Let's set it up for you. Back in 2005, Donald Fisher, a billionaire retailer, philanthropist, and one of the world's most prominent art collectors, contacted the head of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and proposed a Fisher Wing that would house the collection of contemporary art Fisher had built with his wife, Doris, over the past 40 years. Neal Benezra, director of the museum then and now, turned down the offer. "What Don was offering was, on the one hand, extremely generous," he said in a recent media interview. "But Don wanted something that I felt we couldnt offer him...a kind of curatorial control over what got shown." Fast forward to 2009. Proving that the second time's a charm, an ailing Fisher and the museum were able to hammer out an agreement, resulting in the extraordinary new building and the Doris and Donald Fisher Collection Galleries. At the heart of the Chronicle piece is a thorough examination of the 2009 deal, and with it, questions around the level of influence private collectors exert over public institutions. We've taken the liberty of distilling the Chronicle's assessment of the deal into three key elements. The first, and seemingly least portentous, is a stipulation that any loans of Fisher works to other institutions must be approved by the Fishers. A second and somewhat related detail involves the actual ownership of the work itself. According to the Chronicle, most of the art, in fact, belongs to Doris Fisher alone while the museum' partnership is with an entity called the Fisher Art Foundation. And so Desmarais can't help but rightfully ask: One work or two might have little effect on the overall collection; but what if she, or some heir in the decades ahead, asks for hundreds of works back? While that could put a crimp in the museums long-range plans, other aspects of the partnership recently unearthed appear to be far more disconcerting for us, the audience. All of which brings us to the finaland potentially most impactfulcomponents of the deal, components that will inevitably affect the museum's relationship with and committment to the community at large. The museum has agreed to display no more than 25 percent of works from other lenders or donors in the Doris and Donald Fisher Collection Galleries on the fourth, fifth, and sixth floors. This means that the museum has to display the collectors works in about 60 percent of SF MoMA's indoor galleries for the duration of the loan, which ends in May 2116, but can be extended in twenty-five-years increments. Calling the gift a lose-lose for the museum, its audience and potential benefactors, cultural critic Lee Rosenbaum said: Tying SFMOMAs hands for 100 years and hogging so much of its space (25%, at most, of the three-floor expanse of Fisher-named galleries to be allocated to works from other lenders or donors) is an excessive concession, even if the Fisher trove were a permanent gift, not merely a long-term, renewable loan. These restrictions, assuming Desmarais report is accurate, would turn the new Snhetta-designed building into a Fisher fiefdom. Then she twists the knife: "What other collector would want to make major art donations to SFMOMA under these fishy Fisher circumstances? No wonder the museum was reluctant to divulge the full terms of this deal: Its windfall could become its downfall." Desmarais is a bit more even-handed, rightly noting that single donor-focused museums and galleries have existed for a long time and that most directors would happily sign on to the Fisher deal, especially given the sector's unquenchable thirst for contemporary art. To that end, MOMA's plight doesn't exist in a vacuum. An ever-growing body of research suggests that mega-donations to mega-museums create mega-problems, not just for the recipients on the hook for downstream costs, but smaller organizations vying for ever-shrinking public dollars. Click here for more for (somewhat depressing) analysis along these lines. 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.) A study by American insurer Wells Fargo released Wednesday found that big businesses worry more about data loss than about hackers breaching their security.Wells Fargos insurance branch conducted the study, which surveyed 100 companies. The survey found that 47% of companies making more than US$100 million in revenue were worried about data loss in 2016, while only 26% were overly concerned about hackers gaining access to their data. Another 26% were worried about security breaches that didnt involve outside hacking.Employee misuse of technology was also a concern among companies although not as big a concern as it should have been, according to Wells Fargo Insurances Dena Cusick.Its surprising that businesses are not more concerned with employee misuse of technology what I like to call the human factor, Cusick said in a statement. Cyber risk management is first and foremost about education. Informing and regularly training employees on security protocols and incident response plans is critical for businesses today.But 15% of the companies Wells Fargo surveyed dont require any employee training on cyber security, according to the report.Wells Fargo also warned in the report that imposter fraud is becoming a bigger problem for companies. In this fraud, a phishing scammer gains access to a company executives email account and requests that money be sent to a bank account. Wells Fargo reported that one in five large companies had been targeted by imposter fraud. Despite the growing prevalence of this kind of fraud, the survey found that only 38% of companies had added imposter coverage to their insurance policies.Coverage for this type of claim is complicated as most crime policies require either direct theft by an employee or someone without authority initiating a fraudulent payment, the report stated. In a case of impostor fraud, neither of these circumstances applies. The individuals sending payments are fully authorised to do so within the scope of their employment; they simply send it to an impostor. In order to obtain coverage for this exposure, the standard crime policy must have an affirmative coverage grant added by endorsement.On the upside, cyber security policies are getting easier to find, the survey found. In last years survey, 47% of companies said they had a hard time finding the right cyber security policy for their needs. This year, that number was down to 43%. The Massachusetts Appeals Court has ruled that Massachusetts law should apply in deciding whether Narragansett Electric Co. (NEC), a Rhode Island-based utilities provider, is entitled to insurance coverage for environmental contamination at several of its sites. The August 31 decision reverses previous rulings in a case where the two states have different statutes of limitations for contract claims. The case involves a conflict of law that arose after eight sites in Rhode Island one shared with neighboring Massachusetts were contaminated by NECs predecessor from the mid-1800s until the 1980s. The sites were used by NECs predecessor for manufactured gas plants, electric operations and waste disposal, and soil and groundwater contamination was eventually found. After the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management stated that pollution at the sites needed to be resolved, NEC was denied coverage for clean up costs from its insurers, citing pollution exclusions or claiming that the event did not occur during their policy periods. Lamorak Insurance Company, formerly known as OneBeacon America Insurance Company until 2014 when it was sold to an affiliate of Armour Group Holdings and renamed, filed a Superior Court action in 2005, arguing that it is not responsible for defending NECs environmental contamination claims under the 13 general liability insurance policies its predecessors issued to NEC between 1972 and 1985. NEC then filed for breach of contract and declaratory relief against Lamorak. This resulted in a conflict of law because Massachusetts applies a six-year statute of limitations for breach of contract claims, while Rhode Island provides a 10-year limitations period. An initial Superior Court judge ruled that Rhode Island substantive law would apply in interpreting the insurance policies because the sites in question were operated by a Rhode Island public utility and primarily located in the state. However, Lamorak appealed that Massachusetts law should apply since that is where the contracts were negotiated. In the latest ruling, the court upheld that appeal, stating it was an error to apply Rhode Island law. At first blush, Rhode Island might seem the obvious place of the insured risk, given the location of NEC and the affected sites there, the court stated in its decision. But while an underlying tort claim might properly be resolved under the laws of the State where the injury occurred, the obligation of an insurer to defend and indemnify against that claim is more appropriately determined by reference to the insurance contract itself and the circumstances of its issuance. Topics Lawsuits Legislation Massachusetts Pollution Strategic advisors from U.S., UK to help reform Ukrainian army The United Kingdom and the United States are sending high-ranking advisors on request of Ukrainian Defense Ministry to help in the reforms of the ministry. U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter and UK Secretary of State for Defense Michael Fallon informed their Ukrainian counterpart Stepan Poltorak about this decision during the bilateral meetings in London on Thursday, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry press service said. "A strategic-level advisor, four-star Gen. John Abizaid, will be sent to Ukraine on behalf of the American government in the near future. Gen. Abizaid served as the U.S. Army's Central Command commander from 2003 to 2007," the statement said. An advisor from the UK is Gen. Nick Parker, former British Army Land Forces commander. "The activity of these strategic advisors in Ukraine will promote the increase in pace and scale of the defense reform," the press service said. Lloyds of London has kept its lawsuit against New Dominion LLC over fracking out of the state where the ground is shaking. A federal judge in New York agreed Wednesday to decide the lawsuit by Lloyds seeking to be released from liability for earthquake damage in Oklahoma blamed on fracking. U.S. District Judge Denise Cote in Manhattan said a clause in the Lloyds insurance policies requires disputes to be resolved in New York. New Dominion had hoped to litigate the insurance question in its home state of Oklahoma, where it sued in June to try to force Lloyds to provide coverage for earthquake claims. The decision comes as Oklahoma drillers are being ordered to shut more fracking wastewater wells and the U.S. Geological Survey upgraded an earthquake last weekend to 5.8 in magnitude, a record for the state. The Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday it has ordered the closure of 17 additional disposal sites under its jurisdiction in Osage County in Oklahoma. The move follows the suspension of 37 wells by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Oklahoma regulators had already been limiting the disposal of oilfield wastewater, which scientists have linked to seismic activity, before the tremor that was felt from Texas to Illinois on Saturday. The number of earthquakes measuring 3.0 or higher reached at least 890 last year, up from just two in 2008, before the states fracking boom started. The USGS hasnt determined an official cause for the earthquake. Arguments in the Lloyds case focus on whether pollution insurance policies it sold to the oil company in 2014 cover earthquakes. This year, New Dominion was hit with five lawsuits seeking compensation for damage caused by earthquakes in Oklahoma. The suits blamed the earthquakes on the companys injection well operations. Injected Chemicals Lloyds declined to pay for the damages, saying its insurance only covered the company for injuries caused by pollutants and that the water and chemicals injected into the wells as part of the fracking process didnt qualify as pollution under the policy. Andrew Jayne, a lawyer for New Dominion, didnt immediately respond to phone and e-mail messages after regular business hours seeking comment on the ruling. Cotes decision Wednesday addressed only where the dispute should be decided. It didnt consider the underlying arguments over whether earthquakes were covered by the insurance. The case is Certain Underwriters at Lloyds London Subscribing to Policy Number PGIARK03959 v. New Dominion LLC, 16-cv-05005, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan). With assistance from David Wethe and Ryan Sachetta. Related: Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Topics Lawsuits Catastrophe USA Excess Surplus New York Pollution Lloyd's Oklahoma Earthquake In terms of employment opportunities, the insurance industry in Ohio is growing at a robust pace, a state insurance industry trade group says. In the 2016 edition of its Insurance in Ohio report, the Ohio Insurance Institute showed that the insurance industry gained some 4,000 jobs in 2015. The OII estimated that 104,121 people were employed in the industry in 2015, the highest employment rate in nine years. And the pay is good. Insurance industry wages totaled nearly $7.5 billion in 2015. The average insurance salary in Ohio in 2014 was $70,088, 35 percent higher than the average private sector salary of $45,486. According to figures from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Office of Workforce Development, Bureau of Labor Market Information, the average annual wage for insurance agents and brokers in 2014 in Ohio was $57,684. The average salary at reinsurance carriers was $88,751 and the average salary in 2014 at property/casualty insurance carriers in Ohio was $83,515, the OIIs report shows. Other Highlights As of August 2016, the Ohio Department of Insurance reported that the state has 70,509 licensed resident insurance and 133,400 non-resident agents licensed. In the decade between 2012 and 2022, the sector that includes insurance agencies, brokers and related is projected have 15.4 percent increase in employment. To prepare for the increased need for educated employees in the industry, 10 Ohio colleges and universities now offer insurance-related courses, certificates and/or degree programs. Consumers enjoy lower auto and homeowners insurance rates in Ohio, compared with most other states. The average auto insurance premium in the state is $659 compared to the U.S. average of $841, while the average homeowners premium in Ohio $763 is 30 percent lower the national average of $1,096. Ohio is home to 242 insurance companies. Insurers in the state will pay a record $596.23 million in taxes in 2016, according to the OII. Source: Ohio Insurance Institute Topics Agencies Talent Ohio Market St. Jude Medical will face an uphill battle in its corporate defamation lawsuit over a short-sellers report that said the medical device companys heart implants were vulnerable to cyber attacks, lawyers familiar with such cases said. The Minnesota-based company has sued short-selling firm Muddy Waters and cyber security company MedSec Holdings Ltd. in Minneapolis federal court, saying they intentionally distributed false information in an Aug. 25 report to manipulate St. Judes stock price. Muddy Waters placed a bet that the shares would fall. In a statement, Muddy Waters and MedSec Holdings said they would vigorously defend our right to criticize a company that puts its profits before its patients. The right to free speech will be hard for St. Jude to overcome. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is the first line of defense in defamation lawsuits brought against short-sellers, researchers, analysts, bloggers and anyone else whose opinion of a company may have influenced its stock price, said Michael Asaro of Akin Gump, who specializes in white-collar and regulatory investigations and litigation. In defamation cases generally, the plaintiff must prove the defendants statements were false. For public figures, such as politicians or celebrities, there is an added burden of showing statements were not just false, but also published willfully and maliciously. Under Minnesota law, St Jude, as a company whose products have health implications, will almost certainly be considered a public figure and have to meet that tougher standard, said Minneapolis media lawyer Mark Anfinson, who has his own practice. But that does not necessarily mean Muddy Waters and MedSec are out of the woods, Anfinson said. The actual malice defense, more commonly wielded by the press, may not prove as powerful for a short-seller with a financial motive to cause a stock to fall. They may not get the benefit of the doubt on malice, said Anfinson. Muddy Waters said in its report that St. Judes pacemakers and defibrillators, which are used to regulate heart rhythm and treat cardiac arrest, had cyber security flaws that enabled them to be hacked and manipulated, with potentially fatal consequences. Scare Tactics St Jude was unsparing in its complaint. Only driving down the stock price by defaming [Cardiac Rhythm Management] Devices with market-bombshell scare tactics could make the short-positioned Defendants richer with the very unfortunate (and despicable) concomitant result of fueling significant concern and fear in patients and their families, the company said. In a pair of high-profile cases in recent years, defamation claims against short-sellers failed on free speech grounds. Last year, a San Francisco federal judge threw out a lawsuit brought by casino magnate Steve Wynn against short-seller James Chanos over comments Chanos made at a conference. The judge awarded Chanos more than $420,000 in attorneys fees. A New York judge ruled in 2012 against a Canadian silver producer, finding negative reports circulated by hedge funds were constitutionally protected opinions. Muddy Waters said its report was an expression of opinion. The report raised the possibility of product recalls and St. Judes revenue disappearing for two years while safety problems were fixed. MedSec had a financial arrangement with Muddy Waters in which the firm agreed to hire MedSec as a consultant, pay it a licensing fee for research and a percentage of any profits from the investment. Speaking generally, white-collar lawyer Asaro said the guiding principle was that even wrong opinions could be protected, so long as they were made in good faith and the underlying facts were presented fairly. Where people get into trouble is where they misrepresent the facts, Asaro said. Thats why these cases are so fact-specific. Muddy Waters has courted controversy before with its criticism of companies whose stocks it bet against. Two targets of those comments, rice trader Olam International and bankrupt Chinese timber company Sino-Forest, sued Muddy Waters in Singapore and Canada, respectively. The cases were later dropped. St. Jude Medical now joins the ranks of Sino-Forest and Olam International as companies that have filed frivolous lawsuits against us for criticizing them, said Muddy Waters founder Carson Block in an email. St. Judes spokeswoman Candace Steele Flippin said the company is confident in its legal position and took this action because of the irresponsible manner in which the defendants have acted. Aside from any question of legal wrongdoing, some industry experts are troubled by MedSecs arrangement with Muddy Waters. I think it would be a dark day if we go down this path, said Kevin Fu, a University of Michigan scientist who a decade ago pioneered research into heart-device vulnerabilities. Fu said researchers should abide by voluntary industry guidelines for vulnerability disclosures in which researchers typically give companies time to fix flaws before going public. IOActive, NCC Group and Optiv, three prominent firms that provide vulnerability consulting, said they would not enter into an arrangement with short-sellers. Yet some argue that the public interest is served by such an alliance. Andrea Matwyshyn, a Northeastern University computer scientist, said she supported using research to short a stock because the approach pressures companies to be more upfront about the risks associated with security bugs. (Reporting by Jessica Dye and Jim Finkle; Editing by Anthony Lin and Grant McCool) Related: Topics Lawsuits Cyber Minnesota Michigans workplace safety agency plans to step up unannounced inspections of demolition sites around the state to ensure workers are properly protected against hazards such as exposure to asbestos. The Detroit Free Press reports the Michigan Occupational Health and Safety Administration says the one-year initiative was prompted in part by the newspapers investigation that concluded that the agency rarely gets tough with employers who exposed workers to asbestos. The two-day report, published in May, found multiple cases where workers potentially inhaled dangerous levels of asbestos because they were not given proper gear, including respirators. Some workers werent told that they were handling asbestos. MIOSHA says the initiative, launching this month, will involve unannounced inspections of 20 or more demolition sites. The agency has assigned six inspectors to the effort. Related: Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Michigan The U.S. House of Representatives plans to vote this week on Senate-passed legislation that would allow families of the Sept. 11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia for liability in the attacks. Rep. Peter King of New York, the House sponsor of the measure, said in an interview that the House is likely to vote on Friday and send the measure to President Barack Obamas desk. Saudi Arabia objects to the bill, S. 2040, and the White House has said its strongly opposed. A White House official said Wednesday that Obamas opposition to the bill remains steadfast even as it appears to being moving toward passage. If the House passes the measure by an overwhelming margin and Obama vetoes it, it could set up the first successful veto override of his administration. An aide to the No. 2 Democrat in the House, Steny Hoyer, said that Democrats have agreed to go along with a Friday vote, indicating they dont intend to impede the measure. The bill passed the Senate in May by voice vote, indicating it has wide bipartisan support in that chamber. A Friday vote means that passage would come a few days ahead of the 15th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks. The legislation is a long-overdue, responsible and balanced fix to a law that has extended too large a shield to foreign actors who finance and enable terrorism on a massive scale, Senator Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat who co-sponsored the bill, said in a statement. Earlier Tuesday, Speaker Paul Ryan declined to discuss plans for a vote on the measure. Sovereign Immunity The White House has said it opposes the bill because of potential threats against U.S. service members and diplomats abroad if the international principle of sovereign immunity is weakened. But a Senate Democratic aide says that the measure likely has enough congressional support to override a veto. That sets up a potentially complicated choice for Obama, who would have to choose between roiling an already fragile partnership with Saudi Arabia or allowing Republicans to overturn one of his vetoes for the first time. The administration has serious concerns about the bills unintended consequences, but would be willing to work with Congress to address those before a vote, according to a White House official. Obama will return to Washington Friday morning after a week-long visit to China and Laos. Relatives of some of those who died in the terror attacks want Congress to create a legal path to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for the role some Saudis played in the attacks. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers who perpetrated the attacks were Saudi Arabia citizens. Long-classified portions of a congressional inquiry into the attacks that were released in July found that the hijackers may have had assistance from Saudis connected to the government in Riyadh. The report, written in 2002, was not conclusive, and the Saudi government has said there is no evidence that the U.S. ally was involved in the attacks. This has been a long time coming, and the families have been through a lot. Its gratifying, said King. Wake-Up Call Its also a wake-up call to the Saudis. Its sort of pushing back the Saudi lobbyists who are spending a lot of time on the Hill, King added. The bill would permit civil claims against foreign officials and states for terrorist acts that occur within the U.S. That would enable courts to impose liability and assess financial punishments. But some opponents say that would infringe on Saudi Arabias sovereignty. And others fear Saudi Arabia may follow through on threats it reportedly made earlier this year to sell off its holdings of U.S. Treasury debt and other assets in the U.S. In April, Ryan said of the bill, We need to make sure we are not making mistakes with our allies. Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Topics Lawsuits USA Legislation Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) is expanding its global Environmental Impairment Liability (EIL) team with new senior hires in the North American and Mediterranean regions. Environmental claims pose an immense financial and reputational risk for companies today and we will continue investing in the best people and resources to best serve our customers, said Arthur Lu, head of global EIL for AGCS. In North America, Ken Baker joins as a dedicated claims specialist working in New York. Baker brings nearly a decade of technical claims experience while at American International Group (AIG) and before AIG he was with the Excess Casualty Global Broking unit at Marsh USA. Additionally, Nicole Baker and Steve Tagert join as executive underwriters; Baker will be based in Houston and Tagert in Philadelphia. Tagert has 18 years of insurance experience and before joining AGCS he held senior roles in underwriting and both product line and general management with AIG and XL Catlin. Baker brings almost a decade of EIL insurance experience also from AIG, and prior to starting her insurance career she held senior positions with Allied Waste Industries Inc. and Waste Management Inc. Mediterranean Appointments In the Mediterranean, Damaso Alvarez Pena joins as head of EIL, Mediterranean region, and will be based in Madrid. Alvarez comes to AGCS from Chubb, where he was the regional environmental risk manager with responsibility over Iberia and Eastern Europe. Prior to this, Alvarez held positions in the private sector with a focus on business development and the environment. Allianz has been providing EIL insurance for more than two decades in Europe and grew in 2014 to cover the rest of the world, including markets in North America, Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Lu said that as a result of legislative change, regulatory enforcement and increased corporate globalization, the need for commercial environmental insurance has increased, particularly in the mature markets of the U.S. and Europe. Fines or penalties are ways in which local regulators are attempting to maintain or improve local standards, as well as build awareness, Lu said. He said emerging regions such as Eastern Europe, Asia, South America, the Middle East and Africa have been witnessing a growing trend in EIL requirements, especially in countries where EIL cover is mandatory. We have definitely seen an increase in demand for global cover, said Lu. Particularly in mature markets where risks managers want to purchase worldwide policies, including local policies in non-admitted countries. Topics Europe Pollution Allianz A global task forces efforts to create new disclosure guidelines for the worlds financial industry including insurers in the U.S. and abroad are far from the first attempt to urge companies to be open with the public about the risks they face from climate change. Yet those involved with drafting them are calling them a game changer. The result of the work being undertaken by the Financial Stability Board Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures a 31-member board that includes users and preparers of disclosures covering a range of economic sectors and financial markets will have the ultimate effect of mainstreaming climate into finance, according to its members. There are a few reasons those on the task force are confident that what they are doing will have an impact. The influence of the task force and the FSB is noteworthy. Michael Bloomberg chairs the task force. The FSB reports on financial regulatory reforms to leaders in the G20, which is comprised of the governments and central bank governors from 20 major economies. In its efforts to formulate the guidelines the task force is considering the physical, liability and transition risks associated with climate change, as well as what constitutes effective financial disclosures across industries. Members of the task force will meet next week in Paris to talk about their work, including a presentation of Phase I of the report, which was first released in March. That laid out the objectives for the proposed work and fundamental principles of disclosure. In November the final guidelines, to be outlined in Phase II, are set to be presented to the FSB, and then theyre expected to be published in December. The guidelines for voluntary disclosure will identify leading practices to improve consistency, accessibility, clarity, and usefulness of climate-related financial reporting, the task force objectives state. Seeking climate risk disclosure is a hot topic, but it still might come as a surprise just how pervasive these efforts have been on myriad levels. We counted 400 different climate disclosure regimes, said task force member Christian Thimann, group head of strategy, sustainability and public affairs with French insurer AXA. The task force took its count from the 2015 report Climate Change Disclosure In G20 Countries: Stocktaking of corporate reporting schemes produced by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which counts the number of climate or sustainability disclosures created by industry groups, non-governmental organizations, stock exchanges, regulators and international organizations. Its not that theres nothing out there, Thimann said. Theres a lot out there, but its not consistent. Thimann and others on the task force view the guidelines as a game changer in financial markets. One day that is. Thimann made a point to emphasize the word gradual when speaking of changes the guidelines are intended to usher in. We dont want to cause havoc in the financial markets, he said. Change, gradual or otherwise, is what insurers should expect after the guidelines are introduced, said fellow task force member Andreas Spiegel, head of group sustainability for Swiss Re. They should certainly expect that with these guidelines theres an increased expectation to integrate climate-related financial reporting into the standard financial reporting process, Spiegel said. Insurers should also expect to be asked to disclose both liabilities and investments in potential stranded assets, both board members said. Stranded assets is a term commonly used by other entities seeking to create climate-related disclosures, particularly those calling for insurer disclosures. However, these guidelines shouldnt be considered just another in a sea of guideline wish lists aimed at generating climate-related reporting, which includes efforts domestically Washingtons insurance commissioner for some time has been pushing for more insurer disclosure and divestments in dirty energy as has Californias insurance commissioner. Its true the guidelines are voluntary, as both Spiegel and Thimann made it a point to note, but it should also be noted they are being formed under the auspices of the influential FSB. Spiegel added: The guidelines will be phrased in a way that they will be quite adoption-ready for regulators to pick up, but also the stock exchanges can adopt these guidelines as well. Those are two among several reasons Spiegel believes the guidelines will have the teeth that other existing guidelines may be lacking. In my view it will be a game changer in the way climate change is treated, Spiegel said. Past columns: Topics Climate Change San Antonio-based SWBC Insurance Services, a division of SWBC, has acquired Levy & Levy & Lefton Insurance Agency, one of the oldest independent insurance agencies in San Antonio. David Lefton, principal of Levy & Levy & Lefton, will join the SWBC family and continue to serve his clients. Levy & Levy & Lefton was founded in 1919 by Ernest M. Levy. David Lefton joined his father, Arthur Lefton, at the firm in 1969 after graduating from the University of Texas. The company was built on a solid reputation and customer referrals. Lefton is joining the company as vice president of SWBC Insurance Services. Source: SWBC Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Fort Worth, Texas-based Higginbotham and Davis Insurance Agency, headquartered in Lufkin, have merged. Davis Insurance is an independent broker with a workforce of 26 in its Lufkin home office and Amarillo branch. The union adds East Texas and Panhandle offices to Higginbotham and grows it to 800 professionals and 26 locations statewide. This is the fourth merger Higginbotham has completed this year as part of a growth initiative started in 2008. The firm is continually expanding across Texas by partnering with brokers that add capacity to serve more customers and widen its footprint. The merger with Davis Insurance marks Higginbothams entrance into the Panhandle with the Amarillo office and expands its eastern presence with the Lufkin office. Both firms offer personal and commercial insurance and employee benefits. Higginbotham has practice groups for industry specialization, and Davis Insurance has developed niche expertise in forest products insurance during 44 years of experience in the sector. Ira and Vera Davis started Davis Insurance in 1949 from their home in Lufkin. Three generations of Davis men and women have led the firms growth to more than 3,000 accounts. In 2009 it opened a second office in Amarillo. Davis Insurance will continue operating under the leadership of Managing Directors Larry Davis and Mike Davis. Source: Higginbotham Topics Texas Aerial spraying of the insecticide naled is scheduled over South Beach in Florida, where more mosquitoes have tested positive for the Zika virus. In a statement Tuesday, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said the flights recommended by Florida health officials and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will begin Thursday and continue for a month. Gimenez said the number of Miami Beach mosquitoes found with Zika increased over the weekend. The insects were trapped in a 1.5-square-mile infection zone. The aerial spraying targets adult mosquitoes. Different pesticides for larvae will be sprayed on the ground. Citing residents concerns about naled, Miami Beachs mayor has said he didnt favor aerial spraying, and a city commissioner drafted an ordinance opposing its use. Of Floridas 56 non-travel related Zika cases, 11 are associated with Miami Beach. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Florida The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has passed a statement in connection with the adoption by the Polish Sejm and Senate of resolutions on July 7 and July 22 2016 on the assessment of the Ukrainian-Polish conflict in World War II, which offers Polish side to stop politicizing the tragic pages in the history of that period. A total of 247 MPs voted for a relevant resolution at an evening meeting on Thursday. During the discussion, the words "Volyn" and "Volyn tragedy" were removed from the draft resolution, they are mentioned only in the names of joint declarations adopted previously. "The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine [...] addresses the Polish counterpart with a proposal to stop politicizing tragic pages of the Ukrainian-Polish history and to focus their efforts on building a constructive relationship between the two countries to strengthen partnerships in a democratic Europe based on European values," the statement reads. The Ukrainian parliament also calls on historians to conduct professional dialogue with a view to disclose all hitherto unexplained facts and circumstances of the history based on authentic archive materials, leaving a space for each party to interpret historical facts, and politicians of Ukraine and Poland - to stop using historical science to gain temporary political benefits. Lawmakers call for current and future generations of Ukrainians and Poles to continue strategic partnership and "not to succumb to the attempts of some political forces to manipulate the sensitive pages of the past to the detriment of the interests of the Ukrainian and Polish peoples." Firefighters rescued four adults and an infant from a burning apartment complex in east Charlotte, N.C., that officials believe was intentionally set. News outlets report that 21-year-old Shontavia Gingles is accused of setting fire to her apartment Monday morning. She has been arrested and charged with first-degree arson. The Charlotte Fire Department says the flames caused $100,000 in losses and displaced 18 adults and four children. The Red Cross is helping the displaced residents. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics North Carolina The American Insurance Association is asking California Gov. Jerry Brown to sign into law a bill that would exempt large employers from waiting for insurance commissioner approval of ancillary agreements that are part of high-deductible workers compensation policies. Assembly Bill 1922 would still require carriers to file policy endorsements and other documents that would change coverage or benefit terms, but they would no longer have to wait on the California Department of Insurance to approve side agreements to those policies. Katie Pettibone, AIA vice president for the Western Region, said the bill is in response to new regulations that took effect April 1. AB 1922 would streamline workers comp implementation, according to Pettibone. Gov. Brown has until Sept. 30 to sign the bill. Related: Topics California Workers' Compensation University of Alaska officials say someone used an employees credentials to hack into a network drive that contained private information like Social Security numbers of more than 5,400 students at the Mat-Su campus. Officials said in a release that there is no evidence that there was any data or student information stolen or even accessed. UA spokeswoman Robbie Graham said that it appears the hacker established a trust relationship with a campus employee and convinced the employee to log on to a fraudulent web address using his university username and password. The university is offering protections to those affected, including helping resolve issues if someones identity winds up being compromised from this incident. It wasnt immediately clear how much this would cost. The incident happened months ago, but officials only announced the breach thisweek. Graham said it took time for investigators to verify that the system had been hacked and to determine whether any information from the UA data system. was stolen or accessed. Related: Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Cyber Education Universities Today's workersunless they've been in the workforce a very long time with the same employer or work in certain public sector or union organizationswill never know what a retirement pension, or defined benefits plan, looks like in real life. That's because these retirement plans are going the way of the dinosaur, replaced by the defined contribution plan, typically a 401(k) account. What's the difference? A pension plan pays a guaranteed amount each month, based on salary and years of service. A 401(k) plan, on the other hand, depends on employee and sometimes employer contributions and reflects the performance of the investments within them. While the vast majority of businesses now offer 401(k) plans for retirement, there's a great deal of difference between the most and least generous among them. For example, some employers offer a generous employer match and even additional contributions based on salary. Others offer a better mix of investment options with lower fees. It's a good idea to look at the fine print to see what you're really getting when you enroll. If you are wondering which companies do the best job setting up their employees for financial security in retirement, take a look at our list for the best retirement plans. 1. ConocoPhillips (COP) ConocoPhillips has a generous employee matching programit automatically pays a 6% match after you invest 1% of your income. In addition, the company offers a discretionary additional match of between 0% and 6% based on company performance and other factors including employee age. The goal is a 9% total match. In addition, investment options are broad, including a mix of stock, bond and international index funds. Vesting is immediate at 100%. Enrollment is voluntary, but employees must contribute a minimum of 1% to receive the company's contributions. 2. The Boeing Company (BA) Boeing transitioned all non-union employees from a pension to a 401(k) retirement plan in 2016, and the results have been amazing. With over $47 billion in assets, it is the second-largest plan in the country. The company matches 75% of the first 8% of employees' contributions. There's also a discretionary contribution of between 3% and 5% per year based on the employee's age. Boeing automatically enrolls employees in the plan, and there is a broad selection of stock, bond, and international index funds to choose from. 3. Amgen Inc. (AMGN) Amgen is another company with one of the best retirement plans, and is one of the more generous companies when it comes to employer contributionsit makes a 5% core contribution upfront, whether or not the employee makes a contribution to the plan. In addition, the company matches employees' contributions up to 5% of their salary for a total of 10%. There's also an employee stock purchase plan. Amgen's funds include a broad mix of stock, bond and international index funds. Employees are 100% vested immediately and are automatically enrolled in the plan. 4. Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) You may have qualms about working for the king of tobacco, but Philip Morris does its best to reward and retain top talent. In addition to matching the first 5% of employee contributions, the company adds an additional 7% of eligible employee compensation for a total of up to 12%. There are no bond funds to select, but a broad range of stock and international index funds are available. Eligible employees are automatically enrolled and are 100% vested immediately. 5. Citigroup Inc. (C) This banking giant does a good job with its retirement plans, matching 100% of the employee's first 6% of contributions. There's an additional 2% added in, but it's important to note that Citigroup makes its contributions in a lump sum at or after year-end and not at the same regular intervals that employee contributions are made. Fund options include stock and international index fundsno bond funds are available. Enrollment is automatic, and employees are fully vested immediately. If you have inherited an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) from a parent or any other relative that named you a beneficiary of the account, you do not need to turn your IRA account over to the estate regardless of what the will says or how the executor interprets the will. If the will asks for cash on hand to be distributed among family members, this does not include the IRA account. Under no circumstances would you be required to provide the executor with the proceeds from the IRA. The beneficiary designation, assuming it names you directly, supersedes any provision in the will. Even if the will states that an IRA rollover or an IRA should be left to the estate, the beneficiary designation takes precedence. Key Takeaways Being designated as the beneficiary of an inherited IRA supersedes any provision in the will of the deceased. Assets that pass by beneficiary designation are not considered probate assets, and should not be included in distribution amongst family members that are not designated as beneficiaries. Because IRAs are tax-deferred assets, taxes are not paid until the beneficiary takes a distribution from the account. Because IRA distributions are considered taxable income, they should not be included in cash-in-hand when executing a will. they should not be included in cash-in-hand when executing a will. Typically, inherited IRAs should be distributed within five years unless this period is formally extended so that the distributions can be received over the lifetime of the beneficiary. Beneficiaries The designation of a primary beneficiary for an IRA or 401(k) is very important. Whether you want to leave your IRA account to your spouse or your children, you must designate them as beneficiaries. You should also keep your IRA and 401(k) beneficiary list up to date as your family circumstances change. A will that asks for cash on hand to be distributed among family members refers to probate assets of the descendant. Assets that pass by beneficiary designation are not probate assets, and are, therefore, not subject to the terms of the will, said Michael Delgass, Managing Director of Wealthspire Advisors. An IRA account is the most common example of this type of asset. These assets have a contractual agreement with the entity holding them (here, the custodian of the IRA) that requires that entity to pay them out to the beneficiary. Inherited IRA distribution rules will vary depending on whether or not the IRA is inherited from a spouse or non-spouse. If you inherit an IRA from your spouse, it can have all the same distribution rules as your own personal IRA, but an IRA inherited from someone other than your spouse may have other distribution rules and policies. Cash on Hand IRAs and inherited IRAs are tax-deferred accounts. That means that tax is paid when the holder of an IRA account or the beneficiary takes distributionsin the case of an inherited IRA account. IRA distributions are considered income and, as such, are subject to applicable taxes. If the will refers to cash on hand to be distributed among family members, IRA distributions would not be considered cash on hand. Cash on hand refers to readily accessible cash, and since IRA distributions are taxable, I would personally not include that in cash on hand, said Adam Harding, a financial advisor in Scottsdale, Arizona. In the case of inherited IRAs, the primary beneficiary designation takes precedence over any directions in the will. If the executor of the estate asks the IRA primary beneficiary to hand over the IRA back to the estate, that is not a proper action to take. You, as a primary beneficiary, have all the rights to inherit your ancestors IRA. If you were to actually cash out the inherited IRA and give it to the estate, you would pay taxes. If you should cash in [the] IRA and hand it over to her estate, you would be forced to pay taxes on it on top of losing your inheritance, said Arie Korving, a financial advisor with Korving & Company in Suffolk, Virginia. The Bottom Line Keep your inherited IRA and be aware of distribution policies and taxes on those distributions. Inherited IRAs either need to be distributed within five years of receiving them, or that time period can be extended so that inherited assets can be distributed over the beneficiarys life expectancy. In either case, distribution from an inherited IRA is considered income and taxed accordingly. To buy stocks, youll typically need the assistance of a stockbroker, since you cannot simply call up a stock exchange and ask to buy stocks directly. When you use a stockbroker, whether a human being or an online platform, you can choose the investment that you wish to buy or sell and how the trade should be handled. In this vein, there are two broad categories of brokers to choose from: a full-service broker or an online/discount broker. Below, we discuss how you can use these options to trade stocks on your own. Well also talk about a third option: the direct stock purchase plan (DSPP), whereby investors can obtain shares directly from certain public companies. This lets you buy stocks online without a broker; however, this option is limited in its usefulness as you would have to maintain DSPPs at every company that you own stock in, rather than having your entire portfolio housed in a single place. Moreover, many online brokers today offer commission-free stock trading, often making this an easier and cost-effective option. Key Takeaways To trade stocks, youll often need to use a broker to place your orders on an exchange. A full-service broker, while more expensive, provides expert investment research, advice, and commentary in addition to comprehensive financial planning. A discount broker is a cheaper option that provides basic execution services for investors who do their own research and analysis. Today, many online brokers offer commission-free trading along with free tools and screeners, making it easier than ever to trade stocks on your own. You can also buy stocks online without a broker through some companies' direct stock purchase plans (DSPP), but this can be cumbersome. 1:41 I Want To Start Buying Stocks: Where Do I Start? Where to Buy Stocks Most of the time, stocks are listed and traded on exchanges, licensed venues where buyers and sellers meet, often with the assistance of a broker or other intermediary. These intermediaries will be members of the exchange and use their access to buy and sell shares on your behalf. Major exchanges in the United States include the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq market. Smaller companies with less liquid shares and minimal market caps (sometimes called penny stocks) may alternatively trade over-the-counter (OTC) on more loosely regulated platforms such as the OTC Pink Sheets. Shares of these companies are often more volatile and risky, so investors choosing to trade on the OTC market should engage in extra due diligence and understand the risks involved. Today, most brokerages will have access to both major exchanges and OTC markets. Buying Stocks With a Full-Service Broker Full-service brokers are what some people visualize when they think about investingwell-dressed businesspeople sitting in an office and chatting with clients. These are the traditional stockbrokers who will take the time to get to know you personally and financially. They will look at factors such as marital status, lifestyle, personality, risk tolerance, age (time horizon), income, assets, debts, and more. By getting to know as much about you as they can, these full-service brokers can then help you develop a long-term financial plan. These brokers can not only help you with your investment needs but also provide assistance with estate planning, tax advice, retirement planning, budgeting, and any other type of financial advicehence the term full service. They can help you manage all of your financial needs now and long into the future and are for investors who want everything in one package. In terms of fees, full-service brokers are more expensive than discount brokers, but the value of having a professional human investment advisor by your side can be well worth the additional costs. Accounts today can be set up with as little as $1,000. Most people, especially beginners, would fall into this category in terms of the type of broker whom they require. Those who want a set-it-and-forget-it approach to investing but dont have the money or time to hire a full-service broker can opt for a roboadvisor. These are algorithmic investment platforms that you can manage through an app or website for a fraction of the cost of a traditional financial advisor. Buying Stocks Online Online/discount brokers, on the other hand, do not provide any investment advice and are basically just order takers. They are much less expensive than full-service brokers, since there is typically no office to visit and no certified investment advisors to help you. Cost is usually based on a per-transaction basis, and you can typically open an account over the Internet with little or no money. Once you have an account with an online broker, you can usually just log on to its website and into your account and be able to buy and sell stocks instantly. Remember that since these types of brokers provide absolutely no investment advice, stock tips, or investment help of any kind, youre on your own to manage your investments. The only assistance that you will usually receive is technical support. Online (discount) brokers do offer investment-related links, research, and resources that can be useful. If you feel that you are knowledgeable enough to take on the responsibilities of managing your own investments, or if you dont know anything about investing but want to teach yourself, then this is the way to go. The bottom line is that your choice of broker should be based on your individual needs. Full-service brokers are great for those who are willing to pay a premium for someone else to look after their finances. Online/discount brokers, on the other hand, are great for people with little start-up money and who would like to take on the risks and rewards of investing upon themselves, without any professional assistance. Buying Stocks Via a Direct Stock Purchase Plan Sometimes, companies (often blue-chip firms) will sponsor a special type of program called a direct stock purchase plan (DSPP). DSPPs were originally conceived generations ago as a way for businesses to let smaller investors buy ownership directly from the company. Participating in a DSPP requires an investor to engage with a company directly instead of with a broker, but every companys system for administering a DSPP is unique. Participating companies will offer their DSPP through transfer agents or another third-party administrator. To learn more about how to participate in a companys DSPP, an investor should contact the companys investor relations department. How to Trade Once You Have a Broker Once youve chosen your brokerage platform, you will need to establish and fund an account before you can begin trading. Today, its easier than ever to link a bank account online and transfer funds, or to electronically roll over an existing brokerage account to another firm. You can also choose to make recurring deposits into your brokerage account to increase your portfolio on a regular basis. Once funded, you simply need to go online or call your broker to place a trade. Stocks are designated by a unique ticker symbol, a one- to four-letter mnemonic assigned to a particular company. MSFT, for instance, is the ticker for Microsoft Inc., and AAPL is the ticker for Apple Inc. If you dont know the ticker of your stock, it is easy to look it up online or via your broker. When you select the stock ticker that you would like to trade, youll be met with a price quote, a set of information about the stocks price and activity. This will show you the last price at which the shares traded, as well as a bid and an offer. The bid is the highest price at which somebody in the market will buy a share (and thus is the best price at which you can sell to them). The offer, or ask, is the lowest price at which somebody in the market is willing to sell (and thus, it's the best price at which you can buy from them). The difference between the bid and offer prices is known as the spread. A narrower spread typically indicates that the market for the stock is quite active and liquid. A wider spread indicates the opposite. After considering the price quote, you may place your order. Market orders are the most basic type of order and will give you immediate execution at the prevailing market price. A limit order, on the other hand, allows you to set a specific price at which to buy or sell. If the price never reaches that limit level, then the trade will remain active until it is canceled. Many such trades are day orders that will remain good until the end of the trading day. If you want the order to be active only briefly, you can instead specify with your broker that it is immediate or cancel (IOC). Alternatively, if you want the order to remain in force for longer than a day, then you can designate it good til canceled (GTC). Other conditions can also be placed on an order, such as a stop-loss. Once your trade is executed (in whole or in part), you will receive a filla summary of your orders details. How Old Do You Have to Be to Trade Stocks? You must be at least 18 years old in the United States to open a brokerage account and trade stocks. For somebody younger than 18, a parent can set up a custodial account on their behalf. Is It Possible to Buy and Sell Stocks for Free? Yes. Several online brokerage platforms (such as Robinhood) offer commission-free trading in most stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Note that these brokers still earn money from your trades, but by selling order flow to financial firms and loaning your stock to short-sellers. What Is the Easiest Way to Buy Stock? The easiest way, in terms of getting a trade done, is to open and fund an online account and place a market order. While this is the quickest way to buy stocks, it might not always be the wisest. Do your own research before deciding what type of order to place and with whom. How Can You Buy Stocks Online Without a Broker? Usually you need to open an account with a broker to buy and sell stocks online. Some publicly traded companies, however, do offer a direct stock purchase plan (DSPP), where you can buy shares directly. Instead of using a broker, the companys transfer agent manages the transaction. The Bottom Line You can buy or sell stock on your own by opening a brokerage account with one of the many brokerage firms. After opening your account, connect it with your bank checking account to make deposits, which are then available for you to invest in. However, do not equate the ease of opening an account with the ease of making good investment decisions. It is generally recommended that beginners speak to a qualified financial advisor. New investors might benefit from reading the key book The Intelligent Investor, by Benjamin Graham. Smart investing can be highly satisfying, so take it slow, do your research, and seek out a broker that suits your interests and goals. CorrectionMarch 8, 2022: A previous version of this article incorrectly specified the definition of the market bid. China gets on the global governance stage as one of its main actors. This is the most relevant outcome of the 11th G20 Summit, which happened on September 4-5 in the historic city of Hangzhou. On the other hand, Brazil did not do more than being a supporting actor, so small that one would not be able to imagine the country used to be one of the G20s main protagonists since its creation in 1999. To be fair, this shrinking had its kickoff well before the Hangzhou Summit, reflecting on the International Politics board the political crisis that Brazil has been going through. As it is known, until 2008 the forum was a space whose purpose rested upon discussing economic-related matters of developed and underdeveloped countries, the so-called financial G20. It consisted essentially of financial specialists such as finance ministers and presidents of central banks. When the United States endorsed its creation, it could never have believed it would evolve and become the main international forum about economic and political discussions concerning global governance. This change reshaped, gradually, the axis of world power management concentrated on the G7, whose members have been the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Canada. After the Hangzhou summit, the G20 will not be the same, like it was not the same after the Washington summit in November 2008, that being the first one to receive the major global political leaders. It was so because China decided to take a central position in the economic reshaping of the world. If in the beginning there was some talking going on about the division of tasks between the G7/8 and the G20, it became irrelevant now. After Hangzhou, the G20 will be the main forum for addressing worldwide problems, not only those concerning finance and economy as it used to be. It is evident that, in order for it to become the worlds main forum on global governance, many other adjustments will have to be made, but there is no doubt that there is no going back from this path, at least in the current stage of reshaping world power. In this perspective, China will use all its economic and diplomatic might for it. Furthermore, this intention becomes clear on the Chinese president Xi Jinpings speeches, not only in the opening but also in his statement to the international press: the G20 should meet the international communitys expectations, as well as following the path of prosperity and stability. It should also adapt to its place in time and show the way. The G20 should adapt to the necessities of the global economy and transform itself (). (Opening speech). Still according to Xi Jinping, the G20 needs to improve its role as an engine for international cooperation. It has to change and move on from being a mechanism for answering to crisis to being a mechanism for governance in the long term () we all agree on the fact that the transformation of the G20 will affect all members immediate interests and the future of the global economy. In order to maintain the G20s vitality, we should adopt the current changes and progresses. (Statement to the press). It is evident that, as the Chinese president himself insisted on outlining, the G20 does not have a strategic vision. May we be able to acknowledge that it is not that simple, due to the fact that it will be necessary to conciliate strategic interests that may be mostly divergent from each other, be it at the national level and of corporative economic interests, or at a deeper stage, in which there are world civilization visions. In conclusion, we emphasize that when we talk about Brazils shrinking, we do not mean to stay at a leafleting and accusatory level, nor do we want to relocate upon individualities of representing circumstances the responsibility for a grave internal political and economic crisis. What we mean is that, through the G20, we are before a crucial moment in the reshaping of world power and that, in light of this historic opportunity, Brazil needs to be bigger than its own pain and internal divisions. In other words, we need to look at this new G20 horizon and take, like China is doing now, our place in the worlds political and economic reshaping, and look forward to witnessing the edification of a harmonious and environmentally healthier mankind. Brazil can and should contribute more to its own wellbeing and that of mankind. Jose Medeiros da Silva is a PhD in Political Science from University of Sao Paulo, professor at Zhejiang International Studies University and a Guest Researcher at the Macau International Institute. Rafael Goncalves de Lima is a Master in International Relations from Jilin University. European Council president Donald Tusk told Theresa May "the ball is now in your court" as the pair discussed the Brexit process at Downing Street. In a sign that Brussels was waiting for Mrs May to clarify when she will trigger Article 50, Mr Tusk said it was a "crucial time" for the UK and for the EU and he wanted the process to start "as soon as possible". The leaders of the other 27 EU nations will hold talks in Bratislava next week and Mr Tusk said they would "discuss the political consequences of Brexit" for Europe. But he told Mrs May: "It doesn't mean that we are going to discuss our future relations with the UK in Bratislava, because for this - and especially for the start of the negotiations - we need the formal notification, I mean triggering Article 50. "This is the position shared by all 27 member states. To put it simply, the ball is now in your court. "I'm aware that it is not easy but I still hope you will be ready to start the process as soon as possible. "I have no doubt that at the end of the day our common strategic goal is to establish the closest possible relations." Mrs May said she wanted a "smooth" Brexit process and told Mr Tusk they had "serious issues" to discuss. The talks at No 10 come after the British Prime Minister faced accusations of vagueness and contradiction over the Government's position on remaining in the European single market. Mrs May has insisted she will not reveal her negotiating hand "prematurely". The meeting comes after she slapped down the UK's Brexit Secretary David Davis for suggesting that continued membership of the free trade zone was "very improbable". Mr Davis's comment appeared to play into the hands of EU countries who have insisted that Britain cannot have full control over its borders and remain a member of the single market. Mrs May told MPs on Wednesday that she was seeking "the right deal" on trade in goods and services after Britain withdraws from the EU, but added: "We will not take decisions until we are ready, we will not reveal our hand prematurely and we will not provide a running commentary on every twist and turn of the negotiations." She refused to say whether she wanted the UK to remain in the European single market. The British PM and her ministers were accused of "waffle" by Scottish National Party Westminster leader Angus Robertson, while the Liberal Democrats' Tim Farron said: "This Government isn't concealing its hand - it hasn't got a hand or, it would appear, a clue." Jeremy Corbyn accused the British Government of issuing "contradictory messages" on Brexit which were exacerbating "huge uncertainty" about the UK's future. But the Labour leader found himself in a row over the single market after a senior aide suggested he might rule out full membership unless Britain can negotiate exemptions from key EU rules. That prompted Mr Corbyn's team to stress that he backed "full access" to the single market for goods and services but opposed certain directives linked to it, such as state aid rules and requirements to deregulate and privatise public services. Following the 75-minute meeting, Mrs May's official spokeswoman played down suggestions that Mr Tusk's comments were intended to put pressure on the PM to hasten the invocation of Article 50. "What the president said was that the ball is in our court, which it is," the spokeswoman told a regular Westminster media briefing. "It's for the member state to decide." She added: "There wasn't a sense in the meeting that we are under pressure on this, there was a sense that they accept the position the Prime Minister has set out, and that that should provide useful time to prepare for the negotiations, precisely because we want to have a smooth departure. "We want to take the time to prepare for the negotiations by talking to stakeholders up and down the country and doing the work here. "The EU also needs to take time to prepare for the negotiations in terms of what approach the 27 will take." The spokeswoman characterised the mood of the pair's first formal bilateral meeting, which took place over a breakfast of fresh fruit and scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, as "quite relaxed, friendly and warm". Mondelez, the second-largest confectionary company in the world, said it would bring to the US its Milka Oreo chocolate bars that pairs Oreo cookies with Milka. The Milka Oreo bars, which are available in more than 20 countries, are targeted at the mainstream segment of the $14bn (12.5bn) US chocolate market. The SFO is thought to be looking to disclose any charges in the first half of September. The move would mark the start of a much-anticipated conclusion to a two-year investigation that has plagued the retailer. The UK prosecutor was one of a number of agencies to open an investigation into Tescos accounting practices in 2014 after the company said it had overstated profits by 263m. People who are usually fairly staid seemed to lose the run of themselves, with some wanting to immediately take the money and run. Others declared that they would never take the money. They had very quickly forgotten the little codicil that the money might indeed belong to other European countries. Unfortunately, lacking on both sides were facts. Those facts are still missing. The detailed basis for the judgement has not been released. Yet politicians, right, left and centre had no problem mouthing off ever more populist proposals, without understanding any of the issues. Earlier this week Fergus Finlay, among other things said that one of the first rules of crisis communications is that you gather the facts before opening your mouth. The description of the issue as being one of crisis communications perfectly fits the situation in which we find ourselves. This announcement by Brussels not only questioned Ireland and the implementation of its own tax laws but also questioned the integrity of the Revenue Commissioners. Just as importantly, it raised a serious question over the policies we have been operating for several decades to attract multinational companies to these shores. These multinationals, in turn, employed Irish people in good quality jobs. Low tax is the mainstay of that policy. In Ireland, we have become very cynical about much that goes on around us. Our respect for the Government, politicians, bankers, developers, lawyers, accountants and businesses in general and a myriad of other institutions has been on a downward spiral for some time. We are ever ready to believe the worst in anybody as long as it fits in with our own prejudices, moral or otherwise. We are not always wrong but, to be sure, we are more often wrong than right. After all, not everybody has an ulterior motive. Still, there have been many decisions whether in the courts or in the appointment of individuals to certain jobs or in the awarding of contracts that many of us have raised serious questions over. They are never explained. Indeed, Government has kicked the can further up the street until it could get a better idea of the state of things and until the issue vanishes over time. Unfortunately, this one is not going to vanish. The commission has got the bit between its teeth. Whether its for the right reason or the wrong ones we are not sure. It is not for turning. To many of us, the Revenue Commissioners just seemed to be above all controversies. If we are now to believe that they are as flexible in the way they deal with taxation laws as our political and business brethren then we have a far bigger problem. Thats a problem which is going to cost us a lot more than 13bn. Notwithstanding the fact that we should wait for the facts to emerge before any final decisions are taken on whether to appeal or not, we should consider the implications of not appealing, or even being party to any appeal. In effect, a failure to appeal is an admission that we had indeed given Apple a sweetheart deal. The Government has repeatedly denied facilitating Apple. Accepting that some sort of deal was done, could amount to inviting the commission to check all of the other deals that were struck between the State and multinationals. A bad problem would become much worse. The facts, unfortunately, might point out something different, but without the facts we are just guessing. It is incumbent on the Government, its partners and opposition parties, including Sinn Fein and Labour, to make a responsible contribution to any debate on the facts when they become known. Arguments about mounting an appeal should be taken on the basis of those facts. We all know deep down that the 13bn is nobodys but Apples right now. Unfortunately, in the future it might belong to France or Germany or to somebody else and we cannot spend now what does not belong to us. It was drafted by key stakeholders at a two-day conference held in Cork and attended by 330 delegates from across the EU. The declaration calls for better recognition of the rural potential to deliver innovative, inclusive and sustainable solutions for current and future societal challenges. It lists these challenges as economic prosperity, food security, climate change, resource management, social inclusion and integration of migrants. The document calls for a rural proofing mechanism to ensure this potential is reflected in EU policies and strategies. Organised by the European Commission, the conference was held 20 years after the original Cork Declaration led to the recognition of rural development as a second pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy. Promoting rural prosperity, strengthening value chains, meeting the demands of consumers for healthy food and ensuring fair and transparent contractual relations within the supply chain are among the goals of the Second Cork Declaration. Providing farmers with effective risk management tools, investing in viability and vitality and preserving the environment are also included. Managing natural resources, encouraging climate action, boosting knowledge and innovation, ensuring access to connectivity, overcoming the digital divide and enhancing rural governance are other aims. Advancing policy delivery and simplification and improving performance and accountability are also listed policy priorities. Delegates said the agricultural and forestry sectors are still of great importance for the EU economy. The need to ensure rural areas and communities remain attractive places in which to live and work by improving access to services and opportunities and fostering entrepreneurship was highlighted by participants concerned about rural exodus and youth drain. BEIJING, Sept. 8 -- Chinese police have brought 129 telecom fraud suspects back from Armenia, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) announced on Wednesday. The suspects include 51 from the Chinese mainland and 78 from Taiwan. They are suspected of involvement in fraud cases in over 10 provincial-level regions on the Chinese mainland. Armenian law enforcement detected suspicious activity by the suspects this year and reported their findings to Chinese police. The suspects were seized when local law enforcement raided six dens on Aug. 20, said the MPS, adding that a large amount of equipment including computers and smart phones were found on site. The MPS dispatched a working team to Armenia to deal with the case on Aug. 26. An investigation found that members of the Armenia-based syndicate had been falsely presenting themselves as law enforcement officials to cheat people on the Chinese mainland through telephone calls. They were found to have defrauded people in more than 50 cases, conning them out of more than 7 million yuan (1.2 million U.S. dollars). As all victims involved are on the Chinese mainland, the 129 suspects were brought back to the mainland to facilitate further investigation and ensure justice, the MPS said. The MPS has designated police from Guangdong Province to investigate the case. Mainland police have also informed Taiwan authorities of the cases according to relevant agreements between the two sides. Telecom fraud has caused serious harm, said the MPS, vowing to continue the fight against the scams. Public Security Minister Guo Shengkun on Tuesday urged efforts to enhance public awareness of such crimes and firmly curb telecom fraud to protect people's legitimate rights and interests. Economic analysts revealed the situation last night saying the move led to the multinational giant shifting more of its intellectual property into Ireland, resulting in the firm paying out substantially more in corporation taxes to this country. The Government has yet to admit that the enormous disruption to Irish GDP figures and the surge in corporate tax revenues was due to the actions of a single multi-national. However, the independent conclusion throws new light on the Coalitions renewed commitment to appeal the European Commissions ruling that Apple repay the State 13bn in back taxes. Karl Whelan, professor of economics at UCD, said a large part of the surge in corporate tax receipts and the huge GDP revisions can be attributed to the rearrangement of Apples tax affairs. He said this is because Apple brought onshore more of high-value intellectual property to Ireland, while continuing its massive contracts with overseas manufacturers to make its iPhones and iPads. The summer revisions which saw the CSO enormously upgrade 2015 Irish GDP growth to 26.3% drew the jibe of leprechaun economics from a top economist. The revisions also meant Ireland paid more into the EU budget. Further evidence of the huge effects are identified in a report published today by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council. The watchdog shows that Irelands corporate tax base the level of company trading profits before tax unexpectedly surged last year by 23bn to almost 75.4bn, as the countrys capital stock surged 300bn. In its pre-budget statement, the IFAC warns the Government cannot rely on corporate taxes to fund future spending and tax cuts. It said Finance Minister Michael Noonan has enough money for modest tax cuts and spending increases, and should not be tempted to splurge any more new money above the 1bn budget package he said he favours. Finance Minister Michael Noonan The expert opinion emerged as Government TDs roundly rejected suggestions Ireland is a tax haven and that they were passing up on a 13bn windfall by not recouping Apple taxes promptly. As expected, a Government motion to appeal the Brussels ruling was passed by 93 votes to 36 after an 11-hour Dail debate. Taoiseach Enda Kenny warned the claim Ireland provided illegal state aid to Apple would not only damage Ireland but other countries by scaring off investors. Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe said there was no pot of gold as Apple would have appealed it, adding: Ireland cannot be a global tax collector for a single company. The 13bn will be effectively frozen, Finance Minister Michael Noonan said, saying NTMA chiefs would advise how it could be invested without risk. The costs of the appeal would be sizeable, he said, adding that Revenue would not reveal tax affairs or whether there were similar cases to the Apple one. Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe The comment was seized upon by opposition parties, which claimed an unknown number of major multi-national firms have side-stepped potentially more than 130bn in unpaid taxes over the past decade because of tax loopholes. The figure is based on a 2014 Department of Finance briefing document given to a previous finance sub-committee examination of multi-nationals tax rates, which was referred to by People before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett under Dail privilege. People before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett Meanwhile, Taoiseach Enda Kenny will rule out the possibility of a giveaway budget this evening. Mr Kenny will also announce plans for a cabinet sub-committee on Brexit, which will be chaired by the Taoiseach and ministers. Ministers will also meet with their British counterparts about Brexit in Dublin today. Krzysztof Stefaniak, aged 36, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault, and to two public order charges, arising from an incident at ORiadas Nightclub, Macroom, Co Cork, on August 7. Macroom District Court heard Stefaniak, with an address at 2 Lucys Lane, Macroom, approached a woman on the night in question and requested a dance. She declined, after which he pushed her to the ground, became difficult and aggressive, and was ejected from the nightclub by security, Judge James McNulty was told. Gardai later arrested the accused outside the nightclub. Stefaniak had four previous convictions, two for public order, with the most recent in 2008. Solicitor Sean Cahill said his client was happily married, but his single brother had been visiting from Poland at the time and the pair went out on the tear. This was a one-off incident; he shouldnt have been there at all, Mr Cahill said. The solicitor said the accused accepted he was foolish, and he was concerned about the domestic consequences of all this. I daresay at home this wasnt greeted well? Judge McNulty asked. He had to explain himself, Mr Cahill replied. While Stefaniak had brought 500 with him to court, Judge McNulty said the amount was insufficient due to the distress and embarrassment caused to the woman who did not suffer any physical injuries as a result of the assault. Judge McNulty deferred imposing a penalty for one month, but told Stefaniak he should expect to pay 1,000 to his victim, and a 500 fine. Oireachtas committee chairman John McGuinness wants administrations north and south to meet and agree powers for an inquiry to investigate Project Eagle. The demand came after BBCs Spotlight programme, this week, aired an undercover recording of a former Nama advisor accepting 50,000 in a car park from a property developer. Businessman Frank Cushnahan was recorded in 2012 accepting the cash payment from Co Down property developer John Miskelly during a meeting in a hospital car park. Both men deny any wrongdoing. According to what Mr Cushnahan says in the recording, he was to help Mr Miskelly with a deal to get his assets out of Nama. Mr Cushnahan was heard to say he could influence a senior Nama official. Mr Miskelly can be heard saying: Theres forty thousand in that, and its in bundles of two, Frank. Mr McGuinness yesterday said he wanted Nama to now appear before the finance committee and address the fresh claims. There was already existing concern Irish taxpayers did not get the best value for money with Project Eagle and the sale of the northern portfolio, he said. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin called on the Taoiseach to meet all party leaders and decide on what to do. Sean Dunne, an early member of CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) and husband of Adi Roche of Chernobyl Children International, said the Government must use all its muscle to demand an end to operations at the nuclear waste reprocessing plant. Energy Minister Denis Naughten is seeking a meeting of the UK-Ireland Contact Group on Radiological Matters to discuss last Mondays BBC Panorama programme which alleged serious safety shortcomings at the plant. He has also asked for a detailed report on the incidents specifically referred to in the Panorama broadcast and all other safety issues raised. But Mr Dunne said the Government also needed to demand access to carry out an immediate site inspection. Energy Minister Denis Naughten There is an agreement that we have the right to access the site so, as quickly as possible, we should formally dispatch an investigative delegation to enter Sellafield and see for themselves the conditions of the storage facilities there. I would be very surprised if they would have a difficulty with that. We would be asserting a right. They tried to fob off the Panorama team but there is a relationship between the Irish Government and the UK. We always talk of building bridges between the two countries but that doesnt mean we cant be critical. We cannot put our safety and the safety of generations to come at risk for the sake of diplomatic relations. Irish officials and technical experts last visited the site at Sellafield in April 2015 and Minister Naughten said he had received an assurance from his officials that they were satisfied with the level of disclosures that they continually receive from the Sellafield operator and UK government officials. The British government and the operators of Sellafield moved swiftly after Mondays broadcast to insist the facility was safe and that any problems raised in the programme were historic and had been dealt with. But Mr Dunne said nothing about Sellafield could be consigned to history. Sellafield is always going to be with us because the problem of waste storage is always going to be with us. They need to shut it down and not take any more nuclear waste there. The worlds governments need to come together to find a way to deal with whats left because the waste is radioactive for tens of thousands of years and the storage solutions we have now wont last, he said. A new report states that there is a culture that accepts workplace violence in the social care profession. Ive come across people who are considering leaving the sector, people who have been injured so badly that they have required either plastic surgery, theyve required pins and plates in limbs, said Phil Keogh, one of the authors of the report. Although Im not focusing on the service user or client, it has a negative effect on them too and they certainly will not feel safe if they dont feel their staff is safe. The report, entitled Crisis, concern, and complacency: A study on the extent, impact, and management of workplace violence and assault on social care workers, is the biggest of its kind in Europe. More than 400 social care workers were surveyed across a variety of settings, both statutory and private. Co-author Catherine Byrne outlined the stark findings of the report at its launch in DIT Grangegorman yesterday. Three out of four social care workers in this study had experienced physical assault, 60% were threatened weekly or more often in their workplace, and 84% had lost a belief in the effectiveness of this profession, said Ms Byrne. This all led us to identify that there is a culture there, there has been a culture there that accepts workplace violence and it is apparent in organisations and service. Jim Gibson, the chief operations officer of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency spoke at the launch yesterday. I was very eager to come here today to show that were not complacent, said Mr Gibson. However, he added: We do need to resolve the incidences of violence that social care workers experience. Mr Drumm appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court yesterday where his solicitor applied to reduce his signing-on conditions to once a week instead of once daily. Mr Drumm, aged 49, with an address in Skerries, Co Dublin, has been charged with 33 counts under two separate bills concerning alleged offences committed at the now defunct bank. He has yet to enter a plea to the charges. He is facing two trials. The first has been set down for April next year and the second is due to take place in January, 2018. The court heard Mr Drumm is required to sign on daily at Balbriggan Garda station as part of his bail conditions. His solicitor, Aoife Corridan, told the court this takes about an hour every day, which she said was a significant burden. Ms Corridan requested that Mr Drumm instead be allowed to sign on once a week. Prosecution barrister Sinead McGrath, BL, said Mr Drumms signing-on conditions had already been relaxed from twice daily to once daily after his last court appearance in April. She noted the court previously heard submissions that he posed a serious flight risk. We feel there is a continuous pushing of boundaries in relation to this. The signing-on conditions are not unduly onerous, Ms McGrath said Judge Martin Nolan said it was unlikely Mr Drumm could leave the State without somebody noticing. Mr Drumm is one of the best known Irishmen in this State, he said. However, he said gardai requirements that Mr Drumm sign on daily were not unreasonable at this particular time and in this particular case and he denied the application. Mr Drumm is facing two charges of conspiring to defraud depositors and investors at Anglo by dishonestly creating the impression that deposits in 2008 were 7.2bn larger than they were. He faces one extra charge over the EU transparency directive. He will stand trial for those offences on April 24, 2017. The case is expected to take 12 weeks. Mr Drumm also faces 16 counts of offering unlawful financial assistance to members of businessman Sean Quinns family and 10 other individuals as well as 14 charges of falsifying documents. These charges will be dealt with at a trial set down for January 12, 2018. That trial is expected to last about two months. The industrial action by driver unions is expected to affect in excess of 400,000 Dublin Bus customers today and tomorrow, with further strikes set for September 15/16, and September 23/24. Retail Ireland has estimated those using Dublin Bus services account for 42% of all retail spend in the city. Cutting off such a vital service will undoubtedly have an impact on city centre footfall and trading levels during the industrial action, said Retail Ireland director Thomas Burke. On foot of the recent Luas strike and the disruption resulting from the roadworks as part of the Luas Cross City project, retailers can ill afford any further disruption to trading. There had been calls for the bus lanes to be opened up to all users for the duration of the strikes to ease the anticipated extra congestion. However, gardai confirmed that lanes would continue to operate as normal. Although Dublin Bus services will not be operating during this time, bus lanes will continue to be used by other public service vehicles, emergency service vehicles, and cyclists, said a Garda spokesman. An Garda Siochana therefore wish to remind motorists that all bus lanes will operate as normal during operating times. An Garda Siochana recognise that the public will face difficulties, therefore commuters are encouraged to plan ahead and identify alternatives forms of (public) transport on the day. Traffic is expected to be extremely heavy on commuter routes, especially during morning and evening peaks. The strikes are over pay. The unions have rejected a Labour Court recommendation of an 8.25% rise over a three-year period. They have demanded increases of 15% over the same period as well as the payment of a 6% increase dating back to 2008. The National Bus and Rail Union also said it wants its members to have pay parity with Luas drivers, who recently secured increases following strike action. Dublin Bus has said while the 8.25% rise is still on the table and it is willing to pay above the recommendation in exchange for new productivity measures, it does not have the financial resources to fund a pay increase otherwise. The company is facing financial penalties of 200,000 from the National Transport Authority for failing to provide services on the strike days. Speaking alongside Taoiseach Enda Kenny during a State visit to Ireland yesterday, the senior EU figure said he is now precluded from expressing a view publicly despite the seriousness of the issue involved. During a pre-scripted public engagement at Government Buildings, the former Polish prime minister acknowledged that both he and Mr Kenny had spoken about the matter before meeting privately to discuss issues including the consequences to Ireland of the recent Brexit vote and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean. However, he added that he cannot comment on the matter at this stage due to the fact the Irish Government is appealing the 13bn ruling. I know there has been a tremendous debate over the European Commission decision in the Apple case. The Taoiseach has explained to me the reasons why the Irish Government wants to take the issue to court. I will not comment on this case because this will now be up to the court, he said. Speaking at the same event, Mr Kenny said he wants to make it clear that he raised the issue with Mr Tusk and explained to him the reasons for Irelands decision to appeal. He said as the issue is not a matter within the European Council it was not discussed further between the senior politicians. Meanwhile, both Mr Kenny and Mr Tusk have insisted Brexit will not be discussed in depth by the EU member states until Britain triggers article 50 and formally asks to leave. While the Taoiseach stressed he raised concerns about a border being erected from Derry to Dundalk, Mr Tusk said Europe wants to make sure Ireland does not suffer from a decision you did not make. Describing Mr Kenny as a symbol of effective crisis management, he added: Without Irelands sacrifice the European Union would be in a worse situation now, and we know it. A group of 30 Chinese consumers have filed a lawsuit against SouFun Holding Limited, a leading real estate Internet portal in China, along with several related real estate companies. The suit, which was filed in a U.S. court, alleges that the portal provided false information about housing properties in U.S, Beijing Morning Post reported. The consumers are now demanding compensation of $13.27 million from SouFun and the related companies. One of the plaintiffs, Su Yun, said that he purchased 60 properties in Ohio from the real estate company IIP in 2013 at a total price of more than $2 million after seeing an advertisement on SouFun's platform. According to the advertisement, the houses were fully furnished, and IIP even guaranteed a yearly return of over 10 percent. However, what Su discovered two years later was that most of the houses were barely decorated, and that they were filled with exposed pipes and clutter. In addition, the promised rent was not paid in full by IIP. Su had to spend a great deal of money on maintenance and furnishings, which turned into a huge economic loss. Su, together with roughly 30 consumers who share the same experience, have sued IIP and SouFun in the United States District Court of the Northern District of Ohio, claiming compensation of $13.27 million. According to SouFun, having verified the information published by IIP, it met its obligation as a real estate agency. However, the company said, it will respect both the facts of the case and the verdict. The U.S. court suggested that the plaintiffs file a lawsuit in a Chinese court since both parties are from China. However, the plaintiffs appealed to the court. Now the case is moving forward. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail joined forces to criticise European chiefs and the Brussels ruling against Ireland for allegedly supplying illegal state aid to the US tech giant. Taoiseach Enda Kenny led the defence of Irelands tax system, saying: It is not true that Apple was provided with more favourable treatment than others. There was no preference shown. The law was applied fully and appropriately, and Apple paid its taxes due in Ireland. Mr Kenny said Ireland was appealing the decision with the strongest possible assurances from Revenue that laws were not ignored and no preference was shown. The Fine Gael leader also claimed the ruling ordering Ireland to recoup 13bn from Apple would damage other nations too. If the position in Europe is to be that tax rulings can be revisited and set aside by the European Commission even decades after the event, investors will simply not know where they stand when they decide to locate in Europe. Have no doubt about it, that uncertainty will be weighed carefully in the minds of investors arid will count against European countries, not just Ireland, when they compete for mobile investment unless this decision is challenged and overturned, with certainty restored. The government-proposed motion yesterday to appeal the commission ruling was supported by Fianna Fail, who also weighed-in attacking Brussels. Party leader Micheal Martin took a personal swipe at EU president Jean-Claude Juncker over the Apple case, saying he was supporting a policy which is designed to win headlines rather than strengthen Europe. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin The Cork South Central TD, whose county has a large number of the Apple jobs in Ireland, also said there was no doubt the Apple judgment was a core part of trying to remove the opportunity for competition between member states in the taxation of companies. No golden pot was being withheld, declared Mr Martin. Ireland was not a haven for tax avoidance, added Mr Martin, and the World Bank in fact had rated the country as having high compliance with tax laws. Party colleague, finance spokesman Michael McGrath, said Ireland was the envy of Europe and there were headlines in the UK inviting firms to move there following the Apple ruling. Childrens Minister Katherine Zappone Childrens Minister Katherine Zappone, who was close to leaving government last week after the ruling, said her support for an appeal was partially based upon the fact that there was no point in giving the Irish people a false hope of a windfall over the 13bn. The appeal, which will take a number of years, would bring clarity, she said. Minister of state for financial services, Eoghan Murphy said while the issue of rising motor insurance costs was one which requires urgent attention he had to be cautious about managing expectations of consumers anxious to see a drop in premiums. It has to be remembered, however, that the ability of the Government to influence insurance pricing is limited as insurance companies are required by European law to price in accordance with risk, he told the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach. The provision of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is thus a commercial matter based on an assessment of the risks. While we cannot direct insurance companies on the pricing of insurance products we can, with your help, identify measures that may, in the short, medium and longer term, lead to a better operating environment and a reduction in claims costs, he told the committee. Mr Murphy said a Cost of Insurance Working Group had begun its work examining the issues and would produce short-, medium- and longer-term measures to address the issues while taking account of requirements for an economically vibrant and financially stable insurance sector. Minister of state for financial services, Eoghan Murphy The minister said that while he wished to manage public expectations and could not set prices, the working group could break down the component parts of a premium and use policy levers to try and tackle the costs. He said there was a lack of transparency around the cost of settling claims or awards in personal injuries cases that do not go through the courts or the Injuries Board, as well as an absence of information from the industry on the number of personal injury claims settled, average injury settlement amount, average fees and average time taken to settle. Labours Sean Sherlock said that he was worried by the Governments attitude on the issue and that what consumers wanted to hear was that it would act to try and compel insurance companies to charge a fair premium. Labours Sean Sherlock Mr Sherlock also called for transparency on the part of insurance companies who, he claimed, if they wanted to, could ignore this process. Sinn Feins Pearse Doherty accused the Government of dragging its feet on the issue. Sinn Feins Pearse Doherty He also said the Central Bank had written to the Department of Finance in August, last year, stating a number of non-life insurance companies had followed an imprudent pricing and underwriting approach in recent years and asked why that was allowed to happen. Paul Murphy of the Anti Austerity Alliance said the key phrase coming from the minister was managing expectations. Paul Murphy of the Anti Austerity Alliance The minister and the Government have tied their hands behind their own backs, he said. The campaign, called #10000MissingChildren also stars actor John Connors and TV presenter Blathnaid Treacy. The initiative comes a year after the body of three-year-old Syrian Alan Kurdi was washed up on a Turkish beach. Another catalyst for the campaign was a Europol report earlier this year, which stated that at least 10,000 unaccompanied child refugees had disappeared after arriving in Europe. Many of the minors are feared to have fallen into the hands of organised trafficking syndicates, for exploitation in the domestic slave labour and sex trade markets. We started it after reading an article last spring (the Europol report) and we didnt know what to do, but we knew we couldnt just stand by and do nothing, said Fiona Carey, of the Bray Refugee Solidarity Group, who is behind the campaign. There is a United Nations refugee summit being held this month (September 19) and we wanted to make some noise around that. We have also started a petition which we will present to the Justice and Home Affairs Council of Europe before their next meeting (October 13), explained Ms Carey. She also added that almost all of the Irish MEPs have signed a 200-word declaration on behalf of their group. They will present that at the European Parliament and we want to get it signed by the majority of the parliament, she told the Irish Examiner. These three actions are for the sole aim of getting EU member states to live up to a pledge they signed last year, promising to relocate and resettle refugees. Most EU member states pledged to take refugees and most have only taken a fraction of these, including Ireland, Ms Carey said. She explained that unaccompanied minors are targetted by smugglers when they arrive in hotspots in Greece and Italy. The smugglers promise them an easy, administrative-free route into Europe. To sign the petition go to: https://you.wemove.eu/campaigns/10000-missing-children Speaking at a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee yesterday, Sinn Feins John Brady highlighted what he said was a serious anomaly in the current system. Mr Brady said under the scheme, mothers can avail of two weeks of the payment when parents experience a bereavement and lose their child unexpectedly after 24 weeks, but fathers currently cannot, and have to return to work. This is a serious anomaly that is forcing fathers who should, in my mind be entitled to this payment, back to work, Mr Brady said. At a time like that when a mother needs as much support as possible from the father, he should be able to stay at home, he added. Mr Varadkar agreed that the issue would be looked into. The two week paid paternity leave system came into force on September 1. Last night, the Department of Social Protection said: Where a still birth occurs after 24 weeks the mother is entitled to maternity benefit (the full 26 weeks). The father will also qualify for paternity benefit of two weeks, subject to both parents satisfying all other maternity benefit/ paternity benefit conditions. During the committee meeting, several attendees expressed concerns regarding pensions which are the single biggest expenditure for the department during 2016, at 7 billion. There is a misconception that most welfare payments go to the unemployed this is not the case, in fact its far from it, said Mr Varadkar. Senator Alice-Mary Higgins expressed concerns that only 16% of people receiving contributory pensions are women. In response, Mr Varadkar advised the issue will be discussed further as pensions will form a big part of the Governments programme for 2017. At the committee, Mr Varadkar also said the results of a major survey into which benefits the self-employed would like to see most from the Department of Social Protection will be shared in the coming weeks. He said proposals for alternative schemes to Job Bridge will shortly be announced. Mr Bach had already said he would not attend yesterdays opening ceremony as he wanted to remain in Germany for the funeral of his friend Walter Scheel, the former West German foreign minister who died last month, aged 97. Officials said he was now unable to reschedule other commitments and would be unable to travel to Brazil after the funeral. Just one of the new arrivals was an unaccompanied child despite a Government pledge in September last year that children travelling alone would be given a special place here. There are concerns Ireland is set for international humiliation when the country co-chairs the first ever UN Summit on Refugees and Migration in New York this month at a time when our own contribution to tackling the problem is so poor. More than 20 groups forming the Refugee and Migrant Coalition have called on the Government to step up its response before then. They want an urgent increase on the intake of refugees, action on the commitment to prioritise unaccompanied children, and the introduction of a new humanitarian scheme that would allow people already living in Ireland to bring loved ones to safety here. In the wake of the outcry over the death of Syrian toddler Alan Kurdi in September last year, the Government committed to take 4,000 refugees, a figure the coalition says is too low. Just 38, all from Syria, have been brought here from camps in Greece under the EU relocation programme and 293 from camps in Lebanon under the UN resettlement programme. Edel McGinley, director of the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, described Irelands contribution to tackling the refugee crisis as disappointing and depressing. Were bringing in people at a rate of 40-60 a month but wed need to get that up to 160 per month just to fulfil existing commitments, said Ms McGinley. Reiseal Ni Cheilleachair of Trocaire, who has just returned from camps in Greece and Serbia, said: The bottom line is that people are absolutely desperate. Its not a refugee crisis. Its a crisis of political will. Maria Hennessy of the Irish Refugee Council said that on a recent visit to Greece, she found unaccompanied children kept in barbed wire compounds waiting to be relocated. Darragh OBrien, Fianna Fails foreign affairs spokesman, said Irelands official response was shameful, particularly in light of our role at the upcoming summit. The Government cannot encourage other countries to adopt a more humane and co-ordinated approach when they themselves do not practice what they preach. The Department of Justice said by the end of this year, the number of resettled refugees would increase from 293 to 520, with another 260 to arrive in late spring 2017. No firm figure has been set for the number of Syrians to be relocated but the department said it had submitted a proposal to Greece to take 60-80 each month and officials were in Athens waiting to interview the next group. The Independent Alliance minister was close to securing a new deal last night for upgrades at Waterford Hospital after a standoff between him and Health Minister Simon Harris. Earlier, Mr Halligan had warned the Government might collapse if his demand for increased cardiac care in in Waterford was not met. However, Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Mr Harris yesterday firmly backed a review into care at the hospital which does not recommend a second catherisation laboratory for cardiac cases. Instead, the review recommends increasing staff levels and better equipment for the hospital. Mr Harris said it was up to clinicians to make decisions for the health services and not politicians. However, the minister said the report, conducted by Professor Niall Herity, said services in the region needed to be improved. Mr Kenny said the report offered a series of outcomes and proposals to help Waterford. A meeting was held between the Alliance last night and Mr Harris over the impasse. A revised package for services at the hospital was being examined, Alliance sources said, which would hopefully appease Mr Halligans supporters. The row over cardiac services had threatened the Government with suggestions substitute TDs were even being considered if Mr Halligan resigned. Despite the climbdown by Mr Halligan, questions will be asked as to how long the minority government can last. The new row follows previous disagreements over abortion legislation as well as the Apple tax judgement. Road safety campaigner Christina Donnelly, whose son, Brendan, 24, and his friend, Lee Salkeld, were killed in Cork in 2009, has also called for more resources for Garda road traffic enforcement following a surge in road deaths this year. She was speaking at the launch of a five-year road safety strategy for Cork city and county, which came after a day of carnage on the nations roads. The deaths of Nicola Kenny on the M8, a day after she gave birth, and of a cyclist in Dublin, brought to 125 the number of deaths on Irish roads so far this year a 20% increase compared with the same period last year. Ms Donnelly said she was saddened to see road fatalities on the rise and said the Government must respond. But she said drivers must also be held accountable for their actions, especially in the case of drink or drug drivers. Within a year of Brendans death, Ms Donnelly began campaigning for changes in the law. Her Brendans Law proposal calls for drink drivers convicted of causing death to be put off the road until they appear before the courts, for a minimum six- to nine-year jail sentence upon conviction, with no early release for good behaviour, and for a 20 to 25-year driving ban, followed by a driving test and alcohol awareness courses. Ms Donnelly said that politicians, including the Taoiseach, looked her in the eye and promised Brendans Law would be introduced. But I feel disillusioned at the slow pace of progress, she said. I am tired of thank you for your correspondence emails. I want a date and a time for when this will become law. She is due to meet Transport Minister Shane Ross in the coming weeks in a bid to ensure Brendans Law is signed into law during the current Dail term. With around 50 firms working in the sector, an initiative aims to assist in an anticipated growth, to 80 companies, by 2020. In the same short period, annual revenues to the sector are expected to double to over 150m. In partnership with Athlone Institute of Technology, Maynooth University and the Irish Maritime and Energy Research Cluster, Tyndall National Institute in Cork is leading the new European Space Agency Space Solutions Centre Ireland. It is not just the development of services and products for use beyond the stratosphere which is being encouraged. Funding is also available for innovators wishing to adapt existing space technology for use closer to home. So much technology we use every day originally came from space programmes, said David Gibbons, ESA Space Solutions Centre Ireland manager. He pointed to the success of an Irish firm whose adaptation of technology developed for use in space. SubTeraNDT in Borris, Co Carlow, has been through a similar programme in the UK. It has applied the use of sub-terahertz frequencies to detect corrosion and defects under layers of paint, insulation and coatings, proving very useful in the oil and gas industries. Enbio from Dublin has used coating materials originally developed for artificial hip joints to create sunscreen for satellites to protect them from solar radiation. This has since led to more terrestrial uses, such as non-stick moulds for making tyres and ways to cool electronics. In one strand of the Irish space centres work announced yesterday, 25 start-up companies will each receive 50,000 seed funding but also expert technical assistance of member institutions and the chance to access other funding streams. A separate initiative will see 10 rounds of 40,000 funding to support technology transfer for established companies developing demonstrators for new products and services using space technology. Even if they are not sure where they might fit, Mr Gibbons said companies and entrepreneurs should make contact to see if they might be suitable for the programme. People get hung up on the idea of technology that will be used on satellites or spacecraft but this is about applying space technology more broadly to create good products, good companies and more jobs. Think enterprise, rather than Starship Enterprise, said Mr Gibbons. Julie Sinnamon, chief executive of Enterprise Ireland, said the agency was delighted to be jointly funding the centre with the European Space Agency. Enterprise Ireland will bring its resources to the partnership to assist start-up companies in the development of new products for the global space market, supporting export sales and job creation, with a strong focus on regional entrepreneurship. Richard Grogan was yesterday speaking after one of his clients, Sandra Gegeckiene was awarded 10,000 earlier this week by the Labour Court after being sacked while pregnant by the sandwich chain, Subway. Ms Gegeckienes case followed a ruling at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) where a creche owner was ordered to pay 4,902 to a woman she sacked while pregnant. On revealing the pregnancy to her female boss, the owner asked: Was it planned or unplanned?. Commenting on the upsurge in pregnancy-related dismissal claims and the attitude of some employers to expectant mothers, Mr Grogan said: Some employers regard pregnant females as something to be got rid of as quickly as possible. The Dublin-based solicitor said this was based on two reasons: ignorance and the thinking that this is going to disrupt my business because the woman is going to go out on maternity leave; take additional maternity leave; take paid time off for antenatal classes; take time off for parental leave and then there is going to be the problem of sick children where mothers will have to take time off from work to look after their sick child. Mr Grogan who has 30 years experience as a solicitor and has written and lectured extensively on employment law said: It is a stupid approach but pregnant women are seen as a problem in the workplace. The reality is that women play an extremely important role in the workplace. They bring huge benefits to the workplace and it is just an unacceptable approach by employers. The Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court take a very strict approach to matters and enforce the law vigorously. It is not acceptable behaviour, he said. The law, as it stands, is very strong in protecting those who are pregnant who are dismissed, he added. Mr Grogan said that only a fraction of (pregnancy dismissal) cases are litigated for fear of being blacklisted and of those who issue proceedings only a tiny fraction actually get to a hearing as they are settled. My experience is that less than 20% actually even get to the door of a Court or the WRC. There was a time a few years ago that we would see one pregnancy-related dismissal every two months. Now we come across them roughly every two weeks, he said. He did not believe there has been an increase in such dismissals, it is just that employees who are dismissed are more inclined to seek help mainly due to the coverage of these cases in newspapers. Pregnancy-related dismissal was always there and people are prepared to bring claims now a bit more. I believe, unfortunately, a significant number of employers still do believe the employee wont sue. Many such dismissals are put out as a probation period not being successful, claiming it is a redundancy,or some other excuse. China has plans to invest at least 493.2 billion yuan in new railway construction in the second half of 2016, Caixin reported. This push is being carried out in order to fulfill the countrys 800-billion-yuan goal for the year. Fixed asset investment in China's railways from January to June 2016 amounted to 306.75 billion yuan 27.47 billion yuan higher than in the same period last year, yielding a year-on-year increase of 9.8 percent, according to the China Railway Corporation (CRC). National railway fixed assets investment consists of investment from both state railways and local railways. State railways fixed assets investment rose 10.4 percent year on year to 292.67 billion yuan; that of local railways came to 14.08 billion yuan. Although CRC has only completed 38.34 percent of its total target for 2016, its investment situation is better than that in the same periods of 2014 and 2015, which had numbers of 29.39 and 35 percent respectively. An employee from CRC told Caixin that the investment completed is better than expected, and total investment in 2016 might even set a record. The source said if the investment scale continues this year, then annual investment in fixed assets is capable not only of exceeding last years 823.8 billion yuan, but even of surpassing 2010s 842.65 billion yuan. National railway fixed assets investment has achieved four consecutive years of growth, and growth in the last two years was more than 800 billion yuan. Previous reports have stated that China plans to invest at least 3.8 trillion yuan ($538 billion) in new railway construction during the country's 13th Five-Year Plan period. This capital would push China's railroads to a record 150,000 kilometers, and high-speed rails to 30,000 kilometers, Caixin Media quoted from a draft proposal by transportation authorities. The picket was organised by Real-Productive Health, a pro-choice group that was set up in 2013. Its not fair that women are denied their Constitutional right to information, Muireann Meehan, a spokesperson for the group, said. An undercover investigation for the Irish edition of The Times found women were being told that abortions increase the risk of breast cancer. The counsellor also said that women who have terminations can also abuse children they give birth to later, through neglect or over-protection. These claims were immediately refuted by medical experts. For the picket, people travelled from Galway, Belfast, and from other places around the country. People left work early and travelled across the city to make it, they made the effort because they care, Ms Meehan told the Irish Examiner. Health Minister Simon Harris confirmed that he would discuss potential licensing and regulation of the groups with the attorney general. Yesterday evening, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said women must be given truthful information. Taoiseach Enda Kenny Obviously I heard and read about the report myself and clearly women in this situation have to be given absolutely truthful information that is accurate. The minister for health will report to Government in due course as to what can be done, and whether that might require regulation or otherwise, the Taoiseach said. Meanwhile, the Pro-Life Campaign, yesterday held an event outside Leinster House to launch a report outlining lives that were saved by the provisions, of the Eighth Amendment. The outcome of the ballot will guide, but not direct, the elected decision-making body of the Garda Representative Association the Central Executive Committee. All we are doing is establishing the will of our membership, said president Ciaran ONeill. It will help us make a decision. He said the 10,000-plus members were at their wits end and that there was a feeling of anger and frustration. He said: They feel undervalued, under-resourced and underpaid. The ballot, sent out last Tuesday, asks members: Are you so dissatisfied with your current pay and conditions that you are willing to take part in a day or days of industrial action? Mr ONeill said the ballots have to be returned by September 26, with the result known the following day. A special delegate conference is being held on September 28 which will provide the CEC an opportunity to meet and discuss the implications of the result. A discussion will also be held during the conference with delegates on options. In a letter accompanying the ballot, GRA general secretary Pat Ennis said: The decision to take action is your individual choice. If you take action that involves a partial or complete withdrawal of services, you could be found in breach of discipline. The threat of a breach of discipline could come in the form of conduct unbecoming, absence from duty without cause or failure to comply with an order. While the laws in the area are not entirely clear, members would not appear to be breaking the law by taking industrial action. However, there is a criminal offence under Section 59 of the Garda Siochana Act 2005 facing those who induce a garda to withhold his or her service. This has obvious implications for representatives of the association if they are interpreted as so doing. But if members themselves decide to take such action, their representatives may be able to claim they are not inducing them to do so. In a statement to the Irish Examiner, the Department of Justice said: While there is no single specific prohibition on striking by members of the Garda Siochana, a combination of provisions in law, including the Industrial Relations Act 1990, as well as Garda discipline regulations, effectively precludes strikes. Section 18 of the Garda Siochana Act 2005 sets out the conditions of gardai in respect of joining a representative group. Mr ONeill said most gardai have been denied pay increments as a result of rejecting the Lansdowne Road Agreement. This, he said, affected members who had less than 17 years service and new recruits, since recruitment restarted in September 2014. New recruits have also been denied a 4,000 annual rent allowance and a start on a salary of 23,171. Tonight, Star Trek fans from all four provinces of the Irish galaxy are set to beam into the Woolshed Pub on Parnell St, Dublin, to celebrate 50 years since the launch of the cult show. At the helm of what promises to be a fun-filled night of intergalactic festivities is Ronan Healy of Star Trek Eire. There will possibly be a few people wholl dress up alright, says the 39-year-old. But its not really a requirement. Were trying to cater to every type of fan, from casual to superfan. Healy, who hails from the planet Walkinstown in the Dublin Galaxy, first got into Star Trek through its 1990s incarnation, The Next Generation; a series that was popular across the globe and included Patrick Stewart, who played the wise captain Jean Luc Picard. Nobody can touch that series for me, says Healy. It got me through my teens and those shows are engrained on my personality, I think. I had always loved science fiction and these were great stories but they were thought provoking too. Yes, there was a bit of fun but it wasnt just lasers everywhere. There was also an underlying story, whether it was an episode dealing with homosexuality or torture, there were so many aspects to it. It really gripped me. Ronan Healy, Star Trek Eire, with Patrick Stewart The original Star Trek series was created by Gene Roddenberry, a Texas-born policemans son who flew over 50 combat missions in the Second World War. When Roddenberry returned home, he followed his father into the police force where he wrote speeches for the LAPD. To supplement his income he wrote television scripts and was soon able to indulge his passion for TV full-time. The original series ran on NBC for three seasons from 1966 to 1969 and even back then, its creator wanted to do more than simply entertain. When Roddenberry was writing the original series, he wanted to talk about America in the 60s, says Healy. But he wouldnt have got away with telling those stories if he hadnt hidden them in the 23rd century. It was hugely political. If you think about it there was a Russian flying the ship at the same time of the Space Race. There was a black woman on the bridge in a position of power and 20 years after the war a Japanese man flying The Enterprise. So he tackled war, racism, he tackled womens rights but by putting it all into an alien setting he was able to get it past the studios. Fellow Trekkie Gary Reynolds also intends to boldly go to celebrate his favourite show tonight. He was about six or seven when he saw Star Trek first. My earliest memory of it is the original series, says the 31-year-old. I remember seeing The Man Trap which was the first episode of series one. It was weird and it was scary. It had this strange sort of salt vampire that went around attacking the crew for their salt. I remember seeing it and wanting more. Reynolds recognises that some of the original series was perhaps a little cheesy and would now be considered somewhat laughable but like his co-fan Healy, he feels there are some episodes that still resonate today. There was an episode called Let That Be Your Last Battlefield, where the crew go to a planet and find two warring factions, says Gary. The aliens all had black and white faces but on opposite sides. This was clearly dealing with racism. So there are political allegories if you like that are still frighteningly relevant today I think. It would be a full 10 years after that final series before Star Trek was reincarnated. Star Trek: The Next Generation In 1979, two years after the first Star Wars movie, Star Trek: The Motion Picture hit the silver screen and was greeted by a public who were hungry for science-fiction and willing to pay for it. The film grossed $17m in its first week. There have been 13 movies since as well as countless series episodes. When Roddenberry died in 1991 he was a wealthy man but for fans his legacy is something else. I was at a talk recently that was given by Jan Warner who is the head of the European Space Agency, says Healy. He was comparing the International Space Station crew there at the moment with the multicultural crew on Star Trek. And for me thats its greatest message. It is one of hope and equality. It doesnt matter what you are you can make a difference. I also think it gives a positive view of humanity. Were not going to blow ourselves up. Humanity exists into the future. It also looks like Star Trek will be with us for years to come with a new series due to be released on Netflix in January. Good news, for the Next Generation of Star Trek fans. The woman often heralded as the greatest theatre actress of her generation is sitting good- naturedly through a dramatic reconstruction of the sinking of the Titanic in The Titanic Experience museum in Cobh. Fiona Shaw shudders at the horrible creaking noise as the great ship upends itself in a CGI reconstruction, listens to actors reconstruct first-hand accounts of the sinking, and, afterwards, checks the fate of the passenger whose ticket shes been given, one Daisy Minihane, 33 years old (I wish! says Shaw), who was travelling first class. She does seem genuinely taken aback to discover that Daisy survived the disaster, but died shortly afterwards of pneumonia. Shaw is a guest of Failte Ireland, on a tour of some of the sites featured in their branding initiative, Irelands Ancient East, launched this year. Irelands Ancient East takes in some of the countrys best known historical sites and Shaw is approaching the tour with the same vigour and scholarly curiosity with which she tackles all her creative projects. Theres no better starting point than Cobh, where Shaw was born and where her father, consultant eye specialist Denis Wilson, is buried. Cobhs stories are familiar to Shaw; her father was a keen local historian. He died five years ago, but he knew everything about Cobh. When he died we had the lunch in The Waters Edge restaurant here. A huge boat came past when we were sitting down to lunch and everyone just stopped to look at it. Somehow it felt like a last salute to him. You know when you feel that theres something else present, that youre experiencing an inanimate visitation? It was strange. My father would have loved it. Shes just back from working on a TV project in Winnipeg, a horror series called Candle Cove, and is, she says, just finished a huge arc of things and preparing for the next round. She mentions a string of tantalising projects and then waves them airily away: Thats not how these things are announced. Now 57, Shaw emits an effusive energy. Her time is divided between her house in Londons Primrose Hill, a recently acquired apartment in New York, her peripatetic working life, and family: I have two brothers in France and my mother is here and I work abroad, so there are times I feel like I dont know where I am, but Ill be here for the autumn, she says. Like departees from Heartbreak Quay, in Cobh, where successive waves of Irish left for brighter futures, Shaw left following her graduation from UCC to attend RADA in London. Like a lot of people who went away, I went because the skillset was better, she says. I intended to come back, but very quickly I was in the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company and after that my career was more international. Her involvement with various Centenary Year projects has sparked a revival of interest in Irish history for Shaw. As well as presenting Seven Women for RTE, in May she was artist in residence for The Kennedy Centres Ireland 100 celebrations in Washington, DC. It was wonderful because it got me very interested in the revisionism of the century, she says. "Really what I took out of is that we are a brand new country; this is a much more exciting Ireland than the one I left. Shaw is well-known for her reticence about her personal life and opinions; a question on the Abbey Theatre, this years Waking The Feminists movement and the subsequent equality policy drawn up by the theatres management is met with an arched eyebrow: I was approached, but I didnt want to comment on it. I live in England; its not my position to make any statement on it. Of course in the general sense I want gender equality. My whole career has been about that. Back to Irelands Ancient East, and the other stops on her itinerary: Kilkenny City, Jerpoint Abbey, and Huntington Castle in Carlow, among others. Theres a sleepy beauty in them thats like an invitation to wake them up. Id call it Irelands Waking East; its about waking up and discovering what we have to offer. We had a hugely dominating Church that really darkened everything outside religion for a very long time. That takes a lot of recovering from. For Shaw, the struggle for recovery is centred around the arts and the kind of cultural products she sees emerging from Ireland in the next 100 years. You have to embrace history, but you also have to shed it. Culturally in terms of the theatre, theres a limit to what you can learn from Irish writers writing for Irish audiences in Irish theatres; we should start exporting our versions of the worlds stories, not just our version of our stories. Id be more interested in the Abbey Theatres Richard III thats gone to Tokyo than in The Plough and the Stars. Thats when you become a real cultural centre, and were just starting to come to that now. Its about confidence, really, and the next generation have that. The dramatic, 83,000 sq ft loathe it or love it tower was deeply divisive when built in the 1970s, to an innovative design, and has gone on to be one of the capitals most filmed and photographed 20th century structures, most notably on Central Bank-related news items. Its open to a range of new uses and redevelopment, from lofty hotel on the edge of Temple Bar and Trinity College to revamped offices, and also has plaza/retail development scope. As the Central Bank prepares to move staff from several locations to one centralised new building (ironically, one bought in shell state for 7m and which had been destined for the HQ for the disgraced and now defunct Anglo Irish Bank), selling agent James Nugent of Lisney is offering the Central Banks existing buildings cluster by College Green and forming virtually an entire city block, in three lots. They include the elegant and slender five-storey, 5,200 sq ft No 9 College Green, likely to be worth c 2m, and Nos 6-8 College Green, a six storey office building of 23,000 sq ft at 14m. The most valuable, at c 65m, is the main 83,000 sq ft cantilevered tower building, with 12,000 sq ft annex and adjacent Commercial Buildings with 11,000 sq ft of further office space: the latter two were also built as part of the 1970s overall Central Bank development. The main tower, hoisted above a public plaza and entered up a wide flight of steps to signal arrival, is an assertive architectural statement that took decades for even passive public acceptance. It now needs updating and was built using a cantilevered system from twin reinforced concrete service cores, with floors suspended from those cores by 12 external cable supports. As portions of College Green are due for pedestrianisation, among the due diligence reports prepared by the Central Bank for the sale is an indicative master plan for the buildings prepared by Henry J Lyons architects, showing enhancements of the under-skirt plaza area, adding amenity and retail space, and/or hotel usage. Taking on the highly distinctive building poses challenges as well as opportunities, and while its not a protected structure and can be altered subject to planning permission, Lisney MD James Nugent says it is of architectural significance and as such wed expect Dublin City Council to be sensitive to any proposal seeking the demolition of the building. The Central Bank currently employs 1,400 people in five buildings across three Dublin locations, and has expressed the wish to centralise its expanding workforce under a One Bank policy. Last year, it also bought a Spencer Dock building it had been leasing, near its North Wall HQ which is due to be completed this November. The North Wall Quay site/building shell was bought for 7m in 2012, and total investment in it will reach an estimated 140m. The banks website notes that it is in the very early stages of assessing the impact of using the Spencer Dock premises beyond 2016 and a comprehensive plan to operate the building in conjunction with North Wall Quay will be developed over the coming months. DETAILS: Lisney, 01-6382742; www.centralbankportfolio.com Irelands first-ever child summit in Croke Park takes place today bringing together the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, the Government, Oireachtas members, young people, and civil society representatives. In January, State officials travelled to Geneva where Irelands record on childrens rights was scrutinised by the UN committee. Today we are bringing two members of that same committee to Ireland to sit down with home-grown policy- and decision-makers to help forge positive change for children who live here. I witnessed the impact the UN committee made on the Irish State when I attended the examination in Geneva earlier this year. When the former minister for children and youth affairs attended the session, he was asked to address issues of concern raised by the committee and provide frank answers to the questions that we have been asking for years around child homelessness, funding for mental health services, child poverty, and slow legislative change. Were the system changes being made having a positive impact on childrens lives? Todays summit, put simply, is a forum at the highest possible level. Based on the UNs recommendations, the Irish powers-that-be for children will take stock and thrash out their clear intentions to improve childrens futures. The presence of these two international experts makes the UN process all the more real and brings it home to Irish soil. There is a global significance especially at a time when so much about the world that we live in is uncertain: World solidarity has never been so vital. All the Government departments with responsibilities to children will be there: Children and Youth Affairs; Social Protection; Justice and Equality; Health; Education and Skills; and Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone will address proceedings, as will the Childrens Ombudsman, Dr Niall Muldoon, and child rights experts like Prof Geoffrey Shannon, the special rapporteur for child protection, and Prof Ursula Kilkelly of UCC. Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone Everyone will be using the agreed national policy framework on children, Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, to show how they are planning to integrate and make changes for children in many areas of their lives. Its a good framework what we need to do now is make sure everyone in Government is playing their part. You could say that the very best thinkers will be present those who well understand where the gaps are for children. Not only is it a very tangible way to progress rights in many areas of childrens lives but at best it will help determine important actions that can drastically improve outcomes for future generations. Over the last 10 years, there has been progress for children. Much of this has been infrastructural. We now have a minister and a department dedicated solely to children, we have an agency Tusla to protect and empower children and families. There are many new laws to protect children from the types of harm suffered by previous generations. The challenge now is about making sure all children reap the benefits of such changes and that certain vulnerable groups do not continue to be left behind. We have our work cut out for us and the picture for many is far from sunny. More than one in 10 children live in consistent poverty and food poverty is on the increase with almost a quarter of older children having gone to school or to bed hungry. There are almost 2,500 children living in homeless accommodation. There are more than 6,000 in state care and 1,200 children growing up in direct provision. One in three experience mental health difficulties before the age of 13 and Traveller infant mortality is nearly four times higher than the settled population. Tanya Ward is chief executive of the Childrens Rights Alliance We havent even properly begun to assess the needs of children coming to Ireland under the Refugee Resettlement Programme. What can we do to change life for those whose childhoods are not perfect or, indeed, are downright miserable? Commitments and policies on paper are seriously undermined if they are not addressing the needs of the children who need them most. For now, todays first child summit represents a turning point. Bringing together agents of change for childrens lives is serious. It demonstrates accountability and a genuine desire across government departments and beyond to put political needs aside and put children first. There was a 10-year lacuna between Irelands examination earlier this year and the previous examination in 2006, twice the wait it should have been. Looking back, critics might say the 2006 recommendations wallowed on the proverbial shelf as they were not integrated into national policy. So far, 2016 is proving far from a tick-box exercise. The infrastructural building blocks for change have been laid and I for one am excited that todays event shows there is the political will to follow through on these commitments. We now need action and resourcing to allow the system and its people do their job properly. We still have a long road to travel. Ultimately, we will know we are successful when there are better outcomes for all our children and when they have the brighter futures they deserve. Tanya Ward is chief executive of the Childrens Rights Alliance IN June of 2015 six Irish students were killed when a balcony they were partying on collapsed in the university town of Berkeley California. It is suspected that poor construction and / or maintenance was at least partly to blame. Just a few months later, ten Irish Travellers perished in a horrific fire. Overcrowding and inadequate provision of Traveller housing has been cited as a contributory cause of the death toll. Five of those who died were children under the age of ten. Few can really argue there were glaring discrepancies in our reaction to these two tragedies. A New York Times piece about the Berkeley tragedy made reference to bad behaviour and drunkenness among Irish J-1 students. It was slammed for insensitivity, and provoked a massive outcry from a variety of public figures. Officialdom was not silent either the Irish Ambassador to the USA wrote to the paper and registered a complaint. The article even prompted a vitriolic condemnation from former President Mary McAleese. Nobody was as enthusiastic in eulogising the victims of the Carrickmines fire, however. The high-powered public figures who condemned coverage of the Berkeley tragedy (in the strongest possible terms) werent to be heard so robustly defending the Travelling community when they were grossly slandered by many across the media and social media following Carrickmines. Shame on you, McAleese, scolded the NY Times in outrage after the Berkeley incidentbut much worse than media denigration would face the grieving Carrickmines families and survivors. The Travelling community not only had to contend with vicious slurs, but in a disgusting and despicable development there were actual protests to prevent the survivors being temporarily accommodated nearby. Was this 21st Century Ireland? It felt more like Alabama in the 1950s. A large share of the responsibility for fermenting this prejudice must be taken by the media. Whoever saw a headline or bulletin that read SETTLED PEOPLE IN VIOLENT FEUD? If there are higher incidences of violence or criminality among the Travelling Communityand this is more in doubt than the fact that there is skewed and exaggerated coverage of such matters then who is to blame? The fact is that in a relationship it is the side with the most power that must take the most responsibility and the Travelling Community has been comprehensively denied power in Ireland. Political representation The upper house of our parliament, the Seanad, retains the majority of its seats (46 out of sixty in total) for the election of minority interest groups. Seats are allocated to panels from agriculture, industry, labour and other sectorsand of course the universities elect their own senators. The Travelling Community are a group with unique (and urgent) needs. They have suffered the most harmful prejudice and persecution since the inception of the stateyet they are unrepresented. Neither do they have high-powered and influential lobbyists outside (but with access to) the Oireachtas like the interests already represented in the Seanad. Needless to say, this issue is not on the agenda for Fine Gaels much trumpeted (but lesser spotted) Seanad reforms. Travellers comprise .6% of the population of this country. However, Sinn Feins Padraig Mac Lochlainn was the first, and remains the only member of the Oireachtas ever to come from a Traveller family. What percentage of Senators, TDsand indeed Taoisighhail from the exclusive environs of South Dublins private schools? The Proclamation of 1916 promised to cherish all the children of the nation equally. This has been very far from the reality. It is a disgrace that one of the most vulnerable and persecuted groups in our society is left to fend for themselves, while already powerful groups like commercial interests and university graduates are extended further privilege through guaranteed special representation in our parliament. Furthermore, there is just as strong a case to be made for designated Dail seats to represent Travellers too. They certainly can be said to form a non-geographic constituencyalmost by definition. The Travelling Community is identifiable by the very fact they are dispersed across the island while maintaining cohesion as a single people with a homogenous culture. This is in contrast to settled people, who vary more noticeably in dialect and culture from one location to another. By what virtue can we assert that the only rubric for granting people suffrage as a community is the fact they all live in one place? If a community is not to be given representation, what right have we to demand they obey the laws we impose upon them? When they have had no say in the writing of legislation, what moral imperative can there be for them to abide by these laws? Language Irish is not the only language that is indigenous to this island. The languages of the Travelling community go by a variety of names: Shelta, Gammon, Cant, among others. These native tongues, which are almost certainly endangered, have yet to be fully studied and recorded. Government figures confirm spending on the Irish language and Gaeltacht for 2016 will be 234 million. There is no available figure for allocated funds to be spent on Traveller languages, but I am willing to bet it is very close to zero. We hold the Traveller languages in the same sort of disdain the English held our native tongue. The neglect of the rich cultural heritage enshrined within these languages is a national disgraceand if not addressed it will be a loss not just to the Travelling Community, but to us all. Empathy Despite hundreds of years of civil rights advances worldwide (not to mention commendable recent progress in equality within this jurisdiction), the circle of empathy has yet to be fully extended to people from our Travelling community. Just as the Israeli state rightly demands ongoing recognition for the horrific treatment of Jews under Hitler while at the same ghettoising Palestinians without the remotest self-consciousness here in Ireland, we mete out the same type of domination, disposession, and discrimination to our Traveller population that the English perpetrated upon us. At the height of the Northern Peace Process, Ulster Unionist politician David Trimble (in his Nobel Laureate Lecture) finally acknowledged that the Northern Irish state had been a cold house for Irish Catholics. It is not too late for us to admit this state has been similarly unwelcoming to Irish Travellers nor is it too late to begin to remedy this injustice. Our society and state need to get on the right side of history fast, or and this is not bombast or hyperbole we forfeit any right to be proud of this nation. * Frankie Gaffney grew up in Dublin's North Inner-City. His debut novel, Dublin Seven, charts a teenager's descent into the criminal underworld of the city. He is currently undertaking a PhD at Trinity College Dublin. ** "Traveller Boys with wagon mural". A picture from 1980 by Brian Palm and reproduced with kind permission. THERE is absolutely no doubt that Travellers are negatively discriminated against at almost every level in Irish society. There are countless examples of Travellers who have to book weddings under assumed names in order to find a hotel that will facilitate their celebrations, or conflicts that have arisen because residents have objected to halting sites being placed in their communities. This type of attitude to Travellers is wrong, and should not be part of any right thinking modern society. That said, the answer is not positive discrimination. I find myself more than a little frustrated by the outcome of the story this week of a boy in Ballyfermot who was refused access to a secondary school because his application was late. Most of the media coverage of this story identified the child as a 12-year-old Traveller boy, though it quickly became apparent that the reason the boy was refused access to the school was because his application was late. The decision was absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he was a Traveller, yet in every media reference to the case, his cultural status was identified. Even though it was not explicitly stated, the suggestion was that the child was being excluded from the school because he was a Traveller. The subsequent media coverage culminated with an interview with the Minister for Education on Mondays Morning Irelandand a change of mind by the school in question which subsequently offered a place to the boy. On Tuesdays Morning Ireland, a relative of the child was asked why none of the male children from her halting site had ever completed a Leaving Certificate. She suggested that the reason was something to do with oppression. She went on to make connections between educational attainment and housing conditions. She neglected to mention that in Traveller culture, male children view themselves as men when they make their Confirmation and often find it difficult to stay in school. There were a number of interesting peripheral issues that arose in this story. The first is why are the childs parents both illiterate, presumably having participated in some form of formal academic education for at least 10 years. The second is the role of the Traveller advocacy groups, and why they did not ensure that the childs application to the secondary school was made on time. Whatever way we look at this story, it is not the schools fault that the childs application was not received on time. Of course, one could argue that rigid implementation of the rules regarding application was questionable, but that is nothing to do with the child being a Traveller. It seems a little unfair then, that there should be any suggestion (subliminal or otherwise) that the schools application policy had anything to do with ethnicity. If Travellers are ever going to achieve social justice and equality of opportunity, they must realise that with rights come responsibilities. In this case, it is the responsibility of the childs parents to ensure that their child receives an education. If they could not understand the directions that were given to them by the school, they should go to the Traveller advocacy groups (that have been established for them) and use the supports available to ensure their needs were met. They should also recognise that their own illiteracy has caused problems for them and perhaps should take steps to get help. The difficulties between the Traveller and non-Traveller populations are complex, but positive discrimination is not the solution. It only serves to undermine the legitimacy of the Travellers argument in cases of genuine discrimination and widens the gap between the two communities. If the conflict is ever going to be resolved, there will need to be a mature and honest dialogue between the communities that is based on mutual respect. Both parties need to be open and honest, take full responsibility for their actions and make a serious commitment to reasonable compromise in order to ensure that they can live together without discrimination, positive or negative. John Byrne is a social care worker and lecturer in social care practice at the Waterford Institute of Technology. He is also a practising psychotherapist. Of all the companies making all the rulings in all the countries in all the world, they have to go and throw this out on the one occasion the TDs had an extended holiday? Outrageous doesnt even begin to describe it. So it was that the boys and girls of the 32nd Dail began to troop into Leinster House yesterday to address the issue. A warm September sun beat down through the muggy haze, reminding one and all they really should still be off with buckets and spades this week. The tribunes of the Left were up and at it bright and early. Richard Boyd Barrett, Mick Barry, et al took to the plinth ahead of the debate to tee-up their contributions, explaining to the media how they would illustrate the folly and downright betrayal in appealing the EU ruling. Their latest reasoning is that the money is owed to other countries rather than Ireland, said Barry. Yet, with this appeal, they are not saying that other countries should get the money, they are saying that Apple should keep the money. They are siding with Apple not just against workers in Ireland but across the world. Like much of the contributions from all sides since the ruling, there are strands of truth amid the hyperbole. Inside, Finance Minister Michael Noonan rose first to outline why he had decided on an appeal ahead of telling his fellow ministers, not to mind putting the proposal to the Dail in a time of new politics. Finance Minister Michael Noonan Noonan has been through the depths of all manner of crises over the last five years, maintaining a relaxed countenance. These days though, he is beginning to look more tired than laid back, like a man waiting for his leader to make a decision that will allow both to leave the stage with grace. The full tax was paid in accordance with the law, he said, neglecting the detail that full tax in this case was something quite empty. Taoiseach Enda Kenny was on his feet next to plough the same ground, but then went all misty-eyed, declaring that Ireland is blessed with the beauty of the land and its wonderful people. EndaKenny and DonaldTusk It was as if he had listened to Tim Cooks folksy manner when interviewed last week on RTE and reckoned that was the way to go. Kenny did bring it all back home a few minutes later, declaring we compete hard and we do so fairly and within the rules which sounded like a war cry for the Mayo team ahead of the All-Ireland final on Sunday week. He announced a review of the countrys corporate tax regime, but noted it would not be allowed to touch the actual rate. We are unshakably committed to our 12-and-a-half rate, he said. The most cogent defence of the Governments position came from the alleged leader of the opposition, Micheal Martin. He had all his ducks in a row, pointing to facts and figures that showed Irelands 12.5% corporate tax was very close to the advertised rate, unlike in countries such as France where the effective rate was a fraction of the nominal rate. He also found space to have a cut at Sinn Fein, which seems to form a part of most major Fianna Fail speeches these days. Despite that, Martin has all the appearances of a man rehearsing for the role of taoiseach which he presumably sees hovering into view on the far side of the next election. On the other side of the argument, Pearse Doherty displayed his customary grasp of the issue, even if he did stray offside when accusing ministers of lying. Gerry Adams was full of his usual bluster, decrying the bigger parties hypocrisy, corruption, and duplicity, speaking with the moral authority of one who arrived in politics straight from the boy scouts. Contributions from Boyd Barrett and Paul Murphy further heightened the obvious division on this issue. In the end, the days debate was no more than a public airing of entrenched positions. No minds were changed, no positions moderated. Everybody knows where they stand on this, and the modus operadi in the current Dail was simply applied. As long as its OK with Fianna Fail, the Government will be allowed to govern. An adult panda and its cub were recorded by a hidden camera in China's Qianfoshan Nature Reserve on Aug. 3. This is the first time wild pandas have been caught on camera in this reserve, which is located in Sichuan province. With the increase of the animal's population in the wild, the animal has been officially downgraded from endangered to vulnerable on the Red List maintained by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. (Photo provided by the Mianyang Forestry Bureau) Burma Ethnic Activists Voice Alarm Over Salween Dams The press conference in Rangoon on Wednesday staged by ethnic activists opposed to the Salween dams. / Nang Seng Nom / The Irrawaddy RANGOON Ethnic Shan, Mon and Karenni environmental activists have voiced strong concern over alleged government plans to push ahead with hydropower dams on the Salween River, which they believe would destroy the livelihoods of ethnic communities. At a press conference in Rangoon on Wednesday, Shan environmentalist Sai Khur Hseng of the Sapawa organization claimed that U Htein Lin, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Electricity and Energy, said during a closed-door meeting in Naypyidaw in August that to fulfill Burmas energy needs, planned dams should proceed on the Salween [also known a the Thanlwin] River. This discussion has not been made public yet, said Sai Khur Hseng; this was the reason the press conference had been called. The undammed Salween is one of the longest free-flowing rivers in the world, flowing from the Tibetan plateau through largely mountainous territory in China, Burma and Thailand, before draining into the Andaman Sea off Burma. Steep-sided and unnavigable over long stretches, its basin is home to some 7 million people and extensive biodiversity. There are currently six dams planned for the Salween River, which have yet to be green-lit, according to the activists. Four are planned for Shan Statein Kunlong, Nong Pha, Mongton and Manntaungone for Karenni State, in Yawthit, and another for Karen State, in Hatgyi. Last month the Shan State government ordered the suspension of the planned hydropower dams in the state, pending a government investigation. However, Sai Khur Hseng said that, under Burmas largely centralized form of governance, the Shan State government does not have the authority to halt dam projects. The Union government has the power to override the state government against the wishes of local people, activists said. China and Thailand are both invested in the Shan State dam projects. Under the current terms, they would receive up to 90 percent of the power generated, with only 10 percent going to Burma, according to Sai Khur Hseng. The area around the dam planned in Mongton has seen on-and-off fighting between the Burma Army and the Shan State Army-South. The activists warned that proceeding with the dam could escalate the conflict and upset the fragile peace process. The ethnic Shan armed group is opposed to the dam because it is against the wishes of Shan locals. The proposed dam is also located near territory controlled by the United Wa State Army, Burmas most powerful non-state armed group. The proposed Nong Pha damdeemed a high priority project, with Chinese backingis located by territory held by the Shan State Army-North, which has been in active conflict with the Burma Army over the last year. The activists claimed that the Burma Army has recently deployed more troops in the area around the proposed Nong Pha dam; renewed fighting could break out at any moment. The Australia-based Snowy Mountains Engineering Corp conducted environmental and social impact assessments around the Mongton dam, claiming that locals were broadly accepting of the project. Shan environmental activists have since claimed that this was based on inadequate consultation, and that locals were actually strongly opposed to the dam. China understands the consequences of building dams because they have earthquakes. China is not building many more dams in their country [] but they come to build them in our country, said Sai Khur Hseng. Mi Ah Chai of the Mon Youth Progressive Organization (MYPO) expressed worry at the press conference over the harm the proposed Hatgyi dam in Karen State could inflict on local livelihoods. A MYPO report titled In the Balance, updated this year, highlights how local Mon rely on the Salween River for their survival: growing vegetables, fishing and sending produce to markets by boat. The Mon youth group is concerned that the dam could substantially alter the flow and course of the river, and destroy its ecosystem. Our report showed how important the Salween River is for the Mon people, said Mi Ah Chai. Something is wrong when our country only gets 10 percent [of the output] from the project, with other countries getting 90 percent. Our country also needs electric power, she said. Burma Govt Forms Committee to Rid Burma of Least Developed Country Status A child waiter at a teashop in Yangon. / J Paing / The Irrawaddy NAYPYIDAW The government has formed an implementation committee to rid Burma of its least developed country (LDC) status, Deputy Minister for Planning and Finance U Maung Maung Win told the Lower House of Parliament on Wednesday. The implementation committee chaired by Vice President Henry Van Thio was formed in late April, just weeks after the National League for Democracy (NLD) government took office after winning a landslide victory in the November 2015 general election. There are certain advantages to a least developed country label. Those performing at the bottom of socioeconomic evaluations have access to preferential trade arrangements, duty-free imports, interest-free financial aid, official development assistance and debt forgiveness. Although Burma applied for and received LDC status in 1987 under the reign of dictator Ne Wins Burma Socialist Program Party, any potential benefits were largely eclipsed by economic sanctions imposed shortly after. To graduate from the status, LDCs must surpass thresholds for two of three indicators: per capita gross national income, economic vulnerabilities, and a human resource weakness index based on child mortality, health, nutrition and education. Countries are re-evaluated every three years and must exceed the criteria in two consecutive reviews. The United Nations (UN) conducted its triennial review in 2015 and Burma was unable to surpass the graduation requirements, exceeding only the Human Asset Index (HAI) 66-or-above threshold with a score of 72.7. The countrys per capita gross national income stood at US$1,063below the $1,242 threshold, according to the deputy minister. Burmas next review will take place in 2018. Only five countries have graduated to developing country status since the UN ranked the first group in 1971. Samoa was the last country to have been promoted, in 2014. Currently, 48 countries are on the LDC list; among them are three Asean membersCambodia, Laos and Burma. Commentary Is it Time for the US to Lift Sanctions? US Secretary of State John Kerry shakes hands with Burmas Commander-in-Chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing during his visit in May 2016. / State Department / Public Domain Burmas road to democratization is still incomplete but has made some progress. No one should doubt the length of the journey before greater civilian control is seen in the country. The army holds the keykeeping one quarter of seats in the parliament and controlling the ministries of home affairs, defense, and border affairsbut has recently shown some willingness to work with the elected government headed by Burmas de facto leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. In recent months, the Burmese have seen the new government struggle to transform the old system, but Daw Aung San Suu Kyis huge popular mandate has proved key in consolidating power. But a mountain of challenges remains. The recent 21st Century Panglong peace conference ended on a positive note, for the most part, but achieving stability and peace in ethnic regions will take decades. War continues in Burmas northseveral ethnic armies continue to engage along front lines, and armed conflict between ethnic armies is common. Displaced communities seeking shelter, food and peace remain in limbo. But perhaps there is some hope if peace process stakeholders and the public share a common vision, towards a federal democratic union. The fundamental changes seen in the country in recent years are no longer cosmetic, but real. The country is opening up and the people enjoy more democracy and freedom than before. This has contributed to renewed expectationsincluding from former ruling generals and their croniesthat the US will further ease sanctions in the wake of Daw Aung San Suu Kyis visit to Washington DC next week. After meeting with congressional staffers, Ben Rhodes, US President Obamas deputy national security adviser, said that Obama was now considering reducing sanctions or removing them altogether. Since the country launched political and economic reforms in 2011, the US has eased restrictions on trade, investment and financial institutions in Burma in successive stages, and has normalized diplomatic relations. In May, the US removed state-owned banks from its targeted sanctions, which were renewed for another year. The US Department of the Treasury maintains its roster of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN), which includes several of Burmas most prominent tycoons and members of the military elite, with whom US companies and individuals are still barred from doing business. When US Secretary of State John Kerry visited Burma in May and met with State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, he suggested that a further relaxation of sanctions would not occur until the military allowed the fundamentally flawed 2008 Constitutionwhich enshrines their frontline role in politicsto be amended. Kerry said at the news conference, The key to the lifting of the sanctions is really the progress that is made within [Burma] in continuing to move down the road of democratization [] its very difficult to complete that journeyin fact, impossible to complete that journey with the current constitution. It needs to be changed. In mid August, a proposal for a parliamentary debate over whether the government should pressure the US for the removal of remaining sanctions was shot down in the Lower House. As Daw Aung San Suu Kyi continues to engage in tough negotiations with the military, it is safe to assume that her party wants to maintain some sanctions as a bargaining chipto ensure that, one day, the military will be under civilian control, unlike the current situation: that of two lions sharing one cave. Many of the Burmese on the US sanctions list are criminal suspects and human rights abusers, said John Sifton, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. The US should assist Burma in promoting genuine economic development, not help those who made ill-gotten gains during military rule, he said. The China Factor Many ordinary Burmese would likely welcome a further easing of US sanctions on trade, investment and commerce, allowing more US investment and companies to move in. More importantly, one can assume that many Burmese would welcome the USs continued active engagement in Burma. Why? To put it simply: so as to counter the influence of Burmas powerful neighborChina. Beijing took a bold step in inviting then opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to visit China before the general election last year. Last month, Chinas President Xi Jinping welcomed back Burmas State Counselor, promising among other things to help Burmas peace process. Chinas stepping up of diplomatic engagement with Burmese stakeholders, seen over the last year, demonstrates that Beijing is more than ready to work with the new government: taking measures to boost trade and investment and offering more aid, furthering its strategic interests in its southern neighbor while doing so. The Burmese dont want to see a government heavily reliant on China, but a government that makes friends in the West and forms alliances in the region and beyond, allowing Burma to become an active regional player. Several Burmese political observers share the view that it is time to rebalance the China relationship and realize Burmas geopolitical potential. In this changing environment, the US can play a supportive role in sustaining political momentum, backing ongoing reform, deepening diplomatic relations, and aiding the economic, health, education and other sectors where Burma needs both short- and long-term assistance. While following this strategy, removing some military-linked cronies from the SDN list would not surprise or upset many Burmese. It has been conjectured that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will even request that US officials remove some individuals from the list. However, there is an ongoing debate in Burma over whether removing all US sanctions would cause bumps in the road ahead for the new civilian government. There is also opposition to growing US interest in military-to-military engagement with Burmas armed forces. Moreover, ethnic minority leaders and activists have expressed concern over anticipated military-to-military engagement between the US and Burma. In Washington DC, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will meet with President Obama and with prominent congressmen and figures who supported Burmas democracy movement over the last couple of decades, including through sanctions. There have been unconfirmed reports that a meeting with the US defense secretary is also scheduled. The US military has shown interest in deepening contact with the Burmese armed forces, for instance talking of offering Burma non-lethal security assistance such as International Military Education and Training. Burmese military officers have been invited to observe the annual Cobra Gold regional military exercise involving the US and various Southeast Asian nations. In mid 2014, deputy of the US Pacific Command Lt-Gen Anthony Crutchfield addressed Burmese officers at the National Defense College in Naypyidaw, speaking of human rights and the need for civilian control of the military. The same year, the Burmese defense minister attended the US-Asean Defense Forum in Hawaii. In Burma, US diplomats and visiting American officials often hold separate meetings with Commander-in-Chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. What if ethnic groups are attacked with US-provided technology? prominent Shan political leader Khun Htun Oo said to The Irrawaddy in Aug. 2014. No matter how hard Washington attempts to assure critics that military engagement in Burma would not involve the training of combat forces or the exchange of weapon systems, but would instead focus on promoting respect for human rights and professionalism, many remained unconvinced. How Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Barack Obama and the US Congress will handle the issue of sanctions remains to be seen. But many activists, ethnic womens rights groups and civilian lawmakers would see any kind of substantive military engagement as premature. Indeed, the purpose of keeping sanctions is to advance democratic reform in Burmaensuring that progress is irreversible, and that the military fully withdraws from politics in the future. Burma Kofi Annan: Commission Will Not Do Human Rights Investigation in Arakan State Arakan Advisory Commission Chairman Kofi Annan speaks to the media during a press conference in Rangoon on Thursday at the end of his recent Burma trip. / JPaing / The Irrawaddy RANGOON Kofi Annan, chair of the Arakan State Advisory Commission, told media in a Thursday press conference in Rangoon that the commissions purpose is not to investigate rights abuses, but to write an impartial report. We are not here to do a human rights investigation or to write a human rights reportI hope our recommendations will be helpful as we intend to reduce tension and support development, said Mr. Annan. The former UN general secretary explained that the objective of the advisory commission is to provide recommendations for the Burmese government in accordance with international standards, to facilitate a lasting solution to conflict in Arakan State. The commission will work rigorously and impartially to create these recommendations. The focus will be on conflict resolution, humanitarian assistance, reconciliation and development, Mr. Annan added. Since the outbreak of anti-Muslim violence in 2012, which led to the displacement of 140,000, the region has received international attention. Questions at Thursdays press conference were limited, with only ten questions accepted from among hundreds of reporters from both local and international media houses. A reporter asked Mr. Annan how he planned to work successfully without the support and collaboration of many local Buddhist Arakanese; his arrival and departure in Arakan State were both met with protests, and an Arakanese political partythe Arakan National Partyproposed in Parliament that Kofi Annan and other international representatives be removed from the commission, a move which was voted down on Tuesday. Mr. Annan replied that demonstrations represented a type of communication and he was not surprised by it, as protests are not a strange occurrence in a democratic society. On Thursday, Kofi Annan also met with both Burmas President U Htin Kyaw and the Burma Army commander-in-chief, Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. Both figures, along with the Union Parliament, gave a green light to the commission to pursue their work. I can assure you the commission is independent, he said, adding that the group would consider the interests of all groups in Arakan State. On his first trip to the state, from Sept. 6-7, Mr. Annan met with the speaker of the regional parliament, the chief minister, community leaders, civil society organizations and religious leaders. He visited both Buddhist Arakanese and Rohingya Muslim displaced peoples camps. The trip, he said, was productive. Annan recalled being asked by locals for improved access to education and employment, and greater freedom of movement. Understanding the history of the region, he said, will be useful for the commission to understand the situation on the ground. One participant in the press conference questioned Mr. Annan about whether he had witnessed any oppression of the Muslim community during his time in Arakan State. Personally, I did not see it there, he said. The Arakan State government had planned the busy agenda for the visit, commission member Al Haj Aye Lwin explained, and more time was needed in order to accurately comment on whether such anti-Muslim repression was taking place. In his opening speech, Mr. Annan used the term Rohingya to refer one of the Muslim communities in Arakan State. While it is the name with which the group self-identifies, local Arakanese and large sections of the wider Burmese public, reject the term Rohingya and instead call the group Bengali, suggesting that they are migrants from Bangladesh; in addition, the Rohingya are not included among the 135 ethnic groups officially recognized by the Burmese government. Earlier this year, Burmas State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi asked her international counterparts to avoid using the term Rohingya, saying that it contributes to instability in the state. A reporter asked Mr. Annan if there had been any further pledge from the State Counselor to avoid using the term; he replied that she had not instructed him on which terminology to use. The words Rohingya and Bengali are both emotive, he said. Issues regarding the Arakan State-Bangladesh border will need to be looked into by the commission in order to make recommendations, Annan also said. Both Burma and Bangladesh will need to collaboarate, he added, suggesting that he hoped that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees would likely be involved in the process. Burma Residence of Burmas First President to Become Heritage Site Yawnghwe Cultural Museum. / Ko Soe / The Irrawaddy NAYPYIDAW The residence of Burmas first president, Sao Shwe Thaike, will be turned into a heritage tourist site, according to hotels and tourism minister U Ohn Maung. Sao Shwe Thaike, an ethnic Shan, was the last saophaor hereditary princeof Shan States Yawnghwe (Nyaung Shwe). He became President of the Union of Burma in 1948 following the countrys independence from Britain and served as head of state until 1952. The idea of turning his residenceknown as Yawnghwe Hawinto a heritage site is still in a conceptual stage, said the minister in a Lower House session on Wednesday. According to the minister, upon completion of the upgrades, the Haw will be open to visitors from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. two nights a week, with a night bazaar nearby. The development of heritage tourism will generate increased income and more job opportunities for locals. But it is not easy to develop a heritage tourism site. We need the advice of local and foreign experts and the support of locals, said the minister. The plan also includes guiding foreign visitors around the Haw, illuminating it twice weekly and forming a committee to conserve the building with the admission fees collected, according to the minister. In July, Yawnghwe Township Lower House lawmaker Nay Myo led a group of departmental personnel to clear bushes in the Haw precinct. The Haw was handed over to the Culture Department in 1972 and opened to the public as the Saopha Museum. In 2003, its name was changed to Yawnghwe Cultural Museum. In 2005, UNESCO granted funds for a project to renovate the items on display at the museum, but the Culture Ministry rejected the funds and the renovation could not be carried out. In July 2014, the Culture Ministry handed the museum over to the Shan State government. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. Beijing and Shanghai will be turned into global centers of innovation in science and technology, according to a guideline released by the country's top economic planner. This goal echoes Chinas plan for scientific innovation during the 13th Five-Year Plan period, which also mentions the two cities as centers for innovation. On Sept. 1, the State Council approved Beijing's plan to build a science and technology innovation center. "Relying on abundant talents and scientific advantages, Beijing will best serve the implementation of national strategies," said Sui Zhenjiang, deputy mayor of Beijing. According to Sui, Beijing will build three big sci-tech communities. Zhongguancun Science City will focus on high-end national innovation; Huairou Science City will build large scientific clusters and interdisciplinary research platforms; Future Science City will become a gathering place for technological innovation among big conglomerates, China Daily reported. In May 2015, Shanghai unveiled a plan to accelerate innovation and build the city into a global innovation center by 2020. The State Council approved Shanghais plan in April 2016. The plan's measures include a pledge to further simplify administrative management by cutting red tape, as well as a promise to increase funds needed to meet specific objectives, acording to a report in Shanghai Daily. Zhou Bo, vice mayor of Shanghai, said that the city has already begun implementing the plan. Thursday, September 8th, 2016 (5:49 am) - Score 1,193 The Independent Networks Co-operative Association, which represents alternative network ISPs like Sky Broadband and Gigaclear, will today publish a report that calls on the Government to set a target for 80% of the UK population to have access to a pure fibre optic FTTP/H broadband connection by 2026; and near universal cover by 2030. The Building Gigabit Britain report, which was created in consultation with members including various national players (e.g. Sky Broadband, Vodafone, Cityfibre, Hyperoptic, Gigaclear, Relish Wireless, ITS Technology, WarwickNet and others), outlines a number of bold measures that it wants to see the Government adopt in order to facilitate the wide-scale deployment of Gigabit (i.e. 1000Mbps+ or 1Gbps+ if you prefer) capable Fibre-to-the-Premise (FTTP) networks. The Key Recommendations 1. The Government should be targeting for 80% of businesses and homes to have pure fibre connections by 2026, with near universal cover by 2030. 2. The suspension of all business rates on new fibre assets (aka Fibre Tax), for the next ten years, and ensure the launch of the proposed Broadband Investment Fund. 3. Develop regulation that encourages both competition and continued private sector investment, such as easier / more affordable access to private land (Electronic Communications Code) and ensuring that BTOpenreachs governance does not inhibit investment by alternative networks. 4. An overhaul of advertising guidelines, with greater clarity for customers on connectivity quality (i.e. make clear the differences between pure fibre optic (FTTP/H) and slower hybrid copper-fibre (FTTC/HFC) solutions). 5. Ensure efficient use of public subsidies and assets, such as via tight and strictly enforced rules to prohibit the overbuild of FTTP networks using public subsidy. ISPreview.co.uk recently estimated that around 779,006 premises in the United Kingdom (up from 351,642 last year) were able to access a FTTP/H connection at the end of June 2016 (here), with Openreach (BT) catering for about half of those. Sadly thats still only a small fraction of the United Kingdoms 26.7 million households, but theres a lot planned for the future. However the new report claims that altnets alone have already passed more than 650,000 premises with pure connections (thats around 1 million if you add BTOpenreachs coverage) and they are even forecast to pass 4.9 million premises (18% of the UK population) with FTTP by 2020. Apparently this is estimated at 1.5 million more premises than BT and Virgins networks combined (BT plans to do 2 million and Virgin 1 million by 2019-2020), although the report provides no solid data to confirm the figures (its based on a member survey). Certainly we have a pretty good idea of what various ISPs aspire to deliver in that time-scale, but ambition vs reality dont always stack up. INCAs report proceeds to state that only the deployment of pure fibre infrastructure, supporting vastly greater speeds (including symmetrical upstream and downstream performance) and lower latency than copper or hybrid networks, will support the UKs growing needs. Fibre networks are [also] needed to support the growth of both fixed wireless and mobile wireless services, says the group. Malcolm Corbett, CEO of INCA, said: Unless the UK Government takes action, we will be faced in the very near term with a clear divergence between supply and demand in our digital communications. The UK has some of the lowest pure fibre deployment in the OECD, yet our economy is one of the most digital in the world, which is dependent on our digital infrastructure. We urgently need to upgrade to pure fibre connections and government needs to act by setting the vision and framework to encourage competitive investment. The Altnets are doing a great job. Five years ago few of them existed, today they provide more than twice as many FTTP connections as BT and many more offer great wireless broadband services. These are the people Building Gigabit Britain and if we dont encourage and support their much needed investment, the UKs economic position will be put at risk. Increasingly government ministers and agencies like Broadband Delivery UK (which invests in rural broadband) are recognising the vital role of the Altnets. But more needs to be done. We have presented a number of recommendations, which, if followed, will not only help the telecoms industry to meet and exceed their current deployment plans without Government subsidies but will also ensure our nations fibre infrastructure is future-proofed. Some of what INCA desires (e.g. the Broadband Investment Fund and Openreachs greater separation from BT) is already being tackled, although as usual the biggest challenge in achieving the 80% and 100% (universal) coverage target is one of both money and political desire. Earlier this year the Governments former Digital Economy Minister, Ed Vaizey MP, said that he would expect to start seeing Gigabit (1000Mbps+) speed broadband from 2020-25 (here). I fully expect to get to a specific tipping point at the end of this decade in terms of those kinds of speeds being seen by the majority of people, said Vaizey. At present only a few ISPs offer 1Gbps, with limited coverage. However officially the Government appears happy to verbally support BTs commercial roll-out of 300Mbps+ G.fast technology and Virgin Medias similarly fast HFC + FTTP based DOCSIS network, which should reach about 60-70% of the UK by 2020 before the need for public funding resurfaces. Virgin may be able to deliver 1Gbps+ by adopting DOCSIS 3.1, but going beyond the 60-70% mark isnt likely to be commercially viable for them. So far nobody in the Government has revealed a firm strategy to foster universal Gigabit FTTP/H or even simply ultra-fast connectivity (i.e. 100Mbps+ or 300Mbps+, depending upon your definition), although this would be most likely to focus on the final 30% of the UK where the economic model becomes more of a challenge for commercial deployments (too expensive). A significant amount of public investment might thus be required to push pure fibre optic connectivity out to every home and businesses, which would be a very difficult thing to balance without hurting the very alternative networks that INCA supports; hence why their report calls for appropriate protection against overbuilding. Sadly such investment seems unlikely to surface while the country is still struggling to tackle 1.6 trillion of Government debt, which has just been made a bit more challenging by the Brexit vote. However the opposition Labour Partys embattled leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has recently proposed to set 25bn towards the task (here). Admittedly Corbyns proposal probably doesnt stand much chance of gaining traction, at least not unless he wins the next General Election and that isnt until 2020. However what his proposal has done is provide some competitive political pressure, which could become more potent if he wins the current leadership contest and that may encourage the Government to be more ambitious. Thursday, September 8th, 2016 (9:45 am) - Score 2,874 Communications infrastructure provider Arqiva has agreed to sell its national network of WiFi Hotspots to Virgin Media, which will support the Liberty Global owned cable operators on-going efforts to extend the reach and influence of their own public WiFi infrastructure around the United Kingdom. Arqiva originally acquired the WiFi network in 2012 as part of a 23m+ deal to buy Spectrum Interactive and since then theyve expanded it to include a total of 31,000 access points in 6,500 UK locations, which includes various hotspots inside hotels, banks, restaurants and airports etc. On top of that Arqiva also hold exclusive licences to deploy their kit on street furniture in 12 of Londons boroughs. Suffice to say that gobbling Arqiva would help Virgin Medias WiFi ambitions to catch-up with the likes to Sky (Sky Broadband), which similarly gobbled WiFi operator The Cloud a few years back. But they still have a long way to go before being able to match BT, which hasnt been helped by VMs initial bug ridden attempt to add public WiFi sharing to their existing SuperHub broadband routers (here). Peter Kelly, MD of VirginMedia Business, said: Millions of homes and businesses across the country already rely on Virgin Media for ultrafast broadband. By complementing our existing offer with the acquisition of one of the UKs biggest and best public WiFi providers well soon be able to expand the same high quality connectivity outdoors. In todays digital age connectivity matters, whether you are at home, at work or on the go. I look forward to welcoming the Arqiva WiFi team to Virgin Media. Simon Beresford-Wylie, CEO of Arqiva, said: Arqivas technology is central to millions of vital connections for broadcast and telecoms in the UK and across the globe. We have made significant investment in Wifi in recent years, resulting in a scalable and robust platform for customers and I firmly believe that Virgin Media will be a great owner of the WiFi business. Under this new stewardship, the business will be well placed to grow and gain market share. Apparently the deal will also include more than 100 Arqiva employees that are connected to the WiFi network, which will now come under VMBs control. According to Virgin Media, approximately 500,000 phones, tablets and laptops connect to their WiFi network every day and this looks set to rise. Overall this is an important move for Virgin Media one that will give their existing customers free access to a much larger network of WiFi hotspots. Top 6 Trends that Impact Your Security Posture Device security was, is and always will be a big issue. The main security tool to date, of course, is the password, but to put it bluntly, not too many people are fans. Fingerprint scanning has made some headway over the years. Iris scanning is another approach that has been around the periphery for many years, and there are signs that its on the verge of becoming more common. Last month, Samsung released the Galaxy Note7 which, WirelessWeeks Diana Goovaerts notes, comes with iris scanning. The story features an interview with Delta ID CEO Salil Prabhakar, who is not a fan of voice recognition and palm reading technology, for convenience and accuracy issues. Fingerprint and iris scanning score higher, at least with Prabhakar, who said that iris scanning offers the same level of security as six-digit personal identification numbers. It is useful to have an idea of how iris scanning works. Lamont Wood at Computerworld takes a close look; the first differentiation is that a persons iris, barring injury, remains the same throughout his or her life. That is not true for other biometric markers. There are also a lot of places to check: An iris has 225 points of comparison. A fingerprint only has 40. Vendors are reluctant to deeply detail how their systems work due to fear that they will become targets. Iris scanning is becoming less expensive as off-the-shelf camera technology becomes more sophisticated. A separate camera is necessary, however. Wood notes that, in addition to the Galaxy Note7, iris scanning is a feature of the Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950 XL, the Fujitsu Arrows NX-F-04G, the ZTE Nubia Prague S and the HP Elite x3. Rumors are reported (appropriately) at MacRumors, that the iPhone 8 will have iris scanning. That report came from Chinese-language MoneyDJ. Cult of Mac suggests that the Apple/iris scanning chatter is due to the filing of trademarks by what the piece says may be Apple shell companies on an Iris Engine. The filings were spotted by a patent attorney, the story said. Iris scanning is showing up in devices and may be on the iPhone 8 and other Apple devices. Its also getting interest from at least one big manufacturer. Osram, a provider of LED technology and products, is shifting $112 million (100 million euro) to making chips aimed at iris scanning for smartphone and virtual reality applications, according to Reuters. Carl Weinschenk covers telecom for IT Business Edge. He writes about wireless technology, disaster recovery/business continuity, cellular services, the Internet of Things, machine-to-machine communications and other emerging technologies and platforms. He also covers net neutrality and related regulatory issues. Weinschenk has written about the phone companies, cable operators and related companies for decades and is senior editor of Broadband Technology Report. He can be reached at [email protected] and via twitter at @DailyMusicBrk. Google is proving to the world that anything is possible as it has just activated it's under the ocean cables worth $300 million, spanning from the west coast of the U.S. to Japan, spanning over 5,000 miles. With this, Google has felt in faster speeds in the Asian continent thanks to the ambitious and seemingly impossible feat that the company is pushing through. Despite the success that the under ocean cables of Google are experiencing, it still wanted to push the boundaries, furthering the span of cables under the ocean to provide even greater connectivity across Asia. The new cable networks will reach Taiwan, knowing that Google has its largest data center in Asia in that country. The cable was specifically placed outside of tsunami zones, so it should also help prevent outages related to extreme weather conditions, according to a report from Venture Beat. Google, China Mobile International, China Telecom Global, KDDI, Global Transit, and Singtel have been working closely together in bringing the project to a successful reality. What does the Google Under Ocean Network Mean for Asia? If the project will prove to be a success throughout the years, then it would surely be considered as the world's fastest fiber optic undersea cable in the world. But the downside is that the cable extensions in Taiwan are inferior in speed when compared to the ones in the Pacific. The U.S. to Japan network reaches speeds of up to 60 terabits per second, while the newer Taiwan connection network is only capped at 26 terabits per second. Yan Tang, Google's network research APAC region leader says, "With more people coming online every day in Asia than anywhere else in the world, we've been working hard to invest in the infrastructure needed to make the internet work for all of us who live in the region." Google does not seem contented with this, as it also has constructed two data centers that will serve the Asian market as well as upgrade its facility in Singapore. The newly-released Samsung Galaxy Note 7 has been through a lot of controversies in the past weeks. It all started with a couple cases of explosions, then there were issues regarding its slow processor, faulty S-Pen integration and bricked system. Needless to say, its explosion controversy may have been the worst part of all the issues. This did not only lead to a global recall of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices, this also startled accessory providers like the Oculus. Oculus' Warning Against The Use Of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Gear VR users are warned by Oculus against using the VR device with the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. Although no specific reasons were given by the VR developer, it is assumable that they are afraid that the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 could explode while connected to the Oculus Gear VR. Oculus gave a statement on its website saying "Don't use your Note7 with Gear VR until you get your replacement." They also sent emails saying that their users' safety is their number one concern. It's worth noting though that Oculus did not advise people to never use the Note 7 with the Gear VR at all. All they ask is for users to only pair the two if their Note 7 has already been replaced. This goes without saying that Oculus has clearly accepted the fact that the current Note 7 phones are risky. The VR company may have also understood the risk of having a potential explosive device attached to a user's head. Furthermore, considering that the early reports of Note 7 explosions were caused by being connected to a mobile accessory, a VR headset may technically be at risk of provoking a Galaxy Note 7 to explode. Samsung Galaxy Note 7, The Global Recall 2016 According to Forbes, more than 1.6 million devices are at risk of explosion. This is despite Samsung's initial statement saying that the number of affected devices are way lower than that at around 0.01% or less. Investigations determined that the batteries of the devices are to be blamed for the explosion incidents. This is why Samsung continues to sell the device in China and Hong Kong, for the sole reason that the battery of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 released in those area came from a different manufacturer. This also means that the company will no longer use its in-house battery manufacturer for its future phones, and instead go for a different company named ATL. ATL has provided the batteries for the non-recalled devices released in China and HK. Samsung Galaxy Note 7, How To Return Recalled Devices As for the recall program, US users of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 has already been given replacement options. They can get a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 replacement to arrive next week, or they can also exchange their current device for another model. The exchange model choices include the Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 Edge. On top of this, a $25 gift card will also be given to owners of the Note 7. Furthermore, all Samsung Galaxy Note 7 owners should contact the retailers who sold them their devices or call 1-800-SAMSUNG to discuss how to start the recall program. Taiwans legislative department offered a warm welcome to the 14th Dalai Lama to the island - a decision that was slammed by mainland experts for the potential damage it could cause to cross-Straits relations. According to Taipei-based Central News Agency (CNA), a member of the islands legislative department, Su Jia-chyuan, offered the invitation to Dalai Lama andanyone who will fight for democracy and freedom in a recent speech. The invitation to Taiwan came after the islands ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator Kolas Yotaka and New Power Party legislator Freddy Lim visited the Dalai Lama in India on Sept. 5. This move is part of a major political trend in Taiwan: with DDP's anti-mainland sentiment brewing, some are looking to collude with separatists promoting "Tibet or Xinjiang independence." This is according to Ni Yongjie, vice director of the Shanghai Institute for Taiwan Studies. The next step taken by the island will be very crucial and it will show how the DPP and the islands new leader Tsai Ing-wen view cross-Straits ties, Ni told the Global Times. If the Dalai Lama should visit Taiwan or if Tsai should meet with him, it would further reveal the blatant intention of DPP to remain hostile to the mainland. Lim announced that the Dalai Lama said he would gladly visit Taiwan again, CNA reported. Previous visits were made in 1997,2001 and 2009, according to the Global Times. Such blatant separatist activity by DPP ... will cause severe damage to cross-Straits ties. It will be Taiwan facing the consequences, Ni said. Despite all the rumors that spread online about a 2016 version of the MacBook Pro, it looks like Apple isn't ready to announce the device just yet. This sparks a new rumor about Apple holding a different event for its 2016 MacBook Pro announcement. However, after how Apple disregarded the MacBook Pro in its September 7 event, it's easy to predict that no MacBook Pro is showing up this year. MacBook Pro Announcement 2016 Unfortunately, even rumor mongers don't agree on a single release date for the 2016 MacBook Pro release. There are sources who say that the MacBook Pro will be revealed October 2016. There are also others who were so frustrated for its absence that they end up assuming that the device won't be making an appearance until 2017. Needless to say, Apple deprived its fans of at least knowing when the company is unveiling a new MacBook Pro. The Disappointing Turn Of Apple Event After all the accumulated excitement for an OLED function bar and improved laptop processor, the MacBook Pro 2016 did not make it to the Apple event. It is quite disappointing that the company is still selling its old laptops with old processors, CNET reports, and not giving fans any clue about the arrival of new models. Mac fans can probably agree that a new MacBook Pro is long overdue. MacOS Sierra Arrives Instead Of The New Laptop To compensate for the absence of new 2016 MacBook Pro, a consolation announcement has been made by Apple. According to the Apple team, the macOS Sierra is coming really soon. As per reports, Mac owners will be able to upgrade their macOS on September 20. This free upgrade to macOS however, isn't for every Mac unit. What happens is that if you own a Mac that has been released not later than 2010, then you can get the new macOS upgrade. If your Mac is older than that, you can't get the new update. Apple's Lack Of New Macs - Conclusions Now that the expected September 7 announcement of the MacBook Pro 2016 has jumped out of the window, those who held off buying a laptop to wait for Mac can now start checking out other options. Unless of course if a new evidence would arise that the new Mac will show up very soon. Until then, it might be better to hold off the waiting and start considering other brands. Besides, laptops are far more complex than phones, so it is still reasonable for Apple to take time in developing the MacBook Pro's successor. However, fans can only hope that the company would announce the device before it becomes rumored to be phased out. Samsung has been the first to take the next step as it unveiled the Galaxy S7 early this year. However, Apple doesn't recognize this as a threat as it has a contender to it - the iPhone 7, which was just released on Wednesday. iPhone 7 vs Galaxy S7: Design The Samsung Galaxy S7 weighs a light 152g with a 142 x 70 x 8mm chassis, and is available in black, white, silver, gold, and pink gold, making it one of the most attractive looking phones. On the other hand, the newly released iPhone 7 slims out a 7.1mm chassis at 138g. It is lighter than the Galaxy S7 thanks to the more conservative display. iPhone 7 vs Galaxy S7: Display The Samsung Galaxy S7 boasts a 5.1 inch super AMOLED display matched with a whopping 1440 x 2560 pixel screen display. Meanwhile, Apple's iPhone 7 gauges on a Retina HD display measuring 4.7 inches with the help of a lower 1334 x 750 pixel display. With this, Samsung aces the display category. iPhone 7 vs Galaxy S7: Hardware Samsung offers two processor variants for the Samsung Galaxy S7. It is the Exynos 8890 processor having a 2.3GHz clock speed and the Mali-T880 MP12 GPU. 4 GB of RAM is what makes the Samsung Galaxy S7 tick, as well as a 32 GB and a 64 GB variant. It also is expandable in storage memory that can reach up to 256 GB. The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus has a roaring A10 Fusion processing chip as well as a whopping 64-bit quad-core processor. Apple claims that it is 40% faster than the A9 chip. iPhone 7 vs Galaxy S7: Software The Samsung Galaxy S7 runs at the latest Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, while the iPhone 7 has its very own iOS 10. With this, the iPhone 7 is perfectly tuned to its own operating system as it has the same release date of the iOS 10. In its aim of being a force for good in the world, the search giant Google is working on a way to fight terrorism. Google Search Against Terrorism According to Android Headlines, Google is using Jigsaw, the internal experiments lab acquired, in order to find a way to dissuade wannabe terrorists to join ISIS. Google's half-trillion-dollar internet search business could be transformed in a powerful tool for getting inside the minds of potential ISIS recruits. According to Wired, aside of just understanding the would-be jihadis' intentions, Jigsaw subsidiary of Google is also trying to change them. Over the past year, the Google-owned think tank and tech incubator has been working on a YouTube's video platform and a new program to dissuade aspiring ISIS recruits from joining the terrorist group. The program is called the Redirect Method. As part of the program, certain ads are placed alongside any keywords and phrases searched by people attracted to ISIS. The ads link to English- and Arabic-language YouTube channels that pull together some preexisting videos believed to be able to effectively undo ISIS's brainwashing. These video clips range from imams denouncing ISIS's corruption of Islam to testimonials from former extremists and clips filmed inside the group's dysfunctional caliphate in Northern Syria and Iraq. Yasmin Green, Jigsaw's head of research and development, explains that the idea is based on an observation that, while the demand for ISIS material online is high, there are also many credible voices that are debunking their narratives online. He added that The Redirect Method is a targeted advertising campaign that aims show information that refutes ISIS recruitment messaging to those individuals who are vulnerable to it. Along with the US-based Gen Next Foundation and the London-based startup Moonshot Countering Violent Extremism, Jigsaw plans to re-launch the program this month in a second phase. The Jigsaw program aims to be an antidote to extremism. The program will focus its method on North American extremists, both violent white supremacists and potential ISIS recruits. You should be worried about the November election. Not so much that the candidates you support wont win, but about the risk that the winners may not really be the winners, due to hackers tampering with the results. Or, that even if the winners really are the winners, there will be enough doubt about it to create political chaos. This is not tinfoil-hat conspiracy theory. The warnings are coming from some of the most credible security experts in the industry. Richard Clarke, former senior cybersecurity policy adviser to presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, wrote recently in a post for ABC News that not only are US election systems vulnerable to hacking, but that it would not be difficult to do so. The ways to hack the election are straightforward and are only slight variants of computer system attacks that we see every day in the private sector and on government networks in the US and elsewhere around the world, he wrote, adding that, in Americas often close elections, a little manipulation could go a long way. [ RELATED: Can cybersecurity save the November elections? ] Dmitri Alperovitch, cofounder and CTO of CrowdStrike, said the risks of hostile hackers seeking to tamper with the US election is not only possible but likely. Adversaries of all types nation-states, hacktivists and even criminal hackers-for-hire could be taking steps right now to manipulate the election. Dmitri Alperovitch, cofounder and CTO, CrowdStrike "Adversaries of all types nation-states, hacktivists and even criminal hackers-for-hire could be taking steps right now to manipulate the election," he said. "CrowdStrike is currently defending the networks of a number of organizations in the political sphere against these types of intrusions." And Bruce Schneier, CTO of Resilient Systems and internationally known blogger, author and security guru, said in an interview on Bostons WGBH radio last month that because the companies that make electronic voting machines aggressively guard their proprietary information, we dont actually know how secure these machines are. But the worry that they can be hacked is serious." Princeton professor Andrew Appel and various students and colleagues have been demonstrating how serious for at least 15 years, especially since the spread of electronic voting machines took off in 2002, following the Bush v. Gore ballot disputes in Florida. Lets say Wednesday morning someone said, I hacked the vote. We cant prove it, we cant disprove it. We dont know. Bruce Schneier, CTO, Resilient Systems They have focused particularly on a design called Direct Recording Electronic (DRE), which Schneier describes as, like an ATM, and most of which create no paper trail. Appel and one of his students demonstrated that they could hack into one of the more popular machines in minutes. Dan Wallach, who worked with Appel as a student and is now a computer science professor at Rice, recently told Politico, these machines, they barely work in a friendly environment. Schneier and Clarke say they are not aware of cyber attacks in previous elections that changed the results. But Schneier noted that uncertainty about the credibility of election results could cause major political problems. An election, he said, has two main purposes. One is to pick the winner, the other is to convince the loser that he lost, fairly, he said. And if you dont do the second, you risk the transition of power. So even if nothing happened, lets say Wednesday morning someone said, I hacked the vote. We cant prove it, we cant disprove it. We dont know. And Tom Patterson, chief trust officer at Unisys, said hackers could undermine the credibility of elections without directly tampering with vote totals. They include simple denial of service blocking citizens from voting to privacy breaches, he said. Joseph Lorenzo Hall, chief technologist at the Center for Democracy and Technology, agreed. Many of us are much more worried about attacks that don't seek to flip votes but instead disrupt elections or cause chaos in general, he said. For example, an attack that selectively dropped entries from a voter registration database based on party affiliation would cause all of those voters to be considered unregistered, so even their provisional votes would be unlikely to count without consulting backups of the database. Indeed, just this week the Washington Post reported that US intelligence and law enforcement officials are probing what they believe is a major covert Russian operation in the US, not necessarily to tamper with actual voting, but to "so public distrust" in the results. An unnamed official was quoted saying that, even the hint of something impacting the security of our election system would be of significant concern. Its the key to our democracy, that people have confidence in the election system. Many of us are much more worried about attacks that don't seek to flip votes but instead disrupt elections or cause chaos in general. Joseph Lorenzo Hall, chief technologist, the Center for Democracy and Technology It is widely known, of course, that there have been multiple hacks of organizations connected to the impending election Schneier noted that they include the campaign of Democrat Hillary Clinton, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). Other cases are suspicious but less certain. Certainly weve seen candidates websites go down the night before an election, weve seen Get out the Vote campaign web sites and coordination systems fail, Schneier said. Is it a glitch or enemy action? We dont know. But all that, along with a recent flash alert from the FBIs Cyber Division that foreign hackers penetrated two state election databases (Arizona and Illinois), has drawn attention at the top levels of government. President Obama made an issue of it in his recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton called the potential of Russian interference in the election a serious threat that should be confronted immediately. It also prompted Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson to suggest that the nations voting systems should be considered critical cyber infrastructure. The risk is more with insiders happily clicking on an email attachment and installing something malicious. Kevin McAleavey, cofounder and chief architect, the KNOS Project Johnson held a conference call on Aug. 15 with state election officials, in which he offered DHS help in making those systems more secure. Whether that will make any difference two months before the election is dubious. As numerous experts note, while there is wide consensus that US voting systems are vulnerable, nobody knows for certain how vulnerable. Election administrators are trained to run elections, not defend computer systems, said Hall. The voting systems we use in many cases don't keep the kind of evidence one would need to detect an attack, let alone recover from it without disruption or loss of votes. There is not nearly enough time to patch voting systems anyway, since there are actually 50 elections, run by more than 8,000 jurisdictions in the 50 states. As Schneier noted, each has, different rules, all run by different organizations, without any coordination or minimal coordination, so theres not a lot the federal government can do except oversee. In some ways, that might seem to be an advantage, since it would be much more difficult to hack 8,000-plus different systems than one standardized system. But, as is also obvious, it doesnt require tampering with every system to change the results of an election. It could be done by just making minor, perhaps undetectable, changes to votes in a few key precincts in a few swing states. If the vote is as close as in 2000, it could be very easy by essentially targeting a jurisdiction where the vote is expected to be close and actually changing a few votes, Hall said. This could be especially easy for states like Maryland that will likely allow very liberal internet voting, which is horrifically insecure. And election officials have had decades of warnings that they have essentially ignored, from people like Appel and his colleagues. Schneier said on WGBH that security experts have been talking about it for 20 years. Hall said hacking projects nearly a decade ago in California and Ohio found that, all the machines examined had deep, deep vulnerabilities that could be used to change votes, disrupt elections, and violate ballot privacy. We have no indication that those flaws have been fixed, and in many cases they're still out there, he said. That doesnt mean those running the nations election systems are entirely helpless, however. Among the recommendations from experts: Voting machine should not be connected to any network, including local area networks (LANs), Wi-Fi, the Internet and virtual private networks (VPNs). Require all voting machine to create a paper copy of each vote and keep them filed and secure for at least a year. At present, only about 80 percent of voting machines are backed up by paper copies. Appel, in a blog post, wrote that the results reported through DRE voting, are completely under the control of the computer program in there. If the computer is hacked, then the hacker gets to decide what numbers are reported. Conduct a sampling verification audit within 90 days on a statistically significant level by professional auditors to compare the paper ballots with the electronic results recorded. Eliminate internet voting. According to Schneier, this is the worst the biggest disaster. Hall agreed. Until the Internet is more secure by design, Internet voting should be entirely banned for government elections, he said. Of course, nothing is entirely bulletproof. Kevin McAleavey, cofounder and chief architect of the KNOS Project and a malware analyst, noted that social engineering attacks can easily overcome the barrier of an air-gapped system. The risk is more with insiders happily clicking on an email attachment and installing something malicious, he said. That's pretty much how it's done everywhere these days. McAleavey said most of the recent breaches of campaigns, voter roll lists and other confidential information were, done with malware planted by an unsuspecting, authorized user of the systems who got phished and clicked on the bait. Clarke, in his recent post, emphasized that there is no evidence that such hacking has ever taken place in the US or that it is about to occur. What we do know is that it could happen, he said. There is nothing to stop it from happening in many parts of the country, and there is not even an effort to see if it is happening. Google plans to acquire API management vendor Apigee in a US$625 million deal that will give the search giant secure and multilanguage API tools used by companies bringing more and more of their services online. The deal, announced Thursday, gives Google access to tools that allow company back-end systems to communicate with mobile and web apps, Diane Greene, senior vice president of Google's cloud business, said in a blog post. APIs are "vital for how business gets done today in the fast-growing digital and mobile marketplace," she wrote. "They're the hubs through which companies, partners, and customers interact, whether it's a small business applying online for a loan or a point of sale system sending your warranty information to the manufacturer." Forrester sees a growing market for API management, with annual spending from U.S. companies quadrupling from $140 million in 2014 to $660 million in 2020. "The benefits of interacting digitally drives a large market opportunity," Greene wrote. "The transition toward cloud, mobile, and digital interaction with customers and partners via APIs is happening, and fast." Apigee bills itself as an API management and predictive analytics vendor. Its products include tools to help secure, develop, test, and publish APIs, and its "intelligent API" platform is available as a cloud or an on-premises service. Among its customers are BBC Worldwide, Walgreens, Staples, AT&T, and eBay. Google has long had a relatively strong and dynamic API set -- with more than 20 API sets in Apps for Business, for example -- but the Apigee deal helps Google manage dynamic toolsets, said Guy Creese, research vice president for collaboration and content at Gartner. A "rapid change cadence means developers need a framework for understanding, managing and testing these ever-changing APIs," he added. "This is what Apigee brings to Google -- its a solution for managing API changes, whether they come from Google or other technology companies." Apigee is excited to join Google, CEO Chet Kapoor wrote in a blog post. "We have a solid track record of working hand in hand with some of the largest and most demanding brands in the world to solve new problems and create new products," he said. "We can't wait to see how much better and faster we can be with Google." The deal, for $17.40 per Apigee share in cash, is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals. The companies expect the acquisition to close by the end of the year. This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. (Xinhua) 20:47, September 08, 2016 The Belt and Road initiative is"a new step in globalization," said former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin on Thursday. The initiative is an emblematic example of active policy pledging for better connections between continents through infrastructure like roads, highways, ports and airports, he said. In a very divided world, the global community is facing a lot of crisis, such as recessions and difficulties in investment and monetary policies, and thus "it's important to have positive projects," he told Xinhua at a forum, Belt and Road Summit - Financing Through Silk Road Bond, organized by the International Capital Market Association and Dagong Global Credit Rating. The initiative, proposed by China in 2013, refers to building a Silk Road Economic Belt and a 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It is aimed at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along ancient trade routes. One of the main assets of the initiative is that "it gives the perspective for the world community trying to improve new growth in regions that do have the capacity in growing fast," he said. For example, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa, they have the capacity to achieve better and stronger growth, he noted. Meanwhile, the program will stabilize regions, which are often targeted by terrorism, he said, adding that "more stability is often the common interests of every country in the world." "The third factor is that it will create more understanding and cooperation spirit between the countries. So that's why the culture factor is also very important for growth and stability," de Villepin stressed. Last, the Belt and Road will be a fantastic example for the world community to encourage new initiatives in different regions, for example, for Europe in dealing with Africa, he said. The world community can "duplicate" the concept of the Belt and Road, he said, believing that "the main change is to go from bilateral cooperation to collective and world cooperation to create more growth and encourage different actors going forward." He calls the initiative "a game changer" in various aspects. It can be "a game changer for trade and business" thanks to physical and digital infrastructure making economies ever closer and more interdependent, he noted. It can be "a game changer for financial exchanges" through international mobilization of public banks, insurance companies, private investors and specific funds, he said. Last but not least, it can be "a game changer for peace and development" given the stronger political and diplomatic ties it will help create among countries along and around the Belt and Road, he said. Besides his political career, Dominique de Villepin is also active in writing and his books cover poetry and fiction as well as essays on history, international relations and art. Get unlimited access to all content and features at ivpressonline.com with our Full Online Access Subscription. Read our E-Edition, the digital replica of the print newspaper online, access content in exclusive sections including Family, Teen, Business, Databases, Farm and more. This option does not include daily home delivery of the Imperial Valley Press newspaper. For home delivery service, please select Premium or Premium Plus. Town sued over denied water service The town council met in executive session last week to discuss its defense after a lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court by a Jamestown homeowner who was denied permission... Scout earns Eagle rank with boardwalk work A local Boy Scout is the latest member of Troop 1 Jamestown to lead an environmental project at a wildlife sanctuary in his mission to attain the Eagle rank. Alex... State: Steer clear while deer breeding As deer begin mating during the rut, public safety officials are urging drivers to be cautious on the roads because herds tend to move around more frequently during this time.... British Prime Minister Theresa May (Xinhua photo) LONDON, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May told Members of Parliament in the House of Commons Wednesday of her approach to arranging Britain's exit from the European Union(EU). Making her first appearance in parliament since attending the G20 summit in China, May made it clear that Britain will not show its hand prematurely, or provide a running commentary on every twist and turn of the Brexit negotiations. May has been under pressure from pro-EU supporters to explain what Brexit means. She said following the decision of Britons on June 23 to leave the EU, the government's task was now to deliver the will of the British people and negotiate the best possible deal. "I know many people are keen to see rapid progress and to understand what post-Brexit Britain will look like. We are getting on with that vital work. But we must also think through the issues in a sober and considered way," she said. "This is about getting the kind of deal that is ambitious and bold for Britain. It is not about the Norway model or the Swiss model or any other country's model, it is about developing our own British model," she added. "So we will not take decisions until we are ready," May said, adding: "What we will do is maximise and seize the opportunities that Brexit presents." Referring to the gathering in Hangzhou, May said the G20 was the first time that the world's leading economies came together since Britain's decision to leave the EU. May told MPs: "We initiated important discussions on responding to rising anti-globalisation sentiment and ensuring that the world's economies work for everyone." She said trading with partners all around the globe has been the foundation of Britain's prosperity in the past, adding: "and it will underpin our prosperity in the future". "As we leave the EU, Britain will seek to become the global leader in free trade. At this summit, we secured widespread agreement across the G20 to resist a retreat to protectionism, including a specific agreement to extend the rollback of protectionist measures until at least the end of 2018." "Britain also continued to press for an ambitious EU trade agenda, including implementing the EU-Canada deal and forging agreements with Japanand America. And we will continue to make these arguments for as long as we are members of the EU," said May. "But as we leave the EU, we will also forge our own new trade deals," she said. Successful: Beau Jessup, 16, from Edge, Gloucestershire, has so far suggested names for 221,000 Chinese babies in six months A 16-year-old British schoolgirl has earned 48,000 giving Chinese babies English names, after hearing about children called Gandalf and Cinderella. Beau Jessup from Edge, Gloucestershire, has so far suggested names for 221,000 Chinese babies in six months and her unusual business is booming. She set up SpecialName.cn after spending time in China where she was asked repeatedly to suggest an English name by friends expecting their first child. All Chinese babies are given a traditional Chinese name at birth, which is written in Chinese characters and used for all government documents. But there has been a growing demand in the last 20 years to adopt an additional English name that can be read, pronounced and printed in English. This would be for use on email and for study and business in the West, but these names were chosen at school by an English teacher or even by pupils. Entrepreneur: Beau set up SpecialName.cn after spending time in China where she was asked repeatedly to suggest an English name by friends expecting their first child Cheltenham Ladies College pupil Beau said: When I went to China I kept being asked to name babies for my parents' friends. They explained an English name is vital because you can't use a Chinese name on email or a university application to the UK. Your English name stays with you for life. But I also heard lots of examples where people had chosen culturally inappropriate English names they'd heard from films or read online. It made me realise there was an opportunity to help Chinese people get it right from the start. To solve the problem Beau developed Specialname to suggest culturally appropriate English names to prospective parents based on their ideals and aspirations for their child. SpecialName: The website invites parents to select from a list of 12 personality traits including sensitive, honest and confident, to best describe their aspirations for their baby It reflects the Chinese tradition for creating unique names for their children. The website invites parents to select from a list of 12 personality traits including sensitive, honest and confident, to best describe their aspirations for their baby. The site then analyses the choices and suggests a shortlist of three culturally-appropriate names. The shortlist is presented along with their meaning and a famous namesake such as Grace Kelly or Catherine Middleton. The site then shares the shortlist of suggested names with friends and family via messaging giant We-Chat - China's equivalent to WhatsApp with more than 600million users - inviting help in making the final choice. The naming service costs the equivalent of 60p for three names and takes just over three minutes from start to finish. English identities: All Chinese babies are given a traditional Chinese name at birth (Pictured: A file image of a mother having given birth in Beijing in 2008) After making their choice, users are sent a naming certificate to keep. Parents are also encouraged to post their babys picture on the website. The site has grown, now averaging 27,000 visitors and earning 16,000 in sales per month. More than 17million babies are born every year in China. China remains the world's largest population, with over 1.3billion people and the lifting of the One Child policy in 2015 means parents are now able to ensure two babies have culturally appropriate names. Beau says she is proud to play a part in so many happy occasions and plans to use the money she has earned so far from the site to help pay for her university fees. She added: There are babies being born every day and they all need a Special Name. I like the idea of providing a service that enhances such a happy occasion. I have a target to reach which will allow me to pay for my university fees and writing the text for the site was really good practice for my Mandarin GCSE. I spend two hours a day talking to my customers asking how I can make the service better and about an hour making improvements. Since parents love sharing photos of their babies, I have recently added a gallery, so I'm gradually building a SpecialName community. (Global Times) 09:03, September 08, 2016 The ASEAN summit released a joint statement on Wednesday, article 121-128 of which mentioned the South China Sea issue. Like the joint communique released by the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in July, the latest statement did not mention the South China Sea arbitration. Rather, it stressed the importance and urgency of accelerating the negotiation process of the South China Sea Code of Conduct. The media predicted such a result and viewed it as a victory for China's diplomacy. The ASEAN summit and Leaders' Meetings on East Asia Cooperation were held in Vientiane, Laos from Tuesday to Thursday. Chinese Premier Li Keqiangattended the China-ASEAN Leaders' Meeting. The meeting agreed a number of joint statements, especially guidelines for their senior diplomats' hotline in addressing emergencies at sea. They agreed on the application of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea in the South China Sea. Until Wednesday, the South China Sea issue had not been hyped in Vientiane. The Philippines did not publicly magnify the arbitration, and the other ASEAN members had avoided talking about this issue. The issue has been cooling down, and regional countries do not want to hype it up. Instead, they have hoped that each side can manage crises and bring regional cooperation back to the center of public opinion. This trend differs from the tense situation and people's pessimistic predictions before and after the arbitration award was released. But the crisis caused by the arbitration has not gone, because it is uncertain whether the US and Japan, the external catalysts of the farce, will coordinate to lower tensions in the South China Sea. After the award, Japan was the most aggressive country in pushing ASEAN countries and external forces to implement the award. The US has been active as well. Given its long-term diplomatic maneuvering, it often awaits the proper time to poke its nose into the waters. But now is not an era when a few imperial countries can decide everything. ASEAN members have the growing ability to exercise their independence fully. As long as regional countries hope for peace and stability and are determined to solve disputes through negotiations, Washington and Tokyo cannot intervene as they wish. The biggest changing factor in the Asia-Pacific is China's rise, and China is sincere in its desire to rise peacefully. Before US President Barack Obama leaves office, the South China Sea is expected to remain crisis-free. China has won in the last round of competition over the South China Sea. The airport on the islands is ready, the new political waves around the South China Sea have been put under control, and China has gained some experiences of games between great powers. If the South China Sea issue leads to abrupt geopolitical conflicts, history will not look back kindly. All sides should avoid viewing the waters as their source of deep-seated hatred. A United Methodist pastor in Charlotte will not face a church trial or lose her job for officiating at the same-sex wedding in April of two members of her church in uptown. The Rev. Val Rosenquist married John Romano and Jim Wilborne, who became the first same-sex couple in North Carolina to be wed at least publicly in a United Methodist church. Days after the wedding, several complaints were filed against Rosenquist with Bishop Larry Goodpaster, then the leader of the denominations Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, which includes Charlotte. The complainants alleged that Rosenquist of First United Methodist Church of Charlotte had violated the denominations Book of Discipline. On Tuesday, the conference announced that a just resolution of the case involving Rosenquist had been reached. But it is uncertain what that resolution involves. Thats because Rosenquist, Bishop Goodpaster and Counsel for the Church to whom the complaints had been referred agreed to keep the details confidential. And the resolution will remain sealed until at least 2018, when The United Methodist Church could convene a special General Conference to act on future recommendations relating to same-sex marriage and the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy. Currently, the denominations Book of Discipline states that ceremonies that celebrate same-sex unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches. Clergy who violate it can lose their jobs, face a church trial, or possibly even lose their clergy credentials. On April 23, Rosenquist and retired Bishop Melvin Talbert, who lives in Nashville, officiated at the wedding of Romano and Wilborne at First United Methodist, long a gay-welcoming church where the couple are active members. Amy Coles, assistant to the bishop, said Goodpaster initiated what United Methodists call a supervisory response. He met with Rosenquist and the multiple complainants and tried to reach a just resolution. Thats defined by the church as one that focuses on repairing any harm to people and communities, achieving real accountability by making things right so far as possible and bringing healing to all parties. Initial efforts to reach a resolution failed, Coles said, triggering a possible church trial. But Goodpaster, Rosenquist and Counsel for the Church did reach a resolution agreement on Aug. 30 the same week as Bishop Goodpasters long-planned retirement. As part of the resolution, Coles said, Rosenquist, Goodpaster and Counsel for the Church agreed to seal the contents from the public pending any action by a future General Conference on the language relating to gays and lesbians and same-sex marriage in the Book of Discipline. In May, delegates to the denominations last General Conference in Portland, Ore., hotly debated those issues. But in the end, they voted to approve a suggestion offered by a majority of their bishops to defer the discussion until a Commission on a Way Forward can be formed to study it and make recommendations. A special General Conference could be called for that purpose in 2018, Coles said. In cases such as Rosenquists, Coles said, our goal is to get a resolution, not go to trial. We achieved that. One of the complainants, Ron Wood, a member of Sharon United Methodist Church in Shelby, said he and the others who filed complaints against Rosenquist do not know what the resolution involves. He said he was under the impression that they would be told about any penalties or repercussions. Even though Im not happy (about not being told) ... the resolution that was reached is allowed for in the current Book of Discipline. Rosenquist declined to comment Tuesday, but Coles confirmed that she will continue to serve as pastor at First United Methodist Church. Bishop Goodpaster was succeeded last week by Bishop Paul Leeland, who formerly headed the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. File photo shows genetically modified corn. The Ministry of Agriculture responded on Monday, regarding a case of genetically modified (GM) corn planted in northwest China's Xiangjiang, stating that the seeds had been smuggled from abroad. It stated that the company which introduced the GM corn did this to seek profit. The local seed control authority in Xinjiang, uprooted over 2000 acres of GM corn in May, imposing a fine of 10,000 yuan (around US$1,500) on the growers. The genetically modified crops have greater immunity to pests and diseases, tempting farmers from some regions of the country, to risk growing such crops. Genetically modified corn has not been allowed for commercial production here in China, and growing it violates regulations. Regulation on growing GM crops is quite strict in China. China currently approves only the production of GM cotton, and papaya, and prohibits commercial production of any GM staple foods. Huang Dafang, researcher at The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, says that the illegal growing of GM crops disturbs the current market order, and obstructs scientific research on GM corn, according to the report of thepaper.com. He also points out that the ban on growing such crops is not due to the safety concerns, but because the procedures are yet to be perfected. Despite the strict ban on growing, China is a major importer of GM farm produce. GM soybeans, corn, cotton, sugar-beets and rape can be imported for processing. Reddit Email 0 Shares By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | The NBC Candidates Forum continued the shameful corporate coverage of the Great American Meltdown that is our election season. That season has given us a Faux Cable News that runs clips of only one side and pays out hush money to cover up how its blonde anchors were not so much hired as trafficked; a CNN that has hired a paid employee of the candidate as a consultant and analyst; and networks that wont mention climate change or carbon emissions the same way they wont mention labor unions. They arent even trying to do journalism any more cable news is mostly infotainment as a placeholder between ads for toilet paper. I cant bear to watch it most of the time and just read the news on the Web. If I have to watch t.v. I turn on local news (often does a better job on national stories too) or Alarabiya and Aljazeera, which for all their faults do actually have real news (and their faults cancel out one another). I can always get the transcript for the cable news shows; reading it is faster and less painful than having to watch. The NBC Forum didnt really challenge either candidate on implausible statements, but on the whole engaged in a lot of badgering of Hillary Clinton while letting Donald Trump get away with outright misstatements of the facts and tossing him a lot of softballs. The big Middle East questions for Clinton came from military personnel and veterans and concerned Iraq and Syria. She also got an Iran question. QUESTION: Secretary Clinton, as an Army veteran, a commander-in- chiefs to empathize with servicemembers and their families is important to me. The ability to truly understand implications and consequences of your decisions, actions, or inactions. How will you determine when and where to deploy troops directly into harms way, especially to combat ISIS? LAUER: As briefly as you can. CLINTON: We have to defeat ISIS. That is my highest counterterrorism goal. And weve got to do it with air power. Weve got to do it with much more support for the Arabs and the Kurds who will fight on the ground against ISIS. We have to squeeze them by continuing to support the Iraqi military. Theyve taken back Ramadi, Fallujah. Theyve got to hold them. Theyve got to now get into Mosul. Were going to work to make sure that they have the support they have special forces, as you know, they have enablers, they have surveillance, intelligence, reconnaissance help. They are not going to get ground troops. We are not putting ground troops into Iraq ever again. And were not putting ground troops into Syria. Were going to defeat ISIS without committing American ground troops. So those are the kinds of decisions we have to make on a case-by-case basis. So thats the headline: Hillary Clinton pledges no ground troops in Iraq or Syria. She doesnt seem to understand that President Obama has recreated the Iraq Command and has 4,000 or so troops there. There are 250 embedded with the far-left Kurdish YPG in northeast Syria. So is she saying she would pull those troops out? Or that they arent ground troops? Plus she started by saying she will defeat ISIL (though it may be already defeated territorially before she ever gets into office). She says she will defeat it from the air and give support to the Iraqi Army. From the point of view of military strategy, nothing she said makes any sense. You cant defeat a guerrilla group from the air. So far no force on the ground has been willing to go after ISIL in its Syrian lair, al-Raqqa. How would she change all that? As for supporting the Iraqi army, it collapsed in 2014 and only one really good brigade has been retrained and shown effectiveness. None of the cities she mentioned it taking would have fallen to it without extensive help from Shiite militias, many of which are tight with Iran. So if she is going to intervene from the air, she is going to have to support pro-Iranian irregulars, not just the Iraqi army. Nor is it clear that the Iraqi Army and its Shiite auxiliaries can truly defeat Daesh/ ISIL. Yes, they can take territory. But a lot of Sunni Arabs are frustrated with the Shiite-dominated government in Baghdad and they are not going to be less frustrated if they feel they have traded Daesh rule for Shiite militia rule. Iraqi Shiites have a profound blind spot to their own sectarianism, having occupied the space of the national in Iraq and claimed it for themselves. They are in denial about how much the Sunni Arabs collaborated with Daesh to get away from Shiite rule. While it is true that many Sunni Arabs were happy to be rescued from Daesh by the Iraqi Army, it is not clear that any of the promises of Baghdad to put money into cities like Ramadi and Fallujah will be honored. As for Iran, she stood by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action that pledges Iran only to enrich uranium for civilian purposes. LAUER: Do you think theyre playing us? CLINTON: On the nuclear issue, no. I think we have enough insight into what theyre doing to be able to say we have to distrust but verify. What I am focused on is all the other malicious activities of the Iranians ballistic missiles, support for terrorists, being involved in Syria, Yemen, and other places, supporting Hezbollah, Hamas. But heres the difference, Matt. I would rather as president be dealing with Iran on all of those issues without having to worry as much about their racing for a nuclear weapon. So we have made the world safer; we just have to make sure its enforced. It is not clear to me what terrorists she thinks Iran is supporting. Hezbollah doesnt function as a terrorist organization but as the national guard for Shiite-majority south Lebanon. Israel annexed south Lebanon in 1982 after launching a brutal war of aggression that may have left 90,000 dead. Hizbullah grew up as a resistance movement to that aggression and that occupation, both of which the United States government tacitly supported. We all know exactly what Israelis would do if someone tried to occupy 10% of Israel as it is now constituted. So why call Lebanese who resist occupation terrorists? Except, if you rather like the idea of Israel occupying neighboring Arabs? As for Hamas, Iran and it havent had good relations since Hamas broke with Tehran to support the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt (they bet on the wrong horse). Besides, demonizing Hamas is silly. The Gaza Strip is a large outdoor concentration camp kept that way by the Israelis and the inmates under such conditions are likely to stage prison riots from time to time. End the occupation, Hamas might go away. There wasnt any Hamas in Gaza to speak of anyway until the Israelis themselves covertly built it up in the 1980s as an alternative to the secular PLO. The Iranians are not involved in any meaningful way in Yemen, which is beset by internal struggles between the deposed president Ali Abdullah Saleh (an Arab nationalist that Mrs. Clinton used to support) and his vice president, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, with the Saudis having come in on the side of the latter (they used to support Saleh). True, Saleh has allied with a Zaidi militia, the Houthis, but Zaidism is a completely different kind of Shiism than in Iran and Iran is not a big player in Yemen. Saudi Arabia, which is indiscriminately bombing civilian infrastructure in Yemen like bridges and hospitals, is the meddling party, not Iran. Over a hundred thousand residents of the capital, Sanaa, demonstrated recently against the Saudis. Not even one was an Iranian. It is truly scary that this is Clintons take on Yemen. As for Syria, I also criticize Iran for propping up the genocidal al-Assad regime. But the forces backed by the Saudis in conjunction with the US CIA are just as bad; some of them are worse. And besides, we just decided that she needs pro-Iranian Shiite militias if she is going to have someone to give close air support to in the fight against Daesh. These talking points on Iran may as well have been written for Clinton jointly by Bibi Netanyahu and Saudi Arabias King Salman. They bear no resemblance to an American grand strategy that would make sense for American interests. So I dont think she has a realistic way of intervening effectively in the Middle East (air power is useless in these kinds of struggles), and I fear she is so biased against Iran that she will end up de facto undermining the JCPOA and thence alienating the only effective set of potential regional allies against Daesh. She also doesnt say what she will do when air power fails to defeat Daesh. As for The Donald, I dont know if there is a lot of point in analyzing what he says, since he will say the opposite things tomorrow. On Middle East issues, Trump said: President Obama took over, likewise, it was a disaster. It was actually somewhat stable. I dont think could ever be very stable to where we should have never gone into in the first place. But he came in. He said when we go out and he took everybody out. And really, ISIS was formed. This was a terrible decision. And frankly, we never even got a shot. And if you really look at the aftermath of Iraq, Iran is going to be taking over Iraq. Theyve been doing it. And its not a pretty picture. The and I think you know because youve been watching me I think for a long time Ive always said, shouldnt be there, but if were going to get out, take the oil. If we would have taken the oil, you wouldnt have ISIS, because ISIS formed with the power and the wealth of that oil. LAUER: How were we going to take the oil? How were we going to do that? TRUMP: Just we would leave a certain group behind and you would take various sections where they have the oil. They have people dont know this about Iraq, but they have among the largest oil reserves in the world, in the entire world. Iraq was not stable in 2011; it was being regularly blown up by terrorists. Obamas withdrawal of US troops did not destabilize it. That had already happened. There was no way for US troops to stay there since the Iraqi parliament would not vote them immunity from prosecution in Iraqi courts. Trumps ridiculous suggestion that the US should have found a way to steal Iraqs petroleum, apparently by establishing a mercenary force at the Rumayla fields near Basra, is so preposterous that even Matt Lauer timidly and briefly questioned it. The proposition that if the US had in fact managed to steal Iraqs petroleum fields for itself that would have calmed the country down and prevented the rise of ISIL is so absurd that there are no words to describe how absurd it is. It is actually more absurd than any of Sarah Palins word salads. It is like a presidential candidate saying that wed have much better relations with Norway, and that country would be more stable, if the United States hired local mercenaries to occupy its oil fields and siphon of their profits to US banks. (Sounds properly absurd when you put it in the context of white people, doesnt it?) Then there was this: TRUMP: Hey, Matt, again, she made a mistake on Libya. She made a terrible mistake on Libya. And the next thing, I mean, not only did she make the mistake, but then they complicated the mistake by having no management once they bombed you know what out of Gadhafi. I mean, she made a terrible mistake on Libya. And part of it was the management aftereffect. I think that we have great management talents, great management skills. Trump supported the Libyan intervention at the time. In fact, he was outraged before the intervention that there hadnt been one according to Politifact: I cant believe what our country is doing, Trump said, according to a BuzzFeed transcript. Gaddafi in Libya is killing thousands of people, nobody knows how bad it is, and were sitting around we have soldiers all have the Middle East, and were not bringing them in to stop this horrible carnage and thats what it is: Its a carnage. Matt Laurer didnt challenge any of Trumps lies about his past positions, and his journalistic reputation suffered badly for it last night. Trump also said that Russia wants to defeat Daesh/ ISIL as badly as the US does and there should be more cooperation between the two. But in fact, Daesh doesnt pose that big a danger to the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad, since it is out in the eastern desert. So Russia is not in fact that interested in it, since it is in Syria to prop up al-Assad. Russia wants to destroy the Syrian Army of Conquest or Nusra Front, the leader of which is an al-Qaeda operative. The US complains that the fundamentalist militias vetted by the CIA are cooperating too closely with al-Qaeda for it to be possible to separate the two out in bombing raids. Actually Id say that if the militias you support are so intertwined with al-Qaeda that theyd get hit if al-Qaeda was bombed, then you havent done a very good job of vetting. Then Trump went on to heap praise on Vladimir Putin and to call him a better leader than President Obama. He kept saying Putin had called Trump brilliant, which he didnt (not sure if praise from an old KGB operator is high praise or just manipulative). Lauer was criticized for letting Trump get away without answering any substantial questions about his Middle East policy. It was a low, wretched performance, by the network and both candidates, full of fluff and posturing and Alice in Wonderland statements of policy along with an almost complete derogation of authority by the anchors. It marked a low point in our national discourse about world politics. - Related video: The Young Turks: NBC Presidential Forum: The Young Turks Summary Reddit Email 79 Shares By Lena Salaymeh | (Informed Comment) | Donald Trump has called for extreme vetting of those who believe that sharia law should supplant American law. Newt Gingrich suggested that Muslims should be tested for belief in sharia law. To discredit Trumps unexpected adversary, Khizr Khan, Paul Sperry claimed to have discovered a smoking gun: Khan is supposedly a supporter of sharia law. Sally Kohn recently engaged in a tweeting battle with right-wing Twitter users about sharia law and has explicitly stated that Trump does not understand sharia. All this attention to sharia law during an election year would suggest to the uninformed that the U.S. is facing a serious and formidable menace. Many in the West imagine sharia law as a violent, terrorism-promoting, anti-democratic legal code. In actuality, there is no danger and hurling the term sharia law is simply a cheap political trick popular among right-wing pundits and anti-Muslim dogmatists. Sharia law could only be a threat if it were real. The word shariah means divine law and it is an abstract concept. The term sharia law would have to mean divine law law and this is why the term is nonsense. Even commentators who try to clarify (or to defend) sharia law often get it wrong because they begin from the incorrect presumption that sharia law is an actual legal system. Sharia law does not mean Islamic law. Instead, sharia law is a Western boogeyman. In contrast to the sharia law boogeyman, Islamic law is the multi-vocal product of Muslim jurists who study and interpret Islamic scriptural sources in an attempt to comprehend the abstract concept of divine law (shariah). Muslims recognize that Jewish divine law (al-shariah al-yahudiyah) and Christian divine law (al-shariah al-masihiyah) preceded Islamic divine law. Muslims also recognize that divine law is interpreted differently by different people. The Islamic legal tradition has been operating for more than 1400 years and is implemented differently (or not at all) by approximately 1.6 billion people. For these reasons, the Islamic legal tradition is pluralistic, with multiple legal opinions and little consensus on any given issue. Islamic legal opinions reflect the time and place in which they were formulated, fluctuating as normative social opinion changes. Simply put, Islamic law is what Muslims (particularly Muslim jurists) believe Islamic law to be. There is no unified Islamic legal code; there is no hierarchical organization that has the ultimate authority to determine the content of Islamic law. Islamic law cannot be reduced to any theme peaceful or violent, democratic or undemocratic, progressive or conservative. In short, Islamic law, while based on attempts to realize divine law (shariah), is not equivalent to the fanciful, nonsensical sharia law. Sharia law, then, is a propaganda term used for political objectives. Believing in or supporting a legal tradition is a matter of identity; thus, denouncing a legal tradition is equivalent to denouncing the people who follow that legal tradition. This type of religious prejudice is a timeworn strategy of bigots. Nazi propaganda accused Jews of adhering to problematic Jewish laws (rather than German laws), with the potential of creating a state within a state. Just as anti-Semites alleged that observance of Jewish law precluded Jews from being full citizens, anti-Muslim extremists allege that belief in sharia law undermines state law and supports terrorism. The comparison of the contemporary vilification of sharia law with the historical disparagement of Jewish law exposes it as a dangerous prejudice. Muslim extremists themselves use the term sharia precisely in order to trigger (unfounded) Western fears. Extremist groups intentionally claim that sharia law motivates their activities even when there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary. For example, orthodox Islamic law explicitly prohibits the targeting of civilians during warfare, but extremist groups ignore this unambiguous rule. The notion that Muslim extremists implement Islamic law is as unreasonable as the claim that Christian extremists implement biblical law or that Jewish extremists implement Jewish law. Extremists of any affiliation use whatever tools are available to justify their violence. Belief in or adherence to Islamic law does not cause or promote violence. A clear understanding of Islamic law will help deprive extremist groups, both non-Muslim and Muslim, from using sharia law as a political tool. Lena Salaymeh is Associate Professor of Law at Tel Aviv University, where she teaches law and religion. A member of the California Bar, she specializes in Islamic and Jewish legal traditions in both historical and contemporary settings. Reddit Email 2 Shares By Yakov M Rabkin | (Informed Comment) | The recent appointment of the Soviet-born Avigdor Lieberman has aggrieved many liberal supporters of Israel. The man is on record as a proponent of ethnic cleansing, bombing the Aswan Dam in Egypt and stripping Arabs of Israeli citizenship. These critics bemoan an alleged betrayal of the ideas of the founders generation, such as Ben Gurion and Golda Meir, by the current Israeli leaders. Yakov M. Rabkin is author of What is Modern Israel? I strongly disagree with these critics. Rather, todays government of Israel, both its executive and legislative branches, reflect remarkable continuity and unswerving loyalty to the fundamental ideology of Zionism. Massive ethnic cleansing took place in 1947-8 under the command of Ben Gurion. All Israeli governments have ordered bombings raids on the neighbouring countries. Government threats of bombing Iran have been routine for a good decade. Arabs were placed under military rule from 1948 to 1966, a period of continuous rule of the left. Lieberman is no different from the founding fathers. The Zionist project in Palestine developed under the motto of hafrada, separate development. Israeli society and its elites adopted, from the very inception of the Zionist enterprise, a reductionist view of the Arab akin to racial anti-Semitism. On the ground, it made possible discrimination against Palestinian Arabs, Jews from Muslim countries as well as immigrant workers from Asia and refugees from Africa. Massive demonstrations have taken place in Israel against intimate relations between Jews and Arabs, and there is no civil marriage in Israel, which could have made mixed marriages possible. Following the Nazi period and during the decolonization undertaken in the context of the Cold War, the principles of racial equality and aversion for war temporarily prevailed in European societies. While the ideology of racial and ethnic superiority went into eclipse in Europe between 1960 and 1980, it is gaining ground once more, particularly since the end of the Cold War. Eastern Europe is awash in it. While the use of force as a matter of course against people of colour in far-off countries had fallen into temporary discredit, throughout all its existence Israel has regularly attacked neighbouring countries and the Palestinians of Gaza and the West Bank. Israel has become a major source of specialists and equipment in the war on terror. Western countries and their allies draw upon Israeli expertise when they prepare their armed and police forces not only for operations in Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq and other Muslim-majority countries, but also for social control and repression of their own societies. The right and the extreme right around the world have long admired the unfettered nationalism that underlies the State of Israel. For example, the White nationalists of South Africa identified with the State of Israel and lent it their support from 1948, while at the same time their National Party would not admit Jews. The close collaboration established between the Zionist State in West Asia and the Apartheid State in Africa reflected not only a confluence of interests but, equally, ideological affinities. This shows that anti-Semitism can co-exist with admiration for Zionism. Several right wing groups known for their anti-Semitic pastthe Dutch Freedom Party, Vlaams Belang in Belgium, the English Defence League in Great Britain, and the Bundnis Zukunft Osterreich in Austriahave all rallied enthusiastically to the cause of Israel in recent years. Herzls belief that anti-Semites will be our best friends and allies continues to ring true. The international right likewise appreciates the dominant role played by former military officers in Israeli economic and political life, which legitimizes the conflationusually more discrete in other countriesof politics and the military-industrial complex. Socialist Zionist movements withered within Israel, while the poverty rate there became the highest among the OECD nations, and Israel came to share with the United States the record of socio-economic inequality. This pauperization of masses of citizens has provoked relatively little social protest, and the little that did take place was defused by the usual means of invoking existential threats, be it Hamas, Iran or the BDS. This has turned Israel into a poster boy for neo-liberal economic policies, an attractive country for direct foreign investment, firmly integrated into the globalized economy. When they overlap with systemic ethnic discrimination, socio-economic disparities, tend to provoke violent reaction, usually termed as terrorism and insurgency. Israels extensive military experience enabled it to become a major exporter of security equipment and anti-terrorism know-how. Thus Israel not only shows how the ruling elites can defuse social unrest with references to internal and external enemies, but also provides material means to use violence if such distraction is not effective. The many decades of occupation have made Israel a world leader in counter-insurgency expertise. The State of Israel remains vital to understanding not only todays world but also the way its history can be manipulated to justify the rule of the right. The right wing nature of political Zionism had long been clear to those who cared to pay attention. In 1935 Albert Einstein, along with other Jewish humanists, denounced the Betar youth movement founded by Vladimir Jabotinsky, the spiritual father of the current Israel government, calling it as much of a danger to our youth as Hitlerism is to German youth. Einstein, who espused cultural and humanist Zionism, was openly opposed to the establishment of a Zionist state in Palestine and repeatedly criticized the rightward drift of the Zionist movement in the 1940s. Irving Reichert (1895-1968), a Reform rabbi, pointed to a dangerous parallel between the insistence of some Zionist spokesmen upon nationality and race and blood, and similar pronouncements by fascist leaders in certain European dictatorships. The very nature of settler colonialism invariably exacerbates ethnic nationalism. Hannah Arendt, an erstwhile Zionist and political philosopher had well understood this tendency and wrote in 1948, when Palestine was aflame: And even if the Jews were to win the war [t]he victorious Jews would live surrounded by an entirely hostile Arab population, secluded inside ever-threatened borders, absorbed with physical self-defence. And all this would be the fate of a nation thatno matter how many immigrants it could still absorb and how far it extended its boundaries (the whole of Palestine and Transjordan is the insane Revisionist demand)would still remain a very small people greatly outnumbered by hostile neighbours. Hers was as much a prophesy as a warning. The world continues to pay a high price for ignoring such warnings. Those who warned against the creation of a Zionist state saw their words treated with disdain, or at best with condescension. However, these same Jewish authors have proven to be prophetic in identifying early on the trends that have now become dominant in Israeli society. They had, in particular, foreseen the upsurge of chauvinism and xenophobia, the militarization of society and the popularity of fascist ideas. While only few Israeli politicians, such as Miri Regev, are happy to be fascists, most frequently fascism is treated as a threatening spectre invoked by former prime ministers, journalists and even military brass. The State of Israel has been a vanguard and a barometer of right-wing trends that have taken place in economic and social developments, in international relations and warfare since the turn of the century. The inclusion of Lieberman and his extreme-right party in the government coalition is part of the countrys genetic code. Israel remains faithful to its principles. This is important to realize if one is to understand what is modern Israel and what roles it plays in the world at large. Yakov M. Rabkin is Professor of Contemporary History at the University of Montreal. He has also been a Visiting Scholar at several universities, including Yale, Johns Hopkins, Hebrew, Bar-Ilan, Tel Aviv, Universite Louis-Pasteur and the Smithsonian Institution. He has received research awards from Belgium, Canada, France, Israel and the United States. Yakov M. Rabkins What is Modern Israel? was published by Pluto Press, London, in May 2016. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Sept. 8, 2016) - Atlantic Gold Corporation (TSX VENTURE:AGB) ("Atlantic" or the "Company") is pleased to announce commencement of a resource definition drilling program (the "Program") with an objective of bringing the resources at the Company's Cochrane Hill and Fifteen Mile Stream deposits to measured and indicated status aimed at adding to the existing mine life at its Moose River Consolidated Project ("MRC Project"), one of Canada's few construction stage, permitted, financed, open pit gold projects. A feasibility study released in early July of 2015 demonstrated that the MRC project will produce 87,000 oz gold per year on average for 8.5 years at AISC of C$690/oz. with post-tax NPV5 C$168 million, and an IRR of 30% (@US$1,200 and $0.80 CAD/USD). Please see the Company's news release dated July 2, 2015. The Company will also commence a regional program targeting advanced exploration prospects to further add to the Company's resource base within proximity to the MRC processing facility. This program will be designed to provide further "proof of concept" of the potential of Company's large exploration tenement holdings in the Meguma Terrane of Nova Scotia. Recent recognition of disseminated style mineralization has changed the understanding of the potential of the region. To date, gold has been mined since the 1860's only from high grade underground deposits. Previously overlooked low to medium grade shale hosted mineralization, when combined with traditional quartz veins in the targeted stratigraphy has generated wide mineable zones suitable for open pit mining, as demonstrated by the company's Touquoy and Beaver Dam deposits. Cochrane Hill and Fifteen Mile Stream - Snapshot of Current Resource The current resource estimates for these two deposits are tabulated below: Category Tonnes (millions) Grade (g/t) Au Contained Au (oz) COCHRANE HILL* Indicated Resource 4.5 1.8 251,000 Inferred Resource 5.6 1.6 298,000 FIFTEEN MILE STREAM** Inferred Resource 11.72 1.55 584,000 Resources that are not reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability *The Mineral Resource estimate for Cochrane Hill is quoted at a cut-off grade of 0.5g/t. It has an effective date of August 1, 2014 and was prepared as part of a technical report in accordance with NI 43-101 by Mr. Neil Schofield, a principal of FSSI (Australia) Pty Ltd, released on August 14, 2014 on SEDAR. **The Mineral Resource estimate for Fifteen Mile Stream is quoted at a cut-off grade of 0.5g/t. It has an effective date of February 18, 2015 and was prepared as part of a technical report in accordance with NI 43-101 by Mr. Neil Schofield, a principal of FSSI (Australia) Pty Ltd, released on April 2, 2015 on SEDAR. Resource Definition Program The Program is estimated to commence in earnest in September 2016, comprising approximately 340 holes for a total of 44,000 metres of diamond drilling over three phases at a measured pace and is expected to be completed over a period of up to 9 months. The program will begin with a precursor program of 2,500m over 20 diamond core holes across both deposits. Results from the precursor program will determine the scope of drilling for the second phase, to be done on a 50m x 20m grid, and results from the second phase will determine the scope of drilling for the third phase, to be done on a 25m x 20m grid. Regional Program The Company is planning a program of approximately 1500 metres over 15 diamond core holes directed initially at five regional targets within trucking distance of the MRC plant which is presently under construction. These targets are characterized by various combinations of attributes: historic workings, encouraging drill intersections obtained by previous explorers or from Atlantic's own regional reconnaissance programs, and/or geophysical anomalies reminiscent of those associated with known mineralization. The execution of the Program is subject to the completion of the Company's recently announced flow-through private placements (announced September 1, 2016) which is currently scheduled to occur on September 22, 2016. Results and updates will be reported progressively. Steven Dean, Chairman and CEO commented, "With site development now fully underway at the MRC Project, Atlantic is now in a position to strategically build and consolidate its gold Mineral Resource within the economic radius of the Touquoy processing plant. It is fully expected that this drilling program will be successful in upgrading the Mineral Resources at Cochrane Hill and Fifteen Mile Stream to Measured and Indicated status, and will also identify additional resources in the region, that are expected to substantially extend the mine life and /or annual production at MRC". Neil Schofield MS - Applied Earth Sciences, MAusIMM, MAIG, an independent consultant to the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"), has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Steven Dean, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 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 release contains certain "forward looking statements" and certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans" or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements and information are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this press release, and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding discussions of future plans, guidance, projections, objectives, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations with respect to, among other things, the activities contemplated in this news release and the timing and receipt of requisite regulatory, and shareholder approvals in respect thereof. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, without limitation, statements related to proposed exploration and development programs, grade and tonnage of material and resource estimates. These forward looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results may vary. Important factors that may cause actual results to vary include without limitation, the timing and receipt of certain approvals, changes in commodity and power prices, changes in interest and currency exchange rates, risks inherent in exploration estimates and results, timing and success, inaccurate geological and metallurgical assumptions (including with respect to the size, grade and recoverability of mineral reserves and resources), changes in development or mining plans due to changes in logistical, technical or other factors, unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications, cost escalation, unavailability of materials, equipment and third party contractors, delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters), political risk, social unrest, and changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets. In making the forward-looking statements in this press release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, the assumptions that: (1) market fundamentals will result in sustained gold demand and prices; (2) the receipt of any necessary approvals and consents in connection with the development of any properties; (3) the availability of financing on suitable terms for the development, construction and continued operation of any mineral properties; and (4) sustained commodity prices such that any properties put into operation remain economically viable. Information concerning mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates also may be considered forward-looking statements, as such information constitutes a prediction of what mineralization might be found to be present if and when a project is actually developed. Certain of the risks and assumptions are described in more detail in the Company's audited financial statements and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the quarter ended June 30, 2016 on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. The actual results or performance by the Company could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, any forward-looking statements relating to those matters. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what impact they will have on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company. Except as required by law, we are under no obligation, and expressly disclaim any obligation, to update, alter or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. (Global Times) 09:04, September 08, 2016 China on Wednesday strongly condemned the alleged organizers and perpetrators of last week's terrorist attack on the Chinese embassy in Kyrgyzstan, one of whom proved to be a member of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM). The ETIM has staged multiple terrorist attacks in and out of China, said Hua Chunying, spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairsat a press conference on Wednesday, adding that China will fully support Kyrgyzstan in tracking down the culprits. Hua said China is willing to enhance international cooperation against terrorism and protect the safety of Chinese citizens and institutes. The attack on the embassy was allegedly organized by Uyghur terrorist groups active in Syria, and carried out by an ETIM member, a press service from the Kyrgyz State Committee for National Security said in an announcement published on Tuesday, the Xinhua News Agency reported. On August 30, a suicide car bomber attacked the Chinese embassy in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek, killing himself and injuring three embassy employees. International arrest warrants were issued for four other Kyrgyzs who currently live in Turkey, Xinhua reported. "Turkey shares an 800-kilometer border with Syria, and the country allows terrorists to pass through and go to Syria in hopes of overthrowing the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad," Zhu Weilie, a Middle East expert at the Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times. Zhu said Turkey is home to all kinds of terrorists and only suppresses Kurdish militants, which is the only group Turkey considers terrorists because they threaten Turkey's authority, adding that the ETIM has been gathering in the country for a long time. In July, the British Home Office listed the ETIM as an Islamic terrorist and separatist organization. "This is an Islamic terrorist and separatist organization founded in 1989 by Uygur militants in western China," the Home Office said in the official document. Ling Shengli, secretary-general of the International Security Study Center at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times that since Turkey and China's XinjiangUyghur Autonomous Region share deep cultural and religious ties, Turkey's influence on this region has affected China-Turkey relations. During his visit to China in 2015, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed that the Turkish government sticks to the one-China policy and opposes ETIM terrorist activities aimed at China. "Turkey's opposition to the ETIM makes it easier for China to track down the group's members abroad," said Zhu. Zhu said if other governments are willing to share their list of ETIM members, it will help China combat terrorists. Austrian Interior Minister Wolfgang Sobotka said Wednesday that Austria will take Hungary to the International Court of Justice [official website] if Hungary does not begin accepting returning migrants that crossed into Austria from Hungary. According to EU law, migrants are supposed to remain in the first country they enter, but Austria claims Hungary has been breaking this law [AP report] by allowing people to leave their country and enter Austria [Reuters report]. Sobotka made the threat as his country gets closer to the potential annual limit of allowed asylum seekers of 37,500, with around 29,000 people having applied for asylum in the country by the end of July. The law creating the cap on annual asylum seekers was finalized Tuesday and will undergo roughly a month of review before taking effect. The concerns over migrants also come at a time of increased political friction, with a presidential election coming at the beginning of October. The rights of migrant populations has emerged as one of the most significant humanitarian issues around the world, as millions seek asylum from conflict nations. Last month the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad al Hussein [official profile] expressed concern [JURIST report] over Bulgarias criminalization of migrants leaving and entering the country. In June the European Court of Justice (ECJ) [official website] rejected a challenge [JURIST report] to Britains refusal to pay family welfare benefits to unemployed EU migrants who do not have the right to reside in the UK. The judges ruled that such unequal treatment is justified on the basis of protecting a member states finances. Also in June the ECJ ruled that non-EU immigrants who illegally enter the Schengen area across an internal border should not be jailed [JURIST report] solely on that basis. In March the ECJ ruled that Germany may place residence conditions [JURIST report] on refugees. In February the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said that new measures put in place by many European countries are too restrictive and place undue hardships [JURIST report] on refugees and asylum-seekers. Also in February Amnesty International (AI) [official website] warned Austria that they are violating human rights through their daily cap on asylum applications [JURIST report]. In January Danish lawmakers approved a controversial bill that will allow Danish authorities to seize assets [JURIST report] from immigrants seeking asylum in order to cover their expenses. [JURIST] A judge for the Connecticut Superior Court [official website] Wednesday ordered [memorandum, PDF] school officials to overhaul the states educational funding system, finding that the current system is unconstitutional. In his opinion, Judge Thomas Moukawsher noted that poorer areas grossly under-performed in comparison with wealthier areas. The judge ordered the state to draft and submit proposals within six months, writing that Connecticut is defaulting on its constitutional duty to provide adequate public school opportunities because it has no rational, substantial and verifiable plan to distribute money for education aid and school construction. In recent years legislation surrounding education and teachers has generated controversy in the US. Earlier this year an education reform group, Students for Education Reform Minnesota initiated a lawsuit [JURIST report] against the state claiming state laws governing teacher tenure violates students fundamental rights to an education. In August 2014 education advocacy groups in New York challenged the states teacher tenure laws [JURIST report], claiming that laws protecting teacher employment violate the civil rights of children to a quality education. In June of that year a judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court ruled that the Californias system for tenure and seniority for public school teachers is unconstitutional [JURIST report]. In March 2014, the Supreme Court of Kansas held that the states legislature violated the Kansas constitution when it underfunded K-12 public education [JURIST report] during the 2009 through 2012 school years. [JURIST] A judge for the US District Court for the District of Columbia [official website] on Tuesday partially granted a tribes request to suspend the construction of a North Dakota crude oil pipeline running north of the tribes land. In July the Standing Rock Sioux tribe [official website] challenged [complaint, PDF] the construction in court, arguing that the pipeline would be built on sacred burial grounds and would pose an environmental risk to the surrounding rivers. The tribes legal challenge has drawn strong support from other tribes and protesters who have set up camp nearby the pipelines construction site. Though protesters had hoped that the construction project would be shut down completely, Judge James Boasberg only granted a temporary restraining order pending a final ruling to be issued on Friday. Should Boasberg fully grant the tribes legal challenge, the US Army Corps of Engineers [official website] will be required to withdraw their permits for the pipeline immediately. The rights of indigenous peoples have become a pressing international legal topic in the past decade. In July a federal appeals court rejected [JURIST report] Alaskas challenge in a case determining the right of Alaskan tribes to place land in a federal trust. In May Canadas Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett stated [JURIST report] it would drop its objector status against the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. In April JURIST Guest Columnist Dwight Newman of the University of Saskatchewan discussed [JURIST op-ed] what is happening with recent leave decisions related to Indigenous rights and Canadian energy regulation. In March Canadian indigenous people, including Inuits of Nunavut and the Chippewa, were granted [JURIST report] an appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada, challenging the use of seismic testing to find natural gas under the Davis Strait and Baffin Bay. In February experts from the UN and the Inter-American human rights systems urged [JURIST report] Canada to address the root causes of the extreme violence and discrimination against indigenous women and girls in that country. The Illinois Disclosure and Regulation of Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Act [PDF] was ruled constitutional on Wednesday in a Federal District Court [official website] in Chicago. The law limits how much political action committees (PACs) can contribute to candidates, but permits political parties to contribute as much as they want to campaigns. The law was challenged on First Amendment grounds by PAC supporters who felt the law violated their right to free speech and equal protection. Liberty Justice Center (LJC) [advocacy website], whose lawyers represented the plaintiffs, stated [press release] that, [t]hough enacted under the guise of fighting corruption in Illinois politics, Illinois campaign finance law actually creates structures that enhance the potential for corruption. Federal Judge Gary Feinerman ruled on the highly controversial issue of legislative caucus committees, and found [SJR report] that the committees are essentially extensions of political parties and, therefore, are not subject to spending restrictions under the law and upheld the constitutionality of the different funding restrictions within the law. LJC said their attorneys would appeal the ruling. Political corruption through financing activities is a controversial issue in the US. In July the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit refused to dismiss [JURIST report] bribery and fraud charges levied against US Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey. Menendez is believed to have accepted gifts in exchange for political influence. In June a three-judge panel in the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit rejected the appeal [JURIST report] of former Connecticut governor John Rowlands corruption charges. Rowland had arranged to provide political consulting work in contravention of current campaign finance law, particularly in receiving payments from outside sources. This would not be the first time Rowland served a prison sentence for corruption charges. In 2004 he pleaded guilty to corruption charges and served 10 months of a one-year sentence after he admitted to receiving more than $100,000 in gifts from state contractors. [JURIST] A former Guantanamo detainee who was resettled in Uruguay was hospitalized and released on Tuesday after his engagement in a hunger strike left him weak. Following his release from the hospital, Abu Wael Dhiab resumed his hunger strike [AP report], vowing that he will continue until he is either reunited with his family or dead. Dhiab is a native of Syria and was one of five detainees accepted by the Uruguayan government after their release from Guantanamo Bay. Dhiab, however, has said that he feels as if he is a prisoner in Uruguay. The Uruguayan government is continuing to figure out a way to reunite Dhiab with his family. Last month Vice President Joe Biden stated at a press conference in Sweden that he hoped and expected [JURIST report] that the Guantanamo prison will be closed before President Barack Obama leaves office. Also last month the US Department of Defense announced the transfer [JURIST report] of 15 Guantanamo detainees to the United Arab Emirates. The question of shutting Guantanamo down has been one of great controversy. Also last month, a US Senator released a Pentagon Report [JURIST report] detailing the profiles of those currently detained in and recently released from the Guantanamo Bay detention center. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) concluded that closing the facility would not be in the US best interests and would pose a safety risk. White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough told Fox News in January that US President Barack Obama intends to fulfill [JURIST report] his promise to close the Guantanamo detention facility before leaving office. Last November the US Senate passed [JURIST report] the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (NDAA), which prohibits Guantanamo detainees from being transferred into the US. Obama signed the bill into law, despite the fact that it could delay his plan to close the prison. The NDAA comes after the DOD said [JURIST report] they were sending teams to review three Colorado prisons as part of Obamas efforts to close the facility in October. The Guantanamo Review Task Force was created in response to a 2009 presidential executive order to review the status of all detainees. In September White House Spokesperson Josh Earnest said Obama was considering a wide array of options [JURIST report] for closing the prison. [JURIST] President Ali Bongo Ondimba on Wednesday refused to address the EUs recent findings regarding an anomaly in last weeks presidential election. Following his loss to Bongo in the poll results, opposing candidate Jean Ping questioned [Herald report] the results from Bongos home province, Haut-Ogooue, where the voter turnout was 99.93 percent and Bongo received 95 percent of those votes. An EU observing commission investigated the matter and found such a voter turnout to be an anomaly, stating that the average voter turnout in other provinces was only 48 percent. The commissions chief therefore called on Bongo to answer the public cries for transparency and publish the polling results for verification. Instead of responding to the commission, Bongo accused Ping of committing fraud and utilizing cyber-criminals in a plot to seize power of Gabon. Ping thereafter rejected accusations and pleaded for international assistance to help determine himself as the rightful victor of the election. The US and France have already urged Bongo to release the poll results, and the African Union has offered to help find a resolution. As a result of the election, protests began in Gabon and at least three people have been killed, 100 injured and 800 arrested in mass protests [CFR report]. A report released last week by Amnesty International condemned Gabon security forces [JURIST report] for using excessive force against protesters after the countrys disputed election. Protesters attacked the national assembly building, and in response police used tear gas and arrested hundreds that emerged from the building. Ping claims that his headquarters were bombed by security forces killing at least two people. Amid recent protests and outbreaks of violence, Gabons Justice Minister Seraphim Moundounga resigned [JURIST report] from his post on Tuesday. Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] on Thursday accused Nepal of not doing all it could to prevent child marriages as a report [text] detailed at least 37 percent of girls are still being married before age 18. Nepal is considered to have the third highest child marriage rate in Asia with some girls under the age of 15 being wed even though child marriage has been illegal in the country since 1963. The report, entitled Our Time to Sing and Play, included interviews with more than 100 individuals impacted by child marriages across the regions with various religious and socioeconomic backgrounds. HRW found that child marriages are not only being arranged by families but also the children themselves who fear rumors of their sexuality or pregnancy will halt their futures. The rights group also found that gender discrimination is still an underlying cause for the practice as women and young girls do not receive the same educational benefits, making a young marriage a viable option to secure a future. HRW believes the government should do more to protect young girls from the practice of child marriage and to ensure their access to education and their futures: The government needs to do much more to prevent child marriage and to help married children. It should make good quality education accessible to all children and enforce the constitutional provision making primary education compulsory. Government schools and health workers should work to prevent child marriage, by intervening in specific cases, raising awareness, and equipping children with the information they need to make informed choices about sex and reproduction. Local government offices should play an active role in raising awareness about the law regarding child marriage and preventing child marriages. The rights of women and girls continues to be an international rights issue. in April the UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in Cambodia, Rhona Smith, appealed [JURIST report] to the country to strengthen the protection of its women and the rights of its indigenous peoples. In June the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women in Law called [JURIST report] on the worlds governments to take quick, effective steps towards ensuring women are granted equal rights to health, including reproductive and sexual health. In July Gambia and Tanzanias governments announced [JURIST report] the end of the practice of child marriage along with prison sentences for those who continue the tradition. Irish lawmakers voted Wednesday to appeal the ruling of the European Commission [official website] that would entitle the country to almost $15 billion of unpaid taxes from Apple [corporate website]. Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan T.D. released a statement [press release] last Friday explaining that talks between the Fine Gael party and the Independent Alliance determined that allowing the ruling to stand could hurt Irelands ability to attract foreign investments in the future. Enda Kenny, Prime Minister of the Republic, gave an interview [transcript] Wednesday detailing how he is confident that the appeal will succeed because tax issues are a matter for each sovereign to decide, not the European Commission. Apple pays from almost 0-1 percent taxes on its profits in Ireland and the European Commission is claiming that the tech giant illegally funded profits through its Ireland headquarters to avoid higher tax payments. Apple has been party in multiple law suits in the past several years. Just in July Apple agreed to a multi-million dollar settlement agreement with Network-1 Technologies, settling the patent infringement case [JURIST report] that had been pending since 2008. Earlier in March, the US Department of Justice dropped their case against the company after suing them for refusing to unlock the iPhone of the San Bernardino shooter, Syed Rizwan Farook [JURIST report]. The Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law [advocacy website] filed a lawsuit [complaint] Wednesday against the state of Alabama, alleging that the at-large election format for state appellate judges and justices is racially discriminatory [AL.com report]. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of four African American voters and the Alabama State Conference of the NAACP, is seeking the elimination of the format, and provides multiple replacement options, due to the practical effect of watering down the voting power of African Americans. Despite making up over a quarter of the states population, an African American has never served on the criminal or civil appellate courts, and only three have served as justices on the Supreme Court in the last 36 years. The lawsuit also cites the states extensive history of discrimination through voting practices, stating that the makeup of the appellate courts is as diverse as when the Voting Rights Act was signed. Although the lawsuit calls for immediate replacement of the election format, a favorable decision for the plaintiffs still would not take effect in time to effect the elections of four new judges this year. Voting rights remain a controversial legal issue in the US. The US Supreme Court [official website] earlier this month denied a motion to reinstate [JURIST report] North Carolinas recently overturned law that limited early voting to 10 days and required voters to present approved identification cards, after the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit [official website] struck down [JURIST report] portions of the law upon finding discriminatory intent primarily concerning black state residents. Last month an Oklahoma County judge upheld a controversial voter identification law [JURIST report] allowing the law to be in place while early voting commenced for a primary run-off. The NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund (LDF) [advocacy website] filed a lawsuit [JURIST report] in December 2015 asking Alabama to loosen the discriminatory burdens resulting from their voter photo identification law. Almost two years after the first locally assembled car a 328i left the line at its Araquari plant in the southern state of Santa Catarina, BMW Brazil chose the X4 to be its sixth locally built product. As wells as the 3, the plant now also produces 1 Series 3, X1, X3 and Mini Countryman. BMW Brazil plans to sell 550 X4s yearly, some 50% more than the fully imported version. Priced at BRL299,950/US$92,300, it is the countrys most expensive locally-produced model. According to just-autos product life database PLDB, the X4 is a sleeker, restyled version of the second generation X3. These models share front doors, bonnet, front bumper, grille, and front wings. A concept version premiered at the Shanghai motor show in April 2013 with the production model having its debut at April 2014s New York auto show. Both rear- and all-wheel drive variants are available, depending on the market. The X4 concept had the same 2,810mm wheelbase as the X3. X4 series production commenced at Spartanburg, US, in March 2014. European market sales followed from three months later. Assembly by AvtoTOR at its Kaliningrad plant commenced in June 2015. The X4 will not have a mid-life update, instead it will be replaced in 2018. This year the Brazil plants production will be slightly over 15,000 units, about half of its two-shift capacity. Direct competitors Audi and Mercedes-Benz assemble two models each in Brazil (respectively, A3 saloon and Q3; C Class and GLA). 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 Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 8 Trend: Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has met with Frances State Minister for European Affairs Harlem Desir, said Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Sept. 8. The meeting was held during Mammadyarovs working visit to France. The parties exchanged views on the current substantive negotiations for settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. They emphasized the importance of speeding up the negotiations for the conflicts settlement. Mammadyarov noted that Azerbaijan always supports substantive and fruitful talks for the speedy settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. During the meeting, the parties expressed satisfaction with development of bilateral political, economic and cultural ties between Azerbaijan and France. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Pinnacle Foods is suing Kraft Heinz in the US over an alleged trademark infringement after the launch of the Devour frozen ready-meal range. Free Report Whats the forecast for the food and grocery industry? Market drivers and inhibitors Five-year forecasts and the impact of COVID-19 The performance of the online channel versus offline Major trends in the market including rapid delivery, ambient retailing, supply chain disruption, and inflation Assess developments within this sector to help your business thrive in 2022 and beyond. The food and grocery sector thrived during the pandemic, largely due to the shutdown of the food service industry and the sectors subsequent necessity, panic-induced bulk purchasing, and spending more time at home. The market has grown as a result of inflation. Consumer unwillingness to go out and socialize, and the reopening of several hospitality facilities, helped maintain the demand for groceries, particularly online, in 2021. As consumer behavior changes, we consume more food and drink at home, and inflation increases basket sizes. GlobalData predicts that the sector will continue to hold a higher share than had been predicted prior to the pandemic. This is true despite the fact that the food and grocery sector's share of overall retail will decline from its peak in 2020. This report will discuss market forecasts and key themes in the global food & grocery industry in 2022 and beyond. It covers:Assess developments within this sector to help your business thrive in 2022 and beyond. by GlobalData Enter your details here to receive your free Report. Please enter a work/business email address Country United Kingdom United States Afghanistan Aland Islands Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, The Democratic Republic of The Cook Islands Costa Rica Cote D"ivoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and Mcdonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People"s Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People"s Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Pierre and Miquelon 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 Georgia and The South Sandwich Islands Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand Timor-leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United States Minor Outlying Islands Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Download free Report By clicking the Download Free Report button, you accept the terms and conditions and acknowledge that your data will be used as described in the GlobalData privacy policy By downloading this Report, you acknowledge that we may share your information with our white paper partners/sponsors who may contact you directly with information on their products and services. Visit our privacy policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address. Thank you.Please check your email to download the Report. According to the lawsuit filed in a Michigan court, Kraft Heinz directly, deliberately and blatantly infringed trademarked Pinnacle slogans when it launched its frozen meals product Devour last month and used the tagline trademark Satisfy your cravings. Pinnacle said in its statement of claim: In a nutshell, the defendant [Kraft Heinz] is a direct competitor of Pinnacle. Pinnacle owns, among other brands, Hungry-Man in the frozen meals space, and claims its trademarked slogans Satisfy your craving and Hungry-Man satisfy your craving. Pinnacle claimed as a result of the quality and widespread consumption of its products, the Satisfy your craving marks have met with substantial commercial success and widespread consumer recognition. According to Pinnacles claim, the slogans used by it and Kraft Heinz are indistinguishable from each other and are each source designators for frozen meals and entrees consisting, among of other ingredients, meat, poultry and/or pasta. Pinnacle claimed: The only conclusion that may be drawn from these correlations in brand and product is that the defendant purposely and aggressively tried to jump start its launch of its new Devour frozen product line using Pinnacles tried and true trademark. Pinnacle said in its claim that it learned of the alleged infringement in mid-August and on 23 August 23 sent through its counsel a demand letter asking that Kraft Heinz cease and desist its infringement. According to Pinnacle, the email with the letter was returned as undeliverable and so the company sent a replacement email on 24 August. There was subsequent contact between the firms legal representatives, Pinnacle said. However, it claimed Kraft Heinzs refusal to timely acknowledge, address and remedy the continuing infringement left Pinnacle with no choice but to file this complaint, seeking injunctive relief and damages resulting from the infringement. Copies of documents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, filed by Pinnacle with its claim, indicate the company registered the trademark Satisfy your craving in May 2011 and registered Hungry-Man satisfy your craving in June 2011. A spokesperson for Kraft Heinz told just-food that the company had no comment to share on the case. Related Companies Seneca Foods, the US business, has launched a range of ready-to-cook microwaveable Vegetable Pouches under its Libbys brand. Free Report Unilever- A Deep-dive into Product Launches and Advertising Strategy Track product launches by FMCG companies to get an understanding of the product-level strategies including geographic concentrations, innovation types, product claim, category focus and more Monitoring the advertising strategies of various brands and gain insights into channel focus, regional focus, and more Perform company-level analysis to understand business model, size, and geographic focus Dont miss out on key market insights that can help optimize your next investment read the report now. Unilever product advertising is mainly through mainstream TV channels. Out of the products advertised so far at least 50% (over 850) of ads have been run on TV, while print media comes second with 496 ads. Unilever also utilizes social media platforms for advertisement. Unilever products are categorized by innovation ratings and tags in our product launch database. The North American region consists of almost 74 products with innovations related to the formulation of the product. Europe and other regions also have more products categorized under formulation-related innovation, followed by the packaging and positioning of the products. Most Unilever products are tagged with High Vitamins, Recyclable, and Natural tags to understand what the product differentiator is from other products available in the market. The majority of products belong to the personal care industry with a total of 5,788 products to date. This report, through the Unilever Example, illustrates how GlobalData Explorer enables you to:Dont miss out on key market insights that can help optimize your next investment read the report now. by GlobalData Enter your details here to receive your free Report. Please enter a work/business email address Country United Kingdom United States Afghanistan Aland Islands Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, The Democratic Republic of The Cook Islands Costa Rica Cote D"ivoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and Mcdonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People"s Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People"s Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Pierre and Miquelon 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 Georgia and The South Sandwich Islands Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand Timor-leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United States Minor Outlying Islands Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Download free Report By clicking the Download Free Report button, you accept the terms and conditions and acknowledge that your data will be used as described in the GlobalData privacy policy By downloading this Report, you acknowledge that we may share your information with our white paper partners/sponsors who may contact you directly with information on their products and services. Visit our privacy policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address. Thank you.Please check your email to download the Report. Libbys Vegetable Pouches, which will sit alongside canned counterparts on store shelves, are a first for the brand and cook in less than 60 seconds in their own pouch without the need for cooking pots or containers, Seneca said. Bruce Wolcott, Senecas vice-president of marketing, said: Although most parents know vegetables are healthy, they are served at only 23% of dinners. Libbys Vegetable Pouches bring farm-fresh goodness to busy families, providing a wholesome addition that cooks quickly and is easy to enjoy together. The lightweight pouches come in five varieties Sweet Peas, Cut Green Beans, Sliced Carrots, Whole Kernel Sweet Corn and Mixed Vegetables and are all grown and packed in the US, Seneca said. The pouches stand up straight, are flexible, easy to open and fit nicely into kitchen cabinets, taking up less space. They can be served hot or cold, by themselves or as the star ingredient in side dishes, appetisers and other recipes, Seneca added. Related Companies NEWSLETTER Sign up Tick the boxes of the newsletters you would like to receive. Just Style Daily Update The top stories of the day delivered to you every weekday. Just Style Weekly Update A weekly roundup of the latest news and analysis, sent every Monday. Just Style Magazine The industry's most comprehensive news and information delivered every quarter. Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 8 By Azad Hasanli - Trend: Armenias armed forces have 11 times violated the ceasefire on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops over the past 24 hours, said Azerbaijans Defense Ministry Sept. 8. The Armenian armed forces stationed in Shavarshavan village of the Noyembryan district opened fire at the Azerbaijani positions located in Bala Jafarli village of the Gazakh district. Positions of the Azerbaijani army also underwent fire from the Armenian positions located near Chilaburt village of Azerbaijani Tartar district, Horadiz and Qarakhanbayli villages of the Fizuli district and the nameless heights of Goranboy and Jabrayil districts. 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. Dallas, TX, USA, 09/08/2016 /SubmitPressRelease123/ Sometimes, when a defendant has a very good defense, a skilled lawyer can convince a prosecutor to dismiss the case. This generally happens when the defense can be proved with something other than just the defendants word, such as with documents or other sources, and when it is a defense that the prosecutor has not already considered adds John Helms Dallas criminal lawyer. As a top Dallas criminal lawyer, I recently convinced a federal prosecutor to dismiss all charges in a federal child pornography case using this strategy. Here is how I did it. My client had arrived in the United States by plane on a tourist visa. He was sent to secondary screening at DFW airport. There, his cell phone was searched, and images were found of a young child whose genitals were exposed. A federal agent with child pornography experience was called, and the agent determined that the images exhibited the boys genitals in a lewd and lascivious manner. My client was immediately arrested. After talking to my clients family, I learned that the boy in the photos was my clients child and that he had a medical condition called phimosis, in which the uncircumcised foreskin of the penis sticks to the head of the penis. This can make urination difficult and cause infections. It is treated by creams and by stretching the foreskin. The family was able to get a letter from the boys pediatrician stating that he had diagnosed the boy with phimosis. We were also able to get prescription records about the boys condition. Armed with this documentation and articles about the medical condition, I met with the prosecutor and presented her with the evidence. I knew the prosecutor was smart and a good prosecutor who did not want to charge an innocent person. I made sure not to be pushy or aggressive because I wanted her to trust me. As a former federal prosecutor, I knew this approach would give me more credibility. I, therefore, gave her the information and let her know that I trusted her to make the right decision. The next day, the prosecutor let me know that she was dismissing all charges. The lesson from this experience is that a criminal defense lawyer must always maintain credibility when dealing with prosecutors. Prosecutors can tell when a lawyer is trying to play games or be less than honest with them. If they trust you, they will treat your client fairly. If they dont trust you, they are far more likely to fight you at every turn. There are times when you need to be aggressive, but never in a way that compromises your credibility. If you, a family member or someone you know has been charged with a crime or have been convicted and need help with an appeal in the Dallas area, contact Dallas criminal appeal lawyer John Helms at (214) 666-8010 or fill out the online contact form. You can discuss your case, how the law may apply and your best legal options to protect your rights and freedom. https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/102874298661508534943/+JohnHelmsLawFirmDallas source: http://johnhelms.attorney/dallas-criminal-lawyer-tells-get-prosecutor-dismiss-criminal-case/ Newsroom powered by Online Press Release Distribution SubmitMyPressRelease.com Like Us on Facebook It's only fair to share... Pinterest Linkedin email Print Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 8 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev inaugurated a new building of the Heydar Aliyev Center as part of his visit to Khachmaz district Sept. 8. The president cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the Center. The president was informed that the construction of the Center started in February 2015 and was completed this March. The two-storey building occupies a total area of 1,100 square metres. The Center houses Heydar Aliyev Museum, exhibition hall, 300-seat cinema and concert hall, art and photo studios, an electronic library. There are also carpet-weaving, computer, dance and quiz clubs there. President Aliyev toured the building and gave relevant instructions. Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept.8 Trend: The UN Special Rapporteur Michel Forst will visit Azerbaijan Sept.14-22, said the UN Baku Office Sept.8. Forst was appointed by the president of the Human Rights Council as the UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders. He has extensive experience on human rights issues, including human rights defenders. Forst will pay the visit at the invitation of the Azerbaijani government. During the visit, the special rapporteur will met with a number of officials, judicial representatives, human rights activists, including representatives of civil society and the diplomatic community. The final report of Forst will be presented in the UN Human Rights Council in March 2017. Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 8 By Orkhan Quluzade Trend: Turkey is interested in high tourist flow from Azerbaijan, governor of Antalya province Munir Karaoglu told Trend Sept. 8. He pointed out that some important steps will be taken in the province to attract a large number of Azerbaijani tourists. Azerbaijani citizens mostly visit Istanbul, which is the cultural capital of Turkey, according to Karaoglu. The governor said the number of Azerbaijani tourists visiting Antalya has reached the record level of 39,572 people in the first eight months of 2016. The number of Azerbaijani tourists visiting Turkey stood at 35,674 people in 2015, 34,834 people in 2014, 23,486 in 2013 and 20,126 in 2012, he added. Earlier, Turkeys Ministry of Culture and Tourism said in its report that in total, the number of tourists visiting Turkey decreased by 36.7 percent in July 2016, as compared to the same month in 2015, and stood at 3.4 million people. A total of 14.2 million tourists traveled to Turkey in January-July 2016, or 30.3 percent less than in the same period in 2015. As many as 29.6 million tourists visited Turkey and 12.4 million of them traveled to Istanbul in 2015, according to the countrys Statistics Institute. Turkeys revenues from tourism stood at $31.5 billion in 2015, or 8.3 percent less than in 2014. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @o_quluzade Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 8 By Anvar Mammadov Trend: Azerbaijan and Germany have signed a financing contract and a special agreement on "Program for support of the reserved areas of Azerbaijan, Zagatala-Balakan district". The documents were signed on behalf of Azerbaijan by the Minister of Finance Samir Sharifov, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Huseyngulu Baghirov, on behalf of Germany by KfW Development Banks Director for the Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia Eva Witt. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Azerbaijans Deputy Prime Minister Abid Sharifov underlined that the country attached great importance to cooperation with Germany. He stressed the significance of projects carried out by the German government and KfW Development Bank in the country. German Ambassador to Azerbaijan Michael Kindsgrab hailed bilateral relations between the two countries. He stressed the importance of joint projects. The grant for the project was allocated based on an agreement on financial cooperation between Azerbaijan and Germany signed in November 2013. The total cost of the project, implementation of which is scheduled to start in 2016 and end in 2019, is 4.5 million euros, and the amount of the grant is four million euros. The main objectives of the project are the preparatory work for the creation of the first Zagatala-Balaken biosphere reserve in Azerbaijan, strengthening the infrastructure of Zagatala reserve, support measures to protect the environment and create new jobs. The first biosphere reserve in Azerbaijan will be established on the basis of the Zagatala reserve and the Balakan reserve. Two million euros of provided financing is intended for future reserve administration and another two million euros - for support of the zones population. For that purpose, a minimum required revolver fund will be created under the reserve administrations management. The fund will issue microloans (without interest or with formal interest) to finance minimization of populations impact on the environment: gasification to stop use of firewood and traditional profitable activity to prevent the population from uncontrolled use of natural resources. Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 8 By Aygun Badalova - Trend: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) provides a loan of 5.5 million euros to Systemair-HSK, the Turkish subsidiary of the Sweden-based Group Systemair AB, engaged in the development, production and marketing of ventilation products and solutions, the bank reported. The Banks financing will be used to build a greenfield site for air ventilation products in the Izmit region. The new facility will help Systemair-HSK increase its operational efficiency and enhance capacity to manufacture products compliant with European and international standards. It will also serve as the companys regional hub, including for exports to the Middle East and the Balkans, the report said. Systemair-HSK is one of the largest air ventilation companies and a leader in the air handler market in Turkey. The EBRD started investing in Turkey in 2009 and currently operates from offices in Istanbul, Ankara and Gaziantep. Some 98 per cent of the Banks investments in the country are in the private sector and about half of them are in projects that promote the sustainable use of energy. To date, the EBRD has invested over eight billion euros in Turkey through some 200 projects in infrastructure, energy, agribusiness, industry and finance. It has also mobilised about 17 billion euros for these ventures from other sources of financing. Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 8 By Aygun Badalova - Trend: OPEC oil production will amount to 32.41 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2016 and 32.95 million bpd in 2017, according to the forecasts of the US Energy Information Administration's (EIA) published in its September Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO). In 2015, OPEC output stood at 31.76 million bpd, according to the EIAs estimates. EIA forecasts that OPEC oil production will reach 33 million bpd in the second half of next year. On June 2 OPEC failed to agree on output policy and set a new ceiling. OPEC increased oil production by 46,400 bpd to 33.11 million bpd in July as compared to June, according to cartels latest report. OPECs crude oil share of 34.8 percent in total global production unchanged in July as compared to previous month. The informal OPEC meeting is expected in late September in Algeria. It is expected that the talks on oil production freeze will be held between OPEC and non-OPEC countries. The meeting will be held at the fringe of the International Energy Forum in Algiers from 26-28 September. Izmir, Turkey, Sept. 8 By Maksim Tsurkov Trend: Azerbaijani state oil company SOCAR expects compromise proposals from the Greek government for the successful completion of the deal on acquisition of a stake in Greece's gas transmission system operator DESFA, Director General of SOCAR Energy Greece Anar Mammadov told reporters in Izmir, Turkey. He said that the new rules for calculating tariffs for gas in Greece will have a negative impact on the profitability of DESFA. Under the new conditions, the project ceases to be as interesting to us as it was, Mammadov said. Therefore, we are ready to work together with the Greek government and offered them a compromise. We are currently interested in the project, but it must be also reasonable from a commercial point of view, and under the new conditions, SOCAR may not be quite ready for privatization. Mammadov added that SOCAR expects to get Greece's counteroffer. "The Greek government has been informed about our position, he said. If it is interested in completing the process, it has to show it. We do not intend to apply to the court, but there is a probability that we will have to abandon this project, he added. SOCAR is ready to fulfill all its commitments but on the same terms. The warranty letter of the tender will expire on Sept. 30, he said. It is a simple procedure to extend it, but at present, we do not see enough reasons to do that. At the same time, SOCAR hopes for a compromise in this issue." He added that according to the preliminary estimates, at new tariffs the Greek company loses 40-50 percent of its value. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkov LINCOLN Knowledge is power a point Nebraskas Department of Health and Human Services is addressing in September for National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 41,000 people die yearly of suicide, making it the 10th-leading cause of death among adults in the United States and the second-leading cause of death among those ages 10-24. According to state data, an average of 100 Nebraskans yearly commit suicide. DHHS has worked with the Nebraska educational system and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center to provide two training curriculums for school personnel in grades K-12. The training is intended to build skills and change students behavior. Nebraska also continues to widen Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors groups. The team members work with people who have been affected by the suicide of another person. Currently, the counties served by a LOSS team are Sarpy, Lancaster, Saline, Seward, Buffalo and Kearney, Renee Faber, prevention manager in the Division of Behavioral Health said. Those six counties have a total population of about 545,000 people. Promoting widespread awareness of suicide warning signs and how to help will increase the likelihood that a person can be connected to help early, Courtney Phillips, chief executive officer of DHHS, said. This strategy creates an understanding that Nebraskans of all ages can make a difference and save a life by knowing what to look for, the questions to ask and resources to help. There is hope and there is help. Many times, people are afraid that by talking about suicide, they will put it in the thoughts of a depressed person, Sheri Dawson, director of the Division of Behavioral Health, said. The truth is the idea is already there. Let the person know you care. Ask the question, Are you thinking of suicide? Ask how, where, when and if they have the means in place to complete suicide and persuade them to seek help. For referrals, individuals and families and friends of those with suicidal thoughts can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. GRAND ISLAND After nine years of accepting additional inmates to help cover operating costs, the Hall County Jail is actually turning additional inmates away. Corrections Director Todd Bahensky told county supervisors on Tuesday that he recently rejected a request to house Sarpy County inmates. "Our counts are up quite a bit," he said. As of Tuesday, the 300-bed jail was holding 274 inmates and detainees. "I'm not sure what the increase is about," Bahensky said. "It just seems like it's across the board." Of the 274, 71 were state inmates, 34 were federal detainees for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, one was held for the Federal Bureau of Prisons and 13 were for other counties. That doesn't leave a lot of room to take additional inmates, Bahensky said, even though the county could go slightly above 300 to meet total capacity. "When we're talking about total capacity, we're talking about filling every single bed," Bahensky said after the meeting. "That's every single isolation cell, every single booking cell, our infirmary those kinds of things that are there for specific purposes." It's not desirable to go to total capacity, he said. "We have to have enough space to properly classify people," Bahensky said. "If somebody's booked in on minimum security ... and the only spots I have are higher levels, maximum (security), I can't be putting those people in there. That causes some pretty serious liability problems." So the short-term response is to pull back on housing inmates for other agencies, but that means less revenue for the jail from sources other than Hall County taxpayers. The state is paying $88 for the first 82 state inmates at the Hall County Jail and $75 per inmate over the first 82. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is paying $63 a day per detainee. The U.S. Marshals Service and Federal Bureau of Prisons are paying $49 per inmate under a 19-year-old contract that Bahensky is in the process of renegotiating. Neighboring counties pay $55 a day to house inmates at the Hall County Jail. All told, those contracts brought in $3.1 million last fiscal year. The state contract alone brought in $2.5 million. Besides the growing number of inmates, he said, another looming concern is the impact of LB605. That 2015 legislation lowered the minimum sentences on some felonies and made more crimes subject to probation, not jail time. The impact is beginning to be seen locally. Hall County Supervisor Dan Purdy said that, while LB605 frees up space in state facilities, it may increase county jail populations and county expenses. That's because probation violators are held in county jails without state reimbursement. "We need to be concerned a lot," Purdy said about what he called a cost shift from the state to the county. "Put them on probation because then they won't be at the state pen. Then every time they have a little glitch in probation, they send them to county jail to serve out their administrative penalty, which is on the county to provide that jail stay," said Scott Arnold, Hall County board chairman. As of Tuesday, three of the 274 inmates were being held on probation violations, Bahensky said. That left 152 who were Hall County inmates. Hall County's 300-bed jail was built over capacity with a voter-approved $22 million bond. The idea was to rent out the extra space to help the county cover its costs. Those costs were estimated at $95 per day per inmate about two years ago, but Bahensky is in the process of updating the cost figure to include not only expenses at the jail but also indirect costs such as the county clerk's cost for processing payroll, the treasurer's cost for bill paying and the county's information technology department for supplying and maintaining jail computers and software. When the jail opened in 2007, the primary contract client was Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but the number of detainees declined and went away for many months as federal policies on immigration and deportation changed. As a result, Hall County negotiated a contract with the Nebraska Department of Corrections and started housing state inmates in June 2014. Bahensky praised the state in being "easy to work with." When state inmates have medical, dental, mental health or behavioral issues, the state is good about retrieving those inmates and providing the needed care, he said. But until jail population numbers stabilize a bit, Bahensky said, he will be cautious in deciding whether or not to accept contract inmates particularly those from other counties. "It's just not in our best interest at this point with where our counts are at," he said. OMAHA -- A 5-year-old Omaha school boy was missing for hours Wednesday evening before police, who had searched by helicopter and by car, found him locked in his school bus at 24th and Fowler Streets. The child, Samuel Van Tha Bik, who was discovered about 9 p.m., would have been released from Field Club Elementary School shortly after 4 p.m. Its not immediately clear if he had after-school activities. The boys family is from Burma and does not speak English. OPS learned that the child was missing about 6 p.m., according to spokeswoman Monique Farmer. Police received a phone call shortly before 7 p.m., according to emergency dispatchers. The father, through a translator, said he believed a substitute was driving the route, which could have played a role in the confusion. The bus is operated by the Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership, a contractor that transports students on behalf of the Omaha Public Schools. OPS has scheduled an emergency meeting with ENCAP today to learn how this happened, why it happened, and to really ensure our contractor takes any appropriate disciplinary action, if thats necessary, Farmer said. A similar incident occurred last year with another OPS student. A 5-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, a feeding tube and selective mutism, was found locked inside a school bus 9 miles from home after she wasnt dropped off at her house. While police searched for the missing boy, the OPS board was holding its regularly scheduled meeting at which it heard an update on this years chaotic problems with busing. A driver shortage has led to parent complaints over late and missing buses and drivers who dropped kids off at the wrong bus stop. Those problems have revolved around a different contractor, Student Transportation of America. Shortly before the missing child was found locked inside the bus, school board members heard that busing problems were diminishing as more drivers are hired. Superintendent Mark Evans said the district has contracted with ENCAP for several years to transport homeless and ESL students. Drivers are supposed to check buses to make sure students arent asleep or hiding before they lock up and leave for the day. Its unacceptable, he said. I dont have any other adjectives. He reiterated that OPS was bringing in outside help from other large school districts to help shape up its transportation system. Im anxious to get these experts in here to do a thorough vetting and auditing, he said. That thing in your hand, that glittering screen. Its dangerous, and you know it. You feel what it has done to you and what it will; you feel bound, less human. That amazing embryonic thing: a phone that has become you in just a matter of years, in an eerie post-human birth. Gabriel Marcel writing more than 50 years ago: In our contemporary world it may be said that the more a man becomes dependent on the gadgets whose smooth functioning assures him a tolerable life at the material level, the more estranged he becomes from an awareness of his inner reality. It reads like prophecy now, the obscure warnings of a minor philosopher. He was talking about the radio, and now his words better fit your phone or whatever screens you cant do without. Materially were still in awe, but spiritually we know somethings changed. We all sense it, each of us discomfited, even if we cant find the words for it. Martin Heidegger, that odd rustic, said we remain unfree and chained to technology whether we know it or not and were simply blind if we dont see that technology has changed us, changed our world and even being itself. Although ultimately hopeful, he was sober in his warning that technology is both dangerous and challenging. He said we should watch over it and question it, instead of merely gaping at the technological. But which is it, good or evil? Utopia or dystopia? Kevin Kelly, the founding executive editor of Wired magazine, called it the technium, the gathering together of living minds into a technological transcendence, a new metaphysics, a new consciousness that will reroute our sense of a soul, our inklings of God. We are, he suggests, at the dawn of a new Axial Age in which our sense of absolutely everything will change, brought about by technology we may have invented but will not control, like an unbound Prometheus. Good or evil is beside the point. Try to disconnect; you cant. There will be no restoration, no renaissance, no return to whatever way it was. All questions now can only be about the future, about a dialectic paradise promised by the progress we ourselves set in motion, by technology we ironically dreamed would make our lives easier and empower us but has done the opposite. That addiction, that tick, that nudge to check your phone every few minutes: Its the beginning of a new sort of servitude, a more perfect incarceration. For some us this is frightening, the dissolution of the organic, dissolution of the human. Talk of all things technological: the cloud, augmented reality, meatspace, even Pokemon Go all of it foreboding of a divorce of soul from body, of humanity from the earth. Frightening for some us of us. At least for those of us who liked being human. Which is why the most important thing is to remember that were human and to remain so. Fools and presidents will not be the ones to enslave; rather our masters are the screens we hold in our hands, which weve allowed to whither us like a billion privileged Gollums. Its our predicament as well as our test: whether were still human enough to renounce the tyranny of all those glittering screens. The Rev. Joshua J. Whitfield is the parochial vicar and director of faith formation and education at St. Rita Catholic Church in Dallas. Izmir, Turkey, Sept. 8 By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend: Turkish Petkim petrochemical complex continues talks on buying a stake in the Star refinery, Executive Director of the complex Anar Mammadov told reporters in Izmir, Turkey. Negotiations on this issue continue, and one cannot say anything specific until they are completed, said Mammadov. Earlier it was reported that the Board of Directors of Petkim petrochemical complex gave permission to start negotiations for the purchase of 12-14 percent stake of Rafineri Holding from SOCAR Turkey Enerji, which will make it possible for Petkim to become the owner of 7-9 percent share in the Star refinery. The annual naphtha production volume, used by Petkim as the main raw material, will amount to 1.66 million tons at the STAR refinery. Along with naphtha, the new oil refinery will produce diesel fuel with ultra-low sulfur to the amount of 5.95 million tons, aviation kerosene - 500,000 tons, reformate - 500,000 tons, petroleum coke - 630,000 tons, liquefied gas - 240,000 tons, mixed xylene - 415,000 tons, olefin LPG - 75,000 tons and 145,000 tons of sulfur. The refinery will not produce petrol and fuel oil. It is planned to refine Azeri Light, Kerkuk and URALS oil at the plant. At present, the share distribution in the project is as follows: 60 percent is owned by Rafineri Holding A.S. (100 percent owned by SOCAR Turkey Enerji A.S.), which had previously acquired all the remaining 18.5 percent share of Turcas Petrol in the project, and 40 percent belongs to SOCAR. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkov FILE - This Aug. 18, 2016 file photo shows what remains of an oil-extraction operation in Banning Ranch, on what is believed to be the biggest piece of privately-owned vacant land on Southern California's coast in Newport Beach. The California Coastal Commission will hold a hearing in Newport Beach on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, on the plan to build 895 homes, a 75-room hotel and retail complex on the 401-acre site long used for oil drilling. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File) Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept.8 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: Iran intends to increase the gas supply to Turkey, Irans Deputy Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mansour Moazami told the Anadolu Agency Sept.8. Moazami recalled that Tehran and Ankara havent still agreed on the prices for Iranian gas supplied to Turkey. I hope that this issue will be resolved by mutual consent of the parties, as we want to increase the gas supply to neighboring Turkey, he said. The talks on this issue will continue and we will try to resolve this issue. I am confident that Iran will increase the volume of gas supply to Turkey, added the deputy minister. Iran and Turkey signed a gas contract in 1996 and under the contract Iran should supply 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Turkey per year or about 27 million cubic meters per day. Earlier, following the negotiations with his Iranian counterpart, Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Aug.12 that Turkey intends to import more gas from Iran, but price issues need to be addressed for this. Turkey says Iranian gas is too expensive compared to gas offered by other suppliers, such as Russia and Azerbaijan. Aside from the disagreements over the prices, the two countries have problems with the stability of supply. Periodically, Iran limits the fuel pumping to Turkey due to the increase in domestic consumption. Iranian gas is delivered to Turkey via the Tabriz-Ankara gas pipeline with the capacity of 14 billion cubic meters of gas per year. Iran accounted for 16.79 percent of Turkeys total gas import in January-May 2016. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 8 By Elena Kosolapova Trend: Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev appointed Karim Massimov, who earlier served as prime minister, as the chairman of the National Security Committee, presidential press service reported Sept. 8. Massimovs government will work until formation of a new government. The First Deputy Prime Minister Bakhytzhan Sagintayev will be an acting prime minister. Massimov served as a prime minister in 2007-2012. In 2012-2014, he headed the presidential administration of Kazakhstan. In April 2014, Massimov was again appointed the prime minister. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 8 By Elena Kosolapova Trend: Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayaev dismissed Vladimir Zhumakanov from the post of chairman of the National Security Committee and appointed him as advisor to the president, the presidential press-service reported. The name of a new chairman of the National Security Committee was announced earlier. Former Prime Minister Karim Massimov was appointed to this post. Vladimir Zhumakanov served as chairman of the National Security Committee since Dec. 2015. Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 8 By Fatih Karimov Trend: Chief of the Central Bank of Iran Valiollah Seif asked France to take effective steps to remove the obstacles in mutual banking cooperation. At a meeting with Visiting President of French National Assembly Claude Bartolone in Tehran, Seif called for improvement of banking ties with major banks of France, the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) reported Sept. 8. Italian, Austrian and German banks have resumed cooperation with Iranian counterparts, but French banking system is very cautious in this regard, Seif said. So far, three Iranian banks have received permissions to launch activities in France, he said, adding that the French officials should encourage the countrys banks to boost relations with Iranian banks. Seif further said the Islamic Republic enjoys rich natural reserves, young labor force and considerable consumer market, and presents a unique opportunity for international investors and entrepreneurs. Boosting banking ties is necessary for developing economic ties, he added. The French official, for his part, expressed Paris readiness to boost banking and economic ties with Iran. Bartolone further touched upon the issue of Irans cooperation with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), saying Paris is ready to help Iran technically for implementation of the FATF standards by providing Iran with French expertise in this field. On June 24, the FATF decided to keep Iran on its blacklist of high-risk countries, but welcomed Iranian promises to improve, and called for a one-year suspension of some restrictions on Tehran. Tehrans cooperation with the FATF raised objections in Iran as critics accused President Hassan Rouhanis administration of having plotted with world powers to restrict some military personages and institutes under last years nuclear deal. The Iranian government has said it is intent upon continuing cooperation with the FATF on anti-terrorism and money laundering actions despite the pressures from domestic critics. The Supreme Anti-Money Laundering Council, a subsidiary of the Ministry of Economy, issued an announcement Sept. 6, saying the concerns and accusations of the critics are unfounded. Police arrest three more people in connection to the scheme by a Bealls employee to steal merchandise from the store, bringing the total number of people arrested to eight in this case. According to police, Angel Perez, who worked at the Bealls Department Store, would allegedly receive several items for purchase - but he would only ring up one of the items. In addition to the five who were arrested last May, three more were arrested with their alleged involvement in the scheme. They are Dinorah Galarza, Marlon Neri and Victor Manuel Ruize. All are now facing theft and engaging in organized criminal activity. In all, over $13,000 in merchandise was said to have been stolen. Laredo Border Patrol agents rescue nearly two dozen people at the I-35 checkpoint. There were about 22 people hidden in a secret compartment of a tractor trailer. When a canine agent alerted to the trailer, agents opened the back doors of the vehicle and found the people trapped inside. Through their Border Safety Initiative, the Laredo Sector Border Patrol continues to warn the public against the dangers of people crossing illegally into the United States. It's been six years since the murder of Amanda Garcia Mills, and the man in connection to the murder remains on the run. The Sheriff's Office says they are asking the community for information on the whereabouts of Magdaleno Anaya Gutierrez. The Department says they want to bring justice and closure to the family. The victim, Garica Mills, was was killed on October 4, 2010, at a ranch located 14 miles east on Highway 359. Gutierrez's last known address was in the Los Altos Subdivision on the highway. For information on Gutierrez's whereabouts, please call the Webb County Sheriff's Office at 956-523-4408, or Laredo Crime Stoppers at 956-727-TIPS. Mercedes-Benz is using the Paris Motor Show to highlight three of their latest new models They are the C-Class Cabriolet (pictured), E-Class Estate and GLC Coupe. In the offing too, though wrapped in secrecy until its unveiling, is a model they describe under the working title Electric Sub Brand. Being rolled out to dealers countrywide, the two-door, open-top C-Class Cabriolet the first convertible produced in CClass form - is a car that their sales manager in Ireland, Ciaran Allen says is crafted for cruising. With a soft top that can be opened/closed in just under 20 seconds, even at speeds up to 50 km/h, it comes with a comfort pack that makes post-Summer open-top motoring entirely possible. Items that will help motorists to enjoy summer into autumn, top down motoring include neck-level heating for driver and front seat passenger and an electric draught stop system that delivers maximum open-air comfort, even at low temperatures. The range Though the range consists of five petrol, two diesel and an AMG version, all Euro 6 emissions compliant with start/stop function. Here focus falls on a C180 petrol and C220d diesel at 56,395 (ex works) and 54,580 respectively. Second newcomer falling under the Paris spotlight is the GLC Coupe, a sporty version of the recently introduced GLC mid-size SUV. Described by Ciaran Allen as a niche model appealing to those who rate style as highly as substance, the model being profiled here is the GLC 220d Coupe priced at 60,230 (ex works). Third of the Mercedes-Benz Paris showstoppers is the new E-Class Estate. Designed and equipped with all of the style, and specifications lines available in the recently introduced saloon version, the new E-Class Estate is expected to launch here in October by which time price and other key details will be made known. Culture Night will take place across Ireland on Friday, September 16. When it comes to arts and culture, Kilkenny has form and venues around the city have pulled together once more to provide a varied programme of free events with something for everyone. There are some fantastic workshops for children: The Arts Office in Dean Street will host Siamsa. Here, artist Orla Bates will lead workshops combining exciting art and science activities. Children and adults will be inspired to work together and share ideas in a fun filled environment that invites participants to play with a range of materials to create different kinds of drawings using light and shadows. Rothe House have planned a series of events, in which visitors will have the chance to see some of the magnificent costume collection with selected items taken out of storage for the evening. The curator will speak about the challenges of looking after such important pieces. There will also be some not-so-precious costumes on display so that kids of all ages can get the chance to dress up. The National Craft Gallery is hosting Throwdown, a busy line up of talks and workshops. Kids over the age of 12 get the opportunity to throw their first pot on the wheel with the help of the ceramics course participants. There will be live demonstrations of smoke firing in Castle Yard for kids over 5, and they can also learn how to create a pinch pot. Its not just children that will get the opportunity to make create and learn new skills, as there are plenty of workshops for adults too! For anyone interested in learning more about printing, there is an open evening at Blackstack Studio on Parliament Street. Visitors will be able to screen print their own posters or cards. Blackstack Studio members will demonstrate intaglio printing in our etching studio with the resulting prints available to take away free of charge. Kilkenny Arts Office supports an ongoing community programme, which is quite unique. Open Circle Community will welcome the public to their workspace on Johns Green where artist Dee Harte, together with participants presents the Sewcialising Project. It aims to open up discussions about the clothes we choose to wear, where they come from and where they end up. This workshop is designed to explore the ways in which we can extend the life of these garments to keep them in active service. Just bring along some denim thats in need of some TLC. If you travel out to Callan to KCAT, there is another really exciting event taking place with well-known artist Caroline Schofield. The Slow Selfie workshop is proving extremely popular, where participants will learn to stich a selfie and reflect on the process in a world where everything is now instant. Make sure to look at the Culture Night website and Culture Night Kilkenny Facebook page for further updates, and printed brochures can be found in outlets around town. We will add further details next week about some excellent music events and talks across The Marble City. * Industry dogged by low crude prices, poor refining margins * Global oil industry eyes China's 'teapots' for newbusiness * Oil price agency Platts takes over as conference organiser By Henning Gloystein and Florence Tan SINGAPORE, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Conspicuous consumption,mostly liquid, has long been a feature of Singapore's annualAPPEC oil gathering, but it is a more sober affair in 2016, asexecutives in the third year of an industry downturn keep aclear head for deal opportunities. There are still takers for the many dinner and cocktailreceptions, but with oil prices down about 60 percent sincemid-2014, and refinery margins hitting multi-year lows inAugust, delegates are putting business before partying tocompete in a volatile and cut-throat market. "Last year, there was a large roof-top event that went allnight, and people were rolling out at 6 or 7 a.m.," said aSingapore taxi driver. "This year, the big events all finishedat midnight or 1 a.m. tops, and only the die-hards stayed outlater." A transformation in the Chinese oil market with the adventof the "teapot" refining industry - a batch of independentrefiners with import licences - has also introduced a new sourceof demand for producers to fight over at the 32nd Asia PacificPetroleum Conference this week. "There is a need to be very entrepreneurial, to find outyour customer," said Jorge Montepeque, Senior Vice President atENI Trading and Shipping, the trading branch of Italian energymajor ENI . Andy Milnes, chief executive for global oil and gas firmBP's Integrated Supply & Trading in the EasternHemisphere, said at a Financial Times commodities event inSingapore that his firm had made big efforts to engage withChina. This included packing its China team predominantly withChinese nationals, which Milnes said had made a big differencein terms of customer relations and "understanding the needs andopportunities out there". Oil producers like BP and Statoil and traders likeTrafigura have recently entered deals with teapots,and APPEC attendants said others were lining up to follow suit. The 16 teapots together import 1.3 million barrels of crudeper day, equivalent to more than 10 percent of overall Chineseimports. "Business is good. We're being courted," said one teapotdelegate. BASIC BUBBLES In previous years, the executives, traders, brokers,exchange staff and sales and marketing teams who flocked toAPPEC showed scant enthusiasm for the conference events, whichwere sparsely attended. "As visitors swarmed to industry celebrations, hospitalitysuites and corporate outings during APPEC week, conferenceattendance declined sharply," said John Driscoll, director ofJTD Energy Services in Singapore, who has been attending APPECsince its first year in 1985. In a sign of leaner times, Angolan state oil producerSonangol was serving $50-a-bottle Veuve Clicquot champagne atits APPEC party this week. Before the downturn, delegates weretreated to Dom Perignon, about four times the price. The change in atmosphere this year is also in part becauseoil price reporting agency S&P Global Platts, which competeswith Thomson Reuters to provide news and information to energymarkets, has taken over as conference organiser from localcompany Ace Connections and Events. Along with smaller rivals like privately held Argus Media,Platts, part of the group that , provides prices for physicaloil and refined products - influencing cargoes worth billions ofdollars every day. "Our plan is to build out the APPEC conference as thepremier thought leadership event for the Asian energy market,"said Sarah Whipp, Head of Marketing and Conferences for Platts,part of the group that also owns ratings agency Standard &Poor's . Platts' proposals to change the way it prices gasoil, a keyrefined product, has also given the conference particularrelevance this year. "As the purveyor of the Asia's key price methodologies forcrude and products and the custodian of the daily Market onClose (MOC) window, Platts' can command the undivided attentionof traders," said Driscoll. (Additional reporting by Gavin Maguire and Mark Tay; Editing byWilliam Waterman) Sept 8 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories on thebusiness pages of British newspapers. Reuters has not verifiedthese stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. The Times Ian Gorham is to step down as Hargeaves Lansdown's chiefexecutive after almost seven years at the helm of the FTSE 100financial adviser. ( ) Activity in Britain's factories collapsed in the month afterBrexit, according to the first official figures on the state ofthe economy since the referendum. Manufacturing shrank 0.9percent between June and July. ( ) The Guardian Hewlett Packard Enterprise will spin off and mergeits non-core software assets with Britain's Micro FocusInternational in a $8.8 billion deal. ( ) Denmark became the first country in the world to apparentlybuy data from the Panama Papers leak to probe if 500-600 Daneswho feature in the leak may have evaded tax. ( ) The Telegraph Amazon has begun offering free one-hour restaurantdeliveries to its Prime customers in London in a bid to take aslice of Britain's 9 billion ($12.00 billion) takeaway market.( ) White Rivers Exploration, in which British-born prospectorMark Creasy holds a 64 percent stake, is to list on the LSE inearly 2017, as it pushes ahead with a joint venture in SouthAfrica's Witwatersrand gold province. ( ) Sky News US firm Liberty Media acquired Formula One motorracing in a 6 billion ($8.00 billion) deal. ( ) Sports Direct shareholders rejected thereappointment of its chairman Keith Hellawell to the board. Thecompany's Annual General Meeting saw 53% of independentinvestors vote against Hellawell. ( ) The Independent House prices in Britain fell 0.2 percent in August, draggingthe growth rate for the year to its slowest since 2013 duringthe Brexit vote period, according to new figures from Halifax.By contrast, Nationwide's survey recorded two consecutivemonthly rises. ( ) The Governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney defended hiswarnings about the negative impact of Brexit on the economy assigns show that economic activity has been better than expectedsince the Brexit vote. ( ) ($1 = 0.7499 pounds) (Compiled by Bhanu Pratap in Bengaluru; Editing by SandraMaler) details added (first version posted at 12:07) Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 8 Trend: Hovik Abrahamyan, Armenian prime minister, resigned, Interfax agency reported Sept. 8. "We need new approaches, Abrahamyan said at a meeting of the countrys Cabinet of Ministers. We must think about the future and form a new government." Abrahamyan had a farewell meeting with the members of the Cabinet of Ministers Sept. 7. * Gov't and officials watching won's move closely * Foreign investors snap 4-day buying streak SEOUL, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The South Korean won easedon Thursday as traders grew cautious about prospects for furthergains after the government issued verbal warnings about themarket's moves for the second day in a row. The won was quoted at 1,093.8 as of 0159 GMT,down 0.4 percent from Wednesday's close of 1,090.0. Foreign exchange authorities said the won has been morevolatile than other Asian currencies and that they are watchingthe situation very closely. "Some bargain hunters are coming in at the 1,090 level,bringing additional pressure on the won," said Jeong My-young, aforeign exchange analyst at Samsung Futures. She said that traders were also awaiting a European Centralbank meeting later in the day and the Bank of Korea's meeting onFriday for possible clues on currency direction. South Korean shares dipped in line with other Asian equitymarkets, with the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) down 0.1 percent at 2,058.88 points. Offshore investors were set to break a four-day buyingstreak, selling a net 20.8 billion Korean won ($19.04 million)worth of KOSPI shares near mid-session. Chipmaker SK Hynix Inc rose 1.4 percent whileweb portal Naver Corp dropped 2.0 percent. Decliners outnumbered advancers 523 to 259. September futures on three-year treasury bonds wereunchanged at 110.88. 0159 GMT Prev close Dollar/won 1,093.8 1,090.0 Yen/won 10.7501/52 10.7096 *KTB futures 110.88 110.88 KOSPI 2,058.88 2,061.88 * Front-month futures on three-year treasury bonds (Reporting by Dahee Kim; Editing by Kim Coghill) HANOI, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Here's a snapshot of Vietnamese dong exchangerates in the official market and indicative SJC gold prices in Hanoi at 0048GMT. Sept 8 Sept 7 USD/VND mid-point 21,914 21,917 USD/VND interbank 22,299/22,300 22,299/22,300 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 36.31/36.59 36.38/36.66 NOTES: As of Jan. 4, 2016 the State Bank of Vietnam has begun setting themid-point rate on daily basis, allowing dollar/dong transactions to move in aband of +/- 3 percent around the mid point. The dong's exchange rate against other currencies is not restricted by aband. Interbank quotes are indicative bid/ask prices. One tael is equivalent to 37.5 grams or 1.21 troy ounces. SJC gold pricesare quoted by state-owned Saigon Jewelry Co, the gold manufacturer. Interbank offered rates are indicative, quoted from market sources. For Vietnam market overview click on: Vietnam's bonds market auctions: Bonds auction results: (Compiled by Hanoi Newsroom) (Adds details of price rise, stockpile, quote) BEIJING, Sept 8 (Reuters) - China's coal imports in Augustsoared 52 percent versus the same month a year ago to 26.59million tonnes, official customs data showed on Thursday, asdomestic production curbs spurred imports into the world's topconsumer of the fuel. Imports during the first eight months of the year expanded12.4 percent from a year earlier to 155.74 million tonnes, thedata showed. August imports were 25 percent higher than July. China has clamped down on domestic coal production as partof its efforts to reduce industrial overcapacity. That hasboosted imports and pushed coal prices higher. Benchmark thermal coal prices have risen more than a quarterfrom a year ago to 515 yuan ($77.25) per tonne, according to theBohai-rim Thermal Coal Price Index on Wednesday. "Seasonal demand peak and consistently rising domesticprices since start of this year, and the government's supplyside restrictions all contributed to the higher imports," said aBeijing-based senior coal trader. September imports are likely to hold higher, the traderadded. August imports partly rose because of peak summer demandfrom electric power plants, China Coal Transportation andDistribution Association (CCTD) said this week. Coal stockpiles in China's major sea-borne coaltransportation hub at Qinghuangdao dropped to a historical lowof 2.5 million tonnes by last Friday, down 61 percent from theyear-ago level due to the supply cuts, said the CCTD. (For a table of China's commodity trade summary, click ) ($1 = 6.6668 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting By Kathy Chen and Chen Aizhu; Editing by ChristianSchmollinger) (Adds comments from tax office, market movement) By Gayatri Suroyo and Hidayat Setiaji JAKARTA, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Indonesia's flagship tax amnestyprogramme will likely yield only a fraction of what wastargeted, the central bank governor said, in a blow to thegovernment's plan to meet its budget deficit target. Indonesia launched the nine-month tax amnesty programme inJuly, offering low penalty rates for taxpayers who declareuntaxed assets at home and abroad by March 2017. But the programme has started more slowly than expected,raising doubts over whether it will generate enough revenue tokeep the deficit within target. And the shortfalls could make it harder for President JokoWidodo's government to fund its ambitious infrastructureprojects. The government had banked on the amnesty bringing in 165trillion rupiah ($12.6 billion) in 2016, to help keep the budgetdeficit from breaching its legal limit of 3 percent of GDP. Indonesia's new Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati hadestimated last month that the deficit would be 2.5 percent for2016. But Bank Indonesia Governor Agus Martowardojo told a parliamentary hearing late Wednesday that the central bank'sbaseline model for the amnesty programme points to merely 18trillion rupiah of revenue in 2016 - only 11 percent of target -and an additional 3 trillion rupiah in 2017. Assets repatriated home under the amnesty would probablyamount to just $13.8 billion, he said. "We're being conservative about our outlook based on thelatest development of the tax amnesty," Martowardojo said,citing that 1-1/2 months after its launch, the government'samnesty revenue was less than 4 percent of target. The central bank was more optimistic back in April, whenMartowardojo said the amnesty would attract home about $42billion. The Finance Ministry had been even more bullish, projecting$76.5 billion would be repatriated thanks to the programme. Finance Minister Indrawati, who attended the parliamentaryhearing, declined to comment on the central bank's revisedforecast. The ministry's tax office, which runs the amnesty programme,said afterwards that its revenue target was unchanged. "We hope it can be achieved. We will never be satisfied,"Ken Dwijugiasteadi, the director general for taxes at thefinance ministry, told Reuters. Jakarta's stock index was largely unchanged on thenews in early Thursday trading. Since the launch of the amnesty programme, the index hasrallied more than 10 percent, supported by the prospect of moremoney coming home to Southeast Asia's largest economy. Some companies have also prepared to increase their bondsales this year to absorb returning funds, while property firmshave tailored their marketing to specifically target amnestyparticipants. ($1 = 13,080.00 rupiah) (Additional reporting by Eveline Danubrata and FransiskaNangoy; Writing by Randy Fabi; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore) By Robert Smith LONDON, Sept 8 (IFR) - Ardagh pitched upcoming IPO plans tosell a deeply subordinated payment-in-kind note, and saw strongdemand despite its track record of abandoning listings. The packaging company sold a Triple C ratedUS$1.715bn-equivalent seven-year PIK toggle bond on Wednesday,split into a euro tranche at a 6.625% yield and a dollar trancheat 7.125%. Ardagh's chairman Paul Caulson told investors that thecompany will IPO its operating company in the first half of nextyear, but will only float around 5% - equating to just250m-300m. The listed entity would be one of the companies below thePIK issuer ARD Finance, most likely Ardagh Finance Holdings SA. The PIK offering is Ardagh's first to have registrationrights with the SEC, and is set to be filed later this year,which the company touted as further proof of its intention toalso file IPO documents with the SEC. But several fixed-income investors said they were notconvinced a listing will actually come to fruition. "They've been promising an IPO since I started in thehigh-yield market more or less," said one. "I've heard them saythe same thing so many times before." The company has history of stalled IPO plans, having burntthrough 8.7m in "aborted IPO costs" in 2010, according to itsaccounts. Since then it has announced, and then delayed, apublic equity market debut several times. Last year, the company called off plans for an IPO of thebusiness in favour of a planned New York listing of its metalcan division Oressa. But this too was put on ice in November,with the company announcing that market conditions were notsuitable. Peter Schwab, a portfolio manager at Pax World, said the IPOdelays had made it "a little frustrating as a company tofollow". "They have been talking about it for five years now andevery time the market is difficult, then an acquisition comesalong and they do it," he said. Ardagh has grown its business through a string ofdebt-funded acquisitions, most recently raising US$4.5bn ofbonds in April with US$2.85bn earmarked to fund its acquisitionof a beverage can business disposed of during Ball and Rexam'smerger. THIS TIME IT'S DIFFERENT? Another investor said he was happy to buy Ardagh's bondsgiven the company's strong performance and "stable defensivebusiness", but was not "naive or complacent" on the long-awaitedlisting. "A Q2 IPO would make sense as they want to consummate thebeverage can acquisition and get some full-year numbers behindthem, but who knows what equity market conditions will be likethen," he said, adding that some were also disappointed at howsmall the planned IPO would be. "This business is now generating 1.3bn Ebitda so even 300mwill make quite a small impact from a deleveraging perspective." He said that changes to the PIK notes' structure fromArdagh's previous deal indicated that the company may be moreserious about listing, however, even though the deal will hand a270m dividend to shareholders. The company's last unsecured PIK raised in 2014 used themore aggressive pay-if-you-want structure, whereas the newsenior secured deal uses a stricter pay-if-you-can toggleformat. This means Ardagh has to pay the coupon with cash if itsoutstanding bonds at Ardagh Packaging Holdings Limited (APHL)have sufficient restricted payment capacity. And Ardagh increased the deal's size by US$150m to pay downdebt at APHL, which will improve its capacity to pay the PIKcoupon in cash. In contrast, the size of the 2014 deal wasincreased purely to boost the dividend paid to owners. "They seem serious about paying cash, as the longer a PIKaccretes the more it dilutes shareholder value, because it'djust be rolling up and compounding," the investor said. Other investors also said Ardagh is running out ofacquisition targets, which have delayed IPOs in the past. "It seems like the story is coming to its natural end," saidSchwab. (Reporting by Robert Smith, additional reporting by DavideScigliuzzo. Editing by Alex Chambers, Julian Baker) SAO PAULO, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Forjas Taurus SA ,Latin America's largest gun maker, told Brazil's securitiesregulator on Thursday it had not notified investors about analleged sale to a known Yemeni arms trafficker because thecompany was not accused in the case. Taurus confirmed on Monday a Reuters report that two formerexecutives had been charged over a deal in 2013 that allegedlysent arms to Yemen's civil war, but the company said it was onlya concerned party in the case. Securities regulator CVM asked Taurus on Monday why it hadnot previously sent a "Material Fact" filing on the matter. "At that point the company did not see the release of aMaterial Fact as applicable, since the company was not a partyin the case, which was sealed by the courts and in the initialstage against third parties," wrote Taurus. Taurus shares fell more than 2 percent in early tradingbefore rebounding to a 2 percent gain on Thursday. The stock's 8percent drop on Tuesday was its worst daily fall in 16 months. (Reporting by Brad Haynes; Editing by Alan Crosby) PRAGUE, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The Czech Finance Ministryconverted around 433 million euros to crowns through the centralbank last month, accounting for only a fifth of the growth inthe bank's foreign reserves that month and indicating the bankraised its euro buying in the market. The bank's foreign exchange reserves jumped by 2.1 billioneuros in August, the highest monthly rise since February. The ministry told Reuters on Thursday its conversionsthrough the bank related to inflow of European Union fundingprogrammes accounted for 11.7 billion crowns, or 433 millioneuros. The rise in central bank reserves is affected chiefly byinterventions, conversions for the ministry as well asinvestment returns and valuation changes. The bank's reservesstood at 70.5 billion crowns in August. The relatively small size of the ministry's conversionsindicates increased intervention activity in August, after thebank bought foreign currency worth 307 million euros in theprevious month. August interventions data will be released on Oct. 7. The bank has held the crown on the weak side of 27 per eurosince 2013, having to intervene in most months since mid-2015 byselling crowns and buying euros. The bank's board expects to end the weak crown policy inmid-2017, increasing market focus on a widely expected firmingin the currency when the peg is dropped, and raisingexpectations the bank will have to intervene more heavily in thecoming months as investors are attracted into the currency. The bank has said it would not allow any sharp currencyfirming after it drops the peg and would intervene as necessaryto smoothen out swings. (Reporting by Jan Lopatka; Editing by Jason Hovet) Fitch Rates HSH Finanzfonds AoeR's EUR500m Bond 'AAA(EXP)' (The following statement was released by the rating agency) FRANKFURT/WARSAW/LONDON, September 08 (Fitch) Fitch Ratings has assigned HSHFinanzfonds AoeR's proposed EUR500m fixed-rate bonds (DE000A2AATV0) an expectedLong-term rating of 'AAA(EXP)'. The bond is guaranteed by two German federatedStates of Hamburg (AAA/Stable/F1+) and Schleswig-Holstein (AAA/Stable/F1+) on anunconditional, irrevocable and unsubordinated basis. The states each own 50% ofHSH Finanzfonds AoeR. KEY RATING DRIVERS The expected rating reflects the unconditional, irrevocable and unsubordinatedguarantee issued by Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein to secure the bond. Their'AAA' ratings are based on the strong support mechanisms that apply to allmembers of the German Federation, and the extensive liquidity facilities theybenefit from, which ensure timely debt and debt service payment as well asservicing guarantees if they are called. The Federal Republic of Germany (AAA/Stable) represented by the federalgovernment (Bund) and the 16 federated states, which includes the two statesguaranteeing this issue, are all members of the German Federation benefittingfrom the support mechanism. All Laender are equally entitled to financialsupport in the event of financial distress irrespective of differences ineconomic and financial performances. Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein founded HSH Finanzfonds AoeR, a public lawinstitution (Anstalt oeffentlichen Rechts; AoeR), for the purpose of providingcapital support to HSH Nordbank AG (BBB-/F3) on behalf of the two states. Based on its legal status, HSH Finanzfonds AoeR benefits from a deficiencyguarantee (Gewaehrtragerhaftung) and a maintenance obligation (Anstaltslast)from both states. Furthermore, both states are able to grant explicit andirrevocable, unsubordinated guarantees on first-demand to scheduled bond issuesof the institution on a contractual basis with each state guaranteeing 50%. Thismeans that the guaranteed debt of HSH Finanzfonds AoeR ranks equally with allthe guarantors' other unsubordinated and unsecured liabilities. Both guarantorsare equally and severally, but not jointly, liable. The guarantees are issuedfor an indefinite period and are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic ofGermany. RATING SENSITIVITIES A downgrade of the sovereign ratings could lead to a downgrade of the Laenderand consequently the bonds' rating. Adverse changes to any importantinstitutional features (solidarity principle, equalisation system, liquidityexchange mechanism) would result in a review of the German Laender ratings. Anychange to the legal status of the bond issuer or the existing guarantee schemewill also result in a review of the bond rating. Contact: Primary Analyst Guido Bach Senior Director +49 69 768076 111 Fitch Deutschland GmbH Neue Mainzer Strasse 46-50 D - 60311 Frankfurt am Main Secondary Analyst Dorota Dziedzic Director +48 22 338 62 96 Committee Chairperson Christophe Parisot [Managing Director +34 1 44 29 91 34 Media Relations: Peter Fitzpatrick, London, Tel: +44 20 3530 1103, Email:peter.fitzpatrick@fitchratings.com. Additional information is available on Applicable Criteria International Local and Regional Governments Rating Criteria - Outside theUnited States (pub. 18 Apr 2016) Additional Disclosures Dodd-Frank Rating Information Disclosure Form _id=1011404 Solicitation Status Endorsement Policy ail=31 ALL FITCH CREDIT RATINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS.PLEASE READ THESE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK: . IN ADDITION, RATINGDEFINITIONS AND THE TERMS OF USE OF SUCH RATINGS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE AGENCY'SPUBLIC WEBSITE ' '. PUBLISHED RATINGS, CRITERIA ANDMETHODOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS SITE AT ALL TIMES. FITCH'S CODE OFCONDUCT, CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AFFILIATE FIREWALL, COMPLIANCEAND OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE 'CODE OFCONDUCT' SECTION OF THIS SITE. FITCH MAY HAVE PROVIDED ANOTHER PERMISSIBLESERVICE TO THE RATED ENTITY OR ITS RELATED THIRD PARTIES. DETAILS OF THISSERVICE FOR RATINGS FOR WHICH THE LEAD ANALYST IS BASED IN AN EU-REGISTEREDENTITY CAN BE FOUND ON THE ENTITY SUMMARY PAGE FOR THIS ISSUER ON THE FITCHWEBSITE. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in precious metal products, commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. kitco news HONG KONG, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's largest developerSun Hung Kai Properties said on Thursday contractedsales hit a record high for the fiscal year ended June, with atop company executive saying the trend is expected to continuein the current fiscal year. The property developer said contracted sales hit a record HK$40.7 billion ($5.25 billion), while underlying net profitrose 22 percent to HK$24.17 billion. The company's contracted sales would reach the same level inthe upcoming year, Deputy Managing Director Victor Lui toldreporters at a press conference. The company also said the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connectscheme should strengthen the city's long-term prospects, whilehealthy labour market conditions and an improved residentialmarket should underpin the city's economy despite "sluggish"external demand. The directors have recommended payment of a final dividendof HK$2.8 per share for the year ending June 30, 2016. ($1 = 7.7560 Hong Kong dollars) (Reporting by Joy Leung and Venus Wu; Editing by BijuDwarakanath) SIENA, Italy, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The outgoing chiefexecutive of Monte dei Paschi di Siena said he did notexpect his resignation to affect a 5 billion euro ($5.6 billion)rescue plan at Italy's third largest bank. Monte dei Paschi said on Thursday that CEO Fabrizio Violahad agreed to step down and a replacement would be foundquickly, as the bank readies its third cash call in as manyyears and a record sale of bad loans. "I don't believe it will," Viola told journalists when askedif he thought his resignation would have an impact on theemergency plan needed to stave off the risk of the lender beingwound down. Viola said a successor had not yet been found. A source withknowledge of the matter said earlier on Thursday Bank of AmericaMerrill Lynch's Italy head Marco Morelli was likely to beViola's replacement. Leaving the bank after a board meeting, Chairman MassimoTononi said Viola's departure was unexpected. "I'm very sorry, I've worked very well alongside Fabrizioand I wished we could have continued to do so. However our tasknow is to find very quickly a new chief." ($1 = 0.8890 euros) (Reporting by Silvia Ognibene) Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept.8 Trend: The session of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Council on Thursday approved the candidacy of Karen Karapetyan for the post of the countrys prime minister, News.am web site reported. Armenian National Assembly (NA) MP Artak Zakaryan, who is also the Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations, told the aforementioned to journalists after the session. To the question as to whether the resignation of ministers was discussed, the MP noted: Only one issue was discussed. The session was also attended by the ex-PM Hovik Abrahamyan. Romania sells planned 500 mln lei of March 2021 T-Bonds BUCHAREST, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Romania sold a planned 500million lei ($126.91 million) worth of March 2021 treasury bondson Thursday, with the average accepted yield at 2.12 percent,central bank data showed. Debt managers last sold the paper in August at an averageyield of 2.13 percent. So far this year, the ministry has sold roughly 35.2 billionlei and 775 million euros of domestic bonds. Series: RO1521DBN041 Issue date 12/09/2016 22/08/2016 Auction date 08/09/2016 18/08/2016 Maturity 22/03/2021 22/03/2021 Avg.yield (pct) 2.12 2.13 Avg. accepted price 104.8032 104.8273 Highest accepted yield 2.13 2.14 Tail (highest yield minus 0.01 0.01 average yield) Total bids 1.45 bln lei 1.0 bln lei Allotted 500 mln lei 500 mln lei Bid-to-cover ratio 2.9 2.00 ($1 = 3.9399 lei) (Reporting by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Radu Marinas) Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in precious metal products, commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. kitco news WARSAW, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Russian fertiliser maker Acron is in talks with Poland's treasury ministry on sellingits stake in the country's biggest chemicals group, state-runAzoty , two sources familiar with the situation said. Acron tried to buy a controlling stake in Azoty Tarnow in2012 but Poland considered the move a hostile takeover andblocked the bid by merging Azoty with state-run rivals. The Russian firm ended up with 13-percent of Azoty, which ithiked to 20 percent in 2014. Earlier in 2016 it sold a smallstake, raising questions over its longer-term plans. "The Russians are in talks with the treasury ministry overthe sale of its stake in Grupa Azoty," a person familiar withthe situation said. "Poland wants to buy the Acron's stake, financing the dealis the issue," another source said. A source also said that Acron had approached the treasuryministry under the previous government. Shares in Azoty trade at 66 zlotys each, which valuesAcron's stake at around 1.3 billion zlotys ($341 million).Sources said that the treasury ministry is currently consideringvarious options regarding how to buy Azoty shares. According to one of the sources, the treasury named thestate-run gas firm PGNiG as a potential buyer. PGNiG,which is the key gas supplier to Azoty, had more than 8 billionzlotys in cash at the end of June. But a source close to the company said PGNiG is unlikely tobuy the stake as it is already engaged in helping rescue thecoal mining sector. PGNiG was not immediately available tocomment. The treasury ministry also has a special fund, worth around4.8 billion zlotys, at its disposal, which it can use to buyshares in listed companies. A spokesman for the treasury ministry declined to confirmtalks were underway. Acron also declined to comment. Poland has been reluctant to allow its historical adversaryRussia to gain a foothold in certain sectors. Relations withRussia have cooled since the conservative Law and Justice party(PiS) came to power, which has been critical of Russian policyover Ukraine and is in favour of keeping EU sanctions on Moscow. ($1 = 3.8153 zlotys) (Reporting by Agnieszka Barteczko; Additional reporting byAndrey Kuzmin in Moscow; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle) YEKATERINBURG, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Russian Copper Company isconsidering issuing a Eurobond of between $300 million and $500million, Chief Financial Officer Maxim Schibrik told Reuters,without specifying the timeframe for the issue. The privately held company, Russia's third largest copperproducer, may also issue rouble bonds worth 6 billion roubles($94 million) this year to optimise its credit portfolio. Schibrik said the company could start working on theEurobond issue in 2017. Russian Copper Company entered the European debt market in2005, when it issued euro commercial paper worth $100 million.The issue was repaid in 2008. The net debt of the company, controlled by its founder IgorAltushkin, stood at $1.45 billion at the end of 2015. Its 2015 adjusted earnings before interest, taxation,depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) totalled 26.3 billionroubles ($411 million). ($1 = 63.9802 roubles) (Reporting by Natalia Shurmina; additional reporting by YelenaOrekhova; writing by Polina Devitt; editing by Dmitry Solovyovand Jason Neely) By Krishna V Kurup Sept 8 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stocks were tradinglargely lower on Thursday, in line with Asian peers, asinvestors waited for clarity on further easing steps and wherekey policy rates are headed when the European Central Bank meetslater in the day. The ECB is expected to keep policy rates unchanged, but islikely to take further stimulus measures by extending its assetpurchase programme by the end of this year, according to aReuters poll. Broader Asian shares dropped after four days of gains whichtook them to their highest since late July last year. MSCI'sbroadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.3 percent at 0500 GMT. Investors also shrugged off data showing China's Augustexports fell less than markets had expected, while importsunexpectedly expanded for the first time in 22 months. Thai shares fell as much as 1.4 percent, theirlowest in nearly 2 months. Consumer staples and industrialstocks lost ground, with Big C Supercenter Pcl falling0.5 percent and CP All Pcl down 1.2 percent. Apart from the global factors (ECB meeting and Chinese tradedata), investors are worried about foreign inflows into the Thaimarket, said Rakpong Chaisuparakul, an analyst with KGIThailand. Philippines rose marginally after falling to itslowest in over 2 months in early trade. Financials and telecom stocks climbed, with SM PrimeHoldings Inc rising 1.5 percent and PLDT Inc gaining 1.4 percent. Singapore fell 0.4 percent, dragged down byfinancials and consumer staples, while Vietnam rosemarginally. Indonesia and Malaysia were flat. For Asian Companies click; SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS STOCK MARKETS Change at 0500 GMT Market Current Prev close Pct Move Singapore 2882.37 2893.65 -0.39 Bangkok 1472.16 1487.2 -1.01 Manila 7638.13 7619.1 0.25 Jakarta 5378.037 5381.354 -0.06 Kuala Lumpur 1688.91 1689.57 -0.04 Ho Chi Minh 663.05 661.28 0.27 Change on year Market Current End 2015 Pct Move Singapore 2882.37 2882.73 -0.01 Bangkok 1472.16 1288.02 14.30 Manila 7638.13 6952.08 9.87 Jakarta 5378.037 4593.008 17.09 Kuala Lumpur 1688.91 1692.51 -0.21 Ho Chi Minh 663.05 579.03 14.51 (Reporting by Krishna V Kurup in Bengaluru; Additionalreporting by Sindhu Chandrasekaran; Editing by Biju Dwarakanath) HANOI, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Here's a snapshot of Vietnamese dong exchangerates in the official and unofficial markets, indicative SJC gold prices inHanoi and interbank offered rates at 0411 GMT. Sept 8 Sept 7 USD/VND mid-point 21,914 21,917 USD/VND interbank 22,301/22,302 22,299/22,300 USD/VND unofficial 22,290/22,305 22,290/22,305 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 36.30/36.57 36.38/36.66 Interbank offered rates Overnight 0.5-1.0 0.4-1.0 1 week 0.6-1.2 0.5-1.2 1 month 1.8-2.4 1.7-2.4 3 months 3.3-4.2 3.4-4.2 NOTES: As of Jan. 4, 2016 the State Bank of Vietnam has begun setting themid-point rate on daily basis, allowing dollar/dong transactions to move in aband of +/- 3 percent around the mid point. The dong's exchange rate against other currencies is not restricted by aband. Interbank offered rates are the latest indicative bid/ask prices, quotedfrom market sources. One tael is equivalent to 37.5 grams or 1.21 troy ounces. SJC gold pricesare quoted by state-owned Saigon Jewelry Co. For more interbank rate fixings released at 0400 GMT, click on . For Vietnam market overview click on: Vietnam's bonds market auctions: Bonds auction results: (Compiled by Hanoi Newsroom) COLOMBO, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's benchmark index hita more than one-month closing low on Thursday, dragged down bylarge cap shares, as investors largely stayed on the sidelinesamid confusion over falling bond yields, stockbrokers said. The benchmark Colombo stock index ended 0.09 percentlower at 6,501.89, its lowest close since Aug. 1. Analysts said they expected shares to rise after results ofthe central bank's weekly treasury bill auction on Wednesdayshowed yields fell between 23 and 34 basis points, with thebenchmark 91-day treasury bill yield falling for the first timesince July 8. "Many investors are confused because while t-bill yields arecoming down, the short term fixed-deposit rates offered by banksare very high," said Prashan Ferbando, COO at AcuityStockbrokers. Foreign investors net sold 22.7 million rupees ($156,444)worth of shares on Thursday, the first time in seven sessions,extending the year-to-date net foreign outflow to 2.77 billionrupees worth of equities. Turnover stood at 758.4 million rupees, slightly higher thanthis year's daily average of 752.4 million rupees. Shares of Ceylon Tobacco Company Plc fell 0.50percent, while Ceylon Cold Stores Plc ended 1.53percent lower and John Keells Holdings Plc lost 0.67percent. ($1 = 145.1000 Sri Lankan rupees) (Reporting by Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez; Editing by BijuDwarakanath) ANKARA, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Turkey will drive up householdand corporate savings with the help of "very strong" incentivesand there will be no unnecessary government spending, DeputyPrime Minister Mehmet Simsek said on Thursday. "The prime minister has ordered us to continue saving, andthe government will keep it tight. With very strong incentives,household savings will increase, and the reforms will encouragecorporate savings as well," Simsek, who is charged withoversight of the economy, said in the capital. Economists have urged Turkey to boost its savings rate tohelp shift economic growth away from a reliance on consumption. (Reporting by Ece Toksabay; Writing by Edmund Blair; Editing byNick Tattersall) ISTANBUL, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Here are news, reports andevents that may affect Turkish financial markets on Thursday. The lira stood at 2.9341 at 0515 GMT, littlechanged from 2.9317 at the end of Wednesday. The benchmark 10-year bond was at 9.57percent in spot trade on Wednesday and dipped to 9.55 percent inThursday-dated trade. The main share index fell 0.45 percent to 77,643.18points on Tuesday. GLOBAL MARKETS Asian shares held within one-year peaks on Thursday asChinese trade data topped forecasts and imports recorded theirfirst annual rise since late 2014, a promising sign for globaldemand that gave the Australia dollar a lift. NATO VISIT NATO Secretary General Jen Stoltenberg will be in Ankara foran official two-day visit. During his trip, Stoltenberg willmeet with President Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister BinaliYildirim and senior ministers. GULF COUNTRIES Senior figures from Saudi Arabia and Qatar are visitingTurkey on Thursday. Qatari Prime Minister Abdullah bin Basserbin Khalifa al Thani and Saudi foreign minister Adel bin Ahmedal Jubeir will separately meet with President Erdogan and PrimeMinister Yildirim in the Turkish capital. SYRIA INCURSION Turkey-backed forces may go deeper into Syria after securinga 90 km (56 mile) stretch of land along the Turkish border,Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli said on Wednesday. FourTurkish soldiers so far have been killed and 19 others werewounded during the operation, he added. Nearly 110 Islamic Stateand Kurdish militia fighters were also killed. ECONOMIC DATA Turkish Statistics Institute will release industrialproduction data for July. (0700 GMT) For other related news, double click on: Turkish politics Turkish equities Turkish money Turkish debt Turkish hot stocks Forex news All emerging market news All Turkish news For real-time quotes, double click on: Istanbul National-100 stock index , interbank liratrading , lira bond trading (Writing by Humeyra Pamuk) U.S. taxable bond funds net $3.4 bln in latest week - Lipper NEW YORK, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Investors added $3.4 billion incash to U.S.-based taxable bond funds during the week throughSept. 7, Thomson Reuters Lipper data showed on Thursday, markingthe funds' fourth week in five of posting positive flows. Stock funds in the United States recorded $271 million inoutflows during the week, their third straight week of netwithdrawals, the data showed. (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt, editing by G Crosse) Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in precious metal products, commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. kitco news (Recasts lead, adds background; adds NEW YORK to dateline, addsbylines) By Patrick Rucker and Olivia Oran WASHINGTON/NEW YORK, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The Federal ReserveBoard and two other regulators recommended that Congress pareback Wall Street's ability to engage in merchant banking and toown physical commodities because of possible risks to thefinancial system, according to a report issued on Thursday. U.S. lawmakers should repeal so-called grandfather statusfor Goldman Sachs Group Inc and Morgan Stanley granted in 1999 to conduct activities like storing andtransporting physical commodities that other banks cannot do,the Fed said. The report was required under part of Dodd Frank, the WallStreet reform law, which required the Fed, the Federal DepositInsurance Corp and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencyto report to Congress the types of banking activities that mightpose risks to the financial system. Existing rules that allow commodity investments "raisessafety and soundness concerns as well as competitive issues,"the Fed said. Wall Street firms have been scaling back riskier parts oftheir commodities businesses in recent years after a wave ofpublic and political scrutiny over the role of banks in the rawmaterials market. Morgan Stanley last November completed the sale of itsphysical oil business to commodity trading firm CastletonCommodities. In 2014, the bank sold its controlling stake in oilstorage business TransMontaigne to NGL Energy Partners LP. Goldman in December 2014 sold its controversial Metro metalswarehousing unit to Swiss private equity group Reuben Brothers. A Morgan Stanley spokesman declined to comment on thereport. A Goldman spokesman could not be immediately reached forcomment. The Fed's recommendation on commodities does not come as abig surprise. Fed Governor Daniel Tarullo in the past has saidthat U.S. lawmakers should consider overturning the commoditiesexception granted to Goldman and Morgan Stanley, although theFed had not officially made a recommendation until now. (Reporting By Patrick Rucker in Washington D.C. and Olivia Oranin New York; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) kerrThe diplomats will meet within the framework of a personal meeting in the Swiss city of Geneva on September 8-9, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Sputnik reported. Russia and the United States are working out an action plan to coordinate their efforts in the crisis-torn Syria. The sides are discussing actions aimed at conflict settlement, including strengthening of a ceasefire regime and anti-terror cooperation between Moscow and Washington. At the same time US Department of State spokesperson Mark Toner declined to confirm Kerry-Lavrov meeting on Syria. The two ministers have already met on August 26 in Geneva and on September 4 and 5 in the Chinese Hangzhou. The Chinese meetings were also followed by the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Barack Obama. Despite the frequent contacts Moscow and Washington have not reached an agreement on Syria, Following the meetings the sides have announced about a certain progress on the issue, but have not revealed any details. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Sunday that Moscow and Washington were close to reaching a deal on Syria, which could help to differentiate terrorists from opponents of the Damascus authorities, who are ready to enter the political process. But the details of such a differentiation are still the main obstacle to the agreement. Washington and Moscow could reach an agreement, but numerous opposition groups involved in the Syrian conflict should agree with the content of the deal to make it effective. Earlier in the month, the Syrian opposition's High Negotiations Committee (HNC) confirmed to Sputnik that it had received a letter from US envoy on Syria Michael Ratney outlining conditions for a possible US-Russia agreement on Syria. However, media reported that the HNC voiced an opinion that it would possibly oppose the agreement if it contradicted the views of the Syrians on the issue. (Adds context and details) By Sudip Roy LONDON, Sept 8 (IFR) - The Republic of Ghana is hoping to besecond time lucky with a potential US dollar bond offering. The sovereign has resurrected a deal it postponed in Augustbecause of disagreement with investors over pricing levels. At the time investors wanted a yield of least 10%, givenwhere Ghana's outstanding bonds were trading, but the sovereignbalked at paying that level. Since then Ghana's bonds have rallied substantially, withits 2026 notes quoted at 9.42% on Wednesday's close, accordingto Thomson Reuters data, and its 2023s at 9.35%. This has encouraged Ghana to return, with an initialmarketing level for the new notes of high 9%. The structure is the same as before, with Ghana planning toissue an amortising bond with a weighted average life of fiveyears. One investor said his firm would consider the offer, thoughhe was wary of the country's track record. One worry is howquickly it will receive its next disbursement from the IMF aspart of a US$918m aid deal. The money was initially due by theend of August. However, talks with a Fund delegation only ended last week,though sources told Reuters the next disbursement could comenext month. One reason for the talks was the passage in parliament inAugust of a bill that allows the central bank to finance thegovernment up to a limit of 5%. The IMF has recommended zero. Another potential risk is a general election in December,said the investor. The benchmark-sized bond, which has three equal repaymentsin 2020, 2021 and 2022, is today's business. Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Citigroup and StandardChartered are the leads. Ghana is rated B3/B-/B. At the same time, the sovereign has announced a furthertender of its 8.5% due 2017 notes. Last month Ghana bought backjust under US$100m of the bonds through a tender that still wentthrough despite the postponed new issue. (Reporting by Sudip Roy, editing by Julian Baker) (Adds details, shares) Sept 8 (Reuters) - Twitter Inc Chief Executive JackDorsey is expected to be given a few more quarters to executehis turnaround plan and his management will not be questioned atThursday's board meeting, CNBC reported, citing sources. The company's shares were down 4 percent at $19 in earlytrading on Thursday. However, the meeting is likely to include discussions aboutwhether the company should put itself up for sale, the reportsaid. ( ) Twitter was not immediately available to comment. The company reported in July its slowest revenue growthsince going public in 2013 and set a disappointing forecast,fanning concerns that faster-growing social media services willmake it a niche product. Co-founder Jack Dorsey returned to the company as chiefexecutive more than a year ago, but his plan for revivingTwitter is at best seen as unfinished. Under Dorsey, the company has made a significant push intovideo, signing deals with several media companies and sportsorganizations to stream major events. Twitter said last week it would allow U.S. users who uploada video to share in any advertising revenue it generates,stepping up its battle to attract video talent to its platform. Up to Wednesday's close, Twitter's shares had fallen about14 percent this year. (Reporting by Aishwarya Venugopal and Ankur Banerjee inBengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Sriraj Kalluvila) Navy Corpsman Chief Holly Crabtree is saluted during her retirement ceremony at Naval Hospital Bremerton on Friday. Crabtree was shot in the head while providing medical support to SEALs in Iraq in 2010, and was finally talked into retirement after 14 years of service. SHARE Navy Corpsman Chief Holly Crabtree meets with Navy chief selects before her retirement ceremony. Leah Crabtree, 6, shakes hands Army Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry on Friday at Naval Hospital Bremerton. Crabtree, a Medal of Honor awardee, attended a retirement ceremony for Leah's mom, Navy Corpsman Chief Holly Crabtree. By Ed Friedrich of the Kitsap Sun There was a lot of hero talk during Holly Crabtree's retirement ceremony. The hospital corpsman chief, shot in the head by a sniper two years ago in Iraq, never fully recovered and left the Navy on Friday after 14 years. The Port Angeles native was shot near Ramadi, west of Baghdad, on April 15, 2010, while providing medical support for a couple SEAL teams. The bullet pierced her helmet near her left temple, entered her skull, and came to rest behind her ear. "Today we celebrate serving with a hero," Lt. Martie Johnson, said during the invocation. They celebrated with another hero Medal of Honor recipient Leroy Petry. The Army sergeant first class, stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, made a surprise appearance. "I got word of it and said it would be my honor to be there," Petry said. While shot through both legs in Afghanistan, Petry saved fellow Rangers by picking up and throwing a live enemy grenade. It exploded as he let go, blowing off his right hand. Also in the crowd on the Naval Hospital Bremerton quarterdeck were Crabtree's 6-year-old daughter Leah, an uncle and great aunt and uncle. "A Medal of Honor winner came to see your mother not an admiral or general, a Medal of Honor winner not for him but for her," Johnson, a chaplain, told Leah. After being wounded, Crabtree was attached to James A Haley Veterans Affairs Hospital in Tampa, Fla. While there, besides receiving therapy, she "inspired and motivated several critically wounded soldiers and instilled a positive, can-do spirit." For that, she received her fourth Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal on Friday. En route to her new post at Naval Hospital Bremerton, she got a hero's welcome June 10 at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. It included a large crowd of greeters and firetrucks spraying water across the plane's nose. Crabtree, 32, grudgingly accepted medical retirement. "I can still move my hand. I can still walk a little bit. I'm still good. I can do something," she said of wanting to continue her career. Finally, she gave in. "You know what, I can keep on going, do it one more time," she said of starting a new life chapter. Petry, who's still in the Army, helps injured Rangers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Crabtree, who has trouble controlling the right side of her body and walks with a cane, wants to do something similar. "I plan on still helping wounded warriors and seeing as many as I can to give them encouragement to keep on going," she said. "I want people to know this injury changed my whole life, but to tell wounded people there's still hope." The scene of a collision on Auto Center Boulevard Thursday. SHARE Bremerton Police Officer John Rivera photographs the vehicle that plowed through the bus stop at right on Auto Center Way on Thursday. (MEEGAN M. REID / KITSAP SUN) By Josh Farley of the Kitsap Sun BREMERTON A woman was killed and a man seriously hurt Thursday when a car plowed into a bus stop by the state Department of Social and Health Services building on the 4700 block of Auto Center Boulevard. Emergency responders were called to the scene at 11:49 a.m. A 63-year-old Bremerton man was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, and 31-year-old Bremerton woman was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Both had severe lower leg injuries, according to Bremerton Fire Capt. Dean Souza. The woman died later in the day, according to Bremerton Police Chief Steve Strachan. The man's condition is unknown. The driver, 23, of Seabeck, who was not injured, hit them as they waited for the bus. He showed signs of impairment, was given field sobriety tests and ultimately admitted to using meth and marijuana before the crash, Strachan said. The driver will be booked into the Kitsap County Jail on suspicion of DUI and vehicular homicide, Strachan said. Bail will be set at $500,000. Police continue to investigate the crash. Cara Seacrist of Bremerton holds a bag while her son Ender, 17 months, put in one of his finds during a scavenger hunt at Anna Smith Park near Silverdale last spring. The event by the Hike it Baby group of Kitsap County had toddlers and their parents out in the park to explore. (LARRY STEAGALL / KITSAP SUN) SHARE Evelynn Hartransft, 17 months, and her mom, Rachel, look for items at the scavenger hunt at Anna Smith Park. They are part of Hike It Baby, a national program with a Kitsap County chapter to help get parents and toddlers into the outdoors. (LARRY STEAGALL / KITSAP SUN) Evelynn Hartransft, 17 months, peeks through a fence during a Hike It Baby event. (LARRY STEAGALL / KITSAP SUN) Jonathan Grotefendt of Bremerton holds his daughter Adeline , 4 months, as he looks at the duck pond with his other daughter Sydney, 2, at Anna Smith Park. (LARRY STEAGALL / KITSAP SUN) Julia King, 15 months, holds onto her rock during a Hike it Baby event. (LARRY STEAGALL / KITSAP SUN) By Seraine Page Even on the wettest days of winter, Melissa Keberlein finds she and her daughter, Hannah, make it outside to splash in puddles. Hannah, 2, loves the outdoors. The rain doesn't deter her one bit. "We do a lot outside still," Keberlein said, noting that cold temperatures just mean bundling up, not staying cooped up inside. That's because year-round, the pair are involved in Hike It Baby, an international, nonprofit organization that promotes a love of the outdoors by inviting parents and kids out to local trails for hikes. The East Bremerton resident credits much of that braveness of enduring the cold to Hike It Baby of Kitsap County, where she serves as a brand ambassador and hike leader, recruiting families to join in on hikes across the peninsula. Each hike usually brings out five to 10 families, and it's always a surprise who shows up because there's no need to register in advance. Hikes occur at least once a week for various fitness levels. Some hikes require parents to carry the child, while others are merely strolls with lots of stopping and exploring by toddlers. Kids of all ages are welcome. "I think the word 'hike' scares people off," said Keberlein, who adds that the maximum length of a Hike It Baby trail is 7 miles. But she's also quick to note, "It's not just hiking. We do a lot of things other than hike." Part of the chapter's scheduled activities includes indoor events, pool visits and more, making it easy for parents who need flexibility and options. Portland resident Shanti Hodges started the nonprofit in 2013. As a new mother, she found herself wanting to get outdoors with her newborn. She discovered her new moms' group members also liked hiking, and soon a group of regulars began hitting the streets and trails of Portland. Then, Hike It Baby was born. Benefits of outdoor play Most health organizations, including The American Heart Association (AHA) and The American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend children get at least an hour of play per day preferably active, outdoor play. One of the biggest benefits is increased physical fitness, which in turn helps curb childhood obesity. "Active kids are more healthy kids," said Meredith Sinclair, M.Ed, an educator, parenting expert and author of "Well Played." "There is simply nothing better at getting to know our kids than playing together." Sinclair, a mother of two boys, understands the pull of electronics for this generation, but knows it doesn't provide adequate physical play needed for a healthy body and spirit. "Research also shows that kids who play more have a happier disposition and overall emotional state," she said. "When deprived of enough playful experiences, children and adults run the risk of higher levels of depression and anxiety. Who wants that?" Findings from the AHA also show that inactive children tend to turn into inactive adults. Parents are the ideal role models in promoting fun and age-appropriate activities that involve the great outdoors, like hiking nature trails. With nearly 4,000 trails in Washington, there's plenty of dirt for parents and kids to kick up together. Hike It Baby of Kitsap County Member Adrienne Lee said she knows being active outdoors helps her and her daughter, Gwenny, socially and emotionally. On a recent hike at Island Lake Park, Gwenny held hands with Hannah for much of the trail. The two explored the water together, picking up sand, letting it run through their fingers before plopping it in the water. Laughter ensued with each drop. "She does a lot better outside; she has less tantrums," Lee said of her 22-month-old daughter. "If you have the right gear, it makes it easier to get out (in the Pacific Northwest). I think it's important for mental well-being, even with the moms." Lee noted the joy it has brought Gwenny and herself: "I like that she gets very excited about things and her sense of wonder." Screen time cuts into active time Not surprisingly, a recent study by the University of Strathclyde in Scotland notes that too much screen time is carving into much-needed outdoor time. Lead researcher John Reilly, of Strathclyde's School of Psychological Sciences and Health, said children develop socially and emotionally through play. The study showed that playing outdoors would increase academic performance as well as physical activity benefits that can't be discovered when sitting in front of a screen indoors. As a parent, sometimes it just takes a little creativity. Sinclair suggests ideas that fit well with the Scotland study take normal indoor activities to the backyard. Set up an art station or painting easel and let kids create what they see in nature. Toss a blanket in the yard and dump building blocks onto it for some active play under the sun. Older kids might enjoy setting up an obstacle course with all the forgotten toys in the garage. Pull out the jump ropes, hula-hoops, cones and more before inviting the neighborhood kids over for competitive races, Sinclair said. Parents can easily join in, too. "Communication and connection with our kids happens most naturally through playful experiences," she said. "And when we take a bit to get outside with them and let our own inner 8-year-old free for a while, we are all much better for it." An 'open play date' Worldwide, there are Hike It Baby branches in more than 250 cities, making it easy for those who travel to keep up with the hikes. It isn't uncommon for parents to venture to Gig Harbor, Poulsbo, Seattle and beyond for other chapter events. Interested hikers can check the website for the closest hike to their location. Some events are posted weeks before; others pop up less than 24 hours before the hike. Hike It Baby of Kitsap County also posts all its hikes on its Facebook page, making it easy for planning. Since the hikes are open to everybody Keberlein has even brought her 90-year-old childless neighbor there's always new people to meet. It doesn't get as burdensome for parents to schedule separate play dates as they might if the group didn't exist, said Keberlein. She added, "It's like an open play date." Fresh air, fresh friendships Since its inception in March 2015, Keberlein notes that lots of stay-at-home moms and military families come out for the hikes. A Navy wife herself, Keberlein believes the group is beneficial for those who have recently relocated. "You want to find those families to connect with. The kids develop really good friendships, too," she said. "We can't go anywhere without seeing other Hike It Baby families." Keberlein's husband has deployed three times since she's lived in the Pacific Northwest, so finding the group was a lifesaver for her, she said. Her husband worried depression would keep Keberlein and their child inside on rainy days. But rain puddles haven't been able to keep her indoors since she and Hannah joined Hike It Baby, she said. The friendships and exercise with her daughter are too valuable. "We consider ourselves a tribe," she said. "(We have) whatever you need to get you through the day." 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. Stuff reports: The Auditor General has found there was nothing unusual about the selection of Scenic Hotel Group as the operator of a Niue tourism resort at the centre of a political row over a six figure donation to National. Auditor General Lyn Provost said from the available information her office had found there was a standard procurement process with reasoned and documented analysis for the selection of Scenic Hotel Group to operate the resort, and for the subsequent investment of New Zealand international development assistance funds in expanding the resort. The contract was referred to Provost by Labour leader Andrew Little after he questioned the companys links to National. Scenic Hotel Group founder Earl Hagaman, and wife Lani, made a donation to the National Party during the 2014 election of $101,000. Scenic Hotel Group. A month later the company won a tender to manage the Matavai resort in Niue, which receives funding from the New Zealand Government. Little is now being sued for defamation by the Hagamans after refusing to apologise and retract a statement that the deal stunk to high heaven. The ABC reports: The Government is waging a personal campaign against Labor senator Sam Dastyari, raising a series of questions about his links to Beijing and pointing to a paper trail in his disclosure log which tracks a history of accepting Chinese money. Most Government critics have stopped short of accusing Senator Dastyari of breaking any rules or laws, but they are suggesting the senator has been influenced by the payments in his comments on China. Heres a brief summary of whats behind this political stoush. This month Senator Dastyari altered his declaration of interests to include confirmation that he had secured support for settlement of electorate staff travel budget overspend. The declaration says the payment was made by Top Education Institute, a company with links to China. The Government says this is not a political donation, but instead shows Senator Dastyari calling on the company to pay off a debt incurred by his office. In 2014, Senator Dastyari declared that Yuhu Group a subsidiary of a state-linked operation based in China helped settle a legal matter for him. In the declaration filed on November 20, Senator Dastyari wrote support for settlement of outstanding legal matter. It reportedly cost $40,000. In the same year, Senator Dastyari revealed the Australia China Relations Institute paid to cater an afternoon tea for him. Flights, accommodation and hospitality for a 15-day trip to China in 2014 were funded by the Australian Fellowship of China Guangdong Associations Incorporated. A nine-day trip in January this year was supported by the China Australian Guangdong Chamber of Commerce Incorporated. A Polish national was killed and five other people, including the pilot, were injured when a light aircraft they were flying in on a tour over Lake Naivasha crashed on Thursday, Reuters reported. The light airplane was flying across the lake, some 104 km (65 miles) northwest of the capital Nairobi, when the accident occurred at around midday. Civil aviation authority investigators were trying to establish the causes of the crash. Apart from the dead person, who was a woman, the other occupants were the Kenyan pilot and four passengers from Britain. Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept.8 By Orkhan Guluzade - Trend: Turkeys Boydak Holding can be put up for sale, the Sabah newspaper reported. Moreover, 41 companies of the holding can also be sold. Boydak Holding produces textiles and furniture. Reportedly, earlier, head of the Board of Directors of Boydak Holding Mustafa Boydak and other board members were arrested for rendering financial aid to the movement of Fethullah Gulen who is accused of being involved in 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 had said the death toll as a result of the military coup attempt stood at 246, 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: @o_quluzade Operations in Mosul and Raqqa are vitally important if Iraq and Syria are to be cleansed of Daesh, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Wednesday, Anadolu Agency reported Sept. 8. Following a meeting in London with the High Negotiations Committee, which represents Syrian opposition groups, Cavusoglu told Turkish media that firm plans had been laid out for a political transition in Syria. What is important is that these plans can be implemented, he said, adding that they required the support of all parties in the Syrian conflict. Cavusoglu said it was clearly not possible for opposition groups to support the continued leadership of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. To accept Assad means the continuation of conflict and chaos. That is why we cannot remain stuck upon one person and we must instead discuss Syrias future. The vision outlined by the opposition covers this entirely, he said. I think it is realistic, but countries that support Assad must see this too. In response to reports that Turkey was planning a joint operation with the United States against Daesh in Raqqa, the groups self-declared capital, Cavusoglu said it was important for the Syrian city to be liberated. If we want to cleanse Syria and Iraq of Daesh, it was important that we mount operations both in Mosul and in Raqqa. We have always said that if we do not support local forces on the ground, if there is no land operation, it will not be possible to eliminate or even stop Daesh exclusively from the air, he said. But the foreign minister said a ground operation could not be backed by Turkey alone and any operation against Raqqa must be carefully planned. It is not just us but other countries that must train and equip local forces, that must contribute and give direction, Cavusoglu said. He also praised U.K. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson for his role in hosting the Syrian High Negotiations Committee meeting. SHARE By Ed Marcum of the Knoxville News Sentinel Tennessee is beating the national average in terms of job growth and is one of the top 10 states in the nation as far as economic momentum, a pair of University of Tennessee economic experts told business leaders, educators and others at a luncheon Thursday. Bill Fox, director of the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research, and Matt Murray, director of the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy, presented an economic forecast for those gathered at the Knoxville Marriott for the inaugural luncheon, "Global and National Economic Outlook: Implications for Tennessee." Citing figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Murray said that from July 2015 to July 2016 Tennessee saw 2.4 percent job growth, with some metropolitan areas exceeding that number. Knoxville and Morristown tied for fourth in the state with 2.5 percent job growth, and Cleveland saw the most growth with 3.6 percent, followed by the Nashville metropolitan area with 3 percent. Tennessee now has about 150,000 more workers than it did 10 years ago, but Murray said neither the national nor state economies have yet recovered the number of jobs lost during the recession. "In fact, they have not been restored," he said. "But what has really surprised a lot of folks, including myself, is that we are continuing to see manufacturing growth at the national level, at the state level and here at the local level as well." However, as robotics and other trends allow manufacturers to operate with fewer workers, Murray said he does not believe Tennessee will totally recover the number of manufacturing jobs it lost during the recession. While Murray discussed state economic trends, Fox outlined trends that were having an impact both nationally and locally. In general, increases in people's incomes are slowing, he said. This is true even for the wealthy, he said. From 2000 to 20015, those in the top 1 percent in terms of income saw their incomes grow 2.3 percent compared to 4.5 percent during the previous 30 years, Fox said. "The growth in our ability to spend has not grown as fast over the last 30 or 40 years as it had up until that time," he said. Consumer spending is the primary driver of the economy, and lower income growth plus an aging population are shifting spending habits, causing people to spend more on things like health care, for example, Fox said. Still, the country is rebounding from the recession and Tennessee is one of the fastest growing among the states, he said. Strong job growth and lower gas prices are giving Tennesseans more money in their pockets and causing them to spend more aggressively, he said. While most of Tennessee is experiencing good job growth, rural areas are still struggling, Murray said. He complimented Gov. Bill Haslam's administration for seeking to locate more industries in rural parts of Tennessee. While trends such as an aging population, automation and others will present challenges to future growth, Fox and Murray both said they believe the economic outlook for Tennessee and the nation over the next year or so as about the same as the present. Photos by Elaine Marranzano/Special to the News Sentinel Alberto Marranzano strips the front door of layers of old paint. By Elaine Marranzano, Special to the News Sentinel As you may have learned from my column in August, we may have seven ghosts living here with us in our historic Knoxville house. After four months of renovation, I have decided the ghosts can stay, but the contractors have got to go. I have renovation fatigue. I am tired of the dust, the decisions, the delays and I'm tired of going outside to pee because the water is off yet again. When the work on our old plantation house began, our contractor asked: "Which one of you is the brave one? Most people would run from a project like this." I guess it's not me because after a few weeks, I did run. I got on a plane to Houston, then California, and then New York, hoping the work would be nearly done when I returned. Having lived through two renovations in New York, I should know better. For my mental health, it's helpful to review what's been done so far. Five dead or dying trees were cut and I hacked with a mattock at an enormous mass of vines that was choking everything around it. But a mattock is no match for wisteria. I expended a lot of energy swinging away before yielding to Kenny Rogers, (no kidding, that's his name), a man with a Bobcat. He hauled away five truckloads of roots which bounced merrily down the driveway. They'll just regenerate someplace else. At the end of time, cockroaches and wisteria may well be the only survivors. In New York we owned a quarter of an acre and a push mower. Here we own almost 12 acres, and a push mower just didn't cut it literally. We bought a riding mower, which quickly broke. We returned it. Next we tried a stand-behind mower with lots of knobs and levers too difficult to use. We returned it. I was beginning to feel like Goldilocks. Finally, we bought a four-wheel-drive tractor with a bush-hogger and a tiller. My husband was so excited he dug up the whole front yard to get rid of the remaining wisteria and possibly just because he could. Inside the house two bathrooms have been demolished and three new ones and two closets added. The master bedroom and more closets were reconfigured. Red velvet wallpaper: gone. Wainscoting and crown molding: added. Electric has been updated, the laundry room relocated, four nonworking fireplaces converted to gas, original windows restored and a new HVAC system installed. Once my husband discovered that the stair railings, blasters and spindles were solid walnut, he couldn't bear to paint them. He is refinishing those by hand. Outside the house, a lap pool, patio and landscaping are almost finished. It's worth noting that our home's listing on the National Register of Historic Places has not hampered or altered our plans in anyway. Listing on the National Register simply protects the homeowner from the federal government should it wish to build a highway through your living room. It may also qualify us for an exterior preservation grant. When we sell our property the new owner could tear the house down and build an igloo if they wanted to. Of course it would lose the protection of the National Register, so it might be an igloo with a highway running through it. If we were part of a local historic district, we would have to abide by Knox County or city land-use controls to preserve the character of our house. We are doing that anyway, but let's suppose we had other ideas. "The local restrictions apply only to what you do to the exterior of the building," said Kaye Graybeal, historic preservation planner with the Knoxville/Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission. "You can do whatever you want to the inside." Graybeal advises buyers in historic neighborhoods to check with her first to find out what the guidelines are. In Sleepy Hollow, New York, where we lived most recently, we had to get permission to even cut down a tree in our yard. So regulation doesn't bother us. But not everyone is a fan. In Knoxville, for example, you generally can't put an addition on the front of a house in a historic neighborhood and the use of vinyl siding and windows is prohibited. But historic designation does give a neighborhood or individual property a cache that sets it apart from ordinary properties. Think of Charleston, Savannah or the gaslight district of San Diego. Property values are protected and perhaps enhanced because your neighbor can't tear down his house and build something hideous and out of character in its place. Right now Graybeal is working with a couple who want to build an Arts and Crafts style bungalow in a historic district of Queen Anne Victorians. "We are looking for a way to say yes," said Graybeal. "The guidelines are subject to interpretation." There is money in historic preservation, and we know it. We'll get back every dollar we invest in this house and then some. But that's not why we are doing it. This is our dream to take an old house and make it beautiful again. So the next time I spend two hours cleaning up plaster dust I'll just have to remind myself: I am living the dream. Lucky me. Elaine Marrazano is a freelance writer and new resident of Knoxville documenting the restoration of her historic home in a monthly series of stories. SHARE By Jamie Satterfield of the Knoxville News Sentinel The teacher targeted her from the moment she walked into geometry class at Union County High School and, for months, subjected her to sexually suggestive comments and fondling. Fellow students complained. So did other educators. But school officials turned a blind eye, according to a $4 million lawsuit filed this week in U.S. District Court. Attorneys Deno Cole and Sherif Guindi filed the civil-rights lawsuit on behalf of the teenage girl's mother against teacher Ray Lincoln Head II, Union County, Union County Schools and high school administrators Linda Harrell and Carmen Murphy. The News Sentinel is not identifying the mother to protect the girl's identity. Head is now charged in Union County Criminal Court with three counts of sexual battery of the girl. But the lawsuit alleges it was the girl's mother not school officials who contacted law enforcement. The lawsuit accuses the school system of failing to protect the girl, of failing to properly notify the state Department of Children's Services and law enforcement and of ignoring repeated complaints by students and teachers about Head's alleged victimization. A representative for Union County Schools was not immediately available for comment Thursday. The girl enrolled in the high school in Maynardville last school year. On the first day of Head's geometry class, the lawsuit alleges Head "singled out" the girl and "required her to sit at the front of the class in his classroom." Within days, the lawsuit contends, Head began fondling the girl in class, "stroking her shoulders, neck and hair," calling her "beautiful and smart" and "intentionally" touching her body parts. In one instance, Head rubbed against the girl while pressing her against a dry-erase board at the front of the class, the lawsuit stated. Harrell was principal at the time. Murphy was vice principal. Fellow students first went to another teacher at the school who, in turn, reported the allegations to Harrell and Murphy. Students were interviewed, but the lawsuit alleges neither administrator did anything about the complaints. "Defendant Head continued to touch (the girl) in sexually provocative ways, continued to make provocative comments to (her) and openly stared at her (body parts) through her clothing," the lawsuit stated. In another encounter, Head told the girl "he could not walk straight" because she sexually aroused him and tried to isolate her in an empty classroom to take a test, according to the lawsuit. Three months after the alleged abuse began, the girl's fellow students told a substitute teacher filling in for Head. The lawsuit stated the substitute went to Harrell, who later asked the girl "if she wanted to file a criminal complaint or just 'let it die.' " "(The girl) nervously and immaturely acquiesced to letting it die, and Harrell did not report the sexual abuse to law enforcement or the Tennessee Department of Children's Services," the lawsuit stated. Harrell contacted the girl's mother a few days later. The mother sought a criminal investigation. Head is scheduled to appear in Union County Criminal Court Oct. 17 on the criminal charges. The lawsuit says the girl, a "straight-A student," is now grappling with depression, ran away from home and tried to commit suicide as a result of her alleged abuse. Ginny Wheatley SHARE By News Sentinel Staff MORRISTOWN A Hamblen County woman was arrested Tuesday after authorities say she was caught with marijuana, a gun, more than $2,000 in cash and a bottle of prescription pills hidden in her bra. After narcotics officers with the Hamblen County Sheriff's Office pulled over a Toyota Celica for driving left of the centerline on Old Kentucky Road, they asked the "extremely nervous" passenger, Ginny Wheatley, if she had anything illegal, according to a news release. Wheatley then surrendered 2.4 grams of marijuana, and a search of her belongings revealed a loaded gun in her purse and $2,073 in suspected drug proceeds, according to the release. When Wheatley learned she was going to jail, she pulled out a container from her bra that contained oxymorphone, alprazolam and morphine pills for which she had no prescription, the release states. Wheatley faces charges of possession of Schedule II and Schedule IV drugs for resale, possession of Schedule II and VI drugs, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the release. The driver of the car, Jimmy Gibbs Jr., was cited on charges of driving left of center and possession of drug paraphernalia. Wheatley is being held in the Hamblen County jail on a $150,000 bond. More details as they develop online and in Friday's News Sentinel. SHARE The Tomato Head, in partnership with the Second Harvest Food Bank's "Food for Kids" program, will host a bake sale Friday through Sunday at both its locations in Market Square and The Gallery Shopping Center. The event is part of Second Harvest's Hunger Action Month for September. The weekend-long event encourages Tomato Head customers to donate non-perishable, kid-friendly food items to the Second Harvest donation box for 10 percent off any bake sale purchase. Some items for sale include special grab-'n-go packs featuring fall cookies, decadent brownies and cinnamon rolls. Second Harvest recommends donating foods such as pudding cups, applesauce, fruit cups and healthy snack packs, which are easy for children to consume. "This is the first year holding the bake sale after working with Second Harvest for over 14 years," said Mahasti Vafaie, Tomato Head owner. "We came up with the idea by brainstorming a fun way to get the restaurant and schools to work together, and a bake sale seemed like the logical idea." Additionally, throughout September, 25 percent of proceeds from a special Second Harvest-themed orange cookie will also be donated to the "Food for Kids" initiative. The "Food for Kids" program is a collaborative effort between Second Harvest and the increasing number of public schools within the food bank's 18-county service area. The program is designed to provide less fortunate children in the community children who may regularly miss meals with access to healthy, easily-prepared food. The initiative supplies backpacks filled with kid-friendly food to elementary-aged children to take home over the weekend. Across East Tennessee, 252 schools are participating in the Food for Kids program. For more information, visit www.secondharvestetn.org. SHARE John Herbst By John Shearer of the Knoxville News Sentinel Both President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump have flawed policies toward America's role in Europe, the former ambassador to Ukraine and Uzbekistan said Thursday in Knoxville. "There are certain similarities between Obama and Trump in not recognizing the need for strong American leadership in Europe to stop Russian revisioning," John Herbst said. "Trump is worse. Obama has not been undermining NATO." In an interview before delivering the Ashe Lecture on national security policy at the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy at the University of Tennessee, Herbst called Trump's proposed policies irresponsible. "If Estonia, Lithuania or Latvia were attacked by Russia, he doesn't know if he would support them," he said. "That undermines the whole power of NATO." The retired ambassador, who currently serves as director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center in Washington, served under presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Herbst said the past 15 years of American foreign policy have been flawed with bad decisions. The younger Bush made a mistake in invading Iraq and in orchestrating how Afghanistan's government was set up after driving the Taliban out, he said. "We should have sought much smaller roles for ourselves, designed to encourage local leaders to serve in traditional ways, and used our resources (to go) after extreme Islamic terrorism," he said. After Obama was elected, he made the mistake of ousting Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and allowing a more chaotic political situation to develop there, the speaker said. President Obama learned his lesson by deciding to not go into Syria, Herbst said, but he added that Obama failed to handle Russia's aggression in Ukraine appropriately. "We moved from a policy of overthrowing to a policy of insufficient leadership," he said. The speaker has not publicly supported Trump or Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton for president, although he did sign a letter criticizing Trump's proposed European policy. Herbst said the best foreign policy president in recent years was George H.W. Bush. "He understood that power has to be used, but prudently," he said. Herbst said his years developing relationships and trying to achieve American interests as ambassador were rewarding. His time in Uzbekistan and Ukraine were safe, he said, despite his time in Ukraine during the Orange Revolution a series of protests in response to claims of political corruption in the country's 2004 presidential election. However, due to his experience serving as the U.S. consul general in Jerusalem in the volatile Middle East, he said he feels for the situation that occurred in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012. During that incident, terrorists killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three others. "That area wasn't secure," Herbst said. Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 8 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Turkey cant launch a military operation in Syrias Raqqa on its own, Anadolu Agency quoted Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu as saying Sept. 8. From the very beginning, Ankara has stated that it is impossible to eliminate terrorists only by air strikes, without a ground support, added the foreign minister. Cavusoglu pointed out that Raqqa is the main stronghold of the Islamic State (IS, aka ISIS, ISIL or Daesh) terrorist group in Syria. As long as that city is not clean from the IS, the terrorist organization will continue to exist both in Syria and Iraq, he added. Earlier, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey can expand the scope of military operations in Syria and Iraq. He pointed out that a new military operation can start in Raqqa, which is the capital of IS militants. Erdogan said it is not ruled out that Turkish armed forces can take part in the operation for liberating Iraqs Mosul. He said Turkey has intelligence reports that the militants, who plan to exterminate the Turkomans living in Iraqs north, have concentrated in northern Mosul and Iraqi city of Tal Afar, adding that this is inadmissible for Turkey. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at a rally the University of Cincinnati Dieterle Vocal Arts Center in Cincinnati on July 18, 2016. (ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO) Donald Trump likes to call his opponent, Hillary Clinton, Crooked Hillary. Theres even a #CrookedHillary hashtag on Twitter. Meanwhile, Hillary seems to be doing her best to make that nickname stick. The latest example came in a Labor Day Weekend document dump by the FBI. (Federal agencies dump embarrassing material in public on Friday afternoons when they want to ensure it gets as little attention as possible. That goes double for the Friday before a long-weekend holiday.) But the non-redacted parts of the Bureaus heavily-redacted report were bad enough that theyll still get some traction. When FBI Director James Comey declined to prosecute the former Secretary of State for mishandling classified information, he said that although she was extremely careless, there was no criminal intent. That was a bit iffy, since the statute governing mishandling of classified information doesnt require intent. But the new information indicates that Hillary is either criminal, or criminally incompetent. Or maybe both. As John Schindler wrote on Friday: Considering that Hillary has been accused of mishandling classified information on an almost industrial scale, what shines through is that Clinton is utterly clueless about classification matters, betraying an ignorance that is shocking when encountered in a former top official of our government and one who wants to be our next commander-in-chief. . . . When asked, Clinton could not give an example of how classification of a document was determined, the FBI recorded. Hillary could not explain what the (C) for Confidential classification marking at the beginning of a paragraph was. She thought it perhaps had something to do with alphabetical order. This tragicomedy continued with the FBI pressing Hillary on specific examples of classified information that wound up in her Unclassified emails. She explained her position concisely. As the FBI noted, Clinton stated that she did not pay attention to the level of classified information. She also lost a laptop and multiple Blackberries and other mobile devices that she used to access classified material. Clinton had 13 mobile devices that she potentially used to access emails on her private clintonemail.com server based out of her Chappaqua, New York home. At least eight of these mobile devices were used while she was secretary of state, but Clintons lawyers were unable to find any of them. Clinton aides told FBI investigators the former diplomat went through phones often, and the whereabout of her old phones would become unknown once she switched to a new device. Conveniently enough, the FBI was unable to subject these lost devices some were actually destroyed with a hammer by an aide to forensic analysis. In addition, there were "mass deletions" of emails just after news reports of her secret private server became public, and after she received a subpoena, and order not to destroy any records, from the House committee investigating the Benghazi affair. Hillary also claimed a lot of memory problems, leaving blogger Tamara Keel to write: I have an Ivy League lawyer, wife of a former governor and president, who lived in the White House for eight damned years, then went on to be a senator and Secretary of State telling me she didn't know about classified email and that work-related documents needed to be saved as part of the public record? Look, I don't mind you bullshitting me a little bit, Hillary, but don't you ever lie to me like I'm Montel Williams. You dont have to be an Ivy League lawyer to recognize a coverup when you see one. This goes far beyond anything Richard Nixon did after Watergate. If the coverup is this big, whats being covered up must be pretty bad, bad enough that theyre willing to blow lots of smoke rather than let us see the fire... This is where we are on Labor Day weekend, 2016. Glenn Harlan Reynolds, a University of Tennessee law professor and the author of The New School: How the Information Age Will Save American Education from Itself, is a member of USA TODAY's Board of Contributors. SHARE The people of Tennessee should know the donors and the amount of their donations to the $40 million fundraising campaign for the Tennessee State Museum. Gov. Bill Haslam, who is leading the fundraising effort, has said through a spokeswoman that the names of donors, but not the amount they are giving, will be made public. Former Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe, who serves on the museum's oversight board, was correct if a tad caustic in characterizing the governor's position as "a half-baked disclosure" likened to "being a little bit pregnant." Ashe also serves on the board of the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government, a group that advocates for government transparency that counts the News Sentinel among its members. The Tennessee State Museum Foundation is conducting the fundraising campaign for the construction of a 137,000-square-foot museum on the Bicentennial Mall in Nashville. The foundation is a nonprofit established to support the museum's programs. The Legislature authorized $120 million of the project's funding, with the foundation providing the balance of the$160 million needed. Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery III has issued an opinion that the foundation's records do not fall under the state's Public Records Act. The courts have ruled that for-profit and nonprofit organizations that operate as a functional equivalent of a government agency must open their records for public inspection. Slatery determined the foundation does not meet that requirement, even though its only purpose is to provide funding for the activities of the state's history museum a role otherwise played by the General Assembly. An attorney general's opinion is not legally binding, but serves as a guide for lawmakers and bureaucrats in carrying out their duties. Despite Slatery's position, the foundation should offer full disclosure of the funding as a matter of policy. Haslam spokeswoman Jennifer Donnals said Friday that the governor anticipates disclosing "later this fall" a preliminary report on the amount raised, coupled with disclosure of names of donors at that point. "He also expects when the campaign is over that the names will be released along with an amount range," Donnals said. In disclosing "an amount range," donors would be categorized in groups according to the size of their contributions. The attorney general's opinion was requested by state Rep. Steve McDaniel, R-Parkers Crossroads, who is also a member of the commission board. The veteran legislator said that, in his own opinion, disclosure of donor information should be at the option of the donor. That would be fine if the museum in question was not a public facility established by the General Assembly. The museum is owned by the people of Tennessee, and the people of Tennessee have a right to know the particulars of its operations including fundraising. Haslam and the foundation have an obligation to the public for full disclosure of the funds dedicated to the museum. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed in a phone call on Thursday to continue coordination of efforts aimed at resolving the Syrian crisis, the Kremlin said, Sputnik reported. "The presidents focused on the situation in Syria. They agreed to continue active contacts at various levels aimed at coordination of efforts to facilitate the settlement of the Syrian conflict," the Kremlin press service said in a statement. Putin and Erdogan also discussed issues of bilateral relations, the statement said. Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Mong-koo, center, shakes hands with Nuevo Leon State Governor Jaime Rodriguez Calderon during a ceremony celebrating the completion of Kia Motors new factory in Pesqueria, Nuevo Leon, northern Mexico, Thursday. / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor By Jhoo Dong-chan Kia Motors officially completed construction of its new factory in Mexico, Thursday, to expand its presence in the North American car market. Korea's second-largest carmaker held a completion ceremony at the plant in Pesqueria, Nuevo Leon, participated in by 500 officials, including Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Mong-koo, Mexico's Economic Secretary Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal and Nuevo Leon State Governor Jaime Rodriguez Calderon. "The new plant here in Mexico represents the next step in Kia Motors' ambition to become one of the world's leading carmakers," Chung said during the ceremony. "The innovative design and world-class quality of cars produced at the Kia Motors Mexico plant will be embraced by our valued customers not only here in Mexico but also in the Americas." Construction of the plant with an annual production capacity of 400,000 cars began in October 2014, and will boost Kia's global manufacturing capacity to 3.56 million vehicles. Kia Motors and its suppliers invested a total of $3 billion to build the carmaker's sixth foreign production base, and the plant went into partial operation in May assembling the K3 sedan, known as the Kia Forte in overseas markets. The plant is also expected to start producing the new fourth-generation Rio compact sedan by the beginning of 2017. An official said that the Mexican manufacturing plant will be Kia Motors' pivot to the Mexican and Latin American car markets. "A total of 1.35 million cars were sold in Mexico last year, the second-largest car market in Latin America, and the market volume is expected to reach 1.75 million by 2020," he said. "Due to its 20 percent tariffs imposed on import cars, however, Kia Motors has faced many sales difficulties in Mexico, but now we are ready to go." Kia Motors is aiming for a 5 percent market share in Mexico by 2020, while 80 percent of the facility's production is destined for numerous other countries in the region, including the United States and throughout Latin America where demand for Kia Motors' cars is expected to increase. Also, Kia Motors' new facility in Nuevo Leon will contribute greatly to the local economy by hiring a significant number of new employees. By the end of 2017, approximately 14,000 workers are expected to be employed at the factory and its suppliers. An official added that the new production facility will also invest approximately $1 million annually in corporate social responsibility initiatives for the region. These activities will include the donation of vehicles to public security organizations, support for low-income households and the creation of education facilities and scholarships. By Nam Hyun-woo The case of fallen investment advisor Lee Hee-jin, who had created the myth of being a self-made millionaire investment genius, showcases how one man can enjoy unfair profits by allegedly exploiting the blind spots in the financial authorities' watch. On late Wednesday, prosecutors took the 30-year-old into custody under charges of fraud and violating several financial acts. Prosecutors allege Lee had sold cheap over-the-counter stocks at inflated prices to the clients of his quasi-investment advisory company, earning 20 billion ($18.3 million) won. On the same day, the Securities and Futures Commission imposed a 30 million won fine on Mirae Investment Partners, a company run by Lee's brother, for selling stocks worth 1.65 billion won without filing relevant documents. The prosecutors also sought a detention warrant for the younger Lee, in the belief that the 28-year-old was involved in his elder brother's alleged illegalities and helped him to dodge the investigation. Among individual investors here, Lee's presence has been mythical. He used social media to show off his wealth, which he claimed reached up to 100 billion won. His social media accounts were full of photos of a massive villa with a private pool, super cars including a Bugatti and Lamborghini and other luxury goods with explanations that he started from nothing to build his wealth. Also, Lee made occasional TV appearances as an investment expert between 2011 and last month. With the image of a self-made investment genius, he set up the company and easily drew in investors who said they "wanted to follow in Lee's footsteps." In doing so, Lee was off the financial watchdog's scope, because the company, Miracle Investment, was not an actual investment advisory company. According to the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), the government has allowed the establishment of quasi-investment advisory companies since 1997. Unlike investment advisory or trust companies, those quasi-companies do not require authorization processes, meaning they can operate immediately after filing relevant documents. Also, unlike registered companies, those quasi-advisors are not subject to FSS supervision. Instead, they are banned from one-on-one counseling and discretionary investment management. They are only allowed to operate through publications, TV appearances or the internet where they target many unspecified people. FSS data shows that the number of quasi-investment advisory companies has been growing from 422 in 2010 to 1,075 as of last month. "Before the system of quasi-investment advisory companies was introduced, there were underground private investment advisors," said an FSS official. "To legalize them, the concept of quasi-investment advisors was introduced so that the government can at least collect statistics on the number of such companies." Another blind spot that Lee exploited was over-the-counter stocks, whose trade volume is gradually surging. According to the K-OTC, an over-the-counter stock market run by the Korea Financial Investment Association, the volume of its daily trading rose to 891.77 million won in August from 35.73 million won 10 years ago. Though the exact volume of overall over-the-counter trades is unavailable, it is assumed to be ten times higher than that of KOSPI and other tracked markets. The problem is the over-the-counter markets are off the financial authorities' radar unlike the KOSPI or KOSDAQ so that further cases like Lee's may occur down the road. According to the prosecution, around 40 people have filed suits against Lee, but the number of complainants will likely grow as Lee said that around 1,000 were involved in his stock trading. The wide view is that the victims should have been more prudent in trusting Lee, but there are growing calls for the government to enhance its control of quasi-investment advisors and over-the-counter stock trading. Lawmakers struggle to probe shipbuilding debacle By Nam Hyun-woo An Assembly hearing on the decision-makers behind corporate restructuring in the shipbuilding and shipping industries took place on Thursday, but without the presence of key witnesses. Strategy and Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho, Financial Services Commission (FSC) Chairman Yim Jong-yong, Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) CEO Jung Sung-leep and other related figures were present at the National Assembly for the hearing. However, Hong Kyttack, the former Korea Development Bank (KDB) chairman who was asked to appear at the hearing, did not comply with the summons. Before the hearing, opposition lawmakers picked three figures as responsible for the debacles in those sectors. They are Hong, former strategy and finance minister Choi Kyoung-hwan and senior presidential secretary for economic affairs Ahn Jong-beom. Though the ruling Saenuri Party opposed the summons of Choi and Ahn, there was cross-party consensus to call up Hong because of his controversial remark that the government had forced KDB to inject 4.2 trillion won in DSME and the bank was sidelined in that decision during a "pan-government secret meeting" last October. Hong finished his KDB term and moved to Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) but took a leave of absence in July. His whereabouts were not known on Thursday and the lawmakers only reaffirmed the difficulty of forcing him to testify at the hearing. Opposition lawmakers lambasted the hearing saying it had lost its purpose as the three figures were absent. "This hearing bears extraordinary significance because it is about seeking ways to rescue the industries," said Rep. Park Kwang-on of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK). "With the absences of Choi and Ahn, this hearing has lost its opportunity to save the industries." During the hearing, lawmakers questioned the lawfulness of the meeting and the appropriateness of injecting taxpayers' money into DSME. Minister Yoo stressed the meeting "was to coordinate different opinions between different institutions, not to make a decision." FSC Chairman Yim also said that Hong's claim is "totally untrue" and the decision to inject the money into DSME was "appropriate," despite doubts that the government did so despite eing aware of DSME's alleged accounting fraud. Lawmakers, however, couldn't make further arguments in Hong's absence and the government refused to submit the minutes of the meeting. Rep. Min Byung-doo of the MPK said, "Unless there are relevant documents submitted, this hearing will be nothing more than recognizing the government's claims." Yoo said, "The government will consider writing minutes in similar meetings down the road and opening them later on. However, our view is clear that immediate opening is impossible." Former minister Choi's absence was also criticized. Rep. Sim Sang-jeung of the minor opposition Justice Party said: "His absence is disappointing. Instead of standing here, he used social media to claim the corporate restructuring is struggling because of this hearing." "The authorities should be allowed to work with their own confidence and not be blamed indiscreetly," Choi, who is now a Saenuri lawmaker, wrote on a social media account. "I believe the government has the capability of solving current problems, but the problem is political and social environments hampering its ability." To the question that the government was helpless in containing the fallout of Hanjin Shipping's filing for court receivership, Yim said the shipper did not provide any information on cargo and their owners, although the government tried to help the ailing company. "If the company provided information, the government could cooperate with Hyundai Merchant Marine to come up with measures on the current shipping chaos." In its report for the hearing, the FSC said that the three shipbuilders will downsize their facilities by 20 percent and employees by 30 percent until 2018 to cope with the current oversupply. Four Kazakhs were booked for allegedly stealing a secondhand air-conditioner and an outdoor unit from a junk shop in Gwangju in August. / Courtesy of Twitter By Lee Jin-a Police have booked two Kazakh couples who allegedly stole an air-conditioner from a Gwangju junk shop because they could not stand Korea's scorching heat. According to Gwangju Gwangsan police, Thursday, the four allegedly stole the secondhand air-conditioner and an outdoor unit from the front of the shop. The items were worth about 500,000 won ($456). The four, who lived together on the second floor of a house, committed the crime on Aug. 21 because they could not endure the heat, police said. But when police searched the house, the air-conditioner had not been installed. "The Kazakhs said they could not install the air-conditioner in their house because the installation fee -- around 150,000 to 200,000 won -- was too expensive for them," police said. "They have sent most of their income to the rest of their families in their home country." The four came to Korea between March and August on working visas. Hong Joon-pyo By Kim Rahn South Gyeongsang Provincial Governor Hong Joon-pyo was sentenced to 18 months in prison, Thursday, for accepting kickbacks from a businessman. However, the Seoul Central District Court did not put order him jailed immediately, allowing him to remain free until the appeals process is completed. The court found Hong guilty of bribery, noting that he received 100 million won ($91,000) from the late former Keangnam Enterprises Chairman Sung Woan-jong through an aide to the latter in his office at the National Assembly in June 2011 while he was running in the election to select the head of the ruling Saenuri Party. The court also ordered Hong to forfeit the 100 million won. "The late Chairman Sung's remarks, which he had made before committing suicide, matched testimony from other figures involved and were considered reliable," the court said. "Hong has been a lawmaker for a long time, taking key positions in the ruling party, and is an incumbent head of a municipality; so his behavior has great influence on the public. However, he took illegal political funds from Sung and this damaged the public's trust." The court said that Hong had not reflected on his wrongdoing but claimed that Sung's aide lied or spent the money himself without delivering it to him. After the ruling, Hong said he would appeal immediately. "I never expected this," he said. "The court accepted groundless claims and found me guilty. I feel like I'm being mugged." The court sentenced gave the aide a six-month jail term suspended for one year for his involvement in delivering of illegal political funds. Sung, who had been under investigation over the failed "energy diplomacy" of the previous Lee Myung-bak administration, committed suicide in April last year. In an interview with local media and a note he left right before he killed himself, he claimed that he gave bribes to eight politicians, including Hong, then Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo and some close aides to President Park Geun-hye. The prosecution acknowledged only the charges against Hong and Lee and indicted them. In January, Lee was sentenced to eight months in prison suspended for two years, which he appealed. Police are investigating the CEO of a Chinese company's Korean offshoot for allegedly sexually assaulting two Korean stewardesses in their 20s on his personal jet. / Yonhap By Lee Han-soo Police are investigating the CEO of a Chinese company's Korean offshoot for allegedly sexually assaulting two Korean stewardesses in their 20s on his personal jet. According to Seoul Gangnam police on Thursday, the Chinese CEO allegedly assaulted the stewardesses separately on the jet in February and March. The man had hired the women to work as stewardesses and his personal secretary. Police suspect sexual assaults also happened in other locations, including hotels. Rep. Choo Mi-ae By Kim Hyo-jin Main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK) Chairwoman Choo Mi-ae cancelled a planned visit to former President Chun Doo-hwan following protests from senior party members, Thursday. Earlier in the day, Choo said she would visit Chun, in an apparent bid to show a reconciliatory gesture to the conservative camp and to expand the party's support base in the lead-up to next year's presidential election. But the plan faced strong criticism from party lawmakers who view a meeting with the controversial military strongman as inappropriate. "Choo sought to meet Chun in a bid to promote national unity; however, respecting Supreme Council members' opposition, she cancelled the plan," Rep. Youn Kwan-suk, an MPK spokesman, told reporters after the party's decision-making body meeting. Chun, who was in power from 1980 to 1988, remains a controversial political leader for the liberal opposition bloc because he was involved in the bloody crackdown of the May 18 Democracy Movement in 1980. Tens of thousands of citizens protested in Gwangju against the military junta led by Chun after he seized power following a coup in December 1979. Ten-day protests left about 200 people dead, according to the government, although some put the figure higher. In 1996, Chun was sentenced to death for his part in the suppression of the uprising, but was pardoned by the liberal Kim Dae-jung administration in 1997. All Supreme Council members and most lawmakers were unhappy with Choo's plan, party officials said. Lee Kai-ho, a lawmaker whose constituency is in South Jeolla Province, criticized Choo's plan, saying, "If she considers public sentiment in the Jeolla region, she shouldn't visit the main culprit of the massacre." By Kang Seung-woo VIENTIANE, Laos President Park Geun-hye refrained from mentioning a statue symbolizing Japan's wartime sexual slavery during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Wednesday. However, Japan's demand for the removal of the statue, located across the street from the Japanese Embassy will remain a sticking point, according to analysts. They say disagreements over the comfort woman statue will be the main impediment to improving ties between the two countries. During a summit, held in the Laotian capital Vientiane on the sidelines of ASEAN-related forums, Abe asked Park to remove the statue as part of a deal reached last December between the two governments to address Korean victims of wartime sexual enslavement, according to Japanese media reports. Japan claims the statue was included in the deal, which is denied by South Korea. Under the agreement, a foundation dedicated to compensating the Korean victims was launched in late July funded by 1 billion yen (10.7 billion won) from the Japanese government. In response, Japan has increased its calls for the removal of the statue in return for the financial contribution. Elements within Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party reportedly pushed for the statue's removal to be made a condition for Japan's transfer of the funds, according to The Japan Times. The full amount was transferred on Aug. 31. In response to Abe's request, Park stressed the importance of faithfully implementing the deal to develop a future-oriented bilateral relationship without mentioning the statue, Cheong Wa Dae said. Abe's request came as Seoul-Tokyo relations have shown signs of a thaw following the deal, but it may cast a cloud over the ties that have again been frayed by historical and territorial issues. In addition, popular negative sentiment on the issue among Koreans also leaves little room for the Korean government to step up efforts for better ties with Japan. By Ko Dong-hwan An argument at a convenience store over a cup of ramen has produced a steamy facial burn and a probe by prosecutors. On Tuesday morning, a man surnamed Jung, 45, visited the store in Seoul's Jung-gu district. A male clerk, 34, was behind the counter. Security camera footage shows the customer trying to heat the food in a microwave oven. He does not know how to operate the machine and asks the clerk. But the conversation between the two develops into a verbal stoush. The customer becomes upset because of the clerk's language, saying it was disrespectful. A convenience store customer, left, throws a cup ramen at a clerk after an argument arose out of the latter's "disrespectful language." / Screen capture from YouTube The video then shows the customer taking the cup from the oven and throwing it at the clerk, who tries to avoid the ramen splattering his face. The clerk suffered a second-degree facial burn, police said. "Apparently the criminal inquired of the clerk how to use the oven but the clerk didn't answer him," Seoul Namdaemun police told YTN. "They then began to argue. The man got ticked off and threw the cup." Police booked Jung and will send the case to prosecutors. By Lee Kyung-min A comprehensive shopping, tourism and cultural events package for foreign tourists will be offered nationwide next month, the Visit Korea Committee said Thursday. The Korea Grand Sale is part of the Korea Sale Festa, which also includes Hot Sale Week aimed at both locals and foreigners, and the K-Culture Fair. During the period, tourists can enjoy discounts on shopping, food, transportation, lodging, cultural performances and tourist attractions. Various events under different themes will be offered each week including "must-buy week" (Oct. 1 to 9), "must-see-week" (Oct. 10 to 16), "must-do week" (Oct. 17 to 23) and "must-eat week" (Oct. 24 to 31). Local cosmetics brand Innisfree will offer a 20 percent discount on payments made with foreign credit cards. Asiana Airlines will offer buy-one-get-one-free tickets for 24 routes between Korea and China, and 10 routes between Korea and Japan. Those who buy at least two tickets are eligible for the special offer. The carrier will also offer up to 60 percent discounts to those flying to and from Southeast Asian and European countries. Major shopping spots including I'Park Mall in Yongsan, Seoul, and some Shinsegae Department Stores will provide discounts up to 50 percent. Lotte Duty Free shops nationwide will offer various discount benefits in proportion to the amount purchased. New recruits attend a training session at PT Tokopedia's offices in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo : Getty Images) Alibaba founder and CEO Jack Ma has been asked by the Indonesian government to become its adviser as the Southeast Asian country develops its emerging e-commerce industry, as shown in a video released by the Indonesia's State Secretariat. An article published by Fortune said that an Alibaba spokeswoman has confirmed the offer to Ma, but did not say if the Chinese tycoon accepted the offer. Advertisement As the world's fourth-largest population, Indonesia's active e-commerce market and Internet-savvy young people have attracted global investors. Alibaba had acquired a major stake in Southeast Asian online retailer Lazada Group for around $1 billion earlier this year, while Indonesian ride-hailing startup Go-Jek received more than $550 million from a group of investors led by private equity firms KKR & Co and Warburg Pincus. The country's Communication and Information Minister Rudiantara said that the government is further promoting the growth of its e-commerce industry by setting up a steering committee, comprised of 10 ministers, in which Jack Ma has been asked to become the adviser. "The thinking behind this is to make Indonesia's positioning in the international marketplace more prominent," Rudiantara said in a video released by the state secretariat. Rudiantara, is a member of President Joko Widodo's delegation, who attended the recent G20 summit in Hangzhou during the weekend. As Alibaba may be obviously interested in the Indonesian e-commerce market, it would not be a surprise if Jack Ma accepts the offer as being a government advisor would allow him to have a direct influence on the country's e-commerce policy, an article by techinasia.com said. However, it is not clear what role the Alibaba CEO would play, if he accepts the offer. According to the article, Ma has to consider how China would react if he decides to help Indonesia. Some Chinese citizens made angry comments on the news story about the offer to Jack Ma, citing various grievances that included the 1998 riots in Indonesia against ethnic Chinese and the current dispute at the South China Sea. Some people however suggested that Ma should take the offer while others said he should simply ignore or reject the request. Representatives from 33 countries attend the opening ceremony of the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) held at the Westin Chosun Hotel in central Seoul, Thursday. / Yonhap By Jun Ji-hye Hwang In-moo Vice defense minister Countries that have traditionally maintained ties with North Korea are now turning their backs on the reclusive country, Vice Defense Minister Hwang In-moo said Thursday. One indication is the presence of Uganda and Ethiopia in a defense forum being held in Seoul. The participation of four central European countries the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia will also make the North uncomfortable, Hwang said in an interview with The Korea Times on the sidelines of the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD). The SDD kicked off Wednesday for a three-day run with representatives from 33 nations, including the United States, Japan and Russia, and five international bodies, including the United Nations, the European Union and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. "Uganda and Ethiopia have maintained friendly relationships with the North until recently. Plus, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia are countries that achieved the transition from communism to democracy," Hwang said. "Their participation in the SDD reflects deepening isolation of the North." Hwang said their participation in the discussion on ways of making the North abandon its nuclear and missile capability as well as their planned signing of a joint declaration on the last day of the forum is expected to put a lot of pressure on the repressive state. The six countries have sent representatives to the forum for the first time, reflecting Seoul's growing diplomatic ties with them, the vice minister noted. Hwang said that Uganda in particular has covertly cooperated with the North militarily. "Through Uganda's participation, the global communist is able to show its collective will and send a consistent message to the North," he said. By Kang Seung-woo VIENTIANE, Laos The East Asia Summit (EAS) adopted a statement urging North Korea to give up its nuclear and missile programs, Thursday, as President Park Geun-hye called for international unity against the threats from Pyongyang. This marks the first time the regional strategy forum has adopted a single-issue statement other than the chairman's statement. The EAS is comprised of 18 countries including the United State, Japan, China and the 10 members of ASEAN. "We urge North Korea to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner, and uphold its international legal obligations," said the statement after the meeting in the Laotian capital of Vientiane, calling for the full implementation of all relevant United Nations (U.N.) resolutions amid growing provocations from Pyongyang. It also called for the continuation of joint efforts to resume the suspended six-party talks shortly to make substantial progress in the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner. The statement was adopted while the Kim Jong-un regime has ratcheted up tension in the region with a series of ballistic missile tests despite international warnings. The latest provocation came Monday as global leaders gathered at the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China. "The adoption carries a great significance in that EAS leaders showed a strong determination against North Korea's repeated nuclear threat," President Park said during the meeting. "Since its fourth nuclear test earlier this year, the North has fired a total of 22 ballistic missiles on 14 occasions, compared with 16 missiles launched during the 18-year reign of his father, Kim Jong-il. The North's provocations are an existential threat to our lives." Park also called for international unity to send a clear and united message that the global community will not tolerate the North's nuclear development and provocations before it is too late. "Should we not recognize the seriousness and urgency of its nuclear and missile threat and fail to strike down its nuclear ambitions, the international community will regret it someday," she said. South Korea, the United States and Japan are in talks to hold a trilateral meeting of their top diplomats on the sidelines of a United Nations plenary session scheduled for later this month in New York, official sources said Thursday. The trilateral meeting, if held, will bring together South Korean Foreign Ministry Yun Byung-se, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida when they gather for the U.N. plenary high-level meetings slated from Sept. 19-26, diplomatic sources said. Details of the three-way meeting are being discussed between the nations, the insider said. How to put more pressure on a defiant North Korea may dominate the possible trilateral meeting as it comes amid Pyongyang's unrelenting military provocations. Defying international warnings and U.N. resolutions, North Korea launched three ballistic missiles on Monday, which all landed in waters near Japan. Two weeks earlier, North Korea fired off a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) off its east coast, the country's third SLBM test so far this year. On the backdrop of North Korea's unusually frequent military provocations, South Korea and the U.S.' presidents vowed to increase efforts to push for the international community's thorough implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2270 during their summit Tuesday in Vientiane, Laos. The resolution is the U.N. council's toughest-ever sanctions imposed on Pyongyang following the reclusive regimes fourth nuclear test in January and a long-range rocket launch the next month. Additional state-level sanctions are also likely to be discussed when the three top diplomats meet in New York. The three-way talks would also serve as the latest diplomatic gesture to nudge China to work more closely with others to pressure North Korea to give up its military provocations. Separately, Foreign Minister Yun will deliver a keynote speech to the U.N. plenary session on Sept. 23. The minister's speech will focus on shedding light on the hazard posed by North Korea's nuclear and missile development, and rallying international support behind the implementation of the resolution. The next day, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho is scheduled to deliver his keynote speech at the U.N. (Yonhap) By Jose Antonio Ocampo NEW YORK The peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) reached this month by the country's government has received much-deserved praise . It is a historic achievement, one that promises to end more than a half-century of kidnapping, forced displacement, indiscriminate attacks on villages, and violence that has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths. Colombia is well versed in bringing an end to violent confrontation. After a decade-long mid-twentieth-century clash between the country's two major political parties known simply as "la violencia" a bipartisan settlement, approved in a plebiscite in 1957, ended the conflict. In 1990, the Colombian government reached political settlements with several rebel groups. The M-19, for example, became a major force in the 1991 Constitutional Assembly, with some of its leaders becoming active participants in democratic political life. But some guerilla organizations including the largest, the FARC, and the much smaller National Liberalization Army (ELN) proved difficult to bring into line. Negotiations with the ELN are ongoing, but do not seem promising. Negotiations with the FARC failed three times in the 1980s, in the early 1990s, and at the turn of the century. This time, peace with the FARC finally seems possible. Nonetheless, the recent agreement must be approved in a plebiscite on October 2, and not everyone in Colombia is ready to accept it. In particular, former President Alvaro Uribe, whose government attempted to defeat the FARC with force, is leading a campaign to reject the deal. According to Uribe and his Centro Democratico party, the agreement negotiated by President Juan Manuel Santos would essentially hand Colombia over to the rebels. The agreement's opponents want to force the FARC to surrender fully an outcome that would be impossible without defeating it militarily. The good news is that most surveys indicate that a majority of Colombians will vote in favor of the agreement. Assuming the deal is approved, the Santos government will face a slew of other challenges, beginning with the implementation of its political provisions. These include demobilizing the FARC, under United Nations supervision, and creating opportunities for political participation by former members. The Santos government will also have to put in place the agreed system of transitional justice to investigate, judge, and condemn crimes committed during the conflict, in compliance with the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, of which Colombia is a signatory. In accordance with the statute, crimes against humanity committed by FARC members and other participants in the confrontation will be punished, based on the principles of truth, reparation, and deterrence. If implemented properly, the agreement's political provisions should help to foster national reconciliation. But it is at least as important to address local-level social divisions that have emerged as a result of the conflict, particularly in hubs of violence. Here, local and international civil-society organizations, together with regional and municipal governments, have an important role to play, and Colombia's past experience overcoming similar challenges should prove helpful. Such efforts must be supported by progress in another area: rural development, which is the only economic issue addressed in the peace deal. This is hardly surprising: after all, the massive inequities that characterize rural Colombia gave rise to the FARC in the first place, and the conflict was concentrated in such areas. (Dismantling the narco-trafficking activities in which the FARC has been involved may also be considered an economic issue, given the need to provide alternative opportunities in rural areas; but it is, first and foremost, a security issue.) Colombia's government is already laying the groundwork for successful rural development. In 2014, it convened a commission, Mision para la Transformacion del Campo, which I had the opportunity to chair. Last year, we presented a blueprint for action. Recommendations include measures to narrow rural-urban gaps in access to basic social services within 15 years; efforts to increase opportunities for family agriculture, which accounts for nine-tenths of the rural labor force; better access to land for producers; implementation of integrated rural development programs at the local level; and institutional reforms aimed at upgrading government agencies in charge of rural development. Realizing this strategy would cost 1.2% of Colombia's Gross National Product (GNP), and could be financed partly by redirecting existing expenditures. The peace deal with the FARC will, of course, also carry other costs: reparations for victims, the demobilization and integration of guerrillas into civilian life, and the temporary institutions established to manage the agreement's implementation. Reliable estimates place the total costs, including for rural development, at around to 2% of GNP. Given the potential economic and, especially, social and political benefits of the agreement, the projected costs are modest. Nonetheless, covering them will not be easy. After all, Colombia is currently experiencing a major economic slowdown and loss of government revenue, driven by low oil prices. That is why the government intends to propose a structural tax reform after the plebiscite. The reform, aimed primarily at raising the funds needed to finance the peace process, should also attempt to help resolve another key economic challenge facing Colombia: gross income and wealth inequality, of which rural-urban disparities are just one component. As Colombia's experience (and that of many other countries) has shown, economic inequality fuels social and political instability. Addressing it effectively must be central to Colombia's effort to achieve lasting peace. Jose Antonio Ocampo, a professor at Columbia University and Chair of the UN Economic and Social Council's Committee for Development Policy, was Minister of Finance of Colombia and United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. Copyright belongs to Project Syndicate. U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said North Korea is a "potential catastrophe" and a "big problem" as he expressed concern about the communist nation's nuclear and missile programs. Trump also reiterated his long-running point that China should solve the North Korea problem. "They're very belligerent. They have no respect for our country, none whatsoever. And we have a situation that's a potential catastrophe. We have somebody that truly does have nuclear and nuclear capability. The carrier maybe is not there yet, but it soon will be," Trump said during campaigning in Virginia Tuesday. "We have a man who is, I mean, he's took over 25 years old, I guess, or around that and now it looks like he's getting more and more hostile," he said, referring to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. "And what I would do very simply is say, 'China, this is your baby. This is your problem. You solve the problem.' China can solve that problem." Trump has expressed negative views of the North's leader, describing him as a "total nut job" and a "madman playing around with the nukes." But he also said early this year it was "amazing" for the young leader to keep control of the country. Trump has said he's willing to meet with the North's leader for nuclear negotiations, despite criticism that such a meeting would end up bolstering the North's leader. Maximizing U.S. interests through negotiation is the No. 1 point in Trump's "America First" foreign policy. Trump and aides have repeatedly emphasized the businessman is an excellent negotiator and is ready to use the skill to regain American interests lost under Democratic administrations. (Yonhap) North Korea said Wednesday it rejects the U.N. Security Council statement condemning its latest missile launches, claiming the statement is a violation of the country's sovereignty and vowing to continue to strengthen its nuclear arsenal. A spokesperson of the North's Foreign Ministry made the remark to the Korean Central News Agency after the Security Council adopted a press statement condemning the North's launches of three medium-range Rodong ballistic missiles on Monday. "The U.S. and its followers cooked up a press release again in which they found fault with the DPRK's measure for bolstering up nuclear deterrence for self-defence," the spokesperson said. "The DPRK categorically rejects this as an intolerable act of encroaching upon its dignity, right to existence, sovereignty and right to self-defence." The spokesperson also said it is "utterly illogical" for the Security Council to take issue with the North's "legitimate measure for self-defence" while "not uttering a word about the brigandish act of the U.S. which is conducting nuclear war exercises for aggression after introducing huge nuclear war means including strategic assets into the Korean peninsula. "The DPRK will continue to expand the signal successes of bolstering up the nuclear force in a phased way in this historic year when it started with the solemn blast of the first H-bomb test of Juche Korea," the spokesperson said, referring to the nation's doctrine of self-reliance. It's long past time to address abuses in North Korea A law intended to improve human rights conditions in North Korea went into effect Sunday after 11 years of partisan wrangling. The law might be belated, considering that the United States and Japan began to enforce similar laws in 2004 and 2006, respectively. The North Korean Human Rights Act is specifically aimed at helping protect the freedom and human rights of North Korean citizens. Under the law, an archive will be established to record rights abuses in the reclusive state. The archive will hand over its findings to the Ministry of Justice every three months. The unification ministry will establish a foundation to support activities of non-governmental organizations. A 10-member advisory group will also be formed to develop policies to improve human rights in the North. The law will certainly apply stronger pressure on the repressive regime in Pyongyang as the Seoul government embarks in person on surveying and documenting rights violations committed in North Korea. The records will be used as grounds to punish violators later. Given the urgency of human rights abuses in the dictatorial state, no one can dare to deny the rationale behind the law. In its report to Congress last month, the U.S. State Department detailed rights violations involving overseas North Korean workers who were subject to harsh labor without pay. The report said 50,000 to 60,000 North Koreans were working abroad in labor-intensive industries, which makes it possible for Pyongyang to earn between $300 and $400 million a year. True, it's difficult to expect remarkable improvements in the North's dire human rights situation merely with the law at a time when the two Koreas stand off more fiercely than ever. Rather, shedding light on Pyongyang's rights abuses might be seen as Seoul's ploy to topple the Kim Jong-un regime and result in inflaming tension on the Korean Peninsula and hampering cross-border dialogue. It's long overdue nevertheless for South Korea to act decisively to help protect human rights in the North, the universal values of mankind. In previous governments in the South, especially liberal ones, bringing up the North's human rights problems used to be taboo. Those governments just tended to focus on inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation while turning away from issues that could provoke Pyongyang. But human rights abuses committed by the North's young leader and his underlings have already surpassed a tolerable level. These days few seem to be surprised to find out that a high-ranking North Korean official was executed brutally at the behest of Kim. Given that Kim has so far ordered the execution of more than 100 North Korean officials, one could easily guess how dire human rights conditions in the North are. It's also no secret that up to 120,000 political prisoners are being held in the country's concentration camps. All this explains why our political parties should drum up nonpartisan cooperation to let the law make a practical contribution to improving human rights in the North. Policymakers, for their part, need to take a careful approach so that the law won't heighten military tension. By Donald Kirk You have to credit the North Koreans with chutzpah the Yiddish word for "nerve," brazen arrogance or insolence, all in untranslatable exclamation. The leaders of the world's 20 strongest, most powerful nations were gathered in a solemn conclave in China, and in Pyongyang North Korea's Supreme Leader did more than thumb his nose at them by ordering still more missile tests. What timing! What a way for Kim Jong-un to spit out unprintable obscenities, to give the finger to all those movers and shakers whom he either hates or distrusts or both! It would be difficult to say whom he reviles more, the American President Barack Obama as a dangerous hypocrite, the Chinese President Xi Jinping, also as a hypocrite, or South Korea's President Park Geun-hye, not only as a dangerous hypocrite but also a "puppet "of both the Americans and the Chinese. Credit Kim with getting away with this stuff in masterful style. What can these potentates really do when they're pretty much constantly at each other's throats? If President Obama wasn't exactly making enemies, you can be pretty sure he was engaging in a lot of double-talk as he assured President Xi, honestly, those THAAD missiles aren't aimed at you at all. How could you think such a thing, Obama might have asked, when everyone knows the only reason for Terminal High Altitude Area defense is to shoot down North Korean missiles zooming 100 miles overhead. Nor was President Park exactly confronting President Xi or Russia's President Vladimir Putin with assertions about the South's desperate need to be able to fire at will on those high-flying missiles. She's playing a smarter game. We surely won't need them, she was saying, if North Korea stops posing such a severe threat; if Kim Jong-un no longer talks about annihilating us. Just crack down on your North Korean buddies, get them to give up their nuclear program, and we might never need THAAD at all! With such banter going on in the delightful setting of Hangzhou, the charming and prosperous city not far from Shanghai, Kim was the weird kid who didn't get invited to the party or maybe the oddball student who wasn't accepted into the right fraternity. He knows he has nothing to worry about, though, as long as the Americans and Chinese and South Koreans, also the Russians and the Japanese, are preternaturally suspicious if not hostile toward one another despite the wink-wink smiles and photo-ops. Kim's confidence is borne of one certainty. The Chinese will keep right on pouring stuff into his economy regardless of those odious sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council, of which China is a permanent member. That's partly because China higher-ups honestly can't do much about a lot of the trade, which goes on under the radar, greased by bribes to North Korean and Chinese officials on either side of the river borders, the Yalu or Amnok on the west, the Tumen on the east. Moreover, while the Chinese maybe able to block egregious items like spare parts or ostentatious luxury goods for Kim, his family members and closest cronies, they'll keep right on supplying all the oil and half the food that's needed for the survival of their North Korean protectorate and for the elite to go right on living comfortably while most of the North's 25 million people go hungry. It's the image of North Korea against the world, though, that Kim loves to cultivate most. We're fighting alone against those who would destroy us, that is, just about everyone, his propaganda machine indoctrinates every North Korean from kindergarten onward. It's not just the Americans, it's a phalanx of bully boys who've overrun us and lorded it over us for centuries, the Chinese, the Japanese, also the Russians. Victimhood from external enemies provides the perfect pretext for internal crackdowns. While our enemies conspire to kidnap and lure and bribe our citizens overseas to join their camp, we need to defend ourselves from insidious worms within. What better excuse can there be for a purge that ensnares not only senior officials but also their families, lucky to be sent to prison while the man who supported them gets executed. Not that ordinary North Koreans know about high-level defections overseas. The Korean Central News Agency disseminates the news about such "scum" for foreign eyes only. No way should the masses at home think their government is so weak as to have no control over its high-level emissaries abroad. In projecting the heroic image of us against the world, nukes and missiles are points of national pride that Kim wants all his people to share. Could there have been any better time than while all the bully boys were conspiring and collaborating at the G-20 conflab in China for the North Koreans to pop off still more missiles? Take that, China. Take that, America, Japan., Russia. Stop us if you can! We dare you. In answer to which, China, America, Japan and Russia really did nothing. Donald Kirk, www.donaldkirk.com, has been covering war and peace in Asia for decades. He's at kirkdon4343@gmail.com. IBM Korea General Manager Jeffrey Rhoda, left, shakes hands with Gachon University Gil Medical Center Director Lee Gun after signing an agreement at Lotte Hotel in central Seoul, Thursday, to introduce the Watson artificial intelligence system for cancer treatment. / Courtesy of IBM Korea AI system to support doctors as advisor By Yoon Sung-won IBM said Thursday its artificial intelligence (AI) system Watson will be used for cancer treatment at Gachon University Gil Medical Center in Korea for the first time. "Watson, which has already been adopted in diverse industries in the United States, will help doctors here provide medical services based on analysis of massive structured and unstructured data," IBM Korea Vice President Kim Won-jong said during a press conference in Seoul, Thursday. "We expect the use of the Watson system will realize what is called precision medicine that offers personalized medical services." Pointing out that less than 50 percent of medicine is based on solid evidence, IBM Watson Health Oncology and Genomics General Manager Robert Merkel said, "The speed of proliferation of new medical information is too fast for doctors and medical students to follow. An epidemiologist would have to read 167 hours a week to keep up with new professional insight. Watson will contribute to boost the accuracy of treatment decisions." IBM said Watson's ability to quickly assess treatment options for an individual patient based on medical evidence and clinical guidelines will expedite the process of cancer diagnosis and treatment from understanding patient condition and formulating treatment options to selecting personalized treatment plans. The company stressed that Watson has been trained by oncologists at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), and is capable of instantly accessing 15 million pages of medical content and analyzing patient data against thousands of historical cases to assist physicians with treatment decisions. It added that the data is transparently available not only to doctors participating in the treatment but also to the patients. "We are thrilled to collaborate with Gachon University Gil Medical Center as our first Watson for oncology partner in Korea," Merkel said. "Watson will support doctors in treating patients, not replace them." Meanwhile, there are concerns that the unprecedented use of an AI system in healthcare may bring unexpected issues not just from a medical perspective but also legally. In the case of a possible medical accident, Merkel said, "The matter of who is responsible will not change much because Watson is not expected to replace doctors. Doctors and patients will decide on which treatment method is best and the responsibility will still be on the doctors." Gachon University Gil Medical Center Deputy Director Lee Uhn said the hospital will start using the Watson system for actual cancer diagnosis and treatment processes in October. Located in Incheon, the medical center is the nation's fifth-largest and can accommodate some 1,400 patients. It has been treating about 50,000 cancer patients a year. "With Watson, we seek to minimize diagnosis errors and abuses," Lee said. "This will boost general medical service quality while reducing medical expenses." He said the system will join in the multidisciplinary treatment by oncologists and pulmonologists in an advisor role, stressing that the final decision will always be made by human doctors. "Though we will be able to tap into the expertise of MSKCC oncologists, there already are differences in medical guidelines between Korea and the United States caused by different lifestyles and foods," an oncologist at Gil Medical Center said. "It will be a good research theme if Watson comes up with an unexpected solution." Lee also said the adoption of the Watson system is expected to make high-quality medical services more accessible regardless of a patient's socio-economic status. Lee said the medical center plans to expand the application of the Watson system from cancer to more diverse diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and other intractable neurological disorders while pushing to persuade the government to allow the hospital access to the database at Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service and National Health Insurance Corp. Jack Ma welcomes Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at Alibaba headquarters in Hangzhou. (Photo : Getty Images) Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has met with Jack Ma to tour Alibaba's headquarters as part of his innovation push and his last stop before leaving the city of Hangzhou after attending the G20 summit, according to a report by abc.net. Advertisement Turnbull has been interested about innovative businesses in China which include Alibaba, one of country's largest and most successful companies, the report said. "Innovation, trade, open markets - these are the keys to reinvigorate global growth," Turnbull was quoted as saying. On Sept. 5, Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded the G20 Summit with a commitment to further promote economic global growth. The G20 Summit, which was hosted by China for the first time, culminated with a media conference attended by hundreds of journalists but they were not allowed to ask the Chinese leader. "The G20 needs to further shift from a mechanism for crisis response to long-term governance, from emphasising short-term policies, to balancing short, medium and long-term policies," Xi said. Without giving any details, Xi said the leaders had agreed to hold off calls for the protectionist policies in some countries such as the U.S. and Europe. "We are determined to revitalize the two engines of trade and investment and build an open world economy," the Chinese leader said. "We support a multilateral trading system and oppose protectionism," Xi added. The report said that many of the leaders that attended the summit headed to Laos for the ASEAN and East Asia Summits. Turnbull also met with with French President Francois Hollande to call for "ferocious commitment" to ensure the security of the Australia-France joint submarine project. An Australian newspaper has revealed a leak of thousands of classified documents about the technical capabilities of the Scorpene submarine that French shipbuilder DCNS was building for the Indian government. The same French shipbuilder was awarded the $50 billion contract to build a new fleet of submarines for Australia. A comprehensive investigation into the leak is being conducted by France, the report said. Earlier in March, Chinese lawmakers passed the first-ever Charity Law in the country. (Photo : Getty Images) On Sept. 5, Monday, China has commemorated its first Charity Day with a number of promotional activities across the country, the Xinhua News Agency reported. Participated in by over 100 charitable groups, a charity fair was staged in Beijing, Tianjin Municipality and Hebei Province from Sunday to Tuesday. Advertisement According to Yang Liping, a Beijing Civil Affairs Bureau charity official, "the fair is an exchange and cooperation platform for charity groups to share and pool their information and resources." Carry on the same advocacy, an Internet charity service as well as an information platform will also be established in the province of Yunnan. As of writing, a total of 351 registered charities have already registered. Meanwhile, Zhang Zhixiong underscored the need to "better define the allocation of resources." The charity official from the Yunnan Civil Affairs Department noted that such move will help "the recipients of charity receive the support that they need." The Chinese government has seen the potential of the nation's charity sector in aiding the poverty alleviation campaign. Statistics show that as of the end of 2015, around 56 million rural Chinese nationals are still categorized as impoverished (those who have a per capita net income of less than 2,800 yuan annually). In Zhengcheng District, Guangzhou, a "Charity Village" has been opened to help in diminishing the number of those impoverished. Also, charitable organizations are encouraged to reach out to the needy residents of the Dupawei village. China's Charity Law has "recently eased restrictions on the fundraising and operational activities of charity groups, promising tax benefits and improved supervision," the article wrote. Data from the Ministry of Civil Affairs states that nearly 670,000 social organizations are officially registered as of the end of June. The statistic includes 5,038 foundations. Last week, the Chinese Philanthropy Museum was opened to the public in Nantong, Jiangsu Province to celebrate the passing of the Charity Law. Sun Zhiqiang, founder of a charity alliance based in Shandong Province, hopes that Charity Day, to be reckoned every Sept. 5 annually, will provide a great avenue for the public welfare sector to get more exposure. China's First Lady Peng Liyuan is a staunch supporter of the country's anti-AIDS advocacy. (Photo : Getty Images) Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan urged for heightened international efforts to fight against HIV/AIDS during the G20 Leaders Summit hosted by the city of Hangzhou in China. Peng, who serves as the World Health Organization (WHO)'s goodwill ambassador for HIV and tuberculosis, also led an anti-AIDS activity in Zhejiang University which was attended by a group of officials' spouses. Advertisement "I have provided support and have been engaged in activities to popularize the prevention of AIDS in colleges. Such activities have been held at many Chinese universities and have borne great fruit so far," she shared. During the event, the spouses of public servants from Argentina, Thailand, Singapore, Mexico, Turkey, Laos and Indonesia "watched a video about fighting AIDS and listened to a speech about how the campus is working to prevent the disease," China Daily wrote. Students also participated by sharing their thoughts about AIDS prevention and by showing their determination to help in combatting the said disease. On the occasion, the visiting women were donned with red ribbons, an emblem of the HIV/AIDS awareness, to express that they will work "hand-in-hand for improving AIDS prevention and control." Also present in the activity are several athletes who played in the Rio Olympic Games, including swimmers Fu Yuanhui and Sun Yang. Peng first engaged in the advocacy against AIDS around 10 years ago when she reached out to children infected with the disease. Back on July 29, Peng also urged those who are able to provide more social support to affected children during the launching of the "Love in the Sunshine China-Africa Children Summer Camp" at the Forbidden City in Beijing. "Along with healthy children, those suffering or affected by AIDS are the world's future; and regardless of their HIV status, nationality or color, they deserve care, support and a happy childhood," she said during the occasion. The First Lady also took part in another anti-AIDS event held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in December last year. People walk in front of a KFC fast food restaurant in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region. (Photo : Getty Images) Alibaba founder and CEO Jack Ma, who once got turned down when he applied for a job at KFC many years ago, has seen opportunities in China's fast food business as Alibaba's payment unit is investing in the sector to enable customers to use its mobile payment system at Yum! Brands Inc's 7,200 restaurants across the country, which also include Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. Advertisement "The investment is of a strategic nature," Jason Yu, general manager of Kantar Worldpanel China, said. China Daily reported that the combined shares of the two Chinese investors are less than 5 percent of the total holdings of Yum China. The daily operations of the fast food chains will not be affected by the investment, Yu assured. Last Friday, Sept. 2, Ant Financial Services Group and Primavera Capital Group agreed to buy Yum! Brands Inc's $460 million stake in its Chinese operation in a deal that would pave the way for a spinoff of the business into a separate firm next month. The report said that Ant Financial will invest $50 million into the business while Primavera, a Chinese private equity firm, will pour in $410 million in the spinoff. The new company, which will be named Yum China, will be chaired by Primavera founder Fred Hu, the former chairman of Goldman Sachs Group Inc in China. Yum has a fast-food empire that includes KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. It oversees more than 7,200 restaurants in China. According to Yum, the spinoff will be completed on Oct 31 as scheduled and on Nov. 1, the new company will start trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the name YUMC. Ant Financial will provide assistance to the electronic payment system of the restaurant brands. "We expect Ant Financial can provide further unique insights to help us better connect with consumers through mobile technology," Micky Pant, Yum China's chief executive officer, said. Last year, Yum was rocked by food safety scandals that affected its business across the country but it has improved its services and its performance in Asia has begun to pick up, the report said. Although KFC chain's performance has helped the company's second-quarter profit estimates, yum's revenue still fell 3 percent to $1.6 billion in China, which account for about 53 percent of the group's total. The company's shares increased 24 percent this year. Alibaba is expected to gain from the deal. "The deal will certainly accelerate the adoption of the Alipay mobile payment as well as digital marketing integration with Alibaba ecosystem," Yu said. Smoke billows from smokestacks and a coal-fired generator at a steel factory on Nov. 19, 2015 in the industrial province of Hebei, China. (Photo : Getty Images) The amount of coal-fired power generation under development worldwide went down by 14 percent this year, driven down by China's oversupply and shift towards cleaner energy, according to a recent study on Wednesday. India also introduced new rules in the first half of 2016 that curbed plans for coal-fired plants, partly due to the under-utilization of existing facilities in the country, the non-government and anti-coal group CoalSwarm said in its Global Plant Tracker report. Advertisement Overall, the amount of coal-fired generating capacity in pre-construction planning dropped 14 percent to an estimated 932 gigawatts (GW) in July from 1,090 GW at the start of the year, the group said. "It's a combination of environmental concerns, including climate and health, along with the deteriorating economics of coal," Ted Nace, director of CoalSwarm, told Reuters when asked about the causes for the decline. China saw its biggest drop in its pre-construction pipeline by far, of 114 GW to a total 406 GW proposed, followed by India with 40 GW, according to the study. The Philippines and Indonesia also curbed coal, while Egypt and Mongolia increased their planning, it added. China announced in February that it would close 500 million tonnes of coal production in the next three to five years to reduce oversupply. Profits also shrank in the first half due to sagging power demands and rising coal prices. Beijing is also trying to curb air pollution and climate change. Despite this, the report said the amounts of coal-fired plants being planned and built were still too high to limit a rise in temperatures to the target of 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) set by world leaders in the Paris Agreement on climate change the previous year. Ben Caldecott, director of the Sustainable Finance Programme at the University of Oxford's Smith School, credited various factors such as cheaper renewable energies and concerns about climate change, pollution and water stress as the cause of the cancellations. This trend will accelerate over time," he added. An increasing number of coal plants are being shut down worldwide, especially in the United States and Europe, although they are still only a fifth the size of new plant construction, according to a study by and other non-governmental organizations in March. The study pointed out that in 2003 to 2015, the U.S. added 23 GW of coal capacity and retired 54 GW. Coal is regarded as the most polluting of the major fossil fuels and is blamed for greenhouse gases that stoke more heat waves, floods, and rising sea levels across the globe. China aims to further its status as a leader in airship research and development. (Photo : Getty Images) Chinese scientists are developing a series of high altitude airships designed for Earth observation, maritime monitoring, and communication signal relays. Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences are working on stratospheric airships, so-called because of their capability to travel and stay in the stratosphere - the second major layer of the Earth's atmosphere at an altitude of 20-50 km - for prolonged periods of time. Advertisement According to the academy's five-year development plan for 2016-2020, the researchers are to develop key technologies and techniques for the airship and conduct flight tests by the end of 2020. "Our stratospheric airships will come in various sizes, and we have test-flown two of them already," Wang Yuechao, director of the academy's Bureau of Major Research and Development Programs, told China Daily. "The latest test took place in August, when we flew an airship and achieved our goals." Wang noted that nearly all of the world's major powers are exploring high-altitude aircraft, with China among the top leaders in the field. The airships are designed to be operated autonomously or be remotely controlled by ground personnel, according to a report from China Daily on Wednesday. Solar-powered, reusable, and unmanned, such vehicles can spend a long time in the air and serve a wide range of purposes, the report said. Compared with spacecraft and satellites, stratospheric airships do not require a launch pad and are easier to retrieve and reuse. They also provide a wide view of the Earth and a longer operating time than conventional aircraft, said Wang Ya'nan, editor-in-chief of Aerospace Knowledge magazine. "Therefore, they provide a better platform for Earth monitoring and maritime surveillance," he said. Wang added that, since airships are closer to Earth than satellites, they can act as a better hub for relaying communications signals. "Stratospheric airships are able to carry payloads that will be as much as 10 times that of a spacecraft," Wang said. Zhu Ming, an associate professor at Beihang University in Beijing, said airships could also serve many uses in the public sector. "They have a lot of potential in environmental protection, disaster relief and weather forecasting," he said. Brazilians jeered their new President Michel Temer on Wednesday as he attended an Independence Day rally in Brasilia and the opening ceremony of the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. The events were the first official gatherings that Temer had attended since becoming the countrys president on August 31 after Dilma Rousseff was impeached and removed from office amid a declining economy and bribery scandal. Temer will now serve the remaining two years and four months of her term. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates In Kenya, a photo-journalist has been shot dead in his home in the early hours of Thursday morning in the western county of Kitale, the Star newspaper reports. Dennis Otieno, 26, was attacked by a gang of three who fired at him three times, with the third bullet fatally wounding him, the paper quotes the area police chief Wilfred Mogere as saying. The killing comes days after a political reporter with the privately-owned Standard newspaper died in mysterious circumstances. Kenyan journalists are currently holding a protest against increasing attacks and intimidation by politicians and members of the public. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has shared his favourite photos from his trips to Rome, Nigeria and Kenya, describing the countries as a place he would love to visit again. He wrote: Thanks to everyone I met in Rome, Nigeria and Kenya for being so welcoming! The work being done by developers and entrepreneurs in Europe and Africa right now is really exciting, and I cant wait to go back. Here are some of my favorite behind the scenes pictures from the trip. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to stop alleged intimidation of PDP members by the police in Edo State, ahead of Saturdays governorship election. Ekweremadu in a statement by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu, expressed worry over what he called arbitrary arrests and intimidation of members and supporters of PDP by federal security agencies. He called on President Buhari to urgently intervene to ensure a free, fair, and credible electoral process in Edo State. I am deeply distressed by the development, not just because I am a member of the PDP, but more importantly, because the PDP had taken our electoral process beyond where it is being dragged back to today. The greatest gift of democracy, which makes other blessings of democracy feasible, is the inalienable right of the people to elect their leaders of their own freewill in a free, fair, and credible electoral process that must be devoid of all forms of intimidation. As a beneficiary of the electoral reforms and policy of non-interference in the electoral process, exemplified by the immediate past PDP administration, led by former President Goodluck Jonathan, I expect the APC-led federal government to immediately call the security agencies to order. If the APC-led FG cannot improve on the electoral process, I expect them to, at least, maintain the standard set by the PDP, he said. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates A new brain discovery could help patients suffering from PTSD and anxiety disorder. (Photo : Twitter) Scientists in China have found a new method to deal with fear associated with certain sounds that could potentially help patients suffering from post-traumatic stress. Researchers from the Shanghai Institutes of Biological Sciences' Institute of Neuroscience said that they have discovered a particular pathway in the brain that is responsible for the recall of memories associated with fear, the Shanghai Daily reported. Advertisement The particular pathway is located in the amygdala, the part of the brain that responds to threats in the environment, and the auditory cortex, which is responsible for processing sound. To test how the pathway responds to stimulus, the team played a particular sound to mice while simultaneously administering an electric shock to them. The mice eventually associated the sound with the shock and displayed fear reactions to it being played, despite the electric shock not being delivered. The scientists then proceeded to block the activity of the pathway with both light and chemical stimulation and found out that the fear response being greatly reduced, with the mice maintaining regular activity even with the sound being played. Mu-Ming Poo, the project's head researcher and the institute's director, said that the discovery could open new clinical applications to replace the current drug therapies, China Daily reported. Mu said that medicines currently used for treatment have poor specificity to target only particular areas of the brain, as well as inducing noticeable side effects. He added that scientists have long sought such a non-invasive procedures for patients suffering from mental disorders. Yang Yang, a member of the team, said that the find could specifically help patients with post-traumatic stress disorders and anxiety disorders, as their bouts are often triggered by fearful memories associated with particular sounds. However, Yang said that they have yet to discover the corresponding pathway in humans, though it is known that a similar one exists in primates. The Russian Antey-2500 air defense missile system. (Photo : Almaz-Antey) Armata-based Kurganets-25 heavy assault armored vehicle. (Photo : TASS) Russia's ongoing "Army 2016 International Military-Technical Forum" being held at the town of Kubinka outside Moscow is seeing a lot of big business deals that could benefit Russia's crippled economy. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov claims 17 long-term contracts with Russian arms makers have been signed so far. The contracts are valued at $2.0 billion. Advertisement The forum, the second of its kind, opened Sept. 6 and will end Sept. 11. Over 1,000 Russian firms and organizations are displaying their weapons and military equipment on the grounds of the Patriot Park in Kubinka, which is also home to the world famous Kubinka Tank Museum. Pavilions have a total exhibition space of 80,000 square meters in addition to 28 conference built for the forum. The outdoor grounds area for the display of over 11,000 weapons, military and special equipment exceeds 100,000 square meters. Some 80 foreign countries have sent delegations to the forum. More important, some of the six members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization or CSTO, Russia's equivalent of NATO, have opened their own expositions at the forum. These CSTO members with their own exhibits are Armenia, Belarus and Kazakhstan Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu described this huge event as an excellent opportunity for direct communication between Russian and foreign developers, and manufacturers of military and dual-purpose products. "The latest scientific and technological achievements are demonstrated here, they are displayed not only statically, but there is also a dynamic display of weapons and military equipment on the ground and in the air," said Shoygu. Shoygu believes the Army 2016 Forum "will contribute to a constructive exchange of views between representatives of the defense departments and scientific-industrial complexes of the participating countries. To this end, the forum's business program includes more than 100 official events." Of special interest are Russian strategic missiles, some of which are being seen in public for the first time. Among these are the road mobile RS-12M Topol intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that became operational in 1988 and is due to be replaced by 2020, and the silo-based RS-18 (SS-19 Stiletto) ICBM that started service in 1975 and is also to be retired. The NATO reporting name for the RS-12M is SS-25 Sickle. There is also the Iskander-M tactical missile system Russia claims is capable of hitting both small-size and large-area targets at a distance of up to 500 km. A popular exhibit is the Armata Universal Combat Platform consisting of the T-14 main battle tank; the Kurganets-25 heavy assault armored vehicle and the Bumerang wheeled armored personnel carrier. Also on display at the forum is the new Mil Mi-38 transport helicopter and an Arctic version of the Mi-8AMTSH transport helicopter. There's also the Antey-2500 air defense missile weapon system from major missile system maker Almaz-Antey, and the Kalibr triple threat cruise missiles used against Islamic terrorists in Syria. Kalashnikov is displaying its remote-controlled weapons platforms while United Instrument-Making Corporation, part of the hi-tech conglomerate Rostec, is exhibiting a system that can simultaneously control a dozen robots. An easier-than-expected first mammogram experience HUNTERSVILLE Scheduling a cancer screening probably ranks somewhere on your to-do list between "clean out the garage" and "donate those clothes that don't fit." Sure, you'll get to it at... Chamber retreat helps discover strengths in communication The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce has proved that networking can come in many ways. It doesnt have to come at a luncheon or happy hour or Christmas party, but... U.S. Navy carrier group. (Photo : US Navy) The world's three most powerful navies will hold large-scale naval exercises in Asia and the Pacific Ocean in September as they flex their muscles amid dangerous tensions arising from China's relentless bullying in the South China Sea despite world censure. The United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) will hold a major naval exercise in the western Pacific Ocean off Guam and the Mariana Islands from Sept. 12 to 23. This announcement comes more than a month after China and Russia said their navies will conduct routine naval drills in the disputed South China Sea, also in September. Advertisement While all three powers made it a point to steer clear of each other, the holding of their naval maneuvers in September suggests a game of one upmanship bolstered by shows of force. The naval exercises by both sides come at a time of mounting conflict in the contested waters of the South China Sea after the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on July 12 ruled China doesn't have historic rights to own this body of water USPACOM said the U.S. Navy exercise called Valiant Shield 2016 will involve over a dozen surface warships, 180 aircraft and 18,000 military personnel. This fleet will be led by the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan, based in Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan. The carrier is currently the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier in the Asia-Pacific. Joining her in the exercise at the Marianas Island Range Complex will be the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard; two amphibious vessels and other nine surface warships. Some 180 aircraft from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Marine Corps will participate in the exercise. The U.S. Navy, however, said Valiant Shield has been held every two years since 2006. China's Ministry of Defense said the naval exercise involving warships of the People's Liberation Army Navy and Russia's Pacific Fleet are aimed at strengthening their cooperation and aren't directed at any other country, tacitly the United States. "This is a routine exercise between the two armed forces, aimed at strengthening the developing China-Russia strategic cooperative partnership," said defense ministry spokesman Yang Yujun."The exercise is not directed against third parties." In 2015, China and Russia held joint military drills in the Sea of Japan and the Mediterranean. China, however, doesn't expect the China-Russia exercises to affect U.S. military activity or behavior in the South China Sea. "We're not concerned about the safety of U.S. vessels in the region as long as interactions with the Chinese remain safe and professional, which has been the case in most cases," said one Chinese official. The price of LITRO gas cylinders would be further reduced in the first week of November in accordance with the Read more The SLFP does not condone the continuation of the Emergency Regulations (The Public Security Ordinance) more than a day necessary Read more Adult film star Alexis Ford arrives for Brazzers party at the Tao Nightclub at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino on January 20, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo : (Getty Images/Steven Lawton/FilmMagic)) Brazzers, an adult website, was hit by a major data hack that sent the information of 800,000 users online. The fact that anyone who wishes to search the database by either email or name will do so has spurred worries among users and security experts. The Brazzers breach allegedly contained 790,724 unique email addresses together with the username and passwords of the individuals registered on the site, according to Tech Worm. The leak was seemingly different from the people who signed up and paid for access to the site. It had information for users who signed up for Brazzers forum, which did not require subscription. Advertisement Some of the users took precaution against the hack. One of the users spoke with Motherboard pointing out that the risks were evident in exposing personal information to a third party. "It's unfortunate that my information was included in the breach, but that's the risk you run making an account anywhere on the web," the user said in an email to the publication. Other user said that they used fake email addresses that could not be tracked back to them. Even those who took precaution to hide their identity indicated concern that the security of the website had been hacked. While the information hit the internet recently, it seems that the website breach actually happened about four years ago. The company's public relations manager, Matt Stevens, told the publication that the details from the leak match a data breach that happened in 2012 on the website's forum because of the susceptibility in third-party software. Stevens added that accounts were shared between Brazzers and the forum, which was created for user convenience. The move made a small section of user accounts to be exposed and the developers took corrective measures shortly after the incident to protect users. The latest hack comes about one year after another high-profile information breach from an adult website, Ashley Madison. The infidelity-promoting site that was hit by hackers in 2015 as well had user information flood online. While the Brazzers data breach contains only email and password information and not personal details like actual names, social security numbers, or credit card numbers, it is still considered a major data breach. According to reports, there could still be identifiable information such as work email addresses or emails that have actual names contained in the data dump. This article appears in the September 9, 2016 issue of Executive Intelligence Review. EDITORIAL Chinas Intention Succeeds at the G20 [PDF version of this article] Sept. 5The Chinese intention for the Sept. 4-5 Group of 20 summit was spelled out in detail over the past monthsto unite the world behind fundamental principles, acknowledging the mounting dysfunction of the existing global economic and financial structures, and institutions, and create a new paradigm based on innovation, to replace them with a new financial architecture capable of directing credit into growth and development in every part of the world. This intention has been achieved, despite wild lies and misrepresentations in the West, and especially by a humiliated and isolated Barack Obama. The institutions representing nearly the entire world outside of Europe and the United States, have united behind this vision, which is both coherent with, and indeed nearly identical with that presented by Lyndon and Helga LaRouche over the past half century. Both the BRICS nationsrepresenting directly and indirectly most of the nations of Asia, Africa, and Ibero-Americaand the G77, now representing 134 developing nations, released official statements fully endorsing and identifying themselves with this emerging revolution in world history. Combined with the similarly historic Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Sept. 2-3, and the ASEAN Summit and East Asian Summit to be held in Laos over the next three days, these events characterize a new momentum in the history of mankind towards ending geopoliticsi.e., British imperial divisions of the world into warring nations, religions, races, and ethnicitiesand creating a new system based on the common aims of mankind. In his press conference at the conclusion of the G20 today, President Xi Jinping said: We can no longer rely on fiscal and monetary policy alone to deal with the crisis. We envision an all-dimensional, multi-tiered, and wide-ranging approach to innovation which is driven by innovation in science and technology, but goes beyond it to cover development philosophy, institutional mechanisms, and business models, so that the benefits of innovation will be shared by all, Xi said. The war-mongering Obama blathered about human rights, climate change, and the comotose TPP free trade agreement, even as the western world descends into permanent war, economic disintegration, and social degeneration. But the rest of the world was uplifted by the G20 vision of mankinds creativity as a basis for creating a world of progress for allincluding the United States and Europe, were they to end their failed imperial mindset. Xi said that the G20 now sees itself as an instrument that can provide a new path of economic development for the world, based on a push for scientific and technological innovation. The leaders of the BRICS nations, who will hold their annual summit in India in October, met in preparation on the sidelines of the G20. Their communique stated: Cognizant of global growth challenges . . ., the Leaders underlined the importance of establishment of a just and equitable international order based on international law. The Leaders congratulated and supported the Chinese G20 Presidency for 2016 and expressed full confidence in the successful outcomes of the Hangzhou Summit. They appreciated the emphasis by the Chinese Presidency on the development agenda. They encouraged G20 members to strengthen macroeconomic cooperation, promote innovation, robust and sustainable trade, and investment growth. They stressed the importance to foster an innovative, invigorated, interconnected and inclusive world economy to usher in a new era of global growth and sustainable development. They expressed expectation that with the Hangzhou Summit, the G20 will embark on a new journey for a strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive economic growth. Similarly, the G77, headed this year by Thailands Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha, was invited to the G20, where he said that the proper agenda for the developing nations was precisely that put forth by Xi Jinping at the G20innovation, development, and inclusiveness. He added that Thailand is ready to serve as a bridge linking the Group of 20s major industrialized economies and the developing economies in the Group of 77. The agenda for the new paradigm is now in place. The dying British Empire and its satrapies will do everything in their dwindling power to crush it. Now, however, the citizens of the western nations have in sight the model and the structure with which to restore their own nations historic roles in nation-building, and to create at last a truly global Renaissance. That is our task. This article appears in the September 9, 2016 issue of Executive Intelligence Review. EDITORIAL This Week in Universal History [PDF version of this article] Sept. 5The critical weeks now before us put the question before every American (among others): how is it possible that the little wheel of the inmost private thoughts of the individual, succeeds in turning the big wheel of the historic process involving the direction and the fate of the nation and of the over seven billions of humanity as a whole, with its future, into the centuries to come? The real story of the just-concluded China summit of the Group of 20, was that Chinese President Xi Jinping, along with Russias Putin and the developing world led by the BRICS, plus Japan and others, forced the question of the replacement of the present financial system. They insisted that the Wall Street-London system based on gambling is heading towards another crisis, and that it must be replaced by a production-oriented system led by science and by great, leading-edge international projects: the system centered in Chinas New Silk Road policy, which President Xi calls, One Belt, One Road. The financial underpinnings of that new, human system, are provided by a series of development banks which China has helped to launch, such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the New Development Bank of the BRICS. As Helga Zepp-LaRouche noted yesterday, as the results of the G20 summit and the preceding Vladivostok summit become apparent over the coming days, it will become clear who stands for the cause of humanity, faced with the prospect of economic annihilation, and who is obstructing. Over these days, the U.S. Congress will convene on Sept. 6, and the United Nations General Assembly on Sept 13. At the same time, the series of top-level summits will continue in Asia. What the U.S. Congress must do when it reconvenes is to pass Glass-Steagall, for which bipartisan bills exist in both Houses of Congress. It must also act upon the facts which have been revealed by the 28 pages of the Congressional Joint Inquiry on 9-11: to act to remove Obama for his proven deliberate coverup of Saudi (and British) responsibility for 9-11, and to force out more hidden facts on the conspiracy of the Saudis and the British, and the complicity of Bush and Cheney, but most important, of Obama. It was our failure to remove Bush and Cheney, which gave us Obama, who is even worse. Failure to remove Obama now will give us still worse, if we are still alive to see it. At precisely this time of urgent need for immediate political action, the leadership of the Lyndon LaRouche movement, which is located in Manhattan, is preparing for what LaRouche had called for, a living memorial to the victims of 9-11, the direct victims and their families first and foremost, but also the United States and every part of the world which has been victimized by the crime and its coverup. The center of that living memorial will be performances of Mozarts Requiem, in which a great creator celebrates, not death, but the eternity of life and its mission in the face of death, through and beyond the centuries. In and beyond this living memorial, the Manhattan-centered LaRouche movement is working to recreate a viable U.S. Presidency, from the same Manhattan location and through the same principles which Alexander Hamilton used in creating the original George Washington Presidency of the United States. To address our initial question of the little wheel and the big wheel: The policy of the New Silk Road began as an idea: the idea of the European Productive Triangle which Lyndon LaRouche developed in the late 1980s, and developed further, with his wife Helga, into the Eurasian Landbridge, the New Silk Road, and the World Landbridge. And the triggering event for the Chinese space program, which will bring a robotic lander to the far side of the Moon for the first time ever in 2018, was also an idea. It was Ronald Reagans Strategic Defense Initiative that convinced the Chinese leadership of the need for a crash science-development program including a crash space program, as will be developed in this EIR (see article "China Is Leading Mankind in Space"). The Strategic Defense Initiative was a policy which was invented by Lyndon LaRouche out of whole cloth, and of which Reagan became convinced. And the development banks which are being launched today, were conceived by Lyndon LaRouche in the 1970s, when they were proposed before the United Nations General Assembly by Guyanas distinguished Foreign Minister, the late Fred Wills. As the great Russian scientist Vladimir Vernadsky showed in the first half of the Twentieth Century, human noesis, or creative reason, is the most powerful force in the universe. There is no power which equals that of the human mind in the mode of creative discovery. Fairy tales waste no time getting under the skin. They pretend to be innocent, once upon a time and all that, but they never are. The darkened wood, the hooded stranger, the soup served at dinner hide only briefly a more sinister intent. Freud called it uncanny, this transfiguring of the familiar into something weird and powerful, and writers have long reveled in making this leap. Between reality and fantasy is a delicious brew of dissonance and disorientation, all in the service of greater truths about power and powerlessness, hope and redress. The trick is to imbue these strange worlds with unquestioning conviction, and in Little Nothing, Marisa Silver doesnt waver. With elemental simplicity always part of the fun she delivers a tale as mysterious as anything the Grimm Brothers might have collected. Advertisement Somewhere in Eastern Europe Slovenia perhaps, the late 1800s perhaps, its never really clear a woman screams and a baby girl is born, but her size and appearance are no cause for celebration. Her parents find her grotesque, like a rag doll sewn together from cast-off parts. They name her Pavla literally little, for her dwarfish stature but the children of the village call her Little Nothing, and she soon develops into a child whose past humiliations make her an open nerve to the assaults that await her. Fearing that their daughter, now a teenager, will have no future as she is, Pavlas parents visit local doctors and put their hope into one final treatment. They bury her up to her neck in dirt, and they saturate the dirt with hot oil. The next day, they disinter her, and she wakes, her ankles and wrists bound, on a table that slowly stretches her apart. Dissolving into the pain so total, so obliterating she becomes a stranger to herself, a witness to her own ordeals. What lifts her Little Nothing above the one dimensionality of most fables is Silvers commitment to emotions of her characters. Thomas Curwen on Little Nothing Silver, who lives in Los Angeles (having grown up in Ohio and New York City), is a fierce writer, and what lifts her story above the one dimensionality of most fables is her commitment to emotions of her characters. Pavlas bargaining, her hopelessness and desolation are heartbreaking; her parents love a terrible burden. In her previous novels, Silver has proven adept in exploring the role that trauma plays in shaping identity, whether its the effect of the Great Depression on a migrant mother in Mary Coin or the shooting of a young boy on two brothers in The God of War. In Little Nothing however, she casts aside history and contemporary circumstance to create a fairy tale-like world thats appropriately strange and archetypal. She makes broad associative leaps, so that whats real and whats imagined is often left unanswered. If the effect is disorienting, it is equally thrilling. We make up the sense of things after they happen, says Pavlas mother, a comment that reads more like a credo. We tell stories. This happened because of that. We string things together one by one so that it seems like theres a reason to it all. But there is no reason. The most unbelievable things can happen and you have no idea why. Following her ordeal on the rack, Pavla undergoes a series of transformations, each precipitated by violence: rape, war-time murder. She becomes an exhibit in a traveling circus, a wolf in a snowy forest, a prisoner in a subterranean bunker. Victims of torture often talk about disassociation, a clinical term that could explain Pavlas shape-shifting ways, and on this account, some readers might find a similarity between Little Nothing and Life of Pi. But Yann Martels novel played out as a parlor trick, whose dissociative secret is revealed in the final chapters. Silver instead sprinkles her story with clues that explain the mystery as the plot unfolds. She is less interested in metamorphoses as a means of survival (think Ovids mortals escaping the terrible embrace of their gods) than in finding power in the face of powerlessness. When pain is the catalyst, imagining becomes an act of courage. Our guide to Pavlas story, once she has disappeared into her lupine ways (reminiscent of Denis Johnsons wolfish preoccupation in Train Dreams), is a young man, Danilo, whose empathy for others saves him from his own suffering. He is in love with Pavla and apprentices with a tracker, storming through snowy forests in pursuit of her. His challenge is a readers challenge when faced with a story that borders on parable. To succeed in the hunt, he must learn to see, much less decipher, the opaque and irrational narrative that lies beneath what appears to be the likely story. As Silver charts realms of quackery and freak shows, lycanthropy and psychoanalysis, indoor plumbing and urban waterworks, she eventually brings together the pieces of this story like glass in a kaleidoscope patterning and coalescing. The effect is mesmerizing. Fragments of memory catching fish in her mouth, smelling the odors of damp trees, urine, rancid milk flood Pavlas mind as she tries to recall who she is and whether she is real (a lovely question in the land of make-believe). Her efforts are poignant, and even though she doesnt succeed, she manages something far greater. Imprisoned underground in a lightless cell, she finds herself on familiar terrain, only this time she experiences beauty and wonder red, ocher, a deep, dark green, every color imaginable imbricated in the blackness and an epiphany that out of nothing comes everything. When the commander of the prison visits, his intention to demean and mortify, she sloughs him off. Her vision of life is more broad, more capacious. Pavlas last metamorphosis is her greatest, and Little Nothing becomes a call to trust, not fear, the mysteries that surround us. When Danilo is reunited with her, he feels as if he has stepped into another world where all the unruly and lost parts of himself are gathered up and shuffled into order. Little Nothing celebrates not only the unruly and lost parts of all our lives but also the possibility of their reordering and comprehension. The gathering up and shuffling may seem artificial, but the purpose of art is nothing less: to wrestle from the random tragedies of life both meaning and intention, even if in the guise of a fairy tale. thomas.curwen@latimes.com Twitter: @tcurwen :: Little Nothing Marisa Silver Blue Rider Press: 352 pp., $27 The U.S. Department of Agriculture will steer more than $5 million to California agriculture and conservation projects as part of a $26.6-million national campaign to bring innovation to the sector. The funds are to be matched by the recipients, largely public agencies, educational institutions and private conservation and agricultural groups, bringing the total investment to about $59 million, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Thursday. Nearly a quarter of the funds will go to historically underserved communities such as veterans and new farmers, Vilsack said. Advertisement Im particularly interested in this years awards because theyre focusing on conservation financing, water quality, and helping beginning and socially disadvantaged producers, Vilsack said. Six projects will be funded in California three involving the financing of conservation on private land, including farms and forests, and three aimed at improving water quality in major agricultural production areas of the Central and Salinas valleys, according to USDA. The largest single grant, $2 million, will combat nitrates leaching from fertilized agricultural soil into underground aquifers in the Tulare Lake Basin of Californias Central Valley, one of the most productive agricultural areas in the state. The program would encourage more widespread use of the agencys soil and water assessment tools to conserve water and use less fertilizer, which could help bring nitrate readings in drinking water down to safer levels. Another $1.3 million will go toward similar efforts to improve water quality and conservation by encouraging cooperative approaches among small growers in Monterey County, the heart of the states lettuce and berry industry. These projects will do two things, Vilsack said. It will result in more resources being invested in conservation, and two: it will as a result better inform producers about how to use limited resources more efficiently to get the same or better results. Other California grants include $833,250 to test the use of manure effluent from dairies for underground drip irrigation, and $498,000 to preserve about 2,000 acres of high-quality habitat for endangered species in the Central Valley. California also would get a large share of more than $900,000 for forest and soil conservation programs among states in the West. The new funding will add to the ongoing Conservation and Innovation Grants program, which has pumped $173 million into 414 projects since 2009, according to USDA. This year, the program includes 13 new awards aimed at attracting private investment in conservation nationwide. geoffrey.mohan@latimes.com Follow me: @LATgeoffmohan ALSO Wells Fargo to pay $185 million to settle allegations its workers opened fake accounts How Airbnb is addressing its racial-bias problem CashCall loses long court battle with feds over how high it can set its loan rates UPDATES: 12:20 a.m.: This article was updated to clarify the scale of the monetary commitment from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This article was originally published at 10:25 a.m. In response to growing complaints of racial bias among its users, Airbnb will beef up its nondiscrimination policy, do more to diversify its own workforce and offer implicit-bias training to its hosts, according to a report released Thursday after a three-month review by the company. But the short-term rental site will not, for now, concede to critics one of their chief requests: abandoning the user photos that make it easy to identify online who is a minority. After thoroughly analyzing this issue, I came to believe that Airbnb guests should not be asked or required to hide behind curtains of anonymity when trying to find a place to stay, Laura Murphy, a former longtime American Civil Liberties Union official who was brought on as an advisor to lead Airbnbs review, said in the report. Technology can bring us together and technology shouldnt ask us to hide who we are. Instead, we should be implementing new, creative solutions to fight discrimination and promote understanding. Advertisement By the end of the year, the San Francisco company is vowing instead to experiment with reducing the visibility of photos on booking pages and promoting in their place other reputation information, such as reviews. The issue has been a thorny one for the company, which argues that photos as well as real names are necessary to create trust and ensure safety on a platform where millions of strangers rent space in one anothers private homes. Academic research has found discrimination among Airbnb hosts against guests with black-sounding names. And critics have argued that the design of the site with such information prominently displayed may more easily enable discrimination, making the company responsible for the behavior of users acting even on implicit biases. Airbnbs own research, the company acknowledges in the report, generally confirmed public reports that minorities struggle more than others to book a listing. Among the other promised changes, Airbnb will create a new feature automatically blocking calendar dates once a host rejects a potential guest. That would potentially prevent hosts from denying a user based on their race, only to offer the rental for the same dates to someone else, as has occurred according to some of the reported complaints. Under another new policy, the company also vows to immediately find alternative, comparable accommodations for guests who have experienced discrimination, even if that means pointing them to a traditional hotel room when no other Airbnb options exist and potentially subsidizing the price difference. In the revised nondiscrimination policy, the company is more explicit that hosts cannot decline guests based on their color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status. Nor can they post any statements suggesting a preference or discouraging any group. (If a host is sharing their living space, however, they can request guests of the same gender.) Airbnb will then remind users of the policy at points throughout the booking process, as experts on implicit bias recommended. Starting Nov. 1, users will also be asked to agree to this commitment before they book a listing or rent their space: We believe that no matter who you are, where you are from, or where you travel, you should be able to belong in the Airbnb community. By joining this community, you commit to treat all fellow members of this community, regardless of race, religion, national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or age, with respect, and without judgment or bias. The company acknowledged that awareness of its existing nondiscrimination policy was extremely limited. And the report concludes that Airbnb has been slow to address complaints of discrimination because of its own lack of diversity. (The company says less than 10% of its U.S. employees are from underrepresented populations.) Critics of a company that has threatened the hotel industry and riled some politicians had latched on to Airbnbs racial woes as further grounds to attack the company, and they will probably dismiss these changes as more window-dressing. It will become clearer with time whether the companys own diversity numbers increase and complaints of bias decline as a result. There have been too many unacceptable instances of people being discriminated against on the Airbnb platform, the report concludes, because of who they are or what they look like. Badger writes for the Washington Post. ALSO Virgin Galactic to restart its flight test program for space tourism CashCall loses long court battle over how high it can set its loan rates Farewell, headphone jack. Apple is killing you, but well never forget the decades we shared A federal appeals court upheld a $200-million penalty against large energy companies that didnt settle allegations about their role in Californias energy crisis. In a 34-page opinion released Thursday by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, a three-judge panel affirmed a ruling by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that large energy companies manipulated Californias power market during the states 2000-01 energy crisis. Counting the latest penalty, the state has recovered almost $7.7 billion from energy businesses and agencies for energy-crisis actions, according to the state attorney generals office. Advertisement I am gratified that the court upheld FERCs determination that large energy companies, such as Shell, manipulated Californias energy markets during the 2000-2001 energy crisis, leading to blackouts and exorbitant prices for the customers of Californias investor-owned utilities, state Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris said in a statement. My office will continue to pursue compensation from those who gamed the market and profited from the skyrocketing prices that resulted, Harris said. The companies involved, which all disputed FERCs finding, are Shell Energy North America, BP Energy Co., APX Inc., Illinova Corp. and MPS Merchant Services Inc. During the 2000-01 California energy crisis, the states electricity market suffered a meltdown because of unlawful market activities by various energy sellers. California spending on wholesale electricity rose from $7.4 billion in 1999 (the first full year of deregulation) to $27.1 billion a year later a 277% increase. The soaring costs forced the state to step in and buy electricity for Californias investor-owned utilities when they no longer could no longer afford to pay sky-high wholesale prices. Experts estimated the total damage to Californias economy at more than $40 billion. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and Southern California Edison became technically insolvent. ivan.penn@latimes.com Follow me at @ivanlpenn ALSO Wells Fargo to pay $185 million settlement for outrageous sales culture Airbnb tries to fight racism with rule changes Snapchat hires White House staffer A California-led proposal to tighten wine-labeling rules has rallied the states lawmakers, split the industry and spurred a debate that shows no signs of resolution. Flexing political muscles, 48 members of the House of Representatives, including three dozen Californians, are seeking tighter labeling rules to protect the value of names like Napa Valley. Opponents fear the consequences, with one Texas winemaker warning that the new rules would prove a devastating blow. On Thursday, at the request of the Wine Institute and the California Assn. of Winegrape Growers, federal regulators extended a public comment period thats already proved to be revealing despite some distractions within the industry. Advertisement Their members are currently preoccupied with the grape harvest, the Treasury Departments Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau noted in explaining the extension. Winemakers, oenophiles and others now have until Dec. 7 to opine on the new labeling rules proposed in June. The rules would further restrict how out-of-state producers can use viticultural areas on their labels. So far, the 65 comments posted reflect diverse views that arent always determined by geography. Concerns raised by Texas winemaker Kert Platner, for instance, were echoed by Lodi, Calif., winemaker Dave Pechan, who called the rule changes absolutely unworkable. The California Assn. of Winegrape Growers, requesting more time to study the proposal, warned of lost grape sales. Tread carefully when proposed regulations may disrupt long-established commercial relationships, the associations president, John Aguirre, wrote Aug. 19. On the flip side, lawmakers from New York and Oregon joined the California House members in urging regulators to act soon. A final regulation is needed [to] protect consumers from deceptive labeling practices as well as the integrity of American viticultural areas, the Congressional Wine Caucus members wrote Aug. 19. The label rules in question govern appellation of origin and certain other identifying words. An appellation of origin is a designated and distinctive region, such as the 22,400-acre Edna Valley American Viticultural Area in San Luis Obispo County or the 2.6 million-acre Sierra Foothills Viticultural Area. Federal rules require that at least 85% of a wine whose label includes a viticultural area be derived from grapes grown within the designated region. The wine must also be fully produced within the state. A loophole, though, exempts wines that are sold strictly within single states rather than being placed into interstate commerce. A wine made in Georgia with Napa Valley grapes, for instance, has been labeled as Napa Valley, according to U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena). The rule proposed in June would extend the general interstate labeling requirements to wines sold within single states. In their Aug. 19 letter, the wine caucus members urged regulators to quickly finalize the rule to ensure labels are accurate and truthful. As an aspiring boutique winemaker, the thought of others, especially ultra-large wineries from out of the area, being able to capitalize on a region without actually being there is fraud in my eyes, Napa resident Garett Savage wrote. From New York City, though, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce cautioned that the tighter rules would have unintended negative effects on small urban winemakers. The conservative, Sacramento-based Pacific Legal Foundation warned the label restrictions raise serious 1st Amendment concerns. There are a complex set of considerations at play for the California grape growers who sell to out-of-state producers, Wine Institute President Robert Koch acknowledged in asking for more time to review the proposal, Doyle writes for the McClatchy Washington Bureau. The Obamaworld-social media industry mind meld continues: White House strategic communications advisor Rachel Racusen is leaving to join Snapchat as director of communications, based in New York City. Racusen, who has done two stints in the White House communications office (working at MSNBC in between), finished up her duties at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. on Tuesday and will start her new job Sept. 19. Over the last year, Racusen has focused on projects aimed at capturing the presidents legacy, from the economy to the environment. Before first joining the White House staff in May 2013, Racusen served as director of public affairs for the Federal Emergency Management Agency for two years and as deputy national communications director for Obamas reelection campaign. Advertisement In her new post, Racusen will lead development of communications strategies for global content and crisis communications as well as Snapchats partnerships with media companies that create content for its Discover feature. Snapchat has a large content creation and advertising team in New York, with plans to employ as many as 400 people there within the next few years. Snapchat spokesman Shannon Kelly wrote in an email that the company is excited to have her on board, but declined to provide additional details about her role. Racusens hire comes about a year after Snapchat lost communications chief Jill Hazelbaker to Uber. Hazelbaker also had previous political experience, serving as national communications director for Sen. John McCains (R-Ariz.) presidential campaign. Racusen joins a long line of Obama veterans who have found jobs in the tech sector after working for the government, including former Press Secretary Jay Carney (Amazon) and former senior advisors Dan Pfeiffer (GoFundMe) and David Plouffe (Uber). And Snapchat is a popular White House presence already: Michelle Obama joined the platform in June, about a month after she and the president welcomed Snapchat Chief Executive Evan Spiegel and his now-fiancee, Miranda Kerr, to a state dinner for Nordic leaders. Eilperin writes for the Washington Post. Times staff writer Paresh Dave contributed to this report. Calling it outrageous and a major breach of trust, local and federal regulators hammered Wells Fargo & Co. for a pervasive culture of aggressive sales goals that pushed thousands of workers to open as many as 2 million accounts that bank customers never wanted. Those practices, first uncovered by the Los Angeles Times in 2013, led to a massive $185-million settlement package announced Thursday. The settlements put to rest a lawsuit filed last year by Los Angeles City Atty. Mike Feuer as well as investigations by two federal regulators: the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Advertisement The bank did not admit any wrongdoing in the settlements, but it apologized to customers and announced steps to change its sales practices. It will pay $100 million to the CFPB the largest fine the federal agency has ever imposed as well as $50 million to the city and county of Los Angeles and $35 million to the OCC. The bank will also pay refunds to customers who paid fees on accounts they never wanted. Feuer on Thursday called the settlements a big win for consumers. Its outrageous for a bank to use a customers private information without permission to open an unwanted account, he said. Customers must be able to trust their banks. Feuer credited a 2013 Times story for sparking his investigation. His office sued the bank last year, alleging Wells Fargo victimized their customers by using pernicious and often illegal sales tactics, including unrealistic quotas and policies that have driven bankers to engage in fraudulent behavior. Feuers suit caught the attention of federal regulators, who conducted their own investigations. The CFPB, citing an analysis by Wells Fargo, said bank employees may have opened as many as 1.5 million checking and savings accounts, and more than 500,000 credit cards, without customers authorization. The investigations found that employees illegally transferred funds from genuine accounts into unauthorized ones, created PINs for unwanted debit cards and made up bogus email addresses to secretly sign customers up for online banking. Richard Cordray, director of the CFPB, said Thursday that those actions were so abusive and so widespread that the agency levied its largest fine to date. It reflects the severity of these violations, the breadth of the unfair and abusive practices and how seriously we take them, Cordray said. We found this conduct to be quite surprising. The bank had consistently said such practices were not widespread and that workers who cheat to meet sales goals are disciplined or fired. The CFPB said 5,300 workers have been fired for improper sales practices since 2011. In a statement Thursday, Wells Fargo confirmed the settlements and said it has set aside $5 million to cover refunds to customers. The bank hired an outside firm that looked for potentially bogus accounts, a process that was finalized before the settlements were announced. The bank said it has already provided refunds to about 100,000 customers, paying a total of $2.6 million so far with payments averaging $25. Wells Fargo is committed to putting our customers interests first 100% of the time, and we regret and take responsibility for any instances where customers may have received a product that they did not request, the bank said in its statement. The bank will send notices to customers asking them to stop by a branch so that employees can help close any accounts or discontinue services you do not recognize or want. Bank spokeswoman Mary Eshet said the bank has already lowered sales goals, worked to structure employee incentives around customer satisfaction and hired more workers to monitor its sales staff. She said the bank has also started a mystery shopper program to look for bad behavior. Regulators stopped short of accusing Wells Fargo executives of encouraging employees to open unauthorized accounts, but said the badly structured incentives and lack of oversight pushed employees to game the system, either to improve their pay or to keep their jobs. In levying such a steep fine on Wells Fargo, the CFPBs Cordray said his agency is sending a message to the entire banking industry that it must make sure sales tactics do not harm consumers. What happened here is Wells Fargo built an incentive-compensation program that made it possible for Wells Fargo employees to pursue underhanded sales tactics, he said. Companies need to pay very close attention to ensure that customers are protected. Ed Mierzwinski, consumer program director at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, said the CFPBs $100-million fine, while a relatively small sum for a company the size of Wells Fargo, is big enough that other banks will pay attention. Its a message to all the bank lawyers out there that this kind of behavior should never happen again, he said. Its a very strong message to other institutions about the gravity of this appalling conduct. $100 million is real money, even to a big bank. Despite the refunds, some customers say it wont be so easy to undo the damage caused by the banks practices. Last year, Jerry Van Vort, at the time a community college student in Santa Maria, said he visited a Wells Fargo branch and was offered a new credit card. He turned down the offer, but weeks later received a credit card in the mail. He didnt take the time to close the account and later discovered that the bank had linked the credit card to his checking account to provide overdraft protection. I didnt have enough money in my checking account and the overdraft went onto the credit card. I had to pay that off, said Van Vort, who now lives in upstate New York. He said he believes the incident damaged his credit history, making it more expensive for him to borrow money and harder for him to qualify for a mortgage. If they could reimburse people to the point where things are made fair and clean, Id say thats fair, Van Vort said. But it doesnt seem like theyll be able to reimburse people for all the damage. james.koren@latimes.com Follow me: @jrkoren ALSO Virgin Galactic to restart its flight test program for space tourism CashCall loses long court battle over how high it can set its loan rates Farewell, headphone jack. Apple is killing you, but well never forget the decades we shared UPDATES: 3:10 p.m.: This article was updated throughout with additional details and comments. 11:16 a.m.: This article was updated with comments from CFPB Director Richard Cordray and additional details. 9:40 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details and comments from Los Angeles City Atty. Mike Feuer and Wells Fargo. This article was originally published at 9 a.m. Museum archives are historically places that draw only the most dedicated researchers to poke through boxes of files, trays of objects and piles of ephemera generated by exhibitions. But the Hammer Museum is aiming to change the way museum archives are accessed and organized. The Hammer, with the aid of a $500,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, is in the process of producing a series of digital archives that will allow researchers and the general public to access information related to some of its exhibitions for free online. The first of these, tied to the museums 2011 show, Now Dig This! Art and Black Los Angeles 1960-1980, part of the Pacific Standard Time series of exhibitions, debuted online this summer. The project goes beyond just creating a bells-and-whistles exhibition website. The archive features important essays generated by the show, links to outside coverage, as well as documentation, photography and other research material. Advertisement You have symposia, you have lectures, you have gallery talks, you have essays, all of which advance knowledge of this work, says Cynthia Burlingham, the museums deputy director of curatorial affairs. You learn so much during the duration of the exhibition that you werent able to put into the catalog or even the exhibition. It might include additional works of art or things that have different kinds of audiences. The digital archive includes all of these things as well as multimedia elements such as video. It even includes photography from the different versions of an exhibition as it travels. Now Dig This, for example, originated at the Hammer and later went on view at MoMA PS1 in New York and the Williams College Museum of Art in Massachusetts. Each institution worked with curator Kellie Jones, explains Burlingham, but the galleries were different, some of the exhibition checklists were different, so you get to see how all of that played out. The Mellon grant, which made the archive possible, allowed the museum to bring on archivist Phil Leers to organize the material for online presentation and help create the digital architecture that would house it. The Hammer also has plans to create online archives for some of its other shows and collections. This will include the creation of an archive devoted to Take It Or Leave It: Institution, Image, Ideology, a 2014 exhibition about institutional critique co-curated by the Hammer Museum, and the upcoming Radical Women: Latin American Art, 1960-1985, which will be the museums contribution to Pacific Standard Time: Los Angeles and Latin America next year. SIGN UP for the Essential Arts & Culture newsletter The museum will also create archives tied to the Grunwald Center Collection, which features more than 45,000 works on paper, as well as one devoted to its extensive collection of pieces by California artist Corita Kent. Instead of just putting all of her works online, were telling stories, says Burlingham. It will be a monographic treatment of Corita Kent. And all of it will be available online for free. To see the archive for Now Dig This!, visit hammer.ucla.edu/now-dig-this. Find me on Twitter @cmonstah. ALSO A portrait project draws L.A. female artists to Hauser Wirth & Schimmel for a joyous flash mob An artists imposing new monument at Echo Park Lake honors Angelenos killed in violent crimes What happens to a persons Facebook posts after they die? One artist is using them to build digital memorials Juan Gabriel was a songwriter who knew how to channel the struggles of modern life and the hurt of the wounded The first joint appearance of presidential nominees Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump on NBCs Commander in Chief Forum drew strong ratings, averaging 14.7 million viewers on Wednesday. But the reviews for the performance by moderator Matt Lauer, co-anchor of Today, during and after the event held at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York, have been less than stellar. Lauer received harsh feedback most of it from media critics and supporters of Clinton, the Democratic nominee after he failed to press Trump on his insistence that he was opposed to the Iraq war. Clinton had earlier mentioned a 2002 radio interview with Howard Stern in which Trump said he favored the U.S. invasion. But the Republican nominee maintained Wednesday night that he was opposed to it, with no follow-up from Lauer. Advertisement Lauer also received blowback for interrupting Clinton, who attempted to provide longer and more detailed answers during her portion of the forum. Each candidate was given half an hour, and Clinton spent nearly half of her time discussing the controversy over her emails. Former Obama White House speechwriter Jon Favreau wrote: I dont blame Lauer for asking the email question. But its ABSURD that he started off with Trump, Why should you be commander in chief? New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof wrote on Twitter that the forum was an embarrassment to journalism. (Kristof is a friend of former Today co-anchor Ann Curry, who had an uneasy on-air rapport with Lauer.) Other commenters also said Lauer went easier on Trump. If Matt Lauer were a dog, hed bark at women and rollover for white men, tweeted Warren Leight, former producer of NBCs Law & Order: SVU. Lauer, one of the most durably popular figures in network TV news, is rarely subjected to the kind of notices he received for the forum. At one point the hashtag #LaueringTheBar was trending on Twitter. The forum featured questions on national security, military affairs and veterans issues issues, including several from an audience of active service members. An NBC News representative had no comment on the criticisms leveled at Lauer. In a report on Thursdays Today program, correspondent Peter Alexander said Trump falsely presented his position on the Iraq war during the forum and played an audio clip of the candidate stating his support. But the only reference on Today to the negative reaction to Lauers moderating came during an interview with comedian Dana Carvey. Impersonating Russian President Vladimir Putin, Carvey said Lauer did a good job. You have a fan, Carvey said. Lauer laughed and held up his index finger. One, he said. stephen.battaglio@latimes.com Twitter: @SteveBattaglio UPDATES: 12:40 p.m.: This story has been updated with additional Nielsen data. This post originally published at 10:40 a.m. Is a repressive 19th century drama from a newbie director the most radical movie of the season? Ever since his Lady Macbeth a 19th century re-imagining of a Russian novella about an arranged marriage became one of the conversation pieces at the Toronto International Film Festival, director William Oldroyd has found himself having an unusual conversation. Filmgoers whove seen his movie and expected (or apparently dont know much about) William Shakespeare have been wondering what happened to Duncan, Banquo and the rest of the gang. I know it sounds funny, but Ive had people come up and say to me, This isnt anything like the play, Oldroyd recalled in an interview. And I have to pause and think about what to say. I mean, its not an adaptation of the [Shostakovich] opera either. Its not really anything traditional. The director isnt kidding. This is already shaping up as a film year of a particular trend: complex female characters reacting provocatively to sexual repression and assault. Movies such as Elle, with Isabelle Huppert, and Una, with Rooney Mara, both confound simple victim narratives in ways that are honest or dangerous, depending on your point of view. Read More Ukraine-born ballet superstar Sergei Polunin loves to dance but doesnt always know why hes dancing. That internal conflict is at the heart of Steven Cantors sensitive, luxuriantly filmed documentary about the princely, magnetic Polunin, Dancer, a title that in the 26-year-old artists eyes could variously be a badge of honor or a provocation. See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour For the record: This review was incorrectly attributed to Michael Rechtshaffen when it posted. A jubilant, talented child born in poverty-stricken Kherson, Polunins obvious talent earned him a place at Londons Royal Ballet School for training. In record time he was named a principal at the Royal Ballet: at 19, making him the youngest ever. But separated from his family who sacrificed everything for him to the extent that the parents marriage suffered Polunins ambition soured and veered toward cynical burnout, which led to behavior that earned him a reputation as ballets bad boy. Advertisement Movie Trailers And yet Cantors movie, which includes captured backstage footage and interviews with his mother, father, and supportive friends, is no sensationalistic brushstroke (despite the use of Black Sabbaths Iron Man at the beginning). From memorable, early home videos depicting a graceful boy and physically commanding teenage prodigy to the fiercely emotional, tattooed star of the David LaChapelle-directed Take Me to Church video that became a viral sensation last year and helped reignite Polunins desires, Dancer becomes a gentle inquiry into how a gifted performer disrupts his life in order to test his passion. ------------- Dancer In English, Russian and Ukrainian with English subtitles Not rated Running time: 1 hour, 25 minutes Playing: Laemmle Monica Film Center, Santa Monica Not everyone hears the drumbeat of war, but those who do, and turn it into life-saving action, often become some of the most memorable, affirming figures to emerge from the horrors of conflict. Such is the case of Waitstill and Martha Sharp, married Unitarians from Massachusetts who heeded their churchs call to address rising evil in Europe. In 1939, they moved to Czechoslovakia to provide material relief to as many Jewish refugees as possible: dissidents, scientists, journalists and others. In many cases, under threat of arrest or worse, they personally helped them flee the country. The new documentary Defying the Nazis: The Sharps War, from Ken Burns and Artemis Joukowsky (grandson of the Sharps), briskly relates their wartime heroism through the couples own words (voiced by Tom Hanks and Marina Goldman), and interviews with the Sharps descendants, the rescued (who were children then), and scholars. But its also one of those industrially produced history lessons in which the archival footage is formlessly assembled and the portentous music is constant surprising qualities from the normally more judicious Burns. Advertisement See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour And though its focus is the two years the Sharps spent in Europe, it rushes through elements of their lives that would seem to warrant more examination, namely Marthas feminism and its effect on their marriage. Its still an incredible true story of sacrifice, and one that led Israel to make the Sharps two of only five Americans to be honored by Israel with the designation Righteous Among the Nations. ------------- Defying the Nazis: The Sharps War Not rated Running time: 1 hour, 18 minutes Playing: Laemmle Music Hall, Beverly Hills Theres a fine line between mocking obnoxious bro behavior and celebrating it, and writer-director Casey Tebos Happy Birthday too often falls on the wrong side of the divide. Though well-acted and stylish, this meta-grindhouse exercise strains under its own self-satisfied cleverness. Matt Bush stars as Brady Baxter, a nebbishy Hollywood assistant who takes an impromptu birthday trip to Mexico with his rich buddy Tommy (Riley Litman). Their planned epic debauchery gets scuttled when they meet two women (Britne Oldford and Vanessa Lengies) who kidnap and torture them, claiming to be working for a drug lord. Movie Trailers Advertisement For a while, Happy Birthday has some fun with its sucker-punch, as Brady and Tommy come to regret wanting to experience the gamier side of a foreign country. But while the movie is skewering these dudes preconceived notions of Mexicans, women and the criminal underworld, its indulging in its own stereotypes about all three. See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Tebo brings some admirable ambition to this microbudget project, adding in flashy camera moves, digressive stories-within-stories, and a couple more major plot twists. And it helps that he has such a strong young cast, supplemented with character turns by Erik Palladino as a Tex-Mex cowboy and Aerosmiths Steven Tyler as a shaman. But from the overwritten, pop-culture-reference-laden dialogue to the incessant attempts to be shocking, Happy Birthday tries way too hard. For a movie that doesnt have much to say, it sure never stops jabbering. ------------- Happy Birthday MPAA rating: R, for sexual content, language throughout, some nudity, drug use and violence Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes. Playing: Arena Cinema, Hollywood Just a normal wedding, the mother of the bride sniffs more than halfway through Marcin Wronas Demon. Shes exaggerating a little. By that point in this Polish-set matrimonial horror film, the weather has taken a foul turn, a few guests have come to physical blows and the groom has been confined to the cellar after a series of violent convulsions, which his new in-laws have unsuccessfully tried to dismiss as both an epileptic fit and a bad case of food poisoning. All in all, youve probably been to worse parties. And compared with some of the more memorably disastrous movie weddings of European art-house vintage Thomas Vinterbergs The Celebration and Lars von Triers Melancholia come to mind Demon seems fairly tame genre stuff, its steadily rising tension leavened by occasional jump scares and abundant reserves of dry humor. Even when the groom starts evincing all the signs of being possessed by a dybbuk, that malevolent visitor of Jewish folklore, the hosts think only of keeping their guests drunk and unaware that something is seriously wrong. The audience, of course, has been steadily clued in from the opening scenes of the remote and rugged Polish countryside, eerily filmed to resemble a bombed-out dystopian landscape (the fine, muted photography is by Pawel Flis). Advertisement A man named Piotr (Israeli actor Itay Tiran) has traveled from London to marry a local woman named Zaneta (Agnieszka Zulewska), and the fact that they havent known each other long they were introduced by Zanetas brother, Jasny (Tomasz Schuchardt) seems no impediment to the affection that courses naturally between them. The action takes place almost entirely on the grounds of Zanetas family house, which will become hers and Piotrs upon their marriage a wedding gift from the brides father (Andrzej Grabowski). Its a rotten gift. Shortly before the wedding, the groom makes a bizarre discovery on the property, which would be gruesome enough even if it werent an unwelcome reminder of the specters of Polands past specters that have now come back to haunt this family in decidedly literal, Yiddish-spouting form. Skillfully adapted (by Wrona and Pawel Maslona) from Piotr Rowickis stage play Adherence, Demon dramatizes the return of the repressed in sly yet straightforward fashion. Despite the occasional narrative ambiguities, it will take a particularly inattentive audience member to miss the films chilling message about the persistence of past sins, particularly the awful legacy of the Nazi crimes perpetrated not terribly long ago on Polish soil. The fatalism feeds the humor and vice versa; amusing as it is to see the brides parents go into damage control mode by pouring on the vodka, its astounding to see the sheer cruelty of their indifference to history, to compassion, to the health and happiness of their new son-in-law. To that end, Tiran undergoes a tremendous metamorphosis in the role of Piotr, enacting one hell of a physical breakdown and later channeling the dybbuks tormented spirit with uncanny tenderness and feeling. A few journalists have suggested parallels between Piotrs on-screen anguish and the private suffering of the director, Wrona, who died last year while Demon was first making the international festival rounds. (The cause of death was ruled a suicide.) Im loath to jump to any facile conclusions about life imitating art or to speculate about how an artists inclination toward darkness might be a gateway to suicidal despair. Perhaps its best to appreciate Demon not for what it implies but for what it simply and unmistakably is: A bravura testament to a talent silenced far too soon. ------------ Demon In Polish, English and Yiddish with English subtitles MPAA rating: R, for language and some sexuality/nudity Running time: 1 hour, 34 minutes Playing: Nuart Theatre, Los Angeles See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour For 15-year-old Brandon (Jahking Guillory), the frizzy-haired, undersized kid protagonist of Justin Tippings agile feature debut Kicks, navigating adolescence and a rough, depressed Oakland neighborhood is like working a double shift that doesnt pay. Hes got a status-bump goal, though, and the phrase clothes make the man isnt specific enough. Convinced his problems of being poor, picked on and ignored by girls will be solved by the holy grail for sneaker fanatics black-and-red (or bred) Air Jordan 1s Brandon scrounges enough money to buy a pair. But if youve seen the Italian neo-realist classic Bicycle Thieves one of Tippings metaphoric inspirations you know what awaits the newly shod Brandon when he runs into a severe-looking crew on a lonely stretch of concrete. Kicks is that kind of fascinatingly uneven indie only children of gritty urban life know how to make when theyre ready to pick up a camera and engage with their past. As a teenager, Tipping, an East Bay native and American Film Institute graduate, once got jumped for his Nikes and bristled at the idea that his beating was called a rite of passage. Advertisement The agreeably stylish movie emerging from that experience loves and hates the psychological trappings of street survival. The contradiction is interesting enough, but it doesnt entirely help smooth over the directors ill-conceived flourishes a reliance on slow-motion, for example, as if it were about to be made illegal. The jarring tone starts with how despairingly simple Brandons view of his masculine pride is and how dangerous his reaction is to having the Jordans stolen: Hes willing to venture into violence-ridden Bay Area territory and confront the culprit, a ripped, animalistic figure named Flaco (Kofi Siriboe), to get them back. Movie Trailers Brandons knee-jerk odyssey veers dangerously close to being too stupid to enjoy watching you want to protectively yell Go home! to the screen, especially when a gun enters the picture. But newcomer Guillory has the right combination of vulnerability and quiet anger to keep us invested, and side details give Brandons journey admirably complicated pauses. Looking for Flaco, Brandon seeks advice from his tough, hood-respected uncle (a rock-solid Mahershala Ali), who sternly tells him to handle his business himself, all while exercising the arm of his incapacitated, vacantly smiling grandmother the scene cleverly suggests that ones business changes as lifes responsibilities accumulate. And though Flaco looked fearsome laying a beating on Brandon, a glimpse of his home life shows who the stolen Jordans were for: a young son on a bare mattress who loves his daddy. The resonance of Siriboes commanding performance is in suggesting that his criminal ferocity has a tucked-away desperation attached. Other elements arent handled as effectively. Brandons two friends smiling player Rico (Christopher Meyer) and wisecracking Albert (Christopher Jordan Wallace, son of the late rapper Notorious B.I.G.) come off more like regulation sidekicks and arent as funny as Tipping thinks they are. Even more problematic, the movies portrayal of women is a little too in line with how every male in the movie sees them: as sex objects who have to be told to shut up. One can still tell a cautionary tale of warped machismo without reducing females to dimensionless playthings. See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour The most curious touch is the recurring appearance of an imaginary astronaut (more slo-mo), who represents for Brandon escape, or solitude, or confidence. Its never entirely clear and mostly feels like a distracting reach for artiness when Tippings already assured handling of the escalating dread of Brandons misadventure shows visual punch hes clearly a burgeoning talent with material thats both grimly naturalistic and pulse-pounding. On that front, hes aided by a hip hop/R&B soundtrack that rarely goes for obvious top notes and instead feels almost subconscious, even funny at times. (Blue Magics circus-inspired soul lament Sideshow plays over a set piece depicting another kind of sideshow: East Bay drivers performing doughnuts in a parking lot.) Perhaps the best thing you can say about Kicks is that its strengths and weaknesses make for intriguing bedfellows, like a cautionary fable thats as much about the hazards of forging an artistic authenticity as it is the pitfalls of a corrosive approach to manhood. ------------- Kicks MPAA rating: R, for violence, drug/alcohol use and language throughout, and sexual content involving teens. Running time: 1 hour, 27 minutes Playing: ArcLight Hollywood At least one bar at Staples Center was offering a specialty cocktail Wednesday called the Hotline Bling. Described as a jalapeno-watermelon margarita, this rather iffy concoction was designed, of course, to honor the evenings headlining performer, Drake, whose recent hit single by that title helped propel him and his collaborator Future to a sold-out three-night stand at the downtown arena. But if the existence of the drink illustrated the scale of Drakes success, it also served as a reminder of how adaptable his stardom is to different ends. Advertisement The Toronto native entered show business as a teen actor, then made his name as a rapper by bringing melody and emotion into the generally macho world of hip-hop. Now, a decade after he started releasing mixtapes, hes a one-man empire with a record label, a pop-up apparel shop on La Brea Avenue, even a branded whiskey for those wisely un-enticed by the Hotline Bling. His music too has broadened to meet all kinds of needs; he does slick pop songs, sumptuous R&B ballads and the type of sneering tough talk to which he once seemed morally opposed. On his latest album, this years chart-topping Views, he contrasts some remarkably callous ideas about women against luscious production that makes him sound like the most attentive lover on Earth. The point is that, for all hes done to project a one-of-a-kind personality, Drake contains multitudes. You see in him what you want to see. Future, left, and Drake rapped together. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times ) He certainly provided enough evidence to support any conclusion Wednesday, the first local date on his and Futures joint Summer Sixteen tour. (Following replays Friday and Saturday at Staples, the production will return to Southern California later this month for three additional concerts at the Forum in Inglewood.) Drake began the show in chest-beating mode, snarling through aggressive tracks like Summer Sixteen, Started From the Bottom and 9, in which he presents himself, not unreasonably, as a hero to his hometown. Im not here to talk your ear off, he promised a crowd peppered with celebrities including LeBron James and Rihanna (who may or may not be the rappers girlfriend), and the suggestion seemed to be that Drake the Philosopher had taken the night off. Within minutes, though, he was crooning Feel No Ways, one of the more introspective numbers on Views. Not only that, but he had his band slow the song to a crawl so he could do impressive vocal runs over the delicate groove, a stunt he pulled several times during the gig. Drake performed songs from throughout his catalog. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times ) But then suddenly hed had enough of that. Turning to his keyboardist, Drake told the guy he was transforming the show into a B2K reunion concert, referring to the early-00s boy band, and instructed him to play something livelier. That was the cue for more rough-edged boasting, which lasted until Drake said it was time for a little set for the ladies. For this sequence, he mounted a moving platform that carried him over the audience as he sang Hold on, Were Going Home, perhaps his softest hit, and greeted various fans with a politicians gift for gab. You three with the coordinated outfits you know I love that, he said, endearingly. The back-and-forth continued through an unannounced appearance by YG, the hard-nosed Compton rapper with whom Drake performed a merry Why You Always Hatin?, and several songs with Future, whose woozy strip-club rap embodies its own contradictions. After the pair did their song Grammys, Drake left the Atlanta MC to lead his own brief set, which included a cameo by L.A.s Ty Dolla Sign in Blase and a rendition of March Madness accompanied by tense police imagery on a large video screen. Future was joined by Ty Dolla Sign during Blase. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times ) When Drake returned, he emphasized his newest identity globe-trotting pop star with polished versions of catchy but rhythmically sophisticated cuts like One Dance, Controlla and Work, his shimmering duet with Rihanna. Overhead, a few hundred illuminated orbs moved in mechanized patterns, a tasteful concession to the pop stars need for spectacle. To end the show, Drake brought out Snoop Dogg, who rapped two reliable oldies The Next Episode and Drop It Like Its Hot with his usual charm. And he told the crowd how proud he was to have his mom in the house. And finally, he remade his song Legend, an unfiltered blast of alpha-male braggadocio, as a long, moody quiet-storm slow jam. As the band vamped on that one, Drake talked a bit more with the crowd, singling out a couple near the stage. I hope yall stay together, he said. Seems like a good mix right there. Twitter: @mikaelwood An African American woman from a community outreach nonprofit group is addressing a grade-school class when one student interrupts: Why you talk like a white girl? CLICK! A plus-sized African American woman is seducing her white on-and-off boyfriend, promising a night of carnal delight: Come get this chocolate pie! CLICK! A young African American man is confronted outside his parents house by his disapproving father, who accuses the son of always asking for money. He tells his son he cant come into the house because I cant afford it. Advertisement CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! These scenes come from three new African American-themed TV comedies debuting in the fall in a medium still largely dominated by shows about whites. Each is the product of distinctive African American talents who created and star in them. Each is notable for its edgy, honest depiction of black life a rarity on American television. The depictions of situations, nuances, cultural references, language and interactions within and outside the African American universe that confront the key characters in the series will be recognizable to many black viewers, particularly since they are largely unfiltered through a mainstream prism. But the writers and producers of the shows also believe that general audiences will find universal truths and situations that they can identify with. The scene of the woman addressing the students is an introduction to HBOs Insecure, which was co-created and stars Issa Rae, who developed a huge following with her popular YouTube series The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl. In the show, which premieres Oct. 9, Rae plays a twentysomething navigating humorously uncomfortable situations in her personal and professional life. Loosely Exactly Nicole, which premiered last week on MTV, stars comedienne Nicole Byer (MTVS Girl Code) as a slightly fictionalized version of herself a rotund, charismatic aspiring actress reaching for her slice of the Hollywood dream. In addition to her occasional lover, Byers also has a considerable sexual appetite. Also premiering last week was FXs Atlanta, created by Donald Glover (Community). Glover, who also serves as writer, director and executive musical director of the show, stars as a broke and nearly homeless young man to trying to turn his life around and hopefully reverse the disappointment of his parents as the manager of his rapper cousin. The three shows are launching at a time when the volatile topic of race particularly when it comes to the presidential race, the shootings of unarmed African American males by police and movements such as #BlackLivesMatter is center stage on the national scene. None of the shows are overtly political or topical. They share some similarities the main characters are single and unsettled personally and professionally.. Atlanta and Insecure have a hip-hop sensibility, and the N-word is peppered through both shows. But the comedies have their separate identities, projecting a vivid and often provocative view of African American life rarely projected on mainstream television. While popular shows such as black-ish and Empire have won favor with white viewers as well as people of color, these new shows are told from a younger perspective. Rae applauded the trend. Im so excited to be part of this, she said in a phone interview. On a creative level, I know they will be all different because were all different. Byer, who is an executive producer and writer of her show, echoed Raes enthusiasm in a separate interview. Its great that the voices of young people of color are being respected, and that were being allowed to work, Byer said. All three of us are pretty hands-on our shows, if not fully hands-on, which is incredible. Your weekly guide to fall TV More significantly, Insecure, Loosely Exactly Nicole and Atlanta offer a sharp counterpoint to such past and present shows as Girls, Sex in the City, Friends, The Big Bang Theory and New Girl that revolve mostly around young white characters. Insecure, which Rae created with former talk-show host and writer Larry Wilmore (black-ish) explores the sometimes dicey relationship friendship between two black women wrestling with conflicts inside and outside black culture. The show is a breakthrough for HBO, which has been repeatedly criticized in past years for showcasing shows about white women while ignoring stories about women of color. Girls, created by and starring Lena Dunham, has particularly come under fire for its focus on young white characters even though it is based in New York City. Set in Inglewood, Insecure features Raes character, named Issa Dee, dealing with the awkwardness of being a single black woman: Her long-standing relationship with her live-in boyfriend Lawrence (Jay Ellis) appears to be going nowhere fast. Her job at the nonprofit agency is also problematic the organization, geared to assist people in the hood, is predominantly staffed by white people. She often props herself in front of a mirror, giving herself pep talks. Rae believes Insecure presents some universal truths that will be identifiable for all races. There are things about being female and being black in the show, but thats not at the forefront, said Rae. Were dealing with regular people who just happen to be black. Theres nothing high stakes, and thats just fine. Hopefully everyone who watches will be able to point and say, Hey, I know that person. I know what theyre going through. The humor of Byer in Loosely, Exactly Nicole is more over-the-top, with Byer exhibiting an energetic and highly sexual persona. Her character lives in a crummy Van Nuys apartment. Her two closest friends are white her gay roommate Devin (Jacob Wysocki), and BBF Veronica (Jen DAngelo). Shell do anything to get an acting job she paints the face of the son of of her Asian friend so she can pose as his mother during an audition. Said Byer, Ive lived an interesting life. During my 20s, I truly said yes to everything, whether it was a good idea or not. Each episode contains a nugget of a true thing that happened to me, and there there is an element that we sort of build on. I just want people to watch and laugh, and not worry about all the terrible things going on in the world. Atlanta represents the singular, quirky vision of Glover that contains elements of dark humor and even violence. Describing the offbeat structure of the series during the summer session of the Television Critics Assn. press tour, Glover indicated that the series is more about tone than narrative. The thesis with the show was kind of to show how it felt to be black, and you cant really write that down, Glover said at the time. You kind of have to feel it. So the tonal aspect was really important to me. He portrays Earn Marks, who is so broke and irresponsible that Van (Zazie Beetz), his girlfriend and mother of his young daughter, is close to kicking him out of their home. But he thinks he can pull his life together if he can convince his up-and-coming rapper cousin Alfred (Brian Tyree Henry) to hire him as his manager. Glover is better known to mainstream audiences than Rae or Byer, and viewers used to his nerd role on Community may be mystified by Atlanta. A shooting and its aftermath in the first and second episodes are mostly played for laughs. Most of the young African American men demonstrate little ambition or responsibility, spending their days smoking weed and playing video games. Earn does not appear to be a devoted parent or partner. Alfred carries a gun around, and is quick to pull it out. Glover said at TCA that some viewers familiar with his work may be thrown off by the series. Some of them will be Oh, thats cool. Some of them will be like I hate this thing. I dont get him. That happens a lot. I think people are always, like I dont get this guy, like I dont understand him. and thats, I think, good. Like, I think thats really good, actually. Rae is hopeful that all three shows pave the way for more edgy fare from people of color: There are so many stories to tell. ALSO: Review: Atlanta is a beautifully played comedy of place and character Issa Rae takes HBO from white Girls to black women with Insecure Anthony Hopkins delights in his dark, mysterious character in Westworld When it comes to writing, people love to advise write what you know. But Scott Silveri, creator and showrunner of ABCs new family comedy Speechless, would be the first to tell you that crafting a narrative out of your own experiences is nowhere near as easy as it seems. Its like where comedy meets therapy, Silveri said of the series, based on his life growing up in a family that included his brother, who has special needs. Its actually gotten easier and easier the farther away Ive gotten from my actual experience, Silveri said during a break in production on the Fox Studios lot. There are things that are sacrosanct, things that Im determined to portray, but around the margins its served us well to move away from my exact experience. Advertisement Speechless, which premieres Sept. 21 at 8:30 p.m., centers its comedy around Jimmy (John Ross Bowie) and Maya DiMeo (Minnie Driver) and their three children, J.J. (Micah Fowler), Ray (Mason Cook) and Dylan (Kyla Kenedy), as they search for the best possible school to provide support for J.J.s cerebral palsy and the family as a whole. Perhaps the most important aspect of his childhood that Silveri wanted to depict accurately was the set of unique challenges facing a family that has a child with special needs. To help preserve that experience, the series brought in an expert to guide the process. Richard Ellenson, chief executive of the Cerebral Palsy Foundation and consultant for Speechless, recalled telling Silveri and his team during an early phone call:Its cerebral palsy. Youre not going to get it right. The point is, lets not get it wrong. For his part, Ellenson is excited for the opportunity the series offers to get people talking about cerebral palsy. What the show is doing is being brave and honest and using humor to avoid pussyfooting around. Its allowing us to start conversations that people are uncomfortable starting, he said. Ellenson began his career in advertising before transitioning to advocacy after his son Thomas, now 18, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Driver, who plays fierce DiMeo matriarch Maya, is no stranger to the concept. As a mother, inherent in that title is advocate, Driver said. You advocate for your child on a daily basis. Those impulses are only increased for Maya, who tries to level the playing field for J.J., often to abrasive (if hilarious) ends. When you have a child with special needs, like Maya does, it is different. You really are trying to break down societal walls, said Driver, who relishes the opportunity to play a woman who doesnt shy from being wholly unlikable. [Speechless] has edges and angles that require quick turns and the accommodation of big feelings. I like difficult things like that, and I wonder if we can pull it off. Oh, God, I really hope we can, said the veteran British actress, who is keeping her native accent for the show. Whether Speechless can successfully portray those big swings of emotion hinges primarily on Drivers performance, according to Silveri. Minnie allows us us to tell these stories and depict a mom that, hopefully, resonates to people in this experience, Silveri said. Not to sugarcoat it, not to make it seem too easy, to hold on to that fight, but to keep her someone you root for. The only person other than Driver who could do it? Silveris mom. But, Silveri quipped, She didnt want to travel. The other vital cast component for Speechless: Micah Fowler who plays J.J. Silveri reported that when his friend and casting director Susie Farris saw Fowlers audition tape, she sent it along to him and said, I found the kid. Were done. J.J.s cerebral palsy, which Fowler also has, is the impetus for the series title. The pilot sees the family in search of someone who can serve as the characters voice. Minnie Driver at the Four Seasons hotel, May 1, 2014. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times ) I hate using the word inspiration because it just feels patronizing, but Micah is inspiring. Minnie Driver Ive been around a lot of people with special needs, but not on a daily basis, Driver said of working with Fowler. I hate using the word inspiration because it just feels patronizing, but Micah is inspiring. Driver went on to detail that not only is her costar always in a good mood, even when everyone on set is exhausted, but hes also wickedly funny and a great actor. Fowlers sense of humor was evident at the Television Critics Assn. summer press tour held in Beverly Hills in August, where, unlike his character, he was able to field questions without assistance. J.J. has a lot of personality to him, Fowler told the assembled journalists when asked about advice for writers when it comes to scripting his character, adding later that the character was funny, a departure from previous roles he had played. Later the actor quipped about his favorite comedy, Probably this show, a response that drew laughter and applause from his cast mates. Joining an ABC comedy lineup that has been hailed for its diversity, with black-ish and Fresh Off the Boat, Speechless (which shares producers Jake Kasdan and Melvin Mar with the latter) is notable not just for its representation of a family with a child with cerebral palsy, but also for the economic diversity coded in its DNA. Your weekly guide to fall TV Early in the first episode, the DiMeo children hunker down and discuss what their new school might be like, ribbing each other from their respective bunks, illuminated by a single lamp. Its a cozy scene, one that plays like a throwback to family sitcoms of a bygone era without ever explicating why. But the reason is right there. The children, two teenage boys and their sister, are sharing a single bedroom. This is about a family that is relatable, Driver said. They have no money. They move into a [crummy] house in a great neighborhood, so their kids will qualify to go to a great school, which tons of families do. Diversity can mean a lot of things, Silveri said of the choice to portray the reality of a middle-class family. That too was my experience, and I thought itd be refreshing to depict that on TV. Networks, though not in this case Silveri hastened to add, often have notes about wish-fulfillment, Lets have the house be prettier, lets have it be bigger, lets have the car be nicer. In choosing to draw from his own experiences growing up, Silveri opted to depict a family that has challenges but makes things work. Not everything has to be pretty, not everything has to be perfect, Silveri said. I was looking for a different kind of wish-fulfillment. ALSO Scott Silveris Speechless is more than the disability show Beyond the buzz, a world of good TV is out there for the watching Chris Wallace will be the first presidential debate moderator from Fox News For Tig Notaro fans, the six-episode first season of her semi-autobiographical series One Mississippi may seem, at least initially, to be an experiment in artistic repurposing. Here is Tig, played by Notaro (albeit co-written by Diablo Cody) experiencing the same cycle of cataclysm (albeit in non-autobiographical order) that made her famous: the deadly intestinal illness, the breast cancer, the double mastectomy, the unexpected death of her beloved mother, the romantic breakup. All of which Notaro has turned into an ever-evolving incantation of deadpan comedy for live stand-up performances, radio shows, a Showtime documentary, a Netflix movie, a new memoir and now a scripted drama via Amazon. Your weekly guide to fall TV Advertisement One Mississippi is also one of several new deeply personal and often sardonic comedies that revolve around women in various stages of self-exploration (see also Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Lady Dynamite, Better Things and the upcoming Fleabag), and like the new series Better Things, it has a very high Louis C.K. factor. (It was C.K. who famously drew attention, via tweet, to the raw and impromptu 2012 set that Notaro did at the Largo immediately following her cancer diagnosis; he serves here as executive producer.) But Notaro is not C.K., neither is she a brand nor a trend, and One Mississippi is certainly not a media platform. Its a series. A highly addictive and deeply affecting series. Spiky, sweet and imperfect in the way emotionally resonant art usually is, One Mississippi moves along the now-familiar track of rueful self-observation/narration but do not be deceived. Notaro, Cody and director Nicole Holofcener may delve into the theatrical trunks of fugue state and dream sequence but they have a very definite, and painfully universal, story to tell. We meet Tig, who is in fact a radio storyteller, as she returns to her small Mississippi hometown where she must take her mother off life support. Some foreknowledge of Notaros health issues may be helpful the opening scene involves her making quite a few bathroom stops but after being dropped abruptly into a highly fraught situation, the viewer is brought up to speed fairly quickly through a series of hilarious expositional scenes that also introduce the principal players. They are: Tigs brother Remy (Noah Harpster), her stepfather Bill (John Rothman) and in flashback and memory, her mother, Caroline (Rya Kihlstedt). With Tig as the prickly, prodding prodigal, the family quickly reveals its initial layer of dysfunction. Living in the unfinished attic of his mothers very nice home, Remy is the high-school MVP run to seed, sweetly slothful, without a shred of self-awareness. Overly precise in word and deed, Bill speaks with tone-deaf directness and appears far more attached to preserving order, and caring for his cat, than to his wife or the children he helped raise. And far from being the self-realized if physically beset artist who escaped the conventions of small-town life, Tig is just as damaged, lashing out like an adolescent even at her very loving if slightly dippy girlfriend (an underused Casey Wilson). Indeed, the only thing these three disparate characters appear to have in common is the free-spirited Caroline, the mythic center around which the family revolved. Except none of that is true, or at least not exactly. The death of a parent, even a wildly flawed parent, inevitably blows a hole in the supporting wall of family, memory, even self. Suddenly all the layers of wallpaper and makeshift accommodations that have accumulated over the years are exposed. But you cant fix a hole until you understand the extent of the damage, which means many things need to be shifted, examined and stripped away. One Mississippi is about one woman, one familys attempt to assess their own damage and figure out a way to fix it. And as everyone knows, a sense of humor helps. Notaro is consistently funny in that splendid dry and low-key way that looks like sarcasm but is often wisdom. But playing a version of oneself is much harder than it looks and she is not an actress so much as she is a performer. The difference between these two things is more than occasionally clear in One Mississippi, especially during small but key transitions within scenes Notaro is strong when on point but has trouble navigating the space between them. Fortunately, Harpster and Rothman are excellent guides. Harpsters Remy swings between slacker-savant and lost boy with pitch-perfect pathos; a scene in which he asks his sister a question about their childhood is actually making me weep even as I write the word weep. But Rothman is the marvel of One Mississippi, taking a role too often used strictly for humor and exposition and turning it into a beautiful portrait of a man who has just lost his emotional translator. Far from cold or oblivious, he is simply searching for another door through which he can communicate with the world. It is not a perfect series; episodes stall here and there, or swerve into unnecessary flights of fantasy or absurd narrative developments, but then a moment of quietly huge revelation blows the story onto a whole other plane. And there is something powerful in the imperfection, a reminder that this story is about the courage it sometimes takes to simply see things, and people, and memories, for what they are. With her big eyes and deceptive fragility, Notaro is a physically compelling lead. Tig moves slowly, often awkwardly, but move she does, her physical pain mirroring her psychic anguish just as her inability to face the results of her mastectomy mirror her unwillingness to figure out just what it is she lost when her mother died. And that particular journey of discovery, like this show, is hilarious, tragic and exquisitely human. ------------ One Mississippi Where: Amazon Video When: Anytime starting Friday Rating: TV-MA (may be unsuitable for children under the age of 17) The mission, from the day Star Trek premiered on Americas televisions on Sept. 8, 1966, was ambitious: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before. Where did Gene Roddenberrys TV series go to find that world? Often as not, it was a piece of alien-looking geology right here in Southern California amid the jagged, sandstone boulders of Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park, a Santa Clarita Valley desertscape of prehistoric waves, frozen in time, that has done star turns in Hollywood productions since the 1920s. Advertisement Its where Capt. James T. Kirk famously battled a seemingly indestructible green lizard called a Gorn in the episode titled Arena, and it represented planet Capella IV, where Kirk and Dr. McCoy helped an Amazon-like Queen give birth to a warrior prince in Fridays Child. FULL COVERAGE: The 50th anniversary of Star Trek Star Trek fans can recall Kirk staring in confused wonder as one of the loves of his life, Ruth, inexplicably emerges among the rocks on planet Omicron Delta, ostensibly many light years from Earth, in Shore Leave. In the same episode, Kirk engages in a rough-and-tumble brawl around the rocks distinctive angles and crevasses with a trouble-making upperclassman who used to taunt him at Star Fleet Academy. Probably equally important as its otherworldly topography, Vasquez Rocks, just off the Antelope Valley Freeway en route to Palmdale, sit just at the edge of whats known as the Thirty Mile Zone, a radius around Hollywood in which union actors and technical crew can report for work before pay premiums kick in and jack up the costs of production. That has made it a favorite location for film and TV directors for decades, going back to Saturday-morning westerns of the 1920s and 30s such as The Texas Ranger in 1931 and The Girl and the Bandit in 1939 through latter-day productions shot there including the 1994 film version of The Flintstones and The Big Bang Theory. Roddenberry and the Star Trek family quickly zeroed in on Vasquez Rocks so named for a late-19th century bandit who used the rocks as his hideout, Tiburcio Vasquez (a name tantalizingly close to Capt. James T. Kirks famous middle name, Tiberius). The area made its series debut during Star Treks first season in the whimsical Shore Leave, about a planet where the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise encounter all sorts of fantastic characters and situations that turn out to be the products of an extraterrestrial amusement park. Call it Deep Space Disneyland. The appeal of Vasquez Rocks as an alien environment is immediately apparent to anyone who visits the park, just off the Antelope Valley Freeway south of the town of Agua Dulce. Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park, the site of more than 200 films and television shows, is also a popular hiking spot. Its in the Sierra Pelona Mountains of northern Los Angeles County. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times ) Slabs of rock stretch skyward at steep angles out of the dirt and scrub brush to create dramatic formations seen in more than 200 films and television shows. Its a production set that took shape 25 million years ago with volcanic activity virtually on top of the San Andreas Fault, at the juncture of the North American and Pacific tectonic plates. The tallest peak among the Vasquez Rocks juts up 150 feet above the canyon floor, but thats just the tip of the tip of this rocky berg, which extends an extra 22,000 feet into the earth below. A large number of people who visit Vasquez Rocks do ask about Star Trek people from all over the world. Kaye Michelson, of L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation Over the last 50 years, the site has also been used for episodes of the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Enterprise as well as the films, including Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country and J.J. Abrams 2009 Star Trek reboot, where Vasquez Rocks served as part of the landscape for the planet Vulcan, in homage to the sites recurring use in the original show. A modest gift shop in the Vasquez Rocks Park Interpretive Center points to the Star Trek connection with a Starfleet Command/United Federation of Planets refrigerator magnet and a selection of tunic insignias for the different service positions (command, science, medical). A large number of people who visit Vasquez Rocks do ask about Star Trek people from all over the world, said Kaye Michelson, acting public information officer for the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation. The one scene in particular most of them ask about is the scene with Capt. Kirk and the Gorn. The locations history as a backdrop for so many movie and TV westerns among them the Lone Ranger, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Maverick, Blazing Saddles, The Wild, Wild West and Kung Fu made it a natural fit as a site for Star Trek, which Roddenberry originally pitched to NBC-TV execs as Wagon Train to the stars. One irony about Vasquez Rocks as a favorite location for westerns is that some 2,500 years ago, it was home to the Tataviam band of Shoshone Indians, who referred to themselves as People Facing the Sun. (The last full-blooded Tataviam tribe member, Juan Jose Fustero, died in 1921, about the time the center of the film industry shifted from New York to Hollywood.) For the 1994 live-action movie The Flintstones, Vasquez Rocks was transformed into the fictional Stone Age town of Bedrock. (Boris Yaro / Los Angeles Times ) In more recent times, Vasquez Rocks have served as the backdrop in episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Monk and even Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. In this years Joel and Ethan Coen film Hail, Caesar!, a western scene is shot at Vasquez Rocks as a nod to all the cowboy films shot there in the past. And geek-centric The Big Bang Theory chose to film an episode there in homage to the locations previous use in Star Trek. Vasquez Rocks attract hikers and rock climbers, but also remain highly evocative to Trek fans who recall Kirks life-and-death battle against the tacky but still menacing green dinosaur-like Gorn. And its less than an hours drive from downtown L.A. by way of the Golden State and Antelope Valley freeways, barely .000000000002 of a parsec away. REVIEW: See what critic Kenneth Turan thought of the most recent film from the franchiseStar Trek Beyond randy.lewis@latimes.com Follow @RandyLewis2 on Twitter.com For Classic Rock coverage, join us on Facebook ALSO Read every single L.A. Times Star Trek movie review from 1979 to 2016 Star Trek at 50: Pop music boldly goes to space The Roddenberry vault opens for never-before-seen Star Trek: The Original Series deleted scenes and outtakes Program your transporter settings for these upcoming Trek'-related activities Straight in from Yeezy Season 4 and delayed due to the Roosevelt Island extravaganza Kendall and Kylie Jenner strutted into Samsung 837 in the Meatpacking District on Wednesday night to celebrate their new Kendall + Kylie Collection and first pop-up shop. In tow, of course, was their posse of friends, and a new shade of hair for miss Kylie. The Samsung 837 space turned into an interactive tech hub for the see-now-buy-now fall collection. The Jenner girls are no doubt at the center of all things social media, and the event came kitted out fittingly: the evening included a themed Snapchat filter, a Samsung 360 photo booth and a showcased room filled with every Instagram produced by the sisters an exhaustive array of selfies if there ever was one. As guests piled in, they were encouraged to personalize their purchases by airbrusher Malcolm Stuart and monogram artist Logan Real. Advertisement The collection itself, which will be available at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Revolve, Bloomingdales, Lord & Taylor and Shopbop, launched this year with Kendall and Kylie behind all of the executive design decisions (so they say). Were superexcited, said Kendall. I think every season it kind of grows with us and we are more comfortable. Its really nice and is starting to feel real. Each piece of the collection highlights the sisters individual styles and personalities and features a range of ready-to-wear, footwear, and, most recently, handbags and charms. Kylie couldnt let her famous Italian greyhounds, Norman and Bambi, out of the excitement, so they are modeled cutely as two available handbag accessories. This is one of my favorites, Kendall said about the black satin jumpsuit she wore to the event. Kylie, for her part, said her most-loved piece was the blue and white striped pantsuit and white cropped top she was donning. The girls are prepping for a busy week ahead; Kendall gears up to walk New York Fashion Week and Kylie will attend shows in support of her model older sister, keeping an eye out for future Kendall + Kylie trends. Im really into forest greens, Kylie said, as exemplified by her choice of dark green eyeshadow. I think were both really into oversize stuff, Kendall added. Just being cool and comfortable. No Kendall and Kylie event would be complete without a surprise visit from one of their famous family members, and Wednesday that honor was bestowed to Kim Kardashian West, who arrived in Yeezy to snap a few selfies. With all the cookbooks that come out each year, repeating volumes filled with market-driven dishes prettily photographed in vintage cookwear on hardwood tabletops, its easy to overlook some of the best examples of the genre. This would be a shame, not least because in the rush for more exotic culinary locales or flashier titles you might miss Simple: Effortless Food, Big Flavors. This is the 10th cookbook from Northern Ireland-born, London-based cookbook author Diana Henry, who won a James Beard Award for her 2015 cookbook A Bird in the Hand. Henry, a prolific writer who is also a longtime food columnist for the Sunday Telegraph, has collected more than 150 recipes in her latest book, which she describes as a follow-up to her 12-year-old cookbook Pure Simple Cooking, calibrated for the wider array of ingredients now available online and with a shift toward cooking thats more grain- and vegetable-focused. Thus there are recipes for everyday sorts of things, divided up by headings as simple as the conceit of the book: eggs and roasts, vegetables and toasts. All this happy simplicity isnt deceptive as it is with some cookbooks engineered by lesser writers. Rather, the forthright recipes and chatty asides are plain in the way that Jane Grigson and Richard Olney were plain, which is to say that these writers share a lovely economy both of language and of the cooking itself. Advertisement Recipe: Orange-oregano roast chicken with olive gremolata But dont think that Simple is a simple book in scope, as Henrys recipes include a pantheon of flavors (Middle Eastern, Moroccan, Nordic, Indian), along with techniques and ingredients (Nduja, salmon roe, harissa) pulled from other cultures. The first recipe in the book is for a donburi, or Japanese rice bowl, that Henry says she stole from Nobu; the last is for a Turkish coffee pudding. In between are pages loaded with Laura Edwards appealing photography (ceramics, jam-filled spoons), Henrys cheerful commentary (the joys of canned food) and of course, a lot of truly wonderful recipes. We made her orange-oregano roast chicken in the L.A. Times Test Kitchen, and there is no greater recommendation than four people gathered around a hot All-Clad saute pan, the air perfumed with oranges and herbs, the only sound one of spoons against metal. Cookbook of the Week: Simple: Effortless Food, Big Flavors by Diana Henry (Mitchell Beazley, $32.99) ALSO: Cookbook of the week: Ingredienti by Marcella Hazan and Victor Hazan Cookbook of the week: The Wurst of Lucky Peach, plus your Lucky Peach book club update What an unusual vegetable; what is it? Flip open Michelle McKenzies Dandelion & Quince cookbook to find out For Californians, this has been a pretty good summer for gun control. In July, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a package of bills that put some common-sense restrictions on guns: background checks for ammunition purchases, outlawing the possession of magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, closing the bullet button loophole that allowed an end-run around Californias ban on assault rifles. For the record: A previous version of this article said that Brandon Maxfield is a paraplegic. He is a quadriplegic. In August, California became the first state to fund a center devoted to the study of gun violence and public health. The center will be based at UC Davis and run by Garen Wintemute, an emergency room physician who has worked tirelessly to promote the idea that gun violence is not just a public health hazard, but can be studied and prevented. (Our wimpy Congress, by contrast, has prohibited spending money on such research. Why? Because, as John Boehner once put it, A gun is not a disease.) Advertisement This good news put me in mind of Richard Ruggieri, a Berkeley attorney who has the distinction of being among the few product liability litigators who has ever driven a gun maker out of business. Ruggieri, 61, persuaded a jury that guns should be held to the same product safety standards as food processors. That victory, along with Californias strict gun laws, has inarguably made our state safer. He told me Tuesday that hes tired of simplistic arguments over guns. This is Berkeley, so theres a good portion of people who think Why dont we just make all the guns go away? said Ruggieri, sitting on the front deck of his hillside home. Of course, we have to have guns. I propose that we recognize the 2nd Amendment is here to stay. Maybe I cant say, You cant have a gun. Maybe, God forbid, I cant say, You cant carry a gun walking down the street. But I sure as hell can say that if youre going to exercise your 2nd Amendment right and carry a gun, I am entitled, for my protection as a bystander, to have you have a level of training, counseling and background checks. And, of course, to guns that work properly. :: In 2003, Ruggieri tried a lawsuit against Bruce Jennings, a notorious Southern California gun maker who did business under a variety of names, including Bryco Arms. Jennings was the scion of a family whose intertwined firearms companies were known as the Ring of Fire, a phrase coined by Wintemute. Over 40 years, these companies had produced millions of cheap weapons Saturday night specials that were used in the commission of thousands of crimes. Ruggieri represented Brandon Maxfield, who became a quadriplegic in 1994 at age 7 after a babysitter accidentally shot him with a defective Bryco Arms Model 38 pistol. The defect was egregious; the guns safety had to be off before the gun could be unloaded. Brandon Maxfield with his mother, Sue Stansberry, in 2013. (Robin Abcarian / Los Angeles Times ) Why, when you have a food processor, do you require us to put the top on before the blades start spinning? Ruggieri said. So you cant cut off your fingers. What if the food processor required you to take the lid off before you could spin the blades? Thats basically what Brandons gun did. In 2003, a civil jury unanimously awarded Maxfield $24 million. Jennings, who had no insurance, was personally on the hook. He declared bankruptcy and scooted off to Florida, where generous homestead laws allow residents to shelter unlimited amounts of home equity from creditors. Maxfields extraordinary victory had driven a stake through the heart of the Ring of Fire. Over time, Maxfield has recovered $8 million dollars, but he still held out hope that hed be paid the full amount. With each month that passes, the balance grows. Ruggieri, for his part, has been working for years to recover the money. In 2012, he learned that Jennings, 67, had pleaded guilty to possession and distribution of child pornography in Florida and had been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. Authorities, who put him in the upper tier of pornographers, found thousands of images and videos of children on his computers. Because Jennings million-dollar home was used in the commission of his crimes, Jennings agreed to put it up for sale and forfeit half the value to the federal government. Ruggieri was certain hed be able to capture the remaining $500,000 for Maxfield, now 27, who lives in Willits with his parents and still requires expensive medical care. But Jennings was able to hammer out a deal with federal prosecutors that let his wife keep the balance from the home sale. His wifes attorneys argued that she was a victim, too, and did not deserve to be penalized. Ruggieri appealed. In July, the Justice Departments Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section refused to reconsider. We didnt know the feds would swoop in and undermine us, Ruggieri said. An agreement like that is just wrong on its face. :: Books about guns on the shelves of Richard Ruggieris home office. (Robin Abcarian / Los Angeles Times ) One of the things jurors learned during Jennings civil trial, chronicled in the book Move to Fire by journalist Michael Harkins, was that most of his cheap guns were sold to people who didnt know very much about them. This is a low-cost, low-quality firearm, Ruggieri told the jury. Sold primarily in pawnshops to people who have little or no experience or training. This gun defines its own market, because people with experience or training dont buy guns like this. Thankfully, that market has dried up. Instead of being infamous for producing some of the worst guns in the country, California is now better known for having the strictest gun laws in the nation, its willingness to study gun violence as a public health hazard, and a crime rate that is lower than its been in decades. robin.abcarian@latimes.com Twitter: @AbcarianLAT ALSO The shooting victim who took down cheap gun makers Gov. Jerry Brown signs into law new gun proposals Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsoms gun proposals will be on November ballot Parents in California have a right to help decide how their schools spend money, but many in the state may not know that. Researchers from the University of Southern Californias Rossier School of Education and Stanford Universitys Policy Analysis for California Education found that more than half of voters they polled had never heard or read about the Local Control Funding Formula. In 2013, California passed the LCFF, a school finance law designed to distribute money based on an amount per student plus more for those who need extra help. Advertisement The money came with strings. Districts got more control over how they spent it, but they had to develop Local Control Accountability Plans, detailed school improvement plans that focus on more than test scores. Gov. Jerry Brown hailed the law as fairer than the system it replaced. One of its eight priorities is parent engagement. Specifically, districts and schools must promote parental participation in special-needs programs and include parents in decisions concerning spending. But according to the poll, released Thursday, few voters and parents are aware of this. Sixteen percent of respondents said they had heard of the formula, and 54% said they had not. Still, after respondents read a description of the law, 71% reported they supported the approach. Only 5% of voters said they attended meetings related to setting goals or funding decisions and only 11% were aware that they were taking place. But more than 60% of those polled said they were interested in participating. The poll, conducted from Aug. 23-30, measured 1,202 registered voters, but one of the researchers behind it, USC associate professor of education Morgan Polikoff, said the responses of those who were parents did not differ significantly from those of the group as a whole in terms of the awareness of the LCFF. The awareness of the law is stunningly low, Polikoff said. Its really troubling for a policy that relies on local awareness and contribution. And awareness appears to have barely increased over time. Its possible that few parents know about ways to provide input because of a lack of outreach from school districts, Polikoff said. Or maybe, said Ryan Smith, executive director of the advocacy group The Education Trust-West, districts should engage in a different way. In order for parents to understand LCFF, we have to do more than sit and [hold] ... meetings where they get information, said Smith. We have to meet them where they are in their communities. Smith noted that a previous poll, conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California in 2014, found 27% of adults and 37% of public school parents had heard about the funding formula. A more recent version of the PPIC poll, conducted in 2016, found that 30% of adults and 36% of parents had heard of it. The poll comes as the California State Board of Education finalizes its revamped school rating system. The board voted Thursday on a new rubric for evaluating schools under the local funding law, using a combination of factors including test scores, graduation rates and level of college preparedness. The poll asked respondents how they would rate performance in the states public schools in recent years. While 19% of parents said they thought Californias schools have improved, 39% said they have gotten worse and 39% said they stayed the same. The poll also found strong support for teachers, a timely topic in light of the recent failed lawsuit, Vergara v. California, that attempted to upend teacher tenure. Seventy-one percent of those polled said they would encourage a young person to become a teacher and 95% of those who responded that way said they did so because of teachers ability to make a difference in the lives of children. Thirty-five percent percent of those polled said they had children under 18 living at home. Fifty-eight percent were white, 24% were Latino, 8% were Asian and 5% were black. The margin of error was 2.83%. You can reach Joy Resmovits on Twitter @Joy_Resmovits and by email at Joy.Resmovits@LATimes.com. MORE EDUCATION NEWS These magnets have become some of L.A.'s highest-scoring public schools Black-focused housing at Cal State L.A. draws criticism, but its nothing new San Francisco school board president calls for the renaming of schools tied to slavery UPDATES: 8:40 a.m.: This story was updated to include information from the 2016 Public Policy Institute of California education poll. This post was originally published at 8 a.m. In the end, it was indecision that led California coastal commissioners to reject one of the biggest development projects to go before the panel in years. Faced with two vastly different versions of the Newport Banning Ranch proposal -- the developers plans for a resort hotel, shops and nearly 900 homes and the commission staffs recommendations for roughly half that -- commissioners decided to just say no. There just isnt an opportunity to get this right tonight, Commissioner Mary Luevano said before the panels 9-1 vote late Wednesday in Newport Beach. Advertisement The chance for some development at Banning Ranch -- a sprawling oil field overlooking the ocean between Newport Beach and Huntington Beach -- is greater than the commissions lopsided vote suggests. Even critics of the developers plan say some type of project is possible, but the size and scope of it remains an open question. The developers have not signaled what their next move will be. In six months, they can return to the commission with a new proposal. Or they can sue. No one expects them to go away. We remain committed to the project, Banning Ranch spokesman Adam Alberti said Thursday. The vote came as the commissioners face intense public and media scrutiny in the wake of their February firing of Executive Director Charles Lester and environmentalists criticism that the panel -- the guardians of Californias fabled coast -- favor development. That put the Banning Ranch vote under klieg lights. As commissioners debated the project after more than 11 hours of testimony and public comment at their monthly hearing, they repeatedly emphasized the need to get it right. On this particular project, because it was so public, they needed to be careful on this one, said Sara Wan, an environmentalist who served on the commission from 1996 to 2011. As to the future and whether they will continue to be careful, that has yet to be seen. Olga Zapata Reynolds of the group Saving Banning Ranch Together speaks about Wednesdays vote. The commission staff was also in the spotlight. Staff experts recommended denial of a bigger version of the Banning Ranch plan last year. Then, under pressure from commissioners to come up with a project that could be permitted, they pivoted this spring and recommended approval of a smaller development. The retreat earned the staff sharp criticism from environmentalists, who complained it was bending Coastal Act protections to make more of the 401-acre tract available for development. Then, two weeks ago, staff experts made another turn based on new assessments of how much foraging territory was needed for the burrowing owl, a state species of special concern that winters on Banning Ranch grasslands. They recommended that only about 20 acres was suitable for development, eliminating the hotel, a main road from Pacific Coast Highway and roughly 400 residences. Banning Ranch project manager Mike Mohler said Wednesday that the staff proposal was an attempt to derail our project. His attorney hinted at litigation, arguing the development curbs amounted to an illegal taking. But the staff stood its ground, leaving the commission with a choice: Approve the staff proposal, which some on the panel thought was too limiting. OK the developers project, which some thought was too big and violated the Coastal Act. Or try, at 10 p.m., to hammer out a compromise. We are still very far apart, Commissioner Mary Shallenberger said shortly before the vote. There is a lot riding on this. Although he seemed to favor a larger project, Commissioner Roberto Uranga was the sole yes vote on a motion to approve the staff proposal. Commissioner Wendy Mitchell was absent -- she informed staff she had another meeting to attend Wednesday. Chairman Steve Kinsey recused himself from the vote because he had failed to report, as mandated by the Coastal Act, a private meeting with Banning Ranch developers. Complaints that commissioners have played loose with the reporting requirements continue to dog the panel, though they strongly deny doing anything wrong. As the commission began its meeting Thursday, five members were served with a lawsuit accusing them of violating the mandate that they promptly and fully disclose private ex-parte communications with developers, lobbyists, environmentalists or other parties interested in commission business. Brought by a nonprofit watchdog group in San Diego, the lawsuit alleges that Commissioners Erik Howell, Kinsey, Martha McClure, Mitchell and Mark Vargas failed to properly report hundreds of their behind-the-scenes meetings during the last two years. Steven Blank, a coastal commissioner from 2007 to 2013 and a critic of the current panel, doubted that the Banning Ranch vote signaled a new direction for one of the most powerful commissions in the state. When it cools down and the public isnt paying attention, it will be business as usual, Blank said. The developer will come back in six months. This isnt over. Its all about the money. No way they are going to leave $1 billion on the table. The commissions future direction, he added, will depend on whom commissioners select as the agencys new executive director. Will it be a staunch defender of the coast like the commission once had, or someone who can check all the political boxes? Blank said. If its the status quo, then the commission will give away the future of the California coast. bettina.boxall@latimes.com Twitter: @boxall dan.weikel@latimes.com Twitter: @LADeadline16 ALSO California becomes a global laboratory in fight against climate change Hoping to head off ballot fight, Garcetti vows to bar private developer meetings Rising homelessness and lack of psychiatric care beds are cited in surge of mental competency cases The mother of a malnourished 11-year-old boy who was found dead in the closet of an Echo Park home appeared in court Thursday wearing a suicide-prevention garment and pleaded not guilty to murder and child abuse charges. Veronica Aguilar, 39, was charged with one count each of murder and child abuse resulting in death after her son, Yonatan Daniel Aguilar, was found in the closet in the familys home in the 2100 block of Santa Ynez Street. Yonatan was wrapped in a blanket and had been dead for at least several hours, police said. Several law enforcement sources told The Times he was severely underweight with healed injuries that showed signs of long-term abuse. Advertisement During a brief appearance in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Thursday, Aguilar pleaded not guilty through a Spanish-language interpreter. She stood expressionless in the defendants area, wearing a padded blue antisuicide smock. Aguilars public defender, R. Lawrence Tripp, said he did not believe his client had undergone a psychiatric evaluation but that there would be one before trial. The Sheriffs Department decided to put her in the antisuicide garment, he said, after determining that there was some sort of danger. Theyre not sure about her mental state; thats all I can say, Tripp said. Yonatans family had been the subject of six prior reports to the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, the departments director, Philip L. Browning, said last week. Two reports to DCFS were made about Yonatan in 2012, and there was one report in 2011 and one in 2009. Two additional reports in 2002 predated Yonatans birth and involved at least one of his siblings, Browning said. Yonatans autopsy report has been put on a security hold by law enforcement, according to Ed Winter, a spokesman for the L.A. County coroners office. No details regarding the cause of death or the condition of the child could be released. Tripp said he had not yet gotten any DCFS records regarding prior visits by social workers. He declined to provide any details about Aguilars emotional state or about his conversations with her. Its always tragic when a child dies, but shes innocent until proven guilty; and at this point I dont even have the coroners report so I dont know what the cause of death is, Tripp said. Ive heard all kinds of dramatic allegations in the press about injuries and the state of the child, but I dont have any evidence at this point. The prosecutor on the case, Deputy Dist. Atty. Scott McPheron, declined to comment, saying the case was still in an early stage. Days apart in 2012, two teachers contacted DCFS, with one saying Yonatan was suffering from general neglect and the other reporting that he had a black eye, Browning told The Times. County social workers who interviewed numerous school employees, the child and others determined the boy to be living in a safe environment, Browning said. Any reports that involved possible physical abuse were cross-reported to the Los Angeles Police Department, which was aware of the black eye, Browning said. Capt. Julian Melendez, commanding officer of the Los Angeles Police Departments Juvenile Division, told The Times last month that Yonatans mother has at least three other children, ages 14, 16 and 18. The minors were released to DCFS, he said. Melendez said he was aware of three reports to DCFS of possible abuse regarding Yonatan that had been cross-reported to police but did not trigger an investigation by Juvenile Division detectives. The child had not attended classes in the Los Angeles Unified School District since 2012 and was thought to have been in Mexico for some time, according to the LAPD. It was unclear whether the boy attended school in another district. LAPD authorities and DCFS officials said the family seemed to have moved numerous times. According to police, the boys stepfather, Jose Pinzon, reported Yonatans death after coming home and learning from Aguilar that he was dead. Pinzon was not arrested. Aguilar is being held at the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood in lieu of $2-million bail. If convicted as charged, she could face a possible maximum sentence of 15 years to life in state prison, according to the Los Angeles County district attorneys office. hailey.branson@latimes.com Twitter: @haileybranson ALSO After dead woman found stuffed in suitcase, videos and witnesses offer new clues Were both going to die today: Woman repeatedly stabbed in line at East L.A. taco truck Suspect in DUI crash that killed MMA fighters son rearrested on manslaughter charge, police say The woman suspected of drunkenly smashing her car into the 15-month-old son of MMA fighter Marcus Kowal in Hawthorne was rearrested Wednesday on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, days after the boy was removed from life support. Donna Marie Higgins, 72, had been arrested Saturday, shortly after crashing into the young boy, Liam Mikael Kowal, as his aunt pushed him in a stroller in a crosswalk, according to the Hawthorne Police Department. Higgins was initially booked on suspicion of felony hit-and-run and drunken driving charges and released Sunday after posting bail. But the young boy was declared dead on Sunday after his family decided to take him off of life support. Advertisement Hawthorne police said that after consulting with the Los Angeles County district attorneys office, officers decided to rearrest Higgins on the stiffer charge. She surrendered at the police station about 3 p.m. and was released after posting $100,000 bond. She could not be reached for comment and its unclear if shes being represented by an attorney. After the crash, which occurred about 4 p.m. Saturday, police responded to the intersection of 133rd Street and Hawthorne Boulevard and found the boy in his stroller. He was not breathing and did not have a pulse, police said. Hes a little fighter. His heart is still beating but his brain is no longer working. Marcus Kowal on his late son Liam Liam was taken to the hospital along with his 15-year-old aunt, who was also hit during the collision and suffered injuries to her leg, police said. Police said the Kowal family decided to remove the child from life support on Sunday. Kowal, a Sweden-born MMA fighter who owns Systems Training Centers in Hawthorne, Encino and Westwood, shared the news of his sons death in a Facebook post that has been widely viewed. About an hour ago, our baby was declared brain dead, Kowal wrote. He tried to fight so hard. He even died at one point but they brought him back. Hes a little fighter. His heart is still beating but his brain is no longer working. The boys organs were donated, he wrote. The Daily Breeze reported that Liams kidneys went to a woman in her 40s and his heart went to an infant. The boys lungs were handed over for medical research, the paper reported. Liam loved to share, and the person we were going to raise him to be would love to help someone else, Kowal said. Times staff writer Chuck Schilken contributed to this report. matt.hamilton@latimes.com Twitter: @MattHjourno. ALSO Coastal Commission rejects Newport Banning Ranch development Court clerk at center of massive bribery scheme forged records for drunk drivers and others, prosecutors say Mountain resorts, rent subsidies and saunas: The benefits of living in a city plagued by scandal Four Oakland police officers will be fired and seven others suspended without pay for their roles in a sexual misconduct scandal that sparked national outrage earlier this year, Mayor Libby Schaaf confirmed late Wednesday. The officers, some of whom may have already resigned, were found guilty of administrative charges of attempted sexual assault, engaging in lewd conduct, assisting in the crime of prostitution and accessing law enforcement databases for personal gain, among other offenses, according to Schaaf. Seven others were suspended without pay for failing to report the ongoing sexual misconduct, and other crimes. An eighth officer was also assigned to undergo counseling and training for bringing disrepute to the department, city officials said. Advertisement I want to send a clear message to the victims of sexual abuse and exploitation living in our city. We see you. We hear you, and we are here to help you, Schaaf said at a news conference. And to those who exploit these victims and profit or take pleasure in their pain, we see you too. Oakland Police have been investigating allegations that officers were having sexual contact with a self-described teenage sex worker for nearly a year. The woman has told authorities she first met an Oakland officer along a stretch of International Boulevard notorious for the sex trafficking of underage girls. The scandal exploded in June, when the woman claimed in a televised interview to have slept with more than a dozen city police officers. Some of the sexual interactions happened when she was underage, she said, and the woman also claimed she had sex with some officers in exchange for information about planned prostitution raids. The scandal soon widened, and members of four other East Bay law enforcement agencies were also accused of either having sex with the woman or engaging in other inappropriate conduct with her. Two Oakland police officers resigned as a result of the scandal, and three others were placed on administrative leave, city officials said at the time. Schaaf refused to identify any of the officers. State law shields the names of officers implicated in internal disciplinary hearings. She did say the Alameda County distict attorneys office is expected to complete a criminal investigation into the scandal relatively soon. John Burris, the civil rights lawyer who negotiated the settlement that placed the department under federal oversight in 2003, applauded the discipline as the first step on a long path to healing the departments fractured relationship with the communities it polices. It looks to me like theres been a wide-ranging investigation, the kind that I was hopeful for, he said. Its the first step, a major step, to restoring the department. But even with news of the discipline, questions remained about the treatment of the woman at the center of the scandal. The East Bay Express, which broke many of the early details of the scandal, reported that the Richmond Police Department obtained funding to send the woman to rehabilitation in Florida. The woman has since been charged with attacking a security guard at the rehab facility, the Express reported, and the news raised questions about why a police agency would send a key witness in a major police misconduct investigation out of state with possible charges looming. We are not happy about this, Schaff said when asked about the womans situation, adding that city officials offered her support and help that was locally based. Investigators reviewing the case analyzed more than 78,000 pages of social media conversations and postings, more than 28,000 text messages and interviewed more than 50 witnesses over the past 11 months, according to Deputy Oakland Police Chief John Lois, who oversees the departments bureau of investigations. The woman at the center of the scandal was interviewed 11 separate times, Lois said. The department also reviewed the conduct of each officers supervisor to ensure those commanders did not fail to report any potential misconduct, he said. The fallout of the scandal earlier this year also led to a major shake-up in the Police Departments command staff. Police Chief Sean Whent, who had been credited with helping the city make gains against a years-long surge in violent crime and guiding the department toward what many thought would be the end of federal oversight, resigned the same weekend the woman gave her televised interview. Oaklands Police Department was placed under a federal consent decree in 2003 in order to settle a lawsuit that involved allegations of rampant abuse and biased enforcement by city officers. Whents departure kick-started a wild week in Oakland politics that saw two acting chiefs appointed, and then dismissed, in the span of nine days. Ultimately, Schaff decided to place the department under the authority of civilian City Administrator Sabrina Landreth. james.queally@latimes.com Follow @JamesQueallyLAT on Twitter for crime and police news in California. ALSO Scandal plagues City of Commerce, but generous services help blunt public scrutiny San Diego neighborhood sprayed with insecticide to fight Zika virus Cal Poly student Kristin Smart vanished 20 years ago. Now, authorities are digging the campus for her body UPDATES: 7:05 p.m.: This story was updated with additional information about the investigation. 5:50 p.m.: This story was updated with information from a press conference at Oakland City Hall. This story first published at 4:45 p.m. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti says he plans to put a stop to private meetings between planning commissioners and real estate developers or other outside parties, part of a bigger attempt to fend off a hotly contested ballot measure that would restrict development. The move comes as Garcetti and other city officials are beginning to mobilize against a planned March ballot measure that would temporarily halt major building projects that require changes in city rules an initiative that has spurred furious debate over how L.A. should grow and evolve. The campaign has pitted the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and a coalition of activists who say out-of-scale development is ruining neighborhoods and ejecting poor tenants against politicians, labor and business groups who argue that imposing such sharp restrictions on development would drive up rents and kill jobs. Advertisement Backers of the Neighborhood Integrity Initiative have also argued that city decisions are systematically tilted in favor of real estate developers. Critics have grown increasingly vocal over the last year about private meetings conducted between real estate developers and planning commissioners appointed by Garcetti. Aiming to blunt some of that criticism, Garcetti wrote in a letter this week that he plans to issue an executive directive prohibiting ex parte communications with planning commissioners, to ensure that all dialogue with private stakeholders is on the record. Raising similar concerns, City Councilman David Ryu submitted a motion Wednesday seeking to revive an old proposal to reexamine and ban such private communications, calling it a glaring structural problem that saps trust in city decisions. Private meetings have consistently been one of the lightning rods for public criticism and legal action in our development process, Ryu wrote. Backers of the Neighborhood Integrity Initiative had urged Garcetti to prohibit private meetings between real estate developers and city decision makers, including his appointed planning commissioners. These private meetings happen months and months before residents or businesses in the area have any idea that a meeting has happened and a deal has already been cut, campaign director Jill Stewart said. Last month, the group had dangled the possibility that it might stop pursuing its ballot measure if Garcetti swiftly agreed to halt such meetings and make other changes. Since then, however, the group has turned in signatures to put its plan on the ballot next March. Garcetti made his pledge in a letter this week to AIDS Healthcare Foundation President Michael Weinstein, whose group has championed the Neighborhood Integrity Initiative. The mayor said he would seek to bar ex parte meetings with members of the City Planning Commission and the area planning commissions that vet development plans in different parts of the city. Garcetti also promised to make other changes, such as accelerating updates to community plans. He said he wants to make sure that the city, rather than developers, chooses the consultants who assess the environmental effects of planned projects. And he suggested that the city could reduce the incidence of spot zoning altering zoning rules site by site by assessing all proposed changes in each geographic area to consider their cumulative effect. In the letter, the mayor argued that those changes would accomplish their shared goals, urging Weinstein to drop a costly and potentially divisive ballot measure campaign. Opponents of the measure said they backed any alternative that would quash it. We support getting this off the ballot and getting back to the work of figuring out how to end homelessness and create jobs, said Josh Kamensky, spokesman for the Coalition to Protect L.A. Neighborhoods and Jobs. Stewart said Wednesday that her group welcomed the proposals from Garcetti and Ryu. But she gave no indication that the group was backing off its campaign. I think its more likely that the mayor would endorse us than we would withdraw the measure, Stewart said. Neither Ryu nor Garcetti are seeking to bar developers or other representatives from meeting privately with elected officials, as the initiative backers had sought. City lawyers say that L.A. cannot legally prohibit residents from communicating with their elected officials, Garcetti wrote Stewart said her group isnt convinced that was the case. In their report nearly a decade ago, city attorneys recommended that L.A. elected officials consider publicly disclosing such communications. (Ryu currently posts meetings with developers on his website, a practice he agreed to follow in a campaign pledge.) Lawyers also recommended barring private communications in quasi-judicial matters those in which a decision is made after a required hearing evaluating how the law applies to the facts. But that plan languished and was ultimately shelved. Ryu spokesman Estevan Montemayor said that under his revived proposal, potential restrictions could apply to planning commissions, the animal services commission and the airport commission, among others. Garcetti appointee David Ambroz, president of the City Planning Commission, said that any effort to maximize transparency should consider where the volunteer commissioners fit into the entire planning process. By the time a project makes its way to the commission, almost all the details have been hammered out between the builder, the council office and interested community, Ambroz said in a brief written statement. We are at the tail end of the process. Several other city boards already have some restrictions on private communications: Members of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners, for instance, are prohibited from engaging in ex parte communications with companies or their representatives after they have responded to a city invitation for a bid or proposal. Beyond the city of Los Angeles, ex parte meetings have also become controversial at the California Coastal Commission, where commissioners are required but have sometimes failed to publicly and promptly disclose them. A state bill that would have banned such contact was recently defeated. Times staff writer David Zahniser contributed to this report. emily.alpert@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter at @LATimesEmily ALSO L.A. city park, Brentwood School will remain on VA property Court clerk at center of massive bribery scheme forged records for drunk drivers and others, prosecutors say Mountain resorts, rent subsidies and saunas: The benefits of living in a city plagued by scandal UPDATES: 3:35 p.m.: This article was updated with additional background. This article was originally published at 8 p.m. on Sept. 7 Police have arrested four suspects who were barricaded in a home in South Los Angeles following an hours-long standoff. Officers had received a radio call about an armed assault on the 1200 block of West 42nd Street around 1 a.m., according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The victim told police he was attacked by five men. A shooting occurred, but he was not injured, police said. Advertisement The men fled inside the house after attacking the victim, Los Angeles Police Officer Liliana Preciado said. Police believed the men had at least one gun with them inside the home, she added. Crisis negotiators and SWAT officers were on scene. One suspect had already been taken into custody at the time of the standoff, Preciado said. The surrounding homes were evacuated. sarah.parvini@latimes.com For more California news follow me on Twitter: @sarahparvini UPDATES: 8:40 a.m.: This article has been updated with a reports that the standoff had ended. This article was originally published at 6:10 a.m. When a womans body was found in a suitcase in downtown San Diego on April 6, Joshua Palmer told co-workers he was worried it might be his friend, Shauna Haynes, witnesses testified Wednesday. Some of those colleagues and friends testified in court that Palmer told them Haynes, 21, left his place the day before at 4 a.m. He said she was naked and wrapped in his blanket and had a bloody nose from snorting cocaine. The preliminary hearing, expected to last two days before Superior Court Judge Louis Hanoian, will decide whether there is enough evidence to try Palmer, 32, for Haynes murder. Advertisement Prosecutors say Palmer raped, beat and strangled Haynes in his room in the Chadwick residency hotel on A Street at Seventh Avenue. The two worked together at the Old Spaghetti Factory in San Diegos Gaslamp Quarter. Deleted videos recovered from Palmers cellphone show an unconscious woman being touched in a sexually inappropriate manner early April 5, the day before Haynes body was found, according to a police detectives testimony. The videos, which were played in court but not shown to the gallery, were found on a memory card in Palmers phone. San Diego police Det. David Spitzer said he believed he could identify Haynes in one of the videos. Deputy Dist. Atty. Martin Doyle also called a string of witnesses who knew Palmer and Haynes. Co-worker Diana Gonzalez said that about two weeks before Haynes death, Palmer said he was frustrated that she wasnt interested in him sexually, even though she was going to move in with him. Malik Collier said he and Haynes had been friends since high school and Haynes had told him that Palmer was getting aggressive. She showed Collier a text message, allegedly from Palmer, saying, If I cant have you the way I want you, Im going to do something I regret, Collier said. I told her to stay away from him, Collier said. A resident of the Chadwick found Haynes body on April 6 when he noticed human hair and toes sticking out of a suitcase that had been dumped into a trash can behind the hotel. Homicide investigators took Palmer in for questioning after the body was found and arrested him April 8. Haynes had been strangled and had several scratches and bruises on her body and inside her mouth, Deputy Medical Examiner Bethann Schaber said. She said a small bone in Haynes throat was fractured by blunt force. Schaber said the discolored pooling of blood in Haynes lower body indicated she may have been placed in the suitcase eight to 12 hours before she was found. Schaber gave no better estimate on when Haynes died. The woman had no drugs or alcohol in her system that could account for her death, the deputy medical examiner testified. Under questioning from defense attorney Katie Belisle, Schaber said injuries indicated, but did not prove, that Haynes had been raped rather than engaging in consensual sex. Gonzalez said Palmer, her co-worker, met her the day before Haynes body was found and talked about what he and Haynes had done the night before. Palmer said he and another woman went to his room and were joined by Haynes and a man she met on the street. They all drank and had sex as a foursome, Gonzalez testified. Spitzer said text messages sent from Palmers cellphone about 2:20 a.m. suggested the same, with one reading, OMG it just turned into a foursome. But messages sent to Haynes soon took on a different tone. Im sorry, the text sent about 2:50 a.m. read. I love you. I accepted my place as a friend, but I cant watch you make love to someone else. I know its selfish, but I cant take it. Im not good enough, but two total strangers are? It just destroyed me. Five of the 10 deleted videos found on Palmers phone were taken between 2:25 a.m. and 6:53 a.m., according to testimony. In one of the later videos, a man could be heard saying, Im sorry. I let a lot of people down. I tried to be good and wasnt good enough. Spitzer said hed had contact with Palmer before and recognized his voice as the one in the video. There were five other deleted videos found on Palmers phone, recorded at an earlier date. Spitzer said those videos appear to show other unconscious women being touched in an inappropriate manner. Those women have not been located, the detective said. Repard and Winkley write for the San Diego Union-Tribune. ALSO Hours-long standoff in South L.A. ends with four suspects in police custody Were both going to die today: Woman repeatedly stabbed in line at East L.A. taco truck Suspect in DUI crash that killed MMA fighters son rearrested on manslaughter charge, police say Three military veterans once involved in the U.S. drone program have thrown their support behind a Yemeni mans legal fight to obtain details about why his family members were killed in a 2012 strike. The veterans unusual decision to publicly endorse the lawsuit against President Obama and other U.S. officials adds another twist to Faisal bin Ali Jabers four-year quest for accountability in the deaths of his brother-in-law and nephew, who he believes needlessly fell victim to one of the most lethal covert programs in U.S. history. The former enlisted service members told the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in a recent filing that they believe the 2012 drone strike serves as a case study of how mistakes frequently occur in the nations targeted-killing program, where life-or-death decisions are based upon top-secret evidence. Advertisement The veterans say they witnessed a secret, global system without regard for borders, conducting widespread surveillance with the ability to conduct deadly targeted killing operations. Though the veterans did not disclose any personal knowledge of the strike that is alleged to have killed Jabers relatives, they claim the military frequently labels the deaths of unknown victims as enemy kills. Separately, a 24-page report released Thursday by the Santa Monica-based Rand Corp. found that despite recent information released by the Obama administration on U.S. policies about targeted drone killings, the process still involves ambiguities in interpretations of international law and too many generalities. Im a believer that transparency is essential in public debate in order to make the right decisions, said Lynn Davis, the studys lead author and former State Department undersecretary for arms control and international security affairs. The need for transparency is all the more important in an election year with the knowledge that this program will be handed to a new administration. The veterans 17-page filing urges the court to overturn a previous decision to throw out Jabers case. The filing is signed by Cian Westmoreland, a former Air Force technician who worked on communications equipment that enables drones to fly by remote control; Lisa Ling, an Air National Guard technician who worked on intelligence equipment; and Brandon Bryant, an Air Force sensor operator who controlled cameras on drones. In an interview, Westmoreland said the American public and innocent victims of the drone program deserve to know how decisions are made. People have the right to know how a screw-up can lead to the death of their family members, Westmoreland said. This is about accountability, transparency and how we, as a military, can learn from our mistakes. Ling said that as a veteran, she has an interest in promoting transparency for any U.S. drone strikes that may have been carried out in violation of domestic or international law. Faisal deserves the truth, she said in an interview. The filing, called an amicus curiae, or friend of the court brief, comes as the Obama administration has promised greater transparency and oversight on the counter-terrorism strikes that have targeted thousands of Islamic militants in remote corners of the globe. The shadow campaigns are being carried out in many countries where the U.S. has not declared war, including Yemen, Pakistan, Libya and Somalia. The drone program in those countries is run by the CIA and the U.S. militarys secretive Joint Special Operations Command. The White House, Air Force and Justice Department declined to comment, citing the ongoing litigation. Jaber, a 58-year-old engineer from Sana, Yemen, who now lives in Montreal, has visited Washington and met with members of Congress and the Obama administration to describe why he thinks his brother-in-law, Salem bin Ali Jaber, a Muslim imam, and his nephew, Waleed bin Ali Jaber, a police officer, were mistakenly targeted. Jaber said his brother-in-law had given a sermon in Khashamir to denounce Al Qaedas ideology. Days later, on Aug. 29, 2012, Salem met several men who came to the village in central Yemen, and brought Waleed in case anything went wrong. That summer evening, as villagers watched near the local mosque, four missiles exploded while the men spoke under a palm tree. Jaber believes the visitors were Al Qaeda members, and his relatives were collateral damage. He said he was later handed a plastic bag by Yemeni government officials with $100,000 in freshly minted, sequentially marked $100 bills wrapped in rubber bands. Reprieve, an international humanitarian group, sued the U.S. government for wrongful death on June 7, 2015, alleging the drone strike constituted an extrajudicial killing in violation of customary international law. The lawsuit was dismissed in February on the grounds that ruling on the case would require the court to second-guess the executives policy determinations in matters that fall outside of judicial capabilities. Jaber, who appealed the lower court ruling on Aug. 22, said in an interview he has not spent the $100,000 and does not want more money from the U.S. government. He wants an apology. The administration, in most cases, has refused to acknowledge the existence of the drone program or answer questions about how decisions were made about who is targeted. That began to change this year as the administration started to reveal more about the program, making good on Obamas promise for greater transparency and oversight in a May 2013 speech at National Defense University. Last month, the White House released a redacted version of its playbook for the lethal U.S. drone program, which set a legal framework for deciding whom to kill, where and under what circumstances. The 18-page document was drawn up in May 2013. In July, the White House revealed that 64 to 116 civilians had been wrongly killed in 473 strikes launched between the time Obama was inaugurated and the end of last year. The president also issued an executive order promising to acknowledge U.S. government responsibility for civilian casualties. Jaber said his case offers the first chance for Obama to make good on his executive order. william.hennigan@latimes.com Twitter: @wjhenn ALSO Clinton pressed on emails and Trump defends praising Putin as they compete for military support Meet the men plotting strategy for Californias U.S. Senate candidates Obama tells voters to reject Donald Trumps outright wacky ideas The recent Russian hack into the Democratic National Committees computers and subsequent FBI warning that two states elections databases had been victims of cyberattacks are raising fears that a foreign power might penetrate U.S. systems and try to alter the outcome of Novembers vote. Though possible, such an unprecedented foreign election-day hacking would be hard to pull off, experts say. Here are some answers to common questions: How realistic is the threat that hackers could break into U.S. election systems and alter vote tallies? Not very, thanks mostly to the fact that even presidential elections are highly decentralized and often still rely on old-fashioned systems rather than cutting-edge technology. Advertisement First, there are more than 8,000 separate local jurisdictions where voters cast ballots for president, and each one is largely free to use whatever methods, technology and vendors they deem appropriate, based on varying local or state rules and guidelines. There are few federal mandates on how to conduct elections, and the mechanics of voting have been left to the states. For would-be hackers, that means theres no easy, one-stop target. Secondly, about 75% of all votes this cycle will be cast on paper, said Pamela Smith, president of Verified Voting, which tracks election systems nationwide And many results are still conveyed by telephone, fax or hand delivery. Even in cases where results are tallied or transferred electronically, if someone were to try to surreptitiously alter official results, there are built-in redundancies such as following up an email with a phone call, fax or hand delivery. And with paper, a hand recount is always possible whenever in doubt. Very few voting machines are directly connected to the Internet, where they might be targeted by hackers based in foreign countries, said Denise Merrill, secretary of state of Connecticut and president of the National Assn. of Secretaries of State. For hackers to infiltrate voting machines not connected to the Internet, they would need to individually install a bug or virus, presumably by hand, and then hope that one machine spreads the virus to another, or to a computer that tabulates the results. Its possible, and experts note that most voting machines are usually left unguarded on election eve in schools, town halls and other polling places. But its not likely, particularly on a scale that would make a difference. I think it is highly improbable that anything that has been suggested could happen, Merrill said. There are thousands upon thousands of polling places, each operated independently, by nonpartisan people. It is all broken into such small units, it is just hard to imagine someone hacking into them and being able to make much of a difference in the outcome. James B. Comey, the FBI director, reiterated that view during a security forum in Washington on Thursday, saying that the U.S. election systems antiquated nature is beneficial from a security standpoint. The voting system is dispersed among 50 states. Its clunky as heck, Comey said. Didnt many jurisdictions move to computerized voting after the disputed 2000 election? After Bush vs. Gore there was a push to modernize and computerize. In 2002, Congress established a $4-billion fund to help states upgrade their voting machines and systems. Many raced to buy and install touch-screen digital devices in the hopes they would eliminate controversy surrounding paper ballots remember Floridas hanging chads? But as states soon discovered, digital machines can break down and are more vulnerable to hackers, software bugs and calibration errors than ones based on paper ballots. Many of the early digital machines did not keep paper backups or receipts of votes cast, making it difficult to audit results. Over the past decade or so, states have been junking purely digital machines in favor of those that spit out paper receipts or keep a paper record of a vote. Now most cybersecurity experts are pushing states to embrace optical scanning systems, in which voters fill out bubbles or boxes on paper, and then ballots are then scanned by machines. (Remember those Scantron tests from high school?) This method has two major benefits paper ballots can be checked against the computerized results, and the machines tabulate votes much faster than poll workers counting by hand. Where are hackers most likely to strike? Battleground states. If a hacker wanted to tip the election for GOP nominee Donald Trump, he or she would not try to flip California, a strongly Democratic-leaning state, into Trumps column because such a result would immediately raise suspicions. If hackers penetrated the machines or voting systems in swing states such as Ohio or Pennsylvania -- which deploy digital machines, for example to affect just a sliver of the votes, they might change the outcome in a close election. In a battleground state, a small nudge may have a big impact, said Dan Wallach, a Rice University computer science professor. He urged battleground states to step up measures to guard against attacks and to upgrade to optical scanners. Couldnt someone hack into a states election results website and alter numbers as they were being reported? They could, and it might result in some initial confusion, but it would almost certainly be detected once local jurisdictions compared their results with the states tally and noticed discrepancies. That kind of hack would be caught very quickly, said Merle S. King, executive director of the Center for Election Systems at Kennesaw State University in Georgia. But it illustrates a bigger problem of credibility. In an election where Trump has already warned that results might be rigged, even an unsuccessful attempt to alter tallies could open the door to conspiracy theories and fuel questions about the elections legitimacy for years to come. Arent some votes cast online? A small percentage of votes cast by U.S. citizens and military service members stationed and living overseas are transmitted over the Internet and thereby more susceptible to hacking. However, Merrill said those ballots are first filled out by the voter and then emailed or sent electronically to elections officials who print and then count the ballots. While there was once a push to permit widespread online voting, election and security officials have resisted, warning it would make hacking and manipulation far easier. In light of recent hacks, the prospects for Internet voting have greatly dimmed. Sounds like there is nothing to worry about. Not quite. A bigger concern is that hackers might infiltrate voter-registration databases, which are frequently connected to the Internet. They could theoretically delete names, hoping to create delays or confusion on election day. In recent months, hackers believed to be from Russia penetrated voter registration systems in Illinois and Arizona. They made off with personal data on about 200,000 people from the Illinois, forcing officials to close the registration system for 10 days, Yahoo News reported. The hacks spurred the FBI to issue a flash bulletin warning about the dangers of hacking. Those systems have some vulnerability because they are more connected to the Internet than voting systems, said King. Hacking those systems and disrupting something would certainly satisfy the goal of undermining confidence in the election, but it would not alter the course of the election. Election officials noted that even if a voters name does not appear on the rolls, federal law requires they be offered a provisional ballot and allowed to vote. Once the voters eligibility is confirmed, those votes must be counted. However, if a hacker managed to purge a swath of voters from the voting rolls, the resulting lines and chaos may discourage others from casting ballots. It doesnt require much imagination to ponder what could happen, Wallach said. If you selectively disenfranchised voters that you didnt like, you could cause havoc. Yes, provisional voting allows voters to say, Your data is wrong. I need to vote. But they are filling out affidavits. The system is meant to handle dozens and hundreds of voters not millions. Whats being done to protect against cyberattacks? In addition to the FBI alert, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson in an Aug. 15 phone call reminded state officials that the Department of Commerces National Institute of Standards and Technology and the U.S. Election Assistance Commission have made recommendations for securing election equipment, such as disconnecting electronic voting machines from the Internet while voting is taking place. Election officials were also told they can call on cybersecurity experts from the Homeland Security Departments National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center to check voting systems for vulnerabilities. Johnson said he was so concerned about the possibility of a hack he was examining whether to declare certain parts of the election system to be critical infrastructure, which would free up funding and resources to help secure ballots, according to a description of the meeting released by the Homeland Security Department. del.wilber@latimes.com | Twitter: @delwilber brian.bennett@latimes.com | Twitter: @ByBrianBennett ALSO Im just lost. Voters find it hard to commit to Clinton or Trump Obama tells voters to reject Donald Trumps outright wacky ideas Trump says he would restore hundreds of billions in military cuts, but its unclear how hed pay for it UPDATES: 1:10 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from FBI Director James B. Comey. This article was originally published at 8:15 a.m. All in one speech: Donald Trump complains about the media, repeats false Iraq war claim, unveils education policy Trump on education: I will call upon the American people to elect officials who support school choice. https://t.co/HnqRCIxdDS CNN (@CNN) September 8, 2016 Donald Trump unveiled a $20-billion school voucher plan at a charter school in Cleveland on Thursday, hoping to make inroads with the suburban women he needs to catch up with Hillary Clinton. Though the speech was dedicated to education, Trump began his remarks by spending several minutes lambasting Clintons foreign policy experience and renewing his false claim that he opposed the war in Iraq before it began. The media is so terribly dishonest, Trump said, criticizing reporters who called him out for repeating the claim that he opposed the war during a forum in New York on Wednesday night. Trump insisted that he would have voted against the war if he had not been a private citizen and blamed Clintons policies for unleashing Islamic State. Trump again called Clinton, who voted for the war as a senator, trigger-happy, and he called Iraq one of the biggest differences in this race. Trumps scant public comments before the war began, made to Howard Stern, indicate that he supported the war. The Trump education plan would use a block grant sent to states to support 11 million poor children. It would encourage states, which largely control education policy and funding, to allow students to enroll in private, charter, magnet or public schools. The brief plan, outlined in a 232-word news release, says the money would come from redirecting existing education dollars, but did not specify which programs would need to be cut. Clinton is supported heavily by teachers unions, which oppose such programs, arguing that they weaken the public education system. Trump also endorsed merit pay for teachers, another policy often opposed by unions that support seniority-based pay structures. The issues could have resonance among parents, given that education often ranks as a top concern. This is the new civil rights agenda of our time, Trump said. I will use the pulpit of the presidency to campaign for this in all 50 states, Trump said, pledging to support politicians in state and local races who favor school choice. Trump cited Clevelands voucher program as a model, though a recent study found that the 20,000 students who receive the vouchers performed worse on standardized tests than their public school peers. Trump offers people in the country illegally a way to stay: Join the military Trump: Undocumented person wanting to serve in military & stay in U.S. legally presents "very special circumstance" https://t.co/zocQY8t7x7 NBC News (@NBCNews) September 8, 2016 Under a Donald Trump administration, there could be at least one way for people here illegally to avoid deportation: Join the military. Asked whether plans to join the armed forces might provide a path to legal residence, the Republican presidential nominee said it was likely. I could see myself working that out, absolutely, he said Wednesday in New York at the Commander in Chief Forum hosted by NBC. Military is a very special thing. It would be a very special circumstance, he said. Throughout the Republican primary, Trump insisted that anyone in the country illegally would be deported under his administration. He also questioned the constitutional guarantee of U.S. citizenship to anybody born here. In recent weeks, however, he has dialed back, saying that mass deportation is unlikely and that he would focus on immigrants without legal status who have criminal records. Trump has said he opposes President Obamas executive action known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, which allows exemptions from deportations to some young people in the country illegally. Those who have served in the military are eligible, though federal courts have halted applications. When police recover a gun from a crime scene, they usually check with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to determine the weapons history who made it, who bought it from whom and when. But because of ludicrous restrictions that Congress has placed on the agency, a gun trace that should take minutes instead takes days, wasting precious time and millions of taxpayer dollars. The problem is rooted in the gun lobbys fear that the federal government might someday use a national database of gun ownership to embark on a campaign of firearm confiscation. That is at best paranoia, since the information is available to investigators anyway. It just takes time to access it time that could be better spent solving crimes. Federal law requires people engaged in the business of selling firearms to obtain a license from the ATF. It also requires those gun dealers (139,840 all told in 2015) to maintain records of their transactions and make them available to the federal government when requested. The Obama administration is expanding the definition of who must comply with those rules in an effort to close the so-called gun show loophole, in which private dealers claim they are hobbyists merely selling off pieces of their personal collections, and thus not required to obtain licenses, seek background checks on buyers or maintain records. The new rules would make such sellers abide by the reporting standards. Advertisement Notably, those sales records remain with the sellers and are not compiled by the federal government. Which means that when local law enforcement agencies seek a gun trace something they do about 373,000 times each year, or more than 1,000 times a day from the ATFs National Tracing Center in West Virginia, federal agents send identifying details to the manufacturers, who determine the dealer to whom it shipped the weapon. The investigators then contact the dealer, and continue on down the chain of possession until they find the last legally recorded owner of the gun. Most traces take up to a week to complete, and according to a recent Government Accountability Office report, about 70% of the traces successfully identified a dealer or buyer for the weapon (though that wasnt necessarily someone involved in the crime). Such traces offer police an avenue of investigation, but its a woefully slow and cumbersome system just the way the NRA wants it. And the absurdity is heightened when you look at what happens to the dealers records when they go out of business. Under the law, those sales records go to the ATF, which is barred from entering them into a single searchable database. The Government Accountability Offices probe criticized the ATF for copying the records into one electronic collection, in violation of the Congressional restriction; ATF deleted the collection by the time the GAOs report was released. So how do the investigators search the records they possess? By hand, locating the paperwork from the relevant dealer and then combing through the boxes or microfilms in chronological order until they find the right sales record. There are very real privacy concerns to weigh before letting the federal government build databases of information concerning private citizens. But when it comes to firearms sales, the publics interest in safety and law enforcement is paramount. Besides, individual privacy can still be protected through such steps as limiting gun traces to firearms involved in a criminal investigation and barring fishing expeditions. The U.S. Supreme Court misread the 2nd Amendment when it ruled in the 2008 Heller decision that individuals have a right to own a firearm in their home for self-protection, but that same decision correctly held that government has an interest in regulating firearms. That includes creating record-keeping systems through which to monitor compliance and determine who the bad actors might be among gun dealers (some are disproportionately the sources of guns used in crimes, which can suggest failure to properly follow gun-sale regulations). The nation is awash in guns, and we outpace our peer countries by an obscene amount when it comes to gun homicides. Congresss limitations on the ATF collecting gun sale data and compiling it into a usable form are not only wrong-headed, they are yet another area in which the gun lobby has managed to pervert the system to put the interests of zealots ahead of public safety. Lawmakers should fix that. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook The North Carolina voter identification law was blocked last week when the U.S. Supreme Court denied an emergency appeal to reinstate it before the 2016 elections. Thats good news for minorities in the Tar Heel State because we now know that such laws significantly suppress their votes. Unfortunately, one-fifth of the nations population is still subject to strict voter ID laws. In 10 states this November, people wont be allowed to vote unless they provide identification at the polls. The first of the laws requiring ID was implemented in 2008, and only recently has enough time passed to produce clear answers to the question of how the demand for ID affects turnout. My colleagues Nazita Lajevardi and Lindsay Nielson and I analyzed validated voting data from the Cooperative Congressional Election Study in order to follow voter turnout from 2006 through 2014 among members of different groups almost a quarter-million Americans in all in states with and without strict ID laws. Advertisement The patterns are stark. Where strict identification laws are instituted, racial and ethnic minority turnout significantly declines. One way we analyzed the data was to compare the gap in turnout among races and ethnic groups. It is well established that minorities turn out less than whites in most elections in the United States. Our research shows that the racial turnout gap doubles or triples in states that enact strict ID laws. Latinos are the biggest losers. Their turnout is 7.1 percentage points lower in general elections and 5.3 percentage points lower in primaries in strict ID states than it is in other states. Strict ID laws lower African American, Asian American and multi-racial American turnout as well. In fact, where these laws are implemented, white turnout goes up marginally, compared with non-voter ID states. The racial and ethnic patterns persist even after we control for factors other than voter ID laws. We ran the data to check the influence of other state-level electoral laws that encourage or discourage participation, of particular issues in each state and congressional district, of the overall partisanship of each state, and of an array of individual demographic characteristics. Regardless of how we looked at the data, we found that strict voter ID laws suppress minority votes. It is unlikely that the falloff in turnout is due to a reduction in actual voter fraud. Voter ID laws can only prevent voter impersonation, where someone votes in another persons place. Despite widespread efforts to find such fraud, documented instances are almost nonexistent. Justin Levitt, law professor and now a deputy assistant attorney general in the Justice Department, tracked voter-impersonation allegations from 2000 through 2014 in all kinds of U.S. elections general, primary, special and municipal. As of August 2014, he found 31 credible instances out of more than 1 billion votes cast in general and primary elections alone. The suppression patterns in voter ID states have real political consequences. In states where the voices of Latinos, blacks and Asian Americans become more muted and the relative influence of white America grows, the influence of Democrats and liberals wanes and the power of Republicans grows. It should thus not be surprising that strict voter ID laws have been passed almost exclusively by Republican legislatures. The political effects are strongest in primary elections. The turnout gap between Republicans and Democrats in primary contests more than doubles from 4.3 points in states without strict ID laws to 9.8 points in states with strict ID laws. Likewise, the gap between conservatives and liberals more than doubles from 7.7 to 20.4 points. Strict voter ID laws are in effect in about a third of the presidential election battleground states, where they could make a difference in the outcome, especially if the election tightens through the fall. Down ballot races could also be affected. Senate races in Indiana, Ohio, Arizona and Wisconsin all states with strict ID laws and all states with Republican incumbents are currently too close to call. By preventing racial and ethnic minorities from voting, and by increasing the influence of Republicans over Democrats, strict ID laws could keep these states red, a far from insignificant outcome given that the Democrats need only flip four seats to gain a Senate majority if they also win the White House (the vice president casts the tie-breaking vote in the Senate). Until now, the data to assess the impact of voter ID laws hasnt been available. But the results are in. Strict voter identification laws hurt minorities and they distort and skew American democracy. Zoltan L. Hajnal is a professor of political science at UC San Diego and is co-author of Voter Identification Laws and the Suppression of Minority Votes, forthcoming in the Journal of Politics. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook In the middle of a presidential election featuring the two least popular candidates in modern history, its easy to forget that Americans distaste for politics long predated 2016. And while half the electorate fumes at Donald Trumps latest insults, and the other half condemns Hillary Clintons ethical myopia, its just as easy to overlook the day-to-day outrages that have made such large numbers of voters so contemptuous of their leaders. Many factors have propelled Trumps candidacy, but one major cause is widespread revulsion toward a pay-to-play system in which contributors are rewarded with access to the politicians of their choice. While Clinton is a less likely vehicle for this anger, she has proposed substantial campaign finance reform as part of her platform. And yet here in California, our elected officials pay little attention to the public disdain for the increasingly transparent link between political fundraising and government action. When it was reported last week that Gov. Jerry Brown was planning private dinners with contributors during the September bill-signing period in which he decides to sign or veto hundreds of pieces of legislation almost no one batted an eye. Advertisement In a letter from the California Democratic Party, potential check-writers were invited to dinners at which Brown would thank those that are able to help on his priorities. The letter identified Browns top objectives as defeating a ballot measure that would give voters more of a voice on his signature high-speed rail and water conveyance projects (Proposition 53), as well as passing another initiative to implement his parole reform proposal (Proposition 57). Left unmentioned, but understood by Capitol insiders, is that these meetings would take place at exactly the time when Brown would be making high-stakes decisions on legislation related to job creation, environmental protection, public safety and almost every other facet of life in California. The opportunity for deep-pocketed advocates to plead their case directly to the governor over small, leisurely dinners is invaluable and the only cost to them is a big check. Providing access [to donors] during such a critical policy period sends precisely the wrong message to voters who believe that their government is for sale. For better or worse, fundraising is a necessary part of politics, and Brown does not deserve condemnation simply for soliciting donors. But providing access during such a critical policy period sends precisely the wrong message to voters who believe that their government is for sale to the highest bidder. To be clear, Browns dinner-party plan is completely legal: Trading access in exchange for campaign contributions has been routine both in Sacramento and in Washington since time immemorial. Still, it represents a normalization of ethical overreach that should be resisted. Two years ago, State Senate President Kevin de Leon unilaterally banned fundraising for his members during the last month of the legislative session in order to make clear their votes were not for sale. De Leons brave action was ignored by State Assembly leaders and by Brown, however, and this year he was forced to retreat in order to prevent state senators from being at a competitive disadvantage in their campaigns. When Brown first sought statewide office in the 1970s, he stressed the need for campaign finance reform and passage of the landmark Political Reform Act, which regulated campaign finance and lobbying activity. When he ran for president in 1992, he railed against the excesses of large campaign contributions, limiting himself to donations of $100 or less and declaring that Money is the problem, not the answer. The 21st century Brown, though, seems to find that axiom inconvenient. His dinner invitations serve as an important reminder that there should at the very least be some chronological separation between donor solicitation and consequential decision-making. Perhaps the one-time campaign finance reformer should rediscover his roots and delay his in-person fundraising appeals until the bill deadline has passed. Dan Schnur is director of the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics at USC. He is a former Republican consultant who is now registered as a No Party Preference voter. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook Three years ago Thursday, the political horizon for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie seemed limitless, perhaps stretching to the White House. He was a lock for re-election. Voters loved his blunt, plain-talking style. National Republican leaders swooned about his ability to attract support from Democratic voters in a blue state. That day, Sept. 8, 2013, may have been the high point. Early the next morning, traffic cones went up in a New Jersey suburb of New York to block local access lanes to the George Washington Bridge. The ensuing four-day traffic pileup in Fort Lee, eventually revealed as an act of political revenge by Christies aides against the towns mayor, spawned federal indictments, crippled Christies presidential ambitions and earned a permanent place in the annals of lunatic political shenanigans. Advertisement On Thursday, jury selection began in the federal trial of two former top aides for Christie accused of orchestrating the plot, a trial that may reveal new details about lingering questions: Did anyone else know about the scheme, and when did they hear about it? Bridget Anne Kelly, once Christies deputy chief of staff, and Bill Baroni, a top Christie appointment at the powerful Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, each face nine charges of fraud and conspiracy stemming from the 2013 traffic jam at the bridge, the worlds busiest. The Port Authority appointee who gave the orders to block the lanes, David Wildstein, has already pleaded guilty. Baroni signed off on the plan, the indictment alleges, and later, during a legislative hearing, insisted that that it was just an experiment in traffic control. That story fell apart after an email Kelly sent to Wildstein surfaced: Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee. Christie has steadfastly denied knowing about the plot, blaming himself only for misplacing trust in inexplicably stupid employees. Three probes including one run by Democrats in the state Legislature, and another commissioned by Christie turned up no evidence to challenge that. But the three figures in the scheme have continued to push back against assertions that they acted alone, or that no one else in Christies inner circle knew afterward what had happened at the bridge. It is an absurd thought to believe that a member of the governors staff could close the George Washington Bridge, Kelly said after her indictment last year. Additionally, for the indictment to suggest I was the only person in the governors office who was aware of the George Washington Bridge issue is ludicrous. Wildstein, a high school classmate of Christies, has said that he told the governor about the lane closures while they were underway, during a 9/11 anniversary ceremony in New York. Christie has said that if Wildstein mentioned rush-hour jams, he didnt remember it, but he was sure Wildstein never talked about a vindictive plot to snarl traffic. Its likely that some of the story has yet to be revealed, one veteran of New Jersey politics said. Who in the governors office did they speak to, either prior to this happening or once it blew up in their faces? said Carl Golden, who worked as press secretary to Republican Gov. Thomas Kean and is now an analyst at the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy. Golden said its still hard to imagine that Kelly with relatively little high-level government experience authorized the scheme on her own. If you ask people, Was she capable of putting this together with Wildstein? The answer, almost universally, is probably not, Golden said. Donald Trump suggested the same thing in December when Christie was challenging him for the Republican nomination. Theyre with him all the time, the people who did it, Trump said at a rally. They never said, Hey boss, were closing up the George Washington Bridge tonight? He knew about it, he totally knew about it. Two months later, Christie dropped out of the presidential race, endorsed Trump and later became head of his transition team. Apart from the charges, the investigations revealed a culture of hardball politics in Christies office, striking even by rough New Jersey standards. Even as Christie was cruising to reelection as governor in 2013, emails show that employees in his office, supervised by Kelly, were pushing to corral endorsements from local officials around the state. Jersey Citys mayor was frozen out when he didnt endorse Christie, emails show, and Fort Lees Democratic mayor, Mark Sokolich, became a target when he decided he couldnt cross party lines to back the governor. Kellys lawyers intend to make that part of her defense. The offices way of operating was established long before she took over and Kellys actions were not aberrational or outside the scope of her employment, they wrote in a brief in June. The investigation also unearthed a separate scandal involving former Port Authority Chairman David Samson, previously New Jerseys attorney general and one of Christies closest allies. In July, Samson pleaded guilty to one count of bribery, admitting that he used his position to strong-arm United Airlines into restoring a little-used and unprofitable flight from Newark, N.J., to Columbia, S.C., that made it easier for Samson to visit his vacation home on weekends. After he resigned, United Airlines quickly dropped the route, known as the chairmans flight. In the run-up to the trial, there has been renewed pressure on prosecutors and Christies lawyers to release more information. This week, a federal appeals court ruled that a list of unindicted co-conspirators in the case should remain secret, turning away a request from news organizations to release it. One of the people on the list, known only as John Doe, sued to block the release, saying it would unfairly tar his reputation. And last month, lawyers for Baroni released a new text exchange between Christie aides, made as the governor talked about the bridge mess at a 2013 news conference. Are you listening? He just flat out lied about senior staff and Stepien not being involved, wrote Christina Genovese Renna, referring to Bill Stepien, Christies two-time campaign manager. If emails are found with the subpoena ... if it comes to that it could be bad. Christie said the allegation that he lied was ridiculous and nothing new. Stepien was abruptly fired by Christie after embarrassing emails came to light. He has not been charged with wrongdoing and has also denied any involvement in the bridge plot. Stepien is now working for the Trump campaign. joseph.tanfani@latimes.com Twitter: @jtanfani ALSO Im just lost. Voters find it hard to commit to Clinton or Trump Clinton pressed on emails and Trump defends praising Putin as they compete for military support Obama tells voters to reject Donald Trumps outright wacky ideas President Obama called Thursday for closer scrutiny of Republican nominee Donald Trump during the final weeks of the presidential campaign, advising voters to reject his outright wacky ideas. At a news conference to end his final trip to Asia while in office, Obama warned that governing is complex, particularly diplomacy, and requires a steady, knowledgeable hand, reiterating his stance that Trump is unqualified for the office. I can tell you from the interactions Ive had over the last eight or nine days with foreign leaders that this is serious business, Obama said. You actually have to know what youre talking about. When you speak, it should actually reflect thought-out policy that you can implement. Advertisement Obama, who has said hell stump hard for his former secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, in the coming weeks, urged voters to come around to his view of Trump. Every time he speaks, that opinion is confirmed. And I think the most important thing for the public, and the press, is to just listen to what he says and follow up, and ask questions about what appear to be either contradictory or uninformed or outright wacky ideas. The comment was particularly pointed in the hours after Trump and Clinton appeared at a veterans town hall broadcast in prime time. Moderator Matt Lauer was excoriated on social media for allowing Trump to go unchallenged on his false claim that he had opposed the Iraq war and for asking what some perceived as softer questions than he posed to Clinton. Obama laughed off the idea he needed to defend himself against Trumps assertion that Russian President Vladimir Putin was a stronger leader. Behavior that in normal times we would consider completely outrageous becomes normalized, Obama said. People start thinking we should be grading on a curve. He batted down criticism from Trump that he had been humiliated upon landing days earlier in China when the Chinese provided no stairs for Obama to descend from Air Force One. He instead walked down a set at the back of the jetliner, and the confusion led to a heated exchange among aides from both countries. Obama said his reception in Asia has been terrific, and, aiming to put pressure back on Trump, added that world leaders seem more concerned about the possibility that his successor will pull back from deep engagement with the continent. The concern that Ive heard is, Will it continue? Obama said, arguing that its in the best interest of the U.S. to do so. This is where the actions going to be when it comes to commerce and trade, he said. The remarks came at the end of Obamas ninth visit to southeast Asia, where he has tried to bolster relations and present the U.S. as a counterbalance to the increasing power of China. Obama also downplayed the significance of the public insult aimed his way by newly elected Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who lost out on his scheduled private meeting with Obama when he threatened to curse at him if he brought up human rights and due process concerns about his government. According to one translation, Duterte, who has a history of crude remarks and is sometimes referred to as the Philippines Trump, called Obama a son of a whore. I dont take these comments personally, because it seems as if this is a phrase he has used repeatedly, including directed at the pope, Obama said, speculating that it is just a habit, a way of speaking for him. Obama said his team would meet with Dutertes to determine how they can move forward in their relationship. christi.parsons@latimes.com Follow @cparsons for news about the White House. Voters are finding it harder to commit than usual, posing a challenge for Clinton and Trump Clinton pressed on emails and Trump defends praising Putin as they compete for military support Trump says he would restore hundreds of billions in military cuts, but its unclear how hed pay for it Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence on Thursday tried to make the case that Donald Trump is the natural heir to Ronald Reagan and said the same forces that propelled the late president into the White House would secure a GOP victory in November. Like Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump has the honesty and the bluntness to confront the challenges facing the American people, Pence said in a speech to hundreds of people at Reagans presidential library in Simi Valley. And like Reagan, I believe Donald Trump has the toughness to rebuild our economy and command the respect of the world, Pence said. Advertisement More than a dozen times, Pence said Reagan and Trump shared traits, including a confidence in their own voices despite initial skepticism from inside the GOP to their economic and foreign policies. The smart set in Washington, D.C., mocked and dismissed the California governor in many ways, Pence said. They said he was little more than a celebrity and an entertainer who entered politics late in life. Sound familiar? The speech at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, a popular stop on the conservative speaking circuit, was Pences sole public appearance during a two-day California visit. He also raised money in San Diego, Orange and Kern counties. Before his speech at the sprawling mountaintop library, Pence and his daughter Charlotte laid a wreath of buff-colored roses at the burial site of Reagan and his wife, Nancy. Pence told the crowd that included GOP notables such as former Gov. Pete Wilson that the nations 40th president has a special place in his heart because Reagan prompted Pence to leave the Democratic Party to become a Republican. He mentioned Reagans son Michael while telling a tale about Reagans 1976 loss of the GOP nomination. Left unsaid was Michael Reagans outspoken opposition to Trumps candidacy and refusal to vote for him during the California primary. My father would be appalled. Im certainly appalled on behalf of my father and the Reagan family, Michael Reagan said in a video Democrats released shortly before Pences speech. All three of Reagans living children criticize Trumps incendiary remarks and temperament in the minute-long web video. Pence spoke broadly of Trumps and Reagans shared political philosophy strengthening the military and reducing government regulation. But there are notable differences in the mens policies and styles. Reagan signed a 1986 amnesty bill that offered legal status to 3 million immigrants here illegally; Trump has called for the deportation of millions and vowed never to offer legal status or citizenship to the 11 million immigrants in the U.S. illegally unless they return home and get in the back of the line. Stylistically, Trump is a visceral pugilist with a mostly dark view of the nations current condition, but Reagan had the air of a grandfather and spoke in sunny tones. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, who has been praising GOP presidents and past nominees of late as she tries to attract moderate Republican voters, also raised the late president as she spoke to reporters Thursday morning in New York. What would Ronald Reagan say about a Republican nominee who attacks Americas generals and heaps praise on Russias president? Clinton said, referring to Trumps flattering comments about Russian President Vladimir Putin and disparagement of American generals during a presidential forum Wednesday evening. Pence did not speak with reporters at the library. During his speech, he said that despite differing backgrounds and tones, Trump and Reagan are actually alike because of their honesty and toughness. Pence said he heard a confidence in Trumps voice that he last heard when he met Reagan at the White House as a congressional candidate in 1988. At the very core, both Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump are united in a boundless faith in the American people, Pence said. Pence also compared the economic, overseas and social upheaval in the 1970s to the nations current state, contending President Obama and former Secretary of State Clinton had imperiled the United States security and standing in the world. Americas choice has never been clearer, I believe. The most straight-talking candidate since Ronald Reagan is running against one of the most dishonest candidates ever, Pence said. Let me say as I stand in this hallowed place, the American people picked a bold truth-teller in 1980 and I know theyre going to elect a bold truth-teller in 2016. He said that the same forces that united to power the Reagan revolution, including moderate Democrats, working-class voters and union members, have aligned behind Trump. The spirit of 1980 that propelled Ronald Reagan into the White House is alive and kicking again, Pence said, noting his interactions with voters on the campaign trail. I see it every day. Times staff writer Evan Halper contributed to this report from Washington D.C. seema.mehta@latimes.com For the latest on national and California politics, follow @LATSeema on Twitter. ALSO USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times tracking poll: Where the presidential race stands today Trail Guide: Live updates from the campaign trail The Electoral College and the race to 270: Play with our map In this election season of discontent, a lot of voters are having trouble committing. Around 1 in 5 voters nationwide report themselves as undecided or flirting with third-party candidates, with the exact share depending on the poll and how the question is asked. Thats far higher than in the past several elections, where fewer than 1 in 10 voters were still up in the air at this point, and reflects the distaste that large numbers of voters have for both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Advertisement Those who remain uncertain include a couple of groups that may play an outsized role in determining the elections outcome young voters, many of whom loathe Trump but lack enthusiasm for Clinton, and college-educated suburban Republicans, who often find Trump scary but struggle with the idea of voting for a Democrat. Im just lost, Joanna Gianforcaro, 26, said on a recent afternoon as she sat with her mother at a farmers market in Doylestown, Pa., a swing area in a potentially important battleground state. Both women said they felt barraged by the negativity of the campaign and dismayed by the faults they perceive in both candidates. I dont find either of them genuine, Gianforcaro said. About a dozen miles to the southwest, in the suburban town of Lansdale, a longtime Republican expressed dismay about her partys nominee his temper, his history of bankruptcies and uncertainty about her decision. I think Ill know when I get there, said the woman, who would give only her first name, Evie, and her age, 67. A lot of people are undecided, she added. I dont think well know till we go to the polls. The large number of voters in that position probably wont change until at least after the first presidential debate, scheduled for Sept. 26. Their prevalence has important consequences, both for the election itself and for the preelection polls that voters will be hearing more and more about in the nine weeks between now and election day. Trump causes concern and doubt among a lot of voters, but also inspires seemingly unshakable support from his core supporters. That ardor gives him an edge among voters who are most definite about their choice, according to the USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times Daybreak poll, which is structured in a way that allows detailed analysis of the preferences of voters at different levels of certainty. Clinton, by contrast, wins among voters who are fairly certain but express some doubt either about their choice or whether they will cast a ballot, according to analysis of data collected since the poll began tracking the election in early July. That suggests a key task for Clinton over the remaining weeks of the campaign is not so much persuading voters to her side, but motivating her soft supporters. The need to do so, in turn, helps explain the Clinton campaigns seemingly insatiable appetite for cash, a lot of which is going to fund a vast and expensive get-out-the-vote operation in key states. As for Trump, his apparent strategy of focusing on his core supporters, emphasizing the issues they care about most, as he did last week with his hard-line speech on immigration, may make considerable sense. His advisors have suggested that they believe their best chance lies in a relatively low-turnout election in which lack of enthusiasm for Clinton holds down the Democratic vote. They also need to motivate a large number of blue-collar white voters who sat out the last election a group that strongly supports Trump, but is less certain about voting, the poll data show. In the most recent poll from the nonpartisan Pew Research Center, about 1 in 4 voters said they were undecided or didnt know when asked to choose between Clinton and Trump. In a four-way contest, 10% chose Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson and 4% Green Party candidate Jill Stein, while the rest remained unsure, Pew found. Data from Pew and from SurveyMonkey, which polls thousands of voters each week on their presidential preferences, show younger voters much less certain of their vote than their elders. The SurveyMonkey numbers also show that Republicans, by a small but important margin, are more likely to be undecided than Democrats, reflecting the continued resistance to Trump within parts of the GOP. A considerably larger group of voters remains at least somewhat uncertain about their choice. Only about 4 in 10 say they are sure of their candidate choice and certain to vote, according to the Daybreak poll, which asks people to estimate on a 0-100 scale what their chance is of voting for Clinton, Trump or some other candidate and, separately, the chance that theyll cast a ballot. Among that absolutely certain group, Trump leads 51% to 45%, the poll found. But broaden the lens to take in the nearly two-thirds of poll respondents who say they are at least fairly certain of their vote and their likelihood of casting a ballot, and the picture flips, with Clinton holding a 48%-42% lead. Overall, the Daybreak poll shows the two locked in a dead heat. The poll consistently has shown Trump doing better than most other surveys, in part because people who are certain of their vote have more weight in the survey than those who are less sure. If Clintons support solidifies during the course of the fall campaign, the Daybreak polls results could move closer to those of other surveys. The differences between voters who are sure of their choice and those who are less so can bedevil pollsters, adding to the uncertainty of election forecasts. Using a tight definition of which people to count as likely voters likely will yield a higher forecast for Trump, for example. That was true for a CNN/ORC poll released Monday, for example. The poll showed Clinton leading among all registered voters, but trailing by 2 points among likely voters. Detailed results from the USC Dornsife/LAT daily tracking poll The most recent polls show that the race has tightened from early August, when Clinton was enjoying a big bounce after her nominating convention. At the post-convention peak, Clinton led by about 8 percentage points in polling averages. Now, with both bounces having faded; the race has returned to where it stood at the beginning of the summer: Clinton ahead by between 3 and 5 points in the various polling averages. State-by-state polling indicates, however, that the Democrat continues to lead in enough states to deliver a victory, although some of those surveys date from early August, when her national lead was greater. As The Times electoral college map shows, only four states currently are clear tossups Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Iowa. To be elected, Trump would probably have to win all four of those and then pick up at least one more state where Clinton currently has a more solid advantage. A 50-state survey published Monday by the Washington Post showed Trump doing notably worse than the 2012 GOP nominee, Mitt Romney, in some heavily Republican states most notably Texas, where the survey found him tied with Clinton. Clinton almost certainly wont be winning Texas any more than Trump will carry New York, but Trumps poor showing there is a reminder of his weakness among Republicans nationwide. That survey and others also showed that while the electoral map looks a lot like the one from four years ago, the demographics dont. Trump does better among blue-collar white men than Romney did in many parts of the country. Clinton, by contrast, does better than President Obama did among college-educated whites, especially women. In the CNN/ORC survey, Clinton led among college-educated white voters by 13 points. Trump led among whites without a college degree by 44 points. That massive educational gap among white voters doesnt necessarily shift many states from one column to the other, but it does mean big shifts within some states. In Pennsylvania, for example, Trump does better than Romney did in some rural areas and old industrial regions in the western part of the state. Clinton, however, does better than Obama in the suburban counties outside Philadelphia. In Florida, the countrys biggest swing state, Trump similarly exceeds Romneys margins in many conservative white areas, according to recent polling, but Clinton is running ahead of Obamas mark in Miami, in large part because of Trumps extremely poor showing among Latino voters, as well as Clintons stronger showing among whites with college degrees. If trends hold, Clinton will win nationally among college-educated white voters. That would mark the first time in the history of polling that a Democrat has won the group, which used to tilt overwhelmingly Republican. Times writer Cathleen Decker contributed to this report. david.lauter@latimes.com For more on politics and policy, follow me @DavidLauter ALSO Donald Trump still has a path to victory, but its a tough one Why the USC/L.A. Times tracking poll differs from other surveys In Pennsylvania and nationally, Trumps problems with suburban voters blunt his ascent Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton nearly crossed paths in their home state. Gov. Jerry Brown is signing climate change legislation today in Los Angeles, and we know there will be at least one Senate debate. Im Christina Bellantoni. This is Essential Politics. Get used to where Clinton and Trump stand in the polls, because the voters who are having trouble committing during this election season of discontent probably wont be changing their mind until after the first debate takes place 18 days from now. Advertisement David Lauter writes that the large number of undecided voters reflects the distaste they have for both major party nominees. He also dives into the USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times Daybreak poll, explaining one reason Trump might be performing better there than he does in some other national surveys. Among absolutely certain voters, Trump leads 51% to 45%. This tracking poll of 3,000 voters gives more weight to people certain of their vote than those who are less sure. Get the latest from the campaign trail on Trail Guide and follow @latimespolitics. Watch our daily USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times tracking poll at the top of the politics page. A FORUM ABOUT VETERANS At a military forum aboard the Intrepid aircraft carrier, Clinton faced repeated questions Wednesday night about her use of a private email server while secretary of State, just as a newly released January 2009 email exchange between Clinton and Colin Powell contradicted his previous claim that they didnt speak about it until long after she had been in the position. Trump was pressed repeatedly about his previous statement he knows more about ISIS than do U.S. generals. Seema Mehta and Kurtis Lee covered the event in real time here. At one point, Trump expressed support for a path to citizenship for those who serve in the military. Earlier Wednesday, Trump said hed restore hundreds of billions in cuts that have been made to the military over the last several years. MEET THE STRATEGISTS BEHIND THE SENATE CANDIDATES Longtime California political consultant Bill Carrick had a plan for getting Rep. Loretta Sanchez into the U.S. Senate, but Trump is making it difficult. Carrick and Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris consultant Sean Clegg are trying to do something thats never been done in California politics: run a statewide campaign in a Democrat-versus-Democrat race. How they advise the two candidates to cobble together a majority could set the stage for what intraparty races look like in the future. Sarah Wire reports on how Carrick and Clegg might shape the U.S. Senate race going forward. For more on California politics, watch our Essential Politics news feed. SAVE THE DATE Well, we know therell be at least one debate in Californias U.S. Senate race. Sanchez and Harris are still fighting over how many debates to have before the November election, but both have agreed to met in Los Angeles on Oct. 5 for a debate sponsored by the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at Cal State Los Angeles and KABC-TV. Phil Willon reports that the Sanchez campaign continues to demand more debates. But a political consultant for Harris, who continued to maintain a sizable lead over Sanchez in a poll released on Wednesday, says all debate negotiations have closed. CALIFORNIANS JOIN FORCES ON SEXUAL ASSAULT ISSUE Its not common for House Speaker Paul D. Ryan to praise legislation championed by the head of Californias Democrats in Congress, but thats what he did this week in praising a bill providing new protections for sexual assault victims. An unlikely pair of California representatives teamed up on the bill. Wire has the backstory on how Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) and Rep. Mimi Walters (R-Irvine), a freshman and the only female Republican in the delegation, ended up working together on the bill. TODAYS ESSENTIALS Brown is taking his time on the more than 700 bills awaiting his signature. Its like a mini PhD in government structure and policy, he told a group of reporters Wednesday. B. Wayne Hughes Jr., a Malibu-based GOP mega-donor, gave the maximum legal donation to Libertarian presidential contender Gary Johnson. He explained to Melanie Mason why he ponied up more than $100,000. Mehta reports that GOP vice presidential nominee Mike Pence will speak Thursday morning at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, a popular stop on the conservative speaking circuit. A spokesman says the Indiana governor will compare Reagans legacy with Trumps vision for the nation. Trump, who appeared at the library during a 2015 GOP primary debate, is the first Republican presidential nominee in recent history to not deliver a speech at the sprawling library and grounds in Simi Valley. To welcome Pence to town, Democrats put together a video of Reagans three living children blasting the GOP nominee. Pence also made clear he wants the conversation about the birther issue to end this election season. Democratic congressional candidate Bryan Caforio wants to raise $5,000 off Pences visit. Justin Fareed, a 28-year-old Republican running for retiring Rep. Lois Capps Central Coast seat, has a new ad out. You could be forgiven for mistaking it for a Subway commercial. Trump says hell make a serious play for New York this fall. Adam Elmahrek has the story of Commerce in Southeast Los Angeles a city fueled by hefty tax revenue from the Commerce Casino and Citadel outlet mall at such an extent residents have a giant pool and even a mountain retreat. But, he writes, the generous largess masks what to many residents is another problem that has plagued the region: government dysfunction. Who will win the November election? Give our Electoral College map a spin. LOGISTICS Miss yesterdays newsletter? Here you go. 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. Donald Trumps comments about Mexicans and immigrants, and his rise to be the Republican partys presidential nominee, might have thrown a wrench in Bill Carricks plan to get an underdog elected to the U.S. Senate. California hasnt had an open Senate seat in two-and-a-half decades, and for the first time in state history, voters will choose between two Democrats for a statewide office. The dynamic means new territory for the two scions of Californias political consulting world involved in the race. What does such a campaign look like? How do they appeal to Republicans and moderates? How will Democrats pick sides? And how do the candidates stick out when they both have a D after their name on the ballot? Rep. Loretta Sanchez turned to Carrick, Sen. Dianne Feinsteins longtime advisor, for those answers. To charter her path, Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris went with Sean Clegg and the team at SCN Strategies, a group that has worked with Sen. Barbara Boxer. The men have been on opposite sides of a campaign before, but no race has looked like this one. Track the latest in California politics Sanchez has struggled to build excitement for her candidacy, making few public appearances over the summer and repeatedly having to backtrack on statements after public outcry, such as when she appeared to question in July if President Obama endorsed Harris because they are both black. A Field poll in early July found that just 24% of likely voters supported Sanchez, compared to 39% for Harris. In recent weeks Sanchez has made several appeals to conservative voters, including reiterating on a conservative radio show an assertion from last December that 5% to 20% of Muslims support a caliphate, or a strict Islamic state. Like anyone with a lengthy career in politics, Carricks has had his share of wins and losses, but fellow consultants say he has a knack for seemingly pulling a win out of thin air, which might just be what Sanchez needs. Harris entered the race as the front-runner soon after Boxer announced plans to retire, and had a fundraising and endorsement advantage that kept many prominent Democrats from even attempting a run. She has the state Democratic Partys endorsement and SCN has positioned her as the progressive successor to Boxer. Thats allowed Harris to run a much more traditional Democratic campaign, while Sanchez was left to try to cobble together a majority of voters. Shes lagged in the polls and in fundraising since entering the race. Consultant Richie Ross said Carrick was the one to plot out Sanchezs best chance: If Sanchez could get past the primary, it would leave her with time to woo Republican and independent voters over the summer and fall. I dont think that Loretta Sanchez could have done better [picking a consultant] because Bill is one of the few who I think actually saw a strategy. Its a very difficult path, right? But he saw a path, Ross said. Several pundits and consultants said Trumps comments about Latinos being criminals and insistence he will build a wall along the Mexican border may have thrown into turmoil Sanchezs plan to get support from the two groups. Still, Carrick has experience with Democratic candidates who are able to appeal to moderates, something that Sanchez needs to do to win, said Rose Kapolczynski, who consulted on several of Boxers campaigns, but is not involved in this race. Carrick is well positioned to take a candidate like Sanchez all the way. Does she have the resources and discipline to get there? That is another question, she said. Still, Clegg and the other founders of SCN Strategies, Ace Smith and Dan Newman, have the advantage because they can package Harris background as an attorney and support from moderate Democrats in a way that will appeal to independents and some Republicans, Ross said. I think Ace Smith is playing with more cards in his hands than Bill has, but Ive been working around these guys for a long time and I wouldnt discount either, he said. Kapolczynski said the SCN founders background in opposition research will be a factor. When you start your work in politics as an opposition researcher that really defines your approach to a race. If this race becomes competitive I think we could see Harris very aggressively defending her lead, she said. Though a few other consultants have come and gone, Carrick has been Sanchezs top consultant for most of the race, and Carrick Consulting has already been paid $1.7 million for media buys and advertising. Harris has had a string of consultants, though SCN Strategies has been with her since her first run for Attorney General. She spent more than $600,000 employing 19 of the top consultants in California and across the country in the first nine months of 2015 before scaling back to just a handful. SCN Strategies has been paid $310,564 so far for advertising and research consulting, according to campaign finance reports. Bill Carrick, Rep. Loretta Sanchezs consultant. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) (Test) SIGN UP for the free daily politics newsletter Theyve made a mark before Carrick and Clegg have been behind some of California Democrats biggest political wins and losses over the past few decades. And, if theyve done their jobs right, no one would ever know it was their work that notched victories. Carrick, a South Carolina native, is best known for his long association with Feinstein. He worked on her 1990 gubernatorial campaign and, along with business partner Hank Morris, crafted a television ad to introduce Feinstein to Southern Californians that was so well received it helped her become the first California woman to win a major partys nomination for governor. Feinstein lost the general election to Republican Pete Wilson, but was elected to the Senate soon after. Carrick has played a role in each of her reelection campaigns. Carricks Senate rival lauded that 1990 campaign ad as iconic. Hes earned his stripes and hes really one of the most highly respected people out here on the West Coast, Clegg said. Carrick has worked on national campaigns, including Missouri Rep. Dick Gephardt's failed presidential runs in 1988 and 2004. He consulted for President Bill Clinton in the 1990s. Hes shepherded campaigns for Los Angeles mayors Eric Garcetti, Jim Hahn and Dick Riordan, and for several current and former members of Congress, including Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara). (Riordan, a Republican, has endorsed Sanchez.) Sean Clegg, Kamala Harris consultant (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) (Test) With colleague Ace Smith often out front, Clegg has been a less visible face and isnt as well known in the states political circles. After earning a degree in Political Science at Berkeley and working briefly for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, Clegg joined Smiths opposition research firm in 1992. Later at SCN Strategies, the firm consulted for Gov. Gray Davis, Boxer and Gephardt, along with Gov. Jerry Brown, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. It was Clegg who, laying the groundwork for Browns campaign and facing a well-funded opponent in Republican Meg Whitman, came up with the 2010 Megatar ad poking fun at her private jet use. As one of the first political ads to ever go viral, it was recognized by Adweek and won an award from the American Association of Political Consultants. This isnt the first time theyve been on opposite sides of a race: two other cases were the 1998 gubernatorial race and the 2006 primary for attorney general. And Carrick and SCN Strategies worked together both for the Clintons and for Feinstein. Weve been back and forth, Carrick said. Thats the nature of politics, you meet people going and coming. Particularly in intra-party politics you are all on the same side a lot, and sometimes youre not. In one of their highest profile match-ups, the 2001 Los Angeles mayoral race, Carrick and Jim Hahn beat SCN and Antonio Villaraigosa, in part with an ad criticizing Villaraigosa for urging President Clinton to pardon drug dealer Carlos Vignali, whose father was active in the Latino community. Villaraigosa came back and won the position in 2005, something Clegg called a highlight because nothing stings like a loss. A lack of interest in the race in a presidential year has made mounting a campaign more difficult, Carrick said. Clegg said while its difficult to figure out which voters are up for grabs, the Harris campaign doesnt plan to cede Latino voters to Sanchez, especially as Sanchez courts Republicans to build a disparate coalition. How do you put together the Trump voters with Latinos? Good luck. Its just a self nullifying proposition, he said. California has had a long and specialized relationship with political consultants The success of one of the first major U.S. political consulting firms, Spencer-Roberts, in Ronald Reagans 1966 bid for governor created an outsize role for political consultants in the state long before it became a fashion of the rest of the country, said Dan Schnur, director of University of Southern Californias Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics. California consultants, more than those in other states, advise campaigns on when to run ads, where to hold events, even what the candidate should say. So they can play a major role in shaping a race. And it matters which consultant has the candidates ears behind the scenes, especially now, say experts and fellow consultants. Schnur says Carrick and Clegg are the best in the business. If someone you cared about was running for the U.S. Senate you would want them to hire one of these two individuals, he said. Who has Loretta Sanchezs ear? Name: Bill Carrick Age, Hometown: 66, Los Angeles Founder of Carrick Consulting, Inc. in Los Angeles Education: Political Science, University of South Carolina, 1972 Background: Carricks political career began in his native South Carolina, inspired by his parents, who were political activists. Carrick worked on Sen. Edward M. Kennedys (D-Mass.) presidential campaign before working as his political director in Washington. Since moving to California, Carrick has consulted on the campaigns of President Bill Clinton, Los Angeles mayors Eric Garcetti, Jim Hahn and Dick Riordan, and for several current and former members of Congress. But he is best known for his long association with Sen. Dianne Feinstein. He crafted a television ad for Feinsteins 1990 governors race to introduce Feinstein to Southern Californians that was so well received in helped her become the first California woman to win a major partys nomination for governor. What his opponent says about him: Hes earned his stripes and hes really one of the most highly respected people out here on the West Coast, Clegg said. Carricks had a long, long track record in the state and is obviously one of the most experienced Democratic veterans. Who has Kamala Harris ear? Name: Sean Clegg Age, Hometown: 47, Berkeley Founding partner, SCN Strategies in San Francisco Education: Bachelors in political science, Berkeley, 1991 Background: With Smith as a prominent face at SCN Strategies, Cleggs played a less visible role in the more than a dozen campaigns theyve worked on together and isnt as well known in the states political circles. Clegg joined Smiths opposition research firm, The Research Group, in 1992 as an associate. In 1996, Clegg, Smith and Dan Newman created SCN Strategies. The firm has consulted for Sen. Barbara Boxer for decades, as well as for Gov. Jerry Brown and Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Gov. Gray Davis, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and others. After consulting on Villaraigosas failed 2001 campaign and successful 2005 campaign, Clegg became Villaraigosa's Deputy Mayor. He left in 2008 to briefly work for communications firm Brunswick Group LLC in San Fransisco before returning to SCN Strategies. What his opponent says about him: I expect that theyll do a good job and I expect that they will be very organized, strategic, Carrick said. sarah.wire@latimes.com Follow @sarahdwire on Twitter Read more about the 55 members of California's delegation at latimes.com/politics ALSO: Why Loretta Sanchez is struggling to wake up California's sleepy Senate race California Democrats trying to keep Senate race from becoming awkward Updates on California politics UPDATES: 3:40 p.m. Sept. 13: This article was updated to reflect that Carrick did not consult for Hillary Clintons 2008 presidential campaign. This article was originally published at 3:05 a.m. Sept. 8. The Internet may be a great source of empowerment for the disenfranchised if theyre allowed to have it. A new study that examined the Internet access of excluded ethnic groups within countries found that groups subjected to political exclusion were significantly less likely to have Internet access. The findings published in the journal Science show that Internet access, like other valuable resources, can be controlled politically and distributed unfairly. In some ways, the Internet has opened educational and political opportunities to people who otherwise have limited access to resources. Once-inaccessible documents can now be found with a click or a tap; individuals with common cause can find one another online and foster political movements. Current events seem to back up that idea, the scientists noted. Advertisement In the wake of the Arab Spring, the Internet has often been portrayed as a liberation technology, the study authors wrote. Specifically, it has been argued that the Internet fosters transparency and accountability of nondemocratic governments. But this idea assumes that those marginalized people, those who might stand to benefit the most from Internet access, are getting that access in the first place. The scientists wondered if, within nations, the politically marginalized groups could be getting left behind. Research in political science (including mine) now looks increasingly at the more pernicious effects, such as government censorship and online propaganda, lead author Nils Weidmann, a political science professor at the University of Konstanz in Germany, said in an email. There are two main ways this might happen, they explained. Ethnic groups who hold political power might push for economic and technological improvements in their home regions, at the expense of others. But governments might also be actively preventing certain communities from getting access to this technology in order to prevent those groups from mobilizing politically. In most developing countries, governments are the major, if not the only, provider of telecommunication services, the study authors wrote. At the same time, in many of these countries, politics operates along ethnic lines, so that one or more groups hold political power at the expense of other, marginalized ones. This allows Internet technology to be implemented in a way that benefits certain groups while neglecting others. To find out if this was the case, the researchers looked to the Ethnic Power Relations database, which logs politically relevant groups and their access to state power from 1946 to 2005. (This includes both the groups that have wielded power and those that have found themselves subject to it.) Then they estimated Internet availability among those groups by pinpointing active internet subnetworks, which account for roughly 256 Internet addresses apiece. This simplified the process by reducing the amount of data they had to process and also eliminated certain privacy issues that crop up with studying individual IP addresses. The researchers controlled for a number of different factors that could affect ethnic groups Internet access, including level of development, geographic location and urban versus rural settings. They looked at nighttime light emissions, which have recently been linked to an areas economic performance and, on a local scale, the level of wealth. They also included indicators of terrain ruggedness and distance from the national capital to factor in geographical inaccessibility. The scientists found that ethnic groups who were excluded from political power had only about 60% of the Internet access that favored groups did. We were not entirely surprised, Weidmann said of the results. We know from existing research that politically excluded groups also suffer from other disadvantages for example, they tend to have a lower level of development, infrastructure, etc. The digital disadvantage we identify is just another aspect where this plays out. After analyzing the results, the researchers also found no evidence that democracy alleviates this tendency; authoritarian or autocratic governments were not uniquely to blame for this trend. If a country with a democratic political system excludes certain groups politically, then those groups also experience this digital discrimination. What our results highlight is the need for equality and fairness in the development of modern ICT, or information and communications technologies, Wiedmann said. So, in other words, if a development agency sponsors the expansion of Internet services somewhere, they should insist on a fair distribution of these services, and not let national governments allocate these services primarily to their favored groups. amina.khan@latimes.com Follow @aminawrite on Twitter for more science news and like Los Angeles Times Science & Health on Facebook. MORE IN SCIENCE How NASAs trip to a small asteroid may answer big questions about the origins of life on Earth Millennials are more politically conservative than Baby Boomers or Gen Xers were at their age NASA study of twins Mark and Scott Kelly examines biological limits of sending humans to Mars Library Assistant Joan Cappocchi reminded everyone last week that they were each saving themselves quite a bit of money by being in attendance for an evening of music by violinist Judith Aller and cellist Manon Robertshaw during her welcoming remarks at an event in the community room at Buena Vista Library. We are thrilled to have these amazing artists with us this evening, said Cappocchi, who heads up the librarys community programs. And we are thrilled to give you all the chance to see artists of their caliber without having to go to a concert hall and pay $100 for a ticket. Prior to the duos performance of classical selections, Aller told the audience their appearance was not just a gift to the people of Burbank, but also one that was an emotional present to herself. In the 1940s, my father, Victor Aller, was the orchestra manager at Warner Bros., so Im very excited, for the first time, to have the opportunity to play here in Burbank, she said. Aller, a virtuoso violinist who studied under Jascha Heifetz, has toured all over Europe in recital as a soloist, concertmaster and assistant conductor. She has performed with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and, following in her fathers footsteps, has recorded with various orchestras for hundreds of feature films, television productions and commercial recordings. Robertshaw, who also has an extensive touring background in both Europe and North America as a soloist, orchestral and chamber musician has played with the Musique Sur La Mer Orchestra at a concert staged in honor of the wedding of Britains Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge Catherine Middleton. Robertshaw also teaches and performs at Loyola Marymount University, the University of California at Riverside and other Southern California universities. Taking advantage of the packed house, Cappocchi promoted some of the librarys upcoming events including an evening with Mark Thompson, who has been the president and chief executive of the New York Times since 2012. Thompson, who served as the director general of the BBC before taking on his current role, is the author of a just released book, Enough Said: Whats Gone Wrong With The Language of Politics? With the publics faith and trust in government and politicians dimensioning, Thompsons thesis is that language is much to blame. Tracing political speeches from Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill to Donald Trump, Thompson said that todays language has been robbed of most of its explanatory power. Thompson will discuss his thoughts on the erosion of the English language and sign copies of his new book at 7 p.m. on Sept. 21 at the Buena Vista Library, located at 300 N. Buena Vista St. For more information about all library events, visit burbank.lib.ca.us. -- DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007. More than three dozen parents attended a community meeting last week featuring a panel of several Burbank school officials who spoke to the decisions that go into implementing arts into Burbanks 20 schools, a growing focus in Burbank. Everything boils down to, How does this positively impact students? said Peggy Flynn, Burbanks arts and career technical education coordinator, when she spoke during an Aug. 31 meeting on how decisions are made surrounding new arts curriculum. New arts programs must be sustainable and not threatened under budgetary pressure soon after implementation, Flynn said. Burbank School Board President Larry Applebaum knows the impact of a program that ceases under budget cuts. He recalled how Burbank school officials made severe cuts to arts education in the early 1990s. Once you give something up, its another generation until you get it back, Applebaum said. The school district joined the countywide Arts For All initiative in 2004. At that time, much of the districts arts education was supported by booster clubs and PTAs, according to a county report, and that financial support varied among schools. In 2006, the Burbank Arts For All Foundation was established with a mission to provide quality arts curriculum to all Burbank students. A decade later, the foundation, run by Executive Director Trena Pitchford, has funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars into local schools and built partnerships with community organizations to bring about a steady resurgence of arts education. The foundation has paid for teaching artists to instruct students in music and visual arts, provided tools for teachers and professional development, and paid to send students to visit museums, among other efforts. More recently, Burbank school officials have become passionate about its comprehensive arts plan, and under Supt. Matt Hill, school board members have recently begun to discuss top priorities during special study sessions. School officials still see room for improvement across the district, and spoke to goals they want to meet in the next three years. Daniel Swartz, a Burbank arts teacher on special assignment, spoke about a desire for expanding general music instruction to students in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grades from the instruction already offered in grades second through fifth. School officials are also looking to offering instrumental music to students in the upper elementary grades -------------- Sept. 9, 2016, 4:04 p.m. For the record: A previous version of this story stated that music was offered in kindergarten, first and second grades and that Swartzs desire was to expand instruction to the third, fourth and fifth grades. -------------- Others, including Hill, spoke to adding drama and dance programs at each of the middle schools. In the absence of robust state funding for education, Hill also advocates for voters passing Proposition 55 to extend Proposition 30s income tax on the wealthy that would send billions into schools statewide. Flynn said the districts arts goals will take a coming together of the entire community, and clarified that Burbank Unified isnt aiming to make every student an artist. Theyre pushing to send well-rounded students into the world, no matter the field the students ultimately pursue. To share with friends and brethren The Gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (the Everlasting Gospel), and to prepare a people to stand when He returns to redeem His remnant. Also, to share relevant information of current events, and to show how they relate to prophecy; By means of articles, editorials, opinions, scripture readings, and poetry. Disclaimer Endrtimes does not necessarily endorse or agree with every opinion expressed in every article/video posted on this site. The information provided here is done so for personal edification; It's up to the reader to separate truth from error, and to examine everything (like the Bereans) from a Biblical perspective. Let the Holy Scriptures be you guide! - - - FAIR USE NOTICE: These pages/videos may contain copyrighted () material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Such material is made available to advance understanding of ecological, POLITICAL, HUMAN RIGHTS, economic, DEMOCRACY, scientific, MORAL, ETHICAL, and SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES, etc. It is believed that this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior general interest in receiving similar information for research and educational purposes. Hollywood Burbank Airports recently adopted brand name will now have a new logo to go along with it. After about two months of introducing and tweaking the designs, the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority voted 5-2 on Tuesday to adopt one of three logos presented that will be used to market the airfield, particularly to travelers east of the Colorado Rockies. Pasadena Commissioner Steve Madison and Glendale Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan were absent. Burbank Commissioner Don Brown said the operations and development committee opted not to recommend a specific logo to the full authority board because of the wide variety of opinions that other commissioners and staff had regarding the eight potential logos presented during the past two months. The approved logo, which depicts an image of a 727 aircraft created by two-tone chevrons, was one of the original logos introduced to the committee by the South Pasadena branding firm Anyone Collective in June. For me, this is all about clarity, Pasadena Commissioner Terry Tornek said. We went through the renaming of the airport because, unhappily, Bob Hope didnt mean anything to anybody in terms of the market were trying to achieve. Tornek added that the logo takes out any second-guessing about what travelers and residents think the airport is trying to convey to them, and that the image they voted on clearly tells people that they are at an airport. Glendale Commissioner Laura Friedman, who voted against adopting what Anyone Collective labeled as the traditional option, said the approved logo was too safe and could be attached to any airport in the country. Friedman favored Anyone Collectives preferred choice, which was a contemporary image of two F-117 stealth bombers the last aircraft made by Lockheed at the airfield overlapping one another to depict an abstract H. Friedman told her colleagues that the logo would almost always be accompanied by the name of the airport and would not confuse travelers about the identity of the airfield. What seems abstract now will seem less and less abstract as you use it in the branding, she said. As people start to see it more in conjunction with the airport, they will see an H. I dont know if we need to be so literal about this brand Any context that this is used in is going to be in conjunction with something thats about the airport. Its not going to be out there on its own. Friedman, a Glendale councilwoman, added that the approved traditional logo looked too much like Chevron Corp.'s logo, and she said she was concerned that people would confuse the two images. Glendale Commissioner Frank Quintero, who also dissented on the vote, said he preferred the retro logo presented, which was inspired by the airfields 1930s logo when the airport was called United Airport. However, the other commissioners said that design too closely resembled the logo used by New Balance. Michael Fiore and Stephen Chavez, co-founders of Anyone Collective, said their team will now conduct a full trademark search to ensure that the logo is not being used by any other agency or company. When that is completed, the branding firm will create different color palettes and typography styles the airport can use as it tries to attract more travelers to its terminals. Now that they have selected a logo, we can move forward into the next phase, Fiore said. -- Anthony Clark Carpio, anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com Twitter: @acocarpio An Irvine resident is one of two Orange County men who pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in a loan-modification scam that mainly targeted Ohio residents, according to a news report. Mehdi Moarefian, 36, of Irvine and Serj Geutssoyan, 33, of Santa Ana admitted in federal court in Connecticut last month that they offered loan-modification services in exchange for thousands of dollars in upfront payments, according to Cleveland.com. Few customers received the promised services or got refunds when they asked, authorities said. Under the plea deal, Moarefian and Geutssoyan face up to 10 years in prison. They have agreed to pay $3 million in restitution, according to the report. The two are expected to be sentenced in May. In all, seven people have been indicted in connection with the case. Three have pleaded guilty. Federal authorities investigating the case have seized $350,000 from various bank accounts, $362,000 from a Bitcoin account, a $100,000 cashiers check and a 2013 Ferrari 458 Italia, Cleveland.com reported. In August, the Ohio attorney generals office filed a lawsuit against Moarefian and Geutssoyan over similar accusations. They never responded, and on Feb. 22, an Ohio judge ordered them to pay $118,370 in damages and penalties, according to Cleveland.com. Huntington Beach is looking to crack down on misdemeanors and repeat offenders in the city by hiring a deputy community prosecutor. Anaheim has been the only other city in Orange County with its own community prosecutor in fact the home of Disneyland has nine. With this added staff, the city, which is larger than Huntington Beach with almost 150,000 more people than the beach communitys nearly 200,000 handles all of its misdemeanor cases. The problem, according to Huntington Beach City Atty. Michael Gates, is that the Orange County district attorney simply does not have the resources to prosecute all of the crimes referred to its office, meaning the problems often become the citys again. The position to be budgeted at about $145,000 each year was unanimously approved by the Huntington Beach City Council on Tuesday, when Gates and Police Chief Robert Handy advocated for it to help manage upward-trending misdemeanor crimes. When I first came on two years ago, and working with police, it became really obvious that having more prosecution, especially targeting on some of our key issues, would be more effective, Gates said Wednesday. He said the idea was to focus on repeat offenders, to prevent them from reoffending, and crimes that seemed to be increasing, especially those having to do with drugs and alcohol. Handy said that since the introduction of Proposition 47, passed by voters in November 2014 to reduce some non-violent felonies to misdemeanors, many drug cases have become misdemeanors, and Huntington Beach is seeing more drug use among the homeless and others. Of the more than 5,000 arrests last year, about 80% were misdemeanors, Gates said. When misdemeanors are referred to the county, the district attorney is not able to prosecute every one of those referrals, Gates wrote in a city document. The idea is intended not so much to assist the district attorney as to help the city put an end to repeat problems through more focused attention and creative problem solving, Gates and Handy said. The district attorney services the entire county, and this gives us the ability to focus on our repeat low-level offenders who are causing quality-of-life issues in our community, said Handy, who previously worked in two cities Phoenix and San Bernardino that had their own prosecutors. We basically enhance our ability to hold them accountable and fix the problem. Handy said the penalties for the misdemeanors would not necessarily be increased under this method, but the Police Department and prosecutor could work together on solutions like stay-away orders, increased bail or sentencing to treatment rather than jail. The Huntington Beach deputy community prosecutor would work in the city attorneys office and communicate with the Police Department regularly to determine which cases he or she should take on. The prosecutor would take on a rolling average of 50 to 100 cases at a time, depending on their complexity, Gates said. He said he expects the new person to handle about 1,000 cases annually. All other misdemeanor and felony cases would continue to be sent to the district attorneys office. We want to make sure there is an effective prosecution, Gates said. We want to make sure these [cases] are prosecuted and make sure they are not disposed of. Handy said another benefit to having a community prosecutor is that he or she will be able to get to know repeat offenders and perhaps get to the root of their problems. Its more than just a record on paper and file, he said. When they are invested in solving a problem and involving the officers, its more than just filing a record. It provides more of a focus and enhanced level of attention. Gates said he will open the position later this week and expects it to be filled by mid-October. brittany.woolsey@latimes.com Twitter: @BrittanyWoolsey It was her chance to shine to take the stage at Breas Curtis Theatre and make a run for the title of Ms. America. But as Oksana Vovk prepared to show off her evening wear during Saturdays pageant, the Newport Beach lawyer and Ms. California Coast titleholder fell. She jumped back up and completed her walk for the judges. But afterward, Vovks thoughts turned to her family. Her mother, sister and son were in the audience, and she was instantly worried for them. Vovk texted her sister that she wasnt hurt and wasnt crying. My sister said my mom was worried I was going to be crying or not come out, Vovk said. One of her motivations for finishing the walk was the dress. Her mother had made it for her, and Vovk spent six months sewing on sequins. I was going to show off that dress, she said. Ultimately, it was all worth it. Vovk, 40, ended up walking off the stage as Ms. America 2017, beating out 42 other contestants in the national pageant for women 26 and older. Honestly, I was blown away, Vovk said this week. Every woman was amazing. The competitors came from a variety of backgrounds and professions, including engineering, medicine and business. She wasnt competing against idiots, said pageant Chief Executive Susan Jeske. She was just meant to win. Oksana Vovk, 40, of Newport Beach won the title of Ms. California Coast before capturing the Ms. America crown on Saturday. (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot) In the beginning, Jeske told Vovk that her chance of winning as with all the women was slim so as to not get her hopes up. As that hope appeared to dim with her fall, the other contestants showed their true nature, Vovk said. They all came up to me after to ask if I was hurt, if I was OK. They were sincere you can tell, she said. The mishap also was an opportunity for Vovk, a Ukraine native who became a U.S. citizen in 2008, to show the kind of woman she is. Most competitors wouldnt be able to fall, jump up and continue, Jeske said. It psyches you out, she said. Then she comes back for the question portion and incorporates it into the answer. Reigning Ms. America 2016 Julie Harmon asked Vovk, Do you feel successes or failures contribute more to a persons character? Vovk replied: I think both are equally important. I think I was a perfect example of this tonight. I fell, I rose and I walked the stage like the queen that I am. The judges gave Vovk a perfect score for that, Jeske said. Jeske, who picks all the contestants from all over the country through an application and interview process, said much of the pageant judging is done before the stage show, based on a panel interview, sportswear and evening gown. Vovk won by a pageant record 14 points, Jeske said. Most titleists win by one or two points, she said. Now Vovk will take on new responsibilities as Ms. America, along with a lot of attention. Ive gotten 250 Facebook requests, she said. She will make many appearances, several of which she hopes will be in support of helping children with special needs. Her 19-year-old son has autism, and since becoming a Ms. America contestant, she has spent much of her time talking about and supporting the fight against autism, largely at fundraising walks. Saturdays show almost didnt go on. Days earlier, the company scheduled to provide the staging, Costa Mesa-based BTB Event Productions Inc., liquidated its assets. Jeske was able to find DJE Sound and Lighting Inc. of Lake Forest to step in. Though it cost more money, the pageant will be able to keep the runway and other set pieces, Jeske said. In the end, they were heroes, she said. After roughly nine hours of discussion Wednesday, the California Coastal Commission voted 9-1 to deny a proposal to develop homes, a hotel and retail space on part of a 401-acre swath of land in Newport Beach known as Banning Ranch. More than 100 people in the audience who had stuck around late into the night at the Newport Beach Civic Center erupted in applause. Newport Banning Ranch LLC had hoped to build 895 homes, a 75-room hotel, a 20-bed hostel and 45,100 square feet of retail space on 62 acres of the coastal expanse, some of which has been occupied by oil operations for decades. Commissioner Mary Shallenberger made the motion to deny the project, citing a lack of cohesion between the developer and commission staff members who recommended the project be reduced to about a third of the proposed size. It is clear to me from todays testimony from the staff report, the developer and the public that we are still very far apart, she said. The developer has made it clear they do not accept staffs recommendation. This is a project we have to get right. We cant get just good enough on this one. Commissioner Roberto Uranga dissented in the vote, citing merits of the proposed project, including opening the site for public use and educational opportunities. There is a project; its just not to the level thats acceptable to everyone, he said. Theres probably still some opportunity to come to middle ground on this. We just havent reached it yet. Commissioner Wendy Mitchell was absent, and Chairman Steve Kinsey recused himself after falling under scrutiny earlier this year for failing to promptly report private meetings with members of the Banning Ranch development team. Preservationists mostly Newport Beach and Costa Mesa residents held up posters depicting various wildlife and green signs with Save Banning Ranch printed in large white letters. They cheered as they exited the Newport Beach City Council chamber. Newport Banning Ranch spokesman Adam Alberti said the developer is weighing its next move, saying its too early to speculate what it might be. Developers can alter their plans and resubmit to the Coastal Commission within six months. We are deeply disappointed in tonights action, Alberti said. Unfortunately, we were denied in our efforts to clean, restore and open Newport Banning Ranch. During the hearing, Commissioner Mark Vargas went back and forth with staff over a burrowing owl habitat on the site and questioned whether the bird would survive and perhaps thrive in an area with limited development. He also raised concerns about the applicant suing the commission if the panel denied the project. Commission staff said the project would affect 38 acres of environmentally sensitive habitat, including those that sustain vernal pools, native grasses and sensitive species such as burrowing owls, the San Diego fairy shrimp and the California gnatcatcher. In a report released in late August, staff indicated it would sign off on developing only about 19.7 acres that fall outside of areas identified as environmentally sensitive habitat, particularly for burrowing owls. Interim Executive Director Jack Ainsworth said during the hearing Wednesday that the staff recommendation was based on facts and sound science and urged commissioners to be conscious of the significance of the Banning Ranch property, which is said to be the largest undeveloped coastal area in Southern California. This is one of the most important decisions weve faced in 40 years, he said. Newport Banning Ranch representatives had said staffs recommendation amounted to a denial of the project and was not based on the current conditions of the land, which has been degraded after roughly 70 years of oil drilling. Michael Mohler, senior project manager for the developer, said staffs plan would allow development on only about 10 acres after buffers for environmentally sensitive habitat and fire safety were taken into consideration. He said the project would not be economically viable if the commission followed staffs recommendation, which he argued constitutes an illegal taking of private property. Oil was discovered on the Banning Ranch site in the 1920s and has consumed much of it since 1944. Drilling peaked at 295 wells in the 1980s and has declined in the decades since. Newport Banning Ranch has proposed that the oil wells be contained to about 16 acres on the site. It has billed the development project as a means to fund cleanup of the hundreds of abandoned wells, rusty pipes and invasive plants that pepper the land. Youve all seen the property, its a highly degraded oil field site with great potential, Mohler said. Were proposing to restore the entire site to a beneficial ecosystem for all species, including man. We ask you to remove the gate, remove the fence and let us get on with business and deliver a superior project that has been before you for four years. As part of its proposal, Newport Banning Ranch set aside about 329 acres as preserved, natural open space with about seven miles of public trails. Coastal Commission staff indicated it supports the developers effort to clean up the site. However, Newport Banning Ranch has said that proposal hinged on whether the commission signed off on the development. Steve Ray, executive director of the Banning Ranch Conservancy, which opposed the project, said the developer is legally required to clean up the oil operations, regardless of whether the development was approved. What they see as an oil field, we see as open space, so if they want to leave it, thats fine with us, Ray said, prompting an uproar of support from many in the audience at the meeting. The tension between the projects supporters and opponents, which has been bubbling under the surface for years, was palpable as hundreds of people gathered outside the council chamber before the hearing began. The Newport Banning Land Trust, an arm of the developer that would be responsible for the lands restoration, had a large white tent set up on the grass where the hearing was being screened. Immediately adjacent were a few smaller tents set up by various conservation groups opposing the project. A crowd formed just outside the chamber after a supporter and an opponent got into a heated exchange over the development as the meeting continued inside. At the time, commissioners had not even begun discussing the Banning Ranch issue. The road to Wednesdays hearing wasnt easy for either side. In the mid-1990s, developers planned to build 1,750 homes on the site but abandoned the project years later. In 2008, Newport Banning Ranch proposed 1,375 homes, 75,000 square feet of retail space, a hotel, a hostel and several parks on about 95 acres. That plan was approved by the Newport Beach City Council in 2012. The Banning Ranch Conservancy sued the city and the developer, saying the city violated its general plan, which prioritizes open space in West Newport. The case is awaiting a hearing before the state Supreme Court. The Coastal Commission first considered the city-approved project in October last year. After an eight-hour hearing, the commission sent the developer back to the drawing board to make significant cuts to the projects footprint and scope. Commissioners and staff suggested at the time that they likely would favor less intense development. In May, staff recommended approval of the smaller version of the development with a series of conditions to further reduce its footprint, but Newport Banning Ranch opted to postpone a hearing before the commission, arguing that some issues remained unresolved and that it needed more time to review the staffs proposal. At the time, commission staff identified about 55 acres of the site as having potential for development. Staffs latest reduction in the recommended buildable area boiled down to a foraging area for burrowing owls, which have been present at Banning Ranch for decades. In May, staff determined that the owls wintering burrows were an environmentally sensitive habitat area, so they assigned a buffer to it. However, according to the most recent staff report, they did not identify the owls separate foraging space as a protected area. Biologists said that without protecting the foraging area, protecting the birds habitat was basically pointless. Staff also recommended conditions to eliminate a proposed thoroughfare known as Bluff Road, which would run north-south through the property to connect West Coast Highway with West 17th Street. Staff noted that the plan for Bluff Road tried to minimize effects on two arroyos on the property but still would have a direct impact on wetland habitat and other sensitive areas. Staff wrote that the project instead could be supported by existing roads. However, Newport Beach city officials said eliminating Bluff Road would create a challenge for firefighters and police who would need to respond to the neighborhood in an emergency and asked the commission to allow it to remain in the plan. The Newport Banning oil field is not an environmental gem. Its an old oil field, Mayor Diane Dixon said. It would be tragic if we let this historic opportunity slip away. hannah.fry@latimes.com Twitter: @HannahFryTCN I was disappointed to read Tear down Costa Mesas problem motels by Jami Joanne Russell in the Nov. 7 Daily Pilot. I question the strength of the authors position because of the heavy use of generalization and demonization to persuade the reader. Russells position is weak because she erroneously implies that if the Motor Inn is torn down and replaced with new apartments, all the illegal activities that she describes will go away. Unfortunately, because the root problem hasnt been addressed, these activities will likely just move to another location in Costa Mesa. Most importantly, and contrary to the authors mischaracterization, the protesters were not arguing to keep the motel; they wanted 20% of the new apartments to be for low income residents. They wanted this in exchange for the city allowing the developer a significant increase in the density of the new apartments. The author generalizes about the protesters views on the safety of the living conditions at the Costa Mesa Motor Inn. Many people know that the living conditions are far from ideal but when it is all one can qualify for and afford for shelter, then that is the sacrifice that is made. The letter goes on to generalize and demonize the residents of the Inn. It is implied that the residents are either criminals or irresponsible parents. Russell evidently didnt see or believe the interviews of the residents of the Inn that were shown at the last City Council meeting. These interviews show that there are many good residents at the Inn who are neither criminals nor irresponsible parents. The authors last attempt at demonization is directed at the motivations of the protesters. These protesters seem to want Costa Mesa to be a cesspit of crime and debauchery, she writes. They dont care about the residents of the Inn. They care about their warped political agenda. This is clearly a desperate attempt to get support for her weak position. The protesters real motivation is to get some permanent affordable and low-income housing for Costa Mesa residents. Many residents want Costa Mesa to follow the example of the Alegre Apartments in Irvine. This is a complex of 104 units that offers permanent affordable housing. The Solaria development in Irvine is another example. Other cities like Lake Forest (Portola Center), Aliso Viejo (Vintage Aliso community) and Newport Beach (deciding on the use of $4.2 million in developers fees for affordable housing) are all addressing the issue of affordable housing. Dont be misinformed or distracted by letters like Russells, because now is the time for Costa Mesa to get serious about addressing the affordable-housing issue. Charles Mooney Costa Mesa * Better ways to scare coyotes I have read all the news on the coyotes in Corona del Mar. First, for the man threatening to fire off a gun outside, I have one comment: that would be against the law and foolish. I live in Irvine, and we also have coyotes and have for years. The smart people here carry a noisemaker with them and, if at night, a flashlight. I have a compressed air container, which emits a hissing sound and scares them. I am shocked at the level of panic I have heard. Basically, these are timid creatures that will run off if you just yell at them and wave your arms. You also have to be alert to your surroundings. They did the right thing in teaching hazing to the people at the town meeting. I hope the man stays in his house and locks away his gun. Lana Scott Irvine * JWA air traffic is affecting Laguna too In 2011, I heard planes flying over Laguna Beach and researched the issue. I was told pilots/airlines decide at what point the planes turn and that if they do not go out as far over water to gain altitude, they save on fuel and time. Hence, we hear them as they come back and gain altitude. I was told to call the airlines and complain. For years, parts of Newport Beach has taken the brunt of noise and has been working on changing this. Our congressional representative is originally from Huntington Beach (initially some flights were going over Huntington Beach) and has his political base is Newport Beach both areas do not want any flights or want to minimize flights over their cities. This seems to have resulted in more flights over Laguna Beach. At that time, I went before the Laguna Beach City Council. Councilwoman Toni Iseman said that she would take this issue and pursue it. I understand she has made several visits to Washington, D.C., on the subject and a member of staff at City Hall periodically sends out a report on status of the situation, which so far has not changed anything. Last year I saw an article in the Los Angeles Times about business groups in Orange County working together to change the hours at JWA, increase the number of flights and expand the geographic range of flights to increase tourism and business. Guess who will win that issue with Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) and some of the same folks who wanted to create an international airport at what is now the Great Park working together? Ganka Brown Laguna Beach A musical whose back story was inspired by survivors of the Armenian Genocide is coming to the Alex Theatre this weekend. I Am Alive, co-written and co-composed by Denise Gentilini and Lisa Nemzo, will be performed at the historic downtown Glendale venue Saturday and Sunday. It premiered in Denver last year as part of a commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the 1915 genocide. The roughly 90-minute musical tells the story of two disparate Armenian Christians, Kourken and Malvine, who live hundreds of miles away from one another but are nonetheless affected by the genocide. Both of their lives are uprooted, and they are forced to leave their homeland. They eventually meet in a Greek refugee camp and fall in love. The tale was inspired by Gentilinis grandparents, also named Kourken and Malvine, who also survived the genocide and met in a refugee camp. In the 1950s, they relocated to the United States. In 2002, Gentilini, an Emmy Award winner, released a documentary about her grandparents called The Handjian Story: A Road Less Traveled. Transcripts from the film are used in the musical. I Am Alive shows the strength of the human spirit and the resilience of the Armenian people, Gentilini said, We tell the history as best we can without making it look like a documentary, she added. People are going to get an education about the Armenian Genocide and hopefully want to do more research on their own. The production doesnt use any sets, but it does feature projections behind the cast, who are in period costumes, to help enhance the story. Gentilini, who is Armenian, didnt originally set out to write a full-on musical. She originally wanted to write an anthem for the genocides 100th commemoration, but soon realized it should be a bigger work. Nemzo, who has collaborated with Gentilini in the past, agreed. One of the reasons I did this is to bring some sense of closure and healing to the Armenian people and community, Nemzo said. Hopefully, the next generation of Turkey will recognize their responsibility and apologize for what happened. Thats what I want for the Armenian people awareness so that we dont allow genocides to be happening. Nemzo said that as she worked on the project, it was as if Gentilinis grandparents were with us every step of the way. It was unbelievable how things fell into place, how the songs seemed to write themselves, she said. I Am Alive, directed by Christy Montour-Larson, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Tickets start at $25 and are available by calling (818) 243-2539 or visiting alextheatre.org. -- Bradley Zint, bradley.zint@latimes.com Twitter: @BradleyZint Glendale Adventist Medical Center officials reminded supporters that they are not only committed to the physical health of patients but their emotional state as well during the 25th anniversary celebration of the Beyond Loss Bereavement Ministry. Administrators, volunteers and supporters came together last month to celebrate the ministrys success at a dinner in the Demarest Fellowship Hall of La Canada Presbyterian Church. The theme, Seasons of Life, was illustrated in the program by a tree and its transformation from spring, summer, autumn and winter and how each season represents hope, help and healing. The highlight was the presentation of the Spirit Awards, conducted by Kevin Roberts, president and chief executive of the medical center; and Bruce Nelson, director of the medical centers community services and chaplains department. All four recipients have made significant contributions to the success of the Beyond Loss program, said Irene Bourdon, president of the medical centers healthcare foundation. Receiving the Spirit Leader Award was Rev. Alice Parsons Zulli; the Spirit Corporate Partner Award went to Galen Goben, grief support coordinator at Forest Lawn; the Spirit Community Partner Award was given to Rick Mogil, program director of suicide prevention and bereavement services at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services; and the Spirit of Volunteer Award was bestowed on Joan Klaric, office coordinator of the chaplains department. Zulli is founder and director of the Beyond Loss Bereavement Support Center, in partnership with the chaplains department at the medical center. Zulli has a degree in ministerial studies and is a board-certified pastoral counselor. She is also a nationally certified grief counselor and fellow in thanatology, a sub-specialty of medicine related to death, dying and bereavement. Zulli is also a bereavement educator and offers ongoing training classes in a variety of grief topics at the medical center. Over the 25 years of the program at Adventist, 5,000 people have taken training to participate in the program, Nelson said. We were up to between 10 and 15 groups per week and they all had between 10 and 15 people, he added. As the groups multiplied at the hospital, also did the training, and Im astounded at the number of people who have participated in the training. Now, the program maintains between five and seven groups per week, but fulfills specific needs, such as the partnership with Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services in administering the Survivors of Suicide Support Group and a bereavement group for the Armenian community. For more information about individual grief counseling, weekly support groups, suicide prevention, intervention following traumatic events and bereavement training for professionals and laypersons, call (818) 409-8008. Event focuses on suicide among military veterans Wellness Works of Glendale is organizing for the second year an event to raise awareness about military veteran suicide with a 72-hour event from Sept. 14 to 17. Called Not On Our Watch 2016", veterans will take turns walking a symbolic post across the Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena and holding vigil. Civilians are invited to stand post and hold vigil as well. The event was created by veterans and for veterans to send a symbolic message that the community has their backs and will leave no veteran behind. The opening ceremony will be at 10 a.m. on Sept. 14 at the grassy area on the corner of Orange Grove and Colorado boulevards in Pasadena. Glendale Mayor Paula Devine will be the keynote speaker. Concluding the event will be a memorial ceremony for veterans lost to suicide at 10 a.m. on Sept. 17. Each day, an estimated 22 veterans lose their lives to suicide, according to statistics provided by Wellness Works. Currently, more military men and women die by their own hand than are killed in combat. Wellness Works has a long tradition of providing services for the body/mind/spirit to veterans in the community, said Kathy Lynch, clinical director of Wellness Works. But our mission also involves raising awareness of the desperate need for comprehensive veteran services in our community as well as supporting veterans as they work to reintegrate with the civilian world. Wellness Works is a nonprofit organization that provides services to veterans and their families in Glendale, Pasadena and surrounding communities. To participate in the event, become a sponsor or access social media links, visit https://bit.ly/2cuM0Ng. Search is on for female military veterans The Crescenta Valley American Legion Post 288 will honor women who have served in the military during its Veterans Day program at 3 p.m. on Nov. 11 at Two Strike Park, 5107 Rosemont Ave., La Crescenta. Press representative Lynn McGinnis said he needs the communitys help in contacting female veterans who live in the community. In recent years, we have honored Vietnam veterans, Korean War veterans and, last year, we honored World War II veterans, he said. This year, we plan to honor women veterans. Im looking for women in the Glendale area who have served in the military at any time and anywhere. They do not have to be members of a veterans organization. Women who have served or people who know of a woman who has served are asked to email McGinnis at mcginnix@aol.com. -- JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com. Aug. 27 Fraudulent use of access card, petty theft: 900 block of Foothill Boulevard. A Glendale woman reported that sometime between 3 and 4 p.m. on Aug. 27, when she was patronizing a local business, someone removed her wallet from her purse, which shed set in her shopping cart. After she realized it was missing and was unable to locate it by retracing her steps that day, including an earlier visit to another business, she returned to the store and reported the loss to a manager. A video surveillance tape revealed that a male Latino removed her wallet from her purse when it was momentarily left unguarded, then exited the store. The victim said she received a fraud alert from Citibank advising her of an attempted purchase at Target with her credit card. Aug. 29 Petty theft from an unlocked vehicle: 4600 block of Crown Avenue. A woman reported that someone entered her 2012 Toyota Sienna, which shed left parked unlocked in her driveway between 8 p.m. on Aug. 28 and 7:58 a.m. on Aug. 29. When she returned to her car she discovered that a checkbook with blank checks in it had been taken from the glove box. Tampering with a vehicle or its contents: 4600 block of Crown Avenue. A woman reported that she left her 2005 Jeep Cherokee unlocked in her driveway at 9 p.m. on Aug. 28. When she returned to it at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 29, she could see it had been ransacked. The victim was unable to specify what, if anything, had been taken during the incident. Petty theft from unlocked vehicle: 300 block of Baptiste Way. A woman reported that at about 10 p.m. on Aug. 28 she left her 2014 Toyota Venza parked, unlocked, in her driveway. At 9 a.m. on Aug. 29 she discovered that it had been ransacked and a pair of Prada sunglasses, along with a pair of Tory Birch sunglasses, had been taken from it. Petty theft from unlocked vehicle: 300 block of Nancy Way. A man reported that sometime between 8:30 p.m. Aug. 28 and 7 a.m. Aug. 29, someone removed a Brother printer, two toners, some Mexican currency and a Sentri lane border pass from his 2014 Toyota Prius. Burglary, commercial (over $950): A loss prevention officer reported that on Aug. 26, at 7:39 p.m., a man stole two high-end handbags, an Yves St. Laurent and a Balenciaga, from a store. Video surveillance showed the man, described as Middle Eastern or Latino, 5 feet 8 to 5 feet 10, approximately 160 to 180 pounds, with a black mustache and goatee, entering and exiting the store a couple of times, beginning at 7:17 p.m. Then, at 7:39 p.m., he entered the store, grabbed one handbag and cut off its attached security device, grabbed the second handbag and exited the store with both of them. The suspect, who was wearing a white, long-sleeved dress shirt, black slacks and a dark cloth on his head, walked into the parking lot and out of view of the surveillance camera. Aug. 30 Petty theft: 700 block of Foothill Boulevard. A woman received 54 Botox injections from a physician before it was determined that the personal information application she supplied was incomplete and had false details on it. Despite being asked for correct credit card information, she left the business without paying for the injections. Knowing she was being followed by an office employee, she ducked into a nearby restaurant, stayed there about three minutes, then exited it and got into a waiting gray Honda Civic or Accord, according to the witness, who could not see the cars driver. The suspect was described as white, about 25 to 30 years old, 5 feet 2 to 5 feet 4, 125 to 130 pounds, with blond hair. She was wearing a white T-shirt and dark-colored pants. Aug. 31 Theft by access card: 1900 block of Lyans Drive. A woman reported that someone had fraudulently purchased goods in her name through an online gift store for which she has an open line of credit. She learned of the transaction through an email confirming it. She contacted a customer service representative who advised her to make a police report. Petty theft from unlocked vehicle: 300 block of Santa Inez Way. A woman reported that sometime between 7 p.m. on Aug. 29 and noon on Aug. 30, someone entered her unlocked 2009 Toyota Corolla and stole numerous items. She said she realized something was amiss when she returned to the car and saw the glove compartment open and items strewn on the front passenger side. Nothing appeared to have been taken from there, but when she checked the trunk she realized a thief had taken a navy blue Abercrombie jacket, three bikini swimsuits, tanning oil, a towel, an emergency car kit and two pairs of shoes. Sept. 1 Identity theft: 4200 block of Woodleigh Lane. A woman reported that on Aug. 8 shed received in the mail a credit card that she had not applied for. A customer service representative told her that her personal information, including her Social Security number, had been used to open the account. The victim canceled that account immediately. On Sept. 1 she received a letter from a money service advising her that a check made out to her that was cashed had later been dishonored by the makers bank and returned to them unpaid. She said her name and address were on the check, but it was not she who cashed it. She was advised to call the three credit reporting agencies and have a fraud alert placed on her name. Identity theft: 5300 block of Godbey Drive. A woman reported that her credit report reflected multiple credit checks, under her name and Social Security number, with numerous banks. A review of her online bank account didnt show any missing funds, but she made the police report because shes concerned someone is using her personal identification to open bank accounts. Sept. 4 Identity theft: 100 block of Normandy Lane. A couple reported that someone had electronically filed tax returns for the years 2014 and 2015 using one of their names and Social Security number. Their accountant recommended they file a police report. La Canada High Schools Alex Zhao is no stranger to success one look at his curriculum vitae reveals his passion for speech and debate, his interest in public policy and his involvement in several science-related pursuits. Sailing into senior year with a weighted GPA of 4.81, Zhao doesnt flinch at adding new credentials to an already impressive list. An avid hiker, he and fellow trail lovers formed a campus Hiking Club to raise awareness of the joys and benefits of the outdoor activity. So it was no surprise when La Canada Unified School District Governing Board was looking for a student representative to provide a voice to those directly affected by its policies and decisions, Zhao became an immediate contender. The 17-year-old heard about the opportunity from friend and fellow speech and debater Riley Owen, who held the position last year before heading off to Princeton University. He told me about what he did as a school board representative, and it seemed really interesting to me to sit in on board meetings and represent the student body, Zhao said in an interview Tuesday, hours before his first meeting. Co-president of this years speech and debate team and member of the the high schools Ethics Club, which he helped found, Zhao said the position appealed to his interest in democracy and politics. That interest was sparked earlier this year when he helped volunteer on the campaign trail for former LCUSD student and Board President Andrew Blumenfeld, who ran for a state Assembly seat in March. Blumenfeld said Zhao worked the phone banks and ended up being an important member of his outreach team. He was a real super star of the campaign, Blumenfeld said Tuesday. He had really powerful, meaningful conversations with voters. Im glad the district will now get to benefit from that as well. LCHS Principal Ian McFeat, who helps select student reps from among the many candidates who apply, said the position requires a fair amount of dedication and commitment. We look for our school board rep to be conscientious, considerate, smart and reliable, McFeat said in an email interview. Alex fits all of these qualities and then some, and has led many of our student organizations. [He] is the type of student that truly lives his values, and he will serve our community well. Student representatives are required to attend all regular meetings of the La Canada school board and deliver updates on activities and current events at all district campuses. On occasion, representatives may weigh in on issues relating directly to the student body. Getting an up close and personal look at the inner workings of the school board and acting as a link between decision-makers and their student constituents are aspects of the job Zhao said hes most looking forward to. Board members seem to deal with a lot of issues that affect students, he said. I wanted to be that bridge between the board and students at the schools. -- Sara Cardine, sara.cardine@latimes.com Twitter: @SaraCardine Whoopi Goldberg was (almost) everywhere at New York Fashion Week Juicy J and Whoopi Goldberg attends the Hood By Air fashion show. (Nicholas Hunt / Getty Images for New York Fashion Week: The Shows) For New York Fashion Week and the celebrities who often fill the front row seats at the shows things have just been getting started. Take this past weekend for example. Saturday afternoons colorful Capri-themed show saw such notables as Christina Hendricks, Pamela Anderson and Neve Campbell sitting elbow to elbow, with Kelly Osbourne (dog in lap) a few seats away. Later that evening, Alexander Wangs show at the cavernous Pier 94 drew the likes of Rami Malek (Mr. Robot), filmmaker Baz Luhrmann (seated at the left hand of Vogues Anna Wintour, Kylie Jenner (whose sister Kendall walked the show) and Madonna. And those were just the sightings before the runway show concluded with a surrpise street-party-on-the-pier dubbed the Wang Fest to celebrate the designers collaborative collection with Adidas Originals that saw performances by Fetty Wap and Skrillex. Sunday was no day of rest for the celebrity set which turned out in force for Hood By Airs Handkerchief runway show (sponsored by, of all things, the website PornHub). Among the notables in attendance were Jaden Smith, Rick Ross, Naomi Campbell, Jussie Smollett (we also spotted the Empire star at Altuzarra later that afternoon) and Whoopi Goldberg. The last on that list, Academy Award winner and The View panelist Whoopi Goldberg, wins the weekends star-turn derby by not only turning up at the J. Crew Spring/Summer 2017 presentation less than a half-hour later, but by ending the day at Opening Ceremonys show -- as one of the high-profile people to walk the runway for a free-form Pageant of the People hosted by Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein that also and included Aidy Bryant, Aubrey Plaza, Rashida Jones and Natasha Lyonne. That time you found yourself chatting with @WhoopiGoldberg in an elevator after you both checked out the @jcrew collection. #NYFW Adam Tschorn (@ARTschorn) September 11, 2016 When news surfaced last month that Panda Express was considering introducing a new half-fork, half-chopsticks plastic utensil known as the chork, reaction among American patrons of the Chinese fast-food chain was swift and largely enthusiastic: Finally, a common flatware for the both the deft and the less dexterous devotees of tangy orange chicken. But the chork will find no fans among a number of Beijing preschools, where administrators have banished forks and spoons and are insisting that kids 4 and older eat with chopsticks and only chopsticks. The rigid requirement has raised the hackles of some parents and stirred debate about parenting, educational guidelines and even cultural purity in the globalized 21st century. Several mothers complained to the Beijing Morning Post this month that their children were coming home hungry because they were unable to eat enough at lunch because they werent proficient with chopsticks. Advertisement My daughter has been required to use chopsticks since she turned 4, but she was not good at it, one mother, surnamed Xiao, told the paper. Her daughter, she said, was introverted and when she saw classmates being able to handle chopsticks, she felt peer pressure and became anxious. These days, Ill give her a good amount of food before school, so she can eat lighter at lunch at kindergarten and then Ill give her more for dinner at home. Another mother, surnamed Sun, told the paper that she was now serving her child a meal immediately after school to make up for her small intake at lunch and was doing practice sessions with chopsticks at home. The requirement has not just sprung out of blue. Guidelines from Chinas Ministry of Education say that 3- and 4-year-olds should use spoons skillfully; 4- and 5-year-olds should be able to use chopsticks to some degree; and by 6, children should use chopsticks skillfully. An administrator at Beijings Golden Apple Kindergarten, who declined to give her name, confirmed that her school was among those requiring chopsticks starting at age 4. They are able to, and should, manage chopsticks at that age, she said. Learning to use chopsticks is also helpful to nurture kids hand-eye coordination. Parents who have complained about the utensil regulations have come in for withering criticism online, with some commentators even questioning the very Chineseness of any youngster who is clumsy with chopsticks. How can you get anxious by using chopsticks? one critic wrote on Weibo, Chinas Twitter-like micro-blogging service. You are Chinese! Said another: If the kids dont learn to use chopsticks now, they will lose face by not being able to use chopsticks to eat hot pot when they are grown-ups. (Hot pot is a popular Chinese dish in which food is cooked communally in tabletop cooker a sort of cheese-less fondue.) Some child development specialists, though, said the schools lack of flexibility was cause for concern. The guideline is just a general goal for children, but it shouldnt be cause to disrespect kids individual differences, said Wang Ronghui, a childcare expert in Guangzhou. Hand development among kids can vary from one to another. Ive seen the hands of some 4-year-olds being only as developed as some 2-year-olds, she added. Too much pressure on the youngsters, Wang also suggested, could harm their mental health. Though the fork and spoon are unlikely to ever drive the chopstick to extinction, preserving the primacy of the simple utensil seems to be getting more attention these days as China has become more globalized. The issue surfaced last year on a reality show about parenting, Dads Come Back. The 3-year-old daughter of former Chinese gymnastics star Li Xiaopeng was criticized by viewers because she only used spoons to eat. (The girls mother, who is Chinese American, also was attacked for speaking English, not Mandarin, on the program.) The Chinese government has even taken steps to strengthen the chopsticks status as an essential Chinese cultural symbol. In a public service TV commercial that aired before the Chinese New Year Gala in 2014, a little girl who appears to be about 4 is seen at a family dinner gathering struggling tearfully to use chopsticks to eat rice. Her mother encourages her to keep trying and tells her gently, We are Chinese, so we all use chopsticks. Wang, though, said parents need to evaluate their priorities. No cultural heritage is as important as childrens health, she said. Kids need to have enough food to eat. Yang is a special correspondent. julie.makinen@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter @JulieMakLAT. ALSO Before the computer, there was something almost as complex: the Chinese typewriter Pandas removed from international endangered list, but China says they still face serious threat Beijings dilemma when it comes to Hong Kongs election: The more it pushes against it, the stronger the opposition This week, Hong Kong sent mainland China a stinging rejection of its authority and a brash demand for greater political freedom. Beijing barely acknowledged it. As voters showed up in record numbers Sunday to catapult a handful of young, more radical citizens to Hong Kongs legislature, mainland censors blocked images of election celebrations and snaking lines at the polls. No major state-controlled newspaper decried the results on its front page. Officials preoccupied themselves with the outcome of a world leaders summit in Hangzhou. Few doubt Beijing is watching closely. But the relative silence highlights leaders fundamental conundrum when it comes to the territory: Blasting separatist efforts and projecting authority could strengthen opposition and showcase Hong Kongs increasing distrust of Chinas rule. Advertisement The mainland clearly has a dilemma, said David Zweig, director of the Center on Chinas Transnational Relations at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. It doesnt like the trend, but the more it pushes against it, the greater the intensification. The strongest response so far came in a two-paragraph statement from the Beijing office that deals with Hong Kong affairs. It said officials resolutely oppose any form of Hong Kong independence activity, according to the official New China News Agency. See the most-read stories this hour >> The statement accused candidates of using the election as a platform to openly promote independence, saying such actions went against Chinas constitution and Hong Kong law. A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, when asked about the elections, directed reporters to that comment. A day after the election, a database search by the University of Hong Kongs China Media Project found exactly one Chinese-language article about it from mainland papers. China clings to its territory with a rock-solid grip and has shown little restraint in quashing pro-independence movements in Tibet or the western region of Xinjiang. But Hong Kong, a former British colony, has functioned under a one country, two systems framework since 1997 that gives it civil liberties banned in the mainland such as the right to hold these elections. This situation lasts until 2047, although many Hong Kong residents increasingly believe Beijing is sidestepping the deal. Six of the new lawmakers the youngest at 23 come from a camp determined to give the territory a greater say in its future. These activists-turned-legislators participated in a months-long tent protest in 2014 that demanded Beijing roll back new rules and let Hong Kong elect its next head without the Communist Partys influence. Known as the Umbrella Movement, it ultimately failed. The arrests last year of five Hong Kong booksellers who sold materials critical of the party further spooked residents uncertain whether Beijing intends to keep its vow that gives the city a high degree of autonomy. The election results wont do much to shift the 70-member legislatures balance of power. But the young lawmakers win is a symbolic affront to a central government that dismisses any talk of self-rule. Whats Beijing to do? The bomb is in its court, Michael Chugani, a columnist for the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, wrote this week. It cant toss it back. It has to disable it. But how? Chinese leaders already face friction with Taiwan and its newly elected leader, Tsai Ing-wen, because she hasnt endorsed the notion that the democratic island and Communist mainland make up one China. Concerns about Chinas creeping encroachment have perpetuated tension in Hong Kong and fueled a broader climate of fear. Eddie Chu, a 38-year-old social activist who ran a low-budget campaign and received the highest number of votes, sought police assistance Thursday for imminent threats to his life. He received warnings before the election from a village leader upset with his stances and was trailed by a white car on election day, according to the South China Morning Post. But those threats escalated since his victory, he said, and he feared going home. This is a direct attack on the rule of law, Chu told reporters outside a police headquarters. Ken Chow Wing-kan, a candidate from the pro-Beijing group who dropped out of the election, said this week that he left the race after a Beijing trio threatened him in a Shenzhen hotel. They demanded he drop out of the race to improve the chances of pro-establishment candidates, he said. Mainland leaders may have tempered their public reaction because they dont view the situation as dire enough to stoke more concern. Not all residents oppose the status quo. Regina Ip, a staunch pro-Beijing lawmaker, easily slid to reelection. The rise of young radicals is a continuation of a polarization of our society after Occupy Central, she said, in reference to the Umbrella Movement. She called for the government to show a more consolatory approach to young people, a more collaborative approach. But Beijing hasnt indicated how it will interact with this fresh political force. Is their priority to stop all these pro-independence people or restore an effective government in Hong Kong? said Ray Yep, a political scientist at the City University of Hong Kong. Well see. Postelection analysis dominated many Hong Kong news outlets into the week. The most popular topics on Weibo, Chinas version of Twitter, centered on Taylor Swifts breakup. Meyers is a special correspondent. Nicole Liu and Yingzhi Yang from the Times Beijing bureau contributed to this report. ALSO Obama on Trans-Pacific trade deal: I remain confident that we can get TPP passed Pandas removed from international endangered list, but China says they still face serious threat Obama pays tribute to victims of U.S. bombings during the secret war in Laos Hundreds of Taliban militants stormed a provincial capital in southern Afghanistan on Thursday and were fighting on multiple fronts with government forces, officials said. Afghan officials deployed reinforcements to Tarin Kot, in Uruzgan province, and Afghan and U.S.-led NATO warplanes were carrying out airstrikes in an attempt to deter the latest Taliban advance against a strategic city. One security official in Uruzgan said provincial officials had sought shelter at the local airport, home to an Afghan army brigade, in a sign that the battle was not going the governments way. Advertisement Afghan forces have lost overall control of the whole city, said the official, requesting anonymity because he wasnt authorized to speak to the media. A Twitter account affiliated with the Taliban boasted that the city was about to fall and that its fighters were combing the streets of Tarin Kot. In a statement, the militant group called on Afghan security forces to stand down, saying it would forgive and guarantee the life, property and honor of those who give up fighting. We see them as our brothers, the statement said. The police chief in Uruzgan, Mohammad Wais Samimi, said by phone from Tarin Kot: Our forces have been trying to push back the Taliban as fighting is going on in three parts of the city. Afghan officials said the powerful police chief of neighboring Kandahar province, Gen. Abdul Razaq, had arrived in Uruzgan with his forces and would help lead a clearing operation. A spokesman for U.S.-led coalition forces declined to comment on the operation as it was ongoing. One of the areas under attack was Sarchakhlai, just a few hundred yards from the provincial police headquarters. Taliban fighters were separated from the headquarters only by a dry riverbed. Samimi said the Taliban launched an assault on the outskirts of Tarin Kot five days ago and Afghan forces responded with airstrikes and ground operations. The spokesman for the Afghan interior ministry, Sediq Sediqqi, said Afghan special forces soldiers were sent to Tarin Kot on Wednesday night. In three days of fighting, 250 Taliban fighters had been killed or wounded, said Dost Mohammad Nayab, a spokesman for the provincial governor. Eleven Afghan soldiers and police were killed and 17 injured, he said. It was not possible to confirm the figures. No civilians had been killed, but several families had fled Tarin Kot for neighboring provinces, Nayab said. Tarin Kot resident Ahmad Shah, a journalist who was stuck in his office, said, The city is abandoned. Uruzgan sits on the border of the southern province of Helmand, the hub of Afghanistans poppy production. Taliban fighters control several districts in Helmand and in recent weeks have sought to erode the governments grip on the capital of that province, Lashkar Gah. The Taliban offensive in Helmand in August prompted the U.S. military to launch airstrikes near Lashkar Gah and deploy more than 100 ground troops to advise Afghan forces. Special correspondent Faizy reported from Kabul and staff writer Bengali from Mumbai, India. shashank.bengali@latimes.com Follow @SBengali on Twitter for more news from South Asia UPDATES: 9:05 a.m.: This article was updated with casualty figures and other details. This article was originally published at 3:20 a.m. The haunting images of Syrian toddler Aylan Kurdis body washed up on a Turkish beach, and of Omran Daqneeshs bloodied and bewildered face after his home was destroyed in Aleppo, have become emblems of the heavy toll inflicted by war and displacement on the worlds children. But the sheer magnitude of the toll has been hard to quantify in any detail. Too often, information is lacking on child refugees and migrants. A new report by the United Nations childrens agency, titled Uprooted: The growing crisis for refugee and migrant children, attempts to assemble the best figures available. Advertisement The findings are staggering: 50 million children driven from their homes as of last year, more than half of them by conflict and persecution, and the rest in search of a better life. These children may be refugees, internally displaced or migrants, but first and foremost, they are children, UNICEF said in the report published Wednesday. Children do not bear any responsibility for the bombs and bullets, the gang violence, persecution, the shriveled crops and low family wages driving them from their homes. They are, however, always the first to be affected by war, conflict, climate change and poverty. Here are some key findings: 11 million: The number of child refugees and asylum seekers Children make up a disproportionate and growing share of those forced to seek refuge outside their homeland. Whereas they made up about a third of the worlds population in 2015, they accounted for nearly half of all refugees. About 45% of the children under the protection of the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees came from just two countries: Syria and Afghanistan. Turkey hosted the largest number of new refugees and probably also the largest number of child refugees, the report says. Relative to its population, however, the burden assumed by Lebanon is unrivaled: about 1 in 5 people in the country is a refugee. By comparison, there is roughly 1 refugee for every 1,200 people in the United States. 17 million: The number of children displaced within their countries by violence and conflict Violent conflicts, such as the ones in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and South Sudan, tend to displace even more people within their countries borders than outside them. But information about internally displaced people is rarely broken down by age. UNICEFs estimate assumes that the proportion of children among the displaced was the same as within the national population, and not as high as that among the refugee population. But the real figure could be higher, it said. 20 million: The number of child migrants driven from their homes for other reasons Poverty, climate change and natural disasters also push families to flee their countries. Children and their parents who leave for such reasons are at particular risk of detention and abuse because they often have no documentation and are not granted the kind of protected legal status afforded to refugees, UNICEF said. There is also no systematic tracking of their well-being, making information about their plight hard to come by. Malnourishment is one of the dangers faced by children fleeing Boko Haram violence in Nigeria. (Sunday Alamba / Associated Press ) 3.7 million: The number of child migrants hosted by the U.S. in 2015 International migrants tend to move to countries with higher incomes than where they are from. The U.S. hosted more child migrants than any other country last year, followed by Saudi Arabia with 2 million and Jordan with 1.4 million. About 3 out of 5 child migrants live in Africa, Asia or the Middle East. 100,000: The number of unaccompanied minors applying for asylum in 78 countries last year Increasingly, children are crossing borders on their own. The number of unaccompanied minors who applied for asylum last year was nearly three times the figure reported in 2014. These children primarily Afghans, Eritreans, Syrians and Somalis are especially vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, including by smugglers and traffickers, UNICEF said. 850: The number of attacks against refugee shelters reported in Germany in 2015 Children driven from their homes face a host of dangers as they flee, including drowning at sea, hunger, dehydration, kidnapping, rape and killings. The risks dont end when they reach their destinations, the report says. Many face discrimination and xenophobia that can interfere with their chances of getting an education and settling into their new homes. Refugee children are five times more likely to be out of school than their nonrefugee peers. In the worst cases, anti-immigrant sentiment can escalate into violence. Asylum reception centers throughout Europe have been repeatedly attacked, according to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. What price will we all pay if we fail to provide these young people with opportunities for education and a more normal childhood? asked UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake in a statement. How will they be able to contribute positively to their societies? If they cant, not only will their futures be blighted, but their societies will be diminished as well. alexandra.zavis@latimes.com Twitter: @alexzavis This town in South Sudan has no name. It was never supposed to exist. Now 21,000 people live there As resources run dry, Syrian refugees cling to survival in Jordans urban hubs A year later, legacy of refugee crisis has Greeks fearing paradise lost A series of cable cars carrying tourists stopped working at high altitude over the Mont Blanc massif in the Alps on Thursday, prompting a major rescue operation and leaving 45 people trapped in midair overnight, Frances interior minister said. Four helicopters were deployed after 110 people became stuck when the cable cars stalled because of a technical incident, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said. He said the helicopters rescued 65 people before the efforts were suspended for the night because of rough flight conditions. First aid workers were transported to the site and will be spending the night in the cable cars with those who are trapped, Cazeneuve said. Rescuers provided blankets, food and water to help people weather the chilly mountain conditions overnight. Advertisement The cable car system, which offers spectacular up-close views of Western Europes tallest mountains and deep valleys below, connects the Aiguille du Midi peak in France, at an altitude of 12,605 feet, to the Pointe Helbronner in Italy, at 11,358 feet. Cables carrying the Panoramic Mont Blanc cars reportedly became tangled about 4 p.m. Workers from the operating company tried to untangle the lines but failed. They alerted authorities and French and Italian mountain rescue specialists were brought by helicopter to evacuate passengers. Passengers were transferred to other cable cars that brought them down the mountain to Courmayeur in Italy. Descending from the cable cars, one passenger told reporters it ended well despite five or six hours suspended midair in cold mountain conditions. French police said the evacuation was suspended at 9:30 p.m. Eastern time and will resume Friday at 7:15 a.m. Chamonix Mayor Eric Fournier said earlier on BFM-TV that theres nothing fundamentally to fear. The cable car journey normally takes 30 to 35 minutes. The Panoramic Cable Car is operated in the summer season, when large numbers of climbers and tourists converge on the area. Another series of cable cars takes skiers and visitors to the peak of the Aiguille du Midi year-round. ALSO Talibans assault on Afghan provincial capital met with airstrikes 8 things you should know about Aleppo, including what it is Paris attack suspect invokes silence for third time with judge to protest 24-hour surveillance UPDATES: 10:30 p.m.: This article was updated with the number of people rescued and information from Frances interior minister. This article was originally published at 12:45 p.m. Russias Foreign Ministry announced Thursday that Israeli and Palestinian leaders have agreed in principle to meet in Moscow for talks that the Russians hope will relaunch the Mideast peace process after more than a two-year break. The announcement indicates that Russia is pushing forward with its attempt to become a peace broker in the region after a setback earlier in the week. On Tuesday, the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, said a meeting scheduled in Moscow this week had been delayed at Israels request. Though bringing the men together would represent an accomplishment for Moscow, a diplomatic breakthrough seems unlikely. Advertisement Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remain far apart on key issues, and their differences have prevented meaningful talks since Netanyahu took office in 2009. The last round of peace talks broke down 2 1/2 years ago, with no progress reported during months of negotiations brokered by the United States. The Palestinian leader has demanded that Israel halt settlement construction on occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians and carry out a prisoner release that was promised during the last round of talks. Netanyahu has rejected the terms and said the meeting should take place without conditions. In Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday that Abbas and Netanyahu had accepted an invitation to meet in the Russian capital, but that a date has not been set yet. There also was no word on whether the two had settled on an agenda for the meeting. The most important thing is to pick the right timing, Zakharova told reporters. Intensive contacts on this are ongoing. During a visit to Poland on Tuesday, Abbas said a meeting in Moscow had been scheduled this week, but that Israel had delayed it at the last minute. Abbas and Netanyahu exchanged a brief handshake last year at a global climate change conference in Paris but have not held a public working meeting since 2010. If the Palestinian Authority can say with one voice that they are willing to meet without preconditions, then Prime Minister Netanyahu will meet President Abbas, said the Israeli leaders spokesman, David Keyes. If a meeting takes place, the chances for substantial progress would seem slim. The Palestinians seek to establish an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war. Though the Palestinian claims have wide international backing, Netanyahu has refused to use Israels pre-1967 lines as a basis for border talks, retreating from positions adopted by his predecessors. The Palestinians have accused Israels hard-line government of seeking a peace process as a diplomatic shield against international criticism. The Netanyahu government has tried to discredit Abbas, accusing him of anti-Israel incitement and alleging that he is not a partner for a peace deal. If a meeting were to take place, it would reflect a growing Russian influence in the Middle East. The Russian military has sent fighter jets to Syria to back Syrian President Bashar Assad in his battle against various rebel groups. Israel, while largely staying out of the war, maintains close contact with the Russians to avoid any clashes between the two countries air forces along the border with Syria. Russias offer in recent weeks to host the Israeli and Palestinian leaders is one of several international initiatives, including a French plan to hold an international peace conference and Egyptian offers to bring the sides together as well. ALSO Military veterans offer support to legal fight by Yemeni relative of drone victims Mexican finance minister who played a key role in Trump visit resigns Taliban militants storm provincial capital in southern Afghanistan With the citys shelters full, migrant advocates in Tijuana say they are in crisis mode and calling for more government help in coping with large numbers of Mexicans, Haitians and others petitioning for entrance to the United States. People are waiting in the streets, Father Patrick Murphy, director of Tijuanas Casa del Migrante, said in an interview late last week. We have people outside the door. The 160-bed shelter, run by members of the Catholic Scalabrinian order, is one of four non-government shelters in the city that have been offering food and shelter both to deportees and migrants hoping to enter the United States, many of them Mexicans fleeing violent areas of their country. Earlier this year, the shelters started taking in unprecedented number of Haitians. Advertisement Numbers provided last week by U.S. Customs and Border Protection showed that through July 31, a total of 3,060 Haitian inadmissibles sought admittance to the United States through San Diego ports of entry during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year.That is more than 15 times the number seeking entry through Miami during that same period. The whole Haitian increase is based in San Diego, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske said last week during a stop in San Diego. He said the extent of smugglers involvement in getting them to the San Diego border remains unclear. It would seem that you almost always have to have a network to get here, Kerlikowske said. Theres got to be some kind of facilitation. For most Haitians, the ultimate destination is Miami or New York City, where there are established Haitian communities. Customs and Border Protections director of field operations in San Diego, Pete Flores, said some are saying they are afraid to return to Haiti, while some say they just want to find work. The sharp increase in numbers of Mexicans, Haitians, and other foreigners last May overwhelmed Customs and Border Protections processing capacity, leaving hundreds to camp out outside San Ysidros pedestrian entrance. Customs and Border Protection has since begun processing the migrants on an appointment basis. In a statement sent Friday, Tijuanas Coalicion Pro-Defensa del Migrante, called on the Mexican government to recognize the forced displacement of Mexican and foreign migrants who come to Tijuana in order to enter the United States as asylum petitioners. The groups are demanding that federal, state and municipal authorities in Baja California assume their responsibility of providing comprehensive humanitarian assistance to persons in search of U.S. asylum who come through Tijuana. The groups called for the respect of their human rights, their freedom of transit, the absence of discrimination, as well as security and protection. Dibble writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. ALSO: 8 things you should know about Aleppo, including what it is Iranian leaders criticize Saudi Arabia over last years deadly hajj crush and stampede Dozens killed in multiple bomb blasts across Syria The Palestinian Supreme Court indefinitely postponed municipal elections scheduled for Oct. 8, a surprise move that reflects infighting in Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas Fatah party, tension between Fatah and Islamic militants from Hamas and rising instability in Palestinian cities. The state-run WAFA news agency on Thursday reported that the high court delayed the vote indefinitely because of unspecified complaints about voting preparations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Palestinian political experts said the decision was probably prompted by pressure from Abbas, who has faced calls within his own party to cancel the vote amid concern it could open the door for political gains in the West Bank by Hamas. Advertisement Hamas made a surprise decision to participate after the Palestinian government in the West Bank called for elections in June. The elections were shaping up to be the first countrywide showdown at the ballot box between Hamas and Fatah since 2006, when residents of the West Bank and Gaza Strip handed the Islamists a surprise victory in parliament. Hamas spokesman Sami abu Zuhri called the move a political decision. We reject the decision to cancel the election, he said in a statement. Hamas violent seizure of the Gaza Strip in 2007 left Hamas and Fatah, the two leading factions in the Palestine Authority, in a state of estrangement and in control over separate territories. The result has been the atrophy in Palestinian politics. The enduring rift has defied several rounds of Arab-mediated reconciliation talks and undermined the authoritys ability to push for an independent state. Even a vote for a city council becomes a referendum on the state of the Hamas-Fatah rivalry, said Grant Rumley, an expert on Palestinian politics at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington think tank. The court ruling was a convenient mechanism for Abbas. The prospect of Hamas gaining control of any cities in the West Bank was too much for him. And the end of the day, both parties view this as zero-sum competition. Abbas, who was elected president in 2005 to a four-year term, has never put himself up for reelection. The 81-year-olds popularity is on the wane because of his failure to make progress in peace talks with Israel. Meanwhile, anticipation of a leadership vacuum after Abbas rule is over has given way to internecine struggles within Fatah over a successor that have further hobbled the party. Tension has simmered for years between Abbas and Mohammed Dahlan, a former Palestinian security chief currently in exile in the Persian Gulf. Abbas has accused Dahlan of trying to overthrow his rule. In northern West Bank cities over the last year, militants linked to Abbas Fatah party have launched increasingly brazen attacks on the Palestinian security forces, triggering waves of crackdowns by the security forces. When a Fatah militant leader was killed in Palestinian Authority police custody, tens of thousands of Palestinians turned out for a funeral that became an antigovernment protest. I called on the Palestinian Authority to postpone the elections, said Jamal Tiwari, a Fatah legislator from the Balata refugee camp in Nablus who is a critic of Abbas, in an interview this week. The security situation in the West Bank is not right for an election. Concern about Fatahs rising vulnerability and potential gains by Hamas recently prompted four U.S.-allied Arab countries Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to press Abbas to reconcile with Dahlan. The Palestinian president rejected the call. From the very beginning, Fatah was not ready for elections. Fatah feared that the elections would reveal its internal problems, said Nashat Aqtash, a communications professor at Birzeit University in the West Bank city of Ramallah who served as a consultant to Islamist candidates in 2006. I am not surprised. The Palestinian Central Elections Commission said it had stopped preparations for the municipal vote and bemoaned the supreme courts decision. It said a vote would help heal the internal political rift. In a statement, the commission said that although it respects the courts decision, the panel maintains hope for the democratic process, through elections, to be resumed soon, Mustafa Barghouti, a legislator and reform activist, said the court ruling was unreasonable and appeared to have been influenced by politics. We are worried that this looks like a plan to ensure that elections dont take place, he said. Omitting local council elections is a negative sign. Mitnick is a special correspondent. Special correspondent Rushdi abu Alouf in Gaza City contributed to this report. ALSO 8 things you should know about Aleppo, including what it is Iranian leaders criticize Saudi Arabia over last years deadly hajj crush and stampede Dozens killed in multiple bomb blasts across Syria In most parts of the world, the unveiling of proposals for a negotiated solution to a ruinous civil war might be viewed as progress. Not so when it comes to Syria. Recent battlefield successes have left President Bashar Assad little incentive to consider the road map to a political transition presented at a meeting in London this week by the High Negotiations Committee, the main group representing opposition factions at stalled talks mediated by the United Nations. Assad has maintained during more than five years of fighting that he wont give in to U.S.-backed demands that he step down, which are included in the road map and he has the support of Russia, Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Advertisement In an interview with the BBC in Damascus on Wednesday, Syrias deputy foreign minister, Faisal Mekdad, dismissed the suggestion that Assad might now agree to surrender power to a transitional government after a six-month negotiating period as crazy and unbelievable. Without an agreement between the U.S. and Russia on ways to end fighting across Syria that has killed more than 250,000 people, a resumption of political negotiations is unlikely. Those talks have stalemated, with U.S. officials accusing Russia of backtracking on some aspects of a deal that would effectively ground Syrias air force and have the two powers coordinating targets for an air campaign against terrorist groups. The Russian Foreign Ministry said U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry would meet with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in Geneva on Thursday and Friday, after the two spoke about outstanding issues by phone Wednesday. But no such meeting took place Thursday. U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner would not commit to any dates until weve reached a point where we believe a meeting would be useful. Analysts said the opposition blocs plan might have more to do with seizing the moral high ground and papering over the disarray in rebel ranks than with coming up with viable options to end the war. The narrative about the Syrian opposition in the last year or so is that these are gangs of jihadists who would be even worse for Syria than if the regime continues, said Mouin Rabbani, a former adviser to the U.N. envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura. By doing this, theyre trying to show theyre enlightened and inclusive. Even if the government were to reach agreement with the High Negotiations Committee, there are dozens of factions arrayed against Assad, each with its own shifting agenda, and the group does not speak for all of them. A diplomatic deal becomes realistic when you have fixed players that have the power to concede and enforce compliance. This basic prerequisite hasnt been met, said Ramzy Mardini, a nonresident scholar at the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think tank. There are armed groups that are excluded from the framework, and the ones included may split, defect or oscillate between cooperation and conflict, depending on the changing circumstances on the ground. What does the opposition plan entail? The plan, the most detailed yet from the Saudi Arabian-backed opposition bloc, is broadly in line with proposals made by the United States and other Western allies. A temporary cease-fire would be declared, accompanied by six months of negotiations with Assads government. During this period, both sides would lift sieges, allow unrestricted humanitarian access and the return of displaced people to their homes, and release detainees. The goal would be to reach agreement on basic principles of a political transition, at which point Assad would turn over the reins of government to a transitional body that is representative of all Syrians. This body would run Syria for 18 months, overseeing the drafting of a new constitution and organizing elections supervised by the U.N. Though the plan requires the departure of officials who committed heinous crimes against the Syrian people, opposition members say they arent seeking revenge against all members of the government. The plan emphasizes the need for inclusive and nonsectarian leadership. It also offers Kurdish fighters, who have been a key ally in the U.S.-led campaign against Islamic State extremists, a measure of autonomy and recognition of their ethnic, linguistic and cultural rights. But it does not include full independence for Syrian Kurds, as advocated by some factions. How has the plan been received? British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who hosted the meeting Wednesday at which opposition negotiators laid out their proposals to foreign ministers, said there was still a chance that this vision can be made to work. If the Russians and Americans can together create a cease-fire, then the talks can restart in Geneva with the difference, perhaps, that all sides will by then have seen at least the scaffolding of a post-Assad Syria, Johnson wrote in the Times newspaper of London. Johnsons column angered Syrias Foreign Ministry, which said his remarks demonstrate the British governments involvement in aggression against Syria and the countrys responsibility for the shedding of Syrian blood and the strengthening of the danger of terrorism. Britain is a member of the U.S.-led coalition carrying out airstrikes in Syria and has backed calls for Assad to step down. Johnsons remarks show his complete separation from reality and his being unaware that the time of the [British] mandate has gone, never to return, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said in statements carried by state-run media Thursday. Victory and the future will be for the free peoples and not faded empires forgotten by time and history. Speaking at Wednesdays meeting, the chief Syrian opposition negotiator cautioned that world powers cannot decide Syrias fate alone. With President Obama nearing the end of his term, there is concern among some opposition members that the U.S. administration might rush to secure a deal with Russia. If what the Russians and the Americans agree upon is very much different from what the Syrians aspire to, then we shall not accept it, said Riyad Hijab, who defected to the opposition in 2012, after serving as prime minister. In Washington, Toner said it was up to the Syrian parties to negotiate a transition. What were trying to do, and what were engaged in right now with regard to Russia, is try to set the conditions so that that political process can take place in Geneva and lead to, we hope, a resolution to the conflict, he told reporters. Are opposition groups united behind the plan? At least one major faction, the Front for the Conquest of Syria, the group formerly known as Al Nusra Front, rejected the committees blueprint out of hand. People rejected by every faction of society have no right to make decisions on their behalf from conference halls in London, tweeted a group spokesman, Mostafa Mahamed, also known by the nom de guerre Abu Sulayman Muhajir. Although the front recently announced that it had severed ties with Al Qaeda, the U.S. still considers it an affiliate and says it wont be included in any cessation of hostilities. But many in the Syrian opposition, including factions that receive military aid from the U.S. and regional powers, see it as an effective battlefield partner and often act in concert with its fighters. Times staff writer Zavis reported from Los Angeles and special correspondent Bulos from Beirut. alexandra.zavis@latimes.com Twitter: @alexzavis UPDATES: 6:40 p.m.: This article has been updated with a State Department spokesman refusing to commit to any dates for a meeting between Secretary of State John F. Kerry and his Russian counterpart. This article was originally published at 1 p.m. Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson had some trouble recognizing the name of a major Syrian city on Thursday. What is Aleppo? he asked in an interview on MSNBCs Morning Joe. (In his defense, he claimed that he thought it was an acronym.) Were here to help. 1. What is Aleppo? Its one of the oldest cities in the world, located in Syrias north. Advertisement Asked what he would do, if elected, about Aleppo, presidential candidate Gary Johnson responded: What is Aleppo? If that would be your response too, were here to help. Its situated between the Mediterranean Sea and what was once known as Mesopotamia, now known as Iraq. (Aleppo is also the name of the surrounding province.) 2. Its got a rich history. Aleppo has been an important trading center since the 2nd millennium B.C. and was a node on the Silk Road. Gary Johnson may never have heard of the city, but Shakespeare did back in the early 17th century. In Macbeth, one of the witches torments a sailors wife, whose husbands to Aleppo gone. A boy cycles through the narrow alleys of the old city of Aleppo, north of Damascus, Syria, in June 1998. (Louis Meixler / Associated Press ) 3. In modern times, Aleppo was Syrias largest city. More than 2 million people lived there when the 2004 census was taken. It was also the pride of Syrian industry. Large factories produced everything there from textiles to processed gold to laurel soap, all of which would fill markets in Turkey, Iraq, Jordan and elsewhere. It was a tourist draw as well. Travelers meandering through the pedestrian walkways of the souk the citys medieval marketplace would look up to take in the grandeur of its mighty citadel, then take a break to experience Aleppos food, a melange of Levantine cuisine sprinkled with Turkish, Persian and Armenian influence. Gary Johnson is the Libertarian party nominee running for President. Heres a look into how he got there. 4. Its a major flashpoint of the Syrian war. Although the city resisted being drawn into the Syrian uprising when it began in 2011, opposition forces advanced into the towns and villages around it and eventually breached the city itself in July 2012. By 2013, the government and the opposition were locked in a stalemate. The opposition held the east, and the government controlled the west. Since then, each side has repeatedly tried to oust the other from the city, with varying degrees of success. 5. Its hard to say how many people live there now. The U.N. says there are more than 1.5 million people in government-controlled neighborhoods. On the east side, accurate figures are harder to come by, but the area is thought to hold up to 200,000 people. Some opposition activists say the number is 300,000. 6. The city has become a symbol for Syrias suffering. Russian and Syrian warplanes pound the rebel side, leaving hundreds dead and wounded just in the last month. Meanwhile, the opposition hurls thousands of repurposed gas canisters and home-made mortars from hell cannons and other weapons. In August alone, 218 civilians were killed as a result of government airstrikes on opposition-controlled neighborhoods, according to the pro-opposition watchdog group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Rebel bombardment also killed 178 civilians in government-held areas in August, the group said. 7. No, its not the capital of the self-declared Islamic State. (That would be Raqqah). #ProTip: Dont use FP credentials to criticize politician for not knowing what Aleppo is & then say it's ISIS capital pic.twitter.com/aYPTcCWQOq Jamie Weinstein (@Jamie_Weinstein) September 8, 2016 Yes, the former U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Christopher Hill, did call Aleppo that. Islamic State fighters are not in the city of Aleppo, but there is a confederation of Islamist and so-called moderate, Western-supported rebels fighting against pro-government forces there. 8. Aleppo is now in the center of a diplomatic duel between the U.S. and Russia. Again, the fate of the city takes on an outsize importance in regional affairs. A breakthrough there, world powers hope, will usher in a larger ceasefire and present a path toward resolving the five-year Syrian civil war, which has killed hundreds of thousands (the U.N. stopped counting a few years ago), ravaged the country and spurred a global refugee crisis. Bulos is a special correspondent. ALSO Gary Johnson: What is Aleppo? Haunting image of boy in an Aleppo ambulance captures plight of children caught in Syrian war In coverage of Syrian war, residents of government-held west Aleppo feel the world has forgotten them All material is subject to strictly enforced copyright terms & conditions and cannot be repurposed or reproduced. 19882022 Latin American Financial Publications Inc. A research group estimated that more than 127,000 children will enter the United States in the year 2016, up from less than 100,000 unauthorized migrants that entered the U.S. in 2015, in a report released on Wednesday. The research group, Child Trends, estimated that only about 37,500 children will become actual refugees out of the total number. That leaves 90,000 unauthorized migrants in the U.S. ahead of the U.S. presidential election where GOP candidate Donald Trump vowed to deport any unauthorized immigrants should he make it to the oval office. Children are coming in with very serious needs and have a precarious kind of existence while we sort out their future, said David Murphy, author of the Child Trends report. Theres a bewildering array of agencies and offices that these children and families pass through. Some children will be unaccompanied by parents, like some incidents in the past. Latin American Northern Triangle Border Surge The U.S. saw a rise in children migrants when a large number arrived from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Tens of thousands of women and children fled their drug and violence plagued homes in 2014, seeking asylum in the U.S. President Barack Obama later increased immigration enforcement measures. The U.S. government warned migrators of the dangerous precautions of crossing the border, including heightened security measures at immigration family detention centers. The Child Trends research group has a Central American Minors program that allows parents to lawfully ask for their children in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala to be considered for refugee status. The research group calls it, a safe, legal, and orderly alternative to the dangerous journey that some children have undertaken to join their parents. Child Refugees Although a majority of child refugees have come from the northern triangle in Latin America, large numbers this year will come from Iraq, Burma, Somalia and Syria given recent terrorist attacks in their native countries. Sixty percent of the Syrian immigrants admitted to the U.S. as refugees this year alone, are children. The future numbers do not account for the one million children currently living in the U.S. unauthorized after not being apprehended upon their arrival. While these children have the potential to make vital contributions to our communities, many have faced or will face trauma that, without intervention, can have lifelong negative impacts, the report said. The report was sent to the U.S. State Department before the refugees arrival. The State Department previously vowed to protect child refugees. MP Ilhami Agina had said that he was opposed to making FGM a felony because 'Egypt's men are sexually weak' Independent Egyptian MP Ilhami Agina is expected to be investigated by the parliament's ethics committee over comments he made last week about the issue of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and the sexual prowess of Egyptian men. Agina told parliamentary reporters on 31 August that he was opposed to a new bill raising the practice of FGM from a misdemeanour to a felony. I rejected this law because if we stop FGM operations we will need sexually strong men," said Agina, claiming that "as we know, most of Egypt's men are sexually weak and Egypt is at the top of countries consuming drugs that enhance sexual performance. Informed sources say that parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Al has received hundreds of complaints from MPs and ordinary citizens demanding that Agina be referred to the ethics committee for investigation. Many Egyptians believe that women who do not undergo FGM have uncontrollable sexual urges and are prone to promiscuity. On 31 August, parliament passed a legislative amendment stating that anyone who performs FGM can face a penalty of five to seven years in jail, instead of the previous three months to two years. The amendment also imposes a penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment if the procedure leads to death or permanent deformity beyond that normally caused by the practice itself. Those who escort victims to the procedure can face jail sentences ranging from one to three years. Agina, an MP from the Nile Delta governorate of Daqahliya, defended his comments on Wednesday, telling reporters that his remarks about the sexual prowess of Egypt's men are based on scientific facts. "I am ready to face any investigation and give them the facts about my remarks, and I will not backtrack on these comments." The MP also said that "those who directed complaints against me should know that the 2014 Egyptian constitution states that all citizens should respect freedom of speech and different points of view." Search Keywords: Short link: Elections to fill the seat of UN secretary general are due by the end of the year Egypt says it will be completely transparent and neutral in its choice for the next United Nations chief, in elections due later this year. The remarks were made by Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry as he met Tuesday with Helen Clark, former prime minister of New Zealand and current administrator of the United Nations Development Programme who is campaigning to be the next UN secretary-general, succeeding Ban Ki-moon, a foreign ministry statement said. Clark said she is looking forward to winning Egypt's vote to hold the top post, given the country's active role and weight in the region, the statement added. Egypt secured a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in January. Shoukry stressed during the talks that "Egypt's final choice of a candidate will be made within a framework of total transparency and neutrality," the statement added. Ban, a former South Korean foreign minister, will step down at the end of 2016 after two five-year terms. Since the world body's inception 70 years ago, the top post has always been held by a man. Many countries, led by Colombia, and several civil society organisations are lobbying for a woman to chair the organisation. Search Keywords: Short link: All cases, according to the interior ministry, are the result of natural causes The number of Egyptian pilgrims who have died in Saudi Arabia has climbed to 13, an interior ministry official said Thursday. Officials had earlier said that all the cases died of natural causes, including heat exhaustion, high blood pressure and hypertension. So far, around 86,000 Egyptian pilgrims have landed in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, an interior ministry aide and head of the Egyptian hajj mission was quoted by the state news agency MENA as saying. The hajj and lesser umrah pilgrimages bring millions of Muslims to Saudi Arabia from around the globe every year. The annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca will officially start Saturday. Fatalities due to heat exhaustion, fatigue and other natural causes are common. Fatal crowd stampedes are also regular occurences due to the volume of pilgrims along the pilgrimage route. Saudi media reported that authorities have undertaken new safety measures after more than 2,000 died in a stampede last year. This includes having pilgrims wear electronic safety bracelets. One of the five pillars of Islam, the hajj must be performed at least once in a lifetime by all Muslims who can afford the costly and difficult trip. Search Keywords: Short link: The low-ranking policeman was shot down early Thursday by masked assailants while on his way to work A low-ranking policeman was killed early Thursday on his way to work in a police station in 6 October City, Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported. According to Al-Ahram Arabic, Salah Mohamed, the low ranking policeman, was shot down by a group of unknown assailants in car. Eyewitness accounts said the assailants were masked inside a car without license plates and fled the scene after committing the crime. The general prosecution started an investigation into the killing. Hundreds of police personnel have been killed in similar incidents in the past few years. Search Keywords: Short link: An Allentown man who punched and bit a 1-year-old boy is facing 20 years in state prison for the crime. Israel Lopez-Carmona, 33, was sentenced Aug. 30 to seven years to 20 years in state prison, after previously pleading guilty to aggravated assault of a child under the age of 13. Lopez-Carmona had been held in Lehigh County Jail on $200,000 bail. Jennifer Mosko, the boy's mother and Lopez-Carmona's girlfriend, was also charged after the boy's injuries were discovered. The couple lived together in the first block of East Susquehanna Street in Allentown, and Mosko allegedly witnessed the abuse and did not report it. Mosko waived her preliminary hearing, and her bail was lowered. She is scheduled for trial next month, according to court records. Police said the child was examined in December by doctors who found multiple rib fractures and bruises on his cheeks and forehead. In an interview Jan. 29 with detectives, Mosko admitted seeing Lopez-Carmona bite her son on the cheeks and thigh so hard that he left marks, police said. Mosko reported she also witnessed Lopez-Carmona punch her son in the back so hard that he lost his breath, police said. The mother said she had multiple conversations with Lopez-Carmona, usually in text messages, asking him to be gentle with the baby, and "how they could hide his bruises on his face," police said. Lopez-Carmona reportedly admitted to biting the boy, hitting him and squeezing him, and discussing with Mosko how to cover up the bruises, police said. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A homeless man was found lying on a Bethlehem street with a bag containing a shotgun and ammunition, city police said. Police just before 2:30 p.m. Tuesday were called to East Seventh and State streets for a report of a man in the street and clutching a bag. Officers found Jeffrey John Heckman, 58, whose last known address was in the 600 block of Second Avenue in Bethlehem, who immediately tried to run, police said. Officers asked Heckman if he was OK, and he allegedly replied, "I need to go to sleep." He refused commands by officers to put down the bag, police said. "I want to go to sleep," Heckman allegedly said before admitting to officers he had a shotgun in the bag. Officers ordered Heckman to drop the bag and arrested him without incident. Police said they seized from the bag a box of five 12-gauge shotgun shells, two loose shotgun shells, a white rope, copper wire and a sawed-off Sears Roebuck shotgun wrapped in a black T-shirt. Police could not make out the serial number of the shotgun due to the barrel being sawed off, according to court records. Heckman was charged with possession of a shotgun and carrying a firearm without a license. He was arraigned before District Judge Patricia Broscius, who set bail at $1,000. In lieu of bail, Heckman was sent to Northampton County Prison. The judge ordered Heckman enroll in Pretrial Services and provide a verifiable address. The judge allowed 10 percent of $1,000 bail if Pretrial Services approves it. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Gregory Christian Hanson had been out on bond for six days on domestic violence and drug charges when he showed up Wednesday morning outside his victim's home, Bethlehem Township police report. Gregory Hanson, of Forks Township, faces domestic violence and drug charges after incidents Aug. 28, 2016, and Aug. 30, 2016, in Bethlehem Township, police charge. He also is charged with violating a protection from abuse order, police say. (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com) The victim had heard her doorbell ring just after 8 a.m. Wednesday in the 4000 block of Reeve Drive North and thought she saw the 40-year-old Forks Township man outside, police Chief Dan Pancoast said. When officers arrived, they found Hanson near the home and the victim swore out a contempt of a protection-from-abuse order at District Judge Patricia Broscius' court, Pancoast said. Hanson, who lives in the 1900 block of Dayton Drive in Forks, had been free on bonds of $20,000 and $10,000 up to that point on Aug. 30 charges of possession with intent to deliver drugs, possession of a controlled substance, driving under the influence, making terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment. Broscius set bail at $50,000 on the alleged PFA violation, but Hanson was out of jail before 2:30 p.m. when a bond was posted, Pancoast said. Lehigh Valley Bail put up the money in all three cases, records show. Northampton County Pretrial Services confirmed there were no 10 percent options on any of the bails. The domestic violence case involved Hanson on Aug. 28 pushing the victim into a table and then the refrigerator in her home, police said. The woman tried to cover up, but Hanson hit her in the armpit, police said. He threatened to kill her, police said. The drug and DUI charges are from when the victim called police on Aug. 30 to report the alleged domestic violence and Hanson, apparently intoxicated, drove up to the home in the victim's vehicle, police said. The victim gave the investigating officer permission to search the vehicle, and a pack of Newport cigarettes with two plastic bags were found inside, police said. One bag had six smaller clear bags containing a white powder which field-tested for cocaine, police said. The other contained three smaller bags of a powdery substance which also tested as cocaine, police said. The cocaine was packaged for sale, according to police. The officer also found 15 1 mg Alprazolam pills in the center console in a bottle labeled for another person and another drug, police said. A listed phone number for Hanson was not in service so he couldn't immediately be reached for comment. Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A New York woman was arrested for the 42nd time in relation to prostitution after police said she met with an undercover Bethlehem Township police officer through an online advertisement. Janet Croom (Courtesy photo) Janet Denise Croom, 46, of Staten Island, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday was arrested by Bethlehem Township police as part of an operation targeting prostitution and related offenses in the township. The officer had contacted her through a website soliciting sex for cash, police said. Croom allegedly met the officer a short while later in the township and agreed to sex for $200. She was then arrested and searched. Police said she possessed four prescription pills used to treat seizure disorders that were not prescribed to her. Croom has had 41 prior arrests related to prostitution and at least 12 convictions, making her Bethlehem Township charge a third-degree felony, according to police. She has been arrested in Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Florida and Pennsylvania, according to court records. Besides felony prostitution, Croom is charged with possession of a controlled substance. She was arraigned before District Judge Patricia Brosicus, who set bail at $25,000. In lieu of bail, Croom was sent to Northampton County Prison. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Egypt's top prosecutor Nabil Sadek travelled to Rome on Thursday to hold talks with his Italian counterpart Giuseppe Pignatone, reported MENA agency, in the latest round of meetings between investigators from the two countries probing the murder of Italian student Giulio Regeni. During the two-day visit the prosecutors will discuss the latest findings in the investigation into the PhD student's death. It is the third such meeting between Egyptian prosecutors and investigators looking into the case and their Italian counterparts, after previous meetings in Cairo on 14 March and Rome on 7 April. Regini, who was in Cairo conducting research on independent trade unions, went missing on 25 January. His body was found, bearing signs of torture, by a roadside on the outskirts of Cairo on 3 February. Egypt has strongly denied claims that security forces were involved in Regeni's murder. The Italian government recalled their ambassador to Cairo in April in response to Egypt's handling of the investigation, Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said. Italian officials have publicly criticised what they described as a lack of transparency from the Egyptian side. A new Italian ambassador to Cairo, Giampaolo Cantini, was appointed in May but has not yet taken up residence in Egypt. Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has repeatedly stated in various interviews that the Regeni murder should not affect Egypt-Italian relations. Search Keywords: Short link: Irish Water has reassured the public that Ballyroan's drinking supply is safe despite the fact the State's Environmental Watchdog still has concerns and has not given the all clear to a 150,000 upgrade to prevent crypto contamination. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) told the Leinster Express that in December 2014, the EPA issued a Direction to Irish Water to upgrade the UV disinfection system at Ballyroan water treatment plant by 31st March 2015. At the time the EPA said the UV system did not meet the EPA minimum standards. The EPA issued a warning letter to Irish Water in April 2015 due to the failure of Irish Water to comply with the Direction. Irish Water committed to carry out the works without further delay. The EPA carried out an audit of the plant in October 2015. While Irish Water did not meet the Direction deadline, the upgrade works had commenced by the end of March and were due to be completed by the end of September 2015. However, according to the EPA, the audit found that the completion date had slipped due to problems encountered during the commissioning phase. At the time Irish Water stated that the revised timeframe for completion of upgrade works was subject to ESB works at the site. The EPA said Irish Water confirmed that the UV system upgraded and commissioning was complete in December 2015. The EPA requested Irish Water to submit data to verify the effectiveness of the UV treatment system. Some issues with the UV unit have continued and Irish Water has yet to provide the EPA with the complete set of monitoring data necessary to verify the effectiveness of the UV unit. The EPA have requested the outstanding data from Irish Water and await its submission, it said. Laois County Council's annual report for 2015 lists the project as a minor capital project that commenced in 2015. It does not state that the EPA ordered the upgrade. Irish Water told the Leinster Express that it took over the responsibility for water and wastewater services on the 1st January 2014. At that time there was a UV disinfection system operating at the Ballyroan Water Treatment Plant. Irish Water confirmed that, in conjunction with Laois County Council, it undertook an assessment of the UV treatment system on site. It was concluded that improvements to the system were required as it did not meet the EPA guidance criteria. It said that during 2014 the EPA issued a direction to Irish Water requiring improvements to the UV disinfection system to meet the required guidance criteria. Following this Irish Water immediately began to gather the data to design the required treatment system. Irish Water invested 150,000 to upgrade the plant and, in partnership with Laois County Council, installed the new UV treatment system. Works began on site in June of 2015 and were completed in November 2015. Irish Water is liaising closely with the EPA to ensure the direction is formally lifted. Irish Water wish to reassure customers on the Ballyroan Public Water Supply that there is a complete disinfection system operational at Ballyroan Water Treatment plant which includes a UV treatment system and disinfection by chlorination. Since Irish Water took over the responsibility for water services we have introduced increased compliance monitoring of treated public water supplies to ensure that plants, such as the Ballyroan Water Treatment Plant, comply with the European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations 201, said a statement. Laois doctors have argued for new thinking when it comes to reconfiguring hospitals and have put forward a plan for the Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise (MRH Portlaoise) as the template for how downgrade can be avoided and services improved. In their report entitled 'The Future of Acute Services at MRH Portlaoise, the Local Stakeholder Perspective', the GPs and consultants put forward proposals on what should happen next. The doctors views were not sought by health management for a downgrade draft plan submitted to the Deparment of Health earlier this year. The doctors argue that the draft plan, drawn up by Dr Susan O'Reilly of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group, would, if implemented, downgrade Portlaoise to a model 2 hospital and result in the closure of acute services including paediatrics, obstetrics, gynaecology, A&E and intensive care. It would also, they say, severely curtail acute adult medicine and general surgery. Such a plan does not make for safe, effective or patient centred care. Rather it repeats past mistakes, they say. For patients of the midlands, where there is no model 4 or hub hospital, the risks of down-grade outweigh any argument that might be put forward in its favour, they stated. However, the doctors realise change must happen at Portlaoise. Their proposals require more resources but also acknowledge the scaling back of some services. Their plan is based on the solution applied to maternity services in the wake of the deaths of babies in the unit. The doctors believe health management should extend this solution hospital wide. We recognise the pioneering work of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group in fostering the managed clinical network between Portlaoise and the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital. This initiative provides a template for safe, sustainable and patient centred care at Portlaoise and should be extended across the range of clinical specialities. We believe that the safe and correct way to proceed is to continue to provide acute services at Portlaoise with appropriate support from the hospital group. We do not make the argument for the status quo. People in this area of the midlands have seen their healthcare under-resourced. They deserve just provision for their healthcare, said the doctors. The doctors point out that some of the services at regional level require re-configuration due to the low frequency of demand. Low demand for services may result in levels of service provision that are either too limited to justify continuance or to facilitate maintenance of adequate skill base. In certain situations technology can favour centralisation. The doctors say there is no blueprint to manage the fallout from downgrading a hospital which offers the range of services provided by Portlaoise. They argue that past failues to invest cannot be used as a reason to not to invest now. It would, however, be a perverse response to a community's needs to suggest a further withdrawal of healtcare resources as a solution to the problem of under-resourcing. The doctors believe Portlaoise could be a blueprint to avoid the mistakes made in previous downgrades. New thinking is needed nationally, along with a new set of solutions to support acute services in regional hospitals, say the Laois doctors. Young men and women, especially those who are members of minority or new communities in Laois, are being invited to participated in the new garda recruitment drive. This campaign is part of the aim to increase the strength of An Garda Siochana to 15,000 members. Some 3,200 new Garda members to be recruited on a phased basis over the next four years in addition to the 1,200 that will have been recruited by the end of this year since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014. The Tanaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, launch of a new recruitment campaign this week. I encourage all those interested in joining An Garda Siochana to access the website of the Public Appointments Service and submit their application at www.publicjobs.ie In particular, I urge members of minority and new communities to consider applying so that the membership of An Garda Siochana will reflect the diverse communities that it serves. The existing recruitment campaign (launched last November) is ongoing and successful candidates will continue to be called from that campaign this year and into next year. It is expected that successful candidates from the new campaign will enter the Garda College from mid-2017. The 13billion tax ruling against Apple shows that the European Commission is encroaching on Ireland's soverignty according to Laois TD and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Charlie Flanagan. The Portlaoise-based Minister also claimed that Ireland's appeal against the ruling represents a defence of the European Union. Minister Flanagan addressed the Dail Debate on the Apple State Aid case. I am a passionate supporter of the European Union project and I believe part of its great strength is that it is clearly governed by the rule of law. In this instance, I believe that the Commission is encroaching into the area of taxation which is a sovereign competence and I believe that the European Courts will support that view. Our own taxation system is founded on the strict application of the law, as enacted by the Oireachtas, without exception. The Irish Revenue Commissioners whose integrity is widely admired - collected the full amount of tax due from Apple in accordance with Irish law. Ireland did not give favourable tax treatment to Apple. No State aid was provided. These are the simple facts, he said. He said the international community needs to work together to tackle the problems with the international tax system. Therefore this is a time when the EU should be seeking to work more closely with the United States, rather than clashing with them. The approach to State Aids proposed by the Commission is a recipe for uncertainty and confusion, he said. He said the analysis presented by the Commission sits very uneasily with the overall Commission demand for responsible fiscal management by the Member States. He added that investors take decisions on the basis of predictability. Uncertainty militates against investment and job creation. He said in it would be totally wrong to see the Governments decision to appeal the Commissions findings as a turning away from the European Union. While we disagree with the Commissions decision it is important to underline that Ireland is a committed member of the EU. Our appeal is in defence of the European Union acting in a fair and predictable manner. This in not only in Irelands interest but in the interest of the European Union and all of its Member States. In doing so, we are taking urgently required remedial action in defence of and in support of our reputation, our economy and of wider business confidence, he said. Egypts interior ministry will have to disclose to prosecutors the results of its investigations into a church bombing in Alexandria in 2011 which killed 23 people, according to a court verdict on Thursday. An Alexandrian administrative court overrules a decision by the ministry not to present details of its investigation into the bombing of Two Saints Church on New Year's Eve to the national security prosecution, which is in charge of investigating terrorism incidents. This is an unprecedented ruling, Joseph Malak, the lawyer representing Two Saints Church in the lawsuit told Ahram Online, and even though the case has been ongoing for more than four years, it is an important step towards knowing what really happened. According to Malak the ruling is binding and the ministry will have to abide by it. The perpetrators of the attack were never apprehended, but many Egyptians at the time blamed the regime of then-president Hosni Mubarak for failing to protect Egyptian Christians. Thousands took part in national unity protests in both Cairo and Alexandria which publicly criticised Mubarak and his government. Search Keywords: Short link: The administrative court ruled that the marriage of Egyptians to Israelis is a threat to Egyptian national security An Egyptian administrative court ruled on Thursday that the interior ministry must strip Egyptian citizenship from Egyptians who have married Israelis, in order to protect the country's national security. Shaimaa Amin, a private citizen, had filed a lawsuit demanding the interior minister and prime minister strip her brother, who has been living in the UK for 12 years, of his Egyptian citizenship because he is married to an Israeli woman and has children with her. According to Amin, her brother holds political, religious and social views "that do not suit Egyptian society" and that his marriage to an Israeli woman and having a child with her constitutes "a threat to Egypt's national security." In its reasoning, the administrative court stated that although marriage was one of the personal freedoms granted in the Egyptian constitution according to Article 62, personal freedom does not entitle the citizen to have freedom from all restrictions and from the joint responsibility to protect society and the state. "It is crystal clear how the occupation state of Israel discriminates racially against all those who are not of Jewish origin. The defendant should have worked hard to make his wife and son give up their Israeli nationality and come to live in Egypt," the court said in its reasoning. The court also revealed that the defendant defended his decision to marry an Israeli woman saying that Israel was a defender of human rights unlike the Arab states and was contributing to improving the world and fighting terrorism. The defendant also added that his marriage with an Israeli woman made his future and that of his family safe. Not the first lawsuit from its kind This is not the first lawsuit to demand that the Egyptian government and the minister of interior strip the nationality of Egyptians who marry Israelis. In 2010, the High Administrative Court upheld a court ruling issued by an administrative court in 2009 demanding the cabinet and the interior ministry strip Egyptians of their nationality if they marry Israelis of non-Arab origin. The Egyptian government appealed the ruling but the High Administrative Court rejected the appeal. In 2015, the administrative court issued a ruling obliging the cabinet and the interior ministry to strip the nationality of Egyptians who are married to Israelid, in accordance with the Egyptian nationality law. According to Article 16 of the law, the Egyptian government has the right to strip the nationality of citizens to protect Egypt's national security and its interests. There is no official figures on the number of Egyptians married to Israelis, but estimations suggest there are thousands of Egyptian men married to Israeli women, many of Arab origin. Search Keywords: Short link: DOZENS of residents are set to attend a meeting at City Hall, where a controversial application set for Rhebogue will be discussed. Silvergrove Developments is seeking to build 21 houses on the last remaining greenspace in Drominbeg in a mix of two four-bedroom, three two-bedroom and 16 three-bedrooms in the area. It is widely expected it will be managed by the National Association of Building Co-Operatives, a voluntary group which will source its tenants from Limerick City and County Councils housing list. In a bid to gain more information on the scheme, Fianna Fail councillor Vivienne Crowley is to broach the subject with council management at the next metropolitan district meeting set for Monday week, 9.45am. And at a public meeting on Monday night in Richmond Rugby Club, the proposals which have been largely opposed by residents people were encouraged to attend, with Willie ODea telling the 100 present it will show there is people power against the project. Local resident Liam Kirby urged residents who are opposed to the development to make an objection. He said: It will show the planning officer we mean business. That we are passionate about blocking this development. He gave a presentation outlining several grounds on which the scheme could be opposed, including the fact no local amenities have been provided for Rhebogue, despite this being a priority in the City Development Plan. He also pointed out that there is not a sufficient level of parking, and any new social housing developments must be within 500m of a public transport route. Drominbeg, Mr Kirby argued, is not. Concerns were also raised as the development would allegedly be in a flood risk area and is close to a special area of conservation at the Park Canal. Resident David France said: Social housing comes in many different formats. But in terms of voluntary housing associations, when it comes down to it, their tenants are usually the renter of last resort . They are usually the tenants the council or HSE cannot home for various different reasons. We wont know for sure what is going in there, so we have to assume it is the worst case. After it was revealed that the Drominbeg estate had been pushed up a priority list of areas for social housing, Mr Kirby said: I think there is a feeling that people in Rhebogue are a soft touch, so it will be easy for [the developer] to shoehorn this in, and we will keep quiet. But if we keep quiet, this will happen. Alongside Mr ODea and Cllr Crowley and Mayor Kieran OHanlon, a number of other public representatives were also in attendance, and spoke out against the development. Senator Kieran ODonnell said: I am not aware of an application where you would go in and build a large unit of social housing in a settled estate. Cllr John Costelloe, Sinn Fein, added: This is an idea out of Alice in Wonderland. We are being bullied here this is being foisted on the community. Independent member John Gilligan was also present. NOMINATIONS are being sought for the third annual Limerick Garda Youth Awards which take place later in the year. The awards, which were formally launched this week by Superintendent Derek Smart at Henry Street garda station, aim to honour young people aged between 14 and 19 - who have made a significant contribution to the community in which they live. Awards will be presented to nominees from each of the four garda districts in the division - Limerick city north (Henry Street), Limerick city south (Roxboro Road), Newcastle West and Bruff. There will also be a special achievement award. Really and truly, its anything that they are doing in the community from helping the elderly to getting involved in Tidy Towns to being involved in a youth club you name it and they will be eligible for an award, explained Sergeant Seamus ONeill of the Juvenile Liaison Office (JLO) at Mayorstone garda station. Representatives of Limerick FC attended the launch of this years awards as did one of last years winners 18-year-old Katie Whelan founder of the Lisas Light initiative which aims to reduce the rate of suicide in Limerick and promote positive health. Fiona OGrady, who recently took up the role as chief executive of Limerick Youth Service, says the awards are a great initiative. I think they are really important in terms of acknowledging young people who take on real leadership roles in our society or who volunteer or who overcome obstacles in their own life to help other young people and I suppose we really need to reward that and support those young people, she said. The awards, which are sponsored by Garveys Centra and Supervalu, will be presented at a gala event at the Woodlands House Hotel, Adare on November 24, next. Chris ODriscoll, manager of Garveys Supervalu, Corbally says the company, which owns nine stores in Limerick, Kerry, Cork and Waterford is delighted to continue its support for the awards. It is good to be able to give back to the community because we get so much from young people either through employment or their shopping in store and it is good to recognise and support what they are doing in their communities, he told the Limerick Leader. Nomination forms can be obtained from any garda station in Limerick. Alternatively they can also be downloaded from the garda website or from the Garvey Group website. The organisers say anybody who deals with young people can nominate someone they feel should be considered for an award once they live within the Limerick garda district. The closing date for receipt of nominations is Friday, October 28. A panel of local judges will then draw up a shortlist ahead of the awards night. A WOMAN whose partner died hours before they were due to get married is facing eviction after Limerick City and County Council secured a possession order. Chantal Wiernik, 52, a native of Belgium has been living in her partners council-owned house without permission for a number of months. As previously reported by the Limerick Leader, Chantals partner of 20 years Maurice Motson, 76, passed away on July 13 last at Milford Care Centre. During proceedings at Limerick District Court this week, Judge Mary Larkin was told Mr Motson was the sole tenant of the property at Canon Breen Park, Thomondgate. Tenacy enforcement officer Patrick McDermott said the council sought to take possession of the house ten days after his death but that Ms Wiernik indicated she would not be handing over the keys. Mr McDermott told solicitor Ger Reidy, representing the local authority, that Ms Wiernik was never a tenant or approved occupant and had previously supplied the council with another address in Thomondgate. Making an application under Section 13 of the Housing Act, Mr Reidy submitted the council was entitled to seek a court order as Ms Wiernik has no entitlement to live in the property and has no tenancy rights. Judge Larkin was told a written notice was served on the 52-year-old prior to the initiation of the court proceedings. She granted the application commenting that she was satisfied it was proportionate and reasonable to do so. The judge added that in the circumstances she would not place a stay on the order. Ms Wiernik was not present in court for the hearing and no indication has been given by Limerick City and County Council as to when it will seek to enforce the court order. THE NATIONAL Youth Council of Ireland has called for action to tackle youth unemployment, following the release of new data this week. According to figures published by the Department of Social Protection, there are currently 1,625 young Limerick people in receipt of the jobseeker's allowance and benefit. The National Youth Council deputy director, James Doorley said that action is immediately required to support these youths on their path to employment. This number is still far too high and investment to tackle the continued high level of youth unemployment is needed. While youth unemployment has declined from the crisis levels of the 2009 to 2013 period, the most recent figures indicate that we have almost 40,000 young people on the live register - of whom 16,000 have been on the register for one year or more. The NYCI is calling for an investment of 30m for a renewed Youth Guarantee scheme, and is calling on the Government to incentivise education, training and work experience for young people. Mr Doorley said that, while he welcomes the decline of unemployment since the height of the economic crisis, the current rates are too high. Allowances for training programmes, such as SOLAS, have been cut by 28 to 160, per week. JobBridge interns who were on 100 prior to participation receive 152.50 per week while working between 35 to 40 hours a week, according to the NCYI. At present, especially when travel and other expenses are included, many young people struggle with the costs of taking up these places. Our proposal would serve two purposes: it would reduce the rates of financial hardship among young jobseekers and it would also provide an additional incentive for them to participate in education, training and work experience opportunities. Without political action and further investment it is unlikely that these numbers will reduce significantly and that is why we are calling on the Government to provide the political leadership and funding in the upcoming Budget to tackle youth unemployment, concluded the Council director. A Limerick supermarket has fully re-opened after a partial Closure Order was lifted. The order, under the provisions of the FSAI Act 1998, related to the delicatessen and food preparation area at Spar, Old Cratloe Road. According to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), the Closure Order was served on August 30, last after environmental health officers with the Health Service Executive conducted an inspection. The order was lifted on Tuesday and the store is now trading as normal again. The FSAI has not disclosed the specific reasons as to why the premises was ordered to partially close although it is understood that renovations have been taking place at the store, There were 11 Closure Orders across the country during August and Dr Pamela Byrne, chief executive of the FSAI, is warning that the legal onus is on food businesses to ensure that the food they serve and sell is safe to eat at all times. The majority of food businesses follow high standards and are compliant with food safety legislation. However, inspectors continue to encounter cases where consumers health is jeopardised through a failure to comply with food safety and hygiene requirements. All food businesses must have a food safety management system in place that is consulted and updated on a regular basis, in order to avoid non-compliance issues and breaches of food safety legislation, she said. Egypt's cabinet approved NGO draft law on Thursday in its weekly meeting referring it to the State Council for legal review, before later submitting a final version to the Parliament for a vote. The new legislation would be applied to associations established by law or decree and organizations operating on the basis of international agreements signed by the government and each group's bylaws, state news agency MENA reported. This draft law aims to "set a clear definition of NGO non-profit work and facilitate the establishment of NGOs to be by notification." On Tuesday, Social Solidarity Minister Ghada Waly held a meeting with 20 NGO representatives to discuss the bill. The cabinet has not released the draft bill to the media. The draft, which has been in discussion for five years, was expected to be finalized last March. The government's February 2016 decision to reopen the 2011 NGO foreign funding case has caused anger among rights advocates and NGO workers. A number of rights activists have been facing charges of illegally receiving foreign funding for their NGOs since 2011 but the case was put on hold until recently. In February, the authorities froze of assets of several Egyptian human rights activists and their families and banned them from travel. These decisions have since been appealed. Search Keywords: Short link: You're mad. You're not talking to someone without a US visa because I might just pull up on you - Nkechi Blessing Sunday fires back at Nina after she called her out over her post Sep 8, 2016, 5 AM The August cartoon caption contest featured the 1953 3 Trucking Industry commemorative with the truck seeming to labor up hill. Terry Miller of Newnan, Ga., channels The Little Engine That Could with the winning line in the nonphilatelic part of the cart By John M. Hotchner Surprisingly, the growing size of the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue received quite a lot of attention from Linns readers who entered the August cartoon caption contest. The stamp for this contest was the 1953 3 Trucking Industry commemorative. James Reeves of Huntingdon, Pa., caught the essence of this theme with Heres your delivery of the new 2053 Scott Catalogue in 750 volumes weighing 20,000 pounds! Several partisan or otherwise unprintable entries were received treating aspects of the current U.S. presidential election. One viewpoint that sums up the situation, as seen by some Linns readers, came from Bert Krawchuk, a northern neighbor from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: No matter who I vote for, it may be time to check out Canada! Connect with Linns Stamp News: Sign up for our newsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter The bouncing gasoline prices of the last six months also drew comment, but the difference between 1953 and 2016 was the most-used theme: That sign back there said gas was 29 a gallon will the rises never stop? from Mike Atsalinos of Silver Spring, Md. The illustration on the stamp is clearly that of a truck laboring up hill, and the nonphilatelic winner, Terry Miller of Newnan, Ga., channeled The Little Engine That Could with his entry pictured above. On the philatelic side, Mick Zais of Columbia, S.C., takes the prize with, No one will ever know this load of airmail travelled by truck! Both winners will receive Linns Stamp Identifier published by Amos Media Co., or a 13-week subscription to Linns (a new subscription or an extension). The book has a retail value of $12.99. Here are the best of the runners-up. Im hauling a couple tons of excess 3 commemoratives. Where should I dump em? by Fred White of Rancho Cordova, Calif. Hey, this GPS thing really works! from Steve Zarko of Lewisburg, W.Va. With gas under $2 a gallon, Ill have enough money from this trip to join the APS! by Wayne DeWald of Arlington, Texas. Thats the third skunk Ive run over today, but I cant roll up this window from David Saks, sent by email. Hmmm If I could find another collector to ride shotgun, Id be able to keep awake just talking stamps! by Tom DeBoever of Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. Thanks and a tip of the hat to all who entered. The next cartoon caption contest will be announced in the Oct. 10 Linns. Kwanzaa stamp with new design by Synthia Saint James to debut Oct. 1 Apr 29, 2021, 11 PM Synthia Saint James illustrated the 32 Kwanzaa stamp issued in 1997, and also created the artwork for the 2016 Kwanzaa forever stamp. A new forever stamp celebrating the Kwanzaa holiday will be issued Oct. 1, with a 12:30 p.m. first-day ceremony in Charleston, S.C. By Michael Baadke A new Kwanzaa forever stamp from the United States Postal Service marks the 50th anniversary of the first celebration of the Kwanzaa holiday. A festive nonreligious celebration of family, community, culture, and prosperity, Kwanzaa was established by Maulana Karenga in 1966 and is based on African first-harvest traditions. Kwanzaa synthesizes and reinvents these tribal traditions as a contemporary celebration of African-American culture, according to the Postal Service. Connect with Linns Stamp News: Sign up for our newsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter In 2008, poet and author Maya Angelou described Kwanzaa as a time for gathering in the spirit of family and community, to celebrate life, love, unity, and hope. The name of the holiday derives from the phrase first fruits in Swahili. Holly Hartman of Information Please wrote last year than an estimated 18 million African-Americans take part in Kwanzaa. It is observed from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. The new stamps will be issued in a pane of 20. Along with the pane, the Postal Service will also offer the Kwanzaa stamp in die-cut press sheets consisting of eight panes (160 stamps) through its Stamp Fulfillment Services division. The press sheets will sell for face value at $75.20. The number of press sheets available for purchase has not been revealed. USPS contract printer Banknote Corporation of America printed 15 million Kwanzaa stamps by four-color offset lithography with microprinting. The first-day ceremony for the new Kwanzaa forever stamp will take place Oct. 1 at 12:30 p.m., in Marion Square, 329 Meeting St., in Charleston, S.C., during the 33rd annual MOJA Arts Festival: A Celebration of African-American and Caribbean Arts. The festival runs from Sept. 29 through Oct. 9. Artist Synthia Saint James created the illustration for the new stamp, which depicts a woman holding a large purple bowl filled with fruits and vegetables, symbolizing the abundance of African first-harvest celebrations. She wears a lavender dress with a collar of African design that also appears in her earring, the Postal Service notes. Saint James worked with USPS art director Greg Breeding, who designed the stamp. Her illustration of the very first U.S. Kwanzaa stamp, issued Oct. 22, 1997, with a 32 denomination (Scott 3175), features a family of four in colorful robes with a bowl of harvested fruits and vegetables; a flag with black, red and green stripes; a wrapped gift; and a candelabra with seven candles, known as the mishumaa saba and representing the seven principles of Kwanzaa and the seven days of the holiday. The first design was used again on new stamps issued in 1999 (33, Scott 3368), 2001 (34, 3548), and 2002 (37, 3673). Kwanzaa stamps were also issued in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2013, with a total of six distinct designs, including the new issue. The symbolic candles feature prominently on the most recent Kwanzaa forever stamp, which was illustrated by R. Gregory Christie and issued Nov. 26, 2013 (Scott 4845). Technical details for the new Kwanzaa special forever stamp and first-day cancel ordering information are presented below, along with a list of the 12 different Kwanzaa stamps issued by the U.S. Postal Service. U.S. Kwanzaa stamps 1997-2016 Scott No. Year Design 3175 1997 32 Family 3368 1999 33 Family 3548 2001 34 Family 3673 2002 37 Family 3881 2004 37 Robes 4119 2006 39 Robes 4220 2007 41 Robes 4373 2008 42 Robes 4434 2009 44 Family 4584 2011 [forever] Robes 4845 2013 [forever] Family to come 2016 [forever] Woman Nondenominated (46) Kwanzaa special forever stamp FIRST DAY Oct. 1, 2016; city Charleston, S.C., and nationwide. DESIGN: artist Synthia Saint James, Los Angeles, Calif.; designer, art director and typographer Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, Va.; modeler Sandra Lane and Michelle Finn. PRINTING: process offset with microprinting; printer and processor Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit, N.C.; press Alprinta 74; inks cyan, magenta, yellow, black; paper phosphor tagged, overall; gum self-adhesive; issue quantity 15 million stamps; format pane of 20, from 320-subject cylinders; size 0.77 inches by 1.05 inches (image); 0.91 inches by 1.19 inches (overall); 5.43 inches by 5.64 inches (full pane); 10.85 inches by 22.54 inches (press sheet); plate numbers B followed by four single digits; marginal markings plate number in four corners (stamp side); 2015 USPS, plate position diagram, USPS logo, bar code, promotional text (back); USPS item No. 556604. First-day cancel ordering information Collectors requesting first-day cancels are encouraged to purchase their own stamps and affix them to envelopes. The first-day cover envelopes should be addressed for return (a removable label may be used), and mailed in a larger envelope addressed to Kwanzaa Stamp, Stamp Fulfillment Services, Cancellation Services, 8300 NE Underground Drive, Pillar 210, Kansas City, MO 64144-9998. Requests for first-day cancels must be postmarked by Dec. 1. The Postal Services uncacheted first-day cover for the Kwanzaa stamp is USPS item No. 586616 at 91. USPS order numbers for stamps and FDCs also appear in Linns 2016 U.S. Stamp Program. 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. Egypt's prosecutor general Nabil Sadek ordered the detention of Al-Ayyat train driver for four days pending investigations over accusations of murder and attempted murder of 35 people in Giza's Al Ayyat deadly train crash that killed 5 people. Five people were killed and 27 were injured when three train carriages derailed in Gizas El-Ayyat Wednesday morning. A technical committee was assigned to compile a report after investigating the incident and determinig the extent of damages. Giza governor Mohamed Al-Dali issued compensation: EGP 5000 for the families of deceased and EGP 2000 for those injured in the train accident. Al-Ayyat, about 70 km south of Cairo, also witnessed the worst train disaster in Egypt when a train packed to double capacity caught fire, killing 373 in 2002. Egypt's railway system is operated manually, with employees responsible for managing the opening of crossings by communicating with drivers a practice that is considered potentially unsafe and unreliable. Search Keywords: Short link: U.S. President Barack Obama's administration has offered Saudi Arabia more than $115 billion in weapons, other military equipment and training, the most of any U.S. administration in the 71-year U.S.-Saudi alliance, a report seen by Reuters has found. The report, authored by William Hartung of the U.S.-based Center for International Policy, said the offers were made in 42 separate deals, and the majority of the equipment has yet to be delivered. Hartung told Reuters the report would be made available publicly on Sept. 8. The report said U.S. arms offers to Saudi Arabia since Obama took office in January 2009 have included everything from small arms and ammunition to tanks, attack helicopters, air-to-ground missiles, missile defense ships, and warships. Washington also provides maintenance and training to Saudi security forces. The Center's report is based on data from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, a Department of Defense body that provides figures on arms sales offers and Foreign Military Sales agreements. Most of the offers, which are reported to Congress, become formal agreements though some are abandoned or amended. The report did not disclose how many of the offers to Saudi Arabia were agreed. Washington's arms sales to Riyadh recently have come under fire from rights groups and some members of Congress are disturbed by the rising number of civilian casualties in the war in Yemen, where a coalition led by Saudi Arabia is fighting Iran-allied Houthi rebels. The conflict has killed at least 10,000 people. Last month the United Nations human rights office said that 3,799 civilians have died in the conflict, with coalition air strikes responsible for an estimated 60 percent of the deaths. The coalition says it does not target civilians and accuses the Houthis of placing military targets in civilian areas. The coalition has created a body to investigate civilian casualties. The outcry over those casualties has led some members of Congress to push for restrictions on arms transfers, and amid the growing outcry, the Pentagon cautioned that its support for Saudi Arabia in its Yemen campaign was not "a blank check". The Control Arms coalition, a group that campaigns for stricter arms sales controls, said last month that Britain, France and the United States were flouting the 2014 Arms Trade treaty, which bans exports of conventional weapons that fuel human rights violations or war crimes. Nevertheless, the Obama administration last month approved a potential $1.15 billion arms package for Saudi Arabia. Hartung said the level of U.S. arms sales to Riyadh should give it leverage to pressure Saudi Arabia. "It's time for the Obama administration to use the best leverage it has - Saudi Arabia's dependence on U.S. weapons and support - to wage the war in Yemen in the first place," Hartung told Reuters. "Pulling back the current offer of battle tanks or freezing some of the tens of billions in weapons and services in the pipeline would send a strong signal to the Saudi leadership that they need stop their indiscriminate bombing campaign and take real steps to prevent civilian casualties." Washington has been at pains to prove to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf allies that it remains committed to their defense against Iran in the wake of a multinational deal last year to restrict the Iranian nuclear program. Sunni Muslim Gulf states accuse Shia Iran of fomenting instability in the region, which the Islamic Republic denies. "The more recent deals that have involved resupplying Saudi Arabia with ammunition, bombs, and tanks to replace weaponry used up or damaged in the war in Yemen are no doubt driven in part by the effort to 'reassure' the Saudis that the U.S. will not tilt towards Iran in the wake of the nuclear deal," Hartung said. Search Keywords: Short link: Hundreds of civilians began returning to the border town of Jarabulus in northern Syria on Wednesday, two weeks after pro-Ankara fighters recaptured it from Islamic State (IS) group. Loaded with luggage and domestic items, the residents headed for the frontier and queued for customs inspection at the border gate outside the Turkish town of Karkamis, an AFP photographer said. Held by IS since 2013, Jarabulus was on August 24 easily retaken by pro-Ankara fighters supported by Turkish tanks and aviation on the first day of the over two-week Turkish incursion into Syria. Turkish state media have subsequently broadcast footage repeatedly of life returning to normal inside Jarabulus following the departure of IS, showing shops re-opening and children playing in the streets. The photographer said some 250 residents, including children, who had fled IS rule in Jarabulus for Turkey in the last months were returning back to their home Wednesday in a first wave of resettlement. Turkish forces and the Ankara-backed rebels are pressing on with the operation inside Syria, which is also targeting a Kurdish militia Ankara regards as a terror group. However it remains unclear how prepared Turkey and its allies are to press deep inside Syria to retake from IS the town of Al-Bab further to the south or even the militants de-facto capital of Raqqa. Turkey is home to some 2.7 million refugees from the conflict in Syria, but only around 10 percent live in refugee camps, with the rest living in towns and cities across the country, mainly in the southeast. Ankara has said it is happy to host the refugees but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly mooted creating a safe zone inside Syria to house them, possibly in a brand new city. Search Keywords: Short link: Turkey jailed 16 businessmen pending trial on Thursday and issued arrest warrants for dozens of military officers over alleged links to the U.S.-based cleric blamed by Ankara for July's attempted coup, Turkish media said. Authorities have already detained tens of thousands of people over links to the cleric, Fethullah Gulen, who denies any involvement in the failed putsch. The crackdown has alarmed Western allies and rights groups who fear a witch hunt. Turkish officials have rejected concern that their actions are too heavy-handed, pointing to the gravity of the coup plot. Rogue soldiers commandeered fighter jets and tanks and attacked parliament in the failed putsch, killing more than 240 people. Among those in custody was Faruk Gullu, owner of a chain of shops selling baklava, a traditional Turkish pastry. He is accused of belonging to what Ankara terms the "Gulenist Terrorist Organisation" (FETO), state-run Anadolu Agency said. The Istanbul court was continuing to question 21 more businessmen, including Gullu's brother Nejat, who runs a rival chain of baklava shops, and leading clothing maker Omer Faruk Kavurmaci, the agency said. They were among 80 suspects detained by police three weeks ago as part of the investigation. Of that number, 43 have been released subject to judicial monitoring, meaning they could still face prosecution. Separately, Istanbul prosecutors issued detention orders for six generals, 43 other officers and some civilians in a police operation extending across 15 provinces, Anadolu reported. Four suspects have been detained so far, the agency said. A day earlier, police detained three journalists, a politician and a pollster and issued arrest warrants for another 105 people over suspected links to Gulen. Opposition politicians said the latest wave of arrests may target government critics with no clear links to the religious movement led by Gulen, whom Turkey wants extradited. Several thousand soldiers have been expelled from the army and more than 100,000 people, including civil servants, bureaucrats, teachers, soldiers and journalists, have lost their jobs for alleged links with Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania since 1999. President Tayyip Erdogan addressed concern about the handling of the purge in comments published on Wednesday, acknowledging the wrong people may sometimes be targeted and that media speculation about those involved may be misleading. "They make comments (on TV) accusing people who have nothing to do with this business. But that person is stuck with that label. Such things are not right," he told reporters, according to Hurriyet newspaper. Search Keywords: Short link: The US pressed Russia on Thursday for a "true cessation of hostilities" in Syria ahead of expected high-level peace talks in Geneva, warning that its patience is running thin. Foreign ministers from the two powers, which support opposite sides in the five-year conflict, were poised to hold a "personal meeting" in the Swiss city to push for a peace agreement, according to the Russian side. However, Washington did not confirm the face-to-face talks, with a spokesman for US Secretary of State John Kerry saying that negotiations were still ongoing. And US Defense Secretary Ash Carter told BBC radio on Thursday there was "quite a long way to go" before a final deal could be struck. He called for "a true cessation of hostilities -- not what you've seen, which is a partial cessation of hostilities", adding: "Our patience is not unlimited." Both sides have agreed that a deal would involve a durable ceasefire, humanitarian access to conflict-wracked areas and a resumption of peace talks. The Syria war has pitted the old Cold War rivals against each other, with Russia flying a bombing campaign in support of Syrian strongman leader Bashar al-Assad and the United States backing rebel groups fighting to oust him from power. US President Barack Obama held talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit in China but failed to bridge their differences. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that new US sanctions over the Ukraine crisis have hampered joint efforts by both sides to resolve "regional conflicts" -- a reference to the Syria war. And Carter noted: "We have our differences, serious differences, with Russia elsewhere, especially here in Europe with Ukraine and elsewhere Russia has been acting in an aggressive manner." As diplomatic efforts intensified, fighting in the complex war continued to claim lives, with Turkish shelling over the border into Syria killing six US-backed Kurdish fighters. Pro-regime forces also overran a strategically important district on the southern outskirts of Aleppo Thursday, rolling back nearly every gain from a major month-long rebel offensive there, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The government advance in Ramussa further seals off Aleppo's opposition-held eastern districts, where regime forces backed by the Russian air force have completely encircled opposition-held neighbourhoods. An AFP correspondent in the city's east said shops had been struggling since Sunday to secure goods to sell and that prices were skyrocketing. "The price of a kilo of meat rose from 3,000 pounds ($6) to 6,000," complained Ahmad, a father of three children, in the Bustan al-Qasr district which has been ravaged by air strikes and barrel bombs. In London on Wednesday, the under-fire Syria opposition fleshed out a proposal for a transition to democracy without Assad after a six-month negotiating phase with the regime. The opposition hopes new talks would result in an 18-month transition that would see Syria governed by an interim body made up of opposition figures, current government representatives and members of civil society, according to a 25-page blueprint. The Syrian war, which began as a pro-democracy revolt in 2011 but morphed into a multi-front conflict after the regime unleashed a crackdown, has killed more than 290,000 people and forced more than half the population to flee their homes. The Islamic State (IS) militant group has used the chaos in Syria to spread throughout the country and into Iraq although it has lost ground in recent weeks after a string of military defeats. Turkey said on Wednesday that it was in favour of a joint operation with the US to oust the IS extremists from their de facto capital of Raqa in northern Syria. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he had agreed with Obama to do "what is necessary" to drive IS out of Raqa. The deputy prime minister of Turkey later said that talks were underway between the two countries' militaries. Search Keywords: Short link: The discovery of fairy circles in Australia earlier this year has hardly put to rest the controversy over how these mysterious structures form. "Fairy circles " are regular, repeating patches of dirt in remote grasslands that, when viewed from above, look like whimsical rings that were scattered across a landscape. Despite their fanciful appearance, the patterns have been a source of serious scientific debate for the last four decades. While some have argued that the geometric patterns are the work of termites, others have postulated that the circles form naturally as vegetation self-organizes in competition for scarce water and other nutrients. Previously, these patches had been observed only in southeastern Africa, mostly Namibia, but in March, a group of researchers announced that they had identified fairy circles in satellite images and during fieldwork in Western Australia. [See Stunning Photos of Fairy Circles in Australia] Led by ecological modeler Stephan Getzin of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in Leipzig, Germany, this research team claimed that their discovery supported the theory that fairy circles were a pattern caused by the competition for water. According to this theory, which was detailed in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) earlier this year, the biggest and most competitive grass plants take up the most water, leaving their weaker neighbors to die out. Over time, barren patches pop up where the weaklings once grew, with a hard, sunbaked crust of soil that doubles as a rainwater collection pool. Thirsty plants then form a circle around this crust, maximizing their access to this water, and thus, fairy circles are born. But now, a separate group of researchers in Australia disputes those claims. In a rebuttal published in PNAS this month, ecologist Fiona Walsh of Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and her colleagues point to termites as the culprits behind these fairy circles. Walsh's team says that these barren patches are quite common across the dry grasslands from Western Australia to the Northern Territory. Using crowbars, they dug into the centers of circles at four different locations and found that all had concreted soil and chambers made by termites of the genus Drepanotermes. Not all of these termite nests, or termitaria, were active, however. The scientists said that the soil in these circles can become so hardened by termites that the patterns may last for decades after the termite colonies are abandoned, leaving behind the "ghosts of termitaria past." "These new Australian data suggest that a termite hypothesis for African circles should be revisited, despite being rejected by the Getzin team," Walsh said in a statement. She also argued that local knowledge could contribute to the understanding of the circles, as the indigenous people of Australia have long attributed those barren desert patches to termites. Because these spots lack prickly grass called spinifex, the people who live in the region have incorporated these flat circular areas into their walking paths and have used them as comfortable sitting areas to do things like grind seeds, the researchers of the rebuttal said. "Older desert people also sweep the circular hard spots as a place to prepare foods and artifacts," Walsh said in the statement. Walsh said that her colleague Gladys Bidu, a Karimarra woman and ranger, "recognizes these spots as an unquestionably 'normal' feature made by termites as ubiquitous to her as footpaths are to any city-dweller who also knows wiring and plumbing is under the pavement." In a response to the rebuttal, Getzin and his colleagues stood by their original findings. Though termites can cause bare patches in grasslands, the researchers still don't see any correlation with these circles and termite activity. As Walsh told Alice Springs News: "A healthy scientific process is underway, reply and counter-reply, but we do not yet have reason to waver from our conclusion." Original article on Live Science. The Acanthostega fossil revealed that the animal was in an immature phase, and was still a juvenile at its time of death. Some 360 million years ago, a school of juvenile lizard-like creatures with no parental chaperones around perished in a watery grave in what is now Greenland. That's the story researchers have pieced together from fossils of some of the first four-limbed vertebrates (called tetrapods) to call Earth home. The finding took researchers by surprise, as they thought that the fossil specimens of the animal, known as Acanthostega, belonged to water-dwelling adults, not young'uns. The discovery raises the possibility that once they matured, these creatures moved to land, but fossil evidence of adults is needed to say so for sure, the researchers said. Regardless, the discovery is painting a more detailed picture of Acanthostega. Until now, little was known about the life cycle of these early tetrapods, which date to the Devonian period (419 million to 359 million years ago). Some early tetrapods were the first creatures to venture from water onto land, the researchers said. [Top 10 Useless Limbs (and Other Vestigial Organs)] "Understanding the life history of these early tetrapods, which are iconic transitional forms between fishes and land animals, is of great interest for studying the tetrapod move to land," said lead study researcher Sophie Sanchez, who researches the bones of fossil vertebrates at Uppsala University in Sweden. To investigate, Sanchez and her colleagues turned to dozens of Acanthostega fossils, which study co-author Jenny Clack, an emeritus professor of vertebrate paleontology at the University of Cambridge in England, found in the remains of an ancient stream in East Greenland in 1987. When Clack discovered the fossils, researchers assumed that the ancient four-legged creatures were adults. The new team used high-resolution synchrotron X-ray scans to study the upper arm bones of the Acanthostega fossils. The X-rays taken are similar to ones that doctors take in hospitals, only more powerful, Sanchez said. "The difference is that the fossils are dense like rock, so we need very powerful X-rays to go through them and get access to the microstructure of the bone," Sanchez told Live Science in an email. "We were able to look at submicron resolution and visualize the cell and blood-vessel spaces." A scan of the upper arm bones of the Acanthostega indicated that the animal was still quite young when it died, as the growth rings within the fossil (see red arrows) allowed researchers to assess its age. (Image credit: Sophie Sanchez, Uppsala University and ESRF) The X-rays revealed how Acanthostega's blood vessels were organized, which helped the researchers understand the prehistoric animals' biology, physiology and metabolism, Sanchez said. Furthermore, the X-rays showed the growth rings within the animals' bones. By counting the rings, which are like the rings of a tree, "we could assess the age and the growth rate of these individuals of Acanthostega," she said. No adults here Surprisingly, the scans suggested that the Acanthostega specimens represented water-dwelling juveniles that were about 6 years or older when they perished, Sanchez said. A 3D scan of the bone showing blood vessel cavities (in pink) that provide clues about the metabolism of the 360-million-year-old Acanthostega. (Image credit: Sophie Sanchez, Uppsala University and ESRF) "Their growth had not yet begun to slow down as it does at sexual maturity," she said. "In addition, we showed that Acanthostega's foreleg remained cartilaginous until late during its development. In contrast to bone, cartilage is a non-mineralized tissue, elastic and far too weak to allow the forelegs to sustain the weight of the animals body out of the water." That these creatures still had cartilage suggests that "the Acanthostega mass-death deposit represents a school of aquatic juveniles that included few or no adults," study senior author Per Ahlberg, a researcher at the Uppsala Centre for Evolution and Genomics, said in a statement. What's more, the Acanthostega fossils still had gills, another sign that they had not yet reached maturity. In living land-dwelling amphibians, larvae metamorphose in the water, and leave only after they have lost their gills. But it's difficult to say whether Acanthostega ventured onto land once it matured. Without an adult Acanthostega specimen, it's impossible to say whether they were aquatic or terrestrial animals, Sanchez said. "This means that we need to find the adult fossils before being able to build up theories on the tetrapod move to land," she said. The study was published online today (Sept. 7) in the journal Nature. Original article on Live Science. Several people were wounded Thursday when Iraqi police clashed with members of an Iranian-backed militia near the capital, both sides said. The violence in Zaafaraniya, south of Baghdad, involved exchanges of fire that lasted more than two hours between police forces and the Harakat al-Nujaba group. "The clashes started when the security forces arrested a member of Harakat al-Nujaba, whose forces then attacked a police base to release him," a police colonel said. The officer said a policeman and a civilian were wounded and added that the detained senior member of the Shia militia was still being held. The group, a splinter of the powerful Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia, is part of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary organisation that has played a key role in the fight against the Islamic State jihadist group. Harakat al-Nujaba gave a markedly different account of the clashes and accused the police of collaborating with IS. It said in a statement posted on social media by its spokesman Nasr al-Shammari that one of its intelligence cells had arrested an IS commander after "tracking him for three months in cooperation with the security services." It said the Nujaba force was then stopped at a checkpoint and asked by the police to report to a nearby base and officially record the arrest. "When they arrived at the base, they arrested the (Nujaba) force and released the Daesh (IS) commander," Shammari said. He said Nujaba forces that arrived at the base later were shot at by the police, adding that three of them were seriously wounded. Shammari said the incident in Zaafaraniya was evidence police were colluding with IS and that "the situation in the country will not be stable until the security apparatus has been purged". The Hashed al-Shaabi -- "popular mobilisation" in Arabic -- is nominally under the authority of the prime minister but the allegiance of some of its most powerful components is first and foremost to Iran. Harakat al-Nujaba, which was formed in 2013 and led by Akram al-Kaabi, is believed to have strong ties with Lebanon's Hezbollah organisation and is known for taking part in operations in neighbouring Syria. Search Keywords: Short link: Imagine getting the bill for an ordinary dinner and noticing, in tiny print, that the restaurant charged you $40 for coffee. Surely you'd be upset. It turns out that hospitals inflate specific prices all the time in ways that aren't transparent to the patient, according to a new study that appeared today (Sept. 7) in the journal Health Affairs. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore found that many hospitals charged more than 20 times the cost of some services, particularly for certain services like CT scans and anesthesiology. The researchers said that the pattern of charging suggests that hospitals strategically look for surreptitious ways to boost revenue. "Hospitals apparently mark up higher in the departments with more complex services, because it is more difficult for patients to compare prices in these departments," Ge Bai, who led the study and is an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, said in a statement. [7 Medical Myths Even Doctors Believe] Other high-tech services with exorbitant markups include MRI, electrocardiology (tests of the heart's electrical patterns) and electroencephalography (tests of the brain's impulse patterns), according to the findings. The services that had fees that were more in line with their actual costs to hospitals included "old-school" physical therapy and nursing, the researchers found. The markups occurred in all types of hospitals, both private and nonprofit, the researchers said. Yet hospitals with the highest markups, on average, tended to be for-profit hospitals with strong power within their markets, because of either their system affiliations or their dominance of regional markets. In other words, those hospitals that can mark up prices, do mark up prices, according to the researchers. The pricing can have serious consequences for the payer, the researchers said. For example, hospitals whose costs for a CT scan run at about $100 may charge a patient $2,850 for a CT scan, the study found. "[The markups] affect uninsured and out-of-network patients, auto insurers and casualty and workers' compensation insurers," said Gerard Anderson, a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a co-author on the study. "The high charges have led to personal bankruptcy, avoidance of needed medical services and much higher insurance premiums." In their study, based on 2013 Medicare and other data from nearly 2,500 U.S. hospitals, the researchers compared a hospital's overall charge-to-cost ratio, which is the ratio of what the hospital charged compared to the hospital's actual medical expense. The charge is recorded on a document called a chargemaster, which is an exhaustive list of the prices for all hospital procedures and supplies. In 2013, the average hospital with more than 50 beds had an overall charge-to-cost ratio of 4.32 that is, the hospital charged $4.32 for every $1 of its own costs. However, at most hospitals that they examined, the researchers found that the charge-to-cost ratio was far higher in departments that were technologically advanced. The highest was in the CT department, with an average ratio of 28.5. [5 Amazing Technologies That Are Revolutionizing Biotech] While understanding that hospitals need to generate revenue, the researchers recommend a cap on markups and consistency from department to department. They also suggest more transparency, by requiring hospitals to provide patients with examples in clear language of rates from area hospitals or what Medicare would pay. "There is no regulation that prohibits hospitals from increasing revenues," Bai told Live Science. "The problem is when they raise rates on people that have no ability to say no because they have an emergency and cannot compare prices." This includes uninsured and out-of-network patients, "because they dont have bargaining power against hospitals," Bai added. "We realize that any policy proposal to limit hospital markups would face a very strong challenge from the hospital lobby," Anderson said. "But we believe the markup should be held to a point that's fair to all concerned hospitals, insurers and patients alike." The researchers noted that Johns Hopkins Hospital has a charge-to-cost ratio of 1.3, among the lowest 1 percent of the sample studied. Maryland, the state in which the hospital is located, in general has the lowest ratios of any other state, they said. Follow Christopher Wanjek @wanjek for daily tweets on health and science with a humorous edge. Wanjek is the author of "Food at Work" and "Bad Medicine." His column, Bad Medicine, appears regularly on Live Science. Fashion-designer-turned-director Tom Ford said he thinks a lot about death. "Death is all I think about. There is not a day or really an hour that goes by that I don't think about death," he recently told Hollywood Reporter. Many people probably share Ford's morbid tendencies, at least to some extent, Pelin Kesebir, an assistant scientist and psychologist at the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, told Live Science. "To be preoccupied with death is very common and very natural," Kesebir said. This preoccupation can cause psychological problems, but it doesn't always do so, she said. It's rare that people have a pathological fear of death, she said. Further, although "thoughts of death can be a source of anxiety and dread for someone," they can instead be "a source of immense clarity and wisdom for others," she said. [10 Things That Make Humans Special] However, psychologists in one school of thought those who are "existentially oriented," or who study the way that concerns about the meaning and value of existence affect human behavior say that the roots of many common psychological problems can be traced back to people's anxiety about death, Kesebir said. More specifically, these problems relate to anxiety about failing to live a good life, Kesebir said. "People are usually not afraid of death per se, but of not having lived a worthwhile life," she said. People may have frequent thoughts about death because of humans' sophisticated mental abilities, she said. Our minds "make us painfully aware of inevitable mortality, and this awareness clashes with our biologically wired desire for life," she said. The result of this clash is a very understandable and normal anxiety, Kesebir said. What to do about thoughts of death? If people are bothered by thoughts of death, Kesebir suggested engaging in thought experiments about what it would be like to live forever and the problems immortality could bring. She noted that although such thought experiments can leave people intellectually convinced that death is actually a good and necessary thing, it may be difficult to feel that way, emotionally. The best way "to accept death gracefully is living a good life a life that is true to your values," she said. People who do this may stave off a fear of not having lived well. It's also possible that a preoccupation with death can actually lead to a relief from anxiety about that final event, she said. Some people who have had near-death experiences "report an increased appreciation and zest for life, closer, more meaningful interpersonal relationships, an increased belief in themselves, changed priorities," and other positive changes in their lives and outlooks, she said. [After Death: 8 Burial Alternatives That Are Going Mainstream] In other words, after brushes with death, some people tend to live better approximations of what they consider to be good lives, which can in turn can relieve anxiety about death. So according to Kesebir, thoughts of death, like Tom Ford's, are normal and might even help people to live better. Original article on Live Science. The Canaanites were people who lived in the land of Canaan, an area which according to ancient texts may have included parts of modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. Much of what scholars know about the Canaanites comes from records left by the people they came into contact with. Some of the most detailed surviving records come from the site of Amarna, in Egypt, and from the Hebrew Bible. Additional information comes from excavations of archaeological sites that the Canaanites are thought to have lived in. Scholars doubt that the Canaanites were ever politically united into a single kingdom. In fact, archaeological excavations indicate that the "Canaanites" were actually made up of different ethnic groups. During the Late Bronze Age (1550-1200 B.C.), "Canaan was not made up of a single 'ethnic' group but consisted of a population whose diversity may be hinted at by the great variety of burial customs and cultic structures" wrote Ann Killebrew, an archaeology professor at Penn State University, in her book "Biblical Peoples and Ethnicity" (Society of Biblical Literature, 2005). Ancient records The earliest undisputed mention of the Canaanites comes from fragments of a letter found at the site of Mari, a city located in modern-day Syria. Dating back about 3,800 years the letter is addressed to "Yasmah-Adad," a king of Mari, and says that "thieves and Canaanites" are in a town called "Rahisum." The surviving portion of the letter alludes to a conflict or disorder that is taking place in the town. Another early text that talks of the people who lived in Canaan dates back about 3,500 years and was written on a statue of Idrimi, a king who ruled a city named "Alalakh" in modern-day Turkey. Idrimi says that at one point he was forced to flee to a city in "Canaan" called "Amiya" possibly located in modern-day Lebanon. Idrimi doesn't call the people at Amiya "Caananites" but instead names a variety of different lands that they are from, such as "Halab," "Nihi," "Amae" and "Mukish." Idrimi claims that he was able to rally support at Amiya and become king of Alalakh. However, this doesn't mean that the different people in Canaan were not always grouped together. Administrative texts found at Alalakh, and at another city named Ugarit (located in modern-day Syria) show that "the designation 'the land of Canaan' was employed to specify the identity of an individual or group of individuals in the same way that others were defined by their city or land of origin," wrote Brendon Benz, a professor at William Jewell College in Missouri, in his book "The Land Before the Kingdom of Israel" (Eisenbrauns, 2016). For instance a male from a city in Canaan who was living at Alalakh or Ugarit could be identified in records as being a "man of Canaan" or being a "son of Canaan," wrote Benz. A batch of texts that mentions Canaan comes from the site of Amarna, in Egypt. Amarna was constructed as the capital of Egypt by the pharaoh Akhenaten (reign ca. 1353-1335 B.C), a ruler who tried to focus Egypt's polytheistic religion around the worship of the "Aten," the sun disk. The texts consist of diplomatic correspondence between Akhenaten (and his immediate predecessors and successors) and various rulers in the Middle East. Modern-day scholars often call these texts the "Amarna letters." The letters show that there were several kings in Canaan. A diplomatic passport written by Tusratta, a king of Mittani (a kingdom located in northern Syria) tells the "kings of the land of Canaan" to let his messenger "Akiya" pass through safely to Egypt, and warns the kings of Canaan that "no one is to detain him." The letters also show that Egypt held considerable power over these Canaanite kings. One letter written by a king of Babylon named "Burra-Buriyas" complains about the killing of Babylonian merchants in Canaan and reminds Egypt's pharaoh that "the land of Canaan is your land and its kings are your servants." (Translation from Brandon Benz's book "The Land Before the Kingdom of Israel") Egyptian texts also show that Egypt's pharaohs sent military expeditions into Canaan. A stele erected by a pharaoh named Merneptah (reign ca. 1213-1203 B.C.) claimed that "Canaan has been plundered into every sort of woe." The same stele also claims that Merneptah "laid waste" to "Israel." Hebrew Bible The Canaanites are mentioned often in the Hebrew Bible. The stories say that god promised to give the land of the Canaanites (along with land belonging to several other groups) over to the Israelites after they escaped from Egypt. In the stories, God tells Moses that "I have heard them [the Israelites] crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites." (Exodus 3:7) The stories told in the Hebrew Bible say that after the Israelites escaped from Egypt they fought a series of wars against the Canaanites (and other groups), which led to the Israelites taking over most of the Canaanites' land. The stories say that those Canaanites who survived had to do forced labor. The stories also say that this conquered land was incorporated into a powerful Israelite kingdom that eventually split in two. The historical accuracy of the stories told in the Hebrew Bible is a point of dispute among scholars. Some scholars believe that there was no exodus from Egypt and that the Israelites lived in Canaan alongside various "Canaanite" groups during the second millennium B.C. Scholars who study ancient languages sometimes describe Hebrew, a language used by the Israelis, as a "Canaanite" language noting that it is similar in some respects to Phoenician. On the other hand, some scholars argue that some of the Israelites could have left Egypt at some point during the second millennium B.C. Excavations and ancient texts show that various foreign groups lived in Egypt at different points in the civilization's history, says James Hoffmeier, an archaeologist and professor at Trinity International University, in a series of lectures and papers. Hoffmeier also points out that the ancient city of Ramesses, mentioned in the exodus stories told in the Hebrew Bible, does exist and archaeologists have determined that it flourished for several centuries during the second millennium B.C., becoming abandoned about 3,100 years ago. Older adults with chronic sinus problems may have a slightly higher risk of developing certain head and neck cancers, a new study suggests. The researchers found a link between people in the United States ages 65 and older who had chronic sinusitis and an increased risk of being diagnosed with one of three different types of head and neck cancer, compared with older adults without chronic sinus problems. Sinusitis is a common condition in which the sinuses become inflamed, causing symptoms such as nasal congestion, facial pressure and thick nasal discharge. The condition is considered chronic if it lasts 12 weeks or longer. All three of the cancers linked with chronic sinusitis are rare, and they include nasopharyngeal cancer (cancer of an area in the upper part of the throat behind the nose), human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal cancer (which occurs in an area in the middle of the throat, behind the mouth), and nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cavity cancers (the nasal cavity is the space behind the nose where air passes on its way to the throat, and paranasal refers to the spaces in the bones around the nose). "It's important for people to recognize that these cancers are rare, so this added risk is very small in absolute terms," said study author Dr. Eric Engels, a senior investigator of cancer epidemiology and genetics at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. The risk of head and neck cancer was 37 percent higher in older adults with chronic sinusitis, compared with people without the condition. In their paper, the researchers called the risk of head and neck cancer "modestly elevated" among individuals with prior chronic sinusitis, compared with people without the condition. The findings also suggested that an older person's increased risk of head and neck cancers was mainly seen within the first year of being diagnosed with chronic sinusitis. Beyond this one-year period, the link between chronic sinusitis and these cancers weakened, according to the findings, published today (Sept. 8) in the journal JAMA Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery. [Infographic: Colds, Allergies or Sinusitis? Here's How You Can Tell] The findings may shed light on the role that chronic inflammation may play in the development of cancer, the researchers said. Chronic inflammation is the body's way of responding to certain infections or reacting to chronic irritants, such as tobacco smoke, Engels said. Over time, this inflammation can also damage healthy cells, which could promote the development of cancer, he added. But some people with chronic sinusitis may have a mild underlying immune deficiency, which could predispose them to some cancers, Engels said. Sinusitis-related inflammation and/or a weakened immune response may play, at most, a minor role in the development of certain head and neck cancers, the researchers said. It's not exactly clear how inflammation or weakened immunity may contribute to these cancers. And there are also several other reasons why the increased risk of head and neck cancer appears to be elevated in the first year following a diagnosis of chronic sinusitis, the researchers said. In the people in the study who developed these cancers, the cancers had probably been present for a long time, Engels said. It might be that the cancer triggered the development of sinusitis, or it's possible that doctors may have misdiagnosed these patients with sinusitis when the symptoms were actually caused by a head and neck cancer, he said. In addition, people with chronic sinusitis may be more likely than people without the condition to get a detailed medical evaluation of their head and neck, which might uncover a cancer that was already present, Engels told Live Science. [Top 10 Cancer-Fighting Foods] Sinusitis-cancer connection In the study, the researchers looked at about 484,000 Medicare beneficiaries in the U.S. who received medical care between 2004 and 2011. They analyzed information from a database that links claims from this government health insurance program for older Americans to 18 cancer registries throughout the country. The study found that about 19,000 older adults were diagnosed with chronic sinusitis, and among these individuals, 783 were found to also have a head and neck cancer. The most important risk factors for head and neck cancers are smoking and chewing-tobacco use, heavy alcohol use and prior infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), according to the American Cancer Society. The findings suggest that the vast majority of older people affected by chronic sinusitis will not develop a head or neck cancer, Engels said. One of the limitations of the study is that the researchers looked only at people ages 65 and over. They did not look at cancers in younger people, which may be more directly linked with sinus inflammation or immunodeficiency, according to an editorial about the new findings published in the same journal. In the editorial, Dr. Elisabeth Ference and Dr. Jeffrey Suh, both from the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles, said future studies are needed to evaluate whether inflammation in people with sinusitis contributes to cancer development over time, especially in middle-age adults. Originally published on Live Science. More than 350 years ago, thousands Scottish soldiers were captured during the English Civil War by the controversial British leader Oliver Cromwell. Many were kept as prisoners and were buried in mass graves when they died of disease and starvation. Now, some of those soldiers will finally receive a more respectful resting place near Durham University, in northeast England, where the mass graves were found. Once research on the remains is complete, the soldiers will be reburied in a nearby cemetery in Durham, university officials announced in late August. "The decision follows extensive consultation with a range of interested parties, including in the USA, where some of the surviving soldiers from the Battle of Dunbar were transported," the university said in a statement. [Photos: Mass Graves Hold 17th-Century Prisoners of War] Archaeologists found the soldiers' remains in 2013, during an excavation at Durham University to clear the area for a library expansion. However, once archaeologists uncovered the skeletons, they halted work immediately. Bethan Upex and Kamal Badreshany, both from the Department of Archaeology at Durham University in England, study the remains of a Scottish soldier using 3D photography. (Image credit: Paul Kingston NNP North News & Pictures Ltd) The researchers unearthed human remains from two mass graves that were directly affected by the construction project. The graves hold an estimated 1,700 individuals, likely Scottish soldiers who were taken prisoner following the Battle of Dunbar in 1650, archaeologists told Live Science in May. The mass graves are located on the city's World Heritage Site, as designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Though the recovered remains will no longer be buried at the UNESCO site, a plaque commemorating them will be placed nearby, and a commemorative event will be held later this year, university officials said. The final burials will take place after archaeologists have finished studying the soldiers' remains in late 2017. However, Durham University plans to keep a few teeth so that researchers can study them down the line, when new techniques and opportunities become available, according to university officials. Ethical dilemmas The decision to retain the teeth was not made lightly, and was approved by the universitys Executive Committee and the University Ethics Advisory Committee, according to a statement from the school. It was also a difficult decision to determine where to bury the bodies, especially because they were likely Scottish, not English, the university said. [8 Grisly Archaeological Discoveries] But it was considered to be "morally appropriate" to keep the individuals as close to their comrades as possible, according to the university. Moreover, the United Kingdoms Ministry of Justice asks that reburials be near to original burial sites. "The decision on where to rebury the soldiers was very complex," David Cowling, pro-vice-chancellor of arts and humanities at Durham University, said in the statement. "We were acutely aware of the strength and depth of interest amongst many about the fate of these soldiers, whilst at the same time recognizing our ethical, moral and legal obligations." In the end, they felt that "the case for reburying the remains in Durham was strongest," Cowling said. The team even consulted with people in the United States, some of whom are descendants of surviving soldiers from the Battle of Dunbar. After the battle, thousands of soldiers were marched more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) from southeast Scotland to Durham, university officials said. About 3,000 of the soldiers were held at Durham Cathedral and Castle. Those who survived imprisonment were shipped around the world, including to Virginia and New England, where they worked as indentured servants, the officials said. "It has been hugely rewarding to see the level of interest in the Scottish Soldiers Archaeology Project both in the U.K. and the USA," said Chris Gerrard, head of the project team and a professor at Durham University. Original article on Live Science. G. pannuceum (from the Latin word "pannuceus," meaning "wrinkled") gets its name from the wrinkled sheath covering its midbody. Four species of parasitoid wasps have been discovered in northwest China, a new study reports. The new species belong to the genus Gasteruption. These wasps have slender bodies and inflated, club-shaped hind legs. They also have elongated necks, and keep their abdomens raised and hind legs dangling during their slow, quiet flights. Their heads have a satin-like sheen and long eyes that extend almost to their mouth, the researchers said. The four new species G. bicoloratum, G. huangshii, G. pannuceum and G. shengi have a body covering that resembles black leather with grooves and stitches. The bugs range in size from 0.3 inches (8 millimeters) long to 0.5 inches (13 mm) long, and females are typically larger than males. [Googly Eyes: Photos of Striking Wasp Faces] The newfound species are parasitoid wasps whose larvae are parasites that kill their hosts. Adults hover outside the nests of solitary bees. While females hover to find an opportunity to sneak their own eggs into solitary bee nests, males typically linger in search of these females. Using a long, tube-like organ, called an ovipositor, the female lays eggs inside bee nests. The emerging larvae feed on bee eggs and larvae, and the food reserves of the nest. The young wasps pupate in their hosts' nests and emerge as adults in spring. The adult wasps can be locally abundant at times, particularly when they are feeding on pollen and nectar at flowers, said Jiang-Li Tan, an entomologist in the College of Life Sciences at Northwest University in China. But, "they are not encountered frequently and, in many regions of the world, are rarely collected," she said. A total of 28 species of Gasteruption were known from China before the new finds. Tan's team discovered four new species in the mountainous region of China's Shaanxi and Ningxia provinces. Tan lives near the Qinling mountains in Shaanxi, and every weekend during spring and summer, she would drive there with her students to sample wasps. "I am not surprised to find four new species," Tan told Live Science in an email. She added that there are likely more wasp species waiting to be found. But, it is not easy to identify a new species, Tan said. A combination of characteristics such as the shape of the head and legs, length of ovipositor, skin pattern, body color, and wing pattern and color, were used. G. bicoloratum was found at an elevation of around 3,600 feet (1,100 meters) above sea level. The species gets its name from its bicoloured hind legs, which are ivory and yellowish-brown. At 0.05 inches (1.2 mm) long, the ovipositor of females is very short, the scientists note in the paper. [No Creepy Crawlies Here: Gallery of the Cutest Bugs] G. huangshii was named after Huang Shi Gong believed to be a teacher of a Han Dynasty general since the wasp was found near his statue. It was found at an elevation of 4,400 feet (1,350 m) above sea level. In females of this species, the ovipositor is very long, about 1.2 times the length of the body, the study finds. G. pannuceum (from the Latin word "pannuceus," meaning "wrinkled") gets its name from the wrinkled sheath covering its midbody. And, G. shengi was named after its collector, Mao-Ling Sheng, in recognition of his work on parasitoid wasps of China. The largest of the four new species, G. shengi wasps are covered in dense, silvery hair, the researchers wrote in the study. The findings were published online Aug. 23 in the journal ZooKeys. Original article on Live Science. Apple's new iPhone 7 will not have a headphone jack, and so people who want to avoid holding their phones up to their ears must now rely on Bluetooth ear buds (opens in new tab). That has raised a question for those who are wary of radiation: Is Bluetooth safe? It turns out that there is no evidence that Bluetooth does any harm. In addition, there are no plausible physics mechanisms by which Bluetooth could cause damage to a person's cells, said John Moulder, a professor emeritus and radiation biologist at Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. "The power is just too low to damage anything biological by any mechanism we know of," Moulder told Live Science. "If it's going to damage you, it has to be via a mechanism that no one has ever conceived of. [What Is Electromagnetic Radiation?] What is Bluetooth? Bluetooth, named after Danish King Harald Bluetooth, who united all of Scandinavia in the 900s, is a protocol that uses electromagnetic waves for short-range communication between devices. Though it was developed in the 1990s, it has recently become ubiquitous in many of the "smart devices" used in the Internet of Things. However, from a physics perspective, Bluetooth is basically Wi-Fi light, Moulder said. Bluetooth waves have frequencies that are roughly similar to those of Wi-Fi (close to the range of frequencies of microwaves) but Bluetooth is far less powerful, Moulder said. In general, the ranges of wireless communication protocols such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi predicts how much power they emit, Moulder said. [Best Wireless (Bluetooth) Headphones and Earbuds] "It's sort of like Wi-Fi, except a tenth to a hundredth of the power," Moulder said. Radiation fears Worries about whether the electromagnetic radiation associated with modern gadgets may cause illness are not new. The internet is rife with concerns about the effects of cellphone radiation and Wi-Fi, and even the World Health Organization acknowledges that some people may have a condition called EMF hypersensitivity. Those with this condition experience physical symptoms such as headaches and nausea that they believe are caused by electromagnetic fields. Some have even gone so far as to move to remote areas of West Virginia that are free from radio waves. But no evidence suggests this hypersensitivity is actually caused by EMF, Moulder said. Although these Wi-Fi refugees do have symptoms, the people who have claimed to have the condition cannot distinguish between real and sham electromagnetic fields, for instance. As for cellphone radiation, in a recent U.S. National Toxicology Report study in rats and mice, high levels of exposure to cellphone radiation were linked to an increased risk of a few types of tumors, such as a benign nervous system tumor known as a schwannoma, as well as malignant brain tumors known as gliomas. However, the number of cancers found in rats exposed to cellphone radiation may have been within the range expected to occur by chance, rather than a statistically significant difference, Moulder previously told Live Science. And large epidemiological studies, which have cumulatively asked millions of people about their health and mobile phone use, have found no clear association between cancer and cellphone use. Bluetooth safety concerns The safety concerns are even lower for Bluetooth than for Wi-FI, Moulder said. In traditional Bluetooth devices pairings for instance, a smartwatch worn on the wrist that is occasionally communicating with a computer the power of the electromagnetic radiation is so low and the communication so sporadic that it's extremely unlikely that it could cause any harm, Moulder said. But the iPhone unveiled at Apple's event on Wednesday (Sept. 7) takes Bluetooth use into another realm. Ear buds, like those that will be used with the new iPhone, are worn close to the head and send out signals more frequently than traditional Bluetooth devices do, so they will likely expose people to more radiation than, say, a smart thermometer or a Fitbit fitness tracker (opens in new tab), Moulder said. However, there's still no plausible biological mechanism by which it could cause harm, he added. [Creative Genius: The World's Greatest Minds] Few studies have looked specifically at Bluetooth safety, because the physical mechanisms behind Bluetooth are essentially the same as those behind Wi-Fi, and because, until recently, people were not widely exposed to this type of radiation, Moulder said. However, the few studies looking at the technology have found that it is safe. For instance, a 2014 study in The Laryngoscope journal found that, unlike cellphone radiation, Bluetooth radiation was not associated with any reduction in auditory nerve function in humans. There are dangers, of course, associated with cellphones that don't involve any radiation at all. For instance, studies have shown that talking on hands-free Bluetooth earphones is less safe for drivers than not talking on a phone at all, likely because the driver gets distracted by conversation with a distant partner, Moulder said. Also, people who wear headphones and blast their music whether those headphones use Bluetooth (opens in new tab) or not can damage their hearing, Moulder said. And frequent texting can lead to thumb problems and carpal tunnel syndrome, he said. Original article on Live Science. Turkey supports plans to drive Islamic State (IS) militants out of its Syrian stronghold of Raqqa but U.S.-backed Kurdish militia fighters should not be at the core of the operation, Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Isik said on Thursday. Turkey launched its first major military incursion into Syria just over two weeks ago. Washington has said it supports the effort to push back IS, but the two NATO allies remain at odds over the role Kurdish fighters should play. The United States sees the Syrian Kurdish YPG as a useful ally in the fight against the jihadists. But Turkey views them as a hostile force, an extension of Kurdish militants who have waged a three-decade insurgency on its own soil. Speaking to Reuters after a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter in London, Isik said YPG fighters should not be at the heart of any bid to seize Raqqa. "What Turkey focuses and insists on is that instead of solely the YPG forces, the operations must be conducted, as the core of the operatives, by the local people of the region, instead of the YPG," he said in an interview. "Turkey will not allow YPG forces to extend their territory and gain power by using the Daesh operations as an excuse," he said, using an acronym for IS. Turkey and the United States are already at odds over control of another town, Manbij, some 30 km (20 miles) south of the Turkish border, which was captured last month from IS by a U.S.-backed coalition that includes the YPG. Turkey has insisted that the Kurdish fighters pull back east of the Euphrates river following the operation, and warned that they will be legitimate targets for Turkish forces and the Syrian rebels Turkey backs if they fail to do so. CONTROLLING BORDER WITH TURKEY Carter told reporters that YPG fighters had already pulled out of Manbij and pledged to stay east of the Euphrates, but Isik said they had yet to fully do so. Turkey fears that by advancing westwards from the Euphrates the Kurds would control unbroken tracts of borderland. "We are expecting this pledge to be fulfilled. However the information we are receiving from our intelligence units and local sources indicate that YPG forces have not retreated to the east of the river. They are still present in the area," he said. Turkey would seek no other objective around Manbij other than the retreat of the YPG forces, Isik said. Carter acknowledged Turkish concerns but said U.S. policy in both Syria and Iraq was for local populations to rule cities and towns after IS's defeat. "Nobody's going to go in there and occupy those cities except the people who already live there. That's the point," he said, adding that the YPG understood this and would not be allowed to hold Manbij. Turkey's incursion into Syria came after it had called in vain for several years for world powers to help create a "safe zone" along the Syrian border, with the aim of clearing out IS and Kurdish fighters and of stemming a wave of migration that has caused tension with Europe. Western allies have so far balked at the idea, saying it would require a significant ground force and planes to patrol a "no-fly zone", a major commitment in such a crowded and messy battlefield. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told a joint news conference with his Saudi counterpart on Thursday that Turkish forces would nonetheless continue "north to south". In London, Carter assured the Turkish defence minister of continued U.S. support for Turkey's efforts to clear IS from its borders. The two men also discussed the importance of local forces being at the centre of any Raqqa operation. Search Keywords: Short link: If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view unlimited articles for the month, please choose this option. US President Barack Obama warned Thursday an international tribunal's ruling that China's sweeping claims to the South China Sea had no legal basis was "binding", after Beijing vowed to ignore the verdict. "The landmark arbitration ruling in July, which is binding, helped clarify maritime rights in the region," Obama told a summit of Asian leaders in Laos. The comments are sure to draw ire from Beijing, which has taken an increasingly belligerent stance on claims in the strategically important waterway. Obama has urged China to adhere to the rule of law and not take unilateral measures that could raise tensions. China in turn accuses the United States of interference and using the ruling to stoke confrontation. "I recognise this raises tensions," Obama said referring to the ruling "but I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and stability." Even before Obama's comments, a dispute between the Philippines and China has overshadowed East and Southeast Asian summits in Laos. The area is just 230 kilometres (140 miles) from the main island of the Philippines, where US forces are stationed. Search Keywords: Short link: Check out our latest E-Edition Accessible anytime and anywhere on your desktop, tablet and smart phone devices. The Lodi News e-Edition is enhanced with the latest digital tools, including RSS feeds, social networking and much more. Check out our latest E-edition! Longford/Westmeath TD Kevin' Boxer' Moran has said lessons must be learned from last week's Apple controversy but hit out at criticism from the opposition over the Government's response to the crisis, writes Liam Cosgrove. The Fine Gael-led coalition has been the subject of much derision ever since the recent ruling by the European Commission became public knowledge. That found up to 13bn in undue tax benefits was afforded to the US multinational over the course of a 13 year period. It was an announcement which brought with it a torrent of ridicule from opposition groups, some of whom described the Government's response as contradictory and mind-numbing. The latter verdict was one which was delivered by Labour leader Brendan Howlin who claimed last Tuesday's ruling had been known in government circles for some time. For his part, Mr Moran admitted that while there was a semblance of truth to those assertions, the legacy left in the wake of Labour's most recent dalliance with power was still visible. Unlike what has gone before with previous governments, you will see nothing railroaded through, he said. Brendan Howlin has been very critical, but trust me I have been in government only a few months and I am still cleaning up the shambles his (Fine Gael-Labour coalition) governmet left behind. He also defended the Alliance's decision to back an appeal to overturn last week's ruling was as much about protecting jobs as it was about providing greater clarity on the tax multinationals pay. We need to protect what we have and we need to make sure we protect our 12.5 per cent corporation tax because that is what Europe is really digging at, he said. Meanwhile, Sinn Fein and Midlands North West MEP Matt Carthy described the Government's appeal as an act of betrayal on the taxpaying public. How dare this Cabinet refuse to accept 13 billion in unpaid taxes from the second wealthiest corporation in the world when our health service is crumbling and there are thousands of people homeless across this state? Mr Carthy questioned. It was a disappointing day for the county on Monday, when the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) first round results were released. Having scooped the top prize for being cleaner than European norms last year, Longford has suffered a steep drop, settling in thirteenth place so far this year. While most of the ten areas surveyed, including Ballymahon Street, Main Street, the bottle bank at the Market Square and the train station received an A Grade, two areas - Roscommon Approach Road and Townparks Industrial Estate - were given a Grade B result, though according to the results, there were pockets within the latter area that verged on Grade C status, or seriously littered. The most heavily-littered area, earning a Grade C, was Longford Retail park on the N63. In IBAL Survey 1, 2015 this was noted as a seriously littered site and the same air of carelessness and neglect has prevailed, the results read. It is quite unusual in IBAL litter surveys to see a shopping centre score so poorly - it was riddled with litter along the pavements, car park and storage areas behind some premises were particularly poor. To drop from number one to number thirteen is not ideal, admitted Longford Tidy Towns Chairman, John Farrell, when he heard the results. We are disappointed but it doesn't dampen our attitude. It's an ongoing battle but it's not about marks on a sheet, it's about pride of place. Encouraging further co-operation within the community, both in terms of physical and monetary assistance, John then tackled the matter of the C Grade at Longford Retail park, pointing out that the area is privately owned. While they have made contact with owners before, the Chairman agreed that they would endeavour to do so again ahead of the final results at the end of the year. He also called for members of the public to get involved in the clean up by contacting himself or any other member of Longford Tidy Towns. Having jumped from sixth place to first in last year's competition, John is hopeful that Longford will fare better than its current position. We're very hopeful and very positive. The fight continues. We will stick with it - we have no choice. It's all about co-operation, it's about people coming on board. Meanwhile, Roscommon and Carrick-on-Shannon have fared slightly better in the first round survey, earning joint 9th and 11th place respectively for being cleaner than European norms, while Athlone sits at number 20 on the board, followed in number 31 by Cavan, who, like Longford, are clean to European norms. The Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) recently launched the countrys first Drive from Wheelchair Tuition Vehicle. It is an innovative breakthrough and Longford/Westmeath Independent Alliance TD Kevin Boxer Moran along with the CEO of Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) Rosemary Keogh, together with people with disabilities and their families, launched the vehicle. The vehicle will provide people with physical disabilities who use a power wheelchair the opportunity to learn to drive safely alongside an IWA Driving Instructor and securely from their own wheelchair. This represents a major advancement for people with disabilities to improve their daily lives to pursue a range of activities, outlined Deputy Moran. IWA provides driving tuition in ten centres throughout the country with the programme and duration of tuition tailored to suit the persons individual needs. Deputy Moran explained that the new vehicle has a range of adaptations, controls and assistive technology which makes driving possible for those with a very wide range of physical disabilities. Driving is the gateway for people to access a range of everyday activities and this new vehicle will greatly enhance the lives of those with disabilities, particularly those who have the use of power wheelchairs, said Deputy Moran. Being mobile and getting around in todays fast changing world is vital for everyone and the Drive from Wheelchair Vehicle will enable users to increase their independence and freedom, as well as providing them with an opportunity to seek employment, further their education and lead an active social life. I want to applaud the IWA for once again taking the lead in making sure that people with disabilities can have the same opportunities in life as able-bodied people. The organisation is successfully closing the gap with the launch of this vehicle. Last year, over 500 people were assessed or received driving tuition from the IWA Driving School which gives a small indication how many lives have been transformed by having the opportunity to drive. Food, Wine, & Dining, Local News, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: September 08 2016 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation to modernize New York's archaic 80-year-old Alcoholic Beverage Control Law. Albany, NY - September 7, 2016 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation to modernize New York's archaic 80-year-old Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, which included provisions prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages at on-premises establishments before noon on Sunday. The comprehensive legislation allows alcohol to be sold earlier on Sundays, adds common sense provisions to broaden retail sales by producers, and reduces burdensome fees for wineries, distilleries, breweries and cideries statewide. Over the last five years, Governor Cuomo has taken sweeping action to simplify regulations for the beverage industry, resulting in an unprecedented, three-fold increase in licensed wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries across the state. The Governor signed the legislation at the Genesee Brew House in Rochester. New Yorks burgeoning craft beverage industry has served as an economic generator for communities across the state and with this legislation, we are building on that progress, Governor Cuomo said. By cutting red tape, breaking down artificial barriers and rolling back arcane and burdensome regulations, we are setting the stage for this industrys continued resurgence and future growth and I am proud to sign it into law. Senate Majority Leader John J. Flanagan said, Small businesses and consumers throughout the state will greatly benefit from this reform of the state's outdated blue laws that will expand Sunday brunch options and promote the continued success of New Yorks service and beverage industries. I thank Senator Lanza for his efforts to get this legislation passed, and Governor Cuomo and our colleagues in the Assembly for working with us to help cut red tape and burdensome regulations so that more businesses can grow and thrive. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, New York is home to some of the best craft beer, cider, wine and spirits our country has to offer. This legislation updates and simplifies New Yorks outdated Alcoholic Beverage Control Laws so that New Yorks craft beverage industry can thrive and everyone can enjoy more of what our great state has to offer. I would like to thank Majority Leader Joe Morelle and Assemblymembers Robin Schimminger and Michael Benedetto for their hard work and leadership in making New York a great place to do business, inspiring tourism and opening the door for new opportunities. Senator Andrew Lanza said, This law will modernize state alcohol laws that in many cases date back to Prohibition while cutting red tape, lowering costs, and rolling back burdensome regulations. I thank Governor Cuomo and Majority Leader Flanagan for their efforts in making this important legislation law." Photo: Governor's Press Office, via Flickr. The law ensures that the craft beverage industry in New York continues to thrive by amending the ABC Law to include the following: Expand Sunday Sales: The law expands Sunday sales at restaurants and bars by changing the statewide opening hours from noon to 10 am. In addition, the agreement enables these licensees to apply for a permit, limited to twelve per year, to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises on Sundays between 8 a.m. and the new 10 a.m. opening hour in areas outside New York City. Eliminate Burdensome Paperwork Requirements for Craft Manufacturers: At the 2012 Wine, Beer and Spirits Summit, Governor Cuomo ended the State Liquor Authority's policy prohibiting multiple manufacturing licenses at the same location, recognizing the additional burdens this placed, for example, on a small winery that wanted to also make whiskey including building a separate facility. The law combines craft manufacturing licenses into one application to reduce burdensome paperwork for these small businesses. Authorize the Sale of Wine in Growlers: Previous law required that wine sold at retail for off-premises consumption be kept in their original sealed containers, and consequently, New York wineries were prohibited from filling growlers. This prohibition unduly burdens wineries that can open a container to sell wine for on-premises consumption, or can sell wine for off-premises consumption, but cannot fill a growler to be taken away from the winery. The law enacts a common sense change to allow wineries to fill their customers growlers. In addition, the law authorizes wineries and farm wineries to allow customers to take home partially finished bottles of wine. Reduce Fees for Craft Beverage Salespeople: The ABC Law required that any salesperson or solicitor employed by a manufacturer or wholesaler must obtain a solicitors permit in addition to a bond. Recognizing the financial hardship imposed by these unnecessary additional fees, the law eliminates the fee for a solicitors permit for craft manufacturers and removes the bond requirement for all manufacturers. Reduced Fees for Small Wholesalers: The primary business of most alcohol beverage wholesalers is selling their products to licensed retailers, such as bars, restaurants and liquor stores. However, there are currently a number of small wholesalers in New York that sell limited number of brands they import directly to large wholesalers for distribution to retailers. Under the ABC Law, these small wholesalers were required to pay the same amount for their license as their larger counterparts, with costs ranging from $1,460 for a one year beer license to $27,280 for a three year liquor wholesale license. This financial burden often required these small businesses to make a choice between continuing to hold a New York wholesale license or to relocate their business outside of New York. The law creates a low-cost importers license that is available to wholesalers who sell only to other wholesalers. These businesses may now obtain an importers license at a cost of only $125 a year. Authorize Gift Wrapping: The law allows liquor stores to sell gift wrapping and gift bags to their customers. Legislation to amend the ABC Law was first proposed by Governor Cuomo in May as a direct result of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law Working Group a blue ribbon panel created by Governor Cuomo in November 2015 and tasked with developing recommendations to modernize the laws governing the manufacturing, wholesale and retail of alcoholic beverages in New York State. Building on Prior Industry Reforms to Grow New Yorks Economy The law builds on the progress made by the Governor over the past five years, including enacting the Craft New York Act, to cut burdensome requirements on producers and ease restrictions regarding the marketing of craft products. Since 2011, the state has implemented a number of significant reforms and expanded programs to grow the craft beverage industry, including creating new farm-based manufacturing licenses, launching a $60 million statewide promotional campaign and hosting wine, beer and spirits summits across the state. The success of New Yorks investments in the craft beverage industry can be seen from the Finger Lakes to the North Fork of Long Island. Under the leadership of Governor Cuomo, New York is now home to over 900 wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries. The number of farm wineries in New York has increased by over 60 percent, from 195 in 2010 to 315 today. Additionally, the number of microbreweries has grown by 270 percent, from 40 in 2010 to 148, while the number of farm distilleries grew from just 10 in 2010 to 95 today. Two new licenses have been created since 2011: the farm brewery license in 2013 and the farm cidery license in 2014, with New York now home to 129 farm breweries and 22 farm cideries businesses. Family & Parenting, School & Education, Local News, Health & Wellness, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: September 08 2016 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed landmark legislation (S.8158/A.10740) mandating that schools across the state test drinking water for lead contamination. Albany, NY - September 6, 2016 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed landmark legislation (S.8158/A.10740) mandating that schools across the state test drinking water for lead contamination. Lead is a toxic material that is extremely harmful to young children and can result in lowered IQ, behavioral problems and brain damage. The state Department of Health also issued emergency regulations pursuant to the new legislation, requiring that school districts test their water for lead contamination by Oct. 31, 2016 and report results to parents, the state Department of Health and local government officials. These new regulations will reduce the risk for exposure to this dangerous substance and ensure all New Yorks students have access to clean, drinkable water. These rigorous new protections for New Yorks children include the toughest lead contamination testing standards in the nation, and provide clear guidance to schools on when and how they should test their water, Governor Cuomo said. As children begin another school year, Im proud to sign this legislation, which marks a major step forward in protecting the public health and ensuring the future growth and success of students across the state. We know how harmful lead can be to the health and well-being of young children, and that's why the Senate insisted on testing school water for lead. As a result, New York becomes the first state in the nation to perform this testing and protect millions of its students from potential health risks, Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan said. Id like to truly thank Senator OMara, Chairman of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, who has worked tirelessly on this critically important measure, along with Governor Cuomo and our partners in the Assembly, for coming together to ensure New York does everything possible to ensure safe and clean water for schoolchildren all across this state. This bill is fundamental to ensuring that our school children have access to drinking water that meets the highest health and safety standards, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said. This testing requirement is long overdue and will allow schools to address any issues that exist in their water systems and buildings to give parents, students and faculty the peace of mind they deserve. I want to thank my Assembly Majority colleagues, especially Education Chair Cathy Nolan and Children and Families Chair Donna Lupardo, for their leadership on this critical issue. Thank you to Governor Cuomo for signing this critical legislation into law. Its a landmark achievement and were hopeful that this action in New York will lead to action in other states to protect children, Senator Tom OMara, Chairman of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, said. Assemblywoman Lupardo and I have valued the opportunity to work closely with the New York League of Conservation Voters and a broad coalition of public health, environment, and healthy schools advocacy groups to secure the laws enactment. We believe it represents the most critical foundation on which to build future actions. Theres not a more important place to start this overall and ongoing effort to better address lead contamination than within our schools to protect our children. I want to thank the Governor for working closely with us to pass this important legislation requiring schools to test their drinking water for lead, Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, Chair of the Assembly Children and Families Committee, said. All of the stakeholders came together to ensure that no child will have unsafe levels of lead in their school drinking water and that school districts will not face an undue financial burden. As a result of this legislation, the test results will be made public and every parent and teacher will know what is in their childrens drinking water. With this new law and accompanying regulations, New York is taking a monumental step forward toward protecting our children from lead, which can cause devastating and lifelong consequences to those who have been exposed, said Commissioner of Health Dr. Howard Zucker. We look forward to working with our states schools to ensuring that their drinking water is safe from lead. Previously, schools in New York were not required to test their drinking water for lead, or notify parents or government officials of results. Testing was voluntary and administered by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. This method of voluntary testing without enforceable standards has demonstrated the clear need for direction by the state to New York schools on when, what and how to sample drinking water for lead. This new legislation requires all school districts in New York State to test potable water for lead contamination, and to develop and implement a lead remediation plan where necessary. Pursuant to the accompanying regulations, samples collected must be 250 ml and taken from a cold water outlet where the water has been motionless in the pipes for a minimum of 8 hours but not more than 18 hours. By September 30, 2016, all school buildings serving children in pre-kindergarten through grade five must collect a sample from each identified sampling location for testing. Any schools serving children in grades six through twelve that are not also serving children in younger grades must complete collection of samples by October 31, 2016. For new schools which begin operations after the effective date of this regulation, initial samples must be performed prior to occupancy. Under the regulations, schools are required to report all lead test results to the state Department of Health via a designated statewide electronic reporting system. If lead levels are detected above 15 parts per billion at any potable water outlet, the school must discontinue use of that outlet, implement a lead remediation plan to mitigate the lead level, and provide building occupants with an adequate alternate supply of water for cooking and drinking. Schools must report the exceedance to the local health department within one business day. Test results must also be provided in writing to all staff and parents no more than 10 business days after receiving the report. Schools must post the results of all lead testing and any remediation plans on its website as soon as possible but no more than six weeks after the school received the laboratory reports. Once test results indicate that lead levels are below the action level, schools may resume use of the water outlet. For schools that performed testing and remediation at buildings after January 1, 2015, and that complies with these regulations, those buildings do not need to be retested. Schools may also be eligible for a waiver for testing school buildings, if the school can demonstrate that they performed testing and remediation that substantially complies with the regulations, and that lead levels in the buildings potable water are below the action level. Schools will be required to collect samples every five years, at a minimum, after the initial testing or at a time determined by the Commissioner of Health. All samples will be analyzed by a lab approved by the Departments Environmental Laboratory Approval Program. Although laws now limit the amount of lead in new plumbing equipment, materials installed before 1986 may contain significant amounts of lead. Federal laws in 1986 required that only lead-free materials be used in new plumbing and plumbing fixtures but still allowed certain fixtures with up to 8 percent lead to be labeled lead free. Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act in 2011 appropriately redefined the meaning of lead free. Even so, its possible that older plumbing may leach lead into the drinking water. Facilities such as schools, which typically have intermittent water use patterns, are more likely to have elevated levels of lead due to prolonged water contact with plumbing materials. This source is increasingly being recognized across the nation as a contribution to a childs overall lead exposure. School & Education, Nature & Weather, Local News, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: September 08 2016 DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos announced the graduation of 31 ECOs and 17 Forest Rangers from the agency's 20th Basic School for Uniformed Officers. Pulaski, NY - September 2, 2016 - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the graduation of 31 Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) and 17 Forest Rangers from the agency's 20th Basic School for Uniformed Officers. The 48 new officers received their diplomas in a formal ceremony at the Kallet Theater in Pulaski. "New York's environment and natural resources are now better served and protected thanks to these dedicated men and women," Commissioner Seggos said. "Our new Environmental Conservation Officers will safeguard the health of our air, land, water and wildlife. Our new Forest Rangers will protect more than five million acres of state lands from forest fires and execute search and rescue missions in the state's most hazardous locations. These graduates are a great addition to the proud history and dedicated ranks of Forest Rangers and ECOs across New York." The Basic School was held at the Division of Law Enforcement's Training Academy in Pulaski, which runs along the Salmon River. The Academy began Feb. 29 and ran for 27-weeks. Training and coursework included environmental conservation law, criminal procedure, vehicle and traffic laws, physical conditioning, firearms, wildlife identification, emergency vehicle operations, search and rescue, land navigation, boating, and wildfire suppression. The 48 successful graduates hail from 26 New York counties and range in age from 22 to 40 years old. Nine women are part of this year's graduating class (five ECOs and four Forest Rangers). ECOs, originally called Game Protectors, were first appointed in 1880 and undertake actions ranging from investigating deer and checking fishing licenses on local waterways to conducting surveillance on corporate chemical dumping. Across the state, ECOs responded to more than 25,000 calls statewide and issued more than 22,000 tickets in 2015. "Since 1880, but now more than ever, the mission of the Division of Law Enforcement is vital to the protection of New York's abundant natural resources," said Joseph Schneider, Director of DEC's Division of Law Enforcement. "From Montauk Point and the City of Buffalo to deep in the Adirondack wilderness, ECOs protect New Yorkers from environmental damage and exploitation, whether enforcing clean air and water regulations, supporting fish and wildlife laws, investigating large scale environmental crimes, or ensuring solid waste is properly managed." Originally known as Fire Wardens, the Forest Rangers were established in 1885 with the creation of the Forest Preserve. Their duties focus on protecting state lands and forests and include search and rescue missions, wildfire suppression and educating the public on the safe use of state lands. In 2015, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 341 search and rescue missions, extinguished 175 wildfires that burned a total of 3,924 acres, and issued nearly 3,000 tickets, many of which focused on Illegal operation of ATVs and snowmobiles on state lands. "These men and women will be entrusted to protect New York State's natural resources and five million acres of state and public lands," said Eric Lahr, Director of DEC's Division of Forest Protection. The graduating class will join the ranks of 268 ECOs and 119 Forest Rangers currently serving across the state. Recruits in this newest class were selected from an eligible list of qualifications and passing scores generated from the most recent Civil Service exam, which was given in 2013. To view job qualifications for ECOs visit the Environmental Conservation Officer job description webpage and for Forest Rangers, visit the Forest Ranger job description webpage. The next ECO and Forest Ranger trainee exam is scheduled for November 19, 2016. 20th Basic School Graduates Environmental Conservation Officers ECO Christopher J. Amato, Patchogue, NY ECO Kyle A. Bevis, Albany, NY ECO Ike G. Bobseine, Cattaraugus, NY ECO Justanna N. Bohling, Sauquoit, NY ECO Timothy J. Brown, Randolph, NY ECO Zachariah R. Brown, Lake Placid, NY ECO Melissa M. Burgess, East Berne, NY ECO Emma C. Carpenter, Farmingdale, NY ECO William J. Chomicki, Poughkeepsie, NY ECO Zachary R. Crain, Rensselaer, NY ECO Anthony M. Drahms, Savannah, NY ECO Charles F. Eyler III, Pleasant Valley, NY ECO Nathan E. Godson, Depew, NY ECO Mary B. Grose, Frankfort, NY ECO Brian M. Gustitus, Hicksville, NY ECO Michael J. Hameline, Rensselaer, NY ECO Katie L. Jakaub, Bliss, NY ECO Adam P. Johnson, Oswego, NY ECO Andrew P. Kostuk, Cortland, NY ECO Evan G. Laczi, Williamsville, NY ECO Jarrod W. Lomozik, Ithaca, NY ECO Christopher P. Macropoulos, Whitestone, NY ECO Evan J. McFee, Hemlock, NY ECO Maxwell P. Nicols, Middle Grove, NY ECO Spencer L. Noyes, Munnsville, NY ECO Lucas A. Palmateer, Athens, NY ECO John T. Rich, Horseheads, NY ECO Jason P. Smith, Lake George, NY ECO Benjamin P. Tabor, Saranac Lake, NY ECO Craig P. Tompkins, Beacon, NY ECO Jonathon P. Walraven, Cohoes, NY Forest Rangers FR Yuko Ashida, Hopewell Junction, NY FR Adam J. Baldwin, Tupper Lake, NY FR Jared T. Booth, Morrisonville, NY FR Katherine M. Fox, West Nyack, NY FR John A. Franceschina, Fort Montgomery, NY FR Andrew S. Lewis, Wilmington, NY FR Dylan T. McCartney, Bainbridge, NY FR Melissa L. Milano, Newcomb, NY FR Peter F. Morehouse, North Creek, NY FR Hannah R. O'Connor, Lake Clear, NY FR Brandon S. Poulton, Newcomb, NY FR William F. Roberts, Groton, NY FR Zachary L. Robitaille, Depew, NY FR Matthew J. Savarie, Schroon Lake, NY FR Nathan J. Shea, Westernville, NY FR Nathan M. Sprague, Williamsville, NY FR Ryan P. Sullivan, Poland, NY Nature & Weather, Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: September 08 2016 Suffolk County is the first County in NYS to take a stand against plastic pollution. Placing a 5 cent fee on plastic and paper bags will encourage sustainable, reusable bag use. Farmingdale, NY - September 8, 2016 - The Suffolk County Legislature passed IR 1649 this Wednesday, a bill that aims to significantly reduce single use plastic and paper bag use throughout the county. The BYOBag bill mandates retailers charge a minimum fee of 5 cents on all plastic and paper bags at check out counters in order to discourage single use bag use. This fee structure has been successful at increasing reusable bags and reducing plastic bag litter in communities from California to Washington DC to Ireland. In addition to the fee, a companion education bill, which also passed on Wednesday, will ensure that residents and businesses are prepared to switch to reusable bags when the fee goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2018 and will create a task force to evaluate the effectiveness of the fee in reducing single use bag use. Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director for Citizens Campaign for the Environment, issued the following statement: We are thrilled that Suffolk County has joined the global movement away from unnecessary, disposable bags with the passage of their reusable bag incentive bill today. Single use bags were never free; Consumers pay for these bags in the price of our groceries and municipalities are saddled with the cost of cleaning up and landfilling plastic bags. There is a real environmental cost as well. Plastic bags litter communities, kill wildlife, and pollute our oceans. Plastic bags are a mistake of the past, reusable bags are the solution for our future. We know from cities and countries around the world that by giving consumers the choice to pay a small fee or to save money and the environment by bringing their own bag, the vast majority of people will chose reusable over disposable. In Washington DC, Ireland, England, we have seen small fees on plastic and paper bags lead to 60-90% reductions in single-use bag use. We are very excited that Suffolk will now be a state and global leader in the fight against plastic bag pollution and we applaud Legislator Spencer and the Suffolk County Legislature on the passage of IR 1649. U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will hold a news conference on Thursday morning before departing from White Plains, New York, to campaign in North Carolina, a campaign spokesman said. No specific time for the conference was provided. Clinton, criticized in the past for not being accessible to media, has already spoken to reporters twice on her campaign plane this week as the campaign heads into the final months before the Nov. 8 presidential election. Search Keywords: Short link: 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 President Francois Hollande said Thursday that Islam could co-exist with secularism, warning in a speech seen as preparing the ground for a re-election bid that the anti-terror fight should not undermine French values. The deeply unpopular Hollande has yet to announce whether he will run for a second term next year, but is widely expected to be a candidate. In a passionate plea for tolerance, he defended the country's Muslim minority following a vitriolic debate on the banning of the Islamic burkini swimsuit. "Nothing in the idea of secularism opposes the practice of Islam in France, provided it respects the law," Hollande said. Secularism was not a "state religion" to be used against other religions, he said in the speech in Paris, denouncing the "stigmatisation of Muslims". Mayors in around 30 towns this summer cited France's century-old secular laws in banning head-to-toe swimwear on their beaches, unleashing a furore. Several of the towns later revoked the bans after France's highest administrative court ruled they were a "serious" violation of basic freedoms. Hollande rejected calls by conservatives, including his arch-rival, former president Nicolas Sarkozy, for the state to ban the burkini, saying it would be "unconstitutional". Asking whether Islam could co-exist with secularism, like Christianity and Judaism, he insisted: "My answer is yes, certainly." "The question the Republic must answer is: Is it really ready to embrace a religion that it did not expect to be this big over a century ago? There too, my answer is yes, certainly." In a wide-ranging address Hollande cast himself as a guardian of democracy, resisting calls for more repressive laws following a string of jihadist attacks that have left over 230 people dead in France since January 2015. The authorities this week launched another anti-terror investigation, following the discovery of six gas cylinders in an abandoned car near Paris' Notre Dame cathedral. Four people are being held over the find, which comes two months after a Tunisian radical slammed a lorry into a crowd of Bastille Day revellers in Nice, killing 86 people. Hollande said attack plots had been foiled "in recent days" but did not elaborate. The government has responded to the threat by deploying thousands of troops to patrol the streets, enacting a raft of anti-terror laws and repeatedly extending a state of emergency -- measures deemed insufficient by the conservative opposition. "The barbarians who are attacking us believe we are weak," Sarkozy said in an interview with Valeurs Actuelles magazine in mid-August calling for a "merciless" response. Sarkozy, who has announced a bid to try to win back the presidency in next year's election, has called for suspected radicals to be interned in camps. Hollande warned that France could not sacrifice its core values of liberty, equality and fraternity. "The declaration of human rights is not some old scroll to be framed and hung in reception rooms," he said. "Did the Patriot Act and Guantanamo protect Americans from the (terrorist) threat? No," he said, declaring: "Democracy is our weapon." Polls predict a drubbing for the 62-year-old Socialist if he throws his hat in the ring again after five years marked by stubbornly high unemployment and only timid attempts at reform. Hollande has deferred his decision on whether to run until December. A poll published Tuesday showed he would only get between 11 and 15 percent in the first round of voting. A separate survey for BFMTV Wednesday showed 88 percent of the French opposed to Hollande standing again. "It's all over, it's been all over for a long time, bar some completely unforeseen development," Thomas Guenole, a professor at Sciences Po university in Paris, told AFP. Three of Hollande's former ministers have already announced their own presidential bids. They could soon be joined by ambitious former economy minister Emmanuel Macron, who resigned from government last week. Despite his own camp being in disarray Hollande has cast himself as a unifying force at the helm of the state. "When there is danger we must come together," he said. Prime Minister Manuel Valls praised the speech, saying Hollande had set out his vision with "new vitality". Sarkozy's spokesman Eric Ciotti however dismissed his performance as "mediocre". Search Keywords: Short link: Algeria's energy minister will meet his Saudi counterpart and OPEC's secretary-general in Paris on Friday as part of moves towards clinching a global deal on stabilising crude output to support oil prices, an Algerian official and OPEC sources said. Algeria will host the informal meeting with Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih and OPEC's Mohammed Barkindo, said the Algerian official, who asked not to be identified. A source at the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries confirmed the meeting as part of a push for an output deal, with producers battered by a glut-induced halving of oil prices over the past two years. "There is a strong move towards a deal between OPEC and non-OPEC to at least freeze production," the source told Reuters. "It seems we are going in this direction. But if we are going to freeze, we have to use secondary sources to gauge production levels. We can't allow each country to use a different method," the source said. "Iran must agree to be in line with other producers and use secondary sources." Tehran says it supports any measures to stabilise the market. However, it has stopped short of indicating whether it would join a global deal before its production reaches 4 million barrels per day, the level at which it says it was pumping before the imposition of Western sanctions in 2012. The sanctions ended in January this year. Iran has been the main factor preventing an output deal between OPEC and non-OPEC Russia as Tehran has said it should be excluded from any such agreement before its production recovers. The OPEC source said Iran's production before sanctions had never exceeded 3.75 million bpd according to secondary sources, which include consultants and industry media that estimate output independently. Iran has said it is producing slightly more than 3.8 million bpd. It signalled on Tuesday it was prepared to work with Saudi Arabia and Russia to prop up prices, although Tehran has begun to bargain with OPEC on possible exemptions from any output cap. The OPEC source said major oil producers were trying to convince Tehran to come onboard, adding there was an initial understanding that only Libya could be offered an exemption. "Now there is a push to smooth things out and solve any problem," the OPEC source said, adding there had been no agreement yet on any level at which to freeze production. "This will be discussed in Algeria," the source said. Algeria is hosting meetings of the International Energy Forum and OPEC on Sept. 26-28. Energy Minister Noureddine Bouterfa travelled to Moscow on Thursday, following recent trips to Qatar and Iran. OPEC and Russia are expected to revive talks for a global deal on production in Algeria. A similar initiative failed in April after Saudi Arabia insisted Iran join the pact. Search Keywords: Short link: This will be the film's North American premiere Yousry Nasrallah's Brooks, Meadows and Lovely Faces (Al Ma wal Khodra wal Wajh El Hassan) will be screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, which runs between 8 and 18 September, marking the film its North American premiere. In early August, the film was screened within the official competition of the 69th Locarno International Film Festival (Festival del Film Locarno) in Switzerland. Egyptian director Yousry Nasrallah told Al-Ahram Arabic that he came up with the idea for his new film 21 years ago, around 1995, as he was working on his documentary film Sobyan Wa Banat. The film, Nasrallah says, narrates the story of Egyptian actor Bassem Samras family, whose members work as wedding caterers. Nasrallah, who saw that the countless particulars of this family's story could be employed in a film project, decided to collaborate with Samra and turn this real-life story into a film. Nasrallah explained that the film focuses on the life of cooks from the countryside who work in wedding receptions. To do that, it tells the stories of three cooks, whose roles are played by Layla Elwi, Menna Shalabi and Bassem Samra. The film seeks to reveal how this groups members deal with one other, the sufferings they encounter at times, and the situations they experience during their presence in wedding receptions across different social classes. The film was co-written by Ahmad Abdalla and Nasrallah, and produced by Ahmed El-Sobky. The cast also comprises actors Ahmed Daoud and Mohamed El-Sharnouby. Born in 1952, Yousry Nasrallah is a writer and director who began his career as assistant to renowned Egyptian filmmaker Youssef Chahine. Today, Nasrallah is known for many films, including El Medina (1999), After the Battle (2012) and Genenet El Asmak (2008). Nasrallah also took part in the film 18 Days, which consists of 10 shorts that focus on the Egyptian revolution, each of which directed by a different filmmaker. In Toronto, film Brooks, Meadows and Lovely Faces will be screened on three days: 9, 10 and 18 September. 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: Photos have emerged claiming that Major General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) elite foreign operations unit, the Qods Force, is in Aleppo, Syria. Soleimani leads Iranian strategy in Syria in coordination with both Russia and Bashar al-Assads government. He commands the IRGC-led Shiite expeditionary force there, which includes the Afghan Fatemiyoun, Pakistani Zeynabiyoun, Lebanese Hezbollah, and the Iraqi Harakat al Nujaba. Nujaba, which is now the largest Iraqi Shiite contingency in Syria, posted on September 6 photos of Soleimani inspecting positions in southern Aleppo. The commander reviewed the strategic points of the siege of terrorists in Aleppo and made some notes to field commanders, according to Nujabas Telegram post. Soleimani also reportedly met with the chief commander of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) Tiger Forces on September 6, according to Al Masdar. A military source told the outlet that the two commanders discussed upcoming offensive battle plans in Aleppo province. Pro-regime forces aim to capitalize on their momentum and re-impose siege on the rebel-held part of Aleppo city. On September 4, after one month of costly operations, the pro-regime coalition, backed by intensified Russian airpower, succeeded in pushing back rebel forces from the Aleppo military base, an important access point to the citys southwest. A photo circulating on social media that was flagged by observers suggests that Russian special forces may have assisted in this operation. Heavy clashes continue in Aleppos neighborhood of Ramouseh, also in the southwest. Pro-regime forces have blocked the Alramousa road, the last supply route into the rebel-held part of the city that was opened one month ago. Last month, forces from the jihadist-led Jaysh al Fath (JAF) and Fatah Halab coalitions launched a major offensive to break the regimes siege, after pro-regime forces in late July had completed Aleppos encircling. After rebels broke through the defenses of pro-regime forces, primarily SAA, in the southwest, the IRGC announced the deployment of 2,000 Lebanese Hezbollah and Iraqi Nujaba combatants to Aleppo in order to bolster pro-regime positions and regain lost territory. A Nujaba spokesman has said that the group has sent an additional 1,000 fighters since September 5 to further reinforce positions in Aleppo, according to Al Jazeera. The pro-regime coalition has simultaneously expanded its assaults to the southern areas of Aleppo to eliminate the threat that the opposition poses to the regimes siege of the city. Immediately following this weeks success on the outskirts of Aleppo, Hezbollah, Shiite militias, Liwa al Qods (pro-government Palestinian militia), and SAA launched on September 5 an offensive on JAF positions near the village of Khan Touman, about 15 kilometers southwest of Aleppo. On September 6, a Nujaba field commander reportedly told IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency that the Iraqi militia had poured all of its forces in Syria into the Aleppo fronts, and that it had made inroads into Khan Touman a day earlier. The IRGC has vowed to retake Khan Touman after losing it in May. The IRGC and its militias may push into northern Idlib province, the oppositions stronghold. Nujaba head Akram al Kabi told Iranian media during a visit to Iran last week that Nujaba was preparing operations to break the siege of the Shiite villages of Fua and Kufriya, the last remaining pro-government areas in northern Idlib that are located to the northeast and close to the borders of Aleppo province. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has issued an order to lift the siege of the villages, according to Kabi. Whereas significant numbers of regular IRGC ground forces rotated into Syria between September 2015 and May 2016, the Guard has increasingly relied on its Shiite proxies as ground forces during the latest phase of the battle for Aleppo. There have been higher numbers of Afghan, Pakistani, Lebanese, and Iraqi fatalities, while IRGC fatalities have dropped significantly compared to previous major battles. The drop in IRGC fatalities dims the media spotlight back in Iran on the Islamic Republics involvement in the protracted and costly Syrian Civil War. Shiite proxy forces can also serve the IRGCs long-term objective of establishing and strengthening a foreign legion. A retired IRGC commander who has deployed to Syria recently discussed in depth the formation of a Shiite liberation army. (See previous reporting by The Long War Journal here.) The majority of Iranian casualties since July have been active duty and retired officers. In late August and the first week of September, at least five IRGC commanders with the rank of brigadier general were killed in Syria. Four were reportedly retired officers prior to Syria. All but one was killed in Aleppo: a Guard commander died in the province of Hama in western Syria during a rebel offensive. All were veterans of the Iran-Iraq War (1980 1988). Guard officers take pride in fighting at the front lines; their ethos values martyrdom in battle as the highest honor. This also means that they often expose themselves to enemy fire. Snipers in particular can target grey-haired and middle-aged fighters at the front. At least one IRGC commander killed last week was confirmed shot in the head by sniper fire. Although these commanders were valuable assets, there are more ready to take their places. Diplomatic talks continue between major powers for ceasefire and potential settlement in Syria. The pro-regime alliances objective in Aleppo, meanwhile, is to render impossible the prospect of opposition forces interfering with the siege of eastern Aleppo city, an operation that has been underway since the Russian intervention and Iranian escalation in September 2015. Sieges are arduous and long, and adversely affect civilian populations. Defeating the Sunni jihadists, Islamists, and other rebels in Aleppo is nevertheless the cornerstone of the pro-regime alliances strategy in Syria, and it would be a significant victory that could be translated into leverage for a political settlement. Amir Toumaj is a independent analyst and contributor to FDD's Long War Journal. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. The Taliban has launched an offensive to take control of Tarin Kot, the capital of Uruzgan province. Its forces have entered the city and are engaged in heavy fighting with Afghan forces there. Tarin Kot is the second provincial capital in the south that is under direct threat of a Taliban takeover. Lashkar Gah in neighboring Helmand province is also contested by the Taliban. The Taliban claims to have seized all security installations outside of the city and said it controls several government building inside the city as well. In a series of three separate statements on its official website, Voice of Jihad, the Taliban touted its initial success in the city and claims it took control of 4 strategic enemy bases and 32 check posts outside of Tarin Kot. The Taliban said it overran commander Akbar Khans base in Marabad area and that Khan and 40 of his troops surrendered. Additionally, the Taliban said it stormed the citys prison but the guards had already evacuated the prisoners. Afghan officials have confirmed that Taliban forces have entered the city, taken control of the prison, and are currently battling Afghan forces. The security forces are engaged with the Taliban inside the city, and fighting is ongoing, Dost Mohammad Nayab, a spokesman for Uruzgans governor, told The New York Times. Nayab also confirmed the Talibans claim that it controls security outposts outside of Tarin Kot. The Afghan Interior and Defense ministries are said to be scrambling troops to prevent the fall of Tarin Kot. Uruzgan has been hotly contested for more than a year. Of the provinces six districts, one, Char Chino, is under Taliban control, and the remaining five are heavily contested. The Taliban seized Char Chino in June 2016 after Afghan forces conducted a tactical retreat. The Taliban considers Uruzgan to be a strategic province, and has previously said that it controls all areas of the province except for the district centers. In a Voice of Jihad interview in April 2016 with Mullah Aminullah Yousuf, the Talibans shadow governor for Uruzgan, he described the province as the linking point for many provinces and a traditional strong fortress of mujahideen. [See LWJ report, Taliban seizes a district in Uruzgan.] The enemy thinks that if the province fell into the mujahideens hands, recapturing it back would be very hard, Yousef said. Yousef explained that US, Dutch, and Australian forces committed significant resources to secure Uruzgan and stand up to the police and Arbakis, or local militias. But the Taliban continued to fight in the province and gained grounds after Coalition forces withdrew. [I]n the course of last year, with the exception of district headquarters, all villages, suburbs, and valleys slipped away from enemy hands, Yousef claimed in April. Yousef said the Taliban would continue to pursue gaining control of the district centers, and predicted that the loss of all five districts would be a serious problem for the Afghan government. If the mujahideen capture the headquarters of districts as we expect and have plans for, then provincial headquarters will not be able to resist. It would be a big blow to the enemy, and the enemy would leave the area, he stated. Three of Afghanistans 34 provincial capitals are now under direct Taliban threat. In neighboring Helmand province, the Taliban has surrounded Lashkar Gah and control five and contest eight of the provinces 14 districts. The US military has sent more than 100 special forces troops to Helmand to prevent the fall of the provincial capital. In the north, the Taliban is again threatening Kunduz, which fell under Taliban control for two weeks in the fall of 2015. Security in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate as the Taliban presses offensives in all areas of the country. The Afghan military is struggling to contain the group, despite limited US military support. In eastern Afghanistan, the Taliban recently overran two districts in Paktika province. Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. The US killed 13 al Qaeda operatives in three separate attacks that targeted the groups branch in Yemen over the past two weeks. All three assaults took place in the province of Shabwa, where AQAP remains entrenched, despite an offensive spearheaded by the United Arab Emirates to dislodge the group from southern Yemen. US Central Command, or CENTCOM, announced the strikes in Yemen earlier today. The US military has begun to release information about counterterrorism strikes outside areas of active hostilities since President Obama directed the military and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to increase transparency on operations against jihadist groups outside of Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. [See LWJ report, US government releases data on counterterrorism strikes outside areas of active hostilities.] According to CENTCOM, the three air attacks took place on Aug. 24 (four AQAP fighters killed), Aug. 30 (three AQAP fighters killed), and Sept. 4 (six AQAP fighter killed, one wounded). No senior or mid-level AQAP leaders or operatives were reported to have been killed in the three latest counterterrorism operations in Yemen. According to CENTCOM, the US has launched 15 airstrikes against AQAP in Yemen this year. However, The Long War Journal has recorded 25 airstrikes against AQAP in Yemen in 2016. This discrepancy may be due to the fact that CENTCOM may not have released all of its data. It is also possible that the CIA instead executed some of the airstrikes, or that attacks attributed in the press to the US military were conducted by Saudi Arabia or the UAE. The US has ramped up assaults in Yemen this year after reducing the number from its peak of 41 in 2012, when AQAP controlled significant territory in the south. The operations were halved (26 in 2013, 23 each in 2014 and 2015) until AQAP went back on the offensive and took control of large areas in southern Yemen at the end of 2015. [See LWJ report, Charting the data for US airstrikes in Yemen, 2002 2016.] The US military justified the offensives by noting that AQAP remains a significant threat to the United States and its allies. Al Qaedas presence has a destabilizing effect on Yemen; it is using the unrest in Yemen to provide a haven from which to plan future attacks against our allies as well as the US and its interests, CENTCOM continued. AQAP has directed several plots to attack the US, including the failed 2009 airline bombing over Detroit. That plot failed when Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was unable to properly detonate his bomb, which he successfully smuggled aboard the airplane. AQAP is one of al Qaedas most prominent branches, and has hosted some of al Qaedas top leaders. The US killed Nasir al Wuhayshi, al Qaedas last general manager, in a drone strike in June 2015. In addition to serving as al Qaedas general manager, he was also the emir of AQAP. His death and the death of other senior al Qaeda leaders, such as deputy general manager Nasser bin Ali al Ansi, did not prevent AQAP from overrunning much of southern Yemen in 2015 up until early 2016. AQAP controls rural areas of central and southern Yemen despite both US drone and conventional strikes as well as a UAE-led ground offensive that has ejected the group from major cities and towns. AQAP is known to operate training camps in Yemen, and claims to do so to this day. In mid-July, AQAP touted its Hamza al Zinjibari Camp, which trains its special forces. Zinjibari was an AQAP military field commander who was killed in a US drone strike in February 2016. The US military targets AQAP with the approval of Yemens government in exile. The government was forced to flee the capital of Sanaa after Houthi rebels overran it and several provinces in both north and central Yemen. Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. Responsibility for struggling against the system of Israeli administrative detention cannot only be pushed on the shoulders of captives. All Palestinians must stand up and struggle to abolish the practice Struggling against administrative detention is the duty of all of us Related Water as a weapon for racial discrimination The number of detentions that the Israeli occupation army has inflicted on the sons and daughters of the Palestinian people is estimated to be one million since the beginning of the occupation in 1967. It is estimated that approximately 40 percent of all male adults have been subject to arrest or detention at the hands of the Israeli army in one way or another. Undoubtedly, the package of military laws, prevalent military rule and the absence of a fair judiciary created a situation that cant be described except as Apartheid an unjust system based on racial discrimination, under which thousands of male and female captives suffer. There is an old saying that best describes this situation which is, What can you do when the judge is your adversary? Consequently, every detention is an injustice derived from the hegemony of the military occupation force. However, the most unjust and abusive form of detention is definitely "administrative detention," which is only practiced by the most despotic regimes. In this field, Israel has surpassed all repressive regimes in practicing it. Administrative detention allows Israelis to detain any Palestinian for six months that can be renewed forever, without pressing charges against the detainee, without the captive knowing the reason behind his detention, and even without his lawyer knowing the reason for his detention, which is kept in secret files. It is a cheap means that grants the intelligence services an absolute right in detaining whoever they want, whenever they want, and for as long as they want. I know cases in which the captives were detained under administrative detention for six years without one charge being pressed against them. Netanyahus government has innovated a new level of persecution by practising administrative detention on the day of the release of captives whose sentences had ended after they passed more than 10 years in captivity as was the case of Bilal Al-Kayed. Administrative detention isnt only unjust in itself but is an embodiment of injustice in its most flagrant form. Every Palestinian, male or female, is prone to its danger, for one sole reason: they are Palestinians. Because of this injustices flagrant nature, captives fought vigorously against it with the only weapon they had the hunger strike. All of them exposed themselves to certain death, wagering their lives for the sake of their freedom and their peoples freedom. Khader Adnan, Samer Al-Issawy, Thaer Halahla, Bilal Ziyab, Hanaa Shibly, Muhammad Al-Qiq, and now Bilal Al-Kayed, Mohammed and Mahmoud Al-Balboul, all these names became synonyms of heroism and dedication. Nobody should forget the daring exploit of the five martyrs who paid with their lives the price of continuing the battle of the hunger strike. They are Abd-El-Kader Abo-Al-Fahm, Rasem Halawa, Ali Al-Ja'fari, Mahmoud Freitekh and Hussein Obeidat. Today, there are more than 460 captives languishing in administrative detention. It isnt ethically permissible that the responsibility of the struggle against administrative detention be laid on the shoulders of these captives only. It is the responsibility of all of us, and the responsibility of the entire Palestinian people. It isnt enough to just participate in solidarity with them through some rallies and sit-ins, for the time has come in which everyone must stand up and contribute in a joint battle in order to abolish administrative detention altogether. This means that an international popular and official campaign be launched in order to expose and uncover Israel, its laws and policies, especially its system of administrative detention, which it continues to practice, and use the sanctions and boycott weapon so as to force it to abolish the practice. All of us are prone to the danger of administrative detention and all of us are called upon to struggle against it. The writer is secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative. Search Keywords: Short link: Plain and simple The BEST & Only Fresh Salsa Recipe Youll EVER Need! Easy to customize the spiciness to your familys tastes. This post may contain affiliate links. As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full Disclosure Policy for details. Best Salsa Recipe If your family is anything like mine, back-to-school means crazy schedules with what feels like not enough time in the day. Why do we pray for back-to-school and this chaos?! This year, were trying online homeschooling with the kiddos and just like when you learn most new things, weve had a few bumps to work out. Nothing major, thankfully! It was just stuff like trying to set everything up, and trying to figure out how to go back and study the material for a big test after youve already done the work . or how to adjust the school calendar for a few days off for our trip to Disney!! Were figuring things out and the curriculum seems to be good for the kids, so Im happy. This year, were also part of a new (to us) homeschool community. I hope this will make a big difference for our family having like-minded people to do things with and meet up with. Weve tried a few other homeschool groups, but they just didnt seem to be a good fit for us, so we never met with them more than once. Were already excited to meet and make new friends with this group, as well as enjoy some of the opportunities for field trips, park days, clubs and all of the other fun things being part of a homeschool group has to offer! Easy Salsa Recipe In the Love Bakes Good Cakes house, were BIG fans of Mexican food. We could eat it all of the time!! When it comes to snacking, one of our always must-have items is this Fresh Salsa recipe. We use it for everything! On eggs, in tacos or burritos, in some of our slow cooker chicken recipes, as a garnish for soup, on grilled burgers and hot dogs, with chips you get the idea. We use it for everything! I like mine on the spicier side as do the older two boys. Brian and the younger kids like it more on the mild side. I love that this recipe is so easy to adjust to your familys tastes! Other recipes you may enjoy Luton is a large town, borough and unitary authority area of Bedfordshire. Luton and its near neighbours, Dunstable and Houghton Regis, form the Luton/Dunstable Urban Area with a population of about 258,000. Luton is home to Championship team Luton Town Football Club, London Luton Airport and The University of Bedfordshire. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter. For all the latest news from Luton sign up to our newsletter here. (Beijing) The vast majority of China's fast-growing online lending platforms still operate without a license despite a recent crackdown by regulators trying to tame a sector in which fraud is rampant. There were 2,235 peer-to-peer (P2P) financing sites in China by the end of August, but only 242 of them had obtained an Internet Content Provider (ICP) license from local telecom regulators, according to data compiled by Yingcan Zixun, which tracks the industry. That means that nearly 90 percent of P2P platforms are operating outside the legal framework, the firm said. Draft rules by China's banking regulators in August said online lenders should get an ICP license from their local telecom regulatory authority after registering with the government finance office. It's a requirement that reinforces an internet regulation issued in 2000 that demands a license for all for-profit Internet information service providers. But, in practice, few online financing platforms follow the rules. That's partially because some financial regulators in different jurisdictions have complex approval processes that many P2P companies simply ignore. In addition, there has been a lack of legal awareness in the P2P sector, which has thrived in a regulatory vacuum. Now the government is trying to streamline the process. The P2P industry has seen rapid growth in recent years, as the number of online lenders has tripled since the end of 2013. China seeks to stimulate the financial industry to help lower the fund-raising costs for small- and medium-sized companies, which are often shunned by commercial banks, which favor giant state-owned enterprises. Contact reporter Dong Tongjian at (tongjiandong@caixin.com), and editor Ken Howe at (kennethhowe@caixin.com) (Beijing) China's imports rose by 1.5 percent to $138.5 billion in August compared with a year earlier, the first expansion in 21 months, customs data showed. The prices of bulk products such as crude, coal and steel have risen recently, which has driven increased purchases among domestic buyers who fear possible further price increases, said Zhao Qingming, chief economist of the Institute of China Financial Futures Exchange. In August, 32.8 million tons of crude oil was imported into China, up by 5.7 percent from the previous month. Brent Crude had its monthly high on Aug. 19 at $50.88 a barrel, up from $42.14 a barrel on Aug. 1. Although the price fell to $47 toward the end of the month, it still stood $7 higher than 30 days earlier. Coal imports climbed 25 percent in August to 26.6 million tons. Liu Liu, an economist at macro research team of China International Capital Corp., told Caixin that this might have resulted from declining output from domestic miners amid the country's general policy to reduce excess capacity. Liu said that some companies might want to complete transactions before the G20 summit in early September, and this might have helped boost August imports. Exports in August were $190.6 billion, down by 2.8 percent from a year earlier, a smaller decline than the fall of 4.8 percent forecast by 15 economists polled by Caixin. The depreciating yuan helped cushion the decline, said Deng Haiqing, chief economist of JZ Securities. The yuan's reference rate against the U.S. dollar set by the central bank rose to 6.69 on Aug. 31,up from 6.60 on Aug. 17. The overall cross-border trade reflected a surplus of $52.1 billion in August, $259 million less than a month before. The European Union has been China's largest trading partner during the first eight months of 2016. Export and import volumes from the EU accounted for 15.3 percent of the total from all countries, reaching 2.35 trillion yuan ($352 billion), followed by the United States at $326 billion and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at $284 billion. Contact reporter Coco Feng at renkefeng@caixin.com; editor Ken Howe at kennethhowe@caixin.com (Beijing) All Chinese province-level governments except Tibet have set up independent committees to select and oversee the work of judges and prosecutors, part of an ongoing effort to minimize government interference in the judiciary, a Caixin survey found. The northeastern province of Liaoning was the latest to set up an independent judicial selection committee, the state-run Liaoning Daily reported on Tuesday. Analysts said these committees will be composed of veteran judges, lawyers and academics specializing in legal affairs. The committees will reduce interference from local government officials who were until now responsible for selecting and monitoring judges and state attorneys. The committees will also have the power to punish judges and prosecutors found guilty of professional misconduct. Authorities in Tibet said in February 2015 that they planned to introduce a similar system that year, according to media reports. The reasons for the delay are not known. The Communist Party's Central Leading Group for Overall Reform, headed by party General Secretary General Xi Jinping, first floated the idea of setting up independent judicial committees in 2014, which would select judges based on merit and their professional track record. The move was part of a reform plan to improve the professionalism of judges and prosecutors to reduce wrongful convictions. In recent years, several wrongful convictions, including cases in which the defendant was put to death, were overturned after retrials proved that the police had tortured or coerced witnesses. The committees also aim to tighten oversight on the conduct of judges and prosecutors inside and outside the courtroom. Four Shanghai prosecutors, including a deputy head of a unit handling civil cases at the Shanghai People's High Court, were expelled or demoted in August 2013 after they were shown on video soliciting sex workers that a businessman paid for at a private club, the court said. Shanghai set up the country's first judicial selection and punitive committee in December 2014 with seven serving judges and prosecutors and eight academics. Analysts said an independent committee may also help rein in corruption among judges. Xi Xiaoming, a vice president of the Supreme Court, was removed from his position in July 2015 over corruption charges. In the latest development in his graft investigation, Zhou Fan, a deputy head of a circuit court under the Supreme People's Court, was taken into custody for questioning in July by the party's anti-graft agency, Caixin recently learned from informed sources. Multiple sources close to the Supreme Court told Caixin that Zhou Fan, a "star judge at the top court," also took money to hand down lenient sentences in several cases. Contact reporter Li Rongde (rongdeli@caixin.com); editor Poornima Weerasekara (poornima@caixin.com) MARION A new patient is occupying the exam rooms of a Smyth County hospital that hasnt accepted sick people in years. The patients name is SimMan 3G and he has a lot of issues: He bleeds. He goes into shock. He moans in pain. SimMan 3G is a high fidelity simulation mannequin and is the centerpiece equipment in a simulation lab for students at the Emory & Henry College School of Health Sciences Marion campus. The campus is located at the site of the old Smyth County Hospital, built in 1965, but closed for four years until 2016. Through $13.3 million in renovations, the college has not only repurposed an old building to create a learning hub, but is also helping to reinvigorate a Southwest Virginia community. The goal of the school is to educate young people in a highly interactive and hands-on environment, as well as to provide health care to Southwest Virginia, an area that school officials say lacks health care professionals, said Louise Fincher, dean of Emory & Henrys School of Health Sciences. Currently, the school offers graduate-level degrees in occupational and physical therapy and will offer a masters degree in Physician Assistant Studies next spring. Were contributing to the common good, said Jake Schrum, Emory & Henrys president. Were not only teaching people to do well, but to do good, too. And the school has just gone a step further: It is providing new housing in a building near the renovated hospital for a free clinic that opened last month. The school also plans to open a falls prevention center for seniors and an obesity research center in the near future, Fincher said. The medical campus, which began teaching students two years ago, is a symbol in Marion, a town with a population of about 6,000. Last week, banners proudly displaying the E&H abbreviation waved in the breeze to welcome students to classes. There are currently about 90 students enrolled in the school. By next spring, that number will grow with a new class in the physician assistant program, Fincher said. College officials hope 300 students will roam the halls by 2020, she said. Those are attractive numbers for a college with about 1,000 students. Emory & Henrys presence represents the first time since the 1960s that a four-year college has made a significant investment in the area, town officials said. And its already brought changes to Marion. Cultivating community Marion leaders really wanted to see something come into the former hospital building, after Smyth Countys Community Hospital relocated to a new $66 million facility in 2012. It wouldve been a shame for this building to be torn down or sit here empty, Fincher said. When the move was only in the planning stages, local retired dentist Henderson Graham hatched the idea for Emory & Henry to move health sciences programming into the old Smyth County Community Hospital, his son and Smyth County Circuit Court Clerk John Graham said. Henderson Graham, who died three years ago, took the idea to the college as well as to the Smyth County Foundation, which gave the college $5.5 million toward the $13.3 million project, said the younger Graham, who is currently chairman of the foundation. The rest of the funding came from the college and grants. Its given us a sense of hope around here. When the whole community comes together, great things can happen, Graham said. Even in surprising and unexpected ways. Since the school began classes two years ago, Marions economic development director Ken Heath estimated 40 apartments have been added to downtown Marion. Theres also more energy in town as students interact with community members , he said. Its absolutely huge, Heath said. Its one of the biggest game changers weve had here. Chase Edwards, a second-year student in the physical therapy program, said hes enjoyed getting to know the community around his cohort. If he walks around town wearing Emory & Henry colors, people will stop him to say hello and ask what he thinks of Marion, he said. It never ceases to amaze me, the hospitality that this community has, he said. Edwards said based on his experience in Marion, if a career opportunity opened up in the area, he would be interested. He likes the feel of the town thats similar to his native Unicoi, Tennessee, a small town near Johnson City. That attitude is what educators want to see from some of their students, Fincher said. Were not just preparing students based on content areas, Fincher said, but also educating them about civic engagement. Giving back through education Emory & Henry is making a special effort to reach out to locals in need of medical care, school officials said. In August, the Mel Leaman Free Clinic moved into a facility on the E&H campus after the schools classes were moved into the main hospital building. The clinic has offered free health care for low-income uninsured people in Smyth County for more than 10 years seeking to offer a solution to whats a major issue in Southwest Virginia. In fact, its facility had become cramped as of late, said the clinics executive director Michael Armbrister. With the new facility the clinic is now accepting patients from nearby Grayson and Washington counties, too. The college offered a space in a building at the medical school free of charge. In exchange, students can get their clinical hours and observe professionals in the field from their first week on campus, Armbrister said. It really is a win-win, he said. But before students are helping with patients, theyll be working in the simulation lab with two high fidelity simulation mannequins as well as actor-patients, said Scott Richards, director of the physician assistant program. Richards said students will go through the simulations individually and in teams to apply what theyve learned in the classroom to lifelike mannequins. Afterward, students will be able to meet with faculty and watch video of interactions to improve. The outreach, patient interaction and simulations create an attractive atmosphere for students, according to Schrum, the colleges president. According to Richards, there have been hundreds of applications for 30 spots in the first physician assistant program that starts next spring. At Emory & Henrys Marion health sciences campus, students will know theyre valued not just based on banners along Main Street, but also through high tech programming and special attention to student needs, Schrum said. At so many other colleges these programs are shoved in a basement of a medical school, Schrum said. Its not like that here. In Defence of Marxism is committed to safeguarding your privacy. 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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 In the hours and days following the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington of Sept. 11, 2001, American flags appeared on porches, folks lined up at blood donation centers and houses of worship opened their doors to just try to make sense of it all. Today, the legacy of Sept. 11 means, in part, American involvement in Afghanistan, Iraq and now Syria. It means air travelers must pass closer security checks and have their paperwork and identification documents in order. Airline cockpit doors are secured shut. The Pew Research Center said this week that 91 percent of all American adults say they know exactly where they were and what they were doing when they learned of the attacks. That number, 91 percent, has remained virtually unchanged over the years. Predictably, and for obvious reasons, younger adults are less likely to have that clear a memory. But even among those under the age of 30, who were between the ages of three and 13 at the time, 83 percent today say they know exactly where they were or what they were doing when they heard. How has Sept. 11, 2001 and its aftermath changed your life? The Republican and MassLive would like to know how its readers have been affected as the nation prepares to mark the 15th anniversary of the attacks. Please feel free to use the comment section below to share your thoughts. One question to ponder: Did we, as members of the American family, feel more united and bound by common purpose following Sept. 11, 2001? Has that feeling subsided in the ensuing 15 years? If it has, what factors led to that shift, in your opinion? Did the lingering impacts of the Great Recession fracture us as a people? Is it the fatigue of more than a decade at war? According to that same Pew Research Center poll, there is a partisan divide when it comes to Americans' perception of terror danger. The poll showed that 40 percent of the public says that the ability of terrorists to launch another major attack on the United States is greater than it was at the time of the 9/11 attacks. That was the highest share expressing this view over the past 14 years. About a third -- 31 percent -- say terrorists' abilities to attack are the same as at the time of 9/11, while 25 percent say their ability to initiate a major attack is less than at that time. Pew said 58 percent of Republicans view the ability of terrorists to attack as greater than at the time of 9/11, up 18 percentage points since November 2013. About a third of independents, 34 percent, and Democrats, 31 percent, say terrorists are now better able to strike the U.S. Do you feel more or less safe, or about the same, today than you did 15 years ago? All the Pew polling results are based on a survey of 1,201 adults conducted between Aug. 23 and Sept. 2. Pew called people on both landlines and cellphones. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.2 percentage points. Update: As of 1 p.m., turnout in Springfield was 5.5 percent. While Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin had predicted statewide turnout would be in the 8 to 10 percent range for Thursday's election, most Western Mass. municipalities were nowhere near there as of mid-day. Voter turnout in Holyoke was running about 6 percent at noon Thursday, casting doubt as to whether the Paper City would match the 15-percent turnout it reached in the most recent primary, according to City Clerk Brenna Murphy McGee. "I thought the contested Sheriff's primary would bring people out," she said. "But we also had some people at polling places ask us where the ballot questions were. So maybe that means there will be a big turnout in November when those really are on the ballot." In West Springfield, turnout was around 3.3 percent Thursday morning. Clerk Otto J. Frizzell said he expects turnout to hit the low teens by the end of the day. Agawam Town Clerk Vincent Gioscia said he expects more voters during the evening rush hour. "It's very light right now," he said. Wendy Mazza, city clerk in Northampton, said only about 30 or 40 people had voted at each of Northampton's precincts places by noon. Hampshire County also has a primary race for an open sheriff's seat. The cities of Springfield and Chicopee were contacted for comment regarding early turnout, but didn't have reportable information yet. This is a developing story which will be updated as additional information becomes available. Today - 2013 Matt Lauer of the "Today" show. (NBC NewsWire) The morning after Matt Lauer's back-to-back interviews of presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, several high ranking sources at NBC said the network was unhappy with his performance with one executive calling it a "disaster." Lauer was widely criticized for failing to fact-check or follow up when Trump falsely claimed that he was opposed to the Iraq war when it started. Some felt Lauer held Clinton to a higher standard than Trump, according to CNN. One executive, speaking anonymously to CNN, called it a "disaster." The New York Times said that Lauer seemed "unprepared on specifics of military and foreign policy: "He performed like a soldier sent on a mission without ammunition, beginning with a disorganized offensive, ending in a humiliating retreat." One executive assigned the blame for Lauer's performance to a longtime Lauer ally, NBC News and MSNBC chairman Andy Lack, Mediaite reported. Lack was intimately involved in the forum planning and execution. Lauer was showered with criticism on social media Instead of holding Trump's feet to the fire, Matt Lauer seemed to warm his hands at The Donald's celebrity glow. A poor showing. Stephen King (@StephenKing) September 8, 2016 .@MLauer owes an apology not only to @HillaryClinton , but to the American electorate for #LaueringTheBar . https://t.co/TXPGmywZPR My Havanese Uses Oxford Commas (@SedonaRockss) September 8, 2016 Someone forgot to tell @MLauer that he was interviewing candidates for POTUS, not Dancing with the Stars. #LaueringTheBar (( ABN )) (@mcnuss) September 8, 2016 Matt Lauer was terrible last night. He should stick to scrambling eggs on TV and leave the moderating to prepared journalists. Bill Press (@bpshow) September 8, 2016 WENDELL Police arrested one person after a car chase Thursday that led authorities through multiple Massachusetts towns, according to Western Mass News. State Police say that the chase began at approximately 3:30 p.m., when a Jeep Cherokee headed south on I-91 near Northampton refused to stop for a State Police trooper. The driver, who police later discovered was driving with a suspended license, initiated a car chase by attempting to escape the trooper driving into the northbound side of I-91 at speeds in excess of 80 miles per hour. The driver eventually exited I-91 using Exit 19, and traveling onto Route 9. While exiting the highway, the operator reportedly struck another vehicle. After the driver exited the highway, troopers ended their chase, and handed the pursuit off to local police departments. Wendell police officers caught the Jeep at approximately 4:15 p.m., at which time the driver was taken into custody and arrested. The identity of the driver is currently being withheld from the public by authorities. Texas School Shooter In this photo provided by the Alpine Avalanche, people gather near the Alpine High School school campus after a shooting, in Alpine, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. A student died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Brewster County sheriff said. (Gail Yovanovich/Alpine Avalanche via AP) (Gail Yovanovich) The student who shot another and killed herself at Alpine High School in Texas on Thursday was a 14-year-old freshman, according to The Associated Press. A motive for the shooting is still unclear. Officials have not identified the shooter by name, but her grandfather spoke to CBS 7. He told the station that the girl had moved to the area six months ago. The grandfather told CBS 7 "we don't know what would provoke this." Sheriff: #Alpine high school shooting "could've been a lot worse" - says media will "get those details later." Travis Bubenik (@travisbubenik) September 8, 2016 The shooting occurred in a bathroom in the band hall, multiple outlets are reporting. The name of the victim has not been released. Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson said that the shooter had a semiautomatic pistol and ammunition. Dodson knows the shooter's grandparents, according to KCBD 11. The grandparents said she was a straight-A student and there were no indications of any problems. Chicken will be the best-positioned protein due to its low price position in times of pressure on consumer spending power but rises in production costs and the long-term impact of COVID-19 threaten to disrupt the sector, according to Rabobank. by Sara Guaglione , September 8, 2016 The Village Voice is launching its first dedicated fashion issue in print and online this week. The issue corresponds with New York Fashion Week, which kicks off today and will be covered on The Village Voices Web site. Suzan Gursoy, publisher of The Village Voice, told Publishers Daily that the launch of the fashion issue marks the beginning of our pivot toward the style category as part of our culture coverage. Gursoy said the Voice will thread style coverage throughout the coming months leading up to our next Fashion Issue, which is slated for release in spring 2017. The issue was guest-edited by former Michael Kors global creative director and style journalist Andrea Linett, with consultation from Joe Levy, who was named interim editor-in-chief of the Voice after Will Bourne was fired last month. advertisement advertisement Samuel Hubbard Shoe Company is running advertising on the Voices fourth cover and the dedicated fashion microsite on VillageVoice.com, which launched in tandem with the issue. We are in dialogue with more fashion advertisers regarding future programs, Gursoy said. Going forward, readers and advertisers of the Voice can expect to see the build of staple columns and departments that will have a consistent presence post-relaunch, Gursoy said. by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, September 8, 2016 The event was titled the Commander-In-Chief Forum, but neither Donald Trump nor Hillary Clinton is commander in chief -- at least not yet. You might say the not-quite-accurate title underscored this events position as not-quite-a-debate. Both presidential candidates were in the building (so to speak -- since this was an aircraft carrier, not a building), but they appeared separately. And it was reasonable to assume that the candidates and their retinues were quartered some distance away from each other too. Onstage, the candidates answered similar questions on the same topics, and in some of their answers each attacked the other. This one-hour, live show from the Intrepid in New York was seen Wednesday night on NBC from 8 to 9 Eastern, and was simulcast on MSNBC. advertisement advertisement The event had a single moderator -- Matt Lauer -- who interviewed each candidate in turn for a few minutes shy of 30 minutes. At the outset of the show, Lauer informed us that the order -- Clinton first and then Trump -- was determined a day earlier by a coin toss. The subject was national defense and all of its subsets -- military strength, involvement in overseas conflicts, security at home and healthcare for veterans. A small audience was seated in the space below the ships flight deck. They were all U.S. military veterans of various ages and eras representing service in a succession of wars up to and including recent service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some of the vets were given opportunities to ask the candidates questions. The events title reflected the theme its planners were going for, which was: How can we expect these candidates to comport themselves if they become commander in chief? So these are the facts. The more difficult task is to try and quantify how each candidate did. Or to put it another way: Who won? Lauers questioning put Clinton on the defensive right away. He spent the first 11 minutes of her portion of the show asking her about her email habits. She gamely tried -- more or less successfully -- to conceal her resentment over this line of questioning, but at the same time, you could sense her frustration. From her answers, we learned more than we ever knew about the nature and style of classified documents and their letterhead when she described in detail how top-secret documents are clearly identified at the top of the first page (and possibly subsequent pages). At various times, she resisted Lauers attempts to steer her toward a conclusion when her answers became overlong. She talked over him and remained squarely focused on the camera in an effort to address viewers at home. In a minor piece of political theater, she rose from her chair and stood whenever she was addressed by one of the vets in the audience. From this standing position, it seemed easier to ignore Lauer too. By contrast, Trump never stood. And in comparison to Clinton, he was completely relaxed, never seemed defensive and came across like a man who didnt have a care in the world. He never raised his voice, listened attentively to the questions from both Lauer and the vets and answered every one of them in a calm, conversational tone. Neither candidate gave any answers we havent heard before. Clintons responses to the email questions were the same ones she has adopted recently in which she owns up to making mistakes, and then tries to minimize the damage by describing what classified documents look like. This strategy seems crafted to demonstrate her familiarity with classified documents, probably to deflect the admission she made in some of her testimony over her emails in which she reportedly admitted she didnt realize a capital C on an email meant it was classified. For his part, much of the post-show coverage emphasized Trumps comments about Putin in which he praised the Russian autocrat as a strong leader. As Trump himself tried to explain at least once, he meant that Putin is a strong leader strictly within the context of the political system in Russia that Trump acknowledged is far different from our own. The reports on Trumps statements on Putin largely ignored this nuance, but as Trump seems to fully understand, even if the news media does not: His followers and potential voters understand exactly what hes saying. Its why he has come this far. This non-debate was a preliminary round, of sorts. The first of three real, face-to-face debates takes place Monday, Sept. 26. by Tobi Elkin @tobielkin, September 8, 2016 Quantcast, an ad tech company, on Thursday announced the appointment of Keith Lorizio to the role of vice president of North America Sales. In his new role, Lorizio will lead the North American client, relationship management and campaign management teams, based in the companys New York City office. Lorizio joins Quantcast after serving as senior vice president of buyer cloud at Rubicon. Lorizio joined Rubicon after it acquired Chango, a programmatic advertising company, in April 2015. He served as chief revenue officer at Chango. Prior to Keiths stints at Chango and Rubicon, he was vice president of U.S. sales, marketing and operations at Microsoft, where he led a team of nearly 500 people. by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, September 8, 2016 In a bid to bolster its search and social offerings, IPG Mediabrands has acquired the UKs Stickyeyes Group, said to be one of the countrys leading digital marketing businesses. Terms werent disclosed but UK press reports indicated that Mediabrands paid more than $25 million for the company. The 17-year-old Stickyeyes Group includes Stickyeyes and Zazzle Media, providing SEO, paid search, digital PR, content and social media services. The Group also provides influencer marketing and video production services and has over 140 employees across the groups offices in Leeds, Peterborough and London. Clients include Staples, Hertz, AO.com, Superdry, ShopBop, Admiral Group and IG Index. Henry Tajer, Global CEO, IPG Mediabrands, stated: Our clients expect the best digital strategy and deployment expertise so digital leadership is imperative for us. This acquisition is evidence of our commitment to our clients needs and continues the momentum following our purchase of Mubaloo, the enterprise-level mobile technology business. Today, over two thirds of our UK talent are now full-time digital experts. by Sara Guaglione , September 8, 2016 MPA - The Association of Magazine Media has formed MPA Next, a community for young professionals in the magazine media industry. MPA Next is open to those who work for an MPA member company with up to seven years of experience in the industry. MPA Next aims to provide educational and networking opportunities to junior-level magazine media executives in noneditorial positions, such as advertising sales, marketing, public relations and corporate jobs. The organization will host workshops led by senior professionals in the magazine industry, lectures, forums, mixers and networking receptions. Linda Thomas Brooks, president and CEO of MPA The Association of Magazine Media, told Publishers Daily the model for MPA Next came from ASME Next, an organization from American Society of Magazine Editors targeting magazine editors with up to five years' experience. advertisement advertisement While ASME Next is for employees in editorial positions, MPA Next is for everyone else in the industry. Folks who are younger in their careers need a place to talk, learn from and meet with their peers across the industry, Thomas Brooks said. Ideally, MPA Next and ASME Next will host joint events a few times a year, she said. Senior executives get to mingle with each other a lot, but younger people in the business didnt have that many opportunities. We want to put them together, Thomas Brooks added. MPA Next is being led by young MPA employees, like Skye Rubel, communications and events coordinator at MPA. Rubel told PD she hopes the organization will encourage employees to get to know their peers with similar titles at other companies both big and small as well as become equipped with tools to succeed in this industry. by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, September 8, 2016 American Eagle Outfittersone of the few teen retailers that still has a pulsehas just launched a new marketing campaign appealing to kids self-expressive nature. And its also appealing to Gen Zs activist streak, with a new line of t-shirts in partnership with Rock The Vote. The new We All Can, Can You?campaign, from Laird + Partners, is aimed at giving these almost-adults the chance to express themselves, with moody black-and-white photography and sturdy individualism, making statements like I can kiss who I want, I can fight dirty, I can create my own future, and I can dance weird. And while the fashion taste of teens and late adolescence has traditionally been shaped by wanting to fit in, Trey Laird, CEO and CCO of Laird + Partners, which created the campaign, is impressed by just how different the tail end of the Millennial generation is. These young people want to express their own ideas, and put themselves out there in a way that is unique. Theyre authentic, he tells Marketing Daily, and they want to be part of something bigger. advertisement advertisement The campaign, using the #WeAllCan hashtag, pulls together a collection of models, celebrities and social media influencers, such as Yara (Black-ish) Shahidi, model Juana Burga, YouTube star Troye Sivan, and Hailee (True Grit) Steinfeld as spokespeople. We tried to strike a balance between people who are well known as well as people were introducing them to, he says. This target market is very much about influencers, and recognizing that everyone has a point of view. And they like brands that stand for something. They want to participate with brands, and we felt this campaign, which was unscripted, gives a voice to that. Its a new step for American Eagle. Plans call for the campaign, live now on the companys digital channels, to start next month in print, social media and out-of-home. It hopes to get young fans to generate content as well, sharing of positive messages of individuality and freedom of expression across all social platforms through the #WeAllCan hashtag. And for the Rock the Vote effort, its enlisted Madison (Cory in the House) Pettis, who just turned 18, and gets to cast her first ballot in November. Among retailers, American Eagle Outfitters is among the few not suffering from intense adolescent angst, as they wrestle with Gen Zs refusal to follow in Gen Ys fashion footsteps. (The younger group tends to favor bargains, reject logos, and are warier about brands in general.) Recently bankrupt Aeropostale has narrowly escaped liquidation, and Abercrombie & Fitch is struggling with declining sales and an ongoing identity crisis. But in its most recent quarterly results, American Eagle saw its total revenues climb 3%, its eighth straight quarter of sales gains, as well as a 3% increase in comparable-store sales. by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, September 8, 2016 Kentucky bourbon brand Wild Turkey, seeking to reinforce its iconic status, has launched a new global campaign called Itll Find You, created with WPPs J. Walter Thompson New York. A new TV spot for the campaigndirected and featuring Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey--was released today. The spot opens on a glass of Wild Turkey being artfully poured by a woman in a speakeasy. She then sashays toward a lively jazz joint next door. During the scene, McConaugheys voiceover intones: Were not in a rush to be most popular. Not in a rush not to be. Real bourbon, no apologies, the actor adds. If its for you youll know. The final scene cuts to McConaughey playing jazz piano. The woman hands him the glass of Wild Turkey. which he accepts with a hearty thank you, before signing off with: Wild Turkey, Itll find you. advertisement advertisement The ad is said to be McConaugheys directorial debut, for which he received a Creative Director credit. The New Orleans-style jazz music in the ad (selected by McConaughey) was from The Hot 8 Brass Band. The television spot is now running in the U.S. The global campaign also includes broadcast, print, and digital components. Matthew McConaugheys unflinching creative style and voice are the perfect fit for a brand like Wild Turkey, which has been doing things its own way for decades, stated Bob Kunze-Concewitz, CEO at Wild Turkey parent company Gruppo Campari. With this new television campaign, he has tapped into what so many Wild Turkey fans understand about the brand and themselves take pride in the choices you make, even if they are different, because they make you who you are. The brand has been a cultural fixture for decades and the libation of choice for luminaries such as Hunter S. Thompson. It's also been featured in novels (by Stephen King, David Foster Wallace and others) films ("Monsters Ball," "Thelma & Louise") and TV series ("Justified," "The Sopranos"). by Ari Rosenberg , Op-Ed Contributor, September 8, 2016 First, lets define work in the context of old-media publishers and how buyers agreed to define it. Pre-new media, the definition of a publisher working was primarily defined by how many people consumed the content a publisher produced in any media, and the depth of this consumption. Under this definition, publishers knew that if they invested in doing their job well, they would earn more ad dollars. Ad content would also be held to this same working definition: Did the ad creative earn consumer attention, and to what depth? The beauty of this old-media definition of working was the proper alignment of incentives. Whether you were a publisher or an advertiser, investing in better content produced deeper connections with consumers. As a result, publishers made more money, and advertisers felt better about spending it. When new-media publishers arrived, driven by the frenzy of venture capital dollars, these publishers agreed to deliver unrealistic ad revenue goals despite having no established record of working. advertisement advertisement When these new-media publishers started making sales calls, they learned quickly that while they had a large number of total audience members, the depth of their consumer connection did not compare well to old media. The old-media definition of a publisher working placed new-media publishers at the end of the ad dollars line. This was a problem, because invites to their IPO parties had already gone out, so new-media publishers had to figure out a way to cut the line. They did so by agreeing to a new definition of working that new-media buyers rewrote for them. Publishers working was no longer defined by the depth of the consumer attention their content earned -- but rather, how quickly a publisher could transfer this consumer attention to an advertisers Web site. New-media publishers were desperate to grow revenue quicker than they could earn it the old way, so they agreed to this new definition of media value, and ad dollars started to flow their way. This was a brilliant move by new-media buyers, who now could easily drive down prices by comparing how their ad creative worked from one publisher to another, while ridding themselves of the burden of investing further in creating ads that worked. As long as prices dropped, their ad creative would work better. This new "working" definition, however, created a misalignment of incentives. Publishers were now incented to produce content just good enough to borrow consumers attention long enough to flip it instead of owning it. Ehow.com was a perfect example of this new paradigm. Ehow.com built its whole business on having consumers visit its site just long enough to transfer them elsewhere via search ads run on the site. So Ehow.com could collect its Google Ad Sense toll, and users had to travel further to get what they were looking for. The key misstep for new-media publishers was not using the ability to track consumer actions with their own content to prove they were working. This would have kept incentives aligned so that consumers were treated to ever-improving content from both publishers and advertisers. Instead, we have what we have today. Programmatic is billed as medias future, but dont be fooled. Its not about automation. Its not about giving TV networks and cable stations more insight on their audience to help them sell more advertising. Its not about attaching data to increase the value of ads sold during low sell-through time slots. Programmatic is all about ad buys based purely on audience targeting. By default, content value is eliminated, and the new-media definition of a publisher working gets further entrenched. TV executives, however, are not desperate. They stand today where they have always stood: at the front of the ad dollars line, with ad scarcity and highly produced content in their pockets. They casually look back over their shoulders at the other media behind them. Their smiles say, Settle in, folks, we are going to be here a while. Programmatic ad buys, by definition of how they are working, will always drive prices down and decrease overall spending. TV executives will pay programmatic lip service to sound like they are evolving technologically, but they are not going to open the door to their inventory wide enough for programmatic to work. Nor should they. by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, September 8, 2016 Netflix is calling for the government to crack down on broadband providers that impose data caps on their subscribers. Data caps "discourage a consumers consumption of broadband, and may impede the ability of some households to watch Internet television in a manner and amount that they would like," Netflix says in a new filing with the Federal Communications Commission. Netflix is urging the FCC to rule that all data caps on wireline networks, as well as "low" data caps on mobile networks, may "unreasonably limit Internet television viewing." The online video company adds that data caps (as well as pay-per-byte billing) don't seem to have any purpose other than to make online video more expensive for consumers. Consumer advocates have made the same point, arguing that data caps don't help manage congestion on wireline networks, given that the caps aren't pegged to current network conditions. advertisement advertisement The company's filing comes as broadband providers are increasing their use of data caps. Comcast, for instance, recently brought its data caps to several new markets, including Chicago. Comcast's broadband customers subject to caps now face overages ranging from $10 to $200, if they consume more than 1 Terabyte of data per month. Until this April, the maximum amount that people could consume before getting slammed with overages was just 300 GB a month. AT&T also recently stepped up enforcement of its wireline data caps, which start at 150 GB a month for DSL users, and range from 300 GB to 1 TB a month for U-Verse subscribers, depending on the speed of service. Netflix says in its filing that watching 3.4 hours of its streams in high definition can use 10 GB of data, while watching the same amount in Ultra HD quality would consume almost 24 GB. "A data cap or allotment of 300 GB of data per month or higher is required just to meet the Internet television needs of an average American," the company writes. "An above average television watcher, a multi-occupant household, or a consumer wishing to watch in 4K requires a much higher cap." Coincidentally, the same day that Netflix called for FCC action, AT&T said it would exempt DirecTV streams from mobile users' data caps. That move obviously gives AT&T's users an incentive to watch streams from DirecTV, which AT&T acquired last year, as opposed to Netflix, Hulu, Amazon or other providers. Advocacy group Free Press, which previously criticized broadband providers for exempting their own material from data caps, was quick to condemn AT&T's move. "AT&T seems intent on favoring its own video content under the DirecTV brand," Free Press policy director Matt Wood said in a statement. "That harms both diverse content creators and internet users who already pay so much for their wireless service." by Larissa Faw , September 8, 2016 Federico Duran is departing Conill Saatchi & Saatchi LA to join Circus Marketing as executive creative director of its Los Angeles office. He will lead the 22-staff creative department working for clients such as Netflix, Spotify, Warner Bros Pictures, SAP, Grupo Bimbo, Barcel USA, Turner, Boomerang, Cartoon Network, TNT, Warner Channel, TBS and USA Space. This new role underscores the agency's evolution. Previously, Circus Marketing had one ECD in Buenos Aires and Mexico that managed all global campaigns. Now the agency has a leader for each office: Duran in Los Angeles; Seto Olivieri in Buenos Aires; Dauquen Chabeldin in Mexico; Pablo Perez Solero in Madrid. Duran will reports to founder/CEO Bruno Lambertini. "We opened Circus in Los Angeles because this city is the center of technological advancements and the entrainment industry," says Lambertini. With growing client business, he added, with Federico joining the team, with his years of experience and his creative leadership, will have the key to consolidate our goals in this context of constant growth." advertisement advertisement Duran has more than 15 years of experience in advertising working in both Argentina and the U.S. He has worked with clients including General Mills, PlayStation, T-Mobile, Toyota, Nestle, Adidas, the NBA, Honda, Pepsi, Continental Airlines, Coors Light and P&G. Being overweight or obese is associated with a number of known risk factors for stroke. However, new research shows that excess weight has varied effects on different types of stroke. Share on Pinterest Understanding the details of stroke risks is vital. When blood flow to the brain is cut off, it is referred to as a stroke and is a medical emergency. Without blood and the oxygen it carries, parts of the brain begin to die. The long-term effects of a stroke depend on which parts of the brain are damaged and how large the area of damage is. Stroke is a leading cause of death in the United States, killing almost 130,000 Americans each year; that equates to 1 in 20 deaths. On average, one person in the U.S. dies of a stroke every 4 minutes . These shocking figures are the reason that stroke is a hot area of medical research. Understanding the risk factors and how different types of stroke affect different people is essential and potentially life-saving information. Parkinson's disease destroys neurons in the brain that are essential for controlling movement. As a result, people may have shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination. Symptoms usually begin gradually and get worse over time. Other disorders can cause symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease. When people don't show all of the classic symptoms of Parkinson's disease, or have additional symptoms, they're said to have "parkinsonism." Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a slowly progressive disorder that affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) as well as those that extend from the spinal cord out to the body's organs (autonomic nervous system). Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare, progressive brain disorder that causes problems with control of walking and balance. A research team led by Dr. David Vaillancourt at the University of Florida examined how these 3 diseases affect brain regions that are critical for movement and balance. The research was funded by NIH's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Results were published in Neurology. The team enrolled 46 patients with Parkinson's disease, 13 with MSA, 19 with PSP, and 34 healthy controls. The participants underwent 2 functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) brain scans spaced a year apart. During the scans, they performed a grip strength exercise that allowed researchers to measure changes in muscle control-related areas of the brain. The healthy controls showed no changes in brain activity after a year. Participants with Parkinson's showed reduced responses in 2 brain regions called the putamen and the primary motor cortex. Previous research has found reduced activity in the primary motor cortex of Parkinson's patients, but this study demonstrates that this deficit continues to worsen over time. For patients with MSA, activity decreased in the primary motor cortex as well as the supplementary motor area and the superior cerebellum. Individuals with PSP showed a decline in the responses of all 4 regions. Clinical trials for Parkinson's disease have long relied on observing whether a therapy improves patients' symptoms, but such studies reveal little about how the treatment affects the underlying progressive neurodegeneration. This study suggests measurable targets, called biomarkers, which could be useful for assessing whether a drug slows or even stops the progression of the disease in the brain. "For decades, the field has been searching for an effective biomarker for Parkinson's disease," says Dr. Debra Babcock, a neuroscientist and neurologist at NINDS. "This study is an example of how brain imaging biomarkers can be used to monitor the progression of Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders." Genomics-the study of all the genetic instructions in an organism - can help researchers develop new diagnostic tools, tailor treatments based on an individual's genetic make-up, and design novel approaches to study and treat disease. Whole-genome sequencing analyzes all the 6 billion DNA bases in a person's genome. Another approach called whole-exome sequencing focuses only on the DNA that codes for proteins. Such regions make up about 1% of the human genome, but contain many disease-causing variants. In order to study sequence variants and their consequences in human DNA, researchers need access to large data sets. The Exome Aggregation Consortium (ExAC) - an international group led by scientists at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard - built on previous efforts and assembled the largest data set of human exomes to date. The effort was supported by several NIH components as well as funding agencies around the world. The team demonstrated the benefits of this massive data set in a report published in Nature. ExAC scientists assembled a data set of more than 60,000 human exomes from diverse populations. Significantly, all the DNA had been sequenced deeply - that is, each nucleotide was sequenced enough times to ensure the data's accuracy. The researchers discovered more than 7.4 million DNA variants across the exome. These corresponded to an average of one variant for every 8 DNA base pairs. The majority of these occurred at very low frequency and weren't detected in previous data sets. Patterns of variation differed among people of European, African, South Asian, East Asian, and Latino ancestry. The researchers found that the density of genetic variation isn't uniform across the exome. This is partly because some DNA sequences are more susceptible to mutation than others. Some mutations also have greater consequences than others and are thus more likely to be preserved or eliminated. Using their new findings, the researchers categorized genes according to how resistant they are to change, and thus how crucial they are to function. This knowledge could help investigators make decisions about which genes of interest to prioritize in future studies. The scientists assessed whether the new data set could yield insights into inherited disease. They identified hundreds of suspected disease variants that should be reclassified as benign (harmless) - particularly in South Asian or Latino people, who were underrepresented in previous reference databases. These results show that the data set can serve as an important resource for interpreting genetic variants seen in the clinic. "The scale and diversity of the ExAC resource is invaluable," says senior author Dr. Daniel MacArthur of the Broad Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School. "It gives us the ability to discover extremely rare variants and offers an unparalleled window into the roots of rare genetic diseases." The data catalog (link is external) is freely available to the biomedical community. A study published in the September 2016 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP) found an association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and an increased risk for Tourette syndrome and other chronic tic disorders. The link seems especially strong for complex presentations of Tourette syndrome in which two or more psychiatric disorders are present. Smoking while pregnant has been associated with several behavioral manifestations in children, including neuropsychiatric difficulties such as chronic tic disorders and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, reasons for this association have not been fully elucidated. For example, mothers who smoke during pregnancy have a higher chance of having a psychiatric disorder, so it may be that the risk for psychiatric disorders is transferred from parent to child by genetic factors or environmental factors that are not directly related to smoking. Maternal smoking is also associated with prematurity and lower birth weight, which may, in turn, be a risk factor for subsequent behavioral problems in the child. Furthermore, parental smoking is associated with lower socioeconomic status and higher rates of alcohol and substance use, and these factors are also linked to behavioral changes in children. Developing a clear understanding of both the risks for behavioral problems in children and then the mechanisms by which these risk factors operate is a complex undertaking that benefits from very large epidemiological samples and ongoing, rather than retrospective, data collection. These research methods use more reliable data and are less prone to bias. A collaboration between a group of researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA, and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark, used longitudinal data collected in the Danish National Birth Cohort and the Danish national health registers to address questions about the relationship between maternal smoking and two related disorders: chronic tic disorders, which include Tourette syndrome, and pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The team looked at data from 73,073 pregnancies, focusing on maternal smoking (including light versus heavy smoking) and children presenting with chronic tic disorders or pediatric OCD. Because of the detailed information available from the Danish National Birth Cohort, the team was able to correct for factors associated with maternal smoking, including maternal age, presence of maternal psychiatric disorders, socioeconomic status, consumption of beer, wine, spirits, coffee, and hashish during pregnancy, gestational age and birth weight, and partner smoking. In addition, given the rich psychiatric information in the Danish health registers, the team was able to assess the association between maternal smoking and emergence in the child of either chronic tic disorders or "complex" chronic tic disorders, the latter defined as chronic tic disorders that occur along with other comorbid psychiatric conditions. The researchers found that maternal smoking is associated with increased risk for chronic tic disorders in the child, after correcting for many other factors. This finding was most evident in the case of heavy maternal smoking (10 or more cigarettes a day) during pregnancy. In these instances, the researchers observed a 66% increased risk for chronic tic disorders in the child. In addition, the team observed that heavy smoking was associated with a 2- to 3-fold increased risk of chronic tic disorders occurring with other psychiatric diagnoses in the child ("complex" chronic tic disorders), such as ADHD. The studies in pediatric-onset OCD showed similar trends, but, because not all children had passed through the age of risk for this disorder, there was a smaller number of diagnosed cases, and conclusions from those analyses were less certain. "Identifying environmental causes for chronic tic disorders and related psychiatric conditions is important because if we know specific risk factors, we can develop more effective strategies for prevention," said Dorothy Grice, MD, professor at the Icahn School of Medicine and senior author on the study. "The next step is to understand how these environmental factors exert their effects on risk, as this will provide a window into the biological mechanisms that underlie these conditions. As we learn more about the neurobiological pathways that underlie a specific disorder, we will be better positioned to develop more specific and targeted treatments. Our study not only shows an important role for maternal prenatal smoking in risk for both simple and complex chronic tic disorders in children, but it also suggests that smoking may be exerting some of its effects through subtle changes in brain development that might occur as a result of fetal exposure to nicotine." Further study on how smoking and nicotine exposure alters brain development may offer insight into the brain changes that lead to these outcomes. In the meantime, educational and treatment programs that support mothers to reduce and eliminate smoking during pregnancy will have beneficial effects for both the mother and the child. Article: Prenatal maternal smoking and increased risk for Tourette syndrome and chronic tic disorders, Heidi A. Browne, Amirhossein Modabbernia, Joseph D. Buxbaum, Stefan N. Hansen, Diana E. Schendel, Erik T. Parner, Abraham Reichenberg, Dorothy E. Grice, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2016.06.010, published online 21 July 2016. Scientists have developed an endoscope that uses near-infrared light to spot early warning signs of oesophageal - food pipe - cancer, according to research published in the Journal of Biomedical Optics. Researchers at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute sprayed a dye on oesophageal tissue samples taken from people with Barrett's oesophagus - a condition that increases the risk of developing oesophageal cancer. The dye sticks to healthy oesophageal cells but not to pre-cancerous cells. They then shone near-infrared light - which is just beyond the red colours that our eyes can normally see - on the tissue and used a special camera to detect the near-infrared light the dye gave out. Researchers had tried this approach before but had used a dye that gave out visible light to spot pre-cancerous cells. Problems arose because when cells are exposed to visible light, they naturally emit visible light themselves - making the distinction between healthy and abnormal cells hard to see. But, by using a dye that gives out near-infrared light, scientists refined the process so they could make the distinction. This new technique could be used to monitor people with Barrett's oesophagus who have an increased risk of developing oesophageal cancer, and spot early signs that cancer might be developing before the person has any symptoms. Dr Sarah Bohndiek, scientist at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, said: "This research gives us hope for developing better techniques to detect the disease early. "People who are at a high risk of developing oesophageal cancer, such as those with Barrett's oesophagus, could be closely monitored with this technique. And removing patches of pre-cancerous cells could prevent some cases of oesophageal cancer. But we need to do some further testing before clinical trials with patients can be set up to see how effective the approach could be at saving lives." There are around 7,800 deaths from oesophageal cancer every year in the UK. For men, oesophageal cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death. Dr Emma Smith, science communication manager at Cancer Research UK, said: "Early detection is crucial if we want to cure more cancers and save more lives. And oesophageal cancer is often caught at an advanced stage, meaning survival rates of the disease have remained stubbornly low. "We urgently need new ways to detect the disease early. This development could lead to a cheaper, better way of detecting the warning signs of oesophageal cancer and even stop some people developing the disease." Article: Design and validation of a near-infrared fluorescence endoscope for detection of early esophageal malignancy, Dale J. Waterhouse, James Joseph, Andre A. Neves, Massimiliano di Pietro, Kevin M. Brindle, Rebecca C. Fitzgerald, Sarah E. Bohndiek, Journal of Biomedical Optics, doi:10.1117/1.JBO.21.8.084001, published online 4 August 2016. Advertisement People in the study who already had the cardiovascular disease -- specifically coronary artery disease, stroke, heart attack, arrhythmias or peripheral artery disease -- had higher healthcare costs. But those patients who regularly exercised at recommended levels logged average healthcare costs more than $2,500 lower than those who didn't meet exercise guidelines.Participants were also grouped according to their number of cardiovascular risk factors -- high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and obesity. Among the healthiest participants, with no heart disease and at most one cardiovascular risk factor, those that exercised regularly had yearly medical costs averaging about $500 lower than those who didn't exercise."Even among an established high-risk group such as those diagnosed with heart disease or stroke, those who engaged in regular exercise activities reported a much lower risk of being hospitalized, (having) an emergency room visit and use of prescription medications."The research suggests that even if just 20 percent of patients with cardiovascular disease who are not getting enough physical activity would meet exercise goals, the nation could save several billion dollars in healthcare costs annually, researchers said."The message to the patient is clear: There is no better pill in reducing the risk of disease and healthcare costs than optimizing physical activity," Nasir said.For cardiovascular health, the American Heart Association recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity five days a week, or at least 25 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity three days a week, or a combination of the two. Moderate activity -- which causes a light sweat, or only modest increases in breathing or heart rate -- includes fast walking, lawn mowing, or heavy cleaning. Vigorous activity includes running or race walking, lap swimming or aerobics. Heart patients should work with their healthcare team to achieve exercise goals.Source: Eurekalert Advertisement The Minister said the ancient Indian practice can contribute to building resilience against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which account for 60% of mortalities. Problems of modern lifestyles are well known. Decline in communicable diseases has been accompanied by a gradual rise in the prevalence of chronic NCDs. Nadda said knowledge of yoga, can be effectively used for preventing and controlling many lifestyle diseases."Major NCDs like cancer, diabetes, CVD and stroke are to a great extent due to unhealthy lifestyle," he said while expressing concern over rising prevalence of NCDs.On 11 December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution piloted by India declaring June 21 each year as theto provide a holistic approach to health and well-being of people. The resolution was supported by more than 177 countries, with Sri Lanka being one of the first co-sponsors of the Resolution.Mr. Nadda said yoga has the ability to bring together the body, soul and mind for a holistic approach to health and well-being, including physical, mental and spiritual realms of the human being."Yoga is not just a set of exercises. Yoga is a philosophy of discipline and meditation that transforms the spirit and makes the individual a better person in thought, action, knowledge and devotion," he said.The first International Day of Yoga was celebrated with great fanfare in Colombo on 21 June 2015 at the iconic Galle Face Green, with the participation of more than a thousand yoga enthusiasts.Noting that yoga is a collective gift to humanity, Mr. Nadda said that although it may have originated in India, it draws its energies from the millions who practise it around the world.Source: Medindia Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends. Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice. To visit the Updated MEMRI 9/11 Documentation Project Website, click here. In her August 23, 2016 column in the Egyptian government daily Al-Ahram, Noha Al-Sharnoubi implied that the September 11, 2001 attacks and the terror attacks that have recently rocked Western capitals were all planned and carried out by Western intelligence agencies, in order to justify the occupation and devastation of the Middle East by the West and the persecution of Muslims in Europe. She suggested that the alleged perpetrators of the Europe attacks were scapegoats who were murdered and then accused of the crime. She claimed further that it was no coincidence that the perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks had trained at an American flight school and that most ISIS operatives were Western nationals. It should be noted that her article is couched as a series of questions, leaving the drawing of conclusions up to the reader. The following are excerpts from her column:[1] Noha Al-Sharnoubi (Image: Assawsana.com) "Officials at a New York school [recently] forced a 12-year-old pupil to sign a false confession that he was a terrorist. The family filed a lawsuit against the school demanding 50 million dollars in compensation. The lawsuit claimed that the pupil, Nashwan Uppal, a seventh grader at a middle school in East Islip, New York, was harassed by fellow students who called him a terrorist and demanded to know what he planned to blow up next. He replied, as a joke, that he planned to blow up the school fence. According to the lawsuit, when school officials heard about this childish exchange they yelled at Nashwan and instructed him to admit he was a member of Islamic State before forcing him to sign a false confession and searching his belongings. Things did not end there, and policemen were called to search Uppal's home.[2] "This story reminds me of another incident that happened last year, which you [too] may recall, namely the incident of the Muslim schoolboy in Dallas who was arrested for bringing to school a clock he had made. "I don't know who [the Americans] are fooling, us or themselves. What terror are they talking about and associating with Islam or even with extremist Muslims or people claiming to be Muslims? How do they respond to a report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights, which stated that the Kremlin's airstrikes [in Syria] have killed at least 2,704 civilians since Russia entered the [Syria] war last September, while ISIS has caused the death of only 2,686 civilians [in Syria]. Moreover, is the killing of civilians, women and children by American planes in Afghanistan and Iraq considered terrorism or not? "Can we believe the U.S. administration's official version of the events of September 11, 2001? Is it a coincidence that the commanders of the September 11 attack trained at American flight schools? According to the official version of the American administration, the first attack, on the north tower, was at approximately 8:46 a.m., New York time, and the south tower was hit by another plane 15 minutes later, around 9:03... Over half an hour later, a third plane hit the Pentagon building, whereas the fourth plane missed its target and crashed. Is it conceivable that four hijacked planes flew around so freely, penetrated U.S. airspace and hit the towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon one by one, with an interval of 15 minutes and 30 minutes between the attacks, and all this took place without the Americans targeting the planes and downing them, despite all their intelligence, satellites and radars? Or was the whole thing planned [in advance] in order to justify the war on terror, the [first] episode of which[later] began in Iraq? "Does it make sense that most ISIS members are foreigners [i.e., Western nationals], unless ISIS is another story that was prepared in advance [by the West] to justify the devastation, partitioning and occupation [of countries] that is taking place and will continue to take place in the Middle East? "Do you remember, as I do, the size and the appearance of the alleged ISIS members in that video that showed them butchering an alleged group of Egyptian Christians in Libya?[3] Is it not strange that all the ISIS [fighters] were equally tall, had the same white [skin], and wore identical expensive foreign[-made] watches? "Those who are murdered and [then] accused of perpetrating terror attacks in the West - are they the real culprits? [Perhaps Western] intelligence elements are behind the attacks and the bombings, and later Muslim citizens are arrested and killed and simply accused of perpetrating [the attacks] in order to justify what is happening in the Arab countries in the name of the war on terror, and in order to justify the plan to persecute the Muslims in the U.S. and Europe and expel them? Have we really been deceived, and continue to be deceived, to such an extent?!..." Endnotes: More than 1,800 pandas are making the trip from Hong Kong to Seoul this month, but they are far from your average creatures. The animals are made of recycled paper as part of an international collaboration of environmentalists. In a September 1 CBC TV interview, Ramzan Kadyrov, President of the Chechen Republic, rejected claims that he was a dictator. If you show my photo to any Chechen child, he will say: "That's Ramzan, and I love him," said Kadyrov, adding: "Indeed, I am dictatorial against Europe and the kharijites of our age." Noting that the wars have led to an imbalance in the female-male ratio in his country, Kadyrov called upon Chechens to practice polygamy, saying that otherwise, "where will these poor girls go?" Following are excerpts Interviewer: "Mr. President, your wonderful, role-model personality is sometimes characterized by the West as 'a dictator,' whereas the terrorists you describe you as 'a danger to Islam.' How would you characterize yourself?" Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov: "They all subscribe to the Party of Satan. The terrorists... They all stand alongside the enemies of Islam. Europe does not want Islam to rise. I am an enemy of both [the West and the terrorists]." [...] Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov: "If you show my picture to a child on the streets of Chechnya, and ask him who this is - if he does not say: 'That's Ramzan, and I love him,' I will resign from my position as president on the spot. That way you will know whether or not I am dictatorial against my own people. Indeed, I am dictatorial against Europe and the kharijites of our age." Interviewer: "If you met US President Obama, what would you say to him?" Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov: "Do not oppress Islam and the Muslims!" [...] Interviewer: Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov: "The Islamic shari'a allows one to marry up to four wives. Therefore, I call upon my people to practice polygamy, because the Chechen people have gone through wars, and the number of women has increased (compared to men). So if we do not practice polygamy, where will these poor girls go?" [...] Interviewer: "Mr. President, when are you going to step down as the ruler of Chehnya? When will you say: 'No more'?" Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov: "A few months ago, I decided to step down, in order to devote my time to my family and to the worship of Allah. However, I was surprised when some good people, some ulema, and some statesmen told me that the time has not yet come for me to quit the presidency." [...] Britain plans to start building a wall in the northern French port of Calais as part of measures to contain migrants, junior Home Office Minister Robert Goodwill said Wednesday. The 4-m-high concrete wall, which would stretch for 1 km, is expected to cost $3 million [2.7 million euros]. It will be built as part of a $23 million security package agreed to by Britain and France, after tens of thousands of attempted English Channel crossings last year through trucks boarding ferries and the Eurotunnel. Goodwill told a parliamentary committee Tuesday that construction along the main highway to the port would start "very soon," adding that "we've done the fence, now we are doing a wall." Construction of the barrier is expected to begin as soon as this month and should be completed by the end of this year, according to official sources. The Philippine Supreme Court on Wednesday extended its temporary ban on the burial of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at a heroes' cemetery after a hearing at which some justices questioned whether President Rodrigo Duterte abused his executive power and violated laws by allowing the entombment, which is opposed by the Marcos regime's human rights victims. The court gave both sides 20 days to submit statements before making a ruling. An earlier court order temporarily halted the burial until Sept. 12 while the cases were being heard. Solictor General Jose Calida defended Duterte's directive, saying it is within the president's power and a political issue that the court should not rule on. He said Marcos as a former president and war veteran who was not dishonorably discharged from the military is qualified to be buried at the military-run cemetery. Burying a dictator accused of massive rights violations and corruption at the Heroes' Cemetery has long been an emotional and divisive issue in the Philippines, where Marcos was ousted by a "people power" revolt in 1986. He flew to Hawaii, where he lived with his wife and children in exile until he died in 1989. His body was flown back to his hometown in 1993, where it has been displayed in a glass coffin. But his family wants his remains transferred to the Heroes' Cemetery. Duterte on Monday said Obama should not lecture him about a crackdown on drug traffickers that has resulted in more than 2,000 killings since June. He used the Tagalog phrase for "son of a bitch," and on Tuesday expressed regret that his comments came across as a personal attack against the U.S. leader. A White House spokesman says President Barack Obama will likely have some interaction with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at a pair of regional summits after canceling a planned direct meeting. White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters late Tuesday that attention to Duterte's statements took focus away from the "very substantive agenda" between the United States and the Philippines and did not make for a constructive environment for a meeting. But he said the overall relationship between the two nations is still solid. "Frankly, where we've had differences with President Duterte has related more to our concerns that there needs to be a clear commitment to due process and the rule of law as it relates to some of the internal security efforts that had been undertaken there," Earnest said. "On the alliance issues, we'll continue to work closely with them." Duterte, who campaigned for the Philippine presidency on promises to end illegal drug activity in his homeland, has alarmed an array of human rights organizations with his deadly crackdown. He has defended the killings, saying he is following the will of those who elected him. The UN Security Council on Tuesday slammed North Korea's latest ballistic missile tests as a "grave violation" of UN resolutions. The council in an emergency meeting in New York moved swiftly to adopt the condemnation. It was already the ninth statement by the UNSC this year condemning the North's missile tests. The UNSC added it will continue to monitor the situation and take "further significant measures in line with the council's previously expressed determination." It was the first time since April that the council moved so swiftly to adopt a statement condemning the North. Even China, which has traditionally been reluctant to issue strong warnings against its ally, did not oppose the latest steps. The Ministers of European Affairs, top officials of the European Parliament and Party of European Socialists (PES) members are meeting in Athens on the 10th of September. Participants aspire to contribute to the formulation of common positions, aimed at a progressive Europe with a social profile, ahead of the upcoming informal European Council of Bratislava and in view of major challenges facing the European Union. The people and certain leaders understand that some problems are common and that we can have a common approach. Pragmatism and flexibility are needed. This proposal for a continuous dialogue between the Left and Social democracy brings Greece at the same table together with the progressive powers of Europe. We must restore faith and inspire new trust in people, to realize that Europe is not the one destroying prosperity, N. Xydakis, Alternate Foreign Minister for European Affairs and host of the meeting, stated. Issues to be considered at the meeting include: the EU following the UK Brexit referendum, upgrading the EU, deepening integration, combating youth unemployment, protection of labor and social rights, equitable growth, tackling the refugee and migration issue, security and EU foreign policy, and active connection of citizens with EU institutions. The meeting, a follow-up to the one European Socialist Ministers had in Rome on the 15th of July, which Greek Ministers Nikos Pappas and Nikos Xydakis were invited to, is also taking place within the context of a multi-level diplomatic initiative undertaken by the Greek government, since the Euro-Mediterranean Summit is due in Athens on September 9, at the invitation of PM Alexis Tsipras, and the Rhodes Conference for Security and Stability is taking place on September 8 and 9, on the initiative of MFA Nikos Kotzias. Alternate MFA Xydakis guests for the meeting of Socialist European Affairs Ministers in Athens include French Secretary of State for European Affairs Harlem Desir, Italian Under-Secretary for European Affairs Sandro Goci, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs Margarida Marques, Slovak State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ivan Korcok, Maltese Deputy PM & Minister of European Affairs Louis Grech and EP Vice-President Dimitris Papadimoulis. Nikos Pappas, Minister of State, will also be participating on behalf of the Greek government. PES will be represented by the Vice-Chairs of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats Maria Joao Rodrigues and Enrique Guerrero Salom and PES Deputy Secretary Yonnec Polet. The meeting will take place at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), at the Faliron Delta. There will be a press conference upon the end of proceedings. It has been scheduled for approx. 12:30 and will be held in the Lighthouse of the SNFCC. Journalists and reporters who wish to attend are kindly requested to contact the Alternate MFAs Office by Friday September 9, 4pm at the latest, by dialing either 210 3684057 or 210 3684407 or alternatively via email ( ). The Press may leave their vehicles at the SNFCC parking area and access is possible from the junction of Peisistratou and Sachtouris str. (Kallithea). The hashtag for the meeting is #ProgressiveEU. This Email address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it LG cooperated with Danish high-end audio firm Bang & Olufsen to improve sound quality. The camera on the V20 rivals a DSLR camera, the company says. Dual-mounted, wide-angle cameras enable users to take videos while walking with automatic focusing. Cho Jun-ho, the head of LG's mobile division, said the V20's strength lies in its multimedia functions. The division has posted five quarters of losses and hopes the V20 can turn things around, but already the launch was eclipsed by Apple's launch of the iPhone 7 hours later. LG's smartphone division has posted an accumulated W475.3 billion in losses since the second quarter of last year after the V10 and G5 failed to generate meaningful sales. It needs to ensure the success of the V20 and keep up sales momentum until the flagship G6 premium smartphone is unveiled early next year. But that is a tall order since LG lacks the brand recognition of Samsung and Apple, the No. 1 and 2 players in the global market. Some industry watchers say conditions are favorable. U.S. IT industry tracker Record said V20 sales could get a fillip from bad press for Samsung, which is recalling the Galaxy Note 7 due to combustible batteries, and not many earth-shattering innovations in the iPhone 7 except the absent headphone jack. But LG hopes that the audiophile and pro-camera functions will be their own draw. "We don't know if [the Galaxy Note 7 recall] will be a favorable factor," Cho said. "What is more important is that consumer interest in the sound and camera functions of smartphones is rising and that those are the strengths of the V20." BAD AXE The city of Bad Axe is among hundreds of municipalities in the state that have underfunded pensions. In hopes of overcoming a $3.27 million shortage in pension funds, city officials are looking to meet with someone from the Municipal Employees Retirement System of Michigan (MERS). City Councilman James Hall said at Tuesday nights Bad Axe City Council meeting that $244,000 is budgeted for the account in 2016. Councilman Richard Peterson asked Hall what could be done to make the fund more viable, adding that, We could be in a lot of trouble if we have seven or eight people that all retire within a year of each other. I dont have an answer for that, Hall replied. We need to get more information so we can wrap our hands around whats going on. At the end of 2015, the city had $4.52 million invested in the plan, but should have a total of $7.79 million in order to meet its obligations, which means that the city funds 58 percent of its required benefits. Hall said there is a program where the city could get the plan funded over 10 years at a cost of $16,000 a month, or over 20 years for $3,000 per month. Hall said the pension plan projected return is 7.75 percent, but he expects that the return will be lower. That would increase the amount that the city owes, Hall said. MERS is a statewide company that manages investments and provides retirement and employee benefit plans for 84 percent of Michigans municipalities, MERS Director Jennifer Mausolf told the Tribune. There were 115 municipalities that funded 59 percent or less of their obligation of the 713 municipalities served by MERS in 2014, according to a report distributed by MERS. The majority, or 179 municipalities, funded 70-79 percent of their obligations. And 88 municipalities were overfunded. In other business at Tuesdays council meeting: Councilman Nick Rochefort asked whether it would be possible to add a local tax to city hotels. Im thinking we could get a chunk of money there, he said. Mark Green was appointed to the planning commission for a three-year term, and as an alternate to the Huron Regional Water Authority. GAGETOWN The 21st Thumb Octagon Barn Fall Family Days may prove to be one of the best yet. We had around 15,000 last year and wed like to increase that, said Advertising Committee Chairperson Diane Rapson Gabil. If we get good weather, we get good crowds. This years event is set for Saturday and Sunday. Octagon Barn volunteers have been working for months getting the event ready. According to Event Chairperson Martin Kubacki, several new attractions will be available. He went on to say a new addition has been added to the grain elevator, and it was possible due to a large donation by a private donor. Several attractions will take place in and around the elevator and the big barn. This years theme will be Our Wonderful World of Water. Our Theme Tent will be spectacular, Rapson Gabil said. Theme events have been put together in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Natural Resources. Plus, there will be a display from the Ice House Museum of Port Huron. She also noted fishing in the 19th and early 20th centuries were extremely popular and important in the Upper Thumb. With this in mind, there will be an ice fishing display in the north loft of the barn. Frank Franzel, owner of Franzel Well Drilling of Mayville, will be on hand with an antique drilling machine. During the two-day event, he will be giving a demonstration while actually drilling a well on site. Visitors can expect to see a large amount of water exploding out of the ground when the drill hits water. According to Kubacki, the well will be capped after the demonstration and will not be a source of water for the facility. Demonstrations will include corn grinding, corn shelling, apple pressing and sorghum pressing. Sorghum will be used to make homemade caramel corn that will be for sale. The Thumb Antique Auto Club will be on hand displaying old vehicles. In addition, they will be making homemade ice cream using a vintage ice cream maker. It will be attached to the wheel of one of the vehicles that will act as the power source for the mechanism. The blacksmith shop will be in full swing. Blacksmiths will demonstrate their abilities to forge and create different types of metal items. Vintage and antique farm machinery will be in operation. There will be threshing, bean and grain demonstrations. As well as sampling apple cider, cotton candy and ice cream, kids will have fun riding the barrel train, watching and petting a variety of farm animals, and visiting the old school house and school museum. They will also have the opportunity to take a variety of tours. Country music will be heard throughout the property from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on that Saturday, with more music that night. Well have a two-hour session in the barn Saturday evening. They call it a music jam, Kubacki said. Well have gospel music on Sunday. We do that every year. The Octagon Barn Committee will also resurrect the Potato Dig. As a fundraiser, the group has raised about half an acre of potatoes on the property. They will be dug with vintage equipment and visitors can fill a 10-pound bag of fresh spuds for $2. Kubacki said the group did this two years ago and sold 400 to 500 bags of potatoes. Anything left over was given to charity. I like to help people who have never had this experience, he said. He went on to say the weather was quite rainy two years ago. If it had been dry, he expects they would have sold many more potatoes. Although it is not technically open on Friday, the organization will hold its annual fish fry on that day. Kubacki said the fish fry has been a large drawing card for about 15 years. This year, we have the best man in the county to do the fish, Kubacki said, referring to Greg Talaski, who is well known throughout the Upper Thumb for his fish frying skills. Food will be readily available throughout the weekend. Breakfast will be supplied Saturday and Sunday by the Caro Knights of Columbus. For those with a sweet tooth, Sharon Cummins and family will be making homemade donuts and coffee for breakfast. Lunch will be available through McDonalds Food & Family Center of Bad Axe. Deutsche Telekom AG, together with its subsidiaries, provides integrated telecommunication services. The company operates through five segments: Germany, United States, Europe, Systems Solutions, and Group Development. It offers fixed-network services, including voice and data communication services based on fixed-network and broadband technology; and sells terminal equipment and other hardware products, as well as services to resellers. The company also provides mobile voice and data services to consumers and business customers; sells mobile devices and other hardware products; and sells mobile services to resellers and to companies that purchases and markets network services to third parties, such as mobile virtual network operators. In addition, it offers internet services; internet-based TV products and services; and information and communication technology systems for multinational corporations and public sector institutions with an infrastructure of data centers and networks under the T-Systems brand, as well as call center services. The company has 242 million mobile customers and 22 million broadband customers, as well as 27 million fixed-network lines. Deutsche Telekom AG has a collaboration with VMware, Inc. on cloud-based open and intelligent virtual RAN platform to bring agility to radio access networks for existing LTE and future 5G networks; and partnership with Microsoft to deliver high-performance cloud computing experiences. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Bonn, Germany. Telecom Argentina S.A., together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunications services in Argentina and internationally. The company offers telephone services, including local, domestic, and international long-distance telephone services, as well as public telephone services; and other related supplementary services, such as call waiting, call forwarding, conference calls, caller ID, voice mail, itemized billing, and maintenance services. It also provides interconnection services, such as traffic and interconnection resource, dedicated Internet access, video signals transportation in standard and high definitions, audio and video streaming, dedicated links, backhaul links for mobile operators, data center hosting/housing services, dedicated links, layer 2 and layer 3 transport networks, video links, value-added services, and other services. In addition, the company offers mobile telecommunications services, including voice communications, high-speed mobile Internet content and applications download, online streaming, and other services; and sells mobile communication devices, such as handsets, Modems MiFi and wingles, and smart watches under the Personal brand. Further, it provides internet connectivity products, including virtual private network services, traditional Internet protocol links, and other products; data services; and programming and other cable television services. The company was formerly known as Cablevision S.A. and changed its name to Telecom Argentina S.A. in January 2018. Telecom Argentina S.A. was founded in 1979 and is based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Veeva Systems Inc. provides cloud-based software for the life sciences industry in North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. The company offers Veeva Commercial Cloud, a suite of software, data, and analytics solutions, which include Veeva customer relationship management (CRM) and Veeva Medical CRM, Veeva CLM, Veeva CRM MyInsights, Veeva CLM, Veeva CRM Approved Email, Veeva CRM Engage, Veeva Align, Veeva CRM Events Management, Veeva Nitro, Veeva OpenData, Veeva Link, Veeva Network, Veeva Crossix, Veeva Data Cloud, and MyVeeva for Patients; and Veeva Vault, a cloud-based enterprise content and data management applications for managing commercial functions, including sales and marketing, and medical content and communications, as well as research and development functions, such as clinical, regulatory, quality, and safety. It also provides professional and support services in the areas of implementation and deployment planning and project management; requirements analysis, solution design, and configuration; systems environment management and deployment services; services focused on advancing or transforming business and operating processes related to Veeva solutions; technical consulting services related to data migration and systems integrations; training on its solutions; and ongoing managed services that include outsourced systems administration. The company was formerly known as Verticals onDemand, Inc. and changed its name to Veeva Systems Inc. in April 2009. Veeva Systems Inc. was incorporated in 2007 and is headquartered in Pleasanton, California. OGE Energy Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy and energy services provider that offers physical delivery and related services for electricity, natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids in the United States. The company generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric energy. It provides retail electric service to approximately 879,000 customers, which covers a service area of approximately 30,000 square miles in Oklahoma and western Arkansas; and owns and operates coal-fired, natural gas-fired, wind-powered, and solar-powered generating assets. As of December 31, 2021, the company owned and operated interconnected electric generation, transmission, and distribution systems, including 16 generating stations with an aggregate capability of 7,207 megawatts; and transmission systems comprising 54 substations and 5,122 structure miles of lines in Oklahoma, and 7 substations and 277 structure miles of lines in Arkansas. Its distribution systems included 350 substations; 29,494 structure miles of overhead lines; 3,365 miles of underground conduit; and 11,125 miles of underground conductors in Oklahoma, as well as 29 substations, 2,795 structure miles of overhead lines, 349 miles of underground conduit, and 662 miles of underground conductors in Arkansas. The company was founded in 1902 and is based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Royal Bank of Canada operates as a diversified financial service company worldwide. The company's Personal & Commercial Banking segment offers checking and savings accounts, home equity financing, personal lending, private banking, indirect lending, including auto financing, mutual funds and self-directed brokerage accounts, guaranteed investment certificates, credit cards, and payment products and solutions; and lending, leasing, deposit, investment, foreign exchange, cash management, auto dealer financing, trade products, and services to small and medium-sized commercial businesses. This segment offers financial products and services through branches, automated teller machines, and mobile sales network. Its Wealth Management segment provides a suite of advice-based solutions and strategies to high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, and institutional clients. The company's Insurance segment offers life, health, home, auto, travel, wealth, annuities, and reinsurance advice and solutions; and business insurance services to individual, business, and group clients through its advice centers, RBC insurance stores, and mobile advisors; digital, mobile, and social platforms; independent brokers; and travel partners. Its Investor & Treasury Services segment provides asset servicing, custody, payments, and treasury services to financial and other investors; and fund and investment administration, shareholder, private capital, performance measurement and compliance monitoring, distribution, transaction banking, cash and liquidity management, foreign exchange, and global securities finance services. The company's Capital Markets segment offers corporate and investment banking, as well as equity and debt origination, distribution, advisory services, sale, and trading services for corporations, institutional investors, asset managers, private equity firms, and governments. The company was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. 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. Already facing a shortfall of several hundred fighter pilots, the U.S. Air Force is challenged to train a rising number of foreign aviators, the service's top civilian said. "We have only limited training slots with which to train our pilots, and we're trying to pick that up a notch, so that we train more pilots for ourselves," Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said on Wednesday during a briefing with reporters at the Pentagon. "Trying to fit in [an] ever-increasing number of pilots from overseas locations is a tough proposition," she said. "We're doing the best we can do." The Air Force, for example, maintains Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program in Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, where some 7,200 allied pilots have completed training over the last 35 years, according to the base. Earlier Wednesday, Heidi Grant, the service's deputy undersecretary for international affairs, said she frequently raises the issue of expanding air-to-air training capacity with her overseas counterparts. "One of our biggest requirements out there is international pilot training," Grant said during a speech at the ComDef conference in Washington, D.C. "It's one area where we're working with industry and coalition partners to find ways to make that available." What's more, the demand for pilots in both the U.S. and abroad is increasing. The need for more pilots will be particularly acute in Turkey, where aviators were among the dozens of military officials recently purged from the ranks in the wake of the failed military coup against President Tayyip Erdogan in July. Many of those Turkish pilots flying the F-16s "are no longer part of the air force so we see a big capability gap there," Grant said. "So we have that on top of the U.S. Air Force [having] the highest shortage of pilots that we've had in our history." One "win-win" option, she said, might be to send American pilots to fly international aircraft as part of an effort to train foreign pilots while simultaneously keeping up with their own flight capacity. The U.S. maintains with Turkey the second-largest International Military Education and Training program, according to the State Department. James and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein in July penned in a public plea to Congress for more funding to address a current shortfall of as many as 700 pilots. They argued the service will need stronger cash bonuses to attract new aviators and to sustain the force. One proposal calls for nearly doubling aviation retention pay for pilots who stay in the service from $25,000 a year to $48,000. Without the extra money, the leaders say, the shortage could increase to 1,000 pilots by 2022, due in part to competition from the private sector. "Aside from an airline hiring surge, there are other reasons for the Air Force's pilot shortfall, from dramatically reduced flying hours for the high-end fight as a result of Pentagon budget cuts to a perceived falloff in quality of life when they return from deployments overseas," James and Goldfein said in an Op-Ed in DefenseOne. "Make no mistake," they said, "this is a quiet crisis that will almost certainly get worse before it gets better." -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. House Veterans Affairs Committee members from both of the aisle acknowledged Wednesday that politics will be a major barrier to enacting the sweeping reforms to the Department of Veterans Affairs recommended by the Commission on Care. Rep. Jeff Miller, a Florida Republican and chairman of the Committee, pointed to a proposal to begin a process modeled on the Defense Department's Base Re-Alignment and Closure procedures to shutter excess VA facilities. Miller suggested that any lawmaker in a targeted district would be committing political suicide by voting for a BRAC for the VA. "You can ask for a BRAC and you won't be here again," Miller told the panel members. Miller, who is retiring in this term, also suggested that the proposed VA reforms would have to await the next Congress and the next president. "Whoever sits in this chair after me will be responsible for and I'm sure will be more than capable of moving the ball forward," he said. Miller spoke at a Committee hearing on the Commission on Care's 18 recommendations primarily focused on reforming the Veterans Health Administration, the $47 billion part of the VA that operates the VA medical centers, outpatient clinics, community-based outpatient clinics, and community living centers. The hearing, titled "From Tumult to Transformation: The Commission on Care and the Future of the VA Healthcare System," took testimony from Nancy Schlichting, head of the commission, and Dr. Delos Cosgrove, the commission's vice chair. Notably, the hearing did not invite testimony from VA Secretary Bob McDonald or representatives of the veterans service organizations. Instead, McDonald and the VSOs submitted statements. Much of the event focused on the commission's recommendation to improve veterans' access to health care and cut waiting times by allowing veterans to have the choice of VA-purchased private sector services. "Choice was a very difficult issue," Schlichting said, and the commission had to find a balance between VA and private care. She acknowledged that there is a "danger of weakening the current VA system if in fact choice was too broad" but added that "veterans should have a choice of primary care providers." Rep. Mark Takano, a California Democrat and the committee's ranking member, said that the VA's current performance on delivering care "as we know it is unacceptable" but he was concerned that expanding choice "might in fact weaken the VA health care system" and "take desperately needed resources away from our veterans." Prior to the hearing, McDonald, the VA secretary, defended the department's performance in an appearance on C-Span's "Washington Journal" and in an op-ed for the Hill newspaper. On C-Span, McDonald said that the VA was already moving toward better integration with the private sector on veterans care. He said that 22 percent of the VA's appointments for veterans were now in the private sector but "we don't give up responsibility" for the overall care of the veteran. In the Hill newspaper, McDonald took strong issue with the Commission on Care's recommendation for an independent board of directors to oversee the VA. The proposal was unconstitutional and also "doesn't make any sense. It would only make matters worse by complicating the bureaucracy at the top and spreading the responsibility for veterans' healthcare so that no one knows who's ultimately responsible." --Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. The March 18 suicide of Muslim-American recruit Raheel Siddiqui days after he began boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, highlighted allegations of hazing and resulted in the firings of several senior officers and leaders at the depot. But abuse and maltreatment of recruits did not begin or end with Siddiqui, Military.com has learned. In all, three different investigations into training inside one Parris Island battalion reveal a culture of hazing and violence that did not end until one recruit's family sent an anonymous letter to President Barack Obama in April. The investigations also reveal that drill instructors within 3rd Recruit Training Battalion had a history of singling out recruits based on their ethnicity and religion, and that another Muslim recruit had been subjected to severe hazing in 2015 when a drill instructor repeatedly shoved him into a clothes dryer and turned it on, and forced him to shout "Allah Akbar" loud enough to wake other recruits. That same drill instructor would become a supervisory drill instructor in Siddiqui's unit, the investigation found, and his treatment of the recruit, including forcing him to complete "incentive training" and physically assaulting and slapping him immediately prior to his death, provided impetus for the suicide, investigators found. Punitive Action In all, 20 drill instructors and senior leaders from Parris Island's Recruit Training Regiment face punitive action or separation from the Marine Corps for participating in or enabling mistreatment of recruits. Several drill instructors at the heart of the abuse allegations are likely to face court-martial for their actions. The contents of the three investigations have not been released publicly as the findings have yet to be endorsed by Lt. Gen. Robert Walsh, commanding general of Marine Corps Combat Development Command. But Marine officials discussed the contents of the investigations and the recommendations of the investigating officers in response to a public records request. Marine officials said Thursday that the incidents of hazing and abuse were confined to 3rd Recruit Training Battalion and not indicative of the culture within the Corps' boot camps at Parris Island and San Diego. "When America's men and women commit to becoming Marines, we make a promise to them. We pledge to train them with firmness, fairness, dignity and compassion," Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller said in a statement. "Simply stated, the manner in which we make Marines is as important as the finished product. Recruit training is, and will remain, physically and mentally challenging so that we can produce disciplined, ethical, basically trained Marines." A lengthy investigation into the death of 20-year-old Siddiqui found the recruit had died by suicide, jumping from the third floor of the Company K recruit training barracks, slamming his chest against a railing at the bottom of the stairs. Siddiqui had threatened to kill himself five days before, prior to the first full day of recruit training. He described a plan to jump out a squad bay window, investigators found, but later recanted and was allowed to remain in training. Singled Out In the short time Siddiqui was at the unit, investigators found he was repeatedly referred to as a "terrorist," presumably in reference to his Muslim background. One drill instructor also asked the recruit if he needed his turban, officials said. Findings show recruits were routinely singled out on account of their backgrounds and ethnicity. Drill instructors referred to one recruit born in Russia as "the Russian" and "cosmonaut" and asked him if he was a communist spy, investigators found. In Siddiqui's unit, recruits were subjected to unauthorized incentive training, in which they would lift footlockers, day packs and other heavy items and clean the squad bay in uncomfortable positions using small scrub brushes for hours. Drill instructors would also push and shove recruits and use Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training as an opportunity to pit recruits against each other, sometimes in physically unfair matchups. Drill instructors told investigators that a more experienced drill instructor taught subordinates they needed to "hate" recruits to be successful at training them. On March 13, Siddiqui, who previously had received a clean mental health evaluation, expressed a desire to kill himself. He was interviewed at the scene and turned over the the depot's mental health unit, where he recanted and expressed a wish to return to training. He was given a clean bill of health, described as "highly motivated to continue training," and returned to his unit with no follow-up requested, investigators found. Drill instructors would tell investigators that recruits frequently express suicidal ideations as an excuse to get out of training, and thus no serious incident report was made about Siddiqui's threat. While drill instructors were told to ease Siddiqui back into training, they were not made aware of his suicidal ideations. The morning of Siddiqui's death, the recruit presented drill instructors with a note asking to go to medical with a severely swollen throat. He claimed he had lost his voice and coughed up blood overnight and was in significant pain. In response, he was told to do "get-backs" -- to sprint back-and-forth the nearly 150 feet between the entrance to the bathroom, the back of the squad bay and the front of the squad bay. "I don't care what's wrong with you; you're going to say something back to me," a drill instructor yelled as Siddiqui began to cry. Shortly after, the recruit dropped to the floor clutching his throat, though it's not clear if he became unconscious or was feigning to deflect the drill instructor's abuse. In an effort to wake him, the drill instructor slapped Siddiqui on the face hard enough to echo through the squad bay. The recruit became alert, ran out of the squad bay, and vaulted over the stairwell railing, sustaining severe injuries in the fall. Drill instructors called 911. Siddiqui would be taken to Beaufort Memorial Hospital, then airlifted to Charleston, where he would receive blood transfusions and emergency surgery in an unsuccessful effort to save his life. He died just after 10 a.m. The lawyer for the Siddiqui family, Nabih Ayad, did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the investigations' findings. Leaders Relieved In the wake of Siddiqui's death, multiple leaders have been relieved for failing to prevent the culture of recruit abuse. On March 31, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Joshua Kissoon was fired in connection with the investigation of prior allegations of recruit mistreatment, including the hazing and assault of another, unnamed, Muslim recruit. Notably, the Marine Corps' investigations stopped short of finding that drill instructors' hazing of Siddiqui and other recruits was motivated by racial bias. They did find evidence that some drill instructors made a practice of exploiting recruits' ethnicities as a way to harass them. On June 6, Parris Island officials announced that Recruit Training Regiment's commander, Col. Paul Cucinotta, and its senior enlisted leader, Sgt. Maj. Nicholas Dabreau, had been relieved in connection with the Siddiqui investigation. Fifteen drill instructors have been sidelined since April amid allegations of recruit hazing and maltreatment, and two captains may also face punishment for failing to properly supervise drill instructors. Marine officials said it may be one to three months before disciplinary decisions are made, including possible charges filed, regarding these 20 Marines. Officials with Marine Corps Training and Education Command have also set in motion a host of new policies designed to prevent future mistreatment of recruits, said Maj. Christian Devine, a Marine Corps spokesman. These include increased officer presence and supervision of recruit training; mandatory suspension of personnel being investigated for recruit hazing or mistreatment; better visibility of investigations above the regiment level, changes to the drill instructor assignment process to prevent chain-of-command loyalty from affecting leadership; creation of a zero-tolerance policy for hazing among drill instructors; and a review of mental health processes and procedures for suicide prevention. "We mourn the loss of Recruit Siddiqui," Neller said. "And we will take every step necessary to prevent tragic events like this from happening again." -- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at@HopeSeck. J. David Cox Sr. is national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents 670,000 federal and District of Columbia government employees nationwide, including 220,000 in the Department of Veterans Affairs. The views expressed in this commentary are his. I've dealt with extremist politicians like Rep. Jeff Miller long enough not to take his insults personally ("Opinion: Union Bosses, VA Bosses Rigging System for Failure," Sept. 5). But after spending 20 years caring for veterans as a psychiatric nurse, and the past decade representing more than 220,000 VA employees across the country, here's one thing I take very personally: our nation's sacred obligation to serve the women and men who have worn the uniform. Our members take that obligation seriously, too. That's why they were the first to come forward to blow the whistle on VA managers and executives who were falsifying appointment records to hide excessive wait times for veterans seeking care. Rather than proposing real solutions to the problem of veterans not getting timely access to care, Rep. Miller chose to exploit the wait list scandal to serve his own political agenda. Miller has introduced a bill that would gut the workforce protections that empowered whistleblowers to come forward in the first place. Miller's bill is part of a concerted effort by the congressman to strip all federal employees -- not just those at the VA -- of their due process rights, allowing employees to be demoted or fired at will without any protections from partisanship or favoritism. He also has waged an intense campaign to implement the extreme proposal by the Concerned Veterans for America to privatize the VA and dismantle the patient-centered system that veterans have endorsed time and time again. Miller's obsession with gutting employees' rights and stripping the VA for parts has distracted the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, which he chairs, from focusing on staffing shortages and underfunding issues that, if addressed, stand to make a tremendous difference for the veterans he claims to serve. Tell me, Congressman Miller, how is silencing health care providers and shutting down VA hospitals going to improve veterans' access to health care? A far better VA reform bill has the bipartisan support of Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chair Johnny Isakson of Georgia and ranking member Richard Blumenthal. Even though we do not agree with provisions attacking the due process rights of VA executives, we support his Veterans First Act because it will provide real accountability at the VA without hanging an ax over the heads of honest employees who choose to blow the whistle on mismanagement. The Veterans First Act is far from a boondoggle for labor unions, as Rep. Miller suggests -- which is why many employee groups still oppose it. Yet we believe that our veterans deserve quality health care and that they indeed must come first, which this bill would accomplish by empowering VA employees to hold bad managers and opportunist politicians in check. With its vast network of more than 160 medical centers and 1,000 community-based outpatient clinics across the country, the VA provides its 5.8 million veteran patients the best health care our nation has to offer. If Congressman Miller would focus on providing the VA with the resources it needs to serve more veterans, instead of scapegoating the very employees who deliver that care, our nation's war heroes would reap the benefits they so justly deserve. -- If you would like to submit your own opinion piece or commentary, please send your article to opinions@military.com for consideration. Retired Air Force Gen. Arthur Lichte, under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct, may face court-martial proceedings years after retiring from the service, officials tell Military.com. In addition, his current role as a member of the board of directors for the European aerospace giant Airbus hangs in the balance pending the investigation results. Lichte was commander of Air Mobility Command, headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, between 2007 and 2010. The alleged sexual assault occurred sometime between 2007 and 2009 under his command, according to Tony Carr, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel whose watchdog blog, John Q. Public, first reported the news. An internal command memo, obtained by Carr, alleges Lichte "used his position of power to coerce sexual contact." Additional media reports identified the victim in this case as a female colonel. Air Force Office of Special Investigations spokeswoman Linda Card confirmed to Military.com that OSI is overseeing the "investigation, and it is open and ongoing." "When OSI embarks on an investigation, it is inherently a criminal investigation," a military lawyer told Military.com on Wednesday. "It's driven by the nature of the allegation from the get-go," the lawyer said, speaking generally to military investigations. "We [the Air Force] can't take an allegation of sexual assault and turn it from a criminal investigation into an administrative one." The lawyer said that the Uniform Code of Military Justice retains jurisdiction over retired members, adding the service looks at about "10 cases a year" recalling a retiree, or members of the Reserve or Guard, for the purpose of considering a "court-martial for misconduct committed while on active duty." Lichte retired on Jan. 1, 2010, after more than 38 years of service. "Even as the investigation plays out, as we get more facts and develop more evidence that indicates there might be a statute of limitations problem, or issues that indicate it can prohibit us from criminal prosecution by the Air Force, we're not just going to stop the investigation," the lawyer said. The lawyer added, "Statute of limitations is something that we're discussing at the beginning of an investigation because a part of it will dictate if there's even a criminal allegation to be investigated." However, since 2014, service members can be prosecuted for sexual assault-related offenses, such as rape, without regard to time limitations. The fiscal 2014 National Defense Authorization Act amended the five-year statute of limitations for rape under the UCMJ. From the day an alleged misconduct is filed to the last day of a trial, the lawyer said, the process will likely "take over a year." In addition, the former four-star could be unseated as a board member from Airbus, a position he's held since 2010. "Airbus has become aware of the allegations, and we are closely following the Air Force investigation," spokesman Jamie Darcy recently told Military.com. "As an organization, Airbus has a culture of zero tolerance for sexual misconduct." Lichte could not be reached for comment. When asked if Airbus would terminate its business arrangement with Lichte if the Air Force investigation turned up evidence of misconduct, Darcy replied, "As a policy we don't publicly speculate on hypothetical situations." Lichte was also appointed as the ninth member of the Air Transport Services Group Inc. board of directors in 2013. Officials with the aviation company, based in Wilmington, Ohio, told Military.com on Wednesday they were "aware of reports of an Air Force inquiry pertaining to his military service, and we will have no comment on the matter until after the investigation is completed." -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton veered from veterans issues to discuss other national-security matters during the first forum in which they shared a stage before the election. Trump and Clinton addressed the crowd of mostly veterans at different times during the first-ever "Commander-in-Chief" forum, which was organized by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the vets group known as IAVA, and held aboard the decommissioned aircraft carrier Intrepid, site of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City. During the hour-long event hosted by NBC's Matt Lauer, the candidates indeed touched on veterans issues, notably waits for appointments at Veterans Affairs Department hospitals and the high number of veterans who die by suicide. But during most of the hour-long event, they focused on other national-security and military matters. Trump Trump appeared at the event just hours after he gave a speech in Philadelphia in which he unveiled his plans to bolster the U.S. military with more troops, ships and aircraft. He criticized the military brass under the Obama administration and U.S. policy in Iraq, praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, defended previous comments on gender-separation in the military and supported undocumented immigrants serving in the military. When asked about what experiences have prepared him to serve as as commander in chief, Trump said, "I've built a great company. I've been all over the world. I've dealt with foreign countries. I've done very well dealing with China and so many other countries that are just ripping this country." He criticized the performance of military leaders under the Obama administration and suggested he'd look for new leadership. "Under the leadership of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, I think the generals have been reduced to rubble," he said. Trump's military adviser, Michael Flynn, is a retired Army lieutenant general who served as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency under Obama. Phil Klay, who served as a Marine in Iraq before becoming a writer whose book, "Redeployment," won the 2014 National Book Award for fiction, asked Trump what his plan is for the Middle East if the U.S. succeeds in defeating ISIS. Trump used the opportunity to criticize U.S. policy after the 2003 invasion and the 2011 withdrawal of troops. He also said the U.S. should have seized Iraqi petroleum assets. "If we would have taken the oil, you wouldn't have ISIS because ISIS formed with the power and the wealth of that oil," he said. Trump said Russia wants to defeat militants affiliated with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, "as badly as we do." Of Putin, Trump said, "in that system, he's been a leader." He noted Putin has praised him as a "brilliant leader" and said "it's possible" the two could work together as heads of state. "I'm a negotiator," he said. "I think I'll be able to get along with him." The Republican candidate defended his 2013 tweet in which he said, "26,000 unreported sexual assaults in the military-only 238 convictions. What did these geniuses expect when they put men & women together?" and signaled support for handling sex-assault cases within the military rather than outside the chain of command as some Democrats have proposed. When asked whether an undocumented person who wants to serve in the armed forces should be allowed to legally stay in the country, Trump said, "When you serve in the armed forces, that's a very special situation and I could see myself working that out -- absolutely." Clinton Clinton, who took to the stage first, spent a third of her time on the defensive for using a private email system to send classified messages while secretary of state. FBI Director James Comey said the practice was "extremely careless," but concluded she shouldn't be prosecuted because she didn't intend to mishandle and exploit the information. Even so, the issue remains high-profile both on the campaign trail and in courtrooms. Republicans have said service members facing similar charges have received different levels of scrutiny. In one case, the military career of Marine Maj. Jason Brezler, a reservist and member of the New York City Fire Department, hangs in the balance of a legal case stemming from improperly handling classified material. In 2012, Brezler sent colleagues an email from a Yahoo account containing a classified profile of an Afghan policeman whom the Marines believed was corrupt and sexually abusing young Afghan boys. "It was a mistake to have a personal account," Clinton said. "I would certainly not do it again. I make no excuses for it." But she also sought to defend her handling of classified information by saying none of the messages were marked top secret, secret or confidential. "None of the emails sent or received by me had such a header," she said. When asked about U.S. military interventions abroad, Clinton again was on the defensive, repeating her claim that she regretted her vote as senator to authorize the war in Iraq. "The decision to go to war in Iraq was a mistake," she said. "I also believe that it is imperative that we learn from the mistakes," she added. "I think I'm in the best possible position to be able to understand that and prevent it." On Iraq, Clinton said, "we are not going to put ground troops into Iraq ever again," but failed to acknowledge the roughly 5,000 American service members who are currently deployed in the country to train Iraqi security forces in the fight against ISIS. She defended her role in advocating the 2011 military intervention in Libya to oust leader Muammar Gaddafi, saying, "I think taking that action was the right decision." She also backed the Iran nuclear deal, saying it "put a lid on their nuclear weapons program" and took precedence as a strategic threat over other issues such as Iran's meddling in Iraq and Syria. Vets Issues Trump called for giving veterans greater access to private care if they face waits of several days for appointments at hospitals and clinics run by the VA, which he described as "almost a corrupt enterprise." "People are dying waiting to see a doctor," he said. "Under a part of my plan, if they have that long wait, they walk outside, they go to the local doctor. They choose the doctor. They choose the hospital whether it's public or private. They get themselves better. In many cases, it's a minor procedure or a pill." Both Trump and Clinton said they would not seek to privatize the VA. When an audience member asked him what he plans to do to stop the 20 veterans, on average, who die by suicide every day, Trump erroneously sought to correct her by citing an old figure of 22 veterans. "Actually, it's 22," he told the woman. The VA in July released its latest study on the issue and concluded an average of 20 veterans kill themselves each day, down from 22 veterans in a 2014 study. The victims are mostly older vets. "A lot of it is they're under tremendous pain and can't see a doctor," Trump said. "We're going to speed up the process." Clinton, meanwhile, pledged to hold weekly meetings in the White House to better coordinate services as troops transfer from the Defense Department to veterans at the VA. She said she was "outraged" by some of the stories she has heard about missing records and vowed to help move the department into the 21st century. "We've got to remove the stigma" associated with mental health, she said. "We've got to help people currently serving not to feel that if they report their sense of unease, their depression, that somehow it's going to be a mark against them." -- Brendan McGarry can be reached at brendan.mcgarry@military.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Brendan_McGarry. As savvy employers adjust their hiring and on boarding processes to embrace the veteran employee, a question often arises around background checks: Are background checks necessary for veteran job applicants? To get answers, I enlisted the help of Jason Rennie, SVP of Sales & Marketing, at Info Cubic, a leading provider of employment screening and drug testing. Here, Jason answers some common questions HR professionals have about background checks on veterans: Is there a greater emphasis on background checks today than in the past? Jason: Background checks are a critical part of pre-hire screening for many reasons: Protection of Company Assets and Reputation - Companies spend years building value and a good reputation in their communities and industries. A poor hire can damage a company's good reputation. Protection from Claims of Negligent Hiring and Retention - Courts have consistently held that employers have a legal responsibility to exercise reasonable care to protect their customers and employees. This "reasonable care" extends to hiring and retaining employees. Maximizing the Hiring Investment - Whether it is a new position or a replacement, a new hire costs the company money. The cost of a comprehensive background check is typically under $50 and a limited background check under $25 a minimal upfront investment. Job Competence Does your applicant really have experience operating a D10 Dozer or was it a Bobcat? A background check can help you understand there is a HUGE difference between the two! Some Applicants Lie While we'd like to assume every job applicant is truthful, we know that's not the case. A background check can reveal dishonesty and exaggeration. How does a background check on a military veteran differ from that of a civilian? Jason: It really doesn't. The scope of the background check for a military veteran and a civilian applying for the same position should be consistent. One difference would be perhaps the employment verification. For example, assume an employer is requesting to verify the last three to five years or more years of employment history -- the military veteran's previous work history may include military service verification, assuming that the applicant was active in the time period previously mentioned. Are there special considerations when conducting a background check on a veteran? Jason: The single biggest consideration may be the time associated with conducting the verification of military service. Most providers make their first attempt to verify military service by utilizing the Department of Defense Service Member Database. This is a quick search and many providers stop at this point, whether they were able to verify the veteran's service or not. For clients requiring more in depth findings, we might contact the National Personnel Records Center and even contact the supervisor/base. Because of their military service, are veterans able to hide things from their past? Jason: No, I'm not aware of any special capabilities that veterans have to intentionally "hide" things from their past. However, it is a complex question. Here's an example: If the individual spent time in Iraq as an active duty member of the U.S. military, it is unlikely (but not necessarily impossible) that she/he will have any criminal records from an Iraqi court. However, if the client wants full coverage for the search, then they may decide to conduct a criminal check in both the U.S. and the country where the duty was served. Official Military Personnel Files are available with limited information to the public. Although the information received varies, most likely you will receive information such as a name, service number, dates of service, branch of service, and final duty status. The majority of the information is not available without the written consent of the individual whose record is involved. There is also a Report of Separation that may be available. However, that information does not include records of criminal/court offenses committed while serving. Each branch of the military has its own lower Court of Military appeals which is used as a central repository for criminal records and as a checks and balances entity for Courts-Martial offenses filed at military base courts. All Summary (equivalent to a petty misdemeanor), Special (equivalent to a misdemeanor), and General Courts-Martial (equivalent to a felony) offenses are reviewed and filed at the individual branch's Court of Military Appeals. If the judgment is upheld, and the defendant does not further the appeal, the case will be closed and remain at that court. If the appeal is supported, then the case moves on to the U.S. Court of Military Appeals. In order to request these records, you must go through the appropriate avenue for each branch of the military. The request for personal information must be in writing, and the timeframe to receive records back can range between 5 days and 6 months (extreme circumstances can be as long as 2 years). What about an applicant who currently resides on a military base? Jason: Generally, a U.S. military base is not specifically considered to be sovereign U.S. territory/possession (whereas, for example an Embassy or Aircraft Carrier are), but that is not to say U.S. laws do not apply. While the majority of bases are located inside the U.S. itself, the Navy maintains a significant number of facilities abroad, either in U.S.-controlled territories or in foreign countries under a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). The U.S. and Spain have such an agreement in place. For example, any members of the Navy and their dependents while in Spain must prove their status with documentation specified in the SOFA or by a special identification card. In terms of criminal jurisdiction, under the SOFA in place, Spain recognizes the importance of disciplinary control by the U.S. military authorities and will consider requests for a waiver of criminal jurisdiction made by the U.S. (meaning in high level terms, Spain has authority to prosecute crimes committed but will consider requests from the U.S. to have the U.S. prosecute the crimes). Can a background check on a veteran tell me about their character and potential leadership abilities? Jason: There is no real difference to be made between a military veteran and a civilian when it comes to the results of a background check and judging one's character, risk, and potential leadership. To be fair and just (and to avoid any discrimination allegations) an employer would treat both applicants the same. Depending on your PT test, the order of swimming may best be determined by where it is in the order of events of that test. U Win Aung, the long-standing president of the countrys leading business body the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) has said he will not stand in an upcoming election that has prompted fresh infighting and argument over how the organisation is run. The UMFCCI wields considerable influence in the business sector hosting foreign delegations, connecting international firms with local partners and lobbying the government on economic policy. Myanmar firms must be UMFCCI members to extend company registration, secure an import-export licence, and receive a crucial country-of-origin certificate to provide to foreign buyers, according to secretary general U Moe Myint Kyaw. Membership fees provide the organisation with around K450 million a year, he added. The chamber held its first elections in 2013 after drafting a new constitution, replacing a system where the Commerce Ministry appointed senior figures. But some members claimed the inaugural election, in which only around 3 percent of members voted, was unfair, opaque and designed to ensure senior officials were re-elected. The run up to this years vote on September 17 has sparked a fresh round of acrimony. Members have already engaged in heated debate over whether sitting president U Wing Aung should be allowed another term, the rules on proxy votes, and whether the constitution should be altered to broaden the voter pool. Well-known tycoon U Win Aung has been president for the last five years and is the organisations most prominent figure. He won the 2013 election while still on the US sanctions blacklist, from which he and two of his companies were removed in 2015. U Win Aung told The Myanmar Times yesterday that he is not nominating himself for president or any senior positions in the election. Members must nominate themselves in order to be eligible for election. U Win Aung would not comment on why he had chosen not to stand, but said he would make a public announcement on the matter. Much of the criticism in the run-up to election has been personal in nature, including direct attacks on U Win Aung, which are not related to the electoral process, said U Moe Myint Kyaw. Comments framing U Win Aung as a crony or concerning on his private interests are not the concern of the UMFCCI, U Moe Myint Kyaw added. A 2007 US diplomatic cable published by Wikileaks described U Win Aung as a a regime crony who had given financial support to the former military regime that stepped aside in 2011. What we see mostly is personal attacks, said U Moe Myint Kyaw, adding that as far as the UMFCCI is concerned the comments about U Win Aung are not an issue for his presidency, which he assumed and could potentially have retained through a transparent and democratic process. New blood Although UMFCCI officials insist the election process will be democratic, only around 600 or so members out of around 15,000 active ones are expected to vote. Ordinary members elect around one-half of a 140-member of executive committee (EC), with the other half made up of automatically appointed representatives of various business associations. Only members of the EC can elect a smaller central executive committee (CEC), which in turn chooses a group of around 20 senior management committee members this includes one president and seven vice presidents. But many UMFCCI members would also like to be able to elect the president, as would several sitting EC officials. Some of the executive committee members want to be able to vote for senior positions like president and vice-president, said a member of the CEC, who asked to remain anonymous. The call for more members to be able to vote for more positions stems in part from a desire for change, according to senior figures at the organisation. [The UMFCCI] needs new blood, new ideas, said vice chair U Maung Maung Lay. Most members yearn for change. Ordinary UMFCCI member U Nay Lin Zin said that it was important for the countrys most important business body to have a strong and active senior management, and that it would be better to have new and younger people with fresh ideas in senior positions. Senior officials are perceived to have vested business interests that benefit from their access to foreign delegations, he added. Sources at the UMFCCI said that other members, some of whom are representatives of industry associations, were also eager to see people in senior positions make way for someone new. A degree of change already appears guaranteed given U Win Aungs decision not to stand. When he won the 2013 election he had already been president for two years, having been appointed by the Ministry of Commerce. Because the constitution specifies a president can only sit for two consecutive terms, this sparked a heated debate over whether U Win Aung should be allowed to run for another three-year term in September, U Khin Hlaing, a UMFCCI member who does not sit on either the EC or the CEC, said he had recently sent an official letter of complaint to the organisation arguing U Win Aung should not be eligible for another term. U Aye Lwin, a secretary general at the UMFCCI, said that the previous two years U Win Aung spent as president under ministry appointment before the new constitution came into force did not count as a term. However, even though U Win Aung is only a one-term president, U Aye Lwin said that the president had decided not to stand again. Problems with proxies Still unsettled is a third widespread complaint around the rules on proxy voting, which U Khin Hlaing also raised in his letter. The last UMFCCI election had only 600 or so voters, and officials expect a similar number this time. Some say that a requirement forcing members to register to vote and cast their ballot at the bodys Yangon headquarters helps keep turnout low. Complaints about a short registration period have already prompted two extensions. The registration deadline for voting was originally August 15 and now closes tomorrow. U Moe Myint Kyaw said that many members were simply uninterested in the election and the chamber, but hoped that members would become increasingly aware of how the UMFCCI is able to help the private sector and that exercising their right to vote in its management was important. Individual members and NGOs are not allowed proxy votes at all. Registered companies which have a company membership with a single vote are able to use proxies, but only specific individuals employed at the firm such as directors or managers. This typically provides only three or four potential proxies, and many UMFCCI members want to be able to designate their proxy at will. The CEC is still locked in debate over this point. A majority of CEC members believe that the constitution is not sufficiently clear on proxy votes, and support allowing registered companies to assign anyone they like. UMFCCI vice president U Thein Han said the point of proxy voting was to make sure companies do not lose their vote unnecessarily. You cant say its a free election if we strictly [interpret the rules] for proxies, said U Hnin Oo, UMFCCI honorable joint-auditor. But a minority of CEC members are firmly opposed to the idea. U Aye Lwin said it would not be possible to change the rules to allow a free choice of proxies. Some companies in Myanmar have failed to extend their licences and others have registered but are not active, he said. We have to be very careful with those companies and cant let them give proxy authority to anybody. The constitution allows the CEC and an election commission to resolve disputes around the voting process. A majority CEC vote would normally be enough to settle a matter, but because a vocal minority believe the constitution is clear on proxy voters the CEC has yet to find a solution. Reaching consensus is a nightmare for the time being, said the CEC member that asked to remain anonymous. U Aye Lwin said anyone wanting to change anything in the articles of association or the constitution will have to raise the matter at the annual general meeting, which typically takes place in August. Senior UMFCCI officials said there was debate about calling an extraordinary general meeting ahead of the election, but that there had not been enough time. Project to collate Japanese war trial data From:Shanghai Daily | 2016-09-08 00:45 SHANGHAI Jiao Tong University announced an ambitious project to build the largest data base in Asia of the Japanese war criminals trials after World War II. The project aims to collect dossiers from 54 war criminal courts set up after the war and add to the current data base of literature from the Tokyo War Crimes Trials where those accused of the worst war crimes, known as Class A crimes, faced justice. The dossiers for the slightly less serious crimes covered by the Class B and C trials, which the university wants to collate, will be publicly available in Chinese, English and Japanese for reading and researching, the university said. Cheng Zhaoqi, head of the Center for Tokyo Trial Studies at the university, said the project was very challenging because researches on trials other than the Tokyo Trials so far have been fragmented. Those courts were distributed in many different countries, and we dont even know where the files of the trials at some courts are kept. But scholars at the center believe the project is feasible after preliminary researches carried out in Chinas Taiwan, Japan and the United States. Trials of the war criminals after the war are an important cornerstone for the establishment of the postwar political order in East Asia, so studies of the trials are conducive to studies on postwar international relations, Cheng said. The project, sponsored by the national government, will be carried out in cooperation with the National Museum of China and the Second Historical Archives of China, which specializes in documents of Chinas central governments between 1912 and 1949. Amid Samsungs global recall of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone, the electronics giants local distributor said yesterday that customers who have pre-ordered the device locally would receive a safety-tested working model in October. Last week Samsung announced the recall of millions of Galaxy Note 7 smartphones as customers have reported cases of battery fires. U Zarni Win Htet, head of IT and Mobile from Samsung Myanmar, said yesterday that the smartphone was not due to launch locally until September 11, but this would be pushed back to next month, due to the recall. We will exchange pre-orders for new smartphones that have been inspected for errors, he said. This will start in October. Pre-order customers who prefer to get their money back can do so this month, he added. U Zarni Win Htet said that more than 100 Galaxy Note 7 smartphones had been pre-ordered in Myanmar, but he declined to give a specific number. War is the chess game politicians play, and we are the pawns. I never felt guilty about killing people who deserved to die. In my eyes they deserved to die because they were the enemy. Im trained to think that way. When I decided to be a soldier I accepted to kill and to be killed. Its part of the job. To be a soldier is a special profession, above all other professions, because we swore to die for our country. The soldiers words are displayed on the wall of the Goethe-Villa, part of the exhibition Targets by German photographic artist Herlinde Koelbl. It runs from September 5 to 12, and displays the targets used by armies in nearly 30 countries, collected over the past nine years. The soldiers are represented as live targets, a depiction that illustrates how war puts a bullseye on every fighters back. Koelbl said securing access to so many shooting ranges was a regular headache. Armies are closed societies and it was very difficult to get permission from the various defence ministries, she said. Sometimes, it took years. Myanmar was one such country, which she was particularly interested in due to its history of isolation and mystery. Authorities here waited two years before allowing her to photograph the shooting ranges, but eventually she got in. On a visit to Pyin Oo Lwin, she was surprised to discover that, for all its isolation, Myanmars army was not so different than many others in the region. The Tatmadaw targets remain the same ones used by the British. You can see a history of colonial influence, she said. The use of this target is widespread throughout Asia. Freelance photographer Nay Thet Thet Nway, who visited the exhibit earlier this week, called it an imaginative project. Its not war photography. Its so cool. It makes you feel like youre undergoing military training yourself. I also like the concept about who the enemy is. I think my side is right; they think the same. Where does the truth lie? Its up to the politicians to decide that, but the soldiers bear the heavier responsibility. One of the soldiers quoted in the exhibit said, In Iraq a kid pointed a gun at us, and we shot him. Afterwards we found that the gun wasnt loaded. Then you ask yourself, was it right what you did? You try to suppress these thoughts, but they always come back. I can actually remember the smell of fear the night before the attack. Your body chemistry changes. It is very distinct. The entire company had it, said another. Koelbl has published documentary films, video installations and more than a dozen books of photography Fancy People: High Society (1986), Jewish Portraits (1989), Traces of Power (1999), Bedrooms (2002), Hair (2007) and My View (2009). She has won a number of awards, including the prestigious Erich Salomon Prize. The Myanmar Times followed Khin Htwe and Tun Sein, the wife and husband who own a popular Shan noodle stall, Doe Shan Lay, in Mingalar Taung Nyunt township, to see how they make their chickpea-based tofu. Who knew making tofu kyaw and tofu ngwe was such hard work? Step one: Head to the marketplace At 8am, Khin Htwe and one of her workers head to Thein Phyu Market, a massive, bustling market around the corner from their apartment. Her worker carries a red bucket full of dry chickpeas, which she delivers to a grinding station in one of the markets stalls. There, a man operates four, noisy electric grinders, grinding rice, chickpeas or whatever else his regular morning customers bring him. The diesel-powered contraption looks like something out of the 1950s. Step two: In Yangon, a two-person job After coming back from the market with the chickpea powder, and a handful of vegetables and meats for the days lunch, Khin Htwe begins the long process of making Myanmar tofu. In the kitchen, she pours water over the chickpea flour, which sits in balls on a cloth sheet. The two workers swing the sheet back and forth as a yellowish-white liquid filters through into three buckets. Bo Nyein, Khin Htwes son, says that in Shan State this is a one-person job. He describes a large apparatus which a tofu maker would use to strain the mixture. But here, in a tight, low-ceilinged kitchen, it takes two workers to squeeze out the last of the liquid and the buckets are placed in the corridor to set. A short rest allows for a coffee break and the continual preparation of the days ingredients. The workers sit along the stretch of the corridor peeling garlic, cleaning spinach, and slicing stalks of bok choy into thin strips. Step three: its getting hot in here After 30 minutes, Khin Htwe slowly pours the mixture into a wok over a giant flame and the kitchen begins to heat up. She and one of the workers take turns whisking the now-thicker and yellower concoction with a long, bamboo pole, adding in turmeric salt and dashi, a Japanese MSG flavouring. Despite all the vigorous movement, neither Khin Htwe nor her workers shed a bead of sweat. Suddenly, the beating stops. Khin Htwe dips the back of a spoon into the pudding-like mix and takes a taste. Its to her liking. She cuts the flame and carries the large vat over to the table. Slowly, she pours the mix into a cooling pan, steam rising against her face. The team makes three batches, repeating the process over and over again to ensure there is enough tofu to feed the incessant stream of hungry customers that flood into the stall between 4 and 10pm each night. Step four: a tofu siesta As the tubs of tofu cool, Khin Htwe calls me over to feel them. Gently, I hover my palm over the tofu, still warm and springy to the touch. In another hour or so these rectangular molds will be cut into cubes for tofu kyaw or long strips for tofu thoke. The tofu ngwe mixture remains in its liquid form in a vat in the kitchen, set over heat. In the interim, the house is a flurry of clattering plates and moving tables. Glossy coloured photos of the familys four sons and a modest but golden shrine to the Buddha watch over us as Khin Htwe and Tun Sein prepare a traditional lunch of rice, fried pork and greens, liquor-infused chicken curry, spicy seaweed and noodle salad, and a former menu item Tun Seins pickled white carrot salad. A food-induced coma sets in over the house. Bo Nyein and his father narrate through a photo slideshow of their hometown, Namhsan in Shan State. Leaned back in their chairs, patting their stomachs, the father and son reminisce about the home they left behind. Step five: and so it goes From the kitchen I hear the sounds of oil popping, a strong sign that the extended lunch break is over and it is back to work. Yet again Khin Htwe and her workers are grinding away, raking through cubes of crispy fried goodness, and sealing containers of pickled vegetables and sauces. The work, which began seven hours ago, is finally almost finished. With all of the tofu fried, strips cut for the salad, and various accoutrements packed, the workers head down three flights of stairs and load up a small cart to set up shop. It is 3:30pm, the stall is almost ready to open. Khin Htwe, Tun Sein, and the workers will serve their last bowl of noodles around 10pm, getting to bed by 11pm. Tomorrow, the whole cycle begins again. The Monsoon Art Festival continues its two-month run at the Yangon Gallery with an exhibition of contemporary art from September 9 to 13. The exhibition, titled Pyit Zone, offers a rare chance to see canvas works by artists Moat Thone, Muu Muu, Ba Htay Kyi and Eikaza Cho all of whom are renowned for their cartoons and illustrations, but who seldom show their paintings in public. Curator Htet Naing Lynn said each artist will show 10 to 12 paintings, most of which have not been seen in public before. These four artists are very special to me and to the art community because they are around the same age [late 50s to early 60s] and have had similar experiences. Theyre all friends, but its really difficult to get them to participate in an exhibition together, Htet Naing Lynn told The Myanmar Times. Ba Htay Kyi is particularly well-known for his book-cover illustrations, and some of his figurative drawings were featured in Canadian-born cartoonist Guy Delisles Burma Chronicles as an example of the sort of real gem that can occasionally be found in local magazines. When it comes to canvas brushwork, however, Ba Htay Kyi shows a distinct knack for abstraction. As an illustrator, I need to read the book or poems I am illustrating. But as an artist, I draw whatever I want and whatever comes from my imagination, he said. I am interested in geometrical abstraction. I construct my paintings with lines and colours combined with my imagination. Eizaka Chos contributions to the exhibition include semi-abstract paintings inspired by traditional Myanmar motifs. Some paintings are connected with Burmese tradition. I get inspiration from my research, and some figures are from my own imagination, he said. This is why I prefer abstraction rather than realism: It allows me to depict my own imagination and inspiration. Not all of the paintings in Pyit Zone are abstract other artists are showing figurative paintings as well and Htet Naing Lynn admitted there was no unifying theme to the exhibition aside from the shared background of the participants themselves. Publishers collect their artworks and use them on book covers, and they all have their own respective followings, he said. But people dont have the chance to see their paintings in public very often, so the audience will be really happy to see their artworks in the same place. Pyit Zone is showing from August 9 to 13 at the Yangon Gallery, located in Peoples Park near the Planetarium Museum off Ahlone Road. The gallery is open daily from 10am to 6pm. The beauty and sweetness of the dolls belie the horror in the lives of the women who make them. Those cute Nilar dolls you can buy at Pomelo or Hla Day are handmade by women living with HIV-AIDS. In most cases, the women were infected by their husbands, most of whom have since died of the disease. Most have children to support. Though in some respects, thanks to medication, they live normal lives, they have to see the doctor regularly and are vulnerable to infection. Action for the Public (AFP) has helped these women improve their lives by enabling them to hone their skills and providing them with jobs. Established in 2008, AFP was initially supported by donor contributions, but since 2010 it has emerged as an independent NGO in its own right. We help our workers, who live with HIV-AIDS, lead regular lives, said the groups founder, Ma Kyi Pyar Chit Saw. They work a regular day, arriving in the morning and going home in the evening. Over the years, some have left, but many of those come back to us. AFP provides vocational training in sewing and money for the bus fare so they can get to work until they can earn enough money by themselves, selling their wares at Mingalar Market. At first, earnings were scanty. But in 2010, Ulla Kroeber, who founded the Yangon social enterprise Pomelo, took a hand training the workers in the design of Myanmar traditional costumes to market standard and exhibiting the results in Pomelo and Hla Day. Now, 80 percent of the profits go to the workers, enough to meet their daily needs. One of them, Daw Aye Aye Maw, said, When I found out I was infected, in 2006, I felt ashamed. I have three daughters to look after, so it was a struggle. The doctors gave me ART medication and I have to see them regularly. Now that Ive found the AFP group, Im part of a group of likeminded women who understand what Im going through. Ma Moe Thida, also a mother of three, said, I was shocked when I discovered I was HIV-positive. Two of my daughters are also infected. They couldnt manage without me, so I do my best for them. My new job allows me to take care of me or my family. The women rely entirely on the proceeds from the sales of their Nilar dolls to support themselves and their families, and to pay for their essential medication. Anyone wishing to gain more information or to help can contact Pomelo, Hla Day or the head office of Action for the Public, at 46B Kaya Thukha Ahpyin Road, Mingaladon township, Yangon. In February 2007, at the same time that students rushed the streets of Yangon to protest the governments removal of fuel subsidies and the juntas subsequent crackdown on dissidents, the skies filled with poems. Hastily scribbled verses flew from school windows before the rectors, hot on poets tails, could find and arrest them. The scene was a familiar one to poets and activists alike: As early on as 1988 when students pushed for democracy, and in 1996 after the brutal police beating of three students, poets wielded their words as weapons again and again whenever the fervor of revolution swept through the streets. Embodying the spirit of these purportedly more democratic times, a new generation of poets is seizing the moment. Myanmars brave new voices are amplifying their truths through the performative, and often political, mode of spoken word and slam poetry. In the past month alone, Slam Express, a newly formed slam poetry group, has held two poetry slams, followed by a slam and open-mic duo at Pansuriya Cafe on August 6 and August 27, respectively. Inspired by the burgeoning movement, students from the International School of Yangon arranged their own slam an intentional mix of locals and expats with the help of the Yangon Literary Magazine team on September 3 at Gringos Chilangos restaurant. The event doubled as a fundraiser for the Smile Education and Development Foundation, a Myanmar-based grassroots NGO dedicated to fighting for religious freedom and eradicating poverty through interfaith educational training. Though slam poetry dates back to the 1980s in the West each poem tending to follow a certain cadence, a familiar ebb and flow of emotion around hot social justice topics Myanmars nascent slam scene adheres to neither rules nor regulations. It is an absolute free-for-all of expression, dripping already in a youth-powered, revolutionary zeal. Slam poetry is so new here, no one really knows what it is, said Than Toe Aung, one of the Slam Express organisers. A graduate student of human rights and a talented slam poet, he believes slam poetry is one of best ways to advocate for social justice. After watching slam poems on YouTube, and seeing the way poetry has helped promote the Black Lives Matter movement in America, Than Toe Aung bounced ideas around with friends about creating a space for poetry: an ongoing, nonjudgemental meet-up for people to perform and learn about poetry slam and otherwise. After a pre-slam meeting and reaching out to local poets, Slam Express was born. As someone who comes from a minority background, this is really important to let people know what the experience is like, said Than Toe Aung, whose family is Muslim and of Indian descent. Racial discrimination and Islamophobia are a part of his everyday life, he says, and through poetry, he can convey this to a wider audience both with emotion and the beauty of rhyme and repetition. I feel like with my background, I have an obligation to represent the people who have been through the same experiences I have, he said. A sense of obligation or duty to ones craft or to a political end has long been a part of Myanmars literary tradition. A Rakhine poet known under his pseudonym, Lai Wan Sai Aung, senses this relationship. Though he acts like a brother to Than Toe Aung, he is far more engaged in the Myanmar modernism movement than he is in slam. Poetry has always been involved in revolutionary stages of politics in Myanmar Even in the time of military dictatorship, there were poets who were brave enough to say, Come out, write a poem with your blood, lets write our history with our blood. Just come on out, said Lai Wan Sai Aung. Though the age of slithering past censors came to a halt in 2012, and the newly elected NLD government brings hope for a more democratic and united country, the masters of caesura and meter know that there are limits to their lyrics. There are a lot of things here in Myanmar that are left unsaid, said Khin CM Maung, a college student and one of the founders of the Yangon Literary Magazine. Slam poetry, especially in English, is a way for me to express things without people fully understanding the meaning. Khin CM Maungs poems often straddle a linguistic border, on not being able to fully present herself in Myanmar language as a woman, as someone who identifies as being on the LGBTQ spectrum, and as a Myanmar citizen caught in a cross- cultural mix. Speaking openly about these issues, whether it is homophobia, female sexuality or racial injustice against Muslims, is contentious radical even and poets still face the possibility of a potentially violent backlash. The night before the first slam, Than Toe Aung told The Myanmar Times he was worried, not about going to jail that he was ready to do but acutely aware of how his words and the colour of his skin might put him in danger. I was scared that I might be targeted by some racists or nationalist organisations, he said. Nevertheless, Than Toe Aung and Khin CM Maung continue to perform, and in English a language in which they both feel more comfortable writing. But with English proficiency in Myanmar still low, English- language poems only reach a limited audience. Than Toe Aung dreams that poetry slams will one day be held in Myanmar language. I want to use poems as a common ground to bring people together. I feel that the more poets are familiar with slam poetry, the more it will take off in Burmese language. For International School of Yangon junior Lucca Ingemann Chorteson, senior Maggie McAden and recent graduate Fatima Seck, finding a common ground through sharing poetry was precisely the goal of Yangons third poetry slam on September 3. We think everyone should be able to do slam, said Chorteson. The idea of democratisation is to make sure voices peoples poems are heard. Chorteson, who, like many of the ISY students who performed on Saturday, is new to poetry. Nonetheless, encouraged by her peers, she recited an original piece at the slam. She has lived in Myanmar for only one year but has already seen Yangons art scene boom. There have been small changes, like you start seeing all the film festivals and art exhibits. One day theres Slam Express and then the Yangon Literary Magazine. Theres just an explosion of art nowadays, she said. Scattered about the city during the Saffron Revolution and the revolutions prior, poems, which are love letters to change, have metaphorically and literally laid down a solid foundation from which new types of poetry can sprout. The inauguration of Slam Express and the Yangon Literary Magazine, the now-weekly plethora of open mics, readings, slams, workshops and informal gatherings of wordsmiths populating cafes like The Rough Cut and Pansuriya signals a strong wind of literary change. Its hard to predict Myanmars poetic future but, for now, with a fiery group of young poets paving the way, poems and the ones responsible for their birth can yet again be seen raining down over Yangon. I dont know much about poetry or literature, says Than Toe Aung. But I can still write about my experiences. I dont think I am a poet yet Ill have to keep writing and see. As galleries sprout up across Yangon, the women artists featured in experimental documentary For My Art have chosen to take their performances outside into the streets. The film, which will be screened at Wayziyar Cinema on September 9 as part of the Wathann Film Festival, documents their spontaneous interactions with the public on the streets of Yangon. Yangon residents will have fun spotting familiar locations throughout For My Art. In the opening sequence, Phyu Mon is seen walking at Hledan Junction before setting up her performance on one of the islands under the recently constructed overpass. Phyu Mon shows us that these new urban spaces usually occupied by families with shopping bags, kids skateboarding and roadside hawkers selling betel nut or newspapers can be places for art as well. Watching the islands temporary residents interact with the artist, one wonders what they think of Phyu Mon and how they understand her art. They seem to be enjoying it, laughing and teasing each other. When approached by a man who seems to be intoxicated, the artist calmly answers his questions about the film and, with a smile, asks him to collaborate with her. In Myanmar, contemporary performance art emerged during the bad old days of military rule in the 1980s and 90s, with a first generation of Myanmar woman artists being instrumental in driving it forward. While these performance art pioneers are not household names, they continue to inspire a current generation of women artists applying the art form which emphasises the interaction of artist and audience through physical space and bodily contact to the current social and political context in Myanmar. For My Art is an engrossing visual and auditory experience revealing aspects of everyday Yangon life that often go unnoticed. It is also a stimulating piece of art in itself, forcing audiences to consider the place of women in modern Myanmar society and what is at stake for five artists Emily Phyo, Ma Ei, Phyu Mon, Yin Nan Wai and Zoncy to publicly make art in the tumultuous streets of Yangon. The films directors Emily Hong, Miasarah Lai and Mariangela Mihai are members of ethnographic film collective EthnoCine, and have previously worked together on an experimental documentary Nobel Nok Dah, about three Karen women who resettle in upstate New York. The Myanmar Times spoke to Hong and Mihai ahead of the film screening to find out more about the project. Tell us about the first generation of women performance artists in Myanmar who inspired you to make For My Art? Emily Hong: In Performing Modernity, the longer video installation from which For My Art was adapted, we collaborated with two trailblazing first-generation performance artists Phyu Mon and Chaw Ei Thein. For My Art opens with Phyu Mons work. While Chaw Ei Thein is not featured in the shorter For My Art [for logistical reasons she is based in New York], Performing Modernity was largely inspired by her, and was created specifically to be in conversation with her live performance, for its premiere at the Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Both women are trailblazers in the sense that their work has always been quite public, and often, very political. What are the challenges for the artists or for you as film makers of shooting a film like this on the streets of Yangon compared with a gallery? EH: While Phyu Mon and Chaw Eis work has long been performed on the streets of Yangon, we found that only some of the new generation of performance artists had experience performing their work outside of gallery spaces. For several of these artists it was their first time. Emily Phyos performance was probably the most nerve-wracking for us and for her. We had planned to shoot her at Peoples Park, but because of the rain, she suggested we shoot her in Yuzana Plaza, Yangons oldest mall, where she runs a tailoring shop. This was the first time fellow shop owners had seen her perform, and they barely recognised her, if at all! This and the other mall we filmed at [Junction Square] were the only places where we were approached by authorities. We were actually asked by Yuzana mall security what we were doing and to give them our personal information which we gave the illusion of complying with. Why is it significant that all of the artists in the film are women? EH: From the get-go we had planned to make a film about the work of women performance artists. We had just finished shooting for another short film, Nobel Nok Dah, where we had worked with women from Myanmar [refugees resettled in the US], and it was such an incredible experience. There is the freedom to develop friendships and intimacy with the camera that is surprisingly difficult with men. We were very lucky because, shortly after we arrived in Yangon to start shooting, we found out that there was to be the first-ever show of women performance artists at the now-closed TS1 art gallery. The curator, Nathalie Johnston, now of Myanm/art, had already introduced us to some of these women, but this night of performances was incredibly memorable. It was there that we first saw Emily Phyos work, the same piece that she performs in For My Art. I remember we asked one famous male artist there who his favorite female performance artist was, and he couldnt come up with one. He knew many of them, but it seemed they didnt quite meet the bar for him. Mariangela Mihai: In my life, I have often been forced by circumstance to work with men on projects, artistic or otherwise, which I felt would benefit from more women voices. Whenever the opportunity arises to work on all-women collaborative projects, I become inspired and more invested. Maybe because it has been a rarer occurrence, or maybe because I simply get along better with women, I dont know. In the case of For My Art, I was very happy when circumstance allowed us to work with women performance artists only. To be quite honest, given the VIP status male performance artists seem to enjoy in Myanmar, and some of the dynamics Ive noticed when it comes to how they view their fellow women performance artists, I thought it was important to highlight how amazing these generations of women artists are. For My Art is presented as a two-screen installation. How do you think audiences will respond to the multi-channel format? MM: We chose the two-channel format in the hope we can add more dimensionality to the artists performances. With two channels, we were able to bring more information onto the screen, about the surrounding environment, as well as small ethnographic moments of daily life and mundane movements through the landscape. EH: The two channels were integral to the concept of the original Performing Modernity and when we finally saw it on the big screen, we were surprised that the format worked there too. With two channels there is the momentary illusion of a two camera set-up, as if they represent two perspectives of the same synchronous moment. But youll notice that this illusion falls apart just as quickly as it is felt, disrupting the comfort of the viewer and, hopefully, questioning the dichotomy of reality (documentary) vs performance (art). What are your thoughts on the current state of documentary and experimental cinema in Myanmar? MM: After attending the Human Rights Human Dignity Film Festival in 2014, I was very impressed with the vitality of young filmmakers in Myanmar, and the more recent inclusion of directors belonging to varying ethnic minorities. Women were also visible, and are doing some impressive work, which is always a welcome feature of any new direction. I dont think any support is needed for encouraging experimental cinema it seems to me that the young filmmakers have this covered on their own. EH: I too am in awe of how much young filmmakers are growing and developing their work. Of course the Yangon Film School, the Human Rights Human Dignity International Film Festival and Institute, and the Wathann Film Festival have played crucial roles in supporting up-and-coming filmmakers. Wathanns selection seems to be much more encouraging of experimental work, and includes quite a bit of video art. Our film Nobel Nok Dah screened at this years Human Rights Human Dignity International Film Festival, and it was probably one of the more experimental pieces there. Someone from the Yangon Film School approached me afterward to ask me if I would show the piece there and talk to the students about the possibilities of more avant-garde cinema. So, I guess we stuck out like a sore thumb. That being said, ethnographic approaches attuned to those visceral moments of everyday life should be considered transgressive in an otherwise mainstream world of talking-head journalistic documentaries, and graduates of YFS seem to excel in this genre. The challenge now is to grow the opportunities outside of Yangon. Do you have any more Myanmar-related projects in the works? MM: I am currently working on a film project on transnational queerness, which I am hoping will also have a Myanmar component, since I will be working on the Northeast India-Myanmar border for a while. EH: I am working on a film in Myitkyina with some incredible activists and rock musicians there, tentatively titled Above and Below the Ground. It tells the story of a group of indigenous environmental activists and rock musicians who come together in the ongoing struggle against the Myitsone dam and launch a groundbreaking musical collaboration for environmental self-determination across their native Kachin land. Why should people go and see your film at the Wathann Festival? MM: For My Art offers an opportunity to view these amazing women performance artists in action, while also affording a view of Yangon through a multi-sensorial oriented perspective. We paid special attention to the rhythms of daily life its sounds and textures and we hope these will be both familiar and easily recognisable to the Wathann audiences, but that they will also offer a different perspective. All the artists we worked with wanted to collaborate with passersby and impromptu audiences. So, I think this multiple- level collaboration between the filmmakers, the artists, spontaneous participants and live audiences shows Yangon through a new lens. For My Art will be shown at Wayziyar Cinema on September 9, 6-8pm, alongside a line-up of five experimental shorts from directors Midi Z, Khin Khin Hsu, Moe Satt, Pyin Nyar Zeya and Phyu Mon. Tickets are free. Its not just about pork. Ma Eis Pork Stick emporium in Yangons Tarmwe township also offers salads with rice, tea leaves, potatoes, bean curd, corn and other non-pork ingredients, for as little as K600 to K800. But if pork is your thing, look no further than Ma Eis, which has become something of an institution among Yangon whet thar (pork) lovers. The eponymous sticks come with delicious piping hot soup with vegetables and sauce, and you get to tell the vendor which of your favourite pig parts to include, whether it be the head, ear, leg or tail, tongue, gut or heart. Then you can watch as the whole meal is put together before wolfing it down. This pointing facility is particularly useful for foreign patrons who cannot read the Myanmar-language menu. No part of the pig is off-limits at Ma Eis. Nothing is thrown away. Even the intestines can be stuffed with sticky rice. Though it is a famed Yangon street food, you can of course get good pork in any state or region, with or without salad and soup. You can even find it in fancy restaurants, under conditions of considerable luxury. For the plainest stick, you can pay as little as K100 or K200, though most diners customise their choice, paying up to K5000 or K8000. Two can eat well on the K3000 platter, and the K8000 variation can comfortably feed four. Vermicelli and noodle salads (one for K600) are also on offer.Whatever you order, soup and vegetables come with it. A vermicelli salad garnished with white onions and chilli is a fine enhancement for a pork stick. Salads are light, not too heavily spiced. The pork is not too oily. I liked the pork tongue salad, at K2500, comprising vermicelli salad, pork stick and tongue salad. The most popular dishes include pork leg soup and pork brain soup, for K1500 each. Soft drinks are available, but no beer. Ma Eis place is at the corner of South Horse Race Course and East Horse Race Course roads, Tarmwe township. Its protected by awnings during the rainy season. Ma Ei has two establishments in that location, of which the other offers brunch. But the pork stick shop, which opened six years ago, is the more popular. It opens from 10am to 7pm and is closed on Sundays. Intrepid urbexers are wandering through the industrial wastelands of China, uncovering the dramas of the countrys astonishing economic rise. Like a Conquistador trawling the rainforest for an ancient metropolis, the black-clad explorer crept through the undergrowth, foliage crackling underfoot. Its just like the Mary Celeste, he marvelled, reminded of the famous shipwreck as he arrived at a clearing where the first metallic towers of a hidden kingdom came into view. Around him unfurled a decaying sprawl of vine-covered structures, turrets and trees. Giant cranes reached heavenward, steel claws clutching at tufts of cloud. Below, a rusty sign extended visitors an ominous welcome: Your families are waiting for your safe return. The lost city in question is not in the jungles of South America, but the smog-choked outskirts of Beijing, where Brendan Connal was on his latest quest in search of a hidden China. Connal, a 35-year-old from the UK, is one of a small but intrepid network of urban explorers who are fanning out across the industrial wastelands of mainland China, uncovering the dramas and mysteries of its astonishing economic rise as they go. Each time I find a new site I feel excited, says Zhao Yang, 29, another urbexer who documents his unconventional treks through abandoned military installations, cobweb-choked cinemas and derelict factories on a website called Cooling Plan. Connal is one of the most active members of Chinas approximately 200-strong urbex community. Worldwide, the pursuit which some describe as recreational trespass is estimated to have about 20,000 adherents, the majority in Europe and the United States. Connal cut his teeth while living in London for decades a hub for urbex collectives hoisting himself into abandoned multi-storey car parks and a Victorian psychiatric hospital. Now based in Beijing, he has been chronicling his adventures on a blog called Burbex since late 2013. My instinct every time I see a wall is: whats on the other side? says the Briton, whose day job is as an English-language examiner. In China the answers to that question are rarely dull. Connals urbexing has taken him into derelict science museums, haunted pre-Revolution hotels, ghostly amusement parks, and a half-finished shopping centre that he calls the Great Mall of China. Zhao, who is a professional photographer, says his edgiest find had been a deactivated field hospital built to treat victims of the 2003 SARS outbreak. Connal, whose website receives thousands of visits each month, says a growing number of Western tourists are choosing to spend their holidays hiking not up the Great Wall but through the concrete carcasses of white elephant construction projects. Urban explorers travel light as they roam Chinas hidden periphery. As well as a first aid kit, Connal carries water, cheap Zhongnanhai cigarettes to placate irate security guards, a selection of torches and a smartphone to record his discoveries. His uniform rarely changes: black fingerless gloves for scaling walls and a black hoody and trousers to help him blend into the shadows. Like a cat burglar, he says, grinning. He uses a mix of online research and detective work to pinpoint new locations and then find ways to sneak in. Im quite imaginative about getting into places, he boasts. Everything has an entry point. You might not be able to find it but somebody knows the way in. Sometimes, Chinas urbexers bite off more than they can chew. While touring the mortuary of an abandoned hospital in northeast China, Zhao encountered an adults mummified corpse and a small wooden box. Inside, there was the body of a toddler, he recalls, adding, I closed the box. Zhao, who grew up in Chinas north-eastern rust belt, says his fascination with urbex began when, aged nine, he began roaming the Mao-era bomb shelters near his home in the city of Jinzhou. Some said the shelters were haunted by the ghosts of children, he remembers. We were curious kids. These days, Zhao lives in Beijing and his trips to vacant factories offer an escape from traffic-clogged mega-city whose population last year hit 21 million. When Im at abandoned sites, I feel Im the only person in the world. Everyone likes different things [about urbex] I like this sense of solitude, he says. Connal says his forays into this unseen world have given him a glimpse of Chinese history. In each abandoned building he chanced upon artefacts offering tiny windows into the past: faded family photographs, notepads filled with the anonymous calligraphy of strangers, a yellowing newspaper containing a decades-old speech by former Communist party leader Deng Xiaoping. You could call it urban archaeology, he says. On a recent morning, the urbexer clambered over crumbling walls, fences and an overgrown railway track to reach the heart of Shougang, an industrial complex on Beijings western outskirts that was once home to 200,000 workers. The areas steel mills began production in 1919 three decades before Chairman Maos communists took power and Shougang went on to become one of Chinas top iron and steel producers. But production was halted in the lead-up to the 2008 Olympics as authorities fought to clean up the citys notoriously toxic air. Weeds have since consumed the ruins of this once-bustling steel city. Everything is disintegrating here, Connal says, hauling himself over a mouldering conveyor belt past a sign that reads: Beware of the machines. No climbing. Inside a dilapidated changing room for workers, he finds dust-coated underpants, shoes, bras and metal lockers scattered across a cracked tile floor. These are all little relics, he says. Its weird how it all just rots like this. The urban explorers mapping Chinas forgotten wastelands describe their mission as a race against time. Zhao says his countrys breakneck urbanisation which has seen hundreds of millions flock to the cities since economic reforms began in the 1980s meant he would often return to an urbex site to find the bulldozers had moved in. China is changing at an astonishing speed. Its not like other countries where abandoned sites might stay there for a decade without being touched. Demolition appears to be the likely fate of the Shougang steel complex. As Connal snuck across the vast industrial wasteland sprinting across deserted roads and courtyards to avoid the attention of security guards and stray dogs he saw teams of excavators preparing to reduce one section to rubble. Hours after his expedition began, he slipped out the complexs western gates past billboards advertising plans to replace Shougangs wreckage with an industrial-themed residential community called S-Park. Posters showed blueprints for tree-lined boulevards and a luxury shopping district called Coking Plant Plaza. Connal says he was disappointed that the days of his favourite Beijing haunt appeared to be numbered. But in a country as large as China there would never be a shortage of urbex destinations. Ive heard there are ghost villages in Sichuan, he says, with a mischievous smile. The Guardian As the full extent of the damage becomes clearer, the Department of Archaeology, National Museum and Librarys deputy director general U Thein Lwin said this week that murals were affected at more than 40 pagodas after a powerful earthquake rocked Bagan on August 24. Luckily, it did not damage any whole paintings it just destroyed a part of the originals in each damaged pagoda that has mural art, he told The Myanmar Times. We documented partly damaged mural paintings at over 40 pagodas and that number may increase after documentation is complete. This week, his department and experts from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will begin a thorough cataloguing of the damage to pagodas in Bagan, he said. The detailed documentation will determine specifics: where the damage started; what parts of a pagoda are damaged; to what degree it has been impacted; how much mural art was destroyed; and where we should start to renovate, U Thein Lwin said. After finishing the detailed documentation, in November, we will begin renovation. Currently UNESCO is training volunteers to clean and handle broken pieces of the damaged pagodas without causing further harm, he said. After the detailed documentation, UNESCOs experts will discuss the results with local architects, U Thein Lwin said. As of September 5, more than K1.8 billion (about US$1.5 million) has been donated by people across the country for the restoration of Bagans pagodas, Mandalay Region Hluttaw MP U Win Myint Khaing (NLD; Nyaung-U 1) said. We have a bank account to maintain the money from donors and we have only withdrawn K20 million of the K1.8 billion, he said. A representative tasked with maintaining the donor money said that some international donors have also offered to give money to pagoda conservation. The thousands of pagodas that dot the Bagan plain in central Myanmar have long been a major tourist draw as well as a pilgrimage site for Buddhists. Nearly 400 pagodas were damaged to some degree by last months earthquake. Officials are planning to submit an application to earn UNESCO World Heritage Site status for Bagan at the end of 2017. That plan will move forward, in parallel with the plans for restoration of the quake-damaged pagodas, Myanmars UNESCO national project coordinator Daw Ohn Mar Myo told The Myanmar Times. It will be three months late because first we have to renovate the damaged pagodas, she said. Daw Ohn Mar Myo reminded volunteers not to rush the clean-up effort. Most volunteer people do not understand and cannot distinguish the ancient bricks, which would be valuable for the heritage site designation, she said. That is why we do not want to rush to clean up before UNESCOs experts train the volunteers. Tomorrow, UNESCO experts will kick off a two-day training session aimed at teaching volunteers how to systematically clean the pagodas, without negatively impacting the sites. Representatives from UNESCO will perform a ground check for heritage site designation in 2018, according to the Department of Archaeology. Firm partly at fault for fatal cave trip From:Shanghai Daily | 2016-09-08 00:45 A company that organized a cave exploration trip that resulted in the death of one of the participants has been ordered to compensate his family 216,000 yuan (US$32,398), according to the Minhang Peoples Court. Attempts to rescue the tourist were hampered by the lack of a mobile phone signal. The company, APS, did not prepare an emergency plan or have effective tools for communication to ensure timely rescue in case of emergency, the court said. APS therefore should take part responsibility for his death. The tourist, surnamed Li, was around 30 years old. He and his colleagues from China Mobile Group Terminal Co went on a trip to a remote cave in Tonglu County of neighboring Zhejiang Province on May 29, 2015, the court said. Li had told a fellow APS worker he might need to rest on occasion as he had a low blood sugar count. He later collapsed but it took several hours for rescuers to arrive. Li died in hospital on June 1. The cause of death was cardiac arrest, according to the hospital. Police made 1050 drug busts in August, according to official statistics released on September 6. The report, issued by the Myanmar Police Force, said more than 1680 people were arrested in total 1484 men and 196 women. Police confiscated 44.19 kilograms of poppy in 41 cases, 43.56kg of heroin from 351 cases, and more than 360kg of various forms of opium over 65 cases. Amphetamine cases topped the list with more than 550 cases, involving 3 million tablets, and 40.89kg of amphetamine powder. As the police seized the drugs, there are many cases where arrests were made, said East Yangon district Police Colonel Myit Htwe. This months drug seizures have already started, with a raid of 74,119 amphetamine tablets in Kayin States Myawady township on September 6. Police worked their way up to the cache, first arresting small-time dealers. The series of arrests started with Ma Nan Than Than Myint on Bo Min Yaung Street, who had 982 WY tablets and K50,000. Police determined her supply came from Ma Aye Thwel. At her house, they found 1963 WY tablets. Her dealer was Ko Ta Yoke aka Sai Thiha. Sai Thihas house was the jackpot, police said. They found 71,200 WY tablets, 350 grams of WY powder, 1kg of methamphetamine, four .32 caliber pistols, and an unlicensed Toyota, which, police said, was being used for transporting drugs. The total value of the drugs exceeded K300 million (US$250,000). Translation by Khine Thazin Han and San Layy The Tatmdaw has denied claims made in Indian media that New Delhi is providing arms and helicopters to Myanmar to flush out insurgent groups along the two nations shared border. Newspaper The Asian Age reported on September 5 that advanced weaponry and gadgets were being supplied to the Myanmar Army to enable it to set up its military headquarters close to areas occupied by the rebel groups, citing security sources in the home ministry. The source added that India was heavily investing in Myanmar in order to fight the rebel groups. However, the Myanmar Defence Ministrys spokesperson Major General Aung Ye Win told The Myanmar Times the article was false. Maj Gen Aung Ye Win added that the ministry has receive no such information on the issue. Following President U Htin Kyaws recent visit to India, he and Indian President Shri Pranab Mukherjee released a 30-point joint statement that dealt largely with security along the 1640-kilometre (1020-mile) shared border. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral security and defence cooperation, which is crucial for maintaining peace and stability along the long common border. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to fight the scourge of terrorism and insurgent activity in all its forms and manifestations, the statement said. Myanmar political analyst U Than Soe Naing noted that the shared border area is very undeveloped, and that rebel groups using the territory as a base have launched attacks against both countries. Just weeks before U Htin Kyaws visit to India, there were reports that insurgent groups had used Myanmar as a launchpad for attacks against India, and in retaliation the India Army had crossed into Myanmar to target a rebel military camp. The Myanmar government insisted that attack did not occur. However, the government has long acknowledged that the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) operates from within Myanmar. U Hla Maung Shwe, a senior peace process adviser, has said the NSCN-K is a recognised ethnic armed group in Myanmar and has sat in on peace talks. The Myanmar Times contacted the Myanmar embassy in New Delhi and the Indian embassy in Yangon, but neither returned requests for comment. Mon activists yesterday attacked dam projects slated for the Salween River, releasing a report about the potential negative impacts. Given the recently renewed plans by the Myanmar government and Thai investors to build the controversial Hatgyi dam, our downstream communities share extreme concerns with all the other communities along the Salween about the impact of the dam on our livelihood and the environment, said Mi Ah Chai, one of the lead researchers on the report by the Mon Youth Progressive Organisation. The announcement that 1360-megawatt Hatgyi project would be resumed was made on August 12 by Ministry of Electric Power permanent secretary U Htein Lwin. Potential effects could include altering the rivers flow, increased erosion, destruction of islands, damage to downstream agriculture, reduction in the fish population, and disastrous earthquakes or broken dams in this seismically active region, Mi Ah Chai added. Damming of the Mekong has caused long-lasting damage to the floodplains and aquatic environments in Vietnam, said Nan Hnin Yee, a leader of a Karenni civil society organisation. The seven Salween River projects could produce 10,000 megawatts, she said, but added that the environmental trade-off would be severe. Strategic environmental assessments cannot guarantee an earthquake will not strike, said Mi Ah Chai. This is a real possibility given the rivers location along fault lines, she said, urging government officials not to gamble with peoples lives. The newly elected government should not repeat the mistakes of the past government by ignoring the voices of the people, she said. Locals near the sites of proposed dams in Shan, Kayin, and Kayah states have repeatedly protested the projects. CSOs from those states have pointed out that 90 percent of the power will go to China or Thailand, while the dams will threaten food security for millions of people. The Salween dams will provide no benefit for the local people, and will create irreversible environmental impacts to downstream ecosystems, the report by the MYPO concluded. With the future of the controversial Myitsone dam project still in doubt following Foreign Minister Daw Aung San Suu Kyis visit to China, local residents in Shan State also made clear their position on similar projects. Sai Khay Seng, a Shan environmentalist, pointed out that the projects are often proposed in areas where tensions between the military and armed ethnic groups are high. CSOs demanded that mega projects be put on hold until a countrywide peace deal is reached. Three women drowned and three remain missing after a motorboat travelling between the Rakhine State townships of Taunggok and Rambre sank amid high waves, according to township administrator U Hla Moe Oo. The hold of the craft ruptured because of the huge waves. Nineteen passengers and the goods they bought from the [Taunggok] township market were on board, he said. Out of 10 women, we found four alive and three bodies. We are continuing to search for the rest of the missing, three other women, he added. The dead include 18-year-old Ma Kay Yi Soe, Daw Hla Hla Aye, 55, and Daw Shwe Su, 58. U Hla Moe Oo added that the Taunggok township administration, police force and fire services department are working together to carry out the search. The government plans to provide K300,000 (US$250) to each of the victims families, the local administrator said. The boat was returning to Saku village, Rambre township, from Taunggok when it encountered the treacherous waters and came apart on the Nat Kan River near Khaung Laung Tu village. The captain of the 30-foot-long (9.1-metre) craft will be prosecuted if the passengers seek legal action, U Hla Moe Oo said. The fatal sinking was at least the fourth of its kind this year in Rakhine State, with two boats carrying schoolchildren sinking in June and August, claiming a total of 11 young victims, and 21 Muslim residents drowned when their vessel went down in April. Rakhine State MPs have criticised what they have deemed sluggish progress on the part of the state government in reforming the treacherous ferry system. All three government-operated ferry routes had been closed after the sinking of the Aung Takon 3 last year, which killed at least 72 people. Translation by Thiri Min Htun The planned transfer of a landmark Yangon institute to the Education Ministry could be held up by negotiations with private companies that have been given leases to occupy parts of it, city authorities say. Yangon City Development Committee will transfer the land and buildings of the more than 120-year-old Government Technical Institute in Insein township to the Ministry of Education this week, said U Than Htay, head of YCDCs building department, on September 6. Were now preparing for the handover ceremony that will take place on September 9 at City Hall, he said. The GTI opened as an engineering school in 1895 and was reorganised as a technical college in 1958. In 1996, the Education Ministry transferred the schools buildings to the Ministry of Science and Technology. Since 2000, the buildings and property have been managed by YCDC, with the school still operating under the ministry. The 120th anniversary of the institute was celebrated last year, and a blue plaque was installed at the school to mark its heritage status. The transfer back to the Education Ministry was decided after MPs raised questions in parliament about the status of the buildings. Permanent secretary for education U Kyaw Swar Soe said, Were still awaiting official notification for the transfer of the buildings from YCDC. Some of the buildings have been leased out to private businesses. We dont know how long the leases are because we havent seen the contracts or heard back yet from some of the companies concerned. We will try to get the school back as soon as possible. Most of the buildings are occupied by small-scale business owners running teashops and car repair centres. There are a total of 55 buildings on the 42-acre (18-hectare) school campus, of which 30 were rented out to private companies by YCDC. U Kyaw Kyaw Soe, vice chair of the GTI alumni association, said on September 6 that the alumni association occupies three buildings. Weve rented three buildings from YCDC for K100,000 a month, and other organisations have also rented space. We will have to negotiate the lease if those buildings are transferred to the Education Ministry. Translation by Zar Zar Soe The sword-wielding assailant and two accomplices involved in an attack on a National League for Democracy candidate during campaigning for last years election were sentenced to prison terms on multiple counts this week. The attacker, 40-year-old U Zaw Latt, was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison with hard labour after being found guilty of charges under sections 294, 323 and 326 of the penal code the latter covering grievous harm caused voluntarily with a weapon as well as one count under the Arms Acts section 16(e). U Zaw Latts companions Htet Aung Hlaing aka Htet Ko and Myo Min Khine were sentenced to three years and six months in prison, also with hard labour, under sections 114, 323 and 326 of the penal code. The Thaketa Township Court delivered the verdicts on September 6. The incident in question occurred on the evening of October 29, when U Naing Ngan Lin now a member of the regional government was campaigning in Thaketa townships No 3 Man Pyay ward. U Aung Kyaw Kyaw, an NLD secretary for a neighbouring ward who was accompanying the candidate, had temporarily parted company with the campaigners to purchase a bottle of water from a street-side vendor when he got into an argument with U Zaw Latt, who punched him. U Zaw Latt then went to his home, where he retrieved a long-sword and recruited Htet Aung Hlaing and Myo Min Khine, convincing them to return with him to the scene of the quarrel similarly armed. The three men encountered the NLD campaigners at the top of Man Pyay 9 Street, and U Naing Ngan Lin was slashed on his fingers, forearms and head when he attempted to intercede in an ensuing altercation. Two other NLD members, one being fellow Yangon Region Hluttaw candidate Daw Thandar Maw, also sustained injuries. All three received treatment at Yangon General Hospital. On November 4, U Naing Ngan Lin returned to the campaign trail, his arms heavily bandaged. He won his race four days later for a seat in the Yangon Region Hluttaw representing Thaketa township constituency 1. He was later appointed regional social affairs minister. Translation by Win Thaw Tar Japan has pledged 135 billion yen (US$1.33 billion) to Myanmar as its Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi held bilateral talks yesterday on the sidelines of the ASEAN summits and related meetings in Vientiane, Laos. According to Myanmars ASEAN affairs delegation, the two countries delegations discussed poverty alleviation and development of the agricultural sector in Myanmar, as well as prospects for the state counsellor visiting Japan later this year. U Kyaw Zayra, director general of the ASEAN Affairs Department, said part of development assistance funds would go toward Myanmars ongoing peace process. Ahead of the meeting between the two countries leaders this week, Hiroto Izumi, a special adviser for Mr Abe, visited Myanmar last month and met with the state counsellor. The two discussed Japans activities in Myanmar, including the Yangon city master plan drafted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, agricultural development and the Thilawa special economic zone, which Japan has been instrumental in establishing. Tokyo is also eager to host the state counsellor, according to U Kyaw Zayra. Japan invited the state counsellor to visit Japan as a priority and the visit might happen in late October, he told The Myanmar Times. Yesterday Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also sat for a bilateral meeting with the Vietnam delegation in Vientiane. U Min Lwin, the top Myanmar envoy at the ASEAN secretariat in Jakarta, said Vietnamese investment in the telecommunications, banking and tourism sectors was discussed. Read more: Japan set to reap returns on investment in Myanmar Torrential rain did not deter a crowd of well over 100 people turning out to witness Kofi Annans arrival in the Muslim ghetto of Aung Mingalar yesterday. In contrast to the protests that had greeted Mr Annans arrival in the Rakhine State capital of Sittwe the day before, residents of Aung Minglar welcomed the chair of the newly formed Rakhine advisory commission. Residents of the ghetto said they hope the body will help foster peace between Buddhists and Muslims in the state. The former UN secretary general and the eight other commission members were on a two-day visit to Sittwe to meet with community members and discuss local concerns, as well as to share the commissions aims. They also visited an ethnic Rakhine IDP village yesterday, before going on to speak to IDPs in one of the states notorious camps where Muslim Rohingya have been interred in grim conditions since communal violence broke out between the two communities in 2012. More than 120,000 remain displaced. Residents of Aung Mingalar, who belong to the Muslim minority who call themselves Rohingya but are described as Bengalis by most in Myanmar, have been confined to the ghetto since 2012. Like most Rohingya, they are denied citizenship and face severe restrictions on movement and access to medical care. U Aung Thein, 63, a community leader in Aung Mingalar, who had also met with Mr Annan as part of an official Muslim delegation the day before, said, For now I have no idea what Mr Kofi Annan can do, but I hope the commission and the government can solve the problem. Some controversy has surrounded concerns that the commission does not include anyone who identifies as Rohingya. However, U Aung Thein said he was satisfied that there were Muslim representatives on the commission and added, I trust them, Rakhine or Muslim, as long as they want peace. And in response to concerns voiced by ethnic Rakhine protestors that foreigners such as Mr Annan could not understand local feelings, U Aung Thein said, I am not sure what Kofi Annan knows about our problems, but if he doesnt understand we can talk to him. Scores of residents squeezed into a small hall at the madrasa in Aung Mingalar to meet Mr Annan and the other delegates in talks lasting around 20 minutes. Police politely ushered journalists out and Muslim residents in to make sure as many locals as possible could fit into the hall. Dozens of others waited outside in the rain. Ma Mar Lar Shwe, a 35-year-old noodle seller, said, It is not good for us living here now, but we are hopeful Kofi Annan can help, and I feel happy today because he is here. She added that the fact residents were not allowed to leave the ghetto meant that they couldnt get proper jobs, and said women who were pregnant suffered because they were not allowed to leave to give birth, though there were no nurses in the quarter. The commission delegates next proceeded to Mingan village, where ethnic Rakhine IDPs live in government-provided houses. A small number of protestors shouted out anti-commission slogans as the convoy passed through central Sittwe. However, some villagers also welcomed the commission. Many in the ethnic Rakhine community have voiced complaints that international support has focused on the Muslim population, leading to the allegations of foreign bias and the protests against Mr Annan as commission chair. But Ma Oo Than Kyi, 43, and her neighbour Ma Win Ma Thin, 28, sought to distance themselves from the protesters. They are not the same as us. We do not think like that. We believe Mr Kofi Annan can help, said Ma Oo Than Kyi. However, both Rakhine women, who lost all their belongings and livelihoods in the 2012 violence, were insistent the two communities could not mix again. Maybe if we live in different areas there will be no more fighting, said Ma Win Ma Thin, adding the main issue she wanted the commission to address was their poverty and lack of job opportunities. We thank the government for giving us this house, but we dont have any income, she said. In his introductory speech in Sittwe the day before, Mr Annan had stressed the relationship between peace and prosperity. At the Thet Kay Pyin IDP camp, hundreds of Rohingya awaited Mr Annans arrival, many having travelled from other camps in the hope of highlighting their concerns to the commission. Our message is that the first, most important thing for us is our rights and the second is our [Rohingya] name, said Abu Rakhim, who lives in Thet Kay Pyin. Over 100 camp residents crowded into a roofed-off area where commission members gathered, while another crowd amassed outside the meeting spot. We hope the commission is going to identify the problems between the communities and take action. The first thing Mr Annan should do is something to prove to people they can believe him, said U La Mi, 62, a community leader who lives in the Dar Baing IDP village. I came to give a message from more than 1 million people, said Sadak, a 21-year-old IDP also living in Dar Baing. I want to say to Mr Kofi Annan, please bring peace for our community and give our community a voice. Weve been living in these detention centres like animals since 2012. The most important thing is to give attention to us and give us a voice, for Mr Kofi Annan to show he is behind us. Bolstered by the superficial reportage of many international news outlets, there is an absurd myth that Singaporean politics is boring. In reality, few countries have a more fascinating, more intriguing, more controlled and yet more misunderstood polity than does the Little Red Dot. Nothing reconfirms this more than when there are leadership issues in the long-ruling Peoples Action Party (PAP), either in the cabinet, in the presidency or, as now, in the search for a future prime minister. Before delving into that high-stakes headhunt, it is worth recalling a favourite anecdote of Indonesias late former president Abdurrahman Wahid. According to Wahid, when Singapores founding father and veteran premier Lee Kuan Yew went for a haircut after winning yet another election, his barber asked, When are you going to step down, Mr Lee? The PM growled, In three years! But some years later, when Lee was still in office, the barber asked him again and Lee answered in the same abrupt way. More time passed and the barber tried again, but this time Lee barked, I told you three years, why do you keep asking? The barber replied, Because when I do, your hair stands on end and its easier to cut. Wahid would cackle at the punch line. In his view, Lee, who spent 31 years as prime minister, never wanted to step down and if people ever asked when he might go, it spooked the old rascal. One could argue that the same sentiment was embraced by Lees eventual successor, Goh Chok Tong, and by Gohs own replacement, the current PM Lee Hsien Loong, who is Lee Kuan Yews son. After all, when Goh took over in 1990, he was viewed as a mere seat-warmer for Lees son widely known as BG Lee, since he is a former brigadier general and yet Goh hung on for 14 years. Likewise, after BG was stricken with lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, in 1992 and then had surgery for prostate cancer last year, many felt that his shot at PM, if it came off, would be short-lived. In fact, he has been in the job since 2004 and vows to stay until after the next election, which does not need to be held until 2021. So BG, now 64, could be prime minister for at least 17 years. Or perhaps not. On August 21, Singaporean politics suddenly became more exciting and even a little macabre when, as viewers watched Prime Minister Lee deliver his National Day address, he appeared about to collapse. His head slumped forward and he grasped the podium for support. Aides rushed to help, while the TV cameras panned away and left viewers in the dark about the fate of their prime minister. According to a later statement, he had not had a stroke or a heart attack, but had merely been affected by prolonged standing, heat and dehydration. Perhaps. But with the leadership issue in mind, even Lee admitted, What happened makes it even more important that I talk about it now. Soon after the next general election, my successor must be ready to take over. Frankly, it could be even earlier, and right now, nobody has a clue who his replacement might be and people are beginning to fret. There are two deputy PMs, but neither has any charisma, one is non-Chinese and both are almost Lees age; so, except as brief stand-ins, they are deemed unlikely to take over in the long term. Consequently, the PAP hierarchy is now hurriedly re-evaluating the leadership potential of several ministers in a secretive backroom manner which even the Straits Times has called biased and opaque. The newspapers editor-at-large Han Fook Kwang wrote, The appointed successor will break away from the field and be promoted to a senior position to signal his anointment. Who makes the decision, apart from the PM, though isnt clear. Certainly the general public have absolutely no say in who their next leader will be, although that has not stopped them from gossiping about the half-dozen names that have already been semi-officially released. Six months ago, the clear favourite among the contenders was Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, 54, who, as the Straits Times noted, stands head and shoulders above his colleagues. In May, however, Heng had a stroke and only resumed light work last month. After the travails of Prime Minister Lee, few believe the PAP will pick a replacement whose own health is suspect. The second favourite tipped for the job is Chan Chun Sing, 46, the baby-faced head of the trade union congress. Most importantly, given a strong desire for someone with military experience, he is the former chief of the army. Among the other young guns under consideration, Education Minister Ng Chee Meng, 48, is a strong contender given that he is a former head of the Singapore Armed Forces. And quietly joining this primary tussle is National Development Minister Lawrence Wong, 43, a distinct dark horse with perhaps the most amiable personality of all the contenders. All of these men are largely unknown to non-Singaporeans, but one will soon become a household name and perhaps even a powerhouse figure in a region where there is a dearth of visionary, intellectual leaders. Yet many Singaporeans are frustrated by the archaic, almost papal secrecy of the selection process and there is a growing push to allow some daylight into the backroom party conclaves. As the editor Han wrote, Being more open and transparent would help Singaporeans understand better why a particular person was chosen and how the assessment was made. It should make for good politics. He is right. Indeed, it would make for even more exciting and fascinating politics in ever-intriguing Singapore. Not quite yet Hollywood dazzling From:chinadaily.com.cn | 2016-09-08 07:44 L.O.R.D: Legend of Ravaging Dynasties' cast members (from left to right) Chen Xuedong, Lin Yun and Wang Duo attend a Beijing media event. [Photo provided to China Daily] Last Thursday, hundreds of fans were anxiously waiting to get into a media event of L.O.R.D: Legend of Ravaging Dynasties in Beijing. But their enthusiasm seemed to wane after the upcoming fantasy film's latest trailer was screened at the Wanda CBD cinema. There was scattered applause at first. But the screams came only when the star-studded cast appeared onstage. Its makers say the film, which depicts a fictional wonderland, is an unprecedented Chinese-language title when it comes to computer-generated imagery, as all the sets and characters are the result of digital technology. Guo Jingming, director and writer of the namesake novel on which the film is based, says the big-budget movie has used motion-capture technology to record facial expressions and moves, which are then converted into virtual images on screen. When the movie's first trailer was released more than two months ago, it caused a controversy: It was criticized for looking like a videogame or an animated film. The second trailer, which was screened at the event, however, seems better, with the moves looking a lot less rigid and fake. In China's booming movie market, the number of such ambitious fantasy productions that stumble in the visual-effects game is not insignificant. Guo Jingming, director and writer of the namesake novel on which the film is based. [Photo provided to China Daily] Recent duds have included the TV series Ice Fantasy, starring Feng Shaofeng, and the Jet Li film League of Gods. The productions were slammed for their visual effects and their over-reliance on colored contact lenses. In most of the scenes in these films and TV series, the fictional beasts or creatures were criticized for looking like stuffed toys because of their unnatural eyes and expressions. Up to nine of this year's 10 highest-grossing films feature heavy effects, and most of the top-rated television serials are fantasy tales with lots of digital effects. So, despite a huge potential market, why does the country's special effects industry fail to meet viewers' expectations? Industry sources say that small budgets and less time are major problems, but these issues are typically underestimated by producers. Dwelling on these issues, Xu Fei, the founder of Illumina, a Beijing-based special-effects studio, says: "The maker of a top Hollywood sci-fi film will spend nearly half his budget on visual effects, but in China the amount is 20 percent or less." Typically, for visual effects, the process starts with the designing of sets in pre-production, moves on to shooting the live action and ends with doing the digital effects in the post-production process. A scene from L.O.R.D: Legend of Ravaging Dynasties. [Photo provided to China Daily] Xu recalls that, in his early years, most of the visual-effects creators would be hired only after most of the filming had ended. But, he says, that is not how things are done today. "Now, without choreography in advance, it is difficult to insert digitally produced imagery into the real sets. "The best special effects are when the audience does not realize whatever occurs on screenwhether it is an explosion or a disasteris not produced using a computer." Another reason the special-effects sector is not yet on par with its global rivals is domestic directors, cameramen and actors often have limited knowledge and experience when it comes to special effects. While diehard sci-fi movie fans may be familiar with the idea of actors wearing electronic-sensing suits when they jump, run and scream to outrun some alien creaturedespite the fact they're in an empty room covered in green cloth, which can be replaced by virtual sets in the post-production processsurprisingly, many in film industry are not familiar with this. Yang Yuejuan, a veteran producer who has done some visual-effects blockbusters, says Chinese stars often feel embarrassed to perform in such an environment. "They'll complain it's hard for them to imagine things when there is actually nothing in front of them," says Yang. Another problem faced by visual-effects professionals is that many producers do not realize the significance of getting them involved in the process right from the script-writing. Explaining why this is needed, Xu says: "We need to figure out what we can do or cannot do while turning words into a visible world." Actor Chen Xuedong (left) and actress Lin Yun. [Photo provided to China Daily Xu also says that you need a coordinator to guarantee all the visual-effects creatorsin a big-budget blockbuster the number may run to hundreds of peopleconnect their parts seamlessly. "Sometimes the creatures are produced by one team and the sets are done by others. So, when combining the two parts, a lot of elements need to be adjusted, such as the shadows, the movements of the creatures and so on," says Xu. But despite the problems, positive changes are evident in China's booming film industry. For The Mystic Nine, a television series prequel of the hit tomb-raider serial The Lost Tomb, the visual effects took up 40 percent of its budget. In Novoland: The Castle in the Sky, which depicts human beings and mutants born with wings, the virtual sets were created during the pre-production process. Separately, domestic viewers, whose expectations have been raised thanks to Hollywood, also agree that locally made fantasy productions are upping their game when it comes to special effects. "Hollywood has worked for decades to reach where it is. We have a long way to go," says Zhan Taifeng, an industry professional. Related: Hollywood distributor eyes opportunities in global ambition of Chinese film industry 'Star Trek Beyond' earns over 200 mln yuan in 4 days [September 07, 2016] Rivada Networks Wins New Hampshire Public Safety Broadband Contract Rivada Networks announced today that New Hampshire's Governor and Executive Council unanimously approved a contract between the state Department of Safety and Rivada. Under the contract, Rivada will develop a radio access network (RAN) plan for the state to compare with FirstNet's public-safety broadband state plan next year. "While this is not a decision by New Hampshire to opt-out, by choosing Rivada to develop New Hampshire's alternative to FirstNet's state plan," Rivada's co-CEO and Executive Chairman Declan Ganley said, "the state has acted in a timely way to keep its options open." Speaking from CTIA (News - Alert) in Las Vegas, he added: "Whatever the state's final decision when the time comes, we're confident that working with Rivada will ensure that New Hampshire's interests are protected. "FirstNet's success is vital to modernizing our nation's public safety communications, and state involvement is critical to that success. New Hampshire's decision today is consistent with FirstNet's goals and will help develop a better network for all." "In making this award, New Hampshire is, yet again, showing a pioneer spirit that can serve as a guide for the rest of the union. By embracing Rivada's innovative solution for building out New Hampshire's radio access network, the state has shown real vision. We're delighted that New Hampshire has validated that approach and look forward to others following suit. "Rivada is also proud to be leading the Rivada Mercury bid for FirstNet's nationwide rollout. RFPs such as New Hampshire's will benefit FirstNet by facilitating an informed and constructive dialogue between FirstNet and the states. "Ultimately, this award will help New Hampshire achieve a state-of-the-art wireless broadband network that the state's paramedics, firefighters and police can count on during times of crisis." About Rivada Networks Rivada Networks is a leading designer, integrator and operator of wireless, interoperable communications networks. Rivada's technology, Dynamic Spectrum (News - Alert) Arbitrage-Tiered Priority Access (DSATPA), allows wireless broadband capacity to be dynamically bought and sold in a fully competitive on demand process to competing commercial entities. DSATPA is a game changer for the way in which spectrum is consumed, maximizing the efficiency of radio spectrum bandwidth and unlocking the potential for more extensive, higher capacity broadband networks. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160907006767/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [September 08, 2016] The Third Edition of the Colombian Business Matchmaking Forum will gather more than 100 Suppliers from the IT and Digital Content Industry in Miami MIAMI, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- 100 Colombian companies from the IT and digital content industry are expected to attend the Colombia Bring IT On tour, with a Business Matchmaking Forum on September 8 - 9 at the Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, FL. During its third edition in North America, the event showcases Colombian suppliers and the digital content campaign that was first launched in New York City in 2013. ProColombia, the government agency in charge of promotion of Tourism, exports & investments to the country; as well as the country brand, is the host of the Forum that promotes Colombia's high quality developments, personalized service, connectivity, proximity to North America, skilled workforce and innovative projects. According to ProColombia's President, Felipe Jaramillo, Colombia's skilled human capital, bilingual workforce, affordable operating costs, service capability, and government incentives have been the main drivers that have spurred the sector to launch internationally. Today, more investors and companies are looking towards Colombia as a technological hub for Latin America and a strategic partner for IT development. From 2009 to 2016, ProColombia has supported the entrance of 58 investment projects in the Colombian IT sector and digital content, mostly from the United States and Spain. This represented US$ 680 million generating more than 20,000 direct and indirect jobs. The Colombian IT Business Forum will be featuring the following academic sessions: Humanization of Sevices: Tony Lama , Director of Innovation and Strategy at Aspect Software , Director of Innovation and Strategy at Aspect Software Status of South Florida as Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub and the Role of Venture Hive as a leading force for this Hub: Susan Amat , Founder/CEO of Venture Hive as Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub and the Role of Venture Hive as a leading force for this Hub: , Founder/CEO of Venture Hive Digital Trends in the Region: Juan Manuel Gonzalez , Research Director at Frost & Sullivan , Research Director at Frost & Sullivan Miami's transformation as a TechHub in the region: Giraldo Gutierrez , Chief revenue Officer at eMerge Americas Mexico , Canada and the US will hold one-on-one meetings with 100 Colombian IT and digital content companies looking to expand and grow their international presence. The event is expected to reach sales for more than US$20 million . Companies that will attend the Colombian IT Business Forum include: Bankity, an application that manages expenses in real time without needing access to bank passwords; Heinsohn, Colombian company that develops software for Silicon Valley; 12Hit Combo!, first Latin American company to launch a game in physical format for PC and PlayStation 4; and DATAIFX SAS, the leader in production and development of trading platforms of internet values; among many others. Colombia is the third largest country in exports of IT and software in Latin America, according to the International Consulting Market Research - IDC (International Data Corporation). The software sector in Colombia has reported sustainable growth in recent years in terms of exports, market share and quality of services. With the support of Colombia's promotion campaign Colombia Bring IT On, the IT and digital content sectors grew 52 percent in 2015 compared to the previous year. The main export products and services of the IT sector are specialized software for the financial sector, telecommunications, public services, trade and health, as well as development of ERP software. The digital content sector exports are mainly in mobile application development, digital marketing and audiovisual projects. Exports of Colombian digital content companies have reach more than 19 countries, highlighting USA, Argentina and Canada. Regarding IT and software Colombian companies, the main countries reached were USA, Mexico, Ecuador and Peru, reaching more than 31 countries in the world. About ProColombia: ProColombia is the Colombian government trade bureau in charge of promoting foreign investment, international tourism, exports, and the country brand. The country's business forums are a promotional initiative created to increase awareness and knowledge about the Colombian industry and services and aims to facilitate business transactions between North America and Colombian businesses. CONTACT: Delfina Guemes [email protected] +1.305.961.7613 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160908/405578 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-third-edition-of-the-colombian-business-matchmaking-forum-will-gather-more-than-100-suppliers-from-the-it-and-digital-content-industry-in-miami-300324879.html SOURCE ProColombia, The Colombian Government Trade Bureau [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The inside story of wood-pellet boilers The inside story of biomass boilers Oliver Duckworth Biomass boilers burning wood pellets are sophisticated pieces of kit. Oliver Duckworth of Windhager UK gives an insight into their complexity and capabilities. With a drive for all of us to reduce carbon emissions and install renewable heating systems, biomass is seen as one of the most favourable technologies to make significant carbon savings to both our new-build properties and also to our more carbon-intensive aging housing stock. With the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) up and running for domestic properties now as well as commercial properties there has been a significant increase in the demand for high-quality biomass wood-pellet boilers. With interest increasing from all market sectors from private and social housing to schools and hotels, wood-pellet boilers are already becoming a mainstream choice when it comes to implementing cost-effective and reliable renewable heating projects. Modern wood-pellet boilers offer levels of automation matching traditional gas and oil-fired boilers. Ideally suited for both new-build projects or the direct replacement of existing fossil-fuelled heating appliances, the installation of biomass wood-pellet boilers is becoming widely recognised and specified as a major heating system solution to reduce both carbon emissions and running costs. Wood pellets are manufactured to the EN plus A1 standard which provide the highest levels of combustion efficiencies, low emissions and low ash content combustion. Wood pellets are now manufactured in the UK and distributed to all areas of the country. There are several manufacturers of wood-pellet boilers. Windhager, for instance, manufactures a comprehensive range with outputs from 1 to 240 kW. Appliances with outputs up to 26 kW can be hand fed with 10 kg bags of pellets or connected to an auto-feed system with a bulk hopper. Appliances over 26 kW are only available with auto feed systems fed from bulk fuel hoppers. Cutaway showing the internal components of the Windhager BioWIN Excel. Bulk hoppers are filled with pellets which are blown from delivery tankers in a similar way to oil deliveries. Hopper solutions with capacities of up to 10 t or bespoke hoppers can be constructed on site. A patented pellet suction system conveys the fuel from the bulk hopper to the boiler via pellet suction pipes, with a distance between the hopper and the boiler of up to 25 m if required. Multiple suction points placed on the base of the hopper ensure that pellets are not degraded when sucked from the hopper to the boiler and that the hopper is evenly emptied. If a blockage is detected the changeover unit can even reverse the suction process to blow down the suction line to clear any obstruction. Such a suction system has no moving parts in the pellet hopper, so it is more reliable than traditional auger feed systems. When pellets have been either hand feed or automatically fed to the hopper integrated within a pellet boiler they are then automatically fed into the combustion bowl and it is here that the expertise from years of development and innovation into production of high-efficiency pellet boilers really starts. All our pellet boilers, for example, offer fully modulating outputs with auto ignition and auto cleaning features. Combustion of the wood pellets starts in the patented stainless steel combustion bowl. Pellets are drop fed into the burner bowl via a variable-speed auger from the pellet hopper. In the base of the burner bowl is an ignition system that initially ignites the wood pellets as soon as a demand for heat is received by the control system; once the pellets have been ignited, the ignition element is automatically switched off and the boiler combustion control operates in a modulating mode of operation, continually monitoring and adjusting the pellets being feed into the burner bowl and fan speed to ensure high levels of combustion efficiencies in excess of 90% are continually met. It is not just the accurate control of combustion that achieves high efficiencies; ensuring that the ash is removed from the combustion bowl and that the heat-exchanger surfaces are clean to ensure the efficient transfer of heat are also vital to ensure operating efficiencies are maintained. The combustion burner bowls and heat exchangers of our boilers have automated cleaning systems. Ash cleaned from the combustion chamber and heat exchangers is automatically conveyed via an auger to an integrated ash bin. The BioWIN 2 range of pellet boilers has an ash container that will accept ash from 4 t of combusted pellets, whereas the BioWIN Excel has an ash container that will accept ash from 8 t of pellets. With this level of automation some appliances need only to have the ash removed and the burner bowl cleaned as little as once a year. Two Windhager BioWIN 60 kW Excel biomass boilers installed in a purpose-built plant room. This also houses an integral wood pellet store and 1500 l accumulator tank. At the heart of many modern pellet boilers is a sophisticated electronic control system that continually monitors the boilers functions. Customers can easily access a user level which will provide basic information such as when the boiler next needs to be cleaned and how many pellets have been consumed. A clear text menu displays boiler information and will automatically inform the user when the boiler needs to be cleaned. A service level can be accessed by trained engineers to provide further system information and to allow the system to be correctly set up and commissioned. Some manufacturers offer total control of the system. Our weather-compensating electronic control system automatically adjusts the heating output and boiler setpoints to ensure continuous high levels of operating efficiencies according to varying external weather conditions and user requirements. This control system allows a wood-pellet boiler to be directly connected into a traditional radiator system or a modern underfloor heating system without the need of a buffer tank. The control system provides clear text displays and is complemented with a range of modular distribution manifolds and pumps sets. Options for remote access control systems are also available using an app. Most manufacturers of biomass boilers offer comprehensive technical assistance from initial system design to technical and after-sales help. Some, like Windhager, have HETAS-approved training facilities to provide the highest levels of training, ensuring installers are provided with full technical and product knowledge, providing peace of mind for installers, specifiers and consumers when implementing a renewable, low-carbon heating solution. Oliver Duckworth is managing director of Windhager UK. Related links: Related articles: In July 2016, the traffic situation in the capital city of Ghana was chaotic, as many patrons thronged the Fiesta Royale Hotel for The maiden edition of the Cake Fair. The Cake Fair definitely began a new phase in Ghanaian events, as patrons couldn't stop asking for more. Voice ads and Yellow October Events; organizers of the fair have announced a return of the event in November with the DessertFest During the announcement, the organizers disclosed that there would be build ups in forms of pop up shows toward another major event in 2017, and as a start to these build ups, there would be a dessert teamed fair in November. Speaking to Emmanuel Oscar Ugoh on Monday, the company expressed excitement ahead of the new journey and promised to thrill patrons once again. They hinted that the build up events would be taken to various locations across the capital. "It could even be your church", Gloria Kekeli Hogba joked. On Saturday, 3rd September, I attended for the very first time, a book reading session organized by two well-known Ghanaian authors, Nana Awere Damoah and his best buddy, Kofi Akpabli. They were joined by a guest author, Alba K. Sumprim, the author of 'The Imported Ghanaian'. The trio made my evening extremely awesome. In a previous post on Facebook by Nana Awere about the venue, he explained that JamRock means Jamaica in the Patois language and the owners chose the name because they wanted to share the concept of food and culture. The owners had felt that the Jamaican culture is very similar to Ghanaian culture. For them it is all about the culture and yea, food!!! And by the way, if you didn't know, Ghanaians don't joke when it comes to their culture and, well, their Waakye Joints. I laughed out loud when I heard the MC, Mr Kojo Akoto Boateng, refer to himself as the Headmaster or Principal of Fufu. He is a presenter on Citi FM and he definitely doesnt play with his fufu. At this point, I remembered my friend Nobert, at Ashesi University, who introduced me to Waakye and Garri. I'm now craving some of it as I write this! JamRock Restaurant gives you that feeling of wanting to share food, share a joke, share a Coke or Club or just chill taking selfies or better enough, listen to authors reading excerpts from their books. This book reading initiative is unique in that the authors are not just doing it to just get their books purchased; their vision is to make reading hip again. Reading is not everyone's favorite hobby. However, reading is very vital and, apart from it being a source of knowledge, it helps the individual to think broadly. Nana Awere says that Rome was not built in a day but every day and this implies that if we start by taking baby steps, we could achieve great things. This campaign is to make reading a pleasurable activity not just in Ghana but on the entire continent. It is meant to oppose the opinion that 'the only way to hide something from an African is to put it in a book'. As the authors read excerpts from their books, starting with Kofi Akpabli with his book 'Romancing Ghanaland',people kept streaming in. By the time the reading was starting at 4.30pm, only a handful had arrived but after some time (I mean, the African time), the place was full to capacity. I think the next discovery that scientists need to focus on is how to synchronize the African clocks. Our clocks are always about 1 hour behind. Anyway, Nana Damoah followed and read a chapter from his book 'I Speak of Ghana' and so on and so forth. Some of the chapters read were very hilarious while others were thought-provoking; others created some kind of nostalgic feeling about good old daysespecially for those who graduated from College years ago. For me, the session was very informative and entertaining as well. I've learnt a lot about Ghanaian culture just from reading these books and interacting with Ghanaians as well. When Alba was reading from her book 'The Imported Ghanaian', especially the part about the popular 'you are invited' phrase, I remembered my first few days when I came to Ghana, around September 2012. She reminded me of the journey of adapting to Ghanaian culture and being able to pass stuff around using my right hand or even replying to greetings with by God's grace. Nana Awere made me laugh when he read from his book 'I Speak of Ghana'. My personal favorites were: *You know you are in Ghana when the police cars with siren blaring are full of people going to a wedding *You know you are in Ghana when a four year old asks: Who put off the lights? President Mahama? *You know you are in Ghana when a census enumerator asks you, Your wife, is she married? Nana Awere ended by saying that it is only in Ghana where you can never have a dull day. And I think this is true to a great extent. I used to wonder why Ghana is a very peaceful country compared to many other countries until I realized that most Ghanaians always want to be happy. Ghanaians love their music, they love their Azonto, they love their Waakye, they love their trotros, they love God, they love their country and that is all that matters. This is something that other African countries need to emulate. We should be proud of our cultures, our food, etc. The one thing that Ghanaians really hate most is Dumsorespecially when Barcelona and Real Madrid are playing. (Haha, the last bit is a little exaggerated but true) To sum up, I really had fun at the Ticklin' Di Sebiticals book reading event. I met like-minded people and made friends as well. If you are reading this and youve never attended a session like this, make it a point to attend one. If you live in Kumasi and you missed the JamRock edition, or even the previous one at Osu, don't be sadthe authors will be in Kumasi on 24th September at Kumapley Auditorium, KNUST. Tell a friend to tell a friend and let us support these great authors in their mission of making reading hip again! Have a look at some photos from the event (Photo Credits: Kobby Blay by the way, saying he is the best is an understatementhis skills are so on point!) PS: Some of the books written by these three authors include the following: Sebitically Speaking, I Speak of Ghana, Tickling the Ghanaian, Romancing Ghanaland, The Imported Ghanaian, A Place of Beautiful Nonsense among others. You can purchase the books on major online vendors such as Amazon or major bookshops in Ghana. Let us support the made-in-Ghana books! By Francis Wachira About the Author: Francis Wachira is a final year student at Ashesi University, pursuing BSc. Business Administration. He is from Kenya and has been studying in Ghana since 2012. His favorite Ghanaian dish is Waakye and Garri. He blogs at: frankwaruks.wordpress.com Upcoming Ashaiman-born hiplife artiste, Hadi Mohammed, known in the music scene as Sariki, has launched an attack on the Mahama-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) government with his hit single titled 'Yebre'. Sariki's Yebre talks the presidents apparent slowness in providing solutions to the myriad economic challenges being experienced by Ghanaians. Though the song makes no mention of a political party or person, it is clear who the song is referring to. It warned politicians who do not have the country at heart to desist from any act that seeks undermine the peace the country has enjoyed since independence. The song, according the artiste's management, is not a politically motivated song composed to tarnish the image of a particular party or government, adding, The idea behind 'Yebre' is different from public perception. By George Clifford Owusu Gabon President elected Ali Bongo Ondimba addresses his guests during the swearing in ceremony in Libreville on September 27, 2016. By Steve Jordan (AFP/File) 29.09.2016 LISTEN Libreville (AFP) - Gabon's opposition leader on Thursday called for sanctions against regime members he accused of electoral fraud and scorned any idea cooperating with re-elected head of state Ali Bongo. Jean Ping, a former foreign minister who according to official results lost narrowly to Bongo in the August 27 vote, said Gabon had been the victim of a "military-electoral coup d'etat." He called for "targeted sanctions against those responsible," including a freeze on assets held abroad and a ban on foreign travel. Bongo was installed on Tuesday for his second term as president, three days after the Constitutional Court rejected Ping's demand for a recount. Ali Bongo re-elected president of Gabon In his first act after the court's announcement, Bongo had called for "all political leaders" to engage in a "dialogue" to steer the country out of crisis. His new prime minister, Emmanuel Ngondet, also tended an apparent olive branch on Thursday, saying negotiations were still under way for forming an "inclusive government" that would be unveiled on Sunday. But Ping, speaking at a press conference, angrily slapped down any notion of cooperation. 'Imposter' He reiterated he did not recognise Bongo as president, lashing him as "an imposter calling for dialogue." "What dialogue?" he asked. "This is someone who has been disavowed by the people and defeated at the ballot box, who is asking the person from whom he stole the election to come and dialogue with him... We won't go to any dialogue staged by this imposter." He announced that October 6 would be set as a "national day of remembrance" for those killed in the post-election violence. A former French colony in central-western Africa, Gabon has vast assets in oil, minerals and timber, and has a per-capita national income that is far above the average for sub-Saharan Africa. A former French colony in central-western Africa, Gabon has vast assets in oil, minerals and timber, and has a per-capita national income that is far above the average for sub-Saharan Africa But a third of the population of 1.8 million still live below the poverty line, the result, say specialists, of chronic inequality and corruption. Critics lay much of the blame at the door of the Bongo family, which has ruled the country for decades. Ali Bongo, 57, took over from his father Omar Bongo, who ruled for 41 years until his death in 2009. Violence erupted on August 31 after Bongo was declared the winner by a wafer-thin margin, prompting Ping, 75, to allege fraud and declare himself "president-elect." Demonstrators set parliament ablaze and clashed with police, who made a thousand arrests. Opposition figures say more than 50 people were killed. The government has given a toll of three dead. Fears of bloodshed surged once more after the Constitutional Court last Saturday rejected Ping's demand for a recount and instead boosted Bongo's margin of victory from 6,000 to 11,000 votes. 'Open an investigation' In The Hague, the International Criminal Court said Thursday it had opened a "preliminary examination" of the post-poll violence to determine if there was enough evidence for a probe into possible crimes against humanity. Chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said the Gabonese government had referred the violence to her office on September 21, asking it "to open an investigation without delay." Ali Bongo's declared victory has received a cool reception from the African Union and the United Nations, while the European Union said there had been voting "anomalies" which had not been rectified by the court A letter of referral signed by Gabonese Justice Minister Denise Mekamne Edzidzie accuses Ping and his supporters of incitement to genocide and crimes against humanity. It highlights a speech which Ping gave during his electoral campaign, in which he allegedly called on his supporters to "get rid of the cockroaches." Bensouda cautioned that a "preliminary examination is not an investigation but a process of examining the information" to see if there was enough evidence for a full inquiry. Ping, for his part, called on the ICC and Amnesty International "to shed all possible light on the murders, disappearances and breaches of human rights." Bongo's declared victory has received a cool reception from the African Union and the United Nations, while the European Union said there had been voting "anomalies" which had not been rectified by the court. Employment and Labour Relations Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, has confessed that government did not make provisions for market premiums for agitating pharmacists in the 2016 budget. The Minister is therefore asking members of the Government and Hospital Pharmacists (GHOPSA) to return to work while negotiations continue. There is a commitment by government to engage them further on matters relating to market premiums. There is little that can be done because it was not budgeted for in the 2016 budget, therefore, government is unable to accede to their request, Haruna Iddrisu said at a press conference Wednesday. Over 600 Pharmacists, all members of GHOPSA, on Monday began an indefinite strike as the last resort following constant breakdown of negotiations with government over their grade structure and placement in public health facilities. According to them, Pharmacists working in university hospitals are on a premium of 1.14, while the Fair Wages and Salaries Commissions (FWSC) have put Pharmacists working in the Ghana Health Services at 0.58, a situation they find unacceptable. Speaking at the press conference to address the issue, the Labour Miniister said the strike will only bring unnecessary discomfort to patients, urging them to return to the table and negotiate for the future. He revealed a committee formed to look into the premium discrepancy has completed its work and recommendations forwarded to the Grievances Committee for the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission for action. I would want to persuade the striking pharmacists to be guided by the implications of their action on human lives, he said. GHOPSA has been been pushing for a resolution of the issue since 2010 after their migration onto their Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) without headway. Last year, the Association embarked on a similar protest but did not succeed with the request. Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | George Nyavor | [email protected] Political parties have been advised to educate their party agents on proxy voting ahead of the December 7 general elections to avoid possible chaos. Head of Research and Programmes at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana, Dr. Franklin Oduro stated that failure to train these agents could impede the electioneering process. He blamed misunderstanding at the various polling stations in the previous elections on poor education. If the parties are not [educating their agents], then its about time the parties embark on such exercise on proxy voting and transferring of votes he stressed. Dr. Franklin Oduro was speaking Wednesday on Adom FMs current affairs programme, Burning Issues that discussed the ongoing process to accept application for proxy voting. The Electoral Commission (EC) has begun a 40-day exercise to accept application for proxy voting during general elections on December 7. A statement signed by its Head of Communications, Eric Kofi Dzakpasu said the exercise, which started Wednesday August 17 and ends on September 26, 2016 will enable an eligible voter to delegate someone to vote on his/her behalf when he/she is unable to be present during the Presidential and Parliamentary polls. The CI75-backed process will ensure that when a voter assigns a proxy, that individuals data is retrieved, reviewed and verified for the proxy to vote, after which the proxy would go to his own polling station to cast his own individual vote. Speaking on Burning Issues, Dr Oduro said parties representatives on the Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) must share their knowledge on numerous meetings with the EC to their agents. He said he was impressed by the commitment and readiness of the EC, security agencies and other stakeholders for the December 7 elections. Johannesburg (AFP) - Record electoral losses and deep internal divisions are threatening both the long hold on power enjoyed by South Africa's ruling ANC party and the political future of President Jacob Zuma. Since 1994, the African National Congress -- once led by Nelson Mandela -- has comfortably swept to victory in elections, and remains the largest party in the country. But in last month's municipal elections, the loss of control of the capital city Pretoria, economic hub Johannesburg and port city Port Elizabeth point to the party's new fragility. "The ANC is being consumed by three demons -- corruption, factionalism and a leadership without credibility," Prince Mashele, analyst and co-author of "The Fall of the ANC: What Next?", told AFP. The party has always bred factions and divisions, but its dismal showing during the August 3 local elections has brought tensions to the surface. On Monday, activists from rival party factions scuffled in downtown Johannesburg as anti-Zuma members threatened to occupy the party's headquarters. Activists from rival factions of South Africa's ruling Africa National Congress (ANC) faced off in central Johannesburg, highlighting deep divisions in the party "This is certainly the first time it has come to the fore in such a widely expressed way," said Mari Harris, an analyst and director of Ipsos pollsters in South Africa. Despite the increasingly vocal calls for Zuma to step down, many experts caution that he retains a strong grip on the party's power structure and draws loyalty from his extensive patronage network. "There are two extremes within the party -- pro and anti Zuma -- but in between there are other people who tolerate the president for now," said Harris. The party is due to choose a new leader at the end of next year, with the selected name then running as president in national elections in 2019 when Zuma cannot stand for a third term in office. "What we are witnessing now is not the end, it's part of a downward spiral to the bottom," said Mashele. "The bottom eventually will be when the ANC is totally removed from power and we are not yet there." Public anger grows Several analysts forecast support for the ANC -- the celebrated party that freed the country from apartheid -- dipping below 50 percent in the 2019 election. Public frustration has grown over its failure to tackle the country's modern problems of soaring unemployment, low growth and little real change for many of the poorest since the end of white-minority rule. South African President Jacob Zuma has been dogged by a litany of scandals "President Jacob Zuma is an embodiment of all (the) wrong things in (the) ANC. Let's not be intimidated," said Ronald Lamola, a former youth leader in the party. Zuma, 74, who under apartheid was jailed on Robben Island with Mandela, has been dogged by a litany of scandals, including being found guilty of violating the constitution after he refused to repay taxpayers money used to refurbish his private rural house. One explosive tug-of-war being fought within the ANC is over Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan. Gordhan, who for months has been targeted by a special police investigating unit, represents a faction seen as standing up against Zuma's corrupt associates. "He is standing at the door of the treasury, which is where the money is. (Attempts to remove him) are so that the thieves can enter unhindered," said Mashele. Long-term political allies of the ANC are also starting to push for change. The Communist Party has been a trusted partner for more than two decades, but last month it accused the ANC leadership of being "arrogant and aloof". The turmoil is working to the advantage of opposition parties, including the radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters, formed three years ago by former ANC youth leader Julius Malema. The ANC is conducting itself "so badly that the opposition actually looked good," said Harris. The African Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), wants government to be firm in retaining only deserving staff of Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) as the government seeks to hand over part of management of the company to a private entity. ACEP also wants workers of the Electricity Company of Ghana to allow consultations on reviewing the operations of the company and provide improved services to customers. In ACEP's view, consumers have not been served well by the ECG over the years hence the need for a review to turn around the fortunes of the company. A statement issued by the energy policy think tank further impressed on government to critically evaluate the work of the employees and appropriately address the issue of inefficient staff. The concerns of workers about job security should be addressed but this should not be used to shield workers who cannot live up to expectations. Job security must go side-by-side with responsibility. Government as part of the reforms process must conduct job evaluation of the workers to identify those who deserve to work in the company, the statement said. ACEP also describes as worrying the inconveniences borne by consumers due to the strike by the ECG workers . According to the policy think tank, ECG has not provided satisfactory services to consumers over the years. Even though the centre admits that government's interference concerning appointments to the Board and management as well as its indebtedness to the company are partly to blame for the developments, the decision to put the company on concession, are not in doubt. Meanwhile ACEP adds that whiles the choice of a model has been challenging, its engagement with stakeholders including the workers of ECG, indicate that government must consider other forms of privatization. This will include a transfer of majority ownership of share (at least 51%) in ECG to a strategic partner selected through an open and competitive process or offload the shares to be acquired through the Ghana Stock Exchange. In addition ACEP maintains, We are aware that government under the MCC II has committed to a plan to liquidate its share of the debts of ECG over 5 years, Government must not fail in delivering on this commitment as that could support the liquidity position of the company. ACEP concludes that the reforms in ECG must be aimed at eliminating government interference, raising capital for the company and introducing new business processes and culture to address the level of inefficiencies and financial challenges of the company. By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana 08.09.2016 LISTEN The countdown to Saturday 27th August 2016 the year of our Lord, eventually went down in the annals of the Archdiocese of Accra as a memorable day. Families, friends, loved ones and virtually the entire parishioners of St. Kizito woke-up to the dawn of the long awaited ordination day of Rev. Fr. Januarius k. Akpabli. The Holy Spirit cathedral, venue for the ordination, glittered in bright decoration colors of yellow and white and as early as 6am, a good number of St. Kizito parishioners were strategically seated to catch glimpse of their sons ordination. Rev. Januarius Akpabli was amongst seven candidates due for ordination that day. Estimatedly, about five thousand people were present and seated both in the chapel and under canopies on the compound leaving no space. Both electronic and the print media, were also present to cover the historic event. In solidarity with their brothers, over two hundred priests were in attendance. The chief shepherd of the archdiocese of Accra, Most Rev. Charles Palmer-Buckle, had some few words to share with the congregation. Obviously, as the day was for the candidates, the sermon had to be largely directed to them and were therefore called out to the front by Rev.Fr. Prince Adelayaayitar, a man who immensely contributed to their grooming and sharping during their formative years in the seminary. He presented them to the Archbishop and said the candidates had been found worthy by their formators to be ordained as Catholic priests. In a humbly response to demonstrate their willingness to respond to the CALL TO A MISSION by Christ, they each rose and responded ''Here l am Lord', while assuming their positions. Receive the Holy Spirit, for those whose sins you forgive are forgiven and those whose sins you retain are retained" John 20:23 In his homily, the Archbishop quoted the above scripture and said he intentionally chose from John's gospel chapter 20, as the days gospel reading in the context of the Extraordinary Year of Mercy and since the candidates were to be ordained in this season, he added they should allow the memory of the occasion to mark their souls indelibly and to also allow what Jesus told the Samaritan woman If you knew the gift of God, to always ring in their hearts. He again said that, through the laying of hands by the con-celebrating priests, God will without fail consecrate and invest in them, the Power of the Holy Spirit which Jesus breathed unto his disciples. The Archbishop encouraged them never to doubt the power of God through the laying of hands and the power of the Holy Spirit. He said God will not only give them as gifts of priests to the Catholic Church, but a gift and blessing to humanity. The Archbishop further said that, God will make of them a gift he will not take back and admonished them to always remember they are not on their own but vessels in the hands of God. Further encouraging them, he added they should be the Face of God's Mercy and not to preach their own message but that of Christ's and know they were also called upon to be ''Men of Prayer" and lastly, he urged them saying, if they must boost, they should boost in Christ who has called them to the priesthood. The examination of the candidates followed immediately after the homily, at which time the candidates declared their intentions to the congregation. They were called out individually as they knelt in front of the metropolitan archbishop to Pledge their Allegiance to him and his successor in these words; the archbishop asked, Do you pledge allegiance to me and my successor?, the candidates each responded "I do" and the archbishop added May God who has begun a good work in you, bring it to fulfillment ". The congregation at this point was invited to pray for the candidates as they laid prostrate on the floor of the sanctuary whilst the Litany of the Saints was chanted. As they remained prostrate on the floor, a concluding prayer was said by the archbishop over them. They were again called individually for the archbishop to lay hands on them as they knelt in front of him after which the con-celebrating priests in turns, did same, then followed by their formators and this lasted closely to 35 minutes of the entire ordination process. After this followed the Prayer of Consecration over the candidates by the archbishop, with the rest of the priests having their hands raised and stretched towards them. They were declared PRIESTS after the prayer of consecration. The next stage of the ordination process was the Investiture of Stoles and Chasubles on the newly ordained priests which symbolized their consecration status as priests and the right to duly celebrate holy mass and discharge duties as Catholic priests. Anointing of Palms followed. They knelt in front of the archbishop once more and their psalms were anointed with oil to preserve them in order that they could Offer up Sacrifices to God for the people, just like Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit to begin his mission. Next was Presentation of the Chalice. The gift of the Chalice with the Paten, was presented to the archbishop by one of the candidates parents and this he in turn offered to each of the candidates in these words, ''Accept from the holy people of God, the gifts to be offered to him. Know what you are doing, and imitate the mystery you celebrate: Model your life on the mystery of the Lord's cross. Finally, there was the "Kiss of Peace" from the archbishop, followed by the Vicar General, the Jesuit Superior and the Concelebrating priests in congratulation to the newly ordained priests. This part could be described as the most joyous of all, seeing the congregation on their feet dancing and praising God, with many of them holding various brands of cameras and phones trying hard from various angles amongst the jubilant crowd, to get some snap-shots of the newly ordained. Three happy cheers were given to the newly ordained. The day was indeed very joyous as thousands of people from all walks of life made their way to the Cathedral to witness such a wonderful day not forgetting the ever enthusiastic and exuberant brass band, who were outside the Chapel delivering various glorious tunes to mark the day. The celebration may have been over for the day, but for St. Kizito parish, 28th August being the Sunday after the ordination, it continued explosively as their son, now Rev. Fr. Januarius K. Akpabli, led them around the Altar of the Lord for the first time, in a Thanksgiving Eucharistic Celebration for the gift of priesthood. Just about this time, both Rev. Fr. Daniel Atippoe and Rev. Fr. Sylvester Segbawu, who had served their pastorals with St. Kizito parish and were also freshly ordained priests along Rev. Fr. Januarius, were likewise leading in the Eucharistic Celebrations as first timers in thanksgiving to God, in their various mother parishes. At about 8:00am, Rev. Fr. Januarius was given an honorary ride through some streets of the Nima community in the company of a good number of parishioners who walked along the slow moving Toyota Hilux pick-up car. Standing from the back bucket of the car, he waved to all on-lookers with broad smiles on his face. On arrival at the parish premises, parishners went into the chapel whilst he inspected a guard of honor mounted by the Knights and Ladies of St. John International and proceeded in the company of a societal cultural group to get himself ready for the mass. Again, he was in the company of a different societal cultural group as he processed with Rev. Fr. Michael owusu-Ofori along with some other priests. In his introductory remarks to the start of the mass, the priest in-charge, Fr. Michael Owusu-Ofori said he was profoundly elated because in nine good years, the parish hadnt produced a priest for the archdiocese of Accra until Rev. Fr. Januarius eventually came up. He follows his predecessors as the 10th priest adding to the total number of priests produced by the parish, and the 7th produced for the Accra archdiocese. The total number of priests produced by St. Kizito follow in line as; Msgr. Agbenu as the first, Rev. Frs. John Louis, Gabriel Lashiedzi, John Mensah then Ignatius Attipoe. The rest are; Francis Damoah, Titus Touyintir, James Ahenkora, Joseph Sackey and Januarius Akpabli. It is imperative to state that Rev. Frs. Francis Damoah, Ignatius Attipoe and Joseph Sackey, were produced for dioceses other than Accra archdiocese. On the invitation of Rev. Fr. Januarius, Rev. Fr. Edmund Neizer, a one-time parish priest of St. Kizito parish had to come down from the United Kingdom to give the homily at his first mass. Rev. Fr. Edmund Neizer urged the congregation especially Rev. Fr. Januarius, to always focus on God and not be complacent in forgetting where the Lord has brought us from and lifted us up, and to always remember that He has the power to make us even bigger. He encouraged Rev. Fr. Januarius to embrace humility in service to God and His people. The second half of the day, saw an open durbar with various activities. What can we say, except to say, Glory be to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit!, for GREAT THINGS He has done, and indeed, GREATER things yet to come, He will DO. Today, 8th September, is International Literacy Day. This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the day set aside by the United Nation Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to promote reading and writing across the world. In 1966 UNESCO moved to actively mobilise the global community to promote literacy as a means to build the capacity of individuals and societies. Today, as noted by the Director General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, the world has changed since 1966-but our determination to provide every woman and man with the skills, capacities and opportunities to become everything they wish, in dignity and respect, remains as firm as ever. Literacy is a foundation to build a more sustainable future for all. The global theme for the celebration is Reading the Past, Writing the Future; with a focus on innovation. This finds timely relevance in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Literacy is the bedrock of education. Therefore, Goal 4 of the SDGS, Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all can only be achieved if diligent effort is applied to first ensure quality literacy and numeracy. It is not acceptable for boys and girls to complete basic education and not have effective skills in language construction and thought articulation. Our Juniour High School (JHS) graduates will have no effective learning outcomes if they have poor literacy and numeracy capacities. Often our JHS students, especially those in rural and deprived localities, have poor foundations right from pre-school. Our early childhood development and care systems are ill-designed and poorly implemented. After adding a two-year pre-school (kindergarten) period to our Free-Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) programme, we have neglected the quality required to ensure that our children have a very good start to education. We must insist on quality literacy and numeracy education right at the entry point of schooling. A good pre-school capacity will produce a good foundation for our primary and junior high pupils and students. An important target of Sustainable Development Goal 4 refers to the need to ensure that all youth and a significant proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy. The global literacy rate is 85%. In Ghana, according to the last national census data, 74.1% of the population 11years and older is literate. This seems high, but is below the global rate of 85% for 15 years and older people. The Ghana Statistical Service reported that 67.1. % of our population can read and write in English, 20.1% can read and write in English only and 53.7% can read and write in at least one Ghanaian language. Males are more literate (80.2%) than females (68.5%). The three northern regions have a literacy rate less than 50%, while other regions have at least 69%. In this context, a local Ghanaian NGO, Right Interventions and Sustainable Community Empowerment (RISCE) is launching a Literacy for Development programme. The goal of the Programme is to motivate children and young people, especially those in rural and deprived districts and communities, to love reading and writing and apply literacy and numeracy as tools for local development. The objectives of the RISCE Literacy and Numeracy for Development Programme are to raise awareness on the importance of reading to children in rural communities, to promote reading and writing skills among older children and young adults and to build the capacity of young people to use reading and writing to effect development in the local communities. Through the programme, the capacity of young persons and adults will be built to use literacy and numeracy as tools for reducing poverty, eliminating hunger, improving health and promoting quality education and gender equality. Schools, churches and other agencies in local communities will be mobilized to participate in literacy and numeracy competitions to motivate their constituencies. If literacy is important it must be functional. Many organization are doing great work to expand the frontiers of literacy in our country. The Non-formal Education division of the Ministry of Education is doing a good work in promoting adult literacy. Because of their work more farmers can read and understand labels on agro-chemicals used on their farms; more mothers and pregnant women can read and appreciate medical instructions to improve health outcomes. The Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation (GILLBT), working with local and international partners, continues to reach out to more people and language groups with literacy enhancing tools such as the Bible and basic readers for indigenous groups. As we mark this years International Literacy Day, it is important to appreciate the efforts of these organisations and to motivate ourselves to do better. It is hoped that the celebration of this 50th Anniversary will inspire UNESCO to press on with its global advocacy on literacy and numeracy until we see real fruits in sustainable national and international development. It is expected that the launch of the Global Alliance for Literacy (GAL) within the framework of lifelong learning, which will be done at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris today, will grow a global momentum for the promotion of literacy for development in local communities. U.S. Special Envoy Thomas Perriello to the Great Lakes Region of Africa is traveling September 617, 2016, to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); and, Brussels, Belgium. He will attend the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State summit on September 8 in Dar es Salaam, in an effort to support regional leadership in resolving the Burundi crisis and specifically the EAC-led dialogue amongst Burundian stakeholders. He will be in the DRC, September 915, to engage at length with stakeholders there on issues of dialogue, protecting political space, and advancing the electoral process. His trip will conclude in Brussels, where he will meet with international and European partners. On Thursday (1 September 2016) the British High Commission Abuja hosted a farewell reception for young Nigerians who have been awarded the prestigious Chevening Scholarship for the 2016/2017 session. A total of 53 Nigerians have been awarded Chevening Scholarships and Fellowships for the 2016/17 academic year and will be pursuing their postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom from September. In his welcome address British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright said: This is my second Chevening event since I arrived at post a year ago. On my many travels around the country, I am constantly meeting individuals who are at the very top of their careers and it is always pleasant to hear them introduce themselves as Chevening scholars. This further demonstrates the fact that the mission of Chevening is being met - a scholarship program which aims to train exceptional individuals and provide a prestigious platform to further activates the potentials of future leaders for greater impact in the development of Nigeria. He added that since the first Chevening award in Nigeria in 1984, more than a thousand Nigerian professionals have benefited from the prestigious scholarship. The High Commissioner disclosed further that the British High Commission has entered into a first ever local partnership arrangement with LADOL, a Nigerian company, and continues to pursue more local partnership opportunities to enable a greater number of Nigerians benefit from the prestigious scholarship which boasts a global Alumni network of 43,000 members. The High Commissioner said: Permit me to quickly give a few updates on the Chevening Scholarships program in Nigeria. For the 2016/2017 Chevening cycle, Nigeria recorded the highest number of applications globally, with about 4000 eligible applications. Following this, a total of 53 Chevening scholarship and fellowship awards were made available to Nigerians this year (37 of these new scholars are present here today while others were hosted to a reception in Lagos last week). This is a massive upgrade from the 12 scholars who were selected in 2014, further demonstrating the UKs commitment to Nigeria. Our aim is to further increase the scholarships slots available to Nigeria and we hope to achieve this through Chevening local partnerships. This is an arrangement in which Chevening, through the High Commission enters an agreement with a partner organisation to co-fund specific Chevening awards. He congratulated the 2016-17 awardees on their success, encouraged them to aim for excellence in their studies as great Nigerian ambassadors to the UK and charged them to take advantage of every opportunity the Chevening platform offers. In response, one of the scholars, Chigbo Chikwendu, thanked the British High Commission and Foreign and Commonwealth Office for granting him the award. Chigbo, a health professional who had identified his dream course 5 years ago, thanked the UK government for the opportunity to finally fulfill his dreams through the Chevening award. He stated how much he looked forward to the learning experience the UK has to offer and his contributions to developing the human capital in Nigeria when he returns. The President of the Chevening Alumni Association of Nigeria, Tom Odemwingie alongside many other Chevening alumni and guests were also present to felicitate with the departing scholars. About Chevening Scholarships Chevening award is the UK governments international global scholarship programme, offered by the UKs Foreign & Commonwealth Office and partner organisations for fully-funded Masters study in the UK. The scholarship programme has long been renowned for giving its recipients the opportunity to study in British universities which rank among the best in the world whilst, at the same time, experiencing the best that the UK has to offer. Applications are currently open for 2017/18 Chevening Scholarships and will close on 8 November 2016. An unemployed young man has been handed an 11-year jail term for robbing one Ayinne Agambila Angela, a University of Ghana student, of various items totaling GH3,755. Mumuni Asuma, according to the prosecution, on August 26, 2016 robbed the complainant of her Samsung Galaxy A5 mobile phone worth GH1,400; Huawei telephone valued at GH1,400 and ZTE phone worth GH250, at Legon. In a court presided over by Aboagye Tandoh, the convict admitted the offence and was convicted on his own plea of guilty simplicita. The trial judge accordingly slapped him with the sentence to serve as a deterrent to others. According to the prosecutor, Chief Inspector K. Adu, at 9pm on the said day, Angela was returning from Madina, a suburb of Accra, and heading towards the Legon main campus but she was unknowingly being trailed by Mumuni Asuma. He said on reaching the George Benneh's round about near the Legon stadium, the convict pounced on her, held her bag in an attempt to snatch it but Angela resisted, resulting in a struggle. The prosecutor said Asuma overpowered the complainant and took away the afore-stated items and bolted. Asuma was arrested during police investigation and a search conducted in his room revealed the Angela's bag containing the said items, except some two necklaces, while GH500 out of GH1,350 was also found. By Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson [email protected] Suspects Nuhu Yakubu and Dawuda Yakubu 08.09.2016 LISTEN A Tamale Circuit Court has remanded two brothers- Nuhu Yakubu and Dawuda Yakubu- into prison custody for snatching a motorbike from a resident at Buipe in the Northern Region. The accused persons, who pleaded guilty to the offence, are to reappear in court on 20, September, 2016 for sentencing. They asked the court to have mercy on them since they had regretted their action. The brothers were charged with conspiracy to commit crime and robbery. Nuhu Yakubu and Dawuda Yakubu, both 20 years, were arrested by the Buipe Police in the Central Gonja District in the Northern Region for snatching a motorbike from a resident. The brothers were part of a gang that terrorized residents in Buipe and its environs especially during market days in the area. DAILY GUIDE gathered that at around 9am Sunday morning, police received information that a group of armed men had attacked some passengers near the Fufulsa Sawla Junction and when the armed robbers realized that the police were on their way, they fled to a nearby bush. Information available indicates that at about 1pm, the police received another call that the armed robbers were heading towards Tamale so the police communicated with their counterparts in Buipe and they were arrested at the Buipe toll booth. Buipe District Police Commander DSP Kingsley Owusu Antwi, who confirmed the arrest to DAILY GUIDE, said the armed robbers mostly operate around Kintampo and the Northern Region. According to him, the armed robbers snatched a motorbike with a registration number M-16-NR 3867 from a resident around the Fufulso Sawla Junction. The police retrieved a locally manufactured pistol, ammunition, talisman and a driver's license belonging to one of the armed robbers. DSP Kingsley Owusu Antwi indicated that the armed robbers are in police custody pending further investigations, adding that they would process them for court. The District Police Commander urged residents in the area not to take the law into their own hands, especially this year and that the police would do everything possible to ensure peace in the area. He thanked residents for their support in arresting the armed robbers and urged them to continue to volunteer information to the police to help reduce crime in the area. From Eric Kombat, Tamale The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has alleged that the Electoral Commission (EC) wants to use the suspicious proxy voting agenda to rig the December general election in favour of President John Mahama and his National Democratic Congress (NDC). According to him, the EC intends to rake in as many as 700,000 votes from the proxy voting and add to President Mahamas votes. The Assin Central MP, who was speaking on a political talk-show, Boiling Point on Oman FM Tuesday evening, noted that the writings were clear on the wall that President Mahama and his NDC would terribly lose the 2016 polls if the playing field was leveled by the EC and for that matter, everything was being done to rig the elections. He recalled that the commission, then chaired by Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, claimed it had registered 241,000 Ghanaians living abroad to cast their votes in the 2012 elections, only for it (commission) to produce a list of just 704 Ghanaians when the Supreme Court ordered him to produce all the list for the 241,000 Ghanaians registered abroad. Mr Kennedy Agyapong indicated that he went to the USA recently and had intelligence that some people had come there for a secret meeting with some top NDC officials on how to fashion out a strategy to rig the elections for the NDC. He asserted that at the meeting was a reverend minister and very soon he would be coming out with the names of those who held the secret meeting and the venue where it was held. Mr Agyapong has therefore, cautioned the leadership of the NPP not to accept any proxy voting because it is an agenda to rake in 700,000 votes for President Mahama. I want to sound a note of caution to the leaders of the party that they should resist this proxy voting thing, he said, stressing that if they do not heed to this advice and the party loses the elections, the growing anger and dissatisfaction among the grassroots supporters would be directed at them. The grassroots people have been telling me that if we the people in leadership do not do our things right for the NDC to steal the elections again, they will invade our houses and beat all of us up. In fact, when these people come, I will join them to teach our leaders some lessons since the suffering is too much for our people, the MP warned. The policy advisor to the flag bearer of the NPP, Boakye Agarko, on the same platform, ridiculed the president for copying the policies of the NPP. He said when the president went to Cape Coast on Tuesday, he (president) promised the people that he would provide one meter for each household one house, one meter.' If one compares one house one meter message by President Mahama to Nana Akufo-Addos one district, one factory and one village, one dam policy, which one of the two leading contenders message will have positive effect on the lives of the people? he asked. By Thomas Fosu Jnr The Electoral Commission (EC) says it has indentified 81 out of the 275 constituencies in the country as potential hot spots for violence during the December elections. The EC Chairperson, Charlotte Osei, who disclosed this during a national colloquium on the security of the upcoming elections, organized by the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) with support from an Accra-based radio station, Joy FM, said the discovery had made security an integral part of the electoral process. She said factors such as proliferation of illicit arms and the existence of numerous land and chieftaincy disputes might trigger violence and pose a threat to this year's polls. Mrs. Osei said the EC needs a concerted effort from all political actors and state institutions to ensure that the elections are peacefully. According to the EC Chair, even though ordinarily the process of choosing leaders should be non-violent, past experiences have taught us that we need to have a robust electoral security system to ensure the security of the electoral equipment, the voters who take part in the elections, the election officials and increasingly in Ghana, it is almost like we have to prevent war every election year. Caution to political parties Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), admonished political leaders to exercise restraint when communicating through the media. Dr. Chambas said the election campaign should be an opportunity to debate issues and perspectives instead of trading invectives and using hate speech or language likely to foment bitterness, rancour or violence. I urge the political parties to desist from attacks on personalities and focus on relevant issues affecting the lives of Ghanaians, he said. He made the call in a keynote address he delivered on the topic, 'Reducing the incidence of violence in election 2016 and beyond.' Dr. Chambas noted that Ghana's track record of organizing six successful elections and two significant political transitions make the country a strong democratic country. He said it is therefore important for all stakeholders to assume their roles in ensuring that election violence, which can manifest itself in the form of scuffles kidnapping, assassination, defamation and brawls, is prevented before, during and after the polls. Instead of violence, political parties should resort to constitutional and legal justice channels to seek redress for any grievances. He urged them to publicly declare their firm commitment to abiding by the verdict of the polls. He also advised the Electoral Commission (EC) to fine-tune the electoral process, particularly through building public trust and confidence, while calling on the judiciary and the security agencies to ensure high-level of professionalism and neutrality. We need to encourage an inclusive, consultative and participative approach that fosters joint responsibility for the process, facilitating a level-playing field for participants, reinforcing transparency in all aspects of the process and guaranteeing a dispute resolution process that is fair, expeditious and accessible, he said. Media's role Dr. Chambas also admonished the media to shun the use of incendiary language, as the general elections draw closer. He indicated that the actions of the media, particularly during this election period, are important because the media's role in the success of the country's electoral process cannot be over-emphasized. He did not hesitate to call on civil society and the judiciary to denounce any attempt by the media to incite violence rather than present facts and stimulate discussions. This is not meant to muzzle freedom of speech and expression, not at all; but to be alert and aware that during this short and tense political contest, messages can easily be misunderstood as incitement for mob action and violence in the streets that could tarnish the otherwise good image of Ghana, he added. By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri Now we know better the quality of persons who appeared before the Supreme Court for their contemptuous conduct, especially Alistair Tairo Nelson. For even contemplating hurling a shoe at the judges at the Supreme Court and even recalling the nonsense is adequate premise for the decision of the learned persons to keep the trio behind bars. It also shows the level of disrespect some party activists have for the bench, especially the apex segment. Such persons would not be measured in their insult and the threats of the judiciary, even if the president thinks they had showed sufficient remorse to be let out. We have heard what went on in Alistair's head not so the others who could have harboured worse things but for the intervention of their legal counsel. So had the counsel not restrained Alistair, we would have been remarking something different from what we did when the trio was convicted and jailed. It is unsurprising that many weeks after President Mahama's infamous remission, the subject is being played over and over again with varying lyrics and rhythms. A few days ago President John Mahama, who it would have seemed would not turn to the subject by way of remarks, had an opportunity to repair some low points but failed to do so. He rather ended up exposing his unproductive communication skills. His latest television interview even after so much management by his lieutenants to get the best from him did not inure to his interest. He could have managed the discourse better than he did. Unfortunately, he ended up giving his compatriots so much to ponder over many hours after the discourse. For the purpose of this commentary, we wish to pick the Alistair's unfulfilled intention of hurling a footwear at our learned judges vis a vis the president's 'harsh punishment' stance. President Mahama said he was moved to invoke the powers bestowed upon him by the Constitution because after all, keeping the three persons in prison was unproductive. Someone quipped, So why does he not order the release of others in prison since after all, their being incarcerated does not add anything to us as a people, going by the president's logic? We have heard lawyers question though the integrity of the president's action which according to them, falls within the remit of the judiciary, being a non-criminal case and not his. If the Montie 3 need any deeds of encouragement from the executive, the president has given them more than enough. First, he had ordered their release from prison and snubbed the judiciary for what in his wisdom is its high-handedness. Why won't Alistair Tairo Nelson tell the media that he nearly hurled footwear at the judges? After all, the president their godfather is around to invoke the relevant portion of the Constitution to free them. One of them said he came to Ghana to work for him (president). President John Mahama must reciprocate this gesture by doing everything possible to free them, regardless of how much it would affect his integrity standing in the comity of the wise and civilized. This week I wanted to write about the tidal waves sweeping along the coastal regions of Ghana from Keta to Biriwa, destroying canoes, outboard motors and in some cases destroying houses. I understand the gods are angry with my people. The last time I spoke with one of the gods, he told me that Simpa Panyin has desecrated the sanctity of the coastal areas, hence the anger. But I don't want Lydia Forson to come after me. That girl is something else oo. She fears no fall, she gave it to a whole Archbishop of Ghana, Archbishop Duncan Williams. She took down almighty Manasseh Azure, and last week she went for Franklin Cudjoe. Who knows her next stop, maybe if she gets to know that am one of the few Ghanaian men-victims of women who beat men, she will spare me. Do you remember I told you some time ago that I don't talk when I have visited the blue kiosk? This has been the biggest fight I have had with you, Simpa Panyin, since you last settled in me, that you don't have to say anything if you don't have anything to say. Saying something by all means, when you know you don't have one or two things to say, sometimes makes you feel array, and could land you in such situations when you, in fact, say nothing to represent something. The last time I spoke with Nana Ekua, popularly known as Mzbel, she said all manner of things. That beautiful girl can talk oo. She said all manner of things about the tango the two of you shared in the past, and how she markets her music, and so on, and even denied that you are the father of her son, even though she confessed to have gone inside with you in the past. It is obvious that Mzbel is beautiful, so I am wondering whether you have checked if her songs are actually written by herself? Do you care checking the authenticity of her songs, or your authenticity checks are restricted only to certificates of beautiful Legon girls? Simpa Panyin, you do all oo; how do you suggest that beautiful women with first class degrees offered themselves to men for their qualifications? By what metrics would you achieve your results? Or don't you think that you are creating unnecessary negative attention for our sisters and friends who are perceived to be beautiful? My first daughter is a female level 200 University of Ghana student. Abena Annan is certainly beautiful. She switched from Science to French while she was in form two SHS, and still made very brave grades. She is looking as though she might achieve a first class, and she is likely to apply to work with your bank. Would you still subject Abena's first class certificate to checks? Last week Fathia Karim, a female medical student of KNUST, swept 13 out of the 15 academic awards on offer. Do you wonder what world awaits Dr. Fathia Karim? How do you see this display of ingenuity? Do you still think she gave 'herself' for her performances, is that the reason why she got all the awards, or you think she is not beautiful enough? If Fathia exchanged 'herself' for all these awards, then that will mean being 'charitable' to the over 20 different lecturers she encountered, semester by semester, throughout her studies in the university, spanning level 100 up to the seven years of university education. Is that what you are suggesting? I have, lately, been thinking of my childhood friend, Georgina Araba Osei Ama Ata Aidoo. We were both born in the same village, Sankor, Winneba. I was born a male, and she a beautiful female. I was given the opportunity to play freely, amongst friends, boys and girls alike. I was able to climb coconut, mangoes, and I was able to feel a hero of myself, swimming and all. She was always kept in the house, cooking, sweeping, washing, and drying. She was a good girl if she kept remaining in the house. She was a good girl if she cooked well, and it was ok if she did not perform well in school. She was a scheming target of all the boys, old and young, and they jubilated if they succeeded in their schemes. The boys felt heroic if they overpowered her. And if she complained, she is said to be a bad girl who acted wrongly to attract the boys. One day she mastered courage to report her ordeal to the law enforcement agency in charge of supporting such victims. This poor unemployed girl was forced to pay something at the charge office for reporting her tormentor to the law enforcers. Now the enforcer issued her with medical form to go to the hospital for examination, a requirement for a successful prosecution of offenses. She goes to the government hospital, wishing to take advantage of the Domestic Violence Act, that victims of abuse shall be examined, treated and a medical report written for free. But she gets to the doctor, without any tests, except physical examination, she is asked to pay GH300 for the report to be completed. This GH300 is almost five months of her income. Obviously she is unable to afford, therefore she abandoned her pursuit for justice, and let her tormentor go unpunished. Then she gets her first job, to work with a bank in Ghana. But because she is beautiful the 'Bank Major' says her first class certificate must be subjected to authenticity checks. He is reported to have suggested that beautiful women are unlikely to graduate from the university with first class degree if they did not offer 'something.' So for instance beautiful women such as Hajia Samira Bawumia, Ms. Hannah Tetteh, Mrs Naadu Mills, Mrs Rebecca Akuffo-Addo, and many more, are not intelligent, and the only way they can achieve any good thing in life would be to offer 'something?' This girl, through it all, craws, walks, and sometimes limps to become a lawyer, and becomes the boss of the Voting Commission. Now because she is not my sister, because she is not my cousin, because she is not my mother, and because she is a beautiful woman, I told her in the face that she did not deserve her position as the boss of the Commission. I told her that it is because she offered something to Opana that is why she got appointed into her position as the boss. This same woman, by dint of hard work, rose through the turbulent social-economic ranks to become a Supreme Court Judge, and to become the Chief Justice of Ghana, and then I started all over again. First I started by, literally, saying that the Chief Justice was a cat that must be killed at all cost. Thereafter I began to threaten her with rape, and threatening her with death. Being afraid of all that she has been through in the past, as a victim of abuse, she eventually manages to jail those who threatened her but again the male dominance was brought to bear; Opana decides to free those who threatened her with rape, and those who threatened her with death are freed. Who will save her? All those who are supposed to save her are the same people who are accusing her of allowing herself to become vulnerable. The same Opana who will save her is the person on whose behalf she is being hunted. The same reporters who will highlight her plight are the same persons using the same media that is supposed to be protecting her, to abuse her. And a lawmaker who is supposed to know better, wrongly accuses her of being a whore, he accuses her of offering 'something' for her position, thereby undermining any achievement that she might have gained on merit, in spite of all the challenges in life. In the end she scales through all these discriminatory practices, becomes a distinguished scholar of international standing. She wrote plays, poems, books, and for over 50 years she used her doubted intellectual capacity to impact society. Then on our own accord, we decided to honor her, for all the contributions she has made to society. We decided that finally she deserves recognition; that if she has been able to overcome all the societal barriers, if she has been able to confront her fears, then we need to reward her. So a reputable university, arguably the most prestigious university of the land, the University of Ghana, through one of its reputable centers of research excellence, organizes an award ceremony, to honor her for overcoming all troubles and hitting the top. Would you now agree with me, that there is no free lunch? That we will give you something, we will recognize you, but first you have to wear a man's heart; that you have to become a man in order to deserve what you deserve, you don't think so? So because of a simple error in your name, you walked out on us (men)? Couldn't you have ignored that error? Since when did you forget that you are in this world, men's world; you walked out on men? Ama, your end has come James Kofi Annan Thank you, Minister Messahel for inviting me to this conference and for this opportunity to speak to its participants. Its good to see so many representatives of governments and law enforcement agencies, multilateral organizations like the African Union and the Arab League, and the many civil society members engaged in the vital work of building community resilience. On behalf of Secretary Kerry and President Obama, Id like to thank you for your work and partnership in countering violent extremism. Thank you for organizing this conference around our shared conviction that democracy is the antidote to terrorism. I affirm the United States strong support for Algeria in your effort. The United States has been confronting this threat at home and abroad for many years now, and weve learned some hard lessons along the way. Algeria faced it before we did. We have so much to learn from Algerias experience in overcoming its dark decade through its National Reconciliation process, and I very much look forward to the insights my Algerian counterparts will share. The threat of violent extremism has evolved over the years. When I hear the stories that survivors of Daesh tell stories of entire communities murdered or enslaved because of their faith; of young girls bought and sold; of families forced to turn in their loved ones for execution to prove their loyalty it seems to me that this is not just a terrorist group in the sense that we once understood that term. It represents something more akin to Nazism. It is a nihilistic movement that offers absolute power to one group of people by dehumanizing and destroying others. It is dangerous because of what it does. It is also dangerous because of the reaction it sometimes produces in free societies, where populist demagogues propagate a message that is in some ways the mirror image of the ideology of Daesh blaming minority groups and migrants for their nations problems, selling the illusion that a return to an imagined past of racial purity will bring safety, rejecting the liberal values that stand between them and power. It is clear that those who join the violent struggle on behalf of extremist groups must be fought; there is no other way with them. What I hope well talk about at this conference is the stage that comes before radicalization to violence. At this stagewe might call it pre-radicalizationthere is still a contest for the allegiance of young people vulnerable to recruitment by terrorist groups. The profiles and pathologies of these vulnerable people vary greatly. But organizations like Daesh, Al Qaeda, Boko Haram, Al Shabab, have learned how to offer them something that they want. Perhaps it is the thrill of breaking rules, of smashing things, of feeling power over others; maybe it is the comfort of belonging to and being respected by a group; it could be the glory of fighting and dying in a blaze of fire; it may even be something as mundane as money and a job. But however the bond is made, it can be hard to break, as those involved in de-radicalization can attest. Its plain, then, that our biggest challenge is to win this contest before our enemies do, to deny violent extremist narratives safe haven in minds that are still open to persuasion. There are many strategies for doing this. And here is the key point: All of themwhether they involve giving people education, employment, security, or a sense of purpose an in their livesdepend on maintaining trust between governments and the communities most vulnerable to radicalization. To do any of these things well, we must keep the trust of the community leaders and family members who are closest to the young people we are trying to reach, and ultimately we must win the trust of those young people themselves. Let me give one example of what I mean. A couple of years ago, I met a group of refugees who had fled a terror-ridden country in Africa on account of insecurity. They were trained professionals who had found work in their host country, but when I asked what their new life was like, they said that each one of them had at some point been arrested by the police in their new community. Each time, theyd be held until a relative or friend could pay a bribe to get them out. One joked that they called their local police station the people market. Seeing as how they had fled terrorism, I asked them if a scary terrorist moved into their neighborhood, would they call the police? They laughed, and one man replied: Of course not. If we did that, either the police would arrest us again to get a bribe, or, if they arrested the terrorist, someone would bribe him out, and then hed come to kill us. And I thought, there, in a nutshell, is our problem. If people who fear terrorists will not report them to the police, because they fear the police just as much, then we cannot even begin to do the things that are necessary to secure their communities. So how do we, as governments, win and keep public trust? First, we have to respect the rights of our citizens. This means no tolerance for official corruption. It also means no torture or secret detention. There is no use of these tactics that doesnt play right into the extremists hands, undermining our moral advantage. Second, we must maintain our citizens faith that it is possible to pursue change by peaceful means. That means allowing people to protest peacefully. It means letting journalists and bloggers write freely, and fighting back with arguments and facts when they criticize us, not with intimidation or imprisonment. It means letting citizens change us -- their leaders in democratic elections, and encouraging young people to get involved in that process. I recently met a young man who had been imprisoned in a Middle Eastern country for protesting against his government. In this prison, young, idealistic, peaceful activists who had believed they could get democracy in their country were locked up right beside hardcore members of Daesh, often treated even worse than the terrorists. And each day, the terrorists said to the activists: You were fools to think you could change anything through politics; violence is the only weapon that worksthat is why we are winning and you will be crushed. If people are cynical about politics, if they think nothing will ever change that way, they will be more open to arguments from extremist groups that are also cynical but at least offer them a sense of power, glory, or belonging. Third, we must remember that governments can do very little alone. Terrorists offer their recruits a social network, and can only be defeated by a stronger social networkby the religious leaders, teachers, community workers, and NGO activists who live among, serve, and know how to reach those most vulnerable to the extremist narrative. When extremist organizations move in to a neighborhood, it is through civil society that citizens will organize against them. If we support and trust these groups, we will have partners who give young people alternatives to violence. If they trust us, then they will give us early warning when a grievance needs to be addressed or a problem solved. Thats why defunding and demoralizing NGOs is such a bad idea. They need a seat at the table when we decide our security policies, and the space to work independently, with the support of international donors when they choose. Now I know that there are so-called charities that function like NGOs and fund terrorist groups. But we dont need to limit freedoms for all of civil society to crack down on these criminal groups; all we need is good intelligence and application of criminal law. Terrorists dont need freedom of association to raise money through their underground networks or extortion and kidnapping rackets. They dont need freedom of speech or assembly to walk into a public place and gun people down. They dont need our generosity to refugees to find a way to slip across our borders, or to radicalize someone born within them. It is the people who keep our societies strong and resilient against terrorism who need rights and freedoms to survivethe champions of moderation whose only weapon is their pen and their voice, the journalists who force governments to be more honest and thus more legitimate, the youth groups, the NGOs and political parties through which young people find positive paths to a purposeful life, the people fleeing terror who one day will go home to take back their countries. This brings me to my final pointon the so-called balance between rights and security. This is the subject of the panel I will chair this afternoon. And this question of balance is so critical to our ability to win the pre-radicalization phase, and to make sure that the terrorists lose in their contest for the allegiance of the young and vulnerable. At the risk of giving away all the detail of this afternoons discussion, Id like to tell you my basic argument. Of course there are times when we do sacrifice some degree of liberty for higher assurances of securitywhen we submit to airport searches and customs screenings, or with proper judicial supervision, to electronic surveillance. But these are rare and discrete examples. When we allow such compromises we must be prepared to justify them, not with abstract arguments about the balance between liberty and security, but by demonstrating why each is specifically necessary. And we must accept that the people subjected to such measures still have rights and dignity. In a broader sense, the notion of a balance between rights and security sets up a false choice. It is the view of the United States that human rights and security must be protected together, indeed, can only be protected together. Thank you again Minister Messahel, for this opportunity. I look forward to a lively and productive discussion over the next two days. On September 4, commencing at about 12:40 p.m. local time (1:40 p.m. JST), for approximately 35 minutes Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, who was visiting Hangzhou (China) to attend the G20 Summit Meeting, held a Japan-Egypt Summit Meeting with H.E. Mr. Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The overview is as follows. 1. Japan-Egypt Relationship 1Opening Remarks President El-Sisi expressed his pleasure at meeting with Prime Minister Abe again in such a short amount of time (since his visit to Japan in February 2016). He also commented that the relationship between the two countries had advanced considerably since the visit. In response, Prime Minister Abe expressed his pleasure at having the opportunity to meet again following the February meeting. He noted that the visit to Japan contributed to dramatic progress in the relationship between the two countries and commented that Japan intended to continue expanding relations. 2Bilateral Relationship President El-Sisi expressed his desire to enhance cooperation in education, energy, culture, sports, and other areas as well as his appreciation for additional loans to the Grand Egyptian Museum. Prime Minister mentioned the following points. He extended his appreciation for President El-Sisi's favorable view of Japanese-style education and indicated that Japan hoped to realize prompt provision of foreign student loans based on the Egypt-Japan Education Partnership launched by the two countries. He communicated Japan's intent to provide additional loans to the Grand Egyptian Museum. He expressed his interest in cooperation ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in the field of sports. 2. Cooperation in the International Arena and Regional Situations The two leaders also agreed to move forward in cooperation in the international arena. They exchanged opinions about regional situations where the countries have common interests. Former Deputy Upper East Regional Minister and MP for Builsa North, Agnes Asangalisa Chigabatia, has joined the list of New Patriotic Party members defending the flagbearer's campaign promise of one village, one dam to boost agriculture in the three northern regions of Ghana. According to her, she is disappointed at NDC members, especially those from the northern part of the country, saying Nana Akufo-Addo's promise is not achievable. My brother, we need to be truthful to ourselves, these NDC members shouting about this promise are only singing along a propaganda tune. They all know in their hearts that creating dams to save water for dry season farming is an easy thing to do; once there is commitment from a government. As politicians from the North, we need to think about our people and how to eradicate poverty and create jobs here. Our people do farming and given the support, they will like to do it the more. This is what Nana Addo is assuring and I believe it is possible. Madam Asangalisa Chigabatia was speaking in an exclusive interview with the DAILY GUIDE after a community durbar at Chuchuliga in the Builsa North district of the Upper East Region. The durbar, organized by the former Deputy Regional Minister, was meant to bring the people of the community together to socialize and to rebuild friendship and family bonds that have been broken as a result of politics and other social happenings, in the past. Various political activities in the Builsa North Constituency and even in Chuchuliga, have caused friends and family members to go different ways to support different parties and politicians, and as a result, they are not able to relate as they did in the past. As a mother and politician, I have taken the lead to get my people to understand that, it is normal for people to support and belong to different parties, but abnormal for them to hate each other and refuse to sit for deliberation on community development. I have told them that, if they are divided, politicians will use them for their campaigns and gather their votes and yet, the community will not get any meaningful development. She asked the people of Chuchuliga to forgive each other and unite quickly, so that various groups in the area can take decisions as to what to demand from political party leaders who will come to them to seek their votes. The durbar was attended largely by women and peasant farmers who benefitted from Madam Chigabatia's support to agriculture and women in petty trading, at a time she was the Member of Parliament. From: Ebo Bruce-Quansah, Chuchuliga 08.09.2016 LISTEN Scanad Ghana has been ranked 30th out of 100 companies at the 15th edition of the Ghana Club (GC) 100 award. This is the first time that the company is participating in the awards. A statement from Scanad Ghana said since its inception in 2011, one of its key ambitions is to be recognized as a top advertising and communication business operating in Ghana. The GC100 ranking has elevated Scanad Ghana in the eyes of corporate Ghana, we have demonstrated that we take pride in corporate excellence in line with our parent company WPP-Scangroup's mission of integrity, transparency, accountability and the pursuit of professional excellence to provide world-class communication to our clients, it said. Scanad Ghana, the only creative agency to be listed in the GC 100, is full service communications agency offering creative, media planning and buying, digital and public relations services. It is a member of the Advertising Association of Ghana. In 2014 it won 33 Gong Gong awards and 2015 won 15 Gong Gong Awards, making Scanad the most awarded creative agency in Ghana. Scanad Ghana is a subsidiary of WPP-Scangroup listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya, and it's part of the largest communication global brand WPP. -GNA The UKTA (www.UKTA.co.uk) was recognised for its long standing contribution and commitment to capacity building and for its resilient and successful partnership with the ITU at the Global ICT Capacity Building Symposium today. Having encouraged and educated many thousands of students, while securing hundreds of scholarships, the UKTA has helped professionals across the world and especially in least developed countries to further their careers by completing UKTA accredited courses and post graduate degrees at both a Masters and Doctorate level. UKTA is honoured to be recognised for its long standing and successful partnership with the ITU which is a testament to our Honorary President David Mellors inspirational commitment and drive, said UKTA Chairman Gabriel Solomon. Telecommunications and ICTs have a vital role to play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. As the pace of digitisation ramps up, driving cross-sector innovation and convergence, UKTA and ITU are committed to helping professionals from the private and public sectors best navigate these uncharted waters to ensure that equitable benefits of a connected world are achieved, he added. The UKTA and ITU recently launched an online Masters of Communications Management (MCM), providing a flexible program and delivery schedule in partnership with The University of Rwanda (an ITU centre of excellence). Applications are now open with start dates available each quarter. Students can complete their module studies within eighteen to thirty six months. I would like to congratulate UKTA on receiving this Award, said Mr Brahima Sanou, Director of the ITUs Telecommunication Development Bureau. ITU and UKTA have helped people to have the skills required to live and work in todays digital society. Our partnership will go a long way in facilitating the achievements of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. I also want to congratulate Professor David Mellor, former Chairman of UKTA whom we have awarded a personal Achievement Award. He has touched many lives particularly for people in least developed countries where he tirelessly provided scholarships. The Global ICT Capacity Building Symposium is organised by the Telecommunication Development Bureau of the ITU and hosted by the Communications Authority of Kenya, under the theme Embracing Capacity Building Opportunities in the Digital Era. The Sustainable Development Goals, adopted last year by global leaders, are to be achieved at a time of major digital technology transformation that will impact the way people live and societies operate. Governments, industry, universities and other higher education institutions need to invest in, and develop a range of ICT skills at various levels of immersion, which will not only enable increased participation in the economy, but will ensure the creation of digital citizens for a digital society. LAGOSNo fewer than three persons lost their lives in a clash between Hausa and Fulani traders in Abbatoir, Agege area of Lagos, yesterday, while several others were injured. However, Lagos State Police Command said only one person died. Property were also destroyed in the clash that disrupted business activities at the popular cow market. There are different accounts of what cause the clash. A version alleged that the Fulani stormed Oworose Hotel along the railway line, two days earlier and beat up some commercial sex workers and their male customers, majority of who were Hausa. They were also alleged to have dispossessed their victims of their valuables. Invasions Another version attributed the clash to the battering of a Hausa girl by a Fulani man, which was said to have been reported to the Seriki Fulani, one Bello Damopaba, but he was accused of not taking any action. Irked by his alleged silence, some persons suspected to be Hausa, it was gathered, stormed the traditional ruler's palace, Tuesday night, and destroyed property, among which were three vehicles belonging to him, his deputy and the secretary. Vanguard gathered that yesterday's fight was a reprisal on the Hausa over the destruction at the Seriki's palace. When Vanguard visited the abattoir at about 2p.m. yesterday, the Hausa traders were just settling down for business, with police vans and those of the OP MESA stationed at strategic positions. Eyewitness account One of the traders, who gave his name as Garba, said: We were just settling down for business at 7a.m. when we saw over 500 Fulani with their sticks, marching towards our end and hitting everybody in sight. The Hausa repelled the attack and hacked their leader. They quickly carried their dying leader and took to their heels. But they were surrounded by other Hausa, who were at the other end. When they saw that there was no place for escape, they ran inside the main complex, that is, the slaughter side. From there they started shooting their arrows indiscriminately. One of our men was hit on the neck, while another had his neck slashed with a knife at Kara Junction. These Fulani are robbers, who usually attack people coming to buy cows. They are not traders. They were sleeping in the market until the demolition, which made it impossible for them to find a roof over their heads. They attacked the hotel because there was no hiding place for them to run to after attacking customers. Spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Dolapo Badmus, however, said that the command was able to quell what would have been a serious crisis between Hausa and Fulani in the area. -vanguardngr Thy vows are all broken And light is thy fame I hear thy name spoken And share in its shame George (Lord Byron) I HATE TO SEE these boys in these rags and masks being given an award for that dirty job they did. That was a harrowing and traumatic statement by a colleague who felt peeved at the award of Journalist of the Year (2015) on Saturday 7th August, 2016, Accra to Anas Aremeyaw Anas. Present to receive the award could have been Anas Aremeyaw Anas or his doppelganger (double goer), the double of a living person, a look alike, an alter ego. The awardee had his face covered by a mask, or a transparent visorhe was masqueraded. Although we are in 2016, the spectacle seemed to take us to Edgar Allan Poe's time (1839) when he wrote 'William Wilson' in which an unnamed narrator who proclaims the secrecy of his real identity but chooses to call himself 'William Wilson'; and also tells of tales of misery and crime. He meets his double in school, leaves the school for Eton and Oxford and then decides to lead a changed life in Rome, but is enamoured to a duke's wife. When his double chases him, he stabs him and finds his own body stabbed and bleeding. His rival speaks, as if it were his own voice: In me didst thou exist and in my death, see by this image, which is thine own how utterly thou hast murdered thy self. Osagyefo Osaedeeyo Agyemang Badu II made the presentation: a citation and a brand new (Hyundai Creta SUV) donated by Ideal Finance. Good luck to the person who lured some judges to get them fall into a trap and had them dismissed! Anas and the Tiger PI and their families could be laughing all the way to their homes and hovels. They are the heroesall hail a hero's welcome. Their victims are crying, lamenting their conditions; their children, their families are weeping and mourning; their teeth are on edge they should be gnashing their teeththe financial losses aside what about the shame, the disgrace, the ignominy? And what about the taunts and teasings? If the GJA award had been given for another reason, that could not have raised eye brows, but for Anas to be rewarded for his investigative piece on judicial corruption that led to the dismissal of some judges of the superior and lower courts in 2015 could lead to so many arguments. What was the method Anas used to catch these judges? He knew what he wanted, so would go all out to lure his victims. He would pose as seeking assistance for accused persons; he would put sums of money (which the judges had not negotiated with him); put some yams and sheep or goats in the corner of the judges' houses then video all these to make a case. Why were the tapes edited before being shown? Justifying 'entrapment' in this case? There was this case of a judge of the High Court who varied the sentence of a Circuit Court in the matter of defilement because when the case came before him, the victim could produce a document which showed her age as more than sixteen The affected judges and officers of the Judicial Service have their defences, but who will listen to them? The respected Supreme Court has given its ruling sacked them; they were corrupt; they abused their offices; they debased their statuses they, not we (of the Supreme Court); the judges should have quickly sacked the strange visitors; they should have been men of integrity, as provided for in the Constitution of the Republic (1992): A person shall not be qualified for appointment as a Justice of the High Court unless he is a person of high moral character and proven integrity and of at least ten years' standing as a lawyer . Radio and television presenters make fun of the affected judges, especially Justice Paul Utter Dery. They keep asking what Justice Dery is looking for. It gives the interlocutors satisfaction that the negative side of highly respected persons had been exposed. When Mark Antony said in 'Julius Caesar' Oh judgment, thou art fled to brutish beasts, and men have lost their reason, he meant the people's ability to differentiate between right and wrong had disappeared from the citizens of Rome and they were blindly following the conspirators (Roman Senate). No ribaldry is meant here by 'brutish beasts'; they were not 'brutes' but only to say they were following Brutus of the Roman senate rather sheepishly. The literary device used here is called 'aposiopesis', and suggests that one is so emotional that one cannot complete one's thought. Linking it with the Anas's story, it is only to say that some Ghanaians are following the Anas's narration sheepishly. Many people have not analysed the Anas's story or stories critically. Some are saying: Serves them right, especially, recalling the 4-minute judgment delivered by Justice Atugubah following a hearing of the Presidential Election Petition. Those who thought that they had been let down or short-changed by that judgment and those who had once lost a case in court are gloating over the judges' predicament. In psychology, this is known as 'schadenfreude'the feeling of joy that comes from seeing or hearing about another person's troubles or failures (and one's personal success). It is equivalent to 'sadism', and those who enjoy this are known as 'sadists'. One could argue that people who behave this way are brutally callous Meanwhile, Justice Dery is contemplating filing a suit against the awards committee of the Ghana Journalists Association for honouring Anas whom some newspapers prefer to call 'ace journalist'. Justice Dery's lawyer had stated that he was investigating the circumstances leading to the award. The lawyers for Justice Dery and two other judges had filed writ invoking the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to declare, among other issues, that Tiger Eye PI did not have the legal capacity to file a petition against them, and contravenes Article 146 (3) of the Constitution (1992). By the way, some people want to know whether the offences alleged to have been committed by the judges are the same, and, therefore, the punishment should equally be the same. Dr Boafor Theodore, Consultant Obstetrician/Gynaecologist of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), has explained that the increase in the belly size after childbirth is due to the stretch in the abdominal walls that occurs during pregnancy. He said the womb begins to expand especially in the second half of the pregnancy as it expands to cater for the growing foetus and the growing amount of amniotic fluid around the baby. The stretch sometimes becomes so much that there is a lot of stretch marks called striae, he said in an interview with Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra. After the baby is delivered, the womb may try to return to its original size but it usually doesn't because of the stretch that has taken place. However, there is individual variation. There are people who have a lot more elastic muscle tissue so even when they are stretched, they come back a little normal than others, but for most people the stretch causes the abdominal walls to become lax. Dr Boafor said there was the need for women to do the abdominal wall exercise after delivery. If a woman had a normal delivery then three weeks after delivery when she is completely well then she can start the exercise. After a caesarian session with no complication, it may take a woman four to six weeks to be fit to start exercise. He added that the results are better if one starts the abdominal wall exercise early after childbirth. The woman should lie on her back and the neck resting in both hands. Then lift the legs with knees stretched up to the waist level. This can be repeated a number of times. Meanwhile, a GNA survey revealed that most women after childbirth have big stomachs and some men have a high regard for those who are able to maintain flat belly even after childbirth. Some traders at the Tema station market explained that after childbirth, they used cloth to tie their stomachs for some time, but the reduction was not significant. Most ladies working in the ministries explained that they wore corset beneath their clothing, and very few exercised after childbirth. There were also the ladies who did nothing at all after childbirth, but had their bellies return to normal. From the survey, it was also discovered that some women were overly worried about their tummies after pregnancy whereas their husbands didn't mind. However, some men were very critical of young ladies who have not delivered but have visibly big stomachs. They explained that it is a complete turn-off for them. GNA The Tobinco Group has presented items worth thousands of Ghana cedis to the Accra Psychiatric Hospital following appeal by the hospital for a humanitarian support. The donation which was made last Friday was in response to the call by the health facility for corporate support in the provision of items used for its daily activities. The Tobinco Group donated several boxes of Tobinco products, including Simple Dry sanitary pad, Fruity soap, Zinivite syrup, Blopen tablets, among others. The company also donated several bags of rice, maize, gari, cooking oil, sugar and loaves of bread to the patients. Ben Kpabi Tetteh, General Manager in-charge of Marketing at Tobinco, handing over the items to the hospital management, affirmed that the company made the donation following the appeal by the hospital. According to him, the group has always lived up to its corporate social responsibility and the donation clearly affirms that. He gave the assurance that the company is always ready to assist the hospital in diverse ways to improve their care for patients. Dr Pinaman Apau, Medical Director of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, thanked the Tobinco Group for the kind gesture and promised that the items would be put to good use. She commended the Tobinco Group for heeding to their appeal for assistance and urged other corporate organisations to emulate their example. The Tobinco Group is made up of Entrance Pharmaceuticals, Dor Event, Top BLUES, Abii National, Priority Insurance, Tobinco Foundation and Jam Media Group, operators of Atinka FM, Agyenkwa FM and Atinka TV. Ibrahim Irbad (sixth left) in a photograph with Father Blaise Attachie, Director of the Business and Faith Development Centre, and some youths of the Centre. The Peace Ambassador for the December 7 general elections, Ibrahim Irbad, a security expert, has called on the clergy to speak against the ills among the political class in Ghana. The Office of the National Chief Imam, the Catholic Bishops Conference and Christian Council should constructively point out the ills in Ghanas governance, he said. He made the call on Saturday in Accra at a youth forum on democracy and development organized by the Business and Faith Development Centre of the Catholic Institute of Business and Technology. Speaking under the theme, 'Securing the future: The Ghanaian Youth and Election 2016,' Mr. Irbad explained that the criticism should be constructive, unbiased and strictly non-partisan. Ghana, he said, was in complete mess economically because of mismanagement by the ruling class. He said clergymen need to voice out their concerns to save the country from sinking further. Our leaders have virtually sold off everything: they are now selling off Accra, he said. Prime areas of the capital, according to Mr. Irbad, now serve as hubs and offices for multinational companies, leading to the pushing out or gentrification of indigenous Ghanaians. With such puppetry and stoogery, it is a foregone conclusion that as a country and continent, my future and yours have been mortgaged for economic benefit of a section of the ruling class, Mr. Irbad declared. He warned that clergymen should not be forced to shut up or fiddle while Rome burns. He contended that shutting our pastors and Imams up would be a grave mistake that will deepen the culture of impunity among the political class. Making specific reference to the recent attacks on the outgoing Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Professor Emmanuel Martey by some gurus of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Irbad said it was unacceptable for members of the political class to ask the clergy not to comment on national issues. Prof. Martey stated publicly that some politicians attempted to silence him with a amount of $100,000, plush house at Trassaaco Valley, among others. Mr. Irbad said Prof. Martey does not deserve the kind of insults hurled at him by sympathizers of the NDC. Telling clergymen to refrain from condemning the shortfalls of the political class amounts to driving God out of Ghana. Telling us to separate religion from the State is like asking us to adhere to the teachings of Bible and Quran in all matters, except governance. Jesus Christ was more than a spiritual leader, Prophet Mohammed was more than a spiritual leader. These were statesmen that laid the cornerstone of politics, good governance and societal harmony, he said. Youth tasked Mr. Irbad appealed to the youth to help safeguard the future of Ghana. As young Ghanaians, if we cant secure our nations resources because we cant formulate policy or take decisions yet, there is a greater asset we can safeguard. Lets jealously guard the peace and stability of this country before, during and after the elections in December, he said. The future of this country of ours is not all about Ivor Greenstreet of the CPP, Edward Mahama of PNC, Akufo-Addo of the NPP, John Dramani Mahama of the NDC and Paa Kwesi Nduom of the PPP, he told the youth. By Melvin Tarlue The Ghana Police Service has revealed it has identified over 5000 hot spots in the forthcoming elections which must be managed to avoid violence. Speaking at forum on peaceful elections organised by the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Center, the Director-General of the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Prosper Kwami Agblorh, highlighted a number of triggers that could ignite tensions. The proliferation of illicit arms in the country, the existence of numerous land and chieftaincy disputes, the prevalence of terrorist activities in some neighboring countries of our regions all serve as triggers for violence and therefore pose real threats to the 2016 general elections, he outlined. The CID Director-General was speaking on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, John Kudalor, and he explained that it is against this background that the National Election Security architecture was activated on January 20, 2016 to plan for the 2016 general elections. He noted further that the overall objective of the task force is to provide a forum for security agencies to impartially deal with election security related issues in a coordinated manner. Alert from Electoral Commission The Electoral Commission (EC) Chair, Madam Charlotte Osei, has also warned that 2016 election could be the most fiercely contested and may lead to violence if not well managed. Mrs. Osei also warned against complacency stemming from the conduct of six prior peaceful elections; two of which involved a change in power. According to her, the proliferation of illegal small arms and the rising levels of drug abuse and joblessness among the youth is creating a fertile room for violence in this years elections. She cited reports conducted by the Small Arms Commission in 2014 noting that over 3.2 million weapons are in Ghana and out of this number 1.1 million are illegal. Again, statistics from the narcotic control board indicates a steadily high growing drug and alcohol abuse in Ghana. The most affected demographically is our youth population. Now we know that when we talk about conflict in election, the youth are most likely to be used, The EC Chair added. Follow the hashtag #GhElections on social media for more elections related stories By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana The Government and Hospitals Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) has said it will continue its strike pushing for changes to their market premiums until there is a clear commitment by government to resolve its grievances. The association's decision comes after government explained it could not agree to an upward adjustment of premiums because it has not budgeted for it. The Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Haruna Iddrisu, appealed to GHOSPA to return to work and engage government further on matters relating to [their] market premiums. The General Secretary of GHOSPA, Emmanuel Owusu Owiafe, told Citi News, as it stands now, if there is no clear unambiguous commitments to resolving this issue, we will be unable to go back to work. GHOSPA started its indefinite strike on Monday to push for changes to their market premiums and said it was forced to resort to this action after the breakdown of negotiations with government, spanning six years, over its grade structure and placement in public health facilities. The pharmacists have lamented discrepancies in its interim market premiums claiming that the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission placed pharmacists working in university hospitals on a premium of 1.14, whilst the pharmacists working in the Ghana Health Service are on a premium of 0.58. Mr. Owiafe lamented that This single spine salary structure has made less of us [public sector pharmacist] and that we are not earning what our scores entitle us to. The level of faith we have now is a little bit reduced because not even intervention from the chief of staff and the committee he set up was implemented and the National Labour Commission (NLC) was not able to enforce its own ruling by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission. NLC suit against GHOSPA Two days into the GHOSPA strike, NLC filed a suit at the Labour Division of the High Court, seeking to compel striking pharmacists to call off their strike. Thought the NLC did not described this strike as illegal, it has said GHOSPA's actions were not in the interest of potential patrons hence its decision to resort to the law courts. As at yesterday [Wednesday] GHOSPA however said it was unaware of any suit from the National Labour Commission (NLC). By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana Our attention has been drawn to a publication by the Accra Times news paper on Tuesday 6th September, 2016. The said publication, asserted in an ill minded story that, the indefatigable administrator of the Ghana Education Trust Fund incited party Youth Organisers in the Upper West Region to endorse His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, but not to campaign for any parliamentary candidates of the NDC in the Region. Without mincing words, we want to be emphatic that, the story is completely deficient of any element of truth and is as well anemic of the charity of thought and clarity of conscience. We wish to entreat the much discerning Ghanaian public, more particularly, the rank and file of the great NDC fraternity, to disregard that particular story with all the frivolity that it deserves. We deem the said story as one that is viciously cooked up to mar the peerless reputation that, the industrious administrator who is also an illustrious son of the Upper West region, has built for himself after several decades of diligent service to nation and humanity. We further deem that unfortunate publication, is a tacit calculation to orchestrate empty suspicions and needless mistrust within the solid ranks of the NDC in the Upper West, ahead of the 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. A bit more of due diligence by *Simon A. Agianab* (The supposed author of the story) would have informed him that, on the 1st of September, 2016, a grass root group paid a courtesy call on Mr. Sam Garba at his private residence when he had come home to mourn a deceased relative. The administrator in that brief meeting expressed his appreciation to the group for all the good works it has been doing over the past four years, for the party. The affable cadre and senior comrade seized the opportunity to admonish members of the group who were largely youthful, to be much more industrious for the party. He admonished members to make patience their watch word as we are being groomed as future leaders of the party and nation. The senior comrade emphasized the unconditional need to bag all the parliamentary seats in region and also attain a handsome win for His Excellency President Mahama who has demonstrated an exceeding goodwill for the region. Against this backdrop, we see Mr. Agianabs story as carried by the Accra Times as malicious and unfortunate to say the least. The naked spin of the reality evinces a poor journalistic work laced with prejudice and a corrupted sense of professionalism. We call on him to unconditionally withdraw the story and issue an unconditional apology to Mr. Sam Garba with immediate effect. As we zoom into the 2016 General elections, we wish to passionately appeal to all our rank and file, to be ware of stories of this caliber which may be brewed on the altar of malice and deceit to divert our focus and get us dis stabilized. It is also our modest admonishment to the spin doctors who may intend to spew out untruths to destabilize the NDC to remember that *when the evil man beats the drum for the downfall of the righteous, God will not allow that drum to sound*. Let them be told, that the NDC is formidable and shall remain resolute in its quest to win all the eleven (11) parliamentary seats in the Upper West Region and also to bag home a 79% of all total valid Presidential votes for His Excellency President Napogiba Koleenaa , Maalo Nakpee John Dramani Mahama. This we envisage as our modest contribution to the national agenda of 57% for HE the President and majority seats in parliament for the NDC in the forth coming elections. We are all putting our shoulders on wheel to achieve this. Thank you. Long live the NDC............ Long live mother Ghana....... ...Signed... Ibrahim Chireh Carlos (0208491530) Puo-ire Prosper (0204852735) Osman Chebe (0208350400) Dapilah Bernice (0208725277) Polukuu Titus. (0207831600) Mohammed Awal 0208400235 Today a German business delegation from the State of Rhineland-Palatine visited Tanzanian Prime Ministers Office where they met Permanent Secretary Dr. Hamis H. Mwinyimvua. The delegation of leading export-oriented companies from the heart of Germany is headed by Dr. Joe Weingarten who is the Head of the Innovation Department at the Ministry of Economic Affairs , Transport, Agriculture and Viniculture of the State of Rhineland-Palatine. One year after its launch, Tigo E-Library on Wheels has benefited over 20, 000 children in deprived communities across the country. Not only does the mobile digital van serve the needs of children, Information Communications Technology (ICT) teachers in communities have also been using it to give practical lessons to their pupils. Through the outreach programmes in schools and communities such as Damang, Duayeden, Onoka, Kwesitenten, Adjeikrom, Ahwerase, Kwasi Nyarko and Obeng Yaw, Sapeiman, Medie and Pokuase, children who had never seen or touched an e-reader were exposed to digital devices. The E-library initiative which is a partnership between Ghanas digital lifestyle brand, Tigo Ghana and Street Library Ghana was initiated to assist children in rural Ghana to acquire reading and basic ICT skills. It was also to help bridge the digital divide existing between pupils in rural communities and their counterparts in urban centres. The initiative which is the first of its kind in Ghana was borne out of Tigo's Digital Change-makers programme that seeks to unearth social entrepreneurs whose creative ideas, skills and talents can positively affect society. With the initial plan of traveling across rural Ghana with hard-copy books in his mini-van to encourage children to read, the 2012 winner of the Digital Change-Makers competition, Hayford Siaws innovative idea was further improved upon by Tigo in line with the companys quest to pursue a digital lifestyle for Ghanaians and enhance rural education. As such, all the books were digitized in order to enable the children have a hands-on digital experience with electronic devices such as computers. The mobile van also has additional tables, chairs and laptops which could be set outside to cater for more children. Commenting on the milestone, the Director of Corporate Affairs at Tigo, Ms. Gifty Bingley expressed satisfaction with the successes chalked so far. We are extremely proud that many children in deprived communities have had an exposure to digitized books and technological devices this is truly gratifying. She explained that education is one of the focus areas of the companys Corporate Investment activities, adding that, through technology our Change-makers are spearheading remarkable initiatives and creating amazing applications to make education fun and beneficial to all especially children. She continued: The world is moving at a fast pace and being the countrys number one digital lifestyle brand, we are making sure that no child is left out. Hayford Siaw, who is also the Founder of Street Library Ghana, said: I am proud that weve able to provide some children hands-on practical ICT classes, especially for those who wrote the recent BECE examination. He thanked Tigo for the support and reiterated his organisations commitment to find innovative ways to enhance education. The Ghana Education Service (GES) will mark its "My First Day at School" for the 2016/2017 academic year on Tuesday, September 13, this year, across the country. Mrs. Cynthia Bosumtwi-Sam, the Director for Basic Education Division, who doubles as the acting Deputy Director-General of GES (in charge of Management Services), said "My First Day at School" provided opportunity for ministers of state, Metropolitan, Municipal District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), opinion leaders, directors of education and other dignitaries to visit schools, interact with new pupils in kindergarten one and/or kindergarten two and primary one. "The event is to encourage the little ones to enjoy their first day at school, especially for the fact that they were welcomed by the very important people in the society", she added. Schools expected to be visited by officials of the Ministry of Education (MoE) and Ghana Education Service (GES) are Junkwa D/A Basic, Komenda Basic, Apewosika Basic, Begoro AME Zion Primary, Begoro 'A' Primary, Begoro R/C Primary schools. Others are; Yamfo Methodist, Susuanso Presby, Tanoso D/A, Madina SDA, La Nkwantanang Emmanuel Presbyterian, Fire Armour Basic, Garrison Cluster, South La, Osu Manhean, Independence Avenue 1 & 2, Kaneshie Cann West and La Dade-Kotopon Association schools. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is deeply concerned by reports it has received of threats and harassment against some civil society members who met with the United Nations Security Council delegation during their most recent visit to Juba last weekend. These reported actions are in violation of the rights to freedom of expression, movement and civil and political engagement, which are fundamental pillars of a democratic society. Any attempt to suppress these rights through threats and harassment must be condemned in no uncertain terms. The platform offered by members of the United Nations Security Council was an opportunity for an open dialogue with a view to gaining greater understanding of some of the issues and concerns faced by South Sudanese citizens at the grassroots level. The Mission will be raising our concerns with all relevant authorities. On Tuesday 6 September 2016, I had the perfect opportunity to listen to a staff member (name forgotten but surely a Spokesperson for the Electoral Commission) give answers to questions posed to him by a radio programme presenter. The questions were about the proxy voting. From what I gathered as said by the EC representative (interviewee), any person nominated by a voter for the purposes of proxy voting, could walk into the nominated Electoral Commission centres with the identity card of the voter and a letter signed by the voter to pick up a proxy-voting form. This proxy can fill the form or take the form to the voter to be filled out. Once done, the proxy will have been officially authorised to vote for, and on behalf of, the actual registered voter. To proceed further, let me pause to define Proxy vote. PROXY is the authority given to a person to act for someone else, such as by voting for them in an election, or the person who this authority is given to. Not long ago, I read also that some prison officers at Nsawam Prisons have forcibly collected the voters cards belonging to some prisoners at the prison. Some of these prisoners complained bitterly and asked to be given back their cards which were taken without their accord or for reasons they were not made aware of. This was in the wake of the Presidential remission of the Montie 3 prison sentence to a month which subsequently saw them (Messrs Salifu Maase, alias Mugabe, Alistair Nelson and Ako Gunn) released from Nsawam prison. Why were their cards collected? Are the cards not to be used for dubious proxy voting that has not actually been sanctioned by the actual registered prisoner-voters? Going back to the actual proxy voting and the modalities for its operation as spelt out by the Electoral Commission with authorisation by Mrs Charlotte Osei, that shameless schemer determined to rig the upcoming election in favour of President Mahama and the NDC to compound the headaches of Ghanaians, I totally disagree with the terms. How can a proxy walk into the offices of the Electoral Commission with a letter supposed to have been written and signed by an actual voter and, or with the voters ID, takes a proxy form, fills and signs it and wham, the supposed proxy has been granted permission to cast the actual voters vote on their behalf during election 2016? Is Charlotte Osei, a resolutely determined public servant avowed in her heart of hearts to do President Mahama and the NDCs bidding instead of ensuring free and fair elections not being evil and deserves public and spiritual condemnations from well-meaning Ghanaians? Ghanaians have been suffering under the extremely corrupt and unprecedentedly nepotistic administration by President Mahama. Everything is falling apart and the centre cannot hold. Many a discerning Ghanaian who forms part of the majority who want President Mahama and the NDC out to save themselves from further untold economic and financial hardships is determined to resist the diabolic schemes by Charlotte Osei and her outfit. It is unheard of in the history of proxy voting that the nominated proxy walks into a centre, picks up a form claiming to have been authorised by the actual voter. Does this not give rise to the occasion of some political parties, especially the NDC, buying or stealing peoples voter ID cards to be presented for proxy voting? The case of the Nsawam prisoners is a vivid example. Shall all those EC personnel with Charlotte Osei inclusive hasten to the Hades if they did anything untoward with the proxy voting in the hope of assisting President Mahama and the NDC win election 2016 without resorting to fairness of level playing ground for all parties? This is my wish and prayer to God. Amen. Ghanaians cannot continue to suffer because of the selfish desires of a few people including President Mahama, Charlotte Osei and Johnson Asiedu Nketia. Charlotte Osei keeps coming out with Plans A, B, C, D, E etc. all in a bid to assist the NDC fraudulently but she will be resisted. I dedicate this publication to all Ghanaians who wish better for themselves and posterity. Long live Ghana, Long live all discerning Ghanaians who are truthful and care for, and about, Ghana and all Ghanaians. Rockson Adofo The Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) has told Citi Business News it has not been served with any suit on the concession of the ECG. MiDA on Wednesday [September 7, 2016] released a statement announcing that Compact two has entered into force despite a law suit against it. A member of the opposition NPP's communications team, Saaka Salia sued MiDA arguing that it is not fit to participate as an adviser, in the concession arrangement for the ECG. Joined to the suit are the PURC, the Attorney General's office, and Energy Commission. Mr. Salia further argued MiDA breached Ghanas laws after it authored and circulated a draft tariff methodology. But speaking to Citi Business News, the Director of Communication and Outreach at MIDA, Pamela Djamson-Tettey disclosed that the authority has not been served any writ. According to her, the authority has heard rumours but not received any document to that effect. Under the compact II, Ghana is expected to get over US dollars 498 million dollars to execute six projects. By: Lawrence Segbefia/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana Africa is increasingly moving towards achieving part of its African Unions Agenda 2063, which envisions the abolishment of visa requirements for African citizens by 2018. The recent launch of the Pan-African Passport is a big milestone towards freer movement of people within the continent, a move expected to further integrate Africa. This will in turn create more job opportunities, boost economic growth, increase cultural integration and elevate domestic tourism. While some African countries have become visa open over the years, majority still have a long way to go, with Africans requiring visas to travel to 55% of other African countries. The Africa Visa Openness Report 2016 further shows that out of the 55 African countries, only 13 offer visa free or visa on arrival to all Africans. The infographic below by Jumia Travel, Africas leading online hotel booking portal , provides a more comprehensive outlook on the visa trends in the continent. A lot of changes are expected in the near future, with the gradual roll out of the unified passport. Ashanti Regional Minister says teachers and students in the region cannot afford to produce poor results as government provides infrastructure and materials for academic work. John Alexander Ackon encourages them to reciprocate governments gesture by improving performance. He made the comments at a ceremony to hand over assorted educational materials to the Regional education directorate in Kumasi. The Ghana Education Service (GES) regional office took delivery of the items, comprising furniture and stationery. They include 343,918 boxes of chalk; 63,400 attendance register; 29,925 teachers notebooks as well as 2,200 mono desks and 480 bunk beds. Mr Ackon handed the items over to Director-General of the GES, Jacob Kor, who received the items for the regional directorate. He expects the items to make a positive impact on both teachers and students, especially, in the Region. Government has done a lot by way of infrastructure, right from the basic school to the tertiary institutions. The government is still providing resources by way of logistics, books, mono desks etc. That alone, cannot guarantee quality teaching and learning in education," he said. "Looking at this supply system availability of classrooms, availability of infrastructure and logistics; the common line is that, there's no excuse for the teacher and students to fail, Mr. Ackon added. Regional Director of Education, Mary Owusu Achiaw, said the donation is an indication of governments commitment to improving education. What we are witnessing today is an example of governments commitment to education. The onus therefore rest on us to deliver to the expectation of the nation, she said. The Institute for Research and Development (ISRAD), an NGO, has revealed that most District and Municipal assemblies in the Upper East Region have failed to disburse the 0.5% of their common fund to the Ghana Health Service for their malaria prevention activities. According to guidelines for the utilization of the district assemblies common fund for 2016 fiscal year, 0.5 percent of the fund should be utilized to support the District Response Initiative for the prevention of Malaria. But Speaking at a media orientation on the Advocacy for Resource for Malaria Stoppage(ARMS) Initiative project in Bolgatanga, Upper East Regional coordinator of ISRAD, Abdul-Razak Issah, disclosed that, most Municipal and district assemblies do not disburse the 0.5% of their common fund to their respective health directorates for malaria prevention activities, leading to high malaria prevalence in the region. He said the ARMS initiative seeks to select a group of five people in every six district of the ten regions, to advocate for the release of the 0.5% of the district responsive initiative from the assemblies, to support the Ghana Health Service in their malaria prevention activities. Under the project, a total of Sixty communities, ten communities each in six districts in the Upper East Region namely; Bolgatanga and Kassena Nakana municipalities, Bongo, Talensi, Nabdam and Kassena Nakana will benefit from the one year ARMS initiative. The project will collaborate with the National Malaria Control Programme of the Ghana Health Service to increase citizens oversight of malaria projects in beneficiary communities, leverage local government involvement and funding for malaria activities and establish advocacy groups to support malaria activities at district and community levels. Mr. Issah said the one year project funded by the UKAID, is aimed at increasing diagnosis of malaria before treatment and use of long lasting insecticide nets leading to reduction of malaria cases in the region. According to the Ghana Health Service, the Upper East Region, the half year of 2016 recorded 133,763 Out- Patient Department cases of malaria, an increase of 53.7% over last year. The region also recorded 725 cases of malaria in pregnancy mid-year, compared to last year; but improved in under 5-years malaria fatality rate of 1.0% mid-year, over a 1.4% fatality in 2015. By: Frederick Awuni/Citifmonline.com/Ghana Highlife musician, Lucky Mensah, whose career has taken a nosedive, has paid a visit to the residence of Nana Akufo Addo to present him with a copy of his latest track, 'Yeresesamu,' that seeks to support the party's 2016 election campaign. In 2012, Lucky Mensah did 'Atta Beye' for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) but he has come out to say that the party gave him A Toyota Corolla instead of a 44 that was promised. The apparent switching of sides by the artiste has caused some Ghanaians to ask questions, with Mzbel saying that he was disappointed in what he [Lucky Mensah] did. It is, however, unclear if the NPP contracted Lucky Mensah to record the song as they did with Daddy Lumba in 2012. On Thursday [August 8], Nana Akuffo posted photos of himself with Lucky Mensah with the caption, Ghanaian highlife musician, Lucky Mensah, visited me at my Nima residence this morning. He presented me with a copy of his latest song, 'Yeresesamu', which endorses my candidature ahead of the December election. Lucky Mensah isn't the only musician to endorse Nana Addo; Hiplife musician Wisa, has also endorsed Nana Addo's candidature. John Dumelo, Mr Beautiful, Abeiku Santana, Mzbel, Joel Ackah, and some other celebrities have also shown their support for the NDC's John Dramani Mahama. Citifmonline The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has vowed to snatch four parliamentary seats in the Greater Accra Region being occupied by members of the opposition New Patriotic Party. Out of the 34 seats in the region, the NDC and the opposition New Patriotic Party control 20 and 14 respectively but the NDC is hoping to increase its seats to 25. The NDC argue that it has worked hard enough to merit more seats in Ghanas capital city. Speaking to Citi News Greater Accra Regional Organizer of the NDC, Anthony Nukpenu said the NDC has put in place measures to achieve its objective. In this year's election, we are very hopeful to increase our seats to not less than 25. If there should be a voter turnout of 75 to 80 percent, we should be able to garner not less than 55 percent of that voter turnout in Accra. That expectation is leading us to work towards 1.5 million votes out of the 2.9 million votes on the register which we think if 2.5 million would be voting then 1.5 million should be for the NDC, he added. NDC's strategy for election 2016 The NDC has launched its national and regional campaign teams aimed at ensuring victory for the party in the December 7 general elections. The party has also mapped some strategies nationwide aimed at giving its presidential nominee, President John Dramani Mahama a second term in office including agenda 50/50 in the Eastern Region, one million votes in Ashanti Region, gap one million votes in the Volta Region among others. Follow the hashtag #GhElections on Social Media for election related stories By: Godwin A.Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana Follow @AlloteyGodwin The 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has outlined comprehensive policy measures aimed at strengthening the prospects of accelerated enterprise development in a competitive environment and stimulating the rapid growth and expansion of the Ghanaian economy, so that the all-important issue of job creation can be successfully addressed. According to World Bank statistics, about 48% of Ghanaians between the ages of 15 and 24 are unemployed, whilst over 18% of those aged between 25 and 64 years are inactive or unemployed and actively looking for job. This unprecedented high level of unemployment, in the view of the NPP flagbearer, is the greatest challenge confronting our nation, particularly amongst the youth, and addressing this matter, he added, is the only way by which we can then guarantee the peace and stability of our nation. Nana Akufo-Addo made this known on Thursday, September 8, 2016, when he addressed the 57th Annual General Meeting of the Ghana Employers' Association, at the Accra International Conference Centre, on enterprise growth and job creation. The NPP, according to Nana Akufo-Addo, believes that the only sustainable way of addressing this challenge of high unemployment is by expanding the productive base of the Ghanaian economy and enhancing enterprise growth. To this end, he told the GEA that his government will focus on four key priority areas, which are building a strong, resilient economy by restoring macroeconomic stability and ensuring fiscal discipline; revitalising the Industrial sector; revitalising the agricultural sector; and implementing an aggressive, targeted infrastructural development programme. Reduction/Abolishing of taxes With the NPP's economic policy, under an Akufo-Addo government, moving away from taxation to production, he stated that his government will remove import duties on raw materials and machinery for production within the context of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) Protocol. Additionally, he noted that eliminating the Special Import Levy; abolishing the 17.5% VAT on imported medicines not produced in Ghana; abolishing the 17.5% VAT on Financial Services; abolishing the 17.5% VAT on Real Estate sales; abolishing the 17.5% VAT on domestic airline tickets; and reducing VAT for micro and small enterprises from the current 17.5% to the 3% Flat Rate VAT introduced by the NPP will be done to boost business activity in the country. Corporate income tax which has stood at 25% for the last 8 years, he said, will be reduced further to 20%. The process of reducing this tax, according to Nana Akufo-Addo, was initiated by the Kufuor administration when it reduced corporate income tax rate from 35% to 25% by the time it left office in January 2009. With high charges at the port constituting a major headache for businesses, Nana Akufo-Addo assured employers across the country that his government will reduce port clearing charges, as well as establish an independent Port Clearing Facilitation Agency (excluding Customs) as a One-Stop institutional mechanism to support import and export trade. Industrialisation To spur on the country's industrialization, Nana-Akufo-Addo indicated that an omnibus fund, Industrial Development Fund, to finance critical industrial support interventions will be established. The National Investment Bank (NIB), he added, will be recapitalized and refocused to support industrial development (including retooling and acquisition of new technologies by local industries). The Ghana Investment Promotion Center, according to Nana Akufo-Addo, will be reoriented to focus its attention on attracting investments into selected strategic industries, including large scale anchor industries to serve as growth poles for the Ghanaian economy (Petrochemical, Iron and Steel, Cement, Integrated Aluminum and Bauxite, Industrial Salt, Vehicle Assembly, Manufacturing of Machinery, Equipment and Machine Parts). Restructuring the operations of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, the NPP flagbearer said, will enhance export diversification, so Ghanaian products can take advantage of market opportunities under ECOWAS, Continental African Trade, EPA, AGOA and South- South trade. With high energy tariffs being the bane of most businesses across the country, the NPP flagbearer assured of a review of the energy tariff policy to reduce the burden on businesses, as well as the creation of dedicated energy supply sources for industrial enclaves and zones to provide them with quality and reliable power. 1-District-1-Factory As part of plans to industrialise and transform the Ghanaian economy, Nana Akufo-Addo reiterated his commitment to the packed auditorium, at the Conference Centre, of helping to establish a factory in each of the 216 districts across the country. This, he said, will be done through the reactivation of the District Industrialization Programme, under which every district will be supported by Government, through public/private partnerships, to establish at least one major industrial project, based on the natural endowment or economic potential of each district. To feed these industries, an Akufo-Addo government, he added, will provide a comprehensive programme of support for the production of selected agricultural products as raw materials for agro-processing (Tomato, Cassava, Cocoa, Maize, Oil Palm, Cashew, Cotton, Selected Fruits, Groundnuts, and Rice etc.). The provision of specific incentives for the production and supply of quality locally produced non-agricultural raw materials for industry at competitive prices, the NPP flagbearer stated, will be ensured. He assured that corruption in the award of public contracts would be eliminated through the strict implementation of the teachings implementing strictly the teachings of the Public Procurement Act (Act 663) to ensure that competitive bidding, not sole sourcing, is the norm in the determination of public transactions. Ghana Employers' Association To the leadership of the GEA, Nana Akufo-Addo announced the establishment of a bi-annual Consultative Forum as a structured dialogue mechanism for government and private sector to deliberate on critical issues affecting the private sector. Nominating representatives from Business Associations to become members of the governing boards of relevant public institutions and agencies, he added, will be done to ensure inputs from the private sector in policy formulation. In concluding, Nana Akufo-Addo urged the GEA to be interested in the development of an educated and highly skilled workforce in Ghana, explaining that employers are the frontline beneficiaries of an educated and skilled workforce. NPP plans to build a number of model Vocational and Technical institutions around the country to demonstrate its importance. We are counting on the private sector to join in this critical project. Nana Akufo-Addo was accompanied by the Trade and Industry Minister in the Kufuor government, Alan Kyerematen, now Campaign Sector Committee Chairperson on Trade and Industry; and the former Deputy Minister in the Kufuor government, Mrs Gifty Ohene Konadu, his Special Assistant on the District Industrialisation Programme. -Peacefmonline Accra, GHANA The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) presented tablets and other information technology (IT) equipment to the Statistics, Research and Information Directorate (SRID) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA). The electronic equipment and software were donated to enhance the collection of agricultural statistics. The IT equipment and data collection system will minimize human error in agriculture data collection and analysis, as well as improve overall data quality and credibility. USAID Mission Director Andrew Karas handed over the IT equipment to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Honorable Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna. Todays handover of equipment and software will enable the Ministry to store vast quantities of data, and to access information on demand, remarked Karas. It will significantly improve the Ministrys capacity to undertake field surveys and collect, secure, and analyze data. Among the equipment donated were 3G tablets fitted with global positioning system (GPS), which will help SRID produce credible data and information to support appropriate and effective policy analysis, decision-making and planning. In Ghana, policymakers often lack quality data, as well as the capacity to analyze and communicate findings. Funded by USAID, the Agriculture Policy Support Project (APSP) assisted SRID to design, develop and implement a Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) data collection system in support of the Ghana Agriculture Production and Market Price Surveys. CAPI provides a holistic approach for quality agriculture data collection including geographical information system plotting, analysis and management. The donated equipment will allow SRID to move from collecting data using a pencil and paper, to real-time mobile data collection using the CAPI system on 3G tablets to conduct Ghanas annual Agricultural Production Survey and Market Price Survey. APSP, as part of Feed the Future, the U.S. governments global hunger and food security initiative, will support SRID with its data collection to ensure data quality and for policy-making purposes. Additionally through APSP, SRID staff and district-level officers are receiving training on the CAPI system. The development of the CAPI system begun in June 2015 and the application, system implementation, monitoring and gradual transfer to SRID will be completed by September 2016. Over hundred people set aside their daily responsibilities and thronged the Delhi Public School (DPS) International, Ghana at Tema to participate in a blood donation campaign. The exercise taken place in DPS international, Ghana was supported by Sant Nirankari Charitable Foundation, a humanitarian organisation in Dubai. The blood donation exercise was organized to save lives of patients at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and other health facilities in the country. Donors from all walks of life who were eager to donate, started trooping into the premises of DPS International, Ghana at Community 25 at about 5:00 am to participate in the highly successful exercise. At about mid-morning, quite a large multitude had flooded the event grounds, and it therefore came as no shock when it was observed that a total of over 30 Ghanaians and more than a hundred foreigners partake in the blood donation exercise which was sponsored by DPS International, Ghana with support from B5 Plus Ltd, a steel manufacturing company in Tema. Family of Mukesh Thakwani, Chairman of DSP International, Ghana and B5 Plus Limited was not left out of the exercise. Gulati Pankaj, Rakesh Goyal, Darshan Singh, Balden Raj Arora and many other volunteers also donated to support the worthy cause. Mr. Gornam Singh, Head of Nirankari Mission, Dubai was highly thankful for the gesture saying that humanitarianism is very significant to society. He said blood plays a major role in saving lives especially that of pregnant women and is freely provided by the hospital hence the need for every qualified person to donate to the blood bank. My visit to Ghana has been memorable and I am impressed with the honesty Ghanaians showed and they are very sociable. I must say humanitarian exercise such as blood donation is very significant to save lives and that is the main reason why Nirankari Mission sees the importance to join, he emphasised. Mr. Mukesh Thakwani explained that the exercise forms part of his outfits corporate social responsibilities. We decided to conduct the exercise in the school for the children to see and also learn how to donate or give back to society as a global awareness creation, the Director of DPS International, Ghana stated. He assured health institutions of embarking on this blood donation exercise in the future, indicating that Blood do degenerate and whether you donate or not it will replenish so this exercise is going to be a routine exercise in the near future and everyone must join to save life. The Director of DPS International, Ghana expressed his heartfelt appreciation to participants for their kind support. Family of Mukesh Thakwani, Chairman of DSP International, Ghana and B5 Plus Limited was not left out of the exercise. A lot of volunteers took part in this noble cause. The event which was sponsored by DSP International, Ghana with support from B5 Plus, a steel manufacturing company in Tema, was supported by Sant Nirankari Charitable Foundation, a humanitarian organisation in Dubai. Over hundred people set aside their daily responsibilities and thronged the Delhi Public School (DPS) International, Ghana at Tema to participate in a blood donation campaign. Donors from all walks of life who were eager to donate, started trooping into the premises of DPS International, Ghana at Community 25 at about 5:00 am to participate in the highly successful exercise. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) presented tablets and other information technology (IT) equipment to the Statistics, Research and Information Directorate (SRID) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA). The electronic equipment and software were donated to enhance the collection of agricultural statistics. The IT equipment and data collection system will minimize human error in agriculture data collection and analysis, as well as improve overall data quality and credibility. USAID Mission Director Andrew Karas handed over the IT equipment to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Honorable Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna. Todays handover of equipment and software will enable the Ministry to store vast quantities of data, and to access information on demand, remarked Karas. It will significantly improve the Ministrys capacity to undertake field surveys and collect, secure, and analyze data. Among the equipment donated were 3G tablets fitted with global positioning system (GPS), which will help SRID produce credible data and information to support appropriate and effective policy analysis, decision-making and planning. In Ghana, policymakers often lack quality data, as well as the capacity to analyze and communicate findings. Funded by USAID, the Agriculture Policy Support Project (APSP) assisted SRID to design, develop and implement a Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) data collection system in support of the Ghana Agriculture Production and Market Price Surveys. CAPI provides a holistic approach for quality agriculture data collection including geographical information system plotting, analysis and management. The donated equipment will allow SRID to move from collecting data using a pencil and paper, to real-time mobile data collection using the CAPI system on 3G tablets to conduct Ghanas annual Agricultural Production Survey and Market Price Survey. APSP, as part of Feed the Future, the U.S. governments global hunger and food security initiative, will support SRID with its data collection to ensure data quality and for policy-making purposes. Additionally through APSP, SRID staff and district-level officers are receiving training on the CAPI system. The development of the CAPI system begun in June 2015 and the application, system implementation, monitoring and gradual transfer to SRID will be completed by September 2016. Youth Network for Peace-Ghana (YNP-GH), a non-governmental organisation aimed at raising awareness on the need for peace in the upcoming polls, has donated office equipment worth GH25,000 to the Ghana Police Service. The items include a Sony projector, projector screen tripod, an HP print laser jet, water dispenser, five laptops, two office swivel chairs and tables, and two sets of air-conditioners. Presenting the items at the Police Headquarters, Mr. Michael Ofori Boateng, president of the group, said the move was to help resource the Joint Operations Centres of the police service to facilitate peace before, during and after the December elections. The centres which have been activated at the National and Regional Headquarters of the Police Service, are manned by representatives of various security services to monitor and exchange information on how to maintain law and order in the country. The police is a major stakeholder in ensuring peace in this country as we approach the elections and that is why we want to support their work to allow peace prevail, Mr. Boateng stated. He urged the youth in the country to say no to violence and tribal politics and not allow themselves to be manipulated by politicians who are power drunk adding that, young people are the future of Ghana and we must sustain the peace of this country and not plunge it into chaos. The Director General of Administration, Commissioner of Police (COP) Ransford Moses Ninson, who received the items on behalf of the service, expressed gratitude to the youth group for taking such an initiative. The service, he said, had been challenged in resourcing the operations centre to attain world class standards and hoped that the donation would support the centre to achieve its mandate. Mr. Ninson appealed to other NGOs and corporate institutions to assist the police service to effectively deliver its mandate saying, if Ghana would be peaceful, we need more logistics, vehicles and other equipment to promote and sustain. Vice Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, is to delivering a lecture on the Ghanaian economy. The programme which is taking place at the National Theatre would see the economist make a diagnosis of the challenges in the economy and profer possible solutions. The lecture would be chaired by former President John Agyekum Kufuor under the theme The State of the Ghana Economy A Foundation of Concrete or Straw. Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com Presidential candidates of the various political parties are expected to pay GHc50,000 to enable them file their nominations to contest in Ghanas 2016 elections in December. This was revealed at an Inter-Party Advisory Commission (IPAC) meeting held today (Thursday) in Accra. The Electoral Commission has also pegged the filing fee for parliamentary candidates at GHc10,000. Nominations will be opened on Tuesday September 13, 2016, and close on September 28 and 29. More soon By: Sixtus Don Ullo/citifmonline.com/Ghana The Hague (AFP) - Libya's last chemical weapons stocks have arrived safely in Germany after being shipped out of the country, and will now be prepared for destruction, a global watchdog said Thursday. "Another crucial step has been taken toward eliminating Libya's remaining chemical weapon precursors," Ahmet Uzumcu, head of the UN-backed Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said in a statement. The stocks, including 23 tanks of chemicals, were shipped out on a Danish vessel on August 30 from the Libyan port of Misrata, under the supervision of the United Nations. It was a multi-nation maritime operation led by Denmark, and Uzumcu said the remaining "chemicals arrived safely and securely at the specialised destruction facility in Munster". The destruction of some 500 tonnes of toxic chemical products by GEKA, Germany's state-owned company for disposing of chemical weapons, will be the last phase of the operation to rid the unstable north African country of its stockpile. The stocks had been stored in the central Jafa area, about 200 kilometres (125 miles) south of Sirte where Libyan pro-government forces are battling jihadists from the so-called Islamic State group. The removal of the dangerous weapons precursors eases fears that extremists like IS could gain access to the weapons in Libya, which has been wracked by chaos since the 2011 overthrow of Moamer Kadhafi. "These chemical weapon precursors have not been weaponised and now they never will be by anyone," the OPCW said in a statement Thursday. The UN Security Council on July 22 endorsed the plans to remove Libya's remaining chemical weapons from the country. Libya joined the UN convention banning chemical weapons in 2004 as part of Kadhafi's ultimately abortive efforts to shake off the country's pariah status and mend ties with the West. At the time Libya joined the convention, it declared 24.7 tonnes of sulphur mustard, 1,390 tonnes of precursor chemicals and more than 3,500 aerial bombs containing chemical weapons. It had eliminated all the aerial bombs, 51 percent of the sulphur mustard and 40 percent of the precursor chemicals by 2011, when operations to destroy the arsenal were interrupted by the uprising against Kadhafi, according to the OPCW. Of three chemical weapons production facilities also declared in 2004, two were destroyed and one converted for civilian use, it said. The Vice Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party has accused the Finance Minister Seth Terkper of peddling untruths in the debt to GDP figure he released during his supplementary budget in July. Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, at a lecture on the country's economy, Thursday, said the minister did not only provide false figures but could not also account for a whopping amount of 1.7 billion cedis spent. Minister Seth Terkper in July this year went to Parliament with a supplementary budget during which he requested an amount of GHE1.98 billion to finance activities by government. Apart from the money he requested for, the Minister said Ghanas economy grew by 4.9% in the first quarter of 2016 as compared to 4.5% in 2015. He also stated that the public debt had decreased from 72% at the end of 2015 to 63% at the end of May 2016. Based on the giant strides made in the economic management, Seth Terkper told MPs, Ghanas economy is transitioning from a low-income status to a middle-income status. But addressing his lecture, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia said the figures by the Minister don't add up. "The Minister's calculation is plain wrong and misleading" he told a charged crowd of fanatic NPP supporters and some members of the diplomatic corps. He said instead of the Minister using debt of the first quarter and dividing it by the Gross Domestic Product of same quarter, the Minister in an unceremonious manner took the debt of the first quarter and divided it by the projected GDP at the end of the year. As a result of the unorthodox practice, Dr Bawumia said the debt to GDP is pegged at 62% when in actual fact the figure is 72% "If you ask the minister how he achieved the dramatic reduction he will not be able to say it," he challenged. He stated that the 2016 supplementary budget was muddied further by an amount of 1.7 billion cedis which cannot be accounted for. "How can this amount still be a mystery after 2015, even though it is money that has been spent?" he asked. This he said "will lead to a missing of the IMF target, and could also mean that fiscal deficit is higher than what has been recorded." Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com|Nathan Gadugah Mobile telecommunication company, MTN, has launched its fourth edition of the MTN Ghana's App Challenge competition. The competition is aimed at equipping budding talents in the tech industry to provide digital solutions to address everyday challenges facing societies. The fourth edition comes after three successful editions after the challenge was launched in 2013. Speaking at the launch, the CEO of MTN, Ebenezer Asante stated that the first three editions saw very innovative and interesting Apps, with BuzTrick, Oware and Wheelo receiving top honors in the respective years. CEO of MTN, Ebenezer Asante Low internet connectivity still challenge Meanwhile the relatively low internet penetration in Ghana is still hampering the country's ability to leverage on benefits of digital platforms for economic growth. According to businesses in the Telecom and ICT sectors, even though the country has made significant strides in adopting digital solutions to some societal challenges, there is still more to be done if the numerous benefits are to accrue to the state. The Innovations Manager at MTN, David Narh tells Citi Business News he is confident the situation will change with the ability of the company to extend its coverage with the 4G license. A reliable internet really impacts on the operation of some of these products that we bring on board as telecom operators. The internet of things also depends on a very reliable internet connection, he stated. Innovations Manager at MTN, David Narh David Narh added, The fact that the government allows us the license to operate a 4G and the fact that MTN has the means and resources to extend our coverage across the country. Currently, the number of internet users in Ghana is at 7,958,675 compared to the 339,283,342 users across Africa. New add-ons to 2016 apps challenge According to MTN, some few new additions to this year's competition will be to reward developers of best Internet of Things (IoT) apps that address local problems. Also, innovative and locally relevant mobile apps and animated videos will be rewarded. By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana Libreville (AFP) - Gabon opposition leader Jean Ping on Thursday appealed to the country's highest court Thursday in an attempt to have a wafer-thin presidential election loss overturned. Ping insists he was the winner of the August 27 presidential election -- which gave incumbent Ali Bongo a narrow win -- and lodged an appeal with the Constitutional Court, his campaign team said. "Jean Ping has a petition with the Constitutional Court requesting a review... of the results of the August 27, 2016, presidential election in Haut-Ogooue province," Bongo's family fiefdom, said a member of his legal team, Jean-Remy Batsantsa. Batsantsa said the appeal was for a "recount of votes in this province, polling station by polling station, through comparison of records held by the Cenap (the national electoral commission) and all parties. - "Serious anomalies" - "We are asking for the Court to determine that there are serious anomalies" in a count which saw Bongo declared the winner by a whisker, said Batsantsa, echoing a finding by EU observer head Maryia Gabriel. "An analysis of the number of non-voters as well as blank and disqualified votes reveals a clear anomaly in the final results in Haut-Ogooue," an EU election observer mission said in a statement Tuesday. Bongo accused some members of the mission of overstepping its mandate. Map of Gabon with a breakdown of the presidential election result And the foreign minister said "many inconsistencies" had been noted in the observers' behaviour. "We have the impression that the observer mission wanted to become a control mission," he said. Batsantsa said that a compilation of returns from Haut-Ogooue made it clear that "there is no way that Ali Bongo can win this election." Bongo himself has said he will contest a number of results attributed to his rival. The court's nine judges now have 15 days to hand down a ruling on the appeal. Haut-Ogooue is a Bongo stronghold where the incumbent won more than 95 percent of the vote on an official turnout of more than 99 percent. 'A trap' Ahead of the appeal announcement, the government said a planned visit to Gabon of African Union heads of state had been indefinitely postponed. Spokesman and coordinator for Gabon's opposition leader Jean Ping's presidential campaign Rene Ndemezo Obiang (R) speaks during a press conference at opposition headquarters in Libreville on September 7, 2016 Ping, who believes Bongo has the court in his pocket, has rejected an official August 31 announcement that Bongo won by fewer than 6,000 votes. That outcome prompted several days of riots amid opposition claims the election had been stolen. During the unrest, the parliament building was set ablaze, many shops were looted and life in the capital brought to a standstill. The government says three people died in the unrest, dismissing some opposition claims that between 50 and 100 people lost their lives. Citing Gabon's constitution and election laws, Bongo has dismissed Ping's demand for a recount. A makeshift memorial for victims of post-presidential election violence outside of opposition headquarters in Libreville "If we go to the constitutional court, we will enter a trap we can never escape," a close associate of Ping had warned Wednesday. "The dice are loaded at the court," he said, comparing the institution to "the Tower of Pisa that always leans the same way". But he conceded the wisdom of keeping the fight within the law. "That's what France, the US and the European Union are asking," he said, adding he hoped such international pressure would also be brought to bear to ensure a fair ruling. "No danger" France took pains Thursday to dismiss the common perception it was still a power-broker in its former colony Gabon. "Times have changed," government spokesman Stephane Le Foll told a news conference in Paris. A woman holds a placard reading "Sarkozy, stop your friend Ali" as people from the Gabonese community demonstrate in front of Les Republicains Party's headquarters, on September 7, 2016 in Paris "There is no more France-Afrique," he said, using a somewhat derisive term for Paris's close relationship with its former colonies. "France is not here to make decisions for African countries; we are here to help find a solution and support the African Union (AU) mission," he said. Announcing the shelving of the AU delegation's visit, Foreign Minister Emmanuel Isozet Ngondet said such a mission was uncalled for. "There is no danger here, no explosive security or humanitarian situation which justifies a rather robust intervention from the international community," he told a news conference. An AU "good offices" mission had been due in Libreville on Friday. The central African nation has been ruled by the Bongo family since 1967. The Vice Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) says Ghana under President John Mahama has seen a huge increase in public debt by 66 percent in less than four years. Dr Mahamudu Bawumia attributes this increment to reckless borrowing and mismanagement of public funds which have characterised the administration of President Mahama. From a debt stock of GH9.5 billion since independence to 2008, President Mahama has solely ballooned Ghanas debt stock to GH105 billion as at May 2016, he said. The compound effect of the Presidents recklessness, he said is seen in the magnitude of interest payment which could have been used to improve infrastructural services in the country. The former Deputy Governor of Bank of Ghana (BoG) made these remarks on Thursday when he delivered a public lecture at the National Theatre under the theme The State of the Ghana Economy A Foundation of Concrete or Straw. Highlighting on the Ghana's sector by sector performance under the President Mahama-led administration, the celebrated Ghanaian economist painted what he says was a bleak economic situation the country finds itself. The net result of the economic policies and declining growth is the unprecedented joblessness and the apparent inability to produce the jobs in the country, he said. The unemployment rate in the country is jumping on the rooftop because there are no jobs for the teeming Ghanaian youth he noted adding The World Bank reports that youth unemployment is 45 percent and government is bereft of ideas. He wondered why in the midst of the huge money government is enjoying from the oil sector it has less to show for in terms of infrastructural development. Data shows that as national income increased in 2001-2008 people at the bottom of the income scale became better off but since 2008 the worst decline has occurred during the tenure of President Mahama, he said. Dr Bawumia says the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christin Lagarde, has noted that contrary to other governments, Ghana government borrows for consumption. Rather than spending borrowed money on infrastructural developments and lifting millions of Ghanaians out of poverty, the government spends the money, he noted. He says this has accounted for the general hardship in the country and the reason why the countrys power sector is suffering. The problem in the power sector is a financial problem, he said. Dr Bawumia has urged to embrace the policies advanced by NPP flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the downward economic fortunes of the country to be placed on a better footing. Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brakopowers | Email: [email protected] President John Mahama's mantra of massive infrastructure investment is nothing more than a hoax, a ploy to hoodwink Ghanaians into retaining him in office Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has said. Likening the president to a mason who inherits a good foundation but destroys it, the New Patriotic Party Vice presidential candidate said president John Mahama cannot be trusted to build a house. He said contrary to the president's claim that a solid foundation has been laid in his first tenure and must be given another opportunity to complete his job, the president has rather replaced the solid foundation he inherited from Kufuor with a "weak foundation of straw". "If you allow Mahama another four year term he will tell you he has laid a foundation for takeoff. How many foundations are needed for this building to be built?" Bawumia mocked the president much to the delight of a partisan NPP crowd who converged at the National Theater for a lecture on the Economy, Thursday. Dr Bawumia shredded the government's achievements on infrastructure, economy, describing Mahama's tenure as the "worst period of economic performance." In a frenzied atmosphere, pregnant with shouts and sloganeering from party supporters, the NPP vice presidential candidate said even though the Mahama administration was blessed with unprecedented amount of resources in loans, taxes and grants since independence the country turned out worse off. Dr Bawumia said if the Mahama government were a competent one, the $33 billion it borrowed would have solved Ghana's water problems, energy problems, agricultural problems, asphalted a 1000 kilometer of roads in every region of Ghana, built over 600 Senior High Schools across the country and still be left with more money for other development project. On the contrary, he noted the country went through five years of darkness under this same administration, with Mahama struggling to put up just ten of the 200 SHS he promised. Dr Bawumia said a huge chunk of the $33 billion had been sunk into corruption and over pricing of contracts. Legon Vrs Ridge hospital comparison According to Dr Mahamudu the University of Ghana took some $217 million loan from the Isreali government to build a 600 bed teaching hospital at Legon. However the cost of that building is $30 million less than what the government is using to renovate and expand the Ridge Hospital from 200 bed to 420 bed. How possible is this? "I saw two identical teachers bungalow constructed in Dambai Teacher training College this year. One constructed by the NPP in 2007 and the other by the NDC in 2011. These two buildings are side by side. The one constructed by the NPP COST 195,000 but the NDC one cost 900,000 cedis. It is the same building, the same design, the same specification and on the same land. So what accounted of this huge difference?" He said the Tamale airport runway rehabilitation costed $23.8 million whereas the proposed new airport in Ho is going to cost $25 million. And it is on record Ethiopia is building a new airport at $21 million, he added. In an allegory, Dr Bawumia said the NDC government led by John Mahama is like a man who has been given money, but ends up putting up a huge building without a roof, and when there is rain, or his children are hungry or sacked from school for school fees, he turns around pointing to the building as an investment for them. This is not a man in whose hands the destiny of the country must be entrusted, he stated and called on Ghanaians to vote a man he described as incorruptible, honest and competent to steer the affairs of the country. He said an NPP leader under Akufo-Addo will have a better eye on the economy by building the most business friendly and people friendly economy for all Ghanaians. He said there will be increase agriculture productivity due to prudent measures the government will undertake, provide more credit to entrepreneurs and restore macro-economic stability if voted to power. Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com|Nathan Gadugah The New Patriotic Partys running mate, Dr Mahamud Bawumia, on Thursday, August 9, 2016, delivered a lecture on what he called the state of Ghanas economy. The lecture was held at the National Theatre under the theme, The state of the Ghanaian economy A foundation of concrete or straw and was chaired by former President John Agyekum Kufuor. Dr. Bawumia touched on Ghanas bailout programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), decline in the countrys per capita income, fiscal deficit, infrastructure, agriculture, among others. He used the opportunity to rubbish President Mahama and the National Democratic Congress supposed achievements in the last eight years, and highlighted on what the NPP will do if given the mandate on December 7, 2016. Click below to listen to full audio: By: Citifmonline.com/Ghana 08.09.2016 LISTEN Born Free welcomes unexpected findings of ground-breaking giraffe gene analysis International wildlife charity, Born Free Foundation, has today welcomed the findings of new genetic analysis published in the journal Current Biology that has unexpectedly found giraffes are not one species, but four. The collaborative research team supported by the State of Hesses funding programme LOEWE, the Leibniz Association, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, the Leiden Conservation Foundation, the Auckland Zoo, and various African government partners and international supporters - found there are four highly distinct groups of giraffe. These are the Northern giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), Southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa), Reticulated giraffe (Giraffa reticulata) and Masai giraffe (Giraffa tippelskirchi). Before the findings released today, scientists had only recognised a single species of giraffe made up of several subspecies. Dr Liz Greengrass, Associate Director Conservation Africa at Born Free Foundation, said: The findings of this study come at a relevant time when the status of giraffe is being reassessed by the IUCN* Red List. The recognition of four separate species will enable a better understanding of their conservation status, and ensure that conservation attention is well placed to protect giraffe diversity. Over the last two years, Born Free has been supporting the Giraffe Conservation Foundation to conserve a subspecies of the Northern giraffe, the West African giraffe. Once widespread across West Africa, by the 1990s its numbers had dropped to one population and an estimated 50 individuals in Niger, as a result of hunting and habitat loss. As a result of conservation attention targeting the local communities that live alongside these animals and the support of the government of Niger, numbers have since increased to several hundred. Last year, Born Free supported the completion of an Action Plan for this giraffe and this year Born Free has supported the implementation of a West Africa giraffe census, which is currently underway. Once their population size is accurately known, then further conservation measures can be implemented to protect this giraffe in the long-term. The new genetic analysis study examined the DNA evidence taken from skin biopsies of 190 giraffe collected across Africa. This sampling included populations from all nine previously recognised giraffe subspecies. Adopt a giraffe family with Born Free: http://www.bornfree.org.uk/give/adopt-an-animal/giraffe/ . *International Union for the Conservation of Nature Conakry (AFP) - Two Chinese vessels face huge fines after being caught fishing illegally in Guinea's waters, including one fine of up to $3.4 million, the country's fishing minister said Thursday, as west Africa attempts to crack down on millions lost to foreign trawlers. The Chang Yuan Yu 6 and Lu Jiao Nan Yuan Yu 102 were among 14 vessels identified as operating illegally in a joint operation mounted by Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal between August 28 and September 1 as part of a European Union-backed initiative. The Chang Yuan Yu 6 was escorted to port and held there, said minister Andre Loua, while the second vessel escaped. The boats were guilty of "unauthorised fishing in our economic zone without the required licence," Loua said. The maximum penalty of one million euros ($1.1 million) would be applied to the captured vessel while the second had the maximum doubled for the aggravating factor of fleeing. The crew of the first vessel have been freed, according to the minister. The same company owns the two ships but its name has yet to be disclosed. Experts have recently warned west Africa is missing out on vital income because of the masses of fish taken from their waters by trawlers from as far afield as South Korea. A lack of government transparency in the region, limited capacity to patrol the seas and legal loopholes once west Africa's fish arrive in Europe, its biggest market, all contribute to the situation. The sale of fishing rights to foreign operatives netted Africa $400 million in 2014, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, but could in theory generate $3.3 billion if the continent's own fleets caught and exported the fish. By Laudia Sawer Prampram (GAR), Sept 8, GNA - Mr Charles Botchey Junior, Ningo-Prampram District Electoral Officer, has assured political parties in the district that the Electoral Commission (EC) would give them the opportunity to point out polling assistants who actively participate in political activities. Mr Botchey Jnr said a copy of the album for the polling assistants to be recruited by the EC for the 2016 General election would be made available to all the political parties. He indicated that the move would help the EC to recruit only credible and non-partisan people to help the Commission deliver a free and fair elections. He made this known on Tuesday during a day's engagement of political party youth activists by the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) with support from the European Union. The EC officer added that even though it was the civic right of every citizen to belong to a political party, those actively involved in the day to day activities of political parties would not be recruited to officiate in the election on December 7. He gave the assurance that all polling assistants would be recruited from the district thus making it easy for such persons to be easily identified. Mr Botchey Jnr however stated that any protest against a polling assistant deemed politically affiliated to any party should be backed with evidence to prevent the abuse of the opportunity. Touching on the conduct of political party agents at polling centres, he cautioned them against intimidating voters in queues. He also asked them to refrain from wearing party paraphernalia on the day of election as well as desist from offering any form of inducement to voters to vote their candidate. Defacing of posters, inserting of materials into ballot boxes and inciting voters to violence were all prohibited, according to him. The EC officer reminded residents of the district who want to transfer their votes to the area to visit any of the offices of the EC offices from September 9 to October 7 when transfer of votes would be carried out. He said, to apply for a transfer, the applicant must be a registered voter, be resident in the constituency other than the constituency he or she registered for at least 12 months. The applicant is also supposed to provide physical proof of his or her residence including residential address. Mr Botchey further announced that on September 9 and 10, there would be an exhibition of provisional voter's register for those had to re-registered because they originally registered with the NHIS card. He therefore encouraged the voters to visit the EC offices to check their data and called on political party representatives to be present during the exercise. GNA Buipe (N/R), Sept.8, GNA - The Buipewura, Abudulai Jinapor II, has called on politicians to conduct their campaign devoid of insult and rancour. He said acrimonious campaigns are recipe for anarchy and thus charged them to bring their wayward supporters who go out to insult others to order. The Buipewura made the call when Vice President Amissah-Arthur called him at his Palace at Buipe in the Central Gonja District of the Northern Region. He commended the government for building the sheanut processing plant and cement factory in the area, which he said has provided employment for the youth. Vice President Amissah-Arthur said he and his team had come to the palace to seek his blessings for the campaign. He said President John Mahama is a visionary leader who has the development of the country at heart. He said President Mahama combines hope and youthful energy as well as experience of office to lead Ghana to the future. Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur as part of his campaign tour of the Region made a whistle stop at Busunu to visit the graveside of the late Hajia Abiba Naba, the mother of President Mahama. Muslim prayers were said by an Imam for the area for Hajia Naba. Vice President Amissah-Arthur described her as a great and courageous woman who nurtured his son well. Vice President Amissah-Arthur also took time to address the teeming National Democratic Congress supporters who lined-up at the Busunu to Damongo main road. He urged them to victory massively for President Mahama to be retained to continue with his developmental agenda. GNA By Afedzi Abdullah, GNA Cape Coast, Sept. 8, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to establish a juice factory for the people of Eguafo in the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem (KEEA) District of the Central Region during his second term as president. Addressing residents on the second day of his campaign tour in the Central Region, President Mahama said establishing a citrus factory in the municipality was not a promise his government could not fulfill. The President's promise followed a request by the Omanhen of Eguafo Traditional Area, Nana Kwamena Ansah III, when he paid a courtesy call on him at his palace on Tuesday. President Mahama said the KEEA was a very important agricultural area where oranges and other fruits were grown but due to the unavailability of a ready market for their produce, people come from Ivory Coast to the purchase fruits. He said in some cases the fruits were left to rot because there was no ready market but emphasised that, that dilemma would be a thing of the past when the citrus factory is established for them. He said government would not hesitate to resuscitate the citrus factory built by Kwame Nkrumah in the area as it has done with the Komenda sugar factory. President Mahama said the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) criticised him for building the Komenda Sugar Factory adding that but stressed that borrowing to build a citrus factory was not a waste of the tax payer's money. He said he was not perturbed by those criticisms because Dr Kwame Nkrumah suffered a similar fate in the hands of the Danquah- Busia tradition but persisted to establish many factories during his time as president. President Mahama urged to the people in the area to vote massively for him and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2016 polls to ensure that his vision for them becomes a reality. Nana Ansah III expressed unhappiness with the situation whereby a lot of focus was given to the fishing communities in the constituency while those who engaged in farming were neglected. GNA Bolgatanga, Sept.8, GNA - Hundreds of enthusiastic National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters gave Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur a special welcome to the Upper East Region. The supporters who met the convoy of the Vice President at the outskirts of Bolgatanga toot the horns of their motor bikes and cars while others danced to the sound of music mounted on the back of pickup trucks. There was heavy traffic on the Bolga-Navrongo main road and took hours for Vice President Amissah-Arthur and his team to get to the Regional Administration. The arrival of Vice President Amissah-Arthur in the area forms part of his five-day campaign tour of the Northern and Upper East Regions Speaking to the NDC supporters, Vice President Amissah-Arthur urged the foot soldiers of the party to work hard to send the 'elephant' into the bush by claiming all the 15 parliamentary seats in the region. He said there is more for the people of the Region to be convinced that President John Dramani Mahama is the best for Ghana. He described himself as the 'John the Baptist' to announced the good news of President Mahama to the people in the region. Vice President Amissah-Arthur also charged the NDC foot soldiers to guard against complacency and work as disciples of President Mahama in the villages to ensure total victory for the party. He said the second term of President Mahama would be to provide more infrastructural development in terms of extending electricity to more communities, building schools among others. GNA By Joyce Danso, GNA Accra, Sept. 8, GNA - Abubakar Bediako, a father of five, was on Thursday sentenced to four years imprisonment for having sex with his 16 year old daughter at Olebu near Amasaman in Accra. The 36 year old driver pleaded guilty to the charge of incest. The court convicted him on his own plea. However the sentence was greeted with tears from the convict, his first daughter whom he defiled, and his wife as he was whisked away. The court, presided over by Mrs Ruby Naa Akweley Quaison, handed down the minimum sentence on the convict. The victim, who got pregnant as a result of the act, has however lost the pregnancy, the Ghana News Agency has gathered. Prosecuting, Detective Inspector Kofi Atimbire said the complainant, mother of the victim, is a cleaner residing at Olebu, near Amasaman. The convict is married to the complainant and they have five children including the victim. Detective Inspector Atimbire said on June 29, this year, the complainant detected that the victim's menses had delayed so she conducted a pregnancy test which revealed that the victim was three months pregnant. When the complainant quizzed the victim, she disclosed that it was her father who impregnated her and that the accused started having sex with her since November last year. According to the prosecutor the accused had sex with her anytime the complainant went on night duties. The complainant reported the matter to the police and Bediako was nabbed on August 4 and he was cautioned. Bediako has admitted the offence. GNA By George-Ramsey Benamba, GNA Tatale (NR), Sept. 8, GNA - Obore Gabriba Yankosor II, the Paramount Chief of Bassare Tatale, has appealed to President Mahama to fully absorb the Tatale E.P Agriculture Senior High School into the Ghana Education system by providing them with boarding facilities. He said although the School was established about 20 years ago and it was later absorbed into the Ghana Education system, the lack of boarding facilities had inhibited more students and tutors from accepting admissions and postings, respectively. Obore Yankosor made the appeal when President Mahama visited his palace at Tatale, as part of his four-day campaign tour of the Northern Region. He said as the only senior high school in the Tatale-Sangule District, it would be appropriate to provide it with the necessary facilities to retain the many Junior High students in the District, who would be seeking admission into Senior High institutions. The Paramount Chief said the School, with nearly a student-population of 1,000, needed libraries and laboratories to facilitate teaching and learning. The poor nature of the major Tatale-Yendi road, the chief said, was also worrying, considering the fact that the town was only four kilometres from Togo, which had well tarred roads up to the Ghana border. He appealed to President Mahama to construct the road as it could be qualified as an international route, considering its proximity to major towns in Togo. On the development and exploration of the iron ore deposits in Sheini in the District, the Chief said its exploitation would not only improve the economy, but would also create a number of jobs for the teeming youth. The deposits, he explained, had been on the drawing board for so many years and called on President Mahama to harness the potentials for the benefit of all Ghanaians in the coming days. Obore Yankosor said the people of the District were predominantly farmers, therefore, they needed motorable feeder roads to cart their farm produce to marketing centres. He commended the Government for providing small town water projects to Tatale and its surrounding villages and called for the extension of water and electricity projects to other communities in the District. President Mahama gave the assurance that the Government had secured a World Bank facility to construct a bituminous double surface dressing road from Yendi, through Zabzugu to Tatale and its border with Togo at Natchamba. GNA Accra, Sept. 8, GNA - Dr Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, the Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, has inaugurated a disability friendly modern gym/playground for the Mamprobi '1' Junior High School. It was constructed by the Turkish Transit Group Company Limited who are in the country to explore investment opportunities. Mr Vanderpuije advised the school children to take advantage of the facility to exercise regularly and improve their health to enable them to study with ease. He said the provision of such social amenities supports the Government's policy of protecting the young ones from indulging in anti-social practices and to mould their character for a better future. He said the provision and improvement of educational infrastructure had been his focus during his tenure as the MCE and mentioned the Millennium City Schools as some of the ongoing projects. 'It is for these reasons that government is creating all opportunities and other social intervention programmes that will allow the youth to develop their potentials to the fullest,' he said. Dr Vanderpuije reminded the electorate that the country is preparing for election in December and urged them to retain President John Mahama to continue with the good work. Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, a Minister of State, urged the community members to own the playground/gym and exercise regularly to minimise lifestyle diseases. He assured the Turkish Transit Group Company Limited that the facility would be put to good use for the benefit of the children to develop their talents. He advised those with the 'pull-him-down' attitude to stop the practice and focus on things that would move the nation forward, adding that government is committed to improving the living conditions of the people. Mr George Kum Ning, the leader of the Turkish delegation, described Ghana as 'a vision star in Africa' hence their decision to invest here. GNA By Joyce Danso, GNA Accra, Sept. 8, GNA - A Corn-mill operator who defiled a 13 -year old girl at Mallam-Gbawe has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment by an Accra Circuit Court. Philip Mensah 25 was convicted on his own plea. Prosecuting Chief Inspector Grace Bandoh said the complainant, the mother of the victim is a trader residing at Mallam-Gbawe. The convict also live within the vicinity and operates his business there. Chief Inspector Bandoh said the complainant travelled and returned on August 12, and at about 6:00pm could not trace the whereabouts of the victim. The complainant therefore searched through the vicinity. During her search she came across some children who told her that they saw her heading towards the convict's abode. On her way, she saw Mensah standing in front of his kiosk and asked whether she has seen the victim, and he said no. According to the prosecutor, the convict told the complainant that victim was his girlfriend. The complainant entered the kiosk and saw her daughter lying on a student mattress. The complainant brought the victim out of the kiosk and took her home. When the victim was quizzed by her mother, she told her that the victim called her into his kiosk and had sexual intercourse with her. A report was made to the Police and medical form was issued to the victim to undergo medical examination. When Mensah was arrested, he admitted the offence. GNA Accra, Sept. 8, GNA - Experts are attending a two-day Africa Sustainable Palm Oil Conference in Accra, to discuss how to position businesses on the continent to adopt best practices in sustainability. Organised jointly by Proforest, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and Solidaridad, the meeting is also seeking ways to mainstream small producers' ability to access global supply chains. Speaking at the opening session, Dr Ahmed Yakubu Alhassan, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, said Africa is producing less than it consumes and increasing investment in the sector would help provide jobs, improve local economies and reduce rural poverty. Currently, Africa produces about five per cent of global output of palm oil but consumes at least 10 per cent. Dr Alhassan said closing the gaps in the sector and producing oil palm sustainably would require concerted efforts from governments, regional bodies, research institutions, private financiers, investors, and technocrats, to ensure the proper understanding and utilization of oil palm. He said small growers and artisanal millers, who contribute about 80 per cent of Africa's total annual output, must be repositioned to play their roles in a more sustainable manner so as not to be outplayed in the market. According to the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil smallholders account for 70- 90 per cent of oil palm producers in Africa. Dr Alhassan said it is important that palm oil refiners, manufacturers and other actors who influence the sector directly and indirectly come together to find ways of reducing the likely negative impacts and increase its benefits. Meanwhile, Dr Alhassan said Cabinet has given approval for the setting up of the Oil Palm Development Board and that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Attorney General would soon work on the modalities as well as legal instruments to ensure the operations of the board. Mr Abraham Baffoe, Africa Regional Director Proforest, said the workshop sought to build a shared understanding of TFA 2020 and to translate commitments into actions. The TFA 2020 is a public-private partnership bringing together companies, governments and civil society with a shared goal of reducing tropical deforestation across the globe. Its focus is on agricultural commodities such as palm oil, soy, pulp and paper, and beef products, which drive more than 50 per cent of such deforestation. Leading palm oil producing countries in Africa, including Ghana, Cameroon, Cote D'Ivoire, Gabon, Liberia and Nigeria are engaged in the Initiative. Experts said investment in the palm oil sector in Africa is growing with the potential to provide jobs, improving local economies and reducing rural poverty. Future growth in the sector is expected to help close the palm oil deficit and position the region to be a net exporter of palm oil. Oil Palm is known to have originated in Africa. Its cultivation has hitherto been on a small scale - primarily as village low-yield multi-crop stands. GNA 08.09.2016 LISTEN By Godwill Arthur-Mensah, GNA Takoradi, Sept. 8, GNA - The Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Ami Mehl, has said Israelis are ready to share their knowledge and experiences with their Ghanaians, especially in the areas of technology transfer, agricultural modernisation, trade cooperation, healthcare and security. He, therefore, gave the assurance that it would cooperate and partner with any political party, which emerges victorious in the December General Election. Ambassador Mehl said this at a media interaction with journalists in Takoradi, on Tuesday, as part of his three-day familiarisation visit to the Western Region. He described Ghana as 'the lighthouse of West Africa' and urged the people to believe in themselves and strive to find lasting solutions to their challenges, instead of relying on outsiders for support. The Ambassador, with his entourage, also paid courtesy calls on the Regional Minister, Mr Paul Evans Aidoo and the Omanhene of Essikadu Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, and participated in an inter-faith church service. He stated that the mutual trade between Ghana and Israel currently stood at US$40 million dollars and expressed the hope that it would increase to between US$150 million and US$200 million dollars by 2018. In this regard, he announced that a Ghana-Israel Business Chamber had been established to bolster trade relations between the countries. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, he said, decided to renew the diplomatic ties with Ghana and other African countries in order to promote political, economic and security relations for their mutual benefits. Ambassador Mehl urged Ghanaians to have confidence in themselves because the country had all the potentials of becoming a developed nation. He observed that half of the land of Israel was a desert and did not have good soil for agricultural activities, but through Science and Technology, they managed to improve the fertility of the soil for agricultural production and it was currently producing vegetables in commercial quantities for export. 'Ten years ago, Israel had a challenge getting water, therefore, we dug one-and-half kilometers deep in search of water and we found an ocean underground with sufficient water that could last us for over 100 years,' he explained. 'If you have the necessity, you will find solution to your problems'. Earlier, at the Regional Coordinating Council in Sekondi, Mr. Paul Evans Aidoo, the Regional Minister, expressed the readiness of the Regional Administration to collaborate with the Israeli Government to fast-track the development of the Region. At the residency of the Omanhene of Essikadu, Nana Nketsia said the Region was endowed with many natural resources, which should be harnessed for the benefit of the people. GNA By Samuel Akapule, GNA Bolgatanga, Sept. 8, GNA - The Institute of Social Research and Development (ISRAD) Ghana, a Non-Governmental Organisation, is partnering the media and other stakeholders in the Upper East Region to help fight malaria. The one year project, dubbed: 'The Advocacy for Resources for Malaria Stoppage (ARMS) Initiative,' is being funded by the UKaid and is to be implemented by the NGO in collaboration with the media and other stakeholders. It would benefit the Bolgatanga Municipal, Bongo, Kassena Nankana Municipal, Kassena Nankana West, Nabdam District and Talensi. Speaking at the media orientation forum in Bolgatanga, the Regional Co-ordinator, Mr Abdul-Razak Issah, said the orientation was to equip the media with the implementation strategy of the ARMS Project and to solicit their support in the publication of those activities. 'The media, being in the frontline of disseminating information, has a bigger role to play if we are to make an effective headway in fighting the killer disease, malaria. 'We, therefore, want to solicit your support to use your various platforms in monitoring to ensure that the district assemblies support the Ghana Health Service by using the 0.5% of District Response Initiative as directed by the guidelines of the District Assembly Common Fund to support malaria prevention activities,' he said. Mr Issah said the overall goal of the project was to contribute to the reduction of malaria in Ghana by training malaria advocacy groups and community malaria ambassadors, holding radio discussions, community durbars, video shows, schools sensitisation activities and house to house sensitisation. He said with the current middle income status of the country, donor funding on malaria was dwindling and that the project would help improve the involvement of stakeholders in mobilising support and resources for malaria control programmes. 'The project implementation will also help improve community participation in health decisions, particularly malaria prevention and management, to ensure regular supply of required malaria prevention items such as bed nets and medication among other things', he said. Mr Samuel Adadi Akapule, a Chief Reporter of the Ghana News Agency and a facilitator, urged the media personnel to devote more of their platforms to help fight the disease. He said research had shown that malaria still remained the leading cause of morbidity and mortality and stressed the need for the media to play their watchdog roles to ensure that the district assemblies released the 0.5 per cent of the Common Fund to the GHS to tackle the disease. GNA By Belinda Ayamgha, GNA Accra, Sept. 8, GNA - Dr Lloyd Amoah, a lecturer at the University of Ghana, says Ghana and Africa must promptly respond to the rapidly changing world if the country and the continent were to survive. He said the world was rapidly changing as marked by various developments, including the emergence of technology such as 3-D printing, shifting focus to outer space for the mining of energy and other minerals, the reality of robots and faster computing technology. 'A country or people or continent that wants to survive must respond to these, and not just on a superficial level but on a deep level,' he said. Dr Amoah said this at the launch of NubianBiz.com, an online business platform aimed at facilitating intra-African trade. He stressed the need for two levels of response: mentally and physically. He explained that there was the need for Africa to change her way of thinking. Mr Jules Nartey-Tokoli, the Chief Executive Officer of NubianBiz, noted that African classrooms were lagging behind in training students with required skills to meet the exigencies of the present world. He bemoaned Africa's over reliance on their former colonial masters for the development of the continent adding that Africans must develop the ability to process the abundant information into knowledge and apply it to solve her problems. 'We need to unlearn the past and relearn with the future in mind,' he said, adding the NubianBiz would remove the barriers to development and empower citizens to progress. He said the platform will focus on collaboration and not competition to succeed in its mission. Mr Hector Wulff, the Executive Director at the Centre for Customer Service Excellence, said there was the need for the use of technology to enhance customer service as the key to the success of businesses. 'Digital technology makes it easier to engage a larger number of people than otherwise possible. Businesses cannot be sustained without engaging customers digitally,' he said. Mr Wulff said customer feedback was also essential to all businesses and digital technology was the most effective way to collect feedback from customers. Ms Mavis Nee-Okpey, the Director of Administration at NubianBiz, said non-tariff barriers had served as roadblocks to intra-African trade adding that access to ICT would help to remove some of those non-tariff barriers. 'Intra-African trade will see significant improvement if we use modern ICT to our advantage,' she said, adding that the time was right to support NubianBiz's quest to unite the African market using ICT. GNA 09.09.2016 LISTEN (Ecofin Agency) - In a report released last Tuesday and entitled herakles Farms / Sgsoc : histoire dun projet dhuile de palme destructeur au Cameroon, environmental protection NGO Greenpeace International and Oakland Institute, an independent politics-focused think tank, accused the US State department of being involved in a case where 73,000 ha of land, situated in the south western part of Cameroon, were illegally acquired by the American firm Sithe Global Sustainable Oils Cameroon (Sg-Soc), in 2009. According to Greenpeace, the US embassy to Cameroon ignored allegations of corruption looming over SG-Soc, the Cameroonian branch of US agro-industrialist Herakles Farms. The firm had indeed come into possession of vast plots of lands (in hectares) to develop palm tree plantation, with only the Minister of Economys signed approval, while Cameroons law states that only the President of the Republic has such authority once the area concerned is equal to or exceeds 50 ha. The two NGOs however claim that they have had since the beginning of 2013 information attesting that Herakles might have violated US anti-corruption laws. Robert P. Jackson, then US Ambassador to Cameroon, and high officials from the US State Department kept putting pressure on the Cameroonian government on behalf of the firm up till the end of May 2013 (and beyond even). More incisive, the report reveals that Deputy Secretary to State Departments Bureau for African Affairs, Cynthia Akuetteh, told Cameroons President, Paul Biya, that she hoped that the government would solve the misunderstanding (with Sg-Soc), referring to the fact that the government of Cameroon temporarily suspended Sg-Socs land-clearing licence, and that it still hadnt granted the firm a land lease. During another meeting, Mrs. Akuetteh, actual US ambassador to Gabon, told Cameroons Prime Minister Philemon Yang, that Cameroon should rapidly act and avoid investment arbitration adding that failing to do so could discourage future foreign investments. On November 25, 2015, President Biya signed three decrees that temporarily award, in the south western part of Cameroon, 20 dependencies covering about 20 ha of the national domain. In 2015, Sg-Soc was bought by new investors, who appointed Jonathan Johnson-Watts as chief of operations. As the land lease awarded to the firm expires in November 2016, Watts current mission is to secure a presidential decree which will grant the company an emphyteutic lease that will extend over a maximum period of 99 years. The US Embassy to Cameroon was approached by businessincameroon.com to react regarding the accusations of Greenpeace and Oakland Institute, but the American representation remained silent so far. Sylvain Andzongo Insurance companies have been urged to invest in the training of their sales persons on Bancassurance products. This, according to the Managing Director of NSIA Insurance, Mable Nana Nyarkoa Porbley, will encourage clients to patronise the products. The NSIA Insurance boss made the call at the 2016 Bancassurance Conference in Accra Wednesday. The event aimed at sharing relevant knowledge on ways to improve the provision of Bancassurance products in Ghana, brought together players in the banking, insurance and technology sectors. Delivering a presentation on Identifying Sales Opportunities in Bancassurance, Mrs. Porbley underscored the need for insurance companies to champion the marketing of Bancassurance products. Insurance companies must be responsible for the sales of Bancassurance. The banks are not insurance companies she stressed. Mrs. Porbley said apart from investing in the sales agents, insurance companies must find innovative ways to market their products. We must also look at alternative markets like moving from selling to corporate only to the individuals associated with these organizations. Most of the time Banassurance products are tailored to the organizations themselves. But these organizations may have employed hundreds of workers who can easily be a target market she added. History of bancassurance The concept, which originated from France, has now become a strategic business model for many insurers around Asia, Africa and Latin America, even though it was earlier prohibited in most parts of Asia. It also provides insurers the opportunity for additional distribution line, besides brokers, agents and direct businesses. Bancassurance has proven to be an effective and efficient distribution channel in and around the world. The relationship between the bank and insurance companies An insurance company partners a bank for its range of insurance products to be sold across selected bank branches. These products typically range from life to non-life products especially motor and fire insurance. The insurance company is responsible for providing training to the selected staff of the bank, making them the interface with the prospective clients. The bank not only collects the premiums on behalf of the insurer, but also earns an agreed commission on all policies received from the bank. Through the partnership, the insurance company is able to expand its client base, without necessarily increasing its direct sales force or brokers. Unlike the typical banking products, bancassurance products, especially the investment ones, are mainly medium to long-term products. These products provide both investment and risks components. In the bancassurance arrangements, the design and pricing of the policies are usually affected by the nature of the target market. An important aspect of bancassurance is the opportunity for collating clients demographic information, using the bank as a conduit. This also helps in future designing and pricing of products as brand credibility becomes a major prerequisite in the partnership. Story by Ghana/Joy Business you are here: 5 reasons to invest in equities | Is it safe to invest in stocks? A Morganton woman will have to take a break from crime since she is looking at 10 years in prison for being a habitual felon. Jada Renee Gilliland, 34, whose last known address is 4150 Snowhill Church Road, Morganton, was sentenced on Thursday to serve 10 to 14 years in prison by Superior Court Judge Daniel A. Kuehnert from Burke County. Gilliland pleaded guilty to identity theft, obtaining property by false pretense, forgery of instrument and uttering a forged instrument from an April 2015 offense, and admitted guilt to November 2015 charges for obtaining property by false pretense, forgery of instrument and uttering a forged instrument, according to a press release from the District Attorneys Office. On April 30, 2015, Gilliland tried to use a stolen identification card to cash a stolen check. When she was questioned about the ID, the defendant left everything and ran out the door. Video from the credit union showed an ankle monitor, and probation officials were able to identify Gilliland, the release said. In November 2015, she tried to buy about $200 of items with a stolen check, including an $80 ring. The clerk didnt take the check, but Gilliland left the store with the ring in her pocket, according to the release. In February of this year, The News Herald reported that Gilliland and Randall Kyle Ballard were charged with felony larceny of a motor vehicle after they reportedly stole a truck from Keys Used Cars. That charge was just the latest in a long line. According to reports from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Gilliland also had been charged with the following: May 14, 2015: misdemeanor failure to appear or comply July 9, 2015: felony forgery-uttering and obtaining property by false pretense Nov. 11, 2015: felony possession of methamphetamine and possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a schedule III controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. She previously has been convicted, according to the NCDPS website, on the following charges: Dec. 26, 2002: misdemeanor level 4 driving while impaired July 5, 2011: felony larceny and larceny over $1,000 Jan. 14, 2013: two counts of felony obtaining property by false pretense and contraband to prisoners Nov. 1, 2013: felony obtaining property by false pretense, credit card theft, misdemeanor larceny Nov. 2, 2013: possession of an inmate of tobacco, mobile phone or other device Nov. 9, 2014: felony obtaining property by false pretense Oct. 13, 2014: obtaining property by false pretense Gillilands admission of habitual felon status enhanced the sentence imposed by Judge Kuehnert. Joshua Michael Abernathy, 28, was sentenced to 18 to 27 years in prison after pleading guilty on Friday in Burke County to statutory rape of a 13-year-old, statutory sex offense with the 13-year-old and soliciting a child by computer for a sex act. Abernathy also will be required to register as a sex offender for 30 years and submit to 10 years of satellite-based monitoring, according to the District Attorneys Office. The female victim was 13 years old at the time of the offense in July 2015 and was staying at her grandparents home, according to a release from the D.A.s office. Abernathy was at the home and demanded sex from the child after other family members went to bed, the release said. After a report was filed with the Burke County Sheriffs Office, the victim was interviewed at the Gingerbread House Child Advocacy Center in Burke County. During an undercover operation, Abernathy solicited a person he believed to be an underage female for sexual acts. Detectives from the Burke County Sheriffs Office arranged a meeting and arrested Abernathy, who admitted that he came to the meeting to have sex with the person he met online, according to the D.A.s release. Detective Isaac Propst investigated both cases for the Burke County Sheriffs Office, and Frank Webster prosecuted them for the District Attorneys Office. It is estimated that 1,00,000 people flocked to Itaewon streets for the Halloween festivities. This article is part of Morningstars Back to School Guide to Investing. Join us every day this week to set yourself on the right path to investment success. Market timing can be the difference between investment success and loss-making disaster. It is not enough to own a ten-bagger investment; you have to know when to sell-up and crystallise those gains too. For many investors, market timing is best outsourced to the professionals along with asset allocation. Fund-of-funds, or multi-manager funds, give investors access to hundreds of stocks and bonds, with only one single purchase. You can leave the hard stuff to the fund manager; deciphering market threats, economic tailwinds and fund analysis. As part of the 2016 federal budget, a significant tranche of capital has been allotted to support the construction and maintenance of affordable housing in New Brunswick, aimed at addressing the needs of seniors and victims of domestic violence.In a September 2 news release published online by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), federal and provincial officialsincluding the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant, and Deputy Premier Stephen Horsmanannounced the doubling of the provinces funding under the Investment in Affordable Housing initiative.A total of $56.6 million$40.2 million from the federal government and $16.4 million from the provincial governmenthas been granted to improve affordable housing access by the aforementioned in-need sectors.Portions of the funding will also be used for the repair and refurbishment of aging social housing units, according to officials.Our government remains committed to making significant investments in affordable housing, strengthening Canadian communities and helping create jobs and grow the middle class and those fighting hard to join it, Duclos said. We are providing better places for families, seniors and individuals to live and grow, and building a strong foundation for a sustainable economic future.By working with the Trudeau government we are getting things done to advance the economy and improve education and health care. This agreement is a great example of how by working together we are improving the quality of life for New Brunswickers, Gallant stated. A website that shares Torontos sold data with subscribers has been temporarily suspended.The website torealestatesold.com, which is managed by agent Fraser Beach, posted an online message Thursday that its publication has been temporarily suspended following the receipt of a cease and desist letter from the Toronto Real Estate Boards legal counsel.The full message can be seen below.This isnt the first time the website has received such legal threats.In March of last year, the website was taken down following a similar letter from TREB."In light of recent developments, we fear that making this information available to you, in this form, may be threatening our ability to continue operating as a real estate brokerage," Beach wrote at the time.However, a mere month later the website was back up and running.The public wants to get more involved and do their due diligenceand determine for themselves what is happening with real estate values, Beach, the broker of record for Select/Plan Real Estate and the agent behind TOsolds.ca, told REP at the time. The service was invaluable to them to know whats really happening in the market place.Earlier this summer, TREB was ordered to open its sold data to the public following a competition tribunal ruling. In July, the board said it was appealing that decision.With the recent cease and desist letter, its obvious TREB is still fighting that ruling.REP has reached out to Fraser Beach. This story is developing. While the full effects of B.C.s 15 per cent tax on foreign buyers have yet to be seen, a prominent industry player has outlined several alternative markets that Chinese investors might flock to.In a BuzzBuzzNews report, real estate portal Juwai.com (which serves Chinese buyers of overseas properties) noted that Toronto, Calgary, and Ottawa are the Canadian cities that will prove most enticing to those who want to avoid the tax.In particular, Calgary has been marked an area of special interest. Juwai cited the citys distinctive strengths, including its natural sights and its unique accessibility to China via a direct flight.The tax has made Chinese investors far more apprehensive, evident in last months dramatic 55.6 per cent decline in inquiries by mainland buyers about Vancouver properties listed at $1 million and above.Part of the problem is that the media coverage has been very dramatic and abundant within China, raising uncertainties, according to Matthew Moore, Juwais president of the Americas.Right now, Seattle is the number-one city in North America for Chinese buyer enquiries, even displacing Los Angeles, Moore added.However, Moore cautioned that making definitive conclusions about the impact of the tax is premature at this point.Remember, Vancouver enquiries have been very volatile with big monthly variations in the past. So looking at a short period like this may not give us an accurate view of long-term trends, he stated. Credit Index Tightens as One Investor Shutters Division The Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA's) Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI) ticked down in August, indicating a slight and largely operational tightening of mortgage credit. The index lost 0.4 percent to a reading of 164.7. Lynn Fisher, MBA's Vice President of Research and Economics explained, "Credit availability decreased slightly over the month, driven by one mid-sized investor closing their correspondent operations. Despite the loss of all of the programs associated with this investor, the Jumbo MCAI increased by 0.5 percent, indicating that credit conditions continue to ease among jumbo loan programs." Of the four components of the MCAI the Conforming MCAI had the largest decrease, falling 0.9 percent, followed by the Government MCAI which lost 0.5 percent. The Conventional MCAI eased back by 0.2 percent while the Jumbo index, as Fisher said, was up 0.5 percent. MBA constructs its index monthly using data from Ellie Mae's AllrRegs Market Clarity tool. The index was benchmarked to 100 in March 2012. The Conventional, Government, Conforming, and Jumbo MCAIs are constructed using the same methodology as the Total MCAI and are designed to show relative credit risk/availability for their respective index. The Conforming and Jumbo indices have the same "base levels" as the Total MCAI (March 2012=100) while the Conventional and Government indices have adjusted "base levels" in March 2012. Accomplished local authors will share their best writing advice with novice and experienced writers at the Dayton Metro Library this fall. Adults and teens currently writing, or interested in writing, are welcome to attend any or all of the programs in the Series. The Library is the perfect location to bring aspiring writers together with successful authors, said Jennifer Spillman, Chair of the Librarys Programming Committee. These programs will inspire and motivate writers of all sorts. The Writing Series is intended for adults, although teen writers are welcome as well. Author Katrina Kittle will lead programs geared specifically toward teens each month. All programs are FREE. Basics of Plot Development with Rob E. Boley SAT., 9/10 | 10-11:30 AM | WILMINGTON-STROOP, 3980 Wilmington Pk. Are you a plotter, or a pantser? Find out the difference and learn the key components of a solid story that will keep your reader turning the page. Moving a True Story to Fiction with Kathryn Lang-Slattery TUE., 9/13 | 6:30-8 PM | VANDALIA, 500 S. Dixie Dr. Learn how to turn a real life story into engaging fiction, so your book is more than just based on historical events. Bust Out of your Writing Rut! with Nancy Christie THUR., 9/22 | 6:30-8 PM | NEW LEBANON, 715 W. Main St. Get some rut-busting tips to move toward your writing goals. Identify your objectives, overcome self-imposed barriers and get out of your writing rut! Dialogue: Tips & Traps with Katrina Kittle SAT., 10/1 | 1-2:30 PM | HUBER HEIGHTS, 6160 Chambersburg Rd. Bad dialogue can sink an otherwise promising story, and good dialogue can make a story fly. Heres a crash course in strengthening dialogue, whether in fiction, memoir or nonfiction. Inventing (and Reinventing) Yourself as a Writer with Sandra Gurvis SAT., 10/8 | 1-2:30 PM | NORTHWEST, 2410 Philadelphia Dr. Aimed at both novice and experienced writers, explore the many ways you can use writing skills to boost your career or earn income as a freelancer. Learn to Edit Your Own Writing with Carol Cartaino SAT., 10/15 | 2-3:30 PM | WILMINGTON-STROOP, 3980 Wilmington Pk. Editing your own work is difficult, but essential. With 10 years experience as Editor-in-Chief of Writers Digest books, Carol Cartaino can show you how. The Art of Word: A Practitioners Approach to Writing with Sierra Leone THUR., 10/27 | 6:30-8 PM | NORTHWEST, 2410 Philadelphia Dr. Poet, author and educator Sierra Leone shows you how to take ownership of your muse and strengthen your personal writing rituals. TEEN WRITING PROGRAMS with Author Katrina Kittle NaNoWriMo Prep THUR., 10/20 | 3:30-5 PM | BROOKVILLE, 120 Blue Pride Dr. Determined to give National Novel Writing Month a try? This workshop will give you a clear roadmap for your novel! Jumpstart Your Writing SAT., 11/12 | 1-3 PM | WEST CARROLLTON, 300 E. Central Ave. Get the inspiration you need to finally start (or finish) your project! Lots of prompts and exercises to help you keep a story moving. Empathy and Antagonists THUR., 12/15 | 3:30-5 PM | KETTERING-MORAINE, 3496 Far Hills Ave. A variety of exercises will help you consider others points of view, humanize your villains, and help you see the difference between understanding and condoning someones actions. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Hazardous chemicals are often a fact of life in West Texas groundwater, but the Environmental Protection Agency is taking action in Winkler County. The agency has proposed adding a contaminated water plume near State Highway 18 in Kermit to the Superfund programs National Priorities List of the nations most-contaminated sites, according to an EPA press release Thursday. Of concern are volatile organic compounds released into seven of the citys nine wells in the Santa Rosa Aquifer, also known as the Dockum Aquifer. They contain either trichloroethene or tetrachloroethene. The EPA noted that two of the wells contained tetrachloroethene above health-based limits. They dont exceed any drinking water standards, city of Kermit Director of Public Works John Shepard told the Reporter-Telegram. He hadnt yet contacted the EPA to learn more as of Thursday afternoon. He said he was in the process of gathering records. I have a lot of questions, he said. I havent gotten through to them yet. The source of the contamination is not known. The EPA first detected trichloroethene in 1994 and tetrachloroethene in 2000. Shepard said different wells have different issues. I report detections on the consumer confidence report every year. We have detections of arsenic here in our water, but it doesnt exceed any safe drinking water levels. Everybody has different contaminants in their water. Some have high radium nuclides; some have high arsenic. A lot of surrounding towns have to treat that to meet standards, but these arent exceeding drinking water levels. Shepard said Kermit gets its water from two aquifers. It primarily taps the Pecos Valley Aquifer and also draws from the Dockum/Santa Rosa. He said the drinking water is safe because the contaminants blend out to levels deemed by the state, and the press release confirmed the city blends water prior to distribution to ensure it is safe. When asked why the EPA is considering adding the site, he said, Theyve seen these for years and years, and theyre looking to increase the contamination sites and possibly put some money into it to find the source. The site center is at Highway 18 and Jeffee Drive, according to an EPA report. Two dry cleaners and two automotive shops, which use the chemicals in question, were investigated but ruled out as sources for the contamination. The city of Kermit supplies water to 5,714 individuals on 2,465 connections, the report said. Request for more information from the EPA was not immediately returned Thursday. Like Trevor on Facebook and follow him on Twitter at @HowdyHawes. *** You can read the EPAs full report here: https://semspub.epa.gov/work/06/300406.pdf A female student shot another girl at Alpine High School in Alpine before turning the gun on herself, Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson said Thursday. The Brewster County Sheriff's Office were called to the scene for reports of an active shooter around 9 a.m. and evacuated students and put the campus, surrounding schools and administration on a "critical lockdown." Nearby Sul Ross State University also was placed on lockdown. When police arrived on the scene, they found a girl with a gunshot wound and a weapon. Initially, authorities believed the girl was a victim, but later determined she was the shooter. Dodson said the suspect died from a self-inflicted wound after shooting another female student, who ran into the street in front of the school and was picked up by bystanders and taken to Big Bend Medical Regional Center for treatment. Dodson could not say what grade either of the individuals involved are in, and said families have been notified on the incident. Neither have been publicly named. Female mass shooters are an anomaly, according to a detailed investigation by the Washington Post. The Post looked at each shooting where four or more people died in the U.S. since Aug. 1, 1966. Since then, there have been 127 mass shootings and 130 shooters. Of the shooters, only three were female and 73 of died at the scene, often due to self-inflicted wounds. Additionally, a police officer was accidentally shot by another officer at the high school. They were also taken to Big Bend Regional Medical Hospital. Dodson said law enforcement officials are now investigating a bomb threat made to Sul Ross State University. He said the threat came from the jail and that it was "ridiculous for someone to call in something like this." The university was placed on lockdown and Dodson said he called the FBI to help with the ongoing investigation. The Big Bend Medical Regional Center in Alpine did not immediately respond for comment about the status of the student. Elizabeth Carter, a lieutenant at the Texas Department of Public Safety, said someone brought a gun onto the Alpine High School campus Thursday morning. The sheriff's office initially said two possible shooters were on the loose. The high school is about 30 miles east of Marfa. Alpine ISD has just under 1,000 students, according to the school's website. Former U.S. Rep Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, tweeted early Thursday morning asking for prayers. "As we all wait for more information, please keep Alpine - Alpine's kids - in your prayers this morning," he said. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. The Associated Press contributed to this report. kbradshaw@express-news.net Twitter: @kbrad5 CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) A federal judge is allowing the experts chosen to come up with a plan for overhauling Texas' troubled foster care system more time to complete their report. U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack on Thursday granted the unopposed motion for more time filed by the two special masters. Jack said that their report, which had been due this month, will now be submitted on Nov. 4. Sammy Long became a West Texas legend not because of his tragic death at age 39 in November 1976 but because of his life as a kind-hearted soul, a Texas lawman. For those folks who remember the 6-foot-2 Texas Department of Public Safety trooper, 40 years ago seems like yesterday. Like the West Texas gentle breeze and robust wind, todays tributes to Long will grace his memory when a 28-mile segment of U.S. Highway 67 between McCamey and eastward beyond Rankin will be dedicated as the Trooper Sammy Long Memorial Highway. He was well-respected, reflected John Wayne Skipper Hunt, a 64-year-old retired DPS lieutenant who in 1976 at age 24 was Longs rookie partner. Everyplace we went (from McCamey to Rankin and thereabouts), everybody had the utmost respect for him. The ceremony planned for 10 a.m. today at Rankin High School Auditorium will be especially poignant for 1967 McCamey High School graduates Bruce Fletcher and Michael Holguin. As drag-racing teenagers the were issued tickets by Long for speeding on the Fort Stockton highway. For them and others of their era, a Sammy Long-issued ticket or reprimand became a badge of honor. He was tough, but he was fair, said Holguin, a Houston businessman, who as a teenager viewed Long as his surrogate father who would give you a second chance when you made a mistake. Sammy gave you an opportunity to rectify things. Holguins drag-racer was a souped-up 1955 Ford. We (Fletcher and Holguin) would get together and help each other out, overhaul those engines and soup them up. Fletcher, a retired San Angelo vocational teacher, characterized Long as the long arm of the law. He issued Fletcher his first ticket for drag-racing in his souped-up 1955 hot-water six Chevrolet coupe. We all got mad at Sammy. We cussed him, but we respected him, said Fletcher, who is collecting Sammy Long tales for a biography. He tried to help raise us boys. Apparently what inspired and catapulted the Trooper Sammy Long Memorial Highway project was the 2015 bonding of Hunt and Fletcher and Holguin who made up the Trooper Sammy Long Memorial Highway Sign Committee. The Upton County Commissioners Court and Rankin City Council endorsed the project. The tribute to Long is acclaimed by state Rep. Tom Craddick of Midland and the DPS. The highway dedication is really fitting for this legendary public servant who dedicated his life to police work and public safety, said Craddick. He said it is incredible that folks continue to remember Trooper Long after 40 years, not because of the tragic and untimely death of Trooper Long but for the difference he made in the West Texas communities as a well-respected DPS trooper and active citizen. Texas DPS Director Steve McCraw, a former Texas highway patrolman, retired FBI agent and former Texas Homeland Security director, and other officials and law-enforcement officers statewide are invited to the event in honoring Long and celebrating his life. Longs widow, Martha Brown Long, a retired teacher, said that she is so honored by the tributes paid to her husband. They were married in 1961 in her hometown of Wink. Long was slain by a gunman on the evening of Nov. 21, 1976, after he made a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 67 between Rankin and Big Lake in Upton County. The gunman repeatedly shot Long with his pistol and then with the troopers handgun. Within moments, a San Angelo deer hunter returning from New Mexico who was parked at a nearby rest stop fired at the gunman, fatally wounding him. Tommy Owens, a Rankin-based rancher, rodeo-stock producer and Upton County commissioner, remembered Long as the law. If he tells you to go home, you better go home. He wasnt going to tell you a second time. Longs death was a shock to everybody, Owens said. He trained a lot of highway patrolmen in his 18 years on the DPS force. They shipped them in here, and Sammy Long trained them. Sammy Long was a good guy -- an honest fellow, Owens said. Rick Easterwood, a retired DPS officer who today is a Lamar County constable in Paris, said that McCamey was his first duty station beginning in the 1970s. He (Long) was my first partner and obviously somebody I looked up to. He was the big brother I never had, Easterwood said. Honestly, Sammy could pull a car over and write somebody a ticket, Easterwood said. Sammy had such tact and diplomacy that the person ticketed would thank him for his courtesy. Long knew the law and knew the law well, and knew DPS policy inside and out, Easterwood said. McCameys Peggy Kelton, president of the Permian Historical Society, recalled Longs neighborly persona and his faithfulness to law enforcement and community. He was ever-present, Kelton said. You would see him every time you came to town and on the highway. He was always visible. We won't be seeing the Dance of the Dragons for quite a while. After that epic season one finale, HBO is making sure viewers don't expect a sequel to House of the Dragon in the new year. "Don't expect it in 23, but I think sometime in We have been cursed with leaders ... Ackerson Meadow - Yosemite National Park View Photos Yosemite National Park, CA A controversial transfer involving a 400-acre gift of historic ranchlands to Yosemite National Park is officially complete. Yosemite National Park officials announce that as of today, Ackerson Meadow has been officially acquired by the park through a cooperative effort between The Trust for Public Land (TPL), Yosemite Conservancy, and the National Park Service. The plans of Robin Wainwright and Nancy Ware Wainwright through her family trust to sell the lands for $2.3 million to TPL, which in turn planned to donate it to Yosemite National Park, drew a good deal of regional debate last year. As reported here, the Tuolumne Board of Supervisors were asked by TPL to weigh in with their opinion. The board ultimately voted back in December to send a letter to stakeholders recommending against the move. In it, the supervisors indicated a desire that the land remain accessible for ranchers, who they thought would continue to be better stewards of it than the park. Ackerson Meadow: Critical To Hundreds Of Flora, Fauna Species A resource and culturally rich property that contains critical wetlands and meadow habitat, Ackerson Meadow is also home to the Sierra Nevadas highest population of endangered Great Grey Owls. The Ericksons. a local ranching family with long-standing ties to the property was vocal among those expressing interest in buying back the property through a trust that would allow it to remain in grazing. Celebrating the parks new acquisition, Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher notes, The generous donation of Ackerson Meadow will preserve critical meadow habitat that is home to a number of state and federally listed protected species. TPL President Will Rogers adds, Donating the largest addition since 1949 to one of the worlds most famous parks is a great way to celebrate the 100th birthday of our National Park Service and honor John Muirs original vision for the park. We are delighted, and proud to make this gift to Yosemite, and the people of America. Yosemite Conservancy President Frank Dean additionally comments that as the original Yosemite boundary plans of 1890 included Ackerson Meadow, it is exciting to finally have it under the parks protection. Yosemite officials state that even though they comprise only three percent of the overall area, the parks meadow habitats probably house a third of all the plant species and provide filtration for most of San Franciscos water supply. Washington D.C. Local Congressman Tom McClintock explains how the Federal Lands Subcommittee should recognize Western revolt to the more land being acquired by the federal government. Specifically he states the Federal Government owns 48 percent of the state of California and 93 percent of Alpine County calling it excessive federal land ownership that is a drag on our economies and a direct impediment to taking good care of our public lands. McClintock was Fridays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. As reported yesterday here, Yosemite National Park officially acquired Ackerson Meadow through a cooperative effort between The Trust for Public Land (TPL), Yosemite Conservancy, and the National Park Service. As reported here, when asked their opinion, the Tuolumne Board of Supervisors expressed a desire that the land remain accessible for ranchers, who they thought would be better stewards of the land than the park. In McClintocks newest blog he states The Federal Lands Subcommittee has three principal goals: to restore public access to the public lands; to restore sound management to the public lands; and to restore the federal government as a good neighbor to those communities most impacted by the federal lands. He says the federal government has become indiscriminate and voracious in the amount of land under its direct control, and further states, The National Parks Service estimates it is facing more than $12 billion of maintenance backlog, yet we keep adding to the federal holdings that we cant take care of. Read more details about the situation from McClintock regarding the management and extent of federal land ownership in his newest blog Growing Federal Footprint here. The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML Governor Brown at the Mother Lode Fair: Photo taken by: Tracey Petersen View Photos Sacramento, CA - As vineyards and wineries across the Mother Lode and the state are abuzz with Crush 2016, the governor proclaimed his support today. Officially declaring September 2016 as Wine Month in the State of California, Governor Jerry Brown managed to combine some colorful history while showing a deep appreciation for the enterprising pioneers and hard work behind The Golden States thriving wine industry. Asking residents to join him in raising a glass, he also acknowledged the millions of international visitors this month who will, literally, be pouring into local wine regions to enjoy harvest-related activities and events. His proclamation text follows here The first vineyard in Spanish California was not planted within the area that would become our state, but rather at the short-lived Mision San Bruno in what is now the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. The Italian Jesuit priest Eusebio Francisco Kino established this mission in 1683 at the beginning of his long career exploring and proselytizing in the region that would become the Southwestern United States. Although a drought caused him to abandon San Bruno less than two years after its establishment, the vines that Padre Kino plantedoptimistically, perhapsspeak to the great cultural and religious significance of grapes and wine in the Mediterranean cultures that produced our states first European settlers. In 1768, King Carlos III expelled all Jesuits from New Spain, and administration of the Baja California missions passed to the Franciscan order. That same year, the Catalan Franciscan friar Junipero Serra, canonized by Pope Francis in 2015, embarked on his historic expedition to Alta California and established the first mission in the future Golden State at San Diego in 1769. While there is some dispute as to when and where the first vines were planted, it is clear that California viticulture was flourishing by the late 1770s. The first winery was established at Mission San Gabriel during this period. Nearly all grapes grown in California at the time were of a hardy, disease-resistant strain that came to be known as the mission grape, a mainstay of the early commercial industry that is still used in some fine California wines and sherries today. In the 19th century, Americans and Europeans arriving in California expanded viticulture beyond the missions and brought grape varietals and winemaking traditions from various parts of the Old World. The good pirate Joseph Chapman, who was captured in a raid on Monterey in 1818 and settled in California after his release from prison, founded the territorys first commercial vineyard in Los Angeles in 1824. The Frenchman Jean-Louis Vignes was first to introduce French vines in the 1830s, and his products quickly surpassed the mission-grape wines in quality. However, much of the credit for the amazing diversity of Vitis vinifera grapes grown in our state today goes to the Hungarian Count Agoston Haraszthy, who introduced scores of varietals that may have included Zinfandel, one of the most iconic California wine grapes. Haraszthy was the founder of the Buena Vista Winerythe oldest winery in the state that still makes winesin Sonoma in 1857. The first cultivated grapevines in Napa Valley are thought to have been planted in 1836 by the early settler George Calvert Yount, in the area that would come to be called Yountville. Noticing a large number of native Californian grapes growing on his property, Yount decided to try his hand at viticulture, setting in motion the chain of events that led to the establishment of one of the worlds most acclaimed wine-growing regions. Some of the best-known names in the valley today date back to this era, beginning with Charles Krug, a former employee of Haraszthy, who is credited with founding the first commercial winery in Napa Valley in 1861. By then, the Gold Rush and subsequent population booms had created a large market for wine within the young state. As the quality of our industrys products improved, foreign markets took note, setting California on the path to becoming one of the worlds top exporters of wine. A Frenchman, Captain Gustave Niebaum, founded the Inglenook Winery in Rutherford in 1879 to produce the states first Bordeaux, and ten years later these wines won gold medals at the Worlds Fair of Paris. By the turn of the 20th century, California wines were already world-renowned and had won medals at numerous European and other international competitions. The greatest setback in the development of our modern wine industry occurred during the federal prohibition of alcohol from 1920 to 1933. Much of the diversity and quality that the industrys founders had built was lost during this period as growers replaced wine varietals with table grapes. Others shipped concentrated products for the home production of grape juice, accompanied by warnings detailing the steps one would avoid if one did not wish the product to ferment into wine. The industry also returned to its religious roots, in a way, as shipments of sacramental wine increased substantially under the new laws. Some California vintners were able to remain in continuous operation by shifting production to this market. After the repeal of Prohibition, the industry did not recover quickly. The majority of Americans drank beer or spirits, and fine wine was still the province of high society on the one hand and, on the other, ethnic and religious groups that maintained their Old World traditions. Even as the industry made great technical strides and the quality of some California wines became superb in the mid-twentieth century, the bulk of sales were still of low-quality fortified wines favored by poor alcoholics. It is a testament to the pioneering efforts of industry leaders like Robert Mondavi that today, the number of Americans identifying wine as their alcoholic beverage of choice is on a par with the number who choose beer. Our public universities have also played a prominent role in advancing the science and technology that have helped make wine one of the Golden States most successful and beloved industries. This month, millions of tourists will come to our state from around the world to sample our vintages and enjoy the many other attractions that our several distinct wine regions have to offer. I hope that many Californians will join me in raising a glass to the pioneers, beginning with Padre Kino, who helped bring this amazing bounty to our state, and the many diligent and innovative workers today who help the industry continue to thrive. The First Baptist Church in Floydada is marking its 125th anniversary this weekend, one of four Baptist churches in the area reaching that milestone this year. The anniversary celebration begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, with a worship service and dessert fellowship. On Sunday, morning worship begins at 10 a.m. It will be followed by a catered lunch. There will be no Sunday school classes on that day only. At 1:30 p.m. Sunday, a closing service will be held along with the Lord's Supper. To commemorate this milestone anniversary, FBC-Floydada has purchased new Bibles, which will be in the pews beginning with Saturday's worship service. Also, they are offering two difference commemorative mugs, at $10 each, along with a notepad with sticky notes for $5. Those items are available by contacting the church office at 806-983-3755 or visiting the office during regular business hours at 401 S. Main in Floydada. They will be available at the anniversary events. The Floydada congregation is one of the 11 churches listed as meeting in 1891 to organize a Baptist association for the area. Others were FBC-Plainview, FBC-Tulia, Floyd County, Hale City (FBC-Hale Center), Della Plains, Lockney (FBC-Lockney), Whiteflat, Wright, New Hope and Alpha Estacado. FBC-Plainview marked its 125th anniversary in 2015. This year's 125th anniversary celebrations include FBC-Tulia, July 17; FBC-Hale Center, Aug. 7; FBC-Floydada, Sept. 11; and FBC-Lockney, Sept. 25. The Floydada congregation began worshiping together in 1891, a year after Floyd City (later Floydada) was founded in 1890. They initially came together to worship in the dugout home of Joe Arnold until they formally organized the First Baptist Church of Floyd City with the help of L.B. Kimbrough, a traveling Baptist missionary. The congregation's name was changed to FBC-Floydada in 1894. According to church history, the Floydada church met for a time in the North Side School Building, later worshiping in the Methodist Church, conducting Baptist services on alternate Sundays. The congregation's first building was completed in 1908. Through the years, church members have met in three different sanctuaries. After a fire destroyed much of the facilities in 2000, the current facilities were completed in 2003 which include a remodeled sanctuary and new education space, offices, library, and a fellowship center. Tim Franks is senior pastor, Stephen Kelley is minister of worship and education, Logan Lamb is minister of students and Ludustia Prisk is director of childrens ministry. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate As Harriet Feagin and her husband were driving through New Mexico, she suddenly said, Stop the car! Her husband obeyed, and Feagin jumped out and began taking pictures of an abandoned church from every conceivable angle. The conditions of clouds and lighting were perfect. When she finally got back in the car, her husband shook his head. I just cant see it, he said. Many people cant see the fascination or the art in photography. Feagin explains the difference between a photographer and a painter by saying, A painter creates the light. A photographer has to go and find the light. Feagins work is now on display at the Broadway Brew and will be part of Artwalk Plainview from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10. Among the pictures are Timeless Spirit, the photograph of the abandoned church, which won Best of Show at West Texas Photographers Show, and Hues of Grandeur, Best of Show in Plains Art Associations 55th Annual Spring Celebration of Art. Feagin was raised near Donna, in the Rio Grande Valley. My mother had a Kodak Box Brownie, and I took pictures of the neighborhood kids, she said. Feagin continued to take pictures of her own children and grandchildren, but her focus was not yet on photography. She taught 7th grade math in McAllen for 40 years. After her first husband died, Feagin met and married Dr. Glyndale Feagin. His job as professor of religion at Wayland Baptist University brought her to Plainview in 2005. Recently retired, Feagin looked for a way to spend her time and found the Lubbock Camera Club. There she discovered a new means of self-expression. With photography, I get to explore a location in a way I dont think painting does. Every time I look at that picture, I explore that scene all over again, she said. Feagins quest for the right location in the right light has taken her throughout the Southwest, including Yosemite and the Grand Canyon, as well as to Germany and Austria. She recalls traveling from Salzburg to Hallstatt in Austria looking for a spot on the lake that she had seen in a picture by photographer Rick Steves. Her quest was rewarded when Feagin found the spot. Photographers dont work the same hours as other hobbyists. Feagin recalls getting up at 3:30 a.m. in Washington state to ferry across a lake with her fellow photographers to capture a sunrise. You have to get up and take advantage of time and light, she said. One of Feagins photographs, Half-Dome Reflected, taken in Yosemite National Park, is reminiscent of Moon and Half Dome by photographer Ansel Adams, who lived from 1902 to 1984 and took black-and-white photographs of natural wonders. Feagin acknowledges that photographic technology has changed a lot since Adams time, but says Adams used the same darkroom techniques, such as lightening and brightening, that photographers use in the digital darkroom today. Use of different angles, composition, is very important, she said. Sometimes a picture is almost perfect as it comes out of the camera. Other times, it needs to be tweaked. The photo that comes out of the camera is the foundation for the real work of processing that follows, Feagin said. Scenery in the Rio Grande Valley where Feagin grew up is quite different from that of the Panhandle Plains. Down there, there are plenty of birds, butterflies and wildlife, she said. Here there are beautiful sunrises and sunsets - its just that you have to find something to put in from of them. Nevertheless, Feagin insists there are pictures waiting to be taken in the Panhandle Plains. I know people in the Lubbock Camera Club that never travel outside of the area, and they take wonderful pictures, she said. Its a matter of developing an eye, going out and finding the photos. I cant tell you where to go to get to it, but youll know it when you see it, Feagin said. For more information about ArtWalk Plainview, find them on Facebook or call Chris Hanoch at 806- 685-4859. SHELTON (AP) Police say an Ansonia woman charged in the death of her 6-year-old daughter had drugs in her system when she was involved in the fatal August 2015 crash in Shelton. The Connecticut Post reports (http://bit.ly/2ceNBpI ) 37-year-old Joan Willoughby was charged with negligent homicide and other offenses last month following a nearly year-long investigation into the death of her daughter Nyah Marcano. Police say Willoughby rear-ended a truck stopped for construction along state Route 8 at a high rate of speed, sending her sport utility vehicle off the highway into the grass median. Marcano was ejected from the SUV and died at the scene. Willoughbys arrest affidavit says testing showed the narcotics morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone and methadone were present in her system at the time. Attempts to reach Willoughby were unsuccessful. Information from: Connecticut Post, http://www.connpost.com MERIDEN A local dentist faces a fourth-degree sexual assault charge after a reported incident with a patient at his Curtis Street office in April. Jeffrey Krahling, 49, of 94 Summerhill Road, Wallingford, was arrested Friday and charged with fourth-degree sexual assault. He was released after posting $10,000 bond and is due in Meriden Superior Court on Sept. 27. On April 15, a woman reported that she went to a dentist appointment at 12 Curtis St. on April 12 for a permanent crown procedure. She told police Krahling wrapped his legs around her head, and that she felt his genitals on her head, according to the report. A hygienist came into the room and Krahling moved away from the woman, the report said. Krahling reportedly called the woman several times in the following days, but she didnt answer, the report said. Police attempted to speak with Krahling, but officers were contacted by attorney John Keefe, who is representing Krahling, the report said. Keefe told police Krahling would not be cooperating with the investigation, the report said. When contacted Wednesday, Keefe had no comment. Krahling has five battery convictions from arrests in Maryland, and was also charged with assault with intent and battery, the report said. The disposition of those charges are unclear, the report noted. Police said they were contacted by a representative from the state Department of Public Health regarding an investigation of the incident. Krahling is a licensed dentist, according to DPH. His license was granted in October 2010 and is set to expire on Sept. 30. In a 90-page decision that may well turn Connecticuts traditional ways of funding and running its schools upside-down, Hartford Superior Court Judge Thomas Moukawsher declared on Wednesday that the state must clear up the befuddled and misdirected education policies that have shortchanged low-income students by graduating them without the skills needed for higher education. The present system, Moukawsher said, which allows rich towns to raid money desperately needed by poor towns, makes a mockery of the states constitutional duty to provide adequate educational opportunities to all students. Furthermore, the judge ordered the General Assembly to reinvent the way teachers are evaluated, change the irrational way special education is funded, and define elementary and secondary education and to come up with a plan to accomplish all of this within 180 days. The state can appeal, of course, but as impossible as that timeline seems (the lawmakers for the next session wont even be elected until November, and wont convene until early February), this decision could be just the push Connecticut needs to do more about unequal school funding. Theres no question that the performance gap in this state between affluent and poor students, between suburban and urban students, between white and minority students is among the worst in the country. Yes, the state has long been making up for part of the budget shortfall in the poorer municipalities, mainly through Education Cost Sharing grants. But the judge seemed particularly concerned that when money is tight, as it is this budget year, those grants can be cut. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy correctly points out that the state has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in education since he took office, with an overwhelming share directed at supporting our students who need it the most. The Meriden school system, for example, gets about 55 percent of its non-construction funding from the state (school construction brings an even higher compensation rate), while prosperous Greenwich gets only 3 percent of its budget from Hartford and still manages to spend almost $6,000 more per pupil than Meriden, and nearly $4,000 more than the state average. (These are 2013-14 figures.) After 60 days of testimony, however in a case filed 11 years ago by the Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding, against then-Gov. M. Jodi Rell Moukawsher remained unconvinced that this system works, or complies with the requirements of the state Constitution. Both teachers unions are already objecting to the judges remarks about the present teacher evaluation system. And what will it take to get a majority of lawmakers on the same page, if it means that those who represent the more affluent towns will have to vote to cut their own funding in order to send more to the inner-city schools? This court mandate promises to be one of the biggest issue at the Capitol next year. Is Connecticut still revolutionary? Well find out. A man who was clubbed by Vallejo police while trying to walk away from them in 2003 is entitled to $50,000 in damages plus legal fees, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday in rejecting officers arguments that the damages should be slashed because the city later filed for bankruptcy. Vallejos 2008 bankruptcy, Californias largest municipal insolvency in 15 years, left its creditors with only 20 to 30 cents for every dollar they were owed. But the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Jason Deocampos suit and the jurys verdict were aimed at the officers who injured him, not the city that employed them. Deocampos lawyers said he was a bystander on an evening in March 2003 when officers grabbed another man, Jaquezs Berry, and slammed him to the ground. Deocampo and another bystander, Jesus Grant, asked the officers why they were beating Berry and told them it was wrong. Officer Jason Potts told them to leave, and Deocampo started walking away, his lawyers said. But Potts followed him and shoved him, they said. Potts and Officer Eric Jensen then clubbed Deocampo, even though he had raised his hands in the air and said he was leaving, the attorneys said. The officers also reportedly pepper-sprayed Grant. More for you Man charged with stalking Black Rifle Coffee employee Deocampo suffered injuries to his knees and back, underwent knee surgery, and still cant walk without pain, said attorney DeWitt Lacy. Deocampo was in his late 20s or early 30s when the incident occurred and held jobs as a laborer and construction worker, Lacy said. Lacy said Potts and Jensen belonged to a group of officers who called themselves the Jump-Out Boys and were feared in minority neighborhoods. Deocampo, Grant and Berry were charged with resisting arrest, but the charges were later dismissed, the court said. Their suit against the officers was put on hold when Vallejo filed for bankruptcy in May 2008, citing a steep decline in tax revenue during the recession. After a 13-day trial in 2012, a federal court jury rejected Berrys and Grants claims but found that the officers had used excessive force against Deocampo and awarded him $50,000 for his injuries. Lacy said Deocampo was also awarded at least $400,000 for his legal fees, a sum that might increase by another $100,000 for costs of the appeal. In appealing the damages, the officers said the awards should be discounted just like all pre-bankruptcy debts owed to the city, which represented them at the trial. But the appeals court said Deocampo had successfully sued the officers, not their employer, and can collect the full jury award. The officers, acting in their personal capacities, seriously injured Deocampo while acting under color of state law, Judge Kim Wardlaw said in the 3-0 ruling. She said the officers wont suffer financially because the city is legally required to reimburse them. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko When UC Berkeley law Professor Sujit Choudhry returned to campus this semester, he did not come quietly. Instead, Choudhry, who resigned last spring as the law schools dean following a sexual-harassment lawsuit from his former executive assistant, marked his return with an open letter in Berkeleys student newspaper, the Daily Californian. The letter, in which he justified his return to the campus and described emotional difficulties the case has caused him and his family, ignited a student protest overnight. Around 100 students protested and marched in front of Sproul Hall; about 50 stayed to protest the law school, Boalt Hall, floor to floor. There was no face-to-face confrontation between Choudhry and the protesters. We are protesting the fact that we live in a world where inequity exists, where survivors of violence are not welcome. We live on a campus that values its reputation over its students and their well-being, said Axenya Kachen, a student organizer of the event. More for you Man charged with stalking Black Rifle Coffee employee Some students lambasted the Daily Californian, the student newspaper, for giving Choudhry a platform for his views. This is next level glorification of a perpetrator who is given a platform and vehicle that many survivors simply do not have, one student, Alyssa Liu, wrote on Facebook. Student activists have clashed with campus newspapers elsewhere over choices to include controversial perspectives in opinion pieces one high-profile case, at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, led the student government to slash the papers budget in response to a guest commentary critical of the Black Lives Matter movement. After many unhappy reader emails, the Daily Cals editors published a response defending the decision to publish Choudhrys letter. In a March editorial, the Daily Cals Senior Editorial Board condemned Choudhrys actions and his resulting light punishment. The publication of others beliefs, however even those that are unpopular and contentious is fundamental to a multifaceted dialogue on pressing matters related to the campus and city, they wrote. On Berkeleys campus, some felt criticism of the newspaper was misguided. Im totally fine with protesting the dean. But I think protesting the Daily Cal demonstrates a lack of respect for speech. Its disappointing to me that Berkeley, as the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement, has become so anti-speech, said David Derrick, a third year Boalt Hall law student. Steve Montiel, press secretary for UC President Janet Napolitano, said in an email statement that Choudhry will not teach this academic year. Professor Choudhry did not return to the UC Berkeley School of Law for the remainder of the spring semester, consistent with President Napolitanos instruction. Nor did he return during the summer, Montiel wrote. Interim Dean Melissa Murray will identify and supervise his non-teaching duties while he is on campus. Choudhrys sexual misconduct case is only one of several that Berkeley has faced in recent years. Choudhrys lawyer, Bill Taylor, said he had sincerely apologized and suggested that it made little sense to continue focusing on Choudhry unless, of course, the university wants to use him as a scapegoat for not having handled some of these other incidents more effectively. There is a big difference between being a sexual predator and being someone who touches a colleague or even hugs a colleague out of affection. This is in the latter category and has never been said to anybody to be otherwise, he said. Unsurprisingly, demonstrators did not agree, and some clarified the target of their protests. We were not protesting the op-ed, said Kachen. We are protesting the institution that allowed a known sexual predator back on this campus. Filipa A. Ioannou is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email fioannou@sfchronicle.com Vanessa Lacoss Hurd soon will be leaving her post as CEO of the DoSeum, the childrens museum that celebrated its first anniversary in its new home on Broadway in June. This has been in the works for a while, and were in the process of transitioning now, Hurd said. The board is launching a national search for the permanent CEO. Hurd expects the transition to take 30 to 60 days. Julie Huls, the museums senior vice president of strategy and planning, will serve as interim CEO during the search for Hurds successor. There is no time line yet for how long the search is expected to take, said Suzanne Goudge, chairwoman of the museums board of directors. Hurd is leaving to devote more of her energy to her family, including her three children. Speaking for herself, Goudge said, I want somebody (in the CEO position) thats going to take us into the future. Our goal is to help all children, and I think theres probably somebody out there who feels the same way. I would like to continue what Vanessas already started. That would be my goal, and to go from there. Hurd has been with the organization since 2008. Then, it was known as the San Antonio Childrens Museum and was located in a storefront on Houston Street downtown. She oversaw the $52 million capital campaign to build the new space. Since opening in June 2015, the DoSeum has welcomed about 650,000 visitors. Permanent exhibits such as the Spy Academy, Imagine It! and the Innovation Station help kids learn by doing, with an emphasis on STEM subjects. That new hands-on approach to building critical thinking and problem solving skills was reflected in the museums new name. The DoSeum also offers training to teachers who want to learn new strategies for teaching STEM subjects such as engineering, and it runs an on-site preschool program. Its been an incredible journey, she said. The organization has never been stronger, particularly in terms of the quality of the leadership team. So this is really a good time. Goudge agreed. I would be crying if she did this before we moved into this huge, beautiful building, she said. dlmartin@express-news.net Twitter: @DeborahMartinEN This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The murder last year of nine people at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., epitomizes the subject of The Fire This Time. These African-American churchgoers, including an 87-year-old woman, were murdered by a white racist simply because they were black. Novelist Jesmyn Ward edited this collection of essays and a few poems, which describes the sorrow and unease of being black in America in the time of Trayvon Martin, Mike Brown and Sandra Bland, making it a natural companion to Men We Reaped, Wards memoir of five men close to her who died violent, untimely deaths. The new books title, of course, pays homage to James Baldwins 1963 classic The Fire Next Time. Ward and her fellow writers treat Baldwin as a revered old uncle: a voice of experience, a link to history and, occasionally, an elder to be argued with. In The Weight, Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah recounts the questioning pilgrimage she made to the site of the house where Baldwin lived in France: My connection to him was an unspoken hoodoo-ish belief that he had been the high priest in charge of my prayer of being a black person who wanted to exist on books and words alone. Many contributors articulate the distress of being unvalued, diminished and continually on guard because of their blackness. In Lonely in America, Wendy S. Walters digs deeply into the American reluctance to discuss slavery by investigating the discovery of human remains of African ancestry in Portsmouth, N.H., likely slaves buried in the 1700s. More Information The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks About Race By Jesmyn Ward Scribner, $25 See More Collapse The docent on a historical tour Walters takes euphemistically refers to the African workers who helped establish Portsmouth as servants rather than slaves. When a story is unpleasant, Walters writes, it is hard to focus on details that allow you to put yourself in the place of the subject, because the pain of distortion starts to feel familiar. Empathy requires us to dig way down into the murk, deeper than our own feelings go, to a place where the boundaries between experience and everyone elses no longer exist. In the jaunty while also dead serious Black and Blue, Garnette Cadogan explores being profiled for walking while black in New York. In Kingston, Jamaica, where he grew up, Cadogan would walk the streets for hours to get away from his stepfather, or simply to roam. To his dismay, he learned first in New Orleans and then in New York that he was often viewed as a threat when out walking especially if he happened to be running at night: Id never received what many of my African-American friends call The Talk: No parents had told me how to behave when I was stopped by police, how to be as polite and cooperative as possible, no matter what they said or did to me. The necessity of having The Talk and discouragement about having to give it to the next generation is a recurring subject in The Fire This Time. Several essays consider complexities of blackness in unexpected ways. Kevin Young probes the spectacle of Rachel Dolezal, the activist who served as president of the Spokane NAACP chapter until outed by her parents as white. Every black person has something not black about them, Young writes with a touch of humor. But he goes on to a more serious point: Any solidarity with each other is about something shared, a secret joy, a song, not about some stereotypical qualities that may be reproducible, imitable, even marketable. Ward, looking for confirmation of family stories about her ancestry, has her DNA analyzed by 23andMe.com. Raised in a black community in Mississippi, with the stories and experiences to go with it, Ward learns her ancestry is 40 percent European, 32 percent sub-Saharan African, a quarter Native American and less than 1 percent North African. For a few days after I received my results, I looked into the mirror and didnt know how to understand myself, she writes. She re-embraces her personal and family history, and what she calls her essential self: a self that understands the world through the prism of being a black American, and stands in solidarity with the people of the African diaspora. In the short essay Where Do We Go From Here?, Isabel Wilkerson articulates the fear that black Americans are experiencing another nadir like the years following Reconstruction, signaled by the way that the loss of black life at the hands of authorities does not so much as merit further inquiry. Claudia Rankines essay The Condition of Black Life Is One of Mourning (which could have served as an alternative title for this book), links the Black Lives Matter movement to Mamie Tills decision to show the body of her murdered son Emmett and to allow photographs of his disfigured corpse. Unlike earlier black-power movements that tried to fight or segregate for self-preservation, she writes, Black Lives Matter aligns with the dead, continues the mourning, and refuses the forgetting in front of all of us. DENVER Fans should be well-versed in the Book of Bochy after 10 seasons. They have seen manager Bruce Bochy let guys play themselves out of slumps for most of the year. Come September, when a playoff spot is on the line, Bochy is much more apt to sit nonproducing regulars. To wit, Denard Span and Joe Panik did not play for a second consecutive game Wednesday night. Span, who is hitless in his past 20 at-bats, continues to deal with a sore knee after he was hit by a pitch in an Aug. 28 game against Atlanta. Panik is fine physically. Bochy said he wanted to use the two games on the bench plus Thursdays off day to get a three-day break ahead of this weekends series at Arizona. Bochy plans to start Panik and Span in all three games. Even though its this time of year, youre looking to freshen their legs, Bochy said, noting Span is among the league leaders in center-field starts. He ranks fourth at 116. Bochy also saw Colorado left-hander Jorge De La Rosa as a tough matchup for Panik with his array of breaking pitches, and he praised Kelby Tomlinsons at-bats. Tomlinson and Gorkys Hernandez started for the second straight night. Panik, normally one of the Giants more welcoming players, was icy when approached before batting practice. He advised a reporter not to assume his mood was related to playing time, but said, If youre a ballplayer, you want to play. Panik said he and Bochy talked. Theres a reason why he wins. He knows what hes doing, Panik said. Ill be ready when my name is called. Thats the way its got to be. Where is Williamson? Bochy has not found starts for Mac Williamson, who came off the disabled list Sept. 1. Hunter Pence has played every day in right, Williamson does not play center, and Bochy sees no reason to sit left fielder Angel Pagan twice on the trip despite a slide that reached 1-for-25 Wednesday. Pagan has gotten into a little (slump) here, but hes been throwing out some really consistent at-bats all year, Bochy said. Williamson grounded into a fielders choice as a pinch hitter in the sixth. Peavy back: The Giants activated Jake Peavy from the disabled list, giving them 34 players. Only four healthy 40-man roster players are not here. Henry Schulman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Leading off Comeback laggers: The Giants on Tuesday won for the fifth time in 55 games they trailed after seven innings. They have not won any of the 55 games they have trailed after eight. Henry Schulman On deck Thursday Off Friday at Diamondbacks 6:40 p.m. Channel: 11 Bumgarner (14-6) vs. Shipley (3-3) Saturday at Diamondbacks 5:10 p.m. CSNBA Cueto (14-5) vs. Bradley (6-8) This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The lengthy to-do list the state has been ordered to implement within 180 days make state school aid fair, raise graduation standards, revamp special education and revise teacher evaluations has some lawmakers wondering if there is the time and political will to get the job done. This will have a generational impact, said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk. Making sure we get it right is better than rushing to some sort of conclusion. But Hartford Superior Court Judge Thomas G. Moukawsher who presided over the trial stemming from a lawsuit brought against the state and delivered his lengthy decision on Wednesday said too much time had already been wasted on legislative task forces and committees. The court cant make the state pay more toward public education, he said, but it can make sure the money is distributed in a rational, constitutional way. To get rid of an irrational policy, adopt a rational one, Moukawasher said in his decision. Its the courts job to require the state to have one. Its the states job to develop one. More for you Man charged with stalking Black Rifle Coffee employee While the ruling has raised hopes among school districts that stand to benefit, it has also set off a debate over the timeline, over who is tasked with the work and when the clock actually starts ticking. The legislative session doesnt even begin until January. I think there is a lot of ambiguity in the ruling, Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, said Thursday. More Information Net expenditures per pupil 2014-15* Ansonia$13,217 Bridgeport$13,923 Derby$16,605 Easton$17,645 Fairfield$15,920 Milford$17,645 Monroe$15,629 Oxford$13,846 Seymour$13,708 Shelton$13,249 Stratford$14,094 Trumbull$15,078 Regional District 1 (Bethany, Orange, Woodbridge)$16,349 Regional District 9 (Easton, Redding)$18,859 Bethel$15,707 Brookfield$13,943 Danbury$12,728 New Fairfield$14,441 Newtown$15,428 Ridgefield$16,523 Regional District 12 (Bridgewater, Roxbury, Washington)$28,271 Greenwich$21,687 Stamford$17,409 Darien$18,548 Norwalk$16,719 Weston$19,995 Westport$19,748 Wilton$18,490 Net expenditures per pupil 2014-15* Ansonia $13,217 Bridgeport $13,923 Derby $16,605 Easton $17,645 Fairfield $15,920 Milford $17,645 Monroe $15,629 Oxford $13,846 Seymour $13,708 Shelton $13,249 Stratford $14,094 Trumbull $15,078 Regional District 1 (Bethany, Orange, Woodbridge) $16,349 Regional District 9 (Easton, Redding) $18,859 Bethel $15,707 Brookfield $13,943 Danbury $12,728 New Fairfield $14,441 Newtown $15,428 Ridgefield $16,523 Regional District 12 (Bridgewater, Roxbury, Washington) $28,271 Darien $18,548 Greenwich $21,687 Stamford $17,409 Norwalk $16,719 Weston $19,995 Westport $19,748 Wilton $18,490 See More Collapse Fasano, a lawyer, said hes not even sure the ruling would be considered final before the state submits its plan to the court. If its not final, hes not sure Attorney General George Jepsen can even appeal yet. Fasano said Jepsen has several grounds for requesting clarifications, which could push back the 180-day deadline. The bottom line is, I dont believe this judgment will become final, Fasano said. Thus far, the attorney general, whose office tried the Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding v. Rell case for the state, will only say the office is reviewing the decision and assessing its available next steps. Some ready to get to work Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim said he wants to get as many parties together as possible, as soon as possible. We need to come up with a plan, Ganim said. Although the state has tried and failed in the past to come up with a workable school funding formula, Ganim hopes the court order will finally get it done. For Bridgeport, change could mean millions of extra dollars for the citys school system. Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, who like Ganim listened in the courtroom as the decision was read, called it one of the most well-reasoned, on-point indictments of public education he has heard. He sees the marching orders as clearly telling Jepsen to develop a plan to eventually bring to the General Assembly and back to the courtroom for approval. He specifically didnt mention the Legislature, said Boughton, who is also a former high school teacher. If an appeal is not filed, Boughton expects that Jepsen, acting as the governors attorney, will hire consultants and begin a radical restructuring of public education. Boughton said the states current fiscal crisis is bound to mean less money for some districts, so others can get more. Kevin Maloney, a spokesman for the Connecticut Conference of Municipalites, said his organization stands ready to help develop an education funding solution within the six-month time frame. If our state and local leaders work collectively with educators and other interested parties, this can and should be accomplished, Maloney said. His organization has a laundry list of suggestions for needs-based school funding and spending more wisely, he said. Getting it right If the six-month clock is ticking, the deadline set by the judge would fall in early March two months after the start of the 2017 legislative session. House Republican Leader Themis Klarides, R-Derby, said that timeline would be problematic. To assume that we can find a solution by next March, two months after the next session convenes, is not realistic, based on how long this case has been argued, Klarides said. State Rep. Toni Boucher, R-Wilton, does expect an appeal, and said the judge may have overstepped his bounds. He may have gone too far when he started (talking) about teachers and their evaluations, she said. Sheila Cohen, president of the Connecticut Education Association, the states largest teachers union, said her group stands ready to work to ensure equitable resources for all students, but also questions the courts attempt to impose one-size-fits-all mandates that erode flexibility and local education control. She also said six months wasnt enough time. To appeal or not to appeal Ganim said he came away with the sense the decision may not be appealable, though I do think the Supreme Court would love to get their hands on this. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said that while he continues to review the decision, the judge seemed to agree with many of the education reforms Malloy implemented or tried to when he took office. Beyond steering more money to needy districts, Malloy tried to reform the teacher evaluation system and, in 2013, suggested shifting some municipal aid grants into school funding. The idea was rejected. It is too early to say if 180 days is enough, Malloy said. I think we should act in earnest. Quite frankly, I think quite clearly the judge is saying, Hey Connecticut, get this right and and get it right quickly, and quite frankly I think we should get it right quickly. Duff said this is an opportunity. We must be creative, bold and strategic, he said. This issue is far too important to rush into, Band-Aid or wax poetic. Our childrens future, their success and our states economy are counting on us to get it right. BRIDGEPORT A city man was arrested Tuesday on charges of possession of heroin and possession and possession with intent to distribute. Jevaughn Watson, 23, was arrested in connection with the overdose death of a 25 year-old woman Aug. 16, on the floor of a bedroom in a Trumbull home, court officials said. The charge stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users, said U.S. Attorney Deirdre Daly. Trumbull police and emergency medical personnel responded to the scene; the woman was pronounced dead a short time later. Investigators searched the victims pocketbook and found several empty wax folds and some wax folds that contained suspected heroin, court officials said Text messages on the victims cell phone indicated that she had ordered heroin from Watson several times during the approximately two months before the womans death, according to statements in court. More for you Man charged with stalking Black Rifle Coffee employee U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel ordered Watson detained when he was presented in court. The charge of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin, carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Daly stressed that a charge is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, the U.S Attorney said. This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administrations Bridgeport resident office, the DEAs New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the Trumbull and Monroe police Departments, with the assistance of the Bridgeport Police Department. Albany A judge dismissed charges against a man accused of possessing crystal meth and marijuana at a Colonie motel, surprising police and prosecutors. Tyler E. Callon was charged with felony drug charges in February after police said they found him and another man in possession of drugs at the Motel 6 on Central Avenue. Albany County Judge Stephen W. Herrick dismissed the charges against Callon, saying prosecutors had failed to produce the police sergeant who initially smelled marijuana and called for the search warrant. Colonie Police Sgt. John Santorio had reported seeing a car in the motel lot at 1600 Central Ave. that was running with its lights on for about two hours. When he approached the car, which had California license plates, Santorio reported smelling marijuana. The occupant, John C. Gilligan, 25, of New Hartford, Oneida County, was arrested. He pleaded guilty in April to criminal possession of marijuana and faces up to six months in jail and five years' probation. More for you Man charged with stalking Black Rifle Coffee employee Sanatorio spotted a second car with a California plate in the lot with a dog sleeping inside. The sergeant went to the motel desk to ask about it and was directed to Callon's motel room. The investigator knocked on the door. When Callon answered, Santorio again reported smelling marijuana. The sergeant told Callon he was being arrested for animal cruelty. Police then obtained a warrant to search the room based on the sergeant's observations. Police said at the time they found 21.4 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 12.3 pounds of marijuana and $7,482 in cash. In his decision, Herrick said Callon had a legal right to question the validity of the search warrant. Investigator Raymond Milham, who prepared the warrant after consulting with Santorio, testified at the hearing but Santorio did not. The court decision misspells the sergeant's last name. "Since Sergeant Santoria did not testify at the hearing, the Court is unable to resolve the reliability issue," Herrick wrote in his Aug. 31 decision. "As a result, the evidence must be suppressed and the Court dismisses the indictment." Colonie Police Lt. Robert Winn said police and prosecutors were surprised by the decision. "He was not called to testify and that was a decision by the district attorney's office," he said. "Sgt. Santorio, the day of this hearing, was working. He called down and asked if he was needed." Winn said Herrick's decision appeared to go beyond the usual scope of a hearing on the validity of a warrant. "We stand by all the facts of the case and are disappointed the judge dismissed the case," Winn said. With Milham's testimony, he said, "they didn't have any legal obligation to put on anyone else." Cecilia Walsh, a spokeswoman for District Attorney David Soares, said they will seek a second hearing so the case can be pursued. "We are going to make a motion to re-argue the hearing," she said. Herrick, who is legally required to step down as judge in December due to his age, has accepted the job of public defender and is expected to be appointed by the Albany County Legislature to the post next month. Defense Attorney Brian Barrett said he was pleased by the decision to dismiss the charges. "I'm just happy that the judge upheld the principles of our Constitution," he said. tobrien@timesunion.com 518-454-5092 @timobrientu Albany The number of students who earned a degree from the State University of New York this year grew about 3 percent, from 93,000 last year to nearly 96,000. SUNY officials say the growth likely stems from programs introduced and expanded as part of the system's Completion Agenda, a plan announced last year to boost annual degree attainment to 150,000 by 2020. Earlier this year, SUNY extended this deadline to 2025. While the completion agenda is aimed at boosting new student enrollment, it places an even stronger focus on retention getting students who started but never finished a degree to the finish line. These retention efforts appear to be what caused the increase in degrees awarded this year, since year-over-year enrollment continues to decline across SUNY's 64 campuses. Colleges nationwide have seen enrollment decline in recent years as the population of high school graduates shrinks. At SUNY, enrollment decreased 2.6 percent from 454,839 students in fall 2014 to 442,940 students in fall 2015. That followed a 1 percent decrease the year before. More for you Man charged with stalking Black Rifle Coffee employee Enrollment figures for the current semester are not yet available, SUNY official said, though the system had seen a 2 percent rise in applications as of early August. SUNY leaders cited a number of programs Thursday that increased retention and degree completion, including several that began as pilots on select campuses and are expanding system-wide. One is the Finish in 4 program, which promises students who fulfill certain requirements that if they can't finish a degree in four years, SUNY will pay for the remainder of the credits needed to do so. The program started at University at Buffalo in 2012 and expanded to Buffalo State, Fredonia and Potsdam. Nearly a dozen other campuses plan to adopt the program. Another program, piloted by SUNY Plattsburgh, involved outreach to student loan borrowers who had withdrawn to entice them back to campus to complete their degree. Beginning in 2017, 29 campuses are expected to participate in the so-called Re-enroll To Complete program. SUNY is also expanding a math remediation program at its community colleges, funded by the Carnegie Foundation, that touts a national student success rate double that of traditional remedial classes. The faster that students complete remedial courses, the faster they can move on to credit-bearing courses. bbump@timesunion.com 518-454-5387 @bethanybump This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Albany The hot seat was considerably hotter for top state officials on Wednesday, when Howard Zucker of the Department of Health and Basil Seggos of the Department of Environmental Conservation spent almost five hours fielding questions from the second legislative hearing to delve into the water contamination crisis in Rensselaer County. As in last week's initial hearing in Hoosick Falls a session hosted by the state Senate much of the testimony from the agency chiefs included repeated complaints that the state's response to the discovery of high levels of perfluorooctanoic acid first discovered by a local citizen's testing in 2014 was hobbled by what they characterized as confusing advisories from the federal Environmental Protection Agency. A former Health Department official, however, said the agency had a tendency to minimize potential health risks when conducting public outreach. The day's more charged exchanges included a confrontation between Zucker and Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin, R-Schaghticoke, who represents part of the region affected by PFOA contamination in the water supply. More for you Man charged with stalking Black Rifle Coffee employee McLaughlin, who had been pressing for legislative hearings for months, began by upbraiding one of Zucker's colleagues for previously mentioning his stress and fatigue levels while dealing with the crisis in Hoosick Falls anxiety the village's residents might understand more keenly, the lawmaker suggested. "Assemblyman, I take issue to some of your statements," Zucker said, insisting he and the agency's staff understood the upset felt by local residents. Many have levels of PFOA in their systems many times the national average, according to recent blood tests. McLaughlin then asked Zucker, "Would you have let your mother drink that water for 18 months?" a reference to the gap in time between Hoosick Falls resident Michael Hickey's first test results and the state's eventual December 2016 advisory that residents shouldn't drink from the village water supply or any other system with PFOA levels above 400 parts per trillion. Zucker said the question of what happened in 2014 and 2015 was obscuring the real problem of corporate pollution. "The concern is drinking (the water) for decades," he told McLaughlin. In another pointed exchange, Assemblyman Tom Abinanti, D-Westchester, hit Zucker for reliance on federal guidance. "I'm not sure why we have you guys," Abinanti said in reference to DOH and DEC. "You're the ones who are responsible for protecting the people of the state of New York, not the EPA." Zucker responded that he respectfully disagreed with the characterizations of the state's work on water quality. "We've been extremely proactive," he said. As Wednesday's hearing was about to begin, Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration released a letter penned by Zucker and Seggos and sent to the EPA's Administrator Gina McCarthy demanding she "close a loophole in federal oversight" that exempts water systems serving less than 10,000 people from the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, which requires testing of substances such as PFOA. The state estimates that 2.5 million New Yorkers use water from such systems. At the same time, the Cuomo administration pledged to put forward state legislation should the EPA not act on that request. Another piece of proposed legislation would require testing of the 1.1 million private wells statewide upon the sale of property and construction of a new well. Zucker, Seggos and other state officials spent even more time at the hearing describing the arduous processes of testing for PFOA in the Hoosick Falls area including having to retrofit the state's Wadsworth Laboratory to properly test samples for the chemical and defending their timeline of steps taken to determine PFOA's presence and effects and to mitigate its presence. "I think as you look to our actions through the whole course of the event, we never, ever thought we shouldn't do something about it," said Lloyd Wilson of DOH's Water Supply Protection Bureau. But the former head of DOH's Center for Environmental Health told the panel that the unit he led for 31/2 years has a troubling tendency to downplay potential health risks from toxic contaminants. In his testimony, Dr. Howard Freed emphasized that while CEH never lied to the public, "DOH always downplays the risk ... and always emphasizes the scientific uncertainties of any papers that suggest that PFOA may be causing major health problems." Freed led CEH for 31/2 years beginning in 2008, and said he worked to adjust the unit's culture from what he termed a "minimizer" mindset to one that emphasized a "precautionary principle" that gave more weight to potential risks. "Always minimizing the risk of ingesting toxins in drinking water is a pattern of behavior doomed to fail the people of New York," Freed said. "Routine reassurance cannot be justified in the face of our profound scientific ignorance about the health effects of long-term exposure to PFOA." In response to Freed, DOH spokesman Jim Plastiras said, "The former director's critique of his own job performance has no bearing on the fact that the Department has consistently pointed out the health effects associated with PFOA and the need to remove the contaminant from the water supply." Another legislative hearing on water quality will be held Monday on Long Island, which has dealt with contamination of its own. Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chairman Steve Englebright said it's likely a third legislative hearing will be necessary. Also dealt with in Wednesday hearing was contamination by a related substance, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, in Newburgh's water supplies. Amid questions of if and when the state will perform blood testing of residents in that Hudson Valley community, Zucker said the federal government is looking into the best approach for biomonitoring, and promised he would personally contact the Centers for Disease Control to find out if they have settled on that best approach. Petersburgh interim Town Supervisor Alan Webster, whose Rensselaer County community is also dealing with PFOA contamination, called for more of that kind of cross-governmental coordination. "We need to put an end to the war of the pronouns and focus on one," Webster said. "That is 'we.'" cseiler@timesunion.com 518-454-5619 @CaseySeiler DELAWARE TOWNSHIP A 50-year-old Ruth man died following a two-vehicle accident that took place at the intersection of Ruth and Bay City Forestville roads Wednesday afternoon. According to the Sanilac County Sheriffs Office, deputies were called to the scene around 12:35 p.m. for a man trapped in a vehicle upside down in a drainage ditch. A Delaware Township firefighter was driving in the area and arrived just after the collision. He and several other citizens who stopped, made their way down to the truck and lift it up enough to pull the man out of the water. He was unconscious and not breathing. Rescuers then performed CPR and were able to resuscitate him. He was taken to Deckerville hospital and then flown by Flight Care to Covenant Hospital, where he died Wednesday night. The Sanilac County Sheriffs Office Accident Investigation Team found that a semi truck, driven by a 70-year-old Florida man, was traveling east bound on Bay City Forestville Road and failed to yield at the stop sign and struck the drivers side of a northbound pickup, driven by the Ruth man. The impact caused the pickup to go airborne off the roadway and land upside down in a deep drainage ditch. More for you Man charged with stalking Black Rifle Coffee employee The passenger of the pickup, a 27-year-old Bad Axe man, was able to free himself from the truck. He was taken to Harbor Beach Hospital for treatment. The Florida man was not injured. The name of the victim is being withheld until all family members are notified. Deputies were assisted at the scene by Sanilac EMS, Eastern Huron EMS, Delaware Township Fire Department, Minden City Fire Department, Sherman Township Fire Department, Deckerville Fire Department, Minden City Police Department, Deckerville Police Department and Sanilac County Emergency Management. Beirut At least 24 civilians were killed Wednesday in air raids on a rebel-held area of Aleppo and an Islamic State-held village nearby, a Syrian monitoring group said. Fourteen people were killed in the airstrikes on Tadef, near the town of al-Bab, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Local opposition sources said the raids were carried out by Turkish forces. That information could not be independently verified. Al-Bab lies about about 18 miles south of the border town of al-Rai, one of the centers of Turkey's recent ground intervention in support of Syrian rebels against Islamic State and Kurdish-led forces. It also lies about 15 miles from positions held by the Kurdish-led forces who last month captured the city of Minbij from Islamic State. Government forces are also positioned close to al-Bab. Both rebels and the Kurdish-backed forces have said they intend to move on al-Bab. Capturing the town would allow the Kurds to link up their main territory in northeastern Syria with an enclave they control in the northwest. More for you Man charged with stalking Black Rifle Coffee employee Turkey and the rebels are adamantly opposed to the formation of a Kurdish entity spanning northern Syria. In Aleppo's eastern al-Sukari district, meanwhile, the Observatory reported that 10 people were killed in air raids. Oxford, England Defense Secretary Ash Carter lashed out at Russia on Wednesday, accusing the government of President Vladimir Putin of demonstrating a "clear ambition to erode" international order and warning Russia to stay out of the U.S. elections. Speaking on Wednesday at Oxford University in England, Carter used language that evoked a time before the fall of the Berlin War, when leaders in Washington and Moscow were entrenched global adversaries. "The United States does not seek a cold, let alone a hot war, with Russia," Carter said. "But make no mistake, we will defend our allies, the principled international order, and the positive future it affords all of us." He also warned Moscow that Washington "will not ignore attempts to interfere with our democratic processes," a clear reference to the FBI investigation into allegations that Russia hacked into computer systems of the Democratic National Committee. Carter accused Russia of "undercutting the work and contributions of others rather than creating or making any positive contributions on its own," and said that Moscow was sowing "instability rather than cultivating stability." More for you Man charged with stalking Black Rifle Coffee employee His sharp criticism amplifies the already tense standoff between Washington and Moscow over the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, the hacking issue, and the role of NATO, which is on Russia's doorstep. But it is also noteworthy because Carter was venturing, even if obliquely, without referencing a particular candidate, where most defense secretaries have not: election-year politics. U.S. intelligence officials say there is evidence that shows Russian intelligence agencies were behind breaches of the DNC's computer systems and that the Russians tried to gain access to the servers for other Democratic organizations. Carter's criticism on Tuesday comes as the United States and Russia have been struggling to keep alive negotiations to end the fighting between U.S.-backed Syrian rebels and the government of President Bashar Assad, Russia's ally. At the Pentagon, some defense officials have expressed skepticism that an acceptable deal can be reached. The negotiations are further complicated since Turkey recently began an offensive ostensibly against Islamic State targets in Syria, but one that also included U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters in the region. Carter is to meet with the Turkish defense minister on Thursday in London. Vientiane, Laos It was brief and it was only pleasantries, but President Barack Obama and President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines spoke to each other Wednesday, just two days after Duterte's profane outburst prompted Obama to cancel their first meeting. The two men spoke while they were waiting with other world leaders to enter a gala dinner at a summit meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations here, according to a White House official. The official did not say what the two men discussed, except to suggest that it was not substantive. For reporters covering the dinner, the prospect of a meeting or handshake between Obama and Duterte was the story of the evening. Publicly, at least, it fizzled: At a photo session with the leaders, Obama stood several spots to the left of Duterte. At dinner, they were seated far enough from each other to make a chance encounter unlikely. Duterte chatted with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev of Russia during the photo session and later over dinner, where he lifted his wineglass to toast Medvedev. Obama appeared to be having a sober exchange with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei. More for you Man charged with stalking Black Rifle Coffee employee Obama canceled a formal meeting with Duterte after the Philippine leader called him a "son of a whore." Just over three years ago Chad Knight was pitching on the national stage for the Westport Little League All-Stars, leading the team to the North American final. On Wednesday, Knight gave a verbal commitment to play for the Duke Blue Devils. Knight, a rising sophomore at Staples High School, is the No. 13 ranked right handed pitcher in his class nationally by Perfect Game and the No. 1 pitcher and and player in the 2019 class in Connecticut. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Installation of filters intended to resolve Bridge City's long-running water quality issues has been delayed because the city's contractor didn't secure state-required approval. Eight months after Bridge City approved spending $1 million on new filters expected to end the city's brown-water issues, the project is on hold until the contractor can submit paperwork to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. City Manager Jerry Jones said there was confusion about whether filtration is considered water treatment, which is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. In a statement Thursday, TCEQ spokeswoman Andrea Morrow said Bridge City bypassed the submittal process and failed to comply with state requirements. TCEQ's staff spoke with Bridge City officials Aug. 23 about requirements for the filtration system, Morrow said. "TCEQ explained the submittal process to the engineer and notified the city that TCEQ would continue work with them once the submittal is received," Morrow said. The filters, which are supposed to clean out excess iron and manganese found in Bridge City's water, are near completion. Finishing touches on installation at four well sites are supposed to begin next week, but Jones said the city would not use the filters until TCEQ approves a plan. City Council approved the million-dollar project last year as a fix to a years-long water discoloration issue that culminated in an accidental overuse of a treatment chemical in 2014. The extra chemicals turned the water the color of rust. Residents grapple with unusual water damage to appliances, one repairman said previously. In June, TCEQ notified the city it had violated maximum contaminant level for trihalomethanes (THL), a byproduct of chlorine used to disinfect water. Bridge City officials sent a letter to water customers stating the substance, if consumed in excess, could cause liver and kidney problems. THL levels are back down, and the well site where it was detected is offline, Jones said. Rusty water, however, is an ongoing problem the filters are supposed to remedy. In response to citizens' complaints at a City Council meeting earlier this week, Mayor David Rutledge said more discussion on water issues is coming. City officials have said the water is still OK to drink despite rampant skepticism. The Bridge City Independent School District announced safety actions after hearing concerns from parents and staff members. On the district's website, Superintendent Todd Lintzen said the schools' water lines were flushed in the kitchen areas; water fountains were flushed before the first day of school last month; and ice machine filters were changed to sanitize the ice bins. Parents and employees were encouraged to bring bottled water if they have any concerns about the district's water quality. "The filter system is not something we were mandated to do," Jones said. "We're just trying to get rid of the rusty water." BScott@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/BrandonKScott Another defense witness testified Wednesday in the murder trial of Frances Hall that the motorcycle driven by her husband Bill Hall Jr. lost control and hit his wife's SUV prosecution witnesses have said she hit him and that investigators declined to speak to the only credible witness in the crash. Frances Hall, 53, is accused of using her SUV to run her husband's motorcycle off South Loop 1604 near Macdona Lacoste Road, causing his death. Shes also on trial for assault with a deadly weapon, accused of ramming her Cadillac Escalade into the Range Rover driven the same night by Bonnie Contreras, Bill Hall Jr.'s lover, in a chase on Oct. 10, 2013. Despite opposition from dozens of property owners, City Council voted 9 to 2 Thursday in favor of moving forward with annexation of a growing residential area along Interstate 10 West, but members also agreed not to annex an even more populous area straddling U.S. 281 for almost two decades. District 5 Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales and District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg voted against the deal. Gonzales believes annexation is not equitable and ultimately will do nothing to help her inner-city district. Nirenberg, whose district will likely absorb many or most of the I-10 West residents, said the city has failed to prove how annexation will help San Antonio. He said the city also hasnt put in place stronger measures to protect the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone, which the I-10 West area covers. The tone of the meeting was charged from the start, when City Manager Sheryl Sculley announced, before council discussions had begun, that the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association may try to stop the city from moving forward with part of the annexation plan by filing a temporary restraining order. She said the city will vigorously defend its position if the union pursues legal action. More for you Man charged with stalking Black Rifle Coffee employee Firefighters union president Chris Steele told the Express-News via text Thursday morning that he cannot confirm Sculley's statement and that he would meet with lawyers. By late afternoon, the union released a statement that said the city had failed to address the need for additional fire protection in the area to be annexed in direct violation of state law and placing citizens living in those annexed and surrounding areas in potential danger. The city recently finalized a collective bargaining agreement with San Antonio police union after years-long, fraught negotiations. But the firefighters union has yet to come to the table. City Council initiated four different annexation proceedings Thursday: the eventual annexation of 15 square miles out I-10 West; a plan to execute a non-annexation agreement with a residential area along U.S. 281, which ensures San Antonio wont add that region until the year 2034; a plan to annex a commercial strip along U.S. 281 by the end of this year; and annexation of almost 1 square mile in south Bexar County that council will finalize in November, along with another 19 square miles in the area that were placed into a three-year annexation program in January 2014. Subsequent votes will have to be taken on all of these actions. vdavila@express-news.net Twitter: @viannadavila This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Miracle Mattress, a Northwest Side store, issued an apology via Facebook Thursday for a video advertising a "Twin Tower" sale to "remember 9/11" that has brought citywide outrage. The now-removed video features store manager Cherise Bonanno and two employees standing in front of two towers of stacked mattresses. To "remember" the deadliest attack on U.S. soil, the company offered a promotion selling any size mattress for the price of a twin bed. RELATED: 10 Stars Accused of Being Unpatriotic Before Colin Kaepernick The clip ends with the mattress towers toppling over while Bonanno and the employees screamed. "We'll never forget," she adds. On Thursday, the company issued an apology via Facebook. "We are very sorry we have offended you," the post said. "Our staff is full of military and some relatives have passed away due to 9/11. We are promoters of peace and love." This apology was updated with an official apology letter from Mike Bonanno saying that the social media video produced in San Antonio was posted on Facebook without his knowledge or approval. More for you Man charged with stalking Black Rifle Coffee employee "I say this unequivocally, with sincere regret: the video is tasteless and an affront to the men and women who lost their lives on 9/11. Furthermore, it disrespects the families who lost their loved ones and continue to struggle with the pain of this tragedy every day of their lives." The letter went on to say that Bonanno accepted responsibility for the "thoughtless and crude advertisement" and that employees involved would be reviewed and held accountable. Bonanno did not return requests two calls for comment Thursday. RELATED: New life at World Trade Center San Antonio resident Jenee Lewis captured the ad, which was originally shared on the business' Facebook page, and shared it online. The Miracle Mattress Facebook often promotes themed-videos, it's unclear whether the video aired on television or exclusive to the site. Several community members have commented against the marketing approach they say they are "disgusted" by and are not accepting the apology or claims of military affiliation. "I find it hard to believe you knew anyone or any of your employees knew anyone who lost their lives in 9/11," Evelyn Sainz Jauregui commented on the post. "If that were the case they would have been so disgusted with your commercial that it would have never seen the light of day." Ozzy Santos echoed Jauregui's sentiments. "Even your damage control is disgusting," he added to the thread. According to the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the store opened at 4945 Northwest Loop 410 in December 2015. RELATED: Manager from 9/11 Memorial to operate Alamo The local controversy joins a series of 9/11-related offenses to spark outrage recently. A couple participating in the Atlanta Dragon Con Festival over the weekend created wearable versions of the World Trade Center towers and attached dolls to the sides, representing victims who jumped from the structures. On Wednesday, a Florida Walmart was blasted for their soda display which stacked boxes of Coke beverages to form the towers. "We have given abundantly to our community here in San Antonio and wish to remain known as a company who respects and loves others," Miracle Mattress said to conclude their Facebook apology. mmendoza@mysa.com Twitter: @MaddySkye This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is going undercover. At thousands of locations across the state, the commission is conducting minor alcohol stings as part of its annual back-to-school operations this September, according to a news release. TABC agents will go undercover with a minor who will attempt to purchase alcohol from a retail establishment. If successful, the business could face TABC administrative action like a civil penalty or license suspension. RELATED: TABC launches app to curb violations at drinking establishments across state Selling alcohol to a minor is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Bars, restaurants, grocery and convenience stores will be included in the operation. Undercover agents will focus on retailers in cities with major universities. RELATED: TABC: 30 San Antonio bars, stores on the delinquent list for liquor purchases "The back-to-school period can be a very busy time, both for students and alcohol retailers," Chief Robert Saenz, TABC Director of Field Operations, said in the release. "As in the past, we encourage retailers to take a little extra time to help their employees learn the best practices necessary to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors. Our retailers are the first line of defense against preventable tragedies such as alcohol-related vehicle accidents, injuries and loss of life." More for you Man charged with stalking Black Rifle Coffee employee RELATED: TABC: 20 establishments in Bexar County busted for selling alcohol to minors so far in 2016 In March 2016, the TABC found 92 percent of the 1,488 licensed businesses were in compliance with the law. kbradshaw@express-news.net Twitter: @kbrad5 Ramping up her re-election bid, Mayor Ivy Taylor has won the support of her former arch political rival and hired a new campaign manager. In June 2015, during a tense and bitter mayoral runoff election, Taylor refused to shake the hand of challenger Leticia Van De Putte, a former Democratic Texas senator. On Wednesday evening, the two stood side by side at a Taylor fundraiser, where Van de Putte heaped praise on the mayor. I generally thought I was better suited to be mayor simply because of my experience and maybe the style of leadership I have. I knew Ivy to be a good administrator, Van de Putte said in an interview Thursday, describing what shed said at the fundraiser. But shes stepped up to the plate and she has shone. And so it is with those results that I wholeheartedly stand in support, and I said, Voters got it right. Van de Putte praised the mayor for several accomplishments since she took over leadership of San Antonio, including signing a new contract with the San Antonio Police Officers Association, bringing ride-hailing services back to the city, keeping Google Fiber on the front burner, approving a comprehensive plan, solidifying the citys future water resources and ensuring a new federal courthouse is built here. More for you Man charged with stalking Black Rifle Coffee employee Taylor confirmed Thursday that she has hired longtime political consultant Christian Anderson to be her campaign manager for the 2017 election. Although we will still be working with Red Print Strategies on a consulting basis, Christian Anderson is my new locally based campaign manager, she said in a statement issued to the San Antonio Express-News. She also thanked Van de Putte for backing her. Im glad to have received the support of Leticia Van De Putte and to be able to say that we have shifted our focus on moving the city forward. She recognizes the huge strides San Antonio has made in many areas and wants to be part of our continued progress, Taylor said. This is a great example of how San Antonio writes its own story. We do not and will not let history or politics dictate our future. San Antonio is a city that roles up it sleeves and gets to work. Though no challengers have officially entered the race, there has been significant speculation that council members Ron Nirenberg and Rey Saldana may run. 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 SAN ANTONIO A 34-year-old Harlandale Independent School District teacher who was arrested Wednesday morning on a DWI and drug charges resigned from her post as an elementary school teacher on Thursday. Harlandale ISD spokesman Andrew Fernandez confirmed Thursday that Veronica Aguero no longer works for the school district. This comes after she was arrested early Wednesday on her second DWI, a felony possession of a controlled substance charge and a misdemeanor possession of marijuana charge. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SAN ANTONIO A 23-year-old mother may face extensive time in prison after police arrested her on a felony charge in connection to the death of her 4-year-old son, Jordan Altamirano. Celeste Altamirano was taken into custody without incident and is charged with first-degree injury to a child serious bodily injury by omission, SAPD spokesman Jesse Salame said during a news conference Thursday. Her arrest comes a couple weeks after her significant other, Ricardo Hernandez, 21, was charged with capital murder for the death of her son. RELATED: San Antonio man accused of killing boy, 4, posted mournful Facebook updates before arrest (Celeste Altamirano) should have known that Jordan was suffering this abuse at the hands of her boyfriend, essentially, Salame said. Celeste Altamirano has several other children and is currently pregnant with twins, according to a previous mySA.com report. RELATED: SAPD: Man who killed 4-year-old was 'frustrated' with bills, taking care of children More for you Man charged with stalking Black Rifle Coffee employee Jordan Altamirano died from a broken back and severed aorta on Aug. 20, after Hernandez, who is not Jordans biological father, allegedly pushed the child. Hernandez told police he became frustrated with Jordan and pushed on his chest with a lot of force, according to court documents. The child flew back and struck a sofa with his back, then stood up and resumed crying. Hernandez then told him to go upstairs and go to bed because he didnt want to hear him crying, he told police, according to the affidavit. He took the boy to the hospital later after finding him unresponsive, the affidavit said. Hernandez told police that lots of bills are coming in, he cant find a job, and he was stressed out with taking care of all the children, the document states. RELATED: Police say San Antonio man killed 4-year-old The suspect expressed that he was very frustrated with the things that were going on in his life and allegedly took it out on the small child, SAPD spokesman Douglas Greene said in an interview with media in August. If convicted of the first-degree felony, Celeste Altamirano could face five to 99 years in prison. Salame said he wanted to stress to other parents that this type of charge is serious and that parents and legal guardians take on an important responsibility when taking care of children. "You're responsible for what happens to them (children), you need to make sure their protected," Salame said. "Omission is a failure to act. If you don't act, if you don't take that responsibility, you can be charged with a crime just like she (Altamirano) was." Text "NEWS" to 72727 to sign up for breaking news from mySA twhite@mysa.com Twitter: @tylerlwhite I laughed out loud at the Sunday letters trashing Donald Trump writers imploring voters to stay with what has been working so well in the past. Hillary Clinton has been in power for the past 30 years. If she were going to help you people, dont you think she would have done it by now? Lies and clueless, ill-educated voters have kept this fraud in power. If you are happy with being in the lower class and wish to stay there, this self-centered opportunist is sure to deliver for you, just as she has for the past 30 years. Mike Horn, New Braunfels Trump no joke Re: An election joke, Your Turn, Aug. 30: The letter writer implies that Donald Trump is running for president as a devious little joke. How insane is that statement? Trump is the Republican candidate for president, whether she likes it or not. Trump wants to make America great again; he shows leadership, something we desperately need in America with immigration, poverty, joblessness, crime in the inner cities and, most of all, the ISIS threat to all Americans. Meeting with the president of Mexico is the first step to immigration reform. I believe Trump has the ability to dissolve our national debt, which is now in the trillions. Trump is no joke! Shirley Swift Sad echoes of past Re: Border wall leaves Trump, Mexico president divided, front page, Sept. : During World War II, U.S. treatment of Japanese citizens and European refugees resulted in hardship and suffering that many believe, as I do, should and could have been avoided. Please let us not make the same mistake again. As an older man, listening to Donald Trumps immigration speech, I heard a sad repetition of past error. Richard A. Albanese Crimes against U.S. The PolitiFact analysis of my comments on criminal illegal immigrants does not highlight the problem facing our country (PolitiFact Texas; Rep says a third of inmates not here lawfully). The problem I addressed is the impact criminal illegal immigrants have on our communities. This administration has released tens of thousands of those criminal illegal immigrants who were sentenced back into our neighborhoods. Many of these individuals go on to commit further crimes, including drug trafficking, sexual assault and murder. The fact remains that 37 percent of individuals sentenced for committing federal crimes are illegal immigrants. This administration has embraced immigration policies that are a crime against American humanity. We must enforce current laws and focus on policies that protect American citizens. U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith Religious liberty Re: Foes of LGBT rights cant hide behind religious liberty, the Rev. David Gushee, Faith, Sunday: This commentary reveals the totalitarian streak of some on the left. Regarding religious stances toward LGBTs, he writes, I have been a participant in the effort to encourage Protestant religious conservatives ... to reconsider their position voluntarily. Voluntarily? As if he has something more forceful in mind as a future possibility? In his conclusion, he writes, They are organizing legal defense efforts under the guise of religious liberty. Under the guise? As if there can be no real religious liberty regarding such issues? Religious liberty, enshrined in the First Amendment to the Constitution, apparently counts for the Rev. Gushee only if the values in question are to his liking (liberal). The First Amendment enshrines freedom of religion. Even God allows humans freedom to choose! But the Rev. Gushees language suggests he would eliminate such freedom. Im glad hes not in charge of government ... or God. The Rev. Dr. J. David Trawick Junk science Re: Science trumps anecdotes in autism-vaccine debate, front page, Aug. 31: District Attorney Nico LaHood should stick to his profession and not embarrass himself (and the people who voted for him) by dispensing amateur medical advice. Scientists and doctors know that anecdotes do not prove anything; controlled studies do. The data are clear: Vaccines are no more likely to cause autism than any other normal activity drinking water, playing outside and visiting the zoo all carry the same nonexistent risk of autism. In his professional capacity, he should be able to weigh the facts and recognize when he is the mark in a confidence scheme. The sole scientific report of a vaccine-autism link is nonreproducible, discredited and retracted in other words, the study was a work of fiction, not science. This cost the author his job and medical license. Scientifically, the case is closed! Its unsettling that our district attorney is acting as the public mouthpiece for a discredited confidence man. I wish this were simply idle chitchat at the courthouse water cooler, but innocent children are materially harmed by the anti-vaccine movement, and its irresponsible for Mr. LaHood to use his public office to promote junk science. Nat Clark Butt out, rep Re: Saldana urges council to oppose cops deal, front page, Aug. 30: The San Antonio mayor, City Council and city manager are the parties elected or hired to handle police matters in San Antonio. Congressman Joaquin Castro has been elected to represent San Antonio in Washington. Please, Mr. Castro, go to Washington and help control federal matters and keep out of the affairs that are correctly reserved for Texas and local government. Randall S. Chandler, Floresville So proud of Texas I have lived in four other states, and I have never had a populace show such loyalty to its state than this one does. We believe that being Texan makes us unique in all ways possible. Being Texan is in our blood, and we are proud of it. We feel above all of the other 49. Dont mess with Texas! Al Blomberg, Converse Michael Cummo / Hearst Connecticut Media STAMFORD A felon and apparent member of a New York gang found with a gun and 59 folds of heroin stuffed into his boxer shorts in a West Side motel last year faces up to 10 years in prison, authorities said. Juan Quinones, 43, of Port Chester, N.Y., pleaded guilty Thursday in Hartford federal court to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday signed the nations toughest climate law, requiring California to slash its greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 while leaving open the question of exactly how to do it. No other state has enacted such deep emission cuts into law. The legislation goes well beyond the reductions required by Californias landmark 2006 global warming law, AB32, which called for returning emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. The states emissions have fallen 9.5 percent since peaking in 2004, and analysts now consider the 2020 goal well within reach. Here we are, 10 years later, emissions have gone down and the economy has gone up, said state Sen. Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills (Los Angeles County), who wrote AB32 as well as the new law, SB32. Its a success story. Brown also signed a companion bill, AB197, which prioritizes efforts to cut emissions in low-income or minority communities. Many such communities are near facilities such as oil refineries and factories that produce both greenhouse gases and the toxic air pollution that can cause respiratory problems. More for you Man charged with stalking Black Rifle Coffee employee Brown warned that climate legislation still faces political resistance in Sacramento. The new law, for example, does not contain a provision Brown badly wanted, explicitly authorizing Californias cap-and-trade system for controlling emissions to keep running after 2020. The system, once considered a model for the nation, now faces an uncertain future, and Brown has suggested he may sponsor a ballot measure asking voters to save it. At a signing ceremony Thursday in Los Angeles, the governor slammed oil companies and automakers that he said had, over the years, repeatedly tried to block Californias efforts to slow global warming. Theres powerful opposition, Brown said. These are real people with real bucks and real influence. He pledged to continue pushing climate legislation anyway. Its going to take battle, some wisdom, and its going to take some balance so we dont overdo it, he said. Brown last year issued an executive order setting the 40 percent reduction target, and his predecessor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, released his own order in 2005 calling for an 80 percent emissions cut by 2050. But executive orders can be easily discarded by future administrations. Laws cannot. The new laws drew a chilly reception from the California Chamber of Commerce, which has often argued that the states climate policies push up energy prices for consumers and drive businesses out of the state. Taken together, SB32 and AB197 impose very severe caps on the emission of greenhouse gases in California without requiring the regulatory agencies to give any consideration to the impacts on our economy, disruptions in everyones daily lives or the fact that Californias population will grow almost 50 percent between 1990 and 2030, said Chamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg in an emailed statement. In several ways, Thursday marked a turning point in the states climate fight. Lawmakers who represent low-income communities have increasingly chafed at global warming policies such as rebates for buying solar panels or electric cars that mainly help the wealthy or the middle class. Written by Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia, D-Coachella (Riverside County), who represents the desert communities surrounding the Salton Sea, AB197 was seen as a way to address that imbalance. AB197 also lets the Legislature appoint two nonvoting members to the California Air Resources Board, which runs most of Californias global warming programs. And it requires the board to post on its website data about emissions of greenhouse gases and toxic air pollutants from individual facilities. Not only are we doubling down on building a new clean energy economy, were also putting into law the principles of environmental justice in all our climate goals, said state Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Paramount (Los Angeles County), said passage of the two companion bills marked the rise of Eastside environmentalists a reference to the heavily Hispanic community in Los Angeles who will now begin exerting greater influence on the states climate policies. At the same time, the signing ceremony represented a victory lap for Pavley, the Legislatures most powerful voice on climate issues for the past 16 years. In addition to AB32, Pavley in 2002 wrote a law to cut greenhouse gas emissions from cars. Bitterly opposed by automakers, that law eventually became the basis for federal fuel mileage standards under President Obama, who personally thanked Pavley for her work. Unable to run for re-election because of term limits, Pavley acknowledged Thursday that it was time to pass the baton, and she thanked some of the newer lawmakers who backed her legislation, particularly Garcia. Their partnership on the two bills helped ensure passage. This is my third climate bill with my third governor, and its been a pleasure working with all of you, she said. David R. Baker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dbaker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DavidBakerSF Rising Reality Defying the tides: In the next story in the series, John King examines how four major waterfront projects under way in San Francisco are trying to defend against a rising bay. Coming Sunday in print; online Friday at www.sfchronicle.com/risingreality LOS ANGELES Baby Boomers (born 19461964) are still some the most motivated and driven members of the workforce, according to a survey by the Futurestep division of Korn Ferry. The survey also revealed that this demographic will be working for far longer following the global recession, and businesses should expect to have them in the workplace for at least five years longer. In a survey of global executives that looked at the role of Baby Boomers, 55% stated that they are willing to work longer hours than other generations, and were considered the second most productive generation after Gen X. Nearly a third (31%) felt they needed less feedback than millennials or Gen X employees, demonstrating how Boomers are also seen as reliable, in addition to hardworking. Its clear from the results that the Baby Boomer generation still forms an integral part of the backbone of businesses today, said Jeanne MacDonald, Futurestep president of global talent acquisition solutions. There has been so much talk about millennials in the workplace and their impact that many organizations forget that Baby Boomers are still a vital part of the workforce. Our survey has revealed that they are dedicated, hardworking and reliable, while still having a desire to drive progress. When asked more broadly about Baby Boomers in the workplace, more than half (54%) said that offering them the opportunity to make an impact on the business was the best way to retain Boomer talent. This far outstrips the ambition of other generations, with just over a quarter (28%) of executives surveyed indicating that making an impact at work was the key motivator for millennials, highlighting just how integral Baby Boomers are to businesses today. The survey also revealed that employers are eager to take advantage of the experience Baby Boomers have, with 50% considering experience and expertise as the main reasons for bringing them into a business. Our survey has shown that Boomers are every bit as ambitious and passionate as other generations, continued MacDonald. Couple this drive with extensive experience and you are presented with a force to be reckoned with in the workplace. With this in mind, employers need to ensure that they attract and retain the best talent across all generations in order to drive business success and futureproof their organization. The survey also reveals that the Great Recession has had an impact on the retirement plans of Baby Boomers. Eighty-one percent of executives surveyed now believe that Boomers will retire at least five years later than they had planned prior to the recession, with 31% saying they will retire 10 years or more later. In addition, 43% of respondents say Baby Boomers in their organization will retire at age 66 or older. While many in the Baby Boomer generation are working longer to provide more financial security after seeing their retirement account balances tumble during the Great Recession, their desire to extend their careers is not entirely financially motivated, MacDonald said. What is often overlooked is the fact the majority of the people in this generation are highly motivated [and] enjoy what they do, and they provide great experience and value within the global workforce. Lambert here: It sounds like the author is arguing for what David Graeber called everyday communism, where, for example, when you ask a stranger for directions to the Post Office, they give them to you. Of course, the neoliberal model, where the stranger would charge you for the service, is both more efficient and a better reflection of human nature. Nevertheless. By John Helliwell, Arthur J.E. Child Foundation Fellow of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. Originally published at VoxEU. Much research and policy discussion over the past decade or two has argued for measures of wellbeing that are broader than the indicators of income and wealth previously used as the primary measures of human and social progress (e.g. Stiglitz et al. 2010, OECD 2013). There has also been a surge of interest in the measurement and welfare analysis of what is, in many countries, growing inequality of income and wealth (United Nations 2013, Atkinson 2015). But discussions about the measurement and consequences of inequality have thus far been focused mainly on the distribution of income and wealth, both within and across countries (Atkinson and Bourguignon 2014, Piketty 2014). Even where attention has been paid to other forms of inequality for example, based on ethnicity, gender, health, or education (Putnam 2015) little has been done to compare the sources or measure the relative importance of these diverse types of inequality. If subjective wellbeing provides a better measure of welfare than that provided by income and wealth, should inequality in the distribution of subjective wellbeing not provide a superior measure of inequality? Should it not also be expected to reveal the combined consequences of various sorts of inequality? What Do the Data Tell Us About Happiness Inequality? National and global sources of data on subjective wellbeing are gradually being improved, making it easier to understand the relative importance of many aspects of life. The better of these measures those with sufficient richness of response categories, such as the World Happiness Report Update (2016) can be used to measure the inequality of the distribution of satisfaction with life as a whole. What do these data show about the levels and changes in happiness inequality? Figures 1 and 2 (from Helliwell et al. 2016a) show the levels and changes of wellbeing inequality, as measured by the population-weighed standard deviations of answers on a 0-10 scale, of individual evaluations of life satisfaction, averaged for the years 2011-2015, for the world as a whole and for each of ten geographic regions. Wellbeing inequality is lowest in Western Europe and South-East Asia, and highest in Latin America, the Middle East, and North Africa. Figure 2 shows the average changes for the world and the same ten regions, from 2005-2012 to 2012-2015. Inequality has grown significantly for the world as a whole and for eight of the ten global regions (the exceptions being Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe). The largest increases in wellbeing inequality have been in sub-Saharan Africa, and in the Middle East and North Africa. Figure 1. Inequality of happiness by global regions, 2012-2015 Figure 2. Changes in the inequality of happiness by region, 2005-2011 to 2012-2015 Sub-national measures of the inequality of wellbeing are only possible in those relatively few countries (the UK and Canada among them) that have population-based surveys large enough to show both average wellbeing and how the inequality of its distribution varies among different populations, communities and regions. Evidence from three international datasets (the World Values Survey, the European Social Survey, and the Gallup World Poll) has recently been used to show that wellbeing inequality, as measured by the standard deviation of life satisfaction responses within the sample populations, strongly outperforms income inequality as a predictor of life satisfaction differences among individuals (Goff et al. 2016). Two sorts of evidence were used in that paper to support the conclusion that this correlation has causal significance. First, the estimated effects of wellbeing inequality on life satisfaction are significantly larger for those individuals who agree with the statement that income inequalities should be reduced. That this interaction applies for wellbeing inequality but not income inequality provides further support for the theoretical preference for wellbeing inequality as an indicator of life satisfaction. Second, additional support for the importance of wellbeing inequality is shown by the fact that it performs much better than income inequality in one of the key causal roles previously found for income inequality as a factor explaining differences in social trust. Evidence for a central trust-causing role for income inequality is provided by Rothstein and Uslaner (2005). However, Goff et al. (2016, Table 6) have recently shown, using all three international datasets, that income inequality is strongly dominated by wellbeing inequality as a factor explaining individual differences in social trust. The Inequality-Reducing Power of Social Trust The importance of social trust as a powerful lever to reduce wellbeing inequality has been illustrated by recent research showing that the wellbeing costs of several sorts of adversity, including unemployment, health problems, and being a member of a group subject to discrimination, are significantly lower for those with above-average levels of social trust (Helliwell et al. 2016b). Taken together, these resilience-providing channels between social trust and wellbeing offset more than one quarter of the combined damage from the three unfavourable events, reducing it from 2.2 points to 1.6 points on the 0 to 10 scale of life evaluation. The gains from social meeting with friends are also reduced by roughly one quarter. These four channels together account for almost one third of the total benefits of high trust for subjective wellbeing. Of course, social trust will continue to have most of its total positive effects on the wellbeing of the large majority of the population who are employed, in good health, and are not members of groups thought likely to be subject to discrimination. But the per capita effects are much larger for the disadvantaged social trust has much greater proportionate advantages for those who are subject to ill-health, unemployment and discrimination. Thus the wellbeing gap between the advantaged and disadvantaged, in terms of employment, health and discrimination would be significantly narrower if trust levels were generally higher. Therefore, increases in social trust would not only raise average levels of wellbeing, but would also reduce inequality in wellbeing by raising wellbeing more for the disadvantaged than for the rest of the population. This previously unnoticed link between social trust and individual-level resilience suggests that increases in social trust can have an asymmetrically large role in reducing wellbeing inequality and reducing the misery of the least advantaged. This is because the incidence of all three types of adversity is significantly higher among those at the lower end of the distribution of wellbeing. The inequality-reducing power of social trust is just one channel through which social trust improves overall wellbeing. If the wellbeing effects of higher social trust are compared to the wellbeing effects of higher incomes, for example, this ratio can be used to estimate the value of social trust as a component of national wealth. Based on the income-equivalent values of social trust in Helliwell et al. (2016b), Hamilton et al. (2016) have estimated that the wealth embodied in social capital averages about 20% across 132 countries, with a structure and distribution quite different from those of physical capital. These estimates reflect values above and beyond what social trust contributes to supporting incomes and health. Although social trust is an important component of total wealth in all regions and country groupings, there are nonetheless big variations within and among regions, ranging from as low as 12% of total wealth in Latin America to 28% in the OECD. There is also evidence from sub-national analysis that regional- or local-level inequalities in wellbeing are empirically as well as theoretically preferable to measures of income inequality. This is shown by Goff et al. (2016, Table 5), who show that subjective life evaluation data from the Gallup-Healthways US daily poll are much better explained by interstate differences in SWL inequality than by the corresponding measures of income inequality. More recently, regional-level data in the UK have been used to show that differences in wellbeing inequality (measured in this case by mean distance rather than the standard deviation) perform better than differences in income inequality as correlates of regional differences, in the proportions of voters voting for the UK to leave the EU (What works wellbeing 2016). Concluding Remarks Given the widespread interest in the sources and consequences of inequality, the emerging evidence supporting the validity of measuring wellbeing inequality, and the growing availability of large samples of wellbeing data within an increasing number of countries, the time seems ripe to pursue the research and policy implications of wellbeing inequality, and to analyse in more depth the extent to which the substantial effects of social trust on wellbeing are due to its role in moderating the inequality of wellbeing. Authors note: This note draws on research with several co-authors whose contributions have been fundamental. On the importance of measuring well-being, Richard Layard and Jeff Sachs, co-editors with me of the World Happiness Reports. On the measurement of both happiness inequality and the role of trust as a support for well-being, and on the link between social capital and happiness inequality, Haifang Huang and Shun Wang. Leonard Goff and Guy Mayraz were key collaborators on assessing the welfare consequences of well-being inequality, and Kirk Hamilton and Michal Woolcock collaborated to use trust measures to implement social capital into global wealth estimates. My deep thanks to all, and to the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research for continued research support. References Atkinson, A B (2015), Inequality: What can be done?, Cambridge, Harvard University Press. Atkinson, A B, and F Bourguignon (2014), Handbook of income distribution. Vols. 2A & 2B, Elsevier. Goff, L, J F Helliwell, and G Mayraz (2016), The Welfare Costs of Well-Being Inequality, NBER Working Paper no. 21900. Hamilton, K, J F Helliwell, and M Woolcock (2016), Social capital, trust and well-being in the evaluation of wealth, in K Hamilton and C Hepburn (eds.), Wealth: Economics and Policy, Oxford University Press, forthcoming. Helliwell, J F, H Huang, and S Wang (2016a), The distribution of world happiness, Chapter 2 of J F Helliwell, R Layard, and J Sachs, World Happiness Report Update 2016, Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Helliwell, J F, H Huang, and S Wang (2016b), New Results on Trust and Well-Being, NBER Working Paper no. 22450. OECD (2013), OECD Guidelines on Measuring Subjective Well-being, OECD Publishing. Piketty, T (2014), Capital in the 21st Century, Cambridge, Harvard University Press. Putnam, R D (2015), Our kids: The American dream in crisis, New York, Simon and Schuster. Rothstein, B, and E M Uslaner (2005), All for all: equality, corruption, and social trust, World Politics, 58 (1), 4172. Stiglitz, J E, A Sen, and J P Fitoussi (2010), Report by the commission on the measurement of economic performance and social progress, Commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress. United Nations (2013), Inequality matters, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. What works wellbeing (2016), What wellbeing inequalities tell us about the EU Referendum result, whatworkswellbeing.org, July. Nanocoated stealth pig cells may hold the key to treating diabetes in humans (Nanowerk News) University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers are exploring ways to wrap pig tissue with a protective coating to ultimately fight diabetes in humans. The nano-thin bilayers of protective material are meant to deter or prevent immune rejection. The ultimate goal: transplant insulin-producing cell-clusters from pigs into humans to treat Type 1 diabetes. In preclinical work begun this year, these stealth insulin-producers -- pancreatic islets from pigs or mice coated with thin bilayers of biomimetic material -- are being tested in vivo in a mouse model of diabetes, say UAB investigators Hubert Tse, Ph.D., and Eugenia Kharlampieva, Ph.D. Tse is an immunologist and associate professor in the Department of Microbiology, UAB School of Medicine, and Kharlampieva is a polymer and materials chemist and associate professor in the Department of Chemistry, UAB College of Arts and Sciences. Their research, supported by two new JDRF Diabetes Foundation grants, "is a nice example of a truly multidisciplinary project that encompasses distinct areas of expertise including engineering, nanomaterials, immunology and islet transplantation," said Fran Lund, Ph.D., professor and chair of Microbiology at UAB. "The project also melds basic science and engineering with the goal of developing better treatments for diabetes." Eugenia Kharlampieva, Michael Zeiger and Hubert Tse, University of Alabama at Brimingham. "Our collaboration works because we have the same mindset," Kharlampieva said of her collaboration with Tse. "We want to do good science." One of the chief jobs of pancreatic islets is production of insulin to regulate levels of blood sugar. In Type 1 diabetes, the -cells that produce insulin are destroyed by an autoimmune attack by the body's own immune system. To protect transplanted donor islets, researchers elsewhere have tried to coat islets with thick gels, or with coatings that bind covalently or ionically to the islets. Those approaches have had limited success. Tse and Kharlampieva have taken a different approach, applying a gentler and much thinner coating of just five bilayers of biomimetic material about 30 nanometers thick. These layers act as a physical barrier that dissipates reactive oxygen species, and they also dampen the immune response. The thinness of the coat allows nutrients and oxygen easy passage to the cells. "We did not expect the multilayers would show such a large, potential benefit," Kharlampieva said of the immunomodulation shown by the bilayers. The Tse-Kharlampieva collaboration got its start out of efforts to solve a problem in a UAB service to provide islets to national researchers -- the islets often died or stopped secreting insulin during the three to five days of shipping. Kharlampieva was asked whether her bilayers might somehow protect the islets and preserve viability and functionality. The bilayers are held together by hydrogen bonding, through an attraction between polar groups in the layers, which Kharlampieva calls a "friendlier approach" than covalent or ionic bonds. One of the layers, tannic acid, is a polyphenol that can scavenge destructive free radicals, much like the polyphenols found in green tea. Tse -- who studies how oxidative stress contributes to islet dysfunction and autoimmune responses in Type 1 diabetes -- wondered whether tannic acid's ability to defuse radical oxygen species might help to lessen autoimmune dysregulation. In collaborative research over more than five years, the UAB researchers showed that the answer was yes. In a 2012 Advanced Functional Materials paper ("Ultrathin Polymeric Coatings Based on Hydrogen-Bonded Polyphenol for Protection of Pancreatic Islet Cells"), Tse, Kharlampieva and colleagues found that: The bilayers, which include tannic acid, were able to wrap smoothly around a variety of mammalian pancreatic islets, and they maintained high chemical stability The coated islets retained viability and -cell function in vitro for at least 96 hours Hollow shells of the bilayers suppressed synthesis of the proinflammatory cytokines IL12-p70 by stimulated macrophages and interferon- by stimulated T cells In a 2014 Advanced Healthcare Materials paper ("Hydrogen-Bonded Multilayers of Tannic Acid as Mediators of T-Cell Immunity"), the researchers further examined the immunomodulatory effect of the hydrogen-bonded multilayers, in the form of hollow shells. They showed that the bilayer shells have: Antioxidant properties, as demonstrated by the dissipation of proinflammatory reactive oxygen and nitrogen species Immunosuppressive properties, as demonstrated by attenuated production of proinflammatory cytokines interferon- and tumor necrosis factor- by antigen-stimulated autoreactive CD4+ T cells The next step for the UAB researchers is in vivo testing of xeno- and allotransplantation to see if the bilayer-coated pancreatic islets have decreased risk of graft rejection, while restoring control of blood sugar. Xenotransplantation is transplanting from one species to another, and allotransplantation is transplanting from one member of a species to a different member of the same species. In a one-year, in vivo demonstration grant, the UAB researchers found that nano-coated mouse islets survived and functioned as long as 40 days in diabetic mice that lack working immune systems. "We showed that they do stay alive, and they function to regulate blood glucose," Tse said. Now Tse and Kharlampieva, supported by two new JDRF grants, are testing the survival and functioning of nano-coated islets from mice or pigs in diabetic mice with intact immune systems. The pig islets come from their University of Alberta collaborator Greg Korbutt, Ph.D. Korbutt's team in Edmonton, Canada, has shown that human islets transplanted into immunosuppressed patients with brittle diabetes can produce insulin independence. "They are the leader in islet transplantation and developed the Edmonton Protocol for novel immunosuppression," Tse said. Pig islets -- in contrast to scarce supplies of human islets -- offer an unlimited source of insulin-producing tissue. The dream of a space elevator (Nanowerk News) From November 12 to 15, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) will host the "European Space Elevator Challenge" for the third time, an international competition for developing space elevator prototypes. Seven teams from Germany, India and Japan will be competing with their concepts in the hope of laying the foundation for a revolution in astronautics. Taking an elevator into space that's the vision set to revolutionize space travel in the coming decades. The idea gained wider currency in Germany a few years ago with the publication of "Limit", a novel by bestselling author Frank Schatzing. The European Space Elevator Challenge, or EUSPEC for short, was created to inspire aspiring engineers with space elevator technology. The competition is hosted by WARR, a student research group at the Institute for Astronautics. The Munich-based company Vestner Aufzuge is providing funding as the competitions main sponsor. A Helium Balloon Instead of a Truck Crane This year, the competition will have literally reached its high point. Instead of using a truck crane as in previous years, this time the elevator cable will be attached to a helium balloon hovering at an altitude of 100 meters. The elevators built by the competing teams not only have to ascend quickly, they also have to use minimal energy and carry as much additional weight as possible. A jury of experts will closely examine the concepts and factor them into the final results. Seven teams will be competing in Garching with their prototypes this year. For the first time, teams of high school-level students will be participating, running their elevators on a shortened cable track with a simplified set of rules. WARRs own team, which can now look back on 10 years of experience, will be competing with a completely new development, a highly efficient lightweight concept. Two teams from Japan will also be taking part. The two main competition days on Tuesday, September 13, and Wednesday, September 14, are open to the public starting at 10 a.m. The competition venue is the lawn next to the west entrance of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. For information on the program, the competition rules, and the participating teams, please visit euspec.warr.de. You can find a map and directions on the page euspec.warr.de/contact (scroll to the bottom). About WARR WWE Superstar AJ Styles takes on a weekend of NASCAR with Corey LaJoie See the photos from WWE wrestler AJ Styles' weekend at the Charlotte Roval as he gets the full NASCAR experience alongside Corey LaJoie. The devastation caused to the local economy by the closure of a mushroom exporter's business in Tipperary town has been spelled out by the company's managing director. Schiele and McDonald Mushrooms, which was established in 1999, closed last Wednesday with the loss of 70 jobs. Managing director Peter McDonald said it was "a very emotional and upsetting day" when the closure was announced to staff last week. "In the last 17 years the company has circulated more than 20 million in wages alone directly into the local economy", he stated. Mr. McDonald said the company had also contributed more than 2 million in PRSI in that time. The company, based at Knockanrawley, exported most of its 1.5 million kg of mushrooms to the UK. The sharp decline in the value of sterling against the Euro, as a result of the UK's decision to leave the European Union, has been blamed for the closure. "We knew there would be a referendum in the UK but nobody believed that Britain would vote to leave the EU", said Mr. McDonald. He said the company was losing between 10,000 and 12,000 a week since the historic June vote and those losses weren't sustainable. "You're in serious trouble when you're working in a business with a margin of between 0% and 5% and when your earning capacity drops by 17%", he stated. The business started with between eight and ten employees 17 years ago. Five people had been let go last June in a restructuring programme aimed at making the business more cost-efficient. With the majority of produce exported to the UK, and very little sold in this country, Mr. McDonald said there was no way of saving the business, against the backdrop of the fall in the value of sterling and a loss of earnings of 17%. He described the lack of confidence generated in the Irish business sector as a result of Brexit as "unreal". "I would imagine the whole horticultural business is stressed at the minute", he said. Meanwhile Roger Kennedy, Cathaoirleach of the Cashel-Tipperary Municipal District, described the closure of Schiele and McDonald Mushrooms as "a devastating blow to the area, at a time when job prospects aren't great". He said that Mr. McDonald had invested heavily in the business in recent years. "This would mean that a large number of people would be added to the already sizable number of unemployed in the locality". As Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District, Cllr. Kennedy vowed that he and the other councillors would work with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland and do their utmost to secure alternative employment for those who had lost their jobs. Cllr. Kennedy said he had spoken with Joe McGrath, the chief executive of the County Council about establishing a task force so that the Tipperary area would be placed "higher up on the radar" of the IDA and Enterprise Ireland. Tipperary TD and Fianna Fail spokesperson on Food and Horticulture, Jackie Cahill said that the loss of 70 jobs at Schiele and McDonald Mushrooms in Tipperary Town was a hammer blow to the local community, and Tipperarys agri-business sector. The company has claimed that the sharp drop in the sterling exchange rate following the Brexit vote in June, and the companys dependence on the English export market has forced this decision, he stated. Only last month I raised this issue, and called on the Minister to intervene by implementing the exceptional State Aid measure allowing for a short-term loan to be provided to the company to cater for liquidity gaps, which companies in the fruit and vegetable sector can access. Mushroom farmers, in Tipperary and all over Ireland, are facing this challenge on a daily basis. Their margins have been shredded and they are now in loss-making territory, added Deputy Cahill. Nine in every ten mushrooms grown in Ireland are exported to the UK. 3,500 jobs are at risk in 60 companies if these challenges with sterling exchange rates continue. Meanwhile, Deputy Mattie McGrath says that Tipperary Town now has just under 1500 people who are unemployed, which was absolutely devastating when the relative size of the area was considered. There are a whole host of areas that need to be addressed, such as the broader impact of minimum wage laws and the lack of a clear and urgent response to the Brexit result, said Deputy McGrath, who has called for the establishment of a task force to reverse rural Tipperary's slide into an economic blackspot. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg arrived in Ankara for a two-day visit on Thursday (8 September 2016), in a sign of the Alliances enduring support for the Turkish people and their democracy. On Thursday evening, the Secretary General met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss Turkeys contributions to the Alliance's shared security including in Afghanistan, in the fight against ISIL, and in NATOs efforts to stop human trafficking in the Aegean Sea. NATO continues to stand in solidarity with Turkey, with increased naval and air presence, and with defensive missile systems on the border with Syria, Mr Stoltenberg said. The Secretary General also reiterated NATOs condemnation of the recent coup attempt, expressing condolences for those who lost their lives, and respect for the courage of the Turkish people. Any attack on democracy, in any of our countries, is an attack on the very foundation of our Alliance. A strong and democratic Turkey is essential for the stability and security of Europe and the region, he said. On Friday, Mr. Stoltenberg will meet with Prime Minister Binali Yldrm, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Defence Minister Fikri Isk and other senior officials. Nine months since Clinton's last press conference VP pick Kaine covers for her Mainstream media covers for her (NaturalNews) To any fair observer, it should be abundantly clear by now that there is something wrong with the health of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton . Asfounder and editor Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, pointed out this week , the woman looks like she is on the verge of collapsing from some debilitating disease. She can't even speak in public without coughing her head off.Adams also noted, correctly, that as Americans we have every right to not only demand answers as to why she appears so frail and debilitated, but to ask whether we should be voting for someone for president who can't hold a conversation at a time of intense domestic and global tension.There are additional reasons to question her health, such as why she keeps going out of her way to keep the press away from her. As reported by, Clinton has elevated avoiding the press nearly to an art form.For starters, it has been some nine months since the last time she held a press conference. And during that time, all of her press encounters have been meticulously scripted and controlled by her staff. Much of her interaction with the media has been in one-on-one interviews By contrast, Clinton's Republican opponent, Donald J. Trump , has held 17 unscripted, back-and-forth press conferences with the media, thereported. And his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, has thus far been the only person of all the candidates to travel with his full press corps.During a recent appearance on, Clinton's VP nominee, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., was criticized for his running mate's lack of media availability, but he nevertheless took the opportunity to spin the story on her behalf."You see Hillary take questions from reporters everyday. She does," he said. "She talks to the press wherever she goes."He also alleged that Clinton took part in a press conference just last month when she spoke to the National Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists in Washington, D.C. But her speech was interrupted often with clapping and cheering, and the post-speech "press conference" involved taking questions only from pre-selected media members.Perhaps in response to so much criticism about her avoiding real questions and real reporters, Clinton's campaign announced last week that, beginning on Labor Day, she would be flying to campaign events on a larger plane so that more media could travel with her. But given how notoriously controlling she is, we'll see if having media traveling with her is the same as media actually getting to talk to and see her.In the meantime, questions over her health continue. Over the Labor Day weekend, as reported by Next News Network's Gary Franchi , Clinton had no sooner taken the stage at a campaign event in Clevelandf than she began coughing, nearly to the point based on thevideo of vomiting. The coughing fit, which went on for some four minutes, left her barely able to speak and constantly having to sip water.She tried to joke about it, saying she gets "allergic" that way when she thinks about Trump.Franchi claims that the video provides "conclusive evidence" that something is seriously wrong with Clinton.But it's not just "right-wing extremists" who are questioning Clinton's health. As reported by, 10 prominent doctors are now also questioning whether the Democratic nominee is physically fit to serve as leader of the free world.Still, the Leftist mainstream media either continues to joke about the "conspiracy theories" surrounding Clinton's very obvious medical issues, or downplay them in a way they never would if Trump were having difficulty with balance, lost his train of thought, had suffered a concussion and coughed every time he opened his mouth. Drug class riddled with failures But vaccine fraud marches on (NaturalNews) Pharmaceutical giant Merck announced on September 2 that it is abandoning plans for a new osteoporosis drug known as odanacatib, after the latest phase of safety trials showed that the drug significantly raised patients' risk of stroke. The findings of that trial will be presented at the conference of the American Society for Bone Mineral Research."We have learned that odanacatib treatment reduces the risk of osteoporotic fractures," said Roger Perlmutter, president of Merck Research Laboratories. "At the same time, we believe that the increased risk of stroke in our Phase 3 trial does not support further development."While Merck may be abandoning plans for this drug due to its unacceptably high risk of side effects , it has of course announced no plans to end production of its controversial MMR vaccine even though the mumps portion of that vaccine does not actually protect against the disease.Odanacatib had been predicted to be a major blockbuster for Merck, potentially raking in profits of 3 billion dollars a year. But the drug's path to approval had been rocky for some time. In 2014, Merck announced that it was delaying filing for FDA approval, after preliminary results came back from Phase III trials showing an increased risk of stroke and atrial fibrillation. At that time, the company said it still hoped to gain approval by 2015. But now that delay has turned permanent, and Merck is no longer continuing drug development."The company has decided to discontinue development after an independent adjudication and analysis of major adverse cardiovascular events confirmed an increased risk of stroke," Merck said in a statement."We are disappointed that the overall benefit-risk profile for odanacatib does not support filing or further development," Perlmutter added.Odanacatib inhibits the action of the enzyme cathepsin K, which plays a role in the part of bone maintenance that involves breaking down old tissue (bone resorption). It is the third cathepsin K inhibitor to fail to reach the market in recent years. In 2006, Novartis dropped its application for a cathepsin K inhibitor that was found to cause skin lesions. Medivir pulled an application without explanation in 2009, as did Onon Pharmaceutical in 2012.The string of failures has some observers asking if elevated stroke risk or other severe side effects might be intrinsic to the drug class.The news is expected to bolster the fortunes of rival Pharma companies UCB and Amgen, who are in late-stage trials on new osteoporosis drugs. The effectiveness results of these trials are mixed, however.While it's good news that Merck's dangerous osteoporosis drug won't be hitting pharmacy shelves, don't expect this to start a trend. After all, it's been six years since two Merck scientists filed a False Claims Act complaint with the federal government, outing the company as having doctored the results of its mumps vaccine trials According to the complaint, the company artificially introduced animal antibodies into its samples in order to bolster its false claim that the vaccine was 95 percent effective at preventing mumps.The complaint noted that this placed the health of children at risk, and actually contributed to the ongoing persistence of mumps in the United States. It also allowed Merck to maintain a monopoly, as no other companies could achieve the (perhaps impossible) falsely inflated "95 percent efficacy" of the Merck drug The scientists said that the fraud stretched back as far as the late 1990s, and that all senior management were well aware of it. The vaccine was never tested against real-world mumps viruses.The complaint was not made public until 2012. To date, neither Merck nor the federal government has taken any action in response. (NaturalNews) As experts and Americans familiar with smart meters know, they represent a huge privacy violation. They are also inherently unsafe, yet you won't hear much about that in the mainstream media.Smart meters began to spread to homes and businesses some years ago, with power companies claiming that they were much more efficient, despite the fact that they monitor electric usage and send it via wireless transmission multiple times an hour to power companies. More on that in a moment.They are also dangerous, as one Kansas City, Mo., resident learned recently. Waverly Galbreath's home was in danger of burning down, thanks to a malfunctioning smart meter that caught fire and scarred the side of Galbreath's house in July. He wasn't at home when the fire started."I got a call from my neighbor and he said my house was on fire," Galbreath told. "But when I arrived, I found out the meter had exploded."A spokeswoman for Kansas City Power and Light (KCP&L) said that the company investigated the incident, but added the obligatory "this doesn't happen very often" excuse. The utility's vice president, Chuck Caisley, added that out of some 700,000 meters KCP&L has installed, just "a handful of meter malfunctions" have occurred.reported further that there are multiple smart meter manufacturers and models.But the models that KCP&L uses have been plagued with problems around the country, and Galbreath is far from being the only victim. While problems in the Kansas City area may be few and far between, hundreds of thousands of smart meters across North America have been recalled during the last several years. Also, there have been in California, Texas, Florida, Illinois and Nevada, as well as throughout Canada.Curtis Bennett, a Canadian electrician professor, called it "a very dangerous issue," and said that it ought to be considered a "real unprecedented emergency" wherever you live. Bennett has been engaged in an ongoing legal battle in his country over the use of smart meters.He sentinvestigative reporters thermal images that showed a dangerous smart meter connection that was running far too hot, as well as one that was operating normally. He said, "You've got this plastic piece of junk" on your property that is "actually what's burning inside that meter base with the wires."Caisley said that the Kansas City utility has only had a half-dozen problems among the 700,000 meters it has installed. He did say, however, that the company has sent some smart meters back to the supplier after they overheated.Norman Lambe, an insurance adjuster in California, has seven open smart meter fire claims at present sitting on his desk. And of the dozens of fire-related meter incidents he has investigated, overheating is the primary cause. He said that they spark and make too much heat when they operate, and that materials within the meters are flammable in the right heat conditions.But the situation doesn't look as though it will improve anytime soon; U.S. utility companies are spending billions of dollars on installing smart meters in all homes and businesses. Old "analog" meters with dials only record electric usage and have to be read, but smart meters transmit that information to the power company effortlessly. Besides sending information that most homeowners want kept private such as when they get up in the morning, when they're gone, any activity in the middle of the night, or a prolonged absence such as a vacation the transmissions are what, in part, is causing the overheating, says Lambe.Brian Thiesen, another Canadian, has spent hundreds of hours over the past five years looking into smart meters. He has even made a video about fires that have occurred thanks to overheated smart meters."These fires are going to continue to happen because again, the basic laws of electricity are being violated," Thiesen said.Fires, yes and massive violations of our privacy. The scandal deepens and gets more expensive If you keep telling a lie long enough ... (NaturalNews) If you're someone looking to fleece the American taxpayer and the U.S. government out of hundreds of millions of dollars, one of the best ways to do it is to invent a medical crisis and promise to deliver a new vaccine "cure" for it.Someone in Japan figured out that this is a pretty good angle for a scam, and has used it to extract $300 million from our broke government , with the promise of developing a vaccine for the Zika virus.As reported by, the government's public health emergency agency, BARDA, is footing the bill, paying Japanese Big Pharma firm Takeda to develop the vaccine, "as new figures suggest billions are now at risk of the disease" the symptoms of which, by the way, are extremely mild , mainly consisting of red eyes, muscle aches and a low-grade fever.In terms of the deal, BARDA will initially pay out $19.8 million to cover the costs of developing the vaccine through Phase I. That price tag could rise as high as $312 million, however, "should things go well,"reported. "Going well" must mean maximum fleecing of the taxpayer.In all, the agency will fund research through Phase III, along with filing all the proper paperwork and requests for distribution in the United States.The Japanese firm has a history of working on vaccines, and is currently engaged in developing them for dengue fever, norovirus and polio programs. Under the deal, Takeda claims it will use the money infusion to develop an inactivated, adjuvanted, whole Zika virus vaccine. If it comes to the manufacturing stage, that will take place at the company's facilities in Hikari, Japan."Working with BARDA, Takeda is deploying its world-class expertise and capabilities in vaccine development for emerging infectious diseases, and our outstanding team and manufacturing facilities in Hikari, Japan," Dr. Rajeev Venkayya, president of the Global Vaccine Business Unit at Takeda, said.But is all this really? No, according to John P. Thomas of. He notes that before January of this year, Zika which has been around for decades was a nearly-harmless virus. That suddenly changed, however, and now it's some monster global pandemic that is going to infect "billions."It's as though Zika is being treated like the modern-day version of Europe's medieval "black plague," which reportedly killed 60 percent of Europeans between 1346 and 1353.As Thomas notes, this scandal of epic proportions is being perpetrated by all the regular globalist players: The World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S., of course Big Pharma and Big Chem, and both parties in Congress. They have all joined together to sell the Zika pandemic to Americans and the world."Just to be absolutely clear ... there is no solid evidence that Zika is a threat to humanity. It is a minimally dangerous viral infection, which does not cause microcephaly," Thomas wrote.He goes on to note that the virus was actually patented by the Rockefeller Foundation some 70 years ago, but during all that time, no one ever linked it to having negative effects on the unborn children of pregnant mothers, in particular causing them to be born with abnormally small heads, or that it otherwise affected brain development.However, beginning around October 2015, people were suddenly expected to believe those assertions, even though they are based on nothing more than circumstantial evidence."A propaganda claim doesn't need to be true; it just needs to be repeated over and over again until people believe it is true," Thomas wrote.Read his entire report here Insanity on steroids The West continues to sexualize its children (NaturalNews) In what is easily one of the most outrageous examples of child abuse in modern history , parents in Australia have actually consented to their four-year-old child's request to change sexes and then found a doctor willing to go along with the craziness.As reported bynews, the child whose birth sex was not released by Australian education officials over privacy concerns is the youngest in the country's history to have self-acclaimed "gender dysphoria" and sought to change sexes.But that's not all., citing, reported that childrenare also claiming gender dysphoria , and are being referred to state hospitals for sex-change treatment in New South Wales.Gregory Prior, the deputy secretary of school operations for the NSW education department, said that "a number" of students within the state had similar feelings."Without breaching privacy, we have a four-year-old who is transitioning to kindergarten next year who has identified as transgender," Prior said at a budget estimates hearing, which discussed details of the Safe Schools program."The Safe Schools is only one resource that can be used from a variety of resources in how we would support that family, student and school to accommodate a child going through transition."Judging by thereport, there appears to be somewhat of a gender dysphoria epidemic in Australia. According to data from the Westmead Children's Hospital in NSW, referrals for gender dysphoria have tripled in recent years. Also, a children's unit at a hospital in Melbourne is currently assisting 250 children; 10 years ago the unit was only assisting one.So-called "transgender advocate" Catherine McGregor said that most children were correct when they identified at a young age as a different gender. But psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg countered that only a small percentage less than 3 percent fit McGregor's view.Other psychologists noted that in their opinion taking the word of a 4-year-old identifying as a different gender is not appropriate, because such children are simply too young and mentally undeveloped to know for sure.That kind of cautionary tone sounds appropriate, given that Western society does not allow 4-year-old children to make other, equally important and life-changing decisions like getting married or having consensual sexual relations because we understand that at 4, they aren't old enough to know about such things (or developed enough physically, for that matter).And yet, doctors and parents in Australia are okay with permitting children who haven't even started Kindergarten to make a sex-based decision that will impact them physically, and quite possibly mentally, for the rest of their lives.That's not being "progressive," or inclusive, or tolerant that is, quite simply, insanity on steroids. And frankly, any psychologist who believes that such a young child has the mental ability and maturity to make this kind of decision is not qualified to practice. Any parent or physician who goes along with it should be arrested, tried and found guilty of child abuse The manner in which the West continues to sexualize our children at a younger and younger age is an abomination. And it's incredibly hypocritical. On the one hand we tell them they are too young to drink, smoke, wed, vote, drive and have jobs, while on the other we will let them decide for themselves to become another gender.We hardly even allow them toanymore.As for the United States, reports that about 1.4 million adults or 0.6 percent of the population identify as transgender, but there are no figures for children. That will likely change now that our Western ally has broken the mold, so to speak, and is allowing and actively enabling such nonsense. Pipeline will disturb sacred grounds Pipeline threatens clean water supply (NaturalNews) The protests surrounding the Dakota Access Pipeline took a violent turn over the weekend, when the private security firm hired to guard the controversial pipeline's construction unleashed attack dogs on the crowd of demonstrators.The protestors, who included women and children, had been peacefully chanting "Water is life," as guards stood nearby with the dogs in hopes of intimidating them . At one point they unleashed the dogs without warning and released pepper spray into the area. Videos from the scene show the dogs lunging at protestors as they marched through piles of dirt created by the early stages of construction. The dogs bit at least six people, including a child. A horse was also reportedly bitten.Thereported that phone and data reception had conveniently dropped to almost zero at the same time. Video from the scene shows a helicopter belonging to the North Dakota State Patrol hovering above the chaos during the dog attack, even though Morton County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Donnell Preskey claimed that law enforcement had not received any reports of injured protestors.Tribal spokesperson Steve Sitting Bear said that at least 30 of the demonstrators were hit with the pepper spray. Four security guards and two of the guard dogs were also reportedly injured during the confrontation.The incident came just a day after the Standing Rock Sioux filed documents in court saying that a number of sites bearing "significant cultural and historic value" rested in the pipeline's proposed path. They say that they were not properly consulted prior to the approval that was granted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The pipeline , which is also called the Bakken Oil Pipeline, will run from North Dakota through South Dakota and Iowa, and into Illinois.The tribe's chairman, David Archambault, told the media that the demolition was "devastating." He added: "These grounds are the resting places of our ancestors. The ancient cairns and stone prayer rings there cannot be replaced. In one day, our sacred land has been turned into hollow ground."In a federal complaint, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe said: "The construction and operation of the pipeline ... threatens the Tribe's environmental and economic well-being, and would damage and destroy sites of great historic, religious, and cultural significance to the Tribe."The protestors numbered at least 4,000 by the end of August. State officials recently removed the protestors' water supply in an effort to deter them, which could be a sign of what is to come, as the project itself threatens the area's clean water supply.The Standing Rock Sioux's efforts have garnered support from more than 200 other Native American tribes. Despite the protest's vast size, it has been largely ignored by the mainstream media Environmental groups like the Sierra Club and Greenpeace are also opposed to the pipeline, which many believe could affect the drinking water supply if it breaks, because it is being built underneath the Missouri River which supplies most of the Midwest with its water.Around 30 environmental groups signed an official letter to President Obama asking him to reject the pipeline, just as he did with the Keystone XL pipeline.The developer of the pipeline, Energy Transfer Partners, claims that the $3.8 billion project would help America reduce its dependency on imported energy from unstable parts of the world. The 1,172-mile pipeline would be responsible for carrying almost half a million barrels of crude oil daily from North Dakota to Illinois.According to Energy Transfer, this would bring around $156 million in income taxes and sales to the state and local governments, while adding as many as 12,000 construction jobs. However, for the Native Americans to whom this land belongs, as well as to many others living in the area, the price for all of this is simply too high.(Image credit: Democracy Now!) Animal procedures and study protocol Two-month-old DES-KO (B6.129S2/Sv-Destm1Cba/Orl) male mice6 were randomly assigned to the treatment (AAV-DES, n=10) or vector control group (AAV-LUC, n=10). Randomization was performed allocating cages to the AAV-DES or AAV-LUC using a javascript random number generator. The first randomly calculated combination yielding equal group sizes was applied. A dose of 3 1012 vector genomes was systemically administered through the tail vein. Twelve genetically healthy littermates were used as WT controls. Genotyping was performed as described by Torrente et al. (Supplementary Methods).28 Animals were fed ad libitum and housed in a temperature- and humidity-controlled room in a specified pathogen-free environment under 12:12 h light/dark cycles. All procedures involving the use and care of animals were performed according to the Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and the German animal protection code. Approval was granted by the local ethics review board (G143/11). Left ventricular function was assessed using transthoracic echocardiography before vector application and every 3 months following treatment. Final analysis was performed with echocardiography and PVL 10 months after vector application, upon which mice were killed. Mice were killed by cervical dislocation and weighed. Hearts were removed, washed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), weighed and cut in half biventricularily along the long axis of the left ventricle. One half was embedded in tissue-tek (Sakura, Staufen, Germany) and frozen on dry ice. The other half was further dissected. Atria and right ventricle were removed and flash frozen. Additional samples from liver and soleus muscle were taken. The right hindlimb was amputated at the femur level and incubated in a 37% hydrogen peroxide solution for 2 weeks. Tibia lengths were measured with a slide gauge. All measurements were obtained by a blinded investigator. One animal of the AAV-LUC control group suffering from severe dilated cardiomyopathy died in the course of the study. Preliminary survival analyses showed a similar trend with a sharp increase in mortality in desmin-deficient mice after week 56 (Supplementary Figure S1). Cloning of the murine cDNA encoding desmin RNA was isolated from the ventricles of a C57/B6 mouse (Charles River, Sulzfeld Germany) using the RNeasyFibrous Tissue Mini Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) following the manufacturers instructions. RNA was transcribed into cDNA with the Superscript III kit (Invitrogen, Darmstadt, Germany). Two desmin coding sequences were amplified using phusion polymerase (Finnzymes, Vantaa, Finland) applying a two-step protocol (98 C; 72 C; 30 cycles) with the same forward (GGATCCACCGGTGCCACCATGAGCCAGGCCTACTCGTCC), but different reverse primers (TGAAGCGTACAAGAGGTGGCTGAGGGGTTCCCTGG and TGAAGCTGTACAGTGAGGACGGGGCCAGGACACTGAA) creating one clone with and one without an extended 3UTR. Amplificons were subsequently cloned into the pCR blunt vector (zero blunt cloning kit; Invitrogen) creating pCR-Blunt-mDES-ext and pCR-Blunt-mDES, respectively. Plasmids from resulting colonies were harvested (QIAprep Spin Miniprep Kit; Qiagen) and sequenced (MWG, Ebersberg, Germany). Generation of AAV vectors Murine desmin cDNA was inserted with BamHI/BsrGI into a self-complementary AAV vector genome plasmid, derived from pdsCMV-MLC0.26-EGFP,29 under control of the human troponin T promoter (hTNNT2), resulting in pds_hTNNT2-mDes. AAV9 vectors for expression of desmin or luciferase (control) were generated by cotransfection of pds_hTNNT2-mDES or pdsCMV-MLC-hRluc together with pDP9rs, a derivate from pDP2rs30 with the AAV9 cap gene from p5E18-VD29,31 in Hek293T cells using polyethylenimine (Sigma Aldrich, Taufkirchen, Germany). AAV was purified and titrated as previously described.21 Western blot Tissue was homogenized in radioimmunoprecipitation assay buffer and protein concentrations were measured using the DC Protein Assay (BioRad, Munich, Germany) following the manufacturers instructions for microtiter plates. Samples containing 100 g of protein were diluted in protein sample buffer and heated for 5 min at 95 C. Electrophoresis was carried out using a 420% sodium dodecyl sulfate glycine gradient gel (Invitrogen or BioRad) at 120 V for 2 h. Gels were blotted to PVDF (immobilon, Merck Millipore, Darmstadt, Germany) or nitrocellulose (Whatman Protran BA83; Sigma Aldrich) membranes in modified Towbin buffer applying 300 mA at 4 C overnight. Membranes were blocked with milk powder (5% solved in TBS-T) for 1 h. Primary antibodies for desmin (DE-U-10; Sigma Aldrich, 1:200), GAPDH (Sigma Aldrich, 1:7500), plectin (antiserum #9; G. Wiche, MFPL, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria, 1:3000) and syncoilin (sc-162284; Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Dallas, TX, USA, 1:500) were solved in blocking buffer and membranes were incubated for 1 h. Secondary antibodies goat-anti-mouse-HRP (Santa Cruz Biotechnology), goat-anti-rabbit-HRP (Santa Cruz Biotechnology) and rabbit-anti-goat-HRP (BioRad) were applied for 45 min at room temperature at a dilution of 1:5000. Membranes were washed thoroughly in TBS-T after each antibody staining as well as after antibody stripping (Thermo Scientific, Rockford, IL, USA) performed between desmin and GAPDH staining. Blots were read out using the ChemiDoc imaging system (BioRad) applying Pierce ECL solution (Thermo Scientific) following the manufacturers instructions. Data acquisition and quantification were performed with ImageLab and ImageJ. Expression levels were normalized to GAPDH and quantified relative to a WT standard. Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR RNA was isolated from samples using the RNeasyFibrous Tissue Mini Kit (Qiagen), optional DNase digest was performed, 0.6 g RNA was transcribed into cDNA with the help of the Superscript III Kit (Invitrogen) and RNA digestion was performed using RNase H. Commonly used primers were employed for GAPDH and BNP quantification, while a primer blast search was performed in order to find suitable primers for desmin (NM_010043.1) quantification (Supplementary Table S3). Desmin primers were designed to distinguish between WT and vector-mediated desmin expression making use of different 3 UTR sequences. cDNA was quantified using iTaq Universal SYBR Green Supermix (BioRad) on a CFX96 Touch Real-Time PCR detection system (BioRad) applying a common two-step protocol (60 C; 95 C; 30 cycles). Two technical replicates were run for each reaction. Expression levels of WT and vector-mediated desmin were quantified using plasmid standards: pCR-Blunt-mDes-ext served as WT standard and dsAAV-hTNNT2-mDES as a transgene standard. BNP expression was quantified using the ct method normalizing to GAPDH. Immunofluorescence Nine micrometer cryosections were fixed in 3% PFA dissolved in 0.1 m phosphate buffer for 20 min, washed thrice in PBS and plasma membranes were stained with wheat germ agglutinin (Molecular Probes, Invitrogen) at a concentration of 5 g ml1 for 10 min followed by washing in PBS. Cells were permeablized in 0.2% Triton X-100 (Invitrogen) in PBS for 5 min at room temperature and washed three times. Alternatively, 5 m cryosections were fixed with ice-cold acetone for 10 min and air-dried prior to blocking. Slides were blocked in PBS containing 10% fetal calf serum and 1% goat serum for 1 h and incubated with primary antibodies for desmin (DE-U-10, diluted 1:50, for the co-staining with wheat germ agglutinin), desmin (D33; Dako, Hamburg, Germany, 1:100), plectin (GP-21; Progen, Heidelberg, Germany, 1:400), and syncoilin (sc-162284; Santa Cruz Biotechnology, 1:100) in PBS containing 10% fetal calf serum overnight at 4 C in a wet chamber. Samples were washed, incubated with donkey-anti-mouse-IgG (DaM IgG AF647; Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, Baltimore, PA, USA, diluted 1:100), goat-anti-guinea pig-IgG (Alexa Fluor 555; Life Technologies, 1:200), goat-anti-mouse IgG (Cy2; Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, 1:200), donkey-anti-mouse-IgG (Rhodamine red; Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, 1:200), or donkey-anti-goat (Dylight 649; Thermo Scientific,1:200) antibodies in PBS containing 10% fetal calf serum for 1 h. Slides were washed thoroughly, mounted (Vectashield mounting medium with 4',6-Diamidin-2-phenylindol (DAPI); Vector, Burlingame, UK) and analyzed by fluorescence microscopy (Ni-E for wide field imaging and A1R for confocal imaging; Nikon, Dusseldorf, Germany) using a DS-Qi1Mc camera (Nikon) and a 32-channel spectral detector (Nikon), respectively. Alternatively, a confocal laser scanning microscope (Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany) equipped with a Plan-Apochromat 63 1.4NA objective lens was used. Images from wheat germ agglutinin stained slides were acquired on an Olympus IX81 microscope. Massons trichrome staining Slides were thawed, fixed in 10% formalin for 10 min at room temperature, washed, dipped four times in Harris hematoxylin (Sigma Aldrich) and incubated for 3 min in Mallory red (0.5% fuchsin acid, 0.5% glacial acetic acid). After brief washing in deionized water, slides were put in phosphotungstic acid (2.5%) for 15 min and stained in methyl blue (0.5% methyl blue, 2.5% glacial acetic acid) for 45 s. Dehydration was performed with graded alcohols in ascending order. Slides were subsequently placed in acidified ethanol containing 1% glacial acetic acid for 5 min. Slides were put in xylene for 5 min, mounted (Roti histo kit II, Roth), and analyzed on a Ni-E microscope (Nikon) using a DS-Ri1 camera (Nikon). Image analysis Fibrosis was measured using stitched images taken at 4 magnification on the Ni-E microscope applying a macro. Images were color-thresholded in ImageJ (U.S. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA) using the HSB filter sets dividing the image into two-color ranges (Hue) from 0 to 199 and 200 to 255 and excluding less saturated (S) pixels (035). Both image masks were each overlaid on the original image as a manual quality control. Particles on the created masks were subsequently analyzed and the total areas were used to create the blue to total ratio (blue/(blue+red) 100) indicating the percentage of fibrous tissue. Transthoracic echocardiography Echocardiographies were performed with hand restrained mice using the Sonos 5500 ultrasound imaging system (Agilent, Santa Clara, CA, USA) with the 15-6L (Agilent) probe and individually adjusted optimal device settings. M-Mode short axis (SAX) cine loops were obtained. The left-ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters (LVEDD, LVESD) of three consecutive heartbeats were determined. Means were established and the FS was calculated. Pressure volume loops Animals were anesthetized using 0.4 mg kg1 medetomidine, 5 mg kg1 midazolam and 500 g kg1 fentanyl injected intraperitoneally. Body temperature was maintained at 37 C using a homeothermic blanket (Harvard Apparatus, Edenbridge Kent, UK). Mice were catheterized through the left carotid artery with a 1.2 Fr catheter and PVL were measured in the left ventricle. Left ventricular volumes were extrapolated from admittance magnitude and admittance phase in real time using the ADVantage PV system (Scisense, Transonic, Maastricht, The Netherlands). Pressure and volume data were recorded using a Scisense 404-16 Bit Four Channel Recorder (Scisense) with LabScribe2 Software (Scisense). Indices of systolic function included end-systolic pressure, stroke volume and stroke work. Load-dependent myocardial contractility was assessed by maximal rate of pressure development (dP/dt max ). Transient inferior vena caval compressions were applied to reduce preload and determine end-systolic elastance as a parameter of load-independent myocardial contractility as previously described by Bauer et al.32 Diastolic function was assessed by end-diastolic pressure, tau (Glantz method, regression of log of pressure vs time) and the maximal rate of pressure decay (dP/dt min ). Statistics All data are expressed as meanstandard error. Statistical analyses were performed using R.33 Unless indicated otherwise, pairwise two-sided t-tests were used for statistical testing applying the HolmBonferroni algorithm for P-value adjustment. P-values under 0.05 were considered significant. The ShapiroWilk test was used to test for normal distribution and the and the F-test was used to test for similar variances. That the first science Nobel prizewinner from the Arabic-speaking world, Ahmed Hassan Zewail, pioneer of ultrafast chemistry, was also a diplomat is apparent in his unique list of distinctions. Few scientists can have been garlanded by foundations in both Israel and Saudi Arabia, served in the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and had their face on several postage stamps while living. He died on 2 August 2016, aged 70. Credit: Caltech The eldest child of a middle-class family, Zewail was born on 26 February 1946. He grew up in Desouk, Egypt, a small town 80 kilometres from Alexandria. After a state-school education, he took undergraduate and masters degrees in chemistry at the University of Alexandria. He then decided to further his studies in the United States, despite a fairly weak command of English (a fact which shocks those of us who knew this eloquent speaker later on). He did his graduate work on novel spectroscopies, including optically detected magnetic resonance, with Robin Hochstrasser at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. His postdoctoral work was on coherence in multidimensional systems and energy transfer in solids, with Charles B. Harris at the University of California, Berkeley. In 1976 he joined the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, where he remained for the rest of his career, rising to become the Linus Pauling professor of chemistry in 1995. Like Pauling, his reputation and impact would truly transcend science. Throughout the 1980s and most of the 1990s he led his group to do experiments on 'femtochemistry' his coinage for causing and watching reactions using light pulses lasting much less than a picosecond (a millionth of a millionth of a second). This is the timescale of chemical reactions at the molecular level the timescale of vibrations and nuclear motions. For this work he became the sole recipient of the 1999 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Before the advent of such ultrafast lasers in the 1970s, chemists' ideas of the dynamics of molecules in excited states were very different from todays'. They believed that the dominant force was intramolecular relaxation, and that this was largely incoherent. Zewail's work shattered this picture. Through elegant experiments, his group unravelled reaction dynamics, clarified molecular pathways and illuminated the quantum-mechanical evolution of atoms in molecules. The classic tool for him was the pumpprobe experiment. Here the first pulse (the pump) started a chemical reaction, and the second (the probe) monitored what happened next. In this way he and his team took snapshots of vibrational flow, state rearrangement and reaction products. These revealed a much deeper role for coherence than anyone had anticipated. After his Nobel Prize, Zewail's focus shifted towards a new form of microscopy that used ultrafast pulses of electrons to track reactions in space and time at the atomic scale. It was no secret that he hoped (like Pauling) to win a second Nobel Prize: Zewail was not one to rest on his laurels. Once again, truly elegant science resulted. Generations of talented students benefited greatly from his insight. He longed to boil down complex phenomena to the simplest underlying dynamics. He would urge his co-workers to avoid getting mired in detail. A very, very busy man, he still kept close tabs on his sub-basement labs. He would pop in during an experiment without warning, poke around, and start asking questions, saying he just wanted to smell the cooking. His career and influence were shaped by the view that science transcends political borders. One early incident illustrates this. In January 1983, he organized the International Conference on Photochemistry and Photobiology at his alma mater in Alexandria. He was clearly a rising star, but the work that would lead to the Nobel had barely started. The conference was a major milestone in his career, attracting a stunning collection of distinguished international scientists, with an obvious subtext of bootstrapping progress for Egyptian science in general. Given the tumultuous politics of the region then, as now, it was no surprise that as soon as Israeli scientists arrived, most of the Arab representatives were ordered by their governments to leave. Zewail surely would have expected this and could have taken the easy way out asking his Israeli friends (who were numerous) to stay away. Instead he publicly denounced at the conference the destructive acts of the same governments he was trying to help guide to modernity. Zewail never lost his drive to modernize science in the Arabic-speaking world. In speeches and articles he reminded his countrymen of the historical greatness of their science, and encouraged them to build to greatness again through investment in education and fundamental research. He was the driving force behind the Zewail City of Science and Technology in October City, Giza. After a troubled gestation due to political instability, this new university finally opened in 2013, with institutes intended to cover all the fields required for development of Egyptian society. Zewail was also on US president Barack Obama's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology for four years and served as the US science envoy to the Middle East. Winter is now over for the Australian folks. Snow won't be falling anytime soon, but watch out for the swooping magpies overhead, especially their claws. According to a Monday news from The Herald, a Rutherford resident named Lincoln Wright got an eye blow while riding home from work along Aberglasslyn Road. The second attack, the magpie scratched behind his left ear. In Queensland, 119 swoops have been recorded on the website magpiealert.com, marking the city with the most number of reported magpie attack, reports The Courier Mail. Two people have been attacked by the "sneaky bird" at the South Bank boardwalk in Brisbane. While from Daily Mail, Reddit user local resident shared in the social media about his dilemma. "I got chased away from my street and down a block on my bike the other day coz [sic] of these..." Reddit user, konnen23 said. TheFlyingCheeseMan, another Reddit user even recommended a "magpie cull", calling for others to support the movement. Despite disdain people felt over the swooping incidences, they are quick to defend the aggressive magpies. Reddit user crumpethead said, "I've always fed them (not too much) and they form a real bond with you." Mount Keira artist and magpie enthusiast, Nicole Grimm-Hewitt has befriended the many birds seeing them to be "really friendly and family oriented" and also brave, posted in another report. Lawrence Orel of National Parks and Wildlife Service also disagreed with the culling of the magpies, saying that he understood that the birds are protecting their young but felt that authorities should cut back trees known for nesting locations as magpies are territorial birds, especially the males, which swoop the most because the common area for the nest site is a tall tree in an open space. "Magpies only attack when there are chicks in the nest, so if there are going to be more chicks, there are going to be more attacks," Prof. Darryl Jones, behavioral ecologist of Griffith University told The Courier Mail. According to Jones, this year, magpies started nesting in July, six to eight weeks earlier than their normal nesting season in August. Because of this, Australians need to expect more magpies swooping down their way as these birds will give birth to one additional lot chicks. Read: Murder for Fashion: Baby Ostriches in South Africa Slaughtered for Hermes, Prada Bags Alert! Northern Spotted Owl Added to California's Endangered Species List Nearly a decade ago, only 115 western gray whales were seen swimming, feeding and fleeing from Sakhalin Island, a Russian territory north of Japan, where oil was being drilled. However, a new IUCN report says the species is expereincing a rebound. Latest report released from IUCN (International Union for Conservation for Nature) website on Saturday says the western gray whale population has grown 3 to 4 percent annually, from an estimated 115 animals in 2004 to 174 in 2015, thanks to the efforts made by the Sakhalin drillers. The western gray whale population is currently listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red list of Threatened Species since 2003. A deal agreement 12 years ago made the two opposing parties to work together for whales' sake. The massive gray whales, Esrichtiius robustus, were facing deadly threats like underwater noise, ship collisions and entanglements in fishing gears. Through the deal, loans to Russia's Sakhalin Energy were restricted unless the oil company paid for a panel of marine scientists to advise its offshore operations. In 2004, in response to the growing concern over Sakhalin Energy's plans for expansion around the Sea of Okhotsk with the possible impact on the critically endangered whales, IUCN established WGWAP (Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel), easily known as the Sakhalin drillers. "The process began as a 'David versus Goliath' and wound up as a 'David and Goliath story," said Azzedine Downes, president and CEO of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), from Phys.org News. Sakhalin Energy, an oil and gas company with Gazprom, Shell, Mitsui and Mitsubishi as shareholders, is the only current company involved in the agreement. Western grey whales are the longest migrating mammal known today. Each whale travels 6,760 miles (10,880 kilometers) from Sakhalin to to Mexico's Baja California peninsula, SBS notes. Female grey whales are fighting for their life. Fourty-three female whales are breeding in the group in 2015, a big increase from the 27 female whales in 2004. Furthermore, the panel's work also led to the development of one of the most comprehensive Monitoring and Mitigation Plans for seismic surveys, which now serves as the industry's global guide. A new guide developed to help industry design and carry out effective and responsible geophysical surveys was released by IUCN. The current deal between IUCN and Sakhalin drillers is extended another five years, until 2021. Many of the world's biggest companies publicly support U.S. President Barack Obama's climate change agenda, but a new review by Reuters reveals that these same companies support his rivals and climate change skeptics. There is a clear inconsistency between the public advocacies of companies like PepsiCo, Google and Dupont, and their political contributions, the review revealed. Most corporations donate funds to the different political parties with little regard to environmental causes and positions. The review of Reuters studied the political donations for the 2016 elections by 30 of the biggest publicly traded U.S. companies that signed the "American Business Act on Climate Change Pledge" in 2015. This Obama-initiated act is an agreement to enact climate-friendly corporate policies and support climate change actions. While signing is a commendable move by the corporations, it's revealed that 25 of these 30 companies are actually contributing funds to the campaigns of lawmakers who are known as "climate deniers," according to a list from non-profit Organizing For Action that's organized by Obama aides. Among the companies found to heavily support politicians who are part of the list are PepsiCo and DuPont, who both gave half or more money from their top donations. Google, AT&T, GE, Verizon and Mondelez are others that gave over a third of their contributions. "There really needs to be a process that looks at these issues ... at C-suite and board levels on a periodic basis," Jon Lukomnik, head of the Investor Responsibility Research Center Institute, said. However, lawmakers who found themselves on the list point out that there are other issues that companies consider when choosing whose campaign to support. Republican Congressman Kevin Cramer of North Dakota is a self-described climate skeptic who said, "It is not a black and white issue, like if you agree with Obama you're enlightened, and if you don't you're in the dark. It is more of a spectrum." Read: Obama's Second Fish Namesake: New Species Discovered in Hawaii How Obama's Oil and Gas Leases are Harming Marine Life, Environment Change of Heart: World's Biggest Polluters China and US Pledge to Turn Paris Agreement Into Reality What would the world be like without the decadent chocolates? Sad isn't it? Fret not; scientists have discovered a new hero fruit on the rise. Cocoa Shortage a Global Crisis According to Bloomberg, based on the current global cocoa consumption, it is estimated that the world could experience chocolate shortage for more than half a century. Aside from the smaller harvests brought by the unfavorable weather conditions in Ivory Coast and Ghana, the biggest cocoa growers, the International Cocoa Organization notes on its website that cocoa production is affected by a range of pests and diseases, which negatively influence cocoa production by 40 percent. These factors result to production shortage, higher demands and higher prices. The demand for cocoa is, in fact, predicted to rise by 30 percent by 2020. In lieu with exploring how we can halt the dwindling cocoa production, researchers at Bangor University have come up with an amazing discovery. According to their study published in Scientific Reports, wild mangoes (Mangifera sylvatica), can be a new cocoa butter alternative. Cocoa Butter and Wild Mangoes Cocoa butter is a fatty substance obtained from cocoa beans. Aside from greatly contributing to production of the well-loved chocolates, it is also used to produce cosmetic products as it is very beneficial in moisturizing and softening dry skin. Dr.Josh Axe claims that cocoa butter contains high antioxidants that fights off the signs of aging, improves heart health and increases immunity. Wild mangoes, on the other hand, have been found out to have several superior properties to be an alternative for cocoa butter. Analysis of the researchers showed that wild mangoes' fatty acid and triglyceride profiles are just similar with cocoa butter, as well as its thermal and physical properties. Moreover, wild mangoes can even enhance the existing properties of cocoa butter, making it a Cocoa Butter Improver (CBI). Sayma Akhter, the senior author of the study said in a press release, "Wild mango is one of the so-called Cinderella' species whose real potential is unrealised. The identification of real added value as we have shown in this study, could pluck it from obscurity into mainstream production." "With the support of government and non-governmental organisations, small scale industries could be set up to create a new income source for local people. There are many other new products that can come from underutilised fruits which are still waiting for proper attention," he added. Read: Wine & Coffee Lovers Unite! Study Shows Red Wine, Dark Chocolate Good For Your Gut Certain Molecule in Red Wine, Chocolates Could Help Slow Down Symptoms of Alzheimer's Study: How Scientists Reduce Fats from Chocolates Using Electricity Chocoholics Unite! Eating Dark Chocolate Can Boost Your Exercise Endurance In a curious case of pollution, a river in Russia has mysteriously turned blood red. Locals say a nearby nickel plant excreting toxic waste is the culprit. The Daldykan River is located in Norilsk, which is an industrialized city in the north above the Arctic Circle. Russian authorities are still investigating the reason for the water's red tint, but locals are blaming the industrial waste leakage from the nearby Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant, which processes nickel concentrate, Siberian Times reports. The plant is owned by mining and metallurgical giant Norilsk Nickel. The company denies any leakage coming from the plant but said that the company will do environmental checks to verify the matter. "The Polar Division of Norilsk Nickel does not confirm a leak of emergency discharge of industrial waste into the Daldykan River which could have affected its state," a spokesman of Norilsk Nickel said in a statement. "However, environmental monitoring around the river and adjoined production facilities of the company is being held, including helicopter flights." Following the statement, the company also provided a local news agency with an image of the river, showing that the river water looks normal in its usual blue-green color. According to the locals, this was not the first time the Daldykan River turned red. A former employee of the plant said that a factory reservoir connected to the plant is so full of pollutants that they often refer to it as the "Red Sea," adding that during the winter, the snow also has the same red color, ABC News reports. Grigory Dukarev from the Association of the Indigenous Peoples of the Taimir Peninsula, which represents the native communities in the region, will submit a formal complaint to authorities, urging them to investigate on the alleged contamination of the river. "I'm going to ask the representative from the company to drink this water," Dukarev told ABC News. "Will they drink this water? I doubt that." Read: Consequences of Climate Change: The Black Sea is Losing Its Habitable Waters and It's a Bad Sign Rare Glowing Shrimp Creates Spectacular Blue Rivers in Japan Strange! Why This Giant Lake Turning Red Blood in Iran is Something to Be Worried About An international team of astronomers has discovered that the unusual mix of stars in the stellar cluster known as Terzan 5 could be a rare fossil relic of the early Milky Way. The discovery, described in a paper published in the Astrophysical Journal, could pave way for a better and more understanding of galaxy assembly, unraveling the mysteries of galaxy formation and complicated history of the Milky Way Galaxy. "Some characteristics of Terzan 5 resemble those detected in the giant clumps we see in star-forming galaxies at high-redshift, suggesting that similar assembling processes occurred in the local and in the distant Universe at the epoch of galaxy formation," explained lead author Francesco Ferraro from the University of Bologna, Italy, in a statement. The unusual mix of stars in the Terzan 5, some 19,000 light-years away from Earth, was detected using the data from the Advanced Camera for Surveys and Wide Field Camera 3 on board NASA and ESA's Hubble Space Telescope. There were also data gathered by ground satellites including the Very Large Telescope in Chile. The astronomers reveal that there are two distinct kinds of stars in Terzan 5 that have an age gap of roughly seven billion years. This suggests that the star formation process in Terzan 5 is not continuous, but was dominated by two distinct outbursts. For the second burst of star formation to be possible, Terzan 5 needs to have large amounts of gas and to be quite massive, about 100 million times the mass of Sun. Due to its unusual properties, Terzan 5 could be the ideal candidate for a living fossil from the early days of the Milky Way. Furthermore, the astronomers noted that the properties of Terzan 5 have many similarities to the stellar population found in the tightly packed central region of the Milky Way called galactic bulge, making Terzan 5 a fossilized relic of galaxy formation, representing one of the earliest building blocks of the Milky Way. Read: Milky Ways Blowout Bash 6 Million Years Ago Could Explain Galaxy's Missing Mass NASA Probes Peculiar Age-Defying Star Dark Twin of the Milky Way Galaxy, Discovered NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission will be launching today from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to collect a sample from the asteroid Bennu and bring it back to Earth. But out of over 500,000 known asteroids in the solar system, why did the mission team choose Bennu? The OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer) space probe will launch into a two-year space journey to reach Bennu, a huge, dark and roundish asteroid that is included in NASA's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids. This means that it is considered as one of the space rocks that could one day hit Earth. NASA came up with three criteria in choosing the best asteroid for the sampling mission: 1. Proximity For the OSIRIS-REx mission, the asteroids to be selected should be as close as 1.6 AU (the distance between the Earth and Sun) to 0.8 AU, and should have an Earth-like orbit. 2. Size The best candidate for the mission should have a diameter of over 200 meters to enable the spacecraft to land and collect sufficient sample. Smaller asteroids rotate rapidly, causing regolith -- the loose material needed for sampling -- to be ejected from the rock's surface. 3. Composition The oldest asteroids are rich in carbon and contain organic material that may have potentially been carried to Earth as the earliest forms of life on the planet. The criteria narrowed down the search to only five asteroid candidates, and from the five space rocks, Bennu was selected. Bennu comes close to the Earth within 0.002 AU every six years and orbits around the Sun every 1.2 years, measures 500 meters in diameter, and has high concentrations of carbon owing to its black surface. "We selected asteroid Bennu as the final target of OSIRIS-REx because it was so well characterized, with the radar data and telescopic data, that we felt that really reduced risk to the mission profile," Dante Lauretta, principal investigator for the mission, said in a report by Space. The OSIRIS-REx space probe will launch on board a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 411 rocket and is scheduled to reach Bennu in August 2018. The spacecraft is expected to return to Earth in September 2023 and will fly over Utah to drop the capsule containing the asteroid sample. According to Lauretta, the mission could provide knowledge about the origin and evolution of life on Earth, as well as some insight on how to prevent a potential asteroid collision. Read: Newly Found Asteroid Just Made a Close Encounter With Earth Asteroid Gets A Rockstar Name After Queens Freddie Mercury All Set! NASA Chases Down Bennu Asteroid to Unlock Solar System Secrets An international team of researchers has discovered that the colorful freshwater crabs popular in ornamental fish markets in China actually belongs to a new species and genus of freshwater crab. According to a press release, three researchers from the University of South Wales in Australia, The Australian Museum, Sun Yat-sen University in China and National Ching Hsing University in Taiwan have taken an interest in the freshwater crabs being sold in the pet market. The researchers noticed that the freshwater crabs have an unusually structured male gonopod, which in crustaceans is a swimming appendage modified to serve as a reproductive organ. Due to crab's peculiarities, lead author Chao Huang persuaded a local fish dealer to take them to the collection site located in northern Guangdong, southern China. The researchers surveyed the collection site and collected some sample of the crabs. DNA testing and molecular analyses have confirmed that the freshwater crabs being sold as pet in China belongs to a new species and genus. The new species and new genus of freshwater crabs found in China is described in a paper published in the journal ZooKeys. Due to its apparent preference to the pools of limestone hillstreams, the new freshwater crab was named Yuebeipotamon calciatile, in which calciatile means living on limestone. The new genus possesses a distinctive combination of carapace, ambulatory leg, male thoracic sternal, male abdominal and gonopodal characters that distinguish it from these and other genera. Yuebeipotamon calciatile is characterized by its slender legs, which is believed to be developed to adapt to its habitat. Their slender legs make it easy for the crabs to climb and move around in the short-lived limestone hillstream. Other distinguishing features of the new freshwater crabs include the color of its carapace, claws and legs. Its carapace appears to be maroon to dark brown, while the claws and legs are reddish to purple. Furthermore, the adult Yuebeipotamon calciatile are much more vivid compared to the juveniles. A sexbot conference in Manchester, Britain discusses the possibility of intimate relationships in the digital age, specifically robots. According to the Associated Press, the conference entitled "The Human Choice & Computers" on Wednesday discusses the evolution of human relationship with technology in the future. Voice of America notes that in the near future, robots may have the ability to have sex with human beings or perform sexual acts using virtual reality devices. Because of this, the question is: will robots be better in bed? Joel Snell, a robotics expert from Kirkwood College, thinks they will. In an interview with Daily Star, he says that sexbots will be common in the future and will be preferable as they will be designed to meet the sexual needs of their users. Meanwhile, Charles Ess, a professor from the University of Oslo, tells Associated Press that sexbots, though meeting the demands of their users, should not be abused and human virtues should still come into play. Ess notes that ethics will be a keyplayer "to avoid [humans] becoming identical with the machines that serve us." Despite the tolerance shown by the scientific community on sex robots, some are speaking out regarding the ethical issues of the situation. Dr. Kathleen Richardson, a senior research fellow in the ethics of robotics at De Montfort University, has created a campaign called Campaign Against Sex Robots, which aims for the ethical development of human technology. "I created the campaign because I want people to really think about how we develop our technologies ethically. And I do want to live in a world where we think about how we can develop robots -- robots that can help us with the hard jobs, the hard toils we have as human beings," Richardson told Sky News. "But machines, inanimate objects, can't do relations. You can't manufacture human intimate relations, and that's what we're all about." Read: This is How Artificial Intelligence Will Change Urban Life in 2030, According to Stanford Study Reshma Bano Qureshi, who in 2014 survived a brutal acid attack from her brother-in-law as she attempted to shield her sister from an assault was so badly disfigured she lost an eye and much of her face was left scarred. But the 19-year-old from Mumbai, India not only survived the attack, but two years later has traveled from her home in India to participate in New York Fashion Week where she triumphantly walked the runway. Qureshi has gone on to become a spokesperson on her Youtube Channel where she not only talks about achieving "perfect red lips" during makeup tutorials, but also serves as a vocal opponent to campaign against the easy sale of acid in India. Her Youtube videos under the hastag #EndAcidSale, has attracted a massive following. "You'll find red lipstick as easily as you find acid. This is why everyday a girl becomes a victim of an acid attack. So help enforce the ban on the open sale of acid," she says. A man who pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and related charges in a shooting that left one man dead and two others wounded outside a popular grocery store has been sentenced to 19 years and eight months in prison. Omar Magadan, who was 21 when he was arrested, received his sentenced in a Vista courtroom on Wednesday. He had previously pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and related charges. The shooting happened on July 20, 2014 outside a Vons grocery store at 330 West Felicita in Escondido. Escondido resident Miguel Pedroza Fuentes, 38, was killed. Two other men were shot, but survived their injuries. The three victims were sitting inside a car when three suspects approached the car and starting arguing. Someone fired several shots into the car, and the suspects ran away, according to police. Authorities said the victims did not return gunfire. At the time of the shooting, the shopping center was still bustling with evening shoppers. Three eastbound lanes of the Bay Bridge from San Francisco heading into Oakland were closed for six hours into the early morning commute Thursday, ending finally when an assault suspect turned himself in, according to police. The suspect climbed off the ledge of the bridge on his own by 5:30 a.m. and was taken to San Francisco General Hospital for evaluation, according to the California Highway Patrol. All lanes were reopened by 6 a.m. He had climbed up onto a ledge of the bridge on Wednesday about 11 p.m. CHP Officer Victor Ruiz said witnesses told officers that they say him walking in lanes of traffic and throwing cones on the bridge rail. Negotiators had been trying all night to get him to come down, he said. It's unclear what assault he was accused of. A man charged with trying to kidnap and sexually assault two women claimed innocence during a jailhouse interview with NBC Bay Area on Wednesday. David Lee Russell said he had no idea he was a wanted man, and was bewildered by the accusations. Speaking through a glass partition at the Santa Clara County Jail, the convicted sex offender seemed determined to give his side of the story. His answers about the alleged attacks were emotional, but often contradictory. "I don't know if this helps or not, Russell said before his court appearance Wednesday. I'm just telling the truth." San Jose police captured the 56-year-old near Oakland Road on Tuesday, after he was spotted by residents, despite shaving his beard and goatee. Police said he tried to kidnap two young women in separate incidents within the past two weeks. The first incident, dated Aug. 29, occurred near Meridian and Hamilton avenues, and the second, on Sept. 1, was in the area of Hillsdale and Narvaez avenues, according to police. Despite a rap sheet that includes violent assaults against women, Russell told NBC Bay Area that those were friendly encounters. You have to physically take them and put them in a van then you did something. That's kidnapping, right? he said. If you go to talk to somebody and you walk away, that's not kidnapping. That's not an attempt." But Russell backed off from an earlier statement that he never had any physical contact with the victims. "I think I might have hugged her, but that's the part I don't remember, he said. It remains unclear which woman he was referring to. Russell also said he didn't shave to try to elude police. "I don't like gray hair, he said, insisting that he wasnt trying to alert his appearance to give police the slip. I didn't even know any of this was going on, he claimed. Further, Russell seemed stunned about the fact that he had a court date Wednesday. When asked if he had an attorney and was ready, Russell replied: "I'm not even ready for this." But prosecutor Michel Amaral scoffed at Russell's recounting of the events after charging him with kidnapping with intent to commit a sexual offense. "Both of the victims are women he did not know, Amaral said. He encountered them on the street, and after following them for some period of time, he put a sweatshirt over their heads and tried to drag them into his car." However, the man in question disagreed. "I never tried to do anything that they said, Russell said. I never tried to take nobody in my car. Ever. " The prosecutor said he will seek a life sentence for Russell, who is a "second striker" and a "repeat customer" in the prison system, according to California Department of Corrections spokesman Bill Sessa. He was sentenced in 1992 to four years in prison after being convicted of assault with intent to commit a sexual act and was discharged in August 1995, records show. He was sentenced against in July 2008 to four years on the same charge, along with two years for false imprisonment, three years for sexual battery and failure to register as a sex offender. He was discharged from prison in July 2013, and discharged from parole in March. Russell is being held without bail and is scheduled to return to court in a week. DENVER A night after Santiago Casilla got back on the horse, he unraveled once again. The rest of the relievers who entered in the ninth did, too. Casilla entered with a two-run lead and gave up a solo homer to Nolan Arenado. After a one-out single by Tom Murphy, the closer was replaced by Josh Osich, who hit the only batter he faced. Joe Nathan tried to pick up his first Giants save in 17 years, but he gave up a two-run walk-off double to Christhian Adames. The Rockies won 6-5. The loss kept the Giants from a series win. They still have not won back-to-back road games in the second half. For eight innings, the Giants finally looked like a team ready to play at Coors Field. Eduardo Nunez scored in the first and Brandon Belt made it 3-1 with a long two-run shot in the second. Gorkys Hernandez, who turned 29 on Wednesday, smoked a solo shot in the fourth. The homer was his first in the big leagues since 2012. Albert Suarez gave two runs back on solo homers in the fourth, and for a moment the Giants bullpen started to stir. It happened again in the fifth, when Suarez walked Raimel Tapia with one out. Suarez picked Tapia off and made it through five. The bullpen, which has quietly dominated on this trip, took it from there. Steven Okert pitched a sharp sixth and Hunter Strickland got a pair of strikeouts in the seventh on 98 mph fastballs. Will Smith, Sergio Romo and Javier Lopez got the ball to Casilla. The rest was a disaster. Starting pitching report: Suarez continues to be perfectly solid as the fifth starter. He has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his nine starts. Bullpen report: Okert was the first man out of the bullpen. Carlos Gonzalez flied out softly to center, Arenado struck out, and David Dahl popped up. That inning alone should make Okert an early favorite for a bullpen spot next spring. At the plate: Belts homer went 457 feet, per Statcast. He hit a 475-foot homer at Coors Field last season. In the field: Brandon Crawford made a ridiculous play to end the third, ranging over from his shifted position and firing a jump-throw to first for the out. You kind of had to be there. Attendance: The Rockies announced a crowd of 23,961 human beings. There were also a lot of bugs. Up next: A day off! Madison Bumgarner faces the Diamondbacks on Friday in Phoenix. San Francisco police on Tuesday said they arrested a man in San Francisco's Cow Hollow area after a report of shots fired led to the discovery of a substantial cache of firearms in his home. Jack Dane, 63, was arrested on Aug. 28, after police received calls shortly before 7 p.m. reporting shots fired in the area of Laguna and Green streets. A witness told responding officers that they had fled a home in the area because a friend was having a psychotic breakdown and was armed. As the witness fled the home, they said they heard several shots from inside the home. Police surrounded the house and detained a man found standing in the doorway, who was later found to be Dane. A search of the house by police uncovered 57 firearms including 17 semi-automatic rifles, machine guns and 40 handguns. Dane was arrested on suspicion of gun related charges including shooting at an inhabited dwelling and willfully and negligently discharging a firearm. Police are asking anyone with information in this case to call the SFPD Anonymous Tip Line at 415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and start the message with SFPD. Four Oakland police officers have been fired following a nearly year-long investigation into a sex abuse scandal, City Administrator Sabrina Landreth said. Seven other officers will be suspended without pay and an additional cop will receive counseling and training, Landreth said. Accusations against the officers who were fired include attempted sexual assault, lewd conduct and assisting in prostitution, according to Landreth. Landreth made the announcement with Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf during a late Wednesday afternoon news conference to discuss the investigation. "I am deeply sorry for the harm that this scandal has caused, particularly to community trust," Schaaf said. The mayor said the discipline "sends a loud and clear message that we will hold our officers to nothing but the highest standards of professionalism and integrity." Civil rights attorney John Burris believes further punishment is due. "Im hopeful that there are criminal charges because they should be prosecuted," Burris said. "Were talking about men police officers having sex with a minor." The 19-year-old woman at the center of the sex abuse scandal, Celeste Guap, said she has had sex with more than a dozen police officers throughout the Bay Area, which prompted the investigation. She has said some of those encounters took place when she was underage. [[39211825, C]] Schaaf said the investigation included 11 different interviews with Guap, 50 witness interviews and a review of 78,000 pages of social media postings and 28,000 text messages. Last week, Guap was arrested for aggravated battery after she allegedly attacked a security officer at a voluntary rehab facility in Florida, according to an arrest report. NBC Bay Area has confirmed two attorneys were on their way to Florida on Wednesday to try and secure Guap's release. Over the summer, three Oakland police chiefs stepped down, or were told to step down from their posts, amid the sex abuse scandal. In addition, the Oakland Police Department was involved in a racist texting probe, which caused two police officers to be suspended in August. NBC Bay Area's Cheryl Hurd contributed to this report. The San Francisco District Attorney charged former San Francisco 49ers tight end Bruce Miller with seven felonies on Thursday stemming from an attack on a 70-year-old hotel guest, including assault with a deadly weapon - the weapon being a cane. The remaining charges, according to District Attorney spokesman Max Szabo, include: one count of assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, one count of inflicting injury on an elder, one count of battery with serious bodily injury, two counts of assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, and one count of battery. The last count is a misdemeanor. The others are felonies. Several of the charges carry elder abuse enhancements, Szabo said. The older man suffered a black eye and possible facial bone fractures, according to San Francisco General Hospital. He was discharged earlier this week. Miller is expected to be arraigned in San Francisco Superior Court on Friday at 1:30 p.m. Miller declined to comment to reporters after he posted bail on Monday, hours after police arrested him for allegedly punching a 70-year-old hotel guest, and his 29-year-old son at the Fisherman's Wharf Marriott earlier that day. He was found vomiting and bleeding across the street from the Marriott at the Travelodge, where a manager there called 911 and provided some surveillance video of the arrest. His Atlanta-based agent, John Reale, told NBC Bay Area earlier this week, though, that Miller was a "great guy" and he was flabbergasted to hear about the alleged attack. His attorney, Josh Bentley, did not immediately return a call Thursday seeking comment. The 49ers released Miller from the team on Monday. NBC Bay Area's Gonzalo Rojas and Mark Matthews contributed to this report. A veteran Livermore police officer who was under investigation for allegedly being tied to a growing sex abuse scandal has resigned from the department, Livermore Police Chief Michael Harris said Thursday. The sex abuse scandal involves more than a dozen officers throughout the Bay Area. The Livermore Police Department's investigation concluded last week, Harris said, who would not discuss further details of the investigation. "This incident does not accurately reflect the professionalism of the men and women of the Livermore Police Department who protect our community every day," Harris said in a statement. "Now that this matter has reached a conclusion, we will move forward and continue to serve with honor and protect with purpose. I would like to thank our community for their continued support and patience as we completed this investigation." #BREAKING Livermore police Chief says investigation of veteran officer tied to Celeste Guap sex scandal concluded. The officer has resigned Jodi Hernandez (@JodiHernandezTV) September 8, 2016 Livermore Police Officer Resigns https://t.co/ZTOTMW5S5v Livermore PD (@LivermorePolice) September 8, 2016 The officer, who was placed on administrative leave on June 14, was notified of the investigation's findings last week and submitted his resignation this week, Harris said. The 19-year-old woman at the center of the sex abuse scandal, Celeste Guap, said she has had sex with more than a dozen police officers throughout the Bay Area, which prompted the investigation. She has said some of those encounters took place when she was underage. On Wednesday, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf announced four Oakland police officers have been fired following a nearly year-long investigation into the sex abuse scandal. Seven other officers will be suspended without pay and an additional cop will receive counseling and training, Schaaf said. Over the summer, three Oakland police chiefs stepped down, or were told to step down from their posts, amid the sex abuse scandal. The sex abuse scandal started to unfold last September when Oakland police began investigating the suicide of one of its officers. The scandal has also touched the sheriff's offices in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, San Francisco police, the Alameda County District Attorney's Office and the Defense Logistics Agency, a branch of the Department of Defense. Investigators are looking into whether the law enforcement officers had sexual relationships with Guap. The San Francisco Police Department on Thursday said its investigations is still active and ongoing. Last week, Guap was arrested for aggravated battery after she allegedly attacked a security officer at a voluntary rehab facility in Florida, according to an arrest report. Two well-known civil rights attorneys from the Bay Area are in Florida trying to secure her release. The Alameda County District Attorney is expected to announce a decision Friday afternoon on possible charges in the sex abuse scandal. Bay City News contributed to this report. A man was sentenced to 70 years in prison Thursday after a paralyzed victim blinked to identify the man who shot him. Jermaine Hailes was convicted in June of shooting Melvin Pate during a drug related-robbery in November 2010. The gunshot could have killed Pate immediately, but it left him quadriplegic instead. He died two years later. During Hailes' trial, jurors watched videotaped testimony from Pate, who could not speak after he was shot. Paralyzed from the chest down, he blinked from his hospital bed at a photo of his shooter in a photo lineup, prosecutors said. Once Pate was conscious, police wanted his help identifying who shot him. With a halo screwed into his skull to stabilize his spine, he could not speak, but he could blink. "He was able to make an identification of Mr. Hales by blinking during a photo lineup that police showed him while he was in the hospital," said John Erzen, spokesman for the Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office. "They told the victim to blink once hard if he recognized someone in the photos he was shown. So, it wasn't the involuntary blink that we all do. It was truly a closing of his eyes and opening them and you could see the tears coming from the side of his eyes as he identified the man who was his killer," said prosecutor Christine Murphy. After Pate's death, several years of hearings and appeals followed about whether the video of his blinking would be admissible in court. Ultimately, a judge ruled that Pate was competent when he identified the gunman, Erzen said. It marked the first time in Maryland history that a homicide victim's identification of his or her attacker was admissible in court. In addition, a man who said he planned the robbery with Hailes identified him in court as the shooter. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump made some inaccurate claims during an NBC commander-in-chief forum on military and veterans issues: Clinton wrongly claimed Trump supported the war in Iraq after it started, while Trump was wrong, once again, in saying he was against the war before it started. Trump said that President Obama set a certain date for withdrawing troops from Iraq, when that date was set before Obama was sworn in. Trump said that Obamas visits to China, Saudi Arabia and Cuba were the first time in the history, the storied history of Air Force One when high officials of a host country did not appear to greet the president. Not true. Clinton said that Trump supports privatizing the Veterans Health Administration. Thats false. Trump said he supports allowing veterans to seek care at either public or private hospitals. Trump said Clinton made a terrible mistake on Libya when she was secretary of state. But, at the time, Trump also supported U.S. action that led to the removal of Moammar Gadhafi from power. Trump cherry-picked Clintons words when he claimed Clinton said vets are being treated, essentially, just fine. Clinton had said the problems in the Department of Veterans Affairs were not as widespread as some Republicans claimed, but she went on to acknowledge problems, including the issue of wait times for doctors. The forum, sponsored by NBC News and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, was held Sept. 7 at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City. Today show host Matt Lauer, and members of the military and veterans in the audience, questioned the candidates separately. Trump and the Iraq War Trump said he was totally against the war in Iraq, while Clinton claimed that he supported the Iraq War before and after it started. The facts dont support either candidates strong assertions. Our review of Trumps statements before and after the Iraq War started found no evidence that Trump opposed the war before it started. In fact, he expressed mild support for invading Iraq when asked about it on the Howard Stern radio show on Sept. 11, 2002 about six months before the war started. Stern asked Trump if he supported a war with Iraq, and Trump responded, Yeah, I guess so. In the NBC commander in chief forum, Trump cited an Esquire article that appeared in August 2004 to show his opposition to the war. But that article appeared 17 months after the war started. As for Clinton, who as a senator voted in October 2002 to authorize the war in Iraq, the Democratic nominee claimed that Trump supported it before it happened, he supported it as it was happening and he is on record as supporting it after it happened. But just as there is no evidence that Trump opposed the Iraq War before it started, the Clinton campaign offered no evidence that Trump supported the war after it happened. The Clinton campaign cited Trumps interview on March 21, 2003, with Neil Cavuto of Fox Business just two days after the war started. Cavuto asked Trump about the impact of the war on the stock market. Trump said the war looks like a tremendous success from a military standpoint, and he predicted the market will go up like a rocket after the war. But Cavuto does not ask Trump whether the U.S. should have gone to war with Iraq or whether he supports the war, and Trump doesnt offer an opinion. As early as July 2003, Trump expressed concern on Hardball with Chris Matthews about money being spent in Iraq rather than in the U.S. Two months later, Trump told MSNBCs Joe Scarborough, I guess maybe if I had to do it, I would have fought terrorism but not necessarily Iraq. Clinton invited her audience to read Trumps comments on the Iraq War. They can read our timeline, Donald Trump and the Iraq War. Withdrawal from Iraq Trump said President Barack Obama set a certain date for withdrawing troops from Iraq, but that date was actually set by President George W. Bush. NBCs Matt Lauer asked Trump about his tendency to respond, when pushed for details on his military proposals, that hes not going to give details because he wants to be unpredictable. Trump responded, Absolutely, and went on to criticize Obama for revealing the withdrawal date. Trump: If I win, I dont want to broadcast to the enemy exactly what my plan is. This is what Obama does were going to leave Iraq on a certain date. Trump made a similar claim in August. As we said then, Republicans and Democrats disagree on whether Obama or Bush is to blame for withdrawing all combat troops from Iraq at the end of 2011. But that date was set when Bush signed the Status of Forces Agreement on Dec. 14, 2008. It said: All the United States Forces shall withdraw from all Iraqi territory no later than December 31, 2011. In the NBC forum, Trump also called the withdrawal of troops a terrible decision. As weve explained before, Condoleezza Rice, Bushs secretary of state, later wrote that Bush wanted an agreement for a residual force to remain, but Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki objected. Once Obama took office in January 2009, he had three years to renegotiate the deal, which his administration tried to do, to leave a residual American troop force. But Maliki still didnt agree. Negotiations broke down in October 2011 over the issue of whether U.S. troops would be shielded from criminal prosecution by Iraqi authorities. Whether Obama did enough is a matter of opinion: His then defense secretary, Leon Panetta, later wrote that the president didnt press hard enough for a deal. But some experts say Iraq was more closely aligned at the time with Iran and there wasnt a deal to be made with Maliki. So, both presidents had a role in the withdrawal of troops. But Trump wrongly said that Obama was the one who set a certain date for withdrawal and let U.S. enemies know about it, when that date was set before Obama was sworn in. Its worth noting that Trump said in a March 16, 2007, interview on CNN that the troops should be withdrawn quickly from Iraq. Trump, March 16, 2007, on CNN: You know how they get out? They get out. Thats how they get out. Declare victory and leave, because Ill tell you, this country is just going to get further bogged down. And theres nothing by the way, were keeping the lid on a little bit but date we leave anyway its all going to blow up. So, I mean, this is a total catastrophe and you might as well get out now, because you just are wasting time. Air Force One Trump said that Obamas visits to China, Saudi Arabia and Cuba were the first time in the history, the storied history of Air Force One when high officials of a host country did not appear to greet the president. Thats not true. Other presidents have encountered similar low-key greetings on foreign trips aboard the presidential aircraft. Trump referred to the fact that Cubas president, Raul Castro, did not greet Obama at the airport on his historic visit to Cuba in March, that Saudi Arabias King Salman did not meet Air Force One at the start of Obamas trip to Riyadh in April, and he referred to Chinas handling of the presidents arrival in Hangzhou last Saturday for a Group of 20 meeting. Whether or not those arrivals constituted snubs of a U.S. president as Trump claims is a matter of debate. But Trump is wrong on the facts when he claims it has not happened before. It has. In 1984, for example, Ronald Reagan landed in Beijing and was received by Chinas foreign minister rather than the president, whom he met only later. Similarly, on a 1985 trip to West Germany, Reagan was met by the foreign minister and not Chancellor Helmut Kohl. These and other examples were dug up by our friend Glenn Kessler, the Washington Posts Fact Checker, who researched a Trump claim in April that Cubas and Saudi Arabias handling of Obamas visits were without precedent. Kessler said of Trump, once again hes wrong, wrong, wrong. Kessler also noted that during Richard Nixons historic 1972 visit to China he was greeted at the airport by the countrys number two man, Premier Zhou Enlai. His boss, Chairman Mao, didnt even agree to meet with Nixon until after he had arrived at a guest house. Trump Not Privatizing the VA Clinton said that her plan to overhaul the Veterans Health Administration would not include privatization, which she said Trump supports. Clinton: I will not let the VA be privatized. And I do think that there is an agenda out there supported by my opponent to do just that. I think that would be very disastrous for our military veterans. But Trump refuted that statement when it was his turn to discuss his plan to help veterans. I would not do that, Trump said, referring to Clintons claim that he supports privatization. Trump: And by the way, I never said take the VA, the Veterans Administration, private. I wouldnt do that. Too much respect for our people. I heard it was said that I said that. I would not do that. But I do believe, I do believe, when youre waiting in line for six, seven days, you should never be in a position like that. You go out, you see the doctor, you get yourself taken care of. Trumps campaign published The Goals Of Donald J. Trumps Veterans Plan on its website last October. It doesnt call for the VA to be completely privatized. One of the biggest changes that plan would make to the current VA health care system is allowing veterans to get care at any non-VA medical center that accepts Medicare. Under a Trump Administration, all veterans eligible for VA health care can bring their veterans ID card to any doctor or care facility that accepts Medicare to get the care they need immediately, the plan states. The power to choose will stop the wait time backlogs and force the VA to improve and compete if the department wants to keep receiving veterans healthcare dollars, the plan says. Trumps proposal would seemingly go further than the Non-VA Medical Care Program, which allows eligible veterans to access care outside of the VA under certain circumstances, such as when VA medical centers cannot provide services. The program requires pre-approval for veterans to receive care at a non-VA facility in non-emergency situations. Trumps proposal would also go further than the bipartisan Veterans Choice Act of 2014 that President Obama signed into law, creating a temporary program, separate from the Non-VA Medical Care Program, that allows eligible veterans to receive health care at a non-VA facility if they would have to wait more than 30 days for an appointment at a VA medical center, or if they live more than 40 miles from the nearest VA hospital. Trump stuck to the idea of allowing veterans to choose between public and private hospitals when he released his most recent Ten Point Plan To Reform The VA in July. Point 10 of the plan says: Mr. Trump will ensure every veteran has the choice to seek care at the VA or at a private service provider of their own choice. Under a Trump Administration, no veteran will die waiting for service. Trump reinforced that part of his plan during the NBC News forum as well. Trump: Under a part of my plan, if they have that long wait, they walk outside, they go to the local doctor, they choose the doctor, they choose the hospital, whether its public or private, they get themselves better. To be clear, Trump supports giving veterans a choice between VA hospitals and private ones. Thats not the same thing as supporting the complete privatization of the system that provides care to veterans. Agreement on Libya Trump criticized Clinton for making a terrible mistake on Libya when she was secretary of state. But, at the time, Trump also supported U.S. action that led to the removal of Moammar Gadhafi from power. Trump made his claim in response to a question posed by Lauer on whether Trump will be prepared on Day One, if elected president, to tackle complex national security issues. Trump, Sept. 7: One hundred percent. Hey, Matt, again, she made a mistake on Libya. She made a terrible mistake on Libya. And the next thing, I mean, not only did she make the mistake, but then they complicated the mistake by having no management once they bombed you know what out of Gadhafi. I mean, she made a terrible mistake on Libya. This isnt the first time Trump has ignored his past support for the U.S. intervention in Libya. During the 10th GOP debate, Trump said he had never discussed that subject when Sen. Ted Cruz called him out on supporting U.S. action in the country. But, as we wrote, Trump said in 2011 that the U.S. should go into Libya on a humanitarian basis and knock [Gadhafi] out very quickly, very surgically, very effectively and save the lives. Trump made that comment in a video posted to his YouTube channel in February 2011: Trump, Feb. 28, 2011: I cant believe what our country is doing. Gadhafi, in Libya, is killing thousands of people. Nobody knows how bad it is and were sitting around. We have soldiers all over the Middle East and were not bringing them in to stop this horrible carnage. And thats what it is, a carnage. Now we should go in. We should stop this guy which would be very easy and very quick. We could do it surgically, stop him from doing it and save these lives. This is absolute nuts. We dont want to get involved and youre going to end up with something like youve never seen before. Now, ultimately the people will appreciate it and theyre going to end up taking over the country eventually. But the people will appreciate it and they should pay us back. But we have to go in to save these lives. These people are being slaughtered like animals. We should do it on a humanitarian basis. Immediately go into Libya, knock this guy out very quickly, very surgically, very effectively and save the lives. Even though Trump now says Clintons support for intervention in Libya was a terrible mistake, it doesnt change the fact that five years ago he supported Gadhafis removal. VA Just Fine? Trump twisted Clintons words when he claimed Clinton said vets are being treated, essentially, just fine. Clinton said the problems in the Department of Veterans Affairs were not as widespread as some Republican supporters of privatization of the VA claim, but she went on to acknowledge problems in the VA system including the issue of wait times for doctors and what she would do to address them. Trump highlighted the issue of wait times to see a doctor as one of the big problems in the VA, and then suggested Clinton doesnt think the VA has problems. Trump: And by the way, Hillary Clinton six months ago said the vets are being treated, essentially, just fine, theres no real problem, its over-exaggerated. Lauer interrupted, noting that Clinton went on after that and laid out a litany of problems within the VA. Trump insisted his version was accurate, adding, Im telling you she said she was satisfied with what was going on in the Veterans Administration. Thats not accurate. The comments in question from Clinton came during an interview with MSNBCs Rachel Maddow on Oct. 23, 2015. Maddow asked about talk among some Republicans of abolishing the VA and privatizing it. The reason they are able to propose something that radical is because the problems at the VA seem so intractable, Maddow said. Maddow asked if Clinton had any new ideas for trying to fix the VA. Here was Clintons response, with the part Trump is referring to in bold. Clinton: Yeah, and I dont understand that. You know, I dont understand why we have such a problem, because there have been a number of surveys of veterans, and overall, veterans who do get treated are satisfied with their treatment. Now, nobody would believe that from the coverage that you see, and the constant berating of the VA that comes from the Republicans, in part in pursuit of this ideological agenda that they have. Maddow: But in part because there has been real scandal. Clinton: There has been. And but its not been as widespread as it has been made out to be. Now, I do think that some of the reforms that were adopted last year should be given a chance to work. If there is a waiting period that is just unacceptable, you should be able to, in a sense, get the opportunity to go out, have a private physician take care of you, but at the cost of the VA. But I think it goes deeper than that, because if you look at not only VA health care, but the backlog on disability determinations, theres something not working within the bureaucracy. And I have said I would like to literally appoint a SWAT team to bring in people and just tackle the disability, have an ongoing review of the care that is being given, do more to make sure that every VA hospital is delivering care to the highest standard of the community, because, unfortunately, some are doing a lot better job than others are. Clinton accused Republicans of underfunding the VA because they want it to fail so they can privatize it. Clinton added, But we have to be more creative about trying to fix the problems that are the legitimate concern, so that we can try to stymie the Republican assault. Indeed, the Clinton campaign website states that Clinton wants to fundamentally reform veterans health care to ensure access to timely and high quality care. The campaign says Clinton was outraged by the recent scandals at the VA, and as president, she will demand accountability and performance from VA leadership. The site specifically mentions Clintons dissatisfaction that [m]any veterans have to wait an unacceptably long time to see a doctor or to process disability claims and appeals and promises she will [b]uild a 21st-century Department of Veterans Affairs to deliver world-class care. Trump cherry-picked the part of Clintons response that said problems in the VA have not been as widespread as it has been made out to be, to make the blanket claim that Clinton is satisfied with what was going on in the Veterans Administration and that vets are being treated, essentially, just fine. But Trump is leaving out the parts of Clintons answer that acknowledged problems in the VA including the wait time issue Trump highlighted as one of his biggest concerns. Hillary Clinton blasted Donald Trump on Thursday for his condemnation of American military generals and his praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying her Republican opponent had "failed" at proving he can be commander in chief. "Every Republican holding or seeking office in this country should be asked if they agree with Donald Trump about these statements," Clinton said in a news conference the morning after both candidates appeared at a national security forum. Trump did not directly respond to Clinton's critique Thursday. At a speech in Cleveland, he tagged his Democratic opponent with a new nickname "trigger-happy Hillary" and repeated his incorrect claim that he opposed the war in Iraq "from the beginning." Still, Clinton indicated later in the day that she does not want the final weeks to be exclusively focused on Trump, unveiling plans for a series of policy speeches aimed at promoting a positive message. That effort started in Kansas City on Thursday night with an address on faith at the National Baptist Convention. Clinton did take some thinly veiled shots at Trump, but she also made an appeal to African-American voters and reflected on her Methodist faith. "I've made my share of mistakes. I don't know anyone who hasn't," said Clinton. "It's grace that lifts us up and grace that leads us home." The foreign policy discussion followed a Wednesday night national security forum. Clinton was repeatedly challenged on her controversial email use at the State Department and her vote as a senator for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. She also fleshed out several national security priorities if she is elected, including trying to take out the leader of the Islamic State and vowing to defeat the extremist group without putting U.S. troops on the ground in Iraq or Syria. Trump did little to counter criticism that he lacks detailed policy proposals, particularly regarding the Islamic State group. He both insisted he has a private blueprint for defeating the extremist group and that he would demand a plan from military leaders within 30 days of taking office. But he was also harshly critical of the military, saying America's generals have been "reduced to rubble" under Obama. The Republican also renewed his praise for Putin and his disdain for President Barack Obama, arguing that "it's a very different system and I don't happen to like the system, but certainly, in that system, he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader." Speaking to reporters Thursday morning, Clinton suggested she agreed with Democrats who say she is being held to a different standard in the White House race. "I find it frustrating," she said. "But it's part of the landscape we live in." With just two months until Election Day, national security has emerged as a centerpiece issue in the White House race. Both candidates believe they have the upper hand, with Clinton contrasting her experience with Trump's unpredictability and the Republican arguing that Americans worried about their safety will be left with more of the same if they elect Obama's former secretary of state. Clinton's argument that Trump is ill-prepared to be commander in chief has been bolstered by a flood of Republican national security experts who are backing the Democratic nominee instead of their own party's pick. Some of those Republicans will join Clinton Friday for what she dubbed a "working session" on the threat of terrorism. Those attending include Michael Chertoff, who served as Homeland Security secretary under President George W. Bush. The national security debate came as Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson drew attention for a foreign policy flub. He was asked Wednesday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" what he would do as president about Aleppo, the Syrian city at the center of the refugee crisis, Johnson replied, "And what is Aleppo?" Wednesday's forum served as a preview of sorts for Clinton and Trump's highly anticipated debates. Clinton reiterated that she had made mistakes in relying on a personal email account and private server as secretary of state and in voting for the 2003 invasion of Iraq as a senator. But she defended her support for U.S. military intervention to help oust a dictator in Libya, despite the chaotic aftermath. Trump stood by a previous comment that appeared to blame military sexual assaults on men and women serving together, but added he would not seek to remove women from the military. And for the first time, he opened the door to granting legal status to people living in the U.S. illegally who join the military. The Republican also repeated an incorrect claim that he was opposed to the war with Iraq before the invasion. That assertion is contradicted by an interview Trump did with Howard Stern in September 2002 in which he was asked whether he supported the invasion. He replied, "Yeah, I guess so." On Thursday, Trump said he would have voted against the war if he had been serving in Congress at the time. He argued: "I opposed going in. And I opposed the reckless way Hillary Clinton took us out." President Barack Obama said Thursday that Republican Donald Trump confirms his belief that Trump isn't qualified to be president "every time he speaks," adding that he was confident Americans would ultimately reject the brash billionaire on Election Day. Obama, closing out his final presidential trip to Asia, said his meetings with foreign leaders during the trip had illustrated that governing is "serious business" requiring knowledge, preparation and thought-out policies that can actually be implemented. He urged Americans not to allow the "outrageous behavior" seen amid the campaign-season to become the new normal. "The most important thing for the public and the press is to just listen to what he says and follow up and ask questions to what appear to be either contradictory or uninformed or outright wacky ideas," Obama said. Throughout the campaign, Obama has repeatedly denounced Trump and deemed him "unfit" to serve as commander in chief, while arguing that his controversial positions and comments are a step beyond what Republican nominees have embraced in the past. Obama has endorsed Hillary Clinton and has said he plans to campaign full-force for the Democrat ahead of the November election. Obama's remarks came at the end of a grueling nine-day trip that took him to Laos and China following U.S. stops in Nevada, Hawaii and Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. Obama said that the United States and Southeast Asian nations gathered in Laos have advanced a vision of an open, dynamic and competitive economic system in which all nations play by the same rules. "When I think back to the time I spent here as a boy, I can't help but be struck by the extraordinary progress that's been made by the region in the decades since, even if there's still a lot of work to be done," Obama said. At the top of that list is the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a 12-nation free trade deal Obama helped broker. That deal awaits ratification in the U.S. Congress, where there is opposition from both parties, but Obama said he planned to do everything possible to persuade lawmakers to approve it before year's end. The president pointed to discussions with Southeast Asian leaders about maritime disputes in the South China Sea and suggested progress had been made in clarifying the path ahead to lower tensions between China and the Philippines. In a joint statement issued by leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, members were expected to issue a mild rebuke to China without referencing it by name. "I realize this raises tensions," Obama said earlier as he met with ASEAN leader, referring to a recent international arbitration ruling against China on the maritime dispute. "But I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and regional stability." On his last day in Asia, Obama met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose help Obama is seeking to galvanize further action on climate change, especially among developing countries. The two grinned and shook hands but made no substantive comments as reporters were allowed in briefly for the start of their meeting. Obama's final stop in Laos included an informal conversation with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on the sidelines of a summit. Obama had canceled a formal meeting with Duterte after the new Philippine leader used a crude schoolyard epithet to insult the president and warn him not to bring up extrajudicial killings in the Philippines during their meeting. Donald Trump's advisers repeatedly interrupted intelligence officials providing a briefing to the Republican nominee on Aug. 17, until New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie intervened, sources told NBC News. The Aug. 17 briefing is attracting new attention after Trump said at NBC's Command-in-Chief Forum that he divined that intelligence officials were "not happy" with President Obama based on their "body language." A U.S. official pointed out that intelligence officers don't give policy advice, so it would be inaccurate to say that Obama failed to follow the advice of the intelligence community. A second U.S. official said analysts are trained not to allow their body language to betray their thinking. Four people with knowledge of the matter told NBC News that one of the advisers at the meeting, retired general Mike Flynn, repeatedly interrupted the briefing with pointed questions. Two sources said Christie verbally restrained Flynn. Two other sources said Christie touched Flynn's arm in an effort get him to calm down. Requests for comment from Flynn and Christie were not immediately returned. When the Chicago Blackhawks made moves at the trade deadline last season, one of the bigger disappointments was the acquisition of Dale Weise, and on Thursday he had some strong words for his time in the Windy City. In an interview with Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Weise called his time in Chicago a disaster and said that the team didnt give him enough ice time to thrive. I had 14 goals by mid-February, he told Carchidi. Going to Chicago was a disaster because I played like five minutes a night. Its pretty tough to do anything when you play so little. It was a new experience for me. In 15 regular season games with the Blackhawks, Weise had just one assist and averaged 9:57 of ice time per night. He bounced all over the Hawks lineup but played mostly bottom-six minutes, registering 19 hits in those games. During the offseason, Weise signed a four-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers, and he thinks that he can have a career season after heading to the Eastern Conference. I think for sure I can score more than 14, he said. I think Im going to get a chance to play with some really good players here and play some minutes. Some Chicago aldermen are calling for up to 1,000 additional Chicago police officers to combat the headline-grabbing violence currently rocking the city, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Last week, Mayor Rahm Emanuels City Council floor leader, Ald. Pat OConnor, explained that the mayor intends to hire hundreds of additional officers to quell the citys spiking violence. Now, chairmen of the Black and Hispanic caucuses are calling for even more support. So far this year, Chicago has seen 510 homicides and 2,953 shootings, the Chicago Tribune reports. New York and Los Angeles currently have fewer combined homicides than Chicago. August was the deadliest month in the city in 20 years. Ald. Roderick Sawyer is calling for at least 500 additional officers, which would cost about $50 million. Sawyer proposed another property tax to pay for the plan. On Wednesday, Mayor Emanuel said his 2017 budget would be built around the need for a net increase in police officers. However, it hasnt been decided how many officers will be added. The mayor is planning a major address on public safety Sept. 20 that will focus on what he has called the four Ps: police, prevention, penalties and parenting. Emanuel explained that its important to put more cops on the street and change laws associated with gun penalties in order to help back them and the neighborhood up. He also stressed the need to invest in more opportunities for our kids to learn right from wrong. According to the Sun-Times, the CPD spent $116.1 million on overtime in 2015, a 17.2 percent jump from 2014. Under Emanuel, police retirements have outpaced hiring by 975 officers. Sawyer claims officers are overworked and fatigued, claiming that the city needs a fresh crop of officers paired with experienced officers. Ald. George Cardenas, chairman of the Hispanic Caucus, agreed that 500 additional officers beyond the number needed to keep pace with retirements is the least the city can do to battle the citys gang violence. Cardenas explained that the city could shut down its 146 tax-increment-financing districts to get the necessary $50 million to $100 million to pay for the plan. Meanwhile, Ald. John Arena, of the Progressive Caucus, is holding Emanuel to his 2011 campaign promise to add 1,000 new officers. After being elected, Emanuel instead added 1,000 more cops on the beat, over half of them by disbanding special units. The other half were mostly officers reassigned from desk jobs to street duty. The mayor balanced his first budget by closing police stations and eliminating upwards of 1,400 police vacancies. In the past, Emanuel has used runaway overtime to quell spiking violence. Last week, OConnor changed course. Emanuel and his Budget Director Alex Holt had argued that overtime was a more flexible alternative to hiring new officers because it avoids the costs of pensions and benefits for new hires. Arena said the hiring could be paid for, in part, by reducing runaway overtime. He also said he would seek approval from the Illinois General Assembly on a new city income tax that could generate up to $400 million annually. Ald. Ed Burke, chairman of the Finance Committee, said he wants to look into hiring auxiliary cops. This is something hes proposed, and gotten funding for, in the past. Nevertheless, nothing has come from those efforts. Burke is open to use retired to Chicago police officers to bolster the force, noting that we should be able to take advantage of those trained officers." In court Wednesday, an attorney representing the Village of Kenilworth made a stunning revelation: much of what has been popularly reported on the 50-year-old Valerie Percy murder case, is wrong. The 1966 Percy murder is one of the Chicagoland areas most enduring mysteries. The 21 year old daughter of millionaire and soon-to-be-senator Charles Percy was stabbed and bludgeoned to death in her familys Kenilworth home, in the waning weeks of her fathers campaign. The crime was never solved. Fifty years later, Kenilworth refuses to open the case files, insisting that the case is still a very active investigation. Wednesdays hearing concerned a lawsuit filed by New York attorney John Kelly, demanding that police open the books on the crime which has haunted Chicago for five decades. Many, many of the facts in those pages are wrong, attorney Chris Murdoch told the judge, referring to a recitation of the widely reported facts included in the plaintiffs motion. Its not true what he says in the brief about the facts in this murder. Murdoch said Kenilworth wants to keep it that way, essentially keeping fact separated from fiction, which he argued would be cleared up if the case files were opened. That, he argued, would hamper a very active investigation. But attorney Matt Topic argued there is no evidence that such an investigation even exists. Its 50 years later, Topic told the judge. I think we should start from the assumption that its not very plausible that it really is ongoing. At one time, the case occupied the public consciousness in Chicago like no other. On the night of September 18, 1966, someone cut a hole in a French door of the Percys Kenilworth mansion, and worked his way upstairs where Valerie Percy was asleep near her parents second floor bedroom. According to the long-accepted narrative, Percys second wife Lorraine said she heard moans down the hall, and when she stepped into the bedroom, she encountered the killer standing over Valeries bed. Percy said she was blinded by the light of the intruders flashlight, and that while she ran to summon help, the man escaped. Charles Percy went on to serve 18 years in the United States Senate. He died in 2011, never knowing the truth about his daughters murder. In Wednesdays hearing, Judge Anna Demacopoulos went out of her way to side with the publics right to know. All persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts and policies of those who represent them, she said, citing the states Freedom of Information statute. Access by all persons to public records promotes the transparency and accountability of public bodies at all levels of government. But the judge said that transparency does not come without limits. The peoples right to know must be balanced with the practical necessities of governing, she said, citing the need to balance openness with the necessities of law enforcement. Kenilworth says the files in question constitute a staggering 20,000 pages. Police chief David Miller has tendered a confidential 12 page memo to the court, outlining that evidence. The judge did not rule on the larger issues of the case, instead ordering Kenilworths legal team to release the memo. But she gave them permission to redact certain sections. Im going to reserve any comments about what it shows, or what it means, until Ive seen it, Topic said after court. The next hearing on the matter is set for October 17. Four years ago this week, schoolchildren were filing into Bontemps Elementary at the start of another year in Chicagos Englewood neighborhood. Today Bontemps sits vacant and abandoned its sign flapping in the wind; The insides have been gutted and ransacked as the building remains one of the dozens of schools that are empty shells in neighborhoods across Chicago, more than three years after Mayor Rahm Emanuels mass-closing of nearly 50 Chicago Public School buildings in 2013. Its been completely vandalized, says Asiaha Butler, president of the Resident Association of Greater Englewood, who was recently allowed inside to tour the Bontemps school building. Weeks of vandals. I mean, I think that folks spent weeks in this school. They took out all the wiring, Butler says. They took out all the insulation, all the plumbing every piece of copper you can think about is absolutely missing from this building. Inside the Abandoned Schools Costing Taxpayers Millions Yet Chicago taxpayers continue to shell out money, every year, for Bontemps and the dozens of other Chicago Public School buildings that sit, vacant and often vandalized, throughout the city. For the past three and a half years, NBC5 Investigates has been tracking the utility and maintenance costs for these empty buildings, and -- so far -- the taxpayer bill tallies more than $6.2 million spent to heat and light these vacant buildings through May of 2016. You could have 600 teachers for that amount of money, said Jesse Sharkey, vice president of the Chicago Teachers Union. Sharkey argues that the 2013 closings which were supposed to save the city money have actually had the opposite result. When the public started to cry out about this mass school-closure plan, [CPS and the Mayor] started making promises virtually none of which they had the ability to deliver on, Sharkey said. Indeed, by its own timetable, CPS should have by now -- sold off most all of its 50-plus vacant buildings and started demolishing the few remaining structures. In reality, though, only 14 buildings have been repurposed or sold some for millions, but others for prices as little as $325,000, $200,000 and even just $100,000 -- for an entire school building and the surrounding property. Like Bontemps, the vast majority of remaining abandoned school buildings have been ransacked, vandalized or burglarized. NBC5 Investigates analyzed Chicago crime records and found that at least 41 of the empty buildings have suffered serious often irreparable damage. NBC5 Investigates has also been continually asking the city for a tour of one or more of these abandoned buildings. Repeatedly, those requests have been turned down by both officials at CPS and Emanuels office, despite the fact that these are publicly-owned buildings, paid for with public money. CPS and the mayor have also refused to explain what is currently going on with all of the closed buildings, and why they are so far behind their own timetable. So more than three years later dozens of schools that were once filled with little children remain just as empty hulks of bricks and steel in the middle of Chicagos neighborhoods. To have them sit vacant for year after year its disheartening to our community, says Butler. It just really makes us feel hopeless. Benihana will return to Chicagos downtown area with a ground-floor restaurant in John Hancock Center, Crains Chicago Business reports. The restaurant chain, which serves Japanese food and is known flamboyant service as chefs dazzle diners by chopping and flipping ingredients tableside, leased a nearly 9,000 square foot space in the iconic Michigan Avenue building, Crains reports. The restaurant is aiming for a fall 2017 opening. Chicagos only previous Benihana location was closed in 2007 due to redevelopment, Crains reports, and the site has since become the MileNorth hotel. Benihana has locations in Lombard, Schaumburg and Wheeling in Illinois, according to its website. A spokeswoman for Madison Capital venture, one of two investors in the project, reportedly told Crains the Benihana location will be paired with a Starbucks and a third yet-to-be-named tenant. The new restaurant will also offer outdoor seating and have access from the 360 Chicago observatory lobby, Crains reported. A Chicago police officer has been charged after allegedly striking a man in the face with his baton during a 2014 altercation at a party, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's office. Brett Kahn, 31, is charged with aggravated battery and official misconduct, prosecutors said Thursday. Kahn has been a Chicago police officer since August 2012. The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. on July 11, 2014, at a block party in the 1500 block of South Christiana in the city's North Lawndale neighborhood. WARNING: Portions of this video may be disturbing to some viewers. A Chicago police officer has been charged after allegedly striking a man in the face with his baton during a 2014 altercation caught on video. Kahn was dressed in plain clothes with a bullet proof vest, patrolling the area with other officers when they saw a large group of people, according to police. They saw drinking in public and ordered multiple people to disperse, police said. Video taken by a bystander and later released by the Independent Police Review Authority shows Kahn slamming a woman, later identified as Lisa Simmons, onto the hood of a police car and handcuffing her. Kahn handcuffed a man, then moments later, brandished his baton and twice yelled "Get out of the street or you're going to jail!" He was then seen approaching Jeremiah Smith, 32, grabbing him with his left hand, pulling him closer and striking him in the head with the baton in his right hand. Kahn forced Smith to the ground, handcuffing him as onlookers screamed in protest. Smith was arrested and charged with felony battery, resisting arrest and unauthorized use of a weapon after a knife was reportedly found in his pocked, prosecutors said, initially pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of battery before the video footage came to light. Kahn turned himself in to investigators on Thursday and appeared in bond court in the afternoon. I-Bond was set at $50,000 and his next court date was set for Sept. 26. Which college campuses have the happiest students in the country? One of them is right here in Illinois according to a study done by the Princeton Review. Lake Forest College claims 17th place for the happiest students, according to Town and Country Magazine, which broke down some of the studys data. Lake Forest is a close-knit, diverse community where most of our students live on campus throughout their four years, the colleges website reads. Whether youre a first-year, transfer, or international student, youll feel at home here on our safe, beautiful campus. Lake Forest College is located in the north Chicago suburb of Lake Forest, about a half mile from Lake Michigan and 30 miles from Chicago. The colleges website says it has 107 acres over three campuses divided by wooded ravines. The architecture is described by the school as classic 19th and 20th Century, surrounded by oak trees, and green space. According to the college's website, it has also been honored with several other high rankings including Best Liberal Arts College from U.S. News. A robbery suspect was shot dead by a store manager in northwest suburban Carpentersville Wednesday, according to police. The manager of Oscarin's Computer Store told police he was inside his shop in the 1600 block of Ravine Lane around 7:30 p.m. when two men armed with guns broke in, jumped the counter and demanded money. As the thieves were attempting to flee the scene with $50,000 in cash, the manager grabbed his gun and opened fire, police said. [[238427591, C]] One of the suspects, who the manager believes was wounded, hopped into a waiting car that quickly sped off. The other suspect collapsed onto the street after being hit by the gunfire. He was taken to an area hospital where he was later pronounced dead, police said. Originally from Cuba, the manager said he is a licensed gun owner. He told NBC5 he wished to remain anonymous because he fears retaliation. There are too many jobs in this country, too many opportunities, he told NBC 5. Why are you going to be a robbery guy? Carpentersville police said they are actively investigating a robbery and homicide. Further details were not immediately made available. It is unclear if the store manager will face criminal charges. A woman who was kidnapped at a Montana rest stop in broad daylight was able to talk with her husband and daughter by cellphone several times and even talked with police, but by the time investigators found her, she was dead, authorities said. Rita Maze, 47, was driving home to Great Falls after having visited relatives in Helena, Montana, when she was accosted at a rest stop on Interstate 15 on Tuesday morning, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo C. Dutton said. Maze, of Great Falls, called her husband Tuesday evening saying that she had been struck on the head and was in the trunk of her car, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton said. She stayed on the phone from the vehicle's trunk, talking to her husband and to a Helena police officer as the signal faded in and out on the way to Spokane, Dutton told NBC News. "She didn't know her location, but she was able to talk to them over her cellphone, sporadically, as coverage faded in and out," Dutton said. The Spokane County Sheriff's Office was able to track her movements through signals from local cell towers. Daughter Rochelle Maze told the Great Falls Tribune her mother was "hysterical" and hard to understand when they spoke on the phone for about 10 minutes. "I told her that I loved her," Rochelle Maze said. "That's the last thing she heard." The phone then went dead or lost a signal, and the two were unable to reach each other again. Law enforcement tracked the cellphone to help locate her vehicle with the help of the license plate that had been captured on a license plate reader near Post Falls, Idaho. Her body was found in the trunk of her Pontiac Grand Prix just after midnight Wednesday, 250 miles away in a parking lot outside Spokane, Washington, International Airport, authorities said. The cause of death was not released. KHQ A motive, information on any possible suspects, and detail on how the kidnapping occurred were not immediately available. But Dutton said there was a person of interest in the case and authorities were looking at surveillance video from a convenience store. "It's too early to tell," Dutton said, but "we would suspect now" that it was an random attack. Maze was a longtime cook at Morningside Elementary School in Great Falls, the Great Falls Tribune reported. Bill Salonen, the school's former principal, told NBC News she "had such a positive presence." on the students. A GoFundMe page was set up Wednesday to assist Maze's family. Shia LaBeouf, who starred in Steven Spielberg's 2008 film "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," slammed the iconic director in a new interview with Variety Magazine. "You get there, and you realize youre not meeting the Spielberg you dream of," LaBeouf said. "Youre meeting a different Spielberg, who is in a different stage in his career. Hes less a director than he is a fing company." The "Transformer" star has made more news for his off-the-set antics in recent years than for any work he's done in front of the camera. In 2014, LaBeouf, 30, was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct at the Broadway musical "Cabaret." His last big-budget production was the 2014 Brad Pitt vehicle "Fury." LaBeouf said in a recent interview he was in talks to star in "Suicide Squad," but those talks ended when Will Smith joined the cast. Odds are he won't be appearing in another Spielberg film anytime soon. "I dont like the movies that I made with Spielberg," he told Variety. "The only movie that I liked that we made together was Transformers one." More than 1,400 cyclists are signed up for this Saturdays Closer to Free ride, which raises money for research and patient care at the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven. Among the hundreds of volunteers and riders are cancer survivors like 23-year-old Julia Berv. When I received this [jersey] in the mail and saw survivor, there was no feeling I could explain, it was just amazing. I am a survivor, Berv said. She had her final chemotherapy treatment at Smilow on Monday. Ill have my scans in two or three weeks to be declared no evidence of disease and can move on with my life, Berv said. Throughout her nine-month battle with Ewings Sarcoma, a type of childhood bone cancer, Berv leaned on Katie Winkle, a close friend and classmate from Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden. Just her love and support, Berv said, and that feeling of never being alone, I think, because this can be a lonely experience when youre first diagnosed. Not only is Winkle a registered nurse at Smilow, but shes also a cancer survivor. The diagnosis just came as a complete shock to my whole community but Im blessed to be in remission for nine years, she said. Winkle overcame an aggressive form of leukemia in middle school. One of my primary nurses is now Julias nurse, and shes just been such a huge part of my recovery and I know she will be for Julias recovery as well, Winkle said. When Winkle rides in her first Closer to Free for Team Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer, she will wear two wristbands. One says Joy for Julia. Shes full of joy and life and energy and passion, Winkle said of her friend. The other reads "Courage for Chloe, in honor of her baby cousin who is currently battling cancer. Chloe and Julia are fighting together and Chloe is going to be just fine. We just need to raise awareness and realize it could happen to anyone, Winkle said. Berv now plans to continue her education to become a physician assistant and she hopes to join Winkle on the Smilow hospital staff. Both friends will be part of the Closer to Free opening ceremony on Saturday morning. The ride starts at 7 a.m. at the Yale Bowl. NBC Connecticut is a proud sponsor of the event and we invite you to cheer on all the participants, including Heidi Voight, Bob Maxon and Jill Konopka. Kevin Nathan will also be there as an emcee. Chick-Fil-A is getting ready to open its newest location in Connecticut and more than 100 people pitched tents and camped out in the parking lot of the North Haven restaurant waiting for it to open this morning. The first 100 people in line will win free Chick-fil-A for a year and some have been camped out for more than 24 hours. The other Connecticut Chick-fil-A locations are: The superintendent of Hartford public schools is stepping down to take a job with the United States Department of Defense Schools in Okinawa, Japan. Beth Schiavino-Narvaez released a statement to colleagues and families in the school system to say she will be the Chief of Instructional Leadership Development with the United States Department of Defense Schools, which is a newly-created position. She will be working with three districts in the Pacific, including Korea, Japan and Guam, and will be serving 23,000 students in 48 schools. It is with mixed feelings that I share this news. I have loved serving as Hartfords Superintendent and working with our wonderful students, families, educators, staff, partners and our Board. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for my family, she said in the letter. Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin released a statement, saying he wishes Schiavino-Narvaez well. Over the past two years, Superintendent Schiavino-Narvaez has dedicated herself to serving Hartfords students and strengthening Hartfords schools, and I wish her well in her new role," Bronin said. "The coming months and years present important opportunities and challenges for the Hartford school system, as new leaders will have the chance to fight for reforms in the wake of yesterdays historic court decision, shape the next phase of the longstanding Sheff vs. ONeil lawsuit, manage the Equity 2020 process and school consolidation, and increase our focus on quality neighborhood and community schools. Schiavino-Narvaez started her career 22 years ago as a Fulbright Scholar teaching in South Korea and her husband and daughter are both Korean. In weighing my decision, I recognized the unique opportunity this appointment provides both personally and culturally for my family, she said. Bronin said he is confident that the Board of Education will move quickly to name an interim superintendent and will work closely with the Board of Education during that process. The director of a Connecticut animal shelter has been charged with forging a rabies certificate. Officials from the Meriden Police Department said Marlena DiBianco turned herself in on Wednesday and she has been charged with forgery in the second degree. Police launched an investigation in April 2015 after allegations of misconduct were made against DiBianco, the director of the Meriden Humane Society. Police said DiBianco forged the rabies vaccination certificate before the animal was adopted by a person who believed the animal had been vaccinated. The Meriden Humane Society board of directors said this appears to be a "singular case" involving "a single animal." "We are dedicated to these animals and do everything within our power to ensure they receive all the medical care that they are not only legally required but the care they deserve. We would never put the lives of these animals, their adoptive families, our staff, volunteers & the community in jeopardy," the board said. It's not clear if DiBianco has a lawyer. She was released on a promise to appear in court Sept. 20. The full Meriden Humane Society board of directors statement can be found here. Police are searching for the Skinner Road neighborhood of Vernon after two men committed a burglary at Sherwood Arms Apartments on Route 83. A Vernon detective close to the scene responded and observed two men wearing gloves coming from the ground floor of the condo. One suspect was carrying a suitcase and the second one was carrying a screwdriver and was wearing something over his face, Vernon police said. The detective got into a chase with the two burglars but lost sight of them in the woods behind Walgreen's Pharmacy on Talcottville Road, according to police. A search with K9 unit from Manchester was lanched but ended after covering a mile. Police believe the suspects got into an awaiting car and left the area. The two burglars are between 25 and 35 years old. One is wearing a gray T-shirt and jeans and the other is wearing a black T-shirt and jeans, according to police. Anyone with information is asked to call Vernon Police Detectives at (860) 872-9126. Several animals died in a two-alarm fire at a Colchester home, while several other animals survived. Crews responded to 92 Hammond Circle after the fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon and said there appeared to be a hoarding situation. They were able to rescue at least three cats and two dogs. Connecticut State Police said several animals were killed but the exact number was unclear. Fire officials said no people found inside. Donald Trump is insisting he opposed the war in Iraq from the beginning, even though fact checkers have repeatedly said that claim is false. "I opposed going in and I did oppose it. Despite the media saying, 'No, yes, no,' I opposed going in," Trump said Thursday before a speech on education while visiting a charter school in Ohio. Speaking at Cleveland Arts and Social Sciences Academy, the Republican presidential nominee said that if he had been in Congress at the time, he would have voted against authorizing the military conflict. His position on the war is coming under increasing scrutiny as he attacks Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton for voting to authorize the war while she was in the Senate. In 2002, Radio host Howard Stern asked Trump if he supported the looming invasion. Trump responded, "Yeah, I guess so." He attempted to clarify his position on Iraq Thursday, saying the "Howard statement was long before and it was the first time anybody ever asked me about Iraq. I said, I don't know. I was very, very -- but, that was superseded because before the war, much closer to the war, I gave statements that we shouldn't go in." During the "Commander-in-Chief Forum" hosted by NBC News Wednesday, Trump asserted he was "always against the war in Iraq" and cited comments he made in an Esquire magazine interview to bolster his discredited claim. The businessman again Thursday referenced the Aug. 2004 profile by Esquire, which was published more than a year after the invasion of Baghdad. On Thursday, Esquire added an editor's note to the article, rebuffing Trumps claims. "During the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed to have been against the Iraq War from the beginning, and he has cited this story as proof. The Iraq War began in March 2003, more than a year before this story ran, thus nullifying Trump's timeline," Esquire wrote. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A registered sex offender is going under the radar at a state university and taking classes without proper notification. The registered sex offender went to class without informing the school or the state of his enrollment there for about a year until a tip was given to a group of student journalists. "People should have the security knowing they're going to be safe going around school that there's not a sex offender walking around campus," Iman Moosavi, a senior at Central Connecticut State University, said. Analisa Novak, a senior and editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, The Recorder, broke the story about her now former classmate and friend, Nathan Cheatham. "We had a sex offender on campus who failed to disclose his state and failed to disclose to the university that he was a sex offender and because of this and because of the university not keeping up with the list, not checking it regularly, he was in our school for a whole year without state police or university knowledge," Novak said. Multiple sources confirmed for the NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters the 29-year-old Cheatham was not forthcoming on his CCSU application when he transferred in last year. Cheatham is also required to notify the state police sex offender registry of his updated student status. Connecticut's sex offender registry shows a 2006 conviction in Michigan for gross indecency between a male and female. "As an adult, you have to own up to your responsibilities. He previously disclosed at a previous school. He didn't disclose here and in the application there's no ... 'maybe.' It's a 'yes' or 'no' answer," Novak said. Connecticut law says sex offenders must register their current address and where they go to school. According to the registry, Cheatham became compliant late last month. NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters tried to reach Cheatham for comment but attempts were unsuccessful. "They failed the campus because thankfully this was became a light because of an anonymous tip and not an event that would've happen. On top of that, the other CSUs use the online registry to put pictures and names and the sex offenders registry number on there," said Novak, who added to people who don't know how to use the sex offender registry," Novak said. University officials will only say Cheatham is not currently a student at CCSU. State police Sgt. Matthew Garcia, who works with the sex offender registry unit, said Cheatham was required to notify them. "He has a requirement to notify CSP SOR. As of today's date, he's in compliance. If he was attending CCSU last school year and was not listed on the public SOR site as attending the university, then he had not notified CSP SOR and was in violation of state statute," Garcia said. "There are basically two ways that we become aware of individuals on the sex offender registry. One is through our application for admissions, which asks all prospective students about any prior convictions, including for sexual offense," Dr. Mark McLaughlin, associate vice president of marketing and communications at CCSU, said. "The second is through our CCSU police department, which may obtain such information from the Connecticut state police. Once our police department becomes aware that someone on the sex offender registry is a student or employee on campus, they conduct a thorough review of the individual, including an interview in person. This process also applies when an individual is initially registered in another state and then relocates to Connecticut." The universitys website, in particular the police departments site, features a link to the Connecticut state polices sex offender registry. "The Connecticut State Polices registry is the most current and accurate listing and many, perhaps most, universities and colleges provide sex offender registry information in this manner. We do not and to the best of my knowledge neither does any other university/college generally notify the campus community when someone on the sex offender registry is enrolled or works here," McLaughlin said. "Exceptions may be made in a somewhat limited manner for Level III offenders (those at the highest level of risk) on a case-by case basis. We will review this one to determine if it is continuing to appropriately serve the campus community," McLaughlin said. The Garland Police Department is adjusting its guidelines to address the mental health needs of its officers. Starting soon, every new recruit will be assigned one of 10 officers, who will volunteer to receive stress management training. These officers will act as a "go-between" for rookies and their supervisors and will serve as a confidante when that officer needs help but may not feel comfortable reaching out to higher-ranking officers. The move is a change from the traditional debriefing, which officers say didn't always offer ample opportunities for officers to talk through symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorders. "We want to give them a few days to calm down, to return to a normal baseline, and if we see or hear things that are alarming, that they're not returning to normal quite as fast. Then we want to give them some options on steps to take," said Mike Hatfield, community relations officer with Garland Police. Officer Brandon Hernandez, a patrolman and SWAT member, knows better than most how the job can affect an officer's mental state. He was involved in an officer-involved shooting in 2008 in the parking lot of a Rockwall church. He says he and his family had just arrived when a road rage incident spilled into the parking lot. "Next thing I know, I find myself with a gun being pulled on me, and I'm having to pull my gun while I'm off duty and take someone's life. My family and people I associate in life witnessed it. That was something that I didn't really expect, that I didn't want. I felt like I took the innocence away from my family because they should have never had to see that," said Hernandez. In the months that followed, Hernandez said he experienced symptoms of PTSD. "Kind of quirky things that don't keep us from doing our job, but make you stop back and think, 'Wait, why am I feeling this?'" he said. He believes in the new era of policing which includes counter-terrorism a renewed focus on the mental health needs of officers is vital. "If you're a new officer entering now, you're entering in a very challenging time because there's some new issues that we are having to deal with. Not just the latest two incidents, Baton Rouge and Dallas, but also now counter-terrorism," said Hernandez. "We are not robots. We are humans," he said. A Central Texas man has been put on probation and fined $2,500 for smuggling two orangutan skulls into the U.S. from Indonesia. Graham Scott Criglow pleaded guilty Wednesday in Victoria. Federal prosecutors said the 39-year-old Anderson man violated smuggling laws related to protection of an endangered species. Prosecutors said Criglow owned Strange Cargo Exotics, an Internet-based business he operated from his home about 60 miles northwest of Houston. Government inspectors at San Francisco International Airport in April examined a parcel from Indonesia addressed to Criglow. Officials said the package lacked an Indonesian customs declaration. A screening turned up the skulls. Law enforcement officers in May monitored the skulls being delivered to Criglow, who must serve three years of probation. Investigators didn't immediate provide additional information on the skulls. More borrowing and spending received support from Dallas City Council members Wednesday as a new report showed $10.2 billion in unfunded capital needs like city streets and buildings. The big financial decisions followed months of budget meetings and pressure from residents and police union leaders. City leaders took 25 straw votes on a new 2017 operating budget and proposed 2017 capital investment bond referendum. The straw votes are not binding, but they give city staff direction to prepare spending and policy documents for final votes in the near future. The council endorsed across-the-board raises for police and firefighters by reducing the 549 police officers to be hired next year in the city managers initial budget plan. City figures confirm the unions complaint that Dallas police and firefighters are leaving over low pay. Theyre going to the suburbs. Theyre not leaving the business. Theyre going to the suburbs to make a lot more money, said Dallas Firefighters Association president Jim McDade. But the unions also argue low pay must be fixed before trying to boost hiring as much as the city manager first suggested. Lt. Thomas Glover, president of the Dallas Black Police Association, said residents strongly supported Dallas police in recent weeks and that should translate into raises. I believe that as a city government they should do everything possible to give what constituents have said was important, Glover said. Details were still to be completed on exactly how large the raises will be after Wednesdays straw votes. One called for 4.5 percent across-the-board raises with a small tax rate increase to pay for part of it. Another straw vote was to add 1.5 percent across the board with no tax increase. At the same time, the city manager is still negotiating so called Meet and Confer wage agreements for police and firefighters. They will still be working on a three-year deal, but this gives a little guidance, that we need to pay our police and fire, Dallas Police Association president Ron Pinkston said. Dallas Animal Services received an additional $1.2 million in another straw vote, the additional amount recommended in a consultant report that came after the death of a dog attack victim earlier this year. To help tackle capital needs like crumbling Dallas streets, the council directed staff to prepare an $800 million bond referendum for voters in 2017. That was larger than another option to reduce borrowing and shift faster to a pay as you go method of funding capital investments and major repairs. You can see that were not going to get the streets at all if you use that math, Councilman Rickey Callahan said of the smaller borrowing plan. Members did not finalize what items to include from the list of needs for the $800 million bond referendum. There are some things on the list they have been asking for for a very long time, said Councilman Casey Thomas. Final decisions on the 2017 bond package are months away. A final vote on the 2017 operating budget is set for Sept. 21. Police said at least one person suspected in a drive-by shooting possibly fired at officers during a chase early Thursday morning. [[392705821,C]] Dallas police said they responded to a call about a drive-by shooting at a home in the 4100 block of Biglow Drive at about 1:30 a.m. and saw a vehicle reportedly involved the shooting. Officers tried to stop the vehicle, but driver refused. Police said they pursued until driver crashed in a field near East Overton Road and ran from the car. Police said they think someone in the vehicle fired at officers during the chase. No arrests have been made. Authorities said several rounds were fired at the house on Biglow Drive. There were residents inside the home at the time, but no injuries were reported. Dallas Police Chief David Brown said Thursday he's retiring because "it's time to go," but he wasn't ready to say what he'll do next. Brown became the face of a city reeling from tragedy after a sniper killed five law enforcement officers in downtown Dallas as a July 7 protest against police brutality was ending. He spoke publicly for the first time at a press conference Thursday since his decision a week ago to end his 33 years with the department and more than six years as chief on Oct. 22. After the sniper attack and the department's use of a bomb-carrying robot to kill the shooter, Micah Johnson, Brown was lauded nationally for his handling of the situation. Brown has pushed to keep information that authorities have gathered about Johnson and what happened the night of the shooting from getting out until their investigations are complete. He said Thursday that he expects the Police Department to soon wrap up its portion of the investigation into whether the use of force was justified and give the findings to the district attorney's office. Dallas Police Chief David Brown held a press conference Thursday morning to discuss his plans to retire on Oct. 22. Brown said the praise he received and resulting sentiments that he was above criticism began to feel "distasteful." "I started hearing whispers after July 7 of me being untouchable, of me being powerful now since I had national notoriety. And it felt self-serving. The notoriety feels self-serving," he said. "The idea of being untouchable has not felt right to me." Last week, when Brown's retirement was first announced, Mayor Mike Rawlings and City Manager A.C. Gonzalez said they were not surprised because they had been talking with Brown about his desire to possibly retire for several months. Brown said that description of his decision-making was "inaccurate." "It was a quick decision, not a long, lingering one," he said Thursday. "Really as a police chief, you want to quit every day. ... The thing that gets you to come back is that serving so much outweighs anything negative that happens." He said he has received several offers since announcing his retirement and has been "weighing those options." He declined to discuss them in detail, including whether his next venture would involve the private sector. But he said he hopes to still be part of the conversation that has started nationally over promoting community policing and recruiting inner-city residents to serve as police officers in their communities. Despite recent praise, Brown's tenure as chief has been marked by tumultuous relationships with police unions as he clashed with union leaders and others over how to deal with a surge in violent crime earlier this year that reversed a decade-long decrease in killings. Several unions called for his replacement or resignation earlier this year before the sniper attack. An email and phone message left with a media relations person for the Dallas Police Association, the city's largest police union, was not immediately returned Thursday. Brown said Thursday that he doesn't think the department has a problem with low morale. Brown's time as the department's leader has included other tragic incidents that affected him personally. In 2010, a few weeks after being sworn in as chief, Brown's son was killed in a shootout with police after killing a civilian and a police officer. And earlier in Brown's career, his partner was killed in the line of duty. Brown said his experiences have led him to realize how lonely dealing with loss can be. While he hopes to step back from the department once he leaves, he said he will continue to support the families of the officers killed in July. Brown initially joined the police force in his hometown in the midst of a crack cocaine epidemic that was sweeping his old neighborhood. He never dreamed that one day he would be the Dallas Police Chief. Brown said he hopes his story can inspire other young people to choose public service, including those currently waging protests against police. "Maybe Im being naive thinking that can happen, but I believe that so much so, a big part of what I want to do next is making that happen from a national perspective," Brown said. In his final weeks as chief, Brown said he will participate in completion of a new city budget, including officer pay raises and additional manpower he has requested. NBC 5's Ken Kalthoff contributed to this report. The FBI is working with local authorities investigating the destruction by a deputy constable of possibly up to more than 20,000 pieces of evidence in Houston-area cases, an agency spokeswoman said Wednesday. Last week, Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson announced that Christopher Hess, formerly with the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office, had destroyed evidence while cleaning out a crammed property room. Anderson has said that besides the nearly 150 cases that have been dismissed, more than 1,000 others are being reviewed. FBI spokeswoman Shauna Dunlap said her agency has not joined the local probe but "are aware of the allegations, and are coordinating with local authorities." "If in the course of the local investigation, additional information arises indicating potential federal criminal violations, the FBI will take appropriate action," she said. Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman blamed the evidence destruction on his former worker Hess, whom he called a "rogue employee" and that his office and other workers in general have done things the right way. "We handled the problem. The problem was one employee. That employee has been fired," he said. "Any investigation that may come out of this we welcome." An attorney for Hess, Burt Springer, didn't immediately return a call seeking comment Wednesday. But last week, Springer said Hess was only following orders when he cleaned out the property room. Meanwhile, a suburban Houston man whose case is one of the nearly 150 that have already been dismissed filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Harris County and Anderson, alleging malicious prosecution and civil rights violations. David Bellamy, 40, had his drug case dismissed last month after his defense attorney, Paul Morgan, discovered that evidence in his case had been destroyed. On Monday, Morgan sent a letter to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Houston, asking it to investigate the evidence destruction. Joe Jones, Bellamy's attorney in the lawsuit, said that before the dismissal of charges his client -- who maintained his innocence --was pressured by prosecutors to accept a plea agreement for six years for a case in which there was no evidence. "It makes me sick ... People that are supposed to protect our justice system, the very people that we entrust and elect that are corrupting it," Jones said. "This is how innocent people end up in prison." Anderson has said her office has been immediately notifying defense attorneys as soon as it identifies problem cases. Prosecutors are still trying to determine how much evidence has been destroyed -- possibly going back to 2007 -- and how many cases will ultimately be affected, she said. Herman said an ongoing review by his agency found that 7,761 items were destroyed on Jan. 15 and out of that, 861 items were traced back to 470 open cases. He said the majority of the items destroyed in January -- 6,900 -- traced back to closed cases. "A large majority of our destruction was done the proper way," he said. Jeff McShan, a spokesman for Anderson, said his office has asked Herman to conduct an independent audit because prosecutors have been getting incomplete, inconsistent numbers on how much evidence has been destroyed. ------ This story has been corrected to clarify that FBI says it has not joined local investigation but would take appropriate action if the local probe uncovers potential federal crimes. A Fort Worth man has been arrested after Plano Police said he shot a man at his home when the resident refused to give up his valuables. Kenneth Demarcus Cash, 30, was charged with aggravated robbery causing bodily injury after he and another suspect allegedly robbed a home at the 6400 block of Briar Ridge Lane around 2:30 a.m. on Sept. 1. Cash is in custody with the U.S. Marshals and is facing felony charges for the shooting and robbery. Police said the residents were woken up by two black males who demanded jewelry and cash. When the male resident didnt give up any valuables, police said one of the two suspects shot the male resident. Then, the two suspects fled the scene, according to police. Police said Cash is one of two suspectsthe other is still on the loose. They are still looking for another black male around six feet tall, and 20 to 30 years old. The resident who he shot went to a local hospital after the altercation and is recovering, police said. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $5,000 to anyone with information on who the second suspect may be. You can call the Plano Police Department Tip Line at 972-941-2148 or Crime Stoppers at 877-373-TIPS (8477). A North Texas college campus is on high alert after a scary situation Wednesday morning in which someone started shooting BB rounds at a police cruiser. It happened shortly before 5 a.m. on the campus of Texas Woman's University in Denton. Denton police suspect the damage was caused by a BB gun, although in a media release, officers note the damage could have also been caused by a pellet gun. Police say the shooter was vandalizing student cars that were parked in the Lowry Woods Complex parking lot. Four cars had their windows shot out by the time police arrived. A TWU police officer who responded first the scene also had his car vandalized by the suspects. "All of a sudden he heard pinging noises on the car and a red laser pointed at him," said Chief Elizabeth Pauley, TWU's director of public safety. "It missed the window by an inch. And there are dents in the vehicle, maybe dime-size." Then, police spotted "two or possibly three" people running away from the parking lot. Denton police also responded to the scene. An officer was patrolling in his cruiser near campus looking for the criminals when someone shot out the rear window of his squad car. Denton police estimate the damage to their vehicle at about $500. Investigators have tracked down a person of interest, Denton police said Wednesday night, but no one's been charged with a crime. "It makes us aware, more vigilant about patrolling," said Pauley. "If any student feels like you need an escort to your car, give us a call." On Tuesday morning, 18 cars parked along Panhandle Street had their windows shot out from a BB or possibly pellet gun. Denton police are investigating if the two incidents are related. The suspects have caused thousands of dollars in damage, but nobody has been hurt. By Wednesday evening some TWU students were taking extra precautions. "It's concerning, definitely. We definitely want to feel safe," said TWU sophomore Molly Garland. "They don't have regard for other people's safety, it seems." Garland said she's keeping a firm grasp on the pepper spray she has on her key chain, and will walk through campus with a friend at night. "I only have the pepper spray just in case," she explained. "I've never had to use it. But hopefully if there's a situation I can protect myself from a safe distance." Students are worried the shooters could come back. "It's a little scary because you don't know who did it," said sophomore Gabby Sheckelford. "I'm not going to be on my phone when I'm walking around and I'll try and be really observant." TWU Police sent out an e-mail warning to all students, asking students to walk through campus at night in groups and to be aware of their surroundings. Police are also are running more intensive campus patrols as the investigation continues. "We'll just make sure to double-check that if the officer patrols a parking lot one or two times, they'll now go through three or four times," said Chief Pauley. A group of Vietnam-era veterans gathered at a home in Plano to watch the Commander-in-Chief Forum on NBC. During the one-hour forum, Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump took questions on national security, military affairs and veterans' issues from NBC News' Matt Lauer and an audience filled with military veterans and active service members. "What are you going to do for the veterans? What are you going to do for the military?" asked North Texas veteran Richard Boslow, before the forum started. Both presidential candidates addressed the fight against ISIS and their stance on sending troops to war. "I would want a commander-in-chief who will make rational decisions, thoughtful decisions," said veteran Bob Fusinato. The veterans in the room said they would like to see both candidates reject adventurism. They want the next president to avoid sending troops to war. "I would like to have more on strategy on the Middle East and so on," said Maury Marcus. Clinton and Trump also touched on veterans' health care, Veterans Affairs hospitals and the suicide rate among military members. "My main question is health care for the family of veterans," said veteran Thomas Livingston. MORE: Trump, Clinton Square Off On National Security Issues The mother of a severely malnourished 11-year-old boy found dead in a closet has pleaded not guilty in Los Angeles to charges of murder and child abuse. Veronica Aguilar remains jailed on $2 million bail after entering her pleas Thursday. The 39-year-old is due back in court Oct. 20, when a date will be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for her to stand trial. The Los Angeles Times reported last month that Yonatan Aguilar's family had been the subject of six prior reports to the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services before he was found dead wrapped in a blanket in the closet. A report filed by his school to the police in 2009 suggested he may have been physically abused. A 72-year-old woman is facing vehicular manslaughter charges after an MMA fighter's toddler was taken off life support following a deadly hit-and-run. The Hawthorne Police Department re-arrested Donna Marie Higgins on vehicular manslaughter charges Wednesday after she had previously bailed out of jail. Higgins surrendered herself at the Hawthorne police station on Wednesday around 3 p.m., police said. She was booked on the upgraded charges after the Hawthorne Police Department consulted with the Los Angeles County district attorney's office. The charges stem from a deadly hit-and-run that occurred on Saturday involving a baby and his teenage aunt. The 15-month-old, Liam Kowal, sustained internal injuries and was taken off life support on Sunday. His 15-year-old aunt is in stable condition. Higgins was initially arrested Saturday for felony hit and run and felony drunken driving. Higgins was released Wednesday on her $100,000 bond. Her arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 15. Labor Day Weekend has its longstanding traditions, from backyard cookouts to 5Ks to community picnics. But the weekend following Labor Day is, around Dana Point, very much about one striking thing: the tall ships. We speak of those mammoth-of-mast, big-of-bow vessels that recall another century when terms like "seafaring" held sway, and we speak of fans turning out, waterside, to admire them, and board them, too. The Tall Ship Festival will once again return to Dana Point Harbor for three days of sailing opportunities, dockside delights, a Sails 'n Ales party, on-deck tours, legend-filled storytelling, mermaid talks, and re-enactor meet & greets. Don your tri-cornered hat and turn your boat, or, erm, car, for Dana Point from Friday, Sept. 9 through Sunday, Sept. 11. The landlubbery larks are plentiful, and there are a few different harbor-close locations involved, from the Historic Maritime Wharf to the Samueli Conference Center. Best square away your crew on what everyone wants to do (your salty scheduler is right here). The on-the-water wonders are equally as epic, with cameos from some of the best-known tall ships around. Look for The Brig Pilgrim, Spirit of Dana Point, Bill of Rights, Californian, and other photo-ready sea-worthy wonders. Truly, each ship in the line-up is a star in its own right, and a visit from one to the harbor would draw devotees aplenty. Your full line-up of the historically accurate vessels has dropped anchor thisaway. As for the famous and much-photographed Sunset Parade Sail? That always happens on the opening afternoon, which, in 2016, is Sept. 9. You don't need a compass to find the breeches-and-barnacles bash, a party piloted by the Ocean Institute; you only need to dip your oar in the waves, over and over, with a final stop at Dana Point Harbor. Cameras are out in photo-amazing force at this one, as is a devotion to the ocean and those storied structures rightly known as the tall ships. What to Know One student shot inside the band hall treated for injuries. Another student died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the school. Law enforcement officer injured after being shot in the leg by an accidental discharge of a weapon by another officer. A 14-year-old freshman girl died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound Thursday morning after shooting and injuring another female student at a high school in the West Texas town of Alpine, officials say. Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson told radio station KVLF-AM that the school was placed on lockdown and the students were evacuated after a female student ran outside seeking help after being shot. Witnesses took the student, whose name has not been released, to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening. Inside the school, officers found the freshman dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. "The shooter appears to have shot herself," Dodson said, earlier in the morning. Dodson told KWES-TV in Odessa that a semi-automatic pistol was recovered near the teen's body along with an unspecified amount of ammunition. A motive for the shooting is unclear. Dodson said the student had only lived in Alpine about six months and that her grandparents said she was a straight A student with no indications of any problems. A female student died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound Thursday after shooting and injuring another female student inside a high school in West Texas, according to the Sheriff Ronnie Dodson. "This community does not expect this," Dodson said. "We don't want this and we can't explain it yet." While police were clearing the school, Dodson said a U.S. Marshal's weapon accidentally discharged and wounded an officer in the leg. The officer's condition was not released. Students Hide, Shut Off Lights Under Lock Down William Butler, a 17-year-old senior at the school, said he was in pre-calculus when he heard his friend screaming for people to run, NBC News reported. Butler said another teacher ran into the room and told all the students to hide. They turned off the lights and locked the door. The school was put on lockdown, Butler told NBC News. A few minutes later Butler said he heard a gunshot. "It was scary, I didn't really know what was going to happen," Butler said. "The cops knocked on the door a little bit later and started to escort everyone out. When the police escorted us out of the classroom, there was a trail of blood going from the hallway I was going in toward the band hall." Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement: I am currently monitoring the active shooter situation in Alpine. I have directed my office to offer any measure of support needed to assist the law enforcement officials currently working this case. I wish to extend prayers and sympathy to any victims families and their loved ones who have been affected by this senseless act of violence. Top New York News Photos of 2010 "I've lived in Alpine just about my whole life. Alpine has had some rough days, but this has been one of the roughest," said former Texas Congressman Pete Gallego. The school district's website said the town of about 5,900 residents has three schools with a district-wide student population of 985; 300 of those students are enrolled at Alpine High School. After an emergency board of trustees meeting Thursday afternoon, officials at the Alpine Independent School District issued a statement closing its three schools Friday. The statement said the district will have counselors and clergy available Monday when classes resume. It is also holding a training for staff on responding to trauma and will hold a parent and community forum Sunday night. Bomb Threats Follow Alpine School Shooting Sul Ross State University in Alpine also was also briefly placed on lockdown due to a bomb threat. The lockdown was later lifted. Law enforcement officials said they don't believe there was a direct connection between the threats and the shooting at the high school. Authorities said a male caller phoned in bomb threats to Sul Ross State University and a hospital in Alpine. There was also a bomb threat at a motel in Marathon, about 20 miles east of Alpine. "Right now, we have a nut," Dodson said at the news conference, adding, "Basically, he's what we're looking for right now." Alpine is 220 miles southeast of El Paso. A cold case in Wilton Manors is now closed, 14 years after a man was murdered in his apartment. Police arrested Joshua Odom after they said he confessed to killing 70-year-old Richard Busey on April 4, 2002. According to a police report, Odom turned himself in to authorities on Aug. 11 in Des Moines, Iowa. Detectives said the 38-year-old admitted to robbing and murdering Busey after the two agreed to have drinks and have sex at the victim's apartment located on Northeast 30th Street and 5th Terrace. Odom, who lived in South Florida for a short time, committed the crime in order to buy drugs, according to a police report. Authorities in Des Moines reached out to police departments in South Florida and that's when Wilton Manors Detective David Turner made the connection. Det. Turner said the details in Odom's confession matched the specifics of Busey's death. Odom was extradited to South Florida and taken into custody by the Broward Sheriff's Office on Sept. 7. He is charged with first degree murder and theft. No attorney information was immediately available. A Doral woman died Wednesday after undergoing surgery at Vanity Cosmetic Surgery in Westchester. Maria Christian, 32, was rushed to Kendall Regional Hospital after she went into cardiac arrest toward the end of a tummy tuck procedure, according to the clinic. Doctors were unable to revive the woman. "Always trying to help people, doing her best, she was amazing," sister Carolina Flor said Thursday, fighting back tears. "Now she just leaves her kids, her husband, they had a great family." Vanity Cosmetic Surgery released a statement Thursday, sending its deepest condolences to the patient's family. Doctors said Christian had previously undergone two cosmetic procedures at the clinic, the most recent one was a Brazilian Butt Lift back in January. But her sister says the January procedure was the only other procedure her sister had. According to Vanity Cosmetic Surgery, the patient was deemed in good health at the time of the operation, which was performed by Dr. Camille Chavez. "They were trying to tell her 'just do it with her, she's really good, she's really good and you're going to be fine,'" Flor said. The Miami-Dade Police Department investigated Vanity's facilities and surgical rooms during an initial investigation. The clinic said authorities did not find any violations. The cause of death is being investigated and it could be days before the medical examiner releases the exact cause of death. "We don't know what happened, the doctors just said that her heart stopped," Flor said. "If there is no need to do something, just, there's no reason, because she was just beautiful the way she was." This is not the first time Vanity Cosmetic Surgery has made headlines. In January, The Consumer Protection Division of the Florida Attorney General's Office was investigating the center after customer complaints over its refund procedures. Here's the full statement the company released regarding Christian's death: Dr. Camille D. Chavez, MD and Vanity Cosmetic Surgery would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Maria Christian, a 32-year old patient who recently underwent a highly popular procedure, a tummy tuck, at our cosmetic surgery facility yesterday afternoon with one of our surgeons, Dr. Camille D. Chavez, MD. The patient, who had previously undergone two cosmetic procedures, with the most recent one performed in January 2016, was deemed in good health when she underwent the procedure. All standard pre-op procedures were administered. However, unfortunately she developed cardiac arrest towards the end of the operation. Immediate resuscitation efforts were taken followed by a call to 911. The paramedics arrived promptly and transferred Ms. Christian to Kendall Regional Hospital, where she later passed away. The cause of Ms. Christians death has not yet been determined until a medical forensic examiner has completed an examination. All surgical procedures have inherent risks of complications and in some cases, unpredictable complications can occur. The Miami-Dade Police Department investigated our facilities and surgical rooms during their initial investigation and they found everything to be in accordance with standard protocols. Dr. Camille D. Chavezs reputation as a caring and skilled surgeon is universally recognized and admired by her patients and peers. Dr. Chavez has built a successful career, with more than 30 years of experience specializing in microsurgery, trauma surgery, craniofacial surgery, and cosmetic surgery. Dr. Camille D. Chavez and Vanity Cosmetic Surgery is committed to providing the highest quality care for patients and again, send our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Maria Christian. Dr. Camille D. Chavez, MD and Vanity Cosmetic Surgery would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Maria Christian, a 32-year old patient who recently underwent a highly popular procedure, a tummy tuck, at our cosmetic surgery facility yesterday afternoon with one of our surgeons, Dr. Camille D. Chavez, MD.The patient, who had previously undergone two cosmetic procedures, with the most recent one performed in January 2016, was deemed in good health when she underwent the procedure. All standard pre-op procedures were administered. However, unfortunately she developed cardiac arrest towards the end of the operation. Immediate resuscitation efforts were taken followed by a call to 911. The paramedics arrived promptly and transferred Ms. Christian to Kendall Regional Hospital, where she later passed away.The cause of Ms. Christians death has not yet been determined until a medical forensic examiner has completed an examination. All surgical procedures have inherent risks of complications and in some cases, unpredictable complications can occur. The Miami-Dade Police Department investigated our facilities and surgical rooms during their initial investigation and they found everything to be in accordance with standard protocols. Dr. Camille D. Chavezs reputation as a caring and skilled surgeon is universally recognized and admired by her patients and peers. Dr. Chavez has built a successful career, with more than 30 years of experience specializing in microsurgery, trauma surgery, craniofacial surgery, and cosmetic surgery. Dr. Camille D. Chavez and Vanity Cosmetic Surgery is committed to providing the highest quality care for patients and again, send our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Maria Christian. So you think your kids are over-tested, with too many high-stakes assessments at school? The Miami-Dade School District agrees with you. For the third time in the past three school years, the Superintendent has picked up his axe to whack off a few more assessments. It is important to know how and how well children are learning. How well they can demonstrate proficiency, but that should not come at the expense of overburdening teacher, students and parents, said Alberto Carvalho, Superintendent of Miami-Dade Public Schools, at a news conference Wednesday morning. This is the right move at the right time for absolutely the right reason. The district is eliminating 12 mid-year assessments, impacting students in grades 3 through 8. The tests cover language arts and mathematics. Carvalho says the testing was redundant, and front-line educators agree. Theres so many different tests that the boys and girls take that even if we eliminated some of them, theyre still assessed so much that the criteria and data that produces for us is actually enough for us to know where the students belong, said Melanie Fishman, principal of South Pointe Elementary School in Miami Beach. The superintendent says hes responding to complaints from parents about over-testing, continuing his pattern of cutting back on high-stakes assessments. We ought to continue to reduce the amount of testing while emphasizing and elevating the quality of teaching in our schools, Carvalho said. And what were saying is, there are better and more teacher and student-friendly ways of progress monitoring students progress without maintaining duplicative exams. By cutting a dozen assessments, the district returns 185 hours of class time to students and teachers. The teachers union loves the move. To really explore things that cant be tested and to really have that autonomy and to have the academic freedom to do the things we want to do with our kids, said United Teachers of Dade president Karla Hernadez-Mats. Eliminating 12 tests this year doesnt compare to the more than 300 assessments cut in 2014, when there was more fat to cut, but it does reduce a lot of stress for students. The superintendent says hes keeping his axe handy as the staff looks for other assessments to eliminate. While politicians and protesters clash over the battle against Zika in Miami Beach, one man is living with the virus. Carlos Garcia, who lives within the 1.5 mile Zika zone, spoke exclusively to NBC 6 about getting infected. He said last month he was convinced he had symptoms of the Zika virus. "I had a fever with no headache, no sore throat, just fever chills. And, then I had the rash," said Garcia. The 45-year-old had a rash on the back of his neck. He said there was another rash on his upper body. "I needed to know because you never know. So, doctors tell me I should avoid having children for 6 months to a year," said Garcia. Garcia showed NBC 6 a positive lab result from Aug. 24 that states the Zika virus was detected in his urine. Florida health officials reported 12 homegrown cases of Zika in Miami Beach. Garcia claims he's never heard from the agency and is unsure if he's even included in that count. "It's a public health concern because the disease or the virus is here and it's a reality. City officials and health officials have to deal with that reality." At Miami Beach City Hall Wednesday, angry residents protested plans to deal with that reality by aerial spraying over the city to kill mosquitoes. Protesters are worried about the use of the controversial insecticide Naled, which is EPA approved. Miami-Dade County officials said the chemical is safe, but Garcia is unsure what to think. "I don't know. If I have enough information to make a judgment about it. I don't know if it's for the animals or people. If it's not, I think it should be done," said Garcia. Sheriff's detectives and child welfare authorities are investigating a Bradenton, Fl day care center after an 18-month-old boy was repeatedly bitten by another toddler. Manatee Sheriff's spokesman Dave Bristow said Wednesday that an employee at J's Bright Learners day care center could face charges of child neglect. The child's mother, Amanda Beebe, said a day care worker said her little boy had been bitten once on August 26th by another child. She figured that happens with children. Then, three days later, they called her saying had been bitten again, many times, and that "it was bad". Beebe said she became hysterical when she saw her boy. He's now recovering. A woman answering the phone at the day care said no one there could comment. What to Know Surveillance video from a nearby electronics and cellphone store shows the minivan running a red light before hitting the child The driver appears to get out and look at the vehicle -- and then gets back in and leaves the scene It's not clear if the driver knew he had hit anyone because the father of the hit child had already picked him up and run for help Police say they've arrested a Brooklyn man in last month's hit-and-run of a 6-year-old boy that left the child with shoulder fractures and a dislocated hip, authorities and family say. Armando Mino, 53, of Midwood, was arrested Wednesday afternoon on charges of assault and leaving the scene of an accident, police say. The boy's father, Jose Amendano, told NBC 4 New York he was crossing the street in Borough Park with his two young sons the afternoon of Aug. 24 when a minivan barreled through the intersection at Fort Hamilton Parkway and 41st Street, hitting 6-year-old Luis. Surveillance video from a nearby cellphone store showed the minivan, which had Taxi & Limousine Commission license plates, running a red light, then hitting and rolling over the child. Jose Amendano told NBC 4 in Spanish Wednesday he was in complete shock. His first thought was to rush to his son's side and pick him off the ground. Meanwhile, the driver took off. The boy was taken to Maimonides Hospital. He's now recovering at home and has to undergo physical therapy. "I'd say to the driver, you shouldn't have done that. People don't even treat animals that way," Amendano said in Spanish. A spokesman for the TLC said that while the minivan was a properly licensed taxi, Mino was not a licensed TLC driver. "That's why we're so stringent about bases checking the license statuses of drivers who want to work with them," said spokesman Allan Fromberg. Attorney information for Mino wasn't immediately available. There was no answer at his home Wednesday. What to Know Surveillance video captured a man strolling naked through Brooklyn early one morning in August Just a couple of weeks later and a few blocks away, a woman was attacked by a naked man who fits his description Police are investigating whether the two incidents are connected Surveillance video captured a naked mans leisurely stroll through the streets of Brooklyn, and now police are investigating whether he's behind a much more serious crime. The man took the early morning jaunt last month in the Flatlands neighborhood. He wasnt even wearing shoes as he moseyed down East 52nd Street at 6 a.m. on Aug. 12. A little over two weeks later, on Aug. 29, a woman was attacked by a naked man fitting the same description just three blocks away. The woman was walking near East 55th Street and Avenue J when a naked man came up to her from behind just after 11 p.m. Police say the man grabbed her by the neck, threw her to the ground and then forcibly touched her. The woman was able to get away but the naked man was never found. With two incidents involving a man in the buff in as many weeks, police are looking into the possibility of a connection. Residents said they were stunned when they saw the man make the walk. Peter Akiniti confronted the man, who he called a "troubled soul," when he saw him walking in the nude. "I said, 'You know I know you,' and he stopped and said 'help me, pray for me,'" he said. Another resident said she called police after he saw her walking by in the buff. "He wasn't aggressive, he even waved at me the next time he saw me," she said. "He knows what he is doing, and I don't think it's cute at all." The NYPD's Special Victims Unit is investigating. Police said they're looking for a man in his mid to late 20s. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. Authorities are looking for a second suspect in the shooting death of a 22-year-old St. Johns University student during the J'Ouvert celebrations ahead of Monday's West Indian Day Parade. NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce that 22-year-old Tiarah Poyau had complained about a man dancing on her from behind during the pre-dawn festival on Monday. But he said that Reginald Moise, who later shot and killed the woman, doesn't match the dancer's description. "She described a heavy-set male who was bothering her," Boyce said. "Mr. Moise is razor-thin, so we don't believe... Mr. Moise was the one attempting to grind her from behind." Moise was arrested on DWI charges several hours after Poyau was shot. Boyce said that Moise had asked a friend to store his gun at a woman's house after the shooting and fired two shots into her wall before breaking a window and cutting her hand. Boyce said that the gun was recovered at the woman's home and matched to the crime scene. Police investigating the case talked with friends who said the man told them he might have shot someone during the festival. Then, the man confessed to the crime to police before asking for an attorney. Poyau's death was just one of two during the festival. A 17-year-old boy, Tyreke Borel, was killed in a separate shooting about a block away. Five others were hurt in gunfire during the event, and two others were stabbed. At least one Brooklyn lawmaker has called for an end to the festival where Andrew Cuomo aide Carey Gabay was killed in 2015. Mayor de Blasio said Tuesday that the celebration should continue in the future. A Montana woman was able to call her husband and even talk to police from the trunk of the car in which she was being held captive, but by the time investigators reached her, she was dead, NBC News reported. Rita Maze, 47, was driving home to Great Falls after having visited relatives in Helena, Montana, when she was accosted at a rest stop on Interstate 15 on Tuesday morning, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo C. Dutton said. Her body was found inside the car shortly after midnight Wednesday, 250 miles away in a parking lot outside Spokane, Washington, International Airport, authorities said. Maze, a school cook, called her husband Tuesday night from the trunk of the car, telling him she'd been struck on the head, Dutton said. "She's saying she's kidnapped," Dutton said. He said Maze was believed to have been killed after the car arrived in Spokane. Dutton said authorities were seeking a "person of interest," but he provided no further details. As Seen On As seen on News 4 A Pennsylvania man who was arrested for trying to drive into New York City with a cache of weapons has been released on bond. John Cramsey, of Zionsville, was freed early Thursday from the Hudson County Correctional Facility. Cramsey and two co-defendants were detained in June as they prepared to enter the Holland Tunnel in a truck carrying a military-style rifle, a shotgun and five handguns. Their attorneys have said the police search was illegal. All three have pleaded not guilty to weapons charges. Cramsey, whose daughter died of a heroin overdose in February, posted online shortly before the arrest that he was heading to New York to "rescue" a 16-year-old girl whose friend had overdosed. His co-defendants are still in jail. A 5-year-old Pennsylvania boy missed his first day of kindergarten after being left alone on a locked school bus for nearly four hours. The driver didn't notice that Prince Oquendo didn't get off the bus Tuesday at Monocacy Elementary Center in Berks County. The Reading Eagle reports the driver then returned to the bus parking lot and got off without walking up and down the aisles, which is standard procedure. "He said he cried himself to sleep twice," the boy's father Yahlison Ayala said. "He tried to knock on the door for someone to open." Prince's mother discovered him missing when he didn't return home after school. The boy was found on the bus. She took him to a hospital, where he was given fluids and told to rest. family photos "You would think that school would be the safest place to be... and here I found out that they forgot about our little boy," Ayala said. The bus driver has been fired. Officials with the transportation company and the Daniel Boone School District are apologizing for the mishap. Parents were assured Thursday that protocol would be followed and new signs will be put on busses to make sure they are checked. A string of nearly a dozen car break-ins in one night in a suburban Philadelphia township put neighbors on edge and prompted police to issue a warning to residents. Cheltenham Police Lt. Dan Farley, who heads the patrol division, said that overnight on Monday, Labor Day, into Tuesday, police received 11 reports of people's cars being broken into around the eastern edge of the township, in the eastern part of Elkins Park and Rowland Park neighborhoods. Farley said between Friday, Sept. 2 and this week, they've received about one or two break-in reports a night, except for the spike earlier this week. "Be vigilant," Farley warned. "Don't hesitate to call 9-1-1." Farley said that the vehicles broken into were generally left unlocked, and in many cases, had something valuable -- like a GPS or an iPod -- in plain sight. In some cases, the thief or thieves rifled through people's glove compartments. In many cases, they stole loose change in addition to any valuables left in the cars. Farley said police increased patrols in the areas hardest hit by the break-ins, but that they haven't yet come up with any suspects. He asked that people keep an eye out in their neighborhoods for suspicious activity and report anything they see to the police right away. "We're asking for help from the community," Farley said. He said the break-ins haven't been centered on any specific block and seem to be random throughout eastern Elkins Park and Rowland Park. Residents of Cheltenham have taken to the "Unofficial Cheltenham Township, PA" Facebook page to express concern over the break-ins, and the police department also posted a message on its Facebook page advising people to lock up their cars and avoid leaving valuables in them. A neighbor from Rowland Park who asked to remain anonymous described the break-ins in the neighborhood as "out of control lately." The neighbor said both homes and cars have been hit. Farley said the uptick in break-ins is unusual for the neighborhoods. "There's always a certain amount of property crime, to have one or two in the overnight hours is really not that unusual," he said. "But to have 11 is, for sure." A Delaware churchs plan to give tiny houses to the homeless has sparked a backlash among neighbors. Pastor Aaron Appling of Victory Church West in Dover, Delaware initially came up with a plan to develop a neighborhood of tiny houses for homeless people in the area. The houses would sit in a field the church owns and the church would rent them to the homeless for only a few hundred dollars a month. We would be seeing 15 houses here in this open field, Pastor Aaron said. A transition to a place that would be similar to what you would have in regular society. Your own place. Church leaders told NBC10 that those who ended up living in the tiny houses would have to maintain their home and work to pay their rent money. The tiny house cul-de-sac would be gated and monitored on a 24-hour basis. Any resident who failed to follow the rules would have to move out, according to church leaders. When news of the churchs plan spread to the surrounding community however, many neighbors opposed it. It has really nothing to do with being anti-homeless, said Thomas Farrington, who lives near the church. Residents told NBC10 they believe the Appling of Victory Church has been a bad neighbor and has allowed homeless people to sleep in the church at night. Pastor Appling admitted to NBC10 the church allowed the homeless to sleep there even though theyre really not supposed to. We feel spiritually obligated to help, Pastor Appling said. Neighbors say police are often in the area breaking up fights between the homeless people and that the music and yelling can often get loud. One neighbor told NBC10 he isnt convinced the church would put quality people in the tiny houses. We are not talking about a mother and a couple of children who she lost her job, Farrington said. Were talking about people that are chronically homeless. They can walk, they can talk, and they can carry a collection plate. But they cant get a job? Roughly 100 homeless people seek shelter every night in Dover. In order to build the village, organizers would have to persuade Kent County to make zoning changes. A delegate is accused of indecently assaulting another delegate at a Center City hotel during the Democratic National Convention in July. Walter Weeks, a Bernie Sanders delegate from Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania, turned himself in to the Philadelphia Police Departments Special Victims Unit Wednesday around 4 p.m. He is charged with indecent assault. Gwen Snyder, a 30-year-old Bernie Sanders delegate, told Philly.com that the incident occurred at the bar of the Doubletree Hotel on Broad and Locust streets back on July 27 around 3 a.m. Snyder said Weeks was intoxicated and asked her for a hug. Weeks told Philly.com she declined but then reluctantly placed her hands lightly on his shoulders after he persisted. She then accused Weeks of grabbing her in a bear hug and forcing his face into her cleavage. He was performing something like cunnilingus near my nipple, Snyder told Philly.com. Snyder reported the incident to Philadelphia Police but was told by detectives that the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office declined to pursue her case, according to City & State PA. Snyder later wrote an open letter to Vice President Joe Biden and Democratic Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton describing her experience. In a statement released Wednesday, the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office confirmed they initially declined to file charges in the case but then decided to charge Weeks after further investigation by the DAO including a review of additional video and eyewitness testimony. This story is developing. Check back for updates. A woman is in the hospital after she was shot during a robbery in West Philadelphia Wednesday night. Police say an armed robber grabbed a 31-year-old woman's purse on 52nd and Filbert streets shortly before 9 p.m. The man and woman fought briefly. The man then pulled out his gun and opened fire, striking the woman in the left breast and left wrist. The woman was taken to Presbyterian Hospital where she is currently in stable condition. A Philadelphia Police sergeant told NBC10 the shooting appears to be the result of a drug deal gone wrong. No arrests have been made and a weapon has not been recovered. Police also say they found a hooded sweatshirt that likely belongs to the suspect. "This entire incident was captured on private surveillance cameras in the immediate area," said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small. "It shows the male struggling with the female, taking her purse and shooting her." Police continue to investigate. Local Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. A day after Trenton schools announced early dismissals due to heat, Reading schools made the same decision. With temperatures expected in the 90s with high humidity Thursday, the Reading School District in Berks County, Pennsylvania announced that all schools would close early. "Due to the record-setting excessive heat wave expected this afternoon and predicted heat index, ALL RSD students will be dismissed early on Thursday, Sept. 8," said a message on the school district website. Schools will dismiss as follows: Reading High School - 11:30 a.m. All Elementary Schools - 11:40 a.m. Reading Intermediate High School and All Middle Schools - 12:15 p.m. AM-Pre-Kindergarten - Normal dismissal at 10:45 a.m. There will be no PM-Pre-K and no PM Vo-Tech Camden city schools also closed early Thursday, dismissing at 1 p.m. School officials expected to announce Thursday night if they will dismiss students early again on Friday. Officials have released the identities of both men found dead Saturday in the ocean off Imperial Beach, north of the U.S.-Mexico barrier. The men have been identified as Jose Angel Bobadilla, 49, and Oscar Javier Andrade Aguirre, 34, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agents spotted the bodies of the men while on patrol along the shore near Border Field State Park. No cause of death has been determined. Agents say they noticed one of the men in the water approximately 300 yards north of the border. Agent Eduardo Olmos, of U.S. Border Patrol San Diego Sector said the agents searched the water for other potential victims but found none. No further information was available. Authorities are investigating a series of credit card skimming incidents at East County gas stations. In recent months, several gas stations across San Diego's East County have fallen victim to credit card skimming, including several incidents this year at a 7-eleven on Jamacha Road and Chase Avenue, and just three miles away, another at a 7-eleven off of Avocado Boulevard. Authorities say card skimmers use a universal key you can easily buy on Ebay to open up a gas pump, where they can stay hidden from the view of the store clerk. The spree has local residents who frequent the gas stations worried. "Money is a little too hard to come by, to lose it," said resident Caroline Pavelenyi. Pavelenyi learned about the skimming from several posts and comments on the neighborhood app Nextdoor. "I was just really thankful that someone posted that because somebody had posted that because I was buying gas here too," she said. Sheriff's officials say installing a skimmer can be difficult to notice. When you insert your credit card in the fake reader, thieves can steal the card numbers and use them to print new ones with fake identities. The news has some consumers changing their habits to protect their wallets. "Well I'm more observant now and I keep my ear to the ground and listen to make sure that if there's a gas station that's had a problem, I don't shop there," said driver Tweet Edmunds. "I think we need to all be aware of which stations," said Edmunds. "And when I hear that I won't shop there. I'll go on." 7-Eleven staff told NBC 7 San Diego that they have taken care of the problem at these stations. The first incident in the area dates back to December 2015, followed by a more incidents in March and April of this year. Several agencies are involved in the investigation, which spans across several San Diego neighborhoods. Detectives tell NBC 7 they have identified a few possible suspects, but declined to give further information on the ongoing investigation. San Diegans with mobility challenges will now be able to enjoy more of the city's outdoors. Wednesday, officials cut the red ribbon on "Jas Arnold Trail for All People," San Diego's first wheelchair-accessible hiking trail. The 1,100-foot flat loop runs through Black Mountain Ranch Open Space Park. Elderly residents in a wheelchair, children and people with mobility challenges will be able to enjoy the trail. It features four shade structures, benches, a trail head sign and education displays about local plant life. San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer said the city's natural beauty is one of the city's best features, and he is happy more residents can now enjoy that. This trail gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors," Mayor Faulconer said in a statement. "It opens up a part of San Diego to seniors, families with small children and those who use mobility devices that wasnt accessible before. The trail is named after Jas Arnold, a Rancho Penasquitos resident who lost his battle with Multiple Sclerosis this year. Arnold spent eight years working on the project and was a strong advocate for making it a reality. My dad was such an inclusive person and this trail is such a perfect example of that, a place that can be enjoyed by people of all abilities, said Jas Arnolds daughter, Meagan Olson, in a statement. He would also be so grateful for the support of everyone that helped along the way. It was his vision but he knew that it took a lot of caring people to make it happen. In the coming months, officials plan to make improvements to the trail for people with visual impairments with additions like braille interpretive signs. For siblings Emad, 12, Oday, 10, Ehdaa, 5, and Soundous Tysaan, 4, their father said he never thought hed see the day all four of them would have access to education and have their first day of school be in San Diego. The siblings enrolled in school in City Heights Wednesday after a more than three-year journey with their parents around the world. They first escaped their war-torn country Syria to Jordan. In Jordan, the family of six survived in a refugee camp. It took more than a year of interviews and background checks to move to the United States. The two older boys have developmental disabilities. Their father, Abdalaa Tysaan, was shocked to hear they too can enroll in school and have an opportunity to receive an education. In Syria, they dont have these services for special needs children, he said through a translator. They dont treat special need kids the way they do in the U.S. Then when we moved to Jordan [to a refugee camp] we didnt have any services for them. In fact, at 10 and 12 years old, the boys have never been seen by a medical professional and have never been diagnosed, Tysaan said. San Diego, the nation's eighth-largest city, has received 626 Syrian refugees since Oct. 1, more than any other in the United States. Tysaan decided they had to leave Syria when he feared their home would be bombed. The girls were still very small at the time, and he knew if a bomb hit he could not carry everyone to safety. This was the reason we wanted to come to the U.S., Tysaan said. To have a better life here. Resettlement organizations like Jewish Family Service San Diego and Alliance for African Assistance help refugee families back on their feet when they make it to San Diego, many to City Heights. They help with basic housing, belongings and a small amount of money. Volunteers, especially translators, help the families adjust to their new communities. Etleva Bejko, the Director for Refugee and Immigration Services for JFS said local data indicates there are about 600 Syrian refugees in San Diego and that number may grow the next fiscal year. She said that number will likely be influenced by the upcoming presidential election. Tysaan said his highest hope in San Diego is for his sons to receive proper medical attention and for his daughters to reach their goals of being a teacher and a doctor. For information on how to help local refugee families, you can contact the resettlement organizations through the websites Jewish Family Service of San Diego and Alliance for African Assistance. A man accused of driving drunk and killing a young man in a fiery head-on crash has pleaded guilty to related charges. At a preliminary readiness this week, Roy Dunkin, 51, pleaded guilty to Gross Vehicular Manslaughter while Intoxicated and Driving Under the Influence Causing Injury to more than one person, according to the San Diego County District Attorney (DA). He pleaded guilty at a Sept. 2 hearing. Dunkin hit and killed Lucas Riley, 24, of San Diego, in a fiery three-car crash on State Route 67 on Aug. 20, according to the DA's office. Dunkin was driving his car when he veered into the left lane, briefly hitting one car before he slammed head-on into Riley's Mini Cooper, police said. The impact set the Mini Cooper on fire; by the time crews arrived on scene, flames had fully engulfed the car and trapped the victim, later identified as Riley, inside, deputies said. He died at the scene. After the crash, authorities could be seen pulling out beer cans from the Chevrolet. Dunkin suffered a broken wrist. Shawna Wickwire, Riley's fiancee, told NBC 7 San Diego that Riley was a selfless man willing to help anyone. He was the most caring and loving person I ever have known in my entire life. I have never felt more love for him, Wickwire said. The couple was planning on getting married this October. Riley's family has set up a GoFundMe as a memorial fund. The money raised will cover funeral expenses. To donate, click here. At his sentencing on Nov. 4, he is facing 13 years and eight months in prison. The United States Coast Guard medically evacuated a diver from a vessel 115 miles off the coast of San Diego Wednesday afternoon. The diver, a 57-year-old man, surfaced after a free dive with a snorkel at around 11:30 a.m. and began experiencing labored breathing. A medic aboard the diving vessel Peace administered oxygen to the man until Coast Guard support arrived. Once on scene, a Coast Guard flight surgeon examined the man and suggested that he be taken to a hospital via medevac for emergency treatment. A San Diego Sector MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter was immediately summoned and the diver was onboard the helicopter by 1 p.m. The helicopter landed in San Diego at around 2:15 p.m. and the diver was taken to UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest. There is no word on his condition. Mexican investigators have not decided whether to charge a San Diego mother, after her baby was found dead in an empty lot in Tijuana. An autopsy is being conducted on Elliot Nathaniel Villalobos. The body of the seven month old was found on September 2 approximately 12 miles south of the U.S.-Mexico border. Mexican police say Elliot had been dumped there nearly three weeks earlier. The childs mother, Jasmine Villalobos, 20, and Villaloboss boyfriend, Luis Espinosa, 22, told Chula Vista Police investigators that Elliot died from a fall. The couple then claimed they wrapped the body in blankets, and dumped it out of fear of being arrested in Mexico, according to Mexican officials. American authorities then contacted Mexican police to direct them to the babys location in Tijuana. Villalobos and Espinosa both returned to Tijuana to give a statement to Mexican authorities. The couple was never arrested is back in San Diego County according to family members. After the autopsy is performed, Mexican authorities may file charges if they find evidence of a crime. The baby and the mother are U.S. citizens. Espinosa is a Mexican national who is known to reside in Spring Valley. San Diego paid tribute Wednesday to the first responders who rushed to help those under attack on September 11, 2001. The ceremony was held at the City Concourse in advance Sunday, the day citizens of the U.S. will remember the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon as well as the crash of United Flight 93 in Pennsylvania nearly 15 years ago. The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people from 93 nations. In New York, 2,753 people were killed, 184 people were killed at the Pentagon and 40 people were killed on Flight 93. Many of those killed were law enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics who rushed to the scene to help the victims. We need first responders to stand that line between good and evil and between chaos and calm every single day, and every single night, said Chief of Police Shelley Zimmerman. She was pleased to see so many school children attending the ceremony designed to never forget those whose lives were lost responding to the attacks. One of those who survived the attack at the World Trade Center is retired NYFD Lieutenant Joe Torrillo. Torrillo brought the "Patriot Flag", a 30 x 60-foot flag that has traveled to all 50 states in the last 15 years. He shared his story and the stories of others who lost their lives that day. He made a point to remind the crowd of the acts of courage performed by the passengers and crew of Flight 93. They really were the first warriors in this fight of terrorism. So let us never, ever forget that, Torrillo said. Torrillo said he plans to spend the rest of his life traveling the country and meeting people to remind them of the great nation in which we live. Thats my way of saying Im so grateful to have been born on this parcel of liberty and to be able to call myself an American, Torrillo said. He presented a plaque to Mayor Kevin Faulconer commemorating the Twin Towers on 9/11. Memorials will take place Sunday to remember the following moments (all times Eastern) 8:46 a.m.: Hijackers crash Flight 11 into the north tower. 9:03 a.m.: Hijackers crash United Airlines Flight 175 into the south tower. 9:37 a.m.: Hijackers crash American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon. 9:59 a.m.: The south tower collapses. 10:03 a.m.: Passengers launch a counterattack on hijackers aboard United Airlines Flight 93. The hijackers crash the plane into an empty field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. 10:28 a.m.: The north tower collapses. The ceremony was also attended by San Diego Fire-Rescue Chief Brian Fennessey and Director of the Office of Homeland Security John Valencia and members of the public. San Diego Zoo park guests got a last look at a confiscated rhino horn, along with other falsely marketed medicinal items, at the San Diego Zoo Wednesday the last time the items will be seen before they are burned. The event was the only opportunity for zoo guests to see the items that will be set afire during a rhino horn burn Thursday at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. On average, more than three rhinos are killed for their horns every day, according to San Diego Zoo Global. The threatened animal has disappeared from the majority of the continent and is projected to become extinct over the next 15 years, officials estimate. Recently, wildlife trafficking has become extremely popular and has grown into a multibillion-dollar-per-year global criminal activity. Illegal trade in wildlife is the fourth largest illegal trade in the world, after drugs, weapons and human trafficking and California is one of the largest hot spots for illegal efforts to buy and sell. Over the past decade, the trading of trafficked rhino horns in the U.S. has escalated into an international crisis. The Zoo held the event to send the message that wildlife trafficking will not be tolerated. San Diego Zoo Global says they want to raise awareness; several other partners and countries around the globe are working together to end the threat to rhinos. The event was hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and San Diego Zoo Global. Tomorrow we are going to have a burn for all these items as a statement that we do not tolerate the poaching of rhino, and want to educate the public and completely obliterate the market for rhinosaurous harm Wildlife Repository Specialist Cole Schaefer said. The burn ceremony will be an invite-only event; however the fire may be visible to visitors from the pathways around Kilima Point. A local high school student will be honored at the White House Thursday for her poetry prowess. Maya Salameh, a 16-year-old junior at San Diego High School of International Studies, was invited to the fifth annual National Student Poets Program (NSPP) celebration. The program highlights the nations best 10th and 11th grade poets. First Lady Michelle Obama and hip-hop legend Q-Tip, co-founder of A Tribe Called Quest, will honor Salameh and four other high school students representing different regions of the country. Q-Tip was named the first Artistic Director for Hip-Hop Culture at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2016. Salameh is the founder of her schools Psychology Club and has dreams of becoming a psychologist and diplomat. Her passions include writing and history; she is fluent in English, French and Arabic. For me, writing is the code of my conduct, but poetry is the algorithm of my soul," Salameh said in an interview with the NSPP. "What I mean by that is poetry is inherently irrational. Its disjointed and it doesnt have to make sense. Its the best medium of expression where you can express any emotion you like in any structured or unstructured form you choose. She draws her inspiration for her own poetry form authors like May Angelou, Kahlil Gibran and Charles Perkowski, she said. Click here to watch the full interview. Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton confronted their key weaknesses in a televised national security forum, with the Republican defending his preparedness to be commander in chief despite vague plans for tackling global challenges and the Democrat arguing that her controversial email practices did not expose questionable judgment. Trump also renewed his praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his disdain for President Barack Obama, saying that the Russian enjoyed an 82 percent approval rating. "The man has very strong control over a country," Trump said. "It's a very different system and I don't happen to like the system, but certainly, in that system, he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader." Speaking to reporters in Laos, Obama said Thursday that Trump confirms his belief that Trump isn't qualified to be president "every time he speaks" and added: "The most important thing for the public and the press is to just listen to what he says and follow up and ask questions to what appear to be either contradictory or uninformed or outright wacky ideas." Trump and Clinton spoke back-to-back Wednesday night, each fielding 30 minutes of questions. While the candidates never appeared on stage together, the session served as a preview of sorts for their highly-anticipated presidential debates. By virtue of a coin flip, Clinton took the stage first and quickly found herself responding at length to questions about her years in government. She reiterated that she had made mistakes in relying on a personal email account and private server as secretary of state and in voting for the 2003 invasion of Iraq as a senator. But she defended her support for U.S. military intervention to help oust a dictator in Libya, despite the chaotic aftermath. "I'm asking to be judged on the totality of my record," said Clinton, who grew visibly irritated at times with the repeated focus on her past actions. Clinton, who has cast Trump as dangerously ill-prepared to be commander in chief, tried to center the discussion on her foreign policy proposals. She vowed to defeat the Islamic State group "without committing American ground troops" to Iraq or Syria. And she pledged to hold weekly Oval Office meetings with representatives from the Pentagon and Department of Veterans Affairs to stay abreast of health care for veterans. Trump did little to counter the criticism that he lacks detailed policy proposals, particularly regarding the Islamic State group. He both insisted he has a private blueprint for defeating the extremist group and that he would demand a plan from military leaders within 30 days of taking office. But he was also harshly critical of the military, saying America's generals have been "reduced to rubble" under Obama. Asked to square his request for military options with that criticism, Trump said simply: "They'll probably be different generals." Trump stood by a previous comment that appeared to blame military sexual assaults on men and women serving together, but added he would not seek to remove women from the military. And for the first time, he opened the door to granting legal status to people living in the U.S. illegally who join the military. "I think that when you serve in the armed forces, that's a very special situation," Trump said. "And I could see myself working that out." The Republican also repeated an incorrect claim that he was opposed to the war with Iraq before the invasion. That assertion is contradicted by an interview Trump did with Howard Stern in September 2002 in which he was asked whether he supported the invasion. He replied, "Yeah, I guess so." With just two months until Election Day, national security has emerged as a centerpiece issue in the White House race. Both candidates believe they have the upper hand, with Clinton contrasting her experience with Trump's unpredictability and the Republican arguing that Americans worried about their safety will be left with more of the same if they elect Obama's former secretary of state. While GOP candidates are often seen by voters as having an advantage on military and national security issues, Trump is far from a traditional Republican. He has no military experience and has repeatedly criticized the skill of the armed forces. A flood of Republican national security experts have instead chosen to back Clinton, helping bolster her case that Trump is broadly unacceptable. Earlier Wednesday, former Defense Secretary William Cohen joined the list of GOP officials supporting Clinton. Ahead of the forum, Trump rolled out a new plan to boost military spending by tens of billions of dollars, including major increases in the number of active troops, fighter planes, ships and submarines. His address earlier in the day included plans to eliminate deep spending cuts known as the "sequester" that were enacted when Congress failed to reach a budget compromise in 2011. Republicans and Democrats voted for the automatic, across-the board cuts that affected both military and domestic programs, though the White House has long pressed Congress to lift the spending limits. Trump expressed support for the sequester in interviews in 2013 even describing them as too small but seemed to suggest at the time that military spending should be exempt. A North Dakota judge issued a warrant Wednesday for the arrest of Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, who is accused of spray-painting construction equipment during a protest against the Dakota Access pipeline. Court records show Stein was charged Wednesday in Morton County with misdemeanor counts of criminal trespass and criminal mischief. The same charges have been filed against her running mate, Ajamu Baraka. Stein campaign spokeswoman Meleiza Figueroa could not immediately comment on whether Stein plans to turn herself in. Activists invited Stein to leave a message at the protest site near the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's reservation on Tuesday, Figueroa said, and Stein sprayed "I approve this message" in red paint on the blade of a bulldozer. A court document shows Baraka painted the word "decolonization" on a piece of construction equipment. Morton County Sheriff's Office spokesman Rob Keller said the warrant has been filed and if authorities were to come across Stein, "they would arrest her." The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is trying to stop construction of a section of the $3.8 billion four-state pipeline that tribal leaders say would violate sacred and culturally sensitive grounds and possibly pollute water. Before the charges were filed, Stein said in a statement said she hoped North Dakota authorities "press charges against the real vandalism taking place at the Standing Rock Sioux reservation: the bulldozing of sacred burial sites and the unleashing of vicious attack dogs." What to Know The National Museum of African American History's opening festival, "Freedom Sounds: A Community Celebration" announced its musical lineup. Performers for the concerts include The Roots, Public Enemy, Living Colour, Experience Unlimited, Meshell Ndegeocello and a special guest. The weekend-long festival is free and will be from Sept. 23-25. The Roots, Public Enemy, Living Colour, Meshell Ndegeocello, Experience Unlimited and an unnamed special guest will perform at two concerts across from the National Museum of African American History and Culture at the museums free opening festival. The Freedom Sounds: A Community Celebration festival will celebrate the lasting legacy of African-American expression through music like jazz, R&B, gospel and hip-hop. The highly anticipated Museum of African American History and Culture will open to members of the public with pre-requested passes at 1 p.m. Sept. 24. Living Colour, Public Enemy and The Roots will perform Sept. 24 from 6-9 p.m., and Experience Unlimited, Meshell Ndegeocello and a special guest performer are slated for Sept. 25 from 6-9 p.m. The festival, which will begin at noon Sept. 23 and Sept. 25 and at 1 p.m. Sept. 24, will also feature daytime events, including a drum circle, oral history activities, dance performances and additional live music. A full lineup of performances and events is available here. A government audit revealed a series of health and safety concerns inside some D.C. police stations. The audit found water leaks, unsecured gates or windows, potentially dangerous electrical wiring, and clutter inside multiple Metropolitan Police Department stations. Three of the agencys stations were inaccessible to people with disabilities. Office of the Inspector General D.C.s Office of Inspector General said its findings show the well-being of police officers might be at risk. Building conditions at several MPD stations and substations may pose threats to the safety and security of MPD employees and equipment and may adversely affect the health and comfort of MPD employees, the audit said. The report showed more than a dozen photographs showing disrepair inside the police stations. In several instances, leaks and water damage were evident, including sandbagging placed at the 1st District substation near the U.S. Capitol. Office of the Inspector General At the 2nd District Station on Idaho Avenue NW, the inspector generals office said it found potentially unsafe wiring and a window that failed to lock. The photos included with the audit show each of the potential problems. Office of the Inspector General Cluttered conditions are shown in some hallways at other stations. At the police departments 4th District Station on Georgia Avenue NW, the auditor reported finding birds nests, leaking toilets and an employee work space located in a storage closet. (The desk) did not appear to be a suitable work space, the audit said. At the 3rd District Station, the auditors said they found holes and cracks in holding cells and windows that failed to fully latch. In three instances, the auditors found police stations without access for people with disabilities, including the 1st District substation in southeast D.C. Individuals with disabilities (employees and visitors) are unable to access MPD substations, and the District of Columbia may be at risk of legal liability for failure to ensure ADA-compliance with respect to providing services for the public, the audit said. The Metropolitan Police Department did not respond to requests for comment from News4 Wednesday. In a statement provided to the Office of Inspector General, Police Chief Cathy Lanier said, MPD will review its internal controls to address policy matters raised in the report, such as surplus items stored in hallways. Lanier said, in her statement to the Office of Inspector General, the facilities and maintenance are the responsibility of D.C.s Department of General Services. A spokesman for the Department of General Services said his agency reviewed the report. The Department of General Services will provide a summary report of its findings, along with a time frame for completing each outstanding item determined by the agency that requires a resolution, he said. DGS will provide that summary report to the OIG as its response in a few weeks. A Richmond, Virginia, man known for his involvement in "Gamergate" was arrested at Dulles, Virginia-area hotel after authorities say he assaulted a deputy. Ethan Ralph, 30, was arrested and charged with two counts of assault on law enforcement on Aug. 27, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said. Deputies were called to the Hampton Inn & Suites at Dulles International Airport after someone reported that an intoxicated person was sleeping in the lobby. When they deputies tried to wake Ralph, he assaulted one of the deputies, the sheriff's office said. Ralph is known for his involvement in Gamergate, an online harassment campaign targeting women in the gaming industry, according to the Loudoun Times-Mirror. Washington, D.C. is filled with memorials that commemorate events and people of the past, but a new memorial concept is meant to give people a glimpse of what could be the future of the city's landscape. On Thursday, the National Park Service, National Capital Planning Commission and Van Alen Institute announced that Climate Chronograph has won the Memorials for the Future contest. The winning memorial design reimagines Hains Point in Southwest with cherry trees and shows how those trees would wither and die as the sea level rises over time. "Climate Chronograph, the winning concept, is a forward-looking memorial that takes a complex global process climate changeand turns it into a tangible, personal experience," said the National Capital Planning Commission in a news release. Climate Chronograph, designed by Bay Area-based landscape architects Erik Jensen and Rebecca Sunter, beat three other Memorials for the Future finalists. The other three finalists were each recognized with honorable mentions: American Wild: A Memorial, which would project 59 national parks on the walls and ceilings of Metro stations. The Im(migrant): Honoring the Journey proposed creating a podcast tribute to immigrants that D.C.'s bus riders could hear on major bus routes across D.C. VOICEOVER, which would display "storytelling parrots" to existing monuments and memorials. An exhibit showcasing the designs and concepts at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will run through Oct. 20. Members of the four teams will also be at the exhibition from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday. The union representing Montgomery County, Maryland, public school teachers plans to formally recommend the school district change its daily schedule for students, shifting the start times for elementary, middle and high school students. The Montgomery County Education Association, which represents more than 12,000 educators, shared three proposals for new school day schedules with its large membership county-wide. An internal vote is expected in November to choose between those three options, union Executive Director Tom Israel said. The formal request to the Montgomery County Public Schools Board of Education is expected in late autumn, according Israel. Montgomery County Public Schools shifted start times for its schools in 2015, pushing back the beginning of the school day by up to 20 minutes. Some elementary school students begin their school day as late as 9:25 a.m. under the revisions. MCEA Proposed Schedule 1 (Estimated Additional Cost of $3.9 Million) MCEA Proposed Schedule 2 (Estimated Additional Cost of $1.3 Million) MCEA Proposed Schedule 3 (Estimated Additional Cost of $1.3 Million) Each of the three proposals under consideration by the union would shift the start times of elementary schools earlier. In one proposal, elementary school students would begin the day at 7:45 a.m., more than 60 minutes earlier than they do now. The union expects any of the proposed changes would cost money to implement, Israel said. Documentation shared with union members shows each proposal would cost at least $1.3 million. The shift in school start times in 2015 was met with mixed reaction because of its impact on pre-school arrangements, traffic and employee work hours and commutes. The Board of Education is always interested in hearing from the community about issues that affect our students, a spokesman for the board of education said. The board said it has been monitoring and gathering feedback about school start times during the past year. The (current) start times for our elementary school students are way too late," Montgomery County Council Education Committee Chairman Craig Rice said. "There has to be a very robust decision making process to figure out what makes the most sense. The Montgomery County Education Association represents teachers, speech pathologists, media specialists and guidance counselors. The school district, among the largest in the region, includes more than 200 schools and more than 150,000 students. Fairfax County police are looking for anyone who may have witnessed the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy in Lorton, Virginia. Officers were called to the 9700 block of Hagel Circle just after 10:30 p.m. Wednesday for a report of a shooting. When they arrived at the scene, they found Maurice Anderson Berger of Lorton lying on the sidewalk. Berger was pronounced dead at the scene. Neighbors told police they saw a vehicle leaving the scene, but they were not able to provide a description. Police also don't know whether the vehicle was involved in the shooting. The family released the following statement: "We would like to express our sincerest gratitude for the outpour of love, support, and concern from all who have heard of this tragedy. As you can imagine, we are deeply hurt over the loss of our loved one; words can't describe the full extent of our grief. Maurice will always be treasured and affectionately remembered for his kindness, humor, and warm spirit. We ask that anyone with information please speak only to the proper authorities and that our privacy is respected as we grieve." Anyone with information that can help investigators is asked to call police. A series of cable cars stopped working at high altitude over the Mont Blanc massif in the Alps on Thursday, prompting a major rescue operation and leaving 45 people trapped in mid-air overnight, France's interior minister said. Four helicopters were deployed after 110 people became stuck when the cable cars stalled because of a "technical incident," Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said. He said the helicopters rescued 65 people before the efforts were suspended for the night because of rough flight conditions. First aid workers were transported to the site and will be spending the night in the cable cars with those who are trapped, Cazeneuve said. Rescuers provided blankets, food and water. A local police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak the media, said that the incident happened in "late afternoon" in the panoramic Vallee Blanche Cable Car that rises to an altitude of 12,395 feet. French police said the evacuation was suspended at 9:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. EDT). The rescue will resume Friday at 7:15 a.m. (1:15 a.m. EDT). Chamonix Mayor Eric Fournier said earlier in day that "there's nothing fundamentally to fear" adding, on BFM-TV, that Italian authorities were helping with the rescue. The cable cars connect the famed Aiguille du Midi peak to the Pointe Helbronner and takes 30-35 minutes. They offer spectacular up-close views of Western Europe's tallest mountains, glaciers and steep valleys deep below. The Vallee Blanche Cable Car is operated in the summer season, when large numbers of climbers and tourists converge on the area. Another series of cable cars takes skiers and visitors to the peak of the Aiguille de Midi year-round. President Barack Obama and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte met informally on Wednesday in a holding room before attending a gala dinner at a regional summit in Laos, Philippine officials said. The brief meeting took a little sting out of the soured relations caused by Duterte's intemperate language in referring to Obama earlier this week. That had caused Obama to cancel a formal meeting scheduled for Tuesday. There was no immediate confirmation from the White House. Philippine Foreign Secretary Pefecto Yasay told The Associated Press that the leaders had met. "They met at the holding room and they were the last persons to leave the holding room. I can't say how long they met. It all springs from the fact the relationship between the Philippines and the United States is firm, very strong. The basis for this relationship is historical and both leaders realize this. And I'm very happy that it happened." Obama and Duterte are in the Laotian capital along with other regional leaders for the summit. All of them made their way through the holding room before heading to the banquet hall. On Monday, hours before arriving in Laos, Duterte told Philippine reporters he wouldn't accept questions from Obama about extrajudicial killings that have occurred during his crackdown on suspected drug dealers and users. More than 2,000 people have been killed in the crackdown since he took office on June 30. "I do not have any master except the Filipino people, nobody but nobody. You must be respectful. Do not just throw questions. Putang ina, I will swear at you in that forum," Duterte said, using the Tagalog phrase for "son of a bitch." On Tuesday, Duterte expressed regret over the remarks, but the damage was done. A Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Charles Joe, also said Obama and Duterte met in the holding room. He said it was a mutually agreed meeting, but that he had no details of what was discussed. Obama and Duterte entered the dinner venue separately, and were seated far apart and did not interact with each other during the dinner that lasted an hour and 20 minutes. Police are searching for three men who tied up a couple and threatened their three children at gunpoint during an early morning home burglary in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The family says they were all in their beds when the thieves broke into their Anthony Avenue home through a bathroom window around 6 a.m. Wednesday. The suspects bound Maralaisy Gil and her husband Junior Degracia before ransacking the place. They made off with $19,000 in cash from a recent sale of the family's business. Degracia was struck in the face with a gun and stabbed in the thigh during the incident. No one else was harmed. The family didn't recognize the men but said they believe they must've known about the business sale. Health officials are investigating after 47 birds fell from the sky in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood on Thursday. Rescuers were able to save 35 of the birds, but 12 have died. Investigators are working to determine the cause, and whether the deaths of two cats in the neighborhood could be related. A third cat was also affected. "When I arrived, birds would fly, like from a house to a tree, they would flop in the tree and they would fall to the ground," said Alan Borgal of the Animal Rescue League of Boston. "The weaker ones were just falling right out the sky." All the birds were grackles, black songbirds that typically travel in large flocks. They were found thrashing around on Bakersfield Street and the sidewalks nearby around 2 p.m. "They couldn't get up," said resident Linda Veale. "We don't know what is going on," said John Meaney of the city of Boston's Inspectional Services. "So we are investigating all avenues." City officials are looking at everything from a virus, to environmental poisoning, to something intentional. They're also studying the many feeders neighborhood residents have outside. "They could have put something out that was unintentional," said Meaney. "Something that didn't get along with this species of bird because we have two species here, and the other species did not die or get harmed." Willien Pugh's outdoor cat named Sally suddenly died Thursday morning, as well. "It's unbelievable," said Pugh. "Something is happening, but I don't know, but I'm without a cat." Investigators are trying to figure out if Sally's death is connected, and they are wondering if more pets could be tied in. "Now we have three domestic pets involved and 47 birds, so it's a concern until we figure out you what happened," Borgal said. The two dead cats and all of the birds will be tested. Investigators do not believe there is any danger to humans, but they say pet owners should be extra cautious as to what their pets are putting in their mouths when they're outside. The birds that died are being sent to Tufts University to be tested to see what may have caused them to fall ill. Test results are expected to be made available early next week. City inspectors were backed at the scene on Friday morning looking for any more dead birds, but they didn't find yet. There is still no cause, but poisoning is being eyed as a serious possibility. The FBI's North Shore Gang Task Force is asking for the public's help in locating an alleged member of the MS-13 gang charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Efrain Vasquez-Yanez, 34, was indicted with 55 other alleged-members of the gang for activities including murder, attempted murder and drug trafficking in January. He was last seen in the Everett, Massachusetts, area and is still believed to be in the Greater Boston area. Officials believe he has a "homeboy" status with the gang, which is obtained by killing someone or causing severe bodily injury in name of the gang. Vasquez-Yanez Is considered armed and dangerous. A reward of up-to $20,000 is available for information leading to his arrest. Anyone with information can contact the FBI at 1-617-742-5533. Police in Hooksett, New Hampshire, have arrested a man who was wanted for an armed robbery in Manchester Tuesday. Thomas Ford Jr., 20, was wanted for the robbery and 1st-degree assault at Han's Food Mart. Hooksett Police arrested Ford Jr. without incident outside of Servpro. He was released into the custody of Manchester Police. It's not clear when he'll be in court or if he has an attorney. A Vermont history museum repeatedly targeted by thieves pilfering its Black Lives Matter signs has found a bit of encouragement following an unrelated case of sign vandalism. The Rokeby Museum in Ferrisburgh has had eight signs stolen or destroyed this summer, according to director Jane Williamson. Some were on metal stakes in the ground, some were wired to a fence. "We certainly wanted to call attention to the issue and the movement," Williamson said of Black Lives Matter. Supporting Black Lives Matter makes perfect sense, Williamson said, because the Rokeby Museum tells the story of Vermont's early anti-slavery activists and the property's place on the Underground Railroad, where families would help fugitives from slavery find freedom. Williamson noted that at the Route 7 landmark, black lives have mattered for some 200 years, long before the contemporary civil rights activism movement was formed. "When you think of radical abolitionists, they started in the early 1830s," Williamson said, describing the kinds of families like the Robinsons, who ran a successful merino sheep farm on the Rokeby property and employed fugitives from slavery. "Those slaves weren't freed until 1865. [Activists] spent three decades trying to beat down that door. Should we give up because eight signs have been removed? Probably not." Additionally, the museum said it has heard complaints from some citizens who expressed disappointment that the site is supporting Black Lives Matter, with some of those people arguing law enforcement has gotten a bad rap in high-profile cases of alleged police brutality against minority communities. Williamson said she is planning a panel discussion for next year on racial justice issues, and plans to invite members of the law enforcement community to participate. Williamson did express some encouragement she took from an unrelated Black Lives Matter sign vandalism case in Essex. "I felt a sense of violation," said Essex homeowner Bruce Post, who has a Black Lives Matter sign in his lawn. "First I thought, 'Who would do that?'" Vandals altered Post's sign with paint, tape, and markers to say "All Lives Matter," and added the web address of a pornographic website. "Then, shortly thereafter, my doorbell rang," Post recalled, a smile forming on his face. Post told necn he was pleasantly surprised to greet someone who came to inform him about who was behind defacing his sign. Post recounted how a neighbor arrived at his door in tears, with her hand on her heart, and revealed a houseguest's teenagers were behind the prank. Post said the unexpected encounter all comes back to Rokeby, because he suggested the best way those teen boys could apologize would be to visit the museum and learn how long and difficult the march toward equality has been. "It may have just been a lark or a prank, but out of that, maybe some good will come," Post said of the neighbor's pledge to organize a trip to Rokeby following the Essex sign vandalism. "That's the story that had a bad beginning, and I think, a happy ending." The museum did have a Black Lives Matter sign on its front lawn Thursday, but Williamson said after all the previous sign thefts, staffers now take the sign in at night. Learn more about the Rokeby Museum on their website. Thousands of Boston students are headed back to school Thursday. Both Mayor Marty Walsh and Boston Public School Superintendent Tommy Chang will greet students at the New Mission High School and the Boston Community Leadership Academy. They are welcoming the students and faculty back and will then make stops touring a number of schools in the district. We sat down with Superintendent Chang to discuss some of the biggest areas they will focus on this year. Among them, he said, will be continuing to ensure there is safe drinking water for students, as the district works to address lead concerns. There will also be ongoing conversations about race in the Boston Latin School following a year of controversy and change there. He said they are also actively negotiating teacher contracts. Chang said, "We want to make sure our students in Boston have the most effective teachers in front of them. And we are committing to inclusive practices and that we are providing our students with more instructional time. We are both committed to that. We are working through the details." Superintendent-in-Chief William Gross and seven other members of the Boston Police Department's command staff have volunteered to be trained and equipped with body cameras. Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said he asked members of his command staff to volunteer to wear the cameras to demonstrate the department's willingness to explore the new policing tool and to show support for those officers assigned to participate in the pilot program. "When I asked members of my command staff to volunteer to wear the cameras, they all stepped up," Evans said in a statement. "I have the best department in the country and I am committed to getting this program started for the benefit of the commuity and my officers out there every day." All eight command staff members will wear the body cameras while out in the community responding to incidents and overseeing special events. They will be bound by the same policy in place for the officers and will wear them for the duration of the pilot program, Evans said. The Boston Police Patrolmen's Association went to court earlier this week to fight the program calling for 100 officers to wear body cameras. A pilot program was originally scheduled to start last week. The union has asked for an injunction to halt the program until a new agreement can be reached. The judge in the case is expected to rule on the matter on Friday. Activists around the country have called for police body cameras since the fatal shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014, followed by a succession of other police shootings of unarmed black men. A construction worker was injured while on site in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Thursday morning. According to the deputy fire chief, the worker was at the bottom of a pit when crews began lowering a beam which cut the worker's leg. The fire department was able to rescue the worker at the bottom of the 30-foot pit. The worker is being taken to an area hospital to be check out. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been notified. The death of a 51-year-old woman in Danville, New Hampshire has been ruled a homicide. The New Hampshire Attorney General identified the victim on Thursday as Jo-Anne Boucher. Her cause of death is being withheld pending further investigation. Boucher's body was found inside her home on Caramel Drive in Danville on Monday night. "She was one of the nicest people on God's green earth, that's all I can really say," her son told necn earlier this week. The attorney general's office said the investigation into Boucher's death is "active and ongoing." A former licensed nursing assistant in New Hampshire has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting an elderly patient with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The New Hampshire attorney general's office says Timothy Morrissey was sentenced to one and half to five years in prison for sexual assault. In addition, he'll be required to register as a sex offender when he's released and cannot reinstate his nursing license. Morrissey's license was revoked after the charges were announced last November. Police are investigating after a student at Timberlane Regional High School in Plaistow, New Hampshire, died from a drug overdose earlier this week. Principal Donald Woodworth sent an email to parents Wednesday notifying them of the junior's death on Tuesday night. Her name has not been released. Woodworth wrote that school counselors and administrators are available to provide support to any students who are struggling with the girl's death. Superintendent Dr. Earl Metzler says this is Timberlane Regional's first fatal overdose since he began working in the district in 2012. Police have only confirmed that they are investigating the death and did not mention a specific drug or location. The circumstances surrounding the overdose remain unclear. More information is expected to be released Thursday. A Maine man thought he was getting a great deal on memory cards from Groupon. But when he received them in the mail, he found pictures of passports, ids and personal videos of the previous owner in Israel. "Initially, I was frustrated," says Michael Leonard. Leonard tells necn Investigates that his troubles began back in May after he ordered three refurbished 64 gig Sandisk memory cards for his go-pro camera. They only cost $24. When he tried to use one of them, it wouldn't work. When he plugged the memory card into his computer, he discovered the card was filled with pictures and videos from the previous owner who lived 5,400 miles away. "ID cards with personal information. I found some pictures of passports," Leonard told necn Investigates Jason Frazer. "Pictures of people, pictures of women." When Leonard showed us the card, necn Investigates found pictures of the previous owner's personal moments from a hospital celebration and photos of the Israeli military. The card even had videos of stage performances with fire, elephants dancing, and a street performer playing with several snakes. Leonard says he tried contacting both Sandisk and Groupon about the problems but was told there wasn't anything they could do since the warranty expired. "How is it Groupon and Sandisk can allow this to happen?" asked Leonard. After necn Investigates reached out to Groupon, the company apologized to Leonard and gave him a full refund. Groupon's spokesperson blamed the problem on a third party vendor and told necn in a statement "We've reached out to make them aware of the issue and to stress that this does not meet our standards for high-quality products. We also have no further deals planned with them." When necn Investigates reached out to the vendor, the owner told us the cards came from an authorized reseller and questioned whether the cards in question came from them. "78% of devices that are being resold have some residual information on them," said Sam Ransbotham, an Associate Professor of Information Systems at Boston College. Ransbotham believes cases like Leonard's will only become more common. "We don't choose resellers based on whether or not they erase. We choose them based on cost and erasing is a step that adds cost and money to the reseller," according to Ransbotham. So how can you protect yourself? Pressing the reset or delete button isn't enough. Experts recommend downloading a deletion program. "They're built into Apple. Their disk utility has a way of secure erasing. Windows has one. Cipher as well," according to Ransbotham. Leonard hopes his story will inspire Groupon to make some changes. "I'm not afraid to use refurbished cards. I'm not interested in going back to Groupon for memory cards." necn Investigates did track down the owner of the memory card in Israel. She didn't want to go on camera but she told necn Investigates it's unclear how her photos ended up 5,400 miles away in Maine. Experts say if you find someone's personal data on a memory card, you should return it to the manufacturer. Police are searching for the man who they say assaulted a store owner before robbing him Wednesday in Manchester, New Hampshire. Officers responded to a 911 call at Hans Food Mart on Maple Street at 1 p.m. for a robbery in progress. Police said the store's owner, Young Hun Yun, 81, had been assaulted and was disoriented when officers arrived. Han was able to describe his assailant who was later identified as Thomas Ford, 20, of Hooksett. Ford had fled the scene with an undetermined amount of money. Police said Ford has active warrants for armed robbery and first degree assault. He is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on Ford's whereabouts is asked to contact the Manchester Police Department at 603-668-8711 or the Crimeline at 624-4040 and provide an anonymous tip. An elderly New Hampshire store owner who was violently attacked and robbed Wednesday helped police find the suspect. Police arrested 20-year-old Thomas Ford Jr. of Hooksett Thursday morning after he allegedly robbed Han's Food Mart, assaulting 81-year-old Young Hun Yun. The store owner's detailed description, police say, helped them catch the suspect. Ford faces charges of armed robbery and first-degree assault. A driver for an adult day care facility has been accused of inappropriately touching six female clients in Norwell, Massachusetts. According to the Plymouth District Attorney's Office, Robert McNeil, 57, of Pembroke, was driving the clients while working for CareWell Adult Day Health. Police said McNeil confessed to officials at the facility in July. Authorities said he has since resigned from his position. McNeil faces 11 counts of indecent assault and battery on a disabled person over 60 in Halifax, Plymouth, Hanson and Norwell. He is set to be arraigned on one set of charges Monday in Plymouth District Court, then on October 5 in Hingham District Court for additional charges. A driver for an adult day care facility accused of inappropriately touching six female clients in Norwell, Massachusetts, admitted to his sexual assaults. Robert McNeil, the 57-year-old Pembroke man was working for CareWell Adult Day Health in Norwell when the alleged assaults occurred between 2014 and 2016. The victims range in age from 60 to 83 and some had Alzheimer's or developmental disabilities. Court paperwork shows that it was McNeil himself who allegedly reported the assaults, described them in detail, and named the women he victimized. He allegedly told investigators that he was attending church and decided that he needed to speak to someone about things that he had done that he felt remorseful about. McNeil told police he first told a member of his church, then his wife before telling the owners of CareWell that "for approximately one year he had inappropriately groped CareWell participants that he had been transporting." McNeil reportedly said he was not sure why he did it and disclosed that he had been the victim of sexual abuse himself. Some of the victims' relatives contacted by police recalled some red flags. One woman said her mother had on different pants and different underwear than what she had originally left with. Another woman's sons said his mother was taken in for a [sexual assault] interview and a rape kit was administered. A husband of one of the victims told me his wife couldn't speak so she couldn't have told anyone she was abused even if it did happen. NECN has repeatedly reached out to CareWell and they have not responded to requests for a comment. McNeil is scheduled to be arraigned in Plymouth District Court Monday and in Hingham District Court on October 5th. Anna Price encourages Christians to engage positively with Halloween rather than hide away, on what many see as the darkest night of the year. Anna Price encourages Christians to engage positively with Halloween rather than hide away, on what many see as the darkest night of the year. First service takes place at Norwich church site SOUL Church hosted around 400 people for a special service on the site of their new building on Heartsease Lane. Read more Dereham draws up list of warm places for winter As rising energy prices make it harder to heat homes, churches in Dereham are leading the way in creating warm spaces where people can go. Read more South Norfolk church scoops national award A medieval Anglican church in a tiny hamlet in South Norfolk has won a national award and a 10,000 boost. Read more Dereham churches help people to help themselves A group of churches in Dereham have launched an ambitious project which aims to meet needs in the town, including the provision of food and skills training. Read more Executive assistant and nursery manager jobs SOUL Church is a vibrant, welcoming and growing church in Norwich. They are seeking an organised and versatile Executive Assistant to provide key support to the churchs Senior Pastors, as well as a qualified Nursery Manager to head up SOUL Nursery. Read more Halloween light in Gorleston church On Halloween this year, St Mary Magdalene Church in Gorleston will be preparing to welcome around 200 families to experience their Light on a Dark Night event. Read more An opportunity for Norwich to pray for the nation Rev Nigel Fox, who has served as a Methodist Minister for 15 years in Norwich, shares an open invitation to pray for the nation at a crucial moment. Read more Norwich church seeks musicians Kingdom Ambassadors International Church is appealing for instrumentlists, keyboardists and guitarists to be part of their worship experience. Read more Please keep Rishi in your prayers Andy Bryant urges us to pray for our political leaders, especially the new Prime Minister, and avoid unhelpful judgementalism. Read more Emilys art boosts growing Yarmouth foodbank A pupil at a primary school in Bradwell has been selling her pictures in order to raise money for the Yarmouth and Magdalen Foodbank, which is expanding its capacity and is seeking more volunteers. Read more Patrick Regan helps Norwich to bounce forwards On Saturday St Stephens in Norwich hosted Bouncing Forwards as part of a national tour by the mental health charity Kintsugi Hope. Read more Painting and biblical feasting in Overstrand There will be opportunities to improve your painting skills and indulge in some biblical feasting next month at the Pleasaunce in Overstrand in North Norfolk. Read more Latest Norfolk Christian community events Events of interest to the Norwich and Norfolk Christian community happening over the next few weeks are listed. Read more National award for Dereham Christian bookshop The Green Pastures Christian bookshop in Dereham has won a national award for providing boxes of Christian books to 21 local schools. Read more Norma's care home jigsaw challenge complete A resident at Norwich-based care home Corton House has completed an incredible 70 jigsaw puzzles in celebration of the homes 70th anniversary this year. Read more Norwich charity's appeal to support Palestinian students A Norwich educational charity, set up in memory of a Norwich Anglican priest, to support students from a Palestinian refugee camp, is inviting people to support its Christmas appeal to be launched on November 29. Read more Norfolk drug and alcohol charity pays tribute to its founder Andy Sexton, CEO of the Matthew Project, introduces a series of tributes from the charity to its founder, Peter Farley. Read more For a very long time, Google has focused on building its own productivity software to serve everyone from consumers to massive enterprises, and then locking people into its core experience. That all changed on Wednesday. The company announced that it's partnering with Box to let users of the enterprise cloud storage and content services platform edit documents with Google Docs, Sheets and Slides, but keep them stored inside Box. It's a vast departure from the company's previous direction, which required people to store files edited with Docs inside Google Drive. Google said that the company is working on turning its Docs productivity suite into an open platform, and is open to working with other storage providers in a similar way. Google Drive will still remain the default storage system for Docs, Sheets and Slides, even as the company pushes its open platform strategy. The move provides security advantages for shared users of Box and Google Docs. Administrators will be able to manage access to documents using the same Box management console that they're used to, while still letting users work with the Docs suite. It's also a boon for end users, who will be able to find documents from Google's productivity suite in the same cloud storage system where they keep other files. In order to use Google Docs with Box, enterprise customers will need a paid Google Apps subscription. Consumers will be able to use Box as the storage service for Google Docs for free. The move is emblematic of Google's heightened enterprise focus under the leadership of Diane Greene, the executive vice president of Google Cloud Enterprise. Greene has been instrumental in forging partnerships aimed at appealing to large businesses, something that Google hasn't always succeeded at. Other recent moves have included an expanded partnership with Okta focused around providing enterprises with identity management services. Google and Box will also work together on making Box content available in Google Springboard, an artificial intelligence-powered assistant that's aimed at giving employees the information they need from a variety of services, including Gmail, Google Calendar, and third-party services like Box. The two companies haven't said when the fruits of their partnership will actually appear. But the move means that both companies' products could become more appealing -- enterprises using Google Apps might be more likely to subscribe to Box, and vice versa. To continue reading this article register now Get Free Access In late August, an FBI alert warning state election officials about an attack on voter registration databases from Illinois and Arizona was leaked and posted in a report on Yahoo News. 'According to the FBIs alert, 'an unknown actor' attacked a state election database by using widely available penetrating testing tools, including Acunetix, SQLMap, and DirBuster,' wrote Michael Kan. 'The hackers then found an SQL injection vulnerability -- a common attack point in websites -- and exploited it to steal the data. The FBI has traced the attacks to eight IP addresses, which appear to be hosted from companies based in Bulgaria, the Netherlands, and Russia.' What isn't known is whether these election database hacks are tied either to the hack of the DNC or other recent breaches. One of the interesting things about these attacks which came to light is that the attackers were using a commercial grade vulnerability scanner rather than a self-built or an open source tool," says Amit Ashbel, director of product marketing at application security provider Checkmarx. "Not only does it not align with most hacker techniques, it also increases the chance of exposing the attacker. That in itself indicates that the attacker was probably not part of a well-organized hacking team and it also seems that it was not part of a state grade attack but rather someone who had access to a tool and wanted to try it out. The following infographic from Checkmarx offers an overview of the election breaches in Arizona and Illinois, including how the attackers got in and what they stole. Scheme aims to help families reduce amount they throw away A NEWBURY supermarket is encouraging customers to reduce food waste, with the launch of a new campaign. Sainsburys Newbury is holding a Waste less, Save more event across Saturday and Sunday. The campaign is a 10m initiative to help households reduce the level of food they are throwing away and staff will be on hand to provide storage tips, to teach customers how to keep their food fresh for longer. As part of the campaign, colleagues from the Newbury store will be handing out free fridge thermometers, so shoppers can ensure their food is being stored at an optimum temperature. Store manager Andrew Major said: The typical UK household throws away, on average, 700 of food each year. Through our Waste less, Save more campaign, we hope that our customers will pick up some handy tips to help them reduce the amount of food that they throw away and save money. The head of sustainability at Sainsburys, Paul Crewe, added: Were really excited to be sharing Waste less, Save more with the nation. Food waste continues to be a top priority for our customers, both in terms of saving money and the environment, and so we hope our hints and tips will really helpful for people in the local area. For more information and food saving tips, visit https://wastelesssavemore.sainsburys.co.uk/ Training exercise prepares for 'major incident' THAMES Valley Police have this week taken part in another training exercise to prepare for a terrorist attack, just a month after a firearms training exercise was carried out at a Newbury school. Police officers and military personnel were involved in the training in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, and Bas-ingstoke, Hampshire, on Tuesday and Wednesday to prepare for a major incident. The exercise comes just weeks after police officers used Falkland Primary School for firearms training on three occasions throughout August. The latest multi-agency exercise saw Thames Valley Police take part in the training to test major incident contingency plans and the response of the emergency services in the event of a major incident within the region. However, police were quick to reiterate that the training was not in response to any specific threat. The agencies taking part in the exercise include South East Counter Terrorism Unit, Thames Valley Police, Hampshire Constabulary and the military. The exercise involved various scenarios being played out, including a multi-site marauding terrorist firearms attack scenario, and a covert surveillance operation in public spaces in the Thames Valley and Hampshire, followed by a covert hostage rescue. The deputy chief constable of Thames Valley Police, John Campbell, said: This is one of a number of routine and pre-planned exercises organised across the country to test the response of the emergency services. We carry out these exercises to test contingency plans and the co-ordination of the response to a major incident on a regular basis. This training is not being carried out in response to any specific threat. He added: The exercise will not affect our resources or ability to keep our communities safe in the Thames Valley and Hampshire. It will be business as usual for our thousands of officers and staff who are not involved in this training. Since August 2014, the threat to the UK from international terrorism has been graded as severe, meaning an attack is highly likely. As such I want to take this opportunity to remind the public to remain vigilant. We depend on information from the public. They can be our eyes and ears and help keep themselves and communities safe by reporting suspicious activity. You can report any suspicious activities to police on the confidential anti-terrorist hotline 0800 789 321. If you know anyone who might be potentially vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism or violent extremism you can contact your local police on 101 or visit www.preventtragedies. co.uk for further advice and guidance. If, in the unlikely event you get caught up in a weapons or firearms attack, remember to run, then hide, then tell the police. Richard Benyon labels campaigners 'bunch of charmers sitting down' Newbury MP Richard Benyon has been caught up in a Twitter storm after criticising protesters for blocking traffic. Demonstrators protesting against the Government's disability benefits cuts blocked traffic on Westminster Bridge yesterday afternoon (Wednesday). Disabled People Against Cuts staged the protest against deaths apparently related to the cuts. Conservative Mr Benyon tweeted the following on seeing the protesters. The Tweet has since been deleted but the Conservative MP has still come under fire for his comment. @RichardBenyonMP they're disabled people who are worse off due to your welfare cuts. There would be more of them, but they're dead now Stacey-Anne Miller (@staceyannestace) September 7, 2016 @RichardBenyonMP Saw your disgusting tweets about disabled protesters that you deleted. You must be proud. arembooks (@arembooks) September 8, 2016 @RichardBenyonMP Why did you delete your tweet about the disabled protesters? Shame? Maybe to try and save face? It's not nice either way. Lee Holland (@mrleebob) September 8, 2016 Speaking to NewburyToday Mr Benyon said: "From my office window I couldn't see who was demonstrating. All I could see was a Unite banner and there were more police than demonstrators. "To claim that I was criticising the disabled is both untrue and ridiculous." At least 151 people have been killed and 82 others injured in a deadly stampede in Seoul's Itaewon district as huge crowds of partygoers, many in their late teens and 20s, converge... Cranston East no match for Portsmouth With their 36-6 victory on Friday night, the Patriots clinched the top seed in their half of Division II. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low near 45F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low near 45F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. The known history of ophthalmology dates back to the early days of written history, in which initial observations and speculations about the eye were recorded. Over the ages, the understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the eye continued to develop, and several major breakthroughs took place. This has led to our present state of knowledge of the eyes and ocular health. Ophthalmology operation - Image Copyright: Dmitry Kalinovsky / Shutterstock Ancient History In 800 BC, an Indian surgeon named Sushruta described 76 ocular diseases, as well as several ophthalmological techniques and instruments. He was particularly interested in cataract surgery, and has been referred to as the first cataract surgeon. In ancient times, the anatomical conceptions of the eye were primarily speculatory. The sclera and cornea were understood to form part of the outer layer of the eye, with the pupil and ocular fluid occupying the middle part. This fluid was thought to flow to the brain via a tube. Aristotle introduced empiricism to these fancied structures by dissecting the eyes of animals, and he thus discovered three layers within the eye. Rufus of Ephesus put forward the concept of a fourth layer, the epithelial layer that covers the eye. He also noted that the eye has two chambers, one filled with water extending from the cornea to the lens, and one filled with viscous fluid occupying the space between the lens and the retina. Galens studies also made an impact on our understanding of the eye, as he described the anatomy of the cornea, lens and optic nerve. Vesalius further advanced the knowledge of eye structure, with the discovery of the layers of the sclera, retina, choroid and cornea, which meet at a point. Contemporary History Throughout the Middle Ages, hand lenses and microscopes were used to study the structure and function of the eye, advancing scientific perception of the organs anatomy significantly. However, it remained unclear why the pupil changes in size, and what was the nature of the retina. Additionally, the posterior chamber of the eye had not yet been discovered. Some landmarks of this period include: Georg Joseph Beer introduced Beers operation as a treatment for cataract. Baron Michael Johann Baptist de Wenzel, who was the oculist of King George III, had remarkable skill at removing cataracts and legitimized the field. Ernst Abbe is renowned for the development of various optical instruments used in the field of ophthalmology. Hermann von Helmholtz invented the ophthalmoscope in 1851. The first hospital dedicated to the practice of ophthalmics opened in 1805 in London. It still exists, and is known as Moorfields Eye Hospital. Sir Stewart Duke Elder founded the Institute of Ophthalmology there, which made the hospital the largest eye hospital worldwide. Modern History The introduction of the ophthalmoscope in the 19th century brought about a period of consolidation and deepened knowledge of the eye, and treatment of various ocular diseases. This increased the level of precision that was possible in the diagnosis and treatment of ophthalmologic conditions. In particular, the operative treatment of glaucoma was refined at this time, and has helped greatly to improve patient outcomes. Throughout the 20th century, the investigations in the field of ophthalmology were further expanded. Several subspecialties were introduced to focus on particular areas or diseases of the eye. These include cataract, glaucoma, pediatrics, cornea and oncology subspecializations, among others. References Further Reading A career in nursing is a suitable option for an individual who has good organization and communication skills and enjoys caring for people. To practice as a nurse, there are various education and certification requirements that must be met. These are covered in more detail below, in addition to expectations of workplace roles and environment. Image Copyright: Lighthunter / Shutterstock Training and Education There are various types of nurses that require different levels of education to practice and have a different role in the healthcare team. Types of nurses include: Nursing Assistant (CNA): High school diploma and state certification exam are required to practice. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): State certification program and state certification exam are required to practice. Registered Nurse (RN): Associate Degree in Nursing, NCLEX exam, and RN license is required to practice. Nurse Practitioner (NP): Master of Science in Nursing, RN license, and NP credentialing exam is required to practice. Nurse Midwife (CNM): Master of Science in Nursing, RN license, and CNM credentialing exam is required to practice. Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): Master of Science in Nursing, RN license and CRNA credentialing exam is required to practice. Nursing Instructor: Master of Science or Doctorate of Nursing Practice and CNE credential is required to teach. Additionally, a registered nurse may go on to do further study to allow them to practice in a specialized field. Possible specializations include: Addiction nurse: Cares for patients who are overcoming addiction to alcohol, drugs, or other substances. Cardiovascular nurse: Cares for patients with heart disease or recent heart surgery. Critical care nurse: Cares for patients with serious or acute illnesses in intensive-care units in hospital. Genetic nurse: Cares for patients with genetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis. Mental health nurse: Cares for patients with psychological disorders. Neonatal nurse: Cares for newborn babies. Nephrology nurse: Cares for patients with illnesses related to the kidneys. Oncology nurse: Cares for patients with cancer. Rehabilitation Nurse: Cares for patients with disabilities. Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today Throughout their nursing career, nurses are required to maintain up to date knowledge and skills, through continued professional learning. This encompasses range of education and experience guidelines that must be met in order to maintain registration as a nurse. Roles Nurses are responsible for the provision and coordination of patient care, as well as educating, advising, and supporting patients, family and community members who they interact with. The role of the nurse may include tasks such as: Recording patient medical history and symptoms Monitoring patient signs and symptoms Administration of medications and treatments Collaborating with other health professionals Educating patients and families about illness and treatments Workplace Environment The majority of nurses work in a hospital, although there are several other workplaces where a nurse may practice, including residential care facilities, medical clinics, in-home care services, governmental services, schools, military and research facilities. The role of the nurse is physically demanding and nurses typically spending much of their time at work walking, bending, and standing. They also need to lift objects and move patients, which can contribute to back injuries in the long term. Given the close proximity to sick individuals who may have serious illnesses, nurses are more likely than other individuals to be affected by infections and exposure to hazardous drugs. There are strict guidelines in place for safe hygiene and injury protection practice that help to reduce the risk that nurses will experience related effects. Due to the requirement of continuous patient care at hospitals (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), nurses typically work in shifts and may be required to work at night, on weekends, and holidays. Professional Growth and Career Outlook In the United States, there are currently more than 3 million nurses, which is more than double the number of nurses in 1980. This, coupled with a rise in employment rate of more than 10% highlights the demand for nurses in the nation. Additionally, the profession of nursing is projected to grow in the future at a faster rate in respect to other professions. This is due in large part to the increased population size and the aging population in the United States, as well as changes in the healthcare system that render healthcare more affordable for individuals. References Further Reading Respiratory tract infections (RTI) with cough are the most common reason children are prescribed antibiotics by their doctors, but up to a third of prescriptions may be unnecessary. A new study of over 8000 children has identified seven key predictors which could help general practitioners (GPs) and nurses in primary care identify low risk children who are less likely to need antibiotics, according to new research published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. The authors estimate that if antibiotic prescribing in this low risk group was halved, and even if it increased to 90% in high risk patients, the new tool could reduce antibiotic prescribing to children with RTI and coughs by 10% overall, similar to other interventions used to combat antibiotic resistance. The proposed tool called STARWAVe uses seven predictors of future hospitalisation that can be easily identified by doctors and nurses during a patient visitshort illness (less than 3 days), high temperature (37.8C on examination or parent reported severe fever in the previous 24 hours), aged under 2 years, respiratory distress, wheeze, asthma, and moderate/severe vomiting in the previous 24 hours. Children presenting with no more than one of these items are deemed at very low risk of future complications. The authors say that the rule now needs externally validating in a randomised trial, but could be a useful tool to improve the targeting of antibiotics to reduce the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. Respiratory infections with cough is the most common reason people go to the doctor and the most frequent reason given for primary care antibiotic prescribing in children. Yet it is challenging for GPs and primary care nurses to easily identify serious respiratory infections, and up to a third of antibiotics prescribed in primary care are considered unnecessary. Excessive antibiotic use has contributed to the development of resistance to these drugs, explains lead author Professor Alastair Hay from the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. The aim of our study was to develop a simple, usable prediction tool based on symptoms and signs to help GPs and nurses identify children presenting in primary care at the lowest and highest risk of future complications and hospitalisation, so that antibiotics can be targeted accordingly. To create the tool, Hay and colleagues analysed data collected between July 2011 and May 2013 from almost 8400 children aged between 3 months and 16 years with acute (less than 28 days) cough and respiratory tract infection symptoms (eg, fever) who were seen at 247 GP practices across England. They used modelling to determine which of the 50 demographic characteristics, parent-reported symptoms and physical examination signs measured might be most useful and accurate in distinguishing good from poor prognosis illnesses, defined as those resulting in hospitalisation for respiratory infection in the month following a visit to primary care. Modelling showed that seven characteristics were independently linked with hospitalisation short (3 days) illness; temperature; age (<2 years); recession (signs of respiratory distress); wheeze; asthma; and vomiting (mnemonic STARWAVe). Using these findings, the authors then developed a seven-item scoring system for a childs risk of future hospitalisation. For example, a child showing 0-1 of these characteristics would be at very low risk of hospitalisation (0.3% risk; 67% of children in the study); a child with 2-3 of these characteristics would be at normal risk, similar to the general population (1.5% risk; 30% of children in the study); whilst a child showing 4 or more would be a high risk candidate for future hospitalisation (11.8% risk; 3% of children in the study). According to the authors, a no antibiotic prescribing strategy would be appropriate for low risk children; whilst a no antibiotic or delayed antibiotic treatment strategy would be best for normal risk childrenas recommended by NICE; and children deemed at high risk of hospitalisation should be closely monitored for signs of deterioration and followed-up within 24 hours. The accuracy of the rule was measured by a figure called the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, or AUROC. An AUROC of 0.5 would mean the rule is about as good a predictor as flipping a coin. An AUROC of 1.0 is perfect. The new STARWAVe rule gave an AUROC of 0.81, which indicates it should predict the risk of hospitalisation with high accuracy. The authors note that the results are likely to be applicable to primary care systems similar to those in the UK, but as only 78 children were hospitalised during the study, further research is needed to externally validate the tool. According to Professor Hay: This is the first study of its kind, based on a large representative sample of children who visit the doctor with respiratory illness. We hope that our proposed clinical tool might eventually enable doctors to quickly and easily identify their lowest and highest risk patients, although more research will be needed to determine just how effective it is in clinical practice. The rule should supplement not replace clinical judgement, and doctors and nurses should still advise parents about the symptoms and signs they should look out for, and when to seek medical help. In a linked Comment, Professor David Price, Chair of Primary Care Respiratory Medicine at the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK and colleagues discuss the need to test the tool in whole study populations and not just those recruiting and consenting to enter a study. They write: In research published online today in Science, a team of scientists describe a new therapeutic strategy to target a hidden Achilles' heel shared by all known types of Ebola virus. Two antibodies developed with this strategy blocked the invasion of human cells by all five ebolaviruses, and one of them protected mice exposed to lethal doses of Ebola Zaire and Sudan, the two most dangerous. The team included scientists from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Integrated Biotherapeutics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and The Scripps Research Institute. Ebolaviruses cause a highly fatal disease for which no approved vaccines or treatments are available. About two dozen Ebola outbreaks have been documented since 1976, when infections first occurred in villages along the Ebola River in Africa. The largest outbreak in historythe 2014-2015 Western Africa epidemiccaused more than 11,000 deaths and infected approximately 29,000 people. Monoclonal antibodies, which bind to and neutralize specific pathogens and toxins, have emerged as the most promising treatments for Ebola patients. A critical problem, however, is that most antibody therapies target only one specific ebolavirus. For example, the most promising experimental therapyZMappTM, a cocktail of three monoclonal antibodiesis specific for Ebola virus Zaire, and doesn't work against the other two viruses (Sudan and Bundibugyo), which have both caused major outbreaks. The broad-spectrum antibodies developed by the research team represent an important advance against one of the world's most dangerous pathogens. Exploiting Ebola's Achilles' Heel In 2011, a team that included co-senior authors Kartik Chandran, Ph.D. professor of microbiology & immunology at Einstein, and John M. Dye, Ph.D., chief of viral immunology at USAMRIID, discovered that all filoviruses (the family to which ebolaviruses and the more distantly related Marburg virus belong) have an Achilles' heel: To infect and multiply in human cells, they must all bind to a host-cell protein called Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1). But capitalizing on that knowledge required a completely new approach to targeting viruses: exploiting the fact that Ebola and many other viruses must enter host cell compartments called lysosomes. Once safely inside the lysosomes, the viruses transform and expose key portions of their exterior that the research team successfully targeted using monoclonal antibodies. To gain entry to cells, filoviruses bind to the host cell's outer membrane via glycoproteins (proteins to which carbohydrate chains are attached) that bristle from the virus's surface. A portion of the cell membrane then surrounds the virus and pinches off, eventually developing into a lysosomea membrane-bound, intracellular compartment filled with enzymes to digest foreign and cellular components. Filoviruses then use the host cells' resources to break out of their lysosomal "prisons" so they can enter the host cell's cytoplasm to multiply. Enzymes in the lysosome slice a "cap" from the virus's glycoproteins, unveiling a site that binds to the NPC1 embedded in the lysosome membrane. NPC1, which normally helps transport cholesterol within the cell, offers Ebola virus its only means of escaping the lysosome and multiplying. By fitting its protein "key" into the NPC1 "lock," the virus fuses itself to the lysosome membrane. (See illustration close-up.) Now the virus can propel its RNA from the lysosome and into the cell's cytoplasm, where it can finally replicate itself. Penetrating an Invisibility Cloak The research team realized that monoclonal antibodies could potentially thwart all filovirus infections by neutralizing the viral protein that binds to NPC1, or by neutralizing NPC1 itself. There was just one problem: Reflecting Ebola's ingenuity, both targets reside only in lysosomes deep within cellsmaking them invisible to the immune system and shielded from attack by conventional antibodies. Neuroscience eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today Dr. Chandran, Dr. Dye and co-senior author Jonathan R. Lai, Ph.D., associate professor of biochemistry at Einstein and an expert in engineering antibodies, devised a clever "Trojan Horse" strategy for overcoming the virus's invisibility cloak: Just as the citizens of Troy unwittingly pulled a wooden horse filled with Greek soldiers into their walled city, they tricked the viruses into carrying the means of their own destruction along with them into host cells. To do so, the research team synthesized two types of "bispecific" antibodies, each consisting of two monoclonal antibodies combined into one molecule. One bispecific antibody was devised to neutralize the viral protein that binds to NPC1, the other to target NPC1. Both had one monoclonal antibody in common: antibody FVM09, which binds to the surface glycoproteins of all ebolaviruses while the virus is outside cells, allowing the bispecific antibodies to hitch a ride with the virus into the lysosome. FVM09 was developed by co-senior author M. Javad Aman, Ph.D. at Integrated Biotherapeutics. Once in the lysosome, the bispecific antibodies are released from the viral surface when enzymes in the lysosome slice off the glycoprotein capsallowing the business ends of the bispecific antibodies to swing into action. One bispecific antibody combined FVM09 with antibody MR72, which was isolated from a human survivor of Marburg virus infection by co-senior author James E. Crowe Jr., M.D., director of the Vanderbilt Vaccine Center. MR72 targets the NPC1-binding viral protein that is unveiled by all filoviruses in lysosomes. The second bispecific antibody links FVM09 to antibody mAb-548, developed at Einstein, which zeroes in on NPC1. With one bispecific antibody targeting the "lock" (NPC1) and the other targeting the "key" (the virus's NPC1-binding protein), both had the potential for preventing Ebola virus from interacting with NPC1 and escaping from the lysosome into the cytoplasm. Putting Antibodies to the Test The researchers then tested their bispecific antibodies against ebolaviruses in the lab. They initially used a harmless virus (vesicular stomatitis virus) that had been genetically engineered to display glycoproteins from all five ebolaviruses on its surface. The researchers incubated the bispecific antibodies with the Ebola-like viruses and then added the mixtures to human cells in tissue culture. Both bispecific antibodies successfully neutralized all five viruses. Work in the high-containment facilities at USAMRIID confirmed that these antibodies also blocked infection by the actual Zaire, Sudan, and Bundibugyo ebolaviruses. Next came studies at USAMRIID to test whether the two bispecific antibodies could protect mice infected with the two most dangerous ebolaviruses, Zaire and Sudan. Researchers, led by Dr. Dye, administered the bispecific antibodies two days after mice were exposed to a lethal dose of virus. The bispecific antibody that targeted the viral binding protein provided good protection to mice exposed to both viruses. As expected, the bispecific antibody that targeted NPC1 did not protect mice. It was designed to bind specifically to human NPC1, which differs slightly in structure from the NPC1 protein found in mice. As a next step, both bispecific antibodies will need to be tested in nonhuman primates, the current gold standard for anti-Ebola therapeutics. Research conducted by Griffith University and Melbourne-based company Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: PAR) has uncovered a potential new therapeutic treatment for the global battle against mosquito-borne alphavirus infections, including the debilitating Ross River Virus (RRV) and Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV). Currently RRV and CHIKV sufferers are only offered symptomatic management in the form of either non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or corticosteroids, which in some cases may actually exacerbate the condition. These therapeutics may offer some short-term symptomatic relief but their use often results in detrimental side-effects while failing to treat the underlying disease. Researchers at Griffith University may have discovered a breakthrough in the treatment of mosquito transmitted viral diseases like RRV and CHIKV. Pre-clinical experiments conducted by researchers at Griffith University's Institute for Glycomics on the Gold Coast have demonstrated world-first results showing that the historic drug, pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS), can successfully treat both the acute and chronic disease manifestations symptoms of alphavirus infections in the animal model. Several human patients have also been treated with PPS under the Therapeutic Goods Administration Special Access Scheme. These patients, who previously were severely debilitated and had difficulty with daily activities, have reported remarkable improvements in their physical capabilities and general well-being. In these RRV patients treated with PPS the results demonstrate the drug was well tolerated and produced strong signals of clinical effects. Queensland man Jon Chaseling said, "I suffered the effects of Ross River Fever for years. Most days I found it nearly impossible to do something as simple as walking down a flight of stairs. I avoided shaking hands with people because of the pain it caused. Even the weight of the bedclothes at night was agonising. Since undergoing a course of treatment with PPS, I find I'm far more mobile and in much less pain. It's literally changed my life." Lab Diagnostics & Automation eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today Lead researcher, Dr Lara Herrero, became interested in alphaviruses after becoming infected with Ross River virus in Western Australia in 2004. "Alphavirus infection is characterised by crippling musculoskeletal pain, inflammation and swelling in the joints, often leading to the destruction of cartilage," she said. "Currently there's only symptomatic relief available to RRV and CHIKV sufferers with the use of either non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or corticosteroids, both which can have detrimental side-effects and in some cases may actually exacerbate the condition. But when PPS was used to treat the viral disease in the mouse model, we observed a significant reduction in musculoskeletal damage. These data point to PPS being a well-tolerated anti-inflammatory therapy and also a disease modifying drug by protecting the joint cartilage". "We're extremely encouraged by the preclinical results and five clinical cases but our next step is to confirm these results in a Phase 2 clinical trial" said Mr Paul Rennie, CEO of Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals. Griffith University and Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals have entered into a commercialisation agreement under which Paradigm will fund and undertake the necessary clinical trials. If the trials are successful Griffith University will receive a royalty on Paradigm's sale of the drug to treat viral arthritis. During the first three months after stroke, the risk for depression was eight times higher than in a reference population of people without stroke, according to an article published online by JAMA Psychiatry. More than 10 million people had a stroke in 2013 and more than 30 million people worldwide live with a stroke diagnosis. Merete Osler, M.D., D.M.Sc., Ph.D., of Copenhagen University, Denmark, and coauthors used data linked from seven Danish nationwide registers to examine how risk and risk factors for depression differ between patients with stroke and a reference population without stroke, as well as how depression influences death. Among 135,417 patients with stroke, 34,346 (25.4 percent) had a diagnosis of depression within two years after stroke and more than half of the cases of depression (n=17,690) appeared in the first three months after stroke. In a reference population of 145,499 people without stroke, 11,330 (7.8 percent) had a depression diagnosis within two years after entering the study and less than a quarter of the cases (n=2,449) appeared within the first three months, according to the results. The risk of depression in patients during the first three months after stroke was eight times higher than in the reference population without stroke, the authors report. Major risk factors for depression for patients after stroke and in the reference population were older age, female sex, living alone, basic educational attainment, diabetes, a high level of somatic comorbidity, history of depression and stroke severity (in patients with stroke), according to the results. In both groups - patients with stroke and the reference population without stroke - depressed individuals, especially those with new onset, had increased risk of death from all causes. Study limitations include a definition of depression that was based on psychiatric diagnoses and filling of antidepressant prescriptions, and most cases were defined by filling antidepressants, which can be prescribed for various diseases. "Depression is common in patients with stroke during the first year after diagnosis, and those with prior depression or severe stroke are especially at risk. Because a large number of deaths can be attributable to depression after stroke, clinicians should be aware of this risk," the study concludes. Umbilical cord blood transplants may have advantages beyond offering an alternative stem cell source for leukemia patients without a traditional donor match, according to a study published today in The New England Journal of Medicine. The study, led by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, found that in patients at high risk of relapse after transplant, cord blood transplant recipients seem to have better outcomes against leukemia and the related bone marrow disorder, myelodysplastic syndrome. These patients, who make up about a third of those facing a stem cell transplant, have what is known as "minimal residual disease," in which the chemotherapy required before transplant isn't completely successful at putting their cancer into remission, and small amounts of cancer cells remain. Only about a third of patients with detectable cancer in their blood at the time of transplant will still be alive three years later, as compared to nearly three-quarters of those without such residual disease. "Patients going into transplant with minimal residual disease, they have very dismal outcomes," said Fred Hutch transplantation researcher Dr. Filippo Milano, lead author of the NEJM paper. But this study showed that those who received a cord blood transplant "had good outcomes with low relapse rate" compared to patients who received stem cells from an adult, unrelated donor, Milano said. Patients with detectable amounts of cancer cells in their blood could benefit from choosing cord blood as the source of stem cells for their transplant over a traditional transplant, Milano said. For the other two-thirds of the patients, those with no minimal residual disease, cord blood transplants and traditional transplants had very similar outcomes. Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today The study describes results from patients who have received stem cell transplants from cord blood or from unrelated adult donors. The researchers reviewed outcomes for 582 patients who received stem cell transplants from 2006, when the institute's Cord Blood Program launched, to 2014. Of those,140 patients received cord blood transplants. Cord blood transplantation offers one known, big advantage over adult donor transplants for the general population, said Dr. Colleen Delaney, who started Fred Hutch's Cord Blood Program in 2006 and is an author on the study: "Everyone has a cord blood donor." Because stem cells in the umbilical cord are less developed than adult stem cells, they don't have to be "matched" as stringently to a patient's human leukocyte antigen, or HLA, type. HLA genes are part of each person's unique genetic background that determines the likelihood of rejecting donor stem cells. Doctors typically look for a 10-out of-10 match of HLA genes between patients and their donors, but, if such a perfect match doesn't exist among relatives or unrelated donors, they'll often go with an eight- or nine-out-of-10 match. Transplants from such "mismatched" donors may be better than no transplant at all, but as studies like Milano and Delaney's show, cord blood transplants may be the best option for some patients. "This brings home the point that cord blood shouldn't be called an alternative donor. The outcomes are the same as a conventional donor," Delaney said. "This paper shows that if you've got high-risk disease and are at high risk for relapse post-transplant, transplant with a cord blood donor may be the best option." Source: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Alzheimers Research UK is calling for access to EU funding programmes to be made a priority in Brexit negotiations, as a poll of dementia scientists highlights fears that Britains exit from the EU will lead to a loss of funding for research. The survey, carried out by the UKs leading dementia research charity, highlights a range of concerns about the impact of the EU referendum result including a loss of funding, a drop in the UKs standing as an international leader in research, and the impact on scientists ability to move between labs and collaborate. The survey of 70 dementia researchers, carried out in August 2016, found that losing access to EU research funding is a leading worry among scientists, with 60% of people listing this as being of great concern. As Brexit negotiations get underway, Alzheimers Research UK is urging the government to ensure that access to vital EU funding programmes will continue for UK-based researchers, as one of a package of measures to protect the UKs life sciences sector. The charity is also calling for continued mobility for UK and EU researchers, continued support for cross-border collaborations and for scientific representation during the governments exit talks. The poll shows that detrimental effects are already being felt in research as a result of the EU referendum outcome, with nearly half of respondents (47%) aware of opportunities for European partnerships being withdrawn or unsuccessful, while two in five (41%) were aware of researchers having been removed from grant proposals following the referendum result. With a quarter of respondents (26%) coming from an EU member country and working in the UK, the survey highlights the collaborative and international nature of many dementia labs. But results from the poll also show difficulties with recruitment and retention of researchers in UK labs as a result of the referendum. Three quarters (76%) of scientists surveyed were aware of someone leaving the UK, or considering leaving, because of concerns about their future in the country, while half (51%) were aware of problems recruiting researchers or students from EU member countries. Dr Matthew Norton, Director of Policy and Strategy at Alzheimers Research UK, said: Its clear from our survey that dementia scientists are still very worried about the negative impacts of Brexit on UK science. UK government investment for dementia research has increased in recent years but EU research schemes are still an essential source of funding for dementia scientists in the UK. We are beginning to make real strides in the search for much-needed treatments for people with dementia, but if access to funding is lost there is a risk that progress could stall. We are deeply concerned that scientists may be discouraged from working in the UK: the ability to collaborate and move between labs is vital for research to thrive. Dementia research is still under-resourced in the UK, with just one scientist working on dementia for every six working on cancer we must not allow Brexit to compound this problem. When our political leaders sit at the negotiating table it will be crucial that the scientific community is represented. There are 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK today and if we are to find new treatments that can make a difference to their lives, our research sector must be supported. Source: http://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/ The Tej Kohli Cornea Institute (TKCI), in partnership with the world-renowned LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) in Hyderabad, is pioneering new treatments for sufferers of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), which takes the lives of 20%-25% of the people it affects. SJS is a disease in which the body reacts unusually to commonly prescribed medications by forming eruptions and blisters all over the body and mucous membrane of the mouth, eye and gut. 50% -88% of the survivors suffer from eye problems to the extent that they are left blind for the rest of their lives. SJS management requires complex and specialised surgeries like amniotic membrane grafting, stem cell transplant and keratoprosthesis surgery, which surgeons at TKCI are skilled at. LVP Keratoprosthesis, was developed in house at LVPEI in Hyderabad and is now being used to treat patients of SJS. Dr. Sayan Basu, a clinician and scientist at TKCI who has treated many cases of SJS said: These patients require, not only medical attention, but also psychological support. At TKCI, besides providing treatment, we provide hope to patients from all over the world. The breakthrough in the use of LVP Keratoprosthesis for SJS patients has transformed the life of Mr. Tukaram, a sufferer of SJS, who now enjoys good vision following his treatment. Through both the medical treatment and psychological support Mr. Tukaram has been able to return to his job as a construction worker. SJS had left his eyes so dry that corneal and stem cell transplantation options were impossible, so a specially designed keratoprosthesis was used. Dr. Pravin Krishna, Director of TKCI commented: SJS requires a gamut of specialised treatment options depending on the severity of the disease. At TKCI, we have pioneered many of these treatment techniques, and we now hope to deliver our successful treatments to more patients suffering from Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Mr Tej Kohli, Chairman of Kohli Ventures and Founder of the Tej Kohli Foundation said: Washington: US President Barack Obama will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos. "In the afternoon, the President will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India," the White House said in its daily guidance released to the press. The two leaders are expected to make brief remarks at the top of the meeting. This would be the eighth meeting between Modi and Obama in two years. They met for the first time at the White House in September 2014 when Modi travelled to Washington DC at the invitation of Obama. Prime Minister Modi exchanged views with Obama on the sidelines of the G20 summit in China's Hangzhou on Sunday, with the US president praising the "bold policy" move on GST reform in a "difficult" global economic scenario. Obama is scheduled to address a news conference in Laos immediately after his meeting with Modi. Modi will also meet host-nation premier Thongloun Sisoulith, South Korean president Park Geun-hye and Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung Sang Suu Kyi on Thursday. He held extensive bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on Wednesday. India and Japan pledged to further strengthen cooperation in the area of counter terrorism, trade and investments. He also conveyed his condolences to Abe for the Japanese lives lost in the recent terror attack in Bangladesh in which 22 people were killed after terrorists stormed a cafe popular with foreigners. Abe said Japan was not going to succumb to terrorism and expressed the desire to further strengthen cooperation with India in the area of counter terrorism. A gala lunch will be hosted by the Laotian premier. Modi leaves for New Delhi in the evening. Pune: In a major development in the murder case of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar, the CBI on Wednesday named a right-wing medico as the alleged prime conspirator. The CBI has claimed that the chief conspirator was ENT specialist Virendra Tawde of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and also linked with the Sanatan Sanstha. He was arrested on June 10 and is now in judicial custody. It has also identified Vinay Pawar and Sarang Akolkar - both absconders as Dabholkar's killers in a 40-page chargesheet filed before a Pune court on Wednesday. Akolkar, an accused in the Madgaon blast case, has a red corner notice issued against him while Pawar, who is not a history-sheeter, is absconding since 2009, according to the CBI chargesheet. "The motive for the murder of Dabholkar was allegedly the long enmity/hatred that existed between the two private organizations headed by Dabholkar in Satara and Tawde in Kolhapur," the CBI said. Dabholkar, 67, a renowned rationalist and founder of the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS), was shot dead on August 20, 2013 by two unidentified motorcycle borne assailants while on a morning walk near Omkareshwar Temple in Pune. The CBI said Dabholkar had founded the MANS, and the accused-conspirator had given up his medical profession in 2001 to set up the Sanatan Sanstha in Kolhapur. "The activities of persons against the interests of the Kolhapur organisation got targeted and Dabholkar was an important target," the CBI chargesheet said. It added that the Sanatan Sanstha's Durgesh Samant had assigned Tawde the task of opposing the then pending anti-superstitions bill in Maharashtra which was promoted by Dabholkar from 2007 till his death seven years later (2013). The CBI step was welcomed as "good" by Hamid Dabholkar, the son of the slain rationalist, but he demanded that the other absconders should also be arrested without delay. "However, Sarang Akolkar and Vinay Pawar continue to abscond and the CBI must nab them as early as possible," Hamid told mediapersons. He further claimed that the pattern of murders of Dabholkar in Pune in 2013, Communist leader Govind Pansare in Kolhapur in February 2015 and of Kannada writer M.M. Kalburgi in August 2015 in Karnataka were similar, so these absconding suspects posed a threat to society. Vientiane: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held bilateral talks with his Laotian counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith and discussed regional developments including the South China Sea issue. The two sides shared the same perspective on South China Sea, a foreign ministry spokesperson said. In his address to the ASEAN-India Summit, Modi called sea lanes as "life lines of global trade" and said securing seas was a shared responsibility. He added that India supports freedom of navigation based on United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The comments come amid China's muscle flexing in the disputed South China Sea and "emerging regional challenges" as Beijing is involved in a raging dispute with the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei over ownership of territory in the South China Sea (SCS), a busy waterway through which India's 50 per cent trade passes. China has also objected in the past to India's Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) undertaking exploration at the invitation of Vietnam in the SCS, which is believed to be rich in undersea deposits of oil and gas. India and the US have been calling for freedom of passage in the international waters, much to the discomfort to Beijing, whose claim over SCS was recently struck down by an international tribunal in favour of the Philippines. Modi, who is here to attend the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits, held parleys with the Laos premier on the sidelines of the meetings. Sisoulith said his country supported India as a permanent member of a reformed and expanded United Nations Security Council. The two leaders agreed to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in a befitting manner. Modi said he was especially happy to be in Vientiane at a time when India and Laos are celebrating the anniversary. He said India and Laos shared ancient linkages going back more than 2,000 years. The Laotian premier appreciated India's consistent support to Laos, particularly in areas of human resources development, agriculture, irrigation and power. Modi is scheduled to hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Summits during his two-day visit, including with US President Barack Obama, South Korean president Park Geun-hye and Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung Sang Suu Kyi. In his talks with Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe yesterday, India and Japan pledged to strengthen ties in the key areas of counter-terrorism, civil nuclear cooperation, trade and investment. Vijaywada: Admitting that he has no other alternative, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday welcomed the announcement by the Centre that it will provide monetary benefits to the state equivalent to special category status. Making it clear that Andhra Pradesh will not be accorded special category status, the Centre on Wednesday said the state will be provided monetary compensation through externally aided projects. After day-long suspense and hectic consultation in the national capital, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced on Wednesday night that the state will get monetary advantage equivalent to what it would have got if it was accorded the special category status. Jaitley made it clear that then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement made in Rajya Sabha on Feb 20, 2014 for according special status to Andhra Pradesh can't be implemented as the 14th Finance Commission has recommended that the special category status can be given to only hill states and North-Eastern states. "We have decided to give a special assistance measure for the state of Andhra Pradesh wherein an amount equivalent to what they would have got if that statement could have been implemented, will be compensated to the state by virtue of externally aided projects," he said without giving any figure. Jaitley, who was accompanied by central ministers M. Venkaiah Naidu and Y.S. Chowdary, said this special assistance will be for five years, from 2015 to 2020. On Polavarm irrigation project, he said from April 1, 2014 when it was declared a national project, the entire funding will be met by the Centre. The Finance Minister said the issues of a railway zone, steel plant, delimitation of assembly constituencies and assistance for Chennai-Bengaluru and Visakhapatnam-Chennai corridors were under consideration of the concerned ministries. He promised that the Centre will honour in letter and spirit every commitment made in Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. Jaitley said the Centre already released Rs 3,975 crore towards revenue deficit of 2014-15 and balance will be released in instalments. "We have already given Rs 2,500 crore as support for the state capital. A further amount of Rs 1,050 crore has been given for backward area grants," he said. Stating that there is a whole list of central institutions which have to be established in Andhra, he said some have started functioning while others will start functioning. He said the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) would issue notifications forthwith with regard to two tax concessions -- one with regard to accelerated depreciation and other investment allowance. He noted that 14th Finance Commission also made some recommendations with regard to revenue deficit from 2015 till 2020. "Revenue deficit for first two years paid up to date and of course 42 per cent share is also being paid. The announcement came after day-long consultations Chowdary and other leaders of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) had with Jaitley, Venkaiah Naidu and other central ministers. It was a disappointment for TDP, a part of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. The party was expecting a massive financial package for the state, if not the special category status. TDP President and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu went into a huddle with his cabinet colleagues and top party leaders in Vijayawada. A special women's court sentenced Ankur Lal Panwar to death in the 2013 acid attack case on nurse Preeti Rathi, who died of multiple organ failure after suffering deep internal injuries. Special Judge AS Shende pronounced the death penalty for the 26-year-old Panwar, a day after prosecution sought the exemplary punishment for him saying acid attack is a crime against women and Panwar did not commit the crime on the spur of the moment but it was a pre-planned attack. Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam had termed the case fit for death sentence, saying that it falls in the "rarest of the rare" category while Panwar's lawyer Apeksha Vora had pleaded leniency for her client, citing his young age and stating that he was the sole breadwinner for his family. Panwar is accused of murdering Delhi native Preeti Rathi in 2013 by throwing acid at her after he allegedly grew jealous of the nurse who had come to Mumbai to pursue a career in a defence hospital here. On Tuesday, Panwar was convicted under Sections 302 (murder) and 326 B (Voluntarily throwing acid) of the IPC. Rathi, then 24, had died of multiple organ failure after she developed severe health issues on account of swallowing the acid which Panwar threw on her on May 2, 2013 at the Bandra Railway Station here. Rathi, who had come to Mumbai join as nurse in a defence hospital, succumbed to injuries at a private hospital here on June 1, 2013. Panwar was Rathi's neighbour in Bhakra Beas Management Board Colony in Delhi. Mumbai Police filed a 1332-page charge sheet against Panwar, a hotel management graduate in April 2014 and also submitted a list of 98 witnesses after he was arrested from the national capital in January. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to continue with its investigation into the gangrape of a minor girl and her mother on the national highway in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr and complete it expeditiously. A bench of Justice Dipak Misra and Justice C. Nagappan asked the CBI to continue with the investigation after Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh told them that the CBI was already investigating the case on the direction of the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court. He informed the bench that the high court by its August 12 order had transferred the investigation from Uttar Pradesh Police to the CBI and the probe agency, after registering am FIR on August 18, commenced investigation into the gangrape case. Endorsing the decision of the high court, the bench lifted its August 29 order putting the investigation on the hold. The top court had on August 29 stayed the investigation on a plea by the victim minor victim's father seeking transfer of investigation to an agency outside Uttar Pradesh. The court had on August 29 issued notice to Uttar Pradesh government on the plea by the minor victim's father. In the course of the last hearing, the bench was not informed that high court had already transferred the case from the state police to the CBI. Asking the High Court not to proceed with the hearing of matter as it has taken over, the bench said that on September 27 - the next date of hearing, it would decide on transferring of trial outside Uttar Pradesh. "Whether the trial (in the case) will be transferred to another court (outside the state) will be considered on September 27," said Justice Misra. The investigation by the Uttar Pradesh Police came under cloud after state Urban Development Minister and ruling Samajwadi Party's senior leader Azam Khan described the alleged gangrape as a political conspiracy. The victim's father has sought registration of FIR against him. The top court had issued notice to Azam Khan in the last hearing, saying one can understand if accused makes a statement brushing away the offence alleged against him but how can a person in authority, who has nothing to with it, comment on the crime. In the last hearing of the matter, the court had appointed senior counsel Fali Nariman as amicus curiae to assist the court in addressing four issues framed by it, including whether a person in a position of authority in the state could comment on a crime involving rape, murder or any other heinous offence, and whether such comments should be allowed as they create doubts in the mind of the victim about a fair trial. The minor girl and her mother were allegedly gang raped on the national highway near Bulandshahr while on their way to their ancestral village on July 29. The girl's father has told the court that minor victim suffered trauma for five hours in his and other family members' presence and when they called police, it did not respond for 25 minutes. New Delhi: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was at his witty best on Wednesday as he recalled his long association with his party colleague Hardeep Singh Puri at the launch of a book authored by the former diplomat. Noting that their friendship goes back 46 years, Jaitley praised Puri and joked that he was exactly like what is often said about a "good Sikh". "A good Sikh, when he loses, he behaves like a winner and when he wins, he behaves like God. That sums up Hardeep's personality," he said as the audience erupted in loud applause. He recalled that both involved in various academic and non-academic activities in Delhi University together. Noting that Puri was always interested in public affairs, Jaitley mentioned that on one cold winter night of 1980 when the BJP was losing everywhere except in New Delhi where Atal Bihari Vajpayee won, he found his friend outside with a scooter. "Our supporters were not seen. So when on a cold winter night I went there, the only other person I found familiar there was scooter...Hardeep Puri, an Under Secretary then. So we drove it from there together," he said at the launch of the book 'Perilous Interventions'. When Puri spoke later, he corrected Jaitley saying he had upgraded from a scooter to a Honda car in 1980. "In 1980, when we were outside a polling booth, it was outside Modern School, (Jaitley quips it was counting day)... it was counting booth, I had come back from my first posting and graduated from a two-wheeler scooter into a little Honda car. So I drove you from there to Pandara road, a restaurant where we had dinner before you proceeded home," he said. Majuli, the 400 sq km island on the Brahmaputra has become the first river island district of India.This was one of the first decisions taken by the Sarbananda Sonowal government in Assam, on their first cabinet meeting on May 24th, after coming to power with a thumping majority.The island, which is the cultural capital of the state, is also fighting for survival as almost 60% of the land has been washed away by the Brahmaputra.The long neglected island was brought back to the limelight after the then Chief Ministerial candidate of the BJP ,Sarbananda Sonowal decided to contest Assembly election from here.One of his poll promises was to make Majuli a separate district.So far, locals travelled over one and a half hour on ferry, to reach the district administration office in Jorhat.The island remains cut off from the world by the mighty Brahmaputra for a good part of the day and the entire night.The boats to and from Majuli to mainland (Jorhat) ply only between 8 am to 4 pm.With Majuli becoming the 35th district of Assam, the 1 lakh 54 thousand odd people living here can breathe easy.They would not need to run to Jorhat for every little administrative need. But announcing the district was the easy part.Much tougher challenge awaits the administration if they want to improve the quality of life of those living here.Majuli has shrunk to by almost 60% of the 1,245 square km of its area in 1950.Every year the island is ravaged by floods and the only variable factor of this annual tragedy is the extent of the damage caused.The threat is such that even the traditional flood proof houses of the islands main Mishing community have failed to thwart the impact of the water gushing in.The island remains out of bound for the greater part of the monsoon, as Brahmaputra becomes too ferocious for ferries to ply.Chief Minister Sonowal however promises action. He says that a comprehensive plan has been made for dredging the whole Bramhaputra river with the help of World Bank and Asian Development Bank.The dredging he says will greatly help in solving the erosion problem of Majuli in the coming days.A Rapid Action Center of Water Resources Department will be set up so that flood management work can be expedited in crisis situation.This idyllic river island is the cultural and spiritual capital of Assam since 16th century, for it was home for many years to the spiritual guru of the Land of Ahoms, Shankardev, the revered Vaishnavite saint amongst the pantheons of socio religious reformers in medieval India.At its peak, the island had over 65 satras but a large number of them have relocated to the mainland after being washed away.The Chief Minister announced setting up of a world class Cultural University which will spread the essence of Satriya .The ambitious plans of the government include Ayurvedic hospital and organic industries in Majuli, to provide livelihood to the people without destroying the idyllic setting of the island.The much-neglected river island is getting the fruits of electing the Chief Minister. The island people are certainly beaming with hope, but they also expect these promises to materialize and not get stuck in that famous bureaucratic red tape. Ludhiana/New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was met by hundreds of protesters waving black flags and shouting slogans as he arrived at the Ludhiana railway station on Thursday afternoon for a four-day poll campaign in Punjab. Activists from the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) surrounded the Delhi CM and shouted slogans like "Kejriwal go back" in protest against the various scandals involving leaders of his Aam Aadmi Party. AAP described it as a breach of security protocol. BJP, however, denied allegations that the CM was manhandled, saying the activists only resorted to political protests. During his five-hour train journey, Kejriwal, in an informal chat with the media, said that he wants to focus on Punjab for the next five months. He has indicated that he was going to lead the party in Punjab assembly elections, but did not say anything about shifting base to Punjab. Kejriwal said AAP is not worried about Navjot Singh Sidhu's new front Aawaz-e-Punjab. He said AAP would strongly counter the attacks of the opposition parties, and would resolve differences within the party and build confidence of the cadre. "As days go by, AAP expects 36 audio or video CDs to emerge. They are using TV channels to malign my image," he said adding that no strong rebuttal has been made by the state government. Hours earlier, volunteers of the BJP Mahila Morcha mobbed Kejriwal at the New Delhi railway station protesting against the scandals involving his party leaders. The activists led by Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha president Kamaljeet Sehrawat and party spokesperson Praveen Kapoor raised slogans and waved bangles at Kejriwal, who had arrived at platform number One to board a train for Punjab at around 7 AM. Some activists managed to come close to Kejriwal despite the presence of policemen. They demanded that Kejriwal speak on the alleged "misconduct" of his MLAs and expel Ashutosh for his controversial blog defending Sandeep Kumar, who was sacked as minister over a sex scandal. Blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Delhi Police for the alleged heckling of the Chief Minister by women protesters of the BJP, AAP said the law enforcing agency was a "mute spectator" during the "pre-planned" episode. New Delhi: BJP Mahila Morcha volunteers on Thursday mobbed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at the New Delhi railway station where they were protesting against the scandals involving his party leaders. The activists led by Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha president Kamaljeet Sehrawat and party spokesman Praveen Kapoor raised slogans and waved bangles towards Kejriwal, who arrived at platform number 1 to board a train for Punjab at around 7 AM. They chanted 'Kejriwal hai hai. Kejriwal istifa do'. Some activists managed to come close to Kejriwal despite presence of policemen. They demanded that Kejriwal speak on the alleged "misconduct" of his MLAs and expel Ashutosh for his controversial blog defending Sandeep Kumar, who was sacked as minister over an alleged sex scandal. Blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Delhi Police for the alleged manhandling of the Chief Minister at the hands of women protesters of the BJP, the AAP said the law enforcing agency was a "mute spectator" during the "pre-planned" episode. BJP, however, denied any manhandling and said party activists resorted to political protest. Kejriwal is on a four-day visit to poll-bound Punjab beginning on Thursday. (With inputs from PTI) New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday set aside the government order on appointment of 21 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs as parliamentary secretaries after the government conceded that the Lt Governor's approval was not taken in the matter. Following the submission of the government and in light of its recent judgement giving primacy to the LG in administrative control of the capital, a bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal quashed the appointments. The AAP government told the court that the appointment of 21 parliamentary secretaries was made without approval of the Lieutenant Governor. The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the AAP government's decision to appoint 21 party legislators as parliamentary secretaries. Earlier, the government had defended its decision to appoint the party MLAs as parliamentary secretaries, saying the move does not amount to creation of a "public office". In its August 4 judgement, the High Court had held that Delhi was a Union Territory and LG remained its administrative head. The Centre had on July 13 opposed the appointment of 21 parliamentary secretaries by the Aam Aadmi Party government, saying the post neither finds place in the Constitution, nor does it find a place in the Delhi Members of Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualification) Act of 1997, except for the post of Parliamentary Secretary to the Chief Minister. New Delhi: From signing autographs to Kisan bonds, Rahul Gandhi on his 20-day yatra is trying every trick. He isn't sparing Prime Minster Narendra Modi at any spot and even attempts by mediapersons to ask him a question on any other topic gets zero response. Smarting after the Lok sabha poll results and fighting a perception battle, Rahul and his team are determined to crack it this time. But unfortunately for the Congress and for his strategy makers the talking point became the khats, or the cots, which were taken away by the farmers who attended his khat sabha in Deoria. He was ridiculed, but Rahul decided to hit back . So on Wednesday he attacked both the media and the Bharatiya Janata Party, saying they were making fun of the farmers. He said the poor are mocked and called "thieves" for taking away the cots, while the rich , like Vijay Mallya, who ran away With the money are merely called "defaulters". But has the khat politics show an any sign of working ? Well if one goes by the sheer arrangement the show put up, it is impressive. While many are giving credit to Prashant Kishor and his team for micromanaging it to the minutest detail, what cannot be overlooked is the enthusiasm of the workers. There are thousands of party workers brimming with confidence, posters put up all over the town, and signs of a well-oiled machinaery at work. Rahul and his managers realise that in a hot political state like Uttar Pradesh; it's not easy to ignore caste mathematics and that mere development agenda doesn't work. So while the Congress vice president has made kisan sabhas his electoral card, he is also keeping in mind, caste and religious factors. Making a Brahmin the CM face, wooing 9% Brahmins and Dalits and peddling a soft Hindutva - Rahul and his team hope to strike gold. Lucknow: Cash amounting to Rs 3 crore was recovered from the car of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader in Ghaziabad on Thursday, police said. The car was coming from Delhi and was headed for Lucknow, an official told IANS. The car had a Haryana number plate (HR 26 AR 9662). The Maruti Swift model car was intercepted at Indirapuram when the driver tried to break through a police barricade. The police personnel on the spot chased the car and on checking found the cash in the boot. The car is registered in the name of Ajeet Mishra of Gurgaon and two persons, Siddhartha Shukla and Anoop Agarwal, were travelling in the car at the time of the cash recovery. The two said the money belonged to them and that they were taking it to deposit it in the party fund in Lucknow. The police informed the Income Tax department, and IT officials are trying to confirm the source of the money. Meanwhile, former president of Ghaziabad city BJP Ashok Monga reached the police station and certified, on a letter pad, that the money was being "sent by the BJP Central Office to BJP state office in Lucknow for party activities". The certificate also mentions that Anoop Agarwal, carrying the money, was a worker of the party and had been authorised to carry the money to the Uttar Pradesh state capital. After a police alert, income tax officials tried to confirm the source of the money. According to Inspector Anil Yadav, police were told that the cash was being sent to Lucknow to meet the expenses of the BJP state headquarters where repair work was in progress. "We called the income tax officials. They verified the papers and allowed him to go. So the cash has been released," added Yadav. New Delhi: Senior PDP leader and former deputy chief minister of Jammu & Kashmir Muzaffar Baig on Thursday said that Mehbooba Mufti should step down as chief minister if she feels she can't control the situation. Mehbooba must look deep within, ask herself whether she is doing justice to the people of Kashmir," Muzaffar told CNN-News18. Agreeing with the popular perception that the PDPBJP alliance has failed he said the alliance between PDP and BJP hasn't worked for PDP. We haven't managed to do anything for our workers. Criticising the all party delegation visit to Kashmir he said that it was high on symbolism and low on delivery. He has disagreed with the government assertion that Hurriyat is irrelevant. "Even if one person has secessionist tendency, that person must be engaged with," he said. Muzaffar also hit out at BJP and said, the Prime Minister talks Vikas for Kashmir, but his own partymen down the line speak a different language." Baigs outbursts are being seen as an attempt to put the ball back in the court of BJP and save the PDP from taking blame for the current unrest in the valley. Kathmandu: Ahead of his trip to India next week, Nepal's new Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on Wednesday sought views of the country's business leaders to be included in the economic agenda for his first foreign visit after assuming office. During an interaction at his office, Prachanda sought the views of private sector businessmen on economic agenda for his visit scheduled for September 15-18. At the meeting, the business leaders suggested the Prime Minister to raise the issues of implementation of Power Trade Agreement and Integrated Service Pass, service tax and operation of Gauriphanta border point, according to officials. A joint delegation of Federation of Nepali Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Confederation of Nepal Industries and Nepal Chamber of Commerce suggested the Prime Minister to focus on addressing the problems relating to trade and business sector between Nepal and India, according to sources at the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries. The Prime Minister assured the delegation that the issues raised by them would be accorded high priority at the talks during the visit. Prachanda said he would keep in mind national interest during his visit and focus on expediting the past agreements reached with India in various fields. Nepal's relationship with India had soured after a months-long border blockade last year by ethnic minority protesters. Kathmandu accused India of imposing an "unofficial blockade" on the landlocked nation in support of the Madhesis, who share close cultural, linguistic and family links with Indians across the border. Nepal is heavily dependent on India for fuel and other supplies. Washington: Indian-American supporters of the Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump have launched the traditional door-to-door campaign, arguing that this mode of campaigning is still an effective tool to win people's heart ahead of the November 8 general elections. Volunteers of Indian-Americans for Trump 2016 started old-fashioned campaigning to sell Trump and his agenda for American president among perspective voters in New Jersey's Mercer and Monmouth counties, a media release said. AD Amar, president, Indian-Americans for Trump was joined by political activist Satya Dosapati Narayana, West Windsor Township Republican Committeeperson Rimma Rosenberg, Mercer County Republican Committee Second Vice Chair Colleen DiPastina and her husband and Monmouth County Republican State Committeeman John Costigan and his wife, the media release said. "The campaigners presented evidence in the form of past behavior to convince the voters why Hillary Clinton will not be a good president and why Trump will be good. With a few exceptions, they hope they changed minds of some voters," the media release said. Lahore: An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan on Wednesday issued notices to LeT commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, six other accused as well as the government in the 2008 Mumbai attack case. The action comes on a plea to examine the boat used by the 10 LeT terrorists to reach the Indian coast. "The Anti-Terrorism Court Islamabad held Mumbai case hearing at the Adiala Jail Rawalpindi and issued notices to seven suspects and the prosecution to present arguments regarding inspection of Al-Fauz boat parkedat theport city of Karachi," a court official said after the hearing. He said both prosecution and defence lawyers would present their arguments on next hearing on September 22. The Islamabad High Court had in August set aside the verdict of trial court in Mumbai case for not allowing a commission to Karachi for inspection of Al-Fauz. The HC had termed the trial court's decision as "flawed and not in accordance with law" and allowed examination of Al-Fauz. The prosecution had pleaded that vessel should be made "case property". Al-Fauz is in the custody of the Pakistani authorities in Karachi, from where the 10 terrorists, armed with AK-47 assault rifles and hand grenades, had left for India to carry out the Mumbai attack in November 2008. According to the Federal Investigation Agency, the attackers used three boats including Al Fauz to reach Mumbai from Karachi. It said the security agencies had also traced the shop and its owner from where the culprits bought the engine and the boat while a bank and a money exchange company were also traced which were used for the transaction of money. The notice comes a day after the US state department urged Pakistan to show more accountability on the trial of 26/11 attacks. "We want to see accountability and justice in the case of the Mumbai attacks. There were American citizens who lost their lives in those attacks," US State Department deputy spokesperson Mark Toner had said. The 10 LeT terrorists had left Karachi on the boat on November 23, 2008. En route, they hijacked another boat, killing four of its crew. They forced the vessel's captain to take them close to the India shores. The captain was killed when the vessel reached Mumbai's coast. According to prosecution, all Pakistani witnesses have recorded their statements and trial cannot be concluded till recording the statements of Indian witnesses. LeT operations commander 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 attacks that left 166 people dead. Lakhvi, believed to be the mastermind of the attacks, is living at an undisclosed location after getting the bail a year ago. Other six suspects are in Adiala Jail Rawalpindi. The case has been underway for more than six years. (With PTI inputs) Vientiane: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit. This was the eighth meeting between the two top leaders in the last two years. "Two democracies and a defining partnership of our era! PM meets President Obama @POTUS on sidelines of EAS," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted after the meeting. The meeting was "extremely warm and cordial", Swarup said after the meeting. Sources in the Ministry of External Affairs said the meeting between the two leaders was very warm and friendly. Both leaders reviewed the immediate priorities in the strategic partnership. Sources added that Modi praised Obama for his contribution to the relationship and the growing trust between the India and United States. Obama also praised Modis initiatives to reform the Indian economy. It is learnt that Obama mentioned that the passage of the Goods and Services Tax Bill (GST) will unleash significant economic activity. This could be their last meeting as leaders of the two countries with Obama's second term as US President coming to an end in November. Modi had also exchanged views with Obama on the sidelines of the G20 summit in China's Hangzhou on Sunday, with the US president praising the "bold policy" move on GST reform in a "difficult" global economic scenario Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency has dropped charges against a suspected financier in the Mumbai attacks case after failing to find "any incriminating evidence". The FIA has submitted a charge sheet before an anti-terror Court and placed the suspect, Sufiyan Zafar, in the second column of the charge sheet, which means no evidence was found against him. According to a report in Pakistan-based The Express Tribune, the prosecution claimed that Zafar had provided financial assistance to the other suspects. The FIA in its charge sheet revealed that Zafar had transferred Rs 14,000 into a suspects account. During the course of investigation it emerged Zafar had lent the money without asking why he needed it. Zafar was absconding after being declared proclaimed offender in the Mumbai case. He was arrested in August from his hideout in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. A resident of Gujrawala district of Punjab - some 80 kms from Lahore, Zafar is among 21 other absconding suspects wanted in this high-profile case. According to court documents, the other suspects who allegedly arranged funds for the attacks include undertrial Ahmed and Anjum and proclaimed offenders Mohammad Usman Zia, Mukhtar Ahmed, Abbas Nasir and Javed Iqbal. (With inputs from PTI) Vientiane: The US "strongly supports" India's Nuclear Suppliers Group membership bid, President Barack Obama on Thursday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi as they discussed the immediate priorities in the strategic partnership, including deepening the civil nuclear cooperation and combating climate change. "Had a great discussion with President of the US (POTUS) on India-USA relations," Modi tweeted after his meeting with Obama on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit, their eighth in the last two years. A White House official, giving details of the meeting, said, "Reaffirming the strong bonds of friendship between the United States and India, the President underscored that the United States strongly supports India's membership in the NSG." The US has been playing a lead role in supporting India's bid in the 48-member elite group. China had scuttled New Delhi's bid at the Plenary Session of NSG in June. The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of the deepening partnership between the US and India and the value of their shared engagement in the region, including through the East Asia Summit, the official said. "President Obama praised Prime Minister Modi's initiatives to reform the Indian economy. In particular, the US President expressed confidence that the passage of GST will unleash significant economic activity," sources said. During the meeting, Obama also praised Modi's vision of entrepreneurship and innovation, which he said would be "very important for a country like India". Obama said that he had always been a friend of India and would continue to be a "strong partner of India and help in any way I can," according to sources. Both leaders reviewed the immediate priorities in the strategic partnership. They discussed climate change issues and energy cooperation. The two leaders also reviewed progress on Indo-US collaboration in nuclear energy, solar energy and innovation, the sources said. "President Obama thanked Prime Minister Modi for his cooperation on a broad range of global and bilateral issues and commended Prime Minister Modi's leadership in addressing the urgent threats posed by climate change," the White House official said. "The leaders noted our joint commitment, fulfilled by the United States in advance of the G20 Leaders' Summit, to join the Paris Agreement this year as well as our resolve to adopt an ambitious HFC amendment to the Montreal Protocol this year," the official added. A Lynchburg circuit court judge followed a 2015 jurys recommendation Wednesday and sentenced a Lynchburg man to 38 years behind bars in the shooting death of his nephew. A jury found Larry Donnell Mosley, 65, guilty in December of second-degree murder. He also was convicted of use of a firearm in commission of a felony and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. Police said Mosley shot Haywood Keith Payne Jr., 32, twice when the victim was visiting his apartment, possibly over a drug deal gone wrong, but Mosley said the shooting was in self-defense. Payne died at Lynchburg General Hospital less than a week after the Dec. 2, 2014, shooting on Fort Avenue. Circuit Judge F. Patrick Yeatts rejected several efforts to overturn last years guilty verdict. Jurors found last year Mosley committed second-degree murder when he shot Payne in Mosleys apartment with a Smith and Wesson .38 Special. Payne, both at the scene and during medical treatment, identified Mosley as the shooter. Mosley, on the stand Wednesday, said prosecutors failed to show he had malicious reasons for shooting Payne. He also questioned key testimony in the trial from Roy Carlton Davis, who was in jail at the same time as Mosley. Davis testified in the jury trial that Mosley had described an argument over drugs leading him to shoot Payne countering his self-defense argument. Mosley accused Davis of giving the account so prosecutors would reduce his own sentence. I feel like my life was taken from me, Mosley said Wednesday. Im facing the rest of my life in jail because of what was said. Davis insisted under cross-examination during trial he did not seek a deal with prosecutors. Mosley also said prosecutors had failed to take into account his full story. The medical examiners evidence at trial showed Payne died of two bullet wounds, and prosecutors said one of them went through a blanket, showing Payne was seated when the shot was fired. According to Mosley, the bullet that struck the blanket actually missed Payne, who was standing facing him during the altercation. Mosleys request for a lighter sentence followed five motions to either set aside evidence or overturn the verdict and obtain a new trial on various legal grounds. His attorney, Mark Arthur, who did not represent him in last years trial, tried to show several pieces of evidence should never have been admitted. Yeatts denied each motion, saying this court ruled on objections as they were made during the trial and exercised extreme patience with Mosleys attorney at the time. Arthur sought a lighter sentence than the jury, saying at Mosleys age he likely will spend life in prison. He cited Mosley's health problems as one of several reasons for a lighter sentence, asking for no more than 15 years. Despite his status as a felon, Mosley pointed to long periods in which he did not accrue new criminal charges as reasons against a harsh sentence. Yeatts noted later Mosley was incarcerated during many of the periods of his life that he was not facing criminal charges. Mosley has 24 felonies on his record. Commonwealths Attorney Michael Doucette emphasized Mosleys criminal past, and noted recently while in jail, he was charged with assault and battery against a law enforcement officer. That case is pending. Mosley would not be facing prison if he hadnt illegally had the gun as a convicted felon in the first place, Doucette said. Yeatts rejected the pleas for leniency by Mosley and his lawyer. I dont understand why anybody takes another life, he said. Im not going to try to understand. The judge also said the evidence was overwhelming against Mosley whether Davis had testified or not. The jury got it right, Yeatts said. Mosleys sentence includes 30 years for second-degree murder, three years on the use of a firearm charge, and five years on the possession charge. He will receive credit for time served on all three counts. Mosley has been in jail since February 2015. CHATHAM Inventory at businesses around the county now will be taxed at a lower rate on a sliding scale after a vote by the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors. The newly approved assessment method would operate in a three-tiered system, with a lower percentage being with more capital in a business. The first tier would be for values up to $1 million and would be assessed at the current rate. The second tier would be for from $1 million to $5 million, and would be assessed at 10 percent of the original cost. The third tier would be for any value higher than $5 million and would be assessed at 5 percent of the original cost. This method will be retroactively applied to the beginning of 2016, which means the county will have to refund $83,944 to businesses that have already paid bills, and offer abatements of $174,431 for businesses that have not yet paid their bills for the second half of this year. Supervisors voted on the matter Tuesday evening. John Merricks, of RV Outlet USA, who has been an active voice in the discussions about this tax since the beginning of the year, thought the new method should go back another year, but said that, this tax change that youre doing, at least as far as my business goes, saved 50 jobs in Ringgold. The Merricks family had been debating moving their business, which has inventory of about $10 million, to a property in South Carolina, and taking the 50 people they employ with them. Supervisor Bob Warren, of the Chatham-Blairs district, said the tax was something that should have been addressed long ago, and that his tax is being applied equally to the Food Lions and everyone else. We do want to be business friendly, we want to keep the ones weve got as well as bring in new ones. Supervisor Jerry Hagerman, of the Callands-Gretna district, was the sole vote against this proposal on the board, because he thought the tax was still too high for many small businesses, such as his own. Theyre gonna tell you that this tax is being lowered, and it has, said Hagerman. But I still think its too high. 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 GamesRadar+ is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Heres why you can trust us. TT, Cuba deepening trade relations Trade and Industry Minister, Paula Gopee-Scoon, revealed this on Monday while speaking about Governments plans to deepen regional trade relations with Cuba, Chile and Venezuela, as a complement to its National Export Strategy (NES), which aims to promote and facilitate domestic and foreign investment, and export-led trade. Following Rowleys and Castros June 2016 talks, It has consequently been determined that a Ministerial led delegation from TT will attend the Havana International Trade Fair (commonly known as FIHAV) to drive this endeavour. She noted that Cuba is still largely a new market for TT but with a population of more than 11 million, Government will actively be pursuing opportunities for increasing our export levels. According to The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service website, the next FIHAV, is scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 4, at the Expocuba Fairgrounds, Havana. FIHAV (is) Cubas largest annual multi-sector trade fair. Last year, it welcomed over 1,000 companies from 70 countries and 68 Canadian companies exhibited in the Canadian pavilion, the website stated. Gopee-Scoon said the delegation will address the two key areas of trade and energy, among others, as well as seek to improve the mechanisms that support the collaboration between both countries. Meanwhile the objectives of this countrys participation at FIHAV 2016 are to improve and strengthen the commercial relationship, enhance those mechanisms that promote increased trade, gain a better understanding of the business culture in Cuba, and increase export sales through market presence and recognition by Cuban buyers, importers and distributors. We are deeply heartened by the opening up of the Cuban market which has tremendous prospects for the expansion of our local exports, the Trade Minister declared. Turning her attention to Chile, Gopee-Scoon said discussions have begun towards the negotiation of a Partial Scope Trade Agreement with a focus on energy products and other products of interest to both sides. It is noteworthy that Chile is the country with the most trade agreements in the Western hemisphere and has one of the lowest duty regimes in Latin America. Why should we not be part of this? the minister asked. Back in July, PM Rowley and Chiles president, Michelle Bachelet, discussed the deepening of TT and Chiles trading relations while bother were at the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Guyana. Gopee-Scoon on Monday (September 5), said, We are quite hopeful that negotiations will commence soon. We continue to pursue markets in line with our strategic objective of increasing exports. In addition to Chile, I want to also mention the favourable discussions held by (Rowley) in Ghana (in May) and more recently, with our CARICOM neighbour, Jamaica (in late July) on improving our trading patterns and relations in both energy and non-energy products. Regarding Venezuela, the minister announced on Monday that a third shipment of locally-manufactured goods is due to be sent to Venezuela in mid- September. This follows a visit to this country last week by a delegation from the South American nation to negotiate a second three-month contract for the purchase of locally manufactured goods, using funds from a US$50 million revolving fund that was established in May 2016 during a one-day visit to TT by Venezuelas president, Nicol?s Maduro. Following the initial shipments in July 2016, discussions have been ongoing between Venezuelas procurement company CORPOVEX and TT, in preparation for a third shipment of goods, Gopee-Scoon said. The items agreed four months ago included food and personal hygiene products. Now, the list of TT-manufactured goods will be expanded to include a few new products, as well as new suppliers, following negotiations and factory site visits. Gopee-Scoon provided an update on Governments efforts to deepen TTs regional trade while delivering remarks at the September 5 launch of the Oxford Business Groups (OBG) second annual economic review of this country, The Report: Trinidad and Tobago 2016, at the Hyatt Regency, Port-of-Spain. NGC establishes Marketing and Trade Desk A Marketing and Trading Desk (MTD) is one of the key initiatives in the 2016 to 2020 Strategic Plan of the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NGC). NGC chairman, Gerry Brooks and acting president of Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited (PPGPL), Alvin Dookie, spoke with Business Day recently about the MTDs role in improving profits for the State-owned energy company and its subsidiaries. Brooks said the MTD was set out as a formal part of the new five-year plan because the NGC Group of Companies needs to be more participatory in the entire value chain. We are building and deepening capacity in the organisation and were also taking costs out of our business through shrewd procurement and the utilisation of shared services as a model, as well as strengthening our capacity via training and recruitment. Asked why NGC felt the need to establish an MTD, Brooks explained that doing so allows NGC to derive far more value, either through contract arrangements or through spot selling. That premium is double digit premium, which means more revenue for the NGC and more revenue for TT. NGC is looking at new markets, better selling and re-assuming control of gas that was previously assigned to others, but Brooks was keen to point out that the company will respect contractual arrangements. Those agreements are the subject of long-term contracts. So it is a very careful, very deliberate, expansion of our MTD...Right now, we have gas supplies that are within our control and what weve been doing is marketing and trading in those through PPGPL, through NGC et cetera. So it is a very careful, very respectful, very orderly approach to what were doing. Seeking to explain to persons not familiar with the energy sector how an MTD works, PPGPLs acting president said, NGC has equity interest in a range of hydrocarbon product. Oil from its upstream investments, LNG; equity interest in Atlantic, from TT National Gas Limited (TTNGL). So the MTD is really combining and creating a synergy of all those marketing efforts that were being handled in different areas (of the NGC Group) into a common knowledge centre. The MTD will therefore derive greater benefit from the countrys resources, Dookie stated. PPGPL has always marketed its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas liquids (NGL) whereas NGC only started doing so in 2014. The aforementioned new markets for NGCs gas includes the United States and countries in Central America and Asia. Which markets NGC ends up selling to will depend on timing and opportunity. Brooks told Business Day the company is seeing kernels of opportunity based on demand and supply, which NGC is already pursuing as a strategy. We plan to deepen that in 2017 and 2018 through the formalisation of the MTD, training; where our people go off on assignments with major marketing entities, and by ramping up the volumes which are available for sale; examination of our contracts and assuming dominion or control of the gas which previously had been signed under agreements, in a way which respects the sanctity of contract. NGC essentially intends to cut out the middle man and sell its products directly to whichever market has the best price at the time in question. Dookie explained that the MTD was formalised in the 2016 to 2020 Strategic Plan because the same expertise required by PPGPL to market, trade and export NGLs is the same expertise that is relevant to NGCs marketing. Combining that into one trading desk that can develop that expertise into a centre of excellence would allow us to derive greater benefits from the portfolio of molecules that we have to market, be it oil, LNG, NGLs. Looking even further ahead, Dookie told Business Day that the MTD will also be a platform to move into trading activities, where the NGC Group would buy and sell molecules that are not necessarily indigenous to TT. This, in the companys view, is a key strategic area that it intends to develop for the long-term. Franchises a good route to become self-employed The relationship has reached a new height at the start of September as the first regularly scheduled flight began. JetBlue is scheduled to lead with a one-hour flight over the Florida Fort Lauderdale and Santa Clara in central Cuba; a first for both countries in 50 years. These flights mark the start of bringing more US tourists to the country. Tourism is major contributor to the Caribbeans economic growth. The Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) reported that Caribbean islands welcomed an estimated 28.7 million people in 2015, an increase of 7 percent on visitors in the year before. Visitors from the United States account for a large part of tourism in the region. There were 14.3 million American visitors to the Caribbean in 2015, representing nearly half of all arrivals, who have been benefitting from a stronger US economy. Theres a lot of chatter as to how Cuba will change as a result of its improved US relationship, with people particularly concerned with the impact of franchising. From hotels to restaurant brands, these establishments are expected to increase in Cuba. Whilst some people fear it will change the natural charm of the country, its an opportunity to bring a wealth of income into the country as it caters to the tourism market, which a key pillar in the economic growth strategy of many Caribbean countries. But tourism doesnt have to be the only goal for the expansion of a countrys franchises. For financial professionals, buying into an accounting franchise is also an option. Becoming a franchisee ultimately promises a much easier route to success, as it allows someone to set up their own business without starting completely from scratch. They use a tried and tested formula, and benefit from the experience and support of the franchisor (the company offering the franchise). Successful franchisees can enjoy some of the benefits of self-employment with less risk. Good franchise operations have a much lower failure rate than completely new businesses and can provide a good living provided that the franchisee avoids the pitfalls. A franchise is usually based on a proven business idea. A good franchisor will continuously research and update the business idea. This means that you may be able to exploit a recognised brand name, making it can be easier to sell to customers who are familiar with the name, whilst also being able to use any trade marks the franchisor owns. A good franchise operation will give you full support. Typically, this includes introductory training, usually covering general skills as well as training; help in setting up the business; a detailed operations manual that tells you how to run the business and ongoing support and advice. In taking on a franchise you will usually have exclusive rights in your territory and you will almost always be given exclusive rights to the franchise in a specified region or to an exclusive client base. However, you need to note that there will still be competition from other businesses. Financing a franchise is likely to be more straightforward. It can be easier to borrow money to invest in a franchise with a good reputation than to find backing for an unproven start-up. Indeed, some franchisors have relationships with banks and can help you borrow money, and local enterprise initiatives may supply start-up finance. But there are some disadvantages. You will have to pay an initial franchise fee to buy into the franchise, and you also have to cover the usual business costs (premises and equipment, stock and other supplies). In many cases, these will be bought from the franchisor. Furthermore, you pay a continuing royalty on sales, or a management fee, regardless of whether you are making a profit or not. This can be a fixed amount or a percentage of sales or a mixture of both. On top of all of this, there may be some extra costs that may be charged separately, for example, a contribution towards the franchisors advertising costs or fees for the training you receive. As a prospective franchisee, you need to be happy that the franchisors services will justify all these costs, which will continue even after you have learnt the business. In buying into a franchise you have to agree to operate within certain restrictions. Some disappointed franchisees will sometimes comment that the relationship is not as far from that of being an employee as they had hoped. Additionally, your relationship with the franchisor means you are exposed to certain risks that are outside your control. This includes the risk of the franchisor failing to fulfil its obligations (such as providing support in the form of brand advertising or training), the franchisor going out of business, or the franchisor being sold to a new owner who changes the operation or is simply more difficult to deal with. Moreover, without the opportunity to create and manage their own brand, franchisees risk being tarnished by the failures of franchisors and fellow franchisees alike. Finance professional will need to evaluate whether now is a good time to start your own practice by buying into a franchise? Or if you already own a business, should you be thinking about expanding it and becoming a franchisor? The Caribbean remains a great option for either. Credit unions: the right framework In 2004, a White Paper on financial sector reform made seven key policy recommendations for the credit union sector as well as a plan and schedule for the implementation of these recommendations. The latter included legislative reform, the insertion of provisions for mergers and acquisitions, the introduction of constant monitoring systems using the PEARLS standard, the improvement of the election procedure to make sure that those elected officials conformed to prescribed fit and proper criteria, the preservation of tax exemptions for the movement with quinquennial appraisals, the integration of the supervision of the sector under the aegis of the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, and lastly, the disclosure of large credit unions that were involved in non-core financial activities to the same standard of supervision faced by other financial institutions. Legislative priorities based on the recommendations from the White Paper were established for Credit Unions. The key priority was the need to evaluate the dated Co-operatives Societies Act, Chap 81:03. The proposed amendments focused on the merging of extant supervisory authorities, the addition of the requisite clauses for adherence with the IFRS and the formation and application of pertinent criteria with minimum standards. In 2005 Cabinet decided to place the regulation of the credit union movement under the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago through the establishment a Credit Union Act (CUA). Another recommendation of the White Paper was to revise the Co-operative Societies Act (CSA), Chap 81:03 and remove this responsibility from the Commissioner for Co-operative Development. The roles of the Central Bank and the Commissioner for Cooperative Development were clearly demarcated. Under the proposed CUA, the Central Bank would have responsibility for supervision and prudential regulation. This incorporated the determination of the financial soundness of credit unions, the supervision of the movement to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements of the CUA and therefore contribute to the overall stability of the movement and, by extension, the financial system of the country. The Commissioner would have responsibility of Non-Prudential Regulation and Development which included the registration and de-registration of credit unions, mediation of membership issues, the conduct of annual general meetings and elections, the resolution of internal differences and compliance with the CSA. The case for stricter credit union supervision was based on the extent of resources now being intermediated, and the business models of the larger credit unions that consist of more intricate and riskier processes. Larger credit unions offer certificates of deposits, make mortgage and commercial loans, offer credit and debit cards to be used in automatic teller machines and also make available cambio and travel agency services. Such new business lines necessitate that greater attention is given to risk-management by the unions themselves, while a formal supervisory framework for credit unions to protect members savings and contribute integrity of the financial system be put in place. Economic growth requires a robust and properly regulated financial sector. Credit unions can no longer claim to be notfor- profit as they now compete against banks who view them and other financial institutions as formidable competitors competing to provide a service for long-term survival. The revelations from the Commission of Enquiry into the collapse of CL Financial and the Hindu Credit Union have been shocking. The latters demise in 2008 saw its members lose their life savings. New legislation must reflect that there are large credit unions and very small credit unions that have different requirements. Credit unions have been important contributors to economic and social development for over 150 years all over the world, and are now important members in the national financial markets of many industrialised, developing and transitional economies. There is need for suitable legislative frameworks to influence leaders, legislators, regulators and others to make stronger the safety and soundness of credit unions minus burdensome regulations. In many jurisdictions, however, legislation has been introduced to reflect the development of the credit union movement. Legislative and regulatory deficiencies, as well as unnecessary regulatory burdens, can endanger the safety and soundness of credit unions and hamper their capability to satisfy the financial service needs of their members. Although credit unions are cooperative organisations, their specialisation in financial services makes them different from other co-operative societies and credit-only microfinance institutions. General cooperative societies acts that oversee the business operations of agricultural, consumer, commercial and industrial co-operatives are insufficient for credit unions. They are depository institutions whose business procedures look like banking institutions. Microfinance institution legislation generally does not recognise the savings orientation of credit unions. Legislation intended for commercial banks is generally inappropriate for the capital and cooperative governance structures of credit unions and often imposes unnecessary regulatory burdens on credit unions and other smaller financial institutions that do not engage in cross-border financial activities. In addition, credit unions purpose as providers of co-operative financial services to members-owners who are their depositors and borrowers is also distinctive from commercial banks because few, if any, of a commercial banks customers are its owners. The Credit unions sector urgently requires new appropriate legislation that ensures proper supervision. However, care has to be taken about how this is drafted. FIT professor to lead fashion workshop The second workshop will be facilitated by Deborah Beard, an associate chairperson of technical design and Professor in both Technical Design and Art and Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). She is also chair of the Pattern-making Certificate Department. Beard has extensive knowledge in domestic and import manufacturing and sourcing, specs, fit, patterns, production, fabrications, trims, technical packets and overseas communication, said a media release for Fashion TT . She has also travelled extensively consulting on technical design and production, merchandising, design inspiration and product development for mid-tier and popular price points. Beard is also the author of the technical design book, The Complete Book of Technical Design for Technical and Fashion Designers, and was previously director of technical design for Go International/Target Stores. Beard will be cover the following topics: Pricing: Understanding effective pricing and price points Producing samples and tech packs Creating line sheets Production logistics/ optimisation: Tracking timelines and stock control in relation to the macro fashion industry Trade show requirements and starting website sales Negotiations and payments Trouble points in manufacturing Designers interested in attending this workshop can register at http://fashiontt.moch- 78fajar.com/ and visit www.fashiontt.co.tt for more information. The final workshop will be held on September 30. Parents await word from Garcia The parents, armed with placards, protested in front the Princes Town Presbyterian No.2 Primary School on Monday - the first day of the new school term. The protest continued on Tuesday. They are demanding answers as to why for the past two years construction work on a new school has not started. Since then, the students of Princes Town Presbyterian No.1 Primary School have been attending classes at the Princes Town Presbyterian No.2 Primary School under a shift system. Parents are complaining that the environment is cramped for students to learn. Speaking to Newsday, President of the Parent Teachers Association (PTA), Nola Ramjohn- Karim, said members of the Board, PTA officials and school principals met on Tuesday, but they are yet to hear from officials of the Education Ministry. Nothing can be done unless we get a hearing, Ramjohn- Karim said We need to hear from the Minister and there must be dialogue among all parties. We have had so many meetings in the past, now we need action. Apart from the cramped environment, according to the PTA President, since the implementation of the shift system, students of the Princes Town Presbyterian No. 2 School do not have access to their music and art rooms as the rooms are being used to accommodate the students of the Princes Town Presbyterian No.1 School. When contacted, chairman of the Board, Carlyle Mulchan, confirmed that the Board did meet with the PTA. Mulchan said that the Board was also hoping to meet with officials from the Education Ministry very soon to engage in dialogue to move forward Install the Newser News app in two easy steps: 1. Tap in your navigation bar. 2. Tap to Add to Home Screen. (Newser) An unnamed University of Michigan student expelled in June for violating the school's sexual misconduct policy is suing, Courthouse News Service reports. The student says he was only 13.5 credits shy of his degree when a University of Michigan appeals board ousted him based on an "unconstitutionally vague...definition of the term 'incapacitated'" in the school's policy, which also failed to "explain the difference between 'intoxicated' and 'incapacitated.'" The issue stems from a party hosted by the student last January. He says he served a single shot to a woman, who seemed to be walking and talking fine, had sex with her, and went to sleep. When the woman woke up afterward, the student claims she "appeared emotionally distressed" but was sending "very coherent" text messages. The lawsuit claims the student was cleared by a criminal defense attorney hired by the University of Michigan, but the woman appealed the finding, and the school's appeals board ruled against the student. The lawsuit states the University of Michigan later changed its sexual misconduct policy to clarify the difference between "intoxicated" and "incapacitated." The student is suing the members of the appeals board, not the University of Michigan itself. (Read more University of Michigan stories.) (Newser) A popular children's author had one final wish when she died Saturday after a battle with brain cancer: Instead of holding a funeral, read to a child. Today reports that 50-year-old Anna Dewdney became a household name with parents when she published her first Llama Llama bookLlama Llama Red Pajamain 2005. The Llama Llama seriesabout a baby llama who's usually upset with his mamahas gone on to sell more than 10 million copies, according to Publishers Weekly. And Netflix is producing a cartoon based on the books. Dewdney, a former daycare provider and teacher, believed reading to children was the best way to teach to empathy, People reports. When we read with a child, we are doing so much more than teaching him to read," Publishers Weekly quotes Dewdney as saying. "We are teaching that child to be human." Dewdney's publisher notes she had a "mission of putting books into as many little hands as possible." Dewdney's final book, Little Excavator, is scheduled to be published next year. (A publisher is looking for the heirs of this crime writer.) (Newser) An arrest warrant has been issued for a 2016 presidential candidateand it's for neither Hillary Clinton nor Donald Trump. Instead, Green Party candidate Jill Stein has been charged with criminal trespass and criminal mischief in Morton County, ND, after spray-painting construction equipment during a pipeline protest, the AP reports. Stein was among a group of up to 200 protesters who gathered at a Dakota Access Pipeline construction site near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation Tuesday morning, reports the Bismarck Tribune. Stein spokeswoman Meleiza Figueroa says Stein spray-painted "I approve this message" on a bulldozer blade. Her running mate, Ajamu Baraka, has been charged for allegedly painting the word "decolonization" on construction equipment, reports the AP. It's not clear when or if Stein plans to surrender to authorities. Before she was charged, Stein issued a statement saying that authorities should "press charges against the real vandalism taking place at the Standing Rock Sioux reservation: the bulldozing of sacred burial sites and the unleashing of vicious attack dogs." (In 2012, Stein and her running mate were arrested after trying to get into a presidential debate hall.) (Newser) President Obama and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte met informally on Wednesday in a holding room before attending a gala dinner at a regional summit, Philippine officials say. The brief meeting took a little sting out of the soured relations caused by Duterte's intemperate language in referring to Obama earlier this week, which caused Obama to cancel a formal meeting scheduled for Tuesday, the AP reports. Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay says he is "very happy the leaders met, and it "all springs from the fact the relationship between the Philippines and the United States is firm, very strong." A White House official says the two leaders exchanged "pleasantries" in a brief discussion in the holding room before the dinner, the BBC reports. The Wall Street Journal reports that Duterte was absent from Thursday morning meetings at the Vientiane summit. A spokesman told reporters that the leader had a migraine. (Read more Rodrigo Duterte stories.) (Newser) In what many saw as a preview of the Sept. 26 debate, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump set out very different positions on foreign policy in a national security forum Wednesday night. The "Commander-in-Chief" forum, hosted by NBC News and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America at the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum in New York, was hosted by the Today Show's Matt Lauer. Clinton and Trump fielded questions and spoke back-to-back, with Clinton going first after winning a coin flip. A round-up of coverage: According to NBC, the night will be remembered for Trump offering more praise for Vladimir Putin than for America's "embarrassing" military leadership. Putin has "been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader," said Trump, who praised the Russian leader's 82% approval rating. "We have a divided country. Clinton cast herself as a model of "absolute rock steadiness" in foreign policy compared to Trump, reports the Washington Post, which notes that she seemed "guarded, even stilted" when dealing with questions about her email server and her vote for the Iraq War. Clinton said the Iraq vote and the email server were both mistakes, but insisted that she had never sent or received material with a classified header on her private server. "Classified material has a header which has 'top secret,' 'secret,' confidential,'" she said, per Politico. "Nothingand I will repeat this, and this is verified in the report by the Department of Justice, none of the emails sent or received by me had such a header," she added. Trump said that under Obama, the US has pursued "the dumbest foreign policy" he has ever seen, the Guardian reports. Asked about his claim that he knows more about ISIS than the generals, he said the generals "have been reduced to rubble" under Obama. Trump claimed that he had always been against the 2003 invasion of Iraq, but repeated that he thought the US should have taken the country's oil. Asked about his plan to defeat ISIS he said: "I have a substantial chance of winningmake America great again. If I win, I dont want to broadcast to the enemy what my plan is." Clinton, asked about her foreign policy record, said she viewed the use of force as a last resort, CNN reports. "We are not putting ground troops into Iraq ever again and we are not putting ground troops into Syria," she said, arguing that ISIS could be defeated with air power and regional alliances. She said that no matter what he says now, she and Trump had the same position on both the Iraq War and the Libyan intervention, NBC notes. Clinton and Trump were both asked about veterans' mental health issues, and both promised to do more to reduce suicides. "We're going to speed up the process, we're going to create a great mental health division," Trump said. "They need help." Vox reports that Lauer is taking a lot of flak from both sides, with critics accusing him of asking lightweight questions and failing to fact-check the candidates. The Washington Post fact-checks the forum, and has plenty of Pinocchios to award both Clinton and Trump. Tim Mak at the Daily Beast gives terrible reviews to both the "defensive and lawyerly" Clinton and the "huckster" Trump. They were supposed to show how they were qualified to be commander-in-chief, but "both showed themselves to be both terribly flawed candidates," he writes. (Read more Election 2016 stories.) (Newser) A newlywed couple now has a breathtaking image to add to their wedding album, thanks to a kind and persistent stranger. Amateur photographer Mike Karas says he was snapping photos of the sunset in Yosemite last Thursday when he noticed "a couple in a tuxedo and wedding dress" standing on a nearby rock ledge. "That 'Eureka!' moment just unfolded," Karas tells NBC Bay Area. "It was surreal." In one photo Karas shared online, the couple appear on the distant ledge beneath a golden sky, with greenery visible far below. Karas says it's one of his favorite photos ever and he wanted the couple to have it. But when he went to find them, "they were already gone," Karas tells ABC News. Over the next several days, Karas did his best to track them down, eventually making contact with their wedding photographers, who put them in touch. "It's really sweet It's a modern day love story with social media," bride Catherine Mack tells NBC Chicago. "He was just taking a sunset shot and we happened to wander into it," she adds on Instagram. "Thanks for looking for us far and wide." Karas says Mack and husband Rick Donald "didn't know how big exactly the story had become" and found it all pretty funny. "All that matters to me is the bride and groom loved [the photo]," he adds. Mack says it and others Karas snapped of the newlyweds are "amazing." (This haunting wedding photo went viral.) (Newser) The woman told a 911 dispatcher she was being chased by three men in a truck while driving in Phoenix. Then came three gunshots, and silence. Police say the woman, who has not been identified, was shot in the head before crashing into a concrete median on State Route 51 on Wednesday night, per the Arizona Republic. "She believed these people were following her specifically" as she drove on Interstate 10 around 7:20pm, "but she didn't offer any information as to why," says Sgt. Jonathan Howard, adding authorities are now searching for a white truck with a ladder rack and toolbox. The truckbelieved to be carrying three Hispanic men, per Fox 10was driving aggressively, according to "five or six" 911 calls Wednesday evening. However, police are still unclear why the shooting, which killed the woman, occurred. It also caused minor collisions involving four vehicles, and two people were taken to a hospital with minor injuries, police say. Several white, work-style trucks were later stopped, but none "panned out," says Howard. Police now plan to review freeway camera footage and other surveillance footage available. Authorities say the shooting doesn't appear to be linked to Phoenix's serial shooter, per CBS News. (Read more shooting stories.) (Newser) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed "in principle" to meet in Moscow to relaunch Mideast peace talks after a two-plus-year hiatus, Russia's Foreign Ministry announced Thursday, though the AP reports that it's not clear when. "The most important thing is to pick the right timing," ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters. "Intensive contacts on this are ongoing." The comments indicate that Russia is pushing forward with its efforts to host the meeting; Abbas said this week a meeting in Moscow had been postponed at Israel's request. Abbas and Netanyahu exchanged a brief handshake last year at a climate-change conference in Paris but haven't held a public working meeting since 2010. The key stumbling block is the agenda: Abbas has said he'd meet only if Israel freezes settlement construction on lands claimed by Palestinians and honors a previously agreed-on release of Palestinian prisoners. Netanyahu has rejected the terms and said a meeting should take place without conditions. Any meeting between the two would be a breakthrough of sorts: The last round of US-brokered peace talks broke down more than two years ago. But with Abbas and Netanyahu at odds on nearly every major issue, chances for substantial progress seem slim. If a meeting were to take place, it would reflect growing Russian influence in the Middle East. The Russian military has sent fighter jets to Syria to back President Bashar al-Assad in his fight against rebels. Israel, while largely staying out of it, maintains close contact with Russia to avoid clashes between their air forces. (Read more Israel and Palestinians stories.) (Newser) The city of Aleppo has long been at the center of Syria's civil warmost recently in claims that the Syrian regime dropped chlorine gas bombs on its own peopleso one might think presidential candidates would be pretty familiar with it. Not Gary Johnson. "What would you do, if you were elected, about Aleppo?" the Libertarian candidate was asked on MSNBC's Morning Joe on Thursday, per Politico. His response: "And what is Aleppo?" Once his stunned interviewer explained that it's "the epicenter of the refugee crisis" in Syria, Johnson suggested the US work with Russia to solve the "mess." But it was his question, not his answer, that began trending on Twitter. In an interview later Thursday, Johnson admitted he should be "smarter" on certain issues. "I'm incredibly frustrated with myself," he saidthough Philip Bump at the Washington Post believes he should cut himself some slack. "It would be easy to describe [the interview] as having doomed his third-party candidacy for president were it not for the fact that his candidacy was already doomed," he quips, comparing Johnson to the Titanic had it "begun sinking but then blew up." Meanwhile, Fusion's Katie McDonough points out that while at a convention in June, Johnson asked, "Who's Harriet Tubman?" per the New Yorker. (Read more Gary Johnson stories.) (Newser) If you weren't sure what all the tweets this morning with the #LaueringTheBar hashtag were all about, you may not have seen NBC's "Commander-in-Chief" military forum Wednesday night with Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, helmed by Today Show host Matt Lauer. Critics say that during the hourlong forum (30 minutes with each candidate), Lauer barely called out Trump on odd remarks, exaggerations, or outright lies (specifically on Trump's claim that he was "totally against the war in Iraq"), while he was tougher on Clinton and perhaps even sexist by constantly interrupting her. "The consensus afterward was not kind," the New York Times notes, with columnist Nicholas Kristof saying in his own tweet the forum was "an embarrassment to journalism." Other thoughts: Jonathan Chait writes for New York magazine that "Lauer's performance was not merely a failure, it was horrifying and shocking." While not afraid to harp on Clinton's email server woes, Chait says, Lauer was ineffective at addressing many of Trump's "wild and dangerous statements," including that he saw Vladimir Putin as a strong leadera failure on Lauer's part to show we have "a normal politician with normal political failings [running] against an ignorant, bigoted, pathologically dishonest authoritarian." Lauer "flunked in primetime," writes Michael Calderone for Huffington Post, especially on Trump's anti-Iraq war claim and a similar claim about US intervention in Libya. What makes Lauer's performance more egregious: He had the info to refute some of Trump's claims, including Clinton bringing up Trump's support for Iraq right before Trump took the stage. "By the end of the night, Lauer himself had become the story, which is often not the way a moderator wants his debate to be remembered." Writes Matthew Yglesias on Vox: "Matt Lauer totally blew it." He agrees with Calderone that Lauer dropped the ball on Iraq and Libya, noting, "It's particularly important [for journalists] not to let [politicians get away with bald-faced, on-camera lies] when, as is the case with Trump on these two issues, the lies are so predictable." Callum Borchers points out in the Washington Post that Lauer was tougher on Ryan Lochte. "Clearly Lauer is more than capable of confronting and correcting misinformation. He just didn't do it with Trump," Borchers writes, though he acknowledges Lauer was dealing with "tight time constraints." The Hollywood Reporter lists some high-profile tweets about Lauer, including a "WTF" post from actor/director Rob Reiner and a Simpsons-related crack courtesy of actor Wil Wheaton. (Read more Matt Lauer stories.) (Newser) A female student has died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after shooting and injuring another female student at a high school in the West Texas town of Alpine, the Brewster County sheriff said Thursday, per the AP. "The shooter appears to have shot herself," Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson told radio station KVLF. A gun was found near the suspected shooter, he said. Dodson said a federal law enforcement officer was also injured during the incident, which began shortly before 9am at Alpine High School in Texas' Big Bend region, about 220 miles southeast of El Paso and 110 miles north of Big Bend National Park. The officer was struck when another officer's gun accidentally discharged. Further details about the injured officer's and student's conditions were not available. The shooting prompted a lockdown at Alpine's three public schools. "My teacher ... yelled to everyone to get into the closet. We heard someone yelling and running down the hall. We all started crying," a junior not IDed because of her age tells CNN, adding that she saw blood all over the cafeteria floor when they were led out of school by police. Dodson said the shooting at the high school was part of a chaotic series of events that included a bomb threat called in at nearby Sul Ross State University, which required law enforcement personnel to rush there from the high school. "That's ridiculous for someone to call in something like this when we've got this situation going on," Dodson said. "This community does not expect this, we don't want this, and we can't explain it yet." CNN notes the sheriff's office initially thought it was looking for two shooters, though now the deceased is believed to be the only one. (Read more school shooting stories.) The next Google Nexus phone that everyone has been talking about is now named as the Google Pixel Phones. Apparently, the news about Google dropping the Nexus brand has happened. Reports reveal that the units code named Sailfish and Marlin will be called Pixel and Pixel XL. Said handsets will be released on Oct. 4 like what the previous rumor said. On that day, Google is said to hold an event to launch the new Pixel phones, Android Police reported. Pixel and Pixel XL will be released with a Google-customized version of Android 7.0 Nougat. Pixel will be 5 inches in size while the larger version, Pixel XL will come in 5.5 inches. The phones will have higher specifications and would feature Googles DayDream VR platform. The new Google Pixel will run with Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor with 4GB of RAM, 32GB or 128GB of storage and a dual 12MP and 8MP camera set-up. The bigger Google Pixel phone will reportedly feature a higher-spec 13MP rear-facing camera. The Pixel version will be made with soft-touch plastic like the ones used for Nexus units but it will have part metal build. According to Know Your Mobile, the Pixel XL handset will have a similar build to the HTC 10 and will be made from metal. Aside from Pixel and Pixel XL, Google will also be releasing a new 4K Chromecast device, Google Home, as well as an in-house design for a Daydream VR viewer which could be called the Daydream View. Prices are not yet revealed but it is teased that the handset will be more expensive than the Nexus smart phones last year, BGR reported. Many are wondering why the new Nexus phones are called differently despite the established Nexus brand. According to reports, the giant technology company wants it to be more "Google" and that the new handsets will have unique software features aside from being run by Android. What initially appeared as a prank has now alarmed authorities as more and more reports of creepy clown sightings were reported to the police. The clowns described as "creepy" based on the reports are said to lure victims into the woods. Because of this, parents of kids called for heightened security especially in the area where most sightings were reported. Reports say that the clowns were clad in white and are seen in North Carolina. What used to be just a simple prank is no longer a laughing matter as it has gone out of hand. The Winston-Salem police are on top of the situation and are hunting down creepy clowns described as wearing white overalls, red shoes, with gloves and a red nose, according to a report by the New York Post. Reports say that last Sunday, some creepy clowns tried to lure kids into the woods with treats, while a resident in Old Oak Ridge Road tried to chase one near a residential area. Emergency hotline 911 is also receiving reports of sightings of the "creepy" clowns. The police presence was increased after the incident last Sunday were two children saw a creepy clown that tried to entice them with treats in the Winston-Salem neighborhood. One adult witness said he heard the clown and that the suspect disappeared before the police arrived on the scene. TV personality Sarah Krueger even posted a photo of the area where creepy clowns were spotted. "This is where clown sighting was reported," Krueger said in a Tweet. The alarm even increased when two hours after the incident, the local police received an anonymous call saying there was another sighting two miles away from the first, according to Fox News. But before the police got involved, there were rumors about the creepy clowns circulating in the neighborhood. Although no one paid serious attention and it wasn't considered a threat until the incident last Sunday. Today, various law enforcement agencies are investigating the reports especially in residential areas and the authorities are not taking the issue lightly. In the Greenville County, some reports say that creepy clowns do knock on doors, too. Despite numerous reports, there's still no visual evidence of these creepy clowns but the police forces remain focused and are adamant to put a stop to the "creepy clown" scare that is causing a disturbance in the community. The Daily News-Miner encourages residents to make themselves heard through the Opinion pages. Readers' letters and columns also appear online at newsminer.com. Contact the editor with questions at letters@newsminer.com or call 459-7574. New Delhi: Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar may soon hold an interaction with Vice Chancellors of Universities across the country in Benaras Hindu University. Sources said that in would be the first meeting of Javadekar, after taking over as the HRD minister with Vice Chancellors of different universities in Varanasi on the 6th of next month. It is also learnt that the HRD minister would also meet directors of IIMs soon. "It is planned that the HRD minister will meet directors of IIMs at IIM Shillong," an official said. The HRD minister has planned a series of meetings with different higher educational institutions, officials said adding that he has already met the directors of IITs. There are various issues which affect the higher education sector including those related to funding, vacancies in faculty positions. The ministry has also been looking towards ways to increase the capacity of higher education as well improve the quality of education. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Ahmedabad: Nearly two months after seven Dalit youths were flogged allegedly by self-styled cow vigilantes at Una in Gujarat, police has filed a charge sheet against 34 persons, including four police personnel who were arrested on Wednesday on charges of dereliction of duty and failure to stop the crime which triggered a massive unrest. The CID also filed a separate charge sheet against three minors in the case before Juvenile Justice Board at Junagadh. The charge sheet against 34 accused, including the police personnel, was filed before the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate of Una taluka in Gir-Somnath district, A U Jujaru. The police personnel, attached to Una police station, are identified as Inspector Nirmalsinh Jhala, Sub-Inspector Narendra Pandey, Head Constable Kanji Chudasama and woman Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Kanchanben Parmar. Except Pandey, the rest are already under suspension. All of them were arrested in Una just before filing of charge sheet. According to CID, the police personnel misused their position by not acting against the perpetrators. It is alleged that though four Dalits were thrashed for almost 4 to 5 hours by self-proclaimed cow vigilantes, these police personnel did nothing to stop the crime. They also allegedly connived with the perpetrators and forged some FIR related documents to help them. Some of the key accused, arrested in the initial stage of investigation, include Pramodgiri Goswami, Ramesh Jadav, Balwant Goswami, Rakesh Joshi and Nagji Vaniya. The 34 accused have been charged under various sections of IPC including 307 (attempt to murder), 397 (robbery), 365 (kidnapping), 355 (assault to dishonor a person), 342 (wrongful confinement), 147 (rioting), 324 (causing hurt by weapon) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) among others. They were also charged under various sections of Prevention of Atrocities Act, besides under sections 66A and 66B of the Information and Technology Act for allegedly making and circulating the clip of the incident. The CID filed a separate charge sheet against three minors, arrested during the probe, in Juvenile Justice Board at Junagadh. In total, we have arrested 43 persons, including these policemen who have failed to do their duty and forged some documents to help other accused involved in thrashing dalits. Out of the 43, we have today filed charge sheet against 34 accused in the Una court. The probe is still on, said Inspector General of CID-Crime, S S Trivedi. On July 11, seven Dalits of Mota Samadhiyala village of Una taluka were thrashed allegedly by cow vigilantes when they were skinning a dead cow. Later, four of these Dalit youths were taken to Una town, where they were tied up with a vehicle and allegedly assaulted. The matter came to light after a video of flogging, allegedly made by the vigilantes, went viral on social media platforms. As the issue created huge uproar, then Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel handed over the probe to CID-Crime on July 18 and announced that the charge sheet will be submitted within 60 days. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Vientiane: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold several bilateral parleys on Thursday including a meeting with US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the 14th ASEAN-India and the 11th East Asia Summit. Regional and multilateral issues are likely to be discussed by the two leaders.Modi will also meet host-nation premier Thongloun Sisoulith, South Korean president Park Geun-hye and Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung Sang Suu Kyi. Modi held extensive bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on Wednesday. India and Japan pledged to further strengthen cooperation in the area of counter terrorism, trade and investments. He also conveyed his condolences to Abe for the Japanese lives lost in the recent terror attack in Bangladesh in which 22 people were killed after Islamist militants stormed a cafe popular with foreigners. Abe said Japan was not going to succumb to terrorism and expressed the desire to further strengthen cooperation with India in the area of counter terrorism.A gala lunch will be hosted by the Laotian premier. Modi leaves for New Delhi in the evening. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: BJP womenas wing workers, who were protesting against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at the New Delhi railway station, on Thursday mobbed and chased the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief as he arrived to board a train for Punjab.A The Delhi BJP women wing members demanded a statement from Kejriwal on the misconduct of his MLAs. They also demanded the expulsion of Ashutosh from AAP. The BJP supporters also chanted 'Kejriwal hai hai', 'Kejriwal istifa do'. Kejriwal is scheduled to hold meetings in Ludhiana with the candidates for the 2017 Punjab Assembly election. Delhi BJP women wing protest against Delhi CM, demand he speak on misconduct of his MLAs & expel Ashutosh from AAP pic.twitter.com/ReacRsami3 a ANI (@ANI_news) September 8, 2016 Arvind Kejriwal had recently sacked Sandeep Kumar, who held the Women and Child Welfare and Social Welfare portfolios, from the council of ministers after a sex scandal involving the latter rocked AAP. Kejriwal had received a nine-minute-long CD in which Kumar was allegedly seen in a compromising position with a woman. Earlier on Wednesday, the Delhi Police had expressed its inability to provide security to Kejriwal during his five-day visit to Punjab, saying it adoes not have jurisdiction over that statea. aWe have not refused him security. He is leaving Delhi for Punjab for five days. As per the security norms, if he travels by train or car, we are supposed to drop him at the first destination in that state and thereafter, the state police takes over,a said a senior Delhi Police official. The rules have been followed. Any VIP going to any other state is not provided aall components of securitya, said the officer, adding that security is a matter of law and order which is a state subject. aHe was given security during previous trips as we had no time to write to the state police concerned and also because they were short visits. This is a long visit and we cannot keep any component with him for that long,a the officer said. A Delhi government source said: aIn the past, the Delhi Police provided a security personnel to Kejriwal outside Delhi. But now, a letter from DCP (security) has informed that he cannot be given security during his Punjab visit.a For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi : The Centre announced a financial package for Andhra Pradesh that includes full funding of Pollavaram irrigation project, tax concessions and a special assistance, but stopped short of giving the state a special category status. Andhra Pradesh, which financially suffered because of creation of separate state of Telengana in June 2014, will get a railway zone as also all cost incurred on the irrigation part of Pollavaram project from the date it was declared a National Project on April 1, 2014 will be funded by the Centre. The state government will, however, implement the project, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at a late night press conference hours before the Andhra Pradesh Assembly is to meet. Citing constraints placed by the 14th Finance Commission in grant of special category status to Andhra Pradesh, he said an amount equivalent to what that categorication would have fetched, would be given to the state in form of a Special Assistance Measure for five years. This will be in form of form of externally aided project, he said, adding the state would also get two tax concessions, details of which will be notified by the CBDT shortly. Andhra Pradesh has been demanding a Special Category State (SCS) status from the Centre ever since the states economic powerhouse Hyderabad, which housed several IT and pharmaceutical companies as well as PSUs, went to Telengana in the bifurcation. Running a revenue deficit and no capital to boast of, a special status would have given the state preferentail treatment in getting central funds assistance and tax breaks. While the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act does not mention of SCS for the state, the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had on the floor of Rajya Sabha on February 20, 2014 promised to grant the status to the state for five years. The commission had stated had in view of the increased devolution of central assistance, it does not make any sense to grant SCS. We have examined special category status demand of Andhra Pradesh. Since the advantage of what they get by virtue of the former Prime Ministers statement is the monetary advantage, we have decided to give special assistance measure for Andhra Pradesh wherein an amount equivalent to what they would have got if that statement could have been implemented would be compensated to the state by virtue of externally aided projects which otherwise state would have paid for, he said. This package is valid for 5 years which ends in 2020, he said. He did not give the details of the quantum of the monetary benefit that the state will get, saying these are being worked out. The Finance Minister said that government has decided in principle that every commitment made in Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act would be honoured in letter and spirit by the central government. Already, we have released on account a sum of Rs 3,795 crore towards revenue deficit for year 2014-15. The balance amount will also be released in installment. We have given a support of Rs 2,500 crore state capital and Rs 1,500 crore as backward area grant, he said. The funding of Pollavaram irrigation project which was declared a National Project on April 1, 2014, is to be met by the central government fully from that date onwards, he said. The concept of SCS was first introduced in 1969 when the 5th Finance Commission sought to provide certain disadvantaged states with preferential treatment in the form of central assistance and tax breaks. To begin with, Assam, Nagaland and Jammu & Kashmir enjoyed the status but later eight states of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura and Uttarakhand were added. A special status, which gives preferential treatment in getting central funds assistance, is given to a state if it is in a hilly and difficult terrain, strategic located along the borders of the country, has low population density, has economic and infrastructure inadequacies and financial unviabililty. Besides Andhra Pradesh, other states including Bihar, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh and Odisha have also sought the Special Category State status. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Vientiane: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed deep concern at the rising export of terror, in an apparent reference to Pakistan, saying it is a common security threat to the region as he sought a coordinated response from ASEAN member nations to combat the menace. While addressing the 14th ASEAN-India summit here, the Prime Minister also noted that growing radicalism through the ideology of hatred and spread of extreme violence are the other security threats. Export of terror, growing radicalisation and spread of extreme violence are common security threats to our societies, he said in his second attack on Pakistan in two days amid escalating war of words between New Delhi and Islamabad. The threat is local, regional, and transitional at the same time. Our partnership with ASEAN seeks to craft a response through coordination, cooperation at multiple levels, Modi said. He said that in the face of growing traditional and non traditional challenges, political cooperation was a key emerging in our relations. We are willing to take concrete steps to enhance cooperation in cyber security, de-radicalisation and counterterrorism, he added. On Monday, Modi made a sharp attack on Pakistan at the G20 summit, saying one single nation in South Asia is spreading agents of terror as he asserted that those who sponsor the menace must be sanctioned and isolated, not rewarded. In his remarks today, the Prime Minister said that ASEAN is central to Indias Act East policy. Our engagement driven by common priorities bringing peace, stability and prosperity to the region, he told the 10-member grouping attended by Heads of state. He said enhancing connectivity was central to Indias partnership with ASEAN. Seamless digital connectivity between India and Southeast Asia is a shared objective. India committed to Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity, Modi said. Securing seas was a shared responsibility, he said, adding that sea lanes are life lines of global trade. India supports freedom of navigation based on United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), he added. He thanked the member countries for sharing their views on nature, direction and priorities of our engagement. All three pillars of our partnership - security, economic and socio-cultural have registered good progress, he said, adding that engagement of India-ASEAN is of economic optimism. We continue to expand and deepen our economic engagements, Modi said. Laotian premier complimented Indias Act East policy and its contribution to ASEAN and hoped the summit will provide future direction. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Lahore: An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan on Wednesday issued notices to LeT commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and seven other as well as the government in the 2008 Mumbai attack case. The action comes on a plea to examine the boat used by the 10 LeT terrorists to reach the Indian coast. The Anti-Terrorism Court Islamabad today held Mumbai case hearing at the Adiala Jail Rawalpindi and issued notices to seven suspects and the prosecution to present arguments regarding inspection of Al-Fauz boat parked at the port city of Karachi, a court official told PTI after the hearing. He said both prosecution and defence lawyers would present their arguments on next hearing on September 22. Last month the Islamabad High Court had set aside the verdict of trial court in Mumbai case for not allowing a commission to Karachi for inspection of Al-Fauz. The HC had termed the trial courts decision as flawed and not in accordance with law and allowed examination of Al-Fauz. The prosecution had pleaded that vessel should be made case property. Al-Fauz is in the custody of the Pakistani authorities in Karachi, from where the 10 militants, armed with AK-47 assault rifles and hand grenades, had left for India to carry out the Mumbai attack in November 2008. According to the Federal Investigation Agency, the attackers used three boats including Al Fauz to reach Mumbai from Karachi. It said the security agencies had also traced the shop and its owner from where the culprits bought the engine and the boat while a bank and a money exchange company were also traced which were used for the transaction of money. The 10 LeT militants had left Karachi on the boat on November 23, 2008. En route, they hijacked another boat, killing four of its crew. They forced the vessels captain to take them close to the India shores. The captain was killed when the vessel reached Mumbais coast. According to prosecution, all Pakistani witnesses have recorded their statements and trial cannot be concluded till recording the statements of Indian witnesses. LeT operations commander 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 attacks that left 166 people dead. Lakhvi, believed to be the mastermind of the attacks, is living at an undisclosed location after getting the bail a year ago. Other six suspects are in Adiala Jail Rawalpindi. The case has been underway for more than six years. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The countdown for one of the biggest launches by ISRO has begun. The lift-off of ISRO GSLV will take place from the second launchpad at its spaceport in Sriharikota. The INSAT-3DR satellite will be carried by ISRO GSLV-F05 rocket, which will take it to a geostationary transfer orbit around Earth. So, what makes the launch of advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR important? Here are some reasons: ISROs fourth launch using an indigenous cryogenic engine In April 2001, the first test flight of the GSLV with a cryogenic upper took place, however, it failed. After that, the rocket made eight flights over the past 14 years. Out of 14, five had a Russian cryogenic engine, while three others were powered by the indigenously developed ones. Three turned out to be successful, while four failed and one achieved partial success. The first successful test flight with a Russian engine took place in May 2003. First successful test flight using an indigenous engine happened in January 2014. An indigenous cryogenic engine will be used on an operational flight for the first time ISRO will not test any components, flight parameters or flight routes since it will be an operational flight. The launchs sole mission will be to deliver the payload. In 1986, ISRO made plans to develop a cryogenic engine to be used in rockets. ISRO received offers to develop engines from three different entities US, Soviet Union and France. The space agency accepted an offer from a company named Glavkosmos in the erstwhile Soviet Union as the other two were not affordable. [ALSO READ: ISRO to launch advanced weather satellite GSLV-F05 today: 10 things you should know] However, sanctions were imposed on India and Russia by the US government after the Russian company and ISRO refused to call their deal off upon American insistence. This made the Boris Yeltsin government in Russia to pressure Glavkosmos to call off its partnership immediately. ISRO was thus left with finding its own way. However, it had received seven cryogenic engines and one mock-up for testing at some additional cost from the company. Later came the indigenous engines that were built at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre in Thiruvananthapuram. The cryogenic engine allows the GSLV to lift upwards of 1,500 kg to the geostationary transfer orbit, while the PSLV rocket cannot carry anything heavier than 1,400 kg. The INSAT-3DR satellite continues the mission of INSAT-3D satellite The mission of the INSAT-3D satellite, which was launched in 2013, continues with the INSAT-3DR satellite. Both belong to ISRO-operated larger class of meteorological satellites, including the KALPANA-1 and the INSAT-3A. KALPANA-1, INSAT-3A and INSAT-3D have already been placed in the geostationary orbit. The F05 mission, scheduled for Thursday, will witness the GSLV-MkII launch the INSAT-3DR into the geostationary transfer orbit. It will use its built-in propulsion systems to manoeuvre into its eventual geosynchronous orbit. The mass launch of the satellite is 2,211 kg, while 1,255 kg of this is in propellants. [ALSO READ: ISRO GSLV-F05 launch schedule, venue, telecast and live streaming] The INSAT-3D satellite possessed an atmospheric sounding system and was an improved version of its two predecessors. The atmospheric sounding system helped it map vertical changes of humidity, temperature and ozone content in Earths atmosphere. The INSAT-3DR will be able to make the same measurements, at the same time, it will provide better image night-time clouds, and better measure sea surface temperature. Like 3D, the 3DR will also have a search-and-rescue transponder, used to pinpoint the location of distressed vessels at sea. The 3D will be operational until 2021, while the 3DR around 2024. INSAT-3DS, a second successor, is likely to get operational from 2022 to 2029. The 3B and 3C are not operational. GSLV-Mk-III success is important for ISRO The three types of GSLV Mk-I, Mk-II and Mk-III have a solid-fuel first stage and a liquid-fuel second stage. For the third stage, the Mk-I uses Russian make cryogenic engines. Four liquid-fuel strap-on boosters are used by the Mk-II in addition to the first stage, while for the third it uses the CE-7.5 indigenous cryogenic engine. For the first stage, two solid-fuel boosters will be used by the Mk-III, while for the third it will have the CE-20 indigenous cryogenic engine. The first developmental flight of the Mk-III is likely to take place in December 2016. It will also carry the 3.2-ton GSAT 19 satellite during the launch. A flight that took place in December 2014 had only two functional stages as the CE-20 engine used by it was under development. The Mk-III will make ISRO self-sufficient in terms of launch capabilities. May compete against SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket Once the Mk-III is ready, its payload capacity of around 4,000 kg to the geostationary transfer orbit will put it in direct competition against SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket. A Falcon 9 launch costs around $62 million. For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Delhi High Court on Thursday set aside the Arvind Kejriwal-led government's order appointing 21 AAP MLAs as parliamentary secretaries. A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal passed the order after the counsel appearing for Delhi government "conceded" that the March 13, 2015 order was issued without taking concurrence or views of Lieutenant Governor. Senior advocate Sudhir Nandrajog, who appeared for Delhi government, referred to the August 4 judgement passed by the High Court which had quashed several notifications issued by AAP government on the ground that they were issued without taking concurrence of the LG. "Today I have to concede that the judgement (of August 4) stands against me (Delhi government)," Nandrajog told the bench. Taking into consideration the submissions advanced by the Delhi government, the bench said, "the impugned order of the GNCTD is set aside." During the brief hearing, Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain told the bench that the Election Commission was also seized of the matter pertaining to the appointment of 21 legislators as parliamentary secretaries. In its August 4 judgement, the High Court had held that Delhi was a Union Territory and LG remained its administrative head. The Centre had on July 13 opposed the appointment of 21 parliamentary secretaries by the Aam Aadmi Party government, saying the post neither finds place in the Constitution, nor does it find a place in the Delhi Members of Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualification) Act of 1997, except for the post of Parliamentary Secretary to the Chief Minister. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had told the court that such an appointment was "not covered by the law." The MHA had made the submission in an affidavit filed in response to the court's notice to the Centre on an NGO's PIL seeking quashing of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's order appointing 21 AAP MLAs as Parliamentary Secretaries. In its affidavit, MHA had also said that Delhi government had tried to legalise the appointment of the 21 parliamentary secretaries by amending the Delhi Members of Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualification) Act, but the President has withheld his assent to the measure. On the last date, the high court had fixed the matter for hearing today after the Delhi government said that a petition has been moved before Election Commission for disqualification of the 21 MLAs and the poll panel has issued notice in that. On October 7 last year, the AAP government had defended its order appointing the parliamentary secretaries, saying this was done to assist the ministers and ensure its harmonious functioning. The AAP government had told the court that no office akin to the Council of Ministers has been created and no additional hierarchy was being imposed upon the legislative assembly. It had also stated that the parliamentary secretaries were not given any access to confidential documents which are exclusively within the domain of the Minister. The NGO Rashtriya Mukti Morcha had claimed in its plea that the Chief Minister had issued "unconstitutional and illegal order" in gross violation of the constitutional provisions and the Transaction of Business of the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi rules, 1993. Denying the NGO's allegation, the Delhi government had said it was not bypassing the statutory functions of the LG.. [Watch Video: Delhi CM Kejriwal mobbed, chased by BJP women workers protesting against sex CD scandal] (Read More: Who are 21 AAP MLAs whose appointment as parliamentary secretaries set aside by HC) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Ludhiana: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal faced angry protest when he arrived at Ludhiana railway station on Thursday. Black flags were waved with slogans 'Kejriwal go back' when the Delhi chief minister arrived at Ludhiana railway station.A Kejriwal is on a four-day visit to poll-bound Punjab beginning from Thursday. Live Coverage- Kejriwal said: I have created a blueprint for bringing back happiness in the lives of farmers, children. I have info that Sukhbir Badal has 63 fake CDs against us, they will release 2-3 daily: Arvind Kejriwal pic.twitter.com/gmm8HVZ5Xr a ANI (@ANI_news) September 8, 2016 A Punjab: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal arrives in Ludhiana amidst protests by Akali Dal and Congress pic.twitter.com/8YZ7qOVmON a ANI (@ANI_news) September 8, 2016 Earlier on the day, activists of BJP Mahila Morcha staged a protest against Kejriwal at the New Delhi Railway Station, questioning his "silence" over expelled MLA Sandeep Kumar. The AAP on it part wondered whether this was a conspiracy against the Chief Minister with Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia questioning the reason behind the alleged lapse. "Is Modi ji conspiring with the Delhi Police and the BJP to attack Arvind Kejriwal? Was the morning episode (manhandling of the CM) a rehearsal to it," Sisodia tweeted. The activists led by Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha president Kamaljeet Sehrawat and party spokesman Praveen Kapoor raised slogans and waved bangles towards Kejriwal, who arrived at platform number 1 to board a train for Punjab at around 7am. Some activists managed to come close to Kejriwal despite presence of policemen. They demanded that Kejriwal speak on the alleged "misconduct" of his MLAs and expel Ashutosh for his controversial blog defending Sandeep Kumar, who was sacked as minister over an alleged sex scandal. Blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Delhi Police for the alleged manhandling of the Chief Minister at the hands of women protesters of the BJP, the AAP said the law enforcing agency was a "mute spectator" during the "pre-planned" episode. BJP, however, denied any manhandling and said party activists resorted to political protest. The Delhi Police had on Wednesday turned down the request from Kejriwal's office to send security personnel to Punjab by road. (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Delhi High Court on Thursday set asidethe Arvind Kejriwal-led government's order appointing 21 AAPMLAs as parliamentary secretaries. 1. Setback for Kejriwal govt: HC sets aside AAP govt order appointing 21 MLAs as parliamentary secretaries Delhi High Court on Thursday set aside the Delhi government order appointing 21 MLAs of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party as parliamentary secretaries. The parliamentary secretaries were appointed by the Kejriwal government on March 13, 2015. 2. ISRO to launch advanced weather satellite GSLV-F05 today ISRO is all set to launch its advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR on-board GSLV-F05 on Thursday. The countdown for its launch, which was cleared by the Mission Readiness Review committee and Launch Authorisation Board, commenced on Wednesday. The previous launch by ISRO on Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) was launch of GSLV-D6 carrying communication satellite GSAT-6 on August 27, 2015. 3. India launch of Apple iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus on October 7 At a special event in San Francisco on Wednesday, US Technology giant Apple unveiled the highly-anticipated iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus smartphones. The new iPhone models will be available in India on October 7, with base model starting at Rs 60,000. 4. Delhi CM Kejriwal faces protest at Ludhiana railway station Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal faced angry protest when he arrived at Ludhiana railway station on Thursday. Black flags were waved with slogans 'Kejriwal go back' when the Delhi chief minister arrived at Ludhiana railway station. Kejriwal is on a four-day visit to poll-bound Punjab beginning from Thursday. 5. PM Modi slams Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism in ASEAN Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed deep concern at the rising export of terror, in an apparent reference to Pakistan, saying it is a common security threat to the region as he sought a coordinated response from ASEAN member nations to combat the menace. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Dell Inc's USD 67-billion acquistion of EMC Corp on September 7 has created world's largest privately-controlled technology company. The new company christened Dell Technologies Inc. will comprise of Dell, Dell EMC, Pivotal, RSA, SecureWorks, Virtustream and VMware. It will be headquartered at Round Rock, Texas. and employ about 1.4 lakh people globally. The strategic accquistion shall leverage the benifits of joint synergies and capabilities with the new entity delivering integrated solutions in areas like hybrid cloud and security. The newly formed entity shall have a sky rocketing valuation of USD 74-billion. Dell and its partner investment firm Silver Lake raised over USD 40 billion in debt to finance this enourmous accquistion announced last October. Excerpts from Dell Technologies Inc. Chairman and CEO Michael Dell's quotes on this gigantic accquisiton are as follows - "We are at the dawn of the next industrial revolution. Our world is becoming more intelligent and more connected by the minute, and ultimately will become intertwined with a vast Internet of Things, paving the way for our customers to do incredible things. This is why we created Dell Technologies," Dell said. He added that the company has the products, services, talent and global scale to be a catalyst for change and guide customers, large and small, on their digital journey. Dell said the company's R&D efforts, with over 20,000 patents and applications pending, is fuelled by USD 4.5 billion in annual spends.It has 140,000 employees globally. The announcement follows regulatory approval by China's ministry of commerce (MOFCOM). The companies have already been given clearance from regulatory agencies in the US and other geographies. "We are also privately controlled. We don't have to cater to short-term thinking that exists in the market, we can think in decades," Dell said. Dell Technologies will operate under three business units - Client Solutions Group, infrasturcuture Technologies and VMWare. New Delhi : Central government employees can claim LTC if they travel to Jammu & Kashmir by any airline for two more years till September 25, 2018. To boost tourism in Jammu & Kashmir, the government has decided to extend the facility to travel by any airline to visit Jammu & Kashmir on LTC under the Special Dispensation Scheme for central government employees for a period of two years beyond September 25, 2016, an official statement said. Earlier in June, the government had permitted its employees to travel to Jammu & Kashmir by private airlines till September 2016. Rules till then allowed government employees to travel by Air India only. A government employee gets to and fro journey cost reimbursed when he avails of LTC. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Beirut: Pro-regime forces overran a strategically important district on the southern outskirts of Syrias Aleppo on Thursday, a monitor said, rolling back nearly every gain from a major month-long rebel offensive there. The government advance in Ramussa further seals off Aleppos opposition-held eastern districts, under renewed siege since Sunday by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. Government forces and allied fighters retook full control of the Ramussa district after ferocious clashes with rebels, Islamist fighters, and jihadist groups, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said the capture came after reinforcements of Iraqi and Iranian pro-government militiamen arrived south of the city earlier this week. The regime could not afford to lose this battle, otherwise it would have lost everything, he told AFP. Rebels and their jihadist allies had launched a major assault in Aleppos southern outskirts on July 31 in a bid to break the governments encirclement of the eastern neighbourhoods. They successfully opened a route into those districts a week later via Ramussa, but regime forces have managed to recapture nearly all that territory. Abdel Rahman told AFP on Thursday that rebels still hold marginal positions in a residential complex and a school. An AFP correspondent in the citys east said shops had been struggling since Sunday to secure goods to sell and that prices were skyrocketing. State news agency SANA also reported that the governments armed forces advanced south of Aleppo today. Once Syrias commercial powerhouse, Aleppo is now a divided city, with rebel groups firing into the government-held west and regime and allied Russian warcraft pounding the opposition-controlled east. On Wednesday, strikes by unidentified aircraft on the eastern Sukkari district left 11 civilians dead, according to the Observatory. Aleppo province, which borders Turkey to the north, is a patchwork of territory held by competing forces in Syrias war: rebels, the regime, Kurdish fighters, and jihadists. The Islamic State groups last major position in the province is Al-Bab, eyed by rival Kurdish and Arab fighters backed by the US-led coalition and Ankara respectively. At least 10 civilians were killed in the IS-held town of Taduf, near Al-Bab, in air strikes by unidentified aircraft on Wednesday, the Observatory said. Four IS fighters were also killed in the raids and another four bodies have yet to be identified, according to the monitor. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi : Delhi High Court on Thursday said the protection granted to some students, including Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya, against JNU's order holding them guilty of indiscipline in connection with a controversial February 9 event, would continue till September 28. "The protection will be there," Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva said after JNU counsel sought time to file additional documents and affidavit on the petitions filed by students who have challenged their punishment, which ranges from rustication for a few semesters to withdrawal of hostel facilities. During the hearing, the JNU counsel told the court that they have filed affidavit on the pleas of Khalid and Bhattacharya but certain additional documents have to be filed. The counsel, however, assured the court that the varsity would not take any action in the matter as of now. Regarding the pleas by other students, the court asked JNU to file separate affidavits on these petitions as factual aspect of these issues could be different. To this, JNU's counsel said "the court can hear me on these issues and if the court feels that we need to file separate affidavits, we will file it." When the court fixed the matter for hearing on September 28, the counsel appearing for the students said the varsity should be asked not to implement the August 22 order against their clients since the matter is pending before the court. The JNU counsel said, "We are not taking any action. We are not in any hurry." The court also told the petitioners that the "assurance" given by the varsity of not taking any action till the matter is pending would continue. The appellate authority of the university has rusticated Khalid from JNU till December this year while Bhattacharya has been asked to be out of the varsity for five years. Khalid and Bhattacharya, who were penalised along with 19 others, including Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar, have challenged the findings of the appellate authority. Kanhaiya and some other students have also moved court against the August 22 order. Kanhaiya, Khalid and Bhattacharya were earlier arrested in a sedition case in connection with the February 9 event on campus against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru during which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised. They are now out on bail. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday accused India of destabilising it by financing terrorism and supporting militancy, in a fresh rhetoric after Prime Minister Narendra Modi rapped Islamabad for producing and exporting terror. Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria at a weekly briefing here said, India is a country destabilising Pakistan through its support for militancy. Responding to Modis veiled reference towards Pakistan at international fora this week that one single nation in South Asia is spreading agents of terror in countries of our region, Zakaria said: India is in fact that single nation. Confessional statement by Kulbhushan (Jadav) is open evidence to show which country is involved in subversive activities in Pakistan, he said, referring to an alleged Indian spy claimed by Pakistan to be arrested in Balochistan. To a question whether Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would raise Kulbhushan issues at UN General Assembly session, he said that issue of Indian involvement and its atrocities in Kashmir would be highlighted. The issue (of Kulbhushan) will be raised because of its direct links with incidents of terrorism in Pakistan, he said. He expressed deep concern over the alleged human rights violations by Indian forces in Kashmir, saying several youths were killed and over 10,000 injured in the ongoing tension. He said Pakistan started briefing the world about Kashmir issue as 22 parliamentarians started visiting various countries as Prime Ministers envoys to highlight barbarism and worst kind of human rights violations in Kashmir. Replying to a question regarding Indias stand that UN resolutions on Kashmir have become inapplicable after Shimla agreement, Zakaria said Shimla Agreement cannot overrule the UN resolutions. He alleged that India violated UN resolutions and also the Shimla Agreement. He also said India launched Balochi language services to divert world attention from the Kashmir issue. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi : Shooting down the most awaited countdown, ISRO on Thursday successfully launched weather satellite INSAT-3DR on-board GSLV-F05 from the second launch pad at the spaceport of Sriharikota, about 110 km from Chennai. 1.ISRO's INSAT-3DR on-board GSLV-F05 launched: Here is why its a big deal for India? ISRO on Thursday successfully launched its advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR on-board GSLV-F05 from the second launch pad at the spaceport of Sriharikota, about 110 km from Chennai. 2.Pakistan responds after Modi's veiled attack; accuses India of financing terrorism on its soil Pakistan on Thursday accused India of destabilising it by financing terrorism and supporting militancy, in a fresh rhetoric after Prime Minister Narendra Modi rapped Islamabad for producing and exporting terror. 3.GST Bill becomes a law as President Mukherjee gives assent to the Constitution Amendment Bill President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday gave assent to Constitution Amendment Bill on Goods and Services Tax (GST), a major step towards rolling out the new indirect tax regime which the Modi government wants to come into effect from April 1 next year. 4.RBI Governor Urjit Patel discusses on economic situation FM Jaitley Reserve Bank Governor Urjit Patel on Thursday called on Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and is believed to have discussed the prevailing economic situation. 5.Ostracised in their own village, couple performs Ganesh Puja at CM Fadnavis's house A couple facing social boycott, imposed by a 'caste panchayat' in a village in coastal Konkan, on Thursday performed puja of the Ganesh idol installed at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's official residence here after he intervened on knowing about their plight. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Vientiane (Laos): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit here, their eighth meeting in the last two years. The PM invited President Obama to visit India after his term ends later this year, to which the US leader replied that he hasn't been to Taj with Michelle Yet. Two democracies and a defining partnership of our era! PM meets President Obama @POTUS on sidelines of EAS, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted. This could be their last meeting as leaders of the two countries with Obamas second term as US President coming to an end in November. They met for the first time at the White House in September 2014 when Modi travelled to Washington DC at the invitation of Obama. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Surat: BJP president Amit Shah along with Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and other party leaders were booed off stage as the members of Hardik Patels Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti created ruckus and vanadalised furniture at a programme to felicitate Patel leaders here. Chaos prevailed outside the venue as well as in Mota Varraccha area, where Patidar community members from the locality hurled stones at police. The function, supposed to be the show of strength of BJP in the Patidar stronghold, wound up hastily within minutes with Patel leaders cutting short their speeches while Shah could speak for hardly four minutes amid sloganeering. The ruckus started even before the commencement of the function with the Patel quota agitators raising slogans like Jai Sardar, Jai Patidar and hailing Hardik, even as they damaged furniture at the venue and flung chairs in air. The programme was organised by Patidar Abhivadan Samiti, an outfit floated by a local businessmen, to felicitate Patidar leaders including the newly-appointed state BJP chief Jitu Vaghani, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, Union ministers Purshottam Rupala and Manshukh Mandaviya. Though police detained several members of Patidar community, the protest continued. The slogan shouting continued even when top BJP leaders like Shah and Rupani started their respective address, forcing them to cut short their speech. While Shah wound up within four minutes, Rupani too could not speak for more than three minutes. The organisers abruptly declared the programme closed and the leaders were whisked away. The showdown was anticipated as the programme, viewed as BJPs outreach to Patels for 2017 Gujarat Assembly elections, was organised in the Patel-dominated Mota Varraccha area. Hardik-led PAAS and Sardar Patel Group (SPG) of Lalji Patel, who are spearheading the quota stir, had called upon their supporters yesterday to protest at the venue of todays programme. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Chennai: Dalit leader and Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Thursday said the alleged atrocities against Dalits in several parts of the country should not be politicised. Asserting that these incidents existed only due to casteism and not because of any particular regime, he said that there was no need for a CBI probe into the flogging of Dalit youths by cow vigilantes in July at Una in Gujarat as appropriate action had already been taken against the perpetrators by the state police. Attacks against Dalits take place because of "casteism" and not due to any particular regime in any state, be it AIADMK-led by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu, BJP or Congress party elsewhere in the country, he told reporters at a press conference here. "This issue should not be politicised," he said, adding that Jayalalithaa will take strong action against those attacking Dalits in Tamil Nadu. He said AIADMK returned to power due to Dalit votes in the May 16 Assembly election. Atrocities happened in several states against Dalits in places, including Una in Gujarat and Sambalpur in Uttar Pradesh, he said. "Dalits and non-Dalits will come together by following the Constitution," he hoped while adding that every person does not attack Dalits and only some fringe elements were behind them. On the demand for a CBI probe into the Una incident, he said there was no need for it and added that then Chief Minister Anandiben Patel had visited the area and victims. Stating that the demand for reservation had been growing, including the one by Patels of Gujarat, Athawale said, "I will discuss the issue with Prime Minister. We will take a decision in Parliament". The issue should be resolved and there should be no "quarrel" between people who get reservation benefits and those who did not, he said. To a question on the need for new laws to tackle honour killings in inter-caste marriages, he said though the present laws were not sufficient, the people and society at large should change the present "mindset" which would help tackle such issues. To encourage inter-caste marriages, he said his ministry was taking steps to hike the monetary aid being given for such marriages to Rs five lakh from Rs 2.5 lakh. He said his ministry was contemplating supporting NGOs engaged in eradicating casteism by providing them grants. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday said Karachi Chambers of Commerce and Industries, which cancelled Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawales public engagement at the last minute, is an independent body, a day after India summoned Pakistani envoy to lodge a strong protest over the incident. Asked about Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit being summoned by Ministry of External Affairs, Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said, Yes, he was called in by the Indian Foreign Office and given a demarche. We are gathering more information related to this episode. However, let me point out that Karachi Chambers of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) is an independent body. Basit was called to the South Block by MEA Secretary Sujata Mehta, who conveyed governments concern over discourtesy shown to Bambawale, whose address at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce was called off without any reason being given. Bambawale was told about the cancellation just half an hour before the event, invite for which was received and accepted by him a couple of weeks ago. India and Pakistan are engaged in a fierce verbal battle over terrorism and the situation in Kashmir. While India has accused Pakistan of supporting cross border terrorism, Pakistan, on its part, has been trying to internationalise Kashmir, alleging New Delhi of human rights violations. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. H John Voorhees III / H John Voorhees III A debate between six candidates vying for three positions the state legislature and senate will be held at the Ridgefield Library Sept. 28. The forum, sponsored by the Ridgefield League of Women Voters, will include six candidates who are running to represent the town in Hartford. A Centers for Disease Control study shows that firefighters have more cancer diagnoses and cancer-related deaths than the general population now some say its time for a National Firefighter Cancer registry. Calling it an important public health step, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-CT, and others in the region are asking for the creation of the registry. Cancer is a concern for every firefighter who runs into a burning building, Blumenthal said, adding that many household items, such as mattress and drapes, can emit noxious fumes when burned. In 2010, several agencies including the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health began a multiyear study of nearly 30,000 firefighters from Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco. Not only did the firefighters have more cancer deaths and diagnoses then other Americans, they also had roughly twice the rate of malignant mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The study further found that a firefighters chance of lung cancer increased with the amount of time spent at fires, and the chance of leukemia death increased with the number of fire runs. Blumenthal is championing the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act, a piece of legislation, introduced Tuesday, that would require the CDC to develop and maintain a voluntary database of firefighter cancer incidence data. He said a fire registry would paint a fuller picture of how cancer is afflicting firefighters, with the goal of preventing these illnesses. If we know the medical history (of firefighters), more action can be taken, he said. Bridgeport Hospital pulmonologist Dr. Philip Greenspan said he applauded the idea of a registry, particularly given the risk firefighters take. Certainly, we know firefighters are exposed to all sorts of toxins when they walk into a building, Greenspan said. They have no idea what they might be inhaling. A prime example of this, he said, was the terrorist attacks of 9/11, which has its 15th anniversary this weekend. Following the tragedy, many first responders and survivors developed health problems believed to be linked to carcinogens and pollutants at the various attack sites. Bridgeport Fire Chief Richard Thode supports the registry. He said the department has taken several steps to protect its firefighters from toxins, including installing special washing machines for their turnout gear. The registry is a larger extension of that. The nice thing with a registry is that well be able to track certain areas (where illnesses are common) and the age of the firefighters involved, he said. / Jason Rearick DANBURY - The city will mark the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on Friday with a Main Street ceremony. The annual remembrance gathering at our 9/11 Memorial each year provides us with an opportunity to come together to reflect on the tragedy and to remember those lost as a result, Mayor Mark Boughton said in a prepared statement. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON Theyve been showing up for 12 years now, donating blood a pint at a time. One day, they hoped, theyd hit 1,000 pints. And on Friday, two days before the 15th anniversary of 9/11, the Washington Volunteer Fire Department will reach a goal set in 2004, when the department decided to donate 1,000 pints of blood to commemorate the 3,000 lives lost that September day. Its special, said Duncan Woodruff, a retired fire chief. Weve been trying to raise 1,000 pints for all these years. A pint of blood can save three lives, according to the American Red Cross, and with 3,000 lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, the fire department thought 1,000 pints donated by the small Litchfield County town could help their hurting nation. As of last week, the department was at 976 pints donated, said the American Red Cross. Woodruff, who has personally donated five gallons 40 pints to the cause, said hell keep donating even after the department reaches its goal. People are still dying from 9/11-related illnesses, he said. It seems 1,000 pints for 3,000 lives no longer cuts it, he added. And at only 30 pints a drive, its no wonder it took more than a decade to reach the lofty goal. The 24th pint donated Friday will do the trick, according to the Red Cross. More Information If you go To donate, stop by the Washington Volunteer Fire Department's firehouse, 109 Bee Brook Rd. in Washington Depot, from 1 to 6:30 p.m. By the numbers: Pints of Blood Donated 2004: 58 2005: 52 2006: 90 2007: 93 2008: 89 2009: 83 2010: 81 2011: 73 2012: 75 2013: 37 2014: 101 2015: 86 2016: 58 Total: 976 See More Collapse Although Woodruff hopes he can donate the 1,000th pint himself, hell have some competition. First Selectman Mark Lyon said hell donate Friday. As of Wednesday afternoon, there were only two time-slots left open to donate. But walk-ins are always welcome, Woodruff said, adding that the department would like to donate as much blood to the Red Cross as possible, regardless of milestones. When it first happened it was such a tragedy, Woodruff said. And there are still people dying. The towns effort is the least they could do, he said. blytton@hearstmediact.com; 203-731-3411; @bglytton Fresh voices and veteran producers make up nominees for eleventh annual event TORONTO, Aug. 24, 2016 /CNW/ - The Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) today announced the nominees for the eleventh annual CMPA Feature Film Producer Awards. This year the CMPA has expanded its recognition program and will hand out two awards. The Established Producer Award will recognize an experienced producer for their entire body of work; the new Emerging Producer Award will recognize the extraordinary talents of an up-and-coming producer with a bright career ahead. "The creativity and skill demonstrated by the nominees truly reflects the amazing talents of Canada's feature film producers," said Reynolds Mastin, president and CEO, Canadian Media Producers Association. "It's an exciting time for Canadian cinema, and I am thrilled that the CMPA will now recognize both seasoned veterans of the film industry, as well as emerging creators who are blazing a trail with their new creative visions." The winners will be announced at the CMPA Feature Film Producer Awards Reception event at Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto on September 8. The event marks the official opening of the TIFF Industry Program at the 41st annual Toronto International Film Festival. And the nominees are Established Producer Award Nicholas de Pencier Film at TIFF: Black Code Production company: Mercury Films Inc. Roger Frappier Film at TIFF: Two Lovers and a Bear Production company: Max Films David Hamilton Film at TIFF: Anatomy of Violence Production company: Hamilton-Mehta Productions Peter Raymont Film at TIFF: All Governments Lie: Truth, Deception and the Spirit of I.F. Stone Production company: White Pine Pictures Nicole Robert Film at TIFF: Nelly Production company: Go Films Emerging Producer Award Jonathan Frantz Film at TIFF: Maliglutit ( Searchers ) Production company: Kingulliit Productions Fanny-Laure Malo Film at TIFF: Pays ( Boundaries ) Production company: La Boite a Fanny Hany Ouichou Films at TIFF: Ceux qui font les revolutions a moitie n'ont fait que se creuser un tombeau ( Those Who Make Revolution Halfway Only Dig Their Own Graves ); Prank Production company: Art & Essai About the Awards Established in 2005, the CMPA Feature Film Producer Awards recognize producers whose vision and entrepreneurship demonstrate a commitment and passion for producing Canadian feature films. To be eligible for nomination, producers must have a film selected for screening at TIFF that year. The winner of the Established Producer Award will receive $10,000 and the winner of the new Emerging Producer Award will receive $5,000. About the CMPA The Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) is the country's leading member-based advocacy organization for independent producers. We represent hundreds of companies engaged in the development of English-language content made for television, cinema and digital media channels. The CMPA works to promote the continued success of the Canadian production sector and ensure a future for diverse content made by Canadians for both domestic and international audiences. www.cmpa.ca SOURCE Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) For further information: Andrew Addison, [email protected], 647-789-2491 TORONTO, Sept. 7, 2016 /CNW/ - Lights, Camera, Action! Today, the city's most-anticipated film festival, which starts tomorrow, is making final preparations with the roll-out of Hudson's Bay's striped carpets at TIFF Bell Lightbox, Roy Thomson Hall and Ryerson Theatre. First to walk the carpet was Canadian actress Kari Matchett, who makes her debut at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival with a lead role in Maudie. The official red carpet, which has welcomed stars such as Dame Helen Mirren, Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth, Julianne Moore, and Natalie Portman at past festivals, will host many A-list talent set to descend upon the city for the 41st TIFF. Hudson's Bay returns for its sixth year as the Official Fashion Retailer and as the Official Red Carpet Sponsor for the festival. High-res images from the red carpet roll-out are available to download at http://bit.ly/2cC8r3s As an Official Red Carpet Sponsor, "Stars on Stripes" daily press alerts will round-up the hottest red carpet looks as talent walk the iconic Hudson's Bay carpets at this year's Festival. Twitter: @HudsonsBay Instagram: @HudsonsBay Facebook: @HudsonsBay Snapchat: hudsonsbay Hashtag: #starsonstripes About Hudson's Bay Incorporated in 1670, Hudson's Bay Company is North America's oldest company. Hudson's Bay stores have grown to become Canada's most prominent department store, today operating 90 full-line locations and thebay.com. It has established a reputation for quality, service, and style by offering well-edited assortments of exclusive and popular fashion, beauty, home and accessory designers and brands. It is part of the Hudson's Bay Company brand portfolio. SOURCE Hudson's Bay Image with caption: "Kari Matchett walks the Hudsons Bay striped carpet at TIFF Bell Lightbox. Photo credit: George Pimentel Photography (CNW Group/Hudson's Bay)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160907_C7746_PHOTO_EN_767491.jpg Image with caption: "Hudsons Bay rolls out the striped carpet in preparation for the Toronto International Film Festival. Photo credit: George Pimentel Photography (CNW Group/Hudson's Bay)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160907_C7746_PHOTO_EN_767489.jpg For further information: For more information or interviews, please contact: Daliah Hijazi, rock-it promotions, inc. at [email protected] or 416.656.0707 ext. 109; Meaghan Yuen, rock-it promotions, inc. at [email protected] or 416.656.0707 ext. 125 MONTREAL, Sept. 1, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Transat A.T. Inc., one of the largest integrated tourism companies in the world and Canada's holiday travel leader will release its third quarter 2016 (ended July 31) results on September 8. Jean-Marc Eustache, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and Denis Petrin, Vice-President, Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer, invite financial analysts to take part in a conference call the same day. Business reporters are welcome to attend the conference call in listen-only mode. Thursday, September 8 at 10:00 A.M. Dial 1-800-926-9801 Name of conference: Transat Webcast on www.transat.com The archived call will be available at 416-626-4100 or 1-800-558-5253 access code 21806236, until October 7, 2016. SOURCE Transat A.T. Inc. For further information: Christophe Hennebelle, Vice-President, Human Resources and Corporate Affairs, [email protected], 514-987-1660, 4584 A new portable cooling device to improve vaccine transportation in developing countries has been announced as the UK winner of the 2016 James Dyson Award. ISOBAR can keep vaccines cold for up to six days and can be recharged on the go in just over an hour, providing a safe and effective means of transportation. The device was invented by Loughborough University Industrial Design and Technology graduate William Broadway as part of his final year project. William will receive 2,000 to develop ISOBAR, which he plans to put towards building more prototypes and applying for patents. ISOBAR uses a chemical process to provide a long term cooling effect for vaccine delivery. A mix of ammonia and water is heated in a lower pressure vessel. The ammonia vaporises and separates from the water into the upper chamber where it is trapped by a valve. It remains trapped until the cooling effect is needed. It is anticipated that ISOBAR could save millions of lives, due to the fact that current vaccine programmes in developing countries do not meet the international standards for temperature safe vaccine distribution which leads to vaccines losing potency. Unsafe temperature control 70% of vaccine require 2-8C to maintain potency. Studies conducted by path.org found that 77% of countries did not comply with safe vaccine transportation practices outlined by the World Health Organisation. Will Broadway, 22-year old engineering student, explains how his portable cooling device works to improve vaccine transportation in developing countries. Broadway was announced UK winner of the 2016 James Dyson Award on Thursday. The video was posted on Loughborough Universitys William Broadway said: I am so pleased that the technology can get a bit of the limelight. Winning the UK James Dyson Award gives me the confidence to pursue my invention with my whole heart in the knowledge that yes, I can actually make this device, and that it could have a great impact for the benefit of thousands of people. Professor George Havenith, Dean of Loughborough Design School, said: We are extremely proud of Williams achievement. His award win is testament to the fantastic tuition we provide at Loughborough Design School. The ingenuity and creativity of our students grows year on year and we are very excited to see what the future holds. Jack Lang, Fellow at the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge, co-founder and chair of Raspberry Pi, and UK James Dyson Award judge 2016, added: ISOBAR is a brilliant invention. It solves a real problem and is a complete, well-thought-through system. ISOBAR and the UK national runners up will compete in the next round of the James Dyson Award as they go up against the best entries from 22 countries. The international winner will be announced on the 27 October, a title which is awarded along with a 30,000 prize to help the inventor in further developing their idea. In 2014, the International James Dyson Award was won by James Roberts, a fellow graduate from Loughborough Design School, with his invention the mOm Incubator a life-saving, low cost, inflatable, baby incubator for use in the developing world. James Dyson Awards Other James Dyson award project competitors are listed at the award site. SOURCES- Youtube, Loughborough University, James Dyson award website Eden Hazard has aimed a dig at former manager Jose Mourinho, praising Antonio Conte for treating his players well.Mourinho's time at Chelsea came to an end before Christmas last year after his team lost nine of their opening 16 Premier League games with the Portuguese tactician's relationship with key players, including Hazard, coming under the spotlight.Hazard's form dipped in 2015-16, but he has started this season under Conte on fire with two goals in three league games.Eden Hazard has aimed a dig at former manager Jose Mourinho, praising Antonio Conte for treating his players well.Mourinho's time at Chelsea came to an end before Christmas last year after his team lost nine of their opening 16 Premier League games with the Portuguese tactician's relationship with key players, including Hazard, coming under the spotlight.Hazard's form dipped in 2015-16, but he has started this season under Conte on fire with two goals in three league games. Popular man of God, Pastor Emma Chris Ifeanyi of the Laboratory Church of God, NTA, road Ngbuoba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State has released... Popular man of God, Pastor Emma Chris Ifeanyi of the Laboratory Church of God, NTA, road Ngbuoba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State has released a series of prophecies for Nigeria.In the prediction he released during a midweek service, the pastor said there will be a bit of Ebola outbreak in the country, while declaring that a governor will go mad.He further predicted that the Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha will go through series of afflictions.Here are 10 of prophecies by the cleric:1. Arthur Eze will die2. There will be a bit of Ebola disease in Nigeria.3. A train in India will have a fault that may lead to disaster.4. There will be a little progress in Nigeria because of the saints.5. Nigerian will be deported from Denmark.6. There will be fire outbreak in Ikoyi Lagos state.7. A Nigerian senator will be murdered.8. There will a riot in Benin city.9. A four-storey building will collapse.10. Pray for Pius Anyims health so God will sustain his life. The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday assured that the nations economic recession would not last. The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday assured that the nations economic recession would not last.Speaking at the 8th convocation ceremony of Redeemers University, Ede, Osun State, Osinbajo said the Federal Government is not unaware of Nigerians pains as a result of the economic crisis.He insisted that with measures taken by the government, the crisis would soon go away.The vice president challenged the youths not to despair but to multitask in order to break even.He said there is no way Nigeria could have avoided the recession since it had in February this year lost 60 per cent of its revenue to the activities of saboteurs.Osinbajo also identified pipelines vandalism and errors of some past leaders as causes of Nigerias current economic situation.He urged young graduates to be diligent and take advantage of various international trading platforms to improve their status. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has condemned calls for the postponement of the Edo state governorship election. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has condemned calls for the postponement of the Edo state governorship election.The Party issued the condemnation via a statement issued by the Ahmed Makarfi faction of the party. The statement read, ''Our attention has been drawn to the shocking breaking news of the advise by the DSS and the Police to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the Saturday, September 10, 2016 Gubernatorial Election in Edo State on excuse of insurgency alert.We are taken aback on this advise coming a day after the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari was present at the Mega Rally of its Party, the APC in Benin City which was concluded without any hitch. "It is on record that INEC recently conducted a 'hitch free' Senatorial By-Election in Borno State which is a high-point of insurgency in the Country but the Security Agencies saw no reason to call-off the Election. It is therefore lamentable to hear from these same security agencies that the Election cannot be held in a State where in less than 24 hours, the President and all the APC leaders and members had an uninterrupted Rally".''We are calling on the President, Muhammadu Buhari to caution the security agencies and direct them to provide full security, and also to desist doing anything that will jeopardize this forthcoming Gubernatorial Election in Edo State. We are equally counting on INEC not to succumb to this false alarm by acting independently and holding election as scheduled."We hope that this advice from the security agencies are not in concert with the APC of having seen the indices of loosing the Edo State Gubernatorial Election to the PDP". Finally, the Party leadership led by Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, CON, call on our members, teeming supporters, other Edo voters and the international community to remain law-abiding while staying alert on this calculated attempt at scuttling our hard earned democracy. Ayodele Fayose, governor of Ekiti state, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of being behind the call for the postponement of ... Ayodele Fayose, governor of Ekiti state, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of being behind the call for the postponement of the Edo state governorship election.Fayose lamented that within two years of APC government, Nigeria is in both economic and political recession.He alleged that the party made the move to have enough room to perfect a rigging strategy ahead of the poll. He also wondered why President Muhammadu Buhari visited the state to campaign for his party when he knew that it was not safe.Citing intelligence report, the Department of State Service (DSS) and the police had advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reschedule the election.It is obvious that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is challenged and afraid of losing the election and the party is using the federal government security agencies to cause a postponement of the election so as to be able to perfect its new rigging plans, the governor said in a statement issued by Lere Olayinka, his spokesman.Democracy is in danger under the APC government Within two years of APC government, Nigeria is in both economic and political recession and this should worry all true lovers of the country.Democracy in Nigeria has now graduated from inconclusive elections to postponement of elections in other to return APC candidates at all cost.The questions Nigerians must ask the APC-led federal government are: what security threat can overcome over 50,000 security personnel in an election holding in just one out of the 36 States in Nigeria? If election must be postponed in just one State because of security threat, what will then happen in 2019 when elections will be conducted in the entire country?Another question is: were they unaware of the security challenge when President Muhammadu Buhari went to Edo State to campaign for the APC yesterday?No doubt, this is a game being played by the APC because it has become so imminent that the party cannot win the election if it is held on Saturday as scheduled.The postponement is obviously meant to give room for the APC to perfect a new rigging strategy and lovers of democracy in Nigeria should begin to see how the APC aims at perpetuating itself in power beyond 2019 even now that the party has been rejected by Nigerians. Former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark, has warned that that the apparent delay by the Federal Government to comme... Former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark, has warned that that the apparent delay by the Federal Government to commence dialogue and the ongoing military operation exercise in the Niger Delta region, dubbed Operation Crocodile Smile at a time that militants had ceased hostilities following appeal by monarchs and leaders could jeopardize peace in the coastal states.This came as the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to commission a high powered panel to investigate all processes that led to the ongoing military operation and all the on ongoing cover-ups of military mishaps that have led to more than 20 deaths so far.Clark, who spoke to Vanguard on phone, said: I expected that after the monarchs, leaders and stakeholders of the Niger Delta coastal states were able to get the militants to sheathe their swords, the federal government would take advantage of it to commence genuine dialogue.But, that is not what we are seeing even after the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, came and heard from the people in Warri on the way forward. Suddenly, the Federal Government, which was all along looking for who to dialogue with, is foot-dragging.I was shocked when I saw that the Chief of Army Staff, who was in the same plane with me from Benin City to Abuja when I went to Abuja after the consultative meeting that saw militants sheathe their swords was, thereafter, launching Operation Crocodile Smile, he said. He asserted: There is no need to intimidate the people with Operation Crocodile Smile, as the people cannot dialogue under duress.They are creating another problem in the region. One expects that if the government is really sincere with the peace move, it should immediately commence the process for dialogue. We held the consultative meeting on August 19, nobody contacted the monarchs and leaders of the region to do that, they volunteered themselves from the six coastal states.I want to advise the federal to kick-start the peace process, as there is no need of the military starting an operation that cannot bring solution to the problem, he added. His words: I am appealing to President Buhari that Niger Delta people are part of the country and they should not be treated like second-class citizens. Before now, people were saying that the region could not speak with one voice. Now, their leaders have come out and they are speaking in one voice, yet, government is not seizing the opportunity.NDA in a statement by its spokesperson, self-styled Brig Gen Mudoch Agbinibo, said: The high command of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and the entire membership on behalf of the good people of the Niger Delta offer our condolences to the families and Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari, Commander in Chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the soldiers murdered in the ongoing military operation cum exercise codes named Operation Crocodile Smiles. Mr. President from available facts, the untimely deaths of these four (4) fine soldiers in the creeks of Bayelsa and another sixteen (16) that was recorded during the first four days of the exercise along the River Ethiope, in Delta state, but was earlier covered up is nothing more than act of murder.Their death is due to negligence, administrative greed and a corruption within the military constructed and perfected by the ascendant APC political class (conflict merchants we have mentioned times without numbers) from the Niger Delta and some Abuja paid and bought up interest, it said.The group asserted: Mr. President, the worrisome dimensions about the ongoing reorganization and restructuring of the unending security operations in the Niger Delta is where two of your head of security apparatus are boasting to the Minister of Defense that they have your ears.They assured him, it is now their turn to bloat their pockets and that they can talk you to even borrowing money to sustain the insecurity in the region.We have earlier advised against timing, strategy and objectives of the show of military might and the deployment of military hardware to the Niger Delta suddenly when there is certainly cessation of hostilities for peace talks to commence.But the top hierarchy of the Nigerian military was only after pecuniary monetary gains and that of a Champagne intelligence chief, who is desperately arm-twisting the peace processes continuously.The advice is that all lives matters! Why are you in a hurry to train over 2000 military personnel for just 4 to 14 days on amphibious military exercise to occupy the Niger Delta region when the Niger Elders and stakeholders are awaiting your response for peace talks?Have you forgotten the exploits of our great fathers during the infamous Nigerian Civil War in amphibious warfare without any military training? Is it because they were volunteers that the success was credited to Late Lt. Col. Benjamin Adekunle and Lt. Col Olusegun Obasanjo, instead of them?Mr. President as a veteran of that fateful war, you know that after all failures, the amphibious warfare and successes were under the command of Lt. Gen. Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro of blessed memory, the pride and face of the 3rd Marine Commandos (3MCDOS) constituted of able-bodied Ijaw warriors voluntarily.They were not given any formal military training prior to that great contribution to the unity of Nigeria, but they succeeded because there were amphibious by nature, the militant group said.NDA stated: Mr. President, the truth be told, we are the Great White Sharks of the Atlantic when it come to marine warfare! Operation Crocodile Smiles is ironically, a simulative military operation cum exercise for waters less than 2 fathoms in depth orchestrated by the top hierarchy of the military to undermine any genuine disposition from your government towards restoration of tranquility in the Niger Delta and to exhaust your security budget for the year, except you are thinking otherwise towards peace in the Niger Delta too.We, the Ijaw and the people of the Niger Delta occurred here times immemorial. We have resisted, any attempt of exclusions in the control of our God- given resources, from the Portuguese and British colonial trades and periods to date. We are ever ready to continue that resistance even without guns and ammunition, it said.Finally, Mr. President, in practical terms Crocodiles do not have any capacity to swim close to the water depth small tiger sharks swim and play around, not to talk of the depths of the great whites, the heart of the nations economy where we have overmastered. The mission ongoing in the Niger Delta is a brainchild of orchestrated military corruption at your face, Mr. President.Operation Crocodile Smiles is nothing but a conduit pipe for military contracts, political profiteers and patronages designed for the stress of your administrations scarce resources.If it has any other purpose, it is to satisfy the ego of a trigger -happy army chief, who killed over 800 Shiites just to have the right of way to a meeting even though there were other routes to his meeting.For the records, a depth of 2-3 fathoms in the Niger Delta region is likened to the waters our kids of ages between 3-8 years bathe and swim with crocodiles, alligators and other aquatic creatures in the mangroves/freshwater swamps of Niger Delta creeks, he added.(Vangaurd) Ijaw youths on Thursday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to create economic engagements in the Niger Delta region as the most sustainab... Ijaw youths on Thursday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to create economic engagements in the Niger Delta region as the most sustainable way of resolving the persistent crisis in the area.The youths under their umbrella body, Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, said any discussion with stakeholders involving sharing of money without stimulating the economy of the region would be a waste of time.The IYC President, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, who spoke in Yenagoa, reeled out some key projects which when undertaken would calm frayed nerves in the region.One of the key economic projects capable of changing the fortunes of the region, according to Eradiri, is the Brass Fertilizer Project in Bayelsa State.He appealed to Buhari to approve the project and direct the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to fund it the same way the apex bank is providing financial support to the Dangotes refinery project.He said the fertilizer project was designed to generate 12,000 jobs and create commercial traffic in the region.He said the Federal Government should also reverse its decision on the Maritime University at Gbaramatu in Delta State.He noted that it was cheaper to solve the problems of the region through economic engagements than through military operations like the ongoing Operation Crocodile Smile. Outgoing Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has dismissed claims by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in t... Outgoing Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has dismissed claims by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in the Saturdays election, Pst Ize-Iyamu, that he had never been indicted for any crime before.Recall that Iyamu recently said he was rusticated for being a member of the Pirate confraternity at the University of Benin, UNIBEN, and not because he poured acid on someone as it was widely insinuated.But Oshiomhole while speaking in Benin, the state capital, alleged that, Iyamu was rusticated by a panel led by Prof. Itse Sagay for two years after he bathed a student with acid.Oshiomhole said, Ize-Iyamu said he has never been indicted in his life. And that he made his first millions when he was 31. Now I challenge him, as a student in UNIBEN, he was rusticated for two years because he poured somebody acid and today the person is paralysed.It was one of the Presidents Advisers today, Prof.Itsey Sagay that chaired the committee that rusticated Ize-Iyamu.On the issue of Bendel Brewery, the outgoing governor said, We have not been able to reopen Bendel Brewery because of the huge debt the PDP left in that place. I heard Ize-Iyamu saying that they were collecting N25million monthly from Bendel Brewery but now as the custodian of the treasure of Edo state, I can tell you those monies went into private pockets. And by the time they left, Bendel Breweries was owing N2billion, which they borrowed and the company was closed. The police in Lagos on Thursday paraded an aggrieved fraudster, Henry Ezechie with six others who allegedly specialise in internet fraud. The police in Lagos on Thursday paraded an aggrieved fraudster, Henry Ezechie with six others who allegedly specialise in internet fraud.The suspects were all arrested on Saturday at Ajah, after Ezechie who felt cornered in a $7,090 deal he had with Kenneth Eric alias Biggie, petitioned the police alleging that the others were kidnappers and fraudsters.It was gathered that detectives from the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence (SCIID) Panti-Yaba stormed Erics Ajah residence and arrested Stephen Onwunama, Jacob Chukwuka and two others.However, Onwunama and Chukwuka have both denied being criminals insisting that they were just Biggies friends and usually visited his home.Ezechie who admitted reporting to the police said he was angry that Biggie refused to give him his 80 percent share of the loot.Biggie is the one owing me. We had a $7,090 deal and he refused to give me my 80 percent share of the money and so, I took the payment slip to the police to report. We do yahoo business (Internet fraud). It was my deal. He is the picker and so, his share is 20 percent.Picker is the person who receives the money and sends to Nigeria. He has contacts in America who pick the money and send through money transfer. I have been doing this business for some years now to survive, but this was my major breakthrough and he refused to give me my money. It is dating that we do. We use Match, Facebook and other sites, he said.But Eric, who admitted he was into Internet fraud, denied being a kidnapper. He also denied defrauding Ezechie, claiming that the deal did not click.20160908_114110Henry alleged me. He gave me a transaction of N300,000 which did not click and he went to the police to claim that I was a kidnapper and a fraudster. He left what we were doing and started talking rubbish. Whoever gave him that receipt he took to the police was just deceiving him. I do Facebook loto. We tell victims that if they pay $800 they will win $100,000. Most of our victims are white people because they are greedy, he said.Onwunama who denied being a fraudster said he only came to visit his friend and he was arrested.He claimed that he was a government worker in Delta State, adding that he laid somewhere in the room when the police came and searched everywhere.They found nothing on me. They searched my phones and laptop and they didnt see anything that has to do with fraud in it. I was just visiting my friend and I have spent two weeks in his place. I was to go back to Asaba on Sunday before I was arrested on Saturday. I dont know how it is an offence to be a friend to a fraudster, he claimed.Chukwuka also denied being a fraudster, insisting that he only went to Kenneths place after he heard the police were there.I was at my house when I heard that the police were at Kenneths place to arrest him that he was a kidnapper and a fraudster. So, I went there with my younger brother to explain that I know him. That he was not a kidnapper. Thats how I was also arrested. I did not do anything wrong. I have never been a criminal in my life, he said.Parading the suspects, Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni said they will be charged to court at the completion of investigation. The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the postponement of Saturdays governorship election in Edo ... The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the postponement of Saturdays governorship election in Edo state as illegal, saying its a coup against the people.The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier on Thursday announced its decision to hold the election, only for the commission to reverse itself hours later.The party, in a statement by its spokesman, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, said the date should be kept sacrosanct, stressing that there were no tangible reasons to tamper with the election.The statement said: The call for the postponement of the election by the top hierarchy of the security agencies predicated on alleged security threat was a less than ingenious attempt to buy time for the APC which is clearly heading for a major electoral catastrophe on Saturday.It is shameful and indeed a major constitutional breach for the security agencies to act in concert with the APC to truncate an election that had been planned for months.Nigerians were not deceived by the obvious concoctions of the security agencies whose performances during elections have been less than average since the advent of the Buhari administration.Indeed they have become instruments in the hands of the ruling party to harass, intimidate and punish opponents.The PDP called on the President and the National Assembly to conduct a non -partisan and holistic review and investigation of the national security apparatus to save the nations fledging democracy. There is no going back on the October 1 date for the implementation of speed limiting device nationwide as approved by President Mohamma... There is no going back on the October 1 date for the implementation of speed limiting device nationwide as approved by President Mohammadu Buhari, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said.The Commissions Corps Marshall, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, stated this yesterday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, at a public enlightenment forum for stakeholders in the transportaion sector, at old AKTC Park, on Ikot-Ekpene Road, Uyo.Oyeyemi, who was represented by his assistant in charge of Policy, Research and Statistics, Dr. Kayode Olagunju, expressed dismay over the alarming statistics of road crashes on Nigeria highways.He disclosed that last year, over 12,077 road crashes were recorded out of which 5,400 people (68 per cent) were said to have died as a result of over speeding.The FRSC chief regretted that most of the crashes would have been avoided if appropriate safety measures had been adopted by those plying the highways.According to him, the speed limiting device which would take effect next month, willsave Nigerians the embarrassment on the highways.Most of the road crashes are preventable,if we are able to bring down the speed. Well be saving a lot of lives on our highways he said, noting that accidents are caused not made.In his remarks, the Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Transport, Mr Godwin Ntukude, expressed satisfaction with the introduction of the speed limiting device. He, however, called for a technical session with all stakeholders to enlighten them on the nitty-gritty of the policy.Utukude said: There is no policy introduced by the government that will not have a positive effect on lives of the people, but let us have technical session with experts to ascertain whether it can be installed on an expired used (Tokumbo) vehicles or not. It is important for us to know this so that the good policy could not be rendered in another way.The commands spokesman, Mr. Godgive Uwem, who spoke on the importance of speed limiting device, said Nigerian will be joining countries like Japan, Australia Sweden and the United States (U.S.), with the introduction and implementation of the policy. Assistant Controller of Prisons, Othman Musa, has alleged that frequent adjournment of court cases has contributed to rampant cases of ja... Assistant Controller of Prisons, Othman Musa, has alleged that frequent adjournment of court cases has contributed to rampant cases of jail breaks in the country.Musa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja that the prisons structures across the country were old and dilapidated. Most of our facilities are virtually as old as Nigeria because most of them are over 100 years old and the same structures, housing large number of inmates.These are buildings constructed during the pre-colonial period and they house as much as 40 inmates, more than thrice its capacity. So you find out that at any given time, there is congestion, which is not unconnected with the frequent adjournment of court cases. We have more awaiting trials than the convicted inmates.So where you are supposed to have 10 people in a room, you are now having 20 or 25 people, he said. Musa, however, said the Service was doing a lot and has by taken a number of measures in many areas to address the issues. The prisons official also wants the public to assist by showing love and care to prisoners. Those incarcerated are our brothers, sisters and relations, but we hardly go and visit them, when they are in prison or out of prison, he said.He said the moment you stigmatise an ex-convict, he has no alternative than to go back to their old friends and the, back to prisons. But if you show them love and care after imprisonment, introduce him to religious activities, bring them closer to you and give advise, we may perhaps change them. He also said that the welfare of prisoners was poor but that efforts were on to improve on the condition. As at now, I can say the feeding is okay. you know you cannot feed a person three times daily on N1,000 and expect that food to be okay.But with the present increase in feeding fee, there is much improvement in the quality of the meals. Their feeding is N400 now per meal three times per day (which is equal to N1,200 daily). 403 Forbidden 403 Forbidden Code: AccessDenied Message: Access Denied RequestId: 3257114EFCFB7B19 HostId: gCOZSh6mW6Y2PY29SNPsDg+F+1cAix1Ku25a75MiVtq+9MD+4rIXjrRANTbH9Fiqd3rLpESEQxk= An Error Occurred While Attempting to Retrieve a Custom Error Document Code: AccessDenied Message: Access Denied ATLANTIC CITY -- A one-sentence post on Facebook following the shooting of an Atlantic City police officer last week has a city councilman in the crosshairs of the state's police union. New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association President Pat Colligan called for Atlantic City Councilman Moisse Delgado to resign for writing, "Don't think that just because suspects were apprehended that the POLICE are relaxing and hands are off their weapons." Colligan characterized the Facebook post as "stupidity," and said it's the most irresponsible comment made by a politician since he's been president, PressofAtlanticCity.com reported. Delgado termed the post, "a reflection." The officer, Joshlee Vadel, was badly wounded when he was shot as he and his partner tried to stop a robbery at a casino parking deck early Saturday morning. Two Cumberland County men have been charged with murder, robbery and weapons offenses. A GoFundMe for the officer has raised more than $76,000 as of 8:30 a.m. Thursday. An online petition demanding Delgado's resignation has also been started. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. ATLANTIC CITY -- The Florida real estate developer who owns the former Revel Casino blasted a state board on Thursday, saying that they were standing in his way of reopening the boardwalk resort and that he wanted to withdraw his application for a key approval. Glenn Straub, who has previously threatened to abandon his effort to revive the shuttered casino, took aim at the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority's land use board during a hearing for a site plan approval after the board's chairman said a landscaping plan was needed as part of the approval process. "You come in here with $150 million to spend in your city and this is what you come up with?" he said. "Just keep it up. This building will be shut down forever." The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, or CRDA, is requiring Straub's company, Polo North Country Club, apply for an amended site plan application because the addition of a ropes course on the former Revel property changes the way traffic flows through the site. The CRDA must approve the amended site plan before the city can issue a temporary certificate of occupancy allowing the building to reopen. The application first came in front of the land use board in August but the meeting was continued to Thursday because officials said the application was not "thorough and complete." Polo North appeared to have addressed previous concerns about the traffic change but Paul Weiss, the chairman of the land use board, said the landscaping plan, which was also discussed at the August meeting, would be a condition of approval. Straub erupted after that assertion. "We got $200,000 in this simple application and you're now adding up landscaping, 100,000 plants on that property? We're not going to keep changing things. We'll leave it go the way it is," he said. Florida developer Glenn Straub, the current owner of the now-closed Revel casino in Atlantic City, criticized a state board on Thursday, saying they were delaying his effort to reopen the property. (Michael Ein/The Press of Atlantic City via AP) Weiss said the CRDA is not requiring Polo North to plant 100,000 plants. "The CRDA is asking the applicant to produce, as is required under municipal land use law, a landscaping plan," Weiss said. "Plant as many plants as you wish. Plant them in what ever variety you wish. We want a plan that demonstrates compliance with the law. That's all." "The application is withdrawn," Straub replied. He later left the meeting. But the hearing continued with comments from the public, including nearby residents who raised concerns about noise at the property, and Straub's lawyer, Nicholas Talvacchia, told the board at the end of the hearing that the application was moving forward. The land use board will make a recommendation on Polo North's application by Sept. 20, the next time the full CRDA board meets. The landscaping plan isn't the only issue that may hold up Polo North's approval. The CRDA has also said Polo North must pay an outstanding balance it owes for Special Improvement District assessments. Polo North has made clear it plans to fight the CRDA over that payment. Straub pledged in March that the property that he bought for $82 million last year would be open by June 15. That date came and went and the building has not yet opened. Straub has repeatedly assigned blame on state officials for delaying the opening and said in early August that he was so fed up with the red tape in New Jersey that he might quit his effort to reopen the resort. During the hearing on Thursday, Weiss asked Talvacchia what the plan actually was for the property. Straub has previously raised a number of possibilities for the boardwalk site, including housing Syrian refugees and establishing a "university of geniuses." Talvacchia said the plan is to reopen the building as a resort hotel, possibly with a casino. He said he could not disclose a timeline for when different amenities at the resort may open but said "everything is moving forward. The goal is to open it sooner than later." "That's our goal too," Weiss replied. Erin O'Neill may be reached at eoneill@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LedgerErin. Find NJ.com on Facebook. EDGEWATER -- AvalonBay presented plans Wednesday to rebuild an apartment building destroyed in a massive blaze, this time with beefed up fire safety features. About 500 people in 240 units lost their homes in the Jan. 21, 2015 fire, which started when maintenance workers accidentally sparked it while using a blowtorch. AvalonBay plans to use the same lightweight wood-frame construction, with the same number of units on the same footprint as the building that burned down, said Robert Kasuba, an attorney representing the company in its zoning board application. And while state legislators have not toughened fire safety regulations since the fire, AvalonBay plans to go "above and beyond" existing code to protect the building from future blazes, he said. Stuart Lachs, the architect for AvalonBay, said the new building would use a more comprehensive sprinkler system than the original. The new system includes sprinklers in concealed spaces, covers a larger area and discharges water faster. AvalonBay also proposes to add concrete masonry firewalls to the building, running up to 30 inches over the roof. Lachs said the building would add more fire department connections in addition to the six hydrants on the streets. Members of the board and public questioned way AvalonBay proposed hollow masonry firewalls rather than filling them, which might slow down a fire even further. "We have selected what we believe are appropriate measures," Lachs said, adding that AvalonBay consulted with Edgewater fire officials. Kasuba said the new building would mostly conform to the original site plan, first approved in 1998. That building burned down in 2000, just as construction was about to finish. Fire officials blamed the lightweight wood-frame construction of the building for allowing the 2015 blaze to spread so quickly. In the wake of the fire, lawmakers called for changes to state construction codes to either ban or better protect such structures, but those measures have thus far gone nowhere. Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), chair of the state assembly's fire safety commission, has proposed legislation to require more widespread sprinklers and masonry firewalls in multifamily buildings constructed with lightweight materials. Wisniewski said he hopes to see the bill progress this fall. Build With Strength, a coalition backed by the concrete industry, released a poll Wednesday showing that the vast majority of voters want limits to wood-frame construction. The poll, conducted by Axis Research, of Virginia, surveyed 400 registered voters in New Jersey. Mayor Michael McPartland, who had spent only a few days in office when the fire broke out, said more sprinklers would have made a difference. "It's something that would have stopped the fire in its tracks and I'm looking forward to legislation," he said. Jack Murphy, a deputy fire coordinator for Bergen County and former Leonia fire chief, said firefighters had called on builders and public officials to examine lightweight construction since the 1980s. "The industry has to say, 'We saw what happened here. We've got to step forward,'" Murphy said. The zoning board meeting Wednesday stretched until past 10 p.m. AvalonBay's hearing is scheduled to continue Oct. 5. Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 403 Forbidden 403 Forbidden Code: AccessDenied Message: Access Denied RequestId: 680A6BF62C479508 HostId: OCaCT5hEnLep3td+vrrFj6i/S7Z/Jas+of2OtR5oV1gXUgXOcNLnEOpCsplNUPtIb9PLE69Q+Lo= An Error Occurred While Attempting to Retrieve a Custom Error Document Code: AccessDenied Message: Access Denied As the debate over how to fund road projects in New Jersey continues with no end in site, dozens of projects remain stalled in Bergen County. These include over $13 million to repair or rebuild the 8th Avenue Bridge between the Passaic and Wallington, which the state classified as structurally deficient in 2013. Other projects include over $4 million to repair a rail bridge over Overpeck Creek in Ridgefield Park, thousands to upgrade Department of Transportation facilities and the dredging of a contaminated pond in Franklin Lakes. Hundreds of road projects across New Jersey were shut down in July when Gov. Chris Christie signed an executive order to suspend $3.5 billion in "nonessential" road construction. The work is on indefinite hold as lawmakers battle over a plan to replenish the nearly-insolvent Transportation Trust Fund. Municipal projects that include the repaving of local streetsmake up many of the stalled projects on the list. Click to see graphic in mobile app Fausto Giovanny Pinto may be reached at fpinto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @FGPreporting. Find NJ.com on Facebook. boozle_hospice_miller_49.JPG Margaret Shaw holds a photo of her mother Ida Shaw. New legislation banning hospice facilities from charging for unused days is being introduced because of her efforts. (Andrew Miller/For NJ Advance Media) We New Jerseyans love to complain when politicians don't keep their promises. Today we share the story of a promise kept. Last month, we told you about Margaret Shaw, a woman whose 95-year-old mother Ida Shaw needed hospice care. She went to Center for Hope in Scotch Plains. As part of the contract, Center for Hope required a seven-day upfront payment. The contract clearly stated there would be no refunds under any circumstances. Shaw said she didn't like the provision, but felt she had no choice. The hospital was rushing to get her mom discharged, she said. She paid the $2,730, or $390 a day, upfront. Her mother died at Center for Hope two-and-a-half days after she checked in. Margaret Shaw said she was happy with the care her mother received, but she was bothered by the upfront payment with no refund. She tried to contact her legislators, requesting they introduce a bill to ban the practice. She didn't get responses, but when Bamboozled followed up with the legislators, that changed. Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz and Senator Tom Kean stepped up, and they offered to draft legislation. Identical bills will be introduced Thursday in both houses, the legislators said. "This would prevent a hospice from charging a patient or family member for time periods in which the hospice is not providing services and the hospice is free to place another patient in the bed," the Assembly version said. Munoz said she wants this protection for consumers. "Fees imposed by hospice care centers must be fairly applied and the experiences of my constituents are proof that guidelines are needed to ensure fairness in billing for services rendered," she said. Kean said he's looking forward for the passage of the bill. "This bill provides some appropriate safeguards on hospice billing practices," Sen. Kean said. The legislation is exactly what Shaw wanted. "I'm totally amazed that it happened so quickly," Shaw said. "It shows in my heart they believe in what I believe in and they know this is a change that needs to be made immediately." Maryjean Butler, who also supports the legislation, contacted Bamboozled after reading Shaw's story. She said she had a similar experience with Center for Hope. Her father Kenneth Butler died in 2013 at the age of 87 after spending one night in the facility. "I was told about the advanced one week payment and the no refund policy. I certainly did not agree with it but basically had no choice," Butler said. She said the advanced billing/no refund policy should be banned. "It is a very emotional/stressful time and families do not need this additional pressure," she said. So legislators, here's a chance to step up for your constituents. This issue transcends party. No one knows when a family member may need end-of-life care, and we're sure you don't want families paying for care their loved ones don't receive. Offer to co-sponsor the bills. And when they come up for votes, please give your support. And, readers, we'll keep you posted on any progress. Have you been Bamboozled? Reach Karin Price Mueller at Bamboozled@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KPMueller. Find Bamboozled on Facebook. Mueller is also the founder of NJMoneyHelp.com. Stay informed and sign up for NJMoneyHelp.com's weekly e-newsletter. A medical supply company accused of illegally telephoning Medicare patients has agreed to pay $12.2 million in penalties to the government. Federal court in Newark. A medical supply company has agreed to pay $12 million to settle claims it illegally called Medicare patients to sell medical equipment. U.S. Healthcare Supply violated the False Claims Act by cold-calling people in an attempt to sell them devices and equipment they may not even need, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Paul J. Fishman said in a news release on Wednesday. The Milford-based company will pay $5 million plus interest while owner and president Jon P. Letko agreed to pay $1 million plus interest, officials said. His brother, Edward J. Letko, the owner and president of Oxford Diabetic Supply Inc., a medical equipment supplier that allegedly also participated in the scheme, has agreed to pay $6 million plus interest. Authorities said the Letkos set up a phony company, Diabetic Experts Inc., to place the calls. They then submitted claims to Medicare for the equipment that they sold, which violates the Medicare Anti-Solicitation statute, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. CAMDEN -- A Sicklerville man who admitted to hiring unauthorized immigrants at his Voorhees dry cleaning business and evading payroll taxes was sentenced to 15 months in prison Thursday. Phillip Hui, 38, had pleaded guilty in May in U.S. District Court in Camden to one count of harboring illegal aliens and one count of conspiracy to obstruct and impede the IRS relating to the failure to collect, account for and pay payroll taxes, according to a press release from U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman. According to court records, Hui conspired with his business partner at New Eastern Cleaners, Kathy Lei, as well as the owner of another business, Minute Man Dry Cleaning in Williamstown. Lei, 36, of Williamstown, pleaded guilty to the same charges as Hui and is scheduled to be sentenced in October. It is not clear whether the Minute Man owner, identified in court documents only as B.L., has been charged. Hui and Lei admitted that she co-owned a house on South Street in Williamstown with B.L. and one other person, where they housed immigrants whom they employed in both dry cleaning establishments in 2012 and 2013. They at times employed a total of 13 or 14 unauthorized immigrants, court records show. "They were required to work six days a week, approximately 10 hours a day and paid between $400 and $500 dollars per week," Fishman said. "Their rent was part of the employment compensation." Federal prosecutors alleged that by paying the workers in cash and not paying payroll tax, Hui and Lei cheated the U.S. Treasury out of $97,104. "Hui knew he was required to verify that all of his employees were eligible to work in the United States, either as U.S. citizens or immigrants who had work authorization from Immigration and Customs Enforcement," Fishman said in the press release. Instead, he said, Hui hired workers from Mexico and Guatemala who did not have legal status in the U.S. Hui and Lei admitted that her tax returns for parts of 2012 and 2013 only included wages paid to legal employees. Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. Find NJ.com on Facebook. PHILADELPHIA -- The Burlington County man accused of gunning down another South Jersey resident following a dispute inside a city night club will stand trial for murder, the late man's mother confirmed. Xavier Braswell, 23, of Burlington City Xavier Braswell, 23, of Burlington City, was arrested after the July 25 slaying of Shelton Merritt, 24, of Lindenwold, near Cavanaugh's River Deck. Accoding to philly.com, Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge James DeLeon ruled Wednesday that Braswell -- whom Willingboro police had arrested on drug and weapons possession charges back in March -- would be held for trial on murder and weapons charges. "It brings me joy to know that my son dying was not in vain, because this young man [Braswell] I believe would have kept killing. My son was sacrificed to get this evil off the street," Alicia Merritt, the late man's mother, said Thursday -- which would have been Shelton Merritt's 25th birthday. Per the report, a 23-year-old man who was with Braswell the night of the shooting testified that he saw the accused gunman fire at the parked vehicle. Merritt's mother previously told NJ Advance Media that her son had intervened when he allegedly saw Braswell roughing up a woman inside the club. An argument ensued and club security escorted the offending patrons out. Braswell allegedly caught up with Merritt not long after the altercation and shot him nine times while he was still seated in the back of a Jeep. Friends and family at the late man's Aug. 3 funeral called on young people to put down their weapons and settle their disputes. A safe surrender event, which those close to Merritt hoped would be held this month, has yet to be scheduled. "I wasn't at court because emotionally I wasn't ready, but my family was there. I thank God that justice is being served," Merritt said. Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Erin O'Flaherty knew the spotlight would be on her as she headed to the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City -- but not just because she'd be representing the Show Me state as Miss Missouri. O'Flaherty, 23, is the first openly gay contestant in the 95-year history of the New Jersey pageant. "It's a little hard because I think some people think I'm one-dimensional and I'm not," O'Flaherty told NJ Advance Media. She didn't court the media after she won her state title, but they came calling all summer, so she knows that if she wins the pageant on Sunday, headlines will emphasize her sexual identity. "I have embraced it because I feel a responsibility to the LGBT community to represent them well," she says. O'Flaherty's pageant platform is suicide prevention, a personal mission inspired by the death of a friend when she was 13. She uses her platform to support the Trevor Project, an organization that works on crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth. "I'm doing this for something that's bigger than me, but I really want to be the best ambassador for the Trevor Project that I can be and one way that I can do that is also being open and authentic about who I am," she says. O'Flaherty grew up in South Carolina and competed in pageants before coming out as gay when she was 18. The former Miss University of Central Florida has her bachelor's degree in accounting and moved to Missouri three years ago, where she co-owns a women's boutique called Rachel's Grove with her aunt. ("I don't know if I have a better fashion sense, but I definitely know what mine is," O'Flaherty says of her pageant looks, which have included a metallic red gown with a plunging neckline and a white bikini). The Missouri miss calls herself a lifelong entrepreneur. "In second grade I would take candy bars to school and try to sell them," says O'Flaherty, who was a finalist for a new Women in Business scholarship at the pageant. "Business has always been my thing." O'Flaherty says the boutique is just the beginning for her -- for starters, she'd like to expand the store and open more locations. Erin O'Flaherty during evening gown competition at Boardwalk Hall. (Tim Hawk | For NJ.com) The last major Miss America first came in 2013 when Nina Davuluri became the first Miss America of Indian heritage. That same year, Miss Kansas, Theresa Vail, became the first Miss America contestant to take the pageant runway showing her tattoos. For now, O'Flaherty is having fun with the extra attention from national media. "From the Show Me State, I've got a lot to show you, America!" she trumpeted in her "parade of states" introduction at the first night of preliminary competition at Boardwalk Hall Tuesday. O'Flaherty has already competed in the swimsuit, evening gown and onstage question portion of preliminary competition. On Thursday night, she'll tackle the talent category by belting out "Mad Hatter," a song from the musical "Wonderland," which starred Kate Shindle, the former Miss America from New Jersey. And, whatever happens in Atlantic City on Sunday -- whether it be another pageant first or business as usual -- O'Flaherty's got her eye on the prize. "I think what I want people to know is that by the end of my year, nobody will be talking about my sexuality," she says. "They'll be talking about the things I did as Miss Missouri or Miss America." Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup or on Facebook. There she is -- Gretchen Carlson, the former Fox News anchor and Miss America who took a stand against what she claimed was ongoing sexual harassment from Roger Ailes, the CEO of Fox News, setting in motion a chain of events that saw the executive booted from his lofty post atop the media dynasty he helped create. Carlson, who left Fox in June after her contract was not renewed, settled her sexual harassment lawsuit against Ailes with Fox on Tuesday for $20 million just as the 2017 Miss America pageant was getting underway in Atlantic City. She received an apology from Fox, and, after she filed, other women who came forward with their own claims about Ailes received settlements, too. Carlson as Miss America 1989. (Tom Patrick/AP) Between rehearsals for the pageant, which airs on Sunday, Miss America contestants weighed in on Carlson's decision to go public with her harassment claims. Carlson, 50, who filed suit against Ailes in Bergen County Superior Court in July, won the 1989 pageant title. In her book, "Getting Real," Carlson says she faced unwanted advances from men soon after her Atlantic City crowning in 1988, both from someone who promised to help her with job opportunities and someone she worked with at a local TV station. Miss New Jersey, Brenna Weick, says she got asked about Carlson at her private interview with the preliminary judges this week. "I was able to talk about how women right now need to speak out against those kind of things, against oppression and sexual harassment," says Weick, 22, of Mantua, a journalist hopeful herself. "This is a time when women are so empowered. We have a woman on the ticket for our presidency, which is really exciting, and still, things like this are happening, where we're being singled out for things we shouldn't be singled out for and so I think it's really good that she's speaking out against it." Carlson, who says Ailes retaliated against her after she turned down his advances, also says she was demoted at Fox after she complained against mistreatment by another colleague. "We talk a lot in the (Miss America) organization about how, 'If you can see her, you can be her,' and Gretchen Carlson is a woman who I think a lot of people aspire to be," Weick says. "For her to say, 'No, this is not OK, I'm not going to stand for this,' is really good, I think, for girls of all ages to see." Other Miss America contestants applauded Carlson, a former Miss Minnesota and Miss America board member, for speaking out, but some said they couldn't be sure what they would've done in her situation. "I don't know what I would've done in her shoes, but I stand by her," says Miss New York, Camille Sims. "Because I think women have suffered so much, especially in this regard, of standing up for yourself and being shamed for standing up for yourself," she continues. "And I don't think it's fair that women have to apologize just for being in the workplace because we make up 48 percent of the workplace and we should feel safe and empowered. And so I stand behind her," says Sims, 23, an alumna of Cornell University. "But if I was in that situation, I would hope that I would stand up for myself and rise to the occasion. But, you know, you never know what's coming into play for her and I'm so happy for her that she found that inner strength, and even though it could have jeopardized her career or caused some kind of backlash, she stood up for herself and started a movement for other women." Miss Louisiana, Justine Ker, an aspiring doctor who majored in neuroscience and has deferred from Tulane University School of Medicine to assume her state titleholder duties, also weighed in on Carlson's settlement. "I thought she did a great job, because we live in a culture and an environment right now of shame," says Ker, 22. "What she has done is an act of bravery and an act of confidence." Miss Missouri, Erin O'Flaherty, has received more media attention than many other contestants because she is the first openly gay contestant in the pageant's history. She considers Carlson's story a tale of vindication, but thinks it's unfortunate that she had to wait to come forward with her allegations. "I feel for her because I think she thought if she did speak up many years ago, that it would be at the expense of her career," says O'Flaherty, 23. "And so I really felt sad for her that she waited for so many years. I'm happy for the settlement that she got, but I'm not the kind of person that would take that at this point in my life, so I would move on." Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup or on Facebook. Newark car wanted in shooting Police said the vehicle on the left is wanted in the shooting while the other image was released to help show the same model of car. (Photo: Dept. of Public Safety) ( ) NEWARK -- Police on Thursday released a photo of a car they said is wanted in connection with a shooting at a South Orange Avenue liquor store. Officers responded to reports of gunfire at the Mayfair Liquor Store shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday and found the 26-year-old man wounded at the scene, according to police. He was treated at University Hospital and his injuries are not considered life-threatening. Police identified a car sought in the attack is a black Oldsmobile Alero, model year 2001 to 2003, with a temporary New Jersey license plate in the back. The car also has tinted windows. At least one back seat passenger was in the car along with a driver during the shooting, according to authorities. Anyone with information was urged to contact the Newark 24-hour Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867). Police say all anonymous tips are kept confidential and can lead to a reward. Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook. According to France, strict aid accounting regulations prevent the international community from financing security operations in Africas Sahel region, a stripe of land between the Sahara desert to the north and the Sudanian Savanna (historically known as the Sudan region) to the south. The region has for long been neglected by the worlds leading players due to the persisting security issues that no one wants to get involved in. France is the only major Western economy that has the motivation to address this sensitive area. The financing of security operations in poor countries has long been off table for most donors, who are often not willing to fund the maintenance of order. Sylviane Guillaumont Jeanneney, the President of the Foundation for International Development Study and Researchs (FERDI), commented that We have launched a consultation on security and development in the Sahel, and we found that the cost of inaction would be far higher than the cost of the investment needed to develop the region. Frances efforts have been among most important actions in the region. Since the 2012 crisis in Mali, the number of interventions has been on the rise and focused on development. In 2015, the country allocated 650 million on military operations in Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad and Burkina Faso compared to development assistance of 240m in the same year. Unlike France, the international community spent about five times less on security and stability in the region than on development aid. The international community is very reluctant to finance security operations because they cannot be accounted as development spending. But in the Sahel, the two are inextricably linked, Ms Jeanneney added. Toler Place shooting A car wanted in a shooting on Toler Place in Newark (left). Photo showing a similar model car as the one sought by police (right) (Photos: Dept. of Public Safety) ( ) -- Police are seeking the public's help as they search for a car involved in a shooting Monday that officials say near the Toler House halfway house, including an inmate in a work release program. "This shooting was not a random act," Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said after the 6:45 a.m. gunfire at Frelinghuysen Avenue and Toler Place. Police said the car involved in the shooting is apparently a white Chrysler 300, model year 2010 to 2013, with a panoramic roof and tinted windows. The federal Bureau of Prisons inmate was heading to his job under a work release program when someone started shooting at him about a block away from the Toler House, according to Charles Seigel, spokesman for Community Education Centers, the company that runs the halfway house. The inmate ran back to the 109-bed Toler House, where the attacker followed and fired more rounds. An operations counselor working for CEC was also shot, the spokesman said Thursday. Both victims have been treated and released from the hospital. Officials did not release the name of the injured inmate or say if he was returned to the same facility. The federal Bureau of Prisons press office in Washington D.C. did not immediately respond to a message seeking more information. Toler houses federal inmates and is located in a largely industrial section of the city, not far from the Newark Liberty International Airport NJ Transit stop and another CEC-run facility, Logan Hall. Police asked anyone with information about the vehicle or the shooting to call 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867). All anonymous Crime Stopper tips are kept confidential and could result in a reward. Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook. NEWARK -- A victim identified only as a male was shot and killed Wednesday night in the city's Lower Vailsburg section, said Thomas Fennelly, a spokesman for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. The victim was shot shortly before 8 p.m. on Kenmore Avenue between Vail Street and Sanford Avenue. Additional information about him was not immediately available. A block away, on Marion Avenue immediately following the shooting, a large contingent of police vehicles that witnesses said included State Police were briefly staged before speeding off. This is the city's 69th homicide of the year, and comes the day after police and Mayor Ras Baraka held a press conference touting a string of more than a dozen recent gun-related arrests made with the public's help. During that same press conference, Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose noted that there have been slightly more fatal shootings so far in 2016 compared with the same period last year, but added that shootings overall were down. Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook. NEWARK -- A 36-year-old Newark drug dealer who supplied heroin to the Grape Street Crips has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. Gabriel Henderson Gabriel Henderson, 36, previously admitted he sold bricks of heroin in and around the Pennington Court public-housing complex on Pennington Street and the John W. Hyatt public-housing complex on Hawkins Street in the city. The drugs were sold between December 2014 and May 2015, the U.S. Attorney's Office for New Jersey said in a news release. Henderson will also be be on supervised release for five years after completing his prison term. Henderson pleaded guilty on June 30, 2015 to one count of conspiring to distribute heroin He was one of 50 alleged members and associates of the Grape Street Crips were charged in criminal complaints that alleged drug-trafficking, physical assaults, and witness intimidation. Henderson previously spent 12 years in prison on manslaughter, weapons and drug charges before being released in 2014. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. EAST RUTHERFORD -- The arrow continues to point in a positive direction for Giants linebacker Jonathan Casillas and free safety Darian Thompson as Sunday's season opener at Dallas approaches. Here is the full injury report from Thursday: GIANTS DID NOT PRACTICE *DT Robert Thomas (illness): Thomas was added to the injury report after missing Thursday's practice with an illness. Thomas, who was claimed off of waivers on Sunday, is not expected to play a big role in the opener even if healthy. LIMITED PRACTICE PARTICIPANT *LB Jonathan Casillas (ribs): Casillas said on Thursday that he is optimistic about his status for Sunday's game. The starting weak side linebacker had a strong summer before suffering a rib injury in the third preseason game. If Casillas is limited on Sunday, look for Keenan Robinson to play a bigger role. *FS Darian Thompson (shoulder): Thompson said he expects to play on Sunday after being limited since suffering a shoulder injury in the second preseason game on Aug. 20. If Thompson isn't full-go on Sunday, Nat Berhe will step into his place. *Additional injury note: Wide receiver Dwayne Harris suffered from heat exhaustion after practice. He was wheeled from his locker in a chair for treatment during post-practice media access. COWBOYS DID NOT PRACTICE *QB Tony Romo (back): Romo remains out after suffering a broken bone in his back in the preseason. Rookie Dak Prescott will start in Romo's place on Sunday. *LB Mark Nzeocha (Achilles): Nzeocha showed promise early in the preseason, but he has been sidelined since suffering an Achilles injury on Aug. 19. *DE Charles Tapper (back): A fourth-round pick in this year's draft, Tapper is expected to miss Sunday's game after it was discovered during the preseason that he had a broken bone in his back. LIMITED PRACTICE PARTICIPANT *G Ronald Leary (groin): Leary is a backup, so he's not expected to play in Sunday's game regardless of his health. TALK IS CHEAP, E63: Giants season preview and predictions Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Soundcloud or iHeartRadio. Dan Duggan may be reached at dduggan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DDuggan21. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook. WEST DEPTFORD TWP. -- Edward and Rosemarie Coles were high school sweethearts who married and raised two sons. Everyone knew Ed. The West Deptford High School grad was well-known for his skills at playing and repairing musical instruments. Professional musicians from around the country sought his instrument-mending skills. The saxophone and clarinet player spent 42 years with the Bonsal Blues Band, where he served as conductor at the time of his death. While Rosemarie may have seemed shy, she had a vibrant personality and a huge heart, her family said. This is the Ed and Rosemarie that family and friends want everyone to remember. Funeral services were held Wednesday for the couple, who were allegedly beaten to death last month. One of their sons, Ryan Coles, was charged with murder after police discovered his parents' bodies in their home on Aug. 26. Coles remains jailed on $1 million bail. A motive for the crime has not been revealed. Ed and Rosemarie married in 1983. Ed opened Coles Music Service in 2008, growing from a repair shop to a full-service music store. He later sold the business to his cousins. Through all those years, there was always the band. To Ed Coles, the Bonsal Blues Band was more than a collection of talented musicians. "He really looked at that as part of his extended family," said George Wiese, the band's business manager and librarian. Wiese and Ed Coles were friends since their teenage years. Ed and his father joined the band at the same time in the 1970s, Wiese recalled, and Ed Coles Sr. is still a member of the band. Rosemarie, a talented clarinet player, was also a member of the band at one time, Wiese recalled, and remained an active supporter at band functions. Ed Jr. helped build up the community band and made musicians feel comfortable at the same time, Wiese said. He recalled how Coles could restore order if rehearsals were being overshadowed by too much socializing. "He never raised his voice. He had a unique way of talking to the band. He could tell us to shut up and not insult us," he chuckled. He recalled one case when Ed Jr. had to get Ed Sr.'s attention. "He threw his baton at his dad once during rehearsals," Wiese recalled, but "He was so good-natured. You couldn't get mad at him." Ed always arranged the trips to concerts around the country and was in the midst of planning a band trip to Tennessee when he died. Members were left shaken by the news of the deaths. "It's tough because Eddie has done so much for us over the years," Wiese said. When he first learned what had happened, his first thought was to cancel the regular Monday rehearsal at American Legion Post 133. "One of the members said, 'We need to get together as a family,'" Wiese recalled. In the end, about 200 people gathered to share memories that day and pay tribute to their conductor and friend. The band even played at the viewing Tuesday night. To sum up how Ed Coles felt about the band, Wiese shared a message his friend sent to band members following their 2015 Christmas concerts. In part, it read: "I am the very fortunate director to lead this phenomenal community band. This proud and talented organization has been around since 1948. I am proud to say that I am friends with 65 of the most talented and nicest musicians in south Jersey. No matter what life hands me, this band uplifts me to a euphoric high. I am humbled to be their director. Thank you Bonsal Blues Band for allowing me to be part of your lives." Instead of flowers for the funeral, his family suggested memorial donations be made in Ed's memory to a scholarship fund for anyone entering the music or instrument repair field. Donations may be sent to: Bonsal Blues Band, c/o George Wiese, 117 E. Military Drive, National Park, NJ 08063. Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook. OIL SPILL.JPG The Athos I sits in the Delaware River after spilling 265,000 gallons of crude oil in this 2004 image. (Associated Press photo) PHILADELPHIA -- Citgo will appeal a ruling that it pay $120 million to settle claims from a 2004 oil spill on the Delaware River. The Athos I oil tanker struck an abandoned anchor off West Deptford as it prepared to dock at a Citgo refinery in Paulsboro in November 2004. About 265,000 gallons of crude oil poured from the ruptured tanker's hull, polluting hundreds of miles of shoreline in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. This was rated the second-worst oil spill in U.S. waters at the time and cleanup costs reached $267 million. In August, a federal judge found Citgo negligent and said the company failed to provide a safe berth for the vessel. The judge ordered the company to pay more than $71 million to Frescati Shipping Co., owner of Athos 1, and ship operator Tsakos Shipping & Trading, and more than $48 million to the federal government to cover a portion of the cleanup costs. A 2011 ruling had cleared Citgo of responsibility for the spill, saying blame rested with the owner of the discarded anchor. At the time, Citgo lawyer Rich Whelan told the Associated Press that the ruling confirmed that marine terminal operators are not liable for the maintenance of public waterways. "We think it's an important decision for marine terminal operators, because the judge limited their responsibility to the immediate berth or dock area, and refused to extend the responsibility into public waters," Whelan said. Two years after the accident, Congress passed a law to encourage use of double-hull tankers by tripling fines for single-hull vessels. Supporters argued that 19 of the 20 largest U.S. oil spills from 1990 through 2006 were from single-hull ships, including the Athos I. The law also requires anyone aware of possible river obstructions to provide that information to the Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers. Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook. MONROE TWP. -- Trash from a Philadelphia park service was dumped in South Jersey and officials are investigating why, according to reports. The Courier Post reported that a hiker discovered that an 8,300-acre plot of state-protected land spanning Gloucester County and Camden County was trashed on Labor Day weekend. The hiker reported that the trash included boards, signs and documents that read Eastern National Park and Monument Association. Eastern National Park marketing executives admitted to the newspaper that the trash came from its storage space at the Chestnut Street address and that a trash hauler was hired to dispose of it. However, the contracted trash hauler then hired a subcontractor to do the job instead, they said. Representatives from the National Park Service did not return immediate request for comment. According to Larry Hajna, spokesman for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the incident is under investigation and materials are being removed from the park. Caitlyn Stulpin may be reached at cstulpin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitstulpin. Find NJ.com on Facebook. JERSEY CITY -- Rochelle Bryant says she has no idea where to purchase a gun but if you asked a teen as young as 13, they would know the answer. "That to me is so scary," Bryant said during a public safety citizen advisory board meeting Tuesday night that for the first time was open to members of the community. Bryant was one of a handful of residents who expressed their concerns about gun violence, the diversity of the city's police department, and there not being enough programs or jobs established for teens and young adults. "It's scary that someone is in our community filtering guns to our kids...It's scary to me that kids are in a party, at a church with a loaded gun. To me, that seems to be beyond insane," Bryant said, referencing the Aug. 9 fatal shooting of 17-year-old Leander Williams, who police say was carrying a loaded weapon at the time. The gathering, which drew only a handful of residents and more than a dozen police officers and department brass, was the board's first public meeting. The nine-person entity will meet with Public Safety Director James Shea on a monthly basis and has been credited with creating a way for officers to better respond to calls that involve mental health patients. Responding to Bryant's frustrations with young kids having guns, Shea -- who was appointed to his position in 2013 -- said the city is working closely with the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office to take illegal guns off the streets. More than 100 illegals guns have been recovered this year, most of them coming from out of state. "It cannot be solved just here in Jersey City," Shea said. "As long as you can get on a bus in Chinatown and go down to Georgia and fill a suitcase with guns and bring them back we're going to have to fight that." After a former Jersey City resident said he feels as though people are afraid of police in the city because the force "does not reflect the community," Shea -- who has been pushing for a more diverse police department -- fired back saying he cares about having "good police officers" who "do a good job in the community." Jersey City has worked to diversify the police department which is now 54 percent white, 30 percent Hispanic, 11 percent black, 4 percent Asian/Pacific Islander, and 1 percent Native American, Shea said. In 2013 the department was 63 percent white, 10 percent black, and 25 percent Hispanic. Though Shea later emphasized the city continues to find ways to recruit minorities to the police force, Jersey City Public School teacher Lewis Spears told The Jersey Journal the director's comments were "insensitive." "It's not about black and white, it's about matching the community," Spears said. Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. Tomorrow is the first "JCFriday" post-Labor Day, and the end of another workweek and that first week back in school isn't the only reason to jump for joy. Art events will be happening all around you -- 43 are listed in total at the JCFridays website -- just about all of which are free to get into. Here are The Jersey Journal's picks of several events going on this "JCFriday": This election cycle has been a work of art - only in the vein of those old caricatures of heated electoral races where mudslinging was the order of the day. Those times are hardly bygone, and New Heights Art Supply will be presenting "Election Year," a group-art show show devoted to exploring the issues, candidates and notions of American democracy - with wine and music, 7.p.m. to 10 p.m. New Heights Art Supply is located at 345 Central Ave., 2nd Floor (Bowers). Call 201-420-6427 for more information. What is a university in Jersey City without a renowned art gallery? Saint Peter's University is taking tomorrow's JCFriday as an opportunity to present the inaugural exhibition for their Fine Art Gallery at the Mac Mahon Student Center, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. "Dyad: Mollie Thonneson and Alan Walker" will feature paintings by the two respective artists. The gallery is located on the fifth floor of the student center, which itself is at 47 Glenwood Ave. Call 201-761-6484 for more information. You may not have noticed this, but the world is something of a mess. Contrary to one popular line of thinking, it's always been that way - but it is getting more crowded, and more people ironically make it harder to connect as human beings - making the "Choral Festival of Peace" at St. Paul's Church in Bergen-Lafayette a tiny balm. Choirs from all over Jersey City will come together at 7: 30 p.m. at the church, located at 38 Duncan Ave., to sing a message of love, hope and unity. The Bethune Center, 140 Martin Luther King Dr., will be presenting their "End of Summer Exhibition," a show featuring the works of various local artists. The 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. event will feature music and hors d'oeuvres, in addition to a free life drawing class. Call 646-361-1858 for more information. If someone also came up to you recently saying that stained glass is great but why must it only be in churches? What if you're an ornery atheist? Why must stained glass always be in churches? It's not. Galician Stained Glass, 195 New York Ave., will be presenting "Stained Glass Fairy House," a tactile tour of their modern take on an old art form, from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. Call 347-839-8934 for more information. Jersey City's latest Pride festival is over, but that's hardly the end of local events marking a year-round concept. Raven Gallery and Boutique is presenting "PRIDE, in the Name of LOVE," a show with work by artists that speak to the themes of self-discovery, self-identifying and self-pride in the LGBTQ community. The 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. show takes place at 304 Newark Ave., (Brunswick/3rd). Call 201-565-3046 for more information. Project Greenville is presenting "Person of Jersey City: Celebrating & Remembering David 'Chuck'' Cortez," in memory of one of the recent passing of Cortez, a much-loved local pillar. "Join Project Greenville and Friends of Chuck all weekend, and in October for the JCAST, as we remember David 'Chuck' Cortez," says Project Greenville coordinator, Elizabeth Deegan. "Photographs by David, memorabilia shared by his friends and family. There'll be performances by Drum and a Tantrum, Rene Rosa and more!" The 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. show takes place at 128 Winfield Ave. (Between Ocean and Old Bergen Road), from Friday through Sunday. Call 646-361-1858 for more information. And lastly, but not at all least-ly, Art House Productions is putting on a theatrical show by Speranza Theatre Company called "WOMEN RISING, Stories of Hope." An original play, "WOMEN RISING" will celebrate survivors of domestic violence. Before the play starts at 7 p.m., get there at 6 p.m. for an open gallery talk with the show's curators. "This is the first time the Art House Productions has paired off with the Speranza Theatre Company for a JC Fridays event ..." says Crystal Davis, assistant to the executive director of Art House Productions. "This event combines a gallery tour by Art House curator, Raymond Mingst, through 'Errand Into the Maze' and will then be followed by Speranza performers who will read stories from domestic abuse survivors. While the growth of JC Fridays is tremendous, it is always great to bring viewers back to where it all started!" Art House is located at 136 Magnolia Ave (Pavonia/Summit). Call 201-503-6194 for more information. Jersey City opens new elementary school 9-8-16 Sate Sen. Sandra B. Cunningham speaks at the grand opening of the new Jersey City School 10 on Sept. 8, 2016. The first day of school for the public-school district was today. Terrence T. McDonald | The Jersey Journal (Terrence T. McDonald | The Jersey Journal) Jersey City's public schools started the school year today as the district faces two serious funding challenges. Gov. Chris Christie and state Sen. President Stephen Sweeney over the summer revealed competing plans to alter the way the state funds its public schools and each plan could lead to dramatic funding changes for Jersey City's 28,000-student school district. The district gets nearly three-quarters of its funding from the state. Christie's plan would leave the district short about $217 million, or 38 percent of the district's $570 million operating budget. Sweeney's plan would lead to more gradual changes that may include eliminating an aid program that brought in $114 million to the district from the state this year. Both Christie, a Republican, and Sweeney, a Democrat from Gloucester County, say their plans would lead to a more equitable allocation of the nearly $9.1 billion in school funding the state distributes annually. Marcia V. Lyles, Jersey City's schools superintendent, declined to offer comments on the specific proposals, but indicated some displeasure. "Equity does not mean equal," Lyles told The Jersey Journal before last month's school board meeting. "Equity means what do you do to level the playing field so all the children have access to succeed. And that's the kind of budget that we need and must have if we really want all children to succeed." Mayor Steve Fulop has declined several times to comment on Christie's and Sweeney's plans. At today's grand opening of the new School 20 on Ocean Avenue -- a $49.3 million construction project funded by the state -- Fulop said it's a "long road" to either of them becoming a reality. He added a defense of additional funding for urban education. "Urban education is very complex," he said. "I don't think in certain areas parents and cities have the same means to pay as in some of the suburban areas." TWO PLANS Christie has proposed distributing the same amount in state aid per pupil to every student in New Jersey, $6,599 (Jersey City gets $15,235 per pupil in state aid now). He has argued at several town halls held to promote the plan that his proposal would lead to lower property taxes statewide. In Fair Lawn in June, the governor told people, "You're getting shafted every year, over and over again." In Bordentown in August, he said, "I'm tired of hearing the fiction that money can solve the problem." Education Law Center is a nonprofit advocacy group that filed the lawsuit that eventually led to the Abbott v. Burke decisions that expanded state funding for the state's poorest districts, Jersey City's included. David Sciarra, the group's executive director, said the governor's plan would have a ripple effect, hurting urban and suburban school districts. "You'd be seeing people in Jersey City fleeing to Bayonne to escape schools that are falling apart," Sciarra said, adding that Jersey City's district would have to slash over 1,000 jobs. "It would pit communities against each other. It would be an utter catastrophe." Bayonne, he added, is one of the most underfunded districts in the state. Experts believe it is unlikely the Republican governor's plan would get anywhere in the Democrat-led state Legislature. Senate President Stephen Sweeney, a Democrat, and Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, have proposed legislation that would revamp how New Jersey's schools are funded. Sweeney, meanwhile, is calling for amending the 2008 School Funding Reform Act, which distributes state aid based on factors like student enrollment, demographics and the cost of additional services for low-income children, English language learners and students with disabilities. The state hasn't fully funded the state's schools in accordance with this law since Christie took office in 2010. Sweeney's plan calls for phasing in full funding and convening a panel to propose changes for lawmakers to approve, changes that may include eliminating a hold harmless provision intended to protect school districts from seeing steep funding cuts when the state changed its school funding formula in 2008. That provision, also known as adjustment aid, was intended to be a temporary fix but it has created "a whole bunch of losers and winners," Sweeney told The Jersey Journal this summer shortly before he unveiled his funding formula plan. Adjustment aid -- Jersey City's adjustment aid is $114 million this year -- leaves some districts overfunded and others underfunded, Sweeney said. "Explain that to people," he said. "We have to be fair to everyone in the state." The panel would also review the calculation used to determine whether local taxpayers are paying their "fair share" to fund its schools. Jersey City's taxpayers contribute $114,404,361 million to the school budget, 20 percent of the total operating budget. Sweeney's bill has been approved by the senate's education committee. There has been no vote on it in the state Assembly, led by Fulop ally Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, of Secaucus. ABATEMENTS UNDER FIRE Adding a political twist to Sweeney's school funding proposal: he is expected to seek the Democratic nomination for governor in 2017, as is Fulop. Fulop has come under fire from Republican lawmakers like state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, of Somerville, for approving long-term tax breaks for developers. If the city can afford to give breaks to developers, Fulop's critics say, it can afford to pay more for its public-school system, which receives no money from abatement revenue. Sweeney, whose bill would also lead to a review of the effect of abatements on school funding, expressed some sympathy with those criticisms. "Jersey City needed them at one time. I think Jersey City's doing pretty well now, God bless, and it's great to see all that activity," Sweeney said. "You have a growing economy and normally when you have growth you can afford to spend more." City Council President Rolando Lavarro, who has supported Fulop's aggressive use of tax abatements to lure developers to areas like Journal Square, said there's "a certain hypocrisy" to criticisms from state lawmakers. The state Economic Development Authority, Lavarro noted, has given hefty tax breaks to some of the same projects that later receive city subsidies. "We shouldn't be penalized," Lavarro said. A school official who asked not to be identified expressed fear that Sweeney's proposal would have enough support from Democrats in the state Legislature to pass. Residents in places like Freehold and Red Bank see Jersey City as "this booming city that keeps issuing tax abatements to developers and then is asking for additional state aid," the official said. "We have no friends on this and frankly we don't deserve any," the official said. Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. According to Pierre Moscovici, European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, the EU should focus on continuing trade negotiations with the United States and scaling up its efforts to push for its agenda. Mr Moscovici said that it was not wise to heed to Paris calls to suspend the negotiations between the EU and the US over the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). I think it would be much more sensible to pursue the talks, but to raise the level of our demands, he added. The Commissioner admitted though that the talks were a difficult and demanding process. Commmisioner Moscovici also reminded of the strict demands regarding Europes agricultural and environmental standards as well as health standards and cultural co-existence. We should not behave as if this was just some agreement we could take or leave, the Commissioner said, adding that the context in which the discussions are taking place cannot set us on the path to demagogy. To that end, Mr. Moscovici also stressed that For my part, I would like to see Europes trade ministers supporting the Commission and asking it to be strong and ambitious with our American partners. Last week, Matthias Fekl, the French Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, called on Brussels to stop the TTIP negotiations, which are in his opinion very unbalanced in favor of Americans. French President Francois Hollande has also added fuel to the issue saying that it was virtually impossible for the Commission to finalize the deal before the end of Barack Obamas mandate in January 2017. In this light, Commissioner Moscovici called upon the French government not to abandon the community method, which is one of dialogue, because opposition between the EU and France is pointless. JERSEY CITY -- Jurors saw bloody "crime scene" pictures today during the first day of testimony in the retrial of a Secaucus lawyer accused of trying to kill his girlfriend with a serrated kitchen knife in her home in 2011. "The whole silver blade was covered with blood," Secaucus Police Officer Matthew Ford said on the witness stand as he described the long knife he recovered under a throw rug at Stephanie Schwartz's home after the Sept. 29, 2011. Prosecutors say her boyfriend at the time, Todd Gorman, tried to kill her. Images of the bloody kitchen floor, counter top, cabinets and clothing were shown to the jury, as where images of Schwartz being treated by EMT on the kitchen table where police had carried her. They also saw pictures of Gorman lying on the kitchen floor unconscious where a police officer had knocked him out with kicks to the head while trying to get Schwartz away from him. The pair was "covered in blood," Secaucus Det. Peter Garass testified today, following this morning's opening statements. When police responded to the Sandcastle Key home on a call of a domestic dispute they heard a woman saying "Help. Help. He's stabbing me." With guns drawn they entered and found Gorman seated on the kitchen floor and Schwartz seated in front of him. Gorman had his arms and legs wrapped around her. In his opening statement, defense attorney Peter Willis said when Gorman regained consciousness at the hospital, he told a police officer "I wasn't trying to kill her. She was trying to kill herself." He also noted a nurse said Gorman said "I think I was attacked." The defense contends Schwartz was trying to kill herself and when Gorman tried to stop her she attacked him and he had to defend himself. Schwartz, who committed suicide prior to Gorman's first trial, had tried to kill herself twice before the night of the alleged attack. During the first trial, Willis said both suffered from depression and had met in an online forum that provided information on methods to commit suicide. Gorman went to college on a full ROTC scholarship and got a degree in aero engineering before joining the Air Force where he retired at the rank of captain prior to going to law school. During the first trial, the prosecutor said Gorman was a person who at one point in his life showed promise. She said at the time of the incident, Schwartz had given him a credit card and phone and was supporting him while he was unemployed and doing community service following a DWI arrest. That prosecutor added Gorman attacked Schwartz that night because she told him he was no longer welcome in her home and had called his sister asking her to come get him. Schwartz suffered several knife wounds in the incident. In his opening statement today, Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Greg Mullens said Gorman suffered only scrapes and bruises. Willis worked to show police had jumped to the conclusion that Gorman was guilty and that led them to forego a proper investigation. While questioning Garass today, Willis said: "No one knew what really happened in the apartment other than she is saying she is being stabbed." "Yes," the detective replied. "You had to piece things together to try to make sense out of this bizarre, horrible scene you come upon." Willis continued. "Correct," Garass said. "Immediately, everyone's concern was for the lady because it looked like her injuries were serious. Correct?" Willis asked. "From what we could see, she had the most severe injuries," the detective responded. Ford, one of the responding officers, testified that he was only at the scene a short time before going on another, unrelated call. He said he handed the knife over to a supervisor before leaving. Under cross examination by Willis, Ford said he later learned that the knife had never been sent to a lab to determine whose blood, hair and skin tissue was on it. "As an example, we don't know whose blood was on the knife, whether it was hers or Mr. Gorman's," Willis asked Ford. "Yes sir," Ford replied. Gorman's first trial ended in a hung jury in February. Testimony will resume at 9 a.m. on Tuesday before Hudson County Superior Court Mark Nelson in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City. JERSEY CITY - The first new public school the city has seen in a decade opened its doors to students on the first day of the 2016-17 school year with much fanfare. This morning School 20 students and their parents walked from the old building on Danforth Avenue to the new $49.3 million facility on Ocean Avenue to begin their first day at the Dr. Maya Angelou Public School. Parents, students, residents and elected officials such as Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and state Sen. Sandra Cunningham, D-Jersey City, gathered outside the new facility to praise the new facility. "It was on Aug. 23, 2012 that many of you were here to celebrate the ground-breaking for this new building," said Jersey City Board of Education President Vidya Gangadin. "We're here today because of those collaborative efforts over the past few years. Today we celebrate that vision with a state of the art facility." The 108,000-square-foot building is the first new public school building in 10 years and features such as full air conditioning, a library, art rooms, music space and an auditorium. The new building, in the works for nearly a decade, was paid for through the state's School Development Authority (SDA), which funds 100 percent of school construction projects in the state's 31 disadvantaged districts. For the next 10 months, the building will be home to 630 students from pre-school to fifth grade. "The opening of this building - the state-of-the-art facility - is an acknowledgement of our responsibility to ensure that every child has the opportunity to be educated," said Dr. Marcia Lyles, superintendent of schools. The $49.3 million for the Maya Angelou School is part of $329 million the SDA has invested in new capital projects throughout Jersey City. The next school to open will be the Patricia M. Noonan Elementary School, near Middle School 7 at Laidlaw and Summit avenues in the Heights. "Joining all of you today here is the start of a month for the School Development Authority where we will be opening seven schools across the state," said Charles McKenna, executive director of the SDA. "We're really proud of that, but what we're most proud of today is the Maya Angelou School here. "I hope that when you walk through these doors, you're as excited to see what the building has to offer as I was when I walked through." Angelou is best known as the author of "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," a 1969 account of her childhood in the Jim Crow-era South. She read her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at the inauguration of Bill Clinton in 1993. She died in May 2014 at the age of 86. "One of the reasons the school-naming committee wanted to name the school after Maya Angelou was because they already use her as an inspiration throughout their curriculum; this is a school that is really focused on poetry and the writing process," Lyles said. "But also not just in terms of writing. I came here on the first day the teachers were back and they were featuring Maya and talking about what she stood for and how she fought for others and that's what this school and these people are all about." The former School 20 on Danforth Avenue will remain available for the city to use, and public officials are exploring options for its use in the future. "We're looking at how we can repurpose it," the superintendent said. "We're possibly looking at making it a pre-school facility." KEARNY -- A Pennsylvania gun rights advocate and anti-heroin crusader walked out of the Hudson County jail early Thursday, into the arms of friends and supporters nearly three months after he and two others were arrested outside the Holland Tunnel with a cache of weapons in his distinctly marked pickup truck. "It's so nice to be out," said John Cramsey, 51, locked in a three-way embrace with two supporters who met him outside the Hudson County Correctional Facility in Kearny. "Is it you? Is it you?" repeated one of them, Wanda Negron, 32, of Allentown, Pa., who had met Cramsey at the Pennsylvania shooting range he operates. Negron had been among eight friends and family members who co-signed a bond posted for Cramsey's release, which finally came shortly after 2 a.m., when he walked out of the cinderblock jail wearing black pants and a shirt, boots with the laces removed, and a crochet cross around his neck. Cramsey, who lives in Zionsville, Pa., made bail only hours after a Superior Court judge in Jersey City on Wednesday afternoon granted him the option of posting a bond, rather than the $75,000 cash that had been set immediately following his arrest June 21. Cramsey and his two co-defendants, Dean Smith, 53, also of Zionsville, Pa., and Kimberly Arendt, 29, Lehighton, Pa., were riding in Cramsey's truck, which was covered with large cross hairs and decals espousing gun rights, when they were pulled over, Port Authority Police said, for having a cracked windshield. Police said officers could see weapons inside the vehicle, and that they seized a 12-gauge shotgun, an assault rifle with high-capacity magazines, five handguns, some of them loaded, and knives, as well as prescription drugs and marijuana. However, the case gained widespread attention partly due to assertions by the trio's lawyers that police pulled over the truck because of its markings, which would have suggested to officers that they might be gun rights advocates, and armed. The lawyers say the markings alone would not constitute sufficient cause to pull over the truck, and that their clients were the victims of an unconstitutional search in violation of the Fourth Amendment. The cracked windshield, the lawyers say, was an excuse cooked up by officers after the fact to justify the stop. Cramsey has three sons, ages 11, 16, and 19, that he was eager to get back to as he climbed into Negron's SUV for two-hour ride home before dawn on Thursday morning. His only daughter, 20-year-old Alexandria Cramsey, a young woman who Cramsey said had a budding career as a model, died of a heroin overdose in February. Since then, Cramsey said, he has worked with an anti-heroin group known as Enough is Enough, conducting "rescues" of other young drug users as a way to overcome the pain of his daughter's loss. Cramsey said he was stopped at the tunnel while en route to a house in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, where the 16-year-old daughter of a Pennsylvania acquaintance had texted Arendt telling her that another young woman had just died of an overdose inside the house. Cramsey insisted he was not a vigilante, and that he had not taken the guns along to aid in the rescue. Rather, he said he regularly transported and stored the guns in his high-suspension pickup truck for his work at the shooting range, and that he had inadvertently taken them along after being awoken in the early morning hours by an urgent message about a life-and-death situation. Cramsey declined to say whether he would continue his rescue work now that he was out of jail. Cramsey, who has no prior criminal record, twice had motions to reduce his bail denied by other judges. But on Wednesday, Judge Mitzy Galis-Melendez ordered his bail changed from $75,000 cash to $175,000 with a bond option. The bond would cost Cramsey a $17,500 fee paid to a bail bondsman. No small amount, but a much lower figure than the $75,000 bail previously set with the cash-only stipulation. The bail bondsman, John Vioret of John's Bail Bonds in Jersey City, was also waiting outside the cinderblock jail when Cramsey was released, and the two met for the first time. Cramsey's lawyer, James Lisa, said he thought Galis-Melendez may have been moved by Cramsey's emotional appeal to the judge that he was not a criminal and just wanted to go home to Pennsylvania and to be with his children. But the judge said she was more concerned with the lengthy period -- nearly three months -- the defendants had been behind bars without being indicted or set free. Thomas Zuppa, the assistant Hudson County prosecutor handling the case, assured the judge the grand jury presentations would begin next week. Although he had told the judge on Wednesday that he had been "robbed" of his family, his liberty and his livelihood, he said after leaving the jail Thursday that the experience had not been all bad. "I ate good," he said. "I put on 25 pounds in there." Still, he said, "Nobody likes to be in a place like this," adding that, "I saw some things I didn't want to see." It was especially frustrating before Wednesday, Cramsey said, when he was not present at the hearings and could not address the two judges who had denied his request for lower bail. "You can't defend yourself in there," he said. Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook. JERSEY CITY -- The defense attorney for a Secaucus man accused of attempting to kill his girlfriend with a kitchen knife in 2011 said today that police officers withheld "a deep dark" exculpatory secret. "There was no investigation of this case by the Secaucus police department, if anything, there was misfeasance or malfeasance of office," Peter Willis said during his opening statement in the retrial of Todd Gorman, who is charged with attempting to murder Stephanie Schwartz on Sept. 29, 2011 in her Secaucus home. The retrial comes seven months after a jury could not reach a verdict during the original trial. In his opening statement this morning, Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Greg Mullens told jurors that Gorman viciously attacked Schwartz, who he met in an online forum that provided information on methods to commit suicide. He told jurors that the facts of the case and testimony they will hear clearly and simply show Gorman's guilt. Willis noted that officers who responded to Schwartz's home that night received awards in January 2012 and said "two of those police officers had a deep dark secret and when that award was given to them, they knew something. They had a deep dark secret and they never let it out until Jan. 6, 2016. You follow me?" Willis asked. Willis was referring to a statement made by Gorman at the hospital after the incident. During his first trial, a Secaucus police officer who had guarded Gorman testified, "One particular thing I heard was 'I wasn't trying to kill her. She was trying to kill herself." The attorney said a second officer at the hospital also heard it. When the prosecutor asked why he hadn't noted the statement in his report, the officer said, "My experience is basically when we see people arrested, they try to say..." but Willis was quickly on his feet objecting. When asked again, the officer replied "I just didn't believe him." Willis said today that the grand jury should have been told Gorman made the statement. However, he told jurors that they will see the evidence and hear the testimony during the retrial. He said the grand jurors also should have been told that while at the hospital, the defendant commented to a nurse that "I think I was attacked." "Do you think the grand jury should have known a little bit more than they were told?" Willis asked. The attorney also said police did not tell doctors that an officer had kicked Gorman into unconsciousness at the bloody scene but "They didn't care about him. In their minds he's guilty." Schwartz committed suicide before Gorman's first trial. The defense contends she was trying to kill herself on the night of the incident and when Gorman tried to stop her she attacked him and he was forced to defense himself. "This is a case of a man who acted with a specific purpose, an intent to kill," Mullens said in his opening statement. "Luckily he was not able to finish the job because Secaucus police came to her defense." Mullens noted police were called to Schwartz's home that night by a friend of her mother who was had been on the phone with Schwartz and heard her screaming "Get away from me." He said arriving officers heard a woman saying "Help me. He's stabbing me." Inside, the officers found "Bloody walls, blood on the counter top, blood all over the floor," Mullens said. "Most importantly, blood is covering Stephenie Schwartz and Todd Gorman." With guns drawn, officers ordered Gorman to let her go. When he did not comply, they used force, Mullens said. Officers grabbed Stephanie and put her on a table in the dining room to care for her because she was the obvious victim. She was saying "He stabbed me." Gorman was still not complying and was slipping on blood as he grabbed at an officer's leg before being knocked out. The officers found a knife under a throw rug. It was covered in skin tissue and blood, Mullens said. Schwartz suffered lacerations on her forearm, the front of her head, the back of her head and two on her chest. "Injuries that show she is the victim. Gorman suffered scrapes and bruises. That's it. She was the victim of vicious attack," said Mullens, adding that the defendant's actions were "absolutely not a case of self-defense." A Union City man who sexually assaulted a 9-year-old girl in her home and later claimed it was the girl's fault was sentenced to 18 years in prison Tuesday. "This is about as bad as it could get, a parent's nightmare," said Hudson County Superior Court Judge Mark Nelson prior to sentencing Rigoberto Acheituno, 29, Tuesday afternoon for the Sept. 19, 2015 crime. Acheituno pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault and under the plea deal, he must to serve the entire 18-year sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor John Mulkeen said at the time of the crime that Acheituno was living in the same apartment building as the victim and her family. "The father is working and the mother is taking a shower and in that very short period of time ... almost the worst possible imaginable crime happened to this 9-year-old girl," Mulkeen said at the sentencing in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City. The prosecutor said that in a statement to investigators and while he was being mentally evaluated, Acheituno blamed the girl for the incident and said she was "sexually aggressive." Nelson called the idea "absurd." Acheituno's attorney, Elizabeth McPhillips, said her client understands the gravity of what he did, asked Nelson to abide by the plea agreement and asked the judge to consider that her client has a work history and no prior arrests or convictions. When asked if he wanted to say something, Acheituno said "No," through the Spanish translator. Upon release, Acheituno will also be under supervision for life under Megan's Law. But at the hearing, Mulkeen noted that Acheituno, who is apparently in the country illegally, will likely be deported upon release. september 2016 heat wave September, 2016 heat wave hits central, southern New Jersey. (AccuWeather) ( ) At least three major New Jersey school districts have scheduled early dismissals for their students this week due to a heat and humidity wave sweeping the southern and central parts of the state. New Brunswick public schools announced Thursday they they would let students at three of their elementary schools go early on Friday due to temperatures that could reach the mid-90s. The schools - Lincoln, Livingston and Roosevelt Elementary - were chosen for early release because they are the only buildings without air conditioning, according to Kurt Praschak, a spokesperson for the district. Praschak said the district did not yet know how early the students would be released. On Thursday Camden City Schools made a similar decision, announcing that they were letting all students leave early at 1 p.m. Thursday afternoon because of high temperatures. Brendan Lowe, a spokesperson for the school district said officials are "keeping a close eye" on the temperatures for Friday. The school district had not made a decision by Thursday night on whether they would close the schools on Friday. In anticipation of the heat, Trenton public schools announced Tuesday that they would let students go early each day of the week. Philadelphia public schools followed suit, announcing on Thursday that they would close early Friday afternoon because of the heat. The heat wave that prompted school closings has already seen temperatures rise to the mid-90s in many parts of New Jersey and it's expected to last through the day Friday. The National Weather Service issued a heat warning Thursday afternoon until 6 p.m. Friday night, which is aimed primarily at the southern part of the state and neighborhoods around Philadelphia. The same concerns about high temperatures have not hit many major school districts in the northern half of the state. Spokesmen for Paterson, Elizabeth and Jersey City school districts said their schools were open all day Thursday and they had no plans to release students early on Friday. "The first day of school went very smoothly in Jersey City and we did not need to close because of the heat," Maryann Dickar, a spokeswoman for Jersey City Schools said Thursday. Praschak added that the rest of New Brunswick's schools would remain open all day Friday. A representative for Newark Public Schools did not immediately return a message for comment Thursday. AccuWeather has predicted that storms Friday night and Saturday could put a stop to the climbing temperatures this weekend. Anna Merriman may be reached at amerriman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anna_merriman. PISCATAWAY -- The township remains the heart of QuickChek's customer base in New Jersey. So, to further serve its faithful Piscataway patrons, the company is seeking to open a fourth location in the township near Lakeview and New Brunswick avenues, according to Richard Lamont, development manager at QuickChek's corporate office in the Whitehouse Station-section of Readington. "We have a project that we've submitted, and we are expecting the approval process to start shortly," Lamont said, adding that it would likely begin sometime in the fall. QuickChek's three other stores are located on River Road, Stelton Road and Williams Street. The proposed new store is just a few miles from the location of the first QuickChek that opened 49 years ago on North Avenue in Dunellen. "That is really the heart of our territory," Lamont said of the area, "and that was the area where our stores originated going back to Dunellen. Our customers know us really well there, and we are happy to put another store in Piscataway." The company will go before the township later this month to begin the approval process. In July, QuickChek was named the 2016 Convenience Store Chain of the Year by industry trade magazine Convenience Store Decisions. The family-owned company operates 143 locations throughout New Jersey, New York's Hudson Valley and Long Island. Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook. WALL TOWNSHIP --For nearly half a century, the satellite dish at Camp Evans in Wall Township stood idle, a giant spy of the sky that had been abandoned as obsolete after having played a major role in the improvement of weather forecasting and in the defense of the United States during the Cold War. But in a coincidental convergence of needs, the dish got a new life when a team of Princeton University professors looking to build one for students found the InfoAge Science Center, which was looking to restore the dish, the centerpiece of its operation. Now the dish that stands five stories high at the former U.S. Army base now owned by Wall Township is back in use, giving students access to worlds beyond Earth. "We were absolutely thrilled," said InfoAge director Fred Carl, whose organization leases a portion of Camp Evans from Wall Township. "Its history has gone from weather science to Cold War spying to research and education." Built in 1958, the dish - 60 feet in diameter - collected the first images beamed to Earth from an orbiting weather satellite hundreds of miles away on April 1, 1960, ushering in modern weather forecasting. During the Cold War, the dish tracked all Soviet and American space launches, including Apollo and the Pioneer deep space probes more than 3 million miles into space, Carl said. But in the mid-1970s, the dish became obsolete and moth-balled. Over the decades, its metal frame and motor rusted and weeds grew tall around the base. The most InfoAge could do to preserve it was to paint the dish in 2006 through a $15,000 donation from the Harris Corporation, Carl said. In 2012, Princeton University physics Professor Daniel Marlow, who used a small dish on campus for teaching purposes, started thinking about building a larger dish. His colleague, Professor Norman Jarosik, told him about the giant dish at Camp Evans. After meeting with Carl, Marlow and his Princeton team got to work. At first, Marlow didn't think it would be too much of a project to restore the dish. "It turned out it was a lot of effort to make it run," Marlow said. Jarosik, a radio astronomer, knew what to do to make the dish work again. And Geoffrey Gettelfinger, a mechanical engineer at Princeton, designed a crane that when hoisted in pieces to the top of the dish would lift the motor and drive train - which weighed a ton - and lower them to the ground so they could be repaired. Once they were in good working condition, they were returned to the dish. Workers also hooked the dish up to a new computer system that would allow those in a building next to the dish and on campus to operate the dish and see the information it was collecting. Marlow estimated it cost $80,000 - obtained mostly through grants - to do the work. "They put a lot of money into it and expertise that I would shudder to have to pay for," Carl said. The dish, Marlow said, is an integral part of his instruction, which includes having students repeat classic experiments. One of those experiments was the discovery of radio pulsars, or dying stars, in 1968 by Jocelyn Bell Burnell. "We use this as a teaching lab," Marlow said. "It's mainly that these (pulsars) are unbelievable objects out there." With assistance from the Ocean-Monmouth Amateur Radio Club, the dish is open to the public on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Marlow said he eventually wants to create a month-long summer course for students in neighboring Neptune and Asbury Park to enrich their science experiences. But it all depends on the ability to obtain funding, he said. "It would give kids the opportunity to do something a little bit different and broaden their horizons," Marlow said. "It would be great to get them interested in STEM (science, technology engineering and math) careers." MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Wall airport robbery Wall Township police say two men robbed a business at the Monmouth Executive Airport on Sept. 5, 2016. (Rob Spahr | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) WALL TOWNSHIP - Township police are searching for two men who broke into a business at the Monmouth Executive Airport to steal a large amount of tools and a safe. The burglary was reported to Wall Township police on Tuesday. The airport on Route 34 has many non-aviation businesses on the property, though police did not identify which business was targeted or the value of the items stolen. Video surveillance showed the men broke into the business shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Monday. The men fled in a work van, though the make and model was not known, police said. The Wall Township Police Department released pictures of the suspected thieves and asked for the public's help identifying the men regarding this investigation. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Wall Township Police Department Detective Bureau 732-449-4800. Rob Spahr may be reached at rspahr@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheRobSpahr. Find NJ.com on Facebook. MORRISTOWN -- A Morristown Housing Authority commissioner said her grandson was arrested by local police this week while holding a loaded gun, but, instead of being angry, she's thankful he was arrested without incident because "it could have been a tragedy." Morristown Housing Authority Commissioner Vera White, pictured in this 2009 file photo at a rally for Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty. Commissioner Vera White told NJ Advance Media in a phone interview Thursday she was thankful to God and to the Morristown police because they caught her 20-year-old grandson, Khyir Johnson, with a loaded gun on Monday but they didn't shoot him. "I want to give glory and thanks and honor to God, and I want to praise the Morristown police," White said. "I really do praise the men and women of Morristown. If I could whoop (my grandson) I would, but he's grown. They didn't shoot and kill my grandson." Her grandson, she said, was "clowning around" and was with others who were "playing and shooting guns up in the air" on Labor Day. He did, however, pick up the gun, she said. White said her grandson told her it wasn't his gun but he refused to tell officers whose gun it was -- so he was charged with its possession. Johnson was taken into custody at 11:30 p.m. Monday when officers investigated a gun shot in the area of Manahan Village, police said. Johnson worked as a seasonal employee for the Department of Public Works over the summer and was planning to return to school in Virginia the day after the incident, White said. A handgun was recovered at the scene and Johnson was taken into custody without incident, police said. He was charged with with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a defaced firearm. Morristown police have said no injuries or victims have been reported in connection with the incident. "I still love him," White said. "He made a stupid mistake. He's 20 years old and he still has his whole life ahead of him, as long as this taught him a lesson. I don't think he'll ever pick up a gun again." The police, she said, "could have reacted differently" because he had a loaded gun in his hand. "God is good and the Morristown police are the best in the world. I praise them for being merciful and their training," she said. "I didn't raise him but he is my grandson and I thank God he's here." She added: "Do not play with guns, do not pick up guns, do not hang out with people who do." White said her grandson was released from the Morris County Correctional Facility on bail and is returning to school in Virginia. He'll periodically return to New Jersey for court dates on the gun charges. Anyone with more information on this incident can contact the Morristown Police at 973-538-2200 to speak to an on-duty detective. Anonymous tips can be provided through Morris County CrimeStoppers at 973-COP-CALL. Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook The ex-wife of a Lehigh County gun range owner arrested on weapons charges in June outside the Holland Tunnel is speaking out against her ex-husband. In an interview with TV's Inside Edition, Gina Cramsey says her ex-husband John Cramsey's portrayal of a grieving father who lost his daughter to a drug overdose and was headed to New York to rescue another young woman from a drug den is bogus. "He's a fake, he's a phony, he's a narcissist," she tells Inside Edition, according to a news release from the program publicizing the airing of the interview. "I'm sorry, but I'm her mother and I raised her alone ... I mean the coroner was still in my home and he was on Facebook posting that his daughter was dead." John Cramsey's attorneys have claimed that Port Authority police targeted Cramsey's vehicle for a traffic stop because it was emblazoned with pro-Second Amendment rights decals. Police deny this claim. John Cramsey, 51, an Upper Milford Township resident who owned Higher Ground Tactical in the township, was pulled over June 21. Also riding in his vehicle were Dean Smith, 53, of Upper Milford, and Kimberly Arendt, 29, Lehighton, Pa. Officers said they could see weapons inside the vehicle. They said they seized a 12-gauge shotgun, an assault rifle with high capacity magazines, five handguns, some of them loaded, and knives, as well as prescription drugs and marijuana. All three were arrested and face New Jersey weapons charges. John Cramsey and his supporters raised money to pay a bail bondsman, and he was released Thursday. Gina Cramsey told Inside Edition that she resents her ex-husband for telling people their daughter was a drug addict. She says in the interview that she believes her daughter was tricked into taking a lethal dose of the painkiller Fentenyl. According to Inside Edition's news release, the program also interviewed John Cramsey while he was in jail. In the interview, he insists his anti-drug mission to New York and his grief over his daughter's death are genuine. The interviews air on Thursday's Inside Edition, the release states. The program airs at 6:30 p.m. on Fox 29 and 10:30 p.m. on MY9. NJ Advance Media reporter Steve Strunsky contributed to this report. Nick Falsone may be reached at nfalsone@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @nickfalsone. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. An Ocean County woman died when a car crashed into a tractor-trailer on an upstate New York highway Tuesday, authorities said. A 36-year-old New Jersey woman died in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday in upstate New York. Carrie Ann Ganley was a passenger in a 2015 BMW when it rear-ended a 2006 Western Star tractor-trailer on Route 17 west in Mamakating, New York State Police said. Ganley, 36, of the Bayville section of Berkeley, was pronounced dead at the scene following the 7:30 a.m. crash. The driver of the BMW, Alekos Patentas of Holmdel, was flown to Westchester Medical Center with head injuries. The driver of the tractor-trailer, an Amsterdam, N.Y. man was brought to a local hospital with minor injuries. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. WASHINGTON -- A federal banking industry regulator has fined Wells Fargo after its employees were found to have secretly opened deposit and credit card accounts in order to meet sales quotas. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced Thursday that workers at the banking giant, which has 294 branches in New Jersey, opened up to 2 million deposit and credit card accounts without consumers' permission. The Sioux Falls, S.D. -based bank faces fines totaling $185 million, including $100 million to the bureau, $35 million to the U.S. Comptroller of the Currency and $50 million to the city and county of Los Angeles. In addition, the bank must make full restitution to the victims. The refunds are expected to total about $2.5 million and affected consumers are not required to do anything to get refunds, the CFPB said. "Wells Fargo employees secretly opened unauthorized accounts to hit sales targets and receive bonuses," CFPB Director Richard Cordray said in a statement. "Because of the severity of these violations, Wells Fargo is paying the largest penalty the CFPB has ever imposed. Today's action should serve notice to the entire industry that financial incentive programs, if not monitored carefully, carry serious risks that can have serious legal consequences." The bank has fired about 5,300 employees, some of whom created phony PIN numbers and email addresses in order to enroll customers, CNN Money reported. A copy of the full consent order can be found here. Note: This post was updated in December 2018 to fix a photo glitch. Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook. supreme court 2.jpg ((File photo)) TRENTON -- Housing advocates in New Jersey get a second chance to convince a court that the state should keep in place its requirements that got thrown out earlier this summer for towns to provide for affordable housing for low-to-moderate income residents. The Appellate Division in July had shut down housing advocates' attempts to keep in place the formula for determining how many lower-to-moderate income units a town must build, but the state Supreme Court said towns shouldn't yet throw out that formula until more arguments are heard. In an order signed on Wednesday but released on Thursday, the state's highest court said it would allow the Fair Share Housing Center to appeal the July appellate decision and set the case on an expedited case by directing that oral arguments be scheduled for the last week of November. "We were disappointed in the Appellate Division's decision in July because we thought it misinterpreted the law and the Supreme Court's order today stops that order from being effective," said Kevin Walsh, executive director of the Fair Share Housing Center. "It gives us a chance to argue at the Supreme Court as to why it should be reversed." The legal action is the latest round of decades of litigation among towns, developers, housing advocates and state officials. This case grew out of a decision earlier this year by a Superior Court judge in Ocean County who ruled towns are responsible for meeting their previous and future affordable housing obligations as well as their obligations between 1999 and 2015, a span known as the "gap period" when the Council on Affordable Housing couldn't agree on a third round of requirements. The Supreme Court last year appointed a panel of Superior Court judges to decide on a case-by-case basis how many units would have to be made available to low and moderate income residents. In July, an appellate panel said towns did not have to meet their obligations in the gap period. Fair Share Housing asked the Supreme Court to take up the case, which it agreed to do. Fair Share Housing has estimated the state needs about 200,000 affordable units to be built in the coming decade, but that figure could be cut in half if towns don't have to meet their obligations from the gap period as the appellate division had said in July. The New Jersey State League of Municipalities, which is helping towns to coordinate the fight against Fair Share Housing, said the Supreme Court's decision wasn't unexpected. Michael Cerra, assistant executive director for the League, said it will, however, mean a continuation of expensive litigation. "While we are not surprised that the court will consider the issue, it will unfortunately further delay what has been a drawn-out, costly process for taxpayers," Cerra said. "Ultimately, we fully expect the well-reasoned, unanimous appellate ruling to be upheld. Perhaps once this decision is upheld, we can bring finality to costly litigation and get around to the business of compliance." MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook. I'm glad the party bosses have finally come around to realizing that Donald Trump can win this thing. Unfortunately it's the wrong party. I just got an email from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee begging me to send money. "Trump is making astronomical gains in the polls," it read. "And tomorrow marks just two months until Election Day!" You want money? Here's my two cents' worth: You guys are right to be worried. At this point in the last cycle, the Republican candidate was the choice of the Grand Old Party establishment. One GOP insider after another insisted that Mitt Romney was going to make short work of Barack Obama. The polls said otherwise. In September of 2012, the national polls were about where they are now, with the Republican a point or two behind the Democrat. But Romney was in deep trouble in the key swing states. In Ohio he was seven points behind. In Florida he was five points behind. Trump's behind in Ohio as well, but by 3.3. As for Florida, another money-grubbing email I got a few hours later told me the Democrats are in a panic because the latest poll has Trump up by a point. He'll have to make similar progress in other swing states to win. But unlike Romney, who was a complete stiff, the dynamic Donald has the potential to move those numbers. Meanwhile Clinton remains a recluse, rarely engaging with the public or the press. And Julian Assange of Wikileaks is threatening to release more emails that Clinton won't remember but Trump will. The Republican establishment is only reluctantly coming around to the realization that Trump can win. But one establishment guy got there first. That's our governor. A lot of party insiders thought Christie was crazy when he endorsed Trump just after dropping his own presidential bid. But at the moment it's looking like he was remarkably prescient. The first New Jersey Republican of note to endorse Trump was state Sen. Mike Doherty, a conservative Republican from Warren County who did so even while Christie was still in the race. He said the governor's "good political instincts" led him to endorse the Donald. "I think he could tell all the energy is with Trump, so it was a good move," said Doherty. The conventional wisdom among the many anti-Trump Republicans is that Clinton is such a weak candidate that any of the other candidates could have beaten her. Doherty disagrees. "If it had been Jeb Bush or Ted Cruz, it would have been worse than Romney," he said. Any Republican would be a favorite to win the red states. But neither Bush nor Cruz was likely to win the swing states, said Doherty. "Trump picked the exact mix of issue to win the swing states - the borders, the bad trade agreements and these endless foreign wars," he said. "He really did the Republican Party a favor. And what does the establishment do? They still kick him in the shins." The reason, Doherty said, is that the party "was co-opted by Koch brothers and the Club for Growth and all the Washington think tanks." The Beltway crowd likes free trade, free immigration and the interventionist foreign policy that George W. Bush handed on to Obama and Clinton, he said. "The reason the establishment is so ticked off is they wanted it to be Hillary vs. Jeb," he said. "No matter who won they'd have the same policies." It's time for these guys to accept that they've got to back Trump, he said. "If the Republicans just get on board with him it should be possible to win these swing states," he said. There are still some "never-Trump" Republicans out there, but they need to come around to supporting the Donald, said a New Jersey Republican who ran the Cruz campaign's last-ditch "stop-Trump" campaign. "I openly opposed him up to the convention because I didn't think he was the best candidate," Lonegan said. "But he wins and he is the best. So I was wrong." As for Christie, who Lonegan lost to in the 2009 GOP gubernatorial primary, "He made his choice and it was a good choice, so congratulations," he said. Congratulations are indeed in order. For a guy who embodies the establishment as much as any Republican in America, our governor made a smart move by backing the anti-establishment candidate early. If Trump wins, Christie will be among the closest advisers of the new president. Meanwhile the rest of the establishment will look really foolish. They do already. When you look back on recent elections, it becomes glaringly obvious that Romney was not the exception to the rule. He was the rule. The Republicans haven't nominated an exciting candidate for president since Ronald Reagan. Well, they've got one now. And the Democrats are going to need all the contributions they can get. ALSO - IS HILLARY LYING OR INCAPACITATED: Over at his No Quarter blog, former CIA agent Larry Johnson has a post in which he asks a question that every Clinton supporter should ask himself or herself: Is Hillary lying or is she mentally impaired? It's got to be one or the other now that we know about that FBI briefing during which she said a couple dozen times that she did not recall the answer to simple questions about her emails. Johnson is a former CIA agent who was once a leading Hillary booster. In the piece be recalls meeting with her in 2006 and finding she had a great memory at that time. So how come she answered "I don't remember" to so many simple questions: "There are only two possibilities-she lied or she is suffering mental impairment. There are no other explanations for her answers. Regardless of the rationale for her answering the way she did there is only one conclusion-Hillary is not qualified to be President. It does not matter whether she is a liar or mentally impaired. She has now demonstrated through action that she is so flawed that, if elected, America would be endangered." chris-christie.jpg (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) Amid his groveling for Donald Trump and grandstanding on school funding, there is one good thing Chris Christie is currently doing for New Jersey. The governor just announced he's ending a decades-old, reciprocal income tax agreement with Pennsylvania that was a terrible deal for our state. To which we say: It's about time. Christie claimed on Tuesday that Democratic lawmakers left him no choice, because they refused to give him the authority to force public-employee union officials to accept cost-cutting healthcare changes. Christie ending income tax pact with Pa., which will cost some N.J. residents more That's a load of nonsense. He could easily find the revenue elsewhere -- by putting a cap on exploding business tax incentives, for instance. Truth is, ending this pact isn't just about the $180 million in estimated new annual revenue for our state, although the money certainly comes at a desperate moment. The main argument for scrapping this deal has always been fundamental fairness. Here's the situation: A highly paid CEO can move his company to Princeton to take advantage of our skilled workforce, then helicopter it home to Bucks County and pay none of New Jersey's income tax. Moran: N.J. lets wealthy executives live in Pennsylvania, at a big cost It's all because of an antiquated pact that says people pay income taxes where they live - Pennsylvania - rather than where they work, which is the usual practice. It dates back to the 1970's, when our tax code wasn't so different from Pennsylvania's. The idea was to make it easier for commuters to file returns to only one state. Now, though, it's a big revenue loss for New Jersey, because we tax the wealthy at a higher rate than Pennsylvania, which has a 3 percent flat tax. The Democratic governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf, is criticizing Christie for ending this special deal, saying it will force Pennsylvania residents to pay the price for New Jersey's partisan fights. Please. He wants this money from the fat cats for his own state. We have more sympathy for the lower income South Jersey residents who work in Pennsylvania and will have to pay more under Pennsylvania's tax, because it isn't adjusted based on income like ours. Those who work in Philly will have to pay a city tax, too. But instead of criticizing New Jersey for this, why not lay the blame on Pennsylvania? Why does it have among the most regressive income taxes in the country? Pennsylvania taxes even the first few dollars of a minimum wage worker, and takes a sizeable bite. The vast majority of people pay more income taxes in Pennsylvania than New Jersey because of that regressive feature. Before you denounce Christie's move, ask yourself: Does New Jersey have this kind of tax deal with any other state? No? Then how can you possibly justify special treatment for people working in Pennsylvania? What about lower income people who live in Fort Lee and work in Manhattan? They have to pay New York state taxes, and some pay New York City taxes too. Leveling the playing field doesn't require a legal remedy; either governor can end the arrangement with a letter. Christie can fix it with a stroke of his pen. Unlike past governors, let's just hope he has the guts to. Follow NJ.com Opinion on Twitter @NJ_Opinion. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. WASHINGTON (AP) The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol has issued a subpoena to Donald Trump. The nine-member panel sent a letter to the former president's lawyers on Friday, demanding his testimony under oath by mid-November and outlining a series of corresponding documents. The decision by lawmakers to exercise their subpoena power comes a week after the committee made its final case against the former president, who they say is the "central cause" of the multi-part effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election. It remains unclear how Trump and his legal team will respond to the subpoena, if at all. Welcome to non league daily news now - your number one spot for all things relating to the National League System. Our dedicated reporters have come straight from the sidelines to bring you news fresh from the dugout - but not before theyve stopped off at the burger van first! We know that non league football fans are full of heart, passion, and belief. You trust the manager, you believe in the team, and, for some strange reason, you trust those rickety stands, too! Here at Non League Daily, we hope we can become your trusted non league news resource - a platform thats just as passionate about non league daily news now as you. Come rain or shine, well be out reporting on the latest non league fixtures. Well also be scouring the news, refreshing social media, and sourcing information from team websites in the hopes of finding the latest breaking non league daily news for our readers. As youll soon see, weve got exclusive match reports on the Vanarama National League, weve got transfer speculation thatll affect the National League South, weve found great stories thatll spice up the National League North, and weve even got news on the latest giant killers of the FA Cup. We may not be able to agree on who is going up this year, but we can all agree that any news on the NLS worth knowing will be published here, at Non League Daily. 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. Anbang hunts for new deals while digesting old ones Updated: 2016-09-08 07:25 (China Daily) An employee helps a guest with his bags at the Waldorf Astoria, Anbang's New York hotel. [Photo provided to China Daily] Anbang Insurance Group Co will focus on integrating its overseas purchases such as South Korea's Tongyang Life Insurance Co as it continues to seek acquisitions, Vice-Chairman Yao Dafeng said in an interview on Tuesday. The acquisitions will mostly cover insurers and banks, Yao said. "We want to build up the existing synergies a bit first, and consider new deals when appropriate opportunities emerge," Yao said. "You can't just keep buying everyday. You need to also digest and absorb." Anbang, founded in 2004, has been at the forefront of a record wave of overseas acquisitions by Chinese companies as the world's second-largest economy cools. The insurer, which has amassed assets across the US, Europe and Asia, is now preparing an initial public offering in Hong Kong of its life insurance operations. The proposed IPO is part of efforts by Anbang to better integrate itself into the global community as an "open and transparent" player, said Yao. Anbang folded four of the companies it acquired into the life unit last year. They include Tongyang Life, Dutch insurer Vivat, Belgium lender Nagelmackers and insurer Fidea NV, according to the unit's 2015 annual report. Net income at the consolidated division more than doubled from the previous year to 19.6 billion yuan ($2.9 billion), while assets surged more than sevenfold to 921.6 billion yuan, according to the report. "Those consolidated numbers are just the technical aspect, and a very small part" of benefits such acquisitions have brought Anbang, Yao said. "From the strategic and market competition point of view, our global deployment is taking shape." Some of the acquired companies are already benefiting as Anbang has started started integrating them. Tongyang Life posted its best results since its establishment in 1989 in the first half of this year, with premiums income jumping 91 percent mainly thanks to a new pension insurance product designed with Anbang's help, Yao said. Vivat reported a tenfold profit jump for the same period, after management strategies "exported" from Anbang helped reduce costs and improve efficiency, he added. Bloomberg China's Ningxia promotes trade with Dubai Updated: 2016-09-08 09:35 (Xinhua) DUBAI - A trade delegation from China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region started on Wednesday a multi-day visit to promote trade projects, according to its statement. The delegation plans to meet Dubai's trade and logistics community to promote Shizuishan logistics park in the north of Ningxia and the upcoming China Arab States Expo in 2017. Wang Yongyao, the mayor of Shizuishan and also the delegation's lead, said the visit "is a very important part of our strategy to promote the biennial expo that will take place in late 2017." "We want to build the best platform to make next year's forum a success," he added. Nadia Abdul Aziz, the president of the UAE's National Association of Freight and Logistics, welcomed the delegation and encouraged firms from Ningxia to do business with the Gulf state. "We have 38 free zones for different industries, all wide open to business at very competitive prices based on a one-stop-shop principle," Nadia said. Chinese consul general Li Lingbing highlighted the role of Ningxia as a very important place linking China and the Middle East through modern transportation. The delegation explained the potential of the region to become a logistics hub for halal products in particular, as over two million Muslims live in Ningxia. Bilateral trade between the UAE and China is expected to hit $60 billion by the end of 2016, up from $54.8 billion in 2014 when China became Dubai's biggest trade partner. The Gulf state now has 4,200 Chinese firms, 356 trade agencies and 2,500 Chinese trade labels, according to China Foreign Trade Center. China National Gold Group's purchase of 82 pct stake in Jinfeng completes Updated: 2016-09-08 09:42 (Xinhua) BEIJING - China National Gold Group, the country's leading gold producer, said that its purchase of a 82 percent stake in a gold mine in Guizhou from Canada's Eldorado Gold was completed on Wednesday. It is the group's biggest cross-border takeover. In April, the group signed an agreement to buy 82 percent interest in the Jinfeng gold mine in southern Guizhou province from Eldorado Gold, the world's fourth largest gold producer. "The successful takeover brings not only quality assets, but also intangible assets including advanced methods of management and operation models to us," said Song Xin, general manager of China National Gold Group. Jinfeng processes 4,500 tons of ore daily, and produces 4 tons of gold annually. Former senior executive of aluminum producer stands trial for graft Updated: 2016-09-08 16:49 (Xinhua) SHENYANG - Sun Zhaoxue, the former general manager of the Aluminum Corp of China (CHALCO), stood trial on charges of corruption at a court in Tieling, Liaoning province, Thursday. According to the indictment by Tieling City Procuratorate, between 2003 and 2013, Sun abused his positions and offered help to secure projects and official promotion for several companies and individuals. Between 2005 and 2014, it was alleged, Sun accepted gifts and money totalling over 38.81 million yuan ($5.8 million) from the companies and individuals involved, personally or through his wife, Zhang Xiuxia, according to the prosecutors. Also, the prosecutors found that the family's properties and expenditure markedly exceeded their legal income, and Sun could not explain where this money had come from. In his final statement, Sun confessed to his offenses and expressed regret. About 50 people, including representatives of local legislators, political advisors, journalists and members of the public were present at the open trial. The court adjourned to deliberate on its final ruling. The Northwest Indiana Forum has announced Joe Rurode has been hired as the organizations new director of economic development. He replaces Matthew Saltanovitz, who recently left the Forum to take up the post of Northwest Indiana regional director for the Indiana Economic Development Corp. It is with great excitement, we welcome Joe to the team, said Northwest Indiana Forum CEO Heather Ennis. His business acumen and knowledge of the area will help accelerate the positive momentum already happening in the region. Rurode served previously as economic development director for the Town of Burns Harbor and has 15 years of corporate experience. Rurode will spearhead project management for economic development efforts in the Region, according to Ennis. The Northwest Indiana Forum is the voice of business leadership and a regional economic development organization serving Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Starke, Jasper, Newton and Pulaski Counties. Man sues blogger for insulting all of Henan Updated: 2016-09-08 07:07 By Qi Xin in Zhengzhou(China Daily) A resident of Henan province is suing a micro-blogger for criticizing all Henan people. The lawsuit was accepted by the Zhengzhou Jinshui District People's Court in Zhengzhou, Henan province on Wednesday. Hu Wei, the micro-blogger, who has 46,000 online fans, registered on Sina Weibo in 2012. His posts sometimes made light of Henan people, which drew frowns from netizens, according to the local newspaper, Dahe Daily. Hu drew on current hot topics to abuse Henan people several times, including commentaries about actor Wang Baoqiang's divorce, the news report said. A screen shot showed a posting on Aug 14, saying that "Ma Rong, Wang's wife, has no face, like all Henan people". The lawsuit was filed by Jing Changshui, 46, who said he had lived and worked in Henan for nearly 30 years and knows the kind of people they are. He said Hu's abuse dated at least to April, and claimed the blogger had suggested there were no good Henan people, which seriously damaged Henan's reputation. "Central China's Henan province has a long history, and such insults deeply harm the image of Henan, so I chose to deal with it using legal weapons," Jing said. Jing submitted his lawsuit as "public interest litigation" on Aug 31. Defendants include Hu and Sina Weibo. He demanded an apology from Hu for the alleged insults. He also asked for deletion of material deemed offensive and said Hu must stop making insulting remarks about Henan people. What's more, he wanted the defendant to make a public apology through the media, and pay 1,000 yuan ($150) as compensation for mental injury. A busy road construction season is entering its final phase, with the Labor Day weekend seeing the conclusion of projects, including Ind. 49 in Porter County, and the transition of others to new phases, including an extensive Interstate 65 patching project and a U.S. 421 intersection reconstruction. Two large projects, the states Restore 94 paving and maintenance work on Interstate 94, and 80/90 Push, the Indiana Toll Roads rehabilitation project, will continue through this year and into next. The Indiana Department of Transportation has been engaged in 66 projects in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties this season, valued at nearly $132 million. The two-year Indiana Toll Road project, being paid for by its private operator, will cost about $200 million. Interstate 65 A concrete pavement restoration project on Interstate 65 through Merrillville has required lane closures both on the highway and its on- and off-ramps. INDOT contractors are patching spots along the highway, some at a depth of 3 inches, and more significant damage at the full 14-inch depth. Crews are also embedding dowel rods to transfer some of the load on places where cracks have developed. The work also includes joint sealing and asphalt replacement in bridge joints. The first segment of the project, from south of U.S. 30 to 61st Avenue, will be complete by the end of this week, weather-permitting, according to INDOT Northwest spokesman Doug Moats. A second phase, from 61st to the Interstate 80/94 interchange, will begin this week and could remain unfinished at the conclusion of construction season because more patching is needed than originally expected. I expect this project to still be ongoing and finish next spring, Moats said in an email. The goal is to have all barrels removed and the interstate back to normal before Thanksgiving and leave it that way over the winter. Ind. 49 The summerlong repaving of Ind. 49 in the Chesterton area wrapped up last week, a month behind schedule due to below-grade issues and a chemical leak in late July. We had subgrade issues with the State Road 49 project that delayed the project by four weeks, Moats said. We also had the slag problem that required crews to dig up parts of the road to contain and remove the substance. The heavily traveled road is a main access point to Interstate 80/94, the Indiana dunes and a South Shore commuter rail station. The motoring public were very frustrated by this project, as you can imagine, Moats acknowledged. But the extra driving time didnt appear to hinder visitors from flocking to the lakeshore parks, said Ken Kosky, promotions director for Indiana Dunes Tourism. He said INDOT worked with park and tourism officials through the summer to increase traffic flow at busy times. The gate revenue at Indiana Dunes State Park, which motorists could only reach this summer by driving through the Ind. 49 construction, increased 10 percent when compared to 2015, which had been their highest year, Kosky said Tuesday via email. And the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center on Ind. 49 a joint operation between Indiana Dunes Tourism and the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore didnt experience any decrease in visitors. U.S. 421 Westville residents are dealing with a two-phase project on U.S. 421 that involves replacing its intersections with Ind. 2 as well as repaving work. Our crews are completely tearing out all of the concrete and ADA (pedestrian) ramps and replacing them, Moats said of the intersection project. Currently, the road is closed from the north intersection of U.S. 421 and Ind. 2 to approximately County Road 250 South. That phase of the project is scheduled to be completed by the end of the month. Once this phase is complete, the south side of U.S. 421 and the west junction of Ind. 2 will be closed though November, Moats said. Interstate 94 and Indiana Toll Road The two largest projects include rehabilitation of northern Indianas main east-west thoroughfares Interstate 94 and the Indiana Toll Road. INDOTs $45 million Restore 94 rehabilitation project is continuing through fall, and two concrete patching projects will need to be completed next year. Also, some pavement near I-94 and U.S. 421 will have to be repaired, according to Moats. Drivers might have noticed a few bumps on the new pavement. We will go back in and fix those, he said. Recent Restore 94 work requiring lane restrictions includes bridge maintenance work from the Illinois state line to Cline Avenue, and paving work from U.S. 421 to the Michigan state line. Indiana Toll Road work involving resurfacing and bridge work from Lake Station to Elkhart will continue through the end of 2017, according to toll road operator ITR Concession Co.s plans. A third phase of the $200 million project concluded last week, with the exception of the Lake Station interchange, which will remain closed for structural repairs until mid-November. More than two-thirds of the project is complete 200 out of 292 lane-miles according to ITR. An interchange closure is scheduled for the toll roads connection to U.S. 421 in Michigan City beginning Monday. It is expected to last until Sept. 26. All exit and entry ramps will be closed. When that work is done, work will begin on the Valparaiso/Chesterton interchange, which will close approximately Sept. 26 to Oct. 10, according to ITR Concession. U.S. Steel has demoted about 25 to 30 more steelworkers at Gary Works, moving them from full-time maintenance positions to a labor gang. USW District 7 Director Mike Millsap will have a preliminary hearing today with a third-party arbiter to request a grievance hearing on the recent cuts at the steel mill in Gary. The union takes the position that its three-year contract with U.S. Steel, which it ratified in February, does not permit the layoffs and demotions, at least if theyre not first negotiated with the union. Union leaders estimate U.S. Steel has now laid off around 75 maintenance workers and cut the pay of more than 200 more over the last few weeks at the recommendation of the consulting firm McKinsey & Co., which has recommended that U.S. Steel use more outside contractors to cut costs. U.S. Steel has declined to comment. The steelmaker lost $1.5 billion in 2015 after its first profitable year in a half decade the previous year, but its stock price has been soaring since March because of tariffs and a federal crackdown on cheap imported steel. The USW says workers moved to labor gangs are getting paid $3 to $9 less per hour, and are being deprived of the chance to work overtime, which is how steelworkers commonly boost their income. Under the contract, U.S. Steel should have first negotiated such personnel moves with the union, Millsap said. The union also is concerned its making Gary Works less safe, with no preventative maintenance taking place and hundreds of work orders piling up. U.S. Steel laid off about 1,000 workers in Northwest Indiana in 2015, and slashed a quarter of its non-union salaried workforce earlier this year. The steelmaker lost $46 million in the second quarter but expects to end the year with a profit. SCHERERVILLE Police are requesting the public's help in identifying a man captured on surveillance video robbing a gas station over the weekend. The robbery occurred 3:40 a.m. Sunday at the Speedway gas station, 219 E. U.S. 30., according to a Schererville Police Department news release. The clerk employee told police a man wearing a blue hoodie, sunglasses, blue gloves and a black ski mask entered the store and ran behind the counter, forcing her to open the register at gunpoint. After taking cash, the man exited the store and fled westbound on foot. He was described as possibly white or Hispanic with a "stocky build." Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Schererville Police Detective Kevin Wagner or Detective Cpl. Jeff Cook at 219-322-5000. CROWN POINT Two literacy-based programs will soon begin serving multiple generations thanks to Big Idea Big Impact grants awarded Wednesday by the Crown Point Community Foundation. These are the two largest grants in the 26-year history of the Community Foundation, said Greg Forsythe, chairman of the foundation board, about the total of $108,000 presented to nonprofit organizations. Launched in January, this new grant initiative asked nonprofits to dream big and discuss what they would do if they had $100,000 to impact their programs, said Pat Huber, foundation president. We asked for projects that were over $25,000 but less than $100,000. Forty-six nonprofits applied. A $76,000 grant presented to a collaborative partnership between the Crown Point Public Library and the Crown Point Adult Learning Center provides several key elements to serve a wide population, said Rose Kendall, president of the Adult Learning Center and a trustee of the Crown Point Public Library. A permanent classroom space at the library will now be available for High School Equivalency (formerly GED) instruction as well as to help those who have less than a fifth-grade education and have difficulty filling out job applications, Kendall said. This grant also will fund the purchase of a van that will be used to transport the new Books in a Box program to various places including preschools and nursing homes where there is limited access to reading material, Huber said. They will bring the cart of books there for about four weeks and then replace them with other library materials, she said. A $32,000 Community Foundation grant will fund Birth 2 School, a literacy-based program by the Crown Point Community School Corp. to engage the parents of newborns. Birth 2 School will provide families at the poverty level with technological materials through cellphones and with books that will connect them to their local schools, said Teresa A. Eineman, superintendent of schools. There are 20 and 25 percent of the children in our school district who live in poverty. We want to reach them, Eineman said, adding that statistics indicate 87 percent of families at all income levels have cellphones. We are also adding a parenting component in partnership with the Rotary Club, she said. Seeking a grant for this program was necessary because Indiana doesnt allow state funds to pay for any extracurricular activities, Eineman said. EAST CHICAGO The East Chicago Housing Authority board approved two resolutions Wednesday intending to help residents of a public housing complex where alarmingly high levels of lead and arsenic were found in the soil. The resolutions authorized the use of the authoritys capital funds to help relocating West Calumet Housing Complex residents with security deposits at new homes and waived criminal background check requirements as part of the voucher process. More than 1,000 residents, including nearly 700 children, have been given until Nov. 30 to move out after learning the full magnitude and extent of lead and arsenic contamination in the soil around their homes. The complex sits in the footprint of the long-ago-demolished Eagle Picher lead smelter and just north of USS Lead, a second factory. The public housing complex is in the west end of the citys Calumet neighborhood, which is part of an EPA Superfund site established in 2009. Its long been known the soil within the entire Calumet neighborhood is contaminated, but public housing residents were not expecting to have to permanently leave their homes as the city applies to HUD for the sites demolition. The EPA in 2012 selected a cleanup plan and reached an agreement in fall 2014 with Atlantic Richfield and DuPont for a $26 million cleanup in part of the USS Lead Superfund site. However, last month, the federal agency said cleanup of the property could be renegotiated depending on the citys long-term plans for the area. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development last month released $1.9 million to ECHA to provide vouchers so West Calumet Complex residents can permanently relocate. A HUD spokesperson said this week it was seeking approximately $1.2 million in additional federal, state and local funds in hope of reimbursing the East Chicago Housing Authority for the agencys use of its capital dollars. The ECHA will continue to get its full annual capital grant funding for the West Calumet property, even after it is vacated, according to HUD. That grant totaled about $1.3 million this year, according to a HUD spokesperson. Those capital dollars can be used for demolition, but also for other capital needs at other sites maintained by the local housing authority, according to HUD. The city department typically receives that money from HUD as part of its annual allocation, said Nick Snow, an attorney with the Harris Law Firm, which represents the ECHA. The second resolution, which waives criminal background checks, will help streamline the voucher process, Snow said. The short meeting to approve the resolutions was attended by Tia Cauley, ECHA executive director and board secretary, and four of the boards other members, including President Nancy Almason, Vice President Beatriz Martinez and commissioners Patricia Aguirre and Lorraine Reed. Commissioners Leon Samuel and Janice Moss and William Hazel were absent. After the meeting, board members declined to comment further on the resolutions. The ECHA recently came under fire from the Chicago-based Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, which has filed a housing discrimination complaint alleging the city department is not complying with obligations under federal law to safely relocate residents. Additionally, HUD officials arrived in East Chicago two weeks ago to provide technical assistance, including housing counseling. City officials have said they decided demolition was the safest option after learning in May of the levels found during extensive soil sampling by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency conducted in 2014-15. Infrastructure in the area requires frequent repair, which is complicated by the hazardous soils, city records show. The city also had concerns that the EPAs cleanup plan for the area would remove only a fraction of the contamination, leaving tainted dirt in place under paved streets, sidewalks, parking lots and buildings. Times Reporter Lauren Cross contributed to this report. PORTAGE Ronnie Thomas nearly broke down Wednesday night. His voice was halting as the 66-year-old veteran tried to tell his story. "I have over $25,000 worth of doctors bills and the VA refuses to pay," Thomas, of Rensselaer, said during a veterans town hall meeting at Woodland Park. Thomas went on to tell the nearly 150 veterans gathered that he's done everything possible, but his credit is now ruined and he's facing foreclosure. "There has been a delay in the process at Jesse Brown (VA Medical Center in Chicago). There is a significant backlog from the centralized pay office," Jim McLain acting director of the center told Thomas, adding maybe his payment is caught up in that backlog. McLain also asked to meet with Thomas privately after the public question and answer session to learn more about his situation. McLain was joined by Mike Stephens, director of the Veterans Administration Regional office in Indianapolis, and Sean Baumgartener, director of the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, meeting with veterans and their families. Several VA staff members also attended and met with veterans individually to try to resolve their issues. Many of the veterans spoke of the nightmares of dealing with the VA system from long telephone wait times to long delays in getting medical appointments. Ed Hugley, of Michigan City, questioned the federal Veterans Choice Program and said he was having problems seeing specialists. McLain said the VA was forced to contract with two organizations after continuous complaints of long wait times for appointments. Because of that, the VA has no say in managing veterans health care through the third-party contractors. "Health Net doesn't have sufficient staffing to take care of it," said McLain, many times admitting to the deficiencies in the VA system. McLain told the veterans to expect changes in the Veterans Choice Program that will bring facility and veteran care processes back under the VA's wings. He said Congress must act when it returns to session, but believes it will be taken care of quickly. McLain also told the veterans to contact their congressmen and senators with the problems they are facing. Sometimes, he said, they can "work magic" to solve a veteran's problem. A little girl recently made a big difference in the life of an abandoned baby. Now 9-year-old Elysia Laub, of south Lake County, is making on a even bigger splash on a nationally broadcast talk show. The recognition couldnt be more deserved. We first learned about Elysia in July. She and her 4-year-old brother, Jude, were playing on their three-acre property in West Creek Township when she heard distant crying. Further investigation revealed a distraught infant wrapped in cloth and abandoned on her familys property. Elysia alerted her mother, who called authorities, and the day was saved for the helpless infant. But thats not where the story ends. Last month, Elysia became the guest of honor at a taping of The Steve Harvey Show at NBC 5 studios in Chicago. The show featuring her heroics is slated to air Oct. 4, and its certainly a #RegionProud moment. Lake County Sheriff John Buncich and Commissioner Gerry Scheub attended the filming as well, presenting a plaque and gift to thank the girl for her rescue. The Oct. 4 telecast is slated to run an hour, and we encourage everyone who is able to watch or record it. We hear plenty of examples of the wrong things that happen in our communities. Heres a chance to celebrate something very right. BEIRUT Intense fighting between Syrian government troops and insurgents in Syria's central Hama province displaced some 100,000 people over eight days between late August and early September, the U.N. humanitarian agency said. Earlier this month, insurgents pushed northward in Hama province, surprising government troops and dislodging them from areas they controlled around the provincial capital, also called Hama, including a military base and towns and villages near the highway to Damascus. The offensive, led by an ultraconservative Islamic group, Jund al-Aqsa, and also involving several factions from the Western-backed Free Syrian Army, incurred an intense government bombing campaign that killed dozens of people. The fighting and the aerial bombardment sent tens of thousands of people fleeing for safety, creating the latest wave of displacement, part of a pattern that has left nearly half of the Syrian population displaced since the war began in 2011. In a "flash update " on Tuesday, OCHA said figures from a camp coordination group show nearly half of the displaced from Hama arrived in the neighboring rebel-held Idlib governorate. Others fled toward government-controlled Hama city, where four mosques were converted into temporary shelters, OCHA said. Dozens of schools in rural areas of Hama province were also turned into shelters. A shortage of shelter space means many displaced families are sleeping outdoors in parks in Idlib, the U.N. agency said. Most of those fleeing left towns and villages in government areas as the rebels advanced. They feared a violent government response to the insurgent offensive, according to Ahmad al-Ahmad, an activist from Hama. "Wherever the regime is driven out of an area, it ends up destroying it," he said in a text message to The Associated Press. In at least one airstrike last week, government warplanes struck a van carrying displaced people fleeing Suran, a town north of Hama city, activists said. The government says it is targeting "terrorists." OCHA said the United Nations has sent an "inter-agency convoy with life-saving supplies to Hama" and was evaluating the humanitarian situation. An estimated 11 million Syrians have fled their homes since the outbreak of the civil war, now in its sixth year. Of those, 4.8 million are refugees with nearly 7 million displaced internally. In London Wednesday, Syrian opposition leaders were set to unveil plans for a political transition ahead of a Friends of Syria meeting of foreign ministers. The High Negotiations Committee plan, aimed at ending the Syrian war with a political settlement that could be implemented with international support, is set to be made public at a session in the British capital's International Institute for Strategic Studies. Survivors of the September 11th attacks and family members of those who died could soon be able to sue Saudi Arabia. NY1 has learned the House will vote on a bill this Friday that would allow it. If the bill passes, several lawsuits will move forward seeking settlements from the Saudi government. In May, the Senate passed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act unanimously. The legislation was sponsored by Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn, along with Sen. Charles Schumer. Schumer said in a statement, Justice for these families has been delayed and denied for far too long. There is simply no time to waste when it comes to delivering justice to the victims of horrendous terror attacks. President Barack Obama has threatened to veto the law. The Saudi government is also warning it will sell nearly $1 trillion in U.S. assets if the measure passes. Season 2, Episode 10: eps2.8_h1dden-pr0cess.axx The ugliest scene in this weeks Mr. Robot is also its most elegantly constructed. It serves as the climax and endpoint of the episode, which, like the previous few weeks installments, had been a steadily mounting drumbeat of dread. Acting on equal parts intuition and plain good detective work both of which are ignored by her superiors, as usual the F.B.I. agent Dom DiPierro realizes that the two major fsociety suspects whod dropped off a wounded associate at a local E.R. had not fled the scene fearing discovery at all. Theyd simply stepped out for a bite to eat before returning to check on their comrades condition, and if she wants to catch them before they return to the hospital, find it swarming with law enforcement, and fly the coop for real, she has to step out, too. So out she heads into the darkened Manhattan streets cluttered with uncollected trash, sparsely populated by strapped civilians searching for her quarry. The lights dim as she runs in the direction of the few restaurants left open at this time of night, with E Corps rolling blackouts providing her sojourn the atmosphere of a dark fairy tale. Slowly our main vector of information shifts from sight to sound: the slap of her shoes on the pavement, the buzz of failing electrical wires, the keening whir of car alarms, squealing tires stopping short in the sudden absence of streetlights and stoplights, the pulsating hum and ominous strings of composer Mac Quayles never-better score. A crosscut to Elliot and Angela, holed up on a subway car where she reveals her intention to turn herself in, prominently features fake ads reading, appropriately enough, Phase: Excellent Audio for Discerning Listeners. Their achingly romantic kiss, both a first and, it seems, a farewell, establishes a tone of terrible finality even before Angela is cornered by imposing figures, their faces obscured. The orchestral portion of the score has crested and fallen by the time we return to Dom, who runs, panting, to the foreground of a static shot showing the restaurant (in reality, Lupes in Soho, for those who care) where her suspects, Darlene and Cisco, have retreated for a late meal. Still out of breath, she picks up her phone and summons all units to the location. As Escobars downfall has become an unspoken inevitably, these last few episodes of Narcos have become, if not a romance, then an affirmation of the love he shares with his wife, Tata. Theres no small irony that his former mistress, the TV reporter Valeria Velez, is called upon to smuggle a ham radio to his wife as shes held in the upper floors of a Bogota hotel. Escobar may have been unfaithful, but having Velez commissioned to do the job is one last assertion of the primacy of their marriage over all obstacles. Tatas former romantic rival has been reduced to a delivery person, with a radio as the bouquet of flowers. (The fiction of this operation, too, is significant. The Valeria Velez character was inspired by Virginia Vallejo, an anchorwoman whose dalliances with Escobar are described in the 2007 memoir Loving Pablo, Hating Escobar. Vallejo is still alive. In this episode, Velez and her crew are murdered by Los Pepes and left for garish display in front of the hotel. Her dramatic function in Narcos is complete.) With two episodes remaining in the series, Exit El Patron does the heavy lifting of setting up Escobars last stand, but its nonetheless fascinating to witness him inch toward those latter stages of grief as the hour marches on. He isnt aware of the Cali cartels bloodless coup of his Miami operation, which took little more than convincing the Lion of Escobars weakness and allowing the Rodriguez Orejuela brothers to take over like managers of an existing franchise. But he loses two of his top people, Blackie and La Quica, to the Colombian police and both give away information to lessen the charges against them. Neither wants to betray their boss directly, but Blackie gives up Quica and Quica gives up details of the coming raid on Montecasino. Escobar absorbs these losses with surprising tact for someone who orders mass murders as casually as we might order a pizza. Before Blackie gets captured outside Tatas hotel, he lies to Escobar about seeing her and one of their kids through the hotel window, just to give the boss some good news, and theres the sense that Escobar only half-believes him, but appreciates the gesture. Quicas disappearance is received with quiet reservation, too, as Limon reports that hes not picking up his phone. Escobars organization is frittering away and he knows it, just as Gaviria refuses to accept the attorney generals pleas to negotiate, because he knows it, too. In his narration, Murphy says that the narcos always talk about loyalty until its one of them on the line. But Escobar seems to realize that loyalty is earned through money and power, both of which are slipping away from him by the minute. In the last scene of the episode, only poor Limon, Escobars driver, seems committed to staying by his side until the end. He asks Escobar about Quica. Born Sophia Augusta Frederika of Anhalt-Zerbst in 1729 in Stettin, Germany, to a noble but modest Prussian family Her mother was a princess, her father a prince, as the audio guide says she was introduced at age 10 to Karl Peter Ulrich of Holstein-Gottorp, her distant cousin and the nephew and chosen successor of the empress Elizabeth of Russia. To marry Peter, Catherine converted to the Russian Orthodox religion and changed her name to Ekaterina Alexeevna in honor of Catherine I of Russia Elizabeths mother and the second wife of Peter the Great thus becoming Grand Duchess Catherine at the age of 16. Soon, however, it became apparent that the couple was a mismatch. Never was a union so ill-assorted, her close friend Louis Philippe, comte de Segur, the French ambassador to Russia, wrote in his memoirs in 1826. Nature, miserly in its gifts to the young Grand Duke, was generous with them in Catherines favor. It seems that by some strange caprice, fate wished to give the husband pusillanimity, absurdity, the foolishness of one destined to serve, and to give his wife the spirit, courage and steadiness of purpose of a man born to rule. Stuck in an unhappy marriage, Catherine turned to books and educated herself in Greek and Roman literature and philosophy. She styled her political ideas on the writings of Montesquieu, who urged rulers to seek a republican soul. She corresponded with the Enlightenment philosopher and satirist Voltaire, who called her the shining star of the North. When Empress Elizabeth died in 1761, her son came to power as Peter III at the age of 35. Loyal to his native Prussia rather than to his Russian kingdom, Peter immediately created an alliance with the king of Prussia, broke Russias treaties with France and Austria, and instigated a war with Denmark all in direct opposition to all the principles underlying Russian foreign policy, as the historian Vyacheslav Fyodorov writes in the exhibition catalogue. PARIS One of the most important African-American artists of the 20th century lay in an unmarked grave in Paris for 30 years. Beauford Delaneys work from the 1930s to the 1970s spanned a range of styles, from naif urban scenes and portraits to abstract. The Studio Museum in Harlem mounted a major retrospective in 1978, and his works were also shown in France at the Museum of Modern Art and at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. Although never center stage, he was a darling of the international culture scene in New York and Paris. James Baldwin called him his spiritual father. He was close friends with Henry Miller, who wrote about him, and Georgia OKeefe, who painted his portrait. But Delaneys star had faded long before his death in 1979 at a Paris mental hospital, at the age of 78. And he has remained largely unknown in his native Knoxville, Tenn. As the Biennale des Antiquaires opens its 28th presentation of antiques, art and collectibles at the Grand Palais in Paris on Sept. 10, the fair is taking an ambitious leap forward in both form and content. By adding 52 exhibitors to the showcase this year, the Biennale will increase its art dealer representation by more than 35 percent from the 89 participants in its last edition in 2014. The Syndicat National des Antiquaires, which organizes the fair, has also announced that the event will become more frequent, taking place every year, rather than every other year, starting in 2017. What will the event, which over more than five decades has been known to art and antiques connoisseurs as simply the Paris Biennale, call itself once it takes place annually? BETTER THINGS 10 p.m. on FX. Pamela Adlon goes semi-autobiographic as Sam Fox, an unfiltered actress and single mom raising her daughters, Max (Mikey Madison), Frankie (Hannah Alligood) and Duke (Olivia Edward), in Los Angeles while watching out for her mother, Phil (Celia Imrie), who lives across the street. Ms. Adlon created the show with Louis C.K., her fellow executive producer, who wrote several episodes and directed this pilot. Making all the decisions, being the boss that was effortless for me, Ms. Adlon said in a New York Times interview about discovering she had a show in her and the ability to run it. It just came second nature. The being-on-TV part gave me diarrhea for days. FINDING PRINCE CHARMING 9 p.m. on Logo. Lance Bass hosts this new gay dating show, in which 13 men live together while competing for the heart of Robert Sepulveda Jr., the creative director of an interior design firm, an L.G.B.T.Q. advocate and a former model. Philip Kingsley, a British-born authority on healthy hair and scalp who effectively fluffed his thinning mane to its fullest while unabashedly evincing, as he put it, a vital link between sexuality and hair, died on Saturday at his home in London. He was 86. His daughter Anabel Kingsley, the director of communications for Philip Kingsley Products, said the cause was a stroke. Mr. Kingsley started a clinic in London in 1957, opened another in Midtown Manhattan 20 years later and boasted of an A-list clientele, including Audrey Hepburn, Laurence Olivier, Jane Fonda, Mick Jagger, Jerry Hall, Candice Bergen, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett, Sienna Miller, Blaine and Ivana Trump and British royalty. He also published four books on hair care and wrote regular advice columns for Style, the magazine of The Sunday Times of London. What to expect from Day 2. Here, some scenes from past years. Credit... Clockwise from top left, Joshua Lott/Agence France-Presse Getty Images, Erin Baiano for The New York Times; Dolly Faibyshev for The New York Times; Erin Baiano for The New York Times Even The Times has borrowed from that long-ago publisher, in the title of a promotional brochure most likely designed by Louis Silverstein that described the newspapers appeal for apparel advertisers. ! was the only character on the 13-by-6-inch cover. Again, in 1953, The New York Times led all New York newspapers combined in both mens and womens national wearing apparel advertising, the brochure said inside. Behind a double gatefold printed the color of raspberry sherbet was a list of 308 apparel makers and their ad agencies, including Her Majesty Underwear Company, His Nibs Shirt Corporation, Rite-Form Corset Company, Slack-Ees Corporation, Snag-Pruf Zipper Corporation, Surprise Brassiere Company and Tish-U-Knit. Since this was the era of better living through chemistry, its not surprising to find E. I. DuPont de Nemours among the textile makers, along with the Carbide and Carbon Chemicals Company. All things considered, the brochure seems to describe a world that has almost completely disappeared. At least, until you turn to the back cover, which reproduces a Times front page turmoil in Iran, Korea and China and a cover of The New York Times Magazine with a picture on it of the queen of England. Yes, that queen. The world of Twitter, noting the series of abrupt interruptions, immediately called sexism, especially given how much gentler, almost babying, Lauers stance would prove toward Donald Trump. I think almost everyone in the whole world finds it easier to interrupt/dismiss what a woman is saying, tweeted Debra Herr, a Democrat to whom Joan Walsh, a political analyst on MSNBC (which was broadcasting the debate), responded, I gotta say, even if it costs me my career, this is so ... true. (In fact, Lauer interrupted Trump often as well, although the struggle over the interruptions was more combative with Clinton.) Lauer, who has been beloved to the mostly female audience of the Today show in one way or another since 1992, is not explicitly known for sexism (although many wondered if it factored in Ann Currys departure; and in 2014, he asked Mary Barra, chief executive of General Motors, if as a mother and C.E.O., she could do both well). What he does have a reputation for, however, is being the host of the Today show, which suggests that there may have been another dynamic at work in his tough interrogation of Clinton: overcompensation. [ALSO READ: Matt Lauer Offers Apology (With a Caveat)] Perhaps Lauer went into the interview on the offensive, fearing that his credibility would be questioned that he would get reviews like the one he ultimately did get, from conservatives and liberals alike, who questioned what he was doing there in the first place. (It seems far less likely that a female counterpart would find herself in the same role at that forum; by the time Katie Couric famously and ably interviewed Sarah Palin in 2008, she was already a nightly news anchor.) Lauers interview of Clinton could be seen as something more like a reversal of classic gender identities. The role of a Today show host reads as more stereotypically feminine as a pretty face, a celebrity, on a female-friendly show especially in contrast to the role in which Clinton was appearing that evening, as a veteran politician, an elder statesperson, a military expert. Lauer conducted himself with Clinton like those women of earlier generations who felt they had to be twice as tough to be taken seriously women who, like Clinton herself, were sometimes reviled for it. And yet Lauer, at least within his world of New York media, enjoys higher status than Trump, whom many of his peers no doubt see with contempt. He seemed to relax the moment Trump came onstage, wholly in his comfort zone, one celebrity taking on another, and a less admired one. Making it even easier, Trump in stark contrast to Clinton allowed himself to look vulnerable right at the outset. Was I supposed to answer this question? Trump asked mildly, in a moment of confusion early on. Lauer smiled genuinely for the first time all night. No, no, no, Lauer said, reassuring and warm, I mean just keep the attacks to a minimum. He relaxed so much, in fact, that he seemed positively narcotized for the remaining half-hour of the event. Clintons fans might agree that she did little to help her cause (while Trump did what Trump always does several different variations on chest-beating). She seemed taken off guard by the demand for concise answers to inevitable tough questions, unaware that Lauer might come out swinging quite so hard. Maybe Lauers aggression, and all those interruptions, were examples of straight-out sexism, a man interrupting a woman while going easy on the fun guy, for lack of a smarter, better way of getting at Trump. But Clinton showed none of the pitch-perfect instincts with which she proved herself so sympathetic during the Benghazi hearings. Twice-as-tough-as-the-other-guy did not work all that well for Clinton Wednesday night. But it worked out even worse for Lauer, who relied on it in the worst possible way: unevenly. In a decision that could fundamentally reshape public education in Connecticut, the state was ordered on Wednesday to make changes in everything from how schools are financed to which students are eligible to graduate from high school to how teachers are paid and evaluated. Reading his ruling from the bench for more than two hours, Judge Thomas Moukawsher of State Superior Court in Hartford said that Connecticut is defaulting on its constitutional duty to give all children an adequate education. Judge Moukawshers decision was a response to a lawsuit filed more than a decade ago that claimed the state was shortchanging the poorest districts when it came to school funding. What separates the decision from those in dozens of similar suits around the country is that rather than addressing money only, it requires the state to rethink nearly every major aspect of its system. This is a game changer, said Joseph P. Ganim, the mayor of Bridgeport, Conn., one of the states poorest and lowest-performing school districts. Its an indictment of the application of the system, and of the system itself. ALBANY For the second time in two weeks, New York State Department of Health officials sought to blame the Environmental Protection Agency for a contaminated water crisis in upstate New York, saying on Wednesday that they were confused and hamstrung by changing federal standards on perfluorooctanoic acid, a toxic chemical known as PFOA. But again and again, lawmakers at a joint legislative hearing seemed deeply skeptical of the states explanations about what happened in Hoosick Falls, a riverside hamlet where PFOA has been found in dangerously high levels. Theres a nice game going on where youre going to blame the E.P.A., Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin, a Republican who represents the village, said. I dont think that the members up here are quite buying the fact the D.O.H. holds no responsibility for this. It was a local resident, Michael Hickey, who first raised alarms about PFOA in the public water supply in the summer of 2014. It took nearly a year and a half for state officials to warn residents to not drink the water, acting only after the E.P.A. the very entity that the state now blames for the crisis had issued such a warning. A parent coordinator serves as the schools point person for students families, but beyond that, the position is loosely defined. Given the vastness and variance of the citys school system, this means the job could look completely different from one school to the next, a revealing measure of the needs of the parents and how accustomed they are to having those needs met. In one school, the parent coordinator might help families figure out how to apply for food stamps or translate for parents who do not speak English. In another, they manage droves of parental demands and try to keep the peace in times of stress. I cant tell you how many times my phone rings and theyre crying, or they walk into my office and they start crying the parents, Ms. Austen said of high school application season. I just try to keep as much humor in it as possible. At Andries Hudde, a middle school on the edge of Brooklyns Midwood neighborhood where many students come from poor families, the parent coordinator, Zoraida Clemente, has a very different set of challenges. Many of the families at her school do not have the time or flexibility to drop in for frequent meetings or to volunteer. So she tries to compensate. My role is to help the parents be as informed as possible so they can feel safe and reassured, or know how to follow up with their children, Ms. Clemente said. They may not be involved, but as long as theyre informed, they can be effective. Most prediction models, including the one put together by The Times, foresee a Hillary Clinton win, but recent polls show her lead diminishing. As Nate Silver wrote on the 538 website on Sept. 6: The clearest pattern is simply that Trump has regained ground since Clintons post-convention peak. With the odds now favoring a narrow Clinton victory, what would the ramifications be after Nov. 8 if she beats Trump by three or fewer percentage points? First and foremost, the anticipation of such a defeat has released in the Trump camp what the historian Richard Hofstadter famously described in 1964 as The Paranoid Style in American Politics: In fact, the idea of the paranoid style as a force in politics would have little contemporary relevance or historical value if it were applied only to men with profoundly disturbed minds. It is the use of paranoid modes of expression by more or less normal people that makes the phenomenon significant. The paranoia of the Trump campaign has found expression in the accusation that the Republican establishment in the primaries and now Hillary Clinton and her allies in the general election are committed to rigging the vote to prevent Trumps rightful accession to the White House. This has been on Trumps mind for quite a while. On April 11, in the midst of the primary battle, Trump told Fox and Friends: I won South Carolina. I won it by a landslide, like a massive landslide, and now theyre trying to pick off those delegates one by one. Thats not the way democracy is supposed to work. And you know, they offer them trips. They offer them all sorts of things. And youre allowed to do that. And youre allowed to offer trips and you can buy all these votes. What kind of a system is this? Now, Im an outsider and I came into the system. And Im winning the votes by millions of votes. But the system is rigged. Its crooked. With the nomination in hand, Trump declared in his convention acceptance speech: Big business, elite media and major donors are lining up behind the campaign of my opponent because they know she will keep our rigged system in place. They are throwing money at her because they have total control over everything she does. She is their puppet, and they pull the strings. I am hardly alone in recognizing Hofstadters relevance today. Conor Lynch returned to Hofstadter this summer in Salon, for example. Its easy to see why. Hofstadter describes the paranoid style as made up of certain preoccupations and fantasies: the megalomaniac view of oneself as the Elect, wholly good, abominably persecuted, yet assured of ultimate triumph; the attribution of gigantic and demonic powers to the adversary. Trumps strongest supporters do in fact feel abominably persecuted. They are unlikely to fade away gracefully. WASHINGTON APPLE got a big surprise last week when the European Commission ordered Ireland to collect more than $14 billion in back taxes from the company. The global giant had been attributing billions of dollars in profits to a phantom head office, allowing it to pay a tax rate of 1 percent or lower. Both Apple and Ireland are appealing the decision, but the commissions announcement was the latest sign that multinational corporations are running out of places to hide from paying taxes. The door is now open for Congress to fix our own corporate tax code, which has allowed the biggest multinationals to shirk their obligations for decades. The Apple ruling is big, but it is only the latest international effort to end the deals that American multinationals have used to pay near-zero tax rates. The European Commission is investigating Luxembourgs tax arrangements for Amazon and McDonalds, and last year the European Court of Justice struck down tax advantages to companies and their subsidiaries selling e-books throughout Europe. Also last year, Britain enacted a new tax to target profits siphoned off by international companies nicknamed, without much subtlety, the Google tax. Its not just Europe. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Group of 20 nations are coordinating on a global effort to end the cross-border games that allow companies to avoid taxation by moving money among various subsidiaries. Multinational corporations are especially worried about losing access to Cayman Island-style tax rates in European countries where they can also get rule of law, political stability and an educated professional class of attorneys and consultants. Laos provided fitting closure to President Obamas 11th official trip to Asia, which ends Thursday. The stop, the first by an American president, acknowledged the devastation caused by American bombing during the Vietnam War and the millions of unexploded bombs that remained in Laos after the war. That visit and the Asian tour was the last of Mr. Obamas broad efforts to strengthen engagements with countries in the region. There is significant unfinished business in Mr. Obamas Asia policy, including the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal that appears gridlocked in Washington and an expanding North Korean nuclear weapons program that he and other world leaders have failed to halt. But Mr. Obama has made headway in reassuring Asian nations that the United States intends to remain a stabilizing presence in the region, as it has been for decades, and to serve as a counterweight to Chinas growing power and increasing assertiveness, especially in the South China Sea. In addition to opening a new chapter with Laos, Mr. Obama established relations with Myanmar when the former military dictatorship of that country agreed to move toward a democratic system. Ties were expanded and an arms embargo against Vietnam was dropped. New agreements on military bases for American forces were negotiated with the Philippines and Australia. On Wednesday, Donald Trump explained how good he was going to be at dealing with world leaders by pointing to the great job he did at his recent meeting south of the border: Look at the aftermath today where the people that arranged the trip in Mexico have been forced out of government. Thats how well we did. Trump and international affairs is an end-of-the-summer horror thriller. At the big presidential candidates forum in New York, he bragged about the two high points in his diplomatic history the firing of the official whose idea it was to invite him to Mexico and his bromance with Vladimir Putin. (Well, he does have an 82 percent approval rating according to the different pollsters. ) The forum, on the Intrepid aircraft carrier before an audience of veterans, was a kind of remote warfare back-to-back question-and-answer sessions. They really did seem to be held in two different worlds. Hillary Clinton defended her work on the Iran nuclear deal and the intervention in Libya, while Trump explained why he was keeping his plan for defeating ISIS secret. (I have a substantial chance of winning. If I win, I dont want to broadcast to the enemy exactly what my plan is.) North Carolina Republicans are at it again. Barely one month after a federal appeals court struck down the states anti-voter law for suppressing African-American voter turnout with almost surgical precision, election officials in dozens of counties are taking up new ways to make it as hard as possible for blacks, and others who tend to support Democrats, to vote. A ruling issued by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals on July 29 invalidated most of a 2013 law. The courts scathing opinion said that because of race, the legislature enacted one of the largest restrictions of the franchise in modern North Carolina history. The law, passed by a Republican-dominated legislature, imposed strict voter-ID requirements, cut back early-voting hours and eliminated same-day registration, out-of-precinct voting and preregistration for those under 18. The court restored the week of early voting that the law had slashed, but it left it to local election boards to set the number of polling places and voting hours. This permitted those boards, all of which are led by Republicans, to cut voting hours below what they were for the 2012 election. Last year, the Paris Opera Ballets new online platform, 3e Scene, approached the photographer Alex Prager and asked her to make a film. She was given creative carte blanche, and allowed full access to the companys facilities and dancers. What resulted is La Grande Sortie, a ten-minute movie that makes its stateside debut at Lehmann Maupin in New York this week alongside Pragers distinctive, haunting photographs. The film conveys the photographers signature sense of anxiety: The prima ballerina (played by Emilie Cozette) takes the stage at the Opera Bastille and begins to dance an adaptation of Benjamin Millepieds piece Amoveo, set to a Stravinsky score hauntingly adapted by the Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich. At first, the performance resembles what Prager calls a PBS-style movie, when youre searching for something to watch late at night until its perspective switches into the dancers mind, and things start to quickly unravel. Consumed by her own anxiety and stage fright, the dancer becomes acutely aware of the audience people who are bored or who are staring right back at her until their gaze almost consumes her. The intention behind the project, as Prager puts it, was to investigate the ballerinas subjectivity: how what she is perceiving is happening is possibly different from what is actually happening. The film is on view at Lehmann Maupins Lower East Side location, alongside still images of the crowd, which, true to Pragers style, is composed of faces that are both eerily specific and wholly anonymous so that viewers can put their own intentions into the work. Entering the gallery, the viewer is confronted by the soft, ambient soundtrack of a theater filling up and suddenly gets the feeling that theyre both watching and being watched. Prager captures a version of the legendary institution with heightened capacities for both glamour and horror, not unlike The Red Shoes, a film that influenced her in creating La Grande Sortie. I really wanted to focus this fantasy world of what the Paris Opera Ballet is, she says. SAN FRANCISCO A federal court ruled on Wednesday that Uber drivers are subject to individual arbitration in a class-action case over background checks, handing the ride-hailing company a legal decision that it may be able to use to fend off other driver class-action suits. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday ruled that private arbitration agreements a clause that Uber drivers agree to when signing up to drive for the company were valid and enforceable in a case, Mohamed v. Uber Technologies, in which drivers had taken issue with Ubers background check practices. The decision reversed a previous ruling in the case, where a district court judge had deemed private arbitration unenforceable. Private arbitration, a legal maneuver often used by companies, allows corporations to litigate against plaintiffs individually instead of through class-action lawsuits. Opponents of the practice argue that binding arbitration clauses give companies unfair advantages against workers, who typically do not have the time and resources to fight companies on their own. Arbitration is a fair, speedy and less costly alternative to class-action litigation, Theodore J. Boutrous Jr., Ubers outside counsel at the law firm Gibson Dunn, said in a statement. Weve always believed our optional arbitration agreements should have applied in this case, and were pleased with the courts decision today. Forget about the headphone jack for a second. Sure, its pretty annoying that Apples newest iPhones the 7 and 7 Plus, which were unveiled in San Francisco on Wednesday and will start shipping to customers on Sept. 16 will not include a port for plugging in standard earbuds. But youll get used to it. The absence of a jack is far from the worst shortcoming in Apples latest product launch. Instead, its a symptom of a deeper issue with the new iPhones, part of a problem that afflicts much of the companys product lineup: Apples aesthetics have grown stale. Apple has squandered its once-commanding lead in hardware and software design. Though the new iPhones include several new features, including water resistance and upgraded cameras, they look pretty much the same as the old ones. The new Apple Watch does too. And as competitors have borrowed and even begun to surpass Apples best designs, what was iconic about the companys phones, computers, tablets and other products has come to seem generic. This is a subjective assessment, and its one that Apple rebuts. The company says it does not change its designs just for the sake of change; the current iPhone design, which debuted in 2014, has sold hundreds of millions of units, so why mess with success? In a video accompanying the iPhone 7 unveiling on Wednesday, Jonathan Ive, Apples design chief, called the device the most deliberate evolution of its design vision for the smartphone. On Wednesday, beneath a nearly cloudless sky, Mrs. Harmons remains, which had been sitting in a black box on a shelf in her daughters bedroom closet for a year and a half, finally came to rest in Arlington, in an understated columbarium. A handful of women who flew alongside Mrs. Harmon and many more who came after her traveled from across the country to bear witness and, in some cases, to give testimonies to a path she had helped clear. Finally, were over the last fight. We had to fight all the way along. I didnt think wed have to fight to be buried, said Florence Reynolds, a member of the unit and a friend of Mrs. Harmon known as Shutsy. I wanted to be here to make sure they didnt fuss it up. In the end, they did not. Mrs. Harmon, her remains present in a carved wooden box, was honored with a three-volley salute, a color guard and the playing of taps. By the count of Katherine Landdeck, a historian at Texas Womans University who is writing a history of the WASPs, fewer than 100 members of the unit are still alive. Only a handful have expressed interest in funerals at Arlington and so, she added, Mrs. Harmons service was something of a stand-in for a whole unit that is largely unknown outside of family and the women who followed it into flight. It was a fitting role for Mrs. Harmon, who helped hold the group together even as they returned to civilian life in 1944. Mrs. Harmon herself moved to Oakland, Calif., and worked as an air traffic controller while she waited for her husband to return from the Pacific. At the wars end, the young couple reunited in the growing Maryland suburbs of Washington to start a family. WASHINGTON Both Donald J. Trump and Hillary Clinton have their favorite retired general. For Mr. Trump, it is Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, a retired Army officer who led the Defense Intelligence Agency. For Mrs. Clinton, it is Gen. John R. Allen, a retired Marine who commanded NATO forces in Afghanistan. Both men gave rousing speeches endorsing their candidate at the national conventions in July. Some of their peers, however, bridled at the outspokenness, saying they were politicizing the military. Most notably, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, who retired last fall as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, wrote in The Washington Post: The military is not a political prize. Politicians should take the advice of senior military leaders but keep them off the stage. Even so, both campaigns this week released the names of scores of retired admirals and generals, many with exemplary service records, who offered endorsements. These lists have become a somewhat expected part of the presidential campaign, an effort to bolster a candidates credentials as commander in chief. Hillary Clinton and Donald J. Trump squared off from the same stage Wednesday evening if not exactly face to face in a televised forum on national security and veterans issues. The candidates appeared and took questions separately, with Matt Lauer of NBC as the moderator, in a broadcast from New York. The event came hours after Mr. Trump delivered a national security address in Philadelphia. Here were the highlights of Mr. Trumps segment (or check out our live analysis): Asked what experience has prepared him to be commander in chief, Mr. Trump began, Well, I built a great company, Ive been all over the world. Pressed again, he said, the main thing is, I have great judgment, before arguing that he was, in fact, against the war in Iraq, citing an article from 2004, after the war began. Mr. Trump, confronted with past comments that he knew more about the Islamic State than generals do, said that generals under President Obama and Mrs. Clinton have not been successful. I think under the leadership of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, the generals have been reduced to rubble, he said. Mr. Trump said that because he has a very substantial chance of winning, he would not detail counterterrorism plans and broadcast to the enemy exactly what my plan is. He said that he might rely on a combination of my plan and the generals plan in formulating his approach. Ms. Steins campaign confirmed in a statement that she had spray-painted a bulldozer. It did not acknowledge the charges against Mr. Baraka. Meleiza Figueroa, a spokeswoman for the Stein campaign, clarified that Ms. Stein had not planned to spray-paint the equipment going into the event, and that it was something she had been invited by activists to do when we were on site. We did spend quite a bit of time there talking with people, she added. The pipeline project has met with resistance from many who say that it will destroy sacred Native American sites and potentially threaten the quality of the drinking water at a nearby reservation. About 150 to 200 people protested against the pipeline at the Tuesday rally, which was held near St. Anthony, N.D., Mr. Keller said, with, some of the protesters on horses and some carrying hatchets and knives. Law enforcement officials pulled back from the area because it was determined that it was unsafe for them to go into that type of situation, he said. It was a high-stakes political moment, far from the chummier confines of the Today show and, for Matt Lauer, NBCs stalwart of the morning, a chance to prove his broadcasting mettle on the presidential stage. The consensus afterward was not kind. Charged with overseeing a live prime-time forum with Donald J. Trump and Hillary Clinton widely seen as a dry run of sorts for the coming presidential debates Mr. Lauer found himself besieged on Wednesday evening by critics of all political stripes, who accused the anchor of unfairness, sloppiness and even sexism in his handling of the event. Granted 30 minutes with each candidate, who appeared back-to-back at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in Manhattan, Mr. Lauer devoted about a third of his time with Mrs. Clinton to questions about her use of a private email server, then seemed to rush through subsequent queries about weighty topics like domestic terror attacks. TIGHT ON OBAMA FOR: My top science advisor John Holdman, periodically will issue some chart or report or graph ah, in the morning meetings, and theyre terrifying. [B-ROLL SOUND UP WAVE CRASH AS PUNCTUATION] OVER SCENIC B-ROLL OF INTERVIEW LOCATION AND MOODY WEATHER SHOTS: Obama: And everybody starts off the day thinking about, okay ah, weweve really gotta get on this, weve gotta pay attention to this. TITLE CARD OVER THE ABOVE SCENIC/MOODY SHOTS WIDE OF PATTER TIGHT ON INTERVIEWER: Q: First of all Mr. President, thank you very much for talking to us and doing such a lovely spot. Ah, were told youve thought a lot about how and why civilizations collapse. And we wanted to ask you, do you believe the threat from climate change is dire enough that it could precipitate the collapse of our civilization? A: Well, I dont know 00:02:00 That I can you know, look into a crystal ball and know exactly how this plays out. [...] what we do know is that historically, when you see severe environmental strains of one sort or another on cultures, on civilizations, on nations, that the by-products of that are unpredictable and can be very dangerous. 00:02:30 What we know is that if the current projections, the current trend lines on a warming planet continue, it is certainly going to be enormously disruptive worldwide. And just imagine for example, monsoon patterns shifting in south Asian, where youve got over a billion people. 00:03:00 If you have even a portion of those billion people displaced, ah, you now have the sorts of refugee crises and potential conflicts that we havent seen in our lifetimes. [...] Then youre looking at a much more dangerous world and severe strains on nation states, on communities, on economies[...]. Q: I mean given the magnitude of that threat, why do you think its been so difficult for you to mobilize 00:04:02 Public opinion at home about the necessity of confronting this issue? A: Well the good news is, during the course of my presidency, I think weve solidified, ah, in popular opinion the fact that climate change is real, that its important, and we should do something about it. Ah, so the problem is not that people dont believe in climate change, you know, theresthere are pockets of resistance, ah, particularly in 00:04:30 Certain congressional caucuses. UP SOUND: - someon e in Congress poo-pooing Obamas climate policies specifically.>>> But you talk to the average person, I think they understand at this point [...] that this is something serious and we gotta do something about it. Translating concern into action is the challenge. And part of what makes climate change difficult is that it ah, is not an instantaneous catastrophic event. Its a slow-moving 00:05:00 Ah, issue that on a day to day basis people dont experience and dont see. [...] And so part of our goal throughout my presidency has been to raise awareness, but also then to 00:06:00 Create frameworks, structures, rules that allow us to take specific action in ways that create economic opportunity and improve peoples wellbeing as opposed to people feeling as if there are these enormous trade-offs that ah, necessarily make life a lot harder for them. <> So that we can say, at long last, that this was the moment that we decided to confront Americas energy challange and reclaim Americas future. IN 2009, PRESIDENT OBAMA INTRODUCED the American Clean Energy and Security Act, PROPOSING A CAP AND TRADE PLAN WHERE THE GOVERNMENT SETS AN ANNUAL CAP ON GREENHOUSE EMISSIONS, AND ALLOWS BUSINESSES TO TRADE PERMITS ALLOWING THEM TO EXCEED THE LIMITS. THE BILL NEVER PASSED. LATER THAT YEAR, PRESIDENT OBAMA ATTENDED A SUMMIT OF WORLD LEADERS IN COPENHAGEN TO DISCUSS CLIMATE SCIENCE. HIS SPEECH WAS WIDELY CRITICIZED AS A FAILURE TO EMBRACE BOLD MEASURES TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE <> I believe that we can act boldly, and decisively, in the face of this common threat. And that is why I have come here today. TALKS ENDED WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT CHANGES. Q3: Mr. President you tried but failed to take action in your first term. Ah, the cap and trade bill failed in the senate. Ah, the Copenhagen climate change talks ended in collapse. What lessons did you learn, ah, from those episodes? 00:07:30 [...] When cap and trade came up, I was certainly disappointed that ah, many Republicans who previously had said that they were concerned about this suddenly went the other way, as the politics of it shifted. [...] people felt if, you know, were hemorrhaging jobs, and the economy is contracting, is this the time for us to be able to move this issue forward aggressively. Ah, but what we did do is to use the model we had created with the auto industry to start thinking how do we engage industry and how do we engage states on a whole set of rules, ah, and steps that even though short of big 00:08:30 Comprehensive legislation can still get the job done. And I think one of the most important things that people should know is that here, in 2016, ah, weve actually achieved more carbon emissions than we would have, under the ah, under the cap and trade bill that was presented and went down in the house. So ah, it taught us that theres just more than one way to skin a cat. 00:10:30 [...] And what I was able to get done in Copenhagen was to at least extract the basic principle that if were gonna solve this problem every country has to be involved, not just the wealthy countries, [...] 00:11:00 [...] That seems like a small thing but that was the mechanism whereby we were able in subsequent meetings to begin negotiations with China, ultimately leading to our joint announcement where China said it would set targets and restrain itself. THE NOVEMBER 2014, ANNOUNCEMENT THE PRESIDENT REFERS TO IS A SIGNIFICANT ONE, THE US STATED IT WOULD DOUBLE THE PACE OF YEARLY EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS. AND CHINA, FOR THE FIRST TIME, ANNOUNCED IT WOULD PEAK ITS OWN EMISSIONS. > I commend President Xi, his team and the Chinese government for the commitment they are making to slow, peak and then reverse the course of Chinas carbon emissions. Q: Ive been told that in thethe night before actually, the 2014 US China climate deal was announced that there were a couple of outstanding issues and that some of these were actually worked out between you and President Xi one on one. [...] I was wondering whether theres anything you can share with us about what your insight was about why ah, theyou know, ah, party leadership in China would be willing to take such painful steps. 00:33:30 [...] Ah, I had been in contact with President Xi prior 00:34:00 To my arrival. Ah and given him a sense of, if you are prepared to do this, here is what were gonna be doing, and for us to be able to make a joint announcement, I think would signal the capacity of ah, the US and China to lead the world on an issue of critical importance to everybody. Ah, one of the reasons I think that China was prepared to go further than it 00:34:30 Had been prepared to go previously, is that their overriding concern tends to be political stability. Interestingly, one of their greatest political vulnerabilities is the environment. People who go to Beijing, ah, know that ah, it can be hard to breathe. [...] And so theythe Chinese party leadership recognized that they had to rethink how they approach ah, environmental issues. Ah, and find ways to make that compatible with the growth rates that they need to keep up with their population. And I think we saw that as an opener ah, for us to be able to say 00:35:30 Ah, not only can you address what is increasingly important ah, domestic issue, and thats air quality. You can also work with us to create a multi-lateral framework you know, that shows Chinas emerging leadership on a world stage. // UNABLE TO FIND COMMON GROUND WITH REPUBLICANS, PRESIDENT OBAMA ELECTED TO TAKE UNCONVENTIONAL - SOME REPUBLICANS WOULD SAY UNCONSTITUTIONAL - STEPS. HIS CLEAN POWER PLAN IS AN EXPANSION OF THE REGULATORY OVERSIGHT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY. <> OBAMA: I am convinced that no challenge poses a greater threat to our future and future generations than a changing climate. And thats what brings us here today. Q3: 00:22:33 [...] Youve gotten a lot of blow-back for this. What are your misgivings about it, and how much do you worry that these will be these creative interpretation of the law will be legally durable? 00:23:30 [...] Well, // if Donald Trump is elected for example, you have a pretty big shift now with the EPA operates and thats true generally. //There is no doubt that ah, when you have a legislative ratification of a policy, that it is permanent, ah, it is less subject to ah, reversal. But keep in mind that what happens, when we come up with smart policies and regulations that prove to work, 00:24:00 Ah, you start getting buy-in from utilities, and you start getting buy-in from states, and you start getting buy-in from those whove invested, ah, private capital in this existing system. It becomes stickier. Its harder then to reverse because you know, the countrys gone down a different path. 00:24:32 [...] So all these ah, individual ah, and collective steps that have been taken, they lock in, they embed us moving ah, in a certain direction. And for somebody then to come in and say well were gonna tear this out 00:26:00 Root and branch, ah, its not just a matter now of reversing what Ive done, its a matter of reversing what a whole lot of people areare seeing works. Q3: Well you talked about all this buy-in from utilities, states, industry. But one of the things that is necessary for the clean power plan to be implemented is for it to stand up to 00:27:03 Legal challenge. Ah, the supreme court has put a halt on implementing it right now. And one of the most prominent critics of the legal structure of the clean power plan is your own mentor at Harvard Law School, Larry Tribe. He has said that your use of the clean air act to put forth the clean power plan is a vast legal overreach, he has compared itdirect quoteto burning the constitution. What is your 00:27:30 Reaction to Professor Tribes legal criticism ofof your plan? 00:28:00 I can say that legally, hes wrong. And ah, I think most legal commentators also think hes wrong. I think hes in the minority in the view that hes taken. But ultimately what really counts is what the DC circuit ah, and ah, if it gets there, the supreme court thinks about it. And Im very confident that the clean power plan will be upheld. Q3: If it is upheld, there will be some stark economic tradeoffs if its implemented. If it stands up to legal challenges, essentially the clean power plan will eventually end demand for coal power. What do you owe the workers and the people in coal communities who will be hurt, who will lose their jobs, who will lose their livelihoods as a result of this? A: Well I think we as a country owe everybody opportunity. And if theyre in a sector that because of the necessities of doing something about climate change are gonna be adversely impacted, then we need to be there for them. // So what we owe ah, the remaining people who are making a living ah, mining coal, is to be honest with them, and to say that, look, the economy is shifting, how we use energy is shifting, thats gonna be true here but its also gonna be true internationally. And how can we take your ah, skills and talents and work ethic that youve shown in this coal mine and use it to build some wind turbines, or use it to install ah, solar panels, or help us to rebuild a smart grid that would make our power distribution a lot more efficient. // I think there are a lot of folks in West Virginia and Kentucky, probably southern Illinois who do think that the reason theyre having a tough time is because ah, Obama and the EPA. And now of course Hillary Clinton, ah, you know, were all trying to destroy them. Ah, but what I want to do, and I think we should all want to do, is to have an honest conversation about how do we make sure that ah, these communities thrive with the energiesahindustries of the 21st century, not of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Yosemite National Park announced on Wednesday that it was growing by 400 acres, thanks to a donation of land along its western boundary. Though the addition is the parks largest expansion since 1949, it is relatively small in scale: It contributes less than two-thirds of a square mile to a park that covers 1,169 square miles in all. But the parcel, known as Ackerson Meadow, is home to crucial wetlands. The generous donation of Ackerson Meadow will preserve critical meadow habitat that is home to a number of state and federally listed protected species, the parks superintendent, Don Neubacher, said in a statement. The Trust for Public Land, a nonprofit conservation organization that helped make the donation possible, described the area in its own announcement as a bright island of open grass in a sea of shady forest. Aidan had started the project in a moment of despair right after getting back his spring grades in ninth grade. They were disappointing. They didnt reflect how hard he had worked. We were standing in his room at the time. I had pointed to a poster he had tacked up over his desk of successful adults who have dyslexia. I wonder how they made it? I had said. Probably smarter, he had answered. You could ask, I had said. And so, over the last year, he had written to 100 successful dyslexics. Ten responded. Dr. Delos Cosgrove, a surgeon and chief executive of the Cleveland Clinic, was the first. He started his letter, Dyslexia is an advantage in the fact that it makes us think more creatively. The second person to write back, the economist Diane Swonk, said among other things, Success is the process of learning from failures, and I had more learning experiences than many. The sculptor Thomas Sayre said, It appears that most dyslexics are improvisers. We have to be. Not one letter denied the challenges that come with having a significant learning difference. Instead, each letter provided the perspective that can only be gained over time. They all said, in their own ways, Kid, youre going to be O.K. My son pinned their letters up. He looked at these letters when preparing for a test or writing a paper or recovering from a bad grade. It would be nice to say that they provided the perfect antidote. They certainly did help, as did his academic accommodations. But midway through the year, his teachers called a meeting to see if anything more could be done. It was supposed to be a relaxing break at a friendly southern Thailand beach resort for Hannah Gavios, an adventurous 23-year-old New Yorker on a three-day leave from her job teaching English in Vietnam. Within hours of her arrival last Thursday, the break turned into a nighttime sexual assault, by a Thai stranger who Ms. Gavios said had volunteered to guide her to her hotel, the Chill Out Bar & Bungalow in Railay Bay, Krabi, a popular hangout for young foreigners. Ms. Gavios said she punched her attacker in the face, bit off part of his ear and ran through the darkness in a failed attempt to escape, falling off a 150-foot cliff near the beach and fracturing her spine. She then spent hours yelling for help in the darkness, she said, while the assailant searched for her with his cellphone flashlight, then alternated between praying for her, masturbating and groping her as she lay on a rock, unable to move. JERUSALEM Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia may have more in common than an interest in Middle East peace talks. According to a newly discovered Soviet document, Mr. Abbas may have once worked for the K.G.B., too. The possibility, trumpeted by the Israeli media on Wednesday night and just as quickly dismissed by Palestinian officials, emerged from a document in a British archive listing Soviet agents from 1983. A reference to Mr. Abbas is tantalizing but cryptic, just two lines identifying him by the code name Mole. At the end of his entry are two words: K.G.B. agent. The suggestion that Mr. Abbas may have been on Moscows roster more than three decades ago might have been just a historical curiosity but for the fact that it comes at the same time that Mr. Putin has been trying to organize new talks between Mr. Abbas and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. A Russian envoy was in Jerusalem this week to meet with Mr. Netanyahu, but the Israeli and Palestinian leaders remain at odds and no direct talks appear imminent. We thought it was important now in the context of the Russian attempt to arrange a summit between Abbas and Netanyahu, particularly because of Abbass joint K.G.B. past with Putin, said Gideon Remez, one of two researchers at the Truman Institute at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, who found and disclosed the Soviet document to Israels Channel 1. (At the end of the Soviet era, Mr. Putin was a K.G.B. lieutenant colonel.) The shows most unusual, and, in a way, most instructive image is Self-Portrait (1927), a deliberately blurred and distorted, black-and-white picture of the mustachioed artist in a tuxedo, top hat, mask and white gloves. This is the photographer not as a truth-telling documentarian but as a weaver of fantasies, a possibly evil, certainly decadent sorcerer. You might imagine this mischievous fellow to be the creative persona behind the female nudes that Outerbridge produced in the 1930s, fetishistic, borderline-kinky pictures of which there are several in the show. Nude With Mask and Hat (1936) depicts a woman standing with her back turned wearing only high-heeled shoes, a fishnet stocking on one leg, a top hat and a yellow mask. The Marquis de Sade would approve. Although contemporary standards of decorum wouldnt allow him to exhibit such pictures, Outerbridge invested a lot of time and effort in them. Today they seem more comical than pornographic, yet there is something unsettling in them, a deeply personal undercurrent of Freudian pathos. Had Outerbridge been born a few generations later and become a filmmaker, he would have been a Stanley Kubrick or a David Lynch. First Robin of Spring (1938), for example, is weirdly ominous despite its ostensibly cheerful subject. It offers a view of the titular bird perched on one of the black branches of a blossoming fruit tree with an intensely blue sky above and the roof of an old, white, clapboard-sided house low in the background. With its slightly burned, saturated color, its like a horror film still, calling to mind the end of Mr. Lynchs Blue Velvet. Theres a brief moment when Jeffrey Beaumont, the films protagonist played by Kyle MacLachlan, is resting in a lawn chair and he looks up to see a robin in a tree, an image that is almost a direct copy of Outerbridges picture. For decades, Ruth and Marvin Sackner of Miami collected language-based artworks typewriter art, artist books, micrography, sound and performance poetry, mail art and experimental calligraphy amassing what now could be the largest private collection of its kind in the world, the Sackner Archive of Concrete and Visual Poetry. Words are everything, said Mr. Sackner, 84, whose wife died last year. Now, more than 400 pieces are heading to the Perez Art Museum Miami, a gift and purchase made possible by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and by the archive. The collection which includes the contents of A Human Document, a 2013 show that was part of the museums inaugural series will be highlighted in an exhibition in June 2017. This is the kind of thing that can be a game changer for us, the museums director, Franklin Sirmans, said, adding that the museums holdings included nothing this concentrated as a body of work. The Sackner material, grounded in the early 20th-century European avant-garde, brings together examples of modernist movements like Italian Futurism, Dada, Russian Constructivism and Surrealism. The incident brought her popular visibility, but of a somewhat dubious kind: as crazy-lady artist, daring but ditsy, and a passive component of a male artists work. Some feminist observers were not kind. (Andrea Dworkin called her a harlot.) Others, like Ms. Ono and Carolee Schneemann, who knew Ms. Moorman well, saw a political pulse beating under the antic surface of her art, and the dual exhibitions let us see this, too. References to militarism are frequent. The cello-bomb she put into the Cage piece was there for a reason. Explaining her work and that of her colleagues, in a 1967 interview, she said, With the assassination of Kennedy, the war, the bomb well, in times like this, you cant just expect the kind of art you had before. In a breathtaking 1983 video clip, she performs a piece called Per Arco, created for her by the Italian composer Giuseppe Chiari. It opens with an audiotape of gunfire and bombing, recorded by the composer during World War II. After a brief silence, Ms. Moorman begins to respond to what shes just heard, rubbing her cello consolingly, then harshly, then suddenly slamming it with her bow before dissolving in tears. After a 1965 performance in Germany, she had written: I have played Chiaris Per Arco in many countries but this time I have quite a strange feeling because I am in the German country That is bombing Italy on the tape. Do you recognize your sound Vietnam Dominican Republic Mississippi!! Ms. Moorman wrote constantly, maybe compulsively, as if that were a way to pin down reality, order it, at least a little. Her ink-and-pencil planning maps for the festivals are so detailed as to baffle the eye. They appear, along with relics of the events, including the original Think Crazy banner by the Polish artist Marek Konieczny and dozens of you-are-there photographs by the great artist and avant-garde documenter Peter Moore (1932-1993), at the Grey Gallery. Examples of more personal writing, assembled by Scott Krafft of Northwestern Universitys libraries, are at the Fales: annotated shopping lists; quick love notes to her husband, Frank Pileggi (1940-1993); decades worth of appointment books; and a double-barrel Rolodex that looks about to burst. In 1979, she was told she had breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy, from which she seems not to have fully recovered. In the early 1980s, cancer recurred, and the diaries of her last years, written in tight lines on loose scraps of paper, are hour-by-hour accounts of pain endured and relief gained from morphine. She continued to work right to the end as an artist If I know Im performing, Ill be O.K., she writes and as an advocate for an anti-normal, anti-market, necessarily outsider art. Her last recorded words to Mr. Pileggi Dont throw anything out give the show its title. She left behind a mountain of material, much of which was deposited at Northwestern in 2001. The two exhibitions, as dense as they are with their hundreds of objects, represent a mere fraction of that material, the tip of the Moorman iceberg. Except it isnt an iceberg. Its a big, warm, spreading fire, always on the verge of leaping out of control, but crackling with new ideas and new histories. While documenting material looted in recent decades, databases of Middle Eastern archaeological artifacts are also shedding light on the lives of ancient rulers and poets as well as the Europeans and Americans who dug at historic sites nearly a century ago. One of the most comprehensive efforts, the Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative, has posted images and searchable transcripts for more than 100,000 clay tablets, stone cylinders used to imprint personal seals and other objects inscribed with writing. They were produced as early as 3350 B.C., in languages including Sumerian, Hittite and Akkadian. The texts describe, among other topics, mathematical formulas and the misdeeds of gods; poetically lament the deaths of livestock; and record regulations for taxation, divorce and prostitution. Robert K. Englund, the principal investigator for the cuneiform initiative, said that thousands of images and texts from institutions including the British Museum and the Louvre have been added in the last few years. The seals alone, he said, amount to an unbelievable new robust field of inquiry. The Ur Online database, a collaboration between the British Museum and the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, focuses on objects and human remains found in the 1920s and 30s in southern Iraq. Most of the material now belongs to the British Museum, the Penn Museum and the Iraq Museum; smaller collections are at institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City and the Museum of Ontario Archaeology. The website amounts to a digital reunion for the antiquities originally brought together by the excavation team led by the British archaeologists Leonard and Katharine Woolley. Georges Hugnet Huit jours a Trebaumec Ubu Gallery 416 East 59th Street, Manhattan Through Sept. 30 In 1900, two French businessmen, the brothers Andre and Edouard Michelin, published a guide to help sell automobiles or, more specifically, the tires they manufactured for them. By the late 1940s, the Michelin Guide, which rated historical sites, hotels and restaurants on a star system, was a French institution and perfect fodder for a Surrealist-style parody, which Georges Hugnet (1906-74) began in 1947. It took Mr. Hugnet 22 years to complete his faux Michelin guide, but it is a small masterpiece. Ubu Gallery is showing original collages from the guide, as well as maquettes of it and versions that were published by the bookbinder Henri Mercher in 1969. Mr. Hugnets guide centers on a fictional town in Brittany called Trebaumec, whose name is a French pun that roughly translates as good-looking guy. Rather than the customary Michelin Man, Mr. Hugnet provides a Michelin woman as a guide. Per the Surrealist ethos, there are lots of uncanny juxtapositions and odd setups involving castles, beaches and banquets. Day converges with night; people cavort nude or in absurd military costumes; familial, class and animal-human relationships are turned upside down. Mr. Hugnets Michelin Guide is mostly madcap fun, but underneath ripple the legacies of colonialism, which introduced exotic foreign lands and generally paved the way for tourism. (Some of Michelins earliest guides were for French colonies, like Algeria and Tunisia.) And now that we live in an era in which online guides and apps rate everything from beaches and food trucks to doctors, the hardcover Michelin Guide looks quaint, but Mr. Hugnets gonzo approach to culture is oddly prescient. PARIS A unique version of Marcel Duchamps revolutionary Porte-bouteilles (Bottle Rack, or Bottle Dryer) sculpture will be offered for sale next month from the foundation of the American artist Robert Rauschenberg. The sculpture, one of five surviving variants of Duchamps first pure ready-made, will be the centerpiece of an exhibition opening on Oct. 20 at Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac in Paris celebrating the centenary of these radical artworks. It will be the only Duchamp work available for sale. Neither the gallery nor the Rauschenberg foundation would disclose the asking price, though both made it clear it is only for sale to a public museum. That was the understanding. It cannot go to a private collector, said Thaddaeus Ropac, who has galleries in Paris and Salzburg, and who is opening a London branch in the spring. We wanted to present it properly in an exhibition with its own catalog, rather than have it for sale in a back room. We have a list of top museums in mind. Unique ready-mades by Duchamp, as distinct from his editioned pieces, rarely, if ever, appear for sale. The NBC presidential forum on Wednesday night in Manhattan brought together the candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald J. Trump to try to determine who has the strength, preparation and presence of mind to lead during a time of crisis. It sure wasnt Matt Lauer. In an event aboard the decommissioned aircraft carrier Intrepid, the Today host was lost at sea. Seemingly unprepared on military and foreign policy specifics, he performed like a soldier sent on a mission without ammunition, beginning with a disorganized offensive, ending in a humiliating retreat. Mr. Lauer interviewed the candidates in turn for a half-hour each. He began by asking Mrs. Clinton to defend her use of a private email server as secretary of state. And asking again. And again. Roughly a third of his questioning dealt with the emails a matter certainly connected to national security, but also a staple issue of this years campaign-trail reporting. It suggested, as the rest of the forum confirmed, that Mr. Lauer was steadiest handling issues familiar to anyone with a passing knowledge of the morning politics headlines. Just a few years before this low point, Branwell, an aspiring artist, painted a group portrait of the four siblings, one of the focal points of the exhibition. It is a strange visual document. At some point, Branwell painted over his likeness, leaving a whitish pillar between himself and his sisters, almost as though he had beamed himself out of the family, Star Trek style. In a sense, he did. His life ended, at 31, in a suicidal spiral of alcohol and opium addiction. Tuberculosis would claim Emily at 30, soon after Wuthering Heights appeared, and Anne at 29. For more than a half-century the portrait sat, folded in four and deeply creased, on top of a wardrobe in the home of Arthur Bell Nicholls, the curate at Haworth whom Charlotte married nine months before her death. It was discovered in 1916 by his second wife. It now hangs in the National Portrait Gallery and, like the British Librarys Jane Eyre manuscript, rarely leaves. It was quite extraordinary to secure these, Ms. Nelson said in an interview this week. These are pilgrimage pieces. People come to the National Portrait Gallery seeking out that portrait in particular. Branwell lacked talent, sad to say, and his depiction of Charlotte gives little or no sense of what she looked like. The only other known portrait of her, by George Richmond, also on loan from the National Portrait Gallery, is a polite, decorous effort. Richmond was commissioned by Charlottes editor, George Smith, to produce a flattering image of his subject, and he obliged. Posterity has been left with a hopeless quest for an image to match the vividness of the literary personality. The former chief financial officer of the real estate investing giant American Realty Capital Properties was arrested on Thursday morning at his home in Pennsylvania on charges that he fraudulently inflated financial performance numbers for the company in 2014. The executive, Brian Block, was expected to appear in federal court in Manhattan on Thursday afternoon to face charges that he knowingly misled investors through material misrepresentations about American Realty Capitals financial results, prosecutors said. When investors are lied to about material information, as is alleged to have happened here, the perpetrators need to be investigated and prosecuted, said Preet Bharara, the United States attorney in Manhattan. Mr. Block is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, one count of securities fraud, two counts of making false filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and two counts of submitting false certifications with required filings. One Wells customer in Northern California, Shahriar Jabbari, had seven additional accounts that he did not consent to, according to a lawsuit he filed against the bank last year in federal court. When Mr. Jabbari called the bank asking what he should do with three new debit cards he did not authorize, a bank employee told him to dispose of them, according to the lawsuit. Mr. Jabbari said in the lawsuit that his credit score had suffered because unpaid fees on the unauthorized accounts had been sent to a debt collector. Banking regulators said the widespread nature of the illegal behavior showed that the bank lacked the necessary controls and oversight of its employees. Ensuring that large banks have tight controls has been one of the central preoccupations of banking regulators after the mortgage crisis. Such pervasive problems at Wells Fargo, which has headquarters in San Francisco, stand out given all of the scrutiny that has been heaped on large, systemically important banks since 2008. If the managers are saying, We want growth; we dont care how you get there, what do you expect those employees to do? said Dan Amiram, an associate business professor at Columbia University. It is a particularly ugly moment for Wells, one of the few large American banks that have managed to produce consistent profit increases since the financial crisis. Wells has earned a reputation on Wall Street as a tightly run ship that avoided many of the missteps of the mortgage crisis because it took fewer risks than many of its competitors. At the same time, Wells has managed to be enormously profitable, as other large banks continued to stumble because of tighter regulations and a choppy economy. Workers in New York State who receive their wages on prepaid cards will gain consumer protections next year that advocates say are among the strongest in the nation. The new rules are intended to guarantee that employees do not have to pay any fees to gain access to their paychecks. An estimated 200,000 workers in the state are paid through debit cards, and activists have for years complained about high fees, concealed costs and other abuses. Under the new rules, released on Thursday by the New York State Department of Labor, employees who are paid on debit cards must be allowed to make unlimited, free withdrawals from their cards from at least one A.T.M. located a reasonable travel distance from their home or work. What qualifies as reasonable will be left to employers and the Labor Department to interpret, according to an official in the administration of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. The rules also prohibit a host of incremental fees, including charges for monthly maintenance, account inactivity, overdrafts, checking a cards balance or contacting customer service. NBCs prime-time presidential forum on Wednesday with Hillary Clinton and Donald J. Trump drew nearly 15 million viewers, beating many of the debates held during the primary season, according to Nielsen statistics. The sizable audience is good news for television executives who are anticipating record ratings for this falls presidential debates. It may have been bad news for Matt Lauer, the NBC host whose turn as moderator on Wednesday received vitriolic reviews. The forum, broadcast live from the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in Manhattan, aired on MSNBC and NBC broadcast affiliates, and it produced some memorable moments, including Mr. Trump expressing his admiration for President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. Still, Mr. Lauers perceived gaffes he was accused by critics of sloppiness and unfairness, among other journalistic sins dominated headlines on Thursday. Mrs. Clintons team even emailed a fund-raising solicitation with the subject line Matt Lauer. The note described a moment during the forum when Mr. Lauer did not challenge a false assertion by Mr. Trump about his views on the Iraq War. Defying the Nazis: The Sharps War is a generic documentary about two people who were anything but. Yet even when the film wanes, its subjects still come across as remarkable. In 1939, Waitstill Sharp, a Unitarian minister, and his wife, Martha, were asked by leaders of their church to travel to Czechoslovakia, where they would help Jews, dissidents and others flee persecution by the Nazis. The couple agreed, leaving their young children behind in the United States. Waitstill and Martha left the comfort of a peaceful, small Massachusetts home in order to go into Europe on the verge of war, one Holocaust scholar says at the start. They were motivated from the beginning to go out there into the kingdom of hell and try to get some people out. Before long the Sharps were living in a war zone and working to outwit the police there. Tom Hanks and Marina Goldman read letters from the couple that recount their exploits. Teenage life in the East Bay neighborhood of Richmond, the setting of Justin Tippings promising debut feature film, Kicks, is so rough that its little wonder that the movies 15-year-old protagonist, Brandon (Jahking Guillory), fantasizes that he is watched over by an imaginary spaceman. Because Brandon is small for his age and has delicate features, he is a natural target for bullies. Lacking the macho swagger of his peers, he is not a romantic magnet for the girls who throw themselves at his friends. He dwells in an anxious limbo where the harsh realities of big-city life coincide with a childlike longing for a magical escape. The astronaut, invisible to everyone but him, is a faceless visitor in a crumply spacesuit who floats down from above. He suggests a manifestation of an innocence the boy is not quite ready to surrender. At the same time, Brandon, who occasionally narrates the film, raps his story in a hard-boiled hip-hop argot. The appearances of Brandons fantasy watchdog lend Kicks a hallucinatory gloss, infusing the film with a pathos symbolized by Brandons wishful longing for flashy footwear. His beat-up white sneakers are falling apart. Were he to possess a pair of red-and-black Air Jordans, he would be a big shot with the shoes conferring instant status. Hoarding pennies, nickels and dimes, he is finally able to purchase them. And for a short time, he confidently strides the neighborhood streets and playgrounds. In Other People, David (Jesse Plemons), a gay comedy writer in New York scrambling for a big break, returns to Sacramento to help care for his mother, Joanne (Molly Shannon), who has cancer. That means moving back into a conservative, religious home, and living again with a family from whom hes been estranged. His two younger sisters are supportive, but his father, Norman (Bradley Whitford), has never accepted Davids sexuality though Norman says hes always ready to have that debate. Joanne at least acknowledges that she behaved badly when David first came out 10 years earlier. A deeply personal film its writer-director, Chris Kelly, based it on his own experiences Other People chronicles a year in the death of a loved one; a familys attempt to reconnect; and the welter of issues that leave David feeling as if he is a failure. He and his boyfriend have broken up; he may not have an apartment or a job to return to. Even with tragedy looming, everyday anxieties set his agenda. Other People tries to lighten its heavy load with mixed results. Mr. Kelly, a writer for Saturday Night Live, adds humorous set pieces that dont mesh well. (This is the summers second film to juxtapose a dying family member with an improv comedy troupe Mike Birbiglias Dont Think Twice is the other.) The easy, comic moments that occur in passing among the characters work better. Inherently melodramatic, the film belongs to Ms. Shannon, who vividly etches Joanne in a full end-of-life range: funny, loving, angry, regretful, exhausted, resigned. Mr. Plemons, understandably, cant keep up. Academics used to joke that campus politics were so vicious because the stakes were so small. Thats no longer the case, at least where the stakes are concerned, as Starving the Beast makes clear. This documentary by Steve Mims describes an ideological war over public higher education that is being conducted state by state. Trying to reframe college as a consumer product, free-market advocates proudly brandish a disrupt and reform credo that would apply business-world values and metrics to state universities. If its a business not a public responsibility then it dovetails nicely with the small-government movement to starve the beast. Thus, some states are sharply cutting their university funding, resulting in steep rises in tuition and student fees. And moves to change the very premise of higher education have led to battles on campuses across the country. Mr. Mims reviews the different conflicts in Texas, Louisiana, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Virginia. The film includes interviews with conservative reformers, but Mr. Mims makes no secret that he stands with the traditionalists. As with any introduction to a multifaceted debate, Starving the Beast has some gaps. Theres no reference, for example, to the big bang of taxpayer revolts the 1978 passage of Proposition 13 and its continuing impact on Californias public universities nor is there enough investigation of individual innovative proposals. The tension ebbs and flows as the story shifts among moments in time and states of consciousness. There are blah generic scenes with Sullys worried wife (Laura Linney) and glimpses of his past (he learned to fly as a teenager); mostly, there is the friction that Mr. Eastwood generates from the investigation, the accident and Sullys imaginary variations on the same. Mr. Eastwood bluntly drops in these imaginings, so its not always immediately clear whether youre watching a fantasy, a strategy that intensifies their power. These illusions are manifestations of Sullys worst, otherwise mostly unarticulated, fears, like disaster flicks dredged from his depths. And because were the only ones who see them, we become his secret sharer, or maybe confessor, which amplifies the movies intimacy. Mr. Hanks slips into Sully easily, with a grandfatherly wreath of white hair, a tidy mustache and an air of steadfast, professional calm thats only occasionally beaded in sweat. Its hard to imagine anyone else in the role, except perhaps for an older Matt Damon, another actor who conveys the old-fashioned, stoic heroism that movie companies have been outsourcing to Australian actors for years. So many younger actors read as slier than Mr. Hanks, whose appeal has always been that he seems like an awfully nice guy. It takes talent to persuade a mass audience that youre decency incarnate, but Mr. Hanks goes one better by making decency into something like soul. You spend a lot of time staring at Mr. Hankss face, which, when watched in IMAX, looms as large as an Easter Island colossus. Mr. Eastwood, working with his longtime director of photography Tom Stern, shot most of Sully using large-format digital cameras, and so everything on a really big screen is really big, Mr. Hankss head included. At first, this bigness seems off-kilter, even distracting, perhaps because immensity in movies tends to serve visual spectacle. Here, Sullys face is a landscape as vast as a western tableau, full of mystery and, over time, a means for the storys radical subjectivity. Barry Diller and the Hudson River Park Trust won another legal battle in their quest to build a cultural park on a new undulating pier on the Hudson River when the states Appellate Division on Thursday rejected arguments against the $200 million project. The City Club and other critics filed three lawsuits last year arguing that the proposal to build Pier 55, as the project is known, was the result of a secretive process devised to evade public scrutiny. The new 2.4-acre pier, they said, had the potential to do irreparable harm to the aquatic environment. The two sides in the case made their oral arguments before the Appellate Division, First Department, on Tuesday. The rapid decision upheld a lower-court ruling rejecting the arguments by the critics. The court ruled that the lease did not violate the public trust doctrine. FORT EDWARD, N.Y. Ask Matthew Traver, the mayor of this village north of Albany, his opinion of General Electric and its two closed factories that spilled PCBs into the Hudson River for decades, and his words could not be clearer. G.E., he said, has done a lot of damage to this community. But ask Mr. Traver if he and other residents believe that the industrial giant should continue dredging the Hudson to remove more of the chemical poison as G.E. did for years before finishing last year and his answer is equally firm, if surprising. Id say the general consensus in this community is, Youve dredged, youre done, he said. Its over. That sense of resignation, shared by some others on the Upper Hudson, is the direct opposite of a position taken recently by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, which is pushing the federal government to closely consider the issue of whether G.E.s cleanup efforts have been enough. BERLIN Perhaps it was inevitable that as Turkeys president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, continued his authoritarian course, relations with his Western European neighbors would worsen. Unfortunately, hes managing to ruin not just his own relationships with other governments, but also the Turkish-German communitys relationship with the rest of their country. In recent weeks, many policy makers have audibly changed their tone in addressing German Turks and those who claim to represent them in Germany, culminating in a harsh statement from Chancellor Angela Merkel in late August. We expect from people of Turkish descent who have been living in Germany for a long time to develop a high level of loyalty toward our country, she said in an interview. In return, we try to listen to their concerns. For Germans of Turkish descent who have lived in this country their entire lives, that had to sting. And yet she wasnt lobbing wholly baseless allegations. The situation started to escalate in June, when the German Parliament adopted a resolution defining the murder of hundreds of thousands of Armenians in 1915 as genocide, a move that Mr. Erdogan protested vigorously. So did German Turks: Soon after, about 1,500 people showed up to protest in front of the Brandenburg Gate. German Turks public support for Mr. Erdogans government soared after this summers coup attempt. Many came out into the Berlin streets after Mr. Erdogan called on Turks abroad to show their solidarity with him. Some 40,000 gathered in Cologne in a roaring sea of red moon-and-star-flags. To the Editor: Re Candidates Flex Debate Muscles During TV Forum (front page, Sept. 8): Donald Trumps astounding ignorance was on full display during the forum on Wednesday evening. If anyone, anywhere, had questions about his lack of knowledge, his coarseness and his monumental unsuitability to be president, this forum should have put the matter to rest. Hillary Clintons measured, detailed, fact-filled, coherent answers clearly reflected her years of experience at the highest levels of government. Mr. Trumps convoluted nonanswers, his grade-school rhetoric and his nonstop Obama bashing were transparent attempts to divert attention from his incredible lack of knowledge, understanding or experience in world affairs. I would have wished for two things in this event: 1) that the moderator had made a greater effort to counter Mr. Trumps evasiveness and press him on what, if anything, he actually knows; 2) that Mr. Trump would have heeded (as Mrs. Clinton did for the most part) the moderators request to avoid bashing the other candidate and focus purely on his own qualifications (such as they are). RALPH TUREK Strongsville, Ohio To the Editor: Re Moderator of Clinton-Trump Forum Fields a Storm of Criticism (news analysis, Sept. 8): Matt Lauers sorry performance as moderator of NBCs appearance by Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump is the latest dismaying example of how TV news seems unable or unwilling to get a handle on the Frankensteins monster it largely created in the person of Mr. Trump. MOSCOW According to Aleksei Diumin, it happened late one night, far from Moscow. He was standing guard at a presidential palace where Vladimir V. Putin was sleeping. A bear approached. He and I looked each other in the eyes, Mr. Diumin told a Russian newspaper. Then the bear backed away slightly. I opened the door and emptied my guns entire clip at his feet. The bear retreated. Russias president was safe. Mr. Diumin told the story of his encounter with the bear in February. Former bodyguards always have a stock of true-life tales for deployment at the dinner table. But Mr. Diumins account came only when he became a major Russian politician. That month, he was named acting governor of Tula province, an area just over a hundred miles from Moscow. Tula is one of the capitals of the Russian military industry and has produced a significant proportion of Russian small-arms weaponry since czarist times. Tolstoy is buried on his estate in the region. But despite Tulas rich cultural and political tradition, it seems Mr. Putin was unable to find a man in the province capable of serving as governor. Tulas leader seemingly appeared from out of nowhere, and his biography revealed that his main credential was 15 years of service as Mr. Putins personal bodyguard. Governors in Russia are formally elected by the residents of each region, but the complex nominating process and the election commissions, which are controlled by the Kremlin, allow the president to make anyone he wants a governor, including someone who had never set foot in the region, even as a tourist. For nearly 42 years, Omar Bongo ruled Gabon, presiding over a system of patronage that funneled much of the countrys oil wealth to his family, his clan and his cronies, while leaving most Gabonese short of housing, education, hospitals and hope. When Mr. Bongo died in 2009, his son, Ali Bongo Ondimba, succeeded him, winning an election marred by allegations of fraud and followed by violence. Many Gabonese hoped a new presidential election held on Aug. 27 would be different. That hope has been dashed. After election results last Wednesday gave Mr. Bongo a slim victory over his main challenger, Jean Ping, violence erupted in Libreville, the capital. Mr. Bongo responded by sending in the army and temporarily suspending the internet. At least six people died and more than 1,000 were arrested. Calm has returned to Libreville, but the election result remains in dispute. While Mr. Bongo has been officially declared the winner, Mr. Ping has independently proclaimed himself president, saying he won by a substantial vote margin. The main problem is the incredibly high number of votes in Mr. Bongos home district that tipped victory in the incumbents favor: Officials reported 99.9 percent voter turnout there, which seemed suspect, with 95 percent of the votes going to Mr. Bongo. Veterans are familiar with being used as props. Parades, V.I.P. tours and various public functions often require service members to line up, fill seats and keep our mouths shut. Unfortunately, the NBC/MSNBC commander-in-chief forum hosted by Matt Lauer on Wednesday evening felt the same way. It was a well-intended gesture that failed to give veterans their voice as promised. I attended the forum with about a dozen other veterans who are also students at Columbia University, after securing tickets online from NBC. We boarded the retired aircraft carrier Intrepid expecting to see the presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald J. Trump field questions directly from veterans representing the diverse backgrounds that the modern military now represents, including birthplace, sexual orientation and political leaning, as well as war and peacetime service experience. Instead, we watched as each candidates 30-minute appearance was largely taken up by questions and remarks from Mr. Lauer. Only 10 veterans were given the opportunity to ask a question: four for Mrs. Clinton, six for Mr. Trump. That wasnt all that was disappointing. Veterans were corralled by NBC staff members to fill seats and instructed to observe military decorum. We were told variously to sit here or walk there to fill background shots. Our bodies contributed more than our voices. The moves were outlined in a 32-page report that serves as a blueprint for how Airbnb plans to fight discrimination on the site. Among the other changes is a new full-time anti-discrimination team of engineers, data scientists and researchers, whose job includes discerning patterns of host behavior. Bias and discrimination have no place on Airbnb, and we have zero tolerance for them, Mr. Chesky wrote in a message to Airbnb users and hosts that accompanied the report. Unfortunately, we have been slow to address these problems, and for this I am sorry. Airbnbs response is designed to quiet the questions over discrimination that have threatened to cloud growth of the company, which is based in San Francisco. Founded in 2008, Airbnb has spread to more than 34,000 cities and 191 countries, where people increasingly use the service as a replacement for hotels. The continued expansion of the privately held start-up, which is valued at $25 billion, depends partly on the idea that Airbnb can be a global company, providing a broad range of people with places to stay when they travel. That reputation was stained in December, when Harvard University researchers released a working paper that concluded it was harder for guests with African-American-sounding names to rent rooms through the site. Several Airbnb users have since shared stories on social media saying they were denied a rental because of their race. In May, an African-American Airbnb user filed a suit against the company, seeking class-action status, saying he had been denied a place to stay because of his race. Image Laura W. Murphy, a former director of the American Civil Liberties Unions Washington legislative office, was hired by Airbnb to compile its report. Credit... Gabriella Demczuk for The New York Times There have been too many unacceptable instances of people being discriminated against on the Airbnb platform because of who they are or what they look like, wrote Laura W. Murphy, a former director of the American Civil Liberties Unions Washington legislative office who was hired by Airbnb to compile its report. For Danny DeVito, The Price is right. The comic actor, best known for his work on television (Taxi, Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia), will make his Broadway debut next year in the revival of one of Arthur Millers less well-known plays, The Price. The drama, set in Manhattan, is about a man who returns to his childhood home to sell off his parents property; Mr. DeVito will portray the closest thing to comic relief in the play Gregory Solomon, an antiques dealer, described as antic by the playwright in a 1999 essay. (Mr. DeVito is 71; the character is approaching 90.) The Price, which was first staged on Broadway in 1968, has been revived three times previously; this next revival will be presented by Roundabout Theater Company, and will also feature John Turturro (The Night Of), Tony Shalhoub (Monk) and Jessica Hecht (now onstage in Fiddler on the Roof). The production, directed by Terry Kinney, is to begin performances Feb. 16 and to open March 16 at the American Airlines Theater. Mr. DeVito has performed Off Broadway, including at Shakespeare in the Park. In 2012, he starred in a London stage production of The Sunshine Boys, and in 2013, he reprised that role in Los Angeles. Even though its been more than half a century, they still feel this loss, said Michael L. Lawson, the author of Dammed Indians, a history of the governments dam projects along the Missouri. He said about 56,000 acres of Standing Rock Sioux land had been condemned for the dams and 190 families relocated. Theirs was one of 23 reservations affected by the project. Just about every part of their economy and living situation was impacted, Mr. Lawson said. They lost their most important resources in the bottom lands. For years, the legacy of the dam was perhaps the headline struggle for the Standing Rock Sioux. Now the pipeline has brought widespread attention, intense news media coverage and thousands of environmental pilgrims to this serene stretch of North Dakota. The Standing Rock Sioux have sued the Army Corps of Engineers, which approved an important permit for the pipeline, saying that building the pipeline would destroy sacred cultural and burial sites and raising concerns that a leak or spill would poison their water supply. The tribe has asked for a preliminary injunction. The Corps says it reached out extensively to tribes before it gave approval for the Dakota Access pipeline to cross bodies of water, including the Missouri. The Standing Rock Sioux, it says, canceled a meeting to visit the pipelines proposed crossing across Lake Oahe. The tribe says it was not properly consulted. In legal filings, the Corps said the Standing Rock Sioux also could not point to specific sites that would be harmed by the pipeline. A tribal history expert later walked the route of the pipeline, and said he had found stone cairns and rocks arrayed in circles, spirals and other patterns that he said probably marked burial sites. PORTLAND, Ore. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont did well in the Pacific Northwest during the presidential primary season with his lectern-pounding message about fairness, need and corporate greed. A ballot measure here this fall that would sharply raise corporate taxes is now testing just how deeply Mr. Sanderss message about economic inequality has sunk in. Our corporations have to be held accountable! shouted Kayse Jama, the executive director of a group called Unite Oregon, as he rallied several hundred supporters of the proposal, known as Measure 97, on a recent evening in a local shopping mall. He even sounded a bit like Mr. Sanders, his voice hoarse with passion. If approved by the voters here in November, Measure 97 would create the biggest tide of new tax revenue in any state in the nation this year as a percentage of the budget, economists said and one of the biggest anywhere in recent history. Oregons general fund would grow by almost a third, or about $3 billion a year, through a 2.5 percent tax on corporate gross receipts. The initiative language says the money would augment state spending on education, health care and senior services, but does not bind the Legislature to a specific plan. Labor unions, led by teachers, are leading the fight for passage, arguing that decades of erosion in education funding are the cause of the states dismal high school graduation rate, among the lowest in the nation. Opponents have raised about $8 million four times as much as supporters through contributions from large companies like Amazon, General Motors and the grocery chain Kroger/Fred Meyer. They say companies will simply raise prices, a cost that will be passed along to consumers, or might cut jobs or move operations elsewhere. WASHINGTON Sexual assault in the military has plagued the Pentagon in recent years as a series of high-profile cases, and new data, revealed the extent of the problem. In response, President Obama and members of Congress demanded that military officials more aggressively address the threat and its causes. Yet few military experts went as far as Donald J. Trump did Wednesday, when he suggested that the integration of women into the armed forces was an underlying cause of sexual assault. Speaking at a candidates forum, Mr. Trump defended one of his Twitter posts from 2013 concerning the high number of sexual assaults in the military, and said that he had been absolutely correct in posting a message that said, What did these geniuses expect when they put men & women together? The remarks drew criticism on Thursday from lawmakers and military experts, who said Mr. Trump had displayed ignorance of the Pentagons decades-long struggle to curb such assaults and the military justice system that is in place to prosecute them. Republicans may have thought that the issue of Judge Merrick B. Garlands nomination to the Supreme Court had faded away like a summer hydrangea over the congressional recess. Democrats, however, are making sure that President Obamas pick stays in the news. On Thursday, Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. will be on Capitol Hill to join congressional Democrats at a news conference where they will push for a vote on Judge Garland, who was put forward by Mr. Obama in March and is now the longest pending Supreme Court nominee in American history. Judge Garland will also have a meeting with Senator Patrick J. Leahy, Democrat of Vermont. Senate Republicans, led by Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, have repeatedly said that they will not consider Judge Garlands nomination to replace Justice Antonin Scalia, who died in February, this year. They say the power to appoint the justices successor should be left to the next president. Mr. McConnells position on the matter could be severely undermined should Hillary Clinton prevail in the race for the White House this November. Gary Johnson, the former New Mexico governor and Libertarian Party presidential nominee, revealed a surprising lack of foreign policy knowledge on Thursday that could rock his insurgent candidacy when he could not answer a basic question about the crisis in Aleppo, Syria. What is Aleppo? Mr. Johnson said when asked on MSNBC how, as president, he would address the refugee crisis in the war-torn Syrian city. When pressed as to whether he was serious, Mr. Johnson indicated that he really was not aware of the city, which has been widely covered during the years that Syria has been engulfed in civil war. After Mike Barnicle, an MSNBC commentator who is often part of the Morning Joe program panel, explained that Aleppo was the center of Syrias refugee crisis, Mr. Johnson struggled to recover. WASHINGTON Donald J. Trumps campaign on Thursday reaffirmed its extraordinary embrace of Russias president, Vladimir V. Putin, signaling a preference for the leadership of an authoritarian adversary over that of Americas own president, despite a cascade of criticism from Democrats and expressions of discomfort among Republicans. I think its inarguable that Vladimir Putin has been a stronger leader in his country than Barack Obama has been in this country, Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana, Mr. Trumps running mate, said on CNN, defending Mr. Trump by echoing his latest praise for the Russian leader, offered Wednesday night in a televised candidate forum. Hillary Clinton excoriated Mr. Trump for asserting that Mr. Putin is a better leader than President Obama, saying it was not just unpatriotic and insulting to the people of our country, as well as to our commander in chief it is scary. She seized on Mr. Trumps assertion in the televised forum that Mr. Putins incursions into neighboring countries, crackdown on Russias independent news media and support for Americas enemies were no more troublesome than Mr. Obamas transgressions. She said it showed that, if elected, Mr. Trump would be little more than a tool of Mr. Putin. JERUSALEM Hillary Clinton suggested in a television interview in Israel, broadcast on Thursday, that the Islamic State is rooting for Donald Trumps victory and that terrorists are praying, Please, Allah, make Trump president of America. Speaking with Israels Channel 2, Mrs. Clinton said that by singling out Muslims during his campaign, Mr. Trump had played into the hands of extremists and helped their recruitment efforts, in effect giving aid and comfort to their evil ambitions. The stark language was aimed at undercutting Mr. Trumps support among those who see him as stronger on national security and deflecting critics who have complained that Mrs. Clinton and President Obama do not take the threat of radical Islam seriously enough. The suggestion that an enemy of the United States might favor an opponents election was once a red line in American politics, but in a year of bombastic charges and countercharges, there seem to be few lines left. Mrs. Clintons assertion came in response to a question from the anchor Yonit Levi about why she does not use the term war on radical Islam, a frequent critique from the political right in both America and Israel. Mrs. Clinton responded that drawing Islam into the equation actually serves the purpose of the radical jihadists. A 60-year old inmate was in a southeast Virginia jail for about three months when he became ill in August, suffering from uncontrolled fainting spells, coughing and vomiting. I dont know what cause the blackouts, the man, Henry C. Stewart, wrote on a form used by inmates to ask for medical help at Hampton Roads Regional Jail. I cant hold water down or food. That was Aug. 4. Two days later, Mr. Stewart was found dead in the jail in Portsmouth, Va., the second man to die in custody there within a year, the authorities said. The deaths of Mr. Stewart and the other inmate, Jamycheal Mitchell, 24, have renewed calls this month by legislators and state officials for better scrutiny and oversight of the states regional jails. BEIJING The 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly opens on Tuesday, and 45 members of the Taiwan United Nations Alliance are heading to New York and other cities in the United States, including Washington, Boston and Philadelphia, to make the case for Taiwans representation in the world body. The Republic of China, on Taiwan, lost the China seat in the United Nations to the Peoples Republic of China, on the mainland, in 1971. Since then, Beijing, which claims Taiwan as Chinese territory separated by civil war in the 1940s, has mostly blocked the islands attempts to join international organizations. Taiwan did compete in the recent Olympics, but as Chinese Taipei. This is the 13th time that the alliance, a civic organization founded in 2003, has run a campaign for Taiwans return to the United Nations, but the first time since President Tsai Ing-wen, whose Democratic Progressive Party has traditionally favored Taiwans formal independence from China, took office. The new foreign minister, David Lee, said last month that his government would not pursue United Nations membership, while continuing to press for meaningful participation in United Nations-affiliated agencies. Still, the alliances president, Michael Tsai, said that, after eight years of Ma Ying-jeou, the former president and a Kuomintang member, who pursued more conciliatory relations with China, the time is right for a new push for Taiwans full participation in global affairs. In an interview, Mr. Tsai, who is also a former D.P.P. legislator and defense minister, discussed the alliances plans. Whats on your agenda for this years campaign? We will visit the U.S. Congress and meet several representatives of United Nations members, including countries that have diplomatic relations with Taiwan and have been speaking for us in the U.N. General Assembly in past years. We also plan interviews with media and meetings with NGOs, academics and think tanks. We are sending a letter to Ban Ki-moon [the United Nations secretary general], and weve arranged a meeting with Randall Schriver, former U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state. Osamu Nagase, a visiting professor of disability studies at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, said the public was implicitly approving the attackers perception that the victims didnt deserve life. He added: If we want to pay respect to those 19 victims, they cannot remain nameless. They cannot remain faceless. Such nondisclosure is unusual. In other rare instances of mass killings in Japan, like the stabbings of five elderly victims on Awaji Island, south of Kobe, last year, or a knifing attack in 2008 that left seven dead in the Akihabara neighborhood of Tokyo, the police identified the victims within days. Indeed, across the globe, the naming of victims is seen as a way to honor them and the losses suffered by their families. As details about individual victims are revealed, the public is reminded of the humanity that has been brutally taken away. Yet in the case of the Sagamihara killings, the police said the families themselves had requested anonymity, specifically because the victims were disabled. Some, fearful of the stigma, had not even told relatives, friends or co-workers that their sons or daughters resided at Tsukui Yamayuri-en, the center where the attack took place. In Japan, the decision to withhold the names has been condemned by a number of disability rights groups, as well as many newspapers. The families feelings should be respected, an editorial in Tokyo Shimbun read, but we need to know their names and keep the memories of how they lived and lost their lives. Seiko Noda, a member of the House of Representatives and the mother of a disabled son, told another paper, Mainichi Shimbun, that withholding the names of the victims denies their entire lives. The Obama administration has not shied away from launching risky rescue raids, but the record has been mixed. The best known is perhaps the raid by SEALs in 2009 to free a cargo ship captain, Richard Phillips, from Somali pirates, an episode that was made into a movie starring Tom Hanks. In 2012, SEALs freed an American aid worker and her Danish colleague from Somali pirates. But a military raid in July 2014 to free several American and Western hostages held by the Islamic State in Syria failed because the captives had already been moved. That same year, militants from Al Qaedas affiliate in Yemen killed an American man and a South African after Special Operations forces tried to free them. The raid in August targeted a Taliban faction known as the Haqqani network. The Haqqanis are among the Talibans most capable and violent factions. They have held a number of high-profile Western captives over the years, including Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who was freed in 2014 in a prisoner swap with the United States. The Haqqanis sit atop the Talibans lucrative business of kidnapping Westerners and prominent Afghans, most of whom are held for ransom. The kidnappings are usually carried out by lesser-known insurgent factions or criminal gangs, who then sell the victims to the Haqqanis. Captives are usually then moved into the Haqqanis strongholds in the tribal areas of Pakistan. Once in Pakistan, the hostages are essentially beyond the reach of American and European forces, which can operate across Afghanistan but cannot legally launch raids inside Pakistan. Knowing this, insurgents try to move hostages across the border as quickly as possible, and American and European forces typically scramble in the immediate aftermath of an abduction to rescue the victims before they can be spirited out of Afghanistan. That appears to have been the case in the raid to free the professors, though officials did not say whether they believed that the men were still in Afghanistan or had been moved to Pakistan. There were, however, more genuine signs of the challenges the United States will face in coming years with China, starting with the diplomatic maneuvering at these meetings. Beijing lobbied to temper references to its territorial clashes with neighbors in the South China Sea. A draft statement from the 10 countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations mentioned the disputes but was vague about how to resolve them. Several leaders remained seriously concerned over recent developments in the South China Sea, the draft said. It called for the parties concerned to resolve their disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international laws. The Obama administration hopes to use a recent ruling against China by a tribunal in The Hague as a lever to discredit Chinas reclamation of land on reefs and shoals in the South China Sea. Mr. Obama drew attention to the ruling, saying I recognize this raises tensions. But for some of Chinas neighbors including Laos, the host of the summit that is the last thing they want to do. Even the Philippines, which brought the suit that led to the tribunal ruling, sounded a conciliatory note. A spokesman for the Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte, said he wanted to take a soft-landing strategy and talk peace with China. The Chinese news media portrayed the results of the meeting as a victory for Beijing. China has won in the last round of competition over the South China Sea, said an editorial in Global Times, an English-language Chinese paper that often takes nationalist positions. The new political waves around the South China Sea have been put under control, and China has gained some experiences of games between great powers. Mr. Obama also has struggled because another pillar of his Asia strategy, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, remains entangled in election-year politics in the United States. The president spent a lot of time during his trip discussing the nuances of a congressional vote, reassuring Asian leaders that the trade agreement would get a fair hearing after the election. Mr. Obama was a visible presence in his last appearance at an Asia summit, winning praise and applause from leaders, several of whom he is unlikely to see again. But Mr. Dutertes erratic performance ended up seizing much of the attention. He missed a group photograph with other leaders; his spokesman later said he was having a migraine. Marred by internal police chaos, Tirin Kot had long remained a vulnerable spot after its controversial police chief, Gen. Matiullah Khan, was gunned down in Kabul last year. General Khan had risen to power with generous support from NATO military contracts and political backing from the former president, Hamid Karzai, and although he kept the Taliban at bay, he was also accused of tribal favoritism and of using force against political rivals, which ultimately kept Oruzgan fragile. The security deterioration has occurred amid a protracted struggle over the succession to become police chief. General Khans brother, Raheemullah Khan, demanded that he be appointed to the post, but the central government went to pains to persuade him to accept the compromise position of deputy police chief. Nevertheless, officials in the past have accused forces under him of giving up checkpoints to signal his discontent. As Afghan forces rallied resources to counter the Taliban threat to the capital of neighboring Helmand Province, as well as the northern city of Kunduz, which the insurgents briefly overran last year, officials and elders warned that Tirin Kot was besieged. Mr. Nayab said that 200 Afghan commandos arrived late Wednesday and were trying to stop the Taliban advance, but he bemoaned the early lack of air support from NATO. LONDON With the iconic Palace of Westminster, Britains seat of Parliament, crumbling dangerously after decades of neglect, legislators moved a step closer on Thursday to agreeing on a plan for renovation, which includes vacating the entire building for at least six years. With leaky roofs and pipes, antiquated wiring, crumbling limestone, asbestos and rats, the building faces an impending crisis which we cannot responsibly ignore, and a growing risk of a catastrophic event, such as a major fire, according to a report by a joint committee of the House of Commons and House of Lords released on Thursday. The committee recommended that both houses of Parliament move to other nearby buildings in 2022 to expedite repairs. That would mean relocating about 2,000 people. Image With leaky roofs and pipes, antiquated wiring, crumbling limestone, asbestos and rats, the building faces an impending crisis. Credit... Frank Augstein/Associated Press The report follows a Deloitte study commissioned by Parliament last year which estimated that, with the building empty, the necessary renovations and improvements including weatherproofing thousands of windows would cost about 3.9 billion pounds, or about $5.2 billion. Isabelle Dinoire, the Frenchwoman who in 2005 received the worlds first partial facial transplant, paving the way for dozens of other patients to receive this complicated surgery, has died. She was 49. In statement released this week, the Amiens-Picardie University Hospital, where the transplant was performed, said that Ms. Dinoire died on April 22 but that it had withheld announcing the death at her familys request. They had asked for a period of private mourning, the hospital said. In a separate statement, the hospital, in northern France, suggested that the cause was related to longstanding complications from the operation. In the years after the transplant, Ms. Dinoire had endured infections and taken immunosuppressive drugs to keep her body from rejecting the foreign tissue. An assessment this spring revealed a recurrence of a malignant tumor that had been operated on in the summer of 2015. Its return could be scientifically linked to immunosuppressive therapy, the hospital said, adding that Ms. Dinoires death perfectly illustrates the challenges of facial transplants. One of the women arrested on Thursday is a daughter of the cars owner, according to the Paris prosecutors office. The owner of the vehicle was arrested on Tuesday, but has since been released. The car was not rigged to explode. The police found no detonator with the six gas cylinders an empty one in the back seat and five full ones in the trunk although they did find three jerrycans of diesel fuel. A notebook with Arabic writing in it was also found in the car, according to the prosecutors office, which did not elaborate. Amateur video footage showed the car parked with its hazard lights flashing. The district mayor said it sat that way for two hours before the police responded to a shopkeepers call about a suspicious vehicle. Altogether, seven people are now in police custody in connection with the car. In addition to the three women arrested on Thursday, the police have arrested four other people from the Loiret area in central France two brothers, ages 27 and 34, and their girlfriends, who are 26 and 29, according to the prosecutors office, which did not say how any of them might be linked to the Peugeot. But all four are suspected of being radical Islamists, the prosecutors office said. One couple was arrested on Tuesday at a highway service area in southern France, and the other was arrested late Wednesday or early Thursday near the town of Montargis in Loiret. Fears of an attack on large crowds in cities or at big events rose after a Tunisian man killed 86 people by driving a truck through crowds gathered to watch Bastille Day fireworks in Nice, France. JIDDA, Saudi Arabia It is incumbent upon every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so to travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Islams holiest site, at least once in his or her lifetime. The annual pilgrimage is known as the hajj, and it is one of the five pillars of Islam, prescribed in the Quran: And proclaim to mankind the hajj. They will come to you on foot, on very lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant mountain highway. This year, 1437 according to the Islamic calendar, I am making my first hajj. I will be joining two million Muslims from around the world though the writer Abu Muneer Ismail Davids joked that it may feel more like 10 million people. During the hajj, we must not swear, cut our hair or nails, have sex or crush a plant. I will be chronicling my journey for The New York Times and on social media. To better follow along, heres a glossary of terms, names and places that help explain the rites and rituals Muslims will participate in during the six days of the hajj, which begins Saturday. Prophets and Forebears Ibrahim, the prophet who, following Gods commandment, left his wife, Hajar, and their son Ismail in the Arabian desert. (I am using the Islamic spellings for these figures, who also appear in the Judeo-Christian Bible as Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael.) It is with Ibrahim that one of the stories of the origin of Islam begins. For Muslims, like Jews, he is considered a patriarch of our faith. JERUSALEM Palestinian politics are constantly in disarray. This time, the chaos is by court order. The Palestinian high court on Thursday suspended municipal elections, scheduled for Oct. 8 in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, pending a second hearing after a challenge by a lawyer over balloting in East Jerusalem. A Palestinian official said the next hearing would be on Sept. 21, although reports said it would not take place until December. From what I know, it is the intention of the prime minister, the presidents office and the elections committee to hold the elections as scheduled, said Jamal Dajani, the director of strategic communications and news media in the office of the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, Rami Hamdallah. But we are bound by the court decision. Mr. Dajani was speaking by telephone from the West Bank city of Ramallah, where the authority has headquarters. President Mahmoud Abbass party, Fatah, which dominates the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, has long had a bitter rivalry with Hamas, the Islamic militant group that controls the coastal territory of Gaza. Seventy-three Syrian aid groups suspended their cooperation with the United Nations on Thursday, accusing the world body of complacency in the face of what they called manipulation by the government to deny help to people in opposition-held areas. In a letter to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the United Nations agency that oversees aid to civilians affected by the Syria conflict, the groups said the Syrian government in Damascus has a significant and substantial influence on the performance of U.N. agencies based in Damascus and their partners, including the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. The signers of the letter, including some groups based outside Syria that seek to provide help to people in opposition-controlled territory, said they would no longer participate in an information-sharing system used by the United Nations in aid distribution. They said the government of President Bashar al-Assad had exploited the system to steer aid to areas he regards as politically acceptable. BEFORE RUSSIAN JETS DROPPED THEIR FIRST BOMBS IN SYRIA LAST SEPTEMBER, THE REGIME OF BASHAR AL ASSAD WAS FOUNDERING. NATPOP: http://newswire.storyful.com/storylines/*/stories/109365?q=russian%20airstrikes%20syria%20september&sort=oldest VO: A DRAMATIC SHIFT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THEN. THE REBEL FORCES, TRAINED AND SUPPLIED BY THE UNITED STATES C.I.A, WERE PUSHED BACK FROM THE TERRITORY THEY SEIZED. THE RUSSIAN BATTLEFIELD VICTORIES GAVE AN ADVANTAGE TO THE SYRIAN GOVERNMENT, AND CHANGED THE OUTCOME OF THE PROXY WAR BETWEEN MOSCOW AND WASHINGTON. NATPOP: Vladimir V. Putin in April, 2016 [8.03] Our goal was to support the state system in Syria NATPOP: Kerry in OSLO, NORWAY. 15 JUNE 2016 We are not going to sit there while Assad continues to offensively assault Aleppo, and while Russia continues to support in that effort. TITLE CARD: PROXY WAR IN SYRIA: UNITED STATES VS. RUSSIA VO (map): THE AREA OUTSIDE ALEPPO SHOWS HOW THE SYRIAN GOVERNMENT MANAGED TO REGAIN CONTROL OVER THE TERRITORIES, PREVIOUSLY LOST TO OPPOSITION FORCES AND ISIS. NATPOP: Vladimir V. Putin in April, 2016 [9.30] Syrian army continues to advance and frees more cities with our help VO: FOLLOWING RUSSIAN BATTLEFIELD VICTORIES NEARLY CUT THE OPPOSITION FROM THEIR SUPPLY LINES OVER THE BORDER IN TURKEY. IN THIS FOOTAGE, YOU CAN SEE U.S.-BACKED FIGHTERS DESTROYING A VEHICLE ON CASTELLO ROAD. IT SERVED AS SUPPLIES ROUTE FOR HUMANITARIAN AID FOR CIVILIANS AND SUPPLIES FOR REBELS. HELPED BY RUSSIAN AIRSTRIKES, PRESIDENT ASSADS FORCES MANAGED TO RETAKE THIS ROAD RECENTLY, PUTTING OPPOSITION-HELD ALEPPO UNDER SIEGE. NATPOP: from hyperlink above VO: AND NOW, U.S. -BACKED REBEL GROUPS ARE FIGHTING TO BREAK IT. NATPOP: from hyperlink above VO: THE RUSSIAN SUCCESSES IN SYRIA HAVE GIVEN MOSCOW NEW LEVERAGE IN DECISION ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE MIDDLE EAST. NATPOP: Putin in April 2016 Our active work against international terrorism helped our relationship with other countrie VO: AND IT SEEMS THAT PRESIDENT OBAMAS PREDICTION WAS OVERLY OPTIMISTIC. NATPOP: Obama on October 2015 An attempt by Russia and Iran to prop up Assad ....is just gonna get them stuck in a quagmire and it wont work. VO: THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION IS NOW TALKING TO PUTINS GOVERNMENT ABOUT SHARING INTELLIGENCE TO COORDINATE AIRSTRIKES AGAINST ISIS. NATPOP: Putin on July 14 Moscow I wanted to note our mutual efforts to resolve the conflicts that we consider to be important NATPOP: Kerry on August 1 State TV, via Reuters, in Washington,It is critical, obviously, that Russia restrain both itself and the Assad regime from conducting offensive operationsW VO: THE QUESTION IS, HOW MUCH LEVERAGE THE WASHINGTON HAS NOW TO WIN THE CHESS MATCH WITH RUSSIA ON THE GROUND, AS MOSCOW SEEMS TO BE WINNING THE PROXY WAR IN SYRIA, AT LEAST FOR NOW. NATPOP OBAMA on August 4 Washington: Im not confident that we can trust the Russians or Vladimir Putin, which is why we have to test whether or not we can get an actual cessation of hostilities ....(( Russia may not be able to get there, either because they dont want to or because they dont have sufficient influence over Assad )) [SUBS req] END BODO, Norway Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter has appointed a retired Army general as a special envoy to the Ukrainian minister of defense, a move that Pentagon officials said would deepen American ties to the Ukrainian military and that is likely to anger Russia. Gen. John P. Abizaid, who once led the United States Central Command, will advise the defense minister, Stepan Poltorak, on ways to strengthen Ukraines military. The appointment comes amid increased tensions between Russia and Ukraine over pro-Russian eastern Ukraine. Mr. Carter told reporters traveling with him that the new appointment did not mean that the United States had decided to provide Ukraine with offensive military weaponry or maneuvers against Russia in the east. He said the Pentagon was simply seeking to bolster Ukraines defensive capability. Since he left Gucci in 2004 and started his own brand, Tom Ford has made a habit of going against the grain, particularly where fashion week scheduling is concerned. He regularly shifts the city he shows in London one year, Los Angeles during Oscars week another and has even sent friends like Beyonce and Carine Roitfeld down his runway alongside conventional models. On Wednesday, Mr. Ford took over the recently closed Four Seasons restaurant here in New York, where, instead of showing next seasons collection, he staged a show with designs that would be on store shelves the next day, ready to buy. When I asked him about this, he detoured into a story, about an angry Vietnam veteran who confronted him once in a class at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, grabbing his shirt. The veteran made chaotic abstract paintings and explained to Mr. Nauman that some of them represented an incident he experienced as a helicopter pilot, when he left a group of South Vietnamese soldiers at a location and returned later to find them all dead, their severed heads arranged on posts. I think painting saved that guys life, he said. If he hadnt done that, he would have probably gone crazy. Mr. Nauman also just seems to have a higher threshold for darkness than many people. Of the clown piece I mentioned earlier, Clown Torture, from 1987, he told me: A lot of people cant take it but I still think its kind of nifty, pretty funny. (No clowns were actually tortured in its making.) Such pieces have infuriated some critics to no end. Robert Hughes, in Time magazine, wrote that Mr. Naumans work was so dumb you cant guess whether its dumbness is genuine or feigned. But by and large he has rarely been out of favor, and his work seems only to gain visibility in public collections. In 2018, the Museum of Modern Art and the Schaulager in Basel, Switzerland, will host a retrospective, the first in more than 20 years. I vividly remember the earlier retrospective when it came to the Modern in 1995, four years after I moved to New York. I was seeing art voraciously but without much context, and the Nauman show connected many dots largely because so much work being done in the 90s seemed to follow closely in its wake, for better and worse. Its cold-eyed fury made me think of Goya, and it jibed with a lot of my favorite literature, mostly Beckett, whose work has been influential for Mr. Nauman. After I left the museum, the city and everything around me felt profoundly different for days menacing and absurd, like a demented carnival, but also more vital and alive. Over the last 15 years or so, Mr. Naumans work has gotten quieter, more wistful, in many respects. But the contrapposto work turns up the volume again. It will be hard to stand in the room with it, Mr. Basualdo said. I think it will be almost unbearable. Getting up from his chair late in the interview to make some sugar water for the hummingbird feeders outside his kitchen window, Mr. Nauman said he never thought about art in such terms. I havent always practiced this, but I think work needs to be available or should be available to people on any level, coming at it from wherever they come, he said. Im questioning things as much for myself as for anybody. Which writers novelists, playwrights, critics, journalists, poets working today do you admire most? Questions like this make me uneasy for two fundamental reasons. Firstly, in anything other than a stark and unqualified list that unreels to the end of our allotted space here, there are going to be serious, gaping omissions that will cause me to wake at 3 in the morning and groan in useless torment at my own inadequacy as both a friend and reader. Secondly, I tend to exist at a remote and quarantined distance from most of the worlds news and information media. Given what a spectacular year this is turning out to be for bad news on both sides of the Atlantic, there remains a lingering anxiety about whether all of ones nominees will still be extant come the (so to speak) deadline. With that said, there follows a painfully incomplete list of names that happen to be passing through my mind right at this specific moment: Pynchon; Coover; Neal Stephenson; Junot Diaz; Joe Hill; William Gibson; Bruce Sterling; Samuel R. Delany; Iain Sinclair; Brian Catling; Michael Moorcock (his currently underway Whispering Swarm trilogy is astonishing); Eimear McBride; the remarkable Steve Aylett for everything, and in particular for his indispensable and quietly radioactive Heart of the Original; Laura Hird; Geoff Ryman; M. John Harrison; screenwriter Amy Jump. . . . Look, I can either go on forever or I cant go on. Im already mortified by the pathetic lack of women writers represented and find myself starting to come up with wretched excuses and squirming evasions. Best we end this here. What genres do you prefer? And which do you avoid? To be honest, having worked in genre for so long, Im happiest when Im outside it altogether, or perhaps more accurately, when I can conjure multiple genres all at once, in accordance with my theory (now available, I believe, as a greeting card and fridge magnet) that human life as we experience it is a simultaneous multiplicity of genres. I put it much more elegantly on the magnet. With that said, of course, there are considerable pleasures to be found in genre, foremost among which is that of either violating or transcending it, assuming theres a difference, and using it to talk about something else entirely. Some subversions, paradoxically, can even seem to reinvigorate the stale conventions that theyd set out to subvert or satirize. All genres, given enough ingenuity, can be adapted to this strategy, and the sole genre or subgenre that I personally am pathologically averse to would be that pertaining to the superhero, but apparently thats just me. What books did you read while working on your new novel? Bearing in mind that its been almost a decade since I commenced work on Jerusalem, Id have to say that I read very little fiction while I was writing it. I think I read Mike Moorcocks The Vengeance of Rome quite early in the process and also read the first volume of Brian Catlings monumental Vorrh trilogy, and it was around then that I decided that it would probably be best not to read any more massive and beautifully written works of fiction until Id finished the one that I was personally engaged in. I suppose I didnt want to subject myself to the pointless torment of maybe I should have written it more like this, and as a result for the past few years Ive been largely engaged with nonfiction. This has consisted of a lot of work by the prolific Iain Sinclair, including his superb Ghost Milk, American Smoke, Black Apples of Gower and a half a dozen others. Then there was The KLF: Chaos, Magic and the Band Who Burned a Million Pounds, by the immaculate John Higgs, along with the same authors revelatory history of the 20th century, Stranger Than We Can Imagine. I also read a whole stack of books by Slavoj Zizek, like The Year of Dreaming Dangerously and Living in the End Times, but the bulk of my reading over the last several years has been research. Very little of this has been pertinent to Jerusalem (most of the research for which was concluded before I commenced the book itself) but has instead been focused on my current comic-book series Providence, which is a serious fictional engagement with the works of H. P. Lovecraft. As a result I have roughly half a bookcaseful of contemporary H. P. Lovecraft criticism and biography, much of it by the inspiring S. T. Joshi, along with numerous invaluable works on some of the more obscure corners of early-20th-century America, like the Boston police strike riots of 1919, or gay culture in New York prior to 1920. One interesting insight that I gleaned from working on both books at roughly the same time was that a lot of post-World War I American history was predicated upon the Russian Revolution having occurred in 1917 the original Red Scare was 1919 while the dismantling of the Boroughs, the working-class area that Jerusalem revolves around, was commenced in 1918 and was presumably precipitated by the exact same thing. A sufficiently heterogeneous reading list can sometimes yield vital and unexpected connections (but it will always devour your precious time). Last year, I heard Celeste Ng read from her novel, Everything I Never Told You. After the reading, a man in the audience asked Ng about the spooky voice of her books narrator, who knows things before the characters do. The narrator in Ngs novel is an omniscient one, the sort that was common in fiction throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Gustave Flaubert believed that the ideal author should be present everywhere and visible nowhere, but in stressing invisibility, Flaubert was ahead of his time. Most 19th-century novelists didnt try to hide their authorial presence. With modernisms emphasis on the self and the rendering of individual consciousness, omniscience became unfashionable. Twentieth-century realists moved closer to their characters and wrote in the first person or limited third. The fact that Ngs narrator seems spooky suggests that omniscience is a novelty to some contemporary readers. In the past 20 years or so, some literary writers have used it (Edward P. Joness Pulitzer Prize-winning The Known World springs to mind), but a slew of recent novels suggest that omniscience is making a comeback. When I talk about omniscience, I dont mean Nabokovs sifting agent, that roving third person who alternately inhabits the perspective of one character at a time and sifts the story through his-her own emotions and notions. Im talking about narrators who intrude to remind the reader how little the characters know. The omniscient narrator is conscious of everything and isnt afraid to say so. Consider the opening lines of Ngs novel: Lydia is dead. But they dont know this yet. Or this omniscient swerve in Nell Zinks novel Mislaid: He was tempted to take the gun, but was unsure whether it might not be loaded. He recalled that Mrs. Fleming was crazy. Two hours later, he was dead. He had greatly misjudged the speed of an oncoming dump truck as he made a left turn from a stop sign. The other driver also died. Even the drugs and baggies burned, leaving no trace. When I cooked at a restaurant 30 miles south of San Francisco, I drove home after plating the last dessert order and scrubbing down the counters with soapy water. It was after midnight by then, and my neighborhood pizza place was closed, and everything else was, too. I showered in the time it took a pot of rice to cook on the stove, mixed in some butter, salted peanuts, whatever herbs I had and brown sugar. It was a sad little dinner, but for a long time it was mine. I can spend too much time with one dish, ignoring everything else thats available, eating it over and over until I never want to see it again. Theres no logic to it, but Im not the only one who does this: My friend Whitney made curried-sweet-potato-and-brown-rice soup so frequently one fall that even now, four years later, sweet potatoes give her the creeps. This is commonly referred to as a rut, but right at the start it feels more like a groove, doesnt it? As if the consistency of your desire could give a shape to your life. As if there were meaning hidden in what you choose to repeat, and it might reveal itself to you over time. There is no way of knowing why an appetite takes hold, or how long it will take to let go, only that it will, eventually, let go. William, I say, as sternly as I can, youve been bothering everybody in here. This is not a playground, its not a place for you to run around and yell. William doesnt bat an eye. Threat, threat, what can I say as a threat? If you want to be in an adult restaurant, act like an adult, I say. Otherwise, dont come here. The child eyes me contemptuously and says nothing. I leave. I know, I know, I am a colossal failure as Urban Avenger. And its too bad because in New York restaurants, with their tight space and enforced proximity, it would be nice to have a few superpowers and tools. Like that transparent cylinder tossed over the bad guys in one of those Superman movies. It also trapped sound, if memory serves. Would that be sweet: Kiddies under glass, silenced. Or how about Wonder Womans magic lasso, which forces the captive to obey her every command? You, screaming children. You are to leave the restaurant immediately and await orders to get me a taxi. And make sure its one where the air-conditioning works. Not that I havent had the occasional restaurant success as a mere mortal. Once, 40 years ago, when we were in one of those Cuban-Chinese joints on Eighth Avenue where you could get dinner for $3, Herb and I firmly put our hands on an obnoxious guy and led him out of the restaurant. O.K., he was drunk from his appearance, a career alcoholic but it was the first time we two puny feature writers had laid hands on anyone in a confrontation, and did we feel tough! Then Herb realized that even drunken guys can be armed, and we never did that again. I do have a technique for dealing with large groups of noisy, drunken guys, although it puts back the feminist movement 50 years. It requires murmuring, which doesnt come naturally to me, so before I do it I have to take a moment and channel Eartha Kitt. Then I go over to the loudest of the men. People speak of gratitude easily we hear of gratitude diaries, daily affirmations but when Ms. Light expresses thanks for her fortune, it feels real. She is at an age when so many performers are frustrated and unemployed, and she has the luxury of scheduling one job after another. Yet listening to her describe her work, she sounds as much an analysand as a performer. As a society, we judge ourselves over and over again we dont accept our flaws, she explained. Consequently, it behooves an actor to think you are always your characters best friend. Enter the very flawed, very LaButean Mrs. Johnson. (Lets reveal no more.) All the Ways to Say I Love You is a 25-page, single-spaced monologue, which doesnt allow her the luxury to play off other actors, as she did to memorable effect as the world-weary truth-tellers in her Tony-winning roles. She recorded the text and listens to it as she goes to sleep no pleasure given the subject matter. This play is about lies turning ourselves inside out and about how far one goes for a man, she explained. Why do it, then? I take things that are difficult, she said simply. This willingness to change course goes way back. As a theater graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Ms. Light announced to her parents that she would not consider working in soap operas. Then came a role in One Life to Live, as a housewife who became a part-time prostitute. It was a career-making hit with the audience and earned her two Emmys. I learned so much there, when I stopped being condescending, she said. I swore Id never do a sitcom, she continued. I was a woman of my word, she laughed ruefully, indicating the next eight years, in which she starred with Tony Danza in Whos the Boss for ABC. I stopped being prejudicial, she said. Lewis Black is probably best known for his comedic rants on The Daily Show, which he has done during the tenure of all three of its hosts, dating back to Craig Kilborn. But Mr. Black also has a long history in the theater, both writing (including a short work produced at Ensemble Studio Theater) and performing (in New York as well as at the Williamstown Theater Festival, where he has appeared many times). While his trademark fury is the same, he presents a richer and more varied performance live, one that shows off his many shades of red-hot anger. His new show, Black to the Future, arrives on Broadway on Monday, Sept. 12, and considering the impending election, he should have plenty to vent about. (Marquis Theater; 877-250-2929, marquistheatre.com.) The momos are giants, fat round dumplings with furrowed peaks, rising from a pink-orange sauce the color of penne alla vodka. It tastes a little like penne alla vodka, too, oddly, inexactly and wonderfully marinara meets tikka masala, with momos as tortelloni writ large. The awning outside Woodside Cafe, on Broadway in Woodside, Queens, promises Italian, American, Nepali, Indian Food. Such a combination may be unique in New York, if not Kathmandu, Nepal, where #pastamomo is an Instagram hashtag. (Another, unrelated Woodside Cafe, a half-mile away on Woodside Avenue, offers a different kind of fusion: American diner and Irish pub.) Customers sometimes speculate that this Woodside Cafe was once a wholly Italian restaurant, quietly subsumed by a Nepalese chef who kept making Italian dishes to placate regulars, stealthily dropping them from the menu over time. In fact, the chef, Purushotam Khadgi, ran an Italian-Nepalese restaurant in Kathmandu, his hometown, and cooked at an Italian restaurant on the Upper East Side for 14 years. Mr. Khadgi came to New York in 1995; his wife, Shova, who ran a Nepalese restaurant of her own back home, and their four sons, Pradeet, Prasant, Pratap and Prassida, joined him 11 years later. The family settled in Woodside, down the street from the acclaimed Bangladeshi restaurant Spicy Mina. When it closed in 2010, they took over the storefront and installed a pizza counter. MIAMI BEACH, FLA. A few months ago, when Daveed Diggs was deciding whether to renew his contract and continue performing his roles as the Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in the Broadway sensation Hamilton, he had a moment of doubt. His years with Hamilton, beginning with the earliest workshops and peaking with his Tony Award win for best performance by an actor in a featured role, had been a phenomenal, unique adventure. But fame of that nature, for a performer who had been plugging away at the margins for years, felt disorienting, and a little ephemeral. Guys, is this crazy? he asked his agents about the possibility of moving on. What if nobody wants me, and I dont make any money anymore? He remembered this conversation in a disheveled room at the Fontainebleau Hotel here, where he and his girlfriend, the actress Jalene Goodwin, were spending a few quiet, do-not-disturb days thanks to a little money and a little free time, he said, laughing about a couple of luxuries Hamilton afforded him that, a few years back, were hard to come by. NYTimes.com no longer supports Internet Explorer 9 or earlier. Please upgrade your browser. Lee County Sheriffs Office First-degree theft of property was reported Wednesday at 5:36 p.m. in the 10 block of Lee Road 494 in Phenix City. Second-degree theft of property was reported Wednesday at 8:43 a.m. on Lee Road 339 in Salem. Auburn Police Division A fraudulent use of a credit/debit card and a fourth-degree theft of lost property were reported Wednesday at 7:20 p.m. in the 500 block of Greentree Terrace. Third-degree domestic violence was reported Wednesday morning. Opelika Police Department XZavious Rimeek Bryant, 18, of Opelika, was arrested Wednesday on warrants for unlawful breaking and entering a motor vehicle and theft of property. Bryant was booked into the Lee County Jail. A third-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument occurred Wednesday at River Bank and Trust, 1804 Thomason Drive. Officers and Detectives of the Opelika Police Department responded to the bank after receiving a call of a person attempting to cash a check on a closed account. Responding Officers located the suspect while she was still at the bank. Arrested in the case was Sylencia Lichea Peterson, 20, of Midway, Fla. Peterson was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument. She was subsequently booked into the Lee County Jail on that charge. Two fraudulent use of a credit/debit card incidents occurred Monday at an unknown location in Opelika. Tallapoosa County Sheriffs Department Daniel Meadows of Lovelady Road in Tallassee, was arrested Wednesday for two felony warrants for third-degree burglary and second-degree theft of property. A resident of Abdullah Road in Camp Hill, filed a report Wednesday for fraudulent use of a credit card. A business of Tower Road in Dadeville, filed a report Wednesday for theft. Michelle Denney of Mccray Street in Lineville, was arrested Wednesday for five grand jury indictments for fraudulent use of a debit card. In 1978, when Englands Louise Brown became the worlds first baby born through in vitro fertilization, physicians at academic centers all over the United States scrambled to figure out how they, too, could provide IVF to the thousands of infertile couples for whom nothing else had worked. Interest in IVF was strong even before British physiologist Robert Edwards and gynecologist Patrick Steptoe announced their success. We knew that IVF was being developed, that it had been accomplished in animals, and ultimately we knew it was going to succeed in humans, said reproductive endocrinologist Zev Rosenwaks, MD, of the Weill Cornell Center for Reproductive Medicine in New York. Dr. Zev Rosenwaks In the late 1970s, we were able to help only about two-thirds of couples with infertility, either with tubal surgery, insemination often with donor sperm or ovulation induction. A full third could not be helped. We predicted that IVF would allow us to treat virtually everyone, Dr. Rosenwaks said. But even after the first IVF birth, information on the revolutionary procedure remained frustratingly scarce. Edwards and Steptoe would talk to nobody, said Richard Marrs, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist in Los Angeles. And federal research support for test-tube babies, as IVF was known in the media then, was nil thanks to a ban on government-funded human embryo research that persists to this day. The U.S. physicians who took part in the rush to achieve an IVF birth most of them young fellows at the time recall a period of improvisation, collaboration, shoestring budgets, and surprise findings. People who just started 10 or even 20 years ago dont realize what it took for us to learn how to go about doing IVF, said Dr. Rosenwaks, who in the first years of IVF worked closely with Dr. Howard Jones and Dr. Georgeanna Jones, the first team in the U.S. to announce an IVF baby. Labs in closets In the late 1970s, Dr. Marrs, then a fellow at the University of Southern California, was focused on surgical methods to treat infertility and demand was sky-high. Intrauterine devices used in the 1970s left many women with severe scarring and inflammation of the fallopian tubes. Dr. Richard Marrs I was very surgically oriented, Dr. Marrs said. I thought I could fix any disaster in the pelvis that was put in front of me, especially with microsurgery. After the news of IVF success in England, Dr. Marrs threw himself into a side project at a nearby cancer center, working on single-cell cultures. I thought if I could grow tumor cells, I could one day grow embryos, he said. A year later, Dr. Marrs set up the first IVF lab at USC in a storage closet. I sterilized the place and that was our first IVF lab, literally a closet with an incubator and a microscope. Its budget was accordingly thin, as the director at the time felt certain that IVF was a dead end. To fund his work, Dr. Marrs asked IVF candidate patients for research donations in lieu of payment. But before Dr. Marrs attempted to perform his first IVF, two centers in Australia announced their own IVF babies. I decided I really needed to go see someone who had had a baby, he said. He used his vacation time to fly to Melbourne, shuttling between two competing clinics that were four blocks apart and wouldnt even talk to each other, he recalled. Over 6 weeks, I learned how to stimulate, how to time ovulation. I watched the PhDs in the lab how they handled the eggs and the sperm, what the conditions were, the incubator settings, he said. The first IVF babies in the United States were born only months apart: The first, in December 1981, was at the Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine in Norfolk, Va., where Dr. Rosenwaks served as the first director. The second baby born was at USC. After that, we had 4,000 women on a waiting list, all under age 35, Dr. Marrs said. The Jones Institute reportedly had 5,000. As demand soared and more IVF babies arrived, the cloak of secrecy surrounding the procedure started to lift. British, Australian, and U.S. clinicians started getting together regularly. We would pick a spot in the world, present our data: what wed done, how many cycles, what we used for stimulation, when we took the eggs out, Dr. Marrs said. I dont know how many hundreds of thousands of miles I flew in the first years of IVF, because it was the only way I could get information. We would literally stay up all night talking. JERUSALEM Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia may have more in common than an interest in Middle East peace talks. According to a newly discovered Soviet document, Abbas may have once worked for the KGB, too. The possibility, trumpeted by the Israeli media on Wednesday night and just as quickly dismissed by Palestinian officials, emerged from a document in a British archive listing Soviet agents from 1983. A reference to Abbas is tantalizing but cryptic, just two lines identifying him by the code name Mole. At the end of his entry are two words: KGB agent. The suggestion that Abbas may have been on Moscows roster more than three decades ago might have been just a historical curiosity but for the fact that it comes at the same time that Putin has been trying to organize new talks between Abbas and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. A Russian envoy was in Jerusalem this week to meet with Netanyahu, but the Israeli and Palestinian leaders remain at odds and no direct talks appear imminent. We thought it was important now in the context of the Russian attempt to arrange a summit between Abbas and Netanyahu, particularly because of Abbas joint KGB past with Putin, said Gideon Remez, one of two researchers at the Truman Institute at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, who found and disclosed the Soviet document to Israels Channel 1. (At the end of the Soviet era, Putin was a KGB lieutenant colonel.) Remezs research partner, Isabella Ginor, said Abbas past was relevant because of Russias possible continuing influence on him. We dont know what happened later on and if Abu Mazen went on with his service or work for the Soviets, she said, using another name for Abbas. But now that he is head of the Palestinian Authority, this can be a lever on him. Palestinian officials scoffed at the report of Abbas possible ties to the Soviet spy agency, calling it a brazen effort to undermine him at a time when he is struggling with dissent at home and seeking support abroad. Gal Berger of Israel Radio said Palestinian officials laughed at the report. Theres a clear trend of attempting to damage Abu Mazen by various elements, including Israel, Mohammed al-Madani, a central committee member of Abbas Fatah party, told the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. This is another attempt to slander him. Indeed, Palestinian officials argued that there would have been no need for Abbas to be a Soviet agent because the Palestine Liberation Organization at the time was openly working with Moscow. Abbas, they said, led a Palestinian-Soviet friendship foundation, making him the de facto liaison to Moscow. The document naming Abbas was among thousands of pages of files spirited out of Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union and turned over to British intelligence by a former KGB archivist, Vasily Mitrokhin. Disillusioned by Soviet repression, Mitrokhin spent years painstakingly copying secret documents by hand, creating a treasure trove for Western analysts and historians that became known as the Mitrokhin archive. The documents, the subject of at least two books, are now stored at the Churchill Archives Center at the University of Cambridge and were opened to the public two years ago. Remez and Ginor said they came across the paper naming Abbas while researching Soviet involvement in the Middle East. Under a title listing people cultivated by the KGB in 1983, the document names Abbas, Mahmoud, born 1935 in Palestine, as an agent in Damascus. It calls him Krotov, a variant of the word mole. Abbas was indeed born in 1935 in what was then known as Palestine, but after the creation of the State of Israel, in 1948, his family fled to Damascus, Syria, where he was raised and educated. Yet the document is as notable for what it does not say. It says nothing, for instance, about how or when Abbas was recruited, what he did for the KGB, whether he was paid or how long he remained an agent. But Remez and Ginor noted that Mikhail Bogdanov, the Russian deputy foreign minister who has been shuttling between Israeli and Palestinian leaders in recent days, was stationed in Damascus around that time. Bogdanovs official Foreign Ministry biography says he served in Damascus from 1983-89 and again from 1991-94. We cant say he was directly connected with Abbas at the time but we assume at least over time he learned about it because he is a Middle East expert, Remez said. Remez said that they were not trying to undercut Abbas and, in fact, they favor talks with the Palestinians but not under the auspices of the Russians, who should not be trusted. It is not basically a good idea, he said. So that is why we thought this is the time to go public with this discovery. AL-AYAT, Egypt A train went off the tracks south of Egypts capital, Cairo, on Wednesday, killing five people, according to the Health Ministry. Ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said 27 people were injured in the accident in the al-Ayat area, about 31 miles south of Cairo. The cause of the accident was not immediately known, but Transport Minister Galal Said said he ordered an investigation. Railway officials said the first three cars of the train, which was traveling to the southern city of Aswan, derailed. The accident halted train services from Cairo to provinces south of the capital for several hours before they were partially restored. The accident came during one of the busiest travel times of the year, when millions of Egyptians leave Cairo and other big cities to head to their hometowns and villages for Eid al-Adha, a major Muslim holiday that begins on Monday. Opponents of a $288 million Orange Unified school bond measure say voters could be ill-informed on the issue when they enter the polling place on Nov. 8 after a recent superior court ruling allowed a disjointed argument against the measure to remain on official election materials. Steve Roccos argument against Measure S encourages people to vote against the bond issuance by pointing out it will raise their taxes. But it also references a police home invasion, alleges that school district personnel were out to destroy him and claims his family was murdered. The main purpose of a ballot argument is to give voters meaningful information on which to base important decisions, and this (ballot argument) deprives voters of that right, said Deborah Pauly, a member of the Stop the Rip-Off! No on Measure S committee that submitted a rival argument against the bond issuance. Stop the Rip-Off! also argues a tax hike would be bad, but provides more analysis of the fiscal impact and questions whether the measure could deliver what it promises. Pauly sued Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley last month, arguing he violated election law by putting Roccos argument on election materials and should have selected her groups statement instead. On Aug. 31, Superior Court Judge Andrew Banks ruled Roccos ballot argument should remain. Now, Pauly is appealing. Pauly said Roccos argument hijacks the debate, making it less about the bonds and more about his strained relationship with Orange Unified, for which he served one contentious term as a board member, from 2004 to 2008. During that time, district parents tried to recall him, alleging he disrupted meetings and frequently ranted about conspiracy theories. Rocco could not be reached for comment. Roccos argument was chosen over Paulys via a random drawing, because Kelley determined they both came from bona fide associations of citizens groups that meet certain state criteria and are given preferential access to penning ballot arguments in California. Paulys lawsuit argues Kelley erred when he determined Roccos organization, the Committee Against the Orange Unified School District Bond, is bona fide. Rocco is the only committee officer, signer or member named on filing documents, while Paulys committee claims numerous members that have fought bond issuances in the past. But Banks, and county lawyers, recently disagreed, affirming Kelleys decision. Election law attorney Fred Woocher said he has never before come across this issue when a ballot measure argument barely addressed the ballot question and a potentially single-person committee was declared bona fide. He said it sounded like Paulys organization is more bona fide but pointed out that the court didnt see it that way. I think the voters are done a disservice when through the best application of the law, theyre not getting the best information, Woocher said. A case like this suggests there may need to be a legislative solution that provides a further check. Orange Unified School Board President Rick Ledesma, who signed the argument in favor of Measure S, said he doesnt think Roccos ballot measure argument will have much of an impact on the outcome because voters generally get their information about bond measures from other sources, such as campaign materials. Our voters do their research, and they know our schools have a great need, Ledesma said, adding that the bond is needed to modernize infrastructure and update classroom technology. I just think its the anti-bond folks kicking up controversy. Everyone adhered to the process. Though Roccos argument against Measure S is allowed on election materials, Kelley said Roccos rebuttal to the argument in favor of the bond issuance was rejected for not addressing the subject matter. In that rebuttal, Rocco says his father was murdered the same day journalist Katie Couric visited his home. Kelley declined to comment on Roccos argument against Measure S, citing Paulys pending litigation. Contact the writer: jgraham@scng.com or 714-796-7960 Anaheim-based Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. won court approval to exit bankruptcy after cutting debt, closing some stores and pressuring landlords to reduce rent at the malls where the teen-clothing chain does business. Thats every distressed retailers dream, Poonam Goyal, a retail analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence said in an interview. But whether PacSun can succeed is unclear, Goyal said. Most retailers in the U.S. have too many stores and need to cut back, she said. PacSun tried to do just that before it filed for bankruptcy in April, closing hundreds of stores and reversing a failed expansion strategy. At the time of its bankruptcy it had 593 stores, nine of which were in Orange County. PacSun now operates 583 stores. Under the reorganization plan approved Tuesday by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Laurie Selber Silverstein in Delaware, PacSun will give all its stock to affiliates of private equity firm Golden Gate Capital, its senior lender. In exchange, Golden Gate will reduce the amount its owed by PacSun to about $30 million initially from $88 million, Gary Schoenfeld, the retailers chief executive officer, said in an interview. Golden Gate has also agreed to invest $20 million in the company, most likely in form of new debt, he said. Recent Bankruptcies PacSun is among a handful of national retailers to get through bankruptcy recently without either liquidating or shuttering large numbers of stores. Competition from big box retailers and online merchants has driven many well-known storefront and mall-based chains into Chapter 11 this year. Not all of them emerged in the same shape as PacSun. Sports Authority Inc. filed for bankruptcy in March with plans to reorganize by closing 140 of its 463 stores, but wound up liquidating. Hancock Fabrics Inc. had plans to close 70 of its 250 locations when it sought court protection in February, but after failing to attract a buyer willing to run it as a going concern, the company sold itself to liquidators. Aeropostale Inc., which filed for bankruptcy in May, announced last week that a group of buyers led by mall operators Simon Property Group Inc. and General Growth Properties Inc. would keep at least 229 of its locations open out of the approximately 800 it had before entering Chapter 11. OC surfware brands in trouble PacSun was the third Orange County retailer following Foothill Ranch-based Wet Seal and Huntington Beach-based Quiksilver in two years to file for bankruptcy and go private. Quiksilver filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last September. In October, the company received court approval for a $175 million financing package with Oaktree Capital Management, which now holds a controlling interest in the company. The company emerged from bankruptcy in February with plans to refocus shops on customer experiences. Wet Seal filed for bankruptcy protection in January 2015. It was acquired April 1 of the same year by an affiliate of Philadelphia-based Versa Capital Management. Register staff writer Hannah Madans contributed to this report. A San Juan Capistrano woman, the chief executive of an IT staffing company with an Irvine office, has been accused by the U.S. Labor Department of mistreating a former domestic employee, forcing her to sleep with the family dogs and work 15-hour days seven days a week. The U.S. Department of Labor filed a complaint Aug. 22 against Himanshu Bhatia, the CEO of Rose International, which is based in Chesterfield, Mo., but has an office on MacArthur Boulevard in Irvine. Bhatia caused Sheela Ningwal to work and live in servitude, without any understanding of her rights as an employee or ability to adequately enforce her rights, since Ms. Ningwals attempts to enforce her rights resulted not only in the loss of her employment, but of food and shelter, according to the complaint. Read Bhatias rebuttal: OC CEO denies accusations she forced domestic employee to work 15-hour days, sleep with family dogs Ningwal is seeking a judgment awarding unpaid back wages due under the FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act), plus an additional amount, as liquidated damages, that is equal to the amount of the back wages that accrued, the complaint states. Any wages due will be determined by a civil court. I believe that she is a victim of trafficking, Susan Seletsky, regional counsel for FLSA Litigation said. Its very important for all employers to pay their employees, even vulnerable workers and even if they think the workers dont understand their rights. An article at Smart Business in 2011 described how Bhatia and her husband, Gulab, started the company in their Chesterfield home in 1993. It was just me and him, Bhatia told Smart Business. Starting yourself, you have to do everything and you have to do all the functions. Cold-calling, selling, interviewing, bookkeeping and management everything is on your own shoulders. Bhatias business specializes in consulting and IT services. Clients in 2011 included AT&T, Chevron, Verizon and the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, according to Smart Business. The company late Wednesday said it was working on a statement and called the accusations false. Bhatia, the complaint states, paid Ningwal, an Indian national, $400 a month plus food in exchange for housework performed seven days a week at Bhatias homes in San Juan Capistrano, Miami, Las Vegas and Long Beach. She worked for Bhatia from July 2012 to December 2014. The Labor Department said Ningwal was forced to sleep in the garage on a piece of carpet near Bhatias dogs while she was sick and was left without food if Bhatia left her home. Ningwals passport was also confiscated, according to the Department of Labor. Bhatia fired Ningwal after she discovered the woman was researching labor laws on a computer. The worker also refused to sign a document written by Bhatia claiming a fair salary. The reason why she was fired by her employer is because she was trying to find out her rights, Seletsky said. We want all employes to know that we rely on them to report violations to us. We want them to know that if they are being subject to unfair wages, intimidation, retaliation they should file a complaint with us or a state agency. County property records for a woman named Himanshu Bhatia include two homes in San Juan Capistrano: one, a modest house on Calle San Remo bought in 2013 for $446,000. The other home, gifted to Sunny Nikhil Bhatia in 2014, is described as an equestrian estate set on nearly 3 acres. A listing for the five-bedroom 5,378-square-foot estate says the property includes a vineyard (cabernet grapes), orchard and huge gazebo. Redfin estimated the home was valued at $2.8 million. Rose International had $318 million in revenue in 2015 and claimed 6,000 employees, according to the St. Louis Business Journal. Staff writer Marilyn Kalfus contributed to this report. Contact the writer: hmadans@ocregister.com or Twitter: @HannahMadans Brooke Staggs covers the environment for Southern California News Groups chain of 11 newspapers. Her work has triggered FBI investigations, landed her appearances on national TV and radio outlets, and helped her win some of the top journalism awards in the western United States. The Big Bear native got her start teaching high school English and journalism in Riverside County but left in 2006 to be a student again herself, earning a masters degree in journalism from New York University. Shes written for dozens of newspapers and magazines across the country, with projects that have taken her from a zero gravity flight over Queens to a fishing village in Ghana. Brooke joined the Orange County Register in January 2013, covering local communities, cannabis and politics before starting on the environment beat for SCNG in July 2022. She also occasionally teaches community college and writes nonfiction, with her co-authored book Stealing from the Worlds Best Schools available now wherever books are sold. Brooke lives in the Inland Empire with her husband and their much-loved pets. Her freetime is filled with traveling, hiking, reading, crafting and scheming about new ways to make the world a more informed, just and joyful place. PARIS A criminal terrorist investigation has been opened in Paris following the discovery of a car parked near Notre Dame Cathedral with seven gas canisters and pages written in Arabic inside, prosecutors said. The Paris prosecutors office revealed Wednesday that a couple it described as radicalized a 34-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman was arrested a day earlier and transferred to Paris to be questioned in the case. The car found near the famous cathedral on Sunday morning had its license plates removed and hazard lights on. That evening, its owner went to the police to report that his is radicalized daughter was missing but without saying his car had also disappeared, the prosecutors office said. Police briefly detained and questioned the car owner before letting him go, the prosecutors office said. His daughter still is being sought, the office said. The man and woman arrested in a highway rest area near the southern town of Orange on Tuesday already were known by French security services for their alleged links with radical Islamism, prosecutors said. The prosecutors office would not say why investigators suspect them in the case nor whether the couple might have been in contact with the car owners daughter. The papers written in Arabic are being analyzed, the prosecutors office said. It said it has opened an investigation under suspicion of a criminal terrorist association. Two others officials, speaking on condition of anonymity since the investigation is ongoing, said an employee of a bar near Notre Dame Cathedral flagged the car Sunday morning as it was parked along the Seine River. No one was inside, but police found six canisters filled with gas in the trunk and an empty canister on one of the seats. No detonator or ignition materials were found in the car, the prosecutors office said. In addition to the car owner, three other people were briefly detained and questioned in the case before being released, it said. French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said it still was not clear why the car was abandoned or what the alleged intentions were of those under arrest. Cazeneuve said there have been 260 arrests linked to extremist networks since the beginning of the year and a significant number of these people were preparing attacks. In a an interview with Le Monde newspaper earlier this week, Paris prosecutor Franois Molins said an increasing number of teenage girls have been radicalized, with very worrying profiles, very harsh personalities and sometimes terrorist plans that, intellectually, start to be brought to completion. Molins said 35 minors 23 boys and 12 girls are being investigated under preliminary charges, nine of whom have been detained. France is on alert after a deadly string of Islamic State group attacks and threats against landmarks. Algeria-linked extremists used gas canisters filled with nails during attacks on Paris in the 1990s. VIENTIANE, LAOS (AP) President Barack Obama put the long-simmering dispute in the South China Sea front and center on the agenda at a regional summit Thursday as it became clear that most of the other leaders gathered in the Laotian capital were going to let China off with a mild rebuke over its territorial expansion in the resource-rich waters. We will continue to work to ensure that disputes are resolved peacefully, including in the South China Sea, Obama said at a meeting with leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. He said an international arbitration ruling on July 12 against China was binding and helped to clarify maritime rights in the region. ASEAN held a separate meeting later Thursday with eight world powers, including China and the U.S, in a gathering known as the East Asia Summit. The participants were expected to let China off with a muted reprimand over its expansionist activities in South China Sea, according to a draft of their joint statement. The final version was not immediately released. The U.S. has repeatedly expressed concern over Beijings actions in the resource-rich sea. Obama brought that up again. Referring to the arbitration panels ruling that invalidated Chinas territorial claims, Obama said, I realize this raises tensions but I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and regional stability. China shot back with comments aimed at the United States. A couple of extra-regional countries still wanted to use the occasion of the East Asia Summit to talk about the South China Sea, particularly to press on the regional countries to abide by the arbitration, which is untimely and inappropriate, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters. He said it is also against the trend in the region to resolve the disputes by cooperation and dialogue. In some sense they are being self-isolated, he said. The East Asia Summit draft statement said ASEAN and its partners reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability and security and freedom of navigation in and over-flight in the South China Sea. Several Leaders remained seriously concerned over recent developments in the South China Sea. We stressed the importance for the parties concerned to resolve their disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international laws, it said. China has turned shoals and coral reefs into seven man-made islands and built airstrips capable of handling military aircraft on three of them. The East Asia Summit draft statement was less forceful than the statement that ASEAN leaders issued on Wednesday to express concern over Chinas island-building. It said ASEAN took note of the concerns expressed by some leaders on the land reclamations and escalation of activities in the area, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and may undermine peace, security and stability in the region. The use of the phrase some leaders in the two statements underscores the fundamental problem ASEAN has in dealing with China not all its members are willing to scold Beijing. Cambodia, for example, remains in Chinas camp, as does Laos to a large extent, preventing any robust statement from the consensus-bound ASEAN group. U.S. officials, however, said there were other critical elements in the ASEAN statement that China failed to block, and which they said amounted to a strong diplomatic rebuke of Beijing. China pulled out all the stops to block any reference to the words recent activities, serious concern, reclamation, militarization, loss of trust and need to respect legal processes, but failed as all these phrases made it into the statement, said a senior U.S. administration official who requested anonymity to discuss diplomatic discussions. Though Beijing recently announced a $600 million aid package for ally Cambodia, China was unable to get it to block the statement, the official said. Cambodia did, however, block an explicit mention of the tribunals ruling, which the Philippines was willing to concede, the official said. The issue of ownership of territories in the South China Sea has come to dominate ASEAN summits in recent years. China claims virtually the entire sea as its own, citing historical reasons. That has pitted it against the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei, all members of ASEAN, which have overlapping claims. The Philippines took its dispute with China to the international tribunal some years ago, but the countrys new president, Rodrigo Duterte, who took office on June 30, has been more conciliatory toward China. Liu, the Chinese vice foreign minister, pointed that out. Duterte has been sending messages for improving relations with China since he took office, he said. In fact there have been contacts in different channels between China and the Philippines, including non-official channels and official diplomatic channels. We are confident that the relations between us will be improved with the joint efforts of the two countries. Associated Press writer Josh Lederman contributed to this report. VIENTIANE, Laos President Barack Obama ended his final trip to Asia on Thursday with a brisk defense of his Asia pivot policy and an impatient dismissal of those who suggested his bumpy reception in the region this week augured doubts about Americas long-term role. The concern that Ive heard is not that what weve done hasnt been important and successful, Obama said at a wrap-up news conference. The concern Ive heard is, Will it continue? My hope and expectation is that my successor will, in fact, sustain this kind of engagement, he said. The presidents weeklong tour yielded some accomplishments, from further progress on climate change with China to the presidents candid recognition of the lingering cost of Americas secret bombing campaign in Laos during the Vietnam War. But the substance and symbolism had to compete with off-key incidents: verbal clashes between Chinese security officials and White House staff members after Obamas arrival in Hangzhou; a dispute in China over the stairs that were to be rolled out to Air Force One, which forced the president to exit the plane through a smaller doorway; and a profane outburst against Obama by the new president of the Philippines. It all fed a narrative that the president was being pushed around in a region under the sway of a resurgent China. Obama suggested that these incidents were largely a fixation of the news media and did not reflect on his conversations with Asian leaders at two summit meetings here, nor the enthusiastic welcome he got from ordinary people. On Wednesday, he visited the ancient Laotian capital of Luang Prabang, where he toured a Buddhist monastery, sipped from a split coconut, and chatted with two young men on the banks of the Mekong River. If this theory about my reception and my rebalance policy is based on me going down the short stairs in China, yes, I think that is overblown, the president said, a sarcastic edge in his voice. Any reasonable person, certainly any person in the region, would be puzzled as to how this became somehow indicative of the work that weve done here. There were, however, more genuine signs of the challenges the United States will face in coming years with China, starting with the diplomatic maneuvering at these meetings. Beijing lobbied to temper references to its territorial clashes with neighbors in the South China Sea. A draft statement from the 10 countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations mentioned the disputes but was vague about how to resolve them. Several leaders remained seriously concerned over recent developments in the South China Sea, the draft said. It called for the parties concerned to resolve their disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international laws. The Obama administration hopes to use a recent ruling against China by a tribunal in The Hague as a lever to discredit Chinas reclamation of land on reefs and shoals in the South China Sea. Obama drew attention to the ruling, saying I recognize this raises tensions. But for some of Chinas neighbors including Laos, the host of the summit that is the last thing they want to do. Even the Philippines, which brought the suit that led to the tribunal ruling, sounded a conciliatory note. A spokesman for the Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte, said he wanted to take a soft-landing strategy and talk peace with China. The Chinese news media portrayed the results of the meeting as a victory for Beijing. China has won in the last round of competition over the South China Sea, said an editorial in Global Times, an English-language Chinese paper that often takes nationalist positions. The new political waves around the South China Sea have been put under control, and China has gained some experiences of games between great powers. Obama also has struggled because another pillar of his Asia strategy, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which remains entangled in election-year politics in the United States. The president spent a lot of time during his trip discussing the nuances of a congressional vote, reassuring Asian leaders that the trade agreement would get a fair hearing after the election. Its been 19 months since the U.S. Department of Justice released its scathing report on the Ferguson Police Department. Chief among the DOJs findings: Fergusons law enforcement practices were shaped by the citys focus on revenue rather than public safety needs. Nearly every policing activity including tickets, misdemeanor fines and court fees was seen as an income opportunity. That model led to tension between police and citizens, disrupting families and the community. When a white police officer shot and killed Michael Brown, a black 18-year-old, on August 9, 2014, a city balancing on a knifes edge toppled quickly into chaos. Now what might be called Fergusons worst practices have been brought to Huntington Beach. Last month, as the Orange County Register reported, the City Council approved a plan to hire a city prosecutor to handle misdemeanors. A significant number of misdemeanors go unprosecuted, City Attorney Michael Gates told the Register, adding that the prosecutor will add a lot of teeth to our laws. There will be a whole class of crimes that will now be prosecuted where the DA may not have gotten to them, Gates said. We will prosecute every one of them until conviction. This comes on the heels of a proposal pushed through the council last year to substantially raise city fees and fines. Confronting a rising price tag for compensation for police and firefighters, then councilman, now mayor, Jim Katapodis put forward the plan as a means to cover the cost, and additional police officers. Parking in front of a handicapped ramp will now cost you $356, an incredible jump from its former cost of $55. A glass container on the beach? Skateboarding? Theyll cost you $175 each, up from $125. There are others. Its not entirely surprising that Katapodis main public policy objective has been to increase the number of law enforcement officers to pre-recession numbers. He has spent his professional career in and around law enforcement. Police and fire unions have been staunch supporters, first backing Katapodis in 2010, when he ran for City Council while still an LAPD sergeant. According to Katapodis, adding more sworn officers is essential to ensure a safe city and should come at whatever cost necessary. But over the last few years violent crime has been falling. And suspending basic accounting adding more officers at higher pay has driven Huntington Beachs finances into the red. City Council member Erik Peterson, who voted against the fee increases, said he didnt understand how the city can start paying salaries without knowing how much theyll receive from the increased fees. In fact, H.B. owes $300 million on pensions for its retired city workers. That number was high enough to warrant a 2013 Moodys investigative review. That review didnt lead to a downgrade, but its a red flag. In H.B., the Police Department is being expanded literally at the expense of the public, setting police against residents in a struggle not for public safety but for revenue. Critics say the mayor and City Council majority dont even know how much revenue that parasitic system will generate. Its equally clear they havent considered its costs. It cost Ferguson almost everything. Matt Smith is a graduate student at Princeton Seminary, and a Journalism Fellow at the California Policy Center in Tustin. SANTA ANA City Manager David Cavazos on Tuesday presented a rosy picture of public safety, with crime trending downward in the city and officer hiring on the rise. He was responding to a memo circulated earlier by the Santa Ana Police Officers Association president that illustrated something quite different an alarming increase in shootings. The disparate tales reflect divisions among city and police officials that may go beyond the statistics. In a presentation to the City Council, Cavazos highlighted a slide showing that Santa Ana had a 74 percent reduction in three-year averages from 1987 to 2012 in its FBI crime index, which includes murder, aggravated assault, forcible rape, robbery, arson, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft. For cities of our size, I think were doing really, really well, Cavazos said. He said the three-year average for 2013-2015 is pending validation by the FBI. In a rebuttal to Cavazos report, however, Police Officers Association President Gerry Serrano cited data showing the number of violent crime incidents rose from 1,122 in 2013 to 1,627 in 2015, a 45 percent increase. The Police Department reported the numbers to the FBI for validation. Whats misleading is when they try to use data from the 1990s and say crime is down, versus comparing whats relevant, which is today and the last couple of years, Serrano said. Youre saying crime is OK today based on the last three-year average that makes no sense. The spat over crime statistics began when Serrano this summer circulated a graph depicting a 556 percent uptick in shootings involving murder, attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and shots into an inhabited dwelling or vehicle, from the first six months of 2012 with 32 incidents compared with the same period in 2016, which had 210 incidents. Cavazos addressed Serranos memo challenging the citys numbers by saying, We dont track shootings. That kind of information was taken from a different source, Cavazos said. But over time, we do believe the FBI is the best reliable source. Mayor Miguel Pulido asked Police Chief Carlos Rojas, who was appointed to the top position in 2014, why a slide showing that Santa Ana had a lower FBI crime index compared with Anaheim and Long Beach in 2009 did not show data past that year. He also noted that a slide that demonstrated a 70 percent drop in homicides from 43 in 1990 to 13 in 2015 did not reflect the 19 homicides to date this year. Well take a look, Rojas said of obtaining the latest numbers. Serrano said the Santa Ana Police Officers Associations main concern is public safety and a desire to see staffing levels restored so the force can better serve the community. I think its unfortunate that the city manager or those with the ability to effect change with exception of the mayor, who seems to be supportive dont recognize the issues and the fact that there is a crime spike problem and a problem with public safety, Serrano said. Cavazos thanked City Council members for approving 45 new police officer positions during the past three years and said the department is on pace to hire 50 additional officers this year. Councilwoman Michele Martinez suggested that the city managers report, received and filed by the City Council, was political. Im a very honest person, she said. There is some kind of conflict going on here between our city manager, our mayor, our Police Department and the Police Officers Association about these numbers, and all week weve been going back and forth. Martinez added that she does not believe Serranos original memo claiming an increase of more than 500 percent in shootings to be accurate. But I will agree that there has been an uptick in crime, in particular to gang shootings, she said, And it has really created some fear in our communities. Contact the writer: 714-796-7762 or jkwong@scng.com Twitter: @JessicaGKwong DANA POINT While several nearby cities have pushed short-term rentals out of residential neighborhoods, Dana Point will continue to welcome guests there. In a highly-charged, five-hour debate, the City Council on Tuesday night voted 3-2 to pass a modified ordinance to allow short-term rentals residences rented for 30 days or less in all areas of the city where people live. Mayor John Tomlinson and councilmen Carlos Olvera and Scott Schoeffel voted in favor, while Mayor Pro Tem Richard Viczorek and Councilman Joseph Muller dissented. Im a property rights guy, Tomlinson said. You should be able to do what you want with your property. At issue was whether a 2013 ordinance that regulates 189 permitted short-term rentals would continue. Or if the city would have to begin the whole process anew. The ordinance regulates how properties get permits, where they can be located and restricts the number of people in a unit. It requires that parking be provided and that vehicles cannot exceed more than two per property. Loud parties and special events such as weddings are not permitted. Several hundred people packed the gymnasium of the Dana Point Community Center for Tuesdays meeting, many expressing frustration about the continued use of single-family Dana Point neighborhoods to house tourists. The meeting was moved from City Hall because of the expected crowds. This is unfair, unwise and discriminatory, said Toni Nelson, a resident of Capistrano Beach who was among the nearly 70 who spoke. It does not treat all people equally. People move to an area zoned residential with basic expectations they will stay so. This offers us no protection on the proliferation of the numbers of short-term rentals on our street. Dana Point is among many cities in Orange County and across the country that have struggled with how to address short-term rentals, which offer the property owner a source of income and tenants more vacation options. Laguna Beach last week voted to allow short-term rentals only in commercial and mixed-use areas of the city. Permits issued in neighborhoods will remain as long as property owners comply with the requirements of the permit. In San Clemente, the City Council voted in May to restrict most vacation rentals to visitor-serving sections of town, require parking places and, in single-family neighborhoods, gave operators two years to shut down. But the Dana Point City Council has faced a quandry in recent months. Either approve the 2013 ordinance with recent modifications from the California Coastal Commission by the Oct. 14 deadline set by the commission or start from scratch. Viczorek and Muller said they worried about the message being sent to the Coastal Commission and what it could eventually mean for local control. The issue isnt should we have short-term rentals or not, said Viczorek, who phoned in for the meeting from Washington, D.C. It comes down to our sovereignty and right to govern. If the Coastal Commission had left well enough alone, we wouldnt be here tonight. The Coastal Commission overplayed its hand. If we agree to this and ever try to regulate this, theyd have a say. Are we as a city going to allow this to happen? Schoeffel reminded those in the audience of the citys history with short-term rentals. Before 2013, there were likely 400 or more units operating illegally and residents frequently came to council meetings to complain. There were a spate of public meetings and reviews by the citys Planning Commission. Three years ago we came up with what seemed to be good solutions, he said. Preserving the right to lease a property short term would allow enforcement of what were unmanageable uses before. It gives us official permission of use, enforcement mechanisms and if necessary permits can be revoked. The City Council established a business ordinance for these rentals and amended the citys zoning code to allow uses in all areas of the city. Once the business regulations for short-term rentals were in place, they were identified and enforced, bringing down the number of illegal units. But some rentals were in the citys coastal zone, which meant they needed approval from the Coastal Commission. So in 2014, the city sent the ordinance to the commission to review. The Coastal Commission approved the citys plan in April. Commissioners said they wanted to make sure that if the city took any action to restrict short-term rentals in the coastal zone, the issue would come back to them for review. The commission agreed to allow homeowner associations in the city that do not permit these rentals to be exempt from the ordinance. City Council members first reviewed the modified ordinance in May but said they worried it might give the Coastal Commission too much control over local government. Of the people who spoke Tuesday night, two-thirds were in support of short-term rentals. Supporters told stories of families taking advantage of such local offerings as whale watching, sunset walks along the beaches, local concerts and shops and restaurants. Some read guest testimonials. Others spoke about financial hardship and how owning these properties helped them. Our experience has been positive in every way, said Charles Glauser, who operates a short-term rental. We had people from 115 countries. Our role is closer to a hotel concierge. We tell people where to whale-watch, where to rent kayaks. Guests talk about falling in love with our city and want to return. One guest actually purchased a residence after her first visit. Jim Cobb, a Monarch Beach resident, told the council his homeowners association allows short-term rentals. I have a professional manager who allows me to select who I rent to, he said. Are we going to tell tourists, Youre welcome to spend your money in our city but your family is not welcome to sleep in our homes? You have to separate people who rent their homes and watch them and you have to watch out for people who buy homes and never come here. On the other side, some residents complained that their neighborhoods were turning into commercial districts with strangers just 10 feet away every other day. They said there were traffic and parking issues and late-night parties. Others like Earl Gilday, suggested the council delay the vote. Short-term rentals should have been stopped in 2013, he said. I suggest you hold the vote until after the election. I dont want to be ugly but youre definitely ill-prepared to vote on something as colossal as this. Contact the writer: eritchie@ocregister.com or on Twitter:@lagunaini Hillary Clinton has started talking to reporters again, but theres still a big question she hasnt answered: Would she re-nominate Merrick Garland to the open seat on the Supreme Court? Garland, President Barack Obamas nominee to the high court, has been stymied by Senate Republicans for months. The Democratic presidential candidate has studiously avoided saying whether she would renominate Garland for the vacancy if it is still pending next year. Clintons decision would shape both the direction of the court and tone of her presidency. She could stick with Garland, a 63-year-old moderate whose nomination has languished since March. Garland would shift the court to the left but not as far as some liberals would like. Or she could opt for a younger, more progressive nominee, as well as the bigger confirmation fight that would invite. Clinton hasnt held a formal press conference since December, helping her duck questions about Garland. With the first of three presidential debates set for Sept. 26 and with the candidate now taking questions from reporters on her plane Clinton may find it increasingly hard to remain uncommitted on Garland as Election Day approaches. Post-election hypotheticals When she was asked about the Garland nomination at a Democratic primary debate in April, she refused to address what she called post-election hypotheticals. When I am president, I will take stock of where we are and move from there, she said. Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon did not respond to requests last week for a statement when asked explicitly whether Clinton would nominate Garland as her own choice. Republican nominee Donald Trump, for his part, has offered a list of 11 conservative judges he would consider nominating for the vacancy, although he wouldnt be bound by the list and has said he might add additional names. The Senate could still confirm Garland in a lame-duck session after the election. So far, Senate Republicans have held firm that the next president should make the pick. Potential makeover Either way, Clinton or Trump will preside over what could be a historic Supreme Court makeover. The current opening, created by Antonin Scalias Feb. 13 death, could be the first of several, given that three other justices are 78 or older. Even by itself, the next appointment could usher in a major shift. By succeeding the conservative icon Scalia, Garland or another Democratic appointee could make the court more receptive to gun restrictions and campaign-finance regulations and more skeptical of curbs on abortion and voting rights. The Supreme Court hasnt had a vacancy on Election Day since 1968. Clinton has said only that the Senate should consider Obamas nomination of Garland. Elizabeth Wydra, president of the progressive Constitutional Accountability Center, said that stance helps explain why Clinton wont discuss what she would do as president. She is being respectful to the constitutional process by expecting the Senate Republicans to do their job and confirm or at least consider President Obamas nominee, Wydra said. No accident Still, Senate Republicans refusal to take up the nomination has eliminated any realistic possibility of confirmation before the election. With the vacancy lingering, Clintons plans and her silence about them are becoming an increasingly important subject as voters prepare to cast their ballots. Its not an accident, said Todd Gaziano, a constitutional law scholar who runs the Washington office of the conservative Pacific Legal Foundation. Shes trying to avoid the question obviously because she doesnt want to provide the voters and the public with her position. Clinton has discussed the court in general terms, seeking to rally her political base. At the Democratic convention in July, she said the court needs justices who will get money out of politics and expand voting rights, not restrict them. Conflicting pressures A President-elect Clinton would face conflicting pressures over the vacancy. Garland, a consensus-building appellate judge once recommended for the high court by Republican Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah, would be the safe choice, all but guaranteeing easy confirmation. Clinton could back Garland even without re-nominating him herself. Should she win the election, she could urge Senate approval during a lame-duck session before she takes office. That would provide political cover for Republicans who have said they will wait for the next president to make the selection and avoid extending what already is the longest Supreme Court vacancy since 1970. There is a lot to be said for having Judge Garland confirmed before she gets into office, Wydra said. It means she doesnt start her term with a big Supreme Court fight on her hands and instead can focus on other, legislative priorities. Such a step would disappoint liberals hoping for a bolder selection. Garland, who turns 64 in November, is known more as a judicial craftsman than as an advocate for sweeping constitutional change. His confirmation would leave the court with only two racial minorities and three women. Obama chose Garland over two considerably younger federal appellate judges: Sri Srinivasan, 49, who could have been the courts first Indian-American, and Paul Watford, now 49, who would have been the third black justice in the nations history. Debates in living rooms and at dining tables about Israel often get heated and intense, says Rabbi Elie Spitz, who heads Congregation Bnai Israel in Tustin. On Sunday night, that heated debate will occur in public, at the synagogue. And it will feature two prominent Jewish American voices, both men who are prolific authors and political analysts Daniel Gordis, representing the right center and Peter Beinart, the left center when it comes to opinions on Israel. Gordis is a rabbi and senior vice president at Shalem College, a liberal arts school in Jerusalem. Beinart is a professor of journalism and political science at the City University of New York. Both have appeared as experts on Israel on national news networks. Spitz says this is the first time Gordis and Beinart will debate in California. Their last debate, in Toronto, drew more than 1,000 people. This is a crucial debate for the Jewish community in Orange County, the rabbi said. There is a divide within the community on Israel, he said. Those differences of how Israel is perceived in terms of its vulnerability and its treatment of Palestinians is an important topic to air. The debate is expected to address a number of issues, Spitz said. How can settlements on the West Bank be justified? Is it possible to move forward in peace? To what degree should American Jews take into account Israels position with regard to the November presidential election? Both candidates in this election are strong supporters of Israel, Spitz said. But, how that gets parsed by American Jews remains to be seen. Gersh Zylberman, senior rabbi at Temple Bat Yahm in Newport Beach, said this is a debate he wouldnt miss. Its an opportunity for people who think about Israel in a balanced way to get a more nuanced assessment of the challenges and opportunities Israel represents, he said. Its an opportunity for the community to go deeper than the headlines or reports on day-to-day happenings in the region. Spitz said the concept of debate is at the core of Jewish identity and expression. The Talmud is a collection of differing opinions of rabbis as to how to live, he said. Having such thoughtful presenters who can differ sharply, yet with civility, is important. Contact the writer: 714-796-7909 or dbharath@ocregister.com NEWPORT BEACH After a more than 13-hour marathon meeting of the California Coastal Commission, a room packed with some 100 demonstrators exploded in cheers Wednesday when commissioners voted to deny a proposed development in Newport Beach on Banning Ranch, an oil field covered in vernal pools, scrub and grassland and home to endangered species. This is a project we have to get right, said Commissioner Mary Shallenberger. Weve heard this is the only intact coastal bluff ecosystem in Southern California. It is the largest concentration of endangered and threatened species in Orange County. You cant make a mistake with that and turn back when you find you havent had it quite right. If we dont get it right, things will be lost forever. The commissions vote of 9 to 1 to deny the proposed development halts a 20-year battle between preservationists and developers if only for a while. Developers can resubmit another set of substantially different plans to the commission in six months with a fee of at least $250,000. Earlier in the day, project managers for the proposed housing and retail project at Banning Ranch described the latest recommendation from the California Coastal Commission staff for Banning Ranch as an illegal land grab. The agencys leader, Jack Ainsworth, however, urged commissioners to consider the environmental impact of a big development on the property. Those conflicting views played out as hundreds of witnesses, citizens and others attended the California Coastal Commission hearing in Newport Beach. At stake: what development, if any, should be allowed on the 401-acre Banning Ranch. OPPOSING PLANS After more than 12 hours of public comment and presentations, the debate over Banning Ranch among commissioners was continuing late Wednesday, with heated discussion among commissioners, staff and experts. At one point, Commissioner Mark Vargas and staff members read dueling portions of the same book on threatened species and Vargas snapped at leading raptor expert Peter Bloom to audible gasps in the audience. Vargas later apologized. Earlier this year, landowners submitted a plan to turn the oil field into a neighborhood with nearly 900 homes and condominiums, a hotel and shopping and a 329-acre nature park. This month, scientists and other staff from the Coastal Commission countered with a recommendation for a much-smaller project, one with about 500 homes and more room for animals and habitat. That proposal would essentially kill the project, according to representatives from the landowners, leaving the land environmentally degraded and closed to the public. Conservationists want no development on the land. They hope to buy the parcel and preserve it as a natural space for dwindling species, such as burrowing owls and gnatcatchers, and rare ecosystems, including vernal pools. HEATED DEBATE More than 400 people turned up Wednesday and signed on to speak at the hearing, which included emotional testimony from people representing all sides of the debate. Ainsworth, head of the commission staff, told the hearing that he made a promise when he took over this year from the agencys longstanding leader, Charles Lester. That promise would be our recommendations are based on facts, sound science and the law, and thats what this recommendation is, Ainsworth, acting executive director of the Coastal Commission, said of the staffs suggestion that developers further scale back the project. It is critically important we get it right because we may not get a second chance. Banning Ranch officials countered, saying much of the land designated as environmentally sensitive is ravaged by oil drilling. Whats more, they argue that the staffs report oversteps the boundaries of the California Coastal Act, the law that created the commission. The staff report as reported this morning would result in the status quo, no habitat restoration, no public access, said Mike Mohler, Newport Banning Ranch senior project manager. Youve all seen the property. Its a highly degraded oil site with a lot of potential. We ask you to remove the gate, remove the fence. ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE The land stretches from near the Santa Ana River to Pacific Coast Highway, blocks from the beach in West Newport Beach, and touches Costa Mesa and Newport Beach to the east. The developers plans call for 895 dwellings, 45,000 square feet of shopping and retail space, a 20-bed hostel and a 75-room resort. The company also would spend about $55 million to restore much of the remainder of the land as a public park. The mesas, grassland and scrub on the land are home to rare vegetation and animal species. Among the birds that frequent the site are the threatened and sensitive California gnatcatcher and burrowing owl. The California Coastal Commission staff biologists and scientists found that 219 acres of the land qualify as environmentally sensitive. One point of contention between conservationists and developers is when the landowners would need to perform remediation and environmental restoration. The commission staff contends that large chunks of concrete broken up on the land need to be cleaned up, but developers have said much of the cleanup would only begin when development can begin. SAVE BANNING RANCH Of the nine indigenous communities with ties to the land, two have signed off on the project proposed by Newport Banning Ranch while seven others have opposed or shown concern with the plan, staff told commissioners Wednesday. A packed Newport Beach City Council chambers overflowed with protesters against and in favor of development, wearing competing colors. Those against development held green signs that read Save Banning Ranch. People outside the hall held signs with messages such as Why should money win!? People count and Give a hoot Save Banning Ranch. By contrast, people in favor of development wore blue shirts that read Clean Restore Open and blue, trucker-style hats that read Open. The passion for Banning Ranch stretched into the citys civic center where protesters held signs up to the glass and a duo playing a flute and a string instrument could be heard from inside the council chambers. Oil was discovered on Banning Ranch in the 1920s, and production of oil and gas has continued since the early 1940s. Over the decades, 400 million barrels of oil have been extracted there. Developers have said fracking is not being considered. West Newport Oil operates the oil wells on the land and is pursuing expansion with the Coastal Commission in a separate action before the commission, staff said Wednesday a development met with gasps of surprise from the audience. In 1997 the landowners proposed partnering with a developer to build 1,750 homes, but the builder later bowed out of the project. In 2012 the city of Newport Beach approved a 1,375-home plan on the land, which was met with a lawsuit from environmental group Banning Ranch Conservancy that alleged the city violated its general plan. That suit is pending. VOICES: This is a project we have to get right. Weve heard this is the only intact coastal bluff ecosystem in Southern California. It is the largest concentration of endangered and threatened species in Orange County. If we dont get it right, things will be lost forever. Coastal Commissioner Mary Shallenberger *** The staff report as reported this morning would result in the status quo, no habitat restoration, no public access. Youve all seen the property. Its a highly degraded oil site with a lot of potential. We ask you to remove the gate, remove the fence. Mike Mohler, Newport Banning Ranch senior project manager Contact the writer: lawilliams@scng.com Deep into the looong November ballot, many voters will be sorting through a typical mix of school bond measures, sales tax hikes and the like. But this year, in dozens of cities and counties in California, communities will also face pivotal questions about the future of marijuana. A campaign to legalize recreational cannabis statewide has dominated the political debate over weed this year. Less noticed, and in some respects more significant, is a proliferation of local ballot measures that will help determine whether, where and at what cost cannabis products will be available regardless of the outcome of the state vote. Californias cities and counties are the ultimate arbiters of whether pot businesses get to operate in their boundaries and how much to tax them. And that wont change if the statewide recreational pot measure, Proposition 64, is approved in November, as some recent polls suggest is likely. With that possibility looming, and acceptance of pot shops growing, officials and residents are pitching 62 local marijuana measures this November. Thats nearly 1 in 10 of the 687 state and local measures appearing on California ballots. And a third of those involve Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties. Some of the proposed policies diverge sharply, even between neighboring cities, according to county election reports. With no accepted regimen of best practices and few long-range case studies for the rapidly emerging industry to examine, officials are experimenting with proposed regulations and tax rates that can fluctuate by more than 17 percentage points. The outcome of the local measures, experts say, will determine not just whether residents will be able to buy marijuana in their own cities, but also whether legalization hurts or helps the black market. If Prop. 64 passes and every city says were not going to allow recreational marijuana, then its a Pyrrhic victory, said Aaron Herzberg, an attorney with CalCann Holdings in Costa Mesa, a firm that operates dispensaries and offers input to cities as they craft their policies. The local measures are critical. PATCHWORK OF PROPOSALS Should cities welcome marijuana dispensaries but not farms, or vice versa? Should their fees be fixed or increase over time? Should they tax marijuana patients less than those who just want to get high? Would that encourage continued abuse of the medical system? These are some of the questions voters in 25 California counties and 46 cities will face Nov. 8. Roughly a third of the local measures began as voter petition drives, including initiatives in Upland, La Mesa and Catalina Islands Avalon. The remainder were placed on the ballot by city councils or county boards of supervisors some of whom welcome marijuana businesses and others who said they felt forced to propose regulations either because legalization seems inevitable or to compete with citizen measures that had already made the ballot. Thats the case in Costa Mesa. One citizen-backed measure would allow up to eight dispensaries, while another would permit four. City leaders are proposing a third option that would allow testing labs and sites for making marijuana-infused products, but no shops. In Long Beach, a measure placed on the ballot after a voter petition drive would tax marijuana businesses at 6 percent. The city is pushing a plan that would instead tax medical dispensaries at 6 percent to 8 percent, recreational shops at 8 percent to 12 percent and cultivation at $12 to $15 per square foot. Laguna Beach city leaders dont like a ballot initiative that would allow two dispensaries in town without taxing them. But rather than pitch a competing measure, City Council members opted to campaign against the ballot measure. Just one local measure is proposing a ban: Measure B in Sierra County, which would specifically outlaw commercial cultivation. But cities and counties dont have to ask permission to permit or block marijuana businesses. San Bernardino County supervisors in August banned cultivation and sales in unincorporated areas, while Lynwood City Council members on Tuesday passed the first ordinance in Los Angeles County permitting commercial weed grows. Local governments do need voter approval to tax cannabis, and more than half the local measures call for an added community levy on sales. The proposed tax rates range from 2.5 percent for medical users in unincorporated Mendocino County to 20 percent in Santa Barbara. Another 20 measures call for local taxes on growing marijuana. The contrasts arise sharply in the Inland Empire, where San Jacinto city leaders are calling for the highest cultivation tax in the state: up to $50 per square foot. An initiative in nearby San Bernardino would tax marijuana farms at one-tenth that rate. Some local measures would permit only medical businesses. Others would allow for recreational shops if Prop. 64 passes. A similar mishmash of policies exists in Colorado, which legalized marijuana in 2012. There are cities such as Vail that have rejected all cannabis businesses, while Denver and other cities have welcomed the boom. Paul Armentano, deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said such hyper-local regulatory schemes mirror how cities and counties control the location, number and operation of liquor stores, bars and other businesses selling alcohol. That patchwork system, in many ways, is based on cultural and local mores, he said. And I think thats ultimately what the public wants. SEEING GREEN Officials estimate local marijuana taxes on the November ballot would bring in $100,000 to $22 million a year to various city or county budgets. The majority of that revenue would flow to general funds for public safety and other basic services. A few measures would dedicate revenue to specific purposes, such as reducing sewer charges in Colfax or supporting public art in San Leandro an approach some critics say should require 66 percent voter approval. Taxing marijuana businesses helps legitimize an industry thats long operated in the shadows, Herzberg said. And he said business owners who are serious about moving to a regulated system support providing revenue to cities that welcome them. The danger, experts warn, is layering too much cumulative tax on legitimate businesses, and giving street dealers and cartels the upper hand in the competition for customers. Revenue is important, but so is getting people to stop buying on the black market, said Joseph Henchman, an analyst for the Washington, D.C., think tank Tax Foundation. After studying marijuana taxing policies across the country, Henchman said the magic number seems to be about 25 percent. Any higher such as the 37 percent imposed in Washington state or 29 percent in Colorado and the black market still seems to thrive, he said. California medical marijuana businesses now face state sales tax rates that average around 8 percent. Prop. 64 would tax sales an additional 15 percent plus add a tax by weight for cultivation, though it would exempt medical users from state sales tax. That puts California in the sweet spot of a roughly 23 percent cumulative state tax, which Henchman said could make it the first state to significantly curtail the black market. But that assumes local governments dont pile on too many additional taxes. At least 18 cities, including Santa Ana, already have local medical marijuana taxes of 5 percent to 15 percent, according to a report by CalCann Holdings. Cities are free to experiment and maybe ultimately compete with one another, Herzberg said. My only caution is that every level of government is trying to get their piece out of marijuana, and theyre not leaving much for the industry. For some cities, that seems to be the idea. San Jacinto council members made it clear theyre using the hefty tax measures, in part, to keep their city from becoming a mecca for the booming pot industry. You dont want it to be ridiculous, Councilman John Gagnepain said. But, he added, We want to make it high enough to make a point. Staff writer Craig Schultz contributed to this report. Contact the writer: 714-796-7963 or bstaggs@ocregister.comTwitter: @JournoBrooke SAN LUIS OBISPO FBI agents sifted through dirt Wednesday at an excavation site on the edge of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where they hope to find remains of a student who vanished in 1996. The work was being done on a hillside west of the giant letter P that marks the campus in the coastal region midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. About 10 agents in blue FBI shirts, hats and masks examined loads of dirt dug up by heavy equipment and transported to an inspection site, The Tribune of San Luis Obispo reported. Kristin Smart, 19, of Stockton, was last seen in the early morning of May 25, 1996, while returning to her dorm after an off-campus party. At the time, another student told authorities he left Smart near her dormitory after they and another female student walked back to Cal Poly. San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson reporters Tuesday that the excavation near a parking lot was being revealed because of the sites high visibility. It was one of several locations identified in January by dogs specially trained in detecting the scent of very old human remains. Were also focused on other locations, however were not disclosing those locations at this time because Im hopeful that this will lead to the finding of Kristin or evidence that will bring closure to the family and ultimately to the community, Parkinson said. The sheriff said the excavation was prompted by a lead developed through a comprehensive review of the entire case, which has been under investigation for more than 20 years and has involved other searches. The male student who told of leaving Smart near her dorm was investigated but was never arrested or charged. The sheriff said that man remains a person of interest. OXFORD, England Defense Secretary Ash Carter lashed out at Russia on Wednesday, accusing the government of President Vladimir Putin of demonstrating a clear ambition to erode international order and warning Russia to stay out of the U.S. elections. Speaking on Wednesday at Oxford University in England, Carter used language that evoked a time before the fall of the Berlin War, when leaders in Washington and Moscow were entrenched global adversaries. The United States does not seek a cold, let alone a hot war, with Russia, Carter said. But make no mistake, we will defend our allies, the principled international order, and the positive future it affords all of us. He also warned Moscow that Washington will not ignore attempts to interfere with our democratic processes, a clear reference to the FBI investigation into allegations that Russia hacked into computer systems of the Democratic National Committee. Carter accused Russia of undercutting the work and contributions of others rather than creating or making any positive contributions on its own, and said that Moscow was sowing instability rather than cultivating stability. His sharp criticism amplifies the already tense standoff between Washington and Moscow over the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, the hacking issue, and the role of NATO, which is on Russias doorstep. But it is also noteworthy because Carter was venturing, even if obliquely, without referencing a particular candidate, where most defense secretaries have not: election-year politics. U.S. intelligence officials say there is evidence that shows Russian intelligence agencies were behind breaches of the DNCs computer systems and that the Russians tried to gain access to the servers for other Democratic organizations. Carters criticism on Tuesday comes as the United States and Russia have been struggling to keep alive negotiations to end the fighting between U.S.-backed Syrian rebels and the government of President Bashar Assad, Russias ally. At the Pentagon, some defense officials have expressed skepticism that an acceptable deal can be reached. The negotiations are further complicated since Turkey recently began an offensive ostensibly against Islamic State targets in Syria, but one that also included U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters in the region. Carter is to meet with the Turkish defense minister on Thursday in London. Despite the grim topic of search and hopefully rescue, there is something comforting walking past massive stacks of equipment ready to save lives. Orange County Fire Authority Deputy Chief Mike Petro scans orange crates, nods toward an open black case big enough for a rocket launcher. Instead, there is a camera housed in a black steel tube connected to a long cable, earphones, more cable. We can core a hole through a concrete slab, Petro says, put a camera and listening device down and detect human life. Its a powerful statement, especially since we live in earthquake country. Yet Petros skill and the array of equipment masks trouble. In a post-recession era, search and rescue teams across the country report they remain hard-pressed for funds. The ability to keep equipment up to date is suffering, say experts in the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System. So is training. COST OF SERVICE Through a variety of circumstances mostly dedication Orange County is home to two of the nations three major incident management leaders for the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System. The leaders knowledge comes from helping manage wildfires and other disasters and serves the area well. Just last week, a task force leader led the effort to battle the blaze in Holy Jim Canyon. Almost at the same time, experts from Orange Countys search and rescue team deployed to Hawaii and American Samoa in anticipation of hurricanes. The men are back now, ready for wildfire season. Confused? A little background. There are 28 search and rescue teams in the United States. Many states have no teams and rescuers are dispatched on an as-needed basis. Few states have more than one team. Because of wildfires, earthquakes, other natural disasters, population, California has eight teams. Los Angeles County and city, the city of Riverside and Orange County each have their own search and rescue teams. Orange County has 220 members. All are active firefighters and only work search and rescue when called. The Orange County task force was in Oklahoma in 1995 when the federal building was bombed and a decade later the team played a major role in Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina. It has worked mudslides in Washington, floods in Colorado, hurricanes in Texas. Team leaders also oversaw the 2007 Santiago fire and the Yorba Linda blaze the following year. The sticking point isnt personnel. Local sponsoring agencies, such as OCFA through local cities, provide staffing, even some funding for training and equipment. But the feds make up the rest of the funding and that is where the search and rescue system is starting to crack. It costs about $2 million a year to fund a search and rescue team. Locals kick in about $1 million. FEMA, firefighters say, is supposed to make up the difference. Local communities such as ours, says Joe Kerr, a spokesman for the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association, actually subsidize the federal government because national US&R funding is so inadequate. In fact, just after the Great Recession many national teams were not properly staffed, Kerr says, did not receive adequate training and were ill prepared to respond to a national emergency. READY TO SAVE LIVES When teams roll they rumble. Orange County search and rescue has 90,000 pounds of equipment and is self-sustaining for at least 72 hours and for up to five days. They convoy has several command SUVs, two buses, two box trucks, three 53-foot semi-tractor trailer rigs. Were ready to go within six hours, says Capt. Richard Ventura. Our specialty is collapsed structures. Ventura reels off specialties within the specialty. Concrete, masonry, wood frame, steel. We have heavy rigging, search dogs, Ventura continues. We can move on the ground or in flight. Petro mentions every piece of equipment is cataloged, and points out each box also lists contents. Of gear and technology, the deputy chief says, Equipment has an end of life. Its a constant battle. Still, Petro assures, We are continually making it better. Suddenly, the concept of a significant local quake looms large in my mind. My earthquake kit has disappeared. I even forgot about having extra water. Yes, readers, thats a reminder for you too. But the battle for search and rescue teams isnt only with aging equipment. There is a political battle heating up in Washington, D.C. FUNDING EFFORTS In mid-August, the International Association of Firefighters met in Las Vegas and discussed asking FEMA to beef up funding for the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System. The Orange County union and several other associations in California approved a resolution supporting an increase in federal funding. One of the reasons is the expanded role of search and rescue. The US&R System, the resolution explains, was originally created for earthquake response. It has evolved into a federal, state, and local capability for structural collapses, other natural or human-caused disasters, and threats or acts of terrorism, including acts involving weapons of mass destruction. The resolution goes on to state that the average cost to maintain a task force approaches $2 million. However, federal funding is less than half that and leaves a $1 million burden for local sponsoring agencies. For this national program to survive, the resolution continues, funding from the federal government must be increased to reduce the burden upon local governments. Earlier this year, a bipartisan coalition of senators introduced a bill, S.2971, that would require FEMA, in conjunction with local agencies, to make funds available for search and rescue training as well as buying and maintaining equipment. Significantly, the bill authorizes appropriations to carry out the system. Last week, S.2971 got out of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, which oversees FEMA as well as search and rescue, and was placed on the Senates legislative calendar. Perhaps theres a better name for S.2971 Earthquake, flood and fire insurance for humans. Contact the writer: dwhiting@scng.com Temporary signs that appeared recently along the previously blank walls of the Outlets at San Clemente are stirring angst among nearby residents. Five people who live in homes across I-5 from the outlets appeared at this weeks City Council meeting claiming that signs for 18 stores are an eyesore, cheapen the city and are not necessary. Everyone knows whats in an outlet mall, Jeff Pantukhoff, president of the Faire Harbour Homeowners Association, told the council. He suggested that identification signs for Outlets at San Clemente should be sufficient. The one word that comes to mind is tacky, Marilyn Ferber said. I sit out on my patio having a cup of coffee this morning and I see Adidas, I see Nike, I see Starbucks. Its really, really unattractive. Cecilia Gallardo-Daly, San Clementes community development director, told the residents that a city ordinance lets businesses use a temporary banner for up to 120 days. She said developer Steve Craig has applied for permanent signs but each business in the center is allowed a temporary one. The center at 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa has 55 businesses, with more on the way. These match the temporary sign ordinance, Craig said when contacted Wednesday. We are going to work within the context of the ordinance. We are not asking for anything that isnt already on the books in the city. He said the center, which opened in November with no signs facing the freeway, saw a nice increase in business over Labor Day Weekend with the signs. People are finally realizing that the center is open and what is actually here, he said. The outlet mall has been a contentious issue since the city recruited Craig in 1997 to bring a Spanish-motif center to town. It was part of a 248-acre Marblehead Coastal property zoned to anticipate commercial development on the site since the early 1980s. In 2007, a local group sued the city to overturn a 3-2 City Council vote authorizing up to 32 business signs for the mall. A Superior Court judge ruled that an environmental report didnt adequately address the signs potential impacts. The economic collapse of a 309-home residential project next to the outlet site prevented Craig from building, as his ability to move forward was tied to it. The housing, renamed Sea Summit, restarted in 2015 under a new developer, Taylor Morrison, and the outlets opened with signs facing into the malls courtyard and out onto Avenida Vista Hermosa, but none facing the freeway. In April, the City Council banned any further freeway-oriented signs in San Clemente. A pre-existing development agreement exempts the outlets from that ban, so Craig can apply for a discretionary permit, officials said. This is not the time to cheapen our town any more than it has already been cheapened, resident Karen Ahola told the council Tuesday. It speaks to the heart and soul of who we are. I see the need to advertise for this mall I mean, we dont want to see it just fail, resident Ben Doran said. But he said outlet signs should draw the crowds from oncoming traffic, not look directly out onto I-5 making drivers turn to look. Now when youre driving north on the freeway, if you want to see these signs youve got to take your eyes off the road, Doran said. It has become a safety concern we just want to know is our view going to be completely destroyed by having corporate signage all over the beautiful seascape that we had previously? Craig said his team tried to make the signs as tasteful as possible by not putting them on actual banner fabric with cables and ropes. While everyone has an ideal of things they would like to see, Craig said the view from the outlet center is itself impacted looking across I-5 at developed neighborhoods. That impacts where I used to see the rolling hills, he said. Where does it end? Contact the writer: fswegles@ocregister.com or 949-492-5127 Youd have thought that half of Hollywood wouldve raced to make a movie about the Miracle on the Hudson. On Jan. 15, 2009, Capt. Chesley Sullenberger and co-pilot Jeff Skiles successfully set down their bird-damaged airliner on the river next to Manhattan, and all 155 people on board were soon safely off-loaded. Sullenberger instantly became a national hero whose calm, capable demeanor made him even more admirable. It was the very competence on display during and after the saga of US Airways Flight 1549, though, that may have delayed the storys filmic fictionalization for more than seven years. But its finally here. Called Sully after the pilots household nickname, the movie is directed by Clint Eastwood and stars Tom Hanks in the title role and Aaron Eckhart as Skiles. There were a few discussions before, but nothing really came of them, Sullenberger, now 65, explains in his trademark even-toned yet fiercely precise voice. So when I heard that Clint had read the script, that was very good news. Said screenplay, carefully researched by Todd Komarnicki and partially based on the book Sullenberger wrote with Jeffrey Zaslow, Highest Duty, about the incident, answered the question that had baffled Eastwood and just about everyone else in town. How do you make a feature film out of a story that had less than five minutes worth of tension from goose-strike engine failure to river landing, and then took New York harbor rescue craft under half an hour to safely rescue all the passengers and crew? When Clint first got the script, he said his first question was, Who is the antagonist? Sullenberger reports. Where is the conflict? Where is the drama? Because we all think we know the story and that it ends well. Then he began to read, he was like, Aha, its the investigation. The investigation is inherently an adversarial process. The film intercuts flashbacks to events in the air and on the water with the National Transportation Safety Boards inquiry into whether Sully and Skiles made the right decision, as opposed to attempting to return to LaGuardia Airport where theyd just taken off from or attempting to land at a field in New Jersey. The movie sets the NTSB inquiry in the few days right after the incident; it actually began months later in 2009 and was still underway when Sullenbergers book was published. This bit of temporal creative license allows for scenes inside Sullys head as he and Skiles cool their heels in a New York hotel. And thats when Sully turns into a real Eastwood movie, examining the not-always heroic, emotional mindscapes of men who do extraordinary things. That theme runs through many of the directors most impressive works, from the Oscar-winning Unforgiven to his last feature and biggest box-office hit, American Sniper. And that part of the movie is very true, says the only guy who would know. First of all, it was a very sudden, shocking event; huge startle factor during the flight after so many decades of routine airline flying where we try so hard to never be surprised by anything, Sullenberger recalls. We were very suddenly, in seconds, confronted with what we knew would be the ultimate challenge of our lives. It was the worst day of my life, the hardest day of my life, and ultimately it was one of the better days of my life because of the good outcome. But we all had intense response to that, physiologically. I think we were in shock for a couple of days afterward. It interfered with our sleep; our blood pressure and pulse were elevated for months. The intensity of that was just such that it affected everything that we did. It took effort to work through that and process it and come out the other end as a healthy, whole person. That part of it is really a story that people dont know, Sullenberger says of the films revelations. Not just the investigation, but the effect that this had on everyone on the airplane and their families for some time. They do a great job of capturing the emotional temperature of the flight and aftermath through the whole film. While Hanks only spent half a day with Sully at his Bay Area home pre-production, the retired pilot is impressed by how well the actor caught him. We talked about the challenges of playing a real person whos still living, going through the script and those kinds of things, Sullenberger recalls. But he never really talked to me about how he was going to portray me; thats something he did on his own. He did say that he watched a lot of videotape and theres a lot out there to find out how to portray me, and I think that comes across. When I watch the film, its such a nuanced performance, and hes so good at his craft I couldnt tell you what techniques he used, but it seems genuine; it seems like me. When that other major movie star visited the Sullenberger home in Danville, the discussion was mostly about lives and families. And, also, the one thing Eastwood and Sully have most in common. Id learned about it before Id met Clint, and we did talk about the fact that, when he was an enlisted man in the Army at Fort Ord, hed gone to Washington state to see his parents and on the way back, flying in a single-engine Navy plane, theyd ditched off Point Reyes, Sullenberger says. They had to swim ashore as it was getting dark in what turned out to be shark-infested waters. They didnt see any out there; its what they learned later. Sullenberger learned to fly at age 16 in his hometown of Denison, Texas. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, he rose to the rank of captain before starting his commercial pilot career in 1980. Speaking fees and such enabled him to retire from US Airways in 2010, and he continues to work as an aviation safety expert. Airline travel in the developed world has never been safer, he says with authority. Its a remarkably safe time. My concern is that the airline industry will not keep trying as hard as they could to continue to make it safer. I dont want them to rest on their laurels. We have gotten to the point where we can no longer define safety solely as the absence of accidents. We need to be more proactive than that. We need to continue to look for systemic risks and latent conditions that might lead to a bad outcome and mitigate them before they do. There are a lot of areas that continue to need attention and we havent solved yet, Sully concludes. So Im using my bully pulpit to try to be an advocate for those issues. Im not done yet. A 27-year-old Los Angeles man was sentenced to four years in prison Wednesday for pimping and pandering a woman in Anaheim and Stanton. Carlos Andrew Morehead pleaded guilty to the felony counts after prosecutors say he posted sexually explicit advertisements of a woman, whose identity has not been released, soliciting commercial sex. The Orange County District Attorneys office said that starting Aug. 7, Morehead took the woman to areas known for prostitution in Orange County and later used the money she received from the sex acts for his own benefit. On Aug. 19, human trafficking task force officers found the woman on Beach Boulevard in Stanton and discovered that she was being pimped. They found Morehead in a hotel in Anaheim and arrested him. In a separate case, a 24-year-old felon from Fresno was charged Aug. 29 with pimping a young woman in Orange County and having a loaded, stolen gun. Adam Rocky Trinidad pleaded not guilty on felony charges of pimping, possessing a stolen firearm as a felon, having a firearm with the serial number removed, pandering and having ammunition. Trinidad had a 2012 conviction in Fresno of possessing a controlled substance for sale. Prosecutors said that between Aug. 23 and 25, he drove an 18-year-old woman from Fresno to Orange County for prostitution. Trinidad was arrested in an operation by Costa Mesa Police Department officers at a hotel. Contact the writer: 714-796-7865 or afausto@scng.com Popular online lodging marketplace AirBnB has introduced a sweeping series of policy changes aimed at curtailing discrimination against travelers who use the site. In a 32-page report issued today, titled Airbnbs Work to Fight Discrimination and Build Inclusion, the San Francisco-based company outlined its new nondiscrimination policy. That policy mandates all users after November 1 to sign a community commitment, wherein they agree to "treat all fellow members of this community, regardless of race, religion, national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or age, with respect, and without judgment or bias. Those policy changes come after the property rental resource took a PR hit earlier this year, when the media reported on numerous instances of discrimination from travelers using the site. Airbnb, which requires prospective renters to provide photographs of themselves, drew criticism from many minority travelers who said they experienced difficulty booking reservations or were turned away from making reservations on certain dates only to see those listings later booked by others. A study from the Harvard Business School later found that renters with African American sounding names were about 16 percent less likely to be accepted for reservations than renters whose names sounded Caucasian. A hashtag, #AirbnbWhileBlack, became popular on Twitter. One user even filed a civil-rights lawsuit against the site. In response, Airbnb in June outlined an initial nondiscrimination policy, stating that hosts may not turn away guests based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. The same month, the company hired Laura Murphy, former director of the ACLUs Washington legislative office, as an advisor to review how Airbnb handles discrimination. Former Attorney General Eric Holder was also brought aboard to help update the company's anti-discrimination policy. Murphy authored the report that was released today. Airbnbs updated nondiscrimination policy reduces the role guest photos play in the booking process and introduces an instant booking feature, as well as the addition of a permanent, full-time product team of engineers, researchers and designers whose goal is to combat hosting discrimination and root out bias on the site. The site has also initiated a new open doors policy, wherein guests that have been the victims of discrimination will be found alternative lodgings, and the site will employ a new feature that automatically blocks reservation calendars for additional bookings once a host claims their residence is not available during those dates. The New York Times reported today that Airbnbs new rules supersede many states anti-discrimination laws. Current Fair Housing Act rules do not apply to all Airbnb hosting environments, as exemptions exist for rooming houses, bed-and-breakfasts, and living situations in which owners co-occupy living quarters with guests, all provisions that may apply to some Airbnb listings. AirBnB, which now maintains 19 offices worldwide, is currently home to more than two million listings. The company recently threatened to file a lawsuit in state of New York if Governor Andrew Cuomo signs into law an "unlawful" bill that would prohibit advertisements for short-term rentals. Renting units for fewer than 30 days is illegal in New York City if the lease holder isnt present. Students from four Offaly schools proudly brought home a total of seven awards from the 50th BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. Students from four Offaly schools proudly brought home a total of seven awards from the 50th BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. Jeremy Rigney from Banagher College picked up second place in the Intermediate Individual Technology Category with his project which investigated the use of wireless sensor data to enhance martial arts performance. Megan Addie Douglas from Oaklands Community College in Edenderry was awarded second place in the Junior Social and Behavioural Sciences Category for her project which investigated if wind turbines affect people, animals or the environment. She also picked up a display award. Conor Walsh from Colaiste Choilm in Tullamore came third in the Intermediate Technology Category with his project entitled Gearduino which looked at an automatic gear system for bicyles controlled by a gearduino micro-controller. A project by Daragh Fogarty from Tullamore College in the Senior Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Sciences Category entitled To P or not to P A study of phosphorus and renal dialysis patients was highly commended. Another Tullamore College project which was a Water Leak Detection System by Loran ORourke, Gavin Mooney and Emma Kirwan received the Jack Restan Special Award. The winner of the 50th BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition was Fifth year student Paul Clarke, aged 17, from St Pauls College, Raheny in Dublin has taken home the top prize for his project entitled, Contributions to cyclic graph theory. The announcement was made in the BT Arena at Dublins RDS by Ruairi Quinn, TD Minister for Education and Skills and Colm ONeill, CEO, BT Ireland. Paul was entered in the senior section of the Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Sciences category. Paul was presented with a cheque for 5,000, the opportunity to represent Ireland at the 26th European Union Young Scientist competition taking place in September and a brand new trophy. As this years winner, Paul will also win a once in a lifetime trip to Silicon Valley in California, home to some of the worlds biggest technology corporations, to meet BTs Innovation team, and will enjoy a hosted tour of leading enterprises and meet business leaders from the world of science and technology. Colm ONeill, CEO, BT Ireland said, When we set out last year to plan for the 50th BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition we wanted to make sure that this was our most exceptional event to date. Im delighted to say that it has exceeded all of our expectations. Over the past three days we have had some of Irelands brightest, most creative and positive young people astound us with their ideas for a better future and we have been greatly impressed by the high standard of these entries. He added, Over the years the exhibition has proven to be an important launch pad for the next wave of entrepreneurs, academics, scientists and technologists; people who will be fundamental in addressing the global skills shortage. For that reason, we cannot underestimate the importance of this exhibition in encouraging our young students to pursue careers in science and technology. I would like to congratulate every single student who participated this week and of course to Paul on his enormous achievement. If our past winners have taught us anything, its that this award could change his life. Speaking about the winning entry, Professor Tom Laffey, judge in the Chemical, Physical & Mathematical Sciences category said: Graph theory is an area of pure mathematics which studies properties of linkages and networks. It has applications in several areas including computing, molecular structure, neuroscience, search engines, engineering etc. In this project Paul makes a profound contribution to the study of graphs. He identifies key concepts and provides the methodology to apply them to some long-standing major problems in the subject with great success.Ruairi Quinn, TD Minister for Education and Skills commented The talent, creativity and enthusiasm expressed by our young students here this week offers a positive insight into the future of this country. We need to nurture this young talent, show them the opportunities available here in our world-class universities and encourage them to be a part of Irelands bright future. I would like to congratulate our winners who have done exceptionally well to succeed against such worthy competitors and I hope that everyone who participated in this years BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition will continue to innovate and create new ideas. Finally, I would like to acknowledge the many teachers and parents who play a very important role by encouraging the students to get involved and supporting them on their journey. In all, almost 1,165 students from 32 counties covering 550 projects from 210 schools nationwide competed for the coveted title Winner of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2014. Further awards presented tonight included Best Group which went to first year students Cathy Hynes aged 12 and Eve Casey aged 13 from Kinsale Community School, Cork for their project A study using statistical methods of peoples attitudes to the aging workforce of the future. The girls were entered in the Social & Behavioural Sciences category at junior level. The award for individual runner-up went to second year student Shane Curran aged 13 from Terenure College, Dublin for his project Chemical.io: The cloud based lab management solution. Shane was entered in the Technology category at junior level. The award for group runner-up went to fourth year students Conor Gillardy aged 15, Evan Heneghan aged 16 and Calum Kyne also aged 16 from St. Geralds College, Mayo with their project Gumshield communication device for managers and players. The boys were entered in the Technology category at intermediate level. For more information on the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition please visit www.btyoungscientist.com or twitter.com/btyste Loading... OilVoice will be with you shortly... Agricultural News Oklahoma Stewardship Council's Drew Edmondson Helps Kick Off Local Meetings Against 777- Proclaiming It Bad for Family Farmers The Oklahoma Stewardship Council, closely aligned with the Humane Society of the US, held what was billed as a kick off meeting on Wednesday night. This meeting in downtown Oklahoma City was the first of a total of twelve meetings planned across Oklahoma over the next two weeks. According to the group, "State Question 777 is a dangerous amendment that could devastate Oklahoma's family farms, take away your voting rights and harm animals. We're working to stop this harmful measure. But to be successful, Oklahomans like you need to get involved. Please join us at our Kick-Off rally to help defeat this measure." About thirty supporters of the Stewardship Council attended the meeting- and heard from several speakers who were critical of the process of putting State Question 777 on the ballot, as well as the measure itself. Oklahoma City State Representative Jason Dunnington was proud of his no vote on HR 1012, the underlying legislation that resulted in State Question 777 in 2015- and he sounded a familiar theme that this measure will be harmful to small family farmers. Featured speaker for the event was former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, who is the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Stewardship Council- who told the supporters present that proponents of 777 are telling lies as they attempt to convince voters to support the measure. Ahead of his presenation, Edmondson talked with Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays and said he was most concerned about protecting the environment. The former AG contends that the Amendment, if approved, would prevent Oklahoma from being able to exercise oversight over ag practices in the future saying "other then the laws that were on the books in 2014, there will be no new regulation of agriculture in the future and that is, to me, very dangerous." Edmondson also talked about his fear that lawmakers in the future would relax current legislation on puppy mills and cock fighting in the state- and that if that happened- State Question 777 would then offer protection to those enterprises. He told the rally that the Stewardship Council and the other group organized to fight the State Question will be aggressive on the airwaves in Oklahoma between now and Election Day, urging voters to reject the State Question. He was critical of the two general farm organizations in the state of Oklahoma for their support of the State Question, suggesting they were not representing family farmers with their stance. The third speaker of the evening was grass roots organizer Kevin Stamps, who worked on the Vote No campaign in Missouri on their Right to Farm Constitutional Amendment- working closely with the HSUS in that state as they spent a large amount of money in the final weeks of campaign there. The Missouri measure narrowly passed- losing badly in the St. Louis and Kansas City areas- but offsetting those no votes with a strong showing outside of those two metro areas. You can hear the full conversation that Hays and Edmondson had on Wednesday evening by clicking on the LISTEN BAR below. If you want to learn more about State Question 777, we have several resources that you can go and investigate. To begin with, we would suggest you go and read the actual State Question from the official State of Oklahoma website- click here for the ballot language for 777. The State Legislature passed underlying legislation in spring of 2015 to send the Right to Farm amendment to a vote of the people by votes of 90 to 6 in the State House and 39 to 6 in the State Senate. After the vote, Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays sat down with one of the lead authors of the underlying bill, State Representative Scott Biggs, to discuss the measure- click here to review that story and their conversation. There is one PAC that is registered with the State of Oklahoma that is raising money with the intent of supporting the State Question- Oklahoma Farmers Care. Click here for their website. There are two PACs registered with the State of Oklahoma opposed to the State Question, Click on their names to jump to their respective websites- the Oklahoma Stewardship Council and Oklahomans for Food, Farm and Families. After the Stewardship Council was formed, Hays talked with former Attorney General Drew Edmondson about the efforts to organize a "NO" vote on the measure- click here for that story from November of 2015. A new resource that has just been released is from Oklahoma State University- Dr. Shannon Ferrell and Dr. Larry Sanders have written a Fact Sheet on State Question 777- click here to go and read their analysis. Ron Hays talks with former AG Drew Edmondson about his opposition to State Question 777 WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady NSI Top Agricultural News Agricultural News Two Months Out- Oklahoma Lawmakers Scott Biggs and Casey Murdock Say 777 Needed for Future Attacks on Agriculture With the November General Election now two months away, there is one thing that is certain about the 2016 ballot that Oklahoma voters will consider. It will be loaded with State Questions- and they are likely to provide much of the drama leading up to election day at the state level. Leading the pack, based on the likely resources that both the proponents and the opponents may end up spending is State Question 777, the Right to Farm Consitutional Amendment. One of the authors of HR 1012, the underlying measure that was overwhelmingly passed by the State Legislature in 2015, is Scott Biggs. Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays sat down with State Represenative Biggs and State Representative Casey Murdock at the State Capitol on Wednesday to talk about their take on the rhethoric on State Question 777 that has been flying to this point- and is likely to become even louder between now and November 8th. You can hear their conversation by clicking on the LISTEN BAR below. Biggs addressed several of the arguments being made by opponents of the State Question, starting with the claim that an out of state group known as ALEC wrote the language of the proposal- and that the group, the American Legislative Exchange Council, is the mouthpiece of Big Corporations. Drew Edmondson with the Oklahoma Stewardship Council wrote in a local magazine, OKC Pets, about his concerns with ALEC, and contends that the language for 777 was "copied and pasted from a measure written by ALEC and its corporate members." Biggs says not true- "You know, it's funny but we passed several ALEC bills this last session, both Republicans and Democrats supporting, but this bill was not one of them. This bill did not come from ALEC. ALEC had some model farm legislation dealing with nusiance laws which we already have on the books and have had on the books for awhile, but they had nothing on a state amendment like this- this bill came from Oklahoma cattlemen, Oklahoma producers, Oklahoma Associations that protect the interests of farmers- it did not come from out of state." Biggs also dismissed the claims by Edmondson in the OKC Pets article that 777 could be the first step in rolling back state regulations on puppy mill operations and cockfighting. Biggs says that both of these activities are now illegal in Oklahoma- and that the state legislature is not interested in making any changes in their status. Of the claims by the former AG, Biggs says "that's something that he knows is an absolute false argument- he knows that but he continues to put it out there because it tugs at emotions." Hays and Biggs also talked about the compelling state interest language and water issues, which he says has already been addressed by a bill passed by both the House and Senate in 2016- and signed into law by the Governor- declaring that water is a compelling state interest in Oklahoma. He believes that if there was ever a challenge to a water bill impacting agriculture- any Judge would consider the intent of the Legislature from the 2016 legislation on water being a compelling state interest based on the language found in the constitutional amendment. Felt, Oklahoma farmer and State Lawmaker Casey Murdock is especially upset with the "Vote No" claims that the State Question is only for corporate agriculture. Murdock contends it is needed to offer protection to smaller producers, of which he says he is one. "I run 150 mama cows- there are regulations that could be pushed that could put me out of business under which I could not operate." Murdock believes that a large farm or ranch could adapt their operation to comply with a more restrictive regulation that might be adopted- but a smaller farmer/rancher might find it economically impossible to do so. He adds that State Question 777 is a forward looking proposal. "Right now today, we have a strong rural caucus at the Capitol- but what will the face of the Capitol look like twenty years from now...777 will protect agriculture and rural Oklahoma 20 years from now- we have to look after the small farmer and 777 does that." You can hear the full conversation that Hays and Biggs and Murdock had on Wednesday by clicking on the LISTEN BAR below. If you want to learn more about State Question 777, we have several resources that you can go and investigate. To begin with, we would suggest you go and read the actual State Question from the official State of Oklahoma website- click here for the ballot language for 777. The State Legislature passed underlying legislation in spring of 2015 to send the Right to Farm amendment to a vote of the people by votes of 90 to 6 in the State House and 39 to 6 in the State Senate. After the vote, Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays sat down with one of the lead authors of the underlying bill, State Representative Scott Biggs, to discuss the measure- click here to review that story and their conversation. There is one PAC that is registered with the State of Oklahoma that is raising money with the intent of supporting the State Question- Oklahoma Farmers Care. Click here for their website. There are two PACs registered with the State of Oklahoma opposed to the State Question, Click on their names to jump to their respective websites- the Oklahoma Stewardship Council and Oklahomans for Food, Farm and Families. After the Stewardship Council was formed, Hays talked with former Attorney General Drew Edmondson about the efforts to organize a "NO" vote on the measure- click here for that story from November of 2015. A new resource that has just been released is from Oklahoma State University- Dr. Shannon Ferrell and Dr. Larry Sanders have written a Fact Sheet on State Question 777- click here to go and read their analysis. Ron Hays talks with Scott Biggs and Casey Murdock on their Support for State Question 777 WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady NSI Top Agricultural News Agricultural News Beef and Pork Export Volumes Hit Spike in July While Values End Mixed U.S. red meat exports posted solid results in July, with volumes for both U.S. beef and pork trending higher than a year ago, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef export value was down from last July, but pork export value increased significantly. July beef export volume increased 8 percent from a year ago to 99,341 metric tons (mt) - the second-largest monthly total this year - while export value was $526.7 million, down 5 percent. For January through July, export volume was up 4 percent to 640,888 mt, while value fell 10 percent to $3.44 billion. Exports accounted for 14 percent of total beef production in July and 11 percent for muscle cuts only - each up about 1 percentage point from a year ago. For January through July, these ratios were 13 percent and 10 percent, respectively, steady with last year. Export value per head of fed slaughter was $263.89 in July, down 5 percent from a year ago, and $251.82 for January through July, down 13 percent. Pork exports reached 180,547 mt in July, up 8 percent from a year ago, while export value increased 11 percent to $491.9 million. For January through July, pork export volume increased 3 percent to 1.29 million mt, while value was $3.27 billion - still 2 percent below last year's pace. Exports accounted for 27.5 percent of total pork production in July and 23 percent for muscle cuts only - an impressive jump from a year ago when these ratios were 23.5 percent and 21 percent, respectively. For the first seven months of the year, exports accounted for 25.5 percent of total pork production and 21.5 percent for muscle cuts - each up slightly from a year ago. Export value per head slaughtered was $56.14 in July - up 19 percent from a year ago. For January through July, per-head value averaged $49.37, down 2 percent. Beef exports shine in Japan, Korea; Taiwan remains steady Japan and South Korea continued to be top performers for U.S. beef in July, driven by strong demand for chilled beef. Exports to Japan climbed 10 percent to 23,042 mt, while value was steady with last July at $129 million. Through July, beef exports to Japan were up 12 percent from a year ago in volume (145,358 mt) and 4 percent in value ($836.2 million). Chilled beef exports to Japan were up 40 percent to 59,783 mt. In Korea, July beef exports soared 37 percent to 16,459 mt, valued at $94.5 million (up 27 percent). For January through July, exports to Korea climbed 23 percent in volume (90,401 mt) and 7 percent in value ($531 million). Chilled beef exports to Korea were up 42 percent to 12,249 mt. Chilled U.S. beef is also in high demand in Taiwan, where July exports held relatively steady year-over-year. Through July, exports to Taiwan totaled 20,907 mt (up 3 percent) valued at $173.2 million (down 6 percent). Chilled exports were up 13 percent to 8,320 mt and the United States holds more than 65 percent of the chilled beef market in Taiwan - the highest share of any Asian market. Highlighting the need for more destinations for beef variety meat, exports to Egypt continued to slump in July - dropping 26 percent from a year ago in volume (6,753 mt) and 50 percent in value ($6.4 million). While Egypt remains a leading destination for beef variety meat, January-July exports to Egypt were down 3 percent from a year ago in volume (52,136 mt) and 31 percent in value ($57.3 million). On a positive note, total U.S. beef variety meat exports increased in July, pushing January-July exports up 6 percent from a year ago to 185,722 mt, valued at $491 million (down 1 percent). Growth has been led by Japan (27,779 mt, up 29 percent), Korea (7,442 mt, up 47 percent), and a slight uptick in Mexico (63,760 mt, up 2 percent), but also the ability to ship to South Africa, where exports reached 2,386 mt. Variety meat exports also trended higher to Chile and Colombia, and to the Caribbean and ASEAN regions. "We are pleased to see demand for U.S. beef variety meats increasing in other markets, and helping to offset the slowdown to Egypt," said Philip Seng, USMEF president and CEO. "It is a top priority for USMEF and our beef industry partners to expand the reach of beef variety meat exports and build demand in alternative destinations, and those efforts are paying off." China/Hong Kong continues to drive pork exports; chilled pork strong in Japan July pork exports to China/Hong Kong were the smallest since February, but volume was still up 73 percent year-over-year to 47,701 mt, while value climbed 60 percent to $94 million. For January through July, exports to the region were up 79 percent in volume (332,601 mt) and 63 percent in value ($634.5 million). Pork export volume to Mexico dipped in July (54,805 mt, down 6 percent), but value climbed 15 percent to $113 million. This was the highest monthly value total of 2016, with unit values up 22 percent, reflecting a notable improvement in ham prices. For January through July, exports to Mexico were down 8 percent year-over-year in volume (379,550 mt) and 5 percent in value ($679.1 million). U.S. exports of chilled pork to Japan remain on a record pace at 126,394 mt, up 12 percent through July. So although Europe is dominating Japan's frozen pork imports for further processing into ham and bacon, U.S. exports of high-quality chilled pork have fully rebounded from the West Coast port issues of 2015 and are reaching new heights. Total U.S. exports to Japan slowed again in July to 30,479 mt (down 6 percent), putting the year-to-date total at 223,341 mt, down 12 percent. Export value to Japan was $879.5 million through July, down 10 percent. Led by strong demand in Honduras and Guatemala, exports to Central America continue to shine in 2016. Through July, exports to the region increased 16 percent from a year ago in volume (36,536 mt) and climbed 8 percent in value ($85.7 million). Exports to the Dominican Republic were also strong in July, pushing January-July volume up 3 percent from a year ago to 15,008 mt, while value was down 3 percent to $32.1 million. July was also a strong month for pork exports to Canada, pushing January-July totals ahead of last year's pace in both volume (113,694 mt, up 2 percent) and value ($454.3 million, up 1 percent). Exports to Australia also remained above year-ago levels in July, pushing the year-to-date total to 39,010 mt (up 9 percent) valued at $106.5 million (down 3 percent). "While it is encouraging to see the strong results in China/Hong Kong continue, the reality is that China's domestic pork prices have fallen and import demand has slowed," Seng explained. "That's why it is so vitally important that we defend U.S. pork's market share and further expand demand in markets around the world. The competitiveness of U.S. pork is also improving, and this should boost exports through the end of the year." July lamb exports show improvement While still down from a year ago, July lamb exports were the largest since March at 682 mt. July export value was $1.5 million, up 3 percent year-over-year. July was a strong month for exports to Hong Kong and the Philippines, while Bermuda continued to trend sharply higher than a year ago. For the first seven months of 2016, lamb exports were down 9 percent in volume (5,012 mt) and 11 percent in value ($10.2 million). Complete January-July export results for U.S. beef, pork and lamb are available from USMEF's statistics web page. Monthly charts for U.S. pork and beef exports are also available online. Source - US Meat Export Federation WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady NSI Top Agricultural News Baela Rose, which opened this summer in Dundee, might be a good illustration of whats next in Omaha dining. Think about the plates youve eaten on your anniversary or your birthday at one of the citys finest restaurants, plates created with local, seasonal ingredients that are beautifully arranged, dishes designed for maximum sensory experience. The kind of plates people reserve for a few times a year because of their price tags and the high-end atmosphere in which theyre served. Now, think about a similar plate, one creative, elegant and tasty, but with a price tag of $12 served in a casual chic atmosphere. A plate that rises to the top of your recent food experiences, but one that you might return for next Tuesday instead of for next years birthday. Thats the experience at Baela Rose, a restaurant I like so much because its bridging the gap between fine and casual dining, and proving that you can, in fact, enjoy a well-composed, creative meal on a regular basis for a price that wont make you gasp. Take, for instance, the restaurants $12 version of panzanella salad. It arrives artfully plated on a long, white rectangle, the ingredients anchored by a generous spread of house-made ricotta cheese. Heirloom tomatoes in hues of red, orange, purple and yellow burst with summer flavor. Atop the tomatoes: zingy castelvetrano green olives, bright basil, shallot, aged balsamic and rustic pieces of torn, toasted bread. Or the $5 bowl of vegetable chips, which we liked so much we ordered them both evenings we visited. Once, we got a crisped-brown array of carrots, Brussels sprouts and beets, among other options. But the next night, a week later, the Brussels sprouts were the only holdover. Instead, we got crisp kale, and sweet and white potatoes. The dish illustrates owners Kyle and Rose Andersons dedication to sticking with local and seasonal ingredients, and using whatever looks best at that moment. The Andersons moved back to Nebraska from California in 2014 to be closer to family after the birth of their daughter, Baela Rose thats where the restaurants name comes from but also to get a piece of what they saw as Omahas changing food scene. Now, theyre working almost exclusively with local purveyors, Kyle Anderson said, to serve what he describes as dishes that pair European techniques with local ingredients. He said he works hard with local producers to ensure that the restaurant gets the best prices on its supplies, and thats what enables the restaurant to keep the menu prices reasonable. The owners looked at other neighborhoods, but Dundee, they said, felt right. They took on a big project in renovating a former dry-cleaning office building into the restaurants dining room, adding floor-to-ceiling windows and exposing the buildings original brick interior walls. Its a warm but casual space and those big windows mean diners get a great view of Underwood Avenue from anywhere theyre seated. Id prefer if the Edison bulbs strung from the ceiling were dimmed a bit more in the evening. The menu is presented in four sections, each marked with a star, from one to four, starting with appetizers and ending with large plates designed for sharing. The two-star section includes salads and a cheese plate, the three-star section heavier, small plates, like braised short ribs and Brussels sprouts with prosciutto. Id strongly suggest not adhering to one dish per diner, and instead, do like we did: order four or five plates and share them all. Its hard not to compare the style of plating at Baela Rose to what diners have seen at The Grey Plume. Plates of food carefully dotted with different colored sauces and flavored powders reminded me strongly of what Ive eaten at The Plume, especially when it came to the dessert courses. (Its probably not a total surprise: Baela Roses chef de cuisine, John Engler, is formerly of The Grey Plume. He also was sous chef at V. Mertz when Kyle Anderson was the executive chef from 2008 to 10.) The familiar style greeted us on the carefully arranged cheese plate, where room-temperature Natalie in Grey and Rosa Maria, both from Dutch Girl Creamery at Shadow Brook Farm near Lincoln, and Prairie Rose, from Iowas Milton Creamery, arrived artfully placed between puddles of seasonal jam, almonds and cut fresh berries set just so. We saw it, too, on the braised short rib, a melt-in-your-mouth buttery piece of meat set between colorful carrots, celery and pink pickled onions. Two small towers of thin, layered potatoes had a starchy interior and crisp outside. A bright orange swath of sauce cut through the plates opposite side. Other dishes, like the whole fried steelhead trout and the roasted cauliflower steaks, came served in a more rustic style. That trout is a must-try. Ours arrived perfectly cooked, its flesh flaky and exterior crisp and herbaceous, creating a lovely contrast. The tomato salad lets the fruit shine alongside pickled onions and green beans. Simple, seasonal and straightforward, this dish was the star of the evening. Hearty, meaty cauliflower steaks cooked to a crisp were another hit, served with a rustic salad featuring kamut, an ancient grain, summer squash, fingerling potatoes and roasted kale. We tried a variety of other small plates: simple brioche served with butter and jam; nuts and pork, which is a warm, saucy blend of warm almonds and squares of fatty pork in a sweet-spicy sauce; and a pretty serving of roasted beets that arrived topped with fennel shaved thin enough to be transparent, orange, horseradish, creme fraiche and more thinly shaved Rosa Maria cheese. A few more adventurous dishes dot the menu, and I sampled one, a crispy pig head terrine that arrives with an ultra crunchy outside and a rich and meaty interior. Its an old-school texture that might unnerve some diners, but its one I really like. The slab arrives topped with a sharp mustard aioli, peppery arugula and acidic pickled cabbage. For dessert, Id recommend chocolate, peanut butter and banana, which, among other things, includes fried banana bread, cold house-made ice cream, crumbled bits of chocolate and peanut butter powder. Baela Rose has adopted the best parts of some of the citys fine dining spots local and seasonal focus, attention to detail, creativity and excellent service and put them within reach of the everyday. Its comfortable, tasty and, without question, one of the best new restaurants to open in Omaha this year. Baela Rose Address: 4919 Underwood Ave. Phone: 402-991-5363 Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m. Closed Monday. Hits: The veggie chips, which rotate according to seasonal produce, are a great starter at only $5. Other hits: a beautifully plated panzanella salad with ultra flavorful tomatoes, a buttery braised short rib and a flaky whole, pan-fried steelhead trout. Misses: The one big miss came in the form of a corn cake, basil and strawberry dessert, which simply had too much going on with its basil ice cream, crumbly cake and lots of dotted sauces and powders. Drinks: An approachable wine list and creative cocktails. Prices: Surprisingly affordable. First plates start at $5. Second- and third-course options sit at $9 to $16, and entrees top out under $30. Other things to know: The menu is designed for sharing, and I would recommend ordering dishes from each section and sharing. When the restaurant is crowded, the acoustics make it noisy. A 15-spot parking lot behind the building is reserved for customers. They wear red and gold robes, create sacred art and have been traveling to Omaha for more than two decades to share the culture of Tibet. Monks from the Gaden Shartse Monastery in Mundgod, India, arrived in Omaha this week for a series of presentations at the OM Center in Omahas Old Market. Sandy Aquila of the OM Center said the event, which started Wednesday and runs through next Wednesday, raises money for the monastery. The monks give similar presentations across the country. The monks fled from Tibet more than 40 years ago because of oppression by the Chinese government and established a monastery in India, she said. Aquila and Roxanne Wach of Compassion Omaha have been bringing the monks to Omaha since the early 1990s and say the Tibetan Buddhism they practice is a foundation for their sacred art. Through their art, chanting and prayer, the monks want to show that people around the world have much in common, Aquila said. We all have the same desires, fears and wishes, she said. Everyone wants to be happy. She said the performances also help the monks preserve their culture. Wach said Tibetan culture and Buddhism are a powerful mix of mythology, symbolism, artistry, ancient tradition and prayer. The monks want people who attend the sessions to be filled with peace. They are really praying for peace and wellness on our planet, she said. The creation of a sacred sand painting called a mandala is among the most popular draws during the event. The painting is created using a metal cone filled with colored sand. The cones tip is removed and the monks tap the cone, letting sand pour through to create intricate designs. Viewing the detailed mandala is intended to open the mind and awaken the spirit. Its very soothing to watch them do it, Wach said. You cant believe they are drawing with sand. After the painting is completed and consecrated, the monks destroy it to show that nothing in life is permanent. In another session, the monks lead the crowd in a traditional Tibetan tea ceremony with chanting intended to be a reminder to be grateful for our blessings. And in another session, a monk loosely wraps audience members in colored yarn and then cuts the strings, symbolizing the importance of removing obstacles to peace and happiness. Tibetan Monks What: Tibetan monks share their art and culture. When: Through Sept. 14 Where: OM Center, 1216 Howard St., Omaha Tickets and info visit: omcenterdaily.com or compassionomaha.org Two Berkshire Hathaway Inc. insurance companies have agreed to stop selling a type of workers compensation insurance agreement in California while a legal dispute is resolved. Applied Underwriters Captive Risk Assurance Co. Inc. and an affiliate, California Insurance Co., were ordered by California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones in June to cease and desist sales of reinsurance participation agreements, branded as EquityComp or SolutionOne, to insurance clients. Jones had called the agreements a scheme designed to circumvent state regulation and to boost profits by improperly shifting the risk of claims to customers. He said the agreements should be submitted to his office for approval but were not. A consent order signed this week by Jones and the companies says that the companies will stop selling the agreements but deny Jones allegations. The order does not halt a lawsuit the companies filed in a California court challenging Jones actions. The companies argue that the agreements are not subject to state review because they are separate from insurance policies. The issues came to light because of a complaint filed by Shasta Linen Supply Inc. of Sacramento, a California Insurance Co. client. The consent order calls for officials of the state agency and the companies to meet and confer and sets a schedule for hearings on the matter. Jones office said in a press release that the officials would work to calculate fair terms for claims under existing EquityComp agreements. The order requires that disputes with policyholders agreements be arbitrated in California. EquityComp agreements call arbitration in the British Virgin Islands. Applied Underwriters has about 650 employees in Omaha. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. owns the Omaha World-Herald. Its a question dreaded by anyone interviewing for a job: Whats your salary history? Say too much, and put yourself out of contention. Say too little, and worry youll be underpaid. Three Democrats in Congress think employers should be banned from asking it. The lawmakers Eleanor Holmes Norton, a nonvoting delegate from Washington, D.C., Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut and Jerrold Nadler of New York say they plan to introduce a bill that would prohibit employers from asking about candidates past compensation before making them a job offer. The reason, however, isnt simply to eliminate a question no one likes. Its the role that its thought to play in perpetuating the lower salaries that women and people of color receive more often, even early in their careers. Ultimately, the only way to make sure women and minorities will be treated equally is to remove the early biases that exist, both in hiring practices and salary negotiations, Rep. Nadler said. Our bill works to eliminate those obstacles by requiring employers to offer salaries based on the value of the work. The announcement is the latest sign that efforts to dump the dreaded question could be gaining momentum. In early August, Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to ban the question when Republican Gov. Charlie Baker signed an equal pay bill into law that was passed unanimously by both of the states legislative branches. Similarly, it said employers could not ask about salary history until a job offer was made, though lawyers said it did not prevent candidates from volunteering the information, or appear to keep employers from asking about a desired range in pay. That recent law was cited in the Democrats announcement. Massachusetts has taken a bold step forward in closing the wage gap by preventing employers from asking salary history in interviews, said Rep. DeLauro, and I strongly urge Congress to follow the states lead and enact this legislation. In California, an amendment to the states Fair Pay Act, which went into effect at the beginning of this year, would prohibit employers from basing compensation decisions on prior salaries alone. Colorado is also weighing a bill that addresses prior salary, said Noreen Farrell, the executive director of Equal Rights Advocates, a nonprofit that sponsored equal rights legislation in California. She thinks theres been a change in tide from the business community that could be helping the momentum on the issue. I tend to be a realist, but I have really been very buoyed by business support for very strong fair pay laws, she said. Meanwhile, some high-profile human resources executives have spoken out against the previous-pay question. Googles former head of people operations, Laszlo Bock, wrote in an op-ed in the Washington Post in April that the fundamental problem in fixing the gender wage gap is hidden in the way we make pay decisions. Fixing it requires us to focus on paying people what a job is worth and not basing a pay decision on someones current salary. Mondelez International Inc. wanted Hershey Kisses and Reeses Pieces. The global snack giant will have to settle for Oreo candy bars instead. After abandoning a bid last month to acquire Hershey Co., Mondelez is making its own play for U.S. chocolate consumers. The Deerfield, Illinois-based company will roll out Oreo-branded candy bars already available in some countries overseas in an attempt to crack a domestic market where it has little presence. The Oreo candy bars, made with Milka-branded chocolate, will start to hit U.S. stores in October and will be available nationally in 2017, according to the company. As part of the American chocolate push, Mondelez also will put its premium Green & Blacks brand in more U.S. stores. The company is creating a new line of products under the brand that will be made without artificial ingredients or genetically modified organisms. Mondelez, which owns the Cadbury brand overseas, is the second-largest seller of chocolate in the world. But its U.S. candy business remains small a weak spot that the Hershey acquisition was meant to address. With the two sides failing to agree on a deal, Mondelez is hoping its best-selling cookie brand can become a Hershey rival. Nowhere is Oreo stronger than in the U.S., Tim Cofer, the companys chief growth officer, said in an interview. We think this will drive the mainstream chocolate category in the U.S. The Oreo candy bars, currently distributed in about 20 countries worldwide, are made with creme filling and bits of the namesake cookies, covered in Milka chocolate. There is also a version that features an Oreo cookie in the center of the chocolate bar, with creme on either side. Though Mondelez has planned to sell Oreo candy bars in the U.S. for months, the Hershey misfire may have added urgency to the push. A Minnesota company will continue replacing aging gas mains for the Metropolitan Utilities District through 2019 after a Wednesday vote by the utilitys board of directors. The districts costs for future work on the project are unknown and will be dependent upon future material, labor and equipment costs, MUD spokeswoman Tracey Christensen said. To date, MUD has contracted $22.4 million worth of work that will eventually replace about 500 miles of cast-iron gas mains. So far, MUD and its contractors have replaced about 143 miles worth of mains. Since Q3 Contracting, a subsidiary of publicly traded Primoris Services Corp., began replacing cast-iron mains for MUD in 2012, its costs to do so have fallen by about 20 percent. Thats due in part to increasing familiarity between the contractor and MUD, said Ron Reisner, the utilitys chief operations officer. Q3 also has ramped up its local union labor force from zero in 2012 to 70 percent today, and labor costs have grown very little in that time. With the project expected to hit a peak in 2017 that will last until 2025, MUD management requested that the board authorize a two-year extension to the Minnesota firms contract. The board approved the request, but member Jim Begley, who cast a rare no vote against approving the extension, said the project should instead be handled by MUDs own employees. Begleys was the sole vote against the extension. MUD and its employees are accountable to the ratepayers it serves. Q3 and its employees are accountable to Primoris and its shareholders, Begley said, explaining his no vote. A project of this magnitude and importance should be carried out by MUD employees instead of paying millions of dollars of hard-earned ratepayer money to line the pockets of corporate America. MUDs own crews are replacing gas mains and have completed slightly more than half of the work to date, according to a report from the utilitys plant engineering division. Using more internal workers to take on additional work as the replacements approach a peak in terms of miles of main replaced per year would put too much of a strain on MUD resources, President Scott Keep said Wednesday. If we were to do it (ourselves), we would have a loss in productivity. I would advise against it, Keep said. Next year, the district anticipates contracting out the replacement of $10.3 million worth of cast-iron gas mains. Keep said he is reluctant to offer only single-year contracts for the project because utilities across the country have been scrambling since 2011 to answer a call to action from federal regulators that cited the high risk associated with aging cast-iron gas mains. From January 2011 to January 2012, three explosions and fires killed seven people and injured several others in Texas and Pennsylvania. Each of those incidents was blamed on cast-iron gas mains that had deteriorated or otherwise failed to the point of catastrophe. The rest of the industry has decided cast iron needs to go, Keep said. In other business, the board approved a promotion and salary increase for David DeBoer, who will become the districts vice president of rates and regulatory affairs. The promotion and 5 percent salary increase to $123,840 is effective Sept. 16. That motion, too, garnered a pair of no votes from Begley and Gwen Howard. Begley opposed the recommendation because of a change made to the qualifications that allowed employees with engineering degrees to apply for the job. Previously, the position required an accounting degree. Howard said her opposition also stemmed from the change. When you put an (request for proposal) out and interview employees and then pull it back and add something additional to it, I always find that questionable, Howard said. It should have been vetted initially so you dont put people through the process and then reject them. DeBoer has a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering. Debra Schneider, the utilitys chief financial officer, said Wednesday that the educational requirements were broadened because the position requires the ability to analyze potential changes within the business and determine how those changes could affect customers. The position is not an accounting job, and engineers, we believe, have that analytical capability, Schneider said. Home? Or jail? Wife? Or sheriff's deputies? Such choices. Federal authorities say Larry Ripple chose a life behind bars over another minute at home with the wife. On Friday afternoon, according to a complaint filed in federal court, Ripple, 70, walked into the Bank of Labor in downtown Kansas City, Kan., handed over a note to a teller that said, "I have a gun, give me your cash," and was given $2,924 in currency from the drawer. (Now is the part where we typically write, "The robber then fled the bank.") The robber then took a seat in the lobby and began chatting with the bank security guard, the complaint by Special Agent Eric R. Beltz states. All of this was captured on surveillance video. "I'm the guy you're looking for," Ripple allegedly told the guard. The guard took Ripple into custody and retrieved the $2,924, Beltz wrote. The police and FBI were summoned, and Ripple was taken to the police station. (This story was first reported by the Kansas City Star.) Advised of his Miranda rights, about 45 minutes after the stickup, Ripple agreed to speak to the authorities and said that "he and his wife had an argument at home and Ripple no longer wanted to be in the situation. Ripple wrote out his demand note in front of his wife," Beltz wrote, "and told her he'd rather be in jail than at home. Ripple then walked to the bank and robbed it." Further details of the domestic unrest were not reported in the complaint. Ripple was promptly incarcerated and held in the Wyandotte County jail, charged with one federal count of bank robbery. However . . . On Wednesday, federal authorities foiled his plot. Court records show Ripple appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David Waxse, and Waxse ordered the defendant to be released from jail on his own recognizance. For a bank robbery. What does a guy have to do to stay in jail? Forcibly returned to freedom, Ripple could not be located for comment Wednesday evening. The driver of a school van on which a 5-year-old Omaha boy was found Wednesday night has been ticketed on suspicion of child neglect in connection with the incident. In addition, the driver's Class A school bus driver's permit, which allows people to drive a small vehicle or van carrying up to 10 passengers, expired April 18, according to Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicle records. Thursday, Omaha police said they had ticketed Claude Pope, 61, on suspicion of child neglect. They said that when the boy was reported missing, Pope told investigators he had dropped off the boy at his home. But when officers checked the vehicle, they found the boy "sitting in a seat inside the van," police said. The van is operated by the Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership, a contractor that transports students on behalf of the Omaha Public Schools. Reached by phone, Pope declined to comment and referred questions to his supervisor at ENCAP. ENCAP referred questions to OPS. In 2008, Pope pleaded guilty to driving 11-15 mph over the speed limit on the Interstate. He was required to take a defensive driving class and sentenced to six months of probation. He also was cited in 2003 for turning on a red light. The 5-year-old boy was missing for hours Wednesday evening before Omaha police, who had searched by helicopter and by car, found him locked in his school van at 24th Street and Fowler Avenue. The child, Samuel Van Tha Bik, was discovered about 9 p.m. He would have been released from Field Club Elementary School shortly after 4 p.m. The boys family is from Burma and does not speak English. The father, through a translator, said he thinks a substitute was driving the route, which could have played a role in the confusion. OPS learned the child was missing about 6 p.m., according to spokeswoman Monique Farmer. Police received a phone call shortly before 7 p.m., according to emergency dispatchers. ENCAP and OPS have a transportation contract to help homeless and refugee students get to and from school, Farmer said. This is a contract separate from one with Student Transportation of America, which buses the majority of OPS students. OPS has scheduled an emergency meeting with ENCAP this afternoon to learn how this happened, why it happened, and to really ensure our contractor takes any appropriate disciplinary action, if thats necessary, Farmer said. Farmer said she could not yet offer more details on the contract or how long Pope has been working as a driver. "We are still cooperating with (police) on the investigative pieces," Farmer said. A similar incident occurred last year with another OPS student. A 5-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, a feeding tube and selective mutism, was found locked inside a school bus 9 miles from home after she wasnt dropped off at her house. While police searched for the missing boy, the OPS board was holding its regularly scheduled meeting at which it heard an update on this years chaotic problems with busing. A driver shortage has led to parent complaints over late and missing buses and drivers who dropped kids off at the wrong bus stop. Those problems have revolved around a different contractor, Student Transportation of America. Shortly before the missing boy was found, school board members heard that busing problems were diminishing as more drivers are hired. Superintendent Mark Evans said the district has contracted with ENCAP for several years to transport homeless and ESL students. Drivers are supposed to check vehicles to make sure students arent asleep or hiding before they lock up and leave for the day. Its unacceptable, he said. I dont have any other adjectives. He reiterated that OPS was bringing in outside help from other large school districts to help shape up its transportation system. Im anxious to get these experts in here to do a thorough vetting and auditing, he said. World-Herald staff writer Alia Conley contributed to this report. Two University of Nebraska campuses and the NU system as a whole hit record enrollments this semester, but some campus enrollment goals remain distant. The University of Nebraska-Lincolns 25,897 set a record, as did the University of Nebraska Medical Centers 3,861. The University of Nebraska at Omahas freshman class of 2,069 is its biggest ever. But UNL and UNO have huge goals and a long trek to reach them. New UNL Chancellor Ronnie Green has said he wants to hit 35,000 by about 2025, expanding upon predecessor Harvey Perlmans goal of 30,000 by 2020. At UNO, which enrolled a total of 15,627, the goal described as a stretch goal is 20,000 by 2020. NU President Hank Bounds said he was pleased with the enrollment reports. The NU system is made up of UNL, UNO, UNMC and the University of Nebraska at Kearney. NU also has responsibility for the two-year technical agriculture school in Curtis, Nebraska. Bounds said enrollment growth is critical. Its not just important to the university, he said. Its important to the State of Nebraska. Having an educated workforce is vital to attracting more and better jobs, Bounds said in a telephone interview Wednesday. As long as NU has capacity to accommodate more students, he said, increasing enrollment also assists the universitys finances. The university system now has 52,215 students. Enrollment refers both to part- and full-time students. Students enrolled online in for-credit courses count toward enrollment. Amy Goodburn, UNLs interim dean of enrollment management, said her university right now is aiming at the 2020 goal of 30,000. Goodburn said that the 2025 goal is new and that her team hasnt had a chance to point toward it. She said she was thrilled with the way enrollment came together this year. The 2020 goal can be attained, she said. We think its very realistic. UNL Chancellor Green said in an interview that both goals are in play. But in time, he said, he will sharpen the 2025 goal. The increases should be in defined areas, he said, such as graduate programs and disciplines and programs that matter to the region, he said. And perhaps the goal of 35,000 will change with sharper focus, he said. Amber Williams, UNLs director of admissions, said her institution is doing a better job of telling our story. This has helped generate an 18.3 percent increase in out-of-state freshmen this semester, from 1,150 last year to 1,360 this year. Definitely my staff is spending more time out of state, Williams said. UNO brought in its largest freshman class for the second year in a row. Omar Correa, UNOs associate vice chancellor for enrollment management, said 45 percent of UNOs 2,069 freshmen are first-generation college students. And one-third of the freshmen are minorities, he said. It goes back to our mission, Correa said. UNO aims to serve the metro area and the state, he said. UNO also broke its record for freshman minority students 675 this year, up from 632 last year. Correa and a UNO spokesman both referred to 20,000 by 2020 as a stretch goal. The spokesman, Sam Petto, said UNO Chancellor John Christensen described the enrollment goal seven years ago as 18,000 to 20,000 by 2020, then set 20,000 five years ago as the stretch goal for 2020. Petto said a stretch goal represents the upper limits of what may be possible, but we aim for it anyway because there are benefits to the pursuit of the goal. The main thing, he said, is expanding access to students, retaining them and helping them graduate. UNMC broke an enrollment record for its 16th straight year. There continues to be strong interest in health-profession programs, said Dr. Dele Davies, vice chancellor for academic affairs. Theres high demand for health care workers. At UNK, Chancellor Doug Kristensen said he was pleased that enrollment went up, even after it graduated a record 1,496 students in 2015-16 summer, winter and spring commencements. Graduating record numbers brings challenge to you to make sure you bring that many students back into the pipeline again as freshmen, he said. Although freshmen didnt replace all of those UNKs first-time freshmen totaled 1,008, up by 70 from last year overall enrollment this semester exceeded last years by 41 students. Highlights from the NU systems enrollment reports for fall 2016: UNLs freshman class of 4,860 surpassed the 1979 record of 4,702. UNOs freshman class of 2,069 is up from last years record of 2,007. UNMCs doctor of nursing practice program increased from 52 students to 114. UNKs 1,732 graduate students up from 1,639 is the largest number of graduate students UNK has enrolled since it joined NU in 1991. Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis showed a steep drop, from 512 last fall to 342 this fall. An NU spokeswoman said NCTA has cut back on its classes available to high school students for college credit. UNL said its nonresident population now makes up 31.4 percent of all students. UNK said it enrolled students from 53 countries, 49 states (but not Rhode Island) and every Nebraska county. Sal the pig has more oinks in his future. The piglet, from a farm in Litchfield, Nebraska, was pardoned Thursday morning by Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert as part of the Salvation Army's fourth annual Baconfest Omaha. "He's no lightweight," Stothert joked as she held Sal. The festival will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Salvation Army's Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, 2825 Y St. Its purpose is to raise awareness and money for the centers mission and activities for all ages. Funds raised at the event will go to the Kroc Scholarship Fund. Stothert was joined outside the City County Building in downtown Omaha by representatives from the Kroc Center and sponsors of BaconFest: 101.9 The Keg and US Bank. The piglet was "accused" of causing trouble by trespassing through various city offices. "As mayor, I have the power to pardon you if you are truly remorseful," she told Sal in front of the crowd. In return, the piglet snorted loudly. Sal was then officially pardoned. "I can tell he's very happy," Stothert said. BaconFest Omaha will include bacon tastings, a chef competition, games, bounce houses, pony rides, face painting, family activities and bacon ... lots and lots of bacon. "It should be called a 'fun-raiser' because it is all about fun, food and family," said Salvation Army Major Todd Thielke. This year, adult ticket prices have decreased, Thielke said. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and military (both veterans and active duty members), and $5 for children ages 5 to 12. A family value pack, which admits two adults and two children, can be purchased for $30. Children 4 and under get in free, and tickets include an all-day pass to the Kroc Center. To purchase tickets online, click click here. The event has also been moved indoors to accommodate the public's comfort in the event of rain or heat, Thielke said. Those attending Baconfest can utilize the Kroc Center's other amenities. "Bring your swimsuits and your gym bags," Thielke said. Four Nebraska Native American tribes adopted the fight against the Dakota Access pipeline as their own Thursday, arguing that the oil pipeline set to run from North Dakota to Illinois endangers their water and the Missouri River itself. Around 200 people, including members of the tribes, participated in a demonstration in downtown Omaha outside the offices of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Protests against the pipeline have picked up closer to the pipeline in North Dakota as the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe fights the project. Thursday, those pipeline opponents found Nebraska allies in the Omaha, Ponca, Winnebago and Sioux Tribes, along with pipeline-fighting group Bold Nebraska and its leader, Jane Kleeb. The participants called themselves not protesters but protectors of the water and defenders of Mother Earth. We know that if something happens to the river, it happens to all of us, said Larry Wright Jr., chairman of the Ponca Tribe. Outside the Zorinsky Federal Building, a group of Native Americans sat in a drum circle and sang tribal songs, while people around them held signs that said such things as Water is life. #NoDAPL and We all need clean water. Stand up for water. Stand with us against the pipeline. Inside the building, leaders from the groups met with Army Corps of Engineers officials, whose agency holds regulatory authority over parts of the project. They presented letters from the four tribes opposing the pipeline. Afterward, Wright said the corps officials listened, but that Im still not convinced they hear us. There is time for them to stop this if they so choose, he said. Construction has begun on the 1,172-mile oil pipeline that would run from North Dakota, through South Dakota and Iowa into oil storage facilities in Patoka, Illinois. It is being built by a subsidiary of Energy Transfer Partners. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has sued the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in federal court in an effort to stop the pipeline, and a judge has temporarily halted part of the construction. A decision is expected soon - possibly today - on an injunction that could more fully stop construction. Tribes and others have been protesting the pipeline at a site in North Dakota, and violence broke out Saturday between private security guards and protesters. On Thursday, North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple activated that states National Guard in anticipation of the federal judges ruling. A handful of Guard members will be assigned to help with security at the protest site and a larger contingent will be placed on standby. Also on Thursday, the Yankton Sioux Tribe in southern South Dakota also filed suit against federal regulators, seeking to vacate the permits granted by the corps be vacated. The company declined to comment to The World-Herald. The local Army Corps of Engineers office referred questions about Thursdays meeting to the U.S. Justice Department, which did not return a call seeking comment. In July, the Omaha office of the Army Corps issued a finding of no significant environmental impact from part of the project: where it crosses federal flow easements at the Missouri River upstream of Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota and where it crosses federal property at Lake Oahe in North Dakota. In that finding, the district commander in Omaha, Col. John Henderson, noted that the Standing Rock Sioux and other tribes object to the pipeline and are concerned that a rupture would contaminate the Missouri River. But Henderson wrote that the corps made a good faith effort to consult with the tribes and considered all tribal comments. As for the pipeline, Henderson wrote that Dakota Access has developed response and action plans, and will include several monitoring systems, shut-off valves and other safety features to minimize the risk of spills and reduce or remediate any potential damages. Kleeb said President Barack Obama has the power to step in to put the project on hold and that Thursdays meeting also showed that Congress has a role in the permitting process. We will bring that fight to Congress, she said. Kleeb said the Dakota Access pipeline is no different from the Keystone XL pipeline. She said any pipeline is a threat to land and water, and that her group would fight to stop every new pipeline project. Considering current climate goals, she said, we dont need to be building new pipelines for new oil and gas development. WASHINGTON The Air Force has named Offutt Air Force Base as one of five finalists to host the mission control element of a new drone wing. Its a tremendous opportunity, Rep. Brad Ashford, D-Neb., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, told The World-Herald. Its another significant mission, and its a mission thats only going to get more robust. The Air Force is considering locations to house a new drone wing headquarters and launch and recovery element, as well as a location for the wings mission control. Offutt is one of the five finalists, out of 19 Air Force bases considered, for the mission control unit. The other finalists are Davis-Monthan in Arizona, Moody in Georgia, Mountain Home in Idaho and Shaw in South Carolina. Fifty bases, including Offutt, were considered for the wing headquarters and launch and recovery element, but Offutt was not named a finalist in that category. The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce had suggested that landing the wing could translate into 500 new jobs and a direct economic impact of $65 million, according to an informal pitch that Ashford shared with The World-Herald. The economic impact of the mission control element alone will depend on the size of the unit. Thursdays announcement that Offutt is a finalist for the drone unit was hailed by Nebraska politicians and others. This is fantastic news, said Jeff Mikesell, the Chambers senior military liaison. This new mission could help position the base to thrive for years to come, said Gov. Pete Ricketts. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., said she had discussed Offutt and the drone program when she met with senior Air Force leaders in recent months. Im pleased to see the Air Forces recognition of the great things Offutt has to offer, Fischer said. I believe it would be a perfect fit for the unit. Offutts ties to the local community could be a key selling point in landing the new mission. Nevadas remote Creech Air Force Base is the main hub for drone operations. Many of the drone operators there have to commute from Las Vegas, which is about 50 miles away. That geographic isolation has only contributed to intense strain on the drone units. In fact, the strain on those teams prompted the Air Force to cut back on the number of its drone missions last year. Now it is trying to significantly increase the ranks of its drone force personnel and also find new basing options for drone operators. One hope is that having more options will help with the stress and morale issues. Mikesell said the Nebraska lobbying effort has focused on winning the mission control element of the wing, from which the unmanned aircraft are piloted remotely using a satellite link. Its a bunch of shipping container-size offices (that would be) stacked up out at Offutt, Mikesell said. Thats what we want. He said there was less interest in getting the launch and recovery element, which includes the flight and training operations at a practice range. That could also bring complaints about noise. The chambers lobbying pitch identified many reasons Offutt would make a good home for drone operations: The bases central location at the hub of the nations fiber connectivity and communication networks. The presence of the 55th Wing and the nations largest concentration of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets and infrastructure. A new headquarters for U.S. Strategic Command that could provide support with the most accurate and timely information for commanders. About 134 acres of land and existing structures available for development. The chamber also touted the vast local aircrew experience and local higher education institutions that offer degrees supporting missions at Offutt. If Offutt landed an element of the drone wing it would be the second such unit in the two-state region. Two years ago the Iowa Air National Guards 132nd Wing, in Des Moines, gave up its 21 F-16 fighter jets and replaced them with consoles that control unmanned MQ-9 aircraft flying surveillance missions in foreign hot spots. The switch, mandated by the Pentagon, was initially opposed by the states political and military leaders, but the unit has adjusted. About 1,000 Iowa airmen eventually were retrained for the new mission. The Pentagon also is spending about $20 million to reconfigure space at the 132nd Wings headquarters at Des Moines International Airport. In the coming months, officials from the Air Forces Air Combat Command will conduct site surveys at all of the finalist locations. They will assess each base for the wings requirements, the impact on existing military missions, infrastructure and manpower, said Erika Yepsen, an Air Force spokeswoman. They will also calculate cost estimates. She said the Air Force will select its preferences as early as next winter. The final basing decision is up to the secretary of the Air Force. Jill Stein is nothing if not polite. The Green Party presidential candidate who is eagerly courting former Bernie Sanders supporters told an Omaha crowd on Wednesday that she had no choice but to spray-paint a bulldozer at an anti-pipeline protest in North Dakota after being asked to by Indian leaders. Stein said she didnt feel as if she could say no to such a simple request from people leading the fight against a crude-oil pipeline. Stein was charged Wednesday with two misdemeanor counts of vandalism and trespassing in North Dakota for her impromptu graffiti. I felt like it was the least I could do in front of these Indian leaders, as they were putting their lives and their bodies on the line, said Stein, who spoke at the Metropolitan Community Colleges Fort Omaha campus. What they are doing there is not just rescuing our water supply, our climate and our planet, theyre also lifting up this incredible vision of community and forgiveness, said Stein, who spent the weekend at the protest camp near Standing Rock Reservation. Steins comments about the controversial Dakota Access pipeline protest drew a standing ovation from the more than 250 people in the audience. It was one of her more popular statements of the night, as the long-shot presidential candidate and environmental activist brought her campaign to Nebraska. The pipeline would cross four states, including Iowa, and would transport crude oil from the Bakken Reserve in North Dakota to a refinery in Illinois. Tribal members argue that it poses a threat to their water supply, while supporters argue that the pipeline is safer than transporting crude oil across the country on rails. Stein said theres simply no reason to build it because the country needs to end its reliance on fossil fuels. She and other members of her environmentally focused political party have argued that the nation can and should wean itself entirely off fossil fuels over the next 14 years to help save the planet from climate change. We should be dismantling our pipelines, not building new ones, said Stein, a medical doctor from Massachusetts who has never held elected office. Stein is running a distant fourth in national polls, behind the two front-runner candidates: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. She also is trailing Gary Johnson, a former New Mexico governor who is running as a Libertarian. Johnson is polling in the double digits in some states and in some national polls, while Stein remains firmly in the low single digits. However, Stein has clearly benefited from the tumult of this years election and voters angst with the two front-runners. Although she is lagging in the polls, she is drawing far more attention than she did in 2012, when she drew less than 1 percent of the general election vote. Neither Stein nor Johnson will be allowed to appear in the upcoming national debates between Clinton and Trump unless they receive an average of 15 percent support in national polls, according to longstanding rules maintained by the Commission of Presidential Debates. Stein made it clear Wednesday that she believes her path to victory lies with Sanders supporters, who are disillusioned with party politics. At times, she sounded like Sanders, making many of the same points and promises that he made on the primary trail, when he was running against Clinton. Stein also argued for universal health care for all from cradle to the grave, along with the legalization of marijuana and a crackdown on Wall Street. Weve had enough of a rigged economy, weve had enough of a rigged political system, she said. She also argued that not only should college tuition be free at public schools as Sanders argued in his campaign but that young peoples college debt should be wiped clean. No society survives by devouring its young, said Stein, who said the students were deceived by predatory lenders when they signed the paperwork for the loans. Finally, Stein argued that it would take a third-party candidate like herself to make any real changes within the nations economic structure. Both the Democratic and Republican Parties are too influenced by money and those who are in power, Stein said. She urged voters not to vote for one of the lesser of two evils, but to vote for someone who they supported. Do not bow to the politics of fear, she said. NEW YORK - Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump battled Wednesday over their judgment and preparation to be commander in chief at a forum that sounded the starting gun for the final stretch of the presidential race and offered a potential preview of what are expected to be rollicking debates in the weeks to come. In back-to-back appearances at a forum focused on national security here, Clinton offered herself as a model of "absolute rock steadiness" on foreign policy while Trump promised to be a disruptive force for improvement, saying that under President Barack Obama even the military's generals have been "reduced to rubble." While Clinton appeared serious and even stilted as she sometimes awkwardly navigated tough questions about her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state and her vote for the Iraq War in the Senate, Trump offered no such restraint, making a series of controversial statements. He reaffirmed his view that having men and women serve alongside one another is the root of sexual assaults in the military. He said recent intelligence briefings he has received have convinced him that Clinton and other Obama administration officials did not heed the advice of experts. And he defended his mutual admiration with Russian president Vladimir Putin, even suggesting that Putin is more worthy of his praise than President Obama. "Do you want me to start naming some of the things President Obama does at the same time?" Trump said when asked to defend some of Putin's aggressions on the world stage. He also said that an alliance with Putin would help defeat the Islamic State. "Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could work on it together and knock the hell out of ISIS?" Ahead of Wednesday's forum, Trump delivered a speech in Philadelphia in which he called for a robust expansion of U.S. military capabilities and an end to budget sequestration on defense spending. "As soon as I take office, I will ask Congress to fully eliminate the defense sequester and will submit a new budget to rebuild our military. It is so depleted. We will rebuild our military," Trump said during the speech at the Union League of Philadelphia. "This will increase certainty in the defense community as to funding and will allow military leaders to plan for our future defense needs." Trump's address represented his most substantive and comprehensive plan on national security to date - part of an ongoing effort to assuage doubts that he lacks a sufficient understanding of policy issues to assume the presidency. Reading from prepared remarks, Trump spoke about modernizing the military's equipment and increasing the size of the armed forces. Clinton spent the earlier part of her segment of the forum defending herself regarding the email controversy as well of her handling of classified material, which she insisted she did responsibly. And she acknowledged that her vote to authorize force in Iraq, while a senator from New York, was a mistake. But Clinton said she had learned from the decision and chided Trump for saying he opposed the war from the outset despite statements to the contrary. "I have taken responsibility for my decision," Clinton said. "He refuses to take responsible for his support." The forum, broadcast by MSNBC and NBC stations and hosted by Matt Lauer of the "Today" show, was billed as a discussion of the most important issues facing the nation's next commander-in-chief. Clinton and Trump appeared consecutively before a live audience of active-duty and military veterans - a group that traditionally skews Republican - at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York at an event hosted by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. The forum was scheduled ahead of three more traditional debates between the two major-party candidates, the first of which is scheduled for Sept. 26 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. Both Clinton and Trump were asked early in their segments not to attack their opponent - and both drew admonishments from Lauer for ignoring him. Clinton, for example, chided Trump for proposing a ban on Muslims entering the country, saying "that is not going to help us succeed in defeating ISIS." And Trump accused Clinton of having a "happy trigger," a suggestion that she is too eager to insert the United States into international conflicts. The United State's involvement in Iraq was a prominent part of both segments. Clinton argued that the war was one area where she and Trump shared positions: "I think that the decision to go to war in Iraq was a mistake and I have said that my voting to give President Bush that authority was, from my perspective, my mistake," Clinton said. "There was a mistake. My opponent was for the war in Iraq. He says he wasn't, you can go back and look at the record. He supported it." As he has in the past, Trump insisted that he did not support President Bush's invasion in 2003, despite evidence to the contrary. The businessman brushed off Lauer's attempts to suggest otherwise. During his segment, Trump also defended a tweet that he posted three years ago that stated the estimated number of unreported sexual assaults in the military and then mused: "What did these geniuses expect when they put men & women together?" "Well, it is, it is a correct tweet," Trump said when asked about the tweet by Lauer. "There are many people that think that that's absolutely correct ... Well, well, it's happening, right? And, by the way, since then, it's gotten worse." When asked what he'd learned from his intelligence briefings since becoming the Republican nominee, Trump said that Obama and others "what our experts said to do." "And I was very, very surprised," he added. "In almost every instance, and I could tell, I have pretty good with the body language, I could tell, they were not happy. Our leaders did not follow what they were recommending." Trump also defended his relationship with Putin, saying: "I think I would have a very, very good relationship what Putin and I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Russia." Trump denied that mutual admiration between him and the Russian leader would benefit Russia in its dealings with the United States. "It's not going to get him anything," Trump said. "I'm a negotiator." During her segment, Clinton defended her use of classified information, insisting that she never sent or received any documents on her private email server that were properly marked as classified. Clinton was pressed with questions on the issue almost immediately forum got underway. "Classified material has a header that says 'top secret,' 'secret,' 'confidential,'" Clinton said. "None of the emails sent or received by me had such a header." The issue has bedeviled her campaign from the start, and one of the questions about it came from a veteran, who noted that if he had handled classified information in a way that was not permitted, he would have been prosecuted and jailed. "I communicated about classified material on a wholly separate system," Clinton said. "I took it very seriously." A poll released Wednesday showed Trump with a sizable lead among active-duty and military veterans. Trump leads Clinton by 19 points - 55 percent to 36 percent - among voters who are currently serving or have previously served in the U.S. military, according to the an NBC News/SurveyMonkey tracking poll released Wednesday. That's a somewhat larger margin that two other recent national polls of military veterans since the Democratic convention. Trump led Clinton by 14 points in a a Fox News Poll and 11 points in a McClatchy-Marist poll. The demographics of military veterans align closely with Trump's strongest sources of support; More than 9 in 10 are men, and about 8 in 10 are white. In 2012, among military veterans, Republican Mitt Romney bested President Obama by about 20 points, according to exit polls. The run-up to Wednesday's forum featured intense jockeying from Clinton and Trump over which candidate is better suited to lead the military -- with both sharply questioning the other's temperament and judgment. During a campaign stop Tuesday in Tampa, Clinton said Trump had "no clue" about national security issues. Her campaign also released a new television ad Tuesday that used some of Trump's past comments to try to call into question his commitment to military veterans and the sacrifice of military families. Just minutes before the forum was set to begin, Hillary Clinton tweeted: "Donald Trump has proven over and over again that he's unfit to be our Commander-in-Chief." On Tuesday, Trump announced that he has been endorsed by 88 retired senior military officials. Not to be outdone, Clinton released a list Wednesday showing the support of 95 retired generals and admirals, more than any recent non-incumbent Democrat, her campaign said. Meanwhile, Clinton noted that Trump's endorsement figure was more than 400 shy of the last Republican nominee, Mitt Romney. Khan is dean of public health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center; Pour is Douglas County health director; and Schaefer is chief medical officer for medical care and management at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska. They serve on the Live Well Omaha board. Residents of Omaha and Douglas County deserve a community that is the healthiest possible place to live, work, raise a family and enjoy life. Achieving this goal takes deliberate, strategic and collective action. This community is blessed with outstanding health care systems and dedicated health care professionals. We have a very generous philanthropic community that invests in worthwhile efforts and a business community that drives and attracts young talent to Omaha. We recognize that we can have the best health care services in the world and the nicest people (Nebraska Nice), but unless we have very real conversations about the disparities that exist in our community, we will never achieve optimal health for all individuals. For some that means a longer life, and for others that means an improved quality of life. We have a lot of work to do. In Douglas County, 18 percent of children are growing up in poverty, 34 percent of children are growing up in a single-parent household and 16 percent of available housing has severe problems, such as overcrowding, high housing cost or lack of kitchen or plumbing facilities, according to the latest Douglas County health rankings. Approximately 17 percent of Douglas County residents find it very or somewhat difficult to buy affordable fresh produce, and 23 percent often or sometimes worry about food running out before having money to buy more, according to the 2015 Community Needs Assessment. Omaha is at a tipping point for health. Instead of conducting work as usual, we need to think differently about all the living conditions (housing, education, neighborhood safety, food access, and social connectedness, etc.) that have an impact on health. Then we must link arms with landlords, grocers, transportation and other nontraditional partners to create a road map that leads to measurable improvements in the quality of life and longevity of life of our neighbors, friends, family and co-workers across the metro area. Live Well Omaha, WELLCOM, the Douglas County Health Department, health systems and insurance companies and many other organizations are on this journey together. After 20 years of work, its time to reset the stage and challenge the status quo. Each of us must learn more about the connection between health and all the factors that influence our health and connect that understanding back to our organizations. The Omaha Health Summit, being held Friday, is a catalyst to educate and mobilize organizations and leaders on how to cultivate a healthier community from the inside out. In October, community leaders from the private, nonprofit, foundation, education, faith community and government sectors will spend two days creating an Accountable Care Community model that reduces bureaucratic silos, aligns missions and ultimately helps keep people healthier. Go to omahahealthsummit.com to find out more about Fridays summit and to join this movement. LINCOLN Nebraskas largest waterfall, Snake River Falls, is reopening to the public next week. The waterfall, southwest of Valentine in the Sand Hills, was closed off to public visits in July because of littering and vandalism. The area has been cleaned up, with new signs and boundary markers erected, and visits to Snake River Falls will resume on Sept. 16, according to Dr. Mike Adams of Fremont, one of the investors who purchased the ranch surrounding the waterfall. Hopefully, all who come will treat the terrain and landscape with the respect that it deserves, Adams said in a statement. Costs of visits will be $1 for adults and 75 cents for children. The money is used to pay for liability insurance. Adams said visitors will not be allowed past a rope boundary to the river or canyon walls. By water volume, Snake River Falls is the states largest waterfall. The states highest is Smith Falls, on a tributary of the Niobrara River. The state leases the area around Smith Falls and operates it as a state park. An effort by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to obtain Snake River Falls as a public park fell through in 2012. Madras HC orders 0.09% more marks to help IPS officer to get first class in ML course HC directs TN to file report on stranded fishermen issue City oi-PTI Madurai, Sep 8: The Madras High Court today directed the Tamil Nadu government to file a report on the steps taken by it to rescue 62 fishermen stranded in Saudi Arabia and struggling there. While hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Thirumurugan, a relative of a fisherman stranded there, the court had earlier said it was the Centre's duty to ensure the safe return of the fishermen through diplomatic channels. When the plea came up for further hearing, a division bench of the court's Madurai bench comprising justices S Nagamuthu and Murali Dharmam, wondered why the central government needed more time to rescue the fishermen. The counsel for the central government said the rules of that country regarding labourers were proving to be a hurdle, adding, all efforts are being made to rescue them. The judges then asked what was the state government doing and why it had not filed any counter. The counsel for the state government said fisheries department officials were in touch with central government officials. The judges directed the state government to file the counter, and posted the case for further hearing to September 15. The petitioner had submitted that his uncle K Sethu Raja and other fishermen had gone to Saudi Arabia separately since 2013 to work in the company of a man named Yusuf Khaleel in Al Jubail. He alleged that the employer had cheated them and was refusing to return their passports. Even Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had written to the Centre to rescue them, counsel for the petitioner had said. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, September 8, 2016, 10:43 [IST] TRS, BJP are two sides of same coin: Rahul Gandhi in Telangana Andhra Bandh: YSR Jagan Reddy calls for bandh over Special Status Hyderabad oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Vijayawada, Sept 8: YSR Congress Party chief and the opposition Leader in Andhra Pradesh Assembly YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday called for a state-wide bandh on Saturday, demanding a Special Status category for AP. He demanded the resignation of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, citing his failure to get the same for the state. Speaking to the media at the Assembly, YS Jagan lashed out at the CM for his "double talk" on the issue of Special Status. "On the one hand he says he is striving for Special Status and on the other hand, he expresses happiness over the Centre's announcement of special package", he said. [Read: No special status for Andhra, Centre promises compensation] Appealing for mass participation of the people in the bandh, he further added,"AP lost a well-developed capital in Hyderabad and now we have to build a capital right from the scratch. We need to build an industrial base in the new capital. Attractive packages and tax benefits can only attract new industries to the state". He said that he will fight until the state is accredited the Special Status and that there will not be any compromise on the demand. He further alleged that Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and AP CM Chandrababu Naidu are staging a pretense of backing the people of AP when they are actually planning to abandon the people here. According to media reports, almost all the members of the Union Government vetoed against the motion of giving Andhra the Special Status category as the state is yet to prepare itself for the challenges. OneIndia News TRS, BJP are two sides of same coin: Rahul Gandhi in Telangana Amit Malviya alleges criminal conspiracy by The Wire, says will lodge police complaint Delhi Police files FIR against The Wire on complaint by Amit Malviya BJP activists stage protest against Kejriwal India oi-IANS By Ians English New Delhi, Sep 8 The BJP Mahila Morcha on Thursday staged a demonstration here at the New Delhi railway station against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal when he was about to leave for Punjab. The members of the Mahila Morcha of the Bharatiya Janata Party and other party activists presented Kejriwal 'bangles and roses' for, as the demonstrators said, his failure to act against AAP member Ashutosh. The demonstration was led by Mahila Morcha President Kamaljeet Sehrawat and BJP Media Incharge Praveen Shankar Kapoor at platform No.1 of New Delhi railway station. "When we went to meet Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia we had said that if Kejriwal does not immediately announce Ashutosh's expulsion from the Aam Aadmi Party and MLAs, involved in misconduct towards women, from the Vidhan Sabha, we will ghereo him and present bangles. Today, we gheraoed Kejriwal as he was trying to run away to Punjab," Sehrawat told media persons. Ashutosh had written a blog for a news website defending suspended AAP Minister Sandeep Kumar, whose sex-tape had surfaced late last month. Ashutosh, in the blog, had termed Kumar's suspension from party wrong, and had argued that the participants in the video were having consensual sex. He had also compared Kumar with Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. The woman in the video later filed an FIR against Kumar. During the chaos on Thursday at the railway station, Kapoor managed to reach upto Kejriwal despite heavy police cordon and handed bangles and flowers to the Chief Minister and asked him to concentrate on fulfilling promises that he had made to the people of Delhi before indulging in countrywide politics. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia denounced the incident at the railway station as the doing of BJP and Delhi Police. "Police remained a mute spectator throughout the chaos. Media people were already present there. It's clear that everything was pre-planned," Sisodia said. "Are Delhi Police and BJP conspiring to attack Kejriwal at Modi's behest? Was the morning mishap a rehearsal of that," Sisodia added. IANS Why there is disruption in Cauvery water supply in Bengaluru today? Cauvery panel to meet in Delhi on Sep 12 India oi-PTI New Delhi, Sep 8: The Cauvery Supervisory Committee will meet here on Monday to decide on the quantum of the river's water to be released to Tamil Nadu and other states. The Committee, headed by Union Water Resources Secretary Shashi Shekhar, will meet on September 12 to decide on the quantum of Cauvery water to be released to Tamil Nadu and other states. The Chief Secretaries of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry besides officials of the Central Water Commission will attend the meeting, official sources said. While the Tamil Nadu government had approached the Committee yesterday with its demand for more water, the Karnataka government too wrote to the panel with its grievances on releases of water. The Supreme Court had on Monday directed the Karnataka government to release 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery river water every day to Tamil Nadu for next 10 days to meet the demands of the summer crop in the state. Bandh in Tamil Nadu over Karnataka's refusal to release Cauvery water The bench also said that Tamil Nadu in turn would proportionately give water to Puducherry and gave Tamil Nadu three days' time to approach the Committee with its claim of 35 tmcft of water from Karnataka. The court gave three days' time to Karnataka to respond to the plea by Tamil Nadu, while asking the Cauvery Supervisory Committee to examine the matter in four days and pass appropriate directions. The apex court will hear the matter again on September 16. PTI Cauvery row: Road to Mysuru remains blocked as Mandya protests continue India oi-Shreyas By H S Shreyas Bengaluru, Sept. 8: Farmers continue to block the Mysuru-Bengaluru highway at Mandya, the epicentre of the Cauvery protests, which is witnessing sporadic protests for the third straight day on Thursday, but the situation is better as there have been no reports of arson and violence. Karnataka bandh: Essential services to be hit badly on Sept 9 Mandya SP Sudheer Kumar Reddy told OneIndia that there's no movement of traffic on the Mysuru-Bengaluru road between Mandya and Srirangapatna as farmers continue to block the highway. "Today, the situation is under control. The protests are peaceful and are being carried out with prior police permission," Reddy said. Only one stray incident of stone-pelting has been reported since Wednesday. Reddy said police had spoken to farmers' groups and requested them to protest peacefully. Cauvery water issue: Kannada filmstars to back Friday bandh Schools and colleges remained shut in the district while some shops resumed business. Meanwhile, a group of lawyers made a failed bid to enter the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam, but later protested outside the premises. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, September 8, 2016, 15:12 [IST] Kejriwal confident Delhi would choose AAP over BJP in MCD polls this time BJP shreds Kejriwal's demand for Lakshmi on notes; calls it his 'new mask' Why not Ambedkar's pic: Cong leader over Kejriwal's Lakshmi-Ganesh on currency notes remark RTI reply reveals AAP govt has given Rs 101 crore to Delhi Waqf board since 2015 Even a Muslim nation has Lord Ganesha's pic on notes: Kejriwal writes to PM Modi Combative Arvind Kejriwal vows to send Badals to prison India oi-IANS By Ians English Ludhiana, Sep 8 A combative Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Thursday he won't be cowed down by protests and that he and the AAP will remain in Punjab till the ruling Badal family is jailed. "We are here to stay. We are not going anywhere. Will send the Badals to jail," Kejriwal told the media on his arrival here on Thursday afternoon. "I will be here (in Punjab) only and we have dug the 'khunta' (pole). We will not leave till we uproot the pole of the Badals," Kejriwal said. "This is not an election, this is going to be a revolution," the Aam Aadmi Party leader said regarding the Punjab assembly elections to be held early next year. When Kejriwal reached the Ludhiana railway station from New Delhi, he faced noisy protests by a group of people. Launching a frontal attack on ruling Shiromani Akali Dal and its president Sukhbir Badal, Kejriwal said that he and the AAP were not afraid of the tactics adopted by the Badals and the Akali Dal. "I was told by people in Punjab that Sukhbir Badal will do a lot of things against us, including making allegations. They (Akalis) have started doing that. "Sukhbir Badal has hired a video company to make fake CDs on AAP. I have been informed that they have made 63 fake CDs on us. They are releasing these CDs now. "We are not afraid of the attacks by the Badals," the AAP leader said. "The people of Punjab are very intelligent. They will see the conspiracy by the Badals against us," he added. Kejriwal, whose AAP is facing an internal crisis in Punjab, did not take any questions from the media. He said that farmers in Punjab were in a bad shape and committing suicide. "The farmers of Punjab used to be the most prosperous in the country. They are facing the worst crisis now. We have planned to make all farmers in Punjab debt-free by the end of 2018," Kejriwal said. Kejriwal is on a four-day tour of Punjab which started on Thursday. Kejriwal is visiting Punjab after the AAP sacked its state unit chief Sucha Singh Chhotepur, resignations by some AAP leaders and allegations of corruption in allotment of tickets for the coming assembly elections. IANS Art of being happy, emotional intelligence to be new courses in Delhi University DU, JNU polls tomorrow, 35 candidates to test electoral waters India oi-PTI New Delhi, Sep 8: Two prominent varsities of the country -- Delhi University and JNU will vote for their respective student unions tomorrow with around 35 candidates set to test their electoral fortunes in the two politically active campuses. Election authorities at both the universities are geared up with all arrangements in place for the polls which are being closely watched in the aftermath of the controversies which have rocked university campuses across the country in recent months. The elections at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), which have been keenly contested over decades are hogging more limelight this year in the backdrop of the February 9 event during which "anti-national slogans were allegedly raised leading to arrest of outgoing JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar and two others. While the political slugfest at DU has over the decades been between Congress-affiliated National Students' Union of India (NSUI) and RSS' student wing Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), left-affiliated All India Students Association (AISA) is vying for the central panel posts with a series of campaigns done by the outfit in recent months to thwart alleged attempts of attacks on university campuses across the country. In a first, DU to introduce NOTA in student union polls "A total of 17 candidates are in fray for the four posts of DUSU office-bearers. While 7 candidates are in race for the post of President, 4 nominations have been validated for the post of Vice-President," D S Rawat, Chief Election Commissioner for DUSU polls said. "Three contestants each are in fray for the post of Secretary and Joint Secretary," he said. The voting for Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections will take place in two phases across 117 booths set up at 51 colleges of the university. "With a total of 1,23,246 voters, the voting will take place across 51 colleges of the university from morning to evening," Rawat said. According to DU authorities, the timings for voting for the students of morning colleges will be from 8.30 AM to 12.30 PM, while the students of evening colleges can cast their votes from 3 PM to 7 PM. Rawat said 300 EVMs would be used for the elections and adequate security arrangements have also been made at each and every polling centre to prevent any untoward incident. "The results of DUSU elections will be declared by Saturday afternoon," he added. DUSU is the representative body of the students from most colleges and faculties. Apart from DUSU, which is an umbrella council, each college also has its own students' union for which they hold separate elections. PTI Kerala expects Rs 5,000 crore increase in tourism revenue India oi-IANS By Ians English Thiruvananthapuram/Kochi, Sep 7: The state tourism industry is expected to bring in Rs 5,000 crore in the next two years, according to tourism officials, ahead of the ninth edition of the Kerala Travel Mart which will take place in Kochi later this month. The event is basically meant for networking and interactions among travel industry professionals and entrepreneurs from Kerala and across the world. "The organising of Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) has definitely boosted the earnings of the tourism industry as one takes stock of the positives of the event. We expect the tourism earnings will shoot up from Rs 25,000 crores to Rs 30,000 crores in the coming two years," said E.M. Najeeb, one of the key organisers of the KTM. The Kerala Travel Mart will see participation from 57 countries with 10 nations as first-time participants. Kerala Minister for Tourism A.C. Moideen told the media here on Wednesday that if one looks into the rate of growth of tourist arrivals both domestic and international, it has decreased as compared to the growth in the previous years. "There are multiple reasons for it and it's through the events like KTM that we can promote our state and this time we are going to have the biggest participation," said Moideen. However, Moideen told IANS that he was misquoted saying that it was on account of the present liquor policy that there was a drop in tourist arrivals. Since the past one year, liquor is available in just two dozen five star hotels, as around 700 bars operating in various hotels and resorts in the state continue to remain closed after the previous Oommen Chandy government, as part of taking the state to complete prohibition a decade from now, closed such bars. "Today the only question that's being asked to me wherever I go is when will the closed bars open in Kerala," Moideen told IANS. Moideen said one major issue the industry faces is the prohibitive air fares from various places inside and outside the country. "This issue has been pointed out to Kerala Governor P. Sathasivam. It is something which we have no control over and successive governments have raised the issue," said Moideen. Kerala tourism secretary V. Venu said one key area that would be discussed at the event is "responsible tourism". "This is one aspect that has to be taken to the next level and all the stake holders of the industry have taken this seriously. Even though the state government spends Rs 2 crore for this, the returns are huge," said Venu. The four day event is to see a hectic buyer-seller meet with all the appointments being pre-fixed and there would be 265 stalls featuring various products and packages that Kerala tourism offers. "This is for the first time that we are getting people from 20 states in the country and 25,000 business meetings will take place after the event, special tours are being taken out for the buyers to the various destinations in our state," said KTM society president Abraham George. Around 600 foreign delegates have registered for the event while the domestic participation touched 1,500. IANS Maharashtra detects 18 cases of XXB sub-variant of Omicron ahead of festive season In two separate firing incidents, two men injured in Thane Maha min asks collector if he drinks alcohol; video goes viral Maharashtra urges Centre to provide relief to onion farmers India oi-PTI New Delhi, Sept 7 A delegation led by Maharashtra Minister Subhash Desai today met Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Ram Vilas Paswan urging them to provide relief to onion farmers. Desai said that onion prices in the state have dropped drastically leading to the onion farmers facing losses. The state government also urged the Centre to provide relief to the farmers of which 50 per cent share should be borne by the Centre. After the meeting Gadkari said the Centre will look into the demands made by the Maharashtra government. PTI India's steel industry now 2nd biggest, target is to double crude steel output in 10 years: PM Modi PM Modi to dedicate 2 key rail lines in Gujarat to nation Monday News Flash: PM Narendra Modi arrives from Vientiane India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Sept 8: Delhi BJP women wing protest against Delhi CM, demand he speak on misconduct his MLAs and expel Ashutosh from AAP. Get all the latest news updates of the day: 2.30 pm: Jammu: J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti launches 'CM Scooty scheme', takes a ride on a scooty. 2.13 pm: Chhattisgarh: 10 kg IED recovered from Sukma district in a joint operation by District Force and CRPF , IED was later defused. 2.00 pm: Train derails in northwestern Spain, several dead: AFP 2.00 pm: Cauvery water issue: Clash between Police and Jai Karnataka activists in Gulbarga #Karnataka 1.43 pm: Delhi: Andhra Pradesh delegation meets Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. 1.38 pm: Anugul bus accident: Odisha government ordered Regional Transport Office (RTO) to inquire the matter and to give report by today evening. UP: Congress VP Rahul Gandhi meets Mahant Gyandas, the mahant of the Hanumangarhi temple in Ayodhya. pic.twitter.com/dr6YwfC9Ak ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 9, 2016 1.33 pm: No, there has been no formal complaint from Kapil Sharma till now: Manohar Pawar,BMC 1.30 pm: Will strongly act against the concerned officials if they are found guilty: Manohar Pawar,BMC on Kapil Sharma's allegations 1.25 pm: Vijay Mallya submits before Delhi's Patiala House Court that he wants to return to India but can't come due to revocation of Passport 1.15 pm: Kapil ji's allegation is very serious, have asked him to give name of person who asked for bribe: Manohar Pawar,BMC 1.00 pm: SC gives 6 weeks to Centre to file response, next date of hearing is 15 November 12.45 pm: Two people arrested after a dengue patient was allegedly raped by doctor and hospital ward boy in Ahmedabad: Police 11.45 pm: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh attended Cabinet meet, earlier today. 11.30 pm: Bihar: Nawada ADM arrested for taking bribe of Rs4 lakh, 3 liquor bottles seized from his house. 11.20 pm: Govt has made no decision as yet on ratifying the Paris Agreement. Domestic processes in this regard are still underway: Vikas Swarup,MEA 11.00 pm: Mewat Biryani issue: BJP trying to disturb communal harmony:Aftab Ahmed,Cong. 10.45 pm: Biryani smaples have only been taken for people's good and security: Mewat Dy Commissioner. 10.20 pm: Biryani Samples collected from Mundaka sent to a university to detect which animal's meat is it: Narender Kumar, Mewat animal husbandry Department. 9.50 pm: More than 35 villagers hospitalised after consuming 'prasad' in Malda. West Bengal: More than 35 villagers hospitalised after consuming 'prasad' in Malda. pic.twitter.com/1rHpbP0gTE ANI (@ANI_news) September 8, 2016 9.45 pm: Bihar floods: Chief Minister visited affected areas. 9.30 pm: Finance minister Arun Jaitley meets a delegation of Chinese CEOs in Delhi. 9.15 pm: Texas school shooting: One killed. 9.00 pm: 10,365 detonators and 6500 gelatin sticks recovered from three persons at Suryamandal check-post in Gaya. 8.50 pm: Karnataka bandh:Will make adequate arrangements at railway station,bus stands, airport.Already have RAF; police will be on alert: CP 8.30 pm: Hradik Patel's supporters vandalise Amit Shah's Patidar Abhivaadan samaroh in Surat. 8.15 pm: As many as 100 school children hospitalised due to food poisoning in Sirmaur. 8.05 pm: One killed, several injured after Saraswati Shishu Mandir school wall collapse in Sakhigopal village in Puri. 7.55 pm: PM Narendra Modi arrives from Vientiane. Delhi: PM Narendra Modi arrives from Vientiane (Laos) pic.twitter.com/hAlygfFTmj ANI (@ANI_news) September 8, 2016 7.40 pm: Two men prosecuted in connection with 2015 Paris attacks taht left 130 people dead. 7.30 pm: Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi meets women shopkeepers at Harraiya in Basti. 7.15 pm: You say your Government is for the poor then why did you increase rail fares?, says Rahul Gandhi. 7.11 pm: Uttar Pradesh: Congress VP Rahul Gandhi holds 'Khat Sabha' in Gonda. 6.52 pm: Try, but if alliance does not work then say 'salaam' to people and step down: Muzaffar Baig on PDP-BJP alliance. 6.40 pm: Will leave Punjab only after sending Badals to jail, says Arvind Kejriwal. 6.35 pm: No, the state Govt should not resign, infact this is the time to stand firm and govern strongly, both PDP and BJP, says Muzaffar Baig,PDP MP. 6.30 pm: Defence, security and foreign relations are the responsibilities of Centre, not State Govt, says Muzaffar Baig,PDP MP. 6.29 pm: Now even PM Modi has started putting global pressure on Pakistan, so maybe they will agree on talks, opines Muzaffar Baig. 6.29 pm: It is a good thing that pellet guns will not be used, also help extended to the injured is also a good thing, says Muzaffar Baig, PDP MP. 6.21 pm: SIT files chargesheet in Kolhapur sessions court against Virendra Singh Tawade and others in Govind Pansare murder case. 6.00 pm: CBI arrests then Chief Judicial Magistrate of Gurgaon in ongoing investigation of a case relating to murder of his wife. 5.59 pm: This food park will help develop the food processing sector of Chhattisgarh: CM Raman Singh in Dhamtari. 5.45 pm: CM Raman Singh speaking at the foundation laying ceremony of food park in Dhamtari (Chattisgarh). 5.36 pm: He has cheated and back-stabbed Jaitley: Tarun Chugh,Punjab BJP on Navjot Sidhu. 5.30 pm: Sidhu talks about Punjabiyat. What has he done for state in last 12 years? Easy to love Punjab sitting in Mumbai, says Tarun Chugh,Punjab BJP. 5.08 pm: Indigenous trio work, Isro launch successfully. 4.47 pm: GST Constitution Amendment Bill ratified by Arunachal Pradesh assembly. 4.40 pm: President Pranab Mukherjee signs Constitution Amendment Bill on GST; the bill is now an act. 4.30 pm: PM Narendra Modi leaves Vientiane (Laos) for Delhi. 4.15 pm: See Kejriwal's tweet, he said Navjot Singh Sidhu came with no pre-conditions. Where does ques of asking something come from?: NS Sidhu. 4.01 pm: Sensex rises 118.92 points to end at 29045.28. Nifty closes at 8952.50. 3.58 pm: We will take 15 days and then get back to you with our decision and more details, says Navjot Singh Sidhu. 3.49 pm: Kejriwal told me 'don't fight elections, ask ur wife to contest will make her a minister.' I said 'Sat shri Akal': Navjot Sidhu. 3.46 pm: My resignation from Rajya Sabha had nothing to do with Kejriwal: Navjot Sidhu. 3.31 pm: Government should be for the people but in Punjab it is all about one family, says Navjot Sidhu. 3.19 pm: Awaaz-e-Punjab is the resurrection & redemption of Punjab which is in dire strait: Navjot Singh Sindhu in Chandigarh. 3.16 pm: There is a tradition in India that good people are kept as decoration pieces and used only for campaigning: Navjot Sidhu. 3.13 pm: Patiala House Court sentences gangster Neeraj Bawana, who was convicted under Arms Act, to 7 years in jail in Delhi. 3.12 pm: Fire breaks out in Express Building,Nariman Point. 5 fire tenders rush to the spot in Mumbai. 3.00 pm: The US will continue to stand with the people of this (ASEAN) region to ensure prosperity and protection of human rights, says President Obama. which is legal and binding and clarified maritime claims of Philippines and China in the South China Sea, Obama said. 2.59 pm: The nations agreed to cooperate in fight against human trafficking, says President Obama on 11th East Asia Summit. 2.45 pm: Interim relief to Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya to continue till 29 September, directs Delhi High Court in JNU row. 2.30 pm: Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly ratifies the Goods and Services Tax Constitutional Amendment Bill. 2.00 pm: Supreme Court to hear on September 14th, petition against Government funding to J&K based separatists. 1.30 pm: Bulandshahr gang rape case: SC modifies it's order on stay of CBI's ongoing probe, CBI probe to continue in this matter. 1.26 pm: PM Narendra Modi meets US President Barack Obama in Vientiane (Laos). PM Narendra Modi meets US President Barack Obama in Vientiane (Laos) pic.twitter.com/EXYHJvIM4Y ANI (@ANI_news) September 8, 2016 1.18 pm: I have info that Sukhbir Badal has 63 fake CDs against us, they will release 2-3 daily, says Arvind Kejriwal. 1.17 pm: India supports freedom of navigation,over flight,and unimpeded commerce,based on principles of international law: PM Modi. 1.15 pm: Terrorism is most serious challenge to open & pluralistic societies. Combating it requires collective effort: PM. 1.13 pm: Sea lanes of communication passing through South China Sea are main arteries of global merchandise trade: PM Modi. 1.12 pm: This export is reducing space for peace and increasing space for violence. And, putting at risk peace and prosperity of all, says PM Modi. 1.05 pm: There is one country in our neighbourhood whose competitive advantage rests solely in producing and exporting terrorism, says PM Modi. 1.00 pm: Competing geo-politics, traditional & non-traditional challenges threaten peace, stability & prosperity of region: PM Modi. 12.59 pm: PM Narendra Modi begins remarks at 11th East Asia Summit, appreciates Laos for excellent summit arrangements. 12.52 pm: Since LG approval was not taken, so in light of HC judgement(on LG powers), Delhi Govt concedes appointments (parliament secretaries) were illegal. 12.33 pm: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal arrives in Ludhiana amidst protests by Akali Dal and Congress. 12.27 pm: High Court sets aside Delhi government order appointing 21 AAP legislators as parliamentary secretaries. 12.13 pm: Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi in a road show in Basti district of Uttar Pradesh. Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi in a road show in Basti district of Uttar Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/VeTtiXqCKs ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 8, 2016 11.55 am: Three injured in IED blast in Kabul. 11.26 am: PM Narendra Modi at 11th East Asia Summit in Vientiane (Laos). PM Narendra Modi at 11th East Asia Summit in Vientiane (Laos) pic.twitter.com/Wqi20up3yY ANI (@ANI_news) September 8, 2016 11.15 am: Justice Anil Dave on plea to stop funding for Jammu and Kashmir separatists says we also share the same feelings. All sitting here also feel the same. SC says come at 2 pm after numbering the petition. 11.08 am: I am going to NCW, whatever I have to say I will say to them: Ashutosh on his blog post on Sandeep Kumar I am going to NCW, whatever I have to say I will say to them: Ashutosh on his blog post on Sandeep Kumar pic.twitter.com/WLJbwkUnDs ANI (@ANI_news) September 8, 2016 10.55 am: NC leader Abdul Gani's house attacked in Kulgam, J&K. 10.52 am: Italian Marine Latorre seeks extended relief to extend his stay in Italy till the end of arbitration. SC to hear case on Sept 20. 10.35 am: Narendra Modi meets Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. Vientiane (Laos): PM Narendra Modi meets Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi pic.twitter.com/tQAUYWhKwz ANI (@ANI_news) September 8, 2016 10.15 am: Barack Obama warns South China Sea tribunal ruling is 'binding'. 9.53 am: Fire breaks out at a nursing home near BK Pal Avenue in Kolkata. 9.30 am: Narendra Modi meets President of South Korea Park Geun-hye in Vientiane, Laos. Vientiane (Laos): PM Narendra Modi meets President of South Korea Park Geun-hye pic.twitter.com/OYc1BlsrG7 ANI (@ANI_news) September 8, 2016 8.55 am: We are willing to take concrete steps to enhance co-op in cyber security, de-radicalisation and counter terrorism: PM Narendra Modi. 8.37 am: Pak court issues notice to Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and 6 others in 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case. 8.30 am: The Chief Secretary of Karnataka has written to the water secretary at the centre to send a team to analyse and study the water situation. The letter written in the backdrop of the Cauvery water verdict urges the team of experts to visit both Karnataka and TN and study the situation. 8.28 am: ASEAN India Plan of Action (2016-20) has served us well 54 activities have already been implemented: PM Modi at ASEAN Summit. 8.08 am: ASEAN is central to India's 'Act East' policy, and our ties are a source of harmony in the region: PM Modi. 8.00 am: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal leaves for Punjab, women protest against Arvind Kejriwal at the station. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal leaves for Punjab, women protest against Arvind Kejriwal at the station. pic.twitter.com/L9s0YcIvcN ANI (@ANI_news) September 8, 2016 OneIndia News No comment on Pranab Mukherjee book before reading it: Former Union Minister Pranab memoirs: PM Modi must speak more often in Parliament President calls for joint action for 100 pc literacy India oi-PTI New Delhi, Sep 8: Saakshar Bharat and Swachh Bharat are two sides of the same coin and there cannot be one without the other, President Pranab Mukherjee today said as he called for joint action by government and private bodies to achieve 100 per cent literacy in the country. "Swachh Bharat, Saakshar Bharat are the two sides of the same coin. I cannot have Swachh Bharat (Clean India) without Saakshar Bharat (Literate India)," he said at an event on the occassion of International Literacy Day. While emphasising on literacy, he said certain other things - cleanliness, environmental consciousness, responsibility to the neighbours, inculcating core civilisational values - are closely related and run parallel. He said many a times it is seen that people who are not literate show more dedication than those having formal education. In his speech, Mukherjee said though much progress has been made, still the country has a "substantial" number of illiterate population of the world. He mentioned the passing of the Right to Education Act a "crucial" step. Taking note that a large number of people are still illiterate in the country, the President called for a "joint action" involving government, NGOs, local bodies, volunteers etc so that "tremendous momentum" can be generated and 100 per cent literacy can be achieved. Agreeing with HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar, who had spoken before him, Mukherjee said that 'each one, teach one' can go a long way in achieving this goal. The President said apart from being a teacher, he has also been a literacy activist. Earlier Javadekar said the Narendra Modi government's mantra is "reaching the unreached" and added that literacy is a great step towards empowerment. He said financial, legal and electoral literacy are also of key importance. Javadekar observed that for housing schemes, it has been seen that involving the local communities brought significantly better results as people contribute and give their best and does not complain. "Otherwise, we created a country which keeps complaining," he said, emphasising on the importance of involving community in efforts to create literacy to attain better results. At the event, the President also conferred Saakshar Bharat Awards 2016, for contributions to the "literacy movement". PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, September 8, 2016, 17:43 [IST] Second time lucky? AAP conducts Punjab-like 'Who should be CM' survey in Gujarat Sacked AAP Minister's police remand extended by a day India oi-PTI New Delhi, Sep 8: Sacked Delhi Minister and AAP MLA Sandeep Kumar, arrested on rape charges on the complaint of a woman, was today remanded to one-day police custody by a court here after police said he was not cooperating in the probe. Kumar, 36, was produced before Special Judge Poonam Chaudhry on expiry of three-day police custody and the court further extended the remand till tomorrow. During the hearing, Public Prosecutor Balbir Singh sought Kumar's two-day police custody saying he was not cooperating in the probe and the probe agency has to recover original electronic device used for making the objectionable video. The prosecution also said as per their investigation, the recording appeared to be 11-12 months old. Advocate Pradeep Rana, appearing for Kumar, opposed the police plea for custody saying the police had not done any substantial investigation in the past four days and has not been able to find out the source of alleged video yet. He said there was nothing in Kumar's statement to show that he can get the alleged device recovered. Mediapersons were not allowed inside the court room during the hearing. Kumar was arrested on September 3 after a woman had approached Sultanpuri police station in north Delhi complaining of sexual harassment against the former Social Welfare and Women and Child Development minister following which a case was filed. The woman had figured in an objectionable video with him. He has been booked under section 376 (rape), 328 (causing hurt by means of poison with intent to commit an offence) of IPC, under section 67A of IT Act (punishment for publishing or transmitting of material containing sexually explicit act) and Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act (public servant taking gratification for an official act). In her complaint, the woman alleged that around 11 months ago she was raped by Kumar when she had gone to his office in Outer Delhi's Sultanpuri seeking help to obtain a ration card. Kumar was removed from AAP government on August 31 by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after the CD surfaced. The MLA from Sultanpur Majra had surrendered before the investigators at the office of DCP (Outer) in Pitampura where his statement was recorded, police officials had said. Soon after the controversy, the MLA had defended himself, saying he has been targeted. Kumar's wife has also come out in support of her husband, claiming that he was "falsely implicated" in the scandal. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, September 8, 2016, 17:22 [IST] Video: Why Chinas former president was escorted out from stage China hails Putin's backing on South China Sea International oi-PTI Beijing, Sep 8: Under pressure after an international tribunal struck down its claim over the disputed South China Sea (SCS), China today welcomed President Vladimir Putin's remarks that Russia supports Beijing's stance on the issue and opposes any third-party interference. "China values President Putin's position on the South China Sea issue," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said today. "President Putin's position shows Russia to be objective and fair, and represents the voices of justice from the international community," Hua said. In fact, if a country is truly concerned about peace and stability in the SCS, it will support China to peacefully resolve the dispute with the countries directly concerned in accordance with international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the SCS (DOC), she said. She said that China also opposes any attempt by forces outside the region to manipulate the issue or stir up trouble, in an apparent reference to the US which has termed the verdict of the tribunal as legally binding. Japan 'seriously concerned' by South China Sea tension Talking to reporters after the G20 Summit in Chinese city Hangzhou, Putin said Russia supports China's stance on the SCS issue and opposes any third-party interference. "We stand in solidarity and support of China's position on this issue not to recognise the decision of this court. This is not a political position, but purely legal," Putin was quoted as saying by Russia's Sputnik news agency. China has rejected the decision questioning the legality of the tribunal. China is involved in a raging dispute with the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei over ownership of territory in the SCS, a busy waterway through which India's 50 per cent trade passes. India and the US have been calling for freedom of passage in the international waters, much to the discomfort to Beijing, whose claim over SCS was recently struck down by the international tribunal in favour of the Philippines. PTI Fact Check: Did Trump thank Musk for welcoming him back to Twitter Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump talk Iraq, diagree on foreign policies International oi-IANS By Ians English Washington, Sept 8: US Presidential nominees Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton addressed topics ranging from national security to veteran affairs in their first television forum here. The two struck a pointed contrast on deploying ground troops to Iraq during the town hall held in New York on Wednesday by NBC News and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Donald Trump eliminates his "black list" of media banned from his campaign rallies Democratic presidentaial nominee Clinton pledged that the US was "not putting ground troops into Iraq ever again, and we are not putting ground troops into Syria", while the Republican nominee disagreed, reported the Guardian. Trump, who has long talked about the importance of "taking the oil" in the Middle East, said: "We would leave a certain group behind and they would take the various sections where they have the oil." The forum came hours after Trump laid into Clinton as "trigger happy". During an address on defence spending in Philadelphia earlier in the day, the former reality TV star suggested there wasn't a country in the Middle East that Clinton did not want to invade -- an assertion he repeated on Wednesday evening. The US currently has roughly 5,000 troops deployed in Iraq, mostly as official non-combat advisers for the Iraqi military, along with special operations forces. Navy and Air Force pilots also participate daily in air attacks on the Islamic State terrorist group. The discussion took place a little under three weeks before the first Presidential debate on September 26. In response to a question from the audience on military sexual assault, Trump cited his tweet from 2013 in which he suggested that the epidemic was a consequence of allowing women to serve in the military. Trump also called for "a court system within the military", seemingly unaware that the military has always been governed by a court system separate from civilians. Goldman Sachs bars partners from donating to Donald Trump When asked what he would do, if elected as President, to curb military sexual assault, Trump remained vague. "We have to come down very hard on that and do something about that," he said. Trump also touched his bumpy relationship with various foreign leaders. I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Putin: Trump He further talked about his so-called "bromance" with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he repeatedly praised and cast as a better leader than Barack Obama. Trump went on to characterise his relationship with Putin as mutually beneficial. "If he says great things about me, I'm gonna say great things about him," he said. "I think when he calls me brilliant, I'll take the compliment. OK? "I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Putin and a very good relationship with Russia." Clinton, by contrast, sought to re-emphasise her foreign policy expertise while defending her legacy as Obama's Secretary of State. The Democratic nominee repeated once more that it was "a mistake" for her to use a private email server while at the helm of the State Department. "I have made no excuses for it. It was something that should not have been done," Clinton said. Clinton struck a similar tone when discussing her support for the Iraq war, although not without pointing out that Trump also backed the invasion but has refused to acknowledge his support. "I took responsibility for my decision," she said of her vote for the Iraq war. "My opponent has refused to take responsibility for his support." However, Trump asserted that he had been against the war all along. Clinton also pointed out there was "no difference" between her position on Libya and that of Trump. "He's on record extensively supporting intervention in Libya," she said. Trump, in turn, criticised the Obama administration as pursuing "the dumbest foreign policy" he had ever seen. "The Generals have been reduced to rubble," Trump said, when pressed on the assertion he made during his campaign that he knows more about Islamic State than military Generals. Asked what his own strategy would look like against the militant group, Trump declined to comment. "I have a substantial chance of winning -- make America great again," he said. "If I win, I don't want to broadcast to the enemy what my plan is." IANS India's steel industry now 2nd biggest, target is to double crude steel output in 10 years: PM Modi PM Modi to dedicate 2 key rail lines in Gujarat to nation Monday Export of terror common threat: Narendra Modi International oi-IANS By Ians English Vientiane, Sep 8 In an obvious reference to Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said "export of terror" is a common threat to the region. "Export of terror, growing radicalisation and spread of extreme violence are common security threats to our societies," Modi said while addressing the 14th India-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit here. He said Asean was central to India's Act East Policy while describing the ties with southeast Asia as a "source of harmony". The India-Asean Summit will be followed by the 11th East Asia Summit on Thursday. Earlier in the day, Modi held a bilateral meeting with host Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith. Modi is also scheduled to have meetings with South Korean President Park Geun-hye, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is the State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar, and US President Barack Obama later in the day. IANS India's steel industry now 2nd biggest, target is to double crude steel output in 10 years: PM Modi India to stand by new Myanmar government: Narendra Modi International oi-IANS By Ians English Vientiane, Sep 8 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India will always stand by the new National League for Democracy (NLD) government in Myanmar. He said this during a meeting with State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi on the sidelines of the 14th India-Asean Summit and the 11th East Asia Summit here. This was the first meeting between the two leaders since the Nobel peace laureate's NLD assumed power in Myanmar in March this year. "Prime Minister complimented Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on the victory of the NLD in the elections," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson told media here after the meeting. Stating that Modi welcomed Suu Kyi as an icon of democracy, he said: "The Prime Minister said India would always stand with the government and people of Myanmar as the new government strives to fulfill the aspirations of the people." Modi also said that he was looking forward to receiving Suu Kyi in Goa next month for the BRICS-Bimstec Outreach Summit. India has assumed the chairmanship of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and has invited the leaders of the Bimstec (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) countries to the Goa summit. Modi said that cooperation in disaster management would be one of the important elements of the summit given that several countries in South Asia continue to face natural disasters, according to Swarup. "Daw Aung San Suu Kyi thanked Prime Minister and said she was looking forward to visiting India where she had always felt 'at home'," the spokesperson said. Suu Kyi spent a considerable part of her early life in India and was educated at Lady Shri Ram College in New Delhi. Last month, Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw was in New Delhi on his first official visit abroad after assuming charge. In Thursday's meeting, Suu Kyi briefed the Prime Minister on the progress in the peace and reconciliation process in Myanmar even as both the sides positively assessed India-Myanmar security cooperation. "They discussed further cooperation in areas such as dairy farming, animal husbandry and agriculture," Swarup said. "The Prime Minister spoke about a possible agreement on pulses which had been discussed during External Affairs Minister's visit to Myanmar." External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Nay Pyi Taw last month following which President Kyaw came on a four-day visit to India. Modi and Suu Kyi also discussed cooperation in the area of the countries' shared Buddhist heritage, according to Swarup. Earlier in the day, Modi also held bilateral meetings with host and Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and South Korean President Park Geun-hye. The India-Asean Summit is being attended by the leaders of India and 10 southeast Asian nations -- Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand. The East Summit is also being attended leaders of the 10 Asean nations and those of India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Russia. IANS India's steel industry now 2nd biggest, target is to double crude steel output in 10 years: PM Modi Modi, Obama have a 'cordial meeting' on the sidelines of EAS International oi-PTI Vientiane, Sep 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit here, their eighth meeting in the last two years. "Two democracies and a defining partnership of our era! PM meets President Obama @POTUS on sidelines of EAS," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted. The meeting was "extremely warm and cordial", Swarup said after the meeting. This could be their last meeting as leaders of the two countries with Obama's second term as US President coming to an end in November. Two democracies and a defining partnership of our era! PM meets President Obama @POTUS on sidelines of EAS pic.twitter.com/FixOF027sF Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) September 8, 2016 They met for the first time at the White House in September 2014 when Modi travelled to Washington DC at the invitation of Obama. Modi had also exchanged views with Obama on the sidelines of the G20 summit in China's Hangzhou on Sunday, with the US president praising the "bold policy" move on GST reform in a "difficult" global economic scenario. PTI Narendra Modi to hold bilateral talks with Obama during ASEAN International oi-PTI Vientiane (Laos), Sep 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold several bilateral parleys on Thursday including a meeting with US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the 14th ASEAN-India and the 11th East Asia Summit. Regional and multilateral issues are likely to be discussed by the two leaders. Modi will also meet host-nation premier Thongloun Sisoulith, South Korean president Park Geun-hye and Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung Sang Suu Kyi. Modi held extensive bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on Wednesday. India and Japan pledged to further strengthen cooperation in the area of counter terrorism, trade and investments. He also conveyed his condolences to Abe for the Japanese lives lost in the recent terror attack in Bangladesh in which 22 people were killed after Islamist militants stormed a cafe popular with foreigners. Abe said Japan was not going to succumb to terrorism and expressed the desire to further strengthen cooperation with India in the area of counter terrorism. A gala lunch will be hosted by the Laotian premier. Modi leaves for New Delhi in the evening. PTI Pak off the FATF grey list doesn't mean it's not under scrutiny anymore: MEA secretary Imran Khan again targets Pakistan's establishment on Day 2 of protest march; govt rules out talks over snap polls Pak court postpones hearing in UK woman's murder case International oi-PTI Jhelum, Sep 8: A defense lawyer says a Pakistani court has postponed the hearing of the ex-husband and the father of a British woman who was murdered while on a family visit to Pakistan. Mohammad Arif says the two were to appear today before the court in the city of Jhelum but the judge postponed the hearing until Saturday. The case is suspected to be the latest reported incident of so-called "honor killings." The police have said the killing of 28-year-old Samia Shahid was a "premeditated, cold-blooded murder" and a government-ordered police inquiry has recommended that her ex-husband and her father be tried on charges of rape and murder. Shahid was buried in July in eastern Pakistan after her family declared she had died of a heart attack. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, September 8, 2016, 16:30 [IST] Land acquisition without consent of farmers wrong: Kanhaiya on Singur row Kolkata oi-IANS By Ians English Kolkata, Sep 8: Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) President Kanhaiya Kumar on Thursday asserted that it is wrong to take away land from farmers without their consent. Kanhaiya's comments come in the wake of a recent ruling of the Supreme Court striking down the acquisition of 997.11 acres of land by the then CPI(M)-led Left Front government in Bengal's Singur (in Hooghly district) for setting up the small car factory of Tata Motors. "As far as the question of taking away land goes, I am not totally against it because if land is not given then factories will not be built but the question is without farmers' consent their land should not be acquired," Kumar told a TV channel here when asked about the Singur land movement and the CPI(M) forcibly acquiring land. "It was indeed (wrong)," he said, explaining, "If you do anything without the consent of the community (whether it is the farming or tribal community) which has ownership over it, then it is wrong." Asked about West Bengal Chief Minister Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee's support to the movement (then the state's principal opposition leader) and on her stint as the state chief minister, Kanhaiya maintained he does not support a specific person. "The ownership of a revolution and struggle is dangerous. Only the public (the janta) has the ownership over the revolution, not a leader or an individual. Changes in society are brought about through a collective effort so I do not support a specific individual," he added. Banerjee had undertaken a 26-day hunger strike in Kolkata in December 2006, against the "forcible land acquisition" in Singur, and demanding 400 acres taken from farmers unwilling to part with their land be returned to them. She later travelled to the rural pocket and laid siege to the factory for 14 days in 2008. The Tata group then moved the project out of the state and finally set it up in Sanand in Gujarat, on land assigned to them by the state's then investor-friendly Chief Minister Narendra Modi. IANS SC: We also want govt to stop perks for Kashmir separatists New Delhi oi-Vicky New Delhi, Sept 8: A petition seeking to stop funding for Jammu and Kashmir separatists has been filed in the Supreme Court. While asking the petitioner to mention the matter at 2 pm, Justice Anil Dave said that he too feels the same. "All sitting here also feel the same," Justice Dave said. Justice Dave directed the petitioner to get the same numbered and make a mention at 2 pm for urgent hearing. The petitioner, Advocate M L Sharma will argue the matter before the Bench at 2 pm. India spent Rs. 356 crore in 5 years on protection, privileges for Kashmir separatists In the petition, Sharma has sought a direction to the government to stop funding for the separatists of the Valley. He has alleged that nearly Rs 100 crore is being spent by the government to provide security and other perks. He sought a directive for the funding to stop immediately. After Home Ministry sources had said a few days back that there was a plan to stop funding for the separatists, there was a turn around on Wednesday following the all party delegation meeting. At the meeting, Rajnath Singh said that the whole issue had been misinterpreted and there was no such move on the cards. BJP's Ajat Shatru had raised this issue in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly and sought that funding and perks be stopped immediately. He had said that over the past five years, the government had spent Rs 560 crore to guard the separatists and had also paid for their travel and accomodation. OneIndia News Kerala CM accuses Gov of 'acting as RSS tool' on his order to VCs to resign Kerala proposes ban on RSS shakhas in temples Thiruvananthapuram oi-Vicky Thiruvananthapuram, Sept 8: The move to ban RSS shakhas in temples in Kerala is likely to increase tensions in the state. The Kerala state government has sought an opinion from the law ministry on how to bring about a law that would ban shakhas in temples owned by the devasom boards. Kerala's state temple affairs minister, Kadakampally Surendran said that they have been getting complaints that the temple premises are being used to store arms and also to impart training. This cannot be allowed, he also said. This move by the government has evoked a strong response from the BJP in the state. They will not succeed in banning shakhas in temples, the BJP's Kummanam Rakasekaran said. The BJP also says that this move only displays the insecurity of the government. "The CPI(M) ruled government understands that the BJP is a threat to them. Fearing that the BJP may make inroads into the Hindu vote bank, the government is contemplating this ban," the BJP also says. While the government, on one hand, says that it has received several complaints about certain activities in temples, the RSS rubbishes these allegation. The RSS says that these are mere allegations. The government, however, will seek legal opinion before it attempts to enact a law banning shakhas in temples controlled by the Devasom board. OneIndia News by Graham Pierrepoint Instant messaging has erupted in a big way over the past few years, as both WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger have revolutionized the way in which we communicate with each other while the days of MSN Messenger may be well behind us, the text chat format has found a new home on the smartphone, and has found simple integration with social media. While text messaging may have taken over instant messaging in its infancy, the format has since involved to take the best of both worlds and make them accessible to just about everybody, for free. While Facebook has taken advantage of WhatsApps rise in popularity by buying the brand, Google have remained conspicuously quiet on the IM front at least, until now. The company have recently released Google Duo, the companys answer to Skype and FaceTime and they have designs on releasing a new instant messaging platform in the short term to compete with both WhatsApp and Facebook in the form of Google Allo. Allo isnt necessarily the same kettle of fish as your run-of-the-mill instant messenger as it aims to incorporate machine learning into its programming, allowing for smart messaging, simpler conversations and the emergence of a smart assistant that will not only offer personalization and answers to questions that you will genuinely find useful, but will also enable you to search and browse Google itself without ever needing to leave the application. Such an integration will enable you to ask a question @Google meaning that searching and chatting could become even more streamlined into one simple package. Its a platform that will also supposedly feature a whole host of unique emojis and images that can be used to define and personalize your social experience at least via your phone! There is no release date set for Allo as yet, but it appears to be a move for Google that could be considered rather lucrative after all, instant messaging is now more mainstream than ever and while the company may have been concentrating on driverless cars and even artificial intelligence, Googles entry into the messaging market beyond their Hangouts system has been long-awaited for some time. Will Google Allo change the way we communicate with each other even further? Will it dare to pull us away from WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger? As always, we will have to wait and see.